Early Mother's Day

Inspiration

I'm very fortunate to be in my 50's with both my mother and my husband's mother alive and healthy. So I make 2 special cards every May to send off to East Tennessee, where they both live. Today's card is the one I made for my own mother - she loves gardens and butterflies, especially in the spring.

Ingredients

Note: finished card size is 5" x 7"

Stamps

Fabulous Flourishes (Tim Holtz Collection by Stampers Anonymous)

Floral Wreath (Gina K Designs)

Butterfly and Lilies (Heartfelt Creations)

Mother's Day Centers (Cornish Heritage Farms)

Paper

Pink Pirouette	7" x 10"; scored at 5", and 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
X-Press It Blending Card (Imagination International)	3" x 5 1/2"

Ink

Distress Embossing Ink (Ranger)

Distress Inks and Re-Inkers (Ranger): Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, and Weathered Wood

Accessories

Butterflight On the Edge Die (Tim Holtz Alterations by Sizzix)

Big Shot Pro (Sizzix)

Fine Detail White Embossing Powder (Sweet Stamps)

Heat Gun

Ink Blending Tool (Ranger)

Tim Holtz Detail Water Brush (Ranger)

Stamp-A-Ma-Jig (EK Success)

Zip Dry Glue

3-D Foam Squares (Scrapbook Adhesives)

Scor-Pal

Cutter Bee Scissors (EK Success)

Rotary Trimmer (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD

Start with a piece of pink card stock measuring 7" x 10", score at 5" and fold. Stamp the flourish diagonally across the card front using embossing ink, and heat emboss with fine detail white embossing powder.

Use the ink blending tool to shade all 4 edges of the card. If you get ink on the white flourish, simply wipe it off with a paper towel.

BORDER

Use the Butterflight die to cut a border of butterflies using white card stock. Using the ink blending tool, apply Distress inks to color the butterflies. Glue the border to the bottom edge of the card front.

IMAGES

Stamp the butterfly and wreath images on pink card stock using embossing ink, and heat emboss with detail white embossing powder. Carefully cut out both images. Color the images using a brush, and Distress Re-Inkers. Use dark pink ink to stamp the sentiment in the center of the wreath. I use my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to position the sentiment just where I want it.

Finish by mounting the wreath in the open curve of the flourish and the butterfly in the right upper corner of the card, using foam squares.

Thanks for stopping by!

A Valentine for My Husband

Inspiration

I'm late posting Valentine's cards - I made 3 special cards this year (not my usually stack!) - so you will see 3 extra posts this week! I'm starting today with the card I made for my DH, Joe. He's a dancer (West Coast Swing), so I always like to make cards with a dance or music theme. This one was fun - and I really like the black sparkle embossing powder from Sweet Stamps for the dancers image.

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size: 5" x 7"

Stamps

Because of You (Gina K)

Happy Valentine's Day (Stampendous)

Border Builders (SU!)

Paper

Baja Breeze	7" x 10" scored at 5", and 4"x 4", and 3" x 5" (2 pieces), and 3" x 3"
All Dressed Up stack (DCWV)	4 7/8" x 6 7/8" (2 pieces)

Ink

Versamark

Memento Tuxedo Black

Baja Breeze

Accessories

Scalloped Hearts Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Fancy Tags 2 Shapeabilities (Spellbinders)

Grand Calibur (Spellbinders)

Nestabling (Want 2 Scrap)

Heart charms (unknown)

Sew Easy Fancy Floss (We R Memory Keepers)

Black Sparkle embossing powder (Sweet Stamps)

Heat Gun

Tape (Scotch)

Scissors

ATG (3M)

Scor-Pal

Rotary Trimmer (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD and MAT LAYER

Cut a piece of blue card stock measuring 7" x 10", score it at 5", and fold. Cut the designer paper so that the swirl pattern is in one corner, and the piece measures 4 7/8" x 6 7/8". Mount this on the card front with the swirls in the lower right corner.

CHARMS

Tie pieces of the sparkly floss to each heart charm. Use a glue dot to hold the heart charm where you want it on the card, and tape the top of the string to the card. Make sure the top of the string will be under the heart when you mount it on the card.

DANCERS

Stamp the dancer image with Versamark ink on white card stock. Heat emboss with black sparkle embossing powder. Trim the image with a narrow margin around the edges. Cut/emboss a medium scalloped heart from blue paper, adhere a matching Nestabling heart sticker. Mount over the strings of the heart charms, using foam squares. Mount the trimmed dancers image over the heart center using foam squares.

SENTIMENT

Cut/emboss a fancy tag from the same blue card stock. Stamp the sentiment in black ink in the center of the tag. Adhere a matching Nestabling sticker, and mount in the lower center of the card front.

INSIDE

On the inside, cut and mount the same mat layer as you did on the front, except now put the swirls in the upper left corner. Cut/emboss a smaller scalloped heart, and stamp the sentiment in black ink on the heart. Because my sentiment fit better by placing it on the right of the heart instead of centered, I stamped some tiny hearts with blue ink that matches the card stock. Mount this on the upper right of the card inside. Cut and emboss a matching tag and mount at the bottom of the inside - it doesn't give you a lot of space to write much more than "I love you", but I think that's all you need!

Thanks for stopping by!

Funky Purple Doodles

Inspiration

I'm posting a quick card - just with ingredients, no instructions - it's really late Saturday night, and I've got to get some sleep! This card is one I made a while ago for a friend's birthday. I've been playing around with Zentangle designs a little, and this stamp set from Stampin' Up! reminds me of that type of design. Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

Paper

Lovely Lilac (SU!)	4 1/4" x 11"; scored at 5 1/2"
Almost Amethyst (SU!)	4" x 5 1/4"
Tea Party DSP (SU!)	3 7/8" x 5 1/8"
Stamper's Select White (Papertrey Ink)	5 1/2" x 8 12"

Inks

Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)

Stamps

Playful Petals (SU!)

Floral Wreath (Gina K)

Accessories

Petite Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Big Shot Pro (Sizzix)

1 3/4" Circle Punch (SU!)

COPIC markers (Imagination International)

Buttons (SU! and Walmart)

Embroidery floss

3-D foam squares (Scrapbook Adhesives)

Scor-Pal

Zip-Dry glue

Scissors (Cutter Bee)

Rotary trimmer (Fiskars)

Thanks for stopping by!

Chessmen Photo Card

Inspiration

I do a lot of photography, even though I don't post a lot of photos here. Most of my shots are not "people" shots - I like scenic nature vistas most. But I also like macro photography, especially taking pictures of items that provide a different point of view.

Today's card uses a photo I took of an antique chess set that sits on a table in the "Officers' Club" room of the Hangar Hotel in Fredricksburg, TX. It's a cool hotel that is built to look like a WWII hangar on the outside, and a 1940's-style hotel featuring airplane memorabilia, model planes, and USO history. The chess set, made of glass, was catching sunlight from the nearby windows and I got down very close to capture the chessmen receding in focus.

I used the photo to create a birthday card for a friend's father - a long-time Texan turning 80 years old this fall, who loves to play chess and is someone I thought would appreciate the origin of the chess set in the photo. I used a full sheet of card stock to create the base card, so it's a nice big card for an important birthday event!

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size is 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"

Paper

Basic Black (SU!)	8 1/2" x 11"; score at 5 1/2", and 4 1/4" x 5 3/8
Real Red (SU!)	5 1/2" x 7 3/4", and 3/4" x 8 1/2", and 2" x 3
Jackpot DSP (SU!)	5 1/2" x 7 1/2", and 1/2" x 4 1/2" (3 pieces)
Very Vanilla (SU!)	1/2" x 8 1/2", and scraps

Inks

Basic Black (SU!)

Stamps

Game Night (SU!)

Floral Wreath (Gina K)

Father's Day Centers (CHF)

Accessories

Cuttlebug (Provo Craft)

Ribbon Tag Trio Shapeabilities (Spellbinders)

Oval Punch (SU!)

Scor-Pal

ATG (Scotch)

Scissors (Cutter Bee)

Rotary trimmer (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD

Score a sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" at 5 1/2" and fold. Mount a red mat, measuring 5 1/2" x 7 3/4", in the center of the card front. Mount the chess-board patterned paper, measuring 5 1/2" x 7 1/2" on the red mat layer.

PHOTO

Cut three strips of patterned paper with the pawn pattern, measuring 1/2" x 4 1/2". Mount these from the left edge of the base card toward the center, with the first one 1" from the top of the card, and each one 1/8" apart.

Trim the photo to 4" x 5 1/4, and mount on a mat of black paper, measuring 4 1/4" x 5 3/8. Mount the matted photo so that it covers the ends of the pawn paper strips, and leaves some of the chess board mat showing on the right.

CHESS MEN TRIM

Cut/emboss a ribbon tag from red paper. Stamp the sentiment in black ink on ivory paper and punch out with the oval punch. Mount the sentiment on the ribbon tag.

Mount an ivory strip measuring 1/2" x 8 1/2" on a red strip measuring 3/4" x 8 1/2", and slide through the ribbon tag. Mount this across the front of the card.

Finish by stamping the chess men images in black ink on ivory paper. Trim them closely, and mount at varying angles along the ivory "ribbon" on the front of the card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Anniversary Song

Inspiration

I have some friends and relatives who just couldn't wait for June to get married - so before the June rush of weddings/anniversaries, I have a couple of spring anniversaries to celebrate. Here's my first spring-themed anniversary for a couple of "love birds".

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size is 5” x 7”

Paper

Always Artichoke (SU!)	7” x 10”, scored at 5"
Rose Red (SU!)	4 7/8” x 6 7/8”
"ancestors.com" patterned paper (K & Company)	4 3/4" x 6 3/4"
More Mustard (SU!)	2 1/2” x 4” and 2 1/2” x 3 1/2”
Whisper White (SU!)	2 1/2” x 3 1/2”

Inks

More Mustard (SU!)	Rose Red (SU!)
Versamark (Tsukineko)

Stamps

Elegant Post (Gina K.)	Elegant Verses (Gina K)
Border Builders (SU!)

Accessories

Clear Embossing Powder (Stampendous)	Heat Gun
Ink-A-Gold Rose Acrylic Paint	Ribbon (Hobby Lobby)
Scor-Pal	Bow-Easy
Elegant Posts Dies(Spellbinders)	Grand Calibur (Spellbinders)
Labels 4 and Labels 4 Small Dies(Spellbinders)	Stamp-A-Ma-Jig(EK Success)
Rotary trimmer with straight blades (Fiskars)

Instructions

Die Cuts

Cut and emboss the post using the mustard paper. Use a sponge to apply the Ink-A-Gold Rose paint before removing the shape from the stencil.

Cut and emboss a label using the mustard paper, and the next smallest label using the white paper.

Ink the sentiment using the Versamark ink, then add the rose colored ink. Stamp it in the center of the white label. Cover the image in clear embossing powder and heat to set.

Use a sponge to apply the Ink-A-Gold Rose paint lightly around the edges of the white label.

Image

The bird and the cage are two different stamps, so I used the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to place them together.

First, I stamped a cage in black on white paper and cut it out. Then using the post die-cut, and the cage sample, I figured out where on the patterned paper I wanted to place the image. I marked the top of the cage, and the side of the cage with a light pencil mark.

Then, I stamped and heat-embossed the birds (ink with Versamark, then rose ink, and clear embossing powder).

Now, using the stamp positioner, I found exactly where I wanted the cage to be. I inked the stamp with Versamark, and then mustard ink, then embossed with clear powder.

I finished off the love bird image with stamping a small heart in rose ink above the cage - Note, I used the "stamp off" method, stamping the first image on scrap paper, then stamping on the patterned paper until the ink was gone from the stamp.

Assembly

Mount the patterned paper with the bird cage image on the rose panel.

Tie a bow and slip a horizontal ribbon through the back of the bow before pulling it tight. Mount the ribbon with the bow across the lower portion of the stack. Add the sentiment lable to the left of the bow, and mount the whole stack to the front of the card.

Finish up by mounting the decorated post from the edge of the card, just touching the top of the cage.

Final Notes

Inside I put another rose panel, measuring 4 7/8" x 6 7/8", topped with a white panel, measuring 4 3/4" x 6 3/4".

I stamped a Happy Anniversary sentiment, and repeated the heart "stamp-off" technique around the greeting.

Thanks for stopping by!

Quick and Easy

Inspiration

Ever had a week where you just don't have time to get everything done you want to do? Like every week, right? This is one of those weeks for me - I have lots of "have to do's (work, house work, etc.)", and lots of "get to do's (Heartfelt Creations design team submission, Tommy Tune musical, Photoshop training, HTML/CSS class)", plus a ton of "want to do's (card making, studying, supporting Joe's business, etc., etc., etc.)" things - something for sure won't get done. LOL! But reviewing the list DOES make me count my blessings instead of my burdens.

With that in mind, these two cards are made with a major time-saver set of stamps from Gina K Designs - they are decorated frames that coordinate with Spellbinders Nestabilities dies. Since they are already decorated, you don't need much time or many materials to make nice, quick greetings (and a quick blog entry)!

Card One - Fabulous Frame

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size is 4 1/4” x 5 1/2”

Paper

Ruby Red (SU!):  4 1/4” x 11”, scored at 5 1/2”

English Garden DSP (SU!):  4” x 5 1/4”

Whisper White (SU!):  3” x 3”

Inks

Ruby Red (SU!)

Stamps

Lovely Labels (Gina K)

Simply Said (Unity)

Accessories

Labels 9 Nestabilities (Spellbinders)	Grand Calibur (Spellbinders)
Ribbon and Foam Tape	Scissors
Scor-Pal	Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch)
Rotary trimmer with deckle and straight blades (Fiskars)

Instructions

Step 1: Stamp the decorated label on the white cardstock in red, and then add the sentiment in the middle of the open space in the label.

Step 2: Create the label using the Label 9 die - run it through the die cut machine twice - once to cut, once to emboss.

Step 3: Mount a ribbon with a tied not around the middle of the patterned paper panel.

Step 4: Mount the patterned paper with the ribbon to the front of the card.

Step 5: Add the stamped label, using foam tape for a little bit of dimension.

Card Two - Wasabi Wishes

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size is 4 1/4” x 5 1/2”

Paper

Wild Wasabi (SU!):  4 1/4” x 11”, scored at 5 1/2”

Linen Closet Patterned Cardstock (DCWV):  4” x 5 1/4”

Whisper White (SU!):  3” x 4”

Inks

Wild Wasabi (SU!)

Stamps

Lovely Labels (Gina K)

Elegant Post (Gina K)

Accessories

Labels 4 Nestabilities (Spellbinders)	Grand Calibur (Spellbinders)
Pearl Stickers (Recollections)	Foam Tape
Scor-Pal	Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch)
Rotary trimmer with deckle and straight blades (Fiskars)

Instructions

Step 1: Stamp the decorated label on the white cardstock in green, and then add the sentiment in the middle of the open space in the label.

Step 2: Create the label using the Label 4 die - run it through the die cut machine twice - once to cut, once to emboss.

Step 3: Mount the patterned paper panel on the front of the card.

Step 4: Add the stamped label, using foam tape for a little bit of dimension.

Step 5: Add matching pearl stickers in the design on the label.

Final Notes

Hope this shows you quick & easy can still be really nice – and the recipient always appreciates the card, no matter how simple.

Thanks for stopping by!

Spring Birthday Wreath

Inspiration

Here in Texas, we’ve had a taste of spring for the last week after the cold winter blast we had for a couple of weeks.  It was 78 degrees outside today!

This card captures the spring touch – blush and green, and pretty roses. 

 

Ingredients

Paper

Note: finished card size is 4 1/4” x 5 1/2”

Green Galore (SU!)	5 1/2” x 8 1/2”; score at 4 1/4”
Blush Blossom (SU!)	3 3/4” x 5”
Stamper’s Select White (PaperTrey Ink)	4” x 4”

Ink

Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Green Galore (SU!) , Blush Blossom (SU!)

Stamps

Floral Wreath (Gina K)

Accessories

COPIC markers (Imagination International); green ribbon; Sponge; Tape (PK Glitz); Bow-Easy; Glue dots; Foam tape; Scor-Pal; Adhesive Transfer Glider 714 (Scotch); Rotary trimmer with deckle and straight blades (Fiskars); Scissors

Instructions

Image

Stamp the wreath image in black in on the white cardstock.  Stamp the sentiment in green in the center of the wreath.

Color the wreath with COPIC markers.  I used these colors:

• Flower petals:  YR0000, YR00, R30
• Flower centers: Y13
• Leaves: YG11, YG13

Assembly

Cut the blush mat layer using the deckle edge.  Sponge the blush ink around the edges to emphasis the textured edge.

Mount green ribbon across the lower mat, using tape.  Tie a green bow, and mount it in the center of the ribbon stripe using a glue dot.

Mount the wreath using foam tape in the center above the ribbon.

Final Notes

Inside, I made another deckled blush mat layer, and sponged the edges.  I stamped a birthday greeting in black.

Thanks for stopping by!

Forecast: Warm & Sunny

Inspiration

Well, who’s ready for some bright, warm sunshine? Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This one is a card to send someone some warm greetings in the middle of a cold, dreary winter. I used it for a birthday (or two), but it could be used for any warm greeting you want to send.

Ingredients

Paper

Note – card size is 4 1/4” x 5 1/2”

Moonstruck Blue (CTMH):	a)  4 1/4” x 11, score at 5 1/2” b)  3” x 4 1/2” c)  1 1/2” x 4 1/2”
Bashful Blue (SU!):	4” x 5 1/4”
Barely Banana (SU!):	1” x 3 1/2”
Striped paper (unknown):	2 7/8” x 4 3/8”
Stamper’s Select White (PaperTrey):	2 1/2” x 2 1/2”

Stamps

SunMan (Stamp Cabana); Elegant Post (Gina K)

Ink

Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Accessories

COPIC Markers (Imagination International); Sunshine charms and thin jewelry wire (unknown); Paper piercing tool; Glue Dots; Foam Tape; Scor-Pal; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Rotary trimmer with straight blade (Fiskars); Scissors

Instructions

Image

Stamp the sun in black on the white square of cardstock.  Color with COPICs; I used Y13, Y15, Y17, and YR000.  Trim the image closely.

Greeting

Stamp the greeting in black in the lower right corner of the patterned paper.  I positioned the greeting based on the stripes – use your imagination to make it fit.

Charms

I sized the yellow panel to hold the charms based on the size of the charms I had.  I made it just long enough to hold the 3 charms with a little margin around them.  Once I had the panel cut, I laid the 3 charms in place and used the paper piercer to punch 2 holes for each charm – one in the middle of the circle, and one just above it.  Then I put a glue dot on the back of the charm and pressed it in place, and finished it with a small piece of wire through the two holes.  I twisted the wire on the back to hold it in place.

Assembly

Now it’s just a matter of stacking the layers.  Start with the light blue mat, followed by the dark blue/patterned paper panel.  Add the dark blue/charm panel.

Mount the sun in the upper right corner using foam tape for added dimension.

Final Notes

Inside

I cut another blue mat, sized 4” x 5 1/4”, and stamped the greeting in black.

Thanks for stopping by! (and stay WARM!)