Birthday Silhouette

Inspiration

Another easy card, inspired by a design I saw in a Stamp It magazine, designed by Dawn McVey. It's always fun to see cards that use stamps you have in your stash!

Ingredients

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

Paper

Whisper White (SU!)	4 1/4" x 11"; scored at 5 1/2", and 5/8" x 2"
Dusty Durango (SU!)	1 1/4 x 4 1/4", and 3/4" x 2" 1/8

Inks

Dusty Durango (SU!)

Stamps

Upsy Daisy (SU!)

Poetic Prints (Hero Arts)

Accessories

Ribbon (SU!)

ATG (Scotch)

Scor-Pal

Scissors

Rotary Trimmer

Instructions

IMAGE

Stamp the silhouette image on the front of the card in the dark orange ink - you actually have to stamp it twice in order to have it reach all the way across the card, so don't be afraid to let it "drop of the edges" of the card.

SENTIMENT

Stamp the greeting on the small piece of white cardstock (I actually stamp the sentiment BEFORE I cut the paper to be so small). Mount the trimmed sentiment on the small piece of orange paper.

ASSEMBLY

Stamp the background dots in dark orange ink on the orange paper. Tie a knot in a length of ribbon and adhere it across the upper portion of the orange paper, then mount this panel over the lower part of the flower image.

Add the sentiment stack in the upper right area of the card front.

Thanks for stopping by!

Bella Diploma

Inspiration

It's right in the middle of "graduation season", and this year I only had a couple to make. This image from Stamping Bella is so perfect for those lovely female graduates - I've used it for a couple of years now. I always try to pick paper to match school colors - JJ Pearce in Richardson, TX, is easy - they are RED, WHITE, and BLUE!

Also, I got a COPIC airbrush system Friday night, and started playing with it on Saturday. I have to say, I think I'm going to love it, but it is really going to take some practice! This card has just a touch - red airbrush highlight on the sentiment.

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size is 6" x 6"

Paper

Brilliant Blue	5 1/2" X 8 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
Real Red	4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
Stamper's Select White (PTI)	4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Inks

Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)

Brilliant Blue (SU!)

Stamps

DiplomaBella (Stamping Bella)

Congratulations (Hero Arts)

Accessories

Fancy Tags Shapeabilities (Spellbinders)

Classic Rectangle Nestabilities - Large (Spellbinders)

Classic Rectangle Nestabilities - Small (Spellbinders)

Grand Calibur (Spellbinders)

COPIC markers (Imagination International)

COPIC airbrush system (Imagination International)

Scor-Pal

ATG 714

Scissors

Rotary Trimmer

Instructions

Image

Stamp the figure on white paper in black ink, and cut it out with the largest die from the SMALL rectangle Nestie set. Cut and emboss red rectangle, using the largest die from the LARGE Nestie set. Color with COPIC markers. I used these colors:

• Face/Legs: E000, E00, R11, RV11
• Shirt/Shoes: B21, B23
• Flower/Tassel: Y35, R29
• Robe/Cap: C5, C7, C9, 100, R29
• Background: B0000, B000

Sentiment

Cut and emboss a fancy label from white paper, and stamp the sentiment in blue centered on the label. Before removing the paper from the die, lightly spray the label using the airbrush, and the R29 COPIC marker. Note - you can create an effect very much like this using a sponge, and red dye ink.

Assembly

Mount the image on the red rectangle, and mount it on the card front. Add the sentiment label below the red rectangle.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day holiday, and thanks for stopping by!

First Birthday

Inspiration

I had a last-minute invitation to a baby girl’s first birthday, and this is the card I put together. I returned to my stand-by idea mill - the SCS Sketch Challenge. I used the challenge number 302 (click the sketch at the right to go to the challenge page).

I added the ribbon and one more layer to the sketch, since the stamp I wanted to use was long and narrow. 

Here’s the result:

Ingredients

Paper

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

Color	Size
Pink Pirouette – textured (SU!)	a) 4 1/4” x 11,” score at 5 1/2”
Early Espresso (SU!)	a) 1 1/8” x 5 1/2” b) 1 3/8” x 3 1/2” c) 2 1/4” x 3” d) 1 7/8” x 3 3/4” e) 1/2” x 1 3/8”
Pink Pirouette Patterned Paper (SU!)	a) 1” x 5 3/8” b) 2 1/8” x 2 7/8”
Baja Breeze (SU!)	a) 1 1/4” x 3 3/8”
White (Paper Trey)	a) 1 3/4” x 3 5/8” b) 3/8” x 1 1/4”

Ink

Rich Cocoa (Memento), Baja Breeze (SU!)

Stamps

Teddies & Balloons (Hero Arts), Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU!)

Accessories

COPIC markers: E27, E31, E33, BG000, BG02, BG72, BG75,Y21, Y24, YG17, RV000, RV02, RV10, RV13, C00, C01 (Too Markers); SPICA At-You Pink, Clear (Too Markers); Pink ribbon (Michaels); Scor-Pal; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Rotary trimmer with straight blade (Fiskars); Scissors

Instructions

Image

Stamp the teddy bears on the larger white panel using the brown ink; color with COPICs.

Stamp the greeting on the small white piece using the blue ink.

Hint: When you are working with a tiny image like the greeting, there’s always the question: “Do I stamp it and then cut it out or cut it then stamp it?” In general, I cut then stamp - I like all the pieces to look proportionally perfect, and I find that cutting first helps me get there. If I’m worried about getting the stamp straight or can’t “eyeball” the position, I use my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig. On this one, I just stamped it without using the positioner.

Assembly

This card is simple to assemble - just lots of building layers.  First, mount all the color and image layers on the appropriate brown mat panels.

Then simply attach the layers in the right order: First the base card, then the long pink patterned panel, followed by the blue panel.

Then add your bow.

Hint: I have a couple of ways I use to tie bows.  One of my favorites is the Bow-Easy.  However, on this card, I followed a great tutorial by Becca Freeken I found here.

Follow up with the last layers, and the sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by!

Easter Gift Card Holders

Inspiration
Making gift card holders is great for any occasion, including Easter - a great little item to add to an Easter basket!  This is an easy one to make, and can be decorated in so many ways.

I first saw the idea on a technique challenge on Splitcoast Stampers, and it referred to a video for making this card holder on the Hero Arts blog.  I made Christmas-themed holders for gift cards in December, and they were a real hit.

Here are my Easter versions.

I used my Silhouette digital cutter for the scalloped frames on each card, and for the Easter basket on the purple card.  The rest were just quick & easy stamps with an Easter theme.

Ingredients

PAPER: Solid color cardstock measuring 8 1/2” x 4 1/4” for the outside of the card; Coordinating paper measuring 4” x 12” for the inside card holder.

STAMPS: An Egg-cellent Easter (SU!); Hey Chickie (Cornish Heritage Farms)

INK: Basic Black (SU!)

ACCESSORIES: SU Markers; Scor-Pal; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Rotary trimmer with straight and deckle blades (Fiskars); Craft knife

Instructions

INSIDE CARD HOLDER: Score the 4 X 12 paper, score it at 4", 6”, and 8”.  Fold the paper inward on the 4” and 8” scores.  Using the craft knife, cut a slit about 2 1/2” long along the 6” score line.   Fold on the 6” score line in the opposite direction of the first 2 folds.  Now you have a “W” shape. 

OUTSIDE CARD: Score the 8” x 4 1/4” card in the middle at 4 1/4”, and decorate the front with a stamped or die cut image.

FINAL ASSEMBLY: Use adhesive to glue the inside cardholder paper to inside of the outer card, with the slit for the gift card pointing outward.

You can embellish the inside with more images, or sentiments as you wish.  It’s a simple pattern you can really personalize.  For more inspiration, here is a gallery with many, many samples!

Have fun getting ready for the Easter Bunny’s visit! Thanks for stopping by.

 

Valentine Countdown: Day 12

Inspiration

One of my favorite creative efforts is “made to order” cards – my customer provides a favorite color or hobby, and I create a card specifically for the recipient. When their eyes widen, and the smile bursts onto their faces, I know I’ve hit the target and that is the greatest reward for me.  Today and tomorrow, I’ll show you a couple of special-order Valentines I made for customers.  On Valentine's Day, I’ll post the creations I’ve made for my husband (I have to hold out until then, so he won’t get a hint!)

This one is a Valentine created for a friend who is a newly-wed (only a few months!).  She asked for something for her husband that used something from the text read at their ceremony.   I designed a card that could be it’s own envelope – it folds over, and is held shut with a small set of magnetic snaps.  But I always like to decorate a matching envelope for such a special day.

My friend sent me two quotations, and I picked out a sentences describing a couple as “two balloons” from a  Richard Bach excerpt (close up of text is below).  I used this heart-shaped balloon stamp, one in each color and drew the strings entwined below them.  The lower panel is blank, so she can add her own special message.

The text is printed from the computer using Microsoft Word 2007.  The text box comes with the pretty brackets, so I used them to create a frame for the quotation.

 

BTW - I realize I’ve shown you lots of cards in pink and brown – I promise tomorrow we go back to RED RED RED!

Ingredients

CARDSTOCK: Base: Very Vanilla (SU!); Trim: Close to Cocoa (SU!)

STAMPS: CARD: Rose (Hero Arts), Sentiment from Holidays & Wishes (SU!), Balloon (Stampendous).  ENVELOPE: Rose (Hero Arts), sentiment from Short & Sweet (SU!)

INK: Pink Pirouette (SU!), Close to Cocoa (SU!)

ACCESSORIES: Make up sponges, Threading Water border punch (Fiskars), stitched ribbon (Michaels), Hodgepodge Hardware (SU!), Magnetic Snaps (Basic Grey), Close to Cocoa marker (SU!), Computer, inkjet printer, scissors, Rotary trimmer with straight straight blade (Fiskars), redline double-sided adhesive, ATG with ¼” adhesive (Scotch)

Instructions

BASE CARD:  Cut a piece of vanilla cardstock to measure 5 1/2” x 10”, and score it twice – once at 4 1/4” and once at 8 1/2”.  Fold on the score lines to make a tri-fold card.  Use the border punch on the long edge of the top panel of the card.  Using the a make up sponge, rub pink ink around the edges of the top panel in a circular motion to create a soft blush on the card.  Then do the same with brown ink on the lower panel that will be facing forward.

BROWN TRIM: Cut a strip of brown paper measuring 1 1/2” x 5 1/2”.  Adhere the brown strip under the front panel of the base card, leaving a small edge showing beneath the punched scallops.

QUOTATION: Print the quotation on vanilla cardstock, and trim it closely.  Adhere it to a piece of brown cardstock and trim it to show a narrow brown border around the quote.

IMAGES: OUTSIDE: Stamp the sentiment in brown in the lower right corner of the front panel just inside the brown edge.  After inking the rose with brown ink, stamp it once on scrap paper, then stamp it on the top panel.  This “stamp off” technique produces a lighter image than the fully inked stamp.  INSIDE: Stamp a balloon in pink, then one in brown next to one another on the left of the inside panel, leaving space for the quotation to be mounted.  Draw string on the balloons using the brown marker.

FINAL CARD ASSEMBLY: OK!  Slip the hardware buckle onto the ribbon, then adhere the ribbon around outside of the card, about an inch in from the left of the card.  The ribbon I used has a little give to it, so the card still folds easily.  Attach the quotation inside next to the balloons.  Finally attach the magnets to the inside of the top flap and the front of the card as a closure.  Hint: The adhesive on the back of the magnets was not too strong – I peeled it off and used tiny squares of redline adhesive instead.

ENVELOPE  I’m guessing you can see how the envelope was made to match: 1) sponge pink and brown on 2 edges, 2) using the stamp-off technique, add the rose, 3) finish up with the sentiment below the rose.

Thanks for stopping by & be sure to check back each day for a new Valentine!

Valentine Countdown: Day 4

   

Inspiration

As promised, here is another Valentine doll!  This one is very simple too – the Spellbinders Nestabilities make matting an image a breeze.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

CARDSTOCK: Base: Rose Red (SU!); Solid Horizontal Mat: Pretty in Pink (SU!); Patterned Mat: Raspberry Tart designer series paper (SU!); Scalloped Oval Mat: Cameo Coral (SU!); Oval Mat: Pretty in Pink (SU!); Image: Whisper White (SU!)

STAMPS: Three Japanese Dolls (Hero Arts); Holidays and Wishes (SU!)

INK: Basic Black (SU!)

ACCESSORIES: COPIC Markers, Gelly Roll Clear Star sparkle pen (Sakura), Cuttlebug die cut machine, Large Scalloped Oval Nestabilities; Small Oval Nestabilities die (Spellbinders), Accents & Elements felt flower (SU!), pink brad (Imaginisce), 1/8” hole punch (Fiskars), ATG with ¼” adhesive (Scotch)

Instructions

BASE CARD:  Cut a piece of pomegranate cardstock to measure 4 1/4” x 11, and score it in the middle at 5 1/2”.

HORIZONTAL MATS: Cut a pink layer measuring 5 1/2” by 2 1/2”.  Count a patterned layer measuring 5 1/2” by 2”.

OVALS: Cut a scalloped oval from the coral paper using the Cuttlebug die cut machine with the large scalloped oval Nestabilities die.  Run the oval through the machine twice – first to cut, then to emboss.  Then cut and emboss a pink oval using the small oval die.

IMAGE: Stamp the doll on white paper, and color with COPIC markers. Accent the flowers on the kimono with the sparkle pen.  Trim the image, leaving a narrow margin around the image.  Punch a small hole in the hair and mount the flower with the brad.

ASSEMBLY: Fold the base card on the scored line; this card opens horizontally – the scored fold goes at the left of the card. Then adhere the pink mat followed by the patterned paper.  The ovals are next, and center the image in the final mat – all elements are mounted flat against each other.  Finish the card by stamping the sentiment in the lower right corner in basic black.

Thanks for stopping by & be sure to check back each day for a new Valentine!

Valentine Countdown: Day 3

  

Inspiration

This Valentine is for a little doll – a friend’s granddaughter.  In fact, there is another doll card for tomorrow.  I picked up this set of doll stamps at a trade show – they are from Hero Arts, and believe there are LOTS of possibilities for beautiful cards in these stamps.

Ingredients

CARDSTOCK: Base: Pretty in Pink textured cardstock (SU!); Rounded squares: Pretty in Pink designer series paper (SU!); Oval layer and Image layer: Whisper White (SU!)

STAMPS: Three Japanese Dolls (Hero Arts), Simple Sayings 2 (SU!)

INK: Basic Black (SU!)

ACCESSORIES: COPIC Markers, Cuttlebug die cut machine, Small Oval Nestabilities die (Spellbinders), Pink Satin Ribbon (Michael’s), Corner rounder punch (SU!), Foam tape (3M), ATG with ¼” adhesive (Scotch)

Instructions

BASE CARD:  Cut a piece of pink textured cardstock to measure 5 1/2” x 11, and score it in the middle at 5 1/2”.

PATTERNED SQUARES: Cut two 2” x2” squares from the pink patterned paper, and round each corner with the punch.

WHITE OVAL: Cut a small white oval using the Cuttlebug die cut machine with the small oval Nestabilities die.  Run the oval through the machine twice – first to cut, then to emboss.

IMAGE: Stamp the doll on white paper, and color with COPIC markers. Trim the image, leaving a narrow margin around the image.

ASSEMBLY: Fold the base card on the scored line; this card opens vertically – the scored fold goes at the top of the card. 

The ribbon is added in 2 pieces: Cut a short piece (3”) and lay it vertically on the card.  Mount a 5 1/2” piece of ribbon ribbon across the middle of the card horizontally, across the small piece of ribbon, forming a cross.  Then tie the small piece in a knot and pull it tight. 

Then adhere the squares in an overlapping pattern close to the left edge of the card.  Mount the white oval over the center of the squares, and add the doll image mounted with foam tape.  Finish the card by stamping the sentiment in the lower right corner in basic black.

Thanks for stopping by & be sure to check back each day for a new Valentine!

Valentine Countdown: Day 2

  

Inspiration

Many of my designs are simple – one or two colors, and simple embellishments.  This Valentine uses black and white to play up the rich violet color of the cardstock and ribbon.  The embossing on the heart gives the card some texture and warmth.  This one is a good candidate if you need to make a number of cards and can make them all the same!

Ingredients

CARDSTOCK: Base: Purely Pomegranate (SU!) 4¼” x 11 - scored at 5½"; Lace layer: Whisper White (SU!) 5½" x 2"; Image layer: Basic Black (SU!)

STAMPS: Always (SU!)

INK: Versamark Watermark Ink (Tsukineko)

ACCESSORIES: Heart border punch (Fiskars), Detail White embossing powder (Stampendous), Heat Gun, Deep rose grosgrain ribbon (Ribbon Retreat), Black grosgrain ribbon (Ribbon Retreat), Glue Dots (Zots), Foam tape (3M), ATG with ¼” adhesive (Scotch)

Instructions

LACE BORDER: Punch one edge of the white strip of paper with the heart border punch, and mount it to the middle of the card.

HEART IMAGE: Stamp the heart on the black paper with the VersaMark ink.  Cover the stamped image with the white embossing powder, then tip all of the excess powder off the image.  Heat the image with the heat gun just until it appears smooth.  Trim the image, leaving a narrow border around the heart.

ASSEMBLY: Fold the base card on the scored line, and mount the white lace layer across the middle of the card horizontally.  Then adhere the black ribbon across the white layer.  Mount the heart with foam tape, and add the knotted rose ribbon with a glue dot.  Trim the ends of the knotted ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by & be sure to check back each day for a new Valentine!