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!

Autumn Thinking About You

Inspiration

Here's another autumn card - with one of my favorite fall images - pumpkins! I always use pumpkins practice my shading techniques with COPICs. The Heartfelt Creation pumpkin images from the Pumpkin/Autumn Vines set are perfect for this card, plus they match the Spellbinders Pumpkin dies, so they're easy to cut out in a flash, too.

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size is 5" x 7"

Paper

Early Espresso(SU!)	7" x 10"; score at 5"
Autumn Meadows DSP(SU!)	4 3/4" x 6 3/4"
Vintage Cream(Papertrey Ink)	2" x 3"
Stamper's Select White(Papertrey Ink)	5" x 5"

Ink

Memento Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko)

Stamps

HCPC 3383 Cardinal Posy Branch PreCut Set (Heartfelt Creations)

HCPC 3334 Open Falling Leaves PreCut Set (Heartfelt Creations)

HCPC 3330 Elegant Autumn Swirl PreCut Set (Heartfelt Creations)

HCPC 3329 Pumpkin/Autumn Vines PreCut Set (Heartfelt Creations)

Accessories

HCD 707: Falling Leaves Die (Heartfelt Creations)

Pumpkins Nestabilities Die (Spellbinders)

Big Shot Pro (Sizzix)

Scalloped Oval Punch (SU!)

SPICA Markers (Imagination International)

COPIC Markers (Imagination International)

Sponge

3-D Foam Squares (Scrapbook Adhesives)

ATG (Scotch)

Scor-Pal

Scissors (Cutter Bee)

Rotary trimmer (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD

Start with a piece of brown card stock measuring 7 x 10, score at 5", and fold.

MAT LAYER

Using a deckled blade, cut a piece of designer paper measuring 4 3/4" x 6 3/4". Sponge brown ink around the edges to distress the deckle.

Stamp the Autumn Leaf Swirl image and the pumpkin leaf swirl using brown ink on the mat layer. Color the open areas of the swirls of the Autumn Leaf swirls with a Chocolate SPICA pen, and the open areas of the swirls of the pumpkin leaf swirls with a Turquoise SPICA pen.

Stamp the matching small autumn leaf from the Open Falling Leaves set in brown ink on white card stock 4 times, and cut these out with the matching Falling Leaves die. Color these leaves with COPIC markers: YR12 & E39, and enhance with the Chocolate SPICA pen. Glue them over the upper-most 4 autumn leaves on the mat. Stamp the pumpkin swirl in brown ink on white card stock. and cut out the two leaves. Color them with COPIC markers: BG11 & BG13, and enhance with the Turquoise SPICA pen. Glue them over the pumpkin leaves on the mat. Mount the mat layer on the card front.

PUMPKINS

Stamp the three pumpkins in brown ink on white paper. Cut them out with the matching pumpkin dies. Color with COPIC markers: YR00, YR12, YR18, E39, and enhance with Orange and Chocolate SPICA markers. Glue the largest pumpkin on the card front, then add the two smaller pumpkins using foam squares.

SENTIMENT

Stamp the sentiment in brown ink on cream paper. Punch out with scalloped oval punch, and use a sponge with brown ink to distress the edges of the punched sentiment. Mount in the upper right corner with foam squares.

HC Blog

Don't forget to check out the beautiful creations of the design team at the Heartfelt Creations blog!

Thanks for stopping by!

All The Best

Happy Birthday to Joe!

Before the fun of the new Heartfelt Creations release, I have to say HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dear husband Joe! Today’s YOUR day! I love you.

New Release from Heartfelt Creations

Now, the second Wednesday of the month brings a brand new release from Heartfelt Creations, and June’s release is the Heartfelt Wedding Collection featuring 7 new pre-cut sets and a new exclusive Heartfelt Creations die, manufactured by Spellbinders. This collection is perfect for weddings, anniversaries, as well as sweethearts, friends, and all occasion cards, especially with the new vintage lace die and stamp in this collection! In addition, some of the images in this collection coordinate with last month's Bella Rose Collection and die, giving you more creative outlets for products you may already own.

***Give Away!***

As part of the release, one lucky person will win the entire release valued at $129.99. All you need to do is to leave a comment on this post, or on the Heartfelt Creations blog by midnight June 14. The winner will be announced on the Heartfelt Creations blog on June 15.

Inspiration

June is a big month for card-making for me: I have 7 anniversaries, 7 birthdays, Father's Day for 2 dads, plus assorted weddings and graduations that come up every year! So I really love this new collection from Heartfelt Creations! My head is bubbling with ideas for beautiful projects! Be sure to see all the creative beauties created by the design team on the HC blog. Here's my first sample - it's an easel card - a really easy card to make that always makes a great impression. I have instructions below, or hop over to Splitcoast resources, where they have a really good tutorial.

Ingredients

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

Paper

Blushing Bride (SU!)	4 1/4" x 11", scored at 5 1/2" and 8 1/4"; and 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", and 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Translucent White (the Paper Company)	4 1/8" x 5 3/8" (2 pieces)
Ivory Pure Luxury (Gina K)	4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Inks

Versamark (Tsukineko)

Blushing Bride (SU!)

Stamps

Wedding Dove (Heartfelt Creations)

Bella Rose Scroll (Heartfelt Creations)

Accessories

Grand Calibur (Spellbinders)

Labels 4 Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Labels 4 Small Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Ultrafine gold embossing powder (Stampendous)

Heat gun

Swirl pink adhesive pearls (Prima)

Brides Mother Trim lace (Offray)

Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

Zip Dry

Scor-Pal

ATG 714

Scissors

Rotary Trimmer

Instructions

Card Face

The main card face is made using the single piece of cardstock measuring 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". This makes it easy to decorate before attaching it to the base card. Start by stamping the scroll image using embossing ink on the ivory cardstock, and heat emboss with gold embossing powder. Trim the image closely. Using the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, position the sentiment in the middle of the scroll, then stamp on the scroll in pink ink.

Mount one of the translucent paper rectangles onto the cardstock, then mount the scroll in the lower part of the card. Finish by adding the pink pearl swirls around the top of the scroll.

Assembly

Cut and emboss a label 4 die cut from ivory paper, and use the next largest die from the Labels 4 small set to cut and emboss a pink label. Use the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to stamp the sentiment the middle of the ivory die, using embossing ink. Then emboss the sentiment with gold embossing powder. Mount the ivory label on the pink one.

Score the base card at 5 1/2" and 8 1/4", then fold both score lines in the same direction, forming a base with a tent folded over it at one end. To create the inside, mount the other piece of translucent paper on the base. Mount the sentiment on the left lower portion of the base. Add pink pearl swirls around the sentiment. Glue a strip of lace above the sentiment.

The final step is to mount the card face onto the front of the folded tent on the base of the card. The lace acts as a stop to hold the front of the card upright.

Reminder

To be entered in the drawing for the Wedding Collection give away, leave a comment on this post, and for lots of inspiration using this new release, be sure to visit the Heartfelt Creations blog to see the all the beautiful creations by the design team.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheery Day for Mom

Inspiration

Today's blog post at Heartfelt Creations features more samples made with the new Bella Rose Collection - the design team has outdone themselves!

The solid stamps found in the Bold Bella Rose set offer lots of possibilities for beautiful creations. This card is a monochromatic treatment used on a tri-fold window card, using varying shades of peach.

 

Ingredients

Note: Finished card size is 4" x 6"

Paper

Taffy (CTMH)	6" x 12", scored at 4" and 8"
Dusty Durango (SU!)	5 1/2" x 8 1/2"
Whisper White (SU!)	4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Inks

Groovy Guava (SU!)

Dusty Durango (SU!)

Stamps

HCPC 3391 Bold Bella Rose Precut Set

HCPC 3389 Sentiments for Mom Precut Set

HCPC 3386 Cheery Cardinal Precut Set

Accessories

Labels 9 Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Petite Oval Small Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Petite Scallop Oval Large Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Fancy Tags Shapeabilities (Spellbinders)

Grand Calibur (Spellbinders)

Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

Post-It Note

Zip Dry

Scor-Pal

ATG 714

Scissors

Rotary Trimmer

Instructions

Prepping the Pieces

Use light orange paper cut to 12" x 6", score it at 4" and 8". Cut a window in the front panel using the middle sized Label 9 die.

Using the dark orange paper, cut and emboss a large scalloped oval, a tag, and a Label 9 frame. You can create the frame by placing the middle die inside the next largest die and run the set through the machine. Hint - I use plain tape to hold the dies in place.

Also, cut a plain white oval to fit inside the scalloped oval.

Outside of Card

Glue the dark orange frame around the window on the front of the card.

Stamp a border across the bottom of the card using the small solid rose stamp, rotating it slightly for each image. The border is stamped on the front panel, all three inside panels, and the back of the left panel.

Stamp the "Mom" sentiment under the window on the front of the card.

Through the Window

Stamp the large solid rose image in light orange on the white oval, and the top half of the "cheery" message in dark orange under the rose. I used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to get the saying right where I wanted it. Mount the white oval on the dark orange scalloped oval. Adhere the image on the back of the left-most panel so that the rose will show through the window when the card is closed.

Inside of Card

Create a mask by stamping the large rose image on a Post-It, and trimming it closely. Stamp the large rose in dark orange ink inside the card in the middle panel. Mask it, and stamp the leaf spray, and individual rose buds over and around the masked image using light orange ink.

Stamp the bottom half of the "cheery" image in dark orange on white paper, and cut it out. Mount it on top of the tag die cut, and mount it on the left-most panel.

Thanks for stopping by!

Monochromatic Flowers

Inspiration

I’ve now spent 2 days “home-bound” by the ice here in Texas - probably one more to go. We haven’t had any problems - just occasionally the power goes off for 15 minutes at a time. I’ve worked full days thanks to a laptop and VPN at my company, and have actually accomplished more in less time. There’s a lesson in there somewhere…

For the last few cards I’ve made I found I’m on a “keep it simple” design kick, and today’s card is no exception. It could be used for almost any occasion.  All the colors are a shade of teal (one of my favorite colors!).

Ingredients

Paper

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

Baja Breeze (SU!)	5 1/2” x 8 1/2”; score at 4 1/4”   2 1/2” x 4 1/8”
Soft Sky (SU!)	2 3/8” x 4”
Walk in the Park DSP (SU!)	4” x 5 1/4”

Ink

Baja Breeze (SU!); Soft Sky (SU!)

Stamps

Wonderful You (SU!)

Accessories

Stamp-A-Ma-Jig stamp positioner (EK Success); SPICA glitter pen (Imagination International); Ribbon (Michaels); Bow-Easy; Glue dots; Scor-Pal; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Rotary trimmer with straight blade (Fiskars); Scissors

Instructions

Image

The “Wonderful You” stamp set is called a 2-Step set because the stamps come with an outline and with the solid shapes. They produce a really nice effect, and the stamp-a-ma-jig makes it easy to get everything lined up properly. If you’ve never use one before, there’s a quick tutorial file on one of my FAVORITE blogs - Paperfections by Sharon Harnist.

Essentially, line up the plastic sheet in the corner of the T-square, then align the corner of the stamp, and stamp the image on the clear sheet. Use the image on the clear sheet to plan where you want the final stamped image to appear on your paper. Place the T-square in place with the clear sheet, then remove the sheet. Now ink your stamp and use the T-square to stamp it in the exact position where the clear sheet was. Voila! A beautiful image, perfectly aligned.

SO - for this image, use the Stamp-a-ma-Jig to stamp the solid shapes for the flower and leaves in the light blue ink. Then repeat the process to line up the outline of the flower and leaves, and stamp them in the darker blue ink.

Use the glitter pen to add sparkle to the middle of the flower.

Assembly

Adhere a ribbon around the middle of the patterned paper, then mount the patterned paper on the front of the card.

Mount the darker blue mat panel on the right of the front, and the image panel on top of that.

Finish off with a “Bow-Easy” bow mounted with a glue dot to the left of the image.

Final Notes

This could be a birthday card, or almost any other occasion. Inside, I added another light blue panel sized 4” x 5 1/4”. I stamped a birthday greeting in the darker blue  shade, using two stamps - together, they made a nice birthday wish. These stamps are from the “Kind and Caring” set by SU!.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sympathy Sentiment

Inspiration

Even in the middle of such a joyous season, we often encounter sad events, too.  I found myself with the somber need for three sympathy cards all at the same time – one for a friend, one for a coworker, and one for Faith H (Markie’s Mom).  Faith makes beautiful cards, and I read her blog every day.  Inspiration was hard to come by, so I surfed Splitcoast and found a beautiful card by Deb Felts (click here).   Here’s my version.

Ingredients

Paper

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

Soft Suede (SU!)	a) 4 1/4” x 11”, score at 5 1/2” b) 3 3/4” x 5”
Green Tea DSP (SU!)	4” x 5 1/4”
Whisper White (SU!)	4” x 5 1/4”

Ink

Soft Suede (SU!)

Stamps

Thinking of You (JustRite Stampers); Embrace Life (SU!) 

Accessories

Soft Suede and Baja Breeze Markers (SU!); Stamp-a-ma-Jig; Deckled Oval and Plain Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Cuttlebug (Provo Craft); Scor-Pal; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Foam tape; Rotary trimmer with straight blade (Fiskars); Scissors; Xacto Knife 

Instructions

Sentiment

Using the markers, color the words of the sentiment in brown, and the flower in blue.  Stamp the sentiment on the white cardstock.

Align the plain oval die over the sentiment, and cut it out using the die cut machine.

Image

Use the stamp positioner to create the combined image of the leaves and flower.

First, color the flower using the blue marker, and part of the stem using brown, and stamp it on the white cardstock.
Then, stamp the leaves in brown on the clear positioner sheet.
Using the clear sheet, align the leaves over the flower, so it looks like the flower is growing from the main stem.  Put the stamp positioner in place.
Now, remove the clear sheet, and stamp the leaves in brown holding the positioner in exactly the spot.
Now you have your complete image – ready to cut out. Trim is closely, and use the knife to cut the enclosed inner areas.

Assembly

Run the smaller brown panel through the die cutter with the deckled oval die, to create the window panel.

Mount the patterned on the front panel of the base brown card. Then mount the designer paper using foam tape.  The window panel is mounted with foam tape.  Then add the sentiment oval in the center of the window using foam tape.

Glue the flower image across the bottom of the card using a clear-drying glue.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Thanksgiving – Early!

Inspiration

I’ll be posting cards from my craft weekend for the next few posts – here’s a Thanksgiving card I created.  I wanted to try out my new Heartfelt Creations stamps and Copic markers.  I’m working on new ways to photograph the cards, too.

Ingredients

Paper

Note: finished card size is 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”

Pumpkin Pie (SU!): 8 1/2” x 11, score @ 5 1/2”; Crushed Curry (SU!): 5 1/4” x 5 1/4”; Always Artichoke (SU!): 5 1/8” x 5 1/8”; Stamper’s Select White Cardstock (Paper Trey): 5” x 5”

Ink

Rich Cocoa (Memento); Soft Suede (SU!)

Stamps

Rustic Autumn Wheel (Heartfelt Creations); Sentiment from Bold Falling Leaves (Heartfelt Creations)

Accessories

COPIC Markers: Y17, Y38, YR15, YR07, YG93, E11, E18, E31, E33, E37, C5, C7; Sponge; Ribbon (Hobby Lobby); Acrylic Block; Stamp-A-Ma-Jig; SU! Marker: Soft Suede; Post-It Note; Sticky Tape (PK Glitz); Scor-Pal; Fiskars trimmer with deckle blade; Scissors; Baby wipes

Instructions

Paper

This is an EASY card – the only cutting to do is to cut the squares of yellow, green, and white using the deckle blade.  The edges are distressed with the suede ink and a sponge.

Image

I stamped the image using the cocoa ink on the white square, and colored it with   COPIC markers:

• Pumpkins: Y17, YR15, YR07, E11, E18
• Grass: Y38, YG93
• Fence: E31, E33, E37
• Wheel: C5, C7

Sentiment

The sentiment is stamped on the base card using the suede ink, and the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig for positioning.  The trick here is that the stamp is one line, and I wanted it on 2 lines. To split the image:

Stamp the image on the clear position sheet, then thoroughly clean the stamp using a baby wipe
Use the marker to color just the word “Happy”
Using the clear position sheet and the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, place the Happy where you want it on the card, and stamp the first word.
Now color the word “Thanksgiving”, position the sheet on the card. Use a Post-It note to cover where the word “Happy” would have stamped – just in case the stamp is not as clean or dry as it needs to be – you don’t want a “ghost” of Happy stamping there!
Stamp the Thanksgiving sentiment, and you have a 2-line sentiment from a 1-line stamp!

Assembly

Mount the green square on the left of the card, and add the yellow on the green.  Tie the ribbon around the card BEFORE mounting the image panel.  I used the sticky tape to hold the ribbon in place.

Mount the image on the yellow square over the ribbon.

I’d love to get your feedback as I work on improving my blog – leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Thanks for stopping by!