CARD WITH TAG

This top fold card design gave me a chance to use even more scraps from my Scrap Drawer!

After choosing 4 patterns that would go well together, I cut them in strips of varying width and layered them with ds tape.  The light tan piece had already been embossed, which added some texture to the card as well.

Next, I stamped the leaf, cut it by hand and mounted it over the dsp strips with ds tape.  For the tag, I stamped the sentiment first on a white scrap, cut around it in a rectangle and rounded the top corners to coordinate with the rounded corners of the card base.  When I cut the notch at the bottom, I curved the lines slightly; then I sponged the edges with green ink.  The bow is a piece of jute attached with a glue dot to the top of the tag, and the tag was mounted with dimensionals.

Last, I added three SU Candy Dots.

BLACK CAPPED CHICKADEE

While I had my Nestabilities dies out from the previous card, I cut the circle as a backdrop for this bird.  After stamping it and using colored pencils, I die cut the image and popped it up on the circle with dimensionals.

Before mounting the yellow cs to the card, I stamped the verse at the bottom.  Once it was mounted to the card front with ds tape, I added the bird with dimensionals.  For a finishing touch, I went over the berries with a gold Spica pen.

I"m so glad that our favorite stamp companies are all coming out with stamps and dies that match.  This one is from Our Daily Bread Designs and is super easy to use.  The Bible verse is from a Sweet and Sassy stamp set, which also features another bird.

GOING IN CIRCLES!

This was a fun card to make as I kept coming up with ways to vary the sizes of the circles used!

First, I pulled these scraps of dsp from the Scrap Drawer as I tried choosing patterns that would go together.  Next, I gathered the following:

4 Nestabilities circle dies
3 SU Candy Dots
the SU Owl Punch for the 3 tiny eye sizes

After stamping the sentiment on the lightest pieces and arranging them all in the best way, I attached them to the card front with ds tape, dimensionals and mono glue.  Finally, I rounded the bottom right corner.

The hardest part of this card was finding the little tiny dots when I punched them!

HELLO VELLUM

Inspired by the vellum challenge on Nichole Heady's blog HERE, I decided to give it a try.  Although the flowers are supposed to be colored, I tried something a little different.

For the flowers, I used my new Pansy punch from SU for both a dark blue dsp and the vellum.  Instead of using color on the vellum, I ran the blossoms and a narrow strip through a Swiss Dots ef.  Next, I used the BoHo Blossoms punch for the white centers and put a blue gem on top. After assembling the flowers, I laid them aside to work on the card front.

First, I took a piece of dark blue textured cardstock and tore about a third of it off to leave a white border on the right side.  Before taping it down to the card front, I folded the Swiss Dot velum around it and secured it on the back with tape.  After attaching the whole piece to the card, I added the bow of silver cord and light blue embroidery floss and made the tiny tag for the greeting.

Last, I mounted the top and bottom flowers with glue dots and the center one with a dimensional.  The card is a bit shorter than a standard A2 card so that the flowers wouldn't be as spread out.  I'll use my new Envelope Punch Board for just the right size envelope!

SIMPLE SATURDAY #30

SUMMER LEAVES

The first time I used this new die, it was on the front of this white card; but it didn't cut all the way.  I later realized how to correct this problem:

TIP:  When using a long and narrow die, run it through your Cuttlebug (or other machine) with the die placed vertically.  This way it passes through the rollers from top to bottom, giving them more of a chance to apply the pressure needed for a sharp cut..

Not to be deterred from using the card as is, I folded back the leaves after placing a strip of green dsp behind them.  Next, I glued down the green leaves alongside with TomBow mono glue.  After mounting the dsp strip and Bible verse with double-stick tape, I added the extra leaves with the same glue.  Last, I used some green gems for embellishment.

Looks like our pastor will be getting another note card!

PLAYIN' AROUND

Since I had the hexagon die out, I thought I'd play with it awhile; and this is what I came up with!

The striped dsp is attached to the back of the card front, which will strengthen the tiny cross pieces between the hexagons.  If you look closely, you'll see that the die cuts two sizes of hexagons; so I cut another strip of darker blue for the three hexagons which are popped up with SU dimensionals.  The flowers were added with glue dots.

This card looks more "sunny" in real life, thanks to the gems and glitter of the flowers.  Since the inside is blank, it would make a nice note card.

MASCULINE CARDS FOR PASTOR

The upper left and lower right cards were done with the leaf die from Simon Says Stamp.  First I cut out the leaves, then placed the cut portion back in the spaces.  With designer paper behind them, the leaves stand out nicely.

For the thank you note, I used one of the designs from a pad of dsp that I got at Hobby Lobby.  Brown and tan plaid automatically makes it masculine IMHO.

Last, for the bottom left card  I used a Martha Stewart punch for both the white card front and the blue dsp beneath it.  The image next to the Bible verse is the blueberry branch from Le Jardin Botanique (SU).  I used a blue Gelly Roll pen for the berries to give them a little sparkle.

These cards a fun to make because the insides are blank for Pastor's personal notes, and the fronts are clean and simple..

HERO ARTS CHALLENGE

When I saw this challenge on the Hero Arts blog, I ran for my favorite Hero Arts set, Antique Engravings.  This is probably my most often go-to stamp when I need a quick card.

The sentiment is from another Hero Arts set, Essential Messages.  Together, they balance each other nicely.

The Sizzix ef added some texture to this card.  I divided it just to add some interest without detracting from the image and sentiment.  The purple gems match the purple edges of the butterfly, which was colored with SU markers.  For some sparkle, I mounted the butterfly on a round scalloped piece of glitter paper and added yellow Stickles to the two large circles on the wings.

Details of the challenge can be found HERE.

CLEAN AND SIMPLE CHALLENGE

Now that it's summer (almost) and my teaching responsibilities have ended, I can do some challenges.  This one allowed me to use some leftover pieces on my table and make another pastor card while I'm at it.

Using the hexagon die from My Favorite Things, I stamped the Bible verse on the lightest one for the center and taped it to a scrap piece of white cs.  After adding the other hexagons around it, I cut along the edges and mounted the hexagons to the card front with SU dimensionals (also hexagon shaped!)  I added three tiny silver metallic "pearls" for a finishing touch.

The challenge was "addicted to CAS" at the Addicted to Stamps and More (ATSM) blog HERE.

STORAGE TIP

To avoid having the stamp fall off the acrylic block (a disaster!) I've adopted my way of storing and using my SU rubber stamps:

Instead of putting the image on the back of the stamp, I stick it to the right side of the container.  This way, the stamp stays on the block.  The other advantage is that if a stamp is missing from the set, I know exactly which one.  All I have to do then is find it (HA!)

SIMPLE SATURDAY #29

TIP:  If at first you don't succeed, stamp, stamp and stamp again!  The greeting for this card came out crooked, so I stamped 4 more.  Actually, I like this better...

Just finished making this card for a dear friend using a leftover floral wreath.  (It pays to clean my working space!)  After gluing it to the card base, I added the flowers, pearls and loops of jute.  Last, I stamped the greeting and rounded the bottom right corner.

Inside, instead of stamping a sentiment, I wrote a personal note.  It will be going out in today's mail.

FIRST CHRISTMAS CARD FOR 2013

I saw this stamp at the Impression Obsession booth in April and thought it would make a nice simple Christmas card. 
The church is done with colored pencils, and the sky is  sponged with blue ink.  The image is mounted on a piece of blue cs and popped up on the white card base with SU dimensionals.  For the finishing touch, I used a Spica pen for the spire cross and some Stickles for the snow.

Although I like the way it turned out, I think it's sad that this church looks so deserted.  Wouldn't it look more alive if the steps had been cleared of snow?  Maybe everyone comes in the back door...like the country church down the hill from here...

I do hope lots of people come to adore Him, not only at Christmas, but at every opportunity!

ONE MORE BUTTERFLY

This one turned out a little more modernistic than the previous card posted.  To be honest, the banner across the bottom was necessary to cover up a miss.  Not really a mistake, just that I didn't like the way it looked.  Now I'm happy with it!

Something Old, Something New

Looking through my Cuttlebug drawer of dies and embossing folders, I came across this 2-piece set of butterfly dies that I'd forgotten about.  I thought it would look good against this white on white cs from a pad I bought at Hobby Lobby last week (at 50% off!)
The papers in this pad are all pearlized, and I chose this pattern for the movement it suggests.

The card base is a deep burgundy color which goes well with the dsp underneath the butterfly wings.  To curve the wings a little, I curled them around my finger after attaching them to the dsp beneath with a narrow strip of foam tape.

The finishing touches include off-white pearls for the body and head, tiny black gems for the "trail" and a rounded corner on the lower right.

THE LAST THING YOU WANT...

...IS TO HAVE YOUR CARD COME APART AFTER YOU SEND IT!

You might recognize this shadow box card from my April 19th post which had the Forest Friends image inside.  When I picked it up off my table the other day, the inside fell out!  It seems the cheaper snail adhesive I was using does not hold very well.  Now I'm wondering how many of the cards I sent out with that tape also fell apart.  I still plan to use it up, but only on light weight paper and spots where the main points (such as corners) are held down with Scotch double stick tape.  Just thought you might like to know...  Meanwhile, I like this inside better and will use the other image on a standard card later.

ANNIVERSARY CARD

Sorry this is out of focus, but you get the idea (I hope!)  This is the card I made for my husband on our 46th anniversary yesterday.  I picked up this die set at the stamp show last month, and I love how it came out IRL.

First I used the die on dark green cs for the stem and the leaf die on a lighter green.  Next I cut the piece that is actually the base hidden beneath the individual blossoms.  The die for the blossoms cuts 4 large and 4 small blossoms at a time, both of which were used here.  I used three shades of purple and a mixture of both sizes.

To glue the blossoms onto the base, I used Tom Bow Mono glue.  Using tweezers, I dipped the bottom center of each blossom into a little dollop of glue on a piece of plastic, bent the petals forward, and put each in place.  Once I was happy with the coverage of blossoms on the base, I added white Liquid Pearls in the center of those on top and let everything dry.
Although this sounds tedious, it was really quite simple to do.

For the LOVE letters (no pun intended) I used alphabet dies.
Notice there's no stamping involved here.  (The Hydrangea die set is from Impression Obsession HERE.)

SAME CARD 3 WAYS

 What a difference one narrow piece of dsp can make on a card!  Here is the same card shown with three changes of dsp across the bottom, giving each card a different look.  Which do you like best?






For the Mothers Class where we made this card, the lesson for this final week was the "kissing" technique.  For the large flower, we inked up the stamp in purple chalk ink and "kissed off" on a clean Filigree background stamp.  This removes some of the purple ink from the flower stamp, leaving the filigree design in its place.  The leaves were inked in green chalk ink and kissed off on a plaid background stamp the same way.
 

 For the little yellow flowers, we "stamped on" using yellow chalk ink on the flower stamp and red ink on the plaid stamp.  By "kissing" them together, the plaid design was added to the stamp.

Click on one of the photos for a closer look at the flowers and leaves.

As a final lesson for this year's classes, I showed them how to make envelopes using an 8 1/2" square of plain white typing paper.



(There are lots of videos for these techniques on YouTube.  Just be sure to use the word "stamp" when searching for the kissing technique; otherwise, I don't know what might come up!)



(See previous post for making the envelope.)

MAKING AN ENVELOPE "FREE HAND"

1.  Place your card in the center of an 8 1/2" square piece of typing paper so that the points on the side meet when folded toward the center, but not too tightly against the card.

 

2.  Open the sides and fold the bottom flap up so that the point lines up visually with the point of the flap above.  It should come almost to the edge of an A2 card, as shown. 

3.  Refold the bottom and sides so that the side flaps are under the bottom flap.  Fold over the point so make it neater.  (The ruler is just there to hold it closed for the photo.)

4.  Fold the top flap down.  Then open all the flaps and remove the card.

5.  Cut out all 4 of the small triangles and refold, using glue stick or snail on the sides of the bottom flap.  Now it is ready for mailing.  Just add glue or snail to the sides of the top flap to seal.  (Refer to previous photo.)

I hope this helps!

FROM THE SCRAP DRAWER

These flowers are from one of my favorite sets,  "Flowers" from Inkadinkado.  All I did was emboss them in white over sections of the dsp shown and cut them out.  I also cut out two leaves from the green spots and attached them underneath.  Finally, I punched the ferns out of a scrap piece of dark green cardstock.

The white panel, which looks like it matches the stamped flowers perfectly, is from some cardstock I embossed a few weeks ago at a friend's house.  The card base itself is from a card I made but didn't really like; so I took it apart and reused it here.

After adding some pearls and gems, the card was done!

FATHERS DAY CARD

Here's one of the cards we'll be doing in Mothers Class this week.  I've included some sequins for a modern masculine touch!

Using the leftover squares from last week's window die, I glued diecut letters from the same cs used beneath the Very Vanilla layer.  After taping down four strands of color-coordinated string, I attached the top layer with SU dimensionals.  Then I used two more dimensionals for the square and stamped "awesome" above the strings.

At almost 95, my Dad really IS awesome.  He still lives independently in his own apartment and drives his own car.  We are truly blessed to still have him with us!


TIP:  For tearing papers so that they are somewhat parallel, rip them together, one on top of the other.  Then adjust the length by cutting the top layer across the top edge.  Works every time!

SIMPLE SATURDAY #28

Spring View from the Window

Here's one of the cards we did yesterday in Mothers Class.  The window die is from Our Daily Bread Designs, but without the additional arch on top.

First we colored the pre-stamped scene with markers and attached it to the back of the window frame with TomBow Mono Glue.  Next, we added the "wallpaper" to the bottom third of the card front and attached the "chair rail" above it.  The window was then popped up with SU dimensionals.

There are some beautiful samples on the ODBD blog.  This one was easy to do in class, and there's also some room for a greeting below the window.  There's also room for a cat on the window sill!

I'VE BEEN PUBLISHED! (Again...)

I don't even remember sending this in, but I guess I did 'cause here it is in this summer's issue of  "Just Cards!/Christmas!" page 112.

My free issue came in the mail yesterday, and what a surprise!  Sometimes not having a memory can really be fun ;)

Once in a Lifetime Card

I intensely dislike "the dreaded pink," so I almost never use it in my cards--this IS a rarity!

Since the background paper is sooooo beautiful, I just HAD to use it for a May card.  You can't see it here, but the paper has metallic gold highlights, which gives the card some glimmer.  Of course, I also HAD to match the color of the tulips on the dsp, so out came my colored pencils.

First, I used Versafine Smokey Gray ink for the tulip blossom and stem, which gives them a softer  look.  After coloring the stem with two greens,  I began to color the tulip blossom.  Starting with the lightest color, I blended in a light peach and  two shades of the dreaded pink, working with the ones that best matched the dsp colors.  Once I was satisfied with the tulip, I stamped the greeting over the stem and cut it out with a label die.  I then chose a green scrap that best matched the shade of the leaves in the dsp and cut it out with a larger label die, a little more ornate than the white one. Before mounting the image to the card with dimensionals, I went over the tulip stamens with a black marker.

It truly is an adventure to work with the dreaded pink, although I think this color is appropriate for blossoms.  What is YOUR least favorite color?

TIP:  When working with colors you dislike, sunglasses really help!

MY STAMPIN' BUDDY

Mothers Class Butterfly!

We'll be doing a variation of this card today in Mothers Class.  I found a pack of cards and envies that I bought half price ages ago.  The cards are slightly smaller and fold on the left side, so I eliminated the black embroidery floss and rounded just the upper right corner.

To start, I used some scraps from the scrap drawer for the background dsp.  Next, I stamped the leaves with a light green ink on white and used the matching die to cut it out.  After mounting it on the card front with ds tape, I stamped the Hero Arts butterfly on white cs and colored it with colored pencils.  The two large dots on the top were filled in with yellow Stickles after I attached it to the card with a slim piece of mounting foam tape.

To finish, I added the greeting and black embroidery floss then rounded the corners.  Voila!

THREE OF A KIND

... FOUR, ACTUALLY!

Our new pastor needs some note cards, so I pulled out my SU "Country Pleasures" set and stamped the church scene four times--one for each season.  Since there is a snow man and bare trees, I had to get creative; but that's what stamping is all about, right?

For Spring, I added "leaves" by dabbing light green and yellow markers around the branches.  To cover the snowman on the lower left corner, I stamped, cut and mounted 2 leaves from another SU set, "Fabulous Florets."

The winter card was the easiest, since the trees remain bare and the snowman belongs in the scene.  All I added was the background and a tiny snowflake.

Summer was fairly easy also with two shades of green for the leaves and grass, with the "blessings" oval mounted over the snowman.  The background came from my scrap drawer, as did all the others.

Finally, the autumn card (my fave) was done with yellow, brown and orange markers for the leaves.  I also dabbed some "leaves" under the tree.  The image is mounted on a brown metallic scrap which was all the embellishment needed.  The "blessings" stamp was used on the inside left for this one, and I hope they will all bless someone as they are used!

(Don't forget to click on the photo for a larger view.)

YOUR OPINION IS NEEDED!

 This is a shadow box card I came up with for next week's Mothers Class.  At first, I was satisfied with it; but then I decided to add the strips of white on the sides.  Having done that, now I think the banner on the bottom is a little too heavy for the delicate image.

What do you think of:
a.  the size of the banner
b.  the plain green or the white strips on the sides

If you leave a comment with your answers,
I will send you something from my most recent
 cleanout of the Tower as a thankyou!

BLACKBOARD TECHNIQUE

I finally got the chance to try this technique for myself!

First, I used a label die to cut  black cs, then I stamped the image and sentiment with white pigment ink.  Then I embossed it with white ep and dabbed some white ink on the black with a sponge.

Next, I ran the front of the card through the Cuttlebug, rounded the bottom corners and added the strip of black and white Washi tape (something else I've been wanting to try.)

I had the fern previously stamped with Versamark on light green cs laying on my table, so I used it here (already die cut.)  After adding the white Hero Arts flower and some gems, I'm finally happy with the way it looks.

Trying new products and techniques is always fun!

Masculine Birthday Card

This is one of those rare cards that comes together beautifully!  Notice how the cupcake icing and the banners are essentially the same shape.  The black scallops echo the same design.

For the inside, I used the same cupcake and scalloped edging.  I then stamped and cut out the birthday hat and smaller cupcake, mounting them with dimensionals.

This was a fun card to make!

PEG STAMP BORDER

Time to get out some peg stamps and pastel inks!

This quote from Isaiah promises all the help we need when we need it.  What better way to highlight it than with Spring colors!  The border was done with several peg stamps in greens and yellows.  The yellow embroidery floss provides the finishing touch.

All-Purpose Card

This is a simple card that could be used for any occasion.

In order to keep from cutting off the leaf tips when using the oval die, I first cut around the ends of the leaves with a craft knife.  Then I slipped the die underneath to make the oval cut.

The leaves are colored with a green marker.  The shading is done by going over some of the lines again after the first coat dries and sinks into the paper a bit.  Green bakers twine provides the only embellishment needed.

The striped dsp was cut out from a large scrap--just right for this card!

Another Butterfly!

Using the same die as the previous card, I just cut the wings in half to make a side view and mounted it over the chevrons with dimensionals.

The chevrons are a fun way to use up some scraps.  I chose four coordinating paterns, cut them at an angle and mounted them with snail.  The gem flowers are stickers from my stash.

The birthday greeting fit nicely in the open space.  To finish, I mounted the gray panel over a white card with dimensionals.

Butterfly Dies Are Back!

Now that it's Spring, even though the weather is still wintry, it's time to get out our colorful butterfly stamps and dies again!

For this card, I stamped the background on pool cs with Versamark.  Then I added the butterfly and the banner.

Easy card to make and send!

This Year's Easter Card

Here's the card I sent out this year.  The embossing folder (a gift from Evelyn!) made it easy to make multiple cards.

After running the Very Vanilla cs through the Cuttlebug folder, I rounded the corners and mounted it to the white card base with dimensionals.  For the dogwood blossom, I used grey ink on vellum, colored the center on the back with a Barely Banana marker and cut it out by hand.  I then mounted it on the cross with a glue dot.

For embellishment, I kept it simple with just a touch of Stickles in the flower center.  Most of the blossoms had green and gold centers, and some had purple Stickles.  Inside it said "He is risen,"  which I also stamped on the envelope.

Die Cut Birthday

This is the first card made using the Paper Trey Ink Birthday die and coordinating stamp set.

Starting with a 6x6 pad of designer sheets from My Mind's Eye, I chose the floral to use with a SU Mixed Bunch stamp and punch.  The red and yellow polka dot papers worked beautifully with this pattern, and the red and white twine finished the card off nicely.

The inside says, "May all your stamp dreams come true."  That's a good wish for any stamper!

Foxy Card

This fox stamp arrived the other day in my Paper Trey Ink order, and it lends itself very well to coloring with pencils.  I used a blend of warm browns and a brownish red to get a realistic look, just like the foxes we see around here from time to time.

I chose the subtle dsp from a pad of My Mind's Eye patterns to complement the reds in the fox and the embroidery floss.  The loops in the bow also reflect the dsp design.

There's just enough room inside to write a brief note at the top and bottom.

SIMPLE SATURDAY #27

Violets Card

This is one of the cards we made at Mothers Class on Wednesday.  Using an Our Daily Bread Designs stamp, we stamped it twice on white cs, colored it in with markers, cut out just the blossoms on the second image, and mounted them with dimensionals.  The flower pot was cut free hand out of a SU dsp from my stash.

The card base is Cream Felt from the Paper Cut and has a slight texture to it similar to watercolor paper.  The purple dsp is from a sheet of SU 12 x 12 paper.

After attaching the vase to the card with dimensionals, we mounted the flowers over it.  Then the greeting was stamped and the twine added on top.  For a final embellishment, we added yellow Stickles to the flower centers.  Easy and elegant top fold card!