Lots of Happy card kit

OK, so normally I am not a kit person. They just aren't what I am usually interested in. BUT, for some reason the all inclusive kit, Lots of Happy on page 15 of the occasions catalog caught my attention from the moment I first saw it. And each time I looked through the catalog (which is many!) it would do it again. Then when I read that there were two exclusive watercolor pencils, which are only available in this kit, well, I decided "what the heck!"

I am really glad that I made that decision and I hope that you will agree when you see the following examples. Of course, there are instructions in the kit to create what you see on the catalog page, but I went "rogue" as usual. Here is what I did:

I colored the included images with the watercolor pencils and used my blender pen to smooth out the pencil marks and to blend the two colors together. (The blender pen isn't included in the kit, but I love using it with my pencils. It makes the colors a bit more vibrant.) The green piece in the background is actually a printed white piece from the kit. Again, I colored it with the marker, then used the blender pen to smooth it out and brighten the color. The sentiment is actually from another stamp set "Flourishing Phrases". (so many images and sentiments with that set). The envelope is stamped with an image from the kit and colored as above. I stamped one of the sentiments from the kit on the inside of the card and it is all ready to send or give.

And using the Party Pandas from the sale-a-bration set, I created this note card. The cut out pandas make it the perfect size for a standard A2 envelope. I did add a piece of black ribbon and dsp from my collection.

So even though this kit will create 20 cards (4 of each design shown in the catalog), it will do so much more. I am sure there will be much more sharing creations with this kit. And remember, you really only need to add your choice of adhesive to this kit and you are ready to create! This also makes a great kit to take along and create on the go. I hope that you will give it a try!

Enjoy this great day and thanks so much for stopping by!!

Cute Little Gift box

I saw this idea from Sigrid Kreative Art, who is from Germany. Loved it so much I had to figure out how to make one with our measurements. So here it is:

You will need two sheets of 3 1/2 x 5. I used soon to be retired Peek-a-boo Peach cardstock and a sheet from Picture Perfect Party DSP. Score at one inch on all sides of both pieces.

One of the great things about our DSP is that the coordinating colors are listed in the catalog and on the package. No trying to guess what colors were used to print the designs!

Notch to create a box (right side of picture), cutting the notch towards the outside tab leaving the middle tab with a straight cut. For the top piece cut one end the same as for the box. On the opposite side notch the ends toward the center tab (this will be the hinge piece) and cut straight from the side to remove the corners. Crease all scores.

Create one end of the box by adding glue to the outside tabs. Bring them together to the inside of the box. The center tab will be the outside of the box. Line up the edges to make them square. I like to use liquid glue to give me time to "wiggle" the tabs into place, but any adhesive would work. Set this piece aside.

For the lid, cut an angle off from the score line at the box end to the score line with only the center tab. You can do this with scissors, or line the beginning point and the ending point onto the track of your cutter. Form the box end as done on the box piece.

Add glue to the outside of the tabs on the opposite end of the box and place together. Before adding the outside tab, place the lid onto the box and position the "hinge" over the glued tabs. Add glue to the last tab and adhere it to the end. This will form the box with a hinged lid.

OPTIONAL: Using a 1/2" circle, punch a notch in the lid for a finger placement. I think this makes it a little easier to open.

Your box is now complete and can be decorated however you desire!

Here are the two boxes that I have created so far.......

I used black ink on Whisper White and Burgundy Bay on Peek-a-boo Peach. The label is inked using the Labels to Love stamp set an the Everyday Label Punch. The black sentiment and leaves are from the current hostess set, Yay You, which is in the Occasions Catalog. The peach sentiment is from Best Birds and finished off with a double loop Peek-a-boo Peach ribbon.

I also added some pearls that came in a Paper Pumpkin kit. There is always plenty of extras in the kits to use on other projects! There is also a great special going on right now for new subscribers until May 10, 2018. Check it out HERE

I hope you give this one a try and share with the rest of us. Thanks so much for stopping by and have a GREAT week!

Partial Concertina fold

I saw a sample of this fold on Crafter's Companion (Upright Step). It was a larger card and used their board to make it. So, of course, I had to figure out how to make one using our score board and in the A2 size (4 1/4 x 5 1/2). So here is my version of it.

The card base starts with a piece of Tempting Turquoise, 8 1/2 x 5 1/2

Place it in the trimmer and cut a slit 1 1/2" from the long side and from 1 3/4 to 7 1/2" marks.

Place the long side to the top of the score board and score down to the slit at 1 3/4, (this should be the beginning of the cut), 3 1/2, 5, 6 1/2, and 7 1/2. Flip the card and score down the middle (4 1/4) to the cut. Fold and crease all of the score lines. This will give you an accordion fold at the top with the right edges all lining up.

For the mats, you will need from Island Indigo:

4x 1 3/8
1 1/8 x 1 3/8
7/8 x 1 3/8
3 3/4 x 4
2 1/2 x 4

This picture shows the placement of the smaller pieces, with the card open and the back facing you.


From DSP:

3 7/8 x 1 1/4
1 1/4 square
3/4 x 1 1/4
3 1/2 x 3 3/4
2 3/8 x 3 7/8

I used a deleted envelope paper. Do you like the marbled look? You can create your own with the marbled background stamp. I would recommend stamping it off on scratch paper, then on whisper white for a softer look. Here is a trick that I learned from Connie Steward: Lie your stamp facing up, ink it, lie a piece of cardstock on top of it, then a piece of copy/scratch paper and rub over the image. The scrap will keep ink off of you and you can get a great full image!

Here is the placement of the DSP pieces, showing the cover.

I stamped a sentiment in black for the Sending Thoughts set. The image is from the retired Butterfly Basics set. It is stamped in Momento Black on Whisper White cardstock and colored with Stampin Blends. After cutting it out with the paper snips, I placed on the card with dimensionals.

For the inside of the card I placed a Island Indigo mat, then Whisper White, with another sentiment stamped in Island Indigo ink.

I hope you give this one a try! Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Graduation Cap

Almost time for graduations! Here is a fun gift card holder. I saw the idea on Pinterest, but it had no measurements, so created my own.

The clip is just to hold it together for the picture. Thought that might be better than a picture of my fingers.

Start with a piece of cardstock that measures 7 1/2" x 7 1/4". (Mine is actually orange, but it looks pick to me in this picture. Hopefully you can see the measurements, okay.) Placing the 7 1/2" side to the top of the score board, score at 1". Turn to the right and score at 5/8" and 3 7/8" down to the previous score line. Flip the c/s over positioning the small square score at the bottom on the left side of the board. Score at 5/8" down to the 3 1/4" mark on the left side of the board. (This will form the tab for the sentiment (Congratulations) The other tab will fold up to create a pocket.

Cut off the long strips and the square formed by the score lines.

Now score from the end of each tab to create four equal square sections (not including the tabs).

Line up the corners on the board and scrore (I actually have used a silver Sharpie and marked the 6" groove on my board)

Rotate and repeat the other corner to the notch between the tabs.

Finger crease all of the score lines. The diagonal ones will be a mountain fold and the squares will be valley folds. You will crease with a bone folder later.

Fold up the pocket tab, you may need to trim a bit off each end as you want it to fit between the score lines of the square. Add a bit of adhesive to each end. This forms the pocket for a gift card or folding cash.

Bring the triangles down to the corner formed by the pocket and sentiment tab. They should fit together like a puzzle piece forming a square. Now use the bone folder to crease them in place. The top square will come down and cover all of the mechanics. Use you bone folder to crease those folds also.

Our colors are back and orange so I cut five - three inch squares from black cardstock. Set aside two for the top left corner and the cover. With two others, score diagonally on each one, then trim 1/8" on each side of the score line. This will give you four triangle mats. The last one is for the pocket. You will need to measure the pocket opening, then cut one side off. (This will slide into the pocket when you glue it in place. )

Stamp the sentiment on the tab and one of the squares. Attach to the base. I like to use wet glue. It gives me time to adjust when necessary. I embossed the Congratulations in black and the other sentiment in white. On the white, I colored it with a Pumpkin Pie Blend. (I think a color pencil would work, too, but not the markers)

I have some of the Halloween twine from last year which worked great for this tazzle! I just cut a piece, folded it in half and glued the loop to the top of the card. I then punched out a 1/2" circle and glued it on top. (A button would work, too, or even a large brad, but attach it before putting the mat onto the cover.)

I hope this all makes sense. It seems like a lot, but really does go together fairly quickly. I hope that you will give it a try and don't forget to sign the back of your work.

Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by and reading to the very end!

Sympathy with Flourishing Phrases

Here is a simple and heartfelt sympathy card.

This is a nice card to make and have on hand and a quick one to make when needed.

The base is Whisper White, matted with black, white, silver. Stamp the main image on white with Smokey Slate in the center and add the sentiment with Black. Cut out the other images from the matching framelits and place over the stamped image. (use tiny spots of glue or add the adhesive sheet on to the back of the cardstock before cutting out.) Then add small pearls if desired.

I also stamped the envelope. It just helped to show that I care. Or at least, I think so.

Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by.

Garden In Bloom CASE

It is cold and blustery here, okay, actually have a blizzard going on. So what a perfect day to stay inside and stamp! Especially after watching the latest video from Barbstamps. I have created the three cards, with a few of my own twists, of course. They all use the retiring Garden In Bloom stamp set.

This was my first CASE (copy and share everything). A little different, cuz I accidentally stamped my back cover image on to the front, so placed the matted piece a bit lower. THEN I decided to do some splattering on mine. NOTE TO SELF and everyone else: Move other projects FAR AWAY!! I ended up with a couple of nasty spots on a really special project and now have to figure out how to correct it. Hopefully I can place a sentiment or small image over it.

Bet you are wondering why I continued IF it started out that way......

Cuz I really liked Barbs cards!

This one went much smoother, thankfully. I added the gold metallic gems to the centers of the smaller flowers and also stamped a center into the larger flower with Crushed Curry.

And now for the final one:

Instead of a white base card, I used a Wisteria Wonder. The sentiment is actually a small die that came in a magazine. I just realized that I didn't add the colored dots to this card like she did on hers. And since I really liked the way it added to it, I will go back and complete it.

Check out www.barbstamps.com She has some really great and helpful videos. I love the one where she shows how to create her bow knots. On this recent video, she does have a lot of stuff at the beginning. These cards start around 26 minutes if you want to fast forward to them.

Have a GREAT day and thanks so much for stopping by!!!

More March Paper Pumpkin

Okay, I have admitted that this was not my favorite Paper Pumpkin, even though I love flowers. But I have had more fun creating with this one! Guess you just never know until you give it a chance!

And here is another fun project:

I colored the rose buds with my watercolor pencils. And there is more:

Wait, there is even more!!!

My mother has Mother's Day and a birthday at the same time, so this special card is for her.

Now for the details:

The base is 4 1/4" x 11" from Melon Mambo scored at 2 3/4, 4 1/4, 7 1/4, and 8 1/2.
     Fold and crease in mountain and valley folds.

Cut two mat pieces of Melon Mambo at 4 1/4 x 4 1/4.
     Attach one piece to the top fold and one to the middle fold, lining them up to the top and sides.

For the cover cut the front off of the flower envelope in the kit and attach to the top mat. When closed the card should look like this image has a mat all around it. Use Wink of Stella on the flowers to make it even prettier.

 For the center panel, cut the script envelope apart. You will need to cut a one inch piece out of the middle of this image to fit the center mat. This way the scroll design still outlines the script. Stamp the sentiment with Early Espresso. I also added the phrase in Melon Mambo to cover the extra celebration.

And for the last panel I used one of the pattern pieces in the kit after cutting it down to 4 1/4 x 2 1/4. Stamp the scroll image in Melon Mambo onto each corner. Stamp the sentiment onto one of the precut labels, add pearls and dimentionals, and attach.

This will all fold into a standard A2 card (4 1/4 x 5 1/2)
Don't forget to decorate the envelope, too. I just stamped the scroll image in each corner, but it makes it a bit more special.

I hope you enjoyed this project. Let me know if you give it a try! And thanks so much for stopping by!

My Ink Spot storage

There are a lot of YouTube videos on storage for the ink spots. I have watched several and have combined some of the ideas to create my own version. Here is what it looks like full:

I may add some daubers to the right side for the ones that aren't in the standard colors, such as retired colors, etc.

Here is a better view of what the insert looks like:

Now for the measurements:

Cardstock (I used white, but choose your favorite!): 7x 7 3/4.
Place the longer side up to the top of the scoreboard and score at:1 3/8, 2 3/8, 3 3/4, 4 3/4, 6 1/8, and 7 1/8
Now flip upside down with the opposite side to the top and score at: 1 7/8, 4 1/4, and 6 5/8

This will give you mountains and valleys to crease. You could do all of the score measurements from the same side if you want.

Now crease each score line. Add double sided tape to one side of each set of small scored areas and press together. This will form the dividers. I also add tape to the wider sections to stick to the case.

Insert this into a Full size stamp case. It will hold fifteen ink spots.

Decorate the cover of your box or I just created a grid on paper and have written the colors on each box. That way I don't have to open it to see which colors are in the case.

Thanks for stopping by!