Pandas.....

WOW! Where has the summer gone???

Just wanted to share a few of my panda cards with you today and touch base with everyone! The new catalog has been a big success and the Holiday, which goes live tomorrow will do the same, I am sure.

Now onto the creations......

Colored on the back of pre-printed vellum, before adding wet glue to attach to the card. Didn't work the greatest, but guess that is how we learn. The next time I added the glue to the cardstock and then layered the vellum on top. That works better as the vellum curled and the glue dried to quickly the other way.

Here is the inside. This is a fun fold. It is a double gate fold, then add a full size card front to the left side of the fold.

Here is another one:

This was a Sale-a-bration set, but I still have so much fun with it. Doesn't hurt that several of my friends are Panda fans!

 

And this is the inside. I really had fun making this shadow card!!! Think I will making a lot more of these with so many stamps available!

Well, hope you had a safe and wonderful Labor Day weekend. Continue with a great week and thanks so much for stopping by!!

Love What You Do Pinwheel

I saw this idea on a YouTube by Stamp with Joy. It has been a long time since I have done this technique and thoroughly enjoyed revisiting it.

The card base is Whisper White, 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, scored at 4 1/4

The mat is Mint Macaron (I know it looks blue, but it really is Mint!) 4 x 5 1/4

The image piece is Whisper White, 3 3/4 x 5

For the pinwheel, you need a piece of double sided DSP ( I used the Share What You Love), 2 x 4
Cut in half, then fourths, or 8 pieces of 1x1 pieces from scraps. Decide which sides you want to present.

Cut a piece of the background (mine IS mint macaron) 3x3. Place the first square diagonally with the point in the middle of the top, gluing down only the right side of the triangle. Take the next piece and glue it down on the first triangle, placing one point at the bottom tip of the first one and lining it up so that the top left point is in line with the top point of the previous one. Continue around until the last one. When gluing the last one into place, lift up the unglued portion of the first one and position it underneath. Now you can add a spot of glue to the first piece and secure.

Carefully cut around the pinwheel, leaving a bit of a border.

Using one of the new pearlized doilies, ink it up with the mint macaron to give it just a hint of color. ( I actually used a white doily, covered it with my retired Luminere, let it dry, then inked.) Place this toward the top center, using spots of glue on the thicker parts of the doily.

Place dimensionals on the pinwheel and place it in the center of the doily.

The strip underneath is a 3 5/8 x 1 1/8 mint macaron to mat a piece of matching DSP, 3 1/2 x 1

The stamping is also in Mint Macaron with a piece from the Hold on to Hope set. The sentiment is from Flourishing Flourishes. ( I just placed tape over the part I didn't want, inked it up, PULL OFF THE TAPE, and stamp.)

I then colored the pearls with my Stampin Blends, starting with Old Olive and topping with Bermuda Bay. This created a close match to the Mint Macaron. I also added a Rich Razzleberry pearl from one of my Paper Pumpkin Kits to the center of the pinwheel.

I hope you give this one a try. It really is a fun card to create and a great way to clean up those smaller scraps.

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

Non bleached card

I have always liked the looks of the bleached cards, but it just wasn't something I enjoyed creating. I recently saw this technique with Craft White ink, that I thought resembled the bleached look, and actually liked it better. So I had to give it a try and share the results.

Using one of my favorite colors, Flirty Flamingo, I created a base, 4 1/4 x 11, scored at 5 1/2, to create a top fold card.

The next layer is Whisper White, 4 1/8 x 5 3/8

And the image layer, Flirty Flamingo, 4 x 5 1/4

Using an open lined image and Versamark, stamp the images. I used the retired Birthday Blooms. Emboss with white embossing powder.

Add a drop of Craft White ink onto a clear block or what ever pallet you prefer and grab your aqua painter. Being careful not to use too much water, color in the images. I needed to "dry off" my brush several times and also colored over twice to get the depth of color that I wanted. Let this dry, blotting with paper towel to absorb any extra liquid. After it dried, I added a watercolor wash with Pear Pizzaz to the leaves, just to add a bit of contrast.

The sentiment is white embossed from Flourishing Phrases with a bow attached above with a glue dot.

Very pretty effect, I think, and hope that you do also. Give it a try, so easy and fairly quick. The drying can be sped up by using the Heat Tool.

Have a great day, and thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Peek a Boo Best Birds

This great idea came from Lou Kitzelman. I love the Best Birds bundle and am so glad it is staying with us for another year. Here is my version on Lou's masterpiece:

I used retiring Soft Sky cardstock, 2pcs 4 5/8" x 5 1/2", scored at 3/8" on the longer side. (I do wish that I had added the 3/8" on to the short side, so that it opened on the side like Lou's.) You will also need 2 pcs of Whisper White, 4" x 5 1/4" for the cover and inside.

So where ever you want the fold to be, add 3/8". Crease the score with a crisp fold. Add Tear and Tape to both strips.

Using the aqua painter and retiring Marina Mist ink, I brushed across each of the white pieces for a watercolor effect. Then cut your favorite shape out of one of the Whisper White pieces. Position over the card base and cut a smaller version from the card base. Attach the other piece to the back card base. Stamp your sentiment onto the inside piece, through the window making sure it leaves room for the bird to peak through. The Stamparatus works GREAT for this!

Cut the acetate to the size of your card, (mine is 4 14 x 5 1/2.) and attach between the card base pieces onto the taped strips, lining up the edges for the card fold.

Using the Best Birds stamp set, color two branches, six flowers and opposite facing birds with Watercolor Pencils. I then brush over with an aqua painter to smooth out the pencil lines. Using the outline framelits, cut each item out.

With wet glue position the left facing bird on the acetate, so that it is visible through the cover window

Add the images and sentiment to the cover, sign the back and you are ready to send it to a lucky recipient!

Want to see Lou's version and instructions? Just click HERE

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

Stamparatus Case

It has been a long time since I have done much sewing, and even longer since I created a pattern. But I wanted a case for my Stamparatus, to protect and keep it all together. Here is what I created:

It even has a pocket on the inside for the extra plate and some of my templates that I use on it.

I am not the greatest at writing out the directions for someone else, but thought I would share what I did. If you do much sewing, I think you can decipher it. LOL

Inside and Outside of bag: (Cover)
Cut two pieces of fabric, 22"x 11"
(Pay attention to pattern direction, if needed)

Inside Pocket
Cut fabric at 9 ½" x 18"

Fuse fleece Pellon, 22" x 11" to line the outside piece.
Fuse fleece Pellon, 9 ½"x 9" to one end of the pocket piece.
NOTE: you could actually use quilted fabric, in which case, you would only need a single cover size and half of the pocket.)

Fold the pocket in half and sew coordinating large fold binding across the end raw edge.
(This will be the top of the pocket.)

Position the inside fabric to the outside fused fabric.
Sew the binding along the bottom of the cover piece. (This end will be the front of your case.)
Position the top of the pocket ½" up from the bottom of the cover.
Sew it in place down the two raw sides (twice to reinforce).

Fold the cover up over the pocket.
(The extra will be the closing flap)
(Round the corners of the flap, if desired)
Sew binding around the three raw edges.
(Back Stitch at the top where the front and back join to reinforce)

Add Velcro for closure.

If you have any questions, just let me know.

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

Statement of My Heart easel

This card idea came from Jo Weedon. Someone shared her creation on Pinterest and I loved it. I couldn't find the original, so will include my measurements, which may or may not be the same, but I think they worked just fine. What do you think?

Again, I don't usually make replicas, but I am using cardstock that will only be available until May 31. So it was just as easy to cut out two at once.

The card base is Rose Red, 4 1/4 x 11, scored at 2 3/4 and 5 1/2. Crease both score lines to create the base of the easel. Cut another piece of Rose Red at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" and glue to the bottom section below the 2 3/4" score line. This will create a flat card(left image) that can be displayed as an easel(right image).

Mount a 4 x 5 1/4 piece of Pink Pirouette to the top of the card. Stamp the Statement Of The Heart on a Whisper White, 2 1/4 x 3 1/4, mounted on a 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 rose red. ( NOTE: This is a free stamp that is exclusive to the Gotta Have It All, Love What You Do Bundle, only available through May 31!!!) Attach this to the top of the pink mat. Stamp and color the image from Crafting Forever (not retiring!!!!). I used the Stamping Blends. (wait until you see all of the new colors!!) Cut out the image and attach to the bottom corner with dimensionals.

On the inside glue a 4 x 1, then a 4 x 1 1/2, and a 4 x 2 1/2, spaced approx. 1/8" apart. Stamp the sentiment on Whisper White, mounted on Rose Red. Attach to the inside panel corner with dimensionals. This will be the stopper so the easel card will stay up.

I hope that you enjoyed this and thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Thank you, sneak peek and retired easel

I don't usually do multiples of cards. I just don't like to, and I think I get a bit messy when I do, but when I saw the samples from Laura Fiorelli-Allen on Pinterest, I thought they would make great Thank you cards. And I had literally run out, so a quick way to add to my non-existing stock.

The DSP will be available on June 1 and is called Garden Impressions. Plus it is in my favorite size, 6x6!! I just went through the different designs and decided which ones I liked for the top, then again to the bottom pieces, sometimes it was just the reverse side and sometimes not.

The card is the standard 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, scored at 4 1/4. I chose colors that coordinated with the DSP. I LOVE that SU lists the colors on the package! The DSP pieces are all cut at 4" x 2 1/2".

The ribbon and sentiment are all retired items. I have quite a bit of ribbon and just never seem to use it, so this worked great. The sentiment is from Vintage Postcard and punched out with the 2" punch, mounted on the 2 3/8" scallop punched piece.

Attach the ribbon across the seam created by the two DSP. Loop a 9" piece behind the sentiment and attach with dimensionals. That is it!!!

This is a great design whether you need a quick thank you or any occasion, just change out the sentiment.



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

Pop-up Book Card

I have wanted to create this fold for such a long time, but just wasn't sure how I wanted to decorate one. That is until I came across Terri's sample, done with my favorite stamp set: Hold On To Hope!
Here is mine:

I think the only thing different that I did, was, I stamped the image onto the oval and she added the image onto hers for more dimension. I used wet glue to put down the right side of the banner. I just trust it to hold better than tape or glue dots.

She was so great to share hers AND the instructions on her blog, and if you scroll down, she has even shared a link to a PDF for you to download! Check it all out HERE

Have a great day and thanks so much for stopping by!! Off to create another Pop-Up Book card!

Sneak Peak

I want to share a card with you that uses some of the new products from the 2018-2019 catalog. I saw this style of a card on a card share, so had to figure it out.

The card base is Night of Navy, 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.
The center folded card is Melon Mambo, 2 7/8 x 11, scored at 5 1/2

Fold on the score line and position in the center of the card base.

Add DSP to the top, 2 5/8 x 5 1/4
Add DSP strips to the sides of the center card, 1/4" x 5 1/2"

For the "buckle", Night of Navy, 4 1/2 x 1", scored at 3/4" (this will glue to the back of the base.
Cut the flag on the opposite end or use the banner punch.

NOTE: When using the Banner Punch add 1/2" to the strip. This will allow for the piece that you cut off.

Buckle DSP: 3 7/8  x 3/4

Create your label and attach to the buckle piece. I used the Everyday and large oval punches.

The stamped images are from the new Hostess set called Very Vogue and the DSP is Garden Impressions.

Here is the inside:

Enjoy the day and thanks for stopping by!

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!