ORIGAMI WREATH ORNAMENT

Who likes to make ornaments?

Today I'm sharing a relatively simple wreath ornament.  I say "simple" because the video tutorial that I followed by Ann Melvin was easy to understand and follow along.  The folds were easy, but the assembly was a little tricky.  I ended up using binder clips along the way to hold some of the pieces in place.  I also decided to add some embellishments and a greeting.

I'm usually mindful to not create green things to go on a green tree, but I goofed this time.  Ha!  I suppose I could hang this ornament somewhere else but, for now, it's the first ornament on my tree--that would be the tree that still needs 300 more lights wrapped around it before I can get on with the decorating.  My least favorite thing about a real tree is having to string the lights around it.  Ugh!

But . . . here's the ornament hanging on the tree.

TUTORIAL: EASY "JOYFUL FLURRY" CHRISTMAS CARD

Stampin' Up!'s "Joyful Flurry" bundle is such a pretty one, and today I have a step-by-step photo tutorial for (what I think) is a really pretty card.

On a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of white cardstock, stamp the second largest snowflake image five times in a (kinda, sorta) circular pattern using Bermuda Bay ink.  The objective is to create a wreath of sorts.  After inking the stamp, stamp off on a scrap piece of paper each time before stamping on the cardstock.  Don't worry about trying to stamp a perfect circle . . . everything is going to be just fine in the end.

Using Bermuda Bay ink, stamp the next snowflake image five times, filling in the gaps.  Don't stamp off this time--you want the images to be darker than the first snowflakes that you stamped.

If you have an embossing buddy, run it across the cardstock to leave a powder residue for this next step.  Ink the smallest snowflake image with VersaMark ink, and stamp the image on top of the first snowflakes that you stamped.  Sprinkle the images with silver embossing powder, and use a heat tool to melt the embossing powder.  Note:  Now is a great time to use a favorite embossing folder to add some texture to the cardstock.  I only remembered to do this on one of my cards.  🙁

Cut a 10" piece of silver cord, tie it in a bow, and use a mini glue dot to adhere it somewhere near the center of your stamped snowflake "wreath".  

From a scrap of white cardstock, cut the largest label die from the Frosted Flurry dies.  Cut the two small snowflakes from a scrap of foil cardstock.  I used a blue foil from the retired Noble Peacock collection, but use what you have.  Stamp the sentiment on the die-cut label using Bermuda Bay ink, and adhere it with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Use liquid glue or a mini glue dot to adhere the die-cut snowflakes.  Lastly, scatter some rhinestone jewels wherever you'd like. 

Use a distressing tool to rough up the edges of your cardstock.  I think this step adds a lot of texture and interest--especially if you forget to use an embossing folder.

All that's left to do is adhere the completed layer to the front of a card base, which measures 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", scored in the center at 4-1/4".  Easy peasy, right?!?!  What I really enjoyed about this card design is that it was quick to make multiples.

I'd love to know if this is the kind of card you'd enjoy making and sending this year.

The "Joyful Flurry" bundle is quite a pretty one, and there's still time to order it and make your Christmas cards.

JOYFUL FLURRY BUNDLE 

"CHEERFUL BASKET" THANK YOU CARD

Is it true that I haven't posted anything since October 24th?????  I knew that it had been a while, but I wouldn't have guessed it had been that long.  I must try to do better and post a little more often.  Today I'm sharing a thank you card that I made recently, and it features Stampin' Up!'s "Cheerful Basket" stamp set and coordinating dies.  Isn't that a fantastic basket?!?!  

Making this card was the first time that I have used these products, but it won't be the last.  This bundle is designed to be oh-so-easy to use, which also means that it makes card-making relatively quick.  Since I mailed this card immediately after making it, I can't really remember what I used to color the basket and apples, but I'm fairly certain that I used ink pads and a water brush.  The die-cut apples in front of the basket were cut from cardstock, and I used a sponge to darken the edges.

Of course, I had to include a die-cut tag because it looked good on the card . . . and also because I 💗 the Tailor Made Tags dies.  The designer paper featured on my card is from the Happy Forest Friends collection, which seems to be the DSP that I reach for quite often.

Thanks for visiting my blog today, and I hope that you will visit again soon!  

Happy stampin'!

BIRTHDAY CARD FEATURING ALCOHOL TECHNIQUE WITH STAMPIN' BLENDS

 

I recently read about an alcohol technique with Stampin' Blends markers and was anxious to try it.  Have you heard about it--or tried it?  It's quite cool . . . especially when done correctly, which I didn't quite do.  Basically, you just use the markers to color circles on a piece of Vellum cardstock, place a few drops of alcohol (at least 91% Isopropyl) onto the vellum, and then use a water brush (dipped in alcohol or an Aqua Painter filled with alcohol) to move the colors around.  You can also blow through a straw to move the alcohol around on the vellum, which I found to be very easy.  Although I used dark/vivid marker colors, my colored circles became muted when my Aqua Painter, which had water in the barrel, decided to dispense water even though I didn't squeeze the barrel.  Argh!  Although I wasn't 100% pleased about the water situation, I had to continue with my colored vellum creation because the card needed to get in the mail, and I had a job to go to.

Since my marker colors got diluted, I just rolled with the pastel palette.  I think it ended up being a pretty card, don't you?  Additional products featured on this card include the Happy Birthday die (retired Stampin' Up! product), Crystal Distortion embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp), absolutely GORGEOUS Adhesive Backed Sequins & Gems (Stampin' Up!), Metallic Edge Ribbon (Stampin' Up!), and the lattice die-cuts from the Chick dies (retired Stampin' Up!).

A white gel pen was used to accent the die-cut sentiment.  It lends a festive flair, right?  And just look at those pretty sequins!

If you have Stampin' Blends markers, definitely give this technique a try!  Oh . . . I think you'd figure out that the side of vellum that you color on is the back side but . . . I should mention that just in case you wonder.  ;-)

Until next time . . . have a stampin' good day!

SCARECROW BOX CARDS

I have quite a few photos to share of the scarecrow box cards that I made recently.  I can't take credit for the design, though, so let's get that out of the way.  I found this awesome card at svgcuts.com and knew that it was the perfect Fall card to send to family, friends, and the elders.  

It took all of two days to choose papers and cardstock and cut (with my Cricut Explore) all of the pieces for these cards--and the better part of another day to assemble them--but it wasn't a dreaded process.  I was quite excited about the cleverness of this card design!

Aren't they adorable?!?!  As you can see from the above two photos, I embossed part of one of the hats just to see if I liked it.  I did like it--just not enough to emboss all of them.

The above photo shows the front, side, and back of the cards, and you can see that they are, indeed, box cards. In the photo below, you can see the card folded flat for mailing.

And following are a few more photos:

Below is a better photo of the embossing on one of the hats:

One of my favorite things about these adorable scarecrows is that they weren't just cards . . . they were also a nice Fall decoration for the recipients.  If I got a card like this in the mail, I'd certainly find a nice place to display it, wouldn't you?

A FISHING DEER BIRTHDAY CARD

My niece's husband had a birthday this month.  I was at a loss as to what kind of card to make . . . just couldn't decide which stamp set to use.  Actually, the thinking process was wearing me down, making me want to just leave my stamp room.  I kept looking at my Cricut Explore machine, thinking about how much I enjoy making shaped cards with it, and that's how this card was born.  Yes, I know it looks a bit juvenile for a grown man, but it's also cute (right???) and totally captures two of Matt's hobbies . . . fishing and (deer) hunting.

This was the first time I've used a hexagon card base, but it won't be the last.  I really like it!  Designing shaped cards with Cricut Design Space is so easy and enjoyable!  Deciding which images to use actually takes longer than the design process.  

I know this post is short and sweet.  My next one will probably be a long one--loaded with photos of the scarecrow box cards that I recently made.  Stay tuned!

"OCEANFRONT" + "A FISH & A WISH"

 "Oceanfront" is such a great stamp set, and it's just so easy to use for just about any occasion.  I needed a thank you card recently, and this is what I made.  My cardstock colors are white, Coastal Cabana (or it might have been Soft Succulent), and Crumb Cake.  Ink colors are Coastal Cabana (or maybe Soft Succulent), Old Olive, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, and Pacific Point.

I thought the fish image would make a nice embellishment for this card and to make it more like an actual embellishment, I punched four shapes from cardstock (with the Fish Builder punch) to adhere to the stamped and punched image.  The fish was really thick and sturdy!

I can't explain my attraction to the "A Fish & A Wish" stamp set.  Fish art has never been my thing, I don't eat fish, don't have any pet fish, have no interest in baiting a hook, and yet this stamp set was one of my first purchases from Stampin' Up!'s current catalog.  The images are just so . . . well . . . lovely.  I don't think they're particularly difficult to work with, but I placed them upside down on the first two cards I ever made with this bundle.  🤣  I do a much better job with them now.

The prettiest finishing detail was the Wink of Stella shimmer that I brushed on the fish.  I never really think that much about it, but the Wink of Stella is probably one of my most used products.

So what do you think?  These two stamp sets work pretty well together, huh?

POP-UP BLOCK CARD FOR COLTON

 

Today is my great-nephew's birthday, and I'm sharing this Pop-up Block Card that I made for him.  My curiosity was piqued when I watched THIS TUTORIAL, which I altered a bit by rotating the intended orientation.  Actually, the bottom block was supposed to be loose--unattached and not a complete block--but I wanted it to be a sturdy block like the others.

In the above photo, you can see what I mean about the blocks.  Once I decided to make a vertical design of the pop-up block card, it became even more important to have a solid block at the bottom.  What makes this card a winner is that it folds flat(ish) for mailing, which is something that makes every card maker want to scream with delight.

My card features "Waves of the Ocean" designer paper and coordinating "Blue Foils" (retired), which were part of a Stampin' Up! bundle available last year.  The "Waves of Inspiration" stamp set and coordinating "Waves" dies are currently available in a bundle.  

Decorating the envelope was kept simple by adhering a strip of coordinating designer paper along the left edge.

Be sure to try a pop-up block card if you haven't already because it's an easy and fun one!  Last but not least . . . join me in wishing Colton a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

"HAPPIER THAN HAPPY"

I tried so hard to talk myself out of buying the "Happier than Happy" bundle.  I was successful--for a while, but then I felt that I really needed these adorable animals.  Isn't this a sweet card?  I actually made several to send to the special ladies who enjoy receiving mail from me.

All of the cards weren't exactly alike--but very similar.  I had to play around with ink to see which color I liked best for the tree stump (Soft Suede--or maybe it was Crumb Cake) and which I liked best for the owl (Early Espresso).  It was so handy to have dies to cut each of the stamped images!

I think the animals in this bundle make such sweet cards, and I do not regret this purchase!  If you're like me, you often think of using animals on cards for children but they work just as well when you want to send a sweet hello to someone special.  Don't you agree?

SWEET SUNFLOWERS . . . AUGUST PAPER PUMPKIN KIT

 

This month's Paper Pumpkin kit from Stampin' Up! is so pretty, and I love the cards!  The kit components were gorgeous and, while I could have used them in a multitude of alternate ways, I decided to just make the cards as they were intended.  On one of the designs, I used "Hang in there" on the outside of the card and "even when you don't understand" on the inside.  These sentiments are in the "Wisteria Wishes" stamp set.  From the recently retired "Here's a Card" stamp set, I used "May your heart find the peace it needs" on one of the other cards.

I thought the cards in the above picture would be handy when a sympathy card is needed.  Thinking that they needed just a little something, it turned out that a neatly tied twine bow behind the sentiment was the perfect addition.

Aren't those tiny bees adorable????  There were actually a lot of extra bees in the kit, and I will enjoy adding them to other cards.

Another lovely design from the kit is pictured above.  It, too, needed a little something, so I tied more twine bows for them.

The cards pictured above were my favorite!  The subtle watercolored background and the gorgeous assorted flowers are just . . . well . . . sweet!  All that I added to these cards were the sparkly rhinestones because why not?

And that vellum die-cut honeycomb . . . just the perfect touch!  The sunflower and the pretty bouquet in the bottom left corner were adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals, as was the die-cut sentiment label.

The back of each card was also really pretty, and it occurred to me to cut the cards apart and make extra cards.  I decided to not do that because I figured it would be an extra treat for the recipient of these cards to discover that there was more to the card than just a pretty front.  😊  But wait . . . check out the envelopes:

Whoever designed the August kit for Stampin' Up! really went the extra mile!  Can you believe how gorgeous the envelopes are?!?!?!

After the nine cards were made, I used a couple of the extra components to make an extra card.  The scalloped rectangles were cut using Stitched So Sweetly (retired) and Scalloped Contours dies.  My cardstock colors are White, Early Espresso, and Soft Succulent.

Are you a Paper Pumpkin subscriber?  If you haven't tried the monthly kits lately, you really should!  I think Stampin' Up! is doing an excellent job of bringing creative designs that are as much fun to make as they are to mail.  Get your subscription started!!!