PACK YOUR BAGS, SUMMER! | SUITCASE SHAPED CARD

 

It was so nice to enjoy a few low humidity and cooler temperature days recently.  Actually, it just made me that much more ready for Fall, and that's what gave me the idea for this suitcase card.  At first glance, you might have thought I was ready to pack a suitcase and run off to some warm, sunny, tropical place but, no . . . I'm just inviting Summer to pack her bags and move on out.  Anyone who has visited my blog for a long time already knows how much I adore shaped cards.  I designed this one using Cricut Design Space and then cut all of the pieces (it was a handful).  For the first time, I used six print-then-cut images, which is more than I've ever used at one time.  Since I made about six of these cards, the process involved a lot of cutting and assembly.

The above photo shows the inside, which was the main card base.  The front of the card had a Crumb Cake layer, and the inside had a white cardstock layer.  The two images on the inside were print-then-cut images.  They look quite nice, huh?

I'm not even gonna lie . . . I fall in love with my Cricut machine all over again each time that I use it.  Designing cards is easy, and it seems that there is always a huge abundance of shapes and images to use.  Being able to press a button and have everything cut while I do something else is quite enjoyable.  In the above photo, you can see the tag, which the Cricut not only cut but also did the writing.  Notice the texture on the Crumb Cake cardstock layer?  I inked the inside of the embossing folder with ink, and it really made the texture stand out!

Above is a view of the card from the top.

And below is the front of the card again:

So where do you stand on the Summer/Fall debate?  Want more Summer or ready for Fall?

"WHAT'S COOKIN'" SLIMLINE CARD

The other day, I was looking for a stamp set and enjoyed re-visiting the baking/food stamp sets that I had grouped together.  It was "What's Cookin'" that really called to me and, when I opened the stamp case, I found a card similar to the one that I'm sharing today.  It looked so fun and easy that I felt compelled to make another one.  The background for my card was a scrap of paper that was laying on my desk, and the only new product that I used was that gorgeous copper-colored twine (from the upcoming mini catalog) that was also on my desk.

The images were stamped with Crumb Cake ink, although it looks a bit gray in the photos.

The utensils were die-cut from Silver Foil, of course, and looked so much nicer in person.  For some reason, I struggled with taking photos of this card.

It's unfortunate when fun stamp and die bundles (like this one) seem to retire too soon, but I'm glad I held on to this one.  

Have a stampin' good day! 

SOMETHING DIFFERENT: A WOOL FELT ORNAMENT

 

I have several hobbies.  The trouble with having a variety of hobbies is there's not always enough time (or space) to get all the supplies out and start working--at least not without having to first do a major tidy-up.  If you enjoy crafts like I do, then you are probably like me and DREAD the tidy-up.  And then a package arrives with new supplies, and . . . well . . . it would be wrong to not open and test them, right?  That's what happened the other day.  I had ordered two nesting templates from Missouri Star Quilt Co.  This one and this one:

    

I shoved everything else to the side (in what I call teetering fashion) so I could get busy choosing the colors for my project--an ornament.  I chose wool felt rather than felted wool since it's less expensive but also because my ornament would not be laundered.  I used both of my new templates to create this project:

It turned out pretty cute, huh?  For the backing, I used a piece of grey felt.  Now that the ornament is finished, I know that I should have chosen blue or white for the backing since some of the grey shows around the edges.  All of the snowflakes were cut with dies and my Big Shot machine.  I had planned to put a larger snowflake in the center of the mitten, but then I found the cute holly leaf and berries buttons in a kit at my parent's house.  I figured since I hadn't yet done anything with that kit, I could use the buttons on this project.

Finishing touches were the addition of pearl beads in the center of the snowflakes.  I've just recently been working with sewing beads onto wool projects, and it really takes them up a notch.  It's a bit tricky, though, finding a needle with a small enough eye for beads--especially the really tiny ones.  

What you can't tell from the photos is that this finished ornament is 8.25" x 8.75" from the widest points.  It's quite large and will show prominently on my Christmas tree!  I think my next project will be a pillow with a sweater applique in the center and two mittens tied to one corner (of the pillow).  Won't that be sweet?  Or maybe I will make a wall-hanging instead of a pillow.  Maybe I'll make both!  All I can say is that this was a really fun project--and it was kinda quick, too.

I guess it's "tidy-up" time now since my room is a hideous mess of teetering items all around.

MORE "SIMPLY ZINNIA"

 

Can you ever get tired of these gorgeous vivid colors???  I absolutely adore the "Flowering Zinnias" designer paper and, as you can tell, I just keep reaching for it.  Today's card features a very simple technique that's quite relaxing to make.  You just cut strips of paper (mine were 3/4" but you can cut to whatever width you like) and place them randomly on your cardstock (mine was 4" x 5-1/4").  You want to make sure your strips are long enough to extend the edges of the cardstock, and then cut off the overhang.  

When I sat down to make this card, I was quite frustrated with myself.  I had found a card on Pinterest that I really wanted to make, and there was even a video tutorial.  I can't tell you how many mistakes I made or how often I felt lost while watching the video.  I've watched that person's videos numerous times and have always had great respect for her ability to demonstrate how to create projects, but . . . argh!!!! . . . I really think she went too fast or maybe it was the angle of her camera over the project that made following along such a challenge.  At one point, I was sure that she was angry about someone forcing her to re-create that project for the video and thought she wanted viewers to be lost.  Okay, so maybe that was my own moment of madness.  I can't say for certain.  Anyway . . . I was left with a mountain of cardstock cuts and an unfinished project which, if I'm honest, made me mad.  It's so rare for me to get lost watching a tutorial!  I even found two other videos demonstrating that same type of card and was able to follow them both.  The last one really excited me because it used just two pieces of cardstock and went together quickly and easily.  The only problem was that it was top heavy with a base that wasn't sturdy enough.  So I tossed those failures and chose another challenge.  Again, I got turned around and didn't flip or turn when I should have, and then adhesive that was supposed to be useful was on the wrong side.  It was time to turn out the lights and call it a day.

My first order of business today was to successfully complete a card, so I chose cheery paper and something easy to make.  For this "Simply Zinnia" project, I cut four of the flowers from Flirty Flamingo cardstock and sponged the edges of the petals with Flirty Flamingo ink.  Didn't they turn out pretty all layered together?  Of course, I had to add some sparkly rhinestones, too.

Well, this is all that I have to share today.  Maybe I'll re-visit something new and/or more challenging soon--and I hope to end up with a finished work of art.  I guess the take-away from today's post is to not give up.  When something is too challenging, stick with it.  If you still don't succeed, back down to something less challenging.  It will definitely make you happier!

Have a stampin' good day!

"SIMPLY ZINNIA" EASY SIDE-STEP CARD + INSTRUCTIONS

 

The "Flowering Zinnias" designer paper is so bright, colorful, and cheery!  To accompany the paper that I chose for this card, I stamped three zinnias from the "Simply Zinnia" stamp set, colored them with alcohol markers, and then cut them with a coordinating die.  A white gel pen was used to add highlights to the center of the flowers, which I think enhanced the depth and brightness of the coloring.  

This side-step card is the easiest one that I've ever made.  It required none of the awkward cuts and scoring that are usually necessary to create a card like this; instead, you only need two pieces of cardstock to create it.  The main card is 5-1/2" x 8" and scored at 1, 2, and 5 inches.  The tall stand-up panel is 3-1/4" x 8-1/2" scored at 4-1/4".  As you can see in the above photo, I adhered the stand-up panel before adhering the strip of designer paper across the bottom front "step".

The stand-up panel is adhered at the bottom front and the bottom of the card back.

The right portion of the card had a wider space--perfect for the sentiment label.

It's a fun design, huh?

MEANDERING MEADOWS DOUBLE GATEFOLD (WITH CARDSTOCK SIZE AND SCORING MEASUREMENTS)

 

Gatefold cards are nothing new for card-makers, and we've probably all made quite a few of them.  They're just so fun . . . to make and receive.  The card that I'm sharing today features the lovely "Meandering Meadows" designer paper, white and Night of Navy cardstock, and a band of pretty daisies.  Below is what the card looks like with the band removed:

And below is a better photo of the band with daisies:

I used a bone folder to slightly curve the petals and then layered two of the punched daisies together.  The center of the flowers was brushed with Wink of Stella.

The inside panels of the card were also decorated with designer paper, and a vellum panel was added to the center section so that a message could be written there.

Isn't the designer paper so pretty?!?!  I thought about placing a smaller piece of white cardstock (before deciding on the vellum) to the center section, but I really didn't want to interrupt the scenery that was going on.  After taking the photos for this post, I decided that the paper strip along the top of the vellum looked a bit plain, so I added some die-cut clouds.  Looks much better, huh?

In case you'd like to make a double gatefold card like this one . . . begin with a 5-1/2" x 12" piece of cardstock.  Score it at 1-3/4", 3-7/8", 8-1/8", and 10-1/4".  Or, if you want to just remember the first two measurements, you can score at 1-3/4" and 3-7/8", flip the cardstock and score again at 1-3/4" and 3-7/8".  

Have a stampin' good day!

PIECED BIRD CARD

 

When I first saw the "Full of Life" designer paper, I thought that it would make a pretty pieced bird, similar to what I posted HERE.  Right off the bat, I'll be the first to admit that I totally forgot to emboss the bird, which would have given it a more quilted appearance.  The making of this bird was somewhat of a fail because I ended up having to cut it out of the background cardstock because I had folded the cardstock rather than mark center lines with a pencil.  

Even though I didn't get it all quite right, I wasn't going to let this colorful little guy go to waste.  Isn't this such a cheery card?!?!  I decided to not add a sentiment because I didn't want the card to be bound for one particular occasion/event, and I'm sure whoever receives it will be glad to have it.

I love the look of the Dotted Circle embossing on the white cardstock, which was cut with one of the "Stitched So Sweetly" (retired) dies.  

The finishing touch was the silver trim wrapped around the card front and tied in a bow.  I'm sure this won't be my last pieced bird design because I very much enjoy putting the pieces in place to form a bird.  I just hope that I get things right for the next one.  Ha!  This little guy will just be an example of how a couple of oversights can still yield a pretty creation.

Have a stampin' good day!

QUILTY WOVEN STAR CARD

 

Today's project features the Perennial Lavender designer paper, which is so gorgeous!  I've made a few of these woven star designs, but it appears that I forgot to photograph them.  I actually thought that I had already shared one on my blog, but I can't seem to find where I did.

The woven star is a pretty focal point, isn't it?  It would look less busy without all of the gingham squares and triangles around the star points, but I'm pretty sure the sample that I had seen had the square corners--but not the center triangles on all four sides.  Maybe I went a little crazy with the gingham.

My paper strips were 1/2" wide and were adhered from corner to corner and extended the edge of the cardstock.  After placing and weaving the strips in over/under fashion, all of the paper hanging over the edge of the white cardstock were trimmed away.  Placing the gingham squares in the four corners is what gives the star its points.  Of course, embossing the panel makes it less apparent that there was a lot of piecing going on.

In the above photo, you can see how I decorated the inside of the card.  

Funny thing happened while I was making this card.  Actually, what happened wasn't funny AT ALL.  I had what I thought was a neat idea for the inside of the card.  The only thing that I had left to do was grab two circle punches for the "big hugs" sentiment.  I turned my chair toward my side desk and bent down to the bottom drawer to retrieve the punches and . . . oh %$#*&@!!!!!!  The most excruciating pain in my lower back caused me to come up out of the chair and try to move in any way to make it stop.  I saw the proverbial stars and thought I might pass out. I slowly made my way out of my craft room, barely able to walk.  Having never felt anything like that before, I really didn't know what to do.  I made my way to my bed and laid down very carefully.  I was kind of frozen however I had landed because I could NOT scoot myself in any way that required the use of my lower back.  For a couple of days, that point between sitting and standing was the part of moving that I dreaded terribly.  Even picking up my feet to walk was painful.  An electric heating pad, ibuprofen, Tylenol, and a walking cane were my best friends for several days.  As I laid in bed, I kept thinking about the sentiment for the inside of this card and that I had been excited to see how it was going to look, but it was a week or so before I felt brave enough to reach for the punch.  That's the funny part.  I guess you could say that I've never taken as long to complete a card OR been apprehensive about reaching for my tools.  I might should have kept this card, but I eventually dropped it in the mail to a stamping acquaintance who I felt could really use it as she puts one foot in front of the other through grief.  I never heard that she received the card--NOT that I expect to hear from people that I send cards to--but I wonder if (after everything that happened while creating the card) it ended up lost, misdelivered, or perhaps I had the wrong address for the recipient.  Maybe it blessed whoever received it.

Have a stampin' good day!

"MAGNOLIA MOOD" . . . AGAIN

 

I was just about ready to clean the "Magnolia Mood" stamps when I saw a pretty card created by Linda Cullen.  She had used a Pebbled Path card base and, since I have decided that this color is fast becoming one of my new favorites, I felt the need to make one more card before cleaning the stamps. This was a super fast card to make because the die-cut magnolia focal point was laying on my desk--just ready to land on a card.

Do you sometimes sit back and look at a card you just made and think, "Oh, my goodness!  It's soooo pretty!"?  I'm going to assume that it's a natural reaction.  I LOVE this card!  It's such a simple design and quick to make, but it's got elegance.  

I gave just a little color to the center of the large magnolia with a water brush and Pebbled Path ink.

As you can see in the above two photos, I stamped the inside panel with Pebbled Path ink.  I think I stamped off three times before stamping on the white cardstock so the images would be really light.  

On the bottom of the card front, I used a strip of wood-look paper from the "Country Woods" collection.  

That's it for today.  My next blog post will feature something other than "Magnolia Mood".  I think it might be a quilty card.  We'll see.

Have a stampin' good day!

"MAGNOLIA MOOD" + "KEEPING TABS"

 

Did you know that Stampin' Up! stamp and die bundles have been discounted by 10% this month?  That's right . . . and the 10% discount ends after June 30th, so check your wishlist (and check it again!) to see if now is the right time to make your selections.  During this sale, I purchased "Magnolia Mood" and "Keeping Tabs".  The first card that I'm sharing features both bundles.  My cardstock colors are Pebbled Path, Crushed Curry and, of course, white.  While there are many colors that coordinate nicely with Pebbled Path, I think any shade of yellow makes for a nice pair.  

Doesn't the Eyelet 3D embossing look so pretty on this card?  Besides the sparkly gems, I think the gingham ribbon (retired) adds quite a lot to this card, lending just the right amount of color.  The stamped and die-cut images were colored with alcohol markers, leaving the magnolia petals and blooms uncolored.

My first time using the "Keeping Tabs" stamp set and die was on this card, and I am in love . . . even though my lovely tab got adhered a bit crooked.  I urge you to take a closer look at this bundle because it has three tab designs and lots of sentiments/words to personalize them for your project.  To cut the stamped tabs, there is a choice of punch or die.  Each time I reach for a punch, I straight up appreciate how handy it is to grab a punch and go; however, I made an economical decision to purchase the die this time, thinking that I can die-cut a lot of tabs to keep in the stamp case ready to use.  

One thing that I want to point out about this card . . . since I wanted the top of the tab to extend past the top of the card, the height was trimmed to 3.75".  This was perfect!

Up next is, for the most part, a copy of a Stampin' Up! "Magnolia Mood" sample that I just loved (see below):

Isn't it gorgeous???  While trying to figure out what to cut, what to stamp, and what/how to color, I realized that the card has so much more going on than one might imagine at first glance.  A lot.  Obviously, my rendition isn't an exact copy, but I was so very pleased.

Some of my die cut shapes were strategically placed, but I decided to not overthink the entire process.

It's hard to tell from the photos, but the birthday sentiment was embossed with silver embossing powder on Lost Lagoon cardstock.  I used Lost Lagoon ink to stamp the images on the white cardstock, but I stamped off first so the images would be lighter and subtle.

You can't tell from the first photo, but the above photo shows the texture and dimension on this card.  The silver twine was doubled in length and tied in a bow, and then I used a bone folder to enhance its natural ability to curl, which is what I love the most about silver trim.  Any time that it is offered by Stampin' Up!, I purchase a few spools.  It's so easy to work with and is especially easy to tie in a bow when the length is doubled.

Of course, a white cardstock panel needed to be adhered to the inside of the Lost Lagoon card base, and I thought it could use some stamping.  Apologies for the blah photo.  Let's finish with a better photo:

Be sure to shop the stamp and die bundles while they're on sale!