Valentine Project and Cards

Today is the last day of February so I had better post my Valentine's Day cards and project before I forget. I didn't post them before just to make sure it was a surprise for those receiving them. So here they are now:

I bought the paper from the dollar spot at Target two years ago. It was just 6x6 sheets of paper but I made cards and  bookmarks with it last year and more cards again this year and still have plenty left over.



Using Scarlet Glimmer Mist I sprayed the doily to give it color and shimmer. Next I layered a white circle of cardstock over the doily. I punched a scalloped circle out of pattern paper and layered that over the white cardstock. For this card I had pink glittered chipboard letters for the X and O that I centered over the scalloped circle. I used Stamps of Life stamps to stamp the "daughter" and "For our" with Color Box red ink.

The little heart in the upper left is punched with CM heart maker out of white cardstock then inked using Worn Lipstick Distress Ink. I then used Chandelier Glitter Glam to add some sparkle to it. I stamped "for you" from Stamps of Life and cut it out and adhered it to the heart. I used Technique Tuesday stamps for the X and O stamping it with red ink and embossing with clear embossing powder. The border punch I used on the background is from Fiskars.

Next is the gift boxes. This is a repurposed project. I used the clear boxes that my Papertrey Ink stamps come in.

I used regular rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball to remove the adhesive. It worked really well.

Next I made the bottom layer of the belly band out of red cardstock and adhered it to the box. Then I used the same Fiskar border punch and punched both sides of a white strip of cardstock making it about 1/2" wider than I wanted it since the border punch will cut off about 1/4". I used the same heart maker which has 2 different sized heart shapes. Punching one of each size from white cardstock. On the larger heart I inked it with Worn Lipstick Distress Ink and used painted Chandelier Glitter Glam over the ink when it was dry. On the smaller heart I stamped with love using the red ink from Color Box and adhered a small heart punched from red cardstock and painted with Glitter Glam. I also used the red ink to ink just the edges of the sm white heart.

Next I stamped the flourishes on both sides of the heart with red ink and embossed with clear embossing powder and adhered it to the red band. It seems to work better to adhere them seperately to the box instead of together. The last step was to fill the box with candy and it was ready to give. Easy peasy.



  

Flower Power

Here is this weeks Tuesday Trigger. It can be found here at Moxie Fab World

http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2011/02/tuesday-trigger-flower-power.html

Audra Pillow from Crate & Barrel

What bright and fun colors! I knew exactly what I wanted to make. I have had this idea for a card floating around in my head for weeks but really didn't know what to do with it until I saw this weeks Trigger. When I saw the pillow with those bright colors I knew exactly what I wanted to do with that sketch. It all came together so quickly. Here is my take on this weeks trigger:

I used white embossing powder on the flowers which really made them pop against the colored cardstock. The white background and white ribbon keeps the card clean and fresh.

I layered the flowers and covered the orange brad in the center of the flowers with Diamond Stickles glitter glue. I had a creative moment when I was grabbing some supplies to make this card and just happened to see a roll of wire when the thought crossed my mind that the wire would make a nice tendril for the flower. Thanks Cathy for this weeks inspiring trigger!

Second Mini Paper Album

Here is the second mini album I made for the Knights of Columbus Auction.

This one is called Shabby Chic. I love the colors and the prints. It really brightens up the day when all you have outside is grey and rain.
Really had fun making this album with all the bright & pretty floral prints. Went together fast.

Each album has 6 pages and holds at least thirteen 4x6 photos or more if you crop or use wallet size photos.
Another favorite print. You need very little embellishments since there is so much going on in the paper that once you get your photos and journaling it will look finished.


Here is the last page. It's really hard to tell where I have added photo mats. They blend in so well with the page.
That's it. Hope you enjoyed seeing the album.

Tuesday Trigger and Papertrey Challenge

Here are a set of gift cards that was inspired by the Tuesday Trigger Decadently Yours from the Moxie Fab Blog. You can find it here:
http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2011/02/tuesday-trigger-decadently-yours.html
The big butterfly is for the Think Big Challenge for day 8 of Papertrey Inks 4 year anniversary. You can read all about it here:
http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2011/02/introducing-mat-stack-4-collection-think-big-favorites-flower-fusion.html
First off I apologize for the horrible photos. It is gray and raining here so I have no light today.

I chose the brown paper inspired from the truffles to add a little warmth. I ran the background papers through the Swiss Dot embossing folder. The border punch is from Martha Stewart. The card size is A2.

I alternated the three colors so each card looks a little different even though the same. I stamped the sentiments on an Classic Scalloped Oval from Spellbinders. I also embossed it and then inked the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.
Each sentiment is different and I changed the placement of the border to change things up even more.
The butterfly stamp is from the Inkadinkado-Gemstone Insects. I stamped the butterfly with Versa Mark ink then embossed it using a mixture of clear embossing powder and some white Martha Stewart glitter. It added a bit more sparkle to the butterfly.

Baby Card, Envelope & Tags

Here is a card, envelope and tags I made for a baby shower. I had fun digging out my baby stamps since it has been years since I last used them.
The ink is all Tim Holtz distress ink: Wild Honey and Vintage photo. The stamps are Hero Arts: Bundle of Joy and the baby booties stamp is from Raindrops on Roses. The envelope I just used 3 different stamps and Vintage Photo to stamp the images along the edge. Pretty simple. On the green background paper of the card I ran it through the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dot embossing folder. I made the borders with 2 border punches, both from Martha Stewart and the white scallop is a Papertrey Ink die. I used Glitter Glam on the heart for some sparkle and shine.

This is the first time making a paper rosette. I had to make about 4 before I got the hang of it. They are a little tricky to make and you have to have patience to let the glue dry. I used a 12"x 1" strip on this tag and a 6 or 7 "x 3/4" strip on the card. I then used the Martha Stewart scoring board and made a score mark every half inch. Next you fan fold and glue the edges. Use a strong glue. I used Glossy Accents from Rangers and it worked well. I also used Glossy Accents to glue the baby booties on top of the rosette. Once the ends are dry (this is the tricky part and takes some practice) you scrunch the edges to form a circle and push it down to fan out. I hope this makes sense as it is hard to explain without photos. Punch a circle of paper large enough to fit the rosette or just a bit smaller and cover with double sided tape and I also swirled Glossy Accents on top of the tape. Stick the rosette on the taped and glued circle and put something on top of it with a little weight to hold it there ( I used the bottle of glue). I then glued the rosette to a large scalloped circle that I had inked the edges of.
Next I made this tag with the CM tag punch, stamped the sentiment and stork with Vintage Photo and embossed with clear embossing powder, repeated the same borders as the card except I the large scallop and inked the edges.

Mini Albums

I have a couple of mini albums I would like to share. I am donating them to the Knights of Columbus for their Auction that is a fundraiser for the community and scholarships.
Here is the first one:
This paper album is called Bright Blooms and is from Creative Memories. You can slip a photo behind the die cut circle on the cover. I added the sticker title and the die cut flower bouquet.
I love all the bright colors of the paper. Just makes you happy! You get sheets of 6"x6" for the album pages. I believe that CM is now making pre-printed pages so you you don't have to take the time to adhere the paper to the pages making the albums even faster to finish.
Here is the first page. The kit also comes with pre-cut photo mats which I used one here along with a title sticker and epoxy sticker in the corner of the photo mat. You also get a Title Sticker sheet, an Epoxy Sticker sheet and a sheet of die cuts. There are plenty of each and I usually have a few leftover.

Here are pages 2 & 3. The paper is double sided both the sheets and photo mats. So you have lots of options. On the left page I used the printed side of the photo mat that and a title sticker. On the right I used the solid side along with a die cut. With the decorative paper you don't need to use a lot of embellishments which is another reason these albums are so quick to make.

Pages 4 & 5. I love these flowers. So cheery. Super fast page. Just rounded the corners of the mat and added a title sticker on the right and it's ready for photos and journaling.
Pages 6 & 7. Just cut a little off the photo mat on the left and added 3 stickers and slapped a photo mat on the right and done.

Pages 8 & 9. Added full sized photo mats on both pages then used a narrow scrap from a leftover piece of photo mat and an EK Success punch that I adhered a title sticker to on the left page.

Pages 10 & 11. Rounded the corners of a photo mat and used the same punch again with a title sticker and left the right page as it was.
Page 12. Last page of the album. Just added a title and epoxy sticker and the album is ready for 4x6 photos and any journaling.

These Paper Albums Kits are great to give as gifts either as a kit or to make as a gift. I have made 3 as gifts. They are super fast (under 2 hours)to make.
I have another one I will share in my next post. Also have Valentine cards and project but I won't be able to share those until after Valentine's day so I don't ruin the surprise of the recipients.

Tuesday Trigger

I was inspired by the Tuesday Trigger on the Moxie Fab World and this is my first time to participate. You can find the Tuesday Trigger here: http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2011/02/tuesday-trigger-sweets-for-sweet.html
I loved all the pink and overall romantic feel. Also liked the texture from the cupcake wrappers and the scallops hanging over the edge of the box. So here is what I came up with:


This is so not my style of card but all the pink really inspired me more toward vintage than clean and simple. I loved making the glittered chipboard frame. I painted it first and while the paint was still wet sprinkled it with glitter. I used Antique Linen and Vintage Photo Distress ink on the edges of the card and the scalloped circle. On the first scalloped border I crumpled it then dragged the Vintage Photo ink pad over it and spritzed it with water. The leaves are spritzed with Perfect Pearls to add a little sparkle. I used Worn Lipstick to ink the white flower and put a small pink heart gemstone in the middle and layered the flower on top of the lace bow. All the stamping was done with Vintage Photo. The Happy Birthday frame was distressed with Antique Linen and used pop dots to adhere it to the middle of the chipboard frame. I had fun making this card even though it was out of my comfort zone and plan on trying more vintage cards in the future.

Twenty Card Workshop

Warning! Very long post!

Here are all 20 cards that I made from the Twenty Card Workshop! Well except for the one I posted earlier because I had to send it before the rest were finished.
I chose the black/white color scheme and the splash of red hoping for dramatic and classic cards. Going with that color scheme I could use some of the cards for men. My pattern paper was double sided giving me more options. I used Creative Memories pattern paper and cardstock and the paper flowers and frames were also from CM.
Here is a closer look at each of the cards.

Card #6 I made these into a wedding card and a hello card. The die cut teapot is from Paper Trey Ink (PTI)

Card #4 I really like these two cards. On the You're so sweet card everything is from CM except for the Chipboard heart button. Instead of threading floss or thread through the holes I used red gemstones. On the Happy Birthday card I personalized it by putting the age of the recipient. The number dies are from PTI. After die cutting them I used an embossing folder called Swiss Dots from Provo Craft. It is one of my favorite embossing folders. If I could only have one embossing folder this would be the one.
Card #7 The workshop makes 10 different designs, two of each design. I am posting each design separately and with the two cards I made from that one design. So you can see that even though they were made the same way they look totally different and can be used for different occasions. One is for a birthday and the other is a Valentines card. Even though I used some of the same things like paper frames and rick rack they turned out very different due to the embellishments and stamps I used.
Card #8 On these two I kept it simple and just used stamps except I ran the red cardstock on the love card through the Swiss Dot embossing folder then dragged a black stamp pad over the raised dots. I also drew the lines around the cards with a black pen.
Card #10 This design was fun although I changed it up a bit from the original design. For the tab they used the same cardstock as the background (light gray). I thought it didn't stand out enough to be worth the effort of making the tab. What I did was to go ahead and make the tab out of cardstock then make another one out of the pattern paper and adhere the two together because the pattern paper would not be strong enough to use on its own. I also chose to use the backside of the flourish black and white paper. I thought it added more interest to the card. Again I used red gemstones on the chipboard hearts instead of thread.
Card #5 On several of the designs I inked the edges of the card and left the other card plain which helped to give them different looks. On the Birthday Wishes card I simply stamped an image in the square then stamped the sentiment and the butterfly in the corner. Now this Thank You card is my least favorite. I do not like the way the bird came out. I think it is ugly but left it. I stamped the image with Versa Mark ink on white paper which left the imaged ebossed and white. Then I took Tim Holtz Peeled Paint and Fired Brick Distress Ink and colored the image. The embossed areas resist the ink leaving them the image white. I then traced around the stamped image leaving a fairly wide border.
Card #9 I really like these to cards. Simple and clean which is my style. The red heart is a felted button which I threaded with red and white bakers twine and the thinking of you sticker is an epoxy sticker so it is shiny and raised.
Card #2 I used a paper frame and stamped the sentiment and a butterfly inside the frame and adding a paper flower in the corner. The other one is my very favorite out of all the cards. I made a paper red rick rack border with an EK Success border punch and I made the flower using pages from an old dictionary. Using a flower punch I punched six flowers, inked the edges with Fired Brick Distress Ink and crumpled each flower then stacked them on top of each other and adhered them together using glue dots. For the center of the flower I used a gemstone flower. I stamped the sentiment and a butterfly in the lower corner.
Card #3 I used both of these cards as congratulation cards. On the Good Luck one I inked the edges of the card, stamped a square frame and embossed it then in the middle of the frame I put a epoxy sticker, stamped congrats and added some black gemstones after the sentiment and it was done. For the other one I just stacked three different sizes of CM flowers and stamped the sentiment and was done.
Card #1 And here is the last design. There is only one card because the other remember I had to send out. I was really pleased with the way it turned out. I used a white piece of paper and stamped it in opposite corners using Versa Mark Ink. So it left the Images white. Next with a script stamp and using Vintage Photo Distress Ink I stamped the background. I just used a damp paper towel to wipe the ink off the Versa Mark inked images as the Versa Mark acts as a resit. Next I inked the whole piece with Worn Lipstick then Fired Brick blending it with the lighter Worn Lipstick. I then used Black Soot for just the edges. To finish it I stamped the oval Friendship frame and embossed it with black embossing powder. Then I just cut it out and adhered it the center.

That's it. All twenty cards. So I hope you can see how different each card is even though you use the same paper. Using different embellishments (and I even changed the design a bit on a few) can change the look completely
If you are interested in this workshop just leave a message in a comment or send me an email.

Graduation Card

Here is a graduation card that I just made from a workshop that my friend, Jennie and I are working on. It makes 10 different designs, 2 cards from each design for a total of 20 cards. If anyone is interested in participating in this workshop please leave a comment and I will give you more info on it. I will post all twenty cards once they are all done. It will be nice to have cards on hand so whenever I need a card and short on time to make a handmade one I can just go to my stash.

Thank you card and Green Gift Bag

For my first post of 2011 I am sharing a thank you card and how to reuse a paper bag about the size of a lunch bag but mine was a bit bigger. First the thank you card.
This was my first time using this technique. I cut white cardstock using a circle Spellbinder Die. Next I stamped an image using Versa Mark ink onto the white cardstock. Using Tim Holtz Distressing Inks, Wild Honey and Peeled Paint I inked the image using the ink blending tool and foam pad.(Tip: use light pressure with the blending tool and a circular motion works best) Next I mounted the stamped and inked circle onto a kraft piece of cardstock that was die cut with the Lacey Circle Spellbinders Die. Sorry the picture didn't pick up the white embossed paper very well.
Next up is the recycled brown paper bag I used as a gift bag.

I found this on someones blog. I wish I could remember where because they had a video you could watch. I just used scrap lace, rick rack and bias tape which I layered over a piece of zebra print cardstock that I cut to fit the front of the bag and rounded the top and bottom right corners. Next I decided how I was going to layer the lace, rick rack and bias tape then sewed them to the cardstock. Next I adhered the cardstock to the sack. Then I folded the sack in half and sewed each side of the sack with a zig zag stitch. Make sure you only sew the sides leaving the top open. I decided to make handles with ribbon. I punched holes about 1/2" in from each side of the sack and punched through both sides at once so the holes would be even. Then I threaded the ribbon through the holes and knotted each end of the ribbon on the inside of the sack to keep the ribbon in place. I wish I had made the ribbon an inch or so longer. It seemed a bit short but it worked. You don't need to add handles I just did since I had zebra print ribbon to match the paper. I gave this to my daughter who loves all things zebra print. She loved it so much that she didn't even mention the gifts that were inside the gift bag. I had to call her back to make sure she had gotten the gifts. She was so exited over the gift bag that she forgot to mention the gifts. I had no idea that the gift bag would be such a big hit.

Here is the matching card and envelope I made to go with the gift bag. I usually don't decorate envelopes but I had that little leftover scrap of paper and decided to use it on the envelope. For the glittered letters I used white letter stickers and while they were still on their original backing I used a glue pen on each letter, sprinkled some red glitter over them and pressed the glitter lightly with my finger to make sure it stuck, then let it dry before peeling them off and applying to the card. I find it fun to match the card to its recipient and even matching the wrapping paper or gift bag too.
I am hoping to post more things this year. We will see how that goes. Hope you enjoyed the cards and recycled gift bag.