Wednesday, March 26, 2014

True North


Happy Mid Week!

I was recently asked to create a card for a relative that had just gained his Canadian Citizenship.  I wanted to find a way to depict all the great things about Canada, but was stumped as to how I was going to fit it all on a card front measuring only 4 1/4" x 5"!  

So, I headed over to Pinterest to search out Canadian inspired artwork and stumbled across a beautiful piece of wall art that put into words exactly what I wanted my card to visually depict.  I still wanted images on my card though so I chose the Moose image from Walk in the Wild set and used the Maple Leaf from the Autumn Accents die as a stencil to layer in the sky.  Overall I love the Canadian feel of this card and really happy with the way it turned out!  I think I'll have to re-create the wall art that inspired me for my next Home Decor project :)


Supplies:

Stamp sets: Walk in the Wild, Gorgeous Grunge
Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White, Real Red Brights DSP Stack, Vellum
Ink: Early Espresso, Real Red, Marina Mist, Gumball Green, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Banner punch, Autumn Accents die, Sponges, Markers, Linen Thread, Mini Brads, Mulit-purpose liquid glue, Stampin' Dimensionals

That's all for today!  Until next time...
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Monday, March 24, 2014

Spring Cottage Shelf Card


Hello!

I tried my hand at a Shelf Card for my Mom's birthday this year.  I haven't seen many of these types of cards and those I have seen don't have very good measurements or very great assembly instructions so I came up with my own version.  Once the card is assembled it does lay flat for mailing but requires a larger envelope than the standard size.
Here is a view of what the finished card looks like from the side.  The base of the card is made up of 5 pieces, each meant to be a step down from the prior; leaving you with tons of space to decorate!

Once the base of the card was assembled the real fun in decorating began!  I envisioned a quaint little cottage scene with lots of Spring flowers, a fence, and of course, a pond with a lily pad!  The cottage itself has many freehand cuts, as does the pond, but most of the elements seen on the card are created with punch art.

Supplies:

Stamp sets: Apothecary Art
Cardstock: Soft Sky Subtles DSP stack, Pear Pizazz Subtles DSP stack, Pear Pizzaz, Whisper White, Smoky Slate, Gumball Green, Strawberry Slush, Blushing Bride, Daffodil Delight, Bermuda Bay, Soft Sky, Basic Gray
Ink: Strawberry Slush
Punches: 1/2" circle, 3/4" circle, Boho Blossoms, Owl Builder, Cupcake Builder
Bigshot: Little Leaves Sizzlits, Adorning Accents, Window Frame Framelits
Accessories: Basic Gray marker, Crystal Effects, Multi-purpose glue, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stylus tool, Foam Mat, Sticky Strip


I am working on creating a printable template for my version of this Step Card that I hope to post later on in the week.  I will definitely be creating more of these cards - I love the 3D element but in collapsible format for easy mailing and gift giving! 

Until next time...
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Monday, March 17, 2014

Spring Dress


Welcome to another week!

A couple of month's back fellow SU! Demonstrator Amanda Burditt posted a card with a technique she called Frosted Scattered Embossing.  The idea intrigued me but I wondered if I could somehow put a spin on it.  This embossed dress is what I came up with!

The simplicity of the technique is the best part!  Choose an embossing folder; in this case I chose Petals-a-Plenty.  You'll notice inside your folder that there is a raised portion of the pattern and an indented side - we'll be using the indented side of the folder.  Lay a piece of vellum paper over the indented side of the folder, grab a stylus tool, and begin gently rubbing within the indents of the flowers in which you'd like to transfer to the vellum.  By using the folder in this manner your able to pick and choose the placement and frequency of the flowers!  So how did I do the dress you ask?

Choose one of the dresses from the Dress Up Framelits and run it through the Big Shot from a scrap piece of cardstock.  Set the cut out dress aside for another project - we'll be using the negative portion of the dress cut out as a stencil.  Lay your piece of vellum inside the embossing folder as you would with the basic technique, then layer the stencil portion of the dress over top of the vellum.  Begin gently transferring the flowers with a stylus tool only transferring the images within the dress stencil.  Remove stencil and viola! a perfectly embossed dress!

Supplies:

Stamp sets: N/A
Cardstock: Vellum, Blushing Bride, Coastal Cabana
Ink: N/A
Accessories: Banner Punch, Owl Punch, Petals-a-Plenty EF, Pretty Print Textured Impressions EF, Pink Pirouette Taffeta Ribbon, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Multi-Purpose liquid glue, Stylus Tool

Hope this has inspired you to give this technique a try!  The possibilities are endless - use any Framelit or punch as a stencil as a base point and get creating!

Until next time...
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Thursday, March 13, 2014

Happy Smiles


Good Day!

I'm busy working on techniques that I'll be demonstrating this weekend at my Techniques class and thought I'd give you a sneak peek.  I make every attempt I can to showcase a technique in more than one way whenever possible.  The "faux wood" I use on this card front is created in the same way that I've created the wood grain on both my Barrel of Tulips and Pansy Cart projects.  

As for the pansies, used as a three dimensional element in the Pansy cart, they are now used in a more one dimensional way on the card front.  It shows that although used in completely different settings, they still achieve the same realistic effect.

I've said it many times throughout my posts and I'll say it again, always try to think "outside the box"; use an idea or another project as inspiration and a jumping off point for creating something completely brand new and unique to you!  If you'd like to learn more about the techniques featured in this card, you can purchase either of the project tutorials that feature them, by visiting my Tutorial Store tab at the top of my site.

Supplies:

Stamps: Hardwood, Wetlands
Cardstock: Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Gumball Green, Daffodil Delight
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Cajun Craze, Rich Razzleberry, Elegant Eggplant, Gumball Green, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso
Accessories: Autumn Accents Bigz Die, Pansy Punch, Fancy Flower punch, Large Oval punch, Cupcake Builder punch, Boho Blossom punch, sponges, stylus, foam mat, Multi-purpose liquid glue, Stampin' Dimensionals, Elegant Eggplant marker

Have a wonderful day!  Until next time...
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Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Minnie Treat Cup


Hello!

Today I'm sharing the Minnie Mouse Treat Cup card I made for my niece's birthday.  It came together really quickly - my favorite is the little "Minnie confetti" inside the treat cup!  Even though I know its hard to see in the photo, I liked this option for the treat cup rather than candy - this way the card can stay intact as a keepsake.

Supplies:

Stamp sets: A Word for You
Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Basic Black, Melon Mambo DSP paper stack
Ink: Melon Mambo, Basic Black
Punches: 1 3/4" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle, 1/2" Circle, Large Oval, Small Oval, Owl Builder
Accessories: Treat Cup, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Multi-purpose liquid glue

I hope you have a great day!  I'm off to my card room - it seems as though Spring has finally sprung here and its left me with tons of inspiration and ideas I can't wait to get started on!

Until next time...

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Friday, March 7, 2014

Minnie Mouse Inspired Cupcake Toppers


Happy Friday!

This weekend my niece is celebrating her 2nd birthday!  She adores Minnie Mouse so my sister is having a birthday party completely Minnie inspired!  I LOVE themes and tend to run a bit wild when given the opportunity to participate in one so I offered to make the cupcake toppers.  These are what I came up with - I think they turned out pretty sweet, don't you?  Here's how I made each one of them, in case your theme crazy too!

Supplies:

Stamps: N/A
Cardstock: Basic Black, Strawberry Slush, Melon Mambo DSP Stack
Ink: N/A
Punches: 1/2" circle, 3/4" circle, Small Oval, Large Oval, 1 1/4" Circle, Owl, Pennant, Heart to Heart (retired - but could be substituted with the Heart punch)
Accessories: White Chalk Marker, Multi-purpose glue, Crystal Effects, Toothpicks

For the Minnie Mouse Silhouettes
  • Punch 1 - 1 1/4" circle from Basic Black
  • Punch 2 - 3/4" circles from Basic Black, glue onto larger circle with Multi-purpose glue
  • Punch 2 - hearts from either the Heart to Heart punch or the heart found in the Owl punch from Melon Mambo DSP, glue below left ear with the tips of the hearts touching
  • Punch 1 medium sized circle from the Owl punch in Melon Mambo DSP and glue between the 2 hearts to create a bow
  • Glue a toothpick to the back of the head using Crystal Effects

For the Bows
  • Punch 2 - medium hearts from the Heart to Heart punch from Strawberry Slush cardstock
  • Punch 1 - 1/2" circle from Strawberry Slush cardstock.  Glue the hearts to meet behind the circle
  • Add random dots using a White Chalk marker
  • Glue a toothpick to the back of the bow with Crystal Effects

For the Purses

  • Punch 1 Scalloped Pennant from the Pennant punch in Melon Mambo DSP.  Fold the upper portion of the pennant downwards and glue into place
  • Punch 1 of the smallest circles in the Owl punch from Basic Black.  Glue near the bottom of the purse flap
  • Punch out a handle by first punching a small oval from Basic Black.  Realign punch and move slightly upwards on the cardstock.  Punch again to create handle.  Glue to back of the purse.
  • Glue a toothpick to the back of the bow with Crystal Effects



    For the Shoe
    • Print out provided shoe template.  Transfer larger portion of the shoe template to Strawberry Slush cardstock and cut out
    • Transfer smaller portion of the shoe template to Basic Black cardstock and cut out.  Glue in place onto larger piece.  Add a small highlight with a White Chalk marker.
    • Glue a toothpick to the back of the bow with Crystal Effects

    And just in case you might need a card to go along with these cute little cupcake toppers, be sure to check out my Mickey & Minnie Inspired Shoe Cards!

    Have a great weekend!  I'll see you back here next week!
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    Thursday, March 6, 2014

    Pansy Cart


    Don't the smiling faces of Pansies just make you happy?  While considering what my next tutorial would be I considered a few of my favorite flowers; the ones I go to year after year to fill my flower beds and planters with each summer.  Pansies seem to be one of the only flowers that can survive our wind storms, drought years, wet years, hot summers, cold summers...they're pretty much number one in my books and therefore the perfect flower for my next tutorial!

    I studied many photos of the different kinds of Pansies before attempting the color combos you see here in the final product.  I love how some variations are so vibrant and showy while others are muted and pastel like.  I've made 4 color variations, each of which I share in my tutorial with step by step instructions. I've nestled them within a Rustic wagon complete with signage, ready to head off to Market.  The tutorial also provides step by step instructions to re-create the wagon making it super simple to make for yourself!




    Keep in mind that although I've displayed my Pansies within a flower arrangement setting they are easily adaptable to use in many other projects.  Due to the fact that they are only slightly dimensional they could be easily used on a card front once assembled.  Imagine how stunning that would be!

    The finished dimensions are approximately 5" high and 9" long from the tip of the handles to the back of the wagon.  I have mine displayed along with my Barrel of Tulips and it looks fabulous as the colors compliment one another so well!  I have high hopes of adding a few more creations to make my own little indoor garden that will never need watering.  It's made my front entrance so bright, cheery, and inviting to come into!  I wish I was getting married again - these would make lovely eye catching arrangements at a Country wedding, don't you think??

    Supplies: 

    Stamp sets: Hardwood
    Cardstock: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green, Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Soft Suede
    Ink: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Blushing Bride, Strawberry Slush, Perfect Plum, Rich Razzleberry, Elegant Eggplant, Garden Green, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso
    Accessories: Linen Thread
    Markers: Basic Black, Elegant Eggplant
    Big Shot: Bigz Autumn Accents, Circle Framelits,
    Punches: ½” Circle, ¾” Circle, Fancy Flower, Pansy, Cupcake, Boho Blossoms
    Misc. : Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Hot Glue Gun, Sticky Strip, paper snips, sponges, foam mat, Stylus Tool, Distressing Tool, Spanish Moss

    If you would like to purchase your own tutorial, please visit my Tutorial Store tab at the top of the page to be re-directed.

    **PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT SUBSCRIBE TO AN AUTOMATIC E-MAIL SERVICE SO YOU MAY EXPERIENCE A SHORT DELAY IN RECEIVING YOUR TUTORIAL.  I TRY TO MY FULLEST TO SEND IN A TIMELY FASHION**

    I'll to be back tomorrow with a quick photo tutorial on some cupcake toppers I'm working on for my niece's birthday!  See you then!
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