Thursday, December 24, 2015

Christmas Tomte


Hello!

One more sleep till the big guy in red arrives!  Are you excited?  My boys haven't slept in days and to be frank I'm looking forward to Boxing Day when there's nothing for them to get up early for (other than putting together the million pieces of Lego that are soon to arrive)!

All the Christmas prep has put me behind in my blog posts.  I have been spending countless nights in my card room but all that crafting just hasn't made it to the computer yet!  My biggest goal in 2016 is to get back to blogging more regularly - we'll see how that goes!  In the meantime, I thought I'd quickly share this little guy with you.  Isn't he the cutest??

Our new neighbours moved in just down the road from us a little over a month ago and they collect Tomte's or Swedish gnomes.  I've always loved them but didn't know what they were called until they told me a bit about them. Folklore says that they protect your home and family from evil and misfortune.  If treated well, they will deliver gifts at the door; similar to our Santa Claus.  It is customary to leave behind a bowl of porridge with butter in gratitude.  But be sure to not insult them, as they will usually play tricks and steal items from the home!

Because of their love for collecting Tomte's I thought I would try create a punch art card featuring one for their Christmas card.  Many of the pieces are hand cut, but I plan to share the pattern in an upcoming post. The trees were cut using my Silhouette but could easily be re-created with punch art pieces as well.


And probably my favorite part of the whole card?  I got a chance to use the new Wink of Stella available in the new Occasions Catalog!  It adds the most wonderful glitter and sparkle with virtually no work or mess!!  It's a definite MUST from the new catty! 

Supplies:
Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog


That's all for now!  I have a few more odds and ends to finish up before tonight so I best get on it! They'll be 15 people here tomorrow for a HUGE feast - I can't wait to be in a pleasant food coma! I hope you have a wonderful, festive holiday and are surrounded by those near and dear to you.  From our family to yours, have a Merry Christmas!  I'll see you all back here next week! 

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Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Sleigh Ride Envelope Card

Hello!

Everyone keeping busy with the Holiday prep?  I'm up to my elbows in last minute projects, gifts, and baking.  I hope I can finish it all in time!

Today I thought I would share this card fold I stumbled across called an Envelope Card.  I enjoyed making it so much I ended up making four of them!  They are all different so I thought I'd share one with you today then the rest a bit later with all the instructions on how to make your own.  The great thing is that you can make them for any occasion and with as little or much dimension as you would like.  I kept this one fairly simple but if I were in an extra crafty mood to make this one again I'd add a few additional pop up trees in the background of the scene.

I used my Silhouette cutting machine to cut out the tree, sleigh, and lamp post.  My lighting wasn't co-operating when I took the photo but the tree was cut from Dazzling Diamond glimmer paper and looks so darn pretty I can hardly stand it!


See how simple it all folds together?  Add a little greeting to this side and seal with adhesive.  Flip over and add a mailing label and its all ready to mail (with a little additional postage of course!)

Supplies:
Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

That's all for today but I'll be back tomorrow with the instructions and three more cards using this fold!  I hope you can stop by!

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Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Home for the Holiday's in a Tea Cup



Hello!

I loved making the Spring version of my Front Porch in a Tea Cup so much that I just couldn't resist trying a Holiday/Christmas version! I'm so happy with the way it turned out - if I could find a cottage like this I'd definitely move in; how about you?

As with my previous version, almost everything is hand made.  The only store bought items are the little trees and beads and a few other little trinkets to add finishing touches.  Each piece of siding is hand cut and stamped; along with all the small paper details you see.  And, as usual, all papers are Stampin' Up!

The little snowman was so fun to make that I couldn't resist making a batch of them to use in other projects!  They are the absolute perfect size for little wee things like this and add a little whimsy to the scene I think.

Small pine boughs with berries adorn the white picket railing and a scattering of freshly fallen snow add sparkle above the window and door and stairs.  The evergreen is decorated for the festive season in the front yard with garland sprinkled with gold decorations.  

A quick view of the top of the tea cup; I just couldn't cover up the pretty pattern with more snow so I left it exposed to enjoy.  The small cuts of branches help add height and dimension to the side of the tea cup and make the cottage scene look slightly more "woodsy".

I'm planning on taking this tea cup along with a few others I made to a small craft show later on in the week. If it doesn't find a loving new home I'll be placing up for sale either here on the blog or in my Etsy shop.  So, if you love tiny wee things be on the lookout!  I've made a few winter as well as summer ones that I hope to share here later this week if all goes according to plan.  I'm not sure about anyone else but I'm not nearly as far along in my Holiday prep as I normally am for this time of year! Now, you could say that it's because of my excess crafting, but I'll just chalk it up to busyness elsewhere in my life...like remembering to move that dang elf every night...LOL

Have a great day all!  Until next time...

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Tuesday, December 1, 2015

A Christmas Story Birthday


Hello!

Sometimes I make a card and it just becomes "THE ONE".  The one that can compete with no other and takes all the glory...this leg lamp card is that card for me LOL.  My sister and I LOVE LOVE LOVE A Christmas Story movie and when I stumbled across this cutting file in the Silhouette store for my Cameo I had to have it to make it part of her birthday card.

The Hearth & Home Framelits were the perfect background addition; I mean what's a leg lamp if it can't be proudly displayed in a window, right?  And even more dual purpose, the window box portion of the die set became the table top for the lamp to sit on.

Supplies:
Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Now the only dilemma that remains is how many more of these do I make so I can have a string of leg lamp garland in my front window?? ;)  I feel a Christmas tutorial post coming on...hehehe

Just a quick note before I sign off; have you had a chance to sign up for my 12 weeks of Holiday Newsletter yet?  This week marks Week #10!  I can't believe how fast the time has flown by!  And don't fret if you've missed past newsletters and are just joining now.  There is a archival link when you view the newsletter in your web browser, or, if you can't find it just send me a quick email at melissa@porchswingcreations.com and I'll be happy to forward the earlier weeks to you.

Have a fabulous day!  Until next time...

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Friday, November 27, 2015

Snowy Lovebirds


Hello Everyone!

I hope all my American crafting friends reading this had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday!  I thought I'd drop in today with a quick post perfect for this time of year.  Yesterday we had the prettiest snowfall - big fluffy flakes coming straight down, no wind, and sunshine.  If all winter days could be like that I might actually enjoy winter!

I sponged the sky in pretty blues and stamped the pine boughs and birds before embossing with the Softly Falling embossing folder.  To add a little extra sparkle I covered the entire background with Versamark then sprinkled with Iridescent Ice embossing powder and heat set.  The sparkle on this card in person is spectacular!  To create the shimmer on the letters I covered a small piece of Bermuda Bay card stock with Versmark and Iridescent Ice embossing powder before cutting them out.

Supplies:
Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog


Be sure to pop by next week!  I was working frantically over the last couple weeks to get ready for a small pop up shop that happened last night and I have tons of projects to share that I created for the event.  I made many cards and the like but I also created some winter decor items along with tea cup scenes similar to this ONE I shared a while back.  Not everything sold so I'll be listing them in my Etsy shop soon!

Until then, have a wonderful weekend!
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Wednesday, November 18, 2015

In the Woods


Hello!

Hope this finds everyone well today; we're finally getting a yucky cold front coming through and the snow is a falling!  There's sure something about the colder weather that makes you want to make snowy cards...I think its the only kind I've made over the last while!

I needed a masculine birthday card and thought I'd pull out my Woodland embossing folder a few more times before it retires in January.  I'm bummed about this one - its such a versatile folder I thought for sure it would be a keeper!  But, alas it was not meant to be so I'll use it as much as I can until then!

I've seen quite a few cards that use this technique of stamping on the folder before running it through the Big Shot to get a hidden like image.  I haven't seen any done with animals though so I thought I'd give it a try.  I LOVE how it turned out!!  I added Dazzling Diamonds glitter along the base of the card to look like snow but no matter how I positioned the card or the camera, the light the day I took this just wouldn't pick up the sparkle.  You'll just have to use your imagination that its really there ;)

To achieve the background swipe Night of Navy and Soft Suede ink across the embossing folder then stamp the elk in Early Espresso ink directly onto the embossing folder, near ground level.  Insert a piece of Whisper White card stock into the folder and run through the Big Shot.  Viola!  An elk hidden behind the trees.  Color in the elk in with an Aqua Painter, Soft Suede, and Early Espresso ink.  To make the trees pop a little more use the edge of a Soft Suede ink pad to lightly apply ink to the raised portions. To finish everything off add a few flecks of snow with a White Gel Pen and Dazzling Diamond glitter along the base of the trees as well as in the branches.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

I hope you've enjoyed this one!  If you give this technique a try, let me know (or even better, email me a pic!)  I love hearing from you :)

I'll be back with another winter-y card share in the next couple days, as well as my Holiday Newsletter set for Friday.  If you love to count down to the Holiday's, your going to want to make this one so be sure to subscribe!

Have a wonderful snowy day!
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Friday, November 13, 2015

Holiday Blitz Tutorial - Snow Globe Luminary



Happy Friday (the 13th)!

I'm super excited to have been asked to be part of Splitcoaststampers Holiday Blitz Week!  It's a full week of wonderful holiday projects that you'll definitely want to check out!  I'm the guest tutorial author today and am sharing how to make this little Snow Globe luminary.  

The tutorial includes both a photo tutorial along with a step by step video.  Try not to laugh too hard at my blunder near the end of the video - as it turns out my glue gun WAS in fact plugged in I was just using a dud extension cord! #crafterproblems #stampingbloopers

I hope you'll be able to take a minute and check out the tutorial!  The photo tutorial can be found on the SCS site HERE.


I hope you have a great weekend!  I know its been a little quiet around these parts this week but I will be back in full force next week with some new shares!  Don't forget to sign up for my Holiday Newsletter - today's share is 3 quick and easy ways to create a snowy background.  If your not sure how to sign up but would still like to just email me and I'll add you to the list.  A full archive is available for the weeks you may have missed :)

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Thursday, November 5, 2015

Ninja Turtle Punch Art Tutorial


Hello!

Today is another catch up project that has been sitting on the corner of my desk for a year or so.  Yes, a year!  I posted this "old school" Ninja Turtle card for my older son's last birthday (you can read the original post HERE) and have been asked numerous times since posting it if I could share a tutorial.  

Within a couple weeks of the original post I did in fact make a tutorial, then for some reason just never got around to completing it to make it post worthy.  Because I've waited so long a couple of the punches I used on the original card have since been discontinued (yes, I've learned my lesson! LOL) But don't fret!  Even though the photos show me using the discontinued punches, I have current punch solutions to make it all work out in the end!  And if you have the old punches on hand, feel free to use those too!

Okay, let's get started!  In this tutorial we'll be making Leonardo:

 Begin by punching out the required pieces; you'll require one set for each turtle:
  1. 1 - 1-1/4" Old Olive circle
  2. 1 - Old Olive Large Oval
  3. 1 -  Pacific Point  Word Window
  4. 1 - Pacific Point Itty Bitty Punch Pack Heart
  5. 1 - Blushing Bride Medium Circle (Owl punch)
  6. 2 - Whisper White Circles (Cupcake punch)
  7. 2 - Basic Black Small Circles (Owl punch)

Insert the ends of the Large Oval back into the top portion of the Large Oval punch (the small oval punch was used in the photo but the Large Oval punch will work just the same by lining it up similar to the photo) and punch.

The Old Olive Large Oval should now look similar to the above photo. 

 Sponge the edges of the Old Olive Circle and Oval using Old Olive ink.

**Note: substitute the Modern Label Punch for the base of the Cupcake Builder punch**  

Insert both the ends of the Word Window piece into the curved edges of the Cupcake Builder and punch.  Use the photo above as a guideline.

Trim away a small portion at the top of the Word Window piece to resemble the area above the eyes and create an eye mask.  Use the photo above as a guideline.

Cut the heart from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack in two vertically.

Cut away a small curved section of the Blushing Bride circle.  Discard the top piece, only the lower will be needed for this tutorial.

 Using Multipurpose Liquid adhesive, glue the mask behind the altered Old Olive oval.

 Glue the Old Olive 1-1/4" circle into place behind the mask area.

 Glue the Whisper White circles into place on the mask, just below the "bumps" created earlier on.  Glue the small Basic Black circles onto the Whisper White circles to make pupils.

 Glue the heart halves behind the face mask to create the mask ties.  Place the straight cuts to the outside and the curved portion facing inwards.

 Sketch on a mouth with a pencil.

Fill in the mouth with a Basic Black marker.  Use the marker to draw a line where the nose indentation might be, around the eyes, create eyebrows, and mask details.  Glue the Blushing Bride half circle into place onto the mouth for the tongue.

 Follow the same steps as above to create each of the four turtles.  Raphael used Real Red card stock, Donatello Elegant Eggplant, and Michelangelo Pumpkin Pie.

 **Note: the original tutorial used the Modern Label punch to create the hands.  A strip of card stock and the base of the Cupcake Builder punch would work as an alternative.**

Cut 2 lengths of Old Olive card stock approximately 1" long for each turtle.  Create "fingers" using the base of the Cupcake Builder.

With a pencil trace out a hand shape onto each piece.  Only three fingers are required for each turtles hand.

 Cut each hand out and sponge the edges with Old Olive ink.  Flip each hand over and with a Stylus tool and foam pad gently give each hand dimension.

Place the assembled turtles on a background of your choice and complete the card.  In the case of this card I dressed up one of the larger Circle Framelits to look like a man hole cover and layered the turtles inside so they appeared to be crawling out.

Supplies:
Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog


I hope you've enjoyed this much overdue tutorial!  I'm sure there are a few boys out there that still love the old school TMNT and I know there is a few older variety boys that definitely do and would much appreciate a card like this!  

Please let me know if you have any questions; I'd be glad to help out!  And don't forget to sign up for the Holiday Newsletter if you haven't already - tomorrows post is Week #6.  This week were sharing a little cup of cheer!

Have a wonderful day!  Until next time...
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Monday, November 2, 2015

Lego Star Wars Punch Art Battleships!



Hello!

Welcome to the beginning of another week!  I have a little catch up post to share with you today. Our oldest son turned 6 in August and decided months prior to that that he ONLY wanted have a Lego Star Wars party.  I panicked.  I knew nothing of Star Wars; actually maybe even a little less than nothing LOL.  I kept hoping he might change his mind, but he was determined.  He schooled me in only the way a 6 year old can on who was "good" and who was "bad" and who used to be good but now was bad...soon I knew more Sci-Fi info than necessary and I got down to planning.

His favorite ship was the Imperial Star Destroyer so I began there.  I made a cake topper out of Polymer Clay for the top of his Lego shaped cake with Lego Star Wars figures sprinkled around holding the candles.


I came up with a few party games I found on Pinterest to keep the crowd busy but I don't think in the end they were necessary.  My mom kindly made each party guest a Jedi robe and I made Light Sabers from half a pool noodle and duct tape.  When it became dark out we strung two glow sticks inside the each Light Saber to make them glow - a definite hit!


I made a backdrop against the side of our garden shed using an inexpensive black table cloth and covered it with stars cut out with my Big Shot and Stars Thinlits.  The Storm Trooper and Darth Vader were painted onto a large piece of cardboard then cut out.  We kept them after the party so we could use them as decor items in his bedroom.

After all the party planning I still needed a card to go along with his gifts.  I went back and forth about a punch art figure or Light Saber but in the end I decided to go with his favorite ship again, the Imperial Star Destroyer.  It fits within an envelope and that top piece is designed so that it folds down to fit in the envelope until the recipient opens it.

If you would like to purchase a full template and tutorial I have it listed within my Tutorial Store.



Supplies:
Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog



While doing my "research" I found I really liked the look of the infamous Millenium Falcon so I thought I would give it a try and make it as well.  I think it might be my new favorite card!!  I had to hide it because Griffin decided its good enough to play with...which must be saying something!  The card has quite a bit of dimension but shouldn't be too thick to require extra postage.

I've created a full tutorial for it as well and it too can be found in the Tutorial Store.


Supplies:
Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog



These cards would be perfect for a little (or big) Lego Star Wars enthusiast!  I hope you'll give them a try!

Have a great Monday!  Until next time...

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Friday, October 30, 2015

Happy Haunting!


Happy Friday!

Since tomorrow is Halloween I thought I'd quickly share one more card for the occasion.  Minions are still all the craze in our house at the moment; in fact our outdoor Halloween decorations are Minions, our pumpkins are painted like Minions and Gru and both boys are dressing up as Minions this year for Halloween.  Minions overload?  I think not!  I love these little yellow guys too!  

I used my basic Minion punch art template to create this little guy with a few little changes to turn him into Dracula.  If your interested in the Minion punch art tutorial it's listed in my Tutorial Store.

Supplies:
Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

I hope you have a safe and spook-tacular Halloween!  See you all back here next week!

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