Baby Card in a Box

Here is a new card in the box card with a baby girl theme.  I think it could be used for a shower, welcome baby or even a first birthday card.  I also have one for a baby boy.

New fold for me

Loving this new fold I found on line!  Not sure the name but it is fun and easy to make.  I used the StacyStamps set called Classic Flowers which is a set of three sprigs of different flowers.  I colored the image with the Zig Clean Color Brush Makers.

Poppies by Tim Holtz

This is a new fold for me and I used the flower stamps by Tim Holtz and Stampers Anonymous.  They are colored with the Zig Clean Color Brush Tip Markers.

Sizzix side step die

I love making and selling interactive or unusual cards.  This one I made from Sizzix's Side step die which includes the card base, many many flowers, leaf, rectangles for all the steps, embellishment dies and the layering side steps.  This die is one of the most versatile I have seen in a long time since the dies can be used in so many different ways.  This card was cased right off of the label, which is something I never remember doing before!!

Center Step Card

This is a center step card made with all Our Daily Bread Deigns paper, pre-cut base and stamps.  They are really fun to make with these beautiful supplies!!

Stop in the St. Pasqual's Craft show this Saturday from 9-4 to see me!!

Rose Sid Step Card

This card was made with the Rose Collection papers from Out Daily Bread Designs.  The labels are from the paper collection also.  I used a pre-cut card base for them also.  I made 15 of cards using this collection on Saturday.

Come visit me at my first craft show of the year this Saturday, March 14 from 9-4 at St Pasqual's in Mayfield.  Come visit with me!!

Side Step card

Wow is it March already!!  The last few weeks I have been making all kinds of things getting ready for my first craft show of the year.  It will be this coming Saturday, March 14 from 9-4 at St Pasquale's on Wilson Mills Road.  This is the largest and best Spring show in the area so be sure to come check it out.  The Spring show has direct sales and crafts both.  Come on out and say 'Hi'!!!

This is one of the cards I made using Our Daily Bread Designs papers, pre-cut fancy fold cards and stamps!!  Their paper have a little shine to them and they make cards looks so professional.  

I have a lot of different items made including 150 new photo cards, new web address books, fun kid's cards, pockets for tea (and maybe seeds if I can find some this week), new design for post-it note holders, lots and lots of new interactive cards and more!  I am starting a new line of pop-up cards which are printed images and I put them together.  They are really elegant looking, full of beautiful floral images.  They were designed by Anna Griffin, she has a vintage elegant look with all of her designs.  I do not have photos of some of it yet but I will try to get some on Monday and get them posted.

Pop up box card butterflies

This is one of my favorite pop up box cards with the butterflies.  Dies for the butterflies are Spellbinders and the flower are Elizabeth Craft Designs with a mixtures of dies for the foliage.  I change off on different words on these cards. 

Pop up box card floral

On this pop-up bx card I like the added dragon fly!  Each of these with the flowers turns out a little different with the colors and types of flowers I add.  I also put different words on each one of these.  I make and sell these at the Willoughby Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings.

Pop up box card roses

This pop-up box card is one of my best sellers.  People like to send this one to people who are being challenges with illness (cancer)  I love the words on this one too. 

Pop up box card cheers

I have been making and selling a lot of these pop-up box cards.  This one is a birthday/celebrate card.  On the back is a place to write a message and slip a monetary gift.  I used die cut stars with glitter paper, balloons and a large swirl for the pop ups on clear stripes of paper for different heights.  I do have to make special envelopes for these out of card stock for size and to add protection for the card.  Come visit me at Willoughby's Farmer Market on Saturday mornings form 8-12 AM if you want to see them live. 

Cards with Animals

What fun it is to work with The Angel Company's realistic animal stamps!!! When I saw this set, 'Treasure Found', in the fall supplement I knew I had to have it ... giraffes have the larges hearts of all mammals ... did you know that!!!  When I was teaching, I worked with a group called Non-violent Communications and the giraffe was my reminder for me to speak from the heart.  This is set is found with the Valentine stamps but I will be using it all year round.  None of the cards I have in this post are frilly or girlie so they would be great for men or teens.  I used Cha Cha SWIC with matching ribbons, dark brown and white CS for all of the cards.

This first card is a Stand Up Card with the base being 4 1/4 x 5" and then I scored it at 2 1/2" on the 5" side with my Scor-pal. The top panel is placed so the card is 5 1/2" tall, it still fits in an A2 envelope when flattened.  The words are stamped in a small oval layered on a larger scalloped oval.  I will be honest with you .... there is a boo boo under the oval that I wanted to cover .... so the boo boo gave me a creative opportunity for the placement of the elements in this card.  Mistakes are great aren't they!!

I used Copic markers to color. One giraffe is colored all over with E1, then shaded (but not blended) with E21 and then the dots are colored in with E08.  The second one is the same using E31 as the base, E33 for shading and E39 for the dots.  The horns are W7, inside of the ears RV21 and the shading around it is C1.  I am keeping a book 'My Favorite Copic Blends' and inside of it I have a page with my giraffe colors listed on it and how I used them so I will always remember. Once you find what works why not use it over and over again!!

This next Stand Up Card is a Bookmark Card.  This time I made the base 5 x 5 1/2", scored and folded it at 2 1/2" on the 5" side and then made a slit in the fold to slide the bookmark into.  I stamped the words on white CS, layered it on dark brown and then attached them with mounting cushion so the bookmark would slide under it.

I stamped just the giraffes' heads on a scalloped white rectangle and colored them with the same Copic markers but this time I did a little shading with B000 behind them. This is layered on craft, gold and then a printed paper from Cha Cha.

The last layer is a dark brown CS, I only attached it to the top so it would be open and would slide over the top of a page in a book. The picture above shows what it would look like over the top of a book page.  I just love this image .... they look so connected to each other emotionally .... but do giraffes connect emotionally???

Those of you who know me know I love dogs ... so I had to make a few cards with our great realistic dog images.  I used 'Time with You' for this Stand Up Bookmark Card.  It again has a base like the first card but I attached a 3 3/4 x 5" piece of brown CS with white over it for the bookmark to hang on to.  Sometimes I have to add a small piece of ribbon with glue dots on the inside of the base of a stand up card, as wide as you want it to open to help it stand up.  It will still lay flat with the ribbon inserted inside the base.

Notice the great dog footprint border punch and ribbon I have for my dog cards! Is it too many paw prints????

Here is a picture of the bookmark off and placed in front of the card.  You could even write a message under the bookmark to the person you are giving it to.  I always attach a white piece of CS on the back of my cards that do not open so they can be signed and a hand written message can be added.  The bookmark is made from a 5" square cut on the diagonal and then the corners folded in.

The dog is colored with Copic markers E08, E33, E35, E37, W5, R37 and the Copic blender.  I dabbed blending solution over the finished dog with a wadded up paper towel for texture.  The above picture shows the bookmark over the top of a page.

My last card is a card made from the scrapes from the above cards. I stamped the larger dog from 'Time with You' in brown Memento Ink and colored him with my chalks ... just one color ... plain chalks colored with the cotton ball.  I colored his nose, tongue, and scarf with Copic so they would pop more.  It is layered on brown CS and attached to the card front with mounting cushion.

Here is a close up of the colored image.

I hope you have been inspired to pull out all of your animal stamps and start creating!!  It is fun to work with realistic images and see the character they share with you after you have completed your project.  Animals always bring a smile to my face and warmth to my heart since they give unconditional love and are so forgiving.

Now add your link for your animal cards ......

Be Lifted - Guest Designer

I am thrilled to be a guest designer for TAC's 'You Make Life Fabulous' event in February.  The set I selected is 'Be Lifted' because I thought the images were very versatile and I love the words that go with the set.  Most of the cards I made use the Emma SWIC paper line and matching cardstock.  In the next picture you can see the Copic colors I used to color the kite.

My first card is a vertical Curved Stand Up card.  The background paper is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" with the layer cut at 4" x 5 1/4".  After I attached them I scored them in the middle, 2 1/8", so I could crease it to stand.  The lower section is cut at 2" x 5 1/4" (an inch larger) and scored at 1/2" on each of the shorter ends.  This then is attached at the back of the card and curved with your hand but NOT scored around the front!  I used an edge punch on the front piece on the top edge, cut out the kite, layered it and then cut it out again.

The kite is shaded using tiny circles with Copic makers and highlighted with a Clear Gel Glitter Pen.  If you notice it is only attached on the left side and not on the curved middle so it will stick out a little.  The words are stamped on one of the tags in the Emma Collection with the holes for the ribbon left in and taped in place on the back.  I raised it with mounting cushion.  Everything is stamped with Rich Cocoa Memento Ink.

I attached another piece of matching paper on the back to cover the connecting edges.  It can be signed on the top on the yellow.

My second card is made in the same manner but made on the horizontal instead of the vertical ... in other words the background is wider than the height.  The card is cut in the same manner as the first except the narrow front piece which is cut at 2" x 6 1/2" and scored 1/2" on each of the shorter ends.  I scored the background in the middle which would be at 2 3/4" to crease.

I did not cut out the kite this time but colored it in the same manner with the Copics shown. I added a thicker accent striped paper on the front piece but still used the edge punch on the top edge.  The words are a tag that I cut off parts of it so it would fit my needs of this card ...  yes ... you do not have to use tags as a whole you can use just parts of them!

Notice how the front kite is not attached to the middle of the curved paper.  Notice the ribbon sticking up in the back .....

.... I decided to fancy up the back a bit ..... I attached a punched edge white layer with an accent of striped paper and words stamped in Rich Cocoa Memento Ink.  I only attached it totally on the right side and only 1/4" on left edge to form a pocket for a tag!  Then you can use the tag to write your message.  I love how the back turned out .... it looks as good as the front!

This next card I designed in my favorite fashion ... from the scrape laying in front of me!!  I stamped the open kite with Rich Cocoa  Memento Ink, and the inside kite which was stamped in Potter's Clay Memento Ink.  I colored the background of the kite with a Copic maker.  I did not have a ribbon that I liked to match for the tail so I colored the ribbon with my Copic makers to make it match the Emma papers.

 

I punched the edge with my edge punch and went around all of the layering pieces with a dark brown Copic maker. Notice I added a smaller section on the inside of the card also.

The words are stamped on a tag with the the holes covered with tape on the back.  Aren't these great words to send to a friend who you are praying for during their challenging times.  They can set the card up in front of them as a reminder that God is with them Always!  I love that!!  The kite and the tag are attached with mounting cushion.  The tail of the kite is free moving!

My next card is a Girdled Bookmark card.  The words are stamped on part of a tag with Rich Cocoa Memento Ink .... I cut off the part that I did not want to use.  It is OK to do that ... and attached with mounting cushion so the bookmark will slide under it.

The bookmark pulls out of the girdle easily as you can see ...

The girdle is made with two small ovals with a hole punched on one of the sides. I find it easier to attach them to the card with the bookmark tied in place with the ribbon so I get the correct spacing.

You can see in the picture which markers I used for coloring the tail.  The kite is paper pieced which means I stamped it on the white paper in Memento Rich Cocoa and then a second time on the Emma striped paper.  I cut out the striped paper and attached it over the first stamping.

Here you can see how I attached a tag to the back of the bookmark for the ribbon pull and for the message on the back of the bookmark.  All of the papers and tags in the Emma collection are double sided so it makes it hard to decide which one to use so here I was able to show both sides .... at least parts of both!

If some of you are feeling the first cards are harder or more time consuming then you may like these better.  This is a quick card with the kite and words stamped in Rich Cocoa Memento ink and colored in with colored pencils since the Copics would bleed through a single layer.  

I added a one inch piece of Emma along the left front which is punched and again on the inside of the card to show off the punching on the right front of the white paper. Again I love these words!

You may be able to see the Clear Gel glitter pen used here for accent.  The next card is my least favorite but I thought I would show it since it may inspire others to do something with the idea.



For this card I cut freehand clouds from dotted paper and attached them to a background I had stamped using 'Speckled'  stamp in two different shades of blue ink.  I also stippled lighter blue on the inside and darker blue ink along the edges of the card front.  I colored the kite and cut it out and attached it so it looks like it is flying in the sky. 

 This is a quick and easy card to make and your kite can be colored before hand to make it even quicker!  Notice in the above picture to two shaded of blue stamped.

I wanted to use the kites as an edge design as you can see I did on the left side of this card and the tails as swirls for cards.  I like how the swirls came out but not sure I like the edge design with this card.  I stamped them both in Potter's Clay Memento Ink and used colored pencils to color in the ties of the tail.  The tag in the middle is also for the Emma collection and is attached with mounts.  I used my Clear Gel Glitter pen to accent the tails or swirls so they are glittery. Love the glittery!!!

This last card I love ... it is really soft and delicate.  I first scored my white paper, 4' x 5 1/4", on the diagonal in both directions every 1 1/4" to give myself guide lines.  Then I stamped the kite with Lulu Lavender Memento ink in each of the diamonds that were formed.  I mounted it on a white A2 card and added a drop of lavender Stickles at every intersection.  When that was dry, I added the layered words  from the set 'Love You' which is stamped in Tuxedo Black Memento ink on white card stock and layered on black.  Notice I used the edge punch for an accent on the top of the white and then added the Lavender Stickles to the smaller dots for accent.

I do hope you enjoyed viewing my cards and hope all of you have an opportunity to play with this set and can try my designs.  Add your creations to the link below to be entered into TAC's weekly contest. 'Be Lifted'  has a lot to offer ..... it it not just kites .... as you can see many things can be made with these kites just be creative with the elements.  Oh ... I didn't even use all of the stamps in this set even though I tried. Check it out HERE.  Stamp with YOUR Spirit today and share your blessings with others!