Shaker card tutorial

It's been a long time since I posted; my laptop crashed and we do have a new one, but I don't have all my programs yet, so bear with me.  The photos could be better!  I volunteered to write a tutorial for Operation Write Home and this is what I came up with.

What you will need:  an A2 card base, patterned paper, a die or punch, closely woven tulle, score tape and filling.

I used Theresa Collins paper and Nellie's Dies.  Adhere patterned paper to front of card and decide on placement of opening.  I taped my die down to prevent it slipping.

You will also need another paper to for the inside cover.  I chose to use white cardstock, but anything you choose is fine.  After they are all run through your machine you will have this:

With the inside of your card facing up adhere one end of the tulle to the card front.  I used my ATG for this step.  Add your choice of filling (small beads for me) and fold the tulle over.  At this point you will want to use score tape or other adhesive on the tulle getting as close to the edge of the design as possible.  Don't worry about about the stickiness, it will be covered.  I apologize for the bad picture, but you can see the score tape around the heart.

Adhere your piece of cardstock, matching the shapes together over the tulle hiding the messy bit.  Take the reserved heart die cut (patterned paper) and adhere to the inside of the card again matching the shapes together. At this point, you can embellish/finish your card as you choose. I chose to make frames for the opening on both sides of the card front.

I also added the swans to the patterned paper heart.  I stamped "love you" on a small white heart and pop dotted it to the front of the card.  When the card is closed the patterned paper heart shows through the tulle.

I hope this tutorial will help you to make great cards!

3D pumpkin

Paper Craft Planet has a wonderful 3D challenge group every Tuesday.  This week, Susanna's challenge is an awesome 3D pumpkin which she saw on the Archiver's website. 

The directions call for 8 pieces of orange 12x12 cardstock and I didn't have it after all the Halloween cards I made.  So, I used K&Co. papers - lucky for me they have a lot of orange hued papers.  I also used small pieces of Sassafras and DCWV papers, but you can't see them in the picture.  Now, being the former blonde that I am, I followed Susanna's advice about scoring first and then cutting to save time, I did that and then cut the pieces in the wrong direction so I needed to score again.  Luckily you can't see this error in the finished product!  I twirled thin pieces of green CS and glued to the top, a simple stem and I was done!

I'm going to add some stamped leaves and make it my centerpiece for Thanksgiving Dinner.  I'm also thinking I can incorporate this into placecards.  I'll post those later.

Thanks, Susanna, for a great project!

Have a great weekend.

Monochromatic Stamping

Today I want to share 3 cards I designed.  All stamps are from Stampscapes - I have been intimidated by these stamps since I first saw them.  However, I keep on plugging away and now I'm teaching classes using them.  This Saturday 10/22 and Monday 10/24, I will be demoing these at my LSS, Inspired Designs.

I originally was going to make these Halloween cards, but I'm not sure they ended up that way. LOL

 This card was done with Memento black ink.  The only other color was Brilliance silver for the bear.

 This scene used Cool Peri, Purple Twilight and Eggplant from Adirondack's ink line by Ranger.  It's a very peaceful scene (at least I think so).  These inks work really well on glossy cs (from Stampin' Up) and blend beautifully.

The window is a Spellbinder's die for Heartfelt Creations.  I cut and embossed the black and then embossed again onto gray paper and cut it to back the black. The PP is Theresa Collins.

So, if you are in Auburn, Maine at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday or 6:00 p.m. on Monday, come to class - it's free!

Halloween mini-album

Happy Monday!

I participated in the Paper Wishes message board Halloween ABC (anything but a card) swap .  I have been watching the new My Craft Channel and Heidi Swapp showed a back to back album, which I 'lifted.  I had an old piece of packaging that I've had forever and I decided to re-purpose that.  This first picture is fuzzy, my apologies, but it was the only one I took of that view and the album itself is long gone.

I painted the cardboard with Plaid purple and  brushed on a gold shimmer top coat by DecoArt.The DreamWeaver stencil and black soot Distress Ink (Ranger) were perfect for an eerie background.  Added some black Dazzles (HOTP) and K& Co. Stickers.  The ribbon is glued to the back.

This is the front cover without the ribbon.
I used a combination of HOTP, My Mind's Eye, and (I think) Sassafras papers.  I've had most of these for so long, I don't know the manufacturer for sure beyond HOTP papers (they came in a kit).




The next few pictures are various interior pages, this is very simple to construct; my base was roughly 5 1/2" square so my papers were 5 1/2 x 9 which I scored at 5 1/4.  I glued one to the base and then continued adhering the papers wrong sides together - I think I used 6 total.

 

 

The cat and pumpkin are Design Adhesives from Clearsnap and black Crushed Velvet by Doodlebug.  On each of the shorter pages I added various embellishments utilizing Dazzles, Tonic Punches and embellishments from Jolee's, K&Co. and Joanne's Fabrics.

The swap required 2 items, so for my second, I did a quick ATC.  The background CS was sprayed with Goosebumps and rubbed with Adirondack Ink as a resist.  The spider and web are HOTP and the stamps are Inkadinkado.  I embossed with PK Glitz Stardust Pumpkin, added a bit of Stickles and I was through.

I was very happy with both of these projects and sent them on to their new home in Texas.

Thanks for stopping by - let me know what you think of these 2 projects!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Good morning!  I was looking at some of my older posts and I came across the 2 projects I did last year to "celebrate" this event.  I decided to re-post them as a gentle plea to take care of yourself and your loved ones.  Ladies don't forget your monthly self-exam (if you have a partner, let them help and double the fun!) and get mammograms as recommended by your doctor.  Don't want to forget this is a disease that also attacks men as well.

This card ended up going to a co-worker whose sister had a double mastectomy last September. For details about the products used, check the original post here

This was a very odd but fun card which I sent to my oldest sister, she gets my offbeat humor.
Details can be found here











I know we all have busy lives, but stop and take the time!  Your family will thank you for it!

World Cardmaking Day Recap and new cards!

I was certainly busy last Saturday!  I spent the day participating in the HOTP message board festivities and got a lot of cards made!  I thought I would post a few - the vast majority of supplies on all the cards are HOTP products.  I won 2 of the activities and am (not so) patiently waiting for my goodies!

Let me know what you think of these cards!  There are some I really like and a few I'm not so happy with - but I won't tell you  which is which.

 This card was for a challenge to emboss - either kind.  I used Sizzix folder and sanded it to get a hint of the black core.

 This card was the green challenge.

This card was made to the following requirements: sympathy card, green and vellum.  The sentiment (an Outlines stamp) is on green vellum and the focal is gold vellum.

This card was the use a button challenge.  The button is a die from Ecstasy Crafts.

 This challenge was to create a mini album using bling, 2 PP, 1 CS and a mist.  I used purple glimmer mist on light blue paper and a Crafter's Companion stencil.  The 2nd PP was on the inside.

This is one of my favorites - a red, black and white card.  I am thinking, though, that I should use a bit of Stickles bling - what do you think?

This challenge was to use Dazzles.  I used double sided hearts as the focal and border.  The sentiment is from Kaisercraft and one of my favorites.

 This was use a flower and diecut.  The die is from Nellie's Dies (my new favorite!)

This challenge was to tear paper - something I'm not sure I like.  What I chose to do was pretty mild though.









So there you have it!  There were more, but that's enough for now.

I would love some feedback and thanks for stopping by!

Paper Wishes World Cardmaking Day Blog Hop!

If you are looking for the Operation Write Home blog hop please click here.

Welcome to the Paper Wishes  BLOG HOP - we are so glad you are here to help us celebrate World Card Making Day! Some card making day trivia for you:

• Today, card making is a worldwide hobby, especially popular in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• 1 in 6 U.S. households participates in making cards
• 86% of scrapbookers also create handmade cards
• 92% of paper crafters create cards more than any other type of project

Be sure to check out all the blogs in this blog hop, as well as visit the Paper Wishes message board  as there are tons of things going on there today, all sponsored by Paper Wishes, with loads and loads of great prize packages! You don’t want to miss a chance to win!

This blog hop gives you TWO ways to win!!!

First – leave a comment on ALL THE BLOGS and a random drawing will be done to choose the winner, who will get a prize package from Paper Wishes.

Second – play H.O.T.P. (Hot Off The Press) bingo with us.

• Visit each blogger on the blog hop to find their bingo square. (Make a note of the blog name for each square too!)
• Click on this link to find the official BINGO CARD. (If you aren’t a member of the Paper Wishes message board yet, you are not only missing loads of fun but you may need to register to access the bingo card!)
• To win, you will need to make a bingo (4 squares in a row, horizontal, vertical or diagonal) by doing what it shows in each square. There are some free squares; there are some where you just have to post something specific on the message board, and there are some that tell you to use something. Where it tells you to USE something, that means to make a project (any kind of papercrafting project – a card, an ATC, a bookmark, a tag, etc.) with the item listed in that square.
• When you have your BINGO ready, follow these directions:
  • Go to the Paper Wishes Message Board and click on “post reply” on THIS THREAD.
  • In your reply tell us the four squares you are using for your bingo.
  • Tell us the square number AND the name of the blog for any squares you are using that were mentioned on a blog.
  • Post the items for each square in your reply, including a picture of the project you made for any square with directions to USE something.
• We will randomly select a winner from all the correct bingo entries! Be sure that we have either your blog address or your email so that we know how to contact you if you are a winner!!!
• Your bingo must be posted to the Paper Wishes message board not later than midnight U.S. eastern time, Sunday, October 2nd to be eligible for the prize drawing!

The BINGO SQUARE FOR THIS BLOG IS: _08_

Here are all the participating blogs for this blog hop:

Nancy 

Penny     >>>>>>>> YOU ARE HERE!

Michelle 

Robin 

Patti 

Cheryl 

Sam 

So on with the fun – it doesn’t matter where you start the blog hop, just see where you are on the list above and make sure you visit them all and leave some sweetness behind!

Now that we've got the "business" end of the hop out of the way - here are some cards I have made using products from Paper Wishes.

The background was made by spraying white paper with Goosebumps and when dry rubbing orange ink all over it.  Very simple, but a great look; I stamped the image with Staz-on.  The papers and ribbon are from Paper Wishes.

I used many different Halloween papers to make the background weaving - it's amazing what you can do while watching tv!  The brad buddy is from the Paper Wishes Finished in a Flash Halloween set as are the brads and ribbon.  I had enough of the woven piece to make several cards - it's a pretty cool look.

This card used one of my very favorite PW supplies - the Color Me papers.  I simply cut the 12x12 sheet to size needed and sponged on Distress Inks by Ranger.  I finished it off with a mini collage and polka dot ribbon.  The colors are more vibrant in person. 

I love to read comments, so please take a moment to let me know what you think of my blog!  Enjoy the rest of the hop and don't forget to play along with all the great challenges on the Message Board today!

Your next stop carries you all the way to Ireland and the wonderfully talented Michelle!
I am having trouble getting links to work! Michelle's blog can be found at http://www.preciousthoughtscards.blogspot.com/

Operation Write Home World Cardmaking Day Blog Hop

 

Welcome, welcome, welcome!  I am very excited to have you stop by as part of the OWH blog hop.  This hop is a little different - I won't be linking you to anyone else but you can click the badge above to go back to the OWH page for more great Christmas cards.

The wonderful folks at OWH wanted us to tell our readers why we make cards for the troops.  For me, that is easy - I've been a deployed troop (actually, Sailor) away from my husband and 4 kids and know how important it is to have contact with home and to remember all the special days in a family's life.  OWH is a great way to help others who go into harm's way keep their families' close.

 Please consider helping by making cards or making a donation at the OWH website to help with postage.  I am busy making Christmas cards that have to be to the shipper by Halloween!

This is a simple shaker card using a Heartfelt Creations stamp and coordinating die.  It was actually very quick and easy to do and has a lot of shine without glitter.

Thanks for stopping by, I'd love it if you left comments!

I'm back and with my first tutorial

Sorry it has been so long.  My illnesses and life make everything a challenge!  Not that anyone else has a challenging life LOL.

Today I will be showing how to make a triangle or "tee pee" card.  I first learned how to do this at my friend's LSS, Inspired Designs.  It is a very simple card to make.  Since this is my first tut, any and all constructive feedback is more than welcome!

Supplies needed:
Patterned paper - I used Winter Delights from HOTP
Cardstock - my PP is lightweight so I needed cardstock for a base layer so the card would stand.
1 sheet green glitter paper
1 small piece of hook and loop tape
Embellishments as desired.

1.  Cut 3 each of 4x4" cardstock and 3 5/8x 3 5/8" PP 

2.  I also cut 3 4x4" of green glitter cardstock.  Using my cutter I cut a 1/2" border all around.  This is an optional step, but I usually cut out the centers of my layers and put the rest in my scraps folder.

3.  Assemble the 3 layers as shown.  The 3 completed pieces need to be scored on the diagonal.  I use a MS score board and you can see the line I drew with a Sharpie down the 6" channel.  I use this to line up my papers for diagonal scoring - it makes it quick and easy for me.

4.  Put one piece face down on your work surface with the diagonal placed vertically and apply tape where shown.  I used score tape so you could see.  Normally I would use my ATG; just make sure the adhesive is strong.

5.  Attach the other 2 pieces as shown.  It is important to line up the pieces and insure the diagonal lines are going in the right direction.  In the photo I have made the diagonal lines black and inked the edges red for clarity.  Make sure you butt the 2nd and 3rd pieces up to the score line of your first piece.

6.  The assembled pieces should look like this:

7.  Apply the hook and loop tape.  Keep the tape together and apply one side to the upper left hand corner on the back of your card (hard to see in the photo).  Fold the card into place and adhere the second piece of tape on the right front of the card as shown.  If you kept the tape together it will match up perfectly.

8.  The completed, standing card.

To embellish the card I used HOTP pointsettias and a red gem brad from my stash.  The sentiment is HOTP embossed with Judikins white EP.  I used Nellie's eastern rectangle to cut the sentiment and glitter paper, layered them and adhered with foam tape.

To mail:  unhook the tape and fold the card flat - it will fit into a 5x6 1/2" envelope.

Thanks for stopping by - and remember I love comments!

No card today

Short post with no new card today.  I'm off to camp for the Labor Day Weekend.  Not my favorite place to be, but I'll be bringing some card supplies with me - hope to have lots to share next week.

Irene and a birthday card

What is left of Hurricane Irene is now coming through Maine; I'm watching the trees bend in the wind.  I'm surprised we still have power but the worst of it hasn't arrived.  An earthquake and a hurricane in one week - who says Maine is boring?

I wanted to share my grandson Ethan's birthday card.  Hard to believe he is 11; he and his brother seem to be growing up faster than my own kids did.

 The card has lots of texture with flocking borders and glitter on the cupcake brad.  I used die cuts for happy and birtday along with the letters.  I backed the 2 panels with coordinating cardstock to reduce the white space when the card was opened.  I didn't use any other embellishments besides brads so he wouldn't think the card was "girly".  All products are HOTP.

Once I decided what I wanted to do, it was a very quick card to complete and I heard my DIL say she is going to keep this card.  What more can a cardmaker hope for?

 Thanks for stopping by!

PaperCutz Challenge #106, Wish Upon a Star

Happy Friday everyone.  Well, we are preparing for Hurricane Irene up here.  I'm sure the stores are full of folks stocking up.  She is expected late Saturday night.

Well, this week we are going to "Wish Upon a Star" by creating a project using stars and any color or theme you would like.  I created a star shaped card and used a star covered paper.  I wish I could give credit to where I first saw this card idea, but I was blog surfing and can't remember and couldn't find where it came from (sorry!).  It is a fairly simple card to construct.

 As always, my picture taking doesn't do justice to the creation!  I used gold metallic cardstock (DCWV) for the base and a dark gray with foil stars for PP.  I used gold metallic vellum for matting and for the star which I heat-embossed with Gold Stupendous EP.  I outlined all of the outside lines with a gold leafing pen when I finished.  As you can see by the inside, I didn't let the leafing dry enough before I started to handle the card - it left streaks.

The card opens out giving plenty of room for a sentiment, more embellies if wanted and a message.  I stamped the happy birthday sentiment using gold EP and outlined the inner triangle with border stickers from Flower Soft.  I thought of stamping more stars on the white framing sections, but decided that would be too much.  If anyone would be interested in how to make this card, let me know.


This card is headed to Alex, my son who will be turning 23 soon.  It's the end of August which means the kids are heading back to school.  This year, we only have 3 left in college.  Alex will finish his Master's in Chemical Engineering; Toni will finish up her degree in Electrical Engineering and Ben has 3 semesters left for a degree in Economics.  Andy graduated earlier this year and is happily settled in Buffalo, NY working in his field of psychology.  Rocky and Chris have chosen different paths than college; but I secretly hope one or the other will go back to school at some point.  Chances are very good that when the other 3 finish up, they will no longer be calling Maine "home"; I'm trying to look at the bright side - potentially fantastic vacation sites with different LSS to visit!

Please play along with us this week and, as always, I appreciate comments!