Fairy Cards from Wishes - Just Because Card Workshop

Pattern books never go out of style. I recently made these 10 cards using Wishes - Just Because Card Workshop.  Colors are Sapphire, Capri, Honey Butter, and retired Candid Moments B&T paper.  Various stamps were used with glitter gems to accessorize each card.  Triblend markers were used to color the images. Gold embossing and white embossing accompany several cards.

The cool thing about this workshop is that it uses three colored cardstock and two B&T papers. The B&T paper actually is doubled sided, so it's the same paper, just two sheets.

One Page Scrapbook Revisited

I really enjoy making one page scrapbooks.  This is such an easy project that I taught it this summer to middle school kids.  They were able to do the cutting and scoring while I talked them through it.  I did modify it slightly to reduce the amount of background and texture (B&T) paper sheets I'd need for the class.  If you compared it to the last time I made it, you might notice.  But I doubt it.  You'll probably notice that I used a lot less B&T paper this time around.  Why put it in if it'll be covered with pictures.

I used a loop and hook closure on this project.  I like the look much more than the ribbon.  The saying was cut from an oval thin cut with the stitched edge.  Yours can be any shape you'd like.  This is super simple due to time.  The strap should stay somewhat in the middle for balance of the front and keeping the book closed.

Three coordinating 12" x 12" sheets of cardstock and one 6" x 12" B&T paper went into the making of this scrapbook.  I used the zip strip from the B&T paper for the strap, but cardstock could also have been used.  Okay, scratch White Daisy too, for the title.  I don't really count that because I have so much of it, and it's such a small amount used in this project.

The first cardstock is the base of your project.  Cut 1" off one side so you have a 12" x 11" piece.  Then score along the 11" side at 3.5", 3.75", 7.25" and 7.5".

Rotate the paper and score along the 12" side at 4.5" and 9".

Cut along the 3.5", 3.75", 7.25", and 7.5" score lines to the 4.5" score line from above.  Then cut away the 0.25" tab.  Repeat from below to the 9" score lines.  Burnish the remaining score lines really well.

 

The other two 12" x 12" cardstock sheets will be cut the same way for each.  Here, they are the Black and Candy Apple. Cut at 11.75" along one side.  This piece will be the middle layer of your strap .  Put that aside (you'll only need 1 of these, the other is scrap).  With the paper still in your cutter, cut at 9.75".  What you cut off is scrap.  You should now have a 12" by 9.75" piece.

Along the 12" side, cut at 8.5", 4.25", and 3.25".  Now you have 2* 4.25" x 9.75" pieces, a 3.25" x 9.75" and 0.25" x 9.75" scrap.

Take the 2* 4.25" x 9.75" pieces and rotate them.  Cut along the 9.75" side at 6.5", and 3.25".  That should leave you with 6* 3.25" x 4.25" pieces of cardstock. 

Take the 3.25" x 9.75" piece, rotate it, and cut at 8.25", 5.5", and 2.75".  You should have 3* 2.75" x 3.25" pieces and 1.5" x 3.25" scrap.

Repeat with process with the second cardstock.

If you are using directional B&T paper, the 6" x 12" piece should be images "looking at you".  Now you'll cut that in half along the 12" side, yielding 2* 3" x 12".  Then rotate the papers.  Cut both 3" pieces at 8" and 4", leaving you with 6* 4" x 3" pieces. 

Take 1 of those pieces and cut 0.5" off along the 3" side so you're left with a 0.5" x 4" piece (scrap) and 2.5" x 4" piece.  Rotate the 4" piece and cut at 2", leaving you with 2* 2.5" x 2" pieces.  These are the smaller pieces that go on the bottom panels.

Once done cutting, you need:

1* scored and cut base (lemonade)

6* 3.25" x 4.25" cs #1 (candy apple)

6* 3.25" x 4.25" cs #2 (black)

3* 3.25" x 2.75" cs #1

3* 3.25" x 2.75" cs #2

5* 3" x 4" B&T paper

2* 2.5" x 2" B&T paper

1* 1" x 12" base for strap

1* 0.75" x 12" cs #1 or #2 for strap

1* 6" zip strip for strap

Closing the book.  The three small sections fold upward.  The three large sections fold downward.    The right panel folds inward (to the center), and finally, the left panel folds inward on top.  For me, that's the front cover.

Assemble as desired, remembering that our B&T paper is double sided.

Notes while assembling:

• I put my smaller sections at the bottom of my book.  It doesn't have to be.
• Be aware of directional paper.  Make sure it's lined up correctly.
• Determine where your front is.  When the book is open, it's actually on the back side.
• Don't glue on the back panel until after you've attached the strap.
• Decorate the front cover so you know where to put the strap.
• Finger score the strap from the left side of the front around the right side and onto the back.  Once you do that, cut off the excess (Again, I made my strap go the full width of the back).
• I glued the strap the whole width of the back panel.  Since my zip strip is only 6" long, I lined it up with the front edge.  You wouldn't know it wasn't long enough because it's covered by the back panel.
• Glue the back panel on after the strap is glued.
• Hoop and Loop: To make sure the two halves line up, I adhere the hoop side to the strap.  Then I attach the loop side to the hoop and remove the adhesive cover from the loop backing.  Then I push the strap down in place.  Since the adhesive is exposed, the loop side should stick to the front cover.  And the hoop and loop sides line up.
• Add pictures and journaling as desired.

Enjoy!!

Process Video of the Making of a 12" x 12" Layout

I want to share with you this video that Karen did, especially for those of you who scrapbook.  I think this video is important because Karen talks through her process.  She changes things as the video goes on.  I believe it can free many of you from the fear of scrapbooking.  I hope it does.  : )

And, I take part of my statement above back.  This process can happen to those who make cards too.  I often make more than one so that I can audition my different choices.  And many times I make them with the different choices (this is a great example).

The Life's a Hoot Digital Collection (X7290F) is still available as of the publish date.  But you can use any images... again, it's the process that's important.

Apple Hugs

This is supposed to be a 4.5" x 4.5" card that I made a little bigger to fit the envelope I have a little better.  The pattern is from Wishes and is called All Squared Up.  I made Hugs for my Cardaholics group challenge - use fruit.

The inside may be a little hard to see and understand.  Let me explain this picture...

The saying I stamped on the inside is, "from me to you & sending many".  I connected the different stamps I used to create that saying with the colors, circles, and lines.  In my mind, the inside is tied to the outside saying.

I almost went with "lots of Hugs.  lots & lots" but didn't... maybe another time.

This set is a great one to have in your stash, is A1303, and available through June 2023.

The apple is a stamp of the month from July 2013!  I've kept it in my stash because I like it so much.  If I was making this card for a specific person, I could have used the sentiment in the set, "Love you to the core".  But I wanted the card to be more versatile and went with "Hugs".

The background stamp is Leafy Background & Sentiments (D2162) - available through June 2023.  I could have used one of the six sayings with that set, but didn't.  I thought it would look great as a background, and was rather pleased when I was right.  It's stamped with Clover Ink (Z6507)on the true side of Clover cardstock (X6040).

The apple stamp is colored with watercolor pencils.  I briefly thought about using a water brush to smooth the pencil lines, but decided that I like the look too much.  To me, it fits the style of the stamp.  I did stamp, color, and cut out a second apple.  This is mounted on top of the attached apple to give the image some dimension.  The focal piece is attached to Toffee cardstock (X5950), and the card is finished off with gold glitter gems (Z3312).

Originals - Background Blocks

The thing I like about this stamp is that is one large focal point.  It's easy to place on a card and be done.  Or, as with this card, add a tag for the saying (April Stamp of the Month - Sweet Tweet).  Then you're done.  Coloring the flowers can be zenful (is that a word?! to be full of zen; relaxing).  Find paper first, then color to match.  Or color, and find paper to match.

The stamp could be used to create background paper too - stamp tone on tone cardstock.  Cut that up, and you're good to go, especially with this Background Blocks pattern from the Originals cardmaking pattern book.

Originals - Background Bar

I just got new stamps from the April - June 2023 idea book and played with a few stamps and some paper.  These two samples are from the Originals Card Making Program.  Background Bar pattern.  The pattern is for a 6"x6" card. 

Turtley Awesome + Thin Cuts (Z4696), Colored Pencils, April-June Mix In Paper with Mist, Seabrook, and White Daisy cardstock.  Rosemary ink was sponged around the two Seabrook pieces and was used for the saying.

Seabrook, Papya, Toffee, and White Daisy cardstock with more April-June Mix In paper; colored pencils, and Sweet Tweets - April Stamp of the Month

So Much Happy - Last Call

One more look at this paper pack... Same paper and accessories, but different look.  Make it From Your Heart Volume 1 pattern #27 has been turned on its side and lays horizontally for this version.  And this is the third card I made with the challenge paper and accessories (ribbon and tag).

As you can see, the tag is threaded with the ribbon.  And because of this post, you're wondering if  the ribbon goes the length of the card or has a gap.  : ) The flower and saying are from the Change the World stamp set. I colored the flower with the Antique Pink Blend and Pale Pink Shades Tri-Blend Markers.  Ballerina ink was used for the background images of the saying that was stamped in Sapphire ink.

The next time you look at a pattern, see how you can make a few variations of it.  I rotated the pattern 90 degrees.  If you take a look at this version of the card, you can see changing the perspective (ok, and stamps), you easily can get more for you buck.

Stop & Smell the Flowers Take 2

Today's card is brought to you by Cardaholics Challenge.  Use the background and texture paper and some specific accessories (all or at least one element).

The ribbon and the red "leaf" were in the accessories packet.  The red leaf was a photo corner that I tucked under the flower.

The Clover leaf is second generation rolled.  What does that mean? Ink the stamp, and stamp off on scratch paper.  Then roll the outside of the stamp back in the ink to make it darker (first generation vibrance) before stamping it again.  Cut said leaf out and attach.

Today's lesson is if you are limited on ribbon and have something going over where the ribbon goes.  Cut the ribbon to make it last.  See what I did?  Instead of needing 5.5" of ribbon, I used 3.5" per card.  And since the cardstock goes over the ribbon ends, you have no idea that it's two pieces.  : )

Some things to be aware of as you use this trick...

• make sure your pieces are long enough to go under the paper.  For instance, I cut my ribbon 1" when only 1/2" shows in the finished project (the right side).

• make sure you measure (or have something to measure with (ie. the paper) so that the two pieces of ribbon are on the same plain

• tack down both ends of the ribbon

• this applies to paper as well

The pattern I used was from Make It From Your Heart volume 1 pattern 19

Stop and Smell the Flowers Take 1

In the depths of Winter, I can't wait to see the flowers bloom.  Here is the first sightings of said flowers.  : )

Card challenge - use a specific paper and accessories - go!  I created three different cards using the challenge parameters.  This is one of them. : )  Each card is different, and I can honestly say I don't have a favorite.

The floral paper and the brads were used to fulfill the challenge.  The cool thing about our background and texture paper is that it's reversible.  So, yes, the bright yellow paper is the backside of the floral paper!

The design is pattern #27 from Make it From Your Heart volume 1.  "Stop & Smell the FLOWERS" was stamped in Sapphire ink on White Daisy Cardstock.  The leaves behind the Candy Apple and Lemonade flowers are second generation Clover inked.  The flowers were hand cut (you can purchase the set with coordinating Thin Cuts for the flowers - Z4668).

For all the variations, the outer two flowers are adhered directly to the card.  The middle flower (second generation Candy Apple) is raised with 3D thin foam.

Technique: Second Generation.  Ink your stamp in the desired color.  Stamp onto scratch paper, and without reinking the stamp, stamp a second time.  Depending on the ink color, you might be able to get a third generation, and even a fourth generation image (darker colors such as Sapphire are good for this).

Everyday Smiles

This sweet card came from my friend Kay Pekin.  I will say getting real mail is such a pleasure!  Thanks, Kay!

What I wanted to highlight with this card is some of the elements.  See how the owl shimmers?  That's because Kay used Shimmer brushes to color the owl.  And she used glitter paper as a background.  Both just make the card extra special.

See the shimmer of the owl?!

Kay clustered elements and added dimension by using foam tape, die cuts shapes, and paper shapes.  

The saying is simple but because it goes across the whole card, it makes a statement.  Any font you have that is small enough will work.

Kay sticks with a few colors - Toffee, Seabrook, and Sapphire - as to not overcomplicate the card.

• X5957 Sapphire Cardstock
• D2142 Life's a Hoot Scrapbooking Stamp Set
• Z4652 Stitched Card Front & Background Thin Cut (used with Z4611 Seabrook Glitter Paper and X5950 Toffee Cardstock)
• Z3510 Sapphire Shimmer Brush (feet)
• Z4585 Seabrook Shimmer Brush (wings toward body)
• Z4373 Watercolor Paints (wings)
• Z4189 Intense Black (good to use with alcohol markers or water - owl)
• Z2848 Sapphire Ink (saying)
• Alphabet font sized to fit

What will you create?

Sweet Treat

In January my Cardaholics group's theme was SWEET TREATS.  Our item needed to include an image or words reflecting that theme. This is my take.  : )  This design is from Make It From Your Heart volume 2, pattern #28.

Let me show you Eat Chocolate Set and Thin Cuts (Z4687) for this set.  Why? Because the sayings are awesome, and the thin cut of the box allows you to put chocolates inside of it (rather than on top of it)!  This is available through the end of March 2023.  But if you like it, get it now (CTMH, like the rest of the world, is having supply chain issues), because once it's gone, it's gone.

Back to the card information...

I used Toffee cardstock (X5950) and Mocha (X6060) with Mocha Ink (Z6531).  I stamped about 6 chocolates at a time, because after inking them, I added clear embossing powder to the Mocha Ink.  If you do it soon enough, the ink will keep the powder attached.  Heat the embossing powder  up and you get the raised look in the color you want!

The card is finished off with drops of Liquid Pearl.

Floating Strip Got Snow Card

What better way to associate Christmas with snow, right?!  Especially in Southern California where we don't much snow in December (let alone any month).  Okay, maybe you'll get some at the higher elevations, but not in San Diego.

For this challenge, I found the floating strip technique on Pinterest quite some time ago, and thought this would be a perfect fit.  It's perfect for using up scraps you have lying around (or filed away!)

Strips of paper of various widths are adhered to a transparency sheet.  Space it out as much or as little as you want.  I kept mine spaced the same.

I decided to cut my rectangles with a thin cut that included the scored border.  You don't have to do that if you don't want to (or don't have the thin cut/die cut to do so).  I just wanted to add a little "texture" to my card.

The snowflakes are also thin cuts I've had for awhile.  That's the beauty of buying things - you can still use them even after they aren't for sale anymore.  The larger snowflake I cut from White Glitter Paper (Z3237).  The smaller snowflake is Majestic Holographic Paper (Z3675).

I ran a strip of White Daisy through the rectangular thin cut so that my saying would be embossed too.  Then I cut them into strips, stamped them with my saying, and banner cut them.

Banner Cuts Made Simple:

• rotate the paper you want to banner
• eye the middle of the paper and cut upward as far as you want the banner to be.  This will make it so that the two sides will be equal distant from each end (assuming you cut in the middle)
• rotate the paper back to its original orientation
• cut from the corner of the paper to the top of the middle cut4
• rotate the paper and cut the other corner to the middle cut

Putting it together:

Once I cut out the snowflakes and floating rectangles, the cards were ready to assemble.  The true effect of the floating strips are achieved by lifting that element off the card base.  So, 3D Foam was used under the strips to give it dimension.  Then the snowflakes were adhered to the rectangle.

Once that was done, I added individual Blue Belle Sequins (Z3676) to the card with Liquid Glass (Z679) and Pick Up Tool (Z4325).

Done!

An Aside:

You have to try the Pick Up Tool!!  I thought I didn't need it - I had gotten along so well without for so long - but enough people said how much they liked it that I figured I had to try it too! OMG, this tool is amazing!!  It holds onto the individual sequin and allows me to place them right where I want them.  No more struggling with my tweezers (because before sometimes the sequin would move when I removed the tweezers).  You get 2 - 9" tools that you sharpen with a pencil sharpener.  They'll last a long time, and are only $6.50.  Money well spent, I think!

I'M BACK!

 After two years, I've missed putting information out here.  I've put things on Facebook, but I miss really diving into how and why I make the items I do.

I've updated the look and uploaded a more recent picture.  Now is about learning how to navigate this site again!  : /