January 2019 Slide Up Cardaholics' Card

Today I'd like to share with you my card for my Cardaholics exchange.  It's called a pop up card, but I think it should be called a slide up card.

I made them with fun colors, although two families, because I couldn't decide which I liked better.  The front two cards are in the envelope ready position.  Then the middle part slides upward to create a self standing card.  Thus "slide" rather than "pop".  : )

The base of the card measures 4.25" x 11".  You're going to score along the 11" side at 1", 2.75", 3.75", 5.5", 7.25", 8.25", and 10".  The focal consists of several layers:

  Cardstock layer: 2.75" x 5.5" - here it's Canary and Lemon

  Focal mat layer: 2.5" x 5.25" (there's another one this size on the back for you to write a greeting and is cardstock) - here it's B&T and white cardstock (on the back)

  Focal layer: 2.25" x 5" - here it's Sweet Leaf and Lilac

The front "celebrate" was stamped on B&T paper that measures 0.75" x 4"

On the 5.5" score line, you are going to want to cut out a slit from about 0.75" to 3.5" on either side of the score line.  That's creating the space needed to have the focal slide through so it can stand.

Willow Card:

Item #	Description
X6026	Willow cardstock
X6008	Lemon cardstock
X7240B	Something Fierce Paper Collection
Z2807	Willow Ink
Z2812	Raspberry Ink - second generation
Z6502	Peach Ink - base of icing
Z6508	Bluebird Ink - cupcake wrapper and candle
Z2808	Lemon Ink - flame
Z1979	Journaling Pen - around "celebrate"
Z3189	White & Gold Ribbon
D1827	Years of Sweetness stamp set
retired	Confetti Embossing Folder
retired	various ribbon

Thistle Card:

Item #	Description
X6024	Thistle cardstock
X5998	Canary cardstock
X7242B	I Heart Us Paper Collection
Z2840	Thistle Ink
Z2812	Raspberry Ink - second generation
Z6502	Peach Ink - base of icing
Z2895	Lagoon Ink - cupcake wrapper and candle
Z2808	Lemon Ink - flame
Z2805	Black Ink
D1827	Years of Sweetness stamp set
retired	Confetti Embossing Folder
retired	various ribbon

Modern Wedding Card

This month's challenge was to make a wedding card or baby shower card.  I went to Pinterest for inspiration and found it!

The card on Pinterest was an all white card with the "&" in rainbow colors.

I loved the way the card was constructed, clearly, because I modified it.  : )

On Design Space I sized the square I wanted.  Next, I added the "Mr", "&", and "Mrs" to the system.  I played around with the font and sizes until I liked the look within the square.  In order for the "Mr" to get cut out of the square, the square and the "Mr" need to be attached (with "Mr" where you want it within the square).  "Mrs" and "&" are two separate colors so they each get their own mat for cutting.

Mrs is cut from White Glitter Paper.  The Ampersand (&) was cut from the fundamental basics (retired).

I cut the Blush Satin Ribbon (retired) only long enough to wrap by about 1/2" on each side (I don't want to waste ribbon where you don't see) and taped the ends to the back of the Charcoal square.  A smaller length of ribbon was tied around the taped ribbon to create the knot.

Ampersand was glued directly to the Charcoal cardstock.  Mrs. received  thin 3D foam tape (those non stick micro-tiped scissors - can't say enough good about them!).  Mr. Square was also raised with thin 3D foam tape.  But before Mr. Square was adhered to the base card, Black cardstock was glued to the base so that "Mr" would be backed in black.

Modern and Classy!

Eclipse Birthday Card

I've see these cards on Pinterest and Facebook.  Well, I finally made time to make one!  This was for my Cardaholics group with the challenge of a birthday card.  I was inspired by the colors of Central Park paper packet.

I used our Thin Cuts - Block Alphabet (Z3386) for this.  I thought about using the Cricut, but decided it would be more accurate making them the "slower" way.  Even though it might sound like it took a long time, it wasn't really that bad.  Let me explain how I made my card...

The scene is on 3.5" x 4.75" and is backed by Pacifica cardstock (X5968) that measures 3.75" x 5".  First, create 2 masks of the balloon.  The balloon came from the stamp set accompanying the Art Philosophy Cricut Collection, but any balloon will do.  Why create two?  Well, because you'll want to cover two balloons at once to create the pattern.

I stamped all of the Glacier (Z2841) balloons first.  The I masked those (one at a time) to stamped the Poppy (Z2852) balloons.  I stamped one on scrap White Daisy cardstock too.  Then, I masked both of those colored balloons to stamp the Willow (Z2807) ones.  Looking at the "W" is a great example why you need two masks.  Finally, I stamped the Lemon (Z2808) balloons.  I tried not overlapping that one but did to go between the two Willow balloons (again 2 masks).

Next, I added the balloon strings.  I had to put the mask back on a few times.  And I added a string to my scrap balloon.

My Cuttlebug came out after the last step.  I laid "WISH" out and when I was happy, I added painters tape to the letters with overlapping tape.  NOTE: you'll want to have clearance on the top and the bottom of the Thin Cuts to poke the letters out.  If your painter's tape is wide, cut it down.  I didn't want them to separate and have to build the word each time.  I've since learned that  if you have Cling Wrap plastic wrap - the one that's sticky on one side - that could be used instead of the painter's tape.  It's probably better too, since you can see through it.

Position the "WISH" onto the stamped paper securing it in place with the overlapping tape.  Run through the machine and poke out your letters.  NOTE: if you are making more than one of these cards, make sure your word stays with it's matching background!

Once the letters are cut, they're ready to have 3D foam tape (Z1151) added to the back.  I used the regular height for this (and the balloon).  The stamped part was adhered to the Pacifica cardstock which, in turn, was adhered to a card base.  Then "A BIRTHDAY" was stamped so it could be lined up with the edge of the "W" in Pacifica (Z2892) ink.  The letters were put back in their respective hole.  The balloon received the thin 3D foam dots (Z3341)on the balloon, but the end of the balloon was adhered to the card using Bonding Memory Glue (Z553).  The final step was adding the Central Park Sequins (Z4178).

Done!  My take of the Eclipse card.  : )

Feel So Blessed - September 2017 SOTM

September is going to be a banner month!  Let me start by showing you the Stamp of the Month.



This thankful card was created using the September Stamp of the Month - Feel So Blessed (S1709).


I was inspired by a pinterest card that was in the other orientation that had a strip running the length of the card with the saying to the right of the strip.  My card looks nothing like the inspiration.


How did I make my card?  Simple...
I stamped the border image from the set in Eggplant (Z2347) toward the top of the card base.  The adhered B&T paper is an Almond piece from our Basic Fundamental Papers (Z3353), which measures 1.5".  Then I stamped the border stamp below the B&T paper.

Next, using the Basic Circle Thin Cut (Z3318), I cut out a 2.5" Eggplant circle from the the Enchanted Fundamental Papers (Z3352).  I cut a 2" circle of White Daisy as well. "Thanks" was stamped on the White Daisy circle in Almond ink (Z2827).  On a scratch piece of paper, I stamped "for everything" in New England Ivy ink (Z2835).  The circles are adhered directly to the card front.  The banner, after being cut out, was raised with Thin 3D Foam (Z1151).

I didn't just want to add plain clear Sparkles (Z3274 (4mm) and Z1263 (2mm)), so I colored them with our Shin Han Markers; Green Sap (Z2463) and Lavender (Z2453).  I added those around the sayings.

Simple and fast!

Here, let me show you all of the stamped images within this set and you will see I barely used the set to it's potential!

What will you create?!

Handmade, Hand Stamped Wedding Invitation

Want to see the wedding invitations I made for my niece?!  Of course you do.  : )

She got married at a historical park.  She likes Sea Glass and had succulents as wedding favors. Woodgrain came to mind for the invites.

Closed Invitation

 The word Buckle is a cut from Artistry Cricut Collection (page 11).  The top layer is the word Love which was cut from Colonial White cardstock.  The background is Sea Glass.

Here it is opened.  I hand stamped each invite with the swirl (I still LOVE that retired stamp set) and heart in Sea Glass.  I also edge distressed the invite with Sea Glass.  The reply and guest information went into the pocket to the right.

As you can see, I kept the same motif with the information card and reply.









I had created each base piece in Word after some designs I found on Pinterest.  I was able to get two invites from one 8.5" x 11" piece of light cardstock, and four of the Guest Information and Reply cards.  Unfortunately I couldn't get the margins to work out correctly, so when I brought the job to Staples for them to print and cut, I had some weird cutting instructions for them.  The Staples employee was able to follow along so everything was cut the way I wanted.  : )

To assemble the cards, I used a small bead of Liquid Glass around the edges.  I knew everything was going to be thrown away (*sigh*) so I wanted the cards to be economical.  I thought about using glue stick, but felt parts would dry before I had an opportunity to glue it down.  Plus it would be more labor (I know, I put a lot of time into the cards anyway) intensive with the stick.  The Liquid Glass was quick, easy, and cost effective (I didn't come close to using a bottle - maybe half a bottle).

You might be asking how much?  The raw materials was the most expensive part of the project (okay, if I were charging to make these invitations, raw materials wouldn't be the most expensive part) - about $350.  I made 100 tri-fold invitations.  So you have the tri-fold part, the envelopes for those, and the envelopes for the replies.  So about $245 for those.  Then the Sea Glasss cardstock; about $50 for three packs, and the few bucks for cardstock, ScoreTape, and other odds and ends.  Printing and cutting were another $40.  I didn't keep track of the time it took me.  I started early enough that I was able to edge distress while watching TV.  Assembling I did at the table so I could focus on that... I hate crooked cards.

Then I handed everything over to my sister.  I had cut and scored the belly band for the front.  And put ScoreTape on the edges so it would be easy for my sister and niece to secure the invite closed.  My niece really liked them, so that's what matters!

I made matching Thank You cards for her shower gift too.  : )

Hinged Ghirardelli Box Holder

I'm ready for convention... at least my swaps are!  I came across a hinged box by Caroline Helwigh Wright.  I was fascinated, but needed to modify her dimensions to fit my needs (getting more than one box from a 12" x 12" cardstock and fitting something yummy inside).  : )

The most important aspect of this hinged box is that it needs to be square.  If it's not square, it won't close!  Each box measures 5 ¾” x 6 ½” and is cut from cardstock.  You'll be able to make 2 boxes from one 12" x 12" sheet of cardstock.

Along the 5 ¾” side, score at ¾”, 2 7/8", and 5".
Along the 6 ½” side, score at ¾”, 2 7/8", 3 5/8", and 5 ¾”.

Cut along the solid blue lines shown in the picture.  Not shown are the tabs wedged to make it easier to fold (but take a look at the pictures below for how I wedged mine).

After I cut on the lines, I stamped the outside front flap/cover.  I thought it would look cool not to stamp the sides, but it took a little more time to avoid the sides (I masked the sides with paper).  Once the stamping was done, I put Scoretape on the appropriate places (see picture).




To make it super simple, I didn't layer on the outside of the box.  I chose to cut some images out from Artbooking Cricut Collection.  And since I get bored quickly (once I figure things out), I made two different designs.

The first is Hugs found on page 49 under the <icon> and <icon><shift> (2nd column, 2nd row).  Both the heart (in Thistle Cardstock) and "hugs" (in Pansy Cardstock) are 1.82" x 1.82".

I stamped in Cashmere ink on Cashmere cardstock.  The stamp is from the Flower Market Collection.



The second of my swaps are "just BE" cut from Emerald cardstock (found on page 39 - <title><shift> (2nd column, 1st row) and be yourself - at least the banner part - found on page 41 <title> (4th column, 1st row).  Using Design Space, I hid the "be yourself" with the hide contour feature.  Then I made the banner 1.8" wide and 0.35" high.  Originally I was going to keep "yourself", but it didn't look right; and I realized I would have to back the banner with another piece of paper, so I took the word out.  After the banners were cut from Willow cardstock, I stamped "YOU!" with the Pen Pals Alphabet stamp set in Black Ink.

This time I stamped in Bamboo ink on Bamboo cardstock.  I stamped on the wrong piece (the inside) so I had to go back and restamp!  Again, I used paper to mask the ends.

The green dot in the cutting diagram (above) is an optional, although highly recommended, hole for the pull string.  To make the pull string, I used the White Twine, Willow ink and Thistle ink (corresponding to the box in mind) and a sponge dauber to color the white twine.  Hold the end of the twine and pull the twine between the dauber and the ink pad.  Pull the twine several times to get the intensity of color you want.  I fed about a 2" piece of the pull string through the hole, securing it to the inside with regular tape.




The front flap/cover measures about 2".  If you'd like to add a mat or decorate the flap/cover, you'll want your papers to be smaller.

Want to get the dimensions of "HUGS" and "just BE YOU!" just right?  Let me make this simple... Here is the Design Space canvas file: https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/62185737

Ready for the finished products?!

The hinge is on the bottom left.  The easiest way to open the box is to hold the upper left corner with your left hand while pulling the twine with your right.  Then the treats are revealed, removed, and consumed.














Cute, right?!  Now it's your turn!

Item Number	Name
Z2805	Black Ink
Z2803	Bamboo Ink
Z2875	Cashmere Ink
Z2840	Thistle Ink
Z2807	Willow Ink
X5932	Cashmere Cardstock
X5782	Pansy Cardstock
X5769	Thistle Cardstock
1301	Bamboo Cardstock
X5783	Emerald Cardstock
X5784	Willow Cardstock
Z3285 or Z3290	Flower Market Cricut Collection - background stamp sets
Z3169	Artbooking Cricut Collection
B1539	Pen Pal Alphabet stamp set
Z3216	White Twine
Z726 or Z1938	Sponge Daubers
Z1204	Bone Folder - to score and burnish
1512 or Z553	Bonding Memories Glue - to glue the Cut pieces together and to the box
Z1151	3-D Foam Tape (to mount the banner)
Z534 or 1836	Micro-tip Scissors
	Scoring board
	Score Tape / Red Line tape

Valentine Ferrero Rocher Box

I found this box by Sandra Ronald on her blog but have made a few modifications.  I made my box into a Valentine treat.  It's super simple to make... let me show you how.

The first modification was making the paper size accommodate 2 boxes per 12" x 12" paper.
The box is 9" x 6" and is made from cardstock.
The wrapper is 6 5/8" x 4" (you can actually get 4 wrappers from one sheet if the orientation of the paper doesn't matter to you - it didn't for me) and is made from background and texture paper.
The ribbon pull is made with a coordinating 3" piece of ribbon.
The recipient will receive 3 Ferrero Rocher candies.  : )

Score your 9" x 6" cardstock:

Along the 9" side, score at 1", 2 1/2", 6 1/2", and 8".


Along the 6" side, score at 3/4", 2 1/4", 3 3/4", and 5 1/4".









Score your 6 5/8" x 4" background and texture paper:

Along the 6 5/8" side, score at 1/2", 2", 3 9/16", and 5 1/16".
How do you score 9/16" and 1/16" of an inch if you have the Martha Stewart Score Board like me?  There is a black line between the 0" mark and the 1/8" mark.  Bring your paper out to that black line and then score at 3 5/8" (for the 3 9/16" measurement) and at 5 1/8" (for the 5 1/16" measurement).  Done!

There will nothing to cut on the wrapper.  You'll just fold and then decorate.  More about that soon...

Now that you've scored the cardstock, you'll want to cut it out.  Each corner will be cut off as well as one block to either side of what will become the tabs.

After the straight lines were cut, I went in and cut at an angle for the box to come together nicer and easier.

Once the box is cut, you'll want to punch a hole one side for the ribbon pull.  And this is the time to add your strong adhesive.  As you can see, I've added Score Tape to the flaps and the "backside" of the tabs.  The tabs will be folded up and secured to the long side to create the box ends.  Once those are in place, the side flaps will be folded over for strength and finish.

Before you create the box, secure the ribbon.  I pulled the ribbon through the hole, separated the two sides, and then used regular tape to secure the ribbon in place.  The flap will fold down over the tape and ribbon ends so you won't see them.  : )

Create the box by lining the sides of the tab with edges of the box.

Place some Score Tape along the 1/2" scored section of the background and texture paper.  Fold on the score lines and line up the edge of the paper with the 1/2" section.  You now have a wrapper.  The wrapper is NOT symmetrical so there is a wrong and right orientation.  I put the 1/2" section under the box.

You can flatten the wrapper to decorate it.

I created a banner and stamped "happy" with 1/2" x 1" White Daisy cardstock.  I stamped "Valentine Day" on a 1/2" x 1 1/2" piece of White Daisy.

The hearts are made using the Thin Cut hearts (Z3260) in purple and green glitter paper.  Half of my boxes will have the opposite hearts - green outline with a solid purple heart because you get both shapes with the heart thin cut.

Then everything was glued onto the top of the wrapper.

Next, grab your Ferrero Rochers and put them in the box.  Place the box into the wrapper (it's a tight fit).  And Viola!  You're done!  Your friends, co-workers, and neighbors get a sweet treat.

: )

Let's Celebrate Balloon

I really liked these Pinterest inspired cards.  Lindsey's birthday is right before school gets out, and with Amber playing softball, we have tended not to have a birthday party in June.  Because we didn't have a party this year, we decided to have a half birthday party instead, making this the perfect opportunity to make the card.

Most of the products used has been retired, but I think they fill the purpose too well.  It's one reason why you can never have too many/much stamping stuff.  : )

The paper is the Fundamental paper - Enchantment colors: Thistle, Olive, Goldrush, Autumn Terracotta, Hollyhock, and Indian Corn Blue.  The ink color corresponds to the balloon color with the saying from the A Little of Everything set.  The balloon strings are from the Metallic Twine - neutrals, Autumn Terracotta Twine, and Olive Twine.  They are attached to the card with Liquid Glass, once the twine was knotted around the stem of the balloons.

Okay, so the meat of the card is the balloon.  I chose to use the balloon from the Artistry Cricut Collection and is 4.5" wide.  While I held the balloon down where I wanted it on the card, I cut the overhanging parts of the image.  Then I tied the string onto the balloon, and mounted it with Thin 3D Foam.  I changed up the bend of the string, and tada!

This card doesn't only have to be a birthday card.  It can be used for any celebration.  : )

Flamingos for Breast Cancer

Flamingos are really in right now, and I'm actually with the crowd for a change!  My two cards were inspired by Leigh Penner's card I found on pinterest (I tried to find the direct link to the picture on her blog, but the picture isn't directly linked).  I was able to save her card to show you, instead.

What I liked about this card is the background and the flamingos facing each other.  I'm not crazy about the mirror image of the flamingo, though.  CTMH's flamingos show some individuality within the group.  : )





Another inspiring aspect of making a flamingo card is for Amber's friend's mother.  She is part of a group who flocks people's yards in San Diego with flamingos to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer.  I told Mary I had the perfect stamp set, and that I'd be happy to make some thank you cards for the flocked...

As is my typical fashion when working off inspiration, I make at least a couple versions to save on time and thought.  Of course these two could easily have bloomed into more.


I cut Watercolor Paper (Z3146) down to 4" x 5.25".  I took 1/4" washi tape and layed it across the watercolor paper with 3/4" in between the washi tape.  You can see at the top that 3/4" will leave a little bit left over (I didn't do any math to get the right proportions).  After the paint dried, I removed the washi tape to reveal crisp lines.

The Flamingos are stamped with Pixie ink while the wings and heart are stamped with Cotton Candy.

"Pink" was outlined with Tender Pink ShinHan Marker (Z2464).

The watercolor paper was adhered to a 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" piece of Cotton Candy cardstock.

For this card, I started with a 3.75" x 5" piece of watercolor paper that I painted on.  I used the brush width to mostly define the width of the colors.  I was able to control a little more of width of the color bands, thus fitting "exactly"(I got really lucky with this)!

I mounted this (once it was dry) on a 4"  x 5.25" piece of White Daisy cardstock.  This in turn was mounted on a 4.25" x 5.5" Pixie cardstock (the card base could be this color if desired).

The Flamingos are stamped with Cotton Candy ink while the wings and heart are stamped with Pixie.




A few extra details...

These Flamingos were NOT hand cut.  They were cut using my Cuttlebug and the Thin Sets corresponding to the stamp set!  The eyes were hand drawn in though (they were white before, so I knew exactly where to put them!).  The watercolors I used for these cards are (from top to bottom) #4, #13, #12, #25, #1 darker (less water), and #1.

The wings are mounted with Thin 3D foam.  If I weren't making Breast Cancer thank you cards, I think the background cardstock would have been Crystal Blue.

I like the second card's watercoloring better (can you believe that I'm going against symmetry?!); the first card's flamingo and heart colors; the second's layering; the first's saying (although I don't mind "you are FABULOUS!" either).  I'll see what Mary likes.

Graduation Card - Pinterest Inspired

There are a ton of graduation cards on Pinterest right now.  I found this card today that needed to be made with our new Smarty Pants (C1649) stamp set.  


Unfortunately I don't know who to give credit to since it didn't link to a blog and there was no signature on the picture.  I'm modifying it anyway...

I used the Chervon Embossing Folder (Z1925) on White Daisy cardstock that was cut to 4" x 5.25" before it was run through my Cuttlebug.

Sapphire cardstock was utilized because that is one color from my daughter's school (she's going to high school in the Fall).  You could use one of your school colors.  The Sapphire is cut 2" x 1.75" to mat the mortar board 1.75" x 1.5".  Sapphire was also cut to 4.25" x 1.5" to accommodate the 4" x 1.25" saying.

The mortar board was hand cut and mounted with Thin 3D Foam.

As you can see, the smaller White Daisy pieces were sponged with Sapphire ink.





Then I made the card again, for Heather's son, making some modifications.  The same measurements were used.  I changed:

• Used New England Ivy - his high school colors - instead of Sapphire
• The Confetti Embossing Folder (Z3118) gives it a party feel
• I sponged the embossed White Daisy cardstock as well
• I stamped the tassle in New England Ivy and glued it on (see picture below)
• I second generation stamped the diploma in New England Ivy ink under "congratulations!"

I guess it would have been better if the New England Ivy was a lighter color so you could see there is a color difference.













To the season for graduations.  These came together quickly, you can make them too!

Color My Heart Color Dare #188

I didn't think I'd do the challenge this week, but I was inspired by a pinterest card and ran with it.
The challenge this week was to use ALL and ONLY colors from the Regatta paper packet.
                                      

I'd been eyeing a hexagon pattern from pinterest that I thought I'd try the challenge with.  As it turns out, the card I pinned was a CAS(E) card -  sketch #37.  I was pleased with how my card turned out. : )  Anyway, here's my card...

I bought Hexagonal Patterns (C1626) when the Annual Inspirations first came out last August.  I love the patterns and the size differences within the stamp set (these are all the same size hexagon).  The stamp set is even compatible with the Cricut Artisty Collection.

I used the Say it All (C1632) stamp set for "celebrate" because it is an AWESOMELY versatile stamp set (that you can purchase if you host a gathering and reach the minimum purchase point).

The Glacier hexagon is raised with 3D Foam Tape, and the Sapphire Dots and Pomegranate Tooth-hound hexagons are raised with Thin 3D Foam Tape.

The frayed Flaxen Extra Thick Twine (Z3036) is adhered with Liquid Glass completes the look of this card.

Masculine Birthday Card

Today's pinterest inspired card is from Rachel (there is no link to her blog/website).  But my version, of course, uses Close to my Heart Products!

The paper is Urban (X7204B) background and texture paper, with Peacock, Sapphire, and Colonial White cardstock.  Inks are Peacock, Sapphire, Saffron, and Black.  Two stamp sets were used.  Ink Blot (D1660) and Happy Birthday (M1033 - retired).  The card is finished off with Artison Studs (Z1816).










I had such a good time doing this card, I made another one with Georgie Paper (X7203B).  Take a look...

My paper proportions are a little different for this card.  But you can see by using the yellows of Georgie, the card is brighter.  It looks lighter too, because I didn't add any stamping to the saying piece.  I added a third banner for this card and didn't add any embellishments (shame on me!).

For both cards, the "birthday" is colored with our watercolor pencils (3505) - Ocean.  The top one looks much darker for two reasons - Colonial White paper and a heavier hand.  I then went over the pencil with the Blending Pen (3174) to thin it out and bring some of the color to the other part of the word.

Cardaholics New Technique Challenge - Bokeh

This month's card exchange challenge was to use a new technique.  I've been eyeing the Bokeh technique for quite some time and thought this was the perfect time to pull the trigger.  Bonus was I found a card on Pinterest that I really liked and modified.  I have to say that Pinterest is amazing.  This card post is from August 4, 2014, and it's still circulating.  I can't remember if this is the site I learned the technique or not...

Anyway, here is the card I made.  : )

The technique in a nut shell.  Watercolor Paper (Z3146), Watercolor Paints (Z3132) and Paintbrush Set (Z3188), All-Purpose Mat (Z2045), water, Craft Heater (Z555), White Daisy Pigment Ink (Z2163), Sponge (Z697), stencil (traditionally circles, but I used balloons instead).

Cut your paper 0.5" larger (for both dimensions) than your finished size!  I found out the hard way my first try - I wasted some paper!!.  And I'm going to confess here that it took me some time to purchase the All-Purpose Mat, but am SOOO glad I did!  The mat saves your work surface for a project like this, and cleans quickly and easily.

You are going to tape around all the edges of your paper.  I used Washi tape rather than going to the garage and hunting for painters' tape.  This is why you want your paper 0.5" larger than your finished project (where the tape is will remain white - and it won't blend right if you try to paint after removing the tape - remember, I figured this part out the hard way).

Once you're taped, use your brush and spread water over the project piece.  Be generous. Next are the water colors.  I chose blue (#13) and yellow (#36).  With water, I picked up some yellow and placed it on the water soaked paper.  Some of the paint bled, and some didn't.  I put that on the paper in diagonal streaks.  After cleaning my brush, I picked up the blue and put it down next to the yellow.  If my paper was getting dry, I added more water to the area.  It didn't matter if paint was already down, I added more water so it would blend together.  Where the two colors came together are the green parts in the picture above.  Don't worry if the paper is wavy, it can be corrected (if need be).

Blue #13 (second row) and Yellow #36 (last on the right)

You may need/want to go back and add more yellow or blue to the project.  Or more water.  Once you are happy with the look, you need to let it dry.  You can do this by walking away for at least a half an hour, or you can grab your craft heater and help the process along (this is what I did).

After it is dry, it's time to apply the White Pigment ink over the watercolor background.  What I read was having different sizes was ideal.  My balloons were cut at 1.5" and 1".  How did I do that?!  I used my Cricut Explore to cut them out at different sizes.  : )  The larger stencil, the lighter the pigment was applied.  I made the two sized balloons overlap sometimes too.  Then I finished the effect with a pencil eraser (those are the small circles).  I used my craft heater to set the pigment ink (instead of letting it air dry). And that's Bokeh!

For this card, I cut the finished Bokeh watercolor paper down to 5.5", and then cut 0.5", 0.75", 0.5" for the three strips.  I cut them in that order so that when I'd adhere them to the card front, the pigmented balloons would come back together.  I made several cards for the exchange, being careful to cut in that order and then keeping the strips together.  Remember that if you are mass producing cards and you want to maintain the continuity of the strips.

After I adhered the strips to the front of the card, I stamped Happy Birthday (Finding the Words D1646).

When I cut the balloons for the stencils, I cut some out for the front of the card too.  Using Design Space, I removed the highlight from the balloon image by right clicking the balloon and choosing "Hide Contours".  Click the area you want removed and then click away from the image.  No more highlight.  Those balloons were cut to the specification (1.75") of the coordinating stamp set - ARTISTE COLLECTION (Z3170).  One balloon I cut out from White Daisy cardstock and stamped on it with Crystal Blue (Z2117), while the second balloon I cut out from Pear Paper Fundamental (Adventure packet - Z3125).

The Pear balloon was adhered directly to the card front.  I then placed the Crystal Blue balloon where I wanted it and stamped the balloon string.  I then put 3-D Foam Tape on the balloon and repositioned it to look seamless.

The final step was to add the (retired) blue and green epoxy bubbles.  Current items to use would be the Enamel & Glitter Duos - Blue Dots (Z3122) and Clear Sparkles (Z1752)

Lisa Stenz's pinterest post I found some time ago was my inspiration for these cards.  I started with the blue flowered card as a card exchange.  However, unlike Lisa's card (plain white front), my card exchange challenge was to add embossing to the card.

Shortly after the card exchange, I made some for my marketing class I took.  I thought it would be a perfect example to the class how to passively market myself (Heather, you would be proud!).  That lead to the red flowered card.


However, I wanted to give a few to my instructor as a thank you, but wanted to make each card unique.  That's how the Orange and Yellow cards came about.

The cards are constructed in the same manner.  The background paper is from various paper packets.  The red and orange are from Sangria, the blue is retired, but you could use paper from Regatta, and the yellow is from Penelope.  The stamps I used came from Wavy Blooms (D1651) - these are the three sayings within the set, but there are three other flowers. And, as you can see, I used three different embossing folders for the cards (my bright idea to change the envelopes was after I embossed all but a few).  All of the ribbons I used have been discontinued.



Embossing Folders:

Dot - Z1924

Chevron - Z1925

Diamond - Z3020





I colored the flowers with our Watercolor Pencils (3505) and then blended them with our Blender Pen (3174).  Since I had a lot to color, I stamped them ahead of time and then colored them in front of the TV.  Cutting them out was done in front of the TV too (bonus!)  The watercolor pencil lends itself to subtle and soft flowers.  Each flower is from two tones of the same color.  The red flower's leaves are only Olive pencil, I colored darker in some areas to get the two tone affect.

Oh, let me tell you how I lined up my embossed and non-embossed paper so well!  I didn't!!  I cut the paper for the entire area (3.75" x 5") and then only embossed the top part of it.  I need the ribbon to cover the seam from the end of the embossing folder.  Hee Hee!

Not too late for January's Stamp of the Month

It's still January, so you can still purchase the January Stamp of the Month.  If you weren't convinced before, see if this example doesn't put you over the top...

I used the baby's breath within the stamp set (at least that's what I see it as) and "love you!"with this simple card.

January Stamp of the Month set

Let me walk you through how I made this...

First of all, the card was inspired from a pinterest post, which in turn came from another pinterest post (no website listed).

I cut a 2" x 4.25" piece of White Daisy cardstock.  Using VersaMark ink(Z891), stamp the baby's breath twice (I went with different heights), pour White Embossing Powder (Z2068) on the images (tap off excess), and heat (Craft Heater Z555) the powder.

Next, I started with Cranberry Ink(Z2116)(the darker red color) and Sponge Daubers(Z726)*.  Moving in a circular pattern, rub on the Cranberry ink around the sprigs and in the corner - wherever you want it, really.  Definitely don't go straight from your ink to the project, though.  You'll end up with some very dark spots.  Repeat with Pomegranate ink(Z2653) (purplish hue) and then Poppy ink (Z2652) (bright spots) (I used this one sparingly).  Note that there are sections that don't have any ink.  *When I do this again, I'll use our Sponge (Z697)instead of the Daubers.  The Sponge is much stronger for this type of job (applying in a circular motion).  The tops of my used Daubers crumbled off.

The last step before assembling, is to stamp the breath.  I stamped first generation with Cranberry ink.  I cleaned the stamp, and added second generation (stamp off on scratch paper first) breath in Pomegranate ink.  You can see I stamped at different heights to give it more depth (that's what the second generation stamping does too).

Adhere the strip to the card front, and stamp a saying below (Cranberry ink for this card), and whalaa, your card is done!

I'm thinking this will be my Valentine's card to my husband.  It says "I love you" without being too lovey dovey.  Although, he's seen this card, so I might have to come up with another one.  Too bad!

Right... I got carried away with telling you how to make this card that I almost forgot to remind you that you have until Sunday at 11pm Pacific Time to order this set.  This set would allow you to make a great Anniversary card too!

Boo to You Two Ways

Today I want to share another Pinterest inspired card.  Halloween is just around the corner, and these two cards were made from the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.

This first card resembles the pinned card more due to design.  It's a lot "darker" than the pinned card, though - more like Halloween.  The pattern is from Make it from Your Heart Volume 1, Pattern #25.

And before you say something, I know the  black widow wouldn't be coming down on a thread.  But like I said above, this is Halloween.  And Halloween brings out the fearful things - thus the widow.  If you don't want your spider to be a black widow, use the "hide contour" feature in the Design Space or Cricut Craft Room to hide that element on the spider.  (BTW, I LOVE the "hide contour" feature!!)

I sponged some black ink on top of the Slate spider web that is covering some Nevermore background and texture paper.  "Boo" is cut from Eggplant cardstock.  Everything is layered on Fern cardstock.  Boo is raised with Thin 3D foam tape while the spider gets the double height of 3D foam tape (Non-stick Micro-tipped Scissors are the perfect tool to cut very thin pieces of the foam tape). Purple Glitter paper makes the spiders diamond shimmer, and black floss becomes the thread the spider is descending from.




My second Boo card is, again, from the Artbooking Cricut Cartridge.  I hid some extra cuts from "BOO" so that the word is thicker (and cut from Eggplant cardstock).  Boo is outlined to further focus on the word.  The spider web's ratio was unlocked so that I could make the web into a square shape. Just click on the lock next to the height and width fields on the computer to allow individual alterations.  Pear cardstock adds to the brightness of this 4.25" x 4.25"card as the base.  Finally, Boo and the spider are once again mounted with foam tape.



I hope either of these cards inspire you to make some Halloween magic yourself.  With the Cricut, these cards can be made up quickly.  So break out your machine and create - there is still time to send Halloween wishes!

You're an Original

If you're like me, you enjoy perusing Pinterest and pinning inspiration.  But what happens to the inspiration then?  Just like our pictures, do they get stuck on our computer?  Well the other day I decided to act upon one of my pins.  : )  I was inspired by this card, but changed the stamp set to one of ours.

It's a very simple and elegant card.  The saying is stamped in Black, the flower is Eggplant and Gypsy.  The leaves are stamped with Sweet Leaf and Pear ink, and the ink blots are stamped with Whisper.

Then I thought, "what if..." I add a few layers? These cards are the results.  At first I thought I'd match the color of the flower to the cardstock (Poppy) -- the most upper card.  That flower, however, is two toned, and I thought, "what if..." and went with the darker color (Pomegranate) mat.  Then my thoughts went to "what if..." I change the color of the flower?  The Sapphire flower came about .  And here I thought I'd make it a little more formal and mounted the focal with the Black cardstock.  Love it!  Much better than the original pin because of the added interest and depth of the card.

My next "what if..." goes back to color.  I had already stamped the flower in several colors because flowers come in all sorts of colors!  But what if  I change the color of the ink blot?

 Here the flowers are Saffron and Honey and then Eggplant with Thistle.  The focal piece is surrounded by Honey, Chocolate, and Thistle (working left to right and down).  The ink splatter on this card is a different one than above, and is stamped in Saddle ink.  The saying is stamped in Chocolate.

I hadn't been able to decide with the brown color family, so the last two cards I stamped the ink splatter in Cashmere ink, which is lighter than the Saddle ink.  The flower colors are Cotton Candy and Pixie, and Peacock and Lagoon.  The background colors are Chocolate and Lagoon.

Finally, here are all of the improved cards put together.

Two stamp sets were used to create all of these cards.  After I made them, my next "what if..." was about rotating the orientation of the card.  That result is for another day. The flowers, leaves, and saying are from Blossoming Expressions (D1665). There are several stamp choices for the inside of the card within the set.  The ink blots come from Ink Blot (D1660).  I used three of the available seven blots.

So, go take a look at your pinterest boards and create something!  You'll be glad you did, I was!