November 25, 2009 at 4:03 am (Cards)
Tim Holtz is a fantastic stamping artist that specializes in Grunge. His work is such beautiful eye candy I could stare at it for hours. Anyhoo, he is having 12 tags of Christmas which includes give aways and prizes. So, check his blog every day, leave a comment and you just might win something!
Check out Tim Holtz's blog
November 22, 2009 at 12:21 am (3D Items, Anything BUT a card, Christmas, Magic Box)
Tags: box, Christmas, grunge, Magic Box, stamping
Magic Box – Christmas Grunge
I had one more request to hold a magic box class at Simple Pleasures – my local independent stamp store. I held my first Christmas Magic Box class in July 2009, but a few students missed it. The paper I used for the summer class was discountinued, so I had to create a new box for my fall class. So here it is for all to see.
I call it Christams Grunge because I distressed all the decorative paper with a razor blade. One could use the blade of a pair of scissors, or heck, they make special distressing tools. That’s on my wish list. I originally chose this paper because it allowed me to make a red box – which seems more traditional for christmas. It didn’t meet my mom’s approval, however, because it’s not elegent. So, I guess there’s no compromize – you can’t dress up grunge!
Magic Box – Christmas Grunge Outside
Lid of the Magic Box Christmas Gruge
The lid top is deocrated with a square gift tag.
I used Sizzix swirl die cut for the sides of the lid. Just trimmed one or two swirls per side.
I used a Martha Steward snow flake punch to decorate the sides as well as the inside.
No snowflake is complete without a gem or something sparkly!
The trick to adhering the swirl is to use a glue pen. And because it’s a small element, place your glue on the die cut in dots, as opposed to trying to draw a line of glue. Just a little tip!
Magic Box Christmas Grunge Inside
Of course, the magic happens when the lid is removed from the box. The sides spring open and lay flat revealing a christmas scene in the middle. I have a gift card holder surrounded by christmas grunge floating shapes.
I incorporated some snow flakes into the inside of the box. Brings continuity to the project.
Here’s a close up of the gift card holder. I added a tiny bit of ribbon and some snowflakes and gems.
Here is a photo illustrating the mechanics of the project. I use a triangle wedge to support the gift card holder. I poke the transparency / acetate into the bottom decorative paper to support the floating christmas grunge elements.
Believe it or not, I only used three piece of 12×12 to make the box. One piece of decorative paper and two pieces of red cardstock (one for the lid and one for the box). I used accents of blue and green paper here and there. No stamping on this one.
Check out all the other Magic Boxes on my blog!
November 8, 2009 at 4:27 pm (Baby Shower, Cards, Pocket Card, Thank You)
Tags: baby, Baby Shower, carriage, homemade, stamping
Homemade Baby Boy Card Thank You Set
I recycled big time for this homemade baby boy card thank you set. This truly was a joint effort. My sister had the vision for the belt buckle and layout. I contributed the denim, paper selection and the stamp selection. We had purchased a bag of belt buckles at a garage sale…and they have sat in the stamping cabinet for months. I was just about to toss out an old pair of jeans (which happened to rip in a very inappropriate spot!). But our creativity melded together just in time for a baby shower gift for my next door neighbor who is having a baby boy in ten weeks.
Homemade Baby Boy Card Thank You Set – The Card
Front of the Baby Boy Card for the Thank You Set
Baby Boy Card Inside
A quick note about this baby boy card and thank you set. The base paper is brown – purchased in a reem at Xpedx. The denim is an old pair of jeans cut with pinking sheers then frayed. The striped paper is DCWV from some paper pack. The ribbon I bought in a spool at Xpedx. To make the belt, we actually taped two strips of brown ribbon to a piece of paper to give the belt shape and to make it double wide because we didn’t have any wide ribbon that looked nice with the buckle! We added gromets to the ribbon to make it look like a belt. And used scrappers floss to tie on the little thank you tag.
Can you mail these cards? Maybe if you used a bubble envelope. Otherwise, I’d recommend hand delivery.
Homemade Baby Boy Card – A Thank You Set
We made 10 of these cards for a thank you set. Then I needed a box to put them in. I was going to make a slide out box, but it would have taken four pieces of paper and I didn’t feel like making a huge piece of paper and folding it into a box. So, I opted for a card / book type contraption. I made this once before for another baby gift and really liked it. So, here you go!
Here is the inside of the gift box.
Cards tucked into the baby boy thank you set with one pulled out.
I decorated the back of the pockets
As you can see, the inside looks great whether the box is full of thank you cards or empty. I used acetate (write on transparency sheet) to create pockets to hold the thank you cards. I tape that to the brown card. Then I decorate the back of the panels to hide the tape from the transparency as well as to make the box look nice when it’s empty.
Now for the outside:
The box when fully open
View of the front and closure of the baby boy thank you card set
back and closure of the baby boy card set
spine of the baby boy thank you card set
Phew, that’s a lot of photos. You may or may not believe this, but I only used two pieces of decorative paper to create all 10 cards and the box. I used a lot of solid blue and brown to create the structure of the cards and box and to frame the white pieces.
Not sure if you noticed how the brown ribbon ties are attached. I just folded over the brown ribbon, then used a little brad to attach them. I attached the brad prior to adhering the inside decorative panel…so the brad tines are hidden by the inside blue panel. I printed out the welcome baby on the spine in Word Art then colored with copics.
The stamp has a sticker on it that says, “1998 Embossing Arts Co.” I picked it up at a garage sale. I also colored that baby and carriage with my copics. Not sure it shows up, but I gave the baby some soft pink cheeks! The stamp has words below it that say “look who’s here…” but I decided to not use that part.
The thank you words are from a My Sentiments Exactly stamp set. I think that’s about everything.
The card are traditional card size, but I threw in some oversized envelopes due to the bulkiness of the belt buckles. I also threw in a book of stamps. Even if she doesn’t mail them…stamps are always needed! =)
I’m sure you’re wondering how long it took to make….too long! I’m pretty sure there’ s over 8 hours in this project. Hmmm…would have been cheaper just to buy a gift! But not nearly as fun! =)
October 30, 2009 at 2:42 am (Cards, Christmas)
Tags: angel, card, Christmas, cuttlebug, homemade, manger, peace, purple, rubber stamping, snow, stamping, swirl
Homemade Christmas Cards in Purple
Today I want to show you three homemade Christmas cards in purple….and a hint of green I created with some old rubber stamps I had laying around. I was going for a “religious” theme. Christian theme, to be more exact. A big thank you goes out to my mom who helped me with the angel card. And since I bring it up, let’s start with that one.
My mom and I purchased this stamp several years ago…and have never been quite happy with any card we’ve created with it. But, we both like this card. I think it has a slight feminine feel to it…only because the angel is feminine.
I colored the image with copics. It’s embossed with silver and distressed with purple Distress Ink by Tim Holtz. I framed it with silver cardstock. It’s matted with purple paper that I stamped with white snowflakes using StazOn white ink. That’s matted with silver and adhered to white cardstock. The silver ribbon actually is a loop on the right and is how you open the card. The angel and left panel actually open to the left. The right panel is actually taped down on the top and bottom and is a gift card holder.
Here’s the gift card holder part.
The next card is my favorite. I think it’s the cute stamps and bold crisp images. My mom likes elegant so this is not her favorite. To each her own.
Here is where the hint of green comes in.
I used my copics to color in this image of the shephard. I cut out the oval using a spellbinder die. Then traced a black circle using the die as a guide. I framed the oval in two shades of green coordinations paper. Then added the two shades of purple. I have a puple brad on the right side which I use as a sort of closure for the card. I have a little piece of black Scrappers Floss as a tie that I wrap around the brad to keep the card closed.
Funny thing about this color combintation, it happens to be the company colors for my husbands work. Guess who’s getting this card….his coworkers! I’m contemplating creating a red and green variation as well for my friends and family.
You may be wondering why I used the coordinations paper for this project. It’s because Joann had their paper on sale last week for 5 for $0.95. Great price for something that is usually $0.60 each!
Here’s the inside. I think it’s adorable! The image of Jesus in the manger is a bit on the cutesy side. And I just adore it. Again I colored it in with copics. I cut it out using QuicKutz nesting circles. And pulled in some of the purple and green from the outside in. The greeting I created on my computer. The purple rectangle behind the manger is actually a gift card holder.
The last card I made is using a stamp that I once again had trouble figuring out what to do with in the past. But I am pleased with how it turned out this time.
I believe my mom would consider this more on the elegant side. She insisted that I used pearls on the four corners. I originally had silver brads there. Apparently that was too industrial looking for her taste! =)
This peace on earth stamp is from My Sentiments Exactly. I stamped it in purple using Tim Holtz distress ink. Then I distressed the edges using his purple ink. I framed it in light purple coordination paper. I have that matted with a deeper purple coordination paper that I ran through my cuttlebug using a swirl embossing plate. I then sanded the swirls to pull out the lighter purple core of the paper. I framed it on a piece of white cardstock that I also distressed the edges of using the purple ink. Oh, and wrapped a little sheer ribbon around for good measure.
I love, love, love these cards. Hmmm…not sure which one I’ll use this year. Knowing my personality, it’ll be the one that’s the most time consuming!
Hope you enjoy.
October 30, 2009 at 2:03 am (Birthday, Cards, Masculine)
Tags: Birthday, cake, Masculine
All Natural Masculine Birthday Cards
I say all natural because the cards are made with greens and creams reminding me of nature. Today’s card is for a friend of mine who lives in Breckenridge, Colorado for his 40th. I guess I should have put a big 40 somewhere…but didn’t think of it in time. Oops.
I was inspired to stamp half a cake by a card I saw a few months ago online that at first glance did something similar. Only upon closer scrutiny I noticed that the elements on the card were actually crowded, not cut off. Ah, well. It inspired me to use half the image. My husband thinks it’s weird. I like to think it’s modern! =)
The base is a natural, cream stock. Then I used two pieces of scrap green. And no masculine card would be complete with out some hardware. So I added two grommets.
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and venture to say that this card was my friends favorite. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that it had birthday cash in it!
Here is a photo of another masculine card with slight modifications. I colored the cakes with copic markers. Distressed the edges with Tim Holtz distress ink. I used three different stamps.
September 14, 2009 at 2:37 am (Anniversary, Cards, Wedding)
Symmetrical Bride and Groom Card
You’d think I had a myriad of weddings to attend this year with the latest interest in making bride and groom cards. Not sure what the fascination is lately but I had another idea for modifying the tux and dress card.
I will be using my latest bride and groom, tux and dress card as an anniversary card for a good friend. I can’t help it, I think this tux and dress is adorable!
Bride and Groom, Tux and Dress
So, I have the tux in a two inch square on the left. And a dress on the right, again in a two inch square. Each square is lined with silver cardstock. I silver embossed the words “forever and always” underneath.
Bride Dress close up
It was extremely difficult to capture the pearls in the photograph. I think the flash on the camer and the DCWV glitter paper I used on the dress did not get along well. Anyway, I put a few pearls on the waistline and one at the neck line. Gives it some flare.
Wedding Bride and Groom Card
Pretty simple and straight forward card. Guess that’s what appeals to me about it. I call it my Symmetrical Bride and Groom card because of the 2″ squares and the underlying text. I debated about putting the squares at an angle, one overlapping the other. But I couldn’t decide if the bride should be on top or the groom. So I put them side by side! =)
The tux shirt is glitter paper from DCWV. I used a 1/4″ hole punch for the buttons. Just hand made the tux shirt shape and the bow tie. The dress is from My Sentiments Exactly. I stamped the back of some DCWV glitter paper and cut out the top part of the stamp. I did use dimensional puffy tape behind the 2″ squares.
Here are my other variations of the bride and groom card including video and template:
Supplies:
August 29, 2009 at 9:30 pm (Cards, Thank You, Wedding)
Tags: bride, card, dress, groom, homemade, stamping, Thank You, tuxedo, Wedding
Homemade Wedding Card Video and Template
This homemade wedding card video took me a bit longer to put together than I anticipated. Like…3 months longer! But I finally watched a tutorial on using my movie making program and I am good to go! Videos should really only take a week or two for me to put together from now on! Promise! =)
Since it’s been so long since I posted the cards, here is a picture of the wedding cards as a reminder! =)
picture snatched from my wedding card video
Below is the video of me making the card. As promised in the video, I have a template of the tuxedo shirt should you wish to download that instead of making it the way I demonstrate in the video. If you have teenagers, perhaps you can have them make the shirt template using a compass as I demonstrated. The template link of the tux shirt is below the video.
And the above promised tuxedo template as a PDF.
If you create something with this template or something like this card, do leave a link in my comments so we can all check out your masterpiece.
And again, I was inspired by a card I saw somewhere online and on SplitCoastStampers.com. I believe my only claim to fame on these cards is that 1) I made a thank you card out of it, 2) I added a second layer of dress to add a 3D element to it.
What is neat about these two versions of the homemade wedding card is that you could make 15 of the thank you cards as a wedding gift or bridal shower gift and you could use the gate fold version as the card you use to put with the gift.
Here are the original posts with more info:
August 21, 2009 at 2:06 pm (3D Items, Anything BUT a card, Baby Shower, Cards, Pocket Card)
Homemade Baby Boy 3D Baby Shower Gift and Thank You Card Set
So I finally did it….I created a baby gift from scratch for a baby shower. I have been hestitant up to this point to make the entire gift and. More importantly, I’ve been hesitant to give thank you cards as THE gift. But I let loose and got to creating. I love it when everything comes together.
Here are pictures of the thank you cards and the pocket card that contained them!
baby boy baby shower pocket card - the front and side
Ok, what do you think so far? The words “baby boy” on the front are made from Microsoft Word. I created wordart that allowed for hollow letters so I could color them with my copics. And the airplane is a stamp that I cut out – not a die cut. It’s from a set I bought at a garage sale for $3! I love a good deal. It’s from Little Yellow Bicycle – SWS-104 Baby Boy.
Back and side of baby boy pocket card
Now, here’s the back and side of the card. The name Logan was created with my Cuttlebug and Soph Alpha set from QuicKutz. The ovals are Spellbinders. I also created the polka dot white paper with the Cuttlebug. And the clouds, well, they’re from an old template that you sponge around.
Believe it or not, I spent quite some time measuring and calculating to figure out how wide the pocket card should be. I calculated for too long, in fact. But it all worked out. I knew I wanted to do a cloud motif because that’s what I did for the cards.
I say, that’s what “I” did for the cards, but I actually had help from my friend Rebecca. She and I sat down and brainstormed the card and cranked out 12 of them in one evening. Later I tweaked the cards (because more is better!). Then I created the pocket card to contain the greeting cards.
Side view of Baby Boy pocket card
Ok, here’s the last side, the closure. Very important component for a pocket card this size! I decided to use blue sheer ribbon as the closure. I contemplated lots of things but worried that the transparancy might break . So, I attached ribbon around the card. I actually weaved it in and out of the front, side and back panels by cutting slits before finally having it come out near the edge. I then covered the slits and weaving with the light blue and white decorative panels.
I also attached a little heart card with my name inside it as the gift tag. The light blue heart opens up like a locket. It’s not real obvious that it’s the card, so next time I might do something a bit more obvious.
As you can see, I used acetate / transparency to create the pocket so you can see the contents! How much fun is that?!
Your first glance at the inside the baby boy pocket card
Isn’t this fun! Here’s the inside of the pocket card! Obviously, the left is a little baby boy t-shirt and on the right is the pocket full of thank you cards and envelopes. I had a big chunck of navy blue in the center / spine. I thought it was kind of boring, so I created a cloud panel for there. Which lead me to my next great idea…
an empty baby boy pocket card
Since the pockets are made of acetate, I couldn’t resist making a cloud motif behind each pocket. It serves to conceal how the transparency is attached to the card, it reinforces the pocket and it looks good! Function before form! =) I really love that when the mother to be takes out the contents, the pocket card still looks good. And she could use it to store baby treasures later, if she wants.
Before I show more pictures of the card, a note on the pocket card. I used a scor-pal to create this project. I can’t imagine stamping without it. But, I find that scoring acetate is tricky. It leaves a mark, but doesn’t leave a deep enough crease. My husband saw me struggling with the acetate score line and suggested I use my thin metal ruler to score the piece. Oooh, I could kiss him, and probably did. The ultra thin metal ruler I have is thinner than the scor-pal tool and sturdier enough to put a solid deep crease in the acetate. It’s almost as easy as folding paper! A butter knife might work as well.
Baby Boy Thank You Card
On to the card! Many thanks to my friend Rebecca for her help in designing and creating the 12 thank you baby boy greeting cards.
As mentioned I tweaked it afterwards. I sponged some blue in the center of the oval and added the word baby to the bottom left.
Oh, and should thank my husband for his suggestion of adding yellow. He wanted a yellow plane. I wasn’t so sure about that. Rebecca suggested the stars be yellow. So, there’s team work for ya!
I also added a little blue gem to the circle on the tail of the plane. The stamp has a little white circle so I felt it needed to be filled with bling! =)
Oh, and almost forgot, the thank you swirl is a stamp from stampendous!
Inside the baby boy thank you card
Last but not least is a picture of the inside of the thank you card. Just a couple little clouds for interest.
I just realized that I didn’t stamp on the envelopes! I hesitate to decorate envelopes because the ink I use is not waterproof. So I hate to see them smear. But stamped envelopes would have been adorable. Next time!
Speaking of inks, I used Distress ink from Tim Holtz collection for this card. I used it on the airplane as well as sponging for the clouds and distressing.
Hope you enjoy this pocket card and that it inspires you to make a baby gift for your next baby shower!
August 19, 2009 at 1:59 am (3D Items, Anniversary, Anything BUT a card, Baby Shower, Birthday, Bridal Shower, Magic Box, Mothers Day, Wedding)
3D Magic Box as Kit
The latest class I taught was available as a kit (offered at Simple Pleasures). Unfortunately, attendance was low, so it was only available as a kit. If anyone wants to get in on the fun, this kit is $25. It comes with complete instructions and nearly everything you’ll need to complete it.
And pictures? Well, those are available here, of course! =)
Magic Box in Green, pinks and yellows
So, here’s the outside of the box. It’s a green box with pink accent and a yellow decorative paper that features pretty packages, bows and birds. This could be used for birthday, bridal shower, baby shower….because there are no words on it. If you need a gift, this is pretty generic. It would work for most any holiday or special occassion.
Magic Box Top - Gift Tag
Can you see the glitter I added to two of the packages on the gift tag? I also put green bows on each side of the lid with 1/2″ green ribbon. And who doesn’t love a little bling! =)
Magic Box Gift Card Holder - Close UP
Again, the packages on the gift card holder have glitter. And so do the ribbons on the side panels. Using a glue pen, I scribbled glue on the paper and sprinkled with glitter. How fun is that! Who needs a glitter stack when you can add glitter yourself! =)
Magic Box Side View
Ok, this side view is very important. Notice the triangle support behind the gift card holder? Not too fancy. And how about the floating presents, do you see the transparency strips I used to hold those? And did you notice those packages have glitter, too?! These things aren’t too difficult, but they add a lot of interest. I made little slits in the center panel and slid the transparency in and secured with adhesive. Easy as can be.
So, for those who would like a few more photos on how it’s done, check these out.
Magic Box Taped and Ready to Go
With everything scored, cut and folder, here’s where you put the tape on the major pieces. Left is the gift card holder. Middle is the gift card holder support and to the right is the lid.
Magic Box Folds
I’m guessing that some of the folds for the gift card holder and the gift card holder support may be tricky, especially for those first timers out there. So here are a couple of photos that I hope will help. The top picture is me tucking the side panel under the bottom part of the gift card holder. The bottom photo is me making a triangle support for the gift card holder.
Supply List:
August 10, 2009 at 7:32 pm (Cards, Masculine, Thank You)
My Big Bold Copic Handmade Thank You Card
I was inspired by the latest issue of Papercrafts Mag. There was a card in there that had big chuncky letters that said thanks. That was the only image on the card. And it was cute, cute, cute. It inspired me to print the word “Thanks” in Word as WordArt that had hollow letters. I stamped flowers, colored them in with Copics and voila!
Homemade Thank You Card colored with Copics
Do you notice something different about this card than my usual lot? Uhhh, could it be the BRIGHT COLORS! Don’t they just scream THANKS! =) My husband actually loves this one. This is one of the few times I have seen him actually complimentary without having to work at it.
It really doesn’t show, but the letters are on puffy tape as are the printed words “a bunch”. The 3D effect of the puffy tape lends to the shadow effect of the coloring. I think I will modify this one as an HB2U card as well as a get well SOON card.
As I was coloring it I made a very concerted effort to use bright obnoxious colors. And I really like how it turned out. I liked it so much I made 2 more very similar (used different fonts for the Thanks). Word of warning, coloring did take me quite some time. But that’s to be expected with Copics.
Paper was just random stuff I had on hand. I’d been wondering when I’d use that bright orange paper! The flowers are some random acrylic flower set. Any flowers with hollow middles would be perfect for a card like this.
