Handmade Cards – Page 2

A lesson learned!

Sept sketch H2O

It’s sketch week!

It’s also my birthday today! I love sketch week because your card can be any theme. So I made mine a birthday card.

I always will post projects I like, but also my “not so much” projects. This one I really thought would end up cute. I had some designer paper with all these pastries on it. I thought it would be perfect to use with the dies I wanted for the four squares in this sketch. However, once I saw it all together, I think it’s too busy and the paper competes with the feature “squares”. So it just goes to show you, that even when you think you got this, it’s that one that will teach you a lesson!

The Steps:

Step 1: The designer paper stripes measure 2″ x 7″. The blue stripe is 1.5″ x 7″.

Step 2: I used Elizabeth Craft Designs: 1118 – Stitched Squares for the four squares. Using the second to smallest die, cut four times from white cardstock. Then I used a little yellow Panpastel to match the yellow in the paper. It doesn’t look yellow in the photo because it’s pretty pale yellow.

Step 3: I used two Karen Burniston Charm die sets for the squares:

1050 – Sweet Treats Charms and 1041 – Coffee Charms

Sweet Treats Charms Coffee Charms

I cut all of the dies I used from white cardstock and colored them with Copic Markers.

The Yellow Happy Birthday sentiment is Elizabeth Craft Designs: 783 – Happy Birthday

Step 4: The base card measures 5.5″ x 7″. Score an 11″ x 8.5″ pc. of paper at 5.5 on the long side. Fold over for a book fold. Then add all the elements in steps 1, 2 and 3 to the front of the base as shown. Here’s another look at the card:

Sept sketch H2O

That’s it!

Thanks so much for stopping by and we can’t wait to see what you do with this sketch!

Other Products Used:

Beacon’s Kids choice glue

Michael’s Craft Store: White and blue cardstock

Sizzix Big Shot Plus

CutterPillar Pro

Sticky Specs

Split Stamping!

Split stamping card H2O

Well this week is really a fun challenge! As you can see in the design team inspiration cards, it is simply stamping an image or more and then cutting it up and putting it back together with space in between. Jennifer McGuire may not be who first created this technique, but certainly her video on demonstrating the technique has been viewed by many and I feel is the one that made this trendy!: Jennifer’s video My card is going to my fabulous neighbor, Diane, who is my next door neighbor. Therefore, I decided to split this image only once because the stamp set I used, to me. wouldn’t work well cutting it up in thirds or fourths.

The Steps:

I used a new set I purchased on Amazon: Kwan Crafts

Spilt card stamp set

The stamp set measures 6.5″ x 4.5″ and retails for $6.99. This is the same seller of the adorable 2 set package I featured last Saturday. You’ll notice that the package has no brand name. I’m sure they’re made in China to be that inexpensive, but they stamp as clear as the “way” more expensive ones. That’s because they don’t pay for fancy packaging and for all I know, don’t have to tack on a third party “brand” commission. However they can sell at this price point, they sure have a lot of sets with all types of themes and images. Plus, I received the set in 1 day!

Step 1: I used the “hydrangea”, bee, butterfly, two flowers, and “Have a blooming…” sentiment in the left top corner, from this set. Once I colored it with Copic Markers, I cut the image in half as shown, but basically right under the top flower.

Step 2: Next, I created the sentiment between the two halves on my computer and printed it out first on regular printer paper and made sure the size and length of the sentiment went across the entire width of the stamped card. Then I printed it about halfway down an 8.5 x 11″ piece of white card stock. Then I taped, with removable tape, the two halves in Step 1, to where it allows the sentiment to go in between the two. Leave these two halves tapes together and measure what the length and width is now. Next, cut the sentiment layer cardstock that exact size, with the two halves still taped in place. Mine measured 6.5 x 5″.

Taping how 2 halfs should go

Step 3: Make a base card by scoring an 8.5″ x 11″ piece of coordinating cardstock at 5.5″ on the long side. Fold over for a book fold. Trim to 6.75″ x 5.25″. Then attach the sentiment layer to the base card allowing 1/8″ border on all 4 sides.

Bottom layer split card

Step 4: Apply foam squares as shown below. I know, I used a lot. lol

Foam Squares

Now adhere the two halves over this layer as shown. I find by taking off the backing of the 3 foam squares around one of the corners and line that corner right over the corner of the sentiment layer but don’t firmly press yet. Then carefully pull all the rest of the backings off and carefully lay the rest of that half down. Then do the same thing with the other half.

That’s it!

I really hope you will give this technique a try. It’s really fun and we can’t wait to see what you cut up!

Other Products Used:

Michael’s Craft Store: Foam squares. all cardstock

CutterPillar Pro

National Sandcastle Day

Front seaside H2O

Inside seaside H2O

It’s a new month and a new Hostess who is Nicky Foden. Because today is Sandcastle Day, Nicky has challenged us to put a sandcastle, sand or any beach theme. One of my favorite die sets is Karen Burniston’s Adirondack Chair Pop Up. The one I own is one she designed when she was with Elizabeth Craft Designs. She has revisited this set at her new site: https://karenburniston.com/adirondack-chair-pop-up/

The Steps:

Step 1: Karen has an assembly video for this die set. Click on the link above and you will find two videos. One is for the original look of the Adirondack and a second one to make the chair look upholstered! So the first thing I do for a pop up card, is to master the pop mechanism. No worries, this one is easy! I cut the “chair” pop up from white base weight cardstock or 80lb. I use a heavy cardstock because I assume it’s going to be opened a closed a lot!

Step 2: My base card is a 5.75″ square when folded. This is the card that you will cut the chair into the fold. Depending on what you will use for inside mats you may want to cut the two mats with the chair. I chose for the bottom (under the chair” side) I measured where I needed to out sort of a square under the chair. And then to cover that hole when I attached the “sand” mat, I just adhered the same color cardstock under the chair and adhered the larger mat on top. Both the “sky” layer or as I’m calling mats, measure 5.5″ square.

Step 3: Cut two 5.5″ squares from white cardstock. Using Elizabeth Craft Designs: “Earth and Sky” I stenciled clouds with Aqua Marine Blue PanPastel. Adhere this sky background mat to the top inside of the base card. The second one you will use on the front of the card.

Step 4: Using Karen Burniston’s: 1038 – Tropical Scene

Tropical Scene

I cut the “waves” in white and blue for both the bottom inside and the front of the card. I also cut the “Palm tree/sand dunes and “sea shells” and “sun” from this same set above. I cut the little sand mound pc. twice. Once with the light brown cardstock and once with white cardstock. I colored the little palm trees with Copic Markers. Then I cut them off and adhered them to the light brown one right over the light brown trees.

Note: This is a personal endorsement. I do not receive any income from this company in either currency or products. I have always felt that Karen almost always, includes little decorator dies that you can use for so many projects with or without the die set they come with. I’ve used these little sea shells and sun a lot. For this project I used them on the front, inside, and in the bucket on the inside.

Step 5: The two “Palm Trees” and “Pail” on the inside is from a discontinued die set from Karen B. that is called: Palm Tree & Pail”. I love this palm tree.

Palm Tree and Pail

Step 6: Now just adhere all your cut and/or colored as shown on the inside and the front. (I also created a personal sentiment on my computer and printed out on white cardstock. I cut it out with a nested die set set and adhered it to the bottom of the inside of the card centered on the lower inside over the “wave section”. I took the pictures before I added it to the card because it has the “receiver’s name on it.” I don’t have her permission to post it on the internet. Here’s another quick look:

Inside seaside H2O

Side view seaside

Front seaside H2O

Thanks so much for taking a look! I know you’re time is precious. Here’s the link to the challenge blog to see the rest of the design team’s cards for inspiration. We can’t wait to see yours! Crazy 4 Challenges

Other Products Used:

Michael’s Craft Store: All cardstock

Sizzix Big Shot Plus

CutterPillar Pro

Elizabeth Craft Designs: Clear Double Sided Adhesive 10mm

Beacon’s Kid’s Choice Glue

Make it Masculine!

Blue Classic Ford H2O

This last Saturday of July, our hostess Karen O. has challenged us to make a masculine card. I purchased a digital stamp of this drawing of a Classic Ford, popular in the 40’s quite some time ago before I was blogging. Therefore, I have no idea who the artist is. I work 3 days a week in a beauty salon inside of an upscale senior community. It is truly a blessing to work with my parents generation. My parents both died young, so I appreciate their wisdom and humor so much. This car would have been quite the car in the prime of their lives. I thought this would be a card I could give to one of the “boys” that live there.

The Steps:

Step 1: I sized and printed out the car on white cardstock.and colored with Copic markers B21, B23 and B24.

Step 2: The finished card measures 5 x 7″, so score a piece of 8.5 x 11 at 5.5″ on the long side. Fold over for a tent fold card and trim to the finished size. Cut a rectangle piece of wood look cardstock that measures 6.75″ x 4.75″. Adhere it to the front of the white base card.

Step 3: Cut a rectangle from black cardstock that measures 5.75″ x 3″. Cut the colored printed car to a rectangle that measures 5.25 x 2 and 5 eights. Adhere this to the black one centered.

Step 4: Using Elizabeth Craft Designs: happy birthday, cut once with silver mirror cardstock. Using Elizabeth Craft Designs: Corners cut 4 also from silver cardstock.

Step 5: Adhere the “silver corners” to the corners of the wood look background. Adhere the step 3 mounted “car” to the card at .5″ from the bottom and sides of the wood background. Then add the “happy birthday” as shown. Here’s another look:

Blue Classic Ford H2O

Thanks so much for stopping by for a look.This is an easy challenge, so I hope you will show us your masculine card! Your cards inspire us!

Other Products Used:

Michael”s Craft Store: All cardstock.

Elizabeth Craft Designs: Clear double sided Adhesive 10mm

Wink of Stella: silver for the metal on the car.

Sizzix Big Shot Plus

CutterPillar

‘

Sometimes the paper talks to you!

July Sketch H2O (2)

It’s sketch week! I love sketch week! I was a little stumped at first. I decided to go through my paper stash, hoping for an idea. Then I stumbled on a paper pack that I bought a couple of years back at the Scrapbook Expo.

This paper pack from Simple Stories contains 24 double sided 6 x 6″ papers. I decided to use it because it’s already filled with color coordinated paper! So this week the paper itself created the IDEA! It also made it easy and fast! My two favorite things!

The Steps:

Step 1: I chose the sort of Chevron stripe paper for the backing paper. I trimmed 1/8″ off of all 4 sides so there would be a 1/8″ white border when this layer is adhered to the base card. I cut the smaller 3 squares with the red polka dot and the navy polka dot from this pack, and cut the blue from solid light blue cardstock so the sentiment would stand out. I used Elizabeth Craft Designs: 1118 – Stitched Squaress

2017-07-23 16.40.23

I used the 5th die from smallest or the largest. It’s a 9 die set.

Step 2: Make a base card by cutting a 12 x 12 pc. of white cardstock in half. Score one half at 6″. Fold over for a “tent fold” card. Then adhere the backing layer and 3 squares as shown:

July Sketch H2O (2)

Step 3: I used this set of word dies from Diamond Press for the “Hello”:

I cut it 4 times: navy, white, red and yellow cardstock. I offset them all together just a little. Then adhered the sentiment on top of the squares. I KNOW! 3 STEPS AND YOUR DONE!

I love you all that took the time to stop by. I hope you will give this months sketch a try!

Other Products Used:

Elizabeth Craft Designs: Clear Double Sided Adhesive 10mm

Michael’s Craft Store: All solid color cardstock

Sizzix Big Shot Plus

CutterPillar Pro

Put A Bird on it!

Pink House H2O (2)

It’s a new month with new challenges! This week’s challenge is put a bird on it. There’s 3 on this card! I recently acquired Art Impression’s Holiday Mansion 4926 and HM Garden Set 5096: 4926 – Holiday Mansion 5096 – HM Garden Set

Ai Holiday House dies stamps

Both of these sets include the stamps and matching dies. Ai also has a “Holiday” themed stamp and die set, as well as a Valentines Day set too, giving you so many different looks.

4927 – HM Accessory Set: 4927 – HM Accessory Set

4977 – HM – Valentine Set: 4977 – Valentine Set

I am nuts for this set because it looks different depending on however you color it or decorate it. Here’s a picture of the same two sets but in a different color scheme:

Blue ai house H2O

Pink House H2O (2)

The blue one I made right away and gave it to my best girlfriend. The pink one I made for this challenge and went a little nuts with the decorating. I do have some tips that will help you get better results with stamping and cutting these adorable stamp and die sets.

The Steps:

Step 1: First stamp the “house” stamp on white cardstock. I knew I wanted to fussy cut the house to be adhered to a hand made background. Also, there is no die in the set that cuts out the outline of the house. This is what the house dies do:

House white template

They cut out the windows and doors. There are two shutter stamps and matching dies. So here’s TIP #1: If you look close at the stamped house on the right above, when I taped the dies to the stamped image and ran it through my cutting machine, I was off just a little bit. In particular, the arch on the door. You’ll see, at the top of the arch, I cut off part of the bottom of the stamped “porch cover”. So the tip is to tape these dies to a strip of white cardstock in order to make a template. This allows you to use this template to see exactly where to tape the dies. It’s hard to see when the die is upside down on your projects because you know longer can see the blade

Tip #2: You can stamp the house on white cardstock as well as the accessory stamps on this same layer and create a scene using only the stamps. Or, a combination of both, like only cutting out the house dies but not the accessory stamps in the scene. In this case you will REALLY want to use a template.

Step 2: I stamped the “flower pot” accessory stamp a bunch of times on white cardstock. This gives you lots of options for not only how many you’ll actually use, but what colors you like best with the rest of the scene. Any you don’t use you save for another project! I stamped colored and cut all the rest of the accessories once.

Step 3: This step is optional but I think is what makes it so fun, is to have a little surprise behind the two doors that open, and also that you see through the windows. For this I used Ai: 4745 – Talk Much Set

2018-07-01 20.14.32

I stamped this little tea scene and then cut the colored scene in pieces so I could place the table scene through the front door and the Chandelier through the top left window.

Then I put a couple of stamped, colored and cut flower pots in the other two.

Step 4: I used this set from Elizabeth Craft Designs:992 – CountryScapes – The Woods 1

2017-11-08 20.29.00

I only used the left side of the tree. I cut the trunk from brown cardstock and the leaves from green.

The fence was cut with an Elizabeth Craft Designs 1134 – CountryScapes Nantucket Arbor & Picket Fence. As of this day they didn’t show it available now. However, I cut two of the fences out of white cardstock.

Picket Fence die

The last thing is to cut two “grass edges” from this set that is also no longer available but is a set by Karen Burniston 914 – Outdoor Edges – 3 die set

2018-03-19 14.44.39

From green cardstock, I cut one edge with the wavy one and one with the Grass edge.

The last step is to assemble your little scene as shown below:

Pink House H2O (2)

Thanks so much for taking a look. I just think this set is adorable and I will be buying the other two decorator accessory sets because I can’t wait to use this set for Christmas, Halloween, and Valentines Day!

Other Products Used:

Michael’s Craft Store: All cardstock

Beacon’s Kid’s Choice Glue

Sizzix Big Shot Plus

CutterPillar Pro

In Her Honor

In her honor!

Black and White thanks H2O final (2)

This week, after hearing about Joanne Greslak’s passing, we decided to do a blog hop in her honor. I decided to make a black and white “Thank you” card for all of her years of posting her cards as inspiration for the rest of us crafters. She will be missed by many. This card is simple and goes together quickly. Joanne was a master of “black and white”.

The Steps:

Step 1: Make a base card by scoring an 8.5″ x 11″ piece of white cardstock at 5.5″ Fold over for a tent fold and trim to 5.5 x 6″.

Step 2: Cut two rectangles from coordinating black and white print cardstock. Cut one (my white and black cheveron) 2″ x 5.75″. The small black and white polka dot measures 3.5″ x 5.75″. Adhere the two together by laying the bigger layer over the lighter so that the result will be 5.25 x 5.75 and will leave an 1/8″ white border on all four edges. Make a bow as shown, and leave enough length on the tails to glue to the back of this layer over where the two rectangles come together. Now adhere this layer to the front of the base card.

Step 3: I used this set to cut the sentiment “Thanks” from this set that I have no idea who the manufacturer is. I bought it on one of the shopping channels. I cut it 4 times from heavy weight black cardstock. I liked the heft of the stacked layers. See a close up below: 2018-07-23 14.20.55

The two black dots on either side of the “thanks” is the negative pc, from the “a”.

Step 4: Make 3 daisies with this die set from DoCrafts: I cut two of the larger of the two smallest daisies. I cut one of the smaller of the two. I used white cardstock for the daisy petal pcs. and black for the centers. I made 3 daisies and adhered them to the card as shown.

That’s It!

Here’s another quick look and thank you so much for stopping by my leg of the blog hop!

Thank you Joanne for inspiring so many of us paper crafters. You will be missed!

Black and White thanks H2O final (2)

Crazy 4 Challenges -You are here

Other Products Used:

Beacon’s Kids Choice Glue

Michael’s Craft Store. Black and White printed cardstock, ribbon.

Sizzix Big Shot Plus

Vellum Butterflies and Flowers

Butterfly wood h20 (2)

This week’s challenge is to put some wood or wood look to your project over at: Crazy4Challenges

I fell in love with this pink wood look paper from Michael’s Craft Store. I have used it on several projects. Here’s a little “keepsake” baby card I made for a friend’s granddaughter with this same paper on the front and inside.

C4C - 427 Little one 2018-03-22 21.55.27

Here’s the steps to how I made the card for this week’s challenge.

The Steps:

Step 1: The card measures 5.25″ x 7.25″. So score an 11 x 8.5″ piece of white card stock at 5.5″. Fold for a “book fold” and trim to the finished size. Cut a pc. of designer paper that measures 5 x 7″ and adhere to the front of the card. Using the largest die from the set below, cut an oval from pink card stock. Adhere this oval to the front of the card (centered). 1113 – Stitched Ovals

Stitched Ovals

Step 2: I love the look of using Vellum with dies that have a silhouette pc. and an overlay pc. I think it gives them a sort of ethereal look. Plus, vellum comes in several colors, like pink, yellow and pastel blue and lavender. I used white and these two die sets. I cut 3 of the overlay (fancy one) and body pc. from white card stock. I cut 3 of the silhouette with the vellum. Then adhere the fancy winged layers to the vellum layers.

1072 – Small Butterfly

Small Butterfly

Step 3: I used a die set from Elizabeth Craft Designs that apparently has been retired. But it was called 901 – Daisy. I’m glad I got one because I love this set. But it is an older one. I cut 3 daisy silhouettes from vellum, 3 overlays and leaves from white card stock and the flower centers from pink card stock that I used for the oval.

2018-07-21 14.30.05

Step 4: Using the die set below, I cut one bucket piece and 2 handle pieces from white card stock. I colored the bucket piece and 1 handle piece with PanPastel Silver Metallic. The other handle piece I colored only the beaded area with a Copic Marker and then cut the part away from the rest of the handle. Then I glued this piece to the silver handle pc.

Garden Notes - Galvanized Bucket

Step 5: The sentiment is this die cut once with dark brown card stock and once from a little darker pink card stock then the oval. Glue the pink over the brown, slightly offset.

1288 – Thanks

Thanks

Step 6: Now just arrange all the above elements how you like them. Here’s another quick look at this card:

Butterfly wood h20 (2)

Thanks to YOU for stopping by for a look and here again is the link to the challenge. This one is fun because you can really make anything, with any theme, as long as you throw a little wood on it!

Other Products Used:

Michael’s Craft Store: Card stock

Sizzix Big Shot Plus

Beacon’s Kids Choice Glue

The Wine Theme Challenge

Wine glasses h2o (2)

Somewhere I read this sentiment: “Wine is to women what duct tape is to men. It fixes everything!”. I’m not much of a wine drinker but I say what ever works! This week the theme is “Wine related”. And this one is easy peasy.

The Steps:

Step 1: I used one of Art Impression’s “Oldies” stamps with sentiment. I first stamped on white card stock and then colored it up with Copic Markers. Then using Elizabeth Craft Designs die set, I cut the image out with the 4.25″ square: 1118 – Stitched Squares

Stitched Squares

Step 2: Create a base card by cutting a 12 x 12′ piece of white card stock in half. Score one half at 6″ and fold over for a tent fold. Cut a 5.75″ square of designer paper and adhere it to the front of the base card. Now adhere the stamped square to the designer square.

Step 3: I used Karen Burniston’s Wine Charms die set and added them to the front of the card as shown. Wine Charms

Wine Charms

Inside the card looks like this:

Wine glasses inside h20 (2)

That’s It!

Thanks so much for having a look. Can’t wait to see what you make!

Other Products Used:

Sizzix Big Shot Plus

Elizabeth Craft Designs Clear Double Side Adhesive 10mm

Beacon’ Kids Choice Glue

Copic Markers

Tag: Handmade Cards

A lesson learned!

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Split Stamping!

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National Sandcastle Day

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Make it Masculine!

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Sometimes the paper talks to you!

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Put A Bird on it!

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In Her Honor

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Vellum Butterflies and Flowers

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The Wine Theme Challenge

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