Papercrafting: Layered Tulip Mother's Day Cards

 

Even with postage constantly increasing, I still am a "snail mail" girl when it comes to holidays and making and sending handmade cards. I think now more than ever, with everything electronic and AI, it's important to maintain some analog hobbies! Cardmaking remains my first love and my gateway "drug" to all of my other crafts. The Mamas in my life will be getting these in the mail soon! 

Supplies:

• Cutting Machine 
• SVG Image  (Creative Fabrica)
• Coordinating Scrapbook Papers
• Cardstock (110 lb)
• Coordinating Stickers
• Foam Tape
• Gemstone Embellishments

I realize the irony (even the hypocrisy) of talking about an analog hobby while using downloadable files and an electronic cutting machine. I consider them tools, just like a tape gun or paper cutter. 

I found a layered tulip image I liked and downloaded the SVG via my Creative Fabrica subscription. I uploaded it into my Cricut Design Space software and sized to fit my card. I used two different green papers to give my tulips depth, and cut the tops out in pink metallic and white. 

I used a mini glue dot runner (Dollar Tree) to attach the layers as shown. Two green, one pink glitter, then the top in pink foil here, and 

white paper here. 

My standard card size is 5x7, so I cut my 110lb cardstock to 7x10, scored, folded, then my focal panels from my chosen scrapbook papers (Recollections) to 4.75x6.75, and applied with my tape gun.

Once all of my tulip focal pieces were done, they were ready to go on the front of the cards!

I squealed when I found these tulip stickers at Michaels, and I already had the butterfly stickers in my stash (Dollar Tree). I attached one of each to enhance each of the tulips. To finish, I added coordinating pink gemstones (Creatology, Michaels). 

DON'T sleep on the kids' crafts section at Michaels, which is where these gems are fun. More than I'll ever probably use, so for $3.99, they go a LONG way!

 

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Gingerbread Week: Gingerbread Nutcrackers

 

Welcome to Day 2 of my impromptu Gingerbread Week! It's clearly a theme this year everywhere I go. Today I'm sharing what I did with some plain ceramic Nutcrackers I found on sale at JoAnn (RIP!) after Christmas last year. 

Supplies:

• Ceramic or Wood Nutcrackers
• Multi-Surface Acrylic Paint
• Acrylic Paint Pen
• Puff Paint
• Misc. Embellishments

I found these at JoAnn for 70 or 80% off after last Christmas. This technique could just as easily be done with wood Nutcrackers or thrifted ones. 

At the time, I had yet to find the viral Rustoleum Nutmeg spray paint, nor could I find the exact color I wanted in brush paint so I did what we Makers do and mixed my own! Added some of the Espresso to the Fawn until I was satisfied. 

I covered everything but the edges of the base using a sponge spouncer. 

Then, I grabbed a white acrylic paint pen and just doodled my way around my Nutcrackers! The thing I love about these Gingerbread projects is, there's no one way. No right or wrong. 

For no particular reason, I painted the edges of the bases gold. Then I grabbed some Tulip Puffy Paint and added more detail to my Nutcrackers. 

And, of course...these weren't complete until I added a little bling. My tried and true Creatology Gems (Michaels) for the win! To finish, I added a white pom-pom to the top of their hats. 

Come back tomorrow for another fun Gingerbread Project! 

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Welcome to Vintage Charm Party #517!

Dollar Tree Crafting: Glam Fairy Cottage

 

I hope all of the Mothers and Others had a nice Mother's Day. We had a lovely day with The Mumster and our son joined us electronically from Chicago. 

I had fun with this project. One I hadn't even had on my radar but on one of my Dollar Tree stops, a woman behind me at the register was buying these adorable Fairy Houses and that was that. The store I was at had a LONG line so natch, I just popped into another one on the way home. I can navigate around here by where Dollar Trees are. There's my favorite one by my Mom's, the four on the way to/from my Mom's, the one by me...

Supplies:

• Dollar Tree Ceramic Fairy House
• Waverly Matte No Prep Acrylic Paint (I used White and Steel)
• Craft Smart Multi Surface Acrylic Paint Bright Silver
• Creatology Gem Mix
• Clear Dimesional Glue

They have a few different styles of Fairy Houses and they even have furniture! 

I love my neutrals and I knew where this one was going so I went with a white/gray/silver color scheme. I painted the house white all over.

Now that I had my base, I wanted to accent it a bit so I used the Waverly paint in Steel todry brush the stones, shutters, door, and flower pots. 

Then, I went over the same areas with Bright Silver CraftSmart paint. Now for some fun! 

Don't sleep on the kids crafts section at Michaels! I find a LOT of fun embellishments there like this Creatology Gem Mix. It comes in many different colors and I need to go back and get the multi-color mix because I'm in love with these. I used Glossy Accents (Ranger) glue to adhere these along the roof line, on the windows, and door, and also the flowers in the pots. 

I have a cloche I keep on my dresser and change out seasonally. I thought it was perfect for my little cottage. 

The hammered aluminum base makes it pop.

Tops down view.

And there we go! Fits in with my year-round silver and white scheme. Maybe it's a Gnome Home for my guy sitting behind it? 

After I dropped my Mom off on Sunday, of course I had to stop at my favorite DT by her.

I am in LOVE with these sticker seals which I'll use on handmade cards! The little birds remind me of Cactus Wrens which we see on saguaros all the time and who can resist pom-poms! The tray will be PERFECT for dyeing coffee filters and the baking cups for paper flowers. 

Mr. Chocolate just gives up trying to understand my brain. I don't blame him! 

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