Black White and Antique Gold Birthday Card

Sharing an easy birthday card that requires no cutting machines or equipment besides a paper cutter and a punch. 

Supplies: 

• DCWV "Decor Noir" Stack ( I've had this one for a while so not sure if it's still around but I know I've seen similar stacks at JoAnn)
• Black Cardstock ( I used Recollections 110 lb, Michaels)
• Antique Gold foiled transparency ( Michaels)
• Cream and Antique Gold glitter scraps
• Recollections ( Michaels) Washi Tape
• Self adhesive 3D sticker embellishment strips ( stash)
• Star Punch
• Foam Tape
• Double sided tape ( I used my trusted tape gun)

The Deco Noir stack includes a couple sheets of different sentiments / sayings like the one I used for the focal. Cut from sheet, trim, add two strips of washi tape, add 3D embellishment strip,  mount to cream glitter scrap. Punch Antique Gold star from glitter scrap and mount with foam tape as shown.

Cut the black cardstock to 5x7 and trim a sheet of the "alphabet" paper from the stack to the same size. Adhere to front of card.  Cut  the transparency to 4.5 x 6.5, and layer the front panel to it, then adhere to card and voila. Done and done!

2018 Halloween Cards Gothic Grey Gold and Purple

Michaels Recollections collections continue to make my card making life easy! I 

I fell in love with these papers the instant I saw them. The colors and designs were perfect for my more gothic Halloween style, and the fact that they were already foiled left me with not a lot to do. 

I was also thrilled that it happened to be when the focal papers and washi tape were 50% off AND on a day when I had an extra 20% off coupon on my phone. 

I knew I had coordinating papers in my stash at home since I tend towards similar styles and colors. I couldn't wait to get home to start playing! With sale and coupons, my cost for the new materials was $5.99!  

Supplies: 

New: 

• Recollections Halloween Cards stack, 24 double sided sheets
• Recollections Moonlit Manor Paper Pack, 24 sheets
• Recollections Foiled and Spider Washi Tape

Stash:

• Black and White Cover Stock (Recollections)
• Gold Foil Paper (Recollections)
• Black Kraft and Gold Foiled Stack ( This was a Michaels "Hot Buy" when they have 12x12 Stacks for $5)
• Misc. Embellishments
• ATG  Tape Gun and Tape

The cards are all 5 x 7, trimmed from 8.5 x 11 sheets, and then scored using a scoring board. I selected sheets and trimmed panels of the Kraft Black and Gold foiled papers measuring 4.75 x 6.75 ; trimmed panels of the Halloween Cards stack and layered onto the gold foil paper and attached to cards as shown. 

I had some gold Halloween themed word stickers in my stash so I mounted those on scraps of cardstock and mounted to the cards with foam tape. To embellish I used the washi tape, and Stickles Glitter Glue. 

Hanukkah Card and Tags

Ack. I've been without a computer for almost a week which is a lifetime in blogging years. Backup your stuff people because we always think it can't happen to us and then boom, new hard drive. 

In the meantime, made Hanukkah cards and tags for a couple of friends. I'm tickled that the tags I started making a few years ago for one friend get asked about by her relatives "Is she making any this year". 

I've always loved shiny and glittery things so I had a lot of fun working with gold foiled and glitter papers found at Michaels. The foiled papers are a combination of Recollections, Craft Smith, and DCWV stacks. Add to that my weakness when Michaels has their specialty papers 10 for $10 and I'm in paper hoarder heaven. 

For the card, I cut a menorah on my Cameo ( image found in the Silhouette Online Store) and then just hand cut the candles and flames freehand. I double cut the menorah and gave it depth using foam dots by layering one piece atop another. Blue and gold glitter papers were layered on top of a foiled piece. Simple but I am really happy with the outcome. 

For the tags, I just like to play around with bits and pieces with no particular plan. I just want the colors to work with each other so when I package them, they look like a set. 

My signature paper style is tearing things. I just can't not have some ragged edges! 

With freaking out over my computer crash, would  you believe I forgot to take pics of this year's Christmas cards? I did manage to take pics of a set of Christmas tags I made as a gift! Whew. 

Papers used here are from the Traditional Christmas paper pack from Oriental Trading Company along with some of my glitter and foil stash. 

2016 Halloween: Gothic Pumpkin

I am working on some Halloween decorating and projects and whipped up a couple of fun faux pumpkins this weekend. Not showing the whole table on which these are displayed yet since that will be part of an upcoming sponsored post! 

This is an easy peasy project so I didn't take a lot of step by step pics. 

Supplies and Steps: 

• Faux pumpkin (small) ($9.99 ea less 60% sale)
• Glittered leaf bush ($4.99 lesss 50%)
• Glass Knob (Clearance $.50...yes fifty cents)
• Scrapbook Paper in gold metallic ($.10 on one of their 10 for $1 sales)
• Paper Roses (stash)
• Hot glue / glue gun

With the exception of the paper roses which I had on hand, all other supplies are from Michaels, and of course all supplies were on sale! Total cost to make two pumpkins was $10, or the regular price of one pumpkin.

Faux white pumpkin, glitter leaf bush, glass knob, messy desk

Make 6 rolled paper roses from the gold scrapbook paper, set aside. I used 3 per pumpkin. Pinterest has tons of tutorials on how to make these.  

Cut 6 leaves per pumpkin from the bush, hot glue to the pumpkin making a kind of crown. I did 4 (North, South, East, West) and then layered the remaining 2. 

I thought these glass knobs were awesome at $1.50 when they first came in but wasn't sure what I'd use them for. When I saw them for $.50 I bought several. I'd come up with something! 

Start a hole in the pumpkin stem and then screw in the glass knob. Hot glue three of the rolled roses to the stem and fill in any spaces with the paper roses and voila. 

Sharing At:

Quick Card Project: Gardener's Birthday Card

I am hopelessly addicted to the 2 for $3 bins at Michaels. When I saw a packet of metal garden shapes, in the basket they went. I love the rustic nature of the metal plus my Father In Law's birthday was coming up so it was a no brainer since he's an avid gardener. 

Supplies: 

Coordinating papers: I used DCWVs Lemon Flower Stack and a scrap of white textured paper

Metal focal point

Ribbon ( previous 2 for $3 find at Michaels)

Flower brads

The card is 5x7. Cut papers in 4.75x5.75 , 4x6 and 3x5 and layer as shown. Wrap scrap piece of cardstock with ribbon ; adhere metal focal with strong tape or glue; adhere to ribboned scrap. Mat onto gold scrap and layer onto front of card. Easy peasy! 

I  debated about adding a scrap of paper to the watering can but decided I liked the scratched up rustic look of the metal. I also debated about replacing the twine that came on it with ribbon but went with the twine. 

Lavender and Gold Birthday

The  Mumster's birthday was last week and before knowing that we were losing The Purple One, Prince, I'd made some things for the other Purple One, my mom. She truly could have given Prince a run for his money with her love of purple. 

I'd picked up the lavender beads at Michaels without really having a plan. The plan came together when I found the lavender, gold, and silver handmade paper which gave me the inspiration for the necklace and bracelet I made. 

The bracelet and necklace combine the lavender beads with antique gold. For the pendants, I used antique gold bezels (Darice, avail at JoAnn's) , gold glitter paper (Michaels) and glass domes (CraftFantastic.com).  

The necklace is gold chain with sections of lavender and gold beads. 

I used the handmade paper to make some altered candles ( plain candles, Dollar Tree) and finished them with strips cut from rhinestone sheets ( DCWV) ribbon, and charms.  I used a leftover scrap of paper to cover the box for the jewelry. 

What's a birthday without a card? 

The crackled paper is from Oriental Trading company. I'll have a post later in the week featuring more OTC goodies. The flower is suede paper I picked up when I found the handmade papers. I used a Tim Holtz die to cut the flowers. 

I had some beads and charms left over from the candles so I used them to make a few ribbon bookmarks. One for my mom and a couple extra as gifts. 

Sharing At: 

Spring Cards ...$5 Goes A Long Way!

What's this? An actual post? You thought I stopped making things? I know it seems like it. I've actually been making stuff but just been kinda lazy about posting. Trying to get back in the groove.

Paper is my kryptonite. I am helpless around it. And when Michaels does their $5 "Hot Buy" deals on paper stacks well, game over.  You can pay $5 for one card these days! I did restrain myself to just one pad this time.

This is my current fave color palette. Neutrals with black and white and turquoise.

This card used one sheet of paper from the stack that coordinated with a sheet of sentiments. I cut one out, trimmed, and matted it.  Easy Peasy.  All I really had to do was accent it with some coordinating Stickles (Cool Mint)

I used the remainder of the floral sheet for this one along with some coordinating scraps. The sentiment was from my stash. Finished this one off w/ Stickles and coordinating glitter tape. 

This is one I made last month but never posted. Papers are from Michaels and the stamp is from Impress. How could I resist a Seattle stamp?! The umbrella image I cut using my Silhouette. 

Happy Spring! 

Pretty In Pink Valentine's Cards

I've never been a big pink person. Maybe it was because I was supposed to like it as a girl and being the contrarian that I am, I didn't.  But for this year's Valentine's cards I was kind of drawn to the idea of it, especially when I found pink glitter paper at Michaels. 

For these cards I combined the pink glitter paper with gold foiled paper I picked up during the holidays and used Paris themed stamps by Tim Holtz. What's more romantic than Paris?

Supplies: 

• Cardstock for base card ( I used Stardreams black metallic)
• Craftsmith Gold Foil Paper
• Pink and Black Metallic Glitter Papers
• French Themed Stamps ( I used Tim Holtz)
• White cardstock for stamping
• Black pigment ink ( I used Recollections)
• Pink and Gray Inks ( I used Fresh Ink)
• Punches, embellishments,stickers

I stamped the images in black pigment ink, set with a heat gun and then dusted pink and grey inks on top. Trimmed and mounted as shown on the black and pink glitter papers, then embellished with punched hearts and the black, white, and gold "LOVE" stickers ( Recollections, Michaels). 

I used foam dots to mount the focal images to the front of the card and embellished with self adhesive pink pearls. Also Michaels in their 2 for $3 section. My name is Carol and I spend too much time at Michaels. 

Game Board: Necessity Is The Mother of Invention

It was great having our son home over the holidays and we spent a lot of time just hanging out, watching movies, playing games, even doing some crafty things.

We played Yahtzee one night and spent the first part of the game chasing the dice as they skidded off of our marble table. Then we tried using a Tupperware lid which worked but the whole time I kept thinking "I can make something better than this" so I did.

 Supplies:

• Wood surface with lip ( you can always count on me for the technical terms).  I found this at Michaels...it's technically called a Wood Plaque. OK. 
• Paint ( I used Burnt Umber)
• Glazing medium
• Paint brush
• Template 
• Felt 

Pretty straightforward. Paint the wood with as many coats as you are happy with. I wanted a stained look more than a painted one so I thinned with glazing medium.  When dry, I sealed it with a coat of Mod Podge glossy. 

Measure the inside of your wood surface and cut a paper template to fit. I rounded the edges with a pair of edge rounding scissors. Use template to cut out felt. Glue felt to painted wood. I just used a spray adhesive. Pay closer attention to rounding the edges. My fancy scissors didn't cut through felt so I had to do this manually and oops'd.   

This is still better than the Tupperware lid! I had everything on hand except the wood piece so my total cost for this was $2.99 less 40% coupon! 

Bright and Shiny Cards for The New Year

Happy New Year! Little slow getting started but have some cards to share. Sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas I picked up a steal deal at Michaels. Their "Hot Buy" paper pads were on sale for $5 and of course I couldn't resist. I picked up two gorgeous metallic 12x12 pads ; one in gold and one in silver. These papers are so gorgeous that I let them stand alone and didn't do a lot of embellishing. 

January brings several occasions so this week it's a Birthday, a Retirement, and a Thank You note. 

I was able to make all three cards using two sheets from the deck. One was an embossed quatrefoil pattern that I used as the background and the other was a sheet with sentiments (12 on one page) that  you can cut down and use for multiple projects. For the Birthday card I chose this one that says "Happy" and mounted on dark silver metallic and glitter paper before adhering to the card using foam dots. I love love love metallics. I hate hate hate photographing them. Things to work on in 2016!

For the Retirment card, I used the same idea, choosing this sentiment "Live A Beautiful Life" . I did embellish this one a bit with some silver glitter washi tape , sequins, and buttons. 

The Birthday and Retirement cards are 5x7. With the paper I had left, I made a Thank You card (5.5x 4.25) using another sentiment "My Favorite Things"...perfect since this was a Thank You for a chocolate gift basket I received! 

For my big $5 investment, I still have 29 more sheets of paper and 9 more sentiments from this one page to play with ! 

Supplies Used 

• Craft Smith Silver Foil Paper Pad 12x12
• Cardstock
• Double Sided Adhesive
• Foam Dots
• Misc. Embellishments

Spring Wood Fun With Michaels: Gray and White Photo Prop Board

Disclosure: I wrote this post as part of a paid campaign with Plaid Crafts, Michaels and Blueprint Social. The opinions in this post are my own.

I have been meaning to make something to help me with taking pictures of jewelry projects and when I recently had the opportunity to work with Michaels, Plaid, and The Blueprint social, this idea came together. Michaels has a wide assortment of unpainted Spring wood pieces that are a perfect blank canvas.

For this project I used:

• Large scallop edge frame ( 11x14 opening)
• Plaid Folk Art paints in Steel Gray and Titanium White
• Plaid Folk Art stencil “Ditsy Floral”
• Paintbrush
• Paint Spouncers
• Recollections Gray and White Floral scrapbook paper
• Washi tape sheets
• Mod Podge ( Matte)
• Foam Core
• Fabric
• Cotton Batting
• Trim

The washi tape sheets, fabric, batting and trim I had on hand. All other supplies are available at Michaels.

Step 1:

Paint surface with two coats of Steel Gray paint. The picture below shows one coat and I debated about whether to add the second because I liked the almost stained effect of one.

Step 2:

After applying the second coat, I used the floral stencil to add some detail on opposite corners of the frame with the white paint using the spouncers :

Step 3:

Using the spouncers, I randomly added dots of white around the frame and tore pieces of the scrapbook paper and applied as shown with Mod Podge.  I added torn pieces of the watshi sheets and then sealed the whole thing with another coat of Mod Podge.

Additional Steps:

To fill the center of the frame I cut foam core to size, covered with cotton batting and canvas drop cloth. I probably should have ironed the drop cloth but I’m sure the wrinkles will smooth out :)

I adhered this to the frame from the underside, attaching with strong carpet tape. To finish, I hot glued upholstery trim around the covered foam core.

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