Cardmaking: Easter Bunny Cards

 

Got my Easter cards finished and sent off to friends and family. And I even used papers I already had on hand from what Mr. Chocolate insists is my "Michaels annex". 

Supplies:

• Bunny SVG File (Creative Fabrica)
• 110lb Cardstock (Recollections, Michaels)
• Coordinating Spring Palette Papers (Craft Smith, Michaels)
• Coordinating Spring Glitter Papers (Recollections)
• 65lb Foil Cardstock (Recollection)
• ATG Tape Runner
• Adhesive Rhinestones

I had this paper stack in my stash and it was perfect for Spring and Easter. It has a mix of foiled and plain abstract papers. 

They coordinated perfectly with these foil cardstock papers by Recollections. I cut panels of each, layering the patterned paper atop the foiled as my focal images were cutting on my Cricut Maker. 

To make the focals, I uploaded the SVG from Creative Fabrica to Cricut Design Space, sized, and used the offset function to create the foiled paper layer, then the glitter paper for the detailed bunnies. 

I attached the glitter layer to the foiled layer using my ATG tape runner, then used foam dots to attach to my layered panels, which I attached to the card using the tape runner. I had fun mixing and matching the foil and glitter layers. 

I went monochromatic for some, and contrasted others. To finishe, I added a few adhesive rhinestones!

Finally, I created the inside of the cards in PicMonkey, and off they went! 

Spring and Easter: More Candy Holder Bunnies

 

Yes, I had more fun playing with candy holders from Dollar Tree! I almost called these "Velveteen Ribbon Rabbits" but then I thought about trying to say that three times fast without sounding like Elmer Fudd. 

Supplies:

• Bunny Shaped Candy Holders (Dollar Tree)
• Waverly No Prep Paint (Ballet Slipper)
• Ceramcoat Glitter Paint (Charm Pink)
• Sponge Applicator
• Velveteen Ribbon 
• Self Adhesive Rhinestones and Pearls
• Gold Foil (Non-heat reactive)

Used these candy holder containers from Dollar Tree and the Waverly and Ceramcoat paints. Apply the Waverly paint with a sponge applicator.

Once the containers are covered with the matte paint and it's dry, apply the glitter coat. 

I grabbed some gold foil from my stash (this is the kind that's not heat reactive, nor is it gold leaf...this just requires a tacky adhesive). I went over the raised portions of the bunny faces...ears, nose, whiskers. 

I lightly dry brushed white paint across the faces, and had some self-adhesive pink pearls and antique gold rhinestones in my embellishments so I used those for the eyes, nose and tongue as shown. 

To finish, I grabbed some white velveteen ribbon I picked up at Walmart after Christmas at 75% off and made bows, attached with hot glue as shown, and made hangers from black and gold baker's twine. 

I usually wait until something's finished before sharing but I'm showing my Bunny Tree as it evolves. I haven't decided if I'm adding eggs or not, and need a topper, but here it is as it stands now. 

Sharing At:

Creatively Crafty Link Party 

Spring and Easter: Dollar Tree Bunny Candy Containers to Ornaments

 

After a hectic couple of weeks, I had time to sit down with a Spring project. I had so much fun with making Valentine Candy Containers from The Dollar Tree into ornaments for my Valentine's tree that when I saw they had bunnies for Spring, well...you know how it goes! I decided to use my VDay tree for Easter decor so I decided to do the same with these. I also got some chick eggs to play with so look for those later in the week!

Supplies

• Dollar Tree Bunny Shaped Candy Holders
• No Prep Acrylic Paint, White (Waverly)
• Sponge Spouncer
• Double Sided Tape (Dollar Tree)
• Floral Ribbon

I mean they're adorable as is! 

They'd be cute in a bowl or vase even if you don't use them as candy holders.

I used a foam paint spouncer to apply the paint. I like these with the Waverly no-prep paint. Cover each of your candy holders front and back. I get these at DT and there's a small one in the pack that worked great in the curves between the ears!

 I didn't worry about the two halves staying together (some do better than others) because I'd already decided I'd use double-sided tape to go around the seam and to attach the floral ribbon I pulled from my stash. 

YEARS ago when we were in LA I got to go the the garment district which was heaven! All kinds of trims, embellishments etc. A Creative's candy store! I had some of this left over and used it to outline each bunny. 

To finish, I grabbed some jute twine to use to make the hangers. 

I cut into four equal lengths, then attached to the tops of the bunnies with hot glue. 

I debated about dry brushing the ears, eyes, nose and whiskers but decided I liked them as is. Mr. Chocolate thinks they look like marshmallows! 

I love them on my tree! Now to work on the chicks that will join them. 

Sharing At:

Sundays on Silverado 

Inspire Me Tuesday

Creatively Crafty Link Party 

Spring Is In The Air Printable and (Mini) PicMonkey Tutorial

Well it is somewhere right? Not in the Northeast which I understand is expecting quite the snow storm. And here in the PNW it's been rainy and cold. 

The calendar tells me there's a week until the beginning of Spring so I played around with "Dream Bouquet", a collection of watercolor flowers from designbundles.net. It's their freebie of the week (only free  for three more days!!)  and maybe some wishful thinking will speed Spring along? I also made a version with pink text. 

I created them in PicMonkey using a transparent background and then adding the images using the Add Overlay function. PicMonkey's not new so this may be old news but it's one of my go to tools.

Basic steps: 

1.) Go to PicMonkey. 

NOTE: It's free unless you want to upgrade to a Royale Membership which grants you access to additional features and fonts.  I had one, let it lapse and so far I'm good since you can add your own overlays and use most of your own fonts which was my main reason for getting it.  

2.) Select "Try Templates" 

3.) This will bring up pre-populated templates you can play with ( they'll indicate whether they're free or not) but you can also search / select what you want. I usually do printable 8.5x11 so I selected that from the Print Size pull down

4.) Once you've chosen your size, you want to make your background transparent which takes the click of a button: 

Under the "Basic Edits" option ( first one on the left) click on Canvas Color and then click on Transparent Canvas.  Your background will show as a grey and white checked pattern but this will not show once you print or use online. I prefer the .PNG format so that if I want to print on a colored or patterned paper it doesn't obstruct it. Of course if you want your background to be a color you choose that color from the slide bar that's shown. 

4.) Add your images using the Overlay tool. This is the butterfly, 4th option down the left side. There are many many free overlays within PicMonkey so you can mix and match between theirs and your own ; use just your own ; use just theirs. To use your own click on the Add Your Own button at the top and then you can use your library of either png or jpg images. 

From here it's a matter of adding, sizing, and layering your images and adding text. Using your own fonts is similar to using the Overlay tool but instead you click on the Tt on the left, choose Your Own on the fonts menu and go from there. 

C'mon  Spring! We KNOW you're out there! 

Scrappy Spring Tags and a Giveaway

Who else is excited that it's almost Spring? Not that it's been a particularly bad Winter (OK wettest February on record in the PNW)  but there's something about Spring...the sense of freshness and renewal (probably associated with longer brighter days and things sprouting from the ground) that's invigorating. 

One of my 2017 challenges to myself was to work outside my usual color palette. Another was to use up things I have in my stash, especially when it comes to my paper collection and paper scraps. Those came together this weekend when I worked on some tags just because that was what I was in the mood to do. No rhyme. No reason. 

Aren't they Spring-y? 

I went through my paper scraps and pulled out a bunch of coordinating Spring-y scraps to play with. 

Got out my favorite tool for small projects, the Xyron 2.5 sticker maker, and cut out some tags on my Silhouette. 

I think the reason I love making tags so much I there's no plan. I just like tearing papers, seeing what goes together, embellishing them w/ bits and pieces. 

I used some paper flowers, punched some more from glitter paper scraps, added bits of washi tape ( glittery and otherwise) and some adhesive pearls. I think I'm happiest when I'm making for the sake of making. Ya know? These put me in a really good mood. And what's the best thing to do when you're in a good mood? SHARE! 

So I'm giving them away. Two sets of eight. With Spring holidays like Easter and Mother's Day approaching, or Spring birthdays, showers etc. who can't use a tag to dress up a gift? 

Here's how to enter. The giveaway will run through Friday 3/17! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway