Showing posts with label cardmaking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cardmaking. Show all posts

Monday, August 8, 2022

Papercrafting: Birthday Magic

 


I've been busy with updating and making home decor. I was thankful that a friend had a birthday so I had a reason to make a card, my first love!

Supplies: 
  • Recollections Paper Stack, Spring Inks (Michaels)
  • Recollections White Cardstock 110 lb (Michaels)
  • Black and White Polka Dot Paper
  • Capitol Chic Designs Die Cuts (Michaels)
  • Crafter's Square Embellishments (Dollar Tree)
  • Foam Tape
  • Tape Gun


I pulled out some supplies from my stash. The Capitol Chic Designs die cuts,a while I picked up at Michaels awhile ago when they first came out. It's great having more diversity in crafting supplies and I love their work! I chose a couple of images to use as the focal for the card. I also love that Dollar Tree has increased and expanded their craft supplies and find a lot of embellishments there. 

I chose a foiled-marble paper from the stack that coordinated with the die cuts, and them made a card from white cardstock (5x7) and cut a panel (4.75x6.75) from the polka dot paper. 



I've had this Martha Stewart scoreboard forever and use it for all of my cards. I scored the 10x7 cardstock panel down the middle to create the 5x7 card, then applied the marbled panel and die cuts using foam tape to mount.


I skipped the cupcake stickers and just went with the rhinestones in coordinated colors to embellish. 


Et Voila!





Monday, February 14, 2022

Cardmaking: Layered Geometric Heart Valentine's Cards

 


Happy Love Day Creative Peeps! Whatever you're doing (including not doing) today, wishing you a day filled with love...for self, partner, spouse, friends, family...however you define it! 

Sharing the cards I did this year which continue my obsession with layered cut files! 

Supplies: 
  • Black, White, Pink Glitter Cardstock
  • Scrapbook Paper
  • Layered Heart SVG file 
  • Foam Dots
  • Heart Shaped Scratch Stickers
  • Digital Cutting Machine


The star of these are the Scratch Off stickers I used for the interior which I found at Dollar Tree and like so many of my Dollar Tree purchases I'm asking : "Why didn't I get more?!"

The file I used for the heart is from Creative Fabrica. It comes with several more layers than I used and I deleted the ones I wasn't going to use in Cricut Design Space. I cut the hearts using my Cricut Explore Air 2. The SVG file can be used with other cutting machines. 

For the cards themselves I used black cardstock and scrapbook papers from American Crafts "The Color of Memories" collection (SKU #s 348947 and 320417) I found a JoAnn. The pink glitter paper is by Recollections from Michaels. 


It always helps me to change the colors in Design Space to the actual colors I'm working with, Keeps things straight in my brain! Sized to fit my cards, then cut each layer. To assemble the hearts, I used small foam dots and then used my tape runner to adhere to the card. 


I printed the word "love" on white paper, trimmed and mounted on the American Crafts paper and then applied the scratch off sticker over it. I wrote a little "scratch here" note when I signed the cards. I hope they do some other shapes with these scratch off stickers! Aren't the cool?! 



I love sending cards to family and friends and these were a hit! 








Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Fall Crafts: Layered Leaf Cards (Intermediate to Advanced Skill Level)

 


My first love was and remains card making. And the more I play with my Cricut Explore Air 2 and layered SVG files, the more I stay in love with card making. SVGs are Scalable Vector Graphics which means they can be re-sized easily in things like Design Space. 

Supplies: 
  • Layered Leaf Images (I used a bundle from Creative Fabrica)
  • Cutting machine (I used my Cricut Explore Air 2)
  • Scrapbook Paper (I used CraftSmart "Dark Elegance" which I bought last year at Michaels and is no longer available but you can use comparable dark papers)
  • Recollections Gold and  Copper Foil cardstock (Michaels)
  • Coordinating Plum Cardstock (Stash)
  • Cream Recollections 110lb Cardstock (Michaels)
  • Copper Foil
  • Fall Themed Embellishments ( I used K&Co border stickers from my stash)
  • Coordinating Sequins (Michaels
  • Foam Squares
  • Dimensional and Double Sided Adhesive
  • Paper Trimmer and Scoring tool
The first step was to decide on the focal image for my cards. I knew I wanted a leaf theme, especially since living in the desert, I miss the changing leaves of my former Pacific Northwest home. I found this set of layered leaves at Creative Fabrica.  If you do choose to purchase, full disclosure...I get a small benefit if you go through my affiliate link



Download, extract, and import chosen design into your machine's software, in my case Cricut Design Space. If you don't have a cutting machine you can print out the PNG images and hand cut using scissors and an X-Acto knife. 

I selected the leaf from the bottom row, leftmost image. 



I deleted two of the 5 layers in my Design Space Software because I liked how just three layers looked. Then I cut each layer from the colors I chose ( plum, foil gold and copper). 


To assemble, attach the middle layer ( gold ) to the base ( plum ) using foam squares. Since the top layer is more delicate, I used a spray mount. 


Here's the middle layer mounted to the base. Since you need to work fast with the spray adhesive, I didn't take pics of the top layer but you get the idea...spray the back, lay atop the middle layer and done. 

Once I had my leaves assembled, I made my cards by cutting the cream cardstock to make 5x7 cards, cut panels of the copper foil cardstock to 4.75x6.75 then selected papers from the Dark Elegance Stack and cut to 4.5x6.5. I added the Fall themed border stickers and then mounted the leaves to the cards. 

To finish, I grabbed some coordinating sequins from my stash and added them along the stem of the leaf using Glossy Accents dimensional glue. 

But of course I wasn't done! Copper is such a fall color to me that I wanted a touch more so I'd picked up some copper foil on a trip to Michaels and thought I'd do the interior sentiment using the foil tool that works with my Cricut. 


For this step, you need to make sure you get the foil as taught as possible atop the paper you want to foil so I used painter's blue tape to tack it down. The Cricut foils also come with tape strips to do this. 


It still needs a little give so don't worry if it's not absolutely flat. Then select a font or image for whatever you want to foil, follow the instructions for the tool / in Design Space and send to your Cricut. 



I chose the word "Fallsgiving" since this time of year for me is about celebrating the gifts of Fall. It was also a great way to use up the copper, and plum scraps from this project which I used to mat the sentiment! I adhered these to the inside of my cards using my tape gun. 

My way of giving a little bit of Fall to friends and family! And the pictures don't do the metallic goodness of the colors justice so if you are seeing this on here first and know you're getting one, just wait! 







Monday, August 2, 2021

Papercrafting: More Cards For Box Of Balloons !

 


I wrote in May about an organization called Box Of Balloons that works to ensure that children get to be celebrated on their birthdays. They were then partnering with several of my local Starbucks locations to collect cards, wrapping, decorations etc. and as a Cardmaker and a Mom, it was right up my alley. I did it for the sheer joy of combining those two loves and because I want every child to know the feeling of being special on their birthday. 

I was honored and humbled to receive the following email from the local chapter President, Amy:

"I'm so impressed with your handmade cards and gift tags and wanted to say THANK YOU so much for your wonderful donation.

I've been putting a card and gift tag in each birthday box I've been creating and it adds such a personal touch to each box. Thank you so much for donating these as I'm sure they took a lot of time and energy to create. They're so beautiful and made so well and I'm just blown away and grateful :) "


I was thrilled they were happy and would be put to use and immediately planned on making more! As I've written about (probably ad nauseum!) June was a bust for creating between prepping for a planned move and spending an unplanned week in the hospital. So once things had settled ( somewhat...life is life!) in July, I wanted to get back to it and on Saturday dropped another three dozen cards in the mail! 

Supplies:

  • Birthday Themed Papers (American Crafts, The Color of Memories Collection from JoAnn and Happy Cake Day stack by Recollections from Michaels)
  • Cardstock
  • Birthday Themed Washi Tape ( Park Lane, JoAnn) 
  • Glitter Papers ( Recollections, Michaels) 


 This time around I used some American Crafts birthday themed papers I found at JoAnn along with some Park Lane birthday themed washi tape I scooped up on sale there. 


Like some of the sheets from the Recollections "Cake Day" stack, this sheet had panels I cut up to use as the focal for the cards, matting each with coordinating glitter papers. The washi tape coordinated perfectly with the colors (and it didn't hurt that it was an additional 50% off clearance). 



The Balloon background paper is from the same American Crafts collection. I kept things simple, matting the image on glitter paper, then another coordinating paper ( great way to use scraps) and attaching to the card with foam squares. 


Since I still had plenty of papers from the "Happy Cake Day" stack I previously used (and may or may not have bought another stack when Michaels had another buy one get two free Hot Buy sale which is my kryptonite) I made some more using those. 



Unintentionally, I usually make my cards in a portrait vs landscape orientation...no reason...just do...but since these panels didn't lend themselves to that, made some that way too. 


It's very fulfilling to feel like doing something you absolutely love can make a difference. Especially now. Especially in a child's life! 





Saturday, March 20, 2021

Cardmaking: Easy Card No Fancy Tools

 


This week's link party continues here!

As I've written before, I love my amazing crafting tools like my Cricut Explore Air2. But sometimes I also love the simplicity of making something that doesn't require tools.  Here's how you can make an easy card with just some pretty papers and a few basics. 

Supplies: 
  • Scrapbook Papers (I used the Let's Wander Stack by Recollections from Michaels) and some paper scraps from previous projects. 
  • Cardstock. I used 110lb Cardstock, Recollections, Michaels
  • Stickers. I used one sticker from a pack by Crafter's Square from Dollar Tree
  • Embellishments. Crafter's Square, Dollar Tree. 
  • Double sided adhesive or tape runner
  • Paper Trimmer or craft knife
  • Scoreboard / bone folder or if you don't have, you can use an empty ball point pen


First, choose your papers and what you want to use for your card's focal. Stickers are great for this, especially those on clear backgrounds. I found these at The Dollar Tree and for $1 you can make multiple cards. 


Trim your cardstock to 7x10 inches then score in the middle at 5 inches. I use a scoreboard for my cards but you can easily place your cardstock on a magazine , use a ruler as a guide, and use an empty ballpoint pen or something else pointed enough to score your fold but not cut. 


To make the focal for your card, place the sticker you've chosen on a piece of cardstock then trim it to size. If you don't have a paper trimmer, again a ruler and a craft / utility knife and easy peasy. 

Cut the main decorative paper you've chosen to 4.75x6.75 (I used a pink swirly sheet) then mat your trimmed sticker focal on another piece of the same paper and mat with a solid ( I used a scrap of black cardstock). 

Since I've been at this a while, I have a TON of paper scraps from other projects but if this is the first card you're making, choose some coordinating sheets from the paper stack and play around. I grabbed some of my scraps and cut to sizes that worked with my trimmed focal. 

Assemble. Hint: I always assemble my layers before I attach to the card itself. So in this case, I put my matted focal on top of the scrap with the bows on it, then attached to the silver dotted paper, and finally on the pink swirl background. Then attach to your card. 


I always like to finish with some bling or some dots of glitter glue etc. In this case, I used a sheet of rhinestone embellishments by Crafter's Square from The Dollar Tree. They are really expanding their line of crafting materials and you can't beat the price! 


Lots of cards to make with all of those rhinestones! Most of the teardrop shaped ones have the little round ones attached. I used these for the bigger bows. For the smaller bows, just dotted with some other smaller rhinestones in my stash. This part is completely optional. 

But see? Easy, no fancy tools, and when you can get a beautiful stack of papers like the ones in this Let's Wander pack (currently on sale at Michaels 70% off!) then you don't have to spend a lot to make some pretty things! 









Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Valentine's Day: Pink, Grey, Cream Valentine's Cards

 


Less than two weeks until Galentine's and Valentine's Day! When you love making cards, it's easy to make them for those you love. 

I tend towards non-traditional colors because I'm contrary like that. This year, I went with a color palette of Black and White, Cream and Grey and Pink. I backed into my palette when I found some great stickers at Dollar Tree last month. 

With these COVID variants, we're going out even less than before which wasn't that much to start and it will be another cozy home celebration for us. 

Supplies: 
  • Cardstock (Recollections 110lb Michaels)
  • Scrapbook Paper (American Crafts and Pink Paislee)
  • Focal Sticker (Dollar Tree)
  • Paper Trimmer
  • Adhesive 


I found this sheet of wood stickers at Dollar Tree. I love the natural hearts and although I'm not much of a pink person, I really wanted to use those too because I knew I had the perfect papers in my stash! 


I did some on cream cardstock with coordinating grey and cream papers. I had scraps from cutting the cards to size (5x7) so I ran them through a damask embossing folder that matched the pattern of the paper. Makers hate waste!. I kept these simple because the papers were so pretty so just adhered the natural heart to a white scrap, matted with a grey scrap and done! 


I'm physically unable to avoid black and white. It's true! My doctor confirms. OK no, but...it's my thing. So for this one, I used a striped silver on silver paper, American Crafts XOXO paper, the pink hearts and done!


For the pink cards, white cardstock, coordinating papers by Pink Paislee, more natural hearts and done! 



Those of you who know you're getting one will just have to see which one you get! 😛