Sparkly Watercolor Thank You - HSS202

Pin It Now! With Christmas done, and the New Year upon us, I'm looking for something gold and sparkling to celebrate and to thank a friend.  The latest inspiration photo at Hand Stamped Sentiments is full of gold and glimmer, perfect for celebrating kindness!  Here's my shiny card...

And the inspiration photo from HSS: 

I loved getting out the watercolor supplies for this one.  Look at this shine!

I watched a YouTube video to work on my "bokeh" technique, which are the circles that are randomly placed on the card panel.   

To create this effect, I first wet the entire watercolor paper panel with clean water.  Then, I squeezed each ink pad while closed to apply ink to the inside of the lid - if you have reinkers, you might use them instead.  I dabbed the ink off of the lids with a wet paintbrush, then dab and spread the paint as desired.  I created a diagonal type pattern. 

When I like the color combination, I dried it with a heat embossing gun.  Then I watered down a bit of the Champagne Mist from Tsukineido and brushed it all over the top, dried again, then used it full strength on a skinny paintbrush and flicked it across the panel.  

This is what it looked like before the Craft White ink circles were dabbed on.  In hindsight, I think it would have been fine like this! 

Inside, more stars to match the punches on the front. 

Hope you're having a great Christmas season and a wonderful New Year!  Head over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and play along - I'd love to see you there!

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  Simpky Celebrate (retired)

INK:  Crushed Curry, Night of Navy, Tempting Turquoise, Tsukinedo Champagne Mist, Memento Tuxedo Black

PAPER:  Modern Medley DSP, Watercolor paper, Basic Black, Whisper White, Gold

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Confetti Stars punch, Gold Bakers Twine, Large oval punch, Crystal Effects

OTHER: paint brushes, craft mat, washi tape, water

Batty Punch Art Circle Flip Card - Halloween!

Pin It Now! A fun idea that I discovered from last year on Pinterest from Susan Campfield.  My layout is updated a bit with current supplies from the catalog and the Holiday Mini 2014...new DSP, the cute Lucky Stars embossing folder, and tiny bats from Holiday Home.

Check out this wide eyed punch art bat!

Peek-A-Boo!

The bat wings are made with the smallest butterfly from the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, and the silver Glimmer bat punch is retired. 

I like this little ticket (That's the Ticket stamp set)!  I found it by accident rummaging for Halloween themed stamps :). The Blackberry Bliss ticket is stamped with Hardwood, and sponged around the edges. The bat (Owl Punch) hangs off the edge of my Hello Honey moon, and a flurry of bats fly off into the night (Holiday Home). On the flip side, a Halloween greeting, and more bats!

Have a blessed and creative day! ~ Erika

SUPPLIES:
STAMPS: Holiday Home, That's the Ticket, Delighful Dozen (Retired), Hardwood
INK:  Jet Black Staz On, Hello Honey, Black Stampin' Emboss with VersaMark.
EMBELLISHMENTS:  Hello Honey Stitched Satin Ribbon
PAPER:  Moonlight DSP Stack, Basic Black, Hello Honey, Whisper White
PUNCHES:  Bat (Retired), Owl Builder, Bird Builder, Ticket Duo Builder, 1/2" Circle (bat wings), 2-1/2" Circle (moon)
BIG SHOT:  Circle Thinlits Flip Card, Lucky Stars TIEF, Bigz Beautiful Butterflies Die (Ret.)

Tag Topper Punch Trifold Card

Pin It Now! I love this new Tag Topper Punch.  I've always had a fascination with tags, and this opens up my cardmaking world to so many new ideas!

Today I want to share another card fold using the tag topper punch.

It's a pretty easy, but a nice surprise of a fold!  The card base is 5-1/2 x 11".  Simply score the left side of the cardstock at 4-1/4 & 8-1/2, and the remaining flap gets the Tag Topper Punch. 

Inside, from Kind and Cozy.  This is appropriate for sympathy, get well, or just - well - Thinking Of You!

DSP:  Sweet Sorbet

STAMP:  Kind & Cozy

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a blessed and creative day ~ Erika

Spiral Flower on Tag Topper Side Fold Card

Pin It Now! I have pretty colors and fancy folds to show you today!

Here's a trending technique - creating a trifold card with a special closure using the Tag Topper Punch. 

You can find a video here on how this tag topper closure is done.  

I have finished my card using Sweet Sorbet DSP and twine from the matching Accessory Pack available in the Sale-A-Bration brochure going on now!  

Inside: Again, Petal Parade from Sale-A-Bration, but the sentiment is from Another Great Year.

Check out this lovely flower!  It's made in a snap using the new Spiral Flower Originals Die.  I will tell you that there's a learning curve involved with this...don't give up, because when you find your "style" of flower, you'll love it:  Here are a couple of tips:

1 - I found that the Core'dinations paper worked by far the best for holding  the petal shape.

2 - Use a hot glue gun once you get it worked out right.  You don't want this flower falling apart!

3 - Use your bone folder to shape the petals before rolling it up.

4 - This flower is my prettiest one, and it was my eighth try!!!!  I will make more!

With the bulk of this card, it either needs to be hand delivered or sent in a box-type envelope.  I have glassine bags available in my Etsy Shop!  These are great to show off your work.


Have a blessed and creative day!  ~ Erika

Hello Again, Pink & Green!

Pin It Now! The winter doldrums might be setting in, as much as I hate to admit it!  I love snow, and the warmth of the woodstove, but I have found myself gazing out the kitchen window at what was once my flourishing garden, that's now a brown pile of compost.

So in the craft room, we're back to butterflies & blossoms, to brighten someone's day!

The sketch is the latest from Hand Stamped Sentiments, and it's all about circles. Which I love. 

The first thing I did was cut the card base a little narrow, 3-3/4" wide, so the elements on the card could hang over and still fit in a standard envelope.  Although I'll likely make a box for this one!

I used Strawberry Slush & Wild Wasabi on a Sahara Sand base. Papillon Potpourri for the butterfly & Simply  Celebrate for the "hello".   

The flower is punched from crepe paper with the Blossom Punch. Three layers of the crepe flowers, sponged, stacked, and fluffed with my scoring stylus. The glittery center is a jumbo pearl, of all things, with the sticky backside dipped in glitter. I used silver & some pink seashell glass glitter that I have in my stash. Then I simply stuck a couple of glue dots to the back and nestled it in the center.  

I thought the paper doily die cut needed a little something, so I sewed a couple of circles onto it. Better!

So what do you see in this snazzy sketch?  Will you go bold and trendy? Or change the shapes to suit your need?  I'd love to see what you do, so hop on over and play along!  

SUPPLY LIST:

STAMPS:  Papillon Potpourri, En Francais, Simply Celebrate

INK:  Strawberry Slush, Wild Wasabi, Crumb Cake

PAPER:  Sahara Sand, Sweet Sorbet DSP (Sahara Sand pattern), and In-Color Stack (polka dot)

EMBELLISHMENTS: Jumbo pearl, twine (Sale-A-Bration), Crepe Paper, vintage button (my stash)

PUNCHES: Blossom, 2-1/2" circle

BIG SHOT: Delicate Doilies Sizzlits Die

Deck the Halls With Boxes & Punches! HSS173

Pin It Now! I've been keeping my new Envelope Punch Board very close at hand lately.  This week, I made a bunch of these "candy wrapper boxes" or they're also called cracker boxes.  I learned to make them from this video by Dee Slater.

I followed the basic idea of her tutorial, but I used a 4.5" x 6.5" piece of patterned paper from the Festival of Prints Stack.  Just tear one off the pad and here are my measurements on scoring and punching:

- Using a 4.5" x 6.5" piece of DSP from paper stack

- Score on 6.5" side at 1", 2", 3", and 4".

- Fold on each score line.

- Using the same technique in her video, punch on Envelope Punch Board at the 1-1/2" mark at each score line and the wider outside edge, not the skinny one.  Repeat on both ends.

- Apply Sticky Strip to the 3 flat sides of the inside of the smallest strip and fold into a box.

- For this size box, I find that scoring the punches is not necessary.  A bit of ribbon cinches the ends nicely.

So here's the fun part!  See those little punches made when creating the cracker box?  They look like ornaments, don't they?  Can you see how I used them on my cards below?

Cute! They fit just right on a 1" circle punch of Silver Glimmer Paper, and dangle from 1/8" Silver Ribbon.  I made one to match Hand Stamped Sentiments' Sketch Challenge #173, and another just playing around.  I plan to save all these little punches!  

Inside of the card:

Hop on over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and check out the challenge.  Very interesting sketch!  I'd love to see your take on it!

SUPPLIES:  Card:

Stamps:  Christmas Messages, Pop N Place Photopolymer Stamp Set

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler

Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Festival of Prints Paper Stack

Embellishments:  Cherry Cobbler Chevron Ribbon, 1/8" Silver Ribbon

Big Shot:  Chalk Talk Framelits, polka dot embossing folder

Punches:  1" circle punch 

Tools:  Simply Scored, Envelope Punch Board

Baby's First Birthday - Lollipop Card {How To}

Pin It Now!

Just a little quickie today, a card made to celebrate the first birthday of a sweet little daughter of a friend. My childhood friend came to visit this week, and we sat to make this together. My favorite time with friends is either in the kitchen or the craft room :)

HOW TO DO IT!  The lolly is super easy to make.  Punch coordinating circles with a circle punch, mine is a 1-1/4".  Layer them, overlapping slightly, onto a scrap circle of paper.  It helps to mark your middle point first, so all the circles are perfectly placed.  When you come around far enough that you meet the first circles, begin tucking the new circles behind them.  I tacked them in place lightly with Snail, and then glued them down tight with Tombo Multi glue when I was happy with the placement.  Add your details, and a lolly stick - HINT - I get my lollies from the bank, and cut off the sticks!  LOL

The center medallion is made by scoring a 3/4" x 10" strip of DSP in 1/8" increments. 

Most of the supplies used to make this card are retired stash - the Subtles DSP Paper Stack, Sweet Cakes and Patterned Party Stamp sets, and Pretty in Pink CS.  I made a few extra to customize for special occasions, like I did with this one.  The inside was typed up with a matching font from the front...

Have a blessed and creative day!  ~ Erika

Flowers for Mother, the kind that last!

Pin It Now! I always tell my husband, please not to buy me flowers for holidays.  They are overpriced and are gone in a flash.  Pretty, but not for long!  He asked what I want...I said MONEY, of course!  Or a foot rub.  He asked how much money :-O Haha.  Enough for my first SU order from the new catalog will do!  But I digress...

I made this little paper flower bouquet to send to my MIL in Florida.  It will pack easily, won't be a bunch of money to send, and will last for a long time.  She is wonderful to us, and she always brags about my papercrafts!  Awww!

A combination of flowers, butterflies, and elegant backgrounds create this little gift set.  I'm using the color combo in the current Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge #159 - Use colors Real Red, Summer Starfruit, Bashful Blue, and Basic Black.

The card is stamped in Summer Starfruit with the big background Ex Libris stamp.  What an elegant stamp!  The top window portion is a separate piece of Vanilla, stamped with En Francais, hand cut and adhered.  The butterfly is layered with a Boho Blossoms flower in Real Red and embellished with a Bashful Blue glimmer brad.  "Mother" from Delightful Dozen, is punched and finished with tiny brads.

The mini milk carton is also stamped with En Francais in black, and a bunch of paper flowers are formed with the Boho Blossoms punch and 2-3/8" scallop circle punch.  They're hot glued to unfolded paper clips, and floral tape is wrapped around the base of the flower and the metal stems. A little more decorating with the Elegant Butterfly punch and Summer Starfruit stitched satin ribbon, and it's ready to ship!  

What do you think of the color combo?  It's another grouping of colors that I would never, ever have chosen on my own, but I think its fabulous!  LOVE the challenges for breaking out of my bubble.  Won't you join in?  Click the pic below...

I was inspired by The Paper Players challenge for my project theme, too.  Give them a visit, their design team samples are just beautiful!

A blessed Mother's Day to all mothers, those who care for others like mothers, those who love their mothers, and to those who miss theirs as well.

SUPPLY LIST:

STAMPS: Ex Libris, En Francais, Delightful Dozen, Petite Pairs, Papillon Potpourri

INK: Summer Starfruit, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Basic Black

PAPER: Very Vanilla, Real Red, Summer Starfruit, Bashful Blue

EMBELLISHMENTS: Tiny Brads, Sponges, Summer Starfruit stitched satin ribbon, Real Red Stitched grosgrain ribbon, Glimmer Brad in Bashful Blue, Mini clothespin

PUNCHES / BIG SHOT: Boho Blossoms punch, Elegant Butterfly punch, Bigz Mini Milk Carton die, 2-3/8" scallop circle punch

Have Yourself a Merry Little Snowman

Pin It Now! I have so, so much to do this week. A huge party to plan, tax prep, homeschool as usual, and card orders to fill. All awesome stuff, except for the taxes! But here I am on Monday, and Merry Monday's challenge stops me in my tracks again!

Snowmen are the theme, and I punched this little guy from an oval and circle punch. I love his little polka dot pom pom hat!

Gumball Green Core'dinations is the card base, scrubbied up and embossed with Delicate Details snowflake folder. Snow Festival patterned paper for the trim. I hand cut a tag from First Edition, and cut layers for snow drifts which are painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (awesome stuff).

The whole card is sprinkled with bits of vintage trim...star, flower, and blue circle sequins, and glitter glass.

I was going for a nice, simple look, but just kept adding things til it felt done. Once the rhinestones went on the tag for snowflakes, I sat back and said, Yep. Done!

I used the sketch from RetroSketches for the layout, you can check them out here.

 And of course, you should join in all the Merriness at Always Playing With Paper!

Hope you're having a great week! Are you ready for Easter yet? Some Easter fun coming soon!

Erika

SUPPLIES: All supplies Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.
STAMPS:  Happy You
INK: Basic Black
PAPER: Snow Festival patterned paper,  First Edition, Gumball Green Core'dinations,
EMBELLISHMENTS: baker's twine, lace tape, basic rhinestones, 7/8" naturals ribbon, circle 1-3/8" punch, 2" oval punch, Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon
OTHER: Vintage trim, Hallmark pom pom trim, standard hole punch

 

Simple, Shelli, and Sketchy

Pin It Now! Today's samples are inspired by many things. 
My love of vintage.
My love of pink and green.
Christmas.  Blessings.  Butterflies. 
Sketches.  and Shelli Gardner's style. 
First, the sketch was used for both cards. 

Merry Monday #53 is a nice, clean layout. I love the rule of thirds here, and the spot for an embellishment in the corner.   I used an antiqued button from Artisan Embellishments.

 

Both of my cards were inspired by this card from Shelli Gardner's blog.  I adore her shabby chic style, and love to incorporate the look in my projects when I can.

 

To get a color matched ribbon, I sponged Very Vanilla seam binding ribbon with coordinating Certainly Celery ink.  Bits of scrap lace are layered with stamped 7/8" natural ribbon, and again, a scrap of seam binding ribbon is threaded through the button.  

 

I love that sweet "Season's Greetings" sentiment from More Merry Messages!  The embossed snowflakes are Delicate Details EF.



Second verse, same as the first...
but fresh, springy, and fluttery!

 So this one is right up my alley!  Pink Pirouette CS, Crumb Cake seam binding ribbon, a scrap of pink scalloped lace from Artisan Embellishments, safety pin from Vintage Trinkets, butterflies punched from Elegant Butterfly with Tea for Two paper, and a Vintage Faceted Button.  The embossing is done using the Delicate Designs lace folder, embossed twice, flipping the paper and lining it up so the lace matches. 

The little heart punch is taken from a vintage book of poetry, and fits just right with the card.  An extra little blessing!

 

The sentiment on this card is from Trust God.  I like that it will be good for many occasions, from new baby, congrats, wedding, even sympathy.  This one will go up for sale in my Etsy shop!  I think I'll make a few in different colors as well, I just love how easy this layout comes together! 

 

It snowed like crazy today, swirling huge flakes in the air, covering the ground in no more than half an hour! Then, this afternoon, it all melted and there were literally a hundred robins in my yard!  Yes!  Beautiful red breasted robins, picking around for treats.  Welcome, spring, even through the flakes of snow ;)

 

Hope you have a wonderful day! 

Erika

 SUPPLIES:
Green Christmas card:
STAMPS: More Merry Messages
INK: Soft Suede, Certainly Celery
PAPER: Crumb Cake, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla
EMBELLISHMENTS: Delicate Details EF, Vanilla seam binding ribbon, wide oval lace & vintage button from Artisan Embellishment Kit, 7/8" Natural ribbon, pearls, my homemade shimmer mist

Pink Blessing Card:
STAMPS:Trust God
INK: Soft Suede
PAPER: Tes for Two DSP, Pink Pirouette, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
EMBELLISHMENTS: Vintage Trinkets, Vintage Faceted button, Elegant Butterfly punch, Delicate Details EF, Linen Thread, Distressing kit
OTHER:  Vintage book page, Best of Browning