A New Card, Die Set Storage Idea, & Google's New "I'm Not A Robot"

IO QUILT VASE, CAC DOTTED ARGYLE, & GREETINGS DIE SET

I need to schedule time to do what I love best since Spring is here.  For this card I chose another Tara Caldwell image.  She has only been with IO a short time.  I have fallen in love with her designs.  Here is how I used her Quilt Vase design:

DETAILS:

1. Stamped the image with Timber Brown ink 1 time, and then the flowers 3 times on white cardstock and painted with Twinkling H2Os.  Cut around the main image and embossed from the back with a stylus.
2. Used largest Spellbinders Labels 40 die twice with white cardstock to get the front and back side of the card, mounted on red cardstock.  (Mounted using ATG tape in the middle of the die cut and then used needle nose bottle with Glossy Accents (GA) to tack down the lace area in places.
3. Stamped Argyle background with Blazing Red.  Used the center of the die as a template to get the portion I wanted for a tablecloth look, traced with a pencil, and cut out.
4. Mounted tablecloth with 1/4" ATG tape, mounted the vase with ATG along the bottom of the vase and 3D pop-dots from middle to top.
5. Cut out flowers and leaves from second image, embossed from the back and used GA lines on matched flower/leaf, let dry just a little and mounted flower or leaf with a tad of glue dot at one end.  Highlighted areas with Vivas, Wink of Stellas, and Stickles.  Mounted gold sequins and heart stick pin with gold bow.
6. Die cut the "Hello" using the red and gold mirror cardstock.
7. Trimmed the other 2 flower images and mounted as shown with tape and GA.
8. Below is the back of the card with one of the flower images at the bottom.
9. The third image was mounted on the envelope as shown above.  (The cardstock has been peeled to make the image thinner in case I mail it.  If mailed I will also place a clear piece of packing tape over the corner area with at least .25" overlap to the back side.  That way it slides right through the mail postage reader.)

DIE SET STORAGE SUGGESTION

I store my die sets in plastic ziploc bags.  I hate all the dies collecting on the bottom as it's to sort them to find the one I want.  It's hard enough reading them 'backwards'.  ;-) Another bad habit I have is saving anything that looks like I can use it for my cards, etc.  I save the magnetic strips that have come on the telephone directories, etc.  Below is what I did:

1. Taped two of the magnetic squares together using duct tape.
2. It was too big for the back of the IO cover, so I added ATG to the back of the magnetic strip(s) and mounted from the top and center on the IO cover back.
3. Trimmed the bottom of the magnetic strip to match up with the IO cover bottom.Mounted the dies.  Love it!!!

 GOOGLE UPDATED
"PROVE YOU'RE NOT A ROBOT"

Many of you probably already know about this, because that's how I found out.  Some of us chose to use the 'Prove You're Not A Robot" feature and many of us hated it as commenters because of the time taken to figure out what the image said, like the one below which is easy compared to most.

OUT WITH THE OLD

One of the first things I noticed when blog hopping again was the NEW "I'm not a robot", shown below. Most of the time I didn't have to read a caption anymore (unless the Show Word Verification is checked in your Settings-Posts and Comments area).  Even then it was just three or four letters that were easy to read.  ***Below is the best part.

IN WITH THE NEW

With the NEW as Blog Moderator:

1. "I'm not a robot" is automatic.
2. They have also given us a choice of continuing to use the Word Verification or not.  It too has been improved with simple to read short letters.  I have mine turned off because I tested having it on or off and I still didn't get those pesky ads anymore, even on old posts. (If any of you have questions, just email me).

Well that's it for this post and I can guarantee you the next one will be shorter!!!  Thanks for stopping by to look and share.  Thanks for all of your welcome backs too!!!  Big hugs.

 Shirley

 SUPPLIES:

Online Watercolor Class - Victorian Bird

Don't forget to take part in my polls to the left.  This time they won't disappear!!   BTW, I am so sorry I am late in getting to some of you.  It's those comments on separate pages and I can't remember the card!!  ;-)  Just teasing.  I have over a hundred of your wonderful art blogs I am following and I can't not read them.  Whaaaah!!

Truth be told I did an card a long long time ago with this same image and coloring.  I had more than one image and what I was thinking I don't have a clue!!  Since I have started the Online Watercolor Class, I am trying to use anything I have that needs to be used!  The first and second days of the class are dedicated to backgrounds.  Below is how I did my images to use with the background I created.

IMAGES:

1. The image, Victorian Bird, by Impression-Obsession, was stamped with a Stazon Jet Black ink.
2. The image was painted with Twinkling H2O's and Black Diamond glitter glue was used for the legs, beak, and a little of the heart 'wing'.  Glossy Accents was added to the eye. Mark Richards Crystal Stickers 2mm Black Onyx Rhinestones were added to the wings as shown. If you click on the image they are easier to see.
3. A Royal 3/8" Soft Grip SG 730 was used for the grass.  Below is a picture of the brush.
4. The "hello." is from Impression Obsessions Social Greetings 2 clear stamp set was stamped with Luxe Tuxedo Black and embossed with clear embossing powder.

The background was created using Glossy white cardstock, Twinkling H2O's, and Tim Holtz Layering Stencil Honeycomb.  Remember how I did the back of the cardfront like I would normally do the inside.  I did it on this one too.  I did the same technique only on the corners and on white cardstock.  I also did the corner of the envy the same way.  See below.

I kind of like it.  I am off to do another card.  This time it is a CAS with some watercolor techniques too.  Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

 Shirley

SUPPLIES:

Hinged Filigree Card Type 2

If you didn't catch my last post, it is for a young soldier who is in the hospital and his only wish for Christmas is to get a Christmas card from 'anyone'.  I am going to send one.  How about you?

Back to the next hinged card(s) that caught my eye.  You'll see why when you visit Geri's Cards post and go down to the second card.  Below is how I did mine using a different die set, Majestic Labels Twenty-Five (because I loved the die she used in the first card)!!  And........that ribbon does match IRL.

DIE CUTS:

1. Important to notice to get a good margin around the die cut you need to either use the two dies you see or a Magic Matter around the outside of the center die before you remove it.  I chose the two and will use the outer for another card.  :-)  Because I didn't emboss I decided both sides were great to see and I didn't need to line like in Hinged 1.  

AFTER ATTACHING

ATTACHING FRONT TO BACK:

1. I lined up the top of the die cut on my Scor-Pal and scored as shown with the black line.
2. Used Gold ATG tape along the center.
3. Used Glossy Accents applied with my needle nose bottle along the rest of the edges and set aside to dry.
4. Opened along the crease and rolled the extra tape showing off with my fingers.  Don't forget that dried GA erases with Pentel pencil erasers.

IMAGES, ETC.:

1.  Stamped Poinsettia and Pine image twice and and cranberry with pine image 3 times on white cardstock with Memento Northern Pine twice.  Painted with twinks, trimmed around, embossed from the back, layered areas with 3D pop-dots on all but envelope image.  Used Glossy Accents and Stickles Buttercup to accent the cranberries and Poinsettia center.  The 6mm heart bead is no longer available.
2. Stamped sentiment from Sentimental Christmas on third from largest Majestic Labels Twenty-Five die with StazOn Black Cherry.  (I would stamp sentiment before attaching to card).

Thanks so much for stopping by to look and share.  See you again sooner this time I hope!!

 Shirley

SUPPLIES:

Steps For Hinged Filigree Card Type 1

Cardfront and Envelope

Inside Card

For some reason I can't always get the steps for techniques from a video without taking notes, etc.  I saw the excellent video for this card by Becca Feekan.  Becca's shows how to hide the seam if you don't want it showing.  I  'googled' for one showing the steps and found John's blog.  Thank you John for giving me an an idea of what I needed to do.  I also found there are several ways to use the filigree dies with a fold.

I took Becca's one step further to give a finished look to inside and outside of the card, front and back. Below is my tutorial for me!  That's right!!  I may need to look back at this.  Since there are several ways to do a "hinged" card I call this tutorial 'Type 1'.  I'll be back!!

(*PLUS ONE MORE DIE CUT - WILL EXPLAIN BELOW)

1. (1)I found I needed *4 die cuts instead of the 3 shown to make all sides look finished.  (2) I used one off white so it would show in the photo better (middle one).  (3)Measure the die at the widest points and cut a piece of cardstock 1.25-1.5" longer on the side where you want it to hinge (length or width-wise).  Hinge is on the longest side.
2. Fold it at 1" inch on that side and crease it or score it on a score board.

1. After folding the cardstock, taped in place with removable tape on cutting pad.  Placed the fold (crease) just below the edge of where the hinge will be (so the die doesn't cut it).  I also taped the bottom in place and put it though the machine.

*Ready to assemble card and I noticed one side would still show the backside of the die cut unless I had one more die cut to cover it. for a more finished look.  I added tape to the 3. side and attached the rest of the filigree sides with Glossy Accents.  Gotta love it .  GA can also be erased if it gets anywhere it shouldn't.

1. Below is the front and back outside of the card.  I added the embossed background to the front.  I had to trim the top edges on the back so when it opens they wouldn't run into the front.

OUTSIDE CARD FRONT AND BACK

1. On the inside of the card it was necessary to trim the tops of both sides so it would close. I don't think it distracts from the design at all.

I should mention that the ATG Gold taped in the supplies below can be used with the ATG 714 gun or without.  When I first started using the tape I wanted to see if I liked it before spending for the gun.  I use it with the gun now.  If you use without to try it, you need to roll the tape back and forth a little at the end point to release it from the cardstock.

The Kai scissors I use are wonderful.  I bought the ones shown for fine cutting after having the larger 6" scissors for 10 years.  I have used them for cutting rubber stamps with and without the foam cushion, thick plastic, etc. and never had to sharpen them.

Off to do the other two types of hinged cards I found when researching this one.  If you have questions, please email me.  My address is near the top of the left hand column!!  Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

 Shirley

SUPPLIES:

Spellbinders Timeless Rectangles Memory Box Merry Christmas Die Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Twinkling H2O's - Luminarte Ranger Glossy Accents Scotch ATG Gold Tape 5mm White Heart Pearl Stickers Mark Richards Crystal Stickers 3mm White Pearls Kai 5100: 4-inch Needle Craft Scissors N5100

InLinkz.com

It's Almost Here

And this could be my last post until after Christmas.  It all depends on what I get done.  :-)  This card was done using another Twisted Easel.  It looks like a square easel, but is isn't totally.  If it was a square one it would be 5X5.  I hated seeing the large margin on the right of square easels, so I changed it a little.  The fold for the easel part is the same.  A piece of cardstock cut 5"X10 and folded in the middle for the 5"X5".  Then don't forget top fold the top as from bottom left to right top (to make a triangle).  Look HERE.  Now for the difference.  I made my card front 5.25" and then mounted it so the overhang would be on the right.  Any questions, ask me.

I used Flourishes Poinsettia Boxwood Set for the flowers and the sentiment is from Flourishes Sleigh Ride.  The large flower was stamped twice, cut out, was painted with Twinkling H2O's, bottom and top turned over and embossed on mat with stylus, and layered with 3D pop dots.  3MM Mark Richard pearls were added to the center and Stickles Yellow was added in between them.  The leftover petals from the second Poinsettia were painted with Twinkling H2O's Olive Green and then mounted as shown after the flower was mounted.

The frame for the flower was done using Spellbinders Labels Thirteen.  You can see how I did it HERE.  The white embossed background is Cuttlebug's Kassie's Brocade 5"X7" embossing folder.  Since my card front was 5"X5.25, the next layer is Bazzill's Dotted Swiss Blissful 4.45"X5.0", then Kassie's Brocade at 4.5"X4.75, then Labels Thirteen frame mounted on a white BG, then on Kassie with 3D pop dots, and last the Poinsettia mounted with 3D pop dots.

The layering of the bottom is pretty self explanatory.  I painted the small Poinsettia with the same colors as above.  The pearls are 2MM.  The sentiment was stamped with StazOn Blazing Red and the die from Spellbinders Fancy Tags One was used as a stencil around it.  The die cut was done using more Blissful.  The pearls are 5 and 7MM.  The ribbon is May Arts and done with the Bow-Easy.

I am using the InLinkz Link Manager again.  Some of you said it was helpful.   Hope you enjoyed your visit.  If I don't make it by your blog to say so before Christmas, I hope yours is MERRY and BRIGHT!!  And a very HAPPY NEW YEAR too!!  Thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!!

 

 Shirley

 

SUPPLIES:

Meet You At The Mistletoe

Okay, I have to admit, I am in love with A2 Twisted Easel cards.  HERE is my pictorial tutorial.   I also love Flourishes stamps and was looking for the Sunflower set when I found their Mistletoe sets.  The main site was out of the Sunflower and I found it and the others HERE.  It was a great buy and free shipping over $60.  She also has a great selection of dies for Cherry Lynn, Heartfelt Creations, Joy Crafts, Maryanne Creatables, and Nellie Snellen.  I have hunted all over for these in the states.  The service was extra fast.   She is in Las Vegas and I am in NC.  I had them in 3 days.  If you find what you want, tell her I sent you.


For my main image and sentiment, I used Flourishes Christmas Candles.  For the border trim and the bottom sentiment I used Flourishes Meet Me Under The Mistletoe.  All were done on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock.  All were stamped with StazOn Jet Black and painted with my Niji waterbrush and Twinkling H20's. I stamped the candle twice, cut them out, turned them over on my Pergamano embossing mat, embossed the bottom and candle with a stylus, and then layered the top over the bottom as shown.  I highlighted the berries on the lamp base with a Viva Decor Ice White Pearl pen.

After the sentiments were stamped they were put through and embossed with the Cuttlebug and Spellbinders Lacey Ovals dies.  The die was used as a stencil and a Round Stencil brush was used with Buttercup Twinkling H20's to do the edge around the sentiments.  In the photo it looks light orange when it is actually a pale shiny yellow!

The card front was done using Bazzill Dotted Swiss Irish Eyes DP as the base.  The Mistletoe border was stamped on Neenah Classic White Solar Crest and then put through the Cuttlebug using their  D'Vine Swirls embossing folder.  The candle and sentiment were mounted on top.  The bottom of the easel was done with the same cardstock and DP as shown.  The supports stops for the twist easel card front are Mark Richards Crystal Sticker 10mm pearls.

May Arts ribbon was wound and then threaded through the loops.  The bows were done with the Bow-Easy.   The stick pin is a corsage pin and Czech beads.  The tiny heart above the 'i' on Merry Christmas was done with Twinkling H2O's Garnet and Glossy Accents.  The lower left hand corner of an envelope was also stamped with the border mistletoe and painted.

This did not take long at all.  I love these sets and will be using them more.  Thanks for stopping by to look and share!!  Have a great weekend you all!!!

 Shirley

Supplies:

It's A Chair Affair!

I know, I have used Impression-Obsession's Fall Serenity image before, but I saw a card HERE, that made me want to use it again!  So this time I stamped the image twice with Stazon-Timber Brown, so I could use one as a base, and painted with Twinkling H2O's Warm Pecan, Buttercup, Dreamsicle, and Ginger Peach.  I always paint with a Niji waterbrush.  (I never spray my pots of color, and I paint directly from the pot.)  I cut both images out.   I turned the painted image over and embossed on a Perganamo embossing mat and embossed with a stylus.  I spot stamped the pumpkin on the chair and the little pumpkin on the floor with a dauber of the Timber Brown.  I painted, cut them out, and embossed them too.

Here was the fun part!  I used my Mega Mount to stamp the upper 'wallpaper' behind the chair with Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Round Floral, inked with Memento Bamboo Leaves, on SU Saffron cardstock (I think) .   Then I stamped IO Cover-A-Card Wood Grain, inked with Memento Rich Cocoa, on Bazzill Monochromatic Walnut cardstock.

I put a piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb. cardstock and Spellbinders largest Lattice Rectangle die though the Cuttlebug.   I then used the same die as a stencil to get the wallpaper and floor.  I left a space in between as the 'baseboard molding'.  These were mounted to the die cut.

A piece of Bazzill Dotted Swiss Clover Leaf cardstock was mounted on white cardstock as the base.  The die, with wallpaper and floor, were mounted on to that.  I used my retired SU Small Horizontal Slot Punch to be able to place the May Arts ribbon. 

3D pop dots were used to mount the chair with pumpkins.  Next the larger pumpkin on the chair and the smaller one on on the floor, that were separately cut out, were mounted with 3D pop dots.  The ribbon was mounted.  I made the triple bow with my Bow-Easy.  I twisted each bow loop in the opposite direction to get the swirly effect.

The stick pin was created using a Maya Road Trinkit Crystal pin with Czech leaf and faux pearl beads added after adding a dab of Glossy Accents onto the shaft.  The pearls on the chair back and skirt ruffle were added using Viva Decor White Pearls.

I hunted forever to find a post for the really simple easel card fold I used to do this step and found it HERE, using white cardstock.  I layered the bottom portion with the Bazzill Dotted Swiss Clover Leaf cardstock, created wallpaper, and more white cardstock.

The sentiment is computer generated.  I didn't have a stamp I liked and didn't want to shop or wait.  I ran it through the Cuttlebug using a Spellbinders Fancy Tags One die.  Then I used my Magic Matter around the die cut.  Of course, I had to turn it over on the Pergamano embossing mat and use a stylus around these edges too.  The Self-Adhesive Pearl Jewels are some I've had a long time from Oriental Trading Post.

That's it for today and I hope you are having a great weekend!  Thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!!!

 Shirley

SUPPLIES:

Old Fashioned Santa Easel Card

It was so hard to get a good picture of this.  I used glitter on the snowflakes and snow on the image in places.  The image, Checking His List by Stamps Happen, Inc., was stamped twice with StazOn Timber Brown .on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb. cardstock.  The image was painted with Twinkling H2O's. The first image was cut out, turned over on an embossing mat and used a stylus in the areas I wanted to raise. Then I painted and cut out his Holly crown with Cardinal, arm and hand, squirrel, rabbit, and list, and mounted as shown with 3D pop dots.  Flower Soft Polar White was used for Santa's fur trim.  Viva Decor Pearl White was used for the trim on his sash.  The ribbon is May Arts used with a Bow-Easy.  The pin was made using a Corsage Pear Pearl pin and Czech beads.  I always lay a little bit of Glossy Accents along the pin near the top as I slide each bead on and let it sit.  It holds them in place.

The card measuares 5"X5".  I created the fold using White cardstock according to the directions you can find HERE using my Scor-Pal.

The Background card front is from Bazzill Dotted Swiss Clover Leaf and Irish Eyes cardstock.  The next layer was done using my Mega Mount and Impression Obsessions Cover-A-Card Pine and Stampin' Up Classic Old Olive, with Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb cardstock, that was embossed using Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Snowflakes, added off center at the bottom.  Deco Arts Glamour Dust Crystal was added to places on the snowflakes and snow using a Sakura Quickie Glue Pen.

The base is the the same card stock assembly as above.  The Snowflakes are die cuts from Cuttlebug Snowflakes #2 and are highlighted with the same Deco Arts Glamour Dust Crystal added to places on the snowflakes with the Sakura Quickie Glue Pen.  The die is from Spellbinders Fancy Tags Two and cut from Bazzill Dotted Swiss Clover Leaf cardstock.  The die was then used as a stencil on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White for the center. The sentiment is StazOn Blazing Red with Hero Arts Merry Christmas.  Hero Arts says this stamp is limited.  :-(

I have made a 5.25X5.25 box for this card, but I am patiently awaiting more of the Dotted Swiss cardstock to finish it.  :-)

That's my card for now.  I hope you enjoyed.  I am off to try and finish some more for Christmas, so I should be back here soon.  Have a great weekend everyone, and thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!!

 Shirley

SUPPLIES:

A Beach Maybe?

I had this idea and it went totally somewhere else.  I used the Impression Obsession stamp, Lanterns, that I kept seeing in a beach scene (without the lanterns for some reason).  I pictured the tree and tables and chairs on the sand with the ocean out there!  The stamp I used for the ocean and sand was their Cover-A-Card^TM Wood Grain.  Part of it was great for the sand and part of it was great for the ocean (that ended up looking like the sky).  Oh Well!  The Hi is from the Impression Obsession Clear Stamp Set Anytime Sentiments.

I stamped the Lanterns stamp with Brilliance Galaxy Gold on Neenah Classic White Solar Crest cardstock.  I painted it using Twinkling H2O's Mallard Green and Warm Pecan.  I cut the pieces out and edged with the Galaxy Gold, and then prepared the tree by turning it over on a Pergamano/embossing pad and used a stylus to give the leaves and the trunk depth. 

I used Twinkling H2O's Bashful Blue for the ocean (sky) and Golden Sand for the beach on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Laid cardstock.  I stamped the ocean (sky) with Brilliance Moonlight White and the beach with Brilliance Galaxy Gold.  I heat set them both and then I added some Stickles Diamonds to the sand here and there and Frosted Lace to the ocean (sky).

A piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Laid cardstock was put through the Cuttlebug with Spellbinders largest Lattice Rectangle.  I used the die as a template for tracing the ocean and the sand.  I tore the top of the sand to get a rough finish along the top.  They were mounted to the frame followed by the tree and table with chairs.  I added Viva Decor White Pearls as highlights.  The Hi was stamped with StazOn Timber Brown and then highlighted with a Viva Decor Bronze glitter pen.   The pitcher and glasses were highlighted with Viva Decor Crystal Clear.   On the bottom right hand side I added 3 dots of the Viva Bronze glitter pen and added 3 3mm pearls to their centers.

The twine was leftover from a previous project and I think it bought it from Michaels.  The scene was mounted on a left over piece of Japanese paper from a prior project and then mounted on a piece of Bazzill.

Supplies:
Stamps:  Impression Obsession Cover-a-Card™ Wood Grain, Lanterns, Anytime Sentiments.

Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Laid, Gold and Aqua cardstock
Inks: StazOn Timber Brown; Brilliance Galaxy Gold and Moonlight White; Twinkling H2O's Mallard Green, Warm Pecan, Bashful Blue, Golden Sand
Accessories:  Spellbinders Lattice Rectangles, Viva Decor White Pearls, Crystal Clear, and Bronze glitter pens; 3mm pearls; Stickles Diamonds glitter glue and Frosted Lace, Michael's twine.

Thanks for stopping by to look and share!

 Shirley

A Tweet Bird And A New List

I'll want to let you know about my new list tab.  With my new blog layout comes TABS.  Love them.  They are taking some of the stuff out of my sidebars and placing it on top where you can see them if you like.  As you can see, I've added 3 more tabs.  I think you can have a total of 7.

The one tab I would like to bring to your attention is the "Any Stamp Challenges".  I have been blog hopping more recently and noticed all of the Rubber Stamp Challenges in Blogland.  :-)  I had someone ask if I knew where there was a list of challenges for 'using any stamp'.  I said no, but I would collect them while hopping.  If you are interested, check the tab.  I was blown away with the ones I have already found.  If you know of any I don't have, let me know and I will put them on the list.  On to my card!!!

I was over at Stephanie Lanzalotto's blog, My Ink Well, and saw her cute Chickadee card!  I didn't have the stamp set she used, but I did have a button I had been wanting to use on a card for some time.

Construction of Bird:

I applied the button to a remnant of white cardstock and drew the legs, tail feathers, and beak with a pencil. I punched out a wing with one of my tear drop punches and then used it to make a larger one with a pencil. Cut it out and used it as a template on some SU DP scraps for the wing and the background for the flowers. Mounted it with a glue dot.  I trimmed around the bird, nose, and legs. Lined them with Viva Black Pearl Pen and applied a generous dot for the bird's eye.  I used the Viva Hematite Glitter Liner to accent some little dots on DP on the Wing.  Set aside to dry.

Stamped on Neenah White Cardstock with Cover-A-Card Swirls and VersaMark pigment ink.  Embossed with Clear EP.  Used Cuttlebug and Spellbinders Lacey Circles Dies for 2 die cuts.  Used larger die as a stencil and brayered with SU Classic Bashful Blue.  Used as stencil again on vellum to put over the Bashful Blue part to later stamp sentiment.  Used smaller die as stencil for background on SU remnant DP and used Viva Hematite Glitter Liner to accent small circles.

Placed larger die over Vellum as stencil, cut out and mounted over center, placed bird near top, stamped sentiment with StazOn near bottom, created Tweet on computer sticker paper, trimmed around, and placed above sentiment, and used Viva Hematite Glitter Liner over all words.

Mounted bird and words in upper left-hand corner with 3D pop dots.  Mounted May Arts ribbon and bow made with Bow-Easy as shown.

Mounted SU DP remnant in center of smaller die cut.  Mounted Prima flowers as shown.  Used Twinkling H2O's True Blue with Niji waterbrush on edges of larger rose.  I wet the edge of petals first with colorless water and Niji.  Then brushed the color lightly onto edges.  It bleeds and blends on the dampened area for a softer natural look.

It needed something else, so I pulled out a Making Memories Blue Heart Stick Pin and threaded it with a Czech jet black onyx bead and a Blue Moon cultured pearl bead from my stash.

Done except for a little of the DP and Cover-A-Card in thin strips inside the card on the top and on the envelope in the lower left-hand corner.

Thanks for stopping by to say hi and look and share!!

 Shirley

Supplies:

Papers: Domtar White, Super Smooth, 90 lb. Folded card base ; SU Bashful Blue/DP remnants; Neenah Classic Crest, Solar White, Super Smooth; Tan or Bone cardstock;Vellum


Stamps: Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card CC002 - Swirls and Damask; Just Rite Friendship Nested Sentiments; Tweet Computer Generated - Flemish Script BT


Inks: StazOn Jet Black; Brilliance Moonlight White;SU Classic Bashful Blue; Twinkling H2O's True Blue


Accessories: Viva Pearl Pen Black and Glitter Liner Hematite; Niji waterbrush 9mm Small; Cuttlebug; Spellbinders Lacey Circles; Prima Innocence (I think!); May Arts Ribbon; Bow-Easy; Czech black faceted bead, Making Memories stick pin, Blue Moon cultured pearl

Easy Twisted Easel Card Tutorial

I was blog hopping and saw this beautiful Twisted Easel Card at Marti's Essence of Paper blog.  That link referred me to Margaret's I Love Crafting blog to view her video on how to do this A2 (4.25x5.5) easel card.  After I watched the video, I had a picture of what I wanted to post here.  A simple picture tutorial for a quick fold A2 Twisted Easel Card.  I want to thank both Martie and Margaret for inspiring me and teaching me how to do it too!!

1.  Trim a piece of white 8.5"X11" cardstock to 8.5"X9.75". 
2.  Cut that into 2 pieces of 4.25"X9.75".  Now you have enough for 2 card bases.

 
3.  Score your piece at 5.5" on Score-Pal, leaving one end as 4.25"X4.25" (a square).

4.  At the 5.5"X4.25 scored line, line your piece diagonally and score point to point as shown, on the 4.25"X4.25" side.  Fold the corner on the upper right to the bottom left of the same 4.25"X4.25" square and it will make a triangle when you fold it.

5.  Unfold the corner and turn the card so it is folded like above.  The unfolded square will be on top and the 4.25"X5.5" rectangle will be on the bottom.  Tape the bottom right-hand triangle as shown.

  

6.  Prepare your card front and base.  Both will measure 4.25" by 5.5" as shown above

Card Front & Base Supplies:
Stamps - Hero Arts - CG115 Thank You; Impression Obsession B3568 Thinking Of You (Red Rubber) or All Occasion I (Clear Stamp Set) and Cover-A-Card^TM CC008 Thick & Thin (Red Rubber Cling 5.75"X5.75"
Card Stock:  Neenah Classic White Solar Crest 80lb.
Inks - Brilliance Galaxy Gold, StazOn Blazing Red and Olive Green; Twinkling H2O's Ruby Red and Olive Green
Accessories - Michaels Ribbon, Making Memories Heat Pin, Mark Richards Pearl stickers, faux dew drops from the florist part of Michaels.

7.  Look at the image in STEP 5.  Place your card front directly on top so it covers the whole square and rectangle and press down.  Lift up the top from the right hand side and it should look like my card at the top.

How I Prepared My Base For The Twist:
A.  (You need to decide what you are going to use to stop the Card Front after it is opened - Buttons, Pearls, Cardstock on Pop dots, etc.)  I wanted to leave enough room so I could write a short message.   I decided to use part of the main image.  I opened the Cardfront until the bottom left and corner was even with the base top edge.  I marked along the bottom of the cardfront (lightly) with a pencil.  The pieces were mounted with glue as shown and the line erased.


Honestly, putting this tutorial together was more work than the card.  LOLOL  Then Google took everything down and I was ready to pull my hair out!!!!!  Yesterday, around 4 pm, I sent them a message with my site address and in about an hour it was back.   Don't think I didn't thank them.  Another thanks to Marti and Margaret for their inspiring me.

I hope you try this.  It really is a cool and fun fold.  Thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!

 Shirley

A Quick And Easy Trellis Card

I needed a quick card for a friend and while blog hopping saw a "Trellis Card".  I saved the site so I could give credit.  Then after I did the card I promptly deleted the site.  :-(  I forget what it is you lose first as you get older?  LOLOL  I searched for it for 30 minutes with no luck, even using Google!  I remember that I had loved finding that blog and decided to 'Follow' it.  So if I recently visited your blog and commented on your trellis card, please let me know so I can give you credit for inspiring me.  :-)

The card was made from leftovers.  The image was done at least a year ago, cut out and layered.  It is Hero Arts Red Rubber Cling Bouquet In A Vase stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb. cardstock, and painted with Twinkling H2O's Black Orchid, Mallard Green, and Warm Pecan.  The centers are done with Stickles Yellow.  The ribbon is May Arts.

The Trellis base background behind the bouquet was done using Spellbinders Lacey and Large Circle dies on the same cardstock and put through my Cuttlebug.  The weaving was done using 'white scraps' hoarded from way back when for who knows what!!!

The tag was done using a Spellbinders Blossom die on the Burgundy linen cardstock, a white acrylic tag and Impression-Obsession's new Clear Stamp Set All Occasions I stamped with StazOn Forest Green, and yellow rhinestone stickers. It was tied on with leftover gold cord.

The background paper was, I think, bought on sale at Michaels years ago.  I had cut it up for who knows what and it was stored in a box with other pieces I have waiting for a card!  The matte around that is Neenah Classic Crest Linen Burgundy.  The embellishments are leftover rhinestone stickers and a heart charm bought from Fancifuls, Inc.  The faux stitch was done with an SU marker.

Everything was mounted as shown with either my ATG tape gun or 3D pop dots.

I am finding more time to blog hop and love seeing all of your creations too!  Thanks for stopping by to look and share!!

 Shirley

IO Encouragement Challenge

When we received our list of upcoming challenges at the end of February, I checked out what encouragement means.  It is anyway you would let someone know you are there for them.  It would be a person needing comfort, someone who is graduating, a friend who is looking for a job, etc. It just so happens I have a friend who just had a disappointment and another young man, graduating from middle school, who is going on his first plane trip for his birthday.  So I thought I would try to do 2 cards using the same layout with different words of "encouragement".

I stamped Leigh Hannan's Watermelon Bugs on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock 2 times using Stazon Jet Black ink.  I painted them with Twinkling H2O's Garnet and Mallard Green.  I accentuated the heads and bodies with a Spica At You Black pen and then went over the red watermelon and the heads with a Sakura Clear Glaze pen.  Trimmed around the edges as shown.   I embellished it with 2mm pearls mounted with Glossy Accents.

Ran some Neenah Classic Linen Epic Black through my Cuttlebug using Spellbinders Lacey Squares largest die.   Measured the inside of the square and cut Neenah Solar White that I folded for the card.

For the envelopes I used Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Text weight paper, cut 7.25"X7.25", and The Enveloper.  I found it very easy to use.

Next I used an ink dauber and Stazon Jet Black ink on the Watermelon Bug stamp as shown below, for the inside top of the card and the lower left hand corner of the envelope.  I painted the same as the front of the card.  I used a Viva Ice White Pearl Pen to accent around the bugs!

I mounted the ribbons to the card fronts and did the bows with a Bow-Easy.  The red plaid is a left over and the red and black organza is May Arts.  The white acrylic tags are eons old.  I stamped the From the Heart words from Mini Messages with Stazon Blazing Red.   I mounted 3 2mm pearls in the middle of the heart and used Glossy Accents around them and the heart.  I stamped Fly from All Occasion I with Stazon Jet Black and then used Glossy Accents on the words and the 2mm pearls.  They were tied on with gold cord.

So that's my encouragement for this challenge and you can get even more by visiting the IO DT blogs below.  You can now join in the IO challenges for the $25 gift certificate drawing by using Inlinkz.  Also customers will have from the start of the challenge until the Wednesday before DT Thursday (1 week) to enter their card.  More details on the IO blog.

• Daniela Dobson
• Deborah March
• Dina Kowal
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jenny Gropp
• Julie Koerber
• Kathy Menzies
• Laura Fulcher

Supplies:

Images: Impression Obsession Leigh Hannan Watermelon Bugs; Clear Stamp Sets All Occasion I and Mini Messages

Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock and text; Neenah Classic Linen Epic Black
Ink: Stazon Jet Black and Blazing Red; Twinkling H2O's Garnet and Mallard Green
Accessories: Niji Waterbrush, The Enveloper, Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Lacey Squares; 2MM pearls, May Arts ribbon, Bow-Easy, Glossy Accents, Viva Ice White Pearl Pen.

I hope you enjoyed your visit and I should be back soon with more!  Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

An Idea That Went The Other Way

And a little bit of everything!!!  I've had this image forever!  I had stamped Magenta's Dasies In A Rectangle on white cardstock with Encore Gold pigment ink and embossed it with gold embossing powder, probably 4 years ago or more.  I had painted it with Radiant Pearls and they had faded over time, like Radiant Pearls can do.  I went through my "saved images" the other day and decided to do something with it.

The embossed area had tuned a little dark like antique gold.  I painted over the ares with Twinkling H2O's Lemon Yellow, Gold Dust, Mallard Green, and China Black.  They really made the flowers pop.  I added Dimensional glue in dots to the centers sprinkles with AIG Old Gold. 

For the background I embossed on Neenah Classic Solar White cardstock with Cuttlebug Love Language folder and on orange cardstock with Sizzix Floral Flourishes and Vines.  I had a card I had done a long time ago that measured 4"X8.5" and I saved some folded blanks I hadn't used.  I punch the top layer with Martha Stewarts Around The Page Eyelet Lace.   I measured, cut, and mounted the backgrounds as shown.

I taped the back of the May Arts ribbon, mounted it over and under the embossed backgrounds, and mounted the bow, done with the Bow-Easy.  The gold flower finding (bought at a stamp convention) on the bow was bent to fit the knot and a 5mm pearl sticker added with some Glossy Accents.

A corner of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb text was punched with the same corner punch I used for the edge of the card.  The words from Just Rite's Friendship Nested Sentiments were stamped with StazOn Forest Green at an angle to the corner.  A ruler was used to measure where to cut so the punch could be used on the opposite end.  Then the Scor-Pal was used for decorative lines above and below the words.  3mm pearls were added.

Supplies:

Image:  Magenta Daisies In A Rectangle, Just Rite Friendship Nested Sentiments
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock and text; orange cardstock
Ink: Encore Gold; Stazon Forest Green; Twinkling H2O's Lemon Yellow, Gold Dust, Mallard Green, China Black
Accessories: Niji Waterbrush, AIG Old Gold glitter, Cuttlebug Love Language embossing folder, Sizzix Floral Flourishes and Vines, Martha Stewart Around The Page Eyelet Lace Punches, 5 and 3MM pearl stickers, May Arts ribbon, Bow-Easy, Brass (Gold) flower finding.

Okay, now I am scared.  I just did spell check and it didn't show me any misspelled words.  I just misspelled on purpose and it didn't catch it.  Oh well, you know what I meant to type!! Yikes!!!  I should be back soon.  This Thursday is IO's "Anything But A Card" challenge.  Thanks for stopping by to look and share. Praying for the Middle East and Japan. :-(  Hope your weekend was good!

 Shirley

It's A Blue Challenge, Not A Blue Day!!!

When someone says blue to me and doesn't define anything else, for some reason, I think of Delft art or china.  Soooo here's how I did my card for this challenge.

I stamped Alesa Baker's new image, Wire Garden Bench, with StazOn Ultramarine.  It was painted with Twinkling H2O's Sapphire On Ice.  The great thing about watercolor is the different shades from just one color.  I highlighted the flowers with a Clear Sakuro Glaze Gel Pen

The edge was done with Martha Stewart's Around The Page String Lace and Neenah Classic Solar White Text paper.  I didn't like the white so I ran the StazOn Ultramarine over it and mounted the image on to.

I thought Impression Obsession's Cover-A-Card^TM  Round Floral in Ancient Page Cobalt would look a lot like Delft tiles.  I stamped it once using my  Mega Mount^TM,  for the 5.25X5.25 background, and once more for the left inside of the card, the lower left-hand corner of the envelope and the 4 square tiles you see on the corners. I first punched the three squares like you see in the lower right-hand corner where you see the word "hello" with a .75" punch.  I highlighted them with a Clear Sakuro Glaze Gel Pen.  Then to get the other 3 tiles I used a .5" punch.  They were mounted with 3D pop dots.   One of the left over hollow frames was used for the word "hello",  from Impression Obsession's Sentiments II Clear Stamp Set.

The image was placed on the background with 3D pop dots.  I mounted the white seam binding ribbon and then mounted all to the folded card, added the pearl embellishments, did the inside and the envelope and done.

Now there's more fun waiting for you.  Below are the blogs of the DT members with more wonderful "Blue Cards".

• Daniel Dobson
• Deborah March
• Dina Kowal
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jenny Gropp
• Julie Koerber
• Kathy Menzies
• Shirley Ross

Supplies:
Image: Impression Obsession - Cover-A-Card^TM Round Flowers, Alesa Baker Garden Bench, and  Sentiments II 

Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock and text
Inks: Stazon Ultramarine and Ancient Page Cobalt; Twinkling H2O's Sapphire On Ice
Accessories: Niji Waterbrush, Clear Sakura Glaze Pen, Martha Stewart Around The Page String Lace Punches, 5 and 2MM pearl stickers, White Seam Binding,  Bow-Easy

Thanks for stopping by to look and share.  Hope to see you all soon!!

 

 Shirley

 

A "Bootiful" Halloween Card

This card is 5.25X5.25".  I couldn't resist using these great Leigh Hannan Halloween Window and Pumpkin Patch stamps with the season upon us!   I stamped the Window stamp on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock with Stazon Jet Black.  The image was painted with Twinkling H2O's.  2 and 3MM pearls were mounted with Glossy Accents to the areas as shown.  Stickles Diamonds glitter glue was used for the frost on the windows.  A piece of the Solar White cardstock was put through the Cuttlebug using their Distressed Stripes (it reminds me of vinyl house siding).  The image was cut out and then the edges sealed with Twinks China Black.  The window portion was glued to the "siding" and then the shutters on the side had 3D pop dots put underneath to give dimension. 

The pumpkin with vines was stamped again and painted with twinks. The berries were painted orange and then Stickles Orange glitter glue was applied for effect.  The eyes and mouth of the pumpkin were painted and then Stickles Yellow used.  The pumpkin was cut out with an X-acto knife.   The edges were sealed with China Black and then it was turned over on a Pergamano mat and embossed for depth using a stylus.  If you click on the image below you can get a close up.  Just enough raise to give it depth.  It too was mounted with 3D pop dots.

The envelope is handmade from Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb. Text paper.  The image is the Pumpkin Patch mentioned above.  The punched edges are from the DP used on the front with Martha Stewart's Modern Garland Corner and Edge Punches.

Designer paper was used behind the Distressed Stripes siding.  A piece of Solar White 80lb Text paper was punched also using Martha Stewart's Modern Garland Corner and Edge Punches.  It was first mounted on a piece of SU Orange cardstock.  The DP was mounted on that and then the main image was mounted using 3D pop dots.  The 5MM pearls were then mounted using Glossy Accents.  The pearls all have sticky on the back, but it doesn't hold nearly as well as being reinforced with Glossy Accents.  May Arts Deep Green Ribbon was sealed to the cardfront back and passed under the Distress Stripes as shown.  The bow was done with the Bow-Easy.

The stick pin is a pear shaped boutonniere pin.  The heart is a Czech glass bead with a Clear Czech bead below that.  All were sealed in place with Glossy Accents.

The inside (shown below) was done with the same DP used on the front with the same Martha Stewart punches.  The image is IO Leigh Hannan's Pumpkin Patch.  It too was stamped, cut out, sealed edges with China Black, turned over on the mat and embossed with the stylus, and then mounted with 3D Pop Dots.  The words are my own and computer generated.

The edge of the envelope flap is using the same Martha Stewart Garland punches.  The tiny pumpkin is from IO Leigh Hannah's  Candy Corn Tree.  It was trimmed, sealed, and embossed from the back too.  Mounted using a 3D pop dot too.

Hope you enjoyed the card.  Thanks for stopping by to look and share!!  Hope your Labor Day is great too!

 

 Shirley