Sketch 6 - Card #2

Time for another quick post before the holidays. Taking my cue from the printed paper for both color and design, I layered a thin loop border on top of the big scallop border (both are Accucut dies). Adhering a silk flower with a pearl center on top of the circles (Marvy punches) completes the look.

Whenever you are feeling "design" or "color" challenged, select a piece of printed paper from your stash that you really like as your starting point.  Disect it (mentally, of course!) for design and color and then simply repeat the elements.  Using the "Rule of 3" will also help you create a pleasing look.  Odd numbers tend to give the illusion of balance and 3 seems to be the right number - not too few, not too many. 

If you look closely at this card, you will see that I have 3 colors - lavendar, dark purple and white.  I also have three elements - loops, scallops and dots/circles.  I could have incorporate another color but the lavendar and the dark purple are at opposite ends of the purple spectrum that they can easily work as two different colors.

I hope you and your loved ones have a safe, happy holiday season!

Sketch 6 - Card #1

This is the first of the cards from Sketch 6 - the final sketch for this series.  The basic layout includes a border along the left side of the card, an embellishment in the upper right corner and a stamped verse in the lower left corner.

The border and dragonfly/circle are die cuts from Accucut.  I put a coordinating strip of paper behind the border to make it stand out.

Stay tuned to see how this sketch gets interpreted over the next several cards.

Sketch 5 - Cards #8, #9 and #10

It's time to get back on schedule with my Versatility cards.  If I don't finish up soon, it will be time for next year's cards! So, here we go:

Card #8
I embossed a tan piece of card stock for the square using a Cuttlebug folder.  The bubbles of the embossing mimic the dots in the paper.  A cute pink button and a bow made from sheer brown ribbon add the finishing touches.

Card #9
This card was created using a custom die I had made by Accucut. It is an A2 size card that opens at the top, with a velcro closure under the flap.  You can easily re-create this card by cutting out a large circle with any of the die cutting systems.  A couple of punched flourish shapes and a small flower decorate the flap and the bottom of the card.

Card #10

This card was also made from a custom Accucut die.  It is similar to card #9 but I embossed the entire card front and then highlighted it with a Brilliance ink pad.  The printed paper used on the flap repeats the embossed design to tie the entire card together.



Well, that's it for Sketch 5.  Sketch 6 will start tomorrow!

More Gift Card Holders

I thought I'd share three other pop-up gift card holders I made - one for a birthday, another one for Christmas and one as a general thank you.  The possibilities are endless!

I hope you have fun creating your own versions.  Please be sure to email your finished work to me and I'll add it to a future post for others to enjoy!

Click on the photo to enlarge it for a more detailed look at the cards.







Happy Holidays!

Gift Card Holder

For all of you who attended the MiTi at Stamp Your Art Out last weekend, I'm finally getting around to posting the promised instructions.  The supplies and instructions are for an A2 size card.

This is what the finished project will look like:

You'll need the following general supplies:

• Card stock for an A2 size card and a 5-1/2" x 6" piece of card stock to match the card
• Printed papers, coordinating card stock,  punches, stamps, ink pads, etc. to decorate the card
• 1/4" and 1/2" wide red line tape
• Other adhesive, paper trimmer and scoring tools
  

I'm assuming you can figure out how to decorate the card, so I'm only going to provide photos (click to enlarge) and instructions for the pop-up gift card assembly, followed by some general notes on how I decorated my MiTi card.

Start by cutting a piece of card stock 5-1/2" x 6" and place it in your Scor-Pal (see photo).  This is the piece you will use to make the pop-up.

Note:  For illustration purposes only, I'm using yellow and green card stock in some of the photos and I've highlighted the scoring marks with black and red markers.

Next, score your card stock at the 1-1/2", 3" and 5-1/2" marks (black lines in the photo).

Move your card stock to the right so that the line you originally scored at the 3" mark is now aligned with the 4-1/4" slot (see the red arrow in the photo).

With the 3" score line aligned with the 4-1/4" mark, score the panel at the 5", 5-1/2" and 6" score lines (red marks in the photo).

Fold the card stock on all scored lines.  The middle red line is a valley fold.  All others are mountain folds.

Place 1/2" red line tape just below the bottom score line and 1/4" red line tape just above the top score line.  You'll also need two small pieces (about 1/2" in length of either width) positioned at either end of the piece just above the 3rd score line (below the valley fold).

Do not remove the tape liner until you are ready to adhere that portion to the card.  It will save you a lot of frustration later . . .

Now, it is time to place the pop-up assembly into the card.  Remove the tape liner from the 1/2" strip at the bottom of the panel.  Line it up just below the inside fold line of the card and press it onto the bottom half of the card.





Fold the panel back on itself at the second score line (top of the decorated panel.  Remove the tape liner from the two small pieces and press sections together on the valley fold line.  In my illustration, the "1/2" marking and the little square will be pressed together.

This forms the "pocket" for the gift card to sit in.

Remove the tape liner from the 1/4" wide strip.










Press the front/top of the card down over the exposed tape to adhere it.  Press firmly.

Open the card and ***presto***  just like magic, your gift card holder pops up!










 NOTE:  If you don't have a Scor-Pal, you can use the Score-It Board or a bone folder and ruler. Laying your card stock in the same orientation (6" width running left to right), score at 1-1/2", 3", 3-3/4", 4-1/4", 4-3/4" and 5-1/2".  The rest of the instructions will be the same.

For my "Cool Yule" MiTi card, my supplies were:

• White, dark green and dark red card stock (Marco's Paper)
• Printed paper (JoAnn's)
• "Cool Yule" stamp (Judikins)
• "Trees" stamp (Judkins)
  
• "Happiest Holidays" stamp (Verses Rubber Stamps)
• "Dots" and "Snowflakes" stubbies (Stamps by Judith)
• Tree and zig zag border (Accucut dies)
• Mementos dye ink pads - Summer Sky and Cottage Ivy
• Memories dye ink pad - white

General instructions for decorating the card:

• Stamp snowflake and dots with blue ink on top half of white card
• Stamp "Cool Yule" verse in green ink
• Adhere printed paper to bottom portion of front card
• Adhere strip of dark green card stock across bottom edge of card - use die cut, border punch or decorative scissors to jazz it up!
• Die cut tree from green card stock and stamp dots with white ink.  Adhere with foam tape.
• Cut and score pop up assembly panel.  Decorate panel before applying tape!  
• Follow instructions above for pop-up assembly.
• Stamp verse with green ink and mat with dark red card stock.  Adhere to inside panel.

Thanks again to all who attended the MiTi!

Sketch 5 - Cards #6 and #7

After a few days away from blogging, I decided this card was so appropriate for today.  We had our first forecast of possible snow flurries for Thanksgiving and I decided I like spring better!









And, since I've been absent for a few days, I'm going to post another card from Sketch 5 today.   The second card is done in colors that would be appropriate for a guy card.  It even mimics camouflage colors, which is quite appropriate since it's deer season.

Sketch 5 - Card #5

When you run out of pre-printed card fronts, what do you do?  Check your stash of scrapbook papers and handmade papers.  As you can see, I also raided the button box for this card.

I purchased the handmade paper I used on this card from Marco's Paper awhile ago.  But, I stopped by today and they have an amazing selection in the storefront next door to their main store.  So, if you're in the area, be sure to stop by soon and check out the array of huge sheets (approximately 24" x 36") of cool papers they have in stock right now - some with fibers embedded in them, others have neat textures - and they are only $1.00 per sheet! 

Sketch 5 - Card #4

Another quick version of this sketch was created using the pre-printed cards.  This one could easily become a Valentine for that special someone by simply changing the flower to a heart-shaped embellishment, using a pink or red square and a valentine sentiment.  If you're looking for that perfect sentiment for any occasion, check out Verses Rubber Stamps.  They carry a wide variety of verse stamps! 

Sketch 5 - Card #3

Seeing spots?  This version uses another pre-printed card with a very colorful design so I kept the other elements plain and simple so as not to compete with the background.

This will be another short post as I need to get back to the studio and finish my preparations for this Saturday's Copic class at Marco's.  We'll be coloring holiday card images so, if you haven't finished your cards yet, join me for some coloring tips and holiday card design inspiration.

And, if you love Copics like I do, be sure to check out the "Copic Marker Special Effects" class at Stamp Your Art Out on Saturday, November 28.  There are only 2 seats remaining so don't be left out of the fun!

Sketch 5 - Card #2

I skipped the folding step on this version and simply trimmed off the excess from the edges.  If you need a bunch of cards quickly or just want to use up some of those scraps of printed paper you have in your craft stash, this layout is perfect. 

Happy crafting!

Sketch 5 - Card #1

After a long pause, I'm back to posting the cards from the final two sketchs of the Cards with Versatility class.  But before I do, I owe a very big "THANK YOU" to Bonnie and Jan, two students from my "Cheaper by the Dozen" class.  As my regulars know, I always bake something special for us to munch on during this class but on Monday, Bonnie and Jan brought baked apple dumplings for me (with lots to share with the other attendees)!  And, they were still warm from the oven - talk about heaven on a plate.  Yum, yum!!!

Now, back to our regularly scheduled posting . . . . Sketch #5 was based on a folded square, positioned on point, with a stamped verse tucked inside.  Using a pre-printed card, a silk flower and an acrylic bead lets you make this card in a jiffy!


I'm going to have to end this post and head off to my kitchen to bake some of those apple dumplings - just remembering them has my mouth watering!

Marco's Make-It / Take-It Slider Card

It's time for a break in the "Cards with Versatility" sketch postings.  Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting the Wednesday make-it / take-it project at Marco's Paper in Dayton.  Those of you who attend know that I tend to do cards or projects that are a little more involved and this one was no exception.  Thanks to all of you who not only came to play but were willing to trust me for that "aha" moment when the confusion subsided and the pieces all fell into place to create a really cool slider card that incorporates a hidden element.

This is the finished project.  The supplies you will need are listed below and are available from Marco's Paper (http://marcopaper.com/).  And, you get free shipping during the month of November for orders over $50!

• 5-1/2” x 8-1/2” navy cardstock with white specks
• 2-1/4” x 3-7/8” navy cardstock with white specks
• 2-7/8” x 4-1/2” white cardstock
• 3-7/8” x 5” white cardstock
• Memento dye ink pads – Paris Dusk, Summer Sky and Tuxedo Black
• Memento marker - Tuxedo Black
• Colored pencils or markers
• 1/8” hole punch
• ½” circle punch
• 6” of 1/8” wide ribbon
• Paper trimmer (slide style)
• Redline tape
• “Christmas Characters” clear stamp set – Inkadinkado (# 98408)
•  “Let it Snow” clear stamp set – Impression Obsession (# CL195)
• Scoring board or bone folder and ruler
• Acrylic block (for stamps)

NOTE: The first two photos use white cardstock instead of the navy for illustration purposes only. When making your card, please be sure to follow the directions that indicate when to use navy and white cardstocks.

With cardstock positioned so that the 8-1/2” length is horizontal and measuring from the left edge, score navy cardstock at 4” and 8”; fold on score lines.

Using slide-style paper trimmer; cut a line in the front panel ½” from the fold line (4” line); starting and stopping ½” from each edge. Cut a second line in the front panel ½” away from the 8” fold line; starting and stopping ½” from each edge.

Apply ¼” redline tape to the narrow flap but do not remover liner paper just yet – this will be done last.

Stamp upright snowman image on right hand side of smaller piece of white cardstock with black ink. Stamp verse on left hand side of smaller piece of white cardstock with navy ink. Randomly stamp snowflake all over panel with light blue ink.

Stamp fallen snowman image on right hand side of larger piece of white cardstock with black ink. Draw a snowball in flight just above the snowman. Color images as desired.


Punch a small hole in right hand side of larger piece of white cardstock and add ribbon.

Adhere smaller white panel to card front, centered between cut lines.

Punch notch on right hand side of card (front and back) using half of ½” circle punch.

Position smaller piece of navy cardstock over left hand side of front image panel and tuck top and bottom edges to the back side through the slits. Place redline tape on top and bottom edges (back side) of navy panel.

Align larger piece of white cardstock with top and bottom edges of navy piece and with left ends of slits; adhere to navy piece only.

To complete card, remove liner from tape at bottom edge of card and seal card edges.

When you pull the card, the navy piece on top slides from left to right to expose the hidden message and cover the first image.

Happy crafting!

Sketch 4 - Card #10

It was cold and rainy in Cincinnati so dreaming of a vacation at the beach seemed like a good idea.  This version of the sketch pulls together the elements of the sea - blue waters, waves, starfish and fishing net.  Well, the pink net is a bit of a stretch but the card needed a subtle pop of color and the pink tulle seems to do the trick.

This card concludes Sketch 4 - only 2 more sketches to go and then we can move on to other things.  Yippee!

Sketch 4 - Card #9

They say diamonds are a girl's best friend.  So, if one is good, three must be fantastic.  Or, in this case, the layered look brings together the diamond shape and the colors from the pre-printed card front.

Sketch 4 - Card #8

The top note die cut from Sizzix is one of my favorite shapes because it is just the right size for an A2 card.  It works as a background element or can take center stage when stamped on.  The tag and flowers are from Accucut.

Sketch 4 - Card #7

I flipped the order of the sketch elements on this card and used a combination of pinks and black for a "girly" card.  Taking my cue from the printed paper, a daisy die cut (Accucut) and words of encouragement (verse stamp from Rosie's Roadshow) complete the look. 

Sketch 4 - Card #6

Building off of Card #5, I used the same flower ribbon slide and spring theme.  By adding an umbrella die cut (Accucut), I changed it to spring showers from spring flowers.  Using a pre-printed card is a good idea if you are having a creative block - it gives you a nice starting point to draw inspiration from.

Sketch 4 - Card #5

Oops - looks like I forgot to post a card yesterday so today you will get two posts.  The first is this friendship card, created in a pretty spring floral palette on a printed card.  A flower ribbon slide (Accucut) helps pull the theme together.

Sketch 4 - Card #4

Happy Saturday!  It's a good day to play in your studio, create your own card fro this sketch and just "be yourself".

Happy crafting!

Sketch 4 - Card #3

For this card, I reversed the printed paper effect and used a pre-printed card, layered with solid card stock for the square.  Repeating the dots on the card, I used circles instead of squares for the punched shapes and another button from my stash. 

I conserved my ribbon by running a flat piece through the label tag and wrapped just the ends around the back instead.  The ribbon knot is created using a much smaller length of ribbon tied just around the front piece.  While this only saves about 4-5" of ribbon, when you are making 40 kits it adds up!  If you are only making a few cards, its a great way to use up those small scraps of ribbons and fibers.  Don't be afraid to mix and match either.

It's kind of funny but I used to laugh at my friends for never being able to throw anything away but I realize that I've become just like them!

Sketch 4 - Card #2

A little pink anyone?  I love using printed papers in my cardmaking as it seems to make the color selection process a little bit easier.  As you can see from this card, I simply used the three colors that were incorporated into the printed design - pink, salmon and a soft butter yellow.  The "rule of 3" just keeps popping up in our artwork, doesn't it?  Not only did I use 3 colors, but 3 tones as well - a light, medium and dark. 

Again, the verse stamp is from Rosie's Roadshow.  I love all of the different sayings they offer and the size is just perfect for tags and label die cuts.

And, since I'm also an avid seamstress and tailor, I incorporated a little rayon seam binding in lieu of ribbon and a cute button for the flower center - both from my favorite tailoring supplier - Banasch on Red Bank Road in Cincinnati.  If you get the chance, stop by and check out the "wall of buttons."  But, don't blame me if you get carried away with your shopping . . . 

The flower came from a silk flower stem I purchased at Hobby Lobby.  I wait for a good sale and then buy a few stems and disassemble them. 

I love being able to co-mingle the various tools and supplies from my different hobbies!  Why not raid the stash from some of your other hobbies to see what you can come up with?

Sketch 4 - Card #1

Well, it's time to get back to the posting from the "Cards with Versatility" class.  This card is the first in the series from Sketch #4 and is an exact replica of the original sketch.  It seems that at this point in the class development process, we started to get a little more creative with our interpretation of the basic layout, as you will see in the upcoming cards.  For this particular version, I used a verse stamp from Rosie's Roadshow and the tag is an Accucut die.

Given the lack of interest in the challenge for the previous three sketches, I'm not going to post a challenge for the remaining three.  However, if you are interested in playing along, please let me know and I'll be happy to open up the challenge again.

Inchie Cards

Yesterday I taught an inchie card class featuring inchie stamps and card ideas from Artful Illusions at Stamp Your Art Out.  If you are an inchie fan or just love the stamps from Artful Illusions, you're in luck.  They are having a trunk show this week so hurry in before they're all gone.

The class was a lot of fun and I've even had a request to repeat the class.  So, if you really wanted to take the class but yesterday's class just didn't fit into your schedule, please send me an email or call the store to let us know if you are intersted and what your schedule preference is for a repeat performance.

Cards from Friends

In case you didn't notice, I've taken a break from posting the card ideas from my "Cards with Versatility" class.  I will resume posting shortly with the cards from Sketch #4 but today I wanted to share with you some cards that my students have shared with me (with their permission, of course).

The first card is from Nancy and is a very cute fall card.  Nancy punched the leaves from the cover of a Woman's Day magazine.  What a great idea for recycling magazines or those glossy catalog pages!
 

This next photo is courtesy of Claudine, an avid Copic fan.  The leaves card is from my Copic Fall Cards class; the second card is a Claudine original.  I'd say she passed with flying colors (yes, pun intended!). 

Thanks to Nancy and Claudine for sharing!  If you have a card you'd like me to post, feel free to send it along.  Or, join in the card challenge for Sketch #4, which will be starting very soon.

Sketch 3 - Card #6

This is the final card for this sketch.  As the weather continues to get colder and as the calendar pages flip, I thought it was appropriate to end this sketch with a card done in traditional Christmas colors.  What is you version of this sketch?  Post your entry by 5 p.m. ET tomorrow for a chance to win!

Sketch 3 - Card #5

I decided after the first few cards it was time for a change so I took a different angle (yes, pun intended) and placed the printed paper diagonally on the card front.  I also put the star in the "sky" and covered the verse with a lavendar vellum.  Be sure to get your entry posted quickly - only one more card to go before we move on to sketch #4.

Sketch 3 - Card #4

Another busy day, another quick post.  Only a few more cards left for this sketch so make sure you get your entry posted quickly!