Happy Father’s Day

Posted on May 21, 2013 by lhoman

Welcome to the Crafts ‘n things Blog. Father’s Day is less than a month away! I encourage you to make a card for the father in your life. Perhaps you are like me and your father has passed away, but you have an older brother, an uncle, of a close family friend that you wish to honor. Perhaps you wish to help your kids make a card for their father or grandfather. Both my father and my father-in-law have passed, but I make my husband a card every year on Father’s Day to honor him as the father of my children.

I have a few cards to share with you to help you get started on making your card. I will share a tutorial for this first card, because I think the technique is very “manly”!

1. Make a 5″x5″ black top-fold card.

2. Trim printed paper to 4-7/8″x4-7/8″; adhere to card.

3. Create the aged and embossed panel next. Cut kraft cardstock to fit inside the embossing folder. Apply Clearsnap ColorBox Creamy Brown Chalk Ink to the “front” or “top” side of the folder; this is the side that will deboss, or press into, the cardstock. You want to ink the debossed areas of the cardstock, not the raised, embossed areas.

4. Carefully place cardstock inside the inked embossing folder and run it through the machine. Let ink dry completely.

5. Using a foam or sponge applicator, ink raised areas of the embossed cardstock with green, blue, and brown ink, in that order, to create a patina. I used Clearsnap ColorBox Graphic 45 Decades Antique Moss, Bon Voyage, and Dark Cashmere Antiquing Ink. Let ink dry completely. (Note: It is very important that all ink is dry before moving to the next step.)

6. Ink a few of the raised, embossed areas with watermark or clear embossing ink.

7. Heat emboss with copper embossing powder.

8. Edge the embossed panel with brown ink and trim to 3-1/2″x4-1/2″. Mat on black cardstock and adhere to card front as shown.

9. Stamp a masculine image onto kraft cardstock with coordinating ink. Dig through your stamp stash and see what images you have that would be good for Father’s Day. Look for cars, boats, sports images, vintage items, etc.

10. Using photo as guide, trim image to size. Distress edges of image panel using scissors blade, paper distressing tool, or fingers. Mat image on black cardstock and adhere to card front as shown.

11. Decorate the card with a “coil” of twine and a vintage image or postage stamp. Tie twine around the top of the card and add a charm.

12. Make sure to “grunge up” your papers and cardstock for a unique, masculine look. This technique works with any embossing folder. You can try other ink and embossing powder colors to create alternate results.

13. Add kraft cardstock to the inside of the card and stamp or write a Father’s Day message.

Remember, when creating cards for the special men in your life, try to use dark and neutral colors, and natural elements like twine, jute, and cork. Add metal items as I have done with this vintage-inspired card.

If you don’t have access to many embellishments, you can still create depth and interest with papers. I have simply added a few vintage buttons to the above card. I used several papers and the circles to create movement and contrast.

Supplies:

Cardstock: American Crafts Black, Stampin’ Up! Whisper White
Designer paper: Graphic 45 A Proper Gentleman (retired)
Stamps: Stampin’ Up! Thinking of Father (retired)
Clearsnap Ink Pads: ColorBox Creamy Brown Chalk; ColorBox Graphic 45 Decades Antiquing Dark Cashmere, Antique Moss, Bon Voyage; Top Boss Watermark Ink; ColorBox Archival Dye Ink Wicked Black
Embossing powder: Hampton Art Copper
Embossing folder: Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Collage
Die-cutting or embossing machine
Twine: Really Reasonable Ribbon Natural Jute String
Charm: Tim Holtz Idea-ology Muse Tokens
Adhesives: 3M Scotch Brand Double-Sided Tape, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3D Foam Squares, Aleene’s Tacky Glue, Cosmo Cricket Glubers Glue Dots

Enjoy creating for your dad, or other special man, this month!

Gloria Stengel from Scraps of Life (www.gloriascraps.blogspot.com)

Congratulations Class of 2013

Posted on May 21, 2013 by lhoman

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

Use leftover pieces from a graduation-themed scrapbook kit to create cards or photo gifts for your favorite grads. This card design would make a fun mini album cover, too!

Materials

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper Starburst Metallic, Papertrey Ink Stamper’s Select White
Me & My BIG Ideas Graduation mambiKIT
Therm O Web Gold Glitter Dust Photo Corners

Tools

Papertrey Ink For The Graduate Clear Stamp Set
Acrylic block
Ink Pads: Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Black Soot, Tsukineko Memento Paris Dusk
Therm O Web XL Permanent Tape Runner

Basic Supplies

paper trimmer, scissors, ruler, pencil, scoring tool, sponge dauber

Directions

STEP 1

Make 5”x5-1/2” Starburst Metallic side-fold card.

STEP 2

Cut patterned paper slightly smaller than card front.

STEP 3

Use Paris Dusk ink to stamp “Class of 2013” onto White cardstock; see Tip at end of instructions. Trim stamped image to width of paper; adhere strip. Sponge panel edges with Black Soot ink. Adhere panel to card.

STEP 4

Adhere “Congratulations” sticker to card as shown. Trim glittered photo corner to fit end of sticker, creating arrow shape. Adhere chipboard stars and graduation cap stickers as shown.

Tip

Stamp numbers individually to make them fit within brackets, and use school colors for background cardstock and stamping. Most papers in kit are neutral and will work with any school colors.

by Alice Golden (www.alicegolden.com)

Wishing You Happiness Card

Posted on May 15, 2013 by lhoman

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

Create this elegant, embossed greeting to express graduation or wedding wishes.

Materials

White cardstock
Brown button
Cream embroidery floss

Tools

Sizzix BIGkick or Big Shot Die-Cutting System or Texture Boutique Embossing System
Sizzix Textured Impressions Doily & Lace Embossing Folder Set
Stampin’ Up! Heard from the Heart Stamp Set
Rubber brayer
Ink pads: dark brown, aqua, metallic gold
Paper adhesive

Basic Supplies

paper trimmer, scissors, craft knife, ruler, pencil, stamp cleaner

Directions

STEP 1

Make 5-1/2”x4-1/4” white top-fold card; set aside.

STEP 2

Cut 3”x4-1/4” white cardstock panel.

STEP 3

Using metallic gold ink, ink recessed side of Lace embossing folder. Carefully place cardstock panel cut in Step 2 onto inked surface. Close folder and follow manufacturer’s instructions to run folder through machine; remove cardstock and let dry. Immediately clean embossing folder with stamp cleaner.

STEP 4

Ink brayer with aqua ink; gently roll brayer over raised surface on cardstock panel and let dry. Clean brayer.

STEP 5

Adhere embossed panel to card ½” from left edge.

STEP 6

Stamp dark brown sentiment onto white cardstock. Trim sentiment to 5” long and adhere to card, aligning right edges.

STEP 7

Cut tiny slit in card fold 1” from left edge using craft knife. Insert embroidery floss through hole and wrap around card twice, running floss through button; cut and adhere end inside card.

Tip

For another look, emboss pearlescent white cardstock panel and adhere to card base for tone-on-tone texture.

by Debi Adams for Sizzix (www.sizzix.com)

Mother’s Day Butterfly Card

Posted on May 9, 2013 by lhoman

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

Butterflies are a symbol of good things to come, so make sure this one lands in Mom’s mailbox this Mother’s Day.

Materials

Cardstock: cream, pink, light blue
Crystal adhesive gem

Tools

PSA Essentials Peel & Stick Stamp Sets: Cupcake, Topiary
PSA Essentials Stamper Body and Black Ink Cartridge
Die-cutting system and Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Circles SM Dies
Brown ink pad
Markers: pink, green, light blue
Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents
Adhesives: paper adhesive, foam dots

Basic Supplies

paper trimmer, ruler, pencil, sponge dauber

Directions

STEP 1

Make 3-1/2”x5” light blue side-fold card; sponge edges with brown ink.

STEP 2

Cut smaller cream cardstock panel, sponge edges with brown ink, and adhere to card.

STEP 3

Stamp butterfly and dot circle image from Cupcake set onto cream cardstock. Color image with markers and die cut into small circle. Die cut larger pink cardstock circle. Sponge edges of both circles with brown ink; adhere circles together. Adhere butterfly motif to card with foam dots.

STEP 4

Stamp black sentiment in center of card as shown; adhere gem as shown.

STEP 5

Carefully coat butterfly image with Glossy Accents; let dry.

Tip

For a little more sparkle, highlight the butterfly’s wings with glitter glue instead of Glossy Accents.

by Vera Winters Yates for PSA Essentials (www.psastampcamp.blogspot.com)

Blooming Cards For Mom

Posted on May 5, 2013 by lhoman

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

Create multiple Mother’s Day card looks using just a few supplies and PSA Essentials’ Topiary Peel & Stick Stamp Set.

Materials

Cardstock: white, pink, light blue
BoBunny Press Country Garden Collection Charm Paper
Scrap paper
White adhesive pearls

Tools

Stamps: PSA Essentials Topiary Peel & Stick Set, Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames #10 Set
PSA Essentials Stamper Body
Die-cutting system
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Circles SM, Papertrey Ink Fillable Frames #10, My Favorite Things Die-namics Little Open Scallop Strip
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads: Worn Lipstick, Shabby Shutters, Tumbled Glass
Adhesives: paper adhesive, foam dots

Basic Supplies

paper trimmer, detail scissors, ruler, pencil, sponge dauber

Directions

STEP 1

Make 4-1/4”x5-1/2” white top-fold card. Determine vertical or horizontal orientation.

STEP 2

For vertical card, cut smaller white cardstock panel. Cut slightly larger pink cardstock mat; set aside.

STEP 3

Stamp flower from Topiary set a few times onto scrap paper; detail cut flower group to use as mask. Using mask, stamp flower repeatedly in different colors onto white cardstock panel.

STEP 4

Adhere panels together and to card. Cut thin green Charm paper strip to same width as stamped panel; adhere to card.

STEP 5

Stamp Worn Lipstick sentiment onto white cardstock; die cut/emboss into small circle. Lightly sponge circle with Tumbled Glass ink before removing template. Adhere circle to card with foam dots.

STEP 6

For horizontal card, cut striped Charm paper panel slightly smaller than card front; adhere to card. Die cut scalloped strip from light blue cardstock, trim to width of striped panel, and adhere to card.

STEP 7

Stamp Tumbled Glass frame image onto white cardstock; die cut frame. Stamp Worn Lipstick sentiment inside frame; adhere to card.

STEP 8

Stamp three Worn Lipstick flowers onto white cardstock scraps. Detail cut flowers and curl slightly with fingers to add dimension. Adhere pearl to each flower center. Adhere centers of two flowers directly to frame edge, leaving petals free. Adhere center of third flower to card with foam dot.

Tip

If you only need one or two Mother’s Day cards, use up the remaining paper scraps to create birthday, thank you, or congratulations cards. Just stamp an appropriate sentiment.

by Vera Winters Yates for PSA Essentials (www.psastampcamp.blogspot.com)

Flowers For Mom Card

Posted on May 2, 2013 by lhoman

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

Stamp and watercolor a masterpiece for Mother’s Day or Mom’s next birthday.

Materials

Stampin’ Up! Cardstock: So Saffron, Chocolate Chip
STAEDTLER Watercolor Paper
My Mind’s Eye Indie Chic Ginger Collection 6”x6” Paper Pad

Tools

Sizzix Big Shot Die-Cutting System
Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Scallop Die
Our Daily Bread Designs Stamp Sets: Happy Birthday, Mom
Ranger Ink Pads: Archival Jet Black, Tim Holtz Distress Gathered Twigs
STAEDTLER Ergo-Soft Aquarell Watercolor Pencils
Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Acrylic Grid Blocks
Scor-Pal Scor-Pal Scoring Board
Ranger Inkssentials Tools: Ink Blending Tool, Craft Nibs, Craft Nib Holder
Inky Antics Gamsol (odorless mineral spirits)
Adhesives: paper adhesive, foam dots, Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents

Basic Supplies

paper trimmer, scissors, ruler, pencil, stamp cleaner, non-stick craft sheet

Directions

STEP 1

Make 5-1/2”x4-1/4” gold top-fold card. Sponge edges Gathered Twigs using Ink Blending Tool.

STEP 2

Cut smaller panel from desired paper, sponge edges Gathered Twigs, and mat on brown cardstock. Adhere to card.

STEP 3

Cut paper strip same width as patterned panel, sponge edges Gathered Twigs, and mat on brown cardstock. Die cut brown border strip, trim, and adhere to back bottom edge of layered strip. Stamp Jet Black sentiment and adhere strip to card.

STEP 4

Stamp Jet Black watering can image onto watercolor paper. Using photo as guide, outline individual sections of image using watercolor pencils. To blend colors, dip edge of blending nib into Gamsol, then pull color into desired areas using circular motion. Repeat until entire image is colored.

STEP 5

Using paper trimmer, trim image down so only a few portions extend beyond edge. Detail cut those portions of image.

STEP 6

Sponge edges of image panel Gathered Twigs. Mat on brown cardstock and adhere to card with foam dots.

Tip

Create a coordinating fresh floral centerpiece for Mom inside a new watering can. It’s always fun to have new garden tools.

by Lisa Somerville (www.lisasomerville.com)

Happy Mother’s Day

Posted on April 30, 2013 by lhoman

Today, I am sharing a Mother’s Day card made for my mother-in-law. I was playing with my sprays and decided to create a shimmery background.

1. Make dark brown top-fold card. Cut slightly smaller white cardstock mat; distress edges with distressing tool. Set pieces aside

2. Working on non-stick craft sheet, spray second sheet of white cardstock using yellow, green, and blue shimmery sprays. Let dry completely.

3. Use excess spray ink on craft sheet to dye seam binding ribbon to match. Let dry.

4. Follow diagram above to stamp Coffee butterflies randomly over background paper. Color images with STAEDTLER watercolor pencils. Start with one color and then apply second color. Blend with water brush; let dry. Highlight images with white gel pen; let dry.

5. Add shading around butterflies with brown or gray tones. Soften with water brush.

6. Sprinkle white spray across surface to add white spots; let dry.

7. Sprinkle Goosebumps spray across surface to add look of water drops; let dry.

8. Trim panel to fit card, slightly smaller than white mat. Distress edges and sponge with Toffee ink. Adhere panel and mat to card front.

9. Stamp sentiment near one edge of remaining misted background sheet using Coffee ink. Trim sentiment into small tag; distress edges and sponge with Toffee ink. Mat tag on dark brown cardstock. Punch hole in left end of tag; thread with brown twine.

10. Tie seam binding into loopy bow. Adhere bow and flowers to card. Tie tag to ribbon; adhere to card.

Products

STAEDTLER Watercolor Pencils
Stamps: Hero Arts Papillons, Old French Writing; Stampendous! Happy Mother’s Day
Petaloo Premier Spring Darjeeling Collection Seaside Mini Daisies w/Leaves
Tattered Angels Chalkboard Spray: Teal High Heel, Sprout, Decadence
Heidi Swapp Dijon Color Shine Spray
Studio Calico Mister Huey Opaque White Color Mist
Tsukineko Goosebumps Clear Texture Spray
Ranger Ink Pads: Archival Coffee, VersaFine Toffee
Paper distressing tool
Water brush
Ranger Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool and Foam
Small hole punch
Brown twine

Happy Stamping!

Suzanne Czosek from Suzz’s Stamping Spot (www.suzzstampingspot.blogspot.com)

Cute Baby Girl Card

Posted on April 29, 2013 by lhoman

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

Welcome the new baby with a trendy chevron background and an old-fashioned pram.

Materials

Cardstock: white rustic (flecked), Bazzill Basics Paper Kraft
SEI Cardboard Alphabet
BasicGrey Black Micro Mono Cardstock Alphabet Stickers

Tools

Computer and color printer
Sewing machine and white thread
Die-cutting system and Hero Arts Baby Motifs Frame Cuts
Hero Arts Stamp Sets: New Baby Clear Set, All Things Arrows Digikit
Acrylic block
Hero Arts Hero Hues Black Dye Ink Pad
Adhesives: foam tape, paper glue

Basic Supplies

paper trimmer, scissors, ruler, pencil, removable tape

Directions

STEP 1

Using computer and software, download digital stamp set. In blank document, insert arrow stamp, recolor, and copy/paste repeatedly to create a chevron background. Print onto rustic cardstock.

STEP 2

Cut 4”x5-1/4” chevron paper panel. Using photo as guide, position carriage die on panel and secure with removable tape. Die cut paper panel; remove cut-out and tape. (Note: Save cut-out carriage to use as an embellishment on another project.)

STEP 3

Sew border around carriage and panel edges.

STEP 4

Make 4-1/4”x5-1/2” Kraft top-fold card. Center die-cut paper panel over card front; carefully stamp baby carriage image through opening. Adhere panel to card with foam tape.

STEP 5

Stamp heart onto chevron paper scrap; detail cut heart and adhere to carriage with foam tape.

STEP 6

Adhere alphabet letters and stickers to card to create sentiment.

Tip

Create trendy background paper using digital stamps! This digi stamp set from Hero Arts includes 20 customizable images that you can recolor and resize as desired.

by Lucy Abrams for Hero Arts (www.heroarts.com)

Perk Up Card

Posted on April 23, 2013 by lhoman

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

Invite a friend out for a much-needed coffee break, or just remind her that she’s loved, with this cute pick-me-up.

Materials

Gina K. Designs Pure Luxury White Cardstock
Pebbles, Inc. Seen and Noted Collection 6”x6” Paper Pad
Buttons Galore & More Red Button
Studio Calico Wood Veneer Embellishments: Hearts, Alphabet
Want2Scrap Say it with Baby Bling Silver Rhinestones
The Twinery Mandarin Baker’s Twine

Tools

Fresh Squeezed Stamps Hot Hot Hot Clear Stamp Set
Acrylic block
Corner rounder punch
Tsukineko VersaFine Onyx Black Ink Pad
Adhesives: Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3D Foam Squares

Basic Supplies

paper trimmer, detail scissors, scoring tool, ruler, pencil

Directions

STEP 1

Make 4-1/4”x5-1/2” White top-fold card. Cut 4-1/4”x5-1/2” panel from scalloped pennant paper; adhere to card front. Round bottom right corner on both card layers with punch.

STEP 2

Cut 3-1/4”x5-1/4” blue days-of-the-week paper panel; adhere to left side of card.

STEP 3

Cut 1-1/2”x4-1/2” red/white heart paper strip and 2-1/4”x4″ White cardstock strip. Trim one end of each strip to create banners. Layer and adhere to left side of card over blue panel.

STEP 4

Stamp Onyx Black cup image onto White cardstock; detail cut cup and adhere to card using foam squares.

STEP 5

Stamp cup label onto chevron paper; detail cut label and adhere to cup.

STEP 6

Stamp Onyx Black sentiment onto White cardstock and trim into long banner shape. Tie twine around end of banner and adhere to card using foam squares.

STEP 7

Adhere button, rhinestones, and wood veneer accents as shown using liquid glue; let dry.

Tip

For fun texture, use permanent ink to stamp cup image onto craft foam to mimic a foam cup or onto recycled plastic from a real take-out coffee cup.

by Michelle Woerner (www.stopandstamptheroses.blogspot.com)

Gift Card Ideas for the Ladies

Posted on April 22, 2013 by lhoman

Welcome to the Crafts ‘n things Blog. Before we get started with the project today, it is time to announce the winners of the two $25 Inspired by Stamping Gift Cards!

The two winners as selected by Random.org are Emerald Perez and Barbara MacAskill! Thank you to everyone for all your kind comments. Emerald and Barbara, please contact Joanna (joanna@inspiredbystampin.com) to claim your prize!

As we get closer to May and June, many of us are sure to need gifts for the ladies in our lives. We may need a Mother’s Day gift, a wedding shower gift, or a graduation gift.

I made a card with a removable bookmark tag, but you can also add a gift card! The recipient can remove the gift card from the tag and still use the bookmark!

Tuck the bookmark and gift card into a decorated library card pocket.

Use stamped sentiments in a reading theme and attach a gift card to a local book store to the book mark. If you have a friend or sister who loves tea or coffee, use tea-themed stamps and tuck a gift card to a local tea or coffee shop into the pocket.

Here is a look at the inside of the card where I stamped a reading-themed sentiment.

Supply List

Cardstock: American Crafts Coffee, Neenah Natural White
Designer paper: Graphic 45 A Ladies’ Diary Collection 8″x8″ Paper: Garden Stroll, Moment in Time, Fashion Plates, Ageless Beauty
Simple Stories Odds and Ends Memorabilia Pocket
Prima Fairy Belle Collection Flowers
My Favorite Things Well Read Stamp Set
Clearsnap ColorBox Graphic 45 Decades Dark Cashmere Antiquing Ink Pad
Spellbinders Grand Calibur Die-Cutting System
My Favorite Things Die-namics Fishtail Flag Stax Die
Really Reasonable Ribbon Champagne Chevron Striped Twill
Large manila shipping tag
Bow Easy Bow-Making Tool
Adhesive: Beacon Adhesives Fabri-tac Permanent Adhesive, 3M Scotch Brand ATG Tape Runner, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Foam Tape

Gloria Stengel from Scraps of Life (www.gloriascraps.blogspot.com)