Treasure

For most of us, when we start to see the flowers bloom we know spring has arrived. Here in Southern California, the ice plant is blooming in huge purple swaths everywhere you look. I always know that spring is here when I see the ice plant start to bloom in March. To celebrate the coming of spring, I have a very “flowery” card to share.

1. Make a 4-1/4″x5-1/2″ orange top-fold card.

2. Trim yellow cardstock to 4-1/8″x5-3/8″ and adhere to the card front.

3. Trim floral paper to 4″x5-1/4″ and adhere to the card front.

4. Using a die-cutting template or border punch, cut scalloped borders from orange cardstock and pink dot papers. Trim borders to 4-1/4″ long and ahere to card as shown.

5. Tie pink dot ribbon around the card front as shown, knotting on the left side of the card.

6. Stamp scripture sentiment onto white cardstock with brown dye ink. Trim out with a die template. Use dimensional adhesive to adhere sentiment to a larger die-cut shape cut from orange cardstock. Adhere to the upper left corner of the card with dimensional adhesive.

7. Die cut a large scalloped heart from yellow cardstock. Die cut a plain heart from pink dot paper. Adhere hearts together, decorate with white adhesive pearls, and adhere to the lower right corner of the card as shown.

8. Die cut a small scalloped heart from orange cardstock. Die cut a plain heart from yellow floral paper. Adhere hearts together, decorate with white adhesive pearls and heart, and adhere to the lower right corner of the card as shown using dimensional adhesive.

9. Line the inside of the card with white cardstock.

Supply List:

  • Cardstock: American Crafts Peach, Yellow; Stampin’ Up! Whisper White
  • Designer paper: My Mind’s Eye Miss Caroline Howdy Doody Collection 6″x6″ Paper Pad
  • Ink: Colorbox Archival Mudslide
  • Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs Scripture Collection 7
  • Die-cutting system: Spellbinders Grand Calibur
  • Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Hearts, Classic Scalloped Hearts, Labels One, Labels One Small; My Favorite Things Wonky Scallops Border
  • Pearls: Want2Scrap, Prima
  • Ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon
  • Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3D Foam Squares, 3M Scotch Brand ATG Runner

Thanks for looking!

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

Birthday Flowers Card

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Trendy pastels and delicate blossoms make this die-cut beauty from Spellbinders the perfect card for springtime birthdays.

Materials

  • Gina K. Designs Pure Luxury Cardstock: White, Wild Lilac
  • Melissa Frances Fifth Avenue Collection Pearl Paper
  • Want2Scrap Purple Self-Adhesive Gems
  • Offray Lavender Satin Ribbon, 5/8” wide

Tools

  • Spellbinders Grand Calibur Die-Cutting System
  • Spellbinders Dies: Shapeabilities Die D-Lites Flower Burst S2-007, Nestabilities Card Creator Fancy Ribbon Threader S5-135, Nestabilities Labels Four S4-190
  • Happy Birthday! sentiment stamp
  • Tsukineko Memento Ink Pads: Cantaloupe, Bamboo Leaves, Grape Jelly
  • Adhesives: Xyron Mega Runner; Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L White 3D Foam Squares, 1/4”

Basic Supplies

paper trimmer, scissors, ruler, pencil, sponge dauber

Directions

Size

5-1/2”x4-1/4”

Birthday Flowers Card

1. Make 5-1/2”x4-1/4” Wild Lilac top-fold card.

2. Die cut/emboss Fancy Ribbon Threader #4 shape from Pearl paper. Leaving die template in place, stencil opening using sponge dauber and Grape Jelly ink. Remove die template.

3. Weave ribbon through openings in die-cut panel and tie bow at bottom. Adhere panel to card with foam squares.

4. Die cut/emboss Labels Four #6 shape from white cardstock. Leaving die template in place, sponge band of Cantaloupe ink horizontally across center of cardstock. Sponge Bamboo Leaves ink across bottom and Grape Jelly ink across top. Remove die template. Adhere to card with foam squares.

5. Die cut/emboss Flower Burst shape from white cardstock. Leaving die template in place, stencil flower openings Grape Jelly and grass/leaf openings Bamboo Leaves. Adhere gems to two large flower centers.

6. Die cut/emboss Fancy Ribbon Threader #2 shape from white cardstock. Leaving die template in place, stencil opening Grape Jelly. Remove die template. Stamp Grape Jelly sentiment in center of shape. Adhere to card as shown with foam squares.

Tip

  • Die cut blossoms from black cardstock to create a chic silhouette effect.

by Theresa Momber for Spellbinders Paper Arts (www.spellbinderscreativearts.com)

Easter Basket & Egg Hunt Invitation

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Invite family and friends to a fun Easter egg hunt with this quick-and-easy invitation. Little ones will enjoy gathering eggs in style with this matching Easter basket.

Materials

  • Cardboard or papier-mâché container: 4-3/4”x7-1/4” oval
  • Cardstock, 12”x12”: yellow floral, yellow/pink floral, pink patterned
  • Vellum: floral, 12”x12”
  • Ribbon: green, 1/2” wide, 1-1/2” wide; hot pink, 1” wide

Tools

  • Oval cutting system or templates
  • Computer and printer
  • Sewing machine with white thread
  • Needle and pink thread
  • Hole punch, 1/8”
  • Adhesives: 3M Vellum Tape; 3M Foam Tape; Therm O Web Super Tape, 1/4”

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, white copy paper

Directions

Invitation

1. Cut 5-1/2” high yellow floral oval cardstock and slightly smaller floral oval vellum. Adhere vellum to cardstock with vellum tape.

2. Cut 3” high oval opening from inside of layered oval; trim cutout to slightly smaller size. Separate cardstock from vellum in cutout. Print invitation saying on white copy paper; adhere between yellow floral cutout and vellum cutout so that saying can be read through vellum; trim edges. With sewing thread, suspend small oval in opening of large oval. Cut 1-1/2” green ribbon to 5” length; tie knot in center. Trim ends at slight angle. Adhere ribbon to top of invitation as shown.

Basket

1. For lining, trace box bottom twice on yellow floral cardstock; cut inside traced line. Measure height and inside circumference of box; cut yellow floral cardstock to fit. Set aside.

2. For tag, print “Place Eggs Here!” on yellow floral paper; cut to 2”x2-1/2”. Mat on pink floral paper with foam tape. Set aside.

3. Cut pink pattern paper into 1/2” strips, 1” longer than height of box and enough to cover box when aligned vertically. Cut floral pattern paper into 1/2”x12” strips; if strips are shorter than box circumference, overlap ends and adhere. Weave long floral strips through short pink strips, adhering each weave. Adhere woven sheet to box. Fold ends over edge and under bottom and adhere. Adhere linings inside box and on box bottom.

4. For basket handle, cut two 1-1/4”x9” strips yellow floral cardstock; adhere together with right sides out. If desired, machine zigzag stitch long sides of handle. Attach ends to inside of box as shown in photo. Adhere hot pink ribbon around basket edge. Insert 1/2″ green ribbon through hole on tag and tie in bow to handle. Trim ribbon ends at angle.

Tip

  • If strips slide around as you’re weaving, temporarily secure them to your work surface with low-tack tape or sticky notes.

by Karen Desmet

Motivational Magnetic Board & MAMBI Giveaway

Happy first day of spring! Hope you are enjoying some warm weather today and looking forward to the change in seasons. I always seem to have lots on my to-do list when spring rolls around – getting back out in my garden, planning for the many celebrations our family has in spring, and of course, lots of spring cleaning.

Today, I thought it would be fun to share this magnetic memo board that was created for Me & My BIG Ideas using some brand new motivational stickers that have just been released. In addition to that, they have offered to give one lucky reader a chance to win a set of these new stickers.

All you need to do to be entered in the drawing is answer the following question in the comments section of this post by Tuesday, April 2, 2013. Winners will be announced here on April 3rd.

“If you could only make time for one hobby, what would it be?”

Good thing this is just a hypothetical question, huh? If I had to choose, I guess I would say stamping. Although photography, paper crafting, cooking, reading, and gardening would be close behind… followed by the hobbies I want to add like quilting, needlepoint, jewelry making… I’m so glad we don’t actually have to limit ourselves to just one!

Okay, back to today’s project. This is a combination shadow box/magnetic memo board that I found at a craft store. I covered the back with patterned paper and created an assortment of quote magnets to attach on the inside.

These felt flowers are stickers that were adhered to an adhesive-backed magnet. Stickers come in so many different shapes, sizes, and materials and make a really fun and easy way to create. You could also die cut flowers from felt and add stitching to make your own.

Buttons also make great magnets.

I really love the quotes that are on these new stickers – they would make great cards, scrapbook layouts, and home décor.

One way to add more emphasis to a quote is to cut apart each line or word.

Adding a double mat and epoxy stickers gives extra emphasis to the last line.

This is one of my favorite quotes.

Another option is to layer a quote sticker onto a tag. These can also be used as larger magnets and moved around as needed.

The frame around this quote is a sticker that is clear with black outlines… I added the color using Copic markers.

Pink wire was used to hang this quote. If you brush baby powder on the back of a sticker it will neutralize the adhesive so that it can be used more like a die cut.

I thought this would make a great gift for someone – maybe a new grad – or as wall art in a teen’s room. What do you think?

Supplies

  • Me & My BIG Ideas Patterned Paper and Stickers
  • Magnetic memo shadow box, adhesive-backed magnets – craft supply store
  • .Too Marker Corp. Copic Markers
  • Therm O Web Permanent Tape Runner, 1/4″ Foam Squares

Happy Spring!

Alice Golden from Golden Moments (www.alicegolden.com)

Colorful Neon Wall Letters

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Use Gelly Roll Moonlight Pens from Sakura to doodle on papier-mâché letters. It’s an easy project that allows you to personalize your space with custom text art.

Materials

  • Sakura of America Gelly Roll Moonlight Gel Ink Pens
  • Papier-mâché letters: A, R, T
  • Neon cardstock, assorted colors
  • Jewelry wire

Tools

  • Wire cutters
  • Adhesives: paper adhesive, glue gun and sticks

Basic Supplies

pencil, ruler, copy paper

Directions

STEP 1

Using pencil, draw random design on first papier-mâché letter (A) . Using Gelly Roll Moonlight Gel Ink Pens, fill in shapes with different colors. (Note: For contrast, leave some shapes bare.)

STEP 2

For second letter (R), use gel pens to write meaningful words. Emphasize meaningful words in different colors.

STEP 3

Use gel pens to draw concentric circles on last letter (T). Create varying effects by drawing various size circles in an overlapping design.

STEP 4

Measure sides and center cut-outs of each letter; cut paper strips to same dimensions. Adhere paper strips to sides and center cut-outs of each letter. Let dry.

STEP 5

Write “create” onto copy paper. Using written word as template, bend jewelry wire to follow shape of word. Trim ends with wire cutters. Adhere word to top of letters using glue gun.

Tip

by Maureen Wilson for Sakura of America (www.sakuraofamerica.com)

Springtime Bird Card

Sue Czosek here today with a mixed-media spring card for you. The flowers aren’t quite blooming yet, but spring is on the way. We have a lovely weeping cherry tree in our front yard with a nest left over from last year in it. This image reminds me of what will be happening in the next few months and offers a little encouragement as we go through our last few snow showers.

1. Stamp the nesting bird using black ink on white cardstock.

2. Die cut a circle from scrap paper just larger than main image.

3. Place circle over image and center. Trace circle around the image except for tail area; remove circle. Detail cut tail just up to circle edges. Position die, cutting edge down, over stamped image, leaving tail on top of die template. Die cut circle around image. If you don’t have a die-cutting machine, just trace and cut out circle by hand.

4. Color the image with watercolor pencils and waterbrush. I color my image with the colors first and then use the waterbrush to soften the edges of the pigment. After it dries, I come back and add shading where needed.

5. Make kraft top-fold card. Cut blue damask paper slightly smaller than card front. Distress paper edges; sponge edges with brown dye ink.

6. Cut corrugated cardboard strip. Tie twine around cardboard.

7. Stamp sentiment onto damask paper scrap; trim to size. Distress paper edges; sponge with brown dye ink.

8. Sponge edges of image circle using blue and brown dye inks.

9. String buttons on twine.

10. Assemble card as shown.

Products:

Happy Spring Stamping!

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

Vintage Framed Bridge Card

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Rustic covered bridges like this have a special place in America’s heart and history. Use Heartfelt Creations’ coordinating stamps, dies, and papers to recreate that feel in a lovely, nostalgic card.

Materials

  • Heartfelt Creations Classic Editions Paper Collection (HCDP1 224)
  • White cardstock
  • Blue Moon Beads Gold Glass Pearls

Tools

  • Heartfelt Creations PreCut Stamp Sets: Open Vintage Floret (HCPC 3500), Vintage Floret Frame (HCPC 3522), Natural Beauty (HCPC 3526)
  • Spellbinders for Heartfelt Creations Dies: Decorative Leafy Frame (HCD 731), Vintage Floret Die (HCD 727)
  • Tombow Dual Brush Markers: Dark Violet 559, Saddle Brown 977, Wine Red 837, Tan 942, Purple Sage 623, Carnation 761, Avocado 098, Cool Gray #1 N95, Cool Gray #8 N53, Light Orange 025, Chocolate 969, Colorless Blender N00
  • Ink Pads: Clearsnap ColorBox Chalk Ink Prussian Blue, Olive Pastel, Maroon, Chestnut Roan; Ranger Archival Jet Black
  • Clear detail embossing powder
  • Tonic Studios Tim Holtz Paper Distresser
  • McGill Paper Blossoms Molding Mat and Tool Kit
  • Adhesives: paper adhesive, foam tape, Art Institute Glitter Designer Dries Clear Adhesive

Basic Supplies

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

Directions

Size

7″x5″

Card

1. Make 7”x5” top-fold card from green/brown Classic Editions paper. Sponge edges Chestnut Roan.

2. Stamp Jet Black covered bridge image onto white cardstock; heat emboss with clear powder.

3. Using photo as guide, color main image with markers. Blend colors with colorless blender marker.

4. Trim image panel to 6-1/4”x4-1/4”; very lightly sponge background Prussian Blue and Olive Pastel. Distress paper edges with paper distresser. Sponge distressed edges Chestnut Roan.

5. Cut 6-1/2”x4-1/2” maroon Classic Editions paper panel. Distress paper edges and sponge Chestnut Roan.

6. Layer and adhere paper panels to card front.

7. Stamp Chestnut Roan frame image onto pale gold Classic Editions paper. Sponge frame Chestnut Roan; shade leaves with Olive Pastel ink and colorless blender marker. Die cut frame using Decorative Leafy Frame die. Sponge inside frame edges Chestnut Roan. Adhere frame to card using foam tape.

8. Stamp Chestnut Roan floret images onto pale gold Classic Editions paper. Sponge florets Maroon. Shape floret layers using molding mat and stylus. Adhere floret layers together using Designer Dries Clear Adhesive; adhere pearls to floret centers. Adhere florets to frame as shown

Tip

by Linda Bontrager for Heartfelt Creations (www.heartfeltcreations.us/blog)

Top 5 Spring Paper Crafting Collections

March is here, which means, like most of you, I’m in the mood for spring crafting!

It’s Jill Cornell here today to share a collection of my top five favorite spring paper crafting collections. Spring evokes visions of soft colors, florals, butterflies, baby animals, and rainbows and umbrellas, among other things. (These are in no particular order – just five of my favorites!)

1) Vintage Bliss by Simple Stories

This collection is anchored by a whitewash woodgrain print and includes pastel colors set with a beautiful chevron stripe, umbrellas and butterflies. Simple Stories expanded their embellishments with this latest release and is now including brads, dimensional stickers and other embellishments in their collections.

2) New Beginnings by Webster’s Pages

Perfect for Easter, spring and new babies, this collection includes baby animals, puffy clouds and Easter eggs in Webster’s Pages signature detailed style, along with clean and simple patterns such as plaid, polka dots and hexagons. Embellishments include beautiful trims and cameos, plus new washi tape styles and small patterned bags.

3) Lucky Charm by Dear Lizzy for American Crafts

Navy blue and neutral kraft complement other soft colors in this new release by Elizabeth Kartchner for American Crafts. Text prints, arrows, florals and Dear Lizzy’s signature mason jars make a delightful spring collection when paired with American Crafts’ huge array of embellishments – clothespins, flair, brads, buttons, tags and more.

 4) Mint Julep by BasicGrey

BasicGrey’s new spring release features beautiful florals on a background of mint green, which is proving to be a popular color this spring. The collection includes whimsical deer and butterflies among Basic Grey’s vast line of embellishments, like these woven fabric labels.

5) Maggie Holmes for Crate Paper

Maggie Holmes’ debut collection for Crate Paper is simply stunning. Musical notes, doilies, clouds and florals are done up in a vintage, dreamy twist. The collection includes new-to-Crate Paper embellishments – fabric frames, resin flower clips, clothespins and more.

I don’t know about you, but these collections are inspiring me to create!

Welcome, spring!

Jill Cornell from Blessed Scrapper (www.jillcornell.blogspot.com)

Filled with Easter Love

It is spring here in Southern California! The peach tree in the backyard is blooming, the temperatures have been in the mid- to high-70s for the past few days, and Easter is just a few weeks away!

I created a soft, pastel Easter card to share with you today.

1. Make a green 4-1/4″x5-1/2″ top-fold card.

2. Trim pink cardstock to 4-1/8″x5-3/8″ and attach to the card front.

3. Trim kraft cardstock to fit an A2 embossing folder (approximately 4-1/4″x5-1/2″) and emboss with dot texture. Lightly rub the surface of the embossed cardstock with white ink. Trim panel to 4″x5-1/4″ and attach to the card front.

4. Trim pink gingham paper to 2-1/2″x4″ and mat with white cardstock cut slightly larger. Attach to the card front as shown.

5. Trim green dotted paper into a banner shape and mat with white cardstock cut slightly larger. Attach to the card as shown.

6. Wrap green satin ribbon around the card and attach. Wrap cream wrinkled seam binding around the card, overlapping the green satin ribbon. Tie a double bow.

Designer note: To give my white seam binding a soft, wrinkled look, I sprayed it with Glimmer Mist and crumpled it into a ball. Once the seam binding was dry, It was a pale cream color and nicely wrinkled. To create the double bow, I used two lengths of seam binding. I simply tied one bow, and then tied a second bow which I glued on top of the first.

7. Stamp Easter eggs with pink ink onto white cardstock. Using a masking technique, stamp grass over the eggs with green ink. Trim the images out with a die cut template and attach to the card as shown.

8. Stamp a sentiment with pale brown ink onto white cardstock. Trim into a tag shape, ink edges pink, and mat with green cardstock. Glue to the bow as shown.

9. Glue a pink flower to the top of the bow.

10. Line the inside of the card front with kraft cardstock to cover the ribbon. Decorate the inside of the card with a large kraft cardstock panel and a strip of pink gingham paper.

Supply List

  • Cardstock: American Crafts Leaf; Bazzill Basics Petal Soft, Kraft; Stampin’ Up! Whisper White
  • Designer paper: Graphic 45 Secret Garden, My Mind’s Eye Miss Caroline Dolled Up
  • Ink: Tsukineko Memento Toffee Crunch; Clearsnap Colorbox Graphic 45 Decades Antique Moss, Fluid Chalk Popcorn; Stampin’ Up! Pretty in Pink
  • Stamps: Inspired by Stamping Mason Jars Add On III
  • Ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon
  • Flowers: Inspired by Stamping
  • Embossing folder: The Paper Studio
  • Die cuts: My Favorite Things Die-namics Fishtail Flag Stax and Layers, Inspired by Stamping Fancy Labels 1
  • Tools: Sizzix Big Shot Die-Cutting System
  • Adhesive: 3M Scotch Brand Tape, Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3D Foam Squares

Thanks for looking!

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

Sweet Friend Jar

Crafts ’n things Craft of the Day

 

Wrap a jar with favorite papers, add some frilly embellishments, then fill with goodies for your sweet friend. This quick, cute, one-size-fits-all gift is sure to be appreciated – by your friend and your budget!

Materials

  • Glass quart jar with lid
  • Cardstock: Swiss dot, stripe, white, polka dot
  • White lace, 3/8”, 1/2 yd.
  • Pink polka dot ribbon, 5” length
  • Assorted buttons
  • Candy treat

Tools

  • Inkadinkado Clear Stamp Sets: Hearts, Chelsea Sentiments
  • EK Success Punches: Scallop Circle, 1-3/4”, 2-1/2”; Circle, 1-1/2″
  • Black ink pad
  • Permanent markers: bright pink, medium pink, white
  • Adhesives: Beacon Adhesives Fabri-Tac Permanent Adhesive, foam dots

Basic Supplies

scissors, ruler, straight pin

Directions

STEP 1

Cut 13-1/2”x2-1/2” strip from Swiss dot paper and two 13-1/2”x3/4” strips from striped paper.

STEP 2

Stamp black “sweet friend” sentiment onto center of one 3/4” strip; adhere to bottom of Swiss dot strip. Adhere remaining 3/4” strip to top of Swiss dot panel

STEP 3

Punch four 1-1/2” circles from striped cardstock; dot outside edges with white marker. Cut circles in half; adhere across center of Swiss dot panel as shown. Adhere white lace to panel, just above top of circle halves.

STEP 4

Stamp black heart onto white cardstock; use photo as guide to color heart with markers. Detail cut heart image; set aside.

STEP 5

Punch 2-1/2” scalloped circle from white cardstock and 1-3/4” scalloped circle from polka dot cardstock. Using straight pin, pierce center of each scallop on both circles. Adhere heart to center of polka dot circle with foam dot, then polka dot circle to white circle. Adhere circle panel to jar over lace, above sentiment as shown.

STEP 6

Adhere buttons to jar as desired.

STEP 7

Tie ribbon and lace strips together into knot; adhere to lid. Trim ends.

by Lindsey Botkin