Altered Box Weekend Project

 This is a great weekend project.  I SO love altering boxes and notebooks!!  That's pretty much the extent of my altering things. 

This box is actually a recipe box I had gotten last week at my local craft store.  I bought it because of the size.  I knew it would hold my finished greeting cards.  And I figured I could cover the box in decorative paper so it would fit well in my workroom on my ledge (which I'm trying to keep clean!!!).  So this box will be replacing a different

one I had on my ledge.  One that didn't have a cover on it. 

I had made so many cards the past couple of weeks that the box is actually full!!! I covered this box using Springtime Vintage pattern #5 decorative paper that I printed out from the Stampin' Up! download that I purchased.  I LOVE purchasing the downloadable papers!  Once you have them you can print them out anytime you want.  Be sure to print them out at the highest quality your printer will allow and print them on 28# paper or higher.  Better quality for a better look and feel. 

I put the paper on in pieces making sure the edges ended on on the corners.  I covered the edges with the "Dotted Scallop Ribbon" border punch.  On the corners of the lid I added a 1" circle that was folded in half.

The leaves are from the "Two-Step Bird" punch.

And the flowers are from the "Flower, Daisies #2" Sizzix die.  I sponged the flowers in Pretty in Pink and then curled them with the edge of my scissors.  I did rip a few petals when doing this and had to make new flowers. 

It took me over a week to alter this box because I only did a little bit each day.  I was anxious to do the box but I really didn't have time for it so I snuck in a few minutes each day until I got it all done.  It was a fun box to alter, though I did not like having to be so careful cutting around that front latch. Oh and that front latch is SO cool because it actually locks the box shut!  I'm glad I altered the box and I'm glad it's finally done!!  My plans for this box is to have it on my ledge with my new creations in it each month!  Notice how I put a flower on the top of the box too?  That is so I won't pile anything on top of it!!!  LOL

So, find something to alter and have fun with it!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Aviary Birthday Card

This has got to me one of my favorite stamp sets, though I have not used it in a while.  I think with spring coming I may be taking it out a lot more.

This card was made at one of our DIVA swaps.  I forgot who had made the card.  I forgot to write inside it too so if it's your card gals, please let me know so I can give you credit.

I remember making this card and how fun it was.  Using clear mount stamps helps you to line things up a bit better because you can see through the block. 

A also remember that this card was very easy to make too.  Isn't it a cute birthday card?  I think it would also make a great get well card too!

I've been working on a little project (actually one for myself!!) and I will be sharing it with you in a couple of days.

Thank you mystery DIVA for the fabulous card!!  PLEASE let me know who you are!!

And I thank you for visiting today,

Wanda

Sweet Summer Thank You Card

The "Sweet Summer" set if from the Sale-A-Bration catalog.  This set has a flower stem, flower buds, a leaf, a bee, a bird, a butterfly and this swirly leafy image. 

You are NOT going to believe this but I did not use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to get the images on here so close to each other.  My stamp set is the clear mount so I was able to see through the block to stamp. 

If you click on the image you can see that I added tiny hearts to the 4 images, plus to the "i" in kindness and also at the bottom right corner.  Those hearts came from the "Pinking Hearts" border punch.  I saved them from another project I had done.  I know, I have to stop saving stuff. But I knew what I was going to do with it at the time I kept them and I also knew I would be using them in a few days!!! SO that makes it ok!!! LOL

The base of my card was done using Cherry Cobbler card stock.  On top of that is a piece of Always Artichoke which was cut 1/4" smaller all around (which means I cut off 1/4" on one long side and on one short side). My piece of Whisper White card stock was cut 1/8" all around.  I did cut it before I stamped on it because I wanted to make sure I got the images on the space I had without chopping them off.  I colored them in with Cherry Cobbler and Always Artichoke markers.  I added the tiny hearts. 

Next I stamped the words on and added the rest of the hearts. The words are from the "Heard from the Heart" set and I stamped them in Cherry Cobbler. I stuck all the hearts in place with glue.  There was NO way to tape them on!  And no, I didn't try it!!!  I know you were wondering that!!!  LOL

I then cut a piece of 1/4" black grosgrain ribbon and taped the ends to the back of the card.  Then I taped the piece to the Always Artichoke piece.  I tied a black ribbon on and slid it over where I thought it would look the best and it was done!

I liked making this card.  It was fun to use markers.  I do like to color on my images and I thought this amount of coloring was fun and quick too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Just Believe Sweet Buttons Card

This card is SO out of my element and comfort zone!!!  Where's the layers???  I suppose this could have layers if you dissect it enough.

I used the "Just Believe" set for the center flower in the frame.  I colored on the rubber with markers and then stamped the image.  I cut it out and set Dimensionals on the back. 

Next I punched out a 1-1/8" circle out of Pretty in Pink card stock that had been stamped on.  It was in my scrap bin.  Then I ran some decorative papers though the "Sweet Buttons" Embosslit.  This little embosslit cuts and embosses at the same time to create some fun textures on these buttons. 

I just randomly set the buttons on the framed flower and just kept heading towards the bottom of the card with them.  At the bottom of the card I stamped "just for you" from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  I had tied a Pretty in Pink 1/4" grosgrain ribbon on the card but it still needed something more.  SO I went back to my dies and found the "Beautiful Wings" Embosslit and cut out a few butterflies.  I ended up using the smallest one it cut out.  I set it in place with a piece of Dimensional and the card was done. 

It just seems kind of "naked" to me but that could be because I'm so use to doing a LOT of layers!

What do you think?

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

Valentine's Day Bag Toppers

You can't go wrong with bag toppers!  They are so quick and easy to make too.  You can make them as simple as you want or really dress them up with lots of layers and bling.  For these I chose to keep it simple.  I wanted to make it a quick project and I didn't want anything on it that would be crushed in packing it up and hauling it around.

I placed my heart shaped cinnamon (yum) candies in a food safe plastic bag.  I measured across the bag to see how wide I had to make it and then I added 1/4" so it would hang over the edge a bit.  I really didn't measure the top of it, I had a piece of scrap and just cut a second one from that. I folded it in half and then measured that piece. 

Afte rmeasuring I cut the white card stock 1/4" less.  I used the "Heart of Hearts" Embosslet to do the hearts.  Oh, they are in Pretty in Pink card stock, just like the main part of the bag topper is. 

The "Happy Valentine's Day" came from the "Teeny tiny Wishes" set and I stamped it in Regal Rose.  I punched out the layer using the "Modern Label" punch.

Now to assemble it I just stapled on the folded Pretty in Pink card stock.  I stapled it so the bumpy part of the staple was on the front.  This keep the back nice and clean and since you're adding a layer anyway, it won't show on the front!

After stapling it I decorated it and that was all there is to it.  Very simple to do with any size bag.  Well, almost any size bag.  If you have one bigger than a 12" x 12" piece of card stock than you will have to improvise or rethink your project!!!  LOL

These would make great teacher gifts, classroom gifts/class projects or gifts for co-workers.  It would also be a fun Make n Take.  And I think it's something simple enough that the kids could help with too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Morning Cup Card Sketch Challenge

 Another Wednesday is upon us.  I SO look forward to these Sketch Challenges!  This weeks challenge was a fun one.  It had lots of layers, which is something I just love!!

I wasn't sure where I was going with this sketch.  I had so many possibilities for that #4-a spot.  I ended up using the "Morning Cup" stamp set.  I'm not so thrilled with where the tea cups are hanging.  The decorative paper under the pearls didn't show up very well.  Bad photography!!

The hanging tea cups were not my original idea.  I had seen it on a card at our last DIVA Day event and it I was surprise I actually remembered it!! LOL

My card has lots of added layers too.  When I do these sketches I always layer the pieces on black card stock.  It seems to make the layers pop. 

It was a fun sketch and if you have time to play with it, I highly recommend it!

Stop by tomorrow I have a fun Valentine's Day candy "gifty" type project to show you!

Thank you SO much for visiting today!

Wanda



Vintage Vogue Thank You Card and Notebook

 Yup, you guessed it, another card and matching notebook.  It's not that I have not put this stamp set away.  Honestly I did clean off my worktable and put everything away that I used yesterday!!  Shocker, I know!  I'm trying SO hard to keep up on the little progress that I have made in my workroom along with taking care of the new messes I make while creating and trying to continue to dig in and clean up the other old messes that have accumulated over time!  It will all come together soon, just not soon enough!  I need to spend a week in my workroom just seriously going through cupboards, drawers, the closet and other areas getting things all done.  I do believe a week should do it.  BUT.... I don't have a week to spare!  So I will just have to do what I can, when I can. Did you notice my big "BUT" a few lines ago?  I remember one of the old Pee Wee Herman movies where he said

to a gal named Simone who wanted to go to France, but....  And Pee Wee Herman said, "We all have big buts."  I do and I'm going to work on that too! 

Ok, about my card.  You do remember that this blog is all about me!!! LOL

This card is a fun one.  The base of the card is a 1/4 piece of Cherry Cobbler card stock. Cherry Cobbler is not a color I tend to lean towards when I'm stamping but today I thought it would be a fun one to play with.

On top of that is a half sheet of Whisper White card stock.  I folded it in half and then trimmed it to 4" x 5-1/4".  When it's opened it measures 8" x 5-1/4".  On the front I took the open edge and folded it back to the folded edge and creased it.  You can either leave the flap open or tape down.  What happened to mine was I folded it crooked and ended up cutting it off, so that is another option too!  Either way you do it, it looks great.

I cut a piece of Cherry Cobbler decorative paper from the Pattern Stack Regals Collection.  That piece measures 1-1/4" x 4-3/4". 

the image was stamped on a piece of Whisper White card stock measuring 2" x 3".  To get your image to stamp nice and solid, after inking it up huff on it.  The moisture from your breath will moisten the ink a bit more and you get a nice solid image. Providing you inked up the entire image that is.  If you miss a spot, even huffing on it won't help. 

The words are from the "Just Believe" set and they were stamped in Cherry Cobbler too. 

The cute little button is from the new "Sweet Buttons" Sizzlet.  I am having a lot of fun with it!!!  I LOVE the buttons it creates.  It cuts and embosses them at the same time.  How great is that??? I poked a couple of holes in the button before I taped them in place in the center of the flower.

I taped this on top of a piece of Cherry Cobbler card stock measuring 2-1/4" x 3-1/4".  The tricky part of this card is to remember to only tape part of that Cherry Cobbler layer.  I like this layout but I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have taped the whole thing.  And no, that is not why I made a notebook with this layout!!  This layout on the notebook does not have that center fold.  It's just a single piece of Whisper White card stock with the decorative paper layer added and then the Cherry Cobbler layer.

I just figured since I had everything sitting out I might as well make a notebook.  It will be great when it's time for the craft fair, I will have lots of stuff already made!  And if I were smart I'd start putting the price tags on them now too and all I will have to do when it's craft fair time is haul out the boxes to the car!!  I hope it works out that way!  Wish me luck there!

Ok, I'm off to clean up my worktable and then a quick run to the craft store!!  Gotta coupon burning a hole in my pocket!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Vintage Vogue Birthday Card

I'm a bit late in posting today, my day just got away from me.  I was busy making a card and then I'd see something else and the next thing I know I was involved with that.  It would dawn on me that I need to finish my card but I'd see something else and head on over to that.  What's that all about?  It's not that I was bored with my card.  I was having fun making it and the notebook to match.  I guess I'm just easily distracted today!!!  You are not going to believe this but I even got distracted typing up this post!!!  I hope my whole week is not going to be like this.  I won't be getting anything done!!

 

Ok, let's concentrate and talk about my card for today's post.  It is a very simple card to make.  I used the "Vintage Vogue" set for the flowers.  The "All Holidays" set for the words and the "Sandy Sparkle" small wheel for the black dots.  I did use the "Color Spritzer Tool" on the card for a finer mist of black.

The base of the card is Pretty in Pink.  The layer on top of that is Regal Rose and on top of that is Basic Black.  I tied a ribbon around the Whisper White piece and then taped it in place on top of all the layers. 

It was such a quick and easy card to make that I thought I would make a notebook to match it.  I like the card better because of the ribbon.  I didn't want to add the ribbon around the notebook, it just doesn't hold up well in a purse!  I want to get a jump start on my craft fair items.  I thought I'd make a few notebooks this month and add stuff to the list each month thereafter. 

And that is it. Now honestly, why couldn't I get this typed sooner? I guess it was because this time I only looked at the screen while typing and I wasn't distracted!!  LOL

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

Just Believe Card

I found a card on the net using this layout but I forgot to make a note of the author and the website.  I looked at the original card and didn't see anything printed on it either.  SO if this is your layout please let me know and I will gladly give you credit.

The background of the original card was changed, I used the En Francais background stamp for my card.  I also changed the image.  I used the "Just Believe" set.  And of course the butterflies are from the little "Beautiful Wings" sizzlet. 

This is a very simple and quick card to make.  If you are in need of an elegant card that doesn't take much time to make, this one is just for you!!! 

This is a short and sweet post, there's not much else I can say about the card other than it was fun to make too.  This card can be used for a birthday, get well and even a sympathy card.

Oh, I will share a trick with you on the background.  Once I ink up the image I make sure I have a piece of scrap copier paper ready.  I stamp my image with the rubber side up and I set my card stock on top.  Then the copier paper is placed on top of that and pressed on with the hand.  Keep one hand on it at all times.  You don't want it shifting on you.  But that isn't the trick, well, not the one I want to share with you.  After I ink up the image I will huff on it.  The steam from my breath moistens the ink and I usually get a nice clear and crisp image on my card stock!!  Give it a try!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Love You Much Valentine's Day Card

This is a card that my friends Ann and Leah were working on Thursday evening at Stamp Till You Cramp night. 

This card is full of punched pieces.  The square layers are from the 1-1/4" punch and the 1-3/8" punch.  The hearts punch was used along with the circle punches and the circle scallop punch. 

The words in the square are from the "Short & Sweet" stamp set.  I like how they punched it out at angle and set it in the center box. Adding the hearts to the top and bottom box gave that side a nice balance. 

The circle image is from the "Love You Much" set.  The image is actually larger and has a scallop around it but they centered the words and punched just that part of the image. 

I think they did a great job on this card.  I may have to copy it for our DIVA Day event next Sunday.  The theme for the card is to use punches.  This one uses a lot of punches and the event is before Valentine's Day SOOOO maybe it's one I could use!!! I've been working on some but am not all that thrilled with how it's going.  When and if I finish them I will share them with you.

Thank you Ann and Leah for allowing me to share your fun creation with everyone!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Blossom Party Card

Today's card is a modified C.A.S.E. (copy and study everything) from somewhere on the net.  I don't remember where I found it but the original card is by Monika Davis.  Her card had a light green panel with a red panel on top of it.  Sharon, a wonderful friend and a fellow stamper bought the "Blossom Party" die and we played with it!  It was SO much fun and now I have to buy the die for myself!!!  Thank you Sharon for enabling me!!! LOL

To make this card we first stamped the "Medallion" on the white card stock using Daffodil Delight and then More Mustard inks.  The image was inked up first with the Daffodil Delight and then some More Mustard was sponged on.  Next the Rich Razzleberry panes was cut and the scalloped edge was added.  Then it was put in the Dotted Swiss embossing folder.  After that it was set in place on the card.

Then the Garden Green strip was added.  A piece of white grosgrain ribbon was added around it.  On top of that were three buttons from the "Sweet Buttons" sizzlet.  In the center of each button is a tiny pearl. 

The flower was such a fun piece to add to this card.  It was cut out of Pacific Point card stock.  Then it was sprayed on using the Smooch pearl spray.  Once the pieces were dry they were scrunched up and then flattened back out.  The edges were curled a little with the edge of a scissors.  The leaves are done in Garden Green and were cut from the same "Blossom Party" die.  The flower was put together using a brad in the center and on top of the brad a pearl was set in place. 

And the finishing touch was the little white branches from a Martha Stewart punch.

It's such a sweet and yet elegant card.  And it was very fun to make.  Though I wouldn't want to have to make a bunch of them, they were fun but not that fun!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Sweet Summer Notebooks Weekend Project

I was playing around with some scrap paper and put together these 6 little notebooks.  I had some of the "Springtime Vintage" decorative paper left and it was enough to make these fun notebooks.

And I was playing with the "Sweet Summer" stamp set.  I think it's such a cute set! I had fun making these notebooks.  They really are tiny though, they measure 1-3/4" x 3".  Pretty small, isn't it?  But they are perfect for the purse or in the card. 

For the image part of these notebooks I had stamped it on white card stock and I colored it in with Old Olive and Regal Rose markers.  The flower part was stamped on a separate piece of white card stock and cut out.  I suppose I could have stamped the flower image with the other one but I really wanted the flower to be touching the top of the curve.  I was pretty sure I couldn't hit that mark 6 times so it was best for me to cut the images out after coloring them.  It didn't take all that long to cut them out so it was worth it!

I think they turned out pretty cute.  I will be wrapping them up in some cellophane and putting them in a box for this falls craft fairs.  I have a bunch of 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" copier paper cut up and finally punched so I'll be making some little notebooks soon too!  I may even put some up for blog candy when I get a small variety of them done. 

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

Vintage Vogue Sketch Challenge Card

I bet you thought I forgot to put this set away after I was done playing with it the other day.  Well, actually I did put it away and when I am done typing this I will be putting it away again.  It is one of the organizational ideas that were submitted in the New Year's Day blog candy post.  "Put your things away when you are done with them."  Sounds kind of like mom when I was young!!  But it's true.  My worktable isn't as messy because I have been putting most of the stuff away when I'm done. Yes, I said "most." I'm still working on putting it ALL away but it's going to take time to learn this new behavior!!!  I am still in the process of getting the workroom organized and then I will take a photo and show it to you.

Anyway, lets talk about my card for this weeks Sketch Challenge over at SplitCoastStampers.  This was a fun layout.  I had trouble deciding what to put in the #3 spot since the area was so big and there are so many images that will work in there.  I do see myself using this layout a lot more in the future.  What I like about these is you can add decorative paper and still have decorative paper left!  It is a great way to use up those scraps. 

For my car I used the "Springtime Vintage" decorative paper in teh #2 spots.  Ther rest of the spots are done using Whisper White and layered in Basic Black. 

I used the "Vintage Vogue" set for the flowers. I stamped them using Versa Mark and white embossing powder.  I sponged over them in Pretty in Pink ink.  I stamped the leaves in Old Olive and cut them out.  I'm still thinking about adding pearls to the center of the flowers. 

The words are from the "Short & Sweet" set.  It's got a lot of cute little words like this.  It's a fun set to play with and perfect for the #4 spot. 

The measurements of the pieces are as follows:  The 2-a is 2-1/2" x 1-3/4".  The 2-b is 2" x 3-3/4".  The #3 piece is 2-3/4" x 4" and the #4 piece is 1/2" x 2-1/8".  The black layer behind them is cut 1/8" bigger than the other pieces. 

If you have time play with this sketch! 

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

Milk Carton Sizzix Die Gift Box

Ok, I know it doesn't look like a milk carton!  I cut the top part off because I only wanted the bottom part.  I wasn't in the mood to make a box myself so I thought this die would be perfect for what I wanted to achieve and it was!  It saved me from measuring scoring and clipping!!  Gotta LOVE that!

I cut this out of white card stock using the Milk Carton die.  I cut the die just above the score line at the top.  The Scallop Edge border punch has a little piece in it that takes up about 1/4" on the edge when you use it.  That part had just a little bit of score on it but it was cut off so you won't see any lines at the top!!

I need to make a bunch of these so I wanted to keep it simple.  I tied a red satin ribbon around the box and I added 3 hearts.  Two are from Real Red card stock and the other is from the Real Red decorative paper pack.  You can decorate these up a lot more but like I said I needed to make a bunch of them and didn't have a lot of time to embellish them more than I did.

When I was done I filled it with those candy conversation hearts. I just used a regular sandwich bag.  I had to adjust the contents, I filled the bag too full the first time.  Once the amount was adequate in the bag I twisted the bag and taped it. I cut off the excess bag at the end and then put that end in the box first. 

This is a fun project for the kids to help with for their class or for the teacher.  They make great co-worker gifts too!  It's a fun Make n Take and it didn't take long at all to do.  I think that the part that took the longest in this little project was the candies.  Oh and trust me, I didn't eat a single one!  YUCK!  Aren't they just dried powdered sugar?  LOL

Have fun making them!

Thank you SO much for visiting,

Wanda

Vintage Vogue Birthday Card

I have totally forgotten about this "Vintage Vogue" stamp set.  For a while there it was all I could use. And it's not that I used it to death, I guess I just thought I'd better give it a rest for a while.  But it was for a LONG while.  As I was blog surfing I ran across a card that I just fell in love with.  It was made by Monika at M.A.D. Stamper.  It was such an attractive card and I kept referring back to it and just had to make it or I'd not stop looking at it or thinking about it!!! Gotta LOVE that obsessive behavior!!! LOL

I did change it a little but not too much.  Her card was square.  And it's not that I can't do a square card, I have mastered them now!  It's just that they cost more to mail, oh and I don't have any square envelopes either, nor do I intend to purchase any!

I changed the background.  I used the "En Francais" background image.  I embossed it with clear embossing powder and I sponged the edges.  The next change I made was the wording.  I didn't have the wording that were used on the original card and I think even if I had I would have changed them anyway since I did need a birthday card.  I didn't use the piercing tool around the circle, I added the tiny pearls.  My ribbon is a little different and I used the Polka Dot embossing folder on the Melon Mambo strip. 

I just think it's a pretty card, which every way you make it.  It's got such a rich look to it.  I kind of want to keep it myself and not use it!!!  I suppose I could always make another one! Don't you think it's pretty? I think you can still click on the photo to get a closer view.  Blogger did some upgrading and I have not checked out that old feature.  I hope they didn't take that one away!  The upgrade is wonderful.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

My Blog is Featured in the 50 Cool Card Making Blogs

Here is some fun and exciting news.  I received an email from Cate at Guide to Art Schools.  She informed me that my blog was chosen, hand picked, to be in the 50 Cool Card Making Blogs.  Click on the link to check it out.  How cool is that??? It sure made my day when I read the email and I just had to share this with you all too!

Have a great day,
Wanda
P.S.  I will be posting something a bit later.  I need to finish it up first!  I just didn't want you to think this was my post for the day!

Bold Blossom Birthday!

This "Bold Blossom" set is a fun little one that is in the new mini catalog.  It's got a lot of character and SO many possibilities to it.  The words that come with it are "thank you for being you," so you can make some fun thank you cards with it too.  This set can be used for LOTS of other occasions too. It's sweet enough to be a get well card and even a sympathy card.  I chose to make mine a birthday card since that is what I needed.

I kept it simple (once again).  Some of you prefer the simple cards and others like the ones with many layers.  I try to make some of each to keep everyone happy and interested. 

I am SO loving the Marina Mist color.  I used it as the main part and accent parts of this card.  I also added a little bit of Bashful Blue to lighten up the colors a bit. 

I stamped the butterfly from the set 3 times using the Marina Mist ink.  Next I punched them out using the 1-1/4" punch.  After that I punched out the Bashful Blue using a 1-3/8" punch.  And for the final layer I did have to break down and cut them out on the paper cutter!  I cut them 1-5/8" x 1-5/8".  I layered them all together and set them in place on the card. 

I cut out the large 2-3/4" circle out of the Marina Mist decorative paper and I cut it in half.  Behind that is a half circle (the same size) of Bashful Blue.

The words were done on the computer and punched out with the 1-1/4" circle punch.  The Bashful Blue layer is from the 1-3/8" circle punch and then I punched the Marina Mist with the Scallop punch.  I taped the layers together and set them in place as you see in the photo. 

In the center of the half circle is a jumbo white brad.  I opened up the prongs and cut them off with a tin snip.  I stuck it in place on the card with a pop up dot.  I added pearls on both sides of the brad and one large pearl in the center of the brad.  Since I wasn't going to be mailing this card I thought the pearl on top of the brad would be fun and added a bit more pizazz to the brad!

It was a fun card to make and I do like this layout too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Velvet Stamping Technique - Technique Page

I know! It's about time I do another technique page.  I have several of them lined up, I just ran out of time over the holidays. But the holidays are now over and I'm digging into my projects and getting stuff done.  It's a great feeling to get things done, isn't it?  My list is very long but I plug along and things eventually do get done and that list gets a little smaller each week. And then of course I have new stuff to add and I'm trying to work on the new stuff within a few days of getting it or the idea so it doesn't sit on the list and get passed up because the holiday or occasion has already happened!!!  I want to be more on the ball this year.  I have a mission in my workroom and that is to get it more organized.  I got lots of great ideas from those of you who left me an organizing comment in the blog candy post earlier this  month.  Can you believe this month is about half over???  The time is already flying.

Ok, lets talk about this technique.  I've posted a photo of a finished piece, not the technique page itself. 

I took a piece of velvet. Now you have to purchase the real thing, not that synthetic stuff.  I had ran across my velvet when I was digging in a cupboard.  I had some really pretty burgundy stuff.  I got the piece all set up and worked the technique only to find it was synthetic and it melted to my iron.  Fortunately I was able to scrape it off without ruining the iron.  I've had this wonderful iron for over 20 years.  It said in the instructions not to use distilled water in it.  I have used tap water in the past and with all the lime it contains it ruined many of my irons. SO even though it said not to use the distilled water I did and the iron performs just as it did the first day I used it!!!  Hmmm, maybe they want you to ruin your iron so you have to purchase a new one a few years down the road???  Oops, got distracted again!! 

Now you know you need an iron for this so I set it to medium setting.  I cut my piece of fabric to the size of the image.  If you do this for a panel for a pillow you will want the fabric cut bigger.  I misted the fabric 3 times and set the velvet side on top of the rubber image.  The rubber image is set on my work surface with the rubber part facing up.  I set the iron on the fabric and counted to six.  I removed it and the image was pressed in the velvet!!! As simple as that and SO pretty!  I have seen this done on pillows and wall quilts and of course on cards.  If you do this on a pillow or quilt please note that if it is washed the images are lost forever.  You can redo them but if it's already sewn onto pillow or made into a quilt it's almost impossible to fix it!  So pay attention to how you are going to use this technique.

It's very simple and very pretty.  In the photo one of the "e's" looks like it didn't get pressed in the velvet.  It did, it's just the way the lighting was hitting it.  I'm going to use this piece of velvet on a card for a St. Patrick's Day birthday in March.  But I'm going to cut the wording on it off.

I have a few more technique pages to make and set #4 will be ready to sell.  Actual pages will be available and also the CD's.  The CD's contain a photo of each technique page for reference and the PDF file of the working on the page.  They are ready to print & trim.  Your customers or technique club members can decorate them and layer them.  They can do the technique and place it on the page.  If you'd like to purchase the pages, please email me to see which ones I still have left.  The CD's are available in my web store. 

Thank you SO much for visiting today!  Have fun with the technique!
Wanda

Flower, Daisies #2 Sizzix Die Card

Did you ever have one of those days when you just didn't feel like playing with ink but you wanted to make a card???  Well, I did and I actually made a fun card without any ink!!

I used the "Flower, Daisies #2" Sizzix die.  I cut out nine flowers all together, three of each of the following colors, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose decorative paper. 

I used several punches on this card too.  The new Button punch, the border punch and the slot punch where the ribbon is attached.  I though it was a fun idea to do the ribbon like that instead of wrapping it all around the card stock.  I taped the edges of the ribbon on the back of the card stock and then I tied a bow and used Glue Dots to set it in place. 

I used the little paper buttons to cover the holes made in the center of the flowers.  I took a black marker and put a single dot in each of the button holes, the button was a bit too blah looking with out it!

It's a very easy card to make too!!  Gotta LOVE that!

The white part of the card measures 4-3/4" x 3-1/2".  The Pretty in Pink layer measures 1-3/4" x 4-1/2" and the Pirouette Pink piece measures 4-1/2" x 2".  That piece you can fudge with a bit because most of it is hidden behind the Pretty in Pink piece. 

Originally I wasn't going to add the ribbon at the top.  I was thinking about stamping (yes, stamping) some words on there but I REALLY wanted to stick with the no stamping today!!  I promise, tomorrow's project will have stamping on it!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Every Little Bit Baby Card

No, I didn't need another baby card.  Well, not for me anyway.  My mom needed a baby card so I came up with this one.  As I was looking through my stamps I ran across the "Every Little Bit" set.  It's got 28 VERY fun images in it to play with.  It covers every holiday and event except for wedding.  Though I think you could work the wrapped gift box into a wedding card or maybe the heart.  Anyway, it's a fun set and this little teddy bear caught my eye.  I hope my mom likes the card!

The base of my card is a half sheet of Bashful Blue card sock folded in half.  The next layer is from the "Subtles Collection" paper pack.  A wonderful pack of papers that I LOVE playing with and have all the color groups of!

After I taped the decorative paper on I tied a 5/8" gross grain ribbon on.  It was colored using the Bashful Blue inker.  I was in need of a Bashful Blue bow on another card and I had dyed a bit of extra ribbon.  SO glad I did!  If you are going to make this card, dye your ribbon first and give it some time to dry. And personally I think a white ribbon would look so pretty on there too.

The bear was punched out using a 1-1/4" circle punch.  The Bashful Blue layer was punched out using the 1-3/8" circle punch and the scallop was done using a piece of Whisper White card stock. 

This is a very quick and simple card to make.  I had wrapped the ribbon around the card and taped it on the front.  I tied the ribbon and used a glue dot to set it in place a little past the seam where the ribbon ends meet.  I didn't want that seam to show that is why I moved the bow over a bit.

That is all there is to this card!! Easy peasy!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Love You Much Wednesday Sketch Challenge

This week the Sketch Challenge is on time!  Well, it was last week but I wasn't!!!  I thought this sketch was very fun to play with.  It has SO many possibilities to it.  That large #4 open area can fit MANY different images and the themes are limitless! 

For my card I used the "Love You Much" stamp set.  I even played with the three hearts image in the set but they didn't look nice in the large white area above the "Love" image.  SO I ended up using Real Red card stock and a scrap piece of the "Love Impressions" decorative paper.

On the panels #2 and #3 I used the "Love Impressions" decorative paper too.  Panel #1 is a piece of Whisper White card stock that was dry embossed with the Dotted Swiss embossing folder.  Those three pieces were taped to a piece of white card stock and the ribbon was wrapped around it and taped in the back.  The bow was tied separate and a glue dot was used to hold it in place.  I did clip little "V"s out of the ribbon so when the bow was put on you didn't see the ribbon behind it. It gives the illusion of the bow being tied right from that ribbon. 

I used the heart punch for the three hearts and I set them in place above the "Love." 

The "Love" was stamped using the Direct to Rubber technique.  That is where you take your markers and color directly on the image.  When you are done you huff on it.  The steam of your breath moistens the ink and then you stamp the image.  I colored in the "Love" with Real Red and the leaf with Garden Green.  I layered that panel in Real Red and set it in place using Dimensionals.

If you have time play with this sketch, it has SO many possibilities!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Define Your Life Valentine's Day Card

Well, here is a set I have forgotten about.  "Define Your Life."  I LOVE these definitions and they do make a fun card too!  I was hoping it had the definition for love in it but it didn't.  The one that seemed to work the best is "always."  Now as usual I cut my piece of card stock the same size as the block of wood the image is on. So I cut the piece to fit the words.  Sat down at my table and just laughed at myself.  I knew going into this what I wanted to do and I didn't do it.  I wanted that white piece to be longer so I could add the hearts!  DUH!!!  Notice it's a BIG "dug?"  LOL  So back to the cutter I head to cut a piece to fit the area I wanted to work with.  I did cut it the width of the image and I left it really long so I could set the hearts on and see where I wanted to cut it off at.

My hearts are punched out of Real Red card stock and a piece of polka dotted pink decorative paper from the "Love Impressions" pack.  The decorative paper on the left panel is also from that pack. 

The base of my card is Whisper White.  The layers are done in Real Red card stock.  The large red layer is cut at 2-5/8" x 4-5/8" and the decorative paper is cut at 2-1/2" x 4-1/2".  The top layer is cut at 2-3/8" x 3-3/8".  The white card stock is cut at 2-1/4" x 3-1/4. 

The hearts are from the "Heart to Heart" punch.  That name brings back some fun and fond memories.  I worked at a gift shop called Heart to Heart.  I LOVED working there and had the best employer in the whole world (other than myself of course!!! LOL).  Anyway, back to the card.  I taped the hearts in place.  Next I added the 1/4" white gross grain ribbon, taping the ends on the back.  Then I added a little piece of ribbon to the front and tied a knot.  I trimmed it and then taped the layers in place. 

A very simple and easy card to make.  It didn't take a lot of time either!  I am liking the clean and simple look to it too!  Go ahead and make some, they're fun!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Valentine's Day Sizzix Box

As long as I can remember I have loved small and unique boxes.  When Stampin' Up! came out with the Sizzix boxes I was SO thrilled.  Now I can make a small box any time I need one!

The box die I used here is the "Box #2" one.  I have used this one a lot.  It reminds me of the size of a bar of soap and believe me, I did try to see if one would fit in it but the box is too small. 

For today I wanted to make a quick and simple box for a Valentine's Day treat.  Now this would be a fun gift for co-workers, friends and teachers too!  It would also make a fun Make N Take or even a Stamp Camp item.  They don't take long to make at all.  Well, I suppose if you REALLY embellished it then it would take a while but for the one I did today it didn't take long at all.

I cut the box out and before I put it together I punched out the window and added the window sheet to the inside.  I punched my window on a fold.  It is still easy to see what is inside but punching it on the edge is done mostly because I don't have to try not to get any bottom flaps in the punched area.  I'm going to share a secret here with you on this box.  The hole is not centered.  Shhh, don't tell anyone!  I had tied the ribbon on the wider side to offset the difference!  It's not offcentered a lot but enough to notice without the ribbon!!!  But this shows you that you can hide mistakes too!  I do it ALL the time!!! LOL

Once the glue dried on the window I glued the side of the box and then folded the bottom in.  I then added the pieces of decorative paper.  This paper came from the "Brights" package.  There's a LOT of paper in those packs.  I purchased all of the color groups so any project I want to do I have a color to match!!

After the decorative paper was put on I added some cinnamon candy gum drops (in a baggie) and tied that ribbon around the box.  The words are from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set and I used the "Modern Label" large punch to punch them out.  I taped them in place and it was done!  As quick and simple as that!!

These make great little gifts!  Have fun with the die, there's SO much you can do with them.

Thank you for visiting today,

Wanda

Greeting Card Kids Valentine's Day Card

I don't have very many current Valentine's Day Stampin' Up! sets, so I thought I'd play with the "Greeting Card Kids" set again.  I have used every image in this set (set of 4) except for the one with the two school kids on it.  And I am going to challenge myself to use it some how, even if I have to hunt on the web for a sample and copy it!!!  It isn't very often that I use every card in a set and I really should try to use them all.

So, onto my card for today.  I didn't plan the colors very well. I wanted the dress to be red, which it is but the heart needed to be red and it doesn't show up very clear because of the dress.  UGH!!! Plan your colors first.  I had colored in the skin and then the red bow in her hair.  Next I colored in the dress and was liking it until I got to the heart!  Oh well.  I'll make the mistakes here and show you what NOT to do!!!  LOL  But what other color could the dress have been to blend in with the red and white theme here????

And this card layout (or sketch).  I LOVE it.  I had made a card one time at one of Sue's events and this was the layout that was used.  I kept the card, even though the paper and images on it have been retired for a LONG time now.  I guess I'll get rid of that card and keep this one as the layout sample! 

To make this card you need to cut your card stock in half on the short side of the 8-1/2" x 11" sheet.  What I do is fold it in half and then cut away

the front piece.  For my front piece I had a piece of scrap paper from the "Love Impressions" decorative paper pack and I just measured it, added 1/4" and cut the front of the card.  I had cut off 2-7/8".  That piece of red was cut to frame the white piece the girl was stamped on, so that piece doesn't go to waste! 

For the image piece I usually cut my piece the same size as the block the stamp is mounted on.  One it makes it easier to line up and if the image is mounted correctly the stamped image should come out in the center of the piece!  Even when using clear mount blocks I will center my image on the block (whenever possible).  I want to make things easier for me!

When I was all done coloring the image piece I taped the layer on. Then I taped the left side of the layers and set them in place on top of the flap piece.  This layer piece is centered on the card so I just held the flap down and lined up the image piece and pressed the side onto the flap.  It's a very easy card to make if you fold the card in half first.  If you decide to just cut the card stock first you will need to cut it around 8" long and then I would score t at the 5-1/2" mark and fold it.  This would be great for a piece of card stock that wasn't quite 11" long.  But seriously, it's so much easier to just fold the piece in half and cut off the front flap to the size you need.  It's a great way to use up pieces of decorative paper you have laying around.  Or if you are participating in a swap that calls for decorative paper, you can sure get a lot of these little strips out of one sheet of the paper!

Such a fun layout and I do like the card except for the heart and dress blending into each other!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Sweet Summer Sale-a-Bration Sneak Preview Card

This is one of the sets you can get free in this year's Sale-a-Bration catalog.  It's filled with LOTS of fun and free (with purchase) things!!!  I saw this set and just had to have it.  It has a lot of potential.  There's SO many other cute flower tops plus there's the most adorable little bee in there too.  I almost used it on this card but decided to go with the butterfly.  As much as I LOVE winter, I'm kind of looking forward to the colors of spring now.  It's just kind of a sad and empty feeling when all of the Christmas stuff gets put away.  The bright reds and greens are gone.  The twinkling colored lights are gone and thanks to hubby the cookies were gone a LONG time ago!!! LOL  The room looks bigger and empty at the same time!  But spring is just around the corner so I'll make some flowery cards to ring it in with!

To make this card I just stamped the stem and then stamped the flower on top.  It was easy to so when you use the clear mount stamps.  After stamping I then cut the card stock to size.  I colored the flower in with markers and a blender pen.  I used Bashful Blue and Marina Mist on the flower.  For the center of the flowers I used Daffodil Delight.  For the stem I used Certainly Celery and Wild Wasabi.  The butterfly was colored in using Bashful Blue and the blender pen, the color was washed out a lot.  The center of the butterfly was done using the writing tip of the Daffodil Delight marker. 

I did cut out the butterfly.  It is so tiny but since I was only doing one it wasn't so bad.  I certainly wouldn't want to do a bunch of them!!! 

And the "happy birthday" came from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  A popular set for my cards!!

The measurements of the card is as follows:
The base of the card is Whisper White, it is a half sheet and then folded in half.
The Marina Mist piece is cut 1-7/16" x 3-3/16". 

The Whisper White piece that was stamped on is cut 1-1/4" x 3"

This is a very clean and simple card (CAS).  It went together quickly too.  I think that cutting the butterfly was the most difficult part of the card and it really wasn't that bad to do.  And the butterfly was the most time consuming part of the card.  The rest of the card went very quickly.  An easy card to make!!

Tell me what you think of it!!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Blog Candy Winner Sheila

Yoo hoo Sheila.  I do recall seeing the email with your address in it yesterday and today when I looked for it I couldn't find it, not even in the trash.  I KNOW I saw it!!!  Could you please email it to me again?

Thanks SO much,
Wanda
P.S.  Hope you got the coffee stains out of your shirt!!! LOL

Morning Cup Versatile Card

At our last DIVA day event Cyndi had brought some card samples to share.  She had found them somewhere on the Internet.  There was one in particular that I just ooooh'd and aaaaah'd at!!!  I wanted to copy it but I didn't have all the colors of decorative paper.  SO I copied it pretty close to the original. 

On the original, at the bottom of the card was a "Happy Birthday" message.  I left the bottom of this card open so I could add whatever I needed for the occasion I will be using the card for.  I'll just stamp in on white card stock and punch it out using a circle punch.  I will put one layer behind it, though I'm not sure if it will be black or Rose Red. 

This was a very easy card to make.  The Whisper white piece was dry embossed using the "Polka Dots" embossing folder.  The colored circles were punched out of decorative paper from the Neutrals and the Subtles packs.  You get a lot of paper for your money with those packs!

The tea cups were stamped using black StazOn and then punched out.  I colored them in with markers and set the circle on top of a black scalloped circle.  I set that in place on the card using Dimensionals. 

The cute little button is from the new "Sweet Buttons" embosslet.  That embosslet is so FUN!  I love the cute little buttons it makes!  On this button I tied on a piece of white embroidery floss and then I set it in place using a Dimensional.  And across from the button is where I'm going to be adding the verbiage when I need it.

This was a fun card and if you know who the original artist of it is, please let me know so I can give them credit!

On a personal note here, I want to thank everyone for the birthday wishes!!! And yes, I did have a fun day!  It was a very full and busy day but it was a day that was all about me so of course I had fun!!! 

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda