Super Quick Cards

If you need a card quick the embossing folders is the way to go.  A piece of card stock, some scrap card stock and the embossing folder and you are good to go.  Ann (Anniebananie) made this card and gave me one.  She is SO sweet!  I have to take a moment and tell you about Ann. She is one of the most kindest people you will ever meet and when you do meet her you know you want her for your friend!  Sorry Ann, just had to!!!

Stampin' Up! has some fun embossing folders that will allow you to put a card together in no time.  I like to use the "Elegant Bouquet" and the "Elegant Lines" folders for cards like this.  Oh and there was the snowflake one from the Holiday mini.  Hope it shows up in the new catalog this summer!!! 

You can decorate these as much or as little as you want and the card will always look elegant. It's got the clean and simple look to it.  So wen you are in a pinch and need a quick card think about your embossing folders!!!  It can't get much simpler than that!

Thank you Ann for sharing your card with everyone and
Thank you (everyone) for visiting today,
Wanda

Punch Bunch Quick Card

I found this card at Lucia's blog "Ink Me One More Time."  It caught my eye because it was not only the pretty Pacific Point blue but it looked like it was a card I could whip up a lot in no time. These kinds of cards are great for when you want to give a box of cards to someone but you don't have a lot of time on your hands.  It's pretty, it's elegant and it's quick to make.  What more could you ask for?   The paper used here along with the Pacific Point card stock is the "Summertime Vintage" decorative paper and a little piece of scrap Old Olive that was punched out with the Scalloped Border punch.  The original card had glitter going up and down on that area.  I opted for something with matching colors for that edge.  I also LOVE the Polka Dot embossing folder I used on the Pacific Point.  The original card was just plain.  And there is nothing wrong with that, it did look nice plain too.  I just thought it could use some texture in that area.  And last but least the stamp set used here is the Sale-A-Bration set "Punch Bunch."  It was stamped twice. The first time you stamp it you punch it out with the scallop punch. Then you stamp it again and punch out the center flower part.  That piece was layered on a piece of punched out Pacific Point.  The original card has that circle done in Bashful Blue.  There I regret I didn't use that color instead.  But all in all the card looks great and I was pleased with it when I was done.  And seriously, if I didn't like the blue circle and wanted to add the Bashful Blue it wouldn't take long to do since this card is such a quick one to make!  And what a versatile design this is too!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Scallop Punch Ladybug

Isn't this just the cutest idea for a card?  And what a great use of punches!!  Autumn designed this card and it's just TOO cute!!! 

The ladybug is done using two red scalloped circles.  When I made mine I stamped on both sides of the scalloped circle.  We had a brand new pencil and used the eraser as our rubber stamp.  Then the circles were folded in half.  I set mine aside and placed the head piece where I wanted it on the card, being sure to leave enough room for the antennas.  And the ends of the antenna were stamped with the eraser to.  I did stamp them first before adding the lines with a marker.  Next I taped the back side of one of the folded scalloped circles and centered it on a bit of the circle that was for the head.  The head circle is made from a 1" punch. Then I taped the other folded circle on making sure the fold lines matched up.  The words were added and then the card was layered on Real Red and Basic Black card stock.  Done!!!  As simple as that! Isn't it just adorable???  Cute as a (lady)bug!!!

 

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Fox & Friends Birthday Card

This card is from our "Punches" swap.  We had to use punches on our cards.  This card was designed by Angie! Isn't it adorable?  She always has such great ideas for her cards and the colors are FABULOUS!!! 

I don't have the "Fox & Friends" set but it is on my wish list! It's just SO darn cute!

This is such a great card for kids because of all the colors.  It's so bright and cheery!

I just got the square scallop die so I'll be playing with that sometime soon on my card.  It was one of those dies I didn't think I needed. But after seeing it on a lot of cards I decided I would add it to my shopping list and it finally made it to the top of the list.  Which, between you and me, didn't take long at all!!!!

Thank you Angie for the most adorable children's birthday card!  Oh and Angie also showed me now to make baby socks into cupcakes.  I'll be giving that a try soon (before I forget how it's done!) and I will show you what I come up with.  Even if it's a flop!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Sizzix Lattice Die Birthday Card

This card looks SO much better in person.  The red on red is not showing up like I wanted it to. I took several photos of this card and this was the best one I could get with the lighting I have.  I have been thinking of either investing in one of those photo box things or making one myself.  There's LOTS of info on the net on how to make them.  I just need to find some time to surf!!!

OK, onto this card.  If you click on the card you will get a closer view of it and you can see the lattice on there much better.  Before I cut it out I used a piece of "Sticky Page" and stuck it to the back of the card stock.  Then I cut it out.  I took of the protective layer on the "Sticky Page" and stuck the lattice piece to my card.  Easy Peasy!!!  No tape showing, no glue smears and the entire piece is stuck in place.  Now there is something you need to pay attention to when you do this.  You will need to make sure you get it on straight because you only have one shot at it!

After I got the Lattice piece on my 4" x 5-1/4" piece of card stock I taped the card stock to a piece of Whisper White that was cut 4-1/8" x 5-3/8".  Then I tied organza ribbon on.  And on top of that ribbon I added a piece of the 1/8" Real Red Taffeta ribbon.  Not much of it shows under the bow and the round scallop, not in the photo anyway.

The words were done on the computer.  It's from my stash.  I printed out a full sheet and stored them away for future use!  I used the 1-1/4" round punch on the words. Behind that is a 1-3/8" circle punched out in Real Red and then the Scallop punch was used on a scrap piece of Basic Black card stock.  Then the entire thing was attached to a piece of card stock that was cut at 4-1/4" on the short side and then folded in half.  And for the final thing I added a few pearls to the Lattice piece!  Viola!!!

A super easy and quick card to make!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Cupcake Wheel Birthday Card

 Can you believe this is the last Wednesday of the month?  Has this month flown by or what?

And being it's Wednesday it is time for the SplitCoastStampers Wednesday Sketch Challenge.  I found this sketch to be a bit of a challenge and yet a fun one to play with.  My original thought to go with on this card was to use the "Teddy & Train" set and put the baby rattle in the squares and the teddy bear in the center.  But I wasn't sure what colors to make the rattles so I decided to make a birthday card instead.  And I do need to make 4 birthday cards so this sketch helped me out with one of them!!!

To make this card I wheeled the cupcakes out on Whisper White card stock and cut four of them out by hand.  Too bad the squares weren't bigger, I could have used the cupcake punch!!  It would have been much easier and quicker!

After cutting the cupcakes out I colored them and set them in place in the center of the 4-a spaces. 

The base of my card is black.  I added a piece of Whisper White that I ran through the Polka Dot embossing folder.  I did use a quarter sheet of it and I could have gotten by with a scrap piece because of the other layers. 

The #2 layer is a piece of retired decorative paper.  I have a ton of it and need to start using it.  For you demonstrators I know all you have to do is go through your current papers and find a Pirouette Pink piece to use instead. 

The #3 piece I used a piece of Pirouette Pink card stock and layered it on top of a piece of Basic Black card stock.  Under that strip is a piece of Pretty in Pink card stock that I used a scalloped border punch on to give the card a bit more detail. 

I assembled the pieces and I did use Dimensionals behind the squares.  In the center of the squares is a scalloped circle with "Happy Birthday" in the middle.  Those words were done on the computer.  I usually make a full page of them on card stock and punch them out for use on future cards.  I added a few pearls and it was done!

I did enjoy making this card a lot.  I find it kind of funny because as I was walking around in my workroom trying to decide what I was going to do with this sketch, I had actually thought I lost my mojo!!  But it's still there!

Thank you every SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Purse Candy Holder Weekend Project

This is really suppose to be a Hershey Nugget holder purse thing. But I didn't have any Hershey Nuggets so I used the Hershey Miniatures. I put one in right side up and the other one in upside down and they fit in there just fine. I didn't come up with this idea. I found it at Chic' n Scratch. The instructions are very easy to follow and the end result is just TOO darn cute!!! I used some retired decorative papers to make the pink ones and some current paper to make the one in front. They are SO cute.

All you do is follow the instructions for cutting an scoring the paper. I did use glue for all of my seams. I've used tape before and found that it just doesn't reach that very end like I want it to and I would see gaps. SO glue works better for me and I do know 2 weeks from now the glue will still be holding this together without any gaps. I did use the Sticky Strip tape on the ribbon handle.

You can whip up a bunch of these in no time. And on the candy I did stamp a piece of label sheet and wrapped it around the candies. I wanted to decorate the candies but I didn't want to spend a lot of time waiting for the glue to dry before I could wrap the next candy. I was making a bunch of these (more than I took a photo of!). The label sheet is 8-1/2" x 11", it's one BIG label. I just wheeled a design on it and cut the pieces to fit the candies. You remove the label backing and wrap it around the candy and you are done! Nothing simpler than that!!!

These are fun quick and just SO cute to make! I can see myself making these for parties and other fun things (including some holidays) that are coming up!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Create a Cupcake Birthday Card

I just LOVE this "Create a Cupcake" stamp set and the matching punch!  It's always fun to put your images up on Dimensionals but it's not so fun to cut out all of the pieces.  Well, this punch takes all of the hard work out of cutting the images out.  I could make cards like this all day long now.  No cutting???  LOVE it!!!

The base of my card is Marina Mist. My favorite color!!  The next layer is Crumb Cake.  On top of that is Basic Gray and on top of that is a piece of Elegant Soiree decorative paper that I printed out off my computer using the download I purchased.  I LOVE those downloads too. I can print out the paper I need anytime I need it.  I always find one piece of the decorative paper that I really like a lot and use it all up.  Purchasing the download allows me to use up my decorative paper and then print some more when I need it!  Gotta LOVE that!!

So onto the cupcake. I stamped the bottom part using Marina Mist and the top was done using Pink Piroutette.  And the dots on the frosting are done in Regal Rose.

The Happy Birthday was done on the computer.  I couldn't find one in the catalog that was stacked on top of each other like this is and that would fit in the oval. 

I did see this layout when I was surfing and I forgot where I saw it.  Sorry to whoever created it.  When I saw it I just wanted to get the card made and I forgot all about writing down where I saw the layout. 

I finally got to use one of my "Antique Brads!"  I've had them for a while and have never used them.  They are so pretty and maybe that is why I haven't used them.  It's not like you can print a brad!  Well, you can but for digital scrapbooking and card making but not for 3-D card making, not a real brad that is! 

I added some ribbons to my card and set the pieces on with Dimensionals and the card was done.  It was a very simple and easy card to make. This card did not take long at all to make either.  Just LOVE those punches!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Blossom Party Birthday Card

After seeing several cards using this layout I finally ran across one that said it was from one of the Mojo Monday layouts.  I'm not sure where to find the Mojo Monday layout site but I sure saw a lot of cards using it last week.  I did like the layout a lot so I thought I would try my hand at it and this is what I came up with.  I thought it was a fun card to make and with spring around the corner I thought I would play with some brighter colors and flowers.  Ya gotta love flowers this time of the year.  The curbs are starting to look ugly here with all the dirty snow piled up on them.  We had a lot of snow this winter and I think we are headed for a little bit more before the season is over.  The only thing it really does this time of the year is make those dirty looking curbs white for a few days.  We don't need any more snow.  Though I do love a good wet snow this time of year to make a snowman.  You know me and my snowmen!!! Gotta make them!  I still have all the components sitting out to make one.  I've just been waiting for the wet heavy snow to fall so I can go play.  I did make a small one earlier this winter but I thought we'd get more wet snow to make another one.  I was wrong.  SO I await the next opportunity to play in the snow!!

Ok, lets talk about this card.  The base of the card is a piece of Whisper White card stock.  On top of that is a piece of Always Artichoke, and the decorative paper is from the new "Springtime Vintage" pack.  Isn't it pretty?  The triangle layer is the back side of the "Springtime Vintage" paper.  The stem is from the "All You Do" set.  I stamped the image in Always Artichoke.  Then I used the "Blossom Party" die for the flowers.  In the center of the flowers is the "Itty Bitty Buttons".  The tiny rose red dots are done using a small round paper punch.  I just thought that area needed a little something to fill in the open areas.  The words are from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  Of course!!  I use that word set more than any other set I have.  And I used various punches on this card. 

It was a very  fun card to make and I loved playing with this new layout!  Though I did not put it in my album of sketches.  I didn't exactly find the original sketch, just cards made using this layout!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Just Believe Sympathy Card

A while back I had made a card with this image on it from the "Just Believe" stamp set.  It had paper  "Sweet Buttons" on the bottom right side.  Click here to view the card. 

Leah was inspired by the card and changed it up a bit.  It is SO much prettier.  I remember making the card and it was SO out of my element and I had struggled a long time with it.  But I did stick with it and finished the card.

Leah used a Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, the "Polka Dot" embossing folder, the "Large Label" punch and the "Word Window" punch to make this card.

The image was done using the Direct to Rubber Technique.  That is where you just color on the rubber stamp with a marker, huff on it and then stamp the image. 

She did such a great job with this card.  It's got such a soft and serene look to it.

Thank you Leah for sharing your card with me!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

Morning Cup Sugar Holder Weekend Project

When looking back at yesterday's post the "Morning Cup Tea Bag Holder" I thought it would be fun to make a sugar holder.  Something I had more use for than the tea bag holder.  Ok, I may have had a use for the tea bag holder if it held the size tea bag packages that I have.  SO thinking on those lines I thought I would alter the pattern a bit to accommodate the sugar bags. 

I took my printed pattern for the tea bag holder and after measuring my sugar packet I just rewrote the new measurements.  You can use that pattern for may other things you want to put in a dispenser.  I was thinking of even making one for "real" sugar!!  And now I'm thinking of remaking this one in greens to match my kitchen.  But for now I'll just use this one in my workroom. 

What I found the most fun on both the tea bag holder and the sugar holder is the tea pot with the pearls pouring out of it.  I took a photo with a closer view of it. Though I think you can click on the photo and see things in more detail too.  The cup and the tea pot were set in place using Dimensionals.  I wanted them to be sticking off the paper a little to give it some depth and Dimensionals are the perfect thing to achieve that with. 

The flower on top was made using the "Birds & Blossoms" die.  I have not used that one in a LONG time.  I forgot I had it!  And I did prop the flower up a bit by using two pop-up glue dots.  I sponged the edges of the flowers and then I set them on a foam surface and took my bone folder and pressed from the center to the end of the flower to get them to curl.  Once I was done with all of the pieces I put a little bit of tape on each one and then poked a hole in the center, attaching each piece together as I went.  I added a rhinestone brad to the center and was happy with the way it turned out. These are SO fun to make and they are just TOO darn cute!!! And in working with the sugar holder I realized how great it was to use up pieces of scrap decorative paper.  You can't beat a deal like that.  End result of using up your scrap paper is a cute little sugar holder box.  I can live with that!!! LOL

The email I received on this project did state that it would only be available for a short time.  You can click here to get your pattern to make the cute Tea Holder box. Once you make one of them then you can get the feel on how to make it for other items you want to be dispensed. 

Don't you think they are just the cutest?

Thank you for visiting today and have a fun and creative weekend!
Wanda 

Morning Cup Tea Bag Holder Weekend Project

Is this tea box holder not the cutest thing you've ever seen?  Oh, I'm sure you've seen cuter things and I probably have too but today this is the cutest thing I've ever seen!!!

This was a very fun project to do. I got the pattern for it at Sunny Stamping, Inc.  You do have to subscribe to get the newsletter to get the pattern and instructions to make this.  And there is a video too and I do suggest you watch it, it clears up any questions.  This project is not listed for very long so if you don't get it soon it may not be there later.  Click here to go there and sign up. This is where you will get the pattern.  I don't have permission to give the pattern to you, sorry.

Edited 8-22-17: The link above is no longer available but I found some helpful information to make this here.  

I LOVE this tea bag holder because it holds LOTS of tea bags.  You just turn it upside down to refill it. 

I was most amazed at how weighty it was once you got the sides done and the seam glued together.  I did glue on all of my pieces except for the tea pot, tea cup and the pearls. The tea pot and tea cup are set in place with Dimensionals. The pearls are self-sticking.  It's a little difficult to see in the photo but there are pearls coming from the tea pot to look like it's pouring into the cup.  And what better set to use with this project than the "Morning Cup" set?  Perfect, huh?

I LOVED making this and was totally impressed with it when I was finished.  I kept saying, "It's SO cute!" 

Go get the pattern and make one.  It's very fun and it's SO cute!!!  I'm thinking about making a few of these for the fall craft fair. 

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda



Wednesday Sketch Challenge Short & Sweet

 This is a VERY fun layout for the SplitCoast Sketch Challenge today. 

I had so many different ideas for the #4 spot and every time I was going to start the card I realized I didn't have any decorative paper that was current.  SO I had to start from what current paper I had and go from there.  The decorative paper I used here is the new "Springtime Vintage."

I had fun with the die cut flowers. They're from the "Blossom Party" Sizzix die.  I played with rhinestone brads and the single sticky rhinestones as well.  The background was embossed with the Polka Dot embossing folder. And don't forget a piece of ribbon and the bow!!

After seeing the photo of the card I did add one more rhinestone at the bottom of the arc of rhinestones.  It looked OK when I finished the card but once I saw the photo of it I thought it could use just one more. So you'll have to imagine one more rhinestone on the card!!

I also like this decorative paper.  It's got such pretty colors and prints in the package. 

I do have a question here about this card.  How am I going to mail it without having the flowers get crushed or flattened?  I do have some of those clear plastic card holder box type things but they aren't really meant for mailing.  And I think they flowers would still get crushed in it anyway.  Maybe it's just one of those cards you personally deliver!

I didn't have anyone in mind for it when I made it either, so it will be in my stash for a while too.  Though I do need 2 birthday cards this week, I suppose I could part with it!

I think it's got a wonderfully fun vintage look to it!  And the best thing about it is I had a LOT of fun making it!

I'm hoping to get a project finished so I can share it with you tomorrow!!!  It's an amazing project (found it on the net and LOVED it!).

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda



Cupcake Box Weekend Project

The first photo is of the cupcake box I made for a friend.  She gets one little cupcake!!!  Some friend, huh?  LOL

And the other photo is of all the cupcakes I made for hubby to take to work with him! He was a popular guy and they all loved me!!! LOL

I had gotten a little cupcake maker for Christmas and this was the first chance I had to try it out.  What is nice about them is you don't have to heat up the whole oven. You can use those smaller boxes of cake mix for it or you can use a little of the batter and refrigerate the rest until the next day.  The little cupcake papers you get in the stores fit in it perfectly and it only takes about 8 minutes to make them.  Ok, 8 minutes to make 7 cupcakes.  I chose to use the whole batch of cake mix and it took me about an  hour and a half.  I know it would have been a lot less time using the regular oven but this was kind of fun plus I was cleaning up stuff in the kitchen in the meantime and I did get a lot of things cleaned up.  I have this awful habit of not going through all of the mail when I get it.  I pull out the bills and the movies (when they come) and set the rest aside.  SO I went through all of those papers.  I got the bills piled up to pay tomorrow and all the papers went in recycling.  I went through a few recipes and it was great to find my counter!  All of it!  And then it was full of cupcakes!

I frosted them with some pre-made frosting and sprinkled it with red colored sugar.  I had bought these pearlized pink hearts.  They were so pearly that the flash bounced back. I just couldn't get a good photo of them. 

Now for the box. You can make a box for anything if you know the size of the item.  Just measure the item.  Here I measured the decorated cupcake and the tallest part was 1-7/8" so I made my box so all sides were 1-7/8".  I usually make one from scrap copier paper first so I can get the overall size to cut the card stock.  After I cut the card stock I used the "I {Love} Love" wheel and Real Red ink for the design.  I scored my lines and clipped the sides for the flaps.  And before I assembled the box I folded the front and used the square punch to make the window.  Folding it helped make a bigger window. I glued in a piece of Window Sheet.  And I went to put the box together and the window sheet didn't stay. SO I re-glued the sheet with Crystal Effects. Something I should have used in the first place.  It would have saved me a lot of time.  I glued the box together, added the cupcake and tied a ribbon around it.  Boxes are simple to make. They are all made the same way.  It's just a matter of measuring, scoring and clipping.  And now it's ready for gift giving!  I'm still more fond of the die cuts but they don't always come in the size I want or need! 

I have a VERY fun little project for you in a day or two.  I have to finish it up. And no, it's not that it takes that long to make it.  It takes me that long to do it because I start it and set aside because something else came up and because I don't make just one!  I have to inflict them on the gals who come here to stamp!!  LOL  I promise you these cute little "things" only take a few minutes to make and you will be glad you stopped back.   

Thanks SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!  I feel like I've been doing Valentine's "stuff" for weeks now and I'm all red and pinked out!!!  The day is finally here!

This card was from our DIVA Day swap.  It was designed by Cyndi.  I LOVE making cards that Cyndi brings because they always have a very rich look to them.  She has some favorite blogs she stalks and finds such fun and beautiful cards to make for the swaps!!

This one was done using the "Punch Potpourri" Hostess Level 1 set.  A set I don't have but am keeping my eye on should the opportunity arrive.  The heart in this set can be used for many other occasions other than Valentine's Day.  And there are three other images in the set, a butterfly, a set of 3 flowers and a bird.  All fabulous images to play with!

So back to the card.  The border was done with the Tulips Border embossing folder.  Embossing folders add such a wonderful look to a card.  You can take a solid white piece of card stock for your background and use an embossing folder and the solid white piece no longer looks so plain.  All without stamping.  On the Tulip Border the edges were sponged.  Pink ribbon was added and some Old Olive leaves from the "Two Step Bird" punch. 

I love the elegance of this card.  It was simple to put together and very fun to make too! It's one of those you can do in less than a half hour, from start to finish.  I'm sure that will include putting away your stuff when you are done.  I am still SO bad at that.  I was just digging though the pile of papers on my worktable to find this card.  UGH!  When will I ever learn to put things away when I'm done???  Is there hope for me?  I read a long time ago that it takes 6 times of doing something to create a habit.  6?  Really?  I beg to differ there!!  Maybe 6 consecutive times???  I'll have to whole heartily give it a try 6 consecutive times and see what happens on number 7!!!  Wish me luck on that one!

Thank you Cyndi for the beautiful card!

And Thank You for visiting my blog today,
Wanda

Medallion Card Digital Studio Project

I copied the Simply Sent "Medallion Medley" card.  Well, not exactly.  On the original one the Medallions are embossed.  The background is also textured and has a bit of lightly faded wording in the upper right corner.  Plus it's got an aged look to it too. It's kind of a chalky dirty look but nice!

I just saw the original one today and it is SO much nicer than mine.  But at the time I made this I didn't have the original.  But what I did have was My Digital Studio and the Medallion download!!!  SO I played around with it and I did come up with this.  Like I said it's not exactly like the original but I needed to make a card and this is what I wanted.  It got the job done!

One thing I REALLY like about making digital cards is I don't have to worry about getting the image covered with ink and having it stamp perfectly. These images print out nice and solid!

It was fun playing around with the My Digital Studio.  I don't usually find a lot of time where I can sit and just mess around with it.  Doing that is the best way to learn on it too.  You really can't break it.  You can get lost in it, mixed up and even confused but you can't break it!  See what you can create!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Place Holder DIVA Gifts Weekend Project

When I saw this photo on my desktop in thumbnail size it looked like a cake with candles!!! LOL

These are Place Holders that I altered.  I had gotten them at my local craft store and for a dollar you can't go wrong!!  These were intended for photos, which is kind of cool too!  There is a clear tab you pull on and you can stick your photo to it and slip it back in.  I decided to make these as DIVA gifts.  When we are stamping we're always asking "who made this card" and now we don't have to ask.  Well, unless they forget to bring them with at each meeting!!!

To make the names I printed them out on 28# copier paper and punched them out with the small square punch.  Then I cut out pieces of "Springtime Vintage" decorative paper and taped the name to it.  I taped it in place on the clear plastic tab and slid the name inside the cube.

Then I punched out little flowers and little yellow dots for the center of the flowers. I put them together and attached them to the corner of the block with a small glue dot. 

They were a big hit and a very useful item too!!!

If you'd like to see other "Weekend Projects" just click here.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Punch Potpourri Valentine's Day Card

This is such a pretty Valentine's Day card.  Connie had made it for the DIVA Day Shoebox Card Swap. 

The heart image is from the "Punch Potpourri" set which is a Level 1 Hostess set.  Unfortunately I don't have that set. I just love the flower with the words on the background.  I may have to search around the catalog to see if I can find a couple of sets I can put together to create this image.   In the "Punch Potpourri" set there is several other images and all 4 of these images match 4 different punches.  How cool is that?

The heart was sponged and the flowers were colored in with chalks.  I have not worked with chalks in a LONG time.  I forgot how fun and easy they are to work with. 

The wording came from one of my favorite sets, "Teeny Tiny Wishes."   They were punched out with the "Word Window" punch and the "Scalloped Heart of Hearts" Embosslet Die. 

Connie had punched out the little hearts and had them glued in place for us.  She glued them on and then ran the whole thing through the Big Shot using the "Square Lattice" Embossing Folder. 

I thought it was such a pretty Valentine's Day card.

Thank you Connie for letting me share your card with everyone!

I think this is the last of the Valentine's Day cards and I have one more little Valentine's Day project and then it's time to move on to the next "season" and other fun projects.  I know with summer coming up some of you would like to see some fun projects for the kids too.  I got that covered!!!  To be notified of the latest posts just sign up on the right side bar just above the hits counter.  Or you can "follow" me on the Google Reader.  Signing up will email you each time I have a new post and the Google Reader keeps them until you read them at your leisure! 

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Candy Hearts Header Gift Bag

Are you starting to get "Valentined" out?  I've made a lot of Valentine's Day cards and some gifts and I'm ready to move on to some other colors besides red and pinks!!  Not that I don't like them, I do but in smaller doses!  LOL

I made these Valentine header bags for the DIVA gals who were at the meeting on Sunday.  As it worked out putting the candy in the bags, there wasn't one piece left over.  I LOVE those cherry hearts.  I even told the gal when I was buying them at the grocery store that I wished the store didn't carry those!!! LOL

Header bags are fun and SUPER easy to make.  First you find the size bag you are going to work with.  Then you fill it with whatever it is you want.  Next you measure the bag and add 1/4" on the sides and the front size depends on how big you want to make it.  I had just taken a piece of scrap paper and used it and then cut more for the other bags. 

I used the "Love Impressions" designer paper on top of my Real Red card stock. The "Happy Valentine's Day" words came from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  I punched it out with the "Word Window" punch.  Then I too a piece of Basic Gray card stock and punched out an oval.  I set that in place on top of a scalloped oval that was punched out using Real Red card stock. 

And as always when I staple the header on I do it before I decorate the front.  I staple it so the back part of the staple is on the front part of the header.  The layers cover it and the back is nice and smooth and it has a better and cleaner look to it that way!

These are fun to make and I use them for many occasions.  Plus they are an expensive party favor to make, depending on how expensive the candy you put in the bag is!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

On Your Birthday Sketch Challenge Card

 This has to be among the worst cards I've made.  I must be tired or something.  This is a SUPER easy sketch and this is all I could come up with???  WOW!!  I didn't have an abundance of pearls to use up either.  I just kept putting them on the card.

Hmmm, who will be the lucky(?) recipient of this card this year???  Mr. trash can!!! LOL                

I am hoping that I get my things done this week so I can give this sketch another try and do it justice.  I just drew a blank when I saw the layout.  I did check back on Split Coast to see what the other submissions were looking like and they REALLY put mine to shame!!!

I'm really not feeling very well tonight and I'm extremely tired too.  Maybe that has something to do with it.  Hope I'm not coming down with something, I don't have time for it.

Sorry about the awful card.  I have a great card to share with you tomorrow from the DIVA Day swap.  It's SO much better than this one by far!!! LOL  They all can't be winners!!!!!

Thanks SO much for bearing with me today!
Wanda

Heart to Heart Punch Candy Bars

Isn't it just amazing how you can take some decorative paper and a couple of punches and create a fun wrapper for an average looking candy bar?

I had printed out some decorative paper from a download that I had purchased.  This is from the Springtime Vintage paper pack.  I cut it and wrapped it around the candy bar.  Then I took a piece of Whisper White card stock and ran it through the crimper. It had been so long since I had used the crimper that I had to look in my catalog to see if it was still available.  Yup, it is!!!

I then punched out some hearts from scrap paper using the "Heart to Heart" punch.  And for the large heart I used the "Full Heart" punch.  I don't remember where I got the words from, it was over a week ago that I had finished those up!  I've always got some project going in stages.  I wouldn't want to try to get it all done in one day now, would I?   LOL?

Anyway, these were a fun little gift for my fellow DIVA's which they received on Sunday! 

So if you are ever in a pinch and lost for an idea to make a quick gift for someone, just wrap up a candy bar and decorate it!  Simple and quick too!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

SO Many Punches Valentine's Day Card

This is the card that my downline Teresa made for the DIVA Day Shoebox Swap.  I don't think I've ever seen a card made using SO many punches!!

How many punches did you ask? 

1. Well, first there is the arms and legs that were made using the "Word Window" punch.  And so is the white shirt part in the center of the body.

2. The hands were made using the "Itty Bitty Shapes" punch. 

3. The feet/shoes were made using the "Small Heart" punch. 

4.  The candy box in the left hand was made using the cupcake bottom from the "Build a Cupcake" punch.

5.  The flower stem is from the "Bird" punch.

6.  The petals on the flower are from the "Itty Bitty Shapes" punch.

7. The body is made using the "Ornament" punch. This punch was also used for the lapel.

8.  The head is made using the "1-3/8" circle punch.

9.  The colored part of the eyes and buttons are from the "Owl" punch

10.  They eyes and nose are made using the "Itty Bitty Shapes" punch.

11.  The hair is from the top part of the "Build a Cupcake" punch.

12.  And the bow tie is from the "Heart to Heart" punch.

I think that covered them all.  12 punches were used to make this card!!! 

No, it is 13.  The "Modern Lable" punch was used for the words!!

WOW, that's a lot of punches.  But then again it's really a WOW card, isn't it?

Thank you Teresa for creating such an adorable card!

And thank you for visiting my blog today,
Wanda

Create a Cupcake Purse Card

Today is DIVA Day!!! I LOVE it and SO look forward to it! What a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon/evening! I'm pre-posting this because I will be at the event and it's kind of hard to sneak away to type this so I must do it a few hours in advance and set it up to release the post later. Sometimes you just gotta do that!!

Anyway, this is my card for the swap. I had seen this layout on several blogs and thought it was fun. Our theme for the swap is to use punches on the card. Here I used 5 different ones! Not too bad!

I started out with a half sheet of Marina Mist. I folded it in half and that was the base of my card. The I took 1/4 sheet of Whisper White and trimmed it back 1/8" on two sides. I put part of the card stock in the "Vintage Wallpaper" embossing folder.

Then I taped the ribbons on. After I was finished with that I used the "Two Tags" die and made the scalloped tag. I trimmed the end off a bit too, about 1/2". Next I punched out the black scallop and taped it in place over the scalloped are of the tag. I punched out a 1-3/8" white circle and taped it on top of the black scallop.

Then came the cute purse. I didn't come up with that idea I saw it done on a card with 3 of them on it so I thought I would do this layout with a single purse. You need to stamp the bottom part of the purse with the "Create a Cupcake" set. It's the bottom part of the cupcake turned upside down. SO cleaver!!! Wish I would have thought of it! Then the cupcake bottom is punched out using the "Build a Cupcake" punch. A must have if you buy the stamp set. I HATE cutting out pieces and this punch sure does save a LOT of time!!

The flap on the purse is a 3/4" circle folded in half. The handle is a circle with a circle punched out in the center. The easiest way to do that is to punch the smaller circle first and then line up the larger one over the smaller one and punch out the ring. Easy peasy! I taped that ring on the back of the purse, after adding the flap. Then the purse was adorned with a cute little rhinestone and it was ready to be set in place on top of the white circle with Dimensionals.

I didn't use any wording on it because I thought it looked nice without it. And wording can always be added as needed. It would make a great birthday card, thank you card, thinking of you card, friendship card and even a get well card. I did have a lot of fun making this card. And it was even fun punching out and cutting out all the pieces to make this card for the swap! Being it's a "shoebox" swap, we bring the stuff to make the card and we move from station to station making the cards. It's a lot of fun. It's a fun time all around. We get to chat with each other, share ideas, show what we've been doing since the last meeting and we get to make cards! I'll share those cards with you as the days go on, I'll fit them in with my other projects and creations. I think they'll like this card, don't you?

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

Build a Blossom Thank You Card

Ok, I gotta be honest here.  When I first bought this set I must have seen a card made with it somewhere.  When the set arrived I put it on my ledge next to the matching punch and left it there.  The other day I had made the "Tulip Border" using the embossing folder.  I had seen a card I was going to copy but I didn't.  I had to use the White Craft ink pad on the tulips and by the time it was dry I had moved onto something else and lost interest in it.  Such a busy mind!! 

SO I trimmed the edges on the embossed piece so it fit as a layer on the Whisper White folded card base.  Then I stamped my flower petals (5 of them) using Pretty in Pink ink and punched them out with the new punch.

The center of the flower is a button from the "Button, Button" set.  On top of that button I put a small clear round button and set it in place using Crystal Effects.  FABULOUS stuff!!!

The background on top of the tulip border is stamped using the "En Francais" stamp and Pretty in Pink ink. 

Oh and on the back of the flower petals I punched out Pretty in Pink ones using card stock and stuck them behind it for a shadow type effect.

And finally, the words came from the "Fresh Cuts" set.  I thought it had a very pretty "thank you."

With the stamp set and the punch together you can really make some quick and beautiful cards.  I plan on making a lot more using that set and punch.  But I promise, I won't make them all at one time and show you them day after day!!!  LOL  I'm so in the mood for flowers lately.  Though I still am liking the winter (without the subzero temps!).

This was a very fun card to make and I'm going to play with it a bit and see what else I can do with it.  I was thinking (after I saw the photo of this card on my post) that I should take the stylus and emboss the center white part of the flower so it had a dimensional look to it.  It kind of looks like it has it in the photo but not in real life.  And I want to see what I can come up with using the other images and punched pieces.  I think this is a very bright and cheery looking image that would work for birthdays, get well cards and even a sympathy card using a lone flower.  What do you think?

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Fast & Fabulous Thank You Card

I was playing around with the "Vintage Wallpaper" embossing folder.  When I started playing with it I wasn't sure if I was going to make a card or just experiment with the texture.  After I ran the folder and card stock through my Big Kick I liked the look of it but it was just too dark.  SO I thought I would run the brayer over it with Whisper White craft ink.  It made the texture pop and I was much happier with the background. 

Next I made the rectangle layer.  I used Garden Green and a piece of Real Red for the layers under the Whisper White.  I stamped the image from the "Fast & Fabulous" Hostess set.  It's such a fun set to play with.  And the words, you guessed it, are from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  This set does not just sit at my worktable and is used because it's convenient!!  I just like the set and it's got all they sayings I need for almost every card I make.

After the stamping I tied a piece of Real Red grosgrain ribbon around the panels.  I set it on the card and still didn't like what I saw.  Alone the rectangles were just too small.  I ended up using my "Scalloped Circle" die and trimmed it up a bit to fit behind the panels.  I just wanted a little bit of it sticking out and that is what I got!!  When I got it all together I wasn't happy with it because it looked a bit too "Christmasy" because of the green.  I should have used black or even a dark blue!  Usually I notice these things after I take the photo and post it on here!!  This card gets a thumbs down and I don't think I'll be reworking it to try to improve it.  It's just not inspiring me.

I am in the middle of a few small projects for this weekend.  And I'm SO looking forward to sharing them with you.  The DIVA day event is on Sunday so Sunday evening I will start showing you these fun things.  I can't show you now because I think some of the gals at the meeting peek in on my blog and I don't want to spoil the surprise!!

Thanks SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Framed Tulips Thank You Card

I just got my hands on this FABULOUS "Framed Tulips" embossing folder.  It's from the new Occasions mini catalog. 

I wanted to try it out and I wanted to make a simple card.  I had seen a card something like this on someones blog.  I think they made the card a 4" x 4" square card.  I don't care much for square cards so I passed up the card sample.  Then when my embossing folder arrived today I had wished I had downloaded the card for reference and to give credit to the original creator too!  SO if this looks familiar, please let me know who did it so I can give them credit.

For this card I used Garden Green as the base color of the card.  The layer on top of that is Baja Breeze.  Yup, those two actually do go together!  Then the Whisper White piece that was dry embossed with the "Framed Tulips" folder. 

I used some scrap decorative paper and made the squares.  I did cut them on the paper cutter because I either don't have a 1" square punch or I can't find it.  It was not in the drawer with the other punches.  SO since it was only four pieces I broke down and used the paper cutter.  Don't you find it funny that you become so dependent on the punches and dread having to face the paper cutter!!! LOL After I cut the 4 pieces I used the corner rounder on two corners of each square.  Then they were set in place on the bottom corner of the white card stock.

I thought the center of those 4 pieces needed something so I punched a couple of circles and set them in place using a gold brad.  Now this wasn't on the original card.  I think there was a bow to the left of the 4 squares on the original one. 

And at the top upper left corner I stamped the "thank you" using the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  It's such a fun set and has pretty much every wording you would need.  And what is fun about this set is the words fit in the "Word Window" punch!

This was a very simple and quick card to put together.  I can see myself making more of these. They would be perfect as a set of 4 for a gift, wouldn't they?  And quick to make too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Create a Cupcake Sketch Challenge

 WOW, it's Wednesday already and it's the second of February!!  Did January fly by fast or what???  And I'm already behind on lots of things!! UGH!!

Today's Sketch Challenge over at SplitCoastStampers is a lot of fun. The panels are nice and big and don't take long at all to do.

I used the "Create a Cupcake" stamp set and the "Build a Cupcake" punch.  I am SO loving that punch.  It's great to be able to have those images separate without having to cut them all out by hand. 

The cupcake set has a "sprinkle" image too.  I did use it in Regal Rose ink but thought I'd cover them in the tiny pearls.  Why I don't know, I guess I thought I had extra time on my hands!! LOL  But they do look nice on there and they go with the line of pearls on the left so I went with it.  I do like using the pearls and since I have so many of them I thought I should put them on my creations more often!

The pink background is from the "Love Impressions" decorative paper pack.  It's such a sweet looking little tiny polka dot print in such a soft pink.  I have a little piece left and yes, I am going to use it on something.  NO more hoarding it!!!  I don't want to end up on that show being the lady who is swimming in tons of pieces of decorative paper!! LOL

Before assembling the card I did add a piece of the Whisper White Organza ribbon to the #2 panel.  I taped it on the back of that panel and then tied a piece of ribbon on the front.  I like this method of adding the bow because it allows me to slide the bow around until I get it in the spot I want it in.  And also in doing this the knot is not as big either.

This was a fun card to make and if you have time go play with this sketch!  I printed the sketch out and it's going in the album with the other 317 of them!  Yup, I got them all and I think by the end of the year I will need a new album to keep them in.  I've been playing along for about 4 years now. It doesn't seem that long but when I look at all the sketches I have for cards I can see that it has been a while.  I SO look forward to the Wednesday Sketch Challenge.  It makes the middle of the week a more fun day! 

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda