Gently Falling Fun Fold Friday

This post is going to take forever to do.  My keyboard is acting up.  The shift key is sticking and I type too many words with caps in them and I have to keep backspacing. Now you would think the backspace key would go bad too!!!  I have a new keyboard on the way and I think it will be here tomorrow but not soon enough for me!!!  Typing like this is frustrating!

Today's Fun Fold Friday card is a "Folded Paper Frame" technique.  You can just click on the link above for the fun instructions.  This was a LOT easier than I thought it would be.  This fold took all of 10 minutes to do, if even that long.  The image on the inside is done and set in place before you tape the folds down. You will understand that more when you see the pictures in the instructions.

The card at SplitCoastStampers was a square card but I wanted to make this a regular size so I just added the square to a card front.  After doing that I wasn't sure what I was going to do with the bottom because I had already added words to my card.  Those words came from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set.

The leaves are my favorite part of this card.  They are from the Gently Falling set.  I just took it off the shelf for the first time today.  I stamped the leaf using VersaMark and embossed it using Gold embossing powder.  Then I cut the leaves out and sponged them with More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie and Cajun Craze.  It was very simple and quick to do.

The ribbon took a little time.  Well, not at first.  It was after I decided to weave those pieces in.  That took a little bit of time but it was fun.  I did end up gluing the strips of ribbon in place. It was just too difficult to tape them. Click on the photo for a closer view.

I do like how this card turned out and I like this Fun Fold.  For previous weeks "Fun Fold" cards just click here.  Have fun with this very Fun Fold!

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

There is just something about this card that I absolutely LOVE.  I saw it on Artfelt Impressions by Deb.  Her card is a little different.  She used black or Early Espresso on the large panel.  I used the Spice Cake decorative paper.  And she added her wording on top of the center tree.  I didn't like all of those layers so I just added my words to the bottom and I think it looks just fine.

Check out Deb's card here.  I like them both!

This is a very quick and easy card to do too?  I did use my stamp-a-ma-jig to get the trees just right.  This time I stamped the tree trunk and then added the leaves.  Before I had stamped the tree tops and then tried to line the trunk up and I had such a difficult time that I put the set a way and hadn't touched it until today!  Talk about holding a grudge!!! LOL  So now that I know how to make it work out I plan on using the set a bit more.  

And the one thing I REALLY like about this card, it is a unisex card!! I think it's a great masculine card too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Halloween Card Wednesday Sketch Challenge

This is one of the most fascinating and fun sketches I've played with at SplitCoastStampers. 

I don't know what it is about this layout but I just loved it and had a great time with it.

My papers are from a fun new pack of papers by Cloud 9 Designs that I had gotten at Joann's a couple of months ago.  My friend Katie dragged me out shopping.  Like that took a lot of effort!!! LOL  These papers have lots of fun embossed areas on them.  On the "Boo" paper you can see some of the words have the clear and glittered embossing on them.  Well, you can see it's embossed better than you can see it's got glitter in it too.  And the same for the dotted paper too, it has both.I LOVE the colors of these papers and how well they went together!

The stamp set is one of those fun dollar clear sets that I had gotten at Joann's a while back.  I have not bought any of those clear sets in quite a while.  But I did dig them all out and put them in a little tote so I could play with them this Halloween.  Nothing like having TONS of these stamps and not use them!

The "Happy Halloween" was done on the computer and punched out.

The ghosts are from a fun Marvy punch that I've had for a very long time.  I even went as far as to take a scrap piece of rubber from putting a stamp set together and punching out a ghost so I could stamp one too!!  I don't stamp too many of them but the stamp is stuck to the side of the punch should I want to use it!!

This was such a fun layout and I will be using it again!

If you have time I highly recommend you play with this layout!!  It's SO fun!

Thank you so much for visiting today,
Wanda

It's a Wrap Holidays Hershey Halloween Candies Weekend Project

I absolutely LOVE these It's a Wrap stamp sets!!!  I had to buy both!  I will be getting a LOT of use out of both sets!!! 

I made these for my stampers today.  I think they will like them, who wouldn't.  And these are made using the Toffee and Almond Hershey Nuggets.  YUM!!!

These are great for little gifts too.  Make some for your customers, co-workers, friends, the mail carrier, UPS deliverer and even your family!!

I did make these using a strip of copier paper around the candy first.  Hershey has some issues with sticky things attached to their wrapper. It's has something to do with the sticky stuff contaminating the chocolate through their wrapper.  Plus they have a copyright on the wrapper and you're not suppose to permanently cover it up.  Belly bands are the safest way to go! Plus it makes it easier to get the wrapper off too!

I will be making some more Halloween ones and in a couple of months I will be making Christmas ones!!  And in January I will be making the Mr & Mrs ones for our sons wedding.  Well, not for the wedding itself but for the grooms dinner!  I am SO looking forward to making those!!!

Aren't these fun?  Go make some fun too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Haunted Forest Candle Weekend Project

I was very careful this year with my Halloween stamps buying.  I bought the new "Haunted Forest" stamp and I also picked up one stamp at Michael's and I'll be making a card with that one in a day or two.  I don't want to fill up my days till Halloween with Halloween cards, candles or other items.  I want to keep it at a nice variety of "stuff!" 

For this fun project you will need the following items:
A candle

Rubber stamp(s)

StazOn ink pad

Tissue Paper

Waxed Paper

Coloring medium (I used markers and colored pencils for the images 

    and sponging for the moon)

Heat embossing tool

I stamped my image on the tissue paper using the StazOn ink pad.  I find the ink does not bleed and it has a crisper look to it.

Next I colored the the image in.  First I used colored pencils and then I came back with markers.  After I was done coloring I sponged in the moon with Daffodil Delight, then More Mustard and then I added a touch of Pumpkin Pie.  

When you are done with the coloring you cut the image out within an 1/8" of the edges.  Set the image on the candle and place a piece of waxed paper over it.  Melt the image into the candle by running the heat tool over the area.  Go slow and keep the heat tool moving.  If you keep it in one spot too long you will get a dent in your candle and a lot of dripped wax.  It's best to hold the heat tool away from the image and let it melt the wax slowly.  Once you get better at it you can move the heat tool in closer and melt the images in faster.  You can see the image melt into the wax.  The waxed paper gets wet looking and the tissue paper looks like it's no longer white.  You will know what a melted area looks like as you go by with the heat tool.  Once you remove the waxed paper you may see some tissue paper still showing.  You can either cover the area with more waxed paper (a fresh piece) or you can heat the area directly (but be careful you don't hold the tool in one spot too long.  It's easy to do it when touching up, keep the tool moving). It's really not as bad as it sounds.  Get an inexpensive candle to practice with if you are not sure of yourself.  Try using a small votive candle or go to the Dollar Tree and get one there.  You can always use it for an emergency or for when you want to have a candle.  It won't go to waste and besides, it may just turn out and you will want to keep it!!! It could happen!!!

Click here for more stamped candle items. 

Have fun with these. I LOVE making these candles and I plan to make some Christmas ones for the craft boutique this fall.

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Thoughts & Prayers Thinking of You Card

 I missed the Wednesday Sketch Challenge on the 21st.  We were up in Duluth watching the ships come in and relaxing!  It was a small sacrifice but I was willing to make it!!! LOL

I just pulled up the sketch today to see what it looked like.  It was a fairly simple one and I'm sure I could have done a better job on it but I had this image stuck in my head and I ran with it.  

 

I have used this tree on quiet a number of card and I just don't get tired of it at all.  I will be adding this card to the small pile of cards I have for my "card a week" to my friends.  So far I'm on track with it and I'm having a lot of fun with it too.

Anyway, back to my card.  I used the "Direct to Rubber" technique.  I colored on the rubber with a Chocolate Chip and Wild Wasabi markers.  When I was done I huffed on it so the moisture of my breath would dampen the ink and then I stamped it.  After I stamped it I cut the cardstock into 3 pieces and then layered them on the Dotted Swiss dry embossed background.

The words came from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set and I used the Label and Word Window punch to layer them.  I set them in place with Dimensionals and I did the same with the small circles.

It was a very simple card to make and it didn't take long to create it at all either.  It was a fun sketch and this coming Wednesday I will be able to play along with everyone else!  I'll be here in my workroom, at home NOT in Duluth!!!  LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Spooky Bingo Bits Halloween Card

I have been having a LOT of fun with the Spooky Bingo Bits stamp set.  Here I used the adorable spider image on my card.  I actually wanted them to go up and down the card (like they are) but not with the circles touching.  The only way that would happen is if I changed the orientation of the card.  But I wanted the center part of the web to show more and it can only do that with this orientation.  SO I had to work with it and this is what I got.  I do like it!

The spider web is made using the Provo Craft spider web embossing folder.  I embossed it using black card stock and I dragged the white ink pad over it gently.  I tried not to apply too much pressure because I didn't want the white to be between the webbing.  I love this background!

The words came from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set.  That set has words for almost every occasion!  Ya gotta LOVE that!

This was a very fun card to make and a non-scary Halloween card for those little kiddies who don't like the spooky things that can surface during Halloween!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Fun Fold Friday Frostwood Lodge Weekend Project

I’m trying to get things back to “normal” here. We took a few days off earlier in the week to head on up to Duluth for some R&R.  It was nice to get away but it’s the coming back and catching up on things and trying to get back into the everyday routine stuff that is tough.  I did pre-post on my blog so you would have some fun things to look at.  And I was pre-posted up til today.  SO today being it’s the “Fun Fold Friday” post I have something not only fun but great for stocking stuffer’s or little gifts for your friends or coworkers.  I am making these to sell at the upcoming craft fair.  I LOVE making these and they are SO easy to do too.

For the one you are seeing here I took a piece of card stock and cut it 8" x 3".  Now this measurement is set for the tea bag I am using.  My tea bag measures 2-½" x 2-1/4".  The best way to determine the size of the card stock you will need is to take a piece of scrap copier paper and on the short side cut it a half inch longer than the tea bag.  Now take that strip and fold it around the tea bag and make sure you leave a 1/4" space more on the left flap (your first fold).  On the centerfold you will need to add 1/4" more and for the final flap you need to cut it to it will meet on the outside of the first fold you made.  This piece is generally the same size as the middle piece. 

On the flap I cut the angle 7/8" up from the bottom and all the way to the fold.  I just line the fold and the 7/8" mark I made on the flap and cut. 

I often make these using white card stock and a decorative wheel too.  I LOVE the snowflake wheel for these.  Today I opted to use decorative paper.  Mine is from the “Frostwood Lodge” download I purchased.  This one is #10 in the pack.  I printed it out on 30# copier paper.  You want to use at least a 28# paper but the higher the number the better quality print you will get. 

After I cut my cardstock I then cut the pieces of decorative paper 1/8" smaller (on two sides) and taped them in place. 

I glued the first panel on the bottom and the open edge.  I folded that panel in place and let the glue set up.  Then I glued the small 7/8" piece and the bottom of that panel and pressed it in place.  I let the glue set up a bit before I added the tea.  If the glue is not dry and you add the tea, the pressure of the tea bulging will cause the bottom to split open.  I don’t usually have that problem since I do about a dozen at a time and by the time I get to the first one it’s set up or even completely dry. 

Ok, once you’ve added the tea you can add the bellyband.  I just take a strip of card stock and I wrap it around the tea holder.  I never measure these because it’s easier to wrap, fold and glue.  Don’t glue the bellyband to the holder.  It needs to be slipped off, it’s mostly for decoration.  I am not sure how easy it would be to remove the tea if the band were glued or taped in place.  You can give it a try but to me it’s just another step I don’t want to do.  If you do not glue that angled flap down then you need to make sure the edge of the bellyband is caught under it so it will stay down.

You are now ready to decorate the front as you wish!  My words were done on the computer.  I also have 10 sheets of different wordings for cards that, when printed out, fit in the 1-1/4" circle punch.  You can purchase the download here.  You can print out as many as you like too!

You can add a personal greeting behind that front flap either on the inside of that angled flap or on the cardstock.  I add it to the lower part of the cardstock.  But for the craft fairs I just leave it blank. 

On the back of mine I add this little poem.  I print it onto a large 8-1/2" x 11" label and cut them to fit. The poem reads:
On Christmas Day
At half-past three
Have yourself a cup of tea.

I’ll think of you,
You’ll think of me
Sitting around the Christmas tree. 

Isn’t that a sweet little poem and SO perfect for this tea holder?

Personally I like making these without the decorative paper.  They go a lot quicker but then again they are not quite as pretty but they are pretty enough!

When I’m all done I seal them up in a 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" baggies and they are ready for the craft fair!

I hope you have fun with this and thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Spooky Bingo Bits Halloween Card

Don't you just love the look of this card?  I do and that is why I just HAD to make it.  The original idea came from a card that Kris from LNS (LateNightStampers) made.  I just loved her card and wanted to play with this layout. 

What I REALLY loved about this card is the lines at the bottom left on the card.  They were made using the scoring board.  I wasn't exactly sure how Kris had done it so I scored my lines on the front first and then turned it over and scored them from the backside so they would be raised on the front.  I scored them after the front of the card was all decorated and the words were stamped in place. 

My cute little house came from the "Spooky Bingo Bits" set.  On Kris' card she had one of the new large buttons in that space.  I don't have any of those buttons and I was ok with that when this set came to mind.  The moon behind the house was done using a sponge dauber and the Daffodil Delight ink pad.

I want to play with this layout again but using Christmas colors. I think this would be a very pretty Christmas card. And I would get to use the "Jolly Bingo Bits" on it!  A set I just LOVE.  The images in it are just too darn cute!!

Kris, if you follow my blog, please give me a link to your blog so I can give you full credit for your card.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Just Believe Card

I still like using this "Just Believe" set.  I saw this card made by Kris at Stamping with Kris.  Her colors were different and I used a different texture on the left side of the card.  But it is basically like her card. I had seen it a few days ago and I knew I had to CASE it.  It had been a while since I had played with the Just Believe set.  I had to put it away for a while because I thought I had played with it too much and I didn't want you to get tired of seeing the image!  And I promise, I won't be making another card using this set for a while again so it will be a fresh and welcomed image again!

This card can be used for any occasion since there are no words added to the front.  It looks to me like it could be a sympathy, birthday or get well card.  I like it and I really like the layout.  

My favorite part of this card is the tulip embossing folder used on the larger white piece.  The two layers fit inside of it so all you see is the tulips on the right side.  You can click on the image to view it closer.

And I REALLY like this layout too!  Kris did a great job on the card and I had fun reproducing it.

Thank you every SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Greeting Card Kids Meets Holiday Hang Ups

I had a lot of fun playing with this card.  I LOVE the Wisteria Wonder card stock and it goes SO well with the Pumpkin Pie card stock. 

Click on the photo and you can see those cute wiggly eyes on the owl!!

I colored in the ghost and the bones with the white gel pan.  And take a look at the spider.  I used a tiny black pom pom on the body.   These little things just dressed up this fun wheel image.  

The words are from the "Delightful Dozen" set.  The pumpkin was colored in with a marker along with the words and then stamped on the card stock.  I used the "Lattice Square" folder for the background.  Doing that made the words look a little bit lighter but you can still read it.  I didn't want to add a layer with the words there so stamping right on the card stock was the best way to do it.

I colored the little girl in using markers and a blender pen.  I really had a lot of fun making this card.  Plus it was simple enough to do too!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Pasley Prints Notebook Weekend Project

A while back I had taken a card that Amy from the DIVA group had made and I made it into a 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" notebook.  I just took her card, cut the front off and punched it in my RubiCoil machine.  I cut come copier paper, punched that and added the spiral and I had a wonderful notebook.  You can see that notebook by clicking here. 

Today I was going to make more of those wonderful notebooks for the upcoming craft fair.  I got a bit distracted with the design and I thought I would try a little bit smaller notebook.  This notebook measures 3-1/2" x 4-1/2".  I like the size of it and the look of it.  I know it will fit in my purse better than the larger one.  The larger ones are much better for keeping in your vehicle. 

The "Notes" on here are from a stamp I had made for me at Vista Print.  I got it free (but had to pay a small fee for the shipping).  I had several other stamps made there too.  They keep sending offers and I kept buying them.  I had a list of words I wanted for notebooks and  cards.  I think I have a total of 5 of these self-inking stamps.  I did have an address one but the ink dried up and the rubber fell off the apparatus so I just stuck it to a clear mount block and ink it up myself.  I liked the stamp.  And if any of these fall off I will add them to a clear block too. 

This was a fun notebook to make but I will probably stick to the larger ones since I have the card stock all cut for it.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

Fun Floral Sizzix Die Card

At Stamp Cramp Thursday evening, Sharon REALLY loved this card.  I helped her make 4 of them!! It is a very pretty card.  I can not take credit for it though, it was made by Peggy K from the DIVA group.  I had gotten it in the last swap I participated in.  

It was a very easy card to do too.  You only need one stamp!!!  The rest is punches and dies.  The flower is a die cut.  Sharon cut them out and I sponged the edges.  She got the cards all assembled too!  She made two of the Rose Red and two of the Pretty in Pink and they were both equally beautiful!  

Thank you Peggy for letting me share your beautiful card with everyone.

And I thank you for stopping by today to check out this beautiful card!
Wanda

Faux Flannel 2 Technique Page

This technique REALLY makes the image look like it's on flannel.  And it's such an easy technique to do too. 

I used the adorable duck from the "Every Little Bit" stamp set.  You need to use a Puffs Plus tissue.  I randomly stamped the image using black StazOn ink.  Then I colored in the ducks.  I started coloring with a sponge and the ink pad but I was making such a mess.  So I decided to stamp the duck on a piece of scrap card stock and then I cut it out with my x-acto knife.  I used it as a template and I set it in place over the duck and sponged the color on.  Easy Peasy!!!  After I was all done sponging I stuck the tissue to a piece of card stock.  Tip here, put the sticky stuff on the card stock and gently put the tissue on.  Use it as a background for super fun and adorable baby cards!  

This technique will be in the 5th set of technique pages.  I still have a few sets of #3 and #4.  You can purchase them in my web store.  

Set #4 is now available on CD too.  These are all set up for you to print out, trim on two sides and use for technique classes.  The CD has the photo of the image (like the photo shown above) and the PDF file of the wording.  All you do is print, cut and pass them out in your class for your customers to work up the technique and have fun.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Aviary Fun Fold Friday Card

This card is called a "Center Step" fold.  I've seen these around the net for a while now but never tried one.  It looked like it was too much trouble to do.  It had a "complicated" look to it.  It was actually not that bad to make. 

You can find the step by step instructions for this fun fold at Split Coast Stampers. 

The instructions have you cut the lines in on each side 1" deep.  It says to flip the card and repeat for the other side.  The wording probably should have read "turn" the card over.  What you will be doing is cutting into the card stock one inch from the outer edge and you need to repeat that same cut on the other side of the card.  It took me a while to figure out what they were saying there.  The photos of it weren't very clear on exactly what to do.  So to save you from any confusion I wanted to tell you how to do the cut.  Oh and be sure NOT to score inside that cut area except for the one score that is in the middle of the card stock.  My first one (on practice paper) I had scored all the way across the bottom when I was only suppose to score one inch in and stop when I got to the cut line.  I was just in such a hurry to get the scoring done that I wasn't paying attention to the instructions.

Once the scoring is done then you fold the score lines.  And finally you can decorate as you wish.

I love using the ribbon punch but I don't like sticking it in place.  One of the best things I bought that helps with this is the Xyron machine.  It puts a sticky back on your card stock so you can punch things out and they become a sticker!!!  I just punched out the ribbons and took the protective backing off and stuck them in place.  SO easy and clean too! I LOVE my Xyron machine!

This was actually a fun card to make and I can see myself making more of these!

Just click here for more "Fun Friday Folds!"

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Spooky Bingo Bits Meets Frightful Sight!

The Frightful Sight decorative paper is SO fun to play with.  I purchased the download and have been having fun with it.  I do SO love the downloads.  I can print out what I want, when I want.  And if I find a sheet that I like the most I have an endless supply!!! Well, till the ink or paper runs out!!! LOL  If you print out your papers PLEASE use at least a 28# to 32# copier paper.  The paper will look more like the nicer papers from Stampin' Up! and the color is a lot richer and truer too.

I LOVE the "Spooky Bingo Bits" set but I did not buy the bingo board image for it.  I just loved these little images and there are SO many layouts out there that will allow you to use the smaller images as your focal point without making them look too small to bother with.  This layout is prefect for these smaller images.  

This card was a lot of fun to make.  I am gearing up for fall now.  Not that I will make a fall card from now til I feel it's time to switch over to Christmas but I will be popping a few of them in now and then.  I've got several projects going on (yes, at one time - that is why nothing gets done on time!!!) and when I get them done I will certainly share them with you.  I'm also working on getting some fun stuff for Christmas lined up so you can create some fun and useful stocking stuffers and small gifts.  And in between all of that I'm just plugging along with every day life stuff too.  Personally I'd like the every day life stuff to take a back burner so I can just stamp and bead and play with my clay!!!  Wouldn't that be an ideal world?  LOL

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

Field Flowers Wednesday Sketch Challenge

 Field Flowers has to be one of my favorite stamps in the new catalog.  I have used it several times.  But this time when I stamped the flower and the flower bud I used both stamps.  What I mean is I used the one that outlines the flower petals and the one that colors them in!  There are two stamps to each flower.  I used More Mustard on my flowers.  I did stamp off on the one image that colors in the flower and I used the ink full strength for the outline of the flowers.  Stamping off gave the flower a more muted look and yes, that was the look I was going for!!

I stamped the leaf/stem image and then I took my blender pen and colored it in using the same ink (Wild Wasabi) that I used to stamp the leaf/stem.

The background papers are from the Spice Cake collection.  Mine are from the computer.  I purchased the digital download of these.  I printed them out a week or so because I was going to use them on a different card but changed my mind and used something else.  I put these in a folder for safe keeping for another day and today was that day!

I did flip the sketch to do my card.  I REALLY wanted to use the Field Flowers stamps and I didn't like the way it looked with the original orientation. So I turned it and was able to make the flowers fit in the space provided.  

I do like how the card turned out and now I have another card to add to the pile for my "Card a Week" project.  I have a nice little stack going so I don't have any excuse for not getting a card out each week!  

This was a very fun sketch and if you have time I highly recommend you give it a try.  I LOVE it that I can use a lot of my larger image stamps in the #4 panel.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Tenny Tiny Wishes Hello Card

I have to say that "Teeny Tiny Wishes" is one of the word sets that I use a lot.  The set contains 24 words/phrases and I don't think I've used them all.  I usually stick with the basic ones.  The "hello" here came from the one that reads "hello baby".  A little masking off the words before inking and removing the mask makes the stamp now just "hello."  Simple as that!

I saw this card on the internet a long time ago and when I was going through some older emails I found it.  I had gotten it from SplitCoastStampers and it was by icanpictureit.  Sorry I don't have a link.  Back then I was just gathering images that I liked and I never thought I would be casing them.  I thought they would be more of an inspirational thing but sometimes you just have to copy them.  There is no changing it, no improving it or no personalizing it.  You just have to make it as it is.  

This card was made by using a half sheet of Whisper White card stock.  I tied the Regal Rose ribbon on and then I stamped the words.  The rest was just punching out circles.  I used Rose Red, Regal Rose, Marina Mist and Chocolate Chip card stock to make the circles and ring.  Plus a piece of Marina Mist decorative paper. All of the circles were set in place with Dimensionals and then the ring was affixed to the top.  I glued my ring in place. 

I think this would be a VERY pretty card using fall colors and leaves in stead of circles.  I don't have a current leaf stamp set that  has leaves small enough to do that.  And I also think this would be a fun card done in Christmas colors.  I'm not ready to play with Christmas stamps quite yet.  I'm making a Halloween card for later in the week.  That is early enough for me.  I wanted to make sure I was in the middle of September before I made another Halloween card.  Our weather is getting cooler here now so doing fall stuff doesn't seem so out of place!!  But it's still a bit too early for Christmas stuff.  Maybe a couple more weeks!

This was a very fun card and I would LOVE to make more some other time. And it was a very quick card to make too!  And I have yet another card to add to the stack for my Card a Week project. 

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Upsy Daisy Friendship Card

I have not used the "Upsy Daisy" set in a while.  I LOVE it with the Spice Cake decorative papers!  

This is another card I am adding to my stack of cards to go out in my weekly cards to friends.  Normally I am cranking out the birthday cards because "one can always use birthday cards."  But now when I am not sure what "theme" to have for my cards I will be leaning a bit more towards the friendship cards. I'm now 3 weeks ahead in my friendship cards!!!  I LOVE it!!!  

This one will be going out in the mail in the morning.  I don't have any special order I'm sending them out in.  I just set the other two cards on the ledge in my workroom and will just be taking from the pile when it's time to send out the next card!  Of course I won't be keeping them on the ledge, it's so messy that I won't be able to find them when I need them!!!  

This was a very easy and fun card to make.  The Upsy Daisy stamp makes it easy to do a quick card!  Gotta love that!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Beau Chateau Hello Card

Need a card and need one quick?  This layout is perfect for that. Plus it's also a bonus too!  You can use up scraps of card stock to make it too!  Can't beat a deal like that?

I like the layout but wished I had used brighter colors of card stock.  But I just LOVE the Beau Chateau and I had some left from a previous project!  Hence using scraps to make a quick card!

The "hello" is from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  There is a stamp in the set that reads "hello baby" and I just used a marker and colored over the hello part and just stamped that on my card stock.  Then I punched it out and layered it on the scalloped circle and the other Pink Pirouette circle.  

I had some left over ribbon that I also used up too.  I believe it is retired now but I just had to use it.  I don't want it just sitting around.

The very bottom white part of my card is textured using the Square Lattice embossing folder.  It is one of my favorite folders to use on those blank spaces.

The base of my card is Pacific Point.  A color, at first I thought was too bold but now just LOVE using!  And now I have another card for my "Card a Week" to my say hello to my friends!!!  I will  be making these for months and months to come!!! 

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Every Little Bit Friendship Card

It has been two weeks now since I decided to send out the "card a week" to friends.  So far I'm on track and I want to keep it that way.  So today I decided to make a card to send out for next week.  Then I have no excuse as to why I didn't get that card out!  I REALLY want to continue with the mailing a card a week.

I was looking though a file of cards I had been downloading for several years now and when I opened the file, this is the card that popped up.  I loved it back when I first saw it and still love it.  Michelle Woemer on Split Coast Stampers originally did the card.  I don't know where the image she used came from but it was a small palm tree.  Her card was done in greens.  I SO love the Marina Mist and I wanted to work that color into this fabulous layout!  My image, the cute little bird in the cage is from the "Every Little Bit" set.  That is such a fun set to play with and this layout is PERFECT for sets with smaller images!  

It was fun putting all the punched pieces together too.  I pretty much followed Michelle's layout.  A few of the circles are up on Dimensionals.  The birdcage one is and the Sarah Sand circle above the birdcage one.  

A tip on dying your satin ribbon.  If you want the color to match the card stock a bit more closely, you really do need to soak the ribbon for a couple of hours.  I often use a two to one ratio with the ink and water.  Two drops of ink to one drop of water.  But when soaking for a longer amount of time you can get by with a one to one ratio.  When I dye the ribbon I often let it just air dry and I don't wring it out either.  I want the color to be rich enough to match.  If I let the ribbon air dry I will just iron it smooth.  And if I don't have time to let it air dry then I will dry it with the iron.  It dries it and smooths it out in one easy step.  But be sure to put something under the ribbon so the ink doesn't go through to your ironing board pad.  I usually use several layered paper towels. I iron them first to make sure they are smooth!  I know, ironing paper towels and I won't even iron hubby's shirts!!!! LOL

It's really hard to see in the photo but I did use my Martha Stewart scoring board for the lines under and off to the sides of the ribbon.  It is SO much like the new Stampin' Up! one that I could not justify replacing it.  The Martha Stewart one also has a triangle piece that slides in on the back side for making envelopes or for angled lines.  I do like the markers on the new Stampin' Up! one.  I did buy them and broke off the nubs on the back.  I just add  some double sided tape and I can mark my Martha Stewart one when I need to have spots marked for multiple scorings.  I really did like that feature on the new Stampin' Up! one but like I said, it was just too much like the Martha Stewart one to justify replacing it.  Anyway, I had scored on the card and maybe you can see them if you click on the photo for a larger view.  I made 9 score lines. I'm not sure if that was how many Michelle made but it looked like it was the right amount to cover the area I thought needed covering.

I was SO glad I ran across this card layout. I think it's a lot of fun and I would love to use it again this fall or Christmas!  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Spice Cake Birthday Card Fun Fold Friday

I have found another card to play with on my "Fun Fold Friday" cards!  This one is a bit more in depth than the cards I usually make.  I did have fun making this card.  I love layers on cards and this was full of layers and depth!  You can find the directions to make this fun card at Split Coast Stampers.  The link will take you directly to the instructions, you won't have to hunt for them!

On my card I used the Spice Cake Downloaded decorative paper.  The "Happy Birthday" was done on my computer.  You can purchase a pack of 10 different greetings that fit in the 1-1/4" punch.  Click here to be taken to the store to see what other greetings are available.  

The "It's your day" image is from the "It's your Birthday" set.  

The only thing I don't like about this card is it measures 5-1/2" x 5-1/2".  I was going scale it down to fit a regular card but I had already cut out all the pieces and taped the decorative papers before I realized it was a square card.  This will be another one of those hand delivered cards!!!

If you have time give this fun fold card a try!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Spice Cake Birthday Card

I saw this card that Ann at the Stampin' Schach made and I knew I just had to copy it.  There are so many fun elements to this card.  I think that is why I was so intrigued by it.  

I did not purchase the Spice Cake paper pack but I did buy the download and I printed out my paper on 28# copier paper.  If you print out your downloads I highly recommend you use the nicer copier paper.  You will get a much nicer smoother print and I know you will be much happier with the end results.  

The base of this card is the new Pool Party color card stock.  On top of that is a piece of Chocolate Chip card stock.  And on top if that is a piece of the Spice Cake paper.  

The flower on the top layer of the card was cut out from another piece of decorative paper (image) from the same paper group.  

And I was finally able to play with the new Designer Frames embossing folder.  It was one of the first things I had ordered from the new catalog in the July pre-order!!!  And I finally got to play with it.  I'm starting to see more things on the net using this folder!!  I can't wait to play with it some more! The oval was cut out with a scissors after it was punched out with the large oval punch.  The edges were sponged and a piece of the decorative paper was affixed to the back.  I actually glued the paper to the oval.  I didn't want to tape it because I was afraid the pressure from adding the tape may smash the dots on the oval.  But I did tape it to the top of the card.  

I didn't have the same "happy birthday" that Ann used but Stampin' Up! has so many other ones that I knew I'd be able to find one to fit the space I needed it to fit, and I did!  The words were set in place with Dimensionals and so were the flower pieces.  

The pearls add a fabulous touch to the card.  I love how they go up and down the scalloped edges. A perfect touch, isn't it?

I have a very special person who is getting this card.  I will be hand delivering it.  A card like this with all of those pearls would cost extra to mail.  SO when I knew I was going to a birthday celebration, I knew exactly what card I wanted to make and here it is!!!

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

Greeting Card Kids Halloween Card Wednesday Sketch Challenge

 This weeks Sketch Challenge at Split Coast Stampers is a very fun one.  I LOVE this layout!!  I can see myself using this layout on many cards to come!!

As I look at my card now I can see that I should have done something with that #2 background.  I'm not sure if a texture would work there or if I should have just added some white dots with a gel pen.  I just wanted to make sure I got the girl and the moon in according to the sketch. I didn't give a lot of thought to that dark blue background!  Oh well, it's all taped in place.  Maybe the next one will have something different that won't look so blah!

I didn't buy the "Fright Sight" decorative paper pack, I bought the download and printed out the paper myself.  I REALLY like these little pumpkins on the paper.  What a fun Halloween background!

The ghost is from a "Punch Bunch" punch I purchased a few years ago at Michaels.  I just thought the ghost was too darn cute!  I did take a piece of scrap stamping rubber and I punched out a ghost so I not only have a ghost punch but a ghost stamp too!  Maybe I should have stamped some light colored ghosts in the background!  Now that's a possibility!

The fun ribbon was some in my stash that I bought at Michaels a few years back too.  It was sitting on the shelf and when I was looking for something for the #3 spot that ribbon caught my eye!

This was a very fun sketch.  I want to make another card later in the week using it.  This one has SO many possibilities to it!

If you have time, give this sketch a try!  Also go to Split Coast Stampers and see what other people have done with this sketch. I LOVE checking back to see all the creative ideas people came up with using the same layout!  It's just amazing and a lot of fun too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

My Friend "Hello" Card

I made today's card for my "Mailing a Card a Week" promise!  I vowed to send out one card a week to a friend to let them know that I'm thinking of them.  A different friend each week.  This is week two.  It's great to be on track, isn't it?? LOL  I'd hate to think I wasn't on track so early in the project/promise!  

Ok, onto this card.  I did not buy the "My Friend" stamp set.  I purchased the download.  I played with it a bit on my computer to get the image to print out to exact or near exact same size as the image in the catalog.  I did set my printer to print at the lowest quality while I worked on the size. It only took a few tries and I got it.  SO when I was done I did save it so I can print it out another time in different colors.  I won't have to mess with the size thing anymore!!  And I did the same with the wording.

The butterflies are the "Beautiful Butterflies" Sizzlet.  I LOVE that little Sizzlet!!  

The background paper is from the "Spice Cake" decorative papers but once again, mine is from the download.  I not only downloaded the image for the "My Digital Studio" (MDS) software but I also downloaded it for the "other" software.  My "other" software is Print Artist.  I use that program when I want to print out the papers.  The MDS doesn't print out the way I want it to an I really can't play around with it.  SO I use Print Artist and I can enlarge the background to get it to fit 12" x 12". On the paper image on the screen I see 8-1/2" x 11" and I just stretch the image to go beyond that paper size to the 12" x 12" size.  Stretching it out makes image the same size as it is printed on a 12" x 12" page but I only get a portion of it printed. But that portion is in proportion and that was what I was looking for.  Though I have had times were I did like the image printed out smaller.  It all depends on what I'm working on at the time.

Anyway, back to the card. The base of the card is a half sheet of Very Vanilla folded in half on the long side.  My layers are the new "Pool Party" card stock and the ink color I chose was also Pool Party.  Printing these out makes for a quick card.  I don't make too many like this because printing them through the MDS wastes a lot of card stock.  It only prints out one at a time and it prints it in the middle of the card stock.  I have not played with the software enough to know if I can have it make the image on a full sheet of card stock and do a copy over 4 times so I can get 4 images on one sheet.  It's something I plan to play with more in the future.  

Playing with the MDS is fun and using the downloads saves a lot of money in stamps!  I don't have room for more stamps!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Easy Events Birthday Card

I believe I now only have two images left in the "Easy Events" set to use and I have made cards with all of them!!!  That would be a first in a long time.  The two images left are easy enough to work with too.  One is for a wedding and the other is for Christmas.  I'm going to hold off just a bit longer on the Christmas one.  I'm just not ready to do Christmas things yet!

This card was fun, fast and easy to do too.  I used a Wild Wasabi marker to color in the outline of the leaves on the tree and grass and a Chocolate Chip marker for the trunk of the tree trunk and branches. I stamped the image and then punched it out.  I did color in the leaves with the Wild Wasabi marker.

I set it in place on top of a scallop circle I cut out using the "Perfect Pennants" die.  The words are done on my computer, printed and then punched out.  They were set on top of a Wild Wasabi punched out circle and the two circles were set on top of a scalloped circle.  

The Wisteria Wonder background was textured using the new "Stripes" embossing folder.  I LOVE embossing folders.  They add a lot of texture to a plain piece of card stock!

The decorative paper is from the "In Colors" pack.  I LOVE those packs of paper, they are such a great value!

I like the layout on this card, it is very easy to work with.  You can whip up a bunch of these cards in no time.

If you would like to purchase the words there is a 10 pack in the web store.  There are 10 different occasions. 24 of each per sheet.  It's all on a PDF file that you can download and print out any time you need them.  I print out full sheets and punch them all out except for a few of them I save them in case I want to make some oval ones.  Several of these words fit in the oval punch too! I like to have them on hand for quicker card making!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Best of Everything

This is a total case of casing!!!  I was doing a search on Split Coast Stampers and I found this very fun looking card.  I'm not sure what caught my eye but there was just something about it that I really liked.  SO I got out the stamp set, the card stock, inks and markers.  I got out my punches, my brads and a pair of snips.  But I didn't have the decorative paper.  Or so I thought I didn't.  The paper came from the "Pocket Full of Posies" pack which I knew I didn't have.  SO I opened up my Digital Studio and there it was in there.  I don't remember ordering it but it was there.  I printed out the yellow sheet that was used in the original card and I was set.

I'm not a big fan of cutting little pieces of card stock out but I will do it if I don't have to do a lot of it.  So for two little flowers I just grinned and bared it!  It really wasn't bad to do it's just that when you don't like doing something, having to do it doesn't make it any better!!!  

The original card was done by Petal Pusher on Split Coast Stampers. It's pretty close to being exact!!  Like I said, there was just something about this card that I liked and new I wanted to copy it.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

Faith in Nature Mini Notebook Weekend Project

Here is another little notebook I made.  This time I used the leaf from the "Faith in Nature" Hostess set.  I embossed the leaf using gold embossing powder.  Once it was heat set I sponged it in with Cajun Craze ink.

The "Just a Note" image is from a Studio G stamp set that I got for a dollar at Michael's a while back.  I bought it only because I wanted the "Just a Note" image.  I had plans for it and now you can see the plan in action.  What better words to put on a little notebook???  I want to get a "notes" custom made stamp. I do have one but it's a much bigger font.  A smaller font would be perfect for these 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" notebooks. 

So I will be adding this notebook to my ever-growing pile for the fall craft fair.  It's great to be able to make so many notebooks and have a place to get rid of them!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Fun Fold Friday Swing or Flip Card Using Field Flowers

I am having a lot of fun with the "Fun Fold Friday" cards.  Today's card was found on You Tube by Michelle at Michelle's Rubber Room.  It is a "Swing" or "Flip" card.  Here is the link to the instructions for this card. 

I did add a frame to mine before I folded it. 

I scored my card and cut it as shown in the video.  Then I took a piece of decorative paper and cut it 1/8" less on two sides.  Then I set it on top marked it and cut and scored as needed.  I did have to line it up on the backing piece to make sure I didn't get the edges wrong.  Once I got the paper cut (oh and I did cut out the whole center of the decorative paper) then I affixed it to the front of my card base.  

 Once that was all done I added the center part of the card.  For the center part I used the "Field Flowers" stamp set.  And on the inside of that center I also added the "Sincere Salutations" birthday greeting.  The flowers inside the card were added after stamping off twice.  For those of you who do not know what stamping off is please read on.  Stamping off is when you stamp up your image, then you stamp on a piece of scrap paper and then stamp on your card stock. The more you stamp off the lighter your image will be.  You may want to practice with the stamping off to make sure you don't stamp off too many times and end up with an image that looks like you made a smudge on your card!  

Now on the inside part of my card I left an open space so I can write something and sign the card.  I had a lot of fun with this card and I can see myself making more of them in the future!

To see all of the "Fun Fold Friday" cards just click here.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Blog Glitch Fixed

I have no idea why one day the blog is working just fine and the next day Blogger Bar has issues.  The issue was solved by just removing Blogger Bar and I'm back in business!

I will have the Fun Fold Friday post ready later.  I don't have a game plan on what I'm going to post yet but give me a few minutes and I will get working on one.

Please stop back later,

Wanda

Faith in Nature Notebook and Beaded Pen Weekend Project

I am working on getting some notebooks and beaded pens ready for the fall craft fair.  I have not made a beaded pen in ages and I almost forgot how! Almost!!!

I stamped the image (which you can't see in the photo) on a label cut from a full sheet.  And by "full sheet" I mean it's an 8-1/2" x 11" label!  Regular mailing labels are not wide enough or long enough.  You need to cut your own. Then you stamp on it and affix it to the pen.  Then you add the sticky piece.  I cut pieces from a sticky sheet and affix it to the pen.  Next I remove the second protective layer from the sticky piece and from there the pen gets rolled in the micro mini beads and it's done!  The image shows through the beads.  In my photo, the flash and the beads were not cooperating and a glare formed so you can't see the images.  I just stamped the same image from the notebook onto the label.  I stamped it in Wild Wasabi and I stamped it 3 times.  It was such fun.  I forgot how quickly these go together.  

You can purchase a beaded pen kit in my web store.  The kit contains a pen, the piece to stamp on, the sticky piece, the beads and instructions. 

The notebook was made using the "Elegant Lines" embossing folder.  I added some white card stock that I punched with the scallop edge punch.  On top of that I added a piece of decorative paper. 

The image was stamped with VersaMark and then embossed in white. Once it was heat set I sponged in some Wild Wasabi ink.  That was all layered together and taped in place on the card.

I punched out a large oval scallop and the "notes" is from a custom made stamp I had made for me.  

The notebook is the exact same size as a card made from a folded half sheet of card stock.  There are many times I will turn card fronts into notebooks.  Notebooks always make great gifts.  Who can't use a notebook?  

This was a very fun project to do.  I REALLY liked making the pen!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda