Beaded Bangle

Today I thought I would get away from stamping and finish up a beading project.  What is really sad about this project is that all I had to do to finish it was to bury or hide the threads.  So sad. I think I didn't finish it because I didn't like the way it turned out.  It's my very first bangle and I used too many beads. And isn't the first time you do something a learning experience?  I know that the next one I make will look a lot better.  All of the beads will be evenly distributed around the bracelet.  Ok, here they are around the bracelet but bunched up because I wasn't really sure what I was doing.  And the end results showed me that I have too many beads at the beginning.  My plan is to make another one. It's not a difficult bracelet to make, just a bit time consuming.  And of course I will share with you how the next one turns out.  I may even put it up for sale in my web store.  I won't be selling this one as it doesn't not meet my quality standards!

The pattern for this is found in the Bead & Button 2nd annual Best of the Best books.  I'm not sure if that is what the book is called.  I'll check on that and add it to this post (in red) so you can find it if you want to make one of these yourself.  Just remember, when the strip is long enough so the ends touch stop and move onto the next step!

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

By the Sea Masculine Card

Today's card comes from you off the pages of Pinterest!  I found it here.  I did change the "ribbon" part.  I didn't have the ribbon that was used in the original one so I used the "Tasteful Trim" die and cut a scallop to sort of look like waves.  But it didn't! And that's ok.  I like it anyway. It actually looks much better in person.

The squares are set in place using Dimensionals so it gives it some depth.  The squares are punched out with the 1-1/4" punch and behind them they are layered with a 1-3/8" square of Midnight Muse.

The base of the card is Crumb Cake.  Stamp the words on first with Midnight Muse ink and then the sea fern or coral or whatever that is was done using VersaMark and gold embossing powder.  I actually stamped that first and then the words.  I had to blot off the ink from the words that got on the gold.  It still worked out, so either way you want to do it, it's up to you.  The "bubbles" were from a very old and retired "Beyond the Basics" set.  One set I hadn't given up yet.  And see, it came in handy.  I am not sure what was used on the original card but this set came to mind when I was looking at the original.  I wanted to use the "Gorgeous Grunge" set but I don't have it yet!!! I think that splatter in the set would look good there too.

I liked making this card and I think it would be fun to make more for the guys in my life!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Blossom Party Pop Can Flower Weekend Project

I have not posted a "Weekend Project" in a whole and today I thought I would post this flower.  I have seen a lot of these fun pop can flowers all over the place. So I thought I would gather a few pop cans (washed out of course) and cut them up to make my own flowers.  I had hubby hunt down his tin snips and cut a can. What a nightmare. Tin snips are so thick to work with.  So I thought I'd try a cheap pair of scissors I have and they worked SO much better.  You may want to wear protective gloves to do this.  The aluminum can is a bit sharp when cut.  But it's not sharp once you cut it with the die.

I cut my cans so I could make the maximum number of flowers from it.  You can cut two layers at a time too.  Actually you can cut 4 layers but it's hard to keep them all together.  They tend to slip around.  The flower here is made with 3 cut pieces.

After I cut my pieces I poked a hole in the center with my piercing tool.  Then I pushed the Antique brad through each one separately.  I am thinking about putting this in my flower garden.  It's certainly not going to rust!!  I am not sure how I will mount it.  I'm thinking of using a wooden dowel.  I'll take some wire to the back of the brad and wrap it around the dowel and it will be ready to go outside.  Or I was thinking of using it on a 4th of July card since the Pepsi cans are in Red, White and Blue!!  The Coke can I used here has a bit of the black showing on one of the tips but it's hardly noticeable.  It mostly looks like it's in red, white and blue!

These are very fun and easy to make (just protect your skin when cutting the can).  They are great for use on cards, something for your flower garden or even as a pin!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Flower Shop Ombre Technique

I ran a cross this Ombre technique.  I found it to be a lot like the Paint Chip technique.  It's where you have colors that go from light to dark or vice versa.  Here I used Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry and Pumpkin Pie.  These are not the best colors to pick for this.  I think the blues in the Stampin' Up! colors may have been a better choice.  Start off with Soft Sky and work your way through the blues to the darkest.  You need at least three colors to see the color change from light to dark.  Using five colors would be a lot more effective.  Before the recent color change at Stampin' Up! my color choice for this technique would have been Pinkm Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose and then Rose Red.  Depending on the color of the background cardstock I would put it on, adding Whisper White before the Pink Pirouette would give you the five colors and you will see the light to dark effect much better.  That is why I would lean more towards the Stampin' Up! blue colors for this instead of what I chose.  But I did get to play with the "Flower Shop" set again.

I have shared a fun tip last week with a group of stamping gals.  Before you wood mount your stamp, punch out a flower from scrap paper and mark the top of it.  Line up that paper with your stamp and mount it that way so that when you stamp the image the punch will line up easily.  If you use the clear mount stamps then just put an arrow on the rubber so you know that is the top and you should be able to line up the punch just as easy.  

Have fun with this technique.  See how many fun color schemes you can come up with.

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Timeless Talk Card Pack

Today's card comes from you right off the pages of the new Stampin' Up! catalog.  Sort of.  I did add a layer of colored cardstock behind the image piece.  I thought these cards were simplistically beautiful!  They were SO easy to make and even easier to put together!

I thought it would be fun to make a gift pack with them.  I have some clear card boxes and I even stamped the image on the envelope.  I know my friend Ann would be SO proud of me!  She always stamps on her envelopes and we all do know that it's about the presentation!

These cards don't need a lot of explaining to do.  I used Marina Mist for my color and Timeless Talk for the stamp set.  Nothing more other than some ribbon to tie around the container just to make it look prettier!  You don't get much more simpler than this!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Timeless Talk Friendship Card

Here is a fun and adorable card I ran across this cute card while surfing the net for some samples from the "Timeless Talk" set.  The words on this card are from that set.  Other than that there is no more stamping on this card.  That's fun to do now and then!

This card was originally made by Mary at Stamper Camper's Corner.  This card was too cute to not copy.  

The flowers are from the Boho punch.  Be sure to punch all three of the flowers out.  Punching only the flower or image you want can cause your punch to shift to one side and eventually not work at all.  A little bit of extra pieces is SO worth the punch still working.  You just put those pieces in a container and who knows, one day you'll be digging in your little stash and use them!!!  

The colors used here are Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Melon Mambo, and Marina Mist.  

Black was also used for the flower centers.  They were punched out using 1/4" round punch.  The flowers were set in place using glue.  And the panel they were on was set in place using Dimensionals.  And also on that panel, two lines were made on the Simply Scored tool.  And that was it.  So simple and so quick!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Timeless Talk Matchbook Notes

These are called "Matchbook Notes" because the open like a matchbook.  The flap fit just behind that piece you see with the 4 pearls! 

You can do this with any scratch pad you have sitting around.  Just take a piece of card stock and scrap it around scrap copier paper to see if the 11" part is long enough.  Then you cut it to fit the width of the scratch pad.  

Glue the back of the scratch pad to the cardstock.  I also glued the little front flap to the  first piece of paper in the scratch pad.  The glued end of the scratch pad is at the bottom and I did glue that to the cardstock too.  

I found a scrap piece of the Patina Technique and I thought it would work well with this.  It's always fun to use some of your scrap findings!!  

I thought the phone image from the "Timeless Talk" set would be perfect for a scratch pad notebook.  And of course the "Hello there" was a perfect fit too!  

I embellished the phone with a lot of tiny pearls.  One in the center of the dial and tiny ones all around it, plus a few up above the dial too!  It looks SO much better in person!  

I will probably gift it.  I will wrap it up in cello wrap and set it aside until it's needed!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Simply Sketched

Today's card was fun and quick too!  I got to do a bit of sponging, which is one of my favorite techniques!  I used the butterfly Sizzlet and cut out 3 butterflies using Melon Mambo, Raspberry Ripple and Rose Red card stock.  I did my sponging in Melon Mambo.  

The words are from that same set.  It's too bad it's a Hostess set.  It will get used a LOT before it retires!!!  It's such a fun and pretty set. 

For my flower I colored in the stems with Wild Wasabi and the flower was colored in using a sponge dauber and Melon Mambo.  I had made a template for the flower at the last project I did using this set and I saved it.  This time I did better on the sponging.  I find I can sponge better using a dauber than just a wedge of sponge.  I lightly sponged over the whole flower and then I sponged over the edges and center of it several more times to give it some depth and definition.  

The white background was done using the stylus and the Simply Scored Diagonal plate.  It was the first time I had used it.  I got it back in January during the Sale-a-Brations event and I have never used it!!  It's difficult to see in the photo but the score lines go in both directions.  I scored 2 lines, counted 8 lines and then scored on the 9th and 10th line.  I repeated that across the piece.  Then I turned it and repeated that again.  

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Lovely as a Tree Textured Waxed Paper Technique

Today I have a fun technique to share with you.  It's called the "Textured Waxed Paper" technique.

It's a very simple technique to do too.  It's often done using glossy card stock but Stampin' Up! has retired the glossy card stock so this one is done using the shimmery white card stock.  

First you take a piece of waxed paper and place it inside an embossing folder and run it through your Big Shot like you normally would.  Then you take two pieces of your cards stock and sandwich the waxed paper between it.  Then you will iron the card stock and the wax from the waxed paper will transfer over.  You will also have 2 pieces of waxed card stock to work with!  

Next you sponge on the color.  It will transfer to the card stock and resist the waxed part.  Wipe off piece with a paper towel to get any excess ink off the waxed part.  And you are done!  Isn't that fun?  And easy?  And pretty?

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Secret Garden Thank You

I was playing with the Secret Garden set and the dies that go with it.  You have gotta LOVE these dies.  No more cutting out anything from that set!!!  It's quick and it's easy!  I LOVE both of those words when making cards!! LOL

Today I also played with the Smoky Slate ink pad.  What a lovely shade of gray that is!  I did some direct from the ink pad to the paper and some stamped off on the background.  I stamped a 1/4 sheet of card stock and I cut it in half so I had two cards.

The leaves are made from Basic Black card stock using the leaf die in the die set.  

It's hard to see it but the center panel is set in place using Dimensionals and so is the flower and the words in the top left.  

I used some black ribbon to hide the seam of where the two pieces of Whisper White card stock join.  I was also able to get 2 cards from the one 1/4 sheet of embossed white.  So I got two quick and easy cards with very little effort!  Don't you just love that?  

Oh and everything on this card is in the current catalog!!  Nothing retired here!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Flower Shop Birthday

This was my first attempt at making a card using the new "Flower Shop" set.  There's 3 flowers in it that I REALLY love and the other 3 are ok.  I know which ones I will be using the most!  You'll probably see them a lot on here too!! LOL  

I used the Little Leaf Sizzlet for the leaves. I cut out 3 of them.  One I just cut the top flowers off and used them in the corner.  

The flower was stamped using Pumpkin Pie ink.  I then punched it out with the new flower punch.  Imagine that, no more cutting out teh flowers!!!  

The "Happy Birthday Wishes" came from the "Simply Sketched" set.  Another set I am growing very attached to!

This is a very simple card to do.  I just trace the center piece in using the Pumpkin Pie marker.  That center piece measures 3-3/4" x 2-1/2".  Trace the edges first and then add the leaves.  The flower was set in place using Dimensionals.  I stamped the words on and that was it.  Now I'm wishing I had sponged the leaves and the edges of the flower! It looks a bit drab on the photo!  Oh well!

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

Serene Silhouettes Stampin' Up!

I think I need to change my card layouts a bit.  Today I made another long focal image one.  It's a different set but yet the same type of layout. I know there's other layouts to use with these size images!  Do you ever get suck in a layout or stuck on one stamp set and keep using it over and over?  Me either!!! LOL

I SO love black and white cards.  They can be used for lots of occasions and you know how much I LOVE to use versatile stamp sets!

Today I used the Serene Silhouettes along with the Fancy Fan embossing folder.  

This is a very simple card to make.  You can even substitute the stamped circle for some words.  There's a few that will fit in the round 1-1/4" punch and there's always the oval punches and scalloped border too! Lots of possibilities there!

The image panel and the scalloped piece were set in place using Dimensionals.  It doesn't get much simpler than that.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Too Kind Birthday Card

This was one of the first sets in the new catalog that I had my eye on.  I knew I could have a lot of fun with this set!  And so far I have.  I haven't used it much but each card I've made with it, I've had fun and I have liked the outcome!

The colors here are fun too.  I used the new Costal Cabana and Bermuda Bay.  I LOVE how the two colors just compliment themselves.  It's such a warm and inviting color combo.

To stamp my image I first used the stem stamp and Pear Pizzazz.  With the larger flower image, I stamped the Coastal Cabana color first.  And since this is a two step stamp set I took the other flower image and stamped the Bermuda Bay color over the Coastal Cabana.

I layered the focal piece with Bermuda Bay.  The strip textured piece is layered with Coastal Cabana.  And the scalloped piece had both colors on it.  The words on there were done on the computer.  And that was it.  It's a very quick and easy card to make.  Plus it doesn't have any buttons or knots on it so the postage won't change!  Ya gotta LOVE that!!!  I tend to go for the clean and simple look on my cards.  Oh and this card was not copied off anyone's blog!  Shocker, I know!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Embossed Marble Technique

Today I found a fun technique called "Embossed Marble."  It's a combination between thumping and embossing.

You do need your Stamp-a-ma-jig to do this one.  

You cover the image (mine is from the "Too Kind" set) then I thumped (with a marker) the new Strawberry Slush and then some Chocolate Chip.  I huffed on it and stamped the flower on top of the stem.  I repeated the technique for the smaller flower.  

Then you take your Stamp-a-ma-jig and stamp the images on it because you will be using VersaMark on the stamp and lining it up on the paper and then heat embossing it to give it that shiny marble look.  And you repeat for the other flower.  

I found this technique at Stamp TV.  You can go there and get the step by step instructions to make this.  It's fun and very easy!

Thank you SO much for visiting,
Wanda

Stampin' Up! Thank You Card

Today's card comes from you via my friend Peggy.  She was stamping at my home on Tuesday and I recall her having a hard time lining up the word stamp, of which I'm not sure what set that came from.  It's a retired set and I do remember having a lot of fun playing with it and making lots of great cards.  Anyway, I did ask her if she wanted the Stamp-a-ma-jig and she said no.  She's so funny, but she did manage to get them lined up!!  As for me, I cave in early and get out any tool that will help me get my job done faster and easier.  Though to some the Stamp-a-ma-jig is not all that easy.  First you have to dig it out from wherever you buried it!!!  

This card is a perfect way to use up those smaller pieces of decorative paper.  I still have larger sheets to use up.  I wish I could get to the point to where all I had left was smaller pieces!  But alas, I am also a paper hoarder.

Thank you Peggy for the pretty card and for letting me share it with everyone here!

And I thank you for stopping by today,
Wanda

Sponging Simply Sketched Thank You Card

Sponging has always been one of my favorite techniques to do.  You don't need a whole lot of extra "equipment" to do it either.  Just a sponge.  Sometimes I will use makeup sponges but most of the time I use the Stampin' Up! foam sponges.  

I took this image right off the pages of Patty Bennett's blog.  She used different card stock than I did. Or should I say, I used different card stock than she did.  I think I have that natural card stock somewhere but the Whisper White was handy so I went with that.  

To make my inside framed area I cut a piece of scrap card stock 2-3/4" x 1-7/8".  I traced it onto a 1/4 sheet of card stock and then I cut the center out.  I put the template inside the case for the stamps so I can use it again and again. I'm thinking about making a set of these cards as a gift.  

After cutting the center out I set the template on top of the Whisper White cardstock and I sponged in Pistachio Pudding and Crisp Cantaloupe.  I removed the template and stamped the flower in.  It's from the "Simply Sketched" hostess set.  I am going to be using this set a lot (until winter comes anyway!).  Next time I make this card I'm going to make a note NOT to sponge in the flower so dark. It needs darker and lighter areas.  Oh and to sponge in the flower I made a template for that too.  And I put that inside the stamp case so I will always know where it is!  And the words are from the same set.  This set is a gem, it's got pretty flowers and words to cover several occasions.  And you know how much I LOVE versatile stamp sets!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Straw and Inkers Technique

First you need a piece of glossy card stock and 3 to 5 inkers and of course a straw.  For this card I used Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party, and Pacific Point.  I cut two pieces of the glossy card stock because on the final step you can do something different.  

Cut your card stock to desired size.  Pick out the lightest inker and add 3 to 4 drops on your card stock.  Take your straw and blow the inker around.  Blow it off the paper too for a pretty effect.  Next I added 3 drops of the Pear Pizzazz and blew that around on the card stock.  Then I added only 2 drops of the Pool Party and blew that around too.  And finally I took the Pacific Point and added about 4 drops on the card stock.  Then I took my straw, using it like a knife, I slid the ink over the card stock.  Take a paper towel or tissue and wipe the ink off and then set it aside to dry.  It will dry lighter than you are seeing it now.  On the second piece I put rubbing alcohol in a spritzer bottle and gave it a couple of spritz after I slid the ink over the card stock.  Then I took a tissue (not a paper towel) and blotted the ink off.  More of the Daffodil Delight showed through with the alcohol than with the first way.  But both are pretty and both are fun.  Did you get dizzy?  LOL  I like to call this technique, "See who passes out first!"  LOL 

These are actually fun to make.  The part I don't like is the waiting for it to dry.  You can heat it up with your embossing heat tool to dry it faster.  

The edges are darker because they got wet from blowing the ink across to the edges.  The ink got between the layer of paper and soaked through.  That is the part that was still wet the next morning.  

You can find Kay's tutorial on how to do this here at Stamping to Share. I didn't have any special tips or changes on this for you other than to be careful when stamping the image.  You need to use black StazOn and it can slip on the glossy card stock.  Stamp strait down and lift straight up.  

Have fun with the inkers.  The possibilities here are endless!

(FYI, the bottom photo is the one that I used the rubbing alcohol on).

Thank you for visiting today,

Wanda

A Simply Sketched Birthday

I was trying to keep this card more on the masculine side but I wasn't having much luck.  I thought I would do a nature card.  Those are perfect for guys, right?  So with the masculine theme in mind I knew I bows were out of the question so I just ink stained the ribbon and set it in place.  A big YUCK came to mind.  The ribbon is suppose to be the Coastal Cabana color but it turned out too green.  But I used it anyway, I figured "guys don't really care about details like that!  The ribbon REALLY needs a bow!  I thought about changing it to a more feminine card by adding a bow but I didn't want to mess with coloring more ribbon.  It's not one of my favorite techniques and I don't like getting that much ink on my fingers.  The ribbon didn't seem like it was ever going to dry.  I kept getting ink on my fingers and on my work surface when I turned it over.  So I am going to let it dry overnight and see if that helps with that part.  And maybe some miracle with happen and the card will look prettier tomorrow too!!! LOL

I do like this "Simply Sketched" set.  I think I will play with it again but use a nicer layout.  Wish me luck on that one!

Thanks for stopping by today,
Wanda

Original Blossom Party Sizzix Flowers

Have you ever gone shopping at a lot of places and in the course of a week gotten a LOT of bargains?  Well, that is how I'm feeling lately about all of the fun cards I've been running across on Pinterest and Google Images.  I actually prefer Google Images more than Pinterest.  I get to see more images faster than I do at Pinterest and many of these images are from Pinterest.  I got to Google and I just enter in the stamp set or Sizzix die that I'm interested in. I hit enter.  Then I click on "images" under the Google search bar, next to the word "web" is images.  Click on that and let the fun begin!!! 

I found this card on there and when I clicked on it, it took me to it's link on Pinterest.  And from there I just looked at it and saw what I needed to gather to make the card.

I needed the "Original Blossom Party" Sizzix die and I needed the "Boho Blossoms" punch plus the "Perfect Polka Dots" and "Stripes" embossing folders.

Just emboss part of the Stripes one or you can emboss the whole piece and cut it where you need it. I prefered to use one piece of card stock.  Then the Perfect Polka Dots were embossed on another piece of card stock and the flowers were punched out.  Find yourself some pretty scrap pieces and punch out the Boho Blossoms flower.  I poked the center with a couple of holes so it looked like a button and I used the white gel pen to make a stitch mark like it was threaded.  SO simple.  The sentiment was added before the flowers were set in place.  My words are from a retired set, just because it had been sitting out and I got lazy!!!  The base of the card is Cherry Cobbler as well as the center of the center flower.  The flowers were set in place using Dimensionals and that was it.  Quick, easy, and cute.  What more could you ask for?  Wouldn't this be a pretty get well card too?

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Flowering Flourishes Anniversary Card Stampin' Up!

When I saw this card I knew I just HAD to make it.  It's such a clean, simple, and yet stunning card.  I actually got a little obsessed with it.  I had another card I was working on (I posted it yesterday) but I kept thinking about this card and couldn't wait to make it.  Of course too many other things got in the way and I didn't get to it until a little while ago.  But I did think about it all day!  And now that I'm done with it I'm glad I got the time to make it.  I honestly don't want to give it away!!! LOL

The original card was made by Deena at My Home Grown Art. Her card was for a wedding.  Well, I didn't need a wedding card but I did need an anniversary card.  And I still need a birthday card.  I'm thinking here of taking this same card and using a different color, something bright and cheery and making the birthday card with that!! I'll share it with you if I do.  I actually had a different card in mind for the birthday gal.  I guess it all depends on how much I obsess about it, right?  LOL

This card was not as simple as I thought it would be.  On the third try I took out the Stamp-a-ma-jig.  I guess I should have done that in the first place but you know how it goes?  There's that pride thing there!!! LOL  Actually I don't have a problem using the Stamp-a-ma-jig when I need to, I just forget that it would be helpful when I'm making cards!!  So after I got the Stamp-a-ma-jig out and used it I was thrilled with the way it turned out.  I did trace that rectangle with a pencil so I knew where to set up the template for the Stamp-a-ma-jig.  Once the ink was dry (and it's best to let it dry for a few minutes  - go cut your cardstock for the rest of the card) then I erased the pencil lines where needed and with a marker I traced the other lines, still using the template I made for it.  Then I added the tiny little punched flowers with the tiny rhinestone in the middle.  I also added a couple of tiny rhinestones to the big flower at the top of the flourish.  

The words are from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  And I can actually give you measurements here.  The base of the card is a half-sheet of white card stock folded in half.  The black layer is cut 5-1/8" x 3-7/8" and the center rectangle template is cut 2-1/2" x 3-3/4".  And I'll give you a helpful tip here.  When tracing around the template piece with the marker, pay special attention to where you do NOT want to trace.  I messed my first one up by not tracing right.  I was on a roll and just went all the way around the 4 sides.  Oops!!!  

Isn't it a pretty card?  Now don't you want to go make one?  I still do!  LOL

Thank you ever SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Flowering Flourishes and Perfectly Penned

Today I did a Google search for "Flowering Flourishes" a set I don't use very often but wanted to play with today (for some odd reason!).  I found a card here that is similar to the one I made.  I made this card after finding the other card so mine is the similar one!! LOL

A couple of days ago I had made a mask using the Labels Collection Framelet.  The technique card I made was "Reverse Masking".  I thought it was a fun, easy and quick technique to do.  And it was even quicker because I saved the mask in my Framelet container!!  

I centered the mask on my cardstock and sponged in Lucky Limeade and Marina Mist.  Then I stamped the Flowering Flourishes image with Pacific Point ink.  The words are from the Perfectly Penned set and I used Old Olive ink on them.   I stamped the butterfly from the Papillon Potpourri set on Vellum using Marina Mist ink. I punched it out with the smaller butterfly punch and I glued it in place on the card.  I punched out some small flowers using Marina Mist card stock.  I set them in the center of my palm and I used my stylus to make them curl up a bit.  Then I glued them in place.  Once they were set I added a little pearl to the center of each one.  And that was pretty much it.  Well, the base of the card . . . . that was done using Lucky Limeade card stock and the layer on top of that is Pacific Point.  

I can see myself making more of these for other occasions!  I enjoyed making this card a LOT!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

You Can Have Your Cake!

You can have your cake and serve it on a nice cake stand! Today I'm doing a bit of crafting instead of card making.  

 I have always wanted to make one of these and today I did.  Last week I stopped at the Goodwill and picked up a glass plate for $.49 and the candle holder for $.99.  Such a deal!  I used some Aleene's Platinum Bond Patio & Garden Adhesive.  I was going to use E-6000 but it was not in my workroom at the time so I used what was in the drawer.  This will bond nicely and look just fine because it's clear like the E-6000.  The plate looks dusty but it's not.  There's tiny imperfections in the glass that the angle of the light picked up and made look worse than it is!  

I have wanted to make one of these for a while but every time I had gone to look for a candlestick there weren't any.  I suppose a lot of other people were making these!!  I am going to let this set up for a few days.  The instructions say 24-72 hours.  It's best to follow them in cases like this.  So that means it will be ready to use on Wednesday.  Too bad I'm not baking a cake on Wednesday!!! LOL  Anyway, now I have one and I will probably use it when my stampers come over.  My counter space in my workroom is limited and I could put some stuff on top and yet have room for the forks and napkins under it!  

So if you want to make one of these, they are just WAY too easy to do.  Go to a secondhand store (or your cupboards) and get a plate and a candlestick.  The proper glue is extremely important.  Glue the pieces together and be patient for a few days!  It's worth the wait!

Thank you for stopping by today,
Wanda

Blooming with Kindness Reverse Masking

Today I'm going to share with you a very fun, easy, and effective technique.  It's the "Reverse Masking" technique.  I found a tutorial for it on Patty Bennett's blog, you can see it here.  I do like video blogs but they tend to take more of my time than ones with words and a few photos.  Especially when they are easy to do.  For more complex things I do prefer a video.  Anyway, the video is good and if you follow it you can make a pretty reversed masked card too. If you don't have time for the video then just keep reading!

To make your mask you just take a punch or a die and punch it out on a piece of cardstock.  Then you take a piece of cardstock that you are going to use for the front of your card.  Here I used Whisper White.  I positioned the mask where I wanted it and I sponged in some Daffodil Delight and then some Calypso Coral.  I removed the mask and this is what I got.  Patty did say that the image on your cardstock will be darker than you expected it to be.  It's easy to be deceived by the mask, so start out light and just remove a corner of the mask to check to see if you want to go darker or not.  Use Post it's to hold your edges in place, that way you won't have to worry about the papers slipping when you take a look see!

Once I was satisfied with my sponging I removed the mask and stamped the flower.  I liked Patty's idea of stamping the flower more towards the center so the middle of the flower looks lighter.  I think it turned out pretty.  Then I stamped the words.  

The butterfly was done on a separate piece of cardstock and punched out.  I did use glue to set that in place. I added 3 pearls down the center of the butterfly and then I added some white Baker's Twine.  And the corners were rounded before the piece was set in place on top of a folded half-sheet of Cajun Craze cardstock.  And there you have it.  Easy Peasy!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

edited on 6-10-13:  added link to Patty Bennett's blog for the technique

Embossed Resist Secret Garden Birthday Card

Today I had to work wish some retired papers.  I don't have any current decorative papers yet.  Feeling sorry for me now?  LOL  I just made do with what I had.  I used a scrap piece of decorative paper from the Poetry Print pack.  I never did use that up before it retired!  But I can still use it on many other cards until I get some new stuff!

Today's card is a fun technique card.  The technique is called Embossed Resist.  

I stamped the En Franceais set for the background.  I stamped it using Soft Suede.  Then I stamped the leaf from the "Secret Garden" set using VersaMark.  I embossed it with clear embossing powder.  Then I sponged on some Cherry Cobbler ink.  When you do this you must remember to wipe off the embossed area with a paper towel. The ink beads up on it and if you don't wipe it off it will get all over your fingers and make a HUGE mess!  

I used several punches on this card too.  I punched out the sponged image and then a little bit larger Very Vanilla circle and then the scallop.  

This is one of Terri's layouts.  I thought it would be fun to play with it.  I had other plans for the embossed piece but I didn't like how it turned out so I ended up using the circle punch on it and then worked with it!  

To do the words (which came from the "Petite Pairs" set) I stamped them on a scrap piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and then I taped that piece to the front of this card.  I used just a little bit of tape and it was on the backside of where the words were.  I taped it in place so I could punch through the two pieces at the same time.  That way when I put it together the words will fit perfectly into the circle.  Once punched I taped the words down but did it through the front of the card so I would get it exact.  And it worked!!!

This is a fun layout to play with. It's quick and easy too!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Cherry Cobbler and a Paper Doily

This card looked SO much better in my head!!  I was a bit disappointed in the way the black showed through the paper doily.  I didn't realize the doilies were that thin.  

And looking at the card now I can see it needs a bit more flare!  I could have sponged around the words (which were done on the computer).  

The dots were sponged on using a sponge dauber.  I just tapped it on the ink pad and went straight down on the card stock.  I didn't push hard, doing that would cause really dark dots and my Cherry Cobbler seems to be REALLY dark.  

This card goes in the "UGLY" pile!  And I thank you EVER so much for bearing with me on this one!  LOL

Thanks for stopping by,
Wanda

A Field Flowers Birthday Card

When the "Field Flowers" set came out a while back I knew I just had to buy it. I saw SO many possibilities in this set and I continue to.  This layout/design is not mine.  I found it at Terry's "Going Over the Bridge" blog.  She posted it back in June of 2011.  I ran across it in Pinterest and thought I would give it a try.  Some had posted under the photo "use different colors," so I did.  I used Cherry Cobbler.  It seems to be my favorite color lately!!!  And get this, I actually had the seam binding ribbon to match!!! I actually had a current ribbon!!! LOL  

I thought this card was fun and easy to do.  I didn't have to make any adjustments.  Though I do wish I would have moved the flower over to the left a bit more.  But if you don't compare it to Terry's card then you won't see the difference!  Well, there is a big difference, her card is done in black and white, which is just as stunning!  I do SO love black and white cards and of course the white on white.  And now I am really liking the Cherry Cobbler on white!!

The wording is from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  One of my favorite word sets!!

This card went together quickly too, in spite of having to cut that little flower but by hand.  It was small enough and I only made two cards so I can't complain about the little cutting I had to do!  When I see this card the word "fun" comes to mind.  Also "pretty", "quick" and "easy"!  

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Secret Garden CASE

I found the most awesome card on the net and I had to make one.  Though I did have some issues with it but I managed to work around them.  I found the card here at Sandy's "Udderly Awesome Stamping from the Heart" blog.  

The original card appears to be done on just 1/2 sheet of card stock.  I was not able to fit the "Needlepoint" embossing folder in my machine sideways.  I'm assuming that it needed to be put in that way to get the embossing on both sides of the center panel.  What I ended up doing was embossing the pieces on the card stock but I had it cut so I could fit it in my machine.  Now my machine may be the problem.  I have a Big Kick, it was the machine that came out before the Big Shot.  I'm assuming the Big Shot is a bit wider on the inside than mine.  And mine only needed  to be about 1/4" wider.  Even with that issue I can't justify buying a new machine.  This one has worked just fine for all these years an until it breaks beyond repair I will be sticking with it.  These machines are not cheap!  So I am making do with what I have.  

The difference between the two cards is that mine is done on a separate piece and set in place using Dimensionals.  I think it's still a stunning card.  I like it!!  This was an easy card to do, it was fun and it's VERY pretty!  It's a very versatile design too.  It can be used as a birthday, get well, thank you, thinking of you and even a sympathy card.  You know how much I LOVE versatility!! 

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Fabulous Florets Birthday

This card is made using a couple of stamp sets.  The flowers are from the "Fabulous Florets" set, the words are from the Blooming with Kindness set and the flower in the background is from the "Flower Garden" embossing folder.

I found a card similar to this on the net about a year ago and I had saved it in my "Fabulous Florets" folder and it took me this long to get it!  Actually, I had forgotten about that folder and when I did see it I found TONS of fun cards I had downloaded to make someday!  I just liked this card because it looked easy to do and the flowers on the front made it look just busy enough to be fun!  And it was!!

I used some retired ribbon to hide the piece of card stock with the words on it.  The original card wasn't like that.  And I'm sure the one who made the original card cut the card stock the right size first and then had room for the words.  Apparently that would have been the way to go.  But it wasn't how I did it.  I stamped the flowers all over the card.  I was having a lot of fun doing it and I just kept going.  After I realized the piece  was too long I cut it to size and then cut a piece of card stock to fit at the bottom.  I stamped the words on it first and then I taped it in place.  Yup, got smart on that one and did the stamping first.  I knew if I taped it in place and then stamped on it I would have gotten it crooked or smeared!!!  I know how I operate!!! LOL  

After adding the layer behind the focal piece and the ribbon I added Dimensionals and set it in place on the card.  This was such a quick card to put together too. I made two of them.  One I used some Bravo Burgundy card stock that I left. 

Thanks SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

For the Birds Birthday Card

I was going through my current stamp sets to see what I had left after the ones that retired.  I do have quite a few and the "For the Birds" set was the first one I ran across so I grabbed it and this is what I came up with.

I colored the image in using markers and a blender pen.

The base of the card is Cherry Cobbler and of course the front is Whisper White.  I used a few embossing folders to add lots of texture and depth to the card.  

It was actually easy to do and I was able to make two cards at the same time because the dotted and striped background pieces were cut in half.  Such a deal!!

And most of all, this was a fun card to make!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Summer Silhouettes Notes Weekend Project

Today I thought it would be fun to do a 3-D project.  I didn't intend to make notepads but I was digging in my storage closet and I found some scratch pads and thought I would make a few fun notepads for gifts.  These are always fun to just grab and give when you are visiting with friends.  I'll probably wrap these up individually in cellophane bags and have them all ready for when I need to grab a gift or to put in a gift basket.

The pretty colors I used on the Summer Silhouette set notes is Pool Party, Crumb Cake and Early Espresso.  The leaves were stamped in Crumb Cake and then stamped off to get a lighter image of that color.

The words are from the Teeny Tiny wishes set.  I masked off the "baby" after the "hello" and just stamped the "hello."

These are fun to make and a great way to use up scrap cardstock and leftover or retired ribbons.  I had to use these retired ribbons because I didn't have any other matching ribbon and I have decided to start using up the retired stuff before I buy anything new.  Everyone knows they can substitute current ribbon on any project.  But this year I'm just working hard to use up what I have.  It gets expensive having all of that ribbon hanging around and then buying new stuff.  I think the guilt is getting to me!!! LOL

Anyway, these are fun notepad covers.  Not all notebooks are the same size so you will need to measure yours.  I cut my my cardstock to fit and I set it in place on the front and folded it over the top edge and onto the back.  Then I creased those folds so the cover would lay nice.  I glued what card stock hung over on the back.  If you want you can cut a piece of cardstock to cover that back piece too so it looks smooth and even.  I cut layers for the front, stamped the image and then wrapped the ribbon around before I glued them in place.  Yes, I did say glue. Taping over ribbon on the back is hard to do.  It doesn't always want to stick to the ribbon plus it doesn't always like to stick to the cardstock either.  So I just save myself any headaches and use the glue. I don't have to be concerned about it popping up in spots.

And for the top I took a little strip of the card stock that I stamped on and I tore it and just glued that in place too.  So easy and it was pretty quick to do too. Now I just need to wrap them in some cellophane and they are ready for whatever!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda