A Going Global Dad Birthday or Father's Day Card

This card could be used as either a dad's birthday or Father's Day card.  I found this card while surfing the net and traced it back to "StampWithPeggy".  I have been working my way through all of the stamps I got and this was one I hadn't played with yet. 

What drew me to Peggy's card was mostly the colors.  I LOVE these colors together.   What I also like is that it can be either a Father's Day or birthday card because the words don't pin it down to one or the other.

I used the World Traveler" embossing folder, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla card stock, and a brayer to make the background.  The paper is from the "Going Places "paper stack.  There's SO many fun images in that stack.  I am excited to play with some of them with the "Open Sea" set.

I stamped the globe image on some of the decorative paper too.  I like the look it created.  Then I punched it out with the 2" circle punch.

The yellow dotted strip was set in place with Dimensionals. The globe piece was taped on top of that but one Dimensional was added to the top to keep it level.  Then the words were set in place with Dimensionals. The other layers were just taped in place (no Dimensionals).

I just love the looks of this card.  I wish I would have found out that the big dipper that Peggy had on her Very Vanilla background was in the "Going Global" stamp set. I should look at all of the images in a set before I start stamping!!!  Oh well.  I still like the card the way it is.

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

A Botanicals for You Card

While looking through the 2016 Sale-a-Brations catalog, this card caught my eye, which is one of the reasons why I chose this as my free set. I did change it a little.  Instead of a white card, I used Old Olive for the base and then added the layer on the front.  I liked the one in the catalog but I thought it could use a little bit more color.

I used Real Red, Pool Party, Crushed Curry, and Old Olive inks. This is a fun set to play with.  And there's lots of pieces to it too!!

It's a great set to play with to make cards with lots of fun colors. There's a few word images to go with it too.  I think I can have fun making many different card layouts with this set.  Or mixing it with other sets as well!

I am looking forward to playing with it again!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Botanical Blooms and Botanical Builder Birthday Card

I'm not a big fan of a lot of green. I needed to challenge myself to use it more. This card's background is pretty green!!!  I tried to tone it all down with some other fun and bright colors.  My eye is now drawn to the Melon Mambo flower and then to the green!  

I used the "Wetlands" set for the words.  

I stamped the background with leaf veins from the "Botanical Blooms" set.  I die cut some flower and flower centers using Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip and Tip Top Taupe card stock.  The two flowers are set in place using Dimensionals.  In the center of the two flowers I used the new "It's my Party" enamel dots.  

The decorative papers are from the "Cherry on Top" stack and the "It's my Party" 12" x 12" stack.  

It was a fun card to make, but pretty green!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

An In The Meadow Masculine Card

This is one of the new stamps in the 2016 Occasions catalog.  It's called "In the Meadow".  Every time I see the title of this set I want to add "we can build a snowman!".  LOL 

This is one of the cards I made at Terri's very fun Stamp-a-Stack. We used Crumb Cake and Early Espresso card stock.  There's also some Early Espresso ribbon here.  The images were stamped using Early Espresso ink.  I added a couple of extra Early Espresso 2-1/2" circles to the back of the deers so the image would stand out more.  

This was a fun and super quick card to make.  I didn't add any words because I'm not sure what I want to use it for.  It could be for a masculine birthday, Father's Day or even a sympathy card.  

I like simple cards.  They have such a clean look to them!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Playful Pals Polar Bear

These "Playful Pals" are so much fun!  I thought I would make a polar bear.  There's so many fun pieces to the stamp set and to the "Pyramid Pals" Thinlit dies.  All of the pieces here were done with the dies except for the smirk!  I just used a paper punch and then punched a little sliver off the edge.  Oh, and the eyes were also done using a small paper punch.  

Now when you make these fun pyramids, be mindful as to whether or not you want the pyramids to open or to be glued shut.  Since you have to cut out two pieces to form the pyramid, I glue them one at a time.  After I glue the first one, I will glue the bottom only to the second piece and insert it inside the first half I glued.  Now you can see which side you need to glue to have a pyramid that opens or one that is glued shut.  Ones that open are nice because you can put candies or other things inside them. They make great kids party favors.  They also make great co-workers gifts too!!  There's LOTS of ideas you can come up with for uses for these adorable boxes.

A tip if you are using the glitter papers.  You will need to use a large paper clip to hold the seam in place while it dries.  With card stock you just add glue, run your bone folder over the seam and it's good to go. But this glitter paper needs a little more help and time.

These are SO much fun and I have a few ideas for more!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Perfect Pairings and Botanical Builders Framelits Birthday Card

I found a card by Wendy at "Luvin' Stampin". I wasn't able to go directly to her post.  I did find her card.  But if you go to her dot com site you can see this card and any details she has about it. I'm not sure why I was not able to click on her post title and get the whole link.  But you can still get there the long way!

I changed the card a bit too.  I used Real Red instead of the pink color that Wendy used.  And I changed the words.  Though I do need a thank you card, I wanted to make a birthday card instead. I see a lot of potential for this card.  I can see adding some flowers from the "Botanical Blooms" set.  I may have to play with that idea.  But not today or tomorrow. I need to play with some of the other sets I bought first.  Though I do have to admit the "Botanical Blooms" and matching framelits is my favorite.  

I do love red, black, and white cards.  When I saw Wendy's card, I knew I wanted to try it in these colors.  They are just striking.  

This was a simple card to make.  It has a clean and simple look too.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Guy Greetings and Happy Birthday, Everyone Birthday Card

Today I thought I would step outside of the Occasions catalog and make my brother-n-law a birthday card.  If I get it in the mail tomorrow he will actually get a card from me on time!!  Yup, the new year is off to a great start so far!!  I haven't missed one yet!  

I used the "World Map" background stamp.  I stamped the image on Crumb Cake card stock using Soft Suede ink.

The base of my card is Cherry Cobbler.  I used Early Espresso ink on the car and the "happy Birthday".  And the "Happy Birthday" above the card was done using Cherry Cobbler ink. 

Now this is what you get when you take pieces of card stock that has images and words already stamped on them and you try to put a card together.  Nothing like being overly "happy" about the "Happy Birthday's!"  LOL  Oh well, maybe he won't notice.  Or maybe he will think I want him to have a doubly happy birthday!!! I tried to remove the layers but Dimensionals hold things together SO well.  Oopsie!!!  At least the inside doesn't have a third "Happy Birthday" stamped in it!!! LOL I would hate to be redundant!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Bloomin' Love and Bloomin' Hearts Card

A Valentine's Day card or a simple "I Love You" card, either works!  I have moved on (a little) to some other stamps and dies that I have.  I thought this heart was so lacy looking and I thought it would be a lot of fun.  It wasn't at first but after I got my new "Big Shot Die Brush" I just run the bristles over the die and those little pieces just pop off and I remove my design and it's clean!!  No poking, trying to get those little pieces off.  I LOVE it and now I can see myself using this die a lot!!  Oh, don't roll your eyes!  I won't use it 10 days in a row!!! LOL  I have lots of new stuff to play with and I'm excited to give them a try. But I keep wanting to go back to the "Botanical Builder" die and stamp set.  You can actually make a card with just the dies alone, no stamps needed.  But I like to add some ink to my cards sometimes!  Like today's card.  I didn't stamp anything but the wording.  I did sponge on some Rose Red to the center of each flower.  I thought it could use a touch of color!

I used a piece of decorative paper from the "Love Blooms" paper stack.  I set it in place on a trimmed quarter piece of Basic Black card stock.  Then I added the flowers.  They come with the "Bloomin' Love" Thinlits die.  Now a word to the wise.  Don't get too excited about adding the cute flowers.  Tape the piece on top of the Very Vanilla card base first or you'll crush your flowers.  

To make my flowers rounded I used glue dots to stick the pieces together and then I set them in the palm of my hand and used the end of a Bic pen and pressed in the center.  The petals curled up just enough to be SO darn cute!  I added some leaves using Wild Wasabi card stock and the large flower die.  I cut the petals off and added them as leaves.  I thought the card needed a little more color.  I like the green on it.  Then I added a pearl to the center of each flower.  Each flower was set in place using a Dimensional.  Each flower also has a little bit of glamour to it.  I used the new "Wink of Stella" clear and just ran the bristles across the tips of each flower.  Click on the photo to get a closer view.  It's a lot prettier in real life.

The words are from the "Bloomin' Love" set.  

This was a super fun card to make and having that die brush really helps out a lot!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Bloomin' Love and Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Gift

Today I was helping Terri out at her wonderful Stamping Extravaganza. There were SO many tables with new products being demonstrated at them.  I was demonstrating the Pyramid Pals.  I had made quite a few of these adorable critters and I got to tell how do make them and a few tips while assembling them. I'll be sharing more of those critters at a later date.  Anyway, I needed to catch a ride to the event and a dear friend and wonderful demonstrator Lisa offered.  The "Botanical Blossom" card I made here was for her.

I also made this fun bag for her and added some candy jelly hearts inside.  I put them in a small zip bag (not just loose in the paper bag)!!!  

For this bag I used the "Mini Treat Bag" Thinlits.  I LOVE using that little bag.  It's SO easy and it only takes 1-1/2 sheets of the 6" x 6" decorative paper from those fun stack pads.  Since it doesn't take 2 full sheets, I had some left to make the belly band for this bag.  It didn't need the band to hold the bag together, I just added it for some color and contrast.  

The heart is from the new "Bloomin' Heart" Thinlit die.  And the words are from the "Happy Home" set.  It seems like it's getting harder and harder to find words to fit in the 1-1/4" circle.  But I managed.  If I wouldn't have been able to find something, there's always just typing them up on the computer and printing them out! I've done that LOTS of times!  Anyway, I cut the flower using Rose Red card stock.  Then I cut out several flowers (included in the Thinlits pack). and stuck them together using Glue Dots.  Then I put them in the palm of my hand and took the end of a Sharpie marker and pushed in the center so they curved up nicely.  I set them in place using Dimensionals.  For the little leaves I just cut out a Pear Pizzazz flower and cut it apart.

To assemble this project, I first put the bag together.  Then I added the belly band.  You can hide the seam of the band behind the heart if you plan it out ahead of time.  Then I glued the heart in place, bending some of it around to the back of the bag.  I added the flowers and then the word piece using Dimensionals and that was it!  Super fun!!! And I thought it was very pretty!!  Lisa liked it and I appreciated the ride!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Rose Wonder Birthday Card

Today I want to share with you a card I had made at Terri's ever SO fun Stamp-a-Stack.  We used the "Hardwood" background and Smokey Slate ink for the background.

Then we took our panel and punched one end with the Ornate Tag punch. A punch I don't have.  I have so many tag punches and I doubt I will be adding that one to the collection!  It's pretty but I don't use the others very much and I don't see myself using this one much either.  Plus I can substitute the ones I have for this one if I see a card on the net I have to copy!!

The words are from the "Rose Wonder" set.  I have only played with the words from this set.  Hopefully next week I can get to the actual rose!!

We used the Perfectly Artistic designer paper for the flower.  We punched it out and then we added a flower from the Pansy Punch.  We clipped each petal so the flared out a little.  It was set in place with a glue dot.  A rhinestone was added to the center.  The leaves were made using the Fun Flower punch.  We cut it into 3 pieces and added it to the back of the flower.

It's was a fun card to make.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Playful Pals Bunny

Just in time for Easter!!  I made a cute little bunny with the "Playful Pals" and "Pyramid Pals Thinlits Dies".  I love it that I don't have to cut out all of the pieces individually.  Just those dies. It saves so much time and they allow me to make things I wouldn't because sometimes when it comes to cutting, I can be pretty lazy!  I have often passed up things because of the cutting.  Not anymore, not when the sets come with matching dies.  It doesn't get any better than that!!!

I made this cute little bunny with the set.  Even the nose is a die!! Oh and no stamping with the nose, it is just cardstock!

I'm not thrilled with how I put the feet on.  I kind of like them but yet I don't.  I could have added them to the bottom of the box and then folded them to make them like they are "bent kneed".  Or just sticking out from the bottom.  As I look at it here, it looks like the bunny has to go to the bathroom really bad and is crossing it's legs to hold it.  LOL  

On the feet, I did use a colored marker to draw the pads in.  

The eyes, whiskers and mouth are stamps included in the set. 

I made it so the box opens in the back so you can put candies or whatever inside.  I added a pompom for a tail, I thought it could use something back there!!!

I can't wait until my granddaughter is old enough to play with this. It's a set I will keep for many years to come.  

These are a lot of fun and they go together pretty fast!  I prefer to use glue to put them together.  I know glue will hold.  The tape... not so sure.  And I know it won't hold long on the glitter paper. Even the glue was tough to work with.  I had to clip it to make it hold.  On regular cardstock the glue held almost immediately after I pressed the seam with the bone folder.   I'm looking forward to playing with this again.  There's lots of critters to make!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Botanical Builder Framlits Die and Rose Wonder Birthday Card

I had to play with the Botanical Builders just one more time before I moved on to another one of the sets from the 2016 Occasions catalog.  I think I over purchased.  There's too many fun things and so little time!!!  Though I do believe the Occassions catalog ends in May but the Sale-a-Brations ends sometime in March. I don't have my catalogs in front of me to see the dates.  I just know there isn't as much time as I would like to play with them all they way I want to!!!  LOL

So onto my card.  I uses Rich Razzleberry, Perfect Plum, and Blackberry Bliss for the flowers.  I used Hello Honey for the yellow part of the flower centers.  Then I used Soft Sued for the center pieces.  I added a pearl in the middle of each flower.  

To join the flowers I set them on a piece of cardstock and got them tucked together how I liked them. Then I set another piece of cardstock on top and turned the flowers over (sandwiched between the two pieces of cardstock).  Then I took Dimensionals and strategically placed them so they would be stuck together. One Dimensional would hold two colors together.  All in all, I used 5 Dimensionals to hold the flowers together and to hold them onto the Whisper White cardstock.  

After the flowers were in place I added the fern pieces.  I REALLY like the looks of those fern pieces.  I wish the set would have had two different sizes, but I can work with just one!!!

The words are from the "Rose Wonder" stamp set.  I've only played with the words from that set.  I have it on my list to play with in a few days!!

And that's about it for this card.  You can always email me with any questions.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Botanical Blooms White on White Wedding Card

I have always loved white on white cards.  Today I thought I would like to do a white on white wedding card using the "Botanical Blooms".  I was putting a bunch of the flowers together until I got them together the way I thought they looked the best and this is what I came up with.  

I just added the flowers with Dimensionals.  The words are from the "Rose Wonder" stamp set.  

This was a fun card to make.  I used Whisper White for the base of my card and for the front panel. I layered it with a piece of Basic Black to give it a little contrast.  It's still white on white but it needed a little bit of black showing.  Plus the words were in black so it tied it all together!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

A Botanical Blossom and Rose Wonder Thank You Card

I am loving this new "Botanical Blossom" stamp set with the matching die. You have to love a set when it has matching dies.  It sure beats cutting out pieces.  Plus I tend to use the set a lot more if I don't have to cut out the pieces myself!  

Yesterday I posted a "Botanical Blossom" Birthday card.  I had still had the set out (surprise, surprise!!!) and I had a couple of extra flowers too.  When I run the flower dies through, I tend to add more dies to the same and or other colored cardstock so I have pieces on hand.  You're running the cardstock through anyway, why not load it up with dies?  

For this card I used Daffodil Delight for the flowers.  For the next layer I used Hello Honey and for the center I used Calypso Coral. When I got the pieces all glued together I added a pearl to the center.

I stamped some leaf veins and then the leaves.  I ended up making an extra leaf.  You might see that show up in a few days!!

The decorative paper is the Botanical Gardens pack.

For the words I used the "Rose Wonder" set.  That's another set I am anxious to play with, but I'm kind of stuck on this set right now!

The base of my card is Mossy Meadow and I also used it on the layers.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Botanical Blooms and Wetlands Birthday Card

It sure is hard to find wording to fit into the 3/8" circle or the large oval punch.  I end up heading back to my old standby "Wetlands" for my birthday greetings. I wanted to use a circle but nothing would fit and I ran out of the ones I had printed out on my computer.  And of course I couldn't stop what I was doing to print out a sheet!!

Okay, about this card.  I saw a card on the internet using this Botanical Gardens decorative paper.  I liked how the edge was done, so I had to copy it.  I wanted to add a third flower but then that fun edge that I was so thrilled about would have been all but gone.  

These flowers are fun to make.  You just run the die through your Big Shot and viola, flowers!!!  I stamped on the leaves first and then ran them through the Big Shot.  The dies are called "Botanical Builder".  It comes in a bundle set that will save you some money too!  That's how I ordered mine.  

I glued the flowers together and I also glued them onto the decorative paper.  I probably should have used Dimensionals, but I didn't.  I did use Dimensionals on the words (from the "Wetlands" set) and I also used Dimensionals on the background piece.  I don't like using Dimensionals with decorative paper because the paper is just not thick enough to me but I thought if I added a piece of cardstock to the back then it would be nice and firm, and it was.  So I was able to add that panel on using the Dimensionals.  

I love the rich look of this card.  

On the inside I added a strip of the Botanicals Washi tape to the bottom of the Whisper White piece I taped there.  I wanted to add a touch of "fun" to the inside too!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Playful Pals Piggy Bank

Today I'm going to share with you one of the critters I've made using the "Playful Pals" and "Pyramid Pals" Thinlits Dies.  

These are SO much fun to make.  You need to cut out two panels and glue them together.  I glue 2 sides so I can keep the back open to add gifts, candies, etc.  This one I glued all sides shut.  I cut a slit in the back before I glued it and then I added a little panel with a slit in it to support the back so the coins don't wear down the cardstock.

I used the dies and cut out the nose and ears with the blush colored glitter paper.  It's such pretty paper.  I can't wait to use some for a few Valentine's Day cards.  

For the eyes I used the 1/8" paper punch and punched a couple dots out of Basic Black cardstock.

It's hard to see in the photo but there's some stamped lines on the front of the pig.  You can tape the pieces in place but I don't think the tape will hold together as well as the glue will. When I set the nose in place I used a Dimensional.  I thought the face could use a little something more.  

For an added touch, I took a circle of cardstock and cut it into a coil and added it for the tail.  

I got the idea for the pig right from the 2016 Occasions Catalog.  There's a few more ideas in there to copy too.  I have made several of these critters and I'll be sharing them with you now and then.  I have other things I'm making that I want to share too.  SO many things, so little time!!! LOL

These are so fun and easy to make and the kids will LOVE making them along with you!!  Or just play alone, it's still fun!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Bloomin' Love Birthday and Valentine's Day Cards

Today I'm going to share with you 3 cards that I made at Terri's Stamp a Stack last night.  I had a great time with a couple of friends!  It's fun to stamp but more fun when friends are involved.

This was a fun and quick card to make.  We use the "Bloomin' Love" set for the words.  Rose Red and Blushing Bride cardstock was used. I don't use my Blushing Bride cardstock very often and I don't know why, it is very pretty!  

The strips of decorative paper are from the "Love Blooms" pack.  I am not sure if I have that paper or not.  I hope so, I think it would make some pretty Mother's Day cards!  

We used the Scallop Tag topper punch and the Itty Bitty Accent punch.  I LOVE that little flower punch.  And look in the center of the flower, there's a teeny tiny pearl.  It's so cute!!!  The Washi Label punch was used to make the bottom glittered Blushing Bride Glimmer paper strip. 

And then it was just all taped together to create these adorable cards!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

What I Love Birthday Card

Today's card was made using the free Sale a Brations set "What I Love."  It's such a pretty stamp set.  I wished it had a stem image but I can work with it without one.

I also used the new Botanical vellum paper.  As you can see by my tape marks, I need to find another way to secure it!

For this card I used Rose Red for the base, the decorative paper and the ink.  I also used Mossy Meadow for the layers and the leaves.

It's a fun card to make and a fun set to play with.  I love the triple stamping.  Once light color for the base of the flower, a darker one for the highlights and an even darker one for the petal details.  It's easy to make it look beautiful!!  I set the flower image in place using Dimensionals.  The other layers were just taped in place.  And I think that's about it!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Guy Greeting Masculine Card and Finger Pressed Technique

Today I thought I would try out the "Finger Pressed" Technique.  I have not used the brick wall embossing folder much, so I thought I would get it out and give it a try on that one.  Plus it has lots of flat and wider spaces to press!

I used Tip Top Taupe for my ink and the background cardstock layer.  I stamped the car from the "Guy Greetings" set using Soft Suede.  The layers are also Soft Suede.  And the base of the card is a folded half sheet of Whisper White cardstock. I set the car in place using Dimensionals.  For a finishing touch, I tied a little linen thread to the top of the card.  Something I don't normally do but today I thought I would!!

This is a fun technique and SO easy too.  All you do is take your brayer and ink up the smooth side of the embossing folder. Then you mist it 2 or 3 times. Add your cardstock and close the embossing folder.  Use your fingers to press the ink onto the paper.  You don't want the texture, just the ink.  See, I told you it was easy!

Have fun with it!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Crazy about You Peek-a-boo Technique Card

Today I played with the "Peek-a-boo Technique.  This is one of the techniques that Terri taught last month.  It's a super easy and quick technique. All you do is cut your decorative paper as a layer (4" x 5-1/4").  We gently folded one of the long sides and gave it a little pinch to find center.  Then you take your paper snips and cut a slit the length of the scissors blade.  For mine, I took my ruler and stylus and scored a line from the bottom corner to the end of the slit.  I repeated it for the other side and then I was able to fold the score lines and get a nice crisp line.  I glued the points down.  If you are using this type of decorative paper, make sure the words are not upside down on the inside.  

Once the glue set (10 seconds later) I decorated the front.  I used the flower from "Crazy about You".  I stamped it in Melon Mambo and I rolled the edges in Cherry Cobbler.  I set it in place using Dimensionals.  Then I punched out some leaves from the build a bird punch.  I took a yellow Sharpie and colored on a pearl and added it to the center of the flower.  

The words are from the "Wetlands" set.  They fit in that opening nicely.  You can create larger openings by making that cut longer.  I have not tried that yet but I have been thinking about it!

This is quick and easy to do! Oh and not to mention a pretty effect!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A By the Tide Masculine Birthday Card and Bubble Technique

Here's a quick and fun little technique.  You just run your acetate through the Big Shot using an embossing folder.  I used the "Decorative Dots" folder to give the illusion of water bubbles.  It's a little hard to see in the photo but they're there.  Click on the photo for a closer look.

I just cut the circle the same size as the Whisper White piece that was stamped with the ferny looking image.  I stamped the fish and fussy cut it out.  I taped it in place.  Then I glued on the acetate.  It was easier to glue it than it was to try to tape it.  Then I cut the ring by using two sizes of the circle dies.  I ran then through the Big Shot at the same time.  I did have the magnetic platform but I also used a post it note to hold them in place.  

I colored some pearls with a black Sharpie marker.

The words are from the "Guy Greetings" set.  I used Soft Sky, Crumb Cake and Wild Wasabi for my ink and paper colors.  

It was a fun card to make. It reminded me of the gel card technique without the mess!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Happy Happenings Butterfly Die Weaving Technique Card

Today I thought I would try something that would cause me to use some scrap paper.  I have seen the weaving technique and thought it would be a perfect thing to use up some scraps.  The only bad thing about it is, it doesn't use up much.  Well, not unless you are making a bunch of cards for a swap or to sell!  

I like the technique.  It's easy enough to do and it's actually pretty quick to do too.  

For my card I used a scrap piece from the "Pretty Petals" paper stack.  I love those stacks but I can never seem to use them up.  I don't mind having scraps left but it never ends up like that.  I usually end up with 3/4 of the pack left.  I have so much paper that I tend to forget the stacks or I most often find ones I like and stick with them!  I''m not one for moving on, am I?  LOL 

Anyway, today I was looking at that stack and some scraps fell out.  So that is how I ended up doing the weaving.

For my card I cut my strips 3/8" x 3".  The scraps were 6" long so all I had to do was cut the strips and then cut them in half all at once.  It was pretty quick to make them.  Then I just started at the center and added and wove a strip as I went.  I offset the edges so I didn't have to concern myself with lining up them up perfectly!  I did tape all over the back, both up and down and sideways.  I think gluing would have been quicker and a bit easier.  When I got to the ends the tape pulled out the weave a little and I had to try to get it back in.  Just a tip if you don't want to struggle with lining things back up.  Once I set it in place, I stamped the words from the "A Happy Happenings" set and then I added the butterfly using Dimensionals.  I stuck on a few pearls down the center of the butterfly and it was done!

Very easy to do and it didn't take a lot of time either!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Sheltering Tree Magic Card Technique

Today I wanted to try a larger Magic card.  I still need a little practice on how to get all of the details within the window and also all of it showing at the bottom once it's pulled out.  

I love using the "Sheltering Tree" set and it was fun to play with the Pirouette Pink ink, giving it that spring look!  As I look out the window at our snow cover!  No grass showing anymore!  Winter is here and the cold weather is on it's way!  I'm hunkering down and hopefully will be able to be in my workroom to play with stamps!!!  That's the plan anyway!

There's lots of different ways to make Magic cards.  I made one a couple of days ago.  You can check it out here.  

They are pretty easy to make.  A little tricky when it comes to making sure the image is lined up with the image on the acetate.  If they are not lined up then the "Magic" is ruined!  So what I did on this one was, I lined them up perfectly.  Then I used Scotch tape and taped the pieces together in the middle (on the top)  The punched circle hid the tape.  DUH, why didn't I think of that when I made the one the other day?  As long as you can hide the tape, it doesn't matter.  Plus it holds the pieces together better.  I did trim a little of the acetate on the top and one side. You can't tell. Like I said, I just need practice getting the images moved up or down more so they are more visible!  But not today.  

I don't mind making these, but they do take a little while to do.  I don't like using the Stamp a ma jig.  I don't know why, it's a very helpful and useful tool, but I just don't like using it.

This card could use a little more finesse on the front. Some words or flowers punched out perhaps.  It does need something!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Wetlands and Flower Shop Box Pleat Technique Birthday Card

I saw this "Box Pleat" technique a few years ago and I think I may have made a card using it or something like it.  I thought I would give it a try today and see what I could come up with.  I'm not thrilled with the way the card turned out.  I think it's mostly the colors.  I would have liked to layer the Melon Mambo on top of a Whisper White card base but then the pleats wouldn't have worked out.  But at least I got to play with the technique and that was the whole point of making this card.  I found the instructions at "Seeing Ink Spots".  It's easy to do but make sure you follow the folding instructions or you will have a mess!!  And no, I didn't have a mess, I just repeated the first two folds and got a different kind of pleat!  But it was easy enough to fix.  

When I attached my pleat to the card, I taped the back with some Scotch tape.  I didn't want to have to hold the piece down and wait for the glue to dry.  I had visions of it popping up and then I'd press down on that part and another part would pop up. See where I'm going here with that?  LOL  So to avoid any nightmares, I just taped it. No one will see it anyway!

I used the "Flower Shop" set for the flower.  The center of the flower was done stamping the same flower using Daffodil Delight and punching the center with a 3/4" circle punch.  I set it in place using a Dimensional. 

This was a fun card to make and I can see my self trying this technique again but giving it a whole different look!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda  

A Papillon Potpourri Magic Card Technique

I have not made a magic card in over 10 years.  I actually forgot how to get it assembled. Fortunately for You Tube I was able to find a tutorial that was easy enough to follow (easy enough for me to follow!!!).  You can see that tutorial here.

I didn't put a lot of effort into this technique, I was just testing it out.  I saw some new and fun stamps coming up in the 2016 Occasions catalog and I think I would like to give it a try using one of them.  This was more for practice!

It was fun.  It took a little bit of time to do, but it worked!!  I think that I could have gone a step further and added some words in the empty circle in the bottom photo.  Something like "I wish you a" or something like that.  It looks like it needs something.  But the funny thing is, when I finished the card and pulled the ribbon and saw the butterfly in color, it was magic!  And I did not notice that open spot until I saw it here on the post!!!  LOL  Maybe the magic of it keeps your eyes away from it!!  But upon thinking of that notion more, if I were to stamp something there it would show up behind the flower and there would be no magic!!  It needs to be open and empty!

Anyway, it was fun and I look forward to trying it out with a different image.  Something with flowers would be pretty!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Flower Patch Birthday

Today I got out my "Flower Patch" stamp set and the matching dies.  I thought I should play with it because it's another set I believe may be retiring.  I saw the new flower and die set in the 2016 Occasions catalog and I think it's going to replace this set. The new set creates much nicer 3-D flowers!  I can't wait to play with that set!  But for the time being, I played with what I had.

I used Tangerine Tango, Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, Old Olive and Mossy Meadow inks.

The base of the card is Whisper White.  Then I added a layer of Tangerine Tango card stock (cut 4" x 5-1/4") and then a piece of the new "Perfectly Artistic" decorative paper (cut 3-3/4" x 5").  

I used the "Flower Patch" set, including the words, which is something I don't often do!!!

I taped one of the leaves to the back of the large flower and then I taped the large flower in place.  I added the second flower using a Dimensional.  I needed some space there so I could slip the word panel between the two flowers.  Then I added the top flower and a half pearl to the center.  Before I taped the word panel in place I added the two leaves.  And that was it.  Pretty simple.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Papillon Potpourri and Wetlands Birthday Card

Today I thought I would play with the "Papillon Potpourri" set.  I have a feeling it is going to be retiring.  I love these butterflies and I do hope it doesn't retire.  I have a lot of sets that are not so new but still current.  I look at them and what is newer and the newestset stuff that is in the current Occasions catalog and I'm thinking that I'd better play with these while they are still current. Then it won't be so sad to say goodbye to them when they retire.

I wasn't sure what I was going to make.  I stamped the butterfly and then I started to not feel so well, so I thought I would just make a super quick card so I could go lay down.  

The words are from the "Wetlands" set.  I love using that one.  It fits perfectly with the oval punch and oval scallop.  

The dotted layer, the words and the butterfly square along with the butterfly are all set in place using Dimensionals.

This is a super easy card to make.  It's not so pretty but in a pinch it will do.  I'm going to go lay down now.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Summer Silhouettes and Wetlands Birthday Card

I was not feeling very creative today.  I went out to lunch with my sister for my birthday.  The place ate at didn't have caffeine free diet pop, so I end up with just diet pop and then I'm hyper the rest of the night. Oh and awake too.  You'd think I would be more productive being a bit hyper but it's not that busy kind of hyper.  

I struggled with what to make today so I pulled a stamp set from the shelf and it happened to be the "Summer Silhouettes" set.  And after looking at it for a few minutes, nothing came to mind! SO, I Googled the set and clicked on images and looked around.  I found this card.  I pretty much copied it the way that Julie at Paper into Love did it.  She has a video on how to make this card.  It's about 5 minutes and is nicely detailed. You can view that video here. It is an older post and the blue on the right was suppose to be Coastal Cabana but it's retired, so I used Tempting Turquoise.  Soft Sky may have been a better choice, but I will never know!!!  It is what it is!

I don't think I've ever done white layering on white cardstock before.  I always think I need a base color and then I can use that color for the back part of the layers.  But white on white worked well. It has an elegant and soft look to it.  I am happy with the way this card turned out. 

This was a very easy and fun card to make!! I can see myself making another one using this layout!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda  

December Paper Pumpkin Kit

I had received my December Paper Pumpkin kit on the 23rd.  I wanted SO bad to play with it but there were still Christmasy things that needed attending to.  Now that it's all over and I'm trying to settle back into the "normal" part of my life, I went to my workroom to play with this kit!!  This kit took longer than I thought it would, which was okay, it was like getting a new toy that kept me busy for a while!!  You can't complain when you're doing something you love!!

This is by far the prettiest 2016 calendar I've seen!  Each month is different.  It's very colorful and full of dimension.

I especially love the stand that comes with it.  I finished my calendar pages and set them in order on the stand.  They are on the ledge of my workroom, on display for all to see.  Each month I get to reveal a new work of art!!  And now I'm even more excited for this month's kit!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A You've Got This Birthday Card

As I was surfing the net looking for nothing in particular.  I like to look around there while I have lunch. Perhaps there is something on there I have not seen yet!  I spend so much time on there that I think I've seen everything!!! LOL  While looking I ran across this pretty card and I had to give it a try.  The original card was made by Jan and can be found here at "Stamp Paper Scissors."  by

My card is a little different.  I didn't use the Blackberry Bliss, I used Rich Razzleberry.  I didn't want to color my flower that dark.  I know how I color and I knew I wouldn't be happy with how dark it would turn out, so I went with a little bit lighter color. 

I also changed the words, the ribbon and the black piece is not trimmed on the bottom edge.  Oh and one thing I wish I would have noticed.  Jan used Dimensionals on her flower.  I wished I would have caught that, I think it would have been a nice touch.  But it is what it is and I do like the way it turned out, I can't complain.  And if you don't compare them you wouldn't see the differences!!

You can go to the link above and see Jan's card and some instructions.  She lists all the materials she used on her card.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda