Teeny Tiny Wishes Valentine's Day Card

Once again I found myself on Pinterest!!!  Does that surprise you?  I do spend a lot of time on there (not on purpose, it just ends up that way).  I ran across a pretty anniversary card and I thought I would convert it into a Valentine's Day card and this is what I came up with.  You can see the original here, it's from Linda's Stampin' Loft.  

It's a very easy card to make.  The embossed hearts are from the "Adorning Accents" folder.  I just trimmed the card stock to fit the top and bottom of the folder and then I cut the sides.  The piece measures 3-3/4" x 1-1/4".  I added a 1/8" larger piece of Real Red card stock behind that.  I had added the ribbon before I affixed the hearts to the layer.  

The larger background layer measures 3-5/8" x 2-5/8" and the Real Red layer behind it measures 1/8" larger.  

The Modern Label punch was used to layer the words that were stamped using the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set and the Word Window punch.  

The hearts were made using the "Fashionable Hearts Embosslit. I've used that embosslit a lot! Hearts are not just for Valentine's Day!!

This was a fun card to make too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Express Yourself Anniversary Card

Grab your favorite embossing folder and make a super quick anniversary card.  I was on Split Coast Stampers and I ran across a card I thought would be fun to work with.  You can see that card here.  I didn't change it much.  It was fun making it and since I had cut the embossed piece in half I was able to make two cards. But did two cards turn out?  No, of course not.  I got the words crooked.  So what I'm going to do is just put it aside and think about it off and on until I can come up with a way to use it.  When I do I will share it with you.  

For the words on this card I used the "Express Yourself" Hostess set.  The embossing folder is retired but it doesn't matter.  If you need to make one with a current folder then just substitute it for the one I used.  That's what I did with the original one on Split Coast.  

I needed to make this card for our son and daughter-in-law's second anniversary. I can't believe two years have gone by already!  So this is the card they are getting.  We will be seeing them this weekend so I'm not going to mail it.  I don't like mailing cards with rhinestones, buttons or bows on them.  Or cards with money in them either!!!  Good thing they don't read my blog, right? LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Expressions Love Notes

 Today I thought I would make a Valentine's Day gift.  Some thing useful!  I have not made very many of the file folders using the "Envelope Punch Board".  You can find lots of tutorials for it on Pinterest or by just Googling it.  For a quick tutorial to how I did this one was, I punched the top left corner in the center of the board.  I marked my board with a line using a fine tip Sharpie marker.  Then I slid the piece to the left 3" and punched again.  I flipped my card stock over and repeated that.  Just past the second punch you will be cutting off that strip of card stock.  If you look in the top photo, it's the piece (in red) that would normally be covering up the words.  Cut it off and repeat for the other side.  Insert the end of the card stock on the opposite side of the punch and round your corners.

I scored my card stock at 3-3/4" and 4-1/4".  It depends on the thickness of the pad of paper you are using.  The card stock was cut 5-1/2" x 8".  You lightly mark center and you can set the edge of the pad on the card stock and eye where you need to score too.  It really does depend on the thickness of your card stock.

I glued my notepad in place.

I used the Modern Medley decorative paper on the front.  The edges were rounded with the Envelope Punch Board.  I tied a ribbon on before I set the piece in place using Dimensionals.

The "love" is from the "Expressions" Thinlits die.

For the front I took a piece of Real Red decorative paper and cut it 5-1/2" x 4" and cut it like I did for the front of the folder.  Then I trimmed the bottom.  You can trim the bottom before you tape it on or you can add more tape and wrap it around the bottom of the folder.  And that's it.  Pretty easy and quick to do!

I'm not sure if you could have just taped the decorative paper on and then punched.  I'm not sure how thick the punch board will punch.  I didn't want to find out, I didn't want to break mine! I like to play it safe when it comes to stuff like that!

Wouldn't these make a great teacher's gift?

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Field Flowers

I had made a card back in September of 2012 and I thought I would work it into a Valentine's Day card.  I had received an email asking me about the creation of the card from 2012 and after seeing it I myself became inspired!  You can see that card here.  

I used the words from the "Field Flowers" set.  And I used the Hearts Sizzlets.  I was thinking of using a Real Red heart but I opted for the Pirouette Pink one instead.  Either would be just as pretty.  

I did change the layout of the card a little bit.  The original one had the focal piece more centered.  I moved it up and added the ribbon on the first panel.  You can see the subtle differences by going to the link above.  The original card was a wedding card.  This layout can be used for lots of other occasions as well.  As long as you find something, be it words or images, to fit in the oval!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Gorgeous Grunge Birthday

Today's card came from being inspired by a card I found on Pinterest.  You can see that card here.  

I did change it a bit.  I wanted to add more color to it so I got out the "Gorgeous Grunge" set and some bright ink pads.  I used Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Wild Wasabi, and Pacific Point.  The musical notes paper is the from the "Modern Medley" pack.  I'm almost out of the musical notes paper.  It's such a fun pack of paper!!!

The words are from the "Perfectly Penned" set.  This card went together quickly.  The part that took the longest was switching ink pads and cleaning the stamp in between!  See, I told you it went together quickly!  

I know my sister is going to like this card, these colors are what catches her eye!  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Wetlands Masculine Birthday Card

Today I needed to head to my workroom to make a card for my nephew.  I struggled with the card a bit because I didn't have much for masculine decorative paper.  Flowery paper just wouldn't cut it!  SO I got out my paper stacks and hit the browns!

My card layout is from this weeks sketch over at Split Coast Stampers.  It's Sketch #470.  I have not done a sketch in a long time. I sort of lost interest in them and I really don't know why.  I did enjoy doing them.  Maybe, with the help of this card, I will get back into them.

I used the goose from the "Wetlands" set for my focal part.  I probably should have stamped it using Very Vanilla but what's done is done!  Whisper White seems to be my "go to" color for stamping images.

The words are from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  It's one of my "go to" sets for words!

I used a blender pen and Soft Suede ink to color in the goose and Old Olive to color in the grass.  It was a pretty simple card to make, just a lot of pieces (and you know how much I LOVE to layer - so for me I found it to be an easy card)!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Starburst Technique Birthday Card

This card was made by Mary from Terri's Technique Night group.  It was from the swap I had participated in.  I had the card set aside and it got mixed in with the cards I had already posted (sorry Mary!).  

What a bright and fun birthday card this is. It just gives me a happy feeling when I look at it.

The technique used here is called the "Starburst Technique" and it's very easy to do. You can find the instructions for it here.  (Edited on 1/9/14 - I forgot to add the link)

Thank you Mary for letting me post your beautiful card!

And I thank YOU for stopping by today,

Wanda

P.S.  I have a fun project to post this week so be sure to check back!

A Field Flowers Birthday

I was watching a video on YouTube on the "Flash Cards" stamping.  Flash Card stamping shows you how to cut your card stock to make a bunch of panels in Whisper White (to stamp on) and in color (to use as a layer).  You're suppose to have these on hand so when you need to make a card the paper is cut and ready to go for you!  Personally I tend to cut these pieces normally and wreck several of them so by the time I'm done I get one card!! LOL  You can find that video here.  I also mentioned that video because in the left upper corner towards the end of it there was a card using the "Field Flowers" set and I thought it was pretty and wanted to make it. And with a few little changes I came up with this.  

For my card I used the Flash Card measurements and the "Field Flowers" set to create the front of this card.  The birthday greetings are from the "Wetlands" set.  They fit in that space perfectly!  And the background was textured using the Dotted embossing folder.  

My ink colors are Melon Mambo, Old Olive, and Black StazOn.  The ribbon is the 1/8" Melon Mambo Taffeta.  It's a very quick and simple card to make.  I could see myself making a lot of these for birthdays this year!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Valentine's Day Candy Box Tutorial

Okay, you are going to have to be more creative with this than I was.  I have several to make so I tend to take the easy way out and decorate as little as possible.  This little box deserves a LOT more decorating than it has. 

There's not a whole lot to making these boxes.  I found a place on the internet that you can make your own box simply by entering in the measurements.  

Just go to the "Super Deluxe Tuckbox Template Maker" and have fun!  The measurements I entered to make this box are as follows: 8.78" x 3.75" x 1".  This size box holds 2 little Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.    It would probably hold 2 Rolos too, I didn't try it.  I was making this box to hold the peanut butter cups.  I added two hearts to the tops of the peanut butter cups.  I wanted to make the window bigger but the only way to do it was to cut it out by hand.  I didn't want to do that.  I wanted to use a punch and the oval one was the only one that would reach far enough into the box without cutting it at the corners and then being too large for the top.  So I used two oval punches and a piece of window sheet.  

Some tips for you when printing out the box you create.  Set your printer so it will print on the lightest setting. You will also need to cut a piece of card stock for the bottom of the box.  If you don't do this you will see the words that print out on the box.  There's no way to get rid of them.  Plus the bottom of the box looks prettier with some color added to it!  And when cutting out the box, there is a part on one of the flaps that has another score line and a longer cutting line (you will know what I mean once you print one out).  Do not score on that line and do not clip the line longer.  That score and cut is so you can fold the flap back further once it's opened.  It's more for a deck of cards.  Oh, there is one more thing.  The side flap has a grayed out area where you are to tape or glue.  Tape or glue on the other side of that.  It looks awful sticking to the outside of the box, only because it's not cut the same size as the side.  I think that covers the tips!

Have fun with this and PLEASE be more creative than I was!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Gorgeous Grunge Delightful Dozen Valentine's Day Card

I just realized I have an almost full package of paper doilies and I should start using them more.  And what better time to use them than for Valentine's Day cards!  

I wanted to create a look of the doily being wrapped over the piece of card stock, and from there I had no idea where I was going with the card.  I knew I wanted to have hearts on them but I wasn't sure of the color until I added the strip of Washi tape.  Wouldn't Washi tape with hearts on it be pretty???  Well, there isn't any so this is what I had to use.  Then above the Washi tape I added the lines from the "Gorgeous Grunge" set.  I need to play with that set more too. It's got such great potential, doesn't it? 

The hearts are made using the "Fashionable Hearts" embosslet and Melon Mambo card stock.  I covered the heart on the "Be my Valentine" words and then I just let the others fall where they may!  This is an extremely simple and quick card to make.  If I needed to make a bunch of Valentine's Day cards, this is one I may go with because it's got color, layers and is quick to do!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Wetlands Masculine Birthday Card

I have several masculine birthday cards I need to make this month.  This is one of them.  I was not so fond of it after I finished it but as I look at it now I think I can feel okay about mailing it out.  

I used a blender pen and the ink pads to color in the image.  I only used 3 colors to get this look too.  Though I do wish I would have used something lighter on the antlers.  I used Chocolate Chip, Old Olive and Soft Sky.  It was simple enough to color in.  I do find that stamps that have lots of shaded lines in them, like the moose have, you can get by using one solid color.  Those shade lines create the darker areas for you so all you do is color in.  I did start my coloring at the belly area and worked my way up.  The further up you go the less ink is on you blender pen so the lighter the color is.  Always start in the darkest areas and work your way outward.  

The words are from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  I hope it's not going to be retired but I have this sinking feeling it will be.  It's been around for a while now.  I have used it a lot, it works perfectly with the Label punch.  

I've got some fun projects in the works for you and I will be posting them as soon as I get them done, so stay tuned!

I thank you for stopping by today,
Wanda

A Bright Blossoms Birthday

As we sit here in Minnesota with subzero temps I am thinking of spring and flowers.  I have several birthday cards to make this month and I really do NOT want to make them with any inklings of winter!!  "Ink"lings!!! LOL  No pun intended!!!

So I got out my "Bright Blossoms" set and thought I would make a cheery, warm and inviting birthday card.  I probably should have used some other color than black for the layering but I LOVE white on black cards!  

I saw a card on Pinterest that used the framed embossing folder and this flower so I thought I would reproduce that part of the card.  Not that the original card wasn't wonderful.  I just wanted to reproduce only a part of it.  And this is what I came up with!

I had gotten a very fun Birthday Card Keeper book from Terri last year and it's time to fill it up again!  So when I say "this one's for the book", it's actually for the book!!!  I have several more cards to make for January so I'd better get going on them.  I'd LOVE to be at least caught up each month this year.  It would be nice to be ahead but caught up works for me too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Faux Pinwheel Stamping Technique

Today's card comes from you via Terri's last Stamping Technique Night.  

These are very fun and easy to do.  And with that said, there should be no reason why I can't have 10 of them ready for the next card swap, right?  With the busy holidays behind me I should be able to work it into my schedule!!!  Let's hope so.  I think it's a fun technique and I want to participate in the swap!

I'm not sure what the name of this Decorative Specialty Paper is, I'm thinking it may be from the new mini catalog.  To make this you need to cut 2 squares of card stock measuring 2-5/8" x 2-5/8".  Cut 8 squares (4 of each of two contrasting papers) 1-1/4".  

Tape the two larger squares together so they from the 8 pointed star looking background.  On this 2 card the larger squares are black.  Then you will be adding the alternating smaller squares.  Tape the first one on you will tape the right side of it to the base.  Then go around the circle adding the other squares.  When you get to the last one, slip it under the first one you added and that's it.  Embellish the center as you will.  Add some fun textured background paper and ribbon and you're done!  See, I told you it was easy to do!  Now let' see if I can get the 10 done!!!  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Happy New Year!

Today is a laid back day with not a whole lot going on.  Just the way I like to start the New Year off!  And on that note I also did not head to my workroom to play.  I took the day off from there too.  I spent some time finishing up a new beaded bulb design. I'd like to show it to you but once I got it half way put together I realized that it could use a bit more pizzazz so the bottom part is different from the top.  But once I get a new one made I will get a photo of it and share it with you.  I know it's WAY too early to be thinking about Christmas bulbs for 2014 but when an idea comes into your head (no matter what the season) you HAVE to run with it or lose it!  I've lost too many thinking that I would get around to them and never do.  So now I just drop what I'm doing and write notes or even begin the project!  

I did not make any New Year's Resolutions for this year.  I never completed the ones from years past!! LOL  It's not that they were not realistic enough, it's just that I lost interest in them!  They must not have been important enough, right?  Something went wrong somewhere there!!!  LOL  So I just decided not to make any, it's easier to keep, right?   I have plans for the New Year so it's not like I'm going into it blind or "empty handed!!"  

I have a list of some fun projects that I will be making and sharing with you.  And I'm sure you will enjoy them and some of them will keep you busy this year too!

I wish you all the VERY best in this New Year! 
Wanda