April is Birthday Month!

It has been a long time since I've updated my little blog.  Lots of card-making has been going on, but I've not been blogging about it.

April is a calendar filled with Birthdays.  Here are a few different cards, for a few different friends.  They won't be checking my blog, so I'll get back in the swing of things by showing them here.

This is the first card I made.  Love using Frantage and Gesso overtop those beautiful Pion papers (gasp)!  I can say that this was a lot of fun! 

I loved the card so much that it inspired me to try  again - with a few minor little changes - below is what I came up with.

My friend loves butterflies and mauve.  I have to explain that this is W-A-Y out of the norm for me.  Art said to me, "that is the most beautiful card that you have ever made".  ok, that is what dh's are for, right!?  To praise and make us feel like we are fantastic!  I am just hoping my friend likes it.

 

 

 

 

 

Another Birthday for another friend - who always gives me beautiful, 3-D creations.

I decided to make the "all-the-rage" "Card in a Box".   They are so much fun to make!  Keeping in the theme of butterflies, flowers and such - this is what I came up with. 

The box is filled with balloons (covered with glossy accents, of course), a bird, a butterfly, and a bit of swirly fillers.  These are sooooo easy and fun to make!!  and are so stinkin' cute and sooooo addictive!! I predict more of these in the future!

 

 

 

 

 

We are not to the middle of the month yet - and I have about 8 more cards to go, in addition to the 5 Magnolia Birthday Group names plus 4 swap cards and two thank you cards...... 

I hope this has inspired you to "stamp up a storm, ink up a wish" and send it to someone to make their day.

Rubber hugs, inky wishes, Cricut Chirps and Cuttlebug Squishes,

Try It Out Tuesday #37 for Whimsy Stamps

  Hi all for another Try It Out Tuesday.  My card today is featuring Elf Frame by Crissie Armstrong for Whimsy Stamps. Cute little fella.  The card itself is a Diamond Fold card with a quick tutorial.






Materials used:  Elf Frame by Crissie Armstrong for Whimsy Stamps, Holiday Slider Sentiment, Lynx White Copic card, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic Markers:  R00, E00, R20,, R22, R14, YG03, E95, E93, E97, C7, C4, and G85.  Spellbinders Lacey Square die, misc. stamps from stash. Whimsy Shapeology dies Nutcracker and Rocking Horse, White Liquid Applique (hat and sleeves) and Glossy Accents (bells, Holly Berries).
I started with cardstock (white) cut to 11" x 4 1/4".  Finished card (envelope size) is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2".  Regardless of the size or width of cardstock it is easy to fold without a lot of complicated measuring. 
Step One:  Find the center top and bottom on the longest side of your cardstock. Disregard my dashed lines at each side.





Step Two:  Pull the bottom edge up precisely at the bottom center mark and align that edge with the top center mark. Crease well.  Repeat for other side.





Step Three:  Unfold and rotate 180 degrees (top is now the bottom) and repeat step two.  Crease well.




 Step Four:  Unfold.  In pencil, mark the center point between the top and bottom triangle. Line those two marks up and score. This line will dissect the center point of the X.  (Shown with a crease mark)
Step Five:  In pencil mark where the X meets the edge of the paper top and bottom. Line the two marks up and score. Shown by dashed line.

 
Step Six:  The only vertical folds will be at each end of your cardstock.  This will be a valley fold.  Each side of the center Diamond will be a Mountain, Valley and Mountain fold.
Step Seven: Decorate your card.  eg.  Randomly stamp the sections between the two side rectangles and the diamond;  Adhere DP to each triangular section.  (Measure front diamond - subtract 1/8" and cut a square).  Cut that square diagonally. Additional pieces of cardstock can be added to elongate the side panels.
I chose to use a matted image for the front diamond and used two lacey square die cuts layered atop each other to give me an 8-sided snowflake.  (ok, I know that snowflakes are 6-sided - mine is a mutant snowflake). As you can see the very bottom point adds stability to the card itself.As you can see the very bottom point adds stability to the card itself.  I cut a lacey square die in half to add to the side panels of the card, then added two die cuts and a sentiment.
Hope my card has inspired you to try a Diamond Fold card yourself. 
Rubber hugs, Whimsy wishes,

Try It Out Tuesday # 36 - for Whimsy Stamps

Hi all, another Tuesday and my inspiration today came from a drawn image in my "Smash Book" of ideas.  I don't know where it originally came from but I have a big note to myself to use a MS punch called Cherish. This is a free standing card supported by the side flaps.
I am using an image from the November release of the Little Cottage Cuties Collection called SugarPlum Faery", illustrated by Elisabeth Bell for Whimsy Stamps.    
This card looks very sparkly in real life as I used my favorite Sakura Stardust Pen and Shabby White Frantage.  If you haven't tried using Frantage -- it is something to put on your list. 
Materials used:  White Lynx Cardstock, Memento Ink, SugarPlum Faery" stamp, Copic Markers:  Skin: R00, E02, R20, Hair:  E40, E42, E31, YR31, Other: V04, V05, V01, V17, Y06, Y18,YG03, G20. Ranger Distress Inks (Squeezed Lemonade, Dusty Concord), Versamark, Shabby White Frantage, MS Cherish punch, Sakura Stardust Pen,  DP (Basic Grey - Plumeria), Perfect Plum ink and Elegant Eggplant C/S.
I started with 2 sheets of white cardstock cutting each in half at 5 1/2".  a,b,c,d cut in the following lengths.
a)  5 1/2" x 7 1/4"  - Score at 1 1/2" and 5 5/8" - Border punch - this will leave a center section of 4 1/8". 
b)  5 1/2" x 6 1/4" - Score at 1" and 5 1/8" - Border punch - leaving a 4 1/8" center section.
c)  4 1/16" x 8 1/2" - Score at 5 1/2" (This becomes the front flap that holds the image) - Border punch the edge of the largest section.
All edges were sponged with Dusty Concord Distress Ink.
d)  Used for stamped image.  After my image was stamped, I stamped another image onto Post It, masked my image and sponged all around the image with Squeezed Lemonade, then randomly sponged versamark to sprinkle Frantage onto. Heat set the Frantage from the underside and brushed off any excess.  Sponged Perfect Plum around image. The image was cut 1/2" smaller than the inside panel of the card, matted and adhered to the front flap.
a is the back of the card,  c (the shortest section) is adhered to the center section of a.  b is then adhered only at the center section to a and c.  The flap with the image attached flips down.
  





I added a matted sentiment over DP and Cardstock.  To add some bling to the sides, I sponged and frantaged strips and adhered them to a thin mat.
I hope my card has inspired you to stamp up a storm and ink up a wish and send it on to someone to make their day.
Rubber hugs and Whimsy wishes,

Try It Out Tuesday #35 for Whimsy Stamps

Hi all, and a Happy Tuesday it is!! My "little boy" showed up around 10 pm after a very long drive from the frozen north.  I was so happy to see him! He didn't even tell his Dad, as he didn't want me "fretting" (yep, I'm a fretter) about his drive through nasty weather. Totally a very nice surprise!!
As much as I dislike snow, it is inevitable that it will happen.  I've decided to  create my favorite type of snow --  ARTIFICIAL!!  I used a sweet little image from the Crissie Armstrong collection for Whimsy Stamps, called Penguin Happy Mail, an October release.  Cute as can be!
 

Materials used:  Penguin Happy Mail Lynx White Copic paper, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic Markers:  YR23, YR24, R24, R29, B23, B28, B79, B60, Y28.  Ranger Distress inks:  Stormy Sky and Barn Door.  Sakura Stardust Pen, Glossy Accents, Art Deco Snow Writer, Snowflake punch, misc. Snowflake stamps, Alphabet Stamp and 1/4"  and 1" circle punch.  Circle Scallop die. Red, White and Navy Cardstock.

After coloring my image I die cut it into a scalloped circle, sponging with Stormy Sky while still in the die. The image was then popped onto a piece of white cardstock (randomly stamped with snowflake stamps, using Stormy Sky) and matted with Red cardstock..

I decided against chopping the width  of the navy card base and added a colorful border of a snowflake background layered with 1" circle punches and additional snowflakes to finish off a 5 1/2" square card.  Punched snowflakes were all sponged with Ranger Stormy Sky.

In my collection of stamps, I found an alphabet stamp (another rescued stamp), stamped it with (Ranger) Barn Door and used a 1/4" circle punch to pop each letter in the center of the snowflakes.  "Let It Snow"  (not until December 24th, I say under my breath)   

Three products that I use often are my copic markers, Sakura Stardust Pen and Glossy Accents.  Layering the trio gives the effect of a twinkling Christmas Tree Light.

OH!  If you look closely, you will see little outlined circles......  they are made by stamping off the tip of a pencil eraser inked with (Ranger) Stormy Sky.  The entire image was outlined in these little circles.
I hope my card gives you some inspiration to stamp up a storm, ink up a wish and send it on to someone to brighten their day.



Rubber hugs, Whimsy wishes,
 

Whimsy Try It Out Tuesday #34

Hi all, I'm huddled in my house looking up at the hills all around with a skiff of snow - but that's ok......as long as it stays up in the hills. On the bright side, there are fun things to do in the winter, and I'm leaping ahead to January and February when outdoor ice skating is possible. 
With full intention to add some sparkle to your day with my creation, I've used a pretty image called "Skater" from the Time 4 Tea Collection illustrated by Jo Davies for Whimsy Stamps. Love the big bright eyes. The card base is a 6" x 6" tent card matted.  Visions of doing something entirely different was set aside and a 5" x 5" box frame was added, cutting an oval to give more contrast for the image, which is fussy cut and popped up with 3-D foam dots. Also had some fun playing with "fran-tage" and two "old" snowflake punches rescued from my give-a-way punch collection. We all tend to forget about some of those "oldies, but goodies" and head for the new dies.
Materials:  White Cardstock:  12" x 6", 6" x 6" (frame) 6" x 5" for die cut oval.  "Skater" from the Time 4 Tea Collection illustrated by Jo Davies for Whimsy Stamps,  White Copic paper (Cougar), Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers:  R00, E11, R20, E40, E33, E35, R22, R24, B01, C01, C00.  Oval Die,  Floral Oval die, Designer Papers, scraps of white and turquoise (snowflakes), DecoArt Snow Writer for snow, VersaMark, Shabby White Fran-tage, and a ton of Clear glitter. This card sparkles so much in real life you need sun glasses!
If you look closely, you will see that her scarf is sheer..... or at least, I tried to make it look sheer.   I punched the snowflakes, sprayed them with adhesive and dipped them in glitter.  My tweezers are beautifully glittered also.
Hope my card has inspired you in some way to stamp up a storm, ink up a wish and send it on to someone to brighten their day.
Rubber hugs, Whimsy Wishes,

Try It Out Tuesday - News Kid

Hi all, Here is is another Tuesday!  - Where does the week go?  I've been really busy in my craft room - cleaning and trying to get things back into their proper place after carting stuff back and forth from the lake for 6 months. 

Today I've used a KennyK's Kid Nation Collection called "News Kid"Kenny K stamp called News Kid.  The newspaper actually says "SNOW", but I didn't have the heart to carry through on the snow theme...... No Sir, not ready for that white stuff that needs shoveling!  I slipped a little "Birthday Alert, enjoy your day", in behind the hand.

Materials:  Copic Cougar White, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copics:  R32, R29, R27, R22, E00, E11, R20, B81, B83, B85, C0, C02, C04, Y00.  DP's from Authentique, Black and Red Cardstock from stash, button from stash.  White Gel Pen and Black Multiliner, Labels die.

Hope wherever you may be that the sun is shining. Take time to stamp up a storm, ink up a wish and send it on to make someone smile.

Try It Out Tuesday for Whimsy Stamps -- "Holly"

Hi all, is it getting nippy in your little corner of the world? We’ve had sunny days here in the Okanagan Valley, but the warmth sure has vanished. We’ve been busy putting the 5^th Wheel, boat, pool and yard to bed for the winter……. So now it’s on to preparations for that Big Day that comes around every December. I’m starting to think ahead, and as usual my brain is going nutz thinking of all the things that have to be accomplished.
Have you a stamp that you absolutely adore?? I have a couple of hundred! One absolute favorite Christmas stamp is a "Holly" a Wee Stamp in the Whimsy Store . She is soooooo precious.
This is a “Nugget Box” made to be filled with 9 Hershey Nuggets or whatever you’d like.
Materials: “Holly”, Copic White Cardstock, Tuxedo Black Memento ink, Copic Markers: R00, E02, R20, E30, E50, E53. E35, E27, W1, W3, R37, R39, R27, YG63, YG67, Y18. Ice White Viva Décor pen, Sakura Stardust pen, Glossy Accents, Whimsy buds, Brads, Rick Rack, Oval and Scalloped Oval dies, Fern punch (MS),  Red, Green cardstock, Metallic Gold cardstock, and DP from Stash.
Dimensions of the card: 6 1/4" x 5 1/4".  Card Base:  11" x 6 3/8" - score at 5 1/4" and 5 7/8", leaving 5/8" to wrap around box.
Inside of box:  2 pcs white c/s 6" x 8" and 2pcs white c/s 5" x 8", scraps of white to die cut Lace Doily Corner I, Scraps of Red Cardstock cut to 1/4". 
Here is a tutorial for a Book Card Nugget Box, I hope mine has given you some inspiration to Try It Out.

Try it Out Tuesday for Whimsy Stamps

Hi all.  I took a little break from stamping for a bit - my little furry friend has been under a great deal of duress, but he's still hanging in.  Such a trooper, but is in need of a "human elevator" to get up and down our stairs......  which are EVERYWHERE in our house and outside. A reason to get snuggles all day long.
I'm featuring a September release today - actually two stamps. Under the Mistletoe Boy, and Under the Mistletoe Girl from the Time For Tea Collection at Whimsy Stamps. It is inevitable - Christmas will be here sooner than we know.  If you are feeling the crunch already, check out the pre colored images in the Whimsy Store.  They are awesome and you can add your own take on them by adding glitter, gems, stickles, or glossy accents.

My card is a gatefold card with a little bit of a difference.  Instead of scoring a regular 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of cardstock at 2 1/8" and 7 1/8", I scored at 2" and 6 1/2" using a border punched mat to fill in the gap between the closure. I also finished off the inside by matching the scallops of front edges front and back. 

I love using DP's and slashing into the pattern to slip the images in. 
I also cut a bookstand for the card and glued it on the back of the card in case the recipient would care to display it standing alone.
Materials used:  Burgundy Cardstock  8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 2" and 6 1/2".  DP cut to mat and cover. The poinsettias were cut to hide the feet of our images feet and because I dislike covering up beautiful elements on DP. This particular paper was in my stash.  White Copic Paper, Black Memento Ink, Copics:  R22, R24, R29 E70, E71; B00, B01, E70,E40, E42, E49, E43, E47, E40, E43, E35, E37, E19. Skin:  E00, R00, E11, R20.  Lace Doily Corner 1

I used the Lace Doily Corner 1 for the back of the card and sandwiched it between two layers of cardstock.
Although I enjoy coloring, for those of you who don't or do not have time look at the Whimsy Prints Collections, the images are reproductions of Whimsy DT Simonne Clay's absolutely stunning coloring...................and DIE CUT for you.  Such a timesaver and wonderful for those of you who do not desire to spend time coloring.
Next week I will have a beautiful box tutorial for you.....................  See you then.  I hope I have inspired you to:  Stamp up a storm, ink up a wish, and send it on to make someone's day.
Rubber hugs,

Try It Out Tuesday - Black, White and a little color

Hi all,  Happy Fall!!  In our little corner of the world it was pretty cold today, thanks to a north easterly wind.  BRRRRRR.

For my project today, I've chosen a Kenny K New September release called Harper Blue. Now being Canadian, that could mean a lot since our Prime Minister's name is "Harper".  If you do a Google search for "Harper Blue", it leads you to an upscale Consignment Shop in Ventura, CA. Interesting!

On to Harper Blue, from KennyK's OMG Collection©Kenny Kiernan for Whimsy Stamps.  I've chosen to show it in a different setting....... to show that not everything is Black and White.   (Looking at the picture - I don't know what my brain was thinking.....or not thinking -- It looks like a wedding card....without the bride). 

On to the next view.  

I've used a technique called Peek-a-boo card, which shows the image turning into a colored image.  I don't have a tutorial for you, but you can find one here. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't you just love those shoes......

Materials used:  Copic White, Tuxedo Black Memento ink, Copic Markers:  E00, E11, R20, E30, E33, E34, R22, R24, R27, E70, E71, C00.  Copper Glitter, Sakura Stardust pen, Cardstock, DP's, Ribbon, Flowers from stash  (Basic Grey, Bo Bunny). Quikcutz ovals and scallop dies.

Til next time, Stamp up a storm, ink up a Whimsy wish, and send it on to someone to make them smile.

Hugs,

Whimsy Try It Out Tuesday - Let's Get Inky - background technique

Hi all. What do you do when you're feeling uninspired....??  I reached for my all-time favorite stamp sets, Lavish Flourishes, Time Flies and Vintage Maritime Transportation --  The little black dress for stamp sets by Rainbow Echo Designs for Whimsy Stamps.
We are going to get messy today!  You may want to grab some latex, latex gloves that is. I'm going to show you how to do a truly beautiful background technique that has to be seen up close and personal to be appreciated.
Materials:  Base Card  (8 1/2" x 11" - scored in half), Card front (4" x 5 1/4"), Stamps: Lavish Flourishes, Time Flies and Vintage Maritime Transportation. Embossing Folder**, 3 - 4 Distress Inks***, Anti-Static Bag, Black StazOn ink, Versamark, Embossing Powder, Die Cut machine, heat tool and a blending tool (I prefer to work with sponges).  Whimsy Compass Die, Cardstock from stash.
I am trying to work smart by making 4 cards for a monthly swap I participate in, and use Whimsy Stamps for my cards. Usually my cards entail far too much coloring and embellishments to send for swap cards, today's are going to be classic CAS.
My card front pieces included 1 white, 1 previously made polished stone, 1 aqua paint chip, 1 beige paint chip and 1 yellow, all cut to 4" x 5 1/4". The Paint Chips are BEHR pinched, borrowed from our local Home Depot. I found them very slick and not wanting to grab color, but they were worth the experiment.
With Black StazOn, randomly stamp images onto the card fronts. Stamp off the cardstock to give the illusion of motion.
Using a blending tool and your choice of inks, work in an invisible oval.  Start with the lightest color and work toward the edges.  Leaving some of the original color of cardstock. Next work with a medium color, working towards the outer edges. Repeat with the darkest ink, which becomes the most dramatic color.  To get a rich vibrant color on the outer edges, pounce your blending tool instead of blending.
When you are satisfied with your blending, set the inks with your heat gun .  After heating a tissue can be used to remove any residue by polishing the surface. Colors will become a little lighter with heating the inks.
Take an anti-static bag (or used dryer sheet), and swipe it across the surface of the cardstock to remove any static that will attract embossing powder.
Embossing Folder:  Chose one with spaces between the design.  (Swiss dots would not be a good choice).
Open the embossing folder and swipe your Versamark (or ink resist) ink over the raised design of your folder.  Insert your colored cardstock face down onto the side you applied Versamark.   Close the folder and run through your die cutting machine.
Very quickly, remove the cardstock from the folder and sprinkle with Embossing Powder.  Flick the embossing powder off the cardstock and onto a piece of copy paper or embossing powder tray.  If a lot of embossing powder sticks, a paintbrush can be used to remove excess powder.  Clean your Embossing Folder with soapy water.


This picture shows the difference between applying the Versamark to the raised background (left) or the raised design (right).
Heat the cardstock with a heat gun to melt the embossing powder.

A variety of embossing powders can be used to get different effects.  Iridescent Ice would be beautiful for a snowflake embossing folder.
Here are   my finished cards, along with the cardstock, colors of distress inks and embossing powders used.

Aqua Paint Chip:
Inks: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Broken china.
Clear Embossing Powder
Stamp:  Vintage Maritime Transportation
Die:  Whimsy Shapeology  "Compass die"
1" Circle Punch (center of compass)


Beige Paint Chip:
Inks:  Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
Gold Detail Embossing Powder
Stamp:  Time Flies
(This is actually very pretty in real life, but the camera picked up the gold as garrish yellow.)


White Cardstock:
Inks:  Broken China, Faded Jeans, Black Soot
Clear Embossing Powder
Stamp:  Vintage Maritime Transportation





Polished Stone:  (white cardstock, coral & pink dye inks, Iridescent Glimmer Mist)
Inks:  Spun Silk, Barn Door, Black Soot
Clear Embossing Powder
Flower:  from stash
This card is indeed the most vibrant. The Black corners set off the inks beautifully.
I hope these cards give you some inspiration to try this background technique. 
Until next week, "stamp up a storm, ink up a wish and send it on to someone to brighten their day".
Rubber hugs, Whimsy Wishes,