crafting :: easter themed felt board

One thing that I’ve been appreciating more these days is the ability to use crafting supplies in multiple ways. Take for example, a stamp set and coordinating dies.  Manufacturers have made it much easier to create stamped images and then cut them out by using detailed dies (with the help of cutting tools and machines) for paper crafting.  But today, I decided to try them out on felt instead and managed to create a fun little playing board for our 5-year-old to play with.  In this particular example I used the “Basket Bunch” photopolymer stamps and coordinating dies from Stampin’ Up.

card making :: bloomin’ love

I have to admit that sometimes I don’t like all of the stamps that are included in a stamp set. If I’m lucky there’ll be a couple of components that stand out to me enough to make it worth buying the entire set, and in this case it was the little flowers and banner that caught my eye. I used the flowers to do another one of my favorite techniques: creating a stamped background image on a card.

card making :: different perspectives

I have a shadow.  Right now, it’s 4-years-old and it likes to copy almost everything I do.  This shadow currently loves to stamp just like me.  And it likes to work right next to me at the table.

card making :: live, love, grow with succulents

As much as I adore terrariums and succulents, I have never actually made or put one together.  Unless you count making one on paper (at least I know that kind won’t die on me and my not-so-green thumb)!

I’m still quite attached to the technique of watercolor painting stamped images on a card design and my favorite tool by far has been the waterbrush.  I played around with the Live, Love, Grow stamp set by Stampin’ Up! and put many of my ink pads to good use to color in the the stamped images.  I also did a little bit of masking with post-it notes to create a little bit of depth in my terrarium.

I also got to play with the small stitched rectangle dies by Lawn Fawn thanks to a dear friend, and I really like the subtle effect it leaves on cardstock.  So to begin this card design, I cut out the largest frame from a sheet of watercolor paper using a die cut machine.  You could totally skip this step and cut a piece of paper into a 5″ x 3-3/4″ rectangle.  This will leave a nice border once you adhere it to the front of an A2 size card base.

card making :: one stamp set, different color palettes

Layer stamping with clear stamps is a great way to try out a variety of color palettes. Here are six examples using an array of Stampin’ Up! ink pads to produce different effects.  The stamp set used throughout this tutorial is the “Beautiful Day” set from Altenew, but the techniques can be used with any layering stamp set. This is also a great way to make use of those ink pads that may have accumulated in your crafting stash!

This was also my last article written as a contributor to the Card Making section of the About.com DIY website.  It’s been a fun adventure but I’m looking forward to having more time to spend with my family, and focusing on other projects I’ve been wanting to complete during the past year.  I hope you’ve enjoyed the tutorials provided over the past couple of years and will refer to the articles if you’re looking for a little bit of inspiration or direction.  Be crafty!  🙂

card making :: kid friendly love robots

Here is a way to create quirky love themed cards featuring the “Favorite Human” clear stamp set by Technique Tuesday but you can substitute it with any of your favorite stamp sets. This is also a great way to let little hands help make fun cards for Valentine’s day (or everyday) as you can stamp the image and let them color in the images.

card making :: yeti shaker card

With the cold weather upon us up here in the east coast I thought I’d give a nod to winter and share this yeti shaker card design.  This adorable yeti is a part of a Hero Arts stamp set that comes with a die cut, but you can learn how to create this shaker card by simply stamping.  With some pretty glitter and foam mounting adhesive, it’s easy to create window cards like this for any occasion.

card making :: it’s time to celebrate with cake stamp set

Happy New Year, readers! I know, it’s been quite a while since I’ve posted anything on the blog but the end of 2015 was a busy one for this mama.  Let’s start off 2016 with a birthday card idea because well, there will always be birthdays.  🙂  This features a new stamp set by Stampin’ Up! that includes all of the sentiments and the confetti image used to create this colorful background.

This method of using one smaller element within a stamp set can be utilized for all sorts of occasions, not just birthdays.  Simply change the colors of ink pads used (think pastels for baby cards, autumnal tones for more masculine cards, etc.) and use any large sentiment in place of the birthday greeting.

Happy crafting!

product review :: holiday tag project kit

I recently had a little crafting get together at our house with a couple of friends and brought out this holiday tag project kit by Stampin’ Up!  The kit comes with all of the embellishments, coordinating papers, and full step-by-step instructions on how to assemble 30 fun and festive tags.  We divided the tags among the four of us and so each person could make seven tags to take home.  And what’s great is that you don’t have to use them just as tags if you don’t want to: adhere them to card bases or tie them to treat bags instead.  The project kits a great way to get people together and make something.

Happy crafting!

card making :: creating opaque white surfaces

Have you ever tried Liquid Applique?  I use it to create an opaque result when coloring in a stamped image.  Check out what happens when you apply heat to it:

Pretty neat, huh?!  It works great on cloud-like images too.

Happy crafting!