In spring and summer time I love the pastel colors you start to see.  There’s just something special about the pinks, light greens, blues, etc.  This time of year, there are also a lot of celebrations that take place…birthdays, baby showers and even bachelorette parties and more which makes this card and its color versatile for many occasions.  

• White Cardstock
• Pink Cardstock
• Echo Park 6 x 6 Victoria Gardens Paper Pad
• Petaloo Hydrangea Roses
• Colorbox Tutti Frutti Queue Ink Pad
• Inkadinkado Wine and Tags Stamps
• Acrylic Block
• Bo Bunny Trinkets
• Favorite Tape Runner
• Tombow Mono Aqua Glue
• Mini Pop Dots
• Martha Stewart Precision Scissors
• Martha Stewart Deep Edge Scroll Punch
• We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper
• Imaginisce i-rock Hot Rocks Jewels
• i-rock Tool

Start by cutting a piece of white cardstock to measure 11″ x 4″ and fold in half.  This will be the card base.  Round each corner of the card base using the ¼” side of the Corner Chomper.   Next, cut a piece of the pink patterned paper from the Victoria Gardens Paper Pad to measure 3 ½” x 5″ and round the corners.  Adhere it onto the base. 

One nice thing about acrylic stamps is that you are able to place them on the stamp block with the ends higher than the middle because they do have a little give to them as seen in the picture.  Place the “Let’s Celebrate” stamp from the Wine and Tags Stamp Set onto the acrylic block with the ends curved a little upward.  Ink the stamp using the Pinkolicious ink pad from the Tutti Frutti Queue Ink by Colorbox and stamp in the center of the patterned paper. 

Take the Martha Stewart Scroll Punch and pink cardstock and punch a row of the hearts.  Trim 3 of the hearts with scissors to fit on the bottom of the card, making sure the largest heart is centered with the center of the card and that the edges of the hearts on the sides are a little rounded to match the curve of the rounded corners.  Glue on using the Tombow Mono Aqua Glue. 

Place the Petaloo flowers onto each of the top corners using 2 mini pop dots that have been stacked onto one another for each flower.  Also, add the Bo Bunny trinket using 2 more stacked pop dots to the center top of the card.  After heating the i-rock tool, affix a green Hot Rock Jewel onto the center of each flower. 

Now, let the celebration begin and use these as invitations to your special party!  Write the important information on the inside or use this really cool Party Invite stamp set by Inkadinkado!

I have to admit that National Backyard Games Week was new to me when I first heard about it.  I searched the internet to find out that it is used to observe the unofficial start of summer and comes the week before Memorial Day every year.  This year it’s May 18^th – 25^th.  

The week is used to promote physical and social activity amongst family, neighbors and friends all while playing the games that we grew up on such as pillow case races, H-O-R-S-E and many others.  One idea to celebrate the week is by having a party or a carnival.  A good place to start for that is by creating invitations to send to friends and family telling them to come join the fun.  This is a quick and easy invitation that even your children can help you make. 

Begin by using items that will represent some of the games that you used to play and will be playing at the carnival.  It will add an element of excitement to the receiver of the invitation when they remember what games they used to play and for kids trying to guess what games will be there. 

Using a piece of green cardstock that measures 9 3/8″ long x 6 1/2″ wide and fold in half.  Next, punch the rope, using the EK Success Braid Punch, to represent the game of tug of war at the bottom of the front flap. 

I have been using the new American Crafts Dear Lizzy Neapolitan line and loving it.  The line had the perfect elements I was looking for to include on this invitation.  I began with using the Accents and Phrase Sticker Book and chose the bicycle to represent a bike parade, the arrow for a bow and arrow contest and of course you have to include some fun so I used the “fun” ticket sticker.  One of my favorite pieces is the 3 tickets stickers because on them they say, “Here’s the scoop” and I used a black marker to write on the lines, “You Are Invited.”   I, also, included a the measuring tape piece from the Sunny Skip patterned paper to represent a jumping contest and the ice cream cone from the First Date patterned paper to include an ice cream eating contest. 

Since the celebration is all about being outdoors I just had to use the Silver Lining Vellum for some clouds.  I didn’t just want to stick the entire sheet on because it just didn’t fit correctly into the design so I used my Xyron Create A Sticker Machine to make them into stickers after cutting them out.  This helped to adhere them onto the invitation without have the adhesive show. 

In order to make the clouds into stickers, simply run them through the Xyron Create A Sticker Machine, peel them off the adhesive and stick them to your project. 
Now that you have an idea for the party invitations, start inviting your family and friends to join you for the unofficial kick off to summer and have fun playing the games you played as kids with your children and their friends!

This project is designed so that anyone can embellish it with their own style. In the example I used pink cardstock and embellished the card using colored pencils. I added a flower embellishment and affixed it with a coordinating brad.

The Mothers Day Teapot Card Template included is ready to print, then you can start decorating your teacup and teapot! Click here to open the Mothers Day Teapot Card Template.

Pop up cards are fun to make, and to using a sketch to put the embellishments on, adds a whole new level of fun.  They are 2 of my favorite things and I know after creating this one they will be on your lists of favorites, too. 

Supplies Used:

• Blue Cardstock
• Yellow Cardstock
• White Cardstock
• Hippity Dance in the Rain by Imaginisce
• Hippity Honey Bunny by Imaginisce
• Ink Pad
• Acrylic Block
• Martha Stewart Craft Knife
• Martha Stewart Scoring Board
•  3-d Adhesive Squares
• Garden Life Stamp By Inkadinkado
• ½” Circle Punch
• Paper Trimmer
• Favorite Tape Runner
• Favorite Markers
• April Showers bring May Flowers Sketch (Click to Download)

First, print out the sketch and then move onto cutting the blue cardstock to be 6″ x 6″.  Also, cut the Hippity Dance in the Rain sheet in half to give you two 6″ x 6″ sheets.  Adhere a piece of the patterned paper to one side of the cardstock for the outside of the card.  Turn cardstock to the other side and tape the other piece of patterned paper to it making sure that the patterns on each side are different and that they are not upside down.  Fold the card in half after scoring the center with the scoring board.

Measure 2 3/8″ from each side of the card and make a mark.  From the center fold, measure ¾” above the fold and ¾” below the fold and make a mark at both points.  Place the card on the scoring board and score  the horizontal lines as shown in the picture.  Cut  vertically through all of the layers from the top score line to the bottom score line on each end as shown in the picture. Fold the center of the piece so that it “pops” out towards you.  Lay it aside. 

Stamp your image onto white cardstock and color with your favorite markers.  Cut around the image to make a 4 ¼” x 4 ¼” square.  Cut a piece of yellow cardstock that measure 4 ½” x 4 ½” and adhere the stamped image to it using your favorite tape runner.  Adhere it to the bottom of the pop up stand that you cut in the step above. 

Now using the sketch, add the embellishments to the inside and outside of the card.  Remember in using a sketch the embellishments do not have to be the same as what is shown, but should in some way resemble it.  Here I used the sketch and changed the clouds to umbrellas that I hand cut from the Hippity Honey Bunny Sheet.  I, also, use it to cut the sentiments out and adhered them to the card using the 3-d adhesive.  I used a ½” circle punch to punch the 3 birds out  which take the place of the flowers on the sketch.  

 Now it’s your turn!  Go have some fun and create this card so you can add it to your favorite things to create list, too!   

 Here is a quick and easy Punch Art Bunny to make for Easter. I made this hippity hoppity bunny for an Easter card using various sizes of heart and oval paper punches. I have included an example of a card where I used the Bunny as the focal point.

What you’ll need:

• Martha Stewart Confetti Heart punch
• EK Success Paper Shapers 1″ Scallop Circle punch
• EK Success Paper Shapers ¾” X 1½” Oval punch
• EK Success Paper Shapers 1.25″ x 2″ Oval punch
• Fiskars XL Heart punch
• EK Paper Shapers Punch Medium Circle 3/4″
• Fiskars ¼” Circle punch
• Pink, Dark Brown and Tan cardstock
• Darice 10mm Wiggly eyes
• Scissors
• Self-healing cutting mat
• Art Institute clear Glitter glue and/or Glue Dots

Instructions:

Punch the following from:

Dark Brown Cardstock

• Four ¾” X 1½” Oval
• Two Hearts
• One 1″ Scallop Circle

Pink Cardstock

• Two ¾” X 1½” Oval
• Two 1.25″ x 2″ Oval
• Six ¼” Circles
• One Confetti Heart (use larger heart)

 Tan Cardstock

• Two ¾” Circles

To assembly glue Pink ¾” X 1½” Ovals slightly below brown ones for ears. Glue small Pink ovals to bottom of each foot and then glue three ¼” Circles to top of each foot. To create the Bunny head flip Heart upside down so the pointy end is facing the top and then glue Tan circles slightly overlapping each other on lower part of Heart and glue small Pink Heart in center for nose then attach eyes. Glue ears behind head.

To create body take second Heart right side up and glue head on top. Then trim 1″ Scallop Circle in half placing halves together and rounding the cut edge with scissors trimming off a little of the scallop to create two small hands, glue to body near bottom of head. To complete Bunny attach feet on either side.

I have included an example of a card where I used the Bunny as the focal point.

Make this Easter card for someone special. Gather your cardstock, paper punches, and your Spellbinders Grand Calibur and let’s make an Easter basket card! Time to complete this project: 10 minutes.

What You’ll need:

• Fiskars Grass Edge Punch
• Martha Stewart Tulip Punch
• Martha Stewart Chick Punch
• Martha Stewart Easter Egg Basket Punch
• Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Circle Large dies (using 3¼” & 2¾”)
• Spellbinder Grand Calibur
• Purple, Yellow, Green and Polka Dot cardstock
• Orange & Yellow Glitter cardstock
• Scissors
• Self-healing cutting mat
• Art Institute clear Glitter glue

Instructions:

Using Purple cardstock and 3¼” Spellbinder Circle run through machine. Then take the cut 3¼” Circle and center the 2¾” circle die on top and run through machine again. This will give you the handle for the Easter Basket. Cut the Polka Dot cardstock about 3½” x 1″ and trim off sides at an angle. Glue Basket at bottom of handle.

From Yellow cardstock punch 9 Yellow chicks and glue three on top of each other so you have three complete layered Chicks.

Punch out Green cardstock with Grass Edge punch and trim two strips long enough to fit behind the Basket for a layered look and glue in place. Punch out Tulips from yellow cardstock and cut a strip long enough to go behind Basket and glue behind the grass.

Using the Easter Egg Punch and glittered cardstock punch Yellow and Orange eggs, saving the baskets for another project. Glue eggs in grass and two chicks to front of basket. You can create a bow and flowers to go around the handle and add the remaining chick once you glue piece to card.

Want something to pretty up your paper projects? Butterflies can add a whimsical or reflective quality to your creative work. The butterflies come in two colors and two sizes, so should fit most needs.

Use the Butterfly Clipart For:

• Cardmaking
• Scrapbooking layouts
• Gift Tags
• Place Tags
• Name Tags

3D Butterflies

Cut the images out loosely, leaving some white space around them. Make folds along the body and bend the wings up to add dimension. Glue the underside of the body and stick to your project so the wings are ‘free’.

Download Orange Butterfly Clipart

Butterfly Bookmarks

Glue an image to the top of a long rectangular piece of card or craftstick for a pretty bookmark.

Butterfly Cupcake Decorations

Glue an image to a wooden skewer or toothpick to use as cupcake toppers.

Download  Green Butterfly Clipart

Occasions to Use the Butterfly Clipart With:

• Garden Party
• Wedding
• Hen’s Party
• Engagement
• Birthday
• Sympathy
• Friendship
• Fairy Themed Party

Here is a sweet card you can use either for Spring or Easter and easy to make. Time to Complete: 10 minutes

What You’ll Need:

• Any Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page (I used Eyelet Lace)
• Martha Stewart Grass Punch
• Bunny Punch
• Hydrangea Punch
• Tulip Punch
• Fence Edger punch
• Fiskars 1/8″ circle punch
• EK Success Tri leaf punch
• Memory Box Puffy Clouds & Twiggy Tree dies
• Purple, Yellow, Brown, Pink, Green, Tan, White and Green & Gold glitter cardstock
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur
• Black pen
• Scissors
• Self-healing cutting mat
• Bone folder
• Rotary cutter
• Art Institute clear Glitter glue 
• Glue dots

Instructions:

Trim Purple cardstock with Rotary cutter to 8″x10″. Score the cardstock in the middle at the 5″ line and use a bone folder to crease the edge of paper to form 5″ x 8″ card.

Punch out the following:

• One brown bunny and glue a 1/8″ white tail and draw a black eye with a pen.
• One green grass strip & one yellow tulip edge strip each about 4.5″ long.
• Using White cardstock and the fence punch, punch two times which will get you a fence about 4.5″ long.
• Two Yellow Eyelet lace strips 5″ long.
• With Green glitter cardstock punch out 19 leaves for tree.
• You will need to punch six sets of Hydrangeas and six Gold glitter 1/8″ circles for center of flowers.

Run brown cardstock through die cutting machine using the Twiggy Tree die and White cardstock using the puffy Clouds die. (Note: if you don’t have Twiggy tree die or Clouds use a tree sticker instead and hand cut cloud shapes.)

Glue the Yellow Eyelet Lace pieces on the top and bottom of card.

Note: Glue these pieces to each other before gluing to card. Trim the Grass and Tulip strips to fit the fence. Glue the grass to front bottom of fence. Glue the tulips behind fence.

I made the flowers using the small Hydrangea punch gluing one flower on top of the other, slightly turning the one on top. I added a Gold glitter cardstock circle using the 1/8″ punch to the flower centers. Glue flowers to grass and bunny in place. Glue leaves to tree and attach tree behind fence close to the center. Now glue entire piece to front of card, add clouds to complete.

Q1. How can I use stencils and templates on my pages?

A1. There are many ways to use these on a layout. They can be laid on the paper so the design can be traced with a marker. When used with an ink pad the image is transferred onto the paper by pressing the ink into the crevices. By using a light box the image can be embossed onto the page with an embossing tool to create a raised impression.

 Q2. What’s the difference in die cut machines?

A2. There are only a few major differences in machines and which one you purchase greatly depends on what you want to do with it. Some of them are electronic and require the use of cartridges (carts) Others are used with electronic design cards ( sd cards) or can be hooked up to a computer to obtain additional images and others are manually operated through the use of a hand crank. These require the use of dies to cut the image. These machines will also emboss the item you have cut out. Many of them will cut various items such as paper, chipboard and even fabric.

Q3. My ink smears when I color my stamped image. Do I have the wrong markers or pencils?

A3. Once your ink has become permanent what you use to color the image can be anything of your choice. The most important key to good stamping and coloring is to choose the right ink. Dye inks are good as they dry quickly. Stazon Inks are good to use because they work on pretty much every surface.

Q4. What are the sizes for layouts?

A4. While it is a matter of preference, the basic layout sizes include 8 x 8″ and 12 x 12″. Some choose to do an 8 ½” x 11″ layout. There aren’t any “right choices” in what size you decide to do, but it helps in choosing to keep in mind the amount of time you want to spend on the layout (remember the bigger the layout the more it will need on it and the more time you will spend). If you have done a lot of one size, create a different one for a change. You may not like part of the paper design so cut it off! This will create a smaller paper for you to use and get rid of what it is you don’t like. That’s ok! Remember it’s all up to you.

 Q5. There are so many tools out how do I decide what to buy?

A5. For me, I have a rule of thumb when I’m looking to buy something…I must be able to come up with 2 ideas for using it first. It doesn’t mean I won’t purchase it; it just means that I have to have those ideas first. If I can’t come up with those ideas I look online to see how others are using the tool.

One of my favorite things is vintage style.  Growing up, I was raised around antiques and still today love old things.  It has become one of my scrapbooking styles that I’d like to do more of in my projects.  What about you?  Is it one of your favorite styles? Do you like the old look in your layouts?  Would you like to make this layout with your own pictures?  Go for it and enjoy the fun of the vintage style!

Products Used:

Martha Stewart Double Edge Bangle Chain Punch
Kraft Cardstock
White Cardstock
Tim Holtz Paper Stash Retro Grunge
Swiss Dot Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
Die Cutting/Embossing Machine
Petal Power Flower Die by Sizzix
The Crafter’s Workshop 6 x 6 Template:  Capricious
Inks by Colorbox:  Mudslide and Copper
Paintbrush or Stippling Tool
Favorite Wet Glue
Favorite Tape Runner

Begin by converting the photos you will be using to the Sepia color using a photo editing program that allows you to change the color.  Next, print the photos and trim them to be 4″ long by 3 ½” wide.  Adhere them in the left and right corners of the medium brown patterned paper from the Retro Grunge Paper Pad by Tim Holtz.  

Take the Crafter’s Workshop Template and place it on the left bottom corner of the patterned paper. Holding the template down tightly with your hand or a repositionable tape, stipple (the process of dabbing paint or ink on to something) the Mudslide Ink by Colorbox onto the template with a paintbrush or stippling tool making sure that the ink covers the open areas and transfers onto the paper.  The heavier the ink is applied the darker the pattern will be.  It can, also, be applied heavy to light just by not adding more ink onto the brush to give a contrast in the design.

Punch a 12″ long by 1″ wide decorative strip from the Kraft Cardstock using the Martha Stewart Double Edge Bangle Chain Punch and glue it to the center of the layout.

 Die cut 10 of the small petal and a center piece from the white cardstock using the Petal Power die and your die cut machine.  Run the pieces through your embossing machine using the Swiss Dot embossing folder. Assemble them to form a flower using the wet glue.

Once the flower is assembled, use the paint brush dipped onto the Mudslide Ink Pad to add some color to the embossed pattern.  For the center of the flower, brush the Copper Ink on to cover the center which will add more depth to the flower. 

While holding the flower cupped between your hands lightly push up on the petals to shape it into a little bowl shape.  Adhere it to the layout in the corner with some of your favorite wet glue. 

You now have a simple and elegant vintage style layout to show off some of your favorite pictures.

I have fun making envelopes.  The other day, I was thinking about one of the themes for CreateForLess this month…the Crafties Voting and the idea hit me to make an envelope card just like they use in the award shows.  The fun thing about this envelope card is that it can be specialized to be used as a birthday card, a thinking of you card and the list goes on. 

Products Used:

• Coredinations Chocolate Box Cardstock
• Coredinations Sanding Tool
• Coredinations Tack Cloth
• Martha Stewart Travel Trimmer
• Martha Stewart Punch All Over the Page-Starry Sky
• Martha Stewart Scissors
• Martha Stewart Scoring Board
• Colorbox Inks:  Mudslide and Dark Cherry
• Star Stamps or Stickers
• Alphabet Stamps or Stickers
• Acrylic Stamp Block
• K & Co Sweet Nectar 6 x 6 Paper Pad
• Repositionable and Permanent Tape Runner
• Wet Glue
• Kraft Cardstock

Begin by cutting a 9″ x 9″ piece of the pink Coredinations cardstock and score it according to the directions on the envelope maker that comes with the Martha Stewart Scoring Board.  This is the A6 envelope listed on the envelope tool.

Trim the triangles out where the score lines cross each other on each corner to create the flap of the envelope.

Use the sanding tool and sand the paper to expose the color underneath. Wipe with the tack cloth.  The more you sand the more that shows. I like to do the scoring before sanding so when it’s sanded the score lines end up showing the color underneath. 

Punch several sets of the stars using the All Over the Page Punch and the pink dotted paper from the Sweet Nectar Paper Pad.  I punched 4 sets out to glue to the outside of the envelope, but you can punch more or less as you’d like.  I, then, glued the stars down the left side using the wet glue. 

Cut a 4 ¾” x 1″ piece of Kraft Cardstock and trim the ends to a point to create the banner.  Ink the edges using the Dark Cherry and Mudslide ink pads.  Stamp on using the alphabet stamps or place the stickers on to spell “The Winner Is….”  Next, adhere it to the front of the envelope and place a few punched stars around the edges of the banner. 

Trim the tabbed paper from the Sweet Nectar Paper Pad under the 15^th line on it (the lines on the paper are numbered) and adhere it to the inside of the card.  Stamp the stars on or place the star stickers on the paper and with the alphabet stamps or stickers spell the word, “You!”  on one of the lines of the paper.  Place a small piece of repositionable tape on the top flap to allow it to be opened and closed. 

Your envelope card is ready to share.  Now head on over the new CreateForLess website to find out how to vote for your favorite Crafties! 

As I was making my morning coffee in my Keurig, I remembered all the coffee filters I will no longer need! I rummaged through my craft drawer and found the clothes pin. Then, the Spring Butterfly was created! It took my kids and I under fifteen minutes to make this (not including drying time) and we had a blast doing it together.

With this concept, the ideas are endless. I think we will be making home made cards using the stained coffee filter idea. What else will you make?

What you will need:

• 3 coffee filters
• Clothes pin
• Glue
• Markers
• Scissors
• Water
• Eye dropper or syringe

Directions:

1. Using markers color three coffee filters. Make designs or color them solid. Using a variety of light and dark colors works best.

2. Fill a cup 1/4 way full with water.

 3. Fill the syringe or eye dropper with a little water.

 4. Place a few drops of water at a time onto the coffee filters. Watch the colors bleed into each other making a stained glass appearance.

5. Allow to dry.

6. Glue the two coffee filters together.

7. Glue a clothes pin onto the center to make the butterflies body.

8. Cut a heart shape and two antennas from the 1 remaining coffee filter.

9. Glue the heart to the under side of the butterflies wings.

10. Glue the antennas to the underside of the heart (the butterflies face).

11. Allow to dry.

What would a Holiday be without a craft? It is always fun to give a child a simple craft project that is easy and fun to make and this Easter chick can be used as decoration for the house, on a card, as a banner or a basket. The Easter Chick is a great way to get your child involved with different shapes, sizes, and colors not to mention you can use it to make your own very special card. Time to Complete: 5 minutes

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• Martha Stewart 1″ Heart punch
• EK Success Paper shapers 1¼” Scallop punch
• Uchida small Star punch
• Fiskars Shape Template – Ovals
• Yellow, Dark Orange & Light Orange cardstock
• Darice 10mm Wiggly eyes
• Scissors
• Self-healing cutting mat
• Art Institute clear Glitter glue or Glue Dots

INSTRUCTIONS

Punch one Dark Orange Heart, two Yellow Scallops and two Orange Stars. Trace and cut out one yellow oval 1.5″ X 2″ from Fiskars Oval template.

Glue one Yellow Scallop shape behind head. Cut the other Scallop in half and glue halves in the middle of body to create wings. Fold Heart over so point meets center of heart and trim off the side to form a beak and glue above the wings, then attach eyes. Glue Stars under body for feet to complete the Chick.

I love the card I included where I used the chick as the focal point.

Everyone enjoys receiving birthday wishes so send them this “hoppy” birthday card to make their day a fun filled one.

Supplies Used:

• Spring Blossom Paper Pad by EK Success
• Google Eyes-3 millimeter size
• Frog Stickers, Die Cut or Chipboard Piece
• Pink Cardstock
• 3-d Adhesive Mini Pop Dots
• Martha Stewart Travel Paper Trimmer
• EK Paper Shapers Corner Punch
• Birthday Sentiment Stamp
• Stamp Block
• Pink Ink Pad

First, cut a piece of pink cardstock with the paper trimmer to be 6″ wide by 8″ long and fold it in half to create a 6″ x 4″ top fold card. 

Open the card up and using the corner punch, punch the bottom left corner by lining the sides of the paper with the edges of the clear piece on the punch. Make sure the paper is all the way inside the punch as far as it will go without bending to make sure it is punched in the correct spot.

The easiest way to punch the right corner is to turn the punch upside down and line it up with the corner and the clear plastic piece again.

In order to punch the top corners of the card in the correct area you will need to start by measuring the area from the side to the punched pattern on one of the bottom sections that has already been punched. You will, also, need to measure the area from the bottom of the card up to the punched pattern. On my card it was ¼” in from the left side to the punched pattern and from the bottom of the card to the punched pattern.

Using the measurement from the step above, I measured ¼” from the top and made a mark in pencil so it can be erased and then repeated it from the side and made another mark. Repeat this step on the other side of the card, too.

Line up the marks with the bottom opening of the pattern and the side opening that is nearest the top fold of the card and punch. Repeat this step on the other side of the card, too. You will now have the four corner punches to hold your patterned paper.

Trim a piece of the Lily Pad paper from the Spring Blossom Paper Pad that measures 5 ½” wide by 3 ½” long and place it behind the corner punches. If necessary, you can trim a little of the patterned paper to help it fit correctly into the card base.

Glue the eyes onto the frog and adhere him onto a lily pad using the Adhesive Mini Dots.

Place the birthday sentiment onto the stamp block and ink it. Stamp the sentiment onto the card. If you have a stamp that won’t fit into the area you’d like it to remember that you can ink one part of the stamp and stamp it onto the card and then ink the next part and stamp it. I did this with the “Happy Birthday” because my stamp was in a long line and I wanted the “Happy” to be above the “Birthday”.

 Now hop to it and create one to send to someone you know who has a birthday coming up so they,too, can have a “frog” filled birthday!

Do you know of someone who has a birthday on February 29^th?  Would you enjoy making a card just to celebrate a day that only happens every 4 years?  Here’s your chance to have some fun getting creative and to celebrate a day that’s few and far between!  The card is even distressed to make it look like you’ve had it lying around for the past 4 years.  How fun is that? 

Products Used:

• Bo Bunny Smoochable Paper & Sticker Pack
• Bo Bunny Smoochable Clear Stamps
• Pink Cardstock
• Green Cardstock
• Cream Colored Cardstock that will work in your printer
• Paper Distresser
• Colorbox Bronze Ink
• Colorbox Cat’s Eye Queue Ink Pad-Pool Party
• Clock Works Embossing Folder
• Cuttlebug
• Paper Trimmer
• Tape Runner
• Sanding Block

Start with a piece that will measure 10″ x 7″ when you first cut it using your paper trimmer.  Fold this in half to create the 5 x 7″ card base.  Distress all four of the edges until they look ragged using the paper distresser.  Cut a piece of the polka dot paper from the Smoochable Paper and Sticker Pack that measures 3 x 5″ and distress the edges of it.  Once they are done, attach the paper to the upper left corner of the card using the tape runner.

Use the Cuttlebug, the Clock Works Embossing Folder and a piece of green cardstock that measures 3 ¾” x 5″ to emboss the paper.   

Sand the embossed areas with the sanding block allowing some of the white of the cardstock to show.  Be careful not to sand too much or you will sand a hole in the paper.

 Rub the bronze ink pad over the embossed areas and edges of the paper.  Be sure to leave some white areas for contrast.  Adhere the paper to the card offset from the edges of the polka dot paper. 

Using your computer and a computer program that has a printable calendar or by finding a printable calendar on the internet using your favorite search engine, print the month of February, 2012 (make sure the calendar is correct and has the 29^th day on it) out on the cream cardstock.  The size of the calendar once printed and trimmed should be 2 ¾” wide x 3 ¾” long.  Ink the edges of the calendar using the bronze ink pad.  Stamp a heart around the 29^th using the Bo Bunny Smoochable Clear Stamps and the Fireberry ink from the Colorbox Pool Party Ink Pad Set.    Adhere the calendar on the card with the tape runner making sure to offset it from the corners of the embossed clock works piece. 

Now keep the fun going and share this card with someone you know who has a birthday on the 29^th or use it to say hello to a friend that you are thinking of on this extra day of the year! 

In our house we are always looking for ways to express ourselves artistically and we are totally obsessed with glitter. This year for Valentine’s Day my daughter and I decided to make our own cards instead of buying them. Then we decided to glitter them instead of coloring them. They turned out so awesome that I wanted to share them with you. The technique is simple and all it takes is a selection of glitter colors and glue. The end product can be as basic or as complex as you like.

Supplies:

• Heavy Cardstock with drawn or printed image
• Glue
• Water
• Glitter in Multiple Colors
• Brush

Other tools:

• Tray
• Wax Paper
• Dish for water

I designed our Valentine’s on the computer using some hand drawn art and text , then I made multiple cards on one page. I printed them out on a heavy cardstock and cut them to size.

I water down the glue. I use a 2 parts glue to one part water. The reason I water the glue down is because I feel it’s easier to paint with and it dries faster than using straight glue. Drying time is a big part of this project!!

I use a tray to work in that way all the glitter is contained. I also use a piece of wax paper under the project to collect the glitter that gets tapped off. That way the glitter can be dumped back into its container to be reused.

Once the cards are ready and the glue is mixed, pick a section of the art and start painting on the glue. Think of it like a paint by number type project. Start with a small section and use only one color at a time. I suggest starting with the lightest color and work through the colors to the darkest.

After the glue has been applied sprinkle on the glitter. Tap off the glitter and keep going with the same color. Once that color has been completed, STOP! Let the whole thing dry before moving on to another color. The goal is to get a nice coverage of glitter, to cover the background completely and have the different colors touch each other just as if they were paints.

The last color I used was a black glitter for the type and outlines. For the tiny details I used a really thin brush, you can also use a toothpick. Or you can carefully NOT cover the printed black outline with any glitter, like in the pictures of mine before I add the black glitter. If you didn’t want an outline at all, the two sections of color need to touch or overlap just a little.

The results are really spectacular and it’s hard to believe that there is no other color than just the glitter. Husband was sure that we colored the background first then glittered over top, but we didn’t. Who wouldn’t love one of these for Valentine’s Day or any day. Don’t be limited to just cards, let your imagination and creativity go wild, think big, like wall hangings!!! Have Fun.

Here’s a set of Clever Cats Tags to print and cut out. Use them as gift tags or journal tags in your papercraft projects. Print out a set for that cat lover you know!

Download Clever Cat Tags – White

Ways to Use the Clever Cats Tags

• Gift Tags
• Journal Tags
• Card Toppers
• Book labels
• Scrap pages
• Clip art
• Write your cat’s name on them and stick them to the cat house or cat basket

Download Clever Cat Tags – Black

Just cut and write. Punch a hole to thread string or ribbon through and you’re ready to go!

Download Clever Cat Tags – Black Label

These black tags are for those who want a label for writing on the front of the tag.

Happy Crafting!

There’s something about a beautiful gift tag; it can make even the most boring gift bag or box seem perfectly decorated. With a few materials, you can make a French heart tag that’s ideal for attaching to almost any present. It adds a sweet touch whether the gift is for your love or one of your friends.

What you’ll need:

• French book pages
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Mod Podge
• Cardstock
• Hole punch
• Heart embellishment

Step 1. Cut a rectangle out of any color cardstock you wish, just make sure it’s proportionate to the heart embellishment you chose.

Step 2. Use a very thin layer of Mod Podge to adhere the French book pages to the cardstock. I used antique French dictionary pages from a book that was broken and going to get thrown out. Quickly and carefully use your finger to smooth out all the bubbles. Give it at least an hour to dry before moving onto the next step.

Step 3. Punch a hole in the top of the tag.

Step 4. Choose any type of heart embellishment you prefer, then use Mod Podge to attach it onto the center of the tag.

Step 5. Choose a color of ribbon that matches the heart embellishment. Use Mod Podge to attach the ribbon onto all four edges of the tag, then cut another piece and tie it through the hole. Trim off any excess only after the ribbon is already dry.

If the tag starts to curl while it’s drying, place a piece of wax paper over it and put a book on top for a few hours so it dries flat.

This is another adorable Valentine’s Day card for a loved one that is quick and easy to make. Time to complete: 5 minutes.

What you’ll need:

• Your favorite die cutting machine ( I used Spellbinders Grand Calibur)
• Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Scalloped Heart Dies
• Your favorite embossing folder (I used Cuttlebug Textile)
• Any Fiskars 3-in-1 Corner or 4-in-1 Corner punch
• Two Red – Rhinestone Hearts
• White cardstock
• Two different Valentine patterned cardstock. (I used a Polka Dot and small hearts cardstock)
• Self-healing cutting mat
• Bone folder
• Rotary cutter
• Glue Dots & Ranger Inkssentials Wonder Tape Roll 1/8″

Instructions:

Trim white card stock with Rotary cutter to 8″x10″. Score the card stock in the middle at the 5″ line and use a bone folder to crease the edge of paper to form 5″ x 8″card.

Using Rotary cutter trim Polka Dot cardstock to 4¾” x 7 ¾” and use Wonder Tape to adhere to front of card.

The Heart dies come in 6 sizes:

1: 1″ x 1⅛”

2: 1½” x 1⅝”

3: 2⅛” x 2¼”

4: 2¾” x 3″ (Not Using)

5: 3¼” x 3¾”

6: 4″ x 4½”

For the Pink Hearts you will need a #6, 3 and two #2′s. Die cut and emboss each Pink Heart through Spellbinder machine according to manufactures direction. For the White Hearts you will need a #5, 2 and two #1s. For White Hearts die cut and then emboss with Cuttlebug Textile folder.

Adhere large #6 Pink Heart in corner of card with white #5 on top, then pink #3 and white #2 on top. Repeat for the remaining hearts and glue in place. Trim a piece of Pink patterned cardstock to about 4″ x 1 ½” for label, use corner punch on edges. Run the words “Happy Valentine’s Day” through your printer and trim to fit Pink label, punch corners glue in place and attach to card. Attach Red Rhinestone Hearts to corners.

Remember your sweetie for Valentine’s Day on February 14th!

Time to Complete: 10 minutes

What You’ll need:

• Any Cuttlebug 5″ X 7″ embossing folder ( I used Kassie’s Brocade)
• Any Martha Stewart Edge Punch – (I used Embossed Trefoil Hearts)
• Any Fiskars 4-in-1 or 3-in-1 corner punch
• Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Scalloped Hearts Die (Use #4 & #3)
• Spellbinders Heartfelt Creations- Layered Elegant Swirl Die
• Dark Pink, Black, Polka Dot and White cardstock
• Cuttlebug machine
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur
• Bone folder
• Rotary cutter
• Judikins Diamond Glaze or Sakura 3-D Crystal Lacquer Glaze
• Art Institute Transparent Glitter ( I used Pink)
• Art Institute Glitter Designer Dries Clear Glue, Ranger Inkssentials Wonder Tape Roll 1/8 or glue dots
• 3D glue dots
• Wax paper

Instructions:

Trim white cardstock with Rotary cutter to 8″x10″. Score the cardstock in the middle at the 5″ line and use a bone folder to crease the edge of paper to form card 5″ x 8″.

Trim Dark Pink cardstock 4 ¾” x 7 ¾” and Trim Polka cardstock 4 ½” x 7 ½” then attach Polka on top of Dark Pink and attach to front of card with Wonder Tape. Run Black cardstock with Layered Elegant Swirl die through Grand Calibur machine according to manufactures directions. (I place a small piece of wax paper down first, then die and finally cardstock so it does not stick to intricate details).

Trim a piece of Dark Pink cardstock to 4 ¾” X 2 ½” use edge punch on one side only. Place punched cardstock in embossing folder and run through machine.

The Heart dies come in 6 sizes: You only need the following two:

• 3: 2⅛” x 2¼”
• 4: 2¾” x 3″

Use Black cardstock for the largest Scalloped Heart die and run through machine using the Spellbinders instructions to cut & emboss the detail into the die shape. Take Dark Pink cardstock and remaining heart die and run through machine. Place Pink heart into Cuttlebug embossing folder and run through machine. Coat Dark Pink heart with Sakura 3-D Crystal Lacquer Glaze and sprinkle on Pink glitter set aside to dry.

Trim a piece of Pink cardstock to about 2 ¼” x 1 ½” for label, use corner punch on edges. Run the words Happy Valentine’s Day through your printer and trim to fit Pink label, punch corners glue in place. Glue Elegant Swirl piece slightly under Dark Pink embossed cardstock, center and glue on card. Use 3 D dots to attach Pink heart to front of Black heart. Attach to card. To complete card attach label to bottom right corner.