Oh, Happy Day! Cascading Birthday Card

Pin It Now! Today my first born is 14!  Where does the time go?  I know it's sappy, but wow!  He's officially taller than me, and very nearly smarter, too.

I made him a dude card.  He loves the mechanical cards that I make - cards with fancy folds, flips, etc.  More than just folded in half! This one is a cascade card, and wasn't at all hard to make after watching Dawn's video here.

Embellished with Typeset DSP, Starburst Sayings, and a little gold trim.  We'll see if it's manly enough!

I love this card fold, it's interesting, and shows off the tons of DSP that some of us are hoarding!

The back...

The "HAPPY" is dotted with Crystal Effects and sprinkled with glitter.  It reminds me of a lit up Vegas sign!

It's a bit oversized (standard A6), so a handmade envelope was in order.  

Check out the snack & soda "cake" I made for him last night!  A great way to use up old ribbons and such.  I love making basket cakes :)  You can find a how-to here.

Have a blessed and creative day!  ~ Erika

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS: Starburst Sayings, Chalk Talk, Something to Say

INK:  Memento Tuxedo Black

PAPER:  Vintage Typeset Specialty, Basic Black, Very Vanilla

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Gold Sequin Trim, Gold 5/8" Satin ribbon, gold glitter, Crystal Effects

BIG SHOT:  Starburst Framelits, Chalk Talk Framelits

Envelope Punch Board Favor / Treat Boxes

Pin It Now! Just a little share today - these are gift boxes I made for my recent open house, they are cute, little, but sturdy!

They easily fit several Dove chocolates inside, and decoration options are limitless!  I used retired DSP and Sycamore Street ribbon.  But now I'm thinking back-to-homeschool, Halloween, and more!

I followed instructions on this video, which made it easy to figure out and crank out 16 of them from 4 sheets of DSP!

Hope you're inspired to make some gifty things!  Have a blessed and creative day!  ~ Erika

SUPPLIES:
STAMPS: A Fitting Occasion
Envelope Punch Board, 1" Circle punch, 1-1/4" Scallop circle punch

Envelope Punch Board Gift Card Holders - Snowflake Soiree, Christmas Messages

Pin It Now! I got a little ambitious with the color combo we're working with this week at Hand Stamped Sentiments!  I have quite a stash of cards already, and today I'm working on gift card holders and tags.

These are made with the Envelope Punch Board.  Baked Brown Sugar cardstock base with Snowflake Soiree flakes heat embossed all over with white.  

Everything used here are carryover items from last year's Christmas mini, so it's all still available for purchase!  I started with the girly-ish GC holder with the doily and Cherry Cobbler rosette.  It had been a while since I made ribbon flowers!

They're easy when you use SU's Jumbo Sticky Rounds, and the instructions are on the back of the package!

Next up was a more boyish version, and I decided I'd go more simple, less fussy on the rest.

To make these, use the 3" x 5" measurement on the Envelope punch board, which starts with a piece of cardstock 6-7/8" square.

The inserts are then 3 x 5, easy, right?  I used Champagne glimmer paper and some die cuts to make "tabs" to lift the GCs out of the envelopes, and decorated both sides. 

These left me with some leftover cardstock, so I made some gift tags out of it instead of filing them away. 

The back:

These will definitely be incorporated into my September Christmas class!

Be sure to check out the other DT ladies' projects at Handstamped Sentiments!  Click the pic to join in the fun!

Have a blessed and creative day!

SUPPLIES: 

STAMPS:  Snowflake Soiree, Christmas Messages

INK:  Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, Baked Brown Sugar

PAPER:  Baked Brown Sugar, Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Baked Brown Sugar Thick Twine, 1-5/8" burlap ribbon, In Color Sequin Assortment, Candy Dots Regals, Star punch, Gold Baker's Twine, Tea Lace Doilies, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Scallop Tag topper punch, XL Oval punch

BIG SHOT:  Stylish Stripes TIEF, Large Polka Dot TIEF

ENVELOPE PUNCH BOARD

Summer is Here! Watermelon Slice Birthday Card

Pin It Now! In celebrating the official kickoff of summer, I have a juicy, sweet watermelon card to share!

Complete with punched watermelon seeds that are glazed with Dazzling Details, and a big chomp taken out.

White organza ribbon tied around the front, and a layered "Happy Birthday" tag. 

Since it's a slightly smaller card than a standard A2, I created a custom sized envelope with SU's Envelope Punch Board.  The little watermelon on the envelope front is made with the Kind and Cozy stamp set, and the seeds are hand drawn with a Stampin' Write Marker. So cute!

To create this card, start with 3 concentric circles, one slightly smaller than the next.  I used my really old Creative Memories circle cutters - it was the "medium outside" set, if that makes sense to any of you!

A 1-3/4" scallop circle punch makes the teeth marks :D.  I had to punch the white and pink separately from the Wild Wasabi card base because it was too thick to punch together. 

The seeds are the smallest heart in this heart trio, each one hand trimmed as shown.  

Finishing them off with Dazzling Details makes them look SO real.  Amazing!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a blessed and creative day!

SUPPLIES:
STAMPS:  Label Something, Word Play (ret), Kind and Cozy
INK: Memento Black, Strawberry Slush
PAPER:  Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, In-Color 2014 paper pack.
EMBELLISHMENTS:  5/8" White Organza ribbon, Dazzling Details, Strawberry Slush thick baker's twine
PUNCHES:  2-1/2" circle, 1-3/8" scallop circle, small oval,
TOOLS:  Envelope Punch Board.

Who Doesn't LOVE a Chocolate Bunny?! Hybrid Muslin Sack & Card ForEaster

Pin It Now! Surely I'm not the only one who adores Stampin' Up!'s retired Chocolate Bunny stamp!  Did you know it's available as a digital download?  Yes!  You can color them any color you want, including any of SU's colors that have ever existed, and print them any size, any quantity, forever!  For only $1.95.  Seriously!

Today, I want to share with you my Chocolate Bunny project!  I've put the bunny on a card, and printed her onto fabric and stitched her to a muslin bag.

The hexagon embossing folder is used, but I only cranked it about 2/3 through the Big Shot to give it a subtle fade.

The bunny is nestled inside the photo strip Framelit from On Film Framelits set.  The chevron behind her is just the reverse of the cutout from the die.  I backed the square holes with Coastal Cabana for contrast.

The Happy Easter sentiment is from Delightful Dozen, stamped onto vellum with Staz On.

See the circle garland?  I stitched it myself from Subtles DSP (pink) and stamps from the latest Paper Pumpkin kit (February 2014).  It was easier than I'd imagined!  And I'm just smitten with it, I want to make loads of garland now!  

Three different circles make up the garland: 1" circle punch, smallest Starburst Framelits, and a 1" Martha Stewart punch.  

Here's a close up of my fine (JOKING) sewing workmanship!

I used printable fabric (you can find in on Amazon), printed bunnies, cut them out, and stitched them onto a scrap of Beau Chateau fabric (this is on CLEARANCE for $1.99!!!)

Before stitching all the way, I stuffed a little cotton batting inside to give her some dimension.  The pink fabric has a zigzag stitch around the edge, but I did that before attaching it to the muslin bag...I adhered the pink panel with Sticky Strip!  Easy enough!

I thoroughly enjoyed getting crafty with this project.  So often, I get pigeonholed into using paper only, but today was all good!  

The card was inspired by our latest sketch at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  I turned the sketch clockwise 1/4 turn.  Head over to play!  I'd love to see what you are up to!

SUPPLIES:

Stamps: Chocolate Bunny (digital), Delightful Dozen

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Coastal Cabana, Jet Black Staz On, Baked Brown Sugar
Paper: Very vanilla, Subtles DSP stack, Vellum, Coastal Cabana

Embellishments: Very Vintage Deigner Button, Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, basic rhinestone

Big Shot:  Hexagon embossing folder, On Film Framelits, Starburst Framelits

Punches:  1" Circle, 1" Scallop Circle (Martha Stewart)

Spiral Flower on Tag Topper Side Fold Card

Pin It Now! I have pretty colors and fancy folds to show you today!

Here's a trending technique - creating a trifold card with a special closure using the Tag Topper Punch. 

You can find a video here on how this tag topper closure is done.  

I have finished my card using Sweet Sorbet DSP and twine from the matching Accessory Pack available in the Sale-A-Bration brochure going on now!  

Inside: Again, Petal Parade from Sale-A-Bration, but the sentiment is from Another Great Year.

Check out this lovely flower!  It's made in a snap using the new Spiral Flower Originals Die.  I will tell you that there's a learning curve involved with this...don't give up, because when you find your "style" of flower, you'll love it:  Here are a couple of tips:

1 - I found that the Core'dinations paper worked by far the best for holding  the petal shape.

2 - Use a hot glue gun once you get it worked out right.  You don't want this flower falling apart!

3 - Use your bone folder to shape the petals before rolling it up.

4 - This flower is my prettiest one, and it was my eighth try!!!!  I will make more!

With the bulk of this card, it either needs to be hand delivered or sent in a box-type envelope.  I have glassine bags available in my Etsy Shop!  These are great to show off your work.


Have a blessed and creative day!  ~ Erika

File Folder Valentine, Hearts A Flutter

Pin It Now! Hello, crafty friend!  I have another Valentine card to share today.  I'm making LOTS of Valentines this year, because I'm determined to send them out all over the place this year!

Here's a file folder card made with the Envelope Punch Board.  These are SO fun to make, and only take a minute more than a standard card to make.  I used these instructions from a printable I found on Pinterest.

I love the color combo from the current challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments:

Strawberry Slush

Coastal Cabana

Wisteria Wonder

What a fresh color pallette!  

Closer up, you can see I've used the heart framelit from Hearts A Flutter for the cute doily heart stamped in Wisteria Wonder, heat embossed  "sweet little you" from Perfectly You, punched a chevron banner with the Chevron punch, and sprinkled hearts about with SU's heart punch (retired, why do they do that?!). The little floral strip that you see under the chevron banner is DSP from the Mini Memories Simply Created Mini Album (Spring 2014). 

Inside, from Perfectly You and colored with Stampin' Write markers and Aqua painter. 

I've used the sketch from Create with Connie & Mary, turning it on its side. Super cool sketch, I wouldn't have added the glitter hearts if they hadn't suggested it in the sketch!  Love it!

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  Perfectly You, Hearts A flutter, Delightful Dozen (retired)

INK: Wisteria Wonder, Jet Black Staz On, Coastal Cabana, Strawberry Slush

PAPER:  Strawberry Slush CS, Whisper White CS, In Color 13-15 DSP Stack, Coastal Cabana CS, Silver Glimmer, DSP floral print from Mini Memories Simply Created Mini Album (Spring 2014)

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Pool Party Twine (SAB 2014), 

PUNCHES: chevron punch, hearts punch

BIG SHOT:  Hearts a Flutter Framelits

ENVELOPE PUNCH BOARD, CROP A DILE

Autumn Leaves Ornament / Wreath {Fall Home Decor}

Pin It Now! Are you getting ready for Thanksgiving?  I already have guests here at the house, and am starting my side dishes...pineapple casserole, marinated carrots, and cakes and cookies.  We have a winter storm due to arrive tonight, so we all may  be snowed in!

After all the food prep today, I finished a project that I've been trying to do since LAST year!!!

Remember the gorgeous Christmas ornaments from last year?  I wanted an autumn one.  Finally, here it is...

I've updated it to use current product, including the 1-1/4" Burlap ribbon, crepe paper, and woodgrain embossing folder.  

Here's my process:

First of all, I consulted Margaret Murray's tutorial here, and tweaked it as I went along.

Cut 20 of the maple leaf (More Mustard), and 20 of the smaller leaf (Old Olive) from Autumn Accents Bigz Die.

Stamp the maple leaves with En Francais using Crumb Cake ink, then sponge edges with Cherry Cobbler.

Emboss the smaller leaves with Woodgrain TIEF and sponge with Always Artichoke.

Fold 15 of each leaf in half lengthwise, leave 5 of each for backing.

Glue 3 folded leaves back to back and glue them to a flat leaf as shown.  Repeat for 5 sets.

Same process with the smaller leaves.  

Okay, for my base I punch a 5-petal flower punch and a 2-1/2" circle punch, so you know where each leaf set will get hot glued.  

Hot glue one set of maple leaves to each "flower petal". Nestle the smaller leaves between the maple leaf sets and hot glue. 

Make a burlap rose with your 1-1/4" Burlap ribbon.  Just roll the ribbon in half lengthwise and hot glue a tight roll in the center.  Then roll and twist the burlap loosely to create a flower. I didn't glue as I went along, but waited until I was satisfied with the flower and hot glued it to a silicone sheet.  Add a Vintage Faceted Button in the center with a basic rhinestone (large) with Crystal Effects.

I thought the burlap rose needed a little softening look to it, so I traced the smaller leaf onto Crepe Paper, folding the paper into 5 layers to get all my leaves at once.

I don't know who chewed this pencil, it wasn't me :D

Sponge with Always Artichoke and Cherry Cobbler.  They are lookin' pretty!

Gently hot glue them down, tucking them in with a pencil tip.

The hot glued mess is coming together!

Add the finished burlap rose and a little ribbon to hang it with!

Time to celebrate!  Know what I'm thankful for?  My sweet boys.  My precious pup, Lizzy.  Crunchy leaves. Those smiles.  A happy home with my hardworking husband.  

Have a blessed and creative day!  ~ Erika