Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Santa Card


Santa Card

This card was inspired by a couple of cards I saw on-line, but I added my own twist to them, using the Divine Swirls embossing folder and a corner rounder, and adding a hat completed with a pompom.

Materials

  • Paper and Cardstock
    • White Card-stock
      • 4 1/4" x 11" for card base
      • 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 for beard, moustache, and hat brim
      • Small scrap for eyes
    • Black Card-stock, small scrap for eyes
    • Bazzill Singles
      • Sweet Pea,   4 1/4" x 1 13/16", plus a small scrap for the nose
      • Diablo,   4 1/4" x 1 13/16", and 3 3/4" x 1 5/8" then cut on the diagonal to form a triangle.
  • Inks and Embossing Powders
    • Distress Inks
      • Tattered Rose
      • Weathered Wood
  • Embellishments
    • Small white pom pom
  • Tools
    • Provo Craft Cuttlebug Machine
    • Provo Craft Cuttlebug A2 Embossing Folder, Divine Swirl
    • Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, corner rounder
    • Punches
      • EK Success Nesting Punches, 1 1/2" x 3/4" Oval
      • EK Success Circle, 5/16"
      • EK Success Circle, 1/2"
      • EK Success Circle, 1"
    • Fiskars Decorative Edge Scissors, Cloud
    • Ultimate Gel Pen, White Pastel
    • 3" round hydra sponge
  • Adhesives
    • Aleene's Tacky Glue
    • ATG-714 Double Sided Adhesive Tape Gun for 1/4" tape, with tape
    • 3-D Large Circle Foam Dots
  • Other

Instructions

  • Make the eyes.
    • Punch two 1/2" circles out of black card-stock.
    • Punch two 3/8" circles out of black card stock.
    • Punch two 3/8" circles out of white card stock.
    • Layer a white circle centered on each of the 1/2" black circles
    • Layer a small black circle over the white circle, offset so a crescent of the white circle is visible, on each eye.
    • Opposite from the white crescent, draw a small arc of white with the white gel pen, on each eye.
    • Set eyes aside.
    •      
  • Punch a 1" circle out of the scrap of Sweet Pea card-stock for the nose. Sponge rose distress ink around the edges.
  • Sponge two circles of rose distress ink onto the rectangle of Sweet Pea card-stock, about an inch from the center horizontally, and just below center vertically. These will be Santa's rosy cheeks.
  • Attach the Diablo rectangle to the front of the card base right at the top of the card.
  • Attach the Sweet Pea card-stock rectangle to the front of the card base, just below the diablo rectangle.
  • Run the quarter sheet of white card-stock through the CuttleBug, inside of the Divine Swirls embossing folder, according to manufacturer's directions.
  • Cut the embossed paper into two pieces, 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" square and 2 1/4" a 4 1/4 ".
  • Use the Cloud scissors on the 2 1/4" x 4 1/4" piece of embossed card-stock to create a band for Santa's Hat, roughly 1/2" wide or a little wider.
    Sponge the edges of the band with Weathered Wood ink.
    Attach to the card, slightly overlapping the Sweet Pea Rectangle.
  • Use the beard template to cut the square piece of embossed card-stock to make Santa's beard.
    Sponge around the edges of the cut arch with the Weathered Wood ink.
  • Use the remaining scrap from the beard to punch the two ovals for Santa's moustache.
    Sponge around the ovals with the Weathered Wood ink.
  • Attach the beard at the bottom of the card, with the top of the beard barely overlapping the Sweet Pea strip.
  • Sponge the hypotenuse (the slanted side) of the Diable triangle with Weathered Wood ink. Here are the parts that have been sponged so far, excluding the beard.
  • Attach the triangle of Diablo card-stock to the top left side of the card, point down.
  • Corner round all of the corners of the card using the 1/2" side of the Corner Chompers.
  • Sponge Weathered Wood ink around all of the card edges.
  • Attach Santa's nose to the lower center of the Sweet Pea part of the card front, just above the beard, using a 3-D foam dot.
    Attach the ovals below the nose to make the moustache.
    Attach the eyes above and to each side of the nose.
  • Attach a pom pom to the end of the triangle to finish Santa's hat.
  • On the inside, stamp a sentiment of your choice. My favorite is a simple "Ho Ho Ho."

Thanksgiving Placecard


Thanksgiving Place Card

Materials

  • Paper and Cardstock
    • White Card-stock, 2 1/2"x 5", folded to make 2 1//2" square card and small scrap for name plate base.
    • Bazzill Basics Monochromatic 5-color packs, Oranges
      • Cantelope, 2 1/8" x 2 1/8" square, plus a small scrap for flower
      • Apricot, 2 3/8" x 2 3/8" plus a small scrap for flower and for name plate
  • Stamps
    • Mini Clear Stamps from Imaginisce, Snag'em stamps, Apple Cider
    • Stampendous Clear Stamps, Notes for a Friend, "Thanks"
  • Inks and Embossing Powders
    • Memories Dye ink pads, Artprint Brown
  • Embellishments
    • Doodlebug Mini Brads, Buttercream
  • Tools
    • Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, Deco/stub
    • EK Mini Punch Set, Daisy and Petunia
    • Dual Tip Stylus with wood handle
    • Ultimate Gel Pen, Bronze
    • A push pin
  • Adhesives
    • 3D Micro Square Foam Dots
    • Glue Dots, Mini Size

Instructions

  • Stamp the Leaves and the "thanks" with artprint brown ink on the cantelope square.
  • Punch the corners of the cantelope square with the Stub side of the Corner Chomper.
  • Layer onto the apricot square, and then onto the white card.
  • Punch one petunia and one daisy out of the apricot scrap, and one daisy out of the cantelope.
  • Using the embossing stylus and a soft surface like a mouse pad, press down the centers of the flowers, curving the petals upward.
  • Use the push pin to poke a small hole in the center of each of the flowers.
  • Stack the flowers with the petunia on the bottom and the apricot daisy on the top.
  • Put the brad through the holes in the flowers. Trim off the ends of the brad stems if necessary
  • Pull the petals of the two daisies up around the brad.
  • Use a glue dot to attach the flower to the lower left corner of the cantelope layer.
  • Trim a scrap of cantelope to 7/8" x 1/4".
  • Use the bronze gel pen to write the name of the guest on the small rectangle of cantelope scrap.
  • Mount the cantelope piece onto the white scrap and trim to 1/8" inch around the cantelope scrap.
  • Mount the name plate to the card using foam squares.

Noel Accordion Tag

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NOEL Pop-Up Accordion Tag

Materials

  • Paper and Cardstock
    • Foil Coated shiny metallic foil card-stock, Gold
    • Foil Coated shiny metallic foil card-stock, Green
    • Basic Grey Jovial Collection pack, Nice, Scarf, Nipping, Winter Garden
    • Fancy Pants Rusted Sun, Pool Party
    • #8 Manila "Gang of 4" Accordion Fold Tags
    • #3 Manila Shipping Tags
    • Piece of light-weight typing bond, cut into three 2"x 5" strips, glued to the seams of the tags
    • White card stock scraps
  • Stamps
    • Hot Off the Press Mini Ornaments or similar mini-ornament
    • Inkadinkado Clear stamp, Santa/Elf or similar Santa stamp
  • Inks and Embossing Powders
    • Memories Hunter Green
    • Memories Art Print Brown
    • Memories Cherry Red
    • Memories Sky
    • Versafine, Onyx Black
  • Embellishments
    • 1/4" Silk Ribbon, Red
    • Art Institute Ultra-fine Glitter, True Red
    • Martha Stewart Flocking, Swan White
    • Aleene's True Snow craft paste
    • Embroidered letters from fabric store, N, O, E, and L
  • Tools
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Punch, Branch
    • EK Success Large Punch, Leaping Deer
    • EK Success 1 3/8" circle punch
    • EK Success 1" circle punch
    • Fiskar's 1/8" circle hand punch
  • Adhesives
    • Aleene's Thick Designer Tacky Glue
  • Other
    • Standard Brass Office Brad
    • 4 gummed hole reinforcers

Information

  • The accordion tags are attached to each other only at the top and bottom edges. To reinforce them, I added a narrow panel of typing bond over the seam between the tags prior to covering the tags with designer papers.
  • To put the holes back in the tags after covering the tags with paper, I punched them from the back side so I could align my holes with the original ones. I added gummed hole reinforcers to the front to highlight and protect the holes I had just punched.
  • The little tag on the far left panel slides up inside the chimney to reveal a stamped and flocked Santa Claus. The tag slides on a cut slit in a hidden panel under the visible chimney so that the tag pulls straight up and can't be completely removed from the chimney.
  • The pop-up gifts are simple to make. Start with a strip of cardstock as wide as you want the box to be high, and 4 times as long as you want the gift to be wide, plus a quarter of an inch. (For example, if you want a box that is 1 inch wide and 2 inches high, start with a strip that is 2 inches wide and 4 1/4 inch long.) On the right side of the cardstock, score the strip at the width increments across the length of the strip. (In our example, that would mean scores at 1, 2, 3, and 4 inches.) Mountain fold the strip at the score lines, and use adhesive to attach the 1/4" tab to the first panel of the strip, to form an open box. Glue the open box into a valley fold of the card or tag using a strong adhesive, making sure a corner of the box fits tightly into the fold. Add ribbons and bows as shown in the photo
  • The tree garland at the top of the center panels was formed by gluing a strip of cardstock across the top of the panels. The strip is the exact length needed to stop the card from opening further than to a 90° angle so that the gift boxes beneath it are popped open to their perfect positions. The strip is folded in the center so it folds to the inside the tags when closed. The strip is covered with punched out tree branches for camoflauge and decoration. The little stamped and cut out ornaments were hung from the branches, attached with glue only at their tops so they will dangle.
  • The reindeer "leaps" over the trees in the final panel of the tag on a circle attached to the tag with a brass tab. The circle has a tab attached to it as a handle to spin the disc, and is prevented from moving too far by a "stop" (a foam dot that gets in the way of further motion.)

Three Tags of Joy

by Kathy Berger



             


Joy Tiny Tags

Materials

  • Paper and Cardstock
    • Midnight Frost Crystals Double Sided Paper     ( BBP-P-03395   $0.89)
    • Small scrap of Bazzill, Oslo   ( BAZ-7-7126   $0.59)
  • Stamps
    • Tween Alpha by Peter Horjus Clear Stamps     ( AL-CSE-3209   $24.99 - December Sale: $18.74)
  • Inks and Embossing Powders
  • Embellishments
    • Blue Ribbons     ( of choice prices vary), about 24 inches total
    • Rhinestone snowflake, substitute Basic Grey Bling It Snowflake, Powder     ( BG-BI-2097   $1.99
    • clear snowflake buttons
  • Tools
    • Fiskars 1/4" circle hand punch     ( FIK-hnd-1/4   $6.95)
    • Fiskars 1/8" circle hand punch     ( FIK-hnd-1/8   $6.95)
    • EK Success Whale of a Punch, Tag     ( EK-PSPWP-13 $13.99)
    • EK Success Whale of a Punch, Scalloped Tag     ( EK-RSNAPS001   $13.99)
    • EK Success Rounded Tag punch, Substitute Deckle Tag     ( EK-PSPWP-20   $13.99)
    • The Scor-Pal     ( Scor-Pal   $39.99)

TIP:

To string ribbon through a small hole, use a floss threader intended for threading dental floss around braces. Pass the tip through the hole in the paper, and the ribbon through the loop in the flosser. Pull the flosser through the hole and the ribbon will follow.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Colored Pencil Blending




A popular method for coloring stamped images is the “Magic Colored Pencil” technique, which uses a solvent to blend the colored pencils, eliminating pencil lines and leaving a watercolor-like effect. The original version of this technique used PrismaColor Premier colored pencils and Gamsol odorless mineral spirits, with wonderful effect. A while ago
I became curious about the technique, and wondered if there were a less expensive alternative to the expensive technique. I often travel, and also often share my stamping materials, so I thought it would be wonderful to have an alternative that I wouldn’t mind sticking into my travel case and sharing with a group.



I had heard that Goo Gone worked well in place of the Gamsol, and that its orange odor bothered some people a lot less than the “odorless” fumes from the Gamsol. Being asthmatic, and suffering from occasional migraines, the fumes were a concern, so I thought I’d check out the Goo Gone.


I also decided I’d check out something else while I was at it. I have used Crayola colored pencils since my childhood, and have always enjoyed their bright, vivid colors. I am especially a fan of their short pencils, which are inexpensive and highly portable. To the right you can see the price comparisons.


I opted to compare the results of the blending technique on each of the types of pencils with each of the types of solvents, and thought I’d share my results with you. I used a two-tipped rolled paper stub for this experiment, using one end of the stub for mineral oil, and the other for Goo Gone. I wanted to make sure I was as consistent as possible. I used a single sheet of white card stock for the comparison.
As you will see from the photos on the next page, the results with the Crayola/Goo Gone are quite comparable to the PrismaColor/ Gamsol.


Preparation





I stamped my “Just Ducky” image four times, using Versafine™ black ink. The two images on the top of the page were colored with PrismaColor pencils, while the bottom two were colored with Crayola. I used the outline method of applying color, putting down color around the edges of the image, only.


Blending


I blended each image, a single color at a time, using the stub, which I sanded down between colors. I used only Gamsol on the images on the left, and only Goo Gone on the images on the right.


Results


Can you see an appreciable difference between the quality of these images? I certainly couldn’t, with the exception of the brighter yellow and orange in the Crayola images and a slightly darker blue in the PrismaColor images.


They all came out “Just Ducky” to me!





All four images worked well, with color-blending nearly effortless. Both blending media worked well, though I felt it was a little easier to move the color with the Goo Gone. That could be an advantage, or a disadvantage, depending on what one is trying to do. I found that with both of the images with the PrismaColors, I had a little trouble with picking up black from the ink for the image itself, even though those were the first two images stamped. I probably should have heat-set the Versafine ink. I did not experience the same problem with the Crayola pencils.


The largest differences in the pencils were in how easily the color laid down and in the colors themselves. I found the PrismaColors a little softer and smoother, and thus a little easier to lay down.


But for the expense of both the pencils and the blending materials, I think I will likely travel with Crayola and Goo Gone from now on!


Follow-up


I have been using the Crayola/Goo Gone combination for a while now. However, a couple of days ago, I spilled half my little bottle of Goo Gone onto a nearly finished project. The project was ruined as the Goo Gone left behind a stain on my colored card-stocks. I suspect the Gamsol would have done the same. But the spill definitely spurred me to find a way to use my blending liquid.


I found a set of two little iGo brand travel jars at one of my local stores, for a mere $0.89 for the pair. I also got a package of round makeup sponges. I was able to compress one of the makeup sponge and fit it into one of the jars. It fit quite neatly! I then poured just enough Goo Gone onto the sponge to saturate it. When I want to blend my pencil, I simply press my paper stub against the sponge and just enough Goo Gone is transferred to the stub. The cap fits tightly on the jar and the jar has a much lower likelihood of getting spilled over than the little bottle. I think I won't have to worry about another card getting ruined by a spill!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Punchy the Owl

MATERIALS:

      EK Success Whale of Punch - Bracket
      1 3/8” EK Success Circle Punch
     
 1/2” EK Success Circle Punch
      
1” McGill Daisy Punch
     
 1/4” Round Fiskars hand punch

     
Stewart Superior Memories Ink - Brown
     
American Craft Ultimate Gel Pen - White Pastel

     
Brown marker or colored pencil (optional)
     
3” round Hydra Sponge

     
 4” x 4” scrap of craft card-stock
     
 1 1/4” square of yellow or orange card-stock
     
 Small scrap of white card-stock
     
 Small scrap of black card-stock

     
Adhesive of choice

INSTRUCTIONS:

PUNCH:

     
From Craft card-stock
     
     
 1 x Curly bracket
     
     
 2 x 2” Scallop Circles
     
     
 1 x 1 3/8” Circle
     
     
 1 x 1/2” Circle
     
From Yellow/Orange card-stock
     
     
 1 x 1” Daisy Punch
     
     
 also hand cut one small triangle for the beak
     
From White card-stock
     
     
 2 x 1/2” Circle
     
 From Black card-stock
     
     
 1 x 1/4” Circle

PREPARE:

     
• Cut 1 of the scalloped circles in half. Trim if desired to form wings.
     
• Trim about 1/4” from one side of the 1 1/2” craft circle, making a flat edge.
     
• Cut the 1/2” craft circle in half.
     
• Cut the orange flower in half. Remove 1 petal from each half.
     
• Sponge brown ink around outside edges of all brown or white pieces.
     
• Draw “feathers” on whole scallop and wing pieces as desired.

ASSEMBLE:

     
• Glue wings to front of chest, attaching only near the top of the wings.
     
• Glue head to chest with the flat edge on top.
     
• Glue bracket to top of head to form ears.
     
• Glue white circles below the bracket, making sure they touch each other.
     
• Carefully glue beak into place, inserting under the white circles.
     
• Glue black circles onto the white circles, making eyes.
     
• Glue the craft half circles over the eyes, making lids.
     
• Use the white gel pen to draw highlights on the eye centers.
     
• Glue the partial daisies at the bottom, from behind the chest piece, to form feet.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Quick and Easy Gift Cards





Six square gift cards from one sheet of card-stock


A bit of masking, stamping, and scoring, plus a few very simple cuts provide the bases for six 2 3/4” square cards. They’re so quick, easy, and cute; you’ll want to make a batch for every occasion!


• Start with a single sheet of 8 1/2” x 11” card-stock. Cut 1/4” inch off the width, leaving a sheet 8 1/4” x 11”. Score across the card-stock 2 3/4” from the top and from the bottom.





• Mask the top and bottom of the card to the score lines. Using a rainbow ink pad or multiple coors, randomly stamp images between the masks, being sure to stamp off the edges and onto the masks. Be random; make sure the images are stamped right side up, upside down, sideways. Try not to make an obvious pattern with the images. This is the same as the One Sheet Wonder technique, but only on the center portion of the sheet.


• When you’re done stamping, cut the sheet in half, making two 8 1/4” x 5 1/2” pieces.


• Next, cut each of the two pieces in thirds, making a total of six pieces, 2 3/4” x  5 1/2”. Fold and crease each of the pieces on the score lines.


• The cards can be used just as they are, or they can be embellished with layers of card stock, ribbons, buttons, or bows. 





• To make a petal envelope, start with a square of text weight paper, 6" x 6". Cut squares 1 1/2" from each corner. Corner round the corners of all the tabs that are left. Fold the tabs in, tucking the edge under the one to its right. Use a sticker to seal the center.


* Note: These cards are NOT mailable, but they are perfect hand carried, or to accompany a gift.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

White on White Pop-up gift card holder


This white on white format card is perfect for a wedding, First Communion, or a christening gift. Though it looks like it is hard to make, it really is quick and easy, once you master a couple of basic techniques.
The front of this card is adorned by using Cuttlebug border embossing folders and a simple technique to eliminate edge marks and with straight lines embossed using the Scor-Pal. 
The inside of the card, which features a simple pop-up mechanism,  holds a standard sized gift card.
Getting Ready
Materials:
  • White card stock (front panel -4” x 5 1/4 ”, card -  4 1/4” x 11”, pop-up mechanism - 4. 1/4” x 5” )
  • Scor-pal 
  • Cuttlebug machine, and plates
  • Cuttlebug Fancy Corners embossing folders, set of 4 (
  • Cuttlebug With Love Border embossing folders. set of 5 
  • Cuttlebug Just My Type Border embossing folders, set of 5 
  • Spellbinders small rubber sheet 
  • Red Liner Tape 
  • Fiskars Quarter Inch Hand Punch or Crop-a-Dile 
  • White Organza Ribbon, about 8”, tied in a bow.
Embossing Technique::
Embossing with the small Cuttlebug folders can be tricky. Using the regular sandwich (A, B, folder, B) may leave marks at the edges of the folder. We’ll use a special technique to avoid those marks. 
Cut a piece of the Spellbinders rubber sheet just a little smaller than the embossing folder. Then create the sandwich using the A and C plates as follows:  A plate, card-stock with the folder, raised side facing up, the piece of rubber sheet, and then the C plate. The rubber will apply pressure only at the center of the folder, so the edges won’t emboss lines.
When embossing multiple small folders, start at the center of the card-stock and work outward toward the edges. Roll the sandwich only just past the folder, and then back the sandwich out to avoid flattening parts you’ve already embossed. 
Create the Card
Card Exterior:
Using the Scor-Pal, score the 4 1/4” x 11” card at 5 1/2”. Crease to create the card. Set aside.
Emboss the swiss dot folder from the Just My Type embossing folder set in the center of the front panel, then the little floral line from the With Love embossing folder set to its left. Emboss either of the symmetric corner folders from the Fancy Corners set twice at the far right of the panel, once from the top and once from the bottom.
Using the Scor-Pal on the wrong side of the front panel, score lines at the edges of each of the embossed regions, and then randomly to form an attractive pattern.  
Affix the embossed panel to the card front.
Attach the bow to the front of the card using the glue of your choice. 
Card Interior:
Using the Scor-Pal, score the 4 1/4” x 5” piece of card stock, in landscape orientation, at 1/4”, 2 1/2”, and 4 3/4”. Mountain fold on each of the score lines, creasing well.
Place the gift card centered on the pup-up mechanism. Punch holes with the quarter-inch hole punch,  on the center crease of the mechanism, right next to the outside edges of the gift card, as shown. Cut a slit between the two punches.
Apply a strip of red liner tape to both of the quarter-inch flaps. Affix the inside panel inside the card using that red liner tape, putting the open end barely away from the fold of the card. 

Insert the gift card into the slot in the mechanism. 
                    

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Changing Image Card


When the card is opened the image in the circle almost magically changes to a different image!
      * This card has been adapted from the Peek-a-boo card designed by Dawn Griffin

Materials

    Card-stock -
CoreDinations Super Assortment-Roy G Biv 12"x12"
       White
            8 1/2” x 9 3/4 (card back)
            8 1/2” x 5 1/2” (card front)
            5 1/4” x 2 3/4” (top layer)
       Black
            5 3/4” x 3 1/2” (layer)
            2 scraps, about 2” square each
            1/2” x 8 1/2” strip
       Yellow
            5 1/2” x 3” (layer)
            scrap, about 3” square
            1/8” x 8 1/2” strip

    Punches
       1 1/4” circle punch
       1 1/2” EK Success circe punch
       2” EK Success scallop circle punch

    Ultimate Gel Pens 

       White Pastel
       Black       

    Ribbon 

       4” of 1/2" wide black twill       

    Stamps 

       Heidi Swapp Clear Stamp
           Happy Birthday    
       DMD Clear Stamp sheet
           Light the Candles    
       My Sentiments Exactly
           "B" Sentiments    
       Matching Borders/Focals
           Happy/ Day    

    Ink 

       Versafine
           Onyx Black    
       Adirondack
           Lemonade    

    Adhesive of choice 



Instructions

    • Score the card back, in landscape orientation, at 3” and 6”. Score the card front in portrait orientation at 1 3/4”.

    • Z-fold the card back by valley folding at the 3" score line and mounain folding at the 6" line. Mountain fold the front on the score line. The card should be able to be aligned as shown in the diagram

      
    • Use the edge of the folded-back panel of the front of the card as a guide to punch a 1 1/4” circle in the card front. The hole should line up just to the left of the edge of the folded panel, and should be punched into the card as far as the punch will reach.

      

    • Align the right edges of the back and front of the card. Using a pencil or disappearing ink pen, trace the punched circle from the front of the card onto the front of the first layer of the card back.


    • Punch the 1 1/4” circle through both of the top two layers of the card back, carefully, punching out exactly over the circle traced from the card front.

    • Affix front panel of the card back to the back of card front, aligning the right edges. (Apply glue to the front of the first layer of the back of the card ONLY. Otherwise, the card will not work!)

    • Using a pencil or disappearing ink pen, lightly trace the circle onto the inside of the card back. Open the card. Lightly trace the circle onto the panel that slides into place.

    • Open the card to find the traced circles. Stamp images in the traced circles and color. If pencil was used to trace the circle, carefully erase the pencil.



    • Using the 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" circle punces, punch two rings out of black card stock scrap. Using the scalloped punch and the 1 1/4" punch, punch a scalloped ring out of yellow card stock. (To make a ring, always punch with the smaller punch first, then with the larger, punching with the first hole centered in the second punch.)

     • With a paper piercer and using a piece of plastic canvas as a guide, pierce a line of holes along the edge of the black layer. Draw lines between the holes with the white gel pen. Attach the black layer to the card front, centered at the top.


     • Stamp the white front layer with random swirls using the yellow ink. Stamp the “Happy”, “B”, and “Day” with black ink. Attach this panel to the yellow card layer then to the black card layer (the black layer is offset to the left, not centered.)

    • Attach the yellow scalloped ring to the card with the holes centered on the hole in the card front. Using the black gel pen, add a little dot to each of the scallops. Attach one black ring on top of the yellow one. Add drawn stitch lines to the black ring with the white gel pen. Draw little bows to finish the faux stitching.



    • Attach the other black ring to the inside front of the card. Add the black strip and then the yellow strip on the inside left of the card. Stamp the “Happy” and “Birthday” on the inside of the card using black ink.


    • Turn the card over to the back side. Open up the back of the card. Close to the fold, apply a narrow line of adhesive or glue.

    • Close the card and turn it back over. Attach the ribbon, which has been tied in a knot, to the card front.


    • The card is finished. Mail it in a standard A10 business envelope.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Explosion Card



Materials:

    • 4.25" x 5.5" piece of card-stock
    • 8.25" x 8.25" piece of text weight paper in same color as card-stock.
    • adhesive (glue, double sided tape, or a xyron)

Instructions:

     • Fold card-stock in half to form a standard sized card. Set aside.

     • Stamp the square of paper as desired. Valley fold square paper in half diagonally. Open.
      
     • Valley fold in half diagonally from opposite corners. Open.

         

     • There should now be an 'X' folded in the paper. Mountain fold the paper in half to form a rectangle. Open.
      

     • Fold on the diagonals again, collapsing the center fold, to the inside of the structure, forming a triangle (squash fold).

      

     • Fold the top layer's right corner to the center of the baseline.
             

     • Repeat with the top layer's left corner. Turn over and repeat.

      


     • Open and then collapse each of the little flaps just created into the center of the mechanism.
      
     • Glue the mechanism into the card so that the point just touches the fold.
      

     • Add glue to the top of the mechanism, then close the card so that both of the inside surfaces of the card are attached to the mechanism.

     • When the glue is dry, open the card to see the "explosion".