2019 Happy Holidays Card Series | Day 4 | Take the Ho-Ho-Holidays

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

You ever have that moment? That split second, when you when you want to throw your hands up in the air and just - not? Just toss in the towel? Quit? As a mom I experience those moments a whole lot. As someone with a full time job, I experience those moments a whole lot. As a crafter, I experience those moments a whole lot.

The entire month of December is like one of those moments. As a crafter, aside from posting here and if I ever actually get time, to YouTube, I've already moved passed Christmas. You know what I'm talking about. For me, I'm mostly done Valentine's Day and I'm well on my way to planning out Easter. It makes it incredibly difficult to stay in the Christmas Cheer moment when all you want is a really good Spring Sentiment set.

Anyway, my point is - take some time for yourself this week, today, after you read this and realize "Wow, she is SO right", if you have vacation time and you're able to take some, even just a day. Do it. Take a day. A day with no plans and no chores and no work, and dare I say it? A day when the kids are still in school? Take that time for yourself, because as I've learned I'm generally not the only one who feels this way, and if one person will say it, a hundred more are thinking it. So just go on, take a day.

Today I wanted to share an interactive card with you featuring some of Lawn Fawn's Winter release. I stamped the images from Ho-Ho-Holidays with Simon Says Stamp Intense Black Ink on 110lb Copic-friendly cardstock, coloured them with Copic markers and fussy cut them out.

The roof and chimney were made using the Roof-Top Border die set, then I used Fired Brick and Gathered Twigs Distress Ink to shade them. I also cut a snowy border from some glitter cardstock, but that was an afterthought and so only made it to one layer of my roof. If I were to remake this card, I would add it to all the layers.

I used a piece of patterned paper from my stash for the background and used the "Lets Toast" Pull tab die set to make Santa pop out of the chimney.

The greeting was heat embossed with clear embossing powder over VersaFine Onyx Black ink.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar, over on Facebook and on YouTube. Drop me a line in the comments section below and let me know what you think.

Have a "Flippin' Awesome" Birthday | Lawn Fawn

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

Sadly, I missed Halloween this year. I did have a video all set up, just had to do the voice over, but then I got ridiculously sick and couldn't record. I ended up going to the doctor a couple of days ago, apparently my cold turned into "quite a severe sinus infection"; so now I'm on these crazy antibiotics. The doc says they are the strongest antibiotics she can prescribe for a sinus infection and then went all mom-voice on me about taking so long to get into see her.

Anyway, I may still do the voice-over and video, even though Halloween is over because it's fun and I love Halloween, but for today I have a super fun birthday card featuring the new Flippin Awesome die and add-on, as well as the Yeti or Not stamp set. (Best part about this? All the extra pictures! Yay!!!)

I created the background panel using the largest of the Large Stitched Rectangle dies with some Spiffy Speckles paper. I wanted something that would compliment the card without taking away from the star of the show.

All the images are stamped with Simon Says Stamp Intense Black Ink on 110lb cardstock, coloured in with Copic markers and then fussy cut out.

I used the scalloped rectangle from the Flippin' Awesome Add On to die cut the dark blue from Perfectly Plaid Chill paper.

The Flippin' Awesome mechanism is cut from 65lb white cardstock. I know, I typically use the same 110lb cardstock for everything, but with this many moving pieces, I knew it wouldn't work as smoothly. The 65lb holds up really well and allows for easy movement.

The smaller squares are cut from some of the blue paper from Perfectly Plaid Spring paper. I used the same die to cut two squares of glittered cardstock then used the Stitched Border dies to cut the snowbanks.

Once the backgrounds were put together, I started to add my trees, then cut the Yetis in half so that I could create a fluid scene. First he's coming in, then he's leaving each square. This really creates some movement and allows for an animation feel.

So it wasn't until I was stamping the greeting on the very last panel that this became a birthday card. It *WAS* going to be a fun Christmas card, but sometimes you just grab the wrong stamp and then it's just too late.

I didn't want to add anything else to the front, so I decided to offset the rectangle instead of having it straight across the card.

I added my sentiment to the inside of the card, then decided to stamp one more yeti to add some flare. And nothing says flare like a yeti doing a flip on the inside of the card. Amiright?

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar, over on Facebook and on YouTube! Drop me a line in the comments section below and let me know what you think.

This card is for:

Lawn Fawn "Smooth Sailing" and Chibi Lights Appreciation

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

It's been a bit, right? I know, I'd like to say that I've been super busy, and I guess in some ways I have, but the truth is, lately I just don't wanna. I don't want to post, I don't want to video, I don't want to talk, I don't want to play, I just don't wanna. I've been spending some free time making cards, but what used to take me an hour, will now take the morning or two mornings. The thought of sitting down to edit a video is a completely overwhelming thought. Even today, I'm blogging because I had to turn my computer on to do some other stuff. Work is keeping me busy and maybe that's why I just don't have a lot left in me.

Today, I want to share a card I created using the Lawn Fawn "Smooth Sailing" stamp set and Chibi Lights. I had purchased the starter set some time ago, but no matter how many times I read the instructions or watched tutorial videos I was terrified of messing it up. But why? What was literally the worst thing that could happen? I lose a foot or so of copper wire?

So when I got my hands on this set, I finally took the plunge. And after I lost a foot or so of copper wire, I managed to get it working and it turned out just better than I thought.

After I got all the mechanisms sorted out, I stamped the images from Smooth Sailing with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on 110lb Copic-friendly cardstock and coloured them with Copic markers.

I used the stitched wave borders die to cut down a piece of patterned paper and then used some Salty Ocean Distress Ink to add some shading. I cut down another piece of cardstock with the Stitched Hillside border for the sandy island.

The sky was created from a leftover piece of a starry sky background from another project.

So when you press the button, the lighthouse actually lights up!! It takes a lot more planning than usual to create this kind of card, and perhaps after a I've done a few more I'll do a video, but I make no promises on when that will happen.

I thought I would add this last photo in so you could see them side-by-side.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar, over on Facebook and on YouTube. As for me, I'm trying. I really am. Drop me a line in the comments section below and let me know what you think.

Lawn Fawn "You Color My World" Reveal Wheel

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

Today I wanted to share a card I created using the "One in a Chameleon", "Blissful Botanicals" and "You Color my World" stamp sets along with the "Reveal Wheel" dies. This card can be used for the ladies and the gents, which is always a bonus as well as a just because or a cheer up kind of card.

All the images are stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on 110lb Copic-friendly cardstock and coloured with Copic markers.

I used the Reveal Wheel die set along with the Chameleon die to create my view window. It's handy that the wheel is big enough to accommodate dies from other sets even if they don't have the little puzzle piece to fit into the die.

I used Distress Inks and my Lori blending brushes to get a rainbow gradient for a smooth colour change when you turn the wheel. Once the wheel was dry, I assembled the mechanism and adhered it to a piece of patterned paper; then mounted it to the front of a standard A2 sized card base.

I stamped the chameleon on a piece of acetate with StazOn black ink. The background hanging vine plants were stamped with Shabby Shutters Distress Oxide ink.

Click on the Video to see this little guy change colours

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar, over on Facebook and on YouTube! Drop me a line in the comments section below and let me know what you think.

Lawn Fawn "Butterfly Kisses" Happy Spring Slider

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

Today, I have a super cute spring slider card featuring Lawn Fawn's "Butterfly Kisses" stamp set, along with the Slide on Over die set. As soon as I saw this set the idea for this card flew into my head and I couldn't wait to get it out and on to paper (literally).

I stamped all the images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on 110lb Copic-friendly paper and coloured them in with Copic markers. I then fussy cut them out.

I used my homemade cloud stencil and Tumbled Glass Distress inks with the Lori blending brushes to create the sky. I cut down two pieces of cardstock with the grassy border dies and used Mowed Lawn and Cracked Pistachio Distress Inks to create the ground.

Once the ink was dry, I used one of the Slide on Over dies to cut my track. To make the butterflies appear to be floating I adhered them to a small piece of acetate. I placed the fox over the track and used a small piece of foam tape to attach him to a penny. Next I adhered the background grassy piece with additional foam tap to ensure that the penny will slide smoothly.

The bunny and the bear are adhered directly to the foreground grassy piece and that was attached to the panel as well.

The entire piece was adhered to the front of as standard A2 sized card base.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar, over on Facebook and on YouTube. Drop me a line in the comments section below and let me know what you think.

This card is for:

Lawn Fawn Interactive Card | Happy Heart Day | You're Stinkin' Cute

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

Today I wanted to share a super sweet card made for Valentine's Day, but could really be given at any time to someone you care about.

To begin, I stamped all the images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on 110lb Copic-friendly cardstock and coloured them in with Copic markers.

I cut two panels using the second largest of the Large Stitched Rectangles Die and used one of the curved grassy border dies to get my little hillside.

So I've been seeing the new Picket Fence Brushes, and lemme tell ya, I want them. But I don't want to pay that price. The best deal is for the big pack of 10 but there are so many in there that I know I wouldn't use. So what's a girl to do? You'll see in a video I have coming up soon so keep an eye out!!!

I used a few different Distress Inks to create the sky and the grass, with the new super secret (until I post the video) brushes that I found -- AT THE DOLLAR STORE!

I used Lawn Fawn's "Let's Toast Pull Tab Add On die" to create the mechanism that allows this little cutie to pop up.

I mounted the grass panel with foam mounting tape (dollar store) to the background panel. I then adhered that with more mounting tape to a piece of the pink gingham paper, cut with the largest of the Large Stitched Rectangles and then adhered the whole lot to the front of a standard A2 sized card base.

To finish off the card, I used clear Wink of Stella and Glossy accents on the heart.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar, over on Facebook and on YouTube! For those of you that are Google + followers, please follow the blog, once they turf the Google + option, you'll miss out on future posts, and we wouldn't want that!!! Drop me a line in the comments section below and let me know what you think. 

This card is for:

Interactive Masculine Birthday Card | ft. Lawn Fawn Stamps and Dies

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

Today I have a masculine card (and video) featuring -- SURPRISE!!! Lawn Fawn Stamps and Dies. I needed to create a birthday card for my grandfather who turned 86 this year! 86!! And still strong as an ox. He's totally one of my favourite people in the whole world and he got a real kick out of this card. We had his birthday dinner on Saturday (Chinese food - because that's what he loves) and he thought it was great. He even texted me during dinner to say thank you.

I recommend watching in HD over on YouTube!

When you watch the video, you'll see that my process isn't really as smooth as it generally is. Or at least as smooth as think I am because I had a little person talking at me and asking me questions and trying to get me to do stuff for her. 

I used Distress Oxide inks to create a simple background so that my little scene wasn't just floating in the middle of nowhere, I used Cracked Pistachio and Tumbled Glass; there is absolutely nothing special about this. I just wanted to get colour on my panel.

I used Lawn Fawn Dye Inks to stamp my little water patch from the Dad & Me set, I knew that it wasn't going to be a solid stamped image and tried to use that to my advantage by restamping the image a second and third time with a lighter colour ink to make it look more like actual water.

I wanted to finish off the inside of the card, something I don't typically do. For this one I stamped the images in second generation Distress Oxide ink and then stamped the sentiment from the Reveal Wheel Sentiments with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

For the grass and dragonflies around the little scene I used Peeled Paint and Black Soot Distress Oxide ink. This isn't in the video because of a certain little person who just *needed* to have my attention. But I do talk about that in the video.

I hope you like today's card (and video) and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar, over on Facebook and on YouTube! Drop me a line in the comments section below and let me know what you think.

Deepest Thanks | ft. Lawn Fawn "Double Slider Surprise" Dies and Stamps

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

Sooo, the kids are all back at school now. Three kids, three different schools, an average of about 600 kids per school means there are 1800 kids worth of germs in my house right now, and I got them all. I don't get sick very often, but when I do... holy crap it hits me like a truck. I'll spare you the "juicy" details of what I can only describe as the great head cold of 2018, but that's the reason I haven't managed to do a voice over. I have a couple videos all edited and waiting for the voice over, but I'm sure you will appreciate not having to hear me breathe as though I had just run a marathon, and sniffle every two seconds. Trust me, I'm doing you all a favour.

For today's card I thought I would share my first attempt using the "Double Slider Surprise" die set. We all knew this was coming, I mean, when have I EVER been able to resist a Lawn Fawn item? I thought for my first attempt I would keep it relatively basic, using the "You are Sublime" and "Duh-Nuh" stamp sets.

Now, if you haven't watched Lawn Fawn's "Intro to Double Slider Surprise" video, I highly recommend that you do so before attempting this card. A couple of times. I'm a HUGE fan of their interactive dies, and while this one is no different, it's going to take a bit of practice, at least for me. Lemme tell ya.

The dies themselves are straightforward, the only one that I had issues with was the tab cutter, which makes the little indent on the sleeve. I wasn't sure what to line it up with, and as you can see in the photo above I did not line it up properly.

All the images are stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on 110lb Copic-friendly cardstock and coloured with Copic markers. I used the Brother 2 Scan N Cut to cut them all out.

To create all my background I used Distress Inks with my blending tool in various shades of blue for the water and Scattered Straw with Gathered Twigs for the sand.

Another mistake I made, was deciding at the end to add the little pull tabs, I totally should have added them before my layers - but that's on me. And let's be honest, any difficulties I had with this set are totally on me. And that's okay with me. I love a challenge and having a set that is more for the art of it, than for mass production is A-OKAY. So if you've received a card like this from a loved one, think twice before tossing it. More than a little bit of work went into creating it.

To adhere all the pieces down, I ran them through my Xyron mini X sticker maker, I've found that I can move them around a bit as a long as I haven't pushed them down completely.

I cut a piece of the Really Rainbow patterned paper to the front of my card - and then die cut my pull tabs from the piece I trimmed. This is when I discovered I should have done that waaay before this point.

To make the slider stick to the front, I covered the back with Scor Tape - which is a super sticky two way tape that I would recommend in all sizes for all things. I never have to worry about this stuff coming off.

To finish off the inside of the card, I used third generation stamping of the little submarine from the "You are Sublime" set, and first generation for the sentiment. I added a couple of the extra pieces I had coloured just for some added interest and so they got to fulfill their paper destinies.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar, over on Facebook, and on YouTube. Drop me a line in the comments section below and let me know what you think.

A Manatee-rific Birthday Card | ft. Lawn Fawn "Reveal Wheel" Die Set

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

So before I get into the card (which is awesome, by the way) I'll give a little back story to where I've been. Last month, my old boss called me up and offered me a full-time job, naturally I jumped at the chance. I opted to not give up my part time job, and therefore have been working insane hours. Twelve days on and only two off, so it was exhausting. Then my part-time job, also offered me a full time position, so I left the other job and am only working one at full time now. Sadly, they will now need to full my part time position so I'm still all about the map for days. I'm desperately hoping to get some time in the art room. I miss it, and all of you dreadfully.

Anyway, on to the card!

To begin, I cut all the pieces I needed with the "Reveal Wheel" die set out of 110lb Copic-friendly cardstock. I stamped the images from "Manatee-rific" with Memento Tuxedo black ink and created masks for them.

I masked the images, then used Distress Inks to create the ocean background. Once that was dry, I removed the masks and coloured all the images with Copic markers.

Once my panel was completed, I assembled the wheel mechanism; which is so incredibly easy.

I then mounted the entire lot to the front of a standard A2 sized card base. To finish off the card, I used some of the Ocean Wave crystals by Studio Katia (which FINALLY arrived, like a week ago) in place of bubbles.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar, over on Facebook and on Youtube. Drop me a line in the comments section below and let me know what you think.

Interactive Father's Day Slider Card | ft. Lawn Fawn "Plane and Simple"

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

Today I have an interactive slider card, featuring Lawn Fawn "Plane and Simple" stamp set, along with their Slide on Over dies and a DIY stencil for the background.

I recommend watching in HD over on YouTube!

So I'm going to open with saying that this is not my favourite card. I don't hate it, and while I was making it everything was all great and wonderful. It was after, it just came out more plain (no pun intended) than I had wanted. 

That being said, it would work perfectly for the type of dad who is a simple kind of guy. The type of guy that just puts his head down and gets to work because it has to be done. My Dad was like that, he was a down to earth guy who did what needed to be done. He didn't like fanfare or fancy stuff. He was this amazing man who put everyone else before himself because that's just who he was, and I miss him so much.

Check out the video above to see how this card was made. I'll go through the creation process and you'll be able see how the slider is put together, the Copic markers I chose as well as how I finished off the inside of the card.

I hope you like today's card (and video) and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar, over on Facebook and on YouTube! Drop me a line in the comments section below. To see how I created the cloud stencils, please click here.

Simple Interactive Penny Slider | ft. MFT "Up In The Air"

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

Today I have a super easy interactive card that I created when my Sister In Law asked for a card for a little boy, I absolutely love making cards that are for specific people in mind because you can really tailor the card to the individual. Seeing the look on their faces when they see something they love is without a doubt one of the best feelings ever.

****Watch in HD over on YouTube!****

(Normally you could watch here, but I'm having some technical difficulties, so please click over to watch)

Click on over to YouTube and watch the tutorial video on how this card was put together, what I use for my cloudy stencil background and the list of Copic markers used to colour these images.

I decided to add a couple additional images to the inside of the card just because it's so fun, and as you know it's one of my goals to start "finishing" the inside of the card!

I hope you like today's card (and tutorial video) and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar, over on Facebook and on YouTube, drop me a line in the comments section below and let me know what you think!

Lucky Duck Pivot Pop-Up | ft. Lawn Fawn Stamps and Dies

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

Today I am super excited to share with you a tutorial video and card using the new Lawn Fawn Pivot Pop-Up Die set, as well as a couple of their new stamp sets from the spring 2018 release.

I know I've been sharing a lot of Lawn Fawn lately, and I really do try to mix it up with other brands, but I'm in Lawn Fawn mode right now. Their images just make me so happy and we can use some happy here in Calgary; it is so snowy and yuck! I'm soooo done with winter, but Mother Nature seems to have other plans - most of which include record levels of snowfall. UGH!

Check out the video for the complete tutorial on how to put this card together, as well as how I coloured all the images.

For the outside of the card, I stamped this little duck from "Lucky Duck", the flight trail and the dragonfly from "Toadally Awesome" with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on 110lb Copic-friendly cardstock then coloured them with Copic markers.

I adhered the panel to a piece of soft blue cardstock and mounted that to the front of my top folding standard A2 sized card base.

For the inside of the card, I stamped all the images with Memento ink on the same paper and used the Brother 2 Scan N Cut to cut them all out. I coloured each of them with Copic markers and ran them through my sticker maker to get adhesive on the back.

For the top background of the card base I used a piece of blue paper and adhered some die cut stitched clouds and the sun so it wouldn't look so plain.

For the pop-up I used Broken China and Tumbled Glass Distress ink to create my sky, and Twisted Citron and Mowed Lawn Distress ink for the grass.

Once I had the mechanism put together (see the video on how I did that) I mounted all my images in place.

For the sentiment I used part from the "Lucky Duck" stamp set and "teacher" from the "A Good Apple" set.

This card is going to my daughter's kindergarten teacher - who is super awesome.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar, over on Facebook, and now on YouTube! Drop me a line in the comments section below and let me know what you think!

Happy Hoppy Day Series | Easter Pop-Up ft. Lawn Fawn Stamps and Dies

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

Today I have a super fun pop-up card using Lawn Fawn stamps and dies. If you're like me you see the Lawn Fawn releases and you just have to have it all. Exercising restraint when it comes to Lawn Fawn is sooo hard. I legit have sets that I haven't even opened. Shhh don't tell. I will use them at some point.

I love using the pop-up die because it's always such a surprise when you open the card. It's so exciting to see such a plain looking card and then you open it and SURPRISE!!! there's something super fun on the inside.

For the outside of the card I stamped this bunny image from Lawn Fawn's "Eggstra Special Easter" with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on 110lb Copic-friendly cardstock. I coloured it with Copics and used the Scan N Cut to cut it out.

I wanted to keep it all simple and used some of the pieces of cardstock from the inside to create an accent bar across the front.

For the inside, I stamped all my images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on 110lb Copic-friendly cardstock and cut them all out with the Scan N Cut (I actually cut these out at the same time as the one on the front). I coloured all the images with Copic markers.

 The thing I love the most about the Scan N Cut is that I can stamp and mask images to make single layers and cut them out as a single piece. Just one more reason to pass on the die sets!

I used Lawn Fawn's "Stitched Hillside Pop-Up" die to cut the base and sponged it with Twisted Citron and Mowed Lawn Distress Ink to create the grassy look. I sponged the inside top of the card with Spun Sugar and Worn Lipstick to create a soft pink sky.

I had some stitched clouds left over from another project and adhered them in place. I used some super sticky two-way to put all images in place.

To finish off the card added a couple butterflies that I had laying around placed them in the sky to fill up some of empty spaces.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar, over on Facebook, and now on YouTube! Drop me a line in  the comments section below and let me know what you think.

Happy Heart Day Series | Kisses Magic Slider ft. Lawn Fawn "Sealed with a Kiss"

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

For every series, I try to do at least one (or maybe two) interactive cards. I love this type of card because they're so fun! Getting a card is nice, getting a handmade card is better, getting an interactive handmade card is the best. They take a bit more time, but the results are absolutely worth it. As a card maker you feel more accomplished and as the recipient, you know how much effort was put in.

To create this card, I cut down a piece of patterned heart paper and adhered it to the front of a standard A2 sized card base. I then cut down a piece of vellum to the same size and put that over top. This step isn't really necessary, but the paper was pretty busy so I wanted to mute that down a bit.

I cut out all the pieces I needed using Lawn Fawn's "Magic Color Slider" die set and began stamping my images. For stamping on the acetate, I used StazOn Black ink. StazOn is a solvent ink that will dry on smooth surfaces. If you are using a different kind of ink and finding that it smudges, give this ink a try.

I stamped the remaining images from Lawn Fawn's "Sealed with a Kiss" set using Memento Tuxedo Black ink on 110lb Copic-friendly cardstock. I coloured all the images ink with Copic markers then masked them off, so I could sponge the background.

I started with Spun Sugar Distress Ink, but found that was too light, so I added Worn Lipstick to the edges and pulled that in until I got a blend I liked.

The outline of the seal on the right and the word "Sealed" are darker because of the extra layer of ink.

Once the slider was done, I adhered that to the front of my panel.

If you are having trouble making your slider card slide, I recommend cutting a second channel piece from the dies (that's the one that looks like a U, I have found that doubling the channel pieces allows for a much smoother slide.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar or over on Facebook, so you don't miss any future posts. Drop me a line in the comments section below and let me know what you think.

Happy Holiday Series | Dimensional Slider ft. Lawn Fawn "Beary Happy Holidays"

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

I've done slider cards in the past, where the critter slides across the card; it's fun and interactive. I wanted to take that to the next level and have my little critter sliding across a dimensional scene. I had originally wanted him to be skating across a shaker background so that it would look as though it were snowing, but it started to get too bulky.

In the end, I'm glad I went the direction I did. This little guy is so cute and I have a bunch of other dimensional sliders planned, stay tuned!

To begin, I stamped the bear from Lawn Fawn's "Beary Happy Holidays" with Memento ink on 110lb Copic-friendly cardstock and cut him out using the Brother 2 Scan N Cut. I coloured him with Copic markers and set him aside.

I cut another piece of cardstock with the Lawn Fawn "Forest Border" die and used Distress ink to add colour to the trees. To make a bit of a shadow on the hillside under the trees I used some soft blue Copic markers so it wouldn't look flat.

I stamped the ice flow from "Critters in the Arctic" and used a medium oval die from Spellbinders to do a partial die cut for my window, and fussy cut around the top of the ice flow. On the front panel I stamped my greeting and then prepped the panel with my powder tool. I heat embossed some snowflakes using "Snow" embossing powder by Recollections.

I sponged Tumbled Glass Distress ink on the front of my A2 sized card base to create the sky, then adhered my hillside with trees directly down on the front.

To create the slider channel, I used the short "Slide On Over" die in a piece of acetate and lined it up so the bear could skate across the ice. I trimmed any excess acetate away and adhered it down using some strong two-way tape.

With the front panel completed, I added two layers of foam tape to pop up the panel and ensure that my bear wouldn't get stuck. I have tried to get away with using only one layer of foam tape in the past, and it has always failed me. I like to minimize the bulk on a card, but I like the interactive cards to work properly more.

I adhered a penny to the back of my bear and a small piece of foam tape to line him up in the channel. I then use another penny on the other side so that he won't escape his channel. A penny works perfectly with this size of critter, but for something smaller I would use layers of cardstock. Essentially you create a sandwich so that the foam tape is between the two pennies, just remember to put him in the slider channel before adhering the bottom penny. Otherwise it's a nightmare to get him in the channel and you risk ruining the piece.

Once he was in place, I adhered the top panel to the front of the card and it looks like he's skating across a pond in the park! Lots of fun dimension and it gives you a completely different way to create a slider card.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar or over on Facebook, so you don't miss any future posts. Drop me a line in the comments section below and let me know what you think!

Birthday Surprise | ft Newton's Nook "Newton's Birthday Bash"

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

It was my sister's birthday yesterday, she's always been a fan of kitties, so when it came to making her a card, my choice was pretty obvious. I didn't want to just make a plain card so I thought I would jazz it up a bit with a "surprise" gift card door.

To begin, I cut down a piece of 110lb Copic-friendly cardstock to fit the whole front of my standard A2 sized card base. I then used 1/4" strips of Post-It tape to mask the edges and across the panel.

I sponged Twisted Citron, Peacock Feathers and Mermaid Lagoon in the three little windows I made. Once that was completely dry, I used the largest die from Lawn Fawn's "Lift the Flap" die set to cut the flap for the gift card.

On a scrap of the same cardstock, I stamped this kitty image from Newton's Nook "Newton's Birthday Bash" along with the greeting in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and coloured it with Copic markers.

I added clear Wink of Stella to the bag to make it shimmer. I then popped it up on foam tape and adhered it to the door.

I used super strong two-way tape to mount the panel to the front of my card base and then added some coordinating sequins for a bit more interest.

Under the flap and hidden by the gift card I stamped this additional greeting from the same set, also with Memento ink.

To ensure that the flap would stay closed, I added a drop of Tombow Mono Multi glue and allowed that to dry completely before closing the door. This glue is amazing as it can be permanent if it bonds when wet, but is repositionable if it bonds after it is dry. Perfect for cards with doors or flaps that you want to open and close.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar or over on Facebook, so you don't miss any future posts. Drop me a line in the comments section below and let me know what you think.

Baby on the Way Shadow Box Card | ft Lawn Fawn

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

I'm so excited to share my first attempt with the "Shadow Box Card" die set from Lawn Fawn. My wonderful friend is expecting a baby and I thought that this would be a perfect opportunity to not only send her a card, but to try out the new (to me) die from Lawn Fawn.

We don't know what she is having yet, so I went with gender-neutral colours.

To begin, I cut the shadow box twice from the soft green in the "Watercolor Wishes" 6x6" paper pack. I used the large stitched rectangle window to cut out the front of the box. I stamped the teddy bear and the rocking horse from "Pa-Rum-Pa-Pum-Pum", the rattle from "Plus One" and the banner from "Bannertastic" with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on 110lb Copic-friendly cardstock.

I used the Brother 2 Scan N Cut to cut all the images out and coloured them with Copic markers. I used clear Wink of Stella on the band of the rattle then covered that with Glossy Accents by Ranger.

I used two layers from the Shadow Box Card set to create my dimension and adhered paper that I had cut down with the Stitched Cloud Border dies. I sponged Milled Lavender Distress ink on the edges of the clouds and the back and inside panels of the box so there wasn't any white showing.

Before closing up the box, I adhered the big puffy clouds to the back and sides of the inside of the box and adhered the teddy bear and rocking horse to the clouds in the middle.

I then closed up my box and added the rattle to the front and the banner to the top.

The shadow box is deeper than I thought it would be and I could probably have added a few more layers, but this was my first time and I didn't want to go all crazy. I love that this card can lay flat in the envelope and not cost additional postage to send!

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar or over on Facebook, so you don't miss any future posts. Drop me a line in the comments section below and let me know what you think.

I also have a poll running on my Facebook page right now for this week's Product Review. Click on over to vote for Lyra Rembrandt Pencils or Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers! The poll closes on the evening of December 6th 2017, don't miss it!

Happy Holidays Series | Christmas Tag ft. Mama Elephant, Lawn Fawn and Close to my Heart

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

We're just over half way through this year's Happy Holidays Series, so today I thought I'd share a "not card". For each each series, I'm trying really hard to include a tag and a gift card holder or box, not because I don't have enough cards (believe me I do), but because I like to share things that are a bit different.

Today's "not card" is a spinner tag that features a mash up of my holiday stash. And if you decide you don't want to use it as a tag (or give it away.... because that happens), you can always hang it from the tree!

To begin, I stamped the both of the dancing reindeer from Mama Elephant's "Reindeer Games" with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on 110lb Copic-friendly cardstock and cut them out using the Brother 2 Scan N Cut; then coloured them with Copic markers. I adhered them back to back, sandwiching a length of Unique Ultra Fine Invisible Thread between them.

I used the "Tag, You're It" die from Lawn Fawn to die cut the tag from a piece of "Perfectly Plaid - Chill" patterned paper and one from plain white cardstock (110lb). To get the window in my tag, I used a mini book-mark die as it was just the perfect size to fit and allow him to spin.

I prepped the lower portion of the blue tag with my powder tool and stamped my greeting from CTMH's "Just to Say..." stamp set with VersaMark ink and heat embossed it with silver embossing powder.

I had bunch of these glittering snowflakes from Lawn Fawn's "Mini Snowflakes" die set from a previous project so I adhered them with Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive (review coming!) liquid glue, then set the tag aside to dry.

The back I kept super simple, just stamping the "To and From" from CTMH's "Card Word Puzzle" with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

Once both halves of the tag were completed I used super strong two-way tape to completely cover one side. I then placed my spinner where I wanted him to go and pulled the ends of the thread tight so he wouldn't sag when standing upright. I pressed both sides of the tag together to make sure it was all good and stuck.

I pulled a piece of natural twine through the top and knotted it off for the loop. I used a piece of 1/8" red ribbon for the bow - I chose red just to pull together the little bit of colour from his nose.

Finally, to finish it off completely and because I just can't stop myself, I used a clear Wink of Stella glitter brush pen over his antlers and nose then added some Glossy Accents by Ranger over the noses as well.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar or over on Facebook, so you don't miss any future posts. Drop me a line in the comments section below and let me know what you think.

Happy Holidays Series | Spinning Bear ft. Lawn Fawn "Beary Happy Holidays"

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

Welcome to the second card in this year's Happy Holidays series. Today, I wanted to share a sweet little spinner card that I created using the skating bear from Lawn Fawn's "Beary Happy Holidays".

The 2017 fall and winter release from Lawn Fawn is amazing. They have certainly outdone themselves with the stamp sets this year. Even during the sneak peak I had so many ideas, how could I resist this adorable bear? And he's not alone in the set! So much fun ahead!

To begin, I cut down a piece of shimmering cardstock to the same size as a standard A2 card base. I lined it up with the front and ran both layers through my die cutting machine with a scalloped circle die at the same time. This ensures that the opening will match up perfectly when the card is put together.

I then removed the front shimmering panel, prepped it with my powder too and used my MISTI to arrange all the snowflakes and the greeting. I stamped them with VersaMark ink and heat embossed with silver detail embossing powder.

Since none of these snowflakes are repeated, this is an easy card to mass produce.

I stamped the front and back portions of the bear on 110lb Copic-friendly cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and used the Brother 2 Scan N Cut to cut them out. I coloured the images with Copic markers.

To create the spinner, I put a piece of super strong two way tape in the middle of each half, I then placed a length of "Unique Ultra Fine Invisible Thread" through the middle. I added more adhesive so that all the edges would be completely stuck together and put the two pieces together.

I added adhesive all over the back of the front panel and used my craft mat to line up the loose ends of the invisible thread to make sure the bear was suspended in the middle. Instead of cutting off the tails of the thread, I lay them back and forth over the adhesive, so they won't go anywhere. I then put adhesive all over the front of the card base, and stuck the two pieces together.

When the card is standing upright, the bear hangs nicely in the middle of the opening. You can wind him up so when the recipient opens it, he'll spin around for a super fun surprise.

Typically I'd photograph the card standing up, but I didn't like the shadows, so flat it is. You could also create a light scene inside the card so that it is visible through the opening when the card is standing.

Unique Ultra Fine Invisible Thread is a nylon so it is stronger than normal sewing thread and basically clear which makes it just perfect for this type of card. I picked up mine at my local fabric store for less than $3. Considering the spool has 500 yards, I'll probably never need another!

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar or over on Facebook, so you don't miss any future posts. Drop me a line in the comments section below and let me know what you think.

This card is for:

2 Crafty Critter Crazies

Challenge #8

ABC Christmas Challenge

W is for White and X Marks the Spot

Happy Holidays Series | Peek-a-Boo Santa ft. Clearly Besotted & Lawn Fawn

Hi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I hope you're having a great day.

I've put it off as long as I can. I had hoped to start next week, but I just can't wait any longer! I'm so excited to begin this year's Happy Holidays Series.

I'm going to start the year with a fun interactive card featuring Lawn Fawn Dies and Clearly Besotted Stamps.

To begin, I used the largest of my "Stitched Rectangle" dies by Lawn Fawn to cut out my front panel, from 110lb Copic-friendly cardstock. I then used the smallest of the "Lift the Flap" dies to cut three flaps that will make up the interactive part of the card.

I used Tumbled Glass Distress ink to shade at the top and fade out to white as it moves down the card. Once that was dry, I put the panel in my MISTI and stamped the tree and the main greeting from Clearly Besotted's "Santa Baby" set, using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I stamped the three little instructions from Lawn Fawn's "Push Here" stamp set.

I coloured the tree with Copic markers and added Glossy Accents by Ranger over the star and the ornaments.

I lined up the top panel with another of the same size and stamped three of the Santa images from Clearly Besotted, then coloured each of them with Copic markers.

I adhered the two panels together, being careful not to put adhesive behind the flaps that are to lift up. I then used a tiny bit of Tombow Mono Adhesive at the bottom of each flap and let that dry. This liquid adhesive is fantastic, as it can be made permanent if applied when wet, but if you let it dry it becomes a repositionable sticky tab, allowing the flaps to be open and closed multiple times.

The adhesive will wear out over time, but I've opened and closed these tabs at least a dozen times because these images are just so stinking cute that I couldn't resist and the tab is still going strong.

I hope you like today's card and are inspired to create something of your own. If you haven't already, please follow me on the right side bar or over on Facebook, so you don't miss any future posts. Drop me a line in the comments section below and let me know what you think.

This card is for:

Christmas Card Challenge

Challenge #24

Crafting from the Heart 

Challenge #180