Katie Label Card

I had the opportunity to try out one of Karen Burniston's new dies with Elizabeth Crafts.  I tried out the Katie Label.  I had fun playing with this pivot card.






I combined the die with some Graphic 45 paper and Tim Holtz products to create a very masculine card.

Cascading Card

Have you seen the cascading cards?  I love this kind of wow cards.  I also like that after it's opened it makes a display but still flattens for mailing.


Started with some patterned paper and followed the directions for the card.  There are many people who have done videos and written directions.  I found it to be a simple card to put together.  After my card was together I inked and put together the Jalopy, cut the gears from tinfoil covered card stock, embossed and used black paint to distress the.  Finally I layered it all up and was finished.

Supplies:
Paper: Graphic 45 (A proper Gentleman)
Dies: Sizzix (Jalopy, Gadget Gears) Folders (diamond plate, riveted metal)
Other: Tim Holtz Distress Paint (silver, black soot)

Floating Butterfly

I have seen several cards lately that use the clear acetate with a popup to create the illusion of elements floating.  I love how this works with the accordion frame die. 



The technique is very simple.  I cut the die out of acetate 3 times and then patterned paper 6 times.  I removed the center portion of the patterned pieces and adhered them to the clear pieces.  I connected the frames to make the accordion.



To finish I adhered butterflies, flourishes, and flowers throughout the card.   I was able to match up things so the adhesive didn't show but glossy accents is a good option too.



Supplies:
Dies: Sizzix (Tattered flower garlands, Elegant Flourishes, Big Ticket) Spellbinders (butterflies)
Punches: Martha Stewart (butterfly)

Sparkle Thank Yous

I am on a roll with the thank yous.  I have been pulling out some oldie but goodies to make these.  Today I have two to share. 



I remember a time when I used the canvas background stamp on every card I made.  I dusted it off today to create a background with it.  I have to say my ink techniques have improved a lot since I first used this stamp.  I finished my flower by stickling the centers.



For this card I started with my sentiment and boxed it in and then masked it while I stamped the flowers.  I used another favorite of mine, colored pencils, to color the flowers.  I finished again with stickles. 



Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' Up (canvas) Unknown (hydrangea, flower)
Ink: Archival Black, Distress (tea dye, vintage photo)
Other: Stickles (icicle) sheer ribbon

Button Thank Yous

Do you have as many buttons as I do?  I seem to be obsessed with collecting them but not with using them.  I wanted to put a few to good use so I pulled out my Everyday Button Bits set.



I love how buttons come in so many sizes and shapes.  I was able to fill in all these flower stems.  A simple thank you at the bottom finishes it off.


Next up are sweet cherries.



More flowers with clouds and I tried a boxed in sentiment but clearly I need to work a little on that.



Finally I used the cute little bicycle.  I like to use this frame on my cards.  It allows me to use a smaller stamp on a large card but still have a clean and simple look.



Supplies:
Stamps: Papertrey Ink (everyday button bits) Deadbeat designs (cloud)
Ink: Distress Ink (mowed lawn, black soot)
Other: Buttons, button twine, fine line pen.

Student Thank you Cards

I really hate when life gets in the way of crafty fun.  Happens to the best of us I guess.  I have managed to make a few things in the recent future.  I have some thank you cards I made my students for gifts they gave me.  I need some simple but wow cards.  They love when I make them a card.  Here are the designs I came up with. 



I started by inking my card front with mustard seed ink.  Then I used the ruler from It's Official and created my own background.  I remember when creating a background paper was something I did all the time.  I am glad to see it coming back again.



 Then I stamped the tag its #6 circle in black and cut it out.  I stamped the center piece, sentiment and apple as well.  Then I finished my card by wrapping some ribbon, adding the ribbon tails, and then stickles on the apple.



Supplies:
Stamps: Papertrey Ink (tag its #6, It's offical)
Paper: Papertrey Ink (white, pure poppy)
Ink: Distress Ink (barn door, black soot, mustard seed)
Other: Stickles (xmas red, green) ribbon (sheer red dots)

Scrapbook Thursday--More Zoo!

Another zoo layout to share today.  This is more my normal style.  I love how vintage/rustic these papers are.




I tucked my journaling into a file folder.  I find it interesting to see how trends change and come back.  I was using these small file folders when I first started scrapbooking.

Scrapbook Thursday--My Favorite Zoo Keepers

Sometimes I just want to create a simple layout.  This is one of those.  I had a big bag of zoo embellishments I hadn't used.  I don't often gravitate to the kiddish style but I liked how these turned out.

Scrapbook Thursday--Wildlife Park

How to get more photos on a layout is always a problem.  I often resort to creating a photo block.  This time I just made the entire second page a photo block.




I also used the random memory stamp on this layout.  I like the numbering possibilities.



I tried to break the block up with a border around it and some more random memories.

Scrapbook Thursday--Roasted Wieners and S'mores

I love how this layout turned out.  The papers were perfect for the pictures.




I am quite proud of my flames and logs.  I used a cut off a Slice cartridge and then set to shading and embellishing it.



As cute as the main course turned out, the dessert was even better...



The marshmallows really came to life when I coated them in liquid applique and then heated it.  I love how it puffed up and wrinkles.  I even managed to toast a couple of them when I got the heat gun too close.



Supplies:
Paper: Bobunny (patterned) Bazzill (cardstock)
Other: Slice (fire) Ranger (fired brick, rusty hinge, mustard seed ink) Liquid Applique