Another Valentine's Card

After being home for the past two days due to snow days, I decided that I wanted to tackle something that was a bit more challenging for me.  When I attempted to make a shaker card last year, it didn't turn out to well, but I found a great tutorial today by another demonstrator and just had to try it.  (Since I am trying to make my blog post shorter, I will post the link for the tutorial at the bottom of the page.)  After reading the demonstrator's blog, I would have never thought to use the outside parts of the dimensionals.  It was a great tip that I learned today and worked beautifully.  Since I have not purchased the heart framelits yet, I used my Silhouette to cut out the heart from the overlay.  This card turned out way better than my first attempt, but it still needs some works.  I think I put too many hearts in the inside since they don't move very well when you shake it.  Overall, the card was a success and there is always something that needs to be changed.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Directions: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/lauralaures/blogdirectBlogUrl=/blog/104779/entry/shaker_card_valentine

Valentine's Day

Since Valentine's is a little over a month away, I decided to start making some to get ahead start.  I decided to use a new technique tonight.  Using my Creative Memories heart punches, I punched out the different sized hearts and then adhered them onto the white overlay.  I then ran the overlay through the Big Shot and embossed the overlay with Decorative Dots.  To finish the card, I stamped "Happy Valentine's Day" from one of my Hero Art collections.  This technique was pretty simple, but it turned out pretty cool.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Happy Birthday!

Since one of my good friends birthday is at the end of the week, I decided to make her a card tonight using her favorite colors.  Tonight's card was made using my Silhouette and an image from Miss Kate Cuttables. Even though it took me a few tries to get everything cut out, it turned out pretty cute and I can't wait to give it to her on Friday.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Thank You!

Today was my first day back to school since winter break started a week and a half ago and I am exhausted.  It was great to see my 2nd graders today but they wore me out.  I love hearing about their breaks and what they got for Christmas.  Enough about my day though and the love for my students, let's discuss tonight's creation.

Using my trimmer, I cut the card base, strip of rich razzleberry designer paper, and the different overlays that I needed.  I then used the Regarding Dahlias stamp set to stamp the flower and "thank you" onto the small white overlay.  Once everything was completed, I then assembled my card.  It was a pretty easy card to create.  It only took me about 10 minutes to make.  I will have to keep this card in mind when I am doing Thank You cards after my wedding.  Knowing me though I will change my mind several times before then and have a different one in mind.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Happy 2014!

Wow, 2014.  I still can't believe another year has past, but we have a lot doing on this year.  One of my best friends is getting married in October and in March, I am welcoming my first nephew into the world.  Plus we are planning our own wedding so it will be a busy, but exciting and fun year all at the same time.  Well enough about what is going to happen this upcoming year and let's discuss the first creation in 2014.

Since today is the 1st day of the year, I decided to stamp "Make a Wish" from the Perfect Pennants stamp set, since everyone is setting their new goals/resolutions and making wishes for the upcoming year, onto a banner that I cut out using my framelits.  Using my Big Shot again, I cut out the backing for the banner as using the next size banner framelit from the one that the stamp is on.  Once the banners were done, I cut three 1" strips of paper of paper and then used my hexagon punch to make them look like banners.  I then cut them down to the size that I wanted so that all three banners were visible at the bottom of the card.  After that was finished, I adhered everything onto the overlay.  This is one of the cards that I will be sending my Stampin UP Secret Sister this month and I think it turned out great.  I hope she likes it just as much as I enjoyed making it.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Happy New Year!

Wow, where has the year gone?  It doesn't seem possible that 2013 is coming to an end in less than 3 hours. It seems like the years go by faster the older I get.  2013 was a great year for me though.  I got engaged and my best friend moved back home.  Many other great things have happened as well, but I don't want to bore you with it all.  Anyway, let's discuss the final creation for 2013.

When I think of New Year's, I think of fireworks and the ball being dropped in Time Square so I decided to use the starbrust technique.  I cut 2" strips of designer paper and then cut them into triangles.  Once I had enough triangles, I ran my overlay through my Xyron so that it had adhesive all over it.  I then laid the triangles onto the overlay having them all meet at the same point in middle.  After the overlay was covered with designer paper, I cut off the extra paper that hung over the edges.  To finish the card, I stamped 3 flowers from the Flower Shop stamp set and 3 flowers from the Petite Petals stamp set and adhered them together with a dimensionals.  This card couldn't have turned out better if I tried.  This was a great card to end 2013 with.  I can't wait to embark on my 365 project this year.  The last 6 months were only for practice to see if I could keep up with it.  I have proven to myself that I can do this project no matter what kind of day I am having.  I hope you have enjoyed seeing all my cards just as much as I have enjoyed creating them.  Lastly, I hope everyone has a safe and happy new year.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Another Happy New Year Card

Since New Year's is right around the corner and there are a few people I want to send card to, I decided to make another New Year's card.  Also, Miss Kate Cuttables had a very cut "Happy New Year's" title today so I couldn't resist not using it.  Using my Silhouette, I cut out all of the different layers for the title.  After it was adhered together, I can the overlay through the Big Shot so the background was embossed stars.  Once again, I love how this card turned out.  It is super colorful and I hope that it will brighten the person's day who is receiving it.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Happy New Year!

Since I got one of my friend's new address after I sent out the Christmas cards, I decided to make her a New Years card.  The inspiration for this card came from Pinterest.  Using my Silhouette, I cut out the four banners and 2014.  Once those were cut out, I adhered them onto the card.  I then used one of my stamps to stamp "Happy New Year" on the bottom right hand corner of the card.  I thought the card looked a little bare so I added some sliver and gold glitter stars to the overlay.  I love how this card turned out.  Since I used Stampin UP paper, I knew it would all colors would coordinate together nicely.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Thinking of You!

Today we received a Christmas card in the mail that didn't have good news in it so I decided to make a thinking of you card for my cousin.  She has had it pretty rough for the past several years and can't seem to catch a break.  I wanted to make her a card to let her know that we are thinking about her even if we are 400 miles apart.  This card was pretty simple to make, but most thinking of you cards are pretty simple as well.  I used the Swallowtail stamp to stamp the large butterfly onto a piece of white card stock.  I then cut it down to size so it would fit onto my card base.  Once that was finished, I stamped "Thinking of You" from the Sassy Salutations stamp set.  I think the card turned out pretty neat even though it was simple to make.  I hope this card will pick my cousin's spirits up a little bit and let her know that her family in Wisconsin is thinking about her in this difficult time.  Until next time, happy carding everyone!

Last Christmas Card for the Year!

Today being Christmas in all, we spent the day with both of our families.  It gets to be a little much, but unfortunately that is how it worked out this year.  Even though it was a lot of eating, we had a lot of fun visiting with our families and everything.  I got some really great presents that I wasn't expecting either, but those are the best kind.  Enough about how our Christmas went, let's discuss tonight's creation.

Since Christmas is over now, I had to make one last Christmas card before I started making cards until about October or November next year.  First, I stamped the Santa onto a piece of white cardstock.  I then used my Big Shot and circle framelits to cut out the Santa along with another bigger circle for the border. Once that finished, I used my trimmer to cut out the card base, two overlays, and then the two overlays for the little saying.  To finish the card, I stamped "He's making a list and checking it twice..." from the Santa's List stamp set.  This card was pretty simple to make, but it was just what I needed after a long day of visiting and driving.  I will miss making Christmas cards, but it is nice to focus on other themes that I have been neglecting since November.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

3D Paper Stars!

Today's creation looks like a simple card, but it was a little bit more work than just that.  Using my Silhouette, I cut out three stars.  Once the stars were cut out, I scored them the top of the point to the center of the star.  I did this for each of the five points and then I fold on the score lines.  After I fold all five points, I then took two of the points together and creased them.  Again, I did this with all five points and this is what makes it a 3D star.  I did find a video that I will post at the bottom of my blog.  The directions are not exactly like the ones that I followed, but it will still be helpful.  Once the 3D stars were finished, I punched out three smaller stars for the card.  To finish the card, I used my Big Shot to cut out the word "Merry" with the expression thinlits and run the overlay through to emboss it with strips.   I then stamped "Christmas" in the middle of one of the strips so it lined up with Merry.  This card turned out great.  I didn't know if the stars were going to turn out first, but they did.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Video Tutorial:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7Zm0wF3Pm8

Owl Christmas

Since my card was done so early today, I almost forgot to post it.  Today's creation was inspired by Pinterest.  Using my owl punch, I punch out the different pieces that I need for the owls.  I then cut out triangles for their hats.  I used my mini scalloped circle punch to decorate the hats a little bit more.  Once the owls were finished, I cut out my overlay and then used my scallop edge border punch to give it a nice border.  I then ran the other overlay through the Big Shot to make it look like wood.  To finish my card, I stamped "Merry Christmas" onto a white piece of paper and punched it out with the word window punch.  I then used my modern label punch for the background.  This card turned out super cute.  I love how adding the border to the card makes it pop a little bit more.  Christmas is 2 days away and I don't know what I will do with myself after that since I have been making Christmas cards since November.  Good thing there are other holidays.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Punch Art Christmas Tree

Once again, my inspiration for tonight's creation came from Pinterest.  Using my Creative Memories heart punch, I punched out 11 hearts.  After I laid them out, I decided they didn't pop off the card enough so I used my ink dauber and went around the edges of the heart.  I then punched out a modern label and cut it in half for the stump.  I adhered the modern label on the back of one of the hearts.  I then adhered the hearts to the overlay to make it look like a Christmas tree.  After my tree was finished, I punched out a star using my Creative Memories star punch in yellow glitter paper.  To finish the card, I punched out little scalloped circles to put on the tree. This card turned out pretty cool.  Who would have known how many different things you can make with punches.  The more punch art I do, the more I can't wait to order all of my punches in January.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Christmas Wreath

Tonight's inspiration came from Pinterest.  Using my Mosaic punch and coordinating stamp set, I created the wreath for this card.  I then ran part of the overlay through my Big Shot to emboss poinsettias on it.  To finish the card, I stamped "Merry Christmas" on the green overlay of the card and attached a bow to the wreath. The wreath didn't turn out exactly the way I wanted it since I couldn't get the spacing right to save my life. Overall though, it turned out pretty good.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Minion Christmas!

Tonight I decided I wanted to do some punch art and I found this cute minon so I had to make it.  I will include the directions for the minon at the end of my blog.  After I completed my minon, I created a Santa hat for him.  I then stamped the snowman and made him appear to be looking up at the snow.  Both the snowman and the minon look excited to see snow.  This card turned out pretty cute.  Creating the minon was a lot of fun and I can't wait to get all my punches in January so I can do more punch art.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Minon Directions:  http://craftypawsbytrisha.blogspot.com/2013/06/minion-card-from-despicable-me.html

Mosaic Christmas Tree

Tonight's creation was made with a few different punches.  To make the Christmas tree, I used the Mosaic Punch with coordinating stamp set.  I then used the hexagon punch to make the trunk of the tree by only punching out half of a hexagon.  To finish the card, I cut a strip of paper and to make it look like a banner, I used the hexagon punch again for the ends.  This card didn't completely turn out the way I would have hoped, but it turned out none the less.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Thank You!

Tonight's creation was another simple card.  Using my Bitty Butterfly punch, I punched out three butterflies and then used my circle framelits to cut them out.  I then cut out pattern paper to go behind the butterflies so that they popped off the paper a little more.  To give the butterflies antennas, I stamped the antenna from the Papillon Potpourri stamp set and then put rhinestones at the ends.  Finishing my card, I stamped "thank you" from the Sassy Salutations stamp set.  This card came together very well even though it was pretty simple to create.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Deck The Halls

Tonight's creation is very simple since I had the flu all day.  Using the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set, I stamped an ornament in the middle of the overlay.  I then used the Christmas message stamp set to stamp "deck the halls" on the bottom.  To give this card a little more color, I cut out 1" strips of designer paper the length of the card to be adhered on both sides of the overlay.  Even though this card was simple, it turned out great.  Now that my card of the day is done, I am going to return to bed where I have been all day.  Hopefully, I feel better tomorrow so I can return to school.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Hello!

Being a Stampin UP demonstrator has a lot of great benefits and one is being able to order new product before the customers.  Today I got my pre-order shipment for the catalog that starts on January 1st as well as the free products that you can earn for every $50 that you spend during our Sale-A-Bration promotion starting January 28th.  Since UPS showed up super early for once, I was able to use a few of my new products on tonight's creation.

Using my Basic Gray ink, I stamped the outline of the label love and then punched it out using the coordinating punch.  I then stamped the "hello" banner from the new Perfect Pennants stamp set.  Using the banner framelit, I cut out the "hello" banner.  The banner framelits comes with several different size banners that can be cut out using the Big Shot.  I then embossed the overlay with one of the free items that can earned during the Sale-A-Bration promotion.  To finish my card, I punched out three butterflies using the Bitty Butterfly punch.  This card was inspired from Pinterest and I loved how I changed it to make it my own creation.  It turned out great and I love how the new products all came together with the products that I already have.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.

Lovebirds

Tonight's creation was made using my Silhouette.  Once I adhered all of the pieces together to make the lovebirds.  I used the Teeny Tiny Wishes set to stamp "Happy Anniversary" and then I punched it out with the word window punch.  I then punched out the background for the word window with the Modern Label punch.  I ran into a few complications with this card, but it still turned out.  Until next time, happy carding everyone.