The Bride & Groom

Well what a weekend. I do not know where to begin. My husband and I went to a great wedding and my nieces were there to take my camera and get some pictures of us. We had a great time. The kids stayed home with Nonna and Nonno and we had the weekend off. So of course I made the wedding card for the gift.
I have been in a determined state of mind to learn "Iris Paper Folding" a technique that just takes concentration and time. But it is quite easy once you understand how it works.
I was guided through this technique by a fellow stamp artist and former student of mine. She has now grown and graduated to a inspiring "Card Artist". She had done this technique several other times and walked me through this card. I was fortunate enough to find http://valitasfreshfolds.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html the template for this couple. I then incorporated the brides colors from the wedding and designed the card. The top of the dress is Su Card stock vellum and I put it through the cuttlebug. The Tux is Su Black Paper and I ran that through the cuttlebug as well with the "distress" embossing folder. But my favorite part are the Brides legs. I used the legs from the mft set called "School Days". I colored her legs in with SU Blush Blossom and an aqaua painter. I colored the shoes in with an American Crafts Metallic Marker. The book plate is from Joann's and I used SU Crystal Brads on each side. The ribbon is from the Holiday Section of Michael's Arts and Crafts store. I used a gel pen for the buttons on the tux.

RECIPE:
Paper: Stardream Metallic "Quartz" Paper, SU Smooth White, Anna Griffin in Clearance at Michael's, SU Vellum Cardstock

Stamps: MFT "School Days" (http://www.mftstamps.com/catalog/), Su Taggers Dozen

Ink: Su Blush Blossom Re-inker, Versafine Black

Accessories: Cuttlebug Folders "distressed, Swirls, Swiss Dot", Offray Double Faced Satin White and 1/8 Black and 7/8" White, American Crafts Metallic Pen, Michael's Holiday Ribbon, SU Crystal Brads Green, Joann's Fabrics label.

Baby Blue Elephant

Another Quick Baby card. These I did for my son's teacher. The class gave her baby shower. This was part of my gift basket. There are 20 cards with matching envelopes. I made a Belly band for around the envelopes, which holds them together when I place them in the basket. I slide the band up a little so you could see how I hold the envelopes and still see the design on the matching envelopes. Again I used the cuttlebug

a white base and a square scallop punch. I used the stampin wheel from SU called spot on and rolled two sheets of white paper. I then stamped the Papertrey Baby Elephant http://www.papertreyink.com/stamps_bittybabyblessings.html on the wheeled spotted paper. I cut out each elephant and put them up on a dimensional on the blue scallop square. I used the "bug" again. The swiss dot folder. It took me 30 minutes to make 20 of these. Notice not one embellishment. Easy Easy Easy.....

RECIPIE:

Stamps: SU Spot On Wheel, Bitty baby Blessing http://www.papertreyink.com/stamps_bittybabyblessings.html, Su So Many Scallops. I can not remember where who or where I got the Thank You stamp.

Ink: SU Bashful Blue, Versa fine Black

Accessories: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder "Swiss Dot",

Marvy "giga" Scallop Square Punch http://www.papertreyink.com/, 1 1/2 inch Circle Punch

"Pop Dots" and/or "Dimensional".

Paper: Xeorx White, Su Bashful Blue

Easy Baby Elephant

Easy and Quick is today's theme if you will. I am putting these up because these are some of the cards that I make in large quantities. Now those of you that are familiar with my card making know that I make cards usually in sums of 20 or more. I give these cards as gifts for the many occasions that I attend with my friends and family. It gives me chance to show others that a handmade card still has a place in the world of 'High tech" communication. "Thank you" cards are always an easy and appreciated gift by the people who have to thank their guest for their gifts or attendance in a celebration.

All that being said I need to be quick and cute in those types of cards. So here is a card for a baby shower where the "Mother-to-be" does not know if it is a boy or girl baby. So green is always generic.

A white based card. Some spots and a cute ribbon with a brad. A little water coloring with an Aqua painter and re-inkers. Done!!!

For this shower I made and put 40 of them in a white box. In the box I include a pen and a pad. At the shower the pad and pen come in handy for writing down the gift and the gift giver's name. Then the
Mother-to-be can put the cards that came with the gift in the box and she is instantly organized and has her shower cards saved. The box can hold future items that the Mom may want to save of the babies. Just a quick way to start that memory box without a lot of effort. She has everything in one place. Cute idea I thought. And she doesn't have to make time to go out and buy "Thank You" cards. How do I know how many to make?

Good Question!!!! When I R.S.V.P. to the party I usually have conversation with the host of the event. I ask a lot of general questions that give me information on the event. I ask about the theme, color, boy or girl, number of people invited and thus I have good information for design. I usually write all the information down on the invitation that I get for the party and then use that to create my design. I then add 10 to the count of invitation's mailed. This way I am within a range that the right amount of "Thank You" cards are in the box.

The finally touch is a big fluffy bow with really pretty ribbon. It is about about presentation. And on top of the box I make an extra card and put it in a clear envelope and stick on top of the box to show the receiver the content of cards inside the box. Voila! a practical gift.

RECIPE:

Stamps: SU Riveting (solid circle), SU Year After Year, SU Noteworthy (Thank you word).
Paper: Xerox White, SU Certainly Celery
Ink: Versamagic ink Sage, Versafine Black, SU Certainly Celery and Going Gray re-inkers
Accessories: Su Oval Punches small and Large, Mary Square Scallop Punch "Giga" (purple), SU Silver Brad, Michael's "Dots n Dashes Ribbon".

"Baby Ducks"

Hello all!
How cute and simple is this card. One of my favorite tools is the cuttlebug. Now if you own a microwave in your home then you need a cuttlebug. A cuttlebug is the microwave of paper crafting. Literally you can create a card in 10 minutes. This card took 10 minutes. So think of how many you could make and stock up on with just a few hours of time. The stamps are part of an adorable set called Bitty Baby Blessings from Papertrey.http://www.papertreyink.com. Papertrey has some of the best clear stamp images out there. The owner is the former Chief Editor of Papercrafts Magazine. She is not only a fantastic artist but a talented and savvy business women. She has vision and tenacity. I love their products and service.

The "inches" are made with a 1"inch square punch and the ducks punched out with a 1/2" circle punch. The cuttlebug embossing folders are Baby and Swiss Dot. The very straight scored lines in the photo are created with a "Score Pal". Papertrey sells the "scorepal" now, and here is the website for the scorepal. http://www.scor-pal.com/. It is another fantastic tool. Finally these quick cards are inspired by a lady at SCS named SusieB. I personally think her simple and elegant cards are wonderful. The fact that she shares them is heart warming. She does have a website and gallery on SCS.http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=9069.

Now you know before I could finish the card one of my children had to interrupt so that is why a ten minute card is great because a child wants 5 minutes of that 10 minute card time to participate in the process. (My son was the colorist on the envelope and on the baby ducks you see on the card. He also did the square punching.) So now really think about how many you could create without an assistant that is 3 feet tall. So my coloring assistant used his "Crayola"™ colored pencils on the Mother and Baby Duck on the envelope as well as on the 1/2 circle ducks on the card.

RECIPE:
Stamps: Papertrey "Bitty Baby Blessings"http://www.papertreyink.com/stamps_bittybabyblessings.html
Ink: Pallete Ink in Burnt Umber
Paper: Papertrey White, Lemon Tart, DP baby Blessings www.papertreyink.com/pp_bittybabyblessings.html
Accessories: 1" Square Punch, SU 1/2" Circle Punch, Papertrey Lemon Tart Grosgrain Ribbon
Crayola™ colored pencils. Cuttlebug Embossing Folders "Baby" & Swiss Dot.

"Peaceful Easy Feeling"© ™

One of my favorite groups of all time. I guess I gave my age away now. Definitely old enough to know the "Eagles"© ™. In May 08 we went to the Eagles© ™ Concert in Manhattan at the famous Madison Square Garden. One of the first dates my husband and I have had in 2 years. Yes! two years since my daughter was born. He bought the tickets as my Mother's Day gift. What great time. The friends he bought the tickets were so kind to set the whole evening up for him. So I needed to thank them with a "card" of course. Here is the card I came up with. It is a 5 1/2 inch square card, using the cuttlebug. http://www.happyscrappinscrapbooking.com. I used "stazon Ink" on the quartz paper and stamped it off once. Then I ran the paper through the "allegro" Cuttlebug folder.
The images are from the computer and are protected by copyrighted laws, registered trademarks and patents, which belong to the "Eagles"© ™. This card was for personal use and has been posted for inspiration only. Please do not resell or profit from these images for they are property of the "Eagles"© ™. All image and logos are protected and are goverened by federal laws. Enjoy!

RECIPE:

STAMPS: SU Elegant Notes

PAPER: Papertrey White ( http://www.papertreyink.com/ ) SU Basic Black, SU Shara Sand, Quartz from http://www.actionenvelope.com/

Ink: Stazon Black

Accessories: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder "Allegro" http://www.happyscrappinscrapbooking.com/

Birthday Time

One I my hardest design struggles are Masculine themes. Purchasing masculine stamps seems to be something I need to concentrate on. In the spirit of practicality I need to justify in my mind that a set that would be more "manly" must also be versatile. So all that being said I came up with these two cards for a man's Birthday. Of course I utilized http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ for inspiration and layout design. The three stamps sets are from Stampin' Up and are currently retired. But a retired catalog stamp does not mean a stamps sets life is over. I have an endearing relationship with all my stamps. They all have a special card waiting in their owners heart. So hoping that enjoy today cards.

By the way I used the cuttlebug for the card on the right. Love that "bug".http://www.happyscrappinscrapbooking.com



RECIPIE:

Stamps: Su Artifacts, SU Birthday Wishes, SU Birthday Whimsy

Ink: SU Old Olive, SU Pumpkin Pie, Versafine Black, SU Always Artichoke

Paper: Su Whisper White, Su Basic Black, SU Old Olive, SU Pumpkin Pie, SU Always Artichoke, Cuttlebug "Paisley" embossing folder

Accessories: Su Brads gold & Silver, "Clock Hands" Punch, SU White Gel pen

Place Cards for The Wedding

These are wedding place cards I helped make with the bride. Her colors were black and cream. We made 3X3 tent cards and punched Scallop circles for the fronts. On the front were the Brides and Groom's Monogram. The inside had the name and table number for the guest. I created the monogram on the computer with ms word "Edwardian Script" font. This was a fun and quick project. I also made the table numbers for the reception tables.

RECIPE:

Paper: SU Basic Black Card Stock, Hammermill Cardstock Ivory

Stamps: Martha Stweat Clear Monogram

Ink: Versafine Black

Accessories: Marvy Scallop Punches Mega & Giga Circle, Computer Font.

The Bella Bride

In the last few months I have made quite of few cards relating to Brides. This is one of my favorite images from the "Bella" stamp line. If you are not familiar with Bella's well you are missing out on some very fun images.

http://stampingbella.com/. This is "Sposabella". Isn't she stunning. This is a 5 1/2 inch square card. I used and aquapainter and SU Blush Blossom re-inker to color her arms and chest. Very subtly of course. Her bouquet has been colored in with SU Pomegranate re-ink er and an aqua painter and then covered with "cotton candy" stickles. Her dress is covered with dots of SU "Dazzling Diamonds" I used "Martha Stewarts" fine tip glue pen. I put dots of glue on the dress and then sprinkled the glitter over it.http://www.marthastewartcrafts.com/detail.php?p=20052&v=msc_prod_tool_glues

I stamped the image in Versafine and then clear embossed the image. The background stamp on the card base is a clear stamp from "inkadinkadoo". The set is called "Damask".

I made the envelope to match of Course it is all about presentation.....

RECIPE:

Stamps: Inkadinkadoo "Damask", "Sposabella"

Paper: SU Whisper White, SU Silver Metallic

Ink: SU Blush Blossom, Versa fine "black", Versamark, SU Pomegranate , SU Creamy Caramel Marker

Accessories: Clear and Tinsel embossing powders by "Ranger", Crystal Glaze by "Ranger" (for lipgloss), Stickles

"Cotton Candy", aqua painter, Offray Organdy Ribbon, Quilters Pearl Pin, Martha Stewart

Finetip Glue Pen, SU "Dazzling Diamonds".

Off to School

Hello!

Well, My little man began the second grade today. Wow that was fast. Not the summer just but him getting to second grade. Of course like every household in my town we began the routine of getting to school on time. Now you all know that I did not have to just raise my voice that would have been easy. I screamed! Now all that is rational to me says that he doesn't respond when I scream but I sure do feel better afterwards. My son has two speeds "Stop and Reverse". Plus I had to get my two year old daughter ready to because she need come with me since my care giver couldn't be at my house by the time I had to take him to school. So when I tell you that I am challenged everyday by my children I think you can see a little picture of what I mean. Now I am not the only Mom in this boat I just happen to share the real side of myself. Oh! and did I mention I had to get myself ready for work too.

Now! On to the card. I was excited to get to know Austin's new teacher that I had to make her a card and introduce myself. So this is what I came up with. I love this stamp set from "My Favorite things". This image is also known as "Who is that girl", and the stamp set is called "Back to School". This stamp company has a distinctive style and I love her, especially since she does not have a face. I paper pieced her dress with some DP scraps and clear embossed the Blackboard. Used brads and eyelets. Just a fun and quick little note.

RECIPE: Stamps: Back to School by: http://mftstamps.com/ SU Alphabet Wheel

Paper: SU Basic Black, White and Real Red, DP Scraps

Ink: Versfine Black,SU White Craft, Craft Garden Green, Su Real Red Ink Cartridge

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Red eyelets, American Crafts Black Brads,

dollar bin ribbon from Michaels.

Baptism Invite Close Up

This is the invite close up. I had a lot of questions on the bleach look of the invite since it was hard to see in the other photo. I love this stamp set. Enjoy!

Monogram Wedding

Monograms are very very popular now. I love the classic look of black and white for a wedding. I had just purchased the monogram stamp set, which has the whole monogram kit plus choices in it. The company that makes the monogram letters and designs is http://justritestampers.com/. Since the CHA show this past summer they have expanded their line a lot. I bought the basics to start and I love love love it. Quick and easy. The inspiration for this card originally came from here: http://dbdoodle.blogspot.com/2008/05/say-cheese.html.

Debbie's original card is stunning simple and elegant. Since I was "under the gun" for a Wedding Card I found my inspiration from searching the Splitcoast Stampers website. I added some personal changes to it and created the bow from directions in the SU Success publication that I get monthly as a Demonstrator. Black satin ribbon was the final touch, which tied the whole look together. The actual Monogram is stamped with Black "Versafine" ink and clear embossed on Vellum Card stock. I then punched the vellum with a 1 1/2 circle punch and punched another Circle of the same size out of the Quartz paper from http://www.actionenvelope.com/ae/control/main and glued it together. So the glue would not show through the vellumn I put the glue on the black areas of the monogram.

RECIPE: 5 1/2 inch Square Card

Stamps: Just Rite Monogram Stamper, SU Graceful Words, Hedi Grace Clear Stamps "Flourishes", and Studio G Dollar Stamp from AC Moore Dollar bin.

Paper: Metallic Quartz, SU Basic Black, SU Vellumn Card Stock

Ink: Versafine- Black

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder. Double Face Satin Black Ribbon 5/8" wide, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder "Swiss Dot".

Here is the Invitation of course and the place cards with a close up of the table number cards and Mary Jane Shoe. I made 65 invites. A lot of corner rounding for those three layers. I ran the base layers through the cuttlebug and used the quartz paper. This made the invites more elegant and gave them a vintage look. I did the inside of the invite with the computer using the "Edwardian" Script font. In order to get the the white inside the dress I use the beaching technique. I used an aqua painter and straight bleach. As the bleach dried on the embossed image I got the whiteness on the dress. I used a direct to paper technique for the distressed floral border.

The Place card is a 3X3 note card of the same office depot cardstock.

Note: if you look closely you can see the chocolate molds for the monogramed chocolates, which I put in each of the shoes.


Recipe:


Invitation: Paper; Office Depot White Card stock, SU Blush Blossom, Close to Cocoa, Quartz, Ink "Craft" SU Close to Cocoa with Clear embossing powder, Creamy Caramel.

Accesories: White bordered orangandy ribbon 5/8" wide, Mary Whale tail "Daisy Punch", Cuttlebug Embossing Folder "textile", Cinamon Stickles, SU 1 3/8" circle Punch, SU Scallop Circle Punch, Martha Stewart floral border punch from "Michaels Arts & Crafts" Store. Computer for the placecard. Su Smallest corner rounder.

Baby Shoes

In June of 2008 I help my husband's cousin

with the Christening of her second Little Girl. These baby Mary Jane's were such a big hit at her daughters first Christening that I made them again. A total of 70. Yes I made 70 shoes with the cooperative efforts of many close stamping friends. I also did the table numbers. The paper for the shoe is digital. I printed the digital paper on smooth white card stock, which I purchased at officedepot.com. I then printed the template which I found on the Splicoaststampers website under the template forum. I then revamped the template so that I was able to print two(2) shoe forms on one 81/2 X 11 sheet of paper. I put the soles to cover the bottom of the shoe on another template sheet. All together you need to run the paper twice through the printer. I then made monogrammed white chocolates with the babies initials and stuffed them into each shoe. Here is the template http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=216921&highlight=baby+shoe+template. If you would like the one I created to maximize paper you may email me at mailto:Vaniamaybell@hotmail.com.

The table numbers were also done with digital paper and then I ran the paper through the cuttlebug machine using the Textile Embossing Folder.

RECIPE:

Table No. Sign- Paper: SU Blush Blossom, SU Close to Cocoa and Quartz white paper. Stamp Set SU Buggies and Booties, Ink: SU Close to Cocoa "Craft" ink clear embossing powder, White 7/8" organdy ribbon. Font for Numbers MS Word "Edwardian Script". The measurement of the acutal card is 5 1/2 X 11 1/2.

Baby Shoe: Digital Paper- http://www.computerscrapbook.com/epapertotues1.html Tea on Tuesday E-Paper kit. Dew Drop for button on shoe. and 1/16" ribbon to tie chocolates in a small candy bag. Quartz Paper from http://actionenvelope.com/ and a Marvy Daisy Punch and Cinnamon stickles on the center of shoe the flower.

I attached the daisy, dew drop and the flap of the shoe with Mono Multi Glue. I assembled the actual shoe with my ATG gun and the gold ATG tape found here: http://framingsupplies.com/

Shadow Box Card

I wanted to create this shadow box card for a long while. I needed to make a card for a fellow stamper and she is an awesome artist that wishes to remain 'Unnamed". I used "Meet Me at the cafe" by Mftstamps.com. The card is 3D and stands. It can be mailed in an A2 envelope.

RECIPE:
Stamps: Meet me at the cafe

Paper: SU Pirouette,Close to Cocoa, DP Berry Bliss.

Acessories: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Swiss Dot, Marvy Whale tale "daisy" punch, Dew Drop form Michaels craft candle department, Copic Markers, and liquid Glaze by Ranger.

Ink: Versafine Black and clear embossing powdwer.

September 1, 2008

Ok! I have gotten on the blogger train. I do not know all the in and outs of this process. But I figure that anything I share with you will be a great learning experience. I need to figure this all out. But with time and friends for guidiance I should be ok!
For all the girls in my Stamp Club Group I hope that you are ready for this blog since it was all of you that encouraged that I start this journal.