I'm thankful for my scraps...

 

I recently watched Lori Heiling's video here, and I just had to try the cards she made. If you want to watch only the cardmaking part of the video, start at the 6:40 mark.

I pulled out a couple of card bases that I had on hand and a selection of DSP scraps, which I cut to 1 1/2" x 4 1/2". Then I cut each strip at a diagonal as shown in Lori's video. 

Finally, I cut two 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" rectangles out of plain printer paper. I planned to adhere my finished panels directly to cardstock with double-sided tape (no dimensionals), so I didn't need them to be particularly strong.

When I was done gluing down my strips, I used a different decorative rectangle die to cut out each panel. Then I adhered each of these panels to a white mat before gluing those to my card bases.

I tried cutting my "thanks" out of a coordinating color with a white mat, but I didn't like it. I think the black really pops against the colorful background. This was also glued directly to the front panel. I wanted to keep these cards nice and flat for easy mailing.

On the inside of each card, I stamped a sentiment and three little red hearts.

These cards were so much fun to make. I definitely need to make a few more panels to have on hand for when I need a quick card. It's a fantastic way to use up those scraps!

My tulips have begun to bloom, and I'm really looking forward to having a little bouquet that I can bring into the house. I am watching them closely, as the bazillions of rabbits in our neighborhood are eyeing them, too. They love to eat the flower heads off!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.

Cheryl

Another Spirelli card...

To create this card, I first added a panel of DSP to the card base. Then I die-cut a scalloped panel, which was popped up with dimensionals.

The sweet little dress started out as a scalloped circle. I cut part of the circle away on each side to form the body of the dress. 

Next, I added the metallic teal-colored thread in the manner you see in the photo, taping it to the back of the dress to secure it. 

I had some narrow teal ribbon with silver edging that worked perfectly for the bow at the waist and the straps.

On the inside, I stamped two sentiments. I thought they went well together. I've been doing more of this lately. I think it can personalize the card a bit more if I can find the right combination of sentiments.

*****

I am happy to report that I made it through my four-day dog-sitting stint. Along with my daighter's four dogs, there was also a foster dog that I cared for. He was a nice little pup, but still a pup who demanded quite a bit of attention. I was pleased, when on Sunday he was adopted by a family that had been interested in him and had been approved by the rescue agency.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.

Cheryl 

Chirpy-doodle card...

Back in March, I was inspired by Vicki of Heartwarmers from Vicki to make a chirpy-doodle card, but it took me a few weeks to actually get it done! There are quite a number of videos on YouTube explaining how to make the chirpy-doodle bird, if you just search for "chirpy-doodle card."

I used the bookbinder layout for my card and adhered my vertical sentiment to the "binding."

Looking at my bird in the photos, I realize I did not add any tail feathers using a little heart shape. Oh well. This one has already sold at the thrift shop, so I'll do that next time.

The "grass" was die-cut using a die from the Dollar Store, and the flower was cut with one of my oldest Cuttlebug dies.

I added a smaller bird--again, no tail feathers--on the inside, along with a stamped sentiment.

I put the sentiment at the top to leave plenty of room for a personal note. I think we all tend to write more in thank you cards than in other types of cards.

I am still caring for my daughter's dogs until tomorrow.. Luckily, they live close enough to us where I can sneak home after the dogs are fed and write a blog post. lol.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.

Cheryl

U Rock...

I made a couple of cards that I thought would work for a teenager who likes music or maybe plays a guitar. Of course, these cards could also work for an adult.

I had a small piece of this guitar-patterned cardstock left in my stash, and I wanted to use it. It is years old, possibly as many as eight!

I cut out the letters three times and stacked them for dimension. Big letters like this can be difficult to line up exactly, but my 6" T-square helped me line them up perfectly.

I stamped a sentiment and a few notes on the inside.

Since I had run out of guitar paper, I turned to Bing/Create to use AI to give me another guitar-patterned background.

This time, I made my card as a portrait layout, which meant there wasn't room for the exclamation point, which I thought was ok.

Once again, I stacked the letters for more dimension, and this time I did a little inking around the edges, as well.

The inside was similar to the first card with a stamped sentiment and a few stamped notes.

I am staying at my daughter's this weekend so I can take care of their four dogs while they are out of town. If only the pups would sleep in--but they are used to getting up at the crack of dawn, so I guess I will, too. lol

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.

Cheryl

Mother's Day cards...

 

I started making Mother's Day cards a couple of weeks ago. Since my mother passed away long ago (1992), I've been donating them to the thrift store. They sell quickly there, so I guess there is a need for them.

This is a top-fold card, and I used a border die to create the scalloped bottom edge. Because I used a white card base, I added a piece of lilac cardstock on the inside so that it would coordinate with the DSP on the front.

This one is also a top-fold card. I used the same DSP, dark purple ribbon and sentiment as I had on the first one. I also added sine lilac cardstock to the inside.

Here's a peek at the inside of the second card. Even though the white sentiment panel is fairly small, there is still plenty of room to write a brief greeting and to sign it.

Here are two more cards I made using the Spirelli technique to add metallic thread to the shell shapes.

The pretty fan shells started out as scalloped circles. Then I followed directions on how much to cut off of each circle to create the shell shape. I added a pretty, sparkly sticker to the center before adding metallic string. Here is a brief tutorial on simple Spirelli string art.

I cut the top of my DSP with a large scallped edge die and inked the edge a bit to resemble water.

The letters for "MOM" were cut three times and stacked for dimension before gluing them to my card.  The strip sentiment was stamped and popped up on foam tape.

This card was made the same way, except for the  way I embellished it. Instead of adding a few scattered gems, I added a row of purple Nuvo Drops to the left of "MOM."

Here's a closer look at the Spirelli fan shells. It is clearer in this photo that the metallic string I used was purple. You can also see some of the sparkle in the stickers.

Both of these cards had a simple, stamped sentiment on the inside.

I will have more Mother's Day cards to share with you in future posts, as I really enjoy making them. 

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.

Cheryl

Requested masculine card...

One of the employees at the thrift store where I volunteer asked me to make an Army-themed birthday card for his son, so this is what I came up with.

I found a free camouflage print online and printed out a half sheet of it. I cut it to fit my card front and adhered it with a stitched strip on the left and right. I thought these strips added a tailored look to it.

Then, I also found an image of military dogtag shapes. I printed them on mat silver cardstock with a sentiment on each one.

I added them to my card front with silver string and foam squares.

I thought the dogtags were a little large, but I decided not to resize and reprint them. I think it's ok to take a few liberties when making cards.

The inside held this nice pop-up surprise, which I cut with my Silhouette. I kept the colors in line with the colors on the front of the card. I thought the stars were another nice military touch.

The card was very well received. In fact the person for whom I made it said he loved it. I hope his son loves it, too.

My tulips have finally begun growing like gangbusters. It won't be long before the flower heads appear. Now if we can just keep the bunnies away from them!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.

Cheryl

Let's Craft and Create Challenge #206: Anything Goes or Beautiful Butterflies (use a butterfly)...

 

I'm so glad you've stopped by for a little visit, and I hope you'll be inspired to take part in the latest challenge at Let's Craft and Create. The special option this month is to use a butterfly on your creation. If you're anything like me, you have loads of butterfly stamps, dies and embossing folders.

I decided to use one of my favorite 3D embossing folders to make my card.

I started with a white panel of cardstock and used my embossing folder and machine to impress the butterfly design. When that was done I turned my embossed panel over to the debossed (back) side and added color to the butterflies and plants using some ink pads and blending brushes. I didn't have to be careful about it either! I just brushed on some color until I was happy with it. 

Then I used a black ink pad to swipe ink over the entire panel on that same (back) side. This is what gives this technique its name--the blackout technique. The result is a dramatically pretty image panel.

I added a sheer ribbon to my card. The ribbon had actually been pale pink to start with, but I colored it with a purple alcohol marker.

Once the ribbon was in place, I adhered a stamped sentiment circle with foam squares, and then the entire panel was added to my lavendar card base.

I opted for no more drama on the inside of my card and used just a stamped sentiment.

There are many videos on YouTube you can watch if you just search there for "Embossing Folder Blackout Technique."

I hope you'll join our April challenge, but before you do, be sure to check out the fabulous projects the Design Team has made to inspire you. You'll find them all here. 

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.

Cheryl