Quick & Easy #1 Autumn Flowers

 

Annie’s Ink-Lings

After spending weeks making specialty Christmas cards, it was nice to just make a card that was quick and easy. The size is A2.  I used my Stampin' Up Country Home stamp set.  Three sizes of punches were used to make the focal point - 2" starburst, 2 1/4" round, and 2 1/2" scallop. 

To add a little pizazz to the card, I glued a fabric flower onto the stamped image and put a dot of Apple Green Nuvo Crystal Drops in the center of it.

A little twine bow was added to the top white starburst punched piece.

And three acrylic crystals to the bottom one.  The image was colored with Copic Markers and Stampin' Up Stampin' Blends.  The sentiment is from Stampin' Up Wetlands stamp set.

Wishing you the best in 2021 - Happy New Year!

Blessings,

Annie

Jesus in the Manger Tri-Fold Card

 

Annie’s Ink-Lings

I'm really excited about the card I'm sharing with you today.  I love making Christmas cards depicting the birth of Jesus.  I certainly have made many different designs over the years.  But I must say that this one is my very favorite at this point.  The card base is a very simple tri-fold card and very easy to cut, score, and fold.  The next step does involve a lot of cutting panels to size and die cutting, and some coloring before the assembly step begins.  Assembly is the most time-consuming part, but I think it is well worth it.  I ended up making six of this card.  I just turned on my Christmas music and enjoyed every moment of the time spent! 

Here are a couple of views of the fully opened card.  The scroll was stamped on white card stock, colored, and then fussy cut.

This is a good view of the tri-fold.  I really enjoy making cards using this fold because there is a larger area to decorate and express my idea.

Here's a good tip:  Be sure to stamp the sentiments on the panels before you attach them to the card base.  These sentiments are so beautiful and really  express the real and perfect meaning of Christmas.

         

Stamp Baby Jesus on white card stock, color, and fussy cut.  The star is die cut from silver glitter paper.

This sentiment really touches my heart.  

Another tip, once you have glued the legs to the manger, diagonally cut the ends so that they will be even with the card (or they look like the manager is sitting on the ground).

Now on to the supply lists!

Card Stock
White Card Base: 1 ¼” x 12”; score at 3 ½”, and 7 ½”
DP Panels (wood-look paper): 4 ½” x 4 ¼” cut one; 4” x 4 ¼” cut two
Multi-Stripe Blue/Brown Panel: 3 ½” x 4 ¼” cut one
Manger 1 ¼” x 6 ¾” brown card stock; score at 2 ½”, 3 ¼”, 5 ¾”, and 1/8”
Manger Legs 3/16” x 1 ½” cut two; diagonal cut on each end in opposite 

     directions (as if they were sitting on a floor)
Center Cross Piece in Manger ¼” x 3” brown card stock; score at ¼” and 

     2 ¾”
Extra white card stock and a scrap of silver glitter paper.

Dies
Poppystamps #1016 Fresh Cut Grass Die
Papertrey Ink #PTD1321 Mix & Match: Plaid Die
Echo Parker #EPPDIE591 O Holy Night Die

Stamps
O Little Town of Bethlehem by Auntie Amy’s 952JJ
A Baby’s Hands by Sweet Grass Stamps #26
A Savior is Born by Unity Stamp Co. BIB-130(697)
Swaddled Baby Jesus by Crazy Mountain Stamps

Coloring
Baby Jesus: Hair – Prismacolor Black PC935
Lips - Prismacolor Lavender PC934
Face - Copic Pearl Marker White E41
Swaddling Clothes - Aqua BlueBG01 Copic Marker
Candle - White PC938 Prismacolor Pencil
Berries - Garnet R39 Copic Marker
Leaves - Green Grass YG17 Copic Marker
Scroll - Aqua Blue BG01 Copic Marker

Thank you for viewing my blog today.  Now it's time to create.  Don't forget the music!

Blessings,

Annie

Christmas Accordian Book

 

Annie’s Ink-Lings

I find that when preparing to make my Christmas cards, I always get in the mood to also do a Christmas project of some kind.  This year I chose to do an accordian book with a Christmas theme and use some Graphic 45 papers that I've been holding onto, just "for the perfect project."  I used the G45 8x8 inch paper pad called, "A Christmas Carole."  

This is what the front side of the accordian book looks like when fully opened.

And this is what it looks like on the opposite side.

In my subscription to G45, I received a PDF for this type of project.  I only followed the portion referring to the cutting sizes of the black chipboard and the first layer of paper for each section, plus also how to cut and connect the hinges to connect the sections together.  But as to designing all the rest, I just picked out what I liked and what I thought looked good together.  It was truly fun watching it all come together.

Here are a few close-ups the sections.

I did a lot of fussy cutting and a lot of cutting and trimming to fit all the pieces together in a somewhat balanced design.   On the page below, I used a scallop punch to cut out the lady reading a book.

For the page above, I fussy cut the dancing man and woman, and on the page below I fuzzy cut happy Mr. Scrooge.

I also fussy cut the little boy at the bottom of the page below.

To find the G45 PDF for this project, click here.  I hope you've enjoyed looking through some of the pictures of my album.  Another idea for this album would be to use your own Christmas pictures instead of the G45 paper pad.  I just hope you are inspired to make one of your own.

Blessings,

Annie

G45 Slimeline Christmas Card

Annie’s Ink-Lings

I admit I have been pretty slow about jumping on the band wagon for the new slimline style of card.  But here I am, finally, with my first slimline card.  Here is what my idea turned out to be.

 

I chose to make it with G45 Christmas papers.  So many times, I have had a hesitancy of using these papers because they are just too pretty and I might not be able to get anymore like them.  Anybody else have that problem with pretty papers???   

My card base is a 7 x 8 1/2” piece of a green cardstock, scored at 3 1/2” and folded in half.  I layered it with a 3 ¼ x 8” panel of G45 DP. 

 

To make the layered circles, I first used the Stampin’ Up 2” punch on another of the G45 DP papers, then the Stampin’ Up Starburst punch on green card stock, and the bottom red layer was cut out using the Tim Holtz Stitched Circles dies.  The top and bottom circle panels were adhered to the card base, but I used 3D tape for the middle panel.

 

The Merry Christmas sentiment is from the Lawn Fawn “Ready, Set, Snow” stamp set and coordinating dies.  I added little green gemstones on the sentiment label and each of the bows for a touch of glitz.

For a bit more decoration, I glued a pretty little red bow on each of the 3 circle panels (made with a die from Tim Holtz Funky Festive die set). 

 

I think it turned out very colorful and cheerful, so I’m happy.

 

Blessings,

Annie

Christmas Tube Box Chapstick Holder

 

Annie’s Ink-Lings

I’m back today with a cute little Christmas favor box, or it could be used as a stocking stuffer.  You could fill it with any number of things – candy, money, etc. – but I chose flavored chapsticks.  Of course, this little box can be useful throughout the year for any occasion you choose.  I saw this idea on a YouTube video by Dawn’s Stamping Thoughts and you can view it here. I plan to give these sweet little things out to my Revelation Bible Study group, my Stamp Class group, and to the group with whom I’m doing another bible study.  These boxes are really quick to make and it was a good thing, because I made bunches of them.  😊

                         

                                            

Supplies 
Colored Card Stock to match the Christmas DP 
Silver or White Glitter Card Stock 
Paper Trimmer 
Score Board 
Scissors 
Paper Shapers Christmas Tree Punch (or whatever you have – punch or die – about 2” tall) 
Stampin’ Up Scalloped Tag Topper Punch 
Small Star Punch or Die 
Ribbon to match the colored card stock 
1/4“ Score Tape 
Glue Bottle

Measurements
Christmas Card Stock 3-1/2 x 5 inches

Scoring
Score across the bottom of the panel at ¾ inches
From top to bottom, score at 3/4, 1-1/2, 2-1/4, 3 inches

Directions
1. Fold all score lines.
2. Cut out the small rectangle at the bottom of the ¾-inch section.
3. Fold in the 3/4 inch section, then fold in half.
4. Use the Scalloped Tag Topper on the top end (the crossways scored end is the bottom).
5. Miter both ends of the 3/4-inch section.
6. At the bottom end, cut each scored line up to the crossways scored line.
7. Add score tape to the edge of the 3/4-inch section.
8. Fold in half again, adhering it together.
9. Add glue or score tape to 3 of the bottom cut sections. First fold in the unglued section, then continue all around until all the cut sections are fold on top of each other and glued into place.

Don't you just love the chapstick poem and the sentiment!  Merry "Kissmas" and "Chappy" New Year to you.

Blessings,

Annie

Card-Top Diagonal Fold

 

Annie’s Ink-Lings

Hello again.  I've been away for a while because of a sudden business in my life.  Hopefully, now I'll have more time to devote to card making.  

Over 20 years ago, I made for the first time the card that I am sharing with you today.  It didn't have a name back then, and when I search for something on YouTube, I couldn't find anything like it or even similar.  So, I have christened it "Card-Top Diagonal Fold."  I hope you like it.

Front of Card
1. Card base measurements: 5-1/2 x 11.” Score at 5-1/2” and fold in half.
       (I used green card stock.)
2. Layer as follows:
       a.  Solid color vellum: 5-1/4 x 5-1/4”
       b. Thin Designer Paper not card stock): 5 x 5” (I used dark green patterned 

           paper.)
       c. Solid color vellum/same as first layer: 4-1/4 x 4-1/4”

Inside of Card
1. Cut two Designer Paper panels (must be thin like scrapbook paper – not 

       card stock), one for each side: 5-1/4 x 5-1/4” (the green stripe used above).
2. Cut one Designer Paper panel: 4-3/4 x 4-3/4 (the dark green).
3. Cut one vellum panel: 4 x 4”.
4. Cut one white card stock panel: 3-3/4 x 3-3/4”. Stamp with sentiment.
       a. At top of panel punch 2 holes ½” apart.
       b. From the front, thread ends of ribbon through holes to the back.
       c. Thread the ends back up through the opposite holes. Trim as needed.
5. Using DS tape layer panels in order listed above. Lay aside for now.

Using ribbon in this way is really great for the inside of cards because there is no

bulk - it pretty much lies flat.

Ribbon Looping Directions

Card-Top Diagonal Fold
The green striped Designer Paper used above: 4 x 12” (must be thin designer
Paper-not card stock).

1. Carefully score Designer Paper at 4” and 8” so as not to cut through the 

       thin paper.
2. Fold ends as shown in diagram.
       a. Fold the left bottom section up diagonally to the back to the first score line.
       b. Fold the right top section diagonally to the back to the second score line.
       c. Fold both side sections over onto the middle section to form a square. 

3. Center and attach to card base.

Card-Top Inside

1. Cut a white vellum panel: 3-1/2 x 3-1/2”; cut it in half diagonally; attach 

       one triangle to upper left side panel and attach one to lower right side panel.
2. Die cut Hello sentiment from the green card stock used for the card base and

       attach to left diagonal panel.
3. Attach bow.
4. On white card stock die cut Lenora Bloom flowers for right diagonal panel,

       color with Copics, and attach.
5. Cut one white vellum panel and attach with vellum tape: 3-1/2 x 3-1/2”
6. On white card stock, die cut Floral Circle and color with Copics; attach inside

         the top diagonal fold panel onto the vellum panel.

    
Supplies
Gems
Ribbon: 8” and 10”
Copic Markers: 646 Mistletoe and R85 Rose Red
Memory Box dies: Lenora Bloom and Floral Circle
Technique Tuesday die: Hello sentiment
Dee Gruenig sentiment stamp

If anything about making this card is unclear, please be sure to contact me.

Blessings,

Annie

Beautiful Autumn and a Heart of Red

 

Annie’s Ink-Lings

A card on Pinterest inspired me to make this card.  I love the pairing of fall leaves with a big red heart.  I used Stampin' Up Be Mine Stitched Framelits.  And of course, the sentiment is perfect for the design, which is from Stampin' Up Beautiful Autumn stamp set.  The leaves were made with the punches that were bundled with the stamp set.

The Stampin' Up Ornate Floral embossing folder provides a soft, delicate background, and really makes the red heart pop.  I'm hoping to make this card with a Thanksgiving message inside for some of my Thanksgiving cards.  I hope you will give it a try.  It's really fast to make, but still has a touch of elegance to it.

Products Used

Stampin’ Up 3D Embossing Folder: Ornate Floral
Stampin’ Up Be Mine Stitched Framelits
Spellbinders Labels Eighteen S4-310
Stampin’ Up Beautiful Autumn Stamp Set and Coordinating Punches
5” Twine – tie in a slip knot

So glad you took the time to stop in today.

Blessings,

Annie

Graphic 45 French County 4-Fold Card

 

Annie’s Ink-Lings

Are you a fan of Graphic 45 papers?  And if you are, do you have a hard time cutting them up?  It took me awhile to overcome the tendency to hoard them.  I can't remember when the French Country paper pad was released.  I just know that I held onto it for a long time and just collected pictures of cards for future inspiration.

Well, finally, here it is - my first card using the French Country papers.  This is a fancy fold called a Four-Fold Card.  

Here you can see how it looks when the card is fully opened.  I really like the look of the tiered panels.

The happy birthday sentiment was made by die cutting once in red and once in black, and then slightly overlapping when glued together.  I like how it helps to set off the sentiment from the busy background panel.

The finishing touch was adding the black crystals to the centers of the sunflowers on this panel and on the front panel.  This was a really fun card to make and really not as difficult as you might think.  

Below are the cutting and scoring measurements that I used.  For instructions on adding a front panel and assembly, I used the G45 video tutorial.  Just click on the link shown.  Once the card base is completed, it's just a matter of decorating the panels as you prefer. 

Card Base: 11-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches; score at 1/4, 3-3/4, 7-1/4

Front and Inside Panels
        Mats: 2-1/2 x 4 inches (cut 2)
        Layers: 2-1/4 x 3-3/4 inches(Cut 2)
Interior Front and Middle Panel
        Mats: 3-1/4 x 4-3/4 inches (Cut 2)
        Layers: 3 x 4-1/2 inches (Cut 2)
Back Panel
        Mat: 4 x 5-1/4 inches (Cut 1)
        Layer: 3-3/4 x 5 inches (Cut 1)

One additional piece: 2-3/4 x 4-1/2 inches

G45 French County Papers
Sizzix Thinlits Happy Birthday to You 660368
Computer Generated Sentiment
Black Solid Crystals

Okay, time for you to be the creative one!

Blessings,

Annie

Pine Cone Wishes

 

Annie’s Ink-Lings

Today's card features a new 3D embossing folder from Stampin' Up called Evergreen Forest.  It makes a really beautiful background for any number of card types.  A card that I saw on Pinterest inspired the making of my card.  I used the "Warmest Wishes" die that will allow this card to be a birthday card, thinking of you, winter hello - a very versatile sentiment and card design.

I two-toned both the pine needles and the pine cones to give them dimension.  For a nice final touch, I used Nuvo Crystal Drops on the dots around the images.

Stampin' Up Stampin' Blends

Stampin' Up Evergreen Forest 3D Embossing Folder

Creative Expressions die:  Warmest Wishes

Nuvo Crystal Drops - Morning Dew

Hero Arts Pine Cone Branch F3169

A4 White Card Base

4-1/8 x 5-3/8 inch Green Panel

4 x 5-1/4 inch Brown Panel

3-11/16 x 5 inch White Panel (stamp and emboss on this panel)

"Warmest Wishes" to you for a fun day of stamping!

Blessings,

Annie

Violets for You Card

 

Annie’s Ink-Lings

Hello and thank you for checking out my blog post today.  

While straightening up my studio, I came across a bin where I keep odds and ends of left over card parts, extra stamped off images, and such.  First thing I discovered was this image and that's how I came up with the A4 card I'm sharing today.  I had forgotten all about having this extra image.

This is an older stamp from Penny Black and may not be available anymore.  However, any violets stamp would work.  I used 4 shades of Copic Markers to color the flowers, two shades of green for the leaves, then a darker shade of green for the curly vines.  The rounded corners of the flower panel are really showcased on the dark purple panel.  I cut some 1/4 inch strips from the same color card stock as the second layering panel and glued them diagonally to the bottom right side of the card.  After stamping the For You sentiment, I added three sequins to add some embellishment interest.  It was really quick and simple, and I'm pleased with the result.  Looking forward to seeing what else is in that bin!

What treasures have you put away and forgotten about?  Happy Browsing!

Blessings,

Annie

A “Fisherwoman” Thank You

 

Annie’s Ink-Lings

Hello all!

 Do any of you stampers also have fishing as a hobby?  Or fishing friends?  Then, this may be the card for you.  You can easily change it to a birthday card or just a thinking of you card.

A friend requested that I make a thank you card for her for a woman who loves fly fishing.  I immediately thought of the Stampin’ Up set called Best Catch and the coordinating framelits.  Being inspired by some ideas I found on Pinterest, this is what I came up with.

 

Notice how I changed the man image to look like a woman by giving her some long black hair and a tiny dot of lipstick.  I'm so glad that it worked out okay.

Just added a small fish on the sentiment page to carry out the theme.

A4 Card
Stampin’ Up Pinewood Planks Embossing Folder
Stampin’ Up Catch of the Day stamp set and framelits
Stampin’ Up Free as a Bird stamp set: Thank You
My Sentiments Exactly stamp: It was so nice of you . . . M279-10
Copic Markers

Happy fishing . . . or whatever brings you joy! 

May you be blessed in a special way today.
Annie

Sunflower Joy Accordian Fold Card

 

Annie’s Ink-Lings

As a card maker, I have oodles of flower stamps.  On occasion, I take the time to see what I can find out regarding the meaning of the flower I chose to use.  The sunflower quite surprised me!  So, wanting to share it with you, here is what I learned:    

             

The sunflower puts itself in position to directly receive the
sun's gaze. It symbolizes faith and adoration for ALL that is.
Because of this, the sunflower is often regarded as a very
spiritual flower. They are, therefore, a symbol of true faith and
loyalty to something that is much bigger and brighter than
themselves.

 I find it amazing that the face of the sunflower slowly moves itself so that it is always facing the sun.  Another wonder of creation!

Okay, by now you have probably realized that the bright yellow sunflower is the focus of today’s card.  This card was truly a joy to make. 

The base of the card is a single white panel, overlaid with an embossed panel.  The accordion fold is made from a smaller white panel and adhered to the center of the card base.  Measurements and scoring directions are listed below.  I used the Dotted Swiss embossing folder on the yellow dotted designer paper on the first panel to give it a 3D effect.

 

Cut a belly band strip from brown card stock and score.  Wrap it around the card with the ends meeting in front and adhere them together - make sure it's not too tight, not too loose!

                    

The sunflower attached to the belly band was made by two-step stamping.  On a scrap of white card stock, I first stamped the largest sunflower image with Squeezed Lemonade, then over-stamped with the smaller sunflower image using Mustard Seed.  To make it better coordinate with the designer paper, I die cut a sparkly brown flower center from the designer paper and glued it to the center of the sunflower.

Cutting and Scoring
White Card Stock Base 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 inch
Yellow Panel for Embossing 4 x 5-1/4 inch
Accordion Fold Panel 4 1/4" x 11", score at 1-1/2, 3″, 5-1/2″, 8″ 
Cut pieces of designer paper 1-1/4" x 4" for top fold; 2-1/4" x 4" (2) for center

     folds; 1/2" x 4" for the inside edge and adhere to accordion.
Belly Band 1-1/2 x 9 1-2 inches, score at 1-1/2 and 5-7/8 inches.

Supplies
Stampin’ Up Painted Harvest Stamp Set
Rubbernecker Stamps Blooms in the Heart 642-09
My Sentiments Exactly Sunflower Stamp B11F
Spellbinders Foundational Tags S4-755
Stampin’ Up Leaf Punch from Painted Harvest Bundle
Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
Stampin’ Up Old World 3D Embossing Folder
Distress Ink Pads Squeezed Lemonade and Mustard Seed
Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Circles Dies L-CC001

Blessings, and until the next time, remember to hug the ones you love, none of us are promised tomorrow!

Annie