A Latte Thanks

Hi friends,

My most favorite drink is a Mocha.  Just love that chocolate and coffee flavor!  So when I saw this Impression Obsession Coffee Cup die set, I fell in love.  It makes the cutest little latte cups I've ever seen.  I also have this liking for "little" things.  This is my first card using this die set and I can hardly wait until I have time to do some more designing with it.  This particular design is quick and easy.

Supplies

A2 White Card Base

4” x 5 ¼” DP for Front Background Layer

Take Out Coffee Cup Die by Impression Obsession

            Die cut 3 cups from coordinating DP

            Die cut 3 lids and 1 straw from light brown DP

Cut 3 squares ½” x ½” from the Background DP

Computer generate the sentiment “Sending You a LATTE THANKS,” or use one of your own coffee

            sentiment stamps, onto white cardstock

1 Dew Drop

Aleene’s Turbo Tacky Glue Pen (or any strong, quick-dry glue)

Glossy Accents

Tape Runner

Scotch 3-D Mounting Tape

Paper Trimmer

Sizzix Big Shot

T-Ruler

Directions

1.  Mat the background layer onto the front of the card.

2.  Trim the sentiment to ½” x  4 ¼” .  Cut off the left end in a downward diagonal.

3.  Adhere the sentiment strip to the right side of the card front with right end aligned with the DP panel, and 5/8” from the bottom of the white card base.

4.  Using Glossy Accents, glue the Dew Drop onto the right end of the sentiment strip.

5.  Assemble the little coffee cups.

            a.  Glue the DP square behind each of the oval openings of the sleeve dies.

            b.  Slide the coffee cups through the top slit in the sleeve dies and glue in place.

            c.  Glue the lids onto two of the coffee cups.

            d.  With the third cup, slide the straw through the opening in the coffee cup and glue in place.

            e.  Glue the lid behind the cup opening and the straw.

6.  Place a strip of mounting tape on the back of each of the coffee cups.  I used a T-Ruler to make sure that I lined up the coffee cups evenly, a little to the left side of the card. There is approximately a ½” space between the bottom of the coffee cups and the top of the sentiment strip.

It was really fun to make this little thank you card.  Hope you give it a try.

Blessings,

Annie

Path to the Beach

Happy good afternoon,

Recently I've really enjoyed making backgrounds with Distress Inks and sponges.  There's just no end to the color combinations and everyone of them has had a delightful result.  Even when you think, "Oh no, I'm not going to like this," after you do some stamping and embellishments, you find that it is not so bad after all.  The card I'm sharing is one I entered in the Impression Obsession February Challenge using two of their stamps that I just purchased.  The "Path to the Beach" stamp is now a favorite!  I have a lot of ideas for designing with it.  This photo only shows two-thirds of the stamp.  On the other third there is water and a sailboat.  This is a real multi-design stamp.

Supplies:

Stamps from Impression Obsession:  Path to the Beach #H1877, Happiest of Birthdays Ever! #B20058
Tim Holtz Distress Inks:  Mustard Seed, Salty Ocean, Tumbled Glass, Dusty Concord, Bundles Sage, and Walnut Stain.
Sponges
PrismaColor Pencils:  Deco Yellow, Parma Violet, Apple Green, Sandbar Brown, and Sienna Brown.
Half Round Acrylic Crystals

I hope you enjoyed learning about this card today.

Blessings,
Annie

Staircase Christmas Card

A happy good morning to you! The card I'm sharing with you today may look challenging, but actually the only thing challenging about it is all the die cutting.  I cut out enough pieces for 10 cards for one of my card classes.  I have to admit that that was a lot of die cutting and I was very happy to get done.  But once done, the assembly goes easily and quickly, especially if you follow my step-by-step directions.  I think the directions are easy to follow, but if you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.

Finished card size 4 ½” x 6 ¼”

1.         Top fold a 4 ½” x 12 ½ “ red card base.

2.         For inside of card, cut a 4” x 5 ½” piece of white card stock and attach. 

3.         From white CS die cut the largest die from Spellbinders Card Creator Heirloom Legacy 

            (S6-010).  Attach it to the card front.

4.         From red CS die cut the small center die from the same set.  Trim off the piece along one end

            to make it straight.  This will be the bottom when attached to the wall.  Lay aside for now.

5.         From black CS cut a 4 1/8” x 4 15/16” piece.  Attach it to the front of the card over the white

            die piece.

6.         Die cut the Memory Box Classic Staircase (98665) from a piece of white CS which 

            measures 3” x 4 ¾”.  Attach to card front on the left-hand side over the black.

7.         From green CS die cut the Impression Obsession Cut Out Christmas Tree die 

            (DIE111-U).  Trace just the Christmas Tree part on red CS.  Trim the red tree inside the 

            tracing line and attach to back of green tree.  Also, die cut just the flourish part of the tree, 

            trim off the bit of the tree trunk, and glue inside the card at the bottom of the white mat.

8.         To decorate the banister, die cut at least 5 sprigs from green CS using Memory Box Small 

            Garden Sprig (931) and glue banister.

9.         I also die cut the Memory Box Mini Holly Leaves (98658) two times to use as filler on the

            banister.

10.       Punch 5 to 7 small stars from red CS and add to sprigs on the banister.

11.       Punch one larger star for the top of the Christmas Tree and glue in place.  Add Wink of 

            Stella to the Christmas tree star (GL.Clear 999).

12.       For the wall hanging, stamp a very small sentiment on white CS, punch it out with a 1” 

            scalloped oval punch, glue it to the red die cut element, attach a tiny green brad to the top, and

            then glue it to the wall. 

I hope the card inspires you.  Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,

Annie

Hearts-a-Plenty

Hello again friends,

I just got back from the gym and need to take a little rest break.  So I thought what better time than now to enter my next blog post showcasing two of the cards we made at my last class.

The first card is a case from Pinterest. I couldn't resist because I'm just smitten with the Impression Obsession Heart Flourish.  I also loved those little tiny flowers, made with the Impression Obsession dies Spiral Flowers and Leaf Cluster.  To make it suit my fancy, I used a different border punch (Stampin' Up hearts border) and added red card stock under the punched border.  I also decorated the inside of the card by adding red strips to both inside panels and decorated them with the punched out white hearts created by the border punch.  A big thank you goes to Kittie Caracciolo for inspiring me to create this card.

 This second card has kind of an old-fashioned look which I love.  The ribbon overlaying the decorative paper (which has raised embossing on it) has an embroidered flower design with sequins attached.  Not sure how well it shows up in the picture but it's really pretty.  It originally was a wired ribbon, but I removed the wire to make it lay more smoothly.  To hold it in place, I used 1/8" Red Line Tape (can use Score Tape), on both sides of the ribbon and over to the back side at top and bottom.

I die cut the "love" heart from red card stock using the Savvy Die Love Heart #10061 and backed it with white card stock.  For the final touch, I punched two sizes of small hearts and then added white floss to one of the larger ones.  All of the hearts are adhered with mounting tape.

Well, that's it for today.  Thanks for checking out this post!

Blessings,
Annie

Glaze Background Technique

Hello again!

Today I have a technique to tell you about that is new to me.  I've done this technique before using alcohol inks and distress inks  and also Luna Lights.  But this time I used Golden Glaze, an artist medium.  I normally use it on pages when I'm making an altered book.  The product I used is a slow-drying, water-based acrylic with a satin finish; colors - Violet Earth, Sea Foam Green, and Fresco Cream.

On a piece of grey card stock, I randomly poured about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of each color.  Using a Tsukineko Squeegee (a credit card is a substitute), I smoothed the colors over the card stock, lightly blending as I covered the whole panel.  You may need to add a bit more of one color or another, to your liking.  Keep in mind to not over blend or your colors will become muddied.  Lay aside to dry or if the piece is not too damp, you can dry with your heat gun.  Next, I lightly sponged Memories White Dye ink over the entire panel.

Once dry, I embossed it with Tim Holtz wood grain embossing folder.  The leaves were made using Impression Obsession Leaves die set.  Give it a try and let me know if you liked the technique!

Blessings,
Annie

Fold-Back Flap Card

Good morning, blogging friends,
It is no surprise I have had hearts on my mind recently.  All the stores have their Valentine's Day displays up and hearts are everywhere.  But I was thinking hearts I don't want to just use my heart supplies for one event during the year.  Why not work them into any kind of occasion card? So with this in mind, this card was created:

It's a very quick and simple card.  Below are a few instructions to get you started.

Fold Back Flaps Card

5 ½ x 4 ¼ card base ( 8 ½ x 5 ½ )

5 ¼ x 4 Doublesided DP panel, BoBunny A Gift of Love

2 ½ x 2 ½ piece of Brown card stock

Spellbinders Nestibilities Classic Hearts S4-136

2 sizes of Cherry Blossom Punch or any flower punch (small and medium)

Brown Brad

Memories Baby Pink Ink Pad

Distress Walnut Stain Ink Pad

Sentiment from Impression Obsession, C8560 Loving Heart

On the DP panel on the right side edge, measure 2 5/8" down from the top.

Measure again 2 5/8" down from the top, only this time place the dot 2” to the left of the first dot.

Cut the paper between the 2 dots; that would be 2 inches from the right side.

Score from each of the right side corners to the center dot and then fold back the triangle flaps.

Lightly distress the edges of the pink flowers with the Memories Baby Pink Ink Pad.  Round up/mold the petals.

Using a brown brad to hold them together, assemble the 2 flower pieces, the brown heart, and the DP panel together.

Adhere the DP panel to the card base.

Stamp a sentiment in the opening between the flaps.

Hope you like the card and want to make one.  Blessings,

Annie

Tulip Window Cards

The tulips in my flower gardens are still blooming, but I can see the end coming.  Working outside has kept me from card making, but it has inspired me to make some tulip cards. Especially since I have a new tulip embossing folder that I haven't yet used!  Finally, I had some time to play.  Here are three very fun cards, two using a technique that is new to me.

1.  Fold an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" white card base in half.
2.  Cut a white panel measuring 5 3/8" x 4 1/8".  Emboss it with the tulip window embossing folder.
3.  Die cut 5 tulips from green card stock and 5 tulips from red card stock.  Match up the green and
     red tulips.
4.  Trim off about half of the green tulip blossoms and trim the stem off of each red tulip.  Glue the
      red tulip blossoms onto the green ones.
5.  On the backside of the embossed panel, in the window opening, layer as follows:
        a. grass die cut
        b. a green 1/2" x 2 1/4" strip (see card for placement; about
            1/8" shows above the bottom of the window)
        c. the tulips and leaves 
6.  Adhere the embossed panel to the card front.
7.  Die cut the watering can from polka dot paper and attach to the lower right bottom of card.
8.  Stamp a small sentiment on red card stock and punch out with 5/8" round punch.  Glue to center of watering can.
9.  Punch 2 small butterflies; place one with the tulips in the window and the other one on inside of card, lower left side.

Stamps:  Stampin' Up:  Fabulous Phrases
Dies:      Impression Obsession:  Grass 06-I, Stems & Leaves 150-D, Tulip Set 147-A, and Watering Can 155-A
              Spellbinders:  Small Deckled Rectangles
Embossing Folder:  Crafts-Too:  Tulip Window

This is the second card using the same Tulip Window embossing folder:

My idea for this card came from this tutorial, however I changed things up a bit by embossing the card and by making a smaller window for the pop-out butterfly:  http://flowerbug.typepad.com/my_weblog/2015/03/pop-out-window-butterfly-basics-card-video.html.  The white folded panel is 3 1/2" x 6", scored at 2" and 4".

These tulips were made by punching the wing of the Stampin' Up Bird Builder punch.  It is one of my favorite punches because so many things can be made with it. The layered panel and the circle were embossed using the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots EF.  All pieces were edge distressed using Rusty Hinge and Dusty Concord Distress Ink pads.

I hope you found the cards to your liking.  I would love some feedback. Thanks for stopping by and may your day be blessed.
Annie

Cats and Christmas Card - a Sweet Combination

Anyone that knows me, knows that cats are an important part of my life.  When I hold KoKo's sweet little warm body to my chest and listen to the soft purring and feel the little rubbing against my neck,  I know that I am holding a precious gift that the Lord has put in my care.  A little gift that quiets my mind and brings on relaxation, and gives me unrestrained love.  I think KoKo must have learned those things from God!

So when I saw a card on the Kittie Kraft blog with a cat on it, I knew that I had to make one also.  This is my version:

 

 

I couldn't resist placing a little cat peeking from behind the wall of the staircase.  So adorable!  Because of all the little pieces, it does take a good bit of time to assemble it all.  But it is well worth the effort and just plain fun!  Following are some directions that should make it easier for you if you decide to take it on. 

 

Enjoy - and blessings to you,

Annie

 





Staircase & Christmas Tree Card

Card Base:  10” x 5”  (makes a 5x5 square card)
Panel:  2 ¾ “ x 5”
Decorative Paper:  2 pieces  5” x 5” and 5 ¼” x 2 7/8”

1.  Glue tops of little Christmas stockings and wheels on train set.  Set aside.

2.  Trace around the inside of the die cut window onto decorative wallpaper.  Cut it out so that no pencil marks show and no wallpaper shows when the window is placed over it.

3.  Using a finger dauber make a sky effect on the small white panel and attach it behind the cutout in the wallpaper.

4.  Adhere the wallpaper to the card base. 

5.  Trim and adhere the baseboard to the bottom of the wall.  Set aside.

6.  On the decorative paper staircase die cut, trim off the banister.  Adhere it to the white staircase die cut, leaving a small amount of white showing at each step.  Trim away excess wallpaper and mount to card base wall.

7.  Attach the two smaller trees to the back of the window frame and then mount over the window opening.

8.  On the large tree, cut off about half of the trunk and mount it to the staircase panel.

9.  Glue the star onto the treetop. 

10.  Trim and glue on the baseboard at the bottom of the staircase panel.

11.  Add light string trim to the tree.

12. Add stockings to windowsill.

13. Use finger dauber to color the cats’ ears and tail.  Glue one on the windowsill and one peeking from behind the staircase.

14.  Add flowers and leaves on banister and one at the corner of the window, lower right side.

15.  Use black ink to stamp the gift image onto white cardstock.  Color with color pencils, cut out, and glue under the tree.

16.  Add Crystal Stickles to the center of each flower and onto the top of the stockings.

17.  Add Pink Stickles to the tree lights and the star.

Memory Box Dies:  Classic Staircase, Festive Lights, Tiny Stockings, Train Set

Impression Obsession Dies:  Fir Trees, Window with Shutter
Cheery Lynn Designs Die:  City Girl Edger