Pop-Up Leaves Birthday Card

Hello Card Makers,

Today's post features a card that I taught in my class earlier this week. There's a nice surprise for the recipient when the card is opened as the leaves pop up and kind of float across the card. I made several using different sentiments along the fall/autumn theme. It is one of those cards that look likes it took a long time, but is really easy to make.

Wishing you a great week of card making.
Blessings,
Annie

Directions
1.         Score and fold the leaves in half lengthways.  With the three leaves, glue together only by the very tips making a string of leaves.  Set aside to dry.

2.         Adhere the two triangles to the base card, thus making a background.

3.         Stamp the sentiment on the inside of the card in the upper right portion of the card.  Set aside to dry.

4.         Stamp the “Autumn” word onto the small cream rectangle.  Layer onto the lighter green, then onto the dark green. 

5.         Wrap the layered panels with the green twine two times and tie in a knot at the top.  Adhere to the card front.

5.         Glue 3 small punched leaves along the diagonal line made by the two decorative pieces of card stock.

6.         Adhere the string of leaves to the inside with a really strong medium, making sure that the leaves will easily fold together.  Spacing will be determined by how much give there is in your leaf string.  The left leaf tip will probably be about 1 ¾” from the crease; the same for the right leave tip.  Glue the right tip first and close the leaf string; add glue to the left leaf tip and close card.  Hold closed until leaves are secure.

 Supplies

8 ½” x 5 ½” cream card stock, folded

5 1/4" x 4" - Cut two using coordinating scrapbook paper.  Cut each one in half diagonally.  You will have enough for two cards.

13 inches of green twine

3 medium die cut leaves

3 small punched leaves

Camouflage Background Technique

This is a really fun and easy technique that only takes a couple of minutes.  It creates a quick background for a variety of images or die cuts.  I've been wanting to use my deer head punch and this cute little sentiment that perfectly goes with it, so this is what I came up with.

Here are the card measurements, supplies, technique directions:

CAMOUFLAGE BACKGROUND WITH DEER HEAD CARD

Brown card base         8 ½ x 5 ½ , folded

Beige/Cream Layer    5 ¼ x 4 – emboss with Sizzix Bricked EF

Brown Rectangle                    3 ¾ x 2 5/8

Olive Green Rectangle           3 ½ x 2 3/8

Beige/Cream Rectangle          3 ¼ x 2 3/16 – this piece is for the Camouflage Background

EK Success Deer Head Punch – punch from brown card stock

¼ Hole Punch – punch 3 circles from brown card stock

Dew Drops – Mowed Grass – glue the Dew Drops to the brown circles

Amuse Art Stamps “Deer Friend”  8-8451B

DIRECTIONS FOR CAMOUFLAGE BACKGROUND

1.         Crumple a solid piece of background paper into a ball. Straighten out the paper so it’s mostly flat again, and then crumple it a second time. This will produce a finer texture on the paper.

2.         Flatten the paper, then lightly drag the Dune Pigment ink across the surface of the paper. Don’t press down with the pad—just lightly drag it over the surface of the paper.

3.         Crumple paper again, flatten it, and drag the Crushed Olive ink pad across the surface.

4.         Crumple and flatten again then drag the Walnut Stain ink pad across the surface.

5.         If you want more color, lightly tap with the ink pads until you’re satisfied with the amount of color.

Give it try and see how much fun it is to watch the background come alive.

Blessings,
Annie

Clear Card with Strawberries

Hello again,
Fresh strawberry season is almost over and I so wanted to make this card earlier in the season, so I could send out a few.  Alas, it kept getting putting aside.  Finally I have completed a couple of them and plan to mail them tomorrow.  I saw a card similar to this on Pinterest, which first got me interested.  I had no idea how to make an acrylic sided card so I was very thankful for the video that was provided.  That video can be found here.  However I made several changes that made it easier for me to put the card together.  Here is my version of the card and directions follow.

1. White cardstock – Cut a piece 6 1/2 x 4 1/4.  Score at 1 inch. 

 Fold at the score line.

2. Clear acrylic – Cut a piece 5 1/2 x 4 1/4.  Adhere to the top of the 1” flap of the white cardstock.

3. Cut 4 pieces of coordinating designer paper 1 x 4 1/4 inches. Adhere one to the front 1” flap and the 2nd piece to the inside of the 1” top flap, so that they are back to back.

4. At the bottom of the acrylic sheet, adhere the 3rd piece on the front and the 4th piece on the inside, back to back.

5. Adhere one large and one small strawberry and the leaves to the acrylic sheet on the left side.  

6. On the front and back of the acrylic sheet glue the matching 

strawberries and leaves, matching up the shapes. 

7. Stamp your sentiment on a small white decorative piece of card stock and attach to the right side of the card base.  Make sure the placement is pleasing to the eye and not behind the strawberries.  The sentiment should be seen through the acrylic sheet when the card is closed.

8. Or, you can stamp the sentiment directly onto the card base.

Hope you will give it a try and find that the directions are easy to follow.

Blessings,

Annie

A Golfer's Birthday

Hello Stampers,

Thirty-three years ago I met my husband on a golf course.  His birthday is coming up next month so I decided to make him a golfer-type birthday card.  Can you believe that in all these years I've never made one for him -- bought a few but never made one.  Since I have no golf stamps, I sat down at my computer and began a search for images that pertain to golf.  What fun!  I was amazed that there were so many to choose from.  I typed and printed the sentiments and think he will get a kick out of them.  And besides, the card stock is his favorite color - a burgundy maroonish - just like his Denali.   Here's my fun work of art.

I'll write in the lovey stuff later.  😍😍😍

Thanks for letting me share with you.  Many blessings.
Annie

Card Candy for Christmas

Hi Stampers,

Well, I was able to resist Christmas in July, but here on the first day of September, due to a swap challenge, I had to jump into a Christmas theme.  This is my first attempt at making multiples of Card Candy.  Lots of die cutting, Copic marker coloring, and jewels.  I used Lockhart Inchie Art stamps and stamped the images on 1 x 1 inch white matboard.  Also used a Stampin' Up label punch and two Spellbinders dies - Shapeabilities Frosty Forms and Nestabilities Fleur De Lis Squares.  The project was lots of fun even though it took most of my morning.

That's it for today, friends.  Enjoy the Labor Day weekend but please be alert and stay safe if you are traveling.

Blessings,
Annie

Jeremiah 17:8

Hello friends,
I have another bible verse to share with you today.  I love this verse because it gives me assurance that no matter the problems I face in life, God will provide what I need to get through them, and I have no need to be anxious and fearful.

"For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of the drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit."  Jer. 17:8

This verse, along with Psalm 1:3 teaches that one who trusts in God will not be free from trials and adversity, but that God will be bring fruit and blessing in and through those difficulties.  We are being compared to a palm tree that has been firmly planted in a well-watered oasis.  As everything about the palm tree is valuable and productive, so are the

righteous people of God.  The tree will not fear when drought comes, and will not be anxious nor stop bearing fruit.  Instead, it will stay green and

productive because its roots are deeply planted.  

May this verse bless you as it has me.

Annie

John 10:27

Just finished this bible illustrating and journaling this morning.

My sheep listen to My voice;

I know them, and they follow

Me.  I will give them eternal

life, and they will never

perish.                     John 10:27

In this verse, Jesus is telling us that He is the Shepherd and we are the sheep.  What does it mean to “follow” Jesus?

Webster’s Dictionary tells us that “9, to take as a model; act in accordance with; imitate; 10. to accept authority of; obey.”

Webster also tells us that a “follower (a) a person who follows another’s beliefs or teachings.”

When you ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, you are committing to Him that you obey and will be a “follower” and will “follow” Him all the days of your life. In order to imitate Jesus and to follow His teachings, we must study the Bible.  How else will we know what His teachings are? It is not enough to say “I believe.” We must read the Word, take it into our hearts, and act upon it.

Thank you for stopping by.

Blessings,

Annie

Easel Card - Modified

Hello again, stampers,

My card for today may or may not have a style name.  I couldn't find one, so I'm calling it a modified easel card.  I saw a similar one in a group on FaceBook; however the posting lady didn't know the name either and didn't have any directions.  So right there I had a new challenge!  I experimented with a couple of different sizes, and then finally decided this size is the one I like best.  Measurements and supplies are listed below the card photos.

Solid Light Yellow Card Stock

            *4” x 10 ¼ ”  -   Scored at 4 ½ ”, 9”

            *3 5/8” x 3 5/8”

            *Plus small scrap for stamping the Birthday Daisy image and punching small flower.  Cut out

              the daisy image.  Use 3D tape for mounting.

Solid Green Card Stock

            *Small scrap for stamping the image a second time.  Cut out only the center of the daisy.

            *Small scrap for die cutting the leaves

Decorative Paper

            3 ¾ ” x 9”

            3 ½ ” x 3 ½ ”

Rubber Stamp - Stampendous:  Birthday Blossom #F182

Die - Memory Box:  Sturdy Stem #98996   

Two Brads to match decorative paper.

This card is really quick and easy.  I hope you will give it a try.

Blessings,

Ann

Birthday Card for a Fisherman

Whew, what a busy morning card making!  I saw a card on Pinterest (my thanks to whomever created it) that inspired me to make it because it is just what I needed for my Pastor's birthday.  He is quite a fisherman so hopefully this card will be a hit with him as we celebrate his birthday on Sunday with cake and festivities.  The stamp set I used is from Stampin' Up called By the Tide.

The sentiment that I put on the left side of the inside card added just the right touch.  The stamp is from Our Daily Bread Designs called Fishing and the sentiment says,

"There is certainly 

something in Angling 

that tends to produce a 

Serenity 

of the mind.  

Washington Irving."

Blessings,

Annie

A Very Special Congratulations Card

What a lovely afternoon here in Wenatchee!  I hope you are enjoying these beautiful summer days.

I was commissioned to make a card for a gentleman member of the Moose Lodge.  He received the honor of earning the Pilgrim Degree of Merit, which I understand to be a very high honor.  I incorporated the emblem in the design of the card which I think made a nice touch.  And I just couldn't resist putting a small moose on the front of the envelope.  Since the colors of the emblem are red, yellow, and white, I chose those colors of card stock, and then added some black to hi-light.  Sure hope the requesting party likes it.  What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by.  Happy card making!

Blessings,
Annie

Banner Strip Card

Hello everyone,

Being a bit overcast ouside today led me to make some cheerful time inside.  So - card making is the name of the game.  I really like this Banner Strip card because when you lift the little banner strips, there is a secret message behind.  I also added a white card stock layer to the back where I could stamp a regular message, add a note, and sign my name.  Let me know what you think!

Here are some directions for you.  Hopefully they are easy to follow:

Recipe:

Green card stock panel 4 ½” x 5 ¾”

Orange card stock panel 4 ¼” x 5 ½”

Pattern paper panel 4 x 5 ¼”

Orange card stock banner 4 ½” x 1”

White card stock banner 3 ½” x 7/8”

Additional Materials:

Sizzix/Hero Arts Stamp & Die Cut Set – Floral #657776

3 Small Sentiment Stamps

Martha Stewart Leaf Sprig Punch

¾” Square Punch

Paper Cutter

Tape Runner

Glue Bottle and Glue Pen

Small Ruler and Pencil

Jewels

Extra Green CS for Leaves

Extra White CS for Stamping

Big Shot

Distress Ink Pads – Tattered Rose, Barn Door, Fired Brick

Black Ink Pad

Directions:

1.         Attach PP to orange panel.  Set aside.

2.         With the orange banner strips, score at ½” on one end of each and fold.

3.         Make a notch on the other end by lining the punch at an angle to form a notch.  Punch the other two plus the 3 white banner strips.

4.         At approximately ½” from the left side, stamp a different sentiment on each of the white banners using a black inkpad.

5.         On the assembled panel on the right side, make a tick mark 3/8” down from the top of the PP and another tick mark 3/8” up from the bottom of the PP.

6.         Glue the orange banners one at each tick mark and the third centered between the other two.

7.         On the inside of the orange banners, glue the white sentiment banners about 1/8” from the fold.

8.         Punch 7 leaves from the green CS.

9.         Using the large and small flower stamps, stamp one set on white paper using each of the 3 inkpads.

10.       Die cut with the Big Shot.  Lightly curl up the petals.

11.       Working on the left side of the card with the banners laying flat in place, put glue on only the bottom ¾” of a small flower and glue it to the PP.  The ¼” top of the flower should overlap the first banner at the bottom of the banner.  This will hold the banner closed.

12.       Put glue on the center portion of a large flower, between the second and third banners, and glue it to the PP, leaving the top and bottom petals loose.  This will hold those banners in place.

13.       Glue the remainder of the flowers and the leaves as shown in the sample.

14.       Attach the jewels to the center of the flowers.

Until next time.

Blessings,

Annie

Scalloped Punch Topper Card

Hi card makers,

Today I'm featuring the Stampin' Up Scalloped Tag Punch.  I wasn't really interested in purchasing this punch until I saw pictures of cards using this punch posted on Pinterest.   Well, I saw some great cards and now I own one of these punches.  So thank you to whomever the SU person is who came up with idea of using the punch in this way.  I love it!  It's really very easy and quick to make, so I hope you'll give it try.  Here's the card I made using this punch.  Directions are after the picture.

Blessings,
Ann

Scalloped Punch Topper Card

1.  One CS 5 ½ x 8” – Green

2.  One CS panel 2 ¼ x 5 ⅛” – Blue

3.  One CS panel 2 ⅟16 x 4 ⅛” – White

4.  One scrapbook paper 4 x 5 ½“ – coordinates with green and blue

5.  Blue Ribbon – 14 inches

6.  Dew Drops – 5 matching green

7.  One die cut from the blue – Spellbinders Shapeabilities Die D-Lites – Tiger Lillies

8.  Scallop Tag Punch – Stampin’ Up

9.  Guide marks for punch – 1 ⅟16”

 1.                       •                   •

                     ß Measure in from sides and mark at 1 ⅟16” in on

                         •                     •           both sides and at both ends.  Scallop Punch slides

                 in here:   á      Make sure the punch fits exactly between the marks.

2.  Cut off side pieces at top and bottom, leaving only the tab.

3.  Slide a scalloped punched end into the paper trimmer, from the right to the left.

4.  Score the tag.

5.  Next, score at 4 ⅛”. 

6.  Add scrapbook paper to inside – MAKE SURE THAT THE TAB CAN LAY OVER

     SMOOTHLY AGAINST THE CARD.

7.  Adhere layers.

8.  Cut the die using the blue CS, adhere it, and add Dew Drops to the center of the flowers.

Tools:

Paper Piercer

Small cutting scissors

Double Stick Tape or Tape Runner

Glue for holding embellishments secure

Ruler

Pencil

Paper Trimmer

Small Martha

Bone Folder

Scalloped Tag Punch from SU 

A Dahlia and More

This birthday card is the perfect combination for my friend

who loves Dahlias and music.

 

Using the Dahlia stamp from Stampin' Up's "Regarding Dahlias" set, I stamped on a light melon-colored card stock using clear embossing ink and heat embossed with white embossing powder.  The Dahlia was stamped two times, and then colored with Copic markers:  E13, R22, YR04, and RV52.  I cut out one complete Dahlia and then just cut out the center portion of the second Dahlia and mounted with mounting tape.  Next, tiny pearls were added to the center of the Dahlia.   

The leaf is from a Hero Arts set called "More Real Leaves."  I stamped the leaves with Distress Ink Evergreen Bough, then I lightly sponged them with the same color ink and also Distress Pine Needles. After I cut out the leaves I darkened the edges with the Pine Needles ink, and then finished off by slightly curling up the leaf tips. It's a nice way to add some depth to the leaves.

To make the background panel, I printed sheet music from Pinterest, used a distressing tool on the edges, and then embossed with the Tim Holtz Woodgrain embossing folder.

Pine Needles ink was used on the distressed edges of the panel and lightly sponged over the Woodgrain embossing.

The card base is white, 5 1/2 x 4 1/4.  The panel is 4 3/4 x 3 3/4.  You can find the music clip art on Pinterest here. 

This was a really fun card to make and I'm really loving this stamp set!  Thanks for stopping by.

Annie

Sketch Card – Red Flower

Rain and snow yesterday - sunshine today.  Spring has got to be just around the corner.  So flowers are my theme today.  Bright red flowers.  I made this card from a sketch I saw on Pinterest.  This is what I was inspired to do for my card.

Here are some step-by-step directions in case you want to make one of these . . . or just use your own mojo! 

    

1.         Fold the white card base, set aside (8 ½” x 11”).

2.         Stamp a small flourish element stamp 6 times on white card stock with black ink and cut out 

            each one.

3.         Using a small strip of white card stock as a base, line up the 6 flourish squares to it,

            aligning along the bottom of the strip, then glue/tape them in place.  You may need to 

            trim off a bit.  Set aside.

4.         Stamp a flower on  red card stock.  Shade the flower with PrismaColor pencils: #PC925

            Crimson Lake, PC1029 Mahogany, and PC939 Peach.  You can use a Germany (blender) to

            blend the colors.  Set aside.

5.         On the bottom part of the card base, mat a piece of black card stock (4 1/8” x 4 1/8”), 

            leaving the right top unglued.

6.         Mat red checked card stock on top of the black (4” x 4”).

7.         Glue/tape the flourish strip approximately ½” down from the top of the red checked layer.
            Trim if necessary.  Set aside.

8.         Next, using the Garden Circle Die - JustRite Dies, die cut it from black card stock.  The die
            cut a round piece of red patterned paper and glue it to the back of the center of the Garden
            Circle die cut.  Glue the assembly to the card as shown in picture.

9.         Taking the red flower in hand, lightly roll up the edges of the petals.  Add Flower Soft to the
            center, and then glue to card.

10.       With a distressing tool, distress the edges of the small script rectangle; edge the rectangle with
             a sponge and Bard Door Distress ink; and then tuck it under the top of the black mat at the
             top right.  Also, tuck in a couple of little red punched elements.

11.       On the left upper area of the card, glue the “hugs” which was die cut from the (KaiserCraft
            Decorative Dies, Comfort Pack.

12.       Add jewels or Dew Drops to the bottom left side of the card as shown in the picture.

I hope you will give it a try and let me know what you think.

Blessings,
Annie

Peek-a-Boo Card

Good morning friends,

Today I am sharing with you a new-to-me fold, called the Peek-a-Boo Card.  I saw this card on Pinterest and immediately knew that I had to try to make it.  I can laugh now, but at the time of the failure of my first try I felt nothing but disappointment. Whaaaa!  But . . . I saw what I had done wrong and jumped right in to try again.  I searched until I found video instructions and give credit and a big thanks to Norma Lee.  You will find her video at the end of her printed instructions.  Just for fun, see if you can find my mistake on the first card.

 If you didn't catch my error, then let me give you a tip.  Be sure to die cut your ovals properly spaced.  😄  Hope you are challenged to give this fancy fold a try.

Blessings,

Annie

Triangle Joy Fold Card

Greetings friends,

Another cold day here in Wenatchee, Washington.  But also a perfect day to stay inside and enjoy card making.  Today I tried a new fold called Triangle Joy Fold.  The Triangle Joy Fold is quite different from the regular Joy Fold card.  It was brought to my attention by a challenge in a stamping group I belong to.  The sample tutorial that was given to us was in centimeters.  Although I translated the script to English, the measurements were still in centimeters.  Luckily I have a great centimeter ruler so the directions were quite simple to follow.  The card is 15 x 15 centimeters which is just under 6" x 6".  I'm going to try my hand at making a 5" x 5" using measurements in inches.  I think it would be fun to have a smaller version.  For now, here's the card I made for the challenge, in centimeters.

Here's the link where you can find directions:  my thanks to Stempeleinmaleins Blog.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Hope you are staying warm and cozy!

Blessings,
Annie

Triple-Tier Slider Card

I just finished making the cutest card (not in the bragging sense)!  I love it!!!!  Can you tell I'm excited? The coffee theme stamps were so fun to use and the slider mechanism is awesome. I couldn't have done it without using a tutorial I found at Dawn's Stamping Thoughts.  Ms. Dawn, thank you for your wonderfully, easy-to-follow tutorial.

Here's my version of the card:

I used Stampin' Up Gorgeous Grunge for the background, using Distress Ink Brick Red, Tea Dye, and Broken China.  This is really a fun card to make.  I hope you'll give it a try.

Blessings,
Annie

Comforting Others in Times of Sorrow

Hello friends,

This is not the kind of card making one likes to do during the Christmas season.  Sadly, my church needed some sympathy cards, and one for me, too, as a dear member of our church family just passed on.  Rather than purchasing store-bought cards, my church orders from me and then donates a sum for each card to my church library ministry account. Making greeting cards for my church is a wonderful way to make my library budget stretch just a bit further and also a way to serve my church family.  So, I just thought why not share with you all what I've been busy doing lately.  I pray that these cards will in some small way show love and caring thoughts to the deceased sweet family.

Blessings,
Annie

Remember These - Glass Slide Mailers?

Class time is coming around next week so I'm busy getting card ideas and kits together.  A while back I found a couple of packages of glass slide mailer folders that I had stashed away.  What a surprise - had forgotten that I even had them.  I used to do a lot of altered art but had really gotten away from it.  So I thought why not put these to use in a card - but what do I do, how do I go about it!  I didn't find much of anything to give me inspiration, actually nothing at all, so this is a totally "winging it" card.  And using Graphic 45 paper is always awesome!

 The red base card opens so you can add a Christmas sentiment inside.  Hope you like it.

Blessings,
Annie

Glass Slide Mailer Card

1.  Fold the card base and round the corners; lay aside.

2.  Emboss the green card stock with Elegant Dots; attach to card base; lay aside.

3.  Slide mailer – color all edges with the black marker.  On the inside color the center of the slider so that the cardboard won’t show after you attach the decorative paper; set aside.

4.  From the green dots paper, cut one panel to fit inside the glass slide pocket; glue or tape in place.

5.  With the red plaid paper, cut three panels – 1 ½ x 3 ¾ inches.

6.  With one of the red plaid paper panels, cut out the center of it using the smallest die from the A2 Matting Basics A.  Attach this panel over the glass slide pocket.

7.  Attach the other two panels to front and on the left inside the slide mailer.  You may need to trim a bit.

 8.  Cut out three ephemera from the G45 paper.  Tape or glue one to the front, one to the left inside, and mount one in the pocket on the right.

9.  Using Glossy Essentials to attach the slide mailer to the center of the embossed paper and the red Dew Drops to each of the four corners of the embossed panel.

 Supplies:

Black permanent ink marker (slanted tip)
One rubber glove (for use with the black marker)
Mounting Tape
Pencil
Scissors
Glue bottle or pen
Glossy Accents
Double-stick tape or tape runner
Corner rounder punch
Paper trimmer
Four red Dew Drops (or similar item)
One slider mailer
Two designs of complementary decorative paper (I used G45 Christmas paper – small red plaid and green dots)
A quarter sheet of green card stock
8 ½ x 5 ½ inches red card stock for card base, folded
Stampin’ Up embossing folder – Elegant Dots
Spellbinders Dies – Resplendent Rectangles; and A2 Matting Basics A

Out of Africa

Card making today was a birthday card for my pastor, who just made a mission trip to Uganda, Africa . . . which gave me just a perfect time to use some of my African design stamps.  More importantly, of course, was the team's opportunity to minister to so many children at the orphanages. Being inspired by a card that I saw on Pinterest at Cards by Teresa, I also got to use a technique that I haven't used in a long, long time. 

I started by cutting a 3 1/2 inch circle from a piece of scrap card stock to make a mask.  Next I cut and folded an 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch white card base.  After taping the mask in place, with Distress Ink Squeezed lemonade, I sponged the entire circle. Then while leaving a bright spot in the middle, I sponged around it with Distress Ink Dried Marigold.  I finished the outside edge of the circle with Distress Ink Ripe Persimmon. 

Rather than using a solid image stamp, I chose to us an open image for an entirely different effect.  The image was stamped with Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black.  For a final touch I used foam tape to mount the sentiment.  The dotted paper you see behind the card actually isn't part of the card -- just used to make the white card stand out. 

Wishing you wonderful hours of stamping!

Annie