friday...simple card sketch and sample

TGIF! Here's a simple card sketch for when you need one ASAP!

and here's my simple and fast version of it as a masculine birthday card:

Supplies-cardstock: Recollection;
buttons: Buttons Galore Button Bonanza Green;
ink: Ranger Tim Holtz (Vintage Photo,Walnut Stain);
stamp: Basic Grey Delta Series Acrylic Stamps Birthday Hat;
tools: Cuttlebug Machine, Spellbinders Foliage dies, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder-Textile Texture;
other: sewing machine, hemp cord

Have a wonderful weekend!

thursday...Using Those Scraps (step-by-step layout)

Welcome back bloggers! Lately I've been trying to organize and use up my scraps that have accumulated throughout the years. Right now I organize my scraps in 12"x12"x2" drawers by color (1 drawer for each group: Brown/Orange/Yellow, Red/Pink/Purple, Black/White/Cream, Blues and Greens get their own drawer because I have a lot of these scraps) and they work perfectly for me. However, I've been scrapping since 2003 and have accumulated way too much scraps but I can't seem to be able to toss them out either.  That's when I started designing a few layouts that use mostly scraps (except for the background cardstock). This is one of them and I did a step-by-step of my creative process in case someone else was in the same boat as me regarding scraps so let's get started  :)


Step 1. Gather your scraps. I chose my Brown/Orange/Yellows drawer because right now is my biggest one :)


Step 2. Punch out one border and trim your strips to 6" long by anywhere between 0.5"-1.5" tall. This will give them different thickness and add interest to your layout.


Step 3. I used a white cardstock for the base. I lightly and randomly stamped with a background script stamp around the edges (you can see a bit in the top right of this picture). Start adhering strips from the bottom up.


Step 4. You will end up with something like this when you are done. Don't mind the fact that the left side if not perfect, you will cover this with your pictures.


Step 5. Die cut matching border. I always make a template of all the die cut pattern papers that I purchase to make my own. This one I believe is from Basic Grey's Origin Collection.


Step 6. Go over the edges with a Copic Marker to finish the edges. You might need to do this a few times to get a good coverage. I then used Glossy Accents over it to give it a finished glossy look. You can check out the close ups for this layout HERE.


Step 7. Using a lighter color scraps, cut down a strip measuring 12"x1" and distress one of the edges. I used the Tim Holtz Distresser Tool but you can use the side of a pair of scissors. Adhere as shown leaving space for a row of four 4"x3" pictures.


Step 8. Gather your pictures. You can use 2 vertical 4"x6" pictures or use four 4"x3" pictures. I printed mine Black & White because the pictures were too busy.


Step 9. Adhere your pictures between your vertical 1" strips and now you are ready to embellish your layout.


Step 10. Add embellies to the top left and bottom right side of the pictures. I handmade neutral flowers out of scraps and added some leaves too. I don't have a tutorial for these flowers but if you are interested I can work on one. I also added a title to the top left side of the pictures and journaling to the bottom left side of the pictures.

I hope that you enjoyed this step-by-step tutorial. Let me know what do you think about it and if you use this tip, drop me a link here so I can check out your layout! have a wonderful rest of the week!

wednesday...Heartfelt Creations

Happy Wednesday! Today I have a layout I want to share with you! I used the Heartfelt Creations Floral Cross Collection for this layout. I just can't get enough of these flowers!


Supplies-
Heartfelt Creations:
HCPC 3354 Classic Message PreCut Set
HCPC 3407 Botanical Floral 2 PreCut Set
HCPC 3452 Pristine Lilies Precut Set
HCD 702 Decorative Butterfly-Border Die
HCD 712 Bella Rose Die
HCD 713 Decorative Lace Border Die
HCD 719 Cross and Lilies Die
472186 Rose Creations Shapeabilities
317430 Cuttlebug machine


Other: 
Authentique 6”x6” paper bundle-Gathering Collection, DCWV Mariposa Stack, Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Walnut Stain), Ranger Stickles (Icicle), StazOn Archival Ink (Jet Black),Ranger Reinker (Dried Marigold) , Ranger Liquid Pearls (Opal White), Spellbinders Shapeabilities Labels 4, Provo Craft Textile Texture A2 Embossing Folder, Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page (Wild Flower), Ranger Tim Holtz Paper Distresser, Puffy Paint, Marvy Uchida Heat Embossing gun, sewing machine

These pictures were taken back in 2009 and this was definitely a special day for my hubby and I. Earlier this day we had gone and purchased his wedding band, finishing up the things we had to purchase before the wedding. We later went to this local park in Miami, FL to walk around. We were getting pretty exited that the wedding was just weeks away.


Because of the story behind it, I decided to title this layout Special Day. I used one stamp from the precut stamp set Classic Message PreCut Set, inked it, and taped off the words on your so I could be left out with the pretty scripted words Special Day. I die cut and embossed the title. I then inked the raised edges and added pearls and tiny liquid pearl dots to accent it.


Like I said earlier, I used the Floral Cross Collection to make these flowers. I stamped, die cut using the matching die, embossed, misted to add color and added puffy paint to make these flowers. I then stamped and added a few leaves and flourishes and finished it of with a few randomly placed butterflies.

Here is the step by step write-up for this layout:
Punch around the border of the light blue pattern paper with the Martha Stewart Wild Flowers punch. Adhere unto a teal colored cardstock. Pull a floral pattern paper from the Authentique 6x6 Gathering collection bundle, distress and machine stitch the edges. Cut the floral paper into 4 equal parts and adhere to background. Cut the second light blue pattern paper to 4”x6” and distress and machine stitch the edges as well. Place vertically over the floral paper. Cut another pattern paper to 5”x10” and distress and machine stitch the edges. Adhere horizontally over the other layers after die cutting and adding a blue die cut border underneath. Add your two 3”x4” pictures to the center of the layout as shown. For your flowers, stamp two of the largest and a few of the next size down lilies from the Pristine Lilies Precut Set and die cut them. Emboss using your Cuttlebug and the Textile Texture A2 Embossing Folder. Dilute in a mini mister a bit of Dried Marigold Reinker and spray your flowers. Randomly add puffy paint over the petals and in the center. Let dry and apply heat using your heat gun until it puffs up. Layer the two large flowers and place in the center under the pictures. Make the other flowers the same way you made the larger one and add them around the cluster. Stamp and die cut some large and small leaves in two different shades of green. Slightly fold them in half and add around your flowers. Die cut two Belle Rose leaves flourishes in brown and cut out only the flourish parts. Add to cluster and add Liquid Pearl dots directly on the flourishes. Stamp your sentiment (I used tape to cover the on your part of the rubber stamp so I could be left out with just the Special Day part) and die cut and emboss it with a Labels 4 die. Add blue pearls and liquid pearl dots around the edge and place on left side of the pictures. Finally, print, cut and add some butterflies randomly to the page and add liquid pearl dots to their body.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today! I have a few more things to share with you about Heartfelt Creations before you go though.

Vote for your Favorite Designers: When we announce a new design team call that also means that we have a tough time deciding which of the current designers continue on the HC design team. We decided to do things a little differently this time and are giving you the opportunity to get involved and vote for 5 or more of your current favorite design team members. You can CLICK HERE and submit your vote. When you vote, you will also be entered into a drawing to be eligible to win a $50 HC Gift Certificate. You can only vote one time and you have to select 5 or more to be eligible to participate. Voting ends on April 13th, 2012

tuesday..Tip/Technique using border punches

Hi everyone! Welcome to my blog! Today I have a tip on how to use your border punches in a different way. I know you have at least one and today we will use it since it probably has been a little bit since you last used it!

Here's my layout:
Supplies-

cardstock: Bazzill;
patterned paper: Jillibean Soup Dutch Mustard Soup Leeks, My Mind's Eye (Just Dreamy 2-No Girls Allowed, Paisley Power), Graphic 45 Once Upon a Springtime Pixie Post, Echo Park Victoria Gardens Delightful Doilies, Doodlebug Accent Papers Swiss Dot Bon Bon, Mariposa Stack, Imaginisce Bday Bash It's a Party,
letter stickers: Basic Grey Hello Luscious mini mono stickers;
pearls: Ranger Liquid Pearl (Opal White);
bling: Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist (Pearl);
ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Vintage Photo), StazOn Archival Ink (Brown Timber);
pens: American Crafts Precision Pen (Black), Copic Marker;
stamp: Prima Notary Stamp, Heartfelt Creations Daisy Patch Flowers PreCut Set;
tools: Cuttlebug machine, Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page (Scallop Dot), Spellbinders Rose Creations, Tim Holtz Paper Distressor;
other: Ranger Glossy Accents

Tip: Use your border punch to make a 12" border over half of your layout for added interest.
I made this layout using scraps only, except for the background white cardstock. I gathered my coordinating scraps and used my EK Success Martha Stewart Edge Punch Scallop Dot and punched the border.

I then trimmed the strips to 6" and I varied their width for added interest. Because the pattern papers are a bit busier, I decided to go with black and white pictures and very neutral embellies. This technique works because you use the same punch unifying the layout. You can even use different color pattern papers (rainbow colors) and the finished layout will still look amazing!

Here are a few more close ups of my layout:

I hope that you enjoyed this little tip and can use it to tackle those scraps! If you use this tip, leave me a comment here with a link to your project so I can check it out! Also, I'm working on a step by step tutorial on how I made this layout. Come back on Thursday to check it out! Have a great day!

monday...Authentique 6x6 paper bundles (Uncommon)

Happy Monday! Today I'm showing off my favorite new manufacturer and 6x6 paper pack!

Authentique is a fairy brand new Manufacturer but their products are top quality. Their pattern papers are thick which means that I can distress as much as I want and it will not break on me! They also offer amazing patterns and colors. This collection (Gathering Collection) is pink, black and cream and it has the most amazing prints for any romantic or love themed or even Mother's Day's layouts or cards!

Here's a Mother's Day card that I made with the 6"x6" Gathering Collection paper bundle:

Supplies-

cardstock: Recollections;
patterned paper: Authentique 6x6 Bundle Collection (Uncommon);
ink: StazOn (Jet Black);
bling: Prima Bling Swirls, Kaisercraft Pearls (Copper);
glitter: Ranger Stickles (Diamond);
stamp: Heartfelt Creations Sentiments For Mom Precut Set (HCPC 3389);
tools: Cuttlebug machine, Spellbinders Nestabilities (Labels 18), Spellbinders Dies (Rose Creations), Tim Holtz Paper Distresser
other: vellum, pop dots, sewing machine

This card measures 6"x6" and I played off the colors in the pattern paper by adding pink handmade roses and buds, grey leaves and a few cream colored butterflies. I die cut the shape from the front and adhered it to the inside of the card to make a peek-a-boo card so that when you open the card the sentiment stays on the inside. 

and here's the inside of the card:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today and don't forget to check out THIS 6"x6" paper bundle-it might become your favorite as well!

AWDML...New Winner!

Since the first winner never got back to me, I am now going to draw another winner for the A Walk Down Memory Lane Blog Hop....

Bev!

Congrats Bev! Please email me at amadrian8@yahoo.com so I can forward your name to the store owner so you get a code to  redeem at the A Walk Down Memory Lane store!

wednesday...Heartfelt Creations

Happy Heartfelt Creations Wednesday!

Today I have a card I made using the newest collection-My Guy Collection. I just love these manly stamps and couldn't resist making a masculine birthday card.


Supplies-
Heartfelt Creations:
HCPC 3458 Western Collage Precut Set
HCPC 3461 Western Sentiments Precut Set

Other: My Mind’s Eye Lost and Found-Sunshine, Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, Embossing ink), Ranger Embossing Powder (Copper), Marvy Uchida Heat Embossing Tool, StazOn Archival Ink (Timber Brown), Tim Holtz paper distresser tool, Crafter’s Cord True Hemp (Camouflage), brown button, brown ribbon, cardboard, sewing machine

I made this card very simple since it is a masculine card and I used the MME Lost and Found Sunshine Collection because I loved the yellow with the distressed brown cardboard. Distressed all the edges and inked them with Vintage Photo. I added a brown ribbon and a piece of cardboard. I finally heat embossed the image and distressed them paper too. I pop dotted this image and wrapped hemp cord around it and finished it off with a button.

Here's a close up picture of the card:


Here is the step by step write-up for this layout:
Cut a 12x12 paper down to 5”x12” and fold in half. Cut a brown cardstock down to 4.75”x5.75” and your pattern paper to 4.5”x5.5”. Distress the edges with Tim Holtz tool and ink all the edges as well.Machine stitch the pattern paper onto the brown cardstock and adhere to card base. Cut a piece of cardboard to 2”x3.75” and ink the groves to give it dimension. Run a vertical ribbon from top to bottom of the card through the middle. Add the cardboard to the center of the card. Heat emboss using copper embossing powder the hat, rope and boot image on a cream cardstock. Stamp the sentiment on the top right side of the embossed image. Cut down the image and sentiment to 3”x3.5” and distress the edges. Use brown cord and wrap around the bottom of the image three times and secure with tape in the back. Add a button on the bottom right corner and tie a bow on it.

Reminder: 
Vote for your Favorite Designers: When we announce a new design team call that also means that we have a tough time deciding which of the current designers continue on the HC design team. We decided to do things a little differently this time and are giving you the opportunity to get involved and vote for 5 or more of your current favorite design team members. You can CLICK HERE and submit your vote. When you vote, you will also be entered into a drawing to be eligible to win a $50 HC Gift Certificate. You can only vote one time and you have to select 5 or more to be eligible to participate. Voting ends on April 13th, 2012

{Please go and vote for your favorite Designer. I'm afraid that this might be the end of Layout Designers for Heartfelt Creations since they have a stronger Card followers than Layouts followers so please take a minute and go vote-you can even win some free goodies from them!}

Thank you for stopping by my blog today! Please go to the Heartfelt Creations BLOG today to see more amazing layouts and cards and to congratulate the Semifinalists!

monday...step-by-step birthday card

Hi everyone! This is a card that I made for AWDML back in the beginning of the month and forgot to post it here so here it is:

 

Supplies-

cardstock: Bazzill, Recollections;
flowers: Recollections;
ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads Seasonal Winter Set (iced spruce, evergreen bough), Vintage Photo; Ranger Tim Holtz Embossing pad, Ranger Tim Holtz embossing powder (clear, black);
stamps: Prima Notary Script, Inkadinkado Morphic Bugs stamps, Fiskars All Year Greetings, BoBunny Etc stamps;
tools: Spellbinders Rose Creations die, Cuttlebug machine, Tim Holtz blending tool, Marvy Uchida Embossing Heat Tool;
other: sewing machine

Step 1. Cut down a white cardstock to 5"x4". Stamp and emboss the Prima Notary stamp using clear embossing powder.


Step 2. Using the Tim Holtz tool, apply Spruced Ice distress ink from the Winter Set randomly over the embossed image,leaving some areas white.


Step 3. Using the Tim Holtz tool, apply Evergreen Bough distress ink from the Winter Set randomly over the embossed image, overlapping the previous colors but still leaving some areas white.


Step 4. Round up the bottom corners and ink the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.


Step 5. Cut down a strip of brown cardstock to 3"x2" and make a banner pendant with it (snip off a V shape in the bottom). Distress the edges with Vintage Photo distress ink and stamp a dragnfly image from the Inkadinkado Morphic Bugs set with this ink as well. Emboss with black embossing powder the birthday sentiment from Fiskars All Year Greetings and BoBunny Etc Stamp.


Step 6. Machine stitch both of these layers individually.


Step 7. Gather your embellies-two flowers, two die cut leaves from the Spellbinders Rose Creations dies, and a handmade butterfly.


Step 8. Adhere the background handmade paper to a 5.5"x4.25" cream card base. To make this just fold a 8.5"x11" cardstock in half and then cut this folded piece in half to get two 5.5"x4.25" card bases. Glue the pennant over the handmade paper on the right side of the card, as shown.


Step 9. This is the finished card. To finish it, just add your embellies around the pennant and that's it!

I hope you enjoyed this step by step tutorial for this birthday card using Tim Holtz's Winter Ink Set!

AWDML...winner

Andrea, you are the winner for my blog during the A Walk Down Memory Lane Blog Hop. Please contact me within 3 day or I'll choose another winner.

Here's what she said:

Andrea, please email me at: amadrian8@yahoo.com so I can forward your email address to the A Walk Down Memory Lane store owner and she can send you a gift certificate.

thursday...Heartfelt Creations

Hi everyone1 I'm back! My internet died 3 days ago and now is when they finally fix it! This is why I missed yesterday Heartfelt Creations Wednesday but here it it-on a Thursday! :)

We are pleased to introduce the My Guy Collection. This is a set for your best buckaroo. This collection comes with a lively farmstead, frolicking horses, and sentimental sayings in fonts that have as much attitude as your special man does. With a western flare of attitude, this set also contains cowboy hats and boots, and a variety of landscape stamps to create that perfect scenic creation you have been dreaming of. There are 7 new PreCut Stamp Sets and one beautiful new exclusive Spellbinders die designed for Heartfelt Creations.

Leave a comment on the HC blog by March 20 to be eligible to win the entire release valued at $141.92. The winner will be announced on March 21 on the HC Blog.


Supplies:
Heartfelt Creations:
HCPC 3456 Western Bronco Precut Set
HCPC 3457 Birch Tree Precut Set
HCPC 3462 My Guy Precut Set
HCD 720 Western Broncos Die
Rose Creations Shapeabilities
317430 Cuttlebug machine

Other: Pattern paper-Vintedge (Ratchet) and FabScraps (Classic Black Lace), Kasiercraft Lace Pack-Natural, Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, Peeled Paint), StazOn Archival Ink (Jet Black), Tim Holtz Blending tool, Crafter’s Cord True Hemp (Camouflage), hemp cord, blue felt, brown buttons, acrylic paint (white, cream), cardboard,

I just love this new collection-although I seem to be saying this with every new collection release! This collection is awesome for those so hard masculine layouts and cards. I really enjoyed working on this masculine layout and you know I don't say this often!

I distressed all the layers to give them a worn and old look (perfect for guy pictures!).  Above are two close ups of the layout where you can really see the distressing. This being a masculine layout, however, did not stop me from using lace and flowers.


I made the flowers using the cardboard box where the new set came in! i love recycling this way!


Here's another close up of the flowers. I used acrylic paint to distress them a bit and added buttons for the center to keep them more masculine.


I added a 'rope' embellie (hemp cord wrapped around my hand 3 times with a know to hold it together) and felt blue boots.


I also used cardboard for the background. I stamped and colored with distress ink the birch tree (Vintage Photo and Peeled Paint). I love this watercolor look!

Finally, for my title, I stamped the background word stamp My Guy Precut Set and cut out the words My Guy and matted them on brown cardstock.


Here is the step by step write-up for this layout:
Randomly stamp the dust image from the Western Bronco Precut Set on the polka dot pattern paper using brown ink. Distress with a pair of scissors the edges of the pattern paper, make random tears, and use brown ink with the blending tool to age the paper. Do the same thing with the blue pattern paper which measures 10”x10”. Glue the polka dot paper unto a black cardstock and place the blue pattern paper in the center. Take a cardboard and tear out a piece. Also, using the Shapeabilities Rose Creations, die cut one of the second largest, two of each size down from the cardboard. Using acrylic paint in white and cream as well as Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain distress ink, distress the cardboard background shape and flowers until you are happy with them. Adhere the torn cardboard to the background off center. Build your flowers by layering the two largest ones and keeping the other ones as a single layer. Fold the petals inwards to give them shape. Finish them by adding a button with a hemp cord knot in each of their centers. Stamp the birch tree and color using Peeled Paint and Vintage Photo distress ink and the blending tool. You do not want it to look perfect but you are going for a rustic and old look. Fuzzy cut and adhere the tree unto the background. Mat your pictures unto a cream colored, distressed photo mat and add to layout, as shown. Add a piece of lace under the pictures. Stamp and die cut two horseshoes, distress, and add in each side of the lace. For the cluster, stamp and die cut a pair of boots from blue felt. Roll a piece of hemp rope around your hand 3 times and make a knot to secure it. Die cut a few green leaves and mold them with your fingers to give them shape and dimension. Adhere the flowers, leaves, rope, and boots to the corner of the picture as shown. Finally, stamp the My Guy Precut Set on cream cardstock. Cut out the words MY and GUY, mat unto brown cardstock and lightly distress them with the blending tool to give them an aged look. Pop dot these two words and add to the top right side of the picture.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today! I have a few more things to share with you about Heartfelt Creations before you go though.

Design Team Call: There are only 3 days left to submit a design team application. If you are passionate about stamping or scrapbooking, and love Heartfelt Creations products, CLICK HERE, for more details.

{Their DT is amazing and if you love making flowers, I say-APPLY!)   
Vote for your Favorite Designers: When we announce a new design team call that also means that we have a tough time deciding which of the current designers continue on the HC design team. We decided to do things a little differently this time and are giving you the opportunity to get involved and vote for 5 or more of your current favorite design team members. You can CLICK HERE and submit your vote. When you vote, you will also be entered into a drawing to be eligible to win a $50 HC Gift Certificate. You can only vote one time and you have to select 5 or more to be eligible to participate. Voting ends on April 13th, 2012

{Please go and vote for your favorite Designer. I'm afraid that this might be the end of Layout Designers for Heartfelt Creations since they have a stronger Card followers than Layouts followers so please take a minute and go vote-you can even win some free goodies from them!}