Today’s sneak peek is the set “Froggie and Friends”.  Aren’t they cute?  This set includes the 2 frogs and their friends shown here plus a lily pad, 2 cattails, 3 party hats, a fly, balloons and a bunch of coordinating words!  All of those pieces make it a fun & versatile set!  I also love that it comes packaged in a CD tin.  I punched the holes and layered the patterned paper behind them.  The images were stamped on the patterned paper and again on cardstock, watercolored, and paper pieced into place.  All of the papers and accessories on this card are also from All That Scraps.  These papers are so cute- I almost hated to cut off these tiny pieces…LOL.  But I had this idea stuck in my head and wanted to give it a try.  Thankfully it turned out OK the first time because I didn’t have any more of the dark green layer to start over. 

I took a pic of the top layer while I was punching the holes so you can see how I got the circle punches perfectly aligned.  I started by deciding how big I wanted the circle punches and then  figured how I needed to space them out.  *Please note- this card is not a typical A2 size card.  The finished measurements are 4 1/2 x 6.  So if you follow my measurements, you will need to find an envelope to fit or make a custom one.  I chose to use my 1 3/8″ circle punch.  Then I cut the dark green layer to 5 3/4″ x 4 1/4″.   If you look closely at the photo, I used the punch upside down and marked the top and sides of the punch opening with a Sharpie marker.  I just used the notches on the sides of the punch as a guide and eyeballed it.  Then I drew intersecting lines on the back of my cardstock layer.  Next just simply line up the three marks you make on your punch with the lines drawn on the cardstock and punch.  On the 5 3/4″ side, draw lines at 1 1/8, 2 7/8, and 4 5/8 inches.  On the 4 1/4″ side, draw lines at 1 1/4 and 3 inches.

I hope you give it a try….it’s really not very difficult.  Post a link if you make one so I can check it out! 

stamps- Froggie and Friends by C.C. Designs

paper- from All That Scraps

ink- Black, Celery, Artichoke, Bashful

accessories- ribbon & brads- All That Scraps, circle punch, gel pen

Happy Easter! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter day! We had ham with family on Friday so I cooked a different family favorite for lunch and then we had lots of leftovers (including the ham) for supper. It was a nice, relaxing day! I think our colored eggs are all gone by now. I never tire of that tradition! It must be the crafter in me.
This afternoon I sat down to make a few cards with the set A Good Egg. I have been wanting to make these cards for weeks! I originally wanted to make Easter cards but since I ran out of time, I just made them into a friendly spring card instead. I love how the set is versatile and doesn’t haven’t to be used just for Easter!
When I first saw the set in the new catalog, I knew I wanted to try a technique that I did years ago. The shell that the chick is in was made with real eggshells! They have been sitting in a dish on my counter for a few weeks waiting for this project. LOL. I don’t quite remember the proper technique and I was a little too lazy to look it up, so I just did what I remembered or thought would turn out ok.
To make the eggshell piece:
I started by running a piece of white cardstock through my Xyron machine so one side was covered with adhesive. Then I covered the adhesive with bits of broken eggshells (removed from hard boiled eggs). This takes a little time and patience to get it covered. Turn it over and gently press on the back so that the shells stick well. Next I used my waterbrush and various reinkers to watercolor the shells. Let it dry completely. Then I pressed the eggshell side onto my Versamark pad and heat embossed it with Iridescent Ice embossing powder so it would have some sparkle. I stamped my images on top with SU! Black ink and *carefully* cut them out. Then I applied Crystal Effects to help keep the shells from cracking off and give it a nice smooth finish. You may be able to apply the Crystal Effects before cutting the images out- try experimenting. It may be easier to cut that way.
This is a very simple layout but I wanted the technique to be the focus. I added a black dotted border around the designer paper to match the dotted chick. And I pierced some holes at each corner to help draw the attention to the main image.
Here’s a pic of the finished card….

….and a close-up so you can see the eggshells better.

stamps- A Good Egg
paper- Shimmery White, Saffron, Black, retired Tickles dp
ink- Black, Summer Sun, Pumpkin, various re-inkers
accessories- egg shells, Versamark, Iridescent Ice ep, Xyron, waterbrush, Crystal Effects, Black Diamond Stickles, Primas, paper piercing tools

Hope everyone is warm & dry wherever you are! It has been an icy, slushy day here today. Yuck! Definitely one to stay inside and keep cozy.
If you have a minute, check out the great new tutorials over on the Scor-Pal website. There’s a lot of fun things to create, including my tutorial on the Windshield Wiper Card!

Don’t forget to post a comment for my blog candy below! And check back tomorrow… I will be posting another project that I’ve been working on….a 12×12 framed artwork.

I made one of these pop-up cards several years ago but it was smaller and slightly different. I changed the measurements last night so that it is more like a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card when it is flat and therefore it will fit nicely in an A2 envelope. I also changed the side folds so it is more “box-like” when open. Here is a pic of the card in the closed position:

and this is what it looks like when it is open:

I did not take “step by step” photos as I made it, but I will try to give you instructions on how to make it and you can see the side view below to help you understand how it goes together.

Start with:
1 piece of 4 1/4 X 10 cardstock (I used Certainly Celery)
and 1 piece of 3 x 5 cardstock (I used White)

1. Score the Celery cardstock at 1/2, 2 1/2, 3, 5, 7, 7 1/2, and 9 1/2.

2. With your paper trimmer or a craft knife, cut along the center (5 in.) score line from the 1/2 inch to the 3 3/4 inch measurements. *(You will leave 1/2 inch UNCUT on both sides of the slit).

3. Mountain fold all scored lines.

4. Stamp your image on the 3 x 5 piece of cardstock and color if needed.

5. Insert the 3 x 5 piece of cardstock through the slit you cut in the center.

6. Sandwich the bottom of the 3 x 5 piece between the 2 bottom (1/2 inch) scored & folded ends. Attach the 3 x 5 piece to the 1/2 inch folded ends with strong adhesive.

7. Decorate as desired. (I used the Cuttlebug embossing folder before assembling.)

Here is the side view showing how it is assembled:

stamps- Unfrogettable, Daisy Field Wheel, heart- Big Bold Birthday
paper- Celery, White
ink- Celery, Olive, Black, Summer, Cocoa, Real Red, NQNavy, Caramel
accessories- ribbon, Tiny Bubbles Cuttlebug embossing folder

Have fun with it and let me know if you like it!

Whew! My first workshop seemed to go well yesterday, thanks to the help of my upline! Thank you, Linda! She was a great support and loaned me some paper I needed and forms until my kit arrives. She also handed me the Boatloads of Love set that I ordered from a friend’s party just before I decided to sign up. I can’t wait to play with this set….I *loved* the card that Jami made with it….you can find it here. I fell in love with this card when I first saw it….it is just adorable! I love the paper piecing and the doggies in tow. And the cat with the pinwheel….well, let’s just say I never cared much for the “You’re Neat” set, but after seeing the kitty on the boat I had to order it!

When I started mounting this set, I thought it might be a good opportunity to show you how I mount my stamps. I have had a few instances when I was mounting a stamp and someone said to me “ummm…what are you doing?” LOL. So I figure this might not be the norm but it is what works best for me and what I am most comfortable with. (because I am so very picky about it) LOL.

I’m sure that you know this already, but for newbies I just want to mention to be sure to match up the stamps with the correct size blocks after separating them. Then proceed to mounting. You do not want to end up with a stamp that doesn’t fit the only block left.

I trim my stamps closely and I try to be very careful not to undercut them. It’s not fun trying to stamp a skinny stamp that wobbles because too much of the cushion underneath was cut away! I also like to trim the inside out of some stamps to avoid transferring ink to unwanted areas. If you look close in the first pic, I cut the inside out of the heart stamp. I use an exacto knife and you must be careful! I always worry that I’ll slip and cut the image, but after 7 years, it hasn’t happened yet! *knock on wood*.

OK, so here is where I get the funny looks….LOL. I want my images to be positioned on the block as best as possible to be lined up with the sticker that gets placed on the top. This method is the best way I have found to keep the words straight (crooked words really bug me!). And it is great for the two-step stamps….flowers and other images are much easier to line up the two-step stamping when mounted this way. Here I will be mounting the tow boat. First peel the backing off the trimmed stamp. Now, lay the stamp, rubber side down, onto the sticker sheet with the images.

Move so you are almost eye level with the stamp and can see the rubber underneath the gray cushion. Carefully move the stamp around a bit so that it lines up perfectly with the image on the sticker.

Next take your corresponding wood block and looking from above the stamp, slowly lower it onto the sticky foam cushion. Try to use the lines on the sticker sheet where the stickers were cut as a guide for getting your wood block square with the image. Don’t press down hard yet….only touch it to the cushion so it is lightly sticking fast. Now turn your stamp over and see if it looks centered on the block. If it is not, gently peel it back off and try it again. When it is positioned on the block the way you like it, then you can press the rubber down a little harder to stick it fast.

Apply your sticker to the top & you are done…..no more crooked words!

I made a card recently for a swap and I used the large SU! oval punch to make the frame. It is very easy but I thought I would do a quick tutorial with pics to show you how I created it.

Supplies: cardstock, large SU! oval punch, pencil, Scotch temporary tape

I knew that I was going to make more than 1, so I created a pattern first. I started with a scrap piece of green cardstock cut to 1 3/4 in. by 2 1/4 in. Then I punched an oval out of a scrap piece of coral cardstock. Lay the oval onto the green cs, centering it as best as you can. Trace the oval shape onto the green piece. Discard the oval.

Turn the punch upside down with the opening facing you. Slip the green piece inside and line up the tracing with the punch opening.

*tip- I have a very hard time working with small pieces in the punches to get them positioned where I want them. To make it easier, stick a piece of temporary tape on the cardstock as shown in the pic below. Use the eraser end of a pencil or any other tool on the temporary tape to “grip” the cardstock and move it to where you want it. (I just use my finger but I can’t endorse sticking your finger in the punches! LOL).

When you get the traced oval lined up with the punch opening, then punch it out.

Your oval frame is done! If you want, you can keep this one for a pattern to trace again later. Have fun with it….and if you try it out, link your card back here so I can see what you made!

Here’s a pic of the frame on a finished card:

stamps- Word on Word, Sassy Stems, Kindness Jumbo wheel
cardstock- Apricot Appeal, Mellow Moss, Cameo Coral
ink- Black, Artichoke, Cameo Coral, Elegant Eggplant, Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal
access- Fiskars scallop scissors, large oval SU! punch, white gel pen