Flowerbug's Inkspot

Fun Pop-Up Birthday Card Tutorial

Here is the fun card we made at this month's card clubs:

Isn't it cute!?  I just love these bright, happy colors for kids birthday cards.  I used the retiring 'Big Top Birthday designer paper.'  Who wouldn't love getting a card that has a birthday present popping up when they open it up?  (Think about this card fold for weddings.....!)

The inside White piece measures 5 ¼” X 8 1/4” scored at 4 1/8”.  Fold this in half first.  Then use the directions below to add your lines as shown.

Measure first from top to bottom making small marks along the fold.  Then draw the horizontal lines with a ruler starting at the first marks and across as shown by the 7/8", 1 1/2" and 2" horizontal lines.

Now cut on those horizontal lines drawn onto the folded edge of your large White card stock, cutting through both layers.  Next you should fold each of the cut lines back as shown on the photo below.  Do this both ways using a bone folder to reinforce the folds.

 
Now you will open this piece up and push the ‘presents’ into the inside of the card so they pop out as shown below. You do not have to adhere the white layer to the card on this step until later or until you adhere the patterned papers. 

Fold your patterned paper pieces in half (see measurements above) and adhere to your pop-out areas.  I wrapped the short ribbon pieces to the inside of the bottom present and adhered the small bow with a mini glue dot to the top smallest gift.

Supplies:

• Stamps – Patterned Party, Party This Way, Bring on the Cake
• Card stock – Real Red, Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, White, Big Top Birthday
• Ink – Turquoise
• Accessories – markers, Scallop edge and trim border punches, 1” circle punch, Brights brads, Turquoise and Red grosgrain ribbon, Daffodil Delight 1/8” taffeta ribbon, mini glue dots, paper piercing tool, Mat Pack, Perfect Polka dots embossing folder, Big Shot

 Measurements – Turquoise full card 5 ½ X 8 ½”, White inside 5 ¼” X 8 1/2” scored at 5 ½” (see below for remaining cuts and fold measurements), Real Red and White front layer – 2 3/4 X 3 7/8”

****Remember that this Big Top Birthday designer series paper and all of our 1/4" grosgrain ribbons are retiring in a week.  And also the 'Party this Way' stamp set too.

Thanks for stopping by today! 

Lace Ribbon Border punch

I cannot believe this great punch is retiring!  And it's even on sale - marked down 25% from $19.95 to $14.96. Check out what's retiring here.  Some things are already out of stock and gone......

I punched a strip of Shimmer White card stock using the soon to be gone Lace Ribbon Border punch.  Then I punched 1" circles from Peach Parfait and Poppy Parade card stock and placed them behind the strip.  I added black brads too.

Using my Simply Scored, I scored three lines 1/8" apart on the bottom front of the card leaving 1 1/2" between them for the greeting from 'Thank you Kindly' stamp set.

Next I cut a narrow strip of Black card stock and placed it behind the circles.  Added dimensional pop-ups and adhered it to the Shimmer White folded card.  I finished it off with a little bow from our 1/8" narrow Black taffeta ribbon (not retiring!).

Remember to double check that retiring list to get some of these items before they're gone!

Thanks for stopping by for some punch tricks.

Control Freaks 'Almost Gone' Blog Hop

It's that time again for a Control Freaks Blog Hop.  And this month we are featuring our favorite Retiring items.  We hope to give you great ideas for products you may already own and of course tease you a bit to get some items we love and will sorely miss when they retire in a few weeks on May 31st.

You may have just arrived from Debra's blog where you saw her beautiful, clean & simple talent.  Just keep clicking on the icon at the bottom of each post and you'll see all 12 of our chosen favorites.

***I have highlighted all of the retiring items in Rose Red so you'll catch them. 

First up I have a card using one of my go-to stamp sets, Upsy Daisy.

So what do you think of this bright, eye-catching card?  Too much for some of you?  I have a few friends that do not like yellow or orange - yes, can you believe it?  I have always loved it.  I even had my room decorated in these colors as a teen.

Details:  I inked the Upsy Daisy stamp in Daffodil Delight ink and then sponged on a bit of Pumpkin Pie ink over the tops of most of the daisies.  Huff and stamp.  Then I ran the bottom portion of the Black card stock through my Big Shot with the soon to be retired Finial Press embossing folder. After putting these together I wrapped the beautiful 5/8" Pumpkin Satin ribbon around them.  I made a loop out of another piece of ribbon and secured the ends together with a mini glue dot, then pinched that together so the prongs of the flower brad went around it.  Instant bow!

Notice the greeting has a few two-toned daisies on it too?  I just huffed that stamp one more time (without re-inking) and stamped it over my white punched greeting. 

Next up is a Photo Wallet that we made for a Relay for Life fundraiser event last weekend.

 

It uses the retiring sets Flower Fest and Baroque Motifs.  It's the perfect thing for those who want to share photos of their grandchildren or a recent vacation.  Here's what it looks like when you open it up completely:

The colors are Cherry Cobbler, Black and So Saffron.  I will be posting a complete free tutorial on Monday so stop back then!  

I made this quick card for my friend's workshop last night.  I found this idea on my friend Kay Kalthoff's blog. She's so clever!  You can make this card easily by just running a 4" X 5 1/4" piece of card stock through your Big Shot using the retiring Stars #2 die.  Yes in one cut you have an instant card front! 

I ran this piece through my Big Shot again using the Houndstooth embossing folder. Add some black brads and dimensionals along with a strip of ribbon and greeting (Tagtastic hostess set) and you're all set for those grad cards you may need. And it's easy to change the color to suit your graduate too.  Thanks for the great idea Kay!

And now you're off to see what my friend Barb Mullikin has to show you.  Check it out!

Up, Up & Away Class to Go

The featured stamp set for May is the Up, Up & Away set.  It's full of great images like these:

Yes, balloons turned into flowers! 

Details:

When you order the Up, Up & Away stamp set & Class to Go in clear or wood mount you'll receive all of the pre-cut supplies needed to make the 5 cards (only 3 shown here) shipped directly to you. You will need a few extra items such as ink pads or markers and sometimes a greeting stamp or two. I pre-punch, texture and die-cut almost everything for you and send the cards kit and stamp set to you in the mail.  I'll even tie your bows!  Plus you'll receive the photos & step by step directions with measurements sent in a pdf document via e-mail.

***If you already have this stamp set you can substitute another of like value.  Remember that these Class to Go offers are only available during that month.  If you are interested be sure to let me know.

Clear Mount

• Local cost - $26.00
• Priority shipping - $32 

Wood Mount

• Local cost - $34
• Priority Shipping - $40

If you'd like to order the Up, Up & Away stamp set from me & get the Class to Go cards kit in the mail please contact me at lagreff@gmail dot com by Tuesday, May 29th & I'll send you a PayPal invoice. Or contact me with your credit card information.

The stamp sets will be ordered on or after Tuesday, May 29th and the Class to go sent out around June 7th. 

Wedding Punch Art

We made this card at my good friend Marguerite's workshop on Saturday. 

She asked that we make a wedding card so this is what I came up with.  I like the way there is just a bit of color (Melon Mambo) peeking behind the white.  What an easy way to add the bride's wedding color to your card!

I've done a different version in the past that was a bit more complicated.  I like to keep my workshop cards easy for new stampers. You could easily jazz this card up with texture or border punches. 

Bride - first run a piece of White card stock through the Manhattan Flower embossing folder, then punch out a Full Heart punch from that.  Next cut out a Black scalloped heart using our Scalloped heart of Hearts Embosslit.  Layer these together and add a few pearls

Groom - I cut out a Black heart using the Mover's & Shapers punch windows.  Then to make the tuxedo shirt I used my Full Heart punch first like this:

Here you can see how I cut up into the sides to get a triangle shape.  Now all you need to add are a bow-tie and a few buttons using a Black marker.

• Main card - White 5 1/2 X 8 1/2"
• Black layer - 5 1/4 X 4"
• Melon Mambo layer - 4 1/2 X 3 3/8"
• White stamped layer - 4 3/8" X 3 1/4" 
• Greeting is from the Word Play stamp set
  

Thanks for stopping in today for Punch Art. 

 

Happy Mother's Day!

A wish for all of you Mother's out there - Have a Wonderful Day!!!

I got this Mother's Day surprise from my daughter and son-in-law who live 5 hours away.

I keep this big garden pot by my side door most of the time.  I keep my Stampin' Up! sign in it so people know they are at the right place!  I was unsure if I'd hang her plant up or plant it. Well since it looks fabulous in this pot I will plant it and keep the sign there too.  Thank you Jenilee & Dave!  Another thing that makes this special is that this big pot is one I gave my own Mom a few years back for her Mother's Day.  So it's a memory for me of her too. Yes; I think it will be my 'Mother's Day' planter from now on.

And next is a Sneak Peak of the new stamp set I received at our Stampin' Up! Disney World incentive trip.  I was making cards for many of my upcoming swaps and this one didn't make the cut.

The set is called World Treasures.  It includes 4 images in the set.  We were also given the jumbo wheel Alhambra.  You can see that in the background here.  

I used the new In Color Raspberry Ripple along with Lucky Limeade and Pretty in Pink. You are going to love Raspberry Ripple!  It's a very pretty deep red with pink tones to it.  It's totally different from either Cherry Cobbler or Rose Red.  

Thanks for stopping in today.  Have a great day!  

Aviary meets Thoughts & Prayers

Yes; who would have thought these two sets could work together?!

But when I saw a similar card on Pinterest I knew I had to make one.  It's just adorable!

First I stamped the branch in Lucky Limeade ink.  Next I stamped the cage stand below it using Artichoke ink. If you don't get it exactly right just put a flower over it!  Lastly was the cage and bird using Early Espresso & Pool Party ink.  The Birthday wishes stamp is from Petite Pairs.

Card stock colors here are Pool Party, Whisper White and Calypso Coral plus a  bit of Daffodil Delight flowers too.  The scallop border is our Dotted Scalloped Ribbon border punch. The rhinestones add the perfect touch don't they?

A fun and easy card!

Sponge Bob Punch Art by Kari

I am excited to share this card withyou that my talented downline Kari made.

Punches:

• Eyelashes - word window cut off straight with a scissors
• Eyes - 1/2" circle in black, 1" in blue, 1 3/4" in white, layered the black by hand
• Nose - Word Window
• Cheeks - 1" circle punch
• Mouth in black - extra large oval and used the 1" circle punch to cut out the top for the teeth
• Teeth in white - one word window cut in half and ends cut straight off.
• Tongue in Regal Rose - Heart punch

She used Daffodil Delight card stock for the card and textured it with the Perfect Polka dots embossing folder.  Black sponging here and there and White gel pen for the eyes. 

Thanks for stopping in today to see Kari's punch art! 

And Thank You Kari for sharing it with us all.   

Bright Blossoms Flower

I received a few Summer Smooches swaps using this creative idea for the tulip image in the Bright Blossoms stamp set.

I found out Patsy Waggoner made this beauty! I loved it so much we made it for a workshop in April.  Such a fun and easy card. 

First punch out a white Blossom using the Blossom punch.  Then ink the tulip image and stamp onto each petal using Island Indigo ink.  Add a 1" Daffodil Delight circle punch and then a Summer Smooches fabric brad for the center.  We added an Island Indigo Blossom punched piece behind the stamped white one; just gave it a twist so it appears layered.  The leaves and stem stamped image is from the Sweetheart stamp set - retiring on May 31st! 

Sweet Cake Gatefold card

This is another card we made at my Card Clubs in April. 

It's a great color combination of Cherry Cobbler, White and Marina Mist.  I've always been attracted to Red and Blue color combos.  A few other favorites are Real Red with Bashful Blue and Cherry Cobbler with Night of Navy.  All very attractive IMO.

To make a gatefold card you start with a piece of card stock measuring 5 1/2 X 8 1/2".  Score 2 1/8" from each short end. 

We inked the main cake image first in Marina Mist and stamped on our main white layer.  Then cleaned off the stamp and inked it in Cherry Cobbler ink and stamped it twice to cut out for the cupcakes. A little Dazzling Details adds the finishing touch to the frosting. 

Here is a photo of the inside of the card. 

Supplies:

• Stamps - Sweet Cake, Happiest Birthday Wishes (hostess)
• Ink - Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler
• Card stock - Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
• Accessories - Dazzling Details, Ticket corner punch, Scallop border punch, paper piercing tool, Perfect Polka dots embossing folder, Simply Scored, dimensionals

**Remember that I am out of town until May 4th.  If you need to place an order please use my online store here. 

Large Paper Doily die

Do you have it yet?  I know you're going to want it once you see this.............

All of these beautiful die-cuts are from the Paper Doily die.  Yes; just one die!  The top left is the full die-cut but if you start trimming a few of the outside curves off you can get all sizes and shapes of doilies and flowers!

***Remember that this die is in the Occasions mini catalog and only available until April 30th.  It 'may' be included in the new catalog but no one knows for sure......

We used it to make this gorgeous card at my Card Clubs:

Here's a few user tips on this die:

• To get many of the fine die-cut pieces to pop out easily roll the die-cut around a thick pen or marker as shown below.  Lots of the pieces pop out on their own this way.  You will most likely have to use a paper piercing tool or tweezers to help push a few of the remaining pieces out.
• Cut this die out using tab A with your Big Shot.  If you do not get a clean cut add a shim starting with a piece of patterned paper in your sandwich.  If that doesn't make it cut cleanly add a thicker piece of paper.  Keep moving up in paper thickness until it cuts cleanly.  All Big Shots are slightly different and some will need a shim and others will not.    

Last Apothecary Art card!

I think this is the last card I have to share using this set.  I had absolutely no idea I would like this beautiful stamp set as much as I have but I have used it a lot!  The images are pretty and easy to color too.  I hope it's in the new catalog!!

We made this card at a workshop a few weeks ago. This card was totally inspired by my stamping idol Deb Currier.  I am so drawn to her style! 

You can see how beautiful the papers are.  These are from the Attic Boutique designer series paper in the Occasions mini catalog that ends in a few days.  So soft, pretty and feminine.

Supplies:

• Stamps - Loving Thoughts, Apothecary Art
• Ink - Black Stazon, Soft Suede
• Card stock - Vanilla, Soft Suede, Attic Boutique dsp
• Accessories - Pool Party, Celery and Daffodil Delight markers, pearls, Daffodil Delight seam binding ribbon, dimensionals, mini glue dots
  

Retired List Update:

There are already quite a few items gone from the Retired Accessories list! Shop now for the best selection.

• Blushing Bride card stock
• Ink Color ink refills
• Craft ink refills
• Dotto
• Wheel Storage
• Silver brads

****Remember that I am out of town until May 4th so if you need to place an order please use my online store on the left side column of my blog. 

Bordering on Romance meets the Doily die

This is one of the cards we made at April's Card Clubs. 

Isn't that black Doily die-cut gorgeous!?  It totally makes this card!

Card Details:

• Watercoloring Technique: We inked the Bordering on Romance flower image in Black Staazon ink and stamped on our watercolor paper.  Next we colored the outside of each flower petal with markers (Rose Red & Not Quite Navy). Then a blender pen was used to 'pull' color from the marker lines to the center of the petal.  So very easy to get beautiful watercoloring with this method.  But it only works on the watercolor paper!
• This colored image was punched out using the 2 1/2" circle punch and adhered to the Black large Doily die-cut.
• We added either black brads or pearls for the flower centers.
• The right side of the doily die-cut was folded to the back of the Confetti white card stock.  The black card stock strip hides any imperfections here. 
• The Black scalloped border layer is from the Tasteful Trim die-cut.
• Rose Red and Baja Breeze seam binding ribbon was used as a strip across and for the bow.
• The Confetti White card stock background layer is stamped first and then textured above with the Finial Press embossing folder leaving the greeting flat. 

Would you like to make this card and more like it?  You can if you join my Cyber Card Club.  Just place a minimum order of $25 by the 10th of each month and I'll send you the cards kit to make each of my two Club Cards along with directions and photos to make them at home.  After 6 months you'll receive a stamp set as a gift from me. 

Mickey Mouse Punch Art

Melanni, one of my friends and customers made this card for her grandaughter.

Isn't it sweet?  She actually drew out and hand cut the face!  I am sorry that I cannot list the punches she used here but I suspect she cut a few by hand.   

Here's the inside view of Minnie:

Love her bow and those eyelashes!

This is the perfect opportunity to say 'Thank you' to my customers for the trip to Disney World we are taking in a few days!  Yes; Stampin' Up! is flying us to Florida for 5 days of Disney fun!!!  I wouldn't be going without the help of my customers, so thanks so much gals!!

We leave on Friday am and return the following Friday, May 4th.  We have never been there before and are excited to see and experience the fantastic world of Disney. My son has decided to wait until he goes there with the Band next year.  He hates to miss school so it'll just be my husband and I and hundreds of other SU demo's and their families. 

I've got tons of blog posts coming your way while I am gone.  In fact there may be even more than usual since I have lots to share yet before May 1st. 

. 

Baby Prints Bib card

Here is an adorable idea for either a baby congrats or a baby shower invitation card using the Baby Prints stamp set from the Occasions mini catalog. 

*****Just a few days left to order from this Occasions mini catalog!

I used my Scallop Circle die - #113468, to cut out a Bashful Blue card.  I placed the fold of my card inside the cutting edge of the die so it left me with a smooth fold on top. It's hard to see but the scallop cutting edge is 'above' the fold. **Click on the photo to see it better.   

Next I used my 2 1/2" circle punch to punch a hole through that top fold, but left about 3/4" on each side for a fold.

Then I cut a 3 1/2" circle from White card stock using another circle die; #121811.  Adhere that first and then punch again with the 2 1/2" circle punch following the first Blue circle punched edge.  Or trace it first and punch before adhering.  I do not recommend trying to punch through 3 layers of card stock at a time.  Two layers is plenty for a punch!

Here's the inside view:

These hand and feet stamps are adorable to me.  Such memories..... 

Thanks for stopping in today. 

Just a reminder that tomorrow the Retired Accessories list will be out from the current catalog.  Watch for it because these items are while supplies last only.  And there is always something on the list that is gone in the first few hours!

List coming tomorrow!