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! 

Photo Wallet Tutorial

I promised you a Tutorial for the Photo Wallet I made for the Control Freaks blog tour yesterday so here we go.

I used two retiring sets for these projects.  Flower Fest and Baroque Motifs.  I will truly miss both of these stamp sets. 

Most likely they will end up in our annual Stamping Rummage Sale on Saturday, June 16th.  If you're local don't miss it cause it's absolutely the best place to stock up if you're a paper crafter! We usually have over 30 sellers!

• Flower Fest - Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink and Elegant Eggplant card stock, Butterfly & Blossom punches, Subtles brads, corner rounder punch and sponges.
• Baroque Motifs - Cherry Cobbler, Black, So Saffron card stock, Designer Label punch, corner rounder, Itty Bitty shapes pack, Regals brads.

You can see how it looks without the flaps opened above.

Measurements:

• Cherry Cobbler piece - 4 1/4" X 11".  Score at 1 3/4", 2", 5" and 8".
  
• Cut three coordinating pieces that will fold out at 2 3/4" X 8".  Score at 4"
• Belly Band - 1 1/4" X 7 3/4".

First stamp the main long piece with your stamp of choice.  I used tone on tone - Cherry Cobbler ink on Cherry Cobbler card stock.

Adhere the three flap pieces to the main piece so they flip out alternately. I printed out the 'My Bragbook' on our Vellum card stock.  You can use mine to get 9 on a page.    My Bragbook  Cut them out at 2 1/4" X 3 1/4" in size. 

The scalloped corners are made by first punching a scallop square and then cutting it into quarters. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today. 

Meg's Side-step Smooches Album

Wait 'til you see this project! 

Meg Holland contacted me a few weeks ago to share her version of my Side-Step Album with me.  I was floored!  She is quite a talented stamper.  I think I love hers better than mine! 

She used the new Summer Smooches patterned paper and the fun Blossom Builders flowers kit. See more details on hers here.  

If you want to get the free tutorial to make this fun yet easy album visit my Stampin' Shop here to get it.  It's FREE!

I am excited to meet Meg in Disney this week.  It's her first Stampin' Up! incentive trip!   

Petite Purse Square Box Tutorial

I promised you a tutorial on how to make this fun 'square' Petite Purse Box seen last week on our Freaks Blog Hop.

You will need to cut out four of the Petite Purse die-cuts, although you really do not need the full die-cut. 

You can see where I cut off the base of it here and part of the large flap on the left side (where the black line is).  I also trimmed off just a bit of the curved flap too. 

****I did add texture to my Real Red card stock die-cuts with the Perfect Polka dots embossing folder before adhering them together below.  

Here is a photo of all 4 of the die-cuts adhered together by their narrow side flaps.  I prefer using our Tombo Multipurpose adhesive for boxes.  It holds so strongly!

This is the box as it looks from the top.  You can fit quite a few goodies in this square box.  I just folded the patterned paper flaps inside and added velcro dots to the Red card stock flaps. 

I do like the added strength using card stock gives this box.  You could do it with all card stock or all patterned paper.  It's up to you but if you want a sturdy box I recommend at least half card stock as I did. 

This is the difference in size.  You get double the space inside for treats when you make it square. 

Details:

• If you look at the little curved notch on the very top of the Red square box, that is the flap that usually tucks in to hold the Petite Purse flap down and closed (it's hiding under my punched flowers on the left image).
• The die-cut includes a narrow handle for the Petite Purse.  I used these die-cut strips as accents on my square box on the bottom of each side.
• I adhered Daffodil Delight brights buttons as 'feet' on my square box using mini glue dots.
• The Summer Smooches fabric covered brads match the Summer Smooches patterned paper perfectly! 

 

Tea Caddy Tutorial

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We made these last month at a downline meeting.  I thought some of you might like the instructions too. 

You can fit quite a few tea bags inside this box.  It's a great gift for those who might have everything but like a cup of tea now & then.  I put together a tutorial for it. 

 Download Tea Caddy tutorial

The paper I used is called Attic Boutique.  It's so pretty and perfect for those feminine touches. This paper and the Tea Shoppe stamp set are in the Occasons mini catalog and may never be available again after the 30th of April.  

******Another Control Freaks blog hop is coming this Friday!  Don't miss it! 

Creative Elements 4 Sheet Wonder

It's been awhile since I made a 4 Sheet Wonder.  I thought the Creative Elements stamp set would work wonderfully for it. 

What is a 4 Sheet Wonder?  My husband & I created these 4 templates years ago and I still love making cards using them!  It's the fastest and easiest way to get 10 quick & beautiful cards done. You know why?  No planning layouts or measuring - the only decisions you have to make is to choose your stamp set and then your colors.

First you print out a template on one side of a neutral sheet of card stock and then stamp the other side with various stamps & coordinating ink. I chose Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Early Espresso & Crumb Cake with Vanilla.  After stamping the entire piece of card stock, basically making your own designer paper, you will then cut on the dotted, printed lines on the other side. Each piece has a number on it from 1 - 10.

Next you'll print out 3 other templates (A, B & C) on 3 different colors of card stock.  Each of these templates also have numbers from 1 - 10.  You'll cut these out and start making piles of cut pieces from 1 - 10. Then all you need to do is put them together adding border punches & ribbons as desired. I stamp tags or greetings last. One customer told me it's like making 'cards by number'.

If you'd like to make these cards and live near me, the class is on April 14th at 1 pm. RSVP by Wednesday, April 11th. If I fill up I may open another time that day in the am.  Cost is $17 and includes the 10 cards plus the templates & tutorial that will be e-mailed to you. 

If you are unable to attend class you can purchase this 4 Sheet Wonder tutorial.  It is sent via e-mail and includes the 4 templates, photos and instructions for five other card bunches using different stamp sets. That's 6 different sets of cards & directions all for just $7.50. See them all on the link below.

This template is available at my Stampin' Shoppe here.  Once there, scroll down to the bottom to the PayPal button.  My new Shoppe is very easy to navigate.  Stop in and see all of my tutorials available. 

Latest review by Sharon:   Oh my! I just purchased your 4 Sheet Wonder and am sooo excited to get started! I am a SU! Demo and this will greatly simplify some of my class prep:) Always a plus!!!

Punch Art Easter Bunnies!

I just had to get one more punch art in for Easter. 

Aren't they adorable?!! 

I saw one like it on our Demonstrator website, Stampin' Connection made by Judy Lynn, and knew you would want to see how it's done.  Then once I made one, I had to create a smaller version.  The supplies include quite a few punches of course!

Large Bunny:

• face - largest smooth Heart Framelit
• cheeks - 1 3/4" circle punch
• tongue - 1/2" circle
• nose - 1" circle
• eyes - 3/4" circle
• ears - Blossom petals builder
• bow - Black dotted scallop ribbon

Small Bunny:

• face - second largest smooth heart Framelit
• cheeks - 1 3/8" circle punch
• tongue - Itty Bitty punch pack circle
• nose - 3/4" circle
• eyes - 1/2" circle
• ears - Blossom punch (Occasions mini) & Blossom Petals Builder
• bow - 1/4" pink grosgrain ribbon
  

I did also use a black marker to add the whiskers and dots plus a Signo white gel pen for the eyes.  Sponges for the cheeks and nose plus dimensionals under the cheeks and nose too.

Here's how you make the baskets:

This is a die-cut using the Clear Scallop Square die.  I scored it 1" from all sides and then cut up to the 1" line to create tabs for the box.

Here is what the box looks like without the bunny on it.  I added a handle from a strip of punched Pretty in Pink card stock using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch.  Love this punch!

Small bunny close-up.

Here is how I made the basket for the larger bunny.  I started with a 7 1/4" square of Pretty in Pink card stock.  I scored it 1 3/4" from all edges and cut up to that scoreline to create the tabs.  In hindsight I might change the box size to 7 1/4" X 6" to create a rectangle box instead of a square. You could easily jazz up the edges of this basket with border punches or ribbon.

Large bunny close-up.  His face measures 4" across at his widest.

For the handle on this box I cut a narrow strip of Pink card stock and adhered a length of our 1/2" Pretty in Pink Scallop Dots ribbon to it.  The Lace Ribbon Border punch would also be fabulous for the handle. 

They're cute stacked too!  Of course this doesn't work if you want to fill the baskets, but you could just add the small bunny face above the larger one with just one basket on the bottom. 

Thanks for stopping in for today's Punch Art.

 

Tri-Shutter Card directions

I promised you directions to make this fun Tri-Shutter card. 

So here they are!  I hope you try making one. It really is easier than it looks.

Enjoy and I'd love to see your version if you'd care to send me a photo.

Tri-Shutter Card Tutorial

Tea Light Flower

I have to share what my downline Kari shared last Saturday at our Team Meeting.  She is making them for an upcoming wedding for her step-daughter.

It's a tea light flower!  She made it with many, many punched pieces from the Ornament punch! 
She figured out how to insert the tea light in the center of it so it just glows.  She plans to use these as part of the centerpieces on the reception tables.

It's about 7-8" across in size.  Here is what she used:

• 1st row - 14 ornaments attached to the 2 3/8" Scallop circle punch.  Then work your way up to the top as follows:
• 2nd row - 9 ormaments
• 3rd row - 5 ornaments
  
• 4th row - 3 ornaments

Tips: 

• Curl the side of each ornement you sponged on with a bone folder.
• 2nd through 4th row, fold the ornament flap up towards you and glue on the bottom of the flap. 

***Here is a link to a video that is very similar to the way Kari made hers.  

Thanks so much for sharing this at our Team Meeting on Saturday Kari.  I just love it! 

Exciting New Shop Launched!

I am so excited to share this news!  My daughter and son-in-law have been working on this for a loooong time and now have it ready to go. 

As some of you may know I have created many project tutorials that are for sale here on my blog.  Well with this new site they've created for me you can see them all in one spot!  These tutorials can be purchased via PayPal and will be sent to you immediately.  Once purchased the links will be available for one year so you can print it out or download it and save it to your computer.

Click on the sign above to check it out. I also have a new icon on the top right side of my blog that takes you there.

My tutorials are perfect for demonstrators to use for their classes or for anyone to make for themselves or for gifts.  I just ask that you do not re-sell my tutorials on the internet. 

And to celebrate this I'd like to share my newest tutorial with you FREE. It's a fun and fabulous project that you can finish in about an hour!  Although adding photos might take you a bit longer.

I am calling it a Side-Step album. 

It's made with Stampin' Up!'s Simply Scrappin' kits but you could easily substitute cardstock and coordinating patterned paper. The pages have tabs on each side to either spell a word or to highlight each page.  You could get two or more of these from just one SS kit. 

I hope you try it for yourself!  It's so easy and would make a fabulous gift too!  Click here to get this fun new tutorial absolutely free. 

And if you do make one, I'd love to see it.  Please send me a photo of yours if you do and I'll share it here.

Adorning Accents Die-Cut Tutorial

Here's another Apothecary Art card we made last month at my Big Shot Class. 

There is just one day left to get in on my Class to Go featuring the Apothecary Art stamp set.  Read about it here. 

We made this fun-fold card by adjusting the clear acrylic plate on top of the scored card before it is die-cut with the Adorning Labels dies. 

I scored my 5 1/2 X 8 1/2" card in half first at 4 1/4".  Then I scored one of those sides in half at 2 1/8". Place the center point of the die on this 2 1/8" mark. 

In this photo you can see I have placed the clear acrylic plate over the area I want to cut out.  The acrylic plate edge meets up with that 2 1/8" score mark and just this part of it is over the card stock and die.  The rest is hanging over nothing as it runs through your Big Shot. 

Here's a view of the inside.  I did stamp and die-cut two of the same images for the outside and the inside front of the card and colored them in with markers. 

The Certainly Celery label die-cut inside the card is just a bit larger than the front one so it layers wonderfully. 

Supplies:

• Stamps - Apothecary  Art, Bring on the Cake
• Ink - Black Stazon, Blushing Bride
• Card stock - Blushing Bride, Whisper White, Certainly Celery
• Accessories - Big Shot, Adorning Accents Labels dies, sponge, markers, Certainly Celery taffeta ribbon
  

 

Fabric Bag Tutorial

 I promised you a tutorial on how you can make this adorable fabric bag, so here it is!  I use mine to hold my hand-made greeting cards.  Another great idea is to use this bag to give a gift of cards along with envelopes.

You will need the following to make this bag:

• Bigz Clear large Scallop Square die, Fun Flowers die
  
• a few pieces of fabric
• some heavy duty interfacing or fleece to make the sides and base sturdy
• Sewing maching, thread & pins
  
• Wide ribbon
  
• On Board Chipboard, glue stick, buttons and Baker's Twine
  

I used the same fabric for both long sides and a different pattern for the short (square) sides.  And one last pattern for the bottom or base of the bag. Of course this could all be changed easily.   

• Cut four pieces of fabric into 5 1/2 X 7 1/2" rectangles.  These are for the two long sides.
• Cut 4 pieces of fabric into 5 1/2" X 5 1/2" squares.  These are for both short ends.
• Cut two other pieces of fabric into 5 1/2 X 7 1/2" rectangles for the bottom.
• Cut three pieces of heavy duty interfacing or fleece measuring 3 3/4" X 6" for the sides and bottom.
• Cut two pieces of heavy duty interfacing or fleece measuring 3 3/4" square for the ends. 

Fold the long pieces of fabric for the sides in half and place the fold inside the die-cut area and the cut ends on the outside.  This way you will get a rectangle of cut and scalloped fabric instead of just a square. 

You can cut many layers of cotton based fabric at a time with your Big Shot - up to eight.  Some people use an extra shim of card stock on top their acrylic plate for better cutting results.  You can see the end result with this fold & cut technique below.  

Of course you would cut the square side pieces normally by placing your 5 1/2" squares of fabric directly onto the Scallop Square die and die-cutting it. 

Next is a step I did not take a photo of.  You will lay one layer of your heavy duty interfacing (or fleece) between each of the pieces of fabric.  Remember that the interfacing is hidden between two layers of fabric for stability. I did not pre-sew my interfacing to my fabric as I did not want double stitching to show. **If you use iron-on interfacing you won't need to worry about this.  I pinned the pieces together as I sewed them making sure to catch the interfacing when I stitched. 

Before I sewed all of the pieces together I stitched my ribbon between the long sides of my scalloped rectangles as seen below.  This hides the ribbon ends.

Next I sewed the bottom to the two long sides. 

Then you will pin the square sides to the outer edges of the two sides and base as seen below.  Stitch closed. 

Remove pins from that side and repeat on the other side.  That's it; you're done with the bag!

Here is a view of the inside of my bag.  You can see a bit of my white interfacing between the fabric layers in this photo.

If you like the worn or distressed look, you can make small cuts between each scallop and then wash it.  This helps the outside seams get that fuzzy look.

If you want to add the flower adornment, cut out a few pieces of fabric and glued them onto two squares of our On Board Chipboard with glue stick.  You could use any chipboard for this, but ours is nice and thick.  I love using glue stick with chipboard - it holds the edges down very well.

Now you can cut out your flowers using the Fun Flowers die.  Glue them together using either Tombo multipurpose glue or glue dots.  I added a few buttons and some Bakers Twine and adhered them with glue dots.  Attach the flowers to your bag with either hot glue, large glue dots or Sticky Strip. 

Hope you enjoy making your own!

Create & Keep cards kit

Have you seem this in the Occasions mini catalog? 

It's the new Create & Keep Simply sent kit.  It's a box and cards kit that includes 10 pre-cut (and printed) cards and envelopes along with adhesive die-cuts for embellishing.  It's just $14.95!  Here's what I created with mine:

This pretty kit is so fun and easy to make! 

All I added were a few pearls or rhinestones, tiny flower punches (Itty Bitty Punch pack) and dimensionals.  No stamping is needed as the greetings are included in the die-cuts.  This would be a wonderful project for yourself or a great gift.

I've created a pdf document showing details and a close-up of each of the cards I made.  I hope this makes it easier for anyone who wants to use my ideas as a starting point. 

Create & Keep Simply Sent Cards Box

Valentine Pocket Pouch Tutorial

I promised you the directions to make this adorable treat pouch from the Freaks blog hop:

 

For the pouch cut out two Petal Cones from Vanilla card stock using the Petal Cone die. You also need one of the banners included in the die.

Then you'll trim part of the top petals off and a bit more of the top below the petals like this. 

Do this with both of the petal cone die-cuts and adhere them together along their sides either before or after you trim them as shown above. 
Basically you want an even triangle cone box small enough to be covered by your scallop heart.  So just keep trimming until the triangle box is small enough.  It will look like this when you're done:

You'll need to cut two of the largest scallop heart framelits from Vanilla card stock.

 
First, to create the decorative front, die-cut one medium heart (using the 3rd from the largest framelit) from the Everyday Enchantment designer series paper (Sale a Bration paper).  Adhere sticky strip tape behind the heart completely around the outside edges.  Adhere the Riding Hood Red pleated ribbon to the sticky tape.  Set aside. Do not adhere it to your large scalloped heart yet though!  Here's a close-up of the front:

I inked my greeting (Loving Thoughts) in Riding Hood Red ink and stamped onto the banner.  I then added a length of punched Vanilla dotted scallop trim above and below this banner, along with two pearls.  Adhere to the heart with mini glue dots.

Now you can adhere your large scallop vanilla heart to this triangle box - one on each side.  I used the liquid Tombo multipurpose adhesive sparingly; it has a terrific hold for boxes.  Be sure to open the box slightly as you adhere the heart so it wants to stay curved and open as it dries.

Once this has set, you can adhere the ribbon embellished heart with dimensionals.

The handles are two 1/2" X 9" strips of the same designer paper I used on the front of the heart.  Two pieces per handle - 4 total.  As I glued these strips together I made sure to curve the paper so it dried with a natural curve in it.  Adhere the ends inside the heart. 

I added some Cherry M & M's to a medium cello bag and tied it closed with Vanilla seam binding ribbon.

Supplies:

• Stamps - Loving Thoughts
• Ink - Riding Hood Red
• Card stock - Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment designer series paper
• Accessories - Hearts framelits, Petal Cone die, Big Shot, Riding Hood Red pleated ribbon, Sticky Strip tape, mini glue dots, Tombo multi-purpose glue, dimensionals, Dotted Scallop ribbon punch, pearls 

 

January Technique Class

Technique Classes are back!  

I love the cards this month and I hope you are inspired by them too. The three techniques this month are Two-toned Texture, Highlighted Embossing and Telescoping Image.

This is Two-Toned Texture done with an embossing folder and classic ink. Love this card!  This cute little duck image is from the stamp set 'Easy Events'.

This is Highlighted Embossing. The flower images are from the new set 'Bordering on Romance' in the Occasion mini. Isn't this color combination pretty?  It's Calypso Coral and Pool Party.  

And this is the Telescoping Image technique using the new 'Take It to Heart' stamp set, also from the Occasions mini catalog.  It's hard to see in this photo but the image is stamped multiple times, cut out and popped up over and over.

Local class is on January 23rd at either 3 pm or 5 pm and on January 24th at 6:30 pm.  Cost is just $10 to make all three cards plus the technique sample cards. Please RSVP by Jan 19th.  

If you cannot attend my local class you can still make these cards.  I offer the written tutorial for just $4.  You get complete directions, measurements and photos of the finished cards.  Plus you also get the technique card templates you can print out to add a sample of the technique to.  **See some of mine below. These are perfect if you want to create your own technique ideas bundle. Demonstrators are welcome to use any of these ideas for your own classes.  The class is all ready for you!  

Click here to purchase the January 2012 Technique Class.

See all of my Technique Classes here.

I also have technique bundlels when you want more than just one or two months. You'll get 2 free when you choose a bundle!

I now have two separate choices for this. My first 12 months (May '08- June '09) & now the latest of my 2009-2010 techniques (July 09 - Sept 10). Be sure to use the drop down arrow to choose which one you want.

Click here to purchase my technique class bundles!