Flowerbug's Inkspot

Diagonal Gatefold Card

And here is the other card we made at my September Card Clubs:

Isn't it a great card!?  It looks complicated but it's amazingly easy to do.  Here is what it looks like open and without the belly band:

To make this card you'll need a 5 1/2 X 12" strip of double sided patterned paper.  Our Patterned Prints dsp are just perfect for these cards! 

Next score it vertically at 2, 4, 8, 10 inches.  Next you'll make a mark at 2 3/4" from the bottom outside edges.  Then cut from that mark to the 4" and 8" score lines to cut off the upper triangles.  These triangles then move down and are adhered the opposite corner.

I really love this unusual card fold.  It's so perfect for our double sided paper and besides that it's just fun! 

Supplies:

• Stamps – From My Heart
• Card stock – Whisper White, Black, In Color Pattern Prints
• Ink – Basic Black, Pool Party, Calypso Coral
• Accessories – Window Frames Collection framelits die, Big Shot, Black scallop dots ribbon, sponges, markers, 2 ½” circle punch, Dimensionals, Simply Scored

Measurements – Patterned Prints – 5 ½ X 12” score at 2, 4, 8, 10”, White stamped layers – 3 7/8” X 5 7/8”, Black layer – 4” X 5 1/4”.  The belly band is about 1" wide and 10" long.  

September Blooming with Kindesss

Here is one card we made at my September Card Clubs:

It's one of my favorite color combos - Soft Suede with Very Vanilla.  When I want soft and pretty these colors are a sure bet.  

Steps:

1. We inked the flower from Blooming with Kindness in Crumb Cake ink and stamped it onto the Vanilla card stock. 
2. Then we used a mask or frame to sponge.  I cut out this frame from a piece of card stock using the largest Apothecary Accents Framelit.  You might wonder just how to get such a soft sponging without sponge marks.   The trick is to ink your sponge lightly (Crumb Cake ink) and with the mask placed over the Vanilla start sponging onto the mask and slowly move onto the Vanilla card stock.  I recommend a swirling or washing motion without pouncing. 
3. Afterwards we used the new Paper Piercing Essentials to poke holes inside the sponged area. 
4. Then add texture to the Soft Suede layer and add the stamped Vanilla piece onto it.
5. Thread your two Soft Suede ribbons through the ribbon slide (page 31 Holiday catalog) and wrap the long piece around these two pieces.  Adhere to the main card.

Supplies:

• Stamps – Blooming with Kindness, So Sorry  
• Card stock –Vanilla, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake card stock
• Ink – Crumb Cake, Soft Suede
• Accessories – Chevron embossing folder, Big Shot, Suede 3/8” taffeta ribbon, sponge, Essentials Paper-Piercing pack, tool and mat, Designer ribbon slides

Measurements:  main card 5 ½” X 8 ½”, Vanilla 3” X 5 1/16”, Soft Suede – 4” X 5 ¼”

Scrapbook Class

Here's what we are making at my Scrapbook Class today:

Love these colors and layout!  Basic Gray, Riding Hood Red with Vanilla and Newsprint dsp.  'Remember' is the perfect title for so many things.  I used our new Oval Accent die for the frames on the left page.  The vertical trim is from our Tasteful Trim die - my favorite for trim. The horizontal trim on the large photo mat on the right side is the leftovers from cutting the vertical trim!  The letters were cut using the new Typeset Alphabet Bigz die.

This layout is totally cased from my friend Kay Kalthoff.  She is a genius at creating eye catching scrapbook layouts and tons of other beautiful projects!  Check out her blog here.

I used the Floral District dsp and the coordinating stamp set Betsy's Blossoms.  Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade and So Saffron.  

Can't wait - it starts in a few hours! 

Punch Art Cherries

I was so excited to receive this swap card in my box of goodies from Founder's Circle.  I just love it and of course it came from my very talented and creative friend Lorri Heiling.  Check out her blog here. 

Isn't it just adorable?  Black, Red and White is such an eye-catching combo.

She used the stamp set Button Buddies for the cherry stem and punched a few 3/4" circles - three for each cherry adhering them back to back so they pop up.  Check out her directions on the above link.

Thanks Lorri for an awecome card!   

Halloween Card

At my downline meeting this weekend Carey brought this project for one of our make & takes.

How cute is this?!  I love the layered and textured card front.  It's just 3 X 3" in size but lots of eye-catching details.  It's neat to have a matching stamped envelope for my cards.  I am such a last minute gal that I don't take time to make one. 

Here's the inside of the card.  Didn't she did a fabulous job!?

There's just something about these 3 X 3" cards!  Too cute!  Thanks for a great project Carey!

 

2nd Christmas Stamp a Stack cards

In just a few weeks we'll be making our second set of Christmas cards.  Still seems a bit early but it is sure fun to make them!

There are 4 cards at each class.  You can attend class locally or get the tutorial to go (see below).

This first one features our new Scentsational Season stamp set and coordinating products.  There is a framelit for each image in the set!  And these cute little gingerbread men are scented with the Sugar & Spice embossing powder. 

Next is an elegant card using our Holiday framelits and the new Champagne Glimmer card stock.  So pretty!

I love this one - it's probably my favorite card this time.  I used the Watercolor Winter stamp set and the masking technique.  The colors here are Arthichoke, Raspberry Ripple and White.  Lots of little details on this one!

And this fun fold Snowflake card uses our hostess set 'Four Seasons'.  I got one like it in a swap from Diane Vander Galien. 

We make 3 of each card along with stamped envelopes at this class.  So each time you'll make 12 cards with envelopes.  The cost is $20 pre-paid by August 31st.  I have two sessions available.  One on Wednesday, Oct 3rd at 6 pm and the other on Saturday, Oct 6th at 10 am.  The Wedn class is full and the Saturday class has 4 spots open. You'll need to bring your own adhesive. Contact me ASAP if you'd like to come. 

If you cannot come to my class you can still get the written tutorial for each of my four Stamp a Stacks.  These pdf tutorials will have step by step directions along with cutting measurements, photos and a supply list.  The cost is $3 for each or $10 for all 4 months.

Use the drop down arrow to choose just this month or pay for all 4 in advance for a better deal. ***If you order all 4 classes each one will be sent to you at the beginning of the month from September through December when I hold the class.

2012 Christmas Stamp a Stack cards

All 4 classes $10.00 USD Single class # 1 $3.00 USD Single class # 2 $3.00 USD Single class # 3 $3.00 USD Single class # 4 $3.00 USD

****See the cards from the first class in this series here. 

Fall with the Freaks

It's that time again - the 20th of each month when the Freaks share their creativity with you on a blog tour.  This month - it's a Fall theme. 

There are 14 of us on the tour so sit back, grab a beverage and enjoy!  Keep clicking on the icons at the end of each post and you'll see it all.

You may have arrived from Judy's blog here.  Weren't her projects neat?

First up is the card I made for my Fall downline Swap:

I used the new Autumn Accents Bigz die here.  Did you know you can cut out three images all at once?  Just place a rectangle of card stock (2 1/2" X 5 1/4") onto the die at a slight angle and this is what you get. 

I ran it through the Square Lattice embossing folder.  Next I cut out two leaves and one acorn in contrasting colors to place inside the die-cut areas.  I sponged them with a bit of color too.

That eye catching Island Indigo gingham print paper is from the Autumn Harvest designer series paper pack. 

Supplies:

• Stamps - Affection Collection
• Card stock - Early Espresso, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Island Indigo, Very Vanilla
• Ink - Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, More Mustard, Island Indigo
• Accessories - Autumn Accents Bigz die, Square Lattice embossing folder, Big Shot, Espresso stitched grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals, large and extra large oval punches, sponges, Finishing Touches edgelits

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And for those of you who love Halloween here is a treat for you:


I simply call it a 'BOO' Banner. A fun way to add a bit of the season to your decorating.

I made my own pennant templates from plain scrap paper and used those to cut out my Tangerine and patterned paper pennants.  The measurement across the top is 5 1/2" for the Tangerine Tango layer and the sides are 7 1/2" long.  I actually got three pieces from one 8 1/2 X 11" card stock piece. 

I cut out two 1 1/2" X 11" Tangerine Tango strips for each rosette, using the Rosette Bigz XL die to cut them out.  See this post to see my Fall Rosette Wreath and the Rosette die video.  You get either a scallop or a rick rack edge on your rosettes.  I almost tossed it but I decided to use the leftover trim that was cut off by the die for the vertical trim on each piece.  Love the googly eyes on the spider! 

This project took me about 1 1/2 hours to make so it's pretty fast! Hope you like it!

Supplies:

• Stamps - Googly Ghouls
• Card stock - Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla, Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP
• Ink - Black
• Accessories - Designer Rosette Bigz XL die, Big Shot, Typeset Alphabet Bigz set, Silicone Craft Sheet, hot glue gun, 1 3/4" circle punch, Googly Eyes (Holiday catalog), Neutral Glimmer brads
  

And now you're off to see what Eileen has to show you. Thanks for stopping in! Enjoy!

 

 

NEW - Sketches Class

I'm starting a brand new class this month.  It's called Sketches Class and it's purpose it to help you feel comfortalbe and confident in designing your own cards.  I know that many people love to stamp but have no idea just where to begin.  That's what this class it about - helping you to use and enjoy your stamping products!

Basically we start out with a sketch and a stamp set.  I think sketches are one of the best ways to get inspired.  Here are a few sites that offer weekly sketches:

• Mojo Monday
• Clean & Simple
• Stamping 411
  

At this time the class is only held locally but it's possible that I'll add it as an online class in the future. 

Here are the three cards we're making.

A pretty card using the hostess set Summer Afternoon.  The colors are Pacific Point and Whisper White.

This cute one uses Greeting Card Kids and the hostess set Mixed Medley.  Notice the paint chip layer?  Here I used Wild Wasabi, Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie & White. 

And this is a card I did for a swap awhile back.  I had used a sketch for the idea and since so many liked it I included it in the class.  I used Daydream Medallions stamp set and Early Espresso, Turquoise and Whisper White card stock.

The class is on Tuesday, September 25th at either 3 pm or 6:30 pm.  Cost is $10 pre-paid by the 22nd.  I still have spots open at each time slot.  

We are putting these cards in an 8 X 8" album along with photos of the actual sketches.  This will be a great idea book for you!  Just pull it out and use a sketch to design your card.  You'll have your own reference guide!  

Founder's Circle Swap

It's been a melancholy week.  I made the difficult decision to stay home during Founder's Circle this week. If you don't know what Founder's Circle is, it's an incentive trip to Southern Utah for the top 100 demonstrators in the US and Canada, and the top 10 in sales or promotions etc. I've been there three other times and was so excited to earn it again this year.  What I looked forward to the most was seeing my friends. It's true that stampers are the friendliest people and these gals certainly prove it. Everyone I get to know is amazing, kind and fun too. Check out my friend Susie's blog to see the highlights of this year's FC trip.

I stayed home for a few reasons; mostly due to a nasty, long lasting bug I picked up.  It's just been a tough few weeks here.  But the good news is that I was able to send my swaps to Utah and they are swapping them for me.  SU is the best!  They are even sending me most of the gifts I would receive while I was there.  That will be a fantastic box to open and will certainly brighten my day!

Anyway I thought I'd share the swaps I had made for Founder's Circle - 120 of them!  I did have some help from my friends - especially Pat.  She's been awesome to give her time to help me lately.

The swap theme was 'Party Ready: simple 2 layer cards' that would be great at a workshop.  This is what I came up with: 

I made quite a few different colors.  Can you tell what I stamped on? 

It's paint chips from the hardware store!  These are the extra wide ones that are not easy to find now.  I had a huge stash of them I collected a few years ago.

Here they are in their clear envelopes ready to send.  

I think my favorite color is the purple.

Supplies:

• Stamps - Serene Silhouettes, Petite Pairs
• Ink - Black Stazon
• Card stock - Whisper White, Black, paint chips
• Accessories - Black 1/8" taffeta ribbon, Oval Accents Bigz die, Big Shot, Elegant Lines embossing folder, Silver Dazzling Details glitter glue, mini glue dots