Friday, October 4, 2013

Acorn Greetings Starburst Design Card

Oh how I LOVE Fall!  I received Unity Stamp Company's Acorn Greetings stamp of the week set a few weeks ago and have wanted to make some Thanksgiving cards with it from the moment I saw it!  Today I had a little extra time on my hands and decided to try it with a new technique called Starburst.  Here is my card...
 
 
So here are the steps in case you are interested:

1)  Cut 4 rectangles 4" x 1 1/2" with 4 different coordinating patterns of double-sided paper.

2)  Cut your rectangles diagonally to make 8 triangles

3)  Flip over 4 of your triangles to show the 8 different designs and then arrange them in the order that you want them placed
 
4)  Cut your neutral color cardstock to 4 3/4" x 3 3/4". ( This is what you'll be attaching your triangles to). While holding the cut cardstock vertically, score  at 1 3/4" (This will be the bottom of the top layer that you will decorate, stamp, etc).  Then flip cardstock to horizontal position and score to divide the top of it in half, so you'll be scoring at 1 7/8" from the top of the card down to the score mark that divides top from bottom.
 
5) Decorate, stamp, or whatever you choose the bottom of the neutral cardstock.  Here is mine..
 
6)  Add adhesive all over the top of your cardstock from the bottom score line all the way to the top.
 
7)  Using the middle score line at the top as a starting point, add your triangles.  You should be able to get 4 on each side.  Do not overlap!  Just put each triangle right up next to each other. 
 
8)  Flip over and trim off the excess DP
 
9)  Cut a narrow piece of cardstock across the base of the starburst (this will cover up the small empty spot left on each side) 
 
10)  Cut a piece of ribbon to approx. 8 1/4" and wrap around a small bottle (I use my spray stamp cleaner bottle) and tie ribbon in a knot and then slide off of the bottle.  Once off the bottle, cut the back and use a glue dot behind the knot to glue to the middle of the thin strip.  Apply a little adhesive to glue the rest of the ribbon down and wrap to back like this..
 
 
 
 
11)  Cut a piece of cardstock to 4" x 5 1/4"  (use the same color that you used when you can the thin strip)  Once cut, use a die or punch to trim the bottom edge.  You'll mount your card top on this.
 
 
 
12)  Finish by attaching this all to the front of your card base ( 4 1/4" x 11" scored in half) and here's what you'll have....
 
 
I know this seems like a lot of steps but once you've done one, it's really pretty easy as long as you have the measurements down!

Here's what I used on my card:  Stamp: Unity Stamp Co. SOTW Acorn Greetings, DP: Imaginisce, Apple Cider, Cardstock from my inventory, Ink: Stampin Up! Creamy Caramel and Momento Tuxedo Black, Ribbon from my inventory

I'm going to enter my card in Love's Rubberstamps Challenge Anything Goes

I hope you've enjoyed my card!


Hugs & Blessings, Tina

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Unity Stamp Co. Tag A Day Challenge

This week Unity Stamp Co. is having a Tag A Day Challenge so I decided to have a little fun and play along. This Challenge is on Unity's Show and Tell Facebook Page found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/434773279941105/

 Here's my tag for today:

 
I decided to create my own woodgrain tag by embossing a tag that I had inked in Colorbox Fluid Chalk in Chestnut.  I chose daubing the brown ink in because I felt like the light and dark effect of the process would add more visual interest than using a solid brown cardstock.  I inked the tag first and then embossed and I absolutely LOVE the way it turned out.  It looked so good I didn't want to cover it up.... so I didn't.  I put my bird to one side and the sentiment to the other and I was thrilled that so much of the woodgrain still showed! 
 
The stamp set I used was a Stamp of the Week Stamp set called "Bird with a French Fry" by Unity, you can find that stamp here: http://unitystampco.com/shop/bird-with-a-french-fry/
The woodgrain embossing folder was by Darice, Tags, cardstock, and DP from Inventory, Coloring of bird and flowers was done with Copics, and Inks Used were Memento Tuxedo Black and Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink in Chestnut.
 
Thanks for stopping by!  Hugs & blessings!  Tina

Saturday, August 24, 2013

The Hardest Card I've EVER made!

Today I am posting a card that was the most difficult I have EVER made!  It is a birthday card for my sweet friend Nicole Nastali.  Here's a link to her blog:Nicole's Craft Nook .  One look at her blog and you'll understand my dilemma.  She is an absolutely AMAZING crafter!  How do you make a card for someone that is soooo talented??  I decided that I would just make one from her heart.  So here it is, imperfect as it may be.. it IS from the heart..
 

Since I met Nicole on one of the Unity Stamp Company Facebook Pages I HAD to use Unity Stamps!  I went with two different Itty Bitty Sets "A Friend Loveth" and "Sentiment Tags".  Another MUST was that I had to use either Teal or Turquoise since both Nicole and I LOVE those colors!  The only thing I couldn't figure how to work into the card is Washi Tape since we also both share a passion for it!  Actually I think I may be semi-obsessed with Washi Tape but I tend to use a lot more of it on scrapbook layouts than cards.  Hmmmm...perhaps I need to rethink that!    Oh and I used the cute little bread tags (Sentiment tags) because I remembered Nicole saying how much she loved them!  Here's a closer took at the tags: 
 
 
For this card I used the Triple Stamping Technique.  If you've never done this, you can find a tutorial on Youtube that may help.  It's a fairly simple technique once you get the measurements and details down.  I didn't follow the technique completely as I wanted to use the sentiment in the middle of the card since it was so big.  After I measured, cut, and centered my two larger pieces of white cardstock, I stamped some butterflies on those two and then added the small center piece and only stamped one small butterfly at the top that would layer.  I then removed the smallest white cardstock piece and stamped the sentiment on it.  Here are the measurements for this technique if you are interested in trying it out:   2 x 3 1/4" White, 2 1/4 x 3 1/2" Colored, 3 x 4 1/4" White, 3 1/4 x 4 1/2" Colored, 4 x 5 1/4" White and then the Card base of 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" that is scored in the middle for folding.
 
I'm going to enter this card in The Scrapbook Stamp Society's "Use Twine" Challenge this week, here is the link for the challenge:Scrapbook Stamp Society "Use Twine" Challenge
 
For this card I used: SU Cardstock, Unity Stamp Co Itty Bitty "A Friend Loveth" and "Sentiment Tags"  Ink SU Bermuda Bay and Memento Tuexedo Black, Twine from Inventory, Brad from MME Happy Day Collection.
 
Hope you have a wonderful crafty weekend because that's my plan!  Hugs & Blessings, Tina
 

Friday, August 23, 2013

Happy Birthday to Jaylei!

Well I haven't posted in a while.  Life just keeps happening and getting in the way of my crafting time!  We have 4 granddaughter's birthdays in the Fall.  I've already shared Nevaeh's Bunny card a few weeks ago and tonight I made a birthday card for her sister, Jaylei.  Jaylei will be 6 in September!  It's so hard to believe our sweet little granddaughters are getting so old! 

I had chosen a By Lori Designs digital stamp called "Pedal Pusher Lollipop Girl" for Jaylei's Card and since BLD currently has an Aqua and Red Challenge, why not let that guide my colors!  BLD's Challenge link is here: http://loriboyd2.blogspot.com/  I also entered this card in Scrapbook Stamp Society "Use Twine" Challenge, link is here: http://scrapbookstampsocietychallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Here's Jaylei's Card..
 
I went back and forth on what to use for the lollipop and I finally decided to just go with twine.  I LOVE twine and really use it sooo much!    Here's a close view of the lollipop..
 
 
Oh and here's a picture of Jaylei, our almost 6 year old granddaughter on her first day of school this year.  She was really excited about her new backpack!..
 
 Here's an older one of her with her sister, Nevaeh..
 
 
 
Here's what I used for today's card:  Digital Stamp By Lori Designs "Pedal Pusher Lollipop Girl",  Cardstock from Inventory, DP, For the Record by Bella Road "Tablecloth", Little Girl by Echo Park "Sally Stitches" Miss Caroline by MME "Dolled Up Living Blooms", Twine from Inventory, Ink Memento "Tuxedo Black", Sentiment Stamp "One of a Kind" by Stampin Up! 
 
Well that's all I've got today.. Hugs & Blessings,  Tina

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Let Beauty Surround You

Happy Sunday!  Today was a beautiful day!  Praising God in the morning and crafting in the afternoon!  How much better can it get??

Today's card is a birthday card for our oldest granddaughter, Nevaeh that is turning 8 this week.  It's an unusual birthday card because Nevaeh has received her "dream present" for her birthday.  She finally received a bunny. She's been asking her Mom and Dad for one for a couple of years now.  She got it early (just a few days ago) and is absolutely thrilled!  That is all she can talk about and the only thing she wants from us are bunny supplies!  Did you know that they sell bunny harnesses?  I bought her one today so she can walk Almond, Yes Almond is her bunny's name! 

Ok, well since you now have the background info on this card, I'll show it to you :)
 
 
Ok, so I really didn't think that a "Happy Birthday" sentiment would look right on the front of this card so I went with the "let beauty surround you" sentiment that came with the set.  So instead of using a regular background DP, I made the background by stenciling a number collage on white cardstock using Tim Holtz Distress Ink.  Oh and the super cool thing is that I just bought the number collage template on clearance at Hobby Lobby for $2.99.  I love a bargain!!!  Ok, so then I stamped the Happy Birthday Sentiment on the Inside.  This is definitely not my typical birthday card but I think considering the circumstances, she and Almond will love it! 

Here's a picture of Nevaeh..
 
 
Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of Almond yet!  :(
 
I've entered my Let Beauty Surround You card on 613 Avenue Create Anything Goes/Use a Sentiment
 
I used:  Unity Stamp Co. "Let Beauty Surround You" Itty Bitty Stamp Set, SU Cardstock, Copics, TCW 6x6" Stencil Template, Tim Holtz Broken China Distress Ink, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Have a wonderful week and remember to Let Beauty Surround You!

Love & Blessings,  Tina

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Unity Stamp Co. Itty Bitty Challenge Week

Happy Tuesday!  This week Unity Stamp Co. has a Card or Tag a Day Challenge using their Itty Bitty Stamps and since I have TONS of them I thought it would be fun to play along.  Here's the Info on the Unity Challenge: Unity Show & Tell

My card today uses the Itty Bitty "Precious Things"..


I have always loved this little stamp set, in fact, I just LOVE birds!    Look at this little finch that posed for me a few weeks ago..


My husband has an addiction to Bird Feeders right now so we have all kinds of Birds in our yard.  This little Gold Finch was posing for me on our fountain when I came in from work one afternoon!  :)

Oh well, back to my card.  I used We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper on the Botton Corners and Popped up the sentiment with Pop Dots.  It was pretty quick and easy.

In addition to the Itty Bitty Challenge, I've also entered this card into Crafty Boot's Animal Challenge

In this card I used, SU Cardstock, Unity Itty Bitty Precious Things, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Echo Park Bella Road DP "Newsprint" and "Fancy Floral",  as well as some twine and buttons from my stash.

Hope you're having a fabulous Tuesday!    Love & Blessings, Tina

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Celebrate LIfe!

I once heard that God cares more about our character than our circumstances.  I thought on that a bit today and realized that although my life circumstances haven't always been ideal, they have certainly changed my character.  So today I wanted to Celebrate Life!  The sky's the limit and until I take my last breath, I can continue becoming a better person, the person God intends for me to be.

My card today is a VERY different type of card than I usually create.  Here is my card..
 
I used some distress techniques with Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads on the tag,
 
 I cut a mask for the bottom of the card to use the dauber to create the hills and the sky and I even painted  in a few birds. 
 
 Wow!  For me, this is waaaaaay outside the box!  This has been a really fun card for me to create!  I hope you enjoy it!
 
I've entered my Card in:
 Simon Says Stamp "Celebrate" Challenge 
Lulupu's The Craft Lounge The Colour Crush
 
Love & Hugs,
Tina
 
Products used:  Watercolor Paper, Unity Stamp of the Week: "Dream the Impossible", Sentiment: Unity "Your Wings Exist", Tim Holtz Fired Brick and Broken China on balloons and used to distress the tag, Sentiment stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black, Background made with daubers and Stampin Up Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Summer Sun, Pool Party as well as Tim Holtz Distress Ink Broken China, Taylored Expression's Cloud Dies, Birds painted with Tim Holtz Black Soot Distress Marker.
 

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Whatever You Are BEE A Good One!

Well today's project is definitely "Yellow" again.  Maybe I'll find another Yellow Challenge!  Actually today I wanted to use a new Heidi Swapp stencil I had purchased at Michael's yesterday.  It is sold as a spray stencil with the Heidi Swapp sprays but I used it with a dauber and Stampin Up! ink pads.  I really liked this technique so perhaps I'll purchase a few more stencils. 

Here's the picture of my card..
 
I had already colored in the flowers from a Digi Stamp from Unity that I had downloaded for another challenge.  I was so overwhelmed by all of the awesome projects that people had entered for that Challenge that I decided not to enter that one.  I wanted a pop of color on this so I cut out the flowers from the Digi and popped them up with a couple of pop dots.
 
 
I used the dauber with Stampin Up! ink on the white card stock that I used to stamp the sentiment as well. Here is a little closer shot of the flowers.. 
 
Perhaps I should have added an extra "e" to be on the sentiment.  :)    Thanks for stopping by!  I'm sure I'll get a little better at this eventually. 
 
I have entered this card into the following Challenges:
 
The Crafting Cafe's Summer's Here Challenge
 Daring Cardmaker's Creature Comforts Challenge
Great Impression's Anything Goes Challenge
Crafty Boot's Animal Challenge
 
 Sending love & hugs!!!   Tina
 
Free Digi Stamp from Unity, Sentiment from Unity "All about Balance", Heidi Swap Spray Stencil #1, Bees from MME The Sweetest Thing Honey "Happiness" Stamps, DP MME The Sweetest Thing, Stampin Up! Ink Summer Sun and Apricot Appeal, Sentiment Stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Combination of Copics and Chromatix Used on Flowers.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

First Post, BLD Yellow Challenge

Well, Here it is, My Very First Blog Post!!!  Ok, so I guess it's about time but this is not going to be nearly as fancy as all those other fabulous blogs that I love to check daily for inspiration.  Ok, ok, so I've got to start some where, some time, why not now?? 
I decided to enter a card into a challenge.  This is something I've never done but my sweet friend Nicole suggested I go for it so even though I realize I don't have the same level of talent as some do, I might as well give it a whirl.  As a matter of fact, the bottom line is, I  L-O-V-E making cards and scrapbooking and I might as well spend some of my free time doing something I enjoy. 
So here it is, ....drum roll please....lol




It's funny how when you see your card as a picture you notice a few things you should have done differently.  Oh well, again I have start some place and if I started off perfectly, where in the world would I go from here.  Luckily I left my self PLENTY of room for improvement.  :) 
 
I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:
 
 By Lori Designs Challenge Yellow
Crafty Ribbon's Challenge Anything Goes with Ribbon

 
Hugs & Blessings,   Tina         



   


Stamp Set: Unity "face the sunshine", DP: Glitz, "uncharted waters" Die: Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Lace Doilies