Because it's Friday

Hi Artlings!
It's Friday afternoon which is a time when I get a little breather.  All orders are shipped till Monday and other designing has not hit full speed yet! 

Breathe. Play.

This yummy paper from Bo Bunny with its strong winter theme came in yesterday and I have this little box die from Elizabeth Craft Designs - and they needed to go together with an A Way With Words die. Oh, and it SNOWED again today.  This is not typical westcoast weather.  It's still winter....

Here is a project that is so simple it will make you weep.  What a great way to give a little gift! 
Just because.

Supplies:
Elizabeth Craft Designs A Way With Words Because die  Quietfire Site | ECD Site
Elizabeth Craft Designs Lantern Box die
Bo Bunny Winter Wishes 6x6" paper pad
Elizabeth Craft Designs Clear Double Sided Adhesive
Ribbon

Instructions:

1. Die cut Because from darker gray patterned paper.  Die cut box from two different patterned papers for interest.  They are from a collection, so they coordinate beautifully.
2. Assemble box with Clear Double Sided Adhesive.
3. Fill the box!
4. Tie Because onto the box handle with ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great (and creative!) weekend.
Suzanne

Wrap it up with AWWW Merry Christmas!

Hi there!  It's Suzanne today sneaking in a giftwrapping project to share with you.  It was supposed to be posted on the weekend, but some other things got in the way.....

I've been wanting to try die cutting fabric with the A Way With Words dies.  Robyn has done some experimenting with fusible interfacing and while I'm thinking of it, we must discuss it further!  I was talking to my friend Jacoline about it and she said why not just use double-sided tape?  Well.  Duh, yeah.  Brilliant thinking! 

This project was quick and easy, so I won't write step by step instructions. I simply cut a piece of Clear Double Sided Adhesive (Elizabeth Craft Designs) large enough for the die.  I peeled the release paper off one side and smoothed on some burgundy silk that I'd had for years.  It has a natural crinkle in it.  Don't choose a fabric like that - but it did work out okay. 

Diecut the fabric.  Now the tricky part.  Peel the release paper off the back of the fabric Merry Christmas.  It comes off fine, but there is not a lot of stiffness there, so peel from one side and adhere it to the gift bag as you roll off the release paper.  And Wow!  It worked!  

Keep in mind it won't hold up to washing, as it would if you used fusible web.  But this technique took no time at all.  I didn't have to get out an iron and fuss with that - AND the final product looks sweet!

The little canvas bag comes from Canvas Corp, the tiny bells and pine cones are Stampin' Up (from my friend Jacoline), the ribbon is hand dyed with Aged Mahogany Distress Ink and well, the cinnamon stick comes from the grocery store!
Go ahead - wrap it up!  Merry Christmas!

Thanks for visiting.  Happy creating, Suzanne

Happy Birthday Kitties

Luckily my oldest son doesn't do social media, so I can share his card before he gets it!

 

Obviously I needed a "guy" card.  For this child I should have gone with duct tape, but opted for his kitties and Tim Holtz bugs.  The kitties are a cutting file I created from a photograph I took of our furkids a few years ago. (One kitty has since gone to his great kibblebowl in the sky.) 

I think this card will hit the spot!

 

 

Supplies:

Quietfire A Way With Words Happy Birthday   Quietfire site | Elizabeth Craft Designs site

Quietfire Digital Cutting File Kitties Collection  Quietfire site | Silhouette site

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Wallflower Paper Stash

Core'dinations Nightfall, French Roast and Rustic cardstock

Elizabeth Craft Clear Double Sided Adhesive

Kool Tak Clear Foam Adhesive

twine

Instructions:
Okay, I mailed this before I took any of the measurements!  I think the final size was about 6 x 6"!

Since Core'dinations has a different coloured core, you will see the core colour along the edge of the cuts.  If you don't like that, use a different type of cardstock!

I think you can probably wing this design without me giving you the step by step instructions, right?

Enjoy your creativity time. Thanks for dropping in!
Suzanne

Loving Heart Decoration

Here is a quick and easy project for Valentine's Day - or for anyone, anytime!

This was a wooden heart I picked up a long time ago. I think it's been waiting for this project... It was under $1, but it makes an such a sweet wall decoration! Add a little ribbon et voila!  Adorable!

Supplies:

A Way With Words Love die   Quietfire site | Elizabeth Craft Designs site
Elizabeth Craft Designs Soft Finish Cardstock - Perfect Pink
Elizabeth Craft Designs Clear Double Sided Adhesive Tape
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Pink ribbons
Wooden Heart
White paint

Instructions:

1. Paint the wooden heart with white paint. Allow to dry.
2. Diecut Love from cardstock backed with double sided adhesive.  Adhere to painted heart.
3. Create ribbon loop and bow and adhere to heart.

Sweet!
Thanks for having a look!
Suzanne

Believe

I just love burgundy and gold for the Christmas season.  I also love scrolls.  So here is a bit of a combination of the two.

Merry Christmas!

Supplies:
Quietfire A Way With Words Believe Quietfire | Elizabeth Craft Designs

Cardstock:

• Core’dinations Burgundy, Rouge, Heartfelt, Raspberry, Poinsettia
• Fancy Pants Gold Foiled Paper

Die cutting machine

Adhesives: Glue Dots, Tombow Stamp Runner, Pop Dots

Ribbon: May Arts 1mm metallic gold cord

Other: Mini-Mister, tweezers

This card uses the inlay technique.  You can read more about it in this blog post.
Instructions:

1. Form a tent-fold card base from burgundy cardstock measuring 7.5" x 5.75". Cut gold panel measuring 6.75" x 5.25".  Cut strip 12" wide x 5"high.  If you cut this strip with grain short it will make your life easier later!! (That is so the grain is parallel to the short side of the strip.)
2. Die cut Believe from the center of the 12" wide strip. Die cut Believe from 4 different coloured coordinating cardstocks and from gold. Lay out each set of your die cut pieces on their own sheet of white paper to help keep them separated.
3. Cut a piece of lightweight cardstock (any colour, as it will be hidden) to approximately 6" x 4" and apply adhesive across the middle portion where you will piece the word and counterspaces.
4. Lay down the gold Believe die cut in the middle of the adhesive and fit in the counterspaces from the other colours like a puzzle. (A pair of tweezers might help.) Apply adhesive around the edges of the inlaid cardstock and adhere it in position behind the 12" strip so it fills the hole.
5. Lightly spritz the edges of the 12" strip with water and gently roll the edges towards the middle.  (If you've cut the strip so the grain is parallel to the short side of the panel, the edges will start to curl on their own with light spritzing!) Use a Glue Dot to hold the curl in position while you repeat with the other side.
6. Adhere the rolled panel to the gold panel. Pierce holes as shown in the photo and wrap gold cord around the "scroll" to the back and secure with tape.  Adhere gold panel to card base with foam adhesive.

It's easy to make more cards with the leftover pieces!  You can add an embellishment to suit the occasion!

Thanks for stopping by!
Suzanne

Seasonal Best Wishes

You know how when you start playing with things and you get on a roll?  Well that's what happened with this card!  It's so easy for me to get distracted by the next challenge on my plate that I often make one thing and that's it.

This is a bit of a continuation of my blog hop card.  I've been wanting to use this gorgeous poinsettia die for ages.  And I found another die that was very calligraphic and would compliment the lettering.

A fun thing about this card is that although it is a Christmas card, it does not say it directly.  (But it could be stamped or diecut on the inside)

Supplies:

Quietfire A Way With Words Best Wishes   Quietfire site | Elizabeth Craft Designs site
Elizabeth Craft Designs: Poinsettia 1067, Flourishes & Branches 1034 
Core'dinations Red Rose Cardstock
American Crafts Kraft Cardstock
Worldwin Petallics Spring Larch Cardstock
Crafty Foam Tape Roll ,Glue Dots
Be Creative Tape
Tim Holtz Ideology Ruler
Soapstone Pencil


Instructions:

1. Form a 6.75 x 5.75" tent-fold card base from red cardstock.
2. Cut a 6.25 x 5.25" panel from kraft cardstock and mat with a 1/8" larger panel of Spring Larch with double-sided tape.  Mount panels on card base with foam tape.
3. Die cut Best Wishes from red cardstock. Die cut filigree poinsettia and its backing from red and one backing from Spring Larch cardstock.  Cut one flourish from Spring Larch.
4. Assemble the poinsettia as shown with foam adhesive.
5. To line up the diecut letters, align the bottom of the card with a line on the ruler and draw a line with a soapstone pencil. (or you could use a small t-square)
6. Roll micro Glue Dots with your fingers and use them to adhere the diecut words and flourish to the card front as shown.  Align the words along the soapstone pencil line.  Brush off the soapstone pencil line with your fingers, your sleeve or an eraser!
7. Attach the poinsettia to the card front with foam adhesive.

Thanks for stopping by and having a look!
Suzanne

Marie's Tombow Bird Challenge

I just couldn't resist this challenge.  The Elizabeth Craft birdies have just come in and although I have other plans for them, I knew I could put them to use right away for Marie's Bird Challenge over on the Tombow blog!  If you haven't seen Marie Brownings birdie art, you really must click on the link and have a look.  It's completely awesome!

There is still time to enter, so go for it!  You must have a birdie somewhere!

So here is my little offering for that challenge.  I wanted to put the birdies on a background frame and ending up designing my own.  I wanted simple, but not too simple.

I really like the effect I get when I blend Tombow Dual Brush Pens with a waterbrush on Stonehenge paper.  Although Stonehenge was designed as a printmaking paper, it stands up to being wet and you can letter on it, too.

Instructions:

1. Cut a 5" x 10" piece of Classic Crest 110lb cardstock, score and fold in half to create the card base.
2. Use Birds 709 to cut 2 birds from Stonehenge.
3. Use Tombow Dual Brush Markers (colours listed below) to add colour then blend colour using a water brush.  Allow to dry.
4. Cut Knobby Frame elements from Neenah Classic Crest 80lb cardstock and Coredinations cardstock using the Silhouette Cameo (cutting file should be on the Silhouette Online Store later today).
5. With the aid of a stamp positioner, use Purple Hydrangea ink to stamp Each of Us has a Song in the center of  the white frame and mat to the purple frame using the Stamp Runner.
6. Use 3D Foam Tabs to mount the birdies facing the quotation as shown. (Tombow has tiny little 3D Foam tabs that are perfect for mounting the little birdies!  I think they're going to be my favourite soon!)  Use 3D Foam Tabs to mount the Knobby Frame to the card base.

Supplies:
Quietfire Each of Us Has a Song
Tombow Dual Brush Markers in 452 and 703 for the left birdie and 636 and 527 for the right birdie

Tombow 3D Foam Tabs
Tombow Stamp Runner
Elizabeth Crafts Bird 709
Tsukineko VersaMagic Purple Hydrangea
Niji Water brush
 Stonehenge
Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock
Core'dinations cardstock




Thanks for stopping by to have a look.  Make sure you enter the challenge - there are prizes!
Suzanne

Here are thumbnail links to the products used in this project which are available on the Quietfire website:

Each of Us has a Song Birds Waterbrush Tombow Markers Stonehenge, small VersaMagic Stamp Positioner Neenah Solar White CS Neenah 80 lb Cardstock Stamp Runner

InLinkz.com

Spring has Sprung on Scrapbooking.com

Here is one of the ways I've been using the Elizabeth Craft Designs All Seasons Tree. It's so versatile!   I fell in love with it with the Garden Bench at CHA.

This card may be seen with instructions on Scrapbooking.com HERE along with other great spring projects!  Don't miss it.
 You may get the All Seasons Tree from Elizabeth Craft or on the Quietfire website.  The links to the products I used in this card are below.

Thanks for dropping by!
Suzanne

 

Don't Let Yesterday VersaMagic All Season Tree Neenah Solar White CS Coloured Cardstock Stamp Positioner Grand Calibur Double-sided Tape Glue Dots Magic Removable Tape 3D Foam Squares, BLACK

InLinkz.com

Snowflakes are Kisses - continued in ATC form!

Judi Kauffman shared her "Snowflakes are kisses from Heaven" card with us yesterday.  This morning she surprised us with some ATCs that incorporate the same supplies.  She sent instructions, too.  Thanks again, Judi!

 

Because ATCs are small, I skipped the embossed notary seals I used for yesterday's 5 x 7 card.  Instead of punched stars, I switched to Silver/Gold Glitter Dots that look like tiny snowflakes falling in the distance.  This contrast in size is what makes the larger snowflakes really pop forward to the eye.  I edged the ATCs with silver (Pentouch from Sakura).  The sentiment, "Snowflakes are kisses from heaven" (stamp from Quietfire Design) and the punched Blue Iris Shimmer Sheetz snowflakes topped with glittery snowflake peel-offs remain the same as on the card - though the snowflakes are one layer, not two.  (Glitter dots, snowflakes, Shimmer Sheetz from ElizabethCraft Design)  Tip: Note that on each ATC one of the snowflakes is cut into two pieces - one piece attached at the top toward the left, the other piece attached at the bottom just below and to the left of the whole snowflake, but not directly below the other half!  This kind of cropping tricks your eye into seeing lots of snowflakes falling from the sky.  If you're not into ATCs, this same kind of smaller scale project would work well for tags or tree ornaments. 

(A side note: I know it's fashionable to write just a few words in a blog or on facebook, but after four decades of teaching it feels like cheating if I don't provide complete information and instructions - and it's really important to me to include the "why" of the project as well as the "how"...I hope you find this useful and worth reading!  Judi K)

Judi Kauffman is author of By the Batch: Creative Cards, Postcards, Envelopes & More

Un-used copies are available from Amazon.ca

Snowflakes are Kisses - Artwork from Judi Kauffman

Our friend and frequent guest designer Judi Kauffman sent us a card that mixes stamping with snowflakes in a unique way.  The snowflakes are blue and gold, not the traditional white.  The card base is glossy coated cardstock folded to an ample 5 x 7.  She also sent instructions, just in case you want to make a card just like her sample.  (Thanks, Judi!)

"Snowflakes are kisses from heaven" is a brand new stamp from Quietfire Design.  I chose Ranger Adirondack Brights ink in Sailboat Blue for the stamping and sponging.  This ink looks soft and pale on the coated cardstock base, brighter and more intense on the matte cardstock rectangle where the phrase is stamped.  I embossed 2.5" gold notary seals with a Cuttlebug folder (Ice Crystals) and used the large circles to draw the eye.  (Tip: take your time peeling the embossed notary seals from the backing - they might tear if you aren't vigilent when lifting the edges)  I punched tiny stars (Fiskars punch) and 1" snowflakes (EK Success punch) from Blue Iris and White Iris Shimmer Sheetz (Elizabeth Craft Designs).  The tiny stars are secured with GemTac glue (Beacon Adhesives).  (Tip: A small dot of glue applied with a corsage pin is all that's needed, I used Embellie Gellie to lift each star and place it atop the wet glue.  The snowflakes are layered in pairs on foam dots to create shadows and extra dimension.  The top snowflake in each pair is embellished with a different snowflake peel-off (Glitter Silver/Gold Peel-offs #7055, Elizabeth Craft Designs).  Not one to be a minimalist, I added sparkly fibers from my stash of knitting yarns, and used Glitter Cardstock (Darice) as the border around the stamped rectangle.

I have been looking for a product like Embellie Gellie for years since a friend showed me a stylus with a similar product on the end, but she couldn't remember what it was called!  Thanks to Judi for that insight.  It is in now on order from my supplier!!  I'm so excited - it will be like having another hand!

Click here to see Snowflakes Are Kisses on the site

Thanks again to Judi for sharing her creation!  And for using Quietfire Design rubber stamps!

Suzanne