Proud Mama!

No! Little Baby Sgro did NOT make an early appearance... But another of my creations did make a few cameo appearances on a local Salt Lake City morning television program called Studio 5! My loyal readers will know that I am talking about those cute Cupcake Birthday Cards that I created for the card swap hosted by Paper Crafts magazine's Susan Neal. The segment aired today on Utah's channel 5 at 11am, and described the entire process of an online card swap. Check out the video below, or for more details on online card swaps, follow this link to Studio 5's website...

"Look there he is... front and center... isn't he sooo cute!
Stand up straight for the camera! That's My Darling Cupcake!"

My Darling Cupcake

Besides being a super sweet nickname, it is also a project that I created for a swap hosted by Paper Crafts Pro Susan Neal. The theme for this swap was Summertime Fun! Susan was looking for bright, cheerful, summery cards for either Birthdays or Thank You's. One really cool aspect of this swap is that it is going to featured on a local Salt Lake City morning TV program! The program is called Studio 5, and this particular episode focuses on the entire process of an online swap and will air on July 22nd at 11am MST.

I chose the Birthday theme for my project, and modified a cupcake-shaped card that I had created last year for my friend's son's third birthday. The cupcake "top" flips up to reveal a pocket which holds a die-cut sentiment card. It is also the perfect size to hold a gift card.

I first designed the entire project in Photoshop - including the shading for my cupcake holder, top and candle. Next I printed the individual pieces out on colored cardstock and cut them all out. I added metal snaps for my "sprinkles" and attached the top to my cupcake base. I then created a pocket in my base by adhering just the sides. I attached Velcro to keep the flap closed. Finally I created a candle using similar techniques as the one that I designed for my "Piece of Cake" card and adhered it to my cupcake top.

For the sentiment, I designed a gift card sized insert to fit inside the pocket. I chose a simple "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" saying in a fun, chunky font and used bright colors which echoed the colors I chose for my cupcake "sprinkles." To make it more interesting, I die cut the top of the card around the text.

Speaking of die cutters, I would not have taken on this project for this swap if I did not have access to a die cutting machine. (I had to create 12 of these cupcakes!) I am super lucky to have a Graphtec Craft ROBO - a gift from my DH. Gotta love my hubby! (Well, I have to -- the rest of you can love him from afar!) I like the Craft ROBO because it allows me to cut my own designs instead of using only the manufacturer's. This was actually the first time I used this handy little machine, and I have to say I have mixed reviews. When it worked - I loved it! There was no way I was going to be able to cut out all those cupcake patterns by hand as accurately (and without blisters!). Not to mention the inserts! However, it was rather frustrating getting the machine to read my registration marks -- sometimes it worked, and often it didn't -- and I still haven't figured out why. But anyway, with its help I got my entire project done on time. YAY! That's what I call a sweet ending!

Supplies:

• Cardstock: Assorted colors from DCWV; white from Hammerhill
• Accents: snaps by Making Memories; Velcro fasteners
• Transparency Sheet: 3M
• Ink: Sharpie metallic permanent marker by Sanford
• Tools: Crop-A-Dile from We R Memory Keepers; Craft Robo die cutter by Graphtec
• Fonts: Beatnik by LetteringDelights.com
• Software: Photoshop & Illustrator from Adobe; template - original

Finished Size approx. 4" x 5.5"
Additional photos in my online portfolio at sgro.smugmug.com.

Holiday Tin Ornaments

Here are some ornaments that I made for a Paper Crafts swap. I created a total of 24 ornaments, using four different designs. This was a fun and simple project using 2.5 oz tin containers with clear lids and images that I cut out of gift tags and attached using foam tape for added dimension. (Hint: this would also work really well with stamped or paper pieced images! Or maybe a photograph?!?!) I finished it off with some fake snow, a ribbon loop for hanging, and some rub-ons on the lids.

Finished Size approx 2.75" circle x 1", exclusive of ribbon.
Additional images in my online portfolio.

File Folder Accordion Albums

These are two projects that I created for my very first swap! (For those of you who do not know, a swap is a popular way to trade supplies and creativity with other crafters.) This particular swap was hosted by a Paper Crafts Magazine Message Board member, and required each participant to create two albums based on Kristina Werner's tutorial. Kristina designed her patterns using half of a manila file folder. I chose to use double-sided card stock instead and secured it with a coordinating ribbon bow. The book opens to reveal four sentiment tags tucked inside individually decorated pockets.

I designed the first one, which I titled "Enjoy," using a olive and orange color scheme with pops of deep red. I decided to go with a floral theme, and added different paper flowers on the cover and each pocket. I accented the small flowers with dimensional fabric paint and the larger cover flowers with brads. As a final touch, I drew dotted swirls with a white gel pen and tied it all together with a bright cheery orange and yellow ribbon.

For the sentiments, I decided to go with a whole relaxation and pampering theme. I chose words like "enjoy," "have fun," "celebrate," and "smile" for the tags.

Supplies:

• Card stock: Mustard/Green Stripe from the Wild Asparagus collection by My Mind's Eye
• Patterned Paper: Tangerine Beach Blossoms from the Scrapbook Walls collection by Chatter Box
• Paper Flowers: All About Me from the Sweet N Sassy Floral Embellishments line and Press N Petals, both by Prima
• Brads: Making Memories
• Rub-Ons: Making Memories and American Crafts
• Ribbon: Michaels Stores

: : :

I decided to go with a more masculine tone and more subdued colors for my second album, which I titled "Inspiration."

I chose a polka-dotted card stock in soft greens and browns. I picked natural embellishments, like the silk leaf and the paper flowers. To add to the masculine effect, I attached metal accents on the pockets and covers. I included some faux stitching on one of the pockets.

Finally I secured the entire album with a dark/light chocolate brown ribbon.



For the sentiments, I chose all inspirational words and included a quote by Henry David Thoreau. The tags say "create," "imagine," "dream," and "inspire."

Humorous side note... When I showed my husband this card and told him it was my "masculine" version, he pointed out that "it still has flowers." It was his suggestion that maybe the flowers would be more acceptable if I made it look like a scientific illustration. Hence the little tag with the Latin name "bellis perennis." And guess what! I like that added touch! Thanks, hubby! (BTW, bellis perennis is a daisy.)

Supplies:

• Card stock: "Cherish" Dots/Brown paper from the Wild Asparagus collection by My Mind's Eye
• Patterned Paper: Fence Stripe from the Scrapbook Walls collection by Chatter Box
• Paper Flowers: Press N Petals by Prima
• Silk Leaf: Michaels Stores
• Brads, Eyelets & Snaps: Making Memories
• Ribbon: Michaels Stores

Finished Size approx. 3" x 5 5/8" closed and 11.5" x 5 5/8" open.
Want to see more of these albums? Check them out in my online portfolio!