Flower Thank U Card

Here is the Thank You card that I designed for Carolyn King's "Heart to Heart" Blog Candy Contest. (See previous post for more details.) The front of the card is shaped like a flower, while the back is a simple 5" square. I added a few embellishments to really make this card pop!

Supplies:

• Cardstock: Miss Muffet from Baby line by American Crafts; green by DCWV
• Accents: She - brown chipboard alphabet by Heidi Swapp; Doodles & Heidi - Rose rub-ons by Making Memories; Embossed Ivory Shimmer Table Confetti from Brides line by Gartner Studios
• Color Medium: Gel Xtreme - White pen by Y&C
• Stickers: Many Thanks by Mrs. Grossman's
• Fibers: green ribbon from Michaels Stores
• Tools: Mega 2.5" Circle by Marvy Uchida; paper piercer by Making Memories; Serrated Tracing Wheel by Dritz
• Other: pattern (right-click to download)

Instructions:

1. Cut out card shape from double-sided cardstock following pattern. Fold in half to form a 5" square card.
   
2. Punch circle from green cardstock. Faux stitch green circle and inside square of card.
   Hint: I used a Paper Piercer to create the "stitches" in the circle, and a Serrated Tracing Wheel for the square.
3. Apply Doodle rub-ons to front of flower portion of card, and "so very much!!!" to inside square.
4. Trim "s" from "Thanks" sticker. Apply to green circle. Attach chipboard "u" and flower to front of circle, and folded ribbon to back of circle.
5. Adhere circle to center of flower with foam tape.
   

Bonus Tip #1! Don't be afraid to use portions of your stickers or rub-ons! Just trim off what you need, as I did with my "Thanks" sticker.

Bonus Tip #2! This design works best with a more subtle pattern for the flower portion, and a contrasting color for the square portion of the card. A larger, busier pattern would act like camouflage for the flower shape, as would a low-contrast color combo!

Bonus Tip #3! I used double-sided cardstock for my card. If you do not have appropriate double-sided CS, simply choose two separate cardstocks. Trim one to a 5" square and use the flower part only of my pattern on the other CS. Just add tabs at the top to adhere the flower portion to the back of the square portion.

Finished Size Approx 5" x 5".
Additional photos in my online portfolio.

CELEBRATION TIME!!! (Part 3)

Make a wish and blow out the candle!


Here is the third installment of my "Birthday Bubbles" series...

Materials:

• Cardstock: Blue #2 from DieCuts With a View
• Double-Sided Patterned Paper: The Goods Bubbles by American Crafts
• Transparency Sheet: 3M
• Accents: Birthday Soft Spoken embellishments by Me & My Big Ideas, birthday sticker from Lighthearted Collection by Wordsworth
• Adhesive: mini adhesive dots by Glue Dots
• Tools: Xyron sticker maker, Fiskars paper crimper

Instructions:

1. Cut a 5" x 10" rectangle from transparency sheet. Fold in half to form a 5" square, crease at the top.
2. Cut 1½" x 3" rectangle from solid paper.
3. Cut a 3" x 3" square and the cupcake top (see template) from patterned paper.
4. Run all three pieces through Xyron sticker maker, so that the adhesive is on the patterned side of the square and on the orange side of the cupcake top.
5. Apply birthday sticker to solid side of square. Attach to the center of the inside of the card.
6. Remove clear plastic from the solid rectangle (not the wax paper backing) and run it through crimper, short end first.
7. Trim bottom corners from each side of the crimped paper to form "cupcake holder." Start cutting approx. ¼" in from the bottom edge, cutting to top corners.
8. Attach the cupcake holder, cupcake top, and candle to the front of the card.

Bonus Tip! Use clear mini glue dots to attach the candle instead of the the foam adhesive provided - it'll be less noticeable from the inside of the card.

CELEBRATION TIME!!! (Part 2)

Time to put on your Party Hat!


Well, at the end of 2007 I promised you more how-to's from my "Birthday Bubbles" series, and here it is!

Materials:

• Double-Sided Patterned Paper: The Goods Bubbles by American Crafts
• Transparency Sheet: 3M
• Accents: red button from Winnie's Walls collection from SEI
• Fibers: 3" piece of red rick-rack ribbon from Kids Line and Scrapbook Stitches from Making Memories
  
• Adhesive: Glue Dots Craft dots
• Tools: Xyron sticker maker

Instructions:

1. Cut a 5" x 10" rectangle from transparency sheet. Fold in half to form a 5" square, crease at the top.
2. Cut one 3" x 3" square and one 2" x 3¼" rectangle from patterned paper.
   Mark center point at the top of 2" side of rectangle. Trim from bottom corners to top center point to make a triangle.
3. Print sentiment ("Let's Celebrate!") on orange side of square.
4. Run both pieces of patterned paper and rick-rack through Xyron sticker maker, so that the adhesive is on the patterned side of the sentiment square and on the orange side of the triangle.
5. Attach the sentiment square to the center of the inside of the card and the triangle to the center of the front of the card on an angle so that the "hat" covers up the sentiment.
6. Thread Scrapbook Stitches through button and knot. Attach button to the top of the "hat" with Glue Dots.
7. Trim ribbon to fit bottom of "hat." Attach to card.

Bonus Tip #1: Use the grid from a cutting mat to help you center the square on the transparency.

Bonus Tip #2: When printing on small pieces of cardstock, print sentiment on a larger piece of paper first. Then adhere cardstock to larger paper over the sentiment with removable tape. Reprint.

Stay on the lookout for the third installment of my "Birthday Bubbles" series - my yummy Cupcake Card!

Holiday Boxes and Bows... Oh My!

Here are a couple of gift boxes that I created for the holidays. I got my inspiration from a number of different online resources. The box is your basic origami box. There are a many great websites offering instructions on how to create this box. To find them, just enter "origami box" into your favorite search engine. One of the best is Kristina Werner's video tutorial which can be found on her blog. I chose one patterned paper and one solid paper to create my box. Then I tied the two color schemes together with my bow and accents.

The paper bow is my own variation of the tutorial which can be found on SplitcoastStamper's website. However, instead of cutting and gluing 13 individual loops, and using multiple brads, I used fewer strips of longer paper and just one long-pronged brad.
Here's how...

Materials:

• 6" x 12" piece of double sided paper
  (Note - heavier double sided cardstock will also work,
  but it will be more difficult to manipulate)
  
• brad/paper fastener with long prongs
  (you can find these at your local office supply store)
• paper piercer (or a thumbtack, for an inexpensive alternative)

Instructions:

1. Cut eight 10" x 3/4" strips and one 4-1/2" x 7/8" strip of the double-sided paper.
   Tip: First cut your paper into two 6" x 10" and 6" x 2" rectangles. Cut the eight strips from the larger piece and the small strip from the 2" piece.
   
2. Pierce 3 holes down the center of each of the 10" strips: 1/2" from each end and one in the middle.
3. Pierce 2 holes in the 4-1/2" strip: 1/2" from both ends.
4. With the prongs facing up, place the end hole of one of the 10" strips on the brad, inside pattern side up. Using a figure eight pattern, place the center and second end holes on the brad. Always keep the inside pattern facing up on the brad.
5. Rotate 90 degrees and repeat step 4 so that the loops form a plus sign.
6. Continue with the remaining 10" strips, rotating so that each new loop falls in between existing loops.
7. Finish with a single loop made from 4-1/2" strip. Bend prongs to secure bow.

Bonus Tip! Since I knew that I would be attaching this bow to my paper box, I pierced a whole in the center of the lid of my box. I then inserted the brad from the inside of the lid so that the prongs protruded up on the outside of my box. Next I put my box lid over a jar, so that I would have a stable surface to create my bow. Once I finished my bow, it was already neatly attached to my box! Voila!

: : :

I based the design for my personalized tag on Nichole Heady's Mini Gift Cards. I love the simplicity and elegance of Nichole's design! Since I didn't have her stamps, I decided to use a graphic from a Digital Kit instead. I chose the holly leaves from Kate Teague's "Berry Days" Kit which I downloaded from the Two Peas in a Bucket website. I finished it off using Font Diner's Rickles font, my Marvy Uchida Mega Scalloped Square Punch, and some ribbon. I attached my gift tag to my bow using a small safety pin.

Finished size of boxes approx. 4.25" square x 2.75", exclusive of trim.
Bow is approximately 4-1/4" across.
Additional photos in my online portfolio.

Paint Chip Cake Card

As seen in the Aug/Sept 2008 issue of Paper Crafts magazine!

Yep! That's right folks! It's yet another card made from a Paint Chip! This time I thought I would stay away from the Christmas theme and go with something a little more generic. I created this to be an anniversary card, but it could easily work as a wedding or birthday card with just a few minor changes.

I began by cutting off the sides containing the text and rounded corners of my Behr 5"x6" paint chip. Next I trimmed off the darkest color, leaving me with three swatches. Instead of separating the three colors, I decided to keep the paint chip in one piece. I removed 3/8" from each side of the middle color and 3/4" from each side of the lightest color. I also trimmed some off of the top of the lightest swatch to make the top "tier" shorter, and rounded the top and bottom corners.

To decorate my cake, I added mini paper blossoms and accented some of the flowers with pearls. I finished it with some rub-on swirls. Finally I adhered the cake to the card base with foam tape. I also designed a coordinating envelope created from the discarded pieces of my paint chip.

Bonus Tip! When working with delicate items like paper flowers and adhesive dots, don't pull up on the flower to remove it from the adhesive's liner -- you will most likely tear the flower. Instead, use a craft knife or other metal tool (I like to use my paper piercer) to go between the adhesive and the liner and lift from there.

Supplies:

• Cardstock: Assorted Box of Cards by DCWV
• Accents: Neutral Mix Mini Blossoms & Doodles rub-ons by Making Memories; Wedding Adhesive Pearls by K&Company
• Adhesive: foam tape by Scotch; Mini adhesive dots by Glue Dots
• Tools: retro flower punch by EK Success; hole punch
• Other: paint chip by Behr

Finished Size 4.25" x 5.5"

For more pics of my Paint Chip Cake card, check out my online portfolio.

Floral Hello Card

This is another card that I designed for Paper Craft Magazine's online Gallery Idol contest in April. I had fun with the color scheme and I like the bright, cheery feel that I get from this card. I hope you like it too!

Another relatively quick and easy creation, the base of this card is a 5"x7" piece of patterned cardstock folded to reveal an inch of the coordinating inside pattern along the bottom. I adhered letter stickers to white cardstock which I then trimmed, leaving an 1/16" border around the letters. I "stitched" buttons to paper flowers with florist wire reinforced with adhesive dots. I then adhered all the elements to the card with additional adhesive dots. Finally I added rub-on swirls for an elegant, but playful touch.

Bonus Tips! I used small embroidery scissors for the fine, detail cutting. Also, When cutting out shapes with scissors, move the paper, NOT the scissors. In other words, your scissor hand should only be opening & closing the scissors in long, smooth strokes. Your other hand twists and turns the paper, guiding it into the scissors. This results in smoother, neater cuts.

Painter's Palette Card

Since I didn't do any paper crafting today, (although I did customize my blog header...) I thought I would share an older card with you, dear reader.

This is my version of a card which appeared in the April/May 2007 issue of Paper Crafts magazine. I used PC's painter's palette pattern, but modified the design. It was perfect for my artist friend Shirley Lu, who had an exhibition at a NYC gallery in June. Congrats again, Shirley!

The outside of the card was actually very easy to make, once I had Paper Crafts' pattern. I simply used my 1¼" punch to make the "paint" circles from patterned paper, which I attached to the "palette" with foam tape for added dimension.

Tip #1: To get the sentiment on the circle, I first printed the text on a larger piece of paper. Then I attached a smaller piece of yellow patterned paper over the printed text with repositionable adhesive, and printed it again.

Tip #2: To give the patterned paper more structure, I glued 2" squares of patterned paper to a piece of thin cardboard. (Bonus Tip! Used cereal boxes are the perfect weight and the perfect price!) I then punched out the circles with my punch upside-down so that I could accurately position the punch over the paper.

The interior of the card I designed entirely in Photoshop CS2. I used Photoshop's Custom Shape Tool to create the sun, and then added an Inner Glow layer style to give it some texture and depth. Complete Mr. Picasso's quote, add a sentiment and Voilà! Finished design!

To achieve the full bleed (printing right to the edge of the paper), I again printed my design (which is larger than what appears on the card) on a full sheet of paper, with crop marks where the cardstock should end. I then attached my cardstock to to the larger paper with repositionable tape. I printed my design again, and only the part of the design that I wanted ended up on the cardstock, the remainder printed on the larger paper.

Then it was simply a matter of gluing the completed palette to the front of the card. Yay! Another completed card!

Thanks for looking...

FAQ

I've gotten a bunch of questions regarding my Hawaiian Shirts as well as some of my other creations in my portfolio. I will try to answer them here...

• Where do you get your inspiration?
• Are the projects in your portfolio your own design?
• Do I have to enlarge the Hawaiian Shirt template or use
  it as is? How about if I am printing on 8.5" x 11" paper?
• Where do you get the paper for your Hawaiian Shirts?
• Where do you get the flowers for your Hawaiian Shirts?
  
• Can I use your Hawaiian Shirt Template in my card
  making class?
• Can I sell the Hawaiian Shirt cards? How about for charity?
• Can I get a copy of your other templates? (Updated!)
  
• What transparency film do you use to make your cards?
• How do you obtain such a nice crease on your
  transparency cards?
• How do you pronounce your last name?
  

Q: Where do you get your inspiration?

A: Everywhere! I buy/subscribe to a lot of craft magazines like Paper Crafts Magazine, Cards, Paper Trends, Stamper's Sampler as well as Making Memories' line of books. Fellow crafters are a great source of inspiration. I love Paper Crafts' and SplitCoastStampers' galleries! And I will often browse card stores to get ideas (look at the gift wrap section as well as the card section!). However, I also look at product packaging, catalogs (Pottery Barn!), websites, advertising, billboards, clothing, store displays, even architecture. And nature! There are tons of great color schemes in nature!

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Q: Are the projects in your portfolio your own design?

A: Everything in my portfolio is of my own design, unless otherwise stated. I always try to give credit if I use/modify someone else's template or pattern. I often incorporate store-bought elements, which of course, are not mine. The Hawaiian Shirt and Tuxedo cards I designed from scratch (with the exception of the mini roses on the tux).

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Q: Do I have to enlarge the Hawaiian Shirt template or use it as is? How about if I am printing on 8.5" x 11" paper?

A: Print the template at 100% to get a finished size of 5" x 4-3/8". This is the perfect size to hold a business card or gift card. This is also true for letter size paper.

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Q: Where do you get the paper for your Hawaiian Shirts?

A: I live in New Jersey and am fortunate enough to have a number of craft stores (Michaels, AC Moore and Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts) within driving distance. I got a lot of the paper for the shirts from Michaels and Jo-Ann's, as well as my LSS (Local Scrapbook Store).

(If you are inquiring about a specific paper, email me and I will send you the info.)

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Q: Where do you get the flowers for your Hawaiian Shirts?

A: The flowers are from Prima's Sweet N Sassy Floral Embellishments line. They come in little clear plastic jars (like vitamin bottles). I got them from my LSS. I have not seen them in either my local AC Moore, Michaels or Jo-Ann's.

Bonus Tip! If you can't find any paper flowers that are small enough for the shirts, try the silk flower section of your local craft store. Just look for any plant that has tiny flat flowers and simply take them apart by carefully pulling them off of their plastic stems. With some flowers, you may have to cut off the plastic stem from the back of the flower.

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Q: Can I use your Hawaiian Shirt Template in my card making class?

A: As long as you are not selling the cards themselves, and it is a general technique class (in other words, it is not a class designed entirely around my Hawaiian Shirt template), or if you are not charging for the class, go ahead! Just please give me credit for the design.

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Q: Can I sell the Hawaiian Shirt cards? How about for charity?

A: Please do not sell the cards that you make from my Hawaiian Shirt template (or any of my templates or patterns that I post on my blog). That is a copyright infringement. (See here for more info on U.S. copyright laws.) You may sell the cards if it is for not-for-profit only, and all proceeds go to the charity (i.e. you do not get a commission). Again, please give me credit for the design.

If you found one of my templates or patterns in a publication, please check the Publishers' Copyright Info (usually found near the beginning of the magazine) for the appropriate permissions. I know that Paper Trends and CARDS magazines do not allow commercial use of their projects, but Paper Crafts magazine does, with some limitations.

If you have any questions regarding other usage, please contact me.

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Q: Can I get a copy of your other templates?

A: Sorry, no. The only template that I am freely distributing at this time is my Hawaiian Shirt template. I have submitted most of my projects to various publications. So hopefully you will be able to obtain my instructions/templates there!

Updated to Add: I have added additional templates and patterns to my blog -- check out the "Downloads :: Patterns" section, as well as the "Tutorials" section in the box to the right. And check back often, as I will continue to add additional tutorials. Also, the template and complete instructions for my Tuxedo Card can be found in the Feb/March 2008 issue of Paper Trends magazine, as well online in their Idea Gallery.

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Q: What transparency film do you use to make your cards?

A: I use two different types of transparency film, both by 3M. If I am going to print on the transparency, I use 3M's Transparency Film for Ink Jet Printers (CG3480). This film has a textured, rough side for printing, that also gives the transparency film a slightly opaque look.

If I am not going to print on the transparency, I use 3M's Write-On Transparency Film (AF4300). This film is crystal clear, and also of a slightly lighter weight. I will sometimes use the Ink Jet transparency film, even if I am not printing on the film, just to take advantage of its heavier weight and/or slight opaqueness. (Yes! That's an actual word!)

Bonus Tip! When printing on transparencies, I flip my text/image to print backwards on the rough side of the film, and then flip the printed transparency so that I am using the smooth side for my card.

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Q: How do you obtain such a nice crease on your transparency cards?

A: First I score the transparency film using a ruler and a bone folder or a stylus. Then I fold the film on the score and crease with the bone folder. Hope this helps!

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Q: How do you pronounce your last name?

A: That's a funny question! But one that I get a lot. It rhymes with "grow." Just put an "S" in front of "grow" (one syllable, not two) and you've got my name! BTW, it is 100% Italian. Not shortened or anything. My husband's father's family is from Calabria, Italy.

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