I found this pop out swing card on Dawn’s Stamp Thoughts YouTube channel. I started with a card base that was a normal A2 size card, 5 1/2″ tall by 4 1/4″ wide. I layered designer paper over the front that’s 5 1/4 x 4″. and only put glue around the edges, as I’m cutting out the center of it with a square die and want to remove the designer paper from the square. I used glitter paper and put a butterfly die on it and ran it through my die cutting machine. To make this work, you have to lay the die, cut side facing the glitter side of the paper.  I put a square die in the center of the card base to cut it out, and used the same square die to cut a piece of the glitter paper. I found another die that looks like a postage stamp, that has the same inside cut-out as the square die, then laid it on the opening of the glitter paper that I’d just cut with the square die, and cut it out to make a frame.
I laid the postage stamp frame on the outside of the square opening on the card base to make it look more finished.  I added a piece of vellum behind the butterfly die, traced it with a stylus and cut it out, and glued it to the back of the butterfly, then trimmed it so it looked better.
I used a piece of the same cardstock and cut it to 4 1/2″ tall  x 6 ” long and putting it in the score board on the 6″ length, score it at 2″ and 4″. The far right piece lays flat, then the center piece folds back toward the right piece, then the left piece fold back on itself like a zig zag. I stamped ferns on the center panel before gluing it down.
I used a Stampin’ Up stamp set called Butterfly Basics for my sentiments and ferns. Once you put the card base through the die cutter, you’ll use the square that came out (remove the patterned paper), and stamp the sentiment on the right side of the square and glue your butterfly to the left side. Make sure the butterfly lays so you can open the card. Only glue the parts of the butterfly that are inside the square, otherwise the card won’t open. I used Taken with Teal ink from Stampin’ Up for my sentiments. I stamped another sentiment on the right side of the three part fold, and I recommend you do that before it’s glued to the card. When you are ready to glue the tri fold piece to the card base, you’ll want to put tear tape on the back section and holding it to the inside of the card and making sure the right edge of the tri fold is outside of the square on the right side of the square and centered from top to bottom of the card, lay it down and it should be glued in place. Then to glue the square to it, I closed the card and put tear tape on all of the tri fold that I could see, then laid the square on top and pressed it in place. I didn’t glue the butterfly to it until after this step.
I glued my butterfly too far to the left, so will need to make my own envelope, as it won’t fit into a regular sized envelope unless I would fold the butterfly to the back of the card, thus ruining the look of the butterfly.
I had cut a few other butterflies out with a die and glued them to the card, then stamped my stamp on the back of the card.

I want to stay on top of my videos, so made another card today.  I have to upload another one, so I’m always one video ahead of Rich.  Funny, I’m writing this twelve hours later and I can’t remember what the card looks like.  OK, it finally came to me, after sitting here staring at the computer screen for five minutes.  Yes, I realize I could have walked into my craft room and quickly looked at the card, but that’s not really my style, now is it?

I thought it would be fun to make an inlaid die cut card with three-d flowers and leaves on top.  I thought it came out fine, maybe could have looked better, but I’m probably my worst judge of quality.  I guess that’s just how it goes.

I got a really sweet email from Jane, (the lady that sent the box of goodies.)  I had sent her the thank you card with rainbow colors and stars all around the sentiment.  She was so thrilled with the card, and said she’s putting it on her mantle…She said it was like getting a card from your mentor and went on to say many more wonderful things.  Notes like that really make YouTube worthwhile for me.  I was thrilled that she liked her card, although it was nothing compared to the great box of goodies she sent me.

I had been watching videos for a pop swing card, and really liked it.  OK, I’m not really sure that’s the name of it, but we’ll go with it for now.  I had seen a couple of crafters make it, and they were using metric measurements, and I’m too lazy to do the conversion, so nixed those videos.  I finally found one that I could use, and made it today.  I have to say, it was one of the easiest fun fold cards I’ve ever made.

I also decided to add some embellishments that I die cut..Butterflies..One large one that I used a glitter paper on, and then backed it with vellum.  I really liked the look of it once I added the vellum, and sometimes all it takes is something simple like that, to really add big impact to a card.  I’ve seen other crafters take a simple card and make it stand out, just by using a few sequins or some Wink of Stella.  Unfortunately, Wink of Stella is so hard to show on video.  I’ve watched others try to show it on video, but most have the same issues as I have.  In real life, you can see the glitter, but the lighting we use, almost kills the chances of showing it on video.  I might try shining less lights on cards with Wink of Stella, to see if that would make a difference.  If you have an idea that you’ve seen or heard to help, I’d love to know.

I watched MayMay make a curtain fold card and thought I could do it. Below are all of the dimensions you’ll need to make this card.

I used a 11″ scored at 5 1/2″ tall by 4 1/4″ wide white Recollections heavy weight card stock  for my card base.

You’ll need a piece of double sided card stock that you cut to 11 1/2″ long by 4″ tall. Once it’s cut, you’ll want to put it in your paper trimmer so the right side of your paper is lined up on the 1″ mark to the right of your cutting bar, and your left edge is lined up with the 1″ mark to the left of your cut bar.  This gives you the ability to create two curtain cards with this paper.  You need to score this on the 11 1/2″ length at 1″, 2 1/2″, 3 1/4″ 4 3/4″,        5 3/4″, 7 1/4″, 8″, 9 1/2″, and 10 1/4″. Which of the patterns you prefer to be the primary pattern for the curtain, have it face up and make your first fold (on the widest section of paper) folded down and under, then the next fold is up, the next is down, like a valley and mountain or a zig zag fold.  Once it’s been folded, put wet glue inside the folds on the top and bottom and make sure you use a bone folder so the folds are flat on the top and bottom.

You’ll need two additional patterns of paper that look good with your curtain paper. One piece that is 2″ tall x 4″ wide, and one that is 4″ wide x 5 1/4″ tall. You’ll glue the 2 x 4″ piece on the top of the 4 x 5 1/4″ paper and you’ll glue your curtain directly below the 2 x 4″ piece, so they are butted together. I added a 1/2″ wide ribbon over the spot where the curtain meets the top paper. The ribbon should be 5″ long, and you’ll tape it to the back of the paper and wrap it around the front of the card.  Then tape it to the back on the other side, and add a little glue under the ribbon.  It should be half on the curtain and half on the top paper. I added three buttons that I threaded embroidery thread through and glued down with hot glue in a straight line on the ribbon. I added my sentiment that was from Rubbernecker (www.rubberneckerstamps.com) on a die cut of white paper using a die from Aliexpress, and glued above the ribbon toward the right of the card. I used tape runner to adhere the curtain paper to the top folded card base.
I used a peg stamp on the inside of the card and another called Triple Delicious Flower on the envelopes with Night of Navy ink from Stampin Up. http://www.pegstamps.com.

I need to make a small album for friends who are in the process of building a “retirement” house for themselves.  I thought it would be a nice housewarming gift for them as they’ve been taking photos from the beginning with an empty lot, to now, when they are almost finished building.  I give them a lot of credit, as I wouldn’t have the patience for building a house…We’ve remodeled some rooms, namely our kitchen, and would never do that again.  I always tell people that rather than remodel their kitchen, they should just buy a house with a kitchen they like, as it’s a lot less hassle.  Our kitchen with a remodeled room next to it, took five months….Yes, I said five months.  I didn’t change any plans or add to the project, it was just a big nightmare from beginning to end.  But now we’re off the topic.

I found a really easy flip book album and think that’s what I’ll be using for my album…easy and fast, and the only time consuming portion is decorating it.

I need to make a couple more fun fold cards.  I made one (the video should go live tomorrow), and I forgot how much I love making them, and how easy and cute they are to make.  I think I’m a better card maker when all I have to do is score and fold, rather than come up with an artistic design.  I’ve got a couple of ideas and if those work out, I’ll be posting a lot of videos in the next few weeks to make up for the lack of videos last week…

 

I got a great box of goodies from my friend Jane, as well as a terrific haul of stamp/die/stencil sets.

I bought a bunch of pens from pegstamps.com (Rubber Stamp Tapestry.)

Then from Ebay:

Mama Elephant SC0767 animals and dies

Sizzix Crazy Dogs with dies and an embossing folder
Stampers Anonymous flowers with stencils THMM107
Hero Arts Joy
Hero Arts Colored Layering Goldfish
Ranger Little Birdies MDZ 495498
From Inspired by Stamping:
Stripes
Birthday Greetings
Seaside Sentiments

Then I showed all of the things that Jane sent me, and she was very generous with the goodies she sent. She knows I’m going to share my goodies with my friend Abby, and it’s encouraging me to pass along more of my duplicates and stamps/papers/embellishments.

I spent the day running errands, and got almost nothing accomplished.  I did get my hair cut, so that’s one thing to check off of my to-do list, but otherwise, really didn’t get much done.

We went shopping for new recliners for our sun room.  I spend almost all of my time there (as do the dogs), so it’s important our chairs are comfortable (the dogs don’t sit in them).  We remodeled that room ten or eleven years ago, and the Laz-Boy chairs we bought haven’t held up very well.  It seems like the seat on my chair is tilting to one side.  It’s not really noticeable until you sit in it for long periods of time.  Thus my issue.  I spend a lot of time there, as I respond to all comments in that chair, as well as research projects I’d like to try.  We sat in a bunch of chairs at a big furniture store, but none of them were just right.  (I’m referring to Goldilocks and her problem with the beds she tried out.)  I wish I would have seen a chair that was perfect and also had an alternative to the bar on the side of the chair that you use to recline and pull the foot rest up.  I used to be able to pull the bar, but was bummed when I couldn’t do it today.  I guess I’m destined for electric controls, as the old Laz-Boys had chairs that you simply pushed back, and the foot rest popped up, and you could recline.  I guess they don’t make that type any more, so I’m stuck…I may look into another line of chairs, but we’ve always bought Laz-Boys because of their durability.  If any of you know of another line of recliners that are comfortable, durable, and easy to recline, please let me know.  I’m on a mission to find the perfect one.  This Goldilocks isn’t going to rest until she finds one that’s just right.

February really flew by.  I can’t believe that it’s March 1st tomorrow…  Today I got inspired once my video went live, and so many people wrote notes about how they had missed seeing me, and hoped I was feeling better.  I felt well enough to do a haul video today.  I must shop when I don’t feel well, because the mailman has been delivering me all kinds of fun packages, and you know I love packages.  I had also gotten a nice box of goodies from one of my viewers, and wanted to share that on a video as well.  I have the best viewers, so kind and generous.  I’d mentioned on one video that my friend Cora, who made my new sign, has a twelve year old daughter whose very crafty.  The lady that sent the box, said I could share any repeats with this young crafter.  How wonderfully kind.  I now have a box of items from her gift, as well as any stamps, dies, inks, that I own that might be repeats, and her box is filling more and more every day.

I’m hoping I’ll finish another video before I call it a day.  I saw curtain fun fold cards, and decided I needed to make one, so that’s my next plan.  I also saw several people make a small Easter basket, and I think I’m going to give that a try as well.  The baskets I saw were pretty complicated, but I found the same basket, simplified, and I think I’ll give it a whirl.  Probably not tonight, as I’ve been trying to take all of the new stamp sets and put them into cd cases, and organize them first.  I have a tendency to let those kinds of things pile up, and then I have hours worth of work to put them away.  I much prefer doing a few at a time so I don’t have hours of work ahead of me.  Unfortunately, I have a ton of things to put away.  Drat!  I talk a good game about organizing, but don’t really have good follow through.  Maybe that’s a plan for next year, or the year after, haha.

I wanted to make a thank you card for my friend Jane, for sending me a box of goodies. (I’ll make sure to show you the goodies in my next video.) I used a thank you stamp (in several different languages) from Purple Onion Designs, and placed it in the MISTI to ink it with Versamark ink. I used clear embossing powder and heat set the image, then watercolored with Vivica Color Sheets with paper attached with painters’ tape to a plastic cutting board I bought at the Dollar Tree. I colored over the thank you design with a rainbow order of colors then waited for it to dry and then wiped the letters to make sure any color that might discolor them would be wiped off. I trimmed the image out and made a 1/8″ border, then put it on a turquoise blue background that was 1/8″ wider than my image.
I used a Dylusions small Star stencil and pressed Distress inks into the stencil that was taped to a 5 x 7″ white card base. I used candy apple red, spiced marmalade, salty ocean, twisted citron and wilted violet inks. I used my 1″ chip brushes from Harbor Freight Liquidators to brush the ink into the stencil. I only colored around the edges of the stencil as my thank you design will take up a large portion of the center of the card base. I used tear tape on the back of the thank you design and adhered it to the center of the card and used a Rubbernecker stamp on the inside of the card and a stamp from Peg Stamps called three open stars to stamp inside the card and on the envelope. I used all five distress inks to stamp the card and envelope.

I started to really fret about YouTube last night, so I finished the card I’ve been working on for it seems like forever.  I’ve ripped that card apart and tried at least four-five different techniques (they all looked terrible) and finally found an idea that I liked that worked.  I finished the card and the video, and today Rich has been editing it and we should have a video go live tonight.  I really hope we’re able to get it online and am crossing my fingers that we do.

I have some ideas for future cards, including one that looks like a curtain, as well as some cards using scraps.  I always like finding new and different ways to use scraps, and know all of you do too.  I hope that I’ll feel like making some cards and videos tomorrow and am planning on doing so currently.  I also got a box of goodies from a viewer and want to share those on a video.  I like showing others the nice things that I’ve been given, and hope you like to watch these types of videos, almost like a haul.  Let me know if you’d rather not see them, as I really value your feedback.

Thanks for the kind notes I’ve been getting related to my health.  I can’t ask for better viewers and readers of this blog. You are all so great to me, and I can’t thank you enough for your patience and kindness…