I wanted to make a springy card, so used a background size die and pulled the “guts” out of it and colored them with Prismacolor and Caran ‘dache watercolor pencils then liquefied them. The Prismacolors were light peach, blush pink, carmine red, and pink. The Caran ‘dache were Granite Rose, Raspberry Red, and Rose Pink.  The colors did not come out very dark the first time, so I waited for them to dry, and repainted them to get a more vibrant color, by using a combination of the same colors.
I used white Recollections 110 lb card stock for my card base and cut it the 5 1/2″ tall by 4 1/4″ wide. I used a new Tonic wet glue to glue my background die to the card base.
I cut three different flower dies in pink, and colored them with three Touch Five markers in 7, 16 and 137.
In the strips left behind on the background die, I added tear tape in the slots, then added some wet glue in the corners of the slots with micro brushes I bought at Aliexpress to ensure the strips stayed where they were glued.
I  cut a leafy die in green card stock, and used a darker green alcohol marker to make it darker. I also colored a hello die cut with the same green marker.
I took the flowers I colored and helped make them look realistic, by laying the flowers on fun foam and using a stylus, rubbed the petals from inside near the center of the flower to leaf tip and added a light pink pearl to the center of each flower. I used Pretty in Pink ink from Stampin Up on a sentiment for the inside of the card, then a peg stamp (www.pegstamps.com) and used a jagged petal flower and a fern stamped in Always Artichoke ink from Stampin’ Up.

My sister has always loved St. Patrick’s Day, so I like to make a card for her.  I had a great time making a pretty frisky card (if I must say so myself.)  I found some great embellishments at Joanns, and as soon as I saw them, I knew what the card would look like.  OK, I had an idea, more like a spark of an idea, for the look of the card.

I’m so glad that the card is done a little in advance of St. Patrick’s Day, so I’ll actually get the card in the mail and to her home on time.  It’s almost shocking to me when that happens, as I’m not really prompt when it comes to getting cards mailed on time.  I have good intentions, but my follow through isn’t always the greatest.  This might be the year for timeliness….we can always hope.

We got our taxes done, and if I was a nail biter, I’d have bitten my nails to the quick.  I was fretting the entire time.  Did I have all the papers I needed, would she ask me something I didn’t know, did I do everything this year that she told me to do last year when we met?  The list in my head went round and round.  Luckily, crisis averted for another year.

It did give me time to think, though, when I was trying to take my mind off of taxes.  I need to make a mini album for friends, and a St. Patrick’s Day card for my sister, and I’ve promised a couple viewers that I would make cards for them, and I’ve been trying to think of things to do for them….so something good did come out of the whole tax experience.  I can’t tell you how relieved I feel when we walk out their door.  I just want to buy myself a big “great job on those taxes” treat.  Do they make those kinds of treats?  If not, they definitely should.

 

I basically spent all day travelling back and forth to Pittsburgh, to go to my rheumatologist.  I really like going there, as there’s a great bakery not far from her office, as well as a really big Dollar Tree.  You have to love a place where you can find a great bakery and a Dollar Tree not far from each other!

I bought some toys for the dogs and a bunch of treats, so they were really happy to see us when we got home.  I always love to see them so excited when they see new treats or toys, and it makes the long trip worthwhile.

Tomorrow is the worst day of the year for me.  We’re going to get our taxes done.  I have no reason to dread doing it, other than I fret that I lost or forgot to bring important paperwork.  And to be totally honest with you, I went to college to become and accountant.  I spent my internship doing taxes and I think it warped me for life.  I definitely knew I would rather do almost anything than be an accountant, so at least it saved me from a nervous breakdown, living and breathing taxes for almost four months out of every year.  Just think how one day of taxes messes with my head.  If I was an accountant I’d start crying in December, and wouldn’t stop until way after April 15th.  Lucky I found my calling in banking…no taxes involved.

 

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.