Thursday, July 31, 2014

Something for Baby - Card-in-a-Box Tutorial

Happy Thursday!

Busy day of playdates today! 

Today I wanted to show off one of my favorite "cards" of all time.  It goes by a few different names - a Card-in-a-Box or a Pop-Up-Card.  I put off making one of these for a looooooooong time figuring life is WAY too short to fiddle around with one ... but every now and then you need a REALLY special card for a REALLY special person on a REALLY special occasion.  This is THAT kind of a card.  Check it out:
LOOOOVE it!  I used the Lullaby DSP and the Something for Baby stamp set and the coordinating "Baby's First" Framelits.  See the floating Hearts?  I used 1/2" x 2 1/2" strips of window sheets (or overhead projector sheets) and attached them with glue dots.  They "wave" when you open the card.

Hmmm -  Now that I think about it I DID post another one of these cards back in May, for my FILs 80th Birthday.  Remember this one?

Grandpa loved it!

These cards are bigger than what will fit in a standard envelope.  No problem!  I whipped out my Envelope Punch Board and made my own out of DSP - rediculously easy!!  I used a Splitcoast Stamper Tutorial for this particular size.  Click here to access that.  I also made up a cheat sheet for my class so my stampers could make more at home easily.  Here is what they got:

Card-in-a-Box

 
Step 1:  Cut 12”x12” cardstock to 8.5”x12”.  Score at 2.75”, 5.5”, 8.25”, and 11”
Step 2:  Cut off 2” x 12” strip and set aside.  This will be used later.
Step 3:  Turn the 6.5” x 12” panel a quarter turn to the left, and score at 2.75”
Step 4:  Cut down 2.75” to this score line along each of the 4 perpendicular score lines.
At the 11” score line, cut in at a slight angle up from the edge of the cardstock to remove the excess above the score line and create a tab.
Step 5:  Cut the 2” x 12” strip at 4.75” from the end with the 1” score line.  Cut the strip in half the long way to create two strips 1” x 4.75”
Assemble box and attach 1” strips to the inside and decorate

OK - gotta fly - taxi service calls!  Pop in again soon!  Until then - have a stampy day :)


Tam

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Moustache Fun

Happy Wednesday!

OK - no time to chat this week - I'm just gunna throw out my posts so I can get caught up and get on with current crafting!

Check out these AWESOME little treats:
LOVE them!!  I made these for my club girls' treats last month.  SO quick and easy!  I cracked off 30+ of them in about half an hour.  I used the new Moustache Thinlit and then punched a hole in them with my 1/8" handheld punch (did you notice SU brought back the handheld punches??  AND that they are "deep reach"??  Check them out on page 223!!)  The hole is JUST big enough to snugle slide the handle of a lollipop in it and it will stay in place.  I'm spending my evenings making 90 more of these for the 1st day of school - 30 for the teacher's lounge with "Have a Fun Year" card, and 30 for each of the girls' new classmates.  Quick, easy and KEY-UTE!!

Thanks for popping in.  Until tomorrow - have a stampy day!


Tam

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Blendabilities - I Like You

Happy Tuesday!!!

Wow - it has been WEEKS since I last posted!  Sorry about that!  I was on a bit of a roll with posting from my laptop ... then I realized when I post I need to have the "Designed by" and copyright blurb on each picture.  I've been having a heck of a time trying to do that from my laptop ... so I've given up.  Back to my trusty desktop ... but of course that's not as easy or convenient ... so I'm WAAAAY behind!  I'll be posting a few swacks for the next few days so pop on by to check them out!

Today I wanted to post this little cutie.  I had a little fun a few weeks ago playing with my new Blendabilities markers - this is what I put together:
Fun!!  I learned a lot by watching all those videos that I posted while I was on holidays.  I'm getting MUCH better results by doing small areas of color at a time - they blend SO much better!  I'm going to be using this card for my upcoming "Product Included" Class in August.  If you're on my e-mail list check out your messages for detais on that.  You can also check it out on my FaceBook page "Tamara's Paper Trail" ... pop on over there, "Like" my page and follow my posts - I'm MUCH more regular there than I am here!

For this card I used the "I Like You" Hostess set.  I stamped the image and sentiment in the Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with my Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive Blendabilities.  You can't see it well in the picture but I also colored the rhinestones with one of the Daffodil Delight Blendabilities.  Yes - you can color ANY of the SU accessories with this markers to get custom colored ones!  Rhinestones, pearls, buttons ... anything you like in the color of your choice!  That just tripled the value of these affordable markers!

The DSP I used is the "Moonlight" paper stack (only $8.50 for 48 double sided sheets!!!)  It's a quick and easy card that is great to practice those new markers on.

Thanks for popping in after being MIA for so long!  Until next time - have a stampy day!


Tam

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Double Slider Tutorial

Happy Sunday!

Did anyone sleep last night??  Did you SEE the size of that bright, beautiful full moon??  Amazing!  Normally I wouldn't be awake to see it but last night I was up late - I picked my parents up from the airport.  They just got back from their River Cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam.  They were gone for 2 1/2 weeks.  It was SOOOO great to see them!  This is the longest I've ever gone without talking to them!    I have told them under no uncertain terms that they can't ever leave the country for that long again *lol*.

Having travelled a lot in my life I know what it's like to come home after a full day of travel (theirs was 24 hours!!) so I spend yesterday picking up some food (and flowers) for their return so they don't have to go ANYwhere for at least a day.  It's going to take them a few days to get back on "Canada time".  I whipped up a quick "menu" for them (so they knew what was in the fridge before dialling for pizza!) using my MDS system.  I've said it before and I'll say it again - I'm really loving MDS!  No, I don't use it often … and I don't scrapbook or make cards with it … but I AM using it for more and more "other" projects like this one.  It took me minutes to create:

So!  Today I thought I'd get around to posting that tutorial I promised you for my Double Slider card:

See my post earlier this week for the "recipe" of supplies and colours I used.

I DID take pictures while creating it … but a) they aren't great pictures and b) they are on my camera which is alllll the way over there and I'm too lazy to get off the couch so instead I'll just post the link for the Splitcoast Stampers tutorial that I followed to create mine!  Here is the link:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/double_slider_card/

Beate Johns does a great job of explaining it but it took me a while to "get it" - to understand the concept.  In order to help you with that let me just mention one thing.  THE CARD DOES NOT OPEN!  That one simple concept helped me understand which way was "up" and which way was down.

Here is Beats's tutorial for this card:

Supplies

  • Stamps
  • Word Window tool punch
  • 1/2" circle punch
  • Dimensional
  • Glue dots
  • Sticky Strip™
  • Regular adhesive
  • Ink
  • One 4 1/4" x 11" piece of cardstock, scored at 5 1/2" for card base (Always Artichoke)
  • One 2" x 3 1/2" piece of neutral cardstock for front slider
  • One 3 1/2" x 5" piece of neutral cardstock for back slider
  • One 3" x 3 1/2"piece of neural cardstock for main image
  • Cardstock scraps for layering


  • Step 1

    Stamp and decorate all neutral cardstock. Layer on colored cardstock if desired. 

    The main image will be shown in full, but only the tops of the sliders will show. 
  • Step 2 (Optional)

    Add a background to the card front.
  • Step 3

    Slide the Word Window punch in from the card front's long side until it doesn't go any further and punch.

    (Note from Tamara:  no - it doesn't matter if the fold line is facing up or down and it doesn't matter which side you punch)
  • Step 4

    Move the punch over a bit and punch again. You will have made a slot approximately 1 1/2 times the original length of the punch. Repeat on the other side to create two equal, parallel slots on the card front.

    (Note from Tamara:  Don't make the slits too long - leave about 1 1/2" from both the top and the bottom)
  • Step 5

    Punch out four circles from scrap cardstock with the 1/2" circle punch.

  • Step 6

    Add a dimensional on two circles.
  • Step 7

    Position the circles at the bottom of each slot behind the card front.
  • Step 8

    Add the last two cardstock circles on top of the dimensionals.
  • Step 9

    Open the card. Center the back slider in the middle of the card and line up the top of the slider and top of the card. 

    Make sure that the image is facing you. 

    Add a glue dot to the 1/2" circles. 

    (Note from Tamara".  Note that the "card" is open.  This is crucial.  To help you understand this step … you are positioning the flowered layer so it is RIGHT at the TOP of the inside of the "card".  Once you put the glue dots on the sliding circles you close the card and the slider will be in position)
  • Step 10

    Fold the card. The back slider will adhere to the 1/2" circles. 
  • Step 11

    Close the card, and add a glue dot to each 1/2" circle on the front of the card. 
  • Step 12

    Center the front slider over the 1/2" circles.

    Make sure the main image will still cover the front slider! 
  • Step 13

    Add a dimensional to each corner of main image's back. 
  • Step 14

    Position the main image over the front slider. Make sure the slider won't be stopped by one of the dimensionals.
  • Step 15

    Reopen card and add Sticky Strip™ (or the new Fast Fuse tape!!) to both long sides of the card. Peel off liner of the Sticky Strips™. Close card to adhere.

    Step 16

    Add a little tab to pull up the card. I used one of the punch outs from the card front. 
    So there you have it.  I used this basic tutorial for my card but played around with the sizes of the layers - adding some mats as I went along.  If I were to do it again I would stick to smaller layers so the card slides easier.  


    That's it for today.  I'm off to walk my doodle dog.  Have a fantastic, stampy day!


    Tam

    Friday, July 11, 2014

    Promotions

    Happy Friday!

    Can't chat ... mainly because my cat is sleeping on my lap and left arm so it's hard to type with one hand *lol*

    I wanted to post all the promotions and new sets that are available at the moment.  My next order goes in Tuesday - e-mail me or order on line!

    New items have been added to the Clearance Rack … check them out - only while supplies last!
    All $13.50 DSPs are on promo!
    LOVE this new stamp set/fonts so much I can't STAND it!!!
    Christmas in July!
    A new Photopolymer set - the "girl" version "Cutie Pie" sold out in a month!

    This has been available for a month already but I just got it yesterday and love it so much I had to share:
    K … I'm off to walk the dog … pop in again!  Until then, have a stampy day!!


    Tam


    Thursday, July 10, 2014

    Traveller Double Slider Card

    Happy Thursday!

    Wow - Thursday already??  When did THAT happen???  Must be summer!  Actually … I know why the days are going by so quickly - Alicia keeps sleeping 11-13 HOURS a night … getting up around 11:00 am every day.  That means we don't get "rolling" until after noon most days!  Makes for short outings before the dinner prep begins!

    OK - I'll share a PICTURE of the card I am now happy with … but I don't have the instructions done yet … so you'll have to wait for that.  I just don't want you to think I've given up on card making in the last 2 months!!  So without further adeau, I give you my Double Slider card:

    Love it!  I made it for my parents, who were away in Europe on a River Cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam.  I thought this would be a fun "welcome home"card.  I used lots of fun sets to make this one.  I used my "World Map" stamp for the main background, in Early espresso (on Crumb Cake cs) and also used my Open Sea set for the top-layer background.  I used Sahara sand ink to stamp the "log book" image and globe image - then Soft Suede for the compass and anchor images.  The suitcases are stamped from one of my newest sets "Traveller", stamped in Soft Suede on Very Vanilla cs and "fussy cut" with my paper snips.  I used my new In Color sequins and silver Baker's Twine, lots of dimensionals and glue dots.  I love how it turned out.

    I am teaching this card (as well as a Card-in-a-Box card) this week so I'll have a tutorial done by Friday night and will post it this weekend.  Pop in again soon to check that out.  Until then …. have a stampy day!


    Tam

    Tuesday, July 8, 2014

    New Photopolymer Stamp Sets

    Happy Tuesday!

    *Sigh* … another sleepless night.  I really must check the full moo schedule because the last 2 nights I've been awake from 2:00 am on.  I managed to go back to sleep yesterday from 6:00 am - 9:00 am but not so lucky today.  As of 5:41 am today not only was I up, but Rebecca AND Alicia were also up.  That's going to make for a looooong day!  Oh well - at least everyone will be dressed and fed before the usual of NOON!  (of course one or two of us might be a *little* cranky!!)

    Never mind!  Onwards and upwards … I have a card 90% done .. well, it's *done* but needs a bit of tweaking so I don't have it to show yet .. stay tuned for that another day.  Today I wanted to do a quick post of two new Photopolymer sets that have been released.  Oh ya … I'm SO gunna order this one on my next order!!!  LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!
    This is another new one.  It's likely to sell out fast just like the "female" version "Sweetie Pie" did!
    This set was extremely popular and sold out, but has been brought back!!  Great fonts and versatile sentiments!

     … and this one was released early June … mine should arrive today - SO KEY-UTE
    Right! No sense wasting time!  Gunna pop a banana bread in the oven and do my workout.  I feel a productive (albeit tired!) day ahead!

    Until next time - have a stampy day!


    Tam

    Sunday, July 6, 2014

    7 Rules of Stampin' Up! Blendabilities Markers by May Fish

    Happy Sunday!

    I wanted to round off the Blendabilities videos with one made by stamping guru Mary Fish.  I totally agree with #7!

    Have a stampy day!


    Tam

    Saturday, July 5, 2014

    How to Blend an Ombre Look with Blendabilities

    Happy Saturday!

    I love this look!

    Pop in again tomorrow.  Until then - have a stampy day!


    Tam

    Friday, July 4, 2014

    How to Blend with the Color Lifter and Blendabilities

    Happy Friday!

    I like this method of blending ...

    Itching to try them yourself?  Don't worry - I'll be holding a class on them soon enough :)

    Have a stampy day!


    Tam

    Thursday, July 3, 2014

    How to Blend the Pleasant Poppies Stamp with Blendabilities

    Happy Thursday!

    Ready for more blending? Here ya go!

    Come back tomorrow.  Until then … have a stampy day!


    Tam

    Wednesday, July 2, 2014

    How to Blend the Snapshot Stamp with Blendabilities

    Happy Wednesday!

    29 degrees today so we're off for some watermark fun.

    Here is another way to blend.

    Enjoy your day whatever you get up to!  Until tomorrow - have a stampy day!


    Tam

    Tuesday, July 1, 2014

    How to Blend a Floral Image with Blendabilities

    Happy Canada Day!

    It's supposed to be 26 degrees today so we'll likely head out to the park to take in some of the festivities :)

    I've been busy over the last few months purging and organizing the girls' rooms and toys … I'm thrilled to say I'm 95% there … today should finish it!  I'm also busy cutting, packaging and delivering my ribbon share packages so I don't suspect I'll be creating much this week.  Fear not!  I have 5 videos to share on using the Blendabilities.  Like Carrie stated in yesterday's video, there is no right or wrong way to use them.  These 5 videos were made by different SU staff members on how THEY blend.  Enjoy!

    Pop in again tomorrow for another video.  Until then, have a stampy Canada Day!


    Tam