Diggin' the Embossing Folders

Yep - diggin the folders.

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love the SU Embossing Folders. 

For about a week now I've been wanting to use the lattice folder to CASE a card from the main catalogue (C.A.S.E. = Copy And Share Everything).  It's funny how I came across the idea; 

Like any self-respecting SU Demonstrator I'm proud to say I have the catalogue committed to memory within days of it hitting my doorstep.  Having said that there is occasion when we have to admit we don't always truly internalize every single item and/or stamp set.  You know what I'm talking about - you see a project and ask the creator "where is that paper/stamp set/ribbon from".  You gasp when they say "it's in the catalogue!" and then you hang your head in shame. 

This is along the same lines of what happened to me.  I was going through the back page of the Sale-a-brations catalogue trying to decide which free item I wanted to choose.  I came across the "Engraved Greetings" stamp set.  The images in the set didn't immediately spring to mind (shame on me) so I headed to the main catalogue (page 182) and instantly ordered it.  Looking at the card kit they picture on the same page I realized I have all the tools to make a very similar card (and I really liked their card).

Lucky for my readers I was awakened by a sneezing cat at 2:30 this morning.  By 3:30 am I decided to give up trying to get back to sleep and headed to the craft room to try my new layout idea.  Wa-low! (Alicia phrase)  20 minutes later I had a quick, simple design that makes the PERFECT "guy" card (yes, it has been Craig approved!) 

 Very Vanilla / Early Espresso / Soft Suede

 Whisper White / Not Quite Navy

Very Vanilla / Rose Red

"How'd I do that?", I hear you cry.  Well!  I took the lattice embossing folder and a wooden rectangle square frame that I bought at the "M" store.  You take your Multipurpose platform and under Tab 2 you need to place a "shim" made from the backing of any 12x12 dseigner series paper (it is a thin cardboard but is thicker than a piece of cardstock).  Flip the flatform to Tab 1.  Place your wooden frame down then your lattice folder (with the card stock inside) and then the top, clear cutting pad.  Run it through the Big Shot.  The centre rectangle won't be embossed - that's where you stamp your sentiment (with the aid of your handy dandy stamp-a-ma-jig).  You then take your finger daubers and ink the lattice impression.  The embossing is so close together that the ink only colors the raised part leaving the vanilla (or whisper white) background its original color.  I'm not crazy about the Rose Red card but LOOOOVE the Early Espresso one (I daubed with Soft Suede).  I'll be keeping a stash of these on hand for "guy" birthdays - I'll also add it to my next Stamp-a-Stack projects!


Now ... on to my next project ...

Remember a few days ago I posted my "Love, Love, Love It" card?  The vintage "Bliss" card?  Remember I said I thought I should expore this new "vintage" style a little more?  Well, at 4:30 am I came up with this little beauty.  Yep - I'm hooked on vintage!

I used the same technique for this card as on the ones above but used the Vintage Wallpaper folder and offset the rectangle so the stamped image would be to the left of centre.  I then flipped the cs over and used the debossed side (the raised part is now on the back).  I used vanilla cs for the base and layer and espresso for the accent.  The main image is stamped in espresso and I daubed with Sahara Sand.  I added a few splashes of ink using my Spritzer tool - a bit with espresso and a bit with sahara sand.  I used the Espresso 5/8" grosgrain ribbon - cutting the edge off it and fraying it.  I was THRILLED with the color of the frayed part - it was very close to the sahara color (aren't I clever?)  Added a vintage brad (this is a MUST have product in your stash of embellishments!) and there you have it!  Another vintage success :)

  Here is a close up of the frayed ribbon (it also shows the spritzer splashes better):

Love it?  I do!

OK - off to play some more (I love Sundays!)  Have a fun day :)


Tam

2 Months Later ....

OK - so I seem to be on a bit of a kick to finish off projects that I started donkey's years ago.  Back in December I started making the girls their annual Christmas Decorations (each year I make them a special decoration of some sort so when they grow up and move away they will have ornaments for their trees - all handmade by Mommy).  I had them 95% done by December 24th but I hadn't quite gotten around to attaching the strings.  Last weekend I finally made time.  I went to the "M" store and found some bead-type-contraptions to hang from them (no - I didn't have any of the SU baubles).  3 hours later (it took me that long to string the blessed things onto the wire and hot glue the wire together so it would stay tied!  Jewellery making and/or bead thingies are NOT my forte!)
I'm more-or-less happy with how they turned out.  Of course now that I have about 20 hours invested in each one Alicia tells me she doesn't want an orange one so I guess I'll be making another one for her!  The purple one might have to be re-done - I don't like how the start at the bottom tilts to the left.  I think the wire is just a little too tight.  We'll see - I might take the "it's not perfect which adds to the charm" theory :)

I do like making these flowers - time consuming but really pretty.

Here is a card I made.   I think I'll use this one for my Easter card this year - minus the coloring of the tulips on the border.  A little OTT (over-the-top) in my opinion.  Sometimes you should leave well enough alone!

I'm off to the library with Alicia's class for their field trip today.  Sixty 5-year-olds ... EEK!  Wish me luck!


Tam

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!

This is now officially my favorite card of all time!!!  I think I have to explore this "vintage" style a little more!!

I used the Tulip embossing folder (mini) on Early Espresso paper.  I sponged the tulips with white Craft ink.  I used Crumb Cake for the layer and Vanilla for the front.  I stamped the flourish in Crumb Cake and used the Log Cabin Smooch Spritz - no!  I lie!!  I used my newly bought Spritz Tool (the Log Cabin smooch was WAY to much - I just wanted a LITTLE splotch).  I stamped the butterfly on vanilla cs in espresso ink and cut it out.  I attached it with a mini glue dot and used pearls on its body.  I tore my layers and used a dauber with espresso ink to age the paper a little more.  The ribbon is the vanilla satin with an antique brad (thanks Corina for reminding me how great this ribbon fold looks!). 

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!  As much as I love it I'm going to make it a again using the lace ribbon (on my next order!).  I think it will add to the vintage look even more.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!!

I have another couple of projects to post ... tune in tomorrow ....

:)


Tam

Workshop Cards

Happy Wednesday!

Not much goin' on around here today.  I finished what I NEEDED to do today - that was design 3 cards for a party I am doing on Friday.  I'm desperately trying to keep my party cards quick and simple - a challenge for me for sure!  I used my past cards for inspiration, tweaked them a bit to use current sets and SAB products and came up with 3 that I think the ladies will like.

The first one used the Flower Fancy 2-step stamping set.  I LOVE this set!  It is SO quick and easy to make a pretty card in seconds.  I used Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Always Artichoke and Pear Pizzazz.  These is a great card to make if you are stamping with children - they usually do it better than adults!

This card uses Concord Crush, Bring on the Cake set and the Manhattan Flower Embossing folder (I haven't used THAT in a while!).  I used a dauber to pull some color into the image and added a little bling.  SO quick!

This one is a little more whimsical.  It uses the Bring on the Cake set (I seem to be using that set on everything lately!) and SAB embellishments along with the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder.  Easy, easy, easy!

That's it for today!  I'm off to do a few chores before Peanut comes home from Kindergarten.  Have a happy day :)

Tam

A weekend of fun!

Happy Monday ... and Happy Valentine's Day!  I'll start off with a picture of the valentines the girls made for their class mates (ok ... they stamped the cards and signed their names ... I sat for 2 hours filling the sleeves with candy, punching the holes and threading the candy THROUGH the holes but let's not split hairs!)

I had a fun weekend of crafting.  Of course Sunday was spent finishing the Valentines (doesn't matter how early in the year I start these projects I'm always finishing them at the last minute!)  My technique class was Saturday - always fun and relaxing!  And Friday I was at the Teachers Conference for the Teaching Assistants and Support Staff.  It was held at my old school, Paul Kane High.  Wow - it felt sooo weird being back there after almost 30 years (hmmm - that doesn't make me feel old at ALL!)  Of course I had to find my old faded grad photo on the wall.  It seems like just a few years ago but it was 1985 - soooo hard to believe!  The afternoon was a fun, relaxing time.  I met some great, crafty ladies and we made some great projects.  Naturally I was still putting them together hours before the class but I just LOVE how the photo block turned out (and it honestly only took me about 15 minutes!)  I had fun adding the jewels and pearls to Alicia's pictures - it really jazzed the project up.  I can't wait to make more!

We also made these GREAT folders with (8) little note cards and envelopes.  I like to have a few of these on hand at all times for Hostess Gifts ...

That's it for today.  I guess my next projects will be Easter projects.  We only have 2 months to go - to the craft room!

Enjoy the great weather - tomorrow it's back to -10 ...


:)  Tam

Crosses of Hope

Heido Ho Gals! 

Thought I'd skipped the country?  Nope - just busy getting ready for my Teacher's Convention class tomorrow.  As usual I was busy designing the projects up until last night :)  I am now done, packed and ready to roll.  I found myself with an hour to spare before Rebecca came home from school so I thought I would take the opportunity to design my third project for my technique class this Saturday night (hope you can come!).  Here it is:

Isn't it pretty??!!  I LOVE how it turned out - and it was soooo simple!  I used the new Tulip embossing folder, Pink Pirouette paper, Pretty in Pink Taffeta ribbon and silver embossing.  I used the Crosses of Hope set along with Fabulous Phrases for the sentiment.  I WANTED to use the "God Bless You" sentiment that comes with the Crosses of Hope set but I realized when I went to use it that I had THROWN IT AWAY!!!  I obviously missed punching the rubber piece out and threw it away.  Grrrrr.  I'm so mad at myself!!  Alas - the "Celebrate" works as well for a Baptism card (which is what I was wanting) so I guess it's "all good".

Right - I'm off for cofee with friends and gymnastics.  Hope you have a fun day - check back on the weekend when I'll post my projects from Convention.


Tam

Yummy Gift Card Holder

Happy Tuesday!

Up and at 'em early this morning.  The girls are off school for "Faith Development Day".  I'm not sure if that's for THEM to develop their faith or the teachers ... I'm going with the teachers as the girls are currently playing Barbies and the only thing they are developing is a mess! (hee hee - I crack me up!)

Any whooooo - on with today's project (I seem to be on a roll lately!)

Here is a cute little gift card holder I made for our niece who is turning 15 on Friday.  I used the Top Note Die (I never thought I would use this die as much as I do - I now encourage everyone with the Big Shot to get it!), "Eat Chocolate" and "Bring on the Cake" stamp sets; Chocolate Chip and Pink Pirouette markers and ink, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, 1", 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches.  I used my markers to color directly on the stamp for the chocolates along the bottom.  Tombow Glue holds the half-top note on the inside and it's all held together with the 5/8" chocolate chip brad.  So simple - love it!

Have a great day!!

Tam