An "A" for the Teacher

It's back to school time across the country and what better way to show appreciation to your child's teacher than with a handmade card. This is not just any card - it's in the shape of a pencil that is actually a box of treats. The complete directions for this pencil and other treat cups are available at The Cutting Café. This online shop is a treasure trove of stamps - digital and photopolymer, as well as
print files and cutting files designed by Regina Easter. Regina is one very clever designer and paper crafter.

I downloaded the files and printed the sheet of directions. I also viewed the video on how to assemble the box and card so they form one unit. And best of all? Your recipient will not have to tear the card apart to enjoy the treat because on the inside flap of the card front is a sliding door that gives access. Such a great idea!

Although I did my own, included is a collection of sentiments and greetings. And there is a template for a box that is perfectly sized for presenting this card to the recipient.

The colors I chose were directed more for a male teacher but it could also go to a woman. Take a look at the Treat Cup Templates that are available individually or bundled and the video. The inside of the card was decorated with a strip of coordinating plaid paper to leave sufficient space for a note.

Be sure to visit The Cutting Café Blog for lots of creative ideas and inspiration. Thank you, Regina, for inviting me to be a guest on your Design Team!

Materials:
Stamp: Stampin' Up! Tiny Tags ("4 You")
Ink: Stampin' Up! Island Indigo and a black journaling pen
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Island Indigo; green from stash
DSP: Lawn Fawn Plaid Stack
Dies: Simon Says Stamp Dot Circles
Misc.: Hemp by Hemptique, Studio G metallic adhesive studs, foam tape, m&m candy, Sizzix TIEF (diagonal), Window acetate

Watercolored Birthday Wishes

8/24/2016 Update: This card was a Favorite for the Week at Splitcoast Stampers.

8/23/2016 Update: My card won Honorable Mention at Watercooler Wednesday #81!

Having lived in Florida for a long time, I am very familiar with the Hibiscus. The flower grows in many colors and there are more than 600 species. It is also the Hawai'i State Flower and grows abundantly in temperate zones around the world. I have a few in my yard here in Arizona. This stamp set has been in my stash for a while and I decided it was perfect for two challenges today. One is a color challenge and the other is a "Trend" challenge.

On a card base of white, a panel of cardstock was adhered as a mat for the focal panel. The focal panel was made from water color paper. It was colored using an Aqua Pen and water color pencils. Once dry, it was adhered to the card. Also on water color paper, the
flowers and leaves were stamped and water colored using the same method. Once dry, the elements were fussy cut, popped up on foam tape and adhered. Clear Wink of Stella was applied to the flowers, Glossy Accents was applied to the anthers of the stamens. Clear droplets were added and the card was stamped with a birthday sentiment. The inside of the card was decorated with a stamp and colored with a Stampin' Write marker.

The challenges are:

1. Just Us Girls Challenge #356


and




2. Watercooler Wednesday #81


Techniques: Stamping, fussy cutting, water coloring
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Stampin' Up! Materials
Inks: Watermelon Wonder Stampin' Write Marker (inside)
Paper: Whisper White, Peach Parfait (retired) cardstock; watercolor paper
Misc.: Dimensionals, Aquapen

CTMH Materials
Stamps: "Hawaiian Hibiscus"

Other Materials
Stamp: Lil' Inker Awesome Blossoms (sentiment)
Ink: Stazon Jet Black
Colors: Derwent Inktense Water Pencils
Misc.: Glossy Accents, Pretty Pink Posh clear droplets, ZIG Wink of Stella (clear)

Sweet Fun Fall Tag - CAS

Today I decided to make a tag instead of a card for two challenges. I thought this might be nice to use when gifting pumpkin bread or ginger snaps once autumn arrives. The idea of a double card was inspired by one challenge and the other influenced the layout on the tag.

A panel of cardstock was embossed with a die to create the stitched wood grain texture. The tag was cut from that panel. DSP was cut with a zigzag die, backed with foam and popped up on the tag to make a band. The pumpkin was stamped and fussy cut from white cardstock, backed with foam and adhered. The words were die cut twice from two colors of cardstock, then adhered to the band. Another matching tag was cut from DSP, adhered to white cardstock for strength and attached at the top with the with the tab and hemp. The pumpkin and the words were coated with clear Wink of Stella.

The tag is to be submitted to:
1. Fab Friday Sketch Challenge #93








2. Tag You're It Challenge #53




Techniques: Stamping, sponging, die cutting, fussy cutting

Stampin' Up! Materials
Stamp: Fall Fest
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Baked Brown Sugar
Cardstock: Whisper White, Baked Brown Sugar, Chocolate Chip
DSP: Paper stack (orange dot), Sweater Weather (plaid, retired)
Misc.: Dimensionals

Other Materials:
Dies: Lil' Inker Designs Stitched Wood Grain Cover Up, Reverse Confetti Tag Hang Ups, Momenta Cutting Templates (words)
Misc.: Hemptique Hemp, ZIG Wink of Stella (clear)

Thanks - CAS

8/22/2016 Update: This CAS Thanks card was the Diamond Award winner in the Color My Heart: Color Dare Challenge #206.


Six colors required for a color challenge is often difficult. With help from a CAS sketch challenge, I managed to use the required colors while trying to keep it CAS.

On a card base, a panel of DSP was adhered and the inside was lined with white cardstock and decorated with a stamped flourish. On a panel of white cardstock, two-step stamped flowers were added along with some dots. The sentiment was die cut in two colors with the darker used as a shadow for the lighter. A strip of cardstock and a strip of DSP were added to the right side of the panel. The white edges were sponged with color. The panel was backed with foam and popped up onto the card base.

I am entering the card into three challenges:
1. CAS(E) This Sketch #185  









2. Color My Heart: Color Dare #206   









3. Happy Little Stampers August Challenge





Techniques: Stamping, sponging, die cutting, CAS
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

CTMH
Inks: Poppy, Ruby, Saffron
Cardstock: Flaxen, Peacock

Stampin' Up!
Stamp: "Flowering Flourishes" (inside of card)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Smoky Slate (sub for Whisper)
DSP: My stash
Misc.: Dimensionals foam tape

Other Materials
Stamps: Wplus9 "Summer Blooms"
Die: Spellbinders Phrase Set #1
Misc.: Uniball Signo White Gel Pen

Welcome to My Garden!

8/17/2016 Update: Top Three winner in the AHSC #172.

My card was inspired by a most unusual sketch. At one point it resembles a bird, another time it reminds me of a boat, another time a shelf of books. I finally settled on a flower garden. A garden that is filled with rows of colorful flowers and a trellis in the background.

A panel of plaid DSP was adhered to a white card base. On top of that a panel embossed with green ink on white cardstock was adhered. The inside of the card was decorated with Washi tape, punched flowers and candy dots to coordinate with the card front.

The focal piece was made by setting down Washi tape on a piece of scrap cardstock. After printing the sketch, it was cut out and laid onto the scrap with Washi and used as a pattern to match the sketch precisely. After cutting the design, it was sponged around the edges, backed with foam and adhered to the embossed panel on the card base. The trellis was die cut and adhered. The flowers were made from two floral punches. The leaves were fussy cut from Washi tape adhered to scrap cardstock and adhered to the trellis. The sentiment was die cut and adhered. Glossy Accents highlight the sentiment.

Visit the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #172. Consider joining in the weekly challenges and follow their blog for creative ideas!


I am also entering the card at Happy Little Stampers August Challenge:

Techniques: Dry embossing with color, die cutting, fussy cutting, punch cutting, sponging.
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Materials
Cardstock: SU! Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Strawberry Slush
DSP: Lawn Fawn Plaid Stack
Inks: SU! Certainly Celery, Strawberry Slush
Dies: Reverse Confetti "Scalloped Tag" (trellis), Spellbinders "Phrase Set 1"  (sentiment)
Punches: SU! Itty Bitty Accents (smaller flower), Five-Petal Flower (larger flower)
Misc.: SU! Dimensionals foam, SU! Candy Dots, assorted Washi tape from stash, SU! Diagonal TIEF

Summer Scene

8/16/2016 Update: This card was a Top Three winner!

Growing up near the seashore and learning to sail at a young age makes me love all things nautical. I was inspired to create this card for a few challenges.

A panel of cardstock was adhered to the card base. The background of the art panel was sponged onto white cardstock using a masking technique: a torn paper for the mountains and a die for the clouds. The boat was stamped, colored and fussy cut, then backed with foam and popped up on the scene. A white gel pen provided the watery foam.

Dropping the card front onto an open ink pad also provided some unintended "interesting" highlights on the mountains and water.

The card front was adhered to the card base. A sentiment was stamped onto a banner, edge-sponged and popped up. The inside was decorated with a stamped lighthouse image.

Visit these challenges for creative ideas:
1. Cardz 4 Guyz #132 - By the Seaside 


2. Crafty Creations #321 - On the Beach



3. Dragonfly Journeys Challenge #69



Techniques: Stamping, sponging, coloring, masking, fussy cutting, masking
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Stampin' Up! Materials
Inks: Lost Lagoon, Marina Mist, Soft Sky, Wisteria Wonder
Cardstock: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight
Misc.: Dimensionals foam

Close to My Heart Materials
Stamp: Seaside Greetings (sailboat & lighthouse)

Other Materials
Stamp: Newton's Nook "Dog Days of Summer" (sentiment)
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers (sailboat)
Die: Lawn Fawn Borders (cloud masking)
Misc.: Uniball Signo White Gel Pen

Chasing Summer

This cute stamp set caught my eye a few weeks ago and I've been waiting for a chance to use it. I love this image of the dog "taking a dip" to cool off by playing with a hose. These dog images are adorable so I included a photo of the stamp set at the end of this post. I am entering it into four challenges and using some interpretative license in doing so.

The sunburst and circles were die cut and the dog and a few water splashes was stamped, colored and fussy cut. The sentiment was stamped, colored and cut with a trimmer and the inside of the card was decorated with stamping and coloring. The sentiment and the center circle were backed with foam and popped up and the dog was also backed with foam to add further dimension.

Visit these blogs for creative ideas and challenge fun. Here they are:
1. Just Us Girls Challenge #355:







2. Cut It Up! Theme Challenge #102: Summertime Memories
plus at least one die cut image.


3. Inkspirational Challenge #114:







4. Happy Little Stampers August Challenge:





Techniques: Die cut inlay, stamping, coloring, die cutting, fussy cutting
Size: A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Materials
Stamps: Newton's Nook "Dog Days of Summer" & Hero Arts "Pearl Strings" (spots on circle behind dog)
Inks: Stampin' Up! Pool Party, Memento Tuxedo Black, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Pool Party
DSP: Stampin' Up! from stash
Dies: Reverse Confetti "Sunburst" & Simon Says Stamp "Dots Circles"
Misc.: Clear Wink of Stella, wobbly eye from stash, Pretty Pink Posh Water Droplets, Stampin' Up! Dimensionals foam

Chubby Chums at Play

8/17/2016 Update: The Chubby Chums placed in the Top Five at Aud Sentiments #161.

8/10/2016 Update: The Chubby Chums placed in the Top Three at the Atlantic
Hearts Sketch Challenge #171.

After deciding to make a card for two challenges instead of just one, I changed my game plan from a fancy floral watercolor design to a cute critters design with grass and wood. I have the Paper Smooches stamp and die set called Chubby Chums, There are five sweet animals - dog, cat, cow, chick and owl - and some sentiments but I decided to use the Chubby Chum dog in triplicate. Click on the photos for a close up view.

The images were stamped, colored with alcohol markers and die cut. They depict dogs with tan, gray and red fur. The grassy DSP was adhered to the wood grain DSP and backed with cardstock for strength. The oval was cut using a die. The images and the oval cut were sponged with ink. The card base was brushed with a pouncing technique then the DSP panel was decorated with a strand of hemp, backed with foam and adhered to the base. Wiggly eyes were adhered to the Chubby Chums, foam tape was added to the back and they were added inside the oval opening. The sentiment was stamped, die cut and adhered.

This card design was inspired by the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #171.





In addition, my card has been entered at Aud Sentiments #161: For a Child plus a sentiment

and Happy Little Stampers August Challenge:

Be sure to visit the blogs for creative ideas and fun.

Techniques: Stamping, coloring, sponging, pouncing, die cutting
Size: A2

Materials
Stamps: Paper Smooches "Chubby Chums" & Reverse Confetti "Bitty Banners"
Inks: Stampin' Up! Cajun Craze, Memento Tuxedo Black, Spectrum Noir alcohol markers
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White
DSP: Stampin' Up! Adventure Collection for grass and wood (retired)
Dies: Paper Smooches "Chums", Reverse Confetti "Bitty Banners" & Lil' Inker Designs "Dual Dotted Ovals"
Misc.: Hemp by Hemptique, 3M foam tape, wiggly eyes from stash, Judikins duster brush

"Tis the Season Bendy Card

If you've never visited The Cutting Café, you're missing out on a treat. The designer and owner, Regina Easter, has created some beautiful and clever projects. Regina invited me to be a guest designer on her Blog for August 7, which is a Christmas in August theme.

I selected Regina's Bendy Card design. I kept the card at A2 size but there's just so much space on an A2 card! The card can be collapsed and mailed in an A2 envelope. If you decide to make the card with the extras and not give it to someone in its collapsible state, Regina has included a box file that will accommodate the finished card perfectly.

And there are time saving options: five designs for the card back, two designs for the swing front pieces, five borders, and assorted sentiments.

Remember the Christmas song, Click, Click, Click? That was my inspiration for the card, although my housetop is too crowded to include any reindeer.

Up on the housetop reindeer pause,
Out jumps Good Old Santa Claus.
Down through the chimney with lots of toys,
All for the good little girls and boys.

 

Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go? Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click,
Down through the chimney with Old Saint Nick!

Here are my photos of the Bendy card assembled and finished. Click on the photos if you wish to enlarge them.

Here is a photo of the card flattened for mailing.

Because I am still learning how to use my new Cricut, I downloaded only the basic Bendy elements. I freehand cut Santa's sleigh and used the materials listed below to complete the card.

Be sure to visit Regina's Cutting Café Blog for some great paper crafting ideas and prizes.

Techniques: Cricut cutting, freehand cutting, punch cutting, fussy cutting, die cutting, sponging, dry embossing

Card Design: The Cutting Cafe
Inks: Stampin' Up! Cajun Craze, Real Red, Crumb Cake, Wild Wasabi
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Real Red; DCWV Gold Foil
DSP: Stampin' Up! Collections - "Home for Christmas" and "Santa & Co."
Die: Pretty Pink Posh "Twine and Bows"
Punches: Stampin' Up! assortment
Embossing Folder: Spellbinders EL-015
Other: Sentiment (sticker from stash)