Mission Control...

So this card is the first time I have tried my hand at a slimline card.  I am not sure I really care for the format, but will probably give it another try.  This card was made for MFT stamps slimline challenge, using MFT Space Explorer stamps and dies, colored in copic markers.  I used a base of Stampin Up Night of Navy with layers of Basic Gray and Whisper White.  I wanted it to look like the inside of a spaceship, looking through a porthole.  The sentiment is stamped on MFT Electric Red and embossed with white heat embossing powder.  Inside the sentiment is stamped on Whisper White and the large sentiment is from Hero Arts.  Thanks for looking!  April

Cider and cocoa mugs

I am prepping and living on the hope that we will be able to have a fall/winter craft fair this year as COVID begins to slowly wind down.  I know we live in a different world but hope we can have back some fun holiday events.  Last year was really difficult to get into the spirit because everything was canceled. 

I buy the DCWV paper stacks when they go on sale, then cut the mugs on my Cricut in between projects, leaving them stacked in a box until I get around to assembly.  Often, I will fold them, then take them to the living room to glue while watching a show.  Then they go back to the box until I decide on the embellishments.  Since the fall craft fair was canceled, I was less than inspired, until they announced the vaccine had rolled out.  

This year, I used the MFT Hug in a Mug

stamps and coordinating dies.  The oval is from my Spellbinders basic ovals and stamped in Momento Tuxedo Black.  The mugs were cut in MFT Electric Red and Sour Apple.  The cider color is Stampin Up Cajun Craze and the cocoa is SU Early Espresso.  The whipped cream and marshmallows are SU Whisper White.  The leaves were cut from scraps of yellow and orange on my Cricut.  Thanks for looking!  April

Amazing Birthday

This birthday card was for my best friend.  I used a base of Whisper White and layers of MFT Blue Raspberry and holographic.  The image is from SU and stamped in Coastal Cabana and Night of Navy inks.  The balloons were extras I had from the MFT mini balloon dies I cut in Pumpkin Pie, Razzleberry, Lemon, Sour Apple, and Grape Jelly.  Thanks for looking!  April

All Star Birthday

 

My teen son and his best friend are fans of Converse or Chucks so the MFT die is a must.  I used a base of Whisper White, with layers of Basic Black and Whisper White stamped with the All Star in Smokey Slate and Blueberry Bushel stars.  I used a stamp positioner to help make the pattern.  The sentiment is also stamped in Blueberry Bushel.  The shoe is cut from Real Red, Whisper White and Basic Black.  Those eyelets are a pain!  I used black and white bakers twine to lace the shoe and mounted it with foam tape.  There is so much gorgeous detail in the sneaker but so worth the wow factor.  Thanks for looking!  April

MFT Straight-Up Rainbow (part 2)

Here we are again!  Today's inspiration from the fabulous Jennifer McGuire.  She made adorable flip up cards using several different dies, but I really loved the MFT Straight-Up Rainbow. 
The base is SU Whisper White.  I ended up doing my background a bit different by sponging SU White craft ink on MFT Snowcone cardstock using a Hero Arts cloud stencil.  The sentiments are from MFT Hello stamped on SU Basic Black with versamark and white embossing powder.  The smiling cloud is popped up on white craft foam.  I also skipped the happy face on the reverse side of the flip element.  Thanks for looking!  April

MFT Straight-Up Rainbow (part 1)

I was so excited to get my new MFT die in the mail because I was dying to try a couple of fun techniques from some of the great designers online.  The first was inspired from MFT designer Stephanie Klauck.  I never considered using the Grout cardstock as a background but it really lets the rainbow pop.  The card base is SU Whisper White and the rainbow is made with DCWV glitter stack.  The sentiment is from MFT Hello.  The face is SU Basic Black and Blushing Bride.  I swapped the eyes on this one for black cheeks and added gel pen pupils. 
Another card, I added a few sequins to look like rain.  This is a great set that I will be using often.  Thanks for looking!  April

MFT Color Challenge 140 & Sketch 486

While I am stuck at home, I am using the time to brush up on my copic marker skills, so this challenge was a good excuse to color up some of the MFT Space Explorer set.  I did several color combos you will see in the coming posts but here is the first.
I am entering it into two MFT challenges this week.  The first is MFT color challenge 140.

The second is weekly sketch challenge.  I will be honest and say I took some liberties with it by flipping the image, and moving the sentiment flag.  I also removed the second rectangle layer.  (Annnd, I totally missed the deadline.  I thought it was before noon on Wednesday!  Oh, well.)

I decided to use a SU Night of Navy background and the MFT Starry Night dies to cut the night sky, then backed it with holographic paper.  I put a few holographic sticker stars as well as the planets. 
The large planet is SU Smoky Slate and I die cut two large circles, then used smaller circle dies and punches to punch out one of the circles.  I inked the circles and added shadows on the planet, before popping it up with foam tape.  I cut the planet in half to use on two different cards.  The astronaut is popped up on a double layer of foam tape.
The sentiment is stamped in versamark and heat embossed in black, then die cut with a banner die.  Thanks for looking!  April

Paper Pumpkin To You & Yours alternative cards

card 1

This is from November 2018 My Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up called To You and Yours.  I was not a fan of the two designs in the kit so it sat in a pile in my craft room until now.  I love the stamps in the set and have been using them since the set arrived but lacked some inspiration what to do with the kit.  The original kit cost $19.99 + s/h, making the cards around $2 each.

card 2

card 4

card 3

card 6 - scraps

card 5

I spread the entire kit across the table, then started looking at Pinterest to find some ideas on how to make the most of the set.  I chose 5 cards that used most of the set and used scraps to make a 6th design.  I made 5 of each card for a total of 30 cards from the original kit of 10, by only adding a pack of ivory card bases from Hobby Lobby that came in a pack of 50 for $6.99.  You can frequently find it 50% off and I keep many on hand.  I have a few scraps left and one of each label, as well as the ribbon.  The card base that was included in the kit was kraft.  I trimmed 1/4" off the long side, then cut each short end at 3 3/4", leaving a half inch piece in the middle with the score line as my scrap.  I cut those apart on the score line and used them for some of my labels on one of the cards and strips for the last card.  Cards 1,2,3 and 5 all use the original card bases.  Cards 4 and 6 feature the liner from the envelopes included in the kit.  I opened the envelope and the inside was a perfect 5 1/4"x3 3/4" mat layer.  I also used the coordinating Garden Green and Soft Suede ink spots from prior kits on cards 3 and 4.  The last touch, was stamping all the envelopes with the bough stamps in Garden Green ink to match the cards.  By the time I was done, the 30 cards cost less than .80 each.  What a bargain to stretch the kit and get the most from your money. 
Thanks for looking!  April

Frosty's Hat treat holder

I had a ton of black cardstock scraps from making the penguin gift card envelopes and saw this idea on Pinterest.  The top of the hat used all my scraps.  The top is a piece of 3x8 inch paper, scored at 1/2" down the long side.  Snip the paper up to the half inch mark to give you tabs to glue to the hat base.  Use a bone folder to help curl the paper, then use some tear tape to join the two ends, push down the tabs and use a 2 1/2" circle to hold the shape.  I used the largest circle in the Nestabilities set for the brim.  The hat is finished with a 1/2"x8" scrap of Real Red cardstock, but you can use ribbon as well.  I found the felt leaves at Tuesday Morning in a package with poinsettias for $1.99 for 30 pieces.  The berries are extra large pearls, colored with a copic marker.  Be sure to leave some dry time or use a heat gun to set it.  I also dropped another 2 1/2" circle into the hat to hide the tabs and make it look more finished.  Last, I stuffed a bag in the tube and filled with Hershey's kisses and tied with an organza ribbon.  Thanks for looking!  April

Gift Card Bag

I found this cute gift card bag on Pinterest and thought it would be a cute craft fair idea.  Be sure to use double sided paper because you have to fold down a small part for the top of the bag.  I also used the scrap to make the bow using the Stampin Up bow builder punch.  I recommend using lighter weight paper, as cardstock is more likely to crack at the seams and becomes bulky with the folded down top.  I used the retired word window punch to make the handle.  Inside is a small baggie with Starlight mint disks and tied with a red satin ribbon.  It will serve to keep the gift card in place.  Thanks for looking!  April

Cider Mugs

After the cocoa mugs sold so well at last year's craft fair, I decided to add some apple cider mugs as well.  These were made with a template I found online and imported into Design Space.  The paper is from DCWV paper stack I found at JoAnn.  I used a stamp from a past My Paper Pumpkin kit from a few years ago, stamped in Chocolate Chip ink.  I added a small heart and a bow made from linen thread.  Thanks for looking!  April

Santa & Penguin gift card envelopes

I am getting ready for a local craft fair.  This is the second year I am participating and am trying different things.  These Santa gift card holders sold really well last year, so I am adding the penguin ones to see how they do.  I got a lot of positive responses from them and sold out.
I used the envelope punch board to make the smallest envelope, then added a white liner where a greeting can be added.  I made the Santa belly band with Basic Black and punched the belt with champagne glimmer paper using a scalloped square punch.
The penguin's belly is a large oval punch on white glimmer paper, then trimmed even with the bottom of the envelope.  The eyes are punched from small circles and I used a gel pen to give a little sparkle.  A small heart punched from Pumpkin Pie cardstock is the beak.  I used a mini velcro dot for the closure.  (They are a bit pricey, but I found some on clearance and have used a 50 or 60% off coupon at Joann.)  Thanks for looking!  April

Epic Birthday

This card is for one of my son's friends.  I used Lemon Lime Twist, with layers of Basic Black and watercolor paper.  I used Lemon Lime Twist, Tempting Turquoise, and Green Galore inks to watercolor the background.  I stamped images from SU Epic Celebration in Momento Tuxedo Black.  The skaters are silhouettes cut from my Cricut machine.  Thanks for looking!  April

Sweet birthday

I am still using the retired Picture Perfect DSP set.  I made a quick stack of 8 cards in about an hour with cutting.  I stamped the background with a Inkabilities polka dot background stamp in Bermuda Bay.  Layers are Berry Burst and the sentiment is Peekaboo Peach and Lemon Lime Twist in Momento Tuxedo Black ink.  The sentiment comes from the coordinating Picture Perfect Birthday.  A great card for any age and so quick to make.  Thanks for looking!  April

Making Christmas bright

So I totally spaced on posting last year and have been scrambling to catch up.  Here is last year's Christmas card, just in time for me to start working on this year's card! 
I used Stampin Up's Making Christmas Bright set.  The card is based on this one from Pinterest.  I used sponge daubers to make the glow.  TIP: sponge off a bit and tap lightly.  As you can see the red ones are really dark.  Because I was mass producing this card for our annual mailing, I loved using the stamparatus from SU.  Each string of lights were stamped 3 times, and on 4 dozen cards.  I swapped the sentiment and used a banner punch to notch the ends.  Cardstock colors are Whisper White and Basic Black.  Bulb colors include: Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Lemon Lime Twist, Pacific Point, and Gorgeous Grape. 
Thanks for looking!  April

Jolly Elf gift card holder

I am selling at our local high school craft fair in November.  Last year, these Hershey Kisses gift card holders were a huge hit, along with a couple other style of holders.  You will find the link to my last year design here and the video tutorial here.

This year, I have three colors - Old Olive, Real Red, and Shaded Spruce.  I am using retired 6x6 Stampin Up DSP, a sentiment using a Cricut print and cut on white cardstock, and punch art elves.  The elf is made using Petal Pink cardstock for the face and ears.  The face is punched with a retired ornament punch from SU, and a fiskars flower petal punch for the ears.  The nose is a 3/8 inch circle punch and is attached with a foam dot.  They eyes are punched from a 3/8 in circle in white and a 1/4 in circle in black.  You can also use the owl builder punch from SU.  The hat is punched in Real Red from a heart punch, then removing the bumps of the heart with an oval punch.  I also made the green brim of the hat from the oval punch.  I glued mini white pom poms on the tip of the hat and a hand drawn smile.  Thanks for looking!  April

Donald Duck card

This is a card from Queen and Company's Magical Characters shaker die kit.  I chose not to make a shaker and just use the iconic Donald Duck sailor hat.  This card was fast and easy to put together.  I do recommend using an adhesive sheet on the back of the cardstock before cutting to make it easier to piece together.  I used the retired Stampin Up bow builder punch for Donald's bow.  Add a couple of buttons and some white gel pen details and there you have it.  Thanks for looking!  April

All About Me album

Ginger, at My Sisters Scrapper, made an adorable Disney mini envelope album.  I followed her tutorial and made one of my own.  I liked the format so well, I used it as an excuse to cull some of my paper hoarding.  

This album is made using papers from Stampin Up's retired Class Act papers from their old Simply Scrappin line...yep, that paper is probably more than 5 years old and moved to three different states!

Colors include: Basic Black, Basic Grey, Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Bashful Blue, and Real Red.  

All the rounded flaps are cards that come out of the album and every page features a flip of pocket with extra storage inside.  I made cards for many of the pockets where school pics or memories can be stored.  

Thanks for looking!  April

Birthday Brew

Wow, it has been way too long since my last post.  It is not for lack of crafting, more time shortages.  I have one kiddo away at college, middle child is busy with the high school robotics team and the spring musical, the youngest has medical appointments.  By the time I get everyone settled, I may get a few quick projects going and then off to bed!

This is for my hubby's best friend.  He is a fan of home-brewed beer, so I used Stampin' Up's Bubble Over set.  The base is Lemon-Lime Twist with layers of Whisper White and retired DSP.  I stamped the bottles using Versamark, then heat embossed with extra thick chunky clear emboss to get the drippy glossy finish.  I stamped again in Real Red and Pacific Point for the label wraps.  The tags are in Tempting Turquoise and Lemon Lime Twist.  All the die cuts are from the bottles coordinating dies.  I also used the dies to cut some of the designer paper bottles (retired).  I popped the labels up on dimensionals and cut the bottle tops from gold foil.  

TIP: I keep the foil scraps from other projects and cut a ton of the bottle tops at once.  I store them in a mini zip baggie for beads, storing it in the stamp case.  I also use magnetic tape in the case to hold the dies inside the coordinating stamp case.

The inside is stamped with coordinating sentiment and 

bubbles in Calypso Coral, Lemon-Lime Twist, and Tempting Turquoise.  Thanks for looking!  April

Hershey Kisses gift card holder

This is another item for the upcoming Jingle Bell Craft Fair at my son's high school.  I am making several in different colors and designs, but this is my first one based on the tutorial I found on Pinterest here.
The base is Cherry Cobbler and stamped in Cherry Cobbler using the star from Stampin Up's Tin of Tags.  The window is punched from the Word Window punch.  I used a layer of Very Vanilla cardstock and stamped the sentiment in Cherry Cobbler, the string and plugs in Momento Tuxedo Black, and the bulbs in Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, and Lemon Lime Twist.  The bulbs are popped onto dimensionals.  A 1" circle punch was used to make the notch for the gift card.

The back of the gift box is also in Very Vanilla and stamps from Tin of Tags are stamped in Tuxedo Black and Daffodil Delight.
Thanks for looking!  April