Autumn Gnome Cards

 I'm not sure why I'm attracted to gnomes but 'something' MADE me purchase two more gnome stamp sets from Whimsy. Gnomes always make me think of autumn so I decided to use my recently 'rediscovered' Japanese washi tissue paper with leaf inclusions.  I discovered that the tissue paper had a unique look over various card stock blanks....top card blank is salmon colored and bottom is a dark brown.  (Actually, I used the tissue to cover up misprinted card fronts...hahaha!) I used Copic pens to color images on both cards.  The leaves on the top card were from an inexpensive pack of crispy artificial leaves from HM Ben Franklin Crafts. I rubbed them with gold paste to add a subtle shine.  The word plaque was cut with a die from the Sizzix set.  The Paper Smooches words were stamped and heat embossed with neon green powder.

This second gnome card features another cute Whimsy gnome image and a Lawn Fawn die cut mushroom house.   I 'love' the house because of all the details including an open door...so many uses on autumn projects. The grass was cut with my 'old faithful' Martha Stewart paper punch.  The heat embossed sentiment sign (Sizzix die) was flicked with gold ink.  Although not really visible in the photo, the snail shell and eyes were highlighted with Crystal Accents. Sparkly neon orange Stickles paint was added to make the snail even more weird. I hope this post has been enjoyable for those of you who love gnomes and the autumn season.  Please visit again for more Autumnal goodness!

Autumn Gratitude Mice Card

 This card started with the cutest Stampendous 'cling acorn stamp'.  I just couldn't wait to ink it up.  On my craft desk, I had some wispy green washi paper and coarse washi paper with small leaf inclusions and lots of foxing. I wet the edges of the green washi with water before tearing the edges.  This gave it a nice frayed look.  Next, I used the Brenda Walton oak leaf die to cut out a shape from the coarse (badly foxed) washi paper.  With dark brown Memento ink I stamped the mice image onto the die cut oak leaf.  After coloring in the mice and acorns with Copic pens, I rubbed Range Distress Oxide ink onto the edges of the leaf before spraying and blotting with water.  The leaf was crinkled to look more realistic.  The edges of the burlap ribbon were trimmed off and the ribbon was frayed before gluing it onto the card which already had the green washi glued down.  (I used 3 in 1 Beacon glue.)  The die cut oval wreath (Whimsy) was glued down too before adding the oak leaf with the stamped mice image.  Next, the artificial leaves were glued down before the stamped and gold heat embossed 'Gratitude' was added.  Most of the supplies were and most likely still can be purchased at HM Ben Franklin Crafts except for the Whimsy die and Stampendous stamp.  Oh yes, don't forget to flick gold Liquitex ink on the finished card.  I have GRATITUDE for the fact that I am able to make an autumn card even though I've never lived in a place with a real autumn season and real fall leaves.  I do believe that mice play with acorn caps...don't you?

Hedgehog Calendar Mini Box

As soon as my Vippies calendars arrived, I started thinking of ways to use them.  Then I got the  Lawn Fawn hedgehog dies for decorating the tiny gift box (a separate die set). I had planned to attach the calendars to the box but they were just a bit too big (even the smallest size).  

By attaching a circle of printed card stock I was able to create a nice backdrop as well as a place for the calendar.

I was happy to have a space for a thoughtful message too. This one was on a wood handled Penny Black stamp.

Here's how the box opens up.  Besides the cute face, I love that the die cut the fur texture.  Did you know that  some real hedgehogs are quite small and have soft fur?  

When I make mini calendars, I usually do them in sets of four or five (or I get bored).  These would be cute for office workers (even those working from home) and could hold fancy paper clips. (I found some squirrel shaped ones.)  However, as a chocolate lover, I suggest putting chocolate kisses in them!

 

MINI SUMMER TUCK-IN CARDS

At first when I purchased the Lawn Fawn stamp and die sets, I planned to use them for borders on my cards, but then I realized that they would be just right for mini tuck-in cards (the type that you enclose with a gift so it won't get separated from the gift).  Starting with DCWV or AC card/envelope sets, I planned out the arrangement of the designs adding washi tape (some from Daiso) where needed.  I colored the stamped designs with Copic pens, die cut them and added sprinkles where appropriate.  These cards were so easily made that I even decorated the envelopes.  Giving a set of these cards would be a great 'something-something' gift, too.  If your friend is crafty, you could give her a gift of some mini cards and the parts to decorate them.  Enjoy the last days of summer doing something you love . . CRAFTING!

 

 

Mini Decorated Brownie Cupcakes for the Holidays

 As the holiday season approaches, I've begun thinking about home baked goodies to give as gifts.  I found this wonderful Wilton non-stick heavy duty muffin tin that can bake 24 mini cupcakes at one time. It was sold at HM Ben Franklin Crafts.  This whole tray can accommodate the batter that would normally make one 8x8  pan of brownies.  I used paper liner cups because I think it is easier to eat cupcakes this way.  However, if no liners were used the cupcakes would still come out of the pan easily.  For the decoration on top, I put a crumbled coconut/pumpkin seed snack on eight, M&M candies on the the middle eight, and shelled pistachio nuts on the last third.  This way I can give assorted treat bags to friends.  For Xmas, I'm thinking of putting crushed candy canes on some, white chocolate chips on others and perhaps half a green candied cherry on each of the rest of the brownie cupcakes.  It's amazing how just one purchase can stimulate a whole season of delicious baking.  Brownies are my favorite sweet treat. What's yours? 

Summer Fun Fair Card

 Here is the second card I made using the Lawn Fawn 'Coaster Critters' stamp and die sets.  Remember, I had extra stamped and colored parts leftover from the first card?  I decided not to make the interactive part, but in hindsight I think I miss the moving parts.  I do like the little ticket stand I included in this card layout.  The stamped word background and sentiment along with the colorful acrylic dots help to make this card more active.  In any case, this card is a nice addition to my stash of birthday cards....maybe for a September birthday....remember when we used to have State Fairs in the fall?  Hopefully, we will have them again.

Birthday Present from a Cat

 This slimline birthday card is for a guy who is a two cat owner and is responsible for their litter box.  I discovered from my last shaker card that it is easier to die cut the foam sheet if you glue it to card stock first. ( The foam sheet won't warp when run through the Big Shot machine.)  I made two card stock/foam pieces and die cut them using the Whimsy marquee frame.  Those two pieces were glued together.  I also die cut the black and white printed word front piece.

 I glued a piece of acetate behind the black and white print front. To enclose the cavities I glued a plain piece of card stock behind the card.  Dotted paper was cut with the die and the words were stamped on them before they were glued into the cavities.

 The Whimsy cats and litter box were stamped on marker paper and colored in with Copic pens.  I didn't make the cats more colorful because the birthday person's  cats are all grey.

 The cats and litter box were fussy cut and glued onto the card front.  Next the Queen and Co. Toppings Pop pieces were filled into the cavities before the front piece was glued into place.  This card looks difficult to make but it was really easily completed in a couple of hours.  I think the cat loving birthday guy will like the funny card. Do you?

Cat Puzzle Birthday Card

 I love making puzzle cards using the Pink & Main puzzle die.  I hope my son doesn't get frustrated with this puzzle. (It's only 35 pieces.)  Because he has two cats in his household, I usually incorporate cats into his birthday cards. The big cat with glasses (Brutus/Monroe www.com)(reminds me of his cat) was stamped (with waterproof ink) onto medium weight watercolor paper.  Then I stamped the cat onto a piece of sticker paper to make a mask which will protect cat image when applying Hero Arts reactive dye.  I stamped the words and paw prints before adding the ink and spraying/splashing with water.  After removing the mask paper from the cat image, I colored in the cat with Copic pens, but I should have waited until the paper was dry because there was some ink bleeding. I flicked on some Liquitex gold ink to add more interest to the background. (The black specks were some paper pieces that somehow got into the photo...happily they are not permanent.)

The back puzzle was made by stamping the Whimsy cats and words onto a piece of printed card stock.  Then the image was colored in and the card stock piece was adhered to the front image using double stick tape.  The back to back images were then run through my Big Shot die cutting machine using the puzzle die.  I ran the card several times to be sure I got a clean cut. Next, I made a frame (see bottom photo) from black card stock (three layers on top and one for the bottom).  This frame should help my son contain the pieces while assembling the puzzles. I really hope my son is amused by this puzzle birthday card and doesn't toss it aside as a waste of time.  To be sure he can at least see the images and read the words, I am including a cheat sheet (photographs of assembled puzzles).  LOL!

Super Father's Day Card

 I'm still obsessed with the comic book style of cards. This one was easily made with the use of  dies, comic book stamps, and graphic Whimsy paper.  A flaw made applying star stickers necessary, but I think I like it better this way....love happy accidents! ( I was never a super hero comic reader. I gravitated to Archie and Casper comics books LOL! )

 Anyway, I made this Father's Day card for my husband because he really is a SUPER father.  He somehow manages to get everything done despite all the demands for his time over the years.  During this pandemic time at home he has sorted through a ton of junk that has accumulated over nearly 30 years in this house.  Now he is dividing up the children's books and baby items for our grandsons.  This is a big job that only a loving father would tackle.  I remember him reading to our sons and falling asleep before the boys.  He was so tired but determined to be a good father.  Today my sons listen to their Dad's wise advice and want to be just like DAD!  Happy belated Father's Day to all  great dads!