Enjoy the Bubbles...Mother's Day 2021

A new Hero Arts stamp set, two Whimsy paper packs and an old (the thick type) Sizzix die were the inspiration for this year's Mother's Day card.  The swivel effect of the card makes it interactive but super easy to do....just one pass through the Big Shot machine for the card base.  The die was also used to cut the moving part from both printed papers.  The Whimsy paper that looks like bubbles is perfect for this card.  A little of the shape had to be hand cut after gluing to the card base.  To add more dimension to the card I applied light blue Stickles paint to the tub water.  The small pieces were stamped, colored with Copics and then die cut. The Lawn Fawn script words were stamped and heat embossed with gold powder on the bottom of the front bubble paper piece.

The back of the swivel floral piece was decorated further with a circle of vellum that was stamped and heat embossed with the words from the KaiserCraft stamp set.  Tip: Don't press too hard while stamping on vellum or the image will smudge and result in messy heat embossed words.

Here are two other color combinations of the same card.  They are for two hard working moms.

Do you have a favorite?  Hope you have a relaxing Mother's Day even if you're not a mom. Hugs!

 

Boy's Day 2021 Treat Boxes

Traditionally, Boy's Day is a Japanese tradition celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month, May 5.  In recent times I've seen that date referred to as Children's Day even though there is a Girl's Day on March 3rd.  Because I have only sons and grandsons, I have chosen to make Boy's Day treat boxes this year.  I started by cutting out the boxes with a Sizzix die.  I used a medium weight card stock purchased in Japan because I loved the faux fiber look.  After assembling the boxes, I crinkled strips of card stock using a hand held crinkle tool and glued them around each box.  Next, I stamped the images (Boy with Fish, Mari and Me) (Koi fish, Dandelion Designs) with dark blue permanent ink.  I carefully applied ink onto the words and stamped them onto a lavender card stock, then punched out the circle.  The images were colored in with Copic pens and part of the boy's kimono was paper pieced.

The boy images were adhered with foam adhesive dots and the circles were glued on with Beacon 3 in 1 glue. (Both adhesives can be purchased at HM Ben Franklin Crafts.)  For more interest I tied on some dyed paper fiber yarn (from Japan). The 'yarn' was sold in Japan during the summer and was used to make lightweight hats and basket handbags.  I think these treat boxes are perfect for holding goldfish crackers, Swedish fish candy, or perhaps older boys would prefer gift cards or money $$$$!!!  I hope you enjoy this day whether or not you have boys in your household.  Don't forget to fly your carp (one for each male in the home) to display your pride on Boy's Day.

 

Mahalo Orchid Card

A very dear friend of mine recently gave me this beautiful bag from Mohala (a sunglass company started by her daughter).  The amazing part is that my friend designed the graphics on this bag. Isn't it gorgeous?  To make a thank you card for this super birthday gift, I chose some stamp designs by Hero Arts.

I wanted the overall look of the card to be light and delicate so I chose not to use all the elements of the HA stamp set.  After stamping, I was pleased that the card had a Japanese cherry blossom print look (maybe I should have used my 'arigato' stamp instead of the Rubber Stamp Plantation 'mahalo' stamp). The floral stamps used were of orchids which I chose because they matched the bag.  I used a variety of inks and gold embossing powder to achieve the finished look.

For the back of the card and on the envelope I added special touches with little stamps and a piece of washi tape (from Daiso).  It just take a few extra seconds to do this but I like to think the recipient will appreciate the effort.  

 

Mahalo Leaf Cards

I've had these  Rubber Stamp Plantation leaf stamps for a very long time.  They are good go-to graphic designs useful in a variety of crafts.  I needed some less feminine thank you cards so I thought I would create some 'Zig Zane aloha shirt' cards.  I was partially inspired by an episode of Joy of Crafting that showed how bold graphic RSP stamps can be used.

By using a Versa Craft ink pad with several shades of green ink, I was able to quickly stamp the leaves to achieve a screen print look. The Mahalo TAJ stamp was used with gold ink and heat embossed gold powder.

To make this version of the Mahalo card a little different I used a different die to cut the stamped paper.  This Spellbinders die has rounded corners so I used a corner clipping tool to round the card corners to match (available at HM Ben Franklin Crafts).  On the backs of the cards I added 'Handstamped with Aloha' (Dandelion Designs) to give the cards special handcrafted touch.  I whipped up these cards and others in a very short time and now have new 'manly' additions to my thank you card stash. Now is the time (before Easter) to increase your emergency card supply....don't forget sympathy and get well cards....unfortunately there is a never-ending need for them, too.

Decorating Uncolored Boxed Cards

Do you remember those uncolored coloring book style cards, posters, etc. that were all the rage a few years ago?  Well, I didn't color very many before I got bored and put the uncolored items away.  While moving stuff around, I discovered them again and decided to do something with them.  Using Penny Black (hedgehog) and Stampendous (House Mouse) stamps, I colored the images with Copic pens and fussy cut them.  Nuvo dimensional paint was added for frosting and fake plastic sprinkles were adhered.  The words were die cut from shiny foil and glitter paper.

The insides of the cards were stamped and embossed. Another House Mouse character was stamped and colored right on the card.

I think the single colored character and script words really upcycle this card to something worthy of giving.

It was fun making a sprinkled mess with the Queen and Co. tiny, shiny balls. The House Mouse stamped designed was fussy cut, colored and popped up on foam adhesive dots.  It didn't take much time to turn these plain, uncolored cards into ones that are fun and eye-catching.  Here's to more exciting finds within my own stash of 'hidden treasures'!

 

Sweet Cupcake Cards

While looking for a particular craft supply, I discovered a whole box of cupcake cards which I purchased before I was crafting my own cards.  They were okay but rather plain, so I decided to jazz them up with die cut colored images and words.

For the first one I added a Mama Elephant bear on a cupcake image and a Whimsy 'sweet' die cut word.

I put a lion cupcake on the second card.  The cupcake base was cut from printed card stock and little Whimsy fake candy balls were added for interest.

On the bunny cupcake card, Scribbles and crystal glitter were added to make the cupcake look more delicious.

All the words inside the cards are different and die cut or stamped to match the fronts of the cards.

There were five different photo cards in the boxed set (of  20?)cupcake cards (purchased from Borders?).  As you can see, two images of the cards were attractive but three styles were rather plain. I think my added die cut pieces really moved the cards into the useable level.  I hope you agree and will look into  upcycling items you've overlooked for years.  It's fun and great for lessening your stockpile of  STUFF. 

 

S'more Banana Pumpkin Muffins....please!

 What do you make when you have only two overripe bananas, some leftover canned pumpkin, mini marshmallows in the freezer, a chocolate bar, and a box of graham crackers? Of course, I concocted a new recipe, ' S'more Banana Pumpkin Muffins.  Basically, I started with my Mom's much-loved banana bread recipe and dumped in the other ingredients.  It turned out fantastic!  Give it a try....enjoy!

                                                        S'more Banana Pumpkin Muffins

1 cup sugar

1/2 butter

2 eggs

2 over ripe bananas

1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree

2 cups white whole wheat flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup crushed graham crackers

1 cup chopped chocolate bar

1 cup mini marshmallows

Mix together sugar and butter. Add in the two eggs and mashed fruit.  Stir in the flour and then the baking soda, and salt.  Finally add 3/4 cup of the crackers, 3/4 cup of the chocolate, and 3/4 cup of the marshmallows.  Spoon the mixed batter into paper lined muffin cups. This recipe will make about 16 muffins.  Press the leftover crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate pieces onto the top of the muffins and bake at 350 degrees (no need to preheat oven) for about 25 minutes (until a butter knife inserted into a baked muffin comes out clean).  Enjoy!