Making Card Kits from Extra Supplies

I like making cards so sometimes I make a small gift set of them for my friends.  However, I thought my craftier friends might like the parts to make the cards so they could have the fun of being creative.  With this in mind, I made some kits packaged in Heiko cellophane bags (available at HM Ben Franklin Crafts).  Within each pack I enclosed one finished card sample and the parts to make four more cards.

Some of the parts are the same as the ones I used on my finished card but I included a subtle variation on the embellishments.  I think my friends will like playing with the supplies to make their own creations and of course they can add their own special touches. Because I am a craft supply collector/hoarder, I've discovered that I have more craft 'stuff' than I can ever use.  Making these card craft kits is a simple way to distribute my excess stash. LOL!

 

Alice in Wonderland Tags

I was getting tired of making cards and wanted to try out two new sets of Alice in Wonderland clear stamps by Kodomo No Kao. The two sets had thirteen stamps each and were purchased in Japan but I think they are available online.  I love the old time fine line drawings and interesting dialog from the Lewis Carrol books so I couldn't wait to fashion some tags with them.  I started by die cutting some large tags using the Little B tag die set. Next I used Kansai Tambi Pearl Watercolors and the paints from a large set of Kuretake watercolors.  Together the vibrant colors and pearl sheen combined to make very interesting backgrounds for the tags.

Thee two are my favorites because of the colors and images that were enhanced by the items that were added on.  It's hard to see, but the tag with feathers has an image of Alice holding a flamingo (one of the famous images from the croquet scene). I thought this was a clever pairing.  The other tag was sort of a good save because there was a huge smudge under the fussy cut rabbit. Also the Alice image seated at the table was hard to see so another fussy cut image was applied over it. The fussy cut images were taken from a tag that was going to be thrown away because it had some major flaws.  See it pays to keep a scrap pile! 

Not shown in these photos, the backs of the tags were made from die cut printed scraps (from my never-ending pile) which were glued onto the tag fronts because after watercoloring the tags, the backs were unattractively stained.  Reinforcement labels were added to the fronts and backs of the tags around the holes to mimic postage tags.  I had the most fun finding fancy yarns to match the tags.  I think they really add to the Alice in Wonderland feel of the tags...the white rabbit would have approved. Do you? 

P.S. The little gold charms were found in my drawer of 'things to use someday'. I purchased them from a fabric store for only a $1 a scoop of assorted charms! Always keep your eyes open for unexpected treasures in unexpected places!
 

Shaker Twin 5th Birthday Cards

It's a shame that these photos don't do justice to these cards. The acetate shaker windows and foil lettering made every angle a bad one for some other part of the card. Anyway, these cards were made for my twin grandsons who look alike but have different personalities.  I started with the same Doodlebug Designs birthday print card stock (old 6x6 paper pad). Since I didn't have a figure 5 die of the size I needed, I decided to draw my own on card stock. After cutting the 5 out, I used it as a template to draw the 5 on the printed card stock. I then cut out this window and glued some acetate behind it. Next I used some foam tape to frame the 5 and the edges of the card. I adhered the card front to the card base except for the upper corner of the 5 which was where I filled in the confetti.

I die cut the words from gold foil cardstock with a My Favorite Things die.  I was planning to handwrite the 'th' next to the 5 but then EUREKA I spotted the 'th' in the 'Birthday' and die cut it from the leftover gold foil card stock.  Finally, I added matching stickers that came from a Doodlebug Designs sticker sheet. If the images were thicker cardboard they would have shown up better on the card...too late, I stuck down the stickers already...LOL!  One final touch was adding a small crystal sticker for the dot on the 'i'. It barely shows in the photo, but it matches well with the sequin confetti in the big 5 window.  These cards came together quickly and are perfect for twin birthday boys so I am happy with the outcome. They are colorful and sparkly.... the twins and the cards!

 

Summer Popsicle Shaker Cards

                                               

I felt like creating a Summer Card so I searched through my stash of 12x12 papers and came across some lovely printed card stock by Echo Park. These were purchased last year but I didn't get around to using them when Autumn/Halloween happened...hahaha!  I thought the printed popsicles were pretty and matched well with two of the Echo Park sayings (twelve cards on a 12x12 sheet).  Because I used the Whimsy die it was easy to form the shaker windows with the use of foam tape and acetate film. I glued the acetate behind the top and bottom windows and then added the foam tape to form the wells for the confetti. Extra foam tape was put behind the window that was going to be covered up so that there would be more support. To facilitate filling the confetti bubbles, I removed all but one foam tape protector next to each window. After being filled, the bubble was sealed off.  I was happy that the Echo Park card stock had cute matching sayings because all I had to do was trim them down before applying them over the unfilled bubble.  I used my We R Memory corner cropper on the cards and saying cards. This helped to make all the corners coordinate with the curved edges of the slimline Whimsy die. I love making shaker cards because of their interactive nature and I really have an addiction to confetti...LOL!

 

Autumn Bracelets

As mentioned in a previous post, I was envisioning some Autumn hued bracelets.  These two are what I created using assorted gemstones (agates, red coral, carnelian, etc.) and gold filled findings. If 14kt gold wasn't so expensive, I would use it; but gold filled metal has a similar look and is one step above gold plated findings.  Between the beads on the smaller bracelet are some gold filled spacer beads which I think add an elegant rich look.  The larger bracelet has a nice organic look like water worn river stones. The only drawback of this bracelet is that it is a bit heavy. I used 24 kt Extreme Flex beading wire which is pricey but worth it for the workability and finished look. In the photo below you can see the jewelry tool set that was purchased from HM Ben Franklin Crafts and that I've used for over 10 years with no signs of aging (the tools not me).LOL!  Also in the photo is the bead crimping tool from HM Ben Franklin Crafts. With these simple tools and some pretty beads you can definitely make some fine custom made jewelry. Give jewelry crafting a try; it's so much fun to create something special for yourself or a lucky friend.

 

Birthday Cards for Cat Lovers

Both my sons own two cats each so for their upcoming birthdays I decided to make cat birthday cards.  I chose to use Tim Hotz Stampers Anonymous sets because they are so funny...love the cat thoughts!  My sons have snarky sense of humors (...like their Mom?)so it was fun to imagine what their cats would say to them. I decided to keep the gate card fronts simple by stamping only in black ink and coloring them with grey Copic pens. 

For the inside of the cards I used some printed card stock (cut 3x6 and 6x6). An Art Impressions birthday stamp set was used because the fat cat stuck in a gift box reminded me of two of the cats who love nesting in any empty box.  I also liked the saying, 'Eat More Hole Foods' which doesn't make sense until you place it with the doughnut (which I embellished with fake sprinkles).

These two cats really look like my older son's twin sister cats so I think he'll like the front. Both cards had holes punched in the two sides to accommodate the colorful yarn-like ribbon used to tie the card partially closed. The cats love playing with yarn so I made it look like they had their tails tied together. I'm not sure where I purchased the yarn....maybe HM Ben Franklin Crafts?

The 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU' words were cut with a Lawn Fawn die. The reason this card had tiny black cat washi tape lining the edges is because I accidentally put the Heiko double stick tape on the wrong side of the card stock. When I peeled it off the gate fold card some of the printed card stock came off. Washi tape to the rescue....easy fix! I'll probably add gift card or money pockets since I am not good at choosing gifts for adult males. Well, onward to more birthday and summer cards...come back to see what's being created in my overflowing craft room!
 

Summer Bracelets

These bracelets were inspired by a trip to Cape Cod.  I loved the ocean scenery, salty breezes, abundant clamming, and treasures everywhere on the shoreline. Although, I didn't find the beads used in these bracelets along the coastline, I do think they reflect the feeling I had in Cape Cod.  The beads are faceted amazonite rondels, faceted morganite rondels, and Hill tribe silver.  They were strung on Sterling Silver Extreme Soft Flex beading wire.  The reason I chose this beading wire despite the cost, is that where it does show on the bracelet the wire looks like sterling silver. The clasps and charms are sterling silver. The strands of beads are secured with 1mm sterling silver crimp beads that are easily attached with a crimping tool.  Most of the supplies for these bracelets can be purchased at HM Ben Franklin Crafts and an employee in the bead department can probably instruct you on assembling simple beaded bracelets like these.  I am so happy with these bracelets that I am already planning an autumn version! 

 

First Birthday Card

Not sure why this card was so hard to photograph. I ended up color enhancing it which made the stars on the balloon black when they actually are shiny magenta.  Also the Happy Birthday words are heat embossed gold glitter but looks brown in the photo...boo hoo!  Anyway, the card actually is cute without all the harsh color changes. Whimsy stamps were used on this card and the images were colored in with Copic pens before fussy cutting. The balloon is a sticker that was stamped with the 1st. I added some Stickles glitter glue to the ribbons to give the card some sparkle.  For more dimension, the elephant and balloon were adhered to the card with foam dots.  The printed paper used on this card are from a 6x6 Doodlebug Designs paper pack.

For the inside of the card I used another Whimsy stamp set for the elephant holding the sign. The card or money holder corner piece was cut with a Lawn Fawn die. Making a card like this is simple and will let the recipient (ah, her parents) know that you are really happy to celebrate the special  once-in-a-life time event.