Unicorn with Star Shaker Card

Since I still had the second half of the pink sprayed background paper, I decided to make another card.  This time I chose a unicorn image by Avery Elle.  The image was stamped and then sparingly colored in.  A Sizzix star die was used to cut out the opening in the speckled pink paper. A small Heiko cellophane bag (from HM BFC) was cut to size and filled with assorted confetti (silver stars, pink stars and unicorns) before taping off the opening. The confetti filled bag was taped behind the star opening before the card was attached to the card blank with double stick tape. The unicorn image was attached to the card with foam adhesive dots. Finally, the words, 'May all your Dreams come true.' were stamped on the card with black ink.  This card took very little time to create and I think it made good use of the sprayed background paper.  My mind is now busy thinking of other cards I can create using the other background papers I made recently. (See previous post.)  I am also eager to use the copious amount of confetti I've purchased.  Did you know that confetti collecting is addictive? LOL! 

Happy Girl's Day from Two Kimono Bunnies

I was testing out some new Ranger ink sprays and was very pleased with the results. I used watercolor paper and sprayed a variety of colors and water on each sheet.  I decided that the pink speckled sheet would make a great background for a Girl's Day card.  I used a corner clipper to round off the corners of the card.  The kimono wearing bunny by Taj is one of my favorite local stamps.  Initially, I planned on making two cards, but one bunny just looked too lonely on the card.  Rather than coloring the kimonos I stamped the bunny on printed origami paper and fussy cut out the kimonos and glued them onto the bunnies.  Color pencils were used to add color here and there on the bunnies.  After stamping the Taj words on the card, I heat embossed them with silver powder. The bunnies were attached with adhesive foam dots and the metallic blue sticker heart was added.

Here are just a few of the spray ink sets available from Ranger.  The possibilities are really endless.  I can spend hours and hours making color combinations with sparkly accents. Oh yes, the stamp, ' Sweet Girl's Day Wishes' by Dandelion Designs was used inside the card.  I hope that you'll get some Ranger spray inks and start creating amazing backgrounds for your cards.  It's fun and addictive!   Have a creative and Happy Girl's Day!

Heart Foil Birthday and Thanks Cards

I had two new products that I didn't get around to using before sadly Valentine's Day was over. Boo Hoo!  Since I love all things heart themed, I decided to try to make cards that had hearts but were not Valentine cards.  I used my new Simon Says Stamp! Pinnacle Hearts embossing folder on a piece of Recollections Foil Cardstock Paper Pad.  I love how it turned out....rainbow meets metallic sculpture!
 

 

I also  love how the colors of the rainbow foil paper change colors as the card is rotates.  It took a bit of time to find just the right background paper to match with the impressed foil.  I finally found one in a pack of Valentine 12x12 printed card stock.  

The Birthday Card is 5x7 and the Thanks card was made from the rest of the 12x12 sheet.  I moved the foil pieces around until they felt balanced.  I used word dies to cut the words from aqua blue foil and shimmer blue DCWV paper.  I think that the shimmer 'Happy Birthday' matches better with the card background but the 'thanks' foil stands out more.

It was fun and easy to make these cards. I will definitely be making more non-Valentine heart cards to use up my heart supplies ( lots of heart confetti and printed paper).  I probably won't ever make a dent in my hoarded stash but it will be fun to make and send out 'love' notes to friends and family.  HUGS! 

Valentine LOVE Shaker Confetti Card

I was playing with my Minc foiling machine and some new Valentine foil cards from Pink and Main and  the results were so sparkly and attractive, I knew I had to make some cards for my favorite sweethearts.  I started by die cutting the LOVE letters on the foiled card stock.  I glued some clear acetate plastic to the back of the letters.  Around the letters I adhered some pieces of double stick foam tape forming a rectangle.  (I cut the tape into thinner pieces.)  Into the rectangle of foam tape I added some Valentine confetti, pulled off the backing of the foam tape and placed another acetate film onto the tape. Doing the confetti box like this is less frustrating and saves on confetti (instead of doing the whole card as a shaker). This whole confetti foiled card front was then adhered to the card blank with more foam tape. Finally, the Ai images were stamped and colored with Copic pens before fussy cutting them out. They were attached with foam dots to add extra dimension. 

This second card was not as pleasing to me as the top one, because the design is a little too busy so the LOVE can barely be seen.  However, I think the candy heart confetti will please the recipient.  As a finishing touch, I added some pink Stickles to both cards.  Making foiled cards is really fun and will please both young and old alike.  Hope you had a sparkling and sweet Valentine's Day!

Valentine Tag with Bear Pin

I was inspired to make this bear pin tag by a new product that I discovered at the Mapunapuna HM Ben Franklin Crafts store. (It may be at the other BFC stores too.)  The pipe cleaner like  product (only thicker and fuzzier) from Japan was designed to be fashioned into cute little animals.  The instructions for this new craft are available for free at the store.  Although the instructions are in Japanese the illustrations are fairly easy to follow.  One warning: The instructions are for both the bear and rabbit but that is not clear until you notice that the animals are in different colors. 

I think the bear turned out pretty cute even though I forgot to get the eyes and nose so I substituted seed beads. The bear is holding a plastic candy conversation heart sticker that I found in my copious stash of Valentine 'stuff'.  The cardboard Valentin stickers were also from my old stash but I'm sure you can find lots of Valentine worded items at HM Ben Franklin Crafts.

Besides the eyes, nose, and plastic candy heart I also glued a pin back onto the tiny, fuzzy bear.  To attach the bear to the tag, I made a slit and pushed the pin back through.  I am very pleased by the way the bear turned out and that there is enough fuzzy pipe cleaner product in the package to fashion two animals.  The fuzzy ball edging on the tag was a serendipitous addition which added color and texture that matched will with the bear pin.  I think you'll be very pleased with this new pipe cleaner product available at HM Ben Franklin.  Because there are different colors and thicknesses you will be able to make a variety of animals. Go check it out and start a new craft hobby....so much fun!

Vintage Gold Heart Locket Collection Necklace

About 25 years ago, I saw a photo of a heart locket necklace for sale.  It was gorgeous but too pricey for me so I began the my search for vintage gold lockets.  I believe that most of these vintage gold lockets are from around the 1930's. Most of them are marked 10k, 1/20, or gold filled.  I used to find them often in antique shops for around $20-$40 but they have become quite scarce and many are priced around $50+.  My collection of lockets is rather large now but I didn't think it would look attractive to put them all on one necklace.  Sometimes the lockets have old miniature photos in them ... super sweet but sometime scary...LOL!  I was lucky to find a heart link gold filled chain and gold heart clasp in my stash of jewelry findings. I knew I'd find a use for them eventually....hoarder! The necklace that started me on this collecting journey just had a plain chain and clasp. I have enough heart lockets to make more jewelry so I might create a bracelet next.  Sterling silver lockets are easier to find these days, possibly because they are not as old as the gold filled ones so you might try collecting lockets to make a silver version of this necklace.  Anyway, collecting and designing jewelry is a fun hobby for me.  I plan to wear this creation on February 14th...... Happy Valentine's Day to me!

Scalloped Valentine Door Card

For this card I used a 5-1/2" scalloped heart die.  If you don't have one you can easily make a regular heart template and trace out the two hearts.  After die cutting the two hearts, I cut one in half to form the two 'doors'.  On the whole die cut heart I folded 'door hinges' on the sides.  I glued the two half hearts to the hinges of the whole heart.  Ribbons were glued to the half heart doors and the ephemera Valentine sweethearts were attached to the card with adhesive foam pop-up dots. 

On the inside of the card I attached a Valentine saying die-cut piece from my stash. You can find lots of die cut sayings and ephemera at HM Ben Franklin Crafts or online from various papercraft companies.  I really hope you'll give this style of Valentine 'door' card a try.  It's so easy and results in a unique looking card for your special 'Valentine'.  It's sure to impress him/her this year. Happy Sweetheart Crafting!

Lavender Sachet Valentine Card

 

I love Valentine's Day cards and the scent of lavender flowers so it seemed only natural that I would try to combine the two.  I started with a lavender colored card blank and a heart shaped die.  I used the die on a printed light pink piece of card stock slightly smaller than the card blank.  Next, I used Fabri-Tac glue to make a small bag from the sheer gauzy ribbon netting (from HM BFC). The bag was sized to fit behind the heart opening.  I filled the bag with dried lavender flowers (possibly available in the soap or candle section of HM Ben Franklin Crafts) before sealing it with glue and adhering it to the back of the heart opening. The whole printed card stock with the lavender sachet bag was glued to the card blank before the lacey ribbon  (maybe available at Daiso) was glued around the border of the card.  Finally,  artificial flowers, Valentine glitter card stock stickers, and vintage Valentine ephemera (Time Holtz Ranger) were glued in a pleasing arrangement.  Even though my husband may disagree, I think it is important to have an abundant collection of ribbons, stickers, ephemera, and other pretty things to select from.  LOL! I think I'll continue to gather 'stuff' ' to make whatever idea floats into my mind. Isn't Life Wonderful!  Happy Crafty Valentine's Day!

Valentine Confetti Shaker Calendars

Using the same format as the last calendars I posted, I decided to make some confetti shaker ones with a Valentine theme.  It was easy to use a heart die to cut a heart shape into the unfolded calendar base.  I placed a confetti filled bag (small Heiko) behind the opening.  After securing the bag with tape, I taped a piece of card stock ( a little smaller than the calendar front) onto the back of the calendar front. Next I used double stick tape to fasten the calendars (purchased from HM Ben Franklin Crats).  I stamped the Hero Arts cat image and Special Delivery words, coloring them before die cutting.  Pop up foam adhesives were used to secure the stamped images down.  That was it...so easy to make cute, shaker calendars. I'm really  happy with these calendars and plan to keep one for myself.  That's how you know I'm truly pleased with the outcome of a project! Happy Valentine's Day!

Easy Valentine Bookmarks

 I wanted to make something Valentine themed for young readers.  I came up with these simple book- marks.  I started with a 12x12 Doodlebug Designs card stock (from my stash) that had tag designs on the front and back. They were easy to cut out with a paper trimmer. If you can't find a Valentine card stock sheet with tag designs, you can just cut out tag shapes and punch a hole on the top.  I glued together two tags for each bookmark so they can withstand lots of handling. Through each tag hole I strung a 12" piece of ribbon and glued down the end onto the tag.

I glued the other end of the ribbon between two die cut hearts.  This project is a good way to use up Valentine paper scraps. I'm sure that you can make dozens of Valentine bookmarks to give away, perhaps to a kindergarten or first grade class.  These bookmarks are also very lightweight for inexpensive mailing. Instead of a usual Valentine cards this year, try making some bookmarks instead. I'm sure they'll be gratefully received.  Happy Valentine's Day!

Exciting Purchase from a Mapunapuna Locker Box

 Every time I shop at the Mapunapuna Ben Franklin Crafts store, I always check out the lockers containing wonderful handcrafted items.  The last time I went shopping I was lucky to spot a gorgeous handmade copper mermaid pendant intertwined around a lovely piece of blue drusy quartz crystal. I was impressed by the artistic craftsmanship of the piece and the reasonable price.  The pendant was on a leather cording which was suitable for the piece but I think I will keep  a look out for a copper chain necklace to pair with the copper mermaid pendant.  I hope that you will also look into the locker boxes at the HM Ben Franklin Stores because I'm sure you'll be thrilled by what you see.  I think you will be excited by the high quality of the craftwork and maybe inspired by the cleverness of the hand crafted pieces.  Support Crafters!   

2025 Bee Calendars

 I really didn't think that I would be making calendars this year because of a time shortage.  However, when HM Ben Franklin Crafts started selling a 10 pack of calendars at a very reasonable price, I just had to purchase a set.  I decided to make bee themed calendars because I have a fondness for bees and all that they do.....especially making honey!  I used Echo Park 12x12 papers because there were so many bee themed design choices.  I started by cutting 4" wide strips of cardstock and folded them at 4", 8", 8-3/4", and  9-1/2".  I cut off the end making a 3/4" tab that I glued down to form the calendar base.  The Echo Park 12x12 sheets had some 'Bee Happy' words printed along the edge of every sheet.  I cut off these words and adhered them to the calendars along with the calendars and bee buttons. I used a snipper to cut off the shanks from the plastic bee buttons before gluing them down.

These two calendars were made in a similar way to the ones above.  The difference was that the bee images were stamped, colored and cut out with the matching Pink and Main dies. These bees were attached to the calendars with adhesive foam dots. Lastly, Ranger Baby Blue Stickles was added to the wings of the bees.  I am happy with the way that these bee calendars turned out and can't wait to send them out to friends.  I have a few more calendar sets to use up so perhaps I'll make some Valentine ones.  Maybe I NEED to buy another pack of calendars from HM Ben Franklin Crafts ......wink*wink*wink* !

Everything Old Is New Again

Recently, my sister-in-law showed me a tie dyed paper project that my son and I made a long time ago.  I made a lot of tie dyed projects way back then so I was happy that this one survived.  It was the inspiration for these thank you cards.  Tie dying paper is different from tie dyeing fabric.  I chose an old piece of washi paper that has been floating around in my craft room for ages. It had foxing, bug holes, and was faded with lots of fiber.  I figured that colored inks would cover all these flaws.  The inks I used were Ranger Distress Oxide and alcohol Inks.  Actually, I think that even liquid food coloring would work in this type of dyeing.

I started by accordion folding a rectangular piece of the washi paper. Then I accordion folded it in the other direction so the folded piece became a thick square.  I applied the inks to the corners and sides of  the folded washi paper.  Next I sprayed the dyed folded paper with water.  At this point the paper will be very fragile so open the piece carefully to reveal the amazing colors....pure magic!

For the washi paper with the circular designed tie-dyed papers, I used thin (Nippoly) plastic coated wire to wrap around pinched up areas of a rectangular piece paper.  Because the paper is fragile, using the wire is better than string or rubber bands.  Next, I applied the inks to the wire wrapped washi paper and sprayed it with water. Next is the exciting part....unwrap the wire bunches and admire the beauty that you've created.  

After letting the dyed papers dry, I chose my favorite parts of the designs.  Using a ruler and sewing marking wheel tool, I perforated a rough rectangle. I carefully tore out the rectangles to apply to the card fronts. Finally, for each card I cut out words of thank you using dies on foiled card stock. I used Fabri-Tac glue to adhere the tie dyed paper and foil die cut words to card blanks.

I am very happy that I revisited tie dying papers. As with projects done years ago, I still have the thrill and excitement of the reveal.  Perhaps this is why artists/crafters do what they do.  Very few things in life can compare with the joy of discovering something beautiful that no one else has done or seen before. Wishing you many magical moments in 2025! 

Happy New Year 2025!

Besides Christmas decorations everywhere in Japan, there were many Kadomatsu displays.  For those of you unfamiliar with Kadomatsu, they are the bamboo decorations that many Japanese people display in the front of their home to welcome in the New Year, bless the home, bring good fortune, and pay homage to ancestors.  I purchased the miniature double Kadomatsu decoration in Japan because it was so pretty and small enough to fit into my bulging suitcase.  It gives me craft ideas for next year. Besides the traditional Kadomatsus in Japan, there were even more contemporary ones like those with Pokemon characters. A friend of ours made us a plain bamboo Kaddomatsu which I easily decorated with the addition of a Xmas sprig with a red bird.  I really like the way the sprig (from HM Ben Franklin Crafts) gives the twine wrapped bamboo just the right look. Here's hopping that 2025 will be a happy, healthy New Year for you and your family! Happy Crafting in 2025!