A New Pattern

Happy Thursday!! I can't believe how quickly the year is flying by!!! March is almost over, Easter is past...and now it's already time to start thinking of Mother's Day and graduation!! I drew up a quick pattern to help celebrate these occasions (or any other that come along), that you can get here.


All you have to do is to make a photocopy of the pattern onto the backside of your cardstock. Cut along the solid lines, and fold along the dotted lines. Punch out a 1" circle where indicated. Then there are two 1/4" tabs that need to be secured with double stick tape. After that, you just need an aqua tube to hold you flowers (you can get these wherever they sell floral supplies) ...just pop the aqua tube into the 1" circle you punched earlier. Then, decorate with ribbons and stamps!



For this vase I painted a chipboard tag with Making Memories scrapbook paint (Rose Petal) and stamped #1302 (Happy Mother's Day) and #5031 (Floral Scroll).



You can use school colors to decorate graduation vases.



Stamps used are #1401 (Graduation Monkey) and #2013 (Happy Graduation).

Inspiration

"We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action. -Frank Tibolt

I always think of this quote when I get stuck in "stamper's block"...you know...like "writer's block". I can sit there forever waiting for a brilliant idea to strike me...but, sometimes, you just have to do something for the ideas to start flowing. And for me, that means to get back to basics. Keep it simple!!


Stamps used are # 3017 (Sunflower Thanks) and #5007 (Sunflower). Ribbon is from American Crafts. Very simple, right? But....oooooooh!!! Now I have a good idea for tomorrow!!!!!

It's a "Good Friday"

Happy Good Friday!! Hope you all had a great day...especially those of you who got the day off today!! I barely made it for a Friday post...I couldn't remember how to link to a pdf. But, with the help of a friend, I was able to do it!! I wanted to be able to link to a pattern I created a few years ago when I did my very first make 'n take. You can download the pattern by clicking here.



The easiest way to do this is to make a photocopy of this pattern directly onto your cardstock (make sure you print it to the backside). Then all you have to do is cut along the solid lines and fold along the dotted lines.



Next, I punched out two 5/8" circles with a 1/8" hole punched in the middle of each circle. Fold the box together (don't tape it together yet!) and place the two circles in the following positions:



With a pencil, mark the center of each circle onto the box...then punch a 1/8" hole at each mark. You're going to attach each of these circles with an eyelet. On the flap, line up the holes in the circle and in the box...slip an eyelet through both holes and secure the eyelet.



On the bottom part of the box, slip one end of a 5" piece of string or thin ribbon into the hole in the box (so that just a bit sticks through to the inside of the box). Then align the circle and slip the eyelet through both holes...when you hammer the eyelet in it will also secure the string.



Now, put double stick tape along the 4 small tabs on the box and put the box together (if you made all your folds, the box should naturally come together). Then all that's left to do is to decorate the box. I used stamp #4033 (Panda). Use the string to close the box like those manila envelopes. I know it may be hard to understand some of the instructions (it's hard for me to explain it!!)...but, please feel free to write to me if you get stuck!! I also made an Easter sample (yes, you still have time to make it for Easter if you hurry!!)



This Easter box uses stamp #1010 (Bunny). I hope you all have a very happy Easter. For those of you in the Mapunapuna area...I'll be doing a make 'n take at the Mapunapuna Ben Franklin from 10-12 tomorrow (Saturday, 3/22). They asked me to do the following project:



I'll also be doing the same project at the Enchanted Lakes Ben Franklin on April 19, for those of you on that side of the island. I'll fill you in on the details as that date gets closer!

Love You!

Here's the card I promised from last time...it's a little bigger, more colorful version of the Koala card...and I'm still using the clear acetate and stamping on vellum.



I started by cutting out a rectangle in the card (the yellow cardstock). I cut strips of patterned paper and glued them down just on one side on the card. I flipped the card over and using the original rectangle as a guide, I cut through the patterned paper. Then I slipped a piece of acetate between the yellow cardstock and the patterned paper...then I glued EVERYTHING down.



On vellum, I drew a heart shape in pencil (I used a heart template I have), then I used stamps #5035 (Monkey With Flowers), #1105 (Cat With Roses), #4015 (Love You Script) and $5004 (Rosebud).


Then I just cut around everything and erased the heart pencil lines. After that you just have to color everything in and glue it to the back of the acetate. Add glitter, ribbon and a brad (of course) and you're done!

Koala Card

Do you ever start a card and have no idea where you're going? That's what happened to me on this card. I knew I wanted to use these metal tag rims I had lying around...but that's about it. It just kind of evolved into this card. First, I punched out a scalloped square in my card and the printed paper that I will later glue over it. Then I cut out a circle from clear acetate to fit the rim and punched four 1/16" holes...on the top, bottom and both sides.



I threaded a silver cord through each of the holes and tied double knots before taping them onto the card (see below). Can you tell I slipped a tiny bead through the cord on the top before I taped it down?



I pasted a sheet of printed paper over that (to cover all the mess...now you know what's underneath it all!! Yikes!) I stamped, colored and cut #5052 (Koala) on vellum paper and glued it to the back of the clear acetate (just a liiiiittle glue around the edges of the design). Added some adhesive ribbon from K&Company, some glitter glue and #5058 (You Make Me Smile). I don't know if you can really see it, but it looks kinda like stained glass. I'm working on another card now with more designs and brighter colors so you can see the effect better. Check back tomorrow to see how that turns out!!

Chipboard and Acrylic Paint

Recently my favorite combination of things is acrylic paint on chipboard. I love the way the colors come out. It has such a nice finish and it looks professional... even if it's the first time you're trying it! Plus, it dries fast and you can stamp right on it!! (Please excuse me...you know how it is when you find a new toy to play with!! :)


For this card I used Making Memories paint in lilac on a chipboard frame from Deluxe Designs. The paper is from Autumn Leaves (Filigreen), and the ribbon is from Martha Stewart. Stamps used are #1003 (Fern) and #4021 (Thinking of You). Have a great Tuesday!!

Happy, Happy Birthday

While I had my little contest going this weekend, I had some time to catch up on making some new cards...I should be able to post something new almost everyday this week, so check back!!


This card uses stamps #3003 (Happy, Happy Birthday), #3004 (Birthday Cake), #5004 (Rosebud), #5030 (Scattered Flowers) and #5041 (Butterfly With Candle). Papers are from Creative Imaginations (Studio Basics 101) and Provo Craft (Pink and Orange Flowers).

Now I'm off to do some spring cleaning!! My son just started his 2 week spring break (I'm sure this is just what he had in mind for his break!!) and we're going to get organized!! Have a great week!

And the Winner of the Card Is......

Barb said...

I think the card is happy and would make anyone happy to receive it. This is my first time commenting on a blog and would love to win your giveaway.

March 15, 2008 4:24 PM

Congratulations, Barb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please email your address to me at dandelion.designs@hawaiiantel.net, and I will mail the card right out to you!!!! A big thank you to all who entered....you guys are the nicest bunch of people around!!!!! That was a lot of fun...we really must do it again sometime soon!!!! Stay tuned!!!!!

**Just a note: I was asked how I attached the rubber stamps to this card. It's really easy...I just cut cardstock to fit the "spine" of the card, then I punched a 1/16" hole on either side of each rubber stamp. Next I got a piece of elastic and threaded each end through one of the holes...and tied knots in the back. I used double stick foam tape (the kind on a roll) and placed it along the top and bottom edge and also right down the center of the cardstock and stuck the whole thing into the card. That's it!

Would You Like To Win This Card?

As you may know, I've been working on an idea for the past couple of days. Wait...let's go back a few days. A few days ago I was sitting here thinking about a card to post. What kind of card would I like to receive? I played around with a few ideas...some turned out...some didn't...but, after tweaking things, this is what I came up with:

Ok...that turned out pretty well...but, did it really need to take a few days to figure that out??? Aaaahhh...but wait! That's not all!! Let me show you the inside!!!

Now that's the kind of card I would like to receive...filled with all kinds of goodies! If you agree and would like to receive this card in the mail, just post a comment by Sunday, March 16. I'll pick a winner at random from the list of posts. I'll announce the winner on Monday, March 17! Now, here's a close-up of what's included:

5 Dandelion Design stamps,

Flower brads and ribbon,

Of course, some candy!!!

Rub-ons and a mini card,

a bookmark and adhesive bling!! Good luck to all!!

Quickie Birthday Card

When you find a really cool paper, you don't have to add too much to it to make a great card! This paper is from Basic Grey (Telegraph Hill). I just love the colors and design!! I just had to add #4037 (Puppy) and #4016 (Script Happy Birthday) some glitter glue and ribbon. I also cut out a couple of the circular designs to tie the top and bottom half together.

Well...back to work...I'm working on a project I've got in mind. Hmmmmm...it may just turn into a giveaway. Check back later this week!!

Simple is Good

Sometimes simple cards are the best. A splash of color against a stark white background.



Stamps used are #2015 (Buddies) and #2020 (Smile). Maybe I'm just in "Easter mode", but something about this card reminded me of an easter basket. So, I had to give it a try...


I started with a stack of 4 easter candies and put a strip of double stick tape on each side of the stack.


Then I wrapped a strip of printed cardstock around the candies and attached the ends with tape on the bottom.

I stamped #1205 (Chick with Jellybean), #1210 (Happy Easter) and #1206 (Jellybean), then punched it out with a scallop rectangle punch. Add glitter glue and a ribbon and you've got a quick "easter basket".

No Cutting, No Coloring!!

I may have gotten a little carried away with my circle punches...but, the good news is that this card requires no cutting and no coloring!! Just stamp and punch. I punched out different sized circles in white and lavender cardstock, then just added a few stamps and glued them on. The two circles on the farthest left and right are punched into the actual face of the card (making a little window)...so, the floral butterfly and the little flower are stamped on the inside of the card. The scribbles and outlines you see were drawn freehand with a Sakura Gelly Roll silver pen. I finished it off with my favorite Stickles Icicles glitter glue, a silver bow and silver flower brad from Making Memories.

Stamps used: #3008 (Floral Thank You), #4022 (Solid Heart), #5027 (Floral Butterfly), #5032 (Solid Flower 1), #5033 (Solid Flower 2), #5045 (Butterfly Swirl).

More Easter Treats

A few more ideas for little treats on Easter morning. The first favor uses paper door hangers. This is another idea from my friend, Pam, taught to me many years ago. You just need to make 2 score lines at 3" and 4" from the bottom of the hanger. I usually like to cover the front section with printed paper. I decorated this one with stamps # 1203 (Chick on Egg), #1204 (Chick With Tulip) and #1205 (Chick With Jellybean). Add a bag of candies and double stick tape the ends together. You can also use the punched out window as a gift tag. (Printed paper is Easter Ribbons by Reminisce).

These egg holders are also VERY easy!! Just cut a strip of cardstock and bend it in the shape of a ring and glue the ends together!! That's it!! Decorate with stamped images and you're done!! You can use these for real eggs or fill some plastic eggs with more goodies!!

Thinking of You

How often do you think about certain people...but never get around to connecting with them? Life gets so crazy sometimes that you put it off until "later". That's my challenge for you today. Send a quick note to someone to let them know that you're thinking about them...make a phone call to brighten someone's day!!

I fell in love with this paper as soon as I saw it...it's from American Crafts (Marquee), and the dotted paper is from SEI (Forget-Me-Dots). The stamps I used are #3024 (Dog in Heart) and #4021 (Thinking of You). Other supplies are Icon rhinestones, K & Company adhesive paper ribbon (aren't these great?? they come on a card with 2 yards each of 3 different designs!!), Marvy square and scallop square punches.

As for me....I'm sending this card off right now to someone very special!! Have a great day!