Friendship Birds from Art Impressions

 Hello Ai fans!

Today I'm sharing two bird cards with you.
They're very similar but I did one in the portrait layout
and one in landscape. I also changed up the sentiments
and border color.

I used both the new 5937 – My Trust Set and 5936 – My Hope Set.

The sentiments are both from 5734 – Friend Sentiment Set.

The dies and paper are all linked below.

There are so many beautiful images in these two

stamp sets. I love them both!

Copics used:

RV13, RV14, RV52B02, B91,
E13, W1, YR23, Y13, V09

Giant Valentine's Rosettes from Art Impressions

 Hello everyone!

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Every year, I'm in charge of decorating my elementary school. It's a huge undertaking but it's fun.
I discovered some paper bag snowflakes that I fell in love with.  I tweaked the design a bit to make them a little more "Valentinsy." lol...

I apologize for the dark photos.  It's January in upstate NY and the sun RARELY comes out. 
These were far too big for my light box so I did my best.

Here's a step-by-step photo tutorial for how I made these.

You need 8 paper bags. Any size, any color.
Lay the first bag down with the flap underneath.

Place glue in an upside down T pattern and glue the second bag on top, pressing to secure.
Repeat until you have 4 bags glued together.

Once I had 4 bags glued together, I used 5721 – Nested Heart Dies to trace the heart pattern on.

I did this on both sides.

I used a larger heart from the set on top to create a finial.

Next, I cut along the lines I had drawn. Then I glued the last 4 bags on in the same fashion, flap side down and cut those out following along the shapes I had already cut.

I did the same thing on my larger white bags but used a scalloped pattern on the top.

I cut more hearts out of 5812 – Christmas S2 Paper Pack and 5741 – Valentines Paper Pack and created centerpieces for the rosettes as well as adding some little hearts to the white rosette.

I don't usually get too into Valentine's Day but for some reason, this year I can't seem to get enough. Last week I shared a garland that I made for my fireplace mantle.  You can find that here.
Check back later today for week two of our Clean Slate (anything goes) challenge.

My Mushroom Cubbie from Art Impressions was PUBLISHED!!

 Guess what??

I had my Mushroom Cubbie card published!!

I'm in the current issue of Creative Scrapbooker Magazine.

I entered it into the Valentine category because, how perfect is that sentiment for your Valentine...
There's Gnome-one like you! Besides using the 5728 – Mushroom Cubbies I used one of the hearts from 5721 – Nested Heart Dies.

I added little accents with the Dr. Ph Martin's Bleed Proof White paint.  I like that it's a little non-traditional in its colors and theme.  There's a heart and embossed hearts but it's not predominately hearts.  Not that there's anything wrong with that!!  lol!!  I just like things to be a little non-traditional. 

There's a digital copy of the magazine online or you can purchase a paper copy in most craft stores. It's a wonderful magazine.  You can also subscribe.

Happily Ever After from Art Impressions

 Hello everyone!

Today I'm sharing two wedding cards that I made.

The first one was for my husband's friend's daughter and her new husband.  My husband wanted me to put their names on it to make it more personal.

On the front I used 
5835 – Mini Journal Paper Pack
5063 – Rectangle A2 Double Stitched Dies
5543 – Journal Template Die Set
5721 – Nested Heart Dies
5562 – Journal Letter Die Set

On the inside I used a pocket from 5589 – Journal Pocket Die Set to hold a gift card.

I made a second version that wasn't personalized in case another wedding pops up.

On the inside of this one I used 5556 – Journal Clasp Die Set.

Flying Fairy from Art Impressions

Flying fairies for Clara Dawn!

Hello everyone and Happy Sunday!

My friend's granddaughter is turning four in September and guess what she likes?  Pink, gems, unicorns and fairies.  Shocking!  lol!

Check out how the fairy really flies!

Here's the left side of the inside.

The right side of the inside.

I filled a little bag full of gems for my friend to give her with the card.

I put a little heart, star and butterfly inside the doors and windows that open up.

I made a second card to send to Ai which was created with the current All Wrapped Up challenge in mind.  Use either real or stamped ribbon or bows.

The right side of this one was done using all Ai stamps and dies.

Now I have two mini picture tutorials for you.

I've had a few people talk about not getting a stamp and die to line up.  (I'm not just talking about Annie, who has replacement dies coming)  Here's a quick little tutorial on how to get perfect stamp and die alignment.

BEFORE stamping, cut out the die cut.

Place the negative space in your stamping platform.

Place the stamp in the cut out space.

Close your platform cover to stick the stamp to it and then open it back up.

Place the die cut back into the cut out space.

Ink up the stamp, close the cover and stamp your image onto the die cut.

Viola!  You have a perfectly stamped and die cut image.

My next tutorial is on how to create the little flying fairy.  Last fall I made two cards with flying images.  One was a Halloween card with flying bats and one was a spring card with a bird and bee.  You can click on each photo to be taken to the original posts.

To make these little cuties fly is really pretty simple.  I cut a hole with a hole punch into my cardstock and into a little piece of acetate.  (I save all my packaging from everything to cut up to make clear cards, shakers and things like this) 

I use a brad to attach the acetate to the cardstock.  Make SURE that you don't close it tightly or your acetate won't swing.  Test it before adhering anything to the card base.  I prefer not to see the brad so I always create something to go over it.  Make sure not to use your foam tape in any area that will stop the little "pendulum" from swinging.

I've used a cloud and only put the tape at the top.

You'll need to pop up the back as well so that the brad can maneuver around.

More foam tape makes that happen.  That's it!  Just a hole punch, a brad and some foam tape.

Wouldn't this be super cute with an angel on a Christmas card?!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and be sure to share if you decide to make something FLY!!!

5225 – Castle Cubbies

5345 – Fairy Cubbies Set

5463 – Slimline Dies Set for left hand border on side of card and for inside of Madelyn's card for the sentiments.

5721 – Nested Heart Dies
5562 – Journal Letter Die Set for Clara and Madelyn's names.

Copics used:

G03, G14, Y02, RV02, RV06, N0, N2, N4, E00, E33, E1, E95

Twin Tones:

Lime Green, Yellow, Gray, Sky Blue, Turquoise Blue,
Coral Pink, Princess Pink and Pale Rose