Colorful Bird Shaker Card

Here is a super colorful card with a shaker element. I used Doodlebug Design paper and sequins - they make the brightest colored stuff! And I absolutely love their patterned papers. The bird and greeting stamps are by Rubbernecker Stamps. I wanted the upside down bird to be extra colorful so it is the only bird that I did not add black to. Unfortunately it didn't stand out as much as I would have liked, but the bird's zany upside down antics still make the sentiment relevant. If I had to color this again, I would probably make the other birds look more like crows and robins.

Affiliate links may be included in this post. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. See notice at bottom of blog for a longer description.

Making the Card

1. Cut white cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half to form a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base. Cut purple cardstock 4 x 5 1/4 inches. Adhere to card base. Cut rainbow heart paper (Fairy Tales, Doodlebug Design 6x6 Pad) to 3 7/8 x 5 1/8 inches. Adhere to card base.

2. Stamp Be Yourself birds in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink on white cardstock. Color with colored pencils (I used Faber-Castell Polychromos). Die cut using Nested Rectangle Small Stitch Die Cut Set (6th die in from outside). Adhere to center of card.

3. Using the same die from step 2 and the die two sizes bigger (4th die in) - line them up as a frame with cutting side down; use masking tape or other removable tape on them to keep them in position for cutting. Cut about 5 or 6 frames of white cardstock and one frame of purple cardstock.

4. Line up and glue all white cardstock frames together to form a thick stack. Adhere to card, lining up around image. Cut plastic packaging with larger die (4th die in) - trim off stitching (it doesn't have to be exact - you just want it to be a little smaller than the outside frame).

5. Add various colors of sequins (Doodlebug Design Sequins) over bird image inside stack of frames. Optional: glue a few in place. Adhere plastic packaging. I use Gem-Tac - it works really well on slick surfaces.

6. To add the sentiment (Create a Garden 2) to the purple frame, either cut apart the phrases or mask them one at a time for stamping. I find that VersaMark works best for detailed embossing. Stamp sentiment as shown; emboss in white. Adhere frame to top of stack using Gem-Tac.

Supplies

• Rubbernecker Stamps: Be Yourself (895-02), Create a Garden 2 (3009)
• Rubbernecker Dies: Nested Rectangle Small Stitch Die Cut Set (5013D)
• Cardstock: White, Purple
• Patterned Paper: Fairy Tales (Doodlebug Design 6x6 Pad)
• Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
• Colored Pencils: Faber-Castell Polychromos
• VersaMark Ink
• White Embossing Powder
• Heat Tool
• Plastic Packaging
• Beacon Gem-Tac
• Doodlebug Design Sequins: Limeade, Swimming Pool, Cupcake, Bumblebee, Tangerine, Lilac

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Karen Burniston's New Dies and Stamping Bella Squidgie Card

I wanted to make something special for my little sister's birthday. She loves Karen Burniston's dies and Squidgies stamps by Stamping Bella. I made her a pop-up card with a Squidgies stamp of two girls hugging and made them look a little like us. Both of us like purple, but since it's for her birthday I let her wear the purple dress. We also both tend to hoard Doodlebug Designs paper - I used one of my precious for the front and inside of the card.

Affiliate links may be included in this post. See Notice at bottom of blog. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. There is no cost to you. And I really appreciate it. I spend too much on craft supplies!

Making the Card

1. Cut purple cardstock 7x10 inches; fold in half to form a 5x7 inch card base. Cut pink cardstock to 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. Cut balloon paper (Doodlebug Design 6x6 Pad: Fairy Tales) to 4 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches. Adhere to pink cardstock. Cut a length of teal ribbon and wrap around bottom of this piece as shown - adhering ends on back. Adhere to front of card.

2. Using the stitched circle die (Snowman Twist Circle), die cut window in front of card where shown (be sure to open the card first - don't go through the back of the card). Hint: I run the die through 2 or 3 times before removing just to be sure to get all the layers.

3. Using the largest circle die (Snowman Twist Circle), die cut two pieces of plastic packaging (you may need a shim/metal adaptor or precision base plate to cut through).

I originally did my steps in a slightly different order but you can see the pieces here.

4. Do this two times: die cut purple cardstock using stitched circle die and another larger circle die 3 1/4 inches in size (if you don't have a larger circle die, trace a circle about a quarter inch larger around the die and cut manually). You should have two circle frames. Use same die or trace outside of one of the frames to cut a pink circle (not frame) - this will be for the inside image.

5. Adhere one of the plastic packaging circles to the inside card over hole. Adhere one circle frame over it to hide edges. From the front, cut dimensional tape in thin strips (thinner than frame). Hint: carefully cut slits along one side of the tape in a few spots to help it conform to the circle. Stick down one side of tape around front hole without leaving any gaps, keeping slits to the outside and leaving the backing on top so it won't be sticky when you add the shaker bits.

6. Add shaker bits: chunky glitter, small beads, sequins, etc. I found some birthday hat glitter at a dollar store and put a few in, as well as hearts, Xs, and Os. Save a few sequins in the same colors for the front of the card. Once all the bits are inside, peel off backing from tape and adhere plastic packaging circle. Glue frame on top to finish off the shaker.

7. Stamp image (Huggy Squidgies) in black ink (e.g. Memento Tuxedo Black) on alcohol friendly cardstock (X-Press It Blending Card). Color image with alcohol markers. Optional: enhance image with colored pencils. I colored my image with Copic markers (see bottom of post for list of colors) then used Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils to add pleats to the skirts and some shading as needed. I added a couple extra strokes to the pink dress girl's hair as well. I added a line for the ground using a black Copic Multiliner pen. Die cut image with largest circle (Snowman Twist Circle). Adhere to pink circle (step 4).

I colored the background like this then desaturated it a bit with some very light orange then lightened w/colorless blender.

8. From purple cardstock, die cut the arm (Katherine Label Pop-up). Watch the following video for assembling the arm. You will adhere the image to the arm by first lining it up in the window as shown in the video. Hint: you may want to use a small piece of removable tape at the bottom of the image to hold it in place before closing the card.

9. Tie a bow with teal ribbon; adhere to front where shown. Adhere sequins as shown. Cut teal cardstock 3/4 x 4 1/4 inches; stamp with party hats or other birthday themed stamp using VersaMark ink (have some go off the edges). Die cut 3 copies of Happy Birthday sentiment (Word Set 2 - Birthday). Carefully glue one on top of the other, lining them up to create two thick words. Optional: add clear Wink of Stella then Glossy Accents. Once dry, glue to front of card.

10. Optional: Use left-over strip of balloon paper (1 3/4 x 6 inches) as an accent inside the card. Frame it with pink cardstock (2 x 6 1/4 inches) and add a small piece of teal ribbon near the top. Adhere as shown. I also put a piece of pink cardstock (4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches) on the back of the card to give it a bit more support. This also gives you a place to write a longer note.

Supplies

• Karen Burniston in Cahoots with Riley and Company Dies: Snowman Twist Circle (1012), Katherine Label Pop-up (1011), Word Set 2 - Birthday (1002)
• Stamping Bella Stamp: Huggy Squidgies (eb469)
• Alcohol Markers (e.g. Copics)
• Alcohol Marker Friendly Cardstock (e.g. X-Press It Blending Card)
• Alcohol Marker Friendly Black Ink (e.g. Memento Tuxedo Black)
• Optional: Colored Pencils (e.g. Faber-Castell Polychromos)
• Doodlebug Design 6x6 Pad: Fairy Tales (5689)
• Cardstock: Pink, Purple, Teal
• Copic Multiliner Black
• Teal Ribbon
• Plastic Packaging (Recycle yay!)
• Birthday Hat Stamp: Plan on It: Birthdays (Lawn Fawn)
• VersaMark Ink
• Optional: Clear Wink of Stella Brush Marker, Glossy Accents, 3 1/4 inch Circle Die
• Sequins, Small Beads, Chunky Glitter
• Dimensional Tape
• Strong Tape or Glue

Copic Colors Used

• Background: 0, B00, BG02, BG05, BG07, YR000 (just a small amount to desaturate the darker blues), YG17, YG23, YG95
• Cheeks: E01, E95
• Pink Dress Girl/Purple Dress Girl
• Skin: E000, E00, E11, E13/E00, E11, E13
• Dress: RV02, RV04, RV08, RV09, G0000 (desaturate)/V09, V12, V15

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Baby Shaker Card

Make this cute shaker card featuring baby items in the bottom of the wardrobe and 3D drawers with "brass" knobs. I adhered a few of the items to the back so at least some would stay in place while the others floated around when shook.

Making the Card

1. Cut light brown cardstock to 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half to form a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base. Cut pink polka dot patterned paper to 4 1/8 x 5 3/8 inches. Adhere to card base.

2. Stamp light brown and dark brown cardstock with Wood Plank stamp using VersaMark ink. Cut dark brown cardstsock to just a hair under 3 1/2 x 4 3/4 inches - this will line the back of the Baby Wardrobe.

3. With Baby Wardrobe die, cut one from fun foam* and one from stamped light brown cardstock (step 2). Optional: color fun foam with Copic E84 on all inside edges, continuing over top edge. This will hide the white. Alternatively you may use brown fun foam. Die cut drawers from both the stamped light brown cardstock (fronts) and fun foam (I used the pieces that came out of the shelves). Color edges with Copic. Adhere drawer fronts to fun foam. *I bought thick fun foam with adhesive on back. If your fun foam is thin and/or doesn't have adhesive, you may want to add adhesive as necessary and layer two before die cutting.

4. Cut recycled clear plastic packaging 2 x 3 3/8 inches. Adhere to back of light brown stamped piece in bottom rectangle - be sure it adheres to all sides. Line up and adhere to fun foam (the window should be sandwiched between the front panel and the fun foam).

5. From cardstock, die cut a couple dresses (pink) and boy outfits (blue) plus several ducks (bright yellow), elephants (gray), giraffe (light yellow), and baseballs (white). From Shimmer Sheetz, die cut several hearts (red), stars (yellow), and hangers (silver). Optional: adhere a few of these to the stamped dark brown sheet in the area that will be behind the window (take care to insure they are completely inside). Add all pieces to the shaker area; one side usually looks better than the other - I made sure to face the best side towards the window. Optional: add a few sequins and beads. Adhere the dark brown sheet facing forward so that the wood grain will show in front.

6. Die cut six dresser knobs from Kraft-Core Metallic gold cardstock. Shape them by rubbing on the back of each with a small ball stylus. Glue to front of each drawer as shown. Adhere drawers in wardrobe as shown.

7. Die cut 2 or 3 copies of doll and sailboat from white cardstock. Color one copy with colored pencils or markers. Glue each in a stack with the colored copy on top. Fold legs forward on doll. Adhere doll and boat to top shelf as shown.

8. Die cut "bundle of joy" from blue cardstock. Optional: add Wink of Stella. Add Glossy Accents. Once dry, adhere to top of wardrobe as shown. Adhere wardrobe to card front.

Supplies

• Frantic Stamper Dies: Baby Wardrobe (FRA-DIE-10132), Onesie (FRA-DIE-10137), Adorable Bundle Set (FRA-DIE-10138)
• Cardstock: Light Brown (Neenah Desert Sand), Brown (Recollections Kraft), Light Yellow, Bright Yellow, Pink, Light Blue, Gray, White, Kraft-Core Metallic (Gold)
• Metallic Shimmer Sheetz: Red, Yellow, Silver
• Patterned Paper: Tiny Tatty Tedy Me to You 8x8 (Pink Polka Dot)
• White or Brown Fun Foam (Thick)
• My Favorite Things Wood Plank Stamp
• VersaMark Ink
• Recycled Clear Plastic Packaging
• Small Ball Stylus
• Colored Pencils or Markers
• Glossy Accents
• Optional: Copic E84, Wink of Stella, Beads, Sequins

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Pink Dogwood Shaker Cards

Made for the ECD Susan Tierney-Cockburn Design Team

Dogwoods are one of my favorite trees. Every Spring I look forward to them blooming in my yard. The flowers are so beautiful! In this tutorial, I'll show you how to make two shaker cards at the same time. I used ECD's Soft Finish Cardstock for all but the stand - it has a wonderful texture and the colors are really pigmented. So lovely! The stand was made from plain watercolor paper - I just wanted a simple holder so as not to take away from the cards.

Making the Cards

1. Cut two pieces of plastic packaging just under of 4 3/4 x 4 3/4 inches (maybe 1/16 smaller).

2. Using Curvy Squares, die cut Rosebud and Perfect Pink Soft Finish Cardstock. Be sure to keep all pieces. Adhere the two largest squares to front of plastic packaging such that one has Rosebud as the outside square with Perfect Pink inside and the opposite on the other. Glue all opposite color dots into the outside frames. See photo as a reference.

3. Using the Dogwood dies, cut the following from each cardstock as listed:

• White - 18 sets of petals (with 4 in each set): 10 for flowers, the rest for shakers (I kept them sorted by kind)
• Olive Twist - 10 sets of leaves/calyx and stamen, plus 10 extra small leaves (5 each) for shakers
• Dark Chocolate - 2 branches

Be sure to keep the shaker pieces separate.

4. I recommend doing a quick Google search for pink dogwood blossoms (select the images tab).  Note the variations in the amount of pink in the blossoms - decide on how much color you would like and color accordingly. Color petals using Fuchsia watercolor pencil by drawing lines down each. Keep a white U around the middle of each tip. See photo. Add water with a small paint brush to activate the watercolor, again keeping the top middle part white. Lines should be somewhat visible. Do both sides. Tap Forest Moss Distress Ink onto craft mat or palette; add water with a small brush and paint a dab in the middle tip of each petal. Do both sides.

5. For the leaves, first apply Forest Moss Distress Ink with a foam blending tool along edges of each leaf then completely cover the backs (especially on the ones which will go in the shaker), cover all white areas of each stamen, plus the edges of each calix (the insides won't show). Use Light Olive watercolor pencil to draw vein lines.

6. Color branches with Oak watercolor pencil - I just traced the embossed lines and used a little water with a brush to go over them. Ink edges with Ground Espresso Distress Ink (hint: to apply hard-to-reach places, dab some on a craft mat and use a brush with water).

7. Shape everything as shown in the video below. Don't assemble just yet; wait until the shaker has been put together.

8. On the back of the card fronts, adhere dimensional tape around edges (backsides of frames) - leave backing on other side of tape for now. It should form a closed box in back so none of the shaker bits will fall out. Go around edges with powder to remove any stickiness. Fill each with petals, leaves, beads, sequins, etc. (be sure to set aside leaves/petals for 10 flowers first!). Cut Café au Lait cardstock to 4 3/4 x 4 3/4 inches. Peel off backing on dimensional tape and stick down such that color will show in front of card (the back will be white - this is where your message may go).

9. Adhere branches, one on each card, keeping in mind where you would like sentiment. Adhere flowers and leaves as shown in video. Note: I used White Opal Liquid Pearls on the stamen directly instead of using a Pearl Pen to make dots.

10. Die cut sentiments from White, Rosebud, and Perfect Pink cardstocks. Adhere offset with darkest on bottom as shown. Adhere to cards.

You may want to mail a stand along with the card. Check out the Card Stand/Easel by ECD - it's perfect for cards. You may optionally add this to a card base that opens in a more traditional manner by making the Café au Lait cardstock double the size in one dimension (fold in half so color is on outside).

Supplies

ECD Supplies

• Soft Finish Cardstock: White, Rosebud, Perfect Pink, Olive Twist, Dark Chocolate, Café au Lait
• 1009 Susan's Garden - Dogwood
• 1064 Fitted Frames 4 - Curvy Squares
• Susan's Garden 4 Piece All Metal Tool Set in Luxury Case
• Mini Molding Pad
• 788 Thank You
• 787 Hello
• Beacon Kids Choice Glue
• Optional: 1071 Card Stand/Easel

Other Supplies

• Plastic Packaging (Recycle)
• Distress Ink: Forest Moss, Ground Espresso, (Optional: Worn Lipstick)
• Inktense Watercolor Pencils: Fuchsia, Light Olive, Oak
• Dimensional Tape
• Powder or Flour
• Beads, Sequins, Mini Buttons, Chunky Glitter
• Liquid Pearls: White Opal

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Fall/Thanksgiving Decorative Card

Made for the ECD Susan Tierney Cockburn Design Team

Susan's new leaf dies make really beautiful fall leaves. I wanted to make a wreath of all the different fall colors; Karen Burniston's Ring Accordion was the perfect base for such a card. I also wanted to use Susan's smaller leaves from a previous release to make matching shaker elements for the other side. The card makes a perfect decoration for fall or Thanksgiving.

For the words, I wanted to add foil in red and green. I have used Therm-O-Web's Deco Foil before but I recently bought some Heidi Swapp Minc foil on sale so I thought I would give it a try. Unfortunately this did not work nearly as well as the Deco Foil - at least not with my laminating machine. I even put them through 5 or more times. There were gaps in the coverage. I may try ironing it with a craft iron next time.

Making the Card

1. In order to do foiling (optional), you will need to print the words using a laser printer (toner based printer). I printed these on yellow/gold cardstock. Create a document with the words "Thankful" and "Grateful" using a fancy font, making sure they are far enough apart to die cut around each (I put one on each side of an 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet). Print and foil as instructed. I made "Grateful" with red foil and "Thankful" with green foil. For more instructions and another card example of foiling, see my Rainbow Foiled Greetings Birthday Card post.

2. Using the Ring Accordion die set, cut two green ring accordion frames. Cut two more, one from yellow/gold cardstock and one from yellow/orange - you will only use the centers of these so cut the tabs off flush to the center circle. Using the circle die, cut the center out of the yellow/orange circle to create a circle frame. Again using the circle die, cut the foiled words from the yellow/gold cardstock. Cut eight border pieces from the yellow/gold cardstock. Train the folds on both green frames.

3. Using Garden Patch -7/8-inch & Mini Leaves, choose the small leaves that look the most "fall-like." I also used the leaf dies from Garden Patch - 1 1/2-inch & Mini Roses (even though they are for flowers, they look enough like fall leaves). Cut a variety of these leaves from Shimmer Sheetz (see Supplies list for colors and links). These will be part of the shaker elements.

4. Using the smaller Woodland Leaves dies, cut several sets from each cardstock color: light green, green, yellow/gold, yellow/orange, and red. Chalk them in fall colors (I used the fall leaf colors from all three Pan Pastel sets; see Supplies for links). Draw vein lines on each leaf with green or red colored pencil. Shape leaves by rubbing with large stylus on backs and drawing a line down the middle with the leaf tool for the main vein. Curl edges of some using edge of a die pick or handle of a small paint brush.

5. To create the shaker, insert "Thankful" circle inside a heavy duty presentation sheet protector (or other pocket material) and put the circle die on top to use as a guide. You may want to adhere a couple of the Shimmer Sheetz leaves over top of the word (I forgot to do this first so ended up using tweezers; I also went too far around, making it difficult to add the shaker elements). Use the Fuse tool to go around outside of the circle die, maybe half way around or so. Add seed beads, Shimmer Sheetz leaves, and chunky glitter as desired (in front of cardstock - anything behind will not show). Finish sealing the pocket. Cut around outside of seal, close but leaving a small space around the seal.

6. Adhere four border pieces around one of the green frames then the yellow/gold circle to the center (tabs to the right - remembering the flat side is the bottom). Cut off the tabs that are sticking out from the frame (one on the center and one on the frame outside). Adhere shaker using double sided adhesive to the center, then the yellow/orange frame. Adhere two leaves as shown.

7. On the other frame, laying flat with the tab to the left (flat part bottom), glue down the last four frame pieces. Flip the frame. Adhere leaves to "Grateful" circle as shown. Stick this to the center of the frame using dimensional tape. Now for the tricky part. You will glue leaves around the frame, noting that the ones at the bottom that over-hang will have to be folded up to allow the card to stand (i.e. don't leave much over-hanging) and leaving the tab area relative clear so it may fold (any leaves that hit the other frame will also need to be folded). Keep in mind the types of leaves and colors while gluing them to the frame so that they make a pleasing pattern (I tried to keep from placing two alike type or color leaves together). It helps if you lay them out first before gluing.

8. Using strong adhesive, stick tabs as directed to assemble the card. Finish by adhering the final leaves to the front of the card. I didn't mind that the leaves on the reverse side showed from the front of the card since it is intended to be used as a display piece.

Supplies

ECD Supplies

• 904 - Ring Accordion
• 1092 - Woodland Leaves
• 1004 - Garden Patch -7/8-inch & Mini Leaves
• 1001 - Garden Patch - 1 1/2-inch & Mini Roses
• Shimmer Sheetz: Yellow Iridescent SS 0108, Orange Iridescent SS 0109, Red Metallic SS 0214, Green Metallic SS 0213, Fire Opal Gemstone SS 0218
• Pan Pastels: Susan's Garden PanPastel Flower Coloring Kit 1 - 30115, Susan's Garden PanPastel Flower Coloring Kit 2 - 30116, Susan's Garden PanPastel Flower Coloring Kit 3 - 30117
• 808 - Susan's Garden 4pcs. All metal Tool Set in Luxury Case
• 810 - Large Molding Pad
• Double Sided Adhesive
• 803 - Cuttlebug and Big Shot Metal Adaptor Plate

Other Supplies

• Cardstock: Red, Light Green, Green, Yellow/Gold, Yellow/Orange
• Heidi Swapp Minc Foil: Red, Green
• Photo Sleeve Fuse Tool
• Heavy Duty Presentation Sheet Protectors (I buy mine from Costco)
• Colored Pencils: Red, Green (e.g. Prisma Color 925 Crimson Lake, 1090 Kelp Green)
• Chunky Glitter - Red (e.g. Martha Stewart Crafts)
• Seed Beads: Green
• Dimensional Tape