Fancy Frame Flip-its Cupcake Birthday Card

I made this card for my husband's birthday. My hubby loves cupcakes so this was the perfect chance to use my Sizzix Framelits Die Set with Stamps - Birthday Blueprint by Tim Holtz. I added some masculine touches with the hexagon patterned paper and black tinsel twine. Hexagons are also a subtle nod to our board gaming hobby.

Making the Card

1. From cream cardstock, cut the Sizzix Fancy Frame Flip-its Card. Fold as directed. Cut another from hexagon patterned paper. Cut down the parts to fit the front and inside as shown below; adhere. Alternatively you may cut these at the same time, trim down the patterned paper to leave a border, adhere to the cream cardstock base, then fold. I prefer the latter if using thin patterned paper but the patterned "paper" I was using is really more like cardstock, making the card a bit too thick for my tastes.

2. From hexagon patterned paper, cut a label for the center backside of the flip-it (adhere to back after step 3 so it doesn't interfere with stamping). I used the Sizzix Movers & Shapers Fancy Labels Die to cut the center label but I wish I had the Framelits Fancy Labels Die Set as well so I could have crated a framed label or maybe a framed writing space. I ended up writing on the back of the card.

 3. Unfold and flatten the card. On the front of the flip-it you will stamp some gray mini blueprint cupcakes. Slide a couple sheets of scrap paper under the front label to protect the rest of the card before stamping. This makes a nice subtle background for the main cupcake.

4. On watercolor paper, stamp (with black waterproof ink) the main cupcake 3 or 4 times using Sizzix Framelits Die Set with Stamps - Birthday Blueprint. Plan out which parts will pop up on each copy. I usually make a note in pencil above each image as a reminder. Watercolor using Distress Markers (or Distress Inks) to match patterned paper. Die cut main image and all its parts. Adhere parts with dimensional tape as desired. Adhere cupcake, with dimensional tape, to front flip-it as shown.

5. Stamp sentiment on watercolor paper with black waterproof ink. Die cut. Adhere with dimensional tape as shown.

6. Decorate with sequins and Tinsel Twine as shown.

Supplies

• Cardstock: Cream
• Patterned Paper: K&Company KP Eclectic 12x12 Paper Pad
• Sizzix Fancy Frame Flip-its Card
• Sizzix Framelits Die Set with Stamps - Birthday Blueprint by Tim Holtz
• Sizzix Movers & Shapers Fancy Labels Die Set
• Stampers Anonymous Mini Blueprints 4 by Tim Holtz (CMS154)
• Watercolor Paper
• Waterproof Black Ink
• Gray Ink
• Distress Markers or Distress Inks
• Dimensional Tape
• Idea-ology Tinsel Twine: Black
• Sequins

SVG Cuts Valentine's Day Chemistry Box Card

This is the card I gave my hubby for Valentine's Day. The box card design is basically from SVGCuts Hearts Aflame Kit (with slight modifications). They have awesome designs that may be cut with most (if not all) electronic die cutters on the market. I imported this one to Cricut Design Space so I could cut it with my Cricut Explore machine. The cute characters are from the Lawn Fawn Science of Love stamp and die sets.

The card looks complicated but is actually rather easy to assemble. Amazingly, it closes flat!

Flattened Card

Making the Card

Note: I recommend reading the full instructions and watching the video (at the bottom of the SVGCuts Hearts Aflame page) first before making the card. I planned out the pieces, including stamping and embellishments, then adhered everything before assembling the main card.

1. Import SVGCuts Hearts Aflame files to whatever software program you are using. Check the sizes to be sure they imported correctly; they are listed in the file "Hearts Aflame Box Cards Menu.pdf" that comes with the kit. For Cricut Design Space, you will have to resize everything. I cut a bunch of extra hearts at smaller sizes on different papers as well. To do this on the Cricut, you will have to either edit the SVG files to remove everything except the hearts then import/resize, or locate the hearts on the mat and place papers accordingly (if you don't want to waste good paper, use scrap paper for the stuff you don't want to cut, i.e. the card parts themselves).

2. Optional: ink around some hearts and labels as desired. I used Distress Ink, Worn Lipstick, for the pink (don't remember which blue ink I used). Add Washi tape to labels and writing space (photo further below) as desired.

3. Stamp Lawn Fawn Science of Love characters, beakers, test-tube, and heart vapors on watercolor paper using black waterproof ink. Color with your favorite watercolor paints or pencils (I used Inktense pencils). Die cut each. Optional: add Wink of Stella Clear Glitter to the "chemicals." Add highlights with a white gel pen.

Note the stamped hearts in the background, behind the beakers.

4. Optional: add Stickles (red glitter) and/or Glossy Accents to some of the hearts. Stamp hearts in background on some of the larger hearts.

5. Adhere extra hearts where desired. Adhere characters and chemistry items to card as shown using dimensional tape. Assemble card as shown in the video at the bottom of the SVGCuts Hearts Aflame page.

Under Front Flap

I did a 2nd generation stamp of the test-tubes and hearts just under the sentiment. At the top right, you can see a small heart with red Stickles (topped with Glossy Accents).

Writing Space; note Washi on back and sides.

The above image is the back of the box card. You may write your message here before adhering or after - the box will flatten so it isn't difficult. I really enjoyed making this card!

Supplies

• SVGCuts Hearts Aflame Kit
• Cricut/Cricut Design Space or Other Digital Die Cutting Machine
• Cardstock: Light Blue, Light Pink, Dark Pink, Red
• Watercolor Paper
• Watercolor Pencils or Paints (I used Inktense Pencils)
• Lawn Fawn Science of Love Stamps and Dies
• Waterproof Ink: Black
• Enamel Dots
• Dimensional Tape
• Optional: Washi Tape, Wink of Stella Clear Glitter, White Gel Pen, Stickles, Glossy Accents

Roses Shaker Card

The new flower dies by Susan Tierney Cockburn allow you to make realistic looking flowers. For this card, I used two sets of dies for the roses, one that makes mini roses and another that makes a full rose and bud including the stem.

Making the Card

1. Cut medium pink cardstock 5 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches. Fold in half. Cut with Spiral Pull Card main die as directed - watch placement of circle. I wanted mine to have a little more space above so I shifted the die down the fold a bit. Fold as shown in Spiral Pull Card instructions.

2. Cut patterned paper 3 3/8 x 5 1/4 and 1 7/8 x 5 1/4. Adhere larger piece to inside of card as shown. Temporarily tape smaller piece to the front. Trace the circle from the back; use scissors to cut along the line. Adhere to card front as shown. Use circle die (from Spiral Pull Card) to cut a hole in the main circle on card front.

3. Stamp sentiment on white cardstock. Cut it out with circle die. Make a template from white cardstock by cutting another card as in step 1. Use the half-circle part to trace one half of a circle on medium pink cardstock, then trace the other half so that you have a full circle. Use scissors to cut around it. Die cut with circle die in center to create a frame. Do the same with light green cardstock.

4. To create the shaker card windows, use a Sharpie (or other alcohol marker) to trace the main card circle (using the template from step 3) on a piece of recycled plastic. Cut just inside this circle - it should be a bit smaller than the outside of the frames you created. Cut another the same size so you will have two. Glue one to the front of the card over the circle hole (be careful so that the glue does not go into the window part).

5. Cut two Mini Roses from medium pink cardstock and one from light pink. Cut a few extra petals of each color to decorate card plus add to shaker. Cut leaves from dark green cardstock (for the medium pink flowers) and light green (for the light pink flower). Use light pink cardstock and light green cardstock to cut Rose 2. Use ink blending tool to add shading to all petals with Worn Lipstick Distress Ink. Use paintbrush and water with Mowed Lawn Distress Ink to paint veins on leaves and shading on stem. Shape all petals and leaves; assemble.

6. To make the shaker card sides, use craft foam or dimensional tape to go around the frame. Be sure there are no gaps and that the foam does not go beyond the frame edges. To remove the stickiness inside the shaker, use a brush to dust with powder or flour.

7. Add a few petals, chunky glitter, beads, and sequins as desired inside the shaker. Adhere top window. Adhere green frame to cover shaker edges.

8. Inside the card, line up the stamped sentiment circle with the shaker window when card is closed. Adhere. Adhere medium pink frame around sentiment. Adhere flowers, petals, and enamel dots as shown.

Supplies

ECD Supplies

• 1001 Garden Patch - 1 1/2 inch & Mini Roses
• 998 Garden Notes - Rose 2
• 916 Spiral Pull Card
• RS006 Take Time

Other Supplies

• Cardstock: Light Pink, Medium Pink, Light Green, Dark Green, White
• Patterned Paper: DCWV Nana's Nursery Baby Girl
• Distress Ink: Worn Lipstick, Mowed Lawn
• Black Ink
• Scissors
• Dimensional Tape or Craft Foam
• Ink Blending Tool/Paintbrush
• Clear Packaging (Recycle from Packaging)
• Beads/Sequins/Chunky Glitter
• Enamel Dots

Lili of the Valley Greeting Card

This is a card I made for my cousin who has been so kindly supportive of my work. So often she has taken the time to comment on my blog and Facebook page. I wanted to send her a special card to thank her for her thoughtfulness. The main image is from Lili of the Valley, which is one of my favorite stamp companies - the images are so adorable. For embellishments, I added a tree and colorful flowers using the new ECD dies by Susan Tierney Cockburn.

Making the card

1. Cut dark purple cardstock 7 x 10 inches. Fold to create a 5x7 card base.

2. On watercolor paper, stamp the main image in a black waterproof ink. Watercolor the image using watercolor paint, Distress Ink, or Distress Markers. I used the latter by scribbling some on a craft sheet and using them with a brush like watercolor paint. If you want the layers/strokes to show, start with the lightest color and let each layer dry before adding the next darker color, for example, in the hair and shoes. Trim paper down if necessary. Ink around the edges with Distress Ink, Brushed Corduroy, using a blending tool. Sand edges lightly. Adhere to light purple cardstock. Stitch around the edges.

3. Die cut tree and mushrooms from Country Scapes - The Woods 1 and some leaves from Garden Patch - 7/8-inch & Mini Leaves (I added larger leaves to make the tree look fuller). Die cut two copies of the mushrooms/grass, one from green and one from cream cardstock. Add watercoloring as desired; I also used colored pencils to draw in finer details. Use just the cream mushrooms (cut them off after decorating) to glue on top of the green.

4. Die cut flowers using Garden Notes - Rose 2, Garden Patch -1 3/8-inch & Mini Daffodils and Susan's Garden - Anemone dies. I cut all but the daffodil petals from colored cardstock. I used white paper for the daffodils (watercolored areas shown with yellow). Add shading with watercolor or Distress, and details with colored pencils. Shape petals/leaves by rubbing and drawing down them using an embossing stylus or die pick over a mouse pad (I use the back end of the die pick to rub before drawing veins with the pointy side). For the center of the Anemone, I used yellow Liquid Pearls. I used yellow Flower Soft for the fuzzy part of the stamen.

5. Die cut banner (Lots of Pops), or cut one with scissors, from cream cardstock. Ink edges with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink. Die cut Hello; ink bottom with purple Distress Ink. Adhere Hello to banner as shown. Die cut one of the Oval Flourish Frame Edges from light purple cardstock.

6. Cut a length of seam binding for ribbon. Color with Distress Inks: Dusty Concord, Seedless Preserves. I usually put the inks on my craft sheet, spray with water, then run the ribbon through it. Crumple and dry. Tie a double bow. String a small metal key charm on a short length of jute. Tie around bow as shown.

7. Cut brown gauze paper and adhere to slightly larger light purple card stock as shown.

8. Adhere everything to card base as shown. I popped up the Hello banner with some dimensional tape only at the top then angled the bottom down under the flower leaves.

Supplies

ECD Supplies

• 992 Country Scapes - The Woods 1
• 998 Garden Notes - Rose 2
• 1002 Garden Patch -1 3/8-inch & Mini Daffodils
• 1005 Susan's Garden - Anemone
• 1004 Garden Patch - 7/8-inch & Mini Leaves
• 777 Oval Flourish Frame Edges
• 778 Lots of Pops
• 787 Hello

Other Supplies

• Lili of the Valley Stamp (or other image)
• Black Waterproof Ink, e.g. Ranger Archival Ink or StazOn Ink
• Cardstock: Dark Purple, Light Purple, Brown, Cream, Red, Pink
• Paper: White
• Die Cuts With A View, 6x6 Gauze Paper Stack: Dark Brown
• Watercolor Paper
• Distress Markers
• Colored Pencils
• Flower Soft: Sunshine Yellow
• Liquid Pearls: Daffodil
• Ink Blending Tool, Foam
• Distress Ink: Dusty Concord, Seedless Preserves, Brushed Corduroy
• Seam Binding: Hug Snug White
• Key Charm
• Jute