Fun Fold Open Flip Card + Video

Hi!  Hope your last couple of weeks has been as fun as mine!  Louisa was here again for another 4 days - how cool is that?  Two weeks in a row!  The house seems super quiet without her.  

Let's keep the fun going with this fun fold card I'm calling an Open Flip Card.  I love how it works and I've made a video with tips to make it super easy for you to do.

It wasn't easy at first (it took me awhile to figure out how to do it).  I just had an idea and it took me a week of looking and thinking and trying to get it right.   And don't tell me if somebody else has done this - I don't want my "I did it" bubble to burst!

So this is the second "stage" of the card.  The front is opened and flipped back on itself to reveal another image.  Cool, right?  Well, the fun doesn't stop there...

Third "stage":  Open it up again and you can see the full spread.  What do you think?
The stamps are from Stampin' Up called Magical Day.  I got them last year and I just found out they are no longer available.  Might be some on Ebay...
Here's the video, in case you want to make one, too!

These are the copics used for this card.

It was super hot when Louisa was here.  My mom and dad suggested the perfect indoor activity.  Throwing pennies in the fountain at North Park Mall.  Who knew throwing pennies could be so much fun?
Go have some fun yourself and maybe make a Fun Fold Open Flip card while you're at it!

Easter Carrot Treat Box + Free Template +MicroFine Glitter Tag

Bunnies and carrots go together, of course.   And so do bunnies and carrot treat boxes.

I've got a carrot treat box template for you to download below.  You can print it right on top of your favorite carrot paper.  

And I've got a video that shows just how easy it is to make.  

On the video, I also share some tips on making a tag with micro fine glitter.   This is the cool highlights version.

It's super hard to photograph just how lovely this glitter is.  It really is my favorite.  I used it on THIS card (with warm highlights) and used my copics to color on top of it!  So very cool!

Here's the video:

Download Easter Carrot Treat Box Template HERE.

Dropbox seems to work differently for different people.  Either right click and save when image appears or click the download button in the top right corner.  If neither method works, email me and I'll send the files to you. 

I'm going to be taking this carrot to Louisa, my little honey bunny.  Do you have a little honey bunny (or a big honey bunny) that would enjoy an Easter Carrot Treat Box?

Kind Koala

Hope you had a wonderful 4th (if you're American)!  Dennis and I just got back from visiting with Lauren and Paul in Wichita.  It's been a long time since I've been in a city where fireworks are legal.  It was amazing!  All over town fireworks were going off, even the big colorful pretty ones.  I could actually smell the gun powder (or whatever it is) floating on the breeze.  The sky was hazy around the moon.  It was kind of cool and scary at the same time.  Are fireworks legal where you live?  

Before I left for Wichita, I got the cutest stamp from the new Stampin' Up catalog.  Kind Koala ranks high on my Cute and Sweet - O - Meter!

What do you think? And what do you think about the microfine warm highlight glitter?  Isn't it cool?  The marker is actually on TOP of the glitter!  So hard to photograph - wish you could see it in real life - the warm highlights are beautiful and the koala is almost silky!

This is fun to do:

You can find the Glitter Ritz (I have warm highlight) and the Be Creative Tape at Ellen Hutson.  I have the 4.5" roll.  I also think the 8.5 x 11" adhesive sheets would be a great idea.

Once you have covered your image with the tape and glitter - you really need to burnish it.  Your fingers will work just fine, rub until smooth and glitter is no longer coming off.  It will be soft and velvety.

Amazingly, this glitter is so fine that you can color right on top of it!  I think light strokes work best.  I used my Copics, but I understand that just about any marker will work.  I'm thinking you might not want a very pointy hard marker, however, as it might make gouges in the glitter.  (I used the warm grays on my koala - his cheeks are RV10.  The flower is RV10, RV21, and R22.  The entire image is outlined in BG10 and feathered out with C00.)

Don't you think you could make some really fun stamped cards with this technique?  Love this - of course, I can never resist cuteness and glitter!

Butterfly Love

I had such a wonderful weekend visiting my daughter in Wichita!  I so wish we lived in the same city.  I wish she lived next door, although she might like to live a little further away!  I promise Lauren - I wouldn't bother you...much... 

We had such lovely weather this weekend.  Is it time for butterflies yet?  I've always been fascinated when they come flitting by.  We never have very many around the house, maybe we need to plant different things to attract them.  I might not always be able to see butterflies outside, but I can always create with them.  I love vintage butterflies.  If you like this one, you can dowload it below.

How about quick and easy packaging?   This will only take you about 5 minutes, but I think someone would still be impressed with this vivid butterfly!  Here are some of the things I used:

I love the pretty kraft treat bag (just one of 4 designs from my store)  and the tiny punch (Petite Curly Label Punch).

I stamped it with one of the hearts from the Language of Love stamp set.  

No need to glue the doily - just wrap it with washi tape.  Be sure to make the washi a little longer than the fold over of the doily on the back - that way it will hold it down.  

Another tip:  Stick a piece of cardstock inside when you wrap and tie the twine.  That way the bag won't bunch and it's easier to make the twine tight.

I also created a card using the same butterfly.  You wouldn't think a green butterfly would be that versatile, but amazingly it goes with lots of things!   If you would like to download a copy of the butterfly, click HERE.

Have a wonderful week!

Easy Filofax Dividers Video + a Winner!

Good morning!  We've got a storm going on here.  It should be light by now, but it's nothing but dark!   We sure need the rain...

I finally found some paper that I wanted to make my Filofax dividers out of and it wasn't what I expected.  On one of my Michaels excursions, I came across some wrapping paper in the dollar bin that was also marked down 60%!  My first thought was that it must be really cheap and thin, but the the patterns were pretty and unusual, so... I bought it anyway.  At that price, surely it would work for something!

I am still surprised, but it is really nice and it matches my Filofax!  Isn't this pattern cool?

 I used some Stampin' Up goodies to decorate it:  Starburst Sayings, Starburst Framelits, Fun Flowers Bigz Die , Paper Doily Die.  (Starburst Sayings and Framelits come as a bundle at 15% off - they are limited edition and are only available until May 31st.)  If you check these out, you can also check out what's retiring, there are still a few really cool things left.

I've got a video showing how easy it is to use the Stampin' Up Envelope Punch Board to make these dividers.   It's amazing all the things that can be done with the Envelope Punch Board:  envelopes, boxes, tab folders just to name a few.  The tab folders can be used as dividers, like I'm showing, or for cards, pockets, even organizing!  In the video, I've also got a little extra - a cute decorated paper clip using the stamp set Storybook Friends.  If you are interested in all things Filofax, be sure to check out Philofaxy - it is very fun!

And now the winner of the Fox Gift Bundle!!

Rebekah email me your address - you can use the link on my sidebar.

My husband selected Rebekah's name for me this morning as he was heading off to work - he's got a deadline to meet.  It seems architects are always working up to the last  minute!

Thank you to everyone who left a comment - I always wish I had one for you all!  I love all of your ideas.  Have a wonderful week!

A Second Look at Zentangle Butterfly

Just had a fabulous weekend visiting my daughter and her husband in Wichita!   Good company, good food and good antique stores - lots of fun!  I found a really cool old paper roll holder (I'm thinking ribbon and/or twine will look really  nice on it) and a lovely old sewing machine that was calling my name.  HAVE to organize my craft room, so I can display all my lovelies!  

This lovely is Zentangle Butterfly and and I've given it a new look.  You can see it's first look - the little notecards -  here.   

Love it stamped on pink with Baked Brown Sugar ink from Stampin' Up.  I think I especially like the name of the ink!  The pink photo frame is from the On Film framelits dies.

Here's a closeup of the sentiment that comes with the butterfly stamp and that pretty mini doily is from My Favorite Things.  

If you would like a Zentangle Butterfly stamp, I still have a small number in my etsy store.

So nice of you to drop by - Have a wonderful day!

Baby Elephant Gift Bag

There's just something special about elephants and babies...and elephant babies!  We had an elephant baby born here at the OKC Zoo and it has to be right up there with the cutest thing I ever saw!

This baby elephant stamp is pretty cute, too!  I thought a little gift bag would be the perfect backdrop to show him off.

I'm just amazed at what can be done with the Envelope Punch Board.  I have to think they wish they had named it something else - because it does way more than just envelopes!  This bag is so sweet.  You can see a video on how to make it HERE.

The elephant stamp comes with the baby sentiment and two hearts.

And it just happens to be available in my etsy store!  I'm thinking he would be really sweet as a valentine (Love you a ton!) and for a birthday (Have a ton of fun on your birthday!).  I bet you can think of even more...

So glad you stopped by - hope you're having a wonderful week!

What A Cute House!

One of the very first stamps I ever bought (back in the 80s) was a house stamp.  I've always been drawn to sweet little houses.  Well, this one is not little, but I do love it!

And it is sweet, too!  It measures 5 1/2" tall.  This is another new image from Woodware Stamps called Tall House.  I have four available in my store.  I think this house can be used all year long.   I can see covering the topiaries with little Christmas trees, adding snow, a little wreath...  Wouldn't that be darling?

I added the image to a cute little box that I made on my new Stampin' Up Envelope Punch Board.

I found a video that gives you great instructions.  You can see it here.  Her box is 1" x 4".  I needed a box that was 2" x 4".  So I've figured out the differences.

Cut cardstock to 6 1/2 x 6 1/2".  

On the first side, line up the left side at 1 3/4".  Punch and score.

On the same side, slide the cardstock over to 3 1/4".  Punch and score.

Do the exact same thing on the opposite side.

Use the score guide to line up for the other two sides.

Line up the two points at 4" and cut off a little bit of the two side points.  

Cut slits on top and bottom vertically.  You will make 4 cuts.  Fold on all the score lines.

Fold it up and glue.  You can see why you need to cut a little off the sides.

I've colored up the house again, but it's not finished and I haven't done anything with it yet.  Just playing around.  The colors are a little different, but I kind of like it.  Kind of Dr. Suess-ish. I think the topiaries need  something - not sure what yet.   Those pearls are just too pale.  

I've had another thought:  This house would be great for Mother's Day.  The sentiment could be "Home is where Mom is."    Okay, give me some more ideas.  I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Vintage Image Valentine to Share with You

My favorite valentines are vintage and I must confess, I lean toward the cheap boxed ones that kids used to give to each other and their teachers.  They are just so cute!  These two are no exception.  Don't you just want to pinch their sweet cheeks?

If you would like a copy of this vintage valentine, you can download it below.  Did the gold stripe vellum on this card happen to catch your eye?  It is lovely!  It's from Stampin' Up and comes in a pack with gold dot vellum and gold heart vellum, as well.  (It is also available in silver.)

I have one Candy Filled Arrow kit left to give to the first person today through Tuesday who spends $50 at my Stampin' Up store.  Click HERE to go to the Sale-A-Bration brochure.  On pages 11 - 17, you can see all the cool things to choose from for your free gift.

The things you buy do not have to come from the brochure - your items can be any Stampin' Up products.

Click here to download your copy of these cute Cherubs.

If you make a card or other project using these cuties, let me know.  I'd love to see it!