Easter's Symbol of Salvation!

Moving on to my second Easter card that I found in my "TO DO" box: a previously finished card from a 2018 class card. When I got home from class, I separated the layers with my trusty spatula (OLD Cricut spatula), because I knew I wanted to elaborate on the card when I had time and I didn't want the glue tape to set. The pieces ended up stashed in my "Need to Finish...TO DO Stash" box and promptly forgotten! The original card's design credit goes to Dar Peterson, one of my two SU demonstrator duos.

      

I got out all the pieces and my photo of the original to see if I could remember what I wanted to do different. My changes do not really change the original design look too much, but adds a bit more sparkle and elegance, I think, with more Gold Foil added. I enlarged the card to a 4-3/4" x 6" card from an A2 by making a larger new white card base, adjusting the Blackberry Bliss larger (I used the original for an inside card layer), and cut and inserted a Gold Foil layer before adding the top white embossed card front layer. I also added a Gold Foil scalloped oval below the multi-color stitched dsp layer.

I was really please with the foil additions as it dressed up this lovely card even a bit more by adding more eye-catching metallic sparkle that coordinates with the gold filigree cross.  Now, here's the rub!  I forgot to take a photo of my remodel before popping it in the post for mailing! 

All I got to say is...woe is me, sigh! I bid you to use your imagination to envision how those changes looked as this is a photo of the original design! Take a peek below at it and my inside design and stamped verse:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up: Cardstock--Blackberry Bliss, Basic White, Gold Foil. Pattern--Painted with Love Specialty dsp (2018 Occasions).  Stamps--You're Inspiring (sentiment); Easter Promise (inside verse). Dies--Cross of Hope Framelits (2018 Occasions/ 2018-19 AC); Stitched Shapes Dies (oval). Petal Burst EF (2018 AC). Other: Brilliance Chalk ink--Gingerbread. Ribbon scrap.

Little Lamb is Coming for Easter!

Easter is coming, and its time to get busy to allow for mailing.  I checked my "Need to Finish...TO DO Stash" to see if any Easter cards lurked that needed finishing.  I found a lamb image already colored and some paper pieces for possible finishing, but I wanted my card a bit bigger than the original card, so I decided to remodel the original design by Liz Thayer.

I kept the cardbase and first layer the same colors but changed the card face from a vanilla to a very soft yellow that I found in my 12x12-inch paper stash.  It was probably one I picked up from either Joanns or Michaels years ago.  There was a little Mint Macaron banner pre-cut, but I decided I wanted it longer.  I wanted to add some ribbon, and found a pretty Offray pink with white dots sheer ribbon that I thought would go nicely.

Take a look below at the finished card inside and out.  That little lamb is just darn cute!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up:  Cardstock--Blushing Bride, Mint Macaron, Crumb Cake. Stamp--Easter Lamb for Baby (2016 Occasions).  Dies--Layering Ovals. Ink--Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Memento Tuxedo Black. Banner Triple punch. Enamel Dot--It's My Party. Other--Soft Yellow Cardstock (stash, Dot paper (stash), Copic markers, Sergeant Colored Pencils, Offray pink-dot sheer ribbon, Uniball Signo White gel pen.

Hippity Hop to Easter with 2 Cute Ink!

I have just finished my final needed Easter card, and this one was made with another 2 Cute Ink digital stamp named Hippity Hop.  I think I will enter this final card into the 2 Cute Ink Challenge #133, which makes my second and final entry.  You can take a peek at my card, as well as all the other cards that have been entered into this challenge at the following link:   http://2cuteinkchallenges.blogspot.com/2016/03/challenge-133-easter-theme-new-digital.html.  Reading on below will given you more particulars about the making of this card, as well as a picture of my finished card inside and out.

This Easter card will need to lean a bit toward the masculine theme as it will be for my husband.  Since I wanted to continue to try my hand at more coloring and also use more of my 2 Cute Ink digital images, I chose 2 Cute's Hippity Hop image for this card.  I'm sure this digital bunny is a masculine bunny, because he is wearing pants and flexing his muscles while carrying such a big heavy egg!   

I had a picture lurking in my mind for my layout, so to start, I needed patterned papers that would be really colorful, with one blue as one color in them, and they needed to coordinate well together.  Blue was necessary for Hippity Hop's planned blue jeans and a number of other colors for my egg, flowers, and grass.  The striped pattern was perfect, and the word paper coordinated with it quite well.  I'm was excited and ready to begin coloring my bunny!

When Hippity Hop was finished, I moved on to choose by cardbase and mat layer cardstocks.  I settled on a grass green as the cardbase and a warm yellow for my contrast mat layers, but I changed my mind mid-stream.  My final decision was a yellow cardbase, because I liked the green as the mat layer for Hippity Hop and as the layer under the word patterned paper.  Somehow, the yellow didn't look quite right under either, but the green looked great, and the yellow was good under the striped pattern.  Once that was decided, the card went together very easily and quickly.  Take a look below at my finished Hippity Hop card.  Isn't that little bunny just too cute!

Following my longstanding tradition, I completed my card by finishing off the inside with a design and verse to coordinate with the outside creativity.

Recipe:  Papers:  Cardstocks--Paper Company pack/ In Full Bloom (green); Stampin' Up Daffodil Yellow; Patterns--DCWV/ Easter Words, Reminisce/ Happy Easter Stripe.  Digital image: 2 Cute Ink/ Hippity Hop.  Stamps: Stampin' Up--Indescribable Gift (sentiment), Suite Sayings (verse).  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Dies: MemoryBox--Cross Stitched Frame Borders.  Punch:  EK CardCreator-Basketweave Corner (inside).  Wink of Stella/ Clear.  Recollections: Pearls.  Colorbox: Chestnut Roan/ distressing.  Copic Markers:  Pants--B41, B32, B34. Shoes--T0, T1, T3, T5. Egg--R22, R24, R27, R29; Y11, Y13, Y15, Y35. Flowers/Grass--YR00, YR12, YR18; V000, V01, V05; YG01, YG03, YG17.  Bunny-- C0, 0 (Blender).  Nose--R22.  Size: 5-1/2" x 5-3/4".

It's An Easter Bunny Turtle!

Last October I joined the 2 Cute Ink Digital Stamps Club, hosted by artist/owner, Heidi Arrowood.  This club gives its members six free images per month for $5.00, with one being exclusive to the club members only, plus a coupon code to be used in the 2 Cute Ink Etsy shop for more digital images.  I am sorry to say, I have not done a thing with any of my new digital images yet, even though I bought additional digis not given for free!!  They were too cute to resist, and the percentage off offered was too good to ignore!  But, let me whine and make excuses. . .I think my excuses are pretty good. . .LOL!

Throughout last fall until mid-January, I have been totally wrapped up in planning my daughter's wedding with the result that there has been NO time to take on any extra cardmaking as my whole focus has been the wedding and lending my crafting expertise to both the wedding and my daughter's shower.  I didn't even get Christmas cards made for my immediate family. . .I felt so guilty!  Since the wedding, which turned out beautiful, I have been playing catch-up with my life, trying to find and grab all the loose ends trailing around that were either ignored or shelved while working on wedding stuff, more wedding stuff, and MORE wedding stuff!!  Finally, about mid-March, I began to actually feel things might be getting back to normal. . .whatever normal means!

This past week, I have been busy making Easter cards for my immediate family and trying out some new techniques recently learned.  Finally satisfied that I had mastered these new techniques, I decided it was time try a little coloring again. . .it's been oh so very long since I colored.  What better way to get back into it than to color one of my 2 Cute Ink Club freebie digital images and maybe even participate in their challenge with an Easter card for my oldest son.  I chose a February club digital image called the Easter Bunny Turtle. . .such a darling image.  I found a very colorful paper that I thought would work very well for my design idea, which helped me choose the Copic markers to use on my little turtle-bunny and his eggs.  I'm pretty happy with the results and offer you a peek below at this very colorful card!   Also, jump on over the visit the 2 Cute Ink Challenge #133 - Easter Theme and see other cards submitted for this months challenge.  Their link is:  http://2cuteinkchallenges.blogspot.com/2016/03/challenge-133-easter-theme-new-digital.html

And now for the final step to finish up my card. . .the inside design and a verse to coordinate with my front design.  I did think my verse needed to include bunnies that "are an interesting sight" as this bunny is certainly an interesting sight!

Recipe:  Papers:  Stampin' Up cardstocks--Whisper White, Island Indigo; Reminisce--Easter Basket Stripe (front + back side).  Digital Image:  2 Cute Ink/ Easter Bunny Turtle.  Stamp: Lawn Fawn--Happy Easter (sentiment).  Ink--Memento Black Tuxedo.  EK Punches:  Scalloped Scallops Border; 1-1/2" Scallop Circle; Medium Victorian Corner (inside).  Offray 3/8" ribbon.  Craft Medley--sequins.  Hand-cut: Tag & Double Fishtail Flags.  Copic Markers:  Turtle--YG00, YG01, YG03, YG17 (feather YG17); Ears/Tail--C0, RV00, RV11; Eggs--YR04, YR12; BG02, BG05;  Y04, Y15; Grass--YG01, YG03, YG17 (feather); Ground--E04 (feather).  Size: 5-1/4" x 5-1/2".

Another Two-Technique Easter Card!

Well, I guess you can tell I was being truthful when I said I was enamored in my last card post. . .so I had to try one more Easter card using the Dahlia-Fold Cross and the Braided Edge (aka Basket Weave, aka Lattice Edge.  This one I'm making in purple because my daughter-in-law loves all things purple.

I tried some lace to set off my cross, and I even colored it with Copic markers so that it matches my patterned paper more closely.  I like the lace, but I've decided I would have liked the end result better if it was not so wide.  My previous card used a 7/8" ribbon, and I've decided this horizontal ribbon or lace should not be wider than one inch.

Another thing I learned on the Braided Edge, is that if the "V" that you cut off the bottom is not long enough reach the top edge of your card when it is re-positioned to the top and also have its point buried the same depth as all of the others in the braid, you can cut a longer one from cardstock by:

• Cut a 2" x 3" rectangle of white cardstock.

• Score it vertically in the center down its 2" height.

• Fold on the score line.  Note: The remaining instruction are carried out with rectangle folded on the score line.

• With the scored fold on your left, measure at the top over 1 inch.

• With pencil, lightly draw a diagonal line from the tip of the fold at the bottom of the fold up to this 1 inch mark.

• At the top, measure to the left from the pencil line over 3/8" and mark with a dot.

• From this dot, lightly draw another line to the fold.  The two lines drawn should be exactly parallel and 3/8" apart.

• Cut along both lines to form your new "V" for the top of your card braid.  Note: Erase all pencil markings. 

I admit, I'm a perfectionist so it bothered me that this top "V" did not exactly match all the others in the depth of its "V" point and its legs did not reach the top edge of my card perfectly.  I think this may be a problem if you like your cards to be larger than the standard 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" A2 card size, as the template was designed for this that standard sized card.  Below is my finished card:

And the final step is now complete. . .finishing off the inside of the card with coordinating embellishments and a verse to please!

Recipe:  Stampin' Up Products: Cardstocks--Whisper White, Perfect Plum; Pattern--2013-2015 Regals DSP Stack/ Perfect Plum (retired).  Stamps--Delightful Dozen (retired), Indescribable Gift (2016 Occasions).  Ink--Perfect Plum + Memento: Tuxedo Black.  Punch: 2" Circle, 2-1/2" Circle, Curvy Corners (inside).  Sizzlit Die: Lots of Tags (retired).  Something Borrowed Rhinestone Embellishment (retired).  Stash:  1-5/8" Lavender Lace, 5/8" Variegated Sheer, Flower Rhinestones (inside).  Techniques:  Braided-Edge (aka Basket Weave); Dahlia-Fold.  Size: 5-1/16" x 5-7/8". 

Two Techniques in One for Easter!

I think I'm enamored!  I just had to try another Dahlia-fold cross, plus another technique I learned this month. . .the Braided Edge (aka Basket Weave; aka Lattice Edge), and I rolled them both into the same Easter card.  I have decided to enter this card into the 2 Cute Ink Digital Stamps Challenge Blog.  Jump on over and take a look at all the wonderful cards that have entered this month's March Challenge:  http://2cuteinkchallenges.blogspot.com/2016/03/challenge-133-easter-theme-new-digital.html

My cross on this card is more like a Greek Cross with all arms of equal length, rather than the more familiar Latin Cross with the descending arm longer.  The Latin Cross is also known as the Western Cross and represents the cross of Christ's crucifixion.  I forgot that we punched a 2-1/2" Circle for the descending arm of the cross and three 2" Circles for the top and side arms of the cross.  My circles are all 2" Circles, thus ending up with a Greek Cross.  With this little circle size change, it had my wondering why I had so much more room at the bottom to add a sentiment, but after reviewing my first cross card, I realized what I had done differently.  Oh well, there is never a mistake in cardmaking just a little creative deviation!

Below is a tutorial I found on Pinterest by Francine Davis on how to make the Dahlia folds for each petal.  A Dahlia-Fold flower uses eight 1-1/4" to 1-1/2" circle punched petals, depending on how large you want your flower.  The size of the circle determines the size of your flower. . .smaller or larger.  It's usually easier to assemble your petals into a flower if you cut a ninth circle to adhere them to.  A cross uses only four punched circles.  The Latin Cross (the traditional cross style) uses one - 2-1/2" Circle for the longer descending arm and three - 2" Circles for the top and cross arms.  A Greek Cross, as in my card below, uses four - 2" circles as all arms are of equal length.

Dahlia-Fold Petals Mini Tutorial

Next I moved on to prepare my braided-edge card base.  Below is a link to a pdf file of the pattern template used for my card.  There are actually seven patterns on this sample template, which can be printed out on 8-1/2" x 11" printer paper:

http://stampingimperfection.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/braid-template.pdf

Next is a video link that shows step by step how to prepare and make your braided edge:  http://stampingimperfection.com/braided-card-tutorial-template/

After I completed the braided-edge on my card base, I prepared by card front panel by embossing it with Stampin' Up's Elegant Dots folder, and then I added a horizontal ribbon band to act as a base for my Dahlia-Fold cross, burying the raw edges of the ribbon to the back of my card panel.  This panel was then adhered to my braided-edge card base.  

I wanted even more embellishing, so I added a ribbon tie at the base of my braided weave, tying it through the weave.  Next, I added a folded liner to the inside of my card to coordinate with my cross color and contrast with the white card front.  I made my liner large enough that it also peaks out around the card edges to add even a bit more color.  This liner is purely optional as the card is equally pretty with an open braided effect as well.  

To finish my card, I added a layered Easter sentiment and a fancy pearl embellishment to the middle of my cross.  If this embellishment were a brad, it would need to be attached prior to adhering the card front panel to the card base in order to bury the brad prongs.  Take a peek below at my second Dahlia-Fold Cross where I branched out and applied even more creative ideas.

Below you will find the finished inside of my card with a little embellishing to coordinate with the front design and a lovely verse from Stampin' Up's Suite of Sayings.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up Products: Cardstocks--Whisper White, Coastal Cabana (retired); Pattern--2013-2015 DSP Stack/ Coastal Cabana (retired).  Stamps--Indescribable Gift (2016 Occasions).  Ink--Coastal Cabana (retired).  Punch: 2" Circle.  Sizzlit Die: Lots of Tags (retired).  Stash:  7/8" Satin Dot ribbon; Fancy Pearl.  Techniques: Braided-Edge (aka Basket Weave, aka Lattice Edge); Dahlia-Fold.  Size: 5-1/8" x 5-7/8". 

Easter Brings A Dahlia-Fold Cross!

I went to a card class this past week-end hosted by Dara Peterson and Luci Kirschbaum, a team two Stampin' Up demonstrators in my area.  Most of our samples to make were miscellaneous 3D items (a berry basket, a bunny box, and a candy purse), but there was one card designed by Luci that featured the Dahlia-Fold Technique, using punched and folded circles.  Most Dahlia-fold circles are made into flowers, but our sample introduced this technique used to make an Easter cross.  

I love this technique and it isn't very difficult.  I especially like the look of it in the form of a cross, which is so perfect for Easter cards.  If you are interested in learning the Dahlia-Fold technique, it can be found on YouTube, Pinterest and Splitcoast Stampers, and here is a link to Splitcoast Stampers:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/dahlia_fold/

I did make a few minor changes to my card rather than making it exactly like Luci's, but my card still retains the look of the original design.  My first change was actually to correct an error I made in stamping and embossing my papers.  Now, you all probably remember the rule. . .stamp before embossing?  Well, guess what. . .I forgot all about the little EASTER sentiment in the lower right corner and away I went embossing, and making my Dahlia fold cross.  After I had it all assembled, I realized my mistake.  

To fix the problem, I decided to stamp the EASTER part of my sentiment on a small piece of Whisper White cardstock and punch it out with my Washi Label punch.  I wanted my word background much smaller than that the Washi Label punch provided, but not to worry. . .I had an idea.  After I stamped my EASTER word with the Mint Macaron coordinating ink and then punched it out, I cut the label narrower and then punched the ends shorter by lining it up and punching again to achieve my desired length. . .first on one side and then the other.  A little trick I learned long ago in order to handle a short and/or small piece of paper in a punch is to use a post-it note and stick it to your paper piece, which allows you to maneuver and position the small paper piece easier in the punch.  I think I like the way my EASTER turned out even better than the original design where it was stamped directly on the card front with the embossing on top.

My next change was to add a Mint Macaron layer between the card base and the card front.  This picked this color in the mini resin flower, the EASTER ink color, and the happy die cut.  Adding this layer did require me to cut a new and larger card base.  My final change was to add a bit of sparkly glitz by using glitter adhesive on my happy die-cut word and to the mini resin flower.  I'm likening my results, and I thank Luci for the original design that I tweaked just a bit!

I finished off my card by creating an inside coordinating design and finding the perfect Stampin' Up stamp for its verse.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up Products:  Papers - Cardstocks--Crumb Cake, Mint Macaron, Whisper White; Pattern-2015-2017 In-Color DSP Stack/ Crumb Cake dots.  Stamps--Crazy About You; Suite Sayings (verse).  Ink--Mint Macaron, Crumb Cake (insde).  Hello You Thinlit dies/ happy.  Softly Falling Embossing Folder.  Punches: 2-1/2" Circle (cross base); 2" Circle (cross side/top arms); Washi Label (Easter sentiment); Curvy Corner punch (inside).  2015-2017 In-Color Blossom Accents.  Dazzling Details Glitter Adhesive.  Recollections Pearls.

An Easter Waterfall!

I know the Waterfall technique was introduced as a tutorial on Splitcoaststampers way back in 2007, so it is definitely not a new technique, but one of my cardmaking buddies just introduced it to me last week. . .so it is brand new to me.  I just love it. . . such a clever idea.  After making a introductory card last week with her tutelage, I loved it even more.  Though it looks very involved, it turned out to be relatively easy to assemble, and I thank my friend Charlene for sharing her expertise.

This week, I challenged myself fly solo and create and cut my own waterfall card all by myself with no help.  Easter is looming; therefore, I decided my theme for my solo waterfall flight should be just that, an Easter card.  I went in search of the perfect images and papers to make my design.  I also decided to enter my end result in the 2 Cute for Ink Digital Stamps Challenge #133 - Easter Theme.  You might want to zip on over to their site and see all the cards submitted at: http://2cuteinkchallenges.blogspot.com/2016/03/challenge-133-easter-theme-new-digital.html.

Now, on with the search for items needed for my card.  In my Easter digital image stash, I found a simple Easter basket that I thought would be perfect with the Three Bunnies digital images by Beccy Muir.  Way back in 2011, she offered these fat little egg-bunnies as a free offering on her blog, and I knew they would be perfect for my Waterfall squares.  From my Easter paper stash, I decided on Doodlebug's Hello Spring--Easter Bunnies patterned paper, using the baby carrots as my focal paper and teaming it up with Stampin' Up's Cucumber Crush cardstock and an orange and cream small gingham check as a companion piece. 

 
I have an idea to make a bordered edge on my waterfall slide, but decided to wait until I felt I had mastered this technique first.  I am pretty happy with my second Waterfall attempt all on my own.  I even enlarged my card, waterfall squares, and the slide just a bit from my original "training" card.  I think my solo waterfall flight was successful and I'm pretty happy with my first Easter card.  Take a peek below!

The following pictures shows the card as the ribbon tab at the bottom is pulled to expose the hidden pictures one at a time creating the waterfall effect.  I love the impact you get and it isn't even difficult to do!!

I finished off my card by completing the inside with a simple Easter sentiment and decorative corner punching dressed up with bitty orange rhinestone flowers.

Recipe:  Papers:  Stampin' Up--Cucumber Crush cardstock; Doodlebug--Hello Spring/ Easter Bunnies; Orange/Cream gingham check (from stash).  Beccy Muir digital images: Three Bunnies; Easter Basket (from stash).  SU punch: Pinking Hearts (retired) (aka EK punch: Arrow Edger).  Recollections: 1/4" brads.  Copic Markers.  3/8" ribbon (from stash). Wink of Stella-Clear.  Size:  51/4" x 5-3/4".

Easter Greetings From My Doorstep to Yours!

I've been at it again. . .wreathmaking!  Several a few weeks ago, I still had my Valentine wreath on my door. . .and being sick, I had no inclination to remove it!  Well, last weekend, my wreathmaking pal, and daughter, came over to help me measure and cut ribbon and deco mesh so that I could get my Easter wreath completed. . .after all, such a disgrace, a Valentine wreath still on my door two weeks after the holiday was over!  I jest, because I thank her immensely for helping me with the "grunt" work and giving me company and encouragement in order to finish my Easter wreath and, at the same time, to become un-disgraced!

I was so glad that I had purchased all my Easter embellishment ingredients at the same time that I shopped for my Valentine wreath embellishments very early in February.  It not only helped get my Easter project done sooner, but also helped because I wasn't feeling too energetic while still overcoming the tiredness that lingered well after the flu.  If I had to go shopping for Easter embellishments before I could finished, my wreath may never have been completed before the upcoming holiday.

With all that said, I want to share my little Easter bunny wreath.  She sits very prettily on my door as we speak!

Recipe:  Deco Mesh: 21" White & Turquoise Metallic (Michaels).  Deco Mesh: 10" Metallic: Lime, Yellow, Lavendar, Medium Pink, White (JoAnns).  Deco Mesh: 12" Lt. Blue Metallic (Michaels).  Hobby Lobby: bunny, carrots, egg wire ribbon, large eggs.  JoAnns: small bunnies, tiny eggs (basket).  Michaels: small multi-colored eggs.  Stash: wire ribbons-yellow daisy, plaid, tulips (from Costco), mini basket.

Bring on the Easter Eggs!

I must be on a roll.  This is my fifth Easter card using a vintage image.  There are so many cute ones to choose from.  Again, this little hen image was too narrow in height; and therefore, it needed a lot of work in PaintShop Pro to add size above and below the hen image in order to fit it into a rectangular frame.  I added size to the sky and the path at the bottom, making sure to get the shading just right.  I learned a lot, and I am happy with the finished product.

My first step in all my Easter card has been to decide on the image I was going to use and the type of frame or background mat best suited to the size and dimension of the image.  My second step was to choose papers that would enhance the image without taking away from it.  In this case, my image was pretty colorful and bold, so I was able to pick up those vibrant colors from the cart and the Easter eggs to use in the papers.  Again, I used the frosted glitter adhesive technique over the image, but because it was such a colorful image, it really didn't tone down much as this technique often does to softer color shades.  

I've decided that even though it is a female hen, this card is bold enough that it takes on a masculine feel; therefore, I will reserve it for one of the fellows on my Easter list.  This was definitely a delightfully fun card to make.

The last step to complete the card and be able to say it is definitely finished is the inside coordinating design with a little verse.  I usually look at the picture or image and imagine a story based around the image.  Then, I try to choose just the right message to bring home the picture's story.  Indeed, those Easter bunnies need lots of eggs to color.  I see Mrs. Hen as part of the egg coloring production cres.  She is very busy, just as those bunnies are, making sure Easter is a joyful occasion for every little boy and girl! 

Recipe:  Papers:  Stampin' Up-Early Espresso cs (card base), Tangerine Tango cs; My Minds' Eye-Stella Rose: Hattie/ Happy, Gertie/ Friends & Delightful, Forever/ Dots.  Vintage online image.  Elmer's Craft Adhesive Spray.  JoAnn's Iridescent Fine Glitter.  Spellbinders die: Lattice Rectangles; Rectangles SM.  MFT dies: Accent It Labels & Tags.  PTI stamps: Scrambled Eggs-sentiment.  Michael's: Song of Springtime Trims.  Favorite Finding Buttons (mini).  May Arts: Jute Twine.  (Size: 6" x 5-1/8").

Top Hat Rabbit Gets Ready for Easter!

I am again using a vintage image as my focal point, and I envision this top hat rabbit in his apron going to an egg decorating party.  Don't you think he got all dressed up because he was trying to impress a certain lady bunny, whom he knew would be at the party as well.  Notice he has a bouquet of flowers that I envision he picked along the way  How's that for an imagination!

To start, I picked some possible papers that complimented my vintage image, and I was ready to go to work.  I had a 6 x 6 pad of canvas that I had used on another card recently to make a big canvas flower, and I thought that might make an interesting frame for my image rather than a traditional paper frame.  I adhered it to a piece of lightweight chipboard to give it stability, and then I ran it through my Big Shop using my Lifestyles Eyelet Square die.  It didn't cut it; it actually acted more like an embossing folder and imprinted on the canvas rather than cutting it, but I liked what I saw.  You know, one of those happy accidents, because I thought it would make an interesting mat background for my image rather than framing it!  (I'm thinking the thin wafer dies are not sharp enough to cut through a canvas and chipboard combination.)

With it now going to be a background for my image, I decided to pink the edge of the canvas with my pinking shears (old ones I keep in my tool stash).  To finish it off, I sponged and distressed the edges of the vintage image and the entire background of the embossed canvas in a combination of Baja Breeze and Pear Pizzaz Stampin' Up inks.  I so very much like the way the image and its canvas background turned out.  I was stoked!  Below is the finished product of my happy accident.

I decided this card would be for my husband, so I needed a verse that he would be pleased with...it needed to have a religious tone.  I typed it up and printed it out onto Very Vanilla cardstock, matted it with the Old Olive Words paper, and finished off the corners with the vine paper from the front.

Recipe:  Papers:  SU-Baja Breeze cs (card base), SU Brights Stack/ Old Olive words; K&Co.-Studio K: Meadow/ Breeze; Angel Co.-Country Cottage/ gold dot; Recollections: Canvas Stack; Grafix Lightweight Chipboard.  Lifestyles die: Eyelet Squares.  Vintage image (online freebie).  SU stamps: Delightful Dozen-sentiment.  SU Ink: Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Perar Pizzaz.  SU punch: Modern Labels.  SU buttons.  Offray ribbons.  Stash: Embroidery floss/ doubled; Pinking shears.  (Size: 5" x 6").

Little Easter Girl Bunny Delivers Eggs!

My next Easter card uses a vintage little girl bunny all dressed up and delivering eggs.  This vintage image was not really "built" to make a square image so I had to do a bit of doctoring in PaintShop Pro to add to the background areas of sky, bushes and path.  I was pretty pleased with the way it turned out.  I framed her in a glittered frame made with my Lifestyles Eyelet Squares dies.

I found the perfect paper aqua background paper with pink flowers in the same pink shade as my bunny's dress.  From there, the lace, ribbon and vintage embellishments just fell into place without any hard work.  I love it when that happens!

Once again, creating an inside coordinating design and just the right verse has finished off my card.

Recipe:  Papers:  Stampin' Up-Whisper Whiter cs (card base), Pretty-In-Pink cs; Subtles DSP Stack-Pool Party Chevron; Jillibean-Southern Chicken Dumping Soup: Celery Stocks (back); Making Memories-Garden Party Stripe (back/ check).  Lifestyles die: Eyelet Squares (frame).  Stampin' Up dies:  Finishing Touches Edgelets; Bitty Banner framelits.  Elmer's Craft Adhesive Spray.  JoAnn's Iridescent Fine Glitter.  PTI stamps: Scrambled Eggs (sentiment).  Stampin' Up ink: Cajun Craze.  Recollections: Vintage Resin flowers.  Prima Vintage Wood embellishments.  Stash: Lace; Ribbon.  (Size: 5-1/2" square).

Easter Bunny Takes Tea!

On  a roll, here is card number two for my Easter Stash.  This cute little Easter vintage image several years ago and stashed her on my computer for future use.  Do you ever find you are surfacing the web and find freebie images and put them away for a rainy day?  Along with Pinterest, this is another of my favorite past times.  I, of course, at this stage have more images than I'll ever use, I'm sure!

I thought this little bunny would be very cute with pastel Easter paper to add color to my card as there weren't many colors depicted in the image itself.  What better way than to do a ray card with multiple design paper patterns.  My next step was to address my little teatime bunny.  I sprayed my little image with adhesive spray and then dipped it into iridescent crystal fine glitter to make an almost frosted look to its surface.  I don't think the photograph really shows that detail much, and I apologize.  I then cut a circle frame using my Spellbinders Eyelet Circle die.  I also decided I wanted to use colored tickets for the sentiment, so I stamped up several different colors of cardstock with Easter sentiments, die-cut them with my Tim Holtz Ticket Strip, inked decorative lines around the edges, and added ink distressing.  Voila. . .three tickets just perfect for my card.   I think someone will be please when they receive this little bunny card!

Again, the final touch to complete the card is to decide on the inside creative design and the verse.  When that is finished, I know the card is totally done.

Recipe: Papers:  Stampin' Up - Pretty in Pink cs (card base), Pear Pizzaz cs.  Ray papers:  Imaginesce-For Peep's Sake: Spring Fling & Hot Chicks; WRMK-Cottontails 6x6 pad; Angel Co.-Country Cottage/ yellow; Authentique-Promise/ Four.  Spellbinders die: Eyelet Circles.  Sizzix/Tim Holtz die: Ticket Strip.  PTI stamps fr tickets.  Recollections: pink pearls.  Elmer's Craft Adhesdive Spray.  JoAnn's Iridescent Fine Glitter.  Stash: Lace, Organdy Glitter ribbon, vintage bunny image.  (Size: 5-1/2" square).  

Easter is Coming!

Yes, Easter is less than a month away!  Time to get out the Easter mojo and get my cards done.  Since I didn't get my Valentine's card done and sent due to my mouth surgery, I really must get with it for Easter!  What I also needed was to find that darn Easter bunny, and I think I found him lurking behind that watering can, peeking out among the flowers.

This is the cutest darn digi image...I just had to color this little bunny up with my Copics and start my Easter card with him.  After I decided to use the Stampin' Up Watercolor Wonder dsp from last year's Occasions catalog, the colors for the digi image (from an unknown source) and the card just fell together very quickly.  I spritzed my doily with my homemade spritzers in just the right shades to match the designer paper.  I even had some shaded ribbon in my stash that was a perfect match, is that serendipity, or what??!!

For me, to complete inside design to coordinate with the outside look of my card and to compose or find just the right verse is to actually finish the card in its entirety.  I compose most of my verses myself and print them out using my computer. 

Recipe:  Papers: Darice Kraft cs; Stampin' Up: Calypso Coral cs, Blushing Bride cs, Watercolor Wonder dsp.  Digital image: unknown source.  Copic Markers.  Wilton 4" doily.  Spritzers: SU ink: Calypso Coral, Daffodil Yellow.  Spellbinder die: Eyelet Squares.  SU framelit: Bitty Banners.  SU Finishing Touches Edgelits (petite pinking).  PTI sentiment stamp: Scrambled Eggs.  Prima flowers and roses.  SU: Dazzling Deails Glitter Glue (image flower centers).  Inside:  SU Labels framelit.  (Size: 5-1/2" x 6").

Easter Bunny Ready to Travel!

Late last night, I finally finished my last Easter card.  I have been on a roll using my newly invented stash of vintage Easter images that you have heard me talking about off and one for the last three weeks.  I needed another masculine Easter card and selected this cute little bunny with spectacles, who looks like he's ready to make a journey.  My guess is he is making his annual journey to color Easter eggs, and I surmise that the big egg in his basket backpack is his egg-coloring kit.  How's that for some imagination!

I found a wonderful stripe in my paper stash by Fancy Pants that matches my bunny image colors just right.  I decided all stripe was just too much, and since I seem to be using combinations of geometric paper patterns in the background of most of my Easter card so far, I might as well stick to my groove, right?  I framed this little rabbit by re-enforcing the thickness of one of the background papers, cut it out with the Spellbinders Deckled Rectangles, which had to be modified so all edges would be the same thickness, sprayed it with adhesive glue, and added a thin coat of fine crystal glitter.  I was satisfied with my results, but wished I had taken time to sewing machine a straight stitch on the striped segments and entirely around the outer edge of as well, but time was limited, so here is my finished card, which will be for my husband:

Recipe:  Papers:  Stampin' Up Very Vanilla cs (base); Fancy Pants Beach Bum-Hawaiian Stripes; AdornIt Vintage Groove-Polka Dot Green; Recollections Basics-Blue Pinstripe.  Spellbinders dies: Deckled Rectangles LG, Rectangles LG.  Vintage online Easter image.  HugSnug seam binding: Blue Jay, Moss Green.  Queen&Co.: Twinkle Goosebumps.

My husbad's striped Easter card fits the Shabby Tea Room's Week #214 Challenge, which requires the use of polka dots or stripes, so I thought I put it into the challenge as my second entry.  The challenge's inspiration photo tells you your card should be Easter-oriented as well.

Don't forget to visit The Shabby Tea Room at the link below to take a look-see at all the wonderful entries:

http://theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/2014/04/week-214-easter-sweetness.html

Vintage Girl and Her Easter Bunnies!

I found this cute little vintage digital postcard image online today and thought what a cute Easter card it would make.  I had to work with it a bit in PaintShop Pro because it was pretty narrow and I knew I would want to frame it with either a circle or a square frame.  I added an extra border around the image to widen it and cloned and smudged in the background color shadings all around the picture, so that when I printed the image, it wouldn't jumped from a nice shaded background to the white of the cardstock showing in the picture frame.  It also had some printing at the top and bottom right, which was extremely light and totally not legible in such a small image.  It cluttered up the image, thus I decided to removed it entirely.  Now, it was ready to size and print for my card.

I found some pretty pink and green papers and decided to do an alternating crisscross paper pattern for the background behind my little framed girl and bunnies.  I also decided to try applying a light film of glitter to the picture to add a different flair, using spray adhesive.  I think I like the way it turned out.

Recipe:  Paper: Stampin' Up Whisper White (base); WRMK Cotton Tails 6x6 pad (patterns); Martha Stewart Love Notes Mat pad; Bazzill Irish Eyes (frame). Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Squares, Squares LG.  Vintage Easter digital image (online).  Stampin' Up Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  HugSnug seam binding: Moss Green/ Vivid Pink.  Prima paper flower.  Recollections colored pearls.  Colorbox Chestnut Roan sponge distressing.

Easter Bunny Rays!

I just finished another Easter card using my newly acquired stash of vintage Easter digital images that I have been finding online and sprucing up in PaintShop Pro.  I just love this little "top hat" Easter bunny.  He looks so cheerful as he goes about the business of painting and decorating Easter eggs.  I thought he would make a perfect card for the masculine members of my family, yet he is so whimsical that I think the female members would enjoy him as well.

Finding papers that would go with his colorful clothing meant not using traditional Easter paper that's for sure.  I decided a "coat of many colors" card would be appropriate and that would best be achieved by making a sunburst ray card.  I ended up using some old My Mind's Eye Stella Rose papers I have had around for over three years...their colors were perfect.  I added a few pieces of Stampin' Up papers as well to achieve the mix I was looking for.  Here is the card I ended up with:

Recipe:  Darice Kraft cardstock (base); MME Stella Rose: Gertie, Hazel, Hattie/ So Sophie: Brothers & Sisters; Adornit Vintage Groove: Polka Dot Green (back); Stampin' Up Print Poetry: red flower, green quatrefoil.  Spellbinders die: Big Scallop Ovals SM, Ovals SM.  Vintage online digital image.  Elmer's Adhesive Spray.  Stash: crystal fine glitter.  Stampin' Up Ink: Baja Breez (lightly sponged image background).  HugSnug seam binding: Serbin Brown (olive), Goldenrod (colored w-Copic: YR23).  Stampin' Up button.  Stash:  tan scrapbooking floss.  Faux stitching (fine brown pen).  Inside: EK Scallop Corner punch.

Again this week, I have decided to enter my son's Easter card in The Shabby Tea Room's Week #214 challenge: Easter Sweetness, which requires the use of stripes and/or polka dots.  The inspiration photo and the title of the challenge surely tell you it must be an Easter card:

Be sure to visit The Shabby Tea Room blog to see all the other exciting entries in this challenge.  Click on the link below to be transport to the tea room!

http://theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/2014/04/week-214-easter-sweetness.html

Eggstra Special Easter Wishes!

As I did last year, I decided I needed to look over my Easter stash to see what was lurking before I started another card.  Last year, I made myself use everything from my stash rather than buy or look for anything new.  I spotted this really cute paper that I know I've had for over three years.  I have loved it for just that long, so I don't know why I hadn't used it before.  This year is certainly the time to do it for sure! I still have many more foam Easter shapes in my stash. . .so why not use them again.  As I learned last year, if you color the purple rabbit with Copic markers, they will actually color, usually darker than the pen color.  I chose a dark brown Copic, which was be perfect for this card.  Here is my final creation:

Recipe: SU Cardstock: Whisper White, Bashful Blue. Pattern: WRMK Hippity Hoppity Easter Tree. Sentiment: Computer-generated. Punches: Martha Stewart Swirling Lace Around the Page Border & 3-in-1 Butterflies. Spellbinders Long Rectangles SM & Long Scalloped Rectangles SM. SU Beautiful Wings Sizzilit die. Extras: SU Bashful Blue 5/8" Satin ribbon, SU 1/8" Taffeta ribbon (bunny bow), Blue/White ribbon (Michael's $1 bin). Recollections 3mm multi-colored rhinestones, rhinestone ovals (butterfly body) & black mini pearl (bunny eye). $1 Store Glitter Eggs & Bunnies (eggs decorated with ribbon and rhinestones). Glue dot minis, Scotch foam tape, Scotch 1/4" tape glider.

A Decorative Glittery Easter Egg!

I bought two egg dies last year after Easter, and I was anxious to try out at least one this year.  I decided to go with the larger of the two dies and make it the focal point of my card.  I chose a cheerful pastel polka dot to peek through the decorative cutouts in the egg.  I like the way it turned out, and I think it looks very elegant.  I decided on an embossed raised layer mat behind the egg to add depth in this almost monochromatic card...white with a pinkie-coral.

When I finished my card, I decided it suited the current Shabby Tea Room challenge: #213 - Floral Fantasy, which requires you to create a project inspired by the beautiful colors in the photo and include flowers and ribbon/ lace.  

There are many beautiful cards already posted for this challenge, plus design team sample inspirations. . .be sure to check out the website by clicking on the link below:

http://theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/2014/04/week-213-floral-fantasy.html

Submitting my card for this challenge was of secondary importance, because the original purpose in making it was to send it to a family members as a way to let them know I am thinking about them during this Easter season.  I hope they are as please with it as I am!  (Of course, I also hope the Shabby Tea Room thinks its a winner as well!)

Recipe:  Papers: Stampin' Up Whisper White cardstock (base); Staples Cherry cs.  DCWV Stripes & Polka Dots Stack.  Spellbinders M-Bossabilities: Splendid/ Design B.  WRMK Deco Corner Chomper.   Lifestyles QuicKutz die: Doily Egg.  Elmer's Craft Bond adhesive spray.  Stash: Fine Iridescent white glitter (JoAnns).  Stampin' Up stamp: Delightful Dozen.  Stampin' Up punch:  Modern Label.  Stampin' Up Ink: Basic Black.  Stampin' Up 3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim: Strawberry Slush.  Stash:  white lace; Cherry plaid ribbon.   Recollection pears (R20 Copic marker colored).

Mom's Beautiful Easter Egg!

In my newly created stash of vintage Easter images, there was one image in particular that jumped right out at me and said, "This is the perfect image to make a card for Mom for Easter...she absolutely loves the colors in this beautiful decorative egg."  The decision was easy, but finding just the right papers with the right color hues was not so easy.  I must have looked through almost all the paper I own (and that is no small amount), but still I procrastinated and looked some more.  Finally I found three that I was satisfied with.  So, to work I went and created a simply vintage Easter egg card just for Mom.

While I was at it, I noticed that the Shabby Tea Room is having a challenge, which also helped to inspire my card, so I decided I should enter the Week #213 - Floral Fantasy challenge with Mom's Easter card made just for her.  The challenge requires you to create a project inspired by the multitude of soft pastel roses in the photo provided and to include flowers and ribbon/ lace.  

My card inspiration for this challenge and for Mom's special Easter card is shown below.  Don't forget to go and check out the other cards entered in the Shabby Tea Room challenge this week by clicking on the link below:

http://theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/2014/04/week-213-floral-fantasy.html

Recipe:  Bazzill Lily Pond cs (base); Deck the Halls (mat); Basic Grey Serendipity 6x6 pad; Authentique Promise-Four 6x6 pad.  Spellbinders Floral Ovals + Ovals LG.  HugSnug seam binding-Moss Green + White Copic colored R14.  Prima paper flower.  Queen&Co. Pearls.  Elmer's Craft Bond adhesive spray.  Stash: Crystal glitter (used on image + frame).  Colorbox Chestnut Roan sponge distressing.