Make a Wish...........Birthday Banner Card

Every now and again we all need a little push to try something out that isn't in our comfort zone.  Last week I entered that "twilight zone" by choosing to make a gender neutral birthday card using banners and brighter colours than I normally would.

The decision to change up my usual card making style gave me an opportunity to try out some of my new products from the Spring Occasions catalogue. 

Supplies:
Stamp Sets:  Perfect Pennants #133230(cm) or wood #133227and Bring on the Cake

Framelit:  Banners Framelit Dies #132173  Note: You can save 15% by bundling the Banner Framelit Die and Perfect Pennants Stamp set.  See details on Page 27 of the Occasions Catalogue.

Ink:  Real Red, Coastal Cabana

Card Stock:  Real Red, Crumb Cake, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White

DSP:  Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Pack #132996, pg 33 Occasions Catalogue

Accessories:  2 1/2 Circle Punch, Starburst Framelits Die #132967, 1/2 inch circle punch, Stripes Embossing Folder, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder (Free in Sale-a-bration Catalogue with $60 purchase until MARCH 31st) adhesive, Big Shot Machine,

Bring On The Cake - Clear-Mount Stamp set #121958 Price: $33.95 or Wood Mount # 128490 $47.95

Perfect Pennants Clear-mount Stamp Set #133230 Price: $26.95 or Wood Mount #133227 Price: $36.95

Perfect Pennants Clear-Mount Bundle   #134816 Price: $50.95 or Wood Mount #134815 Price: $59.50    If you want to create that "just because" project for a friend or loved one, the Perfect Pennants Set is perfect! And the Banners Framelits Dies make cutting the Perfect Pennants images quick and easy.  Buy the Perfect Pennants clear-mount stamp set and coordinating Banners Framelits Dies together at a 15% discount. 

Here's My Finished Card:

TIP FOR USING BANNER FRAMELIT DIES:

Tip #1.  I find it really helpful to put a label on each package of dies that I have in my stockpile of Stampin' Up Tools so I can find them quickly when I'm searching for it in the drawer.  

Tip #2:  I like to number my nesting framelits starting from the inside and working to the center.  As you can see from this picture there are 6 dies in this framelit set.  I just use a Sharpie Black Marker.

Tip #3:  When I get a new die cut I like to cut a template for reference.  The template(s) can be stored in the packaging for the die cut and I find it helps to write the number of the Framelit and the framelit measurements on each of the templates in a set. When I'm working on a sketch or designing my own card I can play with the templates to get positioning and sizing worked out before I cut my actual card layers.  

The next layer on this card is really fun to make.  For the Coastal Cabana banner simply cut a 2 1/2" x 8 1/4" piece of card stock and score this piece at 4 2/8 and fold on the score line.   

  Using framelit #2 from the Banner Framelit dies, place the fold line of the Coastal Cabana card stock just below the cutting edge of the framelit and run through the Big Shot.  

To make sure the fold line isn't cut off place the card stock a little below the cutting line.  See the gap above.

Emboss the full banner with the Stripes Embossing Folder.  Adhere this banner to the right hand side of the large dsp banner.

Using Framelit #3 cut out a banner from Whisper White card stock and stamp it with the "Wish Big" sentiment from the Bring on the Cake stamp set.  Adhere this smaller banner to the inside of the folded Coastal Cabana banner.

For the layered Starburst portion of the tag, stamp the sentiment "Make a Wish" from the Perfect Pennants stamp set in Real Red on Whisper White and punch out with a 2 1/2" circle punch.  Stamp the sentiment again in Coastal Cabana ink and punch out the "a" with the 1/2" circle punch.  Mount this small "a" with a dimensional to the real red image.   

Die cut a piece of Real Red card stock with the Starburst Framelit die and adhere to Coastal Cabana banner with dimensionals.  

For the inside of the card I adhered the top of a 5 14 x 4" piece of Whisper White card stock to the card base.  I added a 1/4" wide strip of the Fresh Prints Designer Paper to the right hand side of this card layer and stamped the sentiment "Sending Good Thoughts Your Way" in Real Red ink.

This card could be made in many colour combinations, just pick a piece of DSP or make your own designer paper by combining at least 3 colours. I really liked using the Banner Framelits for this card and the Starburst framelit and think they added a modern twist. 

Thanks for joining me today and checking out this brief tutorial.  Hope you enjoyed it.  I would really appreciate your comments and any tips you can leave about how you organize or work with framelits and your thoughts on this card.  Is it one you would re-create?  Let me know.

 Penny  





 

Tags 4 You Pinwheel Tutorial

 

In follow up to my workshop at the end of September, I wanted to give each of my new customers a card and a thank you for their orders.  Since the workshop was a Winter/Christmas theme I decided to make each of them a Christmas card that they can actually use.

As these gals are all relatively new to stamping I wanted to keep the card simple and yet fun, so decided on using a pin wheel tag base layered on some of the Seasons of Style Designer Paper and feature the "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" sentiment from the Tags 4 You stamp set.  This is a very simple card and so a great design for a stamp a stack class or when you want to churn out a bunch of cards for your friends and relatives assembly line style.  Here's the "how to's"

Supply List:

Cardstock:  Cherry Cobbler for the card base, Gumball Green for the pinwheel base, Whisper White for the sentiment and inside of the card

Stamps:  Tags 4 You* from the Holiday catalogue, Small Snow flake stamps or some other Winter/Christmas themed stamp to decorate the inside of the card.

Designer Paper: Seasons of Style Designer Paper, Red Glimmer Paper

Ink:  Gumball Green and Cherry Cobbler

Accessories:  Chevron Embossing Folder, Basic Rhinestones, Bracket Punch*, Apothecary Framelits, Trimmer, Sponge Daubers, Dimensionals, Adhesive strips. 

Note:  The Tags 4 You and the Bracket punch can be purchased individually or as a bundle.  You save 15% off total cost before shipping and handling when you buy the bundle.   

For the Card Front:

1. Cut Cherry Cobbler card stock to measure 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" for the base, score at the center and fold.
2. Dry emboss the front panel of the card with the Chevron Embossing Folder
3. Using your trimmer cut a strip of Season of Style DSP to measure 51/2 x 1 1/2" 
4. Cut two 5/12" x 1/4" strips of Red Glimmer Paper
5. Choose which side of the DSP you want facing up, I chose the stripes to contrast with the pinwheel.  On the reverse side lay down two strips of sticky strip - one on each long edge and attach the two 1/4" wide strips of Red Glimmer Paper.  TIP:  I line up the glimmer paper along a straight line on my grid paper, remove the sticky strip backing on one side of the DSP and position this piece over top of the glimmer paper adjusting to make sure the amount of glimmer paper showing is even and then adhere the strip.  I repeat this for the other side of the DSP.  
6. Adhere the DSP/Glimmer paper strip to the front of the card about 5/8" from the bottom.  TIP: Because this piece needs to bear the weight of the pinwheel I adhere it with a couple of sticky strips along each edge.
7. For the pinwheel, cut two 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 squares of Old Olive Card stock.  Lay one square over the other to achieve a Star of David pattern and adhere together.  TIP:  When I make the first pinwheel I always line up the points on grid paper so it's evenly spaced all around.  Once I've adhered the two pieces together, I draw an outline around it so I have a template.  The template acts as a guide for making more pinwheels.  This is really helpful when you're making a lot of these cards.
8. Once the base for the pin wheel is assembled cut eight 1" by 1" squares using your paper trimmer.  TIP: Cut 1" by 6" strips of DSP and then cut these strips down to 1" squares.  When you're assembling the pinwheel alternate the patterns of the DSP to achieve a patchwork effect.
9. See the pictures below for placement of these squares.  It's important that when you place the first square that you only glue down half of it.  When you place the last square on the pinwheel you'll need to lift up the first one and work the last square under it.  Once the last piece is glued down, then glue down the edge from the first square so it lays flat.  This step will make sense when you make your first pinwheel.
10. Stamp the sentiment in Gumball Green on Whisper White card stock and cut out with the bracket punch.  Glue to the center of the pinwheel with dimensionals and add two basic rhinestones for a little more bling.
11. Attach the pinwheel to the center of the strip with dimensionals.

For the inside of this card I cut out Whisper White card stock with the Apothecary Labels Framelits and then stamped some random snowflakes with Cherry Cobbler ink to add some interest.  You could paper pierce this piece to add more interest.

The inside of this card has a piece of Whisper White card stock but to 51/4 x 4" and again some random snowflakes stamped in Cherry Cobbler ink.

Here's a batch of the cards I completed.  Don't they look cheery and bright? This design can be used for any occasion just change up your paper and sentiments.

Making the Pinwheel:

Cut 2 squares measuring 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" from coordinating card stock.  For this example I am using Island Indigo.

Using grid paper, line up the two corners of your square so the points are resting on a line (top and bottom of square).  Adjust the sides of the square so they are in the middle of a grid line.  Draw a line around the square with a marker pen.

Once you've drawn the first square remove the square and this is what it should look like. 

Line up the second square so it intersects with the first one and again draw a line around it with a marker.

Save this drawing because this will become a template that you can use to line up your squares before gluing them together.

Cut strips of designer paper to measure 1" x 6".  Cut these strips into8 1" squares.  If you move the strip along between the inches, it is easier to cut them.  Don't use a 1" punch because you waste dsp. 

Lay out the squares so you have one of one pattern and then the next in the flip side of the DSP. This just makes it easier to grab the next square for gluing onto the grid.

Glue the first square to the top pointed piece of the pinwheel.  This is your starting piece.

Only put adhesive on the right hand side of the 1" square so you can lift it at the end. You'll see when we get to that picture why you do this.

Once you have the first square in place just continue around overlapping squares and reversing the patterns as you go.

Okay now you need to lift the left hand corner of the first square.

While the corner is lifted fit the last 1" square in place and glue down, then add adhesive to the left had corner of the first square and glue it down. 

When it's all finished your pinwheel will look like this.  Make sure all the squares are glued down so they don't catch and lift.  You're now ready to put whatever embellishment you choose in the center of the square so the construction part is covered. 

To construct the strip on the face of the card cut a piece of DSP from the same paper you chose for the pinwheel to 5 1/2" x 1 1/2".  Also cut two strips of card stock or glimmer paper 1/4" x 5 1/2".  These strips will be mounted on either side of the dsp strip before it's adhered to the card front.

Just put sticky strip on the back of the DSP piece long edges and then add the smaller card stock strips.  Make sure they measure the same when you look at the flip side - see next picture.

I added a snowflake to the front of this card so this picture just shows the Festive Flurry snowflake image cut out in Silver Glimmer paper being added to the front of the pinwheel. 

Here's the finished card with the embellishment added.  I used the Honeysuckle Embossing Folder to dress up the front of the card.  Kind of looks like ice crystals. 

This is the inside of the card.  Both stamp sets used are retired.

Here are some additional pinwheel samples.  You can make these ahead and just add them to your cards when you make them.  They're so much fun to make and so quick once your pieces are cut out.  This is a terrific way to use up scraps.  

 

The sentiment is from the Chalk Talk stamp set and is mounted on a Red Glimmer paper scallop circle.  Silver glimmer paper replaces 4 of the 1" squares to add some bling. 

This one features Red Glimmer Paper matched up with Cherry Cobbler card stock and Season of Style Designer Series of Paper.  The stamp is from the Tags 4 You stamp set.

Here's one for Thanks Giving that was made for the Pals Paper Challenge #175 this week.  I made the designer paper as part of a One Sheet Wonder using the Wonderfall Stamp set and Gorgeous Grunge.  The patterns are stamped in Always Artichoke, So Saffron, Cajun Craze and Early Espresso inks.  I added Champagne Glimmer Paper for some bling.  The sentiment is punched out with the Bracket punch and then I punched out two more bracket labels, cut them in half and fitted them to the back of the sentiment.  Easy peasy!

Here's one I made last year using the Ornaments Stamp set and Framelits.  It was mounted on a quilt base that was achieved with strips of dsp on adhesive sheets. 

And that's it for this tutorial and post.  Hope you enjoyed it.  I'd love to have your comments and if you make one using this tutorial please link back to me.  Appreciated.

Card Box Tutorial

I promised to make a gift box holder for my Festive Flurry cards in my  September 7th post entitled Festive Flurry in a Festival of Colours.  

Today was the first chance I've had to sit down and work on a tutorial, so my apologies for taking so long to deliver.  

Basics for Assembling Gift Box

1. Start with a piece of card stock or DSP measuring 5 7/8 x 7 1/4" and score at 5/8" on all four sides.

By placing a marker on the 5/8" score line on my Simply Scored Scoring Tool it made scoring this piece so easy! 

2.  Cut from the outside edge to the fold line on all four sides.  Snip a piece off each corner to make assembly easier. These tabs will be folded to the inside of the lid.  

  4.  Add sticky strip to the corner tabs and then remove the adhesive backing.  Fold the tabs to the inside and tape to the side flap.  Make sure that you square up the corners so they match.  Repeat on the other side.

Once all the tabs have been adhered, the box lid should look like this on the inside.

This is a view of the outside of the lid.  I made this mockup box in DSP but it's not as firm as when made from card stock, so my preference would be to make it using card stock. 

Box Bottom:

1.  Cut a piece of card stock to measure 7" x 8 3/8" for the box bottom.  Score it at 1 1/4" on all four sides.

 2.  Cut from the outside edge to the center fold on each corner.  Snip a small "V" to the center line to make the side pieces fit together more easily.  Add sticky strip to the corner tabs.

3.  Remove the backing from the sticky strip and fold the tabs to the inside.  make sure the sides are carefully aligned. 

Festive Flurry Gift Box:

 Supplies:

• 7 x 8 3/8" piece of Whisper White card stock for bottom of box
• 5 7/8 x 7 1/4" piece of Island Indigo for lid
• 81/2" piece of Chevron  Island Indigo Ribbon
• 4 x 4" piece Whisper White for Smokey Slate Large Snowflake
• 3 1/4 x 3 1/4"  piece of Whisper White for Island Indigo Snowflake
• 2 3/4 x 2 3/4"  piece of Silver Glimmer Paper for Glimmer Snowflake
• 2 x 2" piece of Whisper White for Smokey Slate Small Snowflake
• Small Scrap of Silver Glimmer Paper for BoHo Blossoms Punch Snowflake
• Medium Sized Basic Rhinestone 
• Smokey Slate and Island Indigo Inks
• Boho Blossoms Flower Punch
• Festive Flurry Stamp Set and Coordinating Dies

Assembling The Gift Box:

1.  Follow the assembly instructions above to make the bottom of the box. Note:  To make the box bottom more stable I cut an additional piece of white card stock to fit in the bottom of the box and adhered this piece with sticky strip. 

2.  Score and cut the tabs for the lid on the Island Indigo card stock piece.  Before assembling the lid adhere the Island Indigo Chevron Ribbon across the  lid.  I started the ribbon at the score line on the underside of the lid, ran it across the length of the lid to the other side.  I used sticky strip under the ribbon to secure it. Once the ribbon is attached then finish folding and assembling the lid.  

3.  Stamp and assemble snowflakes for the lid top as follows:

• Stamp Large Snowflake image in Smokey Slate ink on 4 x 4" piece of Whisper White and cut out with large snowflake die 
• Stamp the next size of snowflake in Island Indigo ink on 3 1/4 x 3 1/4" piece of Whisper White and cut out with corresponding snowflake die. 
• Cut out a snowflake from the 2 3/4 x 2 3/4" piece of Silver Glimmer Paper using the next size snowflake
• Stamp the smallest snowflake in Smokey Slate on the 2 x 2" piece of Whisper White
• Punch out the 5-sided star with the Boho Blossoms Punch
• Adhere the medium sized rhinestone to the center of the Glimmer star.  

This picture shows the various sizes of snowflakes and dies used to create the center piece for the box lid.

Box bottom, lid with ribbon and snowflakes before final assembly.

4.  Assemble the centerpiece in this order:

• Attach Island Indigo Snowflake to Large Smokey Slate Snowflake with Dimensionals
• Attach Glimmer Paper Snowflake to Island Indigo Snowflake with Dimensionals
• Attach Small Smokey Slate Snowflake to Glimmer Paper Snowflake with Dimensionals
• Attach Small Glimmer Paper Star to center of small snowflake matching the star pattern.

Attach assembled snowflakes to the center of the box lid with sticky strip.

 

Back view of all the snowflakes before they were glued together.

Island Indigo adhered to Large Smokey Slate Snowflake

Silver Glimmer Paper Snowflake adhered to Island Indigo Snowflake. 

 

This view shows the small Snowflake adhered as the fourth layer.  I made sure the snowflake points were turned so they never overlapped and it was easy to see the snowflake layers below.  Hope that makes sense.

Finally attach the small Glimmer Paper star to the center of the small snowflake.  Use the star shape outline as your guide for attaching the star.  Adhere a medium sized basic rhinestone to the center.

 

Finished Box and Lid

Gift Box and four Festive Flurry Cards in Island Indigo, Wisteria Wonder, Blushing Bride and Pear Pizzazz.

This picture shows the finished lid and the box bottom with the envelopes in it.  I stamped a single snowflake in Smokey Slate on the four envelopes.

I added a piece of Whisper White card stock to the inside of the lid to give it more stability and stamped the Smokey Slate snowflakes randomly on this piece.  This piece also covers the ends of the ribbon so it has a neater appearance.

And that's the end of my tutorial on gift boxes for the Festive Flurry Christmas cards.  I hope you found it helpful.  I'd love to hear from you so let me know if it worked for you.