Card Crop: Valentine's with Michelle

Nothing says Valentine's Day like a hand-crafted Valentine for your sweet.  I am going to show you how to make this super easy stand-up card:



Dimensions: 4.25x10", score every 1.25" along length

This is totally optional; I like the added texture it provides







Have fun with this part. I like to leave a few embellies semi-adhered so they pop up when the card is open (like the birds and hearts here). Fun to use flowers on stems, balloons on strings, animals, people, houses, whatever. For the grass, I cut the fringe then curled it with a bone folder to separate the paper's layers.

There you have it. I love this style of card. The free standing base makes it perfect as a photo-holder, too Can't wait to see your creations.

You'll have until Monday, the 16th at midnight CDT to post your card in our gallery and add a link in the comments here or in the matching thread in the forum {linked} to be eligible for prizes. We'll see you in an hour with another card.

Card Crop: Baby with Carla

For my "welcome baby" card, I wanted to make a shaped card. I have seen several online using baby diapers or onesies. I found THIS one to base my sample on.

Start with a piece of cardstock 11" x 4 1/4". Score at 5 1/2" and fold.


Mark the center of the card at the top. Using a 1 3/4 circle punch, cut a "neck" hole at the top of the card as shown:

I positioned the punch about half-way. Alternatively, you can find any circle template, draw the half-circle and cut with scissors.

For the "leg" holes, I used the same punch, but positioned it as shown:


This is what your card will look like so far.


Trim off the pointed edges on the leg holes:


Score a line or two on the bottom of the card.


Measure down 1 1/2" from the top edge of the card and lightly mark in 1/2 inch on both sides. From the top of the 2 leg openings, draw a line to the marks you made.Cut this out with scissors or exacto knife.



Embellish as desired!


You'll have until Monday, the 16th at midnight CDT to post your card in our gallery and add a link in the comments here or in the matching thread in the forum {linked} to be eligible for prizes. We'll see you in an hour with another card.

Card Crop: Happy Birthday with Jules

There are so many possibilities with this card and it is fun!

After you have cut the card a few times it becomes second nature....I would suggest you practice with paper that you don't care about for the first time! I used copy paper!

Here is the first pic I took of the card...



Then I decided it needed grass...LOL...



Then when you 'open' the card here is the 'inside'



First cut your cardstock (best to use NON textured!) 5 1/2" x 6 3/4"



Now, line your paper in your cutter at the 2 3/4" mark and score from 0 to 1 1/4" and then from 4 to 5 1/2"




Move the cardstock down to the 4" mark and make the same scores as above. It should look like this after the scores.



Now, put the cardstock back in the cutter and move to the 1 1/4" mark and CUT from 1 1/4" to 4 1/4"


Slide it over to the 5 1/2 mark and cut again from 1 1/4" TO the 4 1/4" mark...it should look like this



Now, flip your cardstock and put it on the 1 1/4 mark and cut from the cut line TO the score line, then from the next score line to the next cut line.


Move cardstock down to the 4 1/4 mark and cut as above....it should now look like this


Now, fold one side down and the other up and you will have this




Now.....you are ready to decorate!!!! You can cut your pp to fill it all in or you can do what I did, I cut 1" strips and fit them in.
2 1" x 5 3/8" strips (the long edges)
4 1" x 1 3/8" strips (the longer pieces at the top)
2 1" x 1" the middle pieces



The center piece is 3x4 1/4" so I cut the center piece 2 3/4 x 4". Have fun! You can write a note on the back side of the card!

You'll have until Monday, the 16th at midnight CDT to post your card in our gallery and add a link in the comments here or in the matching thread in the forum {linked} to be eligible for prizes. We'll see you in an hour with another card.

Card Crop: Masculine with Carla

This card is an EASEL card. I like the way it stands. It's a neat little design and not too difficult to make.

Start with an 11" x 4 1/2 piece of cardstock. Score at 5 1/2" (center fold) and also at 2 3/4" up from the bottom. Cut another piece of cardstock 4 1/2" x 5 1/2". This will be the front of the card.


Fold bottom piece of main card part UP as shown.


Add cardstock/patterned paper to the card front and inside. My cs was 4 1/4" x 5 1/4". The pp was 4" x 5".


Add a stamped image to the front of the card.


On the inside, I added a small piece of cardstock (3 1/2" x 2"). The sentiment, I matted and popped it up with popdots. The reason for popping it is so the front of the card can rest against it when the card is opened.


Embellish as desired.

You'll have until Monday, the 16th at midnight CDT to post your card in our gallery and add a link in the comments here or in the matching thread in the forum {linked} to be eligible for prizes. We'll see you in an hour with another card.

Card Crop: Sympathy with Lee

Like most of us, sending a sympathy card is not something we want to do. And every time I send a simple sympathy card, it just never seems like enough. So I like to send a pouch card that holds a coffee card and a note that says something like "lets go for coffee and talk".

Here is my example:




Some tips when creating a Sympathy Card:
- keep your colors muted
- Keep your sentiments simple
- Use images that are generic (birds, flowers, simple graphics)
- Less is more with sympathy cards

Instructions for Pouch:

1. Cut cardstock and patterned paper so each piece measures
5 1/4" X 3 3/4".
2. Using a circle punch, punch a half circle in the patterend paper on one 5 1/4 side.
3. Choose your ribbon and lightly tack down the ribbon in the desired postion on the patterned paper, making sure to tuck the ends of the ribbon on the wrong side of the patterned paper.
3. Sew or use double sided tape to secure three sides of your pouch. (but not the edge with the punched edge)
4. Add a sentiment.

Instructions for Envelope:

1. Using an 81/2 X 11 inch paper, score one long edge 4 inches into the paper, score the other long edge 1/2 inch.
2. Score one short edge 2 3/4 from the edge of the paper and score the other score the other edge 2 3/4 from the edge of the paper.
3. Cut away the paper so your envelope looks like this. Keep these cut away pieces.


4. Cut 1 inch off the top edge. Then cut a scalloped edge, use whatever decorative punch you desire.
scored and folded envelope

5. Glue a waste strip of cardstock that measures 1 1/2 X 4" to the center of your envelope, securing the middle flaps. And
punch holes 1 inch from the bottom and 1 inch from the top edges of your envelope.

6. Make two small circles out of scrap paper and punch holes in the centers of them.


7. Place eyelets or brads to your punched circles and add to your envelopes.

add eyelets


8. Glue down bottom 1/2 inch edge.

finished envelope

You'll have until Monday, the 16th at midnight CDT to post your card in our gallery and add a link in the comments here or in the matching thread in the forum {linked} to be eligible for prizes. We'll see you in an hour with another card.

Card Crop: Christmas with Haydee

For this card I've heat embossed and used markers to watercolor.
This card can be made with any stamp. I've chosen a set of poinsettia stamps I have.


Really very simple! Stamp with Versamark (although many other stamp pads will work if they stay wet long enough to adhere the embossing powder), pour your embossing powder and let the heat gun do all the work for you. Just make sure not to leave the gun in one area too long or you will burn your paper.

Then pull out your water=based markers (or fine coloring pencils) and edge your design. Use a water brush pen or small paintbrush and blend the colors. I use heavy watercolor paper that comes in a pad. It is made to get wet and can be worked well without tearing.



When you are all finished with the coloring then cut your designs out. I layered mine on several paper mats as well, made a tag and added some ribbon and pearls.

And here's the finished card - very simple and it looks elegant for the holidays!

You'll have until Monday, the 16th at midnight CDT to post your card in our gallery and add a link in the comments here or in the matching thread in the forum {linked} to be eligible for prizes. We'll see you in an hour with another card.