April Design Team Project for Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge: Bay Window Easel Card

 For my design team project, I wanted to try out the different take on an easel card. I am calling it a bay window easel card. Not sure if it has another name or not but I felt this fits. This is my first time trying out this particular fun fold. It is so easy! If you are a beginner you can totally do this. Then just add the elements you want to to the front.

For the papers, I used a 6x6 pad by Recollections that I have had for a while. Why do I keep buying these packs?...I will never use all 180 sheets. For the bunny and the pink ears, nose, and cheeks I used a sheet from the pack that was mostly pink. I know, so original. :)

I hope this inspires you to try this bay window easel card if you haven't already.

I have a video over on YouTube showing how this card is made. I hope you will watch just head here.

Use Your Ribbon Stash: Cardmaking

 I wanted to make a cute spring card that would use up some ribbon. Ribbon is not something I reach for often in card making so it was fun to try to come up with a way to use it. On this card, I helped used it to define the focal area of the card. It did make the card very dimensional so this would be one I would hand deliver. How do you use ribbon on cards?

Dollartree Inspired Card- Use Your Stash

 

I kept seeing these flat-backed pearls in my stash... they are in rows connected by glue. I really wanted to find another way to use these. Then it hit me. Could they be placed in a circle? Maybe make a balloon shape? Well, the balloon shape didn't happen but a flower came out of it. I just drew some stems and added a sticker sentiment. How quick and easy is that? Hope you will take out some of your stash that is collecting dust as I did. Find a different way to use it. You may just love what you come up with.

🤔Lining up Coordinating Dies and Stamps

 Here is a short video showing how I make sure my stamps line up with the coordinating die. If you are new to card making this might be useful. If you have been doing this a while I am sure you picked up this technique from Jennifer McGuire Just like I did. 😄 Either way I hope you enjoy it! Head on over to my YouTube Channel to watch.

Let's make a Simple Card Using Acrylic Paints and Qtips

 

I did a bit of simple masking with this card. My tool I used to then paint on a framed background? None other than q-tips and some acrylic paint. I used some Dollar Tree stickers that are just the cutest to make this super simple card that even beginners can do. All of the products can be found at Dollar Tree with maybe the exception of the cardstock. So this makes this budget-friendly too. Take this idea, make it your own. Then send it to someone to brighten their day.

Tips for Mass Producing Cards

 

Today I am taking you along as I make a set of cards for a dear friend of mine. I am also going to share with you a few tips along the way. When mass producing cards I like to plan out my design. The more I have to make the simpler the design for me. I also approach making the cards in an assembly line method. I like to have each part of the card ready to go before I sit down to put them together. So I get all the die-cutting done, then if there is stamping, all the stamping done, etc. Finally, I like to keep it fun so I don't get bored. Whether that is changing one element on the card, the color scheme, or in this case the sentiments. Changing things up helps keep it fun. When putting something like this together think also of how you are going to present them. Make a cute box or bag that matches. It really makes the project eye-catching for sure.

Sorry I didn't get pictures of each card...I forgot! 😐

Nuvo Drops Turned into Enamel Dots

 I have always struggled when adding Nuvo drops to my projects. I would think they were dry enough to store the card until I needed it...and then later the Nuvo Drops would be flat because I had not let them dry long enough. Thanks to a hack from The Hedgehog Hollow from YouTube I found I now know what to do. I am using leftover plastic packaging along with a simple grid sheet and making them ahead of time. These are then easy to store. They are also easy to scoot off the plastic for that project that needs an "enamel" dot. This allows me to have the look I want without worrying about them becoming flat. Hope this helps you too!

Gift Bag

 I can't believe I made this!  I watched a tutorial and with no problem at all resized it to fit what I needed.  I am shocked and amazed. 😮  Mixed Up Crafts on YouTube, if you have never watched her, is amazing.  She makes such great bags, cards, and gift boxes.  I am truly in all.  So when she put out this Pucci style bag, I thought I love that...but it is a bit bigger than what I needed.  I am always looking for other ways to hold some of my cards to give others.

What I love about this particular bag is that you can pretty much make the bag except for finishing the bottom, then lay it flat until you need it.  So you can make these ahead.  So fun!  Anyway, I hope you will check out my "take on this" by watching the video here.

Here are some of the specs for my version of the bag :

For the front and back panels that I cover with paper cut 2 pieces of cardstock that is 6 x 9 inches and score @ 3 inches on the 9-inch side. For the side panels cut two pieces of 8 x 5 inches of cardstock . On the five-inch side score at 1 inch and 4 inches, then at the 2 1/2 inch mark score down to about 4 inches. On the 8-inch side score at 2 inches. Back on the five-inch side score from the bottom of where you scored at 2/12 inches down to 4 to create an x to the bottom score line corners and the also the top corners. I hope that makes sense. Watch the video and or Mixed Up Crafts to see this in action. You'll need something to make your decorative element, I used a heart die, and then the handles which could be any shape you want.

February Cards that I didn't Get to Share

 

It amazes me I make other cards that I am not posting regularly, but somehow I do.  Here are few you missed...because I haven't posted them anywhere else.  There is also a video at the end of a few more.

Doodle on your Die Cuts for a New Look

 

When cutting out your die cuts...think about altering them to add some "doodles". It adds something a bit different to your embellishment.

Simple Watercolor Card

 

This is probably the most simple watercolor card ever! You can do this. This is great for a beginner. Try it out!