Sunday, July 11, 2010

Altered Bird Card

by Lis Whiting


Altered Bird

Materials

  • Paper and Cardstock
    • Navy Blue cardstock     (6" x 10" - fold in half to make your card base)
    • Olive Green cardstock     (5 3/4" x 4 3/4")
    • Basic Grey plain light brown cardstock     (
    • Gold Cardstock     (3 3/4" x 1 1/2")
  • Inks and Embossing Powders
  • Embellishments
  • Tools

Instructions

  • Fold your 6x10 navy blue cardstock in half to make your card. This card will open from the bottom.
    Layer your green cardstock on your card and set aside.

  • To create the card background:

    • To create the alphabet stencil I ran Tim Holtz’ Cirque Alphabet Sizzlet die through my cuttlebug.
      After taking out the letters – voila! A stencil!

    • Take your alphabet stencil and attach to the front of your basic grey plain cardstock with repositionable tape (I used Wacky Tack).
      Since I wanted two lines of alphabet. I positioned the stencil at the top of my paper and angled it to the middle of the card.


      In this picture you can see how I placed the stencil for the second line of design.


    • Once you have attached your stencil, get a box.

    • Lay the stenciled paper on the bottom of your box – FLAT.

    • Take your smooch

      and spray straight down – about 1 foot above the paper.

      (The reason for this is that the spray will fall directly down onto the paper and stencil, making a crisper image.
      If you spray from the sides, you risk getting some of the spray underneath the stencil.
      The image might be blurry.)

      You don’t need much smooch, so one or two sprays is enough.

    • Take your sprayed stenciled paper out of the box and wipe off the tape holding the stencil to the card with paper towel.
      (The tape wont absorb the spray so this avoids a mess later.)

    • Repeat the process, placing your stencil on the bottom of your paper and angling up to the right this time.
      Place paper in bottom of box and spray again.

      You can use your heat gun to gently dry the smooch if you want.



      In the end, this is what your sheet should look like after you have stenciled two lines of alphabet onto your paper.


    • Just to show you how intense the colors are I'd like you to look at this picture.
      The stencil was done in plain white cardstock.
      You can see where the tape was and how different the colored vs non colored paper is!


    • Cut out a piece 3 3/4 x 5 1/2 from your stenciled paper.
      Edge your paper with Forest Moss and a blending tool

    • At this point I stamped a spot pattern onto the paper using Forest Moss.



      Attach your stenciled paper to your card.


  • To make the bird embellishment:

    • I started out by printing out a digital Victorian bird image onto plain cream cardstock.




    • I cut the bird out.




    • I placed the cutout of the bird on my craft mat – flat.

    • I took the rock candy crackle paint and painted a thin coat of the paint onto the bird.
      I LOVE Distressed Crackle Paint. Its easy to use and I ESPECIALLY love the Rock Candy. Its clear and goes with everything!.


    • I let this dry on my craft mat – no worries – nothing sticks!
      The cardstock may bend and curl a bit but no worries. Just straighten it out. If it cracks, that’s good too.

    • When you are done, you will have a bird that sparkles when the lights hit the cracks!


  • To make a panel for the card:

    • Cut a piece of gold cardstock to 3 3/4" x 5 1/2" . Mat this onto a piece of green Bazzill (same color you used for the card) with a 1/8 margin.

    • Mount this onto your card in the lower right with mounting tape.

    • Put mounting tape on the back of your bird and attach to your panel.


    • Add a row of 4 clear rhinestones (5mm) to each side of your panel.

I love this card for two reasons. It has a subtle sheen from the Smooch spray. And I love that bird! In the sun or in candlelight, the bird has a “wet” look and you can clearly see the cracks.

I hope that you give this card a try!

Saturday, July 10, 2010

File Folder Birthday Wishes

by Kris Hankins


File Folder Birthday Wishes

I’m always in need of “masculine” cards. I created this vintage looking “file folder” birthday card that is just a bit “out of the box” and was a lot of fun to make.

Materials

  • Paper and Cardstock
    • Kraft Cardstock
    • Cream Cardstock scrap
    • Tim Holtz Paper Stash, Lost and Found Paper Pad     ( ADV-THPad-92825   $14.99)
  • Stamps
    • Though I used a different stamp, one from Tim Holtz Going Somewhere would work well     ( ST-CMS090   $29.95)
  • Inks and Embossing Powders
  • Embellishments
    • Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Mini paper clips     ( ADV-TH-92791   $3.59)
    • Watch Parts, small jar     ( watch-parts     $4.99)
    • Large Clock Hands Assortment     ( large-clock-hands   $3.50)
    • Two Mini Brads, brass     ( CR-BR-Gold   $4.99/box of 100)
    • Metal Token/Coin
    • Black Dymo type labels (For You)
  • Tools

Instructions

  • I started off with an 8.5” x 5.5” piece of kraft cardstock.
    Using Tim Holtz’s File Tab die, I cut a file folder tab at one end of the cardstock.

    TIP - I wanted this cut to be nice and straight, so I first evenly measured it and then attached my cardstock to my die with low-tack drafting tape.
              It has just enough stick to hold the cardstock in place, but doesn’t leave any residue or damage paper.


  • Using my Martha Stewart Score Board, I made two score lines 1/8” apart, at 3 5/8" and 3 3/4", across the center of the card.



    I also rounded all four corners.


    When the card is folded in half it looks like an authentic file folder would look.


  • I stamped the front of my card with a vintage “telegram” stamp using dark brown chalk ink.
    To give it an old/worn feel, I lightly stamped it on the cardstock so that it left some parts of the image missing.


  • My favorite purchase lately was Tim Holtz’s Paper Stash - Lost and Found pad.
    It is awesome!
    It is 36 pages of double-sided paper that is FULL of wonderful paper designs and images.
    I cut the calendar page, vintage photo, clock face, and check copy from the papers in this pad.


  • I gathered up some embellishments which included a clock hand/parts, Tim Holtz mini paper clip, metal token/coin and black labels that say “for you”.

  • I wanted to age my file folder so I started by distressing the edges with Rangers Distress tool and sanding areas lightly with a sanding block.
    Next, I distressed the images by tearing, sanding, rolling, and folding them.
    I stippled them lightly with dark brown fluid chalk ink.
    “Birthday Wishes” was stamped on the calendar page.


  • I stippled the file folder using Tea Dye Distress Ink and a touch of yellow ochre fluid chalk ink. I made sure I did the inside and outside of the folder.

  • Stamp a favorite birthday sentiment on a piece of cream cardstock.
    I used burnt sienna fluid chalk ink.
    Add two mini brads to the left end of sentiment and attach to the inside of the file folder card.
    This looks like an old document that has been stored in the folder for years.


  • Add the “for you” label to the folder tab.

  • To the front of the file folder attach your paper elements. Glue on your clock hand and watch pieces, token/coin, and mini paperclip.

Now you have a fun and “different” birthday card to give to one of your favorite men.

Friday, July 09, 2010

Party hedgehog card

by Joanne Wardle

I love these little critters, they are perfect for simple cards. The embossing plates allow you to position your embossing exactly where you want it, creating interesting effects. I love making simple cards like this that don’t use up much of your stash and find they are generally well received.


Party Hedgehog Card

Materials

  • Paper and Cardstock

    • 7”x5” white card blank
    • Basic Grey, Green At Heart - 6"x6" pad     ( BG-6x6-GREEN   $5.99)

  • Stamps

    • Penny Black Clear Stamps, Critter Party     ( PNY-CS-30013   $14.99)

  • Inks and Embossing Powders


  • Embellishments
  • Tools


  • Adhesives

    • Glue
    • Low-tack masking tape
    • Sticky foam pads

Instructions

  • Cut the folded card in half to create a 3.5”x5” side fold landscape card.
    Save the other half for stamping on (this ensures your whites are a perfect match on the card).
  • On the reverse of the front of the card draw a strip as shown (I did mine the width of my ruler).
  • Tape the card face down onto the embossing plate.
    Rub firmly with an embossing tool between the lines to start the embossing, then use your tool to press more firmly where you can see the embossed pattern is.
    Where the pattern goes over the lines continue to emboss that little bit, for a more random effect.


  • Erase pencil lines. Cut a strip of patterned paper and glue in place over embossing, so you can see the embossing above and below the strip.

  • Stamp the hedgehog onto leftover white card, colour with pencils, trim and mount onto card with 3D foam pads.

  • Line the inside of the card with an insert to cover up the messy side of the embossing.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

First Roses

by Erika Taylor

Isn’t there something ever so special about those first rose buds of the year? They are the beauty of the gardening landscape and they really make me smile. Today I’m going to share with you, a really clean and simple card that showcases some beautiful prima blooms.


First Rose

Materials

  • Paper and Cardstock
  • Markers
  • Embellishments
    • Prima, Fairytale Roses, French White     ( PRI-ROS2-538620   $3.99)
    • Making Memories-Gem Collection, Pink     ( MM-EMB-33121   $4.99)
    • My Little Yellow Bicycle, Sweet Love Chipboard Stickers Embellishments     ( LYB-S-SL165   $4.99)
    • Bo Bunny, Flower Child 12" Chipboards     ( BBP-CH12-02947   $4.99)
  • Tools
    • Fiskars 12” Deluxe portable paper trimmer     ( FIK-trim-12deluxe   $25.99)
    • The Scor-Pal     ( Scor-pal   $39.99)
    • Tim Holtz Non-Stick Micro Serrated scissors     ( TON-sci-serrated   $11.95)
    • Sewing machine
    • Office size stapler with staples
  • Adhesives

Instructions

  • Cut Kraft cardstock 5 ½” x 8 ½”. Score at 4 ¼”. Set aside.

  • Cut pink Basic Grey paper at 4 1/8” x 5 3/8”. Cut 4 angular strips of patterned paper at 4 1/8” long. Adhere to card front. Staple each side.

  • Adhere MYLB chipboard heart to card front. Layer Bo Bunny Smile sentiment on top of heart.

  • Straight stitch edges of card front with light pink thread. Adhere entire piece onto card base.

  • Adhere Prima roses and Making Memories pearls to card front using Glossy Accents.

  • Finish card by going over sentiment with Copic Spica markers in green and pink.


Thanks so much for stopping by today and sharing a clean and simple Prima moment.

Toodles
Erika

Monday, July 05, 2010

Trellis Birthday Card

by Anne Harada


Trellis Birthday Card

Materials

  • Paper and Cardstock
    • Bazzill Basics Monochromatic 5-color packs, Greens, “Sprout” and “Leapfrog” for this project     (   $11.99), 8-1/2” x 5-1/2” panel of white cardstock for the base
  • Embellishments
    • Crate Paper Blue Hill Collection, Design Rub-ons     ( CRA-RO-310   $3.59)
    • Basic Grey Bling It Individual Rhinestone Dots, Blush/Rouge     ( BG-BI-1710   $1.99)
    • May Arts Ribbon, 1" Satin/grosgrain edge, White     ( MA-HN-01   $0.89/yard)
  • Tools
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Punch, Deep Edger Garden Trellis     ( MSC-PU-42-70001   $17.99)
    • Martha Stewart Crafts Punch, Corner/Border set - Double Loop     ( MSC-PU-42-60002   $24.99)
    • McGill Stacking Daisies, 1 3/16" Daisy     ( McG-93108   $12.99)
    • EK Success Medium Punch, Rock Fern     ( EK-EKPL-7068   $8.99)

Instructions

  • Punch the white card stock along the full 8-1/2” length of white cardstock along the top and the bottom with the Martha Stewart Trellis border punch.
    After punching, fold in half to create the base of the card.

  • Cut a 4-1/4” x 3-3/4” panel out of “Sprout” green Bazzil textured cardstock.
    Punch along the top and bottom (the 4-1/4” sides) with the Martha Stewart Double Loop border punch.
    Snip off the top row of loops on each side so the green panel only has one row of loops on top and bottom.
    Adhere to the front, center of your trellis card base.

  • Punch eight McGill Stacking Daisies (1-3/16” size) from scrap white cardstock and shape the petals.
    Stack and glue two daisies together to create one flower, off-setting them slightly so the petals of both daisies can be seen.

  • Punch seven “fern” branches using the EK Success Rock Fern punch from Bazzil “Leapfrog” textured cardstock.
    Punch two more fern branches from Bazzil “Sprout” textured cardstock.

  • Adhere flowers and fern leaves to card base as shown in sample.

  • Embellish each Daisy with Basic Grey Bling It Rhinestone Dots.

  • Add ribbon and tie a bow.

Sunday, July 04, 2010

Voyage de noces

by Polinka


Voyage de noces

Materials

  • Paper and Cardstock
    • Sassafras - Woodland Whimsy - Jack's Beanstalk     ( SAS-P-11285   $0.89)
  • Ink, Paint, and Markers
    • Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink Series 3 – Smooch Kiwi     ( CLE-SM-kiwi   $4.49)
    • Kaisercolour Acrylic Paint, White     ( KAI-PAI-KC001   $2.59)
    • Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink Series 3, Smooch Kiwi     ( CLE-SM-kiwi   $4.49)
    • American Crafts Ultimate Gel Pen, Black     ( AMC-ULT-blk   $1.59)
  • Embellishments
    • Crate Paper - Brook Journal Stickers ( CRA-S-731   $1.99)

Instructions

  • Let me introduce my parents... just after their wedding in 1974 in Tunisia...




  • I chose this paper for its vintage look and its colors that fit perfectly the picture; same for the Crate Paper stickers.

  • I cut some designs out of the paper: the scalloped border, the flower's pistils and the dots...

  • I love using acrylic paint on my projects, because it helps including the embellishments in the background.

    Here I used a bottle cap to apply it on some spots over the stickers... And stitching randomly everywhere as usual :)



Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy all the beautiful projects here! 



Have a lovely day,

Saturday, July 03, 2010

Gratitude

by Kris Hankins


Gratitude

It’s that time of year when there are so many occasions that necessitate a thank you card. I had someone special in mind when I created this card. I wanted it to show how much I appreciated them.

Materials

  • Paper and Cardstock
    • Standard White Cardstock
    • Glossy White Cardstock
    • Bazzill - Caribbean Breeze     ( BAZ-7-7119   $0.59)
    • Bazzill - Grasshopper     ( BAZ-5-533   $0.59)
  • Stamps
    • Fern stamp of choice
    • Saying stamp of choice
  • Inks
    • Fluid Chalk Cat's Eye - Ice Jade     ( CLE-FCC   $1.95)
    • Adirondack “Brights” Ink - Sailboat Blue     ( RAN-ADP-sailb   $4.99)
  • Markers, Paints, and Embossing Powders
    • TOMBOW Dual Brush marker, true blue     ( TOM-526   $2.59)
    • Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Lemon Meringue     ( TAT-lemonmer   $6.95)
  • Embellishments
    • Dragonfly Embellishment     (Not available: use Prima Jewel Box Butterflies - Turquoise, PRI-JWL-532352   $3.99
  • Tools
  • Adhesives

Instructions

  • I started out my wiping my non-stick craft sheet with the Adirondack “Sailboat Blue” ink pad.


  • I followed that by spraying 1-2 pumps of Lemon Meringue Glimmer Mist at one corner of the swiped Adirondack ink. DO NOT add any sprays of water.


  • I used a fern stamp for creating this background paper, but you could use almost any favorite floral or flourish stamp.
    Start by tapping the entire stamp into the Adirondack ink that is wiped on your craft sheet.
    Next, slide your stamp to the Glimmer Mist, allowing only an edge or corner of you stamp to hit the mist.

    Stamp the image on your basic white cardstock. Repeat this method for each stamped image, overlapping the images as you go.

    When dried, this is the result. You will get a water colored affect with varying colors and puddles of iridescence. It is very pretty to the naked eye.


  • I used a “gratitude” sentiment stamp, but a "thank you" stamp would work well, too.
    I wanted a give my sentiment a two-tone effect. To do this, I first inked the word portion of the stamp using a Tombow marker directly on the rubber.
    Next, I inked the “G” with a Fluid Chalk Cat’s Eye.

    I stamped this sentiment onto “glossy” white cardstock. You can do this on standard white cardstock, but the glossy finish gives a more upscale look.


  • Cut a piece of Bazzill Caribbean Blue cardstock and make a 4.25” x 6” card base. Layer a cut piece of the stamped “fern” paper so that is about 1/8” smaller than card base.
    Attach to front of card base.

    Attach the sentiment to a layer of Caribbean Blue cardstock and then to a piece of Grasshopper cardstock. Vary the widths of each layers overhang.


  • Attach the layered sentiment to the card using 3D foam adhesive squares. Glue on your favorite iridescent dragonfly or butterfly embellishment.


  • I added an extra little something to this card. I finished off the interior of the card. I attached a layer of standard white cardstock to the interior. I cut 6” long strips from the remaining “fern” paper and the grasshopper cardstock and layered them on the edge of the white cardstock.


  • Now the card is truly “finished”.

    I feel like I have not only made a beautiful card, but one with some extra finishing touches that helps to show the recipient how much I really appreciate them.

Thursday, July 01, 2010

ANNOUNCING...

The Frantic Stamper Happenings Blog has something new for you!

Our design team works really hard to bring you all these wonderful projects, so lets show them some appreciation. Leave a message on the blog for the June project you liked best and you might be selected to win a prize from the FranticStamper store.

Fran will be making the selection of the lucky winner from those who leave messages for the designers. She will be making her random pick in about a week, so get those comments in!

In the meantime, we hope you will continue to enjoy the projects for July, and will let the designers know how much you like those, too!

Flower Child

by Erika Taylor


Flower Child

I’ll admit it, I am a flower child at heart, so when the new Bo Bunny line Flower Child came out, I just knew that I had to grab a bunch of it. Such a wonderful palette of colors and the patterns are truly gorgeous.

Materials

Instructions

  • Cut Marmalade cardstock at 5 ½” x 11” score at 5 1/2”.

  • Cut Vintage green Core’dinations cardstock 5 ½” x 5 ½”.
    Using distress tool, distress edges thoroughly, creating rips and tears.

  • Cut out 3 ½” x 5” Lemonade vintage core’dination cardstock.
    Run through Big Shot using Cuttlebug Snowflakes folder.
    Sand with Tim Holtz sanding block.
    Rip edges and adhere to card front.

  • Cut 2 ½” x 5” Bo Bunny Love Beads patterned paper.
    Tear edges then adhere to card front.
    Apply sticker border to seam.

  • Using Big Shot and spellbinders oval dies, cut out large oval in marmalade cardstock and smaller oval in Bo Bunny Far Out patterned Paper.
    Adhere to card front.

  • Cut out 2” x 2 ½” Vintage Kilt Green Core’dinations cardstock.
    Distress edges.
    Cut out 1 7/8” x 2 3/8” Bo Bunny Aquarius patterned paper and adhere to top of Kilt Green piece.

  • Cut out 2” x 3” Lemonade vintage Core’dination cardstock.
    Distress edges.
    Cut out 1 7/8” x 2 7/8” piece of Bo Bunny Far Out {green side} patterned paper and adhere to card front using pop dots.

  • Cut swirl chipboard piece in 2 and adhere to card front.
    Top with chipboard flower.
    Take Laughter chipboard sentiment and draw over letters and swirl with Spica Markers.
    Adhere to card front.

  • Finish card with Dew Drops and Bo Bunny Buttons.


Thanks so much for stopping by today and sharing a fabulous Frantic Stamper Flower Child Moment.

Toodles!
Erika