From Our House To Yours

House DIE009-Z, Door And Window DIE010-E, And Fence DIE0004-J

A tutorial using our NEW DIES and links so you can view them in our on-line store.  Also, there are 2 NEW Rubber Mounted sets and 2 NEW Clear Stamp Sets designed to be used with them too:

• NEW DIES are located HERE
• The Rubber Cling Stamp Sets are Solid Tree, Solid House, Door, and Windows, and No Place Like Home.
• The Clear Stamp Sets are Solid Tree and No Place Like Home.

Notice that I have listed our stamps we already had, and you may have some of them too, and the dies that can be used with them:

• House L8205 can be used with House DIE009-Z
• Door And Windows E8369 can be used with Door and Window DIE010-E
• Solid Frilly Butterfly Pair E8750 can be use with Butterflies DIE008-I
• Large Solid Leaf Stem E8633 can be used with Branch DIE007-L
• Solid Tree H8373 can be used with Bare Tree DIE006V
• Nest Birdhouse Opening C8226 can be used with Nest & Hole DIE005-D
• Cottage Fence D8184 can be used with Fence DIE004-J
• My Little Chickadees C8589 can be used with Birds DIE003-A

Now for my tutorial using some of the NEW DIES listed under my card:

CARDFRONT BACKGROUND:

 

• Thick Stripes CC105 was inked with Memento Desert Sand and stamped on White cardstock as shown.
• It was then stamped with Tiny Flowers CR007 (also available as Tiny Flowers CC115) and Memento Cottage Ivy.  I stamped it twice becasue I wanted some of the flowers w/o the stripes.  :-)

• The House Die was used with my Cuttlebug.  It also worked fine with the newer Wizard Grand Calibur.
• The die cut flowers was colored with a Sakura Gelly Roll Pink Stardust Pen.
• It was then placed on white cardstock as shown.  A Magic Matter 1/8" disc was used with my pencil and then cut out.

• I wasn't sure if I wanted the Door and Window(s) as embossed images or die cuts, so I did both. 
• I knew I wanted the Fence as a die cut.
• On the right I am cutting out the embossed door.  I have found if I use sharp scissors and pull away slightly with my left hand (holding the image firmly) the edges of the scissors find the embossed edge and it cuts smoothly around the image.

• So I didn't have the Memento Desert Sand marker and decided I liked both the embossed and the die cuts so:
• I placed the die cuts face down on the ink pad, then added Glossy Accents to the backside and glued to the embossed images as shown on the left.
• BTW, I decided the Fence would also look good as a gable, so I put it through the Cuttlebug again.

CARD BASE, INSIDE CARD, AND ENVELOPE:

It's also time to start planning the base, inside of the card, and the envelope too.

• The sentiment on the front is from Phoebe Clear Set and can also be purchased separately in red rubber as Friend Like You.  It was stamped with Memento Cottage Ivy and edged with Desert Sand.
• Notice the cardfont is now joined with the portion of cardstock that was left over above where I did the die cut.  I laid the cardfront so the top point just hit the top edge and the left side lined up with the left margin.  Used a pencil to trace the line and cut it with scissors.
• That left over triangle on the left will be the bottom edge of the envelope.  Flowers on both were colored with the same Sakura pen.
• Next I'm using the leftover piece of cardstock from the trim for the base of the cardfront.
• I draw a line on both sides of the cardfront.
• The left side is trimmed to the left point of the 'roof'.
• The right was set up with my Score-Pal for the inside fold of the card.
• It was folded and the cardfront mounted.
• Scissors were used to trim off the extra cardstock.

INSIDE THE CARD AND THE ENVELOPE:

There it is. Hope to see you back here for DT Thursday!! Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

Shirley

It's Our Summer Celebrations Challenge!!

Welcome to our "Summer Celebrations" Challenge.  I can't wait to see what the DT has created and then see what you add too.  So first let's get on over the the Design Team blogs below and see what they have for us:

• Daniela Dobson  She Has IO Blog Candy!!!
  
• Dina Kowal
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jenny Gropp
• Julie Koerber
• Laura Fulcher
• Vicki Garrett

Next, check out the stamps and stamp sets below that were used and released for today's challenge:
RED RUBBER STAMP SETS:
CLEAR STAMP SETS:

Now it's your turn.  For those of you who aren't familiar with our challenges, they are open to you too as participants using the Inlinkz thumbnail format.  You are invited to join us with the chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate in all of our challenges.  The dates for this challenge are below and the rules are with the thumbnail format at the bottom of the post:

• Ending time for this challenge is next Wednesday, May 9 , at 10 p.m. EST.
• The winner is picked using Random.org.
• The players are notified of the winner by email that night.
• The winner's name will be posted with the DT Thursday post on May 10.

As you know, we have been having monthly New Stamp and Stamp Set Releases .  With all of the activities coming up, our next release will be in July. We will continue to have our challenges every first and third Thursday of the month.  Our new challenge list will be up soon.

Don't forget you are still invited to join us in this challenge with the chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate for this challenge too.  The winner is chosen by Random.org.  So get busy out there and add your creation at the bottom of this post.  Invite a friend and stamp up a storm!!  It's supposed to be 90 degrees here today.  That's hot!  So stay out of the heat and create your card!

If you would like some ideas, you can check out all the great cards created by the DT for today' challenge.  You can also look at the albums in the sidebar to your right.  There are direct links to each DT member's post on their blogs.  You can also check them out by DT member, by clicking on the blog links under their names in the sidebar to your right.  They have been linked to show their LATEST IO posts in chronological order.

Hope your week has been great so far!! Can't wait to see your creativity with this anything Summer Celebrations challenge, and thanks for stopping by to join in the fun and say hi!  If you have any questions, please click on the EMAIL link under my name in the sidebar.

 

Shirley

DT Thursday, Blog Candy, And Our Flower Power Challenge Winner

As you know, our DT member, Daniela Dobson, had IO Blog Candy to give away as part of her hosting for DT Thursday, week before last.  Her winner was Peg K.  Congratulations, Peg!

Our winner for the Flower Power Challenge is Craftyfield at Cardmaking, Scrapbooking and Other Paper Crafts.  Congratulations, Crafty, and thanks for contributing and joining in the challenge fun!

This week's "DT Thursday" hostess is Julie Koerber.  Check out her sneak peek below, and then head on over to her great post, HERE!!  Let her know what you think by leaving a comment and you will be eligible for her IO BLOG CANDY.  While your are there you can check out her other IO creations too!!  I'm on my way over there right now.  The link is set up so you can go right on down the page to see what other IO creations she has done in her past posts if you missed any!!

Our next challenge will be the "Summer Celebrations" (anything Summer) Challenge on  Thursday, May 3.  It will continue until the following Wednesday evening, May 9, at 10 p.m.  Participants are notified that night of the winner.  It is also our last of this series of MONTHLY STAMP RELEASES.

Participating in each challenge gives you a chance to win a $25 gift certificate.  So have some fun, invite a friend to play, and create your own card for our "Summer Celebration Challenge" using ALL IO stamps, and then post it using the Inlinkz at the bottom of the May 3 post.  You will be able to see our wonderful new stamps at the same time!  If you have questions please email me.  My email is right under my name in the sidebar.

Get busy out there and join us for our next challenge and invite a friend to enjoy it with you!!!  Thanks for stopping by to look and share!

 

 Shirley

Tuesday T &T Easy Faux Distress Floral Background

A lot of people don't realize all of the things that can be done with Tsukineko Brilliance inks.  This tutorial will include a couple.

CARD FRONT BACKGROUND:

• Inked CAC Thick Stripes with Memento Angel Pink and stamped on white cardstock.
• Inked CAC Floral Lines with Brilliance Moonlight White.  After stamping the ink was covered with Stampendous White Detail Embossing Powder (I keep my powder in a plastic sandwich container.  I can put the leftover powder right back into the container as I shake it off the cardstock.  I have a little scoop I use to apply it.)
• I heated the embossed areas.  Later you will see that Brilliance ink has a semi-fast drying quality.  So some areas are embossed and other are not.  It gives it shiny and flat white areas (A FAUX LOOK).

• Next the largest Spellbinder's largest Romantic Rectangle was put through the Cuttlebug with White cardstock for both the die cut and embossing.
• The die was then placed over the Faux Distressed background and traced.
• It was then cut out and set aside.

• Next the flower and leaves from the CAC stamp were inked with Brilliance Galaxy Gold with a dauber.  I used the dauber with ink from the re-inker to do just the spots I wanted.  Then I used leftover scraps of white cardstock to pick them up as shown.  (I like Brilliance because if you stamp with a well inked pad and heat emboss while it is wet it will raise up and you can actually feel the texture....and gold is pretty!!!)  It will also pick up the colors of my watercolors and have a shine too.
• The flower, the center, and the leaves were painted with Twinkling H2O's and then cut out.
• They were turned over on a Pergamano mat and embossed with a stylus.

 

• They were turned back over and the center of the flower was mounted.
• Another Romantic Rectangle was put through the Cuttlebug for cut and embossed too.  The embossed flower was laid in place to see where to stamp the sentiment.
• The sentiment, from All Occasion II, was was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold and heat embossed to set the ink and set aside.

THE CARD FOLD:

• The die cut was lined up with the right-hand and bottom margins of the cardstock.  The open areas were used as guides for the edge of the card being created.
• The open spaces on the left and top were used for guides for marks with the stencil
• The left marks were used to cut the height of the card.

• The penciled marks at the top were used to find the middle fold and scored with the Scor-Pal.
• After folding the excess was trimmed to match as shown.  Then the Rounded Corner Punch was used on the corners.

ASSEMBLING THE CARD:

• A strip of ribbon was placed on bottom third of the Faux Distressed Background.
• The flower was mounted on the sentiment die cut.
• The sentiment and flower with leaves was mounted as shown.
• The bow was done with the Bow-Easy, a button and a pearl sticker.
• Viva Decor White Peal pen was used to accent the flower.

A really fun card.  Hope you enjoyed reading about it. 

I will see you back here the second Tuesday in May.  We still have DT Thursday this week and a new winner for our Flower Power Challenge.  Get busy out there.  You still have 2 more days for your chance to win a gift certificate for some stamps in our new on-line store!!

 Shirley

SUPPLIES:

Flower Power Challenge (floral)

Welcome to our "Flower Power Challenge" (floral).  I can't wait to see what everyone creates.  So let's hop on over the the Design Team blogs below and see what they have for us:

• Daniela Dobson - SHE HAS BLOG CANDY!! (Check her post for details)
• Dina Kowal
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jenny Gropp
• Jullie Koerber
• Laura Fulcher
• Vicki Garrett

For those of you who aren't familiar with our challenges, they are open to you too as participants using the Inlinkz thumbnail format.  You are invited to join us with the chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate in all of our challenges.  The dates for this challenge are below and the rules are with the thumbnail format at the bottom of the post:

• Ending time for this challenge is next Wednesday, April 25 , at 10 p.m. EST.
• The winner is picked using Random.org.
• The players are notified of the winner by email that night.
• The winner's name will be posted with the DT Thursday post on April 26.

If you have been reading our Challenge Date Schedule you know that we will be having our third of three New Stamps and Stamp Set Releases on May 3.  It is also the beginning of our "Summer Celebrations Challenge".  There are graduations, beach parties, vacations, and all kind of fun things going on in the Summer!  You are still invited to join us with the chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate for this challenge too.  The winner is chosen by  Random.org.  So get busy out there and get ready to join us in that challenge too.  Invite a friend and stamp up a storm!!

If you would like some ideas, you can check out all of the new cards from the Spring Catalog by clicking on the NEW 2012 SPRING STAMP Album near the top of the sidebar to your right.  There are direct links to each DT member's post on their blogs. If you would like to check them out by DT member, click on the blog links under their names in the sidebar to your right.  They have been linked to show their LATEST IO posts in chronological order.

Hope you week has been great so far!! Can't wait to see your creativity with this challenge, and thanks for stopping by to join in the fun and say hi!  If you have any questions, please click on the EMAIL link under my name in the sidebar.

 

 Shirley

 

CHALLENGE GUIDELINES BELOW:

DT Thursday And Our Summer Fun In The Water And Sun Challenge Winner!

As you know, our DT member, Laura Fulcher, had IO blog candy to give away as part of her hosting for DT Thursday, week before last.  Her winner was Shirley Deatcher at Paper Creations By Shirley.  Congratulations, Shirley!

Our winner for the Summer Fun In the Water & Sun Challenge is Katie Bondroff.  Her card is shown HERE in her Flickr Gallery.  Congratulations, Katie, and thanks for contributing and joining in the challenge fun!

This week's "DT Thursday" hostess is Daniela Dobson.  Check out her sneak peek below, and then head on over to Daniela's great post, HERE!!  Let her know what you think and check out her other IO creations while you're there too!!  I'm on my way over there now.  All she gave me was a sneak peek too!! ;-)  The link is set up so you can go right on down the page to see what other IO creations she has done in her past posts if you missed any!!

Our next challenge will be the "Flower Power (floral)" Challenge on  Thursday, April 19.  It will continue until the following Wednesday evening, April 25, at 10 p.m. 

We will be having our next MONTHLY STAMP RELEASE on  Thursday, May 3.  It will also be part of our "Summer Celebration Challenge (anything Summer)". It will continue until the following Wednesday evening, May 9, at 10 p.m. 

Participating gives you a chance to win a $25 gift certificate.  So have some fun and create your own card for our "Summer Celebration Challenge" using ALL IO stamps, and then post it using the Inlinkz at the bottom of the May 3 post.  You will be able to see our wonderful new stamps at the same time!  If you have questions please email me.  My email is right under my name in the sidebar.

Get busy out there and join us for our next challenge and invite a friend to enjoy it with you!!!  Thanks for stopping by to look and share!

 

 Shirley

An Envelope For Any Size Card And Inside Decor Too!

Phoebe needs an envelope that will fit.  Ever had that problem?  A friend showed me some time ago what to do when that happens. After you've done it a couple of times you will be able to eyeball it and not bother with the measuring, etc.  Not only that, the Cover-A-Card^TM stamps are great for the inside as a liner.  Below is a picture of the tools I used for this envelope.

 

1.  WIDTH - A piece of paper that is at least 2" wider than the card (Width) or Card Width+2", as shown above in the supply area.

2.  HEIGHT - I folded the bottom of the paper up past the middle of the card and brought the top portion down at least 1" over that folded up portion (for the flap).  This means Height X 2+1.0". 

(Width = Card width + 2.0") and (Height = Card Height X 2 + 1.0")

Once I got used to measuring the width and folding over to make sure it overlaps, it got easier and easier.  In my case (5.5"+2.0" = 7.5" Width) and (5.0"X2=10"+1.0"=11.0").  It also means if I had wanted I could have used a piece of computer printer paper.  Because I make a lot of odd sized cards, I buy a ream of 11"X17" at the nearest office supply store 80lb. text weight.  Of course, I prefer Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, if they have it. 

3.  Crease Sides - After I cut the paper to the width and height I needed I made my creases.  It is really important the creases are very tight (flat):

• I did the sides for the height first and used the card as my guide.  That way if I can allow for bows, pop dots, etc. 
• Next using the first photo under height above, I folded my bottom upward and creased it along the bottom.
• Next I did the top flap.

4.  Trim SIDES of BOTTOM and FLAP - I trimmed the extra from the bottom and flap sides and then rounded the corners with my punch as shown in the photos below:

• Those tight creases I made helped me guide my scissors for a straight cut on the sides of the flap and bottom as shown.
• The round corner punch is used on all but the bottom corners of the side flaps.

5.  Then I stamped the inside with my Cover-A-Card Stamp and Brilliance Coffee Bean ink.  I used Cover-A-Card Sketchy Flowers - CC093.

• Next I taped the bottom flap on each side.  This causes less problems than doing the middle side flaps. 
• Then I place my card inside the top portion with the side flaps on top and bring the bottom up to make the pocketg.  (That way if I have 3D Pop Dots, etc. I can allow room, and because of my measurements and an 1" on each side of flap it's okay for a little 'give and take'.
• Last, but not least, I use my ATG gun, etc. for the flap.

Below are samples I did of different corners for the inside and raised the stamped area up or down a little to show the different things you can do, depending on what you want.  If you would prefer the type of envelope that has a V flap, you would just turn your Cover-A-Card stamp so the corner would fit in the V and still fill a portion of the bottom inside of the card.

Below is the finished card and envelope from the outside.  The trim is leftover from when I made the card itself.

If you would like to see the stamps I used and how I created the card you can check that out HERE.

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial.  Have a great week and if you haven't joined in the current "Summer Fun In The Water and Sun Challenge", get busy out there.  Go HERE to find out the details and how your could win a $25 Gift Certificate for use in our NEW ONLINE STORE. 

Thanks for stopping by to look and share!!

 Shirley

It's Another Great Release And Wonderful Cards for You Too!!

We are celebrating another great release with our "Summer Fun In The Water and Sun Challenge", and the stamps in the release will be appearing here throughout the afternoon.  But before we do that, head on over to the Design Team blogs and give them a high five on their great creations:

• Daniela Dobson
• Dina Kowal
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jenny Gropp
• Jullie Koerber
• Laura Fulcher
• Vicki Garrett

And don't forget, we are still having our regular challenge for you as participants using the Inlinkz thumbnail format at the bottom of this post.  Your timeline and guidelines are below and with the thumbnail format:

• Ending time for this challenge is next Wednesday, April 11 , at 10 p.m. EST.
• The winner is picked using Random.org.
• The players are notified of the winner by email that night.
• The winner's name will be posted with the DT Thursday post on April 12.

If you have been reading our Challenge Date Schedule on the right you know that today is our second of three New Stamps and Stamp Set Releases scheduled for March, April, and May.  It is also the beginning of our "Summer Fun In The Water & Sun Challenge" and you all are still invited to join us with the chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate.  The winner is chosen by  Random.org.  So get busy out there and celebrate with us.  Invite a friend and stamp up a storm!! 

Time to check out the Design Team's blogs below to get even more inspired, to comment, and to decide which stamps you want for Spring and Summer!!!  When you are done hopping, check out the stamps you've seen on your hop down below where they will be appearing with direct links to the NEW IO ONLINE STORE.  I am off to hook them up for you right now.

The sentiment stamps in the clear sets are also available in red rubber too.  If you would like to take a look, just click on one of your favorite images.  It will take you to the STORE SITE!

APRIL RED RUBBER STAMPS:

APRIL CLEAR STAMP SETS:

Now that you've seen all of the releases let's talk about your "Summer Fun In The Water And Sun Challenge".  If you haven't joined in the fun before, you should know you will have a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate?  The Challenge Guidelines can be found at the end of this post just below my name.  Directly below are the dates and how to participate:

Thanks in advance for playing and joining with us in the fun!  If you would like to check out our newest cards by our DT and how they were made, click on the blog links under their names in the sidebar.  They have been linked to show the LATEST IO posts too.

The new widget with the challenge dates is posted in the sidebar to your right.  Notice that our next New Stamps and Stamp Set Release is scheduled for May 3^rd.  You won't want to miss out on some more fun, creative and wonderful images.  The Design Team will be here with more great cards with all of the new designs and we will still be having our challenges for you too, just like today.

Hope you week has been great so far!! Can't wait to see your creativity with this challenge, and thanks for stopping by to join in the fun and say hi!

 

 Shirley

Another Great DT Thursday For You

As you know, our DT member Dina Kowal had blog candy to give away as a part of her great post for DT Thursday.  She had two winners and they were Yvonne and Cindy.  Congratulations ladies.

This week, once again we have a DT member with a wonderful post, and she also has BLOG CANDY for some lucky people!!  Our host for this week's "DT Thursday", is Laura Fulcher at Laura's Stamp Art Journal.  So head on over there and comment on her card and the candy, and good luck in her drawing too!!

Our NEW CHALLENGES are listed in the sidebar to your right.  We will be having another MONTHLY NEW STAMP release on next Thursday, April 5.  It will also be our "Summer Fun In The Water And/Or Sun Challenge". It will continue until the following Wednesday evening, April 11, at 10 p.m.  You are not required to use the newest IO stamps to join in the fun.  Participating gives you a chance to win a $25 gift certificate.  So get busy out there.  Create your card for our "Summer Fun In The Water and/or Sun Challenge" using ALL IO stamps, and then post it using the Inlinkz at the bottom of the April 5 post.  You will be able to see our wonderful new stamps too!  If you have questions please email me.  My email is right under my name in the next column over.

Get busy out there and join us for our next challenge and invite a friend to enjoy it with you!!!  Thanks for stopping by to look and share!

 

 Shirley

Just A Reminder - DT Member Dina Kowal Has Candy!!

Yesterday's DT Thursday was brought to you by DT member, Dina Kowal!!  When I first posted I had forgotten she told me she was also offering some IO CANDY.  I updated the post to reflect that, but just in case some of you read it before I did, I wanted to bring it to your attention.  You can read all about the candy and her wonderful card HERE .  If you didn't get a chance to visit her blog yesterday, get on over there to see her beautiful and cute card, like only Dina can do it.....and then there's the C-A-N-D-Y too of course!

Have a great weekend.  Thanks for stopping by to see what's happening and good luck in Dina's drawings too!

 Shirley