CARDMAKING ON A RAINY SATURDAY WITH A SPECIAL GUEST

Hi Stampers!

It is Saturday, April 18, and it is raining here in the Ohio River Valley. My granddaughter is visiting, and she asked if I would teach her how to make a shutter card . . . and could we make it a video for You Tube. How could I say no? 

You might remember I demonstrated how to make the shutter card a few weeks ago. You can find that post

HERE.

For You Tube video click  HERE.

Here is today’s card created by my granddaughter, V.

CAMERA SHUTTER CARD

INSIDE

VIDEO

V’S SHUTTER CARD

(Ephemera - Simple Stories; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

TIPS FOR MAKING CARDS WITH KIDS

1. Allow the child to make as many decisions as possible - cardstock color, patterned papers, images, etc.

2. Set limits. It is okay to restrict what craft supplies can be used, what tools can be used with help or used on their own. 

3. If stamps and ink seem too overwhelming, use ephemera for images and greetings. There is a lot available from various companies. 

4. If you have a collection of die cut or punched shapes, offer some of those for use on cards. Kids enjoy putting bits and pieces on their cards.

5. If you do not care for the sticky mess that comes with liquid glue, use a tape runner, glue dots, or dimensionals.

6. Have fun sharing all the laughs and giggles!

V and I enjoyed time together with lots of laughs on a rainy Saturday afternoon. The next time you find yourself enjoying a rainy afternoon with your grandchild, child, neighbor, or friend, why not grab some supplies and make a card? You’ll be glad you did!

Thank you for stopping by. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

BRIDGING THE GAP - IDEAS FOR SPLIT FRONT CARDS -

Hi Stampers!

Today we are going to talk about split front cards and take a look at ideas for bridging the gap on the card front. A split front card is just a card that has a section removed from the middle of the card front. Die cut, punched, or fussy cut shapes and /or images are used to bridge the gap between the two sections of the card front. These cards are perfect if you want cards with a simple greeting inside with room to sign your name. Let’s take a look at today’s sample cards:

VIDEO

CARD LAYOUT # 2615

PORTRAIT

LANDSCAPE

WHAT YOU NEED

* Cardstock - for card base, for back of bridge images, inside of card (see measurements above)

* Additional cardstock - white or light color cut at 5 1/4” x 4” for back of card if you plan on writing a longer note to the recipient. (Optional)

* Patterned Paper - see measurements above

* Strong adhesive

* Dies, punches, scissors

* Large paper clip

* Stamps, inks, dimensionals, embellishments, and other items to finish the card

WHAT TO DO

* Cut and score card base. Fold on score line and use bone folder to get a good crease. Remember to cut the piece for bottom of card front. Cut inside panel.

* Cut patterned paper and adhere to card front.

* Stamp images, greeting, and inside panel.

* Die cut, punched out, or fussy cut images for bridge. 

* Using cardstock the same color as the card base, cut or punch out shapes to back the stamped images.

If fussy cutting, glue the stamped image to cardstock. Fussy cut through both layers. The image will be perfectly backed with the cardstock. This covers up any bleeding through from markers, strengths the card front, and is aesthetically pleasing when  the card is opened. 

* Line up bottom panel with bottom of card back. Use paper clip to hold it in place. 

* Place bridge / bridges where you want them. Place adhesive on top edge and bottom edge of image and adhere. The bottom panel is now attached to the card front. 

* Adhere inside panel.

* Add embellishments.

TACO TIME 

(LANDSCAPE)

I used multiple items as bridges to hold the bottom panel to the remainder of the card.

 

(Patterned Paper - Catherine Pooler; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

COOL POPSICLES 

(LANDSCAPE)

Again, I used multiple images to bribe the bottom panel tp the rest of the card. The greeting was placed so as to strengthen the card front. 

(Patterned paper - Catherine Pooler; Embellishments - Doodle Bug Designs; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

CHINESE TAKE OUT

(PORTRAIT)

One large image is serving as the bridge for this card. Because the take out box is larger, I was able to put adhesive on more area of the back which gave the card front more stability. 

(Patterned paperback- Scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

GREAT BURGER

(PORTRAIT)

The burger and greeting panel are adhered together as one piece. The single piece was adhere to the card with dimensionals. The large area available for adhesive was perfect for dimensionals or foam tape.

(Patterned paper - Catherine Pooler; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

VIDEO CARDS

PIZZA SUPREME

(PORTRAIT)

(Patterned paper - Pink and Main; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

POPPIN’ BY

(LANDSCAPE)

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

TODAY’S CARDS

These cards were fun to make. I like using multiple images as a bridge, but one centered image looks great too! I’ve created somewhat whimsical cards, but a split front card is also perfect for pretty floral themed or  scenery themed cards. I hope you give this card a try. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

SHOW YOUR STRIPES IN STRIPS FOR AN INTERESTING CARD BACKGROUND

Hi Stampers!

Do you like options? I always enjoy options - especially when it comes to card making. For example I like card layouts that work well in either portrait or landscape orientation. I really like stamp sets that have both image outline stamps and stamps to fill in the color for those images. This means I can color in the images with markers or water colors, or just stamp the color! Today we are going to talk about a background technique that gives you options, and it all starts with stripes! I call this the STRIPES TO STRIPS TECHNIQUE.  Let’s take a peek at today’s cards:

VIDEO

CARD LAYOUT #2614

Remember, a card layout is a guide, but it is not set in stone. Change it to suit your focal image and / or greeting. Change the measurements of the focal panel and mat. Switch from a portrait orientation to landscape. Remember, you have options!

WHAT YOU NEED

* Cardstock

   Card Base A-2 size; 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4” OR 11” x 4 1/4” scored at 5 1/2”

   Mat - 5 1/4” x 4” or appropriate size for background piece

   Inside Panel - white or light colored cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

   Other - for focal image and / or greeting

* Striped Paper - Rectangle  5 1/2” x 4 1/4” minimum - 6” x 5” is what I use mostly.

   Patterned paper striped (vertical / horizontal or diagonal) 

   Created with cardstock and markers (alcohol, dye ink, etc.)

   Created with cardstock or watercolor paper and watercolors

* Paper trimmer

* Printer paper or scrap patterned paper (this will not be seen) 5 1/4” x 4” 

* Adhesive sheet or snail adhesive

* Embossing folder (small design) and die cut machine (optional, but highly recommended)

* Stamps, inks, dies, punches, and other items needed to complete the card

WHAT TO DO

* If creating the striped paper place your cardstock / watercolor paper in landscape orientation and use the markers / watercolors to create 4 1/4” stripes across the page using 2-3 colors (more if you like)

* Put the 4 1/4” side of the striped paper at the top of the paper trimmer at 4” and cut, move to 3 3/4” and cut. Continue moving 1/4” to the left and cutting the 1/4” strips. Be sure you are cutting across the stripes.

* Place adhesive sheet or other adhesive on the printer paper (cardstock or patterned paper) and begin placing the strips an across the paper until the panel is covered. Trim edges.

* Place this panel in an embossing folder and run through die cit machine.

* Adhere panel to the mat and adhere to card base. 

* Add greeting and focal image to card front.

* Stamp inside panel and adhere to inside of card.

STACKED BUTTERFLY BIRTHDAY

Striped Paper - Created with alcohol markers (orange, pink, and yellow)

Black mat- 4 1/4” x 3 1/2”

Background piece -4” x 3 1/4”

(Happy Birthday - scrapbook.com; All other supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

BIRTHDAY WALRUS

Striped paper - Created with watercolors (purple, pink, aqua)

Purple mat - 4 3/4” x 3 1/2”

Background piece - 4 1/2” x 3 1/4”

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

A LITTLE BIRDIE BIRTHDAY

Striped paper - Striped patterned paper

White Mat - 5 1/4” x 4”

Background piece - 5” x 3 3/4”

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

SEAS THE BIRTHDAY

Striped paper - Diagonally striped patterned paper

White mat - 5 1/4” x 4”

Background piece - 5” x 4 1/4”

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

VIDEO CARDS

I created these two cards using the strips I demonstrated in the video.

SAILING ADVENTURE

Striped paper - Created with alcohol markers

White mat - 4 1/4” x 3 3/4”

Background piece - 4” x 3 1/2”

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

BIRTHDAY BOY

Striped paper - Created with alcohol markers

Orange mat - 4 1/2” x 3 3/4”

Background piece - 4 1/4” x 3 1/2”

(All supplies - Stampin’ Up!)

TODAY’S CARDS

I know this technique might not be for everyone. It does take a bit of patience and some extra time. I think the results are worth it. I found creating my own striped papers relaxing. Cutting the strips does not take long. It is repetitive, but I cut the strips for one card, put it together, then moved on to the next card. Why not give this background technique a try?

That’s all for today. I am so glad you stopped by. Until next time. . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim