Graphic 45 Pop-Up

 Today I have created another pop-up card.  This time I have used the Sizzix "Zig Zig " Pop-up die, Graphic 45 stamps and Marianne Designs dies.  We are having overcast weather and it was really hard to get a good clear picture of this card.

For the inside I stamped the background with some new Graphic 45 stamps and antiqued it with Tea Die Distress Ink.  The bottom section has a piece of design paper from the Graphic 45 "Christmas Emporium" paper pad.  The pop-up was die cut and distressed with "Tea Dye" ink.  The two girls were stamped and lightly colored then sponged over to also give them the "aged" look.  They were attached to the left tab of the pop-up with ScorTape.  Two Marianne trees (LR0136) were die cut, sponged, and attached to each other with a glue dot then attached to the right tag of the pop-up.  I wanted the Graphic 45 sentiment to also be a pop-up so created a little tab I could glue to the bottom of the card and the back of the sentiment.  It folds down flat when the card is closed.  In order to include a personal note and signature, I die cut the Marianne (LR0117) rectangle doily on the bottom panel.  It was also distressed.  The poinsettia up on the left side corner was created with the Marianne Poinsettia dies (LR0142) dies. 

 

This is the front of this pop-up card.  I used a piece of old Christmas design paper from last year for the background.  The gold embossed stocking is from one of the new Graphic 45 stamps sets.  You can see all the images in these new sets at Joan's Gardens.  The image was cut out with a Spellbinders Labels 8 Nestability die.  A Spellbinders accent was added to the top and bottom of the Label 8.  Another Marianne Design poinsettia was created out of burgundy card stock.  The flourish is one of the Marianne Decorative Flourishes (LR0157).  It was cut in half and tucked under the poinsettia.  The border across the middle was created with a Martha Stewart border punch.

Have you been over to Joan's Gardens today to see all the new products added?  You will find the new Graphic 45 stamps and paper, Tim Holtz stamps, Marianne dies and new paper pads I think you will really like.

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Mum Tutorial Using Cheery Lynn Sunflower Die

 

This past weekend Joan (Joan's Gardens) had everyone complete the gorgeous card below.  There were several new techniques she learned at CHA that she wanted to teach on this card and she asked me to design an easy mum she could also teach them to make.  I decided to use the Cherry Lynn "Sunflower" die (DL121).  I think you will love this quick and easy way to create a mum using a die intended for creating pretty sunflowers.

 This is the card Joan designed for the workshop.

First I will give you the information about the card above, that I designed, then give you a mini tutorial below on how to create the mum.  This is a 5 1/2" card.  The design paper is from the BoBunny "Forever Fall Collection".  The pretty rectangle doily behind the flower is the Marianne (LR0117).  On the right side of this pretty doily I stamped a sentiment from the JustRite "Seeds of Kindness" stamp set.  The dragonfly is the Cheery Lynn "Small Dragonfly with Angel Wing" (DL152).  The lacy portion of the dragon fly was die cut using burgundy card stock and the Angel wing was die cut using dark green card stock.  Dark green Stickles was added to the angel wing.  The flower was created as shown below out of burgundy card stock.  The flourish is the Cheery Lynn "Tropical Flourish" (B127).  It was die cut using brown card stock and highlighted with gold.  Green punched leaves were added around the flower.  Off white seam binding was colored using Distress Inks and a Webster's Pages button was added. 

Now for the tutorial on how to create a Fall Mum using the Cheery Lynn Sunflower Die.

 Die cut eight sunflowers with the Cheery Lynn Sunflower die shown on the right of the die cut flowers.  You don't need to die cut the center of the sunflower which is the circle on the bottom of the sunflower.  You can use any fall color for this flower.

 You need to condition the center of the flowers using the large white shaping tool from the Flower Tool Kit.  You want "cup" each flower.  Two of the flowers should be misted with water and folded up to create a tight center for your mum.  The paper will bend and shape better if it is slightly damp.

Start gluing the six sunflowers together and press down with the top of the tool's handle from the Flower Tool Kit.  Press all around the center pushing down into the black shaping mat.  Glue the two centers you have created together, pressing down into the black mat to shape well.  Add glue to the center of the stacked flowers and press the center down using the small stylus and pressing down right in the center.  You should have a flower that looks like the picture below.  (For some reason the flash went off when I took this picture and it has changed the color.)

 

 This is how the completed flower will look.

I love to find different ways to use my stamping tools.  I think you will have fun creating pretty sunflowers with this die and also pretty mums. 

As you know, all products I use can be purchased from Joan's Gardens.

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Tutorial on how to Create an Organza Flower with a Heat Gun

 

Are you ready to learn something I have never seen before!  I have seen others create beautiful flowers out of organza material and they always use a candle to melt the edges of each petal. Joan (Joan's Gardens) wanted to create one of these flowers in her workshop but didn't want to have lit candles in the workroom so I came up with a "bright" idea.  Why not try using the heat gun to accomplish this task.  I tried it and it worked beautifully.  The way I did it was to melt the edges of the petals  by holding each petal down with tweezers and quickly pushing the heat gun up to the end of the material.  If you hold the tweezers close to the end it will only melt up to the tweezers.

 My first flower heating the edges with the heat gun and using tweezers.  I used red organza.

 My second flower using the same technique using white organza.

  During the workshop, Joan found a quicker way to accomplish melting the edges of the petals using the heat gun and I'll show you the steps below.

To start we used the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die and 8 layers of organza material.  The material tears easily the width you need and it helps make sure the pieces are the same width.  Fold the material over to create 8 layers that fit right above the flower you want to cut out.  I actually tried cutting 16 flowers at once in my Vegabond and it cut them perfectly. 

 I used the largest flower on the die for this flower.  Two flowers were offset.  Joan told me in the workshop that she laid all 8 flowers down, alternating the petals for this step, and it worked great - all eight layers done at once.  I only used two at a time and that is what is in the picture above.

Use a can that is a little smaller than the flower, placing it right in the center.  Some edges of the petals need to be sticking out all the way around.

Next take your heat gun and as soon as it is hot, quickly push it up to the petals and they will shrink up to the can.  You need to be working on your Teflon Craft Sheet because it is heat resistant.  Quickly push the heat gun up to the petals, and pull back as soon as they start to melt, going all the way around.  It just takes a second for the edges of the material to melt.  If the petals stick together, you can easily pull them apart.

Using the same size petals, you can create a smaller flower by using a smaller can.  I used an empty tomato paste can.  I used these petals on top of the petals heated using the pop can.  For the very center, I used some of these smaller petals and put the heat gun down toward the very center, very quickly, and it "crinkled" the flower up even more which added to the fullness in the center of the flower.  The heat gun can get very hot, so you want to make sure you are using a very quick motion when you go toward the organza.  Using the heat gun to melt the edges of the material makes this project go very quickly and you don't have to worry about catching the material on fire if you use a quick motion to melt the edges.

Once all the petals have been "melted", you can create your flower.  Alternate the petals stacking as many layers as you want for fullness.  You can use either a Tim Holtz Tiny Stapler or a Needle and Thread and put a few stitches right in the center.  You can add whatever you want in the middle such as a pretty button or pearl(s).  

In case you are interested, I will now tell you all the info about how I created this card.  It is a 5 1/2" card.  The background is a piece of K&Company design paper.  I created a white organza flower but did not want it white.  Joan sent me some Ranger Perfect Pearls "Cappuccino" Mist.  I love the color so sprayed my flower to see what would happen.  I love the soft color.  The lace trim under the flower is from a package of Websters Pages trim.  Both this trim and the ribbon were white and I sprayed them with the Cappuccino Perfect Pearls.   For the filler behind the flower I used some Marianne dies:  the "Forest Branch" (LR0150) and both the "Decorative Elegance" pieces (LR0 157).  The colors used were pulled from the design paper.

I hope you like this new discovery Joan and I had fun with and enjoy creating your own pretty flowers.  You won't want to miss seeing the workshop projects Joan has posted on her blog.  You will see this flower on the Pop-up Christmas card they completed.  Can you believe she does an all day workshop and it is free.  This month she taught many new techniques she learned at CHA  and used new products she will be posting to her blog this week.   She will have another workshop in October so if you would like to attend, be sure to email her and let her know.  She is now having three workshops - Friday, Saturday, and a shorter workshop on Sunday.  She always has new techniques to teach and allows  you to work many new products out on the market.

As you know, all products I use can be purchased from Joan's Gardens. 

I will have another tutorial for you tomorrow.

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Pop-up Christmas Card

 

Another view with a white background

Today I have created a silver and white pop-up card, using new dies and stamps from Joan's Gardens.  I am sorry that I could not get good pictures that show all the sparkle and shine in the silver on this card and for some reason the silver sparkly paper around the snowman shows up gold -- it really is a very sparkly silver.  This is a 5 1/2" square card.  On the front I added a Martha Stewart border piece created with the Double Arches punches.  In the center a piece of silver and white design paper was added.  The poinsettia was created with Marianne dies (LR0142).  These flowers have such a pretty embossed center on each petal.  This set also includes the die for the stamen.  The flowers were die cut using white card stock and the stamen was die cut using a sparkly silver card stock.  This set includes two sizes of flowers; two large flowers and one smaller flower was used for this poinsettia.   The white leaves around the poinsettia are from the Marianne (LR0117) die.  This die has a pretty rectangle doily plus a set of pretty leaves.  The trim is from a package of trim from Webster's pages.  The cute snowman and frame are from a new JustRite stamp set called "Blizzard Bunch Set"; they were silver embossed on white card stock and cut out with a Spellbinders oval Nestie.  A scallop oval Nestie was die cut using silver sparkly card stock.  A few silver rhinestones were added to complete the front.

When you open this card there is a pop-up.  The sleigh and reindeer are all attached to pop-up tags.  I used the Sizzix Scallop Pop-up Die  “Card, Scallop Circle 3-D (Pop-Up).  Product #657130.   which makes it super easy to create a pop-up.  First I added a piece of silver and white design paper to the top panel.  This paper has lots of sparkle to it.  Along the top edge I added an ice cycle border created with a Marianne die (LR0135).  I love that border.  Next the Sizzix pop-up was attached to the center of the card.  I will have a tutorial on how to do this on September 15.  I have completed another pop-up card, with a tutorial, for the Paper and Pixels September magazine.  Next three Marianne trees (LR0136) were added behind the pop-up scene.  Rhinestones were added to the trees.  I used different colors of silver card stock when die cutting the sleigh and the reindeer.  I love how these dies also emboss the images.  The sleigh was attached to the lower pop-up tab.  Three reindeer were die cut and attached to each other with dimensional tape.  The reindeer on the left was attached to the upper pop-up tag.  I forgot to mention that small pearls were added to the eyes and noses of the reindeer.  

 In this picture you can see how the sleigh and reindeer are attached to the pop-up tabs.

Along the bottom of the lower panel I added a strip of the same design paper used on the front of the card.  Along the top of that paper I added a border cut with the Cheery Lynn "Lace Light Deco Border" (B133).  To finish of the bottom section, three Marianne snowflakes were added (LR0123). 

I hope you like my pop-up card.  They sure are a lot of fun to make.  The card does fold flat when closed and will fit into a 6" square envelope.  

As you know, you can order all these products from Joan's Gardens.  If you don't see some of the products I use, on her blog yet, just ask her about them.  Sometimes I use products before she gets them posted on her blog. These new Marianne dies just came in so you can be among the first to get them!

Joan has been very busy the past three days teaching all day workshops.  She will be posting pictures of the fun projects everyone completed.   I will be doing a couple of tutorials this week to show you two very different types of flowers we came up for this workshop.  I think you will enjoy creating both of them.

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Funky Flower

 

Today I'm posting something different.  I thought this Wendy Vecchi "Funky Flower Art" (LS013) flower would be fun to work with.  There are two sizes in  this set and I have worked with the largest one.

For the background I have used three different design papers from the BoBunny "Garden Girl Collection" paper pad.  The pretty border is the Cheery Lynn "Lace Light Deco Border" (B133).  The funky flower is attached to a Spellbinders Classic scallop oval with a plain oval that has been embossed with the bottom section of the Sizzix "Thank You Set #5" embossing folder.  The two flourishes are the Marianne "Garden Branch" (LR0151), and the butterflies are the Cheery Lynn Mini Butterflies (DL112).  Two of the Funky Flowers were stamped, shaped and layered to make them dimensional.  Two green Cheery Lynn leaves (D134) were added under the flower.  A small bow was added to complete the card.

Joan's Gardens has a great selection of Wendy Vecchi stamps I am sure you will want to check out.  As you know, all products I use can be purchased from Joan's Gardens.

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Fall is around the corner

 

I have a quick and easy card for you today.  I am still feeling yucky!  I am going to the doctor to get a shot in my back today and hopefully will feel better tomorrow. 

The background for this card was created with the Tim Holtz Sizzix "Bricked" embossing folder.  I used the Blending Tool and "Vintage Photo" Distress Ink to highlight the bricks. I have been seeing a lot of those big beautiful sunflowers in bloom so that is what inspired this card.   The sunflowers were created with the Cheery Lynn "Sunflower" (DL 121) die.  There are 3 layers stacked.,  The flowers were shaped with the tools from the Flower Tool Kit and a little bit of brown Flower Soft added around the edges of the center.  The stems were die cut from the "Japanese Lace & Flourish Frame" (DL 137).  You get a lace doily plus these two stems with this die.  The fence is the "Victorian Picket Fence" (B123),  It was "aged" with the "Weathered Wood" Distress Stain.  I lightly spritzed the fence with water and daubed the color across the fence.  I love these Distress Stains.  They are so easy to color things quickly because the top has a sponge dauber on it.    The grass is the Cheery Lynn Grass Border (B126).  It was die cut twice and layered to give a fuller look.  The kitty is from the "Screen Door with Cat" die (A2 164).  Using all these Cheery Lynn dies sure helped to create a quick and easy card!   The sentiment is from the JustRite "Vintage Floral Labels" stamp set. 

As you know, you can purchase all these products from Joan's Gardens.  

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

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Poppy Tutorial

 

Today I have been feeling nauseated from the problem with my back and didn't do any stamping, so I am posting a tutorial I prepared for the Paper and Pixels Magazine that was published August 15th.  If you missed the August edition of this magazine, here is the link.

One of my favorite things to do is create  flowers for embellishments for my cards, boxes, etc.  Once you have a few basic tools and work through the process, it is easy and you get hooked.  The tools I always have by my side are a “Flower Tool Kit”, a black shaping pad,  glue and punches.  Once you start collecting a few of the flower punches, you will be able to create a variety of flowers. Sometimes just changing the stamen will create a totally different look.  There are many ways to achieve the color(s) you want.  You can punch them from lightweight, colored card stock or use a variety of ways to color them when they have been punched out using white or ivory card stock.  For this tutorial, I am going to show you how to sponge on color.  I wanted to use this beautiful design paper from the Graphic 45 “The Magic of Oz Collection” paper pack.  I love poppies so decided to try and create one very similar to the poppies  in this design paper.  The tutorial below will show you all the products I used and step by step instructions.  All the supplies needed for creating flowers can be purchased from Joan’s Gardens.

Punches used for creating the poppy  include:  Large Ginko; Large Daisy; Medium Blossom; Medium Sun; Large Delicate Snowflake; Small Blossom, and a  1/8 circle Punch. I used the Medium Blossom for extra support on the bottom of the flower to help shape the petals, but this punched piece is not necessary.

Edit:  One of my followers just wrote to me and said the name of the first punch is a "Geranium" petal.  She is right - the Ginko leaf is not as full along the bottom edge.  I do believe either punch would create a pretty poppy.

This picture shows the number of pieces that need to be punched, plus it shows three leaves.  You can embellish your card any way you want but thought I would list the other dies  and punch used to complete this card    Cheery Lynn “Italian Flourish (DL103), Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish (B117), Cheery Lynn “Exotic Butterfly mini (DL112) and a medium “fern” punch.  All these products are available from Joan’s Gardens.  

In order to have well shaped flower petals, they need to be conditioned.  In the design paper I noticed lines on the petals so I started conditioning by scoring a few lines on the Ginko leaves.  I used my Scor-Buddy to do this.   Score lines from the stem end up to the outer edge where there is an indention –where you might see a crease in the petal.

In order to match the color in the design paper, I started with “white” card stock.  The stems are not needed on the petals so they have been cut off.  Sponge ink on to both the front and back of each petal.  I used ColorBox “Stucco” ink.  The color was intensified on the stem end of each petal for shading.

 

This is a picture of all the tools in the “Flower Tool Kit” I use to shape all my flowers.  I work on a black shaping mat.  This tool kit has one handle for 5 different stylus heads and 3 different piercing tools.  It also has a package of blades that fit in this handle.  The tweezers are self-closing.  The large white tool is used for breaking down all the fibers in the card stock of each punched piece.  This little box contains everything you need for creating (shaping) your flowers.

One your flower petals are colored, use the white tool from the Flower Tool Kit to soften fibers in each petal by going around in circles until it “cups” up, as shown in picture.

Next turn the petal over  (you are working on the back) and use largest ball in the handle to curl the edges to give them more shape.  You want to work just the outer edges so they slightly turn backward.

Now turn the petal back, face up, and use the same tool to press down next to stem end of petal to slightly create a little “pocket”.    You will notice the outer edges of the petals are now rolling back giving the petal a realistic look.  You can see the difference in the flat petals in the background compared to the shaped petal. 

Now you are going to use the large punched green “Daisy” to start shaping the poppy.  This is the bottom that holds all the petals.   Using the white shaping tool, go around in circles over it, to cup it.  This will help hold the petals of your flower up so the flower will have a nice shape.

You have seven petals ready for this flower.  Glue four of the petals to the large punched daisy, slightly overlapping as you go around.  You want to use a fairly fast drying glue such as “Crafter’s Pick”, “Art Glitter” Adhesive, or Tombo Mono Aqua liquid glue.  Add glue to the stem end of the poppy petal and place on the daisy about in the middle of the petals.  You are going to add another row so you need to save room in the middle for the additional petals. 

Add last three petals in center slightly overlapping each one.  Your finished poppy will look similar to this.  Next you will work on the stamen.

Looking at the stamen in the design paper, I decided the punched pieces shown above would come close to duplicating it.  The green and black sun rays were all cut down through the center of each ray toward the center.  This helps to “fray” out the edges.  Shape each punched piece so they resemble those in the picture.    Each piece needs to be “cupped” by first using the white tool then using the other tool pressing down right in the center of each on the black foam mat.  Layer all these pieces starting with green piece on left, glue in black “Delicate Snowflake”, then inside that the black sun, and finally the yellow center.

Here is a closeup showing  how to cut both the green and black punched suns so they will fray out a little after shaping.  On the right you can see how I came up with the pod for the very center of the poppy stamen.  The small yellow blossom was used.  A thin line was drawn between each petal and a small black punched circle was added right in the center.  After the black center is dry, shape both pieces as shown above.  You will be shaping the yellow “pod” on the back side so you have a nice domed shape for the enter of the stamen.  To add the “pod” to the center of the stamen, add a pool of glue right in the enter of the stamen then shape the pod down in the glue.  You can adjust and shape this pod by using a tooth pick to move it around.

Glue stamen into center of flower.

Another view of the finished card. Now it is time to create your card.

Did you see this article in the Paper and Pixels magazine?

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Heartfelt Creations Alumni Design Team Blog Hop

 

Today I am participating in the first Heartfelt Creations Alumni Design Team Blog Hop.  If you started at the beginning you came from Anita Hovey's blog.  The link to the next designer's blog is at the bottom of this post.

My card was designed using the Heartfelt Creations "Posy Patch Flowers PreCut Set" (HCPC 3303).  These flowers can be cut out using the matching Spellbinders "Posy Patch Diecuts" (HCD701).  This is a set of stamps I use over and over.  These flowers were stamped using Memento black ink then sponged using a dark purple ink.  As soon as the ink was dry, I used a white "Inkssentials" pen to create the white dots on each of the petals.  There are seven "double" flowers in this arrangement.  They were shaped using tools from a "Flower Tool Kit".  A "Sparkle" punch was used to create the black stamens.  The green leaves and white ferns are from the Heartfelt Creations "Leaf Medley PreCut Set" (HCPC 3405).  This is another set you see me using over and over.  These pieces were white embossed on white card stock.  The leaves were sponged with green ink and cut out with the matching Spellbinder dies. 

This is a 5.5" card.  The Martha Stewart "Double Loop" punches were used to create the background.  A small square was cut to fit inside the punched border and was embossed with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder.  The corners were rounded using a corner rounder punch.  The butterfly is from the Heartfelt Creations "Bella Rose Collection".  The doily behind the arrangement is the Cheery Lynn Italian Flourish Doily. A purple scalloped border was created with the Martha Stewart "Doulbe Loop" punches and added to the back of the card. A small white Swiss Dots bow and a few pearls were added to complete the card.

I hope you enjoy this blog hop.  There are a total of nine designers participating and I'm sure you will enjoy visiting each blog for lots of inspiration using your Heartfelt  Creations stamps. 

Here is the link to Dina Kowal's blog which is the next stop on this blog hop.

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