Birthday Card

This is a card I made for my father-in-law for his birthday.  I made something very similar to it for Christmas at a Stampin' Up class that I went to with my mom.  It is a gift card holder.

To make this card:
* Start with a piece of paper 8" x 4"
* Then score it in half to make it 4"x4"
* For the top cut another piece of paper (I used the same color) 4.25" x 3"
* Score in half to make it 4.25" x 1.5"
* Cut a piece of pattern paper 3.75" x 3.75"
* Cut another piece of paper paper 4" x 1.25"
(both of my pattern papers came from a multi-pack I got for Christmas - don't know the brand though)
* Apply glue to the side edges only of the card base so that you will be able to slide the gift card in and out.
* Also apply glue to the back of the base to attach the top flap.
* To make it easier to get the gift card in and out, I glued it to a 3.5" x 3" piece of cardstock (I forgot to get a picture with that part in the card. It was blue!)

For the finishing touches I added a bow cut from Create-a-Critter at 5.25", 4.75", & 4.25".  I cut the ribbon part of the bow off.  Then I glued them together and the whole thing between the pattern paper and the cardstock. I also added a button and a gem.  I had intended to add some glitter to at least the bow. Long story short... I had to have a very minor surgery last week and boy was my doctor wrong about being able to return to my normal activities the next day!  Five days later and I still can't do everything I want. So I didn't have as much time to sparkle it up as I would have liked to.  Finally, I added a Happy Birthday tag (the stamp is from TCP Studio).

As always, I'd love to hear what you think!  I hope to have another project up in a few days.  Also, I'm going to be in another blog hop on July 22nd-24th.  It is Christmas in July!  I love Christmas cards so I am super excited!!! I will have some wonderful holiday blog candy, as I am sure others will too :)  *~*Thanks for Stopping by*~* 

I'm linking this up to:

Another Father's Day Card

I hope that everyone has had a wonderful week!  The weather was very nice here today and supposed to be even better tomorrow :)  This is the other Father's Day card I made this year.  This one was for my dad: :)  I'm very lucky to have breakfast with my dad every Sunday morning.  I would trade this time with him for anything!  My dad has always loved lighthouses.  He loves to visit them and has tons of pictures of them.  Here's my card:

The colors aren't accurate here but the glitter shows really well!

Close-up of the sand & DAD

I'm going to be honest and say this lighthouse cut was a bit frustrating.  It is from the Life is a Beach cartridge.  This is not a cartridge I own (definitely one I want though!), but I was able to borrow it from my mom.  Since I was borrowing it, I was not able to use my gypsy with it :(  There is not blackout option for it (at least not that I could figure out).  The only cuts available are the outline and the spots in red. Technically if you just put it together the way it cuts the glittered parts would have just been see through holes? You can see the handbook page here.  So since that is not what I wanted,  I glued the outline and red pieces together. Then glued that to  a white piece of paper and cut around it. Of course with my Gypsy I could have just hidden some of the cuts!

Anyway on to the other pieces... The sand is made with a marble paper (I'm not sure what brand apparently I threw away the packaging).   I cut the strips and then tore the tops.  Typically I struggle with the whole tearing technique because I am a bit of a perfectionist, but here I really like it.  After I tore it, I added Tulip glitter glue to the torn tops.  The birds are cut from textured grey paper from Hobby Lobby.  All of the other paper is from my scraps.  I wanted to make sure that the card was obviously for Father's Day. I cut the letters for DAD from the same "sand" paper and glittered them as well.  I wanted it to look like it was written in the sand. I also added glitter to the shells at the bottom. Last of all I used the D'vine Swirls embossing fold on the clouds.

The Cuts:

* The Lighthouse - Life is a Beach at 3.75"

* The Birds - Life is a Beach at 1.5"

*The Clouds - Create-a-Critter at .5", .75", 1"

* The Shells - Create-a-Critter at .5", 75", 1"

*"DAD" - Pooh Font at 1"

I think it turned out really nice and my dad totally loved it :)  As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts (and tips for the lighthouse if you have them)! I'll have another post in a couple of days so be sure to check back! *~*Thanks for stopping by*~*

I'm linking this post to:

A Winner and An Award!

Wow I have surpassed 200 followers!  I'm so extremely flattered and super excited to have so many dedicated and new followers!  Thank you so much to everyone who hopped along with us for the Cupcake Birthday Blog Hop. I received 45 sparkly comments. Lucky for me random.org does the choosing :)

and the winner is...

Jessica from Chick-n-Scrap said "Great cupcake card!! thanks for sharing and for the chance to win". Jessica - you've got mail! Please contact me back with your info and I will get your goodies in the mail.  If I don't hear from you within one week I will sadly have to chose someone else :( Also, if you haven't been to visit Jessica be sure to drop by her blog and leave her some love.  You won't be disappointed!

Next... I have received another award! Sherrie at Sherrie Scraps and Karen at Kaleidoscope Sparkles were super sweet to pass this along to me.  I'm extremely honored to be receiving this award!

The rules for the award are the following (note I will be doing this x2):

1.) Send a thank you to the person who nominated you and include their link.
2.) To accept this award, answer 7 random facts about yourself.
3.) Pass the award to at least 8 other blog buddies.

Random facts about me:

* I love to read children's literature

* I don't like chocolate

* I love teaching and can't picture myself doing anything else for a living

* I have met some really amazing friends over the last year (both in life and through blogging)

* I love to play scrabble
* I enjoy spending Saturday's watching chick flicks

* I love going to the zoo

* I can't seem to find the patience to make scrapbook layouts.  So I stick mostly to cards and favors
* I have always had at least 1 pet and usually more than 1
* I hate spiders, but also refuse to kill them

* I could eat pizza every night for dinner

* I just started to "text" over the last few months (I know, I am super behind!)

* I married my best friend 6 years ago

* I LOVE anything that sparkles!

I would like to pass this award on to the following wonderful ladies:

* Jen at Craftyful Gardens

* Tami B at Tami's Craft Connection

* Georgiana at Carson's Creations

* Karen at Kaleidoscope Sparkles

* Jen at Jen's Happy Place

* Julie at A Little Bit of Bling

* Patti at Callahan Country Bugs

* Gigi at The Cricut Bug

* Liza at Hoo's Crafty

* Courtney at Krafty Keekerz

* Lisa at My Lil' Bits

* Star at Star's Paper Passion

* Arlene at WaterDots

* Cindy at ~*Scrap-tastic Addictions*~

* Elaine at Expressions by Elaine 

* Tammy at The Purple Muse

Now I am hopping over to tell all of these inspirational ladies about their award.  I hope you will visit them all too, not only to congratulate them but to get some amazing inspiration of you own :)  I'll be back in the next day or two to post my other Father's Day Card, so make sure you check back! *~*Thanks for stopping by*~*

Cupcake Birthday Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Cupcake Birthday Blog Hop - where we are helping Sylvia celebrate her birthday using one of her favorite treats . We hope to inspire you with our sweet creations! You should have come here from Jessica at Chick-n-Scrap. If you just stopped by to visit my blog today, make sure that you go back to the beginning at Bella Scrapbook Designs.  You don't want to miss any of the amazing projects or blog candy! 

For my project I decided to make my very first shape card!  I've been so excited to try one since I bought my Gypsy (which I absolutely love).  I absolutely love cupcakes, so this theme is perfect for me :) 

I started by welding the 2 cupcakes together on my Gypsy to form the card base.  I sized them to fit in a 5.5" x 5.5" envelope Next, I cut out the top layer (hid the face) in pink for the icing.  I also embossed it with the D'vine Swirls folder.  For the cupcake wrapper, I cut some designer paper (from the $ spot at Target) into a 12" x 2" strip. Then, I  accordion folded it and glued down the folds to give it a realistic pleated look. I stamped "Happy Birthday" with a stamp from a set my mom gave me (no clue what the brand is) in purple on the tag.  I tied the ribbon around the wrapper and to the tag. Finally, it needed some sparkle.  I used Studio G glitter (the polka dots on the paper were originally just a darker shade of purple - no glitter) and pink gemstones from The Paper Studio.

The Cuts:

Cupcake - Create-a-Critter - Cut at 4.30"

Tag - Winter Frolic - Cut at 1.5"

 

Thank you so much for hopping with us today.  Next up is Diana from Daisy Love Creations. She has something super scrumptious for you.  Before you go don't forget to check out my blog candy at the bottom of this post!

Lost?  Don't worry!  Here is the whole line up:

* Sylvia- www.bellascrapbookdesigns.blogspot.com

* Sandra- www.365daysofcricut.blogspot.com

* Theresa- www.thescrapbookingqueen.com

* Giselle- www.crossmyheartpapercrafts.blogspot.com

* Brynn- www.flairandfrillscreativity.blogspot.com

* Bonnie- www.pinkbonbons.blogspot.com

* Sherrie- www.sherriescraps.blogspot.com

* Lisa- www.prettypaperprettyribbons.blogspot.com

* Becka- www.creationswithbecka.blogspot.com

* Jenny- www.jennyplace26.blogspot.com

* Sandy S. www.thecraftycreationspot.blogspot.com

* Jessica- www.chick-n-scrap.blogspot.com   ( Previous Stop )

* Tiffany- www.sparkledmemories.blogspot.com  ( This is Me )

* Diana- www.daisylovecreations.blogspot.com   ( Next Stop )

* Anita- www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com

* Jazmin- www.Jazzyscards.blogspot.com

* Tami- www.tamboscreations.blogspot.com

* Lissi- www.littledetails-lissi.blogspot.com

* Kristi- www.kreations-by-kristi-crafting.blogspot.com

* Coralyn- www.sweetlilscrapper.blogspot.com

What's a blog hop with out some sweet treats?  I'm offering this blog candy to one lucky commenter.  As usual, I tried to match our theme and find some yummy looking things. Of course there is some sparkle for you too! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post.  You don't have to be a follower, but of course I would love it if you were :)  Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you, in case you win! I will use random.org to choose a winner on Wednesday June 22nd.  *~* Thanks for stopping by*~*

I'm linking this project up at:

Father's Day Card

So sorry for slacking on my posting lately.  Unfortunately, I've been a bit under the weather.  Therefore, I didn't get very much done at the beginning of the week. Good news is I'm feeling better :) and completed a few cards over the last few days. This is a Father's Day card I made.  It is for my wonderful father-in-law!

I just recently purchased a gypsy.  I've wanted to get one for a couple of months, but didn't want to put out the extra expense.  Then, I found one at Joann's for $89.  I decided I should get it because there was probably no way I was ever going to find a better deal!  My first projects were both Father's Day cards (the other one will be posted next week).  I used it to figure out what sizes to cut all of the pieces and to hide a few cuts.

This is a standard A2 size card.  The mat is 4" x 5.25" and embossed with the Swiss Dots folder.  The blue strips for water were cut at (I believe - I forgot to write it down) at 1.5", 1.75", and 2".  I used the Fiskars scallop border punch and embossed just the top one with D'vine Swirls to make them look like waves. The fishing pole is threaded with embroidery floss. On it I added a Stampin' Up brad to make it look like a reel. I also added a gem from The Paper Studio to the hook.  The fish is embossed with Tiny Bubbles.  Of course it needed a little more sparkle, so I added green stickles to the rod, "DAD" and fish.

The Cuts:

* Fishing Pole - Simply Charmed - Cut at 2.75"

* Fish - Create-a-Critter  (I liked this fish better) - Cut at 1"

* "DAD" - Pooh Font (marker and shadow marker- I hid the 

inside cuts on the shadow) - Cut at 1"

As always, I'd love to hear your comments.  Don't forget I will be in the Cupcake Birthday Blog Hop hosted by Sylvia at Bella Scrapbook Designs on Monday! There will be wonderful inspiration from some amazing ladies.  I will have blog candy to giveaway as I am sure others will too! I also have another card for Father's Day that I will upload next week, so be sure to check back!  *~*Thanks for stopping by*~*

I linked this project up at:

Grandmother's Birthday Card - Triangle Tri-fold

Finally, I have the chance to post this card!  Normally it would be assumed that summer vacation would mean life is more relaxing and less busy.  It seems to work out the opposite way for me.  Although, I'm definitely not complaining - I love to stay busy! I made this card for my fabulous grandmother.  When I was growing up we lived just around the corner from my grandparents and spent time with them daily.  Then, when I was 10 we moved more than 500 miles away.  I get to see them about twice a year if I am lucky and miss them dearly! This is the first time I have made a card with this fold.  I followed a wonderful tutorial from Dawn at Do Stamping. If you haven't already, you should check her out!  She has lots of other amazing tutorials too :)  My grandmother loves butterflies and pink so I think this card will be perfect for her.

This card was so much fun to make.  The base is just pink card stock.  There are 2 triangle mats - one is shimmery pink made by The Paper Company and the other is a pattern paper by The Paper Studio.  The big butterfly (cut from Potpourri Basket - originally Home Accents at 2.25") is made of the shimmery paper and a pink velum (from Hobby Lobby).  The smaller butterflies (cut at 1", 1.25" & 1.5") are just made from the shimmer paper. All of the gems are by The Paper Studio and the ribbon is from Hobby Lobby.  I also embossed the front using the swiss dots folder in my Cuttlebug to give it some dimension.  "Happy Birthday" is from the greetings stamp set by TPC studio. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts!  I find that the colors on my cards never show up as beautiful in my pictures.  If anyone has any tips for how I can make them better, I could use them.  I will hopefully have some Father's Day cards up soon.  Don't forget I'll be in the Birthday Cupcake blog hop, hosted by Sylvia at Bella Scrapbook Design on Monday, June 20th.  I will have some fantastic blog candy and I am sure others will too, so be sure to check back!  *~*Thanks for stopping by*~*

I linked this up at:

Graduation Card

It has been a busy week here.  School finished this week and there will be one week before summer school starts.  I'm excited to work with some of my kiddos over the summer to ensure they don't lose anything they learned this year! On to the card... I made this card for a friend who had a son graduating from high school.  It is called a petal fold card.  I got the idea from Hero Arts and adjusted it to make it the size I wanted (although in the long run I made it a bit too big!) His school colors were blue and red. 

 

Back

Inside (the glitter is hard to see)

Here is what I did (original template found at Mirkwood Designs - I didn't actually print it):
* Cut a 12" x 12" paper to 11" x 11" (I should have cut it to 10.5" x 10.5")
* Score at 2.75" rotate the paper 90 degrees and score at 2.75" (would have scored at 2 5/8")

At the size I made it, it didn't fit in the 5.5" envelopes I purchased.  That is why I included alternate measurements above.  I ended up just making my own envelope. I also embossed the front using the Cuttlebug Polka Dots folder to give it some texture.  I added a button with a gem in the center and looped the tassel around it.  The tassel was made with embroidery floss.  I left the floss bundled (I actually used 2) the way it came and cut it in half at one end.  Then I wrapped white floss around it and tied a string at the top. I trimmed them a little at the bottom because they seemed too long.  The designer paper is by The Paper Studio and cut at 5.5" x 5.5" (would be 5.25" if original paper was 10.5").  I used my slit punch from Stampin' Up to cut the flaps that hold the gift card holder. "Congrats!" is cut at 1" from Classic Cricut Font.  And of course it is glittered with black diamond Stickles.

I'm linking this up at:

I've been working on a fabulous card for my grandmother and will get it posted ASAP.  I also am excited to be in another hop on June 20th.  It is all about cupcakes (yum!) and is hosted by Sylvia at Bella Scrapbook Designs.  Be sure to check back! *~*Thanks for stopping by*~*