Graduation card 2015

I needed to make some easy and fast grad cards for my daughter to go to grad parties. This is what I came up with and made several since I had the ink and paper out I did an assembly line,stamp,cut mats,add glitter.
  The stamps are from Raisin Boat High five grads. I used momento ink ( I reinked my pad first so I would have good ink to cover the stamps.) I stamped the hands first,then the hats and then I curved the saying and stamped it, last but not least I stamped the year.I added some diamond dust stickles to the hats to make them stand out a bit.
  I matted the stamped card front with the color of the school. ( purple for Waunakee) and then attached it to a white card base.
  I hope you like my easy peasy grad card.
Donna

" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say,"I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck Writer

Corny Birthday card

     My dad turned 78 and he loves pop corn. I love this stamp set from Raisin Boat called crunch time it has some fun sayings and cute stamps for easy and fast cards. I used copics to color my card.
   Thanks for stopping in. Easy card so I did not think I needed to say to much this time.
Donna
" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say,"I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck Writer

A little Easter treat

 If you have seen some of my posts over time you won't be surprised I am posting some little goodies that I made for my Daughters youth group leaders. I love to make a small treat for them for most holidays to let them know I really appreciate all of the love and time they give to our kids.
   I used an Accucut die for these little cuties.I mixed up the cover colors with the bottoms as well as the bows to really give they a soft pastel Easter palette. The bow is cut using a My Favorite Things die, and the tiny bunny's are Amuse die's.  I die cut the bunny's in brown to make them look like chocolate.
    I hope you have a Blessed Easter with your family.
Donna
" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say,"I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck Writer

A fun little card I made to put a smile on your face

 

   I made this card almost one and a half years ago. I just found out I can post it. It was published in Just Cards. It is a fun card I already have plans for someone who is going through a tough time.
   I used Raisin Boat stamps Just add Love stamp set I used momento ink and Copic markers.I bent the words to have a fun curve. I added the black and white gingham bow to finish it off.
    I hope you like it. It was fun to get the the magazine in the mail after the week we had with our furnace going out ( we live in Wisconsin) and we had spring break with snow!! I had lots of prom dress's come in for fittings as well as brides so I was glad I had electric heat in my shop.
    Have a nice Easter if I don't get a chance to post anything new this week.
Donna
" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say,"I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck Writer

Embossing folder techniques Chalk technique with embossing folders

 

I used JustRite Grand Birthday sentiments stamps for the saying as well as 2 other stamps of theirs for this card.

For this card I used a JustRite stamp from their set Christmas Antique Labels one.

For this card I used a JustRite stamp from the set Grand Birthday Sentiments.

I used a white craft ink  and a sponge dauber to apply the ink in a gentle circular motion. 

Close up of how it looks when the white ink is applied to the embossed surface.

 I played around with some of my embossing folders that had open areas that might be nice to add a saying that I could incorporate the chalk board technique where you stamp and heat emboss with white embossing powder on black paper and then lightly rub the white ink around to give the look of an old chalk board. I took this a step farther and embossed my mat or card front ( how ever you want to look at it) using black card stock and then lightly rubbed white ink on it to mimic the look of a chalk board. I like how this turned out. It is a nice look for a man or a woman's card.
   I hope you like what you have learned with me on my journey of ways to use your embossing folders. My demo is tomorrow,I hope to get a few more ideas done but not sure if I will get them posted for a few days. Wish me luck. I look forward to spending time with over 40 creative ladies that have been getting together for 10 years now for a weekend of paper playing fun.
   Donna
" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say,"I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck Writer

My adventures with embossing folders post #5 Inking the embossing folder

I embossed the white card stock with a lavender ink ( ink on the raised side) and then cut out the card into an egg shape. I added the sheer ribbon and the small die cut bunny ( amuse die).

This card is made from 2 attempts of playing with how much ink to put on the embossing folder. The top has less ink and the bottom has more. I like the way the impression really stands out on this card.
  

 

This picture is of an embossing folder that has been inked with a brayer on the debossing side or the smooth side.

This is a picture of the embossing side of the embossing folder that has been inked with a brayer.

These are the finished embossed papers. One is with ink on the embossed side ( blue stars) the other is the debossed blue inked side.

 I found that Versa Color Ink worked the best for me when trying this technique where I put the ink directly on the embossing folder.I found I  had the best luck when I lightly rubbed the ink on the embossing folder then tapped it all over the folder. It seemed to give me a more even coverage. I used this technique for embossing and debossing. Embossing is when you put the ink on the raised side of the embossing folder. Debossing is when you put the ink on the smooth side or grooved out side of the embossing folder.
  I hope this has been a tutorial that taught you something new or gets you to do a technique you have not used in a while. Thanks for stopping in.
   Donna
" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say,"I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck Writer

A Pretty blue flower background

   

A quick post of a card I did for Mod Squad challenge blog background challenge. I used JustRite stamps and copic markers to color them. I went at a diagonal design to fill in the card.
  Thanks for stopping.Back tomorrow with more Embossing folder techniques.
Donna
" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say,"I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck Writer

Embossing folder techniques round 4 Viva 3-D stamp paint

I used black paper and a silver paint.

Here are some samples of papers I did with black and brown card stock and gold and silver and maybe even a green metallic paint. Note that this is the sponge dauber I used. Be sure to wash out with soap and water before the paint drys on the sponge.

I used black paper and a silver and gold metallic paint. I rubbed the torn edge of my embossed and painted paper with versa mark ink and them embossed it with the same pewter embossing powder I did my elephant with. Note I colored the elephant with a darker grey copic marker to help define it more on the gold metallic paper.

This is another card I did with the embossed painted card stock as a background for this bike.

     My friends over at Raisin Boat stamps had a demo last year using this new 3-D stamp-paint byViva they found and I loved how it looked. This same event I am doing a demo on ways to use your embossing folders.So here is my take on this technique.
   Start by embossing your paper.Play with colored papers like black or dark brown. I love the look with the metallic paints on top of the dark colors. That is what I have for samples on this post.
    Now that you have your paper embossed load a small amount of the 3-D stamp paint on a dauber on the edge. Then slowly and gently rub it onto the embossed paper with a a circular motion until you cover your paper. Feel free to dip into another color and blend it right on top or leaving some of the other color show through in some areas. This paint drys so fast it is amazing. I found it was fun to do this with a friend and we just kept playing with different color combinations and textures of embossing folders. It really is that easy to add a fantastic metallic look to your plain card stock.Remember a little goes a long way.
  I bought my paints from Raisin Boat and I have a link for you to go to the paints on their sight.I hope you enjoyed exploring this fun unique technique with me.Thanks for stopping in on my adventures of what to do with embossing folders.
   I will be entering this in the Mod Squad challenge Blogs background challenge.
Donna

" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say,"I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck Writer

Embossing folder ideas round 3 embossing with velum

Use the finger daubers to rub the ink on the back under the flowers.

I used a glue pen to apply the glue inside the flower petals and then added the fine glitter.

Close up of glittered areas on the embossed velum.

Embossed Easter Egg card

Close up of embossed pearl velum

    I played with embossing velum and found you need a weight of velum that is not too thin or too thick.Too thin cuts through and cracks.Too thick you can't see your color through if you color on the back side.I did find just the right weigh pearl finish velum that I had in my stash and I love it!
    I dug through my embossing folders and found a fun Easter Egg one that was so fun to work with. I embossed it with some of my pearl velum.I then used my finger daubers to rub ink on the backside where the eggs were. You can see through easily as to where to but your ink.This was a fast and fun card for Easter. I attached it to the light ivory card after I tied a bow from a sheer organdy ribbon for a bit of interest on the card.

I used the fantastix to color in the smaller holly leaves and berry's.They work great for small area's.

I hope you learned a tip or two on embossing velum and what to do after you do.This was a fun one for me to play with.Thanks for stopping in and learning with me as I prepare for my demo on ways to used embossing folders. I will be entering this in the background challenge at Mod Squad challenge blog.
Donna

" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say,"I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck Writer

Ways to use your Embossing folders round 2

I used a pink and brown color core paper for this card. I also used a Raisin Boat stamp called All the right words it has some nice larger sentiment is the set.

     I finally finished the card I did using color core paper and sanding it. I have 2 cards to share with you. One is really simple making it a fast and easy card to make in multiples so you have some on hand when you need  one. You can easily change the sentiment on the bottom on this card.
     For this technique I simply used a card stock called color core as it has a different color under the top color.The one I used in the samples is a pink core with a brown over the top. I cut my paper to fit in the embossing folder and make sure you have the top color on top so the embossed design will be raised up on the top color side. Run it through your machine and then pull the embossed paper out and get a sanding block ( ones from a nail supply place are really good and in expensive and because they are a long block with sand on all four sides makes them easy to hold on to and use.) Gently rub the sanding block on top to reveal the color underneath.The harder you sand the more of the background with show through so be careful not to get to aggressive with your sanding.

     It was brought to my attention about leaving the paper in the folder when sanding.This is a good thing to do and I forgot to mention it.Leaving it in the folder when sanding keeps it firmer and easier to sand the raised areas. Thank you Cheryl W. for the comment.
    
   I decided to die cut my sanded papers with spellbinder dies and then sanded the edges to help it blend better with my design.I found a pretty pink that went well with the color core paper and then added some embossing to it and used a sponge to gently add a touch of brown around the edges and surface to pull the colors together. I punched out 4 butterfly's ( tonic punch) 2 form pink and 2 from the color core paper.I added them to the finished card to pretty it up a bit.
   One thing I forgot to mention is I added some dots of pearl pen to the side embossed mat it added a really pretty touch.

Notice the dots of pearl pen I added to the embossed design.

The die cut element I had embossed and sanded cut from color core paper. Remember to sand the edges of the piece after is is die cut.I also cut a brown mat to make the brown words pop as well as adding the sponged brown around the pink layer with the stamped saying.

This is the finished card. I love all of  the texture on this card it really gives it a warm feel.

Thanks for stopping in and learning along with me as I prepare for my up coming demo on ways to use your embossing folders.
Donna

   

" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say,"I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck Writer

My embossing folder research project one

 

I wanted the embossing to be the star of the show so I just added a simple sentiment on a tag I die cut ,stamped and edged with a sponge.I then  added  a stripe of tulle that I fanned out a bit at the sides before attaching it to the back of the embossed card front. I also used foam dots under the tag to raise it up a bit and  

   Well I hope you ride along with me as I prepare to do a demonstration on ways to use embossing folders. I have been scouring the internet for ideas so here goes my first card using a technique where you emboss the card stock and then  rub ink over it to make the raised design stand out by accenting  the ink on the raised area. I chose to use a use the  Tim Holtz round mini ink blending tool.I thought it worked the best easy to use in a circular motion. You just need a light touch and you can go over it more to lay more ink on the raise surface to make the color darker. I used Momento ink for my sample. I did use a sponge and it was O.K. but not as much control over the amount of ink that went in the areas that were not embossed.
   Here are some pictures I took to help explain how I did this technique

Keep the paper in the folder when first going over so the folder keeps the paper from smashing down.

Use a soft touch and small circular motion to blend the ink on the raise design. You will need to reink as you go.

• Thank you for stopping and learning along with me as I try new ways to use my embossing folders in my card making. I would love to hear any suggestions or ideas you might have. I will be sharing these with about 50 fellow paper crafter's the end of March. So I have lots of techniques to try and post.

Donna

" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say,"I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck Writer

Happy Heart Day Treats

   

I went simple this year for the Valentine treats I made for my daughters youth group leaders. I stamped the saying and mated it.I then die cut 2 hearts one wine one pink and layered them adding them to the saying on each end.To attach the tag to the little pail by cutting a small piece of paper and gluing it to the back of the wire handle sandwiching the wire in between. I used a fast drying glue and a clothespin to hold the tag and paper tag together until they dry.
   Thanks for stopping I hope you have fun making some Valentine goodies yourself.
Donna
" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say,"I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck Writer

Playing around with my stamp paint

  I wanted to see how well the 3-D Strmpel Farbe stamp paint paint would work with my stamps and I like it a lot. I used a sponge to lightly pounce the paint onto the stamp and then stamped the stamp onto the paper with an up and down motion,be careful not to twist or slid the stamp. I used
Joyful Love by Raisin Boat stamps randomly stamping the flouish designs on the card. I stamped the love medallion and die cut it with a spellbinders die as well as the scalloped gold mat. I added a sheer ribbon on the card and added the medallion on top of the cream stamped design onto the gold mat.
   I added some pictures to help you see what I did. The paint dries really fast and has a wonderful shimmer to it. It comes in lots of metallic colors.
   I am entering it in Raisin Boats Love is in the air challenge. Be sure to check out all of the other great cards by fellow paper crafters.
  Thanks for stopping.
Donna

" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say,"I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck Writer

Fun or Fancy is up and running

  I have been told for years I should have an ETSY shop and I played around with it a few years ago. I finally put some real time and effort into my shop and have listed over 20 of my handmade wedding headpieces and will be adding more things like sashes,and garters.
   I took my own photos and wrote my own descriptions. I would love any feedback or suggestions you might have for me to improve my shop.You know how when you look at your things you don't see what other people might see right off the bat. there is always room for improvement.
   Thanks for checking out FunorFancy if you like what you see please leave some feedback on my shop or "like" it.Word of mouth is the best advertising.
   Focus is my mantra for this year so I want to focus on getting my ETSY shop looking good and hopefully selling some of my wedding accessories.
    I sew all day altering wedding gowns and other cloths so this is a creative outlet for me just as paper crafting is a fun creative outlet.I think there are many creative people out there who know what I mean.
   Thanks for stopping and checking things out. Here is the link again. https://www.etsy.com/shop/Funorfancy?ref=hdr_shop_menu
Donna
" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say,"I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck Writer

Diet Birthday Cake for Mom's 75th Birthday

    I saw the color challenge over at My Favorite Things blog  and thought of my Mom. She loves these bright  beautiful colors. The creating began and this is what I ended up with.
    I die cut the cake slice box's with Accucut die's  in 2 sizes from a pretty pearl card stock. I made the flower and the flourishes with MFT die's. I added a bit of glitter pen by Viva on the scrolls and numbers to add a bit of bling. I "diet" cake not calories in this cake only fun and lots of love.
     I pray I have many more Birthdays to celebrate with my Mom over the years!
    Thanks for stopping and checking out my "diet" Birthday cake.
    Donna
 
" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say,"I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck Writer

Gold embossing with water color hydrangea card

   I did one more card for the Mod Squad challenge blog. I used a pretty hydrangea flower from Raisin boat stamps. I used versa mark ink to stamp it on water color paper and then embossed it with gold. I die cut a butterfly with a spellbinders die and then covered it with versa mark ink and embossed it with gold. I then used water color pencils to color the flower and used a aqua brush to blend the colors. This is really easy as the water stays inside the embossed lines. I used an oval spellbinders die and a pretty mat die they have to put out the colors of the flower. I added the butterfly to bring out the gold embossing on the flower. A very pretty card that was really easy to do.
   The person I cased is Katerina she has done this technique and I always wanted to try it.
   I hope you pull out your embossing powders and water color pencils and give this technique a try.
Donna
" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say,"I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck Writer

Playing with my Heart die's

    I spent some time just cutting hearts from different papers and then played with layering them in different ways. I have always admired Lovely Linda Lucas and her spellbinder creations so I used her as a inspiration for some of the cards I made using my hearts. I am sharing 2 that I made but I am entering one of them in 2 challenges one is Mod Squad and the other is MFT sketch challenge.
   I used spellbinders dies Vines of passion and Lace Hearts and Annalee embossing folder from Couture creations for both cards and the red small hearts is a die from Top Dog dies, love is from paper smooches.
    I die cut the card with a accucut die and embossed the card front. The red hearts fit perfect in between the embossed design. I die cut the lace heart from some pretty aqua blue paper I had and the lace heart from cream.I cut the word love from the same red paper as the red heart stripe.I added a strip of the aqua blue paper under the scallops.
   The second card I used pearl paper and metallic paper.I love the way they look so elegant and it was so easy! I embossed the white pearl paper and then added a few dots of glitter pen by Viva to look like small flowers on the vine design. I layered the pink lace heart on the gold and then positioned the lace pink under at an angle.
   I hope you enjoy both cards and dig out your dies and your fancy pearly papers or play with some other color combo's like the aqua blue and red.
     Have a great day and I have a few more cards I will be posting later this week.
Donna
" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say,"I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck Writer

A simple black and cream valentine

 

   I wanted to play with the stamp set I have from Raisin Boat called Free as a bird.  I wanted to keep it simple so I embossed the bird and cages with a pewter embossing powder and die cut it with a fun heart die from Nellie they fit nice as this is a longer style heart. I then embossed the bottom of my card  that I had die cut with an accucut die and added a black print paper from my scraps. I cut a small stripe of silver paper and added a black washi tape on top to pull the silver out a bit.I die cut the word love with a paper smooches die. I added a small stripe of the black printed paper under the scallop and I was done. Not your traditional Valentine colors but I do like the simplicity and the elegant feel of this card.
    I will be entering this in Raisin Boats Challenge # 30 Love is in the air and MFT sketch challenge Be sure to stop in and see the other wonderful cards that the talented paper artist have made at both of these wonderful challenge blogs.
   Thanks for stopping and I hope this black and cream card helps you to think out side the box for your Valentine ( Wedding/Anniversary) card making.
Donna

" When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and I could say,"I used everything you gave me" Erma Bombeck Writer