My sister found the Spellbinder Shapeabilities Antiques die cut set on sale for $6. She saw the key and thought of me, because I'm a sucker for Renaissance and ancient looking things. So, I ran it through twice, once to cut, once to emboss, and had a white paper punched key and lock. What to do? So many possibilities. I decided to pull out the inks. First, the embossed raised edges received copper, then silver inking. The silver got a little over done on the key, but the metallic sheen was pretty. Then, I found an Ink Dot, as it had large pores to the sponge. I dabbed along the keys, lightly, to create some worn effect. I backed the key hole with black paper. I was quite pleased with the effect. Check it out! That is just brown paper with a wood grain stamp on it, by the way.

Song Bird Birthday!

Hello everyone! Well, birthday card madness continues, and here is the latest!

Song Bird Birthday:

Supplies:
Cardstock; Die cuts: Spellbinder "Garden"; Stamps: bird, sheet music, sentiment; Ink; Punches: 3/4" and 1" circle, large and small music note; ribbon.

How To:
Stamp all stamp elements on appropiate colored card stock. Trim stamped sheet music, cut out aound bird and punch out saying with 3/4" circle punch. Die cut twig and punch out music notes and 1" circle. Snip ribbon to size. Adhere music stamped paper, then ribbon. Glue sentiment to 1" circle and attach large music note to side, adhere to ribbon. Adhere twig, bird, and little music notes. Tweet that!

Birthday Card Bonanza!

Birthday cards are great and so easy. They just have to be fun! Fun was the main thought behind this set of monochromatic birthday themed cards. The design we used is also nice because it is quickly reproducible and one can make many cards in a fairly short time.



Supplies:

Coordinating patterned and solid colored papers and cardstock.
Paper Punches: birthday-themed small punches, 3/4" and 1" circle punch.
Fiskars Circle Template and rotary tool (we use the 4" and 4 1/2" circles).
"Happy Birthday" stamp
Versa Mark embossing ink and colored embossing powder
buttons
solid colored stock cards/envelopes.
Zig glue pen / Runner adhesive



How to:
Punch out the birthday images in patterned paper. Punch the outline left with a 3/4" circle punch. Center and glue these on 1" punched circles of solid cardstock. Cut out the 4" circle on patterned paper, and the 4 1/2" circle on solid paper. Glue the smaller circle offset within the larger circle. Glue the 1" circles in a wheel pattern to the large circle. Adhere to card. Stamp and emboss title on card. Adhere buttons. Done!

Variations:
Replace the birthday themed punchies for hearts, Easter eggs, candy, Christmas punches and swap out the stamp to make for almost any holiday or event.

10 Signs You're A Crafter

10. You have at least one closet that contains more craft materials than clothes.
9. You're bathroom/kitchen sink has stains from ink or paint from cleaning up after a project.
8. You didn't buy any frozen vegetables because your freezer is full of tallow awaiting the next candle/soap making day.
7. Your friends shop for cards off your craft room wall instead of Hallmark.
6. You don't leave the house without current 40% and 50% off coupons to the craft stores.
5. You know Sizzix, , Culuzzle, and Cuttlebug aren't dance moves.
4. You hear someone mention a cricket, and your ask what cartridges they have.
3. A majority of your mail and email is flyers and coupons and announcements are from the craft stores.
2. Your closet is a mess, but your fabric collection is pressed, folded, and color organized.
1. You show off your latest card creations to strangers instead of photos of family and friends.

Where's the road in this background photo?

Check. Testing one, two.

This is a test. In fact, this whole blog is a test. We hope to ace it.