Birthday Stash Building...

 January is the month for building the stash of Birthday cards. I make lots of Birthday cards in this time. 

I know it's February. 

Check out the birthday cards I made this January... 

 My motorbike loving nephew turned 18 in January. 
I love this tyre stencil from Tim Holtz. 

A friend of mine turned 35. 
I've been there, done that and got the T-shirt. 
The t-shirt is on an action wobbler. 

White cardstock, embossed with balloons.
Ink swiped with different shades of purple.
White "Happy Birthday" Die Cut (from Lawn Fawn).
Great birthday card. 

This fireworks stamp was in a set from 
Gina K Designs (for New Years Eve). 
It works great for any celebration occasion! 
Change up the colour combo for a 
different look! 

The following cards were created from my basket of backgrounds and die cut pieces that I have just sitting on a shelf. I was determined to use some of them up. Lots of them are left over from other cards I have made or from experiments in the craftroom. Where I was trying something out. 

Gel print background. 
Green cardstock used for the die cut 
Happy Birthday.

Everything except the "Happy Birthday"
and the sequins was a remnant from another project. 

This was all from the magic basket of left overs! 

There's more, but I want to save them for my next post. Who knows when that will be? 

I don't have any Christmas Supplies! Make Christmas Cards using what you have.

 Christmas Stamps and Dies are beautiful and we want them all, right? I know I do. 

When you are just starting out as a crafter, you have limited space or limited cash, it is hard to justify spending money on a stamp set you only use 'once a year'.  Also, many of the specifically Christmas stamp sets, only make one thing or one way. We want supplies that can pull double duty. 

If you don't have any Christmas stamps or dies, you can still make beautiful Christmas Cards.  If you want to invest in something for Christmas I would choose a simple sentiment such as Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Joy to the World.  Something like that. Let's dive in.  

These two cards were made with not one Christmas item! 

The And Sentiments from Catherine Pooler has these three words in it. 
So good, right. I just did some simple ink blending and splattered some 
shimmer spray on the back ground. All of these supplies can be used for other occasions, but when put together, they make a beautiful Christmas Card. Admittedly, I probably wouldn't want to mass produce this card. 

I used a green re-inker in a spray bottle and some gold pigment powder
to spray through a mandala stencil for this background. An alphabet stamp or die set, 
means you can make the Christmas sentiment whatever you want it to be. 
Using the traditional Christmas Colours transforms your everyday crafty stash into Christmas Perfection. 

A simple and elegant embossing folder just needs a lovely gold ink blending over it. 
The lovely "Joy" word from 'And Sentiments'. 

Triangle stamp and a star.  Slap a Christmas sentiment on there and you're good to go. 

One of these cards uses Christmas themed pattern paper, but the other one is just Green cardstock. 
I stamped stars and other patterns to add some interest. But there wasn't a Christmas stamp in sight! 

If you invest in one or two Christmas greetings, the possibilities become almost endless. Check out the first batch of Christmas cards I made with some washi tape and only one Christmas Sentiment. 

The circles look like ornaments on the tree, right?

Circle stamps and a Christmas sentiment. Too easy! 

I used some stars out of a birthday stamp set, for this card. 
It is a bit rough and ready, but cute, right. 

This card is just beautiful. The photo doesn't do it justice. This card is so shiny! 
As Lauren Bassen says, "you got a leaf, make a wreath".
A simple Christmas sentiment, turns these leaf die cuts into a stunning Christmas Card. 
I just love those sequins too. 

There you have it.  9 Christmas Cards that you can make with no Christmas supplies, or just a simple Christmas sentiment. The first year I decided to make Christmas cards, the only Christmas stamp I owned was a "Merry Christmas".  That's it.  I have slowly accumulated more Christmas stamps, one stamp set a year - only if it's on sale! 

A Quickie Card- Hang in there!

Check out this card I made using things in my "backgrounds and extra bits" basket. 

I die cut a background to make the "hang in there". A pre-cut circle frame and an embossed panel, made this card so quick and easy.  I'm all for that right now. Is anyone else too tired to think?! I feel like I need to send this card to myself today! 

Catch you next time for some brayer backgrounds turned into cards. 😊 

Told you it was quick! 

Gel Press for Cardmaking!

 I am usually very slow to jump on the wagon of the latest card making trend.  I've been watching cardmakers use a Gel Press for (literally) years.  The whole idea of purchasing paint and using different paper to make backgrounds felt a bit much.  Then, I gradually got more and more comfortable with my card making skills and media and I wanted to try something new.  I saw that many card makers were finding the joy of just playing with the Gel Press and making some beautiful brackgrounds for cards. 

Then, I saw Jennifer McGuire make some gorgeous cards using ink on her Gel Press.  OMGGM!  You mean I don't have to buy paint?!  You mean I can stretch my supplies and use them in different ways to make different and interesting cards?!  Okay, I gotta get on board with this! So, I bought a round Gel Press to do some experimenting and then I had to get a rectangular one.  I am hooked!  Check out the beautiful cards I've made since buying a Gel Press.  I have more backgrounds in my file too.  :) 

Using some die cut circles to mask off the Gel Press before 
laying down ink, meant that I had the beginning of a beautiful 
bokeh background.  Overlapping circles and adding extra layers
means that this background has so much depth.
I finished off the background by using stencil and some silver pigment ink. 
So pretty! 

A stencil and some paint for this background. Texture and depth
without adding too much bulk to the actual card.  So cool. 
I die cut the background using a rounded rectangle die. 
A glitter die cut word and a glitter butterfly tops off this card. 

The background on this card was a huge experiment. 
A single stencil, some bubble wrap and only two colours
of ink, used on the Gel Press and there is so much dimension
on this card!  All this needed was a big stamped sentiment
and a black mat.  Of course, I added sequins, because... sequins! 

I still find it hard to believe that this card started with two 
pages out of an old visual diary. These colours are so vibrant. 
A bit of old fashioned 'stripping' and paper weaving takes this 
card to the next level. Some simple stamping to make it all
into a celebration card. 

Just ink on a stencil, then card stock laid over the Gel Press. 
Use a brayer to get good coverage and all of a sudden you
have a great background ready for a quick card. I didn't get 
the best coverage on this background, but an offset  wonky card panel
covers the gaps and no one will ever know.  Except you guys! 

The Gel Press, a stencil and one ink colour,
created this quirky card.  The background wasn't quite right
to fit properly on the card base straight.  Wrapping the paper around the card base this way, 
looks so cool with the black behind it.  A 'hero' image and a sentiment.  
I love this card! 

As crafters, we don't need every new product and every new tool. There is no way we can possibly keep up with all the trends.  The most important thing is that creating brings you joy.  Don't feel the peer pressure to buy more stuff.  Then again, buying the Gel Press has allowed me to stretch the supplies I already have and make some awesome cards.  Sometimes, it's worth the cost of the new tool.  I also bought a Brayer... something I was wanting to buy anyway, which is perfect for the Gel Press and can be used for so many more techniques.  If you are wanting to invest in something new, you might as well choose something that can be used for lots of things.  The Gel Press is also easy to store, clean and use.  Totally worth it! 

2022- Daily Dozen....

 Every year, usually in January, I make some sort of plan for the year.  

In 2017 and 2018 I had a long list of goals that covered various areas of my life.  I wanted to achieve them during the year.  I also had myself a vision statement in 2018.  I didn't quite meet all these goals, but I made progress on all of them.  In 2019 and 2020, I decided to have a "word" of the year.  Then, run everything through the filter of my word.  You can read more about that here. 

2020 was tough for everyone and I decided that my lofty 'goals' were well thought out and perhaps "SMART" (read more about SMART goals here) were too much for me. In 2021, I changed tack a bit and decided that I wanted to work on developing some healthy habits that would help me reach some of those long term goals that I had hoped to achieve.  

After watching a Clutterbug Video I decided to use a "Daily Dozen".  In a nutshell, you list 12 things you want to do daily, and plan to do them everyday.  The great thing about this, is that you don't have to start on 1 January.  You can start any time and as you are trying to develop long lasting habits, you should never really 'stop'.  Once you feel a particular habit is well cemented in your daily routine, you can choose to change the point and add a different point to your dozen or you can leave it in the list while focusing on a different point that you might not be doing so well with.  I didn't share my daily dozen here at AGT in 2021.  I'm not sure why.  

At the end of 2021, I decided that 'a dozen' was too many things.  I realised that the only real reason for having 12 things on my list is for the sake of alliteration and I didn't need to do that. Calm down people, it's okay. So, while it's still called my daily dozen, I don't have a dozen 'habits' on my list.  It's okay, really it is. 

One of the keys to feeling some success with the Daily Dozen is to keep some things on your list that you already do daily. You can latch your new habit to an established habit to help you develop the new habit quicker. Check out this video from How to ADHD, if you want more info about this.

Here's my Daily (not a) "Dozen", in case you are interested. 

1. Read my bible and pray.

2. Drink Water (at least 1.8L).

3. Eat two serves of Fruit.

4. Exercise/ Stretch.

5. List three things I'm grateful for. 

I realise I don't even have 6 things then it could be a half dozen.  You could technically make Bible reading and Prayer different points. 

The Exercise/Stretch point means that I have to, at the very least, stretch, every single day, no matter what. I try to include more vigorous exercise each day as well, but when you have chronic pain you have to give yourself grace. 

I'm maintaining a gratitude journal.  While I'm not quite managing to list three items in the journal everyday, I am acknowledging three things everyday, before I go to bed. I say them to myself.  5 days is the maximum number of days I have gone without writing in my journal.  If this is the case, I reflect on the past 5 days and include several items to my gratitude list. I use prompts to help me think outside the box a bit when I'm considering what I'm grateful for. 

Not my actual light swith! ;)

My Daily (not a) "Dozen" is posted in my bedroom - right next to the light switch.  Just before I turn the light out each night, I read my daily dozen and tick off which ones I have managed to do that day.  Most days, I can tick off all the things.  Some days, I haven't had enough water (and I know it, because I have a headache!) or I only ate one piece of fruit.  Some days, I realise I haven't stretched since morning, so I do a few quickies before getting into bed.  

My Daily (not a) Dozen has really helped me this year to focus on small steps and remember to start fresh each day.  I have always had a goal of drinking a minimum quantity of water and for several years, I have read my Bible and prayed daily.  These are not so hard to "check off".  It means that whenever I read my list, I still feel a sense of achievement even if I can't tick off everything. 

What habits would you include on your Daily Dozen? Would a Dozen be too many for you too? Let me know in the comments. 

Next time, some snippets from my gratitude journal. :)

I appreciate you! 

Embossing Folders - Old and New

 I love embossing folders for card making.  They are a quick and easy way to add texture to any card.  There are loads of them on the market- in lots of different styles.  Now there are even, 3D embossing folders or Texture Folders.  These have several layers or levels to the embossing instead of a single level.  It's hard to explain.  

I've invested in several embossing folders and I've been gifted a few.  I also purchased two 3D embossing folders and I love them! Here are some cards I've made using them. 

This 3D folder has balloons and some are more raised than others.  
All this needs is an image and a large sentiment and it's done! 
So easy. 

You don't even need to add an image if you don't want to! 
It helps that I embossed coloured cardstock for this background. 

The great thing about balloons, is that they work for any celebration,
not just birthdays! 

This  background was made using a 2D embossing folder 
and just plain white paper. This adds texture, while letting
the sentiment (which was a gel print die cut) shine! 

A 2D floral embossing folder on white cardstock
makes simple and elegant sympathy cards.

Embossing a strip of cardstock adds extra dimension
to your card.  You can rub pigment powder or ink
onto the embossed strip (or experiment with inking the folder itself)
to jazz it up even more. 

There's nothing much more to say about this card. 
It's just too cute! 

Whether it's a 2D folder or a 3D folder, embossing a panel or even a strip of cardstock, is a great technique for card making.  You can step up embossing folders by adding ink to the folder, or to the cardstock after embossing it.  You can use multiple folders on the same card or shift the cardstock before embossing it a second time. So, drag out your embossing folders and have some fun. 

That's that then. 

What other techniques should we look at? Let me know if the comments. 

Baby Cards!

 Is it just me, or is there A LOT of babies being born? Maybe it's just me! Not that I'm complaining!  I'm not... No need to complain when I have yet another reason to make a card.  :) 

Check out these fun baby cards. 

This balloon embossing folder is so versatile!
I originally bought it thinking I would use it for birthdays. 
How good does it look in this soft pink cardstock? 
It works for other celebration cards too! 

A simple watercolour wash with a sort of 'dip dye' look. 
Some simple stamping and a glitter pen.  
It doesn't get much quicker or easier than this. 
The longest part of this card was waiting for the background to dry! 

The 'baby background' on these cards is from Kazzazz. 
The pink is stamped and then ink blended around the edges with the same colour. 
For the blue one, I white heat embossed the background,
then used ink smooshing to colour it.  The embossing resists the ink.  
This technique is easy and fun- as long as you get the heat embossing right. 

Baby cards can be so much fun.  While there are some parents who prefer not to conform to the gender stereotypes, it really makes things so much easier to have a colour pallette already chosen for you!  Blue for a boy, let's do it.  Pink for a girl, sorted.  You can use a soft yellow or a mint green, if you want to make some gender neutral cards ahead of time.  These colours will work for both genders, and the pastel tone of these colours easily suit the joyous occasion of welcoming a baby to the world!

The hearts represent mum and dad holding a new little baby. 
How cute is that?!  
This card would work for just about anyone. 
This minty, aqua colour is perfect too. 

I hope you've found some inspiration for the next set of baby cards you make! 

Until we meet again! 

Cards of Love

 In honour of Valentine's Day... I'm sharing some cards that say "love".  I don't go in for the 'specialness' of Valentine's Day.  If I love someone, I'm going to tell them everyday! These cards could be given to anyone you love, including a friend or someone in your family.  

Simply said and suitable for any occasion... "I'm sending you love" 
This painted rose stamp set from Concord and Ninth is perfect and
makes some impressive and quick cards! 

I LOVE yellow daisies, yellow gerbras and sunflowers! 
This flower could be any of those.  I love the simplicity and fun of this design too.
The die I used to make the flower petals was borrowed too. 
I think I might just have to ask to borrow it again!  

I don't usually like "love hearts", but I can get on board with a wonky heart rainbow!
Stamp set is from the "Love is in the Air" Stamp of Approval Collection by Catherine Pooler. 

A card for my bestie... I made a card like this a few years before. 
It got wet in her letterbox and was ruined.  So, I had to recreate it! 
I love this "best" sentiment and you can't go wrong with feathers! 

That's that then. 

Next time: Thank you cards! 

CARDS for KIDS

 You may be aware that I have been trying to make as many birthday cards as I can, to get ahead on the 'demands'.  There are quite a lot of birthdays in the first 6 months of the year.  What is that about?! 

Let's check out some of the cards I've made for the little 'ns. 

The cake stamp is coloured using Ohuhu Alcohol markers
and popped up using a mini wobble spring.  So much fun. 
The background was made using dye inks on my gel press with some circle die cuts. 
I made the smaller circles using silver and white pigment ink through a stencil. 
Sentiment and cake image are from MFT.  

This one is a faux shaker card! 
I started making a shaker, but after not one, but two
acetate disasters and sequins all over the floor, I opted for a faux on instead! 
It still looks really cool and has so much shine!  
The camera really doesn't do it justice. 

This gatefold card has a fun ink smooshed background on the front. 
Glitter cardstock for the circle and 10. 
Inside, a cute ginger cat (looks just like my niece's) with glitter balloons.
There is room on the side flaps for personal messages. 

Of course, kids cards can be simpler.  
This one is just a stunning rainbow sentiment slapped on a striped background. 
It's bright and fun. It's also in the stash and ready to pull out whenever a kid's birthday sneaks up on me! 

Have a great week everyone!