Catching up...

Greetings bloggers. Since I have figured out why I couldn't access my blog, I can now update like it should be. Don't know about where you are, but our summer here arrived early and it meant real heat business. We had 2 1/2 wks. of 100+ weather. About a  week of cooler temps. arrived and now back up to hi 90's and into the 100's again. But the alternative (a foot of snow) is no good either. Never satisfied eh?

Psalm 62:8- Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. "Selah"   No matter what is happening to us or around us, God is the only constant. Our lives go with the ebb and flow of life. People come and go in our life. Situations change. We are ever in flux. But God is faithful at every corner of our life. He alone is trustworthy. Praise Him!

Now to do some catching up on some cards that have gone out from my craft table.

The first one is a slider card as you can see. The light blue panel slides inside and then can be pulled out to reveal the message.

The second card is a mixture of elements. The flourish is using an unknown stamp. The turquoise panel is textured with a Tim Holtz embossing folder. The medallion was printed off using a digital image from 2013 Stampin Up collection. The punches are both Martha Stewart embroidery for at least one of them.

Stampin Up Butterfly Basics was used for the stamps on this card. The co-ordinating thinlits were used to make the die cuts. At the top edge i used an old SU edge punch. At the bottom I used fleur de lis edge punch from EK Success I think. A bit of burlap was cut for a banner. Under the bottom trim are 2 different washi tapes.

 

This tag was made with the Petal Parade stamp set. and a couple washi tapes for trims along w/ the stick on daisy.

These cards were made at our monthly stamp group meeting. The theme was 10 minute cards. Everyone was to bring the ingredients to make a card in 10 minutes or less. So we got a lot done that night.

Kids like colorful things and their birthday cards are should be colorful, too. This is an easy one. Just cut out different colored and sized circles and glue to background. Texture w/ embossing folder. I think this one is mandarin screen. Then add another colored banner for more interest.

For the males on your card list, this is a good one. The image is again from the 2013 SU digital collection. It is mounted in oval shape on another oval and then onto a strip. The white card stock had been texturized at the top and stamped at the bottom.

There are 2 pictures of this card in order to show you how it unfolds. It uses various sizes of labels from Spellbinders. These are all layered on the front along with some flower punches. The card base is shaped cut to make it fold into itself. For more detailed directions visit Dawn Griffith's blog: dawnsstampingthoughts.com. Look for the Mr. & Mrs. card. She used a different shape label die set, but the technique is the same.

Here is a simple and easy card w/ lots of color. Just texturize 4 colors of card stock in the happy birthday embossing folder or folder of your choice. Then add a birthday image in black and white. Classic.

Julie Davison's blog tells how to do the Flap Fold card. It uses a circle die and scallop die. Half a piece of regular card stock is used plus the pieces for the insert. It folds flat to fit in a regular A2 envelope.

I used this one for a sympathy card for my neighbor who lost her dad. The middle panel is textured w/ the dot embossing folder from SU. The flowers are the Pansy punch and Boho Blossom. Under the panel I inserted a strip cut using the scallop edge punch from SU.

This stamp set is from Close to my Heart Typed Note stamped on a tag and placed on a card.

Here stamping is combined again with embossing. The edge is the scalloped edge punch from SU. The stamps are unknown.

The card base is cream color that is used a wood grain embossing folder to texturize. Before running it through the machine I applied gray ink to the embossing folder. The stamps are from an unknown Canadian manufacturer.

To make a quilt is not always with cloth and thread. Just cut out the same size squares from various papers and "piece" together.

Martha Stewart edge and corner punches were used to make the bottom layer. A doily die was used for the top.

Martha Stewart around the page punch was used for the top panel cut outs . SU Modern Label punch was used for the label.

Butterfly Thinlit die was used to cut out the butterfly. It is layered on a panel of lilac that has been texturized with a journaling embossing folder. I like the pretty scroll on it too. Under the lilac panel are strips made with Martha's edge punch Deco Fan I think.

My grandson got promoted from preschool so needed a terrific card. This shows what a star he is! The red stars were punched using Martha's all over the page punch. I put red shiny paper under the area. The other stars are cut from a Spellbinders star set and shiny paper.

Another card for themales in your card list. The chevron shape is made using 5 strips of double sided cardstock with another strip across the top. More detailed directions can be found on Deb Valder's blog: stampladee.com.

Two pictures of this card is needed to let you see the mechanism on the inside. The stamps on the front are from Butterfly Basics by SU. Unknown source for sentiment. Directions for this are also from Deb Valder. She calls it the Pop Up Book Card.

The card below is a basic card using some texturizing, stamping and punching. The stamp is from the SU Flower Shop set and used the Pansy punch. I think the embossing folder was Floral Fantasy.

 

  A trend going around now is the exchange of pocket letters. You make 9 ATC - sized cards and decorate them. Insert into the sleeve protector used for sport cards. Treats of the edible and/or crafting variety are inserted behind in the pockets as desired. A backing paper is placed clear at the back.In one of the pockets is to be placed a letter from the sender about themself.  Embellishments such as ribbons, fibers, charms,etc. can be attached to the page. Other goodies can be included in the package if desired, but the idea is to be able to mail in a #10 envelope. 

Both these cards went to my son's house as he had a birthday (the golf one) and he and his wife had their first wedding anniversary in June.The idea is off Pinterest from tammyb.blogspot.com. The anniversary card used a technique new to me. My friend got a Minc machine. It came with some pre printed images so I used the congratulations one and ran it thru the machine using the gold foil. I know it doesn't show up very well but it is shiny gold color. For the base of the card I die cut a heart using Spellbinders heart die and inlaid it into a similar aperture cut in  the card base. Then the card was embossed using the SU Elegant Lines embossing folder. I also applied some pretty holographic glitter for accent.

This was a fun card to make for anniversary. As you can see, it was embossed. Two hearts cut out, one from music paper and one embossed card stock. The rose trim is fabric trim and the white trim is poly lace trim. The blue strip was made using a Martha edge punch.

A get well card needs to be bright and cheery so thought this fit the bill. Four colors card stock were punched from a heart punch and layered on a colorful decorated paper strip. A medallion punch glue on top w/ a button.

These hearts are from SU Embosslits. Think this set is discontinued. Just use different colors. Emboss card base w/ 2 different folders.

Feathers are from Close to my Heart stamp set. Strip of burlap across card w/ punched paper trim using a Martha punch. Fibers were added by feathers and button.

Another "quilt" of sorts is on the list. Good way to use up some scraps. The doily is die cut as is the corrugated heart. Fibers were threaded through the button and glued on.

I hope you have enjoyed getting caught up with me and hope there might be a layout or idea you can use in your future (or current) projects.
Blessings to all.
God is good, all the time.
MEg :)