4th of July Granny

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

In celebration of our freedom and this wonderful country we call home, I had to create one more card for this fabulous U.S. holiday. Thank you to all the brave service men and women who have fought for our country.  Your courage and sacrifice mean everything.  

Happy Independence Day to All!

This Granny is excited to be celebrating!  She's a rockin in her chair!

I placed her on a round card base, so she literally rocks.  LOL!

I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers, listed below.  The accessories were die cut with the corresponding dies from the #5494 - Front Porch Patriotic set but the Granny was fussy cut.  I also paper pieced her outfit using the #6090 - Patriotic PP.  This paper pack is SO full of beautiful papers in the Red, White and Blue.  

I placed the flag into her hand and curled her fingers around the pole so that she looked like she was waving it.  Just make sure to color the backside of her hand.  😀  I popped her up onto a white circle,

 cut with the #5064 - Double Stitched Circle dies.  I also popped up several of the accessories.

I die cut the numbers out of red cardstock using the #5911 - Large Numbers dies.  The sentiment is from the same set as the Granny (#5422 - Rock on Laugh Lines).

That's it for me today!  Hope you all have a safe and fun 4th of July weekend!

Keep creating!

Copics used:  E000, E00, E01, E11

E31, E33, E35, E51, E53

R20, R24, R27, R29

N0, N1, N2    B34    Y15, Y17

Squirrel!!

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

My card today is inspired by the current challenge "Artful Architect".  What is better than a treehouse?  Well, I can think of alot of other houses I'd rather live in, but these cute little critters are happiest in their treehouse.

I made this as a shape card by using the tree die and partial cutting only the right edge of the card front.  After cutting only the right edge, I used my scissors to cut from the top down to meet the first cut of the tree and did the same on the bottom.  Depending on how far in from the right side that you make your partial die cut, you may need to cut in between to get a continual cut all the way down the right side.  I hope that makes sense.

I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.   I then cut each of them with the coordinating dies included with the stamp set.

I adhered some of the images into the windows and doors before adhering the colored tree onto the partial cut right edge.   The bunny and the birds were popped up with foam dots. 

The Squirrel! sentiment was die cut using the tag die from the #5718 - Mini Journal Template.  I glued only the right edge down so that this tag could latch onto the front for a nice closure.  See video below.

That's it for me today!  I hope you enjoyed my card and it gives you inspiration to enter our current blog challenge for a chance to win a free stamp set.

Have a great day and keep creating!

Copics used:  C00, C0, C1, C2      R20

E30, E31, E33, E35, E55, E57

Y13, Y15, Y17    G40, G43, G46 

B000, B12, B14, B21, B23, B24

OUCH - Doggy Cone

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Today I have a fun fold wellness card with this cute little injured dog from the #AiCS38 - Doggy Kisses set.  This set has the most adorable little pups with the funnest little "get well" sentiments.  Definitely a cute, fun set!  Who wouldn't find this little guy to be uplifting and a fast "cure" for any illness?

I started by stamping the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I die cut the letters out with the #5910 - Large Alphabet set and colored around the edges with my copic marker (E53) to add that extra pop from the pattern paper.  I also popped up the letters with foam tape.

I cut the image panel with a circle die.  I adhered pattern paper to the card base and then die cut a circle into the top panel, using a larger circle die than the image panel.  I cut a narrow circle frame to give a nice finish to the opening.  For the pop through panel, I cut a strip 4 3/4" x 2" in white cardstock and scored along the long side at 1/2".  I adhered the 1/2" tab to the inside back of the card base, making sure that the strip will be centered when shutting the card.  I adhered a piece of pattern paper to the inside back underneath the strip piece and covered up the tab.  I then die cut a decorative edge to one side of a piece of pattern paper and cut to fit on top of the strip.  Placing the strip panel through the front circle, adhere the image panel onto the strip so that it fits nicely.  

I used a magnetic closure to keep the card closed, but this is optional.  I placed one under the bandaid on the front cover and the other under the paw heart inside.  

Video below shows how the card opens and closes.

Hope you enjoyed my card today.  Thanks for joining me!

Have a wonderful day and keep creating!

Copics used:  N0, N1

R20,    B000

E50, E51, E53, E55

Motorcycle Manny & Sidecar Sally

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

I realize that I am a little early to celebrate the 4th of July here in the USA, but I was inspired by the current blog challenge "Enjoy the Ride".  I decided to use the stamp set #5044 - Born to Ride and if you look at the packaging, he is wearing a flag bandana.  Screamed patriotic and therefore, inspired the 4th of July theme for my card.  I've always loved this cute little couple and I've never created with them yet so here goes:

I wanted to display fireworks and stars so I thought a pop-up card would be ideal.  I made a "tuxedo-style" card.  This is a box card with four sides but the front two panels are diagonally cut to create the tuxedo look.

Cut a 6 x 10 1/2" card base.  Score and burnish along the 10 1/2" side at 2 1/2", 5", 7 1/2" and 10".  Make a pencil mark at 2 1/2" along the 6" ends.  Place into your paper trimmer and make a diagonal cut from the 2 1/2" mark to the top score line (see top pic left side).  On the tab end (see pic right side), cut across that 1/2" at the pencil mark, tuck that tab under and cut from the mark to the score line on that side.  Your diagonal cuts should match up when folded in half.  At this point, I adhered two pieces of pattern paper (using the #6090 - Patriotic PP) to the two full size panels (measures 2 3/8 x 5 7/8").  I then cut two more pieces of pattern paper (same measurements).  To get the same diagonal shape, hold the pattern paper piece to one of the diagonal edges and cut to match.  Then trim off the bottom of the pattern paper to create a nice border of card base.  Do the same for the other side.  Adhere to the card base.  Place glue on the back side of the tab and join to the other diagonal panel to create a four sided tube.  See below.

For the inside and outside pop-ups, cut a piece of acetate and a piece of cardstock that measure 1/2" x 4 1/2".  Score and burnish both pieces along the 4 1/2" side at 1/2", 1" and 1 1/2".   Turn and repeat for the other end.  

Adhere the inside pop up die cuts to the non-scored strip of the acetate.  Place glue on the tabs of the acetate and glue down to the back panels, one tab to each panel.

I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I paper pieced his vest and her shirt to match.  I put stickles onto her glasses and the headlight of the motorcycle so they coordinated with the yellow glitter paper.  Very slight detail, but it was going to bug me if it didn't blend together.  LOL!

I fussy cut both characters and adhered her directly onto the diamond shape die cut (from my stash) and I popped him up with foam dots.  I backed the white diamond panel with yellow glitter cardstock and added a few glitter die cut stars.

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Thanks for joining me today!  I hope you enter our blog challenge so that we get to see your wonderful creations and you get a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice.

Have a great day and keep creating!

Copics used:  E00, E01, E11

N0, N1, N2, N3, N4, N7

R20, R24, R27

B21, B23, B24

Y11, Y15, Y17

Enjoy the Ride

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Welcome to the new “Enjoy the Ride” Blog Challenge! There are so many fun stamp sets that feature things you can ride on or ride in, and I couldn’t resist reaching for the Par‑Tee Golfers #4902 for my project. I created a playful Z‑fold style card. This golfer looks like he’s having way more fun driving the cart than actually golfing. My style of golf. LOL!

Here’s the finished card opened up so you can enjoy the full scene.

Here's a picture of the card when shut:

Many of you have probably made many Z fold cards, but for those that have not, here is how you make one.  Cut your cardstock to 8 1/2" by 5".  Along the 8 1/2" edge, score at 4 1/8 and 6 1/4.  

If you want to add the Z fold strip along the bottom (you can also put this strip higher up on the card, if you prefer), cut a strip of cardstock at 8 1/2" x 1 1/8" (or wider, if preferred).  Score along the 8 1/2" edge at 4 1/8" x 6 1/4".  Flip the main card base so that the score panels are opposite each other.  See picture below.  The scored panel of the card base is in the front and the scored panel of the strip is toward the back.

I made a yellow and green mat for each panel.  Cut the yellow mats to be 1/8" less than the white base for each panel.  Cut the green mats to be 1/8" less than the yellow mats so that there is a nice mat layer for each.  Using the Golf PP #6101, I cut the two matching pattern papers down to fit on the green mat (approx. 3 3/4 wide by 4 3/4 tall), cutting the bottom portion of the pattern paper off first (you will need for the strip).  

Adhere the long edge of the strip to the front scored panel of the base.  Adhere the right edge of the strip to the back right edge of the base.  Do NOT place glue along the whole strip as two portions do not get adhered down.  See the picture above.

I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  This stamp set does not contain dies but these images are fairly simple to fussy cut.  For the inside cuts of the cart, I used a craft knife.  

I adhered the gal golfer directly onto the pattern paper with the golf club head adhered to the top of the strip.  I popped up the flag with foam tape.  I also popped up the golf cart, placing foam tape to the wheel base and only the left half of the cart.  The right half of the cart will not be adhered down.  The sentiment is also popped up, but again, only the left half.

Use the back side of the card for your personal sentiment.

Thanks for joining me today.  I hope you have fun making a card/project for the "Enjoy the Ride" challenge.  Can't wait to see what you create!

Have a great day and keep crafting!

Copics used:  N1, N2, N3, N4

E00, E01, E11, E50, E51, E53, E55, E57

R20, R22   B01, B12, B14

G40, G43    Y21, Y32, Y35, Y38

Tulip Frog Frame and Box

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

The frogs are a croaking in our backyard, which means summer is here!  We have just the cute little ones, so I can handle them.  It's the big ones that are yucky!  😝  In celebration of summer, I went frog crazy and made a cute little frame as well as gift boxes that housed a cute little porcelain frog.

  Both fun little projects!

Let's start with the mini frame:

    I cut the scallop frame using the #5902 - Mini Scallop Frame die with a piece of pattern paper from the #6205 - Floral Shop PP.  I die cut an oval frame to cover the opening.  The poppies are from the new countryside series set #6187 - FG Poppy Border and the frog in the tulip is from the #5283 - Frog set.  I stamped these images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I then fussy cut these images and popped up inside the frame.  I stamped the sentiment and die cut with the small scallop die from the #5543 - Journal Template die set.  Lastly, I added a bow and an easel piece for the back of the frame. 

For the box:

    This is made from a 6 x 6 piece of paper.  Final dimensions are 2 1/4"W by 2"D x 2 1/8"H.  

    Place your 6 x 6 piece of pattern paper diagonally onto your scoreboard at the 6" mark.  Score at 5" and 7".  Turn your paper 1/4 turn and score at 4 7/8" and 7 1/8".  Burnish all of the score lines.  Cut along score lines on both sides of two ends to make tabs.  See picture below.  Score at the top of each pointed end where the triangle meets the square.  Fold up the edges and place glue on the tabs and line up nicely to form the box.  

  Using the scraps that you cut off to make the tabs and the die from the #5718 - Mini Journal Template (see pic below), I die cut decorative edges for each pointed end.   I had to cut one side and then the other and piece them together onto the box (one on outside and one on inside).  This will add strength for the ribbon closure.   Lastly, I cut a 1/4" hole for the ribbon.  Fill the box with your treat or gift and tie up with your ribbon.

Thanks for joining me today!  Hope you have fun making these gift boxes and frames.

Have a great day and keep creating!

Copics used:  R24, R27, R81, R83, R85

B000,    G40, G43, G46

Y32, Y35, Y38

Bunny Birthday card

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

The color yellow is the theme for the current blog challenge, and honestly, it’s hard not to smile when working with such a bright, happy shade.  I decided to turn that sunshine into a birthday greeting, by using the #4886K - Easter Blessings stamp set.  Even though it’s themed for Easter, it’s wonderfully versatile and perfect for spreading a little extra joy.

                                          

I started by stamping the image onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I used the #5061- Square Double Stitched die to frame the image and matted it onto a yellow piece of cardstock.  The pattern paper background is from the #6205 - Floral Shop PP.  This paper pack has the most beautiful colors and patterns.  I used the #5132 - Tag Stitched die and partial cut the sentiment.  To finish the card, I tied a yellow ribbon around the matted frame and adhered it to the A2 card base.

Pretty simple card for today but so bright and cheery!  

 Keep creating and make sure to enter the blog challenge for a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice.

Hope you have a nice day! 

Copics used:  N0, N1,   R20,   B000

 Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17

G40, G43, G46

Beach Postcard

Happy Thursday AI Friends!

This card was such a fun project to create and added more meaning because I made it for my son’s birthday. Instead of starting with patterned paper or cardstock, I used a postcard from our recent trip as the background. We spent time along the Gulf of America, where the beaches and water were absolutely stunning, and that postcard instantly brought those memories back to life.

Using postcards as card backgrounds is a great idea. They add built‑in color, texture, and a sense of place. Even better, they turn a simple greeting card into a reminder of a fabulous trip you shared with the recipient.

I used the #5399 - Gull-Friends stamp set and the #4967 - Fence dies for the foreground of the card.  I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.   I used the coordinating dies that are included in the stamp set to cut out the images.

The base die cut, as well as the sand and palm tree are from dies I had in my stash, but you can use other dies or eliminate all together and the card will be adorable just because of the seagull.  He is just so funny and cute!

Thanks for joining me today!  

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Copics used:  T0, T2    E51, E53, E55

R20, R22, R24    B12, B14

G20, G21, G24    Y13, Y15, Y17

YR12, YR14, YR16

Sweet Girls Playing

Happy Thursday AI Friends!

This card came together perfectly for the Mix & Match challenge, which calls for using two or more stamp or die sets.  I ended up pulling from several favorites to build a three‑dimensional scene that feels fun and playful.  I created a 3D effect by layering several die‑cut fences together, scoring them to pop forward. 

 

I began by die cutting the base from heavy cardstock using the #6114 - Box Village Template die.  I embossed this panel using a brick embossing folder that I had in my stash.  I then die cut the roof and window pieces from pattern paper using the #6159 - Flower Shop die set.  I die cut several fence pieces from heavy cardstock and layered together to double up and also to extend the fence.  I wrapped it around the base card on one end and over the front to the other side.  This fence stands out about 1/2" from the base panel.  

Using the #5578 - Little Angels set, I stamped two of the angels with Memento black ink and colored with copic markers listed below.  I fussy cut them out, cutting off the wings.  I die cut some balloons using the #5722 = Birthday Journal set and tied some string to the ends.  I placed some acetate behind them and attached to the back of one of the angel's hands. 

  To make the card base, take a standard A2 card base and place the Box Village Template die shape slightly over the card fold so that it will cut all sides but the folded edge.  Adhere the base panel to the card base.  Decorate as desired.

I hope you enjoyed my card today and thank you for joining me.  

Have a great day and keep creating!

Copics used:  E000, E01, E11    R20

YR00, YR02, YR04

V12, V15      Y15, Y17

3D Tunnel card

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Today I’m sharing a 3D tunnel card featuring two of the newest Countryside series stamp sets: #6186 – FG Tulip Border and #6185 – Swiss Villa.  This beautiful release includes four cottages and three floral borders, all designed to mix and match for creating layered scenic cards.  Each of these images also works wonderfully on its own, making it easy to craft a simple yet striking card with just a single image.  Be sure to check out the sample projects posted on the website under each set.

To create this tunnel card, cut two 2 1/4" x 5" pieces of heavy cardstock.  Score and burnish along short side at 1/2", 1", 1 1/2", and 2".  Fold to create a tube and adhere the 1/4" tab to the inside of the tube. See pic below.  

Cut two 1 1/2" x 8 1/4" pieces of heavy cardstock and score along the long side at 1", 4", 5" and 8".  Fold (all valley) and burnish.  Adhere the 1/4" tab to the inside of the 1" tab.  Glue the two tubes inside one of these tower panels, centering within the 1" sides.  See pic below.  Flatten the card back and forth to adhere the glue in place.  Take the other tower panel and glue the bottom of the two tubes to the inside of this panel.  Make sure to line up so that the card will lay flat, by folding the card back and forth.

Cut pattern paper pieces to fit each of the outer edges and the inside tubes.  Cut arches or ovals using nesting dies to create the tunnel effect.  I also cut a fence using the #5807 - Journal Fence set and layered that between the cottage and the floral border layer.  

I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I fussy cut both the cottage and the flower border.  I adhered the floral border to the front oval die and the cottage to the back panel made up of the inside oval piece and cloud pattern paper.  I added the sentiment onto a banner die from the #5543 - Journal Template die set.  Lastly, I added some grass die cut pieces, a frog from the #5283 - Frog set, and the sun die from my stash.

This card will fit nicely into an A2 envelope when flat.

I hope you enjoyed my card today and I thank you for joining me.

Have a great day and keep creating!

Copics used:  E51, E53, E55

Y13, Y15, Y17

B21, B24

G20, G21, G24

Hunter's Surprise Card

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

I had way too much fun making this card for the "Feeling Crafty" blog challenge.  I just love this image from the #5043 - Ole Buck set.  These guys are a "hoot", so adding a little bit of extra humor just fit.  Well, actually, their pup is the one that added the humor.  Check out the pull tab and see who's wearing the deer horns.  😄  I'm not really sure why I found this so funny, maybe it's because what hunter hasn't had their dog run off during a hunt.  This one just decided to disguise himself.  LOL!

Peek a Boo!                                                                                     

    This is a gate fold 5" x 7" card with a magnetic closure under the left panel and a pocket on the right panel.   I made the card base by cutting two 5" x 11" panels, one from white cardstock and one from craft cardstock.  I scored and burnished both at 7".   Flip the cardstock pieces so that the folds are on opposite sides facing up.  Adhere the long craft cardstock panel to the inside of the long white cardstock panel.  This will leave a gate fold craft piece on the left and the white on the right.  Trim the white side down to 3 1/2".  Cut a piece of 3 1/2 x 5" craft paper and a piece of 3 3/8 x 4 7/8" pattern paper.  Using the middle square of the #5061 - Square Double Stitch dies, cut a piece out of the center of the pattern paper panel.  Using the #5811 - Gift card pocket die, partial die cut the pocket (see pic below) using craft cardstock.  Adhere the pattern paper square to the front of the pocket.  

Adhere the pattern paper with the hole in it to the 3 1/2" x 5" craft panel.  Adhere this panel over the white fold edge of the card base.  Adhere the pocket over the square hole on the pattern paper panel.  

The images were stamped onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with copic markers listed below.  The main image was cut with the largest die of the square stitched dies and mounted onto a piece of pattern paper and then matted onto a piece of craft cardstock.  The hat with deer horns is from the #5406 - Mr. Set and the dog is from the #AICS38 - Doggy Kisses set.  I fussy cut the dog and brought his tail end closer to his front end.  I colored his bandage as a sweater and made the flowers look more like a weed since he is out in the hills.  The hat was cut with the corresponding die and fit perfectly on his head.  I placed the dog onto the pocket insert so that only the horns peeked out of the pocket.  I tied a pull tab with the target onto the horns.  I added a couple of the sentiments from the #5043 - Ole Buck set and called it done.

 Hope you decide to enter the blog challenge for a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice.  

Thanks for joining me today!  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Keep creating!

Copics used:  E000, E00, E11

E30, E31, E33, E35, E41, E43, E44, E47

E95, E97         R20

BG90, BG93, BG96

B91, B93, B95, B97

YG91, YG93, YG95