Friends Gnome Matter What

 Happy Wednesday AI Friends!

My card today fits the new blog challenge - Floral Frenzy and features two new stamp sets - #6220 - Sing to the Lord and #6221 - Frameworks Set 3 along with the cute little gnomes from the #5785 - Gnomes set.  I personally think you can put gnomes on anything and it just creates cuteness overload!  Wouldn't you agree?

I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with copic markers listed below.  I used the corresponding dies to cut the gnomes.  The florals are one stamp from the stamp set.  I colored the full stamp image and then cut it into thirds using a small circle die.  I stamped the frameworks image onto a 4" square piece of white cardstock.  I adhered a colored floral image into each of the frameworks.

To make the "Book Cradle" card style:  There are several tutorials showing how to make this fun fold but I watched the one from Dawn's Stamping Thoughts and made a slight change to it.

Start with a base white cardstock measuring 4 x 8.  Score on the long side at 1/2, 4 and 7 1/2.  Fold and burnish each score as a mountain fold.

For the cradle base: Cut a 4 x 5 inch white cardstock piece.  Score at 1/2, 1 1/2, 2 1/2, 3 1/2, 4 1/2 on the long side.  Burnish at 2 1/2" as valley fold.  Glue the second fold (as mountain) up to the 2 1/2" leaving the first 1/2" as a tab.  Do the same on the other side.  You should be left with 1/2" single width of cardstock, then 1" double width on next two folds and then lastly, a 1/2" single width tab.  

Make the support stand that fits at the bottom of the base:  Cut a 4 x 2 1/2" piece of cardstock.  Score along short side at 1/2, 1 1/4 and 2.  Shape into a W.  Glue the 1/2" tabs of this stand to the inside bottom of the base piece.  See below (bottom of card).  

Adhere the card base 1/2" tabs to the cradle base 1/2" tabs.   The card should fold flat and pop up when standing.  Finish decorating with mat layers and pop up the gnomes with foam tape.  Add the sentiment to the bottom using the banner from the #5588 - Journal Oval Frames.

Once you make one of these cards, you will find out how fun and easy it is to make plus so cute when on display.  I'm hooked so you may see more of these in my future posts.  😁

Make sure to join our blog challenge for a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice.  It's easy, just check out the tab above.  

Have a wonderful day and keep creating!

Copics used:  W0, W1, W3

E00, E02, E21, E23, E25

B0000, B000, B01

G40, G43, G46

Y13, Y15, Y17

RV10, RV32, RV34

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

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

Bunny in Flower bendy card

 Happy Thursday AI Friends!

I recently purchased the Bunny set #4886K – Easter Blessings, and I’ve already made so many cards with it. It’s not just for Easter either! I’ve used it for birthdays, spring cards, thinking‑of‑you cards, and more. The images in this set are adorable and so versatile.

I love making fun‑fold cards, and this design works perfectly on a bendy card. It’s simple to put together, lays flat for mailing and the recipient enjoys how it stands on display.

I began by stamping this cute little image onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I die cut with one of the dies from the #6045 Scallop Nested Circle die set and then matted on pink cardstock cut with the #5726 Nested Circle die.  

To make card base - Cut a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4" piece of heavy cardstock.  Score and fold in half (valley fold) at 2 3/4".

Also cut a piece of white cardstock using the #6155 Margin die.  I cut the straight edge to make the margin die approx. 1 1/4" wide (high) and then cut a bit off of each side evenly to make it 6" in length with the heart being in the middle.  I trimmed a piece of pink cardstock and glued behind the heart cutouts.  I then scored at 1/4" along each side of this 6" panel.  Fold the 1/4" tabs under and glue to the front side of the card base.  

  Cut two panels of designer paper to fit each half of the card base (2 5/8" x 4 1/8").  Glue one of these to each side of the card base, in between the margin die panel and the card base, covering the tabs of the margin die panel.

For the bendy portion of the card - Cut a piece of pink cardstock at 5" x 4".  Score and mountain fold each at 1/4" and 2" from both sides of the 5" length.  Place liquid glue on each of the 1/4" tabs only and glue to the designer paper (under the margin die panel) centering this onto the base card.  I cut designer paper panels to fit each of the bendy folds leaving a slight border.  

Lastly, adhere the circle image panel to the middle fold of the bendy panel only, otherwise the card will not bend.

Add hearts, ribbon and the word "loved" (from the margin die set) for accents and dimension.

I hope you enjoyed my card today!  Thanks for joining me!

Have a wonderful day and keep creating!

Copics used:  E50, E51, E53,     B000

R20, R22, R81, R83, R85

G20, G21, G24

Floral Shop card

Happy Thursday AI Friends!

Today I have a fun fold card with two images from the newest Art Impressions release.  If you haven't seen the release yet, make sure to pop on over to the Art Impressions website to see the six floral stamp sets, Flower Shop book template and two paper packs.  What a fun and adorable bundle!

I used two of the stamp sets for my card.  #6193 - Petals and Blooms and #6197 - Flower Delivery along with some flower images from the #5511 - Floral Truck.  I also used the #6114 - Holiday Lane Village Template for the image panels.

I stamped the images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  I die cut the florals with the corresponding dies.  I cut slits into the pots and trimmed off part of each floral base so that it tucks into the pots with the flowers peeking out the tops. 

I also added some foam tape behind the flowers for dimension.

The fun fold is an A2 Z-fold card.  I cut a piece of heavy cardstock at 8 1/2" by 5 1/2".  Fold and score at 2 1/8" (mountain) and 4 1/4" (valley) along the 8 1/2" side.  For the inside, you will need one piece of cardstock measuring 3 1/2" x 2 1/4".  Score along the 2 1/4" side and mountain fold at 1/2, 1, 1 1/2 and 2".  This inside piece will create a square tube.  Adhere the 1/4" tab to the opposite side creating the tube (see below).  After adhering your matted panels on the inside of the card, adhere this tube to the inside back and left side of fold.

For the inside image panel I colored and fussy cut the wagon part of the #6197 - Flower Delivery stamp set.  I tucked the flowers into the pots like above.  I used the #5776 - FB Sitting Girl as the delivery girl taking a break with her wagon full of flowers.  😀 She fits so perfectly with the wagon.

I adhered this panel to the top level of the tube.  When the card is shut, the card will lay flat for mailing but yet stand up on display when opened.

That's it for me today.  Thanks for joining me!

I hope you have a wonderful day and keep creating!

Copics used:  E51, E53, E55,     B21, B25

G20, G21, G24     Y13, Y15, Y17

YR61, YR65, YR68      R81, R83, R85

T0, T2, T4

Easter Pop Up card

 Hello AI Friends!

I'm soooo excited!  I drew the lucky straw when I was picked to be the feature for this challenge.  I love making interactive/fun fold cards so when they said "3D", I said "Oh Yeah".  I decided to make an Easter Pop-up card.  What I love about this type of card, is you get to add soooo many images all on one card.   I used the #6008 - Bunny Hugs and the #5870 - Peeking Bunny sets.  So many of Art Impressions stamp sets go together so it's great to mix and match.  Makes for endless design possibilities!

Here is my finished card but follow below for more pics and instructions on how I created it.

I began by stamping several images onto copic friendly paper with Memento black ink and colored with my copic markers listed below.  Once all of these images were colored, I cut each of them out with their corresponding dies that are included in the stamp sets.  

Remember decorating Easter eggs when you were little?  Trying to decide what design to paint was always problematic for me.  It seems that dilema has carried into my adult years.  😬  However, it is still just as fun but not nearly as messy.  LOL!

To create this standing pop up card, I cut four panels (staggered heights) of heavy weight green cardstock.  Each panel is 7 3/4" long.  I then scored, along the long side, at 1/2, 1, 1 1/2 and 2 from both sides.   I used a few different grassy dies from my stash and cut each panel so that you have varied heights.  I then folded and burnished each of the score lines.  I cut the grass part off on each panel to the third score line on each side.  Leave the last score section in place so, when folded, that section will wrap around the side.

This picture shows how each layer will overlap the one behind.  If any seem too high for you, trim off the bottom of that panel.  

I made four layers, but when I did a test assemble, I decided to omit the front layer and cut off the scored sections.  I adhered it directly to the second layer leaving the grassy part unglued so that I could tuck in the chicks. This is a matter of your preference.  You could include more layers or reduce, like I ended up doing.

Now we are going to wrap the sides creating a little box shape on either side of each panel.  

Turn the panel upside down and fold two of the score sections upwards.  Place glue on the end section (see below - Pic 1) and fold over to meet the last score line (Pic 2) creating the box shape (see Pic 3).

                                         Pic 1                                        Pic 2

   Pic 3

Do that last step for each of the green panels.  They should look like this when standing together.

I added a few extra grassy panels so I could tuck eggs and such into them like a pocket.   

 If you choose to do like I did, die cut a few grassy flat panels that are 3 3/4" wide.  These should fit perfectly on the front of any of these sections.  I adhered one of the extra grassy pieces to the second panel.  Glue that piece directly to the panel, but leave the grassy tips unglued so you have room to tuck. 

  Now, adhere each layer together by placing glue to the back of the box shape only and make sure to line up the sides nicely with the next panel. 

  For the very back panel, I cut a piece of 3 3/4" x 5 of white heavy cardstock and adhered a piece of 3 x 3 3/4" of the cloud pattern paper from the #5873 - Mini Birthday PP to the top.  I then cut a piece of heavy green cardstock with the grassy die and adhered to the back panel leaving the top grassy tips unglued, again for tucking.  I also added one of the extra grassy pieces to this layer.  

Now, for the really fun part - decorating!  Place your images on/in the layers, tucking as you choose.  Make sure to glue them down unless you want the recipient to be able to rearrange the eggs.  

This card will lay flat and fit an A2 size envelope.  Also, the back has plenty of room for your sentiment.  

Thanks for joining me today!  I hope you will enter your "3D" creation in this challenge for a chance to win a free stamp set of your choice.  We love seeing your creations!

Have a wonderful day and keep creating!

Copics used:  E50, E51, E53, E55, E95

N0, N1     R11, R20, R81, R83

Y00, Y23      YR20, YR12, YR31

RV42      G40, G43

V12, V15    B0000, B00, B12, B14