Gift of Cards

Cards made for a new friend:

New Z Fold

Here's a new 3 Panel Scenery Z-Fold demonstrated by Rachel Tessman from Stamp Your Heart Out:

Her video and measurements can be found HERE.

I had so much fun using up some DSP making this version:

This card is going out to Anne.

DSP Organizer

Frenchie Stamps posted a how to video HERE for making a 6" x 6" DSP organizer out of the heavy card stock that comes with their DSP papers as a backing in the package. I've been busy cutting up my DSP ever since! I gave it a try and now I'm finally using those pieces of 12" x 12" DSP that I've been hoarding! It's also convenient to keep coordinated papers together in a small spot on my desk so I'll actually use them. This would also make a nice box to give away some of my cards as a gift.

Fall Card

Here's a quick card that uses VersaMark clear ink for the background grass and white craft ink for the large flowers. It's a quick technique that produces such a lovely effect that you can try with stamps you already have! Craft ink produces a dense stamped image and does require extra drying time, so if you can be patient, set your cards stamped with craft ink aside before tying ribbons or adding embellishments. If you're in a big hurry, use a heat embossing gun to speed the drying time....and I'm getting close to the BIG announcement of my next teaching endeavor --I'm literally working day and night to get everything ready for the November 1st debut, and I'll announce it right here on this blog next weekend!

Paint Chip Card

Here's an idea you might try for a quick and easy card. Start with a paint chip, cut or punch out some leaves, use that bottle of flowers you had to have (guilty times 5!), some eyelets, skinny ribbon, and a 3-D word embellishment. This leaf punch is from Martha Stewart. I'm afraid Martha is leading me down the "MUST HAVE IT" path of no return when it comes to punches! I have a cute little Halloween bat card to show you soon using her bat punch. Oh - please help me!!!

It seems as though my design style these days has become quick and simple - so little time and not enough hours in the day to stamp and make cards! I've discovered Heather Pulvirenti's blog and I'm she will inspire you - just like she did for me! Check out her blog here. Below her blue flower card is one of my latest takes on her idea - try it for yourself! Just stamp your image and saying, then mark your four corners with a pencil dot and use a ruler/straight edge to connect the dots with a black micron pen. The pearls and gems hide any imperfections where the lines connect in the corners and add a nice dimension.

I love this stamp set from Stampin' Up! (SU). It's called Bird on a Branch and I finally got it converted to use with my clear stamp blocks. Now, I can't stop using it! These are the first cards I've made with this set which also uses extra large eyelets from We Are Memory Keepers (from last year's Scrapbook Expo), Martha Stewart's Lace Punch and SU's scallop punch. The middle closeup photo also shows the Martha Stewart mini pearls ($2 from Big Lots) that I added to 4 of the largest flowers. The last photo shows a bit more detail of the 2 white-on-white cardstock rectangles placed on top of a brown rectangle (Chocolate Chip SU) - a simple technique that gives a finished overall professional look to the card.

Oh, how I wish there were more hours in a day to stamp...but I've got to put my "toys" away and focus on getting ready for my Christmas in July class this Sunday. I LOVE Christmas - so this will be one of my favorite classes EVER! This class sold out 2 months in advance, but I will be repeating the class on Sunday, November 15th, 1 to 4 pm. Call Memories Live On to register: 446-9901.

FREE DOWNLOADS ADDED!

New products have arrived at MLO: The EK line of compact punches and new Anna Griffin papers!

Each month I design new projects for you with the new products carried at Memories Live On...and this month, I've designed 2 projects along with 2 FREE downloads to give you the templates and the sayings for making these quick cards. For the purse cards, I used a 1" punch first then a 1 1/4" punch over the first punch to create the purse handles out of our alligator paper -- ooooh, how I love that gater paper! HINT: Use the punches facing up to get perfect placement. I also used the new EK small scallop punch for the purse closure AND it also makes a beautiful flower!!The download will give you the directions and HOW TO for making your own flowers. Memories Live On has a nice selection of these new EK punches as well as a large selection of pearls and gems for embellishing your purses and flowers. Make a set of these cards for your graduate or make a set of 4 to give as a gift! Just click on my picture to get these FREE downloads - then simply click on the MLO DOWNLOADS tab. ENJOY!