Blog Archives

Art Impressions Tri-Fold Cards

6/28/2016

The Art Impressions Tri-fold cards are SO CUTE.
When you first see the design, it can be slightly confusing on how to create the card. Today I am going to show you step by step how to create this beautiful effect!!

You will need one of the tri-fold sets. I decided to use this set from Art Impressions (Left), Blessings to You.

Along with the stamp set, you will also need:
A home die cut machine
Tombo markers in varying colors
Waterbrush
Pop dots
Acetate
Black waterproof stamp ink
White paper

First, you will need a piece of paper , measuring 4 1/4" x 11, score it so it folds into thirds, so roughly at 3 1/2" and about 7 1/4"
Then, stamp your images, one on the inside on the middle panel, the next stamp on the OUTSIDE of the right panel, and the last stamp on the OUTSIDE of the left panel and use the die cuts (which are included in this set) to create the little peek-a-boo window.
Then, use the pop dots to create dimension. I used 4 little pop dots in total, using 2 on the right side and 2 on the left side of the image with the lavendar sprig. This helps create that dimension.

I also stamped the image with the roses on a second piece of white paper. I cut them out to create a grouping that leans left and a grouping that leans right.

Next, I prepared to watercolor. Take the piece of acetate and color directly on it with your markers. Use the waterbrush to add a little bit of water to activate the color.. then watercolor like normal!

*To create the darker colored areas I just colored directly onto the paper and used the waterbrush to blend it in. *
After I painted the 2 rose bunches, I attached the groupings to the pop dots so that they are covered up.

Watch as the little bunny comes to life as you fold your card! Now he truly is hiding in his little burrow <3

Embossing Paste Idea and Tutorial

6/25/2016

I recently came across this brilliant idea on Instagram and I just HAD to share!

To make this card you will need:
A home die cut machine
Die cut ice cream cone
Embossing paste
Ink (I used Distress Inks)
Palette knife
Silicone craft mat
Paper
Ribbon
Glitter and/or sprinkles

Use a die cut shape ice cream cone (I used this one from Cottage Cutz-- Waffle Cone). I cut the ice cream cone out of 3 different colors of paper.
I took out a little bit of the original embossing paste (which dries white) and used a single drop if ink and mixed it in, dying the paste a different color. I used picked raspberry for the pink one and dried marigold for the orange one.

Then I just scraped the paste off the mat and loosely laid it on the top of the cone, making it look like a REAL scoop of ice cream!!
I then just used plain white for the other cones, and added glitter on one and faux sprinkles on the other by just slicing up a tiny strip of 3 colors of paper, in this case one was a gold glitter paper.

*You can use REAL sprinkles too!! Just wait until the paste is almost dry and sprinkle the sprinkles on and barely press them in.*

To finish off the card I used ribbon by May Arts and a stamp from the *adorable* Avery Elle stamp set, The Scoop.

What a cute card and such a clever technique!!!

Taylored Expressions, All New!!

6/17/2016

We just opened up a big box of Taylored Expressions!!!

Their newest stuff is so, SO cute! And many of their newest dies go together!! It makes it really easy to make a themed card.

Check out this set!! All Barn theme!! The little fence, the barn!! Did you see the silo, windmill and tractor??!! All suuuuper little and beyond adorable.. how can something so small be so cute?

And, one of my favorites, is this adorable beach set!! This die cut comes with palm trees, swim suits, little crab, surf board, seagull, and even coconuts!! Pair it with the Happy Summer banner and you have a great card for celebrating this wonderful season..

This set is so fun, and great to put together. I used 3 different die sets here, the Door to Door, the Door to door Molding, and the Door to door summer decor!! Which just makes me think.. what other seasonal door decorations do they have??

Did you see the back? I loved the little bird bath.. but it didn't fit on the front of the card! However, it did make the back of the card look finished. Not to mention, CUTE.

Check out this stamp and die set.. the dogs!! With the little dog house and dog house accessories...
There is even more to see, you'll have to stop by to look at it all!!!!

Pod Babies ready for homes....

6/10/2016

The newest little pod babies from the Fairy forest have arrived <3

We currently have these little pod babies, fairies and elves available!!
These little elves were handcrafted by Joanne Swiss and have been selected special just for this fundraiser.
We are asking for a $20 minimum donation with 100% of proceeds going to help pay for our coworker's medical expenses while she battles with cancer.
Look at all these cuties!!! Hover over each picture to see their names!

Call us at 360-647-9663 to have yours set aside or shipped to you. If you would like it shipped please let us know, we charge exact shipping, no handling fee.

How to Create a Quick Distressed Card

6/9/2016

I love the look of a distressed or vintage card. Recently, many die cut companies have come out with the reverse cut, or a cut-out to create a background. One of the newest die cuts we have brought in is by Sizzix, and it is the texture backgrounds set. For this card, I also used the newest Friendly Kitties set from Poppy Stamps.

I decided to use the brick wall option. I chose a darker color to cut the brick background and used a bright red as my card base. And then I cut out some kitties.

Next I used the Distress Ink and Distress tool to add a dark brown ink to the red paper.

And when I did the overlay, the bricks come to life really giving them a more distressed look.

I used just a tiny bit of textured ribbon from May Arts, laid out my kitties, and found a stamp from Impression Obsession. Quick and easy way to make a distressed card!

Cute Animals and Baby Things!!

6/7/2016

We have a large selection of baby themed die cuts and stamps right now.. and I have been playing around with them this weekend.

Cottage Cutz has some ADORABLE little Farm animals out . By adding a sweet saying or pairing them with Pastel colors, you can make a sweet invitation for a baby shower, send a card to welcome a newborn, or even welcome a newly adopted young child..

I just loved the little sheep from Cottage Cutz!! I combined it with a die cut from Impression Obsession and the field of flowers die cut from Memory Box!

If you have twins to celebrate, cut out your dies 2 times and interplay the colors! Use the baby sayings from Impression Obsession with it to create this cute card.

And in case you haven't seen them, these little stitched animals are SO CUTE!!!! I just want them to hold little balloons or an umbrella!!! (Or some of those cute props from Elizabeth Craft!!)
Come by today to see all the baby die cuts and stamps.. they seem to go pretty quick!

PARKING LOT SALE - FUNDRAISER

6/5/2016

FUNDRAISER for Marilyn's medical bills.
All items have been donated for this event.
There are used and brand new merchandise.
And the weather prediction is COOL!
Help us make this an amazing event by spreading the word!
A big thank you to all our volunteers for putting this together.
Questions? Call us at 360-647-9663

Elizabeth Craft- All New

6/2/2016

We recently got in a large selection of Elizabeth Craft die cuts, and they are all SO CUTE.

Their newest die cuts are of little animals: dog, pig, horse, frog, fox, cow, chicken, and penguin!!
And they came out with little props!! Cowboy, underwater, Christmas, party, fancy, and dog supplies.. and the best part is the props can be used in other ways!!

Combine the little animals with some of the other dies by Elizabeth Craft, such as this Honeycomb background!! And, I couldn't help myself, this little beehive is so sweet... I just love all their new designs!

One of my all time favorite dies from this release was the Seaweed set and Sea Turtle!!! The shell looks so realistic and the SEAWEED!!!! Look at all the little details.. just perfect.

Take these stamps from Art Impressions... color them and dress them up!! You could even make a quick paper doll set for a friend!!

This one was just hilarious... we even used a small piece of acetate for behind the visor on his swim goggles!

Of course we can't help but make something using these new little animal sets.. and with the new outdoors line from Carta Bella we made this great card!! Perfect for Father's Day!!