Quick and Easy Handmade Cards

I often tell people that they can save a good chunk of change if they just take the time to do one thing - "Make your own greeting cards!"

Handmade is the "in thing"! It's quicker to reach out to others with the usual social media connections, but it's always nice to do something personal for a change! So skip the Hallmark store and make something special for the people in your life.

Here are two examples... 

I used dies, a butterfly punch, and a stamp on this card. Layer different shapes to add a unique element to your card design. 

The patterned paper that I used played up the gray and white very well. I was careful to place my circle die just so before cutting the paper. I wanted the pop of yellow to to be in the center of my circle.

Check out the side view above. I used pop dots to add dimension as well.

My next card is filled with fun elements like sequins and twine. Again, I used dies to add in different shapes.

My secret weapon to card making is a 6" x 6" paper pad. I won this Amy Tangerine pad from Paper Issues. 

The great thing about using a paper pad is color coordination. You don't have to second guess if a color or pattern will look good together. Everything in the collection fits so well if it's from the same manufacturer. 

Since I shopped at Paper Issues I wanted to link up there as well!

I hope you enjoyed my quick and easy card making tips today. These cards literally took me 15 minutes to make. Yay!

Supplies:

Paper: Amy Tangerine - Plus One

Dies: Lifestyle Crafts/We R Memory Keepers

Stamp: Chickaniddy Crafts

Sequins: Hobby Lobby

DIY Burlap Party Bags

Yes! I love a good party bag. What's even better is that I love to make my own!

Here's my latest and greatest!

It's always a good idea to get out of the norm when making your own bags. Instead of using paper how about using different material for a change?

I love these burlap bags from SRM Stickers. They are just the right size too!

I also used a lot of paper goodies from The Little Blue House. They have a great online store that is full of paper, embellishments, and project kits. I used Amy Tangerine's Rise and Shine collection.

Did you notice the clear tag layered on top of the kraft one? I just love the clear overlays. It adds such a fun element to your projects! I also sprinkled (glued on) a few sequins too!

I hope this gives you some ideas on how to make your own party bags. Your guests will love receiving something unique that you made yourself.

And do you need more craft supplies? Check out all of the goodies in The Little Blue house store!

Pinwheel Crafts

I've always wanted to make a pinwheel! They are so happy and always bring a SMILE to my face!

I did some research online and found this template. I adjusted the size just a tad-bit and made my very first one! I love how it turned out!

I used paper and embellishments from The Little Blue House. They have a great online store for all of your paper craft projects! I really love the Amy Tangerine Rise and Shine collection. 

The pinwheel looks so cute in a bottle too! You can find these bottles for $1 at Michael's craft store!

I hope you enjoyed my fun pinwheel project today! And remember to shop at The Little Blue House! 

I Love This The Most

I'm a tad bit obsessed with this type of crafting!

If you are a regular visitor to my blog then you probably agree!

"Gifting" is just the type of crafting that I love the most!

{confession - I'm really beginning to love creating layouts too!}

I made this one so that I can have extra gift items on hand for family and friends. It's always nice to give a "just because" gift. 

I started out by using a Lifestyle Crafts die. I also used paper from Allison Kreft's - Recorded collection. 

I used a smaller die to make the "love this" tag. The tag paper is from Amy Tangerine's Cut and Paste. And the floral chipboard is from My Mind's Eye.

And guess what? - - - I'm playing along in the CAS-ual Fridays Tags & Bags challenge.

What type of crafting do you love the most?

You Can't Use Up Creativity!

I'm was up on the Paper Made Bakery Blog yesterday!

Be sure to stop by - HERE

I used lots of fun layers & showed you how to add dimension to your cards.

I made something fun using this month's "On The Go" kit!

You will just love all of the goodies in this one!

Happy Weekend!

Camera Pockets

I'm up on the Paper Made Bakery Blog today!

Be sure to stop by - HERE

I made something fun using this month's "On The Go" kit!

You will just love all of the goodies in this one!

See ya next week!

Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

For Our Fur Baby Friends

It's fur baby day!

This one is dedicated to all of you pet lovers out there.

I plan on attaching this tag to a bag of doggy treats for my friend.

She just bought a cute lab puppy for her kiddos.

I used this kit to make it. It's full of American Craft's Amy Tangerine goodies.

And by the way, I'm linking this one up to Moxie Fab World's 350 Cards & Gifts Week: The Gift Tag Challenge .

Be sure to hop on over to The Paper Made Bakery to see more.

Just click - HERE!

 And be sure to check out this month's kit called - "On The Go"

My Sweet School Buddy

 

It's sneak peek day!

 

As you can see, I'm still having fun with my new stamping obsession. I made this one for my sweet school buddy that assists me in my classroom each day.

 

You've gotta check out the kit this month. It's full of sentiment stamps and colorful paper that will make your crafty heart sing.

 

Be sure to hop on over to The Paper Made Bakery to see the full reveal. 

 

Just click - HERE!

 

 And be sure to check out this month's kit called - "On The Go"

 

P.S. - I will have all of the GIVEAWAY WINNERS posted on Saturday morning. Be sure to stop back by then.

Paper Made Bakery May Hop - A Slice of Happy

It's time for the Paper Made Bakery May Release Day & Blog Hop!

 

You should have arrived here from the wonderful Amy T's Blog. 

If you get lost along the way, be sure to start at the Paper Made Bakery Blog.

It's all about birthdays this go round. I'm trying to stock up on my stash of cards to have on hand for family and friends. A card and a cupcake is the perfect way to celebrate!

And I must show you a close-up of the Happy Birthday sentiment. I love the lettering of the stamp! It's from Fresh Squeezed Stamps and is also included in your May Kit. How cool is that?

The May Fresh Baked Kit is called - "On The Go". I love the American Crafts goodies that are included this month. You can order your kit HERE!

Don't leave just yet because there is a fabulous prize up for grabs! You can win a "Mini Fresh Baked Kit" . Multiple entries are allowed and accepted up until 11:59 p.m. Sunday night. Just enter on the rafflecopter below. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your next stop is the fabulous Glenda's blog.

Happy Hopping!

I Spy My Creations & Some News!

Hey there everyone! I wanted to pop in today to share some fun news with you all.

Be sure to read all the way to the end so that you don't miss out on all of the excitment.

Before I get to that, I first want to share some of my summer publications. It will never get old seeing my creations in print. I'm so excited to have projects in both the CARDS Magazine and Create Idea Book.

This is the project that is in the Create Idea Book - Stamping Magazine. This one may have came out before July, but I'm just now getting my hands on it. This project is in the - "My Favorite Stamp" section of the mag. I used my Stampin' Up stamp for these mini bags.

I also have several of my creations in the Cards Magazine - July issue.

I used a coffee filter to make the flower for this one.

This mini card set features yummy Twinery twine & Amy Tangerine products.

This one features the bicycle stamp from Hero Arts.

(Sweet Virginia Lu introduced me to their stamps & I'm hooked)

Thank you Cards & Create Magazine for featuring my projects!

And now for some FUN NEWS!!!!

I have been invited to be on the Clear Scraps design team. I will get to design with their fabulous acrylic mini albums, shapes, chipboard, and so much more. I can't wait to show you all of the fun projects that I have planned. 

And  I'm so super excited to work with an awesome group of designers that are lined up for the new term. You can meet them on the Clear Scraps blog - {Here}

Hey Monday!

I smiled when I first saw this little dude!

He is really an embellishment for a Smash Book...but I wanted to use him to make a card. I always make girly cards and want to start making some masculine ones too. This one is for the fun Create Blog challenge (ribbon tabs).

For a bit of fun I added some canvas and of course my ribbon tabs. The striped ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Hope you like this little dude as much as I do!

My Vision Tray for 2012

I've been seeing Vision Boards pop up everywhere. Oprah even talked about it on her Life Skills class. Instead of doing the traditional New Year's Resolutions this year, I though I'd make myself a Vision Tray instead.

This majority of this tray is filled with yummy goodies from the American Crafts - Amy Tangerine line.

Here's a breakdown of what each compartment

of the tray means to me...

This tray represents ME!

{she even has a tan just like mine...LOL}

This tray represents my goal to improve my sewing skills.

{My friend Patti is going to help me with this one}

This tray represents my "Get Moving" goal.

{This means more walking and biking to stay healthy}

This tray is a reminder to "Take One Day at a Time!"

I always have a "to-do list" swirling around in my head.

{I actually dropped this yellow key and put a crack in it. I think it adds a little vintage feel to the design}

This tray will remind me to take more pictures & make more layouts this year! {I make way too many cards and altered projects and really want to branch out a little}

That's it for my 2012 Vision Tray. I have bookmarked this post so that I can come back throughout the year to check on my progress.

Wish me luck!!! :)