Cell Phone Card with Speech Bubbles

Cards with speech bubbles are very popular right now and texting is about the only form of communication teenagers respond to.  I believe a card that combines both is perfect for a teenager. Today I made a fun, trendy card similar to one Becky Jensen posted on Pinterest.  It resembles a cell phone with texting on the screen in the form of little speech bubbles. I sent the original to my 16 year old niece. I hope she likes it enough to send me a cool text!

It would be fun to create your own personalized speech bubbles. Just type whatever massages you like on your computer and print them out. Then use a punch or die to cut them into shapes. You may have to experiment with font size to get the words to fit properly but the possibilities are endless!

Memo Pad Card

I had no intention of posting again today (because I am supposed to be packing and cleaning!!) but I just couldn't help myself. My local craft store just got a few new Technique Tuesday die sets and I couldn't wait to play with the one I bought. It is called "Memo Pad Card" and I think it is just adorable. I took a short break from chores and decided to sneak back down to my craft room for some fun. 

I wound up making two similar cards with different color schemes. I think the one with the early espresso card base is a bit more masculine and the one with the primary colors on a white card base is more juvenile but that's just my opinion. If you have an opportunity to try out these new dies, please share your projects. I would really love to see what you come up with. 

Tone On Tone Embossed Card

I am supposed to be packing for vacation but instead I have been playing in my craft room. This morning I made a tone on tone card that features one of my favorite new embossing folders. The embossing folder is called "Grass" and it is made by Darice. I really like the way this card turned out (but it was extremely difficult to photograph) because the embossed image is definitely the star of the show and plain white cardstock provides the perfect backdrop for this heartfelt sentiment. 

I hope you enjoy experimenting with this technique. Now I really MUST get back to work packing. We will be out of town until after Memorial Day so check back then for a new project and video. 

P.S.  If you want to see the details of this card more closely, just click on the photo.

How to Color Vellum Cardstock

Lots of folks love the look of vellum and would like add some to their cards and scrapbook pages but feel like they just don't know how to use it. There is absolutely no reason you should be intimidated by vellum! Today I am focusing on one vellum technique that is fun and super easy. You can take ordinary white vellum cardstock and add any color you like using ink and a sponge dauber. I made flowers but it would be fun to use this technique to color other shapes and images.

You will need vellum card stock, a line stamp (as opposed to a solid stamp), versamark ink, white embossing powder, a heat tool, colored inks and sponge daubers to create flowers similar to the ones I have made. It is a great time saver if your stamp has a coordinating punch or framelit to cut the image out. If not, just cut it out by hand. These colored vellum flower are a great addition to cards or scrapbook pages and they are just beautiful!

Stop Light Card

I just love the bold bright colors in this card and I think it is fun and cheerful. I made this card for a very special young couple. Both are graduating from college this weekend. He has earned a doctorate in pharmacy and she has earned a degree in education. Soon they will begin the next phase of their lives and they will be faced with many decisions about where their dreams will take them. I just love the sentiment from the Word Play stamp set that says "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams." That pretty much sums up all of my hopes and desires for them. 

If you want to know how I made this card, just click on the video link below. In addition to the Word Play stamp set, I used the Label Love stamp set and the Artisan punch. If you don't have these items, get creative and use something similar from your own stash. I hope this project makes you smile.

Emboss Resist Easel Card

Today I am sharing a tutorial that actually demonstrates two techniques. I will show you how to use clear embossing powder to create a resist that can be colored with ink daubers and I will show you how to make a simple easel card.

An easel card is an ingenious way to surprise someone who likes to display their cards. It's also a great way to present a card to someone who is hospitalized or in a nursing home because they can see their card without having to handle it. Sit your card up in a  prominent area and they will be repeatedly reminded that you are thinking of them.

The emboss resist technique looks much harder than it is. You begin by stamping an image using Versamark ink. Next you apply clear embossing powder and heat. Then you use sponge daubers and colored ink to fill in the details. It is not meant to be perfect. The finished product will look like a vibrant water color image and the embossed area will be bold and shiny when you buff off the excess ink using an ordinary tissue or paper towel. (click on the photo to see the details close up) You could try these techniques together, as I did, or use them independently. They are both a lot of fun!

Simple Stems Swap Card

My friend Amber recently hosted a card swap. Each of us brought a sample card and created 10 kits with all of the pieces needed to recreate our sample. We exchanged kits and took turns teaching the others how to make our card. At the end of the day we all went home with a lovely stack of cards. It was awesome! 

This is the card I made. It features the Simple Stems stamp set from Stampin Up and the Scalloped Tag Topper punch also from Stampin Up. The Embossing folder I used to give the yellow some added dimension and texture is made by Darice. Tonight I will finish the video tutorial for this card and post it below. I hope you are also taking time to craft and enjoying the company of dear friends and family.