How about some simple coloring and matting for today’s card?

This was stamped in black, and then colored with distress markers. (I know, what a shock! I didn’t use copics!)

The black stars and the candles with no flames looked a little barren to me, so I dug out some stickles in red and blue. Adding the flames was fun! Start at the tip of the wick, and squeeze a little dot of stickles, then pull up, without adding any more stickles. You get a great flame effect that way.

A little close up for you:

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Supplies used:

Anyone up for a little treasure hunting?

I’ve been loving my copic markers lately. I’m getting to the point where I’m comfortable shading colors. And who could resist these adorable stamps? (Another The Angel Company set) I raided my scrap bin for the cloud background, the palm tree, and the paper for the island. The waves are what’s left of a border sticker from oh, 2008, and figured since I already had the stippling brush out, I could use it to add some dimension and definition to the island.

I have been having so much fun making cards this month. Anyone else truly enjoying their crafty side this month? What have you been working on?

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Supplies used: (affiliate links)

copic sketch markers

This is another favorite of mine.

I don’t know about you, but I love shaker cards. They’re like snow-globes for paper people.

After cutting out a piece of paper with flaps big enough to cover the back, and another piece that was slightly smaller than the main body of the shaker, I stamped and colored two scenes. The scene on the bigger piece was mostly blank in the middle, since it was going to be cut out afterwards. For the smaller piece of cardstock, I concentrated on creating a scene in the middle of the paper, since the edges would be covered by tape and the shaker frame.

If the idea of improvising the cutting of the shaker card base/frame gives you the heebie jeebies, use an envelope template to give yourself a basic form to build on.

You can cut the window of your card out before you do any scene creation if you want. Just make sure you leave a wide border (say about half an inch or a little more) around the edges. You’re going to need that space for your foam tape.

Once you’ve got your scene just to your liking, it’s time to assemble the shaker. Using a strong adhesive, lay a continuous line of adhesive all around the inside back edge of your frame. Center a piece of clear transparency over the frame.

Next lay another continuous line of foam tape this time all around the inside back edge of the frame. Make sure you leave no gaps for your shaker pieces to escape through. If you have thicker shaker pieces, add another layer of foam tape over the first one.

Now add your shaker materials. I used seed beads, star glitter, and a couple teeny tiny shells. You could use sequins, or paper flowers, or whatever small item you have that would suit your theme.

Center your smaller colored piece of cardstock over the shaker frame, making sure the top is on the top! (Or be smart and design your piece without an up and down!) Then gently fold the flaps over from smallest to largest, using plenty of adhesive.

Now it’s ready to add to your card front. Mine is on a neutral background that I stamped with a Tim Holtz stamp. Love, love, love how the background came out. Actually I love the whole thing, except for one little piece. Any guesses?

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Supplies used: (affiliate links)
copic sketch markers

It’s time to let the dry embossing folders shine! And I really do mean shine!

This started with a Martha Stewart anywhere punch that I used to make the doily-like belt across the card. It looked a little bare, so I dug out an embossing folder, and embossed each side. Finish it off by backing it with a contrasting color cardstock, rounded corners, and adding a stamped sentiment banner.

I don’t know about you, but I’m liking a lot of the cards I’ve made so far this month. Do you have any favorites so far?

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Supplies used: (affiliate links)
a slightly different punch (the one I used is no longer available)

Today’s card is brought to you by mirror cardstock and alcohol inks. And my scrap bin!

Start by dabbing two colors of alcohol ink on a piece of gold mirror cardstock until you’ve got the amount of coverage you want. After it dries (which happens pretty quickly actually) stamp an image on it with staz-on. Use a heat gun to set the ink, and trim the piece to fit your card. Add a piece of scrap paper and a sentiment stamped on vellum with staz-on, and you’ve got a card!

What big stamps do you have in your possession that can fill up a card? Use them!

As always, the sign up for my mailing list is at the top right of the page. Make sure you join so I can contact you and send you a card!

Supplies used: (affiliate links)