Elegant cards on a budget

 As card makers we have a special talent that non-card makers really enjoy!  Groups of cards like this make very special gifts.  The value is high and the cost can be LOW! All of these were created for under $7.00. All the cards are A2 size cards unless otherwise noted in the captions.

6 x 6" card. EF on the right is Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug. EF on the left is a 12" Butterfly by Darice. Shapes cut with Spellbinders dies.

Inside embossed with same 12" Darice EF

I did a breakdown of the cost related to my group of cards.  I have broken it down so that you can see the related cost for each card element. I've given you some very close estimates - possibly not exact but this way you can estimate from your own resources what these same cards would cost you.

Two 12 x 12" pieces of solid white cs @ .05 each.
Six 8.5 x 11" pieces solid white cs @ .30 each
One 8.5 x 11" piece of SU Almost Amethyst cs @ .30
One fourth of  8.5 x 11" piece of SU Pink Pirouette cs @ approximately .08
48" Double Face Satin Ribbon - White @ .25 per yard
One  Miss Elizabeth's clear sticker sheet (which had 42 stickers on it) $2.99
Thirty One mini pearls @ .03 each
Two Pink rhinestones @.03
"Itty bits" not included in the cost estimation include three sequins, a bit of silver thread, and a small piece of batten burg lace ribbon. I did not include the cost of the envies in this breakdown.

This whole collection of cards were created by me for only $6.59 Isn't that amazing!! : )  I LOVE IT!!

In case you fall asleep by the time you reach the bottom of this post heehee please note that ALL floral and butterfly images are from the Miss Elizabeth's clear sticker sheet.

EF on the front and inside by Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug.   Oval EF on top  is from SU Designer Frames.

 I used a double sticker for almost every little butterfly you see on these cards.  Simply done - just apply your first butterfly where you would like it and add a tiny dab of secure glue to the top of the body.  Next remove the stickiness from the second sticker using an embossing buddy or powder.  Then line up the second butterfly over the first on top of the glue.  I sort of bend up the wings to give dimension as you can see in the picture above. 

EF is by Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug.  Flower was created using two stickers separated by foam tape. Stickles Glitter Glue applied to the top of the bouquet.

EF on the left "Script" by Cuttlebug, EF on the right is by Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug. Circle and scallop shapes by Spellbinders dies. Sentiment from The Angel Company.

Embossing folders on white are so elegant! You can use almost any embossing folder to achieve this same elegant look!  Always add something interesting on the inside of your card too!

A2 size card finished size 3.5 x 5.5". Top EF is Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug, bottom EF is "Stripes" by SU. Circle and scallop shapes cut with Spellbinders dies.  Sentiment from CTMH B1244 "Solo T". Batten Burg ribbon from my stash.

Within the same gift assortment try changing the card size and orientation. 

This is a 2.5 x 3.5" gift card. EF Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug. Sentiment from The Angel Company.

This is a 2.5 x 3.5" gift card. EF Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug. Flourish die cut from "Parisian Accents" by Spellbinders.  Sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes by Stampin Up.

Inside of the above 2.5 x 3.5" gift card. Flourish cut from "Parisisn Accents" by Spellbinders

For a #6 Envelope - card dimensions are 3.5 x 6".  Overlay cut from a 5 x 7" Anna Griffin die called "Flower Bramble" for Cuttlebug. Sentiment is from the Sticker set.  I used a Marvy punch for the corners and strung a silver thread around it.

For an added value consider adding multiple style appropriate sentiments in your gift pack.  If you do remember to place some double sided tape on the back of each sentiment so that the recipient can easily select the sentiment they would like to use - remove the tape backing and attach it to their card : )

6 x 6" card. Left EF "Woodgrain" bu SU, right EF Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug.  Shapes cut with Spellbinders dies. Sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes set by Stampin Up.

Long post : ) Perhaps you can tell I've been doing bookkeeping and looking for ways to save money! LOL I hope you've enjoyed seeing ways to create beautiful gifts from the beautiful cards YOU make!

Top EF "Designer Frames" by SU. Bottom EF Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug.

Enjoy your day friends! Thank you so much for stopping by.

Patti

Oldest Tree Stamp

This is my second late night post (so please scroll down if you don't want to miss my first post from earlier today).  I have been enjoying a relaxing evening just kind of fiddling around with some challenges that I've been wanting to join.

When I came across the blog Shopping Our Stash I knew they were talking to me! As a matter of a fact I've been thinking a lot about challenging myself to a "shop my stash" challenge! so I'm sure I will be hanging out with these gals a lot in the future : )

This weeks challenge is to create a project using your oldest tree stamp.  I was surprised to see that I'm not much of a tree hugger.  I only have a couple of tree stamps - and this one had never even been inked up!

I'm excited to see Spring which only my faith in Jesus assures me we will see eventually LOL (There is another big snow storm headed our way I hear). So I colored my tree with the hope of spring! heehee

That's it for today : ) I guess I will sign off for the night and hope to see you again tomorrow.

BIG (((Hugs)))
Patti

Supplies:

All papers by SU
Tree image by Inkadinkado
thinking of is a masked version from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set by SU
Spring is from PTI's Birthday Classics: April Stamp Set
 Prisma colored pencils
Ribbon scraps from my stash

I've got a riddle for you...

Chevron cover plate, zipper die and Sentiment by Papertrey Ink (LOVE this company!) Solid cs and patterned paper by SU. Stamped Chipboard arrow from Close To My Heart Artbooking bundle.

 Those words have been music to my ears! My little grand son always had a riddle or a joke to share! Some of the jokes he told were ones he made up - and they were pretty funny too!. He is in his second year of college now and I can't remember the last time he said... "I've got a riddle for you.  Maybe in August for his birthday I will create a card using this stamp set and zipper die from Papertrey Ink to remind him of those fun filled days at Grandma's house.

This silly card was just me playing along with the "Wanna Sketch" challenge at Dahlhouse Designs blog.

Please come and join the fun! there are some amazing cardmakers playing along with this challenge!

Hope your Sunday was filled with sunshine! We have been enjoying our THAW! woo hoo!! so this is a late late post. 

Thank you for looking












OH did you think I was going to forget to give you the punchline!?! heehee got ya! here it is:

Happy EVERY day to you!

(((Hugs)))
Patti

Sympathy and Bookkeeping

Hello friends! Two days in a row!! sunshine : ) yahooee!!

Here is a card I created to build my stash of Sympathy cards.  Posting it today has nothing! to do with the fact that I have bookkeeping to do all day! *wink*

The supplies are just scraps from my bin.  I had wanted to try the nesting of these Spellbinders dies. I like the way they frame this pretty script sentiment from My Sentiments Exactly.

I hope YOU will be doing something fun today LOL

Patti

Bold Birthday 12 x 12

Hello friends : )   I wish you were here with me in my craft room today! The sun is shining so bright I almost need sunglasses!

Before I get to my post today I would like to welcome my newest follower: Annette Allen owner of "My Clever Creations" bog! Welcome Annette : ) I hope you will stop in often and say hello : ) Please stop by Annette's blog.  She has a beautiful CAS style that I am coming to LOVE!!

Here is another scrapbook layout for my friend's store.  As I have mentioned in previous posts I'm getting the 12 x 12 scrapbook page design set and then creating kits for her to sell in her store. The kit for this one has been very popular!!

The top and bottom papers are both from Creative Imaginations Company.  Surprisingly, there is no name printed on either of these great papers to identify the design - but I'm quite sure Creative Imaginations is no longer in business : (

The pp behind the teal photo frames is by Bo Bunny.  I cut the journaling frame and brackets from the "Artbooking" Cricut Cartridge and stamped the journaling lines in with the coordinating CMH stamp set D1571.

The Happy Birthday, Balloons and Party hat were all cut from a Sizzix die.  It looks like a Sizzlet but it is 12" long : )

Thank you for looking! I hope you will have a sunny day in your part of the world!

Patti

DIY cover Plates

Not sure why the sentiment looks fuzzy - it is clear as a bell in "real life".

This week for the  PTI Make it Monday challenge the very talented! Betsy Veldman challenged readers to create a background for a card in the style of a PTI cover plate.  Check out Betsy's video tutorial HERE.  I naturally wanted to use a PTI die but in looking at my small, but growing, stash of PTI dies there was very little that I felt would make a nice card. But desperately wanting to join the challenge I decided on the Heart - 2 - Heart #1 Die.

I cut nine coffee cup shaped dies from SU Chocolate Chip cs.  Then I attached it to my SU Kraft cs.  Next I stamped the outline of the coffee cup from the coordinating PTI stamp set in each opening and further decorated it with the ... the... what do you call those sleeves you sip on the paper cups to protect your hands?? LOL

I then cut three cup dies from my Kraft cs - two for the front of my card and one for the inside. Next I put some of those brown cup shapes to use by gluing three of them together and then gluing a kraft cup shape on the top and bottom to make my own cup about the thickness of chipboard.  I circled up a length of Baker's Twine (trying to make it look like a coffee stain" LOL I do try!

I wanted to give the card some "coffee" splatters and here I failed miserably!! As good fortune would have it the same day I created this card I ran across this talented paper crafter's blog and just take a look at these amazing splatters!! Nora, the blog owner has graciously given me some tips for creating splatters:

"As for my splattering-there is really no trick to it. First I mask my images. Then I have a large box where I put my card so that my work space will be safe from any ink. Next I take the misters out of the sprays and flick the part that is usually inside the bottle over the card. Sometimes I have to put the nozzles back in, mist on the side of the box to fill up the little tube inside, and then take them out again to flick. That is all there is too it!! Sometimes I get too much but the stage I am going through right now, I don't card. I love the look!"

I really wanted to try this great information on this card but as it was all completely finished by then and  I was afraid I would get too much ink on my sentiment and cup/string.  I will be trying this new obtained wisdom very soon though! : )

I do need to go back to Nora and ask her, or if any of you know... do you dilute the ink before you put it in the mister?  I diluted the Chocolate Chip reinker that I used with the mister and it looks icky watered down and PINK!

This post has been a bit confusing as my thoughts were all over the place and I had several interruptions but I hope you will be at least a little bit inspired at how a die can make a pretty cover plate style background for your card.  Please stop by the Make it Monday post and have a look at what other paper crafters have done with this challenge.  And perhaps you would consider joining?! ther is a nice prize!!

Thanks so much for looking!

Patti

Supplies:

SU cs
PTI Heart 2 Heart #1 Die and stamp set
Sentiment CTMH Chairs To You # D1456
American Crafts Baker's Twine

Bunnies and such

Here is a 12 x 12 layout I created for my friend's scrapbook store.  It is a bit busy and not much room for a photograph but with bunnies this cute! who needs them? LOL Once my "Sample layout" is complete I cut all the elements to size for the page and packaged them up for her as kits.  I include a full color placement guide and brief instructions. 

We live in a resort community here in northwestern Wisconsin where everywhere you are is a "stones throw" away from a beautiful lake!  Just after Memorial Day through Labor Day our little town is flooded with folks coming to the area.  We get a lot of people from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area as well as a lot of folks from Chicago and parts of Indiana on their way to their cabin or enjoying time away in the plethora of vacation homes for rent in the area. We are blessed to live here all year long but businesses, such as my friends, really look forward to the busy summer days when the store is busting with gals wanting to spend money *wink* on the new products she offers. While she is already selling the kits I'm creating as soon as I bring them in - our REAL goal is to build up a large selection and supply of the kits for the vacationers we know will be arriving - that is if the SNOW ever melts!! : )

 I will list my supplies in paragraph form so that it is a bit easier to follow.  The striped background paper is called "Stripetopia" by Reminisce.  I layered a plain piece of white cs next that I scored with my "Pal" - just random lines to give it a little lift : )  Both the "Bunny Collage" strip and the pink heart paper, "Baby Girl Hearts", (with the fabulous pearlized  finish) are Reminice products. Mint photo frame and polka dot photo place holder are from the same two sided paper by KaiserCraft.

Photo frame and the journaling notebook paper were cut on my Cricut using CTMH Artbooking. The notebook lines were stamped using the coordinating Artbooking stamp set.  I used a Martha Stewart punch for the border and Spellbinder dies for the hearts. Buttons and ribbon from my stash and finally the cute little bunny from PTI Hippity Hoppity stamp and die set.

I turned to the internet for design help and printed off a design sketch.  The creator's name is not on the sketch so it is lost forever : ) But credit where credit is due - SOMEONE! - not me designed the sketch I followed. : )

Whew!! a whole lotta tlking for just a little project : )

Have a wonderful day.  thank you so much for stopping by!!

Patti

Papertrey March Blog Hop Challenge

Thinking of a Happy 50th Birthday card I created this bright shiny card for today's Papertrey Ink Blog Hop challenge. The challenge:

 "This month we are challenging you to incorporate anything high gloss into a paper crafting project!  Think clear heat embossing, Glossy Accents, layers of Clear Cardstock, die-cut vinyl, glossy paper, shiny embellishments, glossy spray paint or anything else you find in your stash!  Experiment, have fun and make it shine! "

I grabbed my shiniest paper and my favorite new die from PTI and created this shaker card : ) It was a bit difficult to photograph between the glossy cs and the clear acetate in the shaker portion and the sequins but hopefully you will get the idea how sparkling it is : )

I have not participated in many blog hops before and I'm excited to get going so I will make this short! : )

Please consider joining the fun with the gang at PTI and by all means, if you do,  leave a few comments - we all LOVE comments!

Thank you for looking : )  Enjoy the rest of your day.

Patti

Supplies:

Gold card stock (maker unknown)
PTI Text Block: Birthday Die
Sequins and Craft ribbon from... I'm ashamed to say... it starts with W and ends with mart.

Mojo Monday 338

 One of the things I love about Mojo Monday sketches is that they "make" me try designs for my cards that I would never think of! Like Debbie Carriere's sketch this week.  Isn't it neat!?!

I'm not fishing for compliments - honest - I just want to give her credit for a clever design!

This is an A2 sized card on white cs.  I lined up my SU Smoky Slate paper and cut it to fit.  I embossed the Smoky Slate with a SU embossing folder, of which I can't remember the name.  I hand cut some little banners and topped them with the sweetest soft yellow ribbon with itty bitty hearts on it.  I ran them through my sewing machine and then added all the rest of the elements.  Walla! : )

I hope you will join me in playing along with the Mojo Monday sketch blog.  

Thanks a bunch for stopping by!

Patti

Supplies:
SU papers , Smoky Slate and So Saffron
SU image: See ya Later
SU So Saffron ink
die cuts by Spellbinders
Ribbon by American Crafts

Card Drive for Emma!

Here is another card I created for Emma.   "She loves the colors green, purple and blue". "She has no siblings. She has two dogs, a cat and a fish.  She LOVES horses and bunnies.  She enjoys horseback riding, swimming, dancing and singing." Just a "regular" little girl with one exception - Emma is fighting for her life.  She has Leukemia.

 If you have not heard about the card drive for Emma I would like to encourage you to visit Kelly's Place Blog for all the details and how you can help simply by making a card or two. 

 I used a "front and back" image from Art Impressions.  These stamps have been around since before I started making cards yet they are still among the best in the industry, in my opinion. : )

With a "Stamp-a-ma-jig" these cards are very easy to make! 

I stamped the back and then stamped her face on the Stamp-a-ma-jig plastic sheet.  Then I turned the image of her back up to the light and lined up the Stamp-a-ma-jig plastic sheet until it was "perfectly" aligned.  

 I then lay it down on my table and without moving anything lined up the Stamp-a-ma-jig guide, removed the plastic sheet from it's position and stamped the girl face "perfectly" LOL ok, maybe I didn't do it perfectly but I doubt Emma will complain heehee.


Freshly Made Sketches I have been lurking around this wonderful blog for some time now.  I have decided to enter this card in that challenge. Please visit this blog and the blogs of each "clean team" member - I know you will find, as I have,  some great card making inspiration! : ) 

I changed up the orientation from a portrait to a landscape design and instead of a bow I placed my little girl image : ) Sweet sketch! I love the simplicity.  It really inspired me to NOT try to place a bunch of flowers around the fence or drape a banner! heehee it was hard to resist adding more - I'm not terribly good at "clean and simple" cards.  In one act of CAS rebellion I stamped my fence on some "stone washed" striped paper that might give the appearance of a fence painted by a little girl.  : ) 

Thank you so much fro stopping by!  

Patti

Supplies:
Little girl image front and back by Art Impressions
Fence Image by Art impressions
Patterned paper by Making Memories "Animal Crackers/ Ella Stripe"
"You" die cut from PTI
Cloudy Day embossing folder from SU
Inside sentiment by Crafty Secrets "Glamour Girls"
Images colored with Prisma Pencils

Congratulations are in order!

  My sister and her husband are grandparents for a second time : )  Here are two cards for the occasion! Well..... three cards actually LOL I made an extra card for my "idea portfolio".  These two cards are the very first cards I made using the zipper strip and I wanted to see what it would look like underneath.  The card on the background is the one I sent to my sister. : )

Here is the card I sent to my nephew and niece to congratulate them on their second son, Noah John : )

The hidden message says: "of new baby wishes".

This zipper die is super easy to use.  I love the secret message concept.  I know what it says underneath but it still makes me want to open it! heehee I am such a kid  : )  I had never seen anything like this before.  I guess they came out during the time I was focusing on building my scarf business instead of buying new paper crafting supplies.  They might be "old hat" to some people but I am so glad I found them! Every person I know will end up getting one (or two) cards with hidden messages!

Since creating this card I had to order THIS SET which includes three "Pull Here" stamps.  I had not realized how essential it would be to stamp that instruction on cards using the zipper.  With the "Pull Here" instruction stamped on the card it makes it easy for the recipient understand what they are supposed to do. 

Thanks a bunch for stopping by! I hope you have a wonderful day : )

Patti

Supplies:
PTI product links: Truck stamp set, Sentiment stamp set, die cut collection
Paper companies unknown
             

Wishing you...

There is nothing like Papertrey Ink and Mojo Monday card sketch challenge to inspire something wonderful!

Papertrey Ink is fast becoming my favorite stamp company.  I am always amazed at the incredibly unique products they develop.  This is one of those products! Check this out! just pull the "zipper" to reveal the surprise sentiment. 

How sweet is that!?  I have been playing with the "loot" I won from Papertrey in February and having a blast!!  I can't wait to show you more darling cards I've created using these nifty  products.

The little button flowers were cut from "Buttons Stacks Die" from Papertrey. I inked the edges just a bit for dimension and then I layered the small center button over the larger one and threaded some embroidery floss and tied it off. 

My card was inspired from this weeks Mojo Monday sketch challenge:

I think it is amazing how many different takes there can be on one sketch!  Check out what the design team and friends of Mojo from all over the world have created HERE.

Thanks a bunch for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Patti

Supplies:
Solid cs ~ Stampin Up
Patterned paper ~ CTMH
Sentiment, zipper die and buttons from Papertrey Ink

Happy Birthday wishes

Happy Birthday to Carole from Carole's Crafty Creations!!I hope this is your best year ever!

I selected the hen in honor of Carole's "girls" she has four "cheeky pet hens" that are always fun to hear about.  **oopie! it is a rooster freinds! LOL blush**

The image is from an old Stampin Up set.  I also used Stampin Up paper and Chevron embossing folder. : )  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink, and the ribbon is from my stash.  I highlighted the centers of the flowers with CTMH Liquid Glass for a little added dimension and shine.

Please visit Carole's blog and leave some birthday (((Hugs)))

Have a wonderful day and eat some cake!! in Carole's honor : )

(((Hugs)))
Patti

Top Of the Mornin to you

Some VERY important announcements on this fine St. Patty's Day!! First please join me in welcoming, Laura Vi my newest follower! Please check out her blog HERE you will enjoy her playful style! : )

And Congratulations to  Carole who has won my FREE card drawing this month!! : ) Please check out Carole's blog HERE and tell her Patti sent you : )  You are sure to be wowed!! by her interesting posts and amazing creations!! : )

Carole, please e-mail me with your address. Patti (at) neckStyles dot  com : )

In case you didn't get a chance to see it here is a link to the card Carole won.  Please check back often as I will be posting the card for my April drawing soon! : )

So is this little lassie adorable or what!? Mo Manning from Mo's Digital Pencil does it again!!

Have a wonderful day and thank you so  much for stopping by!!

Patti

Supplies:
Digi by Mo
Embossing folder by Anna Griffin
Green patterned paper by SU
Orange patterned paper by Bo Bunny

Are We There Yet?

Have you ever gone on a "power" road trip vacation that felt like this? Where you had a dozen things to do or relatives to visit!? LOL

I designed this layout for my friend's scrapbook store.  I then made up kits which included all of these elements - cut to size - for her to sell to her customers.   The kits, which I have been adding weekly to her store for the past couple of months are being very well received and I'm having a blast doing them for her! : )  She has authorized me to select any supplies from her shelves that I want! How fun is that? 

Barb is very generous! these kits are being sold for just $4.50 each - and not only does this kit include everything her customers need to make this exact layout it also includes a whole sheet of "Self-adhesive Diecut Stickers" which alone retail for $1.99.  I only used about 5% of the sticker sheet on this layout so if the buyer copied my page exactly they would have about 95% of the whole sticker sheet left over for use on their complimentary pages and or future projects!!

I thought this little page turned out cute.  Made me think of some of the "power" vacations I took when I was younger where you try to cover a lot of territory and see a lot of rellies before needing to be back to work. (Glad THOSE days are over! LOL) )

Monday is St. Patrick's Day and the day I selected to draw a name for THIS CARD.  Please read how you could be entered in the drawing to win.

Thank you for looking,  Have a great day!

Patti

Supplies:
Patterned Paper  "Ready, Set, Go! - Race Day Fiskars Li'l Davis Designs
Solid papers by Core'dinatiions
Red arrow and "Are we there yet" cut on the Cricut using "Going Places" cartridge
Hand cut Banner
"Caution" tape is Washi tape from JoAnn Etc.
all the rest of the embellishments are stickers from Reminisce called "Road Signs"

Two too special!

CARD DRIVE for Emma!!  Make a card and link up HERE

Please click on this link for details.

You may have seen the post in blog world of a card drive for this little girl. Emma is 7 years old and she and her family are hurting. When we read about situations like this we wish there was something we could do....  Maybe there is : ) Kelly Bertram from Kelly's Place has organized a card drive. She is asking for greeting cards for Emma.  She hopes to collect enough cards to send one each week to Emma for two years!

Here are two cards I have created.  One is for Emma and one is for  my granddaughter, Katelyn who is just barely older than Emma.

The little girl image is actually a paper doll.  I cut out their outfits and colored their hair to match what each girl's hair (sorta) looks like : )

 For two little girls from one big girl : ) I have always loved paper dolls.  I have even collected paper dolls as an adult : ) This "paper Doll! digi set" was created by Mo from Mo's digital Pencil.

 I will be sending these two cards - and sending prayers - asking Jesus to heal Emma and thanking Him for Katelyn's good health.

I will be including an extra little paper doll with her clothes for the girls to enjoy coloring and cutting out. I hope they have as much fun as I had making their cards.

Thank you for looking.  Have a wonderful day!

Patti