Owl Love Nest

A super cute punch art card from me for today with a love theme.  This would make a great card for various occasions or for a loved one just because.  I didn't make mine for any particular occasion, but I had seen various projects using the Hardwood stamp to make a fence and another project with the Owls on and it just inspired me to get my Owl Builder Punch out.

Now, we do have a little googly-eye going on! I am sure it is not beer goggles Mr Owl is wearing, but I like to think he is just all gooey-eyed for Mrs Owl instead!

I forgot how cute the owl builder punch is and with all the pieces there to make these owls, including their waistcoats, their eyes and the hearts - it was super easy to put this card together! 

Another great builder punch used for the card is the Cupcake Builder Punch - I used it on my card for the clouds. All I needed to do was punch the cupcake top in whisper white and then sponge the edges lightly to make them stand out when over-lapped in a cloud formation.

My well used, and well loved, Little Leaves sizzlit die then made the perfect bedding for the Owl couple as they nest on top of the Baked Brown Sugar fencing.  The fencing was created by the Hardwood stamp image just stamped and then cut into 1.5cm strips.

Let's not forget another great addition, the fringe grass cuttings, which I made using the Fringe Scissors. They give an extra dimension to the card and finish the bottom edge off for my woodland scene to be complete.  

The great thing about this card is I used a number of scrap pieces of designer paper and card stock to make it!  The owl pieces are all small pieces which I just punched from small scrappy bits and even the grass was cut from strips I had kept - see, it is reasonable to keep all your scraps in case they may be of use one day. Just make sure you have a builder punch to make use of them!

Now my eyes are starting to feel a little droopy like Mr Owl's so time to post and go find my own nest for the night.

Suzanne

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Happy Easter Banner

Today's a celebration banner for Happy Easter wishes. I have been spying some banner kits in the supermarkets and thinking of getting one as I thought I was just not going to have the time to put one together, but I resisted and here is what I made in about 1 1/2 hours playtime. OK, OK so it was still a little time to make it, but once I started it I was enjoying every minute!

Essential for a quick and easy banner are the Banner Framelits.  I used the largest die for designer paper backgrounds.  This was some of the Subtles collection papers I had left over from the last annual catalogue (2012-1013) so I was so glad I had kept them.  I then just layered them onto cardstock and for quickness I just trimmed round to keep the banner shape.  You could of course make your banners slightly smaller to cut both the layers with the dies - even quicker!

I also used the Circles framelits collection to make the circles round my 'Happy Easter' letttering. I had cut all the lettering with dies too (a retired die set I cannot part with).  That was all the pieces cut out for the main banner within 10 minutes or so.  I am so loving the die collections, it makes it all so easy!

The extra features on the banner are the Bunny tails I made previously (see previous post on the Carrot Chocolate Wraps).  These are made from the Scallop circles punches and the large oval.
Also a few springtime flowers using the Floral Fusion Sizzlit die and the Little Leaves Sizzlit.  I added a centre flower from the Boho Blossom punch and finished with a Daffodil Delight Candy Dot.

The ribbon is leftover from my wedding supply of taffeta Pink Pirouette so it was great to see this put to use again in this lovely Easter pastels project.

The papers are still available, but there have been some small changes to the colour collection in the current catalogue and the designs have varied slightly.  The lettering, as I say was a retired set, but there are alphabet dies in the current catalogue too.  You could even use chipboard or wooden letters if you already have them.

I am really glad I passed on the supermarket banner now and made my own - it is hanging in pride of place ready for some family visitors tomorrow.

Suzanne
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For the banner, I used:
132173 Banners Framelits Dies
130911 Circles Collection Framelits Dies
115969 Floral Fusion Sizzlit Die
114511 Little Leaves Sizzlit
130931 Candy Dots
130135 Designer Paper Stack - Subtles Collection

To place an order, book a workshop in your home or come to a class, just drop me an email at craftyinkbuds@sky.com. Remember you can now order online at anytime too.

Gifting with Spiral Flowers

What wonderful weather we are having!! I have been out and about taking advantage of the weather with my little one so not much time for crafting.  Today, we just about had time to plan in a little trip over to a team member with a lovely wrapped gift for her birthday.

As my card was using the Afternoon picnic papers, I have used these on the gift box too.  Even better, these papers are included in the new Weekly Deals for this week.  There's never a better time to invest in some of these gorgeous quality designer papers.

The label and wraparound are all using the Scallop Tag Punch.  The flowers are of course, the Spiral Flowers Originals Die from the Spring Summer Catalogue. As this is an originals die you can cut mutiple layers of cardstock at once, after all you are going to want more than one of these flowers!

My first efforts at the flowers were not the best and these were a little rushed today too.  I have found the best method for rolling the flowers though is to use a bone folder to help curve the flower piece first.  I then roll it tightly round something like a thin paintbrush (the artist type, not the DIY kind!). This rolls quite a tight roll, but as you then release the flower you can let it spring back out as far or as little as you would like it.  If you add your glue to the last circle first before releasing it you can then secure the flower as it unravels to the desired flower size.

I have added some glimmer to the edges of my flowers with the Dazzling Details and some large pearls in the centres.  The Coastal Cabana ruffled ribbon ties the tag and the wraparound together using the scallop tag punch finish.

What a lovely wrapped gift and I know the recipient will love the contents too.  Tucked inside, a Stampin' Up! die of her very own!

Don't forget to check out this week's weekly deals on my online page here.  Order online for direct delivery to you or you can contact me and I will collate orders for customers local to me.

I must get back to some bunnies and springtime projects for the weekend's planned activities now.......

Suzanne
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Products I used:

131390 Afternoon Picnic Designer Papers
129379 Spiral Flower Originals Die
133324 ScallopedTag Topper Punch

To place an order, book a workshop in your home or come to a class, just drop me an email at craftyinkbuds@sky.com. Remember you can now order online at anytime too.

Easter Bunny Tails

Well it is getting closer to the Easter Bunny paying us a visit, but it seems he may have got stuck in a hole trying to get to these carrots!  A different kind of Easter chocolate shape for this year which is being offered by one of the leading chocolatiers.  I saw them and just had to buy them to try and make something with them.  

I have used the Scallop Tag Topper Punch for the wrap around and a second piece inside to make a base for the carrot 'umbrellas' to sit in.

If you would like to make you own, I took a picture of the measurements and templates for you.

As you can see the strip used for the Scallop Tag Topper punch is one piece and folded.  I have then punched with a Large Oval (119855) over the hole of the tag top.  The second piece is a simple open box shape which I have cut the tabs at angles to keep them tidy when it is glued together.  The small 1/2" hole (119869) is then punch whilst one side of the box is folded under so that it can be lined up in the centre.  It doesn't matter about the hole on the box side as this is hidden from view when it comes together.

I used the Hardwood (133032) background stamp for both pieces.  I love this background and can already think of future projects for it, especially masculine themed cards!

Now for my little Thumper's bunny tails.  These are several punched pieces put together.  There are a few variations online as to which punches can be used.  I have used other punches to make a complete bunny previously, but this one is made up of my trusty 1-3/4" Scallop Circle (119854), 7/8" Scallop Circle and the smallest flower from the Boho Blossom Builder Punch (119858).  Thumper's feet are made just using the Large Oval again.  I trimmed the pink one (Pink Pirouette) down to layer these up.

Now the 'Happy Easter' on this one is from the Delightful Dozen set, but as I wanted to make a banner shape and this sentiment has a bit of a flourish to it, I used a marker pen and just inked the outline of the letters.  Oh, and the ribbon bow is a little Pumpkin pie left over from Halloween, how perfect!

I am going to hop along now until next time......

Suzanne
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To place an order, book a workshop in your home or come to a class, just drop me an email at craftyinkbuds@sky.com. Remember you can now order online at anytime too.

Ordering online: If you are on my blog web page then to Shop Online the link is just at the top (click on the image under 'Shop with me now').  If you are reading this from an email sent to you from the Blog page, you will need to first go to the blog web address. Just click on the link to 'CraftyInkBuds' from the text at the bottom of the email 'You are subscribed to email updates from Crafty Ink Buds' and then follow as above.

Springtime Sunshine, Petals and Butterflies

A bit later than promised as I just had to tell you about the Weekly Deals being offered by Stampin' Up! throughout April first, but here is the card layout that I was playing with previously.  Now the sunshine is with us it is the perfect time to be out enjoying the sunshine.  Pack a picnic, take a rug and find your spot to sit and enjoy nature in all it's glory!

This card is one I made with a group of lovely ladies this week and they loved the colour combinations of the Elegant Eggplant, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, and Pear Pizzaz. 

The designer papers used for the card were the Afternoon Picnic from the main catalogue.  These papers have a selection of patterns to play with; five-sided hex's, chevrons and circles.  All of these shapes are featured with the other co-ordinated products, punches and Big Shot framlits.

I started our card with a base of cardstock measuring 13.5cm x 27cm to make a finished card 13.5cm square.  The card base is then easily made by creating a diagonal fold on the top of the card and it is the decorative label mounted on the dimensional foam pads which then holds the card in position when opened.  The fold line was started from the top left down to the bottom right for the diagonal.  Once we had figured out the fold the right way, the ladies were off to a great start!

For our card, I layered up the designer paper with Petite Petals and Papillion Potpourri punched images for a beautiful celebration of spring.  See also the Label Love sentiment and Artisan Label also on there for the greeting.

I loved the colours, patterns and the Springtime theme of this one, I hope you do too.

Suzanne

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Products I used:

Punches/Dies -

130920 Artisan Label

120907 Decorative Label

133322 Petite Petals

*** Bundle Offer *** Buy the Petite Petals Stamps and punch for a saving of 15% 134821 Petite Petals Bundle

127526 Elegant Butterfly

129406 Bitty Butterfly

Stamps -

132058 Papillon Potpourri

Petite Petals 

Paper/Card - 

131390 Afternoon Picnic Designer Paper 

108614 Elegant Eggplant

106550 Very Vanilla

Colours -

Elegant Eggplant

Coastal Cabana

Daffodil Delight

Pear Pizzaz

NB: The Afernoon Picnic colours vary slightly from the selection I have used.

To place an order, book a workshop in your home or come to a class, just drop me an email at craftyinkbuds@sky.com. Remember you can now order online at anytime too.

Weekly Deals

New for April ....Weekly Deals!!!!

Stampin’ Up! have announced that for April we will be getting weekly deals, great news! These are time limited deals, of a small number of products each week at reduced prices.  To order these, you can place an order direct on my online store by just clicking on the button on the top right of this website (click on 'Shop with me Now'), or you alternatively you can email me or call me to place an order.

The deals for this week until Tuesday 15th April are

The offers finish at 10.50pm on each Tuesday.   From 11pm onwards there will be a new weekly deal.

Easter Woodgrain Basket Weave

Good Morning and it's an early post from me today to bring a basket of Easter goodies.  Shame these are not all chocolate eggs!  I saw this weave technique someone else had used and immediately thought of the Woodgrain background stamp and making a wooden basket from it.  Having started it earlier today I cannot believe how easy it was.

For my basket I took a piece of crumb cake the size I wanted my basket to be and then stamped it in Soft Suede ink with the Woodgrain background stamp.  This is one of the background stamps which are so useful as they are an instant card front, but can also be used for accent elements.  I trimmed my woodgrain image down in strips of 1.5cm each to match the panel of lines on the image.  I then stamped a second piece of crumb cake cardstock and made this into thinner strips of 1cm each.  I used a sponge dauber to give the edges of the wood strips a little more definition and I think it makes them look more realistic.

Now to create the weave.  I laid the 1.5cm strips down horizontally and then alternately fed the 1cm strips vertically into them over and under each 1.5cm I came to.  As I did this I re-adjusted the 1.5cm horizontal strips to keep them together if they were disturbed.  I started the next 1cm strip the opposite of the previous, i.e. over first or under first the 1.5cm strip. If adjusted each time to keep the strips tighter I found after the first couple of vertical strips it started to hold together.  All done, this gave me the woven basket.  I folded the ends of my strips round the card edge and stuck them down and covered them and the ends of the ribbon wrap with another woodgrain stamped panel.

Now, can you see the green grass fringe poking through the top of the basket?  How easy is fringe cutting when you have the Fringe Scissors?  These are a new addition in the Spring/Summer catalogue and they make easy work of fringing.  You can make grass of course with these, perfect for springtime projects, but you could also make flowers by rolling the fringes, or even just a decorative border.

I nearly forgot the eggs!  There's no egg shape punch for these, just the Extra Large Oval Punch. The papers I have used for mine are the Afternoon Picnic designer papers. Now I have to admit, since taking the photo I have added a pearl to the centre egg, I just could not resist!

The 'Happy Easter'?  Well what stamp set have I been saying is useful for just about most occasions through the year?  Have you been paying attention?  It's the Delightful Dozen stamp set!  I've lost count of the times I have used this for my projects this year by now.  I have made a custom tag by cutting the sentiment down and then feeding the strip centrally into the Scallop Tag Punch to make the label end and hole.  I then rounded the corners at the end of the tag with the Corner Punch.

I have another project all ready to show you so make sure you come back to check on the details for that one too.  I have been playing with card layouts.

For my Easter card I used:

128763 Woodgrain (stamp)
131390 Afternoon picnic
133325 Fringe Scissors
128547 Delightful Dozen (stamps)
119859 Extra Large Oval Punch
119871 Corner Punch
133324 Scallop Tag Punch
121685 Crumb Cake A4 Cardstock
106550 Very Vanilla A4 Cardstock
131290 Pear Pizzazz A4 Cardstock
122981 Taffeta Ribbon - Pink Pirouette
126969 Elegant Eggplant Classic Ink Pad

Hope you like my Easter basket, I think there may still need to be some Easter bunnies or chicks coming soon though...........

Suzanne
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To place an order, book a workshop in your home or come to a class, just drop me an email at craftyinkbuds@sky.com. Remember you can now order online at anytime too.