A 'Freedom' Start Effect Card

 

In going through my usual strolls on Pinterest I came upon this unusual, yet eye-catching card design. From what I've seen, it's called a 'Star Effect Card'. It's a standing card that can be displayed on a desk or shelf & has a 'star' design which is where I'm assuming it got it's name from.

Card is available for sale in my Etsy shop--The Midnight Kraft Desk.  Feel free to visit if interested.

I've used papers from Authentique's 'Freedom' collection to make the card.

This card was made for Authentique to commemorate Memorial day; however the design of this card would fit in nicely with the upcoming 4th of July holiday as well.  I followed a really great tutorial I found on YouTube for making the card. You can find the tutorial here.

Card measures approximately 5" x 5" inches when standing & can fold flat. It fits into a 6" x 6" inch envelope for mailing.

 

Memorial Day is a time to reflect & be thankful for all the men & women that sacrificed so much for this country. Being a second generation immigrant; I feel nothing but grateful for what this country has given me. Thanks to the opportunities this country offers, I've been able to become the first person in my family to earn a college degree. Not only do I have a Bachelors degree but pursued my education further & I also have a Masters. These opportunities would've exist if it weren't for all those men & women that fought for our freedom.

My parents who are first generation immigrants are now American citizens & they often tell me how even though it wasn't easy for them; they're still grateful for being able to work & earn a living. They became more than what they imagined they could be when they made the decision to relocate back in the early 70's.

 

The two pieces that criss cross in the front of the card can be removed--so one can write a sentiment inside the card if desired.

 

I opted to add a very small pocket inside the card where one can write a small sentiment. 

Supplies: Paper - Authentique, Other - Mini Gold Pocket

Lil' Pirate Card With Matching Card Box Envelope

Hello again!  Today I'm sharing a card I made showcasing Authentique's 'Anchored' collection alongside dies by Top Dog Dies.  I created this card during a cross promo event that Authentique had with Top Dog Dies a few weeks ago. 

The paper is a mixture of reds, whites & blues which can not only be used for nautical themed projects but for patriotic themed projects as well.  I decided to go with a nautical themed card where I also got the chance to use one of these cute little 'pirate' stamp images that I have in my collection.  :-)

The majority of my cards are created with lots of dimension--so they do not fit in regular sized envelopes.  So lately, I've been creating coordinating card 'boxes' to house my cards.  As you can see, I created a matching card box envelope--my card fits perfectly inside this box which measures approximately 6" x 6" inches & about 1" inch in height.

The base of the card was created by a Top Dog Die (Circle Mini Album Die).  The die is meant to cut out mini album covers but I've used it as the base of my card.  I folded a piece of card stock in half & ran it through my Big Shot along with the die--I just didn't cut one edge of the die completely out & this created the base for my card.

This cute little pirate is a stamp that I've stamped onto a piece of acetate/transparency.  I wanted my little pirate on the cover of this card but I didn't want him to block any of the designs seen on the background of the card--so I made him transparent.  All I did was highlight certain areas of him with Star Dust Stickles to dress him up a bit.

My flower cluster is composed of Petaloo flowers & the burlap flower is one from my own stash.  Actually I found these at my local Michaels.

Both doilies seen peeking out behind all my layering and this little blue bottle die cut were all made with Top Dog Dies (Cherish Doiles & Tags, Bottles #1 Set) .  That bottle die was just too cute--what a great element to tuck into clusters!

Here's my card being stored away nicely in it's coordinating box envelope! 

Supplies: Paper - Authentique, Flowers - Petaloo, Dies - Top Dog Dies, Stamp - Stamp Enjoy, Other - Burlap Flower, Spiral Clip, Flat Back Pearls

Thanks for stopping by & enjoy the rest of the week!

Pop Up Easter Card

With Easter just around the corner, I thought I'd share this Easter themed card that I made for Authentique.  I used papers from their 'Promise' collection which is full of Easter themed images & is composed of colors in orange, green, blue & pink tones.

Pop up cards have been around for a very long time.  In fact a few months ago my mom was going through a couple of keepsakes she has from my grammar school days & amongst them was a pop up card that I made during art class.  This brought back memories & decided that it was time to bring back an 'oldie but goodie'.  These are fairly easy to make & add a nice dimensional touch.

 That cute little bunny is a die that I've had in my stash for many years now.  It's by Boss Kut & it's a paper piecing type of die since it cuts out all the different pieces of the bunny & you have to assemble him together.

 I'm always keeping the end user in mind so I provided an area for the sender to write a sentiment to whomever this card will be given to.

 On the cover of the card I have a few flowers, burlap ribbon, a sentiment & little Easter eggs that I fussy cut from one of the sticker elements found in the 'Promise' collection.

To add a bit more glam to my background, I randomly added Stickles to a few of the dots of my background paper.

The apple green organza ribbon star flower seen here is an item from my stash.  I have a few of these in a variety of colors available in my Etsy shop.  Feel free to check it out here if interested. 

Supplies: Paper - Authentique, Sticker Elements - Authentique, Flowers - I Am Roses, Kay's Kreative Korner, Ribbon - May Arts, Die - Boss Kut

Thanks for stopping by & enjoy the rest of the week!

Live Simply. Love Much.

Hello again fellow crafters!  Greetings from a very snowed in Wednesday.  Here in the East Coast we just got about a foot of snow or so--it's a winter wonderland outside my window.  Beautiful to look at but not very pleasant to have to drive in. 

So with Christmas barely over--out come the projects for the next holiday on the way which is Valentine's Day.  :-)

Today I'm sharing a project I made for Authentique.  I've used their 'Smitten' collection for this one which is in shades of pink, reds & browns.  These papers are just right for any Love themed or Valentine's Day project.

I've once again created some sort of hybrid project.  This one is a cross between a card & a tag.  It has a sleeve with a diagonal pocket that holds the tag in place & the tag can be pulled out of the sleeve.

The stamped image is by Elisabeth Bell.  I cut the image out and voted against coloring it in.  I felt it would stand out more against the bright red heart if I left it as is.  I just highlighted all of the hearts in red and added a few details to the image with Star Dust Stickles.  The large heart in between the couple I colored in red and added Glossy Accents to it.  So in person it has a very shiny, almost epoxy look.

The organza pink flower seen here is an item from my own stash.  I have a few of these flowers in different colors up for sale in my Etsy shop.  If interested, feel free to see them here. 

These white organza flowers are also part of my stash & I have several of these in my Etsy shop as well in a variety of colors.  These flowers are great for filling in floral clusters.

All the paper embellishments seen on this tag are stickers from the 'Smitten' collection.

This is why this tag also serves as a card.  Behind the tag I created a pocket from one of the 'Smitten' elements.  Inside the pocket I tucked in a white blank piece of card stock.  Here one can write a sentiment for that special someone.

As always a big thank you for stopping by...to all those going through this cold weather--stay safe & warm.  Enjoy the rest of the week!

Sweetness Easel Card With Two Drawers

Good afternoon fellow scrappers!  So I wake up today to find snow flurries slowly coming down.  What happened to Autumn I ask!?  It's like we skipped right over it.  Tsk, tsk, tsk...I'm also going into the stores & all I hear is Christmas songs...EEEEKKK...talk about rushing the end of the year!  Whatever happened to just taking time to smell the flowers?  Hmmmm...

Today I bring you a 'sweet' easel card.  This was my very first time creating an easel card.  After browsing Pinterest and seeing how basic easel cards had evolved, I decided to make a more intricate version of an easel card & created one with drawers.  It took me some time to create this--but I got the drawers to work & they actually slide in & out like an actual little dresser!  :-)  Gotta admit I enjoyed making this one.

I've made a tutorial on how I created this easel card.  If interested, feel free to check it out here.

I've used papers from Authentique's 'Sweetness' collection in collaboration with card stock from Core'dinations Whitewash collection which I have dry embossed & sanded down to show off the embossed design.

Here's a top view of the easel card.  The card itself measures about 4" x 6" inches with one drawer measuring 4" x 4" inches & the other measuring 2" x 4" inches.  I've used brads for the drawer knobs.

The digital image is by Tiddly Inks.  She's one of my favorite characters; Wryn.  This image was perfect for the overall theme of this easel card.  I've used the Lacey Ovals die by Spellbinders to frame her along with a string of light pink pearls.

Both the white butterfly & the organza pink start flower shown on the cover are items that are currently available in my Etsy shop.  If interested, you can visit my shop here. 

Those spots & splatters of white that you see on the embossed whitewash card stock is Chunky Embossing Powder in White by Stampendous.  I'm really liking the effect this chunky embossing powder gives.

With such an intricate card there really wasn't a place to write a message for the recipient.  So I created this mini pocket and adhered it to the back of the easel card.  It holds a single piece of white card stock.  Here you can hand write a sentiment or message for whomever will receive this card.

As for some news--I've recently opened up a second Etsy shop called The Kraft Nook. Nook, Korner, Niche...all synonyms really!  Just me playing with different words to achieve a similar meaning & to connect my two shops in some way.  The Kraft Nook will house any & all ready-to-ship items that I have up for grabs.  This shop will consist of just about everything & anything that I can come up with--cards, altered boxes, mini albums, canvases, wreaths, altered picture frames...it's really limitless.  I barely have three items listed so far--but I plan on adding items as I create them.

This easel card was recently listed in my new shop.  You can find it here if interested.

Thanks for stopping by & enjoy the rest of the week!

Thinking of You Criss Cross Card Tutorial

 Good morning fellow scrappers!  Hmmmm, seems like almost a whole month has flown by & I've been a bit quiet.  Well, you can blame work for that.  I've been a bit swamped since I went back.  I've made it a point to keep my sanity by taking the time to scrap here n' there--I just haven't had the chance to post any of it!  So, to start myself off here's a DT card I've made for Authentique.  I've used their lovely papers from the 'Remembrance' collection. I've decided to go with a non-traditional card & opted for what is called a 'criss cross' card. 

'Remembrance' is one of Authentique's petite collections full of beautiful papers in shades of deep purple & olive greens with elegant patterns and sentiments of sympathy, thoughtfulness, and good memories.  These papers can be used for sympathy cards, to honor memories of loved ones who has since left us or to pay tribute to a dear family member or friend.

There are several tutorials and how to's on the internet on how you can make your own criss cross card.  I simply decided to add to this collection of tutorials with my own version.  What I like about the criss cross card is that it's essentially one large pocket that you can embellish as desired with a sentiment that easily slides in & out of the card.  It's not a complex card to make if you wish to go with a slightly different sort of card.

Here is what the inside sentiment of the card looks like.

Following are a couple of close ups.

Now onto the tutorial...

Send It Clear Christmas Card

Good morning fellow scrappers! Today I bring you an acrylic card by Clear Scraps.  I finally found the opportunity to play with one of their Send It Clear cards & I have to say that I really enjoyed the versatility these transparent cards provide.

As the base of my card, I used the Deco Send It Clear Card. To add visual interest to the cover of my card I added a variety of elements such as Stickles, tinsel ribbon, acrylic beads, flowers, a doily, paper etc.

The paper doily you see peeking out from behind the large green fabric flower is actually adhered to the inside of the card.  This is where you would write your sentiment.  However, since this is an acrylic card--it peeks through and gives the impression of being tucked behind the large flower.  That's the beauty of acrylic!

This lovely large green fabric flower I bought from an Etsy shop called Funtoolas.  This little shop carries several lovely fabric & silk flowers in addition to coordinated scrapbook kits & other smaller embellishments.

The poinsettia, beaded flower and small white fabric floral spray are from my stash.  The mulberry paper white flat flower is by Manor House Creations.

You can see in this screen shot that I highlighted the edges of the cover with dots of Stickles.  On the right side I used Xmas Red Stickles & on the left side I used Silver Stickles.

I tucked a brad underneath the green & white flowers.  The clear flower gem cabochon I bought from yet another Etsy shop called Oh What Fun.  I found this little shop to be fun indeed with tons of cabochons to pick & choose from!

TIP: I highlighted the border in the inside of my card with a bit of Diamond Dust.  This gives the border a bit of a snow/tinseled look.  I followed the same steps as seen in my Snowy Tinseled Frame Tutorial.  Except here--there was only one simple step.  Just adhere your double sided tape along the edges--peel off the liner & then apply your Diamond Dust & you're done!

Here's the card with only the left side open--can't get enough of those transparent effects!

Here's the card with the right side open only.

Finally, here's the card fully opened.

I hope this inspired some of you to play with acrylic cards--they really do make for very unique & innovative cards.

Have a great rest of the week!

Clear Scraps Projects

Good evening fellow scrappers!  Today I thought I'd share some of the projects I've made in the past where I've used Clear Scraps products.  I've loved the concept of acrylic for a long time now.  At first, acrylic may be a bit intimidating since it's see through--but after a bit of experimenting I found that it's this clear nature that makes acrylic such a great product for scrap booking or card making!

You can apply paint on it, dry emboss it (you can even heat emboss it with a bit of patience), apply alcohol inks to it, punch holes through it with your crop-a-dile, stamp on it etc...

My first project is actually a new, never before seen criss cross card.  I used a scallop acrylic circle by Clear Scraps on this card.  I inked it with alcohol inks and dry embossed it.  Finally, I wrapped a bit of string around it.

A close up of the chippie brick wall.  This chipboard is by Dusty Attic.  You can find a tutorial here on how I give the brick wall it's texture.

Here you can see a better look at the acrylic and the effects/texture the embossing & alcohol inks gave it.

A close up of my little flower cluster.  I tucked a bit of pink tulle from underneath my flowers

The image is a stamp by Kenny K called "Queens Cutie".  I colored her in with Prismacolor Pencils.  I wish I was better at coloring.  I honestly do my own thing when it comes to coloring images.  I was actually experimenting with a new coloring method with this image & I ended up with a light/pastel sorta coloring.  I liked it though!  As usual I dressed up my image a bit more by highlighting parts of her hair and outfit with Star Dust stickles.

On this next layout I used an XL heart shape by Clear Scraps in the background.  I once again used alcohol inks on the edges.  Since the heart is see through you can see some of my splatter stamping right through the heart. I also used my crop-a-dile and punched a few holes underneath my photo where I strung a bit of black tulle through.  Finally I randomly added a bit of stickles along the hearts edge & also added some eyelets.  You can find more close ups & details on this page here.

For this page I used yet another XL shape by Clear Scraps.  This one is a large scallop circle.  For this one I applied a bit of molding paste on the edges & sprinkled some Mahogany Distress embossing powder on it. I then very carefully heat embossed it.

As mentioned before, you actually can heat emboss acrylic...but you have to do it with patience.  If you just hit your acrylic directly and too close with the heat gun--the acrylic with warp & twist.  So you heat emboss it a little at a time and from a good enough distance where it doesn't really warp the acrylic but does manage to emboss.  It may take a little time & practice--but the results are really worth it!  You can find more details & close ups on this layout here.

Finally I have this really cute mini owl album.  The entire album is made from acrylic and is also by Clear Scraps.  This lil' guy measures approximately 3" inches in height!

As you can see from the various photos...I did a couple of things here.  I adhered paper directly onto the acrylic, I embossed some of the acrylic, I applied some alcohol ink, I punched holes and thread ribbon through it & I applied stickles along the edges.  I really love how this little keepsake album came out!  You can find more photos, details & how to's on this mini album here.

I hope these projects motivate some of you to experiment with acrylic!  It truly is a versatile product!  Enjoy the rest of the week...