Making Easter Cards {the easy way}

I had something of a card-making binge last night. I cranked all twelve of these out in about two hours using stuff I already had in my craft supply stash.

All you need is: 1. notecards 2. paper 3. cardstock 4. adhesive 5. stamps and ink 6. embellishments 7. scissors and/or a paper trimmer.



I had a pack of 16 notecards that I got for less than $4 on clearance at Target recently. They were cute enough on their own but when I decided that I wanted to send some Easter cards out {on time!}, I knew I could jazz them up.

Here's what I did...and YOU can do it, too, and probably with supplies you already have at home!

1. Grab some blank notecards. They can even be thank-yous or birthday cards--and you can just cover up the sentiment with paper!



2. Find some coordinating paper and card stock. Use the paper in your scrap pile--you might be surprised by the combinations you can dream up! {like the one below} I let the hints of orange and hot pink dictate the paper and flowers I used. Funky!



2. Cut and attach some coordinating paper to the card to add dimension and interest. I usually just do a 1-2" strip down the middle like the striped paper, below. Brown for an Easter card, who-da thunk it??



3.Stamp your sentiment onto cardstock. I like to ink the edges, too. Then layer it on more card stock or just attach it right to the paper.



4. Add an embellishment in coordinating colors. I used butterflies {like the one above} and flowers for a springy touch.


{I happen to love the green/turquoise/cobalt blue color combination above}

Then just add a sticker or another stamp inside if you want to, write your sentiment and you're done!

LOVELY!



So much better than a mass-produced card and WAY more affordable!

I hope the recipients enjoy getting them as much as I enjoyed making them!

Where the magic happens

I looooove to see other ladies' craft spaces, whether it's the kitchen table, the corner of a room or an entire basement! It's fun to see how people organize their STUFF and where they work. It's always so inspirational!

So! For anyone who is curious....here's a tour of MINE!

{P.S. For anyone who loves to know paint colors, the turquoise is Glidden's "True Turquoise." I think it's perfect for a creative space! The orange is Glidden's "Orange Slice" and the green table was spray painted "Apple Green."}

I occupy a bedroom at the end of our hall that previously belonged to my sister-in-law, who lived with us for over six years (almost my whole married life). When she moved out, I was eager to transform this room into MY creative space. Granted, I often end up working at the kitchen table, BUT...I do love to go in here, close the door, crank up some tunes and "get my craft on."

My dad painted it for me and my husband moved in the furniture, put up the shelves and built shelves in the closet. Now it's soooo organized and a pleasure to work in. My family all gravitate toward this room, too....I think it's just a FUN place to be!

OK. Here's the view from the door. It also serves as a guest room when my mom spends the night. The futon is nice for a friend to nurse her baby, for someone to sit and flip through one of my idea books or just a nice place to relax.



My boys usually join me when I'm working, so I added an easel for them. Plus I always have paper, crayons and kid stamps at the ready.



Here's looking back at the door. I love having a bulletin board to post my calendar, inspirational tidbits or reminders.



Here's my work space. The table was given to me by a friend (when I just came right out and asked her for it!) but was a shabby chic white. I thought I should jazz it up a little! I love it!

Items of note: the IKEA jewelry tree I use for ribbon...the IKEA tray I use for an even stamping surface...



...my decorative file folders (in "Cosmo")...the mail sorter I use for my pretty papers...and my Ott-Lite lamp.



My friend Jen gave me the fabric owl bin.



I ended up corralling my stuff in this cute Southern Living At HOME basket. It limits me as to what I can keep out on my table!!



And here's my best stamps organizing secret: school supply boxes. Most of these were less than $1 and stack nicely. I label them with a paint pen. I also can't get enough of the stacking drawers for ribbon scraps, glitter and a million other things.



I hope you enjoyed the tour!

Flip Flop card tutorial

It's about time I did a card-making tutorial, eh??

I'm addicted to these flip flop cards because there are a million fun things you can do to embellish them and you can use them as cards or invitations for virtually any occasion.

My five-year-old crafting buddy made these. Well, she chose all the "ingredients" and assembled them--I did the tracing and cutting.



Here's another variation....

I printed invitation info. four to a page in Word and used that for the top layer for these. Adorable!!



The flowers are just paper embellishments with a little bling.



First you need to print the template out on cardstock and cut them out.

Materials:
paper
cardstock
glue
flower embellishment
ribbon
scissors

{For these to be sturdy, I prefer card stock for the bottom layer but you can certainly use regular paper, then just add card stock onto the back for durability.}

Using your template, trace and cut the smaller shape out of a solid color IF you want to write on the front. Cut the larger shape out of pretty paper. If the back will be solid, feel free to use two prints for the front.

Before adhering the layers together, cut ribbon for the straps and adhere to the smaller (top) layer. I stapled mine at the top then glued them to the back.

If you prefer to use a silk flower and brad, adhere that during this step, too, so the brad will be hidden between the layers.

Adhere the layers together. If you're using a paper flower, adhere it now.

Viola!!

{notice the ends of the ribbon and the brad are hidden between the layers)



If you use a solid for the top layer, you can stamp a sentiment.



For a folded card, trace the larger flip flop on at the edge then cut. Add embellishments. You could do a double layer on the front, of course. You can use virtually any note card for this but one with a cute print is, naturally, ideal.

I used madras plaid note cards for this one.



Do a search on "flip flop card template" for a gazillion other ideas and templates. The possibilities are endless!

Use them for pool party invitations, birthday invites or just as a thinking of you card. They are so charming! Would also be a fun craft for girls. They love picking out their paper and do-dads.

Have fun!!

NEW for Spring!

My heart always skips a beat when I go down the paper aisle at my favorite craft store to find a set of cute, NEW paper!!

This is my current obsession, it's called "Poteeka Birds" and "Poteeka Butterflies." The colors are divine!

I did a set of four folders...



...and a set of four jumbo marble magnets.



I'm lovin' this paper, too, called "Maya." File folders...



...and marble magnets.



I also whipped up this black fabric flower. So cool to wear in your hair or on your jacket! I picture it worn at night for a fun evening out.



All brand new in
my Etsy shop.

What are YOU working on for Spring??

Organizing paperwork with clipboards

I loved this idea from my recent "Parents" magazine. To corral every one's paperwork, use decorative clipboards! They adhered paper to fit then added chipboard letters to spell each name. You can attach invitation, receipts, reminders, etc.



Here's the one I made for me, using a junky old clipboard I had sitting around. I also attached a pen and hung it next to our family calendar.





Drew's will be next {but more manly, of course}!

Paper flower tutorial

By Dozi Design

Nope, these paper flowers were not my idea.

But I love them!!!

These would be fun for a variety of Valentine's Day craft projects!



Here's a link to

The Tutorial

I used double-sided paper cut into 4x4 squares. The polka dot paper is Valentine's Day, the other two are Amy Butler. I used a dab of hot glue to secure it underneath so it wouldn't unravel. I love how each one turned out slightly different! An imperfect spiral actually makes the flower more interesting! It will be fun to experiment with larger squares.



Here's how I used one of them. Any other ideas???

Coming soon!!

I'm excitedly improving my Etsy shop in 2010! I already added a Valentine's Day banner and avatar that I loooove.

And here are my newest papers to use for my decorative file folders!!

Mosaix



Wedding



Loooooooooove and Valentine's Day



Simply Sophie



Delightful



Petal Pop



Eye Candy



Cheery



Cute Pink



Look for them in
The Shop soon!