AECP Level 3 - Cards in Motion

Hey there, friends!

I just finished my second AECP Level 3 class, Cards in Motion, which focused on cards with movement.  The class was a lot of fun!  The most popular type of such a card seems to be the shaker card,  where there is a window with some form of filling inside that moves and makes noise when you shake the card.  I like shaker cards but usually associate them more with cards for kids, which is why the shaker card that I made for the class was to welcome a new baby.  Other popular types include spinners and pop-ups.  I made one of each of them as well.  My favorite type is definitely the pop-up card, and I think that the Altenew set that I used for mine worked perfectly.

Card 1 - Welcome Baby Shaker Card

As I previously mentioned, I usually associate shaker cards with cards for kids.  I know that there are plenty of adults who enjoy them and would likely disagree with me!  That said, I knew that the shaker that I made would have a children’s theme, and what better theme than one of welcoming a new bundle of joy?  Altenew’s Baby Shower stamp set was the perfect choice for this.  My design included two circular shaker windows - one large and one small - in which the characters are stamped.  It’s a pretty clean and simple design overall and, in this case, I think less is more.

Here’s what I used to make it:

• Altenew Baby Shower Stamp
  
• Alcohol Markers
• Glitter Gel Pens
• A mix of colored sequins that I had on hand (not sure of the brand)
• Concord & 9th Yellow Enamel Dots

Here’s how I made it:

• Cut a 4”x5.25” yellow card panel and adhered it to an A2 white card base.
• Cut two  3.75”x5” white card panels; on one panel, used two nested circle dies, one smaller than the other, and cut circles in the upper left hand and lower right hand corners of the panel,; stanped balloons and strings in the other two corners; colored the balloons with alcohol markers; stamped the sentiment with embossing ink, and heat embossed it with black embossing powder.
• Using the panel with the two circles cut from it, aligned the other white panel behind it, decided on best placement of stamped images inside of each circle (I wanted two characters in each); stamped the characters, colored them with alcohol markers and glitter gels pens.
• Cut a 3.75”x5” piece of acetate and glued it to the back of the panel with the circles cut out.
• Mounted double sided foam tape on the backside of the panel with the circles cut out: put tape around the circles and pieces of tape around the sides of the panel.
• Put some of the sequins on top of the stamped images and then adhered the panel with the double sided foam tape on top of that panel.
• Adhered the combined card panel to the card base with double sided tape and added three yellow enamel dots with glue.

This is such a cute and fun card, and it’s certain to make the mom who receives it smile!

Card 2 - Thinking of You Spinner Card

I really wanted to attempt a spinner card with a rotating wreath on it after watching the class video.  I thought it would be a really pretty and fun way to add motion to a card for an adult.  I looked through my stash of Altenew products and new that the Blooms of Friendship Stamp and Die set would be the perfect choice for it.

Here’s what I used to make it:

• Altenew Blooms of Friendship Outline Stamp and Die Set (received in a kit for another class)
• Altenew Trellis Stencil
  
• Altenew Vanilla Cream and Hazelnut Crisp Dye Inks
• Altenew Crystal Clear Gem Sparkles
• Alcohol markers
• Nuvo Shimmer Glitter Gloss Pen

Here’s how I made it:

• Cut a 4”x5.25” white card panel and stenciled it with the Trellis stencil in an ombre pattern using Hazelnut and Vanilla Cream inks; adhered the panel to an A2 white card base with double sided tape.
• Stamped selected florals on a heavy white card stockand colored them with alcohol markers; cut them out with the coordinating dies.  Note that you want to use a heavier card stock for this since you will be grasping itmor tugging at it to make it spin.  You don’t want to use a lightweight card stock that could easily rip.
• Determined the best size of nesting circle dies to use for the spinner mechanism (based on size of card panel and how many floral images I plan to use).  I chose one that I thought would work the best and then the next size down from it.  I then cut four rings with the dies from a heavyweight card stock.
• Adhered one ring onto the stenciled card panel with craft glue.  Lined the inside of the ring with double sided foam tape strips.  I suggest using a thick foam tape to ensure that the wreath easily glides around it.  You may also double up the strips if they are thinner.
• Arranged floral die cuts around a ring with craft glue; adhered the other two rings to the back of it using craft glue.
• Placed the floral wreath around the double sided foam tape on the card base and ensured that it’s a good fit; once happy with the fit, placed pieces of double sided foam tape (three or four cut squares that will fit) inside of the center of the circle.
• Determined the appopriate size of circle to put in the center of the wreath and cut one out of a piece of scrap paper.  I chose to use cream based on my color palette.  Stamped the sentiment onto the circle.
• Placed the circle onto the double sided foam tape in the center of the wreath.  Turned the wreath to make sure that it spins correctly.
• Painted flowers with the Nuvo shimmer pennand adhered gems.

The result is a beautiful floral wreath card that has the added benefit of spinning around.  The florals are so pretty and the spinning adds a touch of whimsy to it.  Who wouldn’t enjoy that?!?

Card Three - Love You Pop Up

I love a good pop up card!  They’re so fun and add an element of surprise when you open it.  I have to admit that I actually planned this card around a certain stamp and die set.  I purchased the set well after choosing this course for Level 3 and knew that I would use it as one of my cards.  This set just screams pop up card to me!

Here’s what I used:

• Craft Your Life Project Kit: Loving You
  
• Alcohol markers
• Nuvo Shimmer Glitter Gloss Pen
• Rabbit Hole Designs White Enamel Dots

Here’s how I made it:

• Cut a 4”x5.25” light blue card panel and embossed it with the Loving You Embossing Folder; adhered it to an A2 white card base; colored the flowers with the Nuvo Shimmer Pen.
• Stamped the Love and You stamps onto white card stock with black ink; colored the images with alcohol markers; cut them out with coordinating dies.
• Took a second A2 card base and cut the pop up mechanism along the spine.  I measured a quarter inch on each side of the midpoint of the spine and then made cuts with my scissors.
• Pushed the cut pop up mechanism forward so that it was sticking out from the card base; adhered double sided tape to the base and inserted it into the first card base.
• Placed double sided foam tape on the back of the Love die cut and adhered it to the front of the card.  I decided to place it at an angle for a touch of whimsy.
• Glued the You die cut to the pop up mechanism on the inside of the card.
• Cut a piece of pink card stock to fit on the inside of the card below the You pop up and adhered it down with double sided tape.  This step is completely optional - only did it add a little more color to the inside.
• Glued three white enamel dots to the front of the card.

I absolutely adore this card!  I think it’s really beautiful and a truly fun way to let someone know how you feel.

That’s it for Cards in Motion!  Three fun cards that all have some form of movement to them. I haven’t done a lot of cards like this previously . . . .but see more in my future!

Thanks for spending some time with me here on Paper Play.  Stay tuned for a post on another course soon!

Until next time . . . be well!

Gecko Galz May 2024 Gothic Challenge

Hello, friends!

Thanks for coming back to Paper Play.  This post is my submission to the May 2024 Gecko Galz Gothic Challenge.  I had to create something featuring this stunning image of a young woman sitting amongst a bunch of skulls.  My vision for this is that this young woman was in Paris and visited the Catacombs to spend time with her deceased loved ones.  She missed them dearly and her visits were the only thing that provided her comfort.  As the sentiment reads, “ There is no beauty without some strangeness.”

I made the brick archways and wall with a mould and foam clay.  After drying, I colored them with inks.  I mounted the picture behind an arch using double sided foam tape, adhered foam tape to the remainder of the back of the wall, and stuck it down to a 5”x7” black card base.  I adorned it with some black lace ribbon at the top and bottom, added paper flowers and gems into the other arch, added a foam skull (previously made with foam clay and a mould), the gold plaque (made of paper), and the sentiment.

I hope that you enjoy it!  Please be sure to let me know what you think of it in the comments.

Until next time . . . be well!

BPM/IBFS - Stained Glass Flowers

Hi there, friends!

Welcome back to Paper Play.  You know the old adage "April showers bring May flowers"?  Well, it's certainly true in regards to this card design.  It's May and flowers are blooming, trees are growing new green leaves, and my allergies are at a peak!  I do, despite my allergies, like the Spring and all of the beauty that it brings.  I wanted to capture that in my first project for the month and my thoughts immediately turned to the gorgeous Stained Glass rubber stamps from I Brake for Stamps.  I decided on using stamp #4 as the focal point and the Wild Berries rubber stamp from Blank Page Muse as the background.  I really like the way that they look together!

Here's what I used to create it:

• Stained Glass Flowers #4
• Wild Berries Background Coloring Art Rubber Stamp
• Special Day CLEAR Sentiments Flowers Stamp Set (sentiment)
• Vellum
• Acetate
• Black card stock
• Gray A2 card base
  

 Here's how I made it:

• Embossed Stained Glass Flowers onto vellum with black embossing powder; colored the image with alcohol markers; adhered a piece of acetate over it.
  
• Embossed the Wild Berries background stamp onto black card stock with silver embossing powder; colored in the berries with Brutus Monroe Creamy Blue Aqua Pigment.
• Used a circle nesting die to cut a whole in the center of the embossed berry panel; adhered the stained glass panel behind the berry panel with double sided foam tape.
• Adhered the panel to the card base with double sided foam tape.
• Stamped sentiment onto piece of scrap gray card stock, glued it down to a slightly larger scrap of black card stock, and adhered it to the card base with double sided foam tape.

 

The black embossed lines, combined with the effect of the alcohol ink on the vellum and the shine of the acetate, truly mimics the look of a stained glass window.  I love it!  And it's a lot of fun to create.

I hope that you enjoyed learning more about my creative process today.  For my next project, I'll be using the circle that I cut out of the embossed berry card panel used in this one.  Stay tuned!

Until next time . . . be well!

AECP Level 3 - Runway Inspired Card Making

Hey there, crafting friends!

Thanks for stopping by Paper Play today.  This post officially kicks off level 3 of AECP for me.  I have five courses to complete and then my final assignment will be to host a live class.  More about the class at a later date - today’s focus is on completing my first level 3 course, Runway Inspired Card Making.  This class was AMAZING and so much fun.  The content focused on getting inspiration for card designs from current runway fashions.  I started by making the decision to make three cards for the class - one female design, one male design, and one bridal design.  Bridal fashion wasn’t a focus of the course but I thought it would be fun to make a wedding card based on current fashion trends.  That decision made, I performed my research of current fashion trends and decided upon three styles to inspire my card designs.

Card 1 - Female 2024 Fashion Trend: Roses

According to Vogue, one of the leading fashion trends for women is rose prints.  I saw multiple rose print dresses that were stunning, but this one from Alexander McQueen truly stood out to me:

I loved the large rose and petals, and the A-line style.  I wanted my card design to have a large rose(s) and lots of petals.  However, I didn’t want to use a red rose.  I wanted to be different and chose two shades of pink instead.  Here’s my card inspired by this dress:

Here’s what I used to make it:

• Altenew Ambridge Rose Layering Stencil Set
  
• Altenew Happy Flowers Stamp Set - for the sentiment
  
• Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks: Spun Sugar, Victorian Velvet, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness
• White A2 card base
• 4”x5.25” black card panel
• Brutus Monroe Alabaster Pigment Ink
• Pink and green glitter gel pens
• Taylored Expressions Bits & Pieces Black Rhinestones

Here’s how I made it:

• Made three triangle cuts (top of black card panel, left & right sides) to mimic a neckline and waistline.
• Stenciled the base part of the roses with Spun Sugar Oxide Ink.  I chose this because I knew that the light shade of pink oxide ink on the black card stock would give the flower base the look of a sheer material, which is a way to add the illusion of texture to the card.
• Stenciled the second part of the roses with Victorian Velvet Oxide Ink.
• Stenciled the stem and base leaves with Mowed Lawn Oxide Ink and then added little touches of Rustic Wilderness Oxide Ink to add light shadows.
• Randomly stenciled leaves over the rest of the card panel with Mowed Lawn and Rustic Wilderness.
• Outlined the flowers and leaves with pink and green glitter gel pens to add some sparkle.
• Adhered card panel to base with double sided foam tape.
• Stamped sentiment onto black card stock scrap with Alabaster ink; once dry, adhered to card with double sided foam tape.
• Glued a black rhinestone where each notched triangle is located on the card.

I am extremely happy with how this card came out!  I think it’s a good likeness of the dress.

Card 2 - Male 2024 Fashion Trend: Patterned Cuffs

I have to admit that my research on male fashion trends was quite . . . interesting to say the least!  I didn’t see a lot that really spoke to me or that I could wear.  That said, I’ve always been a huge fan of patterned cuffs on a shirt.  You know, like the kind that the character Cam usually wore on Modern Family.  I own a lot these shirts and am a always drawn to shirts from designed Robert Graham; so I chose a Robert Graham style as an inspiration for this card:

I decided to go a little more bold with mine:

Here’s what I used:

• Altenew Organic Linen 3D Embossing Folder
  
• Altenew Painted Rainbow Outline Stamp Set
  
• Altenew Uplifting Sentiments Bundle
  
• Artistry by Altenew Alcohol Markers
• A2 sized navy card base
• 4”x5.25” medium blue card panel
• 6”x5.25” white shimmer card panel
• Brutus Monroe Alabaster Ink
• Brutus Monroe Clear Embossing Ink
• Brutus Monroe Raven Embossing Powder
• 3 white buttons

Here’s how I made it:

• Embossed the medium blue card panel with the Organic Linen embossing folder.
• Scored the white shimmer panel at 2” and used a stamp from Painted Rainbow to stamp the design with clear embossing ink to make the cuff design; added Raven embossing powder and heat set.
• Colored the cuff with alcohol markers; adhered the cuff panel to the medium blue panel so that the embossed cuff was in front of it and the remainder of that panel was behind it.  Used craft glue on the backside and double sided foam tape at the top of the cuff to give it a flared look.
• Attached card panel to card base with double sided tape.
• Stamped sentiment with Alabaster ink onto a strip of navy card stock; cut it outh with coordinating die; adhered to card with double sided foam tape.
• Attached 3 buttons tomthe left side of the cuff with craft glue.

I think that this card definitely gives the vibe of a shirt sleeve with a flared patterned cuff.  I’d wear it!

Card 3 - Bridal 2024 Fashion Trend: Floral Applique

Vogue was once again my go to source - this time for bridal fashion.  The trend that I decided to mimic is floral applique on the dress.  It’s such a pretty design element and one that I knew I could accomodate.  Here’s the pic of the actual gown that inspired my card:

I wanted to make a wedding card so that I could finally use the Enchanted Beginnings set.  Here’s a pic of my card:

Here’s what I used to make it:

• Altenew Enchanted Beginnings Bundle
  
• Altenew Folk Art Flowers Die Set
• Altenew Vintage Roses Stamp Set - for the sentiment
  
• Black A2 card base
• 4”x5.25” gold foil card panel
• White shimmer card panel
• Vellum
• Poece of white organza ( I cut apart an oragnza bag)
• Brutus Monroe Embossing Ink
• Brutus Monroe Raven Embossing Powder
• Nuvo Shimmer Glitter Gloss Pen
• Pearl gems

Here’s how I made it:

• Embossed the white shimmer card panel with the Enchanted Beginnings folder; colered the groom with Grey Shadow ink; decided on placement of couple on card; fussy cut the couple.
• Cut piece of organza to cover the train of the wedding dress and glued it down along the edges to the dress.
• Die cut nine flowers using die from Folk Art Flowers and vellum; adhered flowers to dress with craft glue; adhered pearls to center of flowers with craft glue.
• Used Nuvo Shimmer pen to add sparkle to top portion of dress and the applique flowers.
• Stamped sentiment onto gold foil card panel with clear embossing ink; added raven embossing powder; heat set it.
• Adhered couple to the card panel with double sided foam tape.
• Adhered panel to card base with double sided tape.

I think this card is gorgeous - and I’d be proud to give it to a couple as a gift!

That wraps up this entry on my Runway Inspired Card Making class.  This was by far my favorite AECP course!  I’ll be starting the next course and will have another post soon.  Until next time . . . be well!

BPM/IBFS - Life's Precious Things

Welcome back to Paper Play, crafting friends!

I'm really excited about this card that I'm sharing with you today.  It's another vintage themed card using the Silhouettes #1 stamp set from I Brake for Stamps.  I knew that I wanted to capture a nice town/village scene as soon as I saw the stamp of the photographer with the old camera.  I thought of him as being a photographer hired to capture the magic of a small town for a postcard.  There he stands, high up on the hill, focused down on the town below on a beautiful day.

Here's what I used to make it:

• Silhouettes #1
• Village #1 
• Postage Stamp Nesting Die Set

Here's how I made it:

• Die cut the postage stamp card panel using the largest postage stamp die in the set; blended some white pigment ink around the edges.
  
• Stamped the village at the bottom of the panel using Walnut Stain Distress Ink.
• Created a mask for the village using masking paper and adhered it to the village.
• Ink blended the sky with Salty Ocean Distress Oxide Ink; added some clouds using white pigment ink.
• Colored the village with alcohol markers and a white gel pen.
• Spritzed the panel with Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain to add some age and grunge.
• Adhered the sentiment ephemera to top center of panel.
• Stamped the photographer with black ink, fussy cut it out, and adhered to the panel with double sided foam tape.
• Adhered the card panel to an A2 Kraft card base that had grunge added to the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

 

 

I thought that the postage stamp shape would make a fun way to add a little something extra to the card.  This card looks like a quintessential New England town in the early 1900's.  Is it Massachusetts?  Vermont?  Perhaps New Hampshire?  It could be any of them!

Thanks for spending some time on the blog with me today.  What do you think of the card?  Do you like the vintage style?  I'd really enjoy hearing what you think!

Until next time . . . stay well!
 

BPM/IBFS - Make a Wish

Welcome back to Paper Play!

You can probably tell from my creations that I'm a fan of the vintage style.  I'm an old soul - I remember my mother telling me that as a kid.  I love photos, postcards, and newspapers from bygone years.  I love the smell, the feel, and to think about what life must have been like for them.  That's what drew me to the Silhouettes #1 stamp set from I Brake for Stamps.  There are so many nostalgic images to stamp and tell a story with . . . so many possibilities.

The first stamp that I wanted to create with is the one featured on today's card.  It's the silhouette of a family standing by each other and looking forward.  There's a lot of love to be felt from them.  I envisioned them looking out at the stars in the night sky and making a wish.  Perhaps they're enjoying a warm summer night or waiting for some July 4th fireworks?  Either way, I feel a sense of closeness and happiness when I see them.

 

Here's what I used to make it:

• Silhouettes #1
• Steampunk Romance: Digital Printable Papers for Journals, Cards, ATCs - paper for frame
  
• Scrap Divas A2 Front Shadow Frame 

Here's how I made it:

• Started by blending the sky backdrop on a white card panel; began at bottom with pink, worked up to purple, and then blended the blue.
• Stamped the image with black ink; stamped twirly leaf element in black on each side.
• Used the vintage handwriting digital paper from Steampunk Romance to make the shadowbox frame; added some grunge to it with Vintage Photo Distress Ink
• Attached the card panel to the back of the shadowbox frame with craft glue.
• Distressed an A2 Kraft card panel with Vintage Photo Distress Ink; attached shadow box to front.
• Used a fine tip gold metallic marker to add some stars into the sky.
• Added the Make a Wish sentiment strip to the shadowbox frame.

 

 

It's such a simple, yet beautiful, card that is perfect for a birthday, an anniversary, or just to say I love you.

I hope that you enjoyed this post and learning more about why I chose to create with this stamp.

Until next time . . . be well!
 

BPM/IBFS: A Vintage Dream

Welcome back to Paper Play, friends!

Do you enjoy Steampunk designs?  I find them fascinating and fun.  They combine my love for the vintage theme with elements of the fantasy and industrial themes.  I find it to be a fun way to tell a story using unconventional and, sometimes, abstract, items.  Blank Page Muse recently released a downloadable digital Steampunk kit designed by artist Pam Bray, and it includes lots of beautiful images, ephemera, and paper.  I used two of the papers from this kit to create this really fun encouragement card.

Here’s what I used to make it:

• Steampunk Romance: Digital Printable Papers for Journals, Cards, ATCs Pam Bray Designs
  
• Woman’s Head
  
• DREAM grunge distressed style word Art Rubber Stamp
  

Here’s how I made it:

• Cut a vintage paper sheet from the kit down to an A2 size panel and adjered it to the front of an A2 card base.
• Cut a written text paper sheet and a patterned paper sheet crom the kit down to 3.75”X5”.
• Used a deckle edge ruler to tear the patterned paper sheet in half on a diagonal.
• Adhered the written text sheet to the card base with double sided tape, and then adhered the patterned paper to it with double sided tape.
• Stamped the woman’s head onto a piece of white card stock several times; alternated the stamping between black ink and Vintage Photo Distress ink to achieve a more vintage look.
• Fussy cut the woman’s head, applied double sided foam tape to the back of it, and adhered it to the card base.
• Spread some gold mixed media paste across the top of the card and let it dry.
• Stamped the word dream in black ink on the dried gold paste.
• Adhered three pearl gems to the card.

I found this to be such a fun card to create!  This woman’s head stamp is so beautiful and full of detail, and I think that the combination of patterned papers behind it adds to the vintage feel.  The word dream goes so well with it as a sentiment, and this card could be used for so many different occasions.

I hope that you enjoyed reading about my inspiration for this card!  Until next time . . . be well!

BPM/IBFS: St. Paddy’s Day Step Card

Hi, friends!

Welcome back to Paper Play.  St. Paddy’s Day is only a week away, and today’s card is in honor of the one day when we’re all Irish!  Blank Page Muse recently released some fun mini calendar digitial papers, and I used the March set to create this fun step card.  Just download, print, and design!

Here’s what I used to make it:

• Digital Page with Small Calendar and Versatile Green-themed Images 2024 March Pam Bray Designs
  

Here’s how I made it:

• Printed out the kit pages on 65lb white card stock.
• Used a step card die from Amazon to cut the card base from kraft card stock.
• Used the die set pieces to cut coordinating decorative papers from the kit and adhered them to the front of the card base.
• Fussy cut each of the ephemera items that I wanted to use on the card.
• Adhered ephemera to the card base with double sided tape and craft glue.
• Colored two tooth picks with a dark brown alcohol marker, adhered a piece of ephemera to each, and adhered them to the card base.
• Adhered a white card panel to the back of the card to allow for space to personalize the card.
• Sprayed the front of the card with Antique Linen Distress Spray to add some age and grunge to the card.

This digital kit from artist Pam Bray makes it super easy to make a fun holiday card.  I hope that you enjoyed reading about I created with one of them!

Until next time . . . be well!

BPM/IBFS: Stamping on Wood with Romance Classic Stamps

Hey, friends!

Welcome back to Paper Play.  The theme of this post is vintage romance given that the month of February celebrates all aspects of love.  Today's creation may be used as a card, a mini-junk journal, or simply as a gift book.  The design is rather unique - but rather fun to make.  It was inspired by the Romance Classic stamps from Blank Page Muse.  I saw the images and immediately thought of the being displayed on thin wooden panels with a look similar to wood burning and coloring.  They're then bound together with waxed thread and faux leather front & back covers.

Here's what I used to make it:

• Romance Classic Couples Line Art Rubber Stamp Sheet Set SC92
• Birds & Clocks Rubber Stamp Set for the embossed clock on the cover
• LOVE word art rubber stamp SC88-08
• Timeless with Floral Spray Word Art Rubber Stamp 
• Everlasting Fancy E Art Word Rubber Stamp
• World Map Global View with Compass Art Rubber Stamp 
• Brutus Monroe Gilded Embossing Powder
• Various Tim Holtz Distress Ink Sprays
• Tim Holtz Walnut Staun and Tea zdue Distress Inks
• Wooden rectangle plates

Here’s how I created it:

• Stamped each of the couple stamps onto the wood plates using the walnut stain ink.
• Using a paintbrush, brushed various spray stains onto each of the wooden plates.
• Stamped words onto wooden plates with walnut stain ink.
• Colored each of the images with colored pencils.
• Added some grunge to the wooden plates with tea dye ink.
• Created front and back covers with brown card stock, chipboard, and spray inks.
• Once dry, used Gilded embossing powder and heat set images onto front and back covers.
• Stamped sentiment onto inside of front cover using walnut stain ink.
• Using a Dremel tool, drilled holes onto left hand side of plates.
• Aligned front and back covers with wooden plates and punched binding holes into each.
• Sewed the wooden plates and covers together with waxed thread to bind them together.

The project is now complete!  I think that this would make a beautiful and unique card. - there is plenty of space on each of the inside covers to write a message!  How fun is this?

Thanks for spending some time here with me today.  Until next time . . . be well!