Laura Is French

Brithday Present!

The satisfying thing about having a blog is when people actually read it and even make comments...even nice comments too!  But today I'm posting something I made for my sister's birthday and for once in my life I did it early.  (inserts gasp of amazement here...)  So this is one post I don't want my sister to read...yet.

If you've been following lately you know I have a total crush on all things Heidi Swapp.  I am having SO much fun making lots of cute cards and crafts with Heidi Swapp papers, tags, Color Shine spray...you name it!  And recently Heidi came out with some super sute stencils and I have been wanting them...bad.  But my Michaels has either been shopped out or is late in getting the product.  So I had to direct my stencil craftiness somewhere else.  Lucky for me I have a ga-zillion or so other stencils and decided to play with a harlequin diamond pattern.

I also have a huge craft crush on Sizzix dies and my Sizzix Eclips - which is simply the best digital cutting machine going by far.  I recently got a new Tim Holtz die of the Eiffel Tower.  And LOOK what I came up with!

 

 

 

 

Heidi Swapp Brithday Card!
I am still having such fun with everything Heidi Swapp! I made this quick tri-fold card from a 6 inch strip of paper from the 12 x 12 Sugar Chic paper pad. I have bought a lot of paper pads in my life but this is the first one where I think I will be able to use every last scrap! There is so much to use in that pad! Even these little letters come in pink AND black. You get banners and tags and lots of single sided paper too. I really prefer single sided paper - whenever I have double sided paper it means using one side eliminates what I can do with the other side of the page, right?
Fold your 6 inch strip of paper into approximate thirds. ( a "zee" fold) Add letters to a strip of paper, (I deliberately put them on "whimsically" to avoid that "OMG I got them on crooked" thing) add a ribbon, banners, whatever...and viola! The cutest card ever!
I must give credit to a member of the Heidi Swapp design team, Lindsay Bateman for getting the ball rolling on this card! Thank you Lindsay - LOVE your inspiration!

More Heidi Swapp Inspiration!

I have been inspired by my latest craft crush again!  I saw someone had made some Thanksgiving mini-books as placecards using Heidi Swapp's digital art files and I thought they were SUPER CUTE!  I made my own version of mini books using Heidi Swapp's digital art files too.  (If you haven't already checked them out you should go to Heidi's blog NOW - her digital downloads are on sale for a few more days!)  www.HeidiSwapp.com 

Ironically my first completed book was titled "#gratitude"!   I didn't realize how perfect that was for THANKSGIVING at first!  The message at church this morning was all about gratitude and how being grateful is the number one path to happiness.  When I got back home and saw that little gratitude mini-book I thought it would be just perfect to carry and jot down blessings as I encounter them each day.

I made my books 4" x 4" which is easy to carry and big enough to handle a beautiful title - which I cut from a Heidi Swapp digital download using my Sizzix Eclips, of course!  I have used my Eclips SO much just in the first few weeks I have owned it that I noticed my cutting mat showing wear!  Since I've ditched my Cricut but still had a fresh package of Cricut cutting mats, I thought it couldn't hurt to try.  They worked in my Eclips machine just fine!  (Hey, that's the first entry in my gratitude book for today!) 

I cut the mini-book covers from a 12" x 12" piece of chipboard.  I used mod podge to stick the titles on and give the covers a nice finish.   (That stuff is terrific - after all these years too!)

I used my Zutter Bind-It-All to put my mini books together.  I find it's always best to cut the binding holes first so you don't inadvertantly cut part of your title off later.   I really like the simple contrast between the red cardstock letters and the brown chipboard.

I also used a couple of chit chat stickers from Tim Holtz on the cover.  For the inside pages, I used a few sheets of decorative paper layers between plain white copy paper.

I made one of the mini books for Christmas ideas too.  By using a Sizzix embossing folder on the back cover, I got an image of a December calendar, and the word "believe" for the front cover. 

All in all I was able to make several mini books in almost no time.  I think they will not only look fun on the table, but work well as reminders of our many blessings!

Thank you again Heidi Swapp!  I am looking forward to meeting you soon!

NEW CRAFT CRUSH!

After telling everyone I could about my latest craft crush I have come to the conclusion that I'm late to the party!  Seems everyone else has known about Heidi Swapp for quite a while now...except me!  I just discovered Heidi Swapp's art a month or two ago and I feel like a junkie on a binge!  I just can't get enough Heidi Swapp!  I have Heidi Swapp paper and stickers and Color Shine and memory files...I am learning about the digital art world because I love Heidi Swapp's handwriting enough to buy some (very inexpensive) digital files!  OK, I admit I might have gone just a little overboard when I bought a brand new Sizzix Eclips along with the e-CAL software JUST so I could cut out those GORGEOUS Heidi Swapp digital files.  (PS I have totally ditched my Cricut but that's another story for another time...)

BUT just look at how I can use all that GORGEOUS art to make quick and VERY PRETTY cards!  WOW!  I had to whip up a thank you card for a colleague today and without thinking I used my Sizzix Eclips to cut out the phrase #grateful and then printed a wonderful phrase, " Gratitude is happiness doubled by Wonder" which I trimmed and tucked right inside a fold over notecard that I made with a Sizzix die - 657084, A2 card with flap.  Between Sizzix and Heidi Swapp I was on a roll.  JUST FIVE MINUTES to a fabulous card!

Check it out:
 Seriously, don't you LOVE this paper?  Heidi Swapp!  And the banner was cut with... a Heidi Swapp digital file, of course!  That phrase?  Thanks to another Heidi Swapp digital file and my Sizzix Eclips!   AND it is every bit as finely detailed as you see here too! 

Just fold it, tuck it and you have a finished and fabulous card in five minutes!

TA-DA!  Go check out Heidi Swapp - www.HeidiSwapp.com   Bet you love her art every bit as much as I do!

WEDDING CARD

Good Morning!  I have been playing with this idea of the 8 x 8 square paper folded into a card and came up with a wedding card for a friend.  Hope you like it. 

I used a lot of light purple.  The 8 x 8 base is a double sided purple floral, and the inside (5 1/2 x 5 1/2) is purple with white polka dots.  I began by stamping A Wedding Wish (PW G2483) with Outliner Black and then laying  an acetate heart shape in the center of the 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 square and misting over it with a solution of PRINTWORKS Wisteria re-inker and water, followed by a light misting of gold glimmer mist. 

You can see a lighter area where the words are stamped.  It's a neat effect...although the shimmer doesn't show so well in this picture.

I then used one of my favorite Sizzix dies - the tag and bookplate die - to cut two tags.  One tag is vellum and one is a smooth watercolor paper.  I used Outliner ink again to stamp a wedding cake (PW J3300) on the watercolor paper, and "Long Life" (PW F2495) on the vellum.  I used a little purple (wisteria ink or watercolor) on the cake and when it was dry I used glitter to highlight the curves of that cake.  I cut the edges of those tags to fit my card and used a decorative edge.  I love the On The Edge dies from Sizzix but decorative edge scissors are great too.

On the inside square I used my new Sizzix ECLIPS to cut the word "blessings" out of purple cardstock.  working footnote: I just got the ECLIPS machine and I am so excited about this machine!  I own a Cricut and the difference between the two machines was really astonishing!   I'm sorry to tell you my Cricut has been moved to a closet because the ECLIPS can do SO much more and the quality of the finished product is amazing.  It was a tough decision since I had SO much invested in that Cricut, but I am really happy with my new ECLIPS.  The ECLIPS was not inexpensive but I also got the eCAL software and was able to cut some downloaded art immediately.  I figure I'm going to save a whole lot of money on cartridges!  (who am I kidding...I know I will still be buying cartidges too; maybe not as many?)

At any rate I bought a download of Heidi Swapp words (LOVE her art!)  and was able to cut the word "blessings"  Isn't it amazing?  www.heidiswapp.com

To finish the card, I tied the two tags together with some pretty white seam binding that I wetted, scrunched, and let dry.  I attatched the tags just to the top flap and used a magnet hidden under the bottom of the tag to keep the card closed.

I am happy with this card and hope my friend is too!   HAPPY WEDDING DAY Sara!

Mention this blog and get free shipping from PRINTWORKS.  www.printworkscollection.com

Be sure to check out the ECLIPS at www.sizzix.com 

Happy Stamping!

New and Improved!

Good Sunday Morning Everyone!

I was fortunate enough to be able to listen to Pastor Rick Warren this morning.  He has been speaking about jobs and living to your potential.  I must admit I really am passionate about crafting and enjoy it tremendously.  I think I need to make sure I keep listening so I can figure out how to make crafting my vocation instead of my hobby!  

In the meantime, I made a couple of small tweaks to my card from yesterday and it now feels finished!

On the outside, I used a couple of Tim Holtz's Chit Chat stickers.  They are so small yet make such a difference in finishing off the card!  I enjoy using them so much!

Then, to finish the inside I used a duplex stamp from PRINTWORKS!  It is E4037 - "Celebrate" and has both the sentiment on the small banner and inside the tag.  Now I think this card is finished!

Thank goodnes Rick Warren spoke about doing the best job you can in whatever you do today!

ENJOY!

NEW PROJECT!

Start with an 8 x 8 piece of double sided paper or cardstock and fold in half each way to get crease marks in the center.

Then, bring each corner to the center and fold again, as in this photo:

You should then be able to put another piece of pretty paper or cardstock approximately 5 1/2 x 5 1/2" in the center opening and create a card and envelope all in one.

I sewed a piece of sheer vellum in the center, creating a pocket to tuck a little tag into.  To make my tag, I folded a piece of double sided paper in half and used a Tim Holz Sizzix die to cut a nice shape.  I used the mini ornamental movers and shapers die and placed the fold of the paper just below the top of the die.  VIOLA!  You now have a fold over tag in a beautiful shape! 

I made another tag using another Sizzix die and decorated it with alphabet letters cut with a Sizzix Wingo Zingo alphabet.  I seriously love my Sizzix dies - they cut so beautifully every time!  This tag I used as a kind of closure for the outside but only attatched it to the top flap so that it would open easily.

The flower on the top is from an EK Success punch - retroflower.  I punched 4 flowers, curled the edges, stacked them up and added a pearl in the center.

Just under the lower edge of the outside tag I placed a sticky magnet that acts to keep the card closed.  Have fun with this idea - I'm already thinking about pretty pastels and different tags I might use.  I guess it pays to organize your craft things!

The original inspiration for this card came from Heidi Swapp's blog!  I just ADORE her art!

LOVING SHABBY CHIC!

It's been a while and I have been pondering on what it is that I truly love about crafting.  Yes, I have loved PRINTWORKS for a long time.  The word stamps created by Annette Watkins hold such charm and inspiration for me.  At the same time I love Tim Holtz's art too.  They are SO different and I have struggled to combine these two favorites.  I have concluded that I really love shabby chic and it's perfect for both PRINTWORKS and Tim Holtz!   Here's one of my first creations and I used 2 of my favorite Sizzix dies (both by Tim, of course!) and a precious word stamp from PRINTWORKS.
I used my Sizzix to cut the bookmark, (656938 Sizzix Tag and Bookplates) and the bird and bird cage (656634 Sizzix Caged Bird)   I cut the bookmark out of a generic blue floral paper which I had first covered with Tim's tissue wrap - composer.  I glued the tissue deliberately letting it wrinkle.  I love the imperfection!
 After cutting the bookmark I inked the edges and then distressed them.  The birdcage was cut out of grungeboard (again, Tim's...fantastic material!) and I embossed it with silver, deliberately over-heating the powder to get it to bubble up just a bit.  At that point I swiped over the embossed areas with PRINTWORKS Oak Brown ink (which stuck to those over-heated areas) and instantly had an antique birdcage!  The PRINTWORKS word stamp is E3423 Dance Dance.  I think it inspired me in fact!

Please let me know what you think!

Happy Crafting!

Weekend Inspiration!

This card is one Annette designed nearly 5 years ago -- yet it's still as cute, fresh and fun as ever!  Maybe some of you already have these stamps...I sure hope so because this one is so easy to change to suit any occasion.  Take a look:

The stamps used are: E3466 Cezanne for the all over pattern as well as the single stamp in the circles,  F3425 Make the World Special for the main greeting, and C3427 Smiles.   Ink used is PRINTWORKS Designer inks #44 - Petal Pink, and for the pale flower pattern #40 - Chalk Pink.

The best choice for color is to stick to two main colors - here apricot and pink on the cardstock and ribbons.  I could see this in a pretty pale blue with a brighter lime green too.  The pieces of ribbon tied on the top were between 4" and 6" each -- great way to put those leftover bits of ribbon into a great card!  Oh, and just use a Sharpie to color your staples too.  (Just ink them up before you put them in your stapler!)

Feel free to post any comments or ask any questions!  And if you place an order with PRINTWORKS be sure to mention my blog for a bonus stamp!

HAPPY CARD MAKING!

Laura

Another New Idea!

I am really loving one of the new spring stamps from PRINTWORKS COLLECTION
- it's J4287 Antique Urn.  This is a little different from the traditional look of Printworks and I like it just as much.  I have found it is verstile enough to work with one of the new spring flowers - G4258 Climbing Flower.  Take a look at how a simple design like this urn and flower can yield a stunning card or tag!  Here I have stamped the urn in the middle of the bookmark, and repeated the design above and below too.  I also stamped the climbing flower twice.  Everything was stamped using PRINTWORKS Outliner Black ink.   The tag was cut using one of my most favorite Sizzix dies -- 656938 Tag and Bookplates.  Cuts out perfect sized bookmark tags.  (there's way more to it than just the bookmark but that will be another post, another time.)

I colored the flowers using Printworks Raspberry ink with a little water, as well as a pink watercolor pencil.  I used the same Raspberry ink to stamp a little "essence" on the flower petals. (A4059)  I cut the flowers out and on one flower I cut in between the petals to give them more dimension.  (leave the center uncut)  The cut flower-petals was attached to my bookmark on top of the flower without the cut petals.  Try to "curl" the petals using the handle of your paintbrush or anything small and round.  Use mounting tape for the best dimension.

The real fun is adding some beads the the center of the flower!  Try either orange, yellow or pink.  Simply put some beads in the center and douse with a bit if JUDI-KINS DIAMOND GLAZE and they will dry to a sparkling shine!  Make it a "just because" card with C4245 - what a perfect sentiment that is.  I love smaller tags attached to bigger tags.

I did a bookmark as well as a card to show you the versatility of this stamp.  If pink is not your color ...well, the sky's the limit with this one!  Have fun playing - I sure did!

Remember to mention this blog for a free stamp on any PRINTWORKS order over $25.00!