Birthday Skirt Fold Technique

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy Wednesday to you all. Well, school is out for the summer. Yesterday was our final class at preschool. Tonight we have a little program as a sendoff for the kids. They will be singing a few songs for their parents and guests. They have all done well during practice so it will be a great evening.

 

Today's post is a bit long but I have a photo tutorial of the card I made. This is also posted over on the CottageCutz blog for my Wednesday DT post. So let's get started.

 

Skirt Fold Technique instructions:

 

Step 1: Start with your choice of patterned paper measuring 3" x 6. You score at 3/4", 1", 1 3/4", 2", 2 3/4", 3", 3 3/4", 4".

 

Step 2: Your paper needs cut in order to create an angle. Lay the paper on your trimmer with the wider part that is not scored to your right. The 2nd score line should be in the groove of your trimmer. The top left corner of your paper should be at the 1 1/2" mark on your trimmer. It will be at an angle in your trimmer and you just cut from point to point.

click on photo to enlarge to see score lines

 

 

Step 3: Fold accordion style, back and forth, on your score lines. The finished folded piece will look like this.

 

 

 Step 4: To hold the folds in place add some adhesive to the back of each pleat.

 

Step 5: Attach patterned paper to white card base. Base measure 3 7/8" x 5 1/2". At this point I also added my ribbon at the top of the skirt fold pleats. I think it adds a finished look. No photo of adding the ribbon step.

 

Step 6: Die-cut the teacups & flowers image. I used X-Press It card stock because I colored the image with alcohol markers.

 

 

Step 7: Attached teacup & flowers image to card base.  Stamped a sentiment and added some enamel dots.

 

I also added a die cut heart from the brand new fancy pocket plus dies to the bottom of my card. I am giving you a little sneak peek of the new This N That CottageCutz dies that were just released. There is a 25% off sale right now at the Scrapping Cottage store. More to come with these fabulous new dies.

 

 

 

Just a reminder about our newest challenge and there are prizes to be won. The theme is Spring and you have until May 31st to enter. Get all the deets here.

 

Thanks for sticking around to the end. Hope you enjoyed the post- until next time.....God bless.

 

I am also entering:

1.  Come and Get It Challenge is a fancy fold.

2 Craft-Dee Bowz has an anything goes with a handmade bow.

3.  2 Creative Chicks has an anything goes challenge.

4.  Creative Craft Cottage has a 3 of a kind challenge. Mine is enamel dots.

5.  Dies R Us has a birthday challenge.

 

~Thinking of You~

 

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy Monday morning! I made it back yesterday from San Francisco. It was a long day of travel, but there were no hiccups with the flights. Which is always good.

 

My sweet granddaughter Phoenix Daisy was teary eyed when I kissed her goodbye and then she was crying a lot during the day. My daughter-in-law told me that Phoenix said "I can smell Grandma but she's not here". That made my heart melt.

 

I usually used a vanilla based body lotion and she commented about it while I was there. My grandsons used to say the same thing when they were little. There comment was if you get a bath at Grandma's house then you smell just like Grandma.

 

It's interesting that a smell brings a good memory for kids. But, then I guess we, as adults, are the same way. When my son first moved o California, he would always do laundry when he was here. He told me once that he liked to take the smell of the fabric softener back home with him.  

 

Well, let's get onto the card I am posting today. This one I made for my Wednesday DT post on the CottageCutz blog. I couldn't get it posted here before I left for San Francisco.

 

I am featuring another of the April release dies. This time it's the Corner Flourish Elite die. I paired it up with the Mushroom & Flowers die to create a thinking of you card.

My card this week started with a sketch and from there I chose my patterned paper and coordinating cardstock. There are many sketch blogs on the internet and this time I chose the MojoMonday #447 sketch for my layout.

 

When you work with a sketch you don't have to follow it exactly. For instance, instead of the corner circles I used the corner flourish die. Let's get started with some more details on how I created my card. I hear card makers say that they struggle with card layouts. That's why I look for a sketch to help the process along. It just helps to get the creative juices flowing.

 

 

Cardstock and Designer Paper Measurements:

•  soft suede base measures 4 1/4" x 11" and scored at 5 1/2"
•  Stampin'-Up attic boutique designer paper measure 4 1/8" x 5 3/8"
• angled panel is cut with the CottageCutz square set. I used the largest one 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"
• rectangle patterned paper is 1 1/2" x 4 1/8". Daffodil satin ribbon is 5/8" wide.
• vanilla rectangle panel is 3 1/2" x 2 1/2"

For assembly: I die cut the corner flourishes in Stampin'-Up soft sky cardstock and attached with multi medium matte. I like this adhesive because it dries clear. I think the flourishes add an elegant touch to the card.

 

On the image panel, I used the flower from the mushroom & flowers set and cut in daffodil cardstock. I love the detail on The CottageCutz dies as well as the additional pieces that come with them. For instance, I was able to cut the pistil in the soft suede color for some great contrast. I am not a gardener, that duty falls to my hubby, but I think that's what this part of the flower is called (lol)!!!

 

 

For the sentiment, I used the thinking of you die and cut in the soft suede cardstock. I also used the multi medium matte to adhere the words. I scattered a few sequins and that completes my card for this week.

 

 

 

Well, that's it for me for today. There is another challenge on the CottageCutz Blog and prizes to be won. Get all the details here. So until next time........God bless.

 

Dies used to create my card:



 

I am also entering:

1.  Artistic Inspirations has a die cut challenge.

2.  Crafting From The Heart has an anything goes challenge.

3.  The Crazy Challenge has 3 or more layers for a challenge.

4.  ABC Challenge is "H" for heavy-load the dies and embellishments.

5.  Classic Design Team Open Challenge has an anything goes.

 

Mother"s Day Resist

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog. I am out in San Francisco taking care of my sweet granddaughter. It's been a whirlwind visit and I am headed home tomorrow. I haven't had an opportunity to post on my blog. Actually at the end of the day I am more than ready to go to bed myself. 

I will spend the day flying home to Pittsburgh tomorrow. There is a 3 hour time difference so it seems like all day. I do have a brief layover in Chicago and that helps to break the long flight up some. 

Phoenix Daisy was a bit teary eyed at bedtime because I am leaving. But I come back next month for a week so I told her to mark the days on the calendar. She will need Mommy's help for the calendar part and at 5 years old a month will seem like an eternity.

I am anxious to get home to my hubby. When he doesn't come with me I really miss him. What's that about absence making the heart grow fonder?

Now onto this card. I created it for the color challenge #581on Splitcoaststampers. Karen was the hostess and she chose blackberry bliss, wisteria wonder, pear pizzazz and soft sky for her color palette. 

blackberry bliss, wisteria wonder, soft sky, pear pizzazz

 

On this card I did an emboss resist technique. I used the Stampin'-Up corner garden stamp and stamped with versamark ink and then embossed with white embossing powder. I took the challenge colors and sponged around the image. 

Stamped my sentiment which is from the April 2016 Paper Pumpkin kit. I stamped in blackberry bliss ink. I added some pear pizzazz ribbon and a bow, scattered some sequins, die cut a butterfly and attached the panel to the pear pizzazz base. 

I gave this card to my daughter-in-law in Pittsburgh for Mother's Day. She is always complimentary with my work.

Well, that's it for me for today. So until next time.......God bless.

Card Details: 

Stamps: corner garden (Stampin'-Up)

Paper:pear pizzazz, whisper white

Ink: blackberry bliss, pear pizzazz, wisteria wonder, soft sky

Accessories: sequins, pear pizzazz ribbon, exotic butterfly (Cheery Lynn Designs)

Mother's Day Whitewashing

 

Hello Blogger Friends! thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog. I had a wonderful Mother's Day spent with my family.

 

We started a new tradition last year by going to the Susan Komen race for the cure held in Pittsburgh on Mother's Day. My niece is a breast cancer survivor and we are part of her Deanna's Angels team.

 

My middle grandson even came with us this year. We did the walk part of the event which is a 3.5 course. There were 30 of us in attendance this year. The weather cooperated with a sunny but cool morning. Afterwards we went to brunch at a local restaurant and then back to my son's home where I spent the day. My daughter-in-law's Mom & Aunt came later and we all cooked dinner together.

 

Aidin, myself, Joellen, Mike

Above is a photo of our part of Deanna's angels. Below is another photo of my niece who is the breast cancer survivor, my daughter-in-law Joellen, myself and another niece Suanne. 

 

 Now onto my card for today. This is one I made to send to my daughter-in-law in San Francisco. I used the colors from the Splitcoaststampers Challenge #581. Karen was our hostess and she wanted us to use blackberry bliss, wisteria wonder, soft sky and pear pizzazz for the color palette.

 

 

 On this card I used the whitewash technique. Here is a link to the SCS Tutorial..

I used the corner garden stamp from Stampin’-Up and stamped in versamark ink and then embossed with white embossing powder on crumb cake cardstock . The next step is to use white ink and a aqua painter and paint the images white. Once that dried, I used the challenge color inks and painted my flowers and leaves.

The sentiment stamp is one from the April 2016 Paper Pumpkin Kit. I added some sequins to complete this card. My daughter-in-law really liked the card. She is an artist so the compliment on my coloring of this card was well received by me. Since coloring is not one of my strong points in card making.

 

Well, that's it for me for today. So until next time........God Bless.

 

card details: 

Stamps: corner garden, Paper Pumpkin April 2016 (Stampin'-Up)

Paper: blackberry bliss, crumb cake 

Paper Size: A2 

Ink: blackberry bliss, wisteria wonder, soft sky, pear pizzazz, white craft, versamark 

Accessories: aqua painter, sequins (Stampin'-Up)  

Techniques: whitewashing

 

I am also entering:

1.  613 Avenue Create has an anything goes challenge. Optional frame your sentiment.

2.  Come and Get It Challenge wants us to make a card for a woman.

3.  Glitter 'n Sparkle has a one for the ladies challenge.

 

  

  

Happy Mother's Day

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog.

 

I haven't given a kitchen remodel update for awhile. Our contractor is coming back on Tuesday for the electrical work. He will change all the outlets, install the under cabinet lighting and the new ceiling fixtures.

 

The under cabinet lighting will give me a feel for how the new tile backsplash will look. I haven't finalized a tile selection as yet. And, also I haven't purchased my ceiling fixtures yet (lol)! I saw 2 that I liked in Lowe's but for some reason I didn't buy them.

 

My plan today is to go to a local lighting store and see if there is something that I like better there. Although, sometimes with me the more choices I have just makes my selection even harder. But I only have a couple of days to get them here for the contractor. So it's crunch time.

 

I have a bunch of errands to run today so let's move onto the card I am showing. This one I made for the inspiration challenge #543 on Splitcoaststampers. Audrie was our hostess and she took us to the Wayfair site for our card inspiration. Lots of beautiful home décor for sure.

 

I chose this Anabelle teapot as my card inspiration. and I knew I had just the right designer paper to create my card. I am still making Mother's Day cards so this worked well for me.

For the teapot, I used the Stampin'-Up "everyday enchantment" collection and the cups & kettle framelits. Cut it several times to change the handle, spout and lid colors.

I also used the pleated skirt fold technique for the card bottom. I tried this the other day for the first time and I just love the feminine appeal it gives to your card. Here is a link to the tutorial found on Splitcoaststampers.

 

I added some poppy red ribbon and bow. Die cut the hearts from the same Stampin'-Up framelits and stamped my Mother's Day sentiment to complete my card. The sentiment is from a Whipper Snapper Designs stamp.

 

Well, my friends that's about it for me for today. Tomorrow we celebrate Mother's Day here in the US so I am sending wishes to all you Mom's out there. Until next time.......God bless.

 

card details:

Stamps: happy mother's day (Whipper Snapper Designs)

Paper: naturals ivory, poppy red, everyd y enchantment dsp (Stampin'-Up ) 

Paper Size: A2  

Ink: tempting turquoise 

Accessories: cups & kettle framelits, poppy red ribbon, pearls (Stampin'-Up)

Techniques: Pleated Skirt Fold

 

I am also entering:

1.  Brown Sugar has a Mother's Day Challenge

2.  Crafty Gals Corner has a celebrate Mom's challenge.

 

Tea Time

 

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog.

 

It's the end of the year rush with Preschool. This week we made the cutest little flower pots for the kids to give their Mom's for Mother's Day. I didn't think about taking a picture for my Blog. Only 3 classes left and then school is out for the summer. Ha - that brings to mind some words of a song (lol)!

 

I have a busy day today so let's move onto my card. This one I made for my DT post on the Scrapping Cottage Blog. I am showing one of the new dies from the April 2016 release. 

Today for your viewing pleasure, I am featuring another of the April release dies. This time it's the "rose doily" die. It's temporarily sold out but you can preorder it for the next shipment. I paired it up with the teapot & teacup die to create a many occasions type card.

This week I had an idea of what I wanted to create. When that happens with me, I look through my designer paper stash first to see what paper I might want to use. Then from there I choose my cardstock and any other matching embellishments I might have.

I found this Stampin'-Up designer paper from the "greenhouse gala" collection that I have had for a few years and I knew I had some matching ribbon. Then my idea really started to take shape.  So without further ado lets get started with some details on just exactly what I did here this week.

pear pizzazz & peach parfait cardstocks, greenhouse gala dsp, peach parfait ribbon

 

 

Cardstock and Patterned Paper Measurements: peach parfait card base measures 4 1/4" x 11" and scored at 5 1/2"
designer paper measure 4 1/8" x 5 3/8"
pear pizzazz embossed panel: 2" x 4 1/8"

When I was thinking about my layout, I decided to take a piece of Stampin'-Up pear pizzazz cardstock that matches the designer paper and emboss it. Just for some added texture on my card.

 

 

I then started the initial assembly process by attaching the parfait peach ribbon to my designer paper and then to the card base. At this point I also attached the embossed panel. And from there moved onto my doily. I thought a white doily would look best and that would allow me to cut my teapot and cups in a color. I just love this new rose doily die. It's a 3 1/2" size and that makes it so perfect for an A2 card.

 

I cut my teapot and teacup die in the peach cardstock. This is one of the petite dies but there is such detail on both the pot and the cups. I decided to use a small leaf stamp that I had and stamp the pot and cups with green ink. Again, I just do some things for added interest. I tried cutting in a patterned paper but it was just too busy with my background paper.

 

I attached the doily with some dimensional adhesive for some card depth. I  stamped my sentiment and added it onto a flag and attached to my card. I created this card for my friend as a thinking of you type card. She holds an annual Christmas Tea and she love all types of tea accessories and cards.

 

To finish off my card, I added some small amber rhinestones to the doily and my sentiment flag.

 

Well, friends that's my card for today. I hope this provided some inspiration for you. The April release is filled with  awesome dies to help you create some gorgeous floral cards. Check it out. Until next time.......God bless.

 

 

 

I am also entering:

1.  As You Like It challenge has a fave patterned paper and why. My favorite pp is from Stampin'-Up. I like that all of it has matching cardstock and embellishments. Just like the pattern I chose for my card.

2.  Creative Knockouts has a tic tac toe challenge. I used-stamp-sentiment and ribbon

3.  Crafting For All Seasons has a add a banner challenge.

4.  Fab 'n Funky has a 3 or more layers challenge.

 

   

`Woof You~

 

Hello Blogger friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog.

 

The countdown starts to the end of this preschool year. We have 4 more classes left and our year ends. It was a bit of a challenge with having 8 boys in the class. Class life eventually settled down and they became used to the routine and behavior improved.

 

Now that the year is ending and summer is approaching their energy level is back up again. We weren't able to go outside to play today since their was lots of end of year stuff to get through. Plus we had to practice for the year end program we will be having.

 

I will miss this group of kiddos. At the end of class today, they were doing table activities and playing with play dough and several of the kids cut a heart with a cookie cutter and brought it to me. They all said " I love you Miss Mary". It was so sweet and makes all that I do there so worthwhile.

 

If I haven't said it before, I had a 30 year career in corporate America where I tended to the desires and wants of a large corporation. Now I  am investing myself in the lives of these little ones which is so much more gratifying.

 

Now onto my card for today. This one I made for the Free For All Challenge #323 on Splitcoaststampers. Shirley is our hostess and her challenge to us is to create a card with a "dogs are kids, too theme.

I had the perfect paper, dies and stamps for this theme. I created this card and will send it to my daughter-in-law for Mother's Day and sign it from their dog. She will like that because he is like one of their kids. The dog was such a God send to her and my son when they suffered a devastating loss a couple of years ago. He has brought such love and healing to them.

My layout is this week's SC590. So thank you Allison for a great sketch.

 The background designer paper is something I have had in my stash for awhile. It's from American Crafts and double sided so the stripes covered the bottom portion of the sketch requirements.

The pet accent dies are from MFT and my sentiment is from SNSS -the "woof you" set.

And that's my card for today. Time to get started on my post for the Scrapping Cottage Blog for tomorrow. So until next time........God bless.

 

card details:

Stamps: woof you (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)  

Paper: cajun craze, whisper white (Stampin'-Up), dp (American Crafts)  

Paper Size: A2  

Ink: chocolate chip  

Accessories: pet accents, blueprints 15 die-namics (MFT0. stitched circle set (CottageCutz

 

I am also entering:

1.  Crafting From The Heart has an anything goes challenge.

2.  Lil Patch of Crafty Friends has an anything goes challenge

3.  Hiding In My Craft Room has a freestyle challenge.

 

~Special Mom~

 

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog. Can you believe it's the last day of April? Where has this month gone?

 

I am almost finished with my school year as well. We have 6 classes left in preschool. I will definitely miss this class. Some of the students just hold a special place in my heart. their parents even tell me how much their kids love me. It makes me feel special.

 

Right before our graduation ceremony I will make a short trip to San Francisco to take care of my precious little granddaughter Phoenix Daisy. I can't wait to hug and kiss her. We do a video chat all the time on our IPads but seeing her in person will be wonderful. She already has plans made for us playing with her baby dolls. And lots of other ideas I am sure (lol).

 

Now onto my card for today. This one I made for the color challenge #580 on Splitcoaststampers. Vicki was our hostess and she chose daffodil delight, island indigo and garden green for her color palette.

 

daffodil delight island indigo garden green

 

I have been wanting to try the pleated skirt fold after I saw this great tutorial on Splitcoaststampers. For my fold I used island indigo designer paper from the Stampin'-Up "gingham garden" collection.

 

The teapot is cut with more Stampin'-Up designer paper. This one is from the "greenhouse gala" collection. The teapot lid and scallop decoration are cut in garden green.

Completed my card with my sentiment from a set by ODBD. The hearts are part of the Stampin'-Up "cups and framelits dies", The island indigo ribbon and bow are also Stampin'-Up.

 

Well that's it for me for today my friends! Off to watch my grandson play baseball. He is over this side of town today so I don't have to travel an hour to watch him play. So until next time........God bless.

 

card details:

Stamps: mother's day (ODBD)

Paper: ww, garden green, daffodil delight, gingham garden & greenhouse gala dsp (Stampin'-Up)

Paper Size: A2 

Ink: island indigo

Accessories: cups & kettle framelits, island indigo ribbon, pearls  

 

I am also entering: 

1. Jo's Scrap Shack has a Mother's Day challenge.

2.  Simply Create Too has a ladies only challenge.

3.  DL.Art has a Mother's Day challenge #179

4.  Mod Squad Challenge is Mother's Day