Hi and welcome! Just a quick post using stamps and dies from several companies to create a couple of Saint Patrick’s cards. I had fun looking through my stamps and dies for anything that could be used for these: a witch’s cauldron for a pot of gold, bubbles for gold coins, a file for a card base etc.
The Elizabeth Craft Designs File Folder set 1 is a perfect size for an A2 card base. The beautiful background paper is from an ECD Reminiscence Book. The Leprechaun was made with the ECD Gnome die set, but his hat was made with a Lawn Fawn set. The rainbow, pot of gold, and mug of beer are all from My Favorite Things sets.
A pot of gold and a mug of beer. What more could a leprechaun want?!
Thanks for dropping by. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to you and wishing you the Luck O’ the Irish!
Di
Products:
General File Folder #1982 from Elizabeth Craft Designs
Gnomes #1922 from Elizabeth Craft Designs
Slimline Adventure Edges #1925 from Elizabeth Craft Designs
Isn’t this little mouse stamp so cute?! It’s a Simon Says Stamp set from a few years ago. I enjoy getting it out every winter to color a few images. These Zig colored mice were buried (along with a lot of other images) on my craft table and I decided they are too cute to lose again.
Since the detail work was already done, it didn’t take long to turn them into Valentine Cards.
I placed a rectangle stencil over the white card base and then a hill stencil over the bottom of that. I blended Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide over the sky area then removed the hill stencil. I added just a hint of a light gray Distress Oxide ink along the edges of the rectangular stencil to help the “snowy” hill and sky show up against the white cardstock.
I stamped the coco sentiment in black, a few blue snowflakes, and a tiny red heart.
The cookie heart was cut from kraft cardstock and stamped with red ink.
So, now I have these four cards from the colored images that I found while cleaning off my craft space. And there are many more to come! Drop by again soon and see what else I made from the little buried treasures. Thanks for visiting.
Using Joset’s line of Elizabeth Craft Designs Products
Gong Hei Fat Choi – that is the Cantonese greeting meaning congratulations and best wishes for a prosperous new year! The Lunar New Year begins January 22, 2023.
2023 is the Year of the Rabbit and the rabbit is considered clever and energetic. The Elizabeth Craft Designs Bunny die set seemed a whimsical way to portray those traits.
I first cut the bunny from red card stock and the inner ear and face from white card stock. I colored the inner ear and face pieces with Copic Markers. Then I applied gold Lunar Paste to the rabbit through stencils with very small flower designs (I don’t have the names of these older ECD stencils). I assembled the rabbit and using my preferred glue, Art Glitter Glue.
Then I created a small red and gold envelope for the rabbit to hold. It’s Chinese tradition to give red envelopes containing money during holidays and special occasions.
I cut a piece of Soft Finish Cardstock to slimline card size. Then I lightly blended tumbled glass Distress Oxide over the sky area.
Bamboo was die cut from a lime green card stock and grass from a shiny, lime green, embossed paper that I’ve been hoarding.
The lanterns were very easy to make using just red and gold cardstock. I added a few details with tiny gold dots of paper.
I assembled the scene by layering two pieces of grass. Then I attached a long curved piece of the bamboo with a short piece to add length. The addition is visible between the rabbit’s ear and face. A piece of string hangs the lantern from the bamboo.
All that was left was to place a typed sentiment and the rabbit at the front.
Thanks for reading along,
Di
Supplies: all dies are by Joset at Elizabeth Craft Designs
I love making tags. They are tiny pieces of art, but easy to part with since they don’t require a lot of time. My family has even started to save some of the “used” tags to reuse because they are special. How sweet and affirming is that?!
I made tags using sooo many different products. Several stamped images are from Tim Holtz, a few are from Simon Says Stamp, and My Favorite Things is represented, as is Stampin’ Up.
I used Copic Markers or water colors. I even painted a few branches and berries myself using Iulie Colorshift Watercolor. (Oh my – those are beautiful metallic paints!) I was inspired by Marie Claire to hand draw a couple of lined pages, one in red and one black, which I used to cut a few tags.
Hi. Thanks for dropping in. I have a cute, pull-tab, slimline card to share with you today.
The cute beaver peeking our from his dam
Here is the beaver has appeared from the dam
This whimsical slimline card was easy to make using Elizabeth Craft Designs dies. First, I used the shrub die from the Slimline Adventure Edges set to make a stencil for the clouds, then I made layers of clouds using Distress Oxide. Blending light blue ink on the lower end of the card created water for the beaver dam to sit in.
The beaver and shrubs were cut from various colors of card stock and the beaver was assembled.
Using the Beaver die set, I traced the short log and extended the drawing to about 3.5 inches long. Then I hand cut several of the longer “logs” from kraft paper using that template. Several more logs were cut using both of the log dies from the set.
I applied Wild Honey Distress Oxide to the cut end of the log. Then I placed a circular mask over that end and darkened the log with Vintage Photo Oxide ink.
Below are some logs after being cut and colored. I added a few score lines to the longer logs to add “bark”.
I cut the pull tab from the background created earlier and created the pull mechanism, then attached the beaver. I built the beaver dam with the logs by attaching them to an oval piece of scrap paper. The dam was elevated with foam tape. I allowed room between the pieces of foam tape allowing the beaver to hide under the dam.
A few green leaves and tiny dragonfly embellishments completed the card.
Any questions? Please let me know if you make this card. I’d love to see your creation.
Do you enjoy gardening? My sister and I do and she recently became a Master Gardener. It involves months of classwork, tests, and accumulating many volunteer hours.
My sister’s efforts inspired me to create this little book filled with seed packets for her birthday. The packets can actually be used to collect and label seeds or just as a garden inspired mini-album. Like most albums, it can hold memorabilia, journaling cards, or photos.
Inside front cover and the first seed packet
Starting with floral papers that I already had, I cut ten packets with the Seed Packet die. Using a heavy-duty paper cutter, cut the book front and back from cardboard about 4&1/2″ x 4&1/2″. I covered the outside and inside of the covers with patterned paper using a combination of tape and glue. A Crop-A-Dile was used to round the corners of the covers.
Adhere vellum or decorative paper to the inside of the packet to cover the window opening. Then fold the die cut at the score lines and tape the bottom and side closed. I used Elizabeth Craft Designs 3mm double sided adhesive.
I used a variety of patterned papers and some solid papers for the mini-album.
Also cut ten of the four-hole notebook edge die from the Seed Packet Set in coordinating paper. Keep the excess piece from the seed packet “window”. Attach the edge piece to the back of a seed packet while making sure not to glue down the top flap.
This is how the back of the seed packets look and the inside back cover
Score the window piece in the center lengthwise, fold it, and adhere it covering the front and back of the notebook piece over the two middle holes (see the white and kraft pieces in the photo above).
Now assemble the book using the book rings and embellish it. Shaped flowers are a perfect accent. This is a fun, cute, and quick little album.
Thanks for reading along. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Di
SUPPLIES
Elizabeth Craft Designs Sidekick Essentials 16, Seed Packet Set #1838
Elizabeth Craft Designs Paper Love stamp set #CS214
Elizabeth Craft Designs In My Garden stamp set#CS212
Elizabeth Craft Designs Home & Nature stamp set #CS213
Hi! Thanks for dropping by. I hope you will be inspired to create!
This post satisfies the “paper bag” prompt for two different groups: Journal with Us (using Elizabeth Craft Designs Art Journal Specials) and Art-Play-Fun (a My Heart’s Fancy’s Facebook group) .
I challenged myself to use the paper bag as much as possible and limit the number of other products. The hand torn flowers, bottle, and embossed background are all from the same paper bag. While it’s not too complicated, I’m happy with the outcome.
The Process
Stamp theLove Makes A House Home bottle in VersaFine black ink and heat emboss with black embossing powder. Use turquoise watercolor to color “water” in the bottle.
Cut leaves/vines with Elizabeth Craft Designs Summer Journal Specials die
Stamp the cork stopper with black Archival ink onto cork and fussy cut
Emboss the paper bag background with Tim Holtz 3-D Foliage embossing folder. I did not spritz the paper with water before embossing, but I would recommend it.
Cut a 1&1/2 inch strip of paper bag approximately 12″ long and tear to make flowers (instructions below). Use a blending brush to lightly add white ink to the the large flower and vines. Use a different brush to add Peacock Feathers Distress Oxide lightly over the top of the smaller shaped flowers.
Attach the elements then add white splatters mainly over the flowers.
Attach to a white A2 card base.
The torn edge creates a natural look and softens the flowers.
Creating the Flowers
To make the smaller flowers, cut a 1&1/2″ strip of paper bag and tear down the middle, going side to side, to make hills and valleys. Tear the valleys deeper than this picture shows to create the flower petals. The flower is very hard to shape if the petal tears aren’t deep enough. Starting at one end, wrap the paper around a skinny chopstick or pencil flaring the petals out as you work. When you’re happy with the shape, go back and add dots of glue as you wrap or put glue dots on the bottom to hold the shape.
This was before the white splatter was added. The splatter ties the card together better.
Supplies
Paper bag
Elizabeth Craft Designs Art Journal Love Makes A House Home stamp set
Elizabeth Craft Designs Art Journal set Summer Journal Special
Tim Holtz Foliage 3-D embossing folder
VersaFine Onyx Black inkpad
White inkpad
Peacock Feathers Distress Oxide
White acrylic paint
Glue dots, tape, glue
Thanks again for stopping by. I hope you’ll come again soon.
5×8″ Journal made with Elizabeth Craft Designs dies and Graphic 45 papers
Hello and welcome.
Have you seen the Graphic 45 Let it Bee Collection? It is so beautiful with its golden sunflowers and detailed bees that I knew it would make a gorgeous planner.
By limiting the papers that I pulled from my stash and only using a few dies for the card bases, the album/journal came together pretty quickly. A sturdy black card stock (I recommend 90 pound or heavier) was used with Elizabeth Craft Designs Planner Essential dies 1, 2, 3, and 41 for the page foundations.
The 8×8 Let it Bee paper pack was just large enough to cut two matts per sheet using the mat die from the Elizabeth Craft Designs (ECD) Planner Essentials #41.
Papers were added from my stash. The yellow and green papers were cut using ECD Florals 7 and shaped into dimensional sunflowers and leaves.
Journal pockets add interest and give good storage for memorabilia. Include tags for a versatile way to add extra photos or journaling.
The Seed Packet dies are fun to decorate in so many ways and give a secure way to keep memorabilia inside. I stamped, colored, and fussy cut bees to embellish the packets.
The Graphic 45 postcard journaling cards and stamped journaling cards really help with telling your story.
I hope this inspires you a bit. Please leave a comment and let me know if you made anything with this beautiful paper.
Thanks for stopping by!
Di
Graphic 45 Let it Bee 8×8″ Paper
Graphic 45 Let it Bee Journaling Cards
Graphic 45 Let it Bee Ephemera
Elizabeth Craft Designs Planner Essentials 1, #1603
Elizabeth Craft Designs Planner Essentials 2, #1604
Elizabeth Craft Designs Planner Essentials 3, #1605
Elizabeth Craft Designs Planner Essentials 41, #1867 Rounded Corners Page
Elizabeth Craft Designs Planner Essentials 26, #1744 Tag & Topper
Elizabeth Craft Designs Sidekick Essentials 8, #1772
Elizabeth Craft Designs Sidekick Essentials 16, #1838 Seed Packet Set
Elizabeth Craft Designs Florals 7, #1843
Elizabeth Craft Designs #CS040 Bugs & Butterflies Stamp Set
Elizabeth Craft Designs #1347 Bugs & Butterflies Die Set
When I was growing up our mother valued the things that we, her children, made over any gift that we could have bought for her. So, when asked what she wanted for her birthday, Mother’s Day, etcetera, she always asked for something that we’d made ourselves. I don’t recall that any of us had a bit of talent, but for myself, her request instilled a great value for anything hand made.
Though I am not a seasoned quilter, I was sure Mom would be excited to have a quilt made specifically for her. The pattern A Quilt for Claire from The Quilting Land is interesting, but achievable for a novice like me. I collected coordinating pink and turquoise cotton fabrics along the “Road to Oklahoma Shop Hop” that takes place in quilt shops across Oklahoma each June through July.
One of the sewn blocks. This is a very quick quilt to make.
Here is the pieced top before quilting. Several of the fabrics have gold in the design which helped to coordinate the various patterns.
I chose pink and turquoise because they were Mom’s favorite colors when she was a child. The lap-size quilt was a combined birthday and Mother’s Day gift for her.
My original plan was to quilt with straight lines framing the fabric strips. For some reason that I can’t recall, I changed to a “pebble” pattern of free motion quilting. I’m happy with the result, but it certainly took a lot longer to complete the quilting!
Mom loves her quilt and displays it proudly on her couch for everyone to see!
Thanks for dropping by. It would make me day if you’d leave a comment.
Quilt Inspiration: Child’s Room and a Fabric Print
Hi. I’m Di. Thanks for visiting.
Recently my daughter, Aubrey, and her husband planned to start a family. She was working on the design for their nursery and asked me to make a quilt for it. There were the usual decisions: choosing a pattern, color scheme, and fabric. Would the child be a boy or girl? Would they be healthy? What color eyes would they have? The questions every parent has had since the beginning of time.
But there was more. How old would he or she be? Would this be a temporary or permanent home? My daughter and her husband had just finished the hours and hours of education, and home visits, and background checks to become foster parents. Their home was now “open” – meaning they might wait weeks or months for a child, then suddenly have a placement with just a few hours notice.
So there were more than the usual unknowns to prepare for. But Aubrey is an interior designer and I can only image how much she must have enjoyed planning for different scenarios: a nursery or a toddler’s room, a boy or a girl. Soon we were off to the quilt shop.
Inspiration fabric for the quilt. The rows repeat about every inch, so the colored rows at very small.
Aubrey found the patterned fabric above and that was our inspiration. We chose various solid fabrics and small-print fabrics with a plan to make irregular blocks in rows for a crib size quilt. It was our own design, but one that I could quickly complete since I am a novice quilter and they could get a child at any time.
A few of the fabrics that we chose. Others came from my stash.
While we were choosing fabrics, I asked a store employee for advice. It seemed prudent to explain why we didn’t know how old or what gender the child might be and that we didn’t have a “due date”. They might need the quilt at any time. After hearing my daughter’s story, the lady confided that she and her husband were not able to have children and she had regretted not having had the courage to foster or adopt. This person, who we just met, paid for the fabric. I’ve learned that people want to help.
Aubrey’s friends planned a “foster shower” for her intending the gifts to be for an unknown boy or girl, and baby or toddler. The invitations had already been sent, when my daughter and son-in-law were placed with a sweet, smiling, healthy, and very observant toddler! *
Making rows of fabric blocks irregular was harder than I expected and the result was straight, not wonky. Fortunately, the quilt was ready in time for me to give to them at the shower. Again, I’m a novice quilter, but I’m satisfied with the result.
I love thinking of this sweet child wrapped in love and warmth from the quilt that I made. They are such a sweet loving family. I really could not be prouder.
Thank you for reading our story,
Di
* For the privacy of the child, I’ve deliberately kept details vague.
a little bird crafts 