Create Custom Pop-Up Cards for Ooohs and Aaahhhs

For those looking for a custom card, or a greeting card that never fails to draw the "oohs and aaahhs" from a recipient, I've specialized in pop-up cards. And while they look difficult to make, they're really quite easy and addictive. Scroll below and I'll enclose here a template that I use to make my cards.

I was hired by a woman named Pam to make this gorgeous card for her niece, Corin. Pam's direction to me was only that the bride's colors were soft beige and grey, and that I could use any accent colors I chose.  

I used Close To My Heart's Whisper (grey) cardstock as the base, and cut doilies from Close To My Heart's Champagne (soft beige) to cover the base of the box.  The rose/blue designer papers are also from Close To My Heart -- a line called "Heartstrings" (now retired).  I used both paper and sticker "Complements". I added to the center strut the silhouette of the dancing couple, cut using a Silhouette Online Store file, using my Silhouette Cameo.  The image is reflected in the Bazill silver metallic cardstock adhered to the back panel of the card. 

To finish off the elegant box card, I added a customized name plate encircled with a beautiful circle rhinestone from The Buckle Boutique. The edge of the box at the fold also has a line of resin rhinestones cut from a sheet of The Buckle Boutique's Dazzling Diamonds clear resin rhinestone sheets. The man wears a boutonniere of a mini-rosebud trimmed down from a flower I had in my stash from Wild Orchid Crafts.

Let's take a look at another, similar card:

This card used the same basic template, but used a more classic black/white motif to celebrate the wedding of Megan and Robert. The paper used was another retired paper from Close To My Heart, called "Forever Yours."  The same silhouette was cut, this time using black and white to represent the groom and bride. The decorations here are simpler: a trellis of free form roses (also by Wild Orchid Crafts) was affixed to the center strut. I used a slightly larger rhinestone ring from The Buckle Boutique to highlight the wedding couple's names. 

Don't hesitate to try your hand at a Pop-Up Box Card. I promise you that they're so easy, you'll be wondering what took you so long to make your first one!  Here is my template:

You're the Best Dad: Father's Day Card in "Jackson"'s Lovely Colors

This may come as a shock, but for all of the cards that I make and send, I am notoriously bad for being on time with my wishes. 

I usually can't blame it on the fact that my card is undone; it's usually just sitting on my desk, looking for an envelope, getting the postage right, and, and, and -- ohhhh, every excuse in the book.

The lovely Mother's Day card I posted last month?  Yup, I had to send it Express Mail ($19.99 -- you'd think that would teach me!) so Mom would get it on time.  I STILL haven't even made my Dad's birthday (May 28) card and that's inexcusable. BUT I did make AND he has already received* his Father's Day card, so let me show it to you today....

For this extra-special card, I used the tri-fold shutter card style -- ironically, the same style I used to make my Mom's Mother's Day card.  (I didn't think of that until I went to post the picture, incidentally.)

For this card, I used the "Jackson" Paper Pack that is featured in Close To My Heart's Seasonal Expressions 2 catalog. I also used some retired CTMH stash I've been hoarding, including the cork adhesive elements and burlap ribbon. 

I also cut up one of CTMH's mini burlap drawstring bags (pictured at right). I know you're saying "huh?" as you read that. See the burlap patch behind the deer and trees?  That was once a burlap bag. And I used the drawstrings to tie the bows as the right -- waste not, want not, right?  

These adorable mini burlap bags are very versatile even as bags. BUT if you want to get yourself some, you only have until August 31, 2015 to snap some up, as they are on the RETIRING list for CTMH.  Also retiring is the Jackson Picture My Life Scrapbooking Program (a-la carte cards) that I used for the "Dream Big" symbol -- see it at left, in the top row, center? Place your order at cardmonkey.ctmh.com now for the best chance to get the last of what is available, before the new Annual Inspirations catalog is introduced in September 2015!

Lastly, I used my Silhouette Cameo 2 and purchases from their Online Store for the evergreen trees, the deer, the front sentiment, and to cut the words for the closing sentiment.  

(*P.S. -- The only reason Dad got his Father's Day card EARLY was that I was mailing Mom her June 9 birthday card late -- yup, the one I posted to the blog yesterday. I am notorious, I tell you. How I hope to start thinking ahead!)

Mother's Day Card with a "Taste of Summer"

Spring has finally sprung here in Southeastern Pennsylvania after what seemed to be the endless winter. Trees are in bud and blossom, and yes, the daffodils and crocuses have popped. The azaleas will be in full bloom right in time for Mother's Day.  And then we know spring is over and summer is right around the corner.

This year, a few days after the Sunday holiday, I am thrilled to be visiting my Mom and Dad in Naples, Florida.  Life and 1200 miles between us have made the interim between physical visits far too long.  I'll mail this card I've made for Mom so it arrives on time:

The style of this card is called a "Tri-Fold Shutter Card". Its intricate cut/fold makes it a bit more interesting and fun to display.  I used Close To My Heart's new line of "Taste of Summer" paper that will be available May 1-31, in honor of National Scrapbooking Month.  I used my Silhouette Cameo (with files from the Silhouette Online Store) to cut the bee and both sentiments; I had the daisies made and in my stash.  The bee pops up on an action spring also from CTMH. 

If you too would like your Taste of Summer papers (shown above, in the lower right of the picture) and its complementing stamp set (also pictured), please don't hesitate to contact me at cardmonkey@comcast.net.  Pre-orders are being accepted, so contact me today.

Last day of four -- Hanukkah cards galore!

Hanukkah continues, and so I will show you the last of my 12 cards I made for friends and neighbors celebrating this special holiday. If you missed Cards 1-9, please scroll down.

On the 10th Day of CardMonkey's Hanukkah celebration, my true love sent to me:

10. Sarita makes its return visit

If you are following along, you'll recognize the CTMH Sarita paper used here, from the Spinner Card I showed you yesterday.  

This time, I made a gatefold card -- it opens in the center -- that is held shut with a Star of David at the top, and a sentiment at the bottom.

I cut the Star of David using my Silhouette Cameo, a Design Studio file, and matte silver stock by Bazzill, available at Scrapbook.com.  I backed the cut silver star with CTMH's Lagoon cardstock, and a center piece cut from Gypsy cardstock.  

The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp, stamped in Lagoon Exclusive Ink from CTMH, on a Colonial White piece of CTMH cardstock that has been lined with Lagoon cardstock. I LOVE that CTMH sells papers and inks to match exactly!  I put two sparkly bits on either side of the sentiment, and it's done!

On the 11th Day of CardMonkey's Hanukkah celebration, my true love sent to me:

11. A peaceful dove and a golden Star of David

I found this beautiful dove in the Cricut Design Space files and so cut (using my Cricut Explore) "him" out using Crystal Blue cardstock from CTMH. While that was cutting, I found the swirled word "Peace" in a Silhouette Design Studio file, and cut that out using my Cameo, using White Daisy CTMH cardstock.  

You can never have enough metallic gold in my world, so this lovely paper from Bazzill is a staple in my craft room. I cut the Stars of David out using my Silhouette Cameo and one of Silhouette's files. 

Once everything was cut, I grouped all of the cut pieces on a backing of Outdoor Denim blue cardstock. I toyed around with some border scribbles, using a Sakura white gel pen. I like the casual feel to the scribbles, though I think I'd lighten up a bit on the pen when making this again.

I added three Sparkle Gems from CTMH in the lower right hand corner to call this complete!

...and last but not least ... 

On the FINAL day of CardMonkey's Hanukkah celebration, my true love sent to me:

12. A pretty Festival of Lights card 


Pretty "Frosted" paper from CTMH (now retired) was used for the backdrop of a tableau for a fussy-cut menorah that had been stamped in Pacifica ink onto Lagoon paper by CTMH. The flames, stamped separately in a stamp set by CTMH, were gold embossed. 

The Star of David is from a Papertrey Ink stamp set, stamped in Outdoor Denim ink (CTMH) onto Goldrush cardstock (CTMH) and fussy cut, and raised with pop-dots.  

The sentiment is from a CTMH stamp set, stamped in Outdoor Denim ink, onto Frosted paper that has been layered with a bit of Goldrush and Sarita papers by CTMH. For a pop of color, I added a lower layer of Lagoon paper peeking out behind the Frosted paper. 

I hope you have enjoyed these Hanukkah cards. Season's Greetings to you and yours!

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

Hanukkah Greetings, Day 2

Continuing on from yesterday, here are more Hanukkah cards I've made for my Jewish friends:

On the 4th Day of Hanukkah, my true love sent to me:

4. A pretty center-step Festival of Lights card:

I just love how a Center-Step folded card stands on display, so I knew I wanted to make at least one of these pretty cards which is just a little more cutting and folding than a standard card. I follow templates readily available at www.SplitCoastStampers.com.

I cut the base from Colonial White cardstock (Close To My Heart, CTMH), and embellished it on the left and right panels with Snowhaven B&T Duo cardstock (CTMH), on the center panel with Slate cardstock (CTMH) and on the bottom piece with stacked Slate and Colonial White papers.  

I cut the framed element in Cranberry and Colonial White papers (CTMH), using a pattern from the Design Space subscription and my Cricut Explore.  I also cut the pretty Menorah shaped to fit the element (a little taller); it's a cut from DS/Explore too, and I used Crystal Blue cardstock from CTMH.  

I glued the Menorah to the white framed element, using a Martha Stewart glue pen, and topped each candle with a swoosh of Glitz from CTMH (no longer available, darn!).  I stacked the elements and popped them up, using foam pop-dots from my stash.

The sentiment and Stars of David are from a stamp set I purchased from Simon Says Stamp, using Slate and Cranberry Exclusive inks (CTMH).  I added a bit of bling (CTMH) to the center of each star, and voila, Card #4 is complete!

On the 5th Day of Hanukkah, my  true love sent to me:

5. A Chevron-embossed green and gold beauty ...

To make this card, I designed a card cut combining the lettering pattern I found in the Silhouette Online Store with a line underneath (cut), with the whole element cut to a 4"w x 5.25"h panel. Once that was cut, I embossed the bottom of the cut using a sweet Chevron folder from CTMH and my Cheery Lynn Designs Crossover embossing/cutting machine.  

I put a piece of CTMH gold shimmer trim behind the line cut, for emphasis, taping it in place. I then layered the entire piece atop a value-pack A2 card from CTMH, and Card #5 was done!






On the 6th Day of Hanukkah, my true love sent to me:

6.  A special fold/Star of David card - Shalom!

Here's another easy card, with the right equipment. The card cut is already designed and available on CTMH's new "Artfully Sent" cartridge. All of the elements are as you see them here -- the fold line (scored), with the Star of David already inserted, and the white insert piece already designed with the word "shalom" at the base.

I cut the card, using my Cricut Explore and Pacifica and White Daisy cardstocks (CTMH). Then, because it was just too easy, I decided to highlight the Star of David using gold Stickles (from Ranger), and I inked the edges in Pacifica Exclusive Ink and a sponge dauber, both from CTMH.  

And that's it for Card #6!


Stop back tomorrow to see Cards # 7, 8 and 9!


DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

Happy Hanukkah

To my dear Jewish friends, my wish for you is a holiday season full of light and joy. 

One of my dearest friends, Star, is not Jewish herself but is married to the most wonderful mensch, Bernie. As a result, Star has many observant friends and family members for whom she makes cards. Over the years, she has asked where to get paper, stamps, and other embellishments for the cards she creates. 

As I've shopped with her in mind, I've also made some cards -- not just for her and Bernie, but also for friends and neighbors in my predominantly Jewish community. The cards are also very popular at the gift stores and shows where I sell my cards, because "nice Hanukkah cards are so hard to find."

This year, I've created quite an assortment of Hanukkah cards that I've added to my CardMonkey catalog. Without further ado, I present to you my "12 Days of Hanukkah". (Yes, I know there are really only 8 days of Hanukkah, but let's throw in 4 more for the fun of it...)

I'll be presenting three cards a day over the next four days, so do stop back and visit.... 

On the first day of Hanukkah, my true love sent to me:

1. A Glittered Iris-folded Star of David: 

To make this card, I cut the Star of David in the center of a white piece of cardstock, using my Cricut Explore and a pattern from their Design Space subscription. 

Next, using the sentiment stamp I purchased from Simon Says Stamp and Versamark Embossing Ink I purchased from Close To My Heart (CTMH), I stamped the "Happy Hanukkah" below the cut star. I used gold embossing powder (also from CTMH) and a craft heater gun (CTMH) to imprint the sentiment.

I then cut strips of glittered cardstock each 1/2" wide and 3" long. Using a traditional Iris-pattern within the open space on the back, I arranged alternating colors of the paper, taping each of the pieces in place to fill the opening. 

Once done, I backed the card with Thistle cardstock from CTMH, and adhered to a value-pack card (CTMH), and voila, Card #1 is done!

On the second day of Hanukkah, my true love sent to me:

2. A colorful Candle card:

To make this card, I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut colorful candles from a variety of 6x6" papers that I had collected over the years -- no rhyme or reason for the color choices, just as long as they were colorful.  I cut the flames from gold metallic paper from Bazzill (www.scrapbook.com), also using my Cameo. 

I cut 8 candles that were one length, and made the center candle (called the shamash, or helper/servant candle) a little longer.  I placed the shamash first in the center onto white cardstock (CTMH), and then arranged in fun and intentionally crooked ways the other eight candles. I used a fine-line black pen from CTMH to draw the wicks. 

I affixed the flames using a glue pen (I prefer the one from Martha Stewart) and stamped the sentiment, which is from Close To My Heart, using Outdoor Denim Exclusive Ink (CTMH). I backed the card onto Outdoor Denim Cardstock (CTMH) and then onto a handmade card using White Daisy cardstock (CTMH). Voila, Card #2 done.

On the third day of Hanukkah, my true love sent to me:

3. A Dreidel-shaped card for all to see!

This was probably the easiest card I've made. It is a shaped card that was designed fully by the Silhouette Online Store and cut with my Cameo -- all I had to do was cut and embellish.  

I cut the backdrop of the Dreidel using Crystal Blue cardstock (CTMH), and the overlaid pieces using Pacifica cardstock (CTMH).  I glued the layers together using a Bonding Memories gluestick (CTMH) and stamped the sentiment inside using the same stamp set I used on Day 2, from CTMH, and Pacifica Exclusive Ink (CTMH).  

After I thought I was done, I wanted some glitz, so I added silver Stickles (from Ranger) over the Hebrew letters (Shin on the left, Hei on the right) and at the top of the Dreidel. It would have been easier to layer some silver glitter paper under the layer, had I not glued it down first -- live and learn! -- but I think it is just as pretty, don't you?

Stop back tomorrow to see Days 4, 5 and 6!


DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

Happy Birthday, Josh!

Happy birthday to my son-in-law, Josh.  What a great husband and Dad he has been -- loving and supportive to our daughter, Emily.

I made this layout depicting one of my most favorite moments with Josh and Charlotte.  Charlotte was visiting for the afternoon, and Josh was joining us for dinner.  As Josh approached our house, Charlotte went running down our front lawn, her arms open wide, smiling and shouting, "Dada! Dada!"  Josh scooped her up and ... the camera captured the father-daughter love.

"Love you to the moon and back" is the young family's most favorite saying. I found this cut on the Silhouette Online Store, and cut it with my Silhouette Cameo.  The moon and stars are also from the SOS.  The slate paper is from Close To My Heart, as are the gem flourishes. 


DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

A Quartet of Easter Images -- on a card!

If you're looking for a sweet, beautiful and easy card, this is it!  Silhouette's Online Store offers this quartet card -- four equal squares of seasonal images, lined up on a card that you size and cut -- tah-dah, that's it!

I cut this card using my Silhouette Cameo. The papers I chose were Daisy White and Cotton Candy by Close To My Heart. 

Are you hosting Easter brunch or dinner?  Wouldn't this cut be pretty on a placemat? 

Some Bunny Loves You

Today's card leading up to Easter 2014 is the one I made for my darling Granddaughter, Charlotte:

This card is a modified tri-fold shutter card, so that the inside/back of the card has room for a full panel greeting. I cut this from a template I found online, as developed by Sandy Allnock.  I used papers from Jillibean Soup; the cute bunny on an Action Wobble is from the Silhouette Online Store (SOS) and is cut using the Silhouette Cameo.  The sentiments are also cuts from the SOS.

Charlotte's looking forward to a basket of goodies from the Easter Bunny -- much as she loves chocolate, her basket will include her greater love: books. It's amazing to see a 3-year old's inquisitive mind learning to read, sounding out words, and spelling her friends' names.  



CreAtiVeLy Yours,

Tastefully Elegant Easter Egg Card

It's the week leading up to Easter ... what better time to post the Easter cards I've made for family? 

First up, let me show you the card I've made for my parents, who live in Naples, Florida.  This card is "tastefully elegant", much like the two who have loved for going on 63 years!

To make this egg-shaped card, I used a file from the Silhouette Online Store, and modified it just slightly. I cut it on my Silhouette Cameo, including extra of the flowers (using Close To My Heart's White Daisy and Bamboo cardstocks) to layer atop of the flowers in the design. 

To give the flowers extra dimension, I burnished the cut flowers so the paper softens and curls as I rubbed. I adhered them with glue and topped each with a pearl.

I popped up the entire top cut layer, using foam tape. 

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

St. Patrick's Day greetings to you and yours!

Supplies:

Cutting template by Extreme Cards (http://extremecards.blogspot.com)
Paper: Pear (green) and Daisy White by Close To My Heart; Shamrocks by Best Creation; gold metallic by Bazzill
Rhinestone resin sheet by The Buckle Boutique
Leprechaun cut using "Everyday Paper Dolls" by Cricut/ProvoCraft
Vines cut using a Cheery Lynn Design die and Big Shot
Glue: Liquid Paper by Close To My Heart
Tape Adhesive by Scor-Pal
Electronic Cutting machine: Silhouette Cameo

Welcome Baby - and a cute Get Inky! Giraffe

Can you stand another pop-up card?  Well, I'm going to have to ask you to bear with me, as so many of those who purchase my cards just love them. Here's another.  This one I made to welcome a new baby.

To make this card, I used the template I posted last week, from Extreme Cards. I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut it and the baby pennant, as well as the sentiment, "Little One."  The adorable giraffe is a new stamp from "Get Inky Stamps" by Blue Moon Creations.  I colored it with Copic markers, and fussy cut it to mount on the card. The featured papers are called "Babycakes" by Close To My Heart.

One of the reasons that I like making these pop-up cards is that they deliver a "wow!" factor, and also retail for more than a standard fold card. Yes, they take a little longer and a little more paper to make, but the higher retail price (typically around $10) is something to consider as a cardmaker. 

Here is the front of the card, when folded flat (well, almost flat, for the picture)...

Show me your box cards! :)




DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

Box of Flowers Card -- what a breath of springtime!

Shhhh, it's soon to be a BIG-0 birthday for one of my friends and papercrafting students, Susan. She is unabashedly turning 70 at the beginning of March.  

Given that she sees me as her crafting inspiration, I needed to go "all out" on a birthday card for this special woman. I never tried a box card before, and this would be my opportunity.

First the pictures of the finished project:

This is the card, folded flat, measuring 6"h x 5.5"w

This is the card with its flaps opened and pushed out to a "box".

Now, there are many tutorials on how to make this card (just do as I do, Google it, and/or search on YouTube).  The best tutorial I found was on a blog by a woman named Cathy at http://extremecards.blogspot.com.  This is her cutting file:

Here is a link to the blog post where Cathy describes how to assemble the box: 
http://extremecards.blogspot.com/search/label/boxes

Then the fun of decorating your box begins!  I used Close To My Heart's new line of Ariana papers and Complements to decorate the base and to make the flowers. The colors in this line of paper are some of Susan's favorites, so I think she'll really like the card.

I cut the words "Happy Birthday" from Bazzill metallic paper that I bought from Scrapbook.com, using the multi-cut feature on my Silhouette Cameo and one of the great files by Rivka Wilkins for the Silhouette Online Store.   The glittered letter stickers in Susan's name and 7-0 are retired Pixie glitter letters, from Close To My Heart. The butterfly die and the leaves on vine die are both from Cheery Lynn Designs. The ribbon is "Olive You" Rumple Ribbon by Lovebug Creations. 

To allow the flowers to have some movement when the card is closed, I mounted each on a green florist wire by taping it to the back of the flower, and covering the tape over with a circle of floral paper. The numbers 7-0 are on thin silver wire, to match, instead. All of the wires are glued or taped onto the center fold tab (see template, above) which rests in the inside of the box. Oh, and I used my favorite corner rounder (by CTMH, of course) on the flap edges to complete the look. 

Why not bring a little spring into your household by making one of these pretty pots of flowers for your desk?