There is always an appropriate time to make a card or paper project. So today I thought a small project was in order. Who can't use a cute book to go in their pocket or purse. These can be made any color of card stock you have. The note pads can be bought or make them yourself, that is very simple also.

You want to start with the pad first, make or buy. First step is to measure and add 1/4 inch to width and length. Then add another 1/4 inch on the side you are going to make your fold over.

Saying: your notepad measures 3 1/2 x 5 and you are going to open it like a book then your card stock would be cut at 7 1/2 x 5 1/4. You would then score with the 7 1/2" side to the top of scoreboard at 3 5/8 and 3 7/8.

This will allow you a 1/8" border all around as well as 1/4" for spine. I have found if you have the little finger hold to open the cover it works better. This is my opinion, you could make it flush with the notepad and it will work just fine also.

Now to attach the notepad to the back of the folder. This can be done several ways. Since I am only using card stock as the cover I choose to glue the cardboard of the notepad to the back cover. This only makes it sturdier. Place it up against the scored line not over it but just butted up against it. You want the spine to be free to open and close properly. Making sure you have your 1/8 " border on the other (3) sides.

Okay you are ready to decorate as you choose. I tend to decorate my books flatter so as not to get mangled in pocket or purse.  Add a pen with this and it makes a wonderful gift. You can make these any size if you remember the size rule. Also, to make your own notepads is not hard either. I will cover that in another post.

Just to show you what an assorted color or size can do.

                                                                                                       Enjoy

Today I found a new technique that I wasn't sure about until I tried it myself. It does work and it is beautiful. Vellum is a wonderful creation that is used in so many ways and finding a new way is wonderful. This is on a heavy weight vellum, probably about 80#, to me it feels like a double sided designer paper.

This is called 'heat embossing', with an embossing powder and heat tool. First thing you want to do is de-static your base, 'I use baby powder (not a lot) on a cosmetic round from the Dollar Tree'. You could use a cotton ball something that is soft and absorbent. This is so when you add the embossing powder it does not stick to anything but the stamped image. Then I stamped with 'versa-mark watermark ink', added my embossing powder 'I used WOW! Metallic Gold Rich super fine'. Shake off the excess and heat emboss.

You can find videos on how to do this process on 'You Tube'. Attached it to the front of my card added some gold ribbon and pearls, a 'thinking of you' sentiment. All that is left to do is add a note to the inside or stamp a sentiment and mail.

Heat embossing is one of the more fun things. Very simple and easy to do, but adds so much to your finished project.

This card measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 but you can make it any size you would like. It is your creation. 

                                                                                      

                                                                                          Enjoy

May also starts the graduation season. I have made a few cards for you to check out. An idea can come at you from anywhere and when it does write it down or draw it out. Then when the time comes to make something you have a few ideas to toss around.

card #1...
                 

 

This card is 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 from white card stock. Black card stock on top of that with a 1/8" boarder. Then the white is just 'V' shapes adhered down to make the collar like a graduation gown. For the buttons I have used tiny gold brads. The 'mortarboard' is black card stock on white card stock  with a brad in the middle. The tassel is made from gold braid. The sentiment 'Congratulations' is raised with foam tape. There is a sentiment on the inside. I always finish my cards with some design or sentiment on the inside so they are ready to send.

card #2                                                                                                                                                     

This card is 5 x 6 1/2 and opens at the top. White card stock base, covered with designer paper. The cap is all one piece. The mortarboard lifts up and has white card stock inside with computer message, also gold dazzles or stickers. The tassel is gold braid fastened on to a gold brad.

Hope this has got you off to a good start.
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Since Mother's Day is coming up I thought I better get in gear. This card is stamped with a 'layered flower stamp' it is like a 3d stamp. It is stamped with three different colors in each flower. The flowers have been fussy cut and raised with dimensionals'. The sentiment is from the same stamp. The inside has one flower stamped and the sentiment stamped.

The card base is black card stock 8 1/2 x 11 cut in half length wise to 4 1/4 x 11 and scored at 5 1/2 so the fold is at the top of the card. The white card stock is cut at 4 1/8 x 5 3/8 I like to leave a slight border it just seems to set it off more. You decide how much of a border it is your creation.

I hope this has helped you in some small way. 

                                                                        Enjoy

Today we are going to go back and assume you are a beginning paper crafter.

Okay the first thing you will need is paper, naturally. By this I mean a base for your card. The best thing I have found for me is either a double-sided design paper or a medium weight card stock like a 65# or 80# I use the 65#, for the simple reason I like to layer or use dimensional focals or accents. I very seldom make a flat card. I want it to be special.  This will keep the cost down if you are going to mail instead of hand deliver your special creation. I also make either a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 or a 5 x 6 1/2-inch card.

 Simple reason is here in the USA, regular mail is considered rectangle from 3 1/2 x 5 in to 6 1/8 x 11 1/2. You also must figure in the weight. In my opinion the lighter weight to start with the better. Again, this is your decision. Your creation.

If you are making your own card base I would make the 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 because this is half of an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of card stock no matter which way you decide to cut it, you get two bases. Any other size I normally use pre-made bases.

Next, I decide what type card I want to make. Birthday, Get Well, etc.

Layout, this is deciding on your color scheme, your focal, your sentiment how and where you want each on your card base.

Now dig out all that pretty paper and start coming up with color combinations and designs.

Wal-la a beautiful creative one of a kind for that special someone.

Some of the most important tools in my craft room are;

  my trimmer

  score board

  sharp scissors

  adhesive

Then there are the toys to make all those oh! so pretty accents.

  dies and die cutting machine (I have a machine that die cuts and embosses both)

  embossing folders (there are many uses for these)

  stamps (many uses for these)

  inks (many different kinds and many different uses)

oh, the list goes on.

Here is where it can get expensive. Especially if you have no self-control when it comes to pretty items that you might just use some day. But they are just so pretty!

                                                                                                    Enjoy

.....To continue on with what we have just discussed. I have added a couple cards I have already made with using the same die to cut the focal but totally different color schemes and orientations.

Card #1
This is a 5 x 6 1/2 inch card with the fold at the top of the card. The 'Congratulations' was dry embossed and then lightly inked with a soft blue to emphasis. The background paper is a light beige allover design, with a torn piece at the bottom right of sand design paper. The die cut shells are out of silver ripple specialty paper backed with a blue peacock specialty paper. Underneath the shells I have wrapped and tied in a bow some jute thread. The seaweed is a leaf from another die which I thought went together rather well. The shells are popped up with dimensional's.

Card #2
This also is a 5 x 6 1/2 inch card with the fold on the left side of card. It was covered in a blue water paper then the sand was torn, inked and placed on the left side under the large conch shell which is cut from silver hammered specialty paper and back with navy shimmer specialty paper. Another piece of sand design paper was torn and placed on the right to look like a small dune. It has been raised on dimensional's. The smaller shell is placed on that with seaweed placed around. The sentiment is stickers or dazzles in white. The same two focal dies but totally different looks.
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Good Morning:

Though I am new to the 'Blog' scene, I am not new to the craft world. Please bear with me as I learn the ins and outs of how to get things done.

 I am into paper, beautiful, beautiful paper. I do not need the most expensive nor do I need the most popular. I need what jumps out at me. I have learned if you take two different color schemes and do the same set up on each card you will have a totally distinctive look. Also, what I make probably will not look like what you make, Because no two people see things exactly alike.

Basically, all you need to get started in card-making, folios or albums is about the same. For card and folios, you need a base of card-stock, or for cards you can buy card blanks. These are usually just white. If you want to make different colored card bases buy colored card stock. To make an A2 or 4 ¼ x 5 ½ inch size card if you take an 8 ½ x 11 card stock put it in your trimmer with the 8 ½ at the top and cut at 4 ¼ this will make two card bases.  turn it with 11 at the top and cut at 5 ½ and you have two card bases. Therefore, getting two card bases from one piece of card-stock.

I work with two card sizes I use the 4 ¼ x 5 ½, also 5 x 6 ½. For the 5 x 6 ½, these I buy the blanks. I find it more cost efficient than trying to cut up my card-stock. I also buy my envelopes, unless I need a special size or box.

After card-stock, you will need some design paper, or you can make your own with paint, pen, ink, colored pencils the sky is the limit. Now play!!!

Basic tool:
    Ruler
    Trimmer
    Bone folder
    Adhesive
    Scissors

There are several more items but those you can add as you go along. Use what you have make it fun.

                                                                                                                                        Enjoy