Famed Art-Butterflies finished size: 8.5×8.5 inches

 

Supplies:

Frame with mat (got this one at the dollar store)

Inks (Ranger-Lettuce; VersaColor-Bamboo, Sage; StazOn Black)

Lumiere Paints (Halo Blue-Gold, Pearlescent Emerald, Pearl Turquoise) purchased a starter set at JoAnn’s ETC in the art and paint area, plastic wrapped and hanging on a wall…(not where I thought they’d be…lol)

Rubber Stamps-Butterfly/Dragonfly set, With A Flourish set, and Hearts and Scrolls set

5×7 piece of cardstock (I used a Club Scrap pop in a nice buttercream color)

Scrapbook paper to cover the mat that came in the frame (Basic Grey-Lily Kate)

Water color pencils

Twinkling H2O (Key Lime, Bashful Blue)

Aqua Brush, Foam Brush

Liquid Glass (or something similar, like Crystal Lacquer, Ranger’s Glossy Accents or Judikins Diamond Glaze. )

Chip Board Letter and ribbons that match your scrapbook paper

Clear Non Yellowing Varnish

Sand paper/emory board/or sanding block

Directions:

Here’s what the frame looked like before I started. Remove the plastic wrap, take the frame apart. Separate the mat.

Place the mat with the open space over the cardstock, and lightly mark the area at all four corners, this will be your stamp area. Stamp the design on the 5×7 piece of cardstock.

 

Stamp 3 butterfly die cuts. Stamp on BOTH sides (see video tutorial for easy die cut stamping). Since these die cuts are so close to the same on each side, they will line up pretty well. Here’s a tip-use a black water color pencil to color in the antennae area…when you blend it with the aqua brush, it will look like it was all stamped….

Color all butterflies on both sides, use H2O to activate water colors…(here’s another video tutorial on that technique) Let dry. Once they are dry, gently squeeze the wings together in the shape you want, cover top with liquid glass, set aside to dry. Once completely dry, flip over, and repeat. Set aside.

 

Use sand paper, sand block, or an Emory board (my preference…lol) and sand the frame. It’s plastic, so you want to rough it up a bit so the paint will stick better. Wipe it off with a damp rag.

Now you are ready to apply the lumiere paints…just squeeze some out all around the frame….I applied all 3 colors at the same time, and used a rag to sorta tap/blend them….when you are happy with it, stop!

Once this is dry, use the foam brush and apply about 2 then layers of sealer/varnish etc….let dry.

Take the mat and cover with thin scrapbook paper. Make sure to fold over the edges. Adhere with double sided tape, or a strong glue. Next place the mat over the stamped card stock. Decide where you want your butterflies, and using black ink, stamp them on the cardstock. DO NOT COLOR THEM IN…..

Now adhere the mat over the cardstock (trim anything sticking out-lol) place the glass over that, and reassemble the frame. Take the colored die cut butterflies, and adhere them to the TOP of the glass, over the stamped butterflies. Use a good strong glue, I’ve fallen in love with the Tombo Multi Liquid Glue (green lid) has a thin end and a wide end….LOVE it!

 

Add the chip board letter with pop dots…(also on TOP of the glass) Let dry COMPLETELY before you hang it up!!

A special thankyou to my dd E, for the idea of putting the die cuts on top of the other bflies!!  (I was going to glue them to the frame, or to the lower corner on the glass…..)

And don’t forget the 2 Year Anniversary Sale going on now!! There are 25 hidden items on sale! Click here to get all the details!

Easy instructions on how to get those gorgeous flowers looking like they are IN that vase!! Now YOU can make a card like this, with a few snips of your scissors, and some ZIG 2 way glue! (course, you COULD make this even easier, and just order the die cuts…lol)

Materials needed:
Stamps: Tip Toe Thru the Tulips, Golden Daffodils, Sitting Pretty (Use all or only one set to create your vase. But well, you DO need the vase set (Sitting Pretty) lol)

Zig 2 way glue (or removable double sided tape)

Inks-Favorite inks I used Versafine Black, Versaink Bamboo, Sage, and Distress Inks-Peeled Paint and Pine Needles

Watercolor Pencils and a blending brush (water brush or a small paint brush and a cup of water)

White Gel Pen

Wet Wipes

Card Stock or stamping surface of choice

Sharp scissors and craft knife

Optional: Fine tipped black pen (ZIG Millenium 005 is perfect!!)

Optional: Pearl Ex, H2Os, or other icing for a shimmer on the vase and to add sparkle to the flowers
Steps:  click thumbnails for larger view

1. Stamp all images you are using on copy paper and cut out. You may want to do some multiple stamps of the leaves or any flower
you want to duplicate. I stamped the tulip twice so I could mask them both at the same time. (fig 1) These will be your masks!! We
use them to create the illusion of images being behind other images. Apply the ZIG glue to the backs of all of these and set aside to dry. (Once they are dry, you may want to stick them to a rag, (or your pants…lol) before using them the first time. just to remove a bit more tack)

(Fig 1)

2. Cut out the inside parts of the vase. Be sure to leave the front  band, and marbles intact!!! Use your craft knife or slightly bend
the paper and cut in the middle with sharp scissors and cut out. (fig 2)

Fig 2. (Shown with my pink foam cushion behind it so you can see it better)

3. Ink the vase stamp with black ink, and using a wet wipe, or wet q-tip carefully wipe away the ink from the BACK band on the vase,
and the top of the vase where the water and the back rim of the vase shows. Blot those parts dry and stamp the vase on your stamp surface. (fig 3) Don’t fret if there is a bit of residue ink, it won’t show when you are all done.

Fig 3. Ink the vase stamp, wipe away the ink from the back band and top back rim

4. Take the mask of the vase, place it over the stamped image of the vase you did in step 3. Choose your first flower. (I started with
the carnation) Ink it and stamp it over the vase mask.

Fig 4. Lay vase mask over stamped image of vase, and stamp first flower. Leave vase mask in place when stamping the rest of the flowers and leaves!

5. Now take the mask for the carnation and lay it over the stamped carnation. Choose your next flower and stamp it. Be sure to leave
each mask in place as you continue to stamp your selection of flowers and leaves until your vase is full. (fig 5)

6. When you have finished stamping all of the images, peel up the masks and presto you have a beautiful vase full of flowers waiting
for color!! (fig 6)

7. Use watercolor pencils (or your favorite method for coloring your images) and your imagination to create stunning spring bouquets!!!
Add a bit of H2Os, or Pearl Ex for a bit of shimmer!!

8. When you are done adding color you need to add a few finishing touches…using the white gel pen add a bit of highlites to the vase
by going over the stamped vertical lines on the glass. Use the black fine tipped marker to fill in any lines/imperfections in the final
art add the bumble bee, phrase and you are done!!

I hope you will try this technique out and make dozens of vases to share some sunshine with your friends!! I’d love to see what YOU
create!!

Tips:
1. If using double sided tape, I have found the DUCK brand of permanent double sided tape is not so permanent and works great if you use a small piece to hold your masks in place. Peels up with no problems. (So I hope they NEVER change their formula! LOL) If it seems to tacky,  just stick it to your pants a couple of times first…lol

2. Be careful when you stamp your flowers and leaves not to go past the edges of the vase rim. (Or it will look like your flowers are
coming thru the sides of the vase! LOL)

3.  SAVE all of your masks!! Store them in a small photo album! (click here to see one) (You can use them over and over, so why cut them out again?)

Another sample:

Another sample using the vine stamps from Sitting Pretty to decorate the side trellis of this card! The vase in this sample has a bit of white Pearl Ex Press to highlite it and make it look more like glass

(originally posted on my old web site-2006/2007)

Pamela

Sweet Stevia Caddy

For FireCrackerDesignsbyPamela

by Etha Schuette

Materials:

• - chip board or similar sturdy card stock
• - 1 sheet 12 by 12 designer paper
• -rubber stamps (Daily Grind Set was used here)
• - cutter
• - stamps, inks, coloring media
• - zutter bind-it-all and/or cropadile
• - adhesive
• - 2 times 42 inch pieces of ¼ inch ribbon
• - clear protective spray (like Krylon)

1) For the four sides and bottom cut your chipboard (I used the packing material that came with a cutter) AND your paper for the inside as follows:

• - 2 times 2 by 2 inches
• - 3 times 2 by 4.5 inches

For the outside covering, designer paper that you will stamp on:

• - 2 times 3 by 3 inches
• - 3 times 3 by 5.5 inches

2) Score all outside designer pieces ½ inch from the edges. This step is optional but makes the following steps easier. Cut off corners on all pieces.

3) Stamp all your pieces and color. Sample was stamped with timber brown stazon and colored with watercolor pencils. Keep in mind that there will be holes punched on the bottom and sides of your pieces, position images accordingly.

4) Adhere outside pieces to your chipboards. Then glue the inside papers over them. Sponge all edges with brown ink.

5) Using your Zutter BindItAll center prepared side pieces and punch 6 holes on each bottom. Punch 4 holes for each vertical 2 inch side on all pieces. Punch 6 holes on both long sides of the bottom piece and 4 holes on each short side of the bottom piece. Do NOT Zutter punch short bottom sides of 2 by 2 pieces! Use your cropadile to punch TWO holes in the centers of these. If you do not own a zutter binditall you can mark your pieces and punch holes with the large punch of the cropadile. If you don’t trust your eyeballing with the zutter, you can use a Tim Holtz ruler to get everything perfectly centered.

6) Take all your pieces outside and spray the outside and the inside with clear acrylic coating. Let it dry, get some coffee and be patient!

Cut two pieces of ¼ inch ribbon about 42 inches long. Cut off a tip at an angle so that it is easier to “thread” through the holes.

You will be sewing your caddy together with the ribbon. You start at the top of one corner, go down, go along one long side bottom, then up a short vertical side, back down the same short side, across a bottom short side and up the third  vertical short side and stop.

The next picture shows you how to start. At first it all will feel very floppy, don’t worry about that.

7) All inside ribbon runs at an angle, all outside ribbon runs straight across from hole to hole. The next picture shows you the inside just at the point where you add the first long side:

All 4 short vertical sides are sewn double, all bottom sides are sewn single. When you reach the first vertical side after the long bottom side, you sew up, then back down repeating the holes. At this point everything should feel very sturdy in your hand and you can start tugging the ribbon a bit after each stitch so that there is no slack.

9) Once you reach your third vertical short side, leave the ribbon hanging on top and start a new piece of ribbon, again doubling your stitches on your way down. Continue as before until you reach where you begun, stitch your way up to meet the start of your first ribbon and tie a knot. Also tie a knot at the opposite end where you started with the second ribbon piece.

10) Don’t worry too much which way your stitches take, as in all sewing, it doesn’t matter HOW you sew it, you just have to be consistent in what you do. I used two pieces of ribbon because 42 inches is just about manageable and the two knots at opposite corners are quite decorative.

Enjoy and store your Stevia packets in this little caddy! You could of course put Twin, Sugar or Sweet-n-Low into it, but I would not recommend that

A small amount of coffee was spilled during this tutorial but no paper was harmed!

Ever wanted to give a monetary gift in form of a check, but didn’t want to just stick it in a card? Here is a cute, easy way to create a pocket card for the check to slip right into to. Email me if you have any questions…enjoy!

Check Holder Pocket Card (with slider/spinner option)

By FireCrackerDesignsbyPamela

Pamela Clark

                 

Supplies:

-5×6.5 card blank ( I used Halcraft)

- *razor

-*2 pennies (for weight)

-*ruler

-*1/2 inch pop dot (3 of them)

-stamps, inks, color medium of choice (for grad card, use Graduation set, for balloon card use Up Up and Away)

-*one inch circle (or die cut)

-paper trimmer

* These items are used to make the slider part of the card. You could leave them off, and skip steps 2,3 and 5. Change step 6 to a regular adhesive, and you’d have your card made in about 30 mins…lol….

Step 1

Fold card in half at fold line. Open card, measure 2 inches in from the edge of the right side. Score and fold so you have a 2 inch flap.  Close card, and repeat for the left side, make fold so it is on the outside of the card. (both folds will go towards the left)

Step 2.

Open the top flap (left side), measure one inch in from both edges of the folded section, and .75 (3/4) inches from the top. This will be your first cut line. BE SURE TO ONLY CUT THE TOP FLAP.

Step 3

Measure ½ inch from the first line, to make your second cutting line. It is important that your opening be the same size as your pop dot. So if you are using a pop dot that is smaller or larger than the suggested ½ inch, please adjust your cut line accordingly.

Step 4

Ink edges, stamp design on card. If you are using a die cut, stamp die cut too. I used a balloon for this tutorial)

Step 5

Place one penny on one side of the pop dot. Open flap, and lay the penny pop dot so it is on the inside of the open area of the flap. (you want it to be in place before you add the other penny). Add the other penny.  Use a strong glue to cover the outside penny and attach your circle punch (or die cut.)

Step 6

Attach 2 more pop dots on each corner of the top flap, and adhere. This will give the circle/die cut balloon room to spin.

Step 7

Open card, adhere the bottom flap at the edges with a good strong glue. Be sure to only glue the left and right edges, so you can slide your check inside the pocket.

Finished Cards

Inside

IN need of some gift certificate templates? Microsoft Office has bunches of them!! Click here!

Ok, I got the kinks worked out ( I think) and have designed 3 new templates that uses 12×12 sheets of paper/cs to make 12 cards!! Instructions are in a nice zip folder, done in word, WITH the samples included…..I will post it all here as well….but to d/l the zip file click: FCD-12-3DirectionsTemplateandSamples!

 See all of the full sized samples in the gallery-click here!!

Use Your Paper!!

12 From 3 Directions

By Pamela Clark-Firecracker Designs By Pamela

Supplies

3-12 x12 sheets of coordinating paper/cardstock (one solid, two patterned)

12 card bases- I used Halcraft 6.5 x 5 inch cards

Various stamps

Inks

Trimmer

Optional: Tags, Punches, embellishments, ribbons etc

You can cut these pieces apart just using a trimmer, if you follow the directions carefully. As you cut the pieces apart, mark the backs of them with the correct numbers (look at the diagrams). Where it says “set aside” that means you don’t have to cut that piece again, so go ahead and number the back. Once all the pieces are cut apart, match all the numbers together (pile all the 1s together, the 2s together, and so on).  To make your cards, refer the card layouts or arrange your pieces in other ways for more variety.

Step 1-First Sheet (blue pattern)

Use paper trimmer, cut in half, two 12×6″ sections (A,B)

                                                                                           

Section A:

 Cut into 3rds. (3 pieces that are 4×6)

   Cut first piece into 4ths ( 4 pieces-2×3)

  Set three of those pieces aside.

  Take the last (2×3) and cut a strip off that is 1.25 inches wide. (gives you 2 pieces, one is 2×1.75, and one is 2×1.25)

 Cut second piece into thirds.  Gives you 3 pieces that are 4×2. Set aside. 

 Cut third piece: Cut a strip off that is 1.25″ wide (gives you a piece that is 4×1.25 and one that is 4x 4.75)

  Take the 4 x 4.75 piece  and cut in half so you have two pieces that are 2×4.75

Section B: 

 Cut into 4ths. (4 pieces that are 3×6) Set aside 3 of those pieces.

 Cut the 4th  (3×6) piece in  half, and then half again, and finally, half again. Gives you eight 1.5 inch squares.

Step 2-Solid Sheet (Green)                                              

  

Use paper trimmer to cut into quads. (4 squares)          

                                                                                                    

-Cut quad C in half ( two pieces that are 3×6)

-Cut quad D into 3 strips, 2″ wide  (2×6)

    Set aside two of the 2×6 pieces,

    cut the last one into 2″ squares

-Cut quad E in 4 strips (6 x1.5)

    cut the last strip 2.5″ long   (giving you 2 strips-one  that

    is 1.5x 2.5 and one 1.5 x 3.5)

-Cut quad F in 4ths (four 3×3 squares)

Step 3- Second Sheet ( dot pattern)       

                

Use paper trimmer, cut into thirds  (4″ wide)

                                                                                

Cut section G in half, then cut each half

in half again. (you get 4 pieces that

are 4×3)

      Set aside two of those pieces.

      cut 1″ from third piece (gives you a 3×3 sq, and a 1×3) Be sure to

cut your 1″ strip from the bottom, or you will end up with a 4×2 and 1×4!!

      cut fourth piece in half (two pieces that are 2×3), set one aside,

      cut one  in half (gives you  two pieces that are 1×3)

                                                                                               

Cut section H in half. (2 pieces that are 4×6)

     Set one of the 4×6 pieces aside. 

     Cut the other one in half. (gives you 2 pieces that are 4×3)

     Cut one of the 4×3’s in half. (gives you 2 pieces that are 4 x1.5) Set one (4 x 1.5) piece aside.

        Cut the other (4 x1.5)  piece in half (gives you 2 pieces that are 4 x.75)

     Cut the other 4×3: cut a 1 inch strip off  (gives you a 4×2, and a 4×1) Set aside the 4×2

        Cut the 4×1 in half (gives you two pieces that are 2×1)

Cut section I in thirds. (three pieces that are 4×4)

   Set two pieces aside. Cut the last piece diagonally in half

            The diagrams to lable your pieces, click to enlarge:

                                                                   

The samples to use for your cards, in order of labeling them, (left-right) 1-12.