Papercraft Haven and More

In yesterday's post, I had you look at your calendar from now until February, scroll down for that post when you are done here!!!!  If you have a lot of things going on at one specific time, it is nice to get cards made up ahead of time, to save yourself time - THEN!!!  Or for those moments you find out about a birthday, or someone is sick, or whatever - and you don't have the time to run to the store to pick one up!!!  I like to keep a stash of cards around for me to use when I need them the most - in various colors, styles and themes!!!  Plus if you purchase a great stamp set that has different sayings - you can create different cards with one set - or adding to another set!  This way you don't have to pick up a bunch of sets all at once, you can spread your purchases out over time!  I have a couple of other posts you might want to check out relating to making cards and the summertime challenge (turning into early fall)!!!!  Check out this one whi...

When you purchase a stamp, there are different things you should ask yourself before you buy it...   Is it a stamp you can use over and over again, or is it just for one use only?  (Birthday vs invitation) Do you have other stamps you can pair with this "one" you are buying?   Madge is that "one" stamp that I can use in different ways, just by the sayings and papers I used.  One is a birthday card, one is a friendship card, and one says "is it coffee yet"!  Madge is awesome!!!   A small saying stamp - can also be used in different ways!  One was embossed and left square - the other two rounded corners!  Different colors of background papers used from my background papers from other projects!    I have had this stamp (from Close To My Heart) for quite a long time now (since the 90's)!  It is the kind of stamp I have used with oval shaped (for Easter Baskets), down to hearts inside the basket, down to flowers!...

I have re-signed back up as a Stampin' Up demonstrator, I am really excited about it too!  I got my kit as a Christmas gift from my amazing husband - since he knew how much I really wanted to get back in to it!  There are a few things going on with Stampin' Up , and I wanted to get you information about my site and specials! In the "shop now" section of the web site, you will find up to 60% off on some products!  First come first serve - once things are gone, they are gone!  We have Weekly Deals, Year End Sale, and Holiday 2015 so make sure to check all 3 for deals!  Shop early for better selection! If you shop from the web site directly - everything is shipped to you!  All orders placed on the web site between now and 1/20/16 will receive a free paper set and your name will be added for hostess benefits! I will be working on cards from this set (shown above) for my birthday card challenge, if you purchase the set shown here, you will receive a fr...

Thinking of you cards can be for so many different things - because someone is having a hard time, or just because you want them to know you care and are "thinking about them".   This is one of the final categories I tend to create cards for, other than holidays and my new design "Hello/Hi" - being created now!  I love different type of cards to send to people...thinking of you is no different! Each of the cards here are different, but can be used for different reasons!     With the blue daisy card at the top, I added a white "thinking of you" stamp randomly across the top and the bottom of the card.  A simple border, created from scraps - and a simple daisy flower with a brad to complete the card! When you stamp like this - grab another color, set them side by side, and stamp on the other color at the same time.  With the pink card - I used a stamp in cursive in black ink at the top portion of the card.  The pink patterned paper at the...

Have you ever thought about "thank you" cards?  Do you like to receive them - or is it simply a forgotten "thing" from days long ago, because we have Facebook, and Twitter, and other ways to converse with people?!?!  I think it is simply a "thing of the past" - yet something that is so important - to simply say "thank you" for a job well done!  With today's cards, we are going to go over some fun "thank you" cards in different styles!  Lets get started!      With the top card - one fun example using rub-on's, with punches, buttons, brads, and scrap paper to complete the look! Simple card, without having to get stamps! With the second card - scraps of paper were used with square brads, along with a rub-on saying (or you can use a stamp) to finish up this card!   With the purple card - looks a bit more complex, but done using 2 stamps, a button, floss, and scrap paper.  The sayings are embossed in white to complete th...

Note cards are probably my favorite type of cards to create, for many reasons.  You can use background papers - adding die cut shapes, punches, stamps if you have them, stickers, as well as ribbon, brads or eyelets, buttons, or other fun items to create your cards!  They don't have to be works of art all the time, and by using scraps - your cards are truly one of a kind and more personal!  Plus you can simply add a stamped saying if you need to turn any of these cards, into a Thank You card lets say!   Great to be able to personalize to the person receiving the card - especially creating the card in their favorite colors!  Easy enough to do, using stamps, punches, die cuts, or whatever you happen to have - in order to create one of a kind cards!  The orange card was created with scraps of paper from other projects, adding the blue and white flowers, with the green brads to create more color!  The flower pot is a CTMH stamp, Radiant Pearls pain...

Cards made "just because" - the funnest cards to make for sure!  You don't have to worry about a "theme" - just make fun cards...for people when you want to give them a card!  Different than note cards, these cards have a bit of everything - fun embellishments with something to say!  With the top card - a very simple card, can be easily done with different stamps you have.  3 squares at the top, using 1 saying stamp, and an image stamp, stamped twice - with the corners rounded at the top.  Add ribbon, and an embossed soda pop buckle, and you are done.   With the 2nd card, another great card using a simple saying stamp, plus die cuts to create a simple, fun card.  This card can be done using any type of scrap papers you have available and on hand. The 3rd and final card, can be recreated with any rub-on's you might have available, and die cuts!  Add your scraps of paper - and your card is done!  Great if you are just starting out, or...

It's not fun to get sick - we all know THAT!  Life also doesn't give you a notice, oh hey, by the way - next Tuesday you are going to wake up and be as sick as a dog...or have something happen, life usually happens when it happens!  By making up a few cards, and keeping a few on hand at all times, you can always get a card to someone quick!   The top card, was done with scraps of course - and 2 different stamps to complete the look.  I embossed the saying in white - and used a teal color for the pill bottles - it truly turned out cute in person! With the 2nd card, a simple "Get Well Soon" saying is on the background, with a yellow background and yellow brads to complete the look.  The bear is in blue - which is the same ink color as the saying on the first blue color!  A bright and sunny "get well soon" card that anyone would be happy to get!     This last card is my personal favorite - also using scraps of paper, so some of the pieces are a...

For me, my friends mean the world to me...they are those who get phone calls when I am mad, or upset - and I get their calls.  They are the ones who put you in your place - nicely of course...and they know you are okay with it!  They are the ones who pick up the pieces when you can't!  Friends are really important, so why not make fun cards for just them!  With the first two cards I am sharing - made with the same papers, just added a bit of pink cardstock to one of the cards - and made the flowers a bit differently! The "friends" saying is perfect for these cards, and as a die cut can be used in different ways!  Buttons in the middle of the flowers complete the look for both of the cards here!  With this next card, I used scraps for everything - the background paper is actually two sided, I just didn't like the pattern on the other side, so I used the solid side instead!  For some reason I have been into teal and red lately, this ca...

One of the best buys for me scrapbook wise - was my Sizzix die cut machine, that little red beast is just the BEST thing for me!  I have had the same die cut shapes for the machine, for longer than I can remember...since living in Utah!  I moved to California - and my little beast broke...ended up having a wonderful scrapbook buddy send me 2 of hers!   The two shapes I end up using for tons of things - my presents, and the balloons!  They have saved me more money than I can count - and time from having to cut out individual items!  With the balloons, simply add a stamped saying, or - a rub-on!  I have used black twine for my strings, as well as floss.  I have also used a fine tip black marker, and created the strings in black - being able to customize it a bit easier!  I also used scrap papers for the cards!   With the present die cut - you can see the many times I have used this particular die cut, for birthdays as well as Christmas...

Baby cards - one of those cards you will end up making time and time again, where the same stamp can be used in so many different ways!  You always start with the card base, but the background papers - and the embellishments you use, will go hand in hand with each decision you make!  Notice the same stamp was used in all three cards here - embossed in white.  The blue card below, is more of a simple card creation, versus the other 2 - where we did a lot more intricate work!      As you start out, look at cards that really spark your attention.  What details do they have that you like and want to use on your creation? Another  question you can ask yourself - is who is getting the creation in the first place?  If they tend to throw away what you have spent time making, don't go in to as much details as you would someone who keeps your creation and frames it.     Making handmade cards is fun - and yes, time consuming! ...

When I make cards for people, I don't do it for the glory - I do it because I truly love to make things and create!  I also love to create things people love to receive, displaying them during the time of their "event", or simply keeping them in a special drawer or place!  I love to scrapbook the cards I get, adding them to my pocket pages for birthday's and events, so I can always have it!  As you can tell, I love cards!   One thing about handmade cards, if you use scraps of paper, they turn into one of a kind, simply because you may not have that scrap of paper again.  I also love to use leftovers from other projects - die cuts I didn't use, stickers, or punches even - when adding to my stamps, make quick and easy cards!  This way, the person receiving it - won't be able to find it just anywhere!     **Tip -   If you have a printer, you can always print out different sayings on cardstock with your "Microsoft Office" ty...

Making cards - that is where I started, and my first love creative wise!  For the rest of this month, I am planning on getting a bunch of cards made up - different cards I use often...ones that are JUST MY OWN, not to sell to anyone!   My sister has a huge supply of different cards to give to people when the need arises - I decided to take a page from her book, thus this challenge started, and my own personal card stash began!   Today, we have a few challenges to get you started!   Start to look at different type of cards you send out, or would send out if you had them ready to go.  Make a list - and decide how many of each style you want to keep on hand.  Do you have any stamps, die cuts, stickers, or paper (scraps or not) you would like to use?  Make a list of what you want to use out of what you have at home already!   Where and how are you going to store the cards?  What else will you keep with them such as envelopes, stamps, add...

Stamping can truly save you a lot of money - not only on making your own cards, but also in making your own embellishments too!  Sometimes it is a lot more fun to take a stamp and create something one of a kind than it is to purchase a sticker lets say!  You can then add more things - such as buttons, brads, punches, and paper to create a ton of things!  A basic toolkit for stamping - to add to your scrapbook supplies: Stamp sets in various themes.  Don't go overboard in this area, simply get what you will use and stamps that might go with other stamps you have.   Ink pads - you can never have too many ink pads, as long as you take care of them and use them that is!  Store them upside down in order to keep the ink at the top and more moist!   Card packs with envelopes.  In order to make one of a kind, beautiful, fun cards - you need plenty of this supply!   Scraps of paper from other projects, or coordinated papers to create the car...