Joy Fold Filled Thrills

Happy Hootin Tootin Thursday!!!

There are TONS of birthdays coming my

 way in the month of August so I found this a perfect opportunity 

to turn up the notch and show you how to make this 

Joy Fold Fun card for our Thursday Thrill. 

I think its a great way to break away from the normally

displayed cards and show something 

down right Fun Folded! (giggles)

~ I also included a video tutorial at the end of this Post to better assist you ~

Taking a clean piece of 8 1/2 x 11 Not Quite Navy #101722 and 

cut down to 4" x 8 1/2". Score at 5 1/2" and fold. Set Aside

Next, using the remaining piece of Not Quite Navy Cardstock

cut down to 3" x 8" and Score at 4". Set Aside

Taking your chosen DSP (Inside the card I used a striped piece 

of Razzleberry Designer Series Paper #117155) and cut down to 5" x 3 3/4"

On the exterior of the card (above) I used International Bazaar Designer 

Series Paper #126920 and cut down to 2 3/4" x 3 3/4". 

The solid piece of Lucky Limeade #122926 was cut down 

to 2 3/4 x 3 3/4" as well and added to the exterior of the smaller card. 

All in the details.... you see I added a Birthday Sentiment on the interior of the 

card in Rich Razzleberry ink #126950 and included some 

Brights Glimmer Brads #121006. 

On the front I attached some balloons and twine in Cherry Cobbler #123125

I figured.... I couldn't JUST make ONE, so I attached another lil guy 

on some little treats I will give to my sister with her present. 

He's So Cute, you wanna Just Eat 'Em UP!! 

...Well at least the candies, they would probably taste better! (Buhuuhahaha)

The Video to this tutorial:

Cardstock: Not Quite Navy #101722, Lucky Limeade #122977, and Whisper White #100730

DSP: International Bazaar #126920 and Brights Designer Series Paper Pack #117155 
Ink: Rich Razzleberry #126950, Lucky Limeade #126984, Daffodil Delight #126944 and Tangerine Tango #126946

Cool Tools:  1 3/4" Circle Punch #119850, 1" Circle Punch #119868, 
1/2" Circle #119869, Paper Pierce Pack #126187, 
Stampin Trimmer #126889, Paper Snips #103579, 
Bakers Twine Cherry Cobbler #123125, 
Brights 2/8" Glimmer Brads #121006, Snail Adhesive #104332
and Dimensionals ##104430
Stamps: Bring on the Cake (w: 121899 c: 121958)

My Monday's a bit Sketchy....

Hiddee Hooo Kreative Krew!!! 

Happy Monday.... 

If you are a daily follower you know that I try to at least 

post once a day on my Blog. And well....My Mondays and Fridays

 are kind of a bit what you would say "under construction".... 

But I think I found a solution to my Kreative Block! 

There are like a Million Guzillion Trillion 

blogs out there for "sketch this", "sketch that", "sketch challenge here"

"scratch that challenge" there & "pick a color challenge instead" ...

These challenges are all over the internet for every day of the week 

and by the time I can even see straight I've already missed out on it

(maybe you would say...that's MY challenge!)

Its enough to swirl you into next TUESDAYS challenge...

{hahahahah}

Anyway, I just seek a challenge to break me OUT of my Kreative Block at times and help me discover new layouts I would have not thought of

or color ensembles that I would have NEVER put together.

So among all these blog challenges I'm introducing my own twist

~My Sketchy Monday~

Looking over these sites and possible layouts I want to embark on new 
personal challenges and they might spark interest of yours too. 
Maybe you hit that "block" occasionally and could use a little help. 

 Here is today's Sketch It Challenge.  

Found Here

I created this card using a 6x6 card layout and built from there. 

Not too bad, but here was a challenge I felt would help me break out of my 

anti-layering funk. The card was fun

but I can Definitely see this best as a Scrapbook Layout

***What do you think?***

Rules To Join Along:

Anyone can join!! Customers, New Friends and/or Fellow Demos

Challenges Must be done using SU Product Only (Retired or Current)

Please Link back to MY Blog from your Blog Post

Please leave your Blog address below in the comment field so we call all view 

your layout leave you a comment.... and most IMPORTANTLY

Have FUN!

And if there is a Sketch blog you would like me to consider

please send me an email (NikkiSapien@gmail.com) and I will add it to our Sketch Monday Roster 

Scrap My Heart and Scrapbook It!

Welcome back fellow Stampers!!

After sharing my card with my LATE NIGHT STAMPERS

GROUP, I received such a positive response

and had so many people asking me  

"How did you do that?" 

that I just had to share!!! 

I didn't know if I should consider this Post a new Techn{ink} 

or a CAS but there is a fine, translucent almost 

Vellum like line between the two! (giggle) 

This project consists of mainly using Scraps, 

I have so many and I'm so embarrassed to even show this next photo

but I'm being Honest when I say this is only a sixteenth of 

scraps I have...

Im sure you fellow Scrap-a-holics can agree, you have your own pile 

of scraps too. So I took out my little Punches and sat until I 

found a way to Use those Scraps!

I took out my Large Heart Punch (#119883) and selected a very patterned 

scrap of paper to start punching with..

{"Scrap" my "Heart"}

On the Left you see I took that same punched out heart and slid back 

into the punch -lining up the corners and rounded edge.

Then Punch again and here is what you will get...

Image on the Right is how it appears after I use my Paper Snips (#103579) **BTW the MOST fabulous pair of Snips I have ever had!!!**

and rounded off the opposing side, now I have two tear drops

If that is too much info for you, you can use the same AWESOME 

Paper Snips (#103579)

cutting the heart in half and round the sharp edges...

I punched out as many hearts as my little hands could because 

I don't know about you, 

but I'm so tired of having so MANY scraps around!

** I bet my husband would agree**

But seeing my initial photo, I bet you didn't know that was taken

AFTER I made this project! (Buhaaha)

I punched out the center of my flower with my 

1/14" Circle Punch (#119861)

Then this next part is a bit tricky. You will want to build your 

flower from the outside in. I used a minimal amount of 

Multipurpose Glue (#110755) so that I could 

re-position the petals as I needed. One layer at a time and so that 

they would lie over one another.

(See photos)

In the end I saw there were some areas that could 

still use more petals, so I just added these in 

at the end. I wanted to cover every part I could, you will need to

flip the card over and using your 

AWESOME Paper Snips (#103579) cut away the excess petals.

Stamp a quick sentiment and there you go. It takes a little getting used to but

after your familiar with what you are doing, it takes less than 5 min!

Were not done yet..

There is a BONUS feature-SCRAPBOOK IT!!! 

I decided since I was making this card, and I have PLENTY of Scraps, 

I wanted to surprise my daughter and make her

a two-page layout for her scrapbook too! 

In order to do this, I found it easier to start in the opposite 

direction than before. 

Since the overall image was larger, I used my 

1 3/4" Circle Punch (#110850) and built the inside of my 

flower by gluing the petals upside down to the center circle. 

Once I had the initial layer completed,

I flipped it over and adhered to the page. Then using the 

same Multipurpose Glue (#110755) I built my flower from the inside outward. 

Here is a close up and ...

Add your journal/photo spaces and 

Our Two Page layout is complete!! 

And UNDER 7 minutes

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and that you too will have fun

Kreating this beautiful card and Scrapbook layout too. 

Cool Tools: Large Heart Punch (#119883), 1/14" Circle Punch (#119861),

 Paper Snips (#103579), 1 3/4" Circle Punch (#110850) ,  

and Multipurpose Glue (#110755) 

Friday Fun Tutorial Part 3

Hello!!! Im so glad to see your back for 

Part 3

of my 

Friday Fun Tutorial

Last week ended by learning the helpful and creative ways

on how to select the right Ink colors. 

Today I wanted to show you a small yet useful tip 

that could help you on your next project. 

**In order to better understand what I'm 

presenting you, I will be enlarging these images so you can 

more clearly, I hope **

Can you see a difference between these two images? The piece on the right 

is more vivid in color compared to the piece on the left. 

Why? I wanted to add a Distressing Techn{ink} to 

show more of an aged effect on my card. 

How did I do this? I took the Sanding Block from my 

Stampin Sanding System (#129367) 

and began to rub the edges and my paper to the desired level of distressing. 

What a little difference a little Sanding can make, right? 

Here's and upclose of the paper on my card in its Original state, 

in the center you see it in its Sanded form and

NOW..... to the far right.... I wanted to show you how it would look if you took 

the Sanded form, and by using a lightly inked Sponge Dobber (#101610)

in the Ink Color we chose last week (Crumb Cake #126975),

how it would really warm and change up the entire appearance. 

I applied this Sanded and Sponge Techn{ink} to each layer on my card.

Not too shabby, right? 

Well.... maybe it is a little Shabby Chic but you know that's how I roll!!! :)

Again, here is the Original versus the Distress and Antiqued final product. 

I even took my Round Corner Edge Punch to softened the edges on my front cardstock.

So there you have it class our Final Product. I think it came out wonderfully. 

Don't you think? Any questions class?

Have you tried this Distress and Antique Techn{ink}? 

If not, you should really try it sometime. In some situations it just may do wonders

for the project you are currently working on. 

And don't forget to 

 send me your before and after! 

***Email me your before and after card to NikkiSapien@Gmail.com***

I will enter everyone 

who submits their cards in an email into a drawing

for a free stamp and ink of my choice!

**A FREE STAMP AND INK AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS EMAIL 

ME YOUR BEFORE AND AFTER CARD

ALONG WITH YOUR CONTACT INFO**

So, come on ... Stamp, Snap a photo and Click Send...

There is one more class left... so that is 5 days left to send in your entries. 

Happy Stampin

Designer Series Paper: Beau Chateau (Retired)

Cardstock: Very Vanilla (#101650) and Crumb Cake (#120953)

Ink: Crumb Cake (#126975) 

Stamp: Petite Pairs (w:#122495 c: #122497)

Tools Used: Stampin Sanding System (#129367) and Sponge Dobber (#101610)

Friday Fun Tutorial

Hi all! Since I am unable to host a class this Friday, 

I wanted to share part 1 of  a 4 part series tutorial with you.

SO MOST OF YOU PROBABLY HAVE ASKED ONE OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: 

"What makes one card different from another?" 

"A card is just a bunch of layers glued together, but where do I begin?"

"I like to scrapbook but wish I could learn more techniques to make my page standout"

"I would like to make a handmade card but its too complicated, I'm not crafty!"

"How can I reuse/recycle a card front?"

~Over the next few weeks I will answer these questions and more! So follow along~

Today I'm going to show you a Simple Card Front vs. a more Detailed look

 and introduce Layering: 

In this First photo, you see a two layered card with a simple cardstock selection. 

I played it safe with Whisper White and Bashful Blue. 

And a simple enough stamp to get the idea. I still felt something was missing...

I'm my worst critic, I felt the whites were very stark to the eye and the blue was a bit too soft

and last but honestly, the ink color was just wrong! 

So in this Second step, I wondered how it would look if I changed it up my card by using a creamier cardstock, Very Vanilla, and a softly designed paper in 

Marina Mist. Marina Mist is a soft gray blue in tone. (See Image on Left) 

Now I got really daring and wanted to see what would happen if I add a Second 

designed paper in a similar design but alternating the colors.

(See Image on Right)

Having the two card bases next to each other can give you a clear comparison of how 

a little change can make a BIG difference.

Here is a close up again of the Designer Papers I selected. 

The colors really accent each other well, what do you think?

In this last portion, I really liked the two patterned designer pieces for the card 

I am forming (See Left) and since I have your attention, I wanted to show you even adding 

a small contrasting color (See Right) can add a new layer, fun pop 

and warmth to the overall appearance.  

In slow and easy steps you can definitely see that layering can be simple enough 

and add charm to the piece you are working on. 

I didn't need to add fancy/bulky items or Ruffled Ribbon

to get a over the top appearance. Just play with what pieces I had before me.

Remember, don't forget to enter your email to Follow Along and you are more than 

welcome to add any questions in the comment section that you may have, 

I check my blog Daily and I am here to help!

FOLLOW ALONG for the next portion of this Friday Fun Tutorial

where we will discuss adding ink colors and answer any questions you may have. 

I enjoy your feedback and am always happy to be here to help!

Thank you for Joining Me

Monday Mailers

I had this card with a special new friend in mind. Her name is Jackie and she will be

 celebrating her 85th birthday this month. What a beautiful life! 

Imagine the stories she could tell. I desire to hear each and every one. 

She is a wonderful woman and I cant wait to send her this little birthday card as a token of my friendship. 

First I cut down a piece of River Rock cardstock to a 5x5 and scallop edged each end. 

Then cut down a pieces of Not Quite Navy

 to 4" x 8" and fold in half. 

Adhere the folded card on to the flat scallop edged River Rock.  

I wanted to add a little texture to the card, so I cut a piece of Summer Starfruit (#126839) 

to 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" and scored with my new fun toy! 

I must say I absolutely adore my Simply Scored Plate. The possibilities are endless. 

I could spend weeks and weeks just showing you projects using this wonderful tool alone! 

But... Focus Nikki ... Focus

Last, I cut my Very Vanilla to an exact 3'' x 3" and wrapped it with some fun 

Early Espresso Bakers Twine 

And here is the final product once all pieces are added together. You will see I have added a 1 1/4" x 4" pieces of DSP and adorned the front of my Bakers Twine with our Natural Buttons and a 

Birthday Sentiment from the Petite Pairs Set

stamped in Not Quite Navy Ink 

Im so excited for her to recieve her card. I hope on her birthday she is surrounded by her loved ones and is reminded of how much her life is treasured by each person who is blessed to know her.  

Happy Birthday My Dear Friend Jackie! 

Designer Series Paper: Comfort Cafe DSP #126898

Cardstock: River Rock #108640, Very Vanilla #101650, 

Not Quite Navy #101722, Summer Starfruit #126839

Ink: Not Quite Navy #126971

Stamp: Petite Pairs (w:122495 c: 122497)

Embellishments: Naturals Designer Buttons #127554 and Early Espresso Bakers Twine #123124

Tools Used: Simply Scored Plate #125625