Papercrafting with Polly

Happy, Happy, Happy

Hello friends and Happy Easter.  Today's blog is all about a new Lawn Fawn stamp set (with coordinating dies) called "Happy, Happy, Happy" (pictured below).  This is a very clever and useful stamp set that can be used to make cards for many occasions.  The coordinating dies cut out the three "Happys" which are different in size, font and script.

My first sample combines one of the happy's with three of the other words in the set.  I colored the words in an ombre fashion with Copic markers and added a strip of one of Lawn's Fawn's new papers and some sequins.Happy Thoughts – Lawn Fawn stamp set with coordinating dies Happy, Happy, Happy; design inspired by Nancy Sheads

For this card I selected cardstock in primary colors then stamped the "Happy" in a matching ink.
5 Happys – Lawn Fawn stamp set with coordinating dies Happy, Happy, Happy; design inspired by Latisha Yoast

For this card I stamped each "Happy" in Versamark ink then heat embossed them in white.  Next I cut them out and mounted them on a Stitched Rectangle matted with a Postage Rectangle.
4 Happys – Lawn Fawn stamp set with coordinating dies Happy, Happy, Happy; My Favorite Things die Brushstroke Greetings (last “happy); Memory Box die Postage Rectangles and Stitched Rectangles; design inspired by Chari Moss

Next I made a Pop-Up Box which honestly looks a lot better IRL than in this photo.
Pop Up Box – Lawn Fawn stamp set with coordinating dies Happy, Happy, Happy; Taylored Expressions dies Up, Up & Away and Little Bit Candle and Confetti; Lil Inkers die Balloons; Memory Box die Stitched Squares; design inspired by Chari Moss

My last card combines the Happy set with dies from several other companies. Cake Plate – Lawn Fawn stamp set with coordinating dies Happy, Happy, Happy; Newton’s Nook die Love and Chocolate; Taylored Expressions dies Stitched Rectangles, Inside Scallop Rectangles and Little Bit Candle and Confetti; design inspired by Chari Moss

Spring Cleaning Sale

Our Spring Cleaning Sale is in full swing!  We have stamps and dies for $1, $2, $3 and $4 as well as miscellaneous products for as low as 50 cents!

All Halloween, Fall and Christmas dies and stamps are on sale for 35% off.  We need the room for lots of new things coming so come in and enjoy the savings!

Doggy Get Well Cards ... and Spring Cleaning!

With Chloe's birthday just passed, I have had dogs on my mind.  This stamp set is so much fun.  It includes 4 dog images, 5 great sentiments and several other icons to use with these images.  I had a lot of fun making these cards so let me share them with you.              Art Impressions clear stamp set, Doggy Kisses

For my first card I stamped the dog with cone then masked it (using masking paper) so I could create a colorful background using Distress Oxide inks. Once I got the colors the way I wanted them, I spritzed the background with water to create the spots you see.  Next I removed the mask and colored the dog using Copic markers.  I stamped the dog paws using the same colors used on the background and "Ouch" with Versafine Black ink.  I die cut the focal panel with Memory Box Cross Stitch Rectangles.  I love the sentiment!
Cone – Art Impressions stamp set Doggy Kisses; Memory Box die Cross Stitch Rectangles; Distress Oxide background; design inspired by Gayatri Murali

My sister used to call her dog "Licky Dog" because she gave so many kisses.  This pup would definitely qualify as a Licky Dog and the sentiment says it all! Sending Doggy Kisses – Art Impressions stamp set Doggy Kisses; Memory Box die Stitched Circles; Spellbinders die Classic Circles; design inspired by Tracy McDonald and Karen Day

Love the yellow and gray color combination.  Here I am presenting the outside and inside of the card.
Yellow & Grey – Art Impressions stamp set Doggy Kisses; Memory Box die Stitched Circles; design inspired by Reneé Matarese

This dachshund's long body serves as the perfect foil to the sentiment. I made a simple background using the dog paw in the set. Recover Dog Paws – Art Impressions stamp set Doggy Kisses; Taylored Expressions die Conversation Bubbles; design inspired by Cheri Bury Recover Plaid – Art Impressions stamp set Doggy Kisses; Taylored Expressions dies Conversation Bubbles and Wispy Grass; design inspired by Cheri Bury

Recover Pink – Art Impressions stamp set Doggy Kisses; design inspired by Dana Warren

This dog is really happy napping with his teddy bear and blanket. Been Ruff – Art Impressions stamp set Doggy Kisses; Memory Box die Stitched Circles; design inspired by Dana Warren 

Dachshund 1 and 2 – Art Impressions stamp set Doggy Kisses; Spellbinders dies Petite Ovals and Classic Circles; design inspired by Reneé Matarese

Cottage Cutz Get Well Dies

For even more humorous get well cards I turned to the new Cottage Cutz dies: Chicken Soup and Nurse Puppy. 

Every image that you see in the photos above can be created with the die.  Cottage Cutz packs their dies with every little piece to make each scene realistic.  Let me share with you the cards I made.

To create this card, I cut the die from different colors of cardstock then glued everything together.  I did darken the words "chicken noodle soup" to make them stand out more.  

Chicken Soup (red) – Cottage Cutz die Chicken Soup; Penny Black die Feel Better; design inspired by Lois Bak

Chicken Soup 1 (yellow) – Cottage Cutz die Chicken Soup; Penny Black die Feel Better; design inspired by Mary Marsh

The Nurse Puppy is very detailed with each icon (bandaid, stethoscope, thermometer, nurse's hat, ice bag, syringe, etc) having multiple parts to make them look realistic

Nurse Puppy Get Well – Cottage Cutz die Nurse Puppy; Memory Box die Stitched Circles; Penny Black die Feel Better; design inspired by Pam Mackay

I created the next card by cutting a center step card from a half piece of cardstock (black).
Nurse Puppy Get Well – Cottage Cutz die Nurse Puppy; Penny Black die Feel Better; design inspired by Janet Axtman

Spring Cleaning

I am giving the store a deep cleaning and you will be the beneficiary as I uncover product that I am selling at rock bottom prices.  I have Grab Bags for $1 to $3 as well as boxes of products for prices from 0.50 cents to a few dollars.  I have everything from stickers, stamps, punches, papers, blank cards, book kits etc. etc!  Stop in and see what you can't live without.  I will be putting more product out as I continue to clean.  Don't miss the bargains!

I am selling all my punches so if you like punches hurry in to get first choice!  Prices from $1 to $5.

Have a wonderful day! 

3D Cross for Easter Cards

With Easter only a few weeks away you are probably making beautiful cards for friends and family.  Paper Smooches has a unique die set called 3D Cross that features 2 crosses which once die cut and mounted one on top of the other, create a cross with a dimensional look.  But the set doesn't stop there.  It also includes another cross, feather, butterfly, 3 flowers, greenery and a small heart!  Here's a look at the set:

Let me share with you the samples I made with this set. For this card I used many of the dies in the set to make the wreath surrounding the cross.

3D Cross Feathers – Paper Smooches die 3D Cross; design inspired by Laurie Schmidlin

On the next card the 3D cross is set amidst a spray of pale blue and yellow flowers on very pretty decorative paper.3D Cross Peace – Paper Smooches die 3D Cross; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Easter Blessings

I created the wooden cross on this next card by die cutting the crosses and the "blessed" sentiment from paper embossed with a wood grain effect.  Once die cut, I colored the paper using dark brown colored pencil which brought out the wood grain of the paper.  The spray of white flowers and greenery was die cut with other dies in the set.  I mounted the cross on a piece of white cardstock embossed with Taylored Expressions' embossing folder "Weathered."  This background was then die cut with Memory Box's Wrapped Stitched Rectangles.3D Cross Blessed – Paper Smooches dies 3D Cross and Religious Words; Memory Box die Wrapped Stitched Rectangles

I used pretty pastel papers for the crosses on this card and mounted it on an embossed background.
Yellow Cross – Taylored Expressions stamp sets with matching dies My Redeemer Lives and Fresh Florals; TE embossing folder Redeemer; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Easter Blessings; design inspired by Keia Shipp-Smith

Taylored Expressions Stamp and Dies "My Redeemer Lives"

Here are more samples featuring Taylored Expressions' stamp and matching die sets "My Redeemer Lives."
He Is Risen – Taylored Expressions stamp set My Redeemer Lives; TE dies My Redeemer Lives, Stitched Ovals Stacklets and Stitched Frame Stacklets; TE embossing folder Redeemer; Memory Box die Stitched Circles; design inspired by Kerri Michaud
Yellow Cross – Taylored Expressions stamp sets with matching dies My Redeemer Lives and Fresh Florals; TE embossing folder Redeemer; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Easter Blessings; design inspired by Keia Shipp-Smith

Alleluia – Taylored Expressions stamp set My Redeemer Lives; TE dies My Redeemer Lives; TE embossing folder Redeemer; design inspired by Michele Boyer

Sympathy Cross – Taylored Expressions stamp set My Redeemer Lives; TE dies My Redeemer Lives, Ornate Frame Bloomers 2, Bloomers Greenery, Stitched Banner Stacklets and Arbor Accessories; design inspired by Jen Shults

This card features several TE products including the very attractive petite Petals Background.  I stamped in gray ink then sponge don pale pink.  I cut an oval opening and filled it with the new TE die Inside Scallop Ovals.  It's a little hard to see the white on white die cuts so be sure to click on the photo to enlarge it.Easter Blessings – Taylored Expressions dies Stitched Ovals, Inside Scallop Ovals and Little Bit Crosses; TE stamp petite Petals Background; Paper Smooches stamp set  Easter Blessings; design inspired by Kim Singdahlsen

I hope you have a wonderful Easter.  Please stop by The Stamp Act soon.

Bubble Greetings and Happy Birthday Chloe!

When you need to make a quick card with lots of presence, reach for Taylored Expressions' fun Bubble Greetings and Bubble Greetings Spring.  The large open letters are perfect for coloring, paper piecing, doodling or stamping on a colorful background.  To further enhance the Bubble Greetings, stamp them on one of TE's Boxed in Basics cards which are unique 4" x 5 1/4" panels printed on 100lb cardstock.  Each package includes 2 cards of 6 designs.

 

Now for some samples.

For my first four cards I tried my hand at doodling in the letters then colored them with Copic makers.

Hello Friend – Taylored Expressions stamp set Bubble Greetings; TE dies Stitched Rectangles and Inside Scallop Rectangles; design inspired by Danielle Lounds
Thank You – Taylored Expressions stamp set Bubble Greetings; TE dies Stitched Rectangles and Frame in Frame 2; design inspired by Danielle Lounds
Happy Birthday – Taylored Expressions stamp set Bubble Greetings; TE die Frame in Frame 2; design inspired by Danielle Lounds

For this next card I added flowers cut from wool felt.
Just a Note – Taylored Expressions stamp set Bubble Greetings; TE dies Stitched Rectangles and Bloomers flower series; design inspired by Danielle Lounds

My next set of cards were created with the Spring Bubble Greetings and the Boxed in Basics.  For this first card I paper pieced the letters and hung the bunny border across the top (thanks Mary for the suggestion!)  The bunnies' little butts are felt!Hoppy Easter Pieced – Taylored Expressions stamp set Bubble Greetings Spring; Boxed In Basics Cards; TE die Spring Borders

For this next card I created the background on the Boxed in Basics card with Distress inks and the blending tool.  I stamped the letters, colored them with Copic markers then embellished the card with flowers.
Hello Spring Distress Bkgrd – Taylored Expressions stamp set Bubble Greetings Spring; Boxed In Basics Cards; TE dies Mini Bloomers 1 and 2; Distress inks for background; design inspired by Gayatri Murali

I love this next card with its soft pastel colors.  After I colored the letters and the border, I framed the greeting with a spring scene then enhanced the border with Nuvo clear drops.
Hoppy Easter colored – Taylored Expressions stamp set Bubble Greetings Spring; Boxed In Basics Cards; TE die Sitting Pretty Accessories; design inspired by Jen Shults

More paper piecing and another sweet Easter basket full of eggs, carrots and flowers.  I colored the border then cut it out to enhance the unique shape.Be Joyful – Taylored Expressions stamp set Bubble Greetings Spring; Boxed In Basics Cards; TE dies Hippity Hop and Sitting Pretty Accessories; design inspired by Kim Singdahlsen

My favorite card?  A pretty yellow shaker!  I stamped the very pretty Petite Petals background in Versamark on yellow cardstock and heat embossed it in clear.  I die cut the oval opening and die cut a piece of fun foam to create the "well" for the sequin filler.  Next I stamped the Hello Spring Bubble Greeting on acetate with Versamark ink and heat embossed it in white.  Here are two important tips for stamping and embossing on acetate.  First, be sure to treat the acetate surface with an anti-static powder tool (we sell the EK Success tool and it's great!).  And second, be sure to hold the heat tool well above the surface (about 10" to 12") so the heat does not buckle the acetate.Hello Spring Shaker – Taylored Expressions stamp set Bubble Greetings Spring; TE die Stitched Ovals; TE stamp Petite Petals Background; design inspired by Noriko Fairchild

Bubble Greetings are in stock so stop in soon and see them for yourself!

Happy Birthday Chloe and 17% Sale!

My little bichon frise Chloe had a birthday this week and turned 17!  Fortunately she is still in relatively good health and still comes to work with me everyday.  In her honor we are having a huge 17% sale on everything in the store when you spend $30 (after discounts and taxes) on non-sale merchandise.  The sale will be from Thursday, March 8 through Saturday, March 17.  Don't miss these savings on all merchandise!

New Lawn Fawn Products

Hello fellow papercrafters.  We have just received new Spring 2018 Lawn Fawn products and they are soooo wonderful.  You've got to see them for yourself ... but in the meantime, I will share some samples with you.

First I will show you the dies and stamps:

Lawn Fawn die Little Flowers

Lawn Fawn die Quilted Backdrop

Lawn Fawn die Spring Sprig
Lawn Fawn die Stitched Garden Border

Lawn Fawn stamp set Some Bunny (has matching dies)
 Lawn Fawn die Stitched Basket

Lawn Fawn Slide on Over Semicircles

Now for samples of these dies in action!

I am not quite sure why this photo is a little fuzzy looking.  The background paper is new from Lawn Fawn and it is so bright and colorful.  The white daisies are so reminiscent of spring.  Here are the products I used on this card:  Lawn Fawn dies Little Flowers and Thanks Line Border; Taylored Expressions die Open Scallop Border and Stitched Rectangles; design inspired by Kelly Marie Alvarez
The Stitched Garden Border lets you plant flowers or vegetables and bunnies can be tending your garden if you use the Some Bunny stamp and dies.  Friends are Flowers – Lawn Fawn dies Little Flowers, Quilted Backdrop and Stitched Garden Border; Lawn Fawn clear stamp set Some Bunny; design inspired by Kelly Marie Alvarez

The new Quilted Backdrop is a real favorite of mine.  The tiny four-petal flowers pop out when die cut and the openings reveal the paper behind the die.  It's so pretty and delicate and perfect for spring.  Thanks So Much – Lawn Fawn dies Little Flowers and Quilted Backdrop; Taylored Expressions dies Banner Day 1 (with coordinating stamps) and Frame in Frame 2; design inspired by Lizzy Criman

The Spring Sprig die is a small set but it can make the card as it does in the one above.  All the  flowers and greenery, except the two yellow flowers, are from the Spring Sprig set. Hello Friend – Lawn Fawn dies Spring Sprig, Little Flowers and Quilted Backdrop; Taylored Expressions dies Banner Day 1 (with coordinating stamps) and Frame in Frame 2; design inspired by Lynette Kaufman

Isn't this the cutest card?  The Spring Sprig can make a complete wreath or simply frame the bunny as it does here.  Again the Quilted Backdrop is perfect for such a sweet card.  Happy Easter – Lawn Fawn dies Spring Sprig and Quilted Backdrop; Lawn Fawn clear stamp set Some Bunny with matching dies; Taylored Expressions die Stitched Rectangles; design inspired by Kelly Marie Alvarez Lawn Fawn's new Stitched Basket is a real bargain because the die set (only $26.99) includes everything that you see in the photo above including grass, flowers, a butterfly and an Easter Egg (not shown).   Even the precious little bow on top is part of the set.

Bunnies watering their garden ... so sweet!  Some Bunny – Lawn Fawn dies Stitched Garden Border; Lawn Fawn stamp set with matching dies Some Bunny; Taylored Expressions die Wispy Grass Border; design inspired by Kelly Marie Alvarez

I love slider cards because they are interactive plus they are really easy to make.  I Carrot ‘Bout You – Lawn Fawn dies Slide on Over Semicircles, Little Flowers and Stitched Garden Border; Lawn Fawn stamp set with matng dies Some Bunny; Taylored Expressions die Stitched Rectangles; design inspired by Elise Constable

Another slider as the bunny jumps for the carrots!  Happy Easter Line Border – Lawn Fawn dies Happy Easter Line Border, Slide on Over Semicircles  and Stitched Garden Border; Lawn Fawn stamp set with matching dies Some Bunny; Taylored Expressions die Stitched Rectangles; design inspired by Chari Moss

One more card and  this one is a little bit different, colorful and happy!  The die set includes the three rectangular speech bubbles and the one little square bubble plus all the words you see on this card and the little heart.  Not shown is the word "thanks."  You can position the words you select any where in the speech bubble.Speech Bubbles – Lawn Fawn dies Speech Bubbles and Woodgrain Backdrop; design inspired by Kelly Marie Alvarez

There's more Lawn Fawn products coming so reserve yours now with a quick phone call to me at 915-833-9500 or email me at [email protected].

Happy (almost) Spring! 

Hopping Down the Bunny Trail

It's hard to believe that Easter is only a few short weeks away. Today I will share with you samples using a cute set of stamps and dies from Taylored Expressions called "Bunny Tails and Happy Trails."  There's nothing not to love about this set, but what I particularly like is the "road to recovery" sentiment which is perfect for cards for people recovering from an illness or surgery.  Plus this set is also perfect for slider cards which are really popular right now.  And the little critters are so cute you will use them all year.

For this first card I used partial die cutting to cut semicircle from a white cardstock panel.  Behind the panel I used Distress inks to sponge a sky.  I stamped and die cut the little critters and lined them along the bottom of the semicircle.  A few sequins adds a little sparkle to the card and I love how you can color in the word "treat" on the sentiment.Easter Treat – Taylored Expressions stamp and matching dies Bunny Tails and Happy Trails; TE dies Stitched Circles and Sitting Pretty Spring Accessories (carrot); design inspired by Gayatri Murali

For my next card I pulled out the very, very old Memory Box die "Fringe Border."  I cut the "grass" with this die and layered the "On The Road" track above it.  The little critters are all line dup on the track while the rolling clouds hang in the sky above.  I left the "Hello" uncolored but it certainly could be colored is you like. Hello Spring Fringe Border – Taylored Expressions stamp and matching dies Bunny Tails and Happy Trails; TE dies Build A Scene -- On the Road, Build A Scene – Rolling Clouds, Frame in Frame; Memory Box Fringe Border; design inspired by Stephanie Kraft

The Rolling Clouds from the card above become a green belt in this next card. The Rolling Clouds die is a set of three different cloud banks and I used two different cuts for the green belt.  I also embossed one of the die cuts with the Cloudy Days embossing folder.Hello Spring Green – Taylored Expressions stamp and matching dies Bunny Tails and Happy Trails; TE dies Build A Scene -- On the Road, Build A Scene – Rolling Clouds, Door to Door Spring Décor;  TE embossing folder Cloudy Days; design inspired by Courtney Kelley

All the critters make an appearance on this sunny yellow card.  The On the Road die set includes both a curved and a straight track as well as companion dies to cut the backgrouond color (on this card white).

Hello Spring Yellow – Taylored Expressions stamp and matching dies Bunny Tails and Happy Trails; TE die Build A Scene -- On the Road;  design inspired by Jean Manis

Here's the first card with the Road to Recovery sentiment.  It's sure to make the recipient chuckle. Recovery Orange Truck – Taylored Expressions stamp and matching dies Bunny Tails and Happy Trails; TE die Build A Scene -- On the Road;  design inspired by Kim Singdahlsen

On this card I colored in the word "trip" to give it some increased presence. Recovery Red Truck – Taylored Expressions stamp and matching dies Bunny Tails and Happy Trails; design inspired by Gayatri Murali

How fun slider cards are!  Taylored Expressions desiged their slider die set to coordinate with the On the Road tracks.  Unfortunately I didn't have that set when I made this card so I used the Lawn Fawn set which matched the track pretty well.  Here are the steps to make a slider card (ignoring the rest of the layout on the card):

1.  Cut the slider opening in the focal panel.

2.  On the reverse side of this panel, place two layers of foam tape around the perimeter.

3.  Cut 2 rectangles of foam tape that will fit inside the slider opening.  Mount these rectangles on a penny.  Use the EK SuccessPowder Tool to pounce the edges of the foam tape so that the tape will not stick to the slider opening.

3.  Turn the card over and remove the release paper from the top of the foam tape and adhere the critter to the penny.

4.  Test your slider -- it should slide freely.

5.  Remove all the release paper from the foam tape and adhere the focal panel to the card.

Recovery Slider – Taylored Expressions stamp and matching dies Bunny Tails and Happy Trails; TE dies Stitched Cloud Duo, Build A Scene -- Trees and Build A Scene – On the Road; Lawn Fawn die Slide on Over; design inspired by Jen Shults

I love this "sending smiles" sentiment too!  It's so perfect with the little critter and the track.  And the little puffs of smoke add another cute element. Sending Smiles Red Truck – Taylored Expressions stamp and matching dies Bunny Tails and Happy Trails; TE dies Little Bits Sun and Clouds, Build A Scene – On the Road and Stitched Rectangles; design inspired by Jen Shults

I am so into this color combination.  And the large cloud die is one I don't use often but it's perfect for matting the sentiment. Another sloder card -- so fun!Sending Smiles Slider – Taylored Expressions stamp and matching dies Bunny Tails and Happy Trails; TE dies Cloud Stacklets, Build A Scene – Farm Fence and Little Bits Easter Confetti; Lawn Fawn die Slide on Over; design inspired by Kim Singdahlsen

Bunny Pop

Remember the Reindeer Pop from Christmas?  Now we've got the Bunny Pop and he is soooo clever.  The set comes with the Bunny, a plain circle and a scalloped circle.  I cut the bunnies from off white card stock then stamped them with the Notable Blooms background in Versamark and embossed them in clear.  I cut the scalloped circle with the plain circle to create an opening then cut fun foam with the two circle dies to form a barrier for the shaker card.  I added jelly beans in one and sequins in the other.  Each bunny is mounted on the Tagging Along box that can be filled with jelly beans and easter eggs!Blue & Purple Bunnies – Taylored Expressions die Bunny Pop; TE Background stamp Notable Blooms; TE dies Tags Stacklets 1 and Tagging Along; TE stamp and die combo Full of Beans; TE Sequins Pretty Pastels; design inspired by Noriko Fairchild

This bunny has an EOS lip gloss in his belly!

Mint Green EOS – Taylored Expressions die Bunny Pop; TE Background stamp Notable Blooms; Paper Smooches die Bows

All these stamps and dies are in stock plus lots more so stop in soon and see what's new for Easter!  I look forard to seeing you soon.