Technique Tuesday - Side Stair Step Card

I just fell in love with this card when I began seeing it on the internet.  I finally got around to trying to make it this past weekend.  A couple of friends came over to "play," and one of them had brought one that she had received.  That was all it took.....we decided right then and there to make one.

About eight mock-ups later, I finally felt as though I "got it."  Trying to figure out how to make a card without step-by-step instructions in front of you is not as easy as it looks.  But, we persisted, laughed a lot, measured a lot, and finally, I was able to put together a mock up.  Since then, I tweaked it a little, and made a card.  Then I wrote up the instructions, step-by-step.  It is a standard A2 size card.

Here's my card:

Here's a view a little from the side, so you can see the "stairs":

Fun, huh?  It's fun to make, too.  And really easy once you work through a mock up the first time (now that I've got the measurements for you).  Here's how it's done:

Place an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of card stock in your trimmer at 2" (this is the base of your card. Cut a slit from 2 1/8" to 7 1/2".

Place the card on your score board horizontally, with the slit at the bottom.  Score from the top to the slit at 2 1/8".  (If you click on the pictures, you will see a close-up view).

Score all the way down the card at 4 1/4".

Score from the top to the slit at 5 3/8", then score from the top to the slit at 6 1/2" and 7 1/2".

 Starting with the center (the 4 1/4" fold), accordian fold the card as shown.  The 4 1/4" fold will be mountain folded at the bottom (narrow part) and valley folded at the top (wide part).  The rest of the folds will alternate mountain/valley folds.

Here is how the card looks before you add your stamps, images, and embellishments. 

That's it for the basic shape!!  Decorate as desired.
I used Penny Black stickers and stamps for a quick and easy card.  This one's going to my granddaughter, Keeley.  Now I have to make one for Kennedy!

There are variations on this card, including one with the steps in the center with a panel on both sides, and one without any panel, just steps all the way across.  My friend Arlene took home one of my "oops" mock-ups (where I slit in the wrong place), and made an adorable Easter basket card from it.  I tried put it up here, but can't seem to get it pasted in.  I will see if I can get it in my Flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/paperartscafe/ , so check it in a day or two.  And please, please feel free to post pictures of your cards, stair step or otherwise, on my Flickr group.  I'd love to have you in the gallery!

I've entered this in the Penny Black @ Allsorts challenge, where the theme is All You Need Is Love!  You can find the challenge here http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/2011/01/january-challenge.html .

I hope you have fun with this.

Just a reminder, you have until Monday, February 7th to enter the coffee cup and/or coffee sleeve challenge from my previous post.  Scroll down for details.  Enter and you may win some blog candy...a free set of stamps, and the first three entries will receive a panel of stickers.

Thanks for stopping in.

Blessings,

lynda

Technique Tuesday - Paper Cup Challenge

Last week my friend, Arlene, and I met for our monthly "friend breakfast" at our favorite haunt.  As we sipped our coffee, I casually remarked that the design on our cups would make pretty patterned paper.  We chuckled.  Who else but two paper crafters would see patterned paper in a paper cup's design!  I said it would be fun to see if we could make something from the cup itself.  Arlene said, "Let's do it," and the challenge was born.  We took our cups home, and each made a card from our cup.

Here's a picture of the cup which is what each of our cards started out as:

To make our cards, we washed the cups and dried them thoroughly.  We then very carefully removed the bottom and opened out the seam.  Then, just thought about how we would use the elements on the cup, and used it like we would use any special piece of patterned paper.  I did use a stronger adhesive on the back of mine, as the cup's inside had a little bit of a waxy finish, and I wanted to make sure it would stick to my card stock.

And here are the cards (click on images to see larger) -
Arlene's card (Arlene Rose) (outside and inside)

 Arlene used Spellbinder's dies to cut the shapes, then layered them onto card stock which she had embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  I love the little details with the punched flowers and the gorgeous sheer ribbon!

My card (outside and inside)

 I cut out around the swirl border design on the cup, making it part of the card, then used Spellbinder's dies to cut the shapes.  I added some stamped flowers (Hero Arts) and verse, and a pretty purple and green edged ribbon.
To read my article about friendship on my writing blog, click here http://lynplecsblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/special-blessings-of-friends.html .

CHALLENGE!!!  PRIZE!!!   WIN!!
Paper Cup Challenge
DEADLINE:  Monday, February 7, 2011 at 11:59 PM EST
DETAILS:  So, now that you have an idea, our challenge to you is to do the same.  Save your next take-out cup, and make something from it to share with us.  If you can't find any interesting cups, you can use a coffee sleeve (the ones that fit over the cup to keep your hands from getting too hot). Take a picture of your project, and upload it to my new Flickr Group here http://www.flickr.com/groups/paperartscafe/ .  Label your card or project: PaperCupChallenge.  You just click on "add photo" to upload your picture from your Flickr gallery.  If you do not have a Flickr gallery, it's easy to create one, and it's FREE.  What is Flickr?  Flickr is the best way to store, sort, search and share your photos online. Flickr helps you organize that huge mass of photos you have and offers a way for you and your friends and family to tell stories about them.  Have you ever sent someone a card, then forgotten what it looked like?  Sometimes a recipient of a card I've sent will call and say something about the card, and I can't remember what I sent them!  It's great to have pictures of your cards, so that you can make another like it if you want. Don't worry - you can set it up so your pictures are private, or you can choose to share with just certain people, or with anyone.  The best way to learn about Flickr is to upload some photos, explore the site, join some groups and make some friends. You can find more info about Flickr in the Magical Feature Tour.

So, go ahead.  Go get that coffee, or tea, or latte, and get home to make your project.  Join my flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/paperartscafe/ , and post your card.  Don't forget to label it PaperCupChallenge to be eligible for the challenge prize, and leave a message here on the blog to let me know you are playing, so I can watch for your entry.  The winner will receive a Fun At The Beach cling stamp set by Memory Box.  The first five entries will receive a panel of Fresh Paisley stickers by Autumn Leaves. 

I'm really excited about my first blog challenge, and really hope you'll play along.  We can't wait to see your ideas.  Don't forget to comment here that you are entering, so we can hop over to the Flickr Group to see your cards/projects.

Blessings,

lynda

Technique Tuesday - Metallic Edge

Some of you asked about the gold metallic edge on the You're special circle on last week's technique:

So, I decided to show it on today's Technique Tuesday.  Sometimes you need a pretty, metallic edge on a panel or card layer, but cannot find just the right color paper to match the embossing on the card.  This technique makes just the right edge on your card panels and layers.  It will always match the embossing on the card.

You will need some gold (or any metallic color) embossing powder, an embossing stamp pad, or VersaMark pad, and a panel about 1/4" larger than the layer you are putting on it.  You can make the panel larger if you want more of a border showing.

 On this card, I made the embossed border around the main panel about 1/4 inch, and the border on the floral panel a little less.
Here's how it's done:
Cut a panel of card stock slightly larger than the piece you will be layering onto it.  The larger the piece, the more metallic edge will be showing.
Dab embossing ink or VersaMark along the edges, making sure to ink a little more than will show.  Dip edges into embossing powder, then heat to emboss.
Add layering panel, and Voila!  You have a metallic embossed edge!
 This card features Penny Black stickers and Basic Grey paper.
That's it for tonight.

Blessings,
    lynda

Caught My Eye

I love to surf the net, looking at cardmaking and scrapbooking blogs, and quite often something catches my eye.  I thought I would share some of these gems with you here on my blog.   I am always impressed at the amount of sheer talent and inspiration that is out there.  It's great to see that our craft is alive and well, thank you.  And that so many creative, talented people are sharing their work.

I recently spotted some gorgeous work over at CardCornerByCandee.blogspot.com .
Candee has a great eye for design.  Her work is clean, uncluttered, yet elegant and inspired.

This card really caught my eye because of it's simple layout, yet elegant design.  The colors are stimulating and pleasing.  And the focal point, that flower!!  I'm loving the way Candee used the twigs (Martha Stewart punch) behind the flower (which she made by layering flower punches.  Visit Candee's blog to see more of her pretty cards.

 I love the striking look of the red with the kraft and white on this pretty Valentine's Day card.  The playful way Candee put the little red heart punched shapes inside the hearts on the embossed background, and layered the heart punches in the center make this card fun and delightful.

 

I love everything about this card.  The soft blue with white, the texture of the embossed panel, pretty snowflake patterned paper, snowflake punches, and the saying layered up on circles!

This one really made me smile!  Black and white is such a classic color combo.  Candee's layered hearts featuring the tux and wedding dress are adorable.

 

Finally, this stunning card really caught my eye.  I'm loving the embossed vines, and the pretty sheer bow on the background paper.

Thanks to Candee for letting me share some of her work here.  Stop by and visit her blog, and leave her some love!  

I'll be back Tuesday with another technique for you.

lynda

A quick and easy card

Just sharing a quick and easy card tonight, and some exciting news.  First, for the card:
  I'm showing both front and inside.

The image is from Inkadinkado.  I simply layered gingham paper onto a card, stamped the image, sponged, wrapped with ribbon and attached to card.  I added some buttons.  On the inside, I stamped and glued the panel, then tore and added a bit of the gingham paper to the inside.  That's it....the whole card took maybe 15 minutes!

Now, for the news....

I just published a new blog.  Not to worry, I am still going to keep this blog, as this one is my "baby," and I will NEVER stop stamping and scrapping.  I will continue to share my ideas, inspirations, and, of course, Technique Tuesdays.
Many of you know that I do some writing, and have been writing on HubPages online, and for some magazines now and then.  I decided to kick it up a notch, and start a blog to publish some of my shorter pieces.  I mainly write to inspire, to challenge, and to share personal insights.  This blog will focus on the positive, and it is my hope it will inspire you.  It is called A Little Perspective.  It is about living in joy, hope, and grace.
I invite you to visit, and to read the first two posts, which I just published tonight.  The welcome post is under the first article, so be sure to read that, also.  I welcome and appreciate your comments, and hope to see you there.  Here is a link -  A Little Perspective .  There is also a link on the right panel.  You may subscribe, and follow, so that you will know when I publish new posts.

Hope you're staying warm, and making time to enjoy your craft.

Blessings,

lynda

Technique Tuesday - Hand Made Metallic Embellishments

Happy New Year!  Welcome to the first Technique Tuesday post of the year 2011!  Today's technique is how to create your own hand made metallic embellishment.  The "embellishment" is actually card stock, made to look like metallic.  I have done this with punched shapes, such as hearts, punched keys, fleur de lis, holiday shapes, as well as die cut shapes, such as the terrific label dies by Spellbinders.

Here are a couple of cards with my own hand made embellishments:

Here's how it's done:

• Punch or die cut your shape from plain white or ivory card stock.
• Use an embossing pad or VersaMark pad to ink embossing ink onto the shape, making sure to cover the entire shape completely.
• Dip inked shape into gold, copper, or silver embossing powder, and heat.  Use the edge of a craft knife to hold the shape down while heating so it doesn't blow away.
• Attach embellishment to card with glue dots.

That's it.  Easy-peasy.  And here's a link to Gina Krupsky's video, which demonstrates this technique perfectly: http://stamptv.ning.com/video/creating-a-metallic .

Hope you're keeping warm and healthy, and making time to create!

Blessings,

lynda