Another Lawn Fawn Challenge

Hi there, I don't know about you, but I am one of those people who loves using Lawn Fawn stamps and dies. They are so cute, and now their blog lawnfawnatics have challenges from time to time. I love mixing and matching stamps sets, and that's what I did on the card  I created for their Spring challenge. Check it out.

Supplies Used

Paper: White cardstock

Tools: Sizzix embossing/cutting machine, Darice embossing folder, Lawn Fawn stamps and dies ( "bicycle for you", "let's play ", and "Winter sparrows", and grass die), and Copic markers.

Embellishments: tiny self adhesive pearl

The good news is that both scrapbook.com and  blitsy.com are having a huge sale, and you can find the stamps and dies with discount. 

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderfully blessed day. 

This post has affiliate links and, when you click on them and make a purchase, I get a couple of bucks. THANK YOU.

Spring Card

Hi there,
Are you enjoying spring? I know a lot of people are, especially those who had a lot of snow during winter. Where we live, at this time of the year, we see baby rabbits, baby Sandhill Cranes, eagles, and a lot of other animals. Spring means new life, and it's so inspiring. The card I'm posting today was inspired by spring.

Supplies used
Paper: Rose pink, white and olive green cardstock
Tools: Sizzix cutting/ embossing machine, embossing folder, Spellbinders oval decorative die
Stamp: Cherry blossoms
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Embellishments: Pink and white bakers twine

I hope you enjoy the card. Please leave a comment letting me know what you would use this card for.

Thank you for stopping by, and have a very blessed spring.

This page contain affiliate links. If you purchase, I make a few bucks. Thank you.

Die-cut Flowers Card

Hi everybody,
In my last post I showed you a card I made with my Cricut  .Today I'm posting a card that has the same style - die cut roses - but made with a die by Sizzix . So, if you don't have a Cricut Explore YET, you can always work with your embossing/cutting machine. Let's see the card?

Material used
Tools: Big Shot cutting/embossing machine, Detailed Floral Thinlits Dies, Magnetic platform and precision base plate
Paper: Red and white cardstock 
Stamp: Happy Birthday (Sizzix Happy Birthday To You thinlits with stamps)
Black ink
Embellishments: Red ribbon and bow, pearl and red gemstones
                                                              
Then you ask me, but what if I'm not a card maker? It's ok, you can find this card, and the one from my previous post at Paper Creations, etc shop

  
Thank you so much for stopping by, and may God bless you and yours.

Happy Crafting,

This post has affiliate links. When you click on them and make a purchase, I make a few bucks. Thank you so much.
   

Thankful

Today is my birthday, and I've been mentally making a "list" of what I'm thankful for. Well, the list is too long. God has blessed me in so many ways, not only in the past year, but throughout my whole life. He has given me all the reasons to be thankful, and my 55th birthday is just one of them. So, to celebrate with gratitude, I'm posting a 'THANK YOU' card with envelope, but of course you can make this card for pretty much any occasion.

 Material used:
Tools: Cricut Explore Air, Sizzix Bigshot cutting/ embossing machine, tag die (Avery Elle Beautiful Bow set)
Paper: Antique rose, white cardstock
Stamp: Thanks a million (Fiskars "Many Thanks" set)
Ink: black
Embellishment: Green bow 

 Envelope material used:
Tools: Envelope punch board (We R Memory Keepers), heat gun
Stamp: bow, "enjoy",  and mini tag ( Avery Elle Beautiful Bow set) 
Ink: Versamark clear, green embossing powder

 I like to do something special on my envelopes too, and I love this bow stamp to decorate the envelopes.

THANK you for stopping by, you too are another reason for my gratitude. May God bless you.

This post has affiliate links. When you click on them and purchase, I make a few bucks. Thank you so much.

Encouraging

Hello, how are you all doing? Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while, but I'm back, and I would like to share a little bit of what has happened. One of the things my family and I did this summer was going on a missions trip. That was awesome! I found out how much I needed to learn about loving unconditionally, and being kind no matter what.  I've decided then to use more of the creativity God gave me to bless and encourage others. The card I'm posting today is a result of that. A lady we know and love went through a difficult time in a hospital. What was supposed to be an outpatient surgery, became 4 days of hospitalization. So here is what I made for her.

Supplies used
Paper: White and patterned cardstock
Tools: cutting/ embossing machine, roses embossing folder, tag die, sharp fine point scissors for fancy cut.
Stamps: "sending you a little prayer..."(front), that God will keep you in his care. (inside), Get Well Soon, and your are Inscribed on the palm of his hand... (all stamps by Stampabilities)
Embellishment: pink ribbon and pearls

I also decorated the envelope cutting one of the flowers from the patterned cardstock paper to create a set.

God bless us in so many different ways. If we have been blessed with creativity and talent for crafts, why can't we use them to bless others?

Thank you for stopping by. I hope this has inspired you to go out there and encourage others using whatever is the talent you have.

Vanías Reed   

Mrs. Claus in July Dress Card with Free Template

Hi there. Last week I had a baby shower to attend, and I made a little dress card to go with the gift. I liked that so much, that I decided to make a Mrs. Claus dress card for the Christmas in July series. So I created a template and made, not one, but three cards. And today I'm sharing them and the template with you, just to thank you for stopping by.

As you can see the style is the same, I just changed the apron a little bit.
Supplies used
Paper: White and red cardstock
Tools: cutting/embossing machine, polka-dots, and falling snow embossing folders, crochet hook size G (4.25mm), 1.5" circle punch, snowflakes border punch
Embellishments: fuzzy yarn, poinsettias stickers, red glitter glue, white ribbon and bow, self-adhesive pearls

Here is the template. Just right click on the image and save in your computer. Then choose the size you want, and print on a cardboard. To make the red front of the dress, print a second image on red cardstock and cut in half.

 Here is another dress card made with the same template. This time without the apron.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I hope you check out my shop on etsy.com too. God bless you, and have fun crafting.

Vanías Reed   

Beautiful Card for Mothers Day (Too)

Hi, how are you doing? How are you going to celebrate Mothers' Day this year? This is a bitter-sweet occasion for me. Sweet because I can celebrate the blessing that is to be a mother, bitter because I'm so far away from my Mom. Anyway, I made this card for my sister's birthday, but I thought it would make a good card for Mothers' Day too. I decided to post it today, so you will have plenty of time to make it. 

What you will need: 
Paper: Peach pink, white, and leaf green cardstock
Tools: cutting/embossing machine, embossing and stamp set (Textured Impressions), leaf punch, peach pink, baby pink, and green markers (I used water based markers)
Embellishments: Sentiment stamp, pink bow, vintage 'brooch' brad, butterfly sticker

Here you can see better how the embossing folder makes the stamped flowers pop.

 Thank you for stopping by. Make something special for your Mom, grandma, aunt... and have a very blessed Mothers' Day.

Vanías Reed  

Handmade Cards, Envelopes, and Box

Hi there,
How are you doing? I hope you are all doing great. Here we are getting ready for summer, and for a missions trip we'll be taking in the beginning of September. In order to raise funds for our trip, I'm making sets of cards in a box and selling them. Today I want to post for you one of the sets I made. I'm also going to post the links for the boxes, so you can make them too, ok?

 

Supplies needed for the cards
Paper: White, pastel pink, blue, yellow, and green cardstock for cards. Pastel pink, green, blue and yellow 24lb paper for envelopes.
Tools: Cutting/ embossing machine, embossing folders, heat gun, white embossing powder, envelope punch
Stamps: Happy Birthday, Get Well, Congratulations
Ink: Versamark
Embellishments: Decorative self-adhesive strips, butterfly sticker

Envelope instructions here
Box directions for English speakers here 
Instruções em português para a caixa aqui 

One of the cards in the box

Make a box and a set of cards for Mothers Day. I bet your Mom will love it.

Thank you for stopping by, and may God bless you.

Vanías Reed

Vintage Masculine Card + Free Tips

Hello there, how are you doing today? I hope very well. Have you ever felt so blessed that it's almost overwhelming? I did last week. It was my birthday, and my friends, extended family, husband, and son just poured their love on me. I received so many amazing messages that truly blessed my weekend. God is awesome like that. He places people in our lives who can do and/or say things to make us feel really special, doesn't He? So I decided that I wanted to be a blessing in someone's life too. One way I can do that is to make some greeting cards, put in a cute box and give to someone just because. The card I'm posting today is one of them.

Supplies I used for this card
Paper: White, wood brown, cream cardstock, sand cream silk paper ("accordion"folded)
Tools: Cutting/ embossing machine, gift tag die, wood embossing folder, brown fine point marker, 3D adhesive foam (for clock sticker)
Stamps: text background (The Journey- Tim Holtz), Happy Birthday (Stampabilities)
Ink: Espresso, black
Embellishments: Fabric self-adhesive patterned tape, brown and withe twine, gift tag, antique clock sticker, chain used in mini key-chains.

Tips: 
1. use an ink pad to distress the sides and corners of card and tag
2. when stamping the background on tag, stamp a paper first then stamp the tag. You want to have that 'fading' effect.
3. with fine point marker, write over a couple of words of the background stamp

Thank you so much for stopping by. You too make me feel special when you take time to read my blog.

Vanías Reed  

Football Helmet Birthday Card + Free Template + Free tip

Hi there. Did you watch the Super Bowl? I didn't (smile). I'm not really into football at all, but my husband is. His favorite team is actually a college team - Michigan Wolverines. So, for his birthday this year, I decided to make a card in the shape of his favorite team's helmet. I used my electronic cutting machine with the print and cut setting, but I'm sure you can do it using a craft knife too. Just print a picture of your team's helmet the same size you decide your template will be.I'm posting the template I created, so you can make the card with your team's colors. Here is the card.

Supplies used
Paper: white cardstock
Tools: Cutting machine, computer, printer, banner die, cutting/embossing machine, template, scoring board, scoring tool
Stamp: Happy Birthday (Stampabilities)
Embellishment: Self- adhesive silver gemstone

Template

I left the background of the template pink on purpose, so, when you print the picture, you'll easily know where tho cut. 

TIP: If you are going to use an electronic machine, download the picture to your computer, then upload it to your machine program, and choose the cut setting.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderfully blessed week.

Vanías Reed    

Scrapbook Paper Birthday Card

One of the things I enjoy the most is the expression of joy people make when they receive a handmade card. The big smile combined with the sparkle in their eyes tell me they really like what they see. That is a tremendous motivation for me to keep making greeting cards. Is it for you too? What motivates you to do what you do? Do you surprise people with cards "just because"? Sometimes it doesn't take a long time, too much work, or even expensive material to make someone feel special, does it?  Here is a card I made that put a smile in my cousin's face.

Supplies Used
Paper: Black, white, black glittered cardstock, and scrapbook patterned paper.
Tools: Cutting/ embossing machine, happy birthday embossing folder (Cuttlebug), balloon punch, 1/8 in ribbons, bakers twine, small glitter numbers
Embellishment: handmade gift boxes, gift box stickers, balloons

The white embossed paper is glued to a black card (the picture doesn't show it very well - sorry).
Thank you for checking out my project. I hope you make one too. 

God bless you,  

Vanias Reed

Gate Fold Get Well Card

Hi there. Are you an active person? One of those people who will only be happy if you are doing something, especially for others? I have a friend who's like that. She is constantly helping someone, always doing something. Unfortunately, setting up a volleyball net for a game in our church, she hurt both feet. I feel so sorry for her because I know how hard it is for her to stay in bed instead of being out there working, helping, doing the things she likes. So I made her a card, and that's the card I'm posting today.

Supplies and techniques used
Paper: Plum and white cardstock
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, tulip frame embossed folder (Sizzix)
Stamp: Get Well Soon
Embellishments: black self adhesive pearls, "foot" wrapped with gauze.

Techniques:
Dry Embossing and fussy cutting


Find the tutorial for the Gate Fold card here. 

Thank you so much for visiting my blog. Have a wonderfully blessed week.

Vanías Reed   

Picture Frame Mother's Day Card

I was thinking about something special I want to do for my Mom for Mother's Day. Besides the gift I'm going to make for her, this card idea came to me in the middle of the night. Yep, that happens a lot. I wake up and start having ideas for cards and gifts. Weird? Maybe. Some would call it inspiration... Who knows? Hahaha.  

 As you can see the center doesn't have anything but the transparency. That's because the top of the oval frame is open, so you can insert a picture or a message as seen in the pictures below.

                                    

My Mother and me

Supplies Needed:
Paper: light green, light pink and white cardstock
Tools: cutting/embossing machine, polka-dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug), decorative oval die (Spellbinder), transparency
Stamp: rose bushes, Happy Mothers Day (Stampabillities)
Embellishments: paper roses, fabric ribbon, self-stick pearls

You can insert a picture of you and your Mom, or you and your siblings. You can even put a picture of your children, and make this card for Grandma. The possibilities are endless.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderfully blessed Mother's Day

Vanias Reed      

Shaker Box Card

Hi. My niece, just like me, loves butterflies. So I wanted to make her a very special card that would not only have butterflies, but would be fun to. I found a class at craftsy in which Kimber McGray teaches how to make a card with a shaker box. So, I put my spin on it, and here is the result.

Supplies used
Paper: White, purple, lavender (for back of the shaker box, and glitter (also white) cardstock
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, swirls and butterflies embossing folder (by Darice), happy birthday die (Memory Box), butterfly trio die (also memory box), 3D sticky foam, transparency, glitter glue
Embellishments: clear gemstones in different sizes, flower sequins (for the shaker box) 
By the way, I found the flower shaped sequins at Michaels after Easter sale for 0.59 cents. How cool is that?

Here is a close-up on the shaker box

This definitely was a fun card to make, and I'm pretty sure my little niece will enjoy shaking it. 

Thank you for stopping by, and have a wonderful everything. 

Vanías Reed

Mother's Day Card with Crochet Applique

Didn't we celebrate Christmas yesterday? hahahahaha. I cannot believe Mother's Day is just around the corner. Is it me or time is REALLY flying by? Wow! Anyway, here is an idea of a card for your Mom or someone you know who is a mom. What makes this card different is the crochet applique.

Supplies used
Paper: Cream, light green, brown and bright pink cardstock, roses scrapbook paper (The Paper Studios)
Tools: label punch, computer and printer
Embellishments: Crochet basket (find both the pattern and the applique here) , paper roses, aqua green ribbon and bow, brown self-stick pearls
This card can be made for several other occasions too, like birthday, Easter, spring, get well... the possibilities are almost endless. So, go ahead, make somebody's day by giving them something especially handmade by you. 

Thank you for stopping by, and may the grace of God reach your heart today.

Vanías Reed    

Pop-up Card

Hi there. Today I'm posting a couple of ideas for pop-up cards. They are not difficult to make, and they have that surprise element that will sure put a smile on the face of the card receiver.

 Supplies used for this card:
Paper: Light and dark purple, white, cream with purple flowers, and white with blue strips cardstock. Green with white polka-dots scrapbook paper
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, Swiss polka-dots embossing folder, scallop border punch
Stamp: Happy Birthday
Embellishments: balloons and cupcake stickers White ribbon

 

 Supplies needed for this card:                                                                  

Paper: Black, and white cardstock, leopard print, cream glitter, lacy, and white scrapbook paper

Tools: Fancy scallop punch, oval punch

Stamp: small Happy Birthday

Embellishments: red ribbon, red bow, large pearl, 2/3" red ribbon

To watch a video and learn how to 
make the pop-up click here 
Thank you for stopping by, and God bless you.

Vanías Reed    

Transform a Note Card

If you follow this blog and/or my Facebook page, you know by now that I am all pro-recycling. For instance, the other day, cleaning up and organizing a drawer which cleaning was way overdue, I found some cute note cards that I bought before I started making my own cards (THAT tell you how overdue the cleaning and organizing were - smile). I looked at those cards and thought, "I can embellish these blank cards, and turn them into something with a little more 'pzazz', (word chosen by my 9-year-old son - LOL). So here is how I transformed a blank note card into a thank you card. 

How I did it
Paper: White and black cardstock
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, medium rectangle decorative die (Spellbinders), 3D foam glue dots
Stamp: Thanks 

Embellishments: small pink pearls, swirl stickers.

As you can see in this picture, I used the black cardstock to make the back of my label.

 Thanks again for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful week.

God bless you,

Vanías Reed  

Gifts or gift cards? (Last part)

Hi. To finish my series of posts on gift cards, I'd like to say that there are other reasons why to give them instead of gifts. Distance is one of them. A couple getting married and moving away, a high-school graduate going to a distant college, and serving in the army are just some examples of that. So here is another idea for a gift card holder.

Supplies Used
Paper: Light purple cardstock, polka-dots scrapbook paper
Tools: Embossing/ cutting machine, score board, extra-large and large oval dies (for handle), large scallop circle die.
Stamp: To, from
Embellishments: lavender pearl

Please remember that you can transform your handmade greeting cards into gift card holders too. Just use your imagination, and the technique in the video I posted the link to on my first post entitled 'gift or gift cards? (part 1)

Remember you can always make a greeting card/gift card holder in one, like I transformed the card I posted on Thursday, July 11, 2013 into a gift card holder (see picture below) to give to a bride who is going to live in another state after married.

In this case I just created a pocket inside the card, and crocheted a board using the same stitch used in the dress.

Thank you for checking out my ideas. I hope they are useful to you.

God bless you, and happy crafting, 

Vanías Reed