Couple Silhouette Card + Alcohol Ink Technique

Hello my dear friends. I haven't blogged in a while for several different reasons. But I am glad I can write something today. 2017 went by quickly and a lot happened. God remained faithful and loving as He always is. There is absolutely nothing that can compare to His love for us, including our love for one another. As Valentine's Day approaches, let us not only think of ways to make our loved ones happy, but let us think of ways to show love to people who don't expect it from us. That person on the corner asking for money? Give them something to eat and a bottle of water. How about that neighbor whose name you don't even know? Make them a card with a nice message. BE A BLESSING to someone. Start with a small gesture on Valentine's Day, and before you know it, you will be showing love everywhere to everyone. And, of course, show love to those in your life every day. 
I made this card for my husband - for Valentine's Day - but it can really be used for so many different occasions. I hope, somehow, it will inspire you.

Material used
Paper: Silver fine gliter self adhesive paper, yellow pattern cardstock, black cardstock, red cardstock (awesome cardstock sale here)
Tools: Cricut Air ,  Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Adirondack Alcohol Ink Applicator
Ink: Alcohol ink
Embellishment: Couple silhouette that you can purchase on any size from my Etsy shop


Tip: Put a little bit (drops) of alcohol ink on ink applicator (the removable soft white piece) and gently tap the glitter paper several times with desired color until the paper is completely covered. 

Next time I will post the picture of another card on which I used the same technique, but with different ink colores and create a different effect. Videos also coming soon on YouTube.

Thank you for stopping by. Please subscribe to the email list, and my YouTube channel.
                                                                                                                                     God bless you,

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

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.
   

Not Any Valentine's Day Card

One of the things I love about my husband is that he does not wait for Valentine's Day to show his love for me. Sometimes he leaves a note on the kitchen counter, before going to work, to tell me how much he appreciates everything I do for our family. Other times he will bring me a little something like my favorite candy bar or a single rose. And sometimes he'll just do things at home like washing the dishes, or making the bed, etc. He makes me feel special all the time and not only one day a year. But we still celebrate Valentine's Day, and we still exchange cards. So here is the card I made for him this year. The original idea belongs to a Craftsy instructor. I just put my own spin on it. 

Supplies I used
Paper: White cardstock, clear velum, and blue -patterned with some white - scrapbook paper
Tools: cutting/embossing machine, little fox and moon dies (Avery Elle), stitched hillside border (Lawn Fawn), computer and printer, watercolor markers, white glitter gel marker, colored grey pencil
Stamps: Little fox, stars, and moon (Avery Elle), pine tree (Stampabilities), snowy hillside
Ink pads: Black, forest green, and white
Embellishments: heart shaped gemstones, speech bubble with sentiment phrase "I love you to the moon and back"

So, even if you don't celebrate Valentine's Day, this is a card you can give to that special someone in your life at any time. 

Thank you for stopping by. May God bless you and yours with His abundant love.

Vanías Reed    

Wedding/Bridal Shower Card

Yay!! We are in the 'ber' months. Yesterday I caught myself singing in a store "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere...". I stopped right there - a little embarrassed, I confess - when I noticed someone right behind me. Oops. But while I wait anxiously for Christmas - believe me I get more excited than my 9-year-old son - LOL, I go on creating other greeting cards for the special people in my life. I made the one I'm posting today for a sweet young lady's bridal shower. I saw the idea for 'His' and 'Hers' towels on Pinterest, then I put my own spin on it. Here it is.

Supplies used
Paper: Sky blue, light blue, white, brown cardstock, and wedding scrapbook paper.
Tools: Embossing/cutting machine, brick wall, and diamonds embossing folders, decorative label die, medium label punch, mini rectangle punch, 1/8 circle punch, 3D foam glue dots, crochet hook, embroidering thread, computer, and printer.
Embellishments: Doves and hearts stickers, towel bar, self stick silver pearls (used as "screws" on the towel bar), crochet edging on the towels, double layer label. I die cut two labels, then fussy cut them in the middle, where I used the blue label for my sticker. The decorative labels were used as a frame. 

 

If you don't crochet, it's ok because you can make the edge for the towels out of the paper too.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you are having a wonderfully blessed day.

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 

Bridal Shower Ideas

Today I posted a sequence of table decor, party favors and gift ideas on my Facebook page. To see the whole thing please click here.

Thank you for visiting my blog and checking out the Facebook page.

God bless you,

Vanias Reed   

Butterfly for Tea Bags

I saw this idea online and fell in love with it, so I decided to put my head and hands to work and figure out how to make it. Here it is, or I should say, here they are because I made more than one. 

It's a little butterfly attached to the string of the tea bag. Isn't it cute? You can find them in my Etsy store

Supplies Needed
Paper: cardstock
Tools: cutting/embossing machine, butterfly die, precision scissors, hole punch, glue and coloring pens.

They are delicate and add a touch of decor to your cup.

 You can give them as a gift (they come in sets of 8 unless custom ordered differently), use for different occasions or just for some tea with friends.









Thank you for visiting my blog. Enjoy a good cup of tea, relax and craft for fun. May God bless you and yours.

Vanias Reed    

Brazilian White Bonbons (Beijinho)

In the beginning of the 20th century, in south Brazil, a cook created a little treat that is the white version of Brigadeiro (see my post from 03/05  /2014). This delicious bonbon was named Beijinho, which literally translated means little kiss. They say it given this name because it is as sweet and delicious as a kiss. The recipe I'm posting today has coconut, but you don't have to use it if you don't like it.

Ingredients 3tbsp shredded coconut (optional - I use fresh coconut) 1 can sweet condensed milk 1 tbsp butter Granulated sugar in any color (I use sugar in the raw) 1 egg yolk (optional) Cloves (optional – for decoration How to make it Grease a large plate with butter and set aside In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine coconut, butter, egg yolk, and condensed milk. Cook stirring constantly until it thickens and loosens from the bottom of the pan (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat (don’t scrape the pan – it should fall off the pan easily) and spread it on buttered plate. Let rest until cool. Butter your hands and roll the thick mixture into small balls. Roll the balls in the granulated sugar. Place the bonbons in mini cupcake liners. Nutella Version When rolling the creamy mix into balls, use your thumb to push a small cavity in the beijinho, and add 1tsp of Nutella. Close and roll into ball. Note: These were rolled in powdered coconut, and not sugar. I hope you enjoy this delicious Brazilian treat.  Thank you for stopping by, and have a wonderfully blessed day. Vanias Reed

Valentines Wedding Card

What could be better then a wedding to 'kick off' the romantic season? My neighbors are getting married on Valentine's Day, and I wanted to make a special card for them. I saw this idea on Pinterest and made my own version. I hope the bride and the groom will like it.

For some reason the picture didn't capture the fine glitter on the bride dress.

Supplies used for this card
Paper: Black and white cardstock, fine white paper for the inside.
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, roses embossing folder, precision scissors
Embellishment: White and black pearls, paper roses and self adhesive lace
I had to use precision scissors to make the groom's tuxedo collar and the bow tie.

Thank you for checking my blog out, and God bless you. 

Vanias Reed   

Wedding Invitation Ornament

What special gift can you give a couple who is getting married during the Christmas season? Of course it is always easier to just go to their wedding list at the store they registered it, but how about adding something personal like an ornament with their wedding invitation in it? Check it out.

 

 Supplies Used:
Clear ornament
Ornament stand (optional)
Wedding invitation
Embossed ornament-shaped tag 
White cardstock invitation (optional)
White ribbon
Silver (or gold if the top of your ornament is golden color) fuzzy wire
Tools: Ornament die, cutting embossing machine, snowflake embossing folder, silver glitter pen, clear gemstones, computer, printer, a pencil, 1/8" circle punch, eyelet, eyelet settler, silver (or gold) circle sticker.

Cut the invitation in horizontal strips between the sentences. I wanted to keep the original invitation, so I made a copy and pasted it to a white cardstock paper before cutting in strips. Roll the strips around a pencil with writing on the outside. Not too tight, yet not too loose either. Put the rolls inside the ornament, they will open showing the details of the invitation like date, address, bride and groom names, etc.

Place the top of the ornament back in place, and tie a white ribbon with a bow to it.

 

Print a sentiment phrase, the date and the couple's initials and glue the paper on the tag. Hang the tag on the ornament with the fuzzy wire. Cover the hole with a sticker. Add clear gemstones. 

Now you have something very personal for the couple to put on their mantel or to hang on their Christmas tree. You can put it with the other gifts in a bag, or hang it outside of your gift wrapping to decorate it.

Use the idea for December weddings, graduations (invitation), new babies (announcement)... 

Thank you so much for stopping by. I wish you endless blessings.

Vanias Reed     

Silver Anniversary

A dear couple, related to may family, just celebrated their silver anniversary. What a special occasion! So the card and the gift wrapping tip I'm posting today are the very ones I made for them. Here is the card first.

 Supplies used
Paper: White, silver and black carstock (the Paper Studios)
Tools: Cutting/ embossing machine (Sizzix), embossing folder (Darice), scalloped heart puncher, plain heart puncher, 1" circle puncher (for the corners of the sentiment phrase label), computer and printer
Embellishment: Silver numbers 2 and 5, clear gemstones, silver glittered letters, see through white ribbon, silver twine, pearl dove stickers

 The gift wrapping

The paper I used had 2.5" silver stripes, so I could use them to embellish my wrapping by folding them in on both sides. 
Supplies used
Paper: roses and silver stripes wrapping paper
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine, standard circle dies (Spellbinders), 3D 7/16" foam mounting circle.
Embellishment: Wired silver ribbon, 1/2" heart white lace, silver and white card stock paper, silver numbers 2 and 5

I put a circle of silver paper on the back of the lace before attaching it to the bow with the foam mounting circle.
As you can see, I try to make my presents, wrapping and cards as personal as possible. 

Thank you so much for stopping by. God bless you.

                                                                                                                              Vanias Reed

Bridal Shower Invitation

Today I'm posting something I have not posted yet, an invitation idea. I was asked to make invitations for a bridal shower that had the peacock colors as a theme. So here is what I came up with.

 Supplies Used
Paper: leaf green, gold and medium purple card stock (the Paper Studios)
Tools: Cutting/ embossing machine (Sizzix), Twirl embossing folder (the Paper Studios), computer and printer, spray adhesive (to glue the peacock feather to the paper)
Embellishments: Peacock feather, white lace and ribbon, pearl beads, and seal with the bride's and groom's names initial (in this case both names start with the letter B). 

There is more to creating with paper than greeting cards. Have fun creating and hand making. And thank you for visiting my blog

God bless you.

             Vanias Reed             

Little Red Dress

I have been working on crochet orders and haven't had much time to make cards. Yet today I decided to relax a bit - making cards relaxes me - and do something new. So here is a card that can be used for several different occasions. Enjoy.

Card 'recipe'
First I cut a scalloped circle out of a glittered cardstock paper.

Then I turned the circle, measured, marked and cut like the picture below.

Next I punched a heart from one of the two pieces that I cut out of the circle.

 And trimmed the sides as shown to make the top of the dress. Glue the end to the back of the skirt.

 

The other piece left from the circle was used to make the layers on the skirt. Then I used a black ribbon around the waist.

Now all I had to do was to create the card using my red little dress. Here is another picture of the card.

Supplies
Paper: Solid red glitter, white, black, red (Paper Studios)
Tools: Cutting/embossing machine (Sizzix), embossing plate (Twirls by Paper Studios), heart puncher (Recollections), 4" Scalloped Circle die, 1 3/4" oval die (Spellbinders)
Stamp: For Someone 'Special' 
Ink: Black fine point marker for stamps (Recollections)
Embellishments: Transparent black ribbon, glittered asterisks

You can make a 'little black dress', a wedding gown... the possibilities are endless. 

Thank you for stopping by. May God bless you and yours.

Vanias Reed      

Wedding Card With Crochet

Recently I made some bridal invitations, and they inspired me to create a 'bridal' card. I like to crochet so I decided to put the two together. Here is the result.

Card 'Recipe'
Paper: light green (Paper Studio), pink (Recollections)
Stamp: Wedding series - Roses corner and roses bouquet
Ink: Ebony (Recollections)
Tools: Crochet needles 3.25mm (D), pliers, pink and green coloring pencils, spray adhesive.
Everything else: paper clip (hanger), green ribbon (to cover hanger), white lace (veil), white Red Heart Fashion Crochet Thread, Size 3, adhesive faux pearls (tiny and small) and pearly beads, white paper rose with leaves, Winter Wonderland glitter (Martha Stwart).
 
Dress directions
Abbreviations:
ch - chain
dc - double crochet
sc - single crochet
sl st - slip stitch
sk - skip

Skirt

Ch 7 then ch 2 to go up. 
Row 1: 6 sc , remember that last 2 ch count as 1sc
Row 2: ch 3, remember this is your first dc, 1 dc in every sc
Row 3: ch 3 (your 1st dc), 1dc  ch 2  2dc in the same base st, 1 dc 1 row below in the next st, 2dc ch2 2dc in the next st; 1dc 1 row below in the next st; 2dc ch2 2dc in the same st
Row 4: sl st until you reach the ch in the middle of dc from previous row
ch3 (your 1st dc) 1dc ch2 2dc in the ch; sk next 2dc; 1dc 1 row below; sk next 2dc; 2dc ch2 2dc in the ch; sk next 2dc; 1dc row below; sk 2dc; 2dc ch2 2dc in the ch
Row 5: sl st until you reach the ch; ch3 (your 1st dc) 2dc ch 2 3 dc in the ch; sk 2dc; 1 dc 1 row below in the next st; sk 2dc: 3dc ch2 3 dc in the ch; 1dc 1 row bellow; sk 2 dc; 3 dc ch2 3dc in the ch.
Row 6: Repeat row 5 - except that you will  sk 3dc this time
Row 7: sl st to ch; ch3 3dc ch2 4dc in the ch; sk 3dc; 1 dc 1 row below in the next st; sk 3dc;  4dc ch2 4dc in the ch; sk 3dc; 1 dc 1 row below; sk 3 dc: 4 dc ch2 4 dc in the ch
Row 8:  sl st to ch; ch3 9dc in the ch; sk 4dc; 1 dc 1 row below; sk 4dc; 10dc in the chain; sk 4dc; 1 dc 1 row below; sk 4 dc; 10dc in the chain; sl st to join
Sl st going up the skirt 

Spray the skirt with adhesive and sprinkle glitter on it before gluing the dress to the card.

Top

When you get back to the first row of the skirt, (that will be the waist)
Row 1: ch 2, sc in every precious sc (they will be up side down) 
Row 2: ch3 (your 1st dc) 1 dc in each sc
Row 3: ch 3 1dc 1 row below; 1 dc; 1dc 1 row below; 1dc; 1dc 1 row below; 1dc
Row 4: Repeat row 3
Row 5: ch 3 2dc in the next 3 dc; sl st; 2 dc in the next 4 st; sl st.
Sl st all the way to the bottom of skirt
Tie off and weave in ends.

Add a few pearls to the bouquet.

Detail inside the card

Thank you for stopping by. Blessings unto you.

Vanias Reed