Christmas Card (already?)

Hi there. Do you celebrate Christmas in July? I do. Mainly because I'm originally from Brazil and it is summer there during Christmas time. It is amazing how even the humidity at this time of the year reminds me of Christmas in my country. That's why I pick July to post a preview of my Christmas cards. I'll try  - the key word IS try - to post one for each day of the month. Here is the first one.

Supplies needed for this card
Paper: White, patterned blue, and glittered white cardstock, transparent velum
Tools: Cutting/ embossing machine, stitched landscape die (Lawn Fawn - Simon Says Stamp), sentiment die (Merry - memory box dies), snowflakes punch border (Martha Stewart), 3D foam adhesive, scoring board, scoring tool, craft knife and mat.
Stamp: Pine tree (Stampabilities)
Ink: Ever green
Embellishments: snowman sticker, pearls

Note:
1. Wet your stamp one time, and stamp twice before wetting the stamp again. That will give the look of trees in the front and back. Use the stamp in different hights too. 
 2. Glue the velum on top of the first "snow mount", then, using 3D foam adhesive, place the second "snow mount"on the velum.

Christmas is an amazing time because it is when we celebrate the fact that the Son of God humbled himself to be born as a man. All because He loves us THAT much! Celebrate Christmas in December, July, daily. Celebrate the Lord Jesus Christ and thank him every day for what he has done for us. 

God bless you

Vanías Reed   

Father's Day Card with Free Tutorial

Father's Day 2015 is almost here, which means that half of the year is gone. Wow!  Hobby Lobby even has Fall and Christmas crafts items out already. Can someone please slow down the time? Hahahahaha. I wish. Anyway, jokes aside, I wanted to make a card for someone really special: my sister's father-in-law. He and his wife embraced my husband, my son, and me as if we were part of their family. They call our son grandson, and he calls them Nanny and Papa. So here is the card I made for Papa for Father's Day, and the link to the video with measurements to make a s-shaped card. 

 Supplies used for this card
Paper: Brown and white cardstock
Tools: Embossing machine, deep stripes embossing folder (The Paper Studios), computer, and printer
Embellishments: "screws" - I used black and silver fine tip gel pens to draw the screws holding the signs 'Papa you are a classic'

Card completely open

Find the video-tutorial for the s-shaped card here

My Dad went to heaven 22 years ago, but my family and I have been blessed enough having someone like my sister's father-in-law to celebrate Father's Day with. If you have your father still, make sure to let him know how important and special he is. If not, make a card for a father who doesn't have his kids anymore.

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

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      

Business Card Holder - Free Tutorial

The other day I as talking to a young lady about crochet and card making. She showed a great interest in my crochet class, so I looked for my business cards in my purse. To my disappointment and embarassment, I couldn't find my card holder. I had those cute cards made so I wouldn't have to write my phone number, or any other information on a piece of paper. And here I was grabbing a little notebook to write down the information the lady needed. Thank God I have learned from my oldest sister to laugh at my mistakes and misfortunes. But, when I got back home, I headed to my closet where I found my card holder in another purse. So I decided to make one card holder  for each of the bags I use the most. Here is the result of my creating process to avoid any more embarrassments. 

You will need:
Paper size 5 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Score 1st line at 2"- like shown in picture- turn the paper around

Score at 3 3/8" - like in picture - turn the paper aroung again

Score at 2" again, turn paper, and score at 3 3/8" again
Slide the paper to the right and score at 3"

(I used a different scorer this time because if you don't have one like mine, it's ok, you can use a different one, or even a paper cutter and the point of a mechanical pencil)


Turn the paper and score at 2 1/2"
Turn the paper and score at 3"
Turn the paper and score at 2 1/2"
Here is what your scored paper should look like

 Now with a fine point pair of scissors you will cut off the corners like this

 
Round the points for a better finished product. If you don't have a scorer with a side to round edges, an edge punch will do just fine.

Fold the box on each crease you created with the right side of the paper in, then make two pencil marks on each side of the bottom part like in the picture below. That's were you will cut off the point.

Fold the box with right side out. This is how your box should look like

Using a medium size punch, punch the part which point you just cut off. 
Using adhesive, glue the bottom and sides, and your box should look like the picture on the left. With craft knife cut top and bottom of a strip. 

That's where you will close the box. See picture below

Now you can decorate your little box/business card holder, and carry your cards everywhere. I glued Paper Creations, ETC logo on the strip of one box, and used a little ribbon to tie a bow on the other box.
Note: Adhere the ribbon on the back of the box, so you will have it free on the front to tie the bow, but the ribbon won't keeping falling off.

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

Vanías Reed   

Streusel Cinnamon Coffee Cake

One of the things I miss the most living so far away from my mother is when we would sit and have a cup of coffee with a slice of cake in the afternoon. Those were the moments we would talk pretty much about anything. Laugh together, cry together... So, Today I'm posting a recipe for an easy Streusel Cinnamon coffee cake. 

Cake Ingredients
1 cup flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg (optional)
1/2 cup milk
4 tbsp butter, melted
1 egg
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1/2 cup raisins or dry cranberries (optional)

Streusel Ingredients
3 tbsp butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 tbsp flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Heat the oven to 350F  (If using a toaster oven, heat it to 325F)
Grease an 8x8 inches baking dish. 
In medium bowl mix dry cake ingredients and set aside. In another bowl whisk egg with sugar. Mix in milk, egg, and melted butter. Add dry ingredients, nuts, and raisins. Pour mix into greased 8x8-inches dish.
Mix all streusel ingredients and sprinkle it on cake batter. Bake for 15-20 minutes in regular oven, or 25-30 minutes in toaster oven. Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Make the cake, let it cool completely, wrap it with cellophane paper, decorate with a beautiful bow, make a beautiful card or tag - or both- and bring it to your Mom on Mothers Day. Sit with her, have some cake together, and, most of all, give her your full attention. This recipe is mine, so feel free to copy it on a cute recipe card and give to someone you know to be a special mother - or just someone special. :)

I made this one yesterday and had a piece with my 9-year-old son. What a great time we had together. No TV, no smartphone, no tablet or computer of any kind. Just the two of us enjoying a piece of cake and talking.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you make something beautiful and/or delicious and spend time with a loved one.

God bless you

Vanías 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