Card Makin' Cuties: Everday Tools for Making Valentines

Card Makin' Cuties: Everday Tools for Making Valentines:    It is coming...February 14th, that is.  How can I entince you to start making home made cards?  Would you try if I said they can s...

Everday Tools for Making Valentines

 

 It is coming...February 14th, that is.  How can I entince you to start making home made cards?  Would you try if I said they can save you some money in the long run?  Don't laugh, over 25 years ago when I began making my cards I didn't have any stamps, dies, or equipment. Just some glue, paper, pencils and scissors---elementary school supplies.  It's developed into a wonderful journey for me sooooo- can I help you begin by saving you a little and  by offering some ideas with everyday tools and start making some fabulous cards.

START OFF VALENTINES WITH HEARTS!

The card above was made with a few scraps of colored paper.

Get to know a card maker who will always have scraps for you. Each piece  of paper was large enough to fold in half and make these tiny little 1". By remembering what you learned in elementary school,  start the point of the heart at the fold of the paper.

Cut away from the fold by making a curved cut  and round the top back to the fold line. Open it and see where the second one might be adjusted.  

It's a heart!  The hearts up and a sentiment saying

"Thank you so much!" was added. This can be typed on the computer and printed, then cut and applied seperately if you aren't savvy on printing it directly on the card stock.

 

 LIKE TO ADD A BOW

 

 You want to add a bow to your card? And what's that... you don't have a bow maker? 

Do you remember this little tutorial we saw on-line about a year ago---well, here it is again! No need to purchase a bow maker or a bow template, in this little on screen tutorial all you need are the tines of a fork and you're in business. Tiny bows---needed---voile!

 

This is always a good way to start the February, with a review of what we've learned in class. Try this highly efficient way of making a small bow with you utensils. (Better than eating with them--- after the holidays--- I'm just sayin'). I've forgotten the primary source of the tutorial, but I did fine the picture and printed instructions an older post. Let's get three or four of these ready in red ribbon!

 

 

 DO A FLOWER AND A BUD WITHOUT A PUNCH...

It's always a great idea to place paper within reach to make little flowers for your spring pictures. A simple  picture like this inspires all sorts of ideas for spring cards, Valentines, and Happy Birthday cards.  

 

Make a stem on the card front with a dark colored pencil ( dark brown or black). Just use this as a line without too much fussing.

 No punches at your disposal for a flower---then, use a  coin/ a penny and trace around it. Make 5 .

 Adhere them slightly over-lapping one another in a circle to the stem you drew. Next, place three or four dots with a dark colored pencil in the center of the flower. A bud can be formed with punching a hole with a paper hole punch, using a small scap of paper from the same colored paper. Punch it out, add the dot of paper to your branch and draw a "V" on the bottom with a colored pencil used on the stem.

Leaves are easy. By  using a penny or coin, this time draw only one half of the coin on a scap of green paper.  Slide the coin over the drawn line, then, draw the second side of the coin which will form the other side  of the leaf. Cut it out. Make 3 or so.  If you have  the inspiration, making the card becomes a little easier.

 

MAKE CIRCLES (and squares!)

 

It's never impossible to make a card, even if you don't have punches... or    you never have the correct size you need. Look for different household items to use as circle templates. Start with a range of plastic tub lids, butter lids, or tops of jars, or small coins..this can get you started. With a little look around you can find several tools that will help you form a circle.

AND SQUARES

Squares are easily measured--- remember they are the same on all sides. Rectangles are the figures with the two short sides and two long sides. One size I keep on file all the time are the 2.5"x3.5" rectangles in various colors. They are so great for stamp features and focal points.



 

 

 

 What about an image? PUBLIC DOMAIN IMAGES 

We are so lucky to have so many public displayed images that are free for us to download. You can use many of the images for use on your personal cards. Although, you need to check with the "vintage server" to see if their images are freebies, many are just as long as you use them for a personal card and not to sell. They are available for you to download and make yourself a card with the image.

 

I found this one  provided  on Flickr. I plan on making my special beau a Valentine using this image and adding a red ribbon bow and the sentiment words "I Love You" in a larger size script font with red ink! By adding a large rectangle behind the print and adhereing it to the card front, the idea is simple, but effective.

OPERATION WRITE HOME

OWH has already posted their ideas for Valentine's Day inspiration; go to www.operationwritehome.org and click on their posts for inspiration. While you're on the site find out more about making cards for this organization. They are ready for Mother's Day cards now, yes in February, they must be mailed out to deployed military posts all over the world. The service is to provide the military with access to cards free of charge, all hand made and donated by people who love to make cards. They are now working on their second million cards. Two Peas in a Bucket is one of their designers, and they contribute to OWH often with special designs.

 

 

 

SAYING "I LOVE YOU" IS A BLESSING FOR ME...

Whether the cards are fancy like this one , www.twopeasinabucket ,  using stamps, dies, and paper trims; or  the card is simple using things we can find around us. I wanted you all to know the meaning of the card is the same.

"... this card was made by hand, by a person who took the time to tell you how much you mean to them. They turned off the outside world for a few minutes  just to think of you, and made this card for you because this person loves you." 

 

Have fun making some cards, take a look around and see where you might begin your journey too. And by all means,  Happy Valentines Day to all of you

 who have stumbles upon us

 or are now watching for our posts regularly.

 Thank you all! Gloria

 



 

 

 

 





New Year, New Resolutions, New Ideas!

 

I hope everyone has had a positive, healthy and happy start to this New Year.
We've started our 2013 classes with new ideas and new members to the Card Makin' Cuties group.
A little reminder, our "Open Class" starts on January 12 at 1:00. It is a two and half hour class with ideas on how we make our cards,that is, the system we use to put our cards together and new ideas for cards we make for Operation Write Home. We'll have some new card designs ready. ( I like to call the card designs-- our little road maps---because at times we never end up exactly where we wanted to be, but we had fun getting there just the same.)

This is a good example of the cards we made last week---our first OWH card making of the year. It's a card made by one of our members. She used the Martha Steward punch www.marthastewart.com/crafts to design as her sentiment.The entire card was a cut paper or a punch paper design with lots of color and interest for children. You can't tell from this photo but she set her card off with a little bling, In the star following the word happy is a gem stone. FUN!  We made cone shaped hats and added a punched design of candles. So very cute. The design could easily become a New Year's card, as well as a birthday card shown here.

 

NEWS ON THE HOMEFRONT BLOG. FROM OPERATION WRITE HOME

 

Operation Write Home has already started their New Year with their first deadline which was  Dec. 29th for Valentines cards. Our studio was  a little snowed under at the time, however we managed to mail a small amount of cards to our station ( about 50 cards); thanks to our the folks who make cards at home and give them to us. Thank you so much for your help in meeting this deadline. It was above and beyond for the start of OWH's season and our card makers. You are so appreciated!

 

PLANS IN THE PROCESS FOR 2013

We expect to go to the Heritage Rubber Stamp Show  in Indianapolis during March, We went last year and had a wonderful time. Last year there were classes during the session, plus many of the east and west coast stamp companies which many of our stores in the mid-west do not carry.  It was a chance to expand your art as well as your craft stash! It was great, we are looking forward to this little day out for our group.

 

CARD DESIGN FROM OWH

 

This is one of the design maps we'll be using in January and February to complete our St. Patrick's day cards and begin make spring and Easter cards. Operation Write Home has provided us with the measurements for the paper pieces. Look at the measurements in this design sample and cut to their specification. You can use any sentiment or stamped design you want, then arrange your paper pieces just like our sample.  Colors and subject matter are what ever you like, one example is this simple Spring card. 

If you'd like to be a member of our blog news letter, sign up as a follower and you will receive a copy as soon as they are ready for deliver. You'll notice the section to the right of the screen--"followers"

 

Plans and procedures are in place, come join us soon at the studio. We'd love for you to stop by and see what we're doing. Until later stay warm and dry---healthy and well ---and keep making your wonderful cards. Gloria

It is sooo very Christmasy Here!

Why I'm starting to sing Christmas carols... and I'm thinking of tasting fruitcake...it is feeling so very

Christmasy around here! Maybe it's these little paper houses I've been making for our open house on Dec. 1st. from 1 to 4 pm.  We've been decorating and trying to get the studio all decked out with holly and tree trimmings. And these little paper crafts seemed to add so much to the look of hosting our first holiday Open House.

You know it's real easy to make these scalloped ornaments... All you need is your scalloped die cutter and a bone folder for them.  

Rejoicing Crafts has posted all the directions on their website. Once you have your scalloped ( 6 or 8) then, you fold in half and attach two sides together. once three are attached, then, do the second set of three. Finally attach the cord for hanging before placing your two sections together. The paper bow is a plus. We hope to have several paper patterns available and instructions for all who stop by on Saturday, Dec 1st.

                Our little houses and trees are used to decorate a winter scene picture box. Some of the Santas are another paper craft using spools or paper towel rollers. A little paper for hats and trims and this is a very primitive looking decorations, don't you agree?    These white minature feather trees were bought and placed in the curio box, but I'm sure some of you who are very clever can figure some design with spools and trims.

I have put other things I want to make on hold so I might get a few cards designs put together too. One of the designs is thinking in terms of "3" as a challenge of Christmas cards. I have had my eye on one of the Fisker punches, it's a little gingerbread man die punch.

 

By using the punch, cut three gingerbread men, adhere them to a red one inch square and add a second background of  one and one half inch of white. To an A2 size card ( 4" X 5.5") We've cut a red check panel and glued it to the outer edge of the card stock. to the folded edge we've added a ribbon with a sentiment and a second ribbon in a brighter red color, leaving a narrow space between the paper and ribbons. I usually get supplies at Micheal's, Hobby Lobby or Archiver's...so I'm sure you can find these trims there.

Here is another design using the theme of "3's". This example was by creator Korin Sutherland for Sweet N' Sassy stamps:

 

 

Our colors and materials have varied from the all reds in the gingerbread card to these bright reds and greens of our more traditional Christmasy colors, but the design

has only added a few additional steps as the gingerbread card.

Punches are nice! But then so is using our Christmas stamps and creating a theme of "three" card. I leave it up to you , what will you make  your "3's " in.... We've so much to choose from 

 Three wreaths, three bells, three snowflakes or mittens, oh sooooooo cute.   Well this is fun for me... how about you.             

 

Who is having fun with these ideas?

 

 This little penguin card used some great ideas with the lime green baker's twine in the sentiment tag...then matching the pop of green in the stamped design and filling in the background for the stamped sectionwith this lime green paper...pair the embossed paper with the same color as it's background. IT really makes this simple design card ---"POP" with fun.

 

Christmas is a special time of year for all of us and for many different reason.

While I was gathering my thoughts of this month's blog

I saw this little poem about the Spirit of Christmas. I wanted to pass along the words to the poem in hopes you might also find them meaningful too.

 

 

I've always said Christmas isn't about a date or one day a year no matter how much the materialistic commercial parade might try to sell us on this idea. It's really all about giving ourselves to others that makes Christ's birth meaningful. Otherwise, we could just simply walk away the day after Dec. 25th and feel empty, like, what happened and where did  all our efforts go? 

By  keeping Christmas in our hearts for family and friends, and charity toward other fellow travelers on this planet --- all year long--then you always have a little Christmas with you.

 That's my paraphase, it's not exactly what the reading says, but that's the essence of it.

Making cards is my way of doing this for real.

It's not just lip service for me--it's keeping Christmas all year through.

When you help make cards for Operation Write Home  you are giving a message to the members of the military and their families that says we keep you in our hearts ( not just with cards at Christmas---but cards all year through!)

In fact, our next bunch of cards will be mailed on Dec. 31st for a Valentine's theme. And let me confess, we may have to combine a little gingerbread men with a heart to tell these heros how much we love them

and make sure they in turn tell

 their family and friends at home.

The next time I post  or  until 2013, we hope you will long on to  this blogsite and share some of your comments. They have been very helpful to us . We look forward to the coming of a New Year so from myslef and Garry and all the card makin cuties of Gestner Studio, we  wish you a happy holiday in a bright and sparkling way.

 

 

Card Makin' Cuties: October Fun, Fall leaves, and Football

Card Makin' Cuties: October Fun, Fall leaves, and Football: The announcer cries out, "Are you ready for some football?" The fans go wild and the game begins. Well, the nip in the air would also ask...

October Fun, Fall leaves, and Football

The announcer cries out, "Are you ready for some football?" The fans go wild and the game begins. Well, the nip in the air would also ask us if we card maker are ready for some fall card making themes. " Are you ready to make some Fall themed cards?"

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Ready, Set, BACK to School Friends!

It's Back to School, Already!

So the question is: Are you ready for school to begin? I must say I was caught by surprise. I may be retired, but my family isn't. They're going off to school as teachers, college students, high schoolers, middle schoolers, as well as elementary students.
Now the question for me is: Where are my back to school card making supplies? Oh my!

      The picture above is a gift set for the teacher.  ---ALL teachers, from the Sunday School teacher, a mentor or friend, need to know you acknowledge their efforts and hard work. This little gift package takes  time to complete.
So what do we have here: Let's start with the card, using your favorite sketch for the front. Then moving to the clip board as a posted note holder, and the final cutie is the paper clip ( used only for the urgent paper work, right!) We take this time to show our appreciation for all the efforts our  teachers provide.  We want to give our teacher friends and mentors as much encouragement as  we do with our children.

     Look at this new sketch! It's just right for your fall cards!

 Operation Write Home www.operationwritehome.org provides us with a brand new sketch design for some simple and easy cards. Try this in an apple design theme paper with a stamped sentiment of "School is Cool!"  ( I like the colors of olive green, cherry red, cream, and brown for the design pattern.)
   For assembly: use the dimensions stated on the card sketch. Cut each band of card stock in the same fall color or in a variety of colors. Remember to stamp our sentiments on a light color band or add a sentiment tag to one of the dark bands. We used an A-2 ( 4.5"x 5.5") for the card stock base.
  As always, OWH provided us with a new sampling of cards. This group can be used for note cards, or just a little lunch box encouragement! I love their use of layers and embellishments. Try making a few of these clip notes ahead and have them ready to slip into a book before their first test.

Wow! Just a little note telling the student you are thinking of them before their test.
Or maybe for the teacher, a little clip board pinned to an inexpensive vase of home picked flowers for the teachers desk, saying "Just for you!" 

       It doesn't have to be much to tell someone that you appreciate all the time they are spending in their class. It is positive time for everyone! We want them to know someone has noticed their hard work is worthwhile and valued by another person. 

      I've noticed another thing that is so special. Many of the fall magazine issues have back to school articles with ideas for healthy back to school snacks. I want to share one of my own finds to that... it's "Nutty Berry Trail Mix."

It's so simple to make. It might be nice to have the kids help you put it together. 

1 ( 15 oz.) can of mixed nuts

2 cups  (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips

1 pkg. (9 oz.) raisens

1pkg. (6 oz) chopped dried pineapple

1 jar (5.85 oz.) sunflower kernels

1 pkg. (5oz.) dried cranberries

Combine in a large bowl; mix well. Store in an air tight container. Scoop 3 to 4 oz. in snack- size zipper lock bags when you're ready to send them off to school. And look at these little cuties---- they are bag toppers!

Add a little bag topper to the snack giving it a little "punch"(no pun intended).  "Wise Lil' Owls".
Use circle punches in various sizes for the eyes, an oval punch folded in half for the beak, a label size punch for the top of the owl and a scalloped circle for the lower half of the owls face. Use the sizes corresponding to the size bag used. Assemble with glue and attach to the bag.  I hope with some new and refeshing ideas we'll already be wise lil' owls, too!
      Okay. Get all your supplies gathered, begin your assembly process, and make a few items ahead! With this as our plan of action, I'm sure we'll  be loving and supportive as our students and teachers  journey back to school. Have fun and as always you are invited to join us as one of our followers ( look on the right side of the screen--- this is a place where you will always be notified when we post a new finding---once a month.) Thanks for your interest and your visit.

         Happy card making to all! Gloria J.