Flower Vase - Best Wishes

In April we had a really fun theme for the monthly blog hop "A Year of Techniques"..."Shaker Cards". Those were so much fun to make that I couldn't stop making them.

This one is a more simple shaker version, but I really like it. It was one of the first tries I had and I decided to use only one layer of foam tape around the shaker portion. Don't skip on the tape when create yours! I only filled a few sequins inside the vase and that's why mine is still somewhat shaking, but the space between the layers is very narrow. Any objects that might had been thicker would not have moved around.




Check back to a post of my "Do's and Don'ts" in the shaker card making process by clicking... HERE !

The vase is stamped on some watercolor paper and so are the three flowers. I colored the vase with some watercolors and cut the center of the vase with my craft knife out. For the flowers I used my ZIG Real Brush markers since they have a nice bright color. 

I couldn't fine a fitting stamp for the flower stems, so I used my .5 journaling pen to hand draw them. I placed my watercolor paper over the colored background paper and drew the lines on the inside of the vase and on the top, leaving a space where the rim of the vase is.
I colored them with a little green watercolor paint and the illusion is perfect.

This shaker card technique was so much fun and if you missed the hop, click here and check it out. Jan, Feb and Mar were also great technique and you can find them here on the blog too (click on the Blog Hop label).

If you have any questions or like to attend one of my classes, please contact me so I can email you more information. 

Have a wonderful day

"La Vie En Rose" - Mother's Day Card

While I was working with my Close to My Heart paper pack "La Vie En Rose" (X7201B) I thought this paper would make the perfect Mother's Day card too. 

The theme of this months blog hop "Shaker Cards" was the basic idea for this card. Please check out the "how to create the shaker portion" post... HERE!

And in case you missed last months hop...click here to see the details!

I used a simple frame for the shaker part, so the beautiful flower paper would show up the best. I stamped the "Happy Mother's Day" phrase with VersaMark embossing ink on the black cardstock and embossed it with super fine white embossing powder. I kept the shaker filling very neutral by using only a few clear mini glass beads and sequins and a few white and silver sequins. I also used a little white/silver glitter sprinkles. These things as flat and I tried before to place them inside a shaker as shaker material.....

Learn from my mistake...Don't do it!!! 

This things will clinch to your acetate/plastic sheet due to static reaction. They will not shake or fall down ever!

Instead I used them in a little different way here. Before I filled the shaker material inside, I used a glue pen and place a little of the glue around some of the leaf edges. Then I sprinkled the glitter over it, press it down a little and got rid of the excess. The glue keeps the glitter in place and prevents any static reaction. 

Last but not least, I had a little paper leftover and decided to cut out a few of the roses. I draped them into one corner and adhered them flat and with foam dots to the front.

If you have questions or like to join a class, please feel free to email me.

There is more coming up...stay tuned. 

"La Vie En Rose" - Anniversary Card

Here are few more pictures of the other shaker card I made for this months blog hop. If you have missed the hop, click HERE to check it out and leave a comment. It is not too late to enter for some really nice prices.

This card started out as a piece of white cardstock cut at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I die-cut the bigger and smaller heart with my "Little-B" heart shaped die-cut set. Looking a little blank, I added some embossing lines. All you need is a score board or your paper trimmer to create the diagonal lines. When you use your trimmer, simply remove your blade, place the paper over the cutting channel and use a stylus or a bone folder and line it up with the cutting channel. Make sure to apply some pressure, but not too much so you cut the paper. Follow the channel. If your lines is not deep enough, go over it again and press a little harder. Spacing between the lines is totally up to you!


Next I found this gorgeous design paper from Close to My Heart...roses! The paper pack is called "La Vie En Rose" (X7201B) and it contains beside this marvelous rose design some really need black and white designs. So, I cut a piece of the rose paper that fitted right behind both hearts. I also used the backside of the paper and placed two strips on the bottom and top of my card base front. I cut the bottom of my white cardstock piece by about 1" to have the black paper show on both ends. 

The shaker portion is created as described in this post....click HERE!

I added a "Happy" cut out a stamped "Anniversary" word and a little bow to the card and my Anniversary with roses is done.

If you have questions or like to join one of my monthly classes or simply like to learn one specific technique, please feel free to email me.

Stay tuned for more....

"Safari Ballet" - Hippo Birthday Card

Where there is a giraffe, there has to be a hippo too right? I guess you might ask yourself right now: "What is she talking about?" ...:-)

It is the super cute Close to My Heart stamp set "Safari Ballet" (A1180) which I have used quite often lately. I presented you the little giraffe shaker card last week and this is the other half of the duo. 

Yes, another shaker card! I told you they are addicting. Design and assemble are like the first one, just the giraffe is swapped for the hippo. 

How to make a shaker card and how to avoid some of the common mistakes is explained in more detail in my blog post "Shaker Card Techniques" and you can read up on it right HERE...

I hope you will try a shaker card yourself and if you have questions or like to join a class, please feel free to email me.

"Safari Ballet" - Giraffe Birthday Card

If you haven't seen this wonderful stamp set yet, you have to check it out. The "Safari Ballet" (A1180) stamp set from Close to My Heart is one of my favorite ones. It is one of the smaller sets, but so versatile and "tu tu cute" :-)

This months "Year of Techniques" blog hop theme are shaker cards and they were so much fun to create that I had to do one with this stamp set! Well, actually I made two from the set, couldn't miss out on the hippo could I?

Shaker cards can be a bit intimidating at the beginning, but when you follow a few little rules and star with a more simpler shape, you will see how easy they are....and addicting too!

I created a blog post on the "how to" portion of the shaker card which you can check out HERE...

So for this card you only need a few items:

- card base 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" folded in half
- design paper 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
- cardstock 4" x 5 1/4"
- piece of acetate/ plastic to cover the cut out star
- embellishments ...here my stamped, colored and cut out giraffe, a die-cut happy, a stamped birthday phrase and some rhinestones
- for the shaker filling I used sequins of different size and color and tiny glass beads

I used a star die and my die-cutting machine to create the cut out for the shaker part.

Products used:

Close to My Heart
Card base, hollyhock cardstock, Cricut cut-out "happy", stamp sets "Safari Ballet" (A1180) and "Happy to be Friends" (C1605), black ink and rhinestones

none CTMH products: design paper, sequins, beads and markers used for coloring

If you have questions, please feel free to contact me. If you like a schedule of my upcoming classes or like to sign up for one, please email me for more information. All cards and other crafted products shown on the blog are available for purchase....stay tuned for more to come 

Shaker Card Technique

Welcome to this months technique "Shaker Cards". This post is normally on my blog the Thursday before our monthly "Blog Hop" starts, but time got away from me...so sorry.

Well, let's see how difficult it is to create a shaker card. The good news, it is not complicated at all. The bad news, once you get a hold of this technique it is addicting:-).

So, what do you need to get started?

- design papers and cardstock (I am sure you have plenty of that ;-) )
- a sheet of clear acetate or thin plastic. (Thin plastic from packaging materials will work too)
- Thick foam pieces with adhesive on both sides. If you uses Scott's foam tape like I did here, you need to double it!
- and last but not least, filling material for your shaker part. This could be tiny beads, sequins, etc. Everything small and thin will work.



For beginners, you might want to start with a more simple shape for your shaker window. A circle, square or like I used here a star is perfect. You can also cut out your own shape with a craft knife or scissors (see the "Best Wishes" card with the vase I made).

Measure your paper that will go on the front of your card. Cutting it after the shaker is done will be super difficult. Next punch, die-cut or hand cut your shape were you like your shaker window to be. 

TIP-No#1
If you plan on stamping any phrases or words to the front of your card, do it now!!! Once the shaker is done you will not be able to do it anymore.

Cut a piece of your acetate/ plastic that will cover the opening graciously with a nice amount of plastic around the cut out. Next you will need your foam tape.

As I mentioned, I used Scott's foam tape 1/2" wide. I tried to use only one layer of the tape in the example on the right here. It did work with just those few sequins in it, BUT it is not shaking a lot. You need to double the layer of foam tape to archive the right shaking motion. 

TIP-No#2
I cut a long strip of my foam tape and adhered it together with a second strip (same length). Now I have my two layers perfectly lined up. I then cut the strip lengthwise in half so I ended up with two 1/4" strips. These will be plenty wide to close in the shaker part.

Start adding the foam tape around your opening, not into the opening! Position the tape slightly away from the opening and cute segments so you don't waste too much tape.  

TIP-No#3
Make sure that all your foam tape segments around the cut out are touching each other so there is no gap between them. Make sure of it, otherwise your shaker filling will fall out!!! 

Now you are ready to fill the shaker opening. You can put in as much filling as you want. Once you have all the content inside, remove the backing of the tap. 

TIP-No#4 
To make it easier to position your shaker card on to your card base, cut a piece of cardstock or design paper slightly bigger than the foam taped area. Remember the paper you choose for this will be seen through the front shaker portion. Now place the piece on the foam tape and press down good along the shaker opening. This will seal the shaker pieces inside.

Now place a few more double stacked foam piece on the edge of your shaker front and place some glue on the paper you just added. Adhere it to your card base.

Decorate as desired :-)



TIP-No#5

Filling the shaker card can be done in different ways. I found this to be the easiest way. You can also dry-fit your prepared front onto your card base, add a pile of your filling in the middle of the card base where the shaker opening will be and carefully set the shaker front on top. Disadvantage of this method...you only have one shot to get the front straight on and/or filling pieces can get stuck on the tape.

In reverse, you prepare your front, place the filling inside the shaker opening and then place the card base on top. Again...only one shot to get things straight together!

One last option is to prepare your base. Take the front (without the plastic inside) place it over the base and mark the opening with a pencil. Remove front and prepare with clear window cover. Now add your foam tape to the markings on your card base. Stay always to the outside of the shape with the tape and make sure no openings are between the pieces left. Now fill the inside with shaker filling and place card front(including plastic!!!) with opening on top. Again, only one shot to get the positioning right. You have to work super exact with this one or leave a bigger margin around your drawing to ensure the foam tape will not stick inside the opening.

Once you have finished the first one, you will see how easy it really is and I am sure you gonna love it too.

Please leave a comment/ question here on the blog and don't hesitate to email me if you have questions or like to order something.

Happy crafting and stay tuned...more pictures of this months card technique will follow...

A Year of Card Techniques ~ April Blog Hop ~ Shaker Cards

Welcome to

It's month four of our year long adventure into different card-making techniques, folds and paper crafting products. We hope you got the chance to hop with us in January for the emboss resist technique an in February for ink layering. It's not to late to hop and comment.

If you missed January's hop, you can still hop and comment by starting HERE.

February's hop, you can still hop and comment by starting HERE.

March's hop, you can still hop and comment by starting HERE.

This month we will be creating shaker cards and you won't want to miss the amazing and fun cards we've got for you today.

We really love feedback, so please leave a comment on each of the blogs in today's hop. Each comment on the 12 hops throughout the year will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Blitsy.com gift certificate.

Now on with the projects

For this "Best Wishes" card I used just a small shaker element. I stamped my vase first, colored it in and then simply removed the inner part of the vase with a craft knife. Close the opening from the back with some acetate or thin clear plastic from a packaging and one part of the shaker is done. Place foam tape around the opening on the back, fill it with your shaker material and place a cover on the opening. Now you are ready to apply it to your card base and continue finishing your card. 

Shaker cards are a real fun way to make some noises... LOL. As you can see, I had way too much fun with it. Creating shaker cards is not that complicated, if you pay attention to a few rules. 

I will give a little instructions on how to make shaker cards on my Sundays blog post, so make sure to come back and check it out too. (Next month the intro about the techniques used will be back on the usual Thursday spot before the monthly blog hop day)

But let's see what else I came up with before you check out my fellow crafter's!

Roses are a wonderful way to celebrate Mother's Day or an Anniversary Day, don't you think? I love this rose paper from Close to My Heart called "La Vie En Rose" and it was just perfect for this project.

Here is another favor of mine: "Safari Ballet" is a stamp set (Close to My Heart) that I happen to fall in love with. The little ballerinas are so cute and perfect for a birthday, needless to say a shaker card, right?

I hope you enjoy this months projects and as always, we all love to hear from you so please, leave a comment and don't forget to hop along :-)

Up next is the wonderful Denise.

Keep on crafting and don't forget to comment!

Have a wonderful day

Claudia

Here's today's line-up in case you get lost along the way

Theresa ~ http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com

Sharon ~ http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com

Lisa ~ http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com

Kim ~ http://katydidcards.com
Claudia...Your are here!
Denise ~ http://www.craftconfectionery.com
Debbie ~ http://pawstoscrap.blogspot.com