Throwback Thursday: Graphic 45 February Time to Flourish Folio Tutorial
Hello, Friends! Today’s Throwback Thursday episode features this Graphic 45 February Time to Flourish Folio Tutorial. This is the second tutorial in our year-long Time to Flourish Folio project. You can find the January tutorial here. Each month in 2022, I will create a video tutorial using the Time to Flourish 12×12 Deluxe Collector’s Edition and the 8×8 pad.
If this folio looks familiar, it’s because I shared a preview of it earlier this month. However, I’ve changed up the design a little to make it function better. So the tutorial is definitely worth a view.
The biggest change is the location of the hidden folio pocket. I’ve moved it to the bottom of the 6×6 folio. I’ve also added a 1/4″ spine to the project design which helps it close better.
The hidden folio design is changed up a little bit as well to make better use of paper scraps. I really like the form and function of this design much better than the original one! Sometimes, practice really does make perfect…or at least better!
February Time to Flourish Folio Tutorial on YouTube
If you’re making these folios along with me, I hope you’ll enjoy this step by step video tutorial on YouTube.
We’ll make the March folio together in mid-February so that you’ll have time to enjoy it during the month of March.
You’ll find a linked supply list below this post.
Are you enjoying this series? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.
Make & Take Tuesday: Carta Bella Gather at Home Mini Slimline Card Dies and Flower Shaping Tutorial
Hello, Friends! It’s Make & Take Tuesday and we’re going to make this super sweet Carta Bella Gather at Home Mini Slimline Card. I have some new Spellbinder Dies to share with you, and we’re going to explore some flower-shaping techniques together. It’s a jam-packed Make & Take Tuesday! Grab a cuppa and a snack, and let’s get this party started!
Mini Slimline Precision Dies
If you’re a cardmaker, you probably spend a good bit of time measuring and matting layers. Getting the width of those mats “just so” takes a lot of time. So I was thrilled to discover the new Spellbinders Mini Slimline Dies. Part of the Precision Layering Basics line, this set of 12 thin metal dies creates precise layers for your mini slimline card. It will cut perfectly spaced layers of 1/8-inch. When you combine the A set with the B set, you will achieve a 1/16-inch border. No more measuring, the work is done for you! Oh, happy day!
You can also use the dies to create accent layers on your cards, as I did here. Here’s how I put this sweet and simple card together:
First, cut a 6 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ card base from sage cardstock.
Next, score the base at 3 1/2″ and 7″. This will create a 6 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ mini slimline card with a 1 1/2″ pocket flap on the inside.
Now cut a dark green mat layer using the largest A die.
Then cut a sage check layer using the largest B die, and stitch the 2 layers together.
Create the accent panel the same way, only this time use the #6 dies from each set.
Back the accent layer with foam tape, center and adhere to the card.
Locate the letter board ephemera bit. Glue 2 banner bits on the left hand side, back with foam tape and adhere on the left hand side of the accent panel.
Now back the circle sentiment with foam tape and adhere over the letter board.
Handmade Flowers with Cinch and Go Blossoms
The Make & Take Tuesday tutorial will show you how to make these pretty posies using the Cinch and Go Blossoms from the new Classically Becca release. Becca’s flowers are always so easy to make. And they are versatile! You probably saw the white cluster flowers I shared last week on my Carta Bella Flora 4 Friendship Folio. Well, today, we’re shaping these lovely blossoms a whole different way!
A Peek Inside
How much do we love the patterned papers in this Gather at Home Collection? If you love pretty florals, cute mugs and country style pitchers, you need to check this collection out. It’s wonderful!
Here’s the little treat wallet that I tucked inside the pocket of this sweet and simple card. Make the pocket by folding the extra flap up. Secure the sides with folded paper gussets. Easy peasy!
Make & Take Tuesday Flower Shaping Tutorial on YouTube
If you’d like to take a closer look at the goodies I used to make this card and see how I shaped the Cinch and Go Blossoms, please enjoy this little video tutorial.
I hope this post has brightened your day and inspired you to dig into your crafty stash to create something beautiful today!
Stamperia Sweety Treat Tags Creativity Kit Release for The Button Farm Club
Hello, Friends! I have been patiently waiting to share this Stamperia Sweety Treat Tags Creativity Kit with you, and today is the big day! Hooray! This treat tag and interactive card kit is my late4st release for The Button Farm Club. It’s been weeks and weeks since I started the plan for this kit. But I finally was able to bring this idea to life and I am so happy with the way it turned out.
The idea was to create a kit that would work for Valentine’s Day or Birthdays, or any occasion when you wanted to send someone a special little gift. The kit contains 6 pocket-style treat tags dressed up for a party with Stamperia’s darling Sweety collection.
Each little treat tag holds one of my signature Tea Party in a Box surprises. The kit comes with all the goodies for the box: individually wrapped tea bag, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Biscoff Cookies, Honey Stick, and a Mini Tasting Spoon. We dress them up with designer papers, then add in a darling little tag and mini note card to sweeten the deal.
Can you see how much fun these will be to give as gifts? Or, dress up the table setting at a tea party or birthday party?
Interactive Cards
The kit also contains supplies and instructions for these interactive cards. Although these cards look complicated to make, the process is actually quite simple when broken down into steps.
This clever Kinetic Waterfall Card is a prime example: once you learn how simple it is to create the waterfall mechanism, you’ll be able to add a fun element to future cards.
The interior of all the cards is fully decorated, too. Naturally, you’ll find a pocket, because that is how I roll!
This stack of teacups makes my tea loving heart happy all by itself.
But when you open the card to find this pop up feature…well, I’m over the moon!
The tutorials in this kit contain simple, sneaky tricks that I’ve learned in my card making journey. These techniques will help you make the most of your papers, elevate your card designs and help you gain skill and confidence.
Fun fold cards are aptly named because they are so rewarding and enjoyable to make.
This fancy flap card is just loaded with sweet surprises! You can see them all in the video tour below.
Stamperia Sweety Treat Tags Kit Tour on YouTube
This short video will take you on a tour of all the kit supplies as well as the finished projects in the kit. I hope you enjoy!
Kit Supplies and Ordering Information
As you saw in the video tour, we really loaded this kit up with all kinds of wonderful crafty goodies and treats. Here’s what comes in your kit:
2 Stamperia Sweety 8×8 paper pads (20 sheets of double-sided designer paper plus 4 fussy cut images sheets)
(1) 6” x 12” chipboard sticker sheet
(6) 6” x 12” card base sheets
(2) 12×12 sheets of shimmer paper in rose quartz and aqua mist
1 package of color-matched flowers
6 silver tone charms
3 yards of pink ombre ribbon
2 yards of aqua seam binding ribbon
1 skein of turquoise embroidery floss
Mother of pearl shell buttons (6)
Individually Wrapped Tea Bags (6)
6 Ghirardelli chocolates, individually wrapped
Biscoff cookies, individually wrapped (6)
6 honey sticks
Mini silver plastic tasting spoons (6)
1 Graphic 45 Large Ivory Tag Album (6 tags)
Full-color basic written guide
Private Links to Video tutorials
The price for the kit is only $64.99. I don’t know how Laura at Button Farm manages to provide a kit this loaded for that price, but I’m so glad she does!
Everything for these kits is in stock and ready to ship. This mean you’ll get your kit in time to make Valentine treats for friends and family.
NOTE: This is not my Quarterly Card Kit Subscription. It is a stand alone creativity kit, so you will have to order it from Button Farm Club.
I hope you are as excited about this kit as I am! Let me hear your thoughts in the comments below. And if there’s a special kit or collection you’d like me to do, share those thoughts with me as well. I’d love to hear from you!
My Cup of Tea Friendship Valentine with Really Reasonable Ribbon & Photoplay Paper
Hello, Friends! Today’s Friendship Valentine is precisely My Cup of Tea! Valentine’s Day is a great time to celebrate the friends who are like family. And any time is a great time to make a card with cute teacups, classy ribbon and pretty papers!
See what I mean? This 5″ x 7″ top fold card features ribbons from the January Sweetheart Ribbon Assortment. I was delighted to see how well they pair with Photoplay’s Our Friendship Through the Years collection. Would you like to find out how this card came together? Then read on, my friend!
Layers and Layers of Love
First, create a 51/4″ x 7 1/4″ card base with a 1/4″ spine.
Next cut layers of burlap paper to serve as mats for the designer paper. You might have some of this lurking in your Closet of Inspiration and Delight. I cut the mats 1/4″ wider than the patterned paper layers.
Now, cut and mat a 5″ x 7″ layer of the plaid pattern to serve as the backdrop. This is a large plaid print, but when you use it as a backdrop, it does not overwhelm the card design.
Then cut and mat a 4 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ panel of the red floral pattern. Center and adhere over the plaid.
Next, trim the 4″ x 6″ geometric journal card to 3 3/4″ x 5 3/4″. Mat and adhere.
Now fussy cut the teacups from the 3×4 card, back with foam tape and adhere over the circular element from the ephemera pack.
Adding Ribbon
Now it’s time to dress up your Valentine with pretty ribbons from the January Ribbon Club Assortment.
First, create a belly band by layering Poppy Red Taffeta and Geometric Print Satin Ribbons.
Next, Tie a poufy corner bow with Checkerboard White Satin Ribbon.
Then tie a triple-loop bow with the geometric satin ribbon and adhere in the lower corner of the card. I was delighted to see how well this ribbon matched the geometric design in the paper collection!
Now top that bow off with some burlap string and a little teacup charm.
Add the finishing touch with an array of deep red posies.
A Peek Inside
Fill an inside pocket with all sorts of Valentine treats.
It’s a quick and easy task to create a tag for the pocket. Simply mat the tag from the ephemera pack on a scrap of burlap paper. Then top it with more of the geometric ribbon. Now you have a lovely bookmark to add to the tea, chocolate and honey stick.
Let’s Start a Trend
I think 2022 would be a great year to make Friendship Valentines a trend. Remember the excitement we all felt when we wrote out Valentines for all our school mates? I don’t know if kids take the time to do that any more, but I would love to see that come back. A simple act of kindness and an expression of gratitude go a long way in this crazy world we live in. Let’s be trendsetters this year, and send out surprise Valentines to let people know they are loved and appreciated! Who’s with me?
How to Fix a Project That Has Gone Off the Rails with Prima Tales of You & Me
Hello, Friends! Today’s Throwback Thursday will focus in on how to fix a project that has gone off the rails. You know how that goes. You begin a project with great optimism and enthusiasm. Things start off well enough. But then you make a design error. Then that error leads to another…and another. Finally you are so frustrated and exasperated that the project goes into “time out.” Has that ever happened to you? Please tell me I am not alone!
A couple of years ago, my sweet husband bought me a box of crafty goodies for Valentine’s Day. This pad of Prima’s Tales of You & Me was part of the gift. I knew immediately that I wanted to make a romantic little folio with it. Maybe I was tired. Perhaps I’d made one too many folios. Or maybe I’d lost my mojo. Who knows? But for whatever reason, I just kept making one mistake after another. Everything I had pictured in my mind fell off the rails and I had a papercrafting train wreck on my hands.
The best thing to do when this happens seems counter-intuitive. Just walk away. Clean up your desk. Put the problem child in time out, and work on something else. Or go take a nap! It took me two years to finish this particular project. But I now love it again. Phew!
Victorian Style
Since the collection has a real Victorian vibe, I created a shaker frame with some Reneabouquets Printed Beautiful Board. See that sweet angel? It’s also Reneabouquets.
Fussy cut some images to tuck in with your paper layers. Then add some hot pink roses and a flirty butterfly carry out the Victorian theme.
Add a dangle charm and a book plate to the spine to dress it up.
A Peek Inside
The album measures 7 1/2″ x 5 1/2″. This is a nice size for photos. It also gives you lots of room to add interactive elements. You’ll see how these work in the video tutorial below.
TIP: Create a tuck spot for a tag behind the pull out accordion folio. Just add gussets to the sides and bottom of the folio and you can slide the tag right into the space. Neat, huh?
TIP: Remember to use your tools! I pulled out my Envelope Maker to create this pretty envelope folio.
The center of the album is a great spot for a double waterfall folio.
TIP: Fill that awkward space behind the waterfall pages with a stylish pocket and journal card.
Don’t forget to add a flap page and a hidden pocket. Some of these elements were added to cover up design mistakes. You can learn all about that in the video below.
How to Fix a Project That Has Gone Off the Rails YouTube Video
Are you ready to see the before and after version of this project? Just click play and see how I rescued this pretty folio from the time out basket.
I hope you enjoyed this papercrafting rescue project. It feels great to have this folio finished at long last. I really like the way it turned out!
You can find a linked supply list below this post.
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheerio,
kathy
SUPPLY LIST
Prima Tales of You and Me (Discontinued collection from 2017)
