♥Awesome Dad♥

My husband is exactly that...an Awesome Dad.  :)  He's a wonderful man, loving and very involved in our kid's lives, often volunteering in every way he can to be a part of their activities.  I'm very proud of him and we all l♥ve him so much. We're really looking forward to enjoying a great Father's Day weekend with him!  

We have other surprises in store for him, so no harm in me sharing one of the cards that I created for Father's Day.  This one was made using sketch #297 by Julee Tilman from Mojo Monday's Blog.  I wanted to make a card with a pocket that I could tuck a gift card into and thought this sketch design was just right for that.

I had a fun, bright & cheery card in mind so I really mixed up the pattern papers here using a few collections by Pebbles Inc.  I also added a little texture and shine to the chipboard alphas with clear texture spray and Silver Glitter Dust.
*Outline the chipboard with a black fine tip pen before spraying.*

I applied cut up 3D Zots to the back of the "a" to raise it up a bit.
Tip-leave the clear plastic sheets on the Zots when cutting.

The pocket is stitched with a half circle punched out of the top.  I'll attach a gift card to the back of the tag.

Supplies:
Therm O Web Adhesives - Silver Glitter Dust Spray, Mini Dot Adhesive Runner,  Zots (3D and Medium), Sticky Dot Adhesive Sheets
Pebbles Inc. Pattern Paper - Love You More, Seen and Noted and Walnut Grove collections
Bo Bunny - button and star stamp
Fiskars - heart punch, love you and circle stamps
Other - chipboard alphas, hemp, black cotton cord, staples

I hope you've been inspired to create a special card or two or even three for "Dad" this weekend.  Design your own or use a sketch to get started.  Either way, he's sure to appreciate the l♥ve you put in to it.
Happy Father's Day!

Thoughts of You

It's been a busy couple of weeks with all the activities revolving around the end of the school year...phew!  And I'm sooo glad that summer break is finally here!  A little slower pace, more time to do fun things with the kids especially and.... more time to create too.  :)   I really like to join in on the card challenges out there when I can and today's card is based on a great sketch from Cardabilities.

"Thoughts of You"

Here's the Cardabilities Sketch # 76 by Karan Gerber:

Supplies:
Therm O Web - Gold Glitter Dust Spray, 3D Adhesive Foam, Zots (3D, Medium & Small) and Sticky Dot Sheets
Bo Bunny - Little Miss Pattern Paper and Coffee Double Dot Cardstock
Bazzill Kraft Cardstock
Sizzix Dies -  Tim Holtz Tattered Florals (regular & mini), Tim Holtz Styled Labels (regular & mini) and Sizzlits Flowers-Branches and Leaves Set
Fiskars Border Punches - Scalloped Sentiment & Lacy Doubles
gStudio Clear Stamps - 2 sets from 2006 series
Darice - Dot Embossing Folder (used with my Sizzix Big Shot)
Other - Cloud 9 Rain Dots (sprayed with Gold Glitter Dust), Acrylic Spray, hemp, vellum

I created some fussy flowers for this card with Tim Holtz Tattered Florals by Sizzix.
To get the crumpled look: Die-cut several, lay them out on a paper towel and mist them with water to start.  Gently crumple them, unfold and flatten them out a bit.  Let them dry while working on the rest of the card OR if you're impatient, like me, use a heat gun and a long pair of tweezers to dry them more quickly.  ;)  Be sure they're completely dry before trying to apply any adhesive or they'll tear.  Layer them with Medium Zots and add the button tied with hemp also using Zots.

For the rest of the card, spray the surface of the cardstock card with ink or acrylic spray.  I use a mix that's 2 parts acrylic paint / 1 part water for my sprays - I found this idea on Pinterest by Nancy Doren.  Soooo much more cost effective for me and I have a bazillion bottles of acrylic paint.  :)  Create the layered paper strip in the center with pattern paper and cardstock border punch strips.

Next, Die-cut the label and emboss it with a dot pattern.  Adhere the label to the center strip with 3D Adhesive Foam.  Then adhere die-cut leaves around the left side of the label as shown using Sticky Dot Sheets to apply the adhesive.  Next, add the assembled flowers with 3D Zots also on the left side of the label.  Give a few quick shots of Gold Glitter Dust Spray, focusing on the flowers.  Let this dry and add the Gold Glitter Dusted Rain Dots (acrylic dots).  To complete the card, stamp sentiment(s) on vellum and cut into banner strips.  Use Small Zots on the ends to adhere tucked under the flowers/leaves.

A friend's birthday is coming up soon and I think this will be just the card (along with a fun gift card tucked inside) to make her smile. 


I have another challenge card in progress for later this week.  I hope you'll visit again & thanks for stopping by today!  :)

...Just Because

A card for today...

As I'm still sorting through old supplies...deciding what stays and what will go, I continue to come across some things that I'm not sure I want to part with.  So the other day, I found these epoxy dots...I have a bazillion of them.  :)  The colors seem a tiny bit faded but the adhesive is fine.  I pulled out the Gold Glitter Dust Spray and.......................

VOILA!!!  New sparkly gold epoxy dots to accent these flowers.

I stamped the sentiment with gold ink and sprayed the sentiment die cut journal shape and the large blue dot circles with the Glitter Dust too.  The flowers are die cut, embossed and then lightly sanded.
Therm O Web Adhesives:
Glitter Dust Spray - Gold
Sticky Dot Mini Runner
Sticky Dot Adhesive Sheets (for the die cut leaves)
Small Zots
Other Supplies:
Sizzix Dies - Leaves, Mini Label Set, Tattered Flowers (Tim Holtz Alterations)
Core'dinations Cardstock - Tim Holtz Distress Collection
My Mind's Eye - Stella and Rose pattern paper stack
Cloud 9 Design - Rain Dots
Darice Fleur De Lis Embossing Folder


The problem now is that I'm thinking about what other things I have in my stash that I must spray with Glitter Dust...lol! Hmmm??  :)

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Now for the WINNER of  the prize pack for the Operation Write Home Memorial Day Weekend Blog Hop ..................
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Congrats to...
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Commenter #87

Lisa's Creative Niche said...

wow! This card is stunning! Thank you so much for the tutorial too and chance for such goodies!
Lisa
lisascreativeniche at gmail.com

May 26, 2013 at 10:48 PM 

Congratulations!!!  Lisa, email me your details and I'll have that out to you ASAP.  :)

And thanks again to OWH & to everyone who participated / commented for the hop!

Operation Write Home {Blog Hop}

Welcome! :)  I'm happy to be one of the stops on the Operation Write Home - Memorial Day Weekend - BLOG HOP! 
*If you've arrived here another way, feel free to join in (go to the link above to find the beginning)*
You can find out more information about this great organization by clicking below:
Operation Write Home...helping heroes keep in touch with home ♥


First, thank you to all our military men and women serving around the world and to their families for their sacrifices while their loved ones are serving and away from home.  As one who comes from a family of several who have served in different branches of the armed forces, my family and I very much appreciate your service to our country!

Here's my card for today's hop...
"Thank You for All You Do!" by Patti Milazzo using OWH Sketch #165

Here's the OWH Sketch #165...

A bit closer for some detail...

I stamped the inside too to add a little color (star flourish)  :)

This will be an "Any Hero Card" that we'll send with a note from our family.

Therm O Web Supplies:

Therm O Web Mini Runner – Sticky Dot (green)

Therm O Web Zots - Small

Therm O Web Zots - Medium

Therm O Web iCraft Adhesive Tape ¼”

Other Supplies:

Liberty Pattern Paper, flourish stamp and button (Bo Bunny); sentiment stamp and border punch (Fiskars); kraft cardstock; hemp; white embossing powder; Versamark Ink

Instructions:

1. Stamp small or partial designs at opposing corners inside card (4" x 5.5").
2. Cut white pattern paper background and adhere to front of blank greeting card.  Cut center strip and border edges; layer and adhere on lower half of card.
3. Cut banner strips, layer and adhere across the center.
4. Cut ½ circle; stamp star border with Versamark Ink and sprinkle with white embossing powder.  Tap off excess and melt with heat gun.  Adhere circle to left side of card.
5. Cover chipboard heart with cardstock, trim excess and ink edges.  Stamp flourish design on heart with Versamark Ink and sprinkle white embossing powder.  Tap off any excess powder.  Carefully heat powder until it melts with a heat gun.  Thread hemp through the button and tie a bow.  Adhere to center of heart with Medium Zots.
6. Apply iCraft Adhesive Tape to back of chipboard heart and adhere  near left side of card, as shown.
7. Stamp sentiment on kraft cardstock, cut/trim to banner and apply Mini Runner Adhesive to back of banner.  Tuck under the button and press to secure.
8. Apply chipboard star near bottom left of heart.  Add 2 small banners from cardstock and pattern paper near top right to complete the card.

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I hope you're inspired to be creative over the holiday weekend and maybe even create your own cards for Operation Write Home (check out their guidelines page too).  They are a wonderful network supporting our troops and their families!

As a little something extra...I have a giveaway! 
Please leave a comment on this post by midnight on Monday - Memorial Day.
On Tuesday, I will pick a random winner from the comments to win this prize pack below...

*A trio of Therm O Web Adhesives: Sticky Tab Mini Runner, 3D Foam Squares and a pack of iCraft Adhesive Sheets
*And a "Grateful" stamp set (contains the same sentiment stamps used in my card above)

Enjoy the OWH Memorial Day Weekend Blog Hop this holiday weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Candy Apple & Card for Teacher

It's hard to believe that the end of the school year is already here.  We get so caught up in the slew of activities during this last month that time really does fly!  I've been working on teacher gifts for my son and thought I'd revise a project I've made before (This & That post from 2 years ago).  I gave it an updated look using DCWV's My Sunshine paper stack and it now includes a spot for a gift card at the top of the candy apple treat package.

Thank You card:

The apple is an uneven geometric shape punch, but a circle would work just as well to create the paper piecing.  Punch a smaller version for the "inside" of the apple, then cut it in half.  The seeds are tiny tear drop punches.

Candy Apple Treat Container: 
The plastic container used here is a re-purposed brad container from Bo Bunny, but just about any container can be used.  If it's not round, try creating apple shaped windows that will show through any red candy or filler inside.

Make the package topper (a small card) slightly wider than the container.  Create a pocket for the gift card - lining 3 sides with SuperTape secured the front of the pocket really well to the cardstock backing.

Add detail to the front of the pocket without blocking the opening for the gift card.

Once the package topper is made, set it aside and cover the plastic container with paper.  I found the best way to do this for this particular container was to simply create a "card" around it.  I then cut a hole where the "bubble" would pop out.  This was a little tricky getting the right measurement and position but not a real problem at all.

Use iCraft Adhesive Tape or SuperTape to secure the paper to the plastic.

The back of this package also had an indentation where I adhered red pattern paper as a backdrop for the apple.  Again, Adhesive Tape or SuperTape will do the trick.  :)

Once the package is covered, embellish the front with a stem, leaves and a hemp bow.

Fill the container with red treats - jelly beans, m & m's, licorice...whatever you think the teacher would enjoy.

That's it!  Tuck a gift card in the pocket and it's ready to share with a special teacher.  If you're like me at all, I'm sure you have several of these containers to re-purpose/recycle/reuse.  Clean them out carefully, decorate/embellish and share them.
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Click on this link if you're looking for the summer mini album I made for the DCWV / Therm O Web Summer Lovin' Blog Hop. 
 
And be sure to stop by tomorrow for the Operation Write Home - Memorial Day Weekend - Blog Hop  I'll have a new card to share and you can check out all the hop participants card creations this weekend.  Also, I'll have a giveaway that includes a few Therm O Web products and a stamp set too!

Happy Friday & thanks for visiting!
~Patti

Summer Lovin' Blog Hop with Therm O Web & Die Cuts With a View!

Hello & welcome to the Summer Lovin' Blog Hop!  For the next 2 weeks from (May 20th to May 31st), Therm O Web and DCWV are teaming up to share our summer inspired projects using DCWV Paper Stacks and Therm O Web adhesives.  :)

If you have arrived here from Amanda's blog {Old Enough To Be a Kid}, then you're right on track with the hop!  If not, stop by either the Therm O Web or DCWV blog to find the beginning. :)  Be sure to visit all the blogs and leave a comment on each one for your chance to win!  More details about that at the end of this post...

First, let me share the project I made using DCWV Sunday Afternoon Paper Stack..............

I decided to get a head start on a mini album for this summer.  It will be a little easier to have some pre-made pages where I can just add photos and journaling when I’m ready.  Aside from all the fantastic patterns in the Sunday Afternoon stack, there’s a cut-out sheet and word/phrase sheet that really made it easy to embellish each page.  And, of course, I used an assortment of Therm O Web’s adhesives – iCraft Adhesive Tape to secure my finished pages to the chipboard pieces; 3D Zots to add just a bit of dimension to my embellishments; and even Glitter Dust Spray (one of my favorite products) to add a bit of sparkle to accent pieces. 

A Wonderful Summer {mini album}

Therm O Web Supplies:

Therm O Web Mini Runner – Sticky Dot (green)

Therm O Web Zots - Small

Therm O Web Zots - Medium

Therm O Web Zots – 3D

Therm O Web Glitter Dust – Gold

Therm O Web Glitter Dust – Silver

Therm O Web iCraft Adhesive Tape ¼”

Therm O Web Vellum Adhesive Runner

Therm O Web Sticky Dots Diecut Adhesive Sheets

Other Supplies:

DCWV Sunday Afternoon Paper Stack
DCWV Letterpress (for the orange sun)

chipboard, hemp, mini brads, paper doily, staples

Instructions:  

Start with cutting thin chipboard pieces to the page size of the mini album.  This mini is 4”x6”, but any size – depending on the photo size you plan to use – is fine.  Cut patterned paper or cardstock (mixed or matched 2 page spread) for front and back of each piece of chipboard, including pieces for front and back cover.  Cut the Sunday Afternoon Cut-Out paper and the word/phrase paper and set them aside to pick and choose from later.  Grab a Therm O Web Mini Runner and assorted Zots to adhere it all together.

Design layouts with blocks of pattern paper for photo matting and journaling along with the Cut-Out images and words/phrases.  Keep in mind where the binder ring holes will be for the mini album – avoid adding too much embellishment in that area.  Create paper ribbons and paper “washi” tape from strips of pattern paper.  Cut out other shapes from the paper stack (like the cloud) to use as additional accents and apply 3D Zots on the back to add just a bit of dimension.

Use cut out words from the crossword pattern paper.  Punch/die cut a small circle and adhere to each page torecord the date.

To create the sun on the left page: cut out concentric sized circles, distress the edges with a craft knife (be careful!) or other paper distressing tool and spray with Therm O Web Gold Glitter Dust.  Let dry thoroughly and adhere together.  Next, adhere the circle with iCraft Adhesive Tape to the top left corner of the page.  Trim off the excess that hangs over the page.  Cut out small rectangles, spray with Gold Glitter Dust and adhere around the sun.

TIP:  Add a little bit of Mini Runner Adhesive to the back of each paper strip before spraying.  Since these pieces are small, they tend to blow away as the spray is applied.  Adding a touch of adhesive to the back and pressing them to the surface used to spray (old piece of cardstock or cardboard spray box) prevents the pieces from scattering and becoming a mess. 

The waves and splashes were created with several punches that were layered together with Small Zots.  Then 3D Zots were used to adhere them to the page and give them some dimension.  If the punches/shapes are small, cut Zots in half or to the sized neede while the protective plastic sheets are still together.

Use the Gold Glitter Dust on more accents, like the wood grain heart.  Therm O Web’s Vellum Adhesive Runner won’t show through on the vellum square used here as a photo mat.

Create more pages adhering words and cut-out images to embellish the pages.

Create a Fourth of July themed page from the same stack of pattern paper.  Punch/die-cut stars and spray them with Silver Glitter Dust for sparkle.

Use Therm O Web Sticky Dot Adhesive Sheets to apply adhesive easily to the back of small die-cuts and punches.  Simply place the shapes on the sheet with light pressure and peel off.

Use shapes to create tabs at the top or side of the page – “play”

"Explore" is the last layout of this mini album for now.  Once you have a good head start on your summer mini album with several pages created, begin adhering them to the chipboard pieces with iCraft Adhesive Tape.

The tape is easy to tear and creates a strong hold to prevent pages from peeling/curling off the chipboard.  Use small pieces to cover up staples or mini brad prongs.

To complete the mini, I created the front and back cover last.  You can do this at any time, but I prefer to save it for the end. 

Create another sun for the front cover – spraying the pieces with Gold Glitter Dust.  Add a title and other embellished accents.

Adhere these to the chipboard as well using iCraft Adhesive Tape.

Once all the pages are complete, punch the binder ring holes.  A ¼” circle hand punch was used for most of the pages of this mini album as the pages weren’t too thick.  For the cover, punch the holes in layers as you create it.  Add binder rings and tie ribbon to them to finish.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this mini album tutorial!  More pages can be added as needed, but it’s great to have it set up where photos and journaling can simply be added over the weeks to come this summer without too much fuss. 

*This mini album will also be posted on the Therm O Web Blog later this week.*

Now back to the giveaway...

As I mentioned, visit each blog on the list and leave a comment for a chance to win.  2 lucky hoppers will win a set of 3 stacks from DCWV and 1 other will win an amazing gift pack from Therm O Web Adhesives!!  Don't be shy...the more you comment, the more chances you have to win one of these fabulous prizes.


Your next stop is Rita's blog {Let's Embellish}........

Thanks for visiting and enjoy the Summer Lovin' Blog Hop!!!

~Patti

hey there...

Today's post is short & sweet!  It was a lovely Mother's Day weekend and when I had a little time to create, I found a fun sketch challenge over at Cardabilities and made this card:

Here's the sketch by Karen Gerber: Cardabilities - Sketch #74

I switched it up a bit and turned the sketch on its side for my version.  I mixed quite a few patterns together :) using papers from both Pebbles, Inc. and American Craft to create the banners and circles...lots of layers & "stuff" on this card.

 

Notes on the card: I made the "ticket" myself using stamps and a hole punch at the corners.  The daisy is 3 layered flower punches with a button in the center.  The sentiment was white embossed on kraft cardstock.  And the butterfly is a layered punch of pattern paper and vellum, then clipped to the sentiment banner with a mini clothespin. 

Supplies:
Therm O Web Adhesives - Zots (Small, Medium & 3D) and Mini Dot Runner
Pebbles - Seen & Noted (Everyday, You and Me, Favorites); Walnut Grove (Cassandra, Nancy, Nellie); Sunnyside (Zippy)
American Crafts -SOHO Gardens (Greenwich Village); 5th & Frolic (24th & Sparrow); Amy Tangerine-Ready Set Go (Think Good Thoughts); Sketchbook (Viridium Vintage); Dear Lizzy Buttons
Simple Stories - Yellow Dot from SN@P!
kraft cardstock
stamps: Paper Smooches, Bo Bunny & Fiskars
white embossing powder, Versamark Ink, hemp, mini brads, mini clothespin; 7 Gypsies arrow phototurn; Jewels (red) & yellow button- Bo Bunny

Thanks for stopping by!