Coffee Inspiration

Hello fellow card makers,

As we all know, having enough paper, stamps, dies, embellishments, markers, etc is not reality. As crafters, we always want or think we need more so when an idea comes to us, we have the stuff to execute.

Well here's a way to make your dies go a little farther.  I love making coffee themed cards and one of my favorite die sets is the  coffee cup framelits from Stampin' Up.  To make this set go a little further, I combined the large paper cup die with a large letter "C" die to make a large coffee cup.

It really makes a nice focal point for my card and you can't tell its actually two dies put together. Take a look at your dies and see which ones you can combine to make something special.

Happy card making!

Kathie K

Christmas Card Fundraiser

Hello fellow card makers,

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I find myself thinking of everything that I am so blessed to have and very thankful for.  So I am doing a very special Christmas card project this year.  I have created two different designs - see images  below - for this year's Christmas cards. This year is a little different.  I will be donating $1 from each card that is ordered to the Lydia House/.

The Lydia House is an emergency shelter for women and families that are victims of domestic violence. Some families end up staying here through the holidays and donations help bring a little holiday spirit to their lives.  The Lydia House is operated through the Open Door Mission.  Check out their website if your want to volunteer.

The first Christmas card design, Madonna and Child, has a red and gold color scheme. It is made with gold mirror paper and embossing to add a little sparkle and shine. The inside of the card reads: May the miracle of Christmas live forever in your heart.  Merry Christmas.

The second design, Woodland Winterland, use a blue and silver color scheme. The evergreen trees are adorned with silver embossing and framed with silver mirror cardstock. The inside of the card reads: May the beauty of the season bring you joy and warm memories to cherish throughout the year. Happy Holidays.

I am also offering free shipping on all orders $25 or more.  That's only 5 Christmas cards! Use coupon code Christmas2017 when you check out.

I hope you consider helping me help spread the spirit of Christmas by ordering these cards through my Etsy shop. If you prefer not order online, please email me directly handmadebykathiek@gmail.com with the quantity and design you would like or if you have any questions.

Happy stamping!
Kathie K.

Gift card holder tutorial

Hello stampers and card makers,

I have a very easy project for you with a huge WOW factor. I'm looking for ways to give gift cards that's creative and not run-of-the-mill.  Check out my coffee themed gift card holders.

The gift card holder fits into a standard A2 envelope and each holder holds a standard credit card size gift card. Below are the step by instructions and exactly what you'll need to make this project.

Materials:

•          Base cardstock (garden green), cut 5 3/8 x 6 1/8
•          Front and back cover (crumb cake), cut 2 – 2 ¾ x 4 5/8
•          Insert panel (garden green), cut 2 5/8 x 4 ¾
•          Gift card panel (white), cut 2 1/8 x 3 13/16
•          For die cuts, scraps of base cardstock and white
•          Embellishments:

·         Burlap ribbon – 6 ½”

·         Jute

·         Hemp

·         Crystal glaze

•          Dies – coffee set
•          Coffee themed stamp sets
•          Tombow Glue
•          Scoring tool
•          Scissors
•          Ink pads

Step 1: Score base cardstock at ½” along the long side; score at 1 1/2 and 4 1/2 on the short side. Trim away the 1/2” scored section on the 1^st and 3^rd panels.

Step 2: Die cut in white, coffee cup and 3-lids; in base color die cut the stopper and cup wrapper. Stamp For You on white and use a label or banner die to cut out.

Step 3: Stamp a background on the front and back cover using the same color of ink as the paper, using a collection of coffee themed stamps. Sponge same color around the edge of each panel and in the middle.

Step 4: Assemble the holder. Add adhesive or score tape to the outside of the tab at the bottom of the center panel and fold up. Add glue to the very edge of 1^st panel. Fold panels on top of tab and each other to make a sleeve. Let set for a couple of minutes.

Step 5: Using a half-circle punch, cut two slits at each end of the gift card panel. Glue on top of the insert panel centering.

Step 6: Gluing just the bottom edge, attached a coffee cup lid to both sides of the insert panel with the stopper on the top-right hand side sealing the two lids together. Set aside

Step 7: Adhere the front and back panels to the sleeve. Glue the cup wrapper to the die cut coffee cup. Attach to the very edge of the cup, the last coffee cup lid. Center the die-cut coffee cup at the very top of the front panel and glue down.  Add the embellishments to the bottom front of the sleeve. Attach a ribbon or jute string to the stopper – this becomes the pull to reveal the gift card.

Step 8: Using the same coffee theme stamps as you did for the front and back cover, stamp in the lower left-hand corner of the envelope (makes a nice coordinating envelope).

Here's a slightly different version.  This one is a thank you gift. I hope you give this a try. One tip - do all of your die cutting at the same time. This will help you keep track of your die cut pieces as well as save you a little time.

Happy stamping!

Kathie K.

Mini album - Colorado

Hello fellow stampers and card makers,

I know it's been awhile since I posted but I have been working on a very special project. I love making mini albums even though they can be time consuming, I find them so much fun to create.  My current project, however, is a mini album that includes the customer's pictures (I usually make empty albums).

I am so excited to share my finished project with you.  This album is for a couple's Colorado vacation and include over 100 pictures! The album cover closes in the front with clasps - due to the thickness, I think this will protect the pages the best.

The each page measures 7 x 10 and is made as a pocket that connects to the binding.  Each sleeve includes a large photo mat that are tabbed. Each page was made to be very interactive.  Below a few of my favorites.

I used several different papers that show case the beautiful photo from Colorado. I selected designs papers that look like different textures like river rock, wood grain, brick, reclaimed wood, etc.

I hope you like my album. It was so much fun to make.  I would be happy to share the other pages and also how I made each page.  

Happy stamping!

50th Wedding Anniversary Card Tutorial

Hello fellow card makers!

Happy Sunday to everyone.  I apologize for not keeping up on blog posts - the start of fall has me really hopping. I finally am able to take some time and post about some of the fun projects I have been working on.

I have been getting some questions about an anniversary card a made awhile ago so here's the step by step instructions on how I made it.  The card is easier to make than it looks - but that's what we are going for, right! The main idea here is to mix and match your dies to create something unique and really special.

The card is made from two different card stocks - shimmer white and shimmer gold both from Stampin' Up. I like to build my cards from the base up. For the base of the card, you will need one large piece of shimmer white that measures 10" x 7" and folded in half on the 10" side. For the next layer, cut a piece of shimmer gold that measures 6 3/4" x 4 3/4".  These two pieces make the base of your card.

The rest of the cardstock pieces will be die cut.  The first piece to die cut is a piece of shimmer white that is cut 6 5/8 x 6 - you will need some extra length for the die cut.  Trim to fit after you die cut instead of before. This way you have a little wiggle room and don't have to be exact on the placement of the die. The die I used is from the Creative Expressions, Gemini set.

For the next layer, use the oval frame from Spellbinders and the scalloped oval from Stampin' Up. I cut my gold pieces at the same time - it speeds things up a little.

The next pieces to cut are from shimmer white cardstock using the small oval frame from the Spellbinders set and large oval tag from the Spellbinders tag set.

You are now almost ready to put all the layers together.  The very last piece to do is the oval with the number 50 stamped on it.  Tip: Stamp and emboss the "50" before die cutting.  Its easier to cut around a stamped image versus fitting a stamped image on to small piece. I used Versamark ink but a gold pigment ink works really well too. I used gold embossing powder and then a heat tool. Use the oval inset from the Spellbinders tags set to die cut.

Now assemble all of the pieces.  Again starting from the bottom, adhere the large gold piece to the folded card base.  Then glue down the die cut edge piece - leave the die cut edge loose as it adds dimension to the card. Then glue down the gold oval frame and the small white oval frame on top.  Center the white tag in the middle of the frame and glue down.  Using demensionals, I like the ones from Stampin' Up, attach the gold die cut scalloped oval and then center the oval with 50. And then your done!

I really like the way the gold and white shimmer papers sparkle in the light. For this card, I left the inside blank so a special message could be written to the special couple.

The finishing touch is the gold embossed envelope.  Any ornate stamp would work - I used one from a set from my stash (sorry I don't know the brand). I used Versamark and gold embossing powder.  I really think this elevates the design of this very simple but elegant card.

I hope you try mixing and matching your die sets you already have.  This extends the value of your dies and creates something spectacular!

Happy stamping!

Kathie K.

Coffee and faith - my two favorite things

Hello stampers and crafters,

Thank so much for visiting my blog today. I had some fun this week making these cards.  I love all the coffee stamp sets and sentiments that are available.  They are so much fun to make and give to my friends and family. Dare 2B Artzy offers coffee and faith inspired stamp sets.  I love combining the whimsy of coffee themed stamps with the seriousness of faith sentiments - such a great balance.

I used a classic color combination of browns and blues, embellishments and embossing. I really like using clear embossing powder to imitate steam and it gives a nice glossy texture to the stamped coffee cups.

These cards can be used for any occasion or sentiment - even to just put a smile on someone's face.  I love sending these cards to my coffee loving friends.

I hope these cards give you some inspiration to make coffee themed cards. And you enjoy making them as much as I do.

These cards and more are available on my Etsy shop.  They are available individually or as a set (best price).

Happy Stamping!

Welcome Baby Cards

Hello stampers,

Several of my acquaintances have had babies in the last month. There are so many cute handmade baby cards out there but I don't have hardly any baby themed stamp sets. I made these card with stamps from "all occasion" stamp set.

The die cuts are what makes these cards extra special and precious.  I'm only showing the pink version but the boy versions are just as beautiful. It's amazing what a little pink or blue cardstock die cut with a sweet sentiment will make.

On the first card, the foot print is embossed using light pink embossing powder and Versamark ink.

Both cards are available on my Etsy Shop, Handmade by Kathie K.

Happy stamping!