Avo Great Birthday Corner Pop Up Card

A month or so ago I saw a four-panel card over at the Creative Creases challenge, and when I clicked on the card to get more details, I learned about the Butterfly Challenge where a fun-fold card style is paired with certain colors and a theme (and the addition of at least one butterfly) each time. Since I love fun-fold cards, I was intrigued and checked out the detailed instructions on loads of great fun-fold cards given on the blog. Every card style chosen has an explanation for how to create it. This is the first time I've been able to participate, and it was easy to follow the instructions to create this Corner Pop Up card. If you'd like to see how to make a similar card, here's a link to the directions: Butterfly Challenge: Corner Pop Up Card. (butterflyspotchallenge.blogspot.com). 

For my card, I needed to use at least two of the following colors: crimson, citron, coral, and camel. My design paper had everything but camel, so I colored my tortilla chips and the guacamole bowl using that color. 

I created the card base out of white card stock and then covered all the panels with double-sided paper. I chose the paper because it fit with the Taco Fiesta stamp set by Stampin' Up! that I wanted to use for this birthday card and also because the reverse side has checks on it, and that's the theme at the Butterfly challenge this time. 

My butterflies were foiled using my mini Minc machine, and it was actually the first time I used the machine since getting it at Christmas. To be honest, I wasn't 100% pleased with the results I got. I used foils made for the Minc and a butterfly kit by Heidi Swapp (again made to be used in the Minc), but I found that the butterflies came out with spots the foil didn't adhere to (especially the larger butterflies). I put the two best ones on this card and will try to use the other ones with some other embellishments to cover the flaws, but on the whole, I don't know if I'll use the machine much in the future. I bought it for $5 at a craft outlet because it has a European plug (no problem since I have an adapter), so at least I'm not out much for the machine itself. I paid more for the foils and butterfly kit than for the machine 😄, so it was definitely worth a try. 

 Butterfly Challenge (butterflyspotchallenge.blogspot.com): Corner Pop up Card with butterflies, checks, crimson, citron, coral, and camel Special Prize Winner March 8, 2023

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: ATG

Word Art Wednesday: ATG 

As You Like It Challenge: Favorite: Stencil or Freestyle Background: I like both, but my favorite is creating my own background using stamps like I did on the inside of this card by stamping avocados onto light green cardstock and then coloring them. I can come up with random patterns that way. 

Crafty Catz (craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com): ATG

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG 

Allsorts challenge blog: ATG with option of matching pairs 

Double Trouble Paper Crafting (doubletroublechallenge.blogspot.com): Thing 1: fun fold card Thing 3: entered Creative Creases

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/: Things with wings

Digi Choosday Cardmaking & Crafting Challenge: ATG

Anything Goes with a Fun Fold for Creative Creases #51 (secretstamper.com): Happy 2nd anniversary!

St. Patrick's Day Swing Card

This year for my St. Patrick's Day cards, I purchased a file for a swing card by My Scrap Chick and modified the cut file slightly in my Silhouette Studio Design software. I did some print and cut designs (the sentiments on the card came with the My Scrap Chick file, but the cat with the shamrock balloon is from Creative Fabrika). If you'd like to try the cut file in your electronic cutting maching, here's a link to the file at My Scrap Chick: Shamrock Circle Flip Card - My Scrap Chick. 

I like to make matching envelopes for my holiday cards, so I chose a cute St. Patrick's Day gnome shared by Sabine Harris in my Silhouette Card Making and Paper Craft FB group and a sentiment from Creative Fabrika and printed them on the envelopes. I made 140 of these cards for my mom to send to her group of people she cheers up at each holiday, and I made another 30 for people I like to send to (shut ins, the women in my Bible study group, friends, etc.). For the ones I'm going to give out in person, I added some pearls in various shades of green. The pearls were from Top Flight Stamps where I won a $25 gift card over at the Word Art Wednesday challenge. I bought several different colors of pearls, rhinestones, etc. to embellish my cards. Thanks, WAW and Top Flight Stamps! 

Here's a look at the back of the card. I decided to add more designer paper because otherwise it seemed a little plain with just the white:

Here's the same card using different designer papers:

 Challenges I'm entering: 

Double Trouble Paper Crafting (doubletroublechallenge.blogspot.com): Thing 1: fun fold; Thing 2: Entered Creative Creases challenge

Anything Goes with a Fun Fold for Creative Creases #51 (secretstamper.com): ATW with a fun fold

Digi Choosday Cardmaking & Crafting Challenge: ATG

The Paper Shelter: Inspired by a book: There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Clover (if you like the Black Lagoon series by Jared Lee, you'll enjoy the illustrations in this children's book as Jared Lee did a phenomenal job with them!)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG 

Crafty Catz (craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com): ATG

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG 

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/; ATG

Allsorts challenge blog: ATG with option of matching pairs (my card has matching circles)

digidesignchallengeblog (disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.com): Circles

Birthday Wishes Card

3 of my cousins have birthdays in February, so I've been busy making special birthday cards for each them. This one was especially fun to make because I used a new medium for the first time: Cosmic Shimmer Opal Polish. I embossed a 5X7 card front and then applied the opal polish to it, and it gave it a really lovely shimmer that's hard to see in the photos but is beautiful in real life. It has the look of pink pearls, and I can see myself trying out the opal polish with stencils next. 

After creating the card base, I then die cut a 4.25X5.5 inch panel using a die I just ordered from Simon Says Stamp with the gift card I recently won in their weekly challenge. Thanks so much, Simon Says Stamp! I couldn't believe how quickly my order shipped and arrived! The die is by PinkFresh Studios and is called Stitches Background Essentials Die. If you look closely, it imprints lines of stitching into the paper. I popped that panel up with foam tape after adding a piece of pretty design paper and my stamped flower (from a retired Stampin' Up stamp and die bundle called Dahlia Days) and sentiment (stamped using SU!'s Framed Florets set and then die cut using a die from SU!'s Merriest Moments die set). I added a couple leaf die cuts (one from SU!'s Splendid Thoughts and one from SU!'s Framed Florets) cut out of white card stock I had covered with metallic gold duct tape for some shine. 

 Challenges I'm entering:

Creations in Pink: ATG in mostly pink (1/3; ends March 15)

Art Impressions Blog: Bloom Where You're Planted Challenge #345 (artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com): Bloom Where You're Planted (2/2; ends March 1)

The Diva's that cut ....paper!: Hero Arts and February (die-cut-divas.blogspot.com): Add some gold (I have gold leaves) (3/4; ends March 1)

TIME OUT Challenges: Birthday (1/5; ends March 1) C5

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (1/2; ends Feb. 23)

No more challenges

Celebrate Floral Card

In my efforts to clean up and organize my craft space, I've been using up bits and pieces I've saved for future cards. I guess now is the future I was waiting for 😂! I found this lovely flower and leaf cluster I had stamped and die cut last fall and decided to make a card with them finally. I used an A2 card base and added a panel of floral Stampin' Up! design paper for the bottom layer. Then I die cut a layer from that same set of design paper and used the blue patterned side this time. I made a frame and oval for the sentiment using SU!'s Framed Florets bundle and then stamped the sentiment (from that same bundle) onto the inner oval. I adhered everything to the card and felt I needed a little something more, so I then die cut a leafy branch using the same SU! bundle and white card stock I had covered with metallic gold duct tape. 

 Challenges I'm entering: 

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge: Frame it (4/5; ends Feb. 20)

Art Impressions Blog: Bloom Where You're Planted Challenge #345 (artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com): Bloom Where You're Planted (1/2; ends March 1)

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG (3/3; ends Feb. 23)

As You Like It Challenge: Love or Friendship cards: I like to make both types, but since I send out a lot more friendship cards than romantic love cards, I'll pick friendship cards like this one to celebrate a friend's birthday😀. I only have one husband, but I have a lot of friends. (3/3; ends Feb. 23)

TIME OUT Challenges: Birthday (3/5; ends March 1) C5

No more challenges

Sending Lots of Love Card

The theme this week over at Simon Says Stamp's Monday challenge is to use frames. I've been making a lot of cards with some sort of frame lately, and I thought it would be nice to fussy cut this floral frame out of SU! design paper to create a sweet little frame for my "Sending you lots of love" sentiment. I also die cut an oval from the same design paper package to go behind the frame. I embossed the card base with a floral EF and then popped up the floral frame and sentiment. It was a quick and easy card that I think will encourage the recipient. 

 Challenges I'm entering: 

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Emboss it (2/5; ends Feb. 22)

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge: Frame it (3/5; ends Feb. 20)

Through The Purple Haze Challenges: ATG (2/3; ends Feb. 28) C10

Inspiration Station (inspirationstationchallenge.blogspot.com): The inspirational picture shows hearts above the people sitting together, indicating love. My card has a sentiment about sending lots of love (3/8; ends Feb. 28)

Can You Handle The Pressure? (cyhtp.blogspot.com): ATG with an embossing folder (2/3; ends Feb. 22)

The Paper Shelter: Lace and/or Flowers (2/2; ends Feb. 22)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; ends March 1)

Gratitude Card

I made another fall card using Stampin' Up's Gathered Wheat bundle. I'm really trying to use all the stamp and die sets that have previously been untouched! I am determined to prove I am a stamper and not just a stamp collector 😂! The base of this card is a 5X7 inch side-folding card base that I embossed with a fun barbed wire EF. Then I stamped and die cut the sheaf of wheat and colored it using Chameleon alcohol markers. Then I stamped and fussy cut the sentiment from that same bundle and colored it with the same color I used on the wheat. It turned out looking like a totally different color, but I decided I was okay with it anyway. I die cut a frame for the wheat and sentiment and popped the frame, the wheat, and the sentiment up with foam tape. Then I die cut a couple wheat stalks from the same SU! bundle out of white card stock I had covered with metallic gold duct tape and added those as an embellishment. 

 Challenges I'm entering: 

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Emboss it (3/5; ends Feb. 22)

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge: Frame it (2/5; ends Feb. 20)

Through The Purple Haze Challenges: ATG (2/3; ends Feb. 28) C10

Gem of A Craft Challenge (pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com): ATG (3/3; ends March 4)

Can You Handle The Pressure? (cyhtp.blogspot.com): ATG with an embossing folder (1/3; ends Feb. 22)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (3/5 for the week; ends March 1)

Embossed Birthday Card

My new year's resolution was to use more of the craft supplies I already own rather than purchasing more, and I haven't done all that well with that resolution in terms of not buying any new toys (I literally just bought a We R Memory Keepers Foil Quill set to use with my Silhouette Cameo earlier this week😂), but I've also been slowly but surely breaking out stamps, dies, embossing folders, and other supplies I hadn't used before. This card uses an embossing folder I won over at Inspiration Station (thanks, Donna!) called 3D Textured Impressions by Sizzix. Isn't it gorgeous?! Honestly it's a bit of a shame to cover up any of that great pattern! But I needed to make this a birthday card, so I stamped the sentiment and the two frames from Stampin' Up's Framed Florets bundle and then die cut a couple leafy embellishments out of white card stock coverd in metallic gold duct tape from Stampin' Up's Splendid Thoughts bundle. It's a bit busy, but I'm not entering it in any CAS challenges, so I think it will be okay😁. I'm terrible at CAS but want to work on that because I love the artistry of a well-done CAS card. 

 Challenges I'm entering: 

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Emboss it (5/5; ends Feb. 22)

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge: Frame it (1/5; ends Feb. 20)

TIME OUT Challenges: Birthday (2/5; ends March 1) C5

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (4/5 for the week; ends March 1)

You Are Loved Card

For this 5x7 card base, I used an old EF that gives a nice frame around my design paper. I layered another frame in a blue patterned design paper over a layer of purple design paper and then die cut an oval out of design paper from the same SU! package (which is free with a $50 purchase until the end of the month). I stamped the sentiment from SU!'s Framed Florets bundle and then added a butterfly die from Gina Marie Designs die cut from white card stock covered in metallic gold duct tape for a foil effect. 

 Challenges I'm entering: 

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Emboss it (1/5; ends Feb. 22)

The Diva's that cut ....paper!: Hero Arts and February (die-cut-divas.blogspot.com): Add some gold (I have a gold butterfly) (4/4; ends March 1)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG twist of layers (5/6; ends Feb. 28)

Inspiration Station (inspirationstationchallenge.blogspot.com): The inspirational picture shows hearts above the people sitting together, indicating love. My card has a sentiment reminding the recipient they are loved (4/8; ends Feb. 28)

Double Trouble Paper Crafting (doubletroublechallenge.blogspot.com): Love is in the Air: I have a butterfly for something in the air, and my sentiment is about being loved 😀 (3/4; ends Feb. 19)

Gem of A Craft Challenge (pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com): ATG (2/3; ends March 4)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (2/5 for the week; ends March 1)

Let's Craft and Create (letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com): Add a sentiment (3/3; ends Feb. 28)

February Mood Board Card Challenge (not2shabbyshop.com): Moodboard or winged beauty (I used a butterfly) (3/3; ends at the end of the month)

Scribble Challenge (rabiscochallenge.blogspot.com): ATG (2/5; ends at the end of the month)

Thinking of You Card

One of my goals recently has been to organize my craft space and try to use the bits and pieces I've been saving. This card is a fall card, but when I came across the card stock I had saved and the flowers and leaves I had already stamped and die cut from Stampin' Up's Dahlia Days bundle, I decided to go ahead and make it now and send it in the fall. I already had the flowers and leaves stamped, so I played with a Stampin' Up! bundle I hadn't broken out yet called Gathered Wheat. It has a border die that I used at the bottom of the card as well as a banner die that pairs perfectly with the "Thinking of You" stamp from that bundle. I love how the banner die is scored on the sides so you can make it 3 dimensional. 

 Challenges I'm entering: 

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG (2/3; ends Feb. 23)

As You Like It Challenge: Love or Friendship cards: I like to make both types, but since I send out a lot more friendship cards than romantic love cards, I'll pick friendship cards 😀. I only have one husband, but I have a lot of friends. (1/3; ends Feb. 23)

Gem of A Craft Challenge (pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com): ATG (1/3; ends March 4)

Stamping Sensations (sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com): ATG with stamping as the focal point (2/3; ends at the end of the month)

We Love Stamping: ATG with stamping and the option of adding a stencil (3/3; ends at the end of the month)

The Paper Shelter: Lace and/or Flowers (1/2; ends Feb. 22)

A Perfect Time To Craft Open Challenge: ATG (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

Scribble Challenge (rabiscochallenge.blogspot.com): ATG (3/5; ends at the end of the month)

Simply Thankful

I'm probably the only one out there making fall cards in February, but I am determined to try out my previously unused stamp and die sets this year! So I broke out Stampin' Up!'s Gathered Wheat bundle and stamped and die cut the wheat stalks and colored them with Chameleon alcohol markers and then stamped and fussy cut the sentiment. I added those elements to some pretty fall papers and adhered that to a card base I had embossed. I felt it was lacking a little something, so I then added 2 smaller wheat stalks from the die set which I die cut from white card stock I had covered in gold metallic duct tape to give them a foiled effect. 

 Challenges I'm entering: 

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Emboss it (4/5; ends Feb. 22)

Through The Purple Haze Challenges: ATG (1/3; ends Feb. 28) C10

Can You Handle The Pressure? (cyhtp.blogspot.com): ATG with an embossing folder (3/3; ends Feb. 22)

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (2/2; ends Feb. 23)

Stamping Sensations (sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com): ATG with stamping as the focal point (3/3; ends at the end of the month)

We Love Stamping: ATG with stamping and the option of adding a stencil (2/3; ends at the end of the month)

A Perfect Time To Craft Open Challenge: ATG (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

Scribble Challenge (rabiscochallenge.blogspot.com): ATG (3/5; ends at the end of the month)

For A Special Person Birthday Card

For this card, I created an A2 card base using a double-sided olive green paper that has dots on one side and is plain green on the other. I used the side with dots for the front so I could write my message more easily on the inside without having to add a piece of white card stock. 

The pink panel was die cut using my new PinkFresh Studio Stitched Background Essentials die. Isn't it pretty? I ordered it from Simon Says Stamp with the gift card I recently won in their weekly challenge. Thanks, SSS!

On top of the pink panel, I layered a frame from SU!'s Framed Florets bundle using a design paper that is free through the end of February with a Stampin' Up! order of $50 or more. It's a beautiful set of double-sided papers. Then I stamped the sentiment from that same bundle and die cut it with anothe frame die in the set. I popped the sentiment up with foam tape and then added a couple die cut embellishments (also SU!) cut out of white card stock covered in metallic gold duct tape. 

 Challenges I'm entering: 

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge: Frame it (5/5; ends Feb. 20)

A Perfect Time To Craft Open Challenge: ATG (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

Scribble Challenge (rabiscochallenge.blogspot.com): ATG (5/5; ends at the end of the month)

TIME OUT Challenges: Birthday (3/5; ends March 1) C5

Thinking of You Card

I know it's not fall, but I'm trying to use all the stamps and dies I've bought but not used yet as my new year's resolution😀. I'm making some progress but still have a ways to go!

This card is an A2 card that I embossed with a leaf EF for the card base. Then I followed this week's sketch over at MFT Stamps. The wheat and sentiment are stamped and die cut using Stampin' Up's Gathered Wheat bundle. I colored the wheat using Chameleon alcohol markers. 

 Challenges I'm entering: 

As You Like It Challenge: Love or Friendship cards: I like to make both types, but since I send out a lot more friendship cards than romantic love cards, I'll pick friendship cards 😀. I only have one husband, but I have a lot of friends. (2/3; ends Feb. 23)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG twist of layers (6/6; ends Feb. 28)

Creative Fingers Challenge Blog: ATG (1/3; ends Feb. 23)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (5/5 for the week; ends March 1)

A Perfect Time To Craft Open Challenge: ATG (unlimited entries; ends at the end of the month)

Last Day to Save 25% on Dies — Order Now, Then Join in Sketch Challeng – MFT Stamps: 

Love Verses Double Door Pop Up Cards

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to create a set of fun fold cards for the women in my Bible Study Fellowship discussion group. The Word Art Wednesday blog currently has a lovely verse that I thought would be perfect for the front of my cards. All the beautiful scripture word art at Word Art Wednesday is free, and I have used a lot of verses from that blog in my cards over the years. I chose another verse from Creative Fabrica for the inside of the card that also goes with the theme of showing love. 

I recently created a cut file for this Double Door Pop Up card design in my Sihouette Design Studio software using instructions from Lisa Curcio's video and blog post here:Surprise & Delight with this Double Door Pop Up Birthday Card (lisasstampstudio.com).  If you'd like to see another version of this card design, I shared one with pop up sloths here: Carrie's Custom Cards: I Love You Slow Much Card (carriescustomcards.blogspot.com)

I chose some pretty Valentine-themed papers and then cut out the card bases and layers and did a print and cut of the verses. I assembled the cards and then die cut some hearts using the smallest Gina Marie Stitched Heart die from that set. I added a couple die cut hearts to the outside of each card and a few ruby-colored gems to the inside to embellish them. The women in my group loved them! I didn't sign them so they could pass them along to anyone the Lord puts on their hearts who may need a handmade card as an encouragement this week. Valentine's Day can be hard for many people, and shifting the focus from romantic love to Christian love can be a blessing for those who are single or widowed or getting over a breakup. 

Here's a look at the card when fully closed and when fully opened:

A closeup of the verse from Word Art Wednesday:

The card when the top flap is lifted and the doors start to open:

The inner flap opening;

The inner flap up all the way:

 Challenges I'm entering:

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Use a die cut (1/5; ends Feb. 9)

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge: Love is in the air (3/5; ends Feb. 14)

Challenge – Dare 2B Artzy Blog: Love (3/3; ends at the end of the month)

Double Trouble Paper Crafting (doubletroublechallenge.blogspot.com): Love is in the air (3/4; ends Feb. 19)

Inspiration Station (inspirationstationchallenge.blogspot.com): Inspiration photo shows hearts and indicates the couple is in love. My card also has hearts on it and is about love: 

Creative Creases Challenge Archives - Secrets to Stamping (secretstamper.com): ATG with a fun fold (ends Feb. 17)

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge ...: ATG (3/3; ends Feb. 18)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (1/5 for the week; ends Feb. 15)

Creative Knockouts: Love is in the Air (2/3; ends Feb. 16) C10

****Pammie's Inky Pinkies**** **********Challenges********** (pammiesinkypinkieschallenges.blogspot.com): ATG (2/3; ends Feb. 12) C10

No more challenges

I Only Have Fries For You Card

This adorable Valentine card comes from a Lori Whitlock file I saw in the Silhouette Design Store. I bought the file and then chose some fun papers to use, including some adorable papers with hearts for the fry boxes and yellow polka dot paper for the French fry layers. I thought the white polka dots looked kind of like salt on the fries. 

For the inside sentiment, I used another design from the Silhouette Design Store and sized it how I wanted it before doing a print and cut of the card bases and sentiment banners and then cut out the three layers of fries and the fry boxes. 

I thought it would be fun to make matching envelopes with conversation hearts printed on them, so I sized those up and printed them out. 

I created 140 of these cards for my mom to send out, and I plan to make another 20 or so to send out myself. I just love that "I only have fries for you" sentiment!

Here's a look at the pieces for 140 cards:

Challenges I'm entering: 

Gem of A Craft Challenge (pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com): ATG (2/2; ends Feb. 18)

Allsorts challenge blog: ATG with option of I Love (3/3; ends Feb. 11)

Polkadoodles Cardmaking, Craft & Scrapbooking Challenge: ATG (1/4; ends Feb. 18) C10

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/: Love is in the air (4/5; ends Feb. 8)

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge: Love is in the air (2/5; ends Feb. 14)

Word Art Wednesday: ATG (3/5 for the week; ends Feb. 15)

The Paper Funday Challenges: ATG with optional twist of lots of layers (my card has six layers: base, 3 layers of fries, a layer for the fry box, and a layer for the sentiment) (3/6; ends at the end of the month)

Incy Wincy Designs Challenge -1st to the 25th every month: Valentine or in the garden (4/5; ends at the end of the month)

****Pammie's Inky Pinkies**** **********Challenges********** (pammiesinkypinkieschallenges.blogspot.com): ATG (1/3; ends Feb. 12) C10

Creative Knockouts: Valentine's Day/ Love is in the air/red, white, and pink: 1/2; ends Feb. 16) C10

No more challenges.