Inspired by Christmas Decorations!

Hi friends! I spent the morning teaching a workshop making DIY kissing balls, it was so fun! I wish I took a photo because you would not believe how lovely all of the Christmas kissing balls looked hanging in the greenhouse as my beginner students put the finishing touches on them. Now I am enjoying a hot cup of tea before climbing into the attic to fetch our Christmas decorations. We decorated the porch last weekend when the weather was nice and it has been so cheerful to come home to. I enjoyed the decorations on my porch so much that I thought it would be fun to create cards inspired by them!

We still have a few finishing touches to add like icicle lights at the roof and greenery in the ice skates but all in all I really like it! We have a small ranch style home so I think it is enough to look nice, classic and cozy.

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Inspiration is all around you! If you feel a spark of creativity in your surroundings make a mental note and use it to fuel your next craft idea! Watch the video to see how I made my decor inspired cards!

This video is sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry  Use coupon code: LINDSAY and receive 15% off your retail order of $10 or more of peg stamps, peg stamp sets, and unmounted stamps! Coupon expires a week from this video publication. Continue to receive great deals by becoming a PegStamp VIP here. As a PegStamp VIP
you’ll get a weekly deal via email plus links to fabulous tutorials by me, Lindsay the Frugal Crafter and other designers.

Supplies:

• (Peg stamp sets) Embellished Holiday Wreath, Shady Pine, Christmastime, Happy Holidays, Winter Night Sky, Holly Border *Feel free to use any evergreen foliage you like on these cards
• Flower pot stamp
• Lamp Post stamp
• Dye ink (Memento)
• Ink Blending brush
• White cardstock and patterned paper
• Die cut felt
• Ribbon
• Metal plates other embellishments
• Double sided tape

Tips!

• Have a look at other stamps you own and ask if that can be combined with peg stamps for new looks.
• Draw a line or circle if needed to help you placing your images. You can erase it later with a soft white eraser after your stamping ink is dry.
• Peg stamps are great for adding little touches to tags and envelopes so leave a few holiday themed stamps and ink pads out when you are addressing Christmas cards or wrapping gifts so you can make tags and envelopes extra special!

I hope you have something fun and crafty planned this weekend. I’d love to know what your favorite holiday decoration is, let me know in the comments below! My favorite decoration from my childhood was a scene of ice skaters on a pond from the 1970s. There were white plastic snowbanks surrounding a mylar mirror-like pond and the ice skaters were brightly colored clear plastic. I used to skate those around the plastic pond all season long. I wonder if my parents still have that old decoration in their basement LOL! I am sure it is worse for wear with all of the skating I made those figurines do! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

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The More the Merrier! Stamp a gang!

Hi friends! Do you have stamp sets that have several related characters? Today I’ll show you how to combine them using the masking technique so you can turn a solo stamp into a party!

I have seen many cute stamps recently that will have a gaggle of characters grouped together like this but with those stamps you only get one option but if you have a set of single characters you can group them however you want giving you more bang for your stamping buck! Watch the video to see how and remember to save any masks you cut for future cards.

This tutorial is sponsored by Top Flight Stamps! SAVE 10% off your next order with coupon code: thefrugalcrafter10 *USA orders of $50+ ship free!

Supplies:

• Katzelkraft Meerkat stamp set, *Any of the other Katzelkraft animal sets would also be super cute with this technique.
• Patterned paper (I use a stack from My Minds Eye)
• Star and circle dies
• Skintone/Neutral 24 marker set
• Inkpads: Memento– best for alcohol marker coloring (rich cocoa)
• Ink cubes: Gina K 
• Post it notes or post it tape
• The round sentiment is a moldy-oldie from my stash from Stampin Up

Variations on a theme…

• Draw or die-cut a Polaroid frame and use this technique to make a “selfie” themed card.
• Use this technique when you are making a card from a  group of people, such as “Happy retirement from the gang!” or anytime you are going to have a group of people sign a card. People will have fun matching the stamped critter to the person in the office LOL!
• You can get a more elegant look by using butterfly stamps and coloring the with jewel tones.

Whether you like cute or quirky, elegant or sassy you can get more bang from your stamping buck with this masking technique. Give it a try on your next card and til next time happy crafting!

Easy Scene Building with my NEW Clear Stamp Set from Rubber Stamp Tapestry!

Howdy friends! As I write this I am suffering with my first cold of the season. It’s snowing outside too and I have been convalescing by watching lots of Christmas DIY decorating videos on YouTube and lots of HGTV. When I feel better I am going to knock down some walls and shiplap everything LOL! Just kidding:) I will say though, that I have the christmas decorating bug big time right now. It is an odd feeling for me that returned to me last year about this time. I say odd because I used to absolutely dread seasonal decorating and I think it was because my house was so cluttered but ever since the “big declutter of 2017” I have found joy in holiday decorating and entertaining again! Why am I bringing this up you might ask. I’m not entirely certain but I think when we stamp we can do a trial run of ideas on a small scale. It’s kinda like a “vision board” when you gather ides on color, texture, layers and design elements. We can play and pretend. We can arrange a space to see what we think and try colors together with no consequences and we have a cute card to mail when we are done!

All sorts of problems can be worked through when we create whether we are painting or stamping, knitting or sewing. Stepping into the “right brain” whimsy can leave the logical side of the brain to work through whatever it is it needs to fester on while we enjoy being in the zone and creating. Remember that anytime you feel like you are being too indulgent or just “wasting time” as you create. It’s not a waste if you enjoy it. Take 3 hours to make a card if you want to, it’s your card, it’s your supplies. Supplies are only wasted if they are never used. You have my permission to get out your supplies and play, who know what it will lead to?

This video is sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry  Use coupon code: LINDSAY and receive 15% off your retail order of $10 or more of peg stamps, peg stamp sets, and unmounted stamps! Coupon expires a week from this video publication. Continue to receive great deals by becoming a PegStamp VIP here. As a PegStamp VIP
you’ll get a weekly deal via email plus links to fabulous tutorials by me, Lindsay the Frugal Crafter and other designers.

Supplies (Affiliate links used)

• Fireside Christmas clear stamp set
• Trinkets and Wishes clear stamp set
• Hello Mistletoe peg stamp set
• Christmas Traditions peg stamp sets
• Christmastime peg stamp set
• Dye ink pads
• Ink blending brush
• Sponge daubers (great deal on 40 pack!)
• Studio 71 marker set of 48
• White cardstock for markers (neenah classic crest)
• Kraft cardstock
• Washi tape
• Stencil

I hope you found this project inspiring and entertainng. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happty crafting!

Silly & Fun Robot Cards for Kids!

Hi friends! Today we are going to make a batch of cute cards that can be used for any occasion you want a light-hearted & fun card!

I’ll also show you how to fix those less than perfect stamped images and smudged backgrounds so you won’t be tempted to toss them in the trash!

This tutorial is sponsored by Top Flight Stamps! SAVE 10% off your next order with coupon code: thefrugalcrafter10 *USA orders of $50+ ship free!

Supplies (sponsored & affiliate links used)

• Stamp Sets: Robots 2, Les Pabos 1 stamps, Also shown Meerkat
• White and black cardstock
• Patterned paper
• Embossing folder
• Gear dies
• Metal Gear Embellishments
• Archival black inkpad
• Blending marker
• Metallic water soluble oil pastels
• Watercolor crayons
• Embellishments Pins (I got these from valentine cards at the dollar tree) brads (eyelet outlet) and screw top brads
• Robot & Super hero washi tape (AC Moore)
• Google eyes
• Hot glue gun
• Pinking edge scissors

Tips to fix ink smudges and mis-stamped patches

1. Cover ink smudges by adding a background.
2. Or place an embellishment over the smudge.
3. To fill in a spot in a stamped image where the ink skipped simply press a inkpad (if a dye pad) on a clear block and pick up the ink with a blender pen and color it in. If you are using an archival pad scribble a matching memento marker on the clear block and do the same.

I really had a fun time making these cards! I hope you try some of these ideas out on your next card! Happy crafting!

Build a Terrarium! 6 cute cards to make today!

Hi friends!  I was browsing my local big box craft store the other day and came across a cute little die set that inspired this batch of cards!

I love it when I find something that makes me use the supplies I already have more. Find out how I made these cards in today’s video tutorial!

This video is sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry  Use coupon code: LINDSAY and receive 15% off your retail order of $10 or more of peg stamps, peg stamp sets, and unmounted stamps! Coupon expires a week from this video publication. Continue to receive great deals by becoming a PegStamp VIP here. As a PegStamp VIP
you’ll get a weekly deal via email plus links to fabulous tutorials by me, Lindsay the Frugal Crafter and other designers.

Supplies

• Peg stamps: Build a Prickly Pear Cactus, Cactus Terrarium, Desert Cactus, Party Time, Cupcake single stamp, Autumn Elegance, Gingerbread Wreath, Old Fashioned Gingerbread, Holiday Garden
• Dye Inks (memento)
• Watercolor markers (Color It)
• Watercolor paper (Hot press Fabriano studio)
• Terrarium die: (Spellbinders)
• Heavy kraft cardstock for card bases
• 6″ paper doilies
• Silver and gold cardstock (scraps are fine)
• Pattern paper to match your stamping

Directions:
1. Make 4 1/4″ square cards from kraft.
2. Die cut small dome from watercolor paper, large dome from silver and base from gold.
3. Stamp terrarium filler on the watercolor pieces.
4. Cut doilies and glue to 4″ square pattern paper and assemble terrarium on top. Glue to card base and embellish as desired.

This idea can be used for any occasion, just switch up what you stamp inside!

Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

There’s no place like gnome…

Howdy friends! Today I have a cute set of cards using a couple new stamp set from Rubber Stamp Tapestry to share!

Watch how easy it is to make them in today’s video!

This video is sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry  Use coupon code: LINDSAY and receive 15% off your retail order of $10 or more of peg stamps, peg stamp sets, and unmounted stamps! Coupon expires a week from this video publication. Continue to receive great deals by becoming a PegStamp VIP here. As a PegStamp VIP
you’ll get a weekly deal via email plus links to fabulous tutorials by me, Lindsay the Frugal Crafter and other designers.

Supplies:

• Fairy Garden Peg Stamp Set
• Whispers from the Garden Unmounted stamp set
• Memento dye inks
• Gnome washi tape 9 roll set
• Heart die sets Plain and Scalloped
• Mushroom brads 
• Adhesive: Foam tape, Double sided tape, Hot Glue or Thick glue
• Heavy cardstock
• Ribbon
• Fork (to make tiny bow)

Directions:
1. Fold cardstock in half and die cut large scalloped heart to make card. Make sure to let the top of the heart hang over the fold so you get a connected card. Die cut another smaller scalloped heart from white cardstock and plain harts from patterned paper.

2. Stamp garden sentiments and peg stamps on white scalloped heart. Add brad if desired.

3. Apply washi tape to plain heart mat. and layer up elements and adhere to card base.

4. Use a fork to make a tiny bow and glue to card. Decorate inside of card with washi tape and leftover hearts.

Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

When to mask and when to fussy cut! Tips for stamping and cardmaking!

Hi friends! I think one of the most enjoyable aspect of stamping is to combine images to create new scenes. Sometimes I use a technique called masking where I stamp the image then cover it up and stamp another image on top so it appears to be behind the first. This allows you to create a picture with many images on one sheet of paper without overlapping lines. Sometimes though, you are better off to stamp images separately and cut them out and arrange them together on a separate sheet of paper. It depends on the type of images you are using and whether you are using a full image or part of an image.

In this card with the ladies sitting on the couch it would be difficult to get them positioned properly,also I wanted some layered paper and dimension to this card so cutting and glueing were the way to go.

But on this card by starting with the mixed frame stamp layout it as easy to mask off each box and keep my stamping inside. I also think by masking you create some organization to this wacky cast of barnyard characters.

Learn how I created these cards in today’s video!

This tutorial is sponsored by Top Flight Stamps!  SAVE 10% off your next order with coupon code: thefrugalcrafter10 *USA orders of $50+ ship free!

Supplies:

• Stamps by Katzelkraft: Coffee & Tea to Go, Fun Quotes, Tea Time,
  In the Living Room, Farm Animals
• Mixed Boxes (comic book cells)
• Watercolor paper (I used the smooth back side of Arteza)
• Watercolors
• Colored pencils
• Scrapbook paper
• Buttons
• Waterproof stamp ink
• Post it notes or post it tape
• Foam adhesive
• thick wet glue
• double-sided tape

When to mask:

1. Mask images when cutting them out would be a pain.
2. Mask when you can easily work front to back without placement issues.

When to cut and collage:

1. When it would be difficult to place multiple images front to back (like ladies sitting on the sofa.)
2. When you have portions of the stamp images you want to omit (like the chairs the ladies were sitting in.)
3. When you want dimension such as layers of pattern paper or if you want to pop elements up with foam tape.

I hope this makes your card making easier. Let me know what technique you prefer in the comments below and til next time happy crafting!