We Wish You a “Meowy” Christmas and A “Yappy” New Year!

Howdy friends! I have a couple new cards to share and they feature some of my favorite things: animals wearing clothing and puns.

I colored a bunch of these cats and dogs last week (you can see a tutorial on coloring the animals in last weeks video) while watching TV and I decided to use them right away on these cards. They were quick, easy and fun to make. Most of the time spent on this was the coloring I did before hand. I like to have a bunch of images stamped out and ready to color while I watch TV. It’s also helpful if you are trying not to snack in the evening as your hands are busy:) Look, you get a craft and dieting tips all in one place, how do you like that? Anyway, let’s go to the 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!

• Stamp set Katselkraft Dogs
• Stamp Set Katzelkraft Funny Accessories
• Stamp Set Katzelcraft Cats
• White cardstock
• Alcohol markers
• Black fine tip pen (03 micron)
• Solid color cardstock or card bases or pre cut A2 Cards
• Double sided tape (ATG)
• Liquid Glue (Zip Dry)
• Brads, ribbon or other desired embellishments
• Dye based ink (Aqua, pink, lime green, red)
• Music notes embossing folder
• fine tip scissors

Want more inspiration? Check out this belated birthday card using the cat’s set! I hope you give these ideas a try to til next time happy crafting!

 

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Get Ready for Christmas! Gift Card Holder Shaker Cards!

Hi friends! I got some great advice once: Do something today that will make tomorrow easier. That might be making your kids lunch the night before so you don’t have chaos in the morning or washing the dishes in the sink in the evening  so you don’t have to struggle with piles of plates just to fill the coffee maker when you are bleary eyed and in desperate need of your morning jolt of caffeine. Do “Future You” a solid and get something done ahead of time. Christmas will be here before you know it and it just seems like there is never enough time to do everything we want once December hits so I like to get a  few things made before then so I can actually relax a bit and ENJOY the holidays.  Since I have been more mindful about “stuff” this past year I am really trying not to clutter other people’s lives so this year I am going to rely more on gift cards (and not feel guilty about it like I have done in the past.) I think making a handmade card to hold a gift card says “Hey, I like and care about enough to spend time on a gift but I don’t want to clutter up your life with stuff you might not have room for.”

I think when we make a handmade card we are showing we care without the clutter. You can even tuck a personalized not in the pocket with the gift card rather than write on it so the card can be reused by the recipient. I don’t want someone feeling like they have to keep the card forever either, this gives them permission to pass it on and brighten someone else’s day. (Truth be told I have a drawer filled with cards that were given to me but it’s a nice theory right. I admit it, I hoard cards friends give me but I don’t expect others to:) LOL!)

Want to see how I made this card? Well then, watch the video!

 

Tutorial sponsored by Top Flight Stamps! Use coupon code thefrugalcrafter10 to save 10% on your order!

Supplies from Top Flight Stamps:

• Indigoblu Snow Globe Stamp Set
• Creative Expressions Holly Jolly Sentiments

Other Supplies:

• Heavyweight cream cardstock
• Christmas patterned paper (BoBunny)
• Chunky glitter
• Star sequins
• Brown ink (lawn fawn)
• Waterbased markers (Tombow or Memento)
• White inkpad (GinaK)
• Transparency/Acetate
• Circle dies (optional, you can cut it by hand)
• Foam tape 
• Heat tool (Marvy)
• Embossing powder (White bridal or holographic)
• Fine tip glue (Tombow)

Heat embossing on acetate directions:
1. Stamp design with pigment or embossing ink.
2. Sprinkle with embossing powder.
3. Heat up the gun for a few seconds before bringing to the film. Heat powder until it melts but if an area starts to warp pull the gun away, then go back in and heat some more after it cools. Embossing powder melts faster on acetate than paper typically.

Let’s have a relaxed holiday, shall we? Do something today that future you will thank you for. I think that’s worth celebrating! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Lot’s Of Mixed Media Card Techniques! {X-Mas Card Idea!)

Hi Friends! Over the past few months I have adopted the idea of doing things today that make tomorrow easier. For instance taking 5 minutes to wash up the few dishes left in the sink and setting up my coffee pot before I go to bed saves me at least 20 minutes the next morning. It’s the old “Stitch in time saves 9” routine. It’s true though. So with that in mind I decided to share some techniques and apply them to a Christmas card. You can use these techniques to make any kind of card you need though (but I bet you will be happy to have a few Christmas cards already done come December!) 😀

Watch the video to see these fun techniques!

This video is sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry!  Use coupon code: FRUGALAUGUST17 – 10% off everything in the store. Coupon expires August 31, 2017. Become a Peg Stamp VIP & get an instant coupon for 20% off RST stamps here plus the deepest weekly discounts available! Offer expires August 31, 2017.

Supplies from Rubber Stamp Tapestry:

• Peg stamp sets: Poinsettia Flourish, Holiday Garden, Christmas Garland 
  *For the background texture you can use the above stamps or any other peg stamps you have, just secure them together with a rubber band!
• Ink blending brush
• Make up sponge (or baby wipe)
• Dye based ink
• Foam tape

Other Supplies:

• Heavy white cardstock
• Pattern paper (optional for matt layers-I used the teal color from Timeless Texture Stack)
• Embossing paste (pearl/iridescent)
• Gelatos
• Seam Binding
• Pearls
• Label die  *Part of a larger set
• ATG double-sided adhesive
• Stencils (Kite & DCWV)
• Palette knife or old credit card to spread embossing paste
• Non stick mat (cheap oven mats are the same as expensive craft mats and you get 5 for less than the price of 1 LOL)
• Other: Spray bottle, rubber bands, scrap paper
  *note the large wood stamp I used on the inside of my card is by Inkadinkado

Finished Card Size: 5 1/2″x4 1/4″ (A2)
Trim mixed media layer to 3 1/2″x4 3/4″
Trim patterned paper mat to 4″x5 1/4″

Directions:
1. Add a pattern to cardstock with a stencil, inkpad and blending brush.
2. Scribble gelatos over cardstock and blend with a damp sponge or baby wipe.
3. Gather pegstamps together with a rubber band and stamp as one large background randomly over the paper. Partial images are fine.
4. Mix gelatos and embossing paste and trowel on paper over a stencil. Let dry completely.
5. Die cut labels from white and pattern paper. Stamp poinsettia motif on white and adhere to patterned paper with foam tape.
6. Use inkpads and water to dye seam binding. Let dry.
7. Trim mixed media and pattered paper panels and adhere together. Tie ribbon in a bow around panels and adhere to cardbase.
8. Adhere labels and pearls to card.
9. Stamp sentiment inside if desired.

Don’t fret if you don’t have the same supplies as I do, use what you have and make it your own! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Stamp School: Embossing on Dark Paper and Background Stamping!

Hi friends! I have a couple of fun techniques to share with you in this stamp school video!

Watch the video to see how to emboss on dark paper and stamp some layered backgrounds!

Tutorial sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry Take 10% off your mounted stamp order of $10 or more just use coupon code: TREES Coupon expires, Monday, November 14, 2016

Supplies:
Cream and Kraft Cardstock
Pigment ink
Dye ink (brown for tree trunk)
Embossing Powder
Peg Stamps: Embellished Holiday Wreath, Fruit Wreath
Other Stamps: Large backgrounds, trees
Ribbon
Punches (optional) photo corner and postage stamp
Scissors

Directions:
1. To create the card base fold a 8.5:x5.5″ panel of cream cardstock in half. Stamp 3 backgrounds in 3 colors of ink. Experiment with different patterns to create fun backgrounds!

2. Stamp or draw a tree on a 3.25″x4.5″ kraft panel. Dust this panel with cornstarch or baby powder (or make a sachet like I showed in the video!)

3. Stamp ornaments with pigment ink, sprinkle with embossing powder and heat with a heat tool.

4. Stamp postage element if desired and punch photo corners.

5. Assemble card.

I hope you try this technique, there is nothing quite like seeing embossing powder charge from a sugary coating to a raised glossy image. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Christmas Cookie Card And Scan & Cut Demo!

Hi friends! Why not make up a batch of Christmas cards featuring a batch of gingerbread cookies?

This is a one stamp wonder project and a lot of fun! Watch the video to see how I made it. The video also features a demo of my Scan ‘n Cut machine. I have felt badly that I haven’t gotten a tutorial up for you on that machine yet but honestly I am a novice with it, I seriously just use it to “scan & cut” and it does that easy as pie!

Video!

This video is sponsored by Rubber Stamp Tapestry Use coupon code: COOKIES to save 20% on all peg stamp & peg stamp set orders of $10 or more! Offer expires Sunday, October 16, 2016.

This is a one stamp wonder card using the jumbo gingerbread man from Rubber Stamp Tapestry.
You can get him on his own or as a part of Old Fashioned Gingerbread peg stamp set and it coordinates with the Gingerbread Wreath set which has the same design in smaller sizes.
There are no repeats from set to set but most stamp are available individually if you just want one:)

Other Supplies:
White, silver and tan cardstock
Plaid scrapbook paper
Dies or paper trimmer
Buttons
Doily
Scissors

Feel free to hand cut the cookies with scissors, it will work out just fine. I hope you find some crafty time this weekend and til next time happy crafting!

Stamp School: Colored Pencil Layering for Beginners!

Hi friends! Break out the colored pencils and get ready to feel like a kid again!

I left this tutorial in real-time because it is geared to beginners. I think it is helpful to see how long it takes to build up layers, how to hold the pencils and how much pressure to apply. If it is too slow for you simply play the video then click on the gear at the bottom of the player and you can play it faster, warning, it might make me sound like a deranged chipmunk but at least you can watch it in half the time!

The stamps I am using in today’s tutorial are from our sponsor ArtNeko! Save 10% off your next order of any size or get free shipping on orders over $50 (whichever discount is greater you get!) just by mentioning thefrugalcrafter!

Supplies:

• Stamps (full set of all 50 states birds & flowers plus bonus images)
• OR the individual image is available for $5
• White cardstock
• Ribbon
• Die cuts or embellishments of your choice
• Colored pencils (Prismacolor colors I used listed below)
  pc 1015 deco blue
  pc 903 true blue
  pc901 indigo blue
  pc 917 sunburst yellow
  pc 914 cream
  pc 943 burnt ocher
  pc 946 dark brown
  pc 911 olive green
  pc 908 dark green
  pc 912 apple green
  pc 923 scarlet lake
  pc 924 crimson red
• Pencil sharpener
• Pattern paper
• A2 size card base in red

Feel free to use the paper and pencils you have on hand. Even Crayola. It is better to see if you enjoy using colored pencils before shelling out big bucks for a professional set. I love the burnishing technique (coloring firmly) but it might make people’s hands tired after a while. I want Stamp School to be about trying techniques and exploring media without busting the bank, and if you love the colored pencils, well, Christmas is right around the corner and there are many lovely brands to pick from! I hope you enjoyed this project and you give some of these techniques a try! Happy crafting!

 

 

Let’s paint Holly! (Cute watercolor Christmas card idea!)

Hi Friends! Here is a watercolor tutorial for you! Feel free to paint this larger than card size if you want, if you really like it you can always scan it and have it printed as a Christmas card!

Here is a traceable pattern for you.

And here is the free video watercolor tutorial. Enjoy!

So, how did you like using masking fluid? If you don’t have that you can always apply white acrylic paint after the painting is dry for snow, heck, you can even sprinkle some iridescent glitter into it for extra realistic fun!

Supplies:
5″x7″ Strathmore watercolor card
Watercolors: Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, Hookers Green, Lemon Yellow
Brushes: #12 angle, #4 & #10 round, #2 liner
Other: Tape, pencil, water, masking fluid with old brush and soap, graphite paper

Have a great weekend and til next time happy crafting!