Baby Keepsake Flower Ornament and instructions!

I was asked by several people for instructions on how I made the Harvest Blessings flower ball ornament.  The flower ornament is known as a “kusudama ball”.  Although the idea is not mine, I decided to create step-by-step photo instructions because I myself had to search quite a bit on the web for instructions (some were clear on certain aspects while not-so-clear on others).  I had a heck of a time trying to figure out how to glue the whole thing together so it is my hope that my instructions will be clear enough for anyone to create their own kusudama ball.
Here is another finished project using a different fold, this time a baby keepsake ornament using an adorable digital image from *Wink*Wink Ink called Special Delivery.  I made this for the *Wink*Wink Ink August Challenge #2 of using metal (I added silver bead caps to the origami flower centers) :

 

I created these instructions so that you may print them out and practice putting a kusudama ball together.  The first set of instructions show how to create the flower from the Harvest Blessings ornament. The second set shows how to create the flower from the baby keepsake ornament.  The third shows how to put the whole thing together.  I use 3” square sheets, but you may use larger pieces for an even bigger kusudama!  Don’t let the amount of square sheets scare you.  Do what I do and fold throughout the day, especially during commercial breaks of your favorite shows!  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding my instructions.

NOTE: You will not be able to read the directions embedded in some of the images even if you click to enlarge photos. 

You can find downloadable pdf files by clicking HERE.

 

 

Baby Keepsake Ornament Recipe

Digital Stamp: *Wink*Wink Ink Special Delivery

Paper: My Minds Eye

Accessories: Glue Dots Continuous Glue Lines, silver cording, beads, bead end caps, pink rhinestones

Loving the easel card!

Over at SCS, Beate has a fabulous tutorial for an easel card. When I read the instructions and watched her video I didn’t realize how quick and painless it was to create a “wow” card! You can bet that I’ll be making more of these in the near future!

Here’s my rendition of an easel card using ODBD’s Confirmation set:

Do you like the new look of my postings (recipe box and photo arrangements)? I have the wonderful Dawn Lusk to thank for that! She pointed me to Windows Live Writer and I have to tell you…it is AWESOME!!

Card Recipe

Stamp: ODBD Confirmation

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Basic Grey (Wisteria, Porcelain), SU cs (Elegant Eggplant, Almost Amethyst, Barely Banana)

Accessories: Spellbinders (Fancy Tags, Petite Large Ovals, Petite Large Scallop Ovals, Fleur De Lis Borderabilities), Cuttlebug Holly Ribbons embossing folder, silver cross charm, silver cording, white organza ribbon, Star Dust Stickles, Hero Arts Pearls, black embossing powder

TIOT #36 and a cause to CUT IT OFF

Is it just me or are the weeks going by FAST? I really don't mind because I am soooooo done with the heat down here!

It feels like I just posted my previous TIOT yesterday and now here we are again! I especially loved this week's challenge because it was based on this fabulous tutorial for a Triangular Trifold card by Beate Johns. Here's my little pink floral fantasy card:

Do you recognize the bouquet of flowers? I cut them out from the Alexa stamp (Victoria Case Hearts and Hugs Collection Series 1). It just goes to show you that SCACD stamps can be very versatile!

Card Recipe:

Stamp: SCACD Alexa

Ink: StazOn black

Paper: Basic Grey Lemonade pad, Prismatic Pink Pack, SU cs (Certainly Celery, Positively Pink), watercolor paper

Accessories: Spellbinders Kaleidoscope Pendant, Scor-Pal, watercolor markers

Make a larger square and adjust the measurements and score lines to accommodate your larger images :).

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On another note, my hair had grown below my waist and I decided to cut it all off and donate it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths (goes towards making wigs for both children and adults), a worthwhile cause benefiting cancer patients who have lost their hair due to chemo treatments.

If you're ready for a new short do, please remember to donate!

A little SCACD & ODBD MAGIC!

I saw this fab Magic Marquee video tutorial by Janine Tinklenberg (Jan Tink) on Card of the Week and I knew I wanted to give it a try! Make sure to read Jan's blog...she is very entertaining!

Today's TIOT #35 for Susana's Custom Art and Card Designs was a sketch challenge and I do love sketches!! I wanted to use Taylor from the Victoria Case Hearts and Hugs Collection Series 2 because I thought a surprise "Howdy!" greeting was perfect for this type of card:
Card Recipe:

Stamp: SCACD Taylor

Ink: SU Real Red, Tea Dye distress

Paper: Basic Grey June Bug pad, SU cs (Real Red, Night of Navy, Close to Cocoa), watercolor paper

Accessories: Basic Grey June Bug Buttons, CB Swiss Dots ef, hemp twine, SU linen thread, Rope font, watercolor markers, Prismacolor pencil

You really have to try out the magic marquee technique and even if you don't just watching Jan's video is a hoot!

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Don't forget to get cracking on your pocket cards for the ODBD Three for Thee challenge! You have until Sept. 17 to link up your creations in the comment section of the challenge post. You can keep up-to-date on Current ODBD Challenges by finding a clickable link at the top right side of the blog which will direct you to the right place.

Like I said, I couldn't stop at making just one magic marquee card! Here's another featuring THREE ODBD stamps:

I stamped the butterfly swirls after I completed the card because I didn't like the plain center so that's why the stamping is a little "off". Make sure to stamp the two "curtains" BEFORE you assemble :).

Card Recipe:

Stamp: ODBD Thinking of You, Get Well, Mother Teresa

Ink: SU (Night of Navy, Pretty in Pink, White craft), Versamark

Paper: K & Company Bailey pad, Prismatic Nautical Blue pack, SU cs (Kraft, Night of Navy), Canson watercolor paper

Accessories: Ranger Gold ep, Basic Grey Indigo/Sky Opalines, watercolor markers, Spellbinders


What are you waiting for??? Go make that pocket card and enter it on the ODBD challenge for your chance to win one of the September sets!

Rubbernecker's Wacky Wednesday #10

A couple of years ago I was technique crazy!! Wax paper resist, Northern Lights, faux everything, gesso, brayered madras, etc...you name it, I tried it! So when Rubbernecker put out this week's Wacky Wednesday challenge of using a favorite technique I HAD to make a card using Our Daily Bread designs' Keep My Lamp Burning set.

With black StazOn ink, acetate sheet, alcohol inks, rubbing alcohol, crumpled tissue paper, glitter and Future floor wax (YES! FLOOR WAX!) this was my end result: I didn't use fine glitter, but opted instead for chunky glitter sprinkles. I have no clue what you call it, but I like "chunky glitter sprinkles"...LOL! Card Recipe:

Stamp: ODBD Keep My Lamp Burning

Ink: Versafine Onyx, StazOn Black, Ranger alcohol inks

Paper: Prismatic Teal pack, Gina K Pure Luxury white cs, SU Kraft cs, column cs

Supplies: acetate, beads, hemp twine, Spellbinders Small Circle die, Martha Stewart gem, Fiskars rope border punch, Future floor wax, white tissue paper, chunky glitter, foam adhesive

He Is Risen & Joseph's Coat Reversed Tutorial

I woke up around 2:30am this morning and felt like making a card...and so I did! I used the ODBD January set called He Is Risen, because, let's just face it, I LOVE ODBD! I bet you liked that one, huh Kelley?!
This time I wanted to use an old technique called Joseph's Coat, but with a bit of a twist. I hope you all will give this a try!

Gather up your materials:
*stamps
*glossy cardstock
*3 coordinating ink pads
*black ink pad
*Versamark or embossing pad
*clear embossing powder
*brayer
*sponges (not pictured)
*anti-static bag


Stamp the image you want as the focal point in black ink.

Take your two light colored ink pads (SU Positively Pink and Barely Banana in this case) and starting with your lightest color sponge it over and around your focal image. Do the same thing with your next color, making sure to leave some white spaces.

Rub the anti-static bag over the glossy cardstock.

Ink up your background image with Versamark and stamp it in the center of your focal image.

Pour clear embossing powder over it.

Heat until embossing powder melts.

Ink up your brayer with your darkest ink color (I used SU Certainly Celery) and cover the entire piece of glossy cardstock.

Let ink dry then buff away excess ink on background image with tissue.

Complete your card :).

Loving the Stair-Step Fold technique!

I found this technique over at SCS and I knew this would make beautiful cards with so many possibilities. Make sure to head on over to SCS to see what others have created with the TLC190 challenge and to get the directions. I attached the fold to the front of a 5 1/2" square card.

I made a total of three cards using this technique, but you'll have to wait to see the third one towards the end of the month for the sneak peeks of CD Stamps November sets.

I did A LOT of layering so the cards are pretty heavy. The first card features a stamp set from Our Daily Bread Designs called On Eagles' Wings and is currently available so make sure to swing on over there and get it or see the other sets and supplies that are offered.

BLOG CANDY ALERT!! If you want to try and win some ODBD stamps, head on over to Becca's blog and follow her directions! By the way...take a look around Becca's blog - she makes AMAZING stuff!!!

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Card Recipe:

Stamps: ODBD On Eagles' Wings

Ink: Versamark

Paper: K & Company, SU Old Olive and Blue Bayou

Supplies: white embossing powder, polymer sheet (stamped on it to create a mirror image of the eagle), navy blue embossing powder, flatback pearls, cream stain ribbon, foam adhesive, sewing machine

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Card Recipe:

Stamp: Inkadinkado

Ink: Versamark, SU Bordering Blue

Paper: K & Company, SU Soft Sky and Close to Cocoa, DCWV Glitter Stack

Supplies: silver, honey pearl and clear embossing powders, wide brown organza ribbon, SU silver cording, mini silver bells (Darice), foam adhesive, sewing machine

Oh so velvety!! New Tutorial and Blog Candy

This is one super simple texturing technique that uses Liquid Applique (made by Marvy Uchida). So, gather your materials:

• heat gun


• Liquid Applique
  
• brayer


• cardstock


• matching ink pad

Squirt a generous amount of Liquid Applique on your cardstock. If you already know the size of your project you could use a smaller piece of cardstock, saving you some of that wonderful Liquid Applique. Brayer the Liquid Applique to cover the entire piece of cardstock. I brayed only in one direction, but you can do both vertically and horizontally to get a smoother texture. IMMEDIATELY wash your brayer - if you let the applique dry on it you'll be spending the day peeling that stuff off.
Heat with your gun.
Notice how the applique dries white? I used a direct-to-paper with my ink pad to change the color so it will match the cardstock, in this case Stampin' Up's Blush Blossom. Here' s my finished card :). I used two stamps sets from Clear Dollar Stamps called Leaves and For Our Lord. Close-up of the texture you get using this technique!

As always, I love what you have to say about my tutorials, and even better when you try them out and show me what you've created! Everyone who leaves me a comment (no card creations needed...but it would be great!) will receive this huge Prima Marketing set called Build-A-Frame...ooh....ahh.. Winner will be randomly chosen and announced September 22.
This is what you can make with them...awesome, right?
Don't forget to subscribe for my blog updates so you'll never miss a tutorial and blog candies! Remember to put a number next to your post...I forgot to include that so #'s 1 and 2 are already posted :).
From my craft room to yours,