The Amy Doodle Of It All . . .

Expressing Love Through Handmade Cards

 

 

Stamping and card making are great ways to express your creativity while also showing someone how much you care. With the right techniques, you can create beautiful, unique cards that will make your loved ones feel special. In this article, we'll focus on stencil techniques that are affordable and easy to use, and we'll discuss the advantages of making cards as a way to express love. I know my family and friends always feel really grateful that I have taken the time to make something that is unique to them and the things they like.

Stencil Techniques for Unique Cards

When it comes to making cards, stencils can be a great way to add unique designs and patterns to your creations. With stencils, you don't have to worry about drawing or painting the design yourself, and you can use the same stencil to create multiple cards, making it an affordable option.
You can also see a few more techniques in this stencil video HERE
Here are a few stencil techniques that can help you create unique cards:

1. Ink blending: With this technique, you can use stencils to create a gradient effect on your cards. Simply place the stencil over the card, then use a blending tool to apply ink over the stencil, blending it from light to dark or from one color to another. You can create a simple inked background or something with more texture.  Here I used blues and greens going from dark to light and added glitter paste in a coordinating color over a stencil for added interest.
   
   
   
   

2. Embossing: Embossing stencils allow you to add texture and dimension to your cards. Simply place the stencil over the card, then use an embossing tool (or run it through an die cutting machine. I like to lightly mist paper with water to take the design better) to create a raised design. You can then add ink or paint to the raised design for an extra pop of color.
   
   
   
   
   

3. Glitter and paste: Stencils can also be used to create designs with glitter or paste. Apply the paste or glitter over the stencil, then remove the stencil to reveal a unique design that sparkles and shines.
   
   
   
   
   You can also use adhesive paste to use with foil to create a background that really pops!
   
   
   
   
   

Big Results for Little Money

One of the best things about using stencils for card making is that it's an affordable option that can still yield big results. Stencils can be reused multiple times, so you don't have to keep buying new ones for each card. And with the variety of stencils available, you can create a wide range of designs and patterns without breaking the bank.

Additionally, card making is a great way to show someone you care without spending a lot of money. A handmade card can be just as meaningful, if not more so, than a store-bought card. By taking the time to create something unique and personalized, you're showing the recipient that you value and appreciate them. Expressing Love Through Handmade Cards  can also be a powerful way to express love and affection for another person. By creating a card with your own hands, you're putting time, effort, and thought into something that's meant to make someone else happy. It's a tangible way to show that you care, and it's a gift that can be cherished for years to come.

So the next time you need a card for a special occasion, consider making one yourself and see how much joy it can bring to you and the recipient.

EDS Blog Hop

Welcome! I am so glad you made it to my blog for the blog hop! 

A small blurb about . . . EDS. You might be asking yourself . . . "What is it?"
Simply put, Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of thirteen individual genetic conditions, all of which affect the body’s connective tissue. Connective tissue keeps everything in place and provides support, like the mortar between bricks. Our bodies create faulty collagen (the stuff that makes your ligaments into snappy rubber bands) so for people with EDS we have no snap back in those ligaments making it impossible to keep our joints in place.



We can dislocate just about all of our bones on a regular basis as well as many other symptoms. OUCH! EDS is often an invisible disability. Symptoms commonly include, but are not limited to, long-term pain, chronic fatigue, dizziness, palpitations and digestive disorders. If you're wondering why the zebra is associated with EDS it's because in medical school doctors are taught "When you hear hooves think horses not zebras" In other words, it's very unlikely you will come across a rare disease so think of the more common diseases.

I have lived with this disorder my whole life and because it is not widely known, not even in the medical field, I was only diagnosed 6 years ago, and I am 50! It's been a long brutal road and I still struggle to understand how to care for my body daily because depending on what I dislocate it changes daily. So, you guessed it . . . I am a walking ragdoll! LOL It's a serious disorder that my family and I have chosen to approach with a certain amount of humor, to keep from going crazy! When I found out about this blog hop, I jumped at the chance to be a part of it and help spread the word about EDS. With that said, let's get crafty!


I used an old stamp set that I created for a stamp company I was once a part of, and it is near and dear to my heart. It features this adorable little zebra tucked in bed. I really wanted my zebra to stand out so I thought I would stencil the inside of the card and cut a circle out of the front of the card and cover it in transparency sheet. Then cut a smaller circle and glued it in the center of the larger circle, where I place my zebra!




First step was to stencil the inside using a zebra print stencil and Catherine Pooler inks in Something borrowed and Flirty Fuchsia. 
I stamped my sentiment on a circle I cut from white cardstock and adhered it, but the same thing could be achieved by laying down a circle mask inside the card before you stencil.

First, I glued down black cardstock to my card front, and then I cut a large circle out of the front of the card and covered the inside with a transparency sheet. (You could also use a sheet of clear plastic that comes on the back of most stamps). I adhered a smaller black cardstock circle to the center of the large circle. Next, I stamped my image and colored my little zebra using Copic Markers.

Zebra's face and hair - C1/C2/C3/C7/100
Flowers - B000/B00/B05 (center flowers - B66/V04/FV2/B05)
Pillow - B000/B00/0
Blanket - B66/B05/FV2



I used foam tape to adhere my little zebra to the center circle and added a sentiment and some stamped flowers as little embellishments. I also added Crystal Stickles to the center of each flower for some sparkle. To finish it off I thought it needed a small silver glitter sticker border.

Please be sure to check out everyone's videos for lots of inspiration and there is also a giveaway! Alison and Michele will be offering giveaways on their channels. Winners will be chosen by Alison and Michele on 2/11/22. Comments will close on 2/8/22 at 12 pm EST. In order to be qualified to win, you must comment on each of the ten videos and be subscribed.

You can find the videos for the other designers Here:

 

Michele from Scrap Secrets:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbuNZp89wlE

Amy from Amy's Wares:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqa2PZyeUo4

 

Lauren from Lauren Taylor Made:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVK3qBU3tGs

 

Marie from Marie's Vermont Creations:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuDNyE6sSmQ

 

Candice from Candoodle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPKsMuGsNpI

 

Mary Polanco:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5qz8dbxa5U

 

Amy Hurley Purdie:

You are Here!

 

Terra from Mayhem Crafty Cards:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ7uoIbgO08

 

Alison Heikkila:

https://youtu.be/UHm5oqw1w2c

I would like to leave you with a final note. Anyone with a rare disease or chronic pain disorder will tell you that support from caring friends and family is everything.
If you aren't sure what you can do, try these simple things:

Ask them what they need,

listen and believe them,

love them as they are,

be flexible with plans,

and send cards!

We all love getting a handmade card, but chronic pain and rare disorders can be crippling and leave you feeling isolated and alone. A card really can make all the difference and make you feel like you aren't battling your disease alone. Reach out and give someone battling this horrible disease, or a chronic pain illness your love and support. You won't believe what a difference you will make.

 

To learn more go to:
Home - The Ehlers Danlos Society : The Ehlers Danlos Society (ehlers-danlos.com)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distress Ink Saturday

I hope this Saturday morning you are all doing well and HOPEFULLY find yourself with a little time to kick back and be creative! With that purpose in mind I thought it might be fun for a throwback and list some of my Distress Ink Background videos for you to play with! Working with Distress Inks by far is one of my very favorite crafting activities. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing that white paper transform into something really colorful and fun!Here are some throwback videos to some projects I made using Distress Inks:

Space (personal fav)

Bokeh
This one is so fun because there are just no rules!

 

Next here is a non instructional but hopefully relaxing 10 min rainbow unicorn card
because don't we all need more rainbow unicorns in our life ; )

 

 

Please remember to take time out for you today and be creative!

Have a great weekend!

 

You can find my YouTube Channel HERE

Kindred Stamps Next Space Explorers!

I am so in love with this stamp set! Maybe it's because I have a thing for all things space explorer related, but still it's stinkin adorable!

I HAD TO CREATE a holographic deck card with my favorite tea drinking captain!

And then of course what every girl needs . . . Space Explorer Jewelry!

Viola' the finished pieces!

 

You can also join the Kindred Stamp Fan Club on Facebook to show off your own projects an see more from their teams throughout the month! They will announce our blog hop winner there, sometime on Saturday the 26th! (In addition to messaging them privately.)

Brutus Monroe Dragons Blog Hop

I AM SO EXCITED!!! IT'S RELEASE DAY FOR MY NEWEST STAMP DRAGON KISSES!!!

It will be available soon so be sure to check back...

You'll be able to BUY IT HERE

It's a Viking and dragon themed stamp set that I am so excited about. I wanted to draw my Viking as a powerful curvaceous beautiful Viking Warrior!! I hope you all love it, and I can't wait to see what everyone makes with it. For this card I wanted to go ALL OUT, so I made a 3D box card.

I even made a fake viking rune stone for the front!

 

Here's the inside!

Let me show you how I made it!

Take a 12x12 cardstock and score it at 4" and 8", turn and repeat. Cut four corners out. Fold and glue two side together to form scene area. 

Stamp viking and dragon and color. Cut out and set aside.

Here's what used for the beach and ocean

Start with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink

Add some spots of vintage Photo Distress Ink

Use a stencil brush and Vintage photo Oxide Ink (not pictured because I grabbed the wrong one for the pic) and add some sand texture by dabbing just a little bit of ink
Add Tumbled Glass Distress Ink.

This color over the sand color is what gives the illusion of water over sand.

Add Broken China Oxide Distress Ink

Add Faded Jeans Oxide Distress Ink in stripes. Blend softly. Then go back over dark edges using the Broken China blending tool

Use white gel pen to add squiggly lines. the squiggly the better!

Here's what I used for the clouds

Next I used my cloud stencil to create my clouds. I started by adding a tiny bit of Abandon Coral to the bottom of the clouds and then added White pigment ink to the cloud stencil

Lastly score a 12x12 cardstock, same as above. Cut side squares out leaving 1/4 strip on 2 opposing sides. 

Trim each end 2" so sides measure 4"x 2"


Fold tabs and glue tiny tabs to secure lid.
Take pieces and decorate inside of box as shown.

 Here is the viking ship I used. I printed it on brown cardstock, cut it out, and glued it together.
(I couldn't find the source of who made this so If you know please leave in the comments so I can give proper credit)

 For the outside of the box I used alcohol Inks on glossy paper to make a wood grain, then stamped it with an old chipped paint stamp set to give it a little weathering. I then used some foam craft sheets to make a fake rock and carved a viking rune into it!

 

Check out what the Fabulous Design Team created this week!

 

 

VERITY BIDDLECOMBE

MARIE HEIDERSCHEIT

CHITRA

WALESKA GALINDO

DIY Gift wrapping and card

From time to time I like to do something a little different. Sometimes it's fun to mix it up! One of those things is to use my supplies to create things like tags, bows, and matching gift wrap. Here's my technique for making these fun sets. 

To start try using a set with really clean and simple graphics. I am using this floral set by My Favorite Things. I am using a piece of 8 1/2" x 11" piece of printer paper. You can use what ever size you want, but I usually use this technique for smaller packages (mostly because Momma ain't got time for a stamping a shirt box size wrapping paper!) LOL. I'm using these fun products.

When you start your looking at this giant piece of paper thinking "Where the heck do I start?". I always like to start with sets of 3 in a triangle pattern. It is a great way to space things out evenly. Make a triangle like this . . .

 You can use the same stamp or change the stamp out for something new. Keep repeating this pattern in the blank spots like this . . . 

Then you'll have this!

Next lets create a bow! I used double sided patterned paper for my bow. For a normal size bow you will want to cut 8 – 1 x 6" pieces, 4 – 1 x 5" pieces and 1 – 1 x 3". For this tiny package I halved the sizes to create a smaller bow so you'll need 8 – 1/2 x 3" pieces, 4 – 1/2 x 2.5" pieces and 1 – 1/2 x 3". 

First fold the edges together like this . . .

Next you are going to glue them together to create an X shape. Now I have seen other tutorials where you just glue the bottoms together, but I really think it's easier to glue them to a small piece of scrap paper in the center. Also I highly recommend using double sided tape because liquid adhesive are hard to use sometimes with this technique. Basically you are creating X shapes and then stacking them on top of each other. The last step is creating a loop with the last remaining piece and glue it in the center.

I created a really simple gift tag by stamping a couple of flowers and mounting onto a tag.

That's all there is to it! You created the perfect gift wrap, tag and bow for a wonderful gift package that's one of a kind. With all the stamps sets most of us own you can just image all the different themed gift wrap ideas that you can come up with!

 

Spunk Rock Crafting . . . reminding you 
there are no mistakes only embellishment opportunities, 
to take time out for you because you're worth it, 
and to keep it Spunky & Fun ; )

Fast & easy bohemian card with foil fun!

Today I thought I would keep it easy and simple. I created the card background from a digital pattern I created, and I have posted it down below as a freebie. Feel free to create your own card using the pattern. So sit back, relax and see what some paper and foil can create. 

 

Supplies used:

Cardstock

My Favorite Things All Smiles Stamp Set

DecoFoil in Cherry

Laminator

Die Cuts

Black Mini Buttons

Color Me Monday

I know you all know that I have a rainbow obsession, so of course I am throwing out there yet again another rainbow Color Me Monday with a slight twist. I thought I would use today's post to go over a couple of design elements for card making. I am always getting questions about it and I thought you all might enjoy the information. 

First off lets take a look at our palette.

By the way this photo I have used for inspiration is a beautiful blouse sold in the Etsy store MXArtsCrafts. The blouse is HANDMADE by the talented Sofía Navarro! You can see her items HERE!

Beautiful colors right? I saw this and it reminded me of a card I have been dying to make with my new Kindred Stamp set Frida Kahlo!

Let's see my finished sample first and see how the colors were inspired by Sofia's artfully made blouse.

I did watercolors for the background, and Copics for little Frida. (I will list everything down below). The watercolor consisted of embossing the background and then just dropping watered down color into the embossed flowers. Nothing fancy.  I wanted colors as bright as Sofia's artwork and I wanted it to be card that really had some POP to it. I think color brings joy and of course sending joy to people is what I love!

Alright lets talk design tips. I get asked all the time about design tips and tricks for making any project look it's best. I thought I would share some of those tips with you now because they have always helped me. I am going to be using my card elements from above to illustrate my point.

Lets start here. Every example I will show is perfectly great on it's own. Every expression of your art is wonderful the way it is because it's you on a card! These are just some design elements I have been asked about before and thought I would share.

Here is the card on a background with the sentiment. Perfectly cute, and fine on it's own. In design elements you would refer to the image as floating. The eye needs somewhere to land. Your eye competes for Frida or the sentiments. Making her more of a focal point would draw the eye right to her.

Here's an example of what I mean. See how your eye goes straight to the circle and Frida is framed inside. Your eye goes to her and you look at her little details on her. She is the focal point.

Lets's take it further. What if we added more layers and textures? Little harder now right. It's busy even if we add the focal point will she get lost with all that? 

 The answer is she won't, but she will compete for attention. So how do we fix that?

 

We do something called grounding and framing. Grounding means we have put something heavy in texture or color for the focal point to sit on.We have that great strip of color to make our focal point circle really POP! Also the added little hearts and flowers details on the edges act as a frame to contain little Frida. We will use the sentiment strips to complete the frame!

Finally Embellishing! My favorite! Remember that things in nature most often appear in nature in odd numbers. So when adding your embellishments try numbers of 1, 3, 5, etc.

In terms of even numbers when you are going for a more linear look or a balanced look you might have the same even number mirroring each other.

But for this festive Frida card exploding with color, I used the more is more method and placed 11 rhinestones on!

I hope you are inspired by these colors, and these design samples help you some way, and if it's not your thing . . . That's okay! Just keep doing your creative thing! Remember creating these small pieces of art is just as much about your personal expression as it is about creating something to give. Listen to that voice and take time out to create! You deserve it!

 

Supplies used:

Kindred Stamps Frida Kahlo

Watercolors

Copics

Brutus|Monroe Raven Embossing Powder

Rhinestones

Circle Cutting Dies with scalloped frame

Photographing your cards and projects

 
I've been asked several times "How do you get your card's to look so great?" I know the struggle of working really hard on a beautiful card, only to photograph it and have it look terrible! It's so frustrating!!! Before I became a professional photographer I came across a pin on Pinterest that was perfect, and so I  made it! At the time is was perfect and affordable for me and thought it was worth a share. Here is the pin from Annette at Tips from a typical mom, and she has a fabulous post you can read about HERE!

You can see the difference on these cards. The first one I took with my old system. The next one is with the system above.

You can see how much more vibrant the colors are in the second picture, and you can see the details better. The colors are truer to the actual colors, and that's important when others want to make the card because they will have trouble matching those colors if their not correct. The project was really affordable to make, and well worth it if you don't want to spend a lot and you just want to use what you have.

Now for the second half of my post I want to show you my current set up, and share with you why I think it's even better! I won't use my professional photographer equipment, just some pieces I bought on Amazon.

I use this box and some old clamp lights from Lowes.

Link to Photography Box

Here it is in my studio. I want you to noticed the lighting. I place one regular bulb in the light on the left, and the LED Daylight (blue tone light) on the top and light on the right. Notice the difference in color? Now if all of my lights had regular bulbs, all my projects would have a yellow tone to them. With the LED daylight bulbs you have a crisp white that captures the true colors of your cards!

 

 

Let's see some side by side comparisons with normal daylight and the photo box
VS. Daylight bulbs and the photo box.

(I also used my phone because I know a lot of people don't have access to a fancy camera)

With the right even lighting your camera can pick up on details and colors, and can capture your image the way you want.

For my backgrounds I bought some patterned posterboard and cut them to fit my box. You can also include fun little do-dads to add visual interest. I went and spent $10.00 at the dollar store and bought some fun knick knacks to add some fun to my photos!

 

This is the system I use and I really do love having a great photo to show all the work and love I put into my cards. If you are not interested in the box, then use what you have at home and make the DIY version.

Either way your talents deserve to be showcased at their best!

 

 

Spunk Rock Crafting . . . reminding you 
there are no mistakes only embellishment opportunities,
to take time out for you because you're worth it, 
and to keep it Spunky & Fun ; )

Die Cut Sentiment Cards

Do you have sets of sentiment cutting dies that you just don't know what to do with? You love those dies, but you never use them because you're just not sure how to make it the star rather than the supporting actor.

Here's an idea you can use to make your cutting die the star of the card!

 

 Let's get started!

I am going to use Distress Inks for this project because they are my favorites!

 

You are going to take a 5 1/4" x 4" white cardstock paper, and blend Cracked Pistachio, and Evergreen Bough as shown.

On a second piece of 5 1/4" x 4" white cardstock paper  you'll need to blend Spun Sugar, and Picked Raspberry as shown.

Finish out the background by blending Spiced Marmalade, and Dried Marigold.

Next die cut out your sentiment. I am using My Favorite Things "HUGS" die cut.

Set aside the letters. I will be using Brutus Monroe Party Monsters stamp set that features a little monster giving a great big hug! (Plus it's the stamp I created and I am kind of partial to it...lol) Stamp your little monster all over the card using Picked Raspberry.
 

Next tape your letters into the cut out using the opposite cards colors. Then glue a 5 1/4"x4" white card base to secure it.

Finished!

Don't worry about the little smudges here and there because those little "mistakes" are embellishment opportunities!
 

 You know what would cover those smears perfectly....SPARKLE!

I like to use Glossy accents when doing embellishments because it dries so quickly. I also use my quickstik because it makes picking up tiny things a breeze!

 

See! No more mistakes only a perfect place to add a little sparkle!

I hope you enjoyed this quick litttle tutorial and I hope you try to use your sentiment dies in a new and fun way!

Supplies Used:

Distress Inks ( I get them here because they are a really great price):

Picked Raspberry

Spun Sugar

Spiced Marmalade

Dried Marigold

Cracked Pistachio

Evergreen Bough

Ink Blending Tool

MFT Die Big Hugs

Glossy Accents

Quick Stik

Brutus|Monroe Monster Party Stamp Set

 

 

Spunk Rock Crafting . . . reminding you
to take time out for you because you're worth it,
there are no mistakes only embellishment opportunities,
and to keep it Spunky & Fun ; )