Friday Fun with Power Poppy - March 27

If you are looking for the Graphic 45 Journaling Cards project, please click HERE.

Happy Friday, Colorists and Card Makers! The Power Poppy Team is here with another Friday Fun Day!

Before I get to my project, check out the MASSIVE SALE!

The Power Poppy sale is still going on, through March 31st! Clear stamps and digital stamps are on sale! 

Here is my Fun Friday project!

Does this image look familiar? I have colored this one lots of times (see other samples below)! It is perfectly fine to use the same image more than once! {GASP! FAINT!} The image is a digital download from Power Poppy called Tulips in Hobnail Pitcher. The beauty of stamping is that you can stamp or print as many images as you wish, and color them all!

I LOVE tulips! They are my favorite spring flower! So, I colored this image once again! This time, I used lots of bright, spring colors. (My husband said it looks like an Easter egg!)

The card is a standard A2 size (5 1/2" x 4 1/4") made of black cardstock. This one should be easy to mail. I would place a sheet of cardstock into the envelope to protect the front of the card. 

I printed the image onto white cardstock and colored it with Copics (I did not keep a list! So sorry!) After the image was all colored, I fussy cut around the edge. If you have a "scan and cut" machine, you will do a better job, I am sure!

I used Distress inks (Squeezed Lemonade, Picked Raspberry, and Carved Pumpkin) to color the background panel. I just rubbed the ink on with a brush. After the ink was dry, I spritzed the paper with water to make a pattern in the ink. I used a stitched rectangle die to cut out the panel. 

I stamped the sentiments from the So Grateful clear stamp set using black ink. This set is sold out/retired, but there are lots of other sets with wonderful sentiments to use!

I used foam tape to pop the fussy cut image onto the panel. I added a few enamel dots for some shine. Done and dusted!

A few weeks ago, I used the same image, but colored the flowers in shades of peach. See the details HERE.

Here is another version. The flowers are very similar to the ones I colored for today's card! So, I guess if you need to know the colors...visit this project! {giggle} I think the pinks and yellows in this one are a bit softer and the orange a bit brighter. I guess I am getting boring! 

And because I just love tulips, HERE is another version! This one is all red and yellow, but also fussy cut. 

FOR MORE INSPIRATION

Please visit the Power Poppy Blog to see all the other projects from the team!

Stacy
Leslie
Christine
Gloria - you are here
Broni
Barbara W.

Stamps: Tulips in Hobnail Pitcher (digital), So Grateful (clear)
Cardstock: Hammermill White, WorldWin Midnight
Copic markers: various
Enamel dots: Doodlebug Design
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Ranger Distress Picked Raspberry, Squeezed Lemonade, Carved Pumpkin
Die: Elizabeth Craft Stitched Rectangles
Adhesive: ATG tape, Scor-tape, foam tape

Altered Journaling Cards

I don’t know about all of you, but I constantly have piles of “leftovers” from various projects. I hate throwing the leftover bits and pieces away, but saving them can be a nightmare! After I clean up, I am always finding one or two little things that got left behind! I keep a plastic tote on my desk and just chuck these little orphans into the tote! But then what?!

Well, since we are all stuck at home right now, with time on our hands...how about we make good use of all these bits and pieces?!

Since I also use a lot of the Graphic 45 Journaling and Ephemera cards in my mini album and card projects, I often have a few left over from a collection. Sometimes they are damaged on one side, but the opposite side is still good! These can stack up, so having a fun use for them is a good idea!

Once I have a nice collection of goodies in my tote, I use them to make altered journaling and ephemera cards! This is such a fun little project to make, especially if I am not feeling up to making a large mini book or getting out a lot of tools and papers. It is also the perfect thing to do when binge watching shows. It can even be a project to do with your older kids!

Since I occasionally teach card classes, I often will have bits and pieces left over. It is a huge hassle to put them all away, especially if there are just a few things. I often don’t have enough to make a full kit either. (Precious Memories Collection)

Are you getting the picture? I have a lot of bits and bobs!

These pieces were left from a baby card class I taught. I turned them into these adorable, dimensional journaling cards! I can add these little cards to a mini album, scrapbook page, pocket scrapbooking, loaded envelope, or to the front of a card!

Tip: I often have lengths of twine or ribbon to use up, which always adds interest and dimension to the little cards.

I also make large mini album projects, and I often have leftovers, especially hand made flowers, stickers that have lost their stick-um, and other odds and ends. I toss them all into the tote bin!

Later, I can turn my leftovers into dimensional journaling cards! (Love Notes Collection) For this set, I found a flower I had made from the Mon Amour 6x6 paper pad, plus some pearls that were no longer sticky, and a lost key!

I have a little basket where I toss “lost” ephemera cards, and later I can pick through and choose the ones I want to use. I then sort out my bits and pieces to see what I have that matches! For this set, using the Imagine Collection, I added chipboard pieces, twine, fussy cut images, and pearls.

Tip: Sometimes I fussy cut more images than I need for a project. I will toss these into my “leftovers” tote bin, too! It is fun to pick through them when I need to make a quick card or need something in a hurry! My team mate, Teresa Cruz, posted her craft room tour the other day. She keeps her extra fussy cut images in plastic bags, sorted by collection. She then places the bags into a basket for storage! Genius!

This set of altered cards is from the Princess Collection. I had created a travel journal project, and these bits were left in the bin! After I selected the die cut and chipboard bits to use, I added a few flowers, some twine, and pearls.

I recently created several large Dreamland Collection projects. I used a lot of the ephemera cards to make waterfall elements in a mini album, but these few were leftover. Adding a bit of dimension out of my “scraps bin” made these cards extra special, and they are ready for a new project!

Here is a look at the cards I made from the Fashion Forward Collection. There is still space to write on these cards if you wish. I used some stickers for these cards. If I find an orphan sticker, I either stick it to a piece of cardstock or use an anti-static pouch to remove the adhesive from the back. Then I chuck them into the leftovers bin for later!

Tip: A product like an embossing “buddy” (anti-static pouch) can remove the stickiness from the backs of stickers. I keep one of the little bags on my desk so that I can swipe it over a sticker if I want to turn the sticker into a “die cut” or if I only want to stick down a portion of the sticker.

I love putting on one of my favorite shows or playing some music, and just digging around in my leftover tote bins! I pull out my packs of journaling and ephemera cards, and just make some fun altered journaling cards! I don’t have to pull out lots of paper or fuss with my tools. Everything I used for these cards were just bits and pieces that I had tossed into a bin! 

Thanks for looking!

Graphic 45 Supplies Used:
Precious Memories Collection
Love Notes Collection
Imagine Collection
Princess Collection
Dreamland Collection
Fashion Forward Collection
Matte Pearl Gems
Ornate Metal Keys
Large Tag, ATC Tag, and Flower Dies
3D Foam Circles - White Mix

Other Products Used:
Twine
Buttons
Flowers
Enamel dots
Mini paper clip
Various die cut shapes
Double-sided tape

White glue

His and Hers Pop-up Cards with Graphic 45

Hello, Readers. I know everyone is going through a rough time just now. My thoughts and prayers are with those who are sick, those who are worried, and those who are just going a bit stir crazy. For me, praying and taking time with the Lord, reading His word, is helping me to stay on track. This is also a perfect time to clean and sort things, to read that stack of books, to finish some projects...or perhaps to start some new ones!

I encourage you to get outside, if you can. Nothing makes you feel better than a bit of fresh air and sunshine! God's Creation is a wondrous place, even when things look bleak and scary. 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

I have been in the studio a little bit, creating a few things, but nothing complicated or too large or time consuming. I find I just don't have the "band width" to tackle anything particularity massive just now. I am mostly trying to use up some leftover bits, or things I cut for another project but never used, and so forth. 

So, for today, I have a duo of cards for you to look at. What can be more fun than His and Hers Pop-up Cards?!

I created the "Hers" card using the Fashion Forward Collection and the "His" card using the Safari Adventure Collection. The projects are identical in construction, I just switched out the papers. 

 I do have a tutorial for this style of card HERE. And there is another version HERE. Once you get the hang of it, these are pretty easy to make. I love them as a way to give an extra special card to someone! 

The cards are standard note card (A2) size, and close with a removable band. The pop-up mechanism is bit "lumpy" so having the band in place helps keep it all tidy! 

I closed this band with a clip, keeping with a more masculine theme. I am using the original Safari Adventure collection, so I have the ephemera cards and some extra chipboard to use up.    

The ephemera cards makes a great card front, with the added dimension of the chipboard pieces, it's simple but not too plain. 

When you open the card, the pop-up unfolds giving you four spots to add images, ephemera, photos, or more gift cards! I used the cut aparts from the 8x8 pad.

I added a gift card pocket as well. Who wouldn't love a $50 gift card?! 

I would mail this in a padded or cardboard envelope since it's a bit thick for a normal envelope.  

For the "Hers" version I used the bright and lovely Fashion Forward Collection. These colors are so amazing! I had a lot of things pre-cut that I did not use in an earlier project, so I wanted to use them up!

The closure band for this card is held together with magnets on the back of the band. I glued a bunch of bright flowers to the band. Those colors together are such a bright pop! 

Like the Safari Adventure version, the pop-up section folds out when the card is opened. I trimmed some of the cut aparts to fit each panel. 

I am in love with these hot pinks and purples! Just what we need during these dreary, rainy days! 

 Do you have a friend who could use a cheery card right now?!

This card is a bit thick with the pop-up and the flowers, but mailing it in a padded mailer or in a small box will work a treat! 

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy some crafting days during this self-quarantine time! If there is a way I can pray for you specifically, please leave me a comment! If you are in "forced homeschooling" and need some advice, let me know! We homeschooled preK through 12th grade, over 18 years! I would love to help!

Paper and chipboard: Graphic 45 Safari Adventure, Fashion Forward
Magnets: Basic Grey
Clip: Tim Holtz
Twine: Natural Burlap String
Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Pearls: Graphic 45 Matte Pearl Gems
Cardstock: WorldWin Midnight
Dies: My Favorite Things gift card holder
Adhesive: ATG tape, Scor-tape, hot glue, white glue, foam dots

Friday Fun with Power Poppy - March 20

Happy Friday, Colorists and Card Makers! The Power Poppy Team is here with another Friday Fun Day!

Before I get to my project...drum roll please...

Power Poppy is having a big ol' sale to make room for all the new goodies that are coming in 2020! The sale starts TODAY, March 20 at Noon CDT. You cannot get a better deal! 

All Digital Downloads are 30 - 60% off — digital stamp lovers can SHOP NOW! No code needed!!

Here is my Fun Friday project!

It is possible that many of you are starting to have spring weather arriving, which is a wonderful blessing amid all this COVID-19 mess! Here in Southern California our seasons are very similar, and while WE feel the seasonal changes, they are not the huge swings that those of you in three and four season climates observe. But, we still like to usher in Lady Spring!

My husband and I went for a walk yesterday morning, since it stopped raining for a few minutes. There were some lovely things blooming around our neighborhood. One of our neighbors has a lovely yard and their apple tree is blooming, plus they have pots of calla lilies which are so beautiful! 

In our own yard, the bird of paradise is blooming as well as our yellow roses, which are stunning just now! Lots of ice plant and similar ground cover is blooming as well. With all the rain we've had, all the yards and plantings are stunning just now! 

On to the card! I created an A2 card, but I colored on kraft paper, rather than on white. I used the Neenah Desert Storm cardstock, which is quite smooth, and I colored with Prismacolor colored pencils. I forgot to write down the colors I used before I put all the pencils away! So I am sorry that I cannot give you a list.

The image is from the Va-Va Valentine digital set. There are six illustrations and four sentiments in this set. You can print these images in any size you wish, making them small for little tags or larger for a card. 

The images are so versatile that they can be used for many occasions, not just for making Valentines. I am turning this card into a friendship card!

I used a little bit of Authentique Lovestruck polka dot paper for the background. This paper is retired, but you may be able to scrounge up some sheets if you scour the Internet! Any paper with similar colors will do. Shop your stash!

I also colored a different image from the same Va-Va Valentine set. See that post HERE. This card could be used for a birthday, anniversary, or other congratulations occasion. 

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you have a lovely weekend! If you are self-quarantining, break out your art supplies and have a go at coloring some images! Print digital images at a large size for your kids to color!

FOR MORE INSPIRATION

Please visit the Power Poppy Blog to see all the other projects from the team!

Barbara C.
Christine
Gloria - you are here
Leslie
Broni
Lisa
Stacy
Allison

Nancy
Barbara W.
Julie

How to print digital images using Microsoft Word

1. Download the digital image and save to a folder on your computer.

2. Open Word.

3. Click INSERT, PICTURE, FROM A FILE.

4. Click on the image you want to print.

5. Click INSERT. The image will appear on the Word page.

6. Click on the image. Four "handles" will appear at the four corners of the image space.

7. Click on the handles and drag to enlarge or shrink the image.

8. If the image seems off center, RIGHT click on the image, then click FORMAT PICTURE in the pop-up box.

9. Click LAYOUT, TIGHT. Now, once you click on the image,  you can drag it around the page. Position the image as desired.

10. Once you are satisfied with how the image looks, click FILE, PRINT and print to your printer specifications. Your printer manufacturer will have suggestions for printing on cardstock or watercolor paper, and so forth. 

11. COLOR and SHARE!

Stamps: Va-Va Valentine
Cardstock: Neenah Desert Storm, Hammermill White, WorldWin Midnight
Printed paper: Authentique Lovestruck
Colored pencils: Prismacolor 150 Set
Gel pen: Signo Uni-ball White
Adhesive: ATG tape

Authentique Dublin Home Decor Panel

Good morning, Authentique Fans! I have been creating home decor panels for you for a few months now. I love seasonal decor, and enjoy having a new panel sitting on my desk for each new season or holiday! See the full list of panels below!

Today I have this "going green" St. Patrick's Day panel! I used the sweet Dublin Collection! Authentique comes out with a new St. Pat's collection every year, and they are mix and match, so you can use older collections with this new one! I restrained myself and only used paper from the Dublin Collection. {smile}

This 6" x 6" chipboard-wrapped home decor panel is so fun to make! If you would like to see more information, and see a tutorial for making a panel for yourself, check out the tutorial HERE.

For this version, I created a lot of layers of printed paper, then added the sweet cut-apart card. I love all these luscious greens!

I had a lot of green flowers in my stash, surprisingly! I glued on a few to decorate one corner of the panel.

I love to change out the decor in my home, especially around my desk and in my studio. If you want to make some fun decor for your desk, here is a list of all the panels in the series. As you can see, there are more panels to come!

Winter - Frosted Collection

Valentine's Day - Love Notes Collection
Spring - Dreamy Collection
St. Patrick's Day - Dublin Collection
Easter
Mother's Day
Summer
Father's Day
4th of July
Autumn
Back to School
Halloween - Twilight Collection
Thanksgiving - Gracious Collection
Christmas - Nostalgia Collection

Thanks for looking!

Authentique Supplies Used:
Dublin Collection: 12x12 paper, Elements cardstock die cuts
Additional Supplies Used:  
Cardstock: WorldWin Midnight
Chipboard: Grafix
Paper flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Berries: Floral supply
Adhesive: Scor-tape, ATG tape, hot glue, foam dots