Projects » Rainy Day Creations

Christmas Gift Card Holders

Apr 112021

Here is a quick and easy gift card holder design. I’ve made these for Christmas giving, but a birthday or other occasion sentiment could just as easily be stamped and different patterned papers used.

Speaking of stamping, one of my most favorite stamping tools is my Stamparatus. The sentiment on all of these cards had to be positioned only one time. I could then stamp all the cards so fast and so easily with perfectly aligned/straight sentiments. I’m not a Stampin’ Up demonstrator any more, but I still recommend this tool. Love it!

A metal tab holds the card closed. To open the card, just turn the tab.

Here’s a template if you want to give it try.

Oh and if you do decide to make this card holder design, be sure to attached the brad and tab before taping the sides of the card holder pocket. (Believe me as I speak from experience, it’s much harder to put on the brad after the sides have been taped!)

Happy Crafting!
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Challenges:

Splitcoaststampers FS740

Craftyhazelnut’s Patterned Paper April Challenge: Use Patterned Paper

Love to Craft LTCCB #57: April Anything Goes

Merry Little Christmas MLCCB#33 – April Anything Christmas Goes

Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #402 – Christmas

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Stamps: PTI “Tree Trimming Trio”

Papers: PTI Select White and Enchanted Evening; BoBunny “Powder Mountain” Designer Paper

Inks: SU Night of Navy

Accessories: Metal Photo Corners and Brads

Crinkled Ribbon Flower Tutorial

Dec 122012

I wrote a tutorial for Splitcoaststamper’s on how to make a crinkled flower by heat embossing sheer ribbons and fabrics.

Who knew that tulle and lace would melt and crinkle, too! Isn’t this flower just shab-a-licious!!

I had so much fun experimenting with different fabrics and ribbons. I think the secret may be a high polyester content?

What have you got that can be melted and crinkled into a flower?

Happy Crafting!
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Stamps: Waltzing Mouse “Spring Baskets”

Papers: PTI Select White; SU Tempting Turquoise; My Mind’s Eye “Oliver”

Inks: SU Not Quite Navy

Accessories: Pearl Ribbon Strand; Sizzix Ornate Frame #2 Embossing Folder; Crinkled Flower (made with Organdy Ribbon, Lace, Tulle and a Decorative Brad); Heat Gun

Butterfly Mobile at the CLASSroom

Jun 252012

I made a butterfly mobile for my newest granddaughter’s nursery and am sharing it over at the CLASSroom.

Hope you’ll join me there. Happy Crafting!

P.S. Did you know that I have a sketch challenge going on until the end of the month? Check out the sketch along with the blog candy that will go to the winner HERE!

A Tote for Dad and A Winner

Jun 012012

For Father’s Day last year I designed a shirt and tie card. Well using this same idea, I’ve created a shirt and tie tote. This will be filled on Father’s Day with a sweet surprise. However, this tote will comfortably hold 3 or 4 moderately embellished A2 sized cards with envelopes, if you’d rather that than chocolate!

I love suspenders, but I’ve never been able to convince my DH to wear them. Wonder if he’ll even notice them on this little creation. Kinda hard to miss ’em? They carry all the way down the back of the tote as well.

Following is a tutorial for the tote, but first I wanted to announce the winner of my Sketch Challenge. I was SO excited that some of you played along!!! How cool is that. I didn’t use a random generator this time, but instead just wrote your names on some slips of paper, put them in a bowl, closed my eyes and picked one. Congrats, Carol L! I’ll get that gorgeous Graphic45 paper out to you asap!

INSTRUCTIONS FOR A FATHER’S DAY TOTE

Step 1

Cut 2 pieces of cardstock A and B.

Piece A = 7-3/4” x 6-1/2”

Piece B = 6-3/4” x 6-1/2”

Step 2

Piece A – Score in 1” from both long (7-3/4”) sides. Score in 1” from one of the short (6-3/4”) sides.
(This side will now be referred to as the bottom of Piece A and the opposite short side will be referred to as the top.)

Piece B – Score in 1” from both long (6-3/4”) sides and 1” from one of the short (6-1/2”) sides.
(This side will now be referred to as the bottom of Piece B.)

Step 3

Piece A – Measure down 1” from the top and 1-7/8” from both sides and lightly mark this spot. From 1” down on the sides, cut in 1-7/8” to that mark. Cut down 1” from the top on both score lines. This will completely cut away a 1” square from both corners of the top. Cut up 1” from the bottom on both score lines.

Piece B – Cut up 1” from the bottom on both score lines.

Cutting lines are in RED.

Step 4

Follow the instructions on THIS TUTORIAL to make the collar and tie. Note, however, that the “center” should be marked at 3-1/4” (not 2-1/8” as given in Step 3 of the card tutorial.)

Decorate and embellish each piece as desired.

Step 5

Assemble the tote by folding all the scored lines in the same direction and towards what will be the inside of the tote. Adhere A and B together on the overlapping side and bottom pieces. Make sure that Piece A is on the outside of Piece B.

Happy Crafting!

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Stamps: Inkadinkado Happy Father’s Day

Papers: PTI Select White; SU Silver; My Mind’s Eye “Indie Chic ‘Nutmeg'”

Inks: SU Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Button Brads, Grosgrain Ribbon; Buckle Punch

Initial Greetings

Aug 242011

My twin granddaughters are having a birthday next week. Instead of a traditional birthday card this year, I made them these altered 3-D chipboard letters.

I left the chipboard natural and adhered the patterned papers with Mod Podge. A second coat of Mod Podge was applied over the papers to seal them. The lace and rhinestone ‘ribbons’ were added as well as the flowers and feathers with a combination of Mod Podge and glue dots. The flourishes were made with Spellbinders “Illuminations Border” die. (You can get this Large 12″ Illumination Border die at Ellen Hutson’s store for 75% off the retail price!!!)

The backs of the letters were left blank to write messages to the girls.
Thanks for dropping by today. Happy Crafting!

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Papers: SU “Springtime Vintage” DSP

Accessories: Spellbinders “Illumination Border” Die; 3-D Chipboard Letters; Primas; Lace; Rhinestone Ribbons; Feathers; Mod Podge

Silliness and Seriousness

Jun 172011

My son, Jared, and his girlfriend, Elise, recently returned from a 2 or 3 week vacation in Europe/Asia/Middle East. While in Istanbul they decided they wanted an ice cream cone. Jared is filming while Elise makes her purchase. Too funny.

YouTube video

So I couldn’t resist making a silly magnet/card for Elise.

The main magnet is made with a Twinchie.

The ice cream scoop is also a magnet so that it can be removed from the cone. hehe

Ellen Hutson’s Art Magnetic Masking Material was used on the ice cream scoop as well as the back of the Twinchie.

Okay.. just silliness, I know. But it’s all in good fun. And the best part, it actually works as a magnet! lol

Happy Crafting!

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Stamps: SU Sweet Scoops and Everyday Flexible Phrases
Papers: Papertrey Ink Select White and Dark Chocolate; Twinchie; K & Company Christmas Cheer Gold Star Foil DP
Inks: SU Creamy Caramel and Close to Cocoa Markers; Copics:

Accessories: Essentials by Ellen: Art Magnetic Masking Material; Satin Ribbon; Thread and Sewing Machine

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AND ON A SERIOUS PERSONAL NOTE:
My son Jeff, who just started his dental practice in Sierra Vista this week, may have to evacuate. He and his family just arrived last week and had gotten unpacked when one of the southern fires began to threaten them. Poor Arizona. It does have it’s challenges. Prayers going out to all those whose lives are being turned upside down.

Photo by Dean Knuth/Arizona Daily Star
“The fireline moves towards the city.. near Sierra Vista, AZ.”

A Celebration of Love, Devotion and Family

Aug 162010

“Share in Our Marriage Celebration of Love, Devotion and Family”

Isn’t that a wonderful sentiment for a wedding invitation! One of my son’s best friends for many years is getting married, and I was asked to help design the wedding invitations. The bride loved the tree from Stampin’ Up!’s “Season of Friendship”, and with a Fall wedding what could be better than that tree image with a smattering of autumn colored leaves. Here is what we came up with.

Each leaf has been embossed with clear embossing powder. What a special touch. It added just the right amount of detail and style.

This was so fun! Best wishes to the bride and groom for a long and happy life together!

Click Photo to Enlarge

Post Edited: As I have received several questions about this invitation and in particular concerning the pocketfold folder, I wanted to clarify that I only made the inside portion of the invitation (the stamped cards that slip into the folder). The bride actually purchased the beautiful shimmery folders, and I do not know the dimensions. Sorry for any confusion.

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Stamps: Stampin’ Up! “Season of Friendship”

Inks: Stampin’ Up! “Chocolate Chip”, “Ruby Red”, “Pumpkin Pie” and “Certainly Celery”; VersaMark

Blocks and Inchies - Inchies and Blocks

Aug 092010

A few weeks ago Ellen Hutson had a summer promotion “Craft With Your Kids”. And even though the promotion has ended, it’s still summer and I have another project to share that could keep those little kiddie hands busy and happy on a rainy summer day. Of course at my house in the summertime its always a ‘rainy’ summer day.. even when the sun shines.

(Sorry. Couldn’t resist!)

Blocks and Inchies! Aren’t these adorable. They are like over sized dice and could be a delightful travel game rolling the dice to see which items you have to find next along your journey. There are lots of possibilities just depending on what images you choose for the blocks.

I started with three 1″ square wood blocks, a dozen Inchies and several stamps from the Inkadinkadoo Clear Inchie Stamps Sets.

Rather than having all random images for each side of each block, I decided to have four themes with one image from that theme on each of the three blocks..

The blocks’ end edges were colored with Copic Markers, and three different patterned papers from Basic Grey’s “Max & Whiskers” 6 x 6 collection were chosen to decorate a couple of the sides. They were cut into 7/8″ squares.

Prior to gluing, I laid out the papers and blocks to determine how I wanted each paper placed.

I adhered both the Inchies and the patterned paper with Mod Podge.

If kids are helping with this project, no coloring or easily colored images could be used. Here are the finished blocks.

Just remember, the main thing is to have fun!

Happy crafting!

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Stamps: Inkadinkadoo “Cats Galore”, “Dog’s Life”, “Butterfly“, “Butterflies and Birds”, “Heart Full of Love”, “Special Friends”

Papers: Basic Grey “Max & Whiskers” 6 x 6 Patterned Paper

Inks: Memento “Tuxedo Black”; Copics:

Accessories: Inchie Art “Inchies”; 1″ Square Wood Blocks

Summer! How About Crafting With Your Kids?

Jul 012010

True or False? It’s a great time of the year to craft with your kids. True! And to help you get some of those crafty items, Ellen Hutson is having a 10% discount in her store!

How about having some Summer fun and making bookmarks using Basic Grey’s “Max & Whiskers” designer paper. Use the actual paper pad cover, too. The cover is adorable. It shows a sampling of the different paper patterns and is thicker than the paper contained inside. And, the back cover is even thicker than the front. When used together with a couple pieces of the designer papers, you can make a sturdy but not too thick bookmark.

After removing the papers, a narrow strip may need to be cut away from the top of the front cover to eliminate any glue that did not come off with the paper.

On the bookmarks that I made today I used some of the Max & Whiskers “Gummies”. These are coordinating rubber stickers and are so cute.

And get this… I used some Inchies to make a topper for each bookmark. *Shocker* I know!! They were colored with a Copic marker (any kind of marker will do if you prefer that your kids not ruin… er-r-r-r I mean use your Copics). A small hole was punched on each Inchie which was easy to do using a Crop-a-dile, and a couple of twill ribbons were threaded through. By pulling the end threads on the twill, a small fringe was created. Then one of those sweet Gummies was applied to each topper.

Mod Podge was used to adhere the bookmark pieces together while also giving them a protective coating. Martha Stewart’s Alphabet Punch Set supplied some added fun as the words “dog” and “cat” were spelled out and placed onto the wet Mod Podge.

And all those extra little letters can be stored for some future crafty day. The kids will use them. They love to spell things out… especially their names.

A top coat of the Mod Podge was the finishing touch along with two more Gummies on the back side of the bookmarks. So fun!

These will be great for the kids to use, exchange with friends or give to their teachers as gifts. And who knows, maybe it will encourage them to read a good Summer story or two or mark a couple of adventurous science experiments to try.

Yikes!

Happy Crafting!

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Papers: Basic Grey Max & Whiskers Designer Paper; Memory Box Vanilla Bean Cardstock

Inks: Copic

Accessories: Basic Grey Max & Whiskers Gummies; Martha Stewart Alphabet Punch Set; Inchie Arts Inchies; Orange and Antique Gold Twill Ribbons; Crop-a-dile; Mod Podge

A CLASSroom Puzzle, A Promotion and Candy!

Apr 102010

There’s a great PROMOTION over at Ellen Hutson’s! It’s a 15% savings on all of her Hero Arts line! AND she has some wonderful Hero Arts blog candy on her blog “Simple Dreams”.

And speaking of Hero Arts, I have been playing with some of their fun images. I’ve made a magnetic puzzle. Check it out over in the CLASSroom!

Happy Crafting!