The Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas - June 2021 Edition

 

Hello everyone and welcome to the June 2021 edition of The Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas.  If this is your first time here, I am one of 3 Crafty Elves - myself, Debra of Meticulosity and Lisa of Life of a BZscrapper. Each month we, the 3 elves, make 4 cards for the holidays and we share them on the 25th of each month.  Sometimes we even have a Special Crafty Elf joining us.  This month, Crystal is joining us again.  She was with us last month with a quick card and this month she is back.  You might also know her as Tawny Owl Paperie.    

Now, on to my cards...

Card Nos. 1 and 2

If you need to make a fast and easy card, take a look at the decorative scrapbook papers in your stash.  I pulled this sheet out to do something with but, when I looked at it, I realized that I could make some super easy slimline Christmas cards using the sides of the paper.  All they really needed was a sentiment.

• I started with this 12x12 sheet of decorative paper from my stash together with the Slim Stitched Rectangle Die set from Pink Fresh Studio. 
  

• Next, I made two 4" x 9" slimline card bases using white cardstock.  Then I adhered Christmas paper to the front of each base.
• Next, using the largest of the dies, I cut two pieces of red cardstock, which I adhered to the front of each card.  Then I used the smallest of the stitched dies to cut two sides of the decorative paper, which I adhered to the center of the red cardstock.
• I used two sentiments from Gifts of Christmas by Technique Junkies for the front of each card.
• Lastly, I adhered some Glossy Accents by Ranger to each of the bulbs to make them look like glass.
  
  

Card No. 3

 

 

So...I am not really a fan of "card sketches".  I don't know why but, for some reason they curtail my creative flow.  But Crystal asked if we would use Sketch 11 from her Bring Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Facebook Group to make one of the cards and I agreed to try this.  

 

Here is the sketch we had to work with.

• I started by making a top-folding A2 card base from white cardstock to which I adhered a piece of decorative paper.  
• Next, I die cut another piece of white cardstock using a stitched rectangle die.  Then i die cut the Snowflake Block die from Simon Says Stamp on this rectangle piece.
• I adhered a piece of acetate behind the stitched rectangle piece and then I adhered the Snowflake Black back on top of the acetate piece.
• I used foam tape on the back, added my shaker elements inside - see beads, sequins, snowflake sequins, and then I adhered it to the card front. 
• Lastly, I adhered a piece of ribbon to the left side, my sentiment and some small crystals and snowflake sequins to the card front. 

Card No. 4

This card was super fun and easy to make too.  I used the Tree House Xmas digi stamp from HettyClare on Etsy. 

 

• I started by making a top-folding A2 card base of white cardstock to which I adhered a piece of Christmas decorative paper.
• I printed the Tree House Xmas image on white cardstock, colored it using some alcohol markers, and then I used a stitched rectangle die to cut it out. 
• I adhered it to a piece of green(ish) paper, then to a piece of fun foam, then to the card front.  
• I used Icicle Stickles by Ranger for the snow on the roof and to ground the images.  
• Lastly, I used some Glossy Accents from Ranger on each of the bulbs in the tree to give a glass effect.
  

And those are my 4 Christmas card ideas for June!  Do you have a favorite?  I love them all but I have to admit that I really love the shaker/sketch card.  Have you started making any holiday cards yet?  If not, I hope these cards inspire you to start.   

Please remember to visit the other Crafty Elves as well as our Guest Crafty Elf. Each of them has even more amazing card ideas for the holiday season and it's never too early to start making some.  Just click on their links to go right to their May 2021 creations! 

Debra's Blog - Meticulosity

Debra's IG Page - djdavison814

Lisa's Blog - Life of a BZscrapper

Lisa's IG Page - bzscrapper

My IG Page - worldofmichaeltrent

Crystal's Blog - Tawny Owl Paperie
Crystal's IG Page - crystalominkler

Until next time...hugs from Brasil!

~Michael

Not Your Normal Wedding Card

 

Hi everyone.  I have a fun, odd, wedding card idea to share with you.  Today I was trying to finish decorating the inside of a mini album for a friend and while going thru one of the paper pads I was using (Printshop! by Studio Calico) I came across this one sheet with this funny "//yeah, sure//" sentiment and I immediately thought of a wedding proposal with this being the answer.  LOL

I made a top-folding A2 card base using black shimmery cardstock.  I wanted this to be a black & white wedding card.  

I used a stitched rectangle die to cut the part of the paper with the //yeah, sure// sentiment, which I layered on a piece of silver mirrored cardstock.  I also cut a piece of white cardstock for the inside.

I adhered the "//yeah, sure//" piece to the card front. Then I adhered the white piece to the inside but, before I adhered it, I stamped

So You're

  Mr & Mrs. 

Congratulations!

which comes from the Congratulations stamp set by Simon Says Stamp.  Thanks again to Justin for giving me this set a few years ago.  

I die cut the Bride & Groom die from Impression Obsession using the same black cardstock and then I cut the veil from a piece of silver glittered paper.

Then I adhered them to the card front above the sentiment.  Lastly, I added a tiny crystal to the front of the veil.

Here's the final card.

Quirky. I know.  But fun.  What do you guys think?  Let me know.  Just so you know, all my cards and albums are available to be purchased.  If you are interested leave a comment or shoot me an email/message.  

Thanks for stopping by the blog today.  Until next time...

Hugs from Brasil.

~Michael

Italian/Portuguese Tile Inspired Note Card with Anthony's Paper Craft

Hello all!  Today I am sharing my individual Design Team post for Anthony's Paper Craft.  Our theme for this month is "anything goes" so I decided to finally get an idea out of my head.  Anthony has a bunch of "tile" images, all which can be seen HERE in the Mandala/Tile section on his website, and every time I look at them they remind me of Italian or Portuguese tiles like in the photo below. 

To make my card I used one of the images from the Tiles Set 1.  This is a set of 3 tile stamps about 1 5/8" square.  He also has the same images in a larger stamp too.  But that's another card idea sitting in my head. 

I pulled out a tool that many stampers have forgotten about - the stamp positioner like a Stampa-ma-jig.  You know, the precursor to the Misti stamping tool.  I did not think I could make this card using the Misti.  Too much work.  

I started by cutting a piece of white cardstock with a stitched rectangle die.  Then I used a ruler and pencil to find the center of the cardstock and I stamped the tile using the stamp postioner and some Versafine Onyx Black ink.  Then I embossed the image with clear embossing powder.

I continued by stamping and embossing the next image.  On and on until the cardstock was fully stamped.  It seems like a lot of work but it goes by quickly.  

Then I colored the images using only 6 BIC Intensity Ultra Fine Tip Markers - Fandango Pink, Key Lime, Blue Skies Blue, Sunset Orange, Hot Aqua, and Yellow Blaze. 

Now came the difficult part for me - what color card base to use.  White?  Black?  Orange?  So I made card bases using all 3 colors.  Then I decided I wanted to make one using each color but I was not going to remake the card.  So...I....scanned, printed, and die cut the card front.  The photo below shows all 3.  The original is on top and the printed are on the bottom.  

 

As you can see, the printed are a bit muted and not as vibrant as the original.  So I buffed the printed pieces with some Judikins MicroGlaze.  Yes, you can also use the Tim Holtz Distress Micro Glaze since it's basically the same thing. This not only seals and protects the work but also gives it a nice sheen.  Look at the difference!
  

Then I adhered one to each of the white, orange, and black card fronts.  The original piece is on the orange card front.

Now to finish off the cards.  I wanted them to be a "hello" card so I pulled out a die I had in my stash from Top Dog Dies (closed) and I cut the word and it's shadow from the same colors of the cards, above,  and then I adhered them to each card.  

Done!  I know this card looks like a lot of work but it took me less than 45 minutes to make.  Both the stamping and the coloring.  But, then again, I love to color while listening to music or podcasts.  I'd love to know what you think of these cards.  Do you have a fav?  I really love the orange.  

Thanks for stopping by the blog today.  Until next time...

Hugs from Brasil!

~Michael

Amor/Love Mini Album with Your Book of Memories

 

Hello everyone!  I wanted to share another mini album that I recently made with a "Love" or "Amor" theme to it.  The Brasilian version of Valentine's Day is coming up in June and it's perfect for photos of your husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend...lover.  

I used the Gatefold Folio tutorial from Your Book of Memories along with a bunch of papers from my stash including some older paper pads from Michael's and papers from OK Scrapbook and Oficina do Papel, both Brasilian paper companies.   I even made the box for the album, which is not part of the tutorial.  

Below is a link to the video walk-thru over on my YouTube channel. 

Here are photos of the book.  The book measures 7" x 8" x 2" and holds a minimum of 35 photos with space in the pocket for at least another 15-20 photos.  

Even the front cover and the flip side of the cover have space for photos.  

I had a lot of fun making this album and box.  If you have never made a mini album...YOU CAN DO IT!  It just takes patience.  I hope you loved this book.  Let me know.  Leave a comment below!  

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.  Until next time - 

~Hugs from Brasil.

Michael