Look Around & See Beauty -- a Bugaboo Stamps Tutorial

I'm guest designing the next several months at Bugaboo Stamps (Woot! Woot!)  One of the assignments of guest designers is coming up with a monthly tutorial.  This always makes me pause a bit, because gee, really, do I have anything unique to share?  We're all at such different crafting levels, it's difficult to know. Well, today you'll find me on the Catch the Bug blog, so check it out! 

I love making shaker cards, so I thought I'd share a tutorial on how I use some basic dies in my collection to construct them, hoping perhaps it will help someone out there in the crafting world!

Here goes!

First, I used just the sentiment from the Beauty-Butterfly sentiment set. 

Here are the supplies:

You'll need stacking dies (I find square of circle dies to be easiest to use.  I used square here), acetate (I have even been known to save acetate from store packaging), card stock of your choice, foam tape or fun foam, sequins, and a card base.

First, cut out the sentiment and the acetate.  Both of these use the largest of your dies.

I like to tape my dies down with washi tape.  It holds them in place without ripping the paper or removing color from it.

Next, cut out the frame.  This takes two dies that are close together in size.  I'm using Spellbinders square dies for this card. Again, I use washi tape to secure them to the paper:

Here are all the layers cut out, ready to assemble:

I added some white pigment ink around the edges of the violet paper.  If you look closely, you can see the piece of acetate that is cut the same size as the sentiment.

Now, to assemble the card...

I attached the piece of violet paper to the front of the white card base, then taped the sentiment piece to the front of that.  The frame is glued with tacky glue to the front of the piece of acetate.  On the back side of this, I attach either foam tape, or a piece of fun foam cut with the same dies that cut the frame, and glued.  With this card, I used foam tape.  Make sure the tape goes all the way around the frame.  Holes leave a place for sequins to escape.

Next, place sequins or beads, just in the middle of the sentiment.

Peel the tape off, or add glue if using fun foam, and carefully place on the sentiment square.

Embellish the card to your heart's desire, and you have a shaker card!

Here's another card I made using a new set of Quotes from We Are 3 Digital Shop.

Both of these cards use papers from We Are 3. They use Watercolor Batik (paper the sentiments are printed on), Rainbow Gingham (the frames), and Pastel Burlap (card bases). 

The clear acetate that I used on these cards was purchased from The Cutting Cafe Shop.  The foam tape is from Close To My Heart. 

Do you visit the Catch The Bug blog regularly?  There's tons of great inspiration to be found there, plus challenges, news of freebies and sales, and so much more! Check out the Bugaboo Stamps Fan Club on Facebook, too, for even more great stuff!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

TTCRD -- ATG

D.L. Art -- August Linky Party

Not Just Cards -- ATG

Big Faith! for The Cutting Cafe

Hello, fellow crafters.  I'm posting today for The Cutting Cafe.  The design team this time, is featuring Silhouettes.  You'll find a variety of silhouettes used in many different ways.  The Silhouette Digital Stamp set & Cutting File is found here.

There are many fun images in the file, but I decided to use a silhouette as a background to create this:

The sentiment is from a custom set I purchased at The Cutting Cafe Shop.  I heat embossed the sentiment with white embossing powder onto the black silhouette. 

The cancer-themed background paper on this card is from Imagine That! Digistamp. The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM and the button is from my stash.

Please visit the Cutting Cafe blog on or after July 21 to see the rest of the Silhouette creations from the design team.  Leave a comment and you could win 3 sets of your choice.  Always visit the Cutting Cafe - Be Inspired Facebook Group for more fun, news, and inspiration. 

Bloom -- for Crafty Sentiments Challenge Blog

It's Tuesday, and that means it's time for a new challenge at Crafty Sentiments Challenge Blog. This week, the theme is "flowers".  Easy!  You can stamp them, color them, die cut them, or add them from you stash -- any creative way you can think of.  We just want to see  a flower (or many) on your creation.

I used the adorable Crafty Sentiments Designs rubber stamp, Flourish, to create this: 

I stamped Florish, then used Copic markers to color her.  The cross stitch oval die cuts are from Die-namics.  The card base and flower were cut out on my Silhouette Cameo with a design from the Silhouette Design Store.  The designer dot paper is an Echo Park Dots & Stripes 12x12 paper.  The "bloom" sentiment is from The Cutting Cafe Shop. 

I hope you join the Flower challenge this week at Crafty Sentiments Challenge Blog.  There's also a monthly challenge in the Crafty Sentiments Facebook Group. Join them both, because there's great prizes, and I'd love to see what you make!

Treats for Fall -- and The Cutting Cafe

It's Fall!  I'm thinking pumpkins, turning leaves, and cooler days.  I'm also thinking it's time for some design team inspiration at The Cutting Cafe.  This week, you'll see Halloween and Fall-themed projects from the team.

 I used the Halloween-Fall Milk Carton Cutting file/Template to create this:

 I used paper from Carta Bella, and clear card stock from The Cutting Cafe Shop.

The glitter pumpkin is a die cut from Echo Park.  A little Timeless Twine finished off this festive Fall treat box. 

Visit The Cutting Cafe Blog on October 7 to see the rest of the creations from the very talented design team.  Leave a comment on the post for a chance to win any 3 sets!  Woohoo!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- Fall

IDCB -- ATG

Outlawz Paper ala Mode -- Fall or Halloween

Sunny Day Challenge -- ATG

Not Just Cards -- ATG

Let's Shake it for Fall! and for The Cutting Cafe

Happy September, everyone! Where I live, here in NW Wisconsin, signs of Fall are already in the air.  I hear the geese honking everyday as the families go out for test flights, preparing for their fall migration.  Some of the songbirds have already left for warmer weather, and the Monarch butterflies are moving through on their amazing journey.  Yes, Fall is soon upon us!

We're celebrating Fall this week at The Cutting Cafe with Autumn Sentiment Card Frames Printable Set.  You'll see some fantastic projects with this set by visiting the Cutting Cafe blog September 7!

I used one of the Autumn Sentiment Card Frames and printed it on vinyl card stock for in the sister shop The Cutting Cafe Shop.

Then, I set out making a Fall themed shaker card.  The papers are by Echo Park.  They are the Reflections:Fall collection by Lori Whitlock.   The leaves and acorn are from a Sizzlets Decorative strip from Sizzix.

The stamped bird that is enjoying that last of the summer sun was custom made for me in The Cutting Cafe Shop.  You can learn all about custom stamps here.

So don't get too shaken up, just because Fall is almost upon us.  Just make a shaker card and have fun with us at The Cutting Cafe!  Don't forget to check out The Cutting Cafe blog on or just after September 7 to see the rest of the DT projects.  Comment for a chance to win 3 sets of your choice from The Cutting Cafe store! Check out the Cutting Cafe, Be Inspired Facebook Group for more inspiration, friendship, and fun!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
IDCB -- ATG
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party
Not Just Cards -- ATG

I Will Always Be Here for You! -- and The Cutting Cafe

I'm posting today for The Cutting Cafe.  This week, we're featuring clear card stock from The Cutting Cafe Shop.  

I used the 12x12 clear card stock.  It can be printed on, so I sent a piece through my laser printer, printing words from the Animal & Bug Love Printable Set.  This is a bit frightening the first time you do it. I was sure I was going to ruin my printer, but it worked just fine. 

I used the Assorted Card Folds 2 cutting file on this card,  the Animal & Bug Love Printable Set, and Doodlebug Designs Spring Garden 6x6 papers (found in the Cutting Cafe Shop).

Here's a second view of the card fold...

I colored the turtelly adorable turtle with Copic markers, then fussy cut it out.  The turtle is part of the Animal & Bug Love Printable Set.  

One more view...

Check out The Cutting Cafe Blog on April 21 for more inspiration and ideas with clear card stock.   Leave a comment on the blog and you could win 3 sets of your choice!  Join the Cutting Cafe - Be Inspired Facebook Group for more inspiration!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenge:

D.L. Art April Linky -- ATG

Happy Snail Mail! for The Cutting Cafe

It's all about card folds this week at The Cutting Cafe.   The design team is featuring one of 2 cutting files -- Assorted Card Folds and Assorted Card Folds 2.  There are so many possibility with these!

Here's my card, using Assorted Card Folds 2:

This card uses the card with curved sides option from the Assorted Card Folds 2 cutting file. It also features the clear stamp set, Animal & Bug Love, from The Cutting Cafe Shop.  Both the snail, colored with Copic markers, and the sentiment are from this versatile set. 

Designer papers are from Pixel Scrapper.  Dies used on this card are from Lawn Fawn (circle) and Top Dog dies (banner).  Crinkle ribbon is from D.L. Art's Etsy shop -- Valentine's Day crinkle ribbon. 

Visit the Cutting Cafe's blog on April 7 to see what the other design team members have created.  Leave a comment, and you could win 3 sets of your choice! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Outlawz Twisted Thursday -- ATG
Critters & Creatures Linky Party 3 -- ATG
D.L. Art -- April Linky Party

The Sweet Life -- for The Cutting Cafe Shop

I'm posting today for The Cutting Cafe Shop.  I'm here to tell you that "they're not just for Easter".  Stamps, I'm talking here. 

I used the "Happy Easter from Your Peeps"   clear stamp set to create this:

I used two of the rabbits from the trio of bunnies, colored them with Copic markers, then fussy cut them.   The bunnies are framed with a brand new set in The Cutting Cafe, Fun With Circle Frames.

Papers and sentiment are from Doodlebugs' Spring Garden 6x6 pad, found in the Cutting Cafe Shop.  I used a Close To My Heart scallop edge punch on the bottom of this card, and a couple of enamel hearts from my stash.

I think this card will be a perfect "just because" card to give to my husband.  It's a happy, springtime card, and the "Happy Easter From Your Peeps" set worked wonderfully for it. 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Craftin' Desert Divas -- Photo Inspiration 
Critters and Creatures -- Linky party II
IDCB -- ATG
D.L. Art -- March linky party

Easter Egg Treat Cup Card -- for The Cutting Cafe

I'm posting today for The Cutting Cafe.  I'm always excited when I get a chance to create something with the wonderful files and printables from The Cutting Cafe!  Today, the whole team is working with Easter Treat Cup files.   I made a card using the Easter Egg Treat Cup card cutting file: 

I used lots of products available at The Cutting Cafe and The Cutting Cafe Shop in this adorable Easter card.  As already stated, the cutting file, Easter Egg Treat Cup Card, is one of several Easter Treat Cups available in The Cutting Cafe.  The bunny is from the clear stamp set, "Happy Easter from your Peeps", available in The Cutting Cafe Shop.    The designer paper (jelly bean pattern) is Doodlebug Designs Bunnyville 6x6 pad, also available in The Cutting Cafe Shop.  The clear yardstick that I used on the treat cup is also from The Cutting Cafe Shop.  It's the 8 1/2 x 11 clear card stock.  

To finish the card, I wrapped a bit of Timeless Twine around it, filled it with chocolate eggs, and voila!  Happy Easter!

Check out The Cutting Cafe blog on March 21 to see what the rest of this talented design team made with the Easter Treat Cup card cutting files.  Leave a comment, and you could win 3 sets of your choice.  Woohoo!  Then, visit The Cutting Cafe, Be Inspired Facebook Group for more inspiration, contests and good fun.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

A Gem of a challenge - -Easter
Crafting with Dragonflies -- Easter
D.L. Art -- Easter
IDCB -- ATG

Happy Easter From your Peeps -- for the Cutting Cafe Shop

Stamping!  I love stamping!  Coloring!  I love coloring!  Throw in a chance to use my Silhouette, and you've got the perfect project!

I'm posting today for the Cutting Cafe Shop.  There are some new clear stamps in the shop with an Easter theme, and also some new Spring and Easter designer papers.  Take a look at this!

This Bendy/Bendi card is a cutting file from The Cutting Cafe. The designer papers, found in The Cutting Cafe Shop,  is a Doodlebug Bunnyville 6x6 pad.  The adorable bunnies and sentiment are the new stamps that are in the shop -- Happy Easter from your Peeps.

I colored the 3 bunnies from Happy Easter from your Peeps with Copic markers, then fussy cut them out. There are also free image outlines available.  I stamped the sentiment (also from the Happy Easter set), then cut it out with a Paper Wishes die.  The glitter domes are from Close To My Heart. 

Come join the Cutting Cafe - Be Inspired Facebook group to see many wonderful ideas for the new clear stamp sets, cutting files, and more!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- Easter challenge
D.L. Art -- March linky party
IDCB -- ATG
Not Just Cards -- ATG
Deep Ocean Challenge -- Easter

Hippity Hoppity -- for Sasayaki Glitter Digital Stamps

It's Thursday, and it's time for a new Facebook challenge for Sasayaki Glitter Digital Stamps.  The challenges are always anything goes -- as long as you use a Sasayaki Glitter Digi. 

Since we're so close to Easter, I decided to go with an Easter theme:

This is Bunny on Mushroom, colored with Copic markers.  Of course, it doesn't have to be an Easter themed digi -- it could be spring, summer, fall, whatever, depending on the colors you use and the background you create.

I made this an Easter card by using an The Cutting Cafe  egg-shaped card cutting file, and the grass-shaped card cutting file..  Papers for this card -- Doodlebug Bunnyville 6x6 -- can be found in The Cutting Cafe Shop.  The sentiment, stamped several times across the bottom of this card, is also from The Cutting Cafe Shop. 

I hope you can join in for our Sasayaki Glitter Facebook Challenge.  It goes for a month, and as mentioned earlier, it's anything goes.  Just use one of the many adorable Sasayaki Glitter images.  Have fun!  There's an Easter challenge going on on the challenge blog.  Enter it, too!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Deep Ocean Challenge -- Easter
Fairytale Challenge blog -- Easter Eggs
Artistic Inspirations -- Easter
IDCB -- ATG
Not Just Cards -- ATG

Hoot Hoot Hooray! For The Cutting Cafe

I'm posting today for The Cutting Cafe, and the whole design team is using the theme, "Green" this time.  We can use any files from The Cutting Cafe, but there must be a green theme to it. 

I used the Assorted Card Folds 2 cutting file on this card.  

I used some products from the sister shop, The Cutting Cafe Shop on this card -- From Owl of Us and 8 1/2 x 11 clear card stock. 

I stamped the owl and branch separately, colored them both with Copic markers, then fussy cut them.  The frame, the cloud sentiment, the owl, and the branch are all carefully glued to the clear card stock so they don't smudge and leave a mark.  

Check out The Cutting Cafe Blog tomorrow to see what the other design team members have created for this Green challenge.  It's bound to be spectacular!  There's even more inspiration to be found at The Cutting Cafe - Be Inspired Facebook Group. 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- Frog or the color green
D.L. Art March Linky Party -- ATG
IDCB -- ATG

Bee Amazing -- for The Cutting Cafe Shop

Happy Hump Day, everyone!  I'm posting today for The Cutting Cafe Shop, using the delightful new set, Animal & Bug Love.  I'm loving this set more & more for it's versatility!

I stamped the bee and mushroom image from the Animal & Bug Love stamp set on X Press It blending card, and colored it with Copic markers, then fussy cut it.  

The beehive shaped card is a cutting file from The Cutting Cafe.   I computer generated the sentiment, printed it on to card stock, and cut out the tag using a die from Paper Wishes.   The designer paper is from Lawn Fawn - Bright Side.  The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM.  The bee metal sticker is from Art C. 

Check out the Cutting Cafe Shop to see all the other goodies Regina keeps adding.  There's tons of treasures there, and new Easter stamps coming soon!  Check out The Cutting Cafe for more cutting files and printables than you can imagine.  If you can dream it, you can find it there!  There's a great Facebook Group to check out, too -- The Cutting Cafe - Be Inspired. 

Thanks for checking out my Bee Amazing card today!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Lemon Shortbread Challenge -- ATG
D.L. Art -- Feb Linky Party
Not Just Cards -- ATG
Inspiration Destination Challenge Blog -- ATG
Critters & Creatures Linky Party -- ATG with a Critter
Bunny Zoe's Challenge -- Things With Wings
House of Cards -- Shaped Cards

I'm Sweet on You -- for The Cutting Cafe

I'm posting today for The Cutting Cafe.   This week, the design team is featuring projects using Big Expression Printable and Cutting Files.  Fun!!!

I used the SWEET Big Expression Printable and Cutting File to create this:

I printed the SWEET letters on several designer papers (from Close To My Heart) and fussy cut them.  The rest of the sentiment also comes with the set.  It's printed on Kraft paper, spaced so the S-W-E-E-T fits within it.

Those adorable love birds, colored with Copic markers, and fussy cut, can be purchased in The Cutting Cafe Shop.  It is from one of the newly released clear stamp sets, Animal & Bug Love.  The only other thing I thought this card needed was a bit of crinkle ribbon from 3 Girl JAM. 

Check out the Cutting Cafe's Blog on Feb. 7th to see what the rest of the design team made with the Big Expression Printable and Cutting files.  It will be worth checking out!  Leave a comment, and you could win 3 sets of your choice. 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Through the Purple Haze -- Things with Wings (entry #2)
D.L. Art -- February Linky Party
P.D.E Linky Party -- ATG
Critter & Creatures Linky Party -- ATG as long as there's a critter
Crafty Friends Challenge -- Animals/Birds

Never Forget I Love You -- for The Cutting Cafe Shop

I am super excited for today's post!  The Cutting Cafe Shop now has clear stamps!  If you are a regular follower of my blog, you know I often using cutting files from The Cutting Cafe.  What could be better than clear stamps to go with those files?  I am SO excited! 

There are 3 new Valentine sets in the store, and 3 Christmas sets. I used one of the new Valentine sets, Animal & Bug Love.

I colored the elephant with Copic markers, and used a Spellbinders circle die to cut him (her?) out. The card front, cut out on my Silhouette Cameo, is a cutting file found at the Cutting Cafe.  It's the Valentine Window Card Tops cutting file.   The sentiment, also part of the Animal & Bug Love stamp set, was stamped directly onto the card front. 

The design team is posting cards all week using the 3 new Valentine sets.  Check out The Cutting Cafe - Be Inspired group on Facebook to see all of the wonderful creations using the new sets.  Then, go SHOP!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Ruby's Rainbow -- Animal Magic

IDCB -- ATG

D.L. Art -- January Linky party

PDE Linky Party -- ATG

Not Just Cards -- ATG