I'm featuring Lawn Fawn Products.

I am using the Toboggan Together Set with the cute penguins. I envisioned this idea for months for my brother-in-law who absolutely loves penguins.

My idea was to have a penguin pulling his sled full of presents with his helper. The sled goes down a hill and the presents and his helper go flying off the sled.

I've used other stamps and dies to create this card, but the main focal part are the penguins.

I also used the Stitched Hillside Pop-Up dies.

I'm entering this card in the December 2018, Lawn Fawn Winter Holiday

Dec. 18-Challenge #42

 

 

 Holiday Christmas Decorative Trees Gift Tags

 

1. Using the largest Greetings of the Season Dies, die cut tag from Seasons of Gold Designer Series Paper (DSP)
2. Cut 1/2 strip of Seasons of Gold and using the same die, die cut the bottom piece and glue it to the bottom part of the tag
3. Die Cut the thin rectangle die from the Greetings of the Season Dies and use the Garden Green stamp "For you" to the top right corner
4. Die Cut the solid tree out of Gold Foil and Die cut the decorative overlay in Garden Green, gluing it on top of the gold foil
5. Thread white and gold ribbon through both tag holes

 Fancy Fold Cards

 I have made many types of fancy folds, everything from very simple to extremely complicated. Below are some of the complicated cards I've made.

 Stamps and Stamping Supplies

 

You can't make a card without stamps, well you could, but stamps add more design options to your cards. There are different types of stamps on the market, and they all work very well on projects. To start off with, you want a stamp set that has a variety of sentiments in different sizes. (Happy Birthday, Thinking of You, Thank You, Get Well, Happy Anniversary, Congratulations, etc.)

The most used color stamping ink is black ink. I use two types. I don't think you need to have two types. I purchased Ranger Archival Ink first before I learned about Memento Ink. Memento is best for using colored pencils, markers and I believe it is better for use on watercolor paper. VersaMark Ink is strictly used for heat embossing. You can learn about heat embossing on YouTube. There are special powders that you apply to your ink to give it a more professional look.

 

 

 Stamping Supplies

Stamping supplies: purchase a set of clear blocks to mount your stamps on and/or purchase a Stamping Tool such as a Misti Stamping Tool. It saves time when making multiple cards and lessons the amount of making mistakes.

Stamping Cleaning Pad to wash off your stamps. There is a Stamp cleaner available, but I found out that scrubbing with plain water works just as well. There is nothing you can do with strong inks such as red and black. They will stain your polymer stamps, but it doesn't ruin their ability.

 Die Cutting Machines

 I have two Big Shot Die Cutters. I use one of the machines, and the second one is used when my husband wants to give me a hand with bulk orders. This handy machine uses metal cutting dies to cut your paper, and it is also used for your embossing folders.

 

Other Optional Supplies

As you gain confidence with your card making skills, you will want to branch out. That's how every card maker ends up having a whole room full of card making supplies. There are different types of stamping methods, tools, embellishments, stickers, ephemera, embossing folders, and the list goes on. The main thing is to start off slow, have fun, and get creative. Pinterest and Card Making FB Groups will be your best friend for inspiration. Enjoy your card making journey!

 Glue, Ruler, Scissors

When it comes to glue, please don't buy cheap glue. I've done it several times thinking I could save money, but in the long run it didn't. I even bought the mega glue runner thinking that would save me money, nope it didn't. If something happens to your glue runner (it gets gunked up, tape breaks, the strip won't spin) you are out of the entire mega roll. Feel free to join the millions of people asking the same question on the card making sites-what is the best glue to buy, and everyone will have their opinion.

My favorite glue-hands down is Tombow. Their dot roller is way better than their tape roller, but it's hard to buy dot rollers in bulk. When there is a sale at Michael's, I'll purchase dot rollers there and also use any other discounts I have accumulated. Yes, I purchase the small dot rollers or their tape rollers so if something happens to the roll, which it has, I didn't lose as much money and glue is one of the items you need a lot of. You will need a glue roller and liquid glue for ribbon and intricate items that a glue roller can't handle.

You can purchase Tombow glue through Stampin' Up.

Glue dots and sticker machines are great for small and intricate items. Below are the items I use most often. The square rubber object is a must-have! It removes excess glue from your dot or tape runner from your project. This little item that can be found at the "Not So Dollar Tree", some craft stores, and on Amazon. It will save you redo's and headaches.

 

Rulers and Scissors

 

I am constantly measuring and remeasuring to make sure I am correctly cutting and scoring my items. I have mats that have ruler markings on it, a large ruler guide to remind me of the measuring lines, I also have a Victor Easy Read Stainless Steel Ruler. You can see why I love this ruler. It takes the guess work out of what size something is.

I have three types of scissors. A small one for fussy cutting, ribbon, and when I need to cut in an awkward position, a large one for cutting bits of paper when I don't need a paper trimmer, and I have one that shreds paper that I use to make carrot boxes and to cut up ribbon to place in treat boxes, so I don't have to purchase any fillers.

 

 

 Paper Trimmers and Scoring Boards

 

There are many types of paper trimmers and score boards. I have collected several types for different projects.

There are regular paper trimmers that are great for cutting card stock and DSP.

Guillotine cutters are designed for larger projects to do in bulk to save time but the flip side to this is that you have to be careful of the paper will slip and not cut properly.

I upgraded to Fiskars Rotary Bypass Cutter because you can do several sheets at once and there is no need to replace the rotary cutter. It sharpens itself.

Below: Stampin' Up has a great general paper trimmer.

 

 Stampin' Up Paper Trimmer It not only cuts paper but it scores it too. Make sure you label which blade is for which.

 

Scoring Boards

 

You can use the Stampin' Up Trimmer and Score Board or Stampin' Up Simply Scoring Tool. I love this board and found marking the one inch marks in silver pen really helps with seeing where they score lines are. I use this for big projects like fancy fold cards that use a whole 8 1/2" x 11" or large sheet of card stock or paper.

I also have a small scoring board which is perfect for creating A2 Size cards and keeps my workspace open.

 

 

 Creating Greeting Cards

 You want to create a greeting card and don't know where to begin. Here is my chart on the card making essentials you will need. I will explain each item in further detail. 

Card Stock

Card stock is the most important product for card making. The higher the lb, the better it is. Most card stock weight is around 60 to 65 lb.

Card stock is used to create the card base.

Neenah Solar White 65 lb Card Stock is very popular among crafters. You can find Neenah Card Stock in most craft stores and Walmart. It is also great for coloring stamped images with markers. It keeps the marker from bleeding to other areas.

Stampin' Up has one of the best card stock options on the market. There is a wide variety of color ranges and the best part of their card stock is that it coordinates with their Designer Series Paper.

Designer Series Paper (DSP) or Patterned Paper is a lighter weight paper that works perfectly for adhering to a card base. Some DSP is strong enough to be used as a card base.

You can purchase card stock in various sizes, but the most popular is 8 1/2" x 11". When cut in 1/2 at 5 1/2", you will get two sheets ready for cards. 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"=what is called an A2 size card. This typical card can be used as a portrait or landscape style.