Create a Card with Stamperia’s Orchids and Cats Collection

Hi crafty friends. This is Kristine and I’m here to share part 3 of my design team project - a beautiful greeting card! This card is made using the lovely Orchids and Cats collection. It perfectly matches the mixed media box and mini folio album I created in my last two posts. For step-by-step instructions on how to make the storage box, check out this FotoBella blog post. Or, if you want to learn how to make the mini folio, I have a full video tutorial for you in this FotoBella blog post.

Making the Card Base

In order to make the base, cut one sheet of plain cardstock 4 3/4” x 11”. Then, measuring from each end, score at 2 3/4” and fold on the score line. This will make a gatefold card. Next, paint the greyboard window pieces. I used light pink paint for my window frames. Once dry, place one window frame on each of the gatefolds, lining the edge of the window with the edge of the paper. Then, trace the inner curve and edge of the window. Cut out the piece so the window will be see through. There will be a small tab of paper behind the outer frame where we will glue later.

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Cut a piece of the decorative Orchids and Cats paper to 4 5/8” x 5 1/4”. Then, cut this piece in half again to make two pieces measuring 4 5/8” x 2 5/8”. Place the papers on the inside of the card and close the gatefolds. Next, trace around the trimmed edge of the card and cut along the lines. These pieces should be only slightly smaller than the front gatefolds.

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For the inside of the card, cut one piece of the Orchids and Cats paper to 4 5/8” x 5 3/8”. Next, cut out the paw print border strip, and make two strips measuring 1 1/2” x 4 5/8”. Then, cut the pink and white side border off one strip to make the pieces appear mirror images when glued onto the card.

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Fussy Cutting Embellishments

I have fussy cut pieces from the 12 x 12 papers that are leftover from my previous two projects. For this card, I am going to use a few of the pieces as embellishments. First, I have selected one of the cat images. This piece will be added to the card so that the cat can be seen through the window. I will also be using one of the potted orchids, which I will place in the center of my card base. The “Greetings” sentiment and several butterflies will also be added to the card. From the greyboard pieces, I chose to use three hearts and one butterfly, which I painted fuchsia.

In order to make a smaller card, cut two of the circular tags from the Orchids and Cats paper. Score one of the circles along the left side at 1/2”, and glue the scored section to the top of the second circular tag. This will form a small card.

Next, fussy cut the flowers from the corner embellishment. I also cut along the petals so I can make them dimensional. Then, add glue to a small base of each fussy cut flower and adhere to the circular tag. Select a fussy cut butterfly and add glue to the body but not the wings and place on the circular tag. Later, I will add Stickles to the flower petals and butterfly to make them sparkle.

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Assembling the Card

Starting with the inside, glue the background paper to the card base. Next, add glue to the top and bottom portion of the fussy cut potted orchid and glue into the center to make a belly band. Glue the paw print border strips to the inside of the gatefolds.

Close the gatefolds and glue the fussy cut cat to the left gatefold. I placed my window piece on top of the card to make sure my cat was lined up how I wanted her to be. Then, add the decorative Orchids and Cats paper over top of the cat image, and the second piece on the right gatefold.

Glue both of the greyboard window pieces to the gatefolds. Next, back the “Greetings” sentiment with plain cardstock and glue to the left gatefold window only. Do not glue to the right gatefold as this will prevent the card from opening. Then, add the fussy cut butterfly and greyboard butterfly onto the sentiment. Finally, finish decorating the greyboard window frames with the greyboard hearts, fussy cut butterflies, and flowers from your stash.

Decorating the Back Side of the Card

I am going to add a simple pocket to the back of my card to tuck my small circular card. I cut out a strip of the Orchids and Cats paper measuring ~2” x 5 3/8” and glued around three sides before adding it to the bottom base of the card. Then, I tucked my tiny circular card into the pocket. I am including this small card to write out a sentiment for the recipient. Alternatively, you can tuck a message behind the belly band inside the gatefolds. This card can also be used inside of the folio if the recipient chooses!

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I hope you have enjoyed crafting along with me this month. I know I enjoyed making the projects and tutorials to share with you. Don’t forget to head over to the FotoBella online store to pick up the Stamperia Orchids and Cats collection today and create your own projects. To view a quick video flip through of all three projects together, click on the video below.

Happy crafting!

~Kristine, Fotobella Design Team Member

Making Note Pads & Holders with Bo Bunny Garden Grove & Junk Mail

Hi There! It’s Lynda from Scrapbook with Lynda and I’m back to share another upcycling project with you. This time I’m sharing how I made note pads from junk mail and the Bo Bunny Garden Grove collection.

I love turning trash into useful items like these note pads made from junk mail! These are two different styles of note pads, so let’s look at how I made each of them.

Matchbook Note Pad

First we’ll look at the smaller note pad, which has a matchbook style cover.

It’s amazing how much junk mail has large gaps with no printing on both sides of the paper! Selected a few sheets from the Bo Bunny Collection, then cut them to 8 1/2” x 3 1/2”. Folded them in half, then inked the edges.

The cover is a piece of Bo Bunny Garden Grove paper cut to 11 3/4” x 4”, then scored at 2” and 7”. I used a decorative edge punch to shape the corners, but you can leave them square.

Stapled the recovered paper to the notepad cover, then pressed the ends of the staples to be sure they are flat.

On the reverse side I covered the staples with a strip of washi tape from the Bo Bunny Garden Grove collection.

Glued a 2” x 4” strip of paper on three sides to form a pocket, then decorated the cover with washi tape and stickers from the Bo Bunny Garden Grove Collection.

Cut a couple 2 1/2” x 3 1/2” tags from paper in the collection, then decorated them with washi and stickers.

The final step is to make a closure from this cute deer found in the Noteworthy pack. There is only glue on the bottom half, so the top flap can slide behind it.

I plan to use this notepad in my junk journal as a place to write, but it has so many other uses. It would be great to slip into a card as a little gift, or put in your purse so you’ll always have some note paper. And the bottom pocket is perfect for holding business cards. It’s such a great way to use bits of left over scrapbook supplies and junk mail!

Wallet Style Paper Pad Holder with Bo Bunny

The second note pad I made slips into a wallet style holder. It’s a great way to upcycle junk mail, because the paper pad can be replaced.

Let’s look at how I made the wallet holder first.

Cut a piece of the Bo Bunny paper to 7” x 9 1/2”, the scored at 2 1/2” and 6 1/2”. The 2 1/2” piece will be the front flap, the 4” section the back of the wallet, and the 3” section will form a pocket on the inside.

I decided to add a decorative edge to the pocket, but that is totally optional. I also used a decorative punch on the corners of the flap.

Ran a bead of glue along the edges of the pocket, then closed it.

The wallet closure is a small flower from the die cut pack. Like with the other pad, only part of the flower is glued in place, so the flap can tuck under it.

A bit of ink and a strip of washi tape complete the wallet. Now let’s make the note pad.

Looked through my stack of paper recovered from junk mail selecting pieces of various colors that I could cut to 3 1/2” x 6”. The inside papers are blank, but used this image as a cover. All I did was stack the papers up, punch two holes, then insert brads from the collection. With this style of pad is I can easily add and remove paper.

Slipped it inside the wallet along with a postcard from the Bo Bunny Noteworthy pack.

Both if these notepads and holders will be added to my junk journal, but they would also make a nice thank you gift. I love turning trash into treasures!

Please check out my Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook pages to see other projects I’ve created.

Happy Scrapping!

Lynda
Scrapbook With Lynda

Create a Spring Cherry Blossom Bird House

Greetings! Today I am excited to share this super cute Spring Cherry Blossom Bird House I created using Prima’s Fruit Paradise A4 paper pad and Prima Marketing Art Extravagance - Phoenix Effect Paste. I admit I was super excited to get the Prima Marketing Art Extravagance - Phoenix Effect Paste in my design team package this month. I have been eyeing this for quite a while. This paste is so chunky and just full of shimmery goodness!

Supplies needed:

Prima’s Fruit Paradise A4 paper pad

Prima Marketing Art Extravagance - Phoenix Effect Paste

Paint - pinks, green, Wood Bird House, Diamond Stencil, border punch, vine punch, paper flowers, pallet knife, liquid pearls - pink

Creating your Spring Cherry Blossom Bird House

Start by painting your bird house roof a pale pink. Paint the base a pale green. I diluted my green with water so that the wood grain would show through.

Using a pallet knife and a diamond stencil, apply Prima Marketing Art Extravagance - Phoenix Effect Paste to your roof.

Just look at how chunky that Prima Marketing Art Extravagance - Phoenix Effect Paste is!!!! (Since my stencil was a heart, I just kept moving it to fill in the whole roof.) Let dry. (Be sure to wash your stencil afterwards)

Once dry cut your papers from Prima’s Fruit Paradise A4 paper pad to fit your bird house. I created templates by over-lapping several sticky notes. Adhere to your bird house.

Use a border punch to create roof trim from your Prima’s Fruit Paradise A4 paper pad.

Punch leaf vines and adhere to bird house and add flowers to finish your Spring Cherry Blossom Bird House. Add liquid pearl drops to create more blossoms as desired.

I hope you are inspired to play with the Prima’s Fruit Paradise A4 paper pad and Prima Marketing Art Extravagance - Phoenix Effect Paste!

Make a Mini Folio with Stamperia Orchids and Cats Collection

Hi crafty friends. This is Kristine and I’m back with Part 2 of this month’s tutorial series using Stamperia Orchids and Cats collection. For this project, I will be featuring a mini folio to fit inside the altered box we made in my last blog post. This cute little folio will perfectly match the box, which was decorated with Stamperia rice papers from the collection.

The Stamperia Orchids and Cats Collection

Featuring the 12” x 12” Orchids and Cats paper pad by Stamperia, this folio is the perfect addition to our mixed media storage box. The collection features 10 double sided papers with images mostly of orchids and cats. There are also images of butterflies and hummingbirds, patterned papers, and two pages full of images to fussy cut. The color palate includes both soft and bold pinks and aqua tones. It has a shabby chic feel to the collection and is true to the Stamperia style. The only downside to this paper collection is that the gorgeous papers are double sided and you’ll have to choose which side to use!

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The mini folio will be easy to embellish using Stamperia chipboard stickers and greyboard to match the collection. Perfectly matching the papers, these embellishments are a must-have for beginners and advanced crafters! They are one of my favorite parts of any paper collection. The quality of Stamperia chipboard stickers is top notch. They’re durable and have beautiful printed images, with a slight sheen to the surface. As for the greyboard, the pieces are easy to work with and take color well. Let’s not forget the adorable stamp set also featured in the collection. I consider myself somewhat of a beginner when it comes to stamping. However, these stamps are easy to use and create clear and crisp images every time!

Or search free stock images

Folio Tutorial

Check out the link below to my YouTube channel where I feature a full-length video tutorial on how to create this mini folio. I invite you to join me and craft along as I walk you through, step-by-step the process of making the folio from cardstock and then decorating the pages. It is an easy project for a beginner crafter and you can make it in a day. Before you begin, head over to the FotoBella online store to purchase the Orchids and Cats paper pad, chipboard stickers, greyboard pieces, and stamp set I used.

Happy crafting!

~Kristine, Fotobella Design Team Member

Envelope Upcycle with Bo Bunny Garden Grove

Hi There! It’s Lynda from Scrapbook with Lynda and I’m so excited to be back to share another upcycling project with you. This time I’m sharing envelope upcycle ideas using the Bo Bunny Garden Grove collection. I love turning trash into useful items like these upcycled envelopes.

For these two projects I used different style envelopes from my recycle bin. Yup, these are both envelopes that came to me in the mail. Let’s look at each one.

Envelope Upcycle into Tag Pockets

I altered this envelope to hold tags in my junk journal. It can also be added to a mini book or sent as a fun greeting to a friend.

I’ll be sewing it into the binding of my junk journal, so only half of it will show at a time.

It was so easy to make. On the V side of the envelope I added a couple rows of Bo Bunny Garden Grove washi, then that cute bunny & chick sticker from the sticker sheet, plus a bit of torn book paper.

The inside of the envelope is lined with this great plaid paper from the Bo Bunny Collection, that matches the washi perfectly! Found a tag in the die cut pack, plus I made a few more to stuff the pockets with.

On the flip side I added some washi on the fold seam, then covered both sides with paper from the collection. This will look so cute in my junk journal!

Long Pocket Envelope Upcycle with Bo Bunny

Here’s another idea for upcycling envelopes - making a side pocket.

This pocket holds a note pad made from reclaimed paper, but you can put tags or photos in it.

First I lined the inside with a pretty flower print, then added the blue plaid paper.

Torn book paper along with a strip of paper from the Bo Bunny collection create a base for the bunny sticker.

The paper pad is made from reclaimed paper that I stapled at the top. Covered the staples with washi tape, then added the large bunny die cut.

On the inside there are several sheets of paper, so plenty of space to write. I’ll be adhering this to a page in my junk journal. Alternately, you can slip it in your purse, so you’ll have paper when you need it.

These two upcycled envelopes will look great in my junk journal, but they have so many other uses. And best of all I was able to give some trash a new life!

Please stop by next week to see my last upcycle project using the Bo Bunny Garden Grove collection. In the meantime check out my Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook pages to see other projects I’m creating.

Happy Scrapping!

Lynda
Scrapbook With Lynda