Pop-up bench cards extraordinaire.....

Today's class was on pop-ups.  We learned how to make our own pop-up cuts in paper, the basic construction of pop-ups and then used the Elizabeth Craft Designs bench pop-up die to make our cards.  Amazing results!  Patti Jo made this wonderful card (and once again, the photos just don't do it justice at all.)  The swan is cut in white micro glitter paper.  The tree is a die cut from Dreamweaver.  You can order any product through our local scrapbook store by calling them at 719-275-2526.

This is the front of her card using Graphic 45 paper that has unfortunately been discontinued.  Wouldn't you love to get a card like this and when you opened it up the bench just popped up to greet you?

Rhonda's card would be a complete, total surprise.  The front is just so simple and sweet....

but what a great, wonderful surprise when you open it up!  Who knew a white tree could be so stunning???  Now, want to know a secret?  She's used holly leaves for her flower petals.  Cut and folded - you wouldn't have guessed that if I hadn't told you!!!

And don't those deer look like they are a foot deep in the grass?  How'd she do that anyway???

Mary used some vintage 12xtwelve paper.  The company, sadly, is no longer in business.  But look at what she did to the flower behind the bench!  Cut and curled the petals.  Then hand cut out all the smaller daisies to surround her bench.

Again, the front of the card is so simply, you'd never guess what's inside.  What creativity!!!

Carolyn didn't finish her card, but I can hardly wait to see it.  Just incredibly amazing work - they are all such one-of-a-kind pieces of art.  I had so much fun teaching this class.  We're planning a great pop-up class for April, so check the store blog often!

Video # 4 - nestabilities flowers

This video shows you what 1 additional fold and 3 sizes smaller will do to change a flower. You can truly play with these over and over - again, the possibilities are endless.



Direct link to the video is here

Check back tomorrow night and hopefully I've got some cards done to show you the final product. After all, I'm not just making videos - I'm making art!

Video # 3 - nestabilities flowers

Could I have any more fun? I am so grateful to Kerry for all the video equipment and editing software he buys - I get his hand-me-downs to play with! LOL!

Tonight's flower is a little different because the way you fold it automatically gets you a built in background.



Direct link to this video is here

Give it a try and post back here and let me know your results!

Nestabilities Folded Flowers - Video 2

I think this is my favorite flower design -but I'm always working on new folds, so who knows?



Direct link to the video is here

I really think there are endless possibilities for folding your nestabilities into wonderful flowers. I have a few more ideas floating around in my head - wonder what we could do with the scalloped heart dies? Always more to try!

All new Nestabilities folded flower tutorials (No. 1)

These are so much fun to make! I did several different designs over a year ago when I was demoing with After Midnight Stamps. And I'm finally getting around to doing tutorials on more of them.

Linda at After Midnight Stamps actually did the first video. I created the design and here's a link to her video:

AMStamps



The second design is HERE


So now on to the next 4 designs - here's the first one:



If the video doesn't show up, just click here

Here's hoping that by the 4th video I also have my card samples all done to share! So keep checking back each night just to see what's new!

Gypsie cards

My last 2 days in San Diego will be up in Poway at Stamping Details. In one of the classes, I'm going to be showing you how to do some pretty fun things with Spellbinders dies in the Cuttlebug. Well, you know me, there's always more than 1 or 2 techniques in a class. The first card is quite simple



and then I'll give you a chance to leave (LOLOL!!!) The second card starts out really simple....



And then we go right over the top as I show you how to make the actual pop-up cuts using dies. You will be amazed at this cut that can be used for pop-ups or simply as a decorative cut in your paper.



Can't wait to see you there!

Come Play with me....

In my secret garden!!! Today was DR Divas at my house. Our mission - to alter an eye glass case. It was supposed to feature pop-up art....but I decided to make mine an eyeglass diorama.



And it was way too easy! I took a sheet of Basic Grey diecuts, Kathy punched them out, and I made little square and rectangle squares to pop them out from the background.



There is about 3" of depth to this and if ou can see, the hearts are hanging from the "ceiling" on fine blue thread.



Added some of the diecuts on the top which is now the back.



And this view is looking from the top down so you can see my spacers again.



It's so fun and soooo cheap! The diecut sheet was $3.99 (I think) and the eyeglass case was 59 cents at a local thrift store. Just look for one that is flat on the bottom or you'll have to give it "legs".

More fun than you can imagine!!! Thanks to the DR Divas for another great play day!!!

More Flip, Spin and Play!

If you are looking at my blog, over on the right, you will see a picture of this book by F&W Publications. Someone inquired how I did the pop-up flowers, so I thought I'd share here:



You should be able to download this template and print, cut out, and use as a pattern. You will need 1 each of # 1, # 2, and # 3. I have marked the dotted lines as M or V....M = mountain fold , the crease will be on top and the sides will go down, and V =
Valley, the sides will fold up.



Cut out diagram 1 and attach flowers to the back of it. I have positioned the flowers as such so that when I closed my book, they did not show. But you can really position them anywhere. The flowers are just Basic Gray paper cut out and then I cut slim strips of paper and adhered them on the back. You can add more or less flowers as you desire.



This is diagram # 2 cut out with flowers attached. Note the circle (B) on the right side folds open:



This is diagram # 3 cut out with flowers attached:



To give you an idea of where we are going next, place # 1 below # 2 like this: If you want to practice, slide # 1 up into the slots on # 2. The lettters A and B should match on each side.



But you really don't need to practice. As long as you've done the folds right, this will work just fine.

Adhere # 1 to the paper. Only attach the outside right and left parts....before the Valley folds:

NOTE: When you page is open flat, this will be flat against the page. If you start the close the page, this should fold up towards you as in the photo



Next, take # 2 and bring it in from the top, down through the slots A & B, all the way to the base. This piece is not adhered anywhere, it just sits in the slots.



Then, about 1/2" below this, place # 3. Adhere this on the outside tabs on both the right and the left:



There are a few more photos in my Picasa album if you want to take a look.

Now, you KNOW you want the book! So just go buy it! Flip, Spin & Play! And while you're at it, look for FIVE more of my projects inside the book!!!