Polka Dot Gypsy

Peachy Keen Stamp Set Winner

2011-09-24T06:19:00.000-04:00

Good Morning!
As I promised, someone will win the

In Stitches Face Assortment

This adorable stamp set is generously donated by

Peachy Keen Stamps

Now, Through the Magic of the Random Number Generator!

The Winner Is

Congratulations!

Amy E

I'm sure you will enjoy this set. Please contact me through my email and I will get this out to you Monday. Thanks to everyone for leaving such wonderful comments.

Have a great day!

Jane - the Polka Dot gypsy

Peachy Keen Guest Designer - Day 5 "The Finale"

2011-09-23T06:30:00.000-04:00

Wow! I can't believe the week is over already. Thanks to Peachy Keen Stamps for giving me this opportunity to share this week with you. I have learned so much and have met some truly wonderful people. So the time has come, bittersweet as it may be, to raise the curtain on the Grand Finale.

Fall is my favorite time of year and I love to decorate for Halloween. So, all the projects today are Halloween party favors and decorations. The projects are made to be as simple or as detailed as you want them to be with emphasis on quick. I have used Candy Monsters and Potted Flowers dies for cutting my projects today. These dies come with face stamps. If you do not have a Cuttlebug or Sizzix, Peachy Keen offers the stamp set, Halloween Sweet Folks. Just stamp, color and cut out your images. I have used the same cardstock throughout so that everything will coordinate.

Here is the first little candy corn cutie. He is resting on the nutty flower (nut cup flower) and is attached to a bundle of Pixy Stix. All of the pieces were die cut and glued together. The faces were stamped and colored. I used Prismacolor pencils to add color to the face.

Here's a pot of Pixy Stix. There's that nutty flower again! For the smaller flowers I used flowers cut with the Potted Flowers die cut set. The flowers and candy corn were layered and attached to the Pixy Stix. Then secured in the pot. A ribbon and bow was added.

I had to do just one more paper bag project. And this is a simple one.

Fold, decorate, add candy and tie it up! What could be more simple?

Candy Bar Wrapper Instructions

Supplies

Small Brown Bag 4 3/4" X 8 1/3"

Front Panel
2 3/4" X 4 1/2" Black Mat
2 1/2" X 4 1/4" Yellow Plaid

Back Panel
2" X 4 1/2" Black Mat
1 3/4" X 4 1/4" Yellow Plaid

Inside panel
2 3/4" X 4 1/4"

Folding the Bag

Fold bag bottom over the bottom edge as shown.

Fold top of bag over the bottom as shown.

Now that the wrapper is folded, make the panels and attach to the front, back and inside of the wrapper.

Create your panels as desired. Below are the panels I used on this project. Happy Halloween was heat embossed. The candy corn and star strips are Reflections, Bling on a roll. Pretty easy to add a little sparkle to your Halloween project.

Attach panels. Be sure to attach the black ribbon before gluing down the front panel. Sandwiching the ribbon between the paper bag and the panel will help to hold the ribbon in place.

Here is a cute little treat bag decorated with the Reflections tape. Isn't that candy corn just adorable? You could use these for table favors and fill them with candy. What a treat!!!

No party would be complete without a centerpiece. This one is made from a paper mache witches hat. I painted the hat with black acrylic paint. The orange and purple dots were punched with the 1" punch. The candy corn cutie was attached with a tensil chenille stem.

And with much sadness, I share my final project. The Tic Tag Toe project is made with a purchased magnetic message board. The Candy Corn folks and the monster kisses were used as the game pieces with magnets attached to the back. A tag punch was used for the candy monsters background to give them stability. Reflection tape was used for dividers.The tape has a adhesive backing. I used the Tim Holtz mini paper rosette die for the border along the bottom and the nutty flower was used for embellishment.

I just want to remind you that I will be giving away In Stitches Face Assortment stamp set donated by Peachy Keen Stamps. To enter, leave a message here a the bottom of this post. Tell me what your favorite project was for the week. Then hop on over to Peachy Keen Stamps and leave a message there. Saturday morning I will announce the winner!

I hope you have gotten something to take with you this week. Something useful that you can pass along to others who love the craft as much as we do. For me, I am taking a week full of wonderful memories. Late nights finishing up my projects, trying to weed out the less important projects and trying not to blush as I read your wonderful comments. I've learned a lot this week and I am so thankful that I was one of the chosen to be a guest designer for Peachy Keen Stamps. This has truly been a week that I will never forget and I will treasure. I hope you visit my blog often.

Again I just want to say thanks and wish your next guest designer the very best. I'm looking forward to seeing your projects! But for now, I'm going to rest a little and then put up all my stamping supplies so I can start all over again.

Have a wonderful day and don't forget to check in tomorrow to see who won the stamp set from Peachy Keen.

Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy

Peachy Keen Guest Designer - Day 4

2011-09-22T06:31:00.000-04:00

Good morning! Welcome to my fourth day as guest designer for Peachy Keen Stamps. Today I'd like to share some of my favorite things about card making. My first card is my most favorite to make. It is made from a small lunch bag and folded. The flap is tied with ribbon. I think I got the original idea from a SCS gathering that I attended many years ago. So this is not my original idea.

Open up the card to write a greeting on the inside panel.

Supplies

5" X 10 3/4" Bag

Gingham Ribbon

Cottage Cutz Potted Flowers
Front Panel

4" X 4 7/8" Brown Mat
3 3/4" X 4 3/8" Pink Print
2" X 3 3/4" Small Brown Mat
1 3/4" X 3 1/2" Solid Pink
Scraps for Flower

Inside Panel

4 3/8" X 4 7/8"

4 1/8" X 4 5/8"

Scraps for rick rack and corner flower

Card Instructions

Attach double sided tape to the lower edge of the bag.

Notice the flap. It will be pulled over onto itself and secured.

Fold the flap back onto itself and secure with the tape.

Cut the lower edge of the bag at an angle to the first fold. I usually cut 1" from the edge to the first fold. I have marked dots on the bag for cutting guides.

Cut from dot to dot forming an angle on the flap.

Fold the opposite end of the bag to the flap fold.

Fold flap over the top to create the card base.

Turn the card base clockwise and attach the decorated panels.

I used the Cottage Cutz Potted Flowers for cutting the flower, stem and pot. The die includes three Peachy Keen faces. This card is very easy to make and goes together very quickly. I cut all my pieces with the Cuttlebug. The face was colored with Distress Inks. I airbrushed the shadows of the flower pot and leaves with Copic Markers. For the inside I used the Cottage Cutz Rick Rack die and the flower elements.

I used the Potted Flowers die cut to make two more fall themed cards using the same layout. One is vertical and one is horizontal. I wanted to show you the difference that the direction can make to your layout. I photoshopped "Thinking of You" onto the card so that I could photograph both layouts without making two cards. I usually don't put my text on a card until I am ready to use it.

I'm really having a hard time deciding which card I like the best. I like them both.

The next card is a variation of the flower die cut that I am using today. This time the flower has been layered onto a black, scallop circle. The flower is wearing the pieced pot on his head. Paper rick rack was added to the bottom. I chose some retro colors for this card which measures 2 3/4" X 4".

My final card for today is another version of the Potted Flowers die cut. Using Pink and black cardstock I cut and punched 3 flowers. I used the sewing machine to stitch around the edge of the card. For the face I used one of the faces from the In Stitches Face Assortment and Copic markers.

Now you know what I like to use for cardmaking. Here's a list of my favorite things:

1. I like to use black for my background, be it a card or a scrapbook layout.

2. I love die cuts and punches. These are my favorite go to tools.

3. I love to work with paper bags. My all time favorite card is the first one in this post using a paper bag.

4. Very seldom do I put a message or greeting on my card until I am ready to send it.

5. I love embossing folders. They rate right up there with die cuts.

6. I love to use polka dots.

Again I would like to thank Peachy Keen Stamps for donating the In Stitches Face Assortment. I'll be drawing a random name on Saturday. So make sure to get entered if you want a chance to win this fun assortment of faces.

To enter all you have to do is leave a comment at the end of this post. Tell me what your favorite go to tool is. You know, that one thing you couldn't live without. Then hop on over to Peachy Keen Stamps and leave a message there too.

Today's post was all about my favorite card making things. I'm so excited about tomorrows post. I have been working on it from the very beginning. It's the grand finale. I hope you'll join me again for Halloween ideas.

Have a fantastic day! Jane - the Polka Dot Gypsy.

Peachy Keen Guest Designer - Day 3

2011-09-21T06:10:00.000-04:00

Good Morning! This week is certainly flying by. Thanks to everyone at Peachy Keen Stamps for giving me this opportunity. And to all of you who have left such wonderful comments, thank you so much. I am enjoying every second of my fifteen minutes of fame. Speaking of fame and stardom. Please give a wonderful welcome to the one and only, Miss Patty Cake!!! Today is all about her.

My first project is a visit to the "Great Pumpkin" exhibit at the fair with Patty. She's all dressed up in a yellow and green polka dot dress with an orange bow in her hair. I used colors in my layout to coordinate with her dress on a black 12" X 12" page. The black cardstock makes those colors really pop. I feel that the matting of photos is really important. Without a mat a photo can get lost on the page. So, if you're ever struggling with a layout, try a mat. It just may change the whole feel of the page. The color of the mat is usually a color pulled from the photo, a complimentary color or one with the same temperature. My main photo is one I took at the Canfield fair. I enlarged it and cropped it in a way that forms a page banner with room for my title. I always use my computer for journaling. I have really nice handwritting and have a background in caligraphy. But I prefer computer generated journaling. I used punches and die cuts to add a bit of interest to my layout. My style of scrapbooking is clean and simple.

The rosette is made using the Tim Holtz mini paper rosette die. The image on the front is a photograph of the sign over the pumpkin exhibit at the fair. I resized my photo and cut out the image with a circle punch. Then attached it to the rosette. I think this is a real prize winner!

And now, I'd like to introduce you to the bewitching Patty. She's all dressed up for Halloween. Her witches hat was made using the witch hat die from Sizzix. Miss Patty's beautiful dress is a "Copic" creation.

Patty's life is not always glamorous. Alas she has fallen upon some rough times. Please welcome Patty, the bag lady. I wanted to try a little stamping on fabric. I've been doing a lot of paper piecing, but now it's time for some fabric applique using the Patty Cake Jr stamp. For the applique pieces I stamped the Patty image onto three pieces of fabric. I used a fusible web to attach the fabric to the front of the bag. The scallop circle was cut with the Nestabilities scallop circle die. I ironed on the fusible web to the back of the fabric before cutting. I colored parts of Patty's body with Prismacolor pencils and added some ribbon and embellishments.

I used a circle template cut from cardstock to make the faux stitching around the inside of the scallop circle.

And here's a close up of Miss Patty in fabric.

Oh yes, tough times. I was quickly reminded of the importance of testing fabrics before applying heat for applique. Need I say more?

Most of the cards that I create have a lot of detail and take some time to complete. So, for my final project today I have created a a couple of small cards measuring 2 3/4" X 4". They are very simple and go together very quickly. For the card on the left I simply sponged on Vintage Photo Distress ink and dressed Miss Patty in polka dots. This was a very quick way to color this adorable ginger. For the card on the right I stamped Miss Patty onto printed cardstock, cut the image out and attached her to the card. Both cards use the same layout with ribbon along the bottom and both images were attached with pop dots. These cards are super quick and simple to make.

I'd like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the many faces of Patty. I've shared them before, but never together.

The name of the stamp that I have been using is Patty Cake Jr available at Peachy Keen Stamps. She is my all time favorite go to stamp. If I am struggling with a card she can usually break the creative block. You've just got to love her. She's so darn cute!

As I end my third day as Guest Designer, I want to remind you that Peachy Keen Stamps has generously donated the In Stitches Face Assortment to be given away on Saturday to one lucky winner.

To enter all you have to do is leave a comment here at the end of this post. Tell me about your favoirte go to stamp. I know you have one! I can't wait to find out what it is! Then, hop on over to Peachy Keen Stamps and leave a comment there too.

Wishing you all a very special day! Jane - the Polka Dot Gypsy

Peachy Keen Guest Designer - Day 2

2011-09-20T11:09:00.000-04:00

Happy Tuesday everyone and welcome to my second day as Guest Designer! Today at Peachy Keen Stamps it's time for another Sketch Challenge. This one was definitely a tough one for me. The overall card was tall and thin. I chose to keep it that way because it was the one element that was a real challenge for me to overcome. It was a very long process with many changes before I came up with this amazing card. I say it is amazing because with all the changes I made to this card it is amazing that it did not get pitched in the trash! "Patched" Pumpkins" is truly a labor of love.

Patched Pumpkins Card

The finished card size is 4" X 9 1/4". The design theme for this card is patchwork. With the arrival of fall weather I am in a quilting mood. So, I created my challenge card with the feel of an old fashioned quilt. And I think that this card does that with it's earthy tones and hints of patchwork.

Stamp Sets

PK-620 Halloween Pumpkins

PK-646 Faceless Fall Fun 2

Cardstock Cutting Dimensions

8" X 9 1/4" - Solid Brown for Card (4" X 9 1/4" folded)

3 3/4" X 9" - Solid Rust for Card Mat

3 1/2" X 8 3/4" - Brown & Orange Polka Dot for Design Panel

2 3/4" X 8 1/8" - Solid Tan (Cut to a point) for Card Design Element

4" Solid Brown Circle for Mat

3 3/4" Yellow Print Circle

Scrap - Solid Rust for Pumpkin Mat

Scrap - Brown Check for Pumpkin

Scrap - Tan Print for Patchwork Pumpkin

Scrap - Rust Print for Patchwork Pumpkin

Scrap - Yellow Print for Patchwork Pumpkin

Scrap - Real Wood Thin Cherry Paper for Sign

Tools, Supplies & Embellishments

Cricut

Cuttlebug

Nestabilities Pumpkins Die

Studio g Bat Punch

Crimper

Beads

Buttons

Twine

Felt Flower

Plaid Paper Nut Cups

Creating the Look of Applique

To create the look of applique on this card I paper pieced the small pumpkins. Using the Halloween Pumpkins from Peachy Keen Stamps, I stamped the image onto the checked pumpkin. I also stamped the same image onto each of the three scraps of print cardstock: tan, rust, and yellow.

Each of the small pumpkins were cut out from the scrap pieces and attached to the checked pumpkin background, covering the stamped image on the background.

I faux stitched along the edges of the circle and large pumpkin. Faux stitching is simply fake stitching. I used a marker to achieve the look of stitching. And to make the stitched circle more uniform I cut a smaller circle and used it as a template to follow while inking the stitches.

I love how paper piecing resembles the applique that I use for quilting. It really is a simple technique with a powerful impact on a card.

Keeping with the patchwork theme I added a plaid flower. I love to make flowers of all kinds. And I've shared some of those on Polka Dot Gypsy. I hope you'll check them out. But for this card I am trying out another flower technique. I found these paper nut cups at a craft store and new immediately what I was going to do with them. The flower is made from two of these nut cups and is really simple to make.

To make this flower you will need two small paper nut cups and 1 punched circle of any size as the base. Cut the center out from one of the paper cups. Keep the outer ring and throw away the center. You won't need it. I'll refer to this piece as the donut.

Glue the nut cup to the punched circle, scrunching up the center of the cup.

Next, attach the donut piece to the center, scrunching it up as well. Gently gather in the center edges of the donut so that it fits nicely inside the first nut cup layer.

Add a button or two for the center. Once the glue has dried, shape your flower as desired.

Air Brushing verses Coloring

For the flower I wanted a brown button for the center. I didn't have one. So, I used the brush end of my Copic marker to brush on the color, It didn't cover as well as I wanted it to. I used my airbrush and the same marker to color another button. Below is the result. Before on the left and After on the right. Who would have thought that it would make such a big difference.

Rolodex Cards

My second project is a decorative Rolodex card. It can be used the traditional way, keeping important information such as addresses, cell numbers and website information or it can be made into pages for a Rolodex mini album. I'm going to make the mini album to set on my desk.

For this project I cut the Rolodex Cards with my Cricut and faux stitched around the edges. I used double sided cardstock for the card so that I can decorate both sides. I stamped the flower image onto two coordinating prints of cardstock. A 1" circle punch was used to punch out the center of the flower. It was then attached to the center of the coordinating flower. The flower stamp is the Faceless Fall Fun 2 set from Peachy Keen Stamps.

For the back of the card I used the same flower stamp and the same cardstock with the flower and center papers switched for a different look.

This is the perfect stamp to add a face to. This sweet little face is from the In Stitches Face Assortment that I will be drawing for this Saturday. Isn't she just adorable?

Fall Gift Card Holder

For my final project I made this fun little fall gift card holder featuring Halloween Pumpkins, Faceless Fall Fun 2 and the In Stitches Face Assortment stamp sets from Peachy Keen Stamps. The card is made from a small paper bag folded to form a pocket, sewn and decorative panels added. For the front of the card I used the same paper pieced pumpkins that I used for my "Patched Pumpkins" card.

On the back I used the same happy flower from the Rolodex card.

The card opens up and inside is a pocket to hold a gift card. Please note that the pocket is under the design panel. This photo is misleading. It looks like the pocket is in the flap.

I used a paper bag measuring 4 3/4" X 8 1/2". Folded up the gift card holder measures 3 1/4" X 4 3/4". To make the pocket. just fold the bottom up and stitch along the sides using a sewing machine. Be sure to stitch so that the decorative panels will cover your stitching. Decorate three panels and attach them to the front, back and flap. Secure the ribbon to the bag before attaching the front panel to the bag. Sandwiching the ribbon between the front panel and the bag will hold the ribbon in place and conceal it. On the back I attached the happy flower with pop dots along the upper portion of the flower. This allowed enough room to slide the ribbon up under it before tying. Below is a better photo of the actual pocket. You can see the stitching along the pocket edges.

Wow! I didn't realize I had so much to talk about today. Now, don't forget that on Saturday I'll be drawing a name for the set I've been using today, the In Stitches Face Assortment. Peachy Keen Stamps has so generously donated this stamp set and some lucky winner will get it on Saturday. Will it be you? To win, leave a comment here and on my Patched Pumpkins post at Peachy Keen Stamps.

I hope you enjoyed today's projects. Again it has been a privilege to share my paper crafting with all of you. Have a wonderful day!

Jane - the Polka Dot Gypsy

Peachy Keen Stamps Guest Designer – Day 1

2011-09-19T06:00:00.000-04:00

Good morning and welcome to Polka Dot Gypsy. As you know today begins my week as Guest Designer for Peachy Keen Stamps. I am so excited to be sharing with you all the fun projects that I've been working on. If you've never visited my blog before I hope you will take some time to look around. I'm still new to this but am learning with each new post. My background is in teaching quilting, crafting and paper crafting. Unfortunately I had to give up the quiting because of time issues So, I mainly focus on paper crafting. This weeks posts will mainly showcase the projects that I have been doing with Peachy Keen Stamps. I'll share some tips and special techniques that I have used. I hope you enjoy your visit at Polka Dot Gypsy and will return often. So, let's get started!!!

Tissue Cover

My first project is a decorative cover for the square box of facial tissue. Please note that because of the size of the scarecrow image I had to turn the box on its side. If using a smaller image, the box can be placed in it's normal, upright position. The cover was made with kraft paper used for mailing packages. The tissue box was wrapped and then tied with a ribbon made of brown tulle. The kraft paper was not attached to the box so that replacement boxes can slide easily in and out. Spider web edges were created using the Martha Stewart Spider Web punch. However, the spider web edging has a tendency to catch on the box flaps. So, caution is needed when changing boxes. Below is a photo of the side opening of the tissue cover. You can see how the pointy edges can catch on the tissue box.

For the front panel I stamped the "Happy Scarecrow" image from Peachy Keen Stamps. The image was colored with Copic Sketch markers.

I wanted the scarecrow panel to be the focal point of this project. So, I choose a more plain, patchwork type of panel for the top. I used the Nestabilities Pumpkin die and the Cuttlebug to create this cute polka dot pumpkin. A simple circle punch was used to create the moon and Vintage Photo Distress Ink was used around the edges to add a little dimension to it. I found this cute little bat punch from Studio g. It made the perfect accent for the harvest moon. The final accent is a ribbon tied around the fall paper.

Tools & Supplies

Copic Markers

Ranger Distress Inks

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink

Studio g Bat Punch

Martha Stewart Spider Web Edge Punch

1 1/4" Circle Punch

Nestabilities Pumpkin Die

Cuttlebug

1/4" Off White Ribbon

Strip of Brown Tulle

Kraft paper used for mailing packages

Various solids and patterns of cardstock and paper

Happy Scarecrow Variations

For this card I used the Pumpkin Nestabilities die to cut out the Happy Scarecrow image. For the rick rack I used the Rick Rack die cut from Cottage Cutz.

I used a lot of layers for this card and added some faux stitching around the center panel. The added bow embellishment was made from raffia.

For the final card I machine stitched around the edges of the center panel. The rosette was made using the Tim Holtz Mini Paper Rosette die. The rosette was added to fix a blending experiment gone bad.

Copic Tips

I always loved the results that other crafters were getting using Copic markers and I just had to give it a try. I've been using them for a few years now and still consider myself a beginner. I know the basics and can use them, but alas I am a rebel and tend to break the rules. Sometimes that gets me into trouble. In the case of Copics, I blend colors not in the same family. Most, no probably all, of the blending that I did on this project is outside the blending families. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. So, here are a couple things that I do to help me when I am using my Copics.

Before I start a new project I like to warm up a little before coloring my actual image, especially if I haven't colored for a while. To do this I use what I refer to as a test card. To make test cards, I stamp a simple image multiple times on a piece of the cardstock recommended for coloring with Copics. I position them in an area about the size of a baseball card and cut apart, allowing room for notes. While working on projects I keep a card near me to practice, test color combinations, experiment with shading as well as testing for streaking or any color irregularities. Notes are written on it so that I can refer to it when working on other projects. The cards are stored on a ring to be kept as a resource for future projects. Below is a sample of my test cards. And yes, Patty Cake makes the perfect image for this.

When I stamp the image for my project, I stamp the image several times onto one page, leaving enough room to cut out the project and allowing for a panel or a scallop circle if needed. If I mess one up beyond repair, I have extras. If all goes well I can spend a quiet evening in front of the TV coloring the remaining images for other projects.

And now for the goodies! Peachy Keen Stamps has generously donated the "In Stitches Face Assortment" for some lucky winner. What do you have to do? Just leave a comment at the bottom of my post here. I'd love to know what method you use to color your images. So, in today's comments for my blog please share with me your favorite method of coloring (Copics, chalk, ink, etc). Next hop on over to Peachy Keen Stamps blog, and leave a comment on my post there too. On Saturday someone will win this fabulous assortment of faces. Will it be you?

Wow, that was quick. My first day over already. I hope you have enjoyed my projects for my first day as a Guest Designer for Peachy Keen Stamps. It's been a privilege to share them with you and I hope that you will return tomorrow to see what other projects I have to share.

Have a wonderful day and I'll see you all tomorrow when I'll reveal my card for the PKS sketch challenge.

Jane - The Polka Dot Gypsy

2011-08-30T05:46:00.000-04:00

Wow! Another post. Can you believe it? Today's card was made for the Tuesday Sketch Challenge with a Twist at Peachy Keen Stamps. The sketch is pictured below, and the twist is to use buttons somewhere on the project.

I created this cute Mickey Mouse themed card using the Patty Cake Jr stamp. This time Patty Cake is a Mousekateer wishing that special someone a "Happy Birthday".

I stamped Patty Cake Jr from Peachy Keen Stamps on Cryogen white cardstock and colored the image using Copic Markers, E00 - E13 - E15 - R20. Then, I cut out the image and set it aside. For the dress I decided to do a little paper piecing. So, I stamped a second image onto the polka dot cardstock and cut out the dress and bow. I inked the edges of the dress and bow with Distress Ink and attached them to the colored image. I used the tiny Mickey Mouse punch to make a button embellishment for her dress.

Next, I assembled the panels of the card front using solid red and black cardstock. The large mouse heads were cut with the Cricut, embossed with the Cuttlebug using the Swiss Dots embossing folder and layered onto the card front. Patty Cake was attached to the card front with foam squares to give her a little dimension.

I used the Tim Holtz Mini Rosette Die to make the rosette from polka dot cardstock. A red and white print cardstock from Stampin' Up! was used for the Scallop Circle layer. Happy Birthday was printed on white cardstock using the computer and punched out with the 1 1/4" Circle Punch to make the top layer. This was attached to a larger black circle for contrast. I added small red buttons to create the mouse head image on the top of the rosette and finished it off with a tiny bow.

I made a dimensional border strip along the bottom of the card using the same printed papers cut with the the rosette die. A large and small strip was layered, fan folded and attached to the card with glue. I added black ribbon to the layered strip for contrast. Once the fan folded strip was in place I attached the the rosette to the card front.

Supplies for this Project

Patty Cake Jr (PK-401) from Peachy Keen Stamps.

Black 6" Square Card (Folded)

Red Cardstock - 5" X 5 3/8"

Black Cardstock - 4 3/4" X 5 1/4"

4" Red Mouse Head

3 3/4" White Mouse Head

1 1/4" White Circle

1 3/8" Black Circle

Polka Dot Cardstock - Dress, Bow, One Large & One Small Rosette Strip

Red Print Cardsock from Stampin' Up! - Scallop Circle & Large Rosette Strip

Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Copic Markers

Red Buttons - 1 large and 2 small
1/8" Black Ribbon

Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Tim Holtz Mini Rosette Die

Tiny Mickey Mouse Punch

Circle Punches - 1 1/4" & 1 3/8"

Cuttlebug & Cricut

I am really enjoying making these wonderful rosettes. I hope you are inspired to make one for your next card. And don't forget how versatile the Patty Cake stamp is. So far she has been a rabbit and a Mousekateer. You'll want to be here in September for my Guest Designer week with Peachy Keen Stamps. I promise you, you'll see her again. Wishing everyone a creative week of card making! - Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy.

Fun "Fifty with Wings" Card

2011-08-25T16:30:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone! I am so sorry to have disappeared over the past couple of months. Summertime is a very busy time for my husband and me. We like to travel to local fairs, festivals, races and concerts. And to add to our busy summer we decided to build a house. Something we said we would never do. But we jumped right in. Besides visiting our future home and taking lots of pictures for our “New Home” scrapbook, I’ve been designing a new stamp room. I’ve spent long hours visiting blogs and websites looking for ideas. Then, we head to auctions, garage sales and consignment shops trying to find the perfect pieces to make my room a fun place to create in. I have a lot of stamp room ideas that I will be sharing with you on my blog. But I want to keep them all a secret until the house is finished and I start moving my treasures in. My vision for my stamp room is to have everything work in such a way that I can create projects quickly and share them with you here at Polka Dot Gypsy.

Today I’m excited to share with you this card for the Color Me Creative Challenge Group featuring an image with “wings”. I love this color combo and use it a lot. It reminds me of the fifties. So, I made a card for everyone turning 50 this year. May your fiftieth be filled with lots of fun filled memories.

Digital Image
Fairy Emma from The Paper Shelter.

Paper

Stampin’ Up, October Afternoon and DCWV

Tools & Supplies
Computer & Printer

1 3/8” Circle Punch & Scallop Circle Punch

Scor-Buddy

Cricut

Cuttlebug

Sizzix “Vine” Die

Nestabilities Oval Die

Mini Rosette Sizzlit Die from Tim Holtz

Pearl Glimmer Mist from Tattered Angels

Broken China Distress Ink.

Copic Markers E00, E11, E33, E53, E29, R20, R22, R24, R27, BG10, BG13, BG18, Y11, Y17, YR20 and YR14.

Instructions for Creating “Fifty with Wings” Card

Step One – Cutting

Cut paper as described below except for the white oval. After the pieces have been cut set them aside to be assembled later.

(C-1) 6” Square Card

(C-2) 5 ¾” Square Dark Mat

(C-3) 5 ½” Square Print Background

(C-4) 2 ¼” X 5 ½ Striped Side Panel

(O-1) 5” Dark Oval

(O-2) 4 ¾” Red Oval

(0-3) 4 ½” White Oval (Cut after image is printed on 8 ½” X 11” cardstock)

(V-1) Green Vine (Cut with the Sizzix die)

(R-1) Red Polka Dot Rosette Strip (Cut from the Mini Rosette Sizzlit)

(R-2) White Scallop Circle

(R-3) 1 ½” Dark Circle

(R-4) Two 1 3/8” Light Circles

(R-5) Number “50” (Cut with Cricut)

Step Two – Print, Cut and Color the Digital Image

Print the digital image on white cardstock and color with Copics. Digital images are so versatile. They can be resized, flipped and layered with other images to make a complete scene. For this project I filled the 8 ½” X 11” cardstock with multiple images, leaving a generous amount of space between each image. The Nestabilities Oval die was used to cut the image, centered within the oval. Once the image is colored and cut, set aside.

Step Three – Create the Rosette

I used the Tim Holtz Mini Rosette Sizzlit strip and followed his instructions found here. The rosette went together very quickly and easy. Once the rosette strip has been cut and folded, layer the rosette as follows: R4 – R1 – R2 – R3 – R4 – R5 – R6. Set the rosette aside. The “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” greeting was printed out on cardstock from my computer and punched out using the 1 3/8” Circle Punch.

Step Four – Layer the Card and Oval Sections

Layer card: C1 – C2 – C3 – C4

Layer Oval: O1 – O2 – O3

Step Five – Assemble Completed Sections
Assemble all the completed sections: card base, oval, rosette and vine. Attach the vine to the left edge of card and the layered oval to the right edge. Let the vine wrap over the top of the lower portion of the oval. Attach the rosette to the upper left area of the card. Embellish as desired. I added three pearls to add a little interest.

I hope you enjoy this card and will join me again for more fun projects. And if you have a stamp room tip for organization or ways to create cards quickly, please feel free to share them in the comments section. I always appreciate and enjoy reading your comments.

Don’t forget! During the week of September 19th – 23rd I will be a Guest Designer for Peachy Keen Stamps. I hope you will join me during the whole week because I am going to have a new card or project to share with you every day. And at the end of the week I will have a Peachy Keen Stamp set to give away to some lucky crafter. And it could be you! Thank you for joining me today on my paper journey – Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy!

A Simple Statement with Added Texture

2011-06-29T23:14:00.000-04:00

Stamp Set – CL377 Be Happy (Hero Arts)

Supplies

Ranger Distress Ink

Black Onyx Versafine Ink

Just My Type Border Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Cuttlebug

Scor-Buddy

Cardstock

Green A4 Card

Black Mat – 4” X 5 ¼”

Watercolor paper – 3 ¾” X 5”

Today I’m making a quick post to share the card I made for the Hero Arts June contest. I used Ranger Distress Inks to watercolor the flower and added some texture with the dots embossing folder from the “Just My Type Borders” set. This folder is a little different than the traditional size folders. It measures 1” X 5 ¾” as compared to the Swiss Dots folder measuring 4 ½” X 5 ¾”.

Instructions

1. Emboss both edges of the watercolor paper with the Dots embossing folder as shown.

Left - Alignment of the embossing folder. Right - Embossed panel.

2. Score lines on each side of the embossed dots using the Scor-Buddy.

Left - Place embossed panel, right side down on the Scor-Buddy.

Right - Use the notches along the top edge for placement of the lines and score.

Below is the completed embossed/scored panel.

3. Stamp the flower and “Thanks” image in the center of the watercolor paper between the embossing. Watercolor as desired.

4. Assemble card layers and attach embellishments.

This is a quick card to make. I love its simple statement with the added texture created with the embossing. Using embossing folders with the Cuttlebug makes adding texture quick and easy. As you can see, embossing makes an ordinary card extraordinary. I hope you'll give it a try. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Stamp Layering and Fussy Cut Flowers

2011-05-20T21:54:00.000-04:00

Welcome back to Polka Dot Gypsy. Today I want to share a little bit about how I created the layered stamp, “Thank You” card for the Hero Arts contest. I will be highlighting the details of stamp layering and “fussy cuts”.

For stamp layering, begin by examining the image to see how many layers you want to make and what sections you want to layer. The large flower in this image can have one to five layers. For my card I only used two layers. but for today’s tutorial I will be working with three (Layers 1-3).

Stamp the main image onto the card front. This will be the base for stacking the layers. Because I used three layers for this flower I stamped three additional images of the flower onto three different colors of cardstock. I only inked up the flower part of the stamp and stamped the images onto scraps of cardstock. For the tutorial I used Memento Ink, but for my original card I used VersaMark ink and embossed the image. Embossing gives the flower a little more texture.

After stamping the flower image onto three different scraps of cardstock, cut around each section forming the individual layers as pictured below. The bottom layer will be the complete image. For layer two, the base petals are cut away and for layer three, the base petals and the petal edges have been trimmed away.

For some added dimension use Pop Dots to attach the layered pieces.

Gypsy Tip – Use punches for the center pieces of the flower image.

To add some interest to the stamp layers, try stamping the flower image onto printed cardstock using the quilters "Fussy Cut" technique. Fussy Cut is a term used by quilters to describe a method of targeting a specific design area of the fabric to fit the cut piece. Below left is a scrap of the original fabric that I am using to make a hexagon quilt. The circled area is where I targeted each piece for my quilt blocks. The circle to the right is the actual piece that I cut.

Here is a photo of one of my completed hexagon quilt blocks. All the outer pieces are cut from the same targeted area as shown above. The center of the block is cut from a different area of the fabric. Each piece was fussy cut so that when assembled they formed this secondary design.

The same principal of fussy cutting can be used to make interesting designs for stamped images using printed paper or cardstock. Below are some samples of the same Hero Arts flower with possible fussy cuts from printed cardstock.

Gypsy Tip – I stamped the image onto the acetate that was packaged with my stamp when I purchased it. I use the stamped acetate as a viewer, trying out possible fussy cuts before stamping. I can tuck the acetate viewer into my purse and take it to the store to preview papers before I purchase them.

As you can see, the quilters idea of fussy cutting is a fun way to add interest to your own stamping creations. I hope you will give it a try. Fussy cuts are so much fun!

One last tip from the pros. I used to work for a company that made invitations using the hot foil stamping process. Not every card that ran through the press was perfect. Just like embossing powder, the foil would sometimes attach itself to places on the card where it shouldn't be. To clean up these areas we used the point of an X-acto knife to lightly scrape the foil off the card. I have used this same technique to remove tiny spots of embossing powder from my stamped cards. It won't remove large areas of embossing, but it will remove some of those tiny specks of embossing powder.

I hope you have enjoyed today’s tips and will stop by again soon. Have a great day! – Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy.

Stamp Layering Technique - Thank You Card

2011-04-28T21:44:00.001-04:00

Welcome back to a gypsy’s journey. Today I am sharing the card I made for the April Hero Arts contest. I am using the stamp layering technique featured on the Hero Arts blog. Complete how-to instructions for this technique can be found on this video by Shari Carroll.

Stamp Set

CG115 Floral Thank You (Hero Arts)

Cardstock

(A) Black – 6” X 12” Card (folded to 6” square)

(B) Light Teal – 5 ¾” Square

(D) Red – 4” X 5 ½”

(E) Cream – 1 ¼” X 5 ½”

(F) Black – 3 ¾” X 4 ½”

(G) Stripe* - 3 ½” X 4 ¼”

Scraps of C, E and Green Print** cardstock

*October Afternoon Thrift Shop Collection – Needs Paint

**October Afternoon Campfire Collection - Animal Tracks

Basic Supplies

VersaMark Ink (Tsukineko)

Vanilla Embossing Powder (Stampin’ Up!)

Broken China Distress Ink (Ranger)

Scallop Edge Punch (Stampin’ Up!)

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft)

Scor-Buddy (Scor-Pal)

Stamp-A-Ma-Jig (EK Success)

Sewing Machine

Ribbon

Pearls

Embossing

Emboss scraps of cardstock for the layered pieces.

Stamp and emboss the main image onto black cardstock with VersaMark Ink. Cover with vanilla embossing powder, tap off excess and heat to emboss. Cut out the embossed image. Set aside.

Stamp and emboss one small cream flower, one small print flower, one large cream flower, one large print flower and the six leaves. Cut around the embossed images and set aside.

Embossed Images - Used for Layering Technique

Card Construction

1. Distress edges of C and G with Broken China Distress Ink. Stitch around edges. Set aside.

2. Attach pieces B and C to card front A. Set aside.

3. Score vertical lines at ¼” intervals on panel D as shown. Set aside.

Panel D - Scored Vertical Lines

4. Use the Scallop edge punch to create the scallop edge on cream strip E.

5. Place strip E inside embossing folder with scallop edge extending about ¼” above edge of folder as shown. Feed through Cuttlebug to emboss.

6. Place the straight edge of strip E against the edge of the Scor-Buddy (right side of embossed strip down). Score a line from edge to edge at the ¾” measurement.

7. Attach embossed strip E 1/8” below top edge of panel D.

8. Wrap ribbon along the top edge of piece D and secure ribbon to back.

9. Attach completed D panel to C as shown.

10. Attach pieces F,G and the main embossed image to center of the layered card. Attach with Pop Dots

11. Layer the flowers onto the main image with Pop Dots.

12. Attach the leaves to the main image.

12. Add pearls to embellish.

These are the basic instructions for making the layered card. In my next post I will talk about “Fussy Cuts”, the basics of how I layered these flowers and then share an embossing tip from the pros. Thanks for sharing my journey! – Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy.

Two New Challenge Cards!

2011-04-03T23:30:00.000-04:00

I created this card for the PKS Card Sketch Challenge #48. This cute little chick is easy to color and takes very little time. I colored the image first and pulled my cardstock and embellishments to coordinate. This is a quick and easy, fun card! To see some of the other challenge cards, visit Peachy Keen Stamps.

Supply List

Stamps
Sweetie Pie Peepers (PK-260) Peachy Keen Stamps

Copic Markers

Chick - Y11, Y15 and YR68

Hat - R81, R83, R85, YR04 and YR68

Ink

Mememto Tuxedo Black

Miscelaneous Supplies

Stampin' Up! Spring Flower Boquet Punch

Stampin' Up! Scallop Trim Border

1/2" Circle punch

Scallop Circle Nestabilities

Sewing Machine

Ribbon

Cardstock

Pink Card - 6" Square

White Embossed Cardstock - 5 3/4" Square

Pink Solid - 3 7/8" X 4 3/4"

Plaid - 3 7/8" X 4 5/8"

White Embossed Cardstock Strip - 1 1/2" X 5 3/4"

Solid pink Strip - 1" X 5 3/4"

Plaid Strip - 5/8" X 5 3/4"

Yellow Polka Dot Scallop Circle - 3 5/8"

5 Yellow punched Flowers

5 Orange Circles - 1/2"

Pink Circle - 3 1/4"

White Circle - 3 1/8"

Happy Spring!

The "Happy Spring" card was created for the Color Me Creative Classroom Challenge. The requirements:

1. Use Copics.

2. Use Primary Colors.

3. Use the theme, Celebrating.

I rarely use primary colors in my cards. So, this was a real challenge for me. This winter has been so cold and snowy. I'm ready to enjoy some warm weather. So I chose to celebrate Spring!

Supply List

Stamps

New Friends from Susana's Custom Art & Card Design (SCACD) by Elizabeth Bell

Copic Markers

Skin - E00 and E11

Hair - Y32, E33 and E59

Shirt - Y11, Y15, Y17, YR04 and YR68

Jeans - B93, B95 and Blender Pen

Jeans Patch - Y11, YR 04 and YR68

Bird - B93 and B95

Ink

Mememto Tuxedo Black

Miscelaneous Supplies

Scallop Circle Nestabilities

Ribbon

Embellishments

Adhesive Letters

Cardstock

Blue Card - 6" Square

Red Cardstock - 5 7/8" Square

Yellow Cardstock - 5 3/4" Square

Black Cardstock - 5 1/2" Square

Red, Blue & Yellow Cardstock Scallop Nestabilities - 4 1/8"

White Circle - 3 1/2"

Orange Ring - 3"

"Happy Spring" was a learning experience for me. It was the first time that I had to refill a Copic marker. I spent hours working on the hair. Everytime I thought I had ruined the image I heard Suzanne Dean saying that you can never ruin an image, it just may end up darker than you planned. So, I kept working through it. In the end I learned that the cause of my problem was the tip of my pen had been contaminated. The solution was to simply replace the brush tip.

Both of these cards are easy to make. It is simply coloring, layering and adding embellishments. The red, blue and yellow scallop circle was made by cutting one scallop circle each from red, blue and yellow cardstock. Use repositionable adhesive to stack them together and then cut the stack into three strips. Place the cut strips together to form the multi-color scallop circle.

My cards today have a Spring theme. And today was a beautiful day here where I live. I took a long walk and just enjoyed the sunshine. I hope your day was just as beautiful! Have a great week. - Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy!

CMC Classroom Birthday Celebration Sketch Challenge

2011-03-20T18:56:00.002-04:00

Hi all! I’ve been hanging out at the Color Me Creative Classroom this week. CMC Classroom is celebrating it's first birthday with a week full of fun. This card is for the March 15^th Sketch Challenge at CMC Classroom.

This is a pretty simple card to make. So, I’m just going to share with you the details and if there is anything you have questions about, just leave me a comment!

The techniques I've used in this card are machine sewing, distress inked edges, embossing, spiral flowers and Copic markers. My Gypsy Gem for this project is my watering can. I spent a whole evening searching the internet for a digi stamp of a watering can. I knew just what I wanted, but couldn’t find it. I finally gave up and went to Photoshop Elements and created this cute little watering can with a Happy Birthday greeting in honor of CMC Classroom. I’m pretty proud of my first ever “Digi” stamp.

Supply List

Stamps
“Tilda with Ladybug” from Magnolia Stamps
Watering Can Digi Stamp created by the Polka Dot Gypsy

Copics

Face, Hands & Legs – E000, E00, E11 & R20

Hair – Y32, E33 & F57

Dress – G21, G24 & G28

Pinafore & Boots – R00, R20 & R22

Ladybug & Pockets – R22, R24, R27 & W3

Ladybug Face – C1, C3 & C5

Watering Can – R00, R20, R22, G21, G24 & G28

Ink
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink

Peeled Paint Distress Ink
Victorian Velvet Distress Ink.

Miscelaneous Supplies

Swiss Dots & Starry Night Embossing Folders

Scallop Circle Nestabilities

Flower Die from Cottage Cutz

Spring Flower Boquet and Scallop Trim Border Punches from Stampin’ Up!

Ribbon & Wire

Sewing Machine, Cricut & Cuttlebug

Cardstock

Red - 6" Square Card
Green - 5 ¾” Square Mat

Marabell Plaid from the Paper Studio - 5 3/8” Square Design Panel

Green - (3) 1 1/8” X 5 3/8” Mat Strip

Red Minidot print from Heidi Grace Designs - (3) 7/8” X 5 3/8” Main Panel Strip

Green - 3” X 4 7/8” Horizontal Mat Strip with Scallop Trim Border punched along bottom edge

Green Minidot print from Heidi Grace Designs – 2 1/4" X 4 5/8”

Red – 4 1/8” Scallop Circle

Green – 3 ¾” Circle

Cryogen White – 3 ½” Circle embossed with the Starry Night embossing folder

(3) Red Minidot print Flowers cut with the “Flower” die from Cottage Cutz

(3) Tissue paper Scallop Circles embossed with the Swiss Dots embossing folder

Various Flowers punched with Stampin’ Up! Spring Flower Boquet Punch and Flourishes cut with Cricut.

Basic Card Assembly

Color Tilda and the watering can with Copic markers and set aside.

Make the Spiral Flowers as described in my previous post of March 6. Set flowers aside.

Emboss the Cryogen white circle. Punch along the bottom edge of the green horizontal mat using the Scallop Trim Border punch. Set aside.

Distress all the panel edges with appropriate colors of Distress inks. I did not distress the Cryogen White circle.

Layer the individual panels and sew around the edges. I did not stitch around the circular panels.

Gypsy Tip

I use double sided adhesive tape to tack pieces together before sewing. Be sure that the adhesive will not be in any area where you will be sewing as this will gum up the sewing machine needle. I don't sew more than 2 pieces of cardstock together at a time. When sewing along the edges I stop at corners with my needle down, lift the presser foot and turn the paper to make my corner. If I am too far away from the edge, but too close to take another stitch before turning, I reduce my stitch length and make one more stitch, stopping with the needle down and then make my turn. Before I resume stitching I adjust my stitch back to the normal length.

Attach the layered panels to the card front. Be sure to attach the ribbon around the horizontal panel before attaching the scallop/circle layers.

Decorate the card with Tilda, watering can, flowers and tisue paper scallop circles. I used pop dots to attach Tilda and the watering can to the card. Wire was used to replace the stamped antennae cut away from the Tilda image. I cut some cardstock swirls with the Cricut and tucked them in the flower grouping to add some color.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you have enjoyed viewing my Sketch Challenge card featuring “Tilda with Ladybug” and my very own watering can image! I’m going to head on back to the party at Color Me Creative Classroom. Have a great week! – Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy

PKS Sketch Challenge #46

2011-03-06T21:19:00.000-05:00

Some Bunny Loves You!

I have to admit that I am addicted to the Patty Cake Jr stamp. This cute little gingerbread girl has stolen my heart. For the Peachy Keen Sketch Challenge 46 I am using her again, this time as a bunny for Easter. Please read on to find out how I made this cute little card and especially how I made the flowers. Here is this weeks sketch.

Featured Stamp

Peachy Keen Stamp, Patty Cake Jr (PK-401)

Paper

Blue – 6” Card (Folded Size)

(A) Light Green –5 5/8” Square

(B) Medium Green – (2 Each) 2 ½” X 5 ¼”

(D) Medium Green – 4 3/8” X 4 5/8”

(E) White – 4 1/8” X 4 3/8”

(F) Polka Dot – 4” X 4 ¼”

(G) White Scallop Egg

(H) Blue Egg Mat

(I) Check/Text Egg

Various Paper Elements

Image, Bunny Ears and Flowers

All papers from Stampin’ Up!, My Mind’s Eye and G.C.D Studios (Melody Ross).

Supplies

Ribbon

Button

Copic Markers

Flower Mini (1 ¾”) CC-MINI-049 Cottage Cutz Die

Nestabilities Scallop Circle

Quilling Tool

Art Glitter Glue

Cuttlebug

Photoshop

Cricut

SCAL (Sure Cuts A Lot) Software

Scalloped Eggs SVG File from SVGCuts.com

Sewing Machine

Card Instructions

Step 1 – Stamp and color the gingerbread girl image. Set aside.

Step 2 – Cut out all paper pieces and various elements.

Step 3 – Use Photoshop to create the “Some Bunny Loves You” text along a circular path. Print out the text on the checked paper and cut out the egg with Cricut. (Note: The egg shape is an SVG file used with SCAL software for cutting with the Cricut. The positioning of the text was a matter of printing, cutting and moving the text until the position was correct for the egg.

Step 4 – Assemble the egg pieces (G-H-I). Set aside.

Step 5 – Assemble card panels (B-C) and (D-E-F).

Step 6 – Stitch around the edges of pieces A, both (B-C) panels and the (D-E-F) panel.

Step 5 & 6

Step 7 - Attach the three stitched panels A and (B-C) to the card front.

Step 8 – Wrap white ribbon around (D-E-F) panel.

Step 9 – Attach the (D-E-F) panel to the card front.

Step 7, 8 & 9

Step 10 – Attach bunny ears and decorative elements to the gingerbread girl and attach to the card front. Bunny ears were made using basic shapes in SCAL and welding them together before cutting.

Step 11 – Attach the egg to the card front with Pop Dots.

Step 12 – Attach a tissue paper scallop circle and flowers to the egg.

Step 10, 11 & 12

Gypsy Tip – To give flowers some added dimension I like to add scallop circles cut from tissue paper and attach it under the flower grouping. I usually emboss the scallop circles with small dots after they are cut out.

Gypsy Tip – To make the small flowers I used the Mini Flower Die from Cottage Cutz with my Cuttlebug. This cute little flower form Cottage Cutz is perfect for making these tiny dimensional flowers. And the price is a steal for this 1 3/4" flower that can be cut and used flat or made into a dimensional flower using the spiral flower technique. Please note that the 1 3/4" measurement refers to the size of the flat flower. The dimensional flower is only about 1/2" wide.

To make the flowers for this project:.

Cut three cardstock flowers using the Cottage Cutz die with the Cuttlebug.

Beginning at the dot, clip the bridges of the cut flower to make one continuous cut to the center disc.

Starting from the outside edge, wind the spiral flower around the quilling tool to the center.

When the spiral is completely wound to the center disc let the flower relax just a little.

Apply glue on the disc and press the bottom edge of the flower to the disc, holding until glue is dry. I like to use The Art Glitter Glue because it dries very quickly and holds very well.

Spiral Flower Technique

This was another fun sketch challenge. I hope you have enjoyed this card and will try making the spiral flowers using the Cottage Cutz, Mini Flower die. It really is a fun technique. Have a great week! - Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy.

PKS Sketch Challenge #45

2011-02-21T23:06:00.000-05:00

The "Best Friend" card is my interpretation of the sketch below. To see all the challenge entries just click on PKS.

Featured Peachy Keen Stamp

PK-401 Patty Cake Jr.

Paper Dimensions

Bright Olive Green Card – 6” X 12” (Folded to 6” Square)

(A) Dark Olive Green Mat – 5 ¾” Square

(B) Green & White Polka Dot from Stampin’ Up! Apple Cider DS Paper – 5 ½” Square

(D) White Strip – 2 1/2” X 5 ½” (Before punched edges.)

(E) Bright Olive Green Strip - 2 ¼” X 5 ½”

(F) White Cardstock – 8 ½” X 11”

(G) Dark Olive Green – 3 7/8” Circle

(H) Hot Press Watercolor paper - 3” X 4”

Ink

Onyx Black Versafine Ink

Distress Inks:

Skin: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy and Rusty Hinge

Cheeks: Tattered Rose and Worn Lipstick

Dress & Bow: Peeled Paint, Forest Moss and Walnut Stain

Tools

Waterbrush

Martha Stewart Floral Lace Edge Punch

PhotoShop Elements 9

Cricut

Lace Circles SVG Die Cut File (Laina Lamb – Two Peas in a Bucket)

Shamrock Border SVG Die Cut File (Images by Heather M)

Card Construction

Step 1 – Stamp the gingerbread girl image onto watercolor paper with black Versafine ink. Add color using the waterbrush and Distress Inks. Cut out around the image leaving a small border. Set aside.

Step 2 – Sew B to A and attach to the Card Front.

Step 1 - Sewing the layers and attaching to the card front.

Step 3 – Print out your greeting on an 8 ½” X 11” piece of white cardstock. Before printing on the cardstock, test on copy paper to make sure that the text placement is correct for cutting with Cricut.

Step 4– Place the printed cardstock on the Cricut mat and cut the scallop circle.

Step 4 - Placement of printed text.

Step 5 – Sew the scallop circle to the dark green circle. Center and attach to the card front.

Step 5 - Attaching the scallop circle to the card front.

Gypsy Tip – I tack the circle to the back of the scallop circle with double sided tape to hold both pieces in place while sewing. Do not stitch through the adhesive because it will gum up your needle.

Step 6 – Cut the Shamrock Border from the dark olive green cardstock using Cricut.

Step 7 – Punch along the top and bottom edges of the white strip using the Martha Stewart Floral Lace punch.

Step 8 – Stitch along top and bottom edges of strip E.

Step 9 – Stack pieces C, D and E. Stitch together along top and bottom edges of strip C.

Step 10 - Attach the Shamrock Border to the stitched strips.

Detail of the layered Sharmrock border strip.

Step 11 - Attach the layered shamrock border over the scallop circle on the card front.

Step 11 - Adding the border strip.

Step 12 – Attach the gingerbread girl to the card front with Pop Dots. Attach a ribbon and button to the gingerbread girl.

Finished Card

Well, that’s my entry for this weeks PKS Sketch Challenge. It was a fun one and I hope you enjoy my card. I have yet another card that I am trying to finish up for the Hero Arts Challenge this week. Once it is posted I will post some details about how I place my text on the cardstock to be cut out accurately using my Cricut. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed your stay! – Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy

Dimensional Flower Technique

2011-02-14T06:07:00.000-05:00

This technique for making dimensional flowers for cards and scrapbook pages is one that I learned a while back and have used quite often because it is so simple to do. One of my original resources for this technique is Making Flowers with a Scallop Circle Punch video by Julie Allain.

As promised, here is a tutorial on how I made the flower for my “Simply Handmade” card.

Dimensional Scalloped Flower Technique

Step 1 - To make the flower, punch a scallop circle from yellow cardstock using any scallop circle punch or die. Scallops must be an even number. The small scallop circle was punched from cardstock using a Stampin’ Up Scallop Circle punch and the larger scallop circle was cut with a Nestabilities die.

Step 1 - Cut a cardstock flower

Step 2 - Swipe Vintage Photo Distress Ink across a craft mat and spritz with water to form drops of color. Tap the flower onto the ink droplets and dry with a heat tool. Repeat until your flower has the distress look that you are happy with. I like to ink both sides of the scallop circle. I also alternate tapping the flower and swiping it through the ink.

Step 2 - Distressing the flowers

Step 3 - Cut a slit between every two scallops as shown in the picture. The length of the cut is about ½” depending on the size of your scallop circle.

Step 3 - Cutting slits to create petals

Step 4 - Place the flower right side down on a padded surface, such as a mouse pad or fun foam. Use an embossing tool to emboss each petal so that they puff up on the right side.

Step 4 - Embossing petals

Step 5 - Flip the embossed flower over and emboss the center of the flower, forming a circle. As you emboss, the petals will pop up from the center.

Step 5 - Emboss center of flower to pop up petals

Step 6 - To complete your flower, attach an embellishment, such as a button, to the center.

Step 6 - Add button embellishment to center

Gypsy Tips

Buttons - I added color to the unfinished wood button with Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain Distress Inks.

Sales - Think outside the box when shopping. I purchased this raffia ribbon at an after Christmas sale for 90% off. I had no intention of wrapping any Christmas presents with it. It was going right into my scrappin’ stash!

Crafting Tricks from the Past - Here’s an old crafting trick I learned years ago. To thread ribbon or embroidery floss through a small hole, use a dental floss threader. These threaders can be found in the dental department of most any discount store, pharmacy or grocery store.

Here is how I used the Floss Threader to feed ribbon through the holes of the button with ease.

Insert the ribbon through the loop of the threader. Working from the top of the button, insert the tail of the threader through one of the holes of the button. Pull the ribbon through the hole to the back of the button.

Pulling ribbon front to back of button

Repeat the process, pulling the ribbon to the front of the button from the back. Tie the ribbon and you are ready to attach the button to the center of your flower.

Pulling ribbon back to front of button

Tissue Paper - The center of the larger flower was too big for the size of button that I used. So I cut a smaller scallop circle from tissue paper and used the Polka Dot embossing folder to emboss polka dots onto the tissue paper.

Detail of the embossed tissue scallop circle

I squished up the center to give it a little dimension and glued the tissue scallop circle to the center of the scallop flower.

Glue scallop circle to center of flower

I attach the button to the center with a Pop Dot.

Detail of the small and large flower with tissue

I hope you enjoy making these flowers. They are very easy to make and a lot of fun to do. Don't forget to take a look at Julie's video. Have a great day! Jane - the Polka Dot Gypsy

PKS Sketch Challenge 44 With A Twist

2011-02-06T20:59:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to make this quick post featuring my challenge card for the Tuesday PKS Sketch Challenge 44. The challenge is to create a card or layout based on the sketch below using a monochromatic color scheme.

For the text on my card I really wanted to use, “Snow, snow go away!!!” But the little snowperson looked so peaceful that I decided that “Snow Dreamzz!” was a much better fit. At least he’s enjoying all of this snow!

Here is the list of supplies and tools including brief instructions on how I created the “Snow Dreamzzz!” card.

Stamp

PK-303 Tubular Star Snowman from Peachy Keen Stamps

Ink

Jet Black Stazon

Broken China, Tumbled Glass, Faded Jeans, Tattered Rose and Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks

Tools

Nestabities Scallop Circle

Martha Stewart Heart Chain Punch

Sizzix Powdered Sugar Embossing Folder

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots and Polka Dots Embossing Folders

Stampin’ Up! Word Window Punch

1/8” Hole Punch

Embellishments

Black Gems

White Organdy Ribbon

Cardstock Dimensions

Black Card – 11” X 5 ½” folded to 5 ½” Square

(A) Dark Turquoise Mat – 5 3/8” Square

(B) Medium Turquoise Design Panel – 5 ¼” Square

(D) Light Turquoise Embossed Panel – 3 ½” X 5 ¼”

(E) Black Horizontal Strip – 1 ¾” X 5 ¼”

(F) White Horizontal Strip – 1 ½” X 5 ¼”

(G) Black Scallop Circle – 3 5/8”

(H) Light Turquoise Text Strip – Text Printed on 4” X 6” Cardstock

(I) Black Text Strip Mat – Scrap

Card Construction

Step 1 – Stamp image onto watercolor paper with Stazon ink and add color using Distress Inks. Set aside to dry.

Step 2 – Attach the Medium Turquoise Design Panel (B) to the Dark Turquoise Mat (A) and attach to the Card Front. Set aside.

Step 3 – Emboss the Light Turquoise Panel (D) with the Sizzix Powdered Sugar embossing folder. Attach the embossed panel (D) to the Black Vertical Strip (C) and attach to the Medium Turquoise Design Panel (B). Set Aside.

Step 4 – Emboss the White Horizontal Strip (F) with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder. Punch a Heart Chain border along the top edge of strip (F) using the Martha Stewart Heart Chain Punch. Attach to the Black Horizontal Strip (E). Set Aside.

Step 5 – Using your computer and printer, print out the text, “Snow DreamZZZ” on a 4” X 6” piece of light turquoise cardstock. Center the text in the window of the Word Window punch and punch out the text. Attach this text piece to a scrap piece of black cardstock and cut away the excess black leaving a small border around the light turquoise punched piece. Punch a 1/8” hole at each end of the text piece and feed the ends of the ribbon up through each hole, making a knot at the end. Attach the ribbon tails on the back of the black and white strip unit. I placed a couple of Pop Dots under the text panel to lift it off the page.

Step 6 – Cut a Scallop Circle from black cardstock and emboss with the Cuttlebug Polka Dots embossing folder. Attach to the front of the card with Pop Dots or Dimensionals.

Step 7 – Cut out the stamped, watercolor image and add embellishments as desired. Use Pop dots or Dimensionals to attach to the Scallop Circle.

I hope you have been inspired to make a “Snow Dreamzzz!” card of your own.

Don’t forget to visit Peachy Keen Stamps at:

http://peachykeenstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/01/peachy-keen-stamps-sketch-challenge-44.html .

There you can view all the other cards submitted for the PKS Tuesday Sketch Challenge. It’s a great way to spend a snowy afternoon.

I’m still working on the post for making the flower from the “Simply Handmade” card from last week. It’s almost completed and will be posted soon. Until then, have a great week! – Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy

Simply Handmade

2011-01-30T20:56:00.001-05:00

This "Simply Handmade" card was created for the "Mojo Motivator", Technique Challenge #307 at Splitcoast Stampers. Guidelines for the challenge are to pick a technique from any of the Technique Challenges from last year. Then pick a color combo from any of the Color Combination Challenges from the last six months. And finally, pick a sketch from any of the last 100 sketches of the Sketch Challenge. I chose TLC 306 (Sewing) for the technique and SC240 for my sketch. For my color combination I chose CC298 (Ruby Red Chocolate Chip and Craft). I substituted green for red as a main color and used the red as well as mustard for accent colors.

I love this idea to boost creativity and will start keeping a book of my favorite card sketches, techniques and color combos to help motivate me when I’m unmotivated. For motivation I usually browse magazines and websites until I find one idea, sketch, color, theme or technique that inspires me. And then – I’m off!

Here are the details of how I made this "Simply Handmade" card.

Stamp Set
CL429 Simply Handmade (Hero Arts)

Ink
Walnut Stain Distress Ink

Tools
Cottage Cutz Rick Rack Die
Cuttlebug
Cuttlebug Polka Dots Embossing Folder
EK Success Dotted Scallop Edge Punch
Nestabilities Circle & Scallop Circle Dies
Scor-Buddy
Sewing Machine
Stampin’ Up! Double Rectangle Punch
Stampin’ Up! Scallop Circle Punch

Embellishments
Buttons
Ribbon

Paper Dimensions
Paper & Cardstock are from My Mind’s Eye, K & Company and Stampin’ Up!

Kraft Card – 10” X 7” folded to a 5” X 7” card.
(A) Brown Cardstock Large Mat– 4 ¾” X 6 ¾”
(B) Brown Cardstock Small Mat – 3 1/8” X 4 1/8”
(C) Brown Cardstock Strip – 1 1/4” X 2 1/8”
(D) 2 Brown Rick Rack Cardstock Strips
(E) Green Cardstock Design Panel – 4 ½” X 6 ½”
(F) Cream Cardstock – 3 1/8” X 4 1/8” (Trim after stamping)
(G) Cream Cardstock Strip – 3/8” X 1 7/8”
(H) Red Gingham Strip – 1 3/8” X 6 ½”
(I) Kraft Paper Scallop Circle – 3 1/8”
(J) Brown Polka Dot Cardstock Circle – 2 3/8”

Card Construction

Step 1 – Attach the brown mat (A) to the kraft card front. Set aside.

Step 2 – Use the Polka Dots embossing folder to emboss the front of the green design panel (E). Attach crocheted trim to lower portion of the green design panel. Wrap the trim around to the back and secure.

Step 1 & Step 2

Step 3 –Attach the embossed, green design panel (E) to brown mat (A). Set aside.

Step 4 – Use Walnut Stain Distress Ink to age the red gingham paper strip (H). Sew the brown strips of rick rack (D) to the top and bottom edges of the gingham strip (H). Attach the sewn strip to the green design panel (E), covering the top edge of the crocheted trim. If you don’t sew, just glue the rick rack strips onto the gingham strip and use a white pen to make faux stitching lines.

Step 3 & Step 4

Detail of the scored paper strip

Gypsy Tip
How I created texture. After inking the gingham strip I decided that it still needed something more. And that little something was – texture! So, before attaching the rick rack strips I scored the gingham strip using the Scor-Buddy. I scored the lines following the print of the paper on the printed side because the print was not visible on the backside of the paper. By scoring on the front of the paper my scored lines were indented, but I wanted the scored lines to be raised. So, I flipped the paper over and scored again on the back of the paper, scoring over the same lines. (I used the previously scored lines as a visual guide for scoring on the back of the paper.) Now, my lines were raised and in line with the print of the gingham on the front of my strip.

Gypsy Tip - Scoring the printed side first

Gypsy Tip - Flip and score again

Step 5 –Cut a scallop circle (I) from Kraft paper using the Nestabilities die and emboss after cutting. Distress the edges of the scallop circle with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. Cut a circle (J) from polka dot cardstock and distress along the edges. Place the polka dot circle onto the scallop circle and stitch around the edges of the circle to secure.

Step 6 – Attach the completed scallop circle section to the top of the card as shown.

Step 5 & Step 6

Step 7 - Stamp the “Handmade” image onto the cream strip (G) with Walnut Stain Distress Ink and set aside.

Step 8 - Use the Dotted Scallop Edge Punch along the top and bottom edges of the brown strip (C) to create the decorative edges.

Step 9 - Attach the “Handmade” strip (G) to the brown strip (C). Punch one slot at each end of the G/C strip and set aside.

Step 10 - Stamp the “back of pattern” image onto cream cardstock (F) with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. Trim the cardstock, leaving a 1/8” border around the image.

Step 11 – Cut a piece of 1/8” ribbon and a piece of ¼” ribbon approximately 5” long. Layer the 1/8” piece of ribbon onto the ¼” piece of ribbon and feed through the slots of the “Handmade” (G/C) strip as pictured. Attach the (G/C) strip on top of the stamped, “back of pattern” piece and wrap the ends of the ribbon around to the back of the panel. Secure the ribbon to the back of the stamped cardstock and attach to the small brown mat (B).

Step 12 - Attach the completed section to the card front as shown.

Step 7 through Step 12

Step 13 – Attach buttons, small bow and a paper flower to embellish.

I hope you enjoy this project and please check back again soon because I am going to show you how I made the flower embellishment on this “Simply Handmade” card. – Jane, the Polka Dot gypsy

Getting Organized!

2011-01-17T06:09:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone!

I didn't want you to think that I had abandoned my blog. During the busy holidays it became evident that I am going to be tight on time. And I need to be organized to be creative. If my room is a mess, so am I!

I decided that for me to participate in the challenges and share those creations on my blog I should be better organized. I started by unmounting ninety percent of my stamps. It hurt at first, but I got over it very quickly. After tossing two garbage bags full of wooden blocks I now have room for more stamps!!! And I kept a whole box full of the wooden blocks for the grandkids to play with.

The next step was to find a way to get my cards completed faster? So, I reorganized all my paper. Then I decided on two or three color combinations to work with. I keep the paper (color combos only) and all the co-ordinating embellishments next to my work area for easy reach. Of course I spent one afternoon shopping for more paper and matching embellishments!

Now you have a quick update on what I've been doing. I've got a card I'm finishing up and will be posting it soon. In the mean time, I'd love to hear any ideas you have for getting those cards finished a little faster. Have a great day! - Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy

Hero Arts "Giving Thanks & Color Challenge" Entry

2010-12-30T20:00:00.000-05:00

I created this card as an entry for the December Hero Arts Challenge. Follow the Hero Arts Challenge link for more information and while you’re there, visit the Hero Arts Flickr Group and view all the entries for the challenge. You won’t be disappointed!

For my “Giving Thanks” themed card I’m using the kraft, cranberry, pine and snow color combo from the challenge. I added heat embossing to the copper cardstock to give the card a little “shine”.

Supplies for my “Thanks” card:

Kraft Card – 7” X 10” (Folded to 5” X 7”)

Brown Cardstock – 4 ¾” X 6 ¾”

Green Cardstock – 4 ½” X 6 ½”

White Design Panel – 4 1/4” X 6 1/4”

Cranberry Velvet Paper – Ornamental Die Cut

Green Cardstock – Ornamental Die Cut Mat

White Tissue Paper – 3 5/8” Scallop Oval

Black Cardstock – 3” Oval

Copper Cardstock – 2 3/8” Oval

Black Cardstock – ¾” Circles (6)

Copper Cardstock – Scrap for Six 5/8” Circles

Hero Arts CL483 My Type 2011 Stamp Set

Black Pigment Ink

Black Embossing Powder

5/8” Hole Punch

¾” Hole Punch

Tim Holtz Ornamental Die

Nestabilities Scallop Oval Die

Nestabilities Oval Dies

Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Black Ribbon

Nailhead Metal Stickers

1. Card Front - Attach cardstock layers to card: Green to brown and brown to kraft card. (Photo 1)

2. Ornamental Image - Cut the Ornamental image from the cranberry velvet paper and attach to a scrap of green cardstock. Cut out around the image, leaving a small border of green around the cranberry for a mat. Fold the top edge of the Ornamental unit to the back about 3/8”. (Photo 2) Slide the white design panel inside the fold as shown and glue in place. (Photo 3) Attach the completed unit to the green layer of the card. (Photo 4)

3. Embossing the Typewriter Keys – Cover every other letter (T-A-K) with masking tape. (Photo 5) Ink the stamp with black pigment ink. (Photo 6) Remove the tape from the stamp. (Photo 7) Stamp the image onto the copper cardstock. Repeat this process covering letters (H-N-S) as shown in Photo 8. Once all images have been stamped, cover them with embossing powder, tap off excess and heat to emboss. (Photo 9)

4. Finishing the Keys - Punch out the embossed images with the 5/8” circle punch. (Photo 10) Punch six black ¾” circles and attach the embossed images to the black circles. See the example "S" as shown in Photo 11.

5. Typewriter Section - Cut out a 2 3/8” oval from copper cardstock. Stamp the typewriter image onto the oval with black pigment ink. Sprinkle with black embossing powder, tap off excess powder and heat to emboss. Cut a 3 5/8” scallop oval from the tissue paper and emboss with the Swiss Dots embossing folder. Next, cut a 3” black oval and attach it to the scallop oval. Attach the embossed copper oval to the black oval. (Photo 12) Center and attach the layered oval section to the cranberry Ornamental image on the front of the card.

6. Finishing Up - Arrange the typewriter keys to form the word, “Thanks” along the bottom of the white panel. Make a small bow from black ribbon and attach to the lower edge of the Ornamental cut image. Add the Nailhead stickers along the lower right side of the black oval.

I hope you are enjoying my blog and will visit again soon. Have a safe and Happy New Year – Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy

2010-12-25T19:46:00.008-05:00

Hi everyone. I hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas. I received some really exciting news last week and wanted to share it with you this evening. I am extremely pleased to announce that I have been chosen to be a Guest Designer for Peachy Keen Stamps during the week of September 19 through September 23. I hope that I will be able to do some Halloween projects. You all know how much I love to make Halloween cards! Also during that week I will be giving away a Peachy Keen Stamp set here on my blog.

Please check out the other guest designer blogs at http://peachykeenstamps.blogspot.com/. They are a wonderfully talented group of designers. You won't want to miss their projects throughout the year.

I would like to thank Peachy Keen Stamps for giving me this great opportunity! I am looking forward to this and hope that you will enjoy all of the other great projects by the PKS Guest Designers.

I can't end this post without a crafting tip. So here it is . . .

My Christmas card to you is a photo of my Christmas decorations above my front door. I purchased the lamp post at Jo-Ann Fabrics last year and decided that it needed something more. Knowing that I was going to sit Minnie Mouse on the bench next to it, I decided to add Mickey to the lamp. I used the Cricut, "Mickey Font" Cartridge to cut the image from vinyl and attached it to the lamp. I also cut the images in a smaller size and added them to the ornaments on the tree.

Have a wonderful Holiday! - Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy

Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge 42 - Emboss It!

2010-12-19T21:56:00.000-05:00

Today's note card is another Peachy Keen Challenge entry using either heat or dry embossing.

Supplies

PK-401 Patty Cake Jr.

Black Card - 5 1/2" X 8 1/2" (Folded)
Silver Panel - 4" X 5 1/4"
Pearl Panel - 3 3/4" X 5"
Silver Scallop Oval - 3 5/8"
Watercolor Paper Oval - 3"

Silver Pigment Ink
Silver Embossing Powder
Wild Plum & Shell Pink Adirondack Alcohol Inks
Adirondack Alcohol Blending Solution
Blending Tool
Heat Tool
Spellbinders Nestabilities Scallop Oval & Oval Dies
Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
Silver Ribbon

Basic Card Instructions

1. Apply Wild Plum and Shell Pink alcohol inks to the watercolor oval with blending solution and blending tool.

2. Let dry and stamp image onto the oval using the silver pigment ink. Cover with embossing powder. Tap off excess and heat emboss. Set aside.

3. Cut out the silver scallop oval with the Nestabilities die and emboss before removing the die cut from the die. Set aside.

4. Use the Swiss Dots embossing folder to emboss the pearl panel. Set aside.

5. Attach embossed Pearl panel to silver panel.

6. Attach embossed oval to the silver scallop oval and attach both to pearl panel at optical center.

7. Wrap ribbon around all the layered panels below the scallop oval. Tie ribbon in a bow or knot and attach the silver panel to the front of the note card.

I hope you enjoy this cute little card. It is a simple card to make and has many creative possibilities for all those special occasions. - Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy

Part Four - "Brown Bag Table Setting"

2010-12-15T16:47:00.000-05:00

Let’s Decorate the Tree and Finish it Up!

Lights

To make individual tree lights, punch out six 7/8” flowers (2 each of teal, red and green). Use the Double Rectangle Punch to punch out the copper rectangles for the base of the light. The rectangles need to be a little smaller. So, place the edge of the cardstock ¾ of the way into the window of the punch as shown.

Each flower will make five lights. Glue five bases to the flower as shown in the "Assembling Lights" photo. Cut apart the flowers and trim off excess cardstock even with the bottom of the copper base. Place the lights on your tree as desired. I added tiny pearl embellishments to the tree for interest.

Shoes & Socks

For shoes, use the word window punch and punch two oblong shapes. These shapes are too long for shoes and will need to be shortened as shown in the “Punching Shoes” photo. For the socks, use the Pinking Hearts edge punch and make a strip about two inches long. Cut two sections for each sock and layer over the shoes.

To complete this adorable little Christmas Tree Girl, add a copper star to her hat, and a bow to her collar. Attach the completed doll to the front Design panel with Pop Dots.

Menu Insert

For the menu insert, cut one Teal Cardstock Panel 4 ¾” X 7 ¼”. Print out a menu to fit the panel. Attach the printed menu to the top of the Panel where the ornament and bow will be placed. Leave the bottom of the printed menu unattached. Align both polka dot ornaments at the top, sandwiching the menu panel in between the ornaments. Leave the top part of the ornament extending above the panel about ¼”. Punch two holes through all layers at the top of the ornament and make a Martha Stewart bow with ribbon to hold all the pieces together. Slide the completed menu into the main bag section.

Finishing Touches

Cut rickrack with the CottageCutz rickrack die and use the Dotted Swiss embossing folder to emboss dots. Place rickrack along the top edge of the pocket section. Cut out your guests name and attach to the lower part of the pocket/flap section on the back of the completed Easel back. Insert plastic table service into the small pocket on the back and set at your holiday table.

Tip: It is important to use cardstock for the layers and not thin paper. The cardstock gives the easel section stability to stand. The easel will not support anything heavier than the plastic table service. Do not add a lot of weight to the upper back portion of the easel.

Stamp set for this project is from Peachy Keen Stamps, punches from Stampin’ Up, die cuts from Nestabilities, Sizzix, CottageCutz and Cricut. Color was added using Copic Sketch Markers.

This completes the tutorial on the “Brown Bag Table Setting”. I hope you have enjoyed this project and have been inspired. This project has so many possibilities. I hope you will give it a try and let me know what you did with it. “Happy Holidays” – Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy

Part Three - "Brown Bag Table Setting"

2010-12-13T20:21:00.000-05:00

Making the Christmas Tree Girl

Welcome back to the third day of instructions for the “Brown Bag Table Setting”. Today I will explain how I made the Christmas Tree Girl. Below is the list of the punched shapes that I used for this project.

Paper Shapes

For the Christmas Tree Girl

Curious Iridescents Cryogen White - 1 3/8” Circle

Curious Iridescents Cryogen White - Doll Body

Color of Choice – Doll Hair (2)

Green – 2 1/8”, 3 1/8” & 3 5/8” Scallop Circles (Tree)

Green – 1 5/8” & 2 5/8” Scallop Circles (Tree Hat)

White – 1 5/8” Scallop Circle (Collar)

For Tree Decorations
Copper - Small Rectangles from Slot Punch (30)

Red – 7/8” Five Petal Flower (2 Each)

Teal – 7/8” Five Petal Flower (2 Each)

Green – 7/8” Five Petal Flower (2 Each)

Copper Star

White Pinking Hearts Border Strip (About 2” long)

Green Strips from Window Punch (2)

For Menu and Back

Red Polka Dot Extra Large Ornaments (2)

White Rick-Rack

Christmas Tree Girl Assembly

Punch out a 1 3/8” Circle from Cryogen White cardstock. Stamp the face image with one of the faces from Peachy Keen’s “Snow Cuties” set using Black Memento Ink.

Cut out the Doll Body from Cryogen White cardstock using the Sizzix Doll Body Die.

Add color to the face and doll body using Copic Sketch Markers. Set aside.

For the Main Tree section cut three Scallop Circles from green cardstock (one each 2 1/8”, 3 1/8” & 3 5/8”). Cut wedges from the Scallop Circles as shown. The 2 1/8” and 3 1/8” wedges should have 12 scallops along the curved edge. The 2 5/8” wedge should only have 10 scallops along the curved edge. Pieces marked with the red “X” in the photo will not be used.

For the hat cut two green Scallop Circles (one each 1 5/8” & 2 5/8”). For the hat brim cut across lower edge of the 2 5/8” Scallop Circle. For the top of the hat cut a wedge from the 1 5/8” scallop circle. Both hat pieces will have seven scallops along the edges.

Use the Snow Cap Acrylic Paint Dabbler along the scallop edges of the tree and hat pieces. Layer the Scallop Circle wedges, bottom to top (largest to smallest) and glue in place. Attach the Cryogen White Scallop Circle at top of the three layers.

The doll body is not tall enough for the layered tree and will need to be cut apart. Cut the doll body in half above legs, cut away the doll’s head and separate arms. Attach to the back of layered tree as shown below.

Attach the top of the hat to the brim and set aside. Attach the face to one of the hair pieces. Trim the second hair section as shown in the photo and attach to the front of face. Attach hat to the top of doll face. The Christmas Tree Girl is now ready to decorate.

Thanks for stopping by today. Next I will show you how to make the lights, decorate the tree and finish the “Brown Bag Table Setting” project. Have a great day! - Jane, the Polka Dot Gypsy

Part Two - "Brown Bag Table Setting"

2010-12-10T22:52:00.000-05:00

Making the Lunch Bag Easel

Welcome back for the second day of instructions for the“Brown Bag Table Setting”. Today I will present the instructions for making the easel and Design Panels.

You will need 1 Brown Paper Lunch Sack (5” X 10 ¾”) and cardstock cut as described below to make the Easel.

Front and Back Design Panels

Cut two of each piece. You will need one of each for the Front Design Panel and the Back Design Panel.

Brown Background – 4 ¾” X 7 ¼”

Teal Mat – 4 ¼” X 6 ¾”

Polka Dot Panel – 4” X 6 ½”

Pocket Design Panel

Cut one of each piece.

Brown Pocket Background – 2 ¾” X 4 ¾”

Teal Pocket Mat – 2 ¼” X 4 ¼”

Polka Dot Pocket Panel – 2” X 4”

Make two large Design Panels. Glue the Teal Mat to the Brown Background cardstock. Then attach the Polka Dot Panel to the Teal Mat and set aside.

For the Pocket Design Panel attach the smaller panels as described. Attach the Teal Pocket Mat to the Brown Pocket Background cardstock. Then attach the Polka Dot Pocket Panel to the Teal Pocket Mat and set aside.

Photo #1 - Completed Design Panels

Tip: The red polka dot cardstock has a white core that shows along the cut edges. To soften the edges I sponged red ink along the white edges. Chalk may also be used instead of ink. The ink is not on the top of the paper, just on the edges. I use this same technique with chalk for pictures in scrapbooks.

Making the Lunch Bag Easel

The “Front” of the lunch bag is the side with the tabbed opening at the top and the bottom of the bag folded upwards as packaged. Working from the front side of the lunch bag, fold the bottom section of the bag to the back, folding just above the top edge of the bag bottom. See Photo #2. Crease along the fold line. The bottom of the bag forms a pocket on the back side of the lunch bag. See Photo #3.

Photo #2 - Lunch Sack Front & Photo #3 - Folded Lunch Bag

Attaching Panels

Photo # 4

Working on the back side of the lunch bag, unfold the pocket and attach the back Design Panel to the back of the paper lunch bag, centering the panel within the larger section of the lunch sack above the fold. Attach Sticky Strip adhesive along short edges of the inside pocket section as shown. See Photo #4.

Photo #5 - Flap

Remove the protective coating from the tape and fold the bottom section back up and over the lower portion of the Design Panel to form the pocket (3” X 5”). Once the pocket has been secured a 1 ½” flap will pop up along the bottom edge. See Photo # 5. This flap supports the bag and will allow it to stand up. At this time it may still be a little flimsy and try to fall over. Adding the cardstock Design Panels will help to stabilize it.

Photo #6 - Reference Fold

Fold the bottom edge of the small flap up to the top edge of the pocket, crease and release. This fold will serve as a visual reference point to be used to align the Pocket Design Panel. See Photo 6.

Photo # 7 - Tick Marks

To accurately position and fold the Pocket Design Panel, place the panel in position, print side down and make tick marks at the fold line on the wrong side of the panel. See photo 7.

Photo #8 - Scoring

Score from tick mark to tick mark on the wrong side of the Design Panel. See photo 8.

Attach Sticky Strip to wrong side of folded Pocket Design Panel. Gently fold polka dot side together. Attach the Pocket Panel to the bottom section of the folded lunch bag, aligning the tick marks to the crease of the pocket section of the sack. I use Sticky Strip or a strong double-sided adhesive tape for this panel. It needs to be strong to support the weight. See Photo #9.

Photo #9 - Attaching Pocket Design Panel & Photo #10 Finished Back of Easel

Attach the finished front Design Panel to the front side of the paper lunch Bag. The easel is now ready to be decorated.

I hope you will join me again to see how to make this adorable Christmas Tree Girl.

This Week Learn How to Make the "Brown Bag Table Setting"

2010-12-06T20:48:00.000-05:00

Welcome back to Polka Dot Gypsy. This week I have created the “Brown Bag Table Setting” for the Let’s Face it Friday Challenge at the Peachy Keen Stamps blog. Follow this link to see all the other wonderful challenge entries and view the fun line of Peachy Keen stamps.

Peachy Keen Stamps Blog

The rules for the challenge are as follows: Use a lunch sack or grocery bag with a winter inspired theme. The design must be new and you must use a Peachy Keen face.

Everyone who knows me, knows just how much I love using lunch sacks in my card making and scrapbooking. When I read about this challenge I had the perfect card in mind. However, I only had one size face stamp and it was too large to use with my Christmas tree idea. So, for most of the day I folded and manipulated lunch sacks until this idea hatched itself. And I couldn’t be more excited. I was going to use a tried and true project but was forced to come up with something that I think is one of a kind.

Here is the basis for this project. The lunch bag is folded in such a way that an easel is formed on the back to allow the lunch sack to sit upright. Once folded, a pocket is created that will hold a paper napkin and plastic tableware. Below the pocket section is room to add your guest’s name. The lunch sack opens at the top, creating another pocket to hold a menu. And the front of the sack is the main design panel.

I hope you will be inspired to make a “Brown Bag Table Setting” of your own and post your ideas of what you’ve done with it here. Ideas for this project are endless: showers, picnics, birthdays and family reunions. How about photos, wedding invitations or birth announcements instead of the hidden menu? This is the perfect project to try out some new techniques.

The “Brown Bag Table Setting” has so many creative possibilities that it amazes me to even think about it. My mind is just spinning with all kinds of ideas. Maybe I could feature a “Brown Bag Table Setting” Monday on my blog once a month featuring a new theme or technique. Hmmm. Something to think about.

Well, I hope you’ll stop by again this week because I’m going to post the bag instructions next, followed by the Christmas tree instructions and finish the week with some details of how I did the lights.

Here is a list of the tools and embellishments I used to make my Holiday Version of the “Brown Bag Table Setting”. Paper sizes will be posted with the basic instructions later this week. Have a wonderful day! – Jane (the Polka Dot Gypsy)

Peachy Keen Stamp Set (PK-501 Snow Cuties 1 1/8”)

1 Brown Paper Bag (5” X 10 ¾”)

Black Memento Ink

Copic Sketch Markers (E000, E00, E011, E13, R22 & R35)

Snow Cap Acrylic Paint Dabber

Scallop Circle Nestabilities

CottageCutz Rick-Rack Die

Sizzix Paper Doll Die

Sizzix Paper Doll Hair

Cricut George & Basic Shapes Cartridge

1 3/8 Circle Punch

Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Stampin’ Up! Spring Boquet Punch

Stampin’ Up! Slot Punch

Stampin’ Up! Star Punch

Stampin’ Up! Ornament Punch

Stampin’ Up! Word Window Punch

Stampin’ Up! Pinking Hearts Border Punch

Pearl Embellishments & Ribbon

Sticky Strip

Holiday Card Sketch for Thanksgiving & Christmas

2010-11-28T19:23:00.001-05:00

Hi and welcome to Polka Dot Gypsy. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and you are all rested from the weekend of shopping. Today I am posting a Thanksgiving card that I entered into the Hero Arts Contest last month. I have included the card sketch and card instructions as well as a Christmas card option. These cards are very easy to make and the sketch adapts itself well to other holiday and special occasions. Thank you for stopping by!

Happy Thanksgiving

Supplies

Hero Arts Set CL466 (So Thankful)
Copic Sketch Markers
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink
Vintage Sepia Versafine Ink
Stampin' Up! Pinking Hearts Border Punch
Nestabilities Scallop Circle Dies
Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
Die Cutting Machine such as Cuttlebug or Sizzix

Paper Measurements

Card (5 1/2" X 8 1/2" folded in half) Solid Pumpkin Cardstock
Large Mat (4" X 5 1/4") Solid Green Cardstock
Small Mat (3 3/4" X 5") Solid White Cardstock
Design Panel (3 1/2" X 4 3/4") Green Print Cardstock from My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary Collection
Lower Panel (2" X 3 1/2") White Polka Dot on Brown Cardstock from My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary Collection
Text Strip (1 1/4" X 3 1/2") Solid Ivory Cardstock
Large Scallop Circle (2 1/8") Peach Cardstock
Small Scallop Circle (1 5/8") White Cardstock

Card Assembly Instructions

Create a double mat by layering the Small Mat (white) onto the Large Mat (green) and attach to the Card Front (pumpkin).
Attach the Design Panel (green print) to the double mat section.
Attach the Lower Panel (polka dot) to the Design Panel (green print), aligning bottom edges.
Create a decorative border along the bottom edge of the Text Strip (ivory) using the Pinking Hearts Border Punch.
Stamp "Happy Thanksgiving" with Vintage Sepia Versafine ink on the Text Strip (ivory).
Attach the finished Text Strip (ivory) over the Lower Panel (polka dot), aligning the top edges of the Text Strip (ivory) and the Lower Panel (polka dot).
Using Nestabilities Scallop Circle dies, cut a Large Scallop Circle (peach) and a Small Scallop Circle (white).
Emboss the Large Scallop Circle (peach) using the Swiss dots embossing folder and attach to the center of the exposed Design Panel (green print).
Stamp the pumpkin image with the Tuxedo Black Memento ink onto the Small Scallop Circle (white).
Color the pumpkin image with Copic Sketch Markers.
Attach the finished Small Scallop Circle (white) to the Large Scallop Circle (peach) with Pop Dots.

Optional Christmas Card

Supplies

Hero Arts Set CL462 (Magic of Christmas)

Copic Sketch Markers

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink

Stampin' Up! Pinking Hearts Border Punch
Nestabilities Scallop Circle Dies
Snow Globe Embossing Folder
Die Cutting Machine such as Cuttlebug or Sizzix

Paper Measurements

Card (5 1/2" X 8 1/2" folded in half) Solid Red Cardstock
Large Mat (4" X 5 1/4") Solid White Cardstock
Small Mat (3 3/4" X 5") Solid Green Cardstock
Design Panel (3 1/2" X 4 3/4") Green Print Cardstock from My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary Collection
Lower Panel (2" X 3 1/2") Mini Dots Cardstock from American Traditional Designs
Text Strip (1 1/4" X 3 1/2") Solid White Cardstock
Large Scallop Circle (2 1/8") Green Cardstock
Small Scallop Circle (1 5/8") White Cardstock

Holiday Card Sketch