DIY Quick and Easy Valentines Cards - So Simple

Create some quick and easy Valentines day cards

I used Simple Stories "You & Me " Collection to whip up the sweetest and easiest cards. Simple Stories helps make it easy with their journal cards.  The key to these cards lies in layering papers.  

Here are the simple instructions

The Simple Stories "You & Me" collection was meant to be layered and to mix up the fun patterns. In addition, this collection has a wonderful fun array of journal cards ands ATC's for pocket pages, cards, fast scrapbook pages and journaling.  

I cut the heart images from this 4x6 journal card.  Set the hearts aside.  These are going to be embellished and given some dimension with foam tape.

I grabbed a glue pen and some glitter to give these hearts a touch of glitz and glam.  The glue pen is easy to use and perfect for making thin lines. 

Drizzle the glitter over the wet glue pen lines and you're all set!  BAM, instant bedazzling.  I like to use a bead funnel as a glitter funnel - makes clean up a  snap. 

Embellishment time! Simple Stories has awesome stickers included in each collection.  I aded a sticker from the Simple Stories, "You & Me" collection, a small flower and a hemp twine bow.

I wanted the hearts to have some dimension so I backed them with  foam tape to make them pop.  

Fun, right?  And Easy too. 

This card is equally easy and primarily consists of a few layers. In addition to white cardstock, I selected a journal card from Simple Stories, "You & Me" collection, and some patterned paper from the collection to use as a mat.

I added some texture using  an embossing folder - this is the Tim Holtz Music folder. 

I tied some hemp string around the card. Then I added foam tape to the back for a raised layer.

Simple and yet lovely. 

In this card,. I used some kraft and red cardstock as matting for the card topped with a 3" x 4" ATC from Simple Stories, "You & Me" collection.

 The ATC has a fun image of a key tied with twine. I wanted to make that "come to life" so I wrapped the ATC in hemp twine and tied the key sticker from the collection to the card.

I wanted to make the heart pop a bit so I pulled out the Inkessentials Glossy Accents. This is easy to use. Just apply evenly to the surface of the heart and let air dry. As the Glossy Accents are drying, you can add sequins, micro beads, glitter and other embellishments as you like. The Glossy Accents act like glue and will hold all those embellishments perfectly. 

 Once the Glossy Accents were completely dry, I highlighted the white polkadots on the heart with a white Sharpie paint pen.

 Here is the completed card with close ups:

Product List

Tape
Kraft Cardstock
Red Cardstock
Stickles Christmas Red
Stickles  Diamond
Glitter Set
Anti Static Pad
Sizzix Alterations Texture Fades - Postcards & Music Sheet
Hemp Cord
Craft Knife
Quickie Glue Pen
Foam Tape
Micro beads - Gold
Petaloo Flowers - Forgetmenots 0 Antique Red
Inkessentials Glossy Accents
Simple Stories - You & Me 12x12 Simple Set

Simple Stories - You & Me 6x12 Stickers 

Petaloo Forgetmenots - Antique Red

Prefolded cards/envelopes

White cardstock - for card 

Sequins 

Bead Funnel - 4.75" x3" 

Create Some Warmth with a Card for Winter

Create Some Warmth with a Card for Winter

Warm someone's day by creating a cool frosty greeting card.

You know that warm feeling you get when you open a card from the mail?  (Yes, it's the exact opposite feeling you get when you open a bill from the mail.  haaaaaaaaa) .    Wouldn't it be nice to send that warm smile to someone else?  

 This frosty card can do just that with it's chilly look and warm wishes.

I have all the detailed instructions for you at the Blitsy Blog.   

Visit the Blitsy Blog today to get started!

Create a Frosty Fun Winter Card

Create a Frosty Fun Winter Card - with Blitsy

Celebrate Winter and all it's frosty beauty.  Create a frosty snowman card using Simple Stories Snow Patrol collection.  

I have a post on  the Blitsy blog that will show you how to make the most of winter. It's actually quite easy and I'll show you what the secret is for this frosty winter piece.

You can see the full tutorial and product list right here, on the Blitsy Blog. 

Make A Watercolor Canvas with Distress Inks - Blitsy and I Will Show You How

Watercolor Mixed Media Canvas Without Using Watercolors 

 Are you interested in trying a watercolor technique without investing in a set of watercolors?   I have an easy way to try a technique on canvas that will give you the look and feel of watercolors just by using water reactive inks.  

I also add some other fun mixed media elements into this soft and flowing canvas. 

I'm up on the Blitsy Blog with a fun, easy, and fresh feeling project to try in the new year. 

There is a quick video showing all my techniques posted right on the Blitsy Blog. 

You can see the quick 6 min video right here. 

Merry Christmas Wood House Home Decor- with Simple Stories and Blitsy

Create some holiday home decor 

I created some simple festive and bright home decor for the walls to celebrate the joys of the season.  Blitsy and Simple Stories Clause & Co collection helped too ( of course). 

I'm up on the Blitsy Blog today showing all the details and step by step instructions on how I assembled this wood house.  

Get Started Shopping at Blitsy today right here

You can visit the blog 

Bitsy - Jazz Up Your Chjristmas Cards with Embosing Folders

Hi folks!  I'm on the Blitsy Blog with a cool way to jazz up your cards using embossing folders.  

I have a step-by-step tutorial showing how I made this, complete with product links to help make your Black Friday Weekend shopping so much easier!

Zip on over to the Blitsy Blog to get started.  

Blitsy Golden Scissors Blog Hop and Black Friday Sneaks!

Blitsy's - Hop For the Golden Scissors ( Start the hop right here)

Hey guys!  You have arrived from Adrianne Surian's Blog Called "Happy Hour Projects", 

Welcome to the Blitsy Golden Scissors Blog Hop! Each blog in this hop is giving away a pair of Golden Scissors, which means you have 14 chances to win! You definitely want a pair of the Golden Scissors because then you’ll be entered into the grand prize drawing for $1000 to spend at Blitsy or a year’s worth of craft supplies! The next stop will be Tyra Babington / Just Tyra .

Just leave a comment on each blog and make sure to comment about the special Black Friday sneaks shown on each blog.

Commenting/entries open until 7pm CST on Thanksgiving. Winners will be announced during our #blitsysleepover Pajama Party and posted on our Blog.

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Take a look at all the amazing sales that will be going on at Blitsy all weekend!

There will be new sales launching Black Friday at 12am CST, Saturday 6am CST, Sunday 6am CST, and Cyber Monday 6am CST. 

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Grab some tape!
Blitsy will have some amazing deals on 3M tape.  Like the 3M ATGs & refills. The 3M (3M085 ) ¼ in. will be $12.99 (reg MSRP $31.99) on Friday! And crazy prices on Scor-Tape. The 3M Scor-Tape 1/8in x 27 Yards will be 99 cents!

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Did someone say Prima?  

Check out Prima's A Victorian Christmas Collection. It will be on sale Sunday including Prima Marketing A Victorian Christmas 6" x 6" Paper Pad $2.49 (reg MSRP $5.99)

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Do you love Docraft?

Docrafts Christmas With Wellington Collection is on sale Sunday. The A5 Die-Cut Toppers will be 75 cents (reg MSRP $1.99)

Here are some other amazing products to look for:

Friday: Tons of Prima!

Saturday: Prima Marketing Exclusive Mystery Packs

Monday: Spellbinders Die-Cutting Machine, Dies, & More!

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Black Friday Weekend Schedule

*Please note all times are based on Central Standard Time.

Thursday, Nov. 26 - Thanksgiving10am CST: An early Planner sale launches on Blitsy.com (get the sneak along the hop!)

Friday, Nov. 27 - Black Friday
12am CST: Black Friday officially begins on blitsy.com
Join Live with Blitsy for an online crafting Pajama Party (details below)

Saturday, Nov. 28 - Blitsy's Birthday Party
6am CST: Even more Black Friday deals released

Sunday, Nov 29 - Tons of holiday deals
6am CST: Even more Black Friday deals released

Monday, Nov 30 - Cyber Monday
6am CST: Cyber Monday deals begin

Start shopping today - at Blitsy

And in case you need re-directing, here is the complete Blog Hop Order:

1. Blitsy
2. Morena Hockley
3. Carisa Zglobicki / Inky Fairy Designs
4. Stacey Gibbon / Glued to my Crafts
5. Laurel Beard / Paper Crafts by Laurel
6. Latrice Murphy / Latrice Murphy Design
7. Stephanie Chan / The Silly Pearl
8. Kim Dellow
9. Chrissie Tobas / Harvest Moon Papiere
10. Adrianne Surian / Happy Hour Projects
11. Jennifer Snyder/ Scrap Escape ( This is me)
12. Tyra Babington / Just Tyra
13. Katie King / Running with a Glue Gun

Create a Charming Christmas Home Decor Piece with Prima's Birdhouse

From this plain metal bird house to Christmas Decor....only at Blitsy! You can find the details and step-by-step instructions right here.

Someone commented that this was so fancy.  That's the magic of crafting.  That's also why Blitsy is so great.  We show you how to make projects - the photos and videos, the tips and tricks so you can have confidence at home. 

 Go check this out on the Blitsy blog. 

How to Make A Festive Pumpkin Card for Fall

Pumpkin Season is Here!  

And I am celebrating at Blitsy.  Join in the harvest by creating a pumpkin card. 

I chose Simple Stories papers for this card.   I had some papers left over from a different project that were perfect for a traditional autumn feel.   There's no better way to use up your scraps than to make a card.  The Legacy collection has rich earthy colors and patterns which work perfectly for an Autumn themed card.  Blitsy has all the supplies you need for this card plus a step-by-step tutorial and even templates for you to use. !

I designed this card and created a template for you to download and use to make your own pumpkin card.  Try a few different color combinations and experiment a bit.  Have fun and enjoy.

To find the template and tutorial, go to Blitsy's Blog located right here. 

There's also a template at the end of the post for you to download, print and enjoy.

I chose Simple Stories Legacy papers for this card because I had some papers left over from a different project. There's no better way to use up your scraps than to make a card. The Legacy collection has rich earthy colors and patterns which work perfectly for an Autumn themed card.

Step By Step Instructions

1.

Grab a pre-folded card or score your own card base. My card is a 5.5in x 5.5in square. I selected two pieces of patterned paper from Simple Stories Legacy collection - cut to size for layers and inked the edges for definition. The inking also adds warmth to the card and provides a "finishing touch".

 2.Time to cut your pumpkin pattern. Download the template and print out. The template is located at the end of the post. Select three sheets of patterned paper that coordinate nicely. Cut the patterns and ink the edges.

3.  I decided to add some orange to the pumpkin so I pulled out the Distress ink in Spiced Marmalaide and gave the pumpkin some golden orange shadowing.

4.   To create a little dimension (and still be able to fit easily into an envelope), I used foam tape on the bottom layer and used a thinner foam sheet for the middle layer -craft foam sheets also work nicely and are easy to use. You can add dimension or keep flat.

5.  Now mount the pumpkin onto the card. Add some earthy embellishments like hemp twine and raffia.

6.  This pumpkin needed some curly vines. I used the Spellbinders Shapeabilities Romantic Vines dies for this. The vines are also cut from the Simple Stories Legacy collection. I used the Spellbinders Tool-in-1 (poker tool) to help remove the vines from the dies. I'd be lost without my beloved Spellbinders Tool-in-1!!!

7.  Finish up by giving the pumpkin some glitz with stickles...and it's all done!

Here are some close ups of completed card:

Download A Pumpkin Template

We want you to join in the Pumpkin Fest! This is a downloadable template for you to print and use. Click here for the template.

Products Used

Simple Stories Legacy Collection 6x6

Ranger Stickles Cinnamon

Ranger - Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Spiced Marmalade

Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Walnut Stain

Ranger -Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Vintage Photo

icraft Foam Adhesive

Spellbinders Shapeabilities Romantic Vines

Hemp twine

Raffia

Pre-folded Card or Cardstock

Foam Tape

Spellbinders Tool-N-One

Foam Sheet

Make a Halloween Card with Echo Park

Halloween Cards and Home Decor

Time to start thinking about Halloween cards and decorations. Echo Park makes that easy with their rich and robust seasonal collection, "Story of Fall" and their Designer Die set called "Haunted Mansion".

I'm on the Blitsy Blog today to show you a dramatic card that really brings out the gorgeous colors of this Echo Park paper collection. Perfect for the changing season.

Prefer home decor instead of a card? See how easy this card can be transformed into a fun Halloween decoration for the wall. I'll show you how!

Let's get crafty and zip over to the Blitsy Blog right here. 

Here are some close ups of this Fun Spooky Halloween Card using Echo Park

Let's see how this card was made

1.

I grabbed some Echo Park goodies - the "Story of Fall" 6x6 collection and the Echo Park Designer Die called " Haunted Mansion."

2.  I made the base card by layering a few sheets from the Echo Park "Story of Fall" 6x6 pack. I also added one layer of black cardstock to make a nice crisp bold frame for one of the layers. I tend to use pre-folded cards because they are so easy, but you can score your own cards if you prefer. The card size I used is 5"x6.5" -however I did trim the edge of the pre-folded card down a bit to make the width smaller so the 6x6 paper pad would fit nicely onto the card.

 3.  Next I chose one of my favorite Spellbinders Nestabilities dies, "Triple Tear" and cut two diecuts. I love this die because it is so versatile. It's one of the staples in my stash and a favorite "go to" die for me. Special Note: if you have difficulties getting your papers free from the dies, then you may need the Spellbinders Tool N'One. It has a great poking tool that helps free your papers without aggravation.

4.  I wanted to add a decorative black layer so I pulled out a paper doilie and inked the edges with Tim Holtz Distress ink in "Black Soot". This messy work was done using Ken Oliver's "The Best Ever Craft Mat". And it really is! No mess, easy clean up and it doesn't slip and slid underneath you as you work like other mats do.

5.  I inked the edge of the small circle with Black Soot Distress ink, and layered the die cuts over the black doilie for drama.

6.  I grabbed the Echo Park Designer Die set, "Haunted Mansion" and cut the spooky house and bats using black cardstock. I wanted them to really pop and be bold against the orange patterned paper background.

 7.  Those finishing touches are so important in pulling the card together and making it look polished, complete and extraordinary. It's also a great way to give a project your extra special love. These are my finishing touches:

1. Dots of yellow stickles around the die cut circle.

2. Adding a sentiment with a fine point pen or marker

3. Adding delicate black crystal gems to the corners of the card.

Here is the finished Halloween Card

Turn your card into Halloween Home Decor

Perhaps you don't send out Halloween cards but you still like to decorate. No one says it needs to be a card. Go ahead and turn that card into a fun piece of home decor by popping it into a frame. Super easy!

Here's what you need to make this Halloween Card

Echo Park Haunted Mansion Die
Echo Park The Story Of Fall 6" x 6" Paper Pad
Ken Oliver - The Best Ever Craft Mat
Want2Scrap Baby Bling Rhinestones - Black
Ranger Stickles - Yellow
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Black Soot
Unique Doilies Round Pkg 4.5" 48
Beacon 3 in 1 Adhesive
Ranger Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool
Ranger Inkssentials Replacements Blending Foams
Black cardstock
Spellbinders Tool'N One
Spellbinders Nestabilites Triple Tear
Pre-folded cards