Warm Wishes Cards & Envelopes

First I want to let you know that this is primarily a technique post for a shaker card. I'm using cards & envelopes from last year's Paper Pumpkin Warm Wishes add-on. I thought I should probably start using up what I have on hand. I'm also using a retired stamp set, that is one of my favorites Classic Cloche and also I found the shaker domes in my craft closet, that went with this stamp set. Unfortunately I accidently sold the coordinating dies.

Like most crafters we aren't deterred from our goals. I found a workaround for not having the dies by using my Scan-N-Cut which took a little doing, since the stamp doesn't have the bell top and the dome shaker does, I couldn't just stamp and scan. It took a little work but I finally got it done. So I finally was able to cut the card fronts.

Then after I had finished, it occurred to me that there needed to be a back for the shaker dome. DUH!!! This, again, required me to think about how I accomplish this. I really didn't want to put something on the inside of the card, so I decided to cut the cards in half. One good thing about these cards is that the back is decorated the same as the front, with the exception of the moon. If I want a moon when I use the back half, I will cut the crescent with a circle punch and maybe use my glow in the dark paper. :-).

I also had a package of Memories & More cards and envelopes in my craft closet #159234

These measure 4.25' x 6.25", the Warm Wishes cards and envelopes are 5" x 7". So I cut the fronts in half I cut the front down to 4" x 6" and saved the strips that I cut off to use on the inside of the card.

I used my Stamparatus (so sorry it's been discontinued) and cut a piece of paper 4" x 6" to position my stamps.

Before stamping a card front make sure that you get a good crease on the card fold, so it will lay nice and flat.

This was a triple stamp image; the houses in Night of Navy, the trees in Pecan and the tree backgrounds in Soft Seafoam. Before I did the stamping I sponged the background lightly in Balmy Blue.

Then I wanted a background layer, so I chose Old Olive, cut them to 4-1/8" x 6-1/8". To accommodate the shaker this need to be open in the middle so I die cut the middle and saved the middles to use on another project. Oh, I also save the bell shapes that I cut from the fronts and hope to use them on another project.

Before I started putting the shaker card together I wanted to stamp a sentiment on the card front and I chose to do it with embossing powder, in white. TIP: when you are embossing, preheat your heat tool for a few seconds before heating your image, it makes the embossing go much faster and you have less of a chance of burning your paper. It should really only take a few seconds, even on a larger sentiment or image.

I've had the embossing buddy (the little bag like tool), and the tray for years. Stampin' Up!© has now come out with the Embossing Additions Tool Kit #159971. The brushes are nice for removing stray pieces of embossing powder before setting it with the heat tool.

Rubbing the Embossing Buddy across the cardstock before stamping with VersaMark helps eliminate any stray pieces of embossing powder to sticking to your cardstock. I like how the card front turned out with the Silent Night. I did it at an angle on purpose.

I attached the card fronts to the frames and then inserted the bell shaker domes.

The next step is to add the "snow". I used this shredded mylar that I picked up a while ago. You can use sequins, loose gems or whatever you have on hand. Just don't over fill.

This part needs to be done fairly carefully. I put a little scoop of the snow on top of the image in the center trying to keep it all on one little pile.

I had already applied adhesive to the back of the card front, then carefully placed it over the snow and adhered it to the card base.

As I was finishing up the last of the cards (I made 9) I realized I was short one shaker dome.

MAKING A SHAKER CARD WITHOUT THE CUSTOM DOMES:

So I decided to make a shaker card with a piece of clear acetate (Window Sheet #142314 and some foam strips #141825.

First you make your opening in the front of the card where you want your shaker to be. Then apply the Window Sheet to the backside of front, using adhesive on all four sides. I like to use Tear & Tape for this, it nice and strong. I try to stay away from glue, it can really mess things up if you get glue on it. It can be removed with a little bit of rubbing alcohol and a soft tissue or paper towel.

Then apply your foam strips on the Window Sheet, making sure that there are no gaps, also apply Dimensionals or Foam Adhesive Strips to the outsides of the card front. Sorry, mine is a little messy looking but there are no gaps around the Window Sheet. TIP: I'm a bit of a frugal stamper and like to use the heavier piece of acetate from the photopolymer stamp sets.

Place the shaker bits on top of your image, peel off the backing from the foam strips and lower over the top of your image, making sure there are no stray bits of the "snow" get between the adhesive and the card stock. Voila! A shaker card without the dome.

Here they are side by side.

Now for the inside of the card. Remember I saved some of the strips when I cut down my card fronts? Well, here is a great way to put those to use and give a little extra pizzaz to your card.

Now who can make a card without a blooper? Well I certainly can't and I made a few "adjustments" as I made these cards. I'm glad I only made 9.

Normally I stamp my inside sentiment before I finish my front, so if I goof up and can cover that up by making the inside my front and make the front of the card the inside ( who doesn't like a 2nd chance?) . This time my card fronts were already done and I dropped my stamp as I was lifting it off the card. GRRR! Nice huh?

So what do we do? Well, we cover it up!!!! LOL

I took one of the insides from the Old Olive frames, stamped the sentiment on a piece of white cardstock and using two different sizes of the same die set cut them out and VOILA!!!! You just GLUE it over the faux pas!!!!

Well, congratulations, you have made it to the end of this post!!!! Pat yourself on the back. I hope you enjoyed this posts and learned a few things from my mistakes. These cards from beginning to end took me about 6 hours, which included covering up my faux pas!!!! I

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