Karen Burniston Designer Challenge 86: Haunted Location Pop-up Skeleton Card

Welcome to our October Designer Challenge with a theme of "Haunted Location." I decided to make a spooky graveyard for my location and then, as a centerpiece, to style the Snowman Pop-up die set as a famous skeleton.

Learn how I created this card by watching the full video tutorial here:

My card measures 5" x 6" when closed and features backgrounds made with Distress Oxide inks. I used Circles - Crosshatch for the moons, Halloween Scene for the bats, Halloween Borders for the bones and Small Script- Halloween for the script greetings.

The graveyard, tree, spider and web are from Halloween Scene. The birds, jack-o-lantern, hands and "Boo!" are from Halloween Elements. The skeleton (Jack) is made using the Snowman Pop-up.

To animate the graveyard I used the base piece from the Snowman Pop-up - one behind each half of the graveyard. The base was then also used to animate the moon and the trees, creating a triple layered scene,

Ready to give this idea a try? Here are the dies and supplies I used on my card:

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Let's take a look at how our talented Design Team interpreted the HAUNTED LOCATION challenge. In each case you can click the designer's name to go to their blog or social media post where you'll find additional photos, supply lists and, in some cases, videos!

Sue Small-Kreider created a haunted Adirondack chair in a pumpkin patch. She cleverly used the Spinner Square behind the chair to animate three ghosts. Just imagine sitting in the chair and feeling those creepy hands touching the back of your knees. EEK! Be sure to click over to Sue's blog for a process video on this card. Love it!

Ken Chien has epically recreated the Overlook Hotel from The Shining. There are so many levels and reveals on this card that it's definitely worth a click over to KC's IG to watch the video of this card in action. Excellently eerie!

Suzanne Smit created a haunted pirate ship in the style of Pirates of the Caribbean. I just love the giant Octopus! Be sure to click over to Suzanne's blog to see additional photos and details of this haunted vessel. Spooktacular! 

Nicky Foden created a delightful haunted castle card using a triple Spinner Square. I just love all the details in this card, including Nicky's signature white pen detailing. Click over to her blog for more information. Scary good!

Jen Webster created a haunted forest using the Tiny Trees Pop-up and vellum ghosts from the Halloween Elements set. Take a stroll through Jen's creepy woods . . . if you dare! Click over to see more details for this great card.

Lois Bak invites you aboard the Haunted Express with this wonderfully shiver-inducing train card. Love that ghost driver and the great graveyard backdrop. Click over to Lois's blog to see the card front. Wickedly wonderful!

Sandy Diller shivers our timbers with this haunted pirate ship. Love all the layers of fun in the boat and her great postage frame collage on the front of the card. Skeleton fish! Frighteningly delightful and clever! Click over for a video of this card in action. 

 

Well I hope you are sufficiently inspired with some hair raising ideas for haunted cards. Join us next month on Wednesday, November 6th for our next Designer Challenge with a theme of AUTUMN OR CHRISTMAS CHEER - we will be celebrating the season.

Happy Crafting!

Karen Burniston Designer Challenge 85: Four Seasons

Hello! Welcome to our September Designer Challenge with a theme of FOUR SEASONS. I challenged the team to create a card celebrating the seasons. Their projects are so clever and inspirational, as always!

For my card and video I wanted to teach the assembly of the Tree Add-ons to fit the Fancy Label Accordion. This card could also be made with the Birthday Candle Add-ons or the Heart Add-ons that fit the same accordion and assemble the same way.

My project is a copy of the packaging card, but changed to an Anniversary theme for my upcoming 29th wedding anniversary in October. Making a card a month ahead rather than an hour ahead is an entirely new experience! :) 

Learn the assembly with this full tutorial:

This 4-page accordion measures about 4.75" square when folded up. A 5x7 envelope is perfect for mailing. In the closed position I used the square die from the Fancy Label Accordion to cut portions of the seasons trees as a nice lead-in to the inside display. The Fancy Solid Frame, cut from woodgrain paper, was perfect for the outer frame decoration. I repeated it on all pages, front and back.

Open the card to reveal the picturesque forest of trees decked out for each season.

For greetings I used our Seasons Sentiments Clear Stamps, which coordinate perfectly with the Trees Add-ons. The numbers came from our Mini Alphabet and Numbers set.

For the final page I added a greeting from Word Set 9 - Love. The personal note will go on the back.

Want to give this card a try? Here are the dies and supplies I used on my card. The woodgrain paper is from Echo Park and the other papers are from the scrap bin.

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Let's take a look at how our talented Design Team interpreted the FOUR SEASONS challenge. In each case you can click the designer's name to go to their blog or social media post where you'll find additional photos, supply lists and, in some cases, videos!

Sandy Diller extended the Triple Flip into a Quintuple-Flip for this wonderful Seasons Friendship card. I love all the little scenes she created for the seasons and the ombre effect with the colors. Fabulous!

Lois Bak created a marvelous Slim Flaps and Frames card featuring Tiny Trees decorated for each season. I love all her custom touches, like the shrunken picnic blanket, and the mix of die cut and stamped greetings. Click over to Lois's blog to see the front of this card. Love it!

Sue Small-Kreider changed up the Spinner Square die to have a raising greeting behind a large sun. I love all her seasonal trees on the front of the card. Sue mentions that this card would be perfect for a variety of occasions. Be sure to click over to see a video of this card. So creative!

Ken Chien cleverly interlocked four Iron Fence pop-ups to represent the four seasons and then decked out Knights in seasonal costumes. What a clever way to use these dies! Ken also dangled charms from the ironwork on the fence die - love it!

Suzanne Smit recently visited Japan and used the challenge theme as a great chance to add to her trip's memory journal. I love how she customized the Tree die to make it into a cherry blossom and added the cute dragons. She pays homage to both Spring and Summer in Japan with this page. Wonderful!

Nicky Foden created a wonderful Golden Anniversary card using the Twist Panel and the Tree Add-ons. I love the striking black and gold base to this card and the cute styling on the trees. Be sure to click over to Nicky's blog for a full photo tutorial for this card. Gorgeous!

Jen Webster created a gorgeous Waterfall card to celebrate the four seasons. I just love her signature Copic coloring on the die cuts to give them depth. This card is so happy! Click over to Jen's blog to see all the pages. Perfection!

Well we hope you are inspired to try some seasons-themed cards of your own! Join us next month on October 1, 2024 for our next Designer Challenge with a theme of HAUNTED LOCATION. We will be featuring cards that have spooky locales! 

Happy Crafting!

Karen Burniston Designer Challenge 84: Let the Music Play!

Hello! Welcome to our August Designer Challenge with a theme of LET THE MUSIC PLAY! I challenged the team to use our new music-themed products for a card of any theme.

For my card and video I needed a birthday card and I thought it would be fun to create a window card where the Piano Keys Pop-up is visible through the window in the flat position. 

Because the Piano Keys Pop-up requires a top fold, I used the Katherine Label Pop-up to create the top fold. Learn this technique by watching the full video tutorial:

My card measures 5x6 in the closed position. On the front of the card I highlighted the cute chickens from the patterned paper (My Mind's Eye 2019) with Music Charms and a hat from the Birthday Charms set. Through the window the Piano Keys are visible along with half of the stamped greeting.

Open the card and the Piano Keys pop-up and reveal the second half of the greeting. 

I mentioned in the video that I needed birthday cards for my twins, but this card took longer than I expected so I was faced with a short time to create a second birthday card. I decided to copy my first card with just minor changes - gnomes paper in place of chickens and "Celebrate with Cake" instead of "Hip Hip Hooray!" By using the same measurements the second card came together quickly and I had two cards just in time for our dinner celebration. Whew!

Ready to give this card a try? Here are the dies and supplies used in the video. 

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Let's take a look at how our talented Design Team interpreted the LET THE MUSIC PLAY! challenge. In each case you can click the designer's name to go to their blog or social media post where you'll find additional photos, supply lists and, in some cases, videos! Frances is on sabbatical right now.

Ken Chien created a masterpiece of a card converting the Piano Keys Pop-up into an accordion! Be sure to click over to Ken's IG post to watch a video of this card in action. I love the closure as well! Brilliant!

Nicky Foden converted the Pop 'n Swap die set into a Pop 'n Pop to make a lovely 25th Anniversary card. Be sure to click over to Nicky's blog to see a full picture tutorial for this card and head over to her IG for a video of the card opening and closing. Stunning!

Sue Small-Kreider unfortunately needed a sympathy card. She converted the Piano Keys Pop-up into a double-decker organ to honor the deceased, an organist. It's so thoughtful to honor the special talents and joys of a person who has passed. This card will surely bring comfort to the family. Be sure to click over to Sue's blog for a video.

Lois Bak created two versions of a lovely slimline Christmas card featuring a doubled Piano Keys Pop-up. I particularly like how Lois customized the piano keys in Christmas colors. Click over to her blog to see the card fronts. Lovely!

Jen Webster pays homage to her favorite musical, The Phantom of the Opera with this fabulous card. She combined the Parcel Pop-up with the Piano Keys Pop-up so the mask rises up from behind the music as the card opens. This card is stunning!

Sandy Diller created a fun music-themed card featuring the Lorna Label Pop-up, Piano Keys Pop-up and the Music Charms. I like how Sandy created postage stamps for the front of her card and the bold red, black, gold and white color scheme. Click over the Sandy's blog for a video on this card. So clever!

Suzanne Smit created a rock star of a card with the Lorna Label, Happy Birthday Lorna Add-ons, Piano Keys Pop-up and several rocking Lions! She styled the card in the colors of the Hard Rock Cafe, a favorite of the recipient. Click over to Suzanne's blog for a look at the card front. This card rocks!

I also wanted to share this wonderful card made by Delores Sanders, from our home office, and her daughter Kelly Haven. They used the Music Charms on the front of the card. What a clever and striking card style!

Well we hope you are inspired to try some of these musical numbers! Join us next month on September 4, 2024 for our next Designer Challenge with a theme of FOUR SEASONS. We will be featuring cards that celebrate all four seasons.

Happy Crafting!

Karen Burniston Designer Challenge 83: Sail Away

Welcome to the July Designer Challenge with a theme of Sail Away!

I challenged the team to create a project utilizing our new Boat Pop-up die with or without the new Sailboat Add-ons or Pirate Ship Add-ons.

For my project I'm teaching a rowboat fishing card.

Learn how I created this card by watching the full YouTube video here:

My card is a top-fold mini slimline measuring 6" x 3.5" when closed. For the front of the card I used the Short Rectangles - Crosshatch, Circles - Crosshatch, a word from Word Set 6, the fishing hat from Camping Charms and tiny fish made from Border Blends - Party. 

The card opens to reveal a pop-up rowboat with Tiny Gnomes fisherman. 

The seat of the rowboat can be easily converted to hold a rower with the addition of a slot and L-support. 

To make the custom greeting I used partial stamping of the Sail Away Sentiments Clear Stamps and then added with word FISH using our Mini Alphabet and Numbers set. I embossed with white powder to make the stamp and the die cut words resemble each other. I also embossed the word "enjoy" for a weathered look.

Ready to give this card a try? Here are the dies and supplies used on my card:

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Let's take a look at how our talented Design Team interpreted the SAIL AWAY! challenge. In each case you can click the designer's name to go to their blog or social media post where you'll find additional photos, supply lists and, in some cases, videos! Frances is on sabbatical right now.

Suzanne Smit created a birthday ship using the Pirate Ship Add-ons but converting the colors and theme into a birthday ship instead. I love the addition of the banners to the ship! Check out all the fun details by clicking over to Suzanne's blog.

 

Sandy Diller created a lovely sailboat card using the Sailboat Add-ons with the Boat Pop-up. I especially love how she made a flat version of her sailboat for the front of the card. Brilliant! Be sure to click over to Sandy's blog for a video!

Jen Webster created a bright and happy sailboat card and then created a lighthouse using various shape dies. She animated the lighthouse using the smaller Bam Box. What an absolutely delightful card! Be sure to click over to Jen's blog to see the card front.

Sue Small-Kreider created an incredible pirate card using the Pirate Ship Add-Ons and a treasure map for the card. Sue has created an entire tutorial for this card plus a video on how to make pirates. Be sure to click over for all the treasure!

Lois Bak created a bright ship using the Pirate Ship Add-Ons with the Boat. I just love the striped sails, the ombre water and the happy colors on this. Be sure to click over to Lois's blog to see the card front. Love this!

Ken Chien made an amazing depiction of the move IT including converting the boat into a paper boat and adding the sewer complete with reaching hand using the Stocking Pop-up mechanism. Click to watch a reel of this card . . . if you dare!

Nicky Foden thought way outside the boat for a delightful birthday card featuring a giant frog where the Boat Pop-up creates the mouth. This is such a clever way to get a completely different use out of the Boat Pop-up and Nicky teaches exactly how to do it on her blog post. Amazing!

 

Well we hope you are inspired to try some of these nautical ideas. Join us next month on August 7, 2024 for our next Designer Challenge with a theme of LET THE MUSIC PLAY. We will be featuring the music dies from our new release.

Happy Crafting!

 

Karen Burniston June 2024 Release Blog Hop

Welcome to our June 2024 Release Blog Hop. The Design Team and I have a fun blog hop to celebrate the release of 12 new dies and 5 new stamp sets. Sneak peeks of the new release started last week, and the dies are available to order NOW! 

 

We allow stores to order a week prior to the website opening and we underestimated the demand for the clear stamps. The stores gobbled them all up but we immediately put in a re-order, so the clear stamps will be back in stock on our website soon and are in stock at some of your favorite stores. We've added a feature to the website where you can be notified when out-of-stock items return. Simply open any of the Clear Stamp product pages and add your e-mail to be notified.

 

NOTE for the I Want it All Bundle the dies will ship right away (in the order received) and the stamps will follow when they come back in stock at no additional shipping charge. 

 

This release includes:

• 2 new Pop-up Die Sets
• 2 new Pop-up Add-ons Die Sets
• 2 new Lorna Add-ons Die Sets
• 1 new Fancy Label Add-on Die Set
• 1 new Fancy Label Frame Die Set
• 2 new Border Die Sets
• 1 new Sentiment Shadow Die Set
• 1 new Charm Set Die Set
• 5 new Clear Sentiment Stamp Sets

Dies are available to order now at KarenBurniston.com

 

For my card and video I'm sharing the Assembly of the Sailboat Add-ons to fit the Boat Pop-up.

 

 

Learn how to combine these dies by watching the video here:

 

 

My card is an A2 landscape card measuring 5.5"x 4.25" when closed. The front decoration combines the new Set Sail Borders and Sail Away Sentiments Clear Stamps along with decorator pieces from Tropical Scene and Circle Charm Pop-up. The video also shows how to use the smile die from the Bitty Ball Pop-up to make birds. Inside the card there are additional pieces from the same decorator dies and stamps, plus the Boat Pop-up with Sailboat Add-ons.

 

I followed the same format to make the card again in different colors. The beauty of die cutting is getting to choose your own colors, styles and themes on a card-by-card basis.

 

Learn about the entire release by watching the Collection Preview video:

 

 

The June release will be featured in our Zoom and Virtual Class program for July, August and September. Learn about the July class here and contact one of the stores listed on our Events Page to purchase a kit.

 

 

 

GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate the release each of the Design Team members and myself will be giving away a $25 Gift Certificate to some lucky person who comments on our blog posts, so make sure you join the hop and comment on everyone's blog post. Winners will be randomly chosen from ALL of the blog hop comments received on our blog posts by Monday, 8th July 2024. Lots of chances to win some goodies, so just leave a comment on this post or any other blog hop posts to enter! Don't forget to leave some way for us to contact you, in case you are a lucky winner!

Ready to keep hopping? Here are the links:

Karen Burniston <----- YOU ARE HERE

Lois Bak

Sue Small-Kreider

Frances Byrne

Jennifer Webster

Suzanne Smit

Nicky Foden

Sandy Diller

Ken Chien

Here are the dies and supplies used in the video:

 

Sneak Peek Karen Burniston June 2024 Release

It's our Sneak Peek Week for our June 2024 release and in addition to 12 new dies we're excited to be adding a new product category - 3x4 Clear Stamps with sentiments that coordinate perfectly with the new dies. These seventeen new products are shipping to stores later this week. For those without a local store option, the dies will be available for ordering from our website, KarenBurniston.com, starting July 1, 2024. 

Learn about these new dies and stamps by watching this Preview Video. 

Throughout this week the Design Team will be sharing ideas for the new dies on their blogs. You'll find links to the designer blogs/IG in the sidebar of this blog.

On Monday, July 1, 2024 we will have a blog hop that includes prizes for leaving comments and the new release will be available for purchase from our website. 

This release will be featured in our Zoom and Virtual classes for July, August and September. In each month there will be required dies from the new release. Upcoming classes are posted on the Events tab of our website, including links to the stores who make Zoom kits.

For the July 27th Zoom class the required dies are Music Charms, Piano Keys Pop-up and Just a Note Lorna Add-ons, with the additional foundation die requirement of the Lorna Label Pop-up. 

We will be using 49 and Market papers to make the two cards shown below.

The August Zoom will feature the five new nautical dies. 

The September Virtual Class will feature the Birthday Lorna Add-ons, Fancy Solid Frame and Tree Add-ons. There is an additional foundation die requirement of the Fancy Label Accordion. We will be making a light-up card in September using the brand new (and absolutely brilliant) Candle Light from Pear Blossom Press.

Stay tuned for lots of ideas!

Happy Crafting!

Karen Burniston Designer Challenge 82: Borders! Borders! Borders!

Welcome to the June Designer Challenge with a theme of Borders! Borders! Borders! (Properly said in a Sheldon Cooper voice like Penny! Penny! Penny!)

I challenged the team to create a project utilizing any of our border die sets. As usual, you are going to be impressed with their creations. We're also excited to introduce our newest Design Team member, so be sure to scroll down for that!

For my project I wanted to show an easy conversion of the Palm Tree Pop-up to create pop-up fireworks. In keeping with the theme of this month's challenge I used border dies to create a custom woven quilt background for the card.

Learn how I created this card by watching the full YouTube video here:

My card is a standard top-fold A2 size, but the addition of pop-dots under the woven front quilt makes it thicker, so it may require a larger envelope and definitely extra postage. Eliminate the pop-dots for a more mail-friendly version. The border I used for weaving is the peppermint candy border from Christmas Borders 1. The greeting is our Celebrate word die. The stars come from the Raising Platform Pop-up die set.

The card opens to reveal pop-up fireworks, made by altering the shape of the Palm Tree Pop-up fronds and using a clear transparency for the palm tree trunks. This gives the illusion of floating fireworks. 

The same peppermint candy border was used to make the rosettes for the USA banner. The letters came from our Mini Alphabet and Numbers die set.

As I mentioned in the video, this fireworks conversion of the Palm Tree Pop-up is a great one for any celebration - birthday, New Years, retirement, sports championships, etc. The woven border quilt could also be customized to any color scheme. 

Here are the dies and supplies used on my card:

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Let's take a look at how our talented Design Team interpreted the BORDERS! BORDERS! BORDERS! challenge. In each case you can click the designer's name to go to their blog or social media post where you'll find additional photos, supply lists and, in some cases, videos! Frances is on sabbatical right now but will be joining us for the new release hop later this month.

We're excited to introduce you to our newest Design Team member, Ken Chien. We have been very impressed with Ken's clever creations in our Facebook group and invited him to join our team when Fran retired. Ken is from Taiwan and has a large following in the Lego community but is now crossing over to add paper builds. You can follow Ken on his Instagram @gogoro_bricks. For his first Designer Challenge Ken did not spare the borders! He combined multiple borders in interesting ways to create an underwater scene. Be sure to click over to Ken's IG to see a video of this card in action. So clever!

Nicky Foden really knocked it out of the park with this beautiful card featuring the Tea and Coffee Borders. I love her rainbow eclipse background effect for the front of the card and then the fabulous re-purposing of the Gift Pivot Panels as a tea-themed pop-up. The white pen detailing on the borders and words adds to the whimsy of this great card. Be sure to click over to Nicky's blog for a full photo tutorial of this card. Wonderful!

Sue Small-Kreider is getting a jump on her holiday cards with this adorable 3-page Fancy Label Accordion incorporating the Baking Charms. I love her conversion of the Tiny Gnome into a mustachioed chef. She also cleverly created a shaker oven! Be sure to click over to Sue's blog to watch a video on this creation. Yummy!

Lois Bak celebrates her home state of Florida with this Label Charm Pop-up Card featuring the Beach Borders. There are such happy fun colors in this card and I love the dangling flip flops in the center frame. Click over to Lois's blog to see the front of this card. So summery!

Suzanne Smit styled some of her signature hedgehogs to adorn this very clever Tag Book/Evergreen Pivot Panels creation. By flipping the Evergreen Pivot Panels mechanism Suzanne was able to use it for Sweet Treats Charms ice cream cones! How delightful! The Baking Charms adorn her card throughout. Look at those donut hole protectors! Click over to Suzanne's blog to see the front of this card. Love it!

Sandy Diller went with a birthday theme featuring the cupcakes from the Baking Borders used to make a vibrant rainbow-striped background on the front of the card. Then inside she used the Cupcake Pop-up - one of my favorite all-purpose die sets. The base of the pie border used as a circle border inside the card is a great touch as well. Click over to Sandy's blog for a full supply list. Fabulous!

Jen Webster made a fun birthday Oven Pop-up card featuring lots of scrumptious pies from the Baking Borders. I love Jen's burner placement and the addition of the toaster from the Kitchen Borders to the countertop scene. Click over to Jen's blog to see the "punny" front greeting to this delightful birthday card.

Well we hope you are not bored of Borders! Borders! Borders! but rather inspired to try some of these ideas. Join us next month on July 3, 2024 for our next Designer Challenge with a theme of [REDACTED BECAUSE IT REVEALS NEW DIES!] We will be featuring dies from our next release, with Sneak Peeks starting June 24, 2024.

Happy Crafting!

 

 

Karen Burniston Designer Challenge 81: From the Vault

Welcome to the May Designer Challenge with a theme of From the Vault. I challenged the team to create a project inspired by a previous project. I also asked that they post a photo of their inspiration piece on their blog post with the new card. Be sure you click through to their blogs for double the inspiration!

For my project I was inspired by my May Zoom class card featuring the Tea and Coffee Pop-up mechanism, turned sideways, tripled and turned into a "Wiggle Card". Four swing arms create dancing items on the pop-up. 

The inspiration for my wiggle card is the class card from our May 2024 Zoom class. If you are reading this blog post close to the date it was first published you may still be able to get a kit for the inspiration card. Contact one of the stores listed on our Events Page if interested.

Learn how to create the wiggle card by watching this full tutorial:

This is a standard A2-sized card and will mail in an A2 envelope. For the front of the card I combined squares from our Squares - Crosshatch die set with cupcakes created using our Cupcake Add-ons set. All patterned papers came from my scrap bin.

Open the card to watch the four swing arms wiggle the cupcakes and swing the "celebrate" square. This is a fun one to open and close (and open and close and open and close)!

This technique is completely generic and can be decorated for any theme. You can also explore adding additional swing arms. One nice thing about the cupcakes is being able to use up a bunch of scraps. This could be an "in front of the TV" activity to assemble cupcakes from scraps and have them ready for a card like this.

Ready to give the Wiggle Card a try? Here are the dies and supplies I used in the video:

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Let's take a look at how our talented Design Team interpreted the FROM THE VAULT challenge. In each case you can click the designer's name to go to their blog post where you'll find additional photos, including their inspiration card, supply lists and, in some cases, videos! (Frances is on sabbatical)

Jen Webster always impresses with her Copic coloring on the die cuts and this month she's done an amazing job of authentic coloring of a multitude of butterflies. Make sure you click over to Jen's blog to see her inspiration card and subscribe to her YouTube channel for more great coloring ideas. Stunning card!

Suzanne Smit took inspiration from a previous baby card to make a new version. She's used the Heart Pivot Panels and I love her choice to decorate the pop-up with additional hearts top and bottom. Love this idea of celebrating the gender mystery. So sweet!

Sandy Diller has made a great Little Twist Panel pop-up for the challenge and she posted a ton of inspiration on her blog post. I have an ongoing joke that when a DT member gravitates toward a certain die that the die itself is bestowed a middle name. By that rule the Little Twist Panel is definitely the Little Sandy Twist Panel! Be sure to click over to see all the ways Sandy has used this die. Love them all!

Lois Bak makes wonderful patriotic cards each year and this time was inspired by a previous 4th of July card to make a new version, this time using the Raising Platform Pop-up, tripled for additional "wow"! Definitely check out the inspiration piece on her blog as both cards are a blast! (See what I did there?)

Sue Small-Kreider took inspiration from a previous scene card to make an updated version and wowie wow wow! I love how this card reveals itself with every layer and then creates a stunning display piece. Click over to watch a video on this card and be sure to subscribe to Sue's channel so you don't miss any of her great videos.

Nicky Foden provides some much-requested masculine inspiration with both her inspiration and new card. I love the use of the Sports Charms on this new Little Labels Pop-up, inspired by a previous Circle Tag Book. As usual, Nicky has included a picture tutorial for her card, so click over to check it out. Fabulous!

Well the sad day has come where we bid adieu to one of our original Design Team members. Fran Sabad has decided to retire and live her best carefree wind-in-her-hair deadline-free life, full of travel and exploring new hobbies. Fran started on my Design Team when I was with Sizzix and made the jump with me to Elizabeth Craft Designs and then right on through to our new company. Over the course of the last 15 years Fran has become one of my closest friends. We will miss her incredible cards and clever unique style but shall smile through the tears as we wish her the best. Here's a look at just a sampling of the exquisite cards Fran has made for Designer Challenges over the years:

Well we hope you feel inspired to inspire yourself! Join us next month on June 5, 2024 for our next Designer Challenge with a theme of BORDERS! BORDERS! BORDERS! We'll be showing off our many border dies.

Happy Crafting!

 

Karen Burniston Designer Challenge 80: Thirst Quencher!

Welcome to the April Designer Challenge with a theme of Thirst Quencher. I challenged the team to create a project featuring a beverage. As usual, you will be delighted with their creations!

For my project I'm showing how to make a fun stacked teacup card by combining the Tea and Coffee Pop-up mechanism with the spiral from the Mini Pops Pop-up.

Learn how to make this card by watching the full video tutorial here:

My card measures 5" x 6" in the closed position and can be mailed in an A7 envelope. The front of the card combines the small teacups and saucers from the Tea and Coffee Borders along with circles from the Mini Gift Bag and Circles - Crosshatch sets. The greeting is from Word Set 4 - Just a Note. The patterned paper is from Stamperia.

Open the card to reveal three stacked teacups and a gift card holder.

To style the teacups I cut them from white cardstock and use a brayer to color them with ink. The deep score lines in both pieces will remain white. Then I put the teacup back into the die and ran it through my machine with an embossing sandwich. I used a sanding tool to sand the color from the top of the embossed pattern. The pop-up mechanism included in the Tea and Coffee Pop-up was elongated to hold the bottom two tea cups. The spiral die from the Mini Pops Pop-up was used on the back of the center teacup to animate the top one.

I used a folded Mini Gift Bag to act as a gift card sleeve inside the card. The greeting is our Thank You die and the circles from the Mini Gift Bag provide a spot to sign the card.

This stacked teacup card can be customized for any theme by simply changing the colors and styling. Add little animals or character perched in the teacups for a cute look, or have flowers or butterflies spilling out of the cups for a pretty look. 

Ready to give this card a try? Here are the dies and supplies used on my card:

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Let's take a look at how our talented Design Team interpreted the THIRST QUENCHER challenge. In each case you can click the designer's name to go to their blog post where you'll find additional photos, supply lists and, in some cases, videos!

Nicky Foden created this amazing cocktail card using our Happy Hour Charms on the Twist Panel Pop-up. This is such a clever "twist" on a card and the greeting is hilarious! Nicky has posted a full photo tutorial for how she created this masterpiece, so be sure to click over to her blog for full instructions. Love this!

Sue Small-Kreider created an absolutely fabulous Summer Fete card using the Explosion Pop-up mechanism as booths for delicious offerings, including thirst quenching lemonade. This is just an amazingly clever combination of dies for a wonderful effect. Be sure to click to Sue's blog for more photos of how she created this sweet slimline card.

Fran Sabad posted three cards for the challenge, all featuring our original Coffee Cup Pop-up and Coffee Charms. I just love this "crabby" card (and can relate!) with the bright fun colors and tropical theme. Be sure to click over to Fran's blog to see her other cards. Wonderful!

Sandy Diller created a custom beer card for her son's birthday and I just love how it has two reveals. The first one uses the Flip Frame Pop-up to animate a greeting and then the main card opens to reveal a fun saying that Sandy says fits her son to a tee! Be sure to click over to Sandy's blog to see this card in action. Definitely thirst quenching!

Lois Bak made a gorgeous Teacup pop-up as a birthday card and included gold gilding on the cup and saucer. I love her play on words for the custom greeting of "Sip Sip Hooray!" Be sure to click over to Lois's blog for a peek at the fun card front. Lovely!

Suzanne Smit made this adorable 4-page mixed Landscape Rectangle Accordion. I love the coffee and cupcakes theme and the addition of several caffeinated giraffes. This makes such a lovely display piece. Check out Suzanne's blog post for a photo of this card in the closed position. Love it!

Jen Webster turned a coffee mug into a beer mug with this clever repurposing of the Tea and Coffee Pop-up set. I just love how she styled the beer mug, using clouds as foam and glossy accents for drips. Be sure to click over to Jen's blog for a photo of the card front and a description of how she created this card. Perfection!

Frances Byrne made a vision in pink Tea card for the challenge. I just love her clever re-purposing of a scalloped rectangle die into an edger. There are so many great styling ideas on this card. Be sure to click over to Frances's blog to see more. Fabulous card!

Well hopefully you feel inspired to craft some thirst quenching creations of your own. Join us next month on May 8th, 2024 for our next Designer Challenge with a theme of "From the Vault" - the team will take inspiration from one of their previous cards to make a new version. What fun!

Happy Crafting!

Karen Burniston Designer Challenge 79: Bunny Ears!

Welcome to the March Designer Challenge with a theme of Bunny Ears. I challenged the team to create a project featuring bunny ears.

For my project I'm sharing the assembly video for Animal Add-ons 5. This set fits either the Mini Ball Pop-up or the Bitty Ball Pop-up to create a chick hatching out of an egg and a rabbit or Easter bunny.

Learn how to make hatching chicks and bunnies by watching the assembly video here:

For the bunny you can experiment with how the ears are attached, either as a floppy-eared bunny or as a tall-eared bunny. You also have the option to use either foundation die or stack one of each.

Similarly, the hatching chick can be made out of two stacked Mini Balls, two stacked Bitty Balls, or one of each. You will use pieces out of the foundation die for wings, eyes, beaks and bows. 

Our March Virtual Class features an Easter card using Animal Add-ons 5. With our Virtual Classes you are able to watch the class day video even if you did not purchase a kit. The video for this class will premiere on March 9, 2024 at 11 am Central. We have sold out of kits, but the stores still have some. You'll find the participating stores on our Events Page. Learn all about how these classes work by watching this short explanatory video. Because everything is pre-recorded you can purchase a kit even after the premiere and complete your projects at any time.

Here are the dies and supplies used in the assembly video:

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Let's take a look at how our talented Design Team interpreted the BUNNY EARS challenge. In each case you can click the designer's name to go to their blog post where you'll find additional photos, supply lists and, in some cases, videos and/or photo tutorials. 

Frances Byrne created a slimline card with a removable Easter Bunny. Make sure you click over to her blog where you can watch a video of this card opening. What a delightful card to receive!

Jen Webster used our Family Room Pop-up to create a cozy room complete with an Easter bunny hiding eggs. I just love the way Jen uses her markers to create such depth on the die cuts. Check out those cute bunny pillows, too! Cuuuuuute!

Suzanne Smit fashioned her own bunny using the Animal Add-ons 5 set along with others. I love how her bunny is hugging a mug and the Spinner Square Pop-up swings out three cupcakes.

Lois Bak made a 3-page Landscape Rectangle Accordion and decorated it for Easter. I love all her little scenes and how she added the bunny border along the bottom edges. So sweet!

Sandy Diller created a spectacular nesting card that just keeps revealing new treasures! Be sure to click over to Sandy's blog for a video of this card in action. Amazing!

Fran Sabad created an adorable Easter card complete with Woven Basket decor on the front and then a removable bunny inside. I love the tip from Fran to use embroidery floss for whiskers by running the floss through glue and letting it dry. So clever!

Sue Small-Kreider very cleverly decorated our Cake Pop-up as a bunny cake using Animal Add-Ons 5. I also love her carrot borders surrounding the cake. Be sure to click over to Sue's blog for a video of this card in action. Amazing!

Nicky Foden made the most adorable Waterfall card in an Easter theme. I love the gorgeous colors and all the different scenes. Nicky creates detailed photo instructions each month so make sure you click over and see how this card is put together. Love it!

Hopefully you are inspired to make some BUNNY EARS projects of your own! Join us next month on April 3, 2024 for our next Designer Challenge with a theme of "THIRST QUENCHER" where everyone will be incorporating a beverage into their card.

Happy Crafting!