What a year it's been! No more high school. No more braces. And no more childhood! Meet these two fantastic 18-year-old young adults who will be voting in their first Presidential election this November. Happy Birthday, Karl and Emma, you amazing people, you!
Naturally, as their mother, I still see them like this . . . "Emma Bear" and "Boo Boo"
For their birthday cards I turned to brand new Pop it Ups die shipping soon from Elizabeth Craft Designs.
I always start my pop-up cards by designing the inside of the card. After all, that's how the card will be displayed! For Emma's card I used a BoBunny cupcakes paper for the background of the card and also fussy cut several cupcakes to fill the pot, along with William the Goat wearing glasses similar to Emma's. (Eyelet Outlet)
Another reason I always start with the inside of the card is because it gives me the opportunity to add disguising elements to the card's front in case any portion of the pop-up is visible in the closed position. For Em's card William the Goat's horns were visible on the side of the card in the closed position so I added a strategically placed label to the card's front to disguise the horns. The American Crafts eyeglasses paper has been in my stash for months waiting on Em's birthday. I was excited to get to use it. The label and circle are both from the Labels & Circles die set.
The other day a friend of mine who owns a craft store messaged me to say that several customers had called the store after the Video Tutorial for the Flower Pot was posted, asking her to order it for them. I told my friend that the Flower Pot may well be my crowning achievement in die design. It's just so versatile and dynamic. It's exciting to see it come to life as the card is opened. Plus, the fact that you can use it as a stand-alone box card makes it even more versatile!
Perhaps there's a subconscious reason that I chose to use William the Goat for Emma's card. I'm not sure I'm ready for my "kid" to be an adult! But William also looks really cute wearing the brad glasses and eating the ribbon from the 18 tag. (Made with the new Sports Charms)
The Flower Pot die set comes with flowers, a butterfly and vine, but you can always fill it with whatever you choose. I simply fussy cut cupcakes from the leftover paper and glued them to the lattice at different angles. The Happy Birthday is one of my favorite peel-off stickers from Elizabeth Craft Designs and I think I used these same stickers on last year's cards!
For Karl's card I used the new Twist Circle die set. This versatile die twists up a platform into the middle of the card, allowing you to animate all sorts of things into fun pop-ups. I chose to use Jinks the Monkey and tried to make him into quite the distinguished gentleman in honor of Karl's "man" status.
The Twist Circle die set comes with five different circles to use on the platform, but you are also able to use just the platform itself, as I did for Jinks. He is wearing the Steampunk Charms tophat and the same brad glasses as Emma's card. The mustache is from Props 1 and the greeting from the Farm Greetings Clear Stamps.
For the card front I did a similar trick with the label, extending it off the side of the card because Jinks' "happy birthday to you" sign was partially visible in the closed position. I added another tophat, cut one of the glasses brads in half to be a monocle, and added another mustache. The Labels & Circles die set was perfect to frame everything.
The Twist Circle is another die that's really fun to open and close. As the card is opened the platform is going to twist up into place, hovering over the center of the card.
Happy Birthday, Karl and Emma! I love you to the moon and back.
By the way, tune in Tuesday for a video tutorial on the Twist Circle die set. New dies, stamps and stencils are expected by mid-August at Elizabeth Craft Designs. Call your local independent craft store to order, or you can use these online links:
Welcome to this month's Pop it Ups Designer Challenge with a theme of: GLITTER!
For my card I did not spare any glitter! I used the new Flower stencil to create an ombre effect with three colors of pink glitter, then carefully removed the stencil from the adhesive and "grouted" the remaining adhesive with Warm Diamond glitter. I did this technique three times to get a panel for the front of the card and for the background inside the card and, as you'll see on the video, I had no trouble removing the stencil by giving it slow even pressure while simultaneously holding down the sticky parts with a backing sheet from the adhesive.
However, some of the Designer Challenge team reported mixed results when using stencils for two-tone glitter. It seemed to depend on the cardstock and/or the "open-ness" of the stencil as to whether the stencil would release from the adhesive or cling so tight that the cardstock would peel/separate as they attempted to remove the stencil. Both Fran and Frances mentioned that coating the stencil with watermark ink like Versamark before laying it down into the adhesive can help it release from the adhesive easier. I've also had great success loosening the ECD adhesive by breathing warm air onto it while carefully pulling.
The white cardstock I used in the video is Hammermill 80 lb. Color Copy Digital Cover. It's a smooth white cardstock (Amazon link below if you need it) and I had no trouble with it peeling or separating as I removed the stencil. It probably also helped that I was using the Flower Stencil, which is a tight, even pattern stencil. So my advice would be to try the Versamark trick and/or use the same cardstock/stencil that I used in the video to ensure success with this technique.
OK, with disclaimers in place, here is the video!
Here are photos of the card and the details. It's an A2-sized card, but the brad and ribbon bow on the front will make it too bulky for a single-stamp. If you plan to make a similar card and want the most economical postage, change the front design to something completely flat.
Speaking of the front design, I am a big fan of not doubling my work with pop-up cards. Let's face it, they're going to display these cards propped open. For that reason I always start by designing the interior of the card and then create some sort of "simple lead-in" for the front, carrying in the same colors/themes. For this card it was very simple - just a glittered panel with ribbons to look like it's a wrapped present, and a bow held on with a (very old, stash item) decorative brad. For the interior greeting I used the Just a Note clear stamps with the decorator dies (ovals, corner flourish) from the Oval Landscape Accordion.
The three supports at the top of the Cake Pop Up are particularly fun because the two outside ones pop-up at an angle, creating festive movement to the candles/strawberries (both included with the set) as the card is opened and closed. The cake stand is cut from a metallic silver paper.
This side view shows the construction of the cake - it's really just a series of stacked boxes. I'm looking forward to people getting creative with turning it into other things.
If you're interested in giving this card a go, check your local independent craft store to see if they carry Elizabeth Craft Designs supplies. If not, how about asking them to? It's so important to support our local stores so we continue to have local stores! However, I also recognize that there are lots of places in the world without access to a nearby independent craft store, so you will also find the supplies online and here are some links:
The Designer Challenge Team slayed the challenge this month. So much inspiration! So much sparkle! Remember that each of their names is a direct link to their blog post for that particular card. You'll find more photos, supply lists, even general instructions, by clicking those names.
Karen Aicken starts us off with this amazing Anniversary card featuring the Hanging Charm Pull Tab with two fun modifications - an extended tab for pulling and a doubled charm that expands when it hangs. She used an oversized card for space to add Rocky the Crab and the Palm Tree, both glittered to perfection. Absolutely fabulous!
Kelly Booth REALLY loves coffee, so if you're the lucky recipient of this card you know that you are truly special! Notice the cute glittered monkeys (Jinks) with their tails creating a heart! Adorable. They're hanging out in the Cup Pop Stand, decorated beautifully with the Flower Stage-it Stencil. I love this card more than coffee!
Caz Counsell made this extremely clever "changing title" card where the "Be" becomes "Beaver" as the card opens. Inside this sweet Valentine is Baker the Beaver, holding a glittered heart. Baker sports rosy cheeks and an embossed waffled tail. Adorable!
Frances Byrne made this delightful Happy Chinese New Year card celebrating the "Year of the Monkey" - a fact that I didn't realize when I was designing Jinks, but a very fortunate coincidence! The Katie Label Pivot Card (one of Frances's "go to" dies) is perfect for any theme and I love her addition of the Paris Edges, plus the different poses of the glittery monkeys.
Sandy Diller also celebrated the Year of the Monkey with this fun display piece made with the Katie Label Accordion and Katie Stars Frame Edges. She found some wooden numbers and covered them with glitter for a fabulous sparkle. She also styled Jinks as two different types of monkey. Really clever and cool!
Fran Sabad used glitter to make shimmery sand as a backdrop to a very cool Rocky the Crab, sporting the Santa glasses from Props 5 turned into shades. Open this Oval Pull Card and Rocky has lifted his shades. The sun flies into the sky attached to the Spinner from the Rectangle Pull Card set. Super adorable card!
Selma Stevenson is guest designing for this month's challenge and made this fabulous tag/card. The bottom half of the tag lifts up to reveal the pop-up greeting. How very clever! Dutch the Fox is done in glitter for the front of the tag. Love it! We hope that Selma can join us for more challenges this year and if you're not familiar with her work, be sure to click her name and bookmark her blog. Her cards are exquisite!
Raquel Mason went to the wild west with this fun glittered Cocoa the Horse card. She used the Rectangle Pull Card, Pull Card and Western Edges and decorated with the Paisley Stage it Stencil and Cocoa Western clear stamps. These are such fun colors. Yee haw!
Kelly Booth had coffee on the brain when she created this delicious homage to her favorite beverage. The Cup Pop Stand works perfectly with Joset's Cupcake die to add foam. Kelly did a beans and glitter grout technique on the inside cup and used the Paisley Stencil on the front cup. Really lovely!
Frances Byrne was also thinking java with this beauty, featuring a fun blue/brown color scheme and lots of stencil work. The Coffee Stencil creates both the beans and the flourish pattern on the rim of the saucer. Frances used the Swirly Flourish stencil on the cup and embellished with the Pull Card Edges. A gorgeous script word from Suzanne Cannon's collection finishes off this elegant card.
Caz Counsell made this romantic card featuring the Medallion stencil with glittered paste for a textured sparkly backdrop and then added the Eiffel Tower and Just a Note clear stamps. So pretty! Pop it Ups products can be used in so many ways, so don't feel limited to just interactive cards.Sandy Diller made this absolutely delightful Animal Party Block (a daytime pet Rave, she says!) using various Character and Props die sets. This is such a cute display piece and so, so creative! Makes me smile.
Summer Hills-Painter made this brilliant pop-up scene by using the Pop Stand die from the Christmas Trees set to animate her two glittered Palm Trees. A vine suspended between the trees holds up Jinks the Monkey, just hanging out! She also used the Bananas embossing folder (come on . . . you know you need it!) Flourish Gift Frame, two clear stamp sets and the Pull Card Edges. Definitely high on the list of my favorite Summer makes!
Shelly Hickox had been requesting a Pop it Ups Hot Air Balloon die set for some time and I was happy to be able to add one to the collection and especially when I see what she had in mind! This sweet Valentine is made with the Rectangle Accordion and Shelly added an expanding balloon on the first page. A Katie Label and the heart charm from the Hanging Charm Pull Tab sets create the decoration for Page 2. Shellypiece!
Karen Aicken has been rocking her new favorite die - the Hanging Charm Pull Tab. In this creation she used the HCPT as the "gate" with the fence around it, then pulls it up to reveal a hidden greeting. Virgil, Cheepers and Snowball hang out in this barnyard full of love. Great idea on the red shadow layers to really bring home the "love" feel.
Fran Sabad really thought of the details when she made this glittery goodness of an Easter-themed Fancy Accordion. The Frame Edges are glittered, along with the Easter Eggs, but also check out the paint splatters, made with candle flames and strawberry leaves from the Cake Pop Up, plus the paintbrush, made by shortening the Props 8 spatula. So many amazing details in this card.
Kelly Booth created four cards for this month's challenge! She's a huge fan of glitter and it shows in her beautiful creations. These last two feature the Hanging Charm Pull Tab and the two-tone glitter technique like in the video but using the Paisley stencil. I particularly like how she inlaid the greeting on the green/teal version and extended the pull tab, cutting it into a decorative shape with the Agatha Edges. Also a great idea to mix in butterflies from the Butterfly Accessory die set.
Well? Are you on inspiration overload? So many sparkly glittery ideas! Which will you try first?
For this month's giveaway it's a great one - Elizabeth Craft Designs is sponsoring a giveaway of all the ECD products from the video! One lucky winner will win this:
How do you enter? Simply leave a comment on this blog post telling us which Pop it Ups product is on your wish list. (ANY Pop it Ups product - not limited to the ones in the prize pack) You have until Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at 5 pm CST to leave your comment. The winner will be chosen by random draw and contacted for an address by e-mail.
Do you subscribe to the Elizabeth Craft Designs mailing list? If so, you already know about this awesome SALE that started today. Select fall-themed products are discounted 30% through Monday, October 5, 2015.
Six Pop it Ups products are included in the sale and here are some video tutorials using the sale items:
If any of these products have been on your wish list it's a great time to pick them up at a discounted price. But hurry! The sale ends Monday. The sale also includes nineteen other Elizabeth Craft Designs dies, stamps and stickers from Susan's Garden, Petroschi Bianca and Els van de Burgt Studios. Click the picture link below to check it out!
One year ago I made a Pivot Accordion Card for the Christmas in July Designer Challenge where I combined the Fancy Accordion with the Evergreen Pivot Card.
I always liked that technique and figured it was time to use it again, but this time with a different Accordion, a different Pivot Card and a different theme. This is a birthday card for my sister, Julie. One year ago I made her card much more somber, in celebration of her 40th, but this year she gets a nice colorful card. What can I say? I'm nice like that!
This Pivot Accordion combines the Star Accordion with the Tags Pivot Card. I had been wanting to use a stamp set I purchased a while back hoping it would fit nicely with the Star Accordion and I was right - it's a Stampin' Up! set called Be the Star. (Supply links at the end of the post)
I stamped the large barn star stamp, colored it and then cut it out with the barn star die that comes included with the Star Accordion and has the score lines to create the 3D barn star. After stacking three small pop-dots underneath the center, I glued the edges down and covered it with Crackle Accents.
The center portion of the Accordion is where I cut the Tags Pivot Card. This one was a little more tricky than the Fancy because there's only one small tab for the Star Accordion and it was cut away in the process of cutting the Tags Pivot Card. So you can see below that I made a makeshift replacement tab near the bottom of the stars. It had to be longer to account for those points of the star normally having a gap between them. To disguise the seam where my makeshift tab is attached, I added a round metal clip on one side to suspend more stamped stars, and a die cut star on the other side.
The Be the Star stamp set does not include a birthday greeting so I used the Farm Greetings Clear Stamps to make the greeting tag for the 4th page.
Here is a top view of the album so you can see how it operates. I used a 6x6 paper pack from Simple Stories called "Legacy" for all the frames and tags.
Learn how to make a Pivot Accordion Card in this video. The blog post for the video card is here: Pivot Accordion Card
Here are the specific shopping links for the Star Accordion.
Happy Wednesday and Happy July! I'm blogging on the Elizabeth Craft Designs Blog today with a different type of Wednesday post. As the Pop it Ups Collection grows larger, it may be a little overwhelming to understand all the different mechanisms and how they are different. Today I'll explain it all!
It's a good ol' fashioned Pop it Ups Category Breakdown! (cheer! applause! fireworks!) For each different category of die I have a visual reference of the available choices in that category plus any coordinating dies/folders shown below the die. (Pssst - want to make yourself a catalog/wish list? Got a printer?)
Pivot Cards
Pivot cards were designed to be a quick and easy interactive card. A fun feature of Pivot Cards is that the same decoration on the front of the card then pivots inside as the card is opened. This provides double-duty decoration, saving time and materials. Pivot Cards work by lining up the alignment nubs on the die over the fold of any size card, anywhere along the fold. This allows for complete customization of card size, shape and pivot card placement. There are currently six available styles of Pivot Cards.
Pull cards are Z-fold flip or swing cards with a few extra features. They have tuck slots to keep the card closed to avoid an accidental reveal. They also have alignment nubs and the ability to cut the mechanism anywhere along the fold of any size card. They also have an optional pop-up element - the Circle comes with a spiral pop-up die and the Rectangle comes with a spinner pop-up die. Pull Cards differ from Pivot Cards because in this case, the item flips over when the card is opened, so you have front/back decorations. There are currently two available styles of Pull Cards.
Whereas Pivot and Pull Cards are immediately identifiable as interactive cards from the front of the card, the General Pop-ups are the traditional pop-ups where the recipient has no idea that something will happen until they open the card. These are the traditional "magic trick" cards, since they offer the most surprise to the recipient. All of the dies in this category have alignment nubs allowing them to be placed anywhere along the fold of any size card. They are viewed best when the card is open to 90 degrees. There are currently six available styles of General Pop-up Cards.
Pop Stands are another type of General Pop-up card, but whereas the General Pop-ups are viewed in cards at 90 degrees, Pop Stands are viewed in cards that open all the way flat to 180 degrees. Another feature of Pop Stands is that the main item (tower, tub, barn, hay) is independent of the pop stand mechanism so it can be used on its own for flat cards, layouts, place cards, 3D items, etc. A Pop Stand die comes included with each design, and when lined up over the fold of any size card, anywhere along the fold, will cut tabs to fit the decorative item and turn it into a pop-up. There are currently four available styles of Pop Stand Cards.
Accordion albums are a special category of Pop it Ups dies because they do not have alignment nubs and you do not line them up over the fold of a card. Rather, you use the Accordion die to cut a single page of your card/album and there is an integrated tab system to connect as many pages together as you desire. This makes the Accordions very versatile, as the same die can be used for a quick 2-page card or a 20-page masterpiece. In addition, each Accordion comes with decorator dies included, so right out of the package you'll have what you need to start making incredible interactive cards and albums to impress and delight your friends and family. There are currently seven available styles of Accordions and more styles in the works.
Add-on dies (separate purchase) that are sized to coordinate with the Accordions (but can also be used on their own to make flat frames) are the Frame Edges. Frame Edges work by cutting four of each piece (square/circle designs) or two of each long/short piece (rectangle designs) and lining them up around the perimeter of the Accordion for fun decorations. Each Frame Edge packaging lists which Accordions it fits. The easiest way to adhere Frame Edges is by using ECD Double-sided adhesive on the back of the paper/cardstock before die cutting, so that the frame edges can be applied like stickers.
The Characters all feature similar construction, with a shadow layer and a detail layer, and then accessory dies, like eyes, tails, etc. Using ECD double-sided adhesive on the back of the paper or cardstock before die cutting makes assembly of the Characters very quick and easy. A signature look to the Characters are their big cartoon eyes, but they are also easy to style with other eyes for a completely different look. There are currently eleven available styles of Characters and four Props styles.
Edge dies are decorative dies that cut just the edge of the item so the height is customizable by the user. It also allows for easy decorative-edges cards. There are currently four available styles of Edge Dies.
Accessory dies are flat designs meant to complement the interactive cards and/or be used independently. There are currently five available styles of Accessory dies and five available styles of Embossing Folders.
In Spring 2015 I released my first set of Clear Stamps - the Farm Greetings Clear Stamps - meant to coordinate with the Farm collection as well as fit some of the other interactive dies. Look for more clear stamps coming soon!
So there you have it! The entire Pop it Ups Collection broken down by category with a ton of video and inspiration links. Speaking of inspiration links, I post cards daily on the Karen Burniston, Designer Facebook Page.
My nephew turned one this week and I wanted to make him a special card. Michael's too young to have favorite cartoon characters (and really, he'll probably just want to eat the card anyway) but I remembered that my niece Hannah, his older sister, loves Minions.
It was actually quite easy to fashion Minions by combining pieces from Chilly the Penguin and Hoppy the Frog. Here's a picture tutorial for how I did it. (click the photo to enlarge)
Once I had my Minions I made an explosion pop-up card.
I used the same dimensions and instructions as the Happy Birthday Explosion Card but swapped out the pop-up die for the Lucy Label instead of the Happy Birthday. Here is the video tutorial:
The card uses the same magnetic closure system as in the video. I decorated the front of the card with another Minion, peeking out and giggling.
I found a thin gray printed grid paper in my stash to use for the explosion sides and used a blue spray to make it colorful for the card. As it turned out, I preferred the back side of the paper (white) where the blue spray had soaked through. When I cut the ends of the explosion sides with the Outdoor Edges I also punched a hole through the entire piece, creating holes along the sides that I could weave twine through.
The card's interior features my two Minions - one holding onto two balloons (attached to the explosion side) and the other sitting against the top Lucy platform. I bent his legs to make him look like he was sitting. I used the Farm Greetings Clear Stamps for the Happy Birthday, stamping in watermark ink and embossing with white powder. Neither Minion could wear the birthday hat or it would stick out of the card, so I used it above the Happy Birthday greeting instead.
My original thought was to weave twine through the holes, across the back, and then use it to suspend the balloons. Unfortunately the balloons were far too heavy for the twine and ended up pulling it down. So I attached the balloons to each other and then to the explosion side and added a foldover "1" banner to the twine instead.
If you need instructions for assembling the Lucy Label Pop up Die, check out this blog post: Lucy Label
If you'd like to see the original blog post for the Happy Birthday Explosion Card video, it is here: Happy Birthday.
Elizabeth Craft Designs products are sold at independent craft stores worldwide. If you need online shopping links they are shown below. In addition to the pictured supplies I used various cardstock colors, baker's twine, white embossing powder, a C10 Copic marker (eyes) and blue spray.
I'm blogging on the Elizabeth Craft Designs blog with this month's Designer Challenge. The theme this month is What's in a Name? where I challenged the team to choose dies based on their first and last initials. You'll see incredible inspiration - as varied as the names themselves!
For my project I wanted to celebrate the start of summer (even though I was making this project while Tropical Storm Bill was approaching Texas) by focusing on dies from the Beach Collection.
To make sure my initials were represented I decided to use Whiskers the Cat instead of Rocky the Crab. Whiskers, I reasoned, could be called a Kitty. The Beach Edges qualified as my other initial.
I had an idea for the card where Whiskers would be gazing wistfully at a framed picture on the wall of a tranquil beach chair, dreaming that he could be magically transported to that scene.
Then, when the card opens, Whiskers' dream has come true and he's in the exact chair from the framed picture. I thought this could be a great card to congratulate someone on just about anything. You could also substitute Buster the Dog in place of Whiskers.
Watch the video tutorial for all the assembly instructions for this card, including how to make an L support through the slats of the chair to animate a Character in the chair.
The Farm Greetings Clear Stamps can be used to create all sorts of custom greetings by using the Selective Inking Technique. For my card I used just a couple of the phrases from the Congratulations chalkboard greeting stamp. I stamped in black and then colored the words with a light blue marker.
Most of the supplies used on the card are in the links below. Cardstock colors are light blue, dark blue, dark brown, kraft, white and green. The twine is from Creative Impressions.
The Inspiration Station - Stafford Springs, CT - Friday, June 12, 2015
3-4:30 pm - FREE Pop it Ups Demo
6-9 pm - Pop it Ups Card Class (call store for pricing and availability)
Papercraft Clubhouse - Westbrook, CT - Saturday, June 13, 2015
10:30-1:30 - Pop it Ups Card Class (call store for pricing and availability)
It is the same class at both stores and they have ordered in plenty of supplies to feed your need for after-class shopping.
You will make three cards in class, focusing on three different types of Pop it Ups dies - pop stands, general pop-ups and pull cards. This will give you an excellent base of knowledge for assembling the other dies in the collection as well.
Please bring these tools to class
Scissors
A variety of adhesives - tape runner, fine glue (my favorite is a Fineline 18 or 20 gauge bottle filled with Scotch Quick Dry or Lineco pH neutral adhesive), pop dots, mini glue dots
Paper piercer
Optional: inks for inking edges. I show my cards “clean” but they will look great with ink.
Optional: markers or colored pencils for coloring the words on the greeting label.
Optional: smart phone or camera for taking photos of the hundreds of sample cards on display
I must say, I am really excited about this trip! I haven't been doing much teaching or traveling this year, allowing me to focus on my two high school Juniors and this busy important time in their lives. As such I haven't been able to feed my love of teaching as much as I'm used to. Get ready, Connecticut, because I am going to lace up my teaching shoes and dance a jig! (Ha, just kidding)
Now that the Farm Collection is shipping, I thought I'd share one of the cards I taught last month at the Collins Show using Virgil the Pig and the Farm Greetings Clear Stamps with the Pop Stand Bathtub, Paris Edges and Props 2 for a fun "Hog Wild" Birthday Bathtub Card.
This card was very easy to put together and made good use of the patterned paper by using both the positive and negative pieces of the Paris Edges to create the bath mat and the front decoration. Choose any patterned paper that would make a nice floor and any color cardstock that would make a nice contrasting bath mat.
Here is a list of the colors and the cuts:
Dark Brown Cardstock (I used Candy Bar Card Shoppe, Bazzill): 6" x 9" scored at 4.5" for folding. Line up Bathtub Pop Stand die over the fold, centered, and cut. Also cut a shadow layer for Virgil the Pig.
Patterned Paper (I used Echo Park Jack & Jill girl, Cute as a Button): two pieces at 5.75" x 4 3/8" with Paris Edge cut into one long side of each piece.
White Cardstock: die cut two bathtubs, a 1" x 6" strip with the "go hog wild" portion of Farm Greetings Clear Stamps stamped onto it in chocolate brown ink, a rectangle around the "pig out" portion of the same clear stamp, also in chocolate brown ink, and a set of Virgil the Pig's eyes. (Optional but helpful: use ECD double-sided adhesive behind the cardstock for the eyes before die cutting so they will become stickers)
Silver Cardstock: die cut a faucet and claw feet (Optional but helpful: use ECD double-sided adhesive behind the cardstock for the claw feet before die cutting so they will become stickers)
Light Blue Cardstock: die cut the party hat overlay from Props 2.
Teal Cardstock: die cut the party hat base and pom-pom from Props 2.
Pink Cardstock: Virgil the Pig's detail layer, snout and tail.
White Shimmer Sheetz: three bubble strips from the Bathtub die.
For the front of the card use the two positive pieces of the Paris Edges, leaving a gap in the middle to fill with a strip of coordinating washi tape (I used Echo Park's Jack & Jill Boy ruler tape) Add the Pig Out greeting rectangle and line it with transparent/silver glitter lines for sparkle. Color the "pig out" words with a coordinating marker. The crepe ribbon can go through the two holes at the top of the card's front, but not all the way through the card - just woven through the front holes - and tied in a knot. (Part of the ribbon is now inside the card, but will be hidden by the bathtub)
Inside the card start by adding the two floor pieces, lined up close to the center fold. Assemble the bathtub in the usual fashion (video link at the end of this post), making sure to attach the two tubs to each other only out on the outside edges, leaving the center open to be able to slide Virgil the Pig inside. Add the bubbles, faucet and claw feet. Another strip of washi tape was put across the back half of the card and the "Hog Wild" greeting strip, highlighted with markers or pencils, across the front. Highlight the seam with a glitter line, if desired.
For Virgil the Pig, start by assembling him in the usual fashion, then use detail scissors to cut out his front legs, cutting on the outside edge of the brown portion so the legs will have a shadow layer. It's easiest to just cut straight across the top of his legs and then chop out the little piece in between the legs (you won't need it). When he is tucked down into the bathtub you won't be able to tell that he is missing limbs. Assemble the birthday hat and add the pom-pom lined up with the top of the hat to keep the hat as short as possible. Attach it at a jaunty angle and partially over Virgil's eye to keep it within the card when closed. Fill in the hat's spots with transparent/silver glitter dots, if desired.
Slide Virgil between the two tubs and attach his lower half inside the tub with glue, closing the card to check that the hat is hidden while you can still adjust his location. Also glue in his two legs at a fun "whoopee!" angle.
If you are new to the Bathtub Pop Stand die and/or need a refresher, move the slider to 1:24 on this introductory video:
All of the ECD products used on this card can be purchased at your local independent craft store. If your local store doesn't carry ECD please encourage them to do so. For those of you sadly without any local shopping options, here are some links. The crepe ribbon color is Magenta (I think!).
(ECD supplies used: Cheepers the Chicken, Farm Greetings Clear Stamps, and Ring Accordion scalloped circle die. Other supplies: Stampin' Up! Hardwood stamp, white embossing powder, red, brown, cream, yellow and white cardstocks)
Last week Elizabeth Craft Designs celebrated the arrival of the Farm Collection in grand style, sponsoring a blog/Facebook giveaway of the entire collection to two commenters, chosen by random draw.
Congratulations to the two lucky winners, one from the blog comments and one from the Facebook comments.
Deborah on Facebook said:
That is awesome, I love those animals with the barn - I'm sure the kids on the school bus would love it for their birthday. My husband is the school bus driver and I make a card for a child whose birthday fall on the day to make the child feeling special
Angelique on the ECD blog said:
Because of you I AM NEVER LEAVING MY CRAFT ROOM! The Barnyard card will be perfect for my Mom. She grew up on a farm and when I was a little girl I enjoyed the time I spent with my grandfather on his farm, feeding the chickens and the pigs, milking the cows, etc. I can’t wait for these to become available.
Deborah and Angelique will each receive a full Farm Collection.
If you missed the video tutorial on adding a Floating Floor beneath the Barn for dynamic pop-up scenes, here it is again:
The Farm collection is now in stock and shipping. As always, I encourage you to give your local independent craft store your business first, but for those of you who are sadly without local store options, here are some links.
