Chameleon Pen Colored Mandala

Wanted to share today this mandala colored with 2 Chameleon pens!  Yes, I said only 2 alcohol marker/pens were needed to get the effect you see!  If I had used another brand of alcohol marker, I would have had to use about 6 pens to get the same look/effect.  You heard that right - 6.  

The two Chameleon Pens I used are: BG3 Turquoise and BL6 Royal Blue.  Because of the way these markers can be fused with a colorless blender solution on each pen, blending and gradation is seamless and smooth.  And beautiful!

Currently I only own about 6 pens but I have really been enjoying using them and seeing what they are capable of.  Check out this link to learn more!

Don't Be Afraid to Draw in your Planner

Inspired by the crafting tape "Enchanted" by Recollections which is mermaid and ocean related, I wanted to add more mermaid to this planner layout in The Happy Planner.  I drew a mermaid and mermaid tail using Faber-Castell Polychromos color pencils.  Added the washi tape (which they call craft tape on their label) and a few stickers by Me and My Big Ideas and this layout was ready for the pen.  

A Flip Card!

A dear friend was having a special birthday so it called for a special handmade card!  I thought it would be fun to use the new Anna's Fantastic Flip Card digital designs on the Cricut Explore to cut out the base and layers of this card.  I did that first and then I printed and cut the sentiment.  Then it was time to put it all together.  Let's get going!

I chose this retro paper and stamp set by Photoplay called Slightly Sassy.  The picture above shows the paper and stamp set along with all the layers cut out.  

Use a scoring board to score all the appropriate areas on the flip card.  The Cricut Explore uses a scoring tool but it does not go deep enough so I redo the score lines with a bone folder.

Use the bone folder to make all the folds.

Here's the card all folded and ready to attach the layers.

I used Glue Dot adhesive to put it all together.

Here's how the card looks so far.  Next, I thought it would be nice to emboss a stamped image and use it on the card.

These are the items I used.  Prior to stamping an image on card stock, use the Embossing Magic to "wipe" the area where you will be stamping.  This prevents the embossing powder from adhering to the card stock where you don't want it.

After stamping the cat clock image with black ink on white card stock, while the ink is still wet, cover the stamped image generously with embossing powder. Then tap it all off - flicking the card stock to remove all the excess.

Use a heat tool to heat emboss the image.  You will see the embossing powder melt into the ink and the image will look shiny!

I used a few Glue Dot glue squares to adhere the cat clock to the edge of the card.

Here is the finished card again!  It was a fun card to make and my friend enjoyed it and my humor.  

These are items used to make this card:

Anna's Fantastic Flip Cards Cricut Explore Digital Cartridge, Cricut Explore, Photoplay Slightly Sassy card stock/stamps, scoring board and bone folder, Glue Dot glue squares and micro dots, Embossing Magic by Inkadinkado, Versafine pigment ink in onyx black, Zing embossing powder, heat tool

Hope you enjoyed my card.  Craft on!!

'Hello There' Card

Here's the finished card!  If you'd like to see the steps, read on!

 This Authentique card stock is super cute.  Actually it's Fabulous - and that's the name of this 6x6 pad!  Deciding which ones to use is the hard part since they are all favorites of mine.  I took a few pages out and then I got started with deciding on card design.

I choose a card sketch from Pinterest.  Then I uploaded the sketch into Cricut Design Space.  After changing the size of the sketch to the size of the card I wanted, I inserted shapes so I could use the sketch as a template.  Here's how it looked.

             Just drag the shapes over to the template and make them the appropriate sizes.

After all the shapes were complete, I changed the colors of each piece so each would cut out on a different mat.  I also deleted the template.

After cutting everything out, assemble the card according to the sketch - changing it however you'd like.

Check out Authentique card stock if you can.  They have beautiful designs!

Thanks for stopping by.  Craft on!

Wrap Up Your Gift Card

Making a gift card holder is a simple project that adds a nice touch to giving a gift card this Christmas season or anytime.  I used a Cricut Explore on this project but you can probably find a template online that can be cut out with scissors.  Use a double-sided decorative card stock so the inside will have a design too.

I selected a basic gift card holder design in Cricut Design Space and cut it out with the Cricut Explore.  I had to guess at the dimensions - and it ended up being a good guess -

  W 5.64" and H 4.28"

Here it is!

Turn it over and use a bone folder to score along the flaps to be folded.

This is how it looks after scoring.

Use a strong adhesive along the side, folded over flap on each side.  Do not start at the very top.  Check to see where to start by folding up the bottom flap.  I like to use Glue Dots Stitch Glue Squares as they are very small, hold very well, and are easy to apply.  If you overlap this adhesive at all, just take your finger and push it away from the edge.  The Glue Dot squares/dots will easily move unlike many other adhesives that once applied at all incorrectly sometimes will ruin a project.  

Now that the gift card is in, time for a few finishing touches.

I chose to put a tag on the gift card holder - I actually moved it to the other side and put a pretty tule ribbon around it as you can see from the first photograph.

Have a wonderful Christmas week and be sure to make some time to make some gift card holders!  Craft on!

Make a Planner Pocket Page

Making a pocket page for your planner is very easy!  And for those of you like me who have lots of scrapbook card stock, you have a lot of choices of colors and patterns.  For a classic size Happy Planner, start with a 12" x 12" piece of card stock.  I used a single-sided piece of card stock.  My final pocket page has gold dots - sorry, I forgot to take photos of the beginning of the process so I used a similar piece of card stock to show you how to fold it.

Start by folding up approx 4-5 inches along the entire sheet.  This will be your pocket.  

 Then fold the sheet like a book with the "pocket" area to the outside.

Use a strong adhesive like Glue Dots stitch glue squares to adhere the edges of the pocket closed on each side.  You need a strong adhesive since you will be putting items in your pocket on both sides and you don't want it coming apart!

Then use the Glue Dots stitch glue squares to adhere the ends of the pocket page.

I decorated the edge of the pocket on my page with washi tape.  If you use 2-sided color or patterned card stock your pocket page will already have a decorative flair.  Mine had a white back so it needed some decoration.

Add a few washi tapes!

Next, I punched the newly adhered edge of the pocket page with a strong punch so it would fit into the Happy Planner.

Such a cute pocket page to put in my planner!

Make your own pocket page today.  Craft on!

Make Your Own Planner or Scrapbook Dashboard

Make your very own custom planner or scrapbook dashboard!  Choose your favorite card stock or colors that go with your scrapbook or planner layout.  I then used the free Design Space software for the Cricut Explore to put together my design.

Insert a square shape and then manipulate it into a rectangle.  Add text, copy, and weld and it's ready to be cut.  Very simple and quick!

I chose a very smooth glitter card stock by DCWV - cuts like butter.  This picture shows the machine cutting the top layer of the dashboard.

Now that the base layer and top layers are cut, the top layers can now be glued.

Assembled and ready to be punched so it will fit into my planner.

I used The Happy Planner punch by Me and My Big Ideas as this dashboard will be used in the classic size Happy Planner.  As long as you don't have anything too thick, this will work.

The variety of dashboards you can create is endless.  Make them for a holiday or just for everyday.  And because you make them custom, they can be sized any way that works for you.  A few of the dashboards in the photo above are for use in my Happy Planner Mini planner.  Enjoy making your own dashboards - craft on!!