Monday, May 19, 2014

Tutorial: Twisted Easel Card

Hello everyone!! I thought I'd post a little tutorial on how I make "Twisted Easel" cards. They're super easy . . . and fun . . . and so much fun to give and receive!! Be forewarned . . . there are LOTS of pics!! OK . . . So . . . here we go . . .
  1. Gather supplies. For this card, I'm using Mo Manning's "Ruby" available HERE in Mo's online store.
  2. I always make my cards 5.5 x 5.5 inches square. (If you prefer 6 x 6" cards, just adjust accordingly.) You'll need two pieces of card stock. One that is 5.5 x 11 inches. The other that is 5.5 x 5.5 inches. Take the larger of your two pieces and score it at 5.5 inches. Fold this in half. 
  3. Now comes the tricky part. Open up your folded card stock. Decide which way you want your card front to face . . . and score one side of your card from corner to corner (on the diagonal) . . . 
  4. Fold on the diagonal. (Are ya with me so far? Great!!) . . .
  5. You've just created your Twisted Easel Card "base"! See? Cool, huh?! Now I set that aside. Don't worry, we'll come back to it momentarily . . . 
  6. Next . . . I begin decorating the front of my card. So, take the 5.5 x 5.5 inch square piece of card stock and decorate just like you would any other card front! (NOTE: I always use Score Tape/Sookwang Tape when assembling my cards.)
  7. Here's the front of my card . . . semi-decorated! (I'll add more shortly. You'll see!) . . . 
  8. Now you'll want to attach the front of your card. This is the crucial step!! . . . 
  9. Once again, check to be sure you know which way you want your card front to face. Then position your partially decorated card front to the appropriate corner of your base. Double check before securing to base!! . . . 
  10. It should look like this when you've completed this step! . . . 

  11.  Next I decorate the card base . . . often times I'll even decorate the inside and back surfaces (this mostly depends on whether or not I can find matching/coordinating papers!) . . . 
  12. Here's how it looks from the front . . . 
  13. Next . . . I attach the sentiment on the base using foam dimensionals. They raise the sentiment up a bit so it can act as a "door stop" for the folded top of the card! Soooooo clever, eh?!
  14. Okey dokey!! Time to add my colored image and embellish! This is my favorite part!!
  15. Here's what this cutie looks like from the other side . . .
  16. And, last but not least, an "artsy" angle . . .
And there you have it! A darling little "Twisted Easel" card!! I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial . . . and I hope you'll try making one of these (if you haven't already!) Thanks so much for stopping by! See you soon! Hugs . . . .

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

TUTORIAL: Entering challenges using a Facebook post!

Hello everyone!! I've had several requests to write a little tutorial on how to enter challenges from a Facebook page post. This works with PCs and laptops . . . but not with iPads (I have no clue how to enter a challenge with my iPad! Sorry!) (Note: I have an older version of Microsoft . . . so, if you have a newer version, I'm hoping my instructions will translate to your version!)

OK . . . here we go . . . .

  1. 1st be sure you have saved a photo of your card/project to a file on your computer. (I keep all of mine in a "Pictures" file.) And write your post on "Bronte & Bella's Clubhouse" in Facebook..
  2. Now . . . move your cursor up to the top of the page to that long link at the top. It starts out with https://
  3. Left click and the entire thing will become highlighted in blue.
  4. Right Click and you'll see a "drop down box" . . . scroll your cursor down to the word "Copy" . . . and Left Click on Copy.
  5. Minimize or leave that page and go to Mo's Challenge Blog. At the end of the current Challenge post you'll see a little blue box that says "Add Your Link" . . . place your cursor over that blue box and Left Click on that. Another page will appear!
  6. Now move your cursor to the first box that says "Link" . . . Left Click. Now immediately Right Click . . . scroll your cursor down to the word "paste" . . . Left Click. You have just pasted the "https:// etc." link that you copied from Facebook
  7. Now you'll get a message in RED. It says "Could not find any images. You can still upload your link. Here's how." DO NOT WORRY!!
  8. Now just fill in the next box down . . . the one that says "Link Title" . . . this is where you put your name!
  9. Now . . . fill in the next box down with your email address. This will not be posted publicly. . . but we need it in case we need to contact you for any reason.
  10. Keep scrolling down . . . you'll see a box on the left side that says "Upload" . . . place your cursor over that and Left Click. An Orange Box will appear that says "Click to upload a file" . . . Left Click on that box. 
  11. That should take you to your pictures file! (Are ya still with me? Great!! We're almost done!)
  12. Place the cursor over the photo of your card/project. Double Left Click on the photo . . . and VOILA! the photo will magically appear on the link page.
  13. Now . . . right below your photo, you'll see two blue boxes Select and Crop. Place your cursor over Select . . . and Left Click. Now another photo of your card will appear on that page . . . a little above and to the right.
  14. Scroll down a bit more and you'll see a big blue box that says DONE. Left Click on that.
*** In a few minutes, a thumbnail sized photo of your card/project will appear on Mo's Challenge Blog. Now . . . when the Design Team ladies click on your card, they'll be taken to your post in Facebook . . . and they'll be able to leave a comment!!

I hope this helps. If you have questions, please email me at babynurseva@aol.com and put "Challenge Question" in the subject line. Have a great one! See ya soon!!


Saturday, May 10, 2014

Happy Mother's Day!!

Happy Saturday! I hope you're having a fabulous weekend so far! I've been in my studio rearranging and organizing. I've found it works really well to just move the clutter into the hallway! Out of sight, out of mind! LOL!! Soooooo . . . since tomorrow (May 11th) is Mother's Day here in America, I wanted to send good wishes and warm hugs to all the mothers out there!! And . . . I thought I'd post a card I made for my sister to give to her MIL!
This sweet "gardener" was created by my friend, the very talented and super cool artist, Mo Manning! The image is called "Sadie" and is available here in Mo's online store. Here's a close-up . . .
So, here's the deal . . . since my last Mo card was verrrrrry "Clean and Simple" . . . I thought I'd make this one "Fussy and Complex"! hehe!! It's one of my faves . . . a "twisted easel" card. Here's a full view . . .
And a bit of a side-ish view . . .
My Card "recipe"
Image printed on Cryogen metallic white cardstock
Wisteria Wonder & Very Vanilla cardstock: Stampin' Up
DPs: Graphic 45 "Secret Garden"
Labels 18 Nestabilities by Spellbinders
Fence & grass dies: Magnolia
Corner die: Joy Crafts
Sentiment stamp: Hero Arts
Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Charm, pearls, & ribbon: My stash
Butterfly punch: Martha Stewart

Markers used to color this Mo image:
Skin: Shin Han - YR133 & 132; Copics - E000, 0000, & E13 for darkest shadows
Cheeks: Shin Han - R139
Hair: Copics - C6, 4, 2, 1, 0
Blues: Copics - B91, 93, 95, 97, 99
Greens: Copics - G46, 43, 40
Shirt: Copics - R35, 32, 20
Flower pot: Copics - E09, 07, and R02
Purple apron: Copics - BV13, 11, 00, 000

And one more pic for good measure . . .
And there ya have it! My not-so-clean & simple "Mother's Day" creation!! I hope you've enjoyed your visit! Sending happy hugs . . . until next time!

Thursday, May 8, 2014

How 'bout some "Clean & Simple Mo Whimsy"?

Hey there, my lovelies!! It seems like it's been quite some time since I've posted a new Mo creation! I was sick for two weeks with a nasty respiratory bug . . . and then I spent a few days in Northern Virginia at the annual Portrait Society Conference!! But now I'm baaaack!! And just in time for another fun challenge at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog!! Wheet whoo!!

Sooooo . . . our hostess for this fortnight's challenge is my very sweet and talented DT sistah Tracy!! And she's chosen a super fun theme . . .

"Whimsical Characters!"

And here's my little "Whimsical Character" . . .
Hehehe! Butterflies are whimiscal, right?! So here's the deal! Since I missed the last challenge over at Mo's (where the theme was "Clean & Simple"), I decided to combine last fortnight's CAS theme with this fortnight's "Whimsical Characters" theme!!  Clever, huh?! Besides . . . I have to admit, I am really loving using these fun embossing folders!! This darling image is called "Baby Fairy Butterfly" and is available HERE in Mo's online store. Isn't she so whimsically adorable?! Here's a close-up . . .
And a side view . . .
My Card "Recipe" . . .
Image printed on Cryogen White Cardstock
DPs, ribbon, & pearl buckle: My stash
Butterfly embossing folder: Darice
Glitter: Stampin' Up
Shin Han & Copic markers; pencils

And . . . last but not least . . . 
Please be sure to pop on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog to check out the fabulous projects created by my talented Design Teamies! Then, please join us for this fortnight's "Whimsical Characters" challenge!

Oh,  and don't forget, Mo is awarding (selected at random) one $5.00 shopping spree at her online store for every 25 challenge participants! What an easy and fun way to get some new Mo images, right?!

I'll be back in a couple of days with a new "not-at-all Clean and Simple" creation!! See you soon!! Hugs . . .

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

We're doin' "Clean & Simple" at Sassy Cheryl's!

Happy Tuesday, my lovelies!! Thanks bunches for stopping by!! It's time for another fun challenge over at Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog! Once again my sassy friend and DT sister, Cathy, has chosen our theme . . .
"Clean & Simple!"
WHAT?!!!! Oh oh oh . . . I am soooooo going to get her for this one!! I adore looking at Clean & Simple creations . . . but making one myself is another story altogether! haha! Well . . . here ya go, sweet Cathy! Just for you, girlfriend!!
Ohhhh . . . allow me to introduce you to Sassy Sally . . . who has just gotten a new haircut!! Isn't she adorable?!! This brand new image is called "Travel at Your Own Pace" and is available HERE in Sassy Cheryl's online store. Here's a close-up of this cutie. . .
And a bit of a side view . . . 
My card "recipe" . . .
Image printed on "Cryogen Metallic" white cardstock
Ornate Frames Embossing Folder: Sizzix
Sentiment stamp: Stampin' Up
Shin Han & Copic markers, & colored pencils

And one last photo . . .
This is sooooooo Clean & Simple, right?! I have to admit, I enjoyed making it! Plus . . . I'm pretty pleased at the end result!! Just a simple little not card with plenty of room inside to write a note!! Easy Peasy!! Now . . . please pop on over to Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog and take a look at all the fabulous Clean & Simple creations by my fellow Design Teamies! Then, we'd love for you to pull out some of your own craft supplies and at least one Sassy Cheryl image and join in the fun! Oh, and remember . . .

Up for grabs  . . . 
TWO Sassy Cheryl Digi Images!
(for every 20 entries . . . randomly selected)

Thanks, again, for visiting . . . and for your sweet comments! See you soon! Hugs . . .