Card of the Week.com | Cards, Scrapbooking, and Papercrafts

Tutorial Tuesday

Tutorial of the Week:  Crystal Effects, Reinkers and Acetate by Andrea at Sunny Stampin'

Andrea's site is an EXCELLENT resource for Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  She does a lot of tutorials, always uses Stampin' Up! products, and makes some amazing projects.  Clear cards are all the rage right now, but I loved them long before they were "hot".  Give someone a card done with acetate and they will "ooh" and "ahh" all afternoon. This is the kind of card people keep.  Andrea walks you step by step through the steps of creating this colored clear card, so link on over so that you can check it out!

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Chalk Pastels with Blender Pen & Bellyband-elope Tutorial by Mel at

Mel Stampz

Isn't this card GORGEOUS?!  Man, oh, man, I think this is one of the prettiest cards I've ever seen -- and I've seen some cards!  Mel shows you how to color flowers using chalks and a blender pen (hey, I have those!) and also shows you how to make the cool bellyband-elope.  Give this to a girlfriend for their birthday and it may end up in a frame.  Seriously.

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Tutorial BOB list:

 

Just the digi-BOB stuff:

 

Videos:

 

(these boxes don't show up in the Google Reader, so click on over to the site to see the lists).  Remember to hit "read more" on the bottom of the box to see the list as a web page with pictures. 

Scrapbook Saturday

Scrapbook Page of the Week: I Wish by Michele at Thoughts from a Cardmaking Scrapbooker

Normally, I find scrapbook pages by reading the blogs of the scrapbooker, but sometimes, I'll pick a page up from somewhere else.  In this case, Erika Martin over at Stampin' Mama was featuring Michele as one of the team mentors for the Journaling 101 course.  I had never seen this page and it definitely moved me.   You can feel the emotion and you want to read the story.  Powerful.

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Runner Up: Estrogen Dilemma by Terri at

Lucky Dodo

Another powerful page about a personal struggle.  My favorite part of the page is the friend questionnaire that really is the journaling in disguise.  It makes a serious decision a little bit more fun.

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Best Mini-Book:  Celebrate by Renee at LiveSPACE

Yep, say it with me, "WOW! HOLY COW! HOW DID SHE DO THAT??"  Isn't this book so incredibly fun?  I love it.  "Nuf said.

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Runner Up: Family Box by Lauren at Enjoy Life

Lauren painted this adorable, simple little box and then made a simple accordion page for each family member to include in the book.  I love this idea a lot -- it is fun to flip through, easy to add to, interactive and includes the cat :D  What more could you ask for than that!!!

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Best of the Blogosphere Lists: (these boxes don't show in your Google Reader... click on over...)

On to the BOB lists.  Three categories today -- Scrapbook pages, mini-books and Photos.  The photo category is anything I found that involved a photo and I felt worth tagging.  If I missed something, comment here! :D

Scrapbook Pages:

Mini-Books:

Photos:

Happy Birthday Carleigh!

 

My FABULOUS, straight A, beautiful, sweet niece just turned 16.  She wanted this fancy pants bakery cake for her birthday.  I love her a lot, but that cake sell for $200 or so.  This is my take on it.  For my first tiered cake, my first foray into fondant, and considering that I have a "one butt" kitchen, I think I did pretty well :D  (Ignore the skewers -- they are holding it together for transport and marking the spot for the "16"). 

My brother said that I had to blog about anything that takes me 2 days to make.  Ta da.

Card of the Week and Best of the Blogosphere: July 19 - 25, 2008

Check this out -- Pam tied with herself for this week's Card of the Week award :D

It's a TIE!

Card of the Week:  Cupcake Card from Pamela at

Paper Askew Studio

Card of the Week:  Dream Big Cake

from Pamela at

Paper Askew Studio

Yes, Pamela is rocking the card making world in the Paper Crafts Gallery Idol contest.  Please check her blog for directions on how to see the gallery layouts and cast your vote.  I voted for you, Pamela!  Good luck -- your cards are amazing... I have fingers crossed!

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Runner Up:  Life is in Bloom by Becca at Amazing Paper Grace

It never occurred to me to layer my Nestabilities!  I love this and I'm sure it's going to cost me $50 to get the new shapes I'll need to copy this card.  I love the end effect.  I've been a fan of "inchies" for awhile and I just love how the stamp is completely showcased by the rest fo the card.  Check out the amazingly cool border on the top and the bottom too.  Details, details, details.  Becca, you ROCK!

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Project of the Week: Tiered Birthday Box by Cindy at An Altered State of Mind

 

I just discovered Cindy's blog and MAN oh MAN she has some cool stuff to show off.  I'm loving the altered hat boxes.  I've probably got one or two "naked" boxes sitting around right now that need some update.  How great would it be to pull this off the closet shelf instead of a ratty, recycled gift bag!?!  So pretty.    I think I'll have to go to Archiver's today and get some pretty paper like this.  I love the bright colors. 

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Runner Up:  Coffee Truffle Tin by Lauren at My Time, My Creations, My Stampendence

I've featured Lauren many times.  I've yet to see her make anything I didn't love, and she makes new things almost daily.  As part of a fundraiser, Lauren and her friends are putting together a basket of coffee and tea items.  This is Lauren's contribution.  I love it!  It's full of truffles from Starbucks.  The best part of this item is that after the candy is eaten, I could think of 40 other uses for that canister.  It's cute and it neutral enough to go in any kitchen.

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The Shout Out List:

I started this last week, and I think it will be a keeper feature.  This is the BOB box of cards and paper craft projects (no scrapbook pages or tutorials here) that I felt were deserving of some special recognition. These are the crafters who showed a little "extra mojo" and went above and beyond:

 

The BOB:

Check it out --- the very best of the blogosphere.  All the best things I discovered while "blurfing" -- scrapbook pages, tutorials, cards, projects, all of it.  You might be on the list... I'd look if I were you :D

Remember to hit "read more" at the bottom of each box to see the entire list as a web page, complete with pictures.  If you'd like me to read your blog, or if you have discovered an awesome site that I need to know about, leave a comment here and I'll check it out!

Tutorial Tuesday

Tutorial of the Week: Faux Seaglass Bracelets by Patty at Patty's Stamping Spot

Aren't these awesome?!!!  I have never dabbled in jewelry making, but this tutorial certainly makes me want to try -- tools needed (mostly stuff you have):  shrinky dinks, stamps! (yes!), Crystal Effects, hole punches, jump rings, bracelet chain.  Patty makes it look simple and I think I may have to try this! 

Runner Up: Sponged Water Color Background by Leslie at Running with Scissors 

Leslie has been a favorite artist for a while and this card shows you why.  I love how it looks almost like a photograph.  Leslie is great at coloring and just as good at teaching.  She shows you step by step how to achieve these great results. 

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Special thanks to Anne Pask for turning me on to Mel Stamps --where we found (among other great things) 82 great things to do with the Cuttlebug:  http://melstampz.blogspot.com/2008/03/ive-been-bitten.html   

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Special thanks to Jenn at KiyomiKrafts for this award!  I can't play along -- I don't have time, but please check out Jenn's amazing blog.  You've seen her in the BOB list many times -- she's AWESOME!

 

Video finds:

Templates:

Tutorials:

Look Mom! I'm famous!

OK, not quite famous, but I did get featured on the Databazaar Blog!  I'm beyond tickled and I have this huge, dopey grin all over my face :D

Do you remember this post?  Finally, I Scrapped

Well, some fabulous person over at Databazaar saw it and reached out to me about showcasing the project! 

Thanks for a wonderful day to the lovely folks at Databazaar (please rush over and give them some click love) and also to my mentor and scrapbooking diva, Jessica Sprague, for showing me that my computer is NOT a scrapbooking paperweight!

Card of the Week/Page Plans Sketch Challenge #4

Wooo Hoooo!  Sketch Challenge #4!

This is a really challenging sketch and I was pumped about stretching myself to see what I could come up with.  What do you think?

I love that it's a "long" card -- I get in a rut sometimes with the more traditional card sizes. 

OK, play along -- I WANT to see what you make!

   *  Sunday, Lesli will premiere the sketch on the Page Plan site
    * Monday, I'll put it out on the group site.
    * Tuesday:  I'll show you Marie's sketch.
    * Wednesday:  I'll show you Julie's sketch.
    * Thursday & Friday:  You can vote on your favorite sketch from our photo gallery.
    * Saturday:  the winner will be featured on the Card of the Week Community Group site (now knows at CoTW CG).

Guess what else goes with the sketch....

Guest Design Team Call for Page Plans

Chris and Lesli are looking for 2 Guest Designers for the month of August!  To be considered you only need to complete a Card or Layout based on any of the July sketches from Page Plans.  Please send your entries to pageplans@gmail.com and let us know if you want to be considered for the LO Team or Card Team.  We will need your entries by July 28th and will be notifying the winners by the 31st.  We hope you will want to join in the fun!

Scrapbook Saturday

Scrapbook Page of the Week: Growth by Lauren at Enjoy Life

 

WOW. WOW. WOW.  Lift the flap pages are a new discovery for me.  (I didn't know how to get them in the scrapbook protector before!)  I think this page is amazing.  I love how the focus stays on Lauren and opens up to reveal the journaling.  It's bright and colorful and full of interactivity for the reader.  FAB.  'Nuf said.

Runner Up:  Proud of You by Renee at LiveSpace

Yep, more flaps.  This one reveals more photos -- proving that you're not limited to what you can put on a page.  It's always been frustrating for me to see the sketches in the magazine for one photo and love them, but not know how to transform them to accommodate my needs.  I'm a picture junkie -- I always have several pictures from an event!   I think it's awesome how Renee chose to do a 4th of July spread on a green floral background.  It just shows that you're only limited by your imagination.  I love the colors and the fonts and the layered title.  All those elements help make this page not just fun, but engaging. 

Special Funny Shout Out:  Hissy Fit by Holly at Holly Mccaig Designs

I'm a cat person, so this page naturally caught my eye.  I think it's hilarious.   I love how the cat is framed out by the paper. 

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Favorite Mini-Book:  The Boo Crew by Maren at Zany Not Crazy

Click on over to Maren's site to see all the pages of this adorable Halloween book.  I love how it all came together.  I especially like the spider web detail over the picture.  This is a fun book to have on the coffee table during October.  Imagine a whole bowl of these from all the Halloween's past.  Fun tradition to think about!

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OK, as you may have noticed, I found a lot of new sites this week that featured amazing scrapbookers.  My list of shout outs was over the top!  Here is the BOB list for scrapbooks this week.  Check it out -- you don't want to miss anything!!  *For those of you on Google Reader -- click on over... the box doesn't show here :(

(Remember to click on the "read more" link at the bottom of the box to see the entire list as a web page with pictures -- one stop shopping!)

Card of the Week and Best of the Blogosphere

Scalloped Owl by Pam at Paper Askew Studio

OK, this card is just WOW!  Pam has it entered in the Paper Crafts Idol contest.  Voting for this card is now closed, but I will be floored if she doesn't win a slot in Round Two!!  Isn't this card AMAZING?!!!  (Among other things, I'm loving the bracket eyebrow :D) 

Runner Up:  Clearly Thankful by Julie at Out to Impress

I think this card may be one of the prettiest that I've ever seen!  It's hard to tell from the photo, but it's actually assembled with clear cardstock!  Julie does a great job of walking you through the steps to put this together so that by the end of her blog post you're thinking, "Man!  This is easy!".  Hope when I try it, I get the same spectacular results!!!

Runner Up:    Blushing by Kim at Paper in the Works

 

Kim Teasdale is the QUEEN of LAYERS -- a title in all my authority as Card of the Week blogger gave to her just seconds ago.  I'm completely enthralled (yes, enthralled) by how intricate this card is!  Check out the AMAZING punch out flower -- she twisted the leaves to show the underside!  Holy COW!  So pretty.  I have a case of MOJO ENVY. 

Project of the Week: Knock Knock Joke Book by Nichole at

Capture the Moment

 

This project made me smile and I do promise that I'll be making this!  I love it!  How cute is this to include with all the birthday cards and small gifts that you have send to distant nieces and nephews!  Adorable!  I know that my kids would torture me endlessly with jokes while we drive around in the van.  Just fun.  Plain ol' fashion fun.

Runner Up:  Baby Frame - Shabby Style by Anna at

Sweet Miss Daisy

Isn't this completely precious?!  I adore the vintage-y gorgeousness of this frame.  I think it's lush.  The frame is just a simple wooden frame painted out and detailed.  Patterned paper adorns the top and is stamped with flourishes to tie the entire thing together.  Lovely.  Anna, this is lovely. 

Runner Up:  Coaster Gift by Lauren at

Enjoy Life

 

I just discovered Lauren's blog this week and I'm already anxiously awaiting her next post.  She's incredibly creative.  Check out these coasters... she made them out of an old Bath and Body Works Body Butter container and some cork rounds.  They are gorgeous!  I can't wait to make these and keep them around for hostess gifts, etc. 

The Shout Out List

OK, instead of my usual individual shout outs, I'm trying something new today.  I was pulling together my shout outs and there were too many of them.  I was having an internal crisis trying to pick and choose, because I don't want you to miss anything and there are just so many over the top, excellent, cards and projects out there.  My solution was to share a "BOB box" of just my favorites -- we'll call it the "Shout Out List".  These aren't just the things you shouldn't miss --- but the best of the best.  We'll still have the regular BOB list too.  I'm in the process of changing how I organize all the blogs that I read and I'm tweaking it.  Please help me out by commenting on this post how you feel about the new format. 

Remember to click the "Read More" link at the bottom of each box to see the list as a web page, complete with pictures. 

 

Best of the Blogosphere:

This is the list of all the other projects and features that you just shouldn't miss.  Creative ideas and projects abound.  Your favorite idea could be right here... heck, the card you made could be here too!  My full BOB list includes ALL the best.... scrapbook pages, cards, tutorials, projects, tips, all of it.  Read on....

 

Remember to hit the "read more" button at the bottom of the box to see the list as a web page, complete with pictures. 

Enjoy!

Tutorial Tuesday

Tutorial of the Week: Acetate Tri-Fold by Melanie at

Hands, Head and Heart

OK, I love this card and Melanie shares how to make it step by step!  It opens up to reveal three different designs all layered together to make one beautiful card!

Runner Up:  Metallic Art Pencils by Andrea from

Sunny Stampin'

I'm one of those Stampin' Up! Demonstrators who has never played with the metallic art pencils.  I couldn't tell you how to use them, or even why.  Well, you MUST check out this AWESOME tutorial by Andrea Walford on how to create this eye catching card!  Coloring is my favorite part of card making and Andrea makes it look EASY!

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Coloring:

Easy Watercoloring by Leslie at Running with Scissors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leslie has the ability to make everything look easy!  She will walk you step by step in watercoloring this beautiful Anna Wright images and make it look like a piece of cake! 

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Sponged Grid Background Technique by Theresa at Crafting the Web

I love how the background of this card came out -- the pattern is even repeated on the blue, but I didn't notice that right off.  Theresa shows you how to use scrap paper to pull off this surprisingly easy effect!

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Shimmery Butterflies by Julie at Out to Impress

Check out this fabulous tutorial on how to use colored pigment powders and glue on acetate to color an image.  The end result is just stunning.  Here is one of the comments from Julie's blog:  "Gosh, you know how butterflies leave that shimmery powder when you touch their wings...that's what this looks like--it's perfect! A beautiful image and absolutely wonderful tutorial!"  What could I add to that?!  Nothing! 

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Smackin' Acetate by Diana at

Stampin' With Di

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Try this coloring technique using acetate and markers to get this neat effect!   The end result is a rustic feel that matches that Bella Rose paper so well, you'd think they were made to go together!

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Always check out Michelle Zindorf for great coloring tutorials.  She makes amazing cards that are all "frame worthy" and always includes a step by step tutorial.

Patterns and Templates

Candy Corn Template and Directions by Maren at Zany Not Crazy

I'm not ready for Halloween... or even Summer to be over, but Maren is getting me in the mood.  Isn't this card adorable?  Maren provides great step by step instructions on how to recreate this -- and they are simple enough to make MANY!

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Dressed to Sparkle by Linda at LMac's Catered Crops

Linda gives you the downloadable template and step by step directions for making this sparkly paper dress!  Wouldn't these be great for wedding or bridal shower cards?

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Never Ending Card Tutorial by Vicki at Angel Stamper

No matter how you fold this card, you get something new -- one card -- four different looks!  Click on over to Vicki's site for pattern and directions and pictures of all the different ways that this comes together.  Wouldn't this be awesome with pictures as a "Thank you for your hospitality!" card?

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Tips & Tricks

Using Nestabilities to Make Medallions by Alli at Card Metaphors

I love Nesties, but I don't really know how to use them to their best advantage.  Alli came up with a great way to emboss your cards to get different impressions from the same die.  Love it.  Click on over and check it out.

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Shabby Chic Cuttlebug Flowers by Nichole at Capture the Moment

Nichole was playing in her craft room and discovered how to make these beautiful "shabby chic" fabric flowers.  I love them! 

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Digital Must See's:

Easy Orton Effect by Bobbi-Jo at

It Works for Me

Bobbi-Jo has a talent for making her photographs look amazing -- and she shows you how too!  Learning how simple it is to make your standard picture look "dreamy" is easily worth the cost of the software.  By the way, Photoshop Elements is less than $70 at Costco. 

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Photo Shazam! by Jessica at The Spraugue Lab

Take your photos from drab to fab is 3 (yes THREE) easy, peasy steps.  Can you say, "SHAZAM!"?  By the way, if you're just learning Photoshop Elements, this is the place to start.  Jessica will make you love your software so much that you can't remember how you were every happy without it!

Other Categories You Just Shouldn't Miss:

Blogging How To:   Google Analytics to Help Build a Better Blog by Savitri at Scrappin and Stampin' With Savitri

Great card making Videos:  Kristina Werner from KWerner Designs -- there are two this week, one for making bows and one for making an adorable star card. 

Here is the Tutorial "BOB" list.  Please click on the "read more" at the bottom of the box if you would like to see the tutorials as a web page with pictures.