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

Crafting 101: Tutorial Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Welcome to Crafting 101 -- where the best artists in the Blogosphere share with you the basics of rubber stamping, paper crafting and scrapbooking. We'll even teach you how to use that Photoshop program you have sitting under your desk right now! All this for the bargain price of FREE! Read on...

This was an AWESOME week for tutorials and tips -- make sure you read through the All the Best list below --

Tutorial of the Week:  Rectangular Frame by Becca Feeken from Amazing Paper Grace

Man, that Becca Feeken has it going ON!  I loved, loved, loved the circle frames that she made using a corner rounder - but it didn't dawn on me to try it with a rectangle.  Beautiful end effect, great directions and I'll be using this technique!  Check it out by running over to Becca's blog.

Runner Up: Painted Pomegranates by Julie Koerber from Out to Impress

I saw this card and thought, "How beautiful!" and then wondered how Julie managed to get so much definition from her artwork when she obviously stamped on dark cardstock.  Well, she shows you how!  Really great step by step directions on how to color this (or any image) are on her blog -- click on over!

Runner Up:  Photo Snowman Treat Boxes by Mel McCarthy from Mel Stampz

I have to tell you that Mel has one of my favorite blogs.  It's always really fun to see what she's making and she is really great about sharing HOW she makes things.  I think these adorable boxes would be the absolute hit of a child's school holiday party.  They are seriously cute.  She even gives you the template! 

Now, onto the Best of the Blogosphere Crafting lists. Remember these lovely little boxes don't show up in Google Reader, so if you can't see them, click on over to my site and they will magically appear. (When you see the boxes, there is a small "read more" in the bottom, right hand corner... click it and you can see the list with pictures as a web page!)

All the Best Tutorials:

How To Videos:

Tips You Shouldn't Miss:

Templates To Help You Make Stuff:

Photoshop Tips and Tricks:

Please remember that my site is powered by YOU. Please comment here if you'd like me to read your blog or if you have seen some amazing blog art that I'm missing! Thanks!

Crafting 101: Tutorial Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Welcome to Crafting 101 -- where the best artists in the Blogosphere share with you the basics of rubber stamping, paper crafting and scrapbooking. We'll even teach you how to use that Photoshop program you have sitting under your desk right now! All this for the bargain price of FREE! Read on...

Tutorial of the Week:  Cuttlebug Batik by Lydia from Understand Blue

Want to achieve this gorgeous fall background?  Lydia shows you how to drag out your iron, Cuttlebug, and wax paper to make this beautiful background effect.  Love it!

Runner Up: Tim Holtz Tag by Cindy from Starlit Studio

Isn't this so pretty?!  Love it!  Just wanted to share -- Tim Holtz liked it so much he featured Cindy's tutorial on HIS site!  How fun is that?!  Cindy seriously did a great job of walking you though making this and I know you'll want to make one too!

Now, onto the Best of the Blogosphere Crafting lists. Remember these lovely little boxes don't show up in Google Reader, so if you can't see them, click on over to my site and they will magically appear. (When you see the boxes, there is a small "read more" in the bottom, right hand corner... click it and you can see the list with pictures as a web page!)

All the Best Tutorials:

How To Videos:

Tips You Shouldn't Miss:

Templates To Help You Make Stuff:

Photoshop Tips and Tricks:

Please remember that my site is powered by YOU. Please comment here if you'd like me to read your blog or if you have seen some amazing blog art that I'm missing! Thanks!

Crafting 101: Tutorial Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

Welcome to Crafting 101 -- where the best artists in the Blogosphere share with you the basics of rubber stamping, paper crafting and scrapbooking. We'll even teach you how to use that Photoshop program you have sitting under your desk right now! All this for the bargain price of FREE! Read on...

Tutorial of the Week:  Versamark Watercoloring by Melanie Muenchinger from Hands, Head and Heart

This tutorial really grabbed me because you can't see the stamped lines -- this looks like you actually watercolored the image!  Faking that I'm that good really pushes all the right buttons :D  Click on over to Melanie's blog for step by step directions on how to pull this awesome technique off. 

Runner Up: Icosahedron Ornament by Amy from Tethered 2 Home

How fun is this!?!  Love it!  Amy shows you how to take make this out of just paper and tape!  (She uses a Big Shot, but you could certainly pull this off with a circle punch and a bone folder!)  Think how great this would be with photos....

Runner Up:  Decorative Circle by Faith Hofrichter from Stampin' With Markie's Mom

Isn't this card awesome?!  The circle really grabbed me and I thought it was some new punch or die, but it turns out to be a decorative corner rounder!  (One I already have too!)  Click on over and Faith will walk you through making this for yourself.  (This is another time I think you could easily make this a photo frame...)

Now, onto the Best of the Blogosphere Crafting lists. Remember these lovely little boxes don't show up in Google Reader, so if you can't see them, click on over to my site and they will magically appear. (When you see the boxes, there is a small "read more" in the bottom, right hand corner... click it and you can see the list with pictures as a web page!)

All the Best Tutorials: 

How To Videos:

Tips You Shouldn't Miss:

Templates To Help You Make Stuff:

Photoshop Tips and Tricks:

Please remember that my site is powered by YOU. Please comment here if you'd like me to read your blog or if you have seen some amazing blog art that I'm missing! Thanks!

Paper Crafting 101: Tutorial Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Welcome to Crafting 101 -- where the best artists in the Blogosphere share with you the basics of rubber stamping, paper crafting and scrapbooking. We'll even teach you how to use that Photoshop program you have sitting under your desk right now! All this for the bargain price of FREE! Read on...

Tutorial of the Week:  Cuttlebug Circular Embossing Tutorial by Becca Feeken from Amazing Paper Grace

DUDE!  This is one of those tutorials that I have been waiting for!  Becca figured out how to use those small Cuttlebug folders (come on, you know you bought them too) to emboss her entire image!!!  Yes, WAY.  You'll have to click on over to see how she did it!  LOVE LOVE LOVE it.  Big smile for me today.

Runner Up: BFF Triangle Pouch Tutorial by Diana Gibbs from Stampin' With Di

Isn't this just so pretty?!  I've been seeing them around the blogosphere, but I didn't know how to make one.  I love it that Di's blogless friend showed her how!  Click on over for full directions.  I'm going to make these to hang on the banisters in our home at Christmas :D

Digi Favorite:  Fun Title Overlay by Bobbi-Jo from It Works For Me

I love Photoshop tutorials.  Anything that helps me actually use the tools that I own is a great idea for someone like me.  Bobbi Jo is a Photoshop guru, and shares step by step directions on how to make your own title overlay.

Now, onto the Best of the Blogosphere Crafting lists. Remember these lovely little boxes don't show up in Google Reader, so if you can't see them, click on over to my site and they will magically appear. (When you see the boxes, there is a small "read more" in the bottom, right hand corner... click it and you can see the list with pictures as a web page!)

All the Best Tutorials:

How To Videos:

Tips You Shouldn't Miss:

Templates To Help You Make Stuff:

Photoshop Tips and Tricks:

Please remember that my site is powered by YOU. Please comment here if you'd like me to read your blog or if you have seen some amazing blog art that I'm missing! Thanks!

Paper Crafting 101: Tutorial Tuesday

Welcome to Crafting 101 -- where the best artists in the Blogosphere share with you the basics of rubber stamping, paper crafting and scrapbooking. We'll even teach you how to use that Photoshop program you have sitting under your desk right now! All this for the bargain price of FREE! Read on...

Tutorial of the Week:  Threading Water Punch Tutorial by Kim at Kim's Kreative Korner

Check it out -- this is the tutorial that I've been waiting for -- how to use the scallop edge punch to make a perfect square medallion!  Kim, you're a rock star.  Thanks so much for sharing this.  I tried it and it works for the new Stampin' Up! edge punch too :D

Edited to include:  Kim does not take credit for this idea.  In her post, she gives credit to the originator of this tutorial:

http://scrapbookandcardstodaymag.typepad.com/scrapbook_cards_today_blo/2008/10/3ts-with-virgin.html

I wouldn't have found Virginia Nebel without Kim, so check out both sites for tips on this technique. 

Runner Up: Stamped Patterned Paper Tutorial by Niki Estes from My Paper Creations

This is one of those techniques that I forget about - but is incredibly smart.  You end up with a really pulled together card/paper craft and you only used solid card stock.  How many times have you gotten part of the way through with a scrapbook layout or card and you realized that you didn't have enough paper to complete your design?  This will never happen to you if you make your own patterned paper.  Niki does a great job of showing you, step by step, how to pull together some assorted stamps to complete this adorable coffee set.  I love how the gift bag coordinates. 

Now, onto the Best of the Blogosphere Crafting lists. Remember these lovely little boxes don't show up in Google Reader, so if you can't see them, click on over to my site and they will magically appear. (When you see the boxes, there is a small "read more" in the bottom, right hand corner... click it and you can see the list with pictures as a web page!)

All the Best Tutorials:

How To Videos:

Tips You Shouldn't Miss:

Templates To Help You Make Stuff:

Photoshop Tips and Tricks:

Please remember that my site is powered by YOU. Please comment here if you'd like me to read your blog or if you have seen some amazing blog art that I'm missing! Thanks!

Crafting 101: Tutorial Tuesday

Welcome to Crafting 101 -- where the best artists in the Blogosphere share with you the basics of rubber stamping, paper crafting and scrapbooking. We'll even teach you how to use that Photoshop program you have sitting under your desk right now! All this for the bargain price of FREE! Read on...

Tutorial of the Week:  Then & Now by Holly from Hog Wild About Stamping

Same picture frame, two different looks; look at it one way and you see one image and look at it from a different angle and you see a completely different photo. Fabulous idea and you can make this too. Click on over to Holly's blog for step by step directions on how to recreate this really clever gift idea.

Runner Up: Whirling Leaves of Autumn by Michelle Zindorf from Freedom in Creating

Michelle is easily the most talented colorer (is that a word?) in the stamping blogosphere.  Her work is amazing.  This card only uses two stamps!  Click on over and she'll walk you though making this.  Better yet, she'll make it look easy.

This week one of my favorite bloggers, Lauren Meader, from My Time, My Creations, My Stampendence, teamed up with Papertrey Ink to announce My Timeless Templates.  I love Lauren's work, and I think PTI products are unmatched, so I'm anxiously awaiting tomorrow's launch.  In the mean time, here is a Template of the Week to whet your appetite!

Template of the Week:  Big Announcement by Lauren Meader from  My Time, My Creations, My Stampendence

OK, technically, this isn't an available template until the 15th, but then, I'm going to buy it. I'm going to buy it even though I could actually figure out how to make this just from looking at it.  For $5, you can download the template, with with all the cutting directions, and different design ideas to go with it.  That's worth the money -- the PTI designers kick @#%.  Check out Nichole's post using the same template here.  Here is a picture of her finished project -- click on over to see step by step how she pulled it together.

Now, onto the Best of the Blogosphere Crafting lists. Remember these lovely little boxes don't show up in Google Reader, so if you can't see them, click on over to my site and they will magically appear. (When you see the boxes, there is a small "read more" in the bottom, right hand corner... click it and you can see the list with pictures as a web page!)

All the Best Tutorials:

How To Videos:

Tips You Shouldn't Miss:

Templates To Help You Make Stuff:

Photoshop Tips and Tricks:

Please remember that my site is powered by YOU. Please comment here if you'd like me to read your blog or if you have seen some amazing blog art that I'm missing! Thanks!

Crafting 101: Tutorial Tuesday

Welcome to Crafting 101 -- where the best artists in the Blogosphere share with you the basics of rubber stamping, paper crafting and scrapbooking. We'll even teach you how to use that Photoshop program you have sitting under your desk right now! All this for the bargain price of FREE! Read on...

Tutorial of the Week: Stampin' Up! Catalog Butterfly by Mel at Mel Stampz

How awesome is this!?!   As a SU Demo, I'm part of a couple of Stampin' Up! Yahoo Groups.  When the new catalog came out, many of us wanted to know how to make the gorgeous butterfly on the front of the catalog, but we couldn't figure out how to do it.  There was speculation that it was a Big Shot die cut, but nope, it's a template that some brillaint soul came up with.  Well, now, thanks to Mel, you can make it too!  You ROCK, Mel!  Thank you so much for coming up with this!

Runner Up:  Soldered Poppies by Heather at Pine is Here

You already know that I really admire Heather (Pinefeather) Nichols.  Well, this lovely piece is just one of the many reasons why I think she's amazing.  It's not only beautiful, but she makes it look easy.  I'm off to buy a soldering kit... which apparently I NEED :D (Don't you think that this would be a lovely piece of jewelry or a Christmas ornament?) 

Now, onto the Best of the Blogosphere Crafting lists. Remember these lovely little boxes don't show up in Google Reader, so if you can't see them, click on over to my site and they will magically appear. (When you see the boxes, there is a small "read more" in the bottom, right hand corner... click it and you can see the list with pictures as a web page!)

All the Best Tutorials:

How To Videos:

Tips You Shouldn't Miss:

Templates To Help You Make Stuff:

Photoshop Tips and Tricks:

Please remember that my site is powered by YOU. Please comment here if you'd like me to read your blog or if you have seen some amazing blog art that I'm missing! Thanks!

Crafting 101: Tutorial Tuesday

Have a thirst for paper crafting but just feel overwhelmed by the scrapbook store?  Here is the cure - read my Tuesday "Crafting 101" posts and have the best artists in the Blogosphere teach you the basics of rubber stamping, paper crafting and scrapbooking.  We'll even teach you how to use that Photoshop program you have sitting under your desk right now!  All this for the bargain price of FREE!  Read on...

Tutorial of the Week:  Photo Canvas by Heather at Pine is Here

LOL.  Yes, she was also the featured craft on Friday, but Heather took the time to walk readers step by step through this awesome project and I just couldn't let you guys miss this!  I love crafts that feature photos - it makes them personal.

Runner Up:  Faux Dry Embossing by Lynn at Stamperosity

I'm a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  I only do one workshop a month, for close friends, and I always want the crafts and cards that we make to really stand out.  This is a technique I will definitely be sharing with my customers.  This is a great end effect and Lynn does an outstanding job of walking you through the steps so that it looks easy.  Click on over so that you can make this yourself.

Now, onto the Best of the Blogosphere Lists. Remember these lovely little boxes don't show up in Google Reader, so if you can't see them, click on over to my site and they will magically appear. (When you see the boxes, there is a small "read more" in the bottom, right hand corner... click it and you can see the list with pictures as a web page!)

All the best tutorials:

How To Videos:

Tips you just shouldn't miss:

Templates to help you make stuff:

Photoshop tips and tidbits:

Coming soon.... holiday ideas!

Tutorial Tuesday

Tutorial of the Week:  AWESOME LIST OF SCOR-PAL TUTORIALS by Mel at Mel Stampz

You'll have to click over and check out the list -- over 100 links.  Mel, girl, you ROCK!  Thanks for pulling all of this together :D

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Runner Up:  Easiest Watercoloring Ever by Leslie at Running with Scissors

Leslie walks you though watercoloring with your SU markers!  Beautiful colored results without expensive Copics... imagine that!!

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Best of the Blogosphere Lists

* These do not, unfortunately, show up in Google Reader.  You'll have to click on over to see them.

Best of the Blogosphere Tutorials:

Best of the Blogosphere Videos:

Best of the Blogosphere Tips & Templates:

Tutorial Tuesday

Tutorial of the Week:  Paper Bead Bracelet by Nichole at Capture the Moment

 

I think this bracelet is the most ROCKING PROJECT EVER!  Check out Nichole's easy peasy instructions to find out how to make this great bracelet for yourself!

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Runner Up:  Butterfly Paperweight by Keri Lee at Pink Lemonade
 
Keri writes an incredible post on how to make a custom paperweight using a photo paperweight kit.  Bet the people who sold the kit are thrilled with how clever Keri is!  I love the 3D butterflies.  It's a touch that makes this more than just "special". 

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Best of the Blogosphere lists:  Please remember that the lists don't show up in Google Reader, so please hop on over to by site to see the full post.  Also, to see the full list as a web page, click the "read more" button at the bottom of the list.  Enjoy!