EASTER CARDS & ART WALK I BACKING A CUT FILE

welcome to a super fun and easy spring/easter card idea you are sure to love.  whenever i post cards i always feel the need to preface my posts and say that i truly do not consider myself a "card maker".  however i am always amazed at just how easy it can be to look like quite a skilled card maker with the right supplies in hand.  it truly makes all the difference and makes it so easy to create something that looks fabulous!

i wanted to create some fun spring inspired / easter cards using my favourite papers from the heidi swapp art walk paper pads.  this collection is a favourite of mine for many reasons.  i think the top one is that it is full of gorgeously bright designs that make any project pop!  there is also a touch of mixed media to the collection which always adds a beautiful visual and presentation.  because these paper pads already come made with the mixed media pages, i am loving that even more! i do not have to neither create nor clean up any (additional) mess haha. 

i recently purchased an electronic die cutting machine, so to create my eggs i just searched out an egg template cut file and had it cut out of white cardstock.  i want to use the 6x8 art walk papers to back my eggs giving them a beautiful design.  i then chose to matt the eggs onto the coordinating solids from the 12x12 paper pad...which i have adhered to basic white card stock cards.

isn't it just amazing how such a basic technique can transform into something that looks like it took hours to create?

i used this amazing new set of stamps from tim holtz to add the sentiments to my cards, i just love them so much.  i also love the additional ink i applied to the background using coordinating colors of inks using the splatter stamp found in this same set.

see? so simple. yet pretty and perfect and looks like it took literal hours when it was nothing but minutes.  got to love a good combo when you find one. 

 

add cards into gift baskets, easter goodies and treats.  truly the sweetest finishing touch.

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ART WALK BUTTERFLY BANNER I DIY HOME DECOR

it is may.

which means that spring is starting to hit the ground running, and i for one could not be happier about that!

this turn of events also means that i am feeling those spring creating vibes, and today i want to share how i am using heidi swapp art walk to create some cheerful energy and spring welcoming into my home.

it may come as no surprise to any of you that i love and adore butterflies.
to me they symbolize hope, rebirth, transformation and freedom.
i just love them and honestly, they are just such a beautiful animal.
i love all that they represent.

to create this project i used my electronic die cutting machine, a butterfly cut file by pebbles in my pocket  and the heidi swapp art walk 12x12 paper pad to create and cut out all of my butterflies.

i love the mix and match of all the beautiful colours of art walk.  they just scream spring and all things summer.

once i had them all cut out, i layered 2 on top of each other and ran them continuously through my sewing machine to create a banner.

once they are all sewn together, gently fold each butterflies wings in half creating a 3 dimensional effect.  the top butterfly's wings will fold up, while the bottom butterfly's wings will fold back.  this is also a great way to contrast each butterflies pattern depending if they are solid, pattern, white or mixed.

banners are such an amazingly simple diy project that you can create to decorate your home in no time.  it is so easy to assemble and once complete, it really adds a beautiful handmade touch to whatever space you choose.

i decided to string my banner right along my entry way so that it is one of the first things you see when you walk in.  i love how joyful it makes the entrance feel.  soft and pretty.  and happy.

i love the subtle details of the patterns and the mix of color and white.

banners are a fabulous way to add seasonal decor to your space.  this banner can also be made using various shapes and designs.  using punches are another great way to create shapes that can then be transformed into banners as well.  the options really are endless.

i hope you are inspired to try out this idea for yourself to add some diy decor to your space.  these also make great gift ideas too.  whether it is for you or a friend, it is surely to be loved and adored.

handmade from home, straight from the heart.

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BUTTERFLY CARDS I DCWV LOVE & GROW

spring vibes are completely taking over my craft room recently and i could not be happier about it!

i am SO over winter, it feels like it has been going on for years...

i am so thankful for crafting as it is truly my escape and happy place whenever life feels to be too much! so if you are here looking for some creative ideas and inspiration, especially spring related...then this post is for you!

i absolutely fell in love with this paper stack from DCWV called love and grow.  you can find this paper stack right now at joann stores and joann online.  i love the soft spring colors, the beautiful butterflies and florals.  the quality of this pattern paper is superb and it even comes with an array of patterns that are gold foiled.  trust me, it is beautiful!

there are so many pretty paper designs in this pad that feature butterflies, i thought it would be nice to just continue on the butterfly theme and create some empowering and thoughtful cards.

 

i created additional butterflies out of some of my favourite patterns from the stack with my silhouette cameo and a paige evans butterfly cut file.  i love that this paper is double sided so it made it super easy to create all of my coordinated butterflies by just alternating the cut files one on top of the other. i then sewed them down the middle using my sewing machine and some silver thread.

it was also fun to experiment with varied butterfly sizes.  it really is neat how you can achieve so many different card styles using the same cut file, just with different papers and in different sizes.  there truly is no limit to creativity.

i also had fun incorporating one of my favourite pieces from the heidi swapp boutique aisle (also available now at joann and joann online) are the heidi swapp minc flakes, in silver and gold.  

when you use the foil flakes with the minc glue pen, you are able to easily add foiled touches to your projects.  i love how the edges of the cards i made are accented with the gold and silver shine.  simply apply the pen to your desired areas that you want foiled and then using your fingers rub the flakes onto the glued area.  shake off the excess and voila! beautiful details of foil.

i cannot wait to surprise some special people in my life with these cards!

i hope you enjoyed this inside peek into one of my latest projects.  i had so much fun creating these cards and using the beautiful love and grow paper pad from DCWV.

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DCWV HAPPY HALLOWEEN I GOODIE BOX

well the time is now....better late than never!

i know i have been seeing the cutest halloween ideas popping up all over my social media feeds and when i got my hands on the fabulously fun DCWV Happy Halloween 12x12 Paper Pad well i could not resist!

this paper pad is gorgeous!

first off the quality of the paper is incredible.  it is sturdy, thick and vibrant.  it even has tons of sheets and cut aparts with beautiful foiled detailing.  it really takes halloween paper crafting to the next level with all of the fun designs!  i really fell in love with this paper pad!

because of the high quality of this card stock i decided it would be perfect to transform some of my most favourite patterns into little goodie boxes!  i love beautiful paper and how much better is it when it is transformed into something so cute that literally fits in the palm of your hand?! am i right?

i powered up my silhouette cameo and got to work! it was easier than ever to cut out these templates and assemble them!

i love this little goodie bag.

this spider box one is an absolute favourite!

how fun is this to give filled with ones favourite halloween treats?!

if you are looking for an easy fun DIY then i highly recommend creating some one of a kind goodie boxes to give out this halloween season. with all the unique patterns found in this paper pad each and every box is one of a kind!

i just love holiday creating no matter the season...don't you?!

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