Friday, March 30, 2012

Happy Birthday to Me!!!


Hi Everyone, 

Well, I don’t have any great projects to share with you today or any wonderful words of wisdom, I just want to say that tomorrow is my birthday and I’m really excited about it. If all goes well and my health holds up, Rich & I are going to see Jeff Dunham in Los Angeles. If you have never seen this ventriloquist in person, you really have to check him out on television. He makes me laugh so hard, it’s easy to forget the problems of everyday life. Here’s his website is you want more information. www.jeffdunham.com


Thanks for joining me. Until next time…

 Crafty hugs,

Lisa
Stampin’ Queen Creations


Give The Queen A Call!!!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Guest Blogger- Ken Oliver


Hi Everyone!

I have decided to make a couple of changes on my blog that I know you will love! Since I have so many extremely talented designer friends, I have decided that each Thursday I will spotlight a project from one of these great people.

Now of course I asked each guest blogger for permission to put their work on my blog and I ask that you pretty please, respect all of the copyright laws that go with each design that I post. 

My first guest blogger is Ken Oliver www.vertigographic.com There is nothing I can say about Ken’s work that doesn’t speak for itself. He is simply amazing and it is my pleasure to feature Ken as my first guest blogger. I think that you will agree! Feast your eyes and enjoy!!!


Thank you for joining me. Until next time…

Crafty hugs,

Lisa
Stampin’ Queen Creations

Give The Queen A Call!!!


Copyright of Ken Oliver
List of Tools and Supplies:

Spellbinders Grand Calibur Die Cutting MachineSpellbinders Classic Rectangles LGSpellbinders M-Bossabilities Flower FunSpellbinders Labels EightSpellbinders Bitty BlossomsCore’dinations Core Essentials SnowflakeCore’dinations Core Essentials Satin RoseGlue Arts Glue Glider ProGlue Arts 3-D Raisen’sAleene’s Original Tacky GlueQuick Quotes Powder Puff Chalking Ink Amaretto


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The Love of my Life


Rich & I October 2011
Always the goofball!!!
Hi Everyone,



I know that today is Wordless Wednesday, but today I have a lot to say! Today is my 31st wedding anniversary! And I want to share some pictures of the love of my life, my husband, Rich.

Rich & I met in 1977 when I was 17 years old and a junior in high school. He was an “older man” at 20 years old and we met through our good friends, Mike & Mel. One of the first times I saw Rich, I literally fell through a bathroom door and landed on my butt! Thankfully Rich was walking by and didn’t see me making a complete fool out of myself!!! Needless to say, Rich found out about my little bathroom incident and I have never lived it down. 

We dated for four years and married on March 28th 1981, three days before my 21st birthday. Our daughter Richelle, came 9 months later and then our son Michael, was born almost 5 years after that in 1986. The three best things I have ever done in my entire life!

Our Wedding Picture on our 25th Anniversary cake
 Through the years, we like every other couple, have had our share of ups and downs. In between the births of my two children I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and that has been the biggest cross that we have had to bear as a married couple. I can tell you now without hesitation that my husband has saved my life on more than one occasion and without him I would be lost. He’s not just my husband, but he’s my very best friend and I love him with all that I am.

So Honey, this one is for you! You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and with you, I have celebrated all the things in my life that have ever meant anything at all to me. With you by my side I can get through anything that life throws our way. You are my everything, the love of my life and the sunshine of my existence. I thank God everyday for bringing you into my life. Happy Anniversary!!! I’m hoping for 31 more years together. Thank you for loving me no matter what!!!!


Thank you for joining me. Until next time…

Crafty hugs,

Lisa
Stampin’ Queen Creations

Give The Queen A Call!!!

Our 25th Anniversary Party 2006

Our 25th Anniversary Party 2006



Halloween 2011

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Memories of My Father


Does the pain of losing a loved one ever really go away? My dad had been sick for some time and my mom needed a short break from taking care of him, so we decided he would come spend the week with me and my family. My dad had been here for four days when I awoke on the fifth day to my husband yelling in the phone to 911, “I have someone in my house who’s not breathing!” My husband and I pulled my dad from his bed and began CPR, but to no avail. He had passed away in his sleep. The remainder of the day was somewhat of a blur due to the fact that I was in shock. Here was this man that had been my hero, lying on my living room floor, dead. I was supposed to be taking care of him for my mom. I had let her down, I let myself down, but most importantly, I let my dad down. The pain was unbearable. It feels like it was just yesterday, but it wasn’t. My dad passed away ten years ago.

I remember the pain of that day. I remember thinking to myself, “If one more person says to me that the pain will go away with time” I’m going to scream or even worse, I’m going to hit someone. How is a simple thing like the passage of time, ever going to heal the pain in my heart? And not just the pain, but what about the guilt I felt. Is that ever going to go away?

Well, here it is ten years later and even though I will never forget the events of that day, I can say that day no longer occupies my thoughts every second of every day any more. I don’t carry around the weight of that guilt any more either. Although I still miss my dad all the time, I have learned new ways to honor and remember him. I have taken all of my pain and channeled it into my love of crafting by creating wonderful projects that allow me to remember my love for my dad and his life. Not the pain and heartbreak from his death.

That is exactly what I did when I created this project that I am sharing with you today. But instead of creating a scrapbook page that would be placed in an album, I wanted to create a project that could be placed on a table and viewed by everyone who entered my house. Now when I see it I don’t think about the day my dad passed away, I think about the day the picture was taken of the two of us, how happy we were that day and how much I loved him then, now and always.

If you’re looking for a project to create to remember someone you love, consider using your scrapbook supplies out of the scrapbook album. This project was created using all of my scrapbook supplies but instead of leaving it on a 12”x 12” paper, I adhered the scrapbook papers to two 9” x 12” art canvases. By adding the clock works to the project, it not only creates a wonderful remembrance of your loved one, but also a working clock to any of your home’s table tops.

 Thank you for joining me. Until next time…

Crafty hugs,

Lisa
Stampin’ Queen Creations

Give The Queen A Call!!!

Memories of My Father


SUPPLIES

Fredrix Archival Watercolor Canvas 9” x 12”
Delta Ceramcoat Acrylic Paint- Mellow Yellow
Loew-Cornell 1” Wash paint brush
Paper Adventures Tan Striped paper
White, Tan, Brown and Rust card stock
Manila tag 4 3/4” W x 2 ½”H
My Mind’s Eye paper frame
K & Company 3D stickers
Ranger Distress inkpads- Old Paper, Vintage Photo & Tea Dye
Fresco Chalk Finish inkpad- Vesuvian Ash
Black permanent inkpad
Magic Mesh- tan
Eye Monocle and gold chain
Westrim Crafts Scrabble Letters, Metal Letters and Metal Key
Walnut Hollow Clock works
4 Bronze eyelets and 1 mini gold brad
Gold hinges
Assorted fibers
Straw ribbon
Computer font- Adler
Family Treasures Slotted Paper Punch
Eyelet setter & Hole punch ¼”
Xyron Machine 510 with Permanent Adhesive
Beacon Adhesives Zip Dry Paper Glue
Beacon Adhesives Glass, Metal & More Glue
Rubber Stamps-
Watch Face #H 960 by Stamp It!
Nostalgic Pocket Watch #A2528D by Rubber Stampede
Sybil #P2-923 by Acey Duecy
Large Picture Frame # R 158 by Close to My Heart
INSTRUCTIONS

1)      Using a 1” wash paint brush, paint both canvases with Mellow Yellow acrylic paint. Randomly stamp small and large watches on both canvases using Ranger Distress inkpads. Stamp “Sybil” once using Fresco Chalk Finish inkpad. See picture for placement

Designer Tip: To make stamping on canvas easier, place a book under the canvas before you begin stamping. This will give you a firmer base to stamp on.
 
2)      Using the picture as a guide, tear tan striped paper and adhere to the canvas with Zip Dry glue.

Designer Tip: Because the paper is thinner than card stock, I backed the paper with a tan card stock after I tore the edges. This will help with the paper buckling in high humidity areas. Use a brayer to spread the glue and work quickly.
3)      Print wording out on computer using white card stock. Cut all card stock as follows; for “In Memory of” white card stock- 3”W x ½”H Tan card stock- 3 ¼”W x ¾”H Rust card stock- 3 ½”W x 1”H. For the Name, White card stock- 4 ¼”W x 1 ¾”H Tan card stock-4 ½”W x 2”H Rust card stock- 4 ¾”W x 2 ¼”H. For “Only Time…” White card stock 3 ½”W x 1 ½”H Rust card stock-4”W x 2”H Manila Tag- 4 ¾”W x 2 ½”H.

4)      Sponge ink onto word images on using a sponge and the Ranger Distress inkpads. Layer all word images and adhere together with Zip Dry glue. Use picture for placement if needed. For the manila tag, punch holes around four edges with slotted punch. Slid word image into slots. Punch hole and add fibers.

5)      For large picture frame, cut stock as follows; Rust card stock-2 ¾’W x 3 7/8”H Tan card stock-3 ¼”W x 5”H. Layer card stocks together with picture and large picture frame. Adhere with Zip Dry glue. Lay picture frame down on canvas. Punch holes in four corners of frame. Adhere bronze eyelets with eyelet setter following directions from manufacturer.  

6)      Cut straw ribbon into three pieces, one 10”, one 3 ½” and one 2”. Run ribbon through Xyron machine. Adhere ribbon to canvas. Adhere “My Hero” on ribbon with Glass, Metal & More glue. To finish left side of canvas, adhere word images and 3D stickers with Zip Dry glue. Add fibers to key and adhere to canvas with Glass, Metal & More glue. Use picture for placement if needed. 

7)      To finish right side of canvas, punch small hole in upper right hand corner for clock works. Assemble clock works following manufacturer directions. Sponge clock face with tea dye inkpad. Adhere to canvas. 

8)      Lay Magic Mesh onto canvas, press firmly. NOTE: Magic Mesh is self adhesive. No need for further glues. Punch small hole in manila tag to attach monocle and chain. Lay tag on mesh and adhere with Zip Dry glue. Attach monocle to canvas with miniature gold brad.  

9)       For small picture frame, stamp with black inkpad on brown card stock. Cut out center for picture. Cut Rust card stock- 2 ¼”W x 3 ¼”H and Tan card stock 3 ¼”W x 3 ¾”H. Layer and adhere to picture frame with Zip Dry glue. Lay on canvas and adhere with glue. Adhere metal letters to canvas with Glass, Metal and More glue. Adhere ribbon and 3D stickers to canvas.



     

Monday, March 26, 2012

Design Adhesives featured on Craft Show


Hi Everyone,

I revealed a few weeks ago that I had just returned home from filming the craft show, “Creative Living with Sheryl Borden”. I told you all then what an amazing time I had on the film set with Sheryl and I felt honored that she asked me to film the show with her. She is a wonderful person and it really was a highlight of my life!!! 

I thought today I would share a couple of the projects that I used in one of my segments. For the first segment, I created three very different picture frames. The frames were made from matboard, pattern paper and the large Sizzix Scoreboard Frame die cut designed by my friend, Eileen Hull, www.eileenhull.blogspot.com  

The frames once made, were decorated with Design Adhesives from Clearsnap, Inc. The first frame was decorated with the Design Adhesives and glitter. And the last two frames were decorated with the Design Adhesives and the Designer Foils, also from Clearsnap. All three frames can be created in under two hours. I just love projects that are fun and fabulous to create and also fast! Fun, Fabulous & Fast! What can be better than that?!!! Let me know what you think. 

Thanks for joining me. Until next time…


Crafty hugs,

Lisa
Stampin’ Queen Creations
 

Give The Queen A Call!!!

This is my daughter, Richelle & me at the beach


My sister-in-law, Tina at her 25th Anniversary Party

My Beautiful Mom, Yvonne, at her high school graduation

Friday, March 23, 2012

Creative Matchbook Wrap with Activa Activ-Wire Mesh

My friend, Ann Butler, created this cute and simple matchbook cover. Here's what she has to say about it!
I was playing around with some
Activa Activ- Wire Mesh
and came up with a
Match Book design for
gift giving....



It is the perfect size
to hold a small handmade pin
for gift giving...
 
Check out the instructions at:
 
For more of Ann's fabulous designs, check out her blog at www.creativitystirsthesouls.com
 
Thanks for joining me. Until next time...
 
Crafty hugs,
 
Lisa
Stampin' Queen Creations
 
Give The Queen A Call!!!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Taking Good Pictures


Every good scrapbooker knows that the first step to a great scrapbook page is a great picture. Because let’s face it, your pictures are the main focus of your scrapbook pages. You can place all the wonderful pattern papers, stickers and embellishments on your pages, but if you start with a bad photo, none of those things matter. It’s all about the picture. So let’s discuss a few things that will enable you to take better pictures.

Know Your Camera- This may seem painfully obvious, but think about it. How many people do you know who actually read the owner’s manual that comes with all new cameras? Usually, when we purchase a new camera, we just play around with it. Start off right and learn your camera’s features.

Use Your Tripod- This little gadget really does help in taking good pictures. Besides, with a tripod you can be in the pictures you’re taking instead of always being behind the camera.

Use Your Macro Mode- This feature helps you to take beautiful close-ups of your subject. I use mine to take the pictures of the projects I design. It shows all the wonderful small features that you might miss in the normal mode.

Simplify Your Backgrounds- By removing all the excess clutter in your pictures, you can better achieve making your subject the true focal point of your pictures.

Here are the Top 10 Tips from Kodak

  1. Get down on your subject’s level
  2. Use a plain background
  3. Use your flash outdoors
  4. Move in close to your subject
  5. Take some vertical pictures
  6. Lock the focus
  7. Move your set object from the middle
  8. Know your flash’s range
  9. Watch the light
  10. Be a picture director

Thank you for joining me. Until next time…

Crafty hugs,
Lisa
Stampin’ Queen Creations

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Wordless Wednesday- 3/21/12


Thanks for joining me. Until next time...

Crafty hugs,

Lisa
Stampin' Queen Creations

Give The Queen A Call!!!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Scrap & Stamp Arts Magazine


Hi Everyone, 

I thought for today’s post I would share a project that I created for Scrap & Stamp Magazine. The project is called “Gone Fishing” and it was something I designed and sold to the magazine over 10 years ago!

I have hundreds of my designs published to date and the feeling that I get each time I see my work in a magazine or book is always the same. It’s so exciting! But this time was a little different. For one thing, looking at this project again after all this time reminded me of how far I have come in my talent. I’m so much better now! And the second feeling was much more emotional. I had created this project for my dad as a Father’s Day gift but unfortunately he had passed away before I could give it to him.  

So, although I have mixed feelings about this project one thing is for sure. Every time I see it, it reminds me of my dad. And that is something I will treasure always. Do you have a project that you created that gives you a similar feeling? I would love to hear about it.


Thanks for joining me. Until next time…
 

Crafty hugs,

Lisa
Stampin’ Queen Creations

Give The Queen A Call!!!












Monday, March 19, 2012

A Great Contest!

Hi Everyone!

I was asked to pass along this information about a contest that is running now. The sponsors are When Creativity Knocks and the Craft and Hobby Association. All the information is below. Be sure to check it out.

Crafty hugs,
Lisa
Stampin' Queen Creations

Give The Queen A Call!!!



March is National Craft Month!

When Creativity Knocks has teamed up with the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) to bring you a month of getting your craft on! Ana Araujo, When Creativity Knocks Designer, has created an "I HEART CRAFTS" tattoo image for you to use.
Attached is the FREE PDF: http://whencreativityknocks.com/mycraftspace/m/store/view/I-Heart-Crafts-PDF

Print It! Reduce It! Enlarge It! Craft It!
Create with it any way your heart desires!

Post your "I HEART CRAFTS" tattoo image projects that you created at:
http://whencreativityknocks.com/mycraftspace/ or
http://www.craftplace.org/

Who's eligible? Everyone, no age restrictions.
All those who post to be eligible to win prizes from top craft manufacturers.

Each Friday starting March 9th, and continuing on March 16th, 23rd and 30th, a winner will be picked from those who posted on the sites.

Thank You,
Ana Araujo, When Creativity Knocks
Keri Cunningham, CHA

Friday, March 16, 2012

Crafting with Crohn's Disease


When I began this blog adventure, I told you a little bit about my life. I believe that part of my responsibility as the author of my blog is not only to inform and inspire you on everything I know about scrapbooking and stamping, but to also share the things that go on in my life outside of my studio. I feel like the more you come to know me, the more you’ll enjoy what I write about. So, with that being said I thought I would share with all of you what my life is like living with a chronic illness called Crohn’s Disease. I hope that by hearing my story maybe it will help another person out there not to give up when faced with the reality of living with a chronic illness, and how crafting has saved my life.

 I began crafting as a child with my mom. We tried all kinds of different crafts. We would sew, paint, do wood work, glue things together. You name it and we did it. It was such a wonderful time in my life. As a late teen, I began experimenting with rubber stamps and then scrapbooking. That was it. I was hooked! With all of the different crafts that we dabbled in, these became first of all my favorite, and then they became my passion. I would eat, sleep, and breathe rubber stamping. As I grew older, my husband began taking me to the different stamp stores. We could be five miles away and I would lean my head out the window and say to him “It’s coming up soon, Honey. I can smell the rubber!” Needless to say, my husband thought I was nuts!

When I became a young adult, after the birth of my daughter, I began getting very sick. I would catch cols and flues all the time and then I started with vomiting and diarrhea. I would go to the doctors only to be told that I had the stomach flu, or maybe I had anorexia (which is a joke because I hate to throw up!) Or maybe, and this one was my favorite, maybe I was suffering from post partum depression. My daughter was three years old for goodness sake! Needless to say, the sicker I became the more depresses I was. On top of all of that I rarely picked up a rubber stamp. I was in a very bad way.

In 1984, after three years of illness and a 60 pound weight loss, I was finally diagnosed with an intestinal illness called Crohn’s Disease. I know this is weird to say, but I was actually happy. It took me years later to figure out that I wasn’t happy to have a disease, I was just happy that we finally knew what was going on with me. But all of it took a toll on me. My doctors told my husband that if they were to operate on me now, I would die on the table. Not because my illness was that out of control, but because I had lost the will to live. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. After some long conversations with my family and a visit from my little girl, I decided that I needed this surgery and most importantly, I needed to live. As I started to heal from my surgery and my heart began to heal from the depression, I still wasn’t back to my old self. My mom suggested I should start rubber stamping again. As I would finish one project and then begin another, I started to feel a weight being lifted off of me and I was beginning to just feel happy once again.

Through the years since my diagnoses and that very first surgery, I have had many ups and downs in my life. This disease sucks the life out of you and your family. Since 1984, I have had 51 hospitalizations and as of last year, I have had 20 surgeries. I have had my spirit broken and repaired more times than I can count. Each time I would return to my life’s passion of rubber stamping and scrapbooking. There are three things that have saved my life more than once over these last 28 years. They are, my faith in God, the love and support of my family and friends, and of course my passion for rubber stamping and scrapbooking. Without any of those things, I would not be here today and I certainly would not be able to carry on. And I continue to thank my mom for nurturing my love of crafting all those years ago.

So, I'll leave you with this thought. If you’re living with a chronic illness or dealing with some bad things in life, stop and smell the rubber (or roses if you're not a stamper!). It changed my life and it can change yours too.

 Thanks for joining me. Until next time…


Crafty hugs,

Lisa
Stampin’ Queen Creations
 

Give The Queen A Call!!!

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Ann Butler on Creative Living TV Show


As I posted on Monday, my friend, Ann Butler, and I had the opportunity to fly to New Mexico to film the craft show, "Creative Living with Sheryl Borden".  To hear more about Ann's visit to the show, check out her blog in the upcoming weeks at- www.creativitystirsthesoul.com

Here's what Ann had to say about it!

This week I had the opportunity to be a guest on
her show has been on the air for
the past 35 years which
is amazing....it was wonderful
to be able to tape 4 segments
which will air in the fall of 2012.


Here is a photo that was taken
during my "Magazine Purse" segment.
I will share more photos and
information about the show
over the next few weeks!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Wordless Wednesday- 3/14/12



Thank you for joining me. Until next time...

Crafty hugs,

Lisa
Stampin' Queen Creations

Give The Queen A Call!!!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

A Great Give Away from Terry Ricioli!

Hi Everyone,

I am super happy to announce another great give away from a designer friend of mine, Terry Ricioli! She has a fabulous new book called "Vintage Impressions Jewelry". To see this wonderful book, please visit Terry's blog at

http://terryriciolidesigns.blogspot.com/2012/03/book-giveaway.html
Thanks for joining me. Until next time...

Crafty hugs,

Lisa
Stampin' Queen Creations

Give The Queen A Call!!!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Creative Living with Sheryl Borden


I am so excited I could just about burst!!! I just came back from New Mexico with my designer friend, Ann Butler. We traveled to New Mexico to film the craft show “Creative Living with Sheryl Borden” on PBS. 

Filming the show with Sheryl has been one of the greatest highlights of my life. She is one of the most down to earth people you could ever meet. She is definitely what I would call a sweet southern bell! I will be sharing more pictures and some video of my time on the show. So, stayed tuned for that, but in the meantime here’s a few photos of us playing on the set! 

Thank you Sheryl for the amazing time! I can’t wait to go back!!!


Thanks for joining me. Until next time…

Crafty hugs,

Lisa
Stampin’ Queen Creations

 Give The Queen A Call!!!






Thursday, March 8, 2012

Pretty & Playful Paper Purses


I have a special treat for you today. Two pretty projects instead of one. Enjoy!!!

Thanks for joining me. Until next time...

Crafty hugs,

Lisa
Stampin' Queen Creations

Give The Queen A Call!!!



MATERIALS NEEDED


Purse pattern
Green leaf pattern paper- 2 sheets  8 ½” x 11”
Blue Gingham pattern paper- 2 sheets  8 ½” x 11”
White card stock
Tan card stock
Trim
Buttons
Tassel
Ribbon
Rope ribbon
Self Adhesive Velcro
¼” Hole punch
Xyron â850 with Acid-Free Permanent Adhesive Cartridge
Aleene’sÒ Ultimate Glue Gun
Pop Up GLUE DOTSÒ
Faber CastellÒ Chalk Pencils
Chalk Palette
Green embroidery floss
Eyelet Setter and pink eyelets
Black permanent marker
Dove blender pen
 


Note Cards for Ivy Purse

Olive card stock- 8 ½” x 5 ½”
Mauve card stock- 5 ½”h x 4”w
Tan card stock- 5”h x 3 ¾”w
Tan card stock- (2) 2 ¼” x 2 ¼”
Stamp A Memory inkpad- Soft Rose and Sand
Archival Ink- Olive
Rubber Stamps:
Checkered Shadow, Small Leaf by Hero Arts





Note Cards for Butterfly Purse

 Blue card stock- 8 ½” x 5 ½”
Green card stock- 4”h x 5 ½”w
Yellow card stock- 3 ¾”h x 5”w
White card stock- 3 ½”h x 4 ¾”w
Memories inkpad- Black
Designers Ink- Morning Glory Blue
Rubber Stamps:
Water Lily Skiing by Penny Black

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PURSES

Step 1. Lay card stock on an old box lid or newspaper and spray with adhesive. NOTE: Due to the fumes involved it’s best to use spray adhesive in a well ventilated area. Adhere blue gingham pattern paper to white card stock and the green leaf pattern paper to the tan card stock. 

Step 2. Place pattern pieces on the card stock side of papers, trace and cut out. Using a ruler and stylist, score papers along score lines. Fold all score lines. Glue front and back of purse together with glue gun.

Step 3. Punch holes in the top of purses. Run ribbon through both holes and tie knots on the inside of the purse. With glue gun, adhere trim along top edges of purse. Add buttons and tassels for decorative touch. Cut a small square of self adhesive Velcro and adhere under  top flap of purse.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR IVY NOTECARDS

Step 1. Fold olive card stock in half to form a 4 ¼” x 5 ½” note card. Layer mauve and tan card stock to olive note card using Xyron machine or spray adhesive. On small tan squares, stamp checkerboard shadow stamp with soft rose inkpad. In the center of the checkerboard image, stamp leaf with olive inkpad.

Step 2. Adhere small tan squares to the front of the note card using a Pop Up GLUE DOTSÒ. Make a small bow with mauve ribbon and adhere to the center of the note card, between the two small squares. See pcture for placement if needed.

 INSTRUCTIONS FOR BUTTERFLY NOTE CARDS

Step 1. Fold blue card stock in half to form a 4 ¼” x 5 ½” note card. Layer green and yellow card stock to blue note card using Xyron machine. On white card stock, stamp “Water Lily Skiing” using black inkpad. On a scrap piece of white card stock, ink image again using only the butterfly portion of the stamp. Cut out and set aside. Stamp “A Warm Hello” with blue inkpad on note card.

Step 2. Color stamped images using chalk pencils and a chalk palette. Make small hole on note card and “set” pink eyelet following manufacturers instructions on the eyelet setter. Attach green embroidery thread through the eyelet and tape down one end on the back of the white card stock and the other end by the butterfly. Adhere the cut out butterfly on top of the note card butterfly with a tiny dot of hot glue.

            NOTE: Be careful not to glue the whole butterfly down. You want the wings to appear in motion.
Step 3. Draw a line around the stamped card stock with a black permanent marker. Make small water lines with black marker. Adhere white card stock to note card with XyronÒ machine.