Monday, August 13, 2012

Just started quilling tonight. This is a whole new take on "embellishments" for cards. I wish that I had more people that wanted this kind of thing because I feel like I could make cards and stuff all day long.
The quilling is very interesting. They want to charge as much as $7.00 in the store (not naming any names), but all you need is a piece of paper that is 1/8" by up to 12" and you can get those from paper scraps. I just cut a piece and started playing around with it. I came up with a little birdie. Going to use it on a card, just thinking of an idea of what type of card to make. I will post pictures as soon as I get it ready!!

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Greeting Cards and More: About Luv Nots by: Andi

Greeting Cards and More: About Luv Nots by: Andi: All the cards that I create include a bible verse on the inner flap. It is descreet and out of the way so that you can still include your ow...

Greeting Cards and More: Iris Folded - Easter Eggs

Greeting Cards and More: Iris Folded - Easter Eggs: So I was sitting there thinking of something to make for Easter....when it hit me....IRIS FOLDED!!!! EASTER EGGS!! Yay they are so much easi...

Iris Folded - Easter Eggs

So I was sitting there thinking of something to make for Easter....when it hit me....IRIS FOLDED!!!! EASTER EGGS!! Yay they are so much easier and quicker to make now that I have over 100 under my belt. I drew up the template and then made two in no time. The only thing that takes me any amount of time to figure out is....what papers to put with what. Since I have quite a bit to choose from it just takes alittle figuring and then...tada!
Here are pics of the two I created last night. Obviously it is too late to order them for this year...but hopefully you might want them for next year!! ENJOY!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

About Luv Nots by: Andi

All the cards that I create include a bible verse on the inner flap. It is descreet and out of the way so that you can still include your own personal message to the special person you are sending your greeting. I started doing this so that we can encourage each other and remind each other of God's promises. And there is always good in spreading the word of the Lord.
Things are always changing with the styles of cards. I get bored really easily so I change the style often and am constantly trying to come up with something new that will grab the eye. I am often told that I have a quick eye for color coordination and placement. I just do what comes naturally and don't really think too much about what I am doing. At first when I started I was so "particular" about the paper being perfect and the matching of things took me soooooo long. Now I have come to realize that there are no mistakes in card-making and scrapbooking. Just 'boo-boo's' that sometimes need to be covered. I also am beyond a "scrap" saver. I use all the scraps from all the cards I create to create more things. I save the tiniest piece of paper and later use it for a corner or some other type of embellishment. I save all kinds of money doing this also, but I just see a need for things later. I even save those fine long strands of paper that you cut off of the card when it exceeds the length of the card....I use them for flower stems. I really can find a use for all sorts of paper scraps. I am told I take scrapbooking to the letter. But I am not rich and cannot afford it if I dont do it the way I have found!
I have recently also created little scrapbook album/journals for little girls. Most boys dont really like this kind of thing, but they can always be created for them also. I will set up a post for those when I get pictures taken. I have made two that are 8" x 8" one for my dad and the other for my mother-in-law. Of their grandson of course. And then I made about four of the 4" x 4" so far for some little girls at my church and a few for a friend of mine's daughters. I know people already make these things, but they are unique in that they are already made to be journaled and photo'd by the person. So they are all embellished up and ready to start adding pictures and messages the moment you put it in their hand. I am investing in the binding machine in order to make them easier because right now I feel like my hand will fall off if I have to hole punch another album LOL. It really does take a lot of work though and for such a little reward at the moment. Because after I punch it and hurt for a few hours...then I can start adding the papers and stickers and ribbons and whatnot!! So binding machine....you are a must! Maybe in the future I can go into detail on how I make a few things for people to get an idea. I just feel like everyone is already doing this. I really wish that I could be picked to be on someone's design team. That would be fabulous......getting to do what I love and getting paid to do it....Hello Dream Job!!
Ok Goodnight for now. I have a two year old that will be up in no time!

IRIS FOLDING!!

This is pretty fun to make.....seeing as it takes a while to get finished folding and taping and then cutting to make the beautiful finished product. But they are SOOOOO gorgeous! And worth all the effort put into them. I made  over 100 of these at the end of last year for Christmas....and it was long hours and seemed like I would never finish. But I ended up getting it finished in time to send out two weeks before Christmas Day!! I gave 80 of them away to my family members as gifts and used 20 of them to send out to friends. I made 50 ornament ones and 50 stocking ones. I am still looking for the pics I had of the ornament ones...but I cannot find it so I just have the stocking one to share.
I made it so that you could use the stocking as an ornament after you peeled it off of your card. So it was a two in one greeting card! It was a huge hit with everyone. I am going to be taking orders a lot earlier for these this year due to their difficulty in making. I only charged two dollars per card...and had an 80 order.... so I made a good amount on them I think...thanks to my dad for buying 80 of them.

Framed Art!

Here is an example of framed art. I just started using chalks with my cards. I really enjoy the ease in which you can use chalks with stamps. I even found out that you can use them with water and get a watercolor effect. So exciting to figure out. And STICKLES....wow I loved finding out that cute little tube of glittering sparkles. It really enhances the designs if used properly....can you really use too much glitter?? I think NOT! Well alright it can be over used......But with just the right amount of enhancement it can bring the art to life. I really enjoy making these....just need to invest in a good matte cutter with a metal guide.....been looking but not finding any! Any help in that area is greatly appreciated. I could go on and on...so I will just upload the pictures and be quiet about these for now!! I will be back with more soon!


Easel Cards!!!!!!!

This is such a beautiful way to display a card. I got this technique offline and just fell in love the way that it presents your art so that people can enjoy the card long after they have received it for their particular occasion. What a great way to give them a double blessing. This is so easy to make and it enables you to have NO extra cost when sending the cards. Because the card IS the easel. Great for putting a flame-less candle behind if you use vellum. It will shine behind your image. Super adorable. I made one for my husband for Valentine's Day and one for my mother in law for Valentine's Day. They are still on display and it is April! Just imagine Christmas cards with scenery and you can keep them up all December!! Here are two examples of ones I created!


Stamped and Hand Drawn!

These are some more recent creations. I am using more stamping, and items that I have drawn onto cards myself. These were created after meeting someone who introduced me to a whole new side of card-making. I have since gotten a cuttlebug and use it for lots of things. I do sell these cards if anyone is ever interested in purchasing them.




Some of the FIRST styles!!


































This is a small selection of some of the cards I have created to date. Since then I have expanded my techniques and will be uploading some of those new creations shortly. I just wanted to show some of the types I have come up with.
I never took classes and learned these techniques from other card-makers. These were all original to my own idea of paper placement and embellishments. I didn't look up ways on youtube or any other sites. Since creating these and a few more I haven't posted yet, I have looked up more ways to create things by utilizing these sites. I look at them to get a new general idea of stamping techniques or whatnot....but I still use my own creativity to generate my greeting cards.