Design with Cindy

Simple Birthday Card

I apologize for not posting for so long. With my summer travels, I've been away from all my stamping supplies.

Today's card uses some of the newest Designer Series Papers from the 2011-12 SU! Catalog. It is called Paisley Petals (122367). One of the nicest aspects of this catalog is that it lists the coordinating SU! cardstocks. It makes it so much nicer for creating cards and scrapbook pages.

Just add a small button with a rhinestone center with a simple greeting, and the card is finished.

I hope you enjoy it as well. Please let me know and be sure to visit my Facebook Page for more creative ideas.

Cute Pair of Earrings

I know I haven't posted much lately. It seems like I enjoy showing things on my DesignWithCindy Facebook page. If you would like to get more craft, recycling and fun ideas, click here to subscribe.

This cute pair of earrings was made using Stampin'Up! Rhinestone Brads (#109111) and some jump rings and earring findings. It was so quick and easy. Of course you know I never try anything that takes too long. I'm just too impatient.

To make these I cut the back of the brads off just where they come together. That leaves a little bit to use to connect the jump rings. Just slide the jump ring under the brad fastener that's left and use some needle nose pliers to squeeze tightly. Then connect the other part of the jump ring to the larger sized brad and squeeze again. 

Just repeat this process with the top brad and attach to the earring hoop.

On the bottom brad, just fold down the leftover part of the brad so it won't scratch you.

These are so lovely and with all the colors of brads that Stampin'Up! offers, you make lots of them at such a small cost.

 

A couple of scrapbook pages

Here are a set of pages for one of my scrapbooks made using My Digital Studio. I actually started with one of the templates that comes with the original CD called "Hoppy Memories". There is a recurring frog image that you can use or delete. In fact most of the pages have been altered but the basic color idea I kept.

I also added the small clipart images of Cheetohs and S'mores. It personalized it somewhat and totally describes the evening with our grandchildren.

Hope you enjoy.

 

Elegant Thank You Card

 

I've been told that imitation is the highest form of flattery. Well, that is what I have basically done today. Again, I took a card that I admired and used the basic format to make my own card. But after I finished, the only thing I imitated was the layout of the card and that little bird. Although this entire card was done using My Digital Studio, it could easily have been a hybrid as well.

I think what I am trying to impress on everyone is that you have your own ideas and creativity within you, even if you don't think so. If you are nervous about card or scrapbook designing, start looking in magazines or online and find the layout that you really like. Then go to your stash of supplies and start experimenting. I think you be pleasantly surprised with the results.

Supplies used from My Digital Studio:

Paper: Elegant Soiree Designer Series Papers as well as Crumb Cake, Marina Mist & Whisper White C/S

Stamps: Bliss set and All Holidays

Embellishments: Pearls and Chocolate Chip ribbon

You're Invited...

Today's card was done entirely using My Digital Studio. I guess I was just too lazy to go from my computer to upstairs where my studio work area is located.

I can see this card easily be a hybrid as well. The little rhinestones and pearls, as well as the buttons would be an easy addition.

It's amazing how you can look at one card and plan to basically duplicate it, then your final result turns out entirely different. Usually, for me at least, that is due to me not having a particular stamp or embellishment.

I hope you enjoy this card for today. Remember that if you enjoy recycling, or upcycling, my DesignWithCindy Facebook page is geared that way. Whether I use buttons or paper, or just post someone else's idea, they're always enjoyable. If you are interested, just click here.

Mr & Mrs Owl Card

Finally, I'll be posting a stamped card today. What a surprise, right?  I made this card for a young lady that will be getting married soon. I apologize for the poor lighting on the photograph. I already had the card in a clear envelope and ready to mail when I realized that I hadn't taken a picture yet. Silly me!

The idea of dressing the owls  as Mr. & Mrs. came from another card (by Lynn Pratt) but on a larger scale. My goal was to use the 2-Step Owl Punch as much as possible.

I'll try and explain the basics of how I created the Mr. & Mrs Owl but much of it is just a "trim to fit" sort of pattern.

I hope you enjoy this card.

Bride:

The owl body was done with Early Espresso using the Owl Punch.

The inner section of the punch was done in Whisper White as a wedding dress.

The tiniest pearls were added to simulate a necklace.

The scallop was made from part of the 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch and trimmed to fit underneath the dress.

Again, small pearls were added as an embellishment long the hem.

The Modern Label Punch was used for the feet and then trimmed to fit beneath the dress.

Eyes: The outer and middle circles are from the Owl Punch. The inner black circle is from a standard hole punch. They are trimmed using the White Pigment Pen.

The beak was Pumpkin Pie cardstock trimmed in a triangular shape.

Groom:

The owl body was done with Early Espresso using the Owl Punch.

The inner section of the punch was done in Basic Black to form a tuxedo. An addition inner section was punched and trimmed from Whisper White to form the dress shirt. The smallest eye circles from the punch were used for the buttons.

Feet were trimmed from the Modern Label Punch in Basic Black cardstock.

The boutonniere was a small circle punch with light sketching to resemble a flower. A small pearl was added from dimension.

Eyes: The outer and middle circles are from the Owl Punch. The inner black circle is from a standard hole punch. They are trimmed using the White Pigment Pen.

The beak was Pumpkin Pie cardstock trimmed in a triangular shape.

Dog Bowl Sign

Today's sample uses some different items that I haven't demonstrated for a while.

This cute dog bone is made of cork that is easily cut with scissors to the bone design. The letters are cardstock that has been die cut using the Big Shot and the Serif Essentials dies. 

I used the Crop-a-dile to attach eyelets to the top and some 1/4" very vanilla grosgrain ribbon is used to hang it on the wall. The entire area has been covered with a light coat of Crystal Effects, giving it a shiny effect.

I think it looks really cute hanging above where my dog has her meals each day but it would work just as well near her bed.

Another idea is to attach a magnetic sheet to the back of the cork if you cannot hang the bone on a wall.

All of these items are available in the Stampin'Up! catalog. If you would like to order any, just let me know.

Simply buttons

 

 

It seems that lately I have become addicted to collecting beautiful buttons. There are so many really pretty buttons. But the down side is that many times the cost of buying them is prohibitive.

 

These buttons that I used today came from Stampin'Up! They have been adding to coordinating fabrics and other accessories to their line for the past few years. Lately, however, the packages have become more attractive. The buttons are larger and don't have to be used just on cards or clothing outfits.

Over the next few weeks I plan on showing more ways to "see" buttons. Be on the lookout as many of them will be posted only on my DesignWithCindy Facebook page. Be sure to LIKE me by clicking here and then you'll be able to access the designs as soon as they appear.

The buttons today were the simplest of ideas. I used buttons from 2 different collections: Springtime Vintage (122301) and Sweet Stitches (122302). They are both in the Occasions Mini Catalog and will only be available until April 30th. And the best part is you get 48 buttons in each package. 

Each button is tied with 1/8" taffeta ribbon or hemp twine. Attached to the back of these buttons are small 1/2" squares of magnet sheets. 

Now they serve a dual purpose of decorating my refrigerator as well as holding notes. So simple and so functional and pretty.

Friends Hybrid Card

Isn't this a cute card? You could send it to anyone. As with all of my cards, it was quick and easy to make. It seems I never have time for long term projects. I like to keep it short and sweet.

This card was designed using My Digital Studio. The only "added" part is the little button attached as the dot of the I.  Simple, right?

I could certainly have made this card using die cut letters and rick-rack. It is just that My Digital Studio is so easy to use that I find myself going to it first.

Here are the supplies that I used:

Paper: Ice Cream Parlor DSP, Melon Mambo & Soft Suede Cardstock

Stamps: Simple Friendship set and Just Perfect Alphabet set (lower case letters)

Accessories: Circle Punch, Tasteful Trim Punch (this is a new Big Shot die)

Other: I used a Text Font for the capital letters on the card since I don't have the stamps

I hope you get to make your own cards now using your on hand supplies or My Digital Studio. Go out and have some fun!

 

Flower Coasters

Today's special design is a coaster set that I made for some friends for Christmas.  At the time I designed these coasters, SU! had just come out with their fantastic fabric but I didn't have any with me. Using just a few scraps of fabric, it was really easy to make, didn't take too much time and was well received. And if you have any questions about the directions that follow, don't hesitate to email me.

Remember that if you go to my DesignWithCindy Facebook Page, you'll get more ideas that revolve around recycling and using scraps for home decor and gifts. You can click go and LIKE my Page here.

Supplies to make your own coaster:

Fabric for coaster base, flower and center of flowers

Prequilted fabric for underside of coasters

Big Shot Fabric Adhesive Roll

Big Shot and the following dies: Flower die , Scallop Circles #2, and Scallop Square

 

Directions for coasters:

Cut pieces of fabric approximately the size of needed for the dies.

Adhere fabric to Fabric Adhesive using iron. Do not remove backing from adhesive.

Cut around each piece and run through Big Shot to cut shapes.

Iron each piece onto the coaster.

Stitch the top of the coaster for added security as well as decoration.

Enjoy!