Vintage Photo Greeting Card

 
Recently, on a trip to my husband's family reunion in Morrilton, Arkansas, we spent an afternoon in the local antique district. We both love antique stores. He loves vintage musical instruments, and I love everything else.

I ran across a huge box of old photos from WWI to the early '50s and knew they would be perfect for using with some stamp sets I have, the Jimbo Lojik line from KellyCraft.

This blond had such a pretty expression on her face, but I had planned to use a sarcastic phrase from one of my Jimbo Lojik sets. When I actually got into it, I changed my mind at the last minute and went in a totally different direction.

Please note: This is not a detrimental commentary on the "dumb blonde" characterization. This phrase would work with a photo of any brunette or redhead as well as with a male image.  

Here's how I did it:

Supplies
• Get-it-Straight Laser Square and Multi-Mat (KellyCraft)
• Jimbo Lojik Polymer Stamps, Set D (KellyCraft)
• Makin's No Bake Polymer Clay, tan, 2 oz. scrap (Makin's Clay)
• Makin's Clay Push Mold, Borders, #39006 (Makin's Clay)
• Pearl Ex Powder, Light Green
• Cardstock:
  Note: All of this came from my paper scraps box, so I'm not sure of the manufacturers.
  Kraft cardstock: 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", folded to 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
  Printed Cardstock, pink shades: 4" x 5 1/4" (Bohemia) and a scrap for the sentiment
  Ivory Pearl: 3 3/4" x 5"
  Tan: 3 1/2" x 4 3/4"
  Pink Cardstock (back of the Bohemia patterned cardstock): a little larger than your photo
• Walnut Distress Ink (Ranger)
• Double-stick Tape (Sookwang)
• Printed photo on white cardstock
• Deckle-edge scissors
• 3-in-1 Adhesive (Beacon)

Instructions
1. Push clay into the leaf pattern on the Makin's Clay Borders mold. Remove and allow to dry. When dry, dust with Pearl Ex powder and remove the excess.

Tip: This is a piece I had in my scrap bin made with clay left over from a previous project. When you have excess clay, put it to good use by using it in push molds or with clay cutters. You can always paint the clay the color you need later.
 
2. Sponge the edges of each piece of cardstock with Walnut Distress Ink.

 

3. Apply double-stick tape to the back of each piece and, using the KellyCraft Get-it-Straight Laser Square and Multi-Mat to accurately line up each layer, place each of the four cardstock layers, leaving a 1/8" border all around.

4. Trim the photo with deckle-edge scissors and sponge the edges with Walnut Stain Distress ink. Trim the pink cardstock a little larger than you photo and adhere the photo to it.

5. Stamp the sentiment with Walnut Stain Distress ink and stamp it onto a scrap of the Bohemia paper.

Tip: Having trouble lining up your clear stamps? Place an acrylic block on the KellyCraft Get-it-Straight Laser Square and Multi-Mat, lining up the upper and right edges on the grid. Place your stamp on the block using the Multi-Mat grid to get the lines straight. 

Place the paper you want to stamp against the right edge of the Get-it-Straight Laser Square and then ink the stamp and carefully place it against the edge of the Laser Square as well. The stamp will be lined up with your paper to make it easy to trim and keep the stamped image straight.

6. Trim out the sentiment and place tape on the bottom and sides to form a pocket when you attach it to the lower portion of the card.

7. Slip the layered photo into the pocket at an angle. When you are satisfied with the positioning, add a drop of 3-in-1 Adhesive to hold it in place.

8. Add the Makin's Clay Leaf Border along the top of the sentiment with 3-in1 Adhesive.

 
This card could be used for just about any occasion. I think I'll use it to bring a smile to the face of my BFF!

A Few of My Favorite Things...

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I have always loved bins, cubbies, anything to stash and organize small items. That’s why I adore this Deflecto four-drawer bin. It makes it so easy to corral all the little pieces that are essential to my work.

These four-drawer bins have an added advantage: You can clip on  more bin sets to increase your organization abilities, thereby adding more storage to your work station.

I decided to use some papers that I have been hoarding for a while (because I love them and what they represent) to personalize the units. The rulers and letterpress letters remind me of my dad; the pen nibs remind me of my first calligraphy efforts; the accounting sheets, my mother’s job as a bookkeeper; the train memorabilia, the train tracks that ran near my grandmother’s house; and the game images, the happy hours my sister and I spent playing Bingo, Old Maid and Checkers. Just having this on my workspace brings back happy memories, also reminding me of why I love to create because all these people instilled this passion in my heart.

If you love Deflecto products the way I do, here's your chance to win!  Go to the DCC Blog  and see how you can win these great Deflecto products!

 

Here’s how I made this project:

Supplies

• Deflecto Interlocking Stackable Organizer, 6”x 6” x 7 1/5”, four drawers, #350301CR

• Cardstock, eight sheets (two of the same print, but the others can vary), 9” x 9” (Tim Holtz Distressables, Ranger, Design Originals)

• Flat Glue Dots

• Double-stick tape, ¼” (Sookwang)

• Canning Jar Chalkboard Labels, 1 7/8” (Anchor Hocking)

• Clear self-adhesive shelf cover (Contact)

• White colored pencil (Prismacolor) or chalk

• Cord or ribbon, 36”

• Black ink (Stazon)

 

Instructions

Notes: 

• Be sure to check each piece of cardstock for fit before adding adhesive. You can use double-stick tape on any surfaces that are frosted because the tape won’t be detectable, but use glue dots on the front lining of the clear drawers.

• Sponge all cardstock edges with black ink prior to adding tape or glue dots.

Remove drawers and set aside. Cut cardstock for the box top to 5 ¾” x 5 7/8”.  Attach double-stick tape to the top side of the cardstock at each edge and slip the cardstock into the top of the bin. Press flat along edges to adhere.

Cut four different cardstock patterns, 5 7/8” x 2 5/8”. Attach double-stick tape to the top side of the paper at each edge and slip the cardstock into the side sections of the bin. Press flat along edges to adhere.

Cut two additional cardstock patterns, 5 7/8” x 2 3/4”. Attach double-stick tape to the top side of the paper at each edge and slip the cardstock into the back sections of the bin. Press flat along edges to adhere.

Drawers: Place clear self-adhesive shelf cover on the back of the two identical sheets of cardstock and trim.

Cut four pieces of cardstock, 2 ½” x 8 ½”, from these two cardstock sheets.  

Attach Glue Dots to the top of the cardstock at the two front corners and double-stick tape about 5” from the opposite end. 

Slip the cardstock into the bottom of each bin with the top of the paper showing in the front on the bin and the shelf cover side to the top inside the bin to protect the surface from dirt. Press flat along edges to adhere.

Tip: Cut larger flat glue dots in half to save a little money without losing the adhesive power.

Attach the chalk paper circles to the front of each bin and write the contents with chalk or a light colored pencil. Tie the cord around the box for added interest.

This piece can be used in just about any room in your home to hold a variety of small items, but I will use it for holding small craft supplies, especially those that I forget that I have when they are hidden away: clay embellishments leftover from previous projects, buttons, small corked bottles, and small scissors and tools.

Place it on your workspace and enjoy not only the organization, but also the memories invoked by the nostalgic theme!

Uncle Si Robertson Card

When Duck Dynasty premiered, I swore I would never watch such a red neck production, but I watched it one time and was hooked. The family values expressed on this show are what America needs to be reminded of daily: love your family, trust in God and have a good time.

The only thing better than KellyCraft's Get-it-Straight Laser Square and Multi-mat Docking Station  is a combination of KellyCraft's Duck Commander and Jimbo Logic stamps.

When I finished it, it needed a little something extra, so I went through my stash of Makin's Air Dry Polymer Clay embellishments. When I have leftover small pieces of clay, I either cut them with a clay cutter or use them in a push-mold to create little pieces of art that I can use to finish out future projects. The color was a bright turquoise blue, but a coat of shiny black paint and a little Inka Gold took care of that.

Here's how I made this Uncle Si Robertson card, with the lojik of KellyCraft co-founder Jimbo Kelly's down home Southern sayings:

Supplies

• Get-it-Straight Laser Square (KellyCraft)
• Multi-mat Docking Station (KellyCraft)
• Uncle Si Rubber Stamp (KellyCraft)
• Jimbo Lojik Sentiment Polymer Stamp Set H (KellyCraft)
• Cardstock, This Old House #4501107 and Craftsmanship #4501108 (Artisan Style Collection, Graphic 45) 
• Black cardstock, 8 1/2" x 11"
• Paper, yellow/orange print (Affinity Paper Pack, The Paper Studio)
• Air Dry Polymer Clay (Makin's Clay)
• Push Mold Florals, 39005 (Makin's Clay)
• Score Tape
• Black Ink (Stazon) 
• Craft paint, black (DecoArt)
• Inka Gold, gold (Viva Décor)
• Craft adhesive (Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive)

Tools: Paper Trimmer, brush

Instructions
1. Cut the following:
This Old House cardstock: 2 1/2" x 3 1/4"
Craftsmanship cardstock: 4" x 5 1/2"
Paper Studio yellow/orange paper: 3 5/8" x 4 7/8"; 1 1/2" x 2 5/8"; 3 1/4" x 7/8"
Black cardstock: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", folded to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"; 3 1/2" x 1 1/8"; 2 5/8" x 1 3/4"

2. Sponge the edges of all pieces with black ink and apply adhesive to all pieces of paper and cardstock except the folded black card base.

3. Place the folded cardstock in the upper right corner of the KellyCraft Get-it-Straight Laser Square and Multi-mat Docking Station. Remove the tape release paper and begin layering the pieces according to the photos.

Layer 1

Layer 2

Layer 3

Layer 4

Layer 5

Layer 6

Layer 7

 

5. Paint the clay embellishment and allow to dry. Apply Ink Gold to the raised parts of the clay with your finger or a tiny makeup sponge.

6. Apply craft glue to the back of the embellishment and center it at the top of the card. Place a heavy object on to until the glue dries.

This will make a cute birthday card for someone who loves Uncle Si or just a little project to bring a smile to someone's face.