Have a ball shaker card

Hi again!!! I've been trying to post this card for several days now and finally have been able to do it! I've been holding back on updating my Mac because the latest update no longer uses iPhoto. And I have been using it all these years to edit my photos. Anyways, I broke down and updated my computer last week and then I was having issues getting my photos so I could post on blogger. Ugh! It worked today so now I can do some posts. 

Here is a shaker card that I made using Lawn Fawn's "sweet smiles" stamp set. I didn't even get to use the matching dies but hopefully will make another card to use the dies. This card was a 2 step process. I stamped the gumball machine twice so that I could make the shaker card. One for the inside of the gumball machine and the other for the card itself. I also cut out a bunch of gumballs to use for the shaker part.

I remember having one of these when I was growing up. And after you ate the gumballs, you use the machine as a piggy bank.
Thanks for coming back to read my posts! Hope you're having a great weekend!!!

Sharing

Whew! The days have been flying by and it's already half the year. I thought I'd share some cards that I made recently. Lately I've been spending more time on Facebook and Instagram and neglecting this blog. 

The first 2 cards were made for our stamp club swap that we did the beginning of June. Our theme was to use the word "congratulations". I decided to make a simple card that could be used for either graduation or a baby. I used a Hero Arts stamp set called "playful animals" and "congrats" clear set. Patterned paper is Doodlebug Designs. And the cat is really glittery. I used wink of stella clear over the cat. 

The next card is a new stamp set from Lawn Fawn. It is called "fintastic friends". It's such a cute set! And I had to get the stitched borders die set. I love all the different stitching dies that are in the set.

Today I finally finished this good luck card. I was struggling all week trying to finish it. I just could not get it right. You should see how much cardstock I wasted. It's all in my rubbish can. The stamp set is from Lawn Fawn called "my lucky charm". If you click on the picture, you will see the splatters of gold shimmer spritz in the background.

If you've been checking back to see if I posted anything, sorry it's been awhile. Now that I have a real full-time job, I don't have as much time to spend making cards. If you're on Facebook, please friend me or follow me on Instagram @ccmiyashiro.
Have a great weekend!!!

Love your selfie

Hi, I'm back again! This card started out in gold and after 3 messed up images I decided to change color. Lol! And, I was too lazy to color it.

I love this selfie stamp set from Mama Elephant. I think it would be cute to stamp it for a child to color too. I also used the matching dies to cut the polaroid frame out.

Paper used is all Doodlebug Designs from an older release. I used Versafine ink from Imagine Crafts. 

Don't forget that we are having a free Sizzix make & take at the store this Saturday, April 25th from 11:30-1:30 pm.

Hope you're having a great week and thanks for stopping by!!!

Birthday card from all of us!

Hi and happy Tuesday!!! I haven't made anything crafty in awhile and so it seemed like days before I actually came up with a birthday card for my husband. He will be celebrating his birthday tomorrow, tax day! I can't help myself with these Mama Elephant stamps and dies. I would like to have all of them. 

I used the Just Hatched stamp set for the images. I finally got the Selfie stamp set and matching dies too. I hope this card isn't too cute for him. I have such a hard time making masculine cards.
Can't wait to ink up some new stamps.
So many things going on this month. Can't wait to see my Sizzix girl in a week. I'm enjoying my new job but it sure is a lot of work!
If you get a chance, stop by the store next week Saturday the 25th. We're going to be doing a make & take from 11:30 - 1:30 pm and you'll get to meet one of the Sizzix designers Deena Ziegler.
Have a great week!!!

Blog update and some samples

I miss posting and making projects so I thought I'd update you on what's been happening since my last post in February. 

The week before I was scheduled to have surgery on my heart, my car got hit in the parking lot at Don Quijote's. I had just finished meeting with my boss for American Greetings and this happened! All I could think about was scheduling my car as soon as possible so I didn't have to worry about it while I recuperated at home. Ugh! Turned out, I had to take it in that week while I rested.

So here I am in recovery, the day before Valentine's Day. It was torture having to lie still and flat on my back for 3 hours. All I could think about was wishing I had my craft things with me. It was wonderful being able to walk out of there and going home at 7 pm.

I was so glad that my Sizzix girl had sent me a bunch of new products to play with. This precision base plate is perfect to use for die cutting intricate dies. All the little pieces fall out and you don't have to use a paper piercer to poke out the pieces anymore.

 I love these new colored cutting pads. Of course the pink one is my favorite!

And I was really impressed with these ink sheets. It's like stamping with your dies. If you are interested in it, I would suggest buying the kit first since it comes with everything you need. So much fun playing with it.

I made this "friends" card while I was home recuperating. I used Lawn Fawns new stamps and I think it was called playground.

My husband was so sweet since we didn't get to go out for Valentine's dinner. He bought me a Silhouette Cameo. I can hardly wait to start using it. Hope I can figure it out too.

I also received my rep kit of samples from Kuretake a week ago. They even sent me a cute little pencil bag to put my samples in. Lots of new Japanese pens.

And since I started a new full-time job the end of February, I haven't been able to make anything crafty. By the time I get home from work, I am pooped. I am loving it and must say it's really different. Plus, it's like I'm doing a cardio workout for 7 hours. I get to see and work with people that I haven't seen in 9 years.
So that explains why I haven't posted in awhile.
Here's a bunch of Easter treats that I made for some peeps. Love this Sizzix treat die. Its a perfect size to put candy treats.

Thanks for sticking with me to the end! I hope to get myself back into the groove of crafting.
Have a wonderful week!!!

Valentine's sweet treat

Happy Valentine's Day!!! I thought I'd post this before Saturday and before I forget to post it.

I used Sizzix "sweet treat" die from the Life Made Simple line.

This was the first time I used Doodlebug's solid red card stock to make a box. I must say, it really is good card stock for making boxes with creases. Plus it matches all their paper.
The size of the bag is perfect for small treats. I put a Ghirardelli chocolate and 2 tea bags in it.
Thanks for stopping by today!!! Sorry this post is so short. Have a great holiday weekend!!!

Just Hatched Valentine Card

Valentine's Day is a week away so I thought I'd make another card using this new Sizzix die. It's from the Life Made Simple line called "tri shutter card". When you fold it up, it fits in a Project Life pocket page - 3x4 size. I used Mama Elephant's, "just hatched" clear stamp set with matching dies.

I think it's an Easter set from last year but it is such a cute set. I couldn't resist.
I love Memento Luxe ink. I used Lady Bug to stamp the sentiments. The color is so rich.

And I posted it on Instagram and Mama Elephant reposted it. I was so excited!!! Lol! If you're on Instagram, please follow me @ccmiyashiro.

Thanks for coming back and reading my posts! Have a great week!!!

Valentine's Day wheel card

Hi, I'm back again!!! Before I forget, Happy Valentine's Day! Just in case I don't make it back here in time. I finally had a chance to play with this wheel card die from Sizzix. So, you spin the round scallop wheel to see the different pictures. Such a cute idea! I did a video on it but for some reason, I was having a hard time posting the video. 

I used Mama Elephant's clear stamp set - Purrfect Pair along with the matching dies to cut them out. 

Along with the Sizzix matching embellishment set for the wheel card die.

I used Memento Luxe Love Letter to stamp the sentiment. So far, this is one of the nicest red pigment ink that i have come across.

And Wink of Stella clear over all the images in the wheel. It's so hard to see the glitter.

Thanks for stopping by here today!!! Have a great weekend!!!

Season's Greetings

Hi I'm back again! I'm really into using gold mirror card stock these days. My husband ordered a bunch of Avery Elle's "season's greetings" dies and he wanted me to make a sample for him using the die. It's a pretty font and I like that the words are all connected. 

I had a bunch of stamped embossed cards lying around so I decided to use it for the card base. I finally got to use the gold sheer shimmer spritz from Imagine Crafts. It is so pretty and a nice shade of gold. I sprayed it on the card base. You have to see it in real life.

The sheer sequins is from Pretty Pink Posh and the gold sequins is from Doodlebug Designs. The stitched frame is Mama Elephant.

Hope your weekend is going well! I am trying to recover from a bad sinus infection that I got earlier this week. Thanks for stopping by!!!

Purrfect together

Hi everyone!!! I thought I had posted this card but I guess I didn't. The stamp set is called "purrfect pair" by Mama Elephant. And I used the matching dies to cut the kitties out. I have never made a black card before but I wanted to use gold embossing powder for the sentiment and it just seemed to go well together. Reminds me of McKinley high school colors. Lol! I must say that the Mama Elephant clear stamps stamp very well. 

I forgot to take a photo of my Christmas card swap with the stamp club ladies so I had to take this one  that I had given to one of the ladies. Our theme was baby shaker cards. Everyone did such a great job on their shaker cards. I didn't get a chance to take photos of the cards. I used Dandelion Designs baby girl stamp set. Word sentiment is from Mama Elephant.

Can you see Olaf peeking out from behind the top of the card? It was a cute pillow box favor. I didn't even know what that character was but found out that it is real popular with the little kids. So clever, it was made with punches.
Thanks for stopping by today!!! I have so much to catch up on. Haven't made any Christmas cards yet or bought any Christmas presents. So much to do!
Have a great weekend!!!

Let's roll

Ok, it has been a month since I last posted. I got my hands on a new die set from MFT Dienamics - gift card grooves (I think that's the name) and made a gift card holder using one of the dies. There are 4 dies in the set and you can make your gift card holder 4 different ways.

I used Lawn Fawn's "let's roll" stamp set since I had extra pieces lying on my craft table. In fact, everything I used was scraps. Lol! I cut the holder at 3" x 12" and scored at 3 1/4" and 7 1/2". That's it. Very easy to make!

My husband has a new line in his store called Pretty Pink Posh and her sequins are the best I've seen so far. I used the clear 4mm on the stamped flowers in the background. If you click on the photo you can see it better. I also used clear wink of stella on the sushi.

Here's what one of the dies looks like.
I really haven't had much time lately to work on any projects. It's the busiest time of the year at work. I'm kind of dreading next week Friday because we have to go to our stores and take down Thanksgiving and put up New Years.
Well, thanks for checking in and staying with me here on the blog. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving Day!!!

Christmas sample cards

Playing catch up here. I have other cards that I haven't posted yet but I will soon. First up is a water globe shaker card. I used Taylored Expressions stamp and die to make the water globe. The stamp is called winter penguin from Lawn Fawn. The sequins is Doodlebug Designs.

This 2nd card is a side step card from Sizzix. I love how easy it is to use this die to cut the card. I tried cutting it out by hand before and could never get the cut parts even. The stamp is from Dandelion Designs called teeny weeny Christmas. And the words are from the new tag set from Sizzix.

This last project is a new die from Sizzix called notepad holder die by Brenda Walton. It is made for post-it notes and fits perfectly in it.

I used the winter penguin stamp from Lawn Fawn again. I actually have a bunch that I stamped because these are all the mistake ones. Lol! Do you have those too? I waste so much copic paper when I make mistakes.

Here's a side view so you can see the post-it note pad. The little snowflake stamp is so cute and comes with the penguin stamp.
Well, today was pretty much one of those stay at home days for me since its been raining from tropical storm Ana. At least it cooled down because it's been so hot and muggy!!!
Thanks for checking back here. I'm not sure if anyone reads my blog anymore. I've been posting more on Facebook and Instagram.
Have a great weekend!!!

Trick or treat favor bag

I colored this cute Lawn Fawn kitty couple weeks ago and had planned to make a card with it but ended up using it on this treat bag instead. Love this new treat bag die from Lawn Fawn. It is so easy to put together and make a bunch of them to pass out. Thinking about using it to take to my doctor's office for the office girls.

All the dies used on this treat bag are from Lawn Fawn.

Omg, today feels more like 95 than 90 degrees. Earlier this morning while I was working at Don Quijote's, I was actually freezing and had to wear a hoodie and my fingers were numb. I couldn't wait to get out of the store! Now I'm so hot that I want to go back to cool off again. Lol!
Have a great week!!!

Season's Tweetings

Is it just me feeling extra hot these days or is everyone else feeling it too? Plus the addition of hot flashes along with the heat. Ugh! 

I finally got my hands on this banner die from Lawn Fawn and been busy cutting extra banners. I decided to make a simple card, stamping and coloring the images. This birdie stamp set is so cute!

I normally use Imagine Craft's Versafine or Memento inks but I decided to use Ranger's Archival ink to stamp the brown tree branch. It's a really good ink to stamp and the images come out crystal clear.

The card base I used for this card is from Mama Elephant. My husband will be carrying these dies at his store soon. It should be here any day now.
Hope you're having a great week. I've been really enjoying my new part time job. I didn't think I would like it as much as I do but I don't have any stress while I am working. Plus I get to see people that I haven't seen in a long time.
Thanks for stopping by!!!

Sweet Wishes

Yesterday I stamped and colored a bunch of Lawn Fawn images to make a tag but didn't finish it. Today I looked at it and changed my mind and went with a side step card. Its a Lori Whitlock die for Sizzix. Great die to use up your scraps.

Lately I've been busy putting up Halloween in my stores. I can't believe that the holidays are almost here in a couple months. The year has gone by so fast!
Thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoy the Labor Day weekend holiday!!!

Sizzix ornament triplits and catching up

Hi!!! I've been meaning to post this card that I made several weeks ago but then something happened and I didn't get a chance to do it. Here's the card that I made using the new Sizzix ornament triplits. There are 9 dies in the package and you can make different sized ornaments. The card die I used is the majestic flip it die by Stephanie Barnard.

I even cut the part where you attach the hook to the ornament in gold metallic paper.

Well the other week, I ended up in the Kuakini ER again. I had taken new medication that didn't agree with me. I am such a weakling when it comes to medication. My husband and daughter took me to the ER because I could barely walk. And while I was there, the doctors were worried that I had a heart attack since the symptoms resembled a heart attack. They ran so many tests on me and kept me over night for more tests. Even a CAT scan on my brain. Everything came back negative so that was a big relief. I had to sleep with the Holter monitor again. The whole time I was in the hospital, I kept thinking that I wish I had my big shot machine with me. Lol!

Now that I'm back to normal, I made a Halloween card over the weekend. I saw this cute stamp set by Lawn Fawn at the store and the new Doodlebug papers so I knew what I wanted to make. I used vellum paper by Worldwin and embossed cute little stars over it. I used the clear Wink of Stella marker over the bunny and carrot even though you can't even see it in the photo. I'm so glad that I rep that line. They have a lot of new pens from Japan that just released before summer.

Thanks for sticking with me through this long blog post. Have a great week!!!

ECD accordion oval Christmas card

I've been working extra hours lately and I really wanted to make something with one of my Elizabeth Craft Designs dies so I finally sat down last week to play. Okay so, I must be uncoordinated because I had the hardest time figuring out how to put this accordion die together. No joke! I watched the youtube videos over and over to make sure I got it correct. Once I got it figured out, it was easy peasy. 

I used the new Sizzix triplits Christmas trees die set for all the trees. It's such a great deal because you get a total of 14 dies and you can make all these different Christmas trees.

Here's another tree from the same set. But I made this one into a card. The stamped sentiment is an older Hero Arts stamp. I'll probably make some tags for Christmas too.

I finally got to meet Colleen Kwan (another crafty blogger) who was visiting from the mainland. I wasn't planning on seeing anyone last weekend at the store. I just happened to walk in to drop something off and she was there shopping with her friend. So glad that we got to meet each other. She was so generous to bring us a bag of goodies. Thanks so much Colleen!!!
Hope you're all having a great weekend! It is so hot and I wish it would rain. Thanks for stopping by today!!!

Sushi shaker and gatefold tutorial

I've been having fun with Lawn Fawn's let it roll stamp set. Yesterday I made a shaker card using the sushi stamps and sequins from Doodlebug. I used scraps that I had lying around my craft table for the card base.

These colors make me happy!

I've had some requests for a tutorial on the card that I posted on the post below. So here goes and I hope I can explain it so you can follow along. I saw a video on Stephanie Barnard's you tube channel showing how she used a stand up die set called "elegant stand up"and made it into a gatefold card. This is what the die looks like.

Cut 2 pieces of card stock - 8 1/2" x 5 3/8". Place base die faced down on your cutting pad and weave the paper through the part of the die that has the part that will flip up. Make sure that you place the paper over the bottom of the die and not under because you don't want it to cut through where it supposed to cut. Instead, it will make a slight fold line. And make sure that you stop the opposite end of the paper where it supposed to make a score line. Do not go beyond that line. Center it well. Cut each piece separately. Do not cut both pieces together as it will cut through the scored part of the card.

This is what your cut piece will look like after you fold it on the fold line.

 You can also use one of the die pieces to cut a piece of paper to layer on the side of the card.

Glue the 2 middle sections together, one piece on top of the other.

This is what makes the gatefold part. You can also decorate the inside of the card.

Here is how the card looks when you close it.

This is the finished card.

Email me if you have any questions. Hope you have fun making this card!!!
Have a great day!!!