Popular Cards for Teachers

We all like to know that we are appreciated from time to time. Especially when we put our heart and soul into what we are doing. Big expensive gifts are nice too, but often a heartfelt card that shows you took the time and effort to express your thanks is even better.

We have 2 cards that are really popular for those special teachers in your child's life. The School Paper Easel Card and The Teacher's Desk Easel Card.


School Paper Easel Card

 

 

 

 

The fun thing with these easel cards is they display beautifully on a shelf and are a perfect fit to a classroom decor. But it's when you add your personal note of thanks on the base that it becomes a treasured keepsake for the teacher.

Teachers Desk Easel Card

 

 

In your note you might want to add specific memories or special help that the teacher provided. If you child looked forward to school everyday, saw great improvement in a particular area, those are nice things to include also. 
The School Paper Easel Card




 The Teacher's Desk Easel Card

 

 

A Big Bouquet of Garden BUGS!



Send a hug in bug bouquet.

Who doesn't love bouquets of flowers, plants with cute pokes and encouraging notes tucked in among a cute arrangement of....BUGS! You might even add some paper flowers and make it the perfect summertime hostess gift. 

These goofy little garden critters are only to happy to join you at your BBQ, picnic or patio. And I promise they don't eat much either.

 Just tuck them in a plant or mason jar filled with shred.  They're guaranteed to bring smiles to the table.

Bugs and photos by Kristin Courtney

See some other ideas for making paper bouquets and using straws as colorful picks.

Find the each of the bugs here...

Bugs & Things and Dragonfly Wings

New Paper Pop Up Photo Frames

Sometimes a great idea comes from trying to solve a personal need. I've been restyling my office/craft space and have long wanted a classy way to display all the random photos of kids and grandkids.  



These look so real your friends will have to pick them up and touch them to believe they are actually made out of cardstock. My friends did!

I needed frames that were sturdy, that didn't look too artsy craftsy and would allow me to change out the photos from time to time. I filled a waste basket full of proto types before hitting on the right method and technique. The simplicity was a huge bonus. And I'm loving that I can make all the frames I need.

 Paper Pop Up Photo Frames

Paper Pop Up Photo Frames


These easy to assemble frames have a 3 dimensional look and don't require a lot of fuss. The use of Pop-Dots gives depth and that hand carved look of a wooden frame. One simple layer of chipboard backing provides the durability. This is a great pattern even if you are handcutting.

 The full color photo tutorial included in the download shows the simple hinge technique for the back layers. It creates an easy way to change the photos whenever you choose, yet the layers remain flat.

 Now I have a abundance of frames and will be making many more to fill my photo shelf. 

Paper Pop Up Photo Frames

My Scrap Chick Belly Box Tutorial

Meet our newest addition to the Belly Box lineup, My Scrap Chick.  She's our thank you gift to all of you after our big Belly Box giveaway on facebook where so many of you helped promote our popular Belly Boxes. We want everyone to win so we came up with this idea to share a belly box for free.

 

 

T U T O R I A L  for Belly Boxes....



Cut out all your pattern pieces. Pre-fold all the score lines for the box back and box front.  The box back will be a valley fold, the box front will be all mountain folds.



Now is a good time to ink the edges if you plan to. After inking I find it easiest to add all the parts and pieces to front and back sections of the box before putting them together. This allows me to work with the sections laying flat on my surface,

 



Once the front and back are decorated with the parts, flip the box front (belly) over as shown. The decorated side of the box will be face down. Add glue to the inside box bottom then attach the front flap of box back.

 

 



Now your box should be one piece as shown above and you are ready to glue the side tabs. This is a good time to re-crease all the folds and tabs before glueing.

Flip the entire box over as shown and add glue to the side tabs

 



Fold up the sides and the belly front and adhere tabs to box front. Then do the same with the tabs for back of box.





And now your box is ready to fill with goodies.

 

Now keep in mind, we just love the pink and black but this cute chick would be cute in any color you like. It's fun too, to mix things up with printed papers. Whatever you choose, have fun!!

My Scrap Chick Belly Box is available as a Free Download

 

No more white edges on print and cut images.

Print and cut images are a great time saver and fun option for paper crafters. They work great as embellishments or as the focal point of handmade cards, scrapbook pages and party decor.

 

 

We're all passionate about making our cards and projects look just perfect. Here's a little trick to help hide all those white cut marks along the edge and create a polished look. This is especially helpful when you plan to add your print and cut image to a dark background.

 

This is also a  really useful technique for those times your cutting machine leaves a bit of a white outline. It will save a lot of ink and paper not having to recut.

 

The image above is a print and cut with a brown outline. You can see the white edges that look prominent against a dark background.  And on the tip of the cone you can also see where I left a bit of a white outline. Below shows the same image after applying the quick fix. 

All the white cut marks disappear. Even the tip of the cone where there was white left along my cutting outline is now gone quick as a wink.

 

And here's the easy fix.....

 Use a copic marker or any colored marker with a bullet point to do this. Pick a color that matches closely to the image's outline. The Kawaii images I'm using here have brown outlines so I chose a brown copic marker.  Run the edge of marker around the edge of the image.

 

Using the wide edge of the marker lets you quickly run along, coloring the edges. The fine tip of the bullet point is great for getting in the corners and small spaces.

 

**I always work from the back of the print and cut so I have more control. This also helps prevent getting accidental marks on the front.

 Use this easy fix anytime you want to add a beautiful finished look to your print and cut images.

 

Cutting files used here are from MyScrapChick's  Kawaii Treatkins™

Enjoy!

Paper Bouquets

A big splashy bouquet full of well wishes is always a welcome gift. And this colorful PAPER bouquet will never wilt or drop it's petals.

 

 

 

 

We used our 3D stars, Easy Rosettes and Snowflake Rosettes to make these cheerful bouquets. Adding glitter to the snowflakes and rosettes added a touch of glitz!

 

We also added printed quotes mounted on cardstock and tucked those into the mason jars. You would be amazed at how simple and quick it was to put this all together. If you're wondering how to attach these pretties to a paper straw along with a few other tips check this tutorial on the previous post.

Tips for Creating Paper Bouquets

See how to easily use paper party straws like "florist picks" plus create extra tall "picks" and arrange it all in a mason jar.

 

 

Attaching straws to 3D Puffy Star....

 

 

 

Add height to your arrangement by creating taller picks using 2 paper straws together....

 

 

 

 

Using craft foam and mason jars to make your arrangement stay put....

 

 

Now that you have your straw picks all done up and the mason jar is ready, begin arranging your paper items into a bouquet by inserting the straws into the foam. Trim the ends of the straws as needed just as you would when arranging flowers. The craft foam will hold your arrangement in place. Top the jar off with a little more paper shred to cover the craft foam.

 

Spooky sweet inspiration for Halloween treats.

Our design team always comes up with such Boo-tiful Halloween treats. Stop for a spell and take a peek at their Spook-tacular ideas. Okay, I'll stop, I know this is starting to sound corny.

 

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Candy Corn Gift Box
 
Designed using Halloween Treat Boxes
Visit Kristin's blog Paper Creations by Kristin 

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Frankly You're Sweet Treat Box

Designed using Frankenstein Treat Belly Box
Visit Sandra's blog Luv Scrappin Together

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Fall Card

Designed using Fall Card
Visit Melissa's blog M. Miranda Creations

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Frightening Cute Fall Cute

Designed using Harvest Treat Toppers and Cards
Visit Cheryl's  blog at Dragonfly Designs.

If you're in need of a few more cute titles or quotes for your papercrafting designs here's a few that might just work like magic.

 
Spook-tacular

Eat, drink and be scary

Ghouls Night Out

Boo-tiful

If the broom fits, ride it.

Laughter shakes the sawdust out of stuffed shirts. (For scarecrows)

You put a spell on me.

"I'm so happy that Halloween falls on a Wednesday this year!" said no teacher ever. 

Frightfully Delightful

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Join us in our  MyScrapChick Makers Group on Facebook.

Delicious Autumn Colors and Cutting Files

When you think autumn you think of color! Our designers, Cheryl, Becki and Kristin, provided beautiful samples of various color palettes for the fall season. Each one used the large box from the Blessings Trio. It's a great example of how one file can have so many looks with just different colors and papers.

 

 

Warm whites and brights.The lighter warm colors for the base and panels along with richer colors for the paper acorn accents provide a beautiful holder for the spray of autumn leaves. Cheryl's Blog

 

 

 Classy blues on browns.

The touch of blue is a nice addition to the traditional colors of fall. This classy color combo makes a nice host and hostess gift. As Becki says, "Perfect to fill and take with you to Thanksgiving dinner..." Becki's Blog

The Clean & Bright Fall Colors.

The bright colors just speak smiles and of good things inside. Kristin's Blog

 

 

My Scrap Chick Blessings Trio

Designer Spotlight: Melissa

Melissa is our featured designer today.  Browse a few of her projects from the past few months. We also asked her questions about her paper crafting to learn a little bit more about her creative world. 

Melissa happily shared that information and you will likely find helpful tips in her following answers.  



Nativity Tags
3 Nativity Sets
These sets have so many characters and are whimsical and fun!
They are the best Nativity cut files I have ever come across. 

What are your go-to paper crafting products & supplies
that you can't live without?

1. My Scotch Quick-Dry Adhesive is a must have. It is perfect for putting together all my 3D projects. It has just the perfect drying time for me - it doesn’t dry so quick that I can’t make adjustments, but it also doesn’t require me to hold something in place to dry for long periods of time either.

See the full details on Melissa's Blog

2. I like dimension, so I have to have my pop dots and my ink pads. Both of these add dimension to a product in two different ways. Inked edges give depth to your colors. And pop dots allow you to add layers.

3. Patterned Paper from my favorite companies - Doodlebug Design, My Mind’s Eye, Graphic 45, Echo Park, and Carta Bella are probably my top 5 brands that I use the most. I use many other brands as well though.

4. My Sakura White Gelly Roll Pen - Especially when my cut file includes eyes. It is the white pen that makes the eyes come alive.

5. And most importantly is my Cutting Machine - I had a machine recently that had broke down after much use and my crafting basically came to a halt until I replaced it. I had been dabbling in paper crafting for many years; but when I bought my first machine, I found my niche in the paper crafting realm!


What type of cutting machine do you use?
My newest cutting machine is the Silhouette Cameo. I have had it a month or so and I am very much enjoying it. My last machine was the Sizzix Eclips. That machine was also a very nice machine to have!


"Be Mine" Gable Box
Gable Box

Melissa Favorites: The Gable Box and Pour Box - The gable box because it is super simple to put together being one piece and the pour box because it is unique. Both boxes can be easily decorated for many different occasions.
See details for this project on Melissa's Blog.
 

Sweet Easter Treat Box
Pour Box
See details on Melissa's Blog
 

What are you 2 top favorite types of projects?
("I had to share my favorite 3 :) ~ Melissa)

Cards - I enjoy making my own cards. There is nothing better than giving a card to someone else that I have personally made. I love to see the smile it brings to someone else.
3D projects - These are what bring a smile to my face. I think it is incredible to start with a flat piece of paper and see it take shape.
I also have to add tags here. I like taking such a small piece of paper and giving it life. I always feel like tags are miniature pieces of art.



Sweet Scarecrow
Fall Treat Boxes

"I actually enjoy all of the fall season and not just Halloween. I think the Scarecrows in the Fall Treat Box set are adorable. The faces on these files can be used for the treat boxes or they can be sized to fit on cards or other projects."
 See details on Melissa's Blog

School's Out!
Fruit Vol. 1
Sunflower Greetings

Melissa Favorites: The many card kits such as Winter Faces, Spring Faces, Gift Card Holders for Christmas, Sunflower Greetings, the Crab card, the Turtle card, and so many more. I do not like making multitudes of the same card, but sometimes it is a necessity. It is nice to have so many wonderful choices of cards that have all the pieces already there for you - just cut and assemble
See details for this card on Melissa's Blog
 

Little Bunnies Carrot Box
Carrot Box & Spring Bunnies
See details on Melissa's Blog

 

 

Scaredy Cat says Boo!
Scaredy Cat

I am a huge fan of all the fun projects that can be made at Halloween and MSC has many cute Halloween files, but my favorite has to be the Scaredy Cat file. It just makes me smile!
See more details on Melissa's Blog



Describe your style.
I don’t know that I could pinpoint one particular style that I lean toward. Creating for me is a mixture of the materials I have before me, the potential recipient of my project, and the message I want to convey when the project is complete.


We so enjoy Melissa's projects and hope you stop by her blog for more inspiration.

Be sure to visit Melissa's Blog
I Like To Create

 

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