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TUTORIALS
WOW #167: A “Two for One” System
Do you ever sit down at your craft table just to create a quick card? I sure do…and all too often, it’s a “last minute” thing for me. I’m not sure why, with all of the crafting and card-making I do, I often find myself in need of a card when I’m ready to walk out the door to a party or gathering. This is a habit I’d really like to break, and I’ve found that the best way to work ahead and be more prepared is to start incorporating a “two for one” system. The plan is simple – every time I pull out supplies to create a card, I’m going to make another card at the same time – it can be an exact replica or just use the same supplies, or even the same design. Here’s what I mean:
Recently, I needed one baby boy card to give to a friend. I pulled out my brand new “Bundle of Joy” collection from Echo Park Paper Company. I decided which elements I wanted to use and put together a card. While I had all of the supplies already out, I used similar elements to create a second card.
I used the “mirror image” of the design, along with similar elements. The cards are not exactly the same, but since I had everything at my fingertips, the second card went together really quickly! I’ll put the extra card in my basket and save it for future use.
Now I want to challenge YOU to start incorporating the “two for one” system every time you create a card. I bet you’ll build up your card supply in no time and you’ll avoid those last-minute card making sessions altogether!
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Wendy Sue Anderson
WOW #166: Paper Lantern Project
I don’t know about you, but I am getting really anxious for some warm evenings. Unfortunately, I think I have a long wait ahead of me. So, to appease myself, I’m working on some fun summer-ish projects and I’d love to share one of them with you!
I love sitting outside in my backyard during the summertime, enjoying a warm campfire…but when a fire isnt’ possible, I love the soft glow of lanterns around the yard.
Now, these little lanterns aren’t going to hold up outside, but they sure would be cute to decorate for a party. Plus, they are simple enough that even the kids could help you make a bunch of them! Here’s how:
1. Gather supplies: score board and tool, paper cutter, 6×6 paper, ribbon, strong adhesive, stapler
2. Choose two coordinating 6×6 papers (these are from Basic Grey’s “Hipster” pad)
3. Choose one paper for the lantern and score at 3″ and fold in half.
4. With the paper folded in half, cut every 1/2.” Be sure to cut through the folded portion, but leave about 1/2″ of uncut paper at the bottom (the opening) of the folded piece.
5. Open the cut paper and roll it as shown. Overlap the two ends and staple to secure.
6. Now cut a piece of ribbon for the handle. I used about 5 inches. Staple to the inside of the lantern top.
6. Next, cut three strips (3/4″ x 6″) from the coordinating paper.
7. Add strong adhesive to the back side of the three strips.
8. Wrap the first strip around the top of the lantern.
9. Now wrap the second strip around the bottom of the lantern.
10. To finish the lantern, add the third strip to the inside of the top. This will cover the staples and the ribbon ends. 
See how easy? And so cute! They are darling with little battery operated lights sitting in the bases. Can you picture several lined up on a mantle? Or how about a few hanging garland-style? Have you ever made lanterns like these? If you decide to give them a try, we’d love to see your version!
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Wendy Sue Anderson
WOW #165: Triangle Border
I just love browsing through blogs and websites for crafting inspiration! One of my favorite (and I bet yours too) places to visit is Pinterest. That’s where I found this neat image:
I just loved the colorful triangles in the design of this skirt. I clicked on the image and traced it back to this creative blog.
I am not a seamstress, but that didn’t stop me from being inspired. Here’s how I translated her fun design into a scrapbook page:
It was really easy to create this fun & colorful border! Here’s how:
1. Choose your papers – I opted for five different patterned papers from this 6×6 pad by BasicGrey. Of course you can cut full size papers down to any size you want, but I love starting with the 6″ squares!
2. Cut each square in half so you’ll have a collection of 3″ x 6″ papers (you’ll only need 5 if you’re creating an 8 1/2″ x 11″ layout, but you’ll need more for a 12″x12″).
3. Now mark the center of each paper block (at 1 1/2″ in this case). After each block is marked, cut from the mark to each of the opposite corners to create tall triangles.
4. Now mark the center of your background paper (white cardstock in this case) and place the first triangle so it’s centered on the layout.
5. Go ahead and add the rest of the triangles as shown.
6. You will notice there are two empty spaces on the left and right edges. Add some of the cut pieces to fill in the space. Add adhesive to all of the pieces. After the spacing is adjusted and everything is attached, flip over the layout and cut off the pieces that are hanging over the edges.
7. This step is optional – but those of you who are familiar with my work know that I rarely complete a layout without adding some machine stitching. I just love the handmade feel it adds to my projects. So, if you choose, you can stitch around the edges of each triangle.
That’s it! Now you can build the rest of your layout by adding the photo and journaling as well as any additional elements such as a border sticker, tags, letter stickers, etc.
I hope you found this tutorial helpful! If you create a triangle border on a layout, I would love to see it! Please link it up in the comments!
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Wendy Sue Anderson
WOW #164: A photo bag {& a studio calico giveaway!}
My mother in law is one of the few people I know who does not have access to the internet. I really wish she did because she lives far away from us and it would be so nice to be able to stay in touch with her through e-mail, our family blog, and so many other amazing options. Unfortunately, it’s not my choice…it’s hers. So we share photos of the kids with her the old-fashioned way – print them out and mail them off. Usually I just tuck them in a card or an envelope and send them off, but once in a while, I like to package them up with a little flair – and that’s what I’d love to share with you today – a sweet little photo bag!
Now, before you dismiss this entire post because everyone YOU know has the internet and that’s how you share photos…think of the other possibilities – this same project would make a sweet little treat bag, substitute as an envelope for a card, or even make a cute pocket on a scrapbook page. Okay, let me show you how fun these are!
To get started, I downloaded this cute bag shape by Lori Whitlock from the Silhouette store. I resized it so the left portion (front) of the bag is slightly larger than 4″ since I want to tuck in several 4″ x 6″ photos.
I cut the bag out of cute, but simple, patterned paper.
Then I folded it along the scored lines and added adhesive to the flaps. Super easy – and it’s cute already!
Next, I cut a wide strip of coordinating patterned paper to wrap around the bag.
I wanted a bit more texture, so I tied ribbon around the bag too.
I added this cute camera rub-on to the corner of the paper I used for the bag and then I trimmed around it by hand.
Next, I used these cute little adhesive dots to add a bit of color and texture to my camera.
I added foam adhesive to the back of the camera and added it to the bag wrap.
As a final touch – I added an additional rub-on to the bottom corner of the bag.
All done!
Now it’s time to add some photos for Grandma and mail her a little surprise!
All of the supplies I used to create my little photo bag were part of the newest Studio Calico Scrapbooking Kit called “Neverland.” Here’s a peek at the entire kit:
It’s beautiful, right?!? Guess what? Studio Calico has generously donated a kit for us to share with one of our lucky blog readers! To be eligible to win, simply leave a comment on this post telling us the first thing that pops into your head when you hear the word “Neverland!” Good luck! The winner will be announced on the next WOW post – so be sure to check back to see if you are the lucky winner!
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Wendy Sue Anderson
WOW #163: Printing directly onto journaling cards
This isn’t a ground-breaking technique or anything…I certainly didn’t figure it out on my own, and I would never pretend to take credit for it…but I’m surprised how many people ask me, “How in the world did you do that?” when they see that I have printed text directly on to my journaling cards. So, just in case there are a few of you wondering how…I thought I’d share how I do it!
Start by choosing a journaling card and measure it. Using Microsoft Word (or whatever word processing program you use), create a text box in the same dimensions as the journaling card
If there is something on the journaling card that you don’t want to type text over, you have two choices – you can “eyeball” it, and just adjust it by hand, or you can insert a shape to represent the image.
Since there are flags along the top 1 ¼” of my card, I simply hit “enter” enough times to put my first line down 1 ¼” from the top
.
The other option is to add a “shape” wherever you see an image on the paper card. This will allow you to type “around” the printed images on your card.
There is also a border around the edges – about ¼” all the way around – so I want to make sure my text doesn’t overlap there either. I created a second text box that is 1/4″ smaller than the edges of the first text box.
If your card has lines on it, you will probably just have to experiment with the font size and spacing – type your journaling and print it out, then using a light source behind your paper, lay the journaling card over the top to see how the lines look.
When you are happy with the way the text fits on your card, change the color of the lines on your text boxes to white.
Attach the card directly OVER the printed piece using temporary adhesive or, my new favorite, washi tape! Just make sure the tape doesn’t cover any of the area you will be printing on.
And remove it immediately after you’ve printed so it will come off cleanly and easily.
That’s it! Now you can add your freshly printed journaling card to your project.
{The fun journaling card I used here is from Echo Park Paper}
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Wendy Sue Anderson
WOW #162: Custom Eye Chart Valentines
I’ll be the first to admit it – I am a procrastinator. It seems that no matter how I try to schedule and work ahead, I’m always doing something at the last minute. Today, it’s Valentines. Of course, I’m not calling it 100% procrastination because I still have well over 12 hours before these are needed. 
Seriously, though, if you are looking for a fun last-minute idea, I hope this will help. Keep in mind, though, that this same concept could be used for ANY type of project ANY time – not just Valentine’s Day! Here’s a peek at the Valentine I created for my son to share with his friends:
Here’s how I made them:
First, I found this fun website – Custom Eye Chart Maker - that lets you enter whatever text you wish and then it generates an eye chart! I simply entered “Happy Valentines Day!! From Zach” and this is the result:
I saved the image, opened it up in photoshop, and printed several of the eye charts.
After I finished that, I turned to my trusty Silhouette Cameo and cut out an equal amount of these eye glass die-cuts. After all, why should Halloween be the only holiday where kids can wear a disguise?!?
Next, I gathered my supplies, including these fun patterned papers from BoBunny - They are Valentine-themed, but not too girly…love that!
I trimmed some patterned paper slightly larger than the eye charts.
Using my sewing machine and black thread, I made the eye charts into pockets.
The recipient will need a way to hook the glasses onto the stick, so a bit of washi tape is an easy solution.
I added a small strip to the bottom of the eye chart – the name tag will cover the washi tape, so it might be a good idea to add a little slip of paper with instructions if you or your child won’t be around to demonstrate the assembly.
Now I could tuck the glasses and the extra long “sucker stick” into the pocket.
And there you go – just add the recipient names to the little tags (also cut from BoBunny papers).
Happy Valentine’s Day!
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Wendy Sue Anderson
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