Inspirational Cards

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2015

I mail about 50 inspirational handmade cards a month and like to make them in batches. I will often gather up scraps left over from other handmade paper projects and use them in the creation of the new cards. If I am short on time I will use card stock as the card base and use the handmade papers as the accents. If you have been following the blog, you know that I always save my scraps….but in case you don’t have any handmade paper scraps, the instructions below will walk you through the process. I ran across these sentiment stamps from JustRite™ stamps and think they will be perfect for March’s batch of cards.

 

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
• Scraps of dark gold, tan, burgundy and olive green paper (think junk mail, etc.)
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
• Westcott® paper cutter & scissors,
• X-acto knife and cutting mat
• Score-Pal™
• Dies:  Spellbinders™ various decretive square designs
• Embossing folders
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• White card stock for card bases and scraps to stamp
• Envelopes for 4 ¼ x 5 ½ cards or use the AG template to create your own envelopes.
• Double sided foam tape or foam dots
• ½” sheer ribbon to match your handmade paper colors
• ColorBox Chalk™ Ink pads in colors to match your handmade paper colors
• Sentiment stamps of choice

Instructions:

1. Follow the directions for paper making found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books to create the colored slurry.
2. Create one (or more) sheet of thick paper per color.
3. When the sheets of colored paper are dry, die cut the decorative square shapes.
4. Cut, score and fold the white card stock to make A2 cards.
5. Emboss the front of the cards with the folders and Grand Calibur machine.
6. Stamp the sentiments onto scraps of white cardstock.
7. Cut to fit the die cut decorative squares.

Assemble the cards:

1. Cut a small slit in the left top fold of the embossed card front and then insert the ribbon through the slit, then tie a bow.
2. Attach the stamped sentiments to the decorative squares with tiny pieces of foam tape.
3. Attach the decorative squares to the right side of the cards with tiny pieces of foam tape.

The sentiments on this set of JustRite™ stamps will be perfect to cheer up the recipients:

   “Once you choose hope…anything is possible”

   “Every day holds the possibility of a miracle”

   “Hope is the last thing ever lost”

   “Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising ever time we fall.”

FYI, I created 10 of each of the cards: 5 people times 4 weeks will be used in March….the others will be set aside for future use. Hmmm….oh dear…. I forgot all about the March birthdays………. smile.

Happy Birthday Medallion Card

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2014

I have a close friend who is simply elegant in all that she does. Perhaps “classy” is a better word to describe her. I needed to create a special birthday card for her that would be elegant and classy. Her favorite colors are peach and burgundy. I hope you will like the card as much as she did.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
• Mold: the bottom of a glass bowl (secretly barrowed from her china cabinet) 
• Heat gun or a sunny window
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels, scissors, bone folder
• Beacon Quick Grip™ Adhesive, double sided foam tape or foam dots
• Scraps of peach and white paper (think colored junk mail, etc.)
• One 6 x12” Burgundy  90# card stock folded in half (I used World Win)
• Envelope for a 6 x 6” card
• Dies: Spellbinders™ Circles, CherryLynn Doily
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• ColorBox™ Chalk Ink pads in Peach and Stylist handle with white foam tips
• Happy Birthday stamp
• 18” each of peach and burgundy 1” sheer ribbon
• Spray bottle and water

Instructions:

1. Follow the direction for paper making and casting found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books to create one sheet each of light, medium and dark peach paper.
2. When paper is dry cut the doily from the dark colored peach paper.
3. Cut a large circle from the light peach paper (smaller than the doily).
4. Turn the bowl bottom up, lay this circle onto the bottom of the bowl and mist heavy with water.
5. Follow the directions for casting.
6. Dry the casting with the heat tool or in a sunny window.
7. When it is dry use the Stylist tool and foam tips to add a tiny amount of peach ink to bring out the texture of the casting.
8. Stamp happy birthday onto the light peach paper.
9. Use the small circle die to cut the sentiment.
10. Cut a slightly larger circle from the medium colored peach paper.

Assemble the card:

1. Attach the sentiment to the medium colored peach circle with Beacon Quick Grab™ adhesive.
2. Attach this to the center of the casting with foam tape.
3. Attach the casting to the doily with the adhesive.
4. Attach the doily to the front of the card with foam tape.
5. Tie a double bow with the ribbons.

Angel Baby Card

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2015


A close neighbor friend is expecting a new addition to their family. Knowing it will be a little girl gave me the perfect opportunity to use one of the Arnold Grummer’s Cotton Press Angel molds for a “welcome to the world little one” card to include with the baby gift. I will be framing the card for them later as an extra bonus. It will be a beautiful addition to her room.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
• AG Cotton Press Angel casting mold
• Scraps of white and pale grey blue paper (think junk mail, etc.)  Note - I matched the paint color they used in the baby’s room for the card background layer.
• Microwave, heat tool or a sunny window
• Blender, cello sponges and soft towels
• Westcott® Personal paper cutter, scissors
• Scor-Pal™
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• Die: Spellbinders S5-198 Tapestry
• Beacon QuickGrip™ & ZipDry™ Adhesive, & double sided tape, foam tape or foam dots
• 24” of 1 ½” sheer Iridescent White ribbon
• Clear Iridescent glitter
• White card stock scored and folded to make a 5 x 7” card
• ½ sheet of white card stock for the die cut or create sheets of handmade paper to use for the card and die cut
• Envelope for 5 x 7” card
• Pastels, chalks or powdered eye makeup and applicators (cotton swabs)

Instructions:

1. Follow the directions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create white slurry.
2. Create one (or more to use later) of the angle castings.
3. Dry the casting in the microwave, with a heat tool or in a sunny window.
4. Create pale blue grey slurry (or color of your choice), then create one sheet of heavy weight paper.
5. When the sheet of pale blue grey paper is dry cut it to 4 ½ x 6 ½” (save the scrap for a future project)
6. When the casting is dry, use the chalks to very lightly add color to the angel’s cheeks, mouth, eyes, hair and flowers.
7. Apply a thin coat of ZipDry™ adhesive to the angle’s wings.
8. Sprinkle the clear iridescent glitter onto the wings, and set aside to dry.
9. Cut the Tapestry die from the ½ sheet of card stock.

Assemble the card:

1. Layer and attach the Tapestry die cut to the pale blue gray paper with small pieces of foam tape or dots.
2. Cut the ribbon in half.
3. On the left side of the layers, attach the two pieces of ribbon to the back of the layers with Quick Grip™ adhesive.
4. Allow the adhesive to dry.
5. Tie a multi loop bow.
6. Attach the layers to the center of the folded card with small pieces of foam tape or dots.
7. Attach the angel casting to the right side of the card with QuickGrip™ adhesive.

I added the message “Welcome to the world little one” to the inside of the card.

Cherub Votive

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2015

Spring is just around the corner and things are beginning to bud here in SE AZ. We are lucky to have lots of sunshine and a long growing season. Thinking ahead to the delicious fruit and vegetables that my husband Charles grows every year inspired this project. I have a perfect place for it on the dining room sideboard.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
• Arnold Grummer Cotton Press Cherub casting mold
• Microwave, heat tool or a sunny window
• Blender, cello sponges and soft towels
• Scraps of white paper (think junk mail, etc.)
• Pastels, chalks or powered eye shadow (if you want to add a tiny bit of color) and applicator (cotton swab)
• Faux fruit candle ring
• Long steamed wine glass
• Battery operated votive candle
• Beacon QuickGrip™ Adhesive

Instructions:

1. Follow the directions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to cast two of the Cherub molds.
2. When the castings are dry use the pastels, chalks or powdered eye shadow to very lightly apply color to the casting. I chose to leave mine white.
3. Place the faux fruit ring around the bottom of the wine glass.
4. Use the QuickGrip™ to attach the two cherubs to the glass.
5. Place the battery votive candle into the glass.

Note: I always make extras when doing paper castings so that I have them on hand when I need a fast gift. I have also created the votive candle holder with fall or holiday themes - BEAUTIFUL!

Cherub Votive

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2015

Spring is just around the corner and things are beginning to bud here in SE AZ. We are lucky to have lots of sunshine and a long growing season. Thinking ahead to the delicious fruit and vegetables that my husband Charles grows every year inspired this project. I have a perfect place for it on the dining room sideboard.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
• Arnold Grummer Cotton Press Cherub casting mold
• Microwave, heat tool or a sunny window
• Blender, cello sponges and soft towels
• Scraps of white paper (think junk mail, etc.)
• Pastels, chalks or powered eye shadow (if you want to add a tiny bit of color) and applicator (cotton swab)
• Faux fruit candle ring
• Long steamed wine glass
• Battery operated votive candle
• Beacon QuickGrip™ Adhesive

Instructions:

1. Follow the directions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to cast two of the Cherub molds.
2. When the castings are dry use the pastels, chalks or powdered eye shadow to very lightly apply color to the casting. I chose to leave mine white.
3. Place the faux fruit ring around the bottom of the wine glass.
4. Use the QuickGrip™ to attach the two cherubs to the glass.
5. Place the battery votive candle into the glass.

Note: I always make extras when doing paper castings so that I have them on hand when I need a fast gift. I have also created the votive candle holder with fall or holiday themes - BEAUTIFUL!

Going Green

©Michele Emerson-Roberts  2015

All this talk these days about “going green” makes me smile. The Arnold Grummer Co., family and friends have been “green” for decades. Not only are we “green” by recycling, repurposing, and re-using, we are adding to the “green” in our wallets by making our own paper from items most people consider trash. What a winning combination that is!

With March’s Saint Patrick’s Day coming up, what better time to gather all those odds and ends of green scrap paper and get started on an Irish project or two.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
• Molds: R 004 Scottish Thistle, R 434 Celtic Harp, R 470 Celtic Knot Work, R 497 Celtic Flourish
• Microwave, heat gun or a sunny window
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels, paper cutter, scissors, bone folder, ruler
• Beacon Quick Grip™ Adhesive, double sided foam tape or foam dots
• Scraps of green and white paper (think colored junk mail, etc.)
• 4 sheets of 12 x 12” Forest Green 90# card stock (I used World Win)
• Scor-Pal™
• Westcott® personal paper cutter and scissors
• Envelopes
• Dies: Spellbinders™ Circles, CherryLynn Celtic Circles Stacker Frames
• Craftwell™  large Embossing Folder Décor Circles
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• ColorBox™ Chalk Ink pads in Warm Green and Olive Pastel and Stylus handle with white foam tips

Box Instructions:

1. Using two of the 12 x 12” pieces of dark green card stock create the box following the instructions available from www.oragami-fun.com (*save the two ½” strips to use in making the dark green casting.)
2. Check the grain of the card stock to determine the layout for folding, then cut four (slightly smaller than) 4 x 8” cards from one sheet of the 12 x 12” card stock.
3. Cut four of the middle size Celtic Circle dies from the dark green card stock (*save the scraps to use in making the dark green casting).
4. Fold the cards in half. Emboss the front of the card with the Décor Circle folder.
5. Follow the direction for paper making and casting found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books to create a sheet of light green paper.
6. When paper is dry cut four 3 ¼“circles and one middle size Celtic Circle die from the handmade paper.
7. Make more slurry and caste one each of the four molds in light green
8. Dry in the microwave, with the heat tool or place in a sunny window.
9. Make a small amount of dark green slurry and cast one thistle (*see notes), dry casting.
10. When castings are dry, use the Stylist and foam tips to add a small amount of Warm Green Chalk ink to bring out the texture and design of the light green castings.
11. Use the Olive Pastel Chalk ink for the dark green casting.

Assemble the cards and box:

1. Attach the light green castings to the dark green Celtic Circles dies with Quick Grab™ adhesive.
2. Attach the dark green Celtic Circles die to the 31/4” light green circles with foam tape or dots.
3. Attach the light green circles to the front of the embossed 4” cards. \
4. Attach the dark green thistle casting to the light green Celtic Circle die.
5. Attach the light green Celtic Circles die to the top of the box. Place the four cards and envelopes inside the box.

 
Cards Instructions


Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits
• Molds: R 004 Scottish Thistle
• Microwave, heat gun or a sunny window
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels, paper cutter, scissors, bone folder, ruler
• Quick Grab™ Adhesive, double sided foam tape or foam dots
• Scraps of green and white paper (think colored junk mail, etc.)
• One sheets of 12 x 12” Forest Green 90# card stock (I used World Win)
• Envelope for a 6 x 6” card
• Dies: CherryLynn Celtic Circles Stacker Frames
• Craftwell™  large Embossing Folder Décor Circles
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• ColorBox™ Chalk Ink pad in Warm Green and Stylist handle with white foam tips
• Light green gel pen

Instructions:

1.  Check the grain of the card stock to determine the layout for folding. 
2. Cut one 6 x 12” cards from one sheet of the 12 x 12” card stock.
3. Cut one of the middle sized Celtic Circle dies from the dark green card stock.
4. Fold the card in half. Emboss the front of the card with the Décor Circle folder.
5. Follow the direction for paper making and casting found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books to create a sheet of light green paper.
6. When the paper is dry cut one large Celtic Circle die.
7. Cut one middle size Celtic Circle die from the dark green card stock.
8. Make more light green slurry and caste one of the thistle molds, dry in the microwave, with the heat tool or place in a sunny window.  
9. When casting is dry, use the Stylist and foam tips to add a small amount of Warm Green Chalk ink to bring out the texture and design of the thistle casting.

Assemble the card:

1. Attach the light green castings to the dark green Celtic Circles die with Quick Grab™ adhesive.  
2. Attach the dark green Celtic Circles die to the large light green Celtic Circles die with foam tape or dots.
3. Attach the light green Celtic Circles die to the front of the embossed 6” cards.
4. Add an Irish blessing with a light green gel pen.

Tea Dyed Heart Card

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2015  


When you are in a hurry but really want a card that looks like it took a huge amount of time and effort, combine some Graphic 45™ paper and a tea dyed heart casting for a spectacular look! Make up dozens of different castings a head of time and assemble the cards in under 5 minutes!

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits  
• Microwave , heat tool or a sunny window
• Heart casting mold
• Blender, cello sponges and soft towels
• Scor-Pal™
• Westcott™ personal paper cutter and scissors
• 10 x 7” cream colored card stock folded to make a 5 x 7” card
• Envelope for the 5 x 7” card
• Vintage themed Graphic 45™ “cut a part” card stock
• Beacon QuickGrip™ Adhesive, double sided foam tape or dots
• Scraps of white or off white paper (think junk mail, etc.)
• Instant tea or coffee
• 12” of cream colored ¼” satin ribbon
• 5 x 7” floral themed embossing folder
• Spellbinders’ Grand Calibur™ machine
• BowEasy™

Instructions:

1. Follow the instructions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create one or more of the heart castings. Add a tiny pinch of the instant tea or coffee to the slurry or drop tiny specks into the mold as you create the casting.
2. Dry the casting.
3. Emboss the front of the card with the folder.
4. Assemble the card:
5. Attach the vintage Graphic 45 piece with tiny pieces of foam tape or dots to the front of the embossed card.
6. Use the BowEasy™ to tie a small bow with the ¼” satin ribbon.
7. Use the QuickGrip to attach the bow to the top of the tea dyed heart casting and to attach the heart to the front of the card.

NOTE: If you are mailing the card, I would fill the back of the casting with light spackle and let the spackle dry before attaching it to the card front. Mail the card in a padded envelope….or better yet hand deliver it to your “Valentine”.

I've been selected as a Bella Crafts Creative Team Member!

And I'm honored!

The Bella Crafts Creative Team members were announced here, and the first project I did for them is published here.

A Heart & Rose Box

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2015

I love paper casting using the many molds available from the Arnold Grummer website. When I created the heart paper castings a couple of weeks ago for the “Heart Potpourri Holder,” I also had several other projects in mind and cast additional hearts. (Note: I always make additional castings when I have the supplies out…..smile.) I had picked up the little wooden box and knew one of the many paper casting would be the perfect element for the top of the box. I actually had pieces of the dark red and dark green paper left from some other projects and used them for this project…… however the instruction below are to make new sheets of each as well as a new casting.

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits  
• Microwave , heat tool or a sunny window
• Heart casting mold
• Blender, cello sponges and soft towels
• Beacon ZipDry™ and QuickGrip™ Adhesive,
• Scraps of white, red, and dark green paper (think junk mail, etc.)
• Crumbled dried flower petals or old spices to add to the slurry for the casting.
• Dies: Spellbinders’ ™ spiral rose, CheeryLynn™ rose leaves
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• Red bottle acrylic paint
• 1” foam paint brush
• 3 ¼” wood box

Instructions:

1. Follow the instructions found in any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits to create one or more of the heart castings, a sheet of red paper and a sheet of dark green paper.
2. Dry the casting.
3. When the sheets of paper are dry die cut the roses and the leaves.  (Always save the scraps)
4. Follow the instructions found with the rose die to create one large rose and two tiny buds.
5. Paint the wood box with a light coat of the red acrylic paint.
6. Allow paint to dry.

Assembly:

1. Attach the heart casting to the top of the box with QuickGrip™ adhesive.
2. Attach the two leaves to the back of the large rose with ZipDry™ adhesive.
3. Attach the rose and two tiny buds to the top of the heart casting.
4. Place a small gift, a handful of “kisses” or a love note inside the box.

Happy Valentine Card

©Michele Emerson-Roberts 2015

I promised you in last week's post (P.S.....I Love You) that I would share the matching card. I did use the left over papers that were previously created but the instructions below are for making new sheets of handmade paper. Remember if you are making these folder hearts that the paper should be a bit on the thin side. The use of handmade paper adds a beautiful touch to everything. 

Supplies:

• Any of the Arnold Grummer™ paper making kits
• Blender, small strainer, cello sponges and soft towels
• Beacon Quick Grip™ Adhesive, double sided tape
• Scraps of red and white paper (think colored junk mail, etc.)
• Die: Nellie Snellen Accordion Heart die, Cheerylynn Happy Valentine’s Day dies
• Spellbinders Grand Calibur™ Machine
• Swirly hearts embossing folder
• Westcott® Personal paper cutter & scissors
• Scor-Pal™
• A2 white card and envelope (or use the AG envelope template and make a matching envelope)

Instructions:

1. Follow the direction for paper making found in any of the Arnold Grummer paper making kits or books to make slurry from the white and red scraps.
2. Create one sheet of white paper and one sheet of red paper. Allow the paper to dry.
3. Cut and follow the direction provided with the heart die to create one each red and white hearts.
4. Cut the words from red handmade paper. Save the scraps for future projects.
5. Emboss the front of the card.
6. Use the Beacon Quick Grip™ adhesive to attach the two hearts and the words to the front of the card.
7. Add a “love note” and give to your Valentine!