Steph Ackerman, Author at Ann Butler Designs

September 6, 2016 By Steph Ackerman Leave a Comment

DIY Monogrammed Stamped Planner

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today with a DIY Monogrammed Stamped Planner using Ann Butler Design’s products.

You’ve seen all the planners on the market. You’ve seen all the amazing ways people have been decorating their planners. But what if those planners aren’t what you want? What if they aren’t your style? Let me show you how easy it is to create your own planner.

Supplies:

ColorBox Crafter’s® by Ann Butler – Tangelo, Sunshine, Desert Sand, Aquamarine
Ann Butler Designs Faux Quilting Stamps from Unity Stamps – 2″ Stripes.Dots. Hearts.
EZ De’s Stamps – Flourish 2″ABCs
JoyClair Stamps – Butterfly Kisses
Beacon Adhesive– Fabri-Tac
May Arts Ribbon
Spellbinders dies

I picked up a planner in the dollar store (it’s amazing what you can find there) and thought it would a fun DIY project.

I covered the front cover with black cardstock, then went to work designing the cover. Using 3 stamps from the 2″ stamp set, I stamped them in 3 different colors.

I cut the strips to fit the cover, inking the edges of each strip before adding them to the front.

To finish off the left edge, I used Fabri-Tac to adhere a strip of May Arts pearl lace.

To finish off the right edge, I used a double layer of Spellbinders dies. For the center, I then used oval dies and added a stamped initial in the center.

This is a really great way to personalize planners for yourself and all your friends. Think of all the variety of planners you can create.

I hope I’ve inspired you to create your own DIY Planner today.

Thanks for stopping by today.

August 25, 2016 By Steph Ackerman Leave a Comment

Happy Birthday Stenciled Balloon Card

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today with a happy stenciled birthday balloon card using fabulous products from Ann Butler Designs.

Supplies:

ColorBox Crafter’s® by Ann Butler – Blueberry, Canyon,
ColorBox Art Screen by Ann Butler – Stars
Ann Butler Designs Faux Quilting Stamps from Unity Stamps
JoyClair Stamps – Everyday Sentiments
Beacon Adhesive – Premium Tacky Glue
Spellbinders dies
The Twinery Twine

Begin by painting several colors of Crafter’s Ink through the Stars Art Screen on the card base. This created a nice 3-dimensional effect on the card.

Ink stamps with Canyon, Blueberry and then use a punch to create the balloons. Tie twine to each.

Die cut white cardstock circles and ink edges. Then mat with a larger navy circle and adhere to card front. Stamp Happy Birthday with Blueberry ink.

Add the balloons and sentiment with foam adhesives for dimension.

This is a fun way to use the faux quilting stamps don’t you think?

Thanks for visiting today.

August 11, 2016 By Steph Ackerman Leave a Comment

Butterfly Note Card

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today with a quick Butterfly Note Card using fabulous products from Ann Butler Designs.

Supplies:

ColorBox Crafter’s® by Ann Butler – Berry, Deep Woods, Tangelo
JoyClair Stamps – Everyday Sentiments
Scor-Pal
Bazzill cardstock
Gina’s Chipboard
Beacon Adhesive – Premium Tacky Glue
May Arts ribbon

Using Scor-Pal, create a 4″ x 5″ card from green cardstock.

Cut black and white cardstock to fit the card base.

Ink the white panel with Berry Ink.

Wrap the panels with ribbon before adhering to the card.

Ink the chipboard circle with Deep Woods and Berry Inks. Add clear embossing powder and heat set.

Ink another butterfly with Berry and Tangelo Inks and another leaf spray with Deep Woods. Add clear embossing powder and heat set.

Add these 2 pieces to the base circle, slightly bending the butterfly so that it appears to be in flight.

Add to card overlapping the ribbon.

Stamp a sentiment with Deep Woods Ink. Add clear embossing powder and heat set.

Ink the edges with Berry Ink and mat with green and black cardstock.

Add to card with foam adhesives for dimension.

What are you creating today?

July 19, 2016 By Steph Ackerman Leave a Comment

Monogrammed Gift Card Set

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today with a Monogrammed Gift Card Set using fabulous products from Ann Butler Designs.

Supplies:

ColorBox® Background Basics by Ann Butler – Checks 1
ColorBox Crafter’s® by Ann Butler – Canyon
EZ-De’s Stamps – 2″ Flourish
Scor-Pal
Bazzill cardstock
Prima Flowers
Hero Arts sentiments
Spellbinders dies

I wanted to create mini cards so I cut black cardstock 3″ x 6″ and scored to create 3″ x 3″ cards. Using the Checks 1 Background Stamp with Canyon Ink, I stamped it 3 times on white cardstock, then inked the edges before assembling the cards. This stamp was the perfect size for 3″ x 3″ mini cards.

I added flowers and an assortment of die cut sentiments on each card. The sentiments were also stamped with Canyon Ink and then matted with black die cuts for a pop of color.

Next, I needed to create a little bag to hold the cards so it could be given as a gift. Using my Scor-Pal, I scored black cardstock to create the bag, adding a 1″ handle. Additional stamped backgrounds were added to the front and back of the bag to coordinate with the cards. A monogram was also stamped with Canyon Ink, die cut and adhered to the front of the bag.

The 3 cards fit perfectly inside.

I think this would be a perfect gift set for a friend or even a teacher, don’t you think? Just change up the monogramm so you can create a personalized Monogrammed Gift Card Set for the recipient.

What will you create today?

Thanks for stopping by today.

July 12, 2016 By Steph Ackerman 1 Comment

Stamped Patchwork Friendship Cards

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today to share 2 stamped patchwork friendship cards.

Supplies:

Ann Butler Designs Crafter’s Ink – Berry, Desert Sand, Canyon, Blueberry, Deep Woods, Ocean Breeze, Tangelo
Ann Butler Designs for Unity Stamps – 1″ Diamonds and Plaids; 1″ Leaves All Over
Spellbinders Dies
Joy Clair Stamp
Machine Stitching

These Unity Faux Quilting Stamps are perfect for creating faux quilted patchwork background for cards.

I stamped rows of the 1″ stamps in assorted colors. Then I used a 1″ punch to punch squares from each strip. Each square was then inked with Desert Sand.

I placed the squares on black cardstock and then machine stitched between them. To finish them off, sheer black ribbon was tied around the cards.

Sentiments from JoyClair were stamped in Ocean Breeze and Canyon and then die cut to fit the card front. I inked the ovals with Desert Sand before adhering them to a larger black die cut. For dimension, the ovals were added to the card with foam adhesives.

Next time you need a perfect background, think about using these faux quilting stamps.

July 4, 2016 By Steph Ackerman Leave a Comment

Stenciled Patriotic Card

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today wishing you a Happy 4th of July with a Stenciled Patriotic Card.

Supplies:

ColorBox Crafter’s® by Ann Butler Designs – Blueberry, Canyon
ColorBox® Art Screens – By Ann Butler Designs – Stars
ColorBox® Crafter’s Full Size Inkpad – Stone
Magnolia Stamp
Spellbinders dies
Ribbon

I had this wonderful Magnolia stamp (I’m calling her Miss Liberty) so I used a water brush with inks to color her. Using a water brush allows you to add color exactly where you need it. And you can pick up the inks from the edges of the stamp pads.

Once my stamped image was colored, I die cut it with Spellbinder’s dies. Canyon Ink was used around the oval before matting with a larger die. The background was created by inking the Stars Art Screen with Canyon and Stone Crafter’s Inks using art daubers.

I inked the panel with Canyon Crafter’s Ink before matting it with black cardstock. Sheer black ribbon was tied around the panel before adhering it to the card. Then I adhered Miss Liberty in place.

Thanks for stopping by.

June 28, 2016 By Steph Ackerman Leave a Comment

Faux Stitched Backgrounds for Cards

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today with 2 cards using the new Stitch Stamps. These stamps, at approximately 4″ long, are perfect for stamping faux stitches on your creations. I decided to use them to create backgrounds for my cards.

Supplies:

ColorBox Crafter’s® by Ann Butler – Desert Sand, Blueberry, Lilac
ColorBox® Background Basics by Ann Butler – Stitch Stamps
Joy Clair Stamps
Couture Creations Embossing Folder
Spellbinders dies
Ribbon

After cutting white cardstock to size, I repeatedly stamped the Stitch Stamps with Blueberry Ink. I inked around the panel with Desert Stand and matted the panel with black cardstock. Before adding the panel to the card with foam adhesives I wrapped the panel with ribbon. A sentiment from JoyClair stamps was added to the card under the ribbon.

Cutting purple cardstock to fit my card, I embossed it and then lightly inked it with Lilac Ink. Using the same Stitch Stamps with Lilac Ink, I stamped a panel of white cardstock. After matting it with black cardstock I wrapped it with purple ribbon and added it to the card with foam adhesives. I die cut the sentiment, adding it to the card with foam adhesives.

These stamps created fun backgrounds for my cards. Thanks for stopping by.

May 31, 2016 By Steph Ackerman Leave a Comment

Father’s Day Canvas

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today to share a mini Father’s Day Canvas that I created to celebrate Father’s Day.

Supplies:

Ann Butler Designs Crafter’s Ink – Desert Sand
Ann Butler Designs Iridescents – Onyx
Ann Butler Designs for Unity Stamps – 2″ Doily Picnic
Earth Safe Finishes Gel Medium
ColorBox Crafter’s Ink – Night
ColorBox Embossing Powder – Clear
Gina’s Designs Chipboard
Joy Clair Stamp

I began by mixing Onyx Iridescents with Gel Medium.

I randomly painted the mixture on my canvas. White still wet, I added some lines with a spatula. A little of this mixture goes a long way so be sure to have plenty of surfaces on hand that can be used in future projects. Once dry, you will have a nice 3-dimensional appearance. See my prior post on how I also used this mixture.

Once dry, I randomly stamped about the canvas with Night Ink.

Using Desert Sand I inked and embossed assorted chipboard elements then grouped them on the canvas.

A Father’s Day sentiment from Joy Clair Designs plus scrabble letters spelling dad finished the canvas.

The texture on this canvas looks amazing.

Thanks for stopping by today.

May 24, 2016 By Steph Ackerman Leave a Comment

For You Gift Bag and Card

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today with a fun card and matching gift bag just right for dad. Father’s Day is coming up fast so why not create something special just for him.

Supplies:

Ann Butler Designs Crafter’s Ink – Aquamarine, Canyon, Desert Sand
Ann Butler Designs for Unity Stamps – 1″ Doily Picnic, l” Leaves All Over
Spellbinders dies

Using the 1″ stamps it’s easy to create a variety of patterns. Simply ink the stamps and rotate them on the cardstock to create different looks.

Once I stamped a number of images, I cut them into 1″ strips. for dimension I inked each strip with Canyon Ink and adhered them to layers of white and kraft cardstock. A die cut oval was centered the card and #1 Dad was stamped with Canyon Ink.

The Gift Bag was created the same way. I just inked the edges of the kraft cardstock with Desert Sand and also the edges of the gift bag when I was done. A Spellbinders phrase was added atop the center ovals and ribbon tied the bag closed.

This bag is perfect for adding a little something for dad – perhaps a favorite candy bar, or tickets to a show, or even cash. But it’s also a great little gift bag for the upcoming graduate – don’t you think?

Thanks for stopping by today.

May 2, 2016 By Steph Ackerman Leave a Comment

Quick and Easy Father’s Day Card

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today to share a Quick and Easy Father’s Day Card.

Supplies:

Ann Butler Designs Crafter’s Ink – Desert Sand
Ann Butler Designs Iridescents – Onyx
Ann Butler Designs for Unity Stamps – 2″ Doily Picnic
Earth Safe Finishes Gel Medium
ColorBox Crafter’s Ink – Night
ColorBox Embossing Powder – Clear
Gina’s Designs Chipboard
Joy Clair Stamp

I began by mixing Onyx Iridescents with Gel Medium.

Then I randomly painted the mixture on several tags. White still wet, I added some lines with a spatula. A little of this mixture goes a long way so be sure to have plenty of surfaces on hand that can be used in future projects. Once dry, you will have a nice 3 dimensional appearance.

I randomly stamped the 2″ stamps across the tags. Complete coverage is not necessary as I just wanted to enhance the background. Then I inked the edges of the tags.

I stamped white cardstock with Night Ink and allowed it to dry before completing the card.

Finally, I assembled the Father’s Day card using all the elements created above plus some chipboard elements that had been inked with Desert Sand and embossed with clear embossing powder.

The Father’s Day sentiment is from Joy Clair stamps. I stamped it on white cardstock and matted it with black cardstock. To finish, I lightly stamped around the sentiment with Night Ink and add a little bling!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Steph