Blog - Ann Butler Designs

April 25, 2017 By Donna Braaten-Budzynski Leave a Comment

Faux Watercolor Cactus Card

Hi all, Donna here to share this fabulous Faux Watercolor Cactus Card! I had so much fun playing with Ann’s ColorBox Crafter’s Inks for this project!

I have always had a fascination with Watercolor. Although I have never had the opportunity to take a class or formal training and so I pretend. I decided to try the ink with water and really liked the way it looked!

I thought this Faux Watercolor Cactus Card was super cute and on trend.

Do you want to give it a try?

Let’s do it!

Step 1:

Gather all the supplies needed.Step 2:

Trim Watercolor paper to size 8″ X 11″. Score the paper in half and fold to create the card base. Set aside.

Step 3:

Using a paintbrush, brush ink onto brush and transfer ink to a palette (plastic tray/paper plate/plastic from a package). Wet brush with water and mix with Ann Butler’s Crafter’s Ink™ in Sunshine, lightly brush onto card stock. Once dried, stamp Ann’s Faux Quilting 2″ Square Polka Dots stamp over the top using the same ink. You can run a heat gun over the top of the card stock to help dry ink.
Step 4:

Cut out the shape of the pot. Set aside. Step 5:

Using the same technique as step 3, paint the bottom of cactus onto watercolor card using Ann Butler’s Crafter’s Ink™ in Limelight. Add to the cactus with two more paddles.Step 6:

Using same technique as step 3, paint little flowers on top using Ann Butler’s Crafter’s Ink™ in Berry.

Step 7:

Using same technique as step 3, paint in a background using Ann Butler’s Crafter’s Ink™ in Ocean Breeze.

Step 8:

Adhere the pot onto the watercolor paper under cactus.

Step 9:

Using a Faber Castell Pitt Pen-Fine Tip, lightly outline around cactus and add spines. Make spines by making a v and add a small line next to it. Outline the pot and add any details you would like.

This post may contain affiliate links, when you make a purchase, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you – this helps to keep this web site up and to continue to bring you awesome projects like this one!

Ann Butler Design Products used:

Ann Butler Crafter’s Ink by Clearsnap, Limelight, Sunshine, Berry

Ann Butler Designs Faux Quilting Stamps Polka Dot, assorted 2″

Partner Products:

Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive

Other Products Used:

Watercolor Paper-Canson
Paint Brush
Water
Palette
Faber Castell Pitt Pen – Fine Tip Black
Paper Trimmer
Scissors

You could use this card as a thank you, birthday, or just to say Hello! Make a set of 6 or 12 and give as a gift pack.

I sure hope you enjoyed this as much as I have!

I will be doing more of these and I hope you give it a try!

Make sure you stop by often and see what the rest of the Design Team is up to!

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Till next time…….Donna Budzynski

April 20, 2017 By Steph Ackerman Leave a Comment

A Sweet Embossed Card for Mom

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here with a sweet embossed card for Mom. This card would be wonderful for her birthday, for Mother’s Day or perhaps for no reason at all. Who doesn’t love to receive a card in the mail?

Step 1:

Paint glossy card stock randomly with Limelight and Sheer Copper Iridescents. Once dry, emboss the panel with a Sizzix embossing folder. Lightly ink over the embossed portions with Tangelo and Limelight Crafter’s Inks to highlight the embossing. Next, mat the panel with black and kraft card stock.

Step 2:

Wrap the panel with a ribbon then, adhere the panel to the card.

Step 3:

Using Spellbinder dies, die cut 2 ovals. Stamp and emboss the sentiment on the smaller oval. Paint the larger oval with Sheer Copper Iridescents to coordinate with the card and allow it to dry.

Step 4:

Mat the 2 ovals with a larger kraft oval and add to the card with foam adhesives for dimension. Finally, tie twine around the ribbon.

Do you think Mom will love this card?

Ann Butler Design Products used:

Ann Butler Crafter’s® Ink by Clearsnap: Tangelo, Limelight

Ann Butler’s Iridescents by Earth Safe Finishes: Limelight, Sheer Copper

Partner Products:

Other Products:

Spellbinders Dies
Sixxiz Big Shot
Sizzix Embossing Folder
Whisker Graphics Twine
Ribbon
Card stock: black, kraft

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Thanks for stopping by.

Steph

April 18, 2017 By Donna Braaten-Budzynski Leave a Comment

Fun Pinwheel Cards

Welcome! Donna here with you today and I would like to share how to make 3 Fun Pinwheel Cards! It is Spring time and that makes everybody HAPPY!

What else makes us happy?

PINWHEELS!

Well, they make me happy and I know they make kids happy, so why not make a Fun Pinwheel Card? These cards can say just about anything, Happy Spring, Happy Birthday or just Hello!

It is always nice to have simple cards to send or give on short notice and these are made to give that special someone a smile.

So let’s make some Fun Pinwheel Cards!

Step 1:

Gather all supplies.

Step 2:
Stamp half squares onto canvas using Ann Butler’s 1″ Triangle stamps.

Step 3:
Cut out the triangles.

Step 4:

Cut 3 pieces of mat board or paper at 1/8″ for stem/handle and ink color of choice using Ann Butler Crafter’s Ink by Colorbox.

Step 5:

Adhere pieces down with Beacon Adhesives 3 in 1.

Step 6:

Add buttons, brads, string bows and sentiments.

Ann Butler Design Products used:

Ann Butler Faux Quilting Stamps 1″ Triangles

Ann Butler’s ColorBox Crafter’s Ink: Sunshine, Lime, Berry, Lilac, Aquamarine

Partner Products:

Beacon Adhesives 3 in 1

Other Products:

DCWV A2 Burlap Cards
Misc. Buttons
Bakers Twine
Canvas
Sentiments

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So glad you joined me here today! Thank You!

April 15, 2017 By Steph Ackerman Leave a Comment

Cute Happy Easter Card

Hi everyone Steph Ackerman here today with a Cute Happy Easter Card using Ann Butler’s Crafter’s Inks.

To create the Easter card background I used the reverse side of a stencil that had been inked with Blueberry Crafter’s Ink. I flipped it over onto a panel of white cardstock, then used a baby wipe to transfer the ink to cardstock.

I stamped the Easter Eggs with Crafter’s Ink, then used a water brush to pick up assorted colors of Ann Butler’s Crafter’s Ink to paint the eggs.

As I stamped and colored 3 Easter Eggs, I fussy cut one egg and placed it on top the other. Happy Easter was stamped on the card and “peeps” was inserted under the eggs.

I created a card from blue cardstock, then added the panel to the card. I scored a line above and below the panel for more dimension.

Ann Butler Design Products used:

Ann Butler Designs ColorBox Crafter’s Ink: Aquamarine, Blueberry, Limelight, Tangelo, Berry

Ann Butler Designs ColorBox ArtScreen: Stars

Other Products:

Sizzix die cutting machine
Scor-Pal
Cardstock: white, blue
Water brush
Rubber Stamps
Baby wipes

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Thanks for stopping by.

April 13, 2017 By Donna Braaten-Budzynski Leave a Comment

Stamped Spring Wood Bunny

Hi all, Donna here to share this fabulous Stamped Spring Wood Bunny! I had such a fun time with this piece!

This is a stamper’s dream, it was fast and has a great Spring feel! The faux quilt stamps make this Spring Bunny just adorable and would make just about anyone smile!

Shall we get started?

Step 1:

Gather all supplies you may need.

(After stamping this in a few colors, I decided to start over and use just one. I am sure glad I did!)

Step 2:

Paint bunny white using Deco Art Americana White and let dry.

Step 3:

Using a pencil and a ruler mark your stamp guidelines.

Step 4:

Start stamping your design using Ann Butler’s Crafter’s Ink in Limelight and her 2′ quilt stamps.

Step 5:

Once stamped all over, heat set to make sure the ink is dry.

Step 6:

Adhere a flower or a bow to the neck of the bunny. Adhere ribbon or string to hang. (Optional)

Ann Butler Design Products used:

Ann Butler Crafter’s Ink by Clearsnap, Limelight

Ann Butler Designs Faux Quilting Stamps, assorted 2″

Other Products used:

Wood Bunny, Target Dollar Spot
Flower
Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive
Miscellaneous String
Deco Art Americana Acrylic Paint, White
Paint Brush
Pencil
Ruler

I could not be happier on how this Stamped Wood Spring Bunny turned out! Super easy, fun and fast! This is one of those crafts you can have done in one hour and feel very accomplished. You could use this as a gift. Hang it in your home, or on your door to greet your guests. Add this to a centerpiece or pop it on the mantel. So many options for this Stamped Wood Spring Bunny!

Make sure you stop by often and see what the rest of the Design Team is up to! Thanks for stopping by and I sure hope you enjoyed this Stamped Wood Spring Bunny!

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Till next time……Donna Budzynski

April 11, 2017 By Chantal Johnson Leave a Comment

Ribbonry and French Knots with Hand Dyed Seam Binding

Hi, y’all – I am Chantal Johnson and I am so thrilled to be sharing a few embroidery inspirations using hand dyed seam binding, along with tips for successful stitching with y’all. Today, it’s all about hand dying, stamping on fabric and manipulating the ribbon into a beautiful bow secured by French knots…. Let’s get inkin’ and stitchin’ (said with my Texas accent)!

Ready for Spring!

A few of the supplies for this project.

Step 1

Cut 2 -3 yards of white seam binding. Cut a little more than needed due to the manipulating of the ribbon.

Step 2

Ink onto the non-stick craft mat, these inks are wonderful and “juicy” which allows the ink to go onto the craft mat.

Spritz each color – let the colors blend a little bit.

First color done.

Gathering up the last little bit of ink.

On a non-stick craft mat, press Aquamarine ink onto the mat; sprits with water and then drag the ribbon through. Repeat with each of the colors, sprits with water each time.

Step 3

Crinkling and heating.

When it gets warm, lay it on the nonstick craft mat.

Crinkle the ribbon in your hand and then using the heat gun, heat till dry or set aside to dry in the sun or on the counter, making sure it stays crinkled.

Step 4

Place a piece of cardboard inside the linen bag. *This will protect the interior and the back when you stamp the images.

Stamp images with ColorBox Crafter’s Ink by Ann Butler in coordinating colors with the seam binding.

Step 5

Manipulating the Ribbon into a Bow

Begin with tying the ribbon into a bow keeping the tails even.

Step 6

Lay the Bow tied ribbon onto the bag and begin to manipulate (move) the ribbon to the desired shape, twisting and/or overlapping to create interest and texture. Secure with straight pins, being sure not to pin through the back of the bag.

Step 7

Stitching

Secure the thread with a small knot in the back of fabric.

Hold thread firmly with left hand and wrap once around the needle.

Holding the wrapped needle close to the base of the fabric, pull through without releasing tension of the wrap.

Once pulled through, your knot will appear on the top of fabric.

Repeat as needed to secure the thread.

**If your knot doesn’t pull all the way through and there is a loop of thread and you cannot remove the stitch, just do one more small knot coming through the looped thread and pull securely. See photos.

Once you have secured the ribbon, remove pins along the way and when you have finished the last knot, look back on the beautiful Ribbon Bow you have made!!

A few variations for this Ribbon project:

To secure the ribbon, you could also use tiny seed beads and a thin beading needle or a combination of French knots and beads.
This can be done on a fabric surface, pillows, canvas, or even clothing.
The ribbon color choices can reflect anytime of the year/special occasions such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day or July 4^th and any home décor style – just choose the color of ColorBox Crafter’s inks by Ann Butler that best suit your project!!

Success in Stitching Tips:

When cutting thread, keep it at a manageable length, so as not to tangle.
For French knots, the wider the needle, the larger the knot; the more wraps around the needle, the higher the knot.
When manipulating the ribbon by securing French knots, try to keep the knots somewhat close together so as to not pull the fabric (from behind) by taking wide stitch placements.
The ribbon could also be manipulated to a letter, flower or any desired shape.
Practice makes perfect – keep at it and your knots will look amazing!!!
A great resource for embroidery stitches is A-Z of Embroidery Stitches from the publishers of Inspirations Magazine.

Ann Butler Design Products used:

Ann Butler’s Crafter’s Ink by Clearsnap in Berry, Limelight, Aquamarine

Other Products:

Linen bag, pre-made
White seam binding, 2 -3 yards
Focal Stamp and Sentiment stamp, your choice
Small piece of cardboard (to use as a protector inside of bag)
Non-stick craft mat
Spray bottle, filled with water
Heat tool
DMC embroidery floss 928 or coordinating color
Embroidery needle
Straight Pins
Scissors

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Chantal Johnson has been the recipient of God’s great love and has been given creativity as one of her many gifts. Her heritage is one of Southern hospitality and European style but her heart is pure Texan!! Her home, as well as her art, resounds with sentiments from a joyful, grateful spirit to that of faith and hope mixed with a touch of wonder. Her creative path began as a little girl with her mother introducing every form of creative arts from thread and fabric, yarn and hook to paper and paints. She loves all things that can inspire others to find joy in the everyday.

As a mixed media artist and designer, her many passions include but not limited to gardening, interior decorating, crocheting, cooking, swimming, sewing, jewelry design, paper arts and antiques. But being with her children, husband and family bring her the most joy. Most days you will find her creating in her Art Studio that she and her husband designed.

Chantal lives in Rowlett, Texas and is married to Scott. They have three children, 3 dogs and 5 sweet little hens. Her work has been published in Belle Armoire Jewelry, Somerset Studio, Somerset Home, Sew Somerset, Apronology, Haute Handbags, Belle Armoire and Green Craft. She is currently on the Ann Butler Design Team, the Friends of ICE Resin® Team, and a design contributor for Bella Crafts Quarterly. For teaching engagements, you may contact her directly at chantal515@verizon.net. Visit her blog at chantaljohnson.blogspot.com or become her friend on Facebook to see her latest inspirations and see tn daily living.

April 6, 2017 By Beth Watson Leave a Comment

How To Make A Spring Inspired Faux Quilted Frame

Happy Spring! Beth here on the blog today to show how to make a Spring inspired Faux Quilted Frame! I love to brighten up my home decor when Spring has sprung! The daylight hours get longer and the dull, dreariness of Winter is finally over. Ann Butlers’ inks and stamps are the perfect way to add that brightness and freshness to your home decor.

Here’s how I made it

STEP ONE:

Load the Colorbox® Background Basics by Ann Butler stamps with Colorbox Crafter’s® Ink by Ann Butler and stamp onto matching colored cardstock. I stamped one of each square and triangle with each colored ink, so I had a variety to choose from. TIP: This will also give you extras to start your next project with!

STEP TWO:

Measure the paper insert inside your picture frame, then transfer those measurements onto a plain piece of cardstock. Measure 4 1/4″ in from each edge to make a square, then cut out the inside square with a metal ruler and craft knife over a self-healing mat. This will be the base to attach your Faux Quilt to.

STEP THREE:

I attempted to create a pattern with the squares and the triangles but I did not like any of the combinations, so I cut all of my squares into triangles and then began laying out my pattern. Not sure if this is an actual quilt pattern or not, but I really liked the blues and greens framing the photo! Once you are pleased with the composition, attach the shapes with a permanent adhesive runner. I started in the four corners and then worked my way to the center.

STEP FOUR:

Using the Zig Zag Stamp from the Color Box® Background Basics by Ann Butler Stitch Stamps, embellish the “seams” with Colorbox Crafter’s® Ink in Night. Because these stamps are large, they are pretty easy to line up, but I like the areas where they didn’t match up perfectly because it looks more homemade!

Select a photo, load the frame, then hang and ENJOY! Or give as a gift since Easter and Mother’s Day are quickly approaching.

I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial on how to make a Spring Inspired Faux Quilted Frame and that you will use my project as a jumping off point to showcase YOUR creativity featuring Ann Butler Designs products! Just share on social media using #annbutlerdesigns

Ann Butler Designs Products used:

ColorBox Crafter’s® Ink by Ann Butler: Limelight, Berry, Tangelo, Sunshine, Aquamarine, Lilac

Color Box® Background Basics by Ann Butler: Basket 1 & 2, Diamonds 1 & 2, Checks 1 & 2, Picnic 1 & 2, Stitch Stamps

other products:

Cardstock: Pastel Green, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Blue, Purple
Cardstock, White
Paper Trimmer
Scissors
Craft Knife
Permanent Adhesive Runner
Dollar Store Picture Frame, Black, 12″ x 12″
Pencil
Ruler
Baby Wipes to clean stamps

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Thanks for stopping by! -Beth

April 4, 2017 By Steph Ackerman Leave a Comment

Stamped Easter Gift Bags

Hi everyone Steph Ackerman here today with some Stamped Easter Gift Bags. Using Crafter’s Inks, you can easily create on non-traditional surfaces.

Crafter’s Inks work on multiple surfaces including fabric and glossy papers.

Using Crafter’s Ink, I stamped the Easter Chick in the center of a canvas bag. Next, I used a paint brush to pick up assorted ink colors to paint the egg. Using 1″ faux quilting stamps, I stamped the image around the edges of the canvas bag with Berry Ink. Finally, I added dew drops to the center of the flowers.

I also used assorted Crafter’s Ink to repeatedly stamp Happy Easter on a glassine bag. Ink usually smears on glassine bags, but with Crafter’s Ink, no smearing or smudging occurs. While waiting for the inks to dry, I stamped the Easter Chick on white cardstock, then die cut it. Again, I used a paint brush with Crafter’s Inks to color the egg, then placed it atop a die cut oval before adhering it to the glassine bag.

Ann Butler Design Products used:

Ann Butler ColorBox Crafter’s Ink: Aquamarine, Blueberry, Deep Woods, Limelight, Tangelo, Berry

Ann Butler’s 1″ Faux Quilting Stamp

Other Products:

Sizzix, die
Fancy Pants, Bag
Canvas Pouch
The Robin’s Nest, Dew Drops
Sizzix Big Shot

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Thanks for stopping by.

March 30, 2017 By Vishu Reberholt Leave a Comment

Faux Quilted Stamped Card

Hello, Everyone! Vishu here today to share with you another Faux Quilted Stamped Card using Ann Butler Designs stamps and inks.

This Faux Quilted Stamped Card was pretty easy to create and today I will show you two ways to stamp faux quilted designs. I think I am really addicted to making these cards lately.

Instructions:

First, I cut out my cardstock to 4″ x 4″ and taped it to the cutting mat. Then, I aligned it perfectly with the squares on the grid.

Next, I drew the quilt pattern which was very easy using the grid on the cutting mat. The grids really make it easy to draw different patterns very quickly and efficiently without a need for any measuring.

Now comes the stamping part, as I mentioned before about the two techniques; you can either use post-it notes to cover the quilt pattern to expose the area you want the particular pattern stamped or you can use more modern stamping tools like the stamp perfect or misti. Both ways work great and are quick.

Once my quilt pattern was all stamped, I layered the card stock with a black cardstock and glued it to a card base. For the final touch, I added a sentiment to a smaller piece of a yardstick and glued it to the card to create this Faux Quilted Stamped Card.

This is such a great technique and only your creativity is the limit. I hope you will try out some of your own faux quilted stamped cards or other creative projects.

Ann Butler Design Products used:

Ann Butler Designs Faux Quilting Stamps
Ann Butler Designs Crafter’s Inks by Clearsnap: Berry, Tangelo, Ocean Breeze, Blueberry

Partner Products:

Other Products:

Cardstock

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Thanks for stopping by.

March 28, 2017 By Steph Ackerman Leave a Comment

Embossed Rose Card and coordinating Tag

Hi everyone, Steph Ackerman here today with an embossed rose card and coordinating tag.

Ann Butler’s Colorbox Crafter’s Inks are made to work on most surfaces. They work extremely well on fabric, plastic, glossy papers and more.

Using an embossing folder, I placed Berry, Aquamarine, Tangelo and Limelight Crafter’s Ink directly onto the embossing folder.

Next, place a sheet of glossy cardstock in the embossing folder. The colors are extremely vibrant.

Once embossed, remove the glossy cardstock.

Since ink still remains, on the embossing folder, place 2 smaller sheets of cardstock inside and emboss them to get a second generation print.

Look at the gorgeous colors! The glossy cardstock is more vibrant than the cardstock panels.

Don’t you love the debossed effect? The colors are embedded in the cardstock panels and really bring the roses to life. Wrap the panel with ribbon. Stamp and emboss the sentiment. Die cut and add to the card with foam adhesives for dimension.

Using the smaller cardstock pieces, lightly ink the edges then mat them with cardstock. Create a tag from blue cardstock and add the smaller panels. Stamp and emboss the sentiment then die cut it

Add to a larger die and adhere to the tag.

You can see how different the embossed rose card and coordinating tag look with the different papers used.

Ann Butler Design Products used:

Ann Butler Designs ColorBox Crafter’s Ink: Aquamarine, Limelight, Tangelo, Berry

Partner Products:

Other Products:

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
May Arts Ribbon
Whisker Graphics Twine
Glossy Cardstock, White
Cardstock
Die cutting machine

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Thanks for stopping by.