Blog - Ann Butler Designs

April 20, 2016 By Design Team Leave a Comment

Faux Quilted Mother’s Day Gift Card Holder

It’s so easy to create you own unique Mother’s Day gift card holder, even if you just use a cut file from the Silhouette Design Store. By adding Ann Butler’s Designs Faux Quilting Stamps and ColorBox Crafter’s Inks, you can easily transform any plain card into something special.

I used plain cardstock for this card and all of the designs shown are from stamps! Here is how I did it…

Supplies:

Ann Butler Designs 1 inch Faux Quilting Stamps
ColorBox Crafter’s ® ink by Ann Butler Designs
Cardstock
Silhouette machine
Adhesive

How I made the card:

1. Download the Garden Basket Hidden Gift Card design from the Silhouette Design Store and cut out pieces per instructions.

2. Stamp the pieces with Ann Butler Designs Faux Quilting Stamps and ColorBox Crafter’s Inks, in the colors of your choice.

3. I used many different stamps but you can use a combination of the stamps and inks that you like. Don’t be afraid to mix the patterns.

4. I also stamped the large pieces of the card.

5. Assemble the card per the directions that come with the design.

When finished you will be able to hide a gift card inside as a fun surprise! I really love how bright and cheery this card turned out. T’he addition of the Faux Quilting Stamps really made an interesting and unique mixture of colors and patterns. I hope this gives you some inspiration and ideas for a unique Mother’s Day card for your mother 🙂

Let’s be friends!

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April 18, 2016 By Design Team Leave a Comment

Fancy Cards Made Easy

Hello, my dear crafty friends and welcome to my Fancy Cards Made Easy tutorial made for Ann Butler Designs blog.

Ann Butler Designs Faux Quilting Unity stamps are just perfect for this technique as they are 2” and 1” size.

So when we stamp one Twinchie (2” square) and one Inchie (1” square) and layer the small one over the large one we get an instant embellishment that can be a focal point of pretty clean and simple, but yet fancy card.

So this is the technique that you can do with Ann’s stamps and as you see I made not one card, but 4 for this post.

I don’t have a lot of steps for this tutorial, just a few.

1. Stamp one 2” stamp over copper cardstock with black pigmented ink (Crafter’s Clearsnap) and heat emboss it with Clearsnap Clear embossing powder. Stamp 1” Ann’s stamp over the same cardstock with Gold pigmented ink (Clearsnap) and heat emboss it with the same clear powder.

2. Cut both stamped squares and layer the small over the large in every possible way. As you see from my finished cards I layered in the middle, on corners and even diagonally.

3. Die cut small sentiment that fits 2” square or use stickers. I hade 4 nice sentiments from three different die cut companies and used them all (Sizzix, Cherry Lynn and Die Versions. Add some sequins over the squares.

4. Make 4 cards using DCWV Copper stack and glue the stamped piece over the card.

5. Stamp the sentiments or use the cardstock one (as I did with I love you card).

And here are my cards:

Card #1

Card #2

Card #3

Card #4

April 15, 2016 By Design Team Leave a Comment

Resin Seascape Home Decor

Hi everyone, Tammy here today with a tutorial on how to make fun home decor items with the Ann Butler Iridescent Powder Kit and ETI Envirotex Lite with this resin seascape.

I love all things “beach” so when I saw this ocean themed candy mold, I knew that I wanted to make a cute shadowbox for my bathroom.

Supplies:

ETI Envirotex Lite
ETI Mold Release & Conditioner
Ann Butler Designs Iridescent Powder Kit
Seascape candy mold
Glitter
Mixing cups
Stir stick
Dollar Store frame
Scrapbook paper
Zip Dry
Embellishment’s of your choice

How I made it:

Mix ETI Envirotex Lite as per directions and add some Ann Butler Designs Iridescent Powder in Sky, Bronze, Rose and Pearl to individual cups of mixture

Spray mold release spray before pouring resin into the candy mold

Allow to cure for 24 hours

Cut scrapbook paper to fit the frame

Remove resin pieces from candy mold and glue to scrapbook paper with Zip Dry adhesive

Place scrapbook paper with resin pieces inside of shadowbox frame. Glue any additional embellishments to front and back of frame.

I love how this project turned out! I hope it gives you some ideas on how to use ETI Envirotex Lite and Ann Butler Designs Iridescent Powders for fun home decor projects.

Let’s be friends!

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April 13, 2016 By Design Team Leave a Comment

Bookmarks with Background Basics

Hi crafters, Paula here today with some Bookmarks using Background Basics, Ann Butler Designs Iridescents, and Colorbox Crafter’s Inks by Ann Butler Designs. So, you’ve probably seen the technique using shaving cream to make backgrounds. Well, today, I’m using Cool Whip. Yes, yes, you read that right. Cool Whip. Keep reading to see more.

Supplies:

Colorbox Background Basics by Ann Butler Designs in Baskets 1, Checks 1, and Stitch Stamps
Ann Butler Designs Iridescents in Amethyst, Sapphire, and Limelight
Colorbox Crafter’s by Ann Butler Designs in Ocean Breeze, Blueberry and Limelight
Cardstock
Yarn/string for toppers
Corner/angle punch and hole punch
Cool Whip
Spatula

Here’s what I did:

A fun way to make some abstract designs on cardstock is a popular technique using shaving cream. I had read that groups with children used Cool Whip instead. I wanted to give it a whirl. So much fun! The only fallback is that it was a little sticky. I started by putting a couple spoons of the whipped topping directly on my cardstock. Then I took a toothpick and grabbed some Iridescents in three different colors (Amethyst, Sapphire, Limelight) and dropped randomly. Taking a clean toothpick, I did a swirl to mix. I next took my spatula and spread the mixture on the cardstock, then scraping it completely off. It will leave the remains of the colors into almost a marble effect. I had enough mixture left over that I scooped it onto two other sheets of cardstock and did the same thing. Each one had a totally different look.

The next step is to just let the cardstock dry. This is a good project to start one day, let it sit and finish the next to make sure it’s completely dry. I did take a heat gun to it prior to letting it sit.

After the sheets are dry, I cut them into strips, approximately 2″ x 7″. Then using the Background Basics stamps, and Crafter’s Inks, I randomly stamped the images. I then used the ink pads to border the bookmarks.

Once stamping is complete, hit the bookmarks with a heat gun.

Punch holes in the top of the bookmarks. Then using a corner punch, trim the edges of each. Add the yarn/fibers in the holes.

Th. at’s it! Hope you enjoyed this simple, yet fun project. Is a great way to just “play” and a great project for kids. I love the way the Iridescents just shimmer in the light!
Plus, I needed a new bookmark for this awesome book I’m reading.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!

April 11, 2016 By Beth Watson 1 Comment

Faux Quilted Home Sweet Home

Happy Monday everyone!

Beth here on the blog today to share with you a quilt block inspired Faux Quilted Home Sweet Home, houses! A great addition to your Spring home decor, plus they are quick and easy to make in just an evening or afternoon!

Here is what you will need:

Ann Butler Designs Crafter’s® Ink by Clearsnap – Aquamarine, Sunshine, Lilac, Limelight, Tangelo and Berry
Ann Butler Designs Colorbox® Background Basics Stamps – Checks, Diamond, Basket and Picnic
Tombow – Xtreme Permanent Adhesive, MONO Aqua Liquid Glue.
Wooden Houses (unfinished, set of three) found at Michael’s; Pastel Cardstock in Lavender, Pink, Yellow, Peach, Light Green and Blue; Ruler; Pencil; Ribbon; Scissors; Baby Wipes; White Letter Stickers, White Enamel Dots; Three Varieties of Lace.

Here is how I made it:

Step One: Stamp each of the sx Colorbox® Background Basics Stamps by Ann Butler Designs – Checks, Diamond, Basket and Picnic both the square stamps and the triangular stamps with the Ann Butler Designs Crafter’s® Ink by Clearsnap – Aquamarine, Sunshine, Lilac, Limelight, Tangelo and Berry once on the coordinating cardstock. I love how Ann’s brightly colored inks pop off the pastel cardstock colors!

Step Two: Cut out all square and triangular stamped images with scissors. Dry fit colors and patterns on each wooden house shape. There are six sides to each house and six different colors of stamped images, so you can mix and match! Apply stamped images to houses with Tombow MONO Aqua Liquid Glue with the broad tip. Then use the base of the glue bottle to smooth out the paper and obtain a good bond.

Step Three: Apply lace trim to each house with Tombow Xtreme Adhesive Runner.

Step Four: Cut out doors and windows from stamped images and apply to houses with adhesive runner.

Step Five: Apply white enamel dot “door knobs” to each door. Apply letter stickers to each house to spell “HOME SWEET HOME”.

Display on a shelf or coffee table to brighten your Home Sweet Home for Spring.

Make a set to give as a gift for Mother’s Day or to congratulate a friend on their new home!

More creativity and inspiration can be found on Ann Butler Designs Facebook Page.

Thanks for stopping by! -Beth

April 8, 2016 By Vishu Reberholt 1 Comment

Tag with Ann Butler Designs

Hi, Friends! Vishu here today to share an easy Tag using Ann Butler’s Stitch Stamps. This was a fun and quick tag to create.

I just love the look of Ann Butler Designs crafter’s ink, blending them using a blending tool and using a little bit of water which gave this Tag using Ann Butler Designs a water color look.

Products Used:

Earth Safe Finishes™ Iridescents by Ann Butler Designs – Sapphire

ColorBox® Ann Butler Designs Background Basic Stitch Stamp

ColorBox Crafter’s ® ink by Ann Butler Designs – Limelight, Aquamarine, Ocean Breeze, Berry

Black marker, cool2cast, ribbon, tag, blending tool

Instructions:

First I added ColorBox Crafter’s ® ink by Ann Butler Designs using a blending tool directly on the tag and let dry. These inks give a nice water color effect to the tag. Loveeeee it
Then drew an image on the page using a black marker and then colored the bird using ColorBox Crafter’s ® ink by Ann Butler Designs in berry.
Using cool2cast I poured a heart and let it dry and cure. Then colored it using Earth Safe Finishes™ Iridescents by Ann Butler.
Lastly I stamped images using ColorBox® Stitch Stamp and ColorBox Crafter’s ® ink by Ann Butler Designs to create this Tag using Ann Butler Designs.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and will try some of your own. Thanks for stopping by…….

April 6, 2016 By Design Team Leave a Comment

Layered Faux Quilting Squares Card

Hey crafty friends, Einat Kessler here with a new project. Today I’m playing with Ann Butler Designs Faux Quilting Stamps and Crafter’s Inks to create a colorful Layered Faux Quilting Squares Card. I always need cards and I never have any ready, so I decided to create a card without any words so when I’ll need a card for whatever occasion I can add the appropriate sentiment.

I used very bright and happy colors, after all it’s spring and the flowers are all blooming. So what better colors than Ann Butler Designs Crafter’s Ink: Sunshine, Tangelo and Canyon. I stamped the 1″, 2″ and 3″ Ann Butler Designs Faux Quilting stamps on a white piece of cardstock. I used a different stamp and ink for each of my squares. Then I cut them out as tiles so I’ll be able to arrange them on my card. If you want a more uniform look you can use the same pattern in all stamps. I wanted my card to be a little more whimsical so I used different stamp patterns.

My card was a little too boring so I added a little color with the ink pads. I simply brushed them against the paper and got the effect of brush strokes. Then I layered the squares on the card. I attached the squares with foam tape to give them dimension and make the card more interesting by creating different heights on it. I also attached them vertically so they’ll appear as diamonds and not squares, which seem a more exciting shape, don’t you think?

This architectural card is suitable for any occasion. Simply change the colors to adapt it to different people or celebrations, for example use shades of pink or light blue for babies, browns and blues for a more masculine card. You can create a softer pattern if you change the squares into circles. I hope you liked this card!

Have fun creating!

Einat

April 4, 2016 By Design Team Leave a Comment

Embellished Paper Bag with Ann Butler Stamps

Hey crafty friends, Einat Kessler here with a new project! Easter is all behind us, but for me the chaos is up ahead. In about three weeks will be celebrating Passover, which is a major holiday for us Jews. Other than constantly eating in the Seder and family dinners (it’s a week long holiday), it is also customary to bring gifts. So I decided this year to embellish some leftover paper bags that I have and use them to wrap my gifts. This will save me lots of time, as well as money 🙂

I created a very quiet design. I didn’t want the gift wrap to be more beautiful or bold than the gift itself so I kept the design minimal. I used Ann Butler Designs Background Basics stamps to create the lines on the front of my paper bag. I used Ann Butler Designs Crafter’s Inks: Aruba, Lilac, Blueberry colors because not only do I really like them they went well with the gray color of the paper bag and they look kind of festive.

Then I used Ann Butler Designs 3″ Faux Quilting stamps to stamp a white piece of cardstock. I stamped the paper on both sides. Then I punched out three flowers and created a 3D flower. I created three layers to the flower: the bottom layer was left as a punched shape. In the middle layer I cut a slit from the edge to the center and closed the flower by gluing the two petals on each side of the slit together. On the top layer I cut out one petal and glued the flower the same way. I attached the layers together and attached the flower to the front of the paper bag.

Now I need to do this a few more times and my holiday gift wraps are ready! This paper bag can be used for any gift not just for a holiday. and you can create as many flowers as you want to embellish it even more.

Have fun creating!

Einat

April 1, 2016 By Design Team Leave a Comment

Easy Modern Art Page with Iridescents

Hello, my dear crafty friends and welcome to my new easy made modern art page tutorial made with Ann Butler’s Iridescents by Earth Safe Finishes.

I used Ann Butler Designs Iridescents paints from Earth Safe Finishes in different colors to make this modern, almost geometric art page and it was easy and fun and you can make one in no time using Ann’s lovely products.

Step by step tutorial:
1. Paint rectangles and squares using 4 different color of Iridescents paint. I used Lilac, Orchid, Lipstick and Ocean surf mixed with a bit of Sunshine yellow. Add some strokes of yellow paint over the page as shown.

2. Make stencils with rectangles and one big circle using dies or punches and use those stencils to paint with white paint over the colored page as shown.

3. Grab a bunch of Ann Butler Designs Unity Faux Quilting stamps and stamp inside the white rectangles with a mix of those stamps using black permanent ink.

4. Add the title inside the circle using stickers.

5. Outline each rectangle and the main circle with a black pen.

6. Add stamped stitches using Ann Butler Designs Clearsnap Basic backgrounds Stitches at random.

7. Add some splashes of white paint over the page.

March 30, 2016 By Ann Butler 12 Comments

Ann Butler Designs – ETI Resin Blog Hop

Welcome the the Ann Butler Designs – ETI Resin Blog Hop!

The Creative Team has been busy creating projects using Ann Butler Designs and ETI products to create some great projects for you. To get started I created…

a Faux Quilted Resin Coaster. Here’s how to create it:

Choose a 2″ Triangle, two 1″ Triangles and a 1″ square from the Faux Quilting line and place them onto an acylic block to create a square as shown. Using Archival Dye Ink…

Stamp onto white card stock…

Four times to create a pinwheel pattern.

Choose 4 – 6 colors of the Ann Butler Crafter’s Ink. Using daubers…

Add colors to the image.

Cut the image to 4″ and heat set.

Cut a piece of yellow card stock 4 1/4″ x 4 1/4″. Using Ultra-Seal…

Attach the yellow card stock to a black 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ tile. Center and attach the pinwheel design on top of the yellow card stock with the Ultra-Seal. Apply two coats of the Ultra-Seal on the top layer, let dry.