April 2, 2014 By Design Team 5 Comments

Stamped Gradation Birthday Card

Happy Wednesday, all! I am super excited to share this fun birthday card using the Unity Stamps’ 2″ Strips, Dots, Hearts Stamp Set by Ann. These borderless stamp sets are so easy and fun to create a background for different project. I took out the dot stamp set from the 2″ Strips. Dots. Hearts Stamp Set and stamped it with 2 different colors as a background.

After the background stamping, I cut out couple circles on the top layer of the card so the pretty dots would show well. I added a simple sentiment and few clear sequins to finish the card. I used a very light mint and a light green colors for the background, to create some depth on the background. This creates a easy gradation effect as well.

Hope you enjoyed today’s card! Thanks so much for stopping by.

March 31, 2014 By Ann Butler 6 Comments

How-to Video Stamped Makin’s Clay® Pins

Where is a quick How-to Video showing how easy it is to create Stamped Makin’s Clay® Pins. Makin’s Clay® is a No Bake Polymer Clay that comes out of the package soft and ready to use…which makes it perfect to “Stamp” into.

In this video you will see how easy it is to use my “Faux Quilting” Stamps from Unity Stamp Company to create texture into Makin’s Clay®. These pins are quick and easy to make and perfect to do with kids….check it out!

March 28, 2014 By Design Team 5 Comments

Faux Quilting Dual-Embossed Spring Card

Hi everyone! Paula here. I think most everyone will agree with me that this year’s “long” winter has ran it’s course. In having a bit of hope for warmer weather, bright colors and even flowers, I wanted to make a card that had a little of these things (even though snow is still coming down).

This card is featuring Unity Ann Butler Faux Quilted Stamps , EZ-De’s Stamps by KellyCraft , and ColorBox Crafter’s Ink by Ann Butler.

Let’s get started!

Start by stamping image over entire piece (I used 3 3/4″x5″ because I planned to have a mat behind this on a 4 1/4″x5 1/2″ base.

As mentioned in my card title, this is a dual-embossed. I only mean that I am using an embossing folder for dry embossing PLUS embossing powder for wet embossing (later in instructions). I like to add a little dimension by taking my ink pad and inking up the inside of the embossing folder. I just randomly ink – leave some areas without ink, while others a bit heavier coverage. Place the stamped image in the inked folder. Run it through the Big Shot.

As you will notice, I have a tendency to try distressing most things, so I grab sandpaper. Run it over the image multiple times. This takes the top edge of ink and leaves a white (or whatever cardstock you’re using) to pop through.

Just realized that I didn’t take a photo of the next step I did –but I used the Limelight ink pad and ran it all around the outside edge of the image. Once inking it up, I sanded more along the edges.

Using the EZ-De’s 2″ Flourish ABC’s, I stamped HI using Aquamarine I immediately sprinkled clear embossing powder, and embossed with heat gun. I hand-cut the individual letters. Using a file, distress the edges of each of the letters. I chose to have them look a bit “messy”, to contrast a bit to the background. Using a sponge, I then added a little Sunshine to the edge of the letters.

Using some Prima flowers, and Unity Ann Butler Faux Quilted 1″ Leaves All Over stamps, I did a little background on one of the stamps. Layer the flowers.

Final is to put all the layers together. I added a bit of twine as well.

I hope you enjoy the card! AND I hope it brings a bit of brightness to your day! Have a great day!

March 26, 2014 By Design Team 10 Comments

Faux-Quilted Birdies Shadow Box

Hello and Happy Spring everyone! This is Roberta and today I am bringing you an adorable wall hanging featuring Unity Ann Butler Designs faux-quilted stamps, EZ-De’s^TM stamps, and ColorBox Crafter’s® ink by Ann Butler.

I have been holding onto this fabulous shadow box house by Maya Road for a little while and knew it would be perfect for today’s project.

: The Before; Ready-to-decorate Maya Road shadow box.

: #1 Paint all outside edges with mixture of decoupage and ink.

: #2 paint all inside surfaces with decoupage/ink . The ink is very juicy and the decoupage helps spread it easily.

: #3 Paint roof with Tangelo and Limielight. I sponged them on.

: #4 Brush on a coat or 2 of Irisdescents on each of the four inserts before stamping. This creates the beautiful mirror-look behind each embossed stamp.

: #5 Each of the four inserts were stamped with Faux-Quilting stamps and heat embossed. I also chose to line the inside walls with a coordinating paper.

: #6 Randomly stamp a 2″ faux quilting stamp on a piece of cardstock. Let dry

: #7 Punch out butterflies and label from these 3-in-1 EK punches

: #8 Take 2 butterflies and sandwich a fancy stick pin in between.

: Stamp your ‘birdie-bits’. Use foam squares to attach wings to body. Embellish.

: Finished butterflies waiting to take flight. I chose not to emboss this background to display how vibrant the ink is and the crispness of the stamp.

: I think he’s trying to hide or peck his way through to his friend on the other side.

: The Princess: She thinks she’s so special.

I chose to stagger the depths of each quadrant, too.

TIP – I achieved the clean cut edge on the burlap on either side of the roof, by first stiffening the material with decoupage, but any stiffener will do. It also allowed me to seal the edges so they wouldn’t continue to fray.

Supplies used in this project:

Ann Butler Crafter’s ink – Limelight and Tangelo
Ann Butler’s Earth Safe Finishes Iridescents, Lipgloss
EZ-De’s faux quilting stamps
Faux Quilting stamps
DecoArt decoupage medium – matte
Maya Road shadow box
Maya Road burlap, stick pins
DCWV bird diecuts
Recollections green book mark
Jillibean Soup cardstock
Laura Kelly buttons
Recollections embossing powder – clear

I hope you liked meeting my colorful friends today!

March 24, 2014 By Vishu Reberholt 5 Comments

Wonderous EZ-De’s stamps

Hello blog friends, Vishu here with two quick and easy projects. Firstly I have a confession to make I did not work on these projects until last night, have you heard the saying “If it weren’t for last minute my work would never get done” well sometimes this holds so very true for me and I always tell myself to never repeat it again…….but………..well that could be a whole discussion and way off topic for why I am here today so with no further delay here are my two projects a photo frame and a card.

I cannot say enough how wonderful Ann Butler’s EZ-De’s Stamps are, you have got to try them. Both these projects were so easy and quick to create and I realized why Ann named them EZ- De’s (Easy design elements). For the photo frame, I took a white card stock and masked the center with a scrap piece of paper and then stamped a border with the check pattern of the stamp set using Ann Butler’s crafter’s ink, to add some interest I went back and colored the alternate blank squares with my pink Copic marker. Layered it with black cardstock and stuck my photo, to finish the frame I embellished it with a flower. This is such a quick project and a unique way of gifting the special photos to your family members (this one goes to my awesome mother-in-law).

Hope you can see the squares colored with the pink copic marker.

Now the second project was also quick to put together. Stamped my card base with EZ-De’s stamps, added some color using Ann Butler’s crafter’s ink to the cardstock as well as lace. Cut some spellbinder dies and voila.

I added this sentiment for Ann (for all the wonderful crafty goodness), Lisa (for motivating us and being there when we need help) and my wonderful team members (for inspiring me everyday with their work).

March 21, 2014 By Design Team 4 Comments

EZ-De’s Stamps by Ann Butler

Hello, and Welcome to another creative day of card making. Ava here to share a card showcasing a borderless stamp by Ann Butler Designs. I used Ann Butler’s EZ-De’s Easy Design Elements stamps.

I used the 1″ Rail Fence Set to anchor my die cut window onto my card. This Rail Fence Stamp Set has unlimited options and I really enjoy the 7″ length to the design of this bar code type of stamp. The 7″ truly gives a great deal of flexibility from card to layout and off the page stamping opportunities.

So, lets get start with this card tutorial. I usually collect all of my supplies after some testing of ink colors with paper colors and sentiment greetings. Once I feel happy that they will all work I get stated with a sketch and its like magic putting the card together.

I die cut my window using the Spellbinders shapeabilities Window Two die. I selected Core’dinations Cardstock from the Whitewash Collection and used the A2 card from the Core Card Pastel collection in the Dahlia color. Edge distressed my white mat and sanded the matt to have the inner core show through the white wash. I flipped another mat over and used the colored side as my front panel for stamping.

To start with I decided to take out my Kellycraft ruler which I have had in my tool cupboard for a while and thought this would work well with the Ann Butler Designs border-less stamps.

Got things line up and inked up my stamp with Ann Butlers ColorBox Crafter’s Lilac Ink.

Next I got out my Westcott Brand Scissors and improvised the matching 2 flowers blooms. I had to take one bloom apart and create a bud and smaller bloom from the original. Cutting the wire with Westcott Brand scissors worked well.

Once my Ann Butler 1″ Rail Fence stamped impression dried I was able to stamp an image and sentiment onto the card and embellish my card. Here is a final look at the finished card featuring the 1″ EZ-De’s stamp by Ann Butler.

Ann Butler Designs Supplies

EZ-De’s 1″ Rail Fence Stamp

Color Box Crafter’s Ink

Other Supplies

Core’dinations Whitewash collection; A2 Core Card base

Kellycraft Laser Square

Westcott Brand Scissors

Tombow Mono Liquid Glue and Xtreme tape runner

Zva Creative Crystals

May Arts Ribbon

Spellbinders

Maya Road stick pins

March 19, 2014 By Design Team 4 Comments

Stamped Monogrammed Clay Magnets

Hello, my dear crafty friends! Irit , here again with my easy to make, but fancy ART MAGNETS.

A few years ago I was a polymer clay addict . Then I moved to paper crafting and scrapbooking, but I still remember those dirty nails days and a special oven I kept for polymer clay baking. So when I got this Makin’s air dry clay in my DT box I knew that I am going to use it (anyway, I don’t need this old oven to bake it as its self drying clay). So here are my lovely and very easy to make magnets made with Ann Butler‘s delicious stamps: EZ-Des- Flourish 2” ABC’S and two sets of Faux Quilting 2′‘ .

Let’s begin!

1. Cut a piece of White Makin’s air dry clay, make a ball and flatten it with Makin’s tool as shown. Try to make it at least 1/4” thick as we want it to be rigid to use it as a fridge magnet.

2. Pick your favorite cutter, but remember that we are going to use Ann Butler’s EZ-De’s Alphabet stamps, so 2” letter must fit the cutter size. I picked heart shape as I thought about heART doing this project. Cut the clay and keep the leftovers for the future use (in a good plastic bag and even two, as this is an air dry clay.)

This is a shape we are going to stamp over. Make 3 of them for the final project.

3. Now it’s a stamping fun time! First stamp the monogram letter from EZ-De’s Flourish 2” ABC’S stamps in the middle of your clay shape.

4. Now stamp around the letter with 2” cling stamps from 2 sets listed on the bottom .Stamp it three times around the letter for this “like triangle” shape. If you use other shapes it can be less or more of background stamping. Use different patterns over different magnets or combine different stamps over the same magnet. I used the same stamp over each single piece and three different patterns for the whole project.

5. Use a make- up sponge (or any fancy tool you have) to add Ann Butler’s Crafter’s inks to your totally dry magnets. Make it a few times to make the more saturated colors.

6. Let the inks dry for a few hours (don’t use the heat gun as it may change the shape a bit) and then cover it with a think layer of Glossy Accents or any other glossy coverage.

Here is my final project

Now it’s your turn! Get some gorgeous Ann Butler’s stamps and inks and make a lot of easy made magnets for yourselves or as small gifts.

Products used:

Ann Buttler’s products

2” Leaves all over

2” Doily Picnic

EZ-Des- Flourish 2” ABC’S

Crafter’s inks: Limelight, Aquamarine, Berry

Other products

Makin’s air dry clay White

Makin’s tool set

Glossy Accents (Ranger), heart shape cutter

See you next month with more ANN BUTLER’S products inspiration. You are also invited to visit my own blog as I post more Ann’s projects there too.

March 18, 2014 By Ann Butler 18 Comments

DIY Inked and Stamped Dominoes

Today I am sharing DIY Inked and Stamped Dominoes that I created for a necklace. I was honored to be asked to be part of this blog hop with so many wonderful creative friends and as a BONUS when the product came I was beyond excited…..Dazzle-it Neo Chain glitters because the cut in the actual chain exposes the brass beneath for an unexpected sparkle which is beautiful!

The Dazzle-it Neo Chain comes is an assortment of colors, one sure to fit what ever you desire…..

I decided to stamp some Dominoes to create charms for necklace and some earrings….

dominoes come in a variety of sizes, all of which are fun to alter, pick the size of your choice….

I chose to use “Iridescents” by Earth Safe Finishes as the finish for the dominoes.

First I painted the dominoes with Gesso by Earth Safe Finishes; to give the dominoes a tooth in which to hold the paint, let it dry then I applied three coats of “Iridescents“, letting it dry in between coats.

I used my “Faux Quilting” 2″ Leaves all Over from Unity Stamp Company and Surface Ink in Black from Clearsnap

to stamp an image onto the dominoes…..

Use a Krylon Paint Pen to finish off the side edges!

I cut 3 strands (16″, 20″ and 24″) of Dazzle-It Neo Chain in White and attached a large jump ring to each end with a lobster claw added on one end. This give the necklace a nice layered effect.

I drilled a hole into the top center of the dominoes, attached a large jump ring and placed it onto the middle of the 20″ chain creating the necklace…..

I also created the same necklace with the Purple Dazzle-It Neo Chain

and a set of earrings using 2 jump rings and ear wires, oh so quick and easy!

For more information about Dazzle-it products visit their web site , blog or check them out on Facebook where they have regular giveaways! Be sure to check out all of the other great projects on the Blog Hop using this Awesome New Product by clicking on the links below!

Amy Bowerman Stucki – Plucking Daisies
Ann Butler Designs – Creativity Stirs the Soul (you are Here)
Charlotte Gordon – Atmosphere and Symphony
June Beach – Beach Haus Designs
Kristi Parker Van Doren – Kristi’s Creative Cafe’
Lisa Fulmer – Lisa Liza Lou
Lisa M Pace – It’s In The Details
Roberta Birnbaum – DecorablesArt
Suzann Sladcik Wilson – Beadphoria
Suze Weinberg – Leap…..and the net will appear!
Tammy Powley – The Crafty Princess Diaries
Vicki O’Dell – The Creative Goddess

You can find more ways to use the fabulous and fun Neo Chain from Dazzle-it on The Newfangled Neo Chain Blog Hop…you won’t want to miss these creative ideas! – See more at: http://pluckingdaisies.com/ten-minute-neo-chain-star-earrings/#sthash.Ti5fBGxs.dpuf

March 17, 2014 By Beth Watson 2 Comments

Faux Quilted Picture Frame

I love taking something traditional like quilting and putting a contemporary twist on it with a modern color palette. I also love creating home decor items, so I created this frame to coordinate with the Faux Quilted Box that I posted in February.

Here’s how I made it!

MATERIALS & SUPPLIES:

Ann Butler Designs {Faux Quliting} Stamp sets – 1″ Diamonds & Plaids, 1″ Doily Picnic and 1″ Leaves All Over.
EZ De’s Ann Butler Stamps – Flourish 2″ ABC’s
Colorbox Crafter’s® by Ann Butler – full size ink pads in Aquamarine, Sunshine, Lilac and Limelight.
Colorbox Crafter’s® – full size ink pads in Snow and Bark.
Kraft Core Nostalgic Collection by Core’dinations
Wooden Picture frame – craft store.
Design Master Colortool Spray – Walnut Wood Tone.
Beacon Adhesives – Fast Finish Decoupage and Premium Tacky Glue
Alterations Sizzix Bigz Die – Tattered Florals
Sizzix Big Shot Pro Die Cutting Machine.
Scissors, Clear Acrylic Stamping Blocks, bright green tissue paper, 3D foam adhesive, craft knife, newspapers and a Brad.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.) In a well ventilated area, spread out newspapers and spray several light coats of Design Master Walnut Wood Tone on frame, let dry completely.

2.) Stamp a variety of the patterns on coordinating card stock colors and cut out with scissors. Dry fit on frame until you are happy with the pattern and color arrangement. Attach to frame with Fast Finish Decoupage, let dry.

NOTE: Now this is where you do what I SAY instead of what I DO. As you are attaching your Faux Quilt pieces to your frame, work one piece from the right and one piece from the left until you reach the center. This will allow you to space all pieces evenly. I DID NOT DO THIS, so I ended up with a large space at the right side of the frame. This is where a redesign comes in to play!

3.) Die cut bright green tissue paper with the Tattered Florals die, concentrating on the largest flower. Separate layers, lay out on newspapers and lightly mist with Design Master Walnut Wood Tone, let dry. Stack flowers, cut a small slit in center with craft knife and insert brad through all layers. Spread prongs, flatten and attach to frame with Premium Tacky Glue. Crinkle petals for texture.

4.) stamp initial of choice on card stock of choice. Fussy cut with scissors. Stack 5 layers of 3D foam adhesive to back of initial and attach to center of flower. Fill frame with favor family photo and display for all to enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by! -Beth

March 12, 2014 By Larissa Pittman 3 Comments

Faux Quilt Pattern Card

Good Wednesday morning everyone! How are Y’all today?

I have been working on quilt patterns with these great Ann Butler stamps. I have been getting a lot of quilting ideas from Pinterest.

So many beautiful patterns out there.

Today I am using 2 different stamp sets.

I am using the diamond stamp from 1″ Diamonds & Plaid and the dots from 1″ Stripes.Dots.Hearts.

I used a piece of watercolor paper and water colors for the background.

Other supplies are listed below.

I stamped 4 of each stamp and cut them out. Then I lined them all up in the pattern. The square button I actually made from Makin Clay and added some color.

So putting it all together –

I was going for spring colors since I am so tired of winter.

Hope you enjoyed my post today. Don’t forget to check back tomorrow and see what other awesome projects our design team comes up with.

Supplies Used:

Ann Butler Stamps: 1′ Diamonds & Plaids, 1″ Stripes.Dots.Hearts, Imagine, Create, Inspire…{cosmo itty bitty}

ColorBox Crafters Ink by Ann Butler: Aquamarine, Limelight

Earth Safe Finishes by Ann Butler Iridescents Lipgloss

Makin Clay