April 24, 2014 By Design Team 6 Comments

Unity faux-quilting stamps Celebration Card

Happy Friday everybody! This is Roberta and today I am sharing a cute card I created using Ann Butler Design 2″ square faux-quilting stamps and inks! I LOVE the 2″ size of these borderless cling stamps; being borderless means that I can stamp a seamless, continuous line or large area!

I plan to make several cards today and tomorrow using these stamps and because I am not

Crafter’s Ink Flavors!

yet sure what shapes and designs I will be using I like to make the best use of my time and supplies by creating large worksheets from which I can cut or punch out later. I started my card by taking 4 different stamps and stamping them on a 12×12 white cardstock.

I chose to work with ColorBox Crafter’s® ink by Ann Butler in Berry, Aquamarine, and Lilac. Ann Butler Designs faux-quilted stamps I used were from the Leaves all Over and the Diamonds & Plaid collections.

Other supplies used

Banner die-cut card from Studio G (Hampton Art)
18 gauge wire
Makin’s Clay for the balloon
Rhinestones- Darice adhesive back acrylic gems
alphas – Basic Grey Mint Julep
ribbon – Maya Road
Adhesive – Beacon 3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue
pop dots
Glossy Accents

: clay base for my balloon before I stamped it

: a little dimension and texture never hurt anybody, right?

: Just cut stamped cardstock to fit!

i cut 3/4″ strips to peak through the banner. I actually wound up gluing them onto a separate piece of cardstock, trimming them to be flush, and then re-gluing to the actual card

Thank you for stopping by today ~ Roberta

April 23, 2014 By Vishu Reberholt 1 Comment

Ann Butler Design One Stamp Backrgounds

Hello all, Vishu here again and I am very excited to share my projects with you today and hope to show you all the possibilities, versatility and different looks you can get with just one stamp.

How amazing don’t you think, you could never tell all these backgrounds are made out of just one 1″ stamp. I tried to use the same colors and style so you can really compare.

Below are the main products I used for this.

All the three looks are very easy to create, The stamp I choose was from the Ann Butler Designs 1″ leaves all over stamp set. These are great stamps and especially the no edge design make the possibilities endless.

For the first card background I just stamped the lines vertically on a white cardstock with Ann Butler’s Crafter’s Aquamarine ink and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder and then went back and covered the cardstock with black ink, then just wiped it off with a baby wipe.

For the second background I made a checkered board pattern using the same stamp and ink. I went back and added some glue lines and stuck glitter to give the paper shine, I think the background looks great.

For the thrid background I again stamped the lines vertically on a white cardstock and heat embossed with clear embossing powder, then using the same stamp stamped the lines horizontally with Ann Butler’s Crafter’s Berry ink, let it dry and then wiped it with a baby wipe.

I hope I have inspired you tap into the great possibilities with these Ann Butler stamps by Unity Company. Crafty good bye for now but don’t forget to stop again to see some awesome projects by our Team.

April 21, 2014 By Design Team 4 Comments

Faux Quilted Card

Hello, Ava here to share a faux Quilt Block that I made for my card. There are lots of quilting resources on the web; pinterest, you tube, blogs, websites and google all of which can bring you plenty of inspiration.

Start with gathering your supplies and of course you are allowed to change your mind at any time through the quilting experience.

Step #1

Using 2 different stamps from the Ann Butler 1″ Doily Picnic stamp set; stamp 1 row of each of the different stamps onto a 10 inch by 4 inch strip of 110 lb Core’dinations Cardstock.

Step #2

Trim your 2 stamped strips to 3/4″ wide and then cut your squares 3/4″ again. Cut 8 squares measuring 3/4″ x 3/4″. Do this again with the other pattern stamp strip as well as your plain cardstock strip using the same measurements. So, before you start, pile up your 3 types of squares, (2 different stamped patterns and 1 regular cardstock)

Step#3

Have your quilt block template pattern that you have decided to use for your project in front of you. Using an adhesive tape runner, place plenty of strips of glue onto a 3″ x 3″ cardstock square. Follow your chosen Quilt Block pattern and start repeating the pattern for your card by cutting and placing your papers onto your cardstock block.

Step # 4

Once you have everything figured out and in place, mat your 3″ Quilt Block and assemble your card elements onto your card base.

Step # 5

Stamp your card with a sentiment of your choice.

Ann Butler Designs Supplies

1″ Doily Picnic Ann Butler Designs, Unity Stamp Co. Stamps

Clearsnap Ink, Ann Butler Colorbox Crafters Ink, Lilac & Shineshine

Other Supplies

Core’dinations Cardstock, Core Essentials Pastel Collection & 110 lb Cardstock

Tombow Stamp Runner Adhesive

Westcott Brands scissors

May Arts Ribbon

Viva Pearl Pen, Ice White

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 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 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 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

March 8, 2014 By Design Team 2 Comments

Life is good – Embossed Faux Quilting Squares

Hello, my dear crafty friends! Irit is here with my very first post made with Ann Butler’s delicious products.

A few months ago we bought a new TV set and as it is LG one the first thing you see when you turn it on is this huge LIFE ‘S GOOD title. So these words were ringing in my head for a long time and I decided to make an artistic card with this “Life is good” title.

I made it with Ann Butler’s products, a lot of them and made a small tutorial to show you my fancy way to use a lot of stamps and 3 close to primary ink colors. As I made my finished project first, the tutorial is just a sample of all techniques used to make this fancy card and not a finished project sample.

So here we go:

1. Stamp images over white cardstock with clear embossing ink

2. Heat emboss your stamped images with black fine embossing powder,

3. Punch the embossed images with 1” punch (you sure can hand cut them, but if you have the proper punch it makes it so fast and easy.Arrange your punched images over double sided tacky tape. Do not connect the images as we want a bit of space between the pieces, but try to keep the space around 1/8” mostly.

4. Sprinkle fine pink glitter over the tacky piece, don’t worry about the images as you can just wipe them in a second layer.

5. This is a step where we usually use 3 primary ink colors to make a whole rainbow of colors (red, blue and yellow). But I decided to step out of the box and to use colors that are close to primary from Ann’s collection, so I used Sunshine, Aquamarine and Berry. Use a simple cheap make- up sponge or your fancy inking tool, your choice.

This is an end of my sample technique tutorial and now for my finished project.

I used three Ann Butler cling stamp sets from Unity:

1”Diamonds and Plaid

1” Stripes, dots and hearts

1” Doily Picnic

The chipboard window and the title were heat embossed with black embossing powder and the chipboard frame was painted with Ann Butler’s Lipgloss Iridescents`paint

Here you can see all layers and it’s still very flat card.

I added some pearls and my card was done. Hope I inspired you to try my techniques and to make some similar projects with Ann Butler’s delicious products.

Supply list

Ann Butler stamps: 1” Diamonds and plaids; 1” Stripes, dots and hearts; 1” Doily Picnic

Ann Butler inks: Aquamarine, Sunshine, Berry

Ann Butler Iridescents: Lipgloss

Cardstock: American Crafts

Chipboards: Creative Embellishments

Pearls: Flourish with a Bling

Embossing powders: WOW! Embossing Powders

March 3, 2014 By Design Team 3 Comments

Stamped Card: Thinking of You

Happy Monday, all! I know, we don’t like Mondays. Hopefully my fun card will cheer you up! I am very excited to share this cool heart background card with you today. With Ann’s Ez-De’s 2″ Checkered Woven Hearts Stamp Set, you can create all sorts of different looking projects as the stamp set offers you lots of versatility!

I had so much fun playing with the heart patterned stamp set to give a detailed background for the card. And it was SUPER easy to line it up to give a continuous look! I wanted to create a spring-feeling card so I chose the Aquamarine ColorBox Crafter’s Inkpad. I love how juicy the colors are and you can either let it dry on its own, or add an embossing power to give more dimensions.

To finish off the card with some cute touch, I added a gold baker’s twine and few sequins. I hope you enjoyed my card I shared here, thank you so much for spending your time with me. Have an awesome Monday!!

Love, Nicole

February 25, 2014 By Design Team 16 Comments

Faux Quilting Distressed Card

Hi Everyone, Happy Tuesday, Paula here with my first post for Ann Butler Designs a Faux Quilted Distressed Card!

I love doing simple, but like to add “just enough” to make them look like it’s more. Ann’s stamps are SO simple to work with, yet have such an elegant look!

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Start with a basic 5.5″ x 8.5″ piece of cardstock, folded in half (finished size 4.25″ 5.5″).
2. Use the Big Shot to emboss the base of the card.
3. Using Ann Butler Designs Faux Quilting 2″ Stripes.Dots.Hearts stamp set, and Colorbox Crafter’s Ink by Ann Butler in Aquamarine, I stamped an assortment of the patterns in one large rectangle shape.
4. Use TopNote Die to cut out shape from the stamped images.
5. I then used another floral die to cut out additional shapes. I ran these through the Big Shot again, to emboss with the same design of the base card. Since I love a distressed look, I bent/folded/crumbled and used a file on these flowers. Afterwards, I inked the edges. I adhere the layers together and top with a decorative brad.
6. Now that the pieces are all created, I just layer and adhere them together. I did use two pieces of ribbon – one is across the width of the card base, while the second (the lace ribbon) is wrapped around the note die.
7. As you probably noticed as well – I love inking edges. It just doesn’t seem finished until I do!

And that’s it! See, I told you it looks “more” difficult than it is!
Have a great day!