The Craft DASH

The Gift of Cardmaking

January 28, 2024January 28, 2024Erika L HayesLeave a comment

Giving money or gift cards is hard. On one hand, it is the perfect gift. Then on the other hand it seems like its a little impersonal. Well, this Christmas, I made a few gift card holders like the one I am sharing today and they were so well received I realized, giving the gift card is what the person wants. I believe it is usually becasue they don’t really know what they want yet, but when they see it they have that gift card to be able to get that special something.

Well, gift cards don’t stop after Christmas, there are birthday, anniversaries, graduations, friendship, thank yous, all kinds of reasons we give people a little something. I also know that the best part of gift card holders is I get to pick what goes on them. I get to spend time and thought and more imporatnantly part of me into that what is thought of as something a lot of people struggle with the personalization of. GIFT CARDS.

I decided to make a this one using a more “valentine” leaning stamp set. Why? because its cute and the person I am thinking of sending this to loves both mushrooms and mice. (perfect right) When this person gets this gift, its not “just a gift card” its a one of a kind birthday gift, with a gift card to the store I know they always buy from.

If you stumbled on this website/post and want to know more about how to make these fun little card holders just drop a comment. I will be happy to respond and bring you the joy of papercrafting.

Thanks for stopping by ! You are a wonderful and important human being. I am blessed that you chose to stop in here.

DIY Alcohol Inks

December 5, 2023December 5, 2023Erika L Hayes1 Comment

Recently I took a class at Online Card Classes, and we did some fun techniques with alcohol inks. I mentioned that you can make you own alcohol inks and promised a video on how to make them. I decided to make very quick not so professional video for my classmates. I thought maybe others would benefit from it, so I am posting a link here to my YouTube channel so you can watch it if you like.

If you have any questions, let me know. I made two quickie cards with the panel from this video which I also posted here.

Making a Scene with Me

November 8, 2023November 8, 2023Erika L Hayes3 Comments

Without a doubt, scene building cards are my favorite to create! I think it is the writer in me. I feel like I can set a mood for the card receiver when I create a card with a scene. Pop up a card and add some mood colors and wha-la you have given a story to your loved one.

Adding deminsion to any card will bring a sense of depth, but in scene building you need to have more than pop up of deminson you really want to tell a story. I think successful scenes will hold a backdrop and a focal point and a sentiment that supports the story. One reason I chose the sets I did is they supported one another to complete a calm feeling. I chose my ink colors based on the feeling as well. More on that in an upcoming class. Color theory is very important as well in scene buliding cards. I will be going over that more later in a class I am creating for this type of card making.

I am working on creating a class for this card, but I think it will be video so I am still shooting the footage… I will update this post once it is available and as always,

Here is a sneak peek of whats to be covered!

Thanks for taking time to check out my journey! I am excited as this is my last level one assignment for the AECP ! WHOOO HOOO! More to be shared soon on this card as it will be coming soon as a class for you!!!

Excited for the future!

Erika Hayes

For me, it’s all about education. I am self-taught designer and artist. I made the choice to stay home and be a mom for almost 25 years and during that time, I studied graphic design, color theory and visual arts through online learning opportunities. I am a published artist and writer. I returned to college as an adult and studied American Sign Language, German and creative writing. I am a lifelong learner and love sharing what I learn with anyone with interest. Currently gaining certification in Adobe Illustrator. Soon to be AEC educator! YAY!

Ink a Dink a WHEW!

November 8, 2023November 6, 2023Erika L Hayes2 Comments

Ink Blending may be the greatest thing to come to stamping in a long time. It has been around for while and it has prompted all kinds of products and inking techniques.

Ink blending is a fast and beautiful way to add the wow factor to your cards. A few other techniques that you can see in this card include what is called resist inking where you heat emboss your stamp then ink over it,

This stamp from Altenew (Beautiful You) is fine lined and one way to add some umph to those kinds of stamps is to ink blend with a white resist. White pops off the card because well– its white and it will force it way to the forground where the darker a color gets, the more it likes to fade or receed to the background. That’s just a design concept to keep in your pocket. In this card, you can see even against the yellow (which is darker than white) the white makes its way to the forground, and moreso in the pink. In this case, I was able to pull the stamp lines out because of my color choices.

Altenew Blending brushes come in many sizes

Another little fun thing is that I wanted dots, in a class over at Altenew, I saw some Bokeh on a card and I loved how it looked, I didn’t really completely use this techinque but I did like the look of the spots so I went for it. Fun Fact. The Altenew blending brushes were just perfect size for what I wanted too! Take a look.

Take a look at the Project Sheet Class over in the shoppe for detailed instructions on how to recreate this card. You will also learn a few tips & trick on using vellum for your sentiment.

As you know I am all about the edcuation so you can not just replicate a card but can grow in confidence and soon be incorporating these techinques into your daily cardmaking.

Here is a code for you to get this class for free! INKADOOAECP

Here’s a sneak peek into the class–

So Shiny! Using Metallic Paints.

November 4, 2023November 3, 2023Erika L Hayes1 Comment

Sometimes, I think I am part crow, or really, just any bird. All the shiny things just pull me in. I just love how metallic paint adds that shiny beauty to just about any project. It seems to me metallic paint is a wonderful way to add just the right bling to a card. The problem I have is I am not a watercolor artist. That is why using this fun technique and some beautiful, in this case, floral stamps anyone can be a watercolor artist!

I am excited to share this fun techinque in another class available HERE over at the shop. Use this coupon code to get it for FREE! SSAECPEH

Here’s a peek at some of what you’ll find in the class.