SUMMER FUN GIFT CARD HOLDERS | with Karen

Good morning Doodlebug fans! I have some more Summer Fun inspiration for you today. Today's project was actually inspired by a video that came across my social media feed about a pretty way to wrap a box. I just loved the way the top of the box looked in the video and wanted to see if I could recreate the style for a little gift card holder made with Doodlebug paper.

These little pockets could hold anything from a gift card to stationary to thin treats! I am actually planning on using these to hold some thank-you notes and a gift card tucked into the pockets. Overlapping Water Babies, Seashells by the Seashore, Gull Friends and Beach Towel 12x12 papers form the base of the pockets.

And then to embellish the pockets, I used a variety of die Cuts from the Summer Fun Chit Chat, Odds & Ends and Bits & Pieces packs tucked into each layer and then glued in place.

Some adorable Doodle Twine in Limeade, Swimming Pool and Bubblegum were wrapped and tied for some texture, and then I added a couple of Mini Doilies back-to back in the back pocket to create a little shape on the top.

Finally, I added a few Sprinkles from the Summer Assortment and a couple of Mini Paperclips in Tangerine and Blue Jean. I just love that you can fill each section to your hearts content - love all the die cuts?! Tuck them in! A fan of all the tags? Use them up! The more you add, the more textured and interesting the pockets become! I think I will be making different versions of these in the future!

Oh, and you can too because there is nothing hard about this project at all! Check it out:

1. Start with two strips of paper 4" x 12". Score both along the long edge at the 4" and 8" mark.
2. Take the outside top corners and fold them down. use a bone folder if you have one to get a tight fold. Repeat with your second strip.
3. Using one strip of paper, fold in the two sides and then place it down on top of the second strip about 1/2" from the bottom.
4. Fold the sides from strip 2 over top and then glue along the bottom edge to hold everything in place. Embellish them up to your heart's content.
   
   That's it! Really!

I love that you could alter the dimensions on these and end up with a different look. Or if you are a fan of showing off all the Doodlebug patterns, add another layer! these would look really cute on a scrapbook paper to to hold a little keepsake! I can only imagine all the creative things you will do with the idea and we can't wait to see them! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs,

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DOODLEBUG PRODUCTS USED

8936 seashells by the seashore 12x12 patterned paper

8932 water babies12x12 patterned paper

8940 gull friends 12x12 patterned paper

8939 beach towel 12x12 patterned paper
8891 summer assortment sprinkles

4502 mini paper clips blue jean

4498 mini paper clips tangerine

4597 mini doilies bubblegum

4602 mini doilies swimming pool

2991 doodle twine swimming pool

2987 doodle twine bubblegum

8921 odds & ends summer fun

8922 chit chat summer fun

8923 bits & pieces summer fun

OTHER

Adhesive

SUMMER FUN FLAMAING CARDS | with Karen

Hey everyone! Today I am so excited to share with you a little card set that sort of created itself using the adorable Flamazing Doodle Stamps that coordinate with the new Summer Fun collection. It was not at all what I had designed in my head but as I started creating, the flamingos just seemed to tell me they wanted to go in a different direction. And I say, always listen to the flamingos!

The Summer Fun collection is a really bright and bold collection, so when I first started colouring up these flamingos, I imagined that I would back my cards with some of the fun bold blues and pinks that you can find in a variety of the patterned paper. But as I started laying the flamingos out on the card bases that I used from the Summer Cards & Envelopes set, the flamingos decided that they really wanted to be the starts of the show. And really, they are so cute and tranquil that I couldn't argue! Although I love all the papers in this collection, the flamingos could really stand on their own (see what I did there?!).

So, on one card, I simply used a Mini Doily in Bubblegum as the background and then layered the stamps on top, finishing it off with a few Mini Jewels, also in Bubblegum. And to create a bit of extra dimension, I stamped the flamingo twice just to be able to cut out the wing and adhere it with some foam adhesive so it stuck up a bit. I also added one of the palm tree stamps and a few leaves which I cut out with the coordinating Flamazing Doodle Cuts to enhance the shape of the doily.

On the other two cards I did use a bit of the patterned paper together with a doily (in bubblegum and swimming pool) and a small piece of textured cardstock in Swimming Pool for a mat. Polka Dot Bikini and Water Babies in the 12x12 were my choice because I wanted a simple patterned paper that just added a bit of colour and didn't outshine the flamingos (like that was possible). On these two cards I also cut out a second flamingo for the wing to layer but instead of using foam adhesive, I just glued it towards the round end (where it would attach to a flamingo in theory) and left the rest for that layered look without the bulk.

These cards give off a light and airy feel - a little more clean and simple than I was planning with this collection. But I love them that way, and I love that you can take a collection like Summer Fun and create something totally different.

I hope you love these beautiful flamingos as much as I do! I think it's fair to say that they knew what they needed! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs,

BLOG | INSTAGRAM

DOODLEBUG PRODUCTS USED

8924 summer cards & envelopes

8932 water babies 12x12 patterned paper

8935 polka dot bikini 12x12 patterned paper
8918 flamazing doodle stamps

8917 flamazing doodle cuts
8943 summer fun textured cardstock assortment pack

6715 bubblegum mini jewels

4597 mini doilies bubblegum

4602 mini doilies swimming pool

OTHER
adhesive

alcohol markers

stamp ink

SUMMER FUN ODDS & ENDS CARDS | with Karen

Good morning Doodlebug fans! Today I am coming to you with some bright and colorful cards featuring the Summer Fun collection because I need a little summer brightness in my life. It has been a gloomy and rainy summer up here in Calgary (which I am not used to as we are known for our bright blue skies) so filling my crafty table with Doodlebug color and all things summer is just what the doctor ordered

One of my favourite things to do when I get a new Doodlebug collection is to dump out the entire Odds & Ends die cut package all over my table. I love going through all the cute characters and icons and picking out some favourites to feature on projects (and to hoard for my collection). Usually, those become the first on a set of cards.

And speaking of cards, if you didn't already know, Doodlebug features Cards & Envelopes sets that coordinate with the collections. This one for Summer fun is a great selection of white base cards in a variety of sizes with colourful envelopes in Doodlebug colours to match. I pulled out 3 for this set! 

Then I grabbed a few different prints from the 12x12 patterned paper as the base of each card. Let's Luau (say that five time fast), Beach Picnic and Summer School (best name for paper ever!) were the papers I chose for the bases and then added a small square of Polka Dot Bikini to each to anchor the die cuts I chose. I also layered the Polka Dot bikini on a bit of Summer Fun textured cardstock for definition.

Once I had everything positioned and layered with a few mini doilies in Bubblegum and Swimming Pool, I adhered everything with some foam adhesive for some dimension. Remember, don't be afraid to gently bend up the edges of your die cuts to get some more dimension! Finally, I added some sentiments from the Puffy Word Stickers, added a few Sprinkles and a few Mini Paper Clips in Blue Jean.

Voila - a set of cards ready to bring all the summer sunshine you can imagine to anyone who receives them. But these ones might need to stay on the wall of my crafty space until the sun decides to return! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs,

BLOG | INSTAGRAM

DOODLEBUG PRODUCTS USED

8924 summer cards & envelopes

8933 beach picnic 12x12 patterned paper

8930 summer school 12x12 patterned paper

8934 let's luau 12x12 patterned paper

8935 polka dot bikini 12x12 patterned paper
8891 summer assortment sprinkles
8908 summer fun puffy words stickers
8943 summer fun textured cardstock assortment pack

4502 mini paper clips blue jean

4597 mini doilies bubblegum

4602 mini doilies swimming pool

OTHER

Adhesive

BEE HAPPY TWIST POP CARDS | with Karen

Oh, the sweetness! It's time for another Bee Happy project post from me and I could not "bee" more excited to share with you today! It's birthday time in my house and it seemed like the perfect occasion to use some of the cutest Doodlebug papers and products ever.

I decided to create a couple of pop up twist cards. If you have never made one of these types of cards before, you are in for a treat. While from the front it looks like a regular card, when you open it up...

...it twists and pops right out at you (I have this process and measurements memorized, but I am pretty sure that I first learned how to make them from this Splitcoaststampers tutorial - a quick search of "pop up twist cards" will provide you with many, many tutorials).

 

The best part about this card style is that there is so much room to play with products like the dies cuts from the All the Things pack. You can layer them to create cute little scenes on the front...

...and then have just as much fun on the four panels on the inside with messages and characters! Use some foam adhesive to give even more dimension to the little scenes. And don't forget to top off our creations with some mini jewels or layer on top of some mini doilies for even more texture!

Celebrating birthdays is always fun - but doing it in Doodlebug style takes it to the next level! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs,

BLOG | INSTAGRAM

DOODLEBUG PRODUCTS USED

Bee Happy Collection
Mini Doilies
Mini Jewels

OTHER

Adhesive

BEE HAPPY CUTE CARDS | with Karen

Sometimes I sit down at my crafty table and I just can't bee-lieve my luck. I mean, how many people get a chance to regularly work with the cutest products on the market? The new Bee Happy mini collection from Doodlebug is un-bee-lieaveably adorable. And if you are lucky like me and a get a chance to craft with it, you will bee smiling from ear to ear the whole time!

Okay, enough with the puns - let's get serious! :) For my first project, I decided to whip up some cards. Using some Doodlebug Cards and Envelopes for the base, I grabbed some of my favourite patterns from the 6x8 patterned paper to form a little frame.

Then I chose some adorable die cuts from the All the Things pack for the focal point on each. I couldn't resist featuring bees on each of these cards, but there are so many designs that you could try a number of different themes (but let's bee real - if you don't loves the bees as much as I do, we cannot be friends).

I also added a little sentiment from the same die cut pack. There a bunch of different ones to work with for a variety of occasions. A couple of mini paper clips and some coordinating sprinkles and these cards are ready for their debut.

I mean, come on - how cute is that face? Don't bee afraid to play with layers here. Some well placed foam adhesive and a little bend on the wings can really make the dies cute pop off of the card!

And that's it! A set of cards that can bee the reason someone smiles today - if you're willing to give them away, that is (I won't judge). Now I really am done with the puns! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs,

BLOG | INSTAGRAM

DOODLEBUG PRODUCTS USED

Bee Happy Collection
Cards and Envelopes
Mini Paper Clips

BERRY SWEET TEACHER THANK YOU GIFT | with Karen

Up here in Canada, we are still in school until the end of June. So that means it is time to get some "thank-you" gifts together for staff and teachers. And really, I couldn't think of a better collection to create all sorts of goodies. 

One of my favourite boxes for teacher gifts is a cut file from Lori Whitlock called - Pencil Shaped Box. The other night I was thinking what adorable stationary this collection would make so it seemed perfect to team it with this cut file for a project. I used the 12x12 patterned paper from the collection for the base with a few accents make out of Doodlebug's textured cardstock.

I then topped off the lid of the box with some of the die cuts from the All The Things pack. I also added one of the tags that I cut from the 6X8 patterned paper pack (still one of my new favourites from Doodlebug).

It's a simple project that I think has a bit of that "wow" factor! Now my next task is to figure out what to put inside - am I the only one that makes the cute packaging before they figure out what the gift is going to be?! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs!

BLOG | INSTAGRAM

DOODLEBUG PRODUCTS USED

Berry Sweet Collection
Berry Sweet Coordinating Textured cardstock

OTHER

Lori Whitlock cut file - Pencil Shaped Box

Ribbon
Adhesive

BERRY SWEET STAMPED CARDS | with Karen

You know when you come across something and it is so cute that you are just at a loss for words? That is how I feel about the new Berry Sweet collection from Doodlebug. I am not even sure what to say (which is kind of bad when you are trying to write a blog post). So maybe a picture will help me to get going.

I mean, come on! This collection reminds me of all the sweetness of my childhood. Think Strawberry Shortcake but for crafters! It's been awhile since I had my stamping tools out but this delightful set had me reaching for them immediately!

This stamp set has all the cute images you have come to count on from Doodlebug. Big characters and smaller embellishment stamps like the little flower and leaf here make all sorts of combinations possible.

And this little mouse? I could colour him and cute him out with the coordinating die cut set all day! Oh, and the All the Things die cuts are perfect for little embellishments and sentiments for all your projects.

Did I mention the patterns?! The paper patterns in this collection are stunning. They add a level of detail to your projects without you even having to try hard! If I owned a bakery, I would wall paper the walls with all these cute papers.

This collection is actually beyond sweet. I am not even sure what else to say. Except grab it now - you will have no regrets! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs,

BLOG | INSTAGRAM

DOODLEBUG PRODUCTS USED

Berry Sweet Collection
Berry Sweet Doodle Stamps / Doodle Cuts
Mini paperclips

OTHER

White cardstock
Adhesive

BUTTERFLY KISSES CARDS | with Karen

When Doodlebug releases new product, I have been know to get pretty darn excited. And by excited, I mean gasping "ooooh" and "ahh" with a few squeals in there for good measure. I am always so excited by the new colour combinations and adorable icons that I just cannot help myself. Doodlebug makes great product!

The new Butterfly Kisses collection is no exception. So for my post today, I thought I would feature a couple of the products that got me squealing when I first saw them (and anyone on the design team can verify in case you don't believe me)!

This little card set is my first project up! As you can see, I am still a sucker for the Odds and Ends die cuts which so often make the primary focus of my cards.

But the first new product that had me squealing were the Puffy Words stickers. These sentiments are exactly what you would expect from Doodlebug - amazing fonts and colours - but PUFFY!!!! Yup - these are a card maker's dream but will also be perfect on other projects too!

Next up for the squeals were this round of Shakers. Now this isn't a brand new product type, but the particular designs for this collection knocked me over! While I didn't use them in a shaker design for these cards, I decided to glue them on individually on the front of the cards as an embellishment (actually, I glued a couple inside too). They are so easy to work with and I love the dimension they add. And those frogs and mushrooms - COME ON!!!! Adorable!

The last product I wanted to feature is the new 6X8 patterned paper. At first, I didn't notice the new size, but let me tell you how much I love it! I typically make standard A2 cards, so each sheet can get me two pieces of background paper now. The size also opens up the possibility of new embellishments like the tags that I cut out here to put the sentiments on. And this paper is going to be PERFECT for the new 6X8 albums we recently featured here on the blog. This is a HUGE winner for me.

You know, it might be silly to get as excited as I do with new product, but I think we could all use a little more joy in our lives right now. And Doodlebug always brightens my day. I hope these cards brighten yours! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs,

BLOG | INSTAGRAM

DOODLEBUG PRODUCTS USED

Butterfly Kisses Collection
Puffy Words Stickers
Shakers - Butterfly Kisses and Garden Party

OTHER

White cardstock
Adhesive

BUNNY HOP EASTER PILLOW TREAT BOXES | with Karen

Well, we may have had our usual March snow storm this last week up here in Calgary, but I am ready for spring. So, if I cannot have green grass and fresh blooms outside, you better believe that I am going to have them on my crafty table!

And what better collection to do that with than the adorable and colourful Bunny Hop! With Easter just around the corner, this is a perfect time to grab this collection again and create something fun and Spring-like. I opted for some pillow boxes from Lori Whitlock to brighten my day.

To make these pillow boxes, I used the 12x12" patterned papers from this collection. I cut them at about 5.5" high so I could get two on each sheet of paper. What is really fun about these pillow boxes is the little peek-a-boo window in the design. The Easter Dots acetate sheets that coordinate with this collection are the perfect way to seal up that window and add a fun design element. I just used a bit of liquid adhesive on the inside to hold it in place.

With the amazing designs and colours, these little boxes didn't need to much embellishment. But I always love adding a little mini jewel here and there for a bit of extra sparkle. I love that they actually play up on this polka dots on the acetate as well!

I am not sure if these are going to be an addition to the Easter table for just a fun little surprise along the way, but in the meantime, they are the fun spring vibe for my crafty space that I was looking for. I hope they bring a smile to your face too! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs,

BLOG | INSTAGRAM

DOODLEBUG PRODUCTS USED

Bunny Hop Collection
Easter Dots Heavyweight Acetate
Textured Cardstock
Mini Jewels

OTHER

Floral Pillow Box - Lori Whitlock
Adhesive