Tutorial: Cupcake Topper by Lacey

Hello High Hopes fans!!

If you are looking for the current challenge, click here.

It's Tutorial Tuesday Time!!

This week, I (Lacey) get to share a tutorial with you.

While working on the Autumn Color Challenge, I decided I wanted to showcase some of the adorable Halloween stamps that Laurie Furnell illustrated last year.

I thought they would make a fun Halloween Themed Cupcake Toppers...

These are super easy to make.

Plus, you can probably re-use the images after the cupcakes are eaten!

For my samples, I used Standing Witchy Poo and Witchy Poo and Kitty Frame. But you can find all of the Witchy Poo Stamps here and all of the Halloween designs here...lots to choose from!

Supplies:

~ Stamped, colored, and cut out images.

~ Punched and die cut shapes (to back the image. (You will need 2 of each background shape for each topper.

~ Skewer or popsicle stick (I cut some wood skewers down to 6")

~ Dimensional foam

~ Adhesive

I apparently missed the photo of the first step! Sorry!

1. Attach your colored image to a die cut shape. For my design, I used some nestability shapes. I chose a medium size circle so that it wasn't too large or heavy for the cupcake to hold up.

2. Apply Foam dimensionals to the back of the diecut shape. I placed one at the top to ensure that it will stop the image from sliding down on the stick. I also applied some adhesive to make sure the image didn't stays put and doesn't fall off the stick.

3. Attach the stick to the adhesive making sure it is centered behind the design.

4. Use the other diecut shape to sandwich around the stick. This will hide the stick and allow you to decorate the back of the design as well.

5. To decorate the back of the design, I used Happy Halloween Sentiment Top/Bottom along with a few punched layers. But you can decorate the back any way you want.

6. Repeat the process for all of your toppers.

7. Place the toppers into the cupcakes and serve!!

Of course, these toppers work for any type of cupcake party

(Birthday, Graduation, Holidays, etc...).

Whatever the party, I'm sure High Hopes has the stamps for the theme you are looking for!!

Go check them out at www.highhopesstamps.com!

Challenge 116: Autumn Colors

Hello High Hopes fans!!

It looks like the past few weeks have been a favorite with you all!! You seemed to enjoy the "Anything Goes" challenge as well as Anna's Faux Stitching Tutorial!!

Thank you all for your lovely comments and participation.

The random winner of the Anything Goes Challenge is:

Congratulations, Dorthy S.

Please contact me at stampandcreate@bellsouth.net with your mailing address and choice of 3 free stamps!

Here is Dorthy's lovely card using Ice Cream For Two...

We are hosted this week by the talented and sweet Niki!!

Her challenge is:

Autumn Colors

(any combination of orange, black, purple, brown, red)

One random participant will win 3 FREE High Hopes stamps!!

Just remember, you MUST use a High Hopes image on your card to participate.

If you do not use a High Hopes image, your link will be removed.

If you are in need of some High Hopes stamps, why not check out the Diva's Stores:

Lacey Stephens - Stamp and Create based out of the US

Nikki Fairbairn - Bunny Zoe's Crafts based out of the UK/Europe

Amy Wegener - Stampin' Stuff based out of Australia

High Hopes Website

Now here are the fantastic Design Diva samples for your inspiration...

Niki

Kristine
Karen
Alex.
Lynne
Jeanne
Lacey
Tanya
Andrea

Sirpa

Anna (using more of that Faux Stitching technique from her tutorial).

Tutorial - Faux Stitching by Anna

It's Tutorial Tuesday Time!!

If you are looking for the current challenge, click here.

We are back this week with a Faux Stitching Tutorial by the fabulous Anna Wight!!

One of my absolute favorite things to add to my cards and other paper craft projects is faux stitching. You might be familiar with the faux stitching technique that uses a paper piercer (or thumbtack) and marker to create faux sewing machine holes and faux thread. That is a great technique, but I do something a little different!

Let me introduce you to the tracing wheel! When I add faux stitches to my projects, I prefer to use the tracing wheel which is commonly used by seamstresses. You can find tracing wheels in most sewing departments at fabric and craft stores. They’re inexpensive, and are so very handy! I’ve put together several projects to demonstrate just a few ways you can use this wonderful little tool!

For the sailor card shown above, I used the tracing wheel to create a subtle grid on the base of the card. Most of the time I just eyeball the lines on my projects, but you can use a clear ruler to easily guide you if you prefer to have evenly spaced, straight lines. I recommend using a self-healing mat under your project. The mat will provide just enough “give”, while not allowing the tracing wheel to cut into your paper (or your table top). If you don’t have a self-healing mat, a magazine you’re willing to roughen up works well too.

When you complete your grid, you’ve got a more interesting card base without the added weight (and cost) of patterned paper.

You’re not limited to creating faux stitching on plain card stock! Here I’ve added a grid to polka dot patterned paper for added visual interest. The added texture is nice as well.

You can also use the tracing wheel to quickly add graphic qualities or other visual elements to your projects.

I used the tracing wheel on this card to give motion to the spaceship. A few lines is all it takes to bring a little life to a very simple card. And because I wanted to use solid black card stock behind the spaceship, using the tracing wheel to create blasts worked really well!

You can use the tracing wheel to create straight lines around the edges of your cards, and you can create curved lines to accent other areas, as I’ve done on this card to detail the tops of the hills.

I also used the tracing wheel to create flower stems and center lines on the leaves, and also to parts of the sentiment banner to pull all of the card elements together.

You can also use the tracing wheel to simply add visual interest to the edges of your projects as well. I like using it around the edges of matted layers. It quickly adds another element to the project that doesn’t add extra weight or bulk. It’s a technique that’s ideal for cards being mailed!

Tracing wheels have been around for a long time. Keep a look out at antique shops, ebay, garage sales, etc for unique, vintage wheels. Here are two wheels from my collection that are fun to use. A double wheel, and a flat edged wheel. Each wheel produces a unique line, so be sure to find one that you really enjoy using.

How do I feel about tracing wheels? I think they’re out of this WORLD! I hope you consider adding one (or more) of these fun tools to your paper crafting toolbox.

Challenge 115: Anything High Hopes

Hello High Hopes Fans!

Thank you all for playing along with the Birthday Challenge.

The random winner is...

Congratulations, Jan Farnworth!

Please email me at stampandcreate@bellsouth.net with your choice of 3 free High Hopes Stamps and your mailing address.

Here is her wonderful card using Sitting Buddy Bear with Ballon...

The new challenge being hosted by Karen is:

Anything High Hopes Goes!!

But you MUST use a High Hopes stamp.

If you are in need of some High Hopes stamps, why not check out the Diva's Stores:

Lacey Stephens - Stamp and Create based out of the US

Nikki Fairbairn - Bunny Zoe's Crafts based out of the UK/Europe

Amy Wegener - Stampin' Stuff based out of Australia

High Hopes Website

Now here are the awesome Design Diva samples for your inspiration:

Karen

Kristine

Lynne

Tanya

Anna

Jeanne

Lacey

Niki

Andrea

Now it's your turn!!

Tunnel Card Tutorial by Kristine

Hello High Hopes Fans!

Click the link above for our current Challenge.

It’s Tutorial Tuesday Time again!!!

Once again, the fabulous Kristine has another tutorial to share. This time it's a

Tunnel Card.

When Head Diva, Lacey saw this Tunnel Card on my blog a few weeks ago she asked me if I could do a tutorial on how to make one for the High Hopes Blog….and of course I said YES!!!

So today, I have a tunnel card tutorial for you!

You’ll need:

A 5 ½” x 8 ½” piece of cardstock for the card

A 8” x 5 ¼” piece of cardstock for the inside of the card

White cardstock

Ink

stamps

dies & punches

Score the inside panel at 2”, 4” and 6”

Cut a circle in the center of the panel and then randomly stamp flower image in green ink all over the panel.

Place the panel over the inside of the car panel and stamp the sentiment inside the circle.

Remove the inside panel and fold on the score lines (valley, mountain, valley)

Adhere the inside panel to the inside of the card as shown.

Stamp and color the images for your card.

I used Frog in Boxers 2, Larry’s lovely poppy, Leapin’ Larry & Paisley Butterfly.

Cut out all the images and adhere to the inside and front of the card.

The front view...

I hope you enjoy the tutorial!

Kristine