True Confessions
I'm very embarrassed to admit to you, but I missed several birthdays recently, ending my seven-month streak of sending cards before the event. I can't even blame it on the trees that fell on my house during two separate thunderstorms, because they happened after the birthdays (although it did contribute to the length of time it took to actually get the cards sent). I did, however, manage to get a new baby card sent within about a week of the birth, which is pretty remarkable! Perhaps it's the start of another run of on time greetings! (If anyone wants to share a system for getting cards in the mail on time, use my feedback form below. I'd love some ideas!)

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Pop-Up Cards
An easy way to bring dimension and a little something different to a card is to add a pop-up to the inside. A pop-up is simply a design element -- a sentiment or other component -- that literally "pops up" when the card is opened.

You can use an accordion-folded strip of card stock for a jack-in-the-box effect, like this:

Or, you can attach your pop-up to a strip of card stock formed by cutting two slits into the card blank by using a craft knife, like this:

Scoring boards, like those from Crafter's Companion or Scor-Pal, are really helpful when making accordion folds in card stock of any size.

If you're using the slit method, you'll obviously need to add another layer to the card so the big hole is covered. This method adds another step but has worked better for me than other methods.

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Free Project
Since I have been so negligent in getting birthday cards out on time, I thought it might be nice to pass one along that can be made in minutes. This one is called "Wish Big" by Linda Beeson, and it's from a book called 10-Minute Cards to Give and Share. In addition to being quick and easy, this project features a fun pop-up that recipients of any age will love!

Wish Big Design by Linda Beeson Materials Tone-on-tone printed papers: yellow stripes, yellow dots, orange dots, purple stripes, purple dots, blue dots, green dots "Wish big" rubber stamp Clear embossing powder Black ink pad Black fine-tip marker 2 flexible plastic pop-up blocks Punches: corner rounder, 5/8-inch flower, 1-inch circle, 1 1/2-inch circle, 1 3/4-inch circle, 2-inch circle Heat gun Adhesive foam squares Paper glue Form a 4 7/8 x 4 1/2-inch card from yellow striped paper with stripes running vertically. Round bottom corners using corner rounder punch. Card front: Cut a 1 1/2 x 2 5/8-inch rectangle for candle from purple dotted paper. Punch flower from yellow striped paper; punch 1 1/2-inch circle from yellow dotted paper and 1 3/4-inch circle from orange dotted paper. Add outlining details to purple rectangle, punched flower and yellow circle using black fine-tip marker. For candle flame, adhere flower to yellow circle, and yellow circle to orange circle; adhere completed flame to top of candle. Adhere candle to front of card 1/4 inch from bottom using adhesive foam squares. Card interior: For candles, cut a 1 x 2 1/2-inch rectangle from blue dotted paper, a 1 x 2 1/4-inch rectangle from green dotted paper and a 1 x 3-inch rectangle from purple striped paper with stripes running horizontally. Punch three flowers and one 1 3/4-inch circle from yellow striped paper; three 1-inch circles from yellow dotted paper; and one 2-inch circle from orange dotted paper. Add details and assemble candles as above. Referring to photo, adhere candles to each other. Adhere candles at fold of card using plastic pop-up blocks. Adhere the 1 3/4-inch yellow circle to the orange circle. Stamp "wish big" on yellow circle using black ink; sprinkle with clear embossing powder and emboss. Adhere embossed circle inside card. Sources: Printed papers from Making Memories; rubber stamp from Paper Salon Inc.; plastic pop-up blocks from JudiKins; flower and circle punches from Papershapers. Copyright © November 2006 10-Minute Cards to Give and Share. All rights reserved. Back to top. Click here for printer friendly page.

Reader Letters
Camille writes via e-mail (regarding my recent trip to Arizona):

"I know you will enjoy your trip to Arizona! My husband had never been on a vacation ANYWHERE until I proposed going to the east coast of Florida (we live on the west coast of the state). I suggested that since we were going that way, I could go to a stamp convention near Daytona to browse at my leisure after dropping him at the NASCAR museum at Daytona Speedway.

I got the credit card and he got the cash -- we both spent a few hours doing what interested us! Then, I picked him up and we continued to St. Augustine, so I could take him to all the hokey tourist attractions that I had seen as a child. Of course, I broadened his stamp education with a trip to Claire's Collectibles in St. Augustine. Since then (just ask him), he has been to every stamp store in every state we have visited -- twice, if I got lucky enough! He is a really good sport about it and really encourages my creativity. He lets me 'pet' the stamps and papers wherever we go! Enjoy your trip!"

Carey writes via e-mail:

"You wanted to know what tips we have for organization. I have LOTS of paper. I store my 8 1/2 x 11-inch paper in two 36-compartment literature organizers (available at Staples). I sort it according to color and type. I used a piece of fabric to cover it. This keeps it clean and away from light; plus, it looks really pretty in my room. I keep my 12 x 12-inch paper in an expandable file that has handles and beautiful laminated papers on the outside."

Christine writes via e-mail:

"Regarding crafting supplies: at the present time I do not have a craft room, so I keep my different-size papers in a photo box and then I use a big crafters' box for my brads, eyelets, buttons, etc. I keep my markers and colored pencils in little baskets."

Alice writes via e-mail:

"I enjoy CardMaker magazine tremendously and use its designs 'roughly.' I make my cards all one-of-a-kind for friends and they MUST fit the recipient. The 'Card-in-al' rule of spending no more than 10 minutes on a card wouldn't work for me. I need to add my personality to my cards as well as personalizing them for the recipients. I started making cards from a club but stopped to let my creative side have a chance to work.

I do about 75 cards at Christmas -- all different! From one of the free patterns in a previous newsletter, I made a card and just 'happened' to find the right papers, etc., while going through different boxes of supplies. I substituted leaves for floral and used grosgrain ribbon instead of satin. But the color is the same, and my daughter will receive it for her birthday. I especially enjoy learning new techniques. If I were able, I would send you pictures of my cards, but I have no camera and they don't stay around here that long! This almost 77-year-old Nana says thanks for all your ideas!"

Sara writes via e-mail:

"A major upheaval occurs anytime we have company at my house. My craft supplies are located from one end of the house to the other -- primarily the spare bedroom. I AM going to get organized one day, but I need a warehouse! All craft supplies are stuffed, boxed and mostly hidden from sight. This activity, however, has encouraged me to begin to get organized because it takes me longer to dig out the supplies than it does to make whatever I want to do at the moment. My motto is, 'I know it's here somewhere!' I love the CardMaker e-letters!"

Bonnie writes via e-mail:

"My husband and I just bought a brand new house. It has four bedrooms for just the two of us -- one for our bedroom, one for the guest room, one for his office and ONE FOR MY STUDIO. I never have to pick up until I am looking for something I can't find!"

Sue says:

You will love having a studio, Bonnie! Being able to close the door is great, but sometimes I find myself in Sara's shoes. It's my own fault for not putting things away where they belong!

Shirley writes via e-mail:

"I love the sketchbook feature in CardMaker magazine. I laminate the sketches from the magazine and keep them at my craft table. Whenever I get a new stamp or embellishment, I sort through the sketches to see what will fit. I will probably do the same with the Cardmaker's Sketchbook after I get done adapting all the examples. I especially like all the different sizes. We are now looking to move to a bigger house because my craft room no longer can double as a guestroom. I wondered what I was going to do with my retirement -- now I know!"

Sue says:

I don't think I need a bigger house, but now I know what I'll be doing when I retire!

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