Shake Up Shark Week: Creating a Fun Interactive Shaker Card

 We are celebrating Shark Week at Pajama Crafter Stamps! Come along with me and I will show you how to create a fun interactive shaker card.

There's something about an interactive shaker card that instantly brings a design to life, and for Shark Week it couldn't be a better fit! By combining layered die-cutting, patterned papers, and sparkling shaker elements, you can create the illusion of a shark swimming through the ocean while adding plenty of movement and dimension.

Supplies

• Happy Flappy Stamps
• Dang, Whoa, Yikes! Word and Shadow Die
• Stitched Scalloped Border Die
• Nantucket Sea Escape Paper Pad
• Disco Tech Cardstock
• Opalescence Confetti Embellishments
• A Mermaid's Tail Confetti Embellishments
• Mystic Rain Confetti Embellishments
• Cardstock
• Acetate
• Foam adhesive strips
• Coloring medium of your choice
• Die cutting machine
• Adhesive

Creating the Shaker Window

Let's start with the shaker window.

Take the 2 plain border dies from the Stitched Scallops Border Die set. Tape to the front of a 4 3/4 x 6 1/4 inch piece of white cardstock as seen in photo below.

The left side of the top die is positioned approximately 2 1/4 inches down from the top with the right about 1 1/4 from the top.

The bottom is about 3 1/8 inches down on the left and about 3 1/4 inches on the right.

Run this through your die cutting machine and remove the cut portion. You'll need to do some trimming on the ends. This forms the shaker window.

Choose 2 pieces of patterned paper from the Nantucket Sea Escape Paper Pad for layering over the white panel.

These pieces measure 6 inches wide. Cut the top piece about 3 inches tall and the bottom 1 5/8 inches tall. Take one of the border dies and cut into these pieces. Trim to fit slightly smaller over the white panel all the way around.

Adhere to the white shaker panel.

Building the Shaker

Make a top folding 5 x 6 1/2 inch card base. 

Cut a piece of Disco Tech Cardstock 6 1/4 x 3 inches and adhere near the center of the card base. This is the background for the shaker. window.

Pour some Opalescence Confetti Embellishments, A Mermaid’s Tail Confetti Embellishments and Mystic Rain Confetti Embellishments onto the card base.

Add foam tape strips to the back of the shaker window panel around the window and the outside edges. Adhere the panel over the card base.

Focal Image

Stamp and color the focal image. In this case one of the sharks from the Happy Flappy Stamps.

Fussy cut the shark image.

Sentiments

Die cut “WHOA” from the Dang, Whoa, Yikes! Word and Shadow Die.

Stamp and heat emboss “sea-riously” and “jaw’ some” from the Happy Flappy stamp set. 

Fussy cut and adhere to an oval die cut.

Finishing

To compete the card add the shark and sentiments, adhering with foam tape.

This project is a great reminder that combining several techniques—layering patterned papers, creating an interactive shaker window, adding dimensional die cuts, and incorporating sparkling embellishments—can transform a simple card into one that’s full of movement and fun. It’s the perfect way to celebrate Shark Week with a card that’s sure to make a splash!

Be sure and be on the “look out” for Shark Week projects all this week from the rest of the Pajama Crafter Stamps Design Team!

Until next time-

A Little Christmas Joy Card

With the hot, hot weather we are enduring here today in the Denver, CO area 

it's nice to think about Christmas in hopes of feeling cooler.

It is Christmas in July after all.

Are you creating Christmas projects this month?

I've only done a few.

I usually wait until a little later in the year.

But today I'm sharing a cute and oh so sweet Christmas card created for

Conie Fong Art & Design 

using one of the digis from

Molly Winter Bundle.

I colored tis cutie with Ohuhu markers and fussy cut.

My card measures 6 x 6 inches.

I inked up a pieced of pearlized cardstock with 

sort of debossed snowflakes for the background.

A double mat was applied.

I die cut ovals to pop the image upon.

The Merry Christmas sentiment was die cut and adhered to a card stock strip.

A few snowflake gems were added to complete.

Hope you are staying cool where you are and thanks for stopping by!

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Linking up to:

Inspirational Challenges - Christmas in July

Crafty Catz - ATG

CRAFT Challenge - Christmas

Little Red Wagon - Christmas in July

Addicted to Stamps and More - Christmas 

A Perfect Time to Craft - ATG

Classic Design Challenge - Any Holiday

Crafter's Cafe - Christmas in July

Die Cut Divas - Christmas in July

Pearly Sparkles - Christmas in July

Paradise Memories: Tropical Themed Altered Frame Project

 Vacation memories deserve to be displayed!  

For today’s project, let’s transform a simple wood frame 

into a tropical themed altered frame that’s 

perfect for showcasing a favorite photo.

To start, gather some beautiful cardstock in tropical colors from CutCardStock.

DCS Pearlized Textured Splash Blue
Pop Tone Jellybean Green
DCS Canvas Textured Galax Olive Green
DCS Textured Pearl Green Curry
DCS Canvas Textured Mantis Green
Lessebo Sunflower Yellow
DCS Textured Flame Tree Orange
Bazzill Canvas Texture Peach
Lessebo Dawn 
Pop Tone Wild Cherry
Lessebo Bubble Gum Pink

You’ll need a wood frame and photo.

Also gather the following:

• Tropical flower and foliage dies
• Die cutting machine
• Stencil
• Dye inks or distress inks
• Ink blending tool
• Liquid adhesive
• Foam adhesive (optional for dimension)
• Paper trimmer
• Scissors

Step 1: Cover the Frame

Trace the frame onto the backside of the cardstock. 

Cut the cardstock along the tracing lines.

Adhere the cardstock securely to the front of the frame with decoupage medium. 

Smooth out any air bubbles for a clean finish.

Step 2: Add Stenciled Texture

Place your stencil over the cardstock covered frame and 

blend ink through the openings using a blending tool. 

Keep the ink application light so it adds subtle texture without competing with the embellishments.

Step 3: Add the Photo

Trim your photo to fit inside the frame and secure it in place.

Step 4: Die Cut the Tropical Elements

Die cut an assortment of tropical leaves and flowers from brightly colored CutCardStock. 

Vary the colors and shapes to create a lush island-inspired arrangement.

Assemble the die cut pieces.

Step 5: Build the Floral Clusters

Arrange the die-cut foliage first, allowing some pieces to extend beyond the edges of the frame. Layer the tropical flowers over the leaves, 

using foam adhesive on a few elements to create dimension.

Continue adjusting the placement until the clusters naturally frame the photo opening.

Finished Project

This tropical altered frame is a beautiful way to preserve special vacation memories while showcasing the versatility of cardstock. 

The combination of layered die cuts, soft stenciling, and vibrant colors creates a dimensional keepsake that’s perfect for displaying on a shelf, desk, or gallery wall.

Thank you for following along! 

I hope this project inspires you to transform a simple frame into 

a personalized piece of home décor using your favorite CutCardStock papers.

For more inspiration join us over on the CutCardStock Creative Blog, CutCardStock Facebook Page and the Facebook Group Creating with CutCardStock. 

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Linking up to:

Creative Inspiration Challenges - ATG

Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game! - stenciling (

my frame background is stenciled with a pattern)

Try it on Tuesday - Summer Blooms

Unicorn Challenge - No Designer Paper

A Cut Above - use at least 1 die cut

A Place to Start - playing ATG

613 Avenue Create - ATG w/Any Holiday Twist

A Perfect Time to Craft - ATG

Classic Design Challenge - ATG /Any Holiday Option

Crafts Galore Encore - ATG

The Four Seasons Challenge - Summer

Christmas Carolers Card

Happy Wednesday!

Today I'm sharing a Christmas in July card.

This one was created with 

Christmas Carolers Digi Stamp

Digi Doodle Studios.

I went with a simple card design.

Just the image, which I colored with Prismacolor Pencils and fussy cut.

A background of patterned paper from my stash and

snowbanks I created by hand cutting and adding a little color with pencil color.

A die cut sentiment and it's done!

This is a quick and easy way to create several cards if needed!

Digi Doodle Studios has lots of Christmas digis and others for any occasion.

Check them out!

Believe in the Adventure: A Craft Roulette Inspired Encouragement Card

Sharing a card today created with Pajama Crafter Stamps using inspiration from Craft Roulette.

 Craft Roulette always provides a fun creative challenge, 

and this card was created with the parameters from Episode #328. 

Project | My card is a top folding A2 (4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches)

Colors | Tutti Fruiti - pink, green, yellow, orange, blue

Element | Container - suit of armor (a container protects something, which the armor does!)

Random | Unusual Color - bright pink armor

All parameters met!

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I wanted to create a scene that felt both adventurous and encouraging, 

resulting in a card that celebrates courage, strength, and the journey ahead.

The focal point features the image from the Unstoppable Stamps set 

paired with the beautiful castle from the Greatest Treasure Stamps set. 

The castle creates a magical destination while the character in the foreground brings the scene to life, inviting the recipient to dream big and embrace new adventures.

To create a bright and uplifting background, I used the Sunburst Stencil to add rays of sunshine across the sky. The radiating design helps draw attention to the focal images and adds a sense of energy and optimism to the card.

The landscape was created using the Stitched Scalloped Border Die. 

By layering several die-cut hills, I was able to add depth and dimension. 

I added a brick embossed wall created with and embossing folder from my stash.

For the sentiment, I chose "Free spirit. Brave heart. Strong soul." from the Flower Child Stamps set. The message perfectly captures the adventurous feel of the card and 

serves as a powerful reminder to embrace life's journey with confidence and courage.

I love how the layered hills, bright sunburst background, and inspiring sentiment come together to tell a story of determination and possibility. This card would be perfect for encouraging a friend, celebrating a milestone, or reminding someone special just how strong they truly are.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Linking up to: 

A Place to Start - playing ATG

613 Avenue Create - playing ATG

A Perfect Time to Craft - ATG

Classic Design Challenge - ATG

Creative Fingers Challenge - ATG

School Days Folio: A Handmade Keepsake for Back-to-School Memories

Back-to-school season is the perfect time to preserve those special moments, 

and today I’m sharing a fun and compact School Days Folio 

created with chipboard embellishments from Clear Scraps. 

This little folio is the perfect size for holding favorite school photos, report cards, 

journaling, and other treasured keepsakes from the school year.

The finished folio measures 4¼ x 6¼ x ½ inches, making it easy to tuck onto a bookshelf or display on a desk while still offering plenty of room inside for memories.

For the cover, I used the School Days Chipboard Embellishments as the focal point. Chipboard embellishments are a wonderful way to add dimension and personality to any project.

Start the project by cutting a piece of heavy weight card stock to 11 x 7 1/4 inches for the folio cover. Score at 4 1/4, 4 3/4 and 9 inches along the 11 inch side. Score at 1/2 and 6 3/4 inches on the shorter side. Cut away the 1/2 inch score lines down to the 9 inch score line to form tabs for a pocket. Notch the tab portions by cutting from the edge to the score line diagonally.

The next pieces will form the interactive parts of the folio.

Cut 2 pieces of card stock measuring 4 1/8 x 6 3/4 inches. Score these at 1/2 and 3 5/8 on the long side. Notch the 1/2 inch ends as above forming tabs.

Cut 1 piece to 3 7/8 x 4 1/4 inches, Score at 1/2 inch on the 3 7/8 inch side.

Cut 1 piece to 4 1/4 x 6 1/2 inches. Score at 3 1/4 inches on the longer side.

Choose pattern papers and/or solid card stock to cover all sides of the folio pieces 

except the inside part of the cover that will form the pocket and the inside front cover. 

Each of these pieces are cut 1/4 inch smaller than the panels.

Adhere the 3 panels with tabs to the inside of the front cover. Fold and glue the tabs for the pocket on the inside back cover. See photo for reference.

Add a piece of pattern paper or card stock to the inside front cover to hide the adhered tabs.

With the construction of the folio complete 

it’s time to embellish the front cover with the chipboard pieces.

Trace the apple and pencil onto the backside of cardstock.

Cut and add some shading with ink.

Adhere the card stock to the chipboard. 

Add color to the leaf & stem on the apple and eraser and lead on the pencil with markers.

Before adhering the chipboard to the front, 

add a ribbon for closure and die cut frame to cover the ribbon.

Adhere the chipboard to the frame to complete. 

Add a “school days” title to the apple with stickers or die cuts.

The interactive sections can be customized to fit your needs.

Add photo mats, pockets for memorabilia, flip-out pages, journaling spots, 

or even handwritten notes from teachers and classmates. 

It’s a wonderful project that can grow along with a student’s memories throughout the school year.

This folio would make a thoughtful back-to-school gift, 

a teacher appreciation keepsake, or a memorable way to 

celebrate the first and last days of school.

I hope this project inspires you to create a special place for preserving school memories.