This is a new card style for me... it's a pocket card with a pull-tab.

 

It's now one of my favorite ways to make handmade cards!

I learned a lot while doing my first one, and the steps I describe will include measurements and such from that very first pocket card that I made. Be sure to read to the end where I will show a slightly revised pocket card with the recommended changes.

For dog lovers everywhere! My God-daughter Shelby asked me to helped her make a Father's Day Card that looked like their new dog Molly.

The Doodlecharms cartridge for my Cricut Expression has a dog feature and we gave it a try.

Molly is a Golden Retriever, so I searched through my paper supply for just the right tones of gold.

I discovered one sheet of paper called Honey Bear that was just perfect! I don't recall where I got it, but it was probably Michael's or Hobby Lobby. It is from a collection called Honey Cottage from Paper Adventures. 

 

I've had these sheets of 12x12 "rock" paper from a DCVW stack pack for awhile just waiting for the right card.

Father's Day is it!

You might be able to find single sheets of rock paper at any store that sells scrapbook or stamping supplies. 

 

When my mother retired after 38 years of teaching elementary school, my siblings and I asked her how she wanted to celebrate. She gave us some gift suggestions, and she made it very clear she did not wish to have any kind of a party.

I knew that her friends would want some way to commemorate the occasion, so I decided to make secret scrapbook for her. I had never made a scrapbook before, but I had seen many that were made by friends and in stores.

My best resource was my friend Lynnette and watching her scrapbook over the years. Also, I was comfortable with paper crafts and cardmaking, so I thought this would be a fun project -- and it was. The hardest part was hoping no one would give away the secret!

This is a graduation card for my 5-year old nephew Joey, who is graduating from pre-school.

Obviously this card can be used for any type of graduation ceremony and for graduates of any age.

You can choose colors to match the school, the new college (for a high school grad), or maybe special colors of the graduation ceremony itself.

The base for this card, and all the decorations, were created using my Cricut Expressions.

You can also make the star without using a Cricut machine.

If you aren't comfortable cutting out the star, go ahead and just trace it on the front. You can still add the graduation cap and other decorations to get the same effect.

During this season of graduation ceremonies, I made a graduation card for my friend Clay. 

Clay is graduating from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design.

His card was inspired by this package of stickers by Jolee's Boutique from Hobby Lobby and the university's colors of black and maroon.

In keeping with Clay's work in design, I wanted to keep the card clean and simple.

See how I made this graduation card, step-by-step...

I wanted to make a card for a preteen who was performing in a dance recital. I made a cute tutu card for her younger sister, Shelby. But that wasn't going to work here. Stephanie is 11 and way too cool for cute.

So I decided to work with her favorite color (blue) and showcase her name.