Inspired by Lisa of My Paper Tales!

Happy Tuesday everyone! When I saw Lisa's (My Paper Tales) gorgeous card for the current Just Us Girls Challenge CASE a Design Team Member, I just had to play along!! You see, she used the beautiful English Garden washi from Pinkfresh Studio. I was the lucky recipient of some cuts from this washi back in June - thanks, Lisa!! I see it's not on the PFS website right now, nor could I find it on other sites I visit - so I'm doubly lucky. Sorry it has taken me so long to make use of them but it's perfect timing!

Supplies: Paper - A2 card from Spellbinders;

Lawn Fawn Petite Watercolor Wishes

Stamps - Stampendous Laurel Burch Floral Reflections (retired 

but I see it HERE on eBay)

Dies - My Favorite Things Blueprints 21 (retired)

Other - PFS English Garden Die cut washi courtesy of Lisa; foam tape

I die cut a pierced rectangle and adhered to a Spellbinders white A2 card (love the cards from their kits!). Figured out where I'd place the wreath and stamped the sentiment. Added the wreath & a couple extra flower clusters, plus a butterfly with foam tape. Adhered some leafy sprigs in two corners. I liked how Lisa's elements went off the edge of her background panel. She trimmed her's off but I left mine. I also like how she used a larger sentiment so I searched the stash for one that covered a lot of the circle within the wreath. Thanks for the inspiration, Lisa!! And thanks again for the washi cuts - I still have more for the future!!

That's it for today - thanks for visiting!!

September 2023 Card Chain Reveal

Hello friends - we're revealing cards that went round the world for the September Card Chain Challenge. Twenty-nine people participated and you can see the full reveal HERE. My card went to sweet Jeanne (Cards by Jeanne H), just a few suburbs away from me in the Twin Cities MN.

Supplies: Paper - Recollections Coffee & Cream;

Sunny Studio Critter Country; BoBunny Dotted;

Lawn Fawn Petite Watercolor Wishes;

Strathmore Cold Press watercolor paper;

Target Hot Spot Fall from years ago

Dies - Hero Arts Autumn Leaves;

My Favorite Things Blueprints 23 (retired)

Stamps - Joy Clair Designs Thankful for You

Other - Vintage Photo, Ground Espresso & 

Ripe Persimmon Distress Inks;

Hero Arts White Iridescent Shimmer Mist; DoCraft gems;

Ranger clear embossing powder; Darice sequin;

Hero Arts Unicorn White Pigment Ink

We could use any/all of the following for our card design:

Color Palette Option

Sketch Option

Theme Options: Foxes / Autumn / Friendship

Product / Technique Options: Foil / Fancy Fold

Once again I've used multiple options: Colors/Sketch/Themes - Autumn & Friendship. I decided to skip the foiling and fancy fold techniques this time. I made this a 5" square card and layered the sky blue and leaf patterned sunset papers atop. Stamped & embossed the sentiment and then, to make it stand out a bit against the pattern, I rubbed some white ink over it with a Q-tip, then cleaned the embossing - really liked how that turned out!! I didn't have the right color enamel dots so I went with gems. I die cut the scalloped strips and adhered to the card and topped with my leaf. For the leaf, I blended Ripe Persimmon DI on watercolor paper, then die cut and inked the edges with Vintage Photo. Next I spritzed with shimmer mist and let dry. Added a copper sequin and popped the leaf onto the scalloped strips with a bit of foam tape - done. This turned out just like I planned - doesn't happen often...

Since Jeanne lives so close, whenever I get to send a card to her, I like to deliver my card in person. This time I picked her up at her place & we headed to our favorite local stamping store, Anchor Paper. Found some great bargains, then grabbed lunch at Arbys. Fun times with Jeanne and here's a photo of her holding her card:

My September card came from dear Jo (Jo's Blogs) in the UK. I just love her sweet fox floating among the clouds!! I swear if weren't for Jo and her Christmas Kickstart Challenge, I wouldn't get any Christmas cards made - thanks Jo!

Want to join in for October? Go HERE for details and to sign up by 10/6/23.

Thanks for stopping and have a crafty week!!

Four Cards with Spellbinders Four Petal Sweet Flowers

Hi all - hope you're enjoying the weekend! I'm sharing some cards with Spellbinders products that I purchased after attending an online Spellbinders/Altenew event in February. You can see my versions of the event cards HERE. Today I'm finally getting around to using a stamp set and label dies from the Spellbinders Four Petal Collection - first up, a shaped card I sent to a chorus friend who had knee surgery on last Monday (she's doing great):

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio Turquoise A2 card

Stamps - Spellbinders Four Petal Sweet Day Flowers;

Hero Arts retired sentiment

Dies - Spellbinders Four Petal Labels

Other - Copic Markers

I die cut one of the labels twice from an A2 card. I meant to leave the fold on the left edge - oops, it cut through. Oh well, I just scored a hinge on the back label.... I stamped the floral image and colored with Copics. Added the sentiment and die cut the panel with a size smaller label than the card base. Assembled & done - very simple. I'll send this one to Darnell's October NBUS Challenge since the Four Petal stamps and labels got first play here.

I had stamped/colored four white A2 panels with the floral image. I decided to make a couple October birthday cards with the second and third panel:

I cut a label from a black A2 panel. Used the negative for the card at left popped up with foam tape over a stamped A2 panel. The sentiment is from the same stamp set. I saved the black label to use on card 4. For the card at right I used two labels to cut a frame. I added the frame to another floral panel that I'd trimmed to 4x5.25". Matted it with black and adhered to an A2 card. 

I cut the fourth floral panel with a label die and matted it with the black label saved from card two. Stamped a sentiment from a retired Hero Arts set. Keeping it simple, I mounted the stamped/matted label to an A2 card with foam tape.

That's it, friends! If you care to, let me know which one is your fave. Thanks for stopping by!!

Poinsettia Slimline and a bonus!

Hello friends! Today I'm part of the last day of the month team at Die Cut Divas. We're providing last minute inspiration for our September Challenge - Anything Goes. The team used products by our sponsor Elizabeth Craft Designs (ECD) but you can use any brand. Just be sure to use a die cut &/or embossing folder in your design!

Since I need Christmas cards, I went that route - using a fave ECD floral die set.

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Arctic & a retired layering paper; 

Paper Studio Holiday;Tim Holtz kraft metallic; Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Dies - ECD Florals 12, Winter Greens, &

Slimline Background 1 from the Classic Christmas Special Kit

Stamps with dies - Hero Arts Holiday Season Messages Bundle

Other - Paper Studio enamel dots; Memento Rubarb Stalk ink; Copic Marker BG01

Another simple card using amazing die sets - just cut & assemble! I alternated shades of red for my poinsettia layers and added an enamel dot in the centers. The pods were cut twice - once in gold metallic and once in arctic - I trimmed the pod portion to add to the stem after shading with a Copic. Stamped & die cut the sentiment - done!

When I did the bonus card for my September 21st post, I colored a stack of Santa heads. Decided to use one on today's bonus card, along with a doily cut from a new die set.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White:

Paper Studio Holiday; BoBunny Joyful Christmas

Stamps - ECD Santa Claus;

Hero Arts Snowflake Messages

Dies - ECD Small Doilies & Santa Claus;

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape

Another simple card to put together - I'll probably make more of these with the rest of my Santa heads. I just love the BoBunny 6x8 paper pad I used for the patterned papers - found it discounted at JoAnn so linked to it there. Since the doily die set is new, I'll link up to Darnell's September NBUS Challenge.

Threefer - I finished another Santa head card so I'll share it here. I used Vintage Christmas papers from Hobby Lobby with another HA sentiment from the Holiday Season Messages set.

That's it for today, friends. Thanks for stopping and I hope to see you in the September Diva Gallery by 9p Pacific Time!

Happy Birthday Gundi!

Hi everyone - I'm wishing Gundi (papierelle) the happiest of birthdays today! When I made my August Card Chain card (see it here), I stamped and colored a bunch of blueberries using Copic Markers. I also stamped and colored berry boxes and bows; I'm using one of each for the first time here:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Lawn Fawn Fruit Salad Petite; scrap of black

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Berry Basket Bundle

Dies - Spellbinders Thanks Enclosed Sentiments

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copics, foam tape, clear lacquer

Here's more of the fabulous Lawn Fawn gingham from their summer release. This time I also used a piece of the fruit paper from the same pack. Thought it worked perfectly behind my berry basket. A layered sentiment from a favorite Spellbinders set finished off the card.

Since I'm using the berry box and bow for the first time, I'll add this card to Darnell's September NBUS Challenge.

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend & I hope Gundi is enjoying her birthday!

Thanks for stopping!

Trio of wreath cards & a masculine bday card!

Hi all - TGIF!! My friend Linda & her hubby Brian celebrated their anniversary yesterday so I thought I'd post the card I sent them. It features a Hero Arts mini stamp set I've had for quite a while and hadn't used yet - past time, right?! They texted me a selfie holding the card - so cute.

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 card; Lawn Fawn Fruit Salad Petite

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; scrap of black

Stamps - Hero Arts Antique Bee

Dies - A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Creative Expressions Happy Anniversary Mini Shadowed Sentiments

Other - Copic Markers; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; 

Hero Arts sparkle lacquer; foam tape

Another simple card - stamped the wreath onto a stitched rectangle & colored with Copics. Stamped a bunch of bees on scrap cardstock, colored and fussy cut. My friends love bees (not my favorite insect, if you know me!) so I often include bees on their anniversary card. Die cut the layered sentiment and assembled with a gingham strip - done! Love, love, love this Lawn Fawn paper pad - you will see more of it on my cards!

While I was at it, I stamped two more wreaths and colored them in different schemes. I used sentiments from the stamp set, plus more of the bees. The bday card went to a chorus friend & the thank you card went to my friends Connie & Doug who took me out for lunch earlier this month.

 

Since my anniversary card has leaves, I'll add it to the current We Love Stamping Challenge. And since the stamp set was newly used, I'm also adding it to Darnell's current NBUS Challenge. Speaking of Darnell, her Mister celebrated a bday yesterday so I sent him this card using some August Hero Arts supplies:

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 card;

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Stamps - Hero Arts Trail Map Bold Prints,

Golden State, & Everyday Sentiment Strips 

Dies - My Favorite Things Vanity License Plate & 

In Stitches Alphabet

Poppystamps All Star Collage (bitty stars)

Other - Copic Markers; pre-printed sentiment strip (probably SSS);

VersaMark ink & white ep; Hero Arts Green Hills ink

I thought the California set would be perfect with the trail map and license plate. So fun for a guy!

That's it for today, friends - thanks for visiting & have a crafty weekend!!

A Bon bon Box plus a Bonus!

Hello there! I'm posting today at Die Cut Divas with inspiration for our September Challenge - Anything Goes. The team is using products by our sponsor Elizabeth Craft Designs (ECD) but you can use any products desired. Just be sure to use a die cut &/or embossing folder in your design & you're good to go!

Given "Anything Goes", I decided to make a gift box using ECD's large Bon bon box die set.

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio Star of Bethlehem & glitter cardstock;

Desert storm from Anchor Paper (for tag)

Dies - ECD Bon bon box Large

Stamps - Divinity Designs Mini Tag Sentiments

Other - May Arts craft twine; Hero Arts Navy ink; Copic Marker

Years ago ECD carried a small bon bon box, cut with one die, which I don't have. It was quite petite and couldn't hold much so they designed a larger one. You just need to die cut two box pieces & assemble. In her video tutorial, Els suggested cutting a square to put on the bottom. I added such a square (3.18") to the exterior bottom and also to the inside bottom to add strengh. 

Does my box paper look Christmasy? No, right?! It's from a Hobby Lobby brand pad that features Nativities, deserts and skies - so pretty! Then it has a couple of leafy patterns, like this one, that could work for any season. I decorated my box with a bow & tag; both dies are included in the large bon bon box die set. Very quick & easy! The glitter cardstock for the bow is white on the back so I used a blue Copic marker to color it before assembling.

Here are a few more views - open with a gift inside (a bracelet box), side, & front close-up.

 

Still with me? Now for a bonus - a Christmas card. I definitely need many more of these before the end of November!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White:

Hero Arts pine (retired); 

Hobby Lobby Christmas Bo-Ho-Ho (texty background);

My Mind's Eye Necessities 6x6 ("floor")

various scraps for presents & tinsel

Stamps - ECD Santa Claus

Dies - ECD Oh Christmas Tree & Santa Claus;

Hero Arts Peeking Snowman

Other - Jolee star; Copic Markers; foam tape

While preparing for this month with ECD, I bought some new goodies, including the Santa Claus stamp set along with coordinating dies. I just couldn't resist that cute old fashioned Santa face! I also picked up the journaling die set containing the Christmas tree, presents dies & more - always a great value. I thought it would be fun to have Santa peeking around the tree. I used a HA peeking snowman die to cut a body and stuck the Santa head (colored with Copics) over top of the snowman head! Oh, and I cut off the snowman's scarf tails and rearranged one arm so Santa could hold a present.

Since I used new stuff, I'll link up to Darnell's September NBUS Challenge.

Thanks for stopping and I hope to see you in the September Diva Gallery by 9/30/23 at 9p Pacific Time.