Final Day for Anything Goes at Die Cut Divas!

Hello and welcome! I'm part of the last day inspiration crew over at Die Cut Divas. 

Our March Anything Goes Challenge ends today at 9pm Pacific time. 

We've been using digis from our amazing sponsor Scrapflower Estudio but all you need is a die cut &/or embossing folder in your design. Here's the card I'm sharing:

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 card; scrap of brown;

Authentique Renew and Echo Park Reflections 6x6 pads

Digi stamp - Scrapflower Estudio Reading Nordic Gnome

Dies - Penny Black Wood Floors

Other - Copic Markers 

Scrapflower Estudio

I combined two images from this adorable new file from Scrapflower Estudio. I colored & fussy cut each image, then created a scene with some patterned paper paper for wallpaper & a die cut wood floor. I trimmed bits of a patterned paper for the sentiment. Quick and easy!

Now for a bonus - I used a different size print of the girl gnome from the same file. I colored her with Copics & fussy cut, then added to a postage stamp mini slimline die cut. Layered onto a precut bookmark, added a Tim Holtz sentiment sticker & a tassel - done!

Supplies: Paper - Basic Grey Serenade 6x6;

Paper Studio kraft tag

Digi stamp - Scrapflower Estudio Reading Nordic Gnome

Dies - Kat Scrappiness MINI Slimline Postage Stamp Edge

Other - Copic Markers; Paper Studio tassel;

Tim Holtz Thoughts Sentiment Label Sticker

Thanks again to teamie Arlene (A Bit of This and That) for printing off this month's digis for me!!

I just finished "Lightening Strike" by William Kent Krueger - love the Minnesota setting for his Cork O'Connor sheriff character. What are you reading now? Share in the comments, if desired.

That's it from me. I hope you can squeeze in a project for the Divas' March Challenge! Thanks for visiting & have a crafty day!

Anything Goes with Scrapflower Estudio

Hey there - I'm providing inspiration at Die Cut Divas today using digis from our amazing March sponsor Scrapflower Estudio. We have "Anything Goes" as the theme - no need to use digis; just be sure to use a die cut &/or embossing folder in your design.

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 card; 

Graphic 45 Artisan Style 6x6 (2015)

Digi stamp - Scrapflower Estudio Reading Nordic Gnome

Dies - Hero Arts Stacked Books; Penny Black Wood Floors

Other - Copic Markers & Hero Arts water reactive inks

Scrapflower Estudio

I love, love, LOVE to read so I was delighted to see this adorable new file from Scrapflower Estudio. Perfect for Copics or pencils or whatever your fave medium for coloring! I chose Copics to color my reading gnome - looks like an English Literature professor in his study - LOL. I colored & fussy cut, then paired him with a die cut stack of books colored with water reactive inks. I left the sentiment off the front but will put something book related on the inside.

Literally, a book stack like this appears many places in my house - some already read & others waiting. I just finished "The Therapist" by B.A. Paris - love all the twists in that one! 

Now for a bonus - another gnome from the same file. For the girl gnome atop books, I added another book stack. This time I die cut it from Neenah, colored with Copics, and cut into three parts. Added a few books to the bottom of the girl gnome stack & tucked the rest behind her. Had one little cocktail sticker left from other cards and it found its way onto a book stack. The preprinted sentiment was in my bits box - not sure of the brand.

That's it for today - hope to see you in the March Diva gallery! And if you are reading something & want to share, let me know in the comments. 

Thanks for visiting! And special thanks to teamie Arlene (A Bit of This and That) for printing off this month's digis for me (still no working printer at my house). Happy crafting (and reading)!!

Snowman with Winter Wishes

Warm winter wishes, everyone & TGIF! We got a few more inches of snow overnight, preceded by sleet - not a great combo! I managed to shovel and salt my sidewalk and driveway, then the neighbor helped with the snowplow leavings. Now on to a card for the March Christmas Kickstart Challenge:

Supplies: Paper - BoBunny Woodland Winter;

Neenah White; Park Lane A2 card

Stamps with dies - Hero Arts Holiday Cheer (retired)

Dies - A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers; Hero Arts inks

Jo & her elf Monika want to see a scarf or scarves on the card. I went flipping through my stamp sets and found plenty of snowmen with scarves - decided to give the retired Hero Arts Holiday Cheer set some love. It rarely happens, but all the stamps for this card came from the same set!

I created the scene starting with the 2 trees, each stamped twice (second time after shifting the paper vertically in the MISTI). Next I added the hill stamp, snowflakes and sentiment; the sentiment was also double stamped with a horizontal shift. Die cut the panel with a rectangle. Stamped, colored and die cut the snowman, then popped into the scene. 

I was surprised and excited to still find some snowflake paper left in my BoBunny paper pad - thought it worked perfectly here. Trimmed it to fit an A2 card and assembled - done! Very quick and easy, plus I stamped a few extra snowmen for future. 

Thanks Jo & Monika for a fun challenge! One more Christmas card for the stash - yay! Thanks for stopping & enjoy your weekend!!

February 2023 Card Chain Reveal

Hey friends - March 2nd already!! It's time to reveal cards that went around the world for the February Card Chain Challenge. Thirty-three people participated and I sent the card below to Gail L. (What's Normal?) in British Columbia Canada; you can see the full reveal HERE.

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 card (aqua and brick red); 

Graphic 45 Artisan Style 6x6; BoBunny Count the Ways 6x8

Dies - Hero Arts DI334 Nesting Hearts Infinity Dies 

DI483 Window On Love Confetti Fancy Die

Stamps - Hero Arts Wild Columbine

Other - Altenew enamel hearts

We had several options for our design; as usual I went with the sketch. I also used the color option and the themes of hearts & friendship. I figured I'd be excused for having a few extra colors in my floral paper. 

Color Option

(exact matching not required)

Sketch Option

(orient as desired)

Theme Options: Hearts / Tags / Friendship

Product / Technique Options: Burlap or Gauze / Layers

I was really pleased with how this turned out after I tried various combos of papers. I love the little enamel hearts that Altenew includes on their dot sets (stars too) - so cute! They added the perfect finishing touch to my heart design.

I received this gorgeous card & set of pearl stickers from the wonderful Pia (Pias Papir og Perler) from Norway - thanks Pia!! She had my name back in September 2021 when she first joined the Card Chain - I'm so glad she's still participating!! I just love the hot air balloons & how Pia worked in the colors!!

If you'd like to join in, you can still sign up for the March chain until 3/6 - please go HERE for details.

Thanks for visiting and have a crafty day!!

Final Day for Gold at Die Cut Divas!

Hey everyone - today's your last chance to ener our February Die Cut Divas Challenge. I'm providing inspiration with the rest of the end-of-month team with the card below, plus I have a couple bonuses here! We're doing GOLD with our fabulous sponsor, Hero Arts. 

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 cards (3 shades);

Neenah white for dimension on the ornament

Hot Foil Plate - Hero Arts Ornament Border

Dies - Hero Arts Bulb Ornament Infinity Dies &

Holly Berries Stamp & Cut XL (bow)

Stamps - Hero Arts Holiday Foliage Messages

Other - Spellbinders Gold Foil; Versamark ink;

Ranger Princess Gold ep; retired Hero Arts gem;

Victorian Velvet Distress Ink 

Process: Hot foil the ornament coverplate twice using Spellbinders Glimmer or similar machine. Die cut the ornament out of one panel, plus a few extra ornaments from white to layer for dimension. Shade the edges of the pink ornament with Victorian Velvet, then glue to white layers & add into its spot on the coverplate. Adhere to A2 card. Stamp sentiment in Versamark and emboss with gold. Die cut two bows and layer with a slight offset. Add to ornament with a gem in bow's center. 

Very quick and easy to get a gorgeous effect! I first made cards using the ornament hot foil plate during the Hero Arts Holiday Stamp-Along. You can see more versions here and here. First time trying gold foil with the ornament plate and I love it!! Too bad I've already reached my limit of 3 at the February Christmas Kickstart Challenge since my ornament would meet their theme - oh well. 

Here's a bonus for you - a gold foiled branch card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio red; DCWV green; Tim Holtz Kraft Metallic gold

Foil & Cut - Hero Arts Holiday Greenery

Stamps - Hero Arts Holiday Borders and Icons & 

Poinsettia Flowers Bold Prints

Other - Copic Markers R24/R59/G12/G20/G46;

Versamark Ink & Ranger Princess Gold ep;

Hero Arts Pale Tomato ink; foam tape

And here's a closeup of the branch - love it!!!

Process: Foil the branch onto Neenah, then die cut with the included die. Color with Copics. Stamp A2 card with poinsettia bold print stamp tone-on-tone. Stamp and emboss sentiment strip, then mat onto gold. Assemble card - done!

I'm adding the branch card to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge since my new greenery foil set got first play here. And as Darnell would say, how about a Threefer? I took the pink foiled panel left after I'd die cut the ornament out and decided to use it. Had to trim part of the design off since I wasn't careful to get the whole piece of paper on the hot foil plate - it worked though! I embossed the same sentiment directly onto the A2 card and added a gold topper to the ornament.

That's it for today, friends. Be sure to link your golden project using a die cut or embossing folder into the February Diva gallery by 9 pm Pacific Time today. Our winner will be randomly selected from eligible February entries and announced on March 3rd. Hero Arts has generously donated an amazing $50 gift card for our winner - yay! Thanks so much, Hero Arts!!

Thanks for visiting!

 

More Birthday Cards!

Hi there - hope you have good weather in your area. We got snow overnight - about 5" but "THE BIG ONE" starts later today. Stay safe!! 

I thought I'd pop in today with more February birthday cards. Busy month for birthdays! I shared some others on earlier posts but here are the rest. First up - cards for my Diva sisters Arlene (A Bit of This and That) and Cindy (Escape to Stamping) both of whom celebrated yesterday. 

Supplies: Paper - BoBunny Willow & Sage

Paper Studio glitter; Poptone Black Licorice

Die Creative Expressions Stacked Happy Birthday

Other - sentiment strip (brand unknown);

BoBunny Willow & Sage chipboard

I found some chipboard at a Tuesday Morning outlet that I thought matched paper at home - yes!!! Super easy to put together with a die cut sentiment and sub-sentiment strip. Funny story - I went to mail Arlene's card and grouchy postal clerk says "too rigid - that'll be the $5.95 package rate". Well, if it's a package, I'll make it a package, I say. I returned home and filled a padded envelope with the card and some die cuts. I visited a different post office where there were 3 smiling clerks ready to help. The sweet man who calculated my fee charged me $1.95 - the "large package" rate. Say what?! More in the small envelope but way less price - go figure. Anyway, Arlene got her small "large package" in time for her special day.

Supplies: Paper - Strathmore Cold Press Watercolor;

Paper Studio Watercolor Prints A2 card

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Wild Columbine Bundle

Sentiment Stamp - Hero Arts Say it All (retired)

For Cindy's card I used another Wild Columbine panel I'd stamped on watercolor paper during the recent Hero Arts Valentine Stamp-Along. I die cut this one with the coordinating die and watercolored with various water reactive inks. The A2 card is from a boxed set of watercolor patterns I got at Hobby Lobby - so gorgeous & in multiple shades. I'll spare you the story of the same grouchy postal clerk who waited on me when I went to mail this beauty! Sorry to Michelle (Just Another Nutter paper crafter), another Diva sister with a February bday - forgot to photograph your card, oh well. I'd stenciled a coffee cup using another find at Tuesday Morning - a Picket Fence stencil for under $3!

Here's a masculine card using 12x12 patterned papers from Echo Park's Transatlantic Travel collection (another TM find). A simple stamped & die cut sentiment (Many More Birthdays by Unity) finished it off. So easy! A retired pilot friend received this one & loved it!

That's it for today, friends. Happy crafting!!

Gold and more gold!

Hey everyone - do you love gold? If yes, then our February Die Cut Divas Challenge is for you! 

I'm providing inspiration at Die Cut Divas with the card below, using products by our fabulous sponsor Hero Arts. When I got into card making in 2007, Hero Arts was my go-to brand and still is! Love, love, love this company and their products, including My Monthly Hero kits (I own all but one). Can't forget to mention I'm a proud Hero Hostess from 2011, back when their Flickr group was active.

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Black Watercolor Paper

Tim Holtz Kraft Stock Metallic Classics gold & silver cardstock; 

Dies - Hero Arts Lily of the Valley & 

Nesting Oval Infinity Dies

Stamps - Hero Arts Wild Columbine

Other - Versamark Ink & silver embossing powder; 

Tim Holtz embossing folder (name unk); foam tape

Process: Die cut lilies from silver & stem/leaves from gold metallic cardstock. Die cut and emboss an oval, trim to half. Arrange lilies and "hill" & adhere to black card, popping up a few flowers & the "hill" with foam tape. Stamp thank you in versamark and emboss with silver ep. Very quick and easy, yet so elegant!  

Here's a bonus for you - a golden matchbox!

Additional Supplies: Dies - Hero Arts Matchbox &

Box of Chocolates (bow)

I couldn't resist adding the new Hero Arts Matchbox and Box of Chocolates die sets to my January My Monthly Hero kit. Adorable!! At about 4:44 minutes into the Hero Arts January product release video HERE, there's a quick tutorial on putting together the matchbox. So easy and fun to make! It would be great for gifting earrings or other small items. The full bow was cut twice, plus the center area an extra time. On one bow I trimmed the tails off and adhered the loops upside down to the bow for a layered look. Added the extra center with a foam dot then tucked the trimmed tails under the other ones.

And here's a photo of it open. My friends Linda & Lynn each received a matchbox with a little gift inside for their birthdays earlier this month. Not the pin shown; that one snuck in from my jewelry box just for the photo. 😊

I'm adding the matchbox to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge since it got first play here. 

That's it for today, friends. Please enter your golden project using a die cut or embossing folder into the February Diva gallery by 9 pm Pacific Time on the 28th. Our winner will be randomly selected from eligible February entries and announced on March 3rd. Hero Arts has generously donated an amazing $50 gift card for our winner - yay!

Thanks for visiting!