Last Day to Frame It at Die Cut Divas!

Hi everyone - it's the last day of the month already; does anyone else think January flew?!! Anyway, the end-of-month crew from Die Cut Divas posted some inspiration for the last day of our January Frame It Challenge. We're all using digi designs by Rachel Vass (this month's sponsor) but you don't have to. Just include a die cut or use an embossing folder, plus some kind of frame. The challenge ends tonight at 9pm PST; hope to see you linked up!!

Today I'm sharing a circle diecut made into a wreath & used as a frame.

Supplies: Paper - Ms Sparkle and Co woodgrain;

Paper Studio brown cs; Lawn Fawn Watercolor Wishes

Digi - Rachel Vass Blossom Branch

Dies - Sizzix Spring Foliage (retired);

Sunny Studio Snowflake Circle Frame;

My Favorite Things Blueprints 26 (bow) - retired

Stamps - Hero Arts Stocking Bouquet

Other - Copic Markers;

Pink and Main Enchanted Garden flower sequins

When I made this card for my January 21st Diva post, I had some leftover pieces of the Blossom Branch image. I fussy cut the remaining flowers from the pieces to use on my wreath. I started with a brown cut of a Sunny Studio circle that looks sorta branchy. Next I added 3 cuts of the Sizzix foliage die (purchased at Hobby Lobby in December - might still be available HERE), enhanced with a bit of Copic coloring. Next I popped on the Rachel Vass blossoms, a couple berry twigs from Hero Arts, and some cupped flower sequins. The sentiment just fit on a die cut circle. Added the wreath and sentiment to a wood plank paper & done!! You can find the Blossom Branch & more fabulous images at Rachel Vass Designs.

Thanks again to teamie Arlene (A Bit of This and That) who printed off my digis when I had printer problems... Thanks to you for stopping! 

Remember, we'll be back at the Divas tomorrow with a new challenge and on Feb 3rd with DT faves and prize winner for January. Happy crafting!!

Botanical birthdays

Hey crafty friends - hope you're enjoying the weekend!! Since I had some pieces from Sunny Studio's Botanical Backdrop still on the craft table, I used them on three quick and easy birthday cards. If you missed my Twofer Challenge cards using this die, see them here if interested.

When I dry embossed a black panel for my Twofer, I also did one in white and one in kraft. Those panels were my jumping off point for cards one and two. On both of these I overlaid an embossed flower with a die cut one and added extra bits. Because I had die cut an entire glittery panel with all the flower parts too, I had an extra leafy frame for card three. I'm adding that one to Watercooler Wednesday for the current All About Occasions Challenge. The sentiment is from a new Sunny Studio bday set called Inside Greetings Birthday - love this set!!

Quick post today - off to think of designs for a masculine birthday and for my Die Cut Diva February posts. Better get moving!!

Thanks for stopping!! Check back Sunday if you're interested in last day inspiration for the Die Cut Diva January Challenge - would love to see your cards in the gallery!! Happy crafting!!

More Twofer Flowers

Hey everyone - thought I'd skate in before the January Twofer Challenge closes tomorrow! I went to the mailbox today and came back with my order from Sunny Studio - woo hoo!! I got right to work and quickly made a Twofer with some NBUS! 😁😁

I used Sunny's Botanical Backdrop as my common item. It's actually a leafy frame with a bunch of flower parts included. As with many brands, the dies come linked with thin metal that you need to snip if you want separate dies. In this case, the flower parts were linked inside the frame. Before I snipped them (maybe I never will...), I decided to dry emboss some backgrounds; you can see one on the Valentine. Here's a closer look:

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio, BoBunny Love & Lace;

Lawn Fawn Watercolor Wishes

Dies - Sunny Studios Botanical Backdrop;

Hero Arts Valentine (retired) and

Nesting Hearts Infinity Dies

Other - Hampton Art Studio G gem

The die used on the pink flower can be a layer for a more solid flower as you can see on card two. I thought it went well with the lacy BoBunny paper on card one.

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio; Lawn Fawn

Dies - Sunny Studio Botanical Backdrop

Other - Versamark Ink; Ranger Princess Gold ep

Thankfully I don't need any sympathy cards but I ordered Sunny Studio's new sympathy set. Decided to try some of the sentiments with the leafy frame and a single flower (embossed & die cut for card one). I cut a second leafy frame in black to give a shadow to portions of the green one. Arranged the sentiment stamps to fit in the frame then stamped and gold embossed them.

Many thanks to Mendi for the fabulous items, including a sweet ladybug die freebie!! My cards today give a little sneak peek for an upcoming Die Cut Divas challenge (won't spill the month, nor the theme) when Sunny Studio will be our sponsor. We can't thank Mendi enough; I'm so excited to share even more new goodies then!!

Also sending my cards to the January NBUS Challenge - I'll just pop the Twofer photo since both contain NBUS. Thanks Darnell for the fun challenges!! Plus, I can add my Valentine to the current Hero Arts Stay Crafty with Hero Challenge (#19 already; I've missed the last few - sorry!) since I used a heart. Thanks Hero Arts!!

We're getting some snow today, expecting 2-5". I'm glad to be indoors, snug & warm & enjoying some crafty time. Thanks for stopping!!

Howl Your Heart Out

Hey crafty friends - welcome! Today I'm here with a card I made yesterday afternoon & planned to post then but I screwed up at Die Cut Divas! Normally I do a Design Team post on the 21st and somehow it published at DCD on the 20th - oh well.... So I went ahead and published my personal post on the Diva card yesterday and will share my gnome card today.

Supplies: Paper - Ms Sparkle & Co A2 card;

Core'dinations black; Neenah white;

Michael's green

Stamps - Lost Coast Designs ZZ-Top Gnome 1 (new)

Inky Antics Punny Christmas Pups

Raisin Boat Feel the Beat (retired)

Embossing Folder - Spellbinders Reversible Music (retired)

Other - Copic Markers, pencils, Hero Arts Lacquer

Isn't this gnome from Lost Coast Designs the cutest??!! I won him as a prize at the Mod Squad Challenge back in October and I finally had a chance to play with him for the first time. Gail (Crafty Nomad) shared a gnome card on Saturday announcing a new challenge at Lost Coast Portal to Creativity and I knew I had to play along with my gnomie!! I planned my card to include elements I'd need to also post at the current Let's Squash It!! Challenge (use an embossing folder & an animal). My singing/howling doggie is from a Christmas set but there's nothing specifically Christmassy about him. I knew he'd be the perfect companion to my guitar playing gnome! The Raisin Boat "your heart out" sentiment has words like sing and dance to accompany it but I used the "howl" from the Inky Antics set which says "Happy Howl-idays". Love that one along with the pups in the set!!

I will also add this card to the January NBUS challenge since my gnomie is new! And to Watercooler Wednesday where the new challenge is Anything Goes with a Masculine Twist - my card will eventually go to a guitar playing man. Finally to Sisterhood of Crafters where the current challenge is to use embossing or a die cut. Thanks to all for the fun challenges!!

Thanks for visiting & I hope you're having a creative week!!

 

 

 

Framed Blossom Branch

Hey there crafty friends - I have a post up at Die Cut Divas today featuring a card using a digi stamp by Rachel Vass! We're doing Frame It for the January challenge - such fun, hope you can join us!!

Digi stamps from Rachel Vass Blossom Branch

Other supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 card & Burgundy cs,

Ms. Sparkle & Co Woodgrain,, XPress it Blending Card

Dies - A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop

Other - Copic Markers, Crystal Stickles, Honey Bee Beach Vibe gems

You can see Rachel's gorgeous designs HERE if interested; Blossom Branch was my pic for my DT posts and I just love, love, love it!!

My wireless printer at home isn't speaking to my laptop so I tried printing at my parents' house. Their printer got a jam I couldn't clear - argh!! I reached out to teamie Arlene (A Bit of This and That) who printed several of the Blossom Branch images and sentiments for me - thanks Arlene!! She sized the branch & sentiment for an A2 card with plenty of border. I trimmed it down, colored it with Copics (C01, C02, G00, G02, YG45, E50, RV21, YR12), and framed with a stitched mat layer cut with the next smaller mat die to form the frame. Next I fussy cut a small stem from a different print of the image. Colored that and adhered so it connected to the other stem and overlapped onto the frame. Can you see where I connected it?? Looks pretty seamless in real life! 

So delighted to try some digis from sponsor Rachel Vass - love her designs!! No need to use her stuff to play with the Divas. Hope to see your card linked up - just be sure to use a die cut or embossing folder with some kind of frame and add to our Frame It Challenge by 9pm PST 1/31/21 (4 entries max). You'll be entered for a chance at our random prize - 3 digi stamps from Rachel Vass - yay!!

Thanks for visiting - happy die cutting and framing!!

Frankly my dear

Hey there - hope you're having or have had a great weekend!! We got a few inches of snow on Friday and then a dusting overnight - looks very pretty but a bit treacherous for driving at first!! Today I'm sharing a bit of snark for my chorus friend Debbie who has a birthday next week.

Supplies: Paper - Ms Sparkle & Co A2 card;

Michael's green; Neenah white; Paper Studio pink; 

Core'dinations black;

Lawn Fawn Watercolor Wishes

Stamps - CAS-ual Fridays Frankly'isms;

Taylored Expressions Exercise Grumplings (plus die)

Dies - My Favorite Things Blueprints  (retired)

Emboss/Cut folder - Sizzix Birthday Smiles (retired)

Other - Copic Markers (B00, C00, C01, R00, RV09, R24);

Memento Tuxedo Black and Hero Arts green inks

I won a prize last year at the Card Chain Challenge from Gail (Crafty Nomad) who had CAS-ual Fridays send me a few goodies. I ordered from CF too, mostly recently getting a snarky bday sentiment set. Thought it would be perfect for Debbie who loves that character Maxine from Hallmark (I sent her a Maxine page-a-day calendar for Christmas). 

I happened to have a large pile of embossing folders laying around from last week when I made a card for Let's Squash It!! One of them, containing cute emojis, embosses and cuts in one pass. Decided that would work for Debbie's bday and the current Let's Squash It!! Challenge to include an ef and an animal (second of three allowed). I inked it direct to paper to highlight the embossing. The embossed piece has a unicorn in the upper right corner but I needed something to balance my sentiment. I chose a cute work-out bunny from Taylored Expressions for my animal element. Some of these grumplings have made it onto various cards to Debbie in the past and she always gets a chuckle out of them! The inside sentiment, from the same CF set, says "We're still HOT it just comes in FLASHES". Debbie will laugh at that too!!

I will also share at the January NBUS Challenge since my Frankly'isms set is getting first play today. And at Watercooler Wednesday All About Occasions (second of three allowed) given the bday occasion.

Nothing else is new here - just waiting around 'til the vaccine finally trickles down to my age group. Dad got a letter inviting him but he'd have to travel two hours to get it (cold storage issue). No thanks - we'll wait 'til both parents can go locally! Take care, stay safe, & happy crafting!!

 

More Twofer Flowers

Hey everyone - back as promised with another card for Twofer Challenge 34 Flowers, this time using goodies won at Twofer Challenge 33 back in November. Art Impressions gave Darnell a $20 gift card to award and I was the lucky recipient!! Here's my Twofer using Art Impressions Sweet Wishes:

Being a Valentine baby, I love to collect Valentine sets. I was delighted to add Sweet Wishes to the stash, thanks to AI and Darnell!! The set has four images, three sentiments and 2 dies to create a Tri-fold card. I tried it the intended way for the Valentine card - it's 4.5x11", scored at 3 5/8" from each end of the long side & folded in. You simply stamp the wreath on the front and die cut the center out. Next line up the mailbox on the next flap, stamp it & die cut the door. Finally stamp the birdie with heart on the inside. I colored with pencils to avoid any bleeding through of Copics. Here's a closer look at the front and second flap with inside showing:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White

Stamps & Dies - Art Impressions Sweet Wishes

Other - various pencils; scrap of ribbon; Hobby Lobby heart

I was lazy and didn't photograph the inside layer. I used the MISTI to align my images without penciling anything. The birdie could've been up a bit higher to show more of the heart but I went with it. I closed the card with a ribbon tied round it, nothing fancy. AI suggests their Clasp-Keeper which doesn't appear on their site anymore. Oddly enough, I have one of these around somewhere... oh well. 

For card two, I needed a birthday card for a childhood friend so stamped a second wreath. Used the die to cut the interior, then fussy cut the exterior. Colored with Copics (BV0000, BV00, BV12, YG41 & Y07). Placed it atop a diecut Sunny Studio panel - Frilly Frames Eyelet Lace which I'd embossed using the insert. Added Simon Says Stamp sentiment strips and some stickles - done! Totally forgot to take a photograph of card two by itself since I was in a hurry to get it in the outgoing mail...sorry!

I'm also adding the Valentine to Darnell's January NBUS Challenge since my rose wreath is getting first play and to Watercooler Wednesday's All About Occasions Challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by & have a crafty weekend!!

 

A Flower Garden Twofer

Welcome! I'm playing along today at the Twofer Challenge - Challenge 34 Flowers! The Twofer Challenge has been around for three years already - woo hoo! Congrats Darnell and team!! Year four begins with a fave theme of mine - flowers; here's my Twofer:

I love this challenge because you need two cards for different occasions using the same stamp, die or stencil, plus different designs. I enjoy using the same item in different ways, plus it's a great way to increase the card stash. I always approach the challenge by making whatever I need using the prompt. As I work on card one, the idea for card two usually appears in my brain. My item in common is a gorgeous cover die from Hero Arts. Here's a closer look at each card with supply list.

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts A2 card; 

Lawn Fawn plaid; Michael's green

Dies - Hero Arts Flower Garden Fancy Die;

A Jillian Vance Design Dot Stitched Rectangle

Other - WPlus9 enamel dots; Joy Ultra thin foam tape;

Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Strips Thanks

I actually made the thank you card second but it contains the inspiration - the green flower garden cover diecut. It's been in my stash since I got the die - I cut a test piece using green paper and there it sat. My idea was to use a flower at the corner of the die so I trimmed it off for the valentine. I trimmed more away to create an uneven strip - that piece came to the thank you card. Plaid background on an A2 card, sentiment strips, enamel dots, & done!!

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 card and glitter paper;

American Crafts glitter paper; Neenah white;

Michael's green; Core'dinations black

Dies - Hero Arts Flower Garden Fancy Die &

Nesting Hearts Infinity Dies;

Sunny Studio Frilly Frames Lattice

Stamps - Avocado Arts (NLIB) Sweet Treat Sweetie 

Other - Versamark Ink; Ranger Seafoam White ep

I recently got some Sunny Studio frilly frames - love, love, love!! The one I used today for the first time has a lattice insert. I cut the lattice directly into the A2 card front and then backed it with a very sheer glitter paper. The light shines through beautifully in real life. Since I needed a Valentine, I added a large heart and topped it with the flower and leaves. Note: I meant to top the green flower with a white one. Ended up snipping the leaves away from the green flower and using them with the second white flower. Stamped and white embossed a sentiment trimmed to an arrow-ish shape. Done!

I was excited to win a random prize for Twofer 33 back in November - a generous $20 from Art Impressions. Finally got around to ordering after the holidays and received my goodies from Claire today - yay!! Thanks Darnell and Claire!! Goodies include a stamp set with flowers that I'll put on another Twofer later this month week,

I'm also adding my Valentine to the January NBUS Challenge since the frilly frame got first play today. Thanks Darnell for two fun challenges!! 

Thanks for stopping by!!

 

Color Layering Deer

Hey crafty friends - thought I'd pop back with a card using the deer set I'd intended to use the other day when I spotted the current Christmas Kickstart Challenge Such a Deer. I combined elements so I could also use it for the current Let's Squash It!! Challenge. Gail & Jo are using an animal along with an embossing folder. Deer = animal so I was good on that piece. 😁😁

Supplies: Paper - Basic Grey Aspen Frost; 

Paper Studio kraft, red & A2 card; Neenah white;

Strathmore Watercolor 140lb

Stamps - Hero Arts Color Layering Deer (retired)

Dies - My Favorite Things Square Grid Coverup (retired);

Spellbinders Snowflake Splendor

Embossing Folder - Tim Holtz Birch Trees (retired)

Other - CZ Designs Reverse Sentiments Strips Christmas;

Jolee snowflake gems

I had a spare window frame from last month's Squash card so incorporated it atop my embossed panel. I embossed a piece of kraft card with the Tim Holtz Birch Trees. Didn't like the deer portrait style so, what the heck, you can't really tell they're birch trees on the kraft card anyway - I made it landscape.

I really prefer how my deer turned out for a Merry Monday card nearly 4 years ago - check it out HERE if desired. I stamped the current deer on watercolor paper and the colors ended up rather dark. Oh well, I went with it anyway after moving the color around a bit with a wet brush.

I'm also adding this to the January NBUS Challenge since my snowflake is new. The Snowflake Splendor set is the second one I picked up at my Hobby Lobby shopping spree the other day.

Thanks for stopping - hope you're having a crafty week!

Dear Deer

Happy weekend everyone - so glad you stopped by! I'm playing along at Christmas Kickstart where the theme is Such a Deer. Love this theme and was going in one direction but ended up elsewhere!

Supplies: Paper - Bazzill A2 card; Paper Studio;

Authentique A Magical Christmas; Momenta Gemstones

Dies - Sizzix Christmas Character Box

Other - CZ Designs Reverse Christmas Sentiment Strips

Why did I go off my original plan (as if I need a reason...)? I went to Hobby Lobby for some quick shopping and found Sizzix & Spellbinder dies 40% off. I picked up one of each, selecting the character box set partly since it had a reindeer head on it. I turned it into a feminine deer adding some eyelashes with a marker & using the bow die meant for the gingerbread cookie character. Used the gingerbread cookie eye die to cut cheek color. I couldn't find any packages of googly eyes in my stash so performed surgery on some felt bunnies I got at Target for $1 some years back. They can always get transplants once I find my packages...

Will also add to Watercooler Wednesday where Anything Goes with a Feminine Twist and to the January NBUS Challenge since my Sizzix set is new today.

That's it for today - hope all is well in your corner of the world!

 

Feminine and Masculine birthdays

 Hey crafty friends - I'm popping in with a couple of quick birthday cards. A feminine one for niece Annika (turning 20, yikes!!) and a masculine one for my "bro-in-law" Doug.

Supplies:  Paper - Recollections A7 card; 

Core'dinations black; Neenah white; 

Concord & 9th Evergreen; Sunny Studio Classic Gingham;

BoBunny dotted swiss

Stamps - Sunny Studio Everything's Rosy

Dies - Sunny Studio Everything's Rosy;

Hero Arts Autumn Bouquet Fancy Dies

My Favorite Things Flutter of Butterflies (retired)

Spellbinders Sentiments One

Kat Scrappiness Zig Zag Nesting Slimline Dies

When I made a previous project using roses stamped on yellow cardstock, I also stamped some on white cardstock. I decided to pair a couple with Hero Arts die cut leaves atop a gingham panel. I love how the slimline zig zag layer works on this A7 card.

I used the same sentiment die on my masculine card - to me it's the kind of font that works for both. The Authentique Suave paper really did all the work here - so helpful since I struggle with masculine cards!

Supplies: Paper - Authentique Suave; 

Paper Studio Grey; Core'dinations Black

Dies - Spellbinders Sentiments One

That's it for today. I'm sending the feminine card to Watercooler Wednesday Anything Goes with a Feminine Twist. Thanks for visiting!!

Santa Silhouette

Hey crafty friends - I'm popping in with an extremely quick Christmas card for some challenges. I need these challenges to get my yearly stash of cards built - this is my first Christmas card of 2021!!

Supplies: Paper - Bazzill A2 card; Core'dinations black

Die - Spellbinders From Our Home to Yours (retired)

Other - CZ Designs Reverse Christmas sentiment strip; foam tape

I recently received the Spellbinders die set from Virginia (Yes, Virginia) as a Show & Share prize - thanks again, Virginia!! I thought the Santa silhouette would be perfect for the CAS Christmas challenge. I cut him from black, added foam tape and adhered to a green card (after drawing a bit of ground for him). Added the sentiment strip with flag ends that I'd hand cut. Done!! Super quick and easy - perfect for mass production. Santa looks so cute raising his cup of cocoa, coffee, tea - whatever warm beverage you put out for him!

Really skating in at the last minute for Christmas Kickstart but I wanted to play along with Jo who has her mum as the Elf this fortnight. Thanks ladies!! And at Watercooler Wednesday, today's the final day of a three week Anything Goes Challenge that I've been meaning to enter - glad I made it!!

Thanks for stopping!! After a holiday break at chorus we're back to online rehearsals tonight - off to get my presentation ready.... Happy crafting!

Challenges:

CAS Christmas - Silhouette

Christmas Kickstart - If It's Christmassy

NBUS - Never Before Used Schtuff - Santa is getting his first use today

Watercooler Wednesday - Anything Goes