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Thanks for visiting my blog. As the title suggests, I love to scrapbook, stamp, and sing! I will share cards and scrapbook pages I create, as well as information about my music - Barbershop harmony.

Sunday, May 1, 2022

May Guest Designer at NBUS!!

Hey crafty friends - with a mountain of NBUS (Never-Before-Used-Schtuff) in my stash, I am the perfect fit to play at the NBUS Challenge. Back in February owner & friend Darnell (djkardkreations) started taking on one Guest Designer per month - such fun! I'm delighted to be her GD for the May Challenge #38!! Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders (blue); Neenah white;
 & Anchor Paper (grey linen card)
Stamps - Taylored Expressions Simple Strips Background
Dies - Spellbinders Stitched Petal Frame
Taylored Expressions Simple Strips
Other - Hero Arts gems; 
DMC Embroidery Floss (600, 604, 827); 
Artiste Silver Metallic Floss

Right before Darnell asked to guest design, I'd received a big box from Spellbinders. Not only did I have NBUS, I had brand new NBUS!! Funny thing - the die I used above was one I found at Hobby Lobby the following week - so even newer NBUS - yikes!

I die cut a thick, rich blue cardstock from an old Spellbinders kit using the coverplate. Decided to try silver metallic for stitching on it. Bad idea only because the silver I bought comes 8 strands & was difficult to split in half. The full 8 strands are too thick for the holes. I really liked the look, though, and kept at it for several hours. Then I decided some regular embroidery floss would be perfect on the rest. I split the 6-strand floss in half and 3 strands worked well. I also followed Spellbinders recommendation to use a #22 tapestry needle. Be sure to use a thick paper because you handle it a lot and wouldn't want it to tear! Later I found some beautiful metallic DMC thread that I'll try next time.

I embroidered and did counted cross stitch & needlepoint for many years. With paper, you have to watch out for the needle falling right back through the hole and off the thread - can't tell you how many times that happened...But once I got going, it went well. I secured the thread ends with a bit of glue when I completed a section. Once finished, I die cut a second panel and glued it to the back. This gave me a smooth panel to adhere to my card base. Some gems and a sentiment strip finished the card. If you want to see a gorgeous pastel version using embroidery floss, go here. My friend Lin (Sending Hugs) did a beautiful job on it!! She used some new Spellbinders stitched flowers here - so pretty!

Here's a bonus card, or as Darnell would say, a twofer:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah; Tim Holtz; Anchor Paper
Stamps - Taylored Expressions Simple Strips Background
Dies - Spellbinders Stitched Medallion
Taylored Expressions Simple Strips &
A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop

After all the stitching on the other card, I decided to try one without stitches - it's still amazing with loads of detail. I simply die cut the stitched medallion (from my big Spellbinders box) with the frame & then a solid panel with just the frame. Layered them and added to my rectangle diecuts and card base. Sentiment strip with backer and done! Very simple and fun to put together...

Thanks oodles to Darnell for offering the NBUS Challenge & for inviting me to guest design! I hope you'll join in this month using some of your own mountain of NBUS!!



17 comments:

Dawn T said...

Fantastic cards Linda. Your embroidered one is so beautiful, worth all the time it took. And the second one looks so elegant.

Cindy C. said...

Wow both awesome! Congrats on your GD spot!!

Brenda in IN said...

The stitched card is lovely. I love the colors you chose. How different it looks without stitching. Both are fantastic cards. Great cards for your design spot.

Darnell said...

Both your cards are spectacular, Linda! I can tell your readers that the first hand-stitched design is even more incredibly beautiful in person and it arrived in the mail unscathed! I also love that elegant snowflake design! Thank you so much for being my May Guest Designer at NBUS! Hugs, Darnell

Darnell said...

Sorry, snowflake? It's early here. It could be used for a snowflake!🙃

HilaryJane said...

Wow, that first card is really very special, your stitching is amazing. I used to cross stitch a lot, but not so much recently as cardmaking is taking most of my time these days. I do love the rich colours you used, the end result is just fabulous. Love your second card too. That die can stand beautifully on it's own. I can see they are going to have to go on my wishlist. Thanks for the tip re gluing the threads, excellent idea xx

Cat Craig said...

Very art deco looking with out the stitching. ANd just as lovely with stitching.

Rosemary said...

love seeing the spellbinders stitching dies in action! love the silver stitching on the first piece. the medallion without the stitching is fabulous.

Jeanne H said...

A wonderful card, the colors and design. Great job and congrats on being a NBUS guest designer.

Lisa Elton said...

Congrats on guesting, Linda both of your cards are wonderful!

Leslie Miller said...

Linda, your stitched card is amazing! You did some beautiful work on that. The medallion without stitching is elegant and I'm trying to imagine how it would look stitched. Either way gorgeous! A big box of Spellbinders? Heaven! It's nice to see you as Guest Designer at NBUS this month!

Loll said...

Fantastic cards Linda!! LOVE all that amazing embroidery you've done on your first card. I can imagine the amount of time it took ... it's AMAZING! Lovely second card too. Always fun to use NBUS items. Congrats on being GD! xx

Pia S said...

WOW! I've never seen a card with that stitching before, and what a beauty it is! A favorite! Your twofer is outstanding too. Well done, Linda, you did a great job as a guest designer this month!

Linda said...

Awesome card Linda. Wow that is a lot of stitching and beautifully done. So pretty.

Greta said...

Wow--what gorgeous cards, Linda! I have a lot of stitching dies & really need to use them! Plus, they are beautiful even without stitching, as you showed here!

Jean said...

Both are elegant and beautifully constructed!

donna mikasa said...

Linda! Congrats on guesting over at NBUS! Such gorgeous cards and all that stitching!