Final Day of Pop-Up Fun at Die Cut Divas!

Hi everyone - I'm posting with the last day of the month Divas today, sharing the first card below. Plus I have a bonus for you! 

We're doing Pop-Up Creations and you have until 9pm Pacific Time today to enter. The DT has been working with Poppystamps products but you can use any supplies. Just be sure to use an embossing folder &/or a die cut in your pop-up design. 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Hero Arts and My Favorite Things cardstock;

My Favorite Things Petite Gingham;

Lawn Fawn Watercolor Wishes

Dies - Poppystamps Woven Basket Pop Up Easel Set,

Fern and Daisy Pop Up Easel Set,

Floral Vase Pop Up Easel Set, &

Layered Tulips 

Hot Foil - Poppystamps Modest Greetings 1

Other - Spellbinders foil; Hero Arts White Hero Pearls

Poppystamps has generously donated a $20 gift card to their online store 

as a prize to our random winner.

Such a simple card - just die cut & assemble! I had the foiled sentiment & a bunch of flowers left over from my August 21st post (see it HERE if you missed it). Those strip sentiments make very handy stoppers for pop-up cards! I also die cut more flowers and leaves from the other sets. I added some pencil detail to the basket to make the woven pattern stand out. 

Here's a view of the card folded flat for mailing - fits in an A2 envelope perfectly, although it's a bit chunky with all the flowers & will need non-machinable postage.

Here's a bonus using the Fern and Daisy pop-up set. I love how it outlines the foliage.

This time my stopper came from the Adriana Pop Up Easel Set. I also added a stamped and fussy cut sentiment to the stopper - it's from a Hero Arts stamp set; can't remember which one... Here's a view of it closed - also a perfect fit for an A2 envelope.

That's it, friends! Thanks for stopping and I hope you'll link your pop up creation in our August Diva Gallery by 9pm Pacific Time! 

Poinsettia Window and Welcome Baby Boy!

Hi everyone - Happy Hump Day as we used to say when I still worked! Today I'm sharing another Christmas card made with new Hero Arts products that I picked up locally last Friday. I just love the poinsettia window die with the coordinating stencils!

Supplies: Paper - Lawn Fawn Petite Watercolor Wishes;

Paper Studio ivory

Dies - Hero Arts Poinsettia Window;

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop

Stencils - Hero Arts Color Layering Poinsettia Window

Stamps - Hero Arts Fireplace Stamp & Cut XL (sentiment)

Inks - various minis from Hero Arts MMH kits

Other - Copics for minor shading; 

Hero Arts iridescent spray & gold Hero Pearls

If you'd like to see a beauty using this die/stencil combo with a lot of gold, go HERE for Jennifer McGuire's take. She shared a great video there too. In the video she recommends die cutting first, then stenciling - I followed her advice. 

After I die cut and stenciled the window, I added some shading with Copics & spritzed with shimmer spray. Once dry, I die cut the panel with a stitched rectangle, backed it with some LF paper, & inked the edges. Stamped the sentiment, adhered to an A2 card and added some Hero Pearls - done! I'll send this card to the current Stay Crafty with a Blog Named Hero Challenge where Anything Goes.

I made a second one while I was at it (didn't photograph), changing only the colors (flowers more pink  & a pink backing paper). I also used my new Waffle Flower sticky mat - worked great the first time, less great the second in terms of stickiness. I'm thinking one needs to cover it, rather than leaving it exposed to the air overnight?

Next, I have a baby boy card for my new cousin Kieran, the first grandson for my cousin Debi who's more like a sister to me. Kieran's parents settled a few suburbs over from me with their little girl & now Kieran - such a sweet family!

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders A2 card; Neenah White;

MFT Petite Gingham; Paper Studio Holiday;

Authentique dotted

Stamps - Hero Arts Little One & 

Precious Baby Boy (both retired)

Dies - Hero Arts Nesting Circle Infinity Dies;

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop

Other - Copic Markers, foam tape

I die cut a gingham rectangle and added it to an A2 card. Next I cut a red stitched rectangle, then used the next smaller rectangle die to make a frame. It really helped contain my elements. I stamped and colored the icons, then fussy cut along with the sentiment, adding a bit of B00 Copic to the welcome as water for my sailboat. Die cut some mats for the other two icons, assembled & done.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll check back tomorrow for my "last day of the month" post for our August Die Cut Divas Challenge.

Peeking Reindeer

Hi everyone - Happy Sunday! I had the chance to pick up some new Hero Arts Christmas products on Friday - yay!! Had to play with the darling peeking reindeer first:

Supplies: Paper - Basic Grey Infuse (retired); Anchor Paper kraft;

Paper Studio Holiday & Neutrals; Tim Holtz kraft metallic;

scrap of woodgrain & Lawn Fawn yellow watercolor

Dies - Hero Arts Paper Layering Wooden Door (retired but 

check out the Fairy Doors Infinity Dies),

Wagon and Accessories & Peeking Reindeer;

Sunny Studio Slimline Nature Borders;

Lawn Fawn Winter Big Scripty Words

Hot Foil Plate - Lawn Fawn Big Scripty Words

Other - foam tape; Spellbinders foil;

Copics & Hero Arts Sand ink for shading;

Paper Studio & Hero Arts enamel dots; 

Tree House Studio Wiggle eyes; white gel pen;

Hero Arts Green Christmas Felt (retired) & clear lacquer

My favorite local paper crafting store didn't participate in Hero Arts' ShopBox program (early release) for the Christmas season. I was disappointed and the owner wished she would've participated after seeing the release. Luckily they now have a large stock so I picked items not in the class bundle for the 2023 Holiday Stamp-Along (yes, I'll be playing along in November! Go HERE for details) . The Blog Hop for this new release has some great inspiration and I was eager to see how my card idea compared with those in the hop. My fave was that of Nichol Spohr (see it HERE along with an excellent video) who'll be teaching once again in the Stamp-Along. I love how she used the large number dies & especially love her little pom-pom nose on Rudolph. Since I didn't have any pom-poms, I used a scrap of red paper to piece it and added clear lacquer. 

This deer comes as one die but is very easy to cut apart and piece. I decided to add the googly eyes and found some fun oval ones in my stash that went well with the curve of Rudolph's nose. I had never used my wooden door die set before & thought Rudolph would be cute peeking from a door. I considered making my door interactive but in the end just put foam tape on the right edge. Rudolph was also popped up. Funny thing - after I'd glued everything down, I went to see if I could link to the door die set anywhere. I found a photograph of a completed card and realized the decorative hinges were supposed to have the scrolly part on the door - oops! There's a little arrow beyond the scrolls but I'd cut that off to fit my card. 

This is an A6 card since an A2 looked too crowded. Wouldn't have if I'd put the hinges on correctly! The card base is intended to be the "house" & I put a little "step" under my door with some "snow". The step was diecut from a wagon set - I love it when you can use a die in an unintended way! Since my reindeer & door dies are newly used, I'll add this card to Darnell's August NBUS Challenge. I'll also add my card to the current Stay Crafty with a Blog Named Hero Challenge where Anything Goes.

Thanks for stopping by & hope you have a crafty day!!

Pop up Fun with Poppystamps!

Hey there - I'm posting inspiration at Die Cut Divas today with card one below, plus I have a bonus for you! Our August Diva Challenge is Pop-Up Creations. The DT has been working with Poppystamps products but you can use any supplies. Just be sure to use an embossing folder &/or a die cut in your pop-up design. Poppystamps has generously donated a $20 gift card to their online store as a prize to our random winner.

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts and My Favorite Things;

Neenah White; "acetate"

Dies - Poppystamps Floral Vase Pop Up Easel Set 

Hot Foil - Poppystamps Modest Greetings 1

Other - Spellbinders foil; Paper Studio gems

I've had the gorgeous Floral Vase set since Poppystamps released it in their 2023 Valentine collection - just hadn't made the effort to use it until now. Shame on me! 

Process: Die cut pop up base and card front base from Arctic cardstock. Assemble.

Die cut the vase twice - once from white, once from acetate or other clear packaging.

Color the back of the acetate with Copics to simulate water; I used BG01 & BG15.

Die cut the flowers and stems from various colored cardstock. Note - I added an extra stem.

Add the white vase layer to the card front, then the stem/leaf layer, then the acetate vase.

Assemble flowers & adhere them where desired atop the stem/leaf layer.

Foil sentiments and die cut, plus die cut a blank one. Use one, layered with the blank one, for the easel "stopper" - trim it to fit so it doesn't show when the easel is closed.  Add to card.

I tried to keep the liquid glue on the very edge of the acetate vase when adhering it to the white. Wasn't entirely successful at keeping it from showing but it's not too bad.... By the way, my "acetate" is really Spellbinders packaging. They have begun to tape their dies to what looks like a heavy weight vellum. I always put my dies on magnet strips that I glue to the package's cardstock insert. I was delighted when they stopped taping dies directly on the insert card! I've been carefully saving any bits of the Spellbinders vellum sheets that I can salvage. Sometimes it get too wrinkled while pulling the dies off and the taped area definitely gets discarded, but I can see many ways to upcycle it. 

The finished card fits perfectly in an A2 envelope when folded flat - so adorable! Here are a couple other views - closed & side:

 

 

Now for the bonus - this time I made a DIY rectangle pop up - so easy! 

Additional Supplies: Paper - Michael's ivory;

Tim Holtz Distress Cardstock 8x8; 

scraps of pink (unk brand)

My Favorite Things Petite Gingham

Dies - Poppystamps Layered Tulips

Embossing Folder - Taylored Expressions

Kaleidoscope (retired)

Other - Hero Arts Gold Hero Wax

I used the vase from the same set as card one but this time I embossed it for some gorgeous texture. You should've seen the pile of embossing folders I flipped through before settling on Kaleidoscope by TE. I just moved the die cut vase around the inside of the ef until I found the perfect spot in the pattern. After embossing it, I applied gold Hero Wax to the raised bits and inked around the vase edges with HA Cup O' Joe ink.

I used the stem/leaf die to cut the foliage & popped 3 tulips with their stems on top. The vase is popped up with tape just along the edges so I could slide the stems right into it.

Here's a photo of my easy DIY easel:

I simply cut an 8.5x11" piece of card stock in half. Scored one 4.25x11" piece at 5.5", then trimmed off the front. You can trim off as much as you like depending on how you want your easel to pop. Next cut a little diagonal piece off the left and right front edge & then score at .25" for a flap. Cut the remaining 4.25x11" piece in half so you have two 4.25x5.5" A2 panels. Glue one to your flap to create the card front. Use the other one to foil the sentiment block. After diecutting the various foiled sentiments, you will have some scraps left for later. Again, I stacked two sentiment die cuts, one foiled and one blank, for the easel stopper.

That's it, friends! Thanks for stopping and I hope you'll link your pop up creation in our August Diva Gallery! Since my vase got first play here, I'm adding my pop up to Darnell's August NBUS Challenge.

Anniversary Tulips and a Stitched Snowflake

Happy Sunday - hope you're having a wonderful weekend! I've been busy doing crafty clean-up but then getting distracted by card ideas. First up, anniversary tulips for my friends, Connie & Doug:

Supplies: Paper - MFT Petite Gingham (retired);

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Poptone black; Tim Holtz silver metallic;

scrap of pink ombre

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Tulip Bouquet Bundle

Stencil - Hero Arts Color Layering Tulip Bouquet

Dies - Creative Expressions Hobnail Vase (retired) &

Mini Shadowed Sentiments - Happy Anniversary

I used a Hero Arts 4-layer stencil set to ink-blend the tulips using various Hero Arts inks. I did two panels of tulips, then decided to stamp the outlines over top and die cut them both. I added a bit of shading with Copics but the stencils really make it easy to get a lovely flower. I used one tulip bouquet as it, then cut up the second one, tucking the flowers wherever I want to fill out the arrangement. Next I die cut and dry embossed the vase, inking it with some black to antique it a bit. The bouquet was too tall for an A2 card so I used an A7 card base with a mat of gingham, black & white. I popped up the vase and some of the flower buds with foam tape. I die cut the sentiment with outline & added to the vase, using foam tape on the sections that went off the vase. Done!

Next, I made a Christmas card using the Spellbinders Stitched Snowflake Card Front die set:

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Arctic;

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110 lb

Dies - Spellbinders Stitched Snowflake Card Front

Other - Taylored Expression sentiment strip;

DMC embroidery floss - DMC598; Docrafts gems

I received this stitching die with my July club box which arrived on July 22nd. I've been busy so hadn't had a chance to get into this box much yet. Well, I did die cut the snowflake set pieces right away - was really eager to use it! It just took me awhile to find the right embroidery floss and stitch it up! Did it while watching the Twins game on television Friday night - we won - yay!

I die cut the snowflake 3 times from heavy Neenah white card stock, stitching through one diecut using two strands of floss, then stacking with the other two diecuts for dimension. I die cut the card front panel and the snowflake center from Arctic cardstock. No, the card isn't dirty - I just inked the corners of the card with HA Fog ink to vintage it up a bit. I finished the card with a TE sentiment strip & some gems (thanks to my friend Heather who gifted them to me years ago). If you'd like to see another example of this fun set in use, go HERE to see my friend Lin's version - so fabulous!

I'll send the tulip bouquet card over to the current Sweet Stampin' Challenge where they're doing a Wedding/Anniversary theme. The snowflake card will go over to Darnell's August NBUS Challenge since that die set is newly used on a card. The tulip sets are new too but I'll just send the one NBUS link.

Thanks for stopping and have a crafty week! I hope you'll be back tomorrow for my regular Diva post - we're doing Pop-Up Creations for August using fabulous Poppystamps products.

Nice Elves Pop Up Platform Card

Hi all - I'm back using more "nice elves" for the August Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Just Elfing Around. I stamped and have been coloring these elves over the last couple of weeks. I was also inspired by the pop-up creations for our August Die Cut Divas Challenge so decided to make a pop-up platform card. Lawn Fawn's die set makes it a breeze!!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; 

Lawn Fawn Petite Watercolor Wishes; 

Sunny Studio All is Bright & Holiday Cheer

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Nice Elves &

Santa's Door Accessories (retired but available

HERE & HERE at Frantic Stamper)

Dies - Lawn Fawn Platform Pop-Up & Platform Pop-Up Add-On;

My Favorite Things Party Décor

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape; Hero Arts enamel dots

I watched the Platform Pop-Up video tutorial by Kelly Marie at Lawn Fawn - she made it look so easy and it was! Just die cut and assemble, then decorate! Here's a view of it folded flat for mailing. Because I used the add-on which gives the platform a "wall", the card will need a larger than A2 envelope. Without it, an A2 envelope works perfectly. LOL - I also figured out that you could push the platform the other way but it makes a very thick section along the bottom and you'd be pushing it down, rather than popping it up, when it comes out of the envelop....

The LF platform die set came out Spring 2022 and I'm finally getting around to using it, plus it's my first time using the add-on too. Don't know why it took me so long - these pop-ups are such fun!! I'll add this card to Darnell's August NBUS Challenge since dies are newly used.

Thanks for stopping by! I'm still working on catching up with my blog comments - hope to visit you soon if I haven't already. Happy crafting!!

Santa's Workshop

Hi everyone - it's been a while! I'm popping in today with a card for the August Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Just Elfing Around.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White; Anchor Paper kraft; 

Doodlebug Designs Home for the Holidays

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Nice Elves &

Santa's Door Accessories (retired but available

HERE & HERE at Frantic Stamper)

Dies - Penny Black Wood Floors

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape

I started this card right after Jo announced the CKC theme but just finished it this morning. First I stamped, die cut (or fussy cut) and colored all the elements while binge-watching Outlander episodes on Starz. Then I trimmed a patterned paper to fit an A2 card & added the die cut floor (enhanced with inks). Arranged the scene elements and adhered with glue & foam tape - done! The elf on the ladder actually holds a hammer but I trimmed it off. Now he looks to be adding the toy car to the shelf. I have three more elves colored for another scene, plus two more to be colored - loads of elves in this stamp set!

Hero Arts created a companion set called Naughty Elves which I've used a few times (see them HERE, HERE, & HERE if desired). This is the first play the poor Nice Elves has seen so I will add this card to Darnell's August NBUS Challenge.

That's it for today, friends - thanks for visiting!! I hope to get caught up on blog commenting soon!

By the way, we haven't seen a lot of pop-up creations for our August Die Cut Divas Challenge yet - hope you can make it over there! I'll be here on the 21st with my latest pop-up masterpiece so be sure to check back. Happy crafting!!

Yet more mixed media!

Hey everyone - I'm back with another accordion art journal page & card using mixed media inspired by the Hero Arts Mixed Media Stamp Along from July. Just a reminder, you can now purchase the replay and have some mixed media fun along with me! 

First up, my latest journal page (only 4 blank ones left to fill...):

Supplies: see list at end

Additional Supplies:

Rub ons - Hero Arts Wildflowers and Bugs Hero Transfers

Stamps - Hero Arts Art Journal Messages

My page used another part of a work surface page (Bristol smooth) that I didn't photograph. I started with a 3" square gelli plate and stamped it with two mini ink cubes into a grid of 9. Misted it and applied to the paper. Some cube impressions showed up very regular looking and others bled out. I also brayered some ink on the same plate and you can see a few obvious edges of that too. I sprayed the panel with water and let dry, then sprayed through a stencil, did some texture stamping and applied some rub-ons (bird & flowers). Also used my glass bottle bottom to stamp some dots trailing behind the bird.

Hero Arts included a freebie stamp set with a purchase during the Stamp Along. I used it to stamp the "dare to" part of the sentiment. The stamp set includes the word dream but, in keeping with many of the other journal pages, I die cut the word from the lower case luggage alphabet set. Love how this turned out!

Next, I made a card using the final piece of the watercolor paper work surface I used during the Stamp Along. I had some extra Happy Birthday diecuts from when I made a previous card using another part of the watercolor work surface panel. The design for today's card is similar but the background was finished differently & I added a white shadow layer (fussy cut) to the sentiment. It's another guy card so I didn't embellish much. I'm curious, if you care to comment, whether you like the design better with or without the shadow layer. I tried vellum too but didn't like it. This particular section of the work surface had a lot of dark areas so I wanted the sentiment to stand out more.

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

Main Hero Arts Stamp-Along Supplies 

(not all used on today's projects): 

Stamps with Dies - Beautiful Day Bundle

Stamps - Encouragement Sentiment Strips,

Positive Script, & Rough Dot Bold Prints 

Mixed Textures

Stencil - Stacked Circles

Dies - Circle Set

Sentiment Strips Fancy Die

Luggage Lowercase Alphabet

Rub-ons Flowers and Swirls Hero Transfers

Other - many liquid watercolors, inks & sprays

Hero Paste, Hero Wax & Hero Pearls

July 2023 Card Chain Reveal

Welcome! Today we're revealing cards that went round the world for the July 2023 Card Chain Challenge. Thirty-two people participated & you can see the full reveal HERE. My card went to Marianne (Marianne's cards 'n stuff) in Greece. 

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio; BoBunny

Stamps - Hero Arts All Occasion Messages (retired)

Dies - Hero Arts Delicate Butterfly &

Nesting Circle Infinity Dies

Other - Lawn Fawn flower sequin

We had the following choices when creating our card:

Color Palette Option

Sketch Option

Theme Options: Fish / Circles / Friendship

Product / Technique Options: Buttons / Stitches

The last time this sketch was offered, I didn't use it. Thought it was high time to do so. Loved the color combo so used it, as well as the themes of circles & friendship. I used a HA butterfly die that I bought for the Spring Stamp Along & just love! The die cut circle was cut from a galaxy print that fades from peach to white, although it reads a bit blue at the bottom in the photo.... I trimmed an A2 card to a 4.25" square and added the dotted strips, then the other elements - done!

I received this beauty from Robyn (Waterlily Cards by Robyn) in Australia. I just love the bright yellow squiggle flowers against the dreamy background! Thanks Robyn & for the die cut bits too!!

Care to join in? You simply make and send one card, then receive one card. Sign-up for the August exchange continues until August 6th - full details HERE.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a crafty day!!