Last Day for Die Cut Divas January Challenge!

Hi all - it's the last day of January so you only have until 9pm Pacific Time today to enter our January Die Cut Diva Challenge featuring something never before used on a project. I'm part of the last-day-of-the-month team posting inspiration for the challenge. 

Whimsy Stamps has generously donated a $15 gift voucher - to be awarded Feb. 3rd to the winner of our random drawing from eligible January entries. Thank you Whimsy! Here's my card using some of my Whimsy stash for the first time:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Park Lane A2 card

Stamps - Whimsy Stamps Peekaboo Dots

Dies - Hero Arts Nesting Circle Infinity Dies;

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black; Hero Arts Bermuda

Other - May Arts string twine; foam tape;

Hero Arts Aqua Enamel Dots

I stamped some of the newly used Peekaboo dot circles with black, some with Bermuda & some with black then Bermuda over top. The birthday circle was stamped in the cascade but then again separately. The separate one was cut with two circles to make a little washer. After die cutting the panel with a rectangle, I added string to the washer and put it over the stamped one with foam tape. Adhered the panel to an A2 card & added some enamel dots - done!

I'm adding my card to Darnell's January NBUS Challenge since my circle stamps got first play here. I looked up when I bought the set - July 2022 - not hideously untimely for me - LOL! Also adding to the current Seize the Birthday Challenge using the Anything Goes theme. This card will go to a pilot friend & I think he'll love the graphic look of it.

How about a bonus? I'm sorry to say the Whimsy items I've used below for the first time have already been retired - it happens....too often to me.... At least I can say I've used them now!!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; kraft A2 card;

BoBunny Botanical Journal 6x8"; Paper Studio red

Stamps - Art Impressions Sweet Wishes MTF

Dies - Whimsy Stamps Card Builder Many Thanks & 

Handstitched Nested Rectangles (both retired)

Spellbinders Thanks Enclosed Sentiments

Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black; Hero Arts Red Royal

Other - foam tape

I die cut the red mat using the rectangle in the Whimsy card builder set; it cuts holes that almost look like little hearts or arrowheads. Next I layered BoBunny botanical papers die cut using handstitched rectangles. They have wonky stitching and while retired, Whimsy still has a Wonky Stitched Rectangles set with double stitching. I have that set too but have used it before.

I die cut two birthdays and layered for dimension, then added to the pink rectangle that I'd stamped with the Valentine sentiment. The bird with heart and envelope came from the same AI set as the Valentine sentiment. I stamped and fussy cut it, then added to the pink rectangle with foam tape. This card will go to my friend Lynn who's my birthday twin!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope I've inspired you to join the Divas & hope to see you in the January gallery by 9pm Pacific Time today!

Stenciled Floral Background

Welcome - I'm back with a final card (limit of three) for Just Us Girls Challenge #711 (Stencils). I was doing some crafty clean-up last night & ended up making this card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Park Lane gold A2 card; Paper Studio Holiday; scrap of pink & vellum

Stencils - Hero Arts January 2024 My Monthly Hero Classic Kit

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

Hero Arts January 2024 My Monthly Hero Premium Kit  

(Love You dies in the Classic kit too but not the flowers) &

Nesting Hearts Infinity Dies

Inks - Hero Arts Soft Blossom, Azalea, Crimson, Red Royal, & Moss

I received my January MMH kit last week and used one of the sentiments and some of the camel watercolor paper included in the Classic Kit (I subscribe to the Premium Kits). While I was putting away the sentiment set, I spotted the stencils & decided to get one last JUGS card in.

Stenciled a piece of Neenah white using the 5 layering stencils and various inks (listed in supplies). I die cut the panel with an old stitched rectangle die and adhered it to a gold A2 card. Next I die cut the classic kit's large heart from vellum & the LOVE YOU 3 times - twice from red and once from gold. Layered the LOVE YOU and added to the heart, then glued the heart to the card with glue just behind the letters. 

When I received my kit, I had done a test run of all the flowers in the premium part of the kit - die cutting them using Neenah white. Decided a flower would be fun on each O but ended up offsetting them, rather than putting them in the O's centers. Next I used the smallest heart in the nested heart die set (a long-time fave) & cut from a scrap of pink. Added these to the flower centers. Easy peasy! The inside will have a Valentine sentiment so there's one more Valentine for the stash!

I'll add my card to Darnell's January NBUS Challenge since the MMH stencils were newly used. I'm also entering my card at the January Stay Crafty with a Blog Named Hero Challenge to combine old (stitched rectangle and infinity heart dies) and new (January 2024 MMH kit items).

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting!!

Cosmos Pair

Hey everyone - Happy Saturday! I'm back with a pair of cards using the new Spellbinders Cosmos Betterpress plate. While I was making yesterday's card, another new Betterpress plate caught my eye - a gorgeous background floral plate just released in January. So I thought I'd play in Just Us Girls Challenge #711 (Stencils) again. The Cosmos bundle comes with a 5-stencil layering set. Here's the first pair of cards I made with it:

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Camel Watercolor Paper;

Park Lane A2 cards; BoBunny Botanical Journal (scripty on right)

Betterpress w/Stencils - Cosmos Backdrop Bundle

Betterpress w/Die - You Are Everything Sentiments

Dies - A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Betterpress Ink - Bark

Inks - Altenew Bamboo; Hero Arts Moss,

Butter Bar, Creamsicle & Tangerine

Other - shimmer brown envelope; Hero Arts enamel dots

I mentioned yesterday that the new Spellbinders Betterpress sentiment set is a plate & die that presses, then cuts all the sentiments. Since the Betterpress was out, I did 3 sets of sentiments. One of them was done using a piece of camel watercolor paper included in the January 2024 My Monthly Hero Kit. How I love this paper which looks & feels more like handmade paper!! 

Decided to do the Cosmos on a piece of the same paper, then colored it using the layering stencils and various inks (listed in supplies). The plate is slightly bigger than an A2 size so I chose a couple stitched rectangles to get 2 panels for the work of one. Matted them & added to A2 cards. The shimmery brown envelopes were a gift from Poppystamps - thanks, Dave! They are square envelopes which I would rarely use so I cut them up to use for lovely thin mats and shadows. Added a sentiment to each card  & some enamel dots on card 2 - done!

Here's an individual view of each card:

How do you like my new wooden heart display piece? Just found it today at Target - so cute & I love heart things!!

I'll add the pair of cards to Darnell's January NBUS Challenge since my Cosmos set is newly used and card one to the current Seize the Birthday Challenge using the Anything Goes theme. 

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting!!

Rock Trumpets on a Fence!

Hi friends - TGIF!! Since I was too late for last week's Just Us Girls challenge, I started right away on Challenge #711 to use a stencil. I immediately thought of a new-to-me Altenew bundle with stamps, stencils & dies - perfect for a stencil challenge!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah White; BoBunny Boulevard

Stamps with Stencils & Dies - Altenew

Build-A-Garden: Rocktrumpet & Add-on Die Bundle

Betterpress w/Die - You Are Everything Sentiments

Dies - Papertrey Ink Picket Fence

Betterpress Ink - Cosmic Sky

Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black & Tim Holtz Lost Shadow DOI; 

Altenew Pink Pearl, Limeade & Bamboo; Hero Arts Moss

Taylored Expressions Pink Champagne & Pumpkin

Other - Copic C0 & C2

I stamped the Rocktrumpets image on an 8.5x7" panel of Neenah white, then used the 6 layering stencils to color it. Added some shadow with a couple C Copics, then die cut. Gotta say, it's a challenge to fit this large die in the Vagabond! I trimmed off two of the flowers and added them to the rest of the image. Added it to an A2 panel onto which I'd glued the picket fence. I used a deeper blue so the flowers would really pop. Thanks to Julia (Create with Me) for sending me some picket fence diecuts - so fun! I inked this one with a bit of Lost Shadow before gluing it to the blue panel. Trimmed off the excess and added to an A2 card.

Next, I pulled out a new Spellbinders Betterpress sentiment set. Inked with Cosmic Sky and die cut with the included die. This fabulous set presses, then die cuts all the sentiments at once - such a time saver!! I die cut a blue shadow for the sentiment using the same paper as the "sky" & added it to the card - done!

I'm also adding my card to Darnell's January NBUS Challenge since my Rocktrumpet set is newly used. And to current Seize the Birthday Challenge using the Anything Goes theme. Be sure to notice the gorgeous inspiration at all these challenges - thank you, thank you to the design teams!

Thanks for stopping by & have a crafty weekend!!

Moodboard Valentine

Happy Hump Day, as we used to say at work! A very gloomy day here in the Twin Cities - perfect for staying in to make a card. I was inspired by Lisa (My Paper Tales) who selected a gorgeous moodboard for Just Us Girls Challenge #710. I meant to play along but the days got away from me & I was too late - sorry, Lisa! Here's my card anyway:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Lawn Fawn Knit Picky

Stamps - Taylored Expressions Big Heart (retired) &

Simple Strips Background;

Hero Arts My Monthly Hero Kit January 2024

Dies - Taylored Expressions Simple Strips

Other - Copic Markers (C0,2,5, & 7 and

 E13,35,51, & 53); foam tape

Here's the moodboard:

I drew inspiration from the heart, the sweater knit, and the white with kraft & grey shades - so serene! Simply stamped and colored the heart with Copics in the color scheme. Add to an A2 card covered with a piece of LF sweater print; sponged Lost Shadow DOI mixed with a bit of Black Soot on the edges. Had meant to emboss a panel with a sweater knit but do you think I could find that embossing folder?? Stamped the Valentine sentiment & added a subsentiment strip - done! I need Valentines so I'm glad I finished it even though I was too late for the challenge!

Thanks for visiting and have a crafty rest of the week!!

Honey Jar Birthday

Hi everyone - welcome! I'm here with a birthday card using the Spellbinders January 2024 Large Die of the Month set.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah White; Paper Studio glitter;

Momenta Watercolor print; Michael's greens; vellum

Dies - Spellbinders Honey Bee Jar (no separate link yet)

Stamps - Divinity Designs Mini Tag Sentiments

Other - Park Lane Rainbow gems

Came home from the dentist yesterday to find my January Spellbinders box at the door - yay!! Unlike my usual delays, I jumped right into the box for the honey bee jar. You may know I'm not too fond of bees in real life but they're perfectly fine for crafting! I need a birthday card for my dear friend (another Linda) who has a February bday - she loves bee stuff!

I was inspired by the gorgeous cards made with this set by friends Jean (see it HERE) and Lin (see it HERE). I decided to create a garden scene in the jar, rather than fill it with honey. Made it a shaped (like Lin) card by cutting two jars and scoring the back one. I die cut everything except the jar, bee and leaves from a favorite watercolor print paper, mostly snippets. Stamped the sentiment on the die set's tag and assembled. Added gems to the purple flowers - done! You may see that my jar is shorter than either Jean's or Lin's - that's because I trimmed the lip of it off. I wanted my cover to sit lower on the "sky".

Since my die set is newly used, I'm adding my card to Darnell's January NBUS Challlenge. And I used many snippets so I'm adding to the current Snippets Playground Challenge where Anything Goes!

Thought I'd share a quick photo of a rolling drawer cart I bought for my snippets - neutral solids in top, remaining solids in middle, & patterns in bottom. I keep it right next to my Vagabond cart & it has a level top where my Betterpress & Platinum 6 can sit. I've been trying to cull down the snippets I have in cardboard boxes but I'm not making much progress - oh well....

Thanks for stopping by & have a crafty day!!

Some Never-Before-Used Whimsy!

Hi all - I'm providing inspiration over at Die Cut Divas today with the card below. We're doing Never-Before-Used-Stuff for our January Challenge. My friend Darnell calls it "Schtuff" on her challenge blog NBUS, always using new! She coined the acronym and I play there often, otherwise I'd never use new schtuff - thanks, Darnell!! Here's my card using new Whimsy (not a sponsor but a $15 prize donor - thanks!):

Supplies: Paper - White (brand unk); Acetate;

A2 card from Paper Studio; Sunny Studio Rainbow Bright

Stamps - Whimsy Stamps Comic Book Page

Stamps with Dies - Whimsy Stamps A Bunny Birthday (retired) &

Hey Ostrich (dies HERE)

Dies - A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Darice sequins; Copic Markers; 

SSS sentiment strip; foam tape; white gel pen

Diva Arlene (A Bit of This and That) sent me some stamp-offs of the Comic page, the ostritches (I used one of the four images here), and the birthday cake (plus some bunnies from the same set for future use). I have plenty of never-before-used Whimsy that I was ready to employ but I was taken with the cute ostriches. I thought one would make a fun birthday card for my friend Debbie.

I diecut the comic book page Arlene had stamped, then fussy cut the center. Inked the edges and colored with Copics, put acetate behind the window and created a shaker with foam tape & another rectangle (dotted paper from Sunny). Shaker mix was mostly sequins but there were some other random things in there like bitty hearts. Added the cake and ostrich, also colored with Copics, & a sentiment strip. Adhered everything to an A2 card - done!

How about a bonus? I love making ATCs (Artist Trading Cards), little works of art to exchange with friends. Years ago on the Hero Arts group, we had many ATC exchanges. I was taken with a group of Whimsy items designed with ATCs in mind & had to add them to the stash. Of course, they went onto Mount NBUS & I'm just finally using them!! First up - a trio of Ostrich ATCs:

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Latte (retired) & Bermuda; Neenah White;

Whimsy Ugly Sweater Slimline (retired); MFT Canvas

Stamps with Dies - Whimsy Stamps Hey Ostrich (dies HERE)

Dies - Whimsy Stamps Slimline ATC Windows Die Set;

CAS-ual Fridays Smile (NIB)

Other - Copic Markers; SSS sentiment strips

I love how the ATC die cuts two at a time, plus there are plenty of layering dies. Next, I made an ATC book box for them; here's a shot of the top, plus one of the ATC backs:

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Bermuda

Dies - Whimsy Stamps ATC Book Die Set

Stamps - Whimsy Stamps ATC Frames and Signatures

Stencil - Hero Arts Script

Other - Hero Arts Bermuda Ink & 

Ocean Blue+Gold Two-Tone Metallic Spray

Here are a couple more views - side & open:

I like to leave the boxes detatched from the book so you can slide them out without wearing out the clasp & tab. I used some of the pop outs from the top's corners to embellish the label and tab. I'm adding my box to Darnell's January NBUS Challenge since my box die set is newly used, as is the ATC stamp set & die set - so fun!! 

Hope to see you at the Divas January Challenge too! Thanks for stopping & happy crafting!!

Reminder for Christmas Kickstart!

Hi everyone - It's reminder time for the January Christmas Kickstart Challenge - The Midas Touch!! I'm delighted to be Jo's elf this month and asked if I could be part of the reminder post with a new project. I can't seem to get away from touches of gold on my cards - LOL! 

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane gold A2 card;

Michael's green; Neenah white

Dies - Waffle Flower Postage Collage;

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Stencil - Postage Collage Christmas

Inks - Tim Holtz DOI Tea Dye & Vintage Photo;

Hero Arts Cotton Candy, Red Royal, Green Apple, Forest, Gold,

& couple of light blues from old MMH kits

Other - sentiment strip from Taylored Expressions;

Park Lane gold gems; white gel pen

I'd seen some Divas use the Postage Collage die recently (Cindy HERE & Dawn HERE). I didn't have this die set but had purchased the Christmas stencil for it at my local store during after Christmas sales. It looks great by itself but with the die it's extra fun. Several online stores were out of it but I called back to Anchor Paper locally & they still had some. Off I went for a road trip to the western Twin Cities suburbs. Of course I couldn't just get one thing so you'll see more new stuff in the weeks to come....

The stencil set has 4 layers so I took photos of each in process to share; I used my somewhat new Waffleflower sticky mat:

You need to mask sections of the blocks to be sure colors don't transfer. I removed any masks before taking the photos. Since the collage die & stencils are new, I'm adding my card to Darnell's January NBUS Challenge. And remember, the Divas are asking for newly used stuff in January too - go HERE to enter.

That's it, friends! I hope I inspired you to join Jo & me with your touch of gold cards in the Kickstart gallery this month!!

Thanks for stopping and happy crafting!!

Penguins at Day of the Month Card Club!

Hello crafty friends! I'm delighted to guest designing again at Day of the Month Card Club - this time for Challenge 59 celebrating Penguin Awareness Day!! Here's my inspiration card:

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane gold A2 card;

Neenah white; Hero Arts Glitter Basics; 

Recollections green; Lawn Fawn Petite Spiffier Speckles

Stamps - Hero Arts Holiday Foliage Messages

Stamps with dies - Sunny Studio Penguin Party (dies HERE)

Dies - Memory Box Pine Tree Grove;

Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Borders

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape

Somehow I missed the email about the challenge until after the due date for my card - oops! But with a follow-up from the team, I got busy!! Fortunately, I had a stack of stamped penguins in my bits box and was able to put together a card quickly. Just colored the penguins, die cut some layered die cut trees & snowy hill, stamped a sentiment, added everything to a stitched rectangle & then the card - done!

I hope I've inspired you to join in this fun challenge. Learning from last year, I'm ramping up my Christmas card production early in the year so I don't come up short when it comes time for mailing!!

Happy crafting and thanks for stopping by!

Winner Challenge 57

Birthday Animals!

Hey there - I'm continuing my trend of something different than the Christmas cards!! Up today - a birthday card, again using new products courtesy of the Hero Arts ShopBox Spring 2024*. I had a bit of a spree shopping locally on Wednesday...

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Bazill A2 card;

Doodlebug Hip Hip Hooray

Paper Studio glitter

Stamps with dies - Hero Arts Birthday Animals Bundle*

Stamps - Hero Arts Events & Everyday Planner Icons (retired)

Dies - Frantic Stamper Slimline Frames

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape; 

Hero Arts Greens Enamel Dots & Iridescent Spray

embossed subsentiment from bits box

I couldn't resist the darling gator in the new Birthday Animals Bundle*. The sweet toad & turtle also came in this set, plus a bunch of sentiments & other critters and party stuff. Colored all the critters with Copic markers, then stamped some party confetti from the set onto the gator for some texture (maybe he has tattoos??).

I used the HAPPY & BIRTHDAY stamps from the set, as well as a bitty party hat for Mr. Toad (the other two had a party hat as part of the stamp). I thought a birthday cake would be fun riding atop Mr. Turtle. Found the perfect size in a 2016 Hero Arts planner set; stamped, colored & fussy cut the cake. 

I spritzed the top half of the card base (don't you love that blue?) with some shimmer spray. Got a splotch over to the right so covered it with the "make a wish" - it was an extra I'd stamped & embossed from the Dec 2022 My Monthly Hero Kit (sold out but you can see it on this post). Added some patterned paper and a glitter strip to the bottom half then added the critters. A label die gave me a spot for the bday sentiment along with some enamel dots - done!

The Spring products will be available on the Hero Arts site on February 14th & at select online retailers (including Simon Says Stamp where I shop all too often) starting January 25th. I'm entering my card at the January Stay Crafty with a Blog Named Hero Challenge to combine old (label die & bday cake stamp, Copics & paper) and new (Spring ShopBox items). Also linking up to Darnell's January NBUS Challenge since using my Spring items for the first time.

I hope to be back with more HA ShopBox tomorrow. Thanks for visting!

Spring Bunnies

Hello friends - something different today than the Christmas cards I've been sharing - a Spring card! 

I had the opportunity to do some crafty shopping at my fave Twin Cities stamping store Anchor Paper. They have participated in the Hero Arts ShopBox program in the past but missed the final one of 2023 to my disappointment. But they're back into it for Hero Arts ShopBox Spring 2024, giving me early access to new Hero Arts not yet available online. Here's my first card with new Spring goodies*:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Paper Studio A2 card;

Lawn Fawn Petite Watercolor Wishes

Stamps with dies - Hero Arts Spring Bunny Bundle*

Stamps - Hero Arts Rain Texture Bold Prints*

Dies - Hero Arts Butterfly Foliage*;

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape

Aren't those bunnies just the cutest?!! If I remember, I will add links to the Spring products once they're available on the Hero Arts site (February 14th). Hero Arts also mentioned that Simon Says Stamp (among other places) will offer the new release online starting January 25th.

Process:

• Stamped the rain texture onto a piece of blue LF Watercolor Wishes, then die cut with a stitched rectangle (in this case, an old well loved one from AJVD). 
• Die cut a piece of lime green with the foliage die, then with the rectangle
• Adhered the two pieces. 
• Added some Copic detail to the grass & leaves. 
• Die cut the butterflies from some scraps.
• Die cut bunnies and sentiment, saving the negative.
• Use negative for stamping the images in the MISTI.
• Color images with Copics
• Assemble card using liquid glue & some foam tape 

As usual, I had die cut all bundle elements creating a template. Then I use the negative and pop the die cuts in for stamping. For the first time ever, after buying hundreds of stamp/die sets, the dies cut the mirror image, rather than the stamped image! I made use of the items I'd die cut, though, by flipping them and my template to stamp on the underside. Not as smooth as normal but, hey - it worked & I was able to finish my card. I reported the issue to Hero Arts who will send me new dies when available.

I'm entering my card at the January Stay Crafty with a Blog Named Hero Challenge to combine old (stitched rectangle, Copics & paper) and new (Spring ShopBox items). Also linking up to Darnell's January NBUS Challenge since using my Spring items for the first time.

One more note - the photo of my card was taken with my new Shot Box, picked up at Michael's during their post Christmas sale. It definitely diminished shadows since it was fully dark when I took the photo but I expected a better result. Oh well, I'll keep trying!

Have a crafty day & thanks for stopping by!!