Last Day for Non-traditional Valentines at Die Cut Divas!

Hey there - leap year so an extra day to play in our February Die Cut Divas Challenge! I'm part of the end of month post providing some inspiration & we hope you'll enter by 9pm PST today. Our wonderful sponsor this month is Hero Arts who generously donated a $25 giftcard for our random winner. Here's the non-traditional Valentine card I'm sharing:

Supplies: Paper - Bazzill A2 card; Neenah white;

My Favorite Things Colorful Canvas & Floor to Ceiling

Stamps - Hero Arts So Sweet (retired)

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Berry Basket Bundle

Dies - A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers; Hero Arts Sparkle Lacquer

I had to include some red for realistic strawberries and cherries, otherwise I stayed away from red/pink. And no hearts anywhere. The "Happy Valentine's Day" sentiment was stamped inside. This one went to our Queen Mum, Mother Mary who met me on my Valentine birthday along with daughter Heidi (my former quartet lead) and dear friend/sister by choice, Connie. We had a delicious lunch at Patrick's Bakery, located right inside a Bachman's Garden Center - so fun to be among the birds and flowers.

Ready for a bonus? Here's a sweet bear with cub for another non-traditional Valentine:

Supplies: Paper - Bazzill A2 card; Neenah white;

Basic Grey Juniper Berry; Michael's green; scraps by unk

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Bear Hugs Stamp and Cut 

Dies - Hero Arts Bear Family;

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Copic Markers

There were bits of red in the patterned paper but I think it's pretty non-traditional to use Christmas paper on a Valentine! I'll add the bear pair to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge since the bears and trees were newly used on this card.

Thanks for stopping and hope to see you in the February Diva gallery!

Spring Reflections Thank You

Happy Wednesday all - I'm here today with another thank you card. I still owe a couple people thanks for birthday gifts so got busy using an amazing Spellbinders set.

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 cards (beige & gold);

Paper Studio & Momenta watercolor prints; 

BoBunny Boulevard 6x6"; Michael's brand royal blue

Dies - Spellbinders Spring Reflection (DOML-Feb23)

Other - Park Lane gems; foam tape

Several blogging friends have been linking up to the current Double D Challenge using patterned paper and I decided to play along - it's been a while! 

Part of the Spellbinders set was used on a non-traditional Valentine I shared on Feb 21st. Today I used the same patterned paper for the background but the lattice and oval are cut from different papers. And this time I used the floral swags and one of the sentiment dies from the set. Lots of little pieces but fun to sit in front of the television and assemble (watching Let's Make a Deal this afternoon - lol). The set comes with bitty dots for the centers of the bitty flowers but I just popped some gems on there - saves time!!

Today's photo is a lot brighter than on the 21st's post since I used my Shot Box. Sometimes I like the photos I get with it and other times I do better with natural light - depends on the day and the materials used, I guess...

Thanks for visiting and I hope you'll stop back tomorrow for a couple last non-traditional Valentines for our February Die Cut Divas Challenge!

Patterned Paper Challenge

Two More Holly Holiday Stenciled Cards

Hi everyone - I'm back with one last entry for Just Us Girls' Anything Goes with Stencils - Challenge #715. Since I still need Christmas cards for the stash, I finished the other two stenciled images from yesterday's post.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

My Favorite Things Very Merry 6x6"

Stencils - Taylored Expressions Triple Slim Layering Stencil - Holly Holiday

Dies - A Jillian Vance Design Mini Slimline Backdrop Set

Betterpress Plate with Die - Merry & Bright Sentiment Strips

Other - various Hero Arts inks; Betterpress Black ink; Hero Arts flower gem

The Taylored Expressions stencil set yields 3 mini slim images; you can see the 4-stencil process photos HERE, if you're interested. For this card, I decided to use the 3x5.5" die cut panel on an A2 card. A fun Christmas pattern from MFT in matching colors filled the balance of the card front. I used a Betterpress sentiment from the stash I created a couple weeks ago & added a flower gem as the "star" to this leafy "tree".

For the third of the images, I die cut using the next smaller of the AJVD mini slimline layers and added a green mat. Adhered to a mini slim card formed from 6x7" Paper Studio pastel heavyweight cardstock. I added Hero Arts honey lacquer to the flower centers & another Betterpress sentiment.

Here's the view of the stenciled panel I shared yesterday along with a group shot of the three finished cards:

You can see the 4-stencil process photos HERE, if you're interested. 

I'll also link up to the current Christmas Craft Creations Challenge to use Stencils or Embossing Folders. I haven't played there in quite a while but was inspired by my friend Jo (Jo Blogs) to join in.

Thanks for visiting!

Anything Goes with Stencils

Happy Monday everyone! Darnell (djkardkreations) is doing Anything Goes for her IDEAS program this week. And Just Us Girls is doing Anything Goes with Stencils - Challenge #715. Talk about a match made in heaven, eh? Since I need Christmas cards for the stash, I've pulled out a never-before-used Taylored Expressions stencil set.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Tim Holtz Kraft Classic

Stencils - Taylored Expressions Triple Slim Layering Stencil - Holly Holiday

Dies - Kat Scrappiness Mini Slimline Postage Stamp Edge

Stamps - Hero Arts Color Layering Poinsettia - sentiment

(retired at HA but found HERE at Frantic Stamper)

Other - black and white gel pens; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink;

TH Lost Shadow Distress Oxide ink; various Hero Arts inks

I bought the stencil set quite a while ago. As usual, it's taken ages for me to use it! Stenciling a 5.75 x 9.75" page yields three panels for mini-slimline cards. I went ahead and finished the birdie branch panel and have two more to finish later in the week. Here are some process photos, if you're interested:

Super easy to stencil, then I just die cut the finished panel three times using various mini-slim layer dies. Die cut the birdie panel with a postage edge die, then masked off the edges. Brushed some Lost Shadow DOI around the masked edges (there was some sky blue left on the brush from a previous project). Added a few details with gel pens. The finished card is 3.5 x 6". Taylored Expressions sells this size in white, toffee & black - side fold HERE & top fold HERE but I scored at 7 x 6" piece of Tim Holtz kraft cardstock. It comes in a bunch of luscious colors and has a kraft core so you can sand off the texture when embossed.

I'll also add this card to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge since my stencils are getting first play today. And, as luck would have it, the stenciled panel I used has a bird on a branch so it fits in the February Christmas Kickstart Challenge (Out on a Limb). That's my third and final entry there...

Thanks for stopping by and have a crafty week!

B is for Bunny

A peeking bunny, that is! Happy Sunday, everyone - I'm back with another card for the current I Spy with My Little Eye Challenge, using things starting with B. I loved Ellie's inspiration card with the gorgeous stamped bunny but I went with a die cut one using a new Hero Arts set. Just got it in the mail last week and had managed to do a test cut in white which I used for my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah White & Desert Storm; 

Bazzill A2 card; My Favorite Things Colorful Canvas; 

BoBunny Dotted; scraps of greens

Stamps - Hero Arts Celebrate Every Day (retired)

Dies - Hero Arts Peeking Bunny, Wood Fence,

Butterfly Foliage, & Thorn Tree and Grasses

Stencil - Taylored Expressions Set the Scene - Clouds

Other - Copic Markers; Park Lane gem; 

Memento Sky Blue & Hero Art Ultra Pink inks

I shaded the white bunny with some Copics. I left the flower from the set white but die cut colors (solids or patterns) to put over top of the other elements (carrot, hat, scarf). I also got the fence die in my order & did a test cut using a Neenah kraft color called Desert Storm - my local store often gives a pack as a gift with purchase. Shaded the details with an E Copic. 

I stenciled a piece of white Neenah using TE clouds for my sky & added some MFT lime green print for the ground. A couple die cut grasses, a gem for the flower, & a stamped sentiment finished the card. Note - I did snip off some of the foreground foliage that seemed too long beyond the fence. Was really happy with how this turned out!

I'll also add my card to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge since my bunny and fence dies are newly used. I'm also linking up to the current Just Us Girls Challenge #715 where Anything Goes with Stencils.

That's it for today; hope you're having a wonderful weekend! Note - the funeral I attended yesterday was a wonderful celebration of our friend Bob. I saw loads of people I hadn't seen in a while &, of course, there was glorious music!

Peace Lily Bouquet

Hi all - I'm sharing another sympathy card today. Hero Arts sent my February kit and I was delighted to receive it in time to use a beautiful Peace Lily stamp:

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 cards (pastel and gold);

BoBunny Botanical Journal; Momenta Watercolor print;

scraps of green and purple

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Feb23 My Monthly Hero Kit

Dies - Hero Arts Jan23 My Monthly Hero Kit &

Tag Frames Infinity Dies; Waffle Flower Crafts - Twine & Bows;

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Park Lane gem; foam tape; Hero Arts clear sparkle lacquer

I did as usual & snipped apart the kit dies, then ran a test cut leaving a sturdy negative for stamping all the die cuts. Next I stamped the lily image on a test page in the MISTI and put the negative around it. With a bunch of blank die cuts I quickly stamped bunches of lily bouquets. I colored one with Copics, then added a bit of shading with a pencil & sparkled the flower center (which I learned is called a "spadix").

Since I had the tag frames out for yesterday's card, I used them again. Assembled on an A2 card with some layered stitched rectangles, the lily bouquet, & a Betterpressed sentiment. Also added some die cuts of a leafy HA sprig. The little bow came from a new-to-me WF die set found at my local stamping store yesterday. Done! I'm adding this to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge since my peace lilies got first play. I'll also link up to the current Day of the Month Card Club challenge where the theme is Random Acts of Kindness.

I'll take this card today to the funeral of a friend's husband. My friend Lou passed away back in 2017 and her husband followed her earlier this month. Both of them were very active in the Barbershop Harmony community - Lou was an International Quartet Champion in Sweet Adelines & Bob was a long time member of the Barbershop Harmony Society. He did USO tours back in the day with a quartet called the Hut Four (you can hear a song clip HERE - Bob is on the left in the photo). That quartet was before my time but Bob sang in another Barbershop quartet called Salty Dogs which I knew & loved. My quartet had the opportunity to share the stage with them back in the 2000s before both quartets retired. RIP Bob!

That's it for today - wishing you a crafty weekend!

Peaceful Time Birdies

Hi everyone - TGIF! I'm back with another card for the current Christmas Kickstart Challenge "Out on a Limb". I found a sweet Penny Black birdie in the stash that I used twice over 3 years ago (go HERE & HERE, if interested); thought I'd give it another go:

Supplies: Paper - Bazzill A2 card; Neenah white;

My Favorite Things Colorful Christmas Text; 

Hero Arts Bermuda; Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain

Penny Black Holiday Trimmings (retired)

Stamps with Dies - Penny Black Peaceful Time (dies HERE)

Dies - Hero Arts Tag Frames Infinity Dies

Press Plate & Die - Spellbinders Merry & Bright Sentiment Strips

Other - foam tape; Copic Markers

Since I was at it, I colored a second birdie and made another Christmas card. This time I used a bright green piece of the MFT Christmas text paper and added a frame of pines cut with Hero Arts Branches Infinity Dies. I cut a "sun" from a scrap of yellow watercolor print paper using Hero Arts Nesting Circle Infinity Dies. Assembled on an A2 card & added a sentiment from Colorado Craft Company's Cozy Cat set (dies HERE). Done! Which card do you prefer?

Since bird starts with B, I'll also add card one to Ellibelle's Corner's current I Spy with My Little Eye Challenge. I know Ellie from playing in the Card Chain Challenge but had never done an I Spy til now. I already have an idea for another entry! :)

That's it for today, friends - thanks for stopping! Have a wonderful weekend!!

Random Acts of Kindness - Sympathy

Hello everyone - I'm here with a card for the current Day of the Month Card Club challenge where they're celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Day. Most events in life are scheduled - holidays, birthdays, etc. but a death is often random. Our friend Betty, mother to Becky & grandma to Bariana (two chorus friends), passed away on Monday. I made this card to send sympathy to the family:

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane A2 card;

BoBunny Botanical Journal; Momenta Watercolor print;

scraps of greens; Hero Arts Camel Watercolor Paper

Dies - Altenew Layered Ornate Frame;

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

BetterPress Plate with Dies - Spellbinders You are Everything Sentiments

Other - Park Lane gold stud stickers

I wanted to do something floral and the beautiful Altenew frame came to mind. Die-cutting and assembling the flowers & leaves, then adding them to the frame can be very soothing. I also like to multi-task while I'm watching television. Tuesday I was watching the replay of The Bachelor which I do in memory of my mom who loved, loved, loved that show (and The Bachelorette too!). I made two sets of everything so I can make a second card of the same design for another friend's family - funeral is Saturday.

I had a large pile of letterpressed sentiments made a couple weeks ago, along with some extra outlines in various colors for shadowing. I ended up cutting a brown shimmery shadow from a Poppystamps envelope just for this card, though; I thought it pulled out the script in the background paper nicely. If you're considering a BetterPress or already have one, I think this sentiment set is a must-have - love it!

That's it for today, friends - hope you're having a lovely week!

Non-traditional Valentines

Hey there - I'm posting card one below at Die Cut Divas today, hoping to inspire you to play in our February Challenge. We're doing non-traditional Valentines & even though Valentine's Day was last week, you have until 9pm PST on the 29th to share your project. Our sponsor is the amazing Hero Arts who generously donated a $25 prize to our random winner - thanks so much!!

Supplies: Paper - Bazzill blue A2 cards;

BoBunny Boulevard 6x6"; Momenta Watercolor;

Tim Holtz Kraft Metallic; scrap of grey

Dies - Hero Arts Vintage Birdcase &

January 2024 My Monthly Hero Kit

Spellbinders 

Stamps - Avocado Arts Valentine (retired)

Other - various enamel dots & gems

For me, non-traditional means no hearts and no red/pink colors. So I went with blues since this is one of my friend Heather's (Stamping and Stitching) favorite colors. I sent this card to her & her family in Ireland. They loved it!

I used a new Hero Arts birdcage die set I picked up in the January release. The birdcage cuts with a heart at the top but I trimmed it off in keeping with my idea of non-traditional. I used silver metallic and a soft grey shadow to die cut the birdcage. Die cut the birds from part of an A2 card I'd cut in half. Used that same card to cut the side panels (from Spellbinders). The floral spray & banner were cut using dies from the January MMH kit. Die cut a print background & adhered to an A2 card. Added the side panels and the elongated oval (same set) cut from a watercolor blue print. Added the birdcage & floral spray. Stamped the sentiment onto the banner & popped it over the birdcage top with foam tape. Added some gems & enamel dots to the flower centers - done!

I'm adding this card to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge and to the current Stay Crafty with a Blog Named Hero Challenge. 

Now for a bonus using a gorgeous Hero Arts peony set I got a while back but hadn't tried yet. I purchased the coordinating stencil to make for some quick and easy coloring. I continued with the blue theme:

Supplies: Paper - Bazzill A2 card; 

Neenah white; Authentique plaid

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Peonies Bunch

Stencil - Hero Arts Color Layering Peonies Bunch

Other - Hero Arts enamel dots & various inks;

gold sparkle pen

Found a Authentique plaid that didn't read Valentine colors to me, even if one of the stripes is an orangy red. Stamped the peonies and colored with the stencils; added gold sparkle to the centers, then die cut. Added to the card using foam tape. Stamped the sentiment (same set) onto a narrow strip & added to the card along with some enamel dots.

Still with me? We're celebrating birthdays today with two of the Divas - Arlene (A Bit of This and That) & Cindy (Escape to Stamping). I used the peony set to make a card for each of them & stenciled a bit in opposite corners - Memory Box Texture Diamonds (retired) on one and Hero Arts Script on the other. A sentiment using Spellbinders You are Everything Sentiments Betterpress plate completed each card.

Thanks for stopping by and we hope to see your project in the February Diva gallery! Happy crafting!

One 3D and one regular Embossing Folder

It's Monday & time for more inspiration from Darnell (djkarkreations) who has dedicated her Monday posts to cards using the acronym IDEAS. We're invited to join her! This week she's doing E for Embossing Folders and I have plenty of those!!

Supplies: Paper - Bazzill A2 card; Hero Arts Pitch Black; 

My Favorite Things Colorful Canvas; Neenah Solar White

Embossing Folder - Spellbinders Mushroom Harvest (3EOM Sept23)

Stamps with Dies - Hero Arts Friendly Messages Bundle;

My Favorite Things Hangining with My Gnomies (retired)

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

Hero Arts January 2024 My Monthly Hero Premium Kit 

(heart die - also in the Classic Kit);

Spellbinders Stitched for You (DOML May22)

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape

After all the celebrating last week, I needed some thank you cards. Card one was inspired by a little plush gnome doll a friend gave me; I thought she'd get a kick out of me using gnomes on her thank you card. Had to buy the cute MFT gnomies when offered but hadn't even used them until now - sad! I used a 3D mushroom embossing folder that I couldn't remember using until I did a search on my blog; found it used once - on my fairy card, oops. I was thinking Darnell's IDEAS could be just for NBUS; but no, Darnell confirmed in her post today that your stuff can be either NBUS or previously used - just use it! 

I went ahead and found an NBUS embossing folder anyway and used it on another thank you card. I'd already die cut the heart so embossed it using a Spellbinders folder that came in the Nov 2023 box. Poor thing hadn't seen the light of day until now. I enhanced the embossing by running a pink ink pad over the raised bits - really love the look of the embossed dotted paper.

Supplies: Paper - Michael's A2 card; Authentique wood plank;

BoBunny Dotted; Neenah White; Hero Arts Pitch Black

Embossing Folder - Spellbinders - Meandering Floral (EOM Nov23)

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

Hero Arts January 2024 My Monthly Hero Premium Kit 

(heart die - also in the Classic Kit);

Birch Press Design Big Thanks Sugar Script

Other - Copic Markers; Hero Art Ultra Pink ink

The sweet kitty image came stamped from Gundi (papierelle) in my birthday card last week. Thanks again, Gundi!! I spent the weekend coloring & fussy cutting all the images she sent while I was watching television. You'll see cards using more of them in the future. The "thanks" (a fave BPD sugar script font) was die cut from heavyweight Neenah 3 times and stacked for dimension, then shadowed with a cut of black. This card is going to my former quartet lead who gave me an "insta-cake" on my birthday. Just mix & bake in the microwave for a minute, cool, frost, then add the sprinkles & candle - so funny! I finally made it on Saturday - belated, but I had cake!

I'll go ahead & add card one to Darnell's February NBUS Challenge since the gnome stamps/dies were newly used. I'll link card two to Diane and Darlene's current Can You Handle the Pressure? which is anything goes with the twist of red &/or pink.

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting! I'm off to finish the card insides but no hurry today since no post on President's Day (remind me not to check the mailbox - lol).