A French Bulletin Board Card for Craft Roulette #232

Happy Sunday - hope you're having a great weekend! If you're like me, there's a conflict this time of year between viewing baseball or football. Baseball always wins - LOL. Had a family emergency so I was unexpectedly at the satellite studio with limited supplies. But I managed to make a card this afternoon for Craft Roulette #232 which I watched on replay.

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Dove A2 card

Stamps - Hero Arts Happy Today (c2013) &

Perfect Day (c2012) both retired

Dies - Spellbinders Sentiments One (retired)

Other - Offray ribbon, Bead Landing 4mm pearl beads;

Artist's Loft markers; foam tape

Host Mary Gunn FUNN had the delightful Catherine Pooler (her online store; her YouTube) as her guest, along with Erica, Catherine's Director of Product Development. I don't have any CP products but my local store has some; will definitely check them out more closely now that I "met" Catherine! She mentioned a collaboration with Sizzix - products designed by her but under their brand (also available on her site).

Here's what the wheel spun:

• Project - French Bulletin Board: Wasn't sure what that was. Googled & found a YouTube tutorial on making wall decor. Oh, yeah - I've seen those - a board with crossed ribbons to hold photos, etc. Decided I could recreate that with craft ribbon and cardstock.
• Colors - Winter Dessert(s): I usually just make cookies for the holidays but found some gorgeous Christmas desserts at Country Living. #38 Retro Christmas Cake inspired my colors. White from the cake with green, red, blue and yellow from the light bulbs.
• Element - Balloons: I stamped, colored and fussy cut three balloons from a couple old Hero Arts sets. I had taken all my markers, pencils etc back home so I popped over to Michael's craft store and bought a few markers on discount (buy 3/get 2 free!!). Not as smooth as Copics but I made them work...
• Random - Beads: I had some beads on hand but thought they were too small & not quite the right colors. Picked up some white pearl beads at Michael's.

In the bulletin board tutorial, the instructor was working with canvas covered by batting and material, then the ribbons. She was able to pin into fabric when arranging the ribbons. I laid my paper on a quilted placemat and was able to pin into it. Here's a process photo of that step.

Then I used scotch tape to hold the ribbon, flipped the panel over & taped the ribbon down thoughly, then trimmed the excess. Next I found a sharp needle and sewed the beads to the ribbon centers. I eyeballed rather than measuring but I think it turned out, not perfect, but pretty good! Adhered to an A2 card.

Tucked my fussy cut balloons among the ribbon openings with foam tape under the balloon part. Die cut & gave an outline to a Spellbinders sentiment; added to the card with foam tape. Done!

My card also works at Creative Crafters #80 where Anything Goes. My Diva teamie Arlene (A Bit of This and That) is on the DT so I thought it was about time I played. And I also play at the September Stay Crafty with a Blog Named Hero Challenge - Anything Goes There too!

Thanks for stopping and I hope you have a crafty week!!

Fun Fold for Autumn

Hi all - welcome! Many challenges have autumn themes right now - thought I'd play along with a few! I was trying to decide on a design when I spotted my friend Dawn's beautiful flying finch fun fold card. It looked like fun so I googled the fold and found Susan Campfield's video tutorial. Here's my take:

Supplies: Paper - Poptone Berrylicious;

Paper Studio woodgrain; many scraps

Stamps - Hero Arts Hello Autumn (retired but found HERE)

Dies - Lawn Fawn Stitched Leaves & Small Stitched Leaves;

Hero Arts Nesting Oval Infinity Dies

3D Embossing Folder - Spellbinders Mushroom Harvest 

Susan's instructions were clear & simple so I was able to assemble the card base quickly. Next I found a lace pattern among my scraps for the narrowest panels of the "wings". I thought the mushroom embossing folder would give a nice base texture on the other panels. Perfect for a leafy arrangement. Die cut an oval base & stamped the sentiment on it. Added it to the card front with foam tape. Next I die cut leaves from five different colors in the scrap bin. Arranged the leaves on & under the oval - done! Here's a flat view; it folds to fit an A2 envelope:

Here's a view from the top so you can see the "wings":

I'm sending my autumn card to these Challenges:

• Day of the Month Card Club #67 - Autumn Stroll Day
• Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers #253 - A is for Autumn
• Sunday Stamps Challenge #343 - Autumn Hues
• Allsorts Challenge #797 - Autumn Colours

That's it for now. Thanks for stopping & have a crafty day!

Stitched Christmas Lights

Hey there - I'm back with my third and final entry at Christmas Kickstart #90 where the theme is embossing. I'm also participating in Darnell's IDEAS program where D is for Dies this week.

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Bermuda;

Paper Studio A2 card; many scraps;

Betterpress Porcelain

Embossing Folder - Sizzix 3D Leaf Pattern

Press plate w/die - Spellbinders Merry & Bright Sentiment Strips

Dies - Spellbinders Stitched String Lights

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - DMC floss 519/602/608/817/973; foam tape;

Spellbinders Betterpress Hydrangea ink

Did I need another stitching die set since I have so many NBUS ones from the Spellbinders Club? No, but oh well - I couldn't resist this light string released in August & getting first play here! I die cut all the elements and stitched the bulbs. When stitching, I always die cut the base layer without the stitching die to glue on the back - helps protect the stitching and gives a nice flat surface for any foam tape.

Next I die cut a stitched rectangle and embossed it. Was unable to find my pines background folder but I thought this Sizzix one did the trick nicely. Adhered the panel to an A2 card & arranged the light string, popping the bulbs with foam tape. A letterpressed sentiment finished the card.

Since my light string is getting first play here, I'll add my card to Darnell's September NBUS Challenge #66 and also to Merry Little Christmas #58 where Anything Christmas Goes.

Now for a bonus! I've been inspired by my friend & sister Diva Cindy (Escape to Stamping) who has been killing it with the Spellbinders 12 Days of Stitchmas. I got the Advent Calendar instead (again, too many stitching sets on Mt NBUS) but won't use it until December. Anyway, Cindy has been sharing one card with stitching and one without so I'll do the same (see her day 11 post from today HERE):

Additional supplies: Hero Arts Dove A2 card;

MFT Sour Apple cardstock

Sentiment from Spellbinders Poinsettia Corner press plate;

white gel pen

While I was die cutting my stitching elements, I cut many lightbulbs without the stitching insert - more than I needed for the stitched backs. Now I can make several of these quick cards to increase the stash.

That's it for now. Thanks for stopping by & have a crafty day!!

A Stamped Floral Wreath

Hi all - busy Sunday but I managed to finish a card for some challenges:

Supplies: Paper - Poptone Blue Raspberry;

Paper Studio orange A2 card; Neenah white;

Spellbinders Betterpress porcelain; dotted by unk

Stamps with Dies - Pinkfresh Studio English Garden (retired)

Dies - Folk Edge Rectangles (retired)

Press Plate w/dies - Spellbinders A Little Message Sentiments

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape;

Park Lane gems

I die cut 2 layers of the PFS Folk Edge Rectangles set (love!) & adhered to an A2 card. I stamped and die cut the PFS English Garden image which results in many pieces. I colored them with Copics (G00,02,05,09/Y08,18/YR09,16) and arranged the wreath along with one flower cluster, the leafy stem, & butterfly atop. Added a pressed sentiment and some gems - done! The orange paper with white dots came wrapped around as packaging when I ordered some Birch Press woodgrain paper - I always save it; comes in handy!!

Above I tried my hand at a more artful photo with some supplies, as many people do. What do you think? Here's a view from closer up:

It's been a while, so I decided to make this card for The Flower Challenge #95 where we're to include a stamped flower. It also works for the September Pinkfresh Studio Challenge where they're doing Leaves & Wreaths. Also for the We Love Stamping September Challenge to hand color an image & Inkspirational #324 where they're using markers. Thanks for the fun challenges!!

That's it for today - thanks for stopping by!

A Couple of Cards

Happy Saturday! I'm popping in with a couple of cards - first up, card two for the September Christmas Kickstart Challenge #90 to use an embossing folder:

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio navy A2 card; many scraps;

Spellbinders Betterpress Pebble

Embossing Folder - Spellbinders Hexi Snowflake (EOM-Jul24)

Dies - Spellbinders Christmas Wreath Add-Ons;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set; 

Marianne Designs Aline's Alpaca (retired);

Elizabeth Craft Designs Jack Frost (retired)

Press Plate w/Die - Spellbinders Seasons Greetings Evergreens

Other - Spellbinders Betterpress Thunder ink; white gel pen

Yesterday while I was "processing" the wreath bundle I bought from Spellbinder last year, I decided to get a Christmas card done using the Christmas Wreath Add-On set. It's getting first play on today's card! I decided not to use the wreath set from yesterday. Instead, I die cut all the snowman pieces from scraps, then assembled. The snowman is just a head but there's an ornament die in the set that I thought would be perfect for the body. I see great minds think alike because there's a card on the product page where they did the same thing! I used the pom-pons from the alpaca die set as coal buttons for Mr. Snowman, and added some stick arms from a retired ECD set. Again, great minds - on the product page, the designer had added some arms too. Looks like they used the twigs from the wreath set I used on yesterday's card! A letterpressed sentiment finished the card. I'll add this card to Darnell's September NBUS Challenge #66 since the snowman add-on is new. And I'm joining at Merry Little Christmas #58 where anything Christmas goes!

Next up, the card I made with last night's Craft Roulette Episode #231 parameters. Hard to believe it's my 22nd week already - I guess I'm enjoying the show & challenges! This was definitely one I had to finish after the show - so many details!!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah White;

Paper Studio cardstock; scraps

Stamps with dies - Scrappy Tails Flower Shop (dies HERE)

Dies - Poppystamps Corner Shoppe Pop Up Easel Set

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape

Host Mary Gunn FUNN had Nicki Baxley (‪@NickiHeartsCards‬) as her guest. I wasn't familiar with her but what a sweet person! She does videos for several companies, plus on her YouTube (linked above). Here's what the wheel spun for us:

• Project - Outside/Inside: I made a shoppe pop-up card with someone coming out from inside.
• Colors - Tulips: I used green from stems & white/purple/pink/yellow/orange from the blossoms. Go HERE to see tulip color meanings.
• Element - Festival: We have a lot of Fall Festivals around here. I put a sign in front of the shop to show one was located there. Had to shorten the word to Fair to fit but I think I'll be ok. :)
• Random - Check(s): I used plaid patterned paper which could mean checks but in case that didn't work, I put checks (meaning checkerboard) on my flower pot on right.

Lots of die cutting to this one! Cut all the pieces and assembled. I had some extra stamp-offs from Arlene (A Bit of This and That) from when the Divas has Scrappy Tails as our sponsor. Perfect for a flower shop. Colored them with Copics and added to the card. Here's a popped up view. I used the window blind for the stopper, stacked four high. 

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by & enjoy the rest of the weekend!!

Blue, Rust, and Gold for a Fall Wreath

TGIF everyone! I was inspired by my friend Jean's beautiful fall wreath card and the colors for Just Us Girls Challenge 743 (Blue/Rust/Gold) to try a wreath of my own:

Supplies: Paper - Park Lane gold A2 card; 

Authentique pp; many scraps;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain

Dies - Spellbinders Build-a-Wreath;

Poppystamps Flower and Leaf Sprinkles;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Press Plate w/Die - Spellbinders You Are Everything Sentiments

Other - Spellbinders Cosmic Sky Betterpress ink

When I saw Jean's card & the JUGS colors yesterday, I knew I had to pull out a never-before-used Spellbinders wreath bundle I bought when it was released. At least it had made it to the "process" pile where I put the dies on magnetic sheets! Finished that process, then cut the wreath pieces from scraps using just the Build-a-Wreath set. Also die cut some bitty flowers from a Poppystamps set with light blue and white scraps. Next I die cut a rectangle from a lacy blue patterned paper from Authentique that I love. Adhered to a gold A2 card. Assembled the wreath & added a letterpressed sentiment with foam tape. Fairly quick & easy!

I'll also add my card to Darnell's September NBUS Challenge #66 since my wreath dies are newly used.

That's it, friends - thanks for visiting! Have a crafty day!!

Embossing Folder Fun

Hi everyone - Wednesday already! I'm all confused due to the holiday; we had chorus last night when it's normally on Monday & garbage pickup was a day late too! But I managed to make a card yesterday before chorus - this one's for Christmas Kickstart #90 where Jo and elf Jenny are having fun with embossing folders.

Supplies: Paper - Paper Studio A2 card;

You Stamp on It vellum; Hero Arts glitter;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain;

many scraps

Embossing Folder - Sizzix Christmas Tree Pattern

Dies - Spellbinders Dancin' Moose Klondike

Hot Foil Plate w/die - Pinkfresh Studio FaLaLaLa

Other - Creatology Wiggle Eyes; foam tape

I thought I'd emboss another piece of translucent vellum for the Group of Seven Cardmakers embossing technique. I've used this Sizzix tree folder before (see HERE for a couple) but not in a while. After embossing, I rubbed a key lime ink pad over it then adhered to a green A2 card. Added a piece of torn glitter paper for the ground and a moose. I just got the moose die set in the mail yesterday and got busy right away. Thanks to Lin who enabled me with this darling card. 

I die cut the moose pieces all from scraps, then assembled & added googly eyes. You can make him so the legs swing but I left mine stationary. Here's a photo of my snippets:

I couldn't find the snippet used for the gold star; I'd cut an outline for a sentiment and another sentiment partially cut. Saved it and managed to fit a star - I'm so frugal... I'm adding my card to Snippets Playground #488 with all these snippets. I'll also share at Darnell's September NBUS Challenge #66 since Mr. Moose is new. So is the hot foil plate which PFS sent me recently as a gift with purchase. I letterpressed it with Leaf ink & die cut with the coordinating die.

Thanks for stopping by & have a crafty day!!

  

Embossed Vellum Twofer!

Happy Tuesday everyone - I'm here with a pair of cards I started Sunday & finished last night. First up, a silver one that got me going at 3am (or as cardmaking friend Cat likes to call them - vampire hours):

Supplies: Paper - Recollections A2 card;

Stamp On It vellum; Neenah white; 

Spellbinders Betterpress Pepple

Embossing Folder - Spellbinders Sparkling Snow 3D

Dies - Birch Press Design Adornment Snowflake

 (deep discount at BPD!)

Press Plate w/Die - Spellbinders Merry and Bright Sentiment Strips

Other - foam tape; Betterpress Thunder ink

The Go7 (Group of Seven Cardmakers) is doing embossing on vellum as this month's technique. I love this technique but haven't done it in quite a while - time to get busy, I thought (and why not at 3am?!). Oh, and you can see one of my "masterpieces" from 2011 with heat embossing on vellum HERE, if desired.

I dry embossed a couple panels of 65# translucent clear vellum using a new-to-me Simon Hurley 3D snowflake embossing folder - so pretty! I adhered one to a pale silver A2 card with glue in the center where I knew I was putting a snowflake diecut, plus dotting some snowflake centers - really disguised by the pattern, I think.

Next I diecut the snowflake from white Neenah & the outline from 45# irridescent silver vellum. Adhered together and added to the card with foam tape. Then I pressed a 5x7" panel of Pebble Betterpress paper using various holiday sentiment pressplates - here's a photo of them on the chase; I used new Thunder ink first:

Die cut them with their coordinating dies & popped a strip sentiment onto the snowflake. Done! Then I did the same process with golds. This time I die cut the snowflake from white glitter paper. Here's that card:

I pressed the sentiments on Betterpress Porcelain paper using Tuscan ink - here's a photo of all the sentiments still on the platen after pressing: 

Besides the sentiment strips plate, I did the sentiments from 

3 other Spellbinders Betterpress plate sets:

Seasons Greetings Evergreens

Poinsettia Corner

Holiday Foliage Joy

The Joy to the World doesn't have a coordinating die but I have found different labels that work really well with it. I love how the strip sentiments have a single die that cuts them all - such a time saver! I cut those first since the top sentiment was a bit too close to pop the die on with the strip one.

Would love to hear which one you prefer. I was in love with the silver until I did the gold one - LOL. Will probably change my mind back and forth... Great card for mass production - I might make some jewel colored ones; the irridescent vellum pack has many gorgeous colors! On that - I have been hoarding the vellum for years so was glad to make time to use it here. I checked & linked to it - the company where I got the vellum is still in business; they just didn't come to any expos in Minnesota this year (that's where I first met them).

First time using the layered snowflake as well as the embossing folder, so I'll add my card to Darnell's September NBUS Challenge #66. I'll also link up to Merry Little Christmas Challenge #58 where it's Anything Goes Christmas.

Thanks for stopping & have a crafty day!!

August 2024 Card Chain Challenge Reveal

Hello and welcome! It's time to reveal the cards that went around the world for the August Card Chain. Twenty-four people participated and my card went to Arlene (A Bit of This and That) in California. You can see the entire chain revealed HERE.

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Dove A2 card;

Lawn Fawn Spring Perfectly Plaid; 

Doodlebug Swiss Dot; many scraps

Dies - My Favorite Things Fundamental Florals;

Poppystamps Flower and Leaf Sprinkles;

Spellbinders Four Petal Thank You Floral;

Hero Arts Nesting Hearts Infinity Dies;

Cheery Lynn Whistle a Happy Tune (retired);

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Press Plate with Die - Spellbinders You Are Everything Sentiments

We had all sorts of fun options for August:

Color Palette Option

Sketch Option

Theme Options:  Music / Funny / Friendship

Product / Technique Options: Tissue Paper / Rocker Card

As you can see, I picked something from every category! Did the colors, the sketch, theme of music & product of tissue paper. Loads of die cutting and a Betterpressed sentiment from the stash. It may be hard to see in the photo but my dotted heart has a tissue heart mat layer.

Those of you as "organized" as I am will appreciate this - wanted to use my Cheery Lynn treble clef die as soon as I saw the sketch & theme of music. Could I find it? No!! Searched high & low - no luck. Fortunately I had a bunch of clefs already die cut ages ago - many colors, including hot pink - perfect! I stacked 3 for dimension and stability.

Gail (Crafty Nomad) sent me a card from Norway but I think it went to China instead.... No worries - I'll post a photo here once I receive it.

spot for future photo :)

That's it for today. You can sign up for the September chain until the 6th; go HERE for details.

Thanks for stopping & have a crafty day!!