Gladiolus - Flower of the Gladiator

Hi crafty friends - I'm here with inspiration for our April Die Cut Diva Challenge - Anniversary or Birthday Cards. You can see my Diva post HERE but the card details and bonuses are below. First up, a card filled with Gladiolus flowers - I didn't know before Googling but they are called the flower of gladiators for their sword-like leaves.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock and Ombré A2 card; scraps

Stamps - Altenew Floral Frame (c2016 retired)

Dies - Altenew Craft-A-Flower Gladiolus

Other - Hero Arts enamel dots; foam tape

The wonderful Altenew is our sponsor this month,

donating a $30 gift card to our random winner!

Altenew's Gladiolus set falls into the Key Hole system of dies. It makes the die cuts much easier to assemble, although a lot of pieces cut at once were bewildering at first glance. Despite there being a printed assembly guide, watching an Altenew video definitely helped since this was my first use of the set!

I die cut the flower/bud pieces and leaves/stems from various scraps and assembled. This is easier if you keep the flowers separate (all petals for each flower come on the same plate; 3 plates for three flowers). I cut in 5 different colors so I could mix and match. Each flower has a different shaped key hole which helps. Arranged them on an ombré printed card. Stamped and fussy cut a sentiment. Popped the sentiment on with foam tape and added some pink clear enamel dots. I love, love, love how this card turned out!

I will add this card to The Creative Crafters Challenge #99 where Anything Goes and to Darnell's April NBUS Challenge #85 since the gladiolus dies got first play here.

How about a bonus? I couldn't resist pulling out some fave Altenew sets. First, another birthday card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White'

Paper Studio A2 card; scraps

Stamps w/dies - Altenew Floral Sprig (c2016 retired)

Dies - Altenew Mix and Match Frames &

Garden Picks

Other - foam tape; Copic Markers;

white gel pen

I love this sprig and used it back in 2020 HERE. Stamped, die cut and colored with Copics then added to the layers of Mix and Match Frames, then to an A2 card. Added some die cut leafy sprigs from the Garden Picks set. Stamped and fussy cut a sentiment. Since there was a lot of interest from the layered frames, I left off any additional embellishments. The orange layer of the frames was cut from a patterned paper so there's a look of texture.

Threefer? Here's an anniversary card for my neighbors, Brenda & Al.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White'

Paper Studio cardstock; Spellbinders A2 card

Stamps - Taylored Expressions Inside Scoop - Anniversary

Stamps w/dies - Altenew Floral Sprig (c2016 retired)

Dies - Vintage label from Lea Lawson's SBC Fest kit

Embossing Folder - Altenew Dynamic Blossoms Bundle

Other - foam tape; Copic Markers;

white gel pen; Hero Arts enamel dots

I stamped and colored three floral sprigs in all. This yellow one went on top of an embossed panel that I'd sanded for texture. Added to an A2 card with a sentiment and enamel dots. Quick and easy but so pretty, I think! The 3rd floral sprig will make an appearance in future.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see your anniversary or birthday card in the Diva gallery!!

A Great Pair and a Spaceship

Yikes - Day 6 of Spellbinders Advent Calendar posts! Today I'm sharing a card that features the die set from Day 10 (see Crafty Al's short video HERE).

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio cardstock; Lawn Fawn patterned;

Betterpress Porcelain; Recollections A2 card

Stamps - Spellbinders 2025 Advent Calendar Day 11

Dies - Spellbinders 2025 Advent Calendar Day 10;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Press Plates w/dies - Spellbinders You Are Everything Sentiments

Other - foam tape

Die cut and assembled two bread slices and made one covered with jelly & the other with peanut butter. Added them to a heart patterned paper die cut with a stitched rectangle. Adhered to a purple mat, then to an A2 card. Took another of the Day 11 sentiments I had stamped and cut it into 3 pieces. Added to the card along with a Betterpressed anniversary sentiment from the stash.

I'll add this card to Darnell's January NBUS Challenge #82 since the bread dies were newly used. She will get a kick out of that since she & her hubby got this card for their anniversary (she says he's the jelly).

Next, I have a card using the space ship from Day 20 (Crafty Al's video HERE) & a sentiment from Day 19 (Crafty Al's video HERE).

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

scraps

Stamps - Spellbinders 2025 Advent Calendar Day 19

Dies - Spellbinders 2025 Advent Calendar Day 20;

Trinity Stamps Tiny Alien

Stencil - Hero Arts Star Cluster

Other - foam tape; inks as in photo;

Hero Arts shimmer spray

First I die cut the spaceship from scraps and assembled. I had stamped all the sentiments from Day 19 - chose the one to match the spaceship. Next I die cut an alien; isn't he cute?! 

Ink blended a background and then spritzed with shimmer spray. Then I stenciled the galaxy in a couple colors. Assembled onto an A2 card. I'll be stamping a Valentine sentiment inside and sending this to my brother who loves science fiction.

That's it for today. I still have the rest of the elements created from the calendar - just haven't turned them into cards yet. I'll try to remember to share when I do. I'm still participating today at Justine Hovey's card summit - very inspiring! Then I'll be posting tomorrow for the last day of the Die Cut Divas January Challenge. Hope to see you there! 

Thanks for visiting & have a crafty weekend!!

Spellbinders 2025 Advent Calendar projects

Hi all - I mentioned in a previous post that I've been busy crafting in January using Spellbinders 2025 Advent Calendar. I had opened the 24 windows in December but hadn't had a chance to make a thing with the items inside. I decided to make a goal of using the daily December items on the corresponding January day - I did it!! I didn't always complete a full card with the item on the same day but I made sure to use it. 

So, I'm starting today to share cards I've completed. First up, an anniversary card I made with Day 1's cute doggy die set (if interested, watch Crafty Al opening the window and making a polaroid HERE):

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections A2 card; Paper Studio cardstock;

My Mind's Eye Lost & Found 3 patterned;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain

Dies - Spellbinders 2025 Advent Calendar (Day 1);

Hero Arts Nesting Hearts Infinity Dies;

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Press Plates w/dies - Spellbinders You Are Everything Sentiments

Other - EKSuccess puffy hearts; foam tape

Normally on New Year's Day I'd take down my Christmas decorations. Instead, I decided to leave them up longer since I went to AZ for the holidays. So, I had plenty of time to craft & started making cards for January occasions. The dog die inspired me to make an anniversary card for my neighbors across the street. Greg and Therese have two dogs so I thought they'd get a chuckle out of this (they did!).

I die cut the dog pieces twice and assembled. Next I cut a stitched rectangle from a collage print paper & added it to an A2 card. Then I die cut a large heart and adhered to the card along the doggy pair. Popped a sentiment and some puffy hearts onto the card to finish.

Did I tell this story yet? I had my infinity hearts die set out to cut the big heart and decided to die cut the bittiest heart for embellishments. When it came out of my Vagabond, the die when flying off into the room. I searched for an hour but couldn't find it (even used a magnet sheet taped onto my Swiffer!). Checked the little trash bin in the area - not there but I did find a Spellbinders "the" die with outline still taped to the packaging! Must've fallen off the table & into the trash when I was putting the other words on a magnet. Whew - glad I found it!!

I'll add this card to Darnell's January NBUS Challenge #82 since the doggy die is newly used.

Here's another card with the doggy die set and a different sentiment from the same Betterpress set. The cloud paper is from an ancient calendar stack by DCWV. I made "wings" by taking a different sized heart from the HA set and hand cutting the bottom edge into scallops. I shaded the wings with a B000 Copic.

This card went to the producer of Craft Roulette, host Mary's son; sadly, his dog Furgus died. During the episode on the 9th, they raised over $2000 for a Kansas City dog rescue. Always sad to lose a furry family member!

That's it for today, friends. I'll be back tomorrow to share a few more advent calendar creations. Thanks for stopping by and have a crafty day!

Turkey Among the Pumpkins

Hey everyone - the November Stay Crafty with a Blog Named Hero Challenge - Bits and Pieces suits me to a tee! The Challenge? Use your scraps and stuff from the UFO (UnFinished Objects) box (or in my case, many boxes & even large bins!!). Here's my card:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Recollections A2 card; patterned scraps

Stamps with dies - Hero Arts September Card Kit (pumpkins),

Autumn Bounty Stamp & Cut, 

& Color Layering Grateful Leaves (both retired)

Dies - Kat Scrappiness A2 Stitched Strips

Other - Copic Markers; foam tape; 

turkey upcycled from a previous card;

Hero Arts enamel dots (from card kit); 

enamel heart from Pink & Main

I often stamp multiples when working with a new stamp set. I sometimes store them in a cellophane bag with the set but more often they end up in the UFO box. Or, they're still on the craft counter for weeks on end, as is the case with the pumpkins. I stamped oodles of pumpkins when I received the Hero Arts September Card Kit. I'd sit coloring them during Craft Roulette member Zoom calls (we craft and chat). I figured I'd be able to work them in to Thanksgiving cards so that's where I started today. Here's a photo of part of my craft counter:

I liked Michelle Lupton's inspiration card with the scrap strips so I made some of my own! I have paper scraps in a 3-drawed plastic cart with neutrals in the top drawer, solid colors in the middle drawer & patterns in the bottom. There were some fall-ish ones towards the top so I pulled those. I die cut them with a set of stitched strip dies. Here's a photo of the bin:

Pulling 5 patterned snippets barely made a dent! Since I used snippets, I'll share at Snippets Playground #519. And since my pumpkins are newly used, I'll add my card to Darnell's NBUS Challenge #80. The turkey was pried off the Thanksgiving card I sent to my aunt last year. She saves my cards and then gives them back when she gets a bunch. I upcycle what I can...

Bonus: Thought I might as well share another card using the September kit since I hadn't blogged it yet. A chorus member & her husband celebrated 60 years of marriage in October so I made a squirrel card! I used two squirrels, some leaves, and a fall tree from the kit, along with a big diamond (the symbol for a 60th anniversary) & a Betterpressed banner (using a hot foil plate). 

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

freebie leaf print from Lawn Fawn; 

Paper Studio brown & black cardstock;

scrap of Graphic 45 green print;

Recollections A2 card

Stamps with dies - Hero Arts September Card Kit;

Art-C Stamp & Die set (diamond)

Dies - Hero Arts September Card Kit (tree & carvings);

MFT numbers (NIB)

Hot Foil Plate with die - Spellbinders set name unk (retired)

Other - Copic Markers; Stickles; foam tape; white gel pen

Simple stamping and die cutting here - very fun to put together. I love how this turned out & the couple loved it too!! 

Thanks for stopping and have a crafty day!!

A Bee Pair for an Anniversary!

Hi everyone - hope you're having a great week! For Darnell's IDEAS program this week, it's D for Dies. I went all in with a mostly die cut creation!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Authentique (collection name unk); scraps

Stamps - Hero Arts Bring on the Merry (retired)

Dies - Birch Press Design Large Cosmos Contour Layers

(retired but still HERE at Frantic Stamper) 

 & Lush Leaves Contour Layers;

Spellbinders 2024 Advent Calendar (Day 6);

AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Press Plate w/dies - Spellbinders A Little Messages Sentiments

Other - Foam tape; Copics; white gel pen

I needed an anniversary card for my friend & her hubby who love bees. I'm trying to dip into more of the 2024 Advent calendar items & remembered the sweet bee die set from Day 6. I also had more Memory Box from a recent sale bundle. I die cut everything yesterday and finished assembling today; also shaded & detailed with Copics & a white gel pen. I wanted to make one bee look like a little girl so stamped and fussy cut a bow. Oh - a note on the leaves - the veins cut as negatives w/an outline, leaving the positive veins as waste. I preferred those so trimmed them and added to the solid leaves. Arranged two stitched rectangle onto a white A2 card and added the rest of the elements.

Note on the sentiment. I had one pressed with yellow ink all layered up with shadows. Decided the yellow script didn't show up well so I topped it with one pressed in black that also had a shadow layer adhered. Turned out coordinating with the bees - a happy accident!!

It's still Die Week at Just Us Girls Challenge #791 so I'm playing there for the second time.

I'll also add my card to Darnell's September NBUS #78 since the bees, flower & leaves are all newly used.

That's it for today, friends. Thanks for visiting & have a crafty day!!

Let's Toast!

Happy Labor Day if you're celebrating in the USA! Kudos to all the workers out there! 

Tomorrow is my brother & sister-in-law's anniversary but also the Card Chain reveal day. Thought I'd share the anniversary card I made them a day ahead of time (they already have received it and love it!):

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White;

TH Classic kraft card stock;

Momenta watercolor print;

Lawn Fawn patterned (retired);

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain; scraps of black

Dies - Trinity Stamps Toaster Card;

MFT Stitched Numbers

Press Plate with die - Spellbinders You Are Everything Sentiments

Stamps - Pear Blossom Press Stamp & Die Bundle;

Other - enamel dots brand unk

I knew of Trinity Stamps before I got involved with Craft Roulette. They were stocked at my local stamping store Anchor Paper for awhile but not right now. So, since they give random prizes at CR, I started visiting their online store. I recently picked up a die set that I thought would make a perfect card for my bro & SIL; it's getting first play here. 

First, I die cut all the toaster pieces & assembled. Same with the slice of bread card. Since D&D have been married 30 years, I added those #s on the inside of the bread slice. A pressed sentiment sits on the toaster front, popped up with foam tape. Here are a couple additional views:

Isn't that little slice of toast card the cutest?! The card base is a full A7 card which I stamped on the inside (no photo) with a Taylored Expression sentiment (see that set HERE; it's a fave). Since my toaster set got first play here, I'll share at Darnell's NBUS #78.

I also made a card early this morning (more vampire hours) for Craft Roulette episode #282:

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White; 

Authentique Latest & Greatest; Lawn Fawn Summertime;

Paper Studio A2 card; scraps

Stamps - MFT Aug 2018 Freebie;

Stamps w/dies - Lawn Fawn Simply Celebrate Critters (dies HERE);

Unity Happy Retirement (die HERE)

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

MFT Pierced Rectangle Frames 

Other - Foam tape

Host Mary Gunn had Meg Daves (‪@ITeachStamping) as her guest. Meg has been teaching card making for 20 years; this was her first appearance on CR. She enjoys doing card sketches with a twist. As usual, they spun the wheel four times for the necessary parameters:

• Project - Card for a Teacher: I made a retirement card for my friend, Becky who will soon finish teaching first grade.
• Colors - Classroom: I used primary colors, plus the colors of the animals which might appear on a classroom bulletin board scene.
• Element - From The Country: I used 3 barnyard animals. 
• Random - Frame: I used a pierced frame die cut stacked 3 times. 

Simple stamping, die cutting, coloring & assembly. The wrinkle on this one is the LF speech bubble that's 5 continuous bubbles. I stamped the 3 sentiments every other one, then used a black marker to draw the missing edges. I trimmed into three pieces, leaving out the extra two bubbles.

That's it for today, friends! Hope to see you back tomorrow and, by the way, the Card Chain sign-up for September runs until 9/6 - details HERE.

Thanks for visiting and have a crafty holiday!!

Love Birds Always & Forever!

TGIF & welcome! I'm sharing an anniversary card for my dear friend Connie and her hubby who I call my bro-in-law. It's not until August but I recently got the perfect Spellbinders set!

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders A2 card;

DCWV Christmas Corrugated; scraps;

Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain

Dies - Spellbinders Pretty Birds 

Glimmer Plate w/die - Spellbinders All You Need Sentiments

Other - foam tape; white gel pen;

leaves from the bits box (maybe Poppystamps)

I ordered this darling bird set when it was released earlier this month, hoping to get it for a June anniversary. It didn't happen but that's ok. I ended up sending those other friends (I was in their wedding) a previous card; just popped a Happy Anniversary sentiment onto it. When the Pretty Birds arrived this week, I got busy for Connie's August anniversary. 

I die cut all the birdie and perch pieces, plus the flowers & heart from the set. Assembled & then went looking for a suitable background. Patterned paper was too busy. Some solids too boring or too light. Then I happened upon a package of corrugated papers and found a dark green one. Don't the birdies pop on this color and texture? I was going to cut foliage from the same die set but I had a pile of leftover leaves from previous cards. Grabbed those, plus a sentiment strip I'd pressed with a Glimmer plate. 

I love these birdies so much and plan to make a bunch more anniversary cards with them. Since the die set is newly used here, I'll add my card to the June NBUS Challenge #75.

That's it for today, my friends! I'll be watching Craft Roulette in a few hours so will probably have a card from that to share tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping & happy crafting!!

Inky Bouquet Two Ways!

Hi everyone! I'm here with a card that I shared on my regular Die Cut Diva post today, plus a bonus card only here, as usual.

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts A2 card;

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Violet Studio patterned

Stamps w/die & stencil - Altenew Inky Bouquet 

Stamps - Altenew Bellaroma Hybrid Tea Rose

Dies - AJVD Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set 

Other - Copic Markers; Memento Tuxedo Black ink;

DOI Tumbled Glass & Black Soot inks;

 white gel pen; Altenew Carnival Magic enamel dots 

We're doing Flowers at the Divas for our April Challenge with Altenew as our fabulous sponsor. You can't go wrong with all the gorgeous Altenew floral sets available. I chose to use a fave of mine which, sadly, is sold out right now. The sentiment is from a different set which, as of when I wrote this post, was still available.

I stamped the bouquet onto Neenah with Memento ink and die cut the panel with a stitched rectangle. The Inky Bouquet set comes with a coordinating die and stencil - you'll see those later in this post. Instead, I colored the image with Copics & then stamped some dots (also from the set) with Tumbled Glass DOI; I blended the same ink around the edges. Stamped a sentiment from the Bellaroma set & added some Carnival Magic enamel dots to the panel. Adhered it to an A2 card that I'd covered with a piece of patterned paper edged with Black Soot DOI. Done!

For my bonus, I used the same bouquet stamp. 

This time I colored it with various inks from the stash by blending through the coordinating stencil. I added a bit of shading with coordinating Copic colors, then die cut the image with the matching die. I added it to a rectangle of the same patterned paper as above and adhered to a Paper Studio pastel card. Added a different shade of enamel dots from the same set & then a Betterpressed sentiment from the stash (one from the Spellbinders You Are Everything Sentiments set).

I'm adding my first card to the April We Love Stamping Challenge where Anything Goes or you can use a fave stamp which I did. I'll add my bonus card to the April Flower Challenge #101 where they're doing Spring colors.

Thanks for stopping by & happy crafting! Hope to see you in the April Diva gallery!!

Shaking it Up with Hero Arts!

Hey friends - I'm posting at Die Cut Divas today with card one below. A bonus card follows only here.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White;

Park Lane A2 card; scrap of purple; acetate

Stamps w/Dies - Hero Arts Message Strips Stamp & Cut XL

Dies - Hero Arts Bee Florals Window

Stencils - Hero Arts Color Layering Bee Florals 

Inks - Hero Arts Grape Slush, Amethyst, Key Lime, Moss,

Cup O'Joe & Pitch Black;

Memento Dandelion & Tangelo;

Tumbled Glass & Spiced Marmalade Distress

Other - Shaker mix from a retired Hero Arts MMH kit;

Hero Arts Sparkle Clear Lacquer; iCraft foam

We're doing shaker cards for our February Die Cut Divas Challenge. Our wonderful sponsor is Hero Arts, an inspiration to the crafting community! They're donating a $25 credit to their online store for our randomly drawn challenge winner - thanks Hero Arts!!

I die cut the bee window into an A2 panel of Neenah white, then stenciled the image with the coordinating 5 piece stencil set. I inked the corners with Tumbled Glass DI. Next, I backed the panel with acetate then applied 3mm foam around the edges. Filled it with a shaker mix from an old HA kit. Adhered an A2 card. Added sparkle lacquer to the bee wings. Stamped and die cut a sentiment strip & adhered it to the card.

For a bonus, I used a fave coverplate die:

Supplies: Paper - My Favorite Things red; scrap of white;

Paper Studio Pink; Hero Arts black 

Dies - Hero Arts Window on Love Confetti

Stamps w/Dies - Hero Arts Message Strips Stamp & Cut XL 

Other - Hobby Lobby Valentine Crafts clay chips;

Kat Scrappiness A2 Full Front Shaker Card Pockets

I've tried full front A2 shaker panels before - they work really well when you use a coverplate with a lot of open area. I found a fun shaker mix in the Valentine section at Hobby Lobby - little clay hearts, envelopes and sprinkles. Wrapped the filled shaker panel around a pink A2 panel to form a pouch. Then  I die cut the heart confetti panel and adhered atop the shaker pouch, then glued to an A2 card. Next I stamped/die cut another sentiment from the Message Strip stamp & cut set. I added a couple of the clay hearts to finish the card.

I'm sending my bee florals window card to the February Stay Crafty with a Blog Named Hero where they're doing floral projects.

** Based on Trina's (Phamtastic Design) reminder, I will add my bonus card to the current Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge where they want red or pink. Also to the February Colorful Options Challenge where they have a lovely mood board with loads of red, pink & hearts!

We look forward to seeing your shaker card (including a die cut &/or embossing folder) in our February Diva gallery! Thanks for visiting!!

Thanks for visiting & have a crafty day!

An Anything Goes Monday!

Happy Monday friends! I'm playing today with Darnell's (djkardkreations) IDEAS program where on the 4th Monday of the month Anything Goes!! You can see her beautiful inspiration HERE. I'd been working on another card using some PFS washi so decided to finish it this morning:

Supplies: Paper - Recollections A2 card; scraps;

Neenah Solar White; Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain;

Washi - Pinkfresh Studio English Garden

Dies - Pinkfresh Studio English Garden &

Folk Edge Rectangles 

Press Plate w/Die - Spellbinders You are Everything Sentiments

Embossing Folder - Tim Holtz Cobblestone 3D

I mentioned back in July that I'd found the PFS English Garden still available at my local store and finally dove in (see a card with the stamps & stencils HERE). It's retired at PFS but I see Frantic Stamper still has the stamps & dies HERE. 

I'd added the washi to a piece of Neenah & cut a bunch of pieces & made a birthday card which I'll share next. The floral clusters above were leftovers. If desired, you can see a card HERE made with some English Garden washi pieces that Lisa (My Paper Tales) sent me last year; she enabled me!

The washi pieces were sitting atop a piece of cardstock I'd embossed with the TH Cobblestone folder. I wanted to cut it down with the Folk Edge die which flattened the 3D texture but I didn't really care. I could've re-embossed it but I was too lazy! You can see the 3D texture on the next card.

This card went to my sister Tami who has a bday this week. The die cut birthday and the printed HAPPY were in my sentiments box - brand unknown.

I'm entering card one in the August Pinkfresh Studio Challenge to use washi. You don't have to use the colors in their photo; that's one option.

That's it for today - thanks for visiting!! Hope you have a crafty Monday & if interested, check out our Die Cut Diva August Challenge where our theme is embossing!

Nordic Majestic Bloom for CR219

Happy Saturday everyone - hope you're enjoying the weekend! I multi-tasked yet again last night watching Craft Roulette #219 on my laptop & the Twins baseball game on television (we won!). I managed to finish my card just after the LIVE ended but waited til today to photograph it; a gloomy day but I made the best of it...

Supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Dove A2 card;

BoBunny Double Dotted; DCWV pastels; scraps

Stamps with Dies - Unity Stamps I Did. I Do. I Will. (die HERE)

Dies - Poppystamps Nordic Majestic Bloom;

Elizabeth Craft Designs Torn;

Altenew Mix and Match Frames Set

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Host Mary Gunn FUNN had Carrie Giletto (her YouTube channel) as her guest. You may have seen her videos for Whimsy Stamps. The wheel spun the following parameters (screen shot during LIVE) for us to use on our cards:

• Project - Anniversary: I chose to make a wedding anniversary card. The group agreed that celebrating anything that recurs could count, even Christmas!
• Colors - Salad: I chose lettuce salad colors of green, reds (tomatoes, peppers), oranges (cheese, carrots),  white (onions). The group thought of many other types, including Jello!
• Element - New: I chose a new die set that I'm using for the first time. Other thoughts by the group - New Year, newborn baby, a new technique.
• Random - Folded Corner: I folded over the corner of one of my layers. Pretty self-explanatory.

I die cut 2 mat layers & all elements of the Nordic Majestic Bloom set and assembled onto an A2 card. The Unity sentiment came from the bits box - I'd stamped and die cut several of these when I made a previous card. The scalloped border was another new item recently purchased from ECD, our fabulous sponsor at Die Cut Divas June Challenge.

I'm adding my card to Darnell's June NBUS Challenge #63 since my bloom set got first play here.

That's it for today, friends! Thanks for stopping by and have a crafty weekend!

Pair of Flower Cards

Happy Sunday - hope you haven't been affected by the horrible spring storms this weekend! My heart goes out to all those suffering from the aftermath! We got some rain and wind but that's it. Perfect time to stay in and craft.

First up, a card for this week's Just Us Girls Challenge #724 to use a stencil.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; DCWV pastels;

Michael's Recollections A2 card

Stencil - My Favorite Things Smart Mask Diagonal HighLow Strip

Stamps - Hero Arts Cupcakes (c2008) & Watercolor Petals (c2010) both retired

Dies - A Jillian Vance Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Other - Hero Arts heart gem; Hero Arts & Memento inks

MFT recently offered one of their new High/Low Diagonal stencils with a purchase. I jumped at the chance to try one. Hopefully you can see the diagonal white space where I stamped the sentiment! I went with very soft colors, fading off the green a lot. Didn't have any stencil tape at Dad's so I was trying to hold it down - that bottom part was tricky w/out tape.

I stamped a retired HA wildflower, then die cut the panel with a stitched rectangle. Matted with another stitched rectangle & added to an A2 card. Found a heart gem in the stash at the satellite studio and thought it would work for the flower center - done!

Next, I made a card for my neighbors' anniversary using a Frantic Stamper die set that I hadn't used until now. Such a fun one to work with and I thought the stem portion would work with many other brands' flowers.

Supplies: Paper - Ms Sparkle A2 card; Neenah white;

Poptone Spearmint; Paper Studio Holiday; scrap of pink

Dies - Spellbinders Fancy Edged Ovals (retired);

Frantic Stamper Bouquet Builder

Betterpress w/Die - Spellbinders You Are Everything Sentiments

Other - various gems; Copic Markers;

Hero Arts Sparkle Lacquer; Betterpress Black ink

I die cut all the flowers (single die) in white and colored with Copics. Die cut the stem piece in spearmint cardstock and adhered to green oval. Adhered to an A2 card. Arranged flowers on the stems and added gems where needed. Die cut the bow from a pink scrap & added a pearl for the knot. The baby's breath has sparkle lacquer over the blossoms. A pressed sentiment finished the card. Since the bouquet die set got first play here, I'll add this card to Darnell's April NBUS Challenge. This card also fits at Tic Tac Toe Challenge #246 - I went with the diagonal Flowers-Free-Die Cut.

That's it for today - thanks for stopping & happy crafting!