Last Day for Florals at Die Cut Divas

Hi all - I'm part of the last day of the month post at Die Cut Divas! We've been sharing sponsor Rachel Vass florals in our designs all month. I did another version of her Floral Heart digi for today's card.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Paper Studio red & glitter

Digi - Rachel Vass Floral Heart

Die - Hero Arts Nesting Hearts Infinity Dies

Embossing folder - Memory Box Stunning Mandala

Other - Copic Markers; scrap of ribbon from a package

For this card, I embossed the entire card base - it looks so pretty from all angles. You can see another card I made using part of the mandala here. I printed a digi heart, colored it and fussy cut, then sliced in half, placing a half on each side of my gatefold. I adhered a die cut heart to one side, thinking it would hold it closed. Nope.

Here's a photo of the card without the ribbon - that's how closed it stayed so the ribbon saved it. :) Haven't finished the inside yet...but it'll be a Valentine card.

Now for a bonus card using the smallest floral heart digi I had sized & printed. I die cut the printed panel into a square, colored the image and matted it, then added it to a rectangle of patterned paper. Adhered to an A2 card, then added a favorite Sunny Studio die cut sentiment & some gems - done!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Core'dinations black;

Authentique patterned; Paper Studio glitter

Digi - Rachel Vass Floral Heart

Dies - Sunny Studio Blooming Frame (sentiment);

Hero Arts Square Infinity Dies;

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop;

My Favorite Things Blueprints (retired)

Other - Copic Markers; Park Lane gems

Still with me? Why not another bonus?! This one uses the leafy bits from the jumbo floral heart I printed & cut up for my 1/21 post (I used the jumbo flowers for three cards). I made a Valentine card using the Hero Arts January My Monthly Hero Kit, plus the small flower from HA's Autumn Bouquet Fancy Dies. I used the curved leafy sprigs from the top of the heart and still have the straighter bottom ones already colored for future use!

That's it, friends. You have until 9pm Pacific Time today to add your floral themed card (including any die cuts or embossing folders) to our January challenge gallery. Hope to see you there!!

Thanks for visiting!

Some Glittery Snowflake Cards

Happy weekend! I'm finally getting a start on my Christmas cards, thanks to a couple of challenges. My first card is for the current Christmas Kickstart challenge where Jo & her elf Cornelia are doing a rainbow theme. How fun is that?!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Classic Crest Solar White;

Paper Studio Glitter cardstock; Co'redinations Black

Dies - Sunny Studio Snowflake Circle Frame;

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set

Stamps - Divinity Designs Snowflake Background;

Hero Arts Frosty Wishes (retired)

Inks - Hero Arts Silver; Memento Tuxedo Black

I was very inspired by various cards Sally (Cinnamon Sally Designs) has made with glittery snowflakes; go here and here for some recent beauties. Pulled out my glitter cardstock pad - no yellow. Popped over to Hobby Lobby to look for some. Their glitter paper pads contain 12 colors but gold and silver got in, not yellow. The open stock rack had 12x12 sheets of many more colors from the same HL brand (Paper Studio) - all 50% off!! And yellow was among them - yay! I used a deep purple for my indigo - might have tried a deeper blue 12x12 sheet they called Navy (not to my eye!). Oh well, next time....

I die cut the snowflakes from Sunny Studio's Snowflake Circle Frame set - super easy since they come as one die! Next I cut the frame (makes a good wreath) in black and in white. Decided to do a black frame on a white card. Looked a bit boring, so I stamped a snowflake background lightly in silver and die cut with a stitched rectangle. Then I added some brush strokes and stippling with my Nuvo brush since it was out from yesterday's card. Adhered the snowflake panel to the card base, stamped the sentiment in black and glued the frame and snowflakes on top - done! Very quick & easy.

While the snowflake die set was out, I decided to cut some silver and gold ones and play along with the January CAS Christmas challenge. Oops - too late; that challenge closed 1/24. Do check that challenge for inspiration, though, and a new challenge drops on 2/3 (hope to get there!).

Additional supplies: 

Paper - Anchor Paper silver dream

Die - Pink Fresh Studio Folk Edge Rectangles

(sold out at PFS but found at Frantic Stamper here)

Other - SSS Sentiment Strip

I had a second white panel stamped with the snowflake background; cut this one with a new-to-me PFS die set. Added it to a silver card along with the snowflakes & a sentiment strip - very simple!

I'll add card two to Darnell's January NBUS challenge since my folk frame is new and to Dawn's All About Occasions challenge at Watercooler Wednesday. 

That's it for today - thanks for stopping!! I'll be back on Monday for the last day of our Die Cut Diva January challenge - please check it out and we hope to see you in the gallery!

 

Sea You Soon!

Hey crafty friends - it's been a while! Today I have a card for the current Let's Squash It challenge Under the Sea.

Supplies: Paper - Spellbinders A2 card; 

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb

Stamps - Hero Arts My Monthly Hero Kit May 2021 (sold out)

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

MMH dies to match stamps

Embossing Folder - Sizzix/Hero Arts 658286 Medallion Embossing Folder Pairs (retired)

Distress Inks - Mermaid Lagoon, Salty Ocean, Speckled Egg

Other - Copic Markers, foam tape

I flipped through my embossing folders and found a loose one with a swirly pattern that I recognized as an old Sizzix/Hero Arts one. I found the folder name by searching my Flickr photostream using key words that might match. Go here, if interested, to see a card I made with it in 2013 - I found it under "magical" because I remembered Hero Arts having such a background stamp. I used Nuvo brushes to apply Distress inks to a piece of white Neenah. Cut into a stitched rectangle and embossed. Added some direct-to-paper ink over the raised dots.

Next I flipped through my stash of My Monthly Hero kits - there have been a bunch over the years with a sea theme. Sure enough May 2021 fit the bill - and I didn't use it until today, yikes! Well, less than a year, not bad. Stamped, die cut and colored the images and a sentiment. Assembled the card, popping up the sentiment and sea horse with foam tape. Done!

I'll also add this to Darnell's January NBUS challenge since my MMH got first play today.

Quick post - I've been busy helping my parents. Sorry if I haven't visited your blog lately but I'll try to get there soon! Take care and happy crafting!!

 

 

Floral fun with Die Cut Divas

Hey crafty friends - I'm sharing the card below at Die Cut Divas today, plus I have bonus cards along with supplies listed here.

Who doesn't love flowers? Rachel Vass has designed some beautiful digi images and sponsored us this month at the Divas. I can't resist hearts and chose her Floral Heart file.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah Solar White; Spellbinders A2 card; 

Paper Studio glitter; Basic Grey True Love

Digi - Rachel Vass Floral Heart

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

Kat Scrappiness Zig Zag Nesting Slimline Dies;

Sunny Studio Thank You Word Dies;

Memory Box Perky Love (retired) - found HERE at Frantic Stamper)

 

I sized the heart wreath to fit an A2 card. Printed and colored it with Copics, then fussy cut. Added it to a stitched rectangle using foam tape. Glued the panel to an A2 card, then added the pinked strip. The strip is a fully pinked label from a slimline set and I just trimmed off the ends - a great way to stretch those slimline dies. Die cut the sentiment, combining words from two sets, and glued to the heart. Done!! Big thanks to Arlene for gifting me the Love die - a must for a Valentine birthday girl :)

Now for some bonus cards! I sized the Floral Heart to fit a full page, printed it and then fussy cut only the three flowers. I colored them in different tones and found papers to coordinate.

Additional supplies: Die - Hero Arts Spring Branch (retired)

Stamp - Hero Arts Everyday Sayings

Additional supplies: Paper -  Lawn Fawn 

Embossing folder - Memory Box Stunning Mandala 

Stamp - Hero Arts Hero Greetings Mini Messages

Additional supplies: Paper - Hero Arts Antique Ivory;

Paper Studio Vintage Valentine

Die - Frantic Stamper Slimline Frames

Park Lane gems

Several supply items are getting first play today - the Love die and the MB Stunning Mandala embossing folder - so I'm entering Darnell's January NBUS Challenge. I hope she and her hubby liked the third of my jumbo flower cards!

We'd love to see you in the January Diva Challenge gallery! You have until 9pm Pacific Time on 1/31/22 to enter. Just be sure to include a die cut or embossing folder along with the theme of flowers. You don't need Rachel's designs to play along, any flower will do! But I hope you'll check out her designs if you enjoy the digi format. I love her gorgeous flowers!!

Thanks for stopping!

 

December 2021 Card Chain Reveal

Hi crafty friends - hope you had a wonderful New Year's Eve & Day! Crazy to be in 2022 already and I hope it brings great things to you! We're revealing cards that 18 people sent around the world in the December Card Chain Challenge. You can see the entire chain HERE.

My card went to the delightful Gail (Crafty Nomad) in Norway, one of the administrators of the challenge, who loves cardinals (I didn't know this ahead of time).

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Paper Studio Gifts of Gold, 

Christmas Basics & glitter card;

BoBunny Merry & Bright; Spellbinders white A2 card

Stamps - Hero Arts Vintage Post (retired)

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

Hero Arts Tag Frames Infinity Dies & Vintage Post to 

match the bird stamp (Frantic Stamper has that die set HERE);

Impression Obsession Pine Branch;

Other - Copic markers; Hero Arts gems

December's challenge offered a 5x5 tic-tac-toe board! I chose the bottom row. For gold, I have gold gems and foil lines in the patterned label paper, plus my glitter cardstock is gold. My stamp is the cardinal which also met the bird requirement and I have red snowflake paper as the background.

I received this fabulous card from dear Jo (Just a Dotty Pudding), the other challenge administrator. Poor Jo was left wondering over Christmas if I'd rec'd her card. I was visiting my parents for the holidays and came home on December 30th to a lovely stack of holiday mail, including her card! I just love that cute Santa & the fun tag - thanks Jo!! Sorry for the dark photo but you can see it in better light on Jo's blog HERE.

I thank Gail and Jo for all their hard work in 2021 on this fun card chain challenge!! Want to play? You have until 1/6/22 to sign up for the January chain HERE. It's wonderful to send and receive a handmade card each month! I especially love reveal day because I enjoy seeing all the different ways people go with their creations - so inspiring!!

Thanks for stopping and have a crafty day!

Last Day of December 2021

Happy New Year's Eve everyone!! You can still play along with our Die Cut Divas December Challenge to do a Winter/Christmas project - just link up by 9pm Pacific time today!! I'm part of the end of month team with inspiration at DCD here, sharing the card below. Frantic Stamper (FS) is our fabulous sponsor this month - see all the prize details at DCD (US only - sorry!).

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white & Paper Studio Holiday;

Spellbinders white A2 card; designer snowflake paper by unk

Dies - Frantic Stamper Slimline Frames;

Sunny Studio Santas Stocking (available at FS here);

Birch Press Design Big Thanks Sugar Script (available at FS here);

A Jillian Vance Design Stitched Dot Rectangle Backdrop Set;

Art Impressions Large Snowflakes

Other - white gel pen; foam tape

I originally started creating my holiday thank yous with the first slimline shown below. I decided to lead with the snowflake & bow card instead. I fell in love with it, especially the snowflake designer paper sent by friend and Diva teamie Dawn (Dawn's World). The bow had been cut when I made the stocking card for my Dec 21st post - ended up not using it. It sat on the craft table crying to be used so I popped it atop a snowflake & added to a fun frame from Frantic Stamper. I just love the slimline set which includes this frame and use it often, including for the cards below!

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; Core'dinations black;

Tim Holtz 2020 Holiday; Paper Studio Holiday

Dies - Frantic Stamper Slimline Frames & Snowflake Trio;

Art Impressions Large Snowflakes;

Poppystamps Spectacular Thank You (available at FS here)

Other - white gel pen; SSS sentiment strip; Park Lane stars

I die cut the black frame & backed it with some TH holiday paper from last year. Added to a slimline card along with some snowflakes and the sentiment & star gems. Next I created a second version using a green frame and a jumbo (retired) snowflake from Hero Arts. I'd be interested in hearing which version you prefer... I'm tipping toward the second one.

Supplies: Paper - Neenah white; 

Tim Holtz 2020 Holiday; Paper Studio Holiday

Dies - Frantic Stamper Slimline Frames;

Art Impressions Large Snowflakes; Hero Arts snowflake (retired)

Poppystamps Spectacular Thank You (available at FS here)

Other - white gel pen; SSS sentiment strip; Park Lane stars

I can't say enough about Frantic Stamper and the great customer service! I was enabled by Lisa's (My Paper Tales) adorable sElfie card to order the stamp set she used - not in stock at MFT but found at FS and already received!! Of course I ordered a few other things... I'm sure Fran was hoping I could use my recent purchases before the end of the month but I was away for Christmas. Just got my huge stack of lovely mail yesterday, including my FS goodies. With such a variety of brands, I always find more than what I need at Frantic Stamper! Thanks again to FS for being such a great sponsor this month!

If you're still with me, I did more variations of the lead card. I was up at 2:30am the other day - called by my mom who couldn't sleep. Of course, I couldn't sleep after that and made good use of the time! I used some fun patterns from My Mind's Eye, BoBunny & Tim Holtz. I used a Concord & 9th Turnabout Stamp (Christmas Cheer) for the background at bottom left.

 

Thanks for visiting!! Hope to see you in the Diva gallery - just remember to use the theme plus a die cut or embossing folder and link up by 9pm Pacific time today.

Merry Christmas Wishes!!

Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating today!! 

Wishing you happy times with family and friends and a fabulous year in 2022! 

I often decorate multiple Christmas trees but with Mom's broken leg, I only managed one this year.

I decided to bring one of my slim trees tomy parents' house. Sister Tami came to MN from AZ for a few days during one of the worst snowstorms we've had this year. She helped me decorate so Mom had a nice homecoming from rehab. Mom loves the angel topper and granny square tree skirt crocheted by one of her friends.

We celebrated with my brother and his wife on Thursday - Donna made a delicious ham dinner, then we played Phase 10 (a card game). I won!! Here I am with my parents - we're wearing holiday headbands gifted to us from friends, Connie and Doug. They've been giving us an Advent box for several years - my mom loves opening the daily "prize" from December 1st through the 25th. Today we'll have lutefisk and lefse in honor of my dad's Norwegian heritage.

We're still doing Winter/Christmas themed projects at Die Cut Divas until 9pm on 12/31 so check it out if you have some time left to play this month! Thanks for visiting and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!