The Greetery {Spooky Entomology Halloween Inspiration}

 Hello friends! I'm happy to be here today sharing some Halloween inspiration using some unexpected supplies to bring this “spooky entomology” to life (not literally)! When the Jumbo Curiosity products came out a few years ago, I REALLY wanted to create something like I’ve done today. I pushed the itch away, but with the recently released Hint of Autumn Collection, the time felt right! I love all of the layers, texture, and foiled pieces I was able to bring into this project!

This project consists of a coordinating box and card just in time for the Halloween season! I’ve made boxes like this in the past and they are so fast and easy! The box base measures 4 inches by 5 ½ inches with 1 1/2-inch sides. The top of the box has ¾ inch sides and I added an 1/8 of an inch to the other measurements so it can slide on and off easily. Now, if you’re not inclined to make 3-D projects, this top of this box would also make a fabulous A2 card design as well.

Once the box base was made, it was time to have fun and start decorating! To begin, I used the Jumbo Curiosity: Moth and Jumbo Curiosity: Butterfly Die + Stenciland cut 3 of each variety from white cardstock. As you can see, I only ended up using 2 of each insect, so that would be all you need to cut if you’re recreating this project. I used the coordinating stencils to color the pieces using hickory smoke, black soot, and bundled sage distress oxide inks. I assembled the pieces using liquid glue and set them aside to dry.

I used the Deco Notecard Die to cut the 4 corner details from Antique Gold cardstock (Cardstock Warehouse) and glued them to the 4 corners of the box with liquid glue. Next, I used the Capsule Basics Die to cut a black oval and then used the Capsule Basics Embossing Folder to add the embossed detail. The next layer is one of the panels included in the Deco Notecard Die  and I cut it from Simply Chartreuse cardstock.

I rummaged through my Halloween pattern paper stash and found a script-type piece and added some foiling with Titanium foil using the Capsule Borders 1 Hot Foil and then cut it out using the Capsule Basics Die. For the next layer, I used the Oblong Octagon Labels Die and Oblong Octagon Labels Hot Foil, but in the end, it mostly got covered up. Ha ha! I cut ferns and baby’s breath using the Large Leaves: Fern Die and the Big Branches: Baby's Breath Die. I colored them with distress oxide inks and finger daubers and then glued the ferns together with liquid glue. These were tucked here and there with liquid glue until I was satisfied with the arrangement.

I layered everything using foam squares, which gives it quite a bit of dimension, but since it’s not a card, the more dimension the better, right? The sentiment is from the Tear Strips Tags: Halloween Stamp Set and I strategically stamped just this particular sentiment so I could cut it with the new Shortbread Shapes: Rectangle Labels Die. I gave it all a light spritz of shimmer spray for a touch of sparkle!

For the card, I used the Capsule Borders I Hot Foil on black cardstock and then cut it with the Capsule Basics Die. I was so thrilled to get the new Capsule Basics Embossing Folder so I used that as well to give the card extra dimension.

I used the same foliage for this card but just placed the entire fern underneath the sentiment. I tucked some Baby’s Breath in as well and then arranged the moth and butterfly.

To create the shaped card base, simply create a regular card base and then line the largest oval die (without the scallops) overlapping the spine and run it through your die cut machine. It’s slightly smaller than the scalloped card front, but it works out well to just glue the card front on top! I’m excited for these Halloween projects because I haven’t done too many this year and these will be fun to give! Thanks for fluttering by!

Papertrey Ink September Release Countdown Day 1

Hello friends and welcome to day 1 of the Papertrey Ink September release countdown! Today I'll be sharing my first Christmas cards of the year! I know a lot of you started with Christmas in July, but not me, so here we are! ha ha! I'm really excited about this month's release and I hope you are, too! 

I'm always a sucker for anything 'Twas the Night Before Christmas related, so this new suite of products is just right up my alley! This card features the new Merry Motifs Hot Foil Plate. I cut an A2 panel of Pure Poppy cardstock and then added some Scarlet Jewel ink around the edges. Once that was done, I did the hot foiling using champagne foil; I just love how it turned out! This is definitely going to be a go-to plate, and not just for Christmas; I can already see a spooky Halloween card made with it!

I rounded the corners on the right hand side using a corner rounder punch. I also die cut the largest layer included in the Love to Layer: Garnished Edges Die from Pure Poppy ink and added Scarlet Jewel ink around the edges. I layered it in the middle of the background using foam squares.

Speaking of rounded corners; I'm sure you all notice that I like to do that on quite of few of my cards......WELL.....this release includes three sets of nesting dies with rounded corners! I'm so excited and you can see the new Rounded Rectangles: Pierced Die that I used as the anchor for the sentiment. I die cut it once from Ocean Tides cardstock and then again from Sweet Blush, but only part of it. I wanted to create the illusion of a small book, so the blush is the spine. I used one of the images from the Merry Motifs Stamp Set using Pale Peony ink.

The sentiment, which is also from the Merry Motifs Stamp Set, is heat embossed in gold onto Ocean Tides cardstock and then cut using the coordinating Merry Motifs Die. I also heat embossed some of the other little detail images included in the 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Stamp Set to accent above and below the sentiment.

I die cut some holly and berries from white cardstock using the Into the Blooms: Holly Die. I colored the berries using Pure Poppy and Scarlet Jewel ink. the little oval accents were colored  using the brush tip of a brown marker and then adhered with liquid glue. I added some highlights with a white gel pen. I used the Banner Builder: Basics Die and some small scraps of Fairy Tale Christmas Paper Collection to add to the top and bottom of the sentiment panel.

I added some gems to the flourish images and in each corner on the foiling. A few sequins and glitter finish off the card!

I'm continuing with the Night Before Christmas theme with this next card as well! This card features the new Storybook Scroll Die and the new 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Stamp and Die. I pulled in some older favorites to bring this card to life!

To begin, I die cut the Storybook Scroll from Rustic Cream cardstock and then added some antique linen and vintage photo distress oxide ink around the edges using finger sponge daubers. I added the detail portions using foam squares to add dimension. I also added some vintage photo ink splatter as well.

The sentiment is stamped in black on Rustic White cardstock and then cut using the coordinating die. I added some antique linen ink around the edges to help it blend with the scroll. I also cut some of the detail pieces to add above the sentiment and below the house and they are stamped with Simply Chartreuse and Ripe Avocado inks.

I wanted to bring the "all through the house" portion of the story into the card design so I cut a house included in the Bring Home the Holidays Die from Pure Poppy cardstock. I also cut a little heart that is included in the Larger Than Life: Home Die using Spring Moss cardstock. I gave it a quick coat of Glossy Accents for some additional detail and shine.

The snowflakes are also from the Bring Home the Holidays Die (linked above) and the berries and foliage are from the Tag Creations: Modern Gift Die. I colored them with Simply Chartreuse and Ripe Avocado Ink and Pure Poppy and Scarlet Jewel for the berries. I added some white gel pen and brown marker for added detail.

I cut an A2 panel of Blueberry Sky cardstock and then foiled it using the Merry Motifs Hot Foil Plate and champagne foil. I trimmed it down slightly and layered it onto an A2 panel of Enchanted Evening cardstock. The entire background is glued to a top-folding A2 card base using liquid glue. I added some glitter to the berries, foliage, and snowflakes making sure not to get any on the Glossy Accents on the heart! 

This would be such a cute sentiment to use with stocking stamps/dies or with a cute vintage Santa image!

My third project using the "Twas the Night Before Christmas" theme is a book gift card holder using the previously released Go-To Gift Card Holder: Book Die. This set was created to coordinate with this collection of dies and I just love how this project turned out! 

I seem to have a hard time photographing 3-D projects so I thought this collage photo might be nice so you can see everything all at once and hopefully it will make sense as I describe the process.

This project features the Merry Motifs stamp set which I used for the cover of the book along with some other previously released dies. To begin, I die cut the cover and the spine using the Go-To Gift Card Holder: Book Die from Pinefeather and Pure Poppy cardstock I heat embossed the sentiment and the pretty corner details in gold and then used the coordinating Merry Motifs Die to cut them out. I also cut the middle size included in the Love to Layer: Elegant Points Die from Pure Poppy cardstock and then added Scarlet Jewel ink around the edges.

I used the Go-To Gift Card Holder: Pockets Die to create some pockets to hold a small card and a gift card. I chose a packet of pattern paper to use from Echo Park: I Love Christmas to keep the project cohesive. I used two different prints for the two different pockets and for the polka dots for the inside.

I tucked a gift card inside, but you could just fill it with a small gift or treats rather than a gift card.

Of  course I had to continue with the theme and created a small card with the "Twas the Night Before Christmas" stamped on the cover with the greenery and berries included in the set.

On the spine, I added another one of the sentiments included in the Merry Motifs stamp set along with one of the other images stamped in pigment gold ink. 

I chose to use Antique Gold cardstock for the "pages" which were die cut using the Go-To Gift Card Holder: Book Box Die. Also, because of the book card on the inside of the cover, it wasn't closing properly, so I just simply cut a strip of Pinefeather cardstock and secured it under the book portion, scored it to the correct dimensions so it can slip right under the front details and it keeps it closed perfectly, but the recipient can access it and close it as many times as needed!

I gussied up the cover even more with some Holly leaves and berries.

You can see the closure strip a little bit better here and how it slips right under the Elegant Points die cut so easily.

As I mentioned earlier, this is the third of three projects using this set of products. My last project features the new Love to Layer: Trees Die.

My final project for today features the new Love to Layer: Christmas Tree Die and This is Big Sentiments: Happy Holidays Stamp/Die!

This card also features a new Cover Plate; this is one of those that will work for Christmas, but all winter long as well! It is called Cover Plate: Stitched Snowflakes and I used it on a panel of Tropical Teal cardstock measuring 4 by 5 1/4 inches. I added some Tropical Teal and Pinefeather ink around the edges.

The tree is cut from Pinefeather carddstock and then I added the white plaid pattern using the new Love to Layer: Christmas Tree Stencil Collection and a small blender brush for precision with Fresh Snow ink.

This particular Love to Layer: Christmas Tree Die comes with so many fun options to trim the tree AND it comes with a smaller tree as well so you can have options. I chose to keep it simple and just add the stencils and then have some fun with foliage and berries!

I used the poinsettias, foliage and berries included in the Tag Creations: Modern Gift Die (linked on project two).

The large Happy Holidays sentiment is cut using the This is Big Sentiments: Happy Holidays Die and then stamped with Tropical Teal and Pinefeather ink for an ombre look using the This is Big Sentiments: Happy Holidays Stamp Set. The companion sentiment is also from the set and is heat embossed in gold on a strip of Tropical Teal cardstock and then trimmed to size.

I die cut the star and the centers of the poinsettias from gold specialty cardstock for that holiday shine! I layered the entire background onto a top-folding A2 white card base using foam squares for dimension! This concludes the projects I've created for day 2, but join me again tomorrow for even more holiday inspiration! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

The Greetery {Bunnies & Bows Collection}

Hello and welcome, friends! I'm thrilled to be here today sharing projects made with the oh, so sweet Bunnies and Bows Collection from The Greetery! This is such a fabulous collection of products to usher in spring and even use year-round! Before I dive into the details of my projects, you'll want to be aware of a few details; first, you can read all about each of the new products on The Greetery Blog for the official "meet and greet". Next, make sure to leave a comment here, and on each of the designers' blogs for a chance to win one of 2 $50 gift certificates to the shop! The new release will be available for purchase on Friday, March 21st at 10 am EDT.

My first card for today features the adorable new Bunny Tales stamp/die set. Half of the designers chose to use this set with a non-book theme and the other half will be showcasing it with the previously released Have a Spine Die, etc. to show how cute it is to create a storybook type card. As you can see, I'm part of the non-book half and I've chosen to create an Easter card just bursting with springtime joy!

My oldest son was born in April, so Peter Rabbit has been a part of his/our life since day 1. This sweet Bunny Tales stamp/die set reminds me so much of those precious Peter Rabbit days. 

To begin this card, I die cut all of the pieces included in the Bunny Tales Die and got to work stamping everything with the Bunny Tales stamp set. I knew I would be making an Easter or spring card, so I only stamped a few of the smaller sentiments and the large Bunny Tales image. 

I'm obsessed with the cute line-art bunny pair; I stamped it in Classic Kraft ink and then added a bit of shading using the same ink and a blender brush. Each bunny got a pom-pom tail that will be available for purchase with the rest of the Bunnies and Bows Collection. The frame was stamped in Certainly Celery ink and adhered to one of the arches included in the A2 Arches Die.

I die cut the background using the A2 Stitched Scallops Die and then added the gingham pattern using the Scalloped Gingham Stencil. I used speckled egg distress oxide ink and then twisted citron for the border. I layered it onto a top-folding A2 card base using foam squares.

I placed the Bunny Tales sentiment at the top and then added the focal arch . The bow at the top and the flowers are included in a new suite of products that I'll be showcasing after the next project.

Cheep, cheep! How cute is this Hey Honeycomb Chick? I just can't get over her! And, Mr. Bunny is trying to steal the show over in the corner! ha ha! This project is a basket/box with a handle, but it's a little tricky to tell from the photos. I have a few close-ups later on that will hopefully allow you to see it a little bit better. That being said, if you're not a 3D project kind of person, the front of this box is A2 sized so you could use this same idea for a card!

This cute chick is just like the other Hey Honeycomb products. I die cut her from Lemon Tart cardstock and then added some ink around the edges for some depth and dimension. Since this is a basket/box, I opened up the honeycomb for maximum cuteness, but there is a coordinating Hey Honeycomb Spring stamp set that features all kinds of cute sentiments so you can let the recipient know how to open and stick the honeycomb if you're going that route. I used one of the sentiments from the set and then die cut it using the Sentiment Suite Basics Die.

For the handle, I used the Ribbon Maker: Petite Scallops Die and then secured it to the sides of the box/basket using brads. I knew it would be important to be able to swing the handle forward or backward to fill the basket or to take goodies/gifts out.

This gives you a side view; it measures 4 1/4 inches wide by 5 1/2 inches long with a 1 inch side. I was using an 8 1/2 by 11 inch piece of cardstock, so I was limited with the measurements. You could definitely use larger cardstock to make a bigger size, but this would be perfect for a set of notecards, treats, and small Easter gifts.

I added some spring color with clusters of flowers using the BotaniCuts Forget-Me-Nots Die. I haven't used this die in quite some time, so it was fun to get it out and create these cute little bouquets. I thought the Winter Medley die deserved a much needed break! ha ha!

I pulled out the Ribbon Frame Die and coordinating Ribbon Frame Stencil to frame this cute chick.

As I mentioned before, Mr. Bunny is trying to steal the show; he is equally cute and is part of the Bunnies and Bows release! I can't wait to see how the team has used this cute suite of products!

My next project features the new Bitty Botanicals and Diamond Ribbons paired with a few things from Bunny Tales because it's just too cute! To begin this card, I used the new Diamond Ribbons stencil on a panel of Powder Green cardstock. I blended some Mint Julep ink to give each of the diamonds some shading for depth.

I used the Diamond Ribbons Die and glued it over the top using liquid glue. I added the little dots at each of the joints using liquid glue. The bows that I used on this card and on the Bunny Tales card is also from this Die. It comes with an assortment of different shapes and sizes.

The flowers were created using the new Bitty Botanicals Rubber Cling stamp and the Bitty Botanicals stencil. You stamp the stems and then add the blooms using the stencil; this creates a lovely panel that can be used as a background, or you can use the coordinating die that cuts them all out at once and use them individually as I've shown here.

I added some details with colored pencils and then popped them up all around the focal panel created using the Bunny Tales Stamp/Die.

If you snip the dies apart that are for the frame, you can use it a few different ways; I die cut the frames first, then snipped them apart to create a "backer", but it will be easy to use washi tape to line them back up for future projects.

I left the bunnies bare....no shading so you can see how cute they look just left alone, too! They did both get a pom-pom tail, though...just too cute to resist!

The sentiment is also from the Bunny Tales stamp set.

My final projects for today feature the beautiful new Spring Crest Stamp/Die set paired with the Hymn Sing products....I just can't get over how elegant these new products are!

This is the direction that the new Spring Crest Stamp/Die was designed to go, but my other card shows it the other direction for options.

The Lilies are upside down, but I don't think it looks out of place! This card uses the Hymn Sing background stamp, but I omitted the title of the song by covering it up with a post-it note so I could stamp one of the arched sentiments from the Hymn Sing stamp set.

The "Happy Easter" sentiment is included in the Spring Crest Stamp/Die set.

The sentiments and sheet music are stamped using Stampabilities Gold pigment ink.

The background is stamped in Pale Peony and the focal sentiment is also stamped in gold.

Please note: the focal sentiment piece is die cut using the Crest No 3 die and doesn't necessarily need to be used with the Spring Crest stamp/die.

Well friends, this concludes my post for today! Everything will be available for purchase tomorrow at 10 am EDT. Don't forget to leave a comment here, and on each of the designers' blogs, for a chance to win one of two $50 gift certificates. Thanks for fluttering by!

Angelica Conrad

Dana Kirby

Dawn McVey

Kelly Lunceford (you are here)

Laura Bassen

Laurie Willison

Leanne West

Melissa Phillips

Wanda Guess