It's About Time!

Thanks for joining me today! I treated myself to a few goodies from The Stamp Market for Easter and I finally took some time to use them! I wasn't feeling particularly creative and the reason why I bought the supplies in the first place was because of the darling samples, so I just decided to CASE one of the samples! ha ha! I chose a different color combo for my card and got to work. That being said, once I made this card, the creative juices started flowing and I can't wait to use it again with some of the other sentiments for other types of occasions.

I'm an 80s gal so Swatch watches were all the rage so it was fun to create these paper versions. To begin, I used the Watch Band Dies and cut all of the bands from Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush, White, and Enchanted Evening cardstock. I cut multiples so I would have both sides of the watch. There are two different sizes of circular watch faces and the square one.

Even though I'm not good at shaker cards, I felt confident I could make the shaker watch face, which is just so cute! Sometimes I have difficulty using acetate with dies, but I used the Clear Cardstock from Papertrey Ink and it worked great!

I used the Time To Say Stamp Set for the watch faces and the "it's your day" sentiment. There are quite a few other sentiments for different occasions, which I can't wait to use!

I used Antique Gold cardstock for the watch hands and the brackets at the top of the first watch. I was the manager of the watch department (among other departments) when I was first married, so this brought back fond memories of that time! (no pun intended)

I used silver glitter cardstock for the frames around the watch faces and glued them over the top using liquid glue. Each of the watch faces and bands are added to the card using foam squares. This will be a fun one to add to the stash! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Papertrey Ink November Release Countdown Day 3

I can't believe we're already to day 3 of the Papertrey Ink November release countdown! I had so much fun with this release and I've enjoyed sharing my projects with you! My first card for today uses a few new things paired up in an unexpected way, but I had so much fun creating this card!

This card features the new Build-a-Snowflake die and the new Big Blooms: Pretty Petals die set. There is also a new Build-a-Snowflake stencil collection, but I didn't receive it with my new products, but some of the other designers make have so hopefully you can see those in action today!

I've always said that inspiration can come from anywhere, and in this case, one of the flower arrangements at a funeral I attended last weekend! It was so beautiful and despite the sadness of the occasion, the beautiful arrangement filled my soul with peace. 

To begin, I stenciled a panel of white cardstock using the stencils included in the Elegant Notes Stationery Kit and the Watercolor Wonderful Stencil Collection. I used pink in the bottom corner and purple at the top with Aqua Mist in the middle. Once that was done, I added the foiled snowflake pattern over the top using the Fanciful Snowflake Background Hot Foil Plate with silver foil.

I die cut a BUNCH of pieces from the Build-a-Snowflake dies (I will have pieces all winter long) and then built a large one, medium, small.  I die cut all of the pieces from white and then added the colors using blending brushes and ink.

As I mentioned earlier, I also used the Big Blooms: Pretty Petals, but as you can see, I didn't really use the BIG pieces.....I just wanted to accent the centers of the snowflakes. I will definitely have to make a card with those gorgeous big blooms soon! The purple flower is from the Into the Blooms: Wreath die; I had it leftover from my angel card last month. I die cut the fa la la from the Line it Up: Christmas Die once from silver cardstock and once from white and then glued them together. I heat embossed the accent sentiment in silver onto a strip of Aqua Mist cardstock. This sentiment is from the This is Big Sentiments: Christmas stamp set. A spritz of shimmer spray and glitter finish off this card!

My next card features the new Reflections: November stamp/die set. I really like this coordinating die because it includes two frames: this large size and a smaller size. I chose to die cut the frame from some pattern paper my sister bought for me a few years ago. It's just perfect for this sentiment.

I chose another print for the background of the stamped sentiment, which I stamped in Fresh Snow ink.

I used the Into the Blooms: Poinsettia Die for the flowers; some layers from white and some from vellum.

I had fun with gems and pearls to embellish the flower centers, the frame, and the letter "A". I gave the entire thing a spritz of shimmer spray for sparkle.

Switching gears to something a little more woodsy and rustic; this card features the new Reflections: November stamp/die set. It also features the new Winter Pine Hot Foil Plate. I absolutely LOVE  the new hot foil plate and I love the new Reflections: November dies! I decided to make a shaker card so I could showcase the frame and the foil plate.

I can't seem to stop with the acetate for these Reflections cards lately! ha ha! It just seemed to make the most sense so you can see the foil and use the frame. 

I filled my shaker card with star seqins, gold dust, and glitter that is from the Shakers and Sprinkles Sequin mix. 

I added some pinecones and pine sprigs that were created using the Into the Blooms: Pine Die and some leftover foliage from my clock card on day 1.

Join me again tomorrow for the 4th and final day of the countdown! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Season's Greetings Shaker Card

Welcome! I shared this card on Instagram a few weeks ago for the Papertrey Ink Flash Sale, but I didn't share it here. It seemed to be quite popular so I thought I'd share it here and give a few details on how I made it!

One of my favorite die sets from last year is the Christmas Shaker Dies; I love shaker cards, but I seriously struggle with them and these dies make creating shaker cards a dream! For this card, I wanted each portion of the tree to be it's own "compartment" so I chose to die cut the tree shape about 5 or six times and then glued them together using liquid glue. I used the "backer" die, which is also used for the acetate portion and glued the acetate layer underneath the top tree piece. I turned it over and added the tiny star embellishments in each compartment and then glued the pattern paper backer to the back using additional liquid glue. 

I have gotten quite a few questions about the pattern paper that I used for this card; it really does set the tone of the card, doesn't it? It is called Holiday Spice from the Recollections brand. I did a quick google search and it looks like there is a pack available on Ebay and I saw one on Etsy I believe, but it is a 6 by 6 pad. Anyway, it DOES look like you could get your hands on some.

I carried out the star theme and die cut the included star from the shaker set from silver glitter cardstock and glued it to the top of the tree. I tucked some greenery behind the tree for added detail. The sentiment is from the Winter Globes Sentiment Set and is just perfect for this card!

The light panel is die cut using the Love to Layer: Rectangles Die and I just love the pierced detail! It lends itself nicely to the piercing on the tree to keep things cohesive. I chose the big plaid for the background to warm it up even more and glued it to a top-folding Kraft card base. Thanks for fluttering by!

 

The Greetery Christmas Time Collection Day 2

Welcome to day 2 of full reveals for the Christmas Time collection from The Greetery! I have to admit that I DID turn on a little Christmas music while creating for this release! I used to listen to it year-round when I used to do my Keeping Christmas series, but haven't wanted to until NOW! ha ha! This release has been so much fun and I know you're going to fall in love with the new products being featured today! You can see the full "meet and greet" for the products on The Greetery Blog and don't forget to leave a comment here for a chance to win one of two $50 gift certificates to the shop!

I'm obsessed with this new Hourglass Frame Die and coordinating Hourglass Insert die! I chose to use the "Christmas Time in the Country" stamp/die set to fill my hourglass, but there is also a Christmas Time in the City stamp/die set as well! I used that on my second project, so you can see some additional options for that as well.

I created a "stand-alone" shaker card to highlight this sweet manger scene. I always love to choose images and dies to highlight the true meaning of Christmas, which is the birth of our Savior! I especially love this gold embossed sentiment that reinforces the theme!

 I'm not the best at shaker cards, but I really like how this turned out, even if there were some bumps along the way! ha ha! My first tip is to make sure you don't have glue on your fingers when you touch the acetate! Yes, I did that and had to rip the top layer off and start again! Boo!

To begin this "stand-alone" shaker card, I die cut two of the hourglass frames in gold, and two in Kraft. Since I knew it would be standing on its own, I wanted to reinforce the frames by gluing the gold frame on top of the Kraft. I set those aside and got to work on the actual hourglass and the background. I die cut quite a few of the inserts with the wire still intact to create the frame portion. I didn't use foam with this shaker, but opted to simply "build it up" using multiple frames glued together. In the end, this was the smartest choice since I ended up needing to switch out the acetate. 

Once I had the frames cut and glued, I snipped the dies so I would have the large piece for the backer. This is where I did the stamping/inkblending/scene building. I sponged some ink around the edges and then stamped the star rays using gold metallic ink. I glued the star in theh middle and then added the "Bethlehem" sand, stable and manger. I carefully poured some of the snowflake confetti that is part of this release in the center and then glued the acetate portion over the top! I carefully added the framer portion using a thin foam strip to both the front and back. I also added another plain white backer, but turned around, onto the back of the hourglass piece so I would have a place to write a greeting. Once that was done, I simple added the heat embossed sentiment, which is from the Christmas Time Sentiments set, onto the banner, which is from the Christmas Time Sentiments die set. A few Pine Wisps, tiny stars, and snowflakes finish off this card!

Up next is a card featuring the FABULOUS new Ornament Box Vertical stamp! There is also a Horizontal version to give you a lot of options! Now, you will most likely see quite a few cards today using this stamp with the AMAZING new vintage ornaments, but I wanted to give you another option by using this box top as a shadow box to house all kinds of sweet holiday scenes.

I chose to use the "Christmas Time in the City" dies to create this sweet scene! I also added the deer, which is part of the Vintage Ornament die set.

To begin, I stamped the ornament box in both red and green. I used the coordinating dies to cut out the window and the "Merry and Bright", 100 % Merry guaranteed, and the gift. I used foam squares to add them to the top of the red panel.

The string of lights was created by simply adding an assortment of Nuvo drops carefully to the white die cut. I set them aside to dry while I assembled the city scene. I colored all of the images using Distress Oxide ink and then added them using foam squares.

I had a lot of fun putting this city scene together. You could make this same card, but turn it into a shaker by simply adding a panel of acetate to the window opening. This would be a really easy shaker! ha ha!

I had a lot of fun creating this card, but rest assured, I WILL be using those ornaments STAT! lol! Don't forget to head to the other designers' blogs to see what gorgeous creations they've made! Thanks for fluttering by!

Keeway Tsao

Angelica Conrad

Laurie Willison

Wanda Guess

Heather Nichols

Kelly Lunceford (you are here)

Norine Borys

 

MFT & Friends July Release

I've been so excited to share the news that I am a July Friend for My Favorite Things! I've got three projects to share with you today using lots of the new release products that are on sale NOW! Just head to the shop {linked above} where you will find all of the products that I have used today! I had so much fun creating all of these samples, but before I share, you can head to the My Favorite Things Blog to read all about this fabulous release! This happens to be My Favorite Things THIRTEENTH birthday! I've been a fan since day one, so it is fun to be a part of this birthday celebration!

First up is a fun little mash-up with the new Pure Innocence stamp set called Happy You Day paired with the AMAZING new Die-namics cake called Celebrate With Cake! This little Pure Innocence gal looks just like a little girl in the neighborhood who will be celebrating her 8th birthday in the next week or two! I think I'll see if her mom would like this card to give to her!

To begin this design, I used the Cloud Stencil to create the soft, fluffy clouds on a 4 by 5 1/4 inch panel of white cardstock using Peacock Feathers Distress Ink. I set that aside and got to work on the cake. I die cut the cake and the top using pink cardstock as well as the Mini Rolled Roses Die-namics. These have always been a go-to for my baby girl headbands, so it was fun to pull them out again to decorate this larger-than-life cake! I thought they gave the cake that little "something extra" 

I also added some White Nuvo drop "icing" to the scallops for some extra detail.  The "celebrate" cake topper is die cut from some glitter cardstock as well as a piece of white cardstock. I glued them together for stability and then added the finished piece to the top of the cake.

I die cut the stand twice as well, and then used foam squares to add it underneath the cake. I used liquid glue to adhere the rolled roses. Once the cake was done it was time to get started on Miss Sassy Pants!  One of the sentiments that is included in the set says "Sassy Since Birth"...my daughter saw it and said that it was fitting for her. I had to remind her that she wasn't sassy at birth, it's a more recent attitude! LOL!

I stamped her using Extreme Black Hybrid Ink and then colored her with Copic markers. I was gifted this ink pad at Stamping Away last September and I fell in love! It is amazing and you can color with alcohol markers right away without smearing!

I kept her outfit cohesive with the cake; pink skirt, blue tights and her white furry top! I added a few sparkling clear sequins here and there for some shine!

Once all that was done, I attached it to a standard top folding A2 card base using foam squares. I had so much fun working on this card!

Next up is a fun rainbow card using the new Magical Rainbow Die-namics and the new sentiment set called Rainbow Greetings! I know I will be using this one quite a bit; the sentiments are so much fun!

I created a cloud background for this card just as I did for the last card, but this time I did horizontally rather than vertically. Once that was done, I got to work die cutting the different rainbow pieces. I wanted a "pastel" rainbow so I chose some fun cardstock colors to get the vibe I was going for!

The thing I like about this rainbow die is that it comes with a base so that you can easily assemble your rainbow. I spritzed the cloud panel and the two rainbows with Shimmer Spray before I assembled the card. I heat embossed the sentiment using white powder onto a black strip of cardstock and adhered it to the center of the card using foam squares.

I was able to easily attach the rainbows using foam squares above and below the sentiment for a fun effect! I added some Rainbow Sparkle gems and some sequins for some shine!

My last card features a few of my favorite new products as well! I was so excited to see the new Pool Die-namic as well as the coordinating Pool Shaker pouches. They are so awesome to create quick and easy shaker designs,which I seem to struggle with!

To begin, I die cut the Pool out of piece of Kraft cardstock and glued the Pool Shaker Pouch to the underside. I also did some ink blending to create the color for the pool. I used Salty Ocean Distress Oxide ink and then spritzed it with water and Shimmer Spray. The Kraft portion also has some ink blending on edges using Frayed Burlap. I also used my old Color Spritzing Tool and a Brown marker to give it some added detail. 

I added an assortment of sequins to the shaker and then added it to a white panel using liquid glue. While that was drying, I stamped the cute Mermaid images from the new Mermaid For Each Other stamp set and colored them with Copic markers. I used the coordinating Mermaid For Each Other Die-namics to die cut them and then added them to the top of the pool using foam squares. 

I used some Crystal Glaze on the floatie, the heart glasses and the water wings for some realistic shine. I heat embossed the sentiment, which is also from the Mermaid For Each Other stamp set, in silver and added it to the card using foam squares. A few dew drops here and there finish off this fun design!

I've had a ball as  a MFT Friend this month! I'm sure I'll be sneaking in some more time to use these new sets in the near future! Thanks for fluttering by!