All is Calm, All is Bright

I hope you're all having a wonderful holiday season so far! I'm behind, but that's okay.....the true spirit of Christmas burns deep and bright in my heart despite not having all of the secular things in place! I wanted to pop by to share this card that was featured in the Papertrey Ink Newsletter this week for this Project Inspiration feature.

This card was made up almost entirely from leftover pieces from a few different projects over the last few months. If you stop by regularly, you might notice which card projects they may have been leftover from! ha ha!

 I will share step-by-step photos and extra details on how I created this card.

The background wasn't leftover, so I got to work creating a stenciled background using the Seeing Stars Stencil Collection with Blueberry Sky and Spring Rain ink.

I added some ink splatters for extra detail, depth, and contrast.

I added Blueberry Sky ink around the edges and cut the harsh lines off by trimming the panel to 4 by 5 1/4 inches.

The poinsettia was leftover from the second card features in THIS post. You might remember the frame of the Stained Glass Window came from THIS card. I did inlaid die cutting for the first card, but was left with this beautiful watercolor frame! I actually had two, which you can see in the finished card. I had a few snowflakes leftover and they are die cut from the Border Bling: Snow Flakes Die. These are my go-to snowflakes when I need different shapes and sizes to use as fillers on cards!

I layered the stenciled panel on a top-folding A2 Dark Indigo card base and then glued the window frames over the top. Please note, I did cut four extra frames from white cardstock and then glued each window with stack of three; the watercolor piece and two white frames. I wanted dimension and it would be almost impossible to use foam tape or squares on those tiny lines.

I placed the poinsettia over the top using foam squares, added the snowflakes and gave it a good spritz of Shimmer Spray. The sentiment, which is from the Deerest Blessings stamp set, is heat embossed in silver on a strip of Dark Indigo cardstock and added using strategically placed foam squares on the poinsettia. I added glitter as well!

I was so thrilled to finally put those leftover pieces to good use!

I hope you have a blessed day and thanks for fluttering by!

 

Papertrey Ink November Release Countdown Day 2

It's day 2 of the Papertrey Ink November release countdown and the team is showcasing some really cute and fun new products! My first project for today features the darling new Build-a-Hat dies and the new This is Big Sentiments: Snow. These cute new dies will be perfect for winter and autumn! 

There are quite a few design options for the hats: hearts, snowflakes, stars, pom-poms, stitching, etc! I created something a little bit woodsy and rustic. To begin, I created the background using the Simple Stitch Crochet Stencil-Small. Confession time: I have used this stencil here and there, but I haven't used it as actual crochet! ha ha! It was fun to use it to create that fun pattern as a background for this card. I cut a panel of Prairie Grass cardstock and then used the first stencil with Ripe Avocado ink and the second stencil with Prairie Grass ink.

I die cut the hat from Fine Linen cardstock as well as the brim. The pattern detail is a separate optional die, but I love how it looks, so I used it. I also added a zig-zag piece from Ripe Avocado cardstock as well as the dots that are die cut from Kraft. The pom-pom and snowflake are also cut from Kraft, but I added Cocoa Bean ink to the pom-pom and the center of the snowflake. I also added a button to the center for a homespun look.

The sentiment is from the new This is Big Sentiments: Snow stamp/die set. I stamped it in both Simply Chartreuse ink with a bit of Ripe Avocado shadow at the top. The accent sentiment is heat embossed in white embossing powder and then added over the top using foam squares.

I added some foliage to enhance the woodsy feeling; all of the pieces are from the Into the Blooms: Swag die. I cut them from white cardstock and then colored them with ink. Everything got a snowy touch with white acrylic paint and a dusting of glitter! 

My second card for today is also a snowy design, but definitely not woodsy OR rustic this time! ha ha! I went for something a little more elegant and icy and I just love how it turned out! I feel like blue would be the typical choice for a card like this, but I always like pinks and purples for snowflake cards. 

This card features the new Fantastic Front: Snowflake die and then I used the This is Big Sentiments: Snow stamp set again. I chose the scripted font for the "snow" word to keep with the feeling of this card. As you can see, I went with the crochet look again, but this time I used the Simple Stitch Crochet Stencil-Large.

I had a light bulb moment when I created my first card that you are supposed to ALTERNATE the stitches to make it look more realistic. I had both stencils go the same directions for this card, so you can compare and contrast. I'm happy to make these kinds of mistakes so others can learn! ha ha! (hangs head in shame)

To begin, I cut an A2 panel of Plum Pudding cardstock and used the stencils: one with Royal Velvet ink and the other with Amethyst Allure ink.

I die cut the Fantastic Front: Snowflake panel using Royal Velvet cardstock and silver glitter cardstock for the snowflake. There are guide marks so you can line it up perfectly. Because the glitter cardstock is not super thick, I die cut it again from white cardstock and then glued it together for a sturdier piece. I added it to the panel using a foam square in the center.

Once that was done, I adhered the Royal Velvet panel to the stenciled panel using foam squares and then added the white paint splatter. I also gave the entire thing a generous spritz or two of shimmer spray.

The sentiment is heat embossed in silver and then I die cut the 'snow' portion using the coordinating die. I added it over the top using pieces of foam tape. A few years ago, I really got stuck on adding poinsettias to the top of snowflake dies, so I decided to do it again for this card. The poinsettia is from the Tag Creations: Modern Gift Die and the leaves are cut from both silver metallic paper and vellum using the Into the Blooms: Poinsettia Die. I tucked them here and there and then added a bit of glitter and sequins.

I staggered the sequins so they would have some movement, like falling snow! I really enjoyed making this card!

My final card for today features the new Elegant Edges: Clock dies and the new Celebrate the New Year Sentiments and Line It Up: New Year dies. I went for a very traditional look with the black, gold, and silver.

This particular clock die remains intact on a panel, but I just snipped the connection points to create a stand-alone die cut clock. I cut it from Antique Gold cardstock and set it aside.

The background is created using the Cascading Dots Hot Foil Plate with black cardstock and Aura foil for a sparkly effect. I layered the clock over the top using foam squares.

The large Happy New Year die is from the new Line It Up: New Year die collection; I cut it from both white and silver glitter cardstock and stacked them with liquid glue for a sturdy piece. I layered it over the top of the clock with liquid glue.

The smaller sentiment is from the new Happy  New Year Sentiments stamp set and is heat embossed in gold to match the clock. I added it with foam squares for dimenion.

The finishing touch is a trio of sequins and then I layered the background panel onto an A2 panel of Antique Gold cardstock and then added that to a top-folding A2 card base. Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Project Inspiration {Hello Fall}

It's my turn for the Papertrey Ink Project Inspiration Feature! I will share step-by-step photos on how I created this muted autumn card using some of my favorites, both older and new!

To begin, I used the darling Argyle Stencil Collection on a 4 by 5 1/4 inch panel of white cardstock. I adhered it to a top-folding Fine Linen A2 cardbase using liquid glue.

I used the Weathered Wood Background on a piece of Fine Linen cardstock using antique linen distress oxide ink. I cut it using the Love to Layer: Lovely Brackets die and then stamped the sentiment that is included in the Just Sentiments: Happy Fall stamp set

I added the truck, that was cut using the Patriot die using foam squares. 

I tucked all kinds of autumn goodies that are die cut using the new Bountiful Cornucopia die.

The finishing touch is some details to the corners using the Corner Decor stamp set.

I really like how soft and subtle this card turned out! Fall usually takes a little while to get intense, so this is perfect for saying hello!

I gave it a spritz of shimmer spray and added some glitter here and there.

I didn't take a picture, but I've been using the sentiments from the Inside Greetings: Fall Mini stamp set.

Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Papertrey Ink August Release Countdown Day 1

Welcome to day 1 of the Papertrey Ink August release countdown! Fall is going to be here before we know it so this release is full of fun, new autumn stamps/dies! My first card for today features the adorable new In Stitches: Halloween stamp/die set paired with the new Cover Plate: Handmade Quilt die. I also snuck in the new Fall Harvest Hot Foil Plate, but it won't be showcased for a few more days....I just simply couldn't resist using it as a frame for this card!

To begin, I used the Fall Harvest Hot Foil Plate on an A2 sized piece of Sweet Blush cardstock using gold foil. I really like that this particular plate is just a frame so it reduces the risk of over-foiling in the middle!

I added some Sweet Blush ink around the edges and adhered it to a top-folding A2 white card base using liquid glue. I ran another piece of Sweet Blush cardstock through my die cut machine along with the new Cover Plate: Handmade Quilt die. Once that was done, I cut it out using the Love to Layer: Charming Brackets die. 

I die cut the ghost, moon, witches hat, Boo! and the flowers from white cardstock. I stamped the ghost's "stitches" using Soft Stone ink for a subtle look. I used the cheek and eye stamps included in the set, but then added my own mouth using a fine-tip black marker. The stamp set includes a few mouth options, but this is the look I was going for. I used the stitches for the moon as well, but just used a blender brush and Harvest Gold ink to color it in.  I didn't want the white outline that the stamp would have provided. I added the flowers and leaves, glitter, and sequins to finish off this Halloween design!

My second card for today features the new Sunflower Garden Stencil Collection, the new This Is Big Sentiments: Thankful stamp set, and the new Love to Layer: Pinked Squares.

I actually ended up making two identical cards because I like creating multiple panels when I have my stencils out.

Rather than cutting the Pinked Squares apart (which I will do) I left them wired together to create this pinked frame. It was just perfect to highlight the sentiment.

I kept the die cut flowers the same colors that I used on the stenciled panel for continuity.

There are dies for the two different large "thankful" sentiments; I chose to use the bold image, but there is also a beautiful script font as well!

Join me again tomorrow for day 2! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

The Greetery {Garden Gateway Hollyhocks}

Hello and welcome friends! It’s good to be here today with a fun floral project mixing some old and new! I'm sharing this card over on The Greetery Blog as well!

When I was creating with the Garden Gateway Die during the release, I was having so much fun envisioning all of the different flowers I wanted to use around this beautiful gate! Now that the hollyhocks are blooming like crazy, I thought It would be fun to use them to accent the gate!

To begin, I used the BotaniCuts Hollyhocks Dieto cut out all of the pieces three times! I wanted to make a full arrangement of flowers (just like the ones in my neighborhood) so I got to work inking them up using Distress Oxide inks and a finger sponge dauber. I also added colored pencil detailing to the leaves and the blooms. I glued them together using liquid glue and then used my foam mat and a stylus to give them the curved shape. If you watch the assembly instruction video for the hollyhocks, Betsy shows how easy this can be done!

I die cut the gate out of Kraft Gray cardstock that Betsy has used in the past. I just love it and I’m so glad she shared where she got it because I can’t stop using it! Thank you, sweet Betsy! Now….as much as I don’t like to point out mistakes, I need to in this case! Ha ha! I forgot to add the gate hardware and didn’t notice until I had covered it up with a garden of hollyhocks. Because I couldn’t see the gate properly, I glued the hardware on without noticing it was WRONG! Ha ha! how embarrassing! So, my tip for you would be to add the hardware at THIS point and do it correctly!

I wanted a shaped card, so I made a top-folding A2 card base and then die cut it using the largest arch die included in the A2 Arches Die placing the top of the arch just above the fold. I die cut a separate panel using the same die and then added the clouds using a stencil from my stash. The backside of the shaped card base was unappealing in appearance because of my thrashed cutting plates, so I glued the stenciled panel to THAT side to cover it up!

Once I had all of that done, I decided I wanted a hollyhock behind the gate so I glued that down with liquid glue and then added the gate over the top using mini foam squares. From there I just had fun adding the clusters here and there and grouping the blooms until I was satisfied with the arrangement.

The final step was the adding the sentiment, which is from the Bloom & Grow Sentiment set, to the gate. I heat embossed the main sentiment using detail white powder and then cut it out using the coordinating die that can also be found in the Garden Gateway Die. I used white pigment ink to add the detail around the perimeter and then added it to the card using black foam squares. A sprinkling of glitter on the blooms finishes off this summery design! Thanks for fluttering by!