IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS- VARIETY

Hi Everyone! It's Holly here today, and I want to share one new stamp set, and a variety of ways to use it. 

I chose this stamp set and got busy!

For this card, I stamped the trees in various shades of green distress ink, onto white card stock. Torn pieces of red card stock were attached to the to and bottom of the stamped trees piece, then cut down to 4 x 5 1/4 inches. The piece was embossed using Spellbinders M-Bossibilities. It was matted onto green card stock, then attached to the white card base.

A few trees were stamped in red and cut out, and the sentiment was stamped with jet black archival ink. The bottom edge was torn, then it was attached to the green mat and it was torn as well. Foam tape attached the panel  to the card, and the red trees were glued down as shown on the card. 

A red marker was used to draw a line along three sides of the panel.

After embossing the left third of the green card stock panel, I stamped the sentiment, glued on the strip of designer paper, and set it aside.

Bo Bunny Silver and Gold Collection provided the design paper used for all of today's projects. I selected three different designs and stamped the small trees with jet black archival ink. I cut the trees into pennant shapes by cutting straight just outside the line and cutting off the flourishes. Once I decided how I wanted to arrange them, I glued the pennants to linen thread, then glued them to the card. A few pearls from my stash complete the card.

I had a few more ideas, and decided to make tags.

First up, simple stamping, and a sequin.

Stamped and cut out trees in two sizes, to make a tree.

Oops- I see my star got bumped a bit.

More trees used here for a border and string attachment.

The small tree used to stamp a wreath shape.

Just a few ideas for you. One stamp set- many ways to use it.

How about a five point star? I used the more traditional colours here, but what about blues, purples, silver? Use the pennant and border ideas in different colours and designer paper, for bright and fun birthday and celebration cards. I think you could find many uses for this great stamp set.

I enjoyed creating these cards and tags to share with you today, just as I've enjoyed all the posts I've put up here at Quietfire Creations. This will be my last as a design team member, and I want to thank Suzanne for the opportunity, and my design team mates as well. It's been my privilege to be a part of the Quietfire family, and so much fun too!  Thank you, dear readers, for your wonderful comments and support. I'll be joining you in following the Quietfire Creations design team from here on in. :) 

I wish you all well, and thank you again.

CHRISTMAS WAVES A MAGIC WAND- CARD

Hi Everyone! Holly here, and it's that time again, to be making our Christmas cards. 

I have one technique to share, embossed and antiqued foil tape. Another quick and easy way to add a little something to your cards.

Strips of foil tape were attached to strips of black cardstock, then embossed using Spellbinders

 M-Bossibilities RUSTIC WREATH. Black acrylic paint was brushed all over the foil, then most of it was wiped away, leaving some paint in the recessed areas.

Once dry, the foil pieces were cut down to size and attached to the card.

CHRISTMAS WAVES A MAGIC WAND was my stamp of choice for this card. I also used a FLOURISH stamp, and added sponging to the edges.

This card was stamped with A SMILE IS THE BEST CHRISTMAS DECORATION and the holly stamp from HAVE A HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS. 

Some sponging around the edges, a little strip of foil with a Sharpie coloured rhinestone, completes this card. My go to inks are Jet Black ARCHIVAL INK for the quote stamps and DISTRESS INKS for sponging and colour.

I hope you'll give this a try, and have fun!

Thanks for stopping in today!

HOW BEAUTIFULLY LEAVES GROW OLD- CARD

Hi Everyone! This is Holly, and I'm sharing a couple cards today that have the same masked design, yet look so different.

I began by cutting my tree mask, using MAPLE TREE-FOUR SEASONS

e-cut file. You get SO MUCH with this file! I just need the tree today.

I laid the tree mask on white card stock, off to the side a bit, then sponged on DISTRESS INKS, peeled paint, fired brick and stormy sky. I applied the inks more heavily around the tree and card edges. Using the same inks, I stamped the leaves randomly, hoping for a breezy day look. The sentiment was stamped with jet black ARCHIVAL INK. The sentiment and leaves are from HOW BEAUTIFULLY THE LEAVES GROW OLD stamp set. Love it!

On a scrap of white card stock, I stamped a few more leaves, cut them out, and stuck them to the lower area of the card.

So simple, I had to give you another one.

The second card starts with stamping Friendship is a Sheltering Tree (FRIENDSHIP QUOTEMARKS SET) all over the white card stock, using dried marigold and antique linen distress inks. The tree mask was placed over the stamping, again to the left side a bit, then sponged over with faded jeans, broken china and chipped sapphire distress inks. 

Two stamps from THE WOODS WOULD BE VERY SILENT  were stamped on white card stock, then cut with Spellbinders CLASSIC OVALS. The ovals were sponged around the edges with more antique linen and dried marigold ink. All three pieces were then edged with jet black archival ink by rolling the edges against the ink pad.

The ovals were attached with foam tape and black gems were added to the card base.

I hope you try masking. It provides an easy background for your card.

Thank you for looking today!

QUIETFIRE & WALNUT HOLLOW- THANKFUL

Hi Everyone! This is Holly and I'd like to welcome you to Day 3, of the Walnut Hollow & Quietfire 2014 Blog Hop! We're pleased you're joining us and know you'll find lots of creative inspiration for combining Quietfire stamps with beautiful Walnut Hollow wood products. 

I chose this Contemporary Memory Album #3700 (thank you Walnut Hollow!) and 

GIVE THANKS stamp set.

I also used these Quietfire Design e-cut files-

Journal Jar- flourished

Harvest Blessings- calligraphy

Sunflower

Fern

Calligraphic Flourish Frame Card

Leaf Spray Card

Thanksgiving- calligraphy

To get to this point, I did the following...after a light sanding, I painted watered down acrylic paint, purposely leaving a streaked, distressed look. I applied darker and lighter thinned paints to harlequin and flourish stamps, and placed them randomly on the painted wood cover. More sanding along the edges, and here and there completed the distressing. I glued the calligraphic frame to the two pieces, then cut between them, then attached the hinge hardware. The whole album was 'painted' with a coat of white glue mixed 1/1 with water, to seal everything.

All the leaves and flowers were sponged with Distress Inks. 

Some pieces were stamped lightly, others were embossed.

The cut words were clear embossed for shine.

The hardware was dabbed with alcohol ink.

Watered down distress ink was then splattered onto the cover.

 I still have the option of gluing the sunflowers flat, if using the album is too hard on them.

I love this album so much, and really enjoyed working with the quality wood and all the great Quietfire Design products.

I think you'd enjoy it too, and here is the prize pack that can be won.

How awesome is this!

 To be eligible for our grand prize, your work is simple:  Please leave a comment on each of our blog posts, nine here on the Quietfire Creations blog and five on the Walnut Hollow blog hop posts here: http://walnuthollowcrafts.wordpress.com/

So that will be 14 comments in total on two different blogs from September 29, 2014 to October 3, 2014!  The winner must be a resident of North America. 

We will draw the prize on Monday October 6^{th, 2014 and the winner will be announced shortly after in a separate blog post. We look forward to seeing your comments!  Tell your friends.}

^{If you haven't already, please be sure to see what Yogi has created for you today!}

^{Thank you for stopping by.}

GIVE THANKS- CARD

Hi Everyone! This is Holly and I'm excited to be showing you this card featuring GIVE THANKS- one of the new stamp sets at Quietfire Design.

On kraft cardstock I stamped the sentiment using VERSAMARK ink, then applied the COPPER EMBOSSING POWDER. Then it was cut into a simple rectangle, and sponged around the edges with Black Soot DISTRESS INK. 

I made two embellishments with the PAPER CORD, forming three loops and fastening at the base of the loops. The ends were tucked under the edge of the sentiment kraft cardstock. Some leaves were attached over the loops- they had been stamped then copper and metallic green paints were dabbed on. A few dots of paint added to the sentiment piece to complete the card,

Fall is heading our way and we love it! The colours are so rich and warm. A true feast for the senses and one more thing to be grateful for.

We're grateful for you too. Thank you for your visit today!

IF I HAD A STAR- CARD & HAMMERED METAL TECHNIQUE

Hi Everyone! Holly here with an old technique, and a bonus 'newer' technique. 

The card above shows the 'hammered metal' applied to the fabulous FRAME CUT FILE.

I began by cutting out the frame using black card stock. Silver craft paint was sponged on, and while the card stock was still damp from the paint, the handle end of a paint brush was pressed into it. I placed the frame on a paper pad first, and that gave it a bit of give when pressing in the paint brush handle. This leaves dents in the card stock- the more the better. 

Once dry, I attached it to the card layer with the DISTRESS INK sponged background, and IF I HAD A STAR stamped in jet black ARCHIVAL INK. This was attached to the card base, more dots of silver paint were added, and a few sequins were glued on, completing the card.

This card uses washi tape to create a print design behind the beautiful BUTTERFLY.

First, I cut this......

Then, I applied strips of WASHI TAPE.

The washi tape is applied to a butterfly shape, slightly larger than the butterfly and the butterfly cut-out. Once placed behind the embossed cut-out, it will extend past the edges and completely fill the space.

The center (body) of the butterfly was glued down and it's wings folded up a little.

Believe in Yourself from IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN MIRACLES was stamped onto vellum with jet black archival ink and clear embossed.

These cards are so simple, and the beautiful stamps and cut files make them a pleasure to create.

I hope you enjoyed these projects today, and try them yourself using the great products from Quietfire Design.

THE WOODS WOULD BE VERY SILENT- CARD

Hi Everyone! Holly here today and I have a card for you that uses one of my favourite stamp sets-   THE WOODS WOULD BE VERY SILENT 

Using some papers from KAISERCRAFT THESE DAYS PAPER PACK  I stamped  the sentiments  with Jet Black ARCHIVAL INK, then sponged Rusty Hinge and Peeled Paint  DISTRESS INK around the edges, and to colour the swirls peeking out.

  The cute little bird was stamped on white cardstock, then cut out with scissors.

A few pearls were added to complete the card.

I love the look of this stamp set and the positive message it sends.

Thank you for stopping by today!

PERFECT CHRISTMAS & FAMILY STRENGTH - CARDS

Hi Everyone! Holly here with two cards for you today. 

First up, quick and easy, using this beautiful sentiment stamp called

A FAMILY IS A CIRCLE OF STRENGTH

and design paper called THESE DAYS. 

Add in a few pieces cut using the MACARENA DIE , sponge on some INK, then assemble the card. Foam tape under the sentiment provides depth.

Okay, so that was just too easy- let's do another one! Inspired by Design Team buddy Kathy Jo, I opted to make a Christmas card.

 

No designer paper on this one- we'll make our own background paper. 

Using JET BLACK ARCHIVAL INK, randomly stamp Christmas designs, and the sentiment. I used 

MY IDEA OF A PERFECT CHRISTMAS for the sentiment, and DECK THE HALLS, and CHRISTMAS IS THE DAY for the images. After sponging loose circles of FIRED BRICK and PEELED PAINT  DISTRESS INK, I picked up ink with a brush and coloured in the images.

The circles for the sentiment and red mat were cut with Spellbinders CIRCLES then the red mat and strip were embossed with the REINDEER MAGIC M-Bossabilities.

The same inks were watered down a bit and splattered onto the card base and sentiment.

Once assembled, I added some pearls from my stash, and called it done.

If you feel inspired, remember that Quietfire Design has some great specials on right now, including in stock CHRISTMAS STAMPS!

Thanks for stopping by!

GARDEN BENCH - GINGKO LEAVES - CARD

 

Hi Everyone! Holly here, and I have a card using a new stamp, and washi tape.

A little ink, and a little cutting, and a stamp to top it off. 

 

Along the left edge of my white card base, I masked narrow strips and sponged DISTRESS INK.

 

I tore strips of WASHI TAPE and angled and overlapped them, leaving ends hanging off the edge of the card. Once I was sure of the positioning of the washi tape strips, I trimmed the ends even with the card edge. I stamped REMEMBERING YOU from the GARDEN BENCH STAMP SET, with Jet Black ARCHIVAL INK to the lower right side of the card.

 

Using the same DISTRESS INK as for the masked stripes, I stamped GINGKO LEAVES onto white card stock.

 

I cut the leaves out, gave them a slight curl by pulling them along my pinched finger and thumb,  brushed them with water to blur the ink a little, and soften the look. Then, I attached these leaves to an adhesive circle. More DISTRESS INK was sponged on the outer edges, and a button was adhered to the center.

 

The gingko 'flower' was then attached to complete the card.

I hope you enjoyed the making of this card, and decide to try it too.

Thank you for looking, and have a creative day!