Friday, February 28, 2020

#TGIF253 Embossing Paste

Embossing paste is fun to work with especially when you start concocting your own custom colors!  At #TGIF253 the challenge is to create anything you want and incorporate embossing paste in your project.  I used Shimmering Embossing Paste and LOVE the final results.




I had a great time making my own custom colored embossing paste.  In a small cup I mixed a couple teaspoons of Shimmering Embossing Paste with several drops of Blushing Bride Ink Refill.  With a piece of scrap paper and a die cut I made my own mask.  I cut the wavy line piece from the Lakeside Die Set and swiped the colored paste across the mask using a palette knife.


This technique could be seriously addicting!

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Lovely Day Paper Pumpkin Thing



This is probably one of the MOST awesome Paper Pumpkin kits ever!  The Lovely Day Kit is jammed packed with fanfreakintastic bits and pieces.  I made a several alternative cards with just a few subtle changes to the kit designs.  

This "lovely wishes" card was stepped popped up by cutting the rose image out to be able to create dimension and be able to tuck loops of thread, berries, and leaves behind it.  To cut the image I started with a hobby blade to get the cut going then I finished fussy cutting with paper snips.


The Happy Birthday To You cake image layers over the color splashes on the scallop layer with total precision.  I stamped with Blackberry Bliss ink to give a strong bold image.  I tied a Linen Thread shoestring bow to add a touch of visual texture and dimension.


This last card isn't too different from the original except I added Fine Glue accents to the berries and flower center.  It's a subtle touch that plays off the incredible dimension of the foil greeting.  And since the Linen Thread was out I had to add a bow to this card too.


The Petal Pink and Rococo Rose precut/folded card bases make a perfect sleeve to finish a custom pizza box style package.  I made a couple versions.  One as a shaker box and the second as a feminine  box featuring the large floral preprinted die cut.



Create a box bottom and adhere it to the card base.  Scroll down for detailed instructions.



To create the box wrap make two score lines on the Rococo Rose portion of the preprinted long card base.  The first will be right through the slit at 3/8".  The second is at 5 7/8" from the edge.

Make a box bottom following the dimensions below.  By the way, I would never use such obscure measurements except that the Kit's card base dictated the size of the box bottom.

Fold on the scorelines and then glue the tabs to form the box bottom.  On one of the longer sides of the box bottom use a small circle punch to take a 1/2 circle "bite" out of the cardstock.  This will allow the Petal Pink rounded tab to be inserted.  (If you scroll back up to the photos of the box open you can see that detail).


The envelopes in the kit are perfect for the old "bagalope" trick.  Because they are lined with a great bold print when left open, instead of folding the top over to create a closed bag, you can make a quick and super easy French fry holder.


For this quick and totally awesome alternative project score the three straight edges of the envelope at 3/4".  Fold backward and forward on all three scorelines.  Form the box by opening the envelope and pinching the corner folds shown by the arrows.  Glue the corner folds to the bottom and then you're ready to decorate the front.


Don't delay in putting this Lovely Day Kit together.  The elements are beautiful and will surely impress your crafty senses.  For lots more gorgeous inspiration keep clicking the links to see all of the Paper Pumpkin Thing Design Team alternative projects.

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

HSS Gorgeous Lovely Colors



For our latest color challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments we thought we would go for something gorgeous and lovely, a bit flirty and feminine, while also being fresh and  spunky.


While my card base is Purple Posy and not specifically one of the challenge colors, I took liberties and included it as a lightened version of Gorgeous Grape.  I love the soft background and how it pops the flowers.  The flowers are white embossed on Shimmery White Cardstock and are painted with the three challenge colors and an Aquapainter.  To punch us the Mint Macaron die cut leaves I added more Mint Macaron paint to create more depth and interest.

Sunday, February 16, 2020

Bird and Bold Prints



Hello everyone and let me say "it's great to have you hopping' with us today."  Have you seen the Peaceful Poppies Designer Series Paper in real life?  They are vibrantly delicious! I totally love this card and the mix of delicate die cuts with the bold and striking watercolor floral print paper.


I have a menagerie of die sets that I used for this card.  I used Doily Wishes, Painted Labels, and the Bouquet Bunch Dies Sets.  I fussy cut the bird image from the Free As a Bird Stamp Set.



to Cheryl
to Julie

Monday Montage Hoppers

Friday, February 14, 2020

#TGIF251 Best Moments

So, this challenge #TGIF251 could be interpreted as a scrapbook page or a square card with a photo. I saw it first as a scrapbook page so, that was the direction I decided to take this sketch.  To be exact an 8.5" x 8.5" layout.



I totally knew which photo I wanted to focus on.  I love this picture that was taken almost a year ago of Newel and I at Disney World's Animal Kingdom.  I had never been to that park before and since then this has become my #1 favorite spot in all the Orlando Disney Parks (I'm going for a third time next week).  To be specific this was taken on the Harambe Bridge with Mount Everest in the background.  I just love this view!  The river below was lush and full of countless lily pads and bright blooming water lilies.


To capture the glistening sparkle of the water I chose to use the Pigment Sprinkles to create a one of a kind background paper.  Then accents of images and die cuts from the Lovely Lily Pad Stamp Set and the Lily Pad Dies cut from Lily Impressions DSP add a bit of decor to the page.


I found a perfect sentiment to add my page.  It comes from the Daisy Lane Stamp Set.  Sometimes you can find great phrases in unexpected places.  I stamped it on Whisper White and cut it with a circle from Stitched Shapes and backed it with a Silver Foil scallop.

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Sketch Challenge Time at Hand Stamped Sentiments


It is sketch challenge time at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  For this one I took a mental picture and went to work to create something tropical and beachy.  Then when I uploaded my spin on the sketch I  realized I took a few liberties on the interpretation of the layout.


For this island style themed card I started with a base of Crumb Cake Cardstock with a side fold. Instead of a solid rectangular panel, as shown in the sketch, I grouped a vignette of tropical elements in a variety of colors and shapes.  Each of the Tropical Oasis pieces of pattern paper was first sponged with Early Espresso Ink and then distressed with a sanding block.



Sunday, February 2, 2020

Poppy Elements--I Love 'Em



Have you seen them IRL?  The Peaceful Poppies Elements are a smart and clever pack of goodies for you to include on your stamped projects.  In the pack you get pre-printed designs, vellum and water color paper embossed pieces, and black die cuts with foil details.

Painting the white embossed watercolor pieces is quick and super fun.  I painted these with Rich Razzleberry, Real Red, and Old Olive Inks and an Aquapainter.  These are seriously COOL.


For the background I simply cut a panel of Peaceful Poppies DSP and mounted it on a Thick Wishper White Cardstock base.  Both of the label layers were cut using the Painted Labels Dies and more of the Peaceful Poppies DSP.

The Champagne Foil "friend" perfectly matches the Champagne Rhinestones.


Get ready for the talents of Julie Warnick to rev up your stampin' mojo.  She's next and you'll love it.

to Julie
to Cheryl

Monday Montage Hoppers

Creation Station Goes Full Monty!


Okay get ready for a great theme for this month's Creation Station Blog Hop.

We are going FULL MONTY!  The challenge is to use your favorite suite and be inspired by the colors and products in one suite and one suite only.


AloooooooHA!

Do you ever buy a pack of pattern paper and fall in love?  I love anything beachy and everything about beach life.  So, yes I am so super in love with the designs in the Tropical Oasis Designer Series Paper, the Timeless Tropical Stamp Set, and the In the Tropics Dies.

I wanted to show of the beach style papers with a custom set of notecards filled with subtle details that fit the feel and flair of island style.


One easy layout for all four notecards and matching envelopes I what I decided to do to make this project cohesive and quick to complete.  Each notecard is 3.5" x 5" with a side fold.  For both the notecards and the matching envelopes the pieces of DSP were sanded for a lightly distressed and breezy look.


Each notecard includes a strip of Very Vanilla Cardstock textured with the Coastal Weave 3D Embossing Folder.  Did you notice the torn edges and Braided Burlap Trim?  These textural touches totally fit the coastal vibe.


All the graphic images were stamped with Early Espresso Ink and then softly sponged with a hint of color to match the card base.  Once each notecard was done I spritzed them with Frost White Shimmer Paint and rubbing alcohol to lend to a faded, sun washed finish.


Mahalo and thanks to you all for passing by.  Next up is Sara Levin and she has really gone for the whole shebang with her latest design.  She's a one amazing stamper so head over, be inspired, and give her some love.