Stencils and Dry Embossing plus Fritz!

Finally had to take time out to begin AGAIN purging craft goodies and making the guest room useable!  Not done, but made enough progress to see a lot of improvement.  Taking a break and rewarding myself with cardmaking and sharing 3 cards.😊

First is the card I sent last month for CCC.  Often I just make a friendship card or send one from my stash.  But for February I used the color combo and the stencil technique.  

I still love my old Brilliance ink pads and I have many, including Pearlescent Sky Blue, Yellow and Lime, so that's what I used with SSS Layered Flowers stencils.  I also used silver for the dots.  Stamplorations circle cover plate is fun to use over stamped or stenciled images.

Memory Box Hello Friend Posh Script shadow die was cut from vellum and the words from MB glossy black cardstock.  The scalloped die is Elizabeth Craft Designs.  Luckily, I found just the right sequins in my stash.

Dry embossed stationary was my favorite before I discovered cardmaking.  So it's no surprise I can't get enough of 3D embossing folders.  For this card I used Memory Box Blooming which is a favorite I've used many times. 

I inked one side with white pigment ink before running it through my die cutting machine.  It didn't show enough on the PTI Lovely Lady panel, although you can see some on the blooms.  I repeated with Altenew Puffy Heart which gave beautiful contrast.  I also added a bit more with the ink cube on the highest edges.

MB Moonlight and Kaleidoscope Butterflies were die cut from vellum.  The body/antennae piece was inked with Puffy Heart.  Impression Obsession Easter Joy was stacked and covered in Shimmer Pico Embellisher.  I'm entering Memory Box Challenge and TTTC242 using Floral/Embossing/Favorite Color of pink.

My next card used my newest Altenew 3D folder called Flower Bed.  I inked it with Brilliance Pearlescent Purple and added a bit more to the raised edges.  Love the sweet SSS Stitching Butterflies which I brushed with the same ink, darker in the centers.

SSS Easter Blessings shadow die was cut from vellum.  The words were stacked, inked with the purple and covered with Shimmer Pico Embellisher.  I added Stardust Stickles to the flower centers and butterfly edges. 

There's a video on my IG post showing the shimmer and sparkle.  I'm entering SSS Wednesday.  Hoping to get a few more Easter cards made, as I have products that need to be used!

It's been a long time since I shared a picture of Fritz who is now 10 years old!  He looks the same as he has for the past 7 or 8 years--so unfair!  We've had a few sunny days and even with his fresh haircut, one day was warm enough for a walk without his fleece jacket.  

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you.

Butterfly Note Card

I haven't entered a JUGs challenge in awhile, but the current color combo inspired me to make this card.  

MFT Brilliant Butterflies have such a beautifully unique look, but I've had trouble lining up the layers.  It worked great this time!  Just needed to take time to stamp on scrap paper, line up the diecut negative, insert the diecut & stamp.  The inks are Hero Arts Cornflower & PTI Amethyst Allure.  The fancy wing design is embossed in HA Sparkle ep.  The background is Memory Box Blooming folder embossed on PTI Soft Stone cardstock.  I used a light hand to do direct to paper with a white pigment ink pad.  It made a subtle difference, but is really pretty in person.  You can see it in the video in my IG post, along with the sparkle on the wings.  I die cut MB Just a Note Posh Script from vellum & black cardstock covered with packing tape.  I'm entering JUGs, TTTC211 (Butterfly, Die Cut, Embossing) & SSS Wednesday. 

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you

Thanksgiving & Christmas

              Don't forget to check my sale pages.  New items recently added.

We've had a nice quiet Labor Day weekend with sun, but not too hot.  I didn't get much housework done--surprise, surprise!  Cardmaking is the priority & I got a couple made for the coming holiday season.
First is another Thanksgiving card using SSS Sketch Ranunculus with a Fall color combo of DI: dusty concord, peeled paint & wild honey.

I first stamped the sentiment in Versafine Clair Acorn & then gold embossed the images around it.  I used sponge daubers in a circular motion to color the images--a look that always appeals to me.

The panel was splattered with the same 3 inks.  Then I used the thin frame from SSS Frames die set to cut the stamped panel & a piece of gold shimmery cardstock.  The gold frame was inlaid into the panel & gold sequins provide embellishment.  I'm entering SSS Flickr #131, SSS Wednesday & JUGs.

The new Christmas Kickstart challenge theme is to be inspired by the blog header which is aqua & red with ornaments & a snowman.  I knew immediately I wanted to use the color combo for ornaments.

I used MB Woodland Branch & Holly Ornament dies along with a sentiment from EH Mondo Holly.  Hard to tell from my photo, but PTI Tropical Teal cardstock is a very close match.  I die cut the ornament from Tropical Teal & Heidi Swapp red glitter tape attached to cardstock.  The branch was die cut from a white cardstock scrap & white crochet thread was used to tie on the ornament.

The card front is SSS Fog cardstock & the sentiment is stamped in Versafine Clair Morning Mist.  Finished off with PPP Marshmallow sequins with a dot of Frosted Lace Stickles in the centers.  Still need to put another card together with the left overs, so that ornament will be the opposite.  I'm also entering The Snippets Playground & SSS Wednesday.

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you.

More Valentines!

First is another shaker using the "Greta Shaker Mix" of Stampendous! Shaved Ice, Clear Seed Beads & White Sequins. Gotta say, putting foam tape around straight lines is way easier, but I do love the look using my Memory Box heart die. The circles are cut with a Lifestyle Crafts die.  I finally have a Paper Smooches stamp set thanks to a recent sale. I used 3 images from Friendly Flowers with PTI inks Berry Sorbet, Hawaiian Shores, Plum Pudding & Limeade Ice to meet the requirements of the current challenge.  The sentiment is also from the set & is stamped in HA Wet Cement.  I trimmed the white & SSS Fog cardstock flags & added Stickles to the open letters--so fun!  First time to cut the PPP bows (thank you again, Cat, for the blog candy!) & used the Fog cardstock. The card front was a bit plain, so dotted it with the Stickles.  I always say I don't need to buy anything, but if I sure do go through foam tape & doubly so with shakers!  Entering at Memory Box, Paper Smooches, Chouxchoux & CropStop.

First time making matchbooks & oh what fun! Love the PTI MIM challenges--learn so many new things!  I'm heading to Girl's Night Out with my 2 friends & it's been months since we've gotten together.  I'm taking them each a mini York Peppermint Patty in a matchbook made with images from the PTI set Tag It's 3 inked in Memento Love Letter & VersaMagic Pixie Dust. The sweet Martha Stewart Washi tape is in a set of 4 I bought years ago & have barely used.  A bit of Stickles for sparkle--very simple & quick once you figure out the measurements. I'd make one for hubby's Valentine, but not sure it'd work too well as a carrot wrapping & candy is off limits--haha! I'm also entering at SSS Monday. Thanks so much for your visit--I know there are tons of blogs you could choose.

Black Hearts?!

I'm having a ball making Valentines!  I've cut the MB Twirled Heart Border a couple times from black cardstock to use the outline which left me with unused black hearts.  They looked beautiful in the outline cut from Heidi Swapp wide glitter tape, but hearts in black could be thought of negatively & I didn't want that. Decided to try Frosted Lace Stickles on one & sure enough, I think that does the trick.  I'd love to hear what you think.

I inlaid the die using a piece of Coordinations glimmer white cardstock--so pretty! The "happy" die cut from the Ellen Hutson set Merry & Bright is stacked 5 high using my favorite invisible Perfect Paper adhesive & a cheap brush. The sentiment is from a discontinued MFT set that came to me unpackaged, but might be called "Love U".  Fun to make a tall, narrow card for a change & gives me another entry for Ellen Hutson Mix It Up, Chouxchoux Valentines/Hearts, CropStop & The Playground.  Thanks so much for taking time to visit my blog.

Valentine Shaker

I haven't made many shakers, but that's the current Memory Box challenge so time to make another one. Have to admit--I had a ball with this one!  The MB die is called Twirled Heart Border & I used it with Heidi Swapp glitter tape, thanks to Marybeth's cards.  The scallops are done with a Spellbinder's die.  Decided I wanted all white/clear for the shaker element so used white sequins, clear seed beads & Stampendous Shaved Ice--really pretty in person.  Love this old A Muse sentiment--still one of my favorites!  Are you making Valentines?  They're my second favorite to make & send.  I'm also entering challenges at ATSM, CropStop, Uniko & Word Art Wed #217.

Patriotic Butterflies

It's fun to sometimes use non-holiday images for holiday cards.  My sister loves butterflies, so I decided to surprise her this year with butterflies on her 4th of July card. The Memory Box Kaleidoscope Butterflies are embellished with red sequins & the sentiment is by an Oregon company called Peddlers Pack.  I'm adding this to the first Memory Box Challenge & SSS Wednesday.
The excessive heat here is setting records, so Fritz & I have to limit our walks.  My weekend to work & the air conditioning doesn't seem to reach in our office, but fortunately there's a little fan to save the day!  Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.

Cards for Friends

For some reason I always think I have plenty of time to make Easter cards after Valentine's Day & then I never get as many done as I intend to!  A couple made it to the recipients, so I'm sharing them today.
The first one uses my favorite Penny Black stamp called christmas star.  After watching Elizabeth Allan's coloring video "here" (she should be a teacher!) I used a coupon to get a package of the Brushstix and gave it a try.  Coloring is not my forte, (at all!) but even I was able to use her technique.  The inks are Brilliance Pearlescent Crimson, Pearlescent Beige & VersaMagic Pink Petunia.  I finished by brushing on Shimmer Spritz.  Penny Black simple scroll is stamped on the background & the embossing folder is Sizzix for SU.

The second card was the first one made with my new Memory Box Easter egg die.  I used some old glitter paper & at first I threw out the little pieces.  Then I realized I could mix & match them, so I went through the wastebasket (all it has are pieces from diecuts (LOTS of little pieces of paper!) & found all but one--amazing!  The colors aren't very good in the photo, but it is bright pink with green & blue with purple.  The spellbinder die always reminds me of an Easter basket so I used it along with the Penny Black simple scroll (instead of grass).  The greeting is TPC Studio.

Wishing all of you a blessed Easter weekend with family & friends.  Thanks for visiting.