Creating a Galaxy or Nebula with Radiant Neon

Creating galaxy or nebula backgrounds is really popular these days. Many people are using watercolor paints to create them. I decided to use the incredibly bright Radiant Neon Inks by Imagine Crafts to create mine, along with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. This combination gives a surprisingly realistic look (well, similar to the enhanced space photos seen in magazines and online). I applied Sheer Shimmer Spritz to the background as well - it's so beautiful in person! Unfortunately the photos don't pick up much more than a few shiny dots here & there but you can see it better in the video (although the colors are duller in the video, sigh).

Making the Card

1. Cut purple/blue cardstock to 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half for a card base.

2. Cut watercolor paper to about 5 x 6 inches. Note: the final size will be 4 x 5 1/4 inches, leaving extra space for taping down and triming.

3. Watch the video below to create the nebula look on the watercolor paper. To create a galaxy, just apply the color in a band across the card. Hint: do a Google search for "nebula" or "galaxy" - click the "Images" tab and use one of the photos as a model as you work. You will see me do this on my iPhone, which I set up in front of my work area (out of view of the video camera).

NOTE: YouTube took down my video and put a strike on my account due to a FALSE copyright claim by Sony Music Entertainment (SME). The actual music copyright owner is Pacific Digital Video, from whom I have permission to use their music. Someone called "Ogie" sang over Pacific's music track illegally and SME is distributing it. SME filed a false copyright violation against me and YouTube will not even look at this unless I allow SME to sue me! Their process rewards false copyright claims - the victims have no viable recourse. I now have a strike on my YouTube account because I filed a counter notification and wouldn't yield to them. No one at YouTube will look at the issue.

4. After cutting down the watercolor piece to 4 x 5 1/4 inches, emboss the sentiment in white embossing powder where shown (I use an anti-static tool before embossing). Mount it on the front of the card base using a strong tape, e.g. Tear It tape. Adhere alien using dimensional tape.

Supplies

• Radiant Neon Ink Pads or Inkers:  Electric Yellow, Electric Orange, Electric Coral, Electric Pink, Electric Purple, Electric Blue, Electric Green
• StazOn Ink: Jet Black
• irRESISTible Texture Spray: Wedding Dress
• Memento Ink Pad: Tuxedo Black
• Memento Marker: Tuxedo Black
• Sheer Shimmer Spritz: Sparkle
• VersaMark Ink Pad (For Embossing)
• Embossing Powder: White
• Watercolor Paper: Arches Hot Press (Recommended)
• Ink Blushers
• Tear It! Tape
• Painter's Tape (Masking Tape)
• Stamps: Paper Smooches Space Cadet
• Plastic Packaging
• Paintbrush(s)
• Optional: Spray Bottle with Water
• Cardstock: Purple/Blue
• Dimensional Tape

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Hanging Winter Mitten Pull Tab Card

The new Winter Mittens from Joset Designs are so adorable. I decided to make mine out of felt, alhtough you could use cardstock instead. For the card, I wanted to do something different. The Hanging Charm Pull Tab was out of stock for a while at ECD so when it finally came back in, I jumped on it! The mitten fits perfectly inside the frame, yes!

Making the Card

1. Cut black cardstock 5x7 inches and 3 5/8 x 5 7/8 inches, cups/mugs patterned cardstock to 4 3/4 x 6 3/4 inches, and white Soft Finish cardstock to 3 1/2 x 5 3/4 inches. Adhere cups/mugs cardstock to 5x7 black cardstock; set aside.

2. Add clear double sided adhesive to back of red and white felt. Die cut 2 decorative Winter Mittens from red felt and 2 plain mittens from white felt. Note: you may need to use a metal adaptor plate and run through die cutter a few times to cut through. Adhere red pieces to white. Sandwich a piece of black/white twine about 3 inches long between mittens, coming out top.

3. Die cut snowflake patterned cardstock with Hanging Chram Pull Tab main base die. Die cut white Soft Finish cardstock with T piece (pull tab). Die cut one frame from black cardstock with clear double sided adhesive on front and another from snowflake patterned cardstock. Place black frame adhesive side up on table. Center mitten in frame, about 1/4 inch from top. Carefully remove liner from adhesive and stick twine down such that 1/4 of string will show in frame. Stick snowflake frame on top to sandwich twine, carefully lining up with bottom frame. Trim excess twine outside frame if necessary.

4. Die cut 2 snowflakes (Winter Sweater) from white Soft Finish cardstock. Adhere one to each side of frame where shown, back to back. Temporarily place base of pull tab (snowflake pattern) on white Soft Finish Cardstock piece you cut earlier (3 1/2 x 5 3/4 inches) where shown. Use a pencil to lightly mark bottom center. Remove pull tab base. Line up bottom of snowflake die centered on mark; die cut. You want this to show when the tab is pulled up. Erase mark. Adhere to black cardstock (3 5/8 x 5 7/8 inches). Adhere to cups/mugs as shown (towards top).

5. Watch the following video to assemble pull tab:

5. Die cut Tags & More 4 - Flourish tag, 1 1/2 inches long. Pull the tab in card so frame is up. Center tag on pull tab and lightly mark sides; cut off excess. Adhere to pull tab.

6. Die cut coffee cup charm from white Soft Finish cardstock. Cut off charm loop from top of coffee cup. Die cut "Let it Snow" from black cardstock; adhere as shown. Adhere piece of clear double sided tape to black cardstock: die cut coffee sleeve and tag reinforcer (Tags & More 4 - Flourish) into the adhesive side. Also cut off 1/4 inch strip to go across tag. Peel off backing and add black Silk Microfine Glitter to all three pieces.

7. Glue glittered coffee sleeve to coffee cup and use dimensional tape to adhere to card where shown. Glue tag reinforcer around tag hole. Glue glittered strip over seam on tag/pull; trim if necessary. Tie double strands of twine through tag hole.

Supplies

ECD Supplies

• 1242 Winter Mittens
• 1240 Winter Sweater
• 1104 Hanging Charm Pull Tab
• 957 Tags & More 4 - Flourish
• 1234 Let it Snow
• Silk Microfine Glitter: 601 Basic Black
• Soft Finish Cardstock: White
• Clear Double Sided Adhesive
• 1071 Card Stand/Easel

Other Supplies

• Patterned Cardstock: Hot Cocoa 12x12 Pad (American Crafts)
• Cardstock: Black
• Twine: Black/White
• Felt: Red, White

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Elegant Black and White Wedding or Anniversary Card

This elegant card can be used for a wedding or anniversary. I used VersaFine ink to capture the details on the stamp - it stamps crisp and clear. I used my Xyron Creative Station to put permanent adhesive on the delicate die cuts for easy adhesion. The irRESISTible Pico Embellisher adds a nice touch in the corner. For more Xyron inspiration, visit Xyron's Facebook page.

Making the Card

1. Cut white cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half to form a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base.

2. Die cut black cardstock with both largest and 2nd largest Spellbinders labels dies (S4-465).

3. Use Xyron to add adhesive to the back of black cardstock and white cardstock. Die cut white with largest decorative elements die (S4-467); adhere to largest black from step 2. Adhere to card base. Die cut black with 2nd largest decorative elements die (S4-467); adhere to 2nd largest black from step 2. Adhere to last layer on card base using dimensional tape.

4. Stamp "Congratulations" on white cardstock with VersaFine Black Onyx ink. Use 3rd largest labels die (S4-465) to cut it out, looking through die to line it up. Adhere to last layer on card base using dimensional tape.

5. Tie small bow with black ribbon; adhere as shown. Use irRESISTible Pico Embellisher to make enamel dots where shown (hint: you may make the dots on a craft mat then pop them off to glue on your card later - this way you can try different sizes).

Supplies

• Cardstock: White, Black
• VersaFine Black Onyx Ink
• irRESISTible Pico Embellisher: Tuxedo Black
• Xyron Creative Station 9"
• Spellbinders Labels 40 (S4-465) plus Decorative Elements (S4-467)
• Stamp: Congratulations
• Black Ribbon

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Radiant Neon Bird Crazy Belated Birthday Card

These super fun crazy birds are the perfect subjects to color with bright Radiant Neon inks. The inks look almost like they are glowing and show up really well on dark cardstock. I made this little scene with the pooped out balloon (string blowing in the breeze) to go with the belated birthday sentiment. I especially love the expressions on the birds' faces. The set of "things" to go with the bird stamps make them quite versatile.

Making the Card

1. Cut kraft cardstock to about 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches (a quarter of 8 1/2 x 11 sheet).

2. Cut coral cardstock to 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half for a card base.

3. Watch this video for stamping, masking, and coloring:

4. Trim kraft cardstock (with birds) to 4 x 5 1/4 inches; adhere to card base as shown.

Supplies

• Radiant Neon Ink Pads or Inkers: Electric Yellow, Electric Orange, Electric Coral, Electric Pink, Electric Purple, Electric Blue, Electric Green
• StazOn Ink: Jet Black
• VersaFine Ink: Toffee, Onyx Black
• Fantastix
• Optional: Memento Markers Tuxedo Black, London Fog
• Cardstock: Kraft, Coral
• Stampers Anonymous Stamps: Cityscapes, Bird Crazy, Crazy Things, Mini Bird Crazy & Things
• Stamps of Life Stamps: Patterns4tshirts
• Post-it Removable Tape or Other Masking Material
• Optional: ECD Fine Pointed Scissors (Limited Edition Pink!)
• Optional: MISTI Stamping Tool or Other Stamp Press

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Paper Smooches Hero Zig Clean Color Card

Super is another Paper Smooches stamp set with matching dies. This set is so fun. It doesn't show in the photos but I used a Wink of Stella glitter brush on just his teeth so when you turn it in the light, they gleam. I used another Paper Smooches stamp set (the stamps look like brush strokes and splatters) to create the sunset. I colored everything with Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers.

Making the Card

1. Cut watercolor paper to 4 x 5 1/4 inches.

2. Using Positive Strokes Two stamps, color with Zig Clean Colors going from yellow to blue - spray with water before stamping. Note: this will likely discolor the stamps. Use a watercolor brush to flick some blue over the design.

3. Die cut black cardstock with Super 2 dies.

4. Stamp hero from Super on watercolor paper using VersaFine Onyx Black (or other waterproof black ink).

5. Color figure with Zig Clean Colors (I used a brush and water as well). Fussy cut around character with detail scissors. Use a black marker to go around the outside edges from the back side (e.g. Memento Marker Tuxedo Black).

6. Temporarily put buildings on card and note where sentiment and small superhero will go. Stamp small superhero and sentiment in Versafine Onyux Black. Adhere buildings where shown.

7. Cut black cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches. Fold in half to form a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base. Adhere scene to card (use strong adhesive - watercolor paper may have warped).

8. Optional: add Clear Wink of Stella to superhero's teeth.

9. Adhere superhero to card using dimensional tape.

Supplies

• Paper Smooches Stamps: Positive Strokes Two, Super
• Paper Smooches Dies: Super 2
• Zig Clean Color Real Brush
• Arches Hot Press Watercolor Paper
• Black Cardstock
• Memento Marker: Tuxedo Black
• VersaFine Onyx Black Ink
• Optional: Clear Wink of Stella

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You're So Sweet Lollypop Card

The new Silk Microfine Glitters by Elizabeth Craft Designs come in many delicious new colors. When added to the Lollypop dies by Joset Designs they make things even sweeter. I love how beautifully glittery this card came out (it looks even better in person!).

Making the Card

1. Cut white cardstock 5 3/4 x 8 1/2. Fold in half. Die cut card using largest rectangle in the Dotted Scallop Rectangles set such that the card fold will be inside the die line - i.e. you don't want to cut that side of the card, shift the card down the die so the die is outside the cardstock when you run it through your die cutting machine.

2. Die cut red cardstock using largest Dotted Scallop Rectangle. Adhere to front of card, lining it up with the scalloped edges. One side will stick out over the fold; this hides the fold. Using 2nd largest rectangle, die cut White Soft Finish Cardstock. Using 3rd largest rectangle die cut Dusky Lavender Soft Finish Cardstock. Adhere Dusky Lavender to center of White.

3. Adhere double sided adhesive to red cardstock (front side). Die cut Lollypop overlays (1 stripe and 1 swirl) and 1 bow. Remove backing paper and apply True Red Silk Microfine Glitter to all; polish with finger. Hint: I use a brush to knock off extra glitter into its container then use a Swiffer Sweeper Refill pad, cut down to quarter size rectangles, to go over the die cuts and also to clean up my craft mat.

4. Similarly, adhere double sided adhesive to white cardstock. Die cut 5 lollypop bases, 5 sticks, 2 bows, 1 swirl overlay, and 2 stripe overlays. Cover lollypop bases with Silk Microfine Glitter as follows: 2 Warm Diamond, 2 Light Gold, 1 Copper Rose. Cover swirl with Go-To Green, 1 stripe with Teal Blue and 1 stripe with Amethyst. Cover 1 bow with Teal Blue and 1 with Amethyst. Cover all 5 sticks with Silver. Polish each with finger.

5. Adhere combinations as shown in photo, e.g. True Red stripe on Warm Diamond base, Go-To Green swirl to Copper Rose base, etc. Adhere bottom 4 sticks as shown on card (leave the one on the banner for last). Adhere lollypop tops for those 4 as well.

6. Cut a piece of heavy weight vellum 1 1/8 x 5 inches. Stamp "you're so sweet" sentiment with embossing ink or VersaMark where shown (remember to leave room to tuck under white rectangle edges). Sprinkle with sticky embossing powder and heat (hint: warm up heat tool before applying it to powder). Sprinkle with True Red Silk Microfine Glitter; polish. Optional: use a red marker on back behind letters to make them appear more solid.

7. Wrap vellum piece around white rectangle as shown, adhering behind. Adhere to card base, centering on red rectangle. Adhere last stick and lollypop. Adhere the bows where shown using glue in middle only. Gently bend loops upwards slightly to give them dimension.

Supplies

ECD Supplies

• 1174 Dotted Scallop Rectangles
• 1180 Lollypop
• CS016 General Sentiments Stamps
• Silk Microfine Glitter: True Red, Warm Diamonds, Go-To Green, Light Gold, Silver, Amethyst, Teal Blue, Copper Rose
• Soft Finish Cardstock: White, Dusky Lavender
• Double Sided Adhesive

Other Supplies

• Cardstock: White, Red
• Vellum, Prefer Heavy Weight 48lb
• Embossing Ink or VersaMark
• Sticky Embossing Powder
• Optional: Brush, Swiffer Sweeper Refills

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