Dragon Get Well Card with Xyron and Derwent

This is a collaborative post with Xyron and Derwent. Derwent sent the Xyron Design Team a 24 set of beautiful Procolour pencils and a sketchbook to try out. The pencils are creamy to use and smooth to blend but they are not quite as soft as Derwent Coloursoft pencils so they may be sharpened to a finer point without breaking.

I used the pencils to color this adorable dragon image in the sketchbook then die cut it with stitched ovals dies (Rubbernecker Stamps). I used stumps to blend the colored pencils with Linseed Oil, which worked amazingly well. It was super easy to get a smooth blend. The dragon and sentiment are from the Magical Dragons set by My Favorite Things.

This card can be used as a get well card or just to lift someone's spirits. For example, you could stamp "Get well soon" inside the card or write an inspiring message, as appropriate. Paper by Doodlebug Design.

Affiliate links may be included in this post. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share a Sale, and other affiliate programs; these affiliate advertising programs provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and/or other affiliated sites at no cost to you. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. I am truly thankful for your kind support! I also receive free products from my design team companies. Regardless, all opinions are my own. I do not get paid for my posts unless otherwise specified. Cookies may be used on this site. See notice at bottom of blog for a longer description.

Making the Card

The first thing I did was test the Linseed Oil with the pencils and paper to see how well they worked together. I was very happy with the results! A beautiful blend!

1. With Memento Tuxedo Black ink, stamp dragon (Magical Dragons by My Favorite Things) in Derwent Big Book sketchbook (or on white cardstock). You may want to heat set the image with a heat tool. Color with Derwent Procolour Pencils (the colors I used are listed under Supplies). I used a KUM long point sharpener to sharpen the pencils to a fine point as needed and used blending stumps with Chelsea Classic Studios Linseed Oil Extra Pale to blend.

Lay down color using a circular motion (tiny circles) and work in light layers. Don't rush - just build up the color by alternating between blending and coloring. Note: I added a ground line using a Black Copic Multiliner 0.2.

2. Once the image has been colored, die cut it using Rubbernecker Stamps: Nested Oval Small Stitch Die. Also die cut green cardstock with the next size up stitched oval and gray cardstock with one more size up.

3. Cut light blue cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half to form a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch top folding card base. Cut dark blue cardstock 3 3/4 x 5 inches. Cut triangle patterned paper (Dragon Tails by Doodlebug Design) 3 1/2 x 4 3/4 inches.

4. Use the Xyron 9" Creative Station with permanent adhesive to coat all die cut pieces, plus dark blue cardstock and triangle patterned paper from step 3. Rub before pulling off cellophane.

5. Adhere dark blue cardstock to card base then triangle patterned paper. Adhere dragon to dark green oval then to gray oval. Adhere where shown on card.

6. Using VersaMark ink, stamp "I Heard You Were DRAGON" sentiment on light blue cardstock (may use Stamp Platform or stamp positioner to make it easier). Emboss with Fern Green Wendy Vecchi Embossing Powder using heat tool. Trim and add tails. Cut a piece of dark blue about 1/16 inch larger. Use Mega Runner to add adhesive to sentiment banner then stick to dark blue. Cut tails. Adhere to card where shown using Xyron foam tape - watch the following video to make foam tape.

7. Add Swarovski Crystals where shown using strong liquid adhesive.

Supplies

• Xyron: Mega Runner, 9" Creative Station, Permanent Adhesive
• Derwent Big Book A5
• Derwent Procolour Pencils
• Colors Used: Foliage 51, Sap Green 46, Buttercup Yellow 03, Spectrum Blue 34, Primrose Yellow 02, Distant Green 43, Gunmetal 67
• Cardstock: Light Blue, Dark Blue, Green, Gray
• Chelsea Classic Studio Linseed Oil Extra Pale
• Blending Stumps (e.g. 7 of Size 1)
• My Favorite Things Clear Stamps: Magical Dragons (BB-37)
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
• KUM Long Point Pencil Sharpener
• Black Copic Multiliner 0.2
• Rubbernecker Stamps: Nested Oval Small Stitch Die (5014D)
• VersaMark Ink
• Wendy Vecchi Embossing Powder: Fern Green
• Heat Tool
• Optional: Stamp Platform or Stamp Positioner
• Doodlebug Design 6x6 Pad: Dragon Tails (5690)
• Swarovski Crystals

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XOXO Bandages Get Well Card

I stamped the background mainly with one stamp and popped one bandage and the bandage box forward by using color (Copic markers) and Nuvo Crystal Glaze for dimension. I also added Clear Wink of Stella to the colored bandage to make it look a little magical (if you are going to have a boo boo, why not use a sparkly bandage?). Simple matting gives this card a clean look so the focus will be on the colored stamped images.

Affiliate links may be included in this post. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. See notice at bottom of blog for a longer description.

Making the Card

1. Cut beige cardstock to 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half to form a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base. Cut black cardstock 4 x 5 1/4 inches. Cut alcohol marker friendly cardstock 3 7/8 x 5 1/8 inches (I used X-Press It Blending Card).

2. Using Memento Tuxedo Black ink, stamp bandage box plus bandage (Get Well) above it where shown. These will be the ones you color. Also stamp bandage box in Jet Black StazOn ink on masking paper (I used Tim Holtz/Idea-ology Mask Sheets but I think they have been discontinued). Trim around mask, cutting down middle of black line as best as possible. Apply mask to stamped image (hint: if the mask is too sticky, before applying stick it to your shirt or pants to remove some of the stickiness - I forgot to do this and tore the paper slightly when removing mine).

3. Use Gray Flannel Memento ink to stamp the rest of the bandages as shown. Carefully remove the mask from the bandage box.

4. Color bandage above box with alcohol markers. I used Copic markers in colors E30, E31, E34. Color bandage box: C0, C1, C2, C4, C6.

5. Apply Clear Wink of Stella to bandage. (See photo - it actually shows up better in person.) Apply Nuvo Crystal Glaze over colored bandage and box (note: you could also use Glossy Accents). Set aside to dry.

6. Stamp "Sending Get Well Thoughts..." (Get Well) inside card with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

7. Once dry, adhere stamped panel to black cardstock; adhere to card base. Hint: I used liquid glue behind the Nuvo Crystal Glaze areas on both layers due to slight warping - you could also use very strong double sided tape.

Supplies

• Rubbernecker Stamps: Get Well (3030)
• Memento Ink: Tuxedo Black, Gray Flannel
• StazOn Ink: Jet Black
• Cardstock: Beige, Black
• Alcohol Marker Friendly Cardstock: Copic X-Press It Blending Card
• Masking Paper
• Wink of Stella: Clear
• Nuvo Crystal Glaze or Glossy Accents

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Colorful Place Fish Card Watercolored with Daniel Smith

These fish have the craziest expressions! The original stamp has a worm on a hook with a sign that says "help" but I decided to use a sentiment on the card that didn't really work well with the desperate worm, so I removed it. Watercolor is the perfect medium for coloring this card - the watery background is super easy to do by working in layers. Stickles and Clear Wink of Stella add beautiful sparkle to the card.

Affiliate links may be included in this post. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. See notice at bottom of blog for a longer description.

Making the Card

1. Cut blue cardstock 4 1/4 x 11 inches; fold in half to form a side-folding 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base. Cut dark blue cardstock 4 x 5 1/4 inches. Adhere to card base.

2. Cut watercolor paper (Strathmore 400 Series) to 4 x 5 1/4 inches (you will trim off a small amount later, I usually make it a little larger for wiggle room when centering). Before inking, you may want to cover the worm on a hook area on the stamp with Post-it tape, or just be very careful when inking so as not to get any on that part of the stamp. Remove the Post-it tape before stamping. Use a Stamp Platform or stamp positioner to stamp fish in waterproof black ink (e.g. Archival Jet Black) on the watercolor piece you just cut. I recommend a positioner because the watercolor paper will probably have texture. I stamped my image a couple times. Stamp the sentiment where shown using the same ink.

3. Watercolor image. I used Daniel Smith Extra Fine watercolors. If you are interested in these watercolors, I highly recommend getting the dot chart. This allows you to try all the colors, getting an idea of which you might like best. The chart also includes transparency and lightfast ratings. Eventually I plan to do a review, so stay tuned! Also paint in the sandy sea bottom and some kelp (I did these fairly lightly since I'll add Stickles later).

4. My bubbles got a bit too much blue on them so I used a white gel pen to create highlights. I still wasn't happy so I tried using Nuvo Crystal Glaze on them. This is the first time I've used it. They dried 3 dimensional but they were dull, not shiny. I'm not sure if this was due to the gel pen or paint but I didn't like it so I added Crystal Stickles on top to give them sparkle and cover the dullness. I finally liked the way it turned out.

5. Add different colors of green Stickles to the Kelp. I used a small brush to apply them - the nozzles were too big for precision. I used: Patina, Lime Green, and Distress Stickles Forest Moss. For the sand I used Distress Stickles Scattered Straw. I don't believe they make Distress Stickles anymore, although you can still find them around. You could try substituting Sandstone, Platinum, or Mercury Glass Stickles for the Scattered Straw and Pine for Forest Moss.

6. Optional: add Clear Wink of Stella Brush to the rainbow fish.

7. Adhere image to card base.

Supplies

• Rubbernecker Stamps: Luncheon Meet (86-17), Create a Garden 2 (3009)
• Cardstock: Blue, Dark Blue (These have a turquoise hue to them.)
• Watercolor Paper (e.g. Strathmore 400 Series)
• Watercolors (e.g. Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors)
• Stamp Platform or Stamp Positioner
• Waterproof Black Ink: Archival Ink Jet Black
• Nuvo Crystal Glaze
• Wink of Stella Clear
• Stickles: Crystal, Patina, Lime-Green
• Distress Stickles: Forest Moss (sub Pine Stickles), Scattered Straw (sub Platinum, or Mercury Glass Stickles)

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Let's Just See Arteza Colored Greeting Card

The Rubbernecker Stamps I used for this card really amuse me. I love the bear's expression - it could be used with a number of funny sentiments. This particular sentiment cracked me up - as those who know me can attest, I don't often hold back.

I decided to use a dark brown ink (Memento Espresso Truffle) rather than black so it wouldn't look so stark against all the browns in the card. I colored the image with the 72 set of Arteza Expert colored pencils. They are waxed based pencils, like Prismacolors. This is the first time I used them and I think I like them as much as my Prismacolors, possibly more. The only drawback is that there aren't as many colors. The good news is, they will likely work well together! Something to try in the future.

Affiliate links may be included in this post. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. See notice at bottom of blog for a longer description.

Making the Card

1. Note: I used two versions of the Neenah Environment Desert Storm cardstock: 80lb cover for the colored image and double thick cover 120lb for the card base itself (they also have a 100lb cover version, which may have replaced the 120lb since I don't see 8 1/2 x 11 inch listed on Neenah Paper's website anymore). Cut (120lb) Desert Storm cardstock to 7x10 inches; fold in half to form a 5x7 inch card base. Cut dark brown cardstock 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches; adhere to center of card base. Cut light blue cardstock 4 1/8 x 6 1/8 inches; adhere to card base as shown.

2. Cut (80lb) Desert Storm cardstock to 4x5 inches. Use a Stamp Platform or stamp positioner to stamp Distress Oval Frame with Memento Espresso Truffle in center. Inside the oval, stamp Bear with Espresso Truffle. Color with colored pencils. I used Arteza Expert set of 72 colored pencils. For this image, I mainly used browns and golds, plus white under the lighter areas and as highlights. To get lighter shades of browns, I combined colors by putting the browns over white or light gold, or just used less pressure. I drew the ground line and pebbles in a very fine tipped black 0.05 Copic Multiliner (which is also waterproof and alcohol marker friendly) and went over some of the lines of the image that became slightly faded from the colored pencils.

3. Die cut image using largest Nested Oval Small Stitch die. Adhere to card where shown using dimensional/mounting tape. Stamp sentiment on Neenah Environment Desert Storm cardstock. Trim, leaving room for tails on right side. Add tails by cutting a V into the right side (I usually put a pencil dot in the middle to mark the point I want to cut to). Cut a piece of dark brown cardstock so it will be about 1/8 inch larger all around (this time I cut a strip that was longer than I needed and 1/4 inch wider than the sentiment cardstock, although sometimes I just eyeball it by marking with a pencil where I want to cut). Adhere to card base with a double thickness of dimensional/mounting tape (be careful not to put any where it will overlap with the image's oval).

4. For the flowers, I used pre-made ones from a couple sources. I colored three of them myself but the other two (the two that look most alike, top and 2nd from bottom) came pre-colored; I bought those at Michaels (one package of blue flowers in different shades of the same hue) in their "dollar" area. The 2nd flower is also from Michels, from their Recollections collection. The others are by Petaloo. I like to buy Petaloo's white or natural colored flowers so I can add my own color to match my cards. I colored the 2nd flower using ColourArte's Silks in Mediterranean Blue. Silks are acrylic paints with a beautiful shimmer, which unfortunately doesn't show up well in photos. Typically I spray the petals with a little water then apply Silks, watered down to the desired intensity. In this case, I gave the middle more concentrated color and the outer petals a bit less. I did the same thing with the largest rose (middle) but using Silks in Chestnut Brown and adding a lot more water as I worked outwards from the middle. I also colored the bottom one with the Chestnut Brown. Note: the new Silks come in cool little bottles (rather than small round plastic screw-top containers - which didn't seem to seal well). I recommend the sample packs. The colors are all gorgeous. ColorArte also makes Twinkling H2Os - watercolors with shimmer. For even more shimmer, I added Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spritz to some of the flowers.

Supplies

• Rubbernecker Stamps: Bear (895-12), Reached the Age (805-03), Distress Oval Frame (986)
• Rubbernecker Stamps Dies: Nested Oval Small Stitch Die Cut Set (5014D)
• Cardstock: Neenah Environment Desert Storm, Dark Brown, Aqua/Light Blue
• Ink: Memento Espresso Truffle
• Stamp Platform or Stamp Positioner
• Colored Pencils: Arteza Expert 72 Set
• Black 0.05 Copic Multiliner
• Flowers: Petaloo Floral Embelishments (1822-323), Petaloo Color Me Crazy (159-002), Recollections Floral Embellishments (190358), Michaels Paper Flowers 12pc (295572)
• ColourArte Silks: Mediterranean Blue, Chestnut Brown
• Sheer Shimmer Spritz: Sparkle (IA-LAR-004)
• Dimensional/Mounting Tape

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Embossed Wreath Christmas Card

Although this stamp set by Rubbernecker Stamps is a probably more often used for creating a garden scene, I thought it would be fun to make the stamped pieces into a wreath for a holiday card. Matching dies make it easy to create. I used red tinsel embossing powder for the flowers, which gives them a beautiful sparkly look (unfortunately the sparkle doesn't show up well in the photos but it's really pretty in person). The Liquid Platinum embossing under the edges of the red mat, perfectly matching the sentiment, is an elegant touch to this clean looking holiday card.

Affiliate links may be included in this post. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. See notice at bottom of blog for a longer description.

Making the Card

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

2. Cut white cardstock 4 x 4 3/4 inches. Rub VersaMark ink or other embossing ink along the edges so at least 1/8 inch is covered all the way around (you can do one side at a time if desired). Sprinkle with Liquid Platinum embossing powder; heat with heat tool. Adhere to card base.

3. Cut red cardstock* 3 3/8 x 4 5/8 inches. Rub powder tool over center area. Using VersaMark ink or other embossing ink, stamp Merry Christmas sentiment in center or just slightly higher than center. You may want to use a Stamp Platform or stamp positioner for this. Emboss with Liquid Platinum embossing powder. Use a strong liquid adhesive or super tacky tape adhesive to adhere to card base - the areas under the embossing will come up if the adhesive can't stick to it. I used Gem Tac around the edges but regular tape runner everywhere else. *Make sure the red cardstock matches the red tinsel embossing powder; see step 4.

4. Use a powder tool over the surface of a piece of white cardstock. Stamp several flowers (Create a Garden 2) in VersaMark ink or other embossing ink. Emboss with red tinsel embossing powder. I used the Recollections version in Ruby from Michaels but there are several other brands available. Choose your red cardstock to match whatever brand you purchased. Die cut with matching die (Pot Garden Die Set). Stamp several pine boughs in VersaMark ink or other embossing ink. Emboss with verdigris embossing powder (I used the Ranger brand). Die cut with matching die. Stamp a bunch of leaf branches in VersaMark ink or other embossing ink. Emboss with green embossing powder. I used Imagine Crafts Candy Green embossing powder (EB-000-009) but I also recommend Ranger's Green. Die cut with matching die.

5. Use a ball stylus and a molding pad to shape all leaves and pine boughs by rubbing the ball stylus over the leaves/needles (front side), curving them slightly upwards. Note: you could also use the end of a paint brush or die pick and a mouse pad. Arrange leaf branches around sentiment on card to get an idea of spacing. Adhere with liquid adhesive (I prefer Beacon Kids Choice Glue for this - it's thick and dries clear). See photo. Adhere the pine boughs as shown. Use ball stylus and molding pad to shape flowers by placing them face down on the pad and rubbing behind the petal areas. Flip and press ball stylus in center (if glitter gets on pad, just touch some tape to it to remove it). Use dimensional/mounting tape to adhere flowers as shown.

Supplies

• Rubbernecker Stamps: Create a Garden 2 (3009), Pot Garden Die Set (3009D), Merry Christmas (980-12)
• Cardstock: White, Red
• Embossing Powder: Red Tinsel, Ranger Liquid Platinum, Verdigris, Green
• Powder Tool
• VersaMark Ink or Other Embossing Ink
• Heat Tool
• Stamp Platform or Stamp Positioner
• Die Cutting Machine: Sizzix Big Shot
• Dimensional/Mounting Tape
• Strong Adhesive: Gem Tac or Super Tacky Tape
• Kids Choice Glue

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Elegant Embossed Christmas Card

I have collected a lot of metallic embossing powders over the years. When I saw this Christmas Tree Set by Rubbernecker Stamps, I thought I would like to emboss the different trees in variety of metallics on dark cardstock. The touch of gold matting really finishes this elegant card.

Affiliate links may be included in this post. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program that provides a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. See notice at bottom of blog for a longer description.

Making the Card

1. Cut dark blue cardstock 7 x 10 inches; fold in half to form a 5 x 7 inch card base.

2. Cut gold metallic cardstock 4 3/4 x 6 3/4 inches. Adhere to card base.

3. Cut dark blue cardstock 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. Use a powder tool over the surface. Place cardstock in corner of Stamp Platform then line up stamps in their approximate positions. Be sure to leave enough space in the middle for sentiment. Remove all but one stamp. Note: you could also use a stamp positioner or just eyeball it. Stamp using VersaMark ink or other embossing ink. Emboss in one of the metallic colors. Repeat the process one stamp at a time, using a different metallic embossing powder for each tree until all six have been embossed. You might want to keep in mind the order you would like the embossing colors to be on the final card. Some of my powders are old and no longer manufactured but I also used Ranger powders; I love the way they emboss. Under Supplies, I listed the Ranger powders I used plus recommended a few replacements for the ones no longer made.

4. Emboss sentient from Snowflakes and Stardust Set in gold on vellum. Trim to a strip that's about 5 inches wide. Fold edges around embossed blue cardstock where shown. Hint: add a little adhesive behind the areas where the vellum will go, stick one side in the adhesive then fold around, adhering behind the other side. Adhere to card base.

Supplies

• Rubbernecker Stamps: Christmas Tree Set (592),  Snowflakes and Stardust Set (481)
• Cardstock: Dark Blue, Gold Metallic
• Vellum
• Ranger Embossing Powders: Silver, Silver Pearl, Gold, Copper, Liquid Platinum, Princess Gold
• VersaMark Ink or Other Embossing Ink
• Powder Tool
• Stamp Platform or Stamp Positioner
• Heat Tool

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