Bella's Birthday Card by Wild Rose Studio

I have several Wild Rose Studio stamps but haven't really made much with them yet. This one is an image of Bella, a sweet little elephant. The company also makes matching papers. I used one of the patterned sheets for this card but they have a couple sheets featuring Bella as well (I can easily see myself hoarding these). I am also trying out my QOR watercolors for the first time (other than just making swatches). The colors are very intense. They tended to stain the paper (Arches Hot Press) so lifting was difficult - not sure if this was due to the watercolor, the paper itself, or the combo. I'll be doing some more testing!

Copyright Notice: ©Mary Dimercurio Prasad. All rights reserved. Any illegal reproduction of this content, including images, will result in immediate legal action.

Disclaimer: Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. 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. 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, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at bottom of blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

Making the Card

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

2. Cut watercolor paper to about 4 1/2 inch square. Stamp Bella's Birthday in the center with VersaFine Onyx Black ink. Let dry completely and/or heat set. Watercolor image. I used QOR watercolors.

3. Die cut watercolored image using largest MFT Inside/Out Stitched Square (or other stitched square die... be sure to measure it for mat). Cut blue cardstock mats: 4 3/4 x 6 1/8 inches and 4 x 4 inches (i.e. 1/8 inch larger than your stitched die). Cut Bella's Birthday patterned paper with dotted circles 4 5/8 x 6 inches. Adhere patterned paper to 4 3/4 x 6 1/8 inch blue cardstock. Adhere watercolored image to other (be sure to use strong tape, especially if the image warped). Hint: if the paper warped a lot, you may lightly mist on the back, place face down on a craft mat, and place weights on the back (I used my acrylic block and a book on top of that). Cover balloon in Glossy Accents. Add Wink of Stella to butterfly wings.

4. Punch butterfly from white cardstock. Watercolor in same colors as butterfly in watercolored image. Use a black marker (e.g. Memento Tuxedo Black) to add details as shown. Be sure to go around the edges from the back side with the brush tip. Color wing areas with Wink of Stella.

5. From pink cardstock, die cut two copies of "happy birthday" using Sizzix Celebration Words: Script dies. You may cut more if you would like a thicker stack. Line up and glue the like words together in a stack. Ink the bottoms using Memento Rose Bud ink and an ink blending tool. Follow up with VersaColor Baby Blue at the bottoms of the letters.  Cover with Wink of Stella. Coat with Glossy Accents.

6. Adhere red satin ribbon around matted patterned paper where shown. Adhere to card base. Adhere matted watercolored image to card base, using dimensional tape, as shown. Glue letters to ribbon as shown. Carefully bend each side butterfly wing slightly up (try to leave the body flat). Glue butterfly where shown.

Supplies

• Cardstock: Blue, Pink, White
• Patterned Paper: Bella's Birthday 6x6 Paper Pack (Wild Rose Studio PP035)
• Stamp: Bella's Birthday
• Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black, Memento Rose Bud, VersaColor Baby Blue
• Ink Blending Tool
• Marker: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Watercolors: QOR (Phthalo Blue - Green Shade, Ultramarine Blue, Dioxazine Purple, Quincridone Magenta, Permanent Alizarin Crimson, Purrole Red Light, Transparent Pyrrole Orange, Indigo, Paynes Gray), Winsor & Newton Gouache Ivory Black
• Brushes: 2 (Travel), 4, 8 Black Velvet by Silver Brush Ltd.
• Watercolor Paper: Arches Hot Press
• Dies: Die-Namics Inside/Out Stitched Squares (My Favorite Things MFT-850) or other stitched square dies, Sizzix Celebration Words: Script (660223)
• Punch: Martha Stewart 3-in-1 Butterfly
• Glossy Accents
• Wink of Stella
• Red Satin Ribbon
• Dimensional Tape

Follow my blog with Bloglovin so you won't miss any Bella's Birthday fun!

So Much to be Joyful About Card & Daniel Smith Watercolors

This sweet greeting card is for anyone who needs a little pick-me-up (who doesn't love puppies!). It makes me smile. I put together the scene with some quick masking and a couple stamp sets from Dreamerland Crafts. I used Daniel Smith watercolors to color it. I just love these watercolors. They have some beautifully unique colors, such as Moonglow, used for the boy's shirt, Hematite, used in the shadows, and Buff Titanium, used on the ground. I enjoy making fluffy clouds with the simple technique described in the step-by-step. Now go out and brighten someone's day!

Pssst... if your reading this, leave me a comment! I see lots of hits on my pages but really wonder if anyone actually reads my posts! Heh.

Disclaimer: Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. 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. 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, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at bottom of blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

Making the Card

1. Cut blue cardstock 7x10 inches; fold in half to form a 5x7 inch card base.

2. Cut My Mind's Eye Boy Crazy 12x12 Stitched sheet to 4 3/4 x 6 3/4 inches. Adhere to card base.

3. From Dreamerland Crafts Stamps, stamp bird, kitten, boy with box, and puppies on masking paper using StazOn Jet Black ink. Fussy cut using detail scissors.

4. Use VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink for stamping: stamp puppies at an angle as shown on watercolor paper - leave plenty of room around it for the rest of the scene. When dry, cover with matching mask. Using stamp positioner, stamp boy with box (it's a little tricky but the stamp positioner will make it a lot easier). When dry cover with matching mask. Stamp bushes as shown. Stamp bird and kitten where shown; when dry cover with matching masks. Be sure masks are stuck down well, especially around the edges.

5. Cover berries in bushes using masking fluid. Have a tissue ready. For my painting, I used Daniel Smith watercolors. Once masking fluid is dry, add water to sky then drop in color (I used Ultramarine Blue) starting with the darkest at top and fading out as you get closer to the bushes. Use crumpled tissue to dab in areas of the sky to form clouds. You may use a damp brush (water only) to go over areas you want lightened more; immediatly soak up with tissue. Watercolor the ground area. Once dry, paint bushes. Work in layers, allowing each to dry before adding more color. Paint shadows. Remove masking fluid from berries and paint them. Once the background is done, you may watercolor the subjects. Again work in layers. To blend, use a slightly damp brush to soften just-painted edges. I use a fairly dry brush to add color when I want smooth blending (blot excess on paper towel or rag).

6. Die cut image using square die. I actually used a Spellbinders Grand Nestabilities 4x4 inch square die but they have been discontinued. See supplies (bottom of post) for replacement. For the mat, cut blue cardstock a little larger. I just eyeballed it by placing the image in a corner, leaving the amount I wanted as a border, then used a pencil to mark where I wanted to cut on the other sides. Note: you may have nesting dies that will cut the desired border instead. Adhere image to mat. Adhere to card where shown.

7. Stamp sentiment in VersaFine Onyx Black ink on Boy Crazy paper (I changed inks because some of the detail was lost with the Clair Nocturne ink - my ink pad is fairly new and a bit too juicy). Trim as shown and add tails. Create a mat for it in blue cardstock. Adhere using dimensional tape.

8. Die cut champagne Deco Sheets and blue cardstock to create stars using Sizzix/Stephanie Barnard Triplits Stars die set. Adhere where shown. Add sequins and star confetti where shown.

Supplies

• Dreamerland Crafts Stamps: So Much to be Joyful About (DCS17040), Mail Box & Wall (M18301)
• Cardstock: Blue
• My Mind's Eye Paper Boy Crazy - 12x12 Stitched #681002
• Masking Paper
• StazOn Jet Black Ink
• Detail Scissors
• Strathmore 500 Hot Press Watercolor Paper
• Fineline Masking Fluid
• Tissue
• Daniel Smith Watercolors
• Stamp Positioner
• VersaFine Onyx Black Ink
• VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink
• Sizzix Square Dies (657565)
• Sizzix/Stephanie Barnard Triplits Stars (661118) - discontinued but a few available here
• Tim Holtz/Idea-oloby Deco Sheets (#TH93219) - discontinued but a few available here
• Dimensional Tape
• Sequins
• Star Confetti

Follow my blog with Bloglovin so you won't miss any of the puppy lovin' fun!

Dog Days Summer Greeting Card and Giveaway!

The Xyron Design Team was given a summer theme for this June project. I went through my stamps and found a sweet little dog sniffing a flower, by Whipper Snapper Designs. I thought it would be fun to do a play on words with "The Dog Days of Summer."

I recently colored an image with Arteza watercolor pencils; this time I decided to use my Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer watercolor pencils and Strathmore Series 500 Watercolor Paper to see how they performed in comparison. I still need some practice layering (watercolor pencils seem to reactivate more easily than watercolor even when dry on paper) but these were much easier to work with than the Arteza combo.

Giveaway: Xyron is giving one lucky person a Mega Runner! Yay! To enter, leave a comment below. I will choose a winner randomly and make the announcement here on my blog next week - the person will have a week to respond. Note: I will try to email if the winner has a valid address listed in their profile (please do not put your email address in your comment). If you would like an extra entry, just subscribe to my YouTube channel and tell me in your comment here that you did so.

The Mega Runner comes with a 1/2 inch wide 100 foot roll of strong adhesive. Refills are available in 1/2 inch and 1/4 inch versions.

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

1. Using VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink, stamp Sweet Sniffs of Spring (Whipper Snapper Designs) on Strathmore watercolor paper (I recommend a Stamp Platform or Misti due to the texture on the paper). Although it is waterproof, it is a pigment ink, which usually takes a while to completely dry, so you may want to use a heat tool to set the ink.

2. Color image with Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer watercolor pencils, using a waterbrush or watercolor brush and water to blend the colors. You may go over darker areas with pencil while paper is slightly damp to get more pigment lay-down. You may find a list of colors I used below Supplies.

3. Die cut image with Cross-Stitched Oval. Using the next size up oval, die cut the grass background paper (Puppy Love Paper Pad). Note: I highly recommend the Sizzix machines for die cutting. I have been very happy with mine!

4. Cut green cardstock 7x10 inches; fold in half to form a 5x7 inch card base. Cut blue cardstock 4 3/4 x 6 3/4 inches. Adhere to card base using Mega Runner (see photo below). Cut dog scrabble patterned paper (Doodlebug Design Puppy Love) 4 5/8 x 5 1/4 inches. Adhere to bottom part of card as shown above.

5. Cut blue gingham patterned paper (Doodlebug Design Gingham-Linen Rainbow Petite Prints) 1 1/4 x 4 5/8 inches. Use Cricut Maker or other digital cutting machine to cut "The Days of Summer" from green cardstock (I used a system font that I thought would be fun with this card - I also welded some of the letters together). Use a Xyron 1.5" Create-a-Sticker to put adhesive on the backs of the words/letters (see photo above). Arrange words and Mini-Scrabble letters (don't stick down the Scrabble letters yet though) on blue gingham piece, leaving room for bone and paw brads. Note: the brads I used came colored - if you can't find them already colored, you could paint them using Vintage Patina in Onyx and Marble, which is made to stick to metal. Add brads where shown. Hint: I used a soft mallet and cutting mat to lightly tap the prongs flat behind the paper. Use Mega Runner to adhere to top of card base as shown (avoid brads). Adhere Scrabble letters.

6. Adhere die cut grass oval where shown. Adhere watercolored dog oval using dimensional adhesive. Watch the following video to create dimensional adhesive using a Xyron 9" Creative Station with Permanent Adhesive.

Supplies

• Xyron: Mega Runner, 1.5" Create-a-Sticker, 9" Creative Station, Permanent Adhesive
• Cardstock: Grass Green, Ultramarine Blue
• Whipper Snapper Designs, Inc Stamp: Sweet Sniffs of Spring (CY866)
• Doodlebug Design: Puppy Love 6x6 Paper Pad (5299), Gingham-Linen Rainbow Petite Prints (5450)
• Strathmore Series 500 Ready Cut Watercolor Paper 5x7
• VersaFine Clair Ink: Nocturne
• Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer Watercolor Pencils
• Optional: Stamp Platform or Stamp Positioner, Heat Tool
• Waterbrush or Watercolor Brush
• CottageCutz Cross-Stitched Oval Set CCB-016
• Optional: Jolee's Boutique Mini Scrabble Letters (I think these are discontinued but you can find some around - there are also generic options)
• Cricut Maker
• Dog Bone and Paw Brads

Colors of Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer Watercolor Pencils Used

• Grass/Leaf 267, 170, 205
• Collar/Flower 219, 115
• Dog 176, 182, 179, 199
• Sky 120

Follow my blog with Bloglovin so you won't miss any of the dog days of fun!

Friends Are Always There for You Watercolor Card

Some of the recent Dreamerland Crafts stamps now have matching dies! This set is perfect for Spring, Summer, and Fall - depending on how you color the trees. It also comes with a kitten, a piglet, and a step ladder. I just love the sweet expression on the girl's face as she's petting the puppy on her lap.

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 sea foam 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. Cut Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid Fall 6x6 patterned paper (diagonal multicolored) 4 1/8 x 5 3/8 inches. Adhere to card base.

3. Cut salmon cardstock 3 7/8 x 5 1/8 inches. Adhere to card base.

4. Cut watercolor paper 3 5/8 x 4 7/8 inches. Using a Stamp Platform or Stamp Positioner, stamp hills in waterproof black ink (I used VersaFine Onyx Black). Hint: where the lines meet, use a little Post-It tape to mask excess overlap. Watercolor sky in a color similar to the blue in the patterned paper. While wet, use a scrunched up paper towel to create clouds.  I added a little more green to color the grassy areas.

5. On another piece of watercolor paper, stamp the girl and about 10 trees (half tall, half short). Watercolor the trees in Fall colors. I used Prima Watercolor Confections. I colored the girl's dress to match the red-orange line in the patterned paper. Once dry, you may add shading with colored pencils (e.g. Faber-Castell Polychromos). I also use a Prismacolor blender pencil to smooth out the coloring. Die cut each of the pieces. Hint: use a small piece of Post-It tape to hold the dies in place as you cut.

6. Stamp sentiment where shown. Once dry, adhere trees and girl using dimensional tape behind the girl and behind some of the trees (the ones you want in front). I used Lineco glue in a Fineline applicator to adhere the trees that weren't going to be popped up; it's easier to use glue rather than tape due to the texture of the paper.

Supplies

• Dreamerland Crafts Stamps: Friends Are Always There for You Clear Stamps & Die Cuts (DCSC17019)
• Cardstock: Sea Foam, Salmon
• Patterned Paper: Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid Fall 6x6 Petit Paper Pack (LF1245)
• Watercolor Paper: Strathmore 400 Series
• Stamp Platform or Stamp Positioner
• Watercolors: Prima Watercolor Confections
• Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black
• Colored Pencils (Optional): Faber-Castell Polychromos
• Blender Pencil: Prismacolor
• Post-It Tape
• Dimensional Tape/Mounting Tape
• Lineco Ph Neutral Adhesive
• Fineline 20 Gauge Applicator & Bottle

Follow my blog with Bloglovin so you won't miss any of the watercolor fun!

Baby Shower Invite

This slightly interactive card has drawers that open to see the information inside (Date, Time, Place). I made it in pink but of course it can be made in other colors such as blue or yellow. I used a wood plank stamp with VersaMark ink to give the drawers a subtle wood like pattern.

Making the Card

1. Cut light gray cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half for a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base.

2. Cut pink newsprint patterned paper 2 1/2 x 3 1/8 inches. Ink edges with Smokey Gray VersaFine. Sand and rough up edges. Add more ink if desired. Cut dark gray cardstock 4 x 5 1/4 inches. Adhere inked newsprint to dark gray as shown. Wrap a piece of trim around the front, gluing down then attaching on each side in back. Adhere to card base.

3. Die cut Onsie from pink/white polka dot paper. Stamp "You're invited to a" and "party" on the front as shown in Smokey Gray VersaFine ink. Adhere to card as shown using dimensional tape.

4. Stamp wood grain on light gray cardstock using VersaMark ink (you could also use a slightly darker gray ink). Die cut Little Dresser. Also die cut Little Dresser from silver metallic cardstock - keep knobs only.

5. With Smokey Gray VersaFine ink stamp "Date", "Time", and "Place" on front of the three longer drawers (if you don't want the colons ":" you will have to mask them or remove the ink with your finger before stamping).

6. Cut three strips of thick white paper or thin cardstock to just under 3/8 inches by 2 5/8 inches; fold in half. Write the date, time, and place on the right side insides if you are creating invitations and know the information. Carefully glue drawers to the fronts making sure none of the white shows.

7. Cut white cardstock 1 5/8 x 2 1/8 inches; glue behind dresser frame, lining up near top. Adhere drawers. Adhere knobs - I added the gray knobs first then the silver ones so they would sit up a little higher. Use dimensional tape to adhere dresser as shown.

8. Adhere buttons where shown.

Supplies

• Frantic Stamper Dies: Little Dresser (FRA-DIE-10136), Onsie (FRA-DIE-10137)
• Frantic Stamper Stamps: Baby Party (FRA-CL-066)
• Cardstock: White, Light Gray, Dark Gray, Silver Metallic (e.g. Kraft-Core Metallic Collection)
• Patterned Paper: Pink/White Polka Dot (or other light colors), Lost & Found Madison Avenue 6x6 Pad (Newsprint)
• Wood Grain Stamp (I used My Favorite Things Wood Plank)
• VersaMark Ink
• Smokey Gray VersaFine Ink
• Pink Trim (I used Michaels brand Trims: Spring Blossoms)
• Buttons
• Dimensional Tape

Follow my blog with Bloglovin so you won't miss any of the baby invite fun!
Affiliates links may be included in this post. See Notice at bottom of blog.

Coloring with Fireworks and Memento: Holiday Card

I love the shimmer of Fireworks sprays; it's perfect for holiday cards. I used the sprays to color most of the card. It lends a bit more texture to the background and tree. I masked to color a few areas, and used a paint brush to apply it to the smallest areas. The irRESISTible Texture Spray gave the card a slight dimension in the background as snow. Finally a few touches of Neon Amplify added fur to the hat and fox's tail.

Making the Card

1. Cut red 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. Cut plaid patterned paper (Lawn Fawn Perfectly Paid Christmas) 4 x 5 1/4 inches.

2. Using 2nd largest oval (Large Stitched Oval Stackables), die cut white cardstock. using largest oval (Small Stitched Oval Stackables), die cut green cardstock.

3. Die cut bow from red cardstock and assemble.

4. Watch the video below:

5. I had originally planned to do more shading in the background with Summer Sky Memento Ink, either starting at the bottom and fading to the top or vice versa but I actually liked the background just sprayed so I left it. You can also optionally use Cottage Ivy Memento Ink and masking for tree shading under the branches.

Supplies

• irRESISTible Texture Spray: Wedding Dress
  
• Fireworks Sprays: Lady Bug, Cottage Ivy, Desert Sand, Summer Sky
• Memento Dew Drop Inks: Lady Bug, Toffee Crunch, Optional: Cottage Ivy, Summer Sky
• Ink Blushers
• VersaFine Ink: Onyx Black
• StazOn Ink: Jet Black
• Memento Markers: Tuxedo Black, Optional - London Fog
• Neon Amplify: White
• Patterned Paper: Lawn Fawn Perfectly Paid Christmas 6x6 Petite Paper Pack
• Cardstock: White, Red, Green
• Dies: Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Oval Stackables & Small Stitched Oval Stackables, Paper Smooches Baby Bow
• Stamps: Taylored Expressions Woodland Winter
• Masking Paper or Post-it Tape
• Dimensional Tape

Follow my blog with Bloglovin so you won't miss any of the Fireworks fun!
Affiliates links may be included in this post. See Notice at bottom of blog.

Paper Smooches Guest Designer - Halloween Card

I was chosen to be the Paper Smooches guest designer for October! Woo-hoo! This is my first project. I used the new Leaf Frame Die to make a crooked window (haunted hauses don't have your straight ordinary windows) looking out onto the full moon and creepy tree (Fall Tree Die) scene. The sentiment is from the new Fall Sampler stamps.

Making the Card

1. 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.

2. Cut Tangerine Gingham Linen patterned paper 4 x 5 1/4 inches. Stamp web, spider, and "happy halloween" sentiment. You may want to heat set or let it dry for a while if you are using VersaFine - it takes a while to dry. Once dry, draw a line connecting the spider to the web using a black pen (e.g. Copic Multiliner).

3. Die cut black and dark gray cardstock with Leaf Frame. Use dark gray for inside of frame and black for the frame edge. Adhere at an angle to Tangerine patterned paper (step 2) as shown. Don't worry if part of the leaf hole is in the card area, the moon will cover it. Leave the overhang for now.

4. Die cut or punch 1 1/2 inch circle from yellow/orange cardstock. Stamp bat where shown (near one edge). Glue to window as shown.

5. Die cut Fall Tree from black cardstock. Line up in window and mark with pencil where it hits the edges; trim (you don't have to trim the left side as it will get trimmed with the other stuff). Adhere.

6. From the back side, cut along the edge to trim overhanging stuff. Adhere to card base. Add sequins where shown.

Supplies

• Paper Smooches Dies: Leaf Frame, Fall Tree
• Paper Smooches Stamps: Fall Sampler, Halloweenies
• 1 1/2" Circle Die or Circle Punch
• Cardstock: Black, Dark Gray, Yellow/Orange
• Patterned Paper: Doodlebug Design Tangerine Gingham Linen 5430
• VersaFine Onyx Black Ink
• Black Pen (e.g. Copic Multiliner)
• Sequins: Doodlebug Designs - Tangerine, Bumblebee

Follow my blog with Bloglovin so you won't miss any of the creepy fun!
Affiliates links may be included in this post. See Notice at bottom of blog.

Using Fireworks to Paint Images

Here's a Halloween card full of sparkle (and maybe a wee bit of magic!). I used Sparkle Sheer Shimmer Spritz on the background paper with the potion bottles to give it a subtle shine. Rather than coloring the images with pencils or markers, I painted them using Fireworks! The result looks incredible in person - like molten metals.

Making the Card

1. Cut black cardstock 7 x 10 inches. Fold in half to form a 5 x 7 inch card base.

2. Cut black cardstock 4 5/8 x 4 5/8 inches. Cut orange striped patterned paper (Doodlebug Design 6x6 Paper Pad Boos & Brews) 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches. Stamp spider with VersaFine Onyx Black and draw line from edge to spider with black pen. Adhere to black cardstock.

3. Find potion bottle page in Doodlebug Design 6x6 Paper Pad Boos & Brews. Cut to 4 3/4 x 6 inches. Watch the following video.

4. Use different levels of dimensional tape to adhere the apothecary table, bottles, candelabra, and sentiment by doubling up on the apothecary, gluing the back bottles directly to the background, and using a single layer on everything else.

5. To make the bow, just go back and forth in a circular pattern then staple in the middle with a Tiny Attacher (Tim Holtz). The spider charm will cover it. If you don't have one, use a strong dry adhesive such as Tear It Tape. Attach the "beware" charm using a jump ring. Adhere bow and charms to card as shown.

Supplies

• Cardstock: White, Black
  
• Fireworks: Tangelo, New Sprout, Grape Jelly, Cantaloupe, Dandelion, Rich Cocoa, Desert Sand, Tuxedo Black
• Sheer Shimmer Spritz Sparkle
• VersaFine Onyx Black Ink
• StazOn Jet Black Ink
• Vellum
• Doodlebug Design 6x6 Paper Pad Boos & Brews 5407
• Stamps & Dies: Taylored Expressions - Toil & Trouble, Apothecary Shelf
• Black Pen (e.g. Copic Multiliner)
• Seam Binding (e.g. Hug Snug)
• Metal Embellishments (e.g. Tim Holtz)

Paintbrush Follow my blog with Bloglovin so you won't miss any of the sparkling fun!
Affiliates links may be included in this post. See Notice at bottom of blog.

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

Follow my blog with Bloglovin so you won't miss any of the elegant card making fun!
Affiliates links may be included in this post. See Notice at bottom of blog.

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

Follow my blog with Bloglovin so you won't miss any of the crazy bird fun!
Affiliates links may be included in this post. See Notice at bottom of page.

Get Organized: Labels with Imagine Crafts (Featuring Tsukineko)

This was my first video as part of Imagine Crafts' Artist in Residence Team. I've been on the team now since December 2015 but this didn't get posted so here it is now! The theme was Get Organized. I thought I would make labels for the jars I use to store my craft products. For the binder clips and @ paper clips, I made the labels to match the colors of the items inside.

Making the Labels

Here is the video tutorial of how I made these fun, colorful labels:

I didn't show it in the video but I used StazOn to stamp on the label with irRESISTible texture spray. You may also use StazOn to stamp directly on the recycled plastic before adding irRESISTible pico embellisher.

Supplies

Imagine Crafts Supplies

• Memento Dew Drop Inks: Cottage Ivy, Dandelion, Paris Dusk, Love Letter, Bamboo Leaves, Grape Jelly, Rose Bud
• VersaFine Ink: Onyx Black
• StazOn Ink: Jet Black
• InkBlushers
• GlazOn
• irRESISTible Neon Texture Spray: Electric Pink, Dandelion, Electric Purple
• irRESISTible Pico Embellisher: Wedding Dress, Tuxedo Black, Shimmer
• Tear It! Tape

Other Supplies

• Spellbinders Nestabilities: Labels Four, Labels Four Small
• Stamps: Paper Smooches (We Totally Click - Pen, Smarty Pants - Paper Clip, I Heart Art - Pencil and Paint Brush), Lawn Fawn (Smitty's ABCs), TPC Studio (Alphabet 72558)
• Office Depot Mini Binder Clips, Smartz @ Paper Clips, Coins
• Alcohol Markers (e.g. Copic)

Follow my blog with Bloglovin so you won't miss any of the organizing fun!
Affiliates links may be included in this post. See Notice at bottom of page.

Delicata Multimedia Grunge Card

Use the new Black Shimmer and White Shimmer Delicata Inks to create this grunge multimedia look. This would make a great background for masculine cards (maybe with gears instead of butterflies, heh). Check out all the layers of color and texture.

Making the Card

1. Cut blue cardstock 7x10 inches; fold in half for a card base.

2. Cut red cardstock 2 x 3 7/8 inches (for stamped sentiment). Cut blue cardstock 1 3/4 x 3 3/8 inches (for background for frame and the word "FLY").

3. Watch the following video to create grunge papers:

The piece on the left of the red label (where most of the butterflies are located) is the center of the frame used around the word "FLY." All pieces were edged with the Black Shimmer Delicata Ink.

Hint: arrange items before gluing; draw pencil guide lines before stamping (erase lines after ink has dried - you may want to heat set).

Supplies

Imagine Crafts

• Delicata Inks: Black Shimmer, White Shimmer
• StazOn Ink: Jet Black
• VersaFine Ink: Onyx Black
• Memento Luxe Inkers: Love Letter, Nautical Blue (or Stamp Pads)
• Ink Blushers
• Creative Medium: Clear
• StazOn All-Purpose Cleaner
• Tear It! Tape

Other Supplies

• Spellbinders Embossing Folder: Gridiron (SEL-002)
• Spellbinders Dies: Robo Bar (S3-232), Take Flight (S4-620)
• Acrylic Gesso: White (e.g. Liquitex, Prima Art Basics)
• Watercolor Paper: Arches Rough; optional, use Hot Press (smooth) for letters
• Cardstock: Blue, Red, White
• Butterfly Punches (e.g. Martha Stewart Monarch, Martha Stewart 3 in 1, EK Success)
• Large Background Stamp (e.g. Clocks)
• Alphabet Stamp Sets (e.g. Studio G, Hampton Art)
• Dimensional Tape
• Brushes

Follow my blog with Bloglovin so you won't miss any of the multimedia fun!
Affiliates links may be included in this post. See Notice at bottom of blog.

Creating Water with Creative Medium

This is a cool way to create the look of water. I put in a bit more color than I would have liked but it still looks pretty good. The Shimmer Creative Medium looks really pretty in person - it gives it a subtle shimmer when you tilt the card.

Creating the Project

1. Cut light turquoise 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. Cut turquoise cardstock 4 x 5 1/4 inches. Cut fish patterned paper (Doodlebug Under the Sea) 3 7/8 x 5 1/8 inches. Adhere to turquoise then to card base. Stamp "you're fintastic" with Onyx Black VersaFine ink onto light turquoise cardstock, trim down. Cut turquoise cardstock to be 1/8 inch larger in each dimension (so 1/16 will show all around); adhere sentiment.

3. The flip side of the fish patterned paper is bubbles. Cut a strip from left over scrap and mat it with turquoise cardstock 1/8 inch larger in each dimension (so 1/16 will show around). Adhere together. Adhere to card where shown.

4. Die cut light turquoise cardstock with stitched rectangle die (2nd smallest in set). Cut turquoise cardstock 1/4 inch larger in each dimension (so about 1/8 will show all around). Adhere together.

5. Watch video below to create aquarium:

6. Adhere aquarium and sentiment using dimensional tape where shown. Add enamel dots to upper right corner to look like bubbles.

Supplies

Imagine Crafts Supplies

• Creative Medium (Shimmer or Clear)
  
• StazOn Ink: Jet Black
• VersaFine Ink: Onyx Black
• Palette Knife
• Memento Markers: Tuxedo Black, Rich Cocoa, Toffee Crunch

Other Supplies

• Cardstock: Light Turquoise, Turquoise
• Watercolor Paper (e.g. Arches Hot Press)
• Color Burst: Ultramarine Blue
• Plastic Packaging
• Stamps: Lawn Fawn Fantastic Friends
• Watercolor Paint (e.g. Windsor & Newton) or Other Coloring Medium
• Patterned Paper: Doodlebug Design Under the Sea 6x6 Paper Pad
• Dies: Lawn Fawn Large Stitched Rectangle Stackables
• Optional: Clear Dimensional Tape (e.g. Scotch Clear Mounting Tape)
• Clear Glue (e.g. Glossy Accents) - for adhering aquarium front to water if you don't want to use the clear dimensional tape
• Dimensional Tape
• Enamel Dots

Follow my blog with Bloglovin so you won't miss any of the fintastic fun!
Affiliates links may be included in this post. See Notice at bottom of blog

Memento Marker Watercolor Stamping

This is a simple way to make a watercolored scene for your cards. As you will see in the video tutorial, I do a little painting to enhance the scene but you could easily skip it. (I didn't have a stamp for the small blue wild flowers so I added them by hand.)

Making the Card

1. Cut light pink cardstock 7x10 inches; fold in half for a card base.

2. Cut watercolor paper 4 1/2 x 6 inches. Tape to Craft Mat with painter's tape. Watch the video tutorial below.

Paper Sizes
Watercolor painting - cut to 4 x 5 5/8 inches
Dark pink cardstock - 4 1/8 x 5 3/4 inches, 4 5/8 x 6 1/8 inches
Patterned paper - 4 1/2 x 6 inches

3. Die cut leaves from green cardstock, shade and shape as desired. Adhere flowers, leaves, and enamel dots as shown.

Supplies

Imagine Crafts Supplies

• Memento Markers: New Sprout, Olive Grove, Danube Blue, Grape Jelly, Lulu Lavender, Lilac Posies, Rose Bud, Angel Pink
• Ink Potion No. 9
• Sheer Shimmer Spritz: Sparkle
• Craft Mat
• VersaFine Ink: Onyx Black

Other Supplies

• Rubber Stamps: Flower (solid - open design not recommended)
• Painter's Tape
• Watercolor Paper (e.g. Arches Hot Press)
• Watercolor Brushes
• Patterned Paper: Doodlebug Design Inc. Kraft in Color - Color 6x6 Pad
• Cardstock: Light Pink, Dark Pink, Green
• Petaloo DIY Paintables (Bulk Packs)
• Stamps: Close to My Heart Artistry
• Enamel Dots

Follow my blog with Bloglovin so you won't miss any of the watercolor stamping fun!
Affiliates links may be included in this post. See Notice at bottom of page.