Tag Archives: #handmadecards

Full Moon In A Night Forest

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Hi everyone,

Sometimes I don’t like creating a card with a sentiment on the card front. The sentiment seems to distract or take away from the image itself. Here is an example of that instance.

I just want the receiver of the card to look at the moon shining from behind the clouds in a deep, dark, peaceful night forest. I love the ink blended night sky I created, and the bright moon contrasted against the sky and black forest.

Hope you like this project. Time to contemplate and meditate that there are still some beautiful things in this world. Have a great day.

 

Supplies used to make this project:

  • Stamps: Altenew: To the Moon stamp set.
  • Dies:
    • Altenew: To the Moon die set.
    • Hero Arts: Forest Sunset Fancy Die.
  • Inks:
    • Distress Oxide Inks (for the night sky): Blueprint Sketch, Seedless Preserve, Wilted Violet.
    • Altenew: Silver Lake ink (for the moon).
    • Versamark embossing ink (for embossing over the stamped moon).
  • Cardstock:
    • Pale gray card stock from my stash (moon).
    • Black cardstock from my stash (forest and clouds).
    • Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper (ink-blending of night sky).
  • Other: Brutus Monroe: Fairy Dust embossing powder (for stamping over the moon).

Notes: The card size is a standard A2 (4.25” by 5.5”). The moon was stamped on pale gray cardstock with Silver Lake ink. A stamp positioner was used for this. Another layer of Versamark ink was then stamped over the image (using the same moon stamp). The embossing powder was applied over this and then heated with a heat tool. This process gave the moon a shimmery look which the photo does not pick up.

Stay Strong

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Stay strong! I cannot emphasize this enough in these times. I wanted to make a card that was positive and calming. I hope I achieved that.

I find that being near water is very calming for me, so I tried to create that feeling here. I love the different shades of blue used here to mimic waves and how the sea can change in color. This effect was achieved using watercolors and layering the shades of blues on top of each other. It was one of the techniques introduced in Online Card Classes’s Spring Card Camp 2 by Kristina Werner. There is also a Spring Card Camp 1. They are both great classes to take while you are staying in place.

Hope you liked this project and I wish everyone strength, calm and positivity in these difficult times.

Supplies used to make this project:

  • Stamps: Altenew: All Things Orange stamp set (for the seagulls, clouds, and sentiment).
  • Dies: Altenew: All Things Orange coordinating die set (dies used for seagulls and clouds).
  • Inks: Versafine: Onyx Black
  • Watercolors: Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolor Set (36 colors in all; only shades of blue were used and black at the very bottom).
  • Papers & Cardstock:
    • Arches Cold Press Watercolor Paper in 140 lb. (for card front)
    • Papertrey Ink in Dark Indigo (for mat around the card front)
    • Neenah Solar White 110# (for card base)

Note: the final card size is A2 (4.25” x 5.5”)

Mom You are the Best!

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Mother’s Day will be here soon. It is time to remember your Mom and all the things that she did for you. Mothers are the greatest!

I love this card because I was able to use one of my background stamps that I bought on impulse. This background stamp has a strong graphic pattern consisting of bold groups of line at different angles that appear to cross each other. Therefore, you would not normally use it for a card to your mother. However, I think the pattern works with the bold “MOM” sentiment die and the graphical die-cut leaves.

Hope you have a great day and remember Mom IS the best!

Supplies used in making this project:

  • Stamps:
    • Simon Says Stamp: Stripe Jumble Background stamp (6”x6” red rubber)
    • Hero Arts Stamp & Cut: Thanks set (sentiment: “you are the best”)
  • Dies:
    • My Favorite Things Die-namics: Mom die
    • Papertrey Ink: Fancy Foliage die set
  • Inks:
    • Catherine Pooler Inks: Party Dress (used for graphic stamp pattern)
    • Versamark ink (used for heat embossed sentiment strip)
  • Cardstock:
    • Neenah Solar White 110# cardstock (used for stamping the background pattern and making the card base)
    • Simon Says Stamp: Glitter cardstock in Magenta (used for the die-cut ‘MOM’ and the top layer of the leaf foliage)
    • Papertrey Ink: Raspberry Fizz (used to create the bottom 3 layers of the leaf foliage)
    • Papertey Ink: True Black (used for the skinny sentiment ‘you are the best’)
  • Other:
    • Hero Arts: White embossing powder

Notes:

  • The card is an A2-sized card (4.25” x 5.5”) with a horizontal orientation and fold along the top.
  • The die-cut foliage (leaves) were triple-stacked using Raspberry Fizz cardstock. The magenta glitter cardstock was used as the top layer for a total of four layers.
  • Fun foam was used on the back of the ‘MOM’ sentiment to give it added dimension.
  • The jumble background pattern was stamped onto a full 6”x6” piece of cardstock and a strip of it cut down for the card.
  • The cardstock used for the mat of the jumble-patterned strip is Raspberry Fizz.

Merry Christmas Poinsettia

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I haven’t posted in a while. But now that Christmas is getting nearer, I’ve started making holiday cards.

This card features a beautiful poinsettia flower. I love the die it was cut from. There is so much detail in it. The embossed lines that are created by the die really add dimension to the flower.

I die cut the flowers and the leaves from metallic shimmer paper because I think the holidays are all about things that shimmer, shine and glow. The border stamp (though it is stamped in the middle of the card front) was stamped with metallic gold shimmer ink. The results are stunning, and the photo doesn’t quite capture it.

Hope you like this project. Have a great day and try to fit in some Holiday crafting!

Supplies used in making this project:

  • Stamps: Pretty Pink Posh: Winter Borders stamp set; My Favorite Things: Hand Lettered Holiday stamp set (‘Merry’ ‘Christmas’ sentiment/words).
  • Dies: Hero Arts: Paper Layering Poinsettia Fancy Die.
  • Inks: Delicata: Golden Glitz (for the stamped border. Note: this ink is from Tsukineko); Hero Arts: Mid-Tone Shadow Ink in Royal Red (for sentiment).
  • Cardstock:
    • Papertrey Ink Vintage Cream (card front).
    • Poinsettia flower in Red Satin shimmer cardstock (from my stash: brand name unknown).
    • Leaves: Curious Metallic Paper in Botanic.
    • Flower center: Stardream Metallic cardstock in Gold.

Autumn: Colorful Leaves and Time to Get Cozy

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Fall leaves are the prettiest. Autumn is all about earth tones. The subtle shimmer of rich earth-toned metallics reminds me of Autumn at its richest and most beautiful.

We are two days into the Autumn season and its time to begin reflecting on the past year as everything starts to turn into gorgeous bursts of color before the fade out and plunge into cold and snow. At least that’s what happens to the weather where I live!

I created this card using a beautiful die set. The veining in the leaves from the dies give the leaves a realistic, beautiful, textured dimensional look. The leaves were die cut from metallic cardstock in antique gold and cooper. I adhered the leaves to the card with glue dots placed down the center of each leaf. Afterwards, I bent the sides of each leaf to add some pop-up dimension. The metallic cardstock was thick enough to hold the bending of the leaves without any problem. The sentiment and the die cut of the word ‘Fall’ provide an additional touch of memories of Autumn’s past.

Hope you like this project. Have a great day and enjoy the nature’s colors all around you!

Supplies used to make this project:

Stamps:  Neat & Tangled: Hello Fall Stamp Set (sentiment).

Dies:  My Favorite Things Die-namics: Falling Leaves die set (leaves cut from metallic cardstock); Neat & Tangled: Hello Fall die set (word “Fall” and shadow for the word): My Favorite Things Die-namics: Wonky Stitched Square STAX die set (second largest square from the set).

Inks:  Catherine Pooler Inks: Over Coffee (stamped sentiment);

Cardstock:  Papertrey Ink: Dark Chocolate (for the card front) and Rustic Cream (for the sentiment square); Die-cut leaves were cut from Stardream Antique Gold cardstock and metallic copper (brand unknown). Word “Fall” was die-cut from the metallic copper cardstock.

Autumn Greetings!

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Fall is arriving in a few days!

Even though, the weather still says Summer, it’s time to start making Autumn-themed cards. This card was made using the cute Autumn Wreath stamp set from Pretty Pink Posh. I love this set and all the whimsical images.

The wreath stamp is full of cute details so you can color to your heart’s content. I stamped the wreath with a Copic-friendly ink used my favorite coloring medium, Copic markers in an array of greens, brown, warm yellows and oranges to make the wreath pop on the white cardstock. then die-cut the wreath with its coordinating die. I also die cut another wreath from fun foam and adhered it to the back of the colored wreath before adhering the entire wreath piece to the front of the card. This gave the wreath added dimension.

Hope you like this project. Have a great day!

 

Supplies used to make this project:

Stamps: Pretty Pink Posh: Autumn Wreath stamp set (both the wreath and the sentiment).

Dies: Pretty Pink Posh: Autumn Wreath coordinating die set (for the wreath die).

Inks:  Versafine Pigment Ink in Onyx Black (for sentiment); Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black (Copic-friendly) (for wreath image).

Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White 80# for stamping the wreath; Papertrey Ink: Terracotta Tile for the card front; Neenah Solar White 110# for the card base.

Copic Markers:  Flower images (there are 2 of them): YR24; Berries: R46: Round Berry Plants: YR09 for berry and YG25 for tiny leaves; Oak leaf shapes: Y35 and Y38; Oval leaf shapes: YG25, Y21 blended; Striped leaves YR38 (top) and YR09 bottom and blend with Y38; Mushrooms: E17 and E34; Acorns: Y38 (top) and E17 (bottom).

Please note that I added tiny dots with a fine black artist ink pen to the mushrooms and lines underneath the mushroom cap for gills. I also added crisscross lines to the tops of the acorns with the same fine black artist ink pen.

You Are Every Bit of Wonderful! Single Layer Floral Card

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I love gold embossing powder! Using it really dresses up a card and adds a bit of elegance when paired with a sophisticated background stamp like the one I used for this project.

I took inspiration for this card from the recent bi-monthly Yippee for Yana video on the Simon Says Stamp YouTube channel. This month’s Yippee for Yana video features an elegant one-layer masked floral card.

Yana Smakula’s designs are so wonderful and her style runs the gamut from whimsical to sophisticated. I love the versatility in her card making. She is always a constant source of inspiration.

My project uses Yana’s basic techniques shown in the video. The only obvious difference is the background stamp and sentiments that we each chose and perhaps the specific brands of embossing powders used. I also did not ink blend the edges of the embossed background with the same color of ink but chose a similar color from my ink pad stash.

One other difference is that I masked off a section in the middle by die-cutting a label from a rounded-corner label die using masking paper. After removing the label mask, I heat embossed a sentiment in the same gold embossing powder.

Hope you like my project. Hope you have a great day!

 

Supplies used to make this project:

  • Stamps:
    • Simon Says Stamp: Pretty Peonies background stamp
    • Simon Says Stamp: Uplifting Thoughts (sentiment)
  • Dies:
    • Pinkfresh Studio dies: Essentials Basic Label Frames set
  • Inks:
    • Versamark Ink for heat embossing
    • Catherine Pooler Inks: Icing on the Cake (light ink-blending around edges of card)
  • Cardstock:
    • WPlus9: Coal Mine (very similar to SSS’s Slate cardstock) for the card front
    • Neenah Solar White 110# (card base)
  • Other:
    • Brutus Monroe embossing powder: Gilded

Sending Happy Thoughts: and a Floral Arrangement

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I love making cards that combine several different product types. In this case, I used a floral stamp, a cover plate and a label/frame die for the sentiment. I think all these different elements combine to make a pleasing and cheery card.

The flowers were stamped in a Copic-friendly ink, colored using Copic markers and then die-cut with their coordinating die. The sentiment was cut from a two-piece label/frame die set, one oval and the back a nicely scalloped piece.

The background was debossed using a beautiful color plate with a swirly pattern on a 4-inch by 5.25-inch piece of white card stock and then centered and matted onto a 4.25-inch by 5.5-inch piece of hot pink cardstock. The final card front is adhered to a standard A2 card base.

Hope you like this card. Hope you have many happy thoughts throughout your day.

 

Supplies used in making this card:

  • Stamps: Altenew: Weekend Doodles stamp set (for floral cluster and sentiment).

 

  • Dies:
    • Altenew: Weekend Doodles coordinating stamp set (for flora cluster)
    • Altenew: Dotted Swirls Debossing Cover Plate
    • Papertrey Ink: Limitless Layers 2.5-inch Ovals (for sentiment label)
  • Inks:
    • Memento Tuxedo Ink (Copic-friendly)
    • Altenew: Obsidian Pigment Ink

 

  • Copic Markers:
    • Flowers: RV00, RV11, RV17 (all blended together).
    • Leaves: YG25, YG17
    • Flower centers: Y02

 

  • Cardstock:
    • Neenah Solar White 80# (for debossed card front, stamped floral cluster, stamped sentiment oval)
    • Simon Says Stamp: Doll Pink (mat frame)
    • Neenah Solar White 110# (card base)

Good Times in Sunny California in a Mini Van

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This card reminds me of California. I think it’s the palm trees and floral minivan. Shades of the Flower Power 60’s!

A lot of different product brands went into making this card and I think they all come together quite well on this card, if I do say so myself.

The card is mostly die-cutting. The only images that are stamped are the flowery mini-van and the sentiment. The minivan was colored using Copic markers. After the mini-van was die-cut and colored, it was heat embossed three times with clear embossing powder. This gave the van a very smooth enameled look, much like the enamel pins that are the rage with crafters right now.

Note: I used the Pretty Pink Posh Aloha shaker die for the sun but cut out the word ‘aloha’ and replaced it with a 2-3/8 inch circle.

I list the products that I used below. Hope you like the project. Hope you have some good times today!

Supplies used to make this project:

  • Stamps: Flora & Fauna: Good Times stamp set (van and sentiment)
  • Dies:
    • Flora & Fauna: Good Times die set (van)
    • Lawn Fawn: Palm Trees dies (palm trees)
    • Pretty Pink Posh: Aloha Shaker die (sun)
    • Reverse Confetti: Stitched Rays cover panel (mat piece behind the sun and van)
    • Hero Arts: Circle Infinity Dies (2-3/8 inch solid circle inside the sun)
  • Inks:
    • Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black (Copic-friendly)
    • Versafine Ink in Onyx Black (for the sentiment)
  • Copic Markers:
    • For the van:
      • Tires: C6
      • Bumper and side mirrors: C1
      • Windows and headlights: BG11
      • Flowers and leaves on the van: V05, RV17, Y19, YG07
      • Van Roof and top body: YG23
      • Van bottom body: YG21
    • Cardstock:
      • Papertrey Ink: New Leaf (mat behind the card front and palm leaves);
      • Kraft cardstock from my stash (palm trunks);
      • Neenah Solar White 110# (stamped images, sun ray background, and card base).

It’s Summer and Life’s a Beach!

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Hi everyone!

Sometimes life can be a beach, especially in the Summer!

I loved making this card using an Avery Elle stamp I bought last year, but hadn’t used! I found it wedged behind my craft desk and the wall while I was doing a little tidying up of my craft room. (Yes, I do clean my craft room from time to time!).

The sky and the sandy beach were created using a cheaper version of the Picket Fence Life Changing Brushes which I purchased from Amazon. I have to say that ink blending with this kind of brush (really a soft foundation brush) makes the process so easy. I also used Bristol Smooth cardstock. Inks just glide over this type of paper when you use it for ink blending.

The images were stamped with a Copic-friendly ink and colored with Copic Markers and I list the colors below. I die cut the images using the coordinating die set for the stamps and raised the images  with bits of foam tape.

Hope you like this project. Have a great, beachy day!

 

Supplies used to make this project:

  • Stamps: Avery Elle: Beside the Sea stamp set
  • Dies: Avery Elle: Beside the Sea dies
  • Stencils: Rosie’s Roadshow Cloud Template (This may be hard to find, but MFT’s Mini Cloud Edges stencil would work).
  • Inks: Distress Inks: Peacock Feathers (for the clouds/sky); Distress Oxide Ink in Tea Dye (for the sand); Versafine Ink in Onyx Black (for the sentiment); Catherine Pooler Inks in Grass Skirt (for the tufts of grass); Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black, a Copic-friendly ink (for stamping the Copic-colored images).
  • Copic Markers: Blue beach house: BG15, BG11, Y19; Orange House: YR19, YR04, Y19; Green/Yellow House: YG07, YG23, YG21; Sun: Y19; Seagull: C1; Sand Pail: YR09: Sand Pail shadow: E33.
  • Cardstock: Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper (for the card front); Neenah Solar White 80# (for the stamped images); Papertrey Ink cardstock in Hawaiian Shores (card mat); Neenah Solar White 110# for the card base.

 

 

Mom Love You: Mother’s Day Card with Floral Borders

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Mother’s Day always brings thoughts of Spring, pastel colors and flowers. This project was created for a Simon Says Stamp Flickr challenge. Using at least one SSS product, the challenge involved created a card with flowers or a Mother’s Day using floral designs. I’ve posted the picture on Flickr and Instagram.

So, to all mothers and women who raise and nurture others (you are motherly!), Happy Mother’s Day!

Hope you like this project! Have a great day!

 

How I made this project:

  • Using a stamp set with floral images, stamp a border pattern onto an A2-sized (4.25”x5.5”) piece of white cardstock along the horizontal-oriented top and bottom of the piece. I used a MISTI stamping tool for this to insure good, stamped images. Also, stamp with a Copic-friendly ink since the images will be colored with Copic markers.
  • Color the images with Copic markers.
  • Die-cut the letters M-O-M from pink sparkle cardstock. Cut the letters two additional times in plain cardstock.
  • Adhere the letters cut from pink cardstock to the back of the pink-glittered letters. Note: There will be a total of 3-layers for each letter. This is done for added dimension.
  • Center the letters to form the word Mom in the middle of the card front as show in the picture.
  • Stamp the sentiment phrase “LOVE YOU” underneath the word ‘MOM’.
  • Trim the top and bottom of the floral card front piece by 1/8-inch. The card front will be 4.00” by 5.25”.
  • Adhere the card front to an A2-sized mat of pink cardstock.
  • Adhere the completed card front to an A-2 sized, horizontal-oriented card base.

Supplies I used to make this project:

  • Stamps: Simon Says Stamp: Spring Flowers stamp set (large and small flowers; leaves); SSS: Mom and Dad Icon stamp set (for phrase ‘LOVE YOU’); SSS: Koalaty Friend (small butterfly image).
  • Dies: SSS: Mom and Dad Icon wafer die set (for letters spelling ‘MOM’).
  • Inks: Memento Ink: Tuxedo Black (Copic-friendly); Versafine Pigment Ink in Onyx Black (‘LOVE YOU’).
  • Copic Markers:
    • For large flower petals: RV11-Pink; flower centers: Y35-Maize.
    • For small flowers: BG11-Moon White.
    • For leaves with dotted lines: YG25-Celadon Green.
    • For solid-outlined leaves: combination of YG13-Chartreuse and YG25-Celadon Green.
    • For butterflies: Y32-Cashmere.
  • Cardstock: Neenah Solar White 80# for card front; SSS: Cotton Candy (mat for card front); Neenah Solar White 110# for card base; Mirri Sparkle cardstock: Pink Sapphire (for word ‘MOM’)

Mother’s Day Card inspired by the Met Gala

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This card was inspired by this year’s Met Gala! I don’t think it is anywhere near the over-the-top fashions that appeared at the gala. However, I was inspired by all the rich colors, elaborate designs and intricate detailing on the gowns as well as the touches of gold everywhere (hence, the gold glitter border).

I love this cover die, Antique Engravings by Altenew. The design is very delicate, and I found it a little fragile and difficult to work with but managed to die-cut and adhere it to the card front. I didn’t apply any adhesive sheets, like Stick-it, to the back of my cardstock before die-cutting the cover die. Sometimes I find that on something so intricate and delicate like this die, you can end up tearing the die-cut piece when you remove the backing of the adhesive. Instead, I patiently removed the piece from the die after cutting it and added tiny dots of liquid adhesive to the back. It took a while, but I finally was able to do this and place it onto a 4.0” by 5.25” piece of burgundy cardstock.

Hope you like this card! Have a great day!

How I made this project:

  • Die-cut the cover die piece from a 4.25” x 5.5” piece of white card stock. Note: It is important to use a metal shim and you may have to run the die through a couple of times to completely cut through the paper. The number of times depends on your die-cutting machine. I have an old Vagabond machine, so I went back and forth 3 times. I also adhered the cover die to the paper with removable tape (like Purple tape) to make sure the die and paper didn’t shift.
  • Gently remove the die-cut from the die.
  • Cut a burgundy piece of card stock to the size: 4.0” by 5.25”.
  • Apply liquid adhesive in little dots to the back of the die-cut. (Note: I used a fine-tip Zig 2-way glue pen.)
  • Adhere the die-cut to the burgundy card front piece.
  • Cut an A2-sized (4.25” by 5.5”) piece of gold glitter cardstock.
  • Adhere the burgundy/die-cut piece to gold glitter, placing it in the lower left-hand corner of the gold glitter piece.
  • Die-cut a banner from the same colored burgundy cardstock and prep this piece with an embossing bag.
  • Stamp the burgundy banner with a Mother’s Day sentiment using Versamark ink.
  • Sprinkle gold embossing powder on the banner and heat emboss it.
  • Adhere the banner to the card front using foam tape.
  • Mount the completed card front to an A2-sized card base.

Supplies I used in this project:

  • Stamps: Papertrey Ink: Keep It Simple Sentiments: Mother (for the Mother’s Day sentiment).
  • Dies: Altenew: Antique Engraving Cover Die; MFT Die-namics: Sentiment Strips die set (no longer available, but there are many other sentiment strips that could be used).
  • Cardstock: Neenah Solar White 80# (for the die-cut); Papertrey Ink: Scarlet Jewel (for matting the die-cut); Mirri Sparkle cardstock in Gold (for the mat underneath the burgundy piece); Neenah Solar White 110# for the card base.
  • Other: WOW Embossing Powder in Pale Rich Gold; Zig 2-way Glue Pen (fine tip).