Create x3

Watercolor {Holly}

Papers: Memory Box dill nc, Strathmore watercolor paper
Stamps: Memory Box Holly Sprig {D1773}, Memory Box Thanks Script {A833}
Stamp Ink: Archival Ink coffee, Tim Holtz Distress Ink frayed burlap
Embellishments: Koi watercolors, Stickles lime green, Sharpie white poster paint pen, Paper Trey Ink buttons, misc. ribbon, sewing machine

Today I wanted to try out my new watercolor set so I created this 'Thank You' card using the Memory Box Holly Sprig {D1773} stamp. Here are step-by-step instructions for you:

1.    Stamp the Memory Box Holly Sprig {D1773} stamp randomly on a piece of watercolor paper using Archival Ink coffee. 

2.   Repeat step one stamping and painting just one Holly Sprig. Cut this single sprig out and set aside.

3.   Paint holly leaves and berries with watercolors.

4.    Trim watercolor paper to 4" x 5 1/4".

5.    Sponge around edges using Tim Holtz Distress Ink frayed burlap.

6.    Sew around edges with red thread.

7.    Tie a ribbon to the top 1/3 of the watercolor paper.

8.    Adhere to a Memory Box dill notecard.

9.    Use a Sharpie white poster paint pen to add highlights to the berries.

10.  Stamp the sentiment in the lower-left corner using the Memory Box Thanks Script {A833} stamp.

11.   Adhere the holly sprig you cut out in Step 2 onto the card using Pop Dots.

12.   Add Stickles lime green to the dimensional holly sprig to finish.

I hope you have enjoyed today's creation. This was fun to watch it come together. Have fun, and thanks for stopping by! 

A December {Birthday}

Do any of you have family members with a birthday in December? I have four. It makes it kind of crazy doing Christmas and birthdays in December but it works. Tomorrow is my Mom and her identical twin sister's birthday. So, here is the card I made for Mom. She loves teal so hopefully she will enjoy this.

 

Memory Box Papers: Minuet Butterfly Ballet, Gingham pool cs
Stamps: Memory Box Index Card (G1781), Memory Box Happy Birthday Candles (C1373), Memory Box Christmas Sparkles (B1775)
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink broken china, Archival Ink coffee
Embellishments: Memory Box index card die (98214), 7Gypsies number tissue paper, misc. twine, Paper Trey Ink button, Hug Snug seam binding colored with Glimmer Mist pearl, sewing machine

To create the tag, I used the Memory Box Minuet Butterfly Ballet 12x12 paper and stamped the Memory Box Index Card (G1781) stamp onto it using Distress Ink broken china. I then used the Memory Box Index Card die (98214) to cut it out and place on my card after wrapping some twine around the bottom of the tag.

To make the birthday sentiment, I used both the Memory Box Happy Birthday Candles (C1373) and Memory Box Christmas Sparkles (B1775) stamps. I stamped the Christmas sentiment first using Archival Ink coffee. I then stamped the birthday sentiment using Distress Ink broken china again, cut it out, and adhered it over the word 'Christmas' on the Christmas stamp. I then attached it to the card with pop dots so it would stand out a bit. I love the Christmas stamp, and really think it can be used for many occasions by changing the word 'Christmas' to whatever you are celebrating. Try and think about all of the different Memory Box sentiment stamps you can use over this Christmas stamp! Quite versatile! To finish, I added some sewing, some seam binding, and a button.

I hope this gives you some ideas for any birthday cards you might need in December or January! Have fun creating, and see you again soon! Thanks for stopping by!

{Vintage} Poinsettia

Lately as I have looked around the web, I have seen a lot of creations using just one tone to give a vintage/sepia look. I really think it is beautiful. So, for today I decided to use the Memory Box Poinsettia Wreath (G1787) and try this fun look.

First, I stamped the Poinsettia Wreath onto watercolor paper with Archival ink and embossed it in clear embossing powder. Next I used my Derwent Watercolor pencil #55 (vandyke brown) to shade the entire image. I used just a tiny bit of pencil on the inside edges of each flower, and then I used a tiny paint brush with a bit of water to pull the color into the flower. You can see on the bottom flower here how much pencil I actually used before adding the water.

After coloring the image, I die cut the image out and shaded it with Distress Ink. Here is how the finished card turned out:

Paper: Memory Box kraft nc, Strathmore watercolor paper
Stamps:  Memory Box Poinsettia Wreath (G1787)
Stamp Ink:  Tim Holtz Distress Ink frayed burlap, Archival Ink coffee, Ranger clear ep
Embellishments: flower from Wild Orchid Crafts, Tim Holtz Distress Stickles frayed burlap, Spellbinders scallop circle die, Basic Grey flower embossing folder, sheet music from old hymnal, Hug Snug seam binding, Derwent Watercolor pencil #55, sewing machine  

I hope you have enjoyed today's card and give this sepia look a try with some of the Memory Box holiday stamps! Thanks for stopping by! Much more for December to come so be on the lookout! Blessings,

Dec. 25th!

Memory Box Papers:  Yuletide, Moroccan latte, Distressed Dots thistle, Dots key lime, and kraft nc
Stamps:  Memory Box Christmas Ticket C1782
Stamp Ink:  Jenni Bowlin brown sugar and chili powder
Embellishments: Memory Box class scallop die, Paper Trey Ink twine, misc. ribbon, sewing machine

Today I decided to finally use the polar bear paper that is in the 6x6 Yuletide pack. I love the paper but just haven't use it yet. I used it as the background for my card. Then I took the colors from the scarves that the polar bears are wearing and cut out five 1 1/2" circles for the bottom of the card. Funny how my bow covers up the fun colors on the bears though and only shows the red. I didn't notice that until I photographed the card. LOL! Anyway, I then covered the tops of the circles with a strip of paper I cut using the Memory Box classic scallop die. I finished with a large bow and the Memory Box Christmas Ticket stamp {C1782} that I tied to the bow. Super quick, fun and colorful!

I hope you have enjoyed my little inspiration today. Thanks for stopping by. As always, I appreciate you! See you again soon!

Roll Up Those Scraps

Well, I meant to post this card on Monday but I was having serious trouble with the snow. I started out with my Flower Soft but used the wrong glue accidentally. I tried removing it but then I tore the paper so I left the snow and added a red ribbon over the tear. LOL! Sometimes you just have to make due with the mistakes. I already had the tree put together before all of the "accidents" happened. Here is how it turned out:

Papers:  Memory Box Yuletide, Distressed Dots thistle, and kraft nc
Stamps:  Memory Box Vertical Merry Christmas D1806
Stamp Ink:  Archival Ink coffee
Embellishments: Flower Soft white, misc. ribbon, misc. charm, sewing machine

To make the fun tree, I used scraps of paper from the Memory Box Yuletide 6x6 collection. I rolled them, snipped the ends, and stacked them up to look like a tree. This is a great way to use up little scraps!

I hope you enjoy my little card today. And I would love to know what you do with those accidents that happen. Do you start over or just cover it up? :) Enjoy the rest of the week, and thanks for stopping by!

Use {Part} of a Die Cut!

Okay, so I love the Memory Box Blooming Rosette & Center die, and I find myself using just the center of this particular die a lot! Today I thought I would show you how I used it for a Christmas card. 

First, I cut out seven centers from the die set. I used paper scraps from the 6x6 Yuletide paper pack.

Then I inked the edges of each circle and layered them on the card. I added some baker's twine and the Memory Box Christmas Ticket stamp {C1782} for the sentiment. This is how the card turned out:

Papers:  Memory Box Yuletide, Moroccan latte, and Distressed Dots thistle
Stamps:  Memory Box Christmas Ticket C1782
Stamp Ink:  Jenni Bowlin brown sugar
Embellishments: Memory Box blooming rosette center die, Cuttlebug seeing spots embossing folder, Tim Holtz tiny attacher, misc. bakers twine, sewing machine

Tip: To cut the paper so that the poinsettias were in the center of the circle, I placed the die behind the paper and held it up to a light to make sure the poinsettia was placed correctly. Then I held the paper carefully and ran it through my Big Shot.

And if you missed this post in June, you can see how I also used this same portion of the Rosette die to put behind the Gorgeous Mini Bloom stamp. Click here to see the same die used a little bit differently.

Thanks for stopping by, and see you again shortly with another Memory Box creation!

Ruffled Christmas

When I make altered dress forms, I shape clothing out of patterned paper. I dampen the paper to "mold" it into the shapes I need. Well, on Pinterest this week, I saw where Clare used the same technique to make ruffles on a card. Now, why hadn't I thought about shaping my paper for my cards too instead of just dress forms. Hmm? Anyway, I thought I would play with it today to make this "ruffled Christmas" card.

Papers:  Memory Box Yuletide and wassail nc
Stamps:  Memory Box We Wish B1808
Stamp Ink:  Jenni Bowlin chili powder
Embellishments:  Memory Box berry pearls, Hero Arts lace, flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, Glossy Accents

My ruffled strips are 1 1/4" x 6" and not as full as Clare's but I don't like messing with the paper for too long. The paper is from the 6x6 Yuletide paper pack, and for the card base I used the Memory Box wassail notecard. The stamped sentiment is the Memory Box We Wish stamp {B1808}.

Because of the thickness of this card, it would probably be pretty hard to mail unless it were in a small box but it certainly would make a great card to hand to someone at Christmas time!

Thanks for stopping by, and see you again shortly with another Memory Box creation!

It's Fall!

Okay, so the calendar tells me it's Fall. By the temperatures we are still having here (in the 90's), you wouldn't know it's Fall. But to get me in Fall mood, I thought I would share a little Fall card with you today using the new Memory Box Fall Leaf Trio stamp.

 

Papers:  Memory Box Nightfall and jack-o-lantern nc
Stamp Ink:  Versafine onyx black
Stamp:  Memory Box Fall Leaf Trio
Embellishments: Adirondack Paint Dabber snowcap, Paper Trey Ink rustic twine, misc. washi tape

To create my card, I stamped the Fall Leaf Trio stamp 3 times onto 3 different pieces of paper from the Nighfall 6x6 pack. I then cut out each leaf to layer and adhere to the front of my card. For the background, I took a piece of cardboard, painted it white, glued it to the Jack-o-Lantern notecard, and added some washi tape to the corners for fun. To finish, I added a piece of twine to "tie" the leaves together. I did not include a sentiment. I love having "blank" cards available to mail "just because."

I hope you enjoy today's Fall creation. Enjoy your Thursday! Blessings,

A {Tinsel} Reindeer

Papers:  Memory Box Yuletide, kraft nc; Paper Trey Ink cs
Stamp Ink:  Tim Holtz embossing ink, Ranger silver embossing tinsel, Jenni Bowlin chili powder
Stamps:  Memory Box Poinsettia Stem 98205, Memory Box Graceful Deer 98152
Embellishments: Memory Box classic scallop die, Stickles Christmas red, misc. ribbon

Today I thought I would play with some of the new Christmas stamps. I decided to use the Memory Box Poinsettia Stem {98205} and the Memory Box Graceful Deer {98152} stamps to create this card. Here is how I created the card:

1. Stamp the Poinsettia Stem stamp several times on a Memory Box kraft notecard using red ink.

2. Stamp the Memory Box Graceful Deer stamp onto a scrap piece of paper using embossing ink and emboss with silver embossing tinsel. Cut out.

3. Adhere a 2" x 4 1/4" strip of Yuletide paper across the center of the card.

4. Using the Memory Box classic scallop die and another piece of paper from the Yuletide paper pack, cut a scallop to fit the card.

5. Adhere the scallop on top of the other strip of paper.

6. Adhere the reindeer.

7. Add ribbon embellishments and Stickles to the poinsettias to finish.

I hope you have enjoyed today's quick card. See you again soon with another creation. Not sure what I will create yet so feel free to make suggestions in the comment section. What do you want to see? :)

Wooden Spool {Christmas} Ornaments

Recently on a cross stitch site, I saw an adorable set of ornaments using wooden spools. Well, I have a ton of wooden spools lying around since I use them for my parrots to chew on. I decided to steal some spools from the "parrot" stash and put a little twist on the idea I saw. Here are the ornaments I created out of the spools: 


Papers:  Memory Box Yuletide
Stamp Ink:  Archival Ink jet black
Stampd:  Memory Box We Wish B1808, Memory Box Mama & Baby C1736
Embellishments: Memory Box cherry red jewels and mint pearls, Stickles Christmas Red, Glossy Accents, misc. ribbon

They are very easy to make and the paper measurements will vary depending on the size spool you use. Let's look at how I created them.

1. Cut paper to fit spool. I needed strips that were 2 1/4" long. The width can vary depending on how many papers you are going to use.

2. Stamp the spool with a small sentiment stamp for fun. I used Archival Ink and the Memory Box We Wish stamp {B1808} on one of the spools.  

3. Add pearls, ribbons, Stickles, etc. to decorate. I chose to decorate one with the Memory Box Mama & Baby stamp {C1736}. I cut the bird out, added Glossy Accents, and adhered with a Glue Dot Pop Dot.

4. Add a ribbon hanger to finish. I used 10" of grosgrain ribbon. I tied a knot and glued inside the spool itself.

These would be super easy to make for stocking stuffers, gifts for teachers, neighbors, etc. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!