Greetings friends. Thank you to everyone who participated in the challenge last month. We loved seeing all of your spectacular metallic creations.

The winner of the blog badge from June's challenge was Greta H from the GG Creations blog. We loved her multiple uses of metallics:

 

The random winner selected from all the entries to win the prizes was loll from the Stamping With Loll blog.

Please contact me at stampjournal@gmail.com with your full name and US address to claim your prize.

Want to play along in this month's challenge?  The rules are simple - just create a project following the theme, use at least one Memory Box stamp or die on your project and link your entry to this blog post.  You can make a card, a scrapbook page, a home decor item, etc..  To encourage participants with various levels of stamping experience, one entry will be selected at random to win a prize. Enter as many times as you want, but your name will only be entered once into the random prize drawing.   In addition, the design team will select their favorite entry to  be highlighted on the Outside the Box blog and that designer will receive our winner badge to proudly display on their blog. 

You don't have to have a blog in order to participate.   You can upload your project to any online gallery and link it to this post.   In fairness to other players, we reserve the right to remove entries that do not use at least one Memory Box product.  You are also welcome to link your design to other challenges.  Feel free to grab our badge to post on your blog post or side bar.

Please note, because of issues with shipping internationally, only domestic entries will be eligible to be shipped prizes. We are so very sorry that we had to add this stipulation.

July is here, and with it, a lot of us are headed to the ocean, lakes or pools. Water is all around us, even in the form of an afternoon summer rain. For this month, we would like to use water as your inspiration. Do you feel like an underwater scene? A beach sunset? A day on a boat? Staying at home out of the heat and listening to the rain? You really can do whatever you want! We just ask that you use some element of water on your card and that you use at least one Memory Box product.

Here are some samples to help inspire you:

There are several ways for you to enter the contest:

1.)  Link your finished work below

2.)  Enter on Instagram by tagging your sketch project with the #mbchallenge86 hashtag

You have until the end of the day (EST) on Saturday, July 30th.   Don't forget, you have to use at least one Memory Box item on your entry and only domestic entries are eligible to be shipped prizes. 

Here is what you could win:

Supplies

 

ef1032 Curling Waves 3D Embossing Folder and Matching Dies

cld101 Clear Fairy Drops

Hello and welcome, it's Angie here today with a sympathy card using some of the newly released floral dies.

Here's a closer look:

To make my card I first swiped pink and green ink pads direct to watercolor card to create a textured background.  I die cut the flowers and stems using "Graceful Poppy Stems" and "Ruffled Poppy Stems" dies, from pink and green card stock and used some watercolor markers to add a little interest to them.  After putting the flowers together, I arranged them on the front of the card and added a heat embossed sentiment from "Big & Little Words" stamp set.  Lastly I added a few gems.  

Here's one last look:

I hope you like my sympathy card for today.  I always find these difficult to make because it's such a sad occasion to create for.  Hopefully, I've given you some inspiration to create cards like this when you need them.

Be sure to check out the entire new release from Memory Box!  Thanks for stopping by!

 

Supplies

 

SP1001 Berry Red 6x6 pack

SP1003 Lush Green 6x6 pack

CL5242 Big and Little Words lear stamp set

94651 Graceful Poppy Stems craft die

94667 Ruffled Poppy Stem craft die

WP101 Watercolor Paper

Hi everyone.  The 3D embossed fish are so pretty.  Having the options to color, die cut, and emboss the fish with any combo makes the set so versatile.  I used the Ocean Fish die set and 3D Embossing Folder with the Memory Box Mirror paper to create the fish.  Also used several other flower dies to create the water lily and lily pad.  

Goldfish:

Die cut the goldfish from the Ocean Fish die set from gold and bronze Rainbow Reflections Mirror paper pad.  Secure in the fish in the Ocean Fish 3D Embossing Folder using temporary tape and run through the die cutting machine.  Repeat for the 2nd fish. 

Background:

Cut a white card stock to 3 3/4" x 5".  in the lower left hand side ink blend with dye ink, I used my new Elements ink in the bright blue and turquoise with  a brush.  I left some of the brush marks to create movement.  Sprinkle with water, let stand for few seconds, and blot off with a paper towel.  Set aside to dry.

Waterlily:

Die cut the smallest and 2nd smallest Happy Daisy Stem flower dies from heavy white card stock.  Ink blend with a light pink from the bottom up with a light pink ink.  Die cut the pistil from the Ruffled Poppy Stem die set from heavy white card stock.  Color with a bright yellow ink.  Glue the pistil to the larger flower and then the smaller on top.  Die cut the stems from the Ruffled Poppy Stem die set from heavy white card stock.  Color with a light and mid tone green ink.  You can use pens, watercolor, or any ink pads.  I used Elements Ink pads for all my coloring today.  Die cut the 4th smallest circle die from Circle Basic set from white card stock. Use the flower pad from the Ruffled Poppy stem die to die cut in the shape of the lily pad. Take Tim Holtz paper distressed to rough of the edge around the pad. Ink blend with a light green ink and then a mid-tone green ink.  Take a dark green color pencil and draw in some lines.  

Sentiment:

Stamp a strip of white card stock with the You Are Fin-tastic sentiment from Deep Blue Ocean stamp set in black ink.  Back with a strip of black paper from Rainbow Reflections Mirror paper pad.

Assembly:

Cut the black paper from Rainbow Reflections Mirror paper pad to an A2 panel.  Adhere to a white A2 card.  Adhere the stems to the left side of the card, the lily pad, and then the waterlily.  Adhere the goldfish to the bottom left of the card, with 1 fish hanging off the side.  Trim off.  Adhere the sentiment to the upper righthand side.  Add a few clear Fairy Drops in the water.  Adhere the panel to the card using mounting foam tape.

Supplies

EF1031 Ocean Fish 3D Embossing Folder and Matching Dies

94650 Happy Daisy Stem craft die

94648 Sweet Poppy Stem craft die

94667 Ruffled Poppy Stem craft die

30087 Circle Basics Set

CL5268 Deep Blue Ocean clear stamp set

DRP101 Fairy Drops

FP1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad 6x6 pack

Summers come and go so quickly in Seattle - here's another design featuring our Island Vacation release.  A Grand Tulip Shell and fish create a relaxing tropical scene on a slimline design. The shimmery texture and dimension of the new Ocean Fish 3D Embossing Folder and Cutting Dies Set are great for any occasion.   Hi, Jean Okimoto here with breezy ocean colors to refresh a warm summer day.

Cut 3 fish from the new Ocean Fish 3D Embossing Folder and Cutting Dies set from pale blue, aqua and teal sheets from the Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad.  Place them in the folder and emboss them using the plate(s) required for your machine.  Details - including the tiny dotted fishscales and striped fins and tails - add shimmery dimension to the diecuts.

Cut the solid Grand Tulip Shell from smooth white cardstock.  Place it in the detailed Grand Tulip Shell die and sponge or brush it with Distress Oxides.  Cut a partial paper stencil of the narrow, pointy tip and use it to stencil twisted citron.  Colors used here are shaded lilac, tumbled glass, salvaged patina and twisted citron.  Dry the inks.

Cut the delicate shell outline from the white Polished Foil Pad sheet.  Attach it to the shell background.

Cut 2 of the fine-striped rope from the End of My Rope set.  

Attach the diecuts to a white slimline card (3-½" x 8-½").  Overlap the ends of the rope at the center and cover them with the shell.  Use foam tape for the shell and the little guy.

Attach the lightest Winter Fantasy Fairy Gemstones. Cut a slimline-sized layer of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

The Ocean Fish 3D Embossing Folder and Cutting Dies Set is #EF1031.

Hope you're enjoying the vacation-themed designs we're creating for you.  Summer flies by so quickly - especially here!

Thanks for visiting...see you in July!

 

 

Supplies

 

94566 Grand Tulip Shell craft die

94546 End of My Rope Set craft die

FP1001 Polished Foil Pad pack

FP1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad 6x6 pack

GEM102 Winter Fantasy Fairy Gemstones

 

Supplies

 

ef1031 Ocean Fish 3D Embossing Folder and Matching Dies

In the 2022 JUNE ISLAND VACATION RELEASE there is a new embossing folder that has coordinating dies.  I used just the dies with green cardstocks first to create two tropical leafy cards.

Card One

Card Two

to make these cards

• die cut a lot of TROPICAL LEAVES EF1030 from various shades of green cardstock in the LUSH GREEN COLLECTION SP1003
• use a fingertip dauber to add VersaFine Clair Rain Forest ink on the leaf edges

• cut coordinating plaids 4 X 5 1/4 and add to the fronts of white notecards
• begin adding leaves
• stamp "Love" from the FRIENDS AND FAMILY CLEAR STAMP SET CL5276 on one of the larger flat leaves using the VersaFine Clair Rain Forest ink

• die cut the STELLA BUTTERFLY AND BACKGROUND 94635 from coordinating shades of purple cardstock from the TWILIGHT PURPLE COLLECTION SP1008
• glue the middles together and fold up the wings a bit 

• add the butterfly to the notecard that has the three long leaves, adhering it so the wings can pop up

• on the other card, pop up some of the leaves using dimensional foam dots for more texture and interest

Here's a closer look at the embossing folder and the coordinating dies.

Unfortunately, I broke my die cutting machine beyond repair when I tried making a third card using the embossing folder--I put the stack together incorrectly and tried to squeeze too thick a layer through the machine.  Lesson learned to review the directions before trying this when the new machine arrives!  

Happy Crafting!

 

Greetings friends. We have a new release that we think you are going to love.  It is called June Island Vacation, and there are 3-D Embossing folders along with coordinating dies to add lots of dimension to your cards. There are even fish stencils in case you want to easily add extra color to your projects. Most of the collection has an ocean theme, so if you like to send summer/beach cards as much as we do, you will want to give it a look.

Here are a couple more samples using the new release:

As always with a new release, there is a brand new idea book that you can flip through to see the products. It is absolutely packed with card ideas to inspire you. You can find it here, or you can click on the picture below.

Have a fantastic weekend!

 

 

Here's an afternoon post for a sunny summer weekend.  Hi, Jean Okimoto here  - there was an open day in our posting schedule so it's just me (again) with another great 3D Embossing Folder and Die Set from our latest release.

The new Tropical Leaves 3D Embossing Folder and Cutting Dies set is perfect for tropical summer designs.  Pair it with bright blossoms - like Layered Fresh Flowers - or some of the friendly jungle animals from Poppystamps.  (That's a future card.)

Cut the leaves from a medium green 6x6 in the Lush Green Collection.  Place the leaves into the embossing folder and run it through the machine. Use a small brayer - or an inkpod (it looks like a freeze-dried marshmallow) to highlight the design with Pearlescent Thyme Brilliance ink.

Cut Layered Fresh Flowers from two shades of the Berry Red Collection sheets.

Cut Hello Daily Script from two shades of the Lush Green set.  Cut an extra layer of the background from cardboard for extra dimension.

Cut textured green cardstock with the 6-½" x 1-½" Wrapped Stitched Slim Rectangles die.

 

 

Attach the diecuts to a light yellow-green slimline card (3-½" x 8-½").  Add yellow Treasure Chest Fairy Gemstones.  Cut a slimline- sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

The Tropical Leaves 3D Embossing Folder and Die Set is #EF1030.  We'll add the new item link as soon as it's available.

Thanks for visiting...keep cool and have a great weekend!

 

 

 

 

94658 Hello Daily Script craft die

94474 Layered Fresh Flowers craft die

SP1003 Lush Green 6x6 pack

SP1001 Berry Red 6x6 pack

94554 Wrapped Stitched Slim Rectangles craft die

GEM101 Treasure Chest Fairy Gemstones

 

 

 

ef1030 Tropical Leaves 3D Embossing Folder and Matching Dies

 

The new Ocean Fish Embossing Folder and Die Set creates a beachy scene ready for any occasion.  Try it in warm shades of orange, coral and orchid with the crisp white shimmer of a sheet from the Polished Foil Pad.  Hi, Jean Okimoto here with a summer design for a warm sunny weekend.

Cut the solid Grand Scallop Shell from white cardstock - leave the diecut in the die.  Use the die as a stencil and brush, daub or sponge it with pearlescent Brilliance inks - Orange, Coral and Orchid.  If necessary use a cotton swab for the tiny sections along the left and right edges.

Cut the detailed Grand Scallop Shell from the white 6x6 in Polished Foil Pad.  Cut the large rope frame from the End of My Rope set from a white Polished Foil Pad sheet too.  Remove a loop from one of the corners.

Assemble the shell.  Stenciling the inks through the die adds narrow white borders to each section of the shell and creates a bit of visual dimension.

Cut 3 pieces of the coral sheet in the Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad and diecut the fish.  Carefully position them in the Ocean Fish embossing folder and run the folder through the machine with the plates required for your machine.

Attach the diecuts to a white A-6 card (4-½" x 6-¼") - use foam dots for the top and bottom fishes.

This great  summer collection of dies, embossing folders and stencils works perfectly with the nautical designs from previous releases.  The glittered, mirrored, foil and glossy 6x6's add sparkly and pearly highlights to your designs. Have fun with this great release!

Thanks for visiting our blog - have a great weekend!

Here's a list of supplies for this design.  We'll add a link for the Ocean Fish 3D Embossing Folder and Dies #EF1031 as soon as it's available.

 

 

Supplies

 

94546 End of My Rope Set craft die

94568 Grand Scallop Shell craft die

FP1001 Polished Foil Pad pack

FP1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad 6x6 pack

 

 

 

ef1031 Ocean Fish 3D Embossing Folder and Matching Dies

Hello everyone.  The new mini Island Vacation release is live and consists of fun embossing folders with matching dies and/or stencils.  I stretched the Curling Waves layering stencil set of 2 from the release to create my card today.  But these waves look so cool when used as intended. 😉

 

Normally, I leave the sentiment till the end, but because I am hot foiling directly onto the panel, the Posh Hello sentiment was hot foiled with silver foil first.  Using blender brushes next, Milled Lavender, Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet and Villainous Potion distress inks were ink blended for an ombré.  Wiped off excess ink with a paper towel, then lightly splattered with diluted white gouache paint for some texture.

For the Stella Butterfly, the background was die cut from vellum, while the outline top layer was die cut twice from Bristol paper.  Glued the background piece to one of the outline pieces, then applied clear glitter onto the vellum through the openings.  Added the other outline piece on top to cover up any glitter that may have accidentally got onto the first piece.  Completed the butterfly by die cutting the body/antenna three times from Bristol paper and stacking them for dimension.  A finger brush was then used to apply white pigment ink over the Curling Waves stencil (used the first stencil layer with the larger opening) to create the butterfly trail.  Mounted the butterfly, then added star and dot details along the trail with a white gel pen to finish.

That does it for my card.  Thank you for joining me today.  Have a wonderful day.

Supplies

88624 Curling Waves stencil 

94635 Stella Butterfly and Background craft die

MBF007 Posh Hello craft die

Hi everyone.  I have tropical birthday card, perfect for a young boy, featuring the new Tropical Leaves embossing folder and cutting dies.

Leaves:

Die cut the Tropical Leaves from Rainbow Reflections Mirror green and aqua paper. Secure the die cuts in the embossing folder with the foil side down on the matching impressed side using small pieces of Washi tape.  To add some additional interest using Copic marker.  For the green leaves die cuts use Y17 for highlights and G17 for shading.  For the aqua leave die cuts use Y06 for highlights and BG09 for shading.

Lion:

Die cut Poppystamps Whittle Lion body from white card stock.  Die cut the mane and tail from gold paper from the Rainbow Reflections Mirror pad.  Color the body of the lion with Copic marker Y06.  Add some shading with Y17 allow the cuts around the legs and feet.  Go back over with Y06 to blend into the body.  Cut the fur off the tip of the tail and glue to the body.  Glue the mane over the head.  Take a fine tip black marker on the cuts in the face.  

Assembly:

Cut a light aqua blue paper from Fresh Aqua pad to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  Ink blend VersaFine Clair Twilight along 1 long end around the sides.  Adhere to a white A2 card.   Cut a mid tone aqua paper from Fresh Aqua pad to 1" x 5 1/2".  Use long scissors to cut small hills into on 1 side.  Gold heat emboss Happy Birthday in the Lower center using the Deep Blue Ocean stamp set.  Adhere to the bottom of the card.  Adhere the lion on top of the ground in the center of the card.  Adhere the Tropical Leaves on the top of the card.  Trim off excess off the leaves.

Supplies

EF1030 Tropical Leaves 3D Embossing Folder and Cutting Dies

FP1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad 6x6 pack

SP1004 Fresh Aqua 6x6 pack

CL5268 Deep Blue Ocean clear stamp set

2225 Whittle Lion

The Butterfly Coterie Collage is great for quick cards - just layer it over an ink-blended background and add a greeting.  Or - if you have more time - here's another way to use this versatile die.  Hi, Jean Okimoto here with a colorful summer design.

 Blend salvaged patina, twisted citron and shaded lilac Distress Oxides on the smoother side of Open Studio Watercolor Paper.  Add a light spritz of water and let it airdry for a few minutes.  Heat-set it.  Pressure-emboss it with Butterfly Coterie Collage using a rubber embossing mat and the plate(s) required for your machine.  

Stencil it with VersaMark and the Butterfly Coterie Stencil using a clean, well-inked inkpad - don't stencil the largest butterfly.  Heat-emboss it with detail clear powder.

Cut it with the medium-sized Stylish Rectangle Trio die (it's a close fit) - save the 4 larger narrow triangle offcuts.

Place the delicate frame on a white A2 card.  Attach the inner offcut - overlapping the edges of the frame wherever they meet.  Attach the skinny triangle offcuts - layer them over the frame to help attach the frame and add a bit of color along the edges.  

Cut the smaller Ava Butterfly from the aqua sheet in the Polished Foil Pad.  Attach it with foam tape.  Add the purple-ish Treasure Chest Fairy Gemstones.  Cut an A2-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

A design alternative...diecut the small Ava Butterfly from a 6x6 sheet in our color collection - then heat-emboss the butterflies with Imagine's Iridescent Embossing Powder.  

Thanks for visiting our blog - see you again on Friday!

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies

 

94642 Butterfly Coterie Collage craft die

94643 Ava Butterflies craft die

88617 Butterfly Coterie Collage Stencil

WP101 Watercolor Paper

FP1001 Polished Foil Pad pack

94416 Stylish Rectangle Trio

GEM101 Treasure Chest Fairy Gemstones