Hearts of Hope by Penny

Hello Memory Box fans....Penny here today with a couple of new dies you can use for Valentine's Day and beyond. Wanting to make an encouragement card for a friend going through Breast Cancer treatments, I like how the simplicity of this card makes such a big statement. I love a card I can put together in 10 minutes (no fair counting the drying time).

Let's Make a Card:

 

I started with watercolor paper and started dropping a bright pink shade of Peerless Watercolors. So vibrant!!! I used the new Straight Stitches die along the edge as well as adding the same beautiful pink over the stitches to highlight them.

 

I embellished the card with Fancy Heart Duet watercolored with a deeper pink. A couple of Black diecut Grosgrain Ribbons and my beloved Hope in Your Heart sentiment on vellum.

I finished the card by adding the small heart over the Duet and lathered on Stardust Stickles. Texture Gems in Pearl were added to the Fancy Heart Duet, but when I came back to the craft room after everything was dry, the Gems had turned pink. Crazy....but I like it!

 

Who do you know that could use a card of kindness or encouragement? Take the time today to make something and send it off.

 Happy crafting,

 

Fancy Heart Duet

Straight Stitches

Grosgrain Ribbon

Hope in Your Heart

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The Happiest by Sherry Hester

Hi everyone!  Spring has not yet sprung, but here's a card for when it does!

I cut a piece of white card stock to 5" x 3.75" and water colored the background with Scattered Straw Distress Ink.  I cut the Sketch Rose Branch from the same white card stock and sponged Peeled Paint and Scattered Straw onto the leaves and flowers.

I adhered that to the water colored piece, and stamped the Happiest sentiment as shown.  I then mounted that piece onto the white card base, and that was it!  No muss, no fuss!

Hope you enjoy this little piece of Spring, and thanks as always for stopping by!

 

Sketch Rose Branch Happiest Rubber Stamp

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Calais Butterflies by Jenny Griffiths

Hello Crafty Friends!

  As you will see, I have butterflies on my mind and in my cards today.  On this card, I must also have "Chocolate-Mint-Chip" (as in ice cream) on my mind since I've pared chocolate brown and mint green colors together...see what I mean?

This card features the gorgeous Scrollwork Sleeve and the Calais Butterflies dies.  The Scrollwork Sleeve die is designed with bottom and side flaps to wrap around the card and create a pocket but this time I'm using it pressed flat against the background paper.  I love the beautiful swirls and flourishes and thought it would look dramatic in cream against the chocolate brown paper.

I die cut the Calais butterflies into the brown paper panel, adhered patterned paper to the reverse side, slipped the panel into the Scrollwork sleeve, and added dots of glue behind random scrolls.   Sneaky me, I die cut the butterfly bodies from a different butterfly die to add to these beauties.  The flowers are from the Seraphine Laurel die set...I just can't resist these!

And, just for fun, another card today...

The Catalina Wreath (#98189) is not from the most recent Memory Box release but as Spring approaches, I thought I would share.  

I stamped and watercolored a die cut circle that fit well behind the wreath and added another layer of flowers, also watercolored.  The grid design was added by sponging white ink through the Distressed Grid stencil.  A few pearls, gemstones  and watercolored mini butterflies were added for a Spring look. 

As always, thanks for stopping by...hope you found some inspiration!

  Happy Friday!

Scrollwork Sleeve Calais Butterflies Birthday Bunnies stamp set Seraphine Laurel Mini Butterflies Studio Circle Layers Happiness Distressed Grid Stencil Stitched Rectangle Layers

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Plush Heart Treat Pocketby Donna Sledzik

Happy Thursday everyone!  

For my post today I used the new Plush Heart Pocket die to create a Valentine treat holder. 

 

To create this project, die cut the heart and pocket from Kraft cardstock.  Dip a pencil eraser into white acrylic paint to add the dots to the die cut heart.  Once they are dry, randomly stamp words  across the heart and the pocket piece.  Ink the edges of the die cuts with Vintage Photo ink.  Line up the pocket die cut with the heart and stitch around the heart with white embroidery floss. 

Die cut the small red heart button from red cardstock. This button shape comes in the Plush Heart Pocket die set.  Stamp words randomly on the button and emboss the button with clear embossing powder.  Thread a piece of twine through the button and tie the button to a black bow.  Stamp the sentiment onto the medium size Grosgrain Ribbon die cut.  I used the smallest die cut ribbon for the other accent piece.  To finish the treat holder, glue the embellishments on and add a treat.

Thanks for stopping by today!  

Plush Heart Pocket Grosgrain Ribbon

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Plush Folk Hearts, Plush Flower Buttons and Paintbrush Happy by Jean Okimoto

Add a Plush Folk Heart and a trio of of glittered Plush Flower Buttons to your Valentine card - it'll bring a warm smile to someone's face, even on a cold winter day.   Hello, Jean Okimoto here, with a very pink design for you today - right down to the diecut pink 3M duct tape.  

 

The new dies from our January 2016 Collection are Plush Folk Hearts (and a flower) on the left -  and the Plush Flower Buttons set of five flowers and a circle, on the right.  They are perfect for diecutting felt, with little holes that serve as guidelines for decorative stitching.  The dies are also great for diecutting cardstock, craft foam and glitter cardstock.

Cut the 4.75" x 3.75" Stitched Rectangle Layer from watercolor paper and tint it with Peerless Watercolors.  Cut a 3" square of watercolor paper and paint it with Peerless Watercolors.  Cut it with the Plush Folk Heart die.  Cut the flowers and circles from light pink, dark pink and light green glittered cardstock.  Tie the flowers with twine.  

Attach pink duct tape to adhesive label paper and cut Paintbrush Happy for a quick-and-easy self-adhesive bit of happiness.  Print Valentine's Day with a labelmaker.  The apostrophe is hidden behind the "y" - but we know it's there- and the words are self-adhesive too.

Attach everything to a Taffy Notecard.  Sign, seal and send your sweet card in a matching Taffy Envelope.

Looking for a set of Peerless Watercolors?  You'll find them at Birch Press Design - the upscale online shop owned by Dave and Monica Brethauer.  Dave and Monica are also the owners of Memory Box - and their style and appreciation of fine design is reflected in the selection of fine products featured at Birch Press Design.  There's a special 20% discount on one item of your choice - the offer ends today, January 27th - view the details here.

See you at the Memory Box Calendar and Watercolor Workshop Class on January 31st!  Yes, it's a bit late for a calendar class - but several friends/students were interested in having a class - so we added it to the Impress class schedule.  Join us if you love Memory Box dies, stamps and watercoloring!  

 Thanks for stopping by.  

 

 

 

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Plush Flower Buttons

Paintbrush Happy

Stitched Rectangle Layers

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Butterfly Wreath by Melissa Rusk

Happy Tuesday! My name is Melissa and I am so excited and honored to be a part of the Memory Box Design Team. I live in the Chicago area and I teach classes at Craft Fancy in Arlington Heights, IL. For my card today I used the gorgeous Butterfly Wreath. It's been gray and gloomy this winter so I wanted to create a card with a lot of color.

For this card cut the card base to 5 1/2 inches by 11 inches and fold it in half. Cut a piece of white card stock to 4 1/4 inches square and a black piece of card stock to 5 inches square. I picked 12 bright rainbow colors of card stock and die cut them for the inside of my butterflies. Then I cut one wreath in black card stock for the outside of the wreath.

Glue the black butterfly wreath outline to your card and then fill in the butterflies with each color of card stock in rainbow order. Add the butterfly bodies to the top and your wreath is done.

To add a little sparkle, I used a clear Zig Wink of Stella brush pen for the butterflies. You will have enough rainbow colors of the butterfly centers to make 12 cards. I thought it would make a cute set of cards for a gift to brighten someones day. Be sure to stop by the blog tomorrow for more great inspiration!

Butterfly Wreath

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Birch Press Sale

From time to time, we share information about Birch Press Design here on the Outside the Box blog.  Birch Press is a home decor/gift site that is owned and operated by the same family that owns Memory Box.  If you like the Memory Box "style," then you will love their products for the home.

Right now, they are offering a sale code that is valid through January 27th.  If you were thinking of purchasing anything, now is the time to do it!

SHOP BIRCHPRESSDESIGN.COM

Our beautiful handmade ceramic cake stands can help you create a gorgeous presentation - choose from a range of decorative finishes! Browse our site and you can use the sale code DECOR to get 20% off any item of you choice. Sale code expires Jan. 27, 2016

Create with Watercolors by Penny

Hello Memory Box friends.....Penny here today with a couple of brand spanking new dies. Just playing around with the Stitched Rings die, I decided it looked like portholes from a ship. Thus, the inspiration for the beautiful waves I could see from my berth. Super easy to make and by changing the sentiment, this card would be great for just about any occasion.

 

I actually die cut the Stitched Rings two times, one being from the A2 card front, but that left just a smidge of flat edges on my outside rings...Well, you know that would drive me crazy, so I cut another one from a little bit larger piece of cardstock and then inlaid it into the card front. Gives it a little something, something.

I die cut the Stitched Rings one more time from watercolor paper and proceeded to paint the waves. I used some new Peerless watercolors and I must say....woohoo to the vibrant colors! 

I also die cut the Paintbrush Create  from watercolor paper and used the same paints.

Bring the card together by inlaying the watercolored circles and adhere the Paintbrush Create to card front. I also added some pretty thread and clear sequins.

I can see making many cards using the new Stitched Rings, and I love the little circles I can add to a creation without using the ring...so versatile!!!

 

Hope this gets your mojo going. Show us what you are making on our Facebook page and don't forget to play along in our Shaker Card Challenge this month.

Happy Crafting,

 

 

Stitched Rings

Paintbrush Create

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A Celebration of Homespun Hearts by Jean Okimoto

Need another Valentine idea?  Celebrate your love with the glittered  Homespun Heart floating thru the Stitched Celebrate Circle Frame -both are great new designs from our January 2016 Collection.    Jean Okimoto here with a bright, sparkly design to warm this winter weekend.  

Cut a 2.8" Studio Circle Layer of watercolor paper.  Paint it with some pink and peachy Peerless Watercolors.  Using an acrylic stamp block as a palette, paint a light, diluted wash of Gold Peerless Transparent Metallics  over the pinks and peaches.  Dry it with a heat-tool and attach it to a side-folded A-2 card of textured white cardstock.  

The Peerless Transparent Metallics are rich, concentrated inks in shades of gold, silver and copper.  They add a soft, sheer glow to watercolored and painted backgrounds...and they come in the cutest bottles!  

Attach adhesive label paper behind watercolor paper and cut Stitched Celebrate Circle Frame.  The additional layer adds some dimension to the diecut without having to glue the layers together.  

Cut Homespun Heart from bright pink glittered cardstock.  Attach the big heart and the second heart from the right to the watercolored circle.  Attach the frame to the card - over the Homespun Heart on the right side and under it on the left side.  (Trust me, it's easier than it sounds here, it just takes a bit of coordination!)   Attach the loose hearts.  Leave the delicate swirls unattached.  

 

Talked with Debbie and Gary of Rubber Stamp Fantasy in Marietta, GA last night.  We're planning some Memory Box Spring Classes there in April - I'll post more info soon.  Can't wait to see them - and all of my sweet Southern gal-friends there!  

Thanks for stopping by...hope you love creating Valentines with  the January 2016 Collection as much as I do!  Be safe - and keep warm - this wintery weekend.

Noel, Noel

Homespun Heart Stitched Celebrate Circle Frame   Stitched Circle Layers

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Springtime Gnome by Lindsay

Hi there! 

This card makes me long for Spring! Blue skies, green grass, and cute little elves, okay..maybe no elves, but I will take the blue sky and green grass, any day! 

I used the fun Pasture Grass die to cut a place to put my toadstool, and gnome on, out of green card stock. I took a panel of watercolor paper, and blended in a was of blue to it, and allowed it to dry. Once it was dry, I adhered two green pieces of the grass die cuts, one with dry adhesive, and the other with foam. 

Using the Love Grows stamp set, I stamped and colored the gnome, as well as the large toadstool, and cut them out with the matching die set. I placed them onto the panel with adhesive, and foam tape. I added clusters of white dots around the gnome to accent him.

I finished the card with a sentiment from the stamp set, and adhered the panel to a white card base, rounding the top corner with a corner rounder. 

I hope you were inspired today! Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Pasture Grass

Love Grows Stamp Set

Love Grows die set

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