2018 Holiday Collection…Wrapped Holly Circle Frame and Joy Circle by Jean Okimoto

The new Wrapped Holly Circle Frame and Joy Circle create a quick card that's great for a headstart on the holidays.  It's perfect for a simple, contemporary wreath and red Resting Birds add the finishing touch.  Hi everyone, Jean Okimoto here with a simple design that's easy to mass-produce too.

It's time to use some of that giant roll of "red velvet" ribbon we bought years ago because it was so pretty - and such a bargain.  It's perfect for diecutting and works well with the Resting Birds die.  Attach label paper - or a sticker sheet - behind the ribbon to make it a little stiffer.  The paper backing also covers the slippery backside of the ribbon and makes it easier to attach to the card.

The Wrapped Holly Circle Frame set includes three dies - the delicate pinpoint outer frame, the leafy holly frame, and a curved holly sprig.  We're using the outer frame and leafy holly frame here.

Scrunch a piece of waxed paper and rub it briskly over the leafy Wrapped Holy Circle Frame  to help release the diecut.  Cut it from green cardstock.

Cut Joy Circle from gold glittered cardstock.  Leave the little dot over the "j" in the die until you're ready to attach it.

Cut the circle and dotted frame from white cardstock - leave both pieces in the die.  Attach ⅛" Scor-Tape - be sure the tape is attached to both the narrow outer frame and the circle.  Keep the delicate frame and the inner circle in the die.

Flip the die and diecuts over and press it onto a side-folded A-2 card of white cardstock.  Use a skewer to help push the diecuts out of the die.  Quick, easy and perfectly aligned.

Attach the bright red birds...and your card is done!

Big thanks to everyone from the July 29th MEMORY BOX HOLIDAY 2018 class at Impress -  I appreciate your driving and/or ferrying over to Tukwila during the summer traffic.  We laughed and chatted a lot - and somehow made 6 cards with the latest and greatest from Memory Box and Poppystamps.  The AC definitely helped!  Thanks too, Shari and Becca - for helping us find the perfect dies, stamps, inks and papers for our holiday cards.  

There's a second MEMORY BOX HOLIDAY 2018 class on August 4th - after the morning's PARTY ANIMAL class.  Join us this weekend if you weren't able to take last week's class.

Thanks for visiting...be sure to stop by again tomorrow when Laura announces the winner of the July Challenge and details of the August Challenge.

 

 

 

Supplies

 

94040 Wrapped Holly Circle Frame craft die

94019 Joy Circle craft die

98527 Resting Birds

Holiday Lamp Post Frame Video by Dave Brethauer

Hello everyone!

I wanted to share a short video today using one of my favorite dies from the new 2018 Holiday Collection!

 

The main die used in this project is the 94049 Holiday Lamp Post Frame - it is full of intricate details that make the design really unique. Stitched lines, pinpoint dots and lacy snowflakes fill the 2 piece frame. It can be used on its own - but look how fun it is to make a small scene on the card with just a few touches!

The lamp post is decorated simply with a wreath created from the 94029 Pine Wreath - an easy to assemble set of 4 pine branches that can create wreaths and garlands of various sizes. Check out the step by step instructions in the video for how this one was made.

I finished off the card with a sentiment from the CL5225 Typewriter Sentiments set - which added a simple saying and a bit of color. The wreath creates a nice spot to place the sentiment - which floats like a banner across the greenery. You could use any narrow sentiment with this idea - but the typewriter set is so terrific! I find that I am reaching for it again and again to complete a holiday card.

There is so much you can do with the Lamp Post Frame! Besides a simple composition with the wreath, you can also add lots of sponged color to create dramatic scenes.

A little sponging on the outer frame makes the snowflakes look as if they are glowing...  

... and a smudge of Fossilized Amber Distress Oxide ink around the top portion of the lamp post makes it look as if the lamp is shining into the fog and snow of night. And even without the wreath, the lamp post creates a dramatic scene.

Thanks for watching - now go make something amazing!

 

 

Easy Chalk Background by Laura Fulcher

Greetings friends.  Today I want to share the new Pine Tree Deer Collage die with you along with a quick and easy background for your card.  This is one of those holiday cards that you could easily replicate if you have a long list of cards to send.

First step is to take a piece of white cardstock and sponge it with various shades of blue chalk.  I really like to use PanPastels because the blend really well with each other.  I first added the dark blue followed by the turquoise and then blended everything with a soft metallic blue until I got the gradient of color I wanted:

A couple of things about using the chalks.  First, I didn't add anything to the paper before I added the chalk.  I simply sponged the colors on top.  Second, I didn't spray the finished piece with a sealant.  The reason I didn't is that my PanPastels don't really smudge that much, the cards aren't really meant to last forever, I find sealants to smell funny and finally, sealants can also change the color of your chalk.  Of course, if you wanted to add a setting spray on top, you can.  Just make sure to do it in a well ventilated space.  The PanPastel colors I used were Ultramarine Blue, Turquoise, and Pearlescent Blue.

The next step was to run my background through my Big Shot with the Speckled Background die.  That die cuts out randomly spaced and shaped circles, which are perfect for a snowfall effect:

As you can see, the paper underneath the background shows through.  All you have to do is put a white piece of cardstock behind the background to make it look like snow.

Fun fact...  if you take the same paper and rotate the Speckled Background die 180 degrees before running it through the machine again, you get more circles that are spaced in such a way that they don't overlap your first set of circles.  Running it through a second time gives you a heavier snowfall effect:

All that was left to do was cut out my deer scene from white cardstock and pop it up onto the card with some foam tape.  Of course, I can't put a deer on a holiday card without adding a red Rudolph nose on top:

I am definitely going to play more with the color palette of this card because I think it will make a great masculine or Fall card.  I love getting the most out of my dies.

 

Supplies

 

94020 Pine Tree Deer Collage craft die

CL5225 Typewrite Holiday Sentiments clear stamp set

99473 Speckled Background

Light in the Snow by Penny Ward

 

Hello. hello. Penny here today with a couple of new goodies from the Holiday release. There is no time like the present to get started on your holiday cards and scrapbook pages.

 

Let's build a snowdrift scene:

 

Start with a White cardstock base measuring 4.25 x 5.50 inches. Now add a panel of Black cardstock to the base. Cut a White panel just a bit smaller and adhere to base.

 

 

Because I wanted to make a vertical card, I simply die cut Stitched Tree Horizon from White cardstock, added it to my White panel, then trimmed. With the left over tree I just trimmed off, I simply snipped it and added it to the side of my card. Pop this panel up with foam adhesive to your card front.

Die cut a small scrap of White cardstock (you can see I used a different shade of white) with Stitched Curves. Stamp the sentiment from the Penguin Cheer set, then add this panel to card front with foam adhesive.

 

Decorating the Lamp is super easy with the new Pine Wreath die. How stinkin' cute is this tiny wreath?!?

 

 

Die cut Pine Wreath from a couple of different colors of Green cardstock. Cut yourself a circle about the size you want the wreath to be. Now start layering your stems around your circle gluing only along the centers. Lift the pine needles with your finger for dimension.

 

 

Die cut Holiday Lamp Post from White cardstock. Color the post with a Black marker and the "glass" parts with Yellow markers.

Add foam adhesive to the top of the lamp and slide in in between the snowdrifts.

Adhere wreath, then add Crystal Drops for berries or bow.

 

Happy Holiday crafting,

 

 

 

Supplies

 

94041 Holiday Lamp Post craft die

94029 Pine Wreath craft die

99842 Stitched Curves

99841 Stitched Tree Horizon

CL5227 Penguin Cheer clear stamp set

Woodland Bridge Frame by Melissa Rusk

Happy Friday friends! Today I have a card using another fabulous die from the new Holiday release, let's make a card!

This Woodland Bridge Frame die is so fun, you could use it for any season and that deer is just the sweetest. For my card today I started by die cutting everything in white cardstock, then I got to work on my inky background.

I picked 4 colors of Distress Oxide ink, a teal for the water and then two purples and a yellow for a wintery sunset. I started with the water and my blending tool and then worked my way to the top. If you get a harsh line when adding a new color, go back over it with the previous color ink you used to soften it. I had to do that with the teal and the purples to create a softer change between the colors. Then I made some Oxide ink magic by spraying some water and adding some drops of a glitter mist to create that fun reaction.

I glued all of the layers to a white card and then added some glitter on the trees and the ground to make it look snowy. Thanks for stopping by the blog today, have a wonderful weekend!

 

Supplies

 

94039 Woodland Bridge Frame craft die

New Release

Have you taken a moment to view the latest release from Memory Box?  There are brand new dies and stamps that are perfect for holiday cardmaking.  Many of the dies a meant to be layered to create beautiful winter scenes.  Here are more examples:

If you want to browse the entire collection, you can view them here.

There is even an online catalog if you prefer to flip through pages:

The design team will be posting many new samples with the latest release to help inspire you.  Save the date for the week of August 6-12 as there will also be chances to win some of the new release for yourself.

Meanwhile, our sister company Poppystamps has started their blitz.  It runs from July 26th-August 4th.  There are new samples as well as chances for prizes during that time.  You can view the week-long celebration here.

 

 

Holiday 2018 Collection…Delicate Pine Frame and Typewriter Holiday Sentiments by Jean Okimoto

Create a classic winter scene with the just-released Delicate Pine Frame and one of many great greetings from the Typewriter Holiday Sentiments Clear Stamps Set.  I'd like to think it's a simple card with a big impact...hope you agree!

Hi everyone, Jean Okimoto here with one of many 2018 Holiday Collection designs I'll be sharing in the coming weeks.

Stamp the greeting - from the Typewriter Holiday Sentiments Clear Stamps Set - on a white A-2 card with VersaFine Clair Tulip Red.  I try to stamp the greeting before attaching anything to the card - just in case there's a stamping mishap.  Like dropping the inked stamp onto the center of the card, smudging the ink with my wrist, even stamping the image upside-down.  Yes, life happens!

Delicate Pine Frame is the ideal all-in-one set...and a great choice for creating cards throughout the year.  Both frames are perfectly proportioned for A-2 cards, and they look good on A-6 cards too.  The outer frame can be used separately and we can always use another set of birds to diecut with felt, glittered craft foam, mirror cardstock, velvet paper or glittered cardstock.  These new birds are like the baby bird version of the popular Resting Birds set we've used many, many times.  Now we can mix and match them and build bird families.  

Cut the tree frame from white cardstock that's a shade darker than the card for a bit of contrast and dimension.

Cut it again from green cardstock and remove the frame.  Attach the green tree behind the white tree - slightly offset - to create the illusion of snow-covered branches.  It also props the white tree up a bit when adhered.  

Cut the birds from red glittered cardstock - save the extras for another project, or attach them inside the card.  

Attach everything to the card and add clear gem stickers.

Try this design with natural, pale green or Kraft cardstock too.  Or create a horizontal card, with the greeting off to the side.  The new holiday collection is filled with options for simple cards, collage-y designs - and the bonus outer frames from many of the sets are perfect for photo cards too.  I'll try to share a photo card - if I can get both pups to sit together long enough for a picture.

We sincerely appreciate your support of genuine Memory Box, Poppystamps and Birch Press Design dies and stamps - all personally designed by Dave Brethauer, and proudly made in the USA.  

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the July 29th MEMORY BOX HOLIDAYS 2018 class at Impress!

Thanks for visiting - please join us again  tomorrow for more holiday inspiration...

 

 

 

 

Supplies

 

94031 Delicate Pine Frame craft die

CL5225 Typewrite Holiday Sentiments clear stamp set

Christmas in July by Donna Sledzik

Good morning everyone!

I know it's hard to think of the holidays when the summer heat is on, but (believe it or not) it's only 153 days until Christmas!  

To make this card, I used the Wave Ribbon Collage Frame die to create snowbanks instead of waves for my card front.  I just cut away a few wave lines and glued a few wave die cut pieces to create the snowbanks on the bottom.

Next, I cut a background piece of paper the same size as the frame, sponged Broken China Distress Ink onto the paper, and glued the wave die cut onto the sponged paper. I used a white pen to add some snow dots to the background.

I adhered the finished background to a red cardstock mat and glued that to a white cardstock layer.  I die cut a scalloped stitch frame from white cardstock, glued that to a red cardstock layer, and adhered it to a white card base.

I stamped, colored, and die cut the snowman, glued it to the front of the card, and used texture paste underneath the snowman for snow.

To finish the card, I stamped the sentiment, glued a pom pom to the snowman's hat, and added some snowflakes to the card front.  

I know we're still a long way off from winter, but I hope I've inspired you to get a jump start on your Christmas cards! Like all of you, I'm looking forward to using the new release that's just come out; you can expect to see some of the new products in my next post.

Have a great day!

Supplies

30090 Scalloped Stitch Fancy Frames

94005 Wave Ribbon Collage craft die

CL5215 Dashing with Reindeer clear stamp set

32215 Dashing with Reindeer die set

Awesome Friend Card by Isha Gupta

Hello and Welcome! It's Isha with you today. Are you enjoying the new release products. They are fun to create with. I especially love all the Script words :)

Today, I wanted to share a fun sponged background with copic coloring with you. I also partially stamped the sentiment. It's simple, just mask the area of the sentiment you don't want using masking paper before inking the stamp.

I started with a white cardbase. I then took a mat layer and sponged using distress inks to create a background panel. I then flicked some water for the added texture. I now, die-cut this piece using the wrapped Scalloped Rectangles die.

I stamped the image onto a white cardstock using memento black ink and colored it in using copic markers. I now adhered this image to the mat layer using 3D foam.

Adhere this layer to the cardbase.

I die-cut the word two times out of white cardstock and stacked them together. Adhered this to the card and stamped the Friend word under it.

Here is a close up.

 To finish, I added some nuvo drops as accents.

Hope you got inspired from today's card. Have a wonderful crafty day!

 

 

Supplies

 

30112 Wrapped Scalloped Rectangles craft die

CL5219 Llama Love clear stamp set

32219 Llama Love die set

94015 Awesome Jotted Script craft die

More from the Holiday 2018 Collection...Mountains, Bunnies, Snowballs, and an Interesting Watercolor Technique by Anne Thompson

I'm soooo excited that the Holiday 2018 Collection has started shipping, and you can see all of it here!  You are going to love the new dies and stamp sets. 

It was a difficult decision for me to choose what to use for this post.  Because of an interesting watercolor technique I wanted to use for the card background, I decided on mountains as a starting point. 

• Using watercolor paper, I cut out the SNOWCAPPED MOUNTAIN CIRCLE 94047 and set the little snow-capped peaks aside.   
• I got out my watercolors, a jar of water, a wide brush and a medium-width brush.  I began by thoroughly wetting the watercolor paper with the wide brush. 
• I then added watercolors using the smaller brush--blues, pinks, and purples, keeping them really wet and letting them bleed into each other a bit.  (The ugly green in the center is the mat I used under the paper.)

Then I took a large piece of  clear plastic wrap from the roll in the kitchen and crumpled it up.  I unfolded it a bit and scrunched it on top of the watercolored panel. 

Letting it dry was the hard part!  Look what the plastic wrap did with the paint!  I LOVE it!!!

I trimmed this using one of the larger rectangle dies from the RECTANGLE BASICS SET of 16 dies No. 30086.

I really love rabbits so opting for the CL5224 SNOW MUCH FUN Clear Stamp Set and the coordinating dies 32224 SNOW MUCH FUN Die Set was a no-brainer.  I chose the two bunnies holding snowballs and the stack of three snowballs, stamped them with VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink on white cardstock, die cut them, and colored them with PrismaColor pencils.  I added some clear Wink-of-Stella to the snowballs and put dimensional foam dots on the backs of the three images.  I also dabbed some clear Wink-of-Stella on an extra set of the mountain peaks-- I somehow misplaced the ones I had set aside.

I gathered all of the various card parts I'd prepped and a white notecard. I added a piece of dot paper cut 3 3/4" X 5" to the back of the mountain scene using Scor-Tape and then I used more Scor-Tape to add that completed panel to the front of the notecard.  I stamped a sentiment and a tiny snowflake from the Snow Much Fun stamp set on the dot paper "window" using VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink. Then I added the bunnies and the stack of snowballs.  Voila!

I know this is a watercolor technique I will use again and again.  The results are so unpredictable and different every time and I love a surprise.

Happy Crafting!

 

Supplies

94047 Snowcapped Mountain Circle craft die

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

CL5224 Snow Much Fun clear stamp set

32224 Snow Much Fun die set