Stencils + Die Cuts = Wintery Holiday Cards by Anne Thompson

I recently got together with friends to make holiday cards and I took stencils to create interesting backgrounds for my cards.  I had so much fun revisiting stenciling that I decided to use two of my favorite Memory Box stencils for today's three cards.

For the first card (the one lying down in the photo above), I started with bright white cardstock, the Winter Snowflakes stencil 88609, Salty Ocean Distress Ink, and my ink blending tool.  I used washi tape to secure the paper and the stencil to my work surface to insure sharp inked images.

I cut a bunch of snowflakes using the SPARKLING SNOWFLAKE TRIO 94287 from some turquoise-y blue cardstock that matched the ink pretty well.

I used Glue Dots in the snowflake centers to adhere three of them over the stenciled snowflakes and pulled the radiating "arms" up a bit from the cardstock. 

 I cut the JOY AIRY SCRIPT 94325 twice, white cardstock for the bottom layer and blue for the top.  I played around a bit with the orientation of the card and the placement of "joy" before glueing the letters on and adding the panel to a matching blue notecard.  For the finishing touch I added dimensional pearls to the snowflake centers.

Next I took the Sprinkle Dots stencil 88597, bright white cardstock, Salty Ocean Distress Ink, and the blending tool to create another background before adding more of the blue snowflakes.

I layered up the Joy Airy Script again, added it to the panel, adhered it to a blue notecard, and popped pearls into the three snowflake centers.

As I was working on that card I remembered the WINTER TREE OVAL FRAME 94309 and thought that its swirling dotted lines might match those of the stencil.  So I inked up another background using the Sprinkle Dots stencil on the front of a white notecard and added the oval tree cut from bright white cardstock and the swirly sky background pieced in using  blue cardstock.  You'll notice that the dots are lighter than on the other cards.  I just used less pressure with the blending tool while adding ink over the stencil.

I added "joy and peace this season" from the MERRY AND BRIGHT MISTLETOE clear stamp set CL5246 stamped with VersaClair Nocturne (black) ink.  

I think when I remake this card I will make it as a panel to adhere to a blue notecard like I did on the first two cards.  In fact I might just cut this one apart and do that.  I think a layer of the solid blue underneath it all will tie in better with the blue background of the winter tree.

I plan to make more cards using the stencils.  These designs can work all winter for many occasions by just changing up the sentiment. 

I wish I could say that I've made all of the holiday cards I will need to send out this month.  I'm going to be a busy girl this week!  Are yours done and in the mail?  Have you posted one for our Holiday Cards Challenge?  I'd love to see what you've been creating!

Happy Crafting!

Winter Tree Oval Frame 94309

Joy Airy Script 94325

Sprinkle Dots stencil 88597

Sparkling Snowflake Trio 94287

Winter Snowflakes 88609

Merry and Bright Mistletoe Clear Stamps Set CL 5246

Watercolor a Set of Scribble Leaf Bundle Notecards by Jean Okimoto

The new Scribble Leaf Bundle Background and Scribble Leaf Bundle Outline dies are the perfect pair for quick cards. Stamping the casual greetings from the Bold Friendly Greetings Clear Stamps set directly onto the cards saves even more time.  Hello, Jean Okimoto here with a set of six simple notecards for a hostess- or teacher-gift that's sure to be appreciated.

Paint watercolor paper with soft, overlapping layers of earthy colors.  I've used Kaleidacolor dye ink refills.  Air-dry it, then spritz it with Imagine Crafts Gold Sheer Shimmer Spritz.  Heat-set it.

Cut a set plus one extra leaf with the Scribble Leaf Bundle Background.  Cut a set plus an extra leaf of the Scribble Leaf Bundle Outline from matte gold cardstock.  

Cut  two 1-½" x 2-¾" rectangles of green, yellow and orange cardstock.  The  Rectangle Basics set is temporarily unavailable from Memory Box - your Retailer may have some.

Stamp the greetings from the Bold Friendly Greetings Clear Stamps Set with coordinating colors.  I used Verdant and Summertime VersaFine Clair and Wild Honey Distress Oxide.

Attach the diecuts to side-folded A-2 cards of cream cardstock.  Add green, orange and yellow gem stickers.

It's quick and easy - and not boring, because each leaf is as unique as its watercolored background.  Hope you'll have some time to make a few cards this week, especially quick and easy cards.

Thanks for stopping by - see you again on Thursday!

 

 

 

 

Supplies

 

94346 Scribble Leaf Bundle Outline craft die

94343 Scribble Leaf Bundle Background craft die

CL5236 Bold Friendly Greetings

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

Autumn Blessings by Michelle Bala

Hello there! Michelle here, sharing an autumn card.  Today I focused on the stamp set Grateful Autumn.

Acorns are my most favorite fall item!  I started on the base of the card.  I embossed kraft cardstock background with

Wow embossing powder in metallic copper sparkle powder.  Than I splattered some white diluted paint.

I embossed several leaves and acorns and colored them with Copic Markers.  I added the Copic shades on my blog.

Trim up your leaf/ acorn combos and adhere them with foam tape.

Lastly, I embossed the sentiments with black embossing powder, trimmed them up and adhered them with foam tape.

For a finishing touch I scattered some gems.

Hope you enjoy! Thanks for stopping by!

 

Supplies

 

CL5243 Grateful Autumn clear stamp set

Wish For This Dayby Michelle Bala

Hello there! Michelle Bala here with my first blog post for Memory Box! 

I created a slim line shaker card. These cards measure 3 1/2 by 8 1/2. 

Create your card base at 31/2 by 8 1/2. Trim your top layer with the same measurement.

Ink up this panel using shaded lilac, wilted violet and chipped sapphire distress oxide inks. 

Splatter with some water than white paint.  Allow to dry.  I stamped the branches from Winter Greenery

Stamp Set with forest moss and evergreen bough distress oxide inks. Die cut the branches than set aside.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the top panel has dried use the smallest star from Shining Star Die Set and cut four 

windows.  Trim acetate and adhere behind the star windows.  Ink up a piece of cardstock with

evergreen bough and die cut with Wish Airy Script word die. Emboss and trim the sentiment from the 

stamp set Grateful Autumn.

Using foam tape, adhere the top panel to the card base. Be sure to add shaker sequins before. 

Adhere the die cut branches and trim off  edges. Adhere die cut sentiment and embossed sentiment. 

For a finishing touch I added some rhinestones and glitter glue. 

Hope you give it a try!

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

Supplies

 

CL5243 Grateful Autumn clear stamp set

CL5235-D Winter Greenery clear stamp and die set

94328 Wish Airy Script craft die

94321 Shining Star Set craft die

Harvest Branch Corner Frame with Harvest Double Arch...Falling Leaves Challenge? by Anne Thompson

Here's a card that might spark an idea for the Falling Leaves Challenge this month.

My cast iron squirrel is peeking out from this card which features the HARVEST BRANCH CORNER FRAME 94301 and the two branches from the HARVEST DOUBLE ARCH 94394.

I began by cutting each of the dies from heavy watercolor paper.  (I used Canson Cold Press 140 lb. weight.)

I used a waterbrush and my Autumn Leaves Kaleidacolor raised dye ink pad, picking the color up from the ink pad with the waterbrush and scribbling the extra color off onto scrap paper when I changed colors.  This has become one of my favorite ways to paint lately, just using a waterbrush and dye ink pads.  I also find it easier to leave the die cut image in its background while painting and then pop it out when it is dry.

Once everything was dry, well almost dry, I auditioned background paper and colored notecards to find a combination that was pleasing to me.

I decided to use Mango Distressed Dots Paper cut 4 X 5.25 and I attached it to a Jack O'Lantern notecard.  I also lined the inside of the notecard, both panels, with more of the Mango paper.  

I used 1/8" Scor-Tape to adhere the frame to the front of the notecard and Glue Dots for the Double Arch pieces attached in the upper righthand corner.  I really like the look and the dimension that I got when attaching the stems only at their ends in the corner.  I chose a pretty white-dotted orange bow to finish it off.

Do you have an idea that might turn into a project you could submit for the Falling Leaves Challenge?  I'd love to see what you create during my favorite month of the year!

HAPPY CRAFTING!!!

Harvest branch Corner Frame 94301

Harvest Double Arch 94304

 

Simon Says Stamp’s Exclusive Stamptember Fresh Cut Bouquet by Jean Okimoto

The Memory Box Exclusive Fresh Cut Bouquet Set for Simon Says Stamp is great for the ink-lifting technique.  Pair it with warm Distress Oxide colors and crisp white diecuts from the Petite Leaf Frame Set.   The 10th Anniversary Stamptember Limited Edition stamp set is only available while supplies last - order your set soon and enjoy it for late summer and fall projects.

Hi, Jean Okimoto here, using a popular technique that's been around for several years -  but creates unique results each time.  Sponge or brush the smoother side of watercolor paper with overlapping layers of  Worn Lipstick and Picked Raspberry Distress Oxides.  Set it aside to air-dry.  Have a Kleenex tissue and another stamp block ready for the next step.  

Spritz the clean Fresh Cut Bouquet stamp with water and press it firmly onto the inked watercolor paper for about a minute. Carefully remove the stamp and lay the tissue flat on the watercolor paper.  Press it with the stamp block to absorb the excess water.

Dry the watercolor paper then trim it with the 3-½" x 4-¾" Rectangle Basics die.

Stamp the greeting - also from the set - on a scrap of watercolored paper with Morning Mist VersaFine Clair.  Trim it with the smallest Rectangle Basics die.

Cut the leaves and pods from the Petite Leaf Frame set from white cardstock.

Attach everything to an A-6 card of textured white cardstock - use foam dots for the greeting.  Add yellow gem stickers.

Hope you'll try this technique with different designs from our 2019 Holiday Collection.  It would be great with the evergreens, leaves and wreaths.

Thanks for visiting...see you tomorrow!

 

 

 

 

Supplies

 

94318 Petite Leaf Frame craft die

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

Grapevine Wreath with Bittersweet using one of the Stylish Frame Trio and Silverdale Branch by Anne Thompson

When I saw the STYLISH FRAME TRIO 94308 and the SILVERDALE BRANCH 94306 next to each other on my desk, I wondered if I could create a grapevine wreath using the middle-sized frame and add bittersweet to it using the Silverdale Branch.  This was the end result.

I actually started this card by working with the Silverdale Branch first.  I cut it from watercolor paper and used a variety of Distress inks in fall colors to paint it with a waterbrush.  I left it in the background to make it easier to paint.  

Once I removed it from the background I added more of the Crushed Olive ink along any white edges and added more of the Gathered Twigs ink on the berries.

 I cut the middle-sized frame from the Stylish Frame Trio set of dies three times using dark brown cardstock.

Next I added papers to the front of a kraft notecard--Vanilla Bean Gingham and Vanilla Bean Distressed Dots.  Then I used a glue pen to stack the three dies, rotating each one a bit to give me that grapevine wreath look I was after.

I adhered the painted Silverdale Branch to the card with foam dots, nestling it against the upper left inner edge of the frame.  

What do you think?  I love the look!  I papered the inside of the card with a panel of each of the patterned papers and lined the envelope as well.

I may use this as a Thanksgiving card or for a fall birthday,  This would work well as a guy card, too.  And it works for this month's "Framed!" challenge.

 

 

Add Sketch Blooms to the New Jovial Wreath by Jean Okimoto

 

The new Jovial Wreath is perfect for fall cards - it doesn't need to wait till Christmas.  Diecut it from watercolored paper and add a trio of Sketch Blooms  for a quick Thanksgiving card, birthday or thank-you card in fall colors.

Hi, Jean Okimoto here with a versatile design you can use throughout the year.  A quick color change would transform this into a holiday card with layered poinsettias and sparkly snowflake or star gem stickers.  

 

Paint watercolor paper with diluted Kaleidacolor dye ink refills.  Heat-set the inks.  Cut it with Jovial Wreath and Sketch Blooms.

 Cut dark green cardstock with Jovial Wreath and layer it behind the watercolored wreath for dimension.

Attach pieces of green glittered cardstock behind the flower centers.  

Stamp the greeting - from the new Fern and Berries Clear Stamps Set - on a scrap of white cardstock with Sunshine VersaFine Clair.  

Attach everything to a side-folded white A-2 card/  Add orange gem stickers.

Thanks for visiting...hope you're enjoying the designs from our 2019 Holiday Collection as much as we enjoy sharing our ideas with you.  

If you're in the Seattle area - join us for two classes at Impress this Saturday.  It's Simply Asian at 10:30 and Awesome Blossoms at 1:30.  We're using the best of Memory Box, Birch Press Design and Poppystamps - and some beautiful new artpapers from Shizen Design.  See you!

Supplies

 

94305 Jovial Wreath craft die

94250 Sketch Blooms craft die

CL5249 Fern and Berries clear stamp set

Sketch Flower Spray on a Stripey Alcohol Ink Background by Anne Thompson

I've been experimenting again with alcohol inks to create different backgrounds for die cut images.  Today's technique is a lot of fun to do and sort of looks like finger painting though it is done with a brush.  

I started with Alcohol Ink Cardstock and Ranger Alcohol Pearl inks in Sublime (lime green) and Tranquil (blue), just dropping blots of ink onto the coated paper.

I then added drops of blending solution using a brush to spatter it onto the paper.  I do have a cheap paintbrush that I dedicate to using only with blending solution and alcohol inks and keep it in the box with those bottles.

This started the ink moving around and blending the blue and green together.  I wet the brush with more of the blending solution and started drawing lines on the paper.  And look what happened!

Next I auditioned some die cuts to see what I might like against this  stripey background.  I chose the SKETCH FLOWER SPRAY 94248.  I cut it from a linen-textured white cardstock and tried it against the bright green inky background.

I liked this orientation so I chose a white top-folded notecard, cut the inked paper to 4 X 5.25, and adhered it to the notecard using Scor-Tape.  I decided that I wanted color on the blossoms so I popped the flowers out of the spray and inked them with Dandelion and Lady Bug Memento inks.  I glued the leafy spray outline to the background and used Glue Dots to secure the flowers in place.  I then added some white pearls to the flower centers.

Because alcohol inks dry so quickly, this card came together in no time.

Happy Crafting!

Whale Hello by Trina Pham

Whale hello everyone!  As you might have guessed, I have a punny nautical card to share today.  It was inspired by Sandy Allnock and her collection of porthole cards.

The background was created with blue, aqua and green alcohol inks on yupo paper.  Spritz it with rubbing alcohol to give it a bubbles texture.  Went in with a Copic Colorless Blender to add even more bubbles. The large whale from Wonderful Whale Frame was die cut three times from mixed media paper and colored with Copics.  

Two circle dies from Circle Basics were then used to die cut from mixed media paper twice and from silver foil paper once.  They were stacked for dimension to form the porthole frame.  The sentiment from Oceanside Typewriter Sentiments was stamped in blue on a mixed media panel, then heat embossed with clear embossing powder.

Mounted the panel onto a white card base with fun foam for more dimension and drew in the nails on the silver porthole frame with a black Copic marker to finish.  And that is all.  Thank you for dropping in.  Have a wonderful week.

Supplies

 

94228 Wonderful Whale Frame craft die

CL5240 Oceanside Typewriter Sentiments clear stamp set

30087 Circle Basics Set