Aurora Snowflake Card by Anne Thompson

We had our first snowflakes of the season on Friday, so for today's card I used both the AURORA SNOWFLAKE CLING STAMP CS2083 and the AURORA SNOWFLAKE DIE 94753. 

to make this card

• Select one of the card stock papers from the STORMY BLUE 6X6 PACK SP1006.
• Ink up the AURORA SNOWFLAKE CLING STAMP CS2083 with VersaMark Ink and stamp it on the blue card stock. 
• Add Opaque White Embossing Powder to the image and heat set it.
• Use that panel to cover the front of a white note card, trimmed to fit.
  
• Die cut the background of the AURORA SNOWFLAKE DIE 94753 from another piece of blue card stock.
• Die cut the detail snowflake from both a silver mirror paper and a silver glitter paper and audition them against the background snowflake and the card front.

• I chose to use the glitter snowflake and glued it to the background one.
  
  
• I added the snowflake to the card front using dimensional foam.

• I chose the "warm wishes" stamp from the SHINING STAR CLEAR STAMP SET CL5285, stamped it with VersaMark Ink on a scrap of the background snowflake card stock, embossed it with Opaque White Embossing Powder, heat set it, and trimmed it down before adding it to the top of the card front.

And that's it!  This is another of those designs that would be easy to reproduce in a number of color combinations.  I can imagine making up a pile of snowflakes and then adding them to embossed papered note cards in coordinating colors.  This design is also one that would work for a number of occasions throughout the winter.  

Happy Crafting!

Happy Fall by Anne Thompson

We're having gorgeous weather this week in Maine--so warm that it hardly feels like fall, yet the leaves are turning colors and the evenings are cool.  I love this season!  Today I have two fall cards for you...to celebrate my favorite time of the year.

materials used

• white note cards
• plaid papers from POINSETTIA PLAID PP1023
• dark gray, medium blue, and white card stock
• silver mirror card stock from VINTAGE PASTEL MIRROR PAD FP1002
• WINTER TREE ARCH 94735
• A2 RECTANGLE FRAMES DIE SET 94672
• HAPPY FALL POSH SCRIPT 94747
• LEAF BUNCHES 94745

to make this card

• die cut the Winter Tree Arch twice, once from silver mirror paper and once from a dark gray card stock
• die cut rectangles from plaid papers using the size die from the A2 Rectangle Frames Die Set that fits neatly behind the tree arch 
• assemble those panels--plaid papers behind the Winter Tree Arches

• cut two more rectangles a bit larger from white card stock and two a bit larger than that, one from a dark gray card stock and one from a medium blue card stock

• assemble the panels--plaids behind the Winter Tree Arches get attached to those white rectangles and then to the colored rectangles and finally to the white note cards
• die cut the Happy Fall Posh Script backgrounds from scraps of the plaids used and the detailed lettering from the silver mirror card and the gray card stock; assemble and add to the base of the Winter Tree Arches on each card

 

• die cut some leaves using the Leaf Bunches die and another plaid paper

• add a large leaf bunch to each note card

Two fall cards ready to go!  I hope you are enjoying autumn wherever you are.

Happy Crafting!

Birds Among the Branches by Anne Thompson

I'm back today with another fall card using products from the newest collection, 2023 Christmas.  This time I used a lot of plaid (surprised?!)  from the Poinsettia Plaid paper pad as well as one of the leafy prints from the Poinsettia Garland paper pad.

to make this card

• cover the front of a white note card with one of the plaid papers from POINSETTIA PLAID PP1023
• cut a smaller rectangle using one of the leafy prints from the POINSETTIA GARLAND PP1024 paper pad
• add that rectangle to a scrap of white card stock and trim so there is a narrow white border around the print paper
• die cut the BUNDLED BIRD 94760--without its accessories--from two different but complementary plaids from POINSETTIA PLAID PP1023 
• assemble the two birds mixing the plaids a bit and add tiny black jewels for the eyes from AUTUMN FAIRY JEWELS JWL004

• use dimensional foam of different thicknesses to add the birds to the panel with one bird raised up on top of the other

• die cut the LEAF BUNCHES 94745 from a brown plaid and tuck them under the birds

...and that's it!  A cute card that you can send anytime to a friend for any occasion!

Happy Fall!  and Happy Crafting!

 

Supplies

 

pp1023 Poinsettia Plaid 6x6 pack

pp1024 Poinsettia Garland 6x6 pack

94760 Bundled Bird

jwl004 Autumn Fairy Jewels

94745 Leaf Bunches

Glitter and Shine Pumpkin Card by Anne Thompson

This month's blog challenge is all about orange.  This card uses orange mirror paper, orange glitter paper, and an orange plaid paper (as well as some green mirror paper).  It's quite difficult to photograph all of those shiny textures and have it look right, but here's an angle shot that is the best out of twenty or so pictures I took.

to make this card

• start with a white note card
• cover the front of the card with orange mirror paper from RAINBOW REFLECTIONS MIRROR PAD PP1003
• die cut the CELESTE PLATE 94699 with green mirror paper from the RAINBOW REFLECTIONS MIRROR PAD PP1003
• add the Celeste Plate to the front of the note card using a glue pen around the outside edges

• die cut the AUTUMN PUMPKIN 94690 from a scrap of the orange mirror paper for leaves, a scrap of the green mirror paper for the stem, and a piece of orange glitter paper from GLITZY GLITTER PAD GP1007 for the pumpkin itself
• assemble the pumpkin with the stem and leaves attached...I used Glue Dots

• make a base panel for the pumpkin from a scrap of an orange plaid paper (this one from the Garden Folly papers was left from a pumpkin I made on my last card) just a bit larger than the pumpkin and mount it on a scrap of the orange glitter paper and trim that to be just a tiny bit larger than the plaid piece...I found it best to use Scor-Tape to adhere the plaid paper to the glitter paper
• pop the pumpkin onto the panel using dimensional foam
• add this panel at an angle to the front of the notecard
• and there's still plenty of room on the front to add an appropriate sentiment

Plenty of shadow across the front of the card in this outdoor photo..

I do love all the textures and shine on this card!  And it's another one that I could send any time this fall.  It's certainly starting to feel like fall here in Maine--cooler nights and the leaves have begun changing color further north.

Happy Crafting!  And enter our Crazy for Orange blog contest for September--the information is here.

Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad PP1003
Celeste Plate 94699
Autumn Pumpkin 94690
Glitzy Glitter Pad GP1007

 

The Pumpkin Patch by Anne Thompson

Here's a card you can use any time this fall.  This Pumpkin Patch features the Autumn Pumpkin 94690 multiple times and the Fanciful Gilded Frame 94660 which looks to me like a vine-y garden space.

To make this card, start with a white note card.

Add a light green plaid paper from the MAGNOLIA PLAID PP1021 6X6 paper pad cut to fit the front of the note card.

Die cut the FANCIFUL GILDED FRAME 94660 from a dark green card stock.

Add this frame to the front of the card using a glue pen.

Die cut the AUTUMN PUMPKIN 94690 three times from an orange paper and three times from a bight green paper, both in the RAINBOW REFLECTIONS MIRROR PAD PP1003.

Assemble the pumpkins, using the green stems and leaves with the orange pumpkins. 

Reorient the card so it folds at the top.

Add the three pumpkins using dimensional foam of varying thicknesses, so the one on the left is the flattest and the center one pops up more than the others.  Add any extra green leaves among the vines.

This cute card would be perfect for any fall occasion with an appropriate sentiment tucked inside.  Love these newest products from Memory Box!  Think about how you might combine the new with other Memory Box stamps, dies, stencils, and embossing folders you already have or ones that are still available to purchase from previous collections.  Try other color combinations and textures--glossy mirror paper, glitter paper, card stock, and printed papers from Memory Box.  And there are idea books on the website for even more inspiration.

Happy Crafting!

Autumn Pumpkin 94690
Fanciful Gilded Frame 94660

Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad PP1003

Magnolia Plaid PP1021

Improvise a Gilded Butterfly by Jean Okimoto

Improvise...and build a shimmery butterfly with offcuts from the new Fanciful Gilded Frame.  The heart-shaped pieces from the top and bottom centers create a simple design to match the pressure-embossed background.  Hi, Jean here with a fast-Friday design for you.

Spritz both sides of textured light turquoise cardstock with a light mist of water.  Pressure-emboss the textured side with Fanciful Gilded Frame.  Dry the cardstock with a heat-tool if it's still damp.  Cut it with the 4-¼" x 5-½" Rectangle Basics die.  Attach it to a top-folded textured light turquoise A2 card.

Cut the top and bottom heart-shaped designs from the turquoise Rainbow Reflections 6x6. Cut the smoother side of light turquoise cardstock with the 2" x 3-¼" Rectangle Basics die.

Cut two matching Intricate Mini Butterflies from the gold Rainbow Reflections 6x6.

Cut the larger center section of the butterfly with the Birch Press Design Butterfly Basics die and the Rainbow Reflections gold 6x6.

Attach the rectangle and butterflies to the Fanciful Gilded Frame background.  Add turquoise Bright Jewels.  

Thanks for visiting...have a great weekend!

 

Supplies

 

94660

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

94641 Intricate Mini Butterflies

fp1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad

jwl003 Bright Jewels

 

Supplies

 

57403 Butterfly Basics

Circle of Thanks by Jean Okimoto

 

Send a note of thanks with designs from our Magnolia and Gracious Floral Collections.  Add glittery, sparkly accents too!  Hi, Jean here with a layered mix of classic favorites and our latest designs.

Cut the Stylish Frame Trio circle and Curved Magnolia Branch from green cardstock.  We'll use some of the extra leaves from the branch set too.  Trim the large leaf that would be hidden behind the blossom - it'll be repositioned at the bottom of the branch.

Cut Tilted Thanks from a purple Glitzy Glitter Pad 6x6.

Cut the blossom - from the Gracious Floral 3D Embossing Folder and Die Set - from a Twilight Purple 6x6.  Spritz both sides with a light mist of water to make the cardstock pliable for embossing.  Press Electric Purple Radiant Neon ink onto the upper blossom section of the embossing folder - tap the inkpad repeatedly, don't squish or rub the ink into the design.  Place the diecut in the folder and pressure emboss it using the plate(s) required for your machine.

Sprinkle the embossed, inked diecut with detail clear powder, firmly tap off the excess powder.  Heat-emboss it.  Lightly ink the center using a cotton swab and Brilliance Graphite Black.

Attach the diecuts to a white A6 card (4-½" x 6-¼") - use foam tape for petals. Attach purple Autumn Fairy Crystals.  Cut an A6-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

That's it!  3D embossing adds dimension to the blossom - inking and heat-embossing it accents the details. 

Thanks for visiting the blog...have a great weekend!

Supplies

 

94470 Tilited Thanks

ef1026 Gracious Floral 3D Embossing Folder and Die

94719 Curved Magnolia Branch

cry101 Autumn Fairy Crystals

94308 Stylish Frame Trio

gp1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

sp1008 Twilight Purple

Watercolor Pencil Gracious Floral by Anne Thompson

This week  I looked through my craft supplies for something I hadn't used in a long time and came up with a set of 24 Derwent Watercolor Pencils that I used with the Gracious Floral stamp/die set for this card.

to make this card using the GRACIOUS FLORAL CLEAR STAMP AND DIE SET CL5280D

• stamp the GRACIOUS FLORAL clear stamp on watercolor paper with a pigment ink--I used VersaFine Clair Nocturne (black) ink which is waterproof
• color the image with the watercolor pencils, adding layers of color for shading effects

• use the coordinating die to cut out the dry image

• audition the colored image against the plaids in the MAGNOLIA PLAID 6X6 PAD PP1021 to find the one that goes best with the colors in your floral piece; trim to 5 1/4 X 4 and add to the front of a white note card
• add the floral image to the plaid paper using dimensional foam dots

And that's it--waiting for the watercolors to air dry took the most time.

You could also decide on your background paper first and then choose the coordinating watercolor pencils for painting the Gracious Floral image.  Want to change it up even more?  Add paint spatters.  Add jewels on the background paper or in the flower center.   Add shimmer spray.  Highlight the line details with a white or gold or other color pen.  Add a ribbon tied around the card or an accent bow.  There's so much you can do with this one stamp/die combination to make cards for any occasion!  I usually start making my holiday cards in July so am reimagining this design as a Christmas card with lots of reds and greens.

Happy Crafting!

Magnolia Plaid PP1021

Gracious Floral CL5280D

Special Moments – Embossed and Glossed by Jean Okimoto

Celebrate special moments with a summer-y floral slimline.  Hi, Jean here with a combination of soft colors, bold designs and a lot of texture.   

Cut the pale peach Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad 6x6 with the blossom die from the Gracious Floral 3D Embossing Folder and Die Set.  Place the diecut in the folder and  emboss it using the plates required for your machine.  Ink the center with Brilliance Pearlescent Lime and set it aside to dry.

The Gracious Floral Clear Stamp and Die set includes the floral die and 2 greeting dies.  Cut the design from heavy white cardstock.  Ink the embossing folder with Brilliance Rocket Red Gold - tap the inkpad repeatedly over the surface without squishing it into the design. Emboss the cardstock.  

Stamp the greeting on pale green cardstock with Shady Lane VersaFine Clair. Quickly heat-emboss it with detail clear powder.   Dry the ink, then trim it with one end of the ⅞" wide Slim Basic Rectangles die.  Trim the other end with the side of a larger die from the rectangles set.

Trim the Madras Plaid Coral and Green 6x6 with the 1-⅜" wide Slim Basic Rectangles die - cut it vertically, including the top portion  where the sheets are attached.  

Cut white cardstock with the 2-¼" wide Slim Basic Rectangles die

Attach the diecuts to a white slimline card (3-⅝" x 8-⅝") - use foam tape where the petals extend beyond the background rectangles.  Add clear Christmas Fairy Crystals.  Cut a slimline-sized rectangle of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Thanks for visiting the blog...have a great weekend!

 

 

 

Supplies

 

cl5280 Gracious Floral Clear Stamp Set

ef1026 Gracious Floral 3D Embossing Folder and Die

fp1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad

pp1013 Madras Plaid Coral and Green 6x6 pack

94556 Slim Basic Rectangle Layers

cry102 Christmas Fairy Crystals

Prints and Plaid Gracious Floral by Anne Thompson

In keeping with this month's green challenge I pulled out the two magnolia paper collections to use with the newest Gracious Floral products for this card.

to make this card

• white note card
• green leafy print paper from MAGNOLIA GROVE PP1022 adhered to a piece of white card stock, trimmed to 4 X 5 1/4, and added to the white note card
• large GRACIOUS FLORAL CLEAR STAMP CL5280 stamped in VersaFine Clair Rain Forest ink on a piece of green plaid paper from MAGNOLIA PLAID PP1021; cut out using the coordinating die from GRACIOUS FLORAL CLEAR STAMP SET AND DIE CL5280D (if you have only the stamp set, fussy cut the center flower from the rest of the stamped image); dark lines on stamped image outlined with white Uni-Ball Signo broad ink pen
• large GRACIOUS FLORAL CLEAR STAMP CL5280 stamped again in VersaFine Clair Rain Forest ink on a pink/white/green floral paper from MAGNOLIA GROVE, embossed and die cut using GRACIOUS FLORAL 3D EMBOSSING FOLDER AND CUTTING DIE EF1026
• added ink dots to flower center using gold Uni-Ball Signo broad ink pen; adhered flower to center of the green plaid image using a foam dimensional dot under the center

• used more foam dimensional dots to add that completed image to the card front

I think the white pen lines really help to define the image on the dark paper and work well with the white in the center flower and the white of the note card.  The dark plaid also pops against the brighter green leafy paper.  This design works for any summer occasion by adding an appropriate sentiment on the inside.  And I'll also use some of the scrap papers left to add interest to the inside of the note card and the outside of the envelope.  

Happy Crafting!

GRACIOUS FLORAL 3D EMBOSSING FOLDER AND CUTTING DIE EF1026

MAGNOLIA GROVE 6X6 PP1022

GRACIOUS FLORAL STAMP SET AND DIE CL5280D

MAGNOLIA PLAID 6X6 PP1021