Summer Hearts, Layered Daisies, Spritz and Sparkle by Jean Okimoto

Celebrate a summer engagement, wedding or anniversary with layers of hearts and flowers.  The Double Stitch Loving Heart Cut Out set is perfect for any occasion.  Add soft, shimmery highlights to Memory Box Cream Woodgrain cardstock and a Berry Red Collection 6x6 for a custom, color-coordinated look.  

Hi, Jean Okimoto here with a summer card using favorite designs from recent releases. Matching metallic papers and solid cardstock can be challenging among different brands, textures and colors.  Our 108 colors of 110# 6x6 papers - 9 collections of 12 colors each - make it so easy!  Just spritz, brayer, sponge or brush it with metallic inks for the perfect match or coordinating color.  

The Woodgrain 8.5x11" cardstock sheets are great on their own - or add shimmery highlights with metallic inks.  The 3 colors - white, cream and kraft - add subtle texture and dimension to any design.

 

Cut Double Stitch Loving Heart Cut Out from Berry Red's dark coral 6x6 sheet.  Cut a coral plaid strip from the Madras Plaid Coral and Green pack using the 1.1 x 6.1" Slim Basic Rectangle Layers die.  

Cut a horizontal grain Cream Woodgrain strip with the .9 x 5.9" Slim Basic Rectangle Layers Die - trim it to 5". Splatter it with just a few specks of Imagine's Gold Sheer Shimmer Spritz and heat-set the ink.  Brayer (or sponge) it with Pink Shimmer Delicata and heat-set it again.

Cut the Layered Daisies set twice from Berry Red'd light coral 6x6 sheet.  Spritz one set with Imagine's Gold Sheer Shimmer Spritz and set it aside to dry.  Layer the diecuts - alternating gold-spritzed and un-spritzed petals.  Add the center section.

Attach the diecuts to an A-6 Cream Woodgrain card (6-¼ x 4-½").

Color 5 of the clear Fairy Jewels with orange and dark pink markers.  I use Sharpies because I have a lot of them - Copic Markers work well too.  Custom-colored jewels are quick and easy with clear Fairy Jewels - 300 jewels per sheet!

Thanks for visiting - keep cool, safe and hydrated this weekend!

Supplies

 

94556 Slim Basic Rectangle Layers craft die

94472 Layered Daisies craft die

94359 Double Stitch Loving Heart Cut Out

JWL001 Clear Jewels

SP1001 Berry Red 6x6 pack

PP1013 Madras Plaid Coral and Green 6x6 pack

SH44002 Woodgrain Paper Pack Cream

Color Paper Striping by Trina Pham

Hello everyone.  Today is my niece’s 16th birthday… I can’t believe she’s driving age already!  Anyway, this started out as her card, but I ended up sending her something else so it would hopefully arrive in time.  My intention was to take advantage of the 6x6 color paper packs that contain four each of 12 different colors of the same color family to create a clean and simple (CAS) ombré stripe background.

I started by picking out four gradient color sheets from the Vibrant Violet paper pack.  Used the Vertical Line Collage die to die cut from each color resulting in 1/8” strips.  Took a square die from Square Basics next and die cut an opening in an A2 sized Bristol panel.  Traced the opening onto the front of a white card base to use as a guide for adhering the strips over.

Next, the Stained Glass Butterfly was die cut three times from Bristol paper and stacked for dimension.  The sentiment from Big and Little Reverse Words was stamped with Archival Black ink and partial die cutting was then used to die cut it out.  Assembled the card to finish… but as an after thought and for something fun, I decided to turn it into a faux shaker card and added a whole bunch of clear jewels. 😂

Now I wasn’t planning to share this next card because I was making it for my dad for Father’s Day.  I didn’t get a chance to complete it before he passed away.  He was always excited to receive my cards and would proudly display them.  This was the reason I decided to finish it for him and changed my mind about sharing it.  He loved the ocean so…

Used my paper trimmer to cut strips from the Sunny Orange and Ocean Blue paper packs.  Adhered the strips to Bristol paper before die cutting it out with a circle die.

The rest is pretty straight forward.  As always all supplies are listed below.  

Before I go, I wanted to address Jan’s question regarding the Dendritic Paint Printing technique featured in my last post.  You can use any color acrylic paint.  I used white because it is all I have.  I don’t think it will work with ink pads or re-inkers because it needs to be a certain thickness and opacity.  I’ve only seen acrylic paints used, but if you tried other mediums and it worked, please share.

And that does it for me.  Thank you for joining me today.  Have a wonderful weekend.

 

Supplies

 

94477 Stained Glass Butterfly craft die

94553 Vertical Line Collage craft die

JWL001 Clear Jewels

30088 Square Basics Set

SP1007 Vibrant Violet 6x6 pack

CL5259 Big and Little Reverse Words clear stamp set

94575 Marina Sailboats craft die

30087 Circle Basics Set

SP1002 Sunny Orange 6x6 pack

SP1005 Ocean Blue 6x6 pack

Weaved Paper Technique by Sara Cook

Hello everyone.  I have not been too motivated to create and looking towards different inspirations.  I have a been experimenting with different styles and techniques lately. My inspiration today came from my sister, who sent me a "get well" card for my lack of creativity.  I hope this help inspired your designs and will try the weaved paper technique with the Vertical Line Collage die. 

Weaved Panel:

Die cut the Vertical Line Collage die from the Earth Neutral, mid-tone warm brown (trim to size 6" x 1 1/2"), and Garden Folly red paper with the ferns.  Keep the red paper strips for weaving.  Save the die cut for a later card.  The die's envelope makes it easy to save die cuts for use in other projects.  Cut a 1/8" strip out of dark gold from the Polished Foil pack.  Weaving the red paper strips through the Vertical Line Collage die cut 5 time each side.  Weave the gold strip once on both ends.  Then adhere the strip on top of the ends around 1/8" from the first weave on both ends.  Adhere the weaved die cut to a strip of rice paper and trim around the outside.  Then adhere the weaved die cut to a strip of gold foil paper that is 6"x 1 3/4". Adhere mounting tape to the back. 

Focal Point:

Die cut Dreamy Freesia out of dark gold from the Polished Foil pack and red card stock from Berry Red, matching the Garden Folly paper.  Having the solid, 110lb, paper makes it super simple to match paper to your project.  Fussy cut just the flower from the red card stock and use Distress Oxide Cracking Campfire to the outer edges of the flower. Quickly shape the flower with your fingers and adhere to over the gold foil flower. Add a Clear Jewels to the center of the flower and color with a yellow alcohol markers.  *Color clear jewels to match your project with any alcohol markers.*

Card base:

The card base is 6" x 4 3/4" from the Earth Neutral, dark tone warm brown. Then adhere the Garden Folly red paper with the ferns that is cut to 5 3/4" xc 4 1/2".  Cut a 4 3/4' x 3" strip from Kraft Woodgrain paper and ink blend Distress Oxide Brushed Corduroy and Walnut Stain. Adhere, centering it to the left side, 1/4" from the border. 

Assembly:

Adhere the weaved panel to the center of the panel.  Adhere to a top fold card the same size as the card base.

Supplies

 

94553 Vertical Line Collage craft die

94476 Dreamy Freesia craft die

JWL001 Clear Jewels

SH44003 Woodgrain Paper Pack Kraft

PP1005 Garden Folly 6x6 pack

SP1009 Earth Neutral 6x6 pack

SP1001 Berry Red 6x6 pack

FP1001 Polished Foil Pad pack

Sailing on the Ocean Blues by Anne Thompson

For today's cards I started with the OCEAN BLUE COLLECTION SP1005 6X6 cardstock papers, the PUT-IT-IN-GEAR EMBOSSING FOLDER EF1018, a curly rope from the END OF MY ROPE SET 94546, and the MARINA SAILBOATS 94575.

I imagined that each of the large gears was actually a compass rose and would thus make a perfect background for the sailboats.  After embossing the Ocean Blue cardstocks I used a sanding block to remove some of the color on the gears/compass roses before attaching each panel to a white notecard.  I backed white cardstock with Scor-Tape before cutting the sailboats which made placing them easy-peasy. The piece of nautical rope also cut from white cardstock added that important third element for the design.

In the photo below are the three cards I made using different blues for the background design.

And because Monday June 14th is Flag Day I was inspired to make a sort-of-nautical-flaglike fourth card: background red cardstock from the BERRY RED COLLECTION SP1001 die cut with the VERTICAL LINE COLLAGE 94553 and applied to a white notecard with the two MARINA SAILBOATS 94575 added on top of the stripes along with a piece of rope from the END OF MY ROPE SET 94546.

Fun cards for summer!  And great cards to send to guys!

Happy Crafting!

 

Sea Creatures Collage Trifold by Jean Okimoto

 

Layered collage diecuts create an Under the Sea scene for three Sea Creatures on a short slimline trifold card.  There's just enough space for the beachy trio - and some glittery background accents.  Hi, Jean Okimoto here with an any-occasion summer design - or even a Father's Day card for the Dad who loves the sea.

Cut aqua cardstock to 6-¼ x 10-½".  Score it at at 3-½" and 7" - but don't fold it yet.  Cut Kelp Collage from the first panel on the left.  Cut Bubble Coral Collage from the backside of the center panel. Fold and crease the card to create a trifold.

Blend Distress Oxides on smooth white cardstock - peacock feathers, cracked pistachio, wilted Violet and shaded lilac were used here.  Dry the inks.  Spritz the cardstock with Imagine's Gold Sheer Shimmer Spritz.  Air-dry it for a few minutes, then heat-set all of the inks.  Cut an assortment of Sea Creatures - we're just using three here.  Save the others for future projects - you never know when you'll need a purple dolphin or teal stingray!

Cut an extra set of Sea Creatures from the cardstock used for the card.  Attach the inky turtle to the first panel, then align and attach the uninked turtle to the backside of the collage for extra support  and a neater look.  Attach the inky shark to the backside of the center panel (the front of the collage) and attach the uninked piece to the backside of the collage.  The "thinking" part (back, front, etc.) of the card is done...the rest is easy!

Attach the uninked fish to the remaining inked diecut for dimension, then attach it to the third panel.  

Cut the kelp from the Kelp Collage from the chartreuse Twinkling Jewel Glitter Pad sheet.  Cut the short coral from the Coral and Kelp Ribbon from the violet glitter pad sheet.  Attach them to the third panel.  Add a greeting or note to the backside of the third panel so it doesn't appear in the collage.

Thanks for visiting...have a great weekend!

Supplies

 

94561 Kelp Collage craft die

94562 Bubble Coral Collage craft die

94564 Sea Creatures craft die

94569 Coral and Kelp Ribbon craft die

GP1003 Twinkling Jewel Glitter Pad

Summer Scene – Grand Tulip Shell and Marina Sailboats by Jean Okimoto

Looking for some inspiration for June's Feeling Blue Challenge?  Set a watercolored Grand Tulip Shell and plaid-sailed Marina Sailboat afloat on a soft blue background for a summer-y all-occasion card.  Hi, Jean Okimoto here with an Under the Sea Collection idea for you. 

Cut the solid Grand Tulip Shell background from watercolored paper speckled with drops of Imagine's Gold Sheer Shimmer Spritz. Pressure-emboss it with the detailed Grand Tulip Shell die using the rubber embossing mat and plate(s) required for your machine. Cut the detailed overlay from the light gold 6x6 Polished Foil Pack sheet.

Cut the large Marina Sailboat from the light beige 6x6 sheet in the Earth Neutral Collection.  Cut the sails from the 6x6 Spring Plaid sheet.

Cut Ocean Porthole with the pale blue 6x6 sheet in the Stormy Blue Collection.

Cut a medium blue 6x6 Stormy Blue Collection sheet in half.  Cut the halves with the 2nd-largest Wrapped Stitched Slim Rectangles die.  Trim and tape them together to form a 7-½" long rectangle  - have the pieces meet about 2-½" from the left edge where the seam will be hidden by the shell.

Attach the diecuts to a white slimline card (3-⅝ x 8-⅝") - place the sailboat so it appears to be floating on the stitched line.  Add the pale orange/yellow jewels.

 

Combine soft colors and bold diecuts on generously-sized slimline cards to balance the design elements.  Chose a rainbow of  pastels for the shell and pick a matching Spring Plaid sheet for the sails.  Enjoy creating your version of nautical designs in your favorite colors!

Thanks for visiting  - see you again this weekend...

Supplies

 

94575 Marina Sailboats craft die

94566 Grand Tulip Shell craft die

94572 Ocean Porthole craft die

JWL002 Pastel Jewels

94554 Wrapped Stitched Slim Rectangles craft die

SP1009 Earth Neutral 6x6 pack

SP1006 Stormy Blue 6x6 pack

PP1012 Spring Plaid 6x6 pack

FP1001 Polished Foil Pad pack

Dendritic Paint Printing by Trina Pham

Hello everyone.  I have a clean and simple underwater scene card to share today featuring the Dendritic Paint Printing technique.  In a nutshell, the technique involves smooshing acrylic paint between two hard surfaces, pulling them apart and lifting the resulting branchlike pattern onto a piece of paper.

I only have white acrylic paint, so I wanted to create a water background.  Started by masking the perimeter of an A2 size Bristol panel with 1” painter’s tape.  Ink blended Salvaged Patina and Blueprint Sketch distress inks (DI) using blender brushes.  Lightly spritz with water and dabbed off with a paper towel for some texture.

Now for the technique.  Took one of my new acrylic cutting plates used for die cutting in my die cutting machine and added acrylic paint to it.  Spread it out with a flat brush, then pressed another acrylic cutting plate on top.  Pulled the plates apart, revealing this.

Placed the ink blended water background on top and gently pressed to transfer the image.  Doesn't it look like coral? 

The rays in the top left corner was an after thought and was created by blending more Salvaged Patina DI off the edge of a piece of acetate.

The turtle was die cut from alcohol marker friendly cardstock and coloured in with Copic markers, while the fish were die cut from Bristol paper and coloured with a small detail blender and Spiced Marmalade DI.  Added eyes with a black pen and stamped the sentiment in black to finish,

And that wraps it up for today.  Thank you for joining me.  Have a wonderful day.

 

Supplies

 

94564 Sea Creatures craft die

94570 School of Fish craft die

CL5239 Springtime Typewriter Sentiments clear stamp set

The Blooming Sweet Pea Blues by Anne Thompson

I spent some time on this hot steamy day playing with the Blooming Sweet Pea Embossing Folder EF 1020, using watercolors, using colored pencils, and using patterned papers.  This is one of the watercolor cards:

For this card I embossed the image on some of the Memory Box White Woodgrain Paper SH44001 and painted it with the lightest blue in my Kuretake watercolor paints.  Starting with a white notecard and Scor-Tape, I layered on a panel of light blue cardstock from the Stormy Blue Collection SP1006, then added a smaller panel of light blue plaid paper before securing the floral panel on top.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this embossing folder!

So then I went a little crazy experimenting with more embossed images, first with a more diluted overall watercolor on watercolor paper:

Then I used Prismacolor pencils:

and I tried the embossing folder on several printed papers:

I haven't decided which of the Memory Box floral dies I might use on top of the embossed flowers or whether I will use them as they are or which stamped sentiments I might add to the front or inside of each card.  I love that this embossed image can be used for so many different occasions and I am happy to have these on hand for whatever comes up.

Happy Crafting!

 

Interactive Sailing Card by Trina Pham

Happy Fri-YAY everyone.  I have a summer interactive double slider card to share today.  I have not made one of these in years and after seeing Ali’s card on IG, I thought the Marina Sailboats would be fun to use for my card.  She even has a video, so it may be easier to understand after watching it.

I started by die cutting three rectangle panels from Bristol paper using the second largest Rectangle Basics die.  Trimmed two of them so they all can be layered in the end to create one scene.  Ink blended with blender brushes and distress inks (DI) Squeezed Lemonade, Spun Sugar, Peacock Feathers, Salvaged Patina, Brushed Corduroy and Antique Linen to create the sky, water and sandy beach.  Splattered with water and blot with a paper towel to give them texture.  Additional splatters was done with Vintage Photo DI for the sand.

Next, I created the double slider mechanism from thick white cardstock measuring approximately 2”x3.5”.  Used one of the rectangle dies to die cut the notch on each end where the plastic will fit in.  Attached a pull tab at one end on the plastic next.

I forgot to take a picture, but I used medium weight acetate strips to attach the sailboats to the plastic slider.  To make them move in opposite direction, the left one was adhered on the left front and the other one on the back right side.  The sliding mechanism was adhered onto the largest panel like so.  

To not impede the sliding action, glue was added only to the four outer prongs.  Furthermore, foam tape was used to pop the second panel up.  A channel was cut from it to pop the left sailboat through and allow it to move across.

Stamped the sentiment from Poppy Stamps Birthday Blowout with Brushed Corduroy DI to the third sandy panel before adding it directly onto the second panel.   While the ink was still wet, smudged it to give it a sandy look... it looked better in my head. 😂

Mounted the whole piece to a white card base, then added waves to the water with a white gel pen and a few birds with a black marker to finish.  

I have a video showing it in action, but had trouble uploading it here.  Once I post it on IG, I will update this post with a link to it.  In the meantime, here’s a collage of it in different positions.

Update: as promised, you can view the card in action HERE.  Thank you for joining me.  Have a wonderful weekend.

Supplies

 

94575 Marina Sailboats craft die

CL470 Birthday Blowout clear stamp set

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

30087 Circle Basics Set

Graceful Jellyfish Floating in the Kelp Collage by Jean Okimoto

 

Frame a glittered Graceful Jellyfish with the new Kelp Collage and attach multi-sized Fairy Drops for added sparkle. Hello - Jean Okimoto here - hope you're enjoying our Design Team's  Under the Sea Collection cards and Challenge inspiration.  

Why not share your designs and enter May's Water Challenge?  the entry deadline is Sunday May 30th.  We'd love to see your cards!

Cut the dark purple 6x6 sheet from the Twilight Purple Collection with the largest Wrapped Stitched Rectangle die.  Cut it with the Kelp Collage.  Cut a piece of ink-blended paper to attach behind the collage.  Attach both layers to a top-folded purple A-2 card.

Cut one of the Graceful Jellyfish from the pale blue 6x6 Delicate Pastel Glitter Pad sheet.  Cut the textured underlayer from the white glitter pad sheet.  Attach the layered jellyfish to the background.  Add different sizes of the clear Fairy Drops.

Clear Fairy Drops add sparkly highlights to brightly-colored design elements.  Protect the gems on mailed cards with a layer of cardstock.  Embellished designs may require special handling and additional postage.

Here's another way to use the great Graceful Jellyfish die set...invert them and create flowers!  Here's a link with the details.

Thanks for visiting...see you again this weekend!

Supplies

 

94561 Kelp Collage craft die

94574 Graceful Jellyfish craft die

DRP101 Fairy Drops

30094 Wrapped Stitch Rectangles

GP1001 Delicate Pastel Glitter Pad

SP1008 Twilight Purple 6x6 pack