Build a Patterned Paper Tree by Jean Okimoto

Pick your favorite patterns from the Poinsettia Garland and Poinsettia Plaid 6x6 sets and build a frosty blue Christmas tree.  The popular Layered Polar Bear likes it - and it's a great way to use these beautiful new patterned papers.  Hi, Jean here with my favorite bear - and some inspiration for December's Patterned Papers Challenge.

Cut Poinsettia Plaid and Poinsettia Garland circles using the 1" Circle Basics die.  Cut the pale blue and gold plaid with the ¾" Circle Basics die.

Cut the narrowest Birch Tree Trunk from kraft cardstock.

Cut the 2nd-largest Nested Globes die from textured white cardstock.  Attach the tree trunk and circles to the Nested Globe background.

Attach white and pale aqua wool-blend felt to adhesive label paper or a sticker sheet to stabilize the fabric and keep adhesives from saturating it.  Cut the Layered Polar Bear from the felt.  Cut the remaining sections from heavy white cardstock.  

Attach a scrap of black cardstock behind his eyes and nose.  Color the ear portions of the felt diecut with a brown marker.

Cut the scarf layers - borrowed from the Bundled Bird die set - from the light aqua felt.

Attach the diecuts to a light blue A6 card (4-½" x 6-¼").  Add pale blue Winter Fantasy Gemstones.  Cut an A6-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailibng.  Many layers create a very thick card - it may require special handling and additional postage.  

You don't need lights, tinsel or ornaments for his special tree - just use Memory Box 6x6 prints!

Thanks for visiting our blog - see you again on Friday...

 

Supplies

 

94685 Layered Polar Bear

94701 Birch Tree Trunks

94760 Bundled Bird

94532 Nested Globes

30087 Circle Basics Set

pp1024

pp1023 Poinsettia Plaid 6x6 pack

gem102 Winter Fantasy Fairy Gemstones

Hummingbird Joy by Angie Cimbalo

Hello and welcome, it's Angie here today with a holiday card featuring the new Layered Hummingbird, Classic Pine Needle Springs and Brilliant Joy dies from the latest release.  I combined it with a previously released die called Forest Pine Branch.

Here's a closer look:

I cut the bird, branch and some of the pine sprigs from white card stock and then I cut more sprigs from 2 different colors from the Fresh Aqua paper pack.  I stacked one white and one of each of the other two aqua colors and glued them together at the base stem slightly offset from each other.  I wanted the branches to seem really full so by doing this it gives a lot more dimension and texture to the whole card.  

I colored the branch and bird with alcohol markers.  The original branch die had pine springs on it but I cut them off to use the springs from the new classic set of dies.  I added the branch with the new tri-stacked sprigs and then popped the bird up on the branch.  Here's another look:

The Joy die cut was cut from white and black glitter paper, the black is from the Glitzy Glitter pack and the white is from the Vintage Pastel Glitter pack.  I cut the background die from the black and the other die from the white.  This die is very cool because it also has an outline inside the 2nd word die.  So when you cut both dies from 2 different colored papers, you can make a combination of three complete word dies which saves lots of time, and you have 2 extra word dies to use on other cards.  One tip I have if you need to glue something to the glitter paper, it's a lot easier to use Glossy Accents and it adheres with a much more permanent bond.

Here's one last look:

I hope you like my Christmas card for today, it's super easy to make and I think it looks so very festive.  I know just who I will be sending this card to!  Thanks for stopping by and I hope your holiday season is wonderful.

 

Supplies

 

SP1004 Fresh Aqua

94757 Classic Pine Needle Sprigs

94755 Layered Hummingbird

94759 Brilliant Joy

94481 Forest Pine Branch

GP1001 Delicate Pastel Glitter Pad

GP1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

Birch Tree Forest, Birds and a Bear by Jean Okimoto

The new Birch Tree Forest 3D Embossing Folder sets the scene for a northwest bear sighting. Hi, Jean here with a woodsy winter design.  No polar bears here, but a big brown bear recently visited our neighbor, surprising his parents - and inspired today's card.

Cut heavy white cardstock with the largest A2 Rectangle Frames die.  Spritz a light mist of water onto both sides of the cardstock and emboss it with the Birch Tree Forest 3D Embossing Folder.  Dry it if it's still slightly damp, then prep it with the embossing powder tool.  Stencil it with the new Snow Flurries Stencil using a clean, well-inked VersaMark inkpad and a dauber or sponge.   Heat-emboss it with Imagine's Iridescent Embossing Powder,  like a scattering of sparkly snowflakes.  They're hard to see here, but they really do sparkle!  Attach it to a top-folded white A2 card.

Attach adhesive label paper or a sticker sheet to brown and bright red wool-blend felt.  The paper backing stabilizes the felt and keeps adhesives from saturating it.  

Cut the brown felt with the Layered Polar Bear's large outline die.  Cut the other sections from tan cardstock.  Attach a scrap of black cardstock behind his eyes and nose.  Use a brown marker to add a dot of ink to the felt diecut where the ear cutouts will appear.

Cut the Layered Birds from light kraft cardstock and red felt.

Cut the scarf - borrowed from the Bundled Bird die set - from the turquoise Rainbow Reflections 6x6. 

Attach the diecuts to the embossed background.  Add a a rich gold-embossed greeting from the new Merry Christmas Foil Greetings Rose Tabs.  Hope you can see the sparkly snowflakes here.

Thanks for visiting - see you next week!

 

 

Supplies

 

ef1039 Birch Tree Forest 3D Embossing Folder

88626 Snow Flurries Stencil

94672 A2 Rectangle Frames Die Set

94684 Layered Birds

94685 Layered Polar Bear

st002 Merry Christmas Foil Greetings Rose Tabs

fp1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad

94760 Bundled Bird

Greet & Treat with the Winter Tree Arch by Jean Okimoto

Greet everyone - and treat the kid-sized tricksters - with the new Winter Tree Arch.  It's fun, a little wonky and slightly spooky.  Hi - Jean here, double-dipping with this versatile new die from our Christmas 2023 Collection.  Whittle Scary Guys - from Poppystamps - complete the Halloween scene.

Prep Winter Tree Arch for easy removal by rubbing it briskly with scrunched waxed paper.  Cut it from black and light kraft cardstock.

Trim about  1/16" from the sides of the base of the black diecut. Attach it to a gray 3" wide Nested Globes diecut - keep the far left tree trunk and the open center area free of adhesive to add the Poppystamps pumpkin and Rickety House.

Cut Rickety House from light kraft cardstock.  Add a scrap of the light yellow Graceful Garden Glitter Pad 6x6 behind the door and windows.  

Cut the Boo Posh Script background from olive cardstock.  Pressure emboss it with the detailed top layer.  Cut the top layer from dark orange cardstock.  Pressure-embossing the base layer makes it very easy attach the top layer - it just settles right in!  Attach it to a top-folded black A2 card.

Cut 2 moons from the silver Glitzy Glitter Pad 6x6 with the ¾" Circle Basics die.

Cut 2 pumpkins from bright orange cardstock with the Poppystamps Whittle Scary Guys die. Cut the dinosaur and the other guy from green cardstock. Cut a ghost from white cardstock.  Attach black cardstock scraps behind the ghost and pumpkins.

Fold an 8-½" x 3" strip of black cardstock in half crosswise.  Place the bottom cutting edge of the 3" wide Nested Globes die just below the fold and diecut the folded cardstock to create a simple treat wrapper.  Punch a hole at the top.  

Attach the kraft Winter Tree Arch - keep some spots free of adhesive to add the ghost, moon and pumpkin.  Attach the diecuts.  Attach a Ghiradelli Square inside the wrapper with doublestick tape.  Tie it with orange cord.

Have fun with these designs...Halloween means it's OK to take mix-and-match to an extreme!  Thanks for visiting!

 

 

94735 Winter Tree Arch

94632 Rickety House

94587 Boo Posh Script

94532 Nested Globes

30087 Circle Basics Set

GP1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

GP1002 Graceful Garden Glitter Pad

 

 

Supplies

 

2545 Whittle Scary Guys

Vintage Tray Background Blocks by Jean Okimoto

Diecut a trio of new 6x6 prints and create a collage-y winter background for a favorite Layered Polar Bear.  He's borrowing a cozy scarf from the new Bundled Bird.  Tag a special gift with the new Merry Christmas Foil Greetings White Tabs.  Hi, Jean here with an easy way to build a background for the holidays, or any day.

Cut the poinsettia and snowflake prints from the new Poinsettia Garland 6x6 Pack with the artsy die from the Vintage Tray 3D Embossing Folder and Die Set.  Cut a matching plaid from the Poinsettia Plaid 6x6 Pack.  You'll have a total of 15 great mix-and-match blocks!  

Trim the Rainbow Reflections turquoise 6x6 to fit in the Vintage Tray Embossing Folder.  Emboss the design, then cut it with the coordinating die.  That's 5 more great blocks - these are shimmery and have woodgrain texture.  

Cut two of the loopy Crisp Bows from the pale gold Majestic Hues Glitter Pad 6x6 and layer them for dimension.   Attach them to an embossed Vintage Tray diecut - tape the lower edge behind the "giftbox."  Attach a crisp MERRY CHRISTMAS gold-foiled greeting tab - like a big gift tag.

Cut Layered Polar Bear from heavy white cardstock.  Assemble the layers - place black and brown scraps behind the cutouts for his eyes, nose and ears.

Cut the scarf layers - from the new Bundled Bird set - from the turquoise Rainbow Reflections sheet.

Attach the diecuts to a top-folded 5-½" square white card.  Use foam tape for the bear and foiled greeting tab.  Add turquoise Christmas Fairy Dewdrops.  Cut a 5-½" square of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.  Square cards require special handling and extra postage - I hope you think this design deserves that!

It's great being able to combine favorites from earlier releases with our Christmas 2023 Collection.   Layered Polar Bear and the Vintage Tray 3D Embossing Folder and Die Set are perfect partners.  The Vintage Tray cuts perfectly proportioned blocks - eliminating guessing, thinking and measuring.  That's a good thing!  

Thanks for visiting...have a great weekend!

 

 

 

 

Supplies

 

94760 Bundled Bird

ef1040 Vintage Tray 3D Embossing Folder and Die

pp1024 Poinsettia Garland 6x6 pack

pp1023 Poinsettia Plaid 6x6 pack

st001 Merry Christmas Foil Greetings White Tabs

94685 Layered Polar Bear

98197 Crisp Bows

gp1008 Majestic Hues Glitter Pad

ddp101 Christmas Fairy Dewdrops

fp1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad

Merry Christmas by Angie Cimbalo

Hello and welcome, it's Angie here today with a fun Christmas card using some of the beautiful newly released dies from the latest release!   You have to check out this release, it's big and has so many beautiful things, including some new already foiled sentiments, new papers, 3D embossing folders and so much more.

For my card today I used the Vintage Tray 3D embossing folder and coordinating die set.  I only used the embossing folder and not the die.  But it's very cool and it cuts out each shape of the woodgrain sections plus the outside frame that also has lots of pretty detail.  I added the embossed panel to a white card base and then started cutting my pieces from white card stock.  I actually cut everything from white and colored them with alcohol markers.  Only the bottom of the birds was colored differently, with ink blending.

First I cut the Classic Pine Needle Springs die and colored them with a dark green.  Next I cut the Woodgrain Bird House, colored all the pieces and glued them together.  Once it was together, I added lots of sparkle pen to the snow on top of the house.  Here's a closer look at all that sparkle:

I cut the 2 birds from the Nested Chickadee Duo die set and colored all the pieces before I put them together.  And lastly I cut the Merry Christmas Jolly Script die, also from white and used red markers on the larger layering background piece to lay the thinner letters on top of.  Just remember to save the inside of your "e" and your "a" so you can add those pieced to the red background.

Once I was happy with the layout, I started glueing some pieces down and popping some up on foam tape for dimension.  Here's one last look:

I really love those cute birds and that birdhouse.  There are other birds in the release including a cardinal, so check out all the new goodies from the 2023 Christmas release.

If you are interested in the products I used today, please visit my blog HERE for more information.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Be sure to come back each day for more inspiration from the team.

Supplies

 

EF1040 Vintage Tray 3D Embossing Folder and Die

94742 Woodgrain Bird House

94741 Nestled Chickadee Duo

94748 Merry Christmas Jolly Script

94757 Classic Pine Needle Sprigs

Halloween Forest Scene by Jean Okimoto

 

Create a Halloween forest scene with the familiar favorite Ghosts in the Forest set and the new Autumn Pumpkin.  Add a creature from the Poppystamps Whittle Scary Guys too!  Hi, Jean here a mix of old favorites and new designs from our fall collections.

Cut the green and white Garland 6x6 floral print with the largest A2 Rectangle Frames Die.  Cut the rectangle with Ghosts in the Forest. Attach the outer edges of the rectangle to a greenish/gray side-folded A2 card.  

Cut the small ghost - from the Ghosts in the Forest set - from the textured side of Open Studio Watercolor Paper.  

Cut Autumn Pumpkin from bright orange Sunny Orange Collection sheet.  Cut the leaf and tendril from green cardstock.

Cut the Poppystamps Whittle Scary Guys dinosaur  from bright green cardstock.  Attach scraps of black cardstock behind their faces.

Attach the diecuts to the card - use foam tape for the dinosaur and the ghost's head.  Add orange Bright Jewels.

Thanks for visiting...see you on Friday!

Supplies

94690

94672 A2 Rectangle Frames Die Set

94622 Ghosts in the Forest

jwl003 Bright Jewels

sp1002 Sunny Orange

pp1010 Garland 6x6 pack

wp101 Watercolor Paper

 

Supplies

 

2545 Whittle Scary Guys

Dimensional Stenciling with Memory Box Dies by Jean Okimoto

 

Embossing and stenciling are great basic papercrafting techniques. Combine them to add texture and dimension to highlight your design.  Hi, Jean here with another idea featuring the bold Fanciful Gilded Frame from our Fall '23 Collection.  The hat-wearing cat is from Poppystamps.

Spritz both sides of an A2-sized rectangle of orange cardstock with a light mist of water. Place a layer of heavy plastic between the Fanciful Gilded Frame die and the cardstock to  cushion and protect the cardstock.  A single layer of plastic from a quart- or gallon-sized Ziploc back or page protector sleeve would be great.  Pressure-emboss the design using the rubber embossing mat and plates required for your machine.  

Remove the plastic layer, then replace and attach the die to the embossed cardstock. Use the die as a stencil to apply Onyx Black or Nocturne VersaFine Clair with a sponge or blending brush.  Heat-set the ink.

Diecut the embossed design with the 4" wide Nested Globes die.  Cut the orange cardstock with the 2" wide Nested Globes die too.

Cut the ghosts - from the Ghosts in the Forest set - from the textured side of Open Studio Watercolor Paper.  Attach scraps of black cardstock behind the faces.

Cut Large Layered Witch Hat from the black Glitzy Glitter Pad sheet.  Cut the hat's vertical trim from the black Rainbow Reflections sheet.  Cut the hatband fron the chartreuse Rainbow Reflections sheet.

Glue two layers of black cardstock together for dimension and cut the new Poppystamps Whittle Purring Cat.  Attach a scrap of the orange Glitzy Glitter Pad sheet behind the nose.

Attach the diecuts to a top-folded A6 card (4-½" x 6") cut from a 12" square sheet.  Or use a side-folded A6 card cut from an 8-½"x11" sheet.  Add taupe Autumn Fairy Crystals.  Cut an A6-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Hope you'll try this embossing+stenciling technique to add extra dimension and details to your cards.  

Thanks for visiting...have a great weekend!

 

Supplies

 

94660

94693 Large Layered Witch Hat

94532 Nested Globes

94622 Ghosts in the Forest

wp101 Watercolor Paper

gp1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

fp1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad

cry101 Autumn Fairy Crystals

 

Supplies

 

2546 Whittle Purring Cat

Outline-Embossed Curlicue Plate by Jean Okimoto

Here's another way to decorate Easter eggs with the versatile Curlicue Plate - reverse-embossing!  This technique highlights the finely-detailed outlines of the design instead of the bold, solid patterns.  Hi, Jean here with an "accidental/what-if?" process using this popular die from our Spring Collection.

Blend Distress Oxides on heavy white cardstock.  Colors used here are salvaged patina, twisted citron, worn lipstick and kitsch flamingo.  

Here's a tip - place a piece of smooth, heavy plastic between the die and the cardstock for a smooth embossed finish.  Guessing that it cushions the paper and minimizes cracking and creasing.  Quart- and gallon-sized Zip-Loc bags are great for this technique - just avoid the printed areas on the bag.  Use each piece of plastic just once to keep the embossed design clear and unmarked.

Lightly spritz both sides of the color-blended cardstock with a light mist of water.  Place the plastic layer between the Curlicue Plate die and the uninked side of the cardstock.  Add the rubber embossing mat and plates required for die-embossing on your machine.  Run it through the machine twice.

Place the embossed cardstock on a hard, flat surface and use the direct-to-paper technique to apply Pearlescent Jade Brilliance ink to the raised design.  Heat-emboss it with detail clear powder.  Cut the cooled cardstock with dies from the Half a Dozen Eggs set.

Cut Wild Grass Border from a yellow-green Lush Green 6x6 sheet.

Attach adhesive label paper (or a sticker sheet) to pink and white wool-blend felt and cut Bunny Face.  Cut the muzzle from white cardstock.  The paper layer stabilizes the felt and prevents adhesives from saturating the fabric.  Attach a scrap of black cardstock behind the eyes.

Stamp the greeting - from the Springtime Typewriter Sentiments Clear Stamp Set - on white cardstock with Electric Pink Radiant Neon.  Heat-emboss it with detail clear powder.  Trim it with the smallest Rectangle Basics die.

Attach the diecuts to a white A6 card (4-½" x 6-¼") - use foamtape for the bunny and greeting.  Add pale turquoise Pastel Jewels.  Cut an A6-sized rectangle of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Reverse-embossing sounds strange - why emboss the un-inked side - but this technique adds another option to the many ways we can use our Memory Box dies.  Curlicue Plate is quickly becoming a real favorite - it's easy to understand why!

Thanks for visiting - see you on Friday...

Supplies

 

94698 Curlicue Plate

94545 Bunny Face

94415 Wild Grass Border

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

30072 Half a Dozen Eggs

jwl002 Pastel Jewels

cl5239 Springtime Typewriter Sentiments clear stamp set

sp1003 Lush Green

Backyard Bloomers by Jean Okimoto

Backyard Floral Stems, paired with a set of floral buds from Birch Press Design, create a bright garden greeting.  Hello, Jean here with a versatile design for spring, Easter or friendship cards.

The stems are perfect for any season - use them as background greenery, a  filler for bouquets or as buds and blossoms.  They're topped with the Birch Press Design Delicate Floral Buds Contour Layers here.  A jeweled felt Gentle Bunny adds a plush texture and sparkly bling.

Cut Backyard Floral Stems from Lush Green Collection 6x6 sheet.  Trim the top from the tall center stem.  Cut Delicate Floral Buds Contour Layers from 3 shades of Berry Red 6x6 sheets.  Cut a pale yellow 6x6 from the Sunny Orange Collection. You'll have a great supply of colorful layering buds for other projects too.

Cut the 4-¼" high Curved Cap Pinpoint Layer from a bright yellow-green sheet from the Lush Green Collection.  Attach the stems to the background.  Assemble and attach the buds.  The Birch Press Design set includes color-coded assembly directions of the detailed pieces.  The base layer of each bud is also lightly marked with assembly guidelines for you.  Or, rearrange the layers and create your own designs!

Attach adhesive label paper or a sticker sheet to white wool-blend felt and diecut Gentle Bunny.  The paper backing stabilizes the fabric and prevents adhesives from saturating it.  Cut another bunny from watercolor paper or heavy white cardstock and layer it for dimension.  Add pink gems from the Pastel Jewels set - press them firmly onto the felt.

Stamp the greeting - from the Big and Little Spring Clear Stamp Set - on the pale yellow sheet with Green Oasis VersaFine Clair.  Dry the ink, then trim the greeting with the smallest Rectangle Basics die.

Attach everything to a top-folded 5-½" square card.  Cut a 5-½" square layer of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.  Square cards require extra postage.

Pair these stem and bud sets for greetings throughout the year.  Transition from buds to blooms in spring and summer to seed pods in fall colors. Cut the stems from black cardstock for a spooky Halloween garden scene in October.  Cut them in white or silver glitter for a frosty winter scene. 

Imagine different ways to combine your Memory Box, Poppystamps and Birch Press Design products and take advantage of the great design elements in your stash!

Thanks for visiting - see you again next week...

 

 

Supplies

 

94638 Backyard Floral Stems

94237 Gentle Bunny

94646 Curved Cap Pinpoint Layers

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

cl5254 Big and Little Spring clear stamp set

jwl002 Pastel Jewels

sp1002 Sunny Orange

sp1003 Lush Green

sp1001 Berry Red

 

Supplies

 

57492 Delicate Floral Buds Contour Layers