Birds, Blossoms and Birthdays by Jean Okimoto

Celebrate a special birthday with a colorful row of mixed buds, blossoms and felt birds.  Hi, Jean here with garden greetings for spring and summer celebrations.  

Cut the blossoms and buds from the new Crocosmia Stems set from a bright coral Sunset Collection 6x6.  Color two of the centers with a black marker.  Layer two sets of the buds.  

Cut the Bird Blossoms flowers from a turquoise Lagoon Collection 6x6.  Cut more flowers from pale peach cardstock.

Cut Wild Grass Border from dark gray cardstock -  leave about 3/4" of extra cardstock at the base of the border.  Trim the short ends.  Attach the border to a rectangle of white cardstock that's slightly larger than an A2 card.  Trim the white cardstock and the attached border with the largest Wrapped Stitched Rectangle die.

Attach adhesive label paper (or a sticker sheet) to light aqua wool-blend felt - the paper layer stabilizes the felt and keeps adhesives from saturating it.  Cut two of the Bird Blossoms birds.  Cut the beak/eye face section from orange cardstock on the Sunset Collection and color the eye area with a black marker.  Define the eye cutout with a toothpick or skewer.  Cut the wings from a turquoise Rainbow Reflections 6x6.

Attach the Wrapped Stitched Rectangle to a side-folded white A2 card.  Add the floral diecuts and felt birds.   Add an instant greeting from the Happy Birthday Foil Greetings Black Circle Tabs.  Cut an A2-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Thanks for visiting our blog.  Have a great weekend - see you in May!

 

 

 

Supplies

 

94879 Crocosmia Stems

94864

30094 Wrapped Stitch Rectangles

94415 Wild Grass Border

st011 Happy Birthday Foil Greetings Black Circle Tabs

sp1013 Sunrise 6x6 pack

sp1010 Lagoon 6x6 pack

fp1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad

Regal Bird Birthday Wishes by Jean Okimoto

Today's design takes advantage of the extra Vintage Tray offcuts from the previous card to build a backdrop for the new Regal Bird.  Felt, cardstock and Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad diecuts create this friendly bird in a mix of  textures, matte and metallic.  Hi, Jean here with another birthday design from the Birthday Wishes release.

Cut the floral and starburst prints from the Glimmering Gladiola and Nutmeg Spice 6x6's  with die from the Vintage Tray 3D Embossing Folder and Die Set. (Or use the extra diecuts from my previous card.)

Cut the small narrow rectangle from Kraft Woodgrain Paper (cardstock).

Attach adhesive label paper (or a sticker sheet) to pale peach wool-blend felt and cut the large main section of  the Regal Bird.  The paper backing stabilizes the felt and prevents adhesives from saturating it.

Cut the head/beak  and feet section from a dark orange 6x6 in the Sunrise Collection.  

Cut the head section (we're using just the larger piece here) and wings from the copper 6x6 in the Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad.  Attach a scrap of black cardstock behind the eye cutout.

Cut the crown the gold Rainbow Reflections 6x6.

Cover a piece of the  dark orange Sunset Collection 6x6 with ScorTape and cut the Happy Birthday Marker Script background.  Cut the detailed top layer of the greeting from natural cardstock.  Attach the top layer to the adhesive and cover the remaining exposed adhesive with detail clear embossing powder.  Tap off the excess and heat-emboss the greeting.  The beak, feet and embossed greeting are the same dark orange cardstock - heat-embossing darkens the greeting.

Attach the diecuts to a natural A6 card (4-1/2" x 6-1/4").  Cut an A6-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Mix, match and layer your Memory Box papers and create a stash of birthday cards for celebrations throughout the year.  The Vintage Tray die from the 3D Embossing Folder and Die Set quickly and easily cuts the perfect sizes and shapes for your designs.

Thanks for visiting our blog - have a great weekend!

 

Supplies

 

94861 Regal Bird

94870 Happy Birthday Marker Script

ef1040

fp1003

pp1028 Glimmering Gladiola 6x6 pack

pp1034 Nutmeg Forest 6x6 pack

sh44003 Kraft Woodgrain Paper Pack

sp1013 Sunrise 6x6 pack

Just Saying Hello by Jean Okimoto

The new Royal Robin stops by for a quick hello on a background of  Glimmering Gladiola and Nutmeg Spice  diecuts.   Hi, Jean here with a basic any-occasion design that can be done with an array of coordinating Memory Box 6x6 prints and plaids.

Cut the prints from the Glimmering Gladiola and Nutmeg Spice 6x6 sets with the Vintage Tray 3D Embossing Folder die.  Adhere them to a textured  white A-6 card.  

Attach adhesive label paper or a sticker sheet to tan wool-blend felt and diecut the large main section of the Royal Robin.  The paper layer stabilizes the felt and prevents adhesives from saturating it.  Cut the beak and feet section from dark orange cardstock.  Color the eye area with a black marker.  Cut the head and wing sections from Kraft Woodgrain Paper.  

Attach ScorTape to a dark orange cardstock and diecut the Hello Marker Script's solid background.  Cut the detailed top layer of the greeting from light peach cardstock.  Attach the top layer to the tape-covered background and sprinkle the exposed adhesive with detail clear embossing powder.  Tap off the excess and heat-set the greeting - the melted embossing powder adheres the layers and adds a glossy texture.

Attach the Royal Robin and greeting to the background.  Add  1/4" circles punched from the  light copper/gold Majestic Glitter Pad 6x6.  Cut an A6-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.  

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

 

 

 

 

Supplies

94868 Hello Marker Script

94859 Royal Robin

ef1040

gp1008

pp1028 Glimmering Gladiola 6x6 pack

pp1034 Nutmeg Forest 6x6 pack

sh44003 Kraft Woodgrain Paper Pack

Sweet Valentine Treats by Jean Okimoto

Chocolates are an essential part of Valentine's Day - let Memory Box diecuts add some creativity and color to the celebration.  My treat totes are usually quick and easy - these have more details to make them extra-special.  Hi, Jean here with designs  featuring the new Bird Blossoms die set and the Birthday Chic Clear Stamps and Die Set.

Cut Raspberry Sorbet and light Kraft cardstock with the second-largest Wrapped Stitched Slim Rectangles die.  Score and crease  them at 3-7/8" and 4-1/8".  

Cut the peach/tan/gold Gladiola Plaid 6x6 with the second-largest Double Stitch Happy Heart Cut Out die.  Cut the orange/gold Glitzy Glitter Pad 6x6 with the second-smallest Double Stitch Happy Heart Cut Out die.  Cut the 9 main flower sections of the new Bird Blossoms set from the light coral Blush Collection 6x6.  Stamp the "love" portion of the "birthday love" greeting from the Birthday Chic stamp set on same 6x6 with Tulip Red VersaFine Clair.  Quickly heat-emboss it with detail clear powder.  Attach the diecuts to the folded rectangle.  Attach the chocolates with double-stick tape.  Tie the wrappers with gold cord (about 14").  Curl the cord with the side of a bonefolder or the plastic burnishing tool - follow the curve of the cord for best results.

Attach adhesive label paper (or a sticker sheet) to pale aqua felt and diecut the main section of the Bird Blossoms bird.  Cut the wing and beak/head section  from a dark turquoise 6x6 in the Lagoon Collection.  Color the beak and eye areas with a dark brown or black marker.  Stamp the greeting from the Birthday Chic set on Cherry Red cardstock with Nocturne VersaFine Clair.  Quickly heat-emboss it with detail clear powder.  Cut it with the second-largest Double Stitch Happy Heart Cut Out die.  Attach the diecuts and chocolate, tie and curl the cord.  Punch and attach  three 1/4" circles from the red Glitzy Glitter Pad 6x6.

Thanks for visiting our blog - Happy Valentine's Day to everyone celebrating on Friday!

 

Supplies

 

94864 Bird Blossoms

cl5288d Birthday Chic clear stamp and die set

94554

94361

sp1010 Lagoon 6x6 pack

sp1012 Blush 6x6 pack

gp1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

pp1027 Gladiola Plaid 6x6 pack

sh44016 Raspberry Sorbet Paper Pack

sh44015 Cherry Red Paper Pack

Faux Christmas Tree by Jean Okimoto

Narrow Woodgrain Planks and a pine print from the Yuletide Cheer 6x6 create a contemporary Christmas tree - like a DIY recycled pallet tree from a holiday magazine.  Add a bright red Sunlight Sparrow and a Merry Christmas Swirl greeting.  Hi, Jean here with a just-in-time design.

 Cut the Yuletide Cheer pine print with the Narrow Woodgrain Planks die.  Tape the backside of the longest plank so the finely-textured woodgrain pattern stays intact  Cut a 5/8" piece for the top of the tree.  

Daub Pinecone VersaFine Clair ink on a strip of Kraft Woodgrain Paper.  Cut a strip about 1/4" x 4-1/2".  It's longer than necessary - it'll be trimmed after the tree is assembled.

Attach adhesive label paper (or a sticker sheet) to bright red wool-blend felt to stabilize the felt and prevent adhesives from saturating it.  Cut the bird base and head layer.  Cut the beak section from a scrap of black cardstock.  Cut the wing from the red Rainbow Reflections 6x6.  

Cut the solid Merry Christmas Swirl background from white cardstock and a dark yellowish/green 6x6 in the Greenery Collection.  Cut the white layer with the set's detailed die.  Assemble the greeting.

Attach the diecuts to a white A6 card (4-1/2" x 6-1/4").  Add red Christmas Fairy Dewdrops.  Cut an A6-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Hope you've liked the holiday projects we've designed for you - and that we've inspired you to create unique cards for everyone on your list.  

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

Supplies

 

94837 Sunlight Sparrow

94803 Merry Christmas Swirl

94823 Narrow Woodgrain Planks

pp1032 Yuletide Cheer 6x6 pack

ddp101 Christmas Fairy Dewdrops

fp1003

sp1011 Leafy 6x6 pack

sh44003 Kraft Woodgrain Paper Pack

Friendly Bird and Drifting Snowflakes by Jean Okimoto

Drifting Snowflakes - placed vertically - create a frosty background for a plush Friendly Bird.  Hi, Jean here with a simple winter design made even easier with an instant greeting using a foiled Christmas Labels Greeting Tab.

Cut the Drifting Snowflakes background from a white 6x6 Majestic Hues Glitter Pad sheet.  Cut the detailed snowflakes from white cardstock.

Attach adhesive label paper (or a sticker sheet) to bright red wool-blend felt.  The paper backing stabilizes the felt and prevents adhesives from saturating it.  Cut Friendly Bird's base, tail and overlay from the felt.  Cut the feathers and top of the head from the Cranberry 8.5 x 11" cardstock.  Cut the beak section from a orange/yellow 6x6 in the Sunrise Collection - then color the eye section with a black marker.

Glue two layers of white cardstock together for dimension and cut it with the 2.5 x 3.75" Rectangle Basics die.

Attach the diecuts to a top-folded white A2 card - use foam tape Friendly Bird's tail.  

A tip for storing the foiled greeting tabs - attach a piece of removable tape or washi tape behind the tabs to keep them in place.  Not a major discovery,  just sharing an easy way to keep things organized!

Attach a Christmas Labels greeting tab - use foam tape for the left edge.  Add red Christmas Fairy Dewdrops.  Cut an A2-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Thanks for visiting our blog...keep warm and have a great weekend!

Supplies

 

94841 Friendly Bird

94816 Drifting Snowflakes

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

st022 Christmas Labels Foil Greetings White Tabs

sh44014 Cranberry Paper Pack

gp1008 Majestic Hues Glitter Pad

sp1013 Sunrise 6x6 pack

ddp101 Christmas Fairy Dewdrops

Snowflakes and Stitches by Jean Okimoto

Celebrate the season with double-embossing, felt, simple stitches and glistening snowflakes.  We're using the other half of the Winter Knit 3D Embossing Folder design from my December 3rd post.

Cut a piece of Cherry Red 8-1/2" x 11" cardstock to fit into the Winter Knit 3D Embossing Folder.  Spritz both sides of the cardstock with a light mist of water, place it in the folder and run it through a diecut machine using the plates required for your machine.  Gently dry it with a heat-tool if it's still damp.

Tap a clean, well-inked VersaMark inpad over the embossed design.  Just tap, don't squish it.  I usually ink both sides of the embossed design and chose the side that highlights more details.  Cover the inked design(s) with detail clear powder.  Tap off the excess and heat-emboss it.  Turn the heat-tool off 2 or 3 times while embossing so it won't overheat.

Cut the cooled, embossed design with the new Stitchable Stocking die.  

Cut a 1/2" x2" strip of white wool-blend felt for the stocking loop.  Attach adhesive label paper (or a sticker sheet) to the felt.  Cut the toe and cuff sections.  Align the cuff and toe with the stitching dots on the stocking and stitch it with white embroidery floss or crochet thread. Attach the felt loop.

Cut two sets Cherry Red cardstock buttons.  Layer them for dimension and stitch them with thread or floss.  Glue them to the cuff.

Cut the light Kraft cardstock with the 3-1/2" wide Nested Globes die.  Cut Alpine Snowflakes from a white Delicate Pastels Glitter Pad 6x6.  Attach the diecuts to a light Kraft card (4-1/2" x 6-1/4".  Add red Christmas Fairy Crystals.  Add a greeting banner from the Merry and Bright White Foil Banners - attach the right side with foam tape.  Cut a A6-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Thanks for visiting - have a great weekend!

 

 

Supplies

 

94825 Stitchable Stocking

ef1044 Winter Knit 3D Embossing Folder

94532 Nested Globes

94680 Alpine Snowflakes

sh44015 Cherry Red Paper Pack

cry102 Christmas Fairy Crystals

gp1001 Delicate Pastel Glitter Pad

st016 Merry and Bright Foil Banners White Tabs

94824 Stitchable Mitten

Merry and Bright Stitchable Mitten by Jean Okimoto

A double-embossed Stitchable Mitten from the Winter Days Collection is very merry, and very bright.  Vertical placement of the Winter Knit 3D Embossing Folder design elongates the mitten - like me hoping that vertical stripes would help me look tall and slim.  Wishful thinking!  

Hi, Jean here with a bit of inspiration for December's Ravishing in Red Challenge.  It's simply stitched in two colors - just enough to add texture and live up to the name of the great die set.

Using the pattern vertically also lets you cut the Stitchable Stocking for another project.

Cut a piece of Cherry Red Cardstock to fit into the Winter Knit 3D Embossing Folder.  Tap a clean, well-inked VersaMark inkpad repeatedly over the design.  Don't squish it into the design, just tap it.  I inked both  halves of the folder to chose between the  heat-embossed results.  Spritz both sides of Cherry Red Cardstock with a light mist of water to soften it and prevent cracking.  Place it in the inked folder and run it through your diecut machine using the plates required for embossing folders.

If the cardstock is still slightly damp - gently dry it with a heat-tool.  Sprinkle both VersaMarked designs with detail clear powder, tap off the excess, then heat-emboss each side.  Stop and let the heat-tool cool down two or three times to prevent overheating.

Prep the Stitchable dies by rubbing them briskly with scrunbched waxed paper to help release the little dots.  Select the embossed pattern for your card and cut it with the Stitchable Mitten die.  

Attach adhesive label paper (or a sticker sheet) to wool-blend white felt to stabilize the felt and prevent adhesives from saturating it.  Cut the mitten cuff.  Stitch the top row of the cuff with white crochet thread.  Align the cuff with the holes on the mitten, then stitch the remainder of the cuff.

Stitch the rest of the mitten with red crochet thread.

Cut  the flowers from the set twice from Cherry Red Cardstock.  Cut the centers twice from a light green Leafy Collection 6x6.  Cut the leaves from a medium green Leafy Collectiobn 6x6. Save the extra pieces for another project.

Cut light Kraft cardstock with the 3-1/2" wide Wrapped Stitched Rectangles die.

Attach the diecuts to a light Kraft A6 card - 4-1/2" x 6-1/4".  Attach a Merry and Bright Foil Banners Black Tab - use foam tape for the left end.  Add red Christmas Fairy Dewdrops.  Cut an A6-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Thanks for visiting our blog...see you on Friday!

Supplies

 

94824 Stitchable Mitten

ef1044 Winter Knit 3D Embossing Folder

sp1011 Leafy 6x6 pack

sh44015 Cherry Red Paper Pack

st017 Merry and Bright Foil Banners Black Tabs

30094 Wrapped Stitch Rectangles

ddp101 Christmas Fairy Dewdrops

Holiday Greetings from a Sweet Bird by Jean Okimoto

Deliver holiday greetings with the new Sweet Bird on a sparkly double-embossed snowflake background.  Hi, Jean here - cyclone has passed - just working around flickering power, weak WIFI  and non-loading photos.  We have a generator but it doesn't guarantee WIFI or post photos!

Used the Snowflake Hot Foil Plate to pressure-emboss heavy white cardstock.  Spritz both sides of the cardstock with a light mist of water and wait a few seconds for it to be absorbed.  Pressure-emboss the cardstock with the plates and rubber mat required for your machine,  Hot foil plates are are thicker and less pliable than other embossing products.  Don't force it through your machine if it seems to be struggling.  We don't want to damage the plates, the machine or your arm!

If the embossed cardstock is still damp, gently dry it with a heat-tool.  Place it (detaled-side-up) on a hard, flat surface and use a hard rubber brayer to apply VersaMark from a clean, well-inked pad.  Cover it with clear, ultra-fine iridescent embossing powder, tap the excess off and heat-emboss it.  Let it cool, then cut it with the die from the Vintage  Tray 3D Embossing Folder and Cutting Die set.  

The blackout embossing/inking technique is popular right now.  Let's call this the whiteout technique!

Use four of the five tray offcuts for the background.  Cut the mid-sized Alpine Snowflake from the 1-3/4" x 1-1/2" block - it doesn't matter if you cut into the snowflake patternn - we just want  a glittery white snowflake diecut to layer behind the bird. 

Cut the turquoise Rainbow Reflections 6x6 with the Vintage Tray's narrow rectangle.

Attach adhesive label paper (or a sticker sheet) to  turquoise wool-blend felt to stabilize it and keep adhesives from saturating it.  Cut Sweet Bird's tail and main section from the felt.  Cut the 2 wing sections from the Rainbow Reflections 6x6.  Cut the head and chest sections from an aqua 6x6 in the Lagoon Collection.  Cut the small beak/face section from a light orange 6x6 in the Sunrise Collection.  Color the eye area with a black marker.  Assemble the bird.

Attach the diecuts to a white A6 card (4-1/2" x 6-1/4") - use foam tape for Sweet Bird.  Add a greeting from the new white Merry and Bright Foil Banners set.  Add red Christmas Fairy Dewdrops.  Cut an a A6-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Thanks for visiting!  Have a Happy Thanksgiving if you're celebrating tomorrow!

 

 

Supplies

 

94815 Sweet Bird

94680 Alpine Snowflakes

EF1040 Vintage Tray 3D Embossing Folder and Die

MBF015 Snowflake Hot Foil Plate

ST016 Merry and Bright Foil Banners White Tabs

sp1010 Lagoon 6x6 pack

sp1013 Sunrise 6x6 pack

ddp101 Christmas Fairy Dewdrops

fp1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad

Winter Geese Greetings by Jean Okimoto

New Happy Goose (on the left) and Bundled Up Goose send Christmas greetings!  The scattered tree background is from the new Nutmeg Forest 6x6 set of fall and winter prints.  Hi, Jean here with another layered felt design featuring our holiday collections.

Attach adhesive label paper to white, bright red and turquoise wool-blend felt.  The paper backing stabilizes the felt and keeps adhesives from saturating it.  Cut Bundled Up Goose and Happy Goose.  Cut the beak and feet sections from an orange 6x6 in the Sunrise Collection.  Color the eye areas with a black marker.  Attach the beak diecuts behind their heads.  

Cut the hats from the red and turquoise wool-blend felt.  Bundled Up Goose's hat has a pouf too - but it's just a simple pouf-less stocking cap here.

Cut Bundled Up Goose's wings from pale gray cardstock.  Ink it with a light layer of Morning Mist VersaFine Clair to highlight the details.

Cut the scarves from the Bundled Up Goose set from red and turquoise Rainbow Reflections Mirror Cardstock 6x6's.  Cut the turquoise 6x6 with the 1-¼" Circle Basics die.  Layer it behind a Merry Christmas Foil Greetings White Circle Tab for dimension and contrast.

Cut the Christmas tree print from the Nutmeg Forest 6x6 set with the 3-¼" x 4-½" Rectangle Basics die.

Attach the diecuts to a natural A6 card (4-½" x 6-¼") - use foam tape for the top of the hats and the ends of the scarves.  Cut an A6-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Thanks for visiting our blog...see you on Friday!

 

 

Supplies

 

94829

94828

pp1034

st012

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

30087

sp1013

cry102

fp1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad