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

Green Birds and a Brown Bear by Jean Okimoto

 

Send fall greetings with the Layered Polar Bear - now appearing as a friendly brown bear in soft felt.  He's sitting on the new Snowy Log - before the snow - and three members of the new Little Bird Bunch.  Hi, Jean here wishing you a Happy Fall!

Designs from the Winter Days Collection - Snowy Log, Little Bird Bunch and the Nutmeg Forest 6x6 set - are very mix- and match-able with dies from previous holiday collections.  

Cut Snowy Log from dark brown cardstock.  Ink the short end of the larger diecut with Pinecone VersaFine Clair to create a shadowy hollowed end.   

Cut Little Bird Bunch from an olive green 6x6 in the Greenery Collection and the chartreuse Rainbow Reflections 6x6.  Color the beaks with a black marker.  Save the 2 extra birds for another project.

Cut the gold-accented Nutmeg Spice 6x6 with a portion of the 2-¼" wide Slim Basic Rectangle Layers die.  Trim it to 5-⅝" long.  Cut Orange Peel cardstock with a portion of the 2" wide Slim Basic Rectangle Layers die.    Trim it to 4-¾" long.

Cut the large solid Layered Polar Bear from medium-brown cardstock.  Color the areas that will appear behind the facial features and ears with a black marker.  Attach an adhesive label sheet (or a sticker sheet) to brown wool-blend felt and cut the remaining pieces.  The paper stabilizes the felt and prevents adhesives from saturating it.  Cut the paws from dark brown cardstock and layer them behind the felt paws for extra dimension.

Glue 2 pieces of dark brown cardstock together.  Cut it with the solid Happy Fall Posh Script background die.  Spritz both sides with a list mist of water.  Pressure-emboss it using the rubber embossing mat and plates required for your machine.  Embossing the background makes it very easy to align and attach the detailed top layer. Cut the greeting's detailed top layer from Orange Peel Cardstock. 

Attach the diecuts to a recycled Kraft A6 card (4-½" x 6-¼").  Cut an A6-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Mix and match the dies and papers from different collections.  The colors, patterns and shapes are versatile and create holiday greetings for the special recipients on your list.

Thanks for visiting - see you on Friday!

 

 

Supplies

 

94821

94747

94811

94685

94556 Slim Basic Rectangle Layers

pp1034

sh44017

sp1011

fp1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad

Geese Giving Gifts by Jean Okimoto

 

Greet the holidays with gift-giving geese from our Winter Days Collection.  Hi, Jean here with a few repurposed and combined designs from our holiday and classic collections.  

Create a simple, contemporary Christmas tree using the Fringed Scalloped Frame Set and embroidery floss.  Turn a flower from the Stitchable Mitten set into a tree topper with a Glitzy Glitter Pad 6x6. The Classy Goose's Santa Hat becomes a cozy plaid stocking cap without the white pouf.  

Cut the 2-⅝" wide Fringed Scalloped Frame from a medium-green Greenery 6x6.  Stitch a tall triangle and a base with bright green embroidery floss.  Cut the gold Glitzy Glitter Pad 6x6 with the 6-petaled flower from the Stitchable Mitten. 

Attach adhesive label paper (or a sticker sheet) to red and soft-white wool-blend felt.  The paper backing stabilizes the felt and prevents adhesives from saturating it.  Cut the Classy Goose and Young Goose.  Cut the Young Goose's earmuffs and scarf.

Cut the beak and feet pieces from a dark orange Sunrise 6x6.  Use a black marker to color eye areas.

Cut  the Classy Goose's scarf and hat from a red and gold Nutmeg Plaid 6x6.

Cut the Pretty Presents giftboxes from bright dark green 6x6s in the Greenery Collection.  Cut the bows from a Glitzy Glitter Pad 6x6.

Assemble the geese and gifts then attach everything to a natural A6 card (4-½" x 6-¼").  

Thanks for visiting our blog.  Hope our Design Team's ideas are inspiring you to create unique cards for the holidays!

 

 

Supplies

 

94826 Classy Goose

94827 Young Goose

94761 Pretty Presents

94824 Stitchable Mitten

94842 Fringed Scalloped Frame Set

PP1033 Nutmeg Plaid 6x6 pack

SP1011 Leafy 6x6 pack

sp1013 Sunrise 6x6 pack

GP1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

A New Collection…2024 Winter Days by Jean Okimoto

 

The wonderful 2024 Winter Days Collection has arrived!  Holiday icons and greeting dies,  rub on transfers, stencils, 6x6 plaids and prints, a clear stamp + die set - ready for your winter projects!  

Hi, Jean here introducing a versatile Stitchable Mitten die set  to send warm winter wishes.  The new Snowflake RubOns add a frosty holiday look with crisp, opaque details that pop against the Cherry Red Cardstock background. The Wavy Sheet Music die - from an earlier release - is a great backdrop for a Christmas carol-inspired foil greeting banner.

Use the Stitchable Mitten die to find the perfect section of snowflakes for your design.  Tape the die over the rub on transfer and cardstock and lightly trace the outline. I left about ¾" of cardstock uncovered at the bottom because it will be covered by the felt cuff. Handcut it about ¼" larger than the traced outline.  

Carefully remove the paper liner from the rub on.  Lightly tap the rub on onto the cardstock mitten.  Tape the die to the rub on and cardstock.  Cover it with printer paper and roll it through the diecut machine to transfer the snowflakes and diecut the mitten in one easy step.  (The rub on set includes a wood craft stick if you prefer to burnish the rub on after diecutting the mitten.) Carefully remove the frosty plastic liner.

Attach adhesive label paper (or a sticker sheet) to white wool-blend felt and diecut the cuff. Stitch the top row of the cuff with white embroidery floss.  Cut the mitten set's button from Cherry Red Cardstock and stitch it to the cuff.  Stitch the rest of the cuff and the mitten.

Cut a green 6x6 from the Greenery Collection and Cherry Red Cardstock with the 3-¾" wide Rectangle Basics die.  Trim the corners with a corner rounding punch.  Spritz both sides of the green rectangle with a light mist of water.  Pressure-emboss it with the Wavy Sheet Music die using the rubber embossing mat and plates required for your machine.

 

Attach the diecuts to a light Kraft A6 card (4-½" x 6-14") - use foam tape for the top and thumb of the mitten.  Add a greeting from the new Merry and Bright White Foil Banner set.  Add red Christmas Fairy Crystals.  Cut an A6-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Thanks for visiting - see you again on Friday with more Winter Days designs!

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies

 

94824 Stitchable Mitten

st016 Merry and Bright Foil Banners White Tabs

rub105 Snowflake Rub On

sp1011 Leafy 6x6 pack

94809 Wavy Sheet Music

sh44015 Cherry Red Paper Pack

cry102 Christmas Fairy Crystals

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

 

Watchful Bird On a Branch by Jean Okimoto

Plush felt and shimmery Rainbow Reflections cardstock add bright texture to a holiday greeting from our 2024 Yuletide Collection.  Golden pine branches and Fringed Scalloped Frames create a green-on-green backdrop for a festive bird.  Hi, Jean here with a simple holiday design from our latest release.

Attach adhesive label paper or a sticker sheet to bright red wool-blend felt and cut the large bird from the new Watchful Bird set.  Cut the detailed overlay from the red Rainbow Reflections 6x6.  There's an additional head overlay diecut but we're not using that here.  Cut the backing piece for the eye and beak from Glossy Black Paper (cardstock).  Push a toothpick thru the eye cutout of the main felt diecut to enlarge the opening.  Assemble the bird - attach the black diecut behind the head.

Cut the olive green pine print -  from the Yuletide Cheer 6x6 set -  with the smallest Fringed Scalloped Frame.  Cut two shades of green from the Greenery 6x6 Collection with the next 2 larger frames.

Attach the diecuts to a green notecard.  Add clear Christmas Fairy Dewdrops.  Cut an A2-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Holiday icon prints from the Yuletide Cheer 6x6's create great backgrounds for Watchful Bird.  Coordinate them with Fringed Scalloped Frames from the Greenery, Lagoon and Blush Collections for quick and easy holiday cards.

Thanks for visiting!

 

 

Supplies

 

pp1032 Yuletide Cheer 6x6 pack

94804 Watchful Bird

94842 Fringed Scalloped Frame Set

sp1011 Leafy 6x6 pack

ddp101 Christmas Fairy Dewdrops

fp1003

sh44004 Black Glossy Paper

Yuletide Notes of Joy by Jean Okimoto

Joyful holiday notes dance across a Wavy Sheet Music background.  I used the detailed die to pressure-emboss it instead of diecutting to create a textured background.  The new Watchful Bird combines felt and mirror cardstock for dimension.  Hi, Jean here with more designs from our 2024 Yuletide Collection.  

There's a lot going on here - there are so many ways to combine the new designs from our holiday collection.  Let's start with the background.  Cut the smoother side of watercolor paper with the 5" x 3-¾" Rectangle Basics die. Trim it with a corner-rounding punch.  Spritz both sides of the paper with a light mist of water to prep it for pressure embossing.  Emboss it with the new Wavy Sheet Music die using the rubber embossing mat and plates required for your machine.

Attach Scor-Tape behind black cardstock (use lightweight cardstock if possible). Cut two sets of the Wavy Sheet Music notes.

Attach adhesive label paper (or a sticker sheet) to red wool-blend felt and cut the new Watchful Bird.  I cut all of the sections to mix and match the diecuts for different variations of the bird later.  Cut the detailed top layer from the red Rainbow Reflections mirror cardstock 6x6.  Cut the backing for the beak and eye from a orangey-yellow Sunrise Solid Core 6x6.  Color the eye area with a black marker.  Assemble the bird.

Attach Scor-Tape to a bright red Blush Solid Core 6x6.  Cut it with the new Bello Joy background.  Cut the detailed top layer of the greeting from watercolor paper.  Remove the inner pieces.  Attach the top layer to the adhesive-covered background.  Sprinkle detail clear embossing powder over the exposed adhesive  and heat-emboss it to attach the greeting and create a glossy red background.

Cut the new Pine Branches from a dark green 6x6 in the Greenery Solid Core pack.  

Cut the berries from the new Festive Holly set from a bright red Glitzy Glitter Pad 6x6.

Attach the diecuts to a natural A6 card (6-¼" x 4-½") that trimmed with a corner rounding punch - use foam tape for the bird's head and tail.  Cut an A6-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing

The Wavy Sheet Music set will be great for birthday cards too - and Watchful Bird can be used throughout the year. 

Thanks for visiting our blog - have a great weekend...

Supplies

 

94804 Watchful Bird

94763 Bello Joy

94817 Pine Branches

94809 Wavy Sheet Music

94801 Festive Holly

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

sp1013 Sunrise 6x6 pack

SP1011 Leafy 6x6 pack

SP1012 Blush 6x6 pack

FP1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad

GP1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

Stitched Warm Winter Wishes by Jean Okimoto

Send warm winter wishes with the new Stitchable Stocking.  It's a versatile layered set - including winter blossoms and greenery - for your holiday greetings.  It would be perfect to celebrate baby's first Christmas too.  Hi, Jean here with two of my favorite design elements - felt diecuts and stitching.  I'm not a sewer or quilter, but I can do this!

 

 

Cut the dark green poinsettia print from the new Yuletide Cheer 6x6 with the Stitchable Stocking.

Cut the little tab for the stocking with the smallest Rectangle Basics die.

 

Attach adhesive label paper (or a sticker sheet) to lime green wool-blend felt.  The paper backing stabilizes the felt and prevents adhesives from saturating it.  Prep the 3 stitching dies by briskly rubbing the stitching dots with scrunched waxed paper to make it easier to remove the little offcuts.

 

Cut the cuff and toe section from the felt.  Stitch the cuff with matching embroidery floss.  Align the holes and attach the toe section to the stocking. Stitch around the stocking - to save some time,  start and end about ¾" from the top edge where it'll be covered by the cuff.  Attach the cuff and the folded tab.

 

Cut two sets of the blossoms from the bright red Blush Solid Core 6x6.  Cut the center from the yellow/orange Sunrise Solid Core 6x6.  Cut the leaves from a dark green Greenery Solid Core 6x6.

 

Cut white cardstock with the 3" wide Rectangle Basics die.

 

Stamp the greeting - from the new Holiday Wishes Clear Stamp and Die Set - on white cardstock with Tulip Red VersaFine Clair.  Quickly heat-emboss it with detail clear powder.  Cut the cooled greeting with the coordinating die.  Cut a blank greeting layer and attach it for dimension.

 

Attach the diecuts to a white A6 card - 4-½" x 6-¼" - use foam tape for the leaf tips and the right edge of the greeting.  Add green Christmas Fairy Dewdrops.  Cut an A6-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

 

Turn the stocking into a treat wrapper for candy canes or snack-size chocolates - cut another layer and stitch through both sides to create a pocket.  

 

Thanks for visiting...hope our 2024 Yuletide designs are inspiring you to get a headstart on holiday projects.

 

Supplies

 

94825 Stitchable Stocking

PP1032 Yuletide Cheer 6x6 pack

Cl5286D Holiday Wishes clear stamp and die set

ddp101 Christmas Fairy Dewdrops

sp1011 Leafy 6x6 pack

sp1012 Blush 6x6 pack

sp1013 Sunrise 6x6 pack

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

Introducing...The 2024 Yuletide Collection by Jean Okimoto

Celebrate the holidays with our newest release...the 2024 Yuletide Collection!  It's a versatile mix of contemporary, traditional, fun and classic designs for all of your Christmas projects.  Dies, 3D embossing folders, stencils, color-coordinated 6x6 plaids and prints, cling stamps, a snowflake hot foil plate and clear stamps!

Hi, Jean here with the first of many designs our team is creating for your winter celebrations. It's a late post  - Typepad had server issues for several hours last night and today.   Thanks for your patience!

Attach adhesive label paper or a sticker sheet to white wool-blend felt.  The paper backing stabilizes the felt and prevents adhesives from saturating it.  Cut the new Wintertime Bear.  Cut the portion that goes behind his face from Glossy Black Paper (cardstock) for the eyes and nose. 

Cut the scarf and hat from a dark red plaid in the new Yuletide Plaid 6x6 set.  It’s actually a Santa hat – we’re going for the coordinated plaid look here today.

The Wintertime Bear set includes ski equipment and boots - he’s delivering gifts first, he’ll ski later.  Cut the boots from a dark red 6x6 in the Blush Collection

Cut the new Pretty Presents gift boxes from the dark green Yuletide Cheer 6x6 print. 

Cut the ribbons from the red Rainbow Reflections 6x6.  Assemble the gifts – attach the bottom of the ribbons for the tallest and shortest gifts behind the boxes.

Cut a grass-green 6x6 from the Greenery Collection with the second-largest Fringed Scalloped Frame Set die. 

Cut a dark green 6x6 from the Greenery Collection with the 4-1/4” x 5-1/2” die from the A2 Rectangle Frames Set.  Attach it to a top-folded white card that’s about 1/16” smaller than an A2 card.

Attach the diecuts to the card – use foam tape at the bottom of the shorter gifts, and for the top layer of the scarf. 

The blog isn't letting me link to the catalog and Idea Book - please visit our website to view the items and ideas - www.memoryboxco.com.

Here’s a list of the new items I’ve used:

94842     Fringed Scalloped Frame Set

94761     Pretty Presents

94819     Wintertime Bear

PP1032    Yuletide Cheer

PP1031    Yuletide Plaid

Thanks for visiting...hope your favorite Retailer has ordered these great new designs for your holiday projects!

 

Supplies

 

94672 A2 Rectangle Frames Die Set

sp1011 Leafy 6x6 pack

sp1012 Blush 6x6 pack

fp1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad

sh44004 Black Glossy Paper

Supplies

 

94761 Pretty Presents

94819 Wintertime Bear

94842 Fringed Scalloped Frame Set

pp1032 Yuletide Cheer 6x6 pack

pp1031 Yuletide Plaid 6x6 pack

Snow Fairies…Inspired by a TV Show by Jean Okimoto

International TV shows don't often inspire card designs - but the Snow Fairies documentary on Japan's NHK TV inspired today's card.  They're adorably fluffy, rare long-tailed birds  - and the Poppystamps new Nordic Bird Bunch set has the perfect die for this little bird (they just needed longer tails).  Hi, Jean here with a  ScandinAsian Valentine idea.

Cut Birch Tree Trunks from Open Studio Watercolor Paper.  The diecut is very detailed, but it's easy to remove.  Start at the bottom of the trunks and wiggle the offcuts away instead of trying to pull the trunks out. 

Attach adhesive label paper (or a sticker sheet) to wool-blend white felt and red felt.  The paper backing stabilizes the felt and prevents adhesives from saturating it.  Cut the second-largest heart of the Double Stitch Happy Heart Cut Out set.

Cut the Nordic Bird bases from white felt.  Cut the 2 larger wing pieces from Open Studio Watercolor Paper (instead of felt) to highlight the Nordic details. Cut the combined beak/eye sections and the left bird's wings from black cardstock. Some Snow Fairies are all-white, some have darker sections - we'll have one of each type.

They have very long tails. We're using 2 branches from the tree trunk (shown on the left side of the packaging) to create special felt tails for them.  Trim the original tails, then attach the tree branch sections.  Cover the area with a wing!

Glue 2 pieces of gray cardstock together for dimension and diecut the new Hugs Debut Script background. Cut the detailed top layer from red cardstock.  Cut the background from red cardstock too, for more dimension.

Assemble the birds and greeting.  Attach everything to a gray A6 card (4-½" x 6-¼").  Add bronze Autumn Fairy Crystals.  Cut an A6-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Looking for more ideas?  Search Snow Fairies NHK TV - the show is available on demand until March 31st.  Not sponsored or anything like that...I just think you'll enjoy it too!

Thanks for visiting - have a great weekend!

Supplies

 

94776 Hugs Debut Script

94361 Double Stitch Happy Heart Cut Out

94701 Birch Tree Trunks

wp101 Watercolor Paper

cry101 Autumn Fairy Crystals

 

Supplies

 

2601 Nordic Bird Bunch