All is Calm by Penny Ward

 

Hello Memory Box friends.  Penny here today with some inking, stamping and die cutting. Because that is what making cards is all about. A little of everything.

 

Let's do this:

 

Start with Cream cardstock for a base measuring 4.25 x 5.50 inches.

 

 

Die cut the largest of the Wrapped Scalloped Rectangles and ink with Spectrum Noir Baby Blue and Midnight inks. Flick water across panel, then blot with paper towel.

Adhere this panel to Cream panel.

Die cut Wrapped Holly Circle Frame and Holly Flourish from White cardstock. eBrush the inner circle and Holly with Spectrum Noir markers DG1 and YG3 or color with medium of your choice. Color the outer ring with Spectrum Noir BT8. Adhere circles to card front.

 

 

To give your Holly Flourish some dimension, turn it over and gently rub with a Ball Stylus tool. I used a piece of foam as the base for doing this technique.

Now your leaves are no longer flat.

 

 

Stamp sentiment from the Typewrite Holiday Sentiments in the center with VersaFine Majestic Blue ink.

Pull it all together by wrapping Navy string around the card front, add a bow and weave the Holly Flourish in.

Add White Crystal Drops as desired.

 

Happy Holiday Crafting,

 

Supplies

 

94040 Wrapped Holly Circle Frame craft die

94023 Holly Flourish craft die

30112 Wrapped Scalloped Rectangles craft die

CL5225 Typewrite Holiday Sentiments clear stamp set

Holly Flourish and Resting Birds in a Delicate Pine Frame by Jean Okimoto

Arrange some tiny gold Resting Birds on the Holly Flourish - then add bright red berry dots for a very traditional holiday greeting.  Husband says they're either very tiny birds or a very big holly branch - oh yes, they are!  Hi, Jean Okimoto here with a simple Christmas design for you.

Cut the large outer frame from the Delicate Pine Frame set from white cardstock and leave both pieces in the die.  Attach ¼" Scor-Tape along the edges.  Remove the tape liners (!) and flip the die over and press it firmly onto a Key Lime Notecard.  Cut Holly Flourish from a slightly darker shade of green. 

Cut Resting Birds from gold glittered paper or cardstock.

Bubble Burst is the perfect source for assorted bright red "berries."  I've added a third berry to the bottom center branch.  

Stamp the greeting - from the versatile Typewriter Holiday Sentiments Clear Stamp Set with Tulip Red VersaFine Clair.  Quickly emboss it with detail clear powder.  Trim it with the smallest Rectangle Basics die.  It's a tight fit - but you can do it!  Cut another rectangle from green cardstock and layer it for dimension and definition.

Rectangle Basis is a set of 16 dies ranging from 4-¼" x 5-½" all the way down to ½" x 1-¾".  They're proportioned for A-2 cards and are great for greetings, accents and backgrounds with crisp, finished edges.  Eliminate tedious measuring, trimming and re-trimming with Rectangle Basics.  

Here's your card!

If you're in the Seattle area and have a day off on Monday - join us for another SIMPLY ASIAN class at Impress.  We're making 6 cards - including one with a very cool origami butterfly that's a lot easier than it looks.  Memory Box, Poppystamps and Birch Press Design have so many dies that are perfect for the understated, contemporary Asian style we love.  

Thanks for visiting!

 

 

 

 

Supplies

 

94023 Holly Flourish craft die

94031 Delicate Pine Frame craft die

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

99771 Bubble Burst

98527 Resting Birds

CL5225 Typewrite Holiday Sentiments clear stamp set

Key Lime A2 notecards

Happy Birthday! by Melissa Rusk

I don't know about you, but during the Spring months I need a lot of birthday cards. So I decided to get a jump start with this floral birthday card I want to share with you today.

The Stitched Aster Corner and Stitched Aster Blooms dies are so pretty. I die cut the Stitched Aster Corner in a green paper and then die cut the Stitched Aster Blooms in a coral color. I glued them to a white background on a kraft paper card for a simple color scheme.

I am so in love with the Happy Birthday Friendship Script die, it is so beautiful. I know it's going to be one I reach for a lot. For the center of the flowers I used some gold enamel dots to add a little bit of sparkle.

Hope you have a great weekend, thanks for stopping by!

Supplies

99641 Happy Birthday Friendship Script

99644 Stitched Aster Corner

99672 Stitched Aster Blooms

Elegant Snowflake Flourish and Valley Deer Trio by Jean Okimoto

The new Elegant Snowflake Flourish creates a swirly backdrop for the Valley Deer Trio, cut from soft tan felt, on a holiday headstart card today.  Hi - Jean Okimoto here - with another Christmas design for you.  I love mixing mirror cardstock and felt.  The combination of matte/shiny/soft/glossy quickly elevates a simple design - just add a dash of Blaze velvet paper for the scarves.  

Cut a Stitched Oval Layer from textured natural cardstock.  Cut Elegant Snowflake Flourish from silver mirror cardstock.  Cut two of the small Truly Gifted bows from Blaze velvet paper.  Cut the bows in half to create plush little scarves for the holiday deer.  Isn't it great that Memory Box dies are such versatile multi-taskers?   From a bow to scarves with a simple snip!   I love getting the most use from my supplies - hope you do too.  

Attach adhesive label paper (or sticker sheets) to tan felt and cut the Valley Deer Trio - the one on the left is cut in reverse to face the opposite direction.  The paper backing stabilizes the felt and keeps liquid adhesives from soaking thru.

Attach everything to an A-2 card of textured natural cardstock.  Add tiny pale green sequins.  

BIG Thanks to everyone from Sunday's CHRISTMAS WITH MEMORY BOX class at Impress! I enjoyed introducing you to some of my favorite new items - and combining them with classic, favorite designs from earlier releases. Thanks too - Ann and Jeannie - for finding all of the supplies we need to get started on our holiday cards!  Missed the first class?  Join us the another class on Saturday July 23rd.

Speaking of Impress...be sure to visit the Tukwila and University Village stores on Saturday July 16. They're celebrating their 29th Anniversary - and you get to shop with a special 25% discount on everything you need, want and were hoping to find for your special projects. Take advantage of the celebration to stock up on Memory Box and Poppystamps products for holidays and throughout the year. Enjoy demos, beautiful displays and treats too - Happy Birthday Impress!

Thanks for stopping by - see you again on Saturday!

 

 

 

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Believe! by Sherry Hester

Hello everyone! I hope you are enjoying our blog blitz with all of the wonderful posts featuring the newest release! My card showcases the Poinsettia Flourish, a beautiful die with lots of possibilities.

I chose a lavender/burgundy color scheme for a somewhat nontraditional looking Christmas card. I die cut the flourish from green card stock, and cut two more of just the flower from lavender card stock, snipping away what didn’t belong. I sponged Peeled Paint Distress Ink onto the flourish portion, and inked up the inner portions of the flower petals with Dusty Concord Distress Ink to add some shading.

I assembled the flower by first gluing one of the lavender flowers outline directly over the corresponding flower on the die cut. I layered the second lavender flower outline, turning it slightly for a fuller look. I then added the petal pieces from both flowers, shaping and adjusting them as shown.  I added burgundy glitter to the center and on the circles of the flourish.

I cut one piece of gray card stock from one of the Rectangle Layers dies, and another slightly larger one from white card stock. I splattered the gray piece with watered down white acrylic ink before adhering it to the white layer, then stamped the word “believe” from the new Making Spirits Bright clear stamp set. Before adding this to the card base, I decided to adhere one of the ribbon dies from Grosgrain Ribbon die set onto the base, then adhered the layers to the card base with foam tape.

I added the assembled flower with one piece of foam tape on the back of the flower, and that completed the card. If you would like a chance to win the Poinsettia Flourish die, please leave a comment on this post, and all the others for more chances to win the featured die from each post. You have until 11:59 on Sunday, July 10, to leave your comments. Good luck, and enjoy your weekend.  Thanks for stopping by!

 

Poinsettia Flourish Studio Rectangle Layers Grosgrain Ribbons Making Spirits Bright Clear Stamp Set

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Snowflake Spectacle, Elegant Snowflake Flourish – and Making Spirits Bright by Jean Okimoto

A few snowflakes might be welcome on this warm summer day - the NEW Snowflake Spectacle and Elegant Snowflake Flourish would be perfect!  Hello, Jean Okimoto here, with another challenge inspiration design featuring our Holiday 2016 Collection of wonderful new dies, stamps and stencils.

Cut Snowflake Spectacle and Elegant Snowflake Flourish from textured white cardstock.  Trim Snowflake Spectacle with the 4" Stitched Square Layer. 

Cut another square with the 3-½" Stitched Square Layer.  Trim it into a rectangle using the inner edge of the 4" square.  It's an easy way to create custom-sized blocks of cardstock for layering, mats, greetings and backgrounds.  

Stamp "let it snow" - from the Making Spirits Bright Clear Stamp Set - on lime green cardstock with Love Letter Memento Luxe.  Heat-set the rich, opaque pigment ink.  Cut it into a circle with the Stitched Circle Layer.  Cut a larger circle of red cardstock.

Attach everything to an A-6 (4-⅝" x 6-¼") lime green card.  Add green sequins.

In the Seattle area and want to combine AC'd comfort and colorful creativity?  Join us for the second SUMMER BLISS Class at the Tukwila Impress on the 4th of July.  We're making 5 cards featuring our favorite dies, stamps and techniques - including a slider with a shiny bright car driving past the city skyline.  Class is just from 11:00-1:00 - you'll have plenty of time to picnic, swim, BBQ and celebrate afterwards.

Be among the first to fall in love with the great holiday release at the Tukwila AND University Village Impress stores this weekend!  Both stores are open on the 4th too. Tukwila opens at 10:00, with special holiday hours - please call ahead (206 901.9101) for details.  

Thanks for taking the time to stop by during your busy holiday weekend - I appreciate it!  

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Bumblebee Daydreams Blossoms by Jean Okimoto

Celebrate a graduation or summer birthday with watercolored blossoms from the new Bumblebee Daydreams die and stamp sets.  My new stamp and die sets aren't getting any rest this summer...there are so many ways to use them.  Hello, Jean Okimoto here, hoping you're having a great weekend!

Paint watercolor paper with Peerless Watercolors and dry it with a heat-tool.   Stamp the blossoms with Onyx Black VersaFine and dry the ink.  Watercolor the center petals of the detailed blossoms.  

Diecut Scrollwork Sleeve from medium-green cardstock.  Crease the three edges along the scorelines and attach it to an A-2 card of textured natural cardstock.  Cut Tag You're It Rectangles from yellow-green and pale green cardstock.  Stamp "celebrate" - from the Party Time set - with Onyx Black.  Attach gold twine, then curl the ends with the edge of a bonefolder.  Use foamdots to attach the top of the tag to the background.

Attach the blossoms - use foamdots for the two small ones on the left.  Add clear pink iridescent sequins.

Summer events are always special - and the Bumblebee Daydreams sets make it easy to honor the "celebratee."  How many celebration cards are you creating this summer?

Thanks for stopping by - enjoy your weekend!

 

 

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Pink Inspiration with the Billow Flowers and Swirling Stitches by Jean Okimoto

Here's some pink challenge inspiration with the Large and Small Billow Flowers and the versatile Swirling Stitches...it's quick and easy!

Hi there, Jean Okimoto here with big congrats to the winners of our January Challenge!  Looking forward to seeing your Tickled Pink Challenge entries too.  Here are the directions for my Challenge inspiration card.   The featured dies and greeting  (inside the card) are from our fabulous January 2016 Release.

Paint watercolor paper with pink and peachy-pink Peerless Watercolors and let them dry.  Cut them with the Small and Large Billow Flowers - save the little circles from the centers.  Brush glue on the centers and sprinkle them with Lemon Drop Glitter from Martha Stewart Crafts.

Cut the leaves from green cardstock.  Cut the Large and Small Billow Flower Backgrounds from textured white cardstock and attach them behind the watercolored flowers.

Diecut a (folded) side-folded A-2 card of textured white cardstock with Swirling Stitches.  Using a stamp positioner, stamp the greeting - from the Springtime Bunnies Clear Stamp Set - with Memento Luxe Rose Bud.  Emboss it with Imagine Crafts Iridescent Powder to add sparkly highlights

We usually run the unfolded card through the machine to accent just the front of the card - but I wanted to add some stitches to the inside too.  The swirls create curvy little areas for your signature.   Hope you like the idea - if not, simply unfold the card and run it through the machine, positioned so the inside of the card remains uncut.

Attach the flowers, leaves and clear pink sequins to the card - use foam dots for the small flower.  

Big thanks to everyone who took the impromptu watercolored calendar class on Sunday.  I loved seeing everyone add unique and beautiful backgrounds to each page with Kaleidacolors, Brilliance, and Peerless Watercolors.  Thanks for suggesting the class Jacky C!

See you at another So Many Hearts class at Impress on Saturday February 6th.  Good Luck with February's Tickled Pink Challenge!

Thanks very much for stopping by...

 

 

Large Billow Flower Background and Leaves Large Billow Flower Small Billow Flower Swirling Stitches Springtime Bunnies stamp set

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A Celebration of Homespun Hearts by Jean Okimoto

Need another Valentine idea?  Celebrate your love with the glittered  Homespun Heart floating thru the Stitched Celebrate Circle Frame -both are great new designs from our January 2016 Collection.    Jean Okimoto here with a bright, sparkly design to warm this winter weekend.  

Cut a 2.8" Studio Circle Layer of watercolor paper.  Paint it with some pink and peachy Peerless Watercolors.  Using an acrylic stamp block as a palette, paint a light, diluted wash of Gold Peerless Transparent Metallics  over the pinks and peaches.  Dry it with a heat-tool and attach it to a side-folded A-2 card of textured white cardstock.  

The Peerless Transparent Metallics are rich, concentrated inks in shades of gold, silver and copper.  They add a soft, sheer glow to watercolored and painted backgrounds...and they come in the cutest bottles!  

Attach adhesive label paper behind watercolor paper and cut Stitched Celebrate Circle Frame.  The additional layer adds some dimension to the diecut without having to glue the layers together.  

Cut Homespun Heart from bright pink glittered cardstock.  Attach the big heart and the second heart from the right to the watercolored circle.  Attach the frame to the card - over the Homespun Heart on the right side and under it on the left side.  (Trust me, it's easier than it sounds here, it just takes a bit of coordination!)   Attach the loose hearts.  Leave the delicate swirls unattached.  

 

Talked with Debbie and Gary of Rubber Stamp Fantasy in Marietta, GA last night.  We're planning some Memory Box Spring Classes there in April - I'll post more info soon.  Can't wait to see them - and all of my sweet Southern gal-friends there!  

Thanks for stopping by...hope you love creating Valentines with  the January 2016 Collection as much as I do!  Be safe - and keep warm - this wintery weekend.

Noel, Noel

Homespun Heart Stitched Celebrate Circle Frame   Stitched Circle Layers

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Homespun Hearts and Swirling Stitches by Jean Okimoto

Homespun Hearts and Swirling Stitches are a great pair for Valentine's Day.  Jean Okimoto here, loving these swirly freeform designs on a background  of Peerless Watercolors.  Swirling Stitches creates a great subtle backdrop for any design - I think of it as a 'quiet detail.'  The just-released January 2016 collection is much more than just a Valentine collection - check it out here.

Cut a 4" x 3" Stitched Rectangle Layer from watercolor paper.  Brush a layer of water onto the paper, then paint it with Peerless Watercolors.  Dry it with a dry iron on the cotton setting.  

Cut Homespun Heart from light pink glittered cardstock.  Cut the watercolor paper with Swirling Stitches.  Stamp "LOVE" - from the Open Studio Smile Clear Stamp Set - on the smoother side of watercolor paper with Brilliance Pearlescent Coral.  Dry the ink - then cut the greeting with the smallest Stitched Rectangle Layer.  Trim the excess paper using the inner edge of a larger Stitched Rectangle.  

Attach everything to a Peony Notecard.  Attach small silver sequins.

Special thanks to everyone from last Saturday's NEW from Memory Box  and Love is Sweet classes at Impress.  What was your favorite new die?

Here's a card we'll be making in the So Many Hearts class at Impress on Sunday January 17th.  The sweet little origami heart is super-easy - promise!

I've added another class too - Memory Box Calendar and Watercolor Workshop - on Sunday January 31st at Impress.  Create great designs with Peerless Watercolors, Kaleidacolors, diecuts and sequins.  

Thanks for stopping by -  before you leave, be sure to check out Laura's post listing the winners of last week's blog blitz - congrats to all of the winners!

 

 

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