A Blossom from the Magnolia Grove by Jean Okimoto

Billowy flowering trees create a colorful backdrop for a fresh Magnolia Blossom from our latest collection.  Hi, Jean here with a spring slimline - and some very poufy trees.

Cut Birch Tree Trunks from light kraft cardstock - we're using just 3 of them today.  Cut the Gentle Rose Watercolor Floral background from a tiny floral print from the new Magnolia Grove 6x6 set.  Cut three more floral backgrounds from dark green cardstock. Layer them - slightly offset  - for treetops.  Trim one of them where it'll be attached along the fold.  Attach them to a pale lavender-pink slimline card (3-⅝"x 8-½").

The Magnolia Grove set has several other floral and leafy prints that would be great for this technique.

Tip - it's easier to color Magnolia Blossom's layers if they are pressure-embossed first, then colored, then finally cut out.  You won't have to chase the little pieces around to color (and/or misplace!) them - and you can apply the colors exactly where you want them.

Pressure-emboss Magnolia Blossom on smooth white cardstock using a rubber embossing mat and the plate(s) required for your machine.  Color the embossed designs with Pearlescent Orchid and Pearlescent Rust Brilliance inks using a sponge, dauber or blending brush.  Dry the inks, then diecut the pieces.  Assemble the blossom.

Cut the extra leaf/stem pieces - from the Vibrant Leaf Corner set - from green cardstock.  Attach the blossom and leaves to the card - use foam dots behind some of the petals.

Add pale lavender Winter Fantasy Fairy Gemstones.  Cut a slimline-sized rectangle of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Think beyond-the-box, upcycle and repurpose your tools and supplies to get the most from your investment of these fun toys.

Thanks for visiting - see you in May!

 

 

 

Supplies

 

pp1022

94715

94701

94722

94713 Gentle Rose Watercolor Floral

gem102 Winter Fantasy Fairy Gemstones

Glossy Double-Embossed 3D Magnolia Blooms by Jean Okimoto

Accent the details of the Magolia Blooms 3D Embossing Folder and Cutting Dies Set with pressure- and heat-embossing for extra dimension and glossy highlights.  Hi, Jean here with a double-embossed design from our Magnolia Collection.

Diecut heavy white cardstock with the 3.75" x 5" A2 Rectangle Frames die.  Spray both sides of the rectangle with a light mist of water - give each side 2 quick spritzes from about 12" away.  Pressure-emboss it with the Magnolia Blooms folder - slightly offset so the layered diecut blossom will extend beyond the right edge.  Attach it to a top-folded 5.5" square white card.

Glue two pieces of pale pink cardstock together for extra thickness.  Cut it with the large matching die from the embossing folder set.  Press VersaMark ink onto the blossom on the embossing folder - use a light tapping motion.  Place the diecut in the folder and pressure-emboss it using the plates and/or mats required for your machine.

Use a cottom swab to daub the blossom's center with mustard-yellow ink.  Impress' Harvest Fresh Ink was used here.  Heat-emboss the entire blossom to highlight the texture and add a glossy finish.  

Glue two pieces of light mint green cardstock together for dimension and diecut Tilted Thanks.

Cut the loose leaves - at the bottom of the Magnolia Leaf Branch - from light mint green cardstock.  Attach the leaves behind the blossom, then attach the blossom + leaves to the background.

Attach the greeting - use a sliver of foam tape behind letter "t."  Autumn Fairy Crystals.  Cut a 5.5 square of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.  Square cards require extra postage and special handling.

 

The Magnolia Blooms 3D Embossing Folder and Cutting Dies set includes two blossom dies to create a variety of designs.  Use the versatile dies to cut stencils too - for quick and easy cards on a busy day.

Thanks for visiting - see you on Friday...

 

Supplies

 

ef1036 Magnolia Blooms 3D Embossing Folder and Cutting Dies

94470 Tilited Thanks

94672 A2 Rectangle Frames Die Set

94721 Magnolia Leaf Branch

cry101 Autumn Fairy Crystals

Brighter Days Ahead with the Backyard Wren by Jean Okimoto

 

Combine new designs from our latest release with the April Challenge - Sky's the Limit - and a bit of Poppystamps Whittle Sunshine.  Hi, Jean here with a double-collage all-occasion design in soft spring pastels. It could be a friendship card, send a note of encouragement, celebrate a special moment or welcome a new baby.

Cut, score and fold a 5.5" square white card.  Diecut Cloudy Moon Collage from the card front.  Cut Distant Sun Collage from the inside.  Back it with a 5.5" square of pale blue cardstock.

Diecut the Poppystamps Whittle Sunshine from pale yellow cardstock.

Diecut Curved Magnolia Branch from minty green cardstock.  Trim and save the leaf that would be hidden by Backyard Wren - it'll be repositioned later.

Diecut Magnolia Bud Trio from pale lavender cardstock and assemble the blossom and bud.  The small triple-pointed sepal will be a tiny bud.

Attach adhesive label paper (or a sticker sheet) to blue wool-blend felt to stabilize it and prevent adhesives from saturating it.  Cut Backyard Wren's  main section.  Cut it again from white cardstock - it'll be layered behind the assembled bird later.  Cut the wings from the shimmery turquoise Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad 6x6.

Cut the beak section from yellow cardstock and use a black marker to fill the area that will become the eye.

Assemble Backyard Wren and attach the plain white diecut behind it for a neater back-view when the card is opened.  

Attach the diecuts to the card - add the saved leaf near the center of the curved branch.  Use a foam dot behind the tip of the large wing.

Add turquoise Christmas Fairy Dewdrops.  Cut a 5.5" square of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.  Square cards require extra postage and special handling.

Thanks for visiting...have a great weekend!

 

 

Supplies

 

94719 Curved Magnolia Branch

94718 Magnolia Bud Trio

94723 Backyard Wren

94627 Cloudy Moon Collage

94628 Distant Sun Collage

ddp101 Christmas Fairy Dewdrops

fp1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad

2418 Whittle Sunshine

Textured, Transferred Marvelous Magnolia by Jean Okimoto

Here's a design that's quick and fail-proof - it's a perfectly-colored, embossed blossom from our new Magnolia Collection!  Hi, Jean here with an easy way to add color, texture and dimension to your cards with our new beautifully-colored Magnolia Rub-On Transfers. 

Cut a Marvelous Magnolia Rub-On Transfer (and the paper liner) that matches a design from the

Marvelous Magnolia 3-D Embossing Folder and its set of dies - leave a generous margin around it for easier handling.  Carefully remove the frosty top layer with the design - be sure it's completely removed from the paper liner.  Press it firmly onto smooth pale lavender cardstock to transfer the design, add a soft tint of color to the petals, and highlight the lines at the base of the petals

Tip #1...a wooden craft stick for burnishing is included with the 2-piece rub-on set - using it is optional.  Instead - diecut the design with the matching die from the embossing folder set - the diecutting pressure will smoothly burnish the rub-on onto the cardstock. 

Tip #2...don't remove the frosty top layer yet - it will cushion and protect the rub-on when it's pressure-embosssed in the folder.  Place the diecut in the folder and emboss it using the plate(s) and/or mat(s) required on your machine. Carefully remove the frosty top layer.

Diagonally cut a plaid 6x6 from the Magnolia Plaid pack with the 2.5" wide Nested Globe die.  Cut lavender cardstock with the 2" wide Nested Globe die.  Cut a purple 6x6 from the Twilight Purple Collection and spritz it with Imagine's Gold Sheer Shimmer Spritz.  Heat-set the ink, then cut the cardstock with the 1.5" wide Nested Globe die.  

Glue 2 pieces of the purple cardstock together and diecut Hello Streamlined Script.  Pre-gluing and cutting both layers at once saves time and adds dimension to your greeting.

Cut white cardstock to 4.25" x 10" and score it at 4.5".  Attach the diecuts - use foamtape at the tips of the petals and large leaves.  Add green Bright Jewels.  Cut an A2-sized rectangle to cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Confession...I've never used rub-ons before and my first magnolia ended up on my sweater sleeve. A steep learning curve! Hope these tips and ideas inspire you to experiment with Magnolia Rub-Ons and create a stash of cards for any occasion.

Thanks for visiting...

 

ef1035 Marvelous Magnolia 3D Embossing Folder and Cutting Dies

rub101 Magnolia Rub On

94540 Hello Streamlined Script

jwl003 Bright Jewels

94532 Nested Globes

pp1021 Magnolia Plaid 6x6 pack

sp1008 Twilight Purple

The New Magnolia Collection by Jean Okimoto

April's Magnolia Collection is a beautiful array of blossoms, buds, foliage - and the sweet Backyard Wren.  He's already been artfully-colored and featured in inspiring designs by Sara and Donna and is becoming a Design Team favorite! Here's a simple, textured version in felt and pearlescent cardstock - for coloring-challenged cardmakers like me, or someone who needs a quick card.

Hi, Jean here with alternative ways to use two great designs from our latest release.  The Vibrant Leaf Corner is cut twice and joined to form a frame perfectly-sized for an A2 card.  Backyard Wren's wings are uplifted in flight as he pauses to admire a magnolia bud.

Cut Vibrant Leaf Corner twice from light green cardstock.  It's easier to see the angled tips on the unattached diecuts in the picture.  Attach the diecuts to a side-folded light green A2 card, creating a leafy frame.

Cut Magnolia Bud Trio from the pink 6x6 in the Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad.  Cut the sepals from slightly darker green cardstock.  Assemble the buds and add them to the card.

Attach adhesive label paper (or a sticker sheet) to tan wool-blend felt and cut the large section of Backyard Wren. The paper backing stabilizes the felt and prevents adhesives from saturating it. Cut the beak section from yellow cardstock and color the area that will be the eye with a black marker.   Cut the wing pieces from the pearly gold Vintage Pastel 6x6.  Assemble the wren and attach it to the card - use foamtape behind the head and left tip of the large wing.

Add pale pink Pastel Fairy Jewels.

Here's a link to view and be inspired by the Magnolia Collection Idea Book 

And here's a link to view the Magnolia Collection Catalog

Thanks for visiting...hope you love our latest release as much we do.  Please save some weekend time to visit the blog for more ideas and inspiration from your Memory Box Design Team!

 

Supplies

 

fp1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad

 

Supplies

 

94723 Backyard Wren

94722 Vibrant Leaf Corner

94718 Magnolia Bud Trio

jwl002 Pastel Jewels

Seashells By the Seashore by Jean Okimoto

Recall happy memories of a sunny seaside vacation with the Dazzling Seashells in a rainbow of colors.  The 3D Embossing Folder and Matching Dies add texture and dimension to a simple nautical design.  Hi, Jean here with a warm-weather card to brighten a gray spring day.

I used a sheet of ink-blended smooth white cardstock from my stash.  Spritz both sides with a light mist of water.  Pressure-emboss it with the Dazzling Seashells 3D Embossing Folder.  Use a hard rubber brayer to ink the embossed design with Pearlescent Jade Brilliance ink.  Dry the ink, then cut the shells with the matching dies.

Prep the Wood Grain Planks die by rubbing it briskly with scrunched waxed paper to help release the textured planks.  Diecut it from grayish-white cardstock.

Diecut the long rope  - from the End of My Rope Set - twice from grayish-white cardstock.  Measure, trim and join the rope where it will be hidden by the bottom right shell.

Cut Hello Rush Script from the turquoise 6x6 in the Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad.

Attach the diecuts to a white A6 card (4-½" x 6-¼") - use foamtape for the bottom center shell.  Attach pale blue Pastel Fairy Jewels.  

Emboss, highlight and diecut several sets of shells and they'll be ready when you need them for a quick card!

Thanks for visiting...join us tomorrow for Sara's great design!

 

 

Supplies

 

FP1002

ef1029

94546

94468

94565

jwl002

Spritzed, Highlighted and Layered Birthday Wishes by Jean Okimoto

A mist of Gold Sheer Shimmer Spritz accents the Gentle Rose Watercolor Floral and defines the details of the beautiful blossom.  The rose and Wayfarer Leaves match the cluster of flowers on the bottom left corner of the Garland 6x6 and create a birthday greeting for someone special.  Hi, Jean here sharing a quick technique that's perfect for Memory Box's layered floral die sets. 

Cut the solid Gentle Rose Watercolor Floral background from a medium-toned red/coral sheet Berry Red 6x6.  Spritz a slightly lighter 6x6 with a fine mist of Imagine's Gold Sheer Shimmer Spritz - prop the cardstock up vertically,  shake the bottle vigorously and spritz!   Costco boxes with the cutouts are great spraybooths.  Dry the shimmery ink, then cut the cardstock with the layering pieces.  The illustration on the envelope - and the lightly-marked guidelines on the diecut - make it quick and easy to assemble the rose.

Cut Wayfarer Leaves with a medium green from the Lush Green 6x6 pack - attach doublestick tape strips behind the leaves to keep the center offcuts in the leaves.  Remove the lowest leaf from the large diecut.  Cut the lowest leaf from the smaller diecut and reposition it between the other two leaves.

Cut the Garland 6x6 print with a portion of the 7-½" x 2-½" Slim Basic Rectangle Layers die.  That's a lot easier than measuring and cutting it - and hoping it's not wonky!  

Glue two pieces of smooth white cardstock together and diecut the Happy Birthday Tender Script background.  Pressure-emboss the backgrounds with the detailed top layer of the greeting using the rubber embossing mat and plate(s) required for your machine.  Embossing the greeting background makes it a lot easier to attach the top layer.

Cut the top layer from the peach Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad 6x6.  Assemble the greeting.

Attach the diecuts to a white slimline card (3-⅝" x 8-½") - attach the rose with foamtape.  Add amber Autumn Fairy Crystals.  Cut a slimline-sized rectangle of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

The combination of Memory Box 6x6 color collections and Sheer Shimmer Spritz creates great layering and accent artpapers.   Add a beautiful luster without warping the sturdy 110 lb. cardstock.  A quick spritz is all you need!

Thanks for visiting...have a great weekend!

 

Supplies

 

94713 Gentle Rose Watercolor Floral

94671 Happy Birthday Tender Script

94712 Wayfarer Leaves

94556 Slim Basic Rectangle Layers

fp1002 Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad

cry101 Autumn Fairy Crystals

pp1010 Garland 6x6 pack

sp1003 Lush Green

sp1001 Berry Red

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

Freshwater Fish Stories by Jean Okimoto

Say hello to Friday with embossed, stenciled and diecut Freshwater Fish. They're from coordinating sets of a 3D embossing folder, dies and 2-layer stencils.  Hi, Jean here with a white and bright design from our spring collection - and a new pinpoint cover plate from Birch Press Design.

Spritz both sides of watercolor paper with a fine mist of water.  Emboss it with the Freshwater Fish 3D Embossing Folder.

Use a sponge, dauber or blending brush to color the fish with the Freshwater Fish Stencil Set and Distress Oxides.  Colors used here are salvaged patina, iced spruce, twisted citron, peacock feathers, broken china and shaded lilac.  Dry the inks, then diecut the fish.  Smaller accent pieces are also included in the sets.

Brayer the fish with VersaMark - use a clean, well-inked pad.  Heat-emboss them with detail clear powder for a glossy highlighted texture, like fresh-caught fish.  Add black Sharpie marker dots for the eyes.

Cut white and black cardstock with the End of My Rope die - save the ropes for another project.  Diecut the white interior offcut with the Birch Press Design Pinpoint Contour Plate.  Trim a tiny amount from the edges of the black offcut and attach it behind the white layer.  The dark backing emphasizes the pinpoint pattern - it makes a difference!

Cut a blue 6x6 from the Glitzy Glitter Pad with Hello Rush Script.  Cut watercolor paper with the die too and layer it behind the glittered greeting for extra dimension.

Attach the diecuts to a top-folded 5-½" square white card. Add turquoise Christmas Fairy Dewdrops.  Cut a 5-½" square of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.  Square cards require extra postage.

Freshwater Fish are perfect for embossing and diecutting from Memory Box mirror cardstock too. The Rainbow Reflections and Vintage Pastel 6x6 pads have a wide range of beautiful colors that capture the details of this great fish trio.  Add them to birthday, retirement and Father's Day cards for that special guy.

Thanks for visiting...have a great weekend!

Supplies

 

ef1028 Freshwater Fish 3D Embossing Folder and Matching Dies

88622 Freshwater Fish Stencil

94468 Hello Rush Script

94546 End of My Rope Set

ddp101 Christmas Fairy Dewdrops

gp1007 Glitzy Glitter Pad

 

 

 

Supplies

 

57511 Pinpoint Contour Plate