Bunny Face and Rainbow Eggs by Jean Okimoto

Rainbow-colored Curlicue eggs surround a plush felt Bunny Face in a contrast of colors and textures.  The new Curlicue Plate is great for pressure- and heat-embossing in addition to diecutting!  Hi, Jean here with a quick and easy way to decorate a bunch of eggs in bright spring pastels for your Easter cards.

Blend Distress Oxides on heavy white cardstock - I've used worn lipstick, kitsch flamingo, salvaged patina and twisted citron.  Dry the inks.  Trim the cardstock about ¼" smaller than the Curlicue Plate so it fits inside the cutting edge.  Spray each side of the cardstock with a light spritz of water from about 12" away. Let it absorb the water for a few seconds.  Pressure-emboss it using the rubber embossing mat and plate(s) required for your machine.

Place the embossed cardstock on a smooth, flat surface and brayer Pearlescent Jade Brilliance ink evenly over the raised areas.  For best results and even inking - lift and roll the entire brayer over the inkpad about 25 times instead of using short strokes (which could leave dark blocks of ink in some areas).  

Quickly heat-emboss it with detail clear powder for a glossy, pearlescent look.  Unlike the smooth details of an actual embossing folder, this technique creates a rustic, hand-carved look.  Let's call this one rainbow-rustic!  

Cut eggs from different sections with the 2" high die from the Half a Dozen Eggs set.  I inked, embossed and brayered several pieces of cardstock to create a bunch of eggs in different color combinations.

Attach adhesive label paper (or a sticker sheet) to white and pink wool-blend felt.  The paper backing stabilizes the fabric and keeps adhesives from saturating it.  Cut Bunny Face from the felt and attach a scrap of  black cardstock behind the eyes.  Cut the mouth and nose section from heavy white cardstock.  Attach a scrap of black cardstock behind it to emphasize the details.  Bunny looks a little confused here - maybe he just emerged from hibernation and can't believe it's almost Easter!

Cut white cardstock with the 2" x 7" Slim Basic Rectangles die.

Stamp the greeting - from the Springtime Typewriter Sentiments Clear Stamp Set - on pale aqua cardstock with Warm Breeze VersaFine Clair.  Heat-set it, then trim it with one end of the second-smallest Slim Basic Rectangles die.

Attach the diecuts to a white slimline card (8-½" x 3-⅝") - use foamtape for the 2nd egg, Bunny Face and greeting.  Add aqua Pastel Jewels.

Think of different ways to use the new Curlicue Plate in addition to basic diecutting and pressure-embossing.  It's also great for stenciling.  Save and use the offcuts as accents for other projects too.

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

Supplies

 

94698 Curlicue Plate

94545 Bunny Face

94556 Slim Basic Rectangle Layers

30072 Half a Dozen Eggs

jwl002 Pastel Jewels

cl5239 Springtime Typewriter Sentiments clear stamp set

Two Cards With Alcohol Inks and New Dies by Angie Cimbalo

Hello and welcome!  It's Angie here today with 2 cards featuring new dies from the last release plus some alcohol inks!

I love working with alcohol inks and then die cutting from the resulting panels.  You never know how they will turn out and so it's truly an experiment in color every time!  For my first card I use the Curved Cap Pinpoint Layers die set, all of them to create a shaped card.  

First I cut all of the layers at once from white and then next I took the largest die and cut it from a folded card base, but left the top edge of the die hanging over the top so it wouldn't cut through.  That created the shape card base and all I had to do was add the set of dies I first cut right on top of the card base.  Next, I cut the smaller die in the center from alcohol ink panel (that was splattered with white paint) and heat embossed the sentiment from the Joyful Moments stamp set right in the center with white embossing powder.  I also cut the Scribble Daisy from the same panel and left it all in one piece to add to my card.  Lastly I added gold jewels from the Christmas Fairy Jewels package.  Here's a closer look:

Here's a look at card #2:

To create my 2nd card I did the same things except I cut the set of Curved dies from black and white and pieced them together, same look, 2 colors.  And instead of using the flower I used the Plumed Gypsy Butterfly die.  This time I used the sentiment new die called "Hello Rush Script" and I added the same gold jewels.

 

Here's a closer look:

 

And here's one last look at both cards:

I hope you like my cards for today!  I enjoyed creating them and I hope I inspired you to pull out your alcohol inks and dies and make some pretty cards!!!

 

 

Supplies

 

94646 Curved Cap Pinpoint Layers

CL5266 Joyful Moments clear stamp set

94617 Scribble Daisy

94468 Hello Rush Script

94708 Plumed Gypsy Butterfly

Backyard Floral Stems & Fence Picket Dies + Video by Angie Cimbalo

Hello and welcome, it's Angie here today with a mini slimline "Hello" card featuring the new Backyard Floral Stems and the Woodgrain Fence Pickets dies.  Here's a look at those dies below along with a short video showing how I made my card:

 

In the video you will see how I color the die-cuts with markers and colored pencils to get a fun realistic rustic look on them.  I also used some Distress Inks with pencil type blending brushes.  Putting the card together was so much fun!  I made the fence by using the pickets vertically and horizontally by cutting off the tops.  Here's a couple more pictures of my card:

I also share a tip for getting really clean white embossing on black card stock.  I prefer to use black alcohol ink card stock because it's such a dark solid black.  It's a little more expensive than just regular black card stock but it really holds up to the heat and the reaction the white embossing powder has on the paper, is always clean and bright white.

Here's a closer look:

I had so much fun making this card and video for you today.  

Here's one last look:

 

Let me know what you think in the comments and I will see you next time!  Be sure to come back every day for more inspiration from the team.

Check out my blog post HERE if you're interested in links to purchase the products.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Supplies

 

94703 Woodgrain Fence Pickets

94638 Backyard Floral Stems

CL5266 Joyful Moments clear stamp set

JWL002 Pastel Jewels

Dazzling Seashells Collection by Jean Okimoto

Pearly, pastel Dazzling Seashells are great for any occasion...and ready for a shell-ebration!  This beautifully-textured collection of 7 designs is from the Dazzling Seashells 3D Embossing Folder and Cutting Dies set.  Hi, Jean here - it's cloudy and in the 30's outside, a perfect day to stay inside and create cards with a warm, tropical theme.

Blend twisted citron, worn lipstick, kitsch flamiongo and cracked pistachio Distress Oxides on smooth, heavy white cardstock.  Trim it to fit in the Dazzling Seashells 3D Embossing Folder.  Lightly spritz both sides of the cardstock to prep it for embossing.  Place the inked side against the debossed (sunken) side of the folder.  Pressure-emboss it using the plates(s) required for your machine.

Place the embossed cardstock on a hard, flat surface and apply a layer of Pearlescent Jade Brilliance using a hard rubber brayer.  Dry the ink.  Cut the shells with the coordinating dies.

Prep Ring Stack by rubbing it briskly with scrunched waxed paper to make it easier to remove the delicate diecut.  Cut Ring Stack from the gold Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad sheet.  Cut two more of the end ovals again to lengthen the diecut - hide the overlapped extension under the second shell from the left.

Cut white cardstock with the 7-¼" x 2-¼" Slim Basic Rectangles die.  Attach the Ring Stack diecuts to the rectangle - use tiny dots of glue just where the ovals are joined.  Attach the shells.

Stamp the greeting - from the Deep Blue Ocean Clear Stamp and Die Set - with Pearlescent Jade Brilliance.  Dry the ink and cut the greeting lengthwise with the second-smallest Slim Basic Rectangles Die.  Trim the short ends.  

Attach the diecuts to a white slimline card (3-½" x 8-⅝") - use foamdots for the greeting.  Add aqua Christmas Fairy Jewels.  Cut a slimline-sized rectangle of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Dazzling Seashells would be beautiful cut from Rainbow Reflections or Vintage Pastel Mirror Pad 6x6 sheets too.  Their pearly shimmer will enhance the detailed textures of each shell.

Thanks for visiting...have a great weekend!

 

 

 

Supplies

 

ef1029 Dazzling Seashells 3D Embossing Folder and Matching Dies

94556 Slim Basic Rectangle Layers

94547 Ring Stack

cl5268d Deep Blue Ocean clear stamp and die set

fp1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad

cry102 Christmas Fairy Crystals

Curlicues, Plumes, Swirls and Shimmer by Jean Okimoto

The new swirly, curly, spiraled Curlicue Plate is quickly becoming a Design Team favorite.  It's great alone as a bold background - or highlight it with the new Plumed Gypsy Butterfly or Plumed Gypsy Feather.  Hi, Jean here with another butterfly card that just couldn't wait for warm and sunny butterfly-weather.

Trim an ink-blended (or watercolored) background to 4" x 5-¼".  Attach it to a top-folded white notecard.  

Prep the new Curlicue Plate by rubbing it briskly with waxed paper to make it quick and easy to remove the offcuts.  Cut Curlicue Plate from white cardstock.  

Cut the Plumed Gypsy Butterfly background from a shimmery purple 6x6 in the Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad.  Prep the detailed butterfly die with scrunched waxed paper, then cut it from the Rainbow Reflections sheet too.

Stamp the greeting - from the Sweet Christmas Clear Stamp Set - on white cardstock with Brilliance Pearlescent Purple.

Attach the greeting and diecuts to the card - use foam tape for the butterfly, and leave the outer edges unglued.  Add pale pink Pastel Fairy Jewels.

The Curlicue Plate is great for pressure-embossing and paper-piecing too!  Save a few of the offcuts if you're cutting it from colored or metallic cardstock. They create great design elements - especially the 3 main circular pieces.  We save everything, don't we?

Thanks for visiting our blog,  Keep warm and make some cards this weekend - and please stop by to enjpy Laura's great design on Saturday!

 

 

Supplies

 

94698 Curlicue Plate

94708 Plumed Gypsy Butterfly

CL5283 Sweet Christmas clear stamp set

fp1003 Rainbow Reflections Mirror Pad

jwl002 Pastel Jewels

Best Wishes by Donna Sledzik

Hello everyone!  Today's bright and cheerful card features new products from the 2023 Memory Box February Release. 

I love cards that are created with blended ink backgrounds and black silhouettes for the focal point.  When I saw the Backyard Floral Stems Die I knew that it would be perfect for that type of card.

I created an ink blended background on white cardstock, using Distress Oxide Inks and blender brushes.

Next, I spattered the background with plain water and gold ink and let it dry.

I die cut the Floral Stems twice from black cardstock and glued them to my background.  I did cut apart one of the die cuts and only used pieces from it.  I trimmed the excess die cuts from my background and glued it to a black cardstock mat, which was adhered to a white card base.

The word best was die cut from gold foil paper and the shadow from black cardstock.  I glued the gold foil word to the shadow die cut and adhered it to the card.

I stamped the word wishes in black ink under the word best.

To finish the card, I glued a strip of black cardstock across the bottom of the card to add a little interest.

I hope you enjoyed today's card and have a great day!

 

 

 

Supplies

 

94638 Backyard Floral Stems

94670 Best Wishes Tender Script

CL5251 Birthday Rose Corner clear stamp set

Valentine's Day Candy Bar Wrapper by Donna Sledzik

Hello everyone!  Today I have a Valentine's Day treat for you.  A candy bar wrapper to give to your favorite Valentine.

To create the wrap, I cut a piece of white cardstock a little taller than the candy bar that I'm using, and wide enough to wrap around the candy bar.

Next, I die cut the Heart Ring Stack 5 times from pink cardstock and glued them to the white cardstock wrapper.

I wrapped this around the candy bar and added glue to the bottom edge and side of the paper to hold it in place. 

Next, I cut a thin strip of pink cardstock and glued it around the top edge of the wrapper.

I cut banners from red and white cardstock and glued them to the wrapper.  On the thin white strip I stamped "xoxo" in red ink and adhered it to the wrap.

I used pink cardstock to die cut the Luxe Peony and green cardstock for the leaves.  I used distress inks to add some shading to the flower and leaves.

I forgot to include the leaves in the picture, I used Rustic Wilderness to add color to them.

Next, I glued the flower together.  I only used 4 pieces from the die cuts because I liked the size of the flower with only 4 petals.

I used foam tape to adhere the flower to the candy wrapper and then glued the leaves in place behind the flower.

That's it for today!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

Supplies

 

94714 94714 Luxe Peony

94662 Heart Ring Stack

CL5252 Big and Little Valentines clear stamp set

Forest Path Valentine by Jean Okimoto

Designs from our holiday release are great for Valentines too!  Forest Path creates a natural setting for a Poppystamps Whittle Forest Reindeer.  Add a garland of bright red hearts and a glittery mountain stream.  Hi, Jean Okimoto here with a simple design for your favorite guy(s).  

Cut Forest Path from light Kraft cardstock.  Use Post-It notes to mask the areas at the base of the trees.  Sponge or brush brown ink onto the trees.

Cut the curvy stream section from a white 6x6 in the Delicate Pastels Glitter Pad.  

Cut two streamers from the Heart Streamer Globe set.

Cut the deer from the Poppystamps Whittle Forest Reindeer Kit from dark Kraft cardstock.  Cut the antlers from a scrap of brown cardstock.  Ink the deer with Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate.  

Stamp the greeting - from the Poppystamps set -on natural cardstock with Tulip Red VersaFine Clair.  Quickly heat-emboss it with detail clear powder.  

Attach the diecuts to a natural top-folded A2 card.

Hope you've enjoyed seeing our Valentine designs as much as we've enjoyed sharing our ideas with you. Thanks for stopping by.

 

Supplies

 

94702 Forest Path

94558 Heart Streamer Globe

gp1001 Delicate Pastel Glitter Pad

 

 

 

Supplies

 

KT003 Whittle Forest Reindeer Kit craft die

Hugs and Kisses by Donna Sledzik

Hello everyone!  I have another Valentine's Day card for you featuring products from the 2023 Valentine's Day release.

I did a faux letterpress technique using the Blissful Heart Hot Foil die.  This is a good example of using dies other than what they were intended for.

To do this technique I used a brayer to apply Red Archival ink to the die and placed a piece of watercolor paper on top of the die.  Next, I ran this through my die cutting machine following the instructions for embossing.

 

I used one of the hearts from the Double Stitch Loving Heart die set to die cut the letterpress heart.  

I die cut the Pinpoint Leaf Plate on a white cardstock panel and adhered it to a red cardstock mat.  This was glued to a white note card.

To create the strip behind the heart, I applied double stick to a white cardstock strip of paper and glued strips of cardstock to it.  This is a great way to use scraps of cardstock.  I glued this to the center of the card and used foam tape to adhere the letterpress heart to the card.

Next, I white heat embossed the words Hugs and Kisses to a strip of black cardstock and used foam tape to adhere it to the center of the heart.

To finish the card I added some Clear Fairy Drops and that's it!

Thanks for stopping by today!

 

 

Supplies

 

94381 Pinpoint Leaf Plate

CL5252 Big and Little Valentines clear stamp set

SP1007 Vibrant Violet

DRP101 Fairy Drops

 

MBF014 

Blissful Heart Hot Foil Plate

 

Hearts and Flowers by Jean Okimoto

Chocolate Easter bunnies are everywhere each spring.  Have you ever seen a dark chocolate (70% cacao!) Valentine bear?  Let's create one - from the popular Layered Polar Bear set - for your next card.  Add a row of floral hearts with the new Heart Ring Stack and Bright Fairy Jewels for some sparkle. Hello, Jean Okimoto here with a Valentine slimline design of hearts, flowers and a friendly brown bear.

Cut the Layered Polar Bear base bear from dark brown cardtock.  Cut the top layers from a slightly lighter shade of brown.  Attach kraft cardstock scraps behind the ears.  Attach a semicircle of Glossy Black Paper behind the eyes and nose.  The glossy cardstock brightens his eyes.  It looks like he just emerged (early) from hibernation and realized Valentine's Day is just 5 weeks away!

Assemble the bear - leave a portion of his arm unattached to hold the heart diecut.  Use foamtape to attach the top layers of his paws.

Cut white cardstock with the 1.7" x 6.7" Slim Basic Rectangle Layers die.  Cut the rectangle with Heart Ring Stack.  Cut a dark pink 6x6 from the Berry Red Collection with the Heart Ring Stack - save the 5th heart offcut for the greeting.

Lay the rectangle over the dark floral Garland 6x6 and find some flowers to fill the heart cutouts.  Mark the area to be cut using the edges of the rectangle as a guide.  Cut the floral print with the next-smallest Slim Basic Rectangle Layers die.  No measuring or guessing needed!

Attach the print behind the Heart Stack Cut Out.  Add the red outlines, slightly offset for dimension.

Stamp the greeting - from the Big and Little Valentine's  Clear Stamps - on the saved heart with Onyx Black VersaFine.  Quickly emboss it with detail clear powder. 

Attach the diecuts to a white slimline card (3-⅝" x 8-½") - use foamdots for the bear and the top half of the stamped heart.

Add red and light green Bright Fairy Jewels.

Cut a slimline-sized rectangle to cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Create different bear breeds with different shades of brown and change the greeting to match any occasion. There's a light brown teddy-bearish bear coming in my new Valentine cards kit.

Thanks for visiting...have a great week!

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies

 

94685

94662 Heart Ring Stack

94556 Slim Basic Rectangle Layers

pp1010 Garland 6x6 pack

sp1001 Berry Red

sh44004 Black Glossy Paper

jwl003 Bright Jewels