That’s Acute Triangles, Hutton Gates and Bold Christmas Greetings by Jean Okimoto

Combine That's Acute Triangles with pink glitter, Rose Gold ink and the Hutton Gates for a pastel holiday card that sparkles and shines.  Hi friends, Jean Okimoto here with a contemporary Christmas design for the special gals on your list.

Cut Hutton Gates from white cardstock.  I have the Left and Right gates so I've used both of them to save time.  Cut white cardstock to about 4-½" x 5-½" and cover it with Scor-Tape.  Save the tape liner.  Press the Hutton Gate diecuts onto the adhesive.  Use the tape liners as a presscloth to burnish the diecuts firmly onto the adhesive.  

Brush the remaining exposed adhesive with pink glitter.  A lot of pink glitter!  Use the tape liner to firmly press the glitter onto the adhesive.

Cut the largest That's Acute Triangle  from the glittered Hutton Gate -  cover the die and the cardstock with printer paper to keep any loose glitter from transferring to the machine's plates.     (I used the smaller dies to cut extra triangles for other projects.)

Cut a rectangle of white cardstock with the 3-½" x 4-¾" Rectangle Basics die.  Stamp the solid and patterned triangles from the That's Acute Clear Stamps Set with Rose Gold Delicata.  Heat-set the ink.

Stamp the greeting - from the Bold Christmas Greetings set - on white cardstock with Lightning Black Brilliance.  Dry the ink and cut it with the matching dies from the Bold Greetings set.  Cut another set of the (unstamped) words and attach them to the stamped diecuts for dimension.

Attach everything to a top-folded A-2 card of textured white cardstock.  Add pale pink gem stickers.

Hope you like this beyond-the-box use of the Hutton Gate dies!  Discover ways to use the intricate patterns and versatile outlines of your Memory Box dies to create unique design elements for all of your projects.  

If you're in the area - join us for my last class of the year at Impress on December 15.  It's STASH CARDS - MANY THANKS.  We'll make 6 thank you cards using the great tools and supplies from my stash.  You'll also some "extras" from my stash to make a few more class cards at home.  

We'll end the year with a Thank You class to express my appreciation to everyone.  Thank you, my loyal students and friends - and Dave and Monica Brethauer for the amazing designs of Memory Box, Poppystamps and Birch Press Design.  Thanks too, Ann, Cindi, Lara, Shari and everyone at Impress!

 

 

Supplies

 

32232 That's Acute Triangle die set

CL5232 That's Acute Triangle clear stamp set

99978 Left Hutton Gate craft die

99980 Right Hutton Gate craft die

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

32233 Bold Christmas Greetings die set

CL5233 Bold Christmas Greetings clear stamp set

Winter Greenery, Bold Greetings and Wrapped Holly Circle Frame by Jean Okimoto

The beautiful and versatile new Winter Greenery Clear Stamps Set recently joined the 2018 Holiday Happenings release - and it's quickly becoming a favorite among stampers!  Add it to your collection and you'll love mixing, matching and layering the great designs.

If your cards are already done - Winter Greenery is perfect for tags, gift boxes and wrapping paper too.  Hello, Jean Okimoto here with a quick holiday card for you.

Stamp the branches on white cardstock with VersaFine Verdant and Shady Lane.  Stamp the little stars with Tulip Red.  Dry the inks and diecut the design with the outer circle from the Wrapped Holly Circle Frame Set.

Stamp "joy" - from the Bold Greetings Clear Stamps Set - with Tulip Red.  Dry the ink, then cut it with the coordinating die from the Bold Greetings Dies.  

Attach the diecuts to a top-folded 5-¼" square card of textured white cardstock - use foam dots for the greeting.  Add clear gem stickers.

Winter Greenery's designs aren't just for the holidays.  Many of them would be great throughout the year.  The delicate pine branch works for Asian-themed projects too.  Imagine it silhouetted against a full moon - or as a backdrop for a crane or dragonfly.

Thanks for visiting - see you again tomorrow!

 

 

Supplies

 

94040 Wrapped Holly Circle Frame craft die

32233 Bold Christmas Greetings die set

CL5233 Bold Christmas Greetings clear stamp set

 

Supplies

 

CL5235 Winter Greenery clear stamp set

That’s Acute Triangles, Happy Penguin and Wrapped Circles by Jean Okimoto

Create a sparkly winter scene with the That's Acute Triangle Die Set and add a glossy Happy Penguin for an extra dash of holiday cheer.  Hi everyone, Jean Okimoto here with a very glittery holiday card - and some inspiration for December's Sparkle and Shine Challenge.

Here's an easy way to stamp with a large clear stamp - and you don't even need to remove it from the sheet it's attached to.  Leave the stamp on the sheet and place it on a craft mat.  Attach a small piece of doublestick tape to an acrylic block.  Use the tape to attach green cardstock to the block.

Ink the Typewriter Holiday Elements text stamp with a dark, intense color like Nocturne VersaFineClair.  Press the cardstock firmly and evenly onto the inked stamp.  The tape keeps the cardstock from shifting and makes it easy to pull the stamped cardstock away from the stamp.  Dry the ink.

Attach doublestick tape to the stamped text and brush the adhesive with clear iridescent glitter.  Cut the glittered text with the largest triangle die.

Cut additional triangles from different shades of green glittered cardstock.  Use half of the diamond-shaped die to cut the triangle behind the penguin.

Cut the 3-¾" Wrapped Circle from white cardstock.

Attach black duct tape to a scrap of cardstock to create a glossy little Happy Penguin.  Cut the white section from watercolor paper.  Cut an extra piece of the body section from black cardstock to add dimension and define the outline along the bottom edge.

Cut a piece of orange cardstock to fit behind his face and mark the position of his eyes.  Color the eyes with a black marker.  Cut a portion of Curled Ribbons from red glittered craft foam for a bright scarf.

Attach the diecuts to a side-folded red A-2 card.  Add clear gem stickers.

I usually like the less-is-more style - but the holidays call for extra sparkle and shine.  Add glitter, glossy duct tape, glittered craft foam and gem stickers to your holiday designs - and be sure to enter our December Challenge!

Big thanks to everyone from last weekend's GIFT TAG PORTFOLIO class at Impress!  Special thanks to Jan for her snowflake treat boxes filled with rich chocolates!  And more thanks to Erin and Lynne for helping everyone fill their shopping baskets with holiday supplies.  

Thanks too - Donna - for our fourth annual chatty catch-up lunch, and for your special goodies!  It was a great day that included a quick stop to visit Roxanne at Stamps and Memories too.  How time flies!

Hope your holiday to-do list is getting shorter - if not,  our Design Team has many more projects to share with you in the coming weeks.  Join us again tomorrow for Penny's cool project!

Thanks for visiting - see you again next week...

Supplies

 

32232 That's Acute Triangle die set

99919 Happy Penguin craft die

CL5234 Typewriter Holiday Elements clear stamp set

30114 Wrapped Circles craft die

98936 Curled Ribbons

Winter Journal Frame, Joy Journal Frame and Pinpoint Snowflake Circle by Jean Okimoto

Combine spring Stitched Rain Boots and winter Journal Frame diecuts for a quick and easy holiday card.  Layer the Winter Journal Frame and Joy Journal Frame for a unique greeting. Hello everyone, Jean Okimoto here with another holiday design that's great for mass-production while watching TV or waiting for Thanksgiving dinner if you're not the chef or pastry chef of the day.

Cut the Winter Journal Frame and Joy Journal Frame from white cardstock.  Leave the tiny dots from  the "i" and the "j" safely in the dies until you're ready to attach them to the card.

Cut Pinpoint Snowflake Circle from bright red cardstock. Cut a 1-¾ inch circle of white cardstock and attach it behind the red circle.

Attach black duct tape to a scrap of black cardstock and cut Stitched Rain Boots.

Attach the diecuts to a side-folded A-2 notecard - use foam dots for the rain boot on the right.

Add silver gem stickers.

 

Big thanks to everyone from last weekend's SIMPLY ASIAN class at Impress!  Hope you liked the cards - and the simple origami starburst and tree.   Special thanks too - to Jan for the sweet fall candy totes and to Jenny for great chocolates.

If you're in the Seattle area - we have two holidays classes at Impress on Saturday November 24th.  Start the day with MERRY AND QUICK - then stay for DREAMING OF  BRIGHT CHRISTMAS.  We're using several of the just-released Birch Press Design dies and stamps too - especially the great new triangle!

 Thanks for visiting...Happy Thanksgiving if you're celebrating on Thursday!

 Supplies

 

94089 Pinpoint Snowflake Circle craft die

94093 Winter Journal Frame craft die

94094 Joy Journal Frame craft die

99955 Stitched Rain Boots craft die

30087 Circle Basics Set

Bold Christmas Greetings and Holly Collage by Jean Okimoto

 

Watercolor a background for the Holly Collage and add a bright message from the Bold Christmas Greeting Clear Stamp Set.  Add the look of washi tape with a stamped strip from the greeting set too!  Hello, Jean Okimoto here with a quick card for your busy schedule.

Create a palette of inks by pressing the Fresh Greens Kaleidacolor  inkpad onto a large acrylic block.  Paint a square of watercolor paper with random, overlapping shades of green.  Let the inks mix and mingle for a few minutes - then heat-set them.  

Cut white cardstock with the 3" x 4-¼" Rectangle Basics die.  Cut it with the Leaf Collage.  Cut a 2-¾"  x 4" piece of the watercolored paper and attach it behind the collage.

Stamp the striped strip with VersaFine Smokey Gray and quickly emboss it with detail clear powder.  Trim it using the long edge of one of big Rectangle Basics dies.  It'll have nice edges - and it's easier than cutting a skinny strip w/ a paper trimmer.

Stamp the greeting from the Bold Christmas Greetings Die Set with VersaFine Clair Charming Pink and quickly emboss it.  Cut the words with the coordinating dies from the Bold Christmas Greetings Clear Stamps. Cut an extra set of the greetings and layer it behind the stamped pieces for extra dimension.  I keep many of my die sets on shower curtain hooks for easy access and organization.

Attach the diecuts to an A-6  (4-½" x 6-¼") textured white card.  Add dark pink gem stickers.

 If you're in the Seattle and like the clean, simple look of Asian designs - join us for another SIMPLY ASIAN - HOLIDAY CARDS class at Impress on November 17th.  Make an easy origami starburst and  tree for your cards - and use the latest Birch Press Design dies and stamps too.  We're loving the new triangles and stamp patterns!

Thanks for visiting - see you again next Wednesday...

 

 

Supplies

 

32233 Bold Christmas Greetings die set

CL5233 Bold Christmas Greetings clear stamp set

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

99790 Holly Collage

Typewriter Holiday Elements, Bold Christmas Greetings and Delicate Pine Frame by Jean Okimoto

Stamp the Typewriter Holiday Elements text block and trim it to create the perfect background for the Delicate Pine Frame.  Add a trio of glittered birds - also from the Delicate Pine Frame set - and a greeting from the Bold Christmas Greetings set for a classic  holiday greeting.

Hello, Jean Okimoto here with a simple design that's easy to mass-produce for everyone on your card list.  The "'twas the night before Christmas" text block is about 5-½" square and generously-sized for backgrounds.  It's easy to diecut two 2-½" x 3-¾" rectangles for this design.

Stamp the text block on white cardstock with Iced Spruce Distress Oxides.  Dry  the ink and cut it with a Rectangle Basics die.  Sponge the text very lightly with Delicata Shimmer Silver.  

Cut the Delicate Pine Frame from green cardstock.  Cut the birds from red glittered carstock.  

 Stamp the greeting - from the Bold Christmas Greetings set - with VersaFine Clair Tulip Red.  Cut it with the coordinating dies of the Bold  Christmas Greetings set. Cut an extra set of the words and layer it for dimension.

Attach the diecuts to side-folded A-2 card of white textured cardstock.  Add gold gem stickers.

Special thanks to everyone from Monday's MERRY + QUICK cards class t Impress.  It was fun meeting new students and catching up with my loyal Memory Box/Poppystamps/Birch Press fans too.  We used the just-released Birch Press Design triangle die sets and loved them.  Thanks Ann and Shari for helping everyone find the great products and supplies on their wishlists - and ordering more of the best-sellers!

Thanks for visiting...

 

 

 

 

Supplies

 

CL5234 Typewriter Holiday Elements clear stamp set

CL5233 Bold Christmas Greetings clear stamp set

94031 Delicate Pine Frame craft die

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

32233 Bold Christmas Greetings die set

Thankful Jotted Script and Leaf Collage by Jean Okimoto

Leaf Collage and Kaleidacolor create a fall backdrop for the new Thankful Jotted Script die set.  It can  be a Thanksgiving card - or a thank you card for a special gift or act of kindness.  Hello, Jean Okimoto here with another November Challenge inspiration design.  

Press the inks from the Tomato Vine Kaleidacolor onto a large acrylic block - keep the colors separated as though the inkpad is in storage.  Use a tissue to remove the strip of brown ink. Spray the inks with two or three light spritzes of water.  

Press watercolor paper onto the diluted inks, then rotate it 90 degrees to pick up more color.  Set it aside to airdry.  I like to use large pieces of watercolor paper so I can rotate it to find the perfect blend of colors for the collage.

Splatter a few drops of water onto the dried watercolor paper.  Let it set for a few seconds, then press it with a double layer of folded papertowel to blot some of the color for a speckled look.  Dry it.  

Clean the acrylic block and press the inks onto it again.  Use a damp paintbrush to splatter some of the Olive Green ink (between the brown and the yellow). 

Cut white cardstock with the 3-½" x 4-¾" Wrapped Stitch Rectangle die.  Cut the rectangle with Leaf Collage.  

Trim the watercolor paper slightly smaller than the rectangle.  

Diecut Thankful Jotted Script from white and bronze metallic cardstock.

Attach the diecuts to a white 4-½" x 6-¼" card.  

Add ¼" circles of orange glittered cardstock.

Memory Box dies and Kaleidacolors are the perfect combination.  Create great backgrounds or blend  colors to create paint custom-colored diecuts.  Color extra pieces of watercolor paper and have them ready for future projects.

Enjoy the long weekend if you have a holiday on Monday.  If you're in Seattle, join us for the MERRY AND QUICK holiday cards class at Impress on Veterans Day.  

Thanks for visiting...

 

 

 

 

Supplies

 

94076 Thankful Jotted Script craft die

30094 Wrapped Stitch Rectangles

99800 Leaf Collage

Equal Triangle Dies, Equal Triangle Clear Stamps, Leaf Collage and Hello Jotted Script by Jean Okimoto

Add details to Leaf Collage diecuts with the new Equal Triangle Clear Stamps, then layer them over stamped triangles cut with the coordinating Equal Triangle Dies.  It's just one of many ways to use the new triangle dies and clear stamps from the Holiday Happenings release.

Hello, Jean Okimoto here with another beyond-the-box way to accent your Memory Box diecuts.  Begin by pressing the Kaleidacolor Tomato Vine inks onto a large acrylic block.  Keep the colors separated, as though it's in storage.  Use a tissue to remove most of the strip of brown ink.    

Spray the inks with two or three spritzes of water then place watercolor paper (smoother-side-down) onto the diluted inks.  Press the paper down to absorb some ink, then rotate it about 90 degrees to pick up and blend more colors.  Carefully remove the paper and set it aside to dry.  Diecut the dried watercolor paper with Leaf Collage.  Save the scraps for the greeting background.

Cover slightly more than half a leaf with a Post-it Note.  Stamp it with the large "horizontal" lined triangle and VersaFine Clair Pinecone.  Stamp extras for future projects.

Remove the mask and dry the ink.  Cover the stamped half of the leaf with a new Post-It Note.  Shake Gold  Sheer Shimmer Spritz vigorously, then dribble some ink onto an acrylic block.  Use a paintbrush to splatter ink droplets over the unstamped half of the leaves.  

Stamp the two sizes of triangles from the Equal Triangle Clear Stamps on ivory cardstock with VersaFine Clair Verdant.  Dry the ink, then cut them with the coordinating Equal Triangle Dies.  

Cut ivory cardstock with the 2-¼" x 3-½" Rectangle Basics die.

Cut the Hello Jotted Script from green cardstock.  Cut the greeting background from the watercolored paper.

Attach the diecuts to a side-folded A-2 card of textured green cardstock.

Add light orange gem stickers.

Why not reate a stash of fall cards for birthdays, Thanksgiving and special thank-yous while your supplies are out?    Use the same technique to stamp circles, stars and ovals as ornaments for holiday cards too!  Try stamping the lines in opposite directions for a cool grid effect.  

Thanks for visiting - have a great weekend!

 

 

Supplies

 

32229 Equal Triangle die set

CL5229 Equal Triangle clear stamp set

99800 Leaf Collage

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

94069 Hello Jotted Script craft die

Thankful Jotted Script, Looking for Mr. Right Triangle and Snowberry Sprigs by Jean Okimoto

 

Create a simple fall card with the new Thankful Jotted Script set and Looking for Mr. Right Triangle stamps.  The delicate Snowberry Sprig - like autumn seedpods - adds a woodsy botanical look perfect for Thanksgiving.  Wouldn't it be nice to send (and receive!) Thanksgiving cards before the big  holiday rush?

Hello, Jean Okimoto here with a November Challenge inspiration card today.  This month's theme is "Falling for You" - and we can't wait to see your great designs.  View the Challenge details here. 

Diecut the 2-¾" Wrapped Stitch Rectangle from smooth white cardstock. Stamp three triangles from the new Looking For Mr. Right Triangle clear stamps set with VersaFine Habanero and VersaMagic Turquoise Gem.  

Diecut Thankful Jotted Script from dark brown and dark orange cardstock.  

Here's a timesaving tip to create a dimensional Snowberry Sprig diecut...spread a thin layer of glue between two pieces of brown cardstock (80# or less).  Press the layers together.  Diecut the Snowberry Sprig - you may need to use a metal shim and/or run it through the machine two or three times.  

Gently pull the offcut sections away from the sprig instead of trying to pull the sprig out of the surrounding cardstock.  These simple steps are a lot easier than cutting the sprigs separately and gluing the delicate bits together.  As a bonus, the machine's pressure on the double layers seems to add a subtle sheen to the pods.  

Attach the diecuts to a 4-½"x 6-¼" Kraft card.  Add ¼" punched circles of orange glittered cardstock for a seasonal accent.

 Thanks for visiting...see you again tomorrow!

 

 

Supplies

 

94021 Snowberry Sprigs craft die

CL5231 Looking For Mr. Right Triangle clear stamp set

94076 Thankful Jotted Script craft die

30094 Wrapped Stitch Rectangles

That’s Acute Triangle with Cool Cat and Poinsettia Circle Frame by Jean Okimoto

A glittery black Cool Cat with a Playful Boo, orange poinsettias and That's Acute Triangles?  Yes, if it works for Halloween!  Hi, Jean Okimoto here with a beyond-the-box way to extend the holiday season and use the beautiful Poinsettia Circle Frame in October.

Orange flowers on a black background are a little scary - and a great frame for the Cool Cat.  Add a That's  Acute Triangle greeting pennant and this cat's message is very clear.

Scrunch a sheet of waxed paper and rub it briskly over the Poinsettia Circle Frame die to help release the intricate diecut.  Cut the frame from orange cardstock.  Cut Playful Boo from the same bright orange.

Cut white cardstock with the 2" Circle Basics die.  Sponge it lightly with Starlight Black Brilliance to create a stormy backdrop for Cool Cat.

Cut Cool Cat from black glittered craft foam.  Attach a scrap of bright green cardstock behind the face for a pair of glowing green eyes.

Stamp the That's Acute Triangle on bright green cardstock with Nocturne VersaFine Clair.  Dry the ink, then cut around it with a die from the That's Acute Triangle set.  

Attach the diecuts to a side-folded black A-2 card - use foam dots for the right edge of the greeting.  Add orange sequins.

The new That's Acute Triangle dies and clear stamps sets will be an obvious  go-to combination for Christmas trees.  Why not turn them on their sides for pennants and greeting blocks too?  Mix, match and layer them in bright colors and metallic artpapers for cool, abstract contemporary greetings.  

Or go way beyond the box and use the dies to cut bright triangles and diamonds of paper and fabric to make rolled "beads" for your mixed media and collage designs.  I"ll design a card with them and share it soon.  I think I have a few scraps of paper I can use...do you?

Till then - have fun discovering new ways to use dies and stamps from Memory Box, Poppystamps and Birch Press Designs for your fall and holiday projects!

Thanks for visiting...

 

 

 

 

Supplies

 

94081 Poinsettia Circle Frame craft die

32232 That's Acute Triangle die set

CL5232 That's Acute Triangle clear stamp set

94087 Cool Cat craft die

99875 Playful Boo

30087 Circle Basics Set