Embossed Elegance: A Card Inspired by Jo Simons

Over the weekend, I watched a YouTube video by Jo Simons that used a technique I had not done in quite some time—using dies to emboss a card. It immediately inspired me to pull out my supplies and give it another try.

For this card, I used the Spellbinders 5 x 7 Elegant Labels 4 die and ran it through to create an embossed frame. Before removing the label die, I did some ink blending with a soft blue ink, both inside and outside the shape to add extra depth and softness. For the sentiment, I chose one from the Peony Glow stamp set by Pinkfresh Studio. I also used the coordinating washi tape and matching dies from the same collection to cut the floral elements. To finish the design, I arranged two of the floral die cuts around the embossed frame and added a few black dots to tie in with the stamped sentiment.

It was so enjoyable to revisit these older techniques.  

Crafting with Suna...

 I had a "play date" with my friend Suna on Friday afternoon... I had made a start to my crafting in the morning and then we had a fabulous time crafting and talking.   I got so busy crafting I forgot to take any pics of us playing.  

Earlier in the week, my order from Scrapbook.com had arrived.   Part of it was Pinkfresh Studio - Peony Glow stamp, die and washi tape.   I forgot the matching stencil ( but it is now on it's way!)  The washi is soooo beautiful and there is so much washi on the roll.   I added the washi to white card and vellum and cut them for Suna to take home. 

I made two cards on Friday using the washi on white card. 

This lot of die cut washi isn't even all of one panel!   For this one I made a background using an Altenew Cover Plate - Dotted Sunburst Debossing - for some lovely texture.   I then created the frame using a Gina L Master Layout 18 die.  Then I went to town adding the florals die cuts.   Had fun  putting it together.   Added a sentiment from the matching stamp set and it's shadow die layered 4 times for a really sturdy sentiment.   Finished with rose gold dots.  

My second card - used more of the panel of die cut washi

Again, I used the Altenew Starburst Debossing Cover plate for the background panel.   On top I layered a frame made with 2 of the Hero Arts Infinity Arches Dies.  I had embossed it with a wood grain folder.  I used the same card stock to cut and emboss the Altenew Pitcher Vases folder and die.   Added some brown ink from Altenew over the embossing.  Cut some Scrapbook.com watercolour patterned paper for the inside of frame.   I used a stipe of 3D tape down the middle to give it some dimension and shape.   Added the floral cluster from the first panel of washi die cuts.  Again, used a sentiment from the Pinkfresh Studio stamp set.  Finished with some more of the rose gold dots. 

And one more card I made in the afternoon... this one using a free digital image from Sande Woodson.  It was free on her Facebook page and is blue Christmas images 

I used the Hero Arts Infinity dies again to make a gold frame.  I cut a white panel to fit into the centre of the arch.   I used a Holly 3D embossing folder to add texture.  The sentiment is from Rosies Studio - Hearth and Home stamp set and fitted perfectly in the top corner.  I had printed the sheet of blue Christmas images and used my Scan'N'Cut to cut them out.   I loved this little girl with her book.   Went perfectly with the rest of the card.  Finished with some dots cut from the same gold card. 

Thanks for taking the time to view my cards today.   I had so much fun playing with Suna.  It's great to spend crafting time with a friend.   Just loving have Friday's off now so I can do this sort of thing.  

I actually made a total of 7 cards on the day. So a very successful day.

Stress Free Cardmaking Summit - inspired by Justine

 Slowly making my way through the Stress Free Cardmaking Summit presentations... and over the weekend I watched Justine Hovey's presentation and her three bonus presentations.   She did great fun folds... including a Pop and Twist card and a Side Step card.  Both of these inspired me to try these fun folds.

First pic showing the card closed and the second pic opened up showing the 4 panels. For my card base I used some kraft coloured cardstock and for my patterned paper I used a Couture Creations pad (circa 2014) called Hearts Ease. One of the pages had 6 panels which I chose 4 to use. I put a white panel on the inside and added a strip of PP.   Used some vellum for the belly band and add some scraps of the patterned paper and a couple of fussy cut elements as well.   Sentiment is from Altenew Classic Greetings stamp and die set.    Justine was very good at describing how to make the pop and twist element making it easy to follow. 

I chose some very bright pink for my base to highlight the Pinkfresh Studio washi and die cuts (Artistic Dahlias)  I added the washi to some 300gms white card and die cut all of the elements at once.  Justine's instructions were easy to follow.  I stamped the sentiment from the matching stamp set and die cut it to add to the front of the card,   Here are a couple more pics from different angles. 

Just love the bright colours on this one.   Big thanks to Justine for such fun projects.... and still one more to try out.  

Frame it Up...

 I've been pottering around in my craft room this week,,, bits and pieces done for up coming DT work... This afternoon I saw my crafty friend, Cindy, had made a cool card for the Pinkfresh Studio May challenge - Frame it Up. Her card reminded me that I have some die cuts in my "to use" pouch - from the Pinkfresh Artistic Dahlia set... die cut washi and a stamped and die cut sentiment.   So after going out for an early dinner with Grace and her Daddy to celebrate her 6th birthday today, (Mummy and Florence has to stay home as poor little Flo is not well) I came home and finished what I started before we went out. 

This one is a mini slimline card.  I have Pinkfresh Studio Mini Slimline Essential Bundle.  I took 2 of the dies (both with diagonal lines around the edge) and cut together to get my lovely black frame.  I found two die cuts that worked with the frame and trimmed them to fit.   I die cut a couple more of the sentiment to layer behind the stamped die cut.  Love the extra dimension this makes.  Finished with some homemade gold dots.  

Was a quick card as almost all the elements were already done.  

Craft Roulette #229

 Some really interesting parameters this week!

I got home late from work tonight and hubby was getting the dinner organised, so I headed into the craft room as I knew exactly what I wanted to do.... 

Most of this stuff was all sitting on my desk.  The little square card was a about 4" square.  I cut the dark purple paper from a paper pack from Francheville.  It represents Blackberry colour.  The little envelope was made using my WRMK envelope board. It's about 1.5" x 1.25".  I stamped a little envelope on it and a little sentiment (both from a Waffle Flower stamp set)  The die cut flowers were from the Pink Fresh Studio Artistic Dahlia washi that I die cut the other day.  They are popping out of the envelope and are all overlapping each other as is the little sentiment label (from the Artistic Dahlia stamp set)  Added a little burlap string bow on the envelope.  Add some stamping in the top corner relating to sending an envelope.  

For a quickly made card... I was really happy how it turned out.