Celebrate with Two Cards for Die Cut Divas

It’s the last day of the month, which means it’s time to share my card for the final day of our challenge at Die Cut Divas. This month’s theme is Celebrate—a wonderfully open prompt with so many creative directions to explore, from birthdays and weddings to milestones and holidays.

Our wonderful sponsor this month is Poppy Stamps.

For today’s post, I have not one but two cards to share.

First up is a Christmas celebration card.

For this card, I chose a cream card base and matching panel. I have a few small edger embossing folders, and one of them features this sweet snowflake design that decorates the top of the panel. The ornaments were created using the Poppy Stamps Clarissa Ornament Outline die, cut from shiny silver card. Because I don’t have the matching background die, I adhered the ornaments to blue cardstock and then fussy cut them. I found the perfect sentiment in a Rosie’s Studio stamp set called Hearth + Home and heat embossed it directly onto the panel in silver. To finish, I used a fine silver gel pen to add the ornament strings. There’s just something so lovely about a blue and silver Christmas colour combination.

 My second card celebrates a birthday.

For this card, I used the Poppy Stamps Intricate Leaf Square Frame. I first cut the frame, then used a Spellbinders square die to create an aperture in the card. Behind the aperture, I added patterned paper and layered the frame over the top. I also used a die set from an old magazine to cut two decorative elements, which I backed with the same patterned paper before fussy cutting them. The finished panel was mounted onto a 4.75” square card base, and the sentiment comes from a Woodware stamp set.

Come and join us at Die Cut Divas with you Celebration card - just remember to use your die cut machine

Celebrating With Poppy Stamps: My May Challenge Card

 I’m back with another inspiration piece for this month’s challenge over at Die Cut Divas. Our May sponsor is Poppy Stamps, and the theme is Celebrate—a wonderfully open prompt with so many directions to explore. Birthdays, weddings, milestones, holidays… you name it.

For my project today, I decided to lean into a warm, seasonal vibe and create a Thanksgiving card.

I pulled out a few of my older Poppy Stamps dies—always fun to revisit—and paired them with a leftover piece from a recent gesso resist panel I created (you can see that project in my earlier post). That little scrap was just waiting to become something, so I used it with the Orchard Leaves die to cut a handful of textured leaves. I also cut additional leaves from a rich mahogany patterned paper to bring in more depth and contrast.

For the background, I spritzed a panel with Distress Spray Stains and Distress Oxide Spray in Tarnished Brass and Picked Raspberry. Once it dried, I trimmed it down to fit one an “Ardyth-style” 4.25" square card base.

To build the focal point, I die cut an orange ribbon and bow using the Poppy Stamps Grosgrain Ribbon and Grosgrain Bow dies. I adhered the ribbon across the background panel, then tucked the leaves on either side to create a full, autumnal cluster.

A Spellbinders hot-foiled sentiment, die cut and added over the ribbon, finished the card beautifully.

Another celebration card complete—and a lovely way to use up those special little scraps we all hang onto.

Come and join us at Die Cut Divas with you Celebration card - just remember to use your die cut machine

Poppy Stamps Die at Die Cut Divas

Can you believe it's the last day of June... over 6 months of the year done!   

As it's the last day of the month, it's time to share my card at Die Cut Divas. 

Our sponsor

for the month is Poppy Stamps

and our challenge is a colour board. 

I've used an older die called Adriana Square Frame.  

I die cut the frame from white card and used three Altenew inks - Pink Crystal, Mauve and Berrylicious to add colour.   I made a background panel by adding some Catherine Pooler Garden Party ink to a Gina K embossing folder (Tapestry).  I cut it to a square and added to a white base.   Added a stamped and die cut a Couture Creations sentiment.  

Come and join us - you have to 9.00pm US Pacific time to share your project.

Get Well Soon - Die Cut Divas.

It's the last day of September so time for me to share my card for Die Cut Divas. 

Our challenge is "Sympathy".  Our immediate thoughts run to the loss of a loved one, human or pet, but can extend further.  You can be sympathetic over a runaway pet or a person getting a cold, surgery or even having to take a tough exam. 

My card is a get well card.  I've used two Poppy Stamps dies 

I used the beautiful Floral Heart Split Border die and Get Well Soon dies.  I used white and teal cardstock.  And matted it with gold card. 

So come and join us here   

Craft Roulette # 194

 It's been a very busy week... at work I've been doing some training that is really intense and tiring.  So after work it cooking dinner and that's about all I've had the energy for.   Just 4 more days of work then 12 days off.  Yesterday was a full on day and I didn't even get to watch the Craft Roulette till at least 8 hours after it had aired.   However, my washing was done and dried, the Ham was glazed and in the fridge, Chocolates filled with a nut made and Licorice Allsorts Slice in the fridge!  I was totally pooped! 

So woke about 2.30pm and got thinking how to use the parameters in the episode... back to sleep and then this morning I made my card. 

So my card base is a 5.5" square and the colour is Pearl - for birds eggs... plus blue flowers for blue eggs, the straw colour of the trellis is the nest.  The trellis is the ladder element - my flowers are climbing up the trellis (ladder)  as did my kitty.  His colour is inspired by the blackbird in the nest! So all elements are there.  The flowers are from Altenew's Build a Garden Morning Aster  - stamp, stencil and die set, and the sentiment from Altenew's Ambridge Rose stamp.   I used Distress Oxide inks in Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers, Cracked Pistachio and Mowed Lawn to stencil the colours onto the flower.   The sentiment was stamped in black and clear embossed.   Added some 49th and Market rub-on transfers around the top edges.  My little kitty is a Poppy Stamps die - Cozy Kitties - cut with some black card. 

Roll on Christmas... I'm looking forward to the break.    

Pink Star Flowers

 I was in my craft room today as I had a design team card to make.   Once it was done, I got to play with a new die set that arrived last week.   

The die set is Star Flowers from Birch Press.  I have paired it with some Orchard Leaves from Poppy Stamps.  I cut them all from white card and used Altenew inks blended onto them.  I add some lines to left hand side with my Scor-Buddy.  I added the flowers flowing down the page.  The sentiment is from Couture Creations - a stamp and die set.   A few Lucy Little Things - Ice Cube jewels finished the card.

I made this in mind for The Flower Challenge #84 - the theme is Use a Die

Later this year, Birch Press is sponsoring Die Cut Divas, so I'm sure that you will see the Star Flowers in actions again.  

And as I opened the die package today and it was it's first use, I'm adding to Darnell's NBUS Challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you get some time to craft over the weekend.   It's the start of Daylight Savings overnight, so one hour less sleep or one hour less to craft!   But the weather is not going to be spring-like with heavy rain forecast.   Great to spend time crafting!

Halloween Pop up Bridge card

 Hi there.   I'm back to share my card for the final day of August at Die Cut Divas.   Our sponsor is Poppystamps and our challenge is Pop It Up

My card today used an older (now discontinued) Poppystamps die called "Cozy Kittens" and is a Bridge card.  As you take it out of the envelope it pops out! 

My background paper is a digital download I got from a magazine many years ago.  I printed it out and trimmed it to fit my bridge fold card.   To make the bridge, I used a Spellbinders die called "Wrought Iron"  I die cut it three times to give it stability.  I also die cut the cats three times and layer together and added on the fence.   I used my computer to generate the sentiment and added a second bridge across the top.   

Do come and join us - our challenge is open for till 9.00pm Pacific Time ( 3.00am 1st Sept NZ time) 

Snow Globe shaped card at Die Cut Divas

 Hi there.  It's the last day of the month so I'm sharing my sample for Die Cut Divas.  Our sponsor this month is Poppy Stamps 

I used a sweet die set from Poppy Stamps called Cabin Snowglobe Pop Up Easel  - such a cute set - lots of little bits to make up this gorgeous card. 

Here is the card closed.  I cut all the pieces out.  The base in red card and then used red and green cards to cut out the cabin and trees.  I cut the base and branches from white card - for the base I then used a distressed stripes embossing folder to add the grain before using Walnut Stain Distress ink to colour.  Did the same with the branches.  I die cut the snow banks and the cabin roof from glitter paper.  I also cut the berries from the glitter paper.  Added Copic markers to add the colour.  The bottom of the globe has a little bit of gold card.  I added the elements - inspired by the packaging.  

And here it opened 

and here is it next to a Copic maker to show the size of the card. 

I enjoyed putting this one together.  It took a while but so love the outcome.  

Do come and join us... last day today.   We'd love to see your shaped cards. 

A Sympathy card and Grace's 3rd birthday card.

 Two very different cards to share today.  

First up is the Sympathy card I sent to my team mate and bloggy friend - Linda - who recently lost her beloved Mother. 

I wanted some thing bright but still elegant - the heart is a Poppy Stamp die called Lacy Floral Heart split border.  I die cut it from white and used the dark pink behind it.  The card base was embossed with a frame folder and the pink and white panels where cut to fit inside the frame.  The sentiment was white embossed onto some of the pink card.  I added little pearl gems to each of the flowers on the die cut. 

And secondly is the fun card I made for Grace's 3rd birthday.

I made this cute little caterpillar using punched circles.  I added big googly eyes to the head.   After I took the photo I decided to add little feet to the caterpillar.  The sentiment is an older Hero Arts wooden stamp.    

Grace had her birthday party on Saturday..

She had a face painter come and she and her friends got their faces painted... and Nanny had to have a little butterfly too!   It was a lovely day and she had so much fun with her little friends.  

Floral window at Die Cut Divas.

Hi there.  It's the last day of the month so it's time for my last card for Die Cut Divas for our April ochallenge.    Our sponspr this month is Poppystamps and our challenge theme is  WINDOW or APERTURE CARD

I bought this really cute die from Poppystamps and here's what I made

I made a green watercolour sheet and used it to die cut the Intricate die.  I used an embossing folder with some white card that I had cut with a Spellbinders square die. I used some 3D tape to add behind the frame.  I added the frame to a panel that I had on hand... that had been made with my Gelli Plate and an Altenew stencil.  To finish I added a die cut sentiment.  This is from Britannia Dies and I cut it from black card that had been covered with clear packing tape.  This gives it a really glossy look with out the mess of Glossy Accents. 

You have till 9.00pm (US Pacific Time) to join us here.  We'd love to see your creations.  

Bendi Card

Well I miss read the challenge for my NZ card swap group.  Jude's challenge was to make a Bendi Frame card- with an animal on it,  and I did a Bendi Fold card. Back to the drawing board for me!  Oh well, I'd never made one before so it will was great to try the fold out.  I'm sure I'll find someone to send it to.... Plus as it is a scene card I'll be entering it into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge -Create a Scene.

I googled Bendi card and found some great tutorials, but went with the one I found at Splitcoaststampers.  I don't usually use American sizes for my cards - our card stock is slightly longer and slightly less in width... but today I had bought some card stock that was wider and taller than usual so was able to trim it to the correct 8 1/2" by 5 1/2" size.  So here's what I did :

I've made a Garden scene.  I used the new green card stock to made the card base. I used some gorgeous patterned paper.  Wish I knew who made it, but the packaging has gone!  It's A4 sized and card weight.  I missed measured, so needed to added the scalloped edge to hide where it was a bit short.  It think it gives the impression of grass.   I added a park bench die cut (Couture Creations) cut from brown card and two kitties ( Cosy Kitties - Poppy Stamps) cut from black card.  I used a floral die (Bella Bouquet - Memory Box) to add in one corner.  Added some Nuvo drops in Ivory Seashell and Autumn Red.   Added a sentiment from an Altenew stamp set - Engraved Flowers.

I enjoyed the making this card fold and will try it again some time.

Thanks for stopping by. 

Silhouette Kitties

A break in my holiday photos to share my first card back for Die Cut Divas.

Our challenge this month is "Silhouette" - and our sponsor is

 

I don't have any of their dies - but believe me, they have some awesome dies..... so I chose a Poppy Stamps die to make this card.

I die cut out the centre panel from some watercolour paper and made a soft wash with my new Altenew watercolour paints in blues.  The two kitties are die cut from black card to make the silhouettes.    The sentiment is from a Clearly Besotted stamp set.  

Thanks for stopping by and please do join us at Die Cut Divas this month for our challenge. 

Colourful ornaments

Had a superb day on Saturday making cards with my friends Helen, Sandie, Janet, Marisa and Sandie's friend, Jackie.  We missed Lei who was laid up at home with a broken foot.   We got a lots of cards done.  I made 5 on the day

Here is a closer look at my two ornament cards

Both use the same technique.  Using PearlEx powder mixed with some water to make a paint.  I die cut a Poppy Stamps die with some silver foil card.   For the first one I used some glue to stick down the die and then some blue PearlEx paint to colour in the ornaments.  I then used a Hero Arts sentiment which I silver embossed.  I used some Peelcraft stickers for the strings.  I sprayed the card with hairspray to set the PearlEx.   My second card used some red PearlEx to make the paint.  I finished it with a sentiment sticker.   I also stuck the silver card to some Jak paper before die cutting it, which made it much easier to stick down.  Wish I had thought of that for the first one!

Thanks for stopping by today.

HCW 2013 ~ Day 2

I'm really enjoying the class.  Day 2 had more amazing inspiring videos and tutorials.  I was able to find some time to play on Friday evening.   My card did take some time to do....

My ornaments were die cut from a Poppy Stamps Die and some American Crafts silver foil.  One one way and one the other so I could back them together.  I cut the opening in my card and layer the ornaments between two layers of acetate.  

The PP behind the window is from American Crafts as well and is made like a card so you can lift it and write your greeting.  The front of the card is stamped with an older Hero Arts snowflake flourish in Grey Flannel Memento Ink.

Here's another photo showing the floating ornaments

I also finished off a card from Day 1.  Inspired by Joy Taylor's video using both the positive and negative pieces of a die.   

I used two different red card stocks and cut out my die... but didn't get it straight  :-(  still decided to continue.  I added the piece to my card and then decided it looked way too plain.  I added some white embossed dots from an older Hero Arts stamp called Raindrop Background.  I inked it up with Versamark and then write a bit off.  Gives a very subtle background and then as it was still a bit stark, added a die cut Poinsettia (Spellbinders die) with some twine and a few punched leaves.

And here is the inside

I used a Kaisercraft sentiment and stamped just parts of it to stamp the words.

Yesterday I spent 7 HOURS... yes 7 hours tidying up my craft space... It was LONG overdue, I can tell you... but it's so much better now.  So more creative underway.

Thanks for visiting today... off to try out some more of the techniques from Day 2 and Day 3