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.  

Christmas cards made quickly

 Hi there.  Thanks for stopping by.   Yesterday (Friday 28th) my friend Suna came over to have a play date with me!   She came after lunch but I started my crafting earlier in the morning after I'd done my housework.   I managed to make 7 cards!   

But today I have 4 quick Christmas cards - inspired by this video from Sophia Laframbois.  It uses two sheets of single sided patterned paper to get two cards, so I used four sheets of paper from Sugar & Spice Studio Nostalgic Christmas and made 4 cards.   I made these last weekend, but had a busy week and didn't get to share. 

I cut the PP into 4" x 51/4" and cut them diagonally both ways.   Then alternate the pieces.   I used some copy paper to add the pieces together then trimmed to 3 3/4" x 5" panels and matted with some red card.   All the sentiment are from a Kaisercraft set Christmas Quotes (had this for nearly 15 years)  Used circles from Gina K Master Layouts 3 and the rectangle is Spellbinders Hemstitch rectangles.  Matted them onto the red card.   Used some die cut Pinkfresh Studio Curvy Leaves and  Altenew Bitty Branches.  

I'll share all the other cards over the next few days.  Tomorrow is the end of November so have my DT card for Die Cut Divas.

Paper Mug for Christmas

 Hi it's my time to share at Die Cut Divas - our sponsor this month is Lawn Fawn and our challenge is Critters.  

My project today is a sweet little Christmas Mug 

I saw this video on You Tube by Christy Gets Crafty - Isn't this a cute little gift Mug.   It used two sheets of 6" patterned paper.    It's really easy to follow Christy video.  I die cut the tag from a Spellbinders die set and stamped the sentiment from Lawn Fawn - Cozy Cats Christmas Add on.  Stamped the little Kitty, his antlers and the present onto some scrap white card.  I used alcohol markers to add colour and die cut them out before adding to the tag.   Had fun making this and I'm sure I'll be doing some more - adding some chocolates as a gift. 

Do come and join us at Die Cut Divas with Critters and don't forget to use your die cut machine.  

Art Deco Thanks

 I've been so busy making Christmas cards as part of the Card Makers Success Summit... I decided to may a Thank You card for a bit of a change.   

This card came about as I had been playing with my new Distress Spritz -  Used the Fossilized Amber spritzed onto some grey card.  It looks like gold.  I also had my new Altenew die out - Streamlined Sprig.  It looks very Art Deco to me.  

Loved the glittery background.  I used some Rose Gold metallic card to cut the outline die and some blue and teal green card for the centre bits.  Paired it with a Spellbinders Fancy Framed Tag die.  The sentiment is from Altenew Sweetest Peas stamp set.  Again it had that Art Deco look to the sentiment.  Used the Rose Gold to back the panel and added to the same grey card base. 

I finished this a few days ago, but have been a bit tired lately so had some early nights.  Today I woke with a scratchy throat and massive headache so spend the morning resting and snoozing in bed before getting up.   Finally got some time this afternoon to photography this and make three more cards inspired by the CMSS presentations. 

Shades of Teal

 Hi there.   I got new dies and inks last week and on Sunday I played.   My last Krafters Cart purchases were Spellbinders Be Bold Blooms and Altenew Fresh Die inks - Sweet Dreams - so thought I could combine the two.

I have been seeing my bloggy friend Lin use this die set a bit and finally bit the bullet and got it.  I cut it twice from some white card stock and using the Sweet Dreams inks (Dew Drops, Aqualicious, Teal Cave & Galactic Stream) and Fresh Dye inks  Eucalyptus and Forest Green with the yellow Crisp Dye ink - Citrus Burst, to blend over the die cuts. I chose to make my focal panel with Spellbinder's Hemstitch Rectangles.  I added a sentiment from Altenew's Silk Art stamp set.  Finished with a few iridescent gems from Pink Fresh Studio.  

As this the first time using the dies I am entering this into the challenge at Darnell's NBUS

I am also entering this into Color Hues #82- Turquoise and Green (thanks Donna for the heads up)

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)