Waffle Flower Christmas in July at Die Cut Divas

It’s the final day of the Die Cut Divas Christmas in July challenge, and I’m back with a couple of festive cards featuring our wonderful sponsor, Waffle Flower.

For my first card, I used one of my favourite Waffle Flower dies: the Postage Collage Die.

I die cut three of the top “stamp” shapes so they would all be the same size, then used the poinsettia from the Christmas stencil to add colour with Distress Inks.

To create the centre panel, I found a free Christmas sweater pattern image online, printed it out, and trimmed it to fit. Once the panel was ready, I added the three die-cut “stamps” on top. I finished the card with a Scrapbook.com die-cut sentiment, cut from red card that I had spritzed with Sparkle Spray. It came together quickly and has such a fun Christmas feel.

For the second card, I had a little “oops” moment. I originally cut the “stamps” slightly larger than the stencil, which meant they didn’t fit quite as planned — but I decided to make it work.

To give myself more room, I chose a mini slimline card base. I made the base in red, then added a dark green panel embossed with a Cuttlebug folder for texture. After arranging the three die cuts across the card, I finished everything with a Spellbinders foiled sentiment.

I love when a creative mishap turns into another finished card. It’s a good reminder that sometimes the best projects come from simply adjusting the plan and carrying on.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope these cards inspire you to join in with the Die Cut Divas Christmas in July challenge and have some festive fun with your dies, stencils, and favourite holiday supplies.

A Fun 3-2-1 Card Challenge

Over at my local swap group, Carol set us a great challenge: 3-2-1. That meant using three different patterned papers, a two-word sentiment, and one focal image. I had such fun with this one, and it was a lovely way to play with colour, pattern, and a few favourite supplies.

For the three patterned papers, I chose a selection from a Uniti paper pack and cut them into ¾-inch strips. I angled one end of each strip and laid them side by side to create the background. For the two-word sentiment, I used a new Waffle Flower sentiment die, cutting the words from black card and the shadow from vellum. The focal image is a lovely flower from the Altenew Peony Bouquet layering stamp set, inked with Altenew Dried Petals inks.  Finished with some tiny die cut gold hearts. 

Even though I’ve had the Peony Bouquet set for a long time, I still can’t seem to get the layers quite right — but I’m happy with how it turned out, and the flower still looks great. My card made its way slowly to Maxine in the end. NZ Post is very slow these days, but I’m glad it arrived safely.

I'm entering this into Darnell's NBUS challenge as my sentiment was used for the first time on this card. This month's NBUS challenge is a thank you to all the wonderful companies out there that ensure we can make great cards.  

Christmas in July with Waffle Flower Cardinals

 It’s time for Christmas in July at Die Cut Divas, and I’m excited to share a festive card project featuring our fabulous sponsor this month, Waffle Flower.

When I was down at the Tauranga Create and Craft event, I picked up the Waffle Flower Cardinal Duo Christmas die. A card I spotted on the Waffle Flower website sparked the idea for today’s project, and I decided to pair the cardinal with the Waffle Flower Poinsettia Frame die that was already in my stash.

I started with a dark green top-folding card base, then cut the Poinsettia Frame die twice from light green card. Because I only wanted to use the corner sections of the frame, I did a little die-cut surgery and trimmed each one into two parts.

For the details, I cut the separate poinsettias from white card, the berries from red card, and the flower centres from yellow card. I also created a white frame using two dies from the Simon Says Stamp A2 Nesting Stitched Rectangles set.

Before assembling everything, I stamped a sentiment from the Waffle Flower Star Snowflake Sentiment set and heat embossed it in white. Once the frame was in place, I added the poinsettia frame corners, then layered on the white flowers, berries, and centres to build up the festive arrangement.

Next, I die cut the cardinal and used the matching stencils to colour it with Altenew inks. I was just about ready to attach it when I realised I had cut the bird facing the wrong direction! So, back to the die-cutting machine I went. I cut the other cardinal, coloured it up, and this time he was facing exactly the way I wanted.

Of course, that first cardinal wasn’t going to waste, so it led me to create a bonus card.

For this one, I used the other sections of the Poinsettia Frame die that I had cut away for the first card. I die cut the flowers again and added a subtle touch of Pink Crystal ink, then cut the berries from red card and added a few extra green leaves.

I gave the pieces a generous spritz of shimmer spray for a bit of sparkle, then cut a smaller white frame and added another sentiment from the Star Snowflake Sentiment set. A few white acrylic paint splatters finished the background before I added the cardinal. This one was coloured in slightly lighter shades than the cardinal on the first card, giving the bonus card its own softer look.

I love when a little crafting mishap turns into a second project. The Waffle Flower cardinal and poinsettia dies work beautifully together, and both cards have such a cheerful Christmas-in-July feel. Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope this inspires you to join in the festive fun at Die Cut Divas.

As my Cardinals had there first outing today, I'm entering into Darnell's NBUS challenge.  This month is all about appreciating the companies that help us make our cards. 

Card Makers Success Summit - Day 1 - Inspired by Erin Reed.

Friday, my time, marked the first day of the Christmas-themed Card Makers Success Summit, and what a lovely way to kick off the festive crafting season! I managed to watch a few of the presentations, but the first project I sat down to make was inspired by Erin Reed’s presentation.

Erin shared a fun fold she calls a Narrow Fun Fold, and I really enjoyed trying it out. Her class included a digital printout with patterned papers, poinsettia images, leaf clusters, and sentiments, but I decided to put my own spin on the design using supplies from my stash.

For my version, I used patterned paper from a paper pack I already had, along with some pearlescent card for a little extra festive shine. I cut one kraft and one gold leaf cluster using Pinkfresh Studio Curvy Leaves, then created the poinsettia for the front of the card with the poinsettia and leaf dies from the Waffle Flower Poinsettia Frame die set.

The sentiment is from the Altenew Holiday Flower stamp set. I white embossed it onto black card and cut it out with an Altenew Featured Sentiment die, which gave it a crisp finish and helped it stand out beautifully against the softer Christmas florals.

I’m so pleased with how this card turned out. It’s always fun to take inspiration from a class and then make the project your own, and this Narrow Fun Fold was a lovely way to start my summit crafting. I’m looking forward to seeing what else the event inspires me to create!  Day 2 wrap up email has just arrived so more inspiration to check out!

A last Christmas card

 Hi there.   31st December - Christmas is done and dusted for another year but today I'm sharing a card I made just in time for Christmas!   It's my share at Die Cut Divas.    

Our lovely sponsor for December is Waffle Flower 

I used the Waffle Flower Postage Collage die again... a big favourite and the Postage Collage Block die - paired with the Postage Collage Poinsettia stencil set.

I die cut the block dies and before taking it out of the die, pressed it onto my sticky mat.  Then used the Poinsettia stencil set and a variety of Altenew inks to add the colours.   Die cut the Postage Collage die from red and added the blocks in the appropriate spaces.   Had a panel of embossed white card on my desk.  Thought it would give just a little bit of texture around the edge.  Added a little stripe sentiment from my stash - a LDSR stamp and die set of Christmas sentiments.  White embossed on black.  

There are a few hours still to enter our challenge  - it closes at 9.00pm US Pacific time. 

Christmas Postage Collage from Waffle Flower

 Hi there.   Today I'm sharing my design team card for this month's Die Cut Divas challenge... Our challenge is Winter/Christmas  and our wonderful sponsor is 

My card today uses the Waffle Flower Postage Collage Die and paired it with some 49th and Market Christmas rub-ons.   

I started by making my background.  I used a smooshing tool to add some Shabby Shutters Distress ink and some Lindy's Stamp Gang - Sea Grass Green spray.  Add the rub-ons from 4th and Market  Mistletoe and Memories.  Die cut with the Waffle Flower Postage Collage die and added it to an Evergreen card base.   Added a sentiment from Waffle Flower Star Snowflake Sentiment.  I die cut some dots from the Evergreen card and added together with some little red dots for the berries.

Do come and join us at Die Cut Divas - just remember to use your die cut machine.  

Adding to the Christmas Kickstart Challenge -  If it's Christmasy, Link it Up!

Where's Santa????

 Hi there.  Today it's time for me to share my card for Die Cut Divas October Challenge - Anything Goes.

We have the wonderful Brass & Bliss (formerly Rubbernecker) as our sponsor.

 

They've donated a fabulous $50 gift card

for our random winner.

Please note that challenge winner must have an US address.

Where's Santa.... oh dear - he's got himself stuck in the chimney! I've used the very cute Brass & Bliss "Stuck Santa"   I had such fun making this one.  I cut the die from a real variety of card and with a bit of partial die cutting made my chimney a bit taller. My background was an experimental piece where I was trying to use Watercolour powders and bubbles.   Not too successful but the background colour was lovely.  I cut it Waffle Flower Deckled Frame Dies and used a sentiment from their Star Snowflake stamp set.   I added some texture with Kindyglitz - sparkle on the fur on Santa's suit and clear to give the impression of snow on the chimney.  

Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you in the October gallery!
As a reminder - be sure to use a die cut &/or an embossing folder.

Card Maker Success Summit July-Aug 2025

 The CMSS free classes have started but I got a slight head start by purchasing the VIP pass... and I had great plans to get started early... but live sort of took over!   I did however a couple of weeks ago - watch Ardyth's tutorial - using a Gel Plate to make some backgrounds.... and managed to make a few panels I liked.  (Here's my first card that was made over two weeks ago).

I got home from work early on Wednesday and had a play using one of the backgrounds I had saved.  I made two cards inspired by Ardyth.  

For this first one I made a 5" square card.  The background was a blue gel background that I embossed with an unknown brand folder (suspect it was from a magazine from years ago)  I then rubbed Catherine Pooler Juniper ink over the embossed area.  The gold and red panel was the panel I made using a stencil and red and gold paint.  I die cut with an ornament die I picked up at my local stationary store - came from a magazine.  I then stamped the matching stamp set in black and clear embossed. Added a silver die cut topper before double mounting on white and red panels.    Turned out a bit busier than I would have preferred. 

Next up is a smaller 4.25" square card.  This time I use a red card panel embossed with Gina K Tapestry folder and rubbed Delicata Gold ink over it.   Die cut the ornament and added a gold embossed sentiment from a Waffle Flower set called Star Snowflake.  Added some gold dots to embellishment.  

Hoping that I get some time over the weekend to watch some more videos and get a few more cards made.   We are heading out early in the morning to watch Grace play netball and then coffee before doing our grocery shopping... so then the afternoon for crafting.  

Butterfly Postage Collage

One of my recent purchases was the Waffle Flower Butterfly Postage Collage stencil. 

I chose to use some Teals and Blues (Altenew) inks for make my card.   Once I had finished the stenciling and stamping, I spritzed the panel with some Sheer Shimmer Spray - Sparkle.   It really does shimmer for real.  I stamped a Gina K sentiment with Altenew Emerald ink that I clear embossed and die cut.  Added some gold dots to finish.  Can't wait to try more colours.

Positively Poinsettias

 Second post today - see my Sweet Stampin' Challenge post - HERE

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I've been having a ball the last few days, getting back into my craft room and having a good old play!

I have made around 6 cards in the last week... but today I'm sharing my entry into the Christmas Kickstart Challenge - Positively Poinsettias

I was looking through my stencils for another card and saw my Waffle Flower Layering Poinsettia Duo and decided it was time to make a start on my Christmas cards.  First for 2025! 

Using this stencil certainly makes a quick card. I started with white card and the first stencil - the leaves, dots, stars etc.  I used some Altenew Fresh Dye ink - Eucalyptus.  I added some Lunar Paste (Slippy when wet) with my finger over the stars.  Once it dried, I added the second stencil and Altenew's Burnt Red ink for the flowers. I used the scalloped die from Gina K Master Layout 4 and added to a white cards base.  I stamped a sentiment from Kaisercraft - Christmas Quotes stamp set and die cut with a circle die from Gina K Master Layout 4 and its matting layer in red card.   Added a few little die cut stars.   

Christmas challenge at Sweet Stampin'

 It's time for our December challenge at Sweet Stampin' - and both teams are taking part in providing some samples to inspire you.   Our challenge is Christmas. 

Here's the card I made.

I recently added the Poinsettia stencil to my Waffle Flower Postage set.   This is the first time I've used it... I used a few different Altenew inks - in pinks, greens and blues.  I white embossed some stars onto my red base.  After I die cut the postage die I used the stencil and then cut it up to add to the panel.  The sentiment is from Waffle Flower Star Snowflake stamp set.  

Do come to join us at Sweet Stampin' Challenge. 

Postage Collage - Four card mix and match set

I finally got some crafting time Thursday and Friday evenings,,  and pulled out my Waffle Flower Postage Collage dies ... the original one and my new block die.... Another of the purchases from the Craft Fair last month...   It's great... it cuts out a slightly larger frame that the original and cuts out the panels.   

I used five sheets of patterned paper from Rosie's Studio pack called Twinkle All The Way and cut the Blocks Die from each.  Then I cut the original die from some light olive card and mixed up the patterns.  I ended up with four cards - messed up a couple of the panel pieces so still have a few pieces over to use on another card.  Some of the cards, I used the frame from the panels behind the original and some I didn't. 

Added a sentiment from Gina K - Holiday Tapestry cut with circle dies from Gina K Master Layout #3

This one used a sentiment panel cut from another patterned paper pack - 

And used the Gina K sentiment for this one too.   I had to use two of one of the pattern on this one, due to messing up some of the other panels. 

For this one I used a circle sentiment from The Stamp Village - the Concord & 9th one.  Cut with a circle die.  All used the Postage Collage stamp set for the added stamping.

And yesterday my package from Krafter's Cart arrived with two more of the Postage Collage stencils to use.  One summer and one the Poinsettia Christmas.  Now to find time to do some stenciling!  

Craft Fair fun and lots of cards....

Yesterday my friend, Suna and I headed to a Craft Fair - FYI - For your inspiration.  It's held at Lake Karapiro in the Waikato area.  About 2 hours south of Auckland.   A long drive, but we always stop about half way for breakfast.  We left around 7.30 and with stops to pick up some lunch, for breakfast  and top up of petrol and we made it by 10.30.   We talked all the way down.  My GPS - took me a different way and we drove over the Dam - never been that way before.   

We spent a few hours looking around the stalls... spending most of my money at Krafter's Cart stall.... got some lovely goodies - and saw the Lisa Horton Interference inks being demo'ed.  Suna ended up buying three colours.  I managed to get some Andy Skinner stamps.... been eyeing them up for some time. 

On our way home we made a stop to visit our friend, Carol.  She lives about 20 mins from where the craft fair was.   We had a lovely catch up and she gave us some goodies as she is destashing. 

Here is my haul...

I got a new pick up tool - it has 4 replacement wax tips - and a pokey tool at one end.   

Today was busy with catching up with the chores from yesterday and doing the ironing this afternoon.  But managed to grab a couple of hours in the craft room and got a few projects done

First one used one of the Creative Expressions/Andy Skinner stamps I got.  This one is "Let Your Dreams Take Flight"  I made an NZ A5 sized panel - used two Distress Oxide inks (Vintage Photo and Lost Shadow) and two Distress Inks (Weathered Wood and Picked Raspberry) smooshed on a piece of acetate and added to the panel.  I die cut a piece with a Gina K Master Layouts 1 die and did the mat in dark pink.  Stamped the image onto the panel and the sentiment onto some scrap card and fussy cut it. 

My next card was a bit of mixed media.

I used the other part of the panel I made.  I stamped a La Blanche silicon stamp - Bird's Nest (thanks Carol) in some Toffee Crunch Memento ink.  Added a Kaisercraft stamp - rose and scripty one- stamped parts of it randomly over the background in some dark grey ink.   Added some 49th & Market rub-ons and washi tape stickers purchased yesterday.

Next one was using the Waffle Flower - Layered Poinsettia stencil I also purchased.   

It's a lovely duo stencil.   I did the poinsettia in soft greens and added the leaves, centre and the other little bits with Lunar Paste in Minty Fresh.  I cut it the same size as my card base.   I added a sentiment from Concord & 9th - Big on Christmas.  Love how it turned out.   

In fact I also made another panel with the stencil 

This time in red and silver with a touch of gold paste for the flower centres.   

Thanks for coming by today and if you made to here... I appreciate it. 

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.