10.30.2015

Stretching Your Dies II // Hero Arts

Awhile back, I shared a card on the Hero Arts blog showing how to use a die in a fun way, and today I'm here with a video to better explain that. If you'd like to see even another unusual use of this die, check out THIS post.
The die I used is the Paper Layering Ornament die - the die itself only cuts out half of the image, leaving you with some fun layers to peel back for some nice dimension. However, I wanted to get the entire ornament cut, so I did some sneaky "masking" to achieve that look.


I ran the die through once on the kraft paper, then for the other half, I flipped my cardstock over, and placed the die right next to the previous die cut, but not right on top of it, otherwise just the overall shape (and not delicate lines)


Here's that video - hopefully it helps!



I hope you enjoyed the video and card!
Thanks so much for stopping in!

SUPPLIES

Cardstock: Hero Arts Kraft and Sea Mix layering papers, Michaels,
Stamps: Hero Arts Hand Drawn Snowflakes Bold Prints and Kelly's Fa La La La La
Ink: Versamark
Other: ribbon and sequins (stash), Hero Arts Neutral Mixed Accents and white embossing powder, clear acetate envelope

Tools: Cuttlebug, Hero Arts Paper Layering Ornament die

10.29.2015

Dotty Watercolors // Throwback Thursday

I've never made a Halloween card, so I don't have any to show you in anticipation for it, but today's card, from April 2013, does use Halloweenish colors.

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Yeah, I felt pretty proud of myself on this one...;)


What I did here was heat emboss the image, mask of the edges, and then go to town (get it? ;)) with inking up the back of several small, circular clear stamps and then stamping the little splotches on the paper. I thought the effect was kinda interesting - I don't think I'd be a good judge of the overall card though, because I'm just happy with the fact that I got my hands "dirty" for once.


Thanks so much for stopping in and God bless!

SUPPLIES

Cardstock: Strathamore, Core-dinations
Stamps: Hero Arts, Paper Smooches
Ink: Versamark, Distress Inks
Other: embossing powder (Martha Stewart), gems (Doodlebug)

Tool: heat gun

10.27.2015

Bright Christmas Lights // Hero Arts

I'm over at the Hero Arts blog today, showcasing the amazingly versatile (and super fun!) Sparkle Borders stamp set. I'd love it if you dropped a line and shared your thoughts. ;)


You can't tell in this photo (but you can on the Hero Arts blog *nudge nudge*), but all those adorable lights have a coat of Glossy Accents, making them adorable-er!

Thanks for stopping in today and God bless!

10.25.2015

Stretching Your Dies // Hero Arts

Today I wanna share a card that I had originally intended for the Hero Arts blog, but decided I didn't like the execution of it enough. However, the technique I used is still something I thought would be fun to share.
For the actual Hero Arts post, I used this fun die in an unusual way - I'll be back soon with a video on exactly how I made that card, but for now, here's just another different way to use this die.


I used the die as a mask for this card. I ran the die through with a clear transparency (I found the thinner ones cut cleaner than thicker, actual "cardstock" acetate) and used this transparency as a mask. I cut two pieces, and flipped one over so that I could get both sides of the ornament. If you wanted, you could use copy paper (the thinner, the better for inking), but the transparency really helped me position the second, flipped side of the ornament. I'll try to add a pic later to illustrate better....

Thanks for stopping in today and God bless!

SUPPLIES

Cardstock: Hero Arts Floral Mixed Layering papers
Stamps: Hero Arts Happy Merry Messages by Lia
Ink:
Other: Hero Arts Neutral Mixed Accents, Hero Arts copper embossing powder and white embossing powder, clear acetate sheets, silk ribbon (stash)

Tools: Cuttlebug, Hero Arts Paper Layering Ornament die

10.22.2015

Digital Scenery // Throwback Thursday

This post is from April 2013, and fits this chilly weather pretty well.

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So, this card didn't exactly turn out how I envisioned, but, I think the little fox is cute enough to make up for that. ;)


What I was going for was a really cozy look of a fox all snuggled in his winter den, but apparently it just looks like the fox is sitting in a giant blob.


The font mash is kinda fun - a Hero Arts and Waltzingmouse hybrid.


And lots of little leaves, so that fox has a nice bed to sleep on. ;)

SUPPLIES 

Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper: DCWV
Stamps: Hero Arts, Waltzingmouse
Ink: Distress Ink, printer ink
Other: glitter (Martha Stewart), button, string

Tools: printer

10.19.2015

Stretching Themed Stamps // Hero Arts

As Jane Austen put it so well, "It is a fact universally acknowledged, that making male cards are a point of distress for many cardmakers."Or something of the sort.

Today's card helps solve that dilemma, to an extent. 


THIS dachshund from Hero Arts is titled as holiday pup, but really, he's just a party pup! He's perfect for masculine cards, kid cards - can you tell I'm in love with him? ;)
Also, he's so easy to customize - you can add spots, different shading, whatever your little heart desires. Forgive my poor coloring skills - I didn't have my precious Zig's yet when I made this. ;)

That's it for me today - thanks and God bless!

SUPPLIES

Cardstock: Canson, Hero Arts
Stamps: Hero Arts Holiday Dachshund and Happy Stamp and Cut
Ink: Hero Arts, Tim Holtz
Other: embossing powder (Hero Arts), gems

Tools: heat gun, Cuttlebug, Hero Arts Happy Stamp and Cut die

10.15.2015

Glittered Die Cut // Throwback Thursday

I'm keeping with the girly theme of this month's Throwback Thursday's, and sharing a spring-y card to offset any dreary fall weather.

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A nice, light fluffy card to life your spirits. :)


This card took me forever to finish, just because I couldn't find the perfect sentiment. I was looking for a celebration sentiment, because I thought a super pretty card deserved a super nice occasion. Then I realized, aren't some of the best cards you get those fabulous ones you're just not expecting? Those one's are my fave, so I finally decided on this 'hello' sentiment - I can't wait to send it out. :)


Yum, I just love glittered silhouettes!


Did you know you can find quickly find all the cards I've made with a particular brand/company super easy? Yep - just look at the tagged cloud on the right sidebar, right underneath Blog Archive. I've tagged all my posts like this for your (and mine too!) convenience!

Thanks for stopping in today and God bless!

SUPPLIES

Cardstock: local craft store
Patterned paper: Dear Lizzy Neapolitan
Stamp: Papertrey Ink Mini Bloom
Ink: Tim Holtz
Other: wooden tag (Darice), ribbon and doily (stash), glitter (Martha Stewart)

Tools: Cuttlebug, Papertrey Ink Mat Stack 1 die, sewing machine

10.12.2015

Real, Live Coloring // My Favorite Things

MIDTERMS ARE OVER!!
Life may now move onward.
Praise be.

Today's card is something a little new for me.
It features coloring.
Real, live, non-watercoloring coloring, folks.

I know, I never thought I'd see the day either.


I decided to make two "risky" purchases - a 36 set of Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens, and the My Favorite Things Harvest Mice stamp set.
These two were practically a match made in heaven, and I don't regret one cent of my "investments" (I have to call them investments since I'm a senior in college ;))

Anywho, I colored the FREAKING ADORABLE mouse with those lovely brush pens, and I am so. excited.
It's basically my first time coloring an image without using watercolors, and boy, am I loving it. Copics were way too intimidating (and expensive!) for me to get into, but these Zig's...man, I dig 'em.


I mentioned it on Instagram, but Melania Deasy was the one who twisted my arm into buying the stamp set and the window die. THIS card is definitely in one of my top five favorite cards of all time.

Now that I'm done raving about the pens and the stamps, this card is for the My Favorite Things sketch challenge 249.

Thanks so much for stopping in and God bless!

SUPPLIES

Cardstock: Michaels, Canson
Patterned paper: Crate Paper Pretty Party
Stamps: My Favorite Things Harvest Mice and Perk Up
Ink: Versafine
Other: Zig Clean Color Real Brush pens, Glossy Accents, vellum, glitter tape (American Crafts)

Tools: Cuttlebug, My Favorite Things Harvest Mice and Boutique Window dies, Lawn Fawn Stitched Border dies

Vellum Color Layering // Hero Arts

Hey everyone! Sorry I've been to MIA lately - midterms have keeping me pretty busy, but I'll be done tomorrow evening, and then I can!...get to work on all the school projects I've had to put off for studying...
Anyways, some good news is that Hero Arts is starting opening a new challenge today - a holiday card making challenge! It doesn't get much easier than this - just make holiday cards using Hero Arts stamps! This is a perfect time to get started on your holiday card making because let's face it, when Christmas actually comes around, ain't no one got time to make holiday card. ;)


This is a card I actually made for the Hero Arts blog launch party last month, but decided to hold off posting it until now.


I used the Color Layering Wreath to do some vellum heat embossing, which I shared some tips HERE. I stamped the base of the wreath on the back of the vellum, and quickly heat dried it, and heat embossed the second layer with clear embossing powder on the other side of the vellum, along with the sentiment. I used th  Build a Wreath by Lia (one of my faves from the Hero Arts 2015 Holiday release!) to top the wreath off, with some pretty gems.


Some pretty gold glitter embossing powder really helps add that finishing touch to the card.

Check the Hero Arts blog for more details and to enter your own holiday themed cards!
Thanks for stopping in and God bless!

SUPPLIES

Cardstock: Hero Arts kraft and white, vellum
Stamps: Hero Arts Color Layering Wreath, Build a Wreath by Lia and Candy Stripe Bold Prints
Ink: Hero Arts green ombre, red ombre, Versamark
Other: Hero Arts gems, gold glitter embossing powder (Hampton Arts)

Tools: Cuttlebug, Hero Arts Color Layering Wreath die, sewing machine, heat gun

10.08.2015

Keepin' It Real // Throwback Thursday

So today's card is just me keeping it real - I doubt there's a cardmaker alive who doesn't make hideous boo-boos like this one.
Or, at least, I hope I'm not the only one. lol

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This card is blah for me. :/
On the upside, some friends that were staying over liked it, warped and freckled as it was, so I didn't trash it out of frustration.
I will, however, be sending this out to someone who can appreciate it more ASAP.


Do notice, however, the lovely colored embossing - I splurged and got a nice set of wee bottles of colored embossing powder, and I can't seem to stop using them.

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Cardstock: Canson
Stamps: My Favorite Things Chalkboard Greetings, Papertrey Ink Mini Blooms
Ink: Versamark
Other: embossing powder (Hampton Art), pearls and vellum (Michaels)

Tool: heat gun

10.05.2015

Seamless Layered Sentiment // Hero Arts

Today's the day! My Monthly Hero is launching, and boy, is the first month a doozy!
Just check out this gorgeous poinsettia stamp set and coordinating inks...


It's SO easy to stamp the layers - I didn't have the guide when I first got the set, but it took me no time at all to figure out how to layer them, and I'm not the brightest bulb in the box when it comes to stamp layering. ;)


As a disclaimer, I'm a lazy (surprise!) stamp layering kind of gal - I'm not a perfectionist by any means. I chalk any imperfections up to adding to the homemade element of the card. ;)
So basically, these flowers could look more realistic if you layered them perfectly. But if you're not about that, don't worry - I gotchya back. ;)
To stamp the flowers, I used the Hero Arts ombre ink, as I described in THIS post. FYI, the kit does come with five beautiful inks, but I just didn't have them on hand when I made this card.


For the panel, I first stamped on the cut out flowers, with a piece of scrap paper behind them. Then I stamped the sentiment again on the white panel, and adhered the flowers on top, for a seamless look to the sentiment. Another FYI, the kit comes with coordinating dies for the flowers, but again, I didn't have those on hand, so I hand cut them (which was pretty easy and simple)

If you want a smoother, one layer look, you could stamp the flowers on the white panel, and stamp directly on that. Then cut around pieces of the flowers poke out, but still retain an overall rectangular shape.


Can you believe that background? I love how the Dot Moire (and no, I still don't remember how to pronounce it correctly, though I checked several times on Merriam Webster) looks embossed! To make sure it still popped, but didn't detract from the stamped panel, I separated the two with a piece of vellum.

So, what do you think of this new kit and stamp set? Isn't it gorgeous?! Here's a list of more bloggers showcasing this beautiful set;


As an FYI, the kit is available for a limited time only - once it's gone, it's gone. There is not an option to subscribe at this time, but a new exclusive kit will be released on the first Monday of each month.

Thanks for stopping in and God bless!

SUPPLIES

Cardstock: Hero Arts Blush Mix Folding Cards and Snow Layering Papers
Stamps: Hero Arts My Monthly Hero October and Dot Moire
Ink: Versamark, Hero Arts black, green ombre, red ombre, and Lemon Yellow 
Other: embossing powder and gems (Hero Arts), vellum

Tools: heat gun

10.01.2015

Border Die Cut // Throwback Thursday

Starting November off with a throwback card!

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So it's not the most ingenious use, or most pretty card example using the set, but it was still fun, mixing and matching - made me feel like a full-fledged stamper. ;)


I used gems from a ton of different packages to switch things up.


For the bottom of the stamped panel, I used my Spellbinders Labels 4 die (which I used to be obsessed with - ah, the good old days), inverting the die to get that particular angle.
'Thanks so much for stopping in today and God bless!

SUPPLIES

Cardstock: from local craft store
Stamps: Papertrey Ink Mini Blooms
Ink: Papertrey Ink, Tim Holtz
Other: gems (random assorted packages)

Tools: Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Labels 4 die