Inky Session #5

Hello friends!

I am back for another installment of Inky Session.

Today's project is turning my very inky paper into a Clean and Simple one.

Luckily, I have the right die "Birds on a Wreath" to showcase this idea.

As a result of this inky paper that I created,I was able to use it in many projects.

Here is my CAS interpretation of the "Birds on a Wreath".

Noticed the bird had moved?
I didn't alter the die, I simply cut and pasted the bird (perched on top).
I positioned the bird and let it face towards the red bird at the bottom.

Not only this creates interest and it also saves some space.
It allows me to create a smaller square card.

To ground the image, I took part of the stamp from "Xmas Sprig" 
 (a great stamp) and lightly stamped a small border.

More ideas on S---T---R---E---T---C---H this "Birds on a Wreath"die.... 

 

 

1. trim off the ornaments and take the top bird down. Let the two birds face each other.

You can create Valentine/love, Congratulations, Anniversary-themed cards

2. trim off the ornaments and use just one bird. You can create Thanking of you, Hugs, Sympathy cards. 

3. trim off the ornaments and birds. You can stack a few wreaths to create an elaborate wreath. You can add ANY sentiment.  Wreath with white card stock will look great, too!

4. trim off the ornaments and make extra birds (as many as you want to represent your family numbers or group). This makes a great "from us to you" card.

👉Takeaway lesson: do not always use the die as is. Think of other creative ways to utilize them. First, you would be very happy that you can use a die over and over again and not getting tired of the same image. Secondly, your spouse will thank you for being such a genius and not having to spend a ton of $$ (haha!). 

  ..... I know there are more ideas, but these are the ones on top of my little head.

In case you are in the shopping mood... 
 
Scrapbook.com offers FREE Prima Flowers with purchase!

 Blitsy offers 14 Days of daily deals! (edited)

(Affiliate links are applied at no additional cost to you. 

Thank you for using my links for your shopping.

Thank you for your wonderful wishes on the birthday yesterday. 
I had a FABULOUS day and enjoyed a party hosted by my dear friend Linda.
The kids got me a Fitbit and Dr. John almost got me a Rolex ( but I said no).

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Create Interest and Textures with a Stencil

Hello friends!

It is my turn to share a project over Altenew Card Blog today! Also, you can find out if you are the winner of the Marker/Embellishment Release Blog Hop (announced at the very end of this post).

 I am delighted to share an easy and fun stenciled project.  You might already know that stencils are quite the trusty supplies for card-making.

You can use a stencil as is, or you can tilt, layer, emboss, dry-emboss... etc.
I am using Wavy Grid Stencil as an example. This might help you see the endless possibilities of using a simple stencil.



 I started off by sponging the two lightest shades of Gentlemans's Gray onto the tilted Wavy Grid Stencil. Starting from the center, I inked up the grey toward the outer circle in one direction. This prevents the ink become blotchy and uneven.



 In the same manner, I then slightly offset the stencil and applied Pink Diamond and Pinklicious ( Cherry Blossom Oval Set). To add more textures, I decided to add embossing paste over the stencil.



 As you can see that the paste is slightly gray. That is because I mixed the Gentlemans's Gray with the white embossing paste! I really love the textures that the embossing paste gives!



The stamped images ( 6x6 Celebration Paper Pad)  from Christmas Stockings were perfect with such a warm and fuzzy background. I carefully popped up the stocking images with foam and embellished with enamel dots and silver thread. One secret: the Gray Card Stock will make any designs look amazing!  I strongly encourage you to try out your stencils in various ways! I know you will be pleasantly surprised as to how many creative ways that you can come up with. Thank you for stopping by! ps: Today is my birthday! If you really like my posts, I would truly love to hear from you!

 24 hours only! Save 40% Off on the Sunlit Flower Card Making Kit from 12/9/2018 at 12:01 am EST through 12/9/2018 at 11:59 pm EST.

 Shop here No code needed to enjoy this deal! Not valid on previous purchases.

Here are the 3 cards I made with this card kit!

Last but certainly not the least....

 #43Dawn Turley said...

I really love these two cards Virginia. Your sweet pea card is totally amazing. 

Congratulations, Dawn Turley, please e-mail me at virginia@altenew.com to claim your

 $30 Altenew Gift Certificate! Thank you for your positive feedback, everyone!

Peace Love Joy

Happy Saturday, friends!

Today's card is a CAS one with muted colors and shine.
This cling stamp set "Joy of Peace" comes with two fabulous images.

 This time I am using the dove image.

I am breaking down the steps in the following: 

1. lightly colored the light-medium weight watercolor paper in blue 

2. once dry, stamp the dove image

3. make the die cut with Scrolls

4. the golden ribbon was painted with Kuretake Gansai Tambi Gold
5. stamp the sentiment (from Peaceful Season) in Delicata Gold
6. embellish with sequins 

The image and subtle colors speak volumes.

Scrapbook.com has some great stamping sales.
  You can find Penny Black products here

Thanks for stopping by!

Another take on "Stamp a Wreath"

Hello friends!

In the last few years, I find myself enjoy using various stamps to create a wreath.

Well, this year's version is here!

Before I start, the stamp set Holiday Bow is 15% off (two days only).

Currently, there are new products ( such as stamps/stencils like this and this) to help you create a wreath. Well, I am too cheap/lazy to get new products to stamp a wreath. 

I would suggest that you test it out on a piece of scrap paper if you are not confident to stamp "free hand". I did, heavily relied on using a MISTI. 

BTW did you notice the bow? the bow!?
The bow was die cut with a piece of Golden Edge and  Galaxy Washi Tape
No stamping involved! The sentiment is from Blessings.
(which is also 15% off for two days only)

The following was my guide two years ago (see my You Tube video here).
I have updated one part that is new from before (highlighted in color).

 Ding---> how to stamp a wreath?

 ~make a die cut circle with thin-medium paper and use it as a guide/mask
~mark crisscross lines within the circle (the lines are helpful with each stamp alignment) 

~stamp solid leaf stamps first and fill up the circle

~start adding layers with various inks

~once the wreath is starting to take shape, remove the circle die

~stamp the fine outlines in the outer part of the wreath

~add final details (twines, dots, sequins...etc)

If you like what I share in my blog about these winter Holiday projects, today is a good chance to get them  as they are 15% off! Shop HERE.

Also, today is the LAST chance to get your FREE gift!

FREE U.S. shipping on orders over $100 with code USFREE 

$7 off international shipping on orders over $100 with code SHIP70FF

Lastly, do you know that Scrapbook.com has the BEST price for Glimmer Hot Foil Machine?
( It is $95.88! Regular price is from $120-$160)

I hope that you find today's post enjoyable and helpful.

Thanks for stopping by!

Altenew December 2018 Markers/Embellishments Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

 Hello friends!

Welcome to Altenew Markers/Embellishments Release Blog Hop from Altenew!
I am super excited to share 2 projects with you.
If you arrive from the blog of Zsoka Marko , you are in the right place!

All the details about this blog hop, please visit Altenew's Card Blog and Scrapbook Blog.

The first projects features new Artist Markers.

As you may see that this new Artist Marker Set E has multiple shades of orange and it was really fun to color the back of this piece silver-embossed "Handpicked Bouquet".  



This entire cut piece is so delicate! In fact, it requires little to make the vellum piece a stand-out.



All you need to do is color the backside of the rose and leaves with the new Artist Markers!
To compliment such an intricate focal point, I applied Gentleman's Gray with Flowing Butterfly Stencil.



The small piece of rectangle ( sentiment ) was inked sprayed with Orange Cream Ink Spray.
It was embellished with sequins and that's it! Delicate yet so easy!

My 2nd card showcased the new new Butterfly Embellishments.



I colored the Sweetest Peas with Artist Markers.

The small wood hearts, enamel dots, pattern paper and the butterfly overlay/embellishments worked beautifully with the stamped images. The sentiment from Watercolor Dots was white-embossed.

If you love the style of Altenew, you will love these new embellishments!

Each piece is carefully crafted and designed.

(Affiliate links are applied at no additional cost to you. Thank you for the support.)

s

👉👉Receive a FREE brand new Darling Lily Stamp Set(value $9.99) with every order of new Artist Marker Sets/Bundles from 12/6/2018 at 12:01 am EST through 12/8/2018 at 11:59 pm EST.
 Shop here 
(edited)

Shop here

Prizes: to celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 6 lucky winners. Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or Altenew Scrapbook Blog by Wednesday, Dec. 12th for a chance to win! 6 winners will be announced on Altenew blogs on Dec. 16th, 2018. 

Giveaway: please leave me a comment (and tell me your favorite project/stamp/die) in this very post for chance to win a Altenew $30 Gift certificate. The winner will be announced on Dec. 9th right here in this blog.  

 

Your next stop is the blog of Raquel Bowman

Have fun hopping! Thanks for stopping by!   

Poppy Flower With a Twist (& Winner Announcement)

Hello friends!

I am popping in with a Poppy flower card ( I don't think I get to say that too often....!).

Please see the winner announcement of Crafty Friends Blog Hop and BAF Poppy Blog Hop located at the end of this blog post.

Build-A-Flower: Poppy
from: ALTENEW  

I love the large Poppy stamp that I could not resist making another card with these gorgeous images.


Since I still have a few extra poppy flowers from my previous project (see here),
I decided to create a floral design with a shaker element.



Thanks to the matching die, it was not hard to do just that.
Position, position, position....that is all there is to it!
If you are creating designs like this, do make sure you have a larger piece of card stock for easy-trimming (after the alignment).




Before I made the diecut, I adhered Peach Gold Washi Tape over a piece of white card stock.

The Peaches and Cream Sequins also go nicely with the over all design.
Since the focal point took up so much attention, I decided to forgo the leaves and just leave it as is! 
( I guess I don't get to say that often, either!!).  😀

I hope my post makes you smile!

 Did you know.....?
Altenew has CLEARANCE sale  
Everything in the Clearance collection is now 50% off! 
Once the product sells out, it will no longer be available.

Get Build-a-Flower Poppy here
Shop Sales items here
FREE U.S. shipping on orders over $100 with code USFREE 
$7 off international shipping on orders over $100 with code SHIP70FF

Last but certainly not the least, here are the TWO lucky winners!

$20 Altenew Gift Certificate goes to.....

Nandini said...

Beautiful card! Love the soft colours and the way they pop against the grey paper at the bottom. I haven't tried this technique yet. Will definitely give it a try.

November 30, 2018 at 2:34 AM

$20 Altenew Gift Certificate goes to.....

conil said...Love the vibrancy of this poppy. Since it's our state flower and since in the Spring my backyard is covered in them, I'm a bit biased. They're such a happy color and the subtle background you created is perfect for this one.

December 1, 2018 at 2:09 PM

Congratulations, Nandini and Coni, please e-mail me at virginia@altenew.com to claim your prize asap. Thank you everyone for your positive feedback!