Create YOUR Own Bouquet with Small Dies

Hello friends!

I am popping in to share a happy and cheery card. We are in the mist of dead winter. My yard and trees may look beautiful in the winter wonder. BUT, I am missing seeing colors! 

Introducing Be Bold Blooms Etched Dies.

About this die set: This Be Bold Blooms Etched Dies is part of the Be Bold Collection. The set of 21 thin metal dies creates a fabulous spray of big and bold blooms! Use some or all of them, it goes well with any type of projects that calls for a wonderful floral motif!

In today's card, I also tried out the new Spellbinders Gemstones. These new and improved gems are shiny and dimensional! You want instant bling? This is it!

 

One thing that I want to mention is... do not get overwhelmed with these 21 pieces of dies at first. All you need is to get acquainted with each piece and you will feel so accomplished once you started assembling (ask me how I know!). 

How do you get "acquainted" with the die? I would find the photo of the sample (from the Spellbinders website) and have it facing right at me on my craft desk. By spending just a few minutes, you would get the sense how all the pieces come together. Mind you, you do not have to follow exact instructions.... I love to make my own sometimes. However, it is definitely easy to have a guide to follow.

Little by little, you will be able to assemble your own flowers. I also recommend that you study the bouquet photos over Pinterest. Observe the flower bouquet's composition and colors.... and so on. 

Once you do all that, you will ace this set and have a blast creating your own bouquet. I colored all the pieces with Alcohol Markers. I used Altenew Artist Markers since I have the most colors from the Altenew collection. However, you can use ANY coloring medium in your stash.

 I also want to point out that Spellbinders' new Precision Layering Dies are a dream to work with. No more weird or odd rectangles! No more measuring! Just die cut and layer.... I used two of the layering dies and they make the design look even more polished.

If you do shop Spellbinders, please check out Spellbinders HERE. 

 (FREE US shipping over $75) 

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamping a Scene with Ease!

Hello friends!

I am back with another scene card! This time it is about Create a Scene Silhouette Clear Stamp Set from the Into the Wilderness Collection by Sushma Hegde.

About this stamp: The Create a Scene Silhouette Clear Stamp Set is from the Into the Wilderness Collection by Sushma Hegde. This set of nine clear Photopolymer stamps creates a peaceful outdoor scene, along with supporting elements to build on the background. Elements includes puffy clouds, spotted background and flock of birds with a quote and sentiment. The stamps work with acrylic block and made in the U.S.A.

In my early days of stamping, I was drawn to scene like this. In my limited knowledge, supplies and tools, I didn't think that I could stamp a scene like this.

Fast forward 20 years later, I learned a lot and acquired a ton of supplies. Meanwhile, so many more new tools came and were "invented" like MISTI, now I think ANYONE can stamp like this without any major issues.

I often say "Divide and Conquer". That was pretty much I approached this stamp set.

Starting out with the main part of the scene, I stamped the images in all Distress Oxide.

 I stamped the birds in the sky and ink-blended the background lightly and that's it!

 

The sentiment comes from the stamp set from January Card Kit.  The frames are from the new Precision Layering A2 Die (they are excellent for all your frame dies!). I hope you enjoy it!

Shop and check out Spellbinders HERE. (FREE US shipping over $75)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

5 Super Quick Ways to Embellish Your Cards

 Hello friends!

It's my turn to share a project over Altenew Card Blog.  

Today's post is about adding that special shine to your cards. For me, playing with embellishments is one of my favorite pars of card-designing process.  The Craft-a-Flower Primrose is a fabulous set to create small and intricate flowers.  Thanks to its size, it is easy to arrange the layout.

Here are 5 super quick ways to embellish your cards.

I started out to create my own floral paper.  I quickly scribbled the Hawaiian Shores Brush Pens and Fine Tip Pens across the  Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock.

 

1. Add Iridescent Shimmer Ink Spray to your paper

I sprayed Iridescent Shimmer Ink Spray over the inked color paper. Once the ink dried, I lined up the dies from Craft-a-Flower Primrose . The easiest way to assemble is to arrange the dies in the same orientation for easy identification.

2. Use Dazzling Diamond Glitter Cardstock Set.

For the last parts of the assembling the flowers, I die cut the pieces with Dazzling Diamond Glitter Cardstock Set. Instantly, you have gorgeous flowers with shine! Next, I took the cardstock and added a framed textures with Simple Frame 3D Embossing Folder.

 

3. Apply Must-have Glitter Gel Pen Set

Noticed the silver dots? I added some subtle silver shine to the white paper. This is a subtle way to add designs and glitter.  The Must-have Glitter Gel Pen Set simply flows and dazzles!

4. Add those Metallic Thread Set

I made a small ball of of thread and tugged it under the flower cluster. The Instant Dimensions Foam Tape secured everything  beautifully.

 

5. Don't forget the Make a Statement Sequins

The white sequins are nearly invisible on white cardstock. However, that is the idea of adding sequins as they provide the extra subtle shine and interest.

Here's my first version with this stamp set. 

👉👉 Please stop by Altenew Card Blog and leave me your feedback. Much appreciated! 

20% off Dies including alphabet dies, cover dies, layered dies, and coordinating dies from 01/17/2022 at 12:01 AM EST until 01/18/2022 at 11:59 PM EST. Over 800 dies are available! Not valid on previous purchases. Excludes December 2021 & January 2022 release dies.

Shop here and check out HERE

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Scrapbook.com offers   

Take an EXTRA 5% OFF Your Order with Code: GETCRAFTY. Shop and check out HERE

Mini Delight: Dainty Calla Lily release

 Hello friends!

Are you interested in finding out how to use just one small stamp to create an impactful design? Well, I’m joining a fun Instagram Hop with Altenew today to celebrate the release of Mini Delight: Dainty Calla Lily. I share a few tips and reminders and hope you will get inspired.

 Feel free to start the hop over at my Instagram HERE

 

 

For a small single image, I like to add depth and applied "repeated images".  

 

 That explains why I adhered 2-3 extra pieces of die (instead of foam tape).  

 

 To bring out the colors from my coloring, I used a piece of pattern paper for the underlay. I added some glam (glitter and sequins) and drama (black splatter).

 I hope that you like this design and my descriptions.

 

To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $25 gift certificate to 4 lucky winners! For a chance to win, please follow @altenewllc and leave a comment on each stop on this Instagram Hop by Jan. 21st, 2022. Meanwhile, please also follow me on my Instagram (yesvirginialu)

Receive a FREE brand-new Elegant Alocasia Stamp Set($4.99 value) with *every order from 01/15/2022 at 12:01 am EST until 01/16/2022 at 11:59 pm EST or while supplies last. The free gift will be added to cart automatically. *Not valid on online class, workshop, gift card, and monthly subscription plan orders.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamping a Silhouette Image

Hello friends!

I am having an interesting share today. I have a weak spot for silhouette images. Spellbinders just released one gorgeous silhouette stamp set! I had a blast creating with it.

This one called Into the Wilderness is just lovely!

 

 For solid silhouette image, you can use one solid color for the entire silhouette.

 

For my design, I like to stamp the image in various colors.

I like to apply clear embossing powder to the solid image and that helped seal the iamge. I then worked on the background with various ink-blending.

Once I finished stamping and ink-blending the image, I die cut it with the Precision Layering A2 Die. I used 3 of the rectangle dies for this card.

This Precision Layering A2 A Etched Dies is part of the Precision Layering Basics Collection. The set of 16 thin metal dies creates precise layers for your A2-size (4.25 x 5.5-inches) cards. It will cut perfectly spaced layers of 1/8-inch. When combined with the S5-494 Precision Layering A2 B set, you will achieve a 1/16-inch border. No more measuring, the work is done for you!

If you are challenged with trimming card stock like me, you will find this Precision Layering Die Sets (A + B, linked below) are lifesavers! You may have other brands like this already....!? If you don't, this is definitely a great investment. You will never cut odd size cardstock ever again. This set will set you off to the right angle and size! Kindly shop and check out HERE.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Spellbinders January Clubs Blog Hop

 Hello friends!

I am delighted to be part of the Spellbinders January Club Blog Hop.

Due to popularity, this month's Embossing Folder Club is sold out. However, we still have other club options, such as Card Kit, Small Dies, Large Dies ...etc available! this  I have a few projects to share from the Clear Stamp of the Month and Card Kit.

 Let's start with the Monthly Card Kit. The paper from kit is absolutely gorgeous.

 I took out two pieces of pattern paper and cemented it into one.

 The tag die from the card kit is spec-TAG-cular! I love layering each pieces. The teal vellum piece was embossed with this month's Spreading Love Embossing Folder. If you are interested seeing more of the teal embossing folder, click HERE.

 The ephemera from the card kit are full of eye candy. I added the cute gold banners and hearts... what's not to love?  With the abundance of ephemera, I made two tags from the kit.

 If you have little ones in your house, these ephemera will keep them busy and happy!

  Here's a group photo of the creations I made with this month's Card Kit, Embossing Folder and Clear Stamp of the Month.

Giveaway:
To celebrate this release, we are giving away a $25 gift certificate to 3 lucky blog readers – selected from the comments on our blog Giveaway closes on Sunday, January 16th, 11:59 pm MST. The winner will be announced in this blog hop post the following Wednesday. The winner is responsible for shipping costs, duties, and taxes.  

Please note, store credit (gift certificate) cannot be applied to Club Subscriptions. Store credit can be applied to shop past Club products, Club extras and regular releases.

Message from Spellbinders: We also launched the NEW Embossing Folder Club on January 1st. The response has been so overwhelming this Club has sold out. We will try to bring this design back again at a later time (check our “Past Clubs” section). Be sure to sign up for our Clubs right away on the 1st of the month not to miss out on any future designs.

Spellbinders Blog
Sandi MacIver
Bibi Cameron
Annie Williams
Jill Hilliard
Kelly Taylor
Jean Manis
Sandra Nagel
Ilina Crouse

you are here---> 💙💚💛Virginia Lu💚💛💜<---you are here
Deborah Jenkins
Hussena Calcuttawala
Jeanne Bobish
Rosemary Dennis
Lin Brandyberry
Karen Yagel
Jenny Colacicco
Jessica Vasher
Melody Rupple
Birgit Norton
Alanna Moses
Rebecca Keppel

 

Thank you for stopping by! Have fun hopping!

FUN with Intricate Leaf Dies

Hello friends!

I am popping in to share a fun take with intricate leaf dies. The other day, I was re-organizing (more like re-shuffling) my stash in the craft room. I found this set of dies that has not been used! My old self was not happy with that since I never leave a stamp/die un-inked/uncut. 

Time to remedy that problem! This set of Polka Dot Foliage comes with two large set of leave die. You can use them together, or interchangeably. 

Description: this set features a gorgeous two-layer leafy branch, inspired by Begonia Maculata leaves. When layered, you will get the full effect of the spotted pattern on the leaves. However, both the silhouette and the spotted layers can also be used on their own.

I die cut both pieces out and add my own colors to the leaves. I reached out to my Gel Plate and added various green, yellow, orange and bit of pink to the mix.

I then stacked the two pieces and placed them slightly offset. With the background, I used the NEGATIVE part of the die from the cut paper and sprayed ink.  The green splotches are perfect for the leaves!

One thing I love to remind myself before throwing stuff to the trash can.... "Can I use it again in some other way? " If the answer is no, then off it goes!

We are under more restrictions here in my part of Canada. Before I get my 3rd booster shot on the 17th, I am hunkering down in my house--cooking and card-making. I share a lot of my cooking over My Story on Instagram. It makes my cooking more enjoyable that way. You can check it out HERE.

Thanks for stopping by! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

edited:  I have a winner announcement make. I am late to announce for the Year in Review Blog Hop, but here it is....

Dawn T what an array of inspiring cards Virginia. I'm glad you were able to share so many with us in this post.... and throughout the year. You are very inspiring and I love visiting and seeing all your amazing creations. Thank you for all your inspiration. Hugs

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Due to some mixed -up, I didn't receive the latest Craft Your Life Feathered Lilies in time. However, you can find info and purchase in the following link.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

20% off Stencils including layering stencils, coloring stencils, background stencils, and more from 01/12/202 at 12:01 AM EST until 01/13/2022 at 11:59 PM EST. Over 200 stencils available! Not valid on previous purchases. Excludes December 2021/January 2022 release stencils