Saturday, September 30, 2017

Simon Says Stamp October Monthly Card Kit

Hello friends!

(FYI: Simon Says Stamp is releasing Limited Edition STAMPtember card kit, please see details are at the end of this post.)
The Simon Says Stamp October Card Kit finally arrives at my door--woohoo!
This is an awesome card kit:  simple, elegant, modern and trendy!
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I really like this stamp set "Brush Stroke Messages"

This is my 1st take!
I started out with embossing the sentiment with Steel Navy Embossing Powder (included in the kit).
I love the textures it give! The embossed sentiment is puffy and quite shiny!

just wanted to say...

I love the ease of stamping those Brush Strokes.
The colors I used are Rosie Cheeks, Laura's Pick Combo.

just wanted to say

This Small Spiral Flower Die (included in the kit) is a pure delight! I also utilize Stitched Rectangles to keep the layers neat. The Rose Water Nuvo Droplets are so cool.
And oh...I also white-embossed the hearts!

just wanted to say....
 
The paper pad My Mind's Eye (Blush) from this kit makes it super easy to create. Making DIY flowers is super fun thanks to the paper and Silver DMC Thread.



*If you like to subscribe the monthly kit, here is the link. That way, you won't miss any sets and you get to save $5 each month (wink!).

*ACT SOON --->  October Card Kit will be out of stock! (sold out before this post goes live! )
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* Limited Edition STAMPtember Kit Hooray that is being release today-->click here
 HURRY....because it will sell out quickly. (promote code $5 off : HARVEST works!)

*The new release from Altenew (such as Winter Rose, The Night Before Christmas, Peace on Earth ....) is available now over Simon Says Stamp-->click here

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( my most loyal commenters can use a break! 😛 )
Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, September 29, 2017

Unconventional Colors for Christmas Cards

Hello friends!
As promised in my previous Altenew release blog hop post (see here), I am sharing a Christmas card with unconventional or non-traditional colors. Don't forget to comment for a chance to win a Gift Card! The 2 winners ( one $30,one $15 gift card winners will be announced on Oct. 3rd.)

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I am using this stamp set as the example.

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Night Before Christmas

Red and green are great and perfect for Christmas cards, but sometimes it's nice to change it up and turn your designs into something more current and trendy!

I know metal dies are expensive, but some are to die for...( not really, but you know what I mean).
Today's card requires only stamping though. So, if you didn't/don't get the matching die, we are A-OK!! 

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Shop Altenew here BACK IN STOCK

edited: Shop Simon Says Stamp (stamp here, die here)

(use code HARVEST to get $5 off)

For my stamping, I did plan out all the cooler tones/colors for the tree stamping. However, I think for some impulsive reasons, I stamped the upper part of the tree in orange!  I regretted it at first, but then it grew on me and I decided to turn it into a card after all.

the most wonderful

This card's unsung hero is the stamp positioner such as MISTI
or Tim Holtz Stamp Platform. 


Ding--->When stamping in solid colors (like the today's card), plan/choose your colors ahead when possible. Do allow yourself to add a color or two of your favorites!

the most wonderful

I kept the colors of the embellishments simple and neutral since the stamped image is multi-colored.
I am not sure if you notice that I love using strings/thread on my cards...
Well, this DMC Silver Thread is my 2nd spool! They are additive... I never knew that!

the most wonderful

The small white sequins are from Pretty Pink Posh.  The pattern paper from New Day Card Kit  
(shop Altenew kit here, paper pad here) grounds the image and adds a visual interest as well.

The new release from Altenew is now available 
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shop Altenew here

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(edited: Altenew release are now back in stock over Simon Says Stamp)
shop Simon Says Stamp here

Shop STAMPtember Collaboration Exclusives here

 If you find my posts useful, please consider using my highlighted affiliate links to make your purchase (start from my link and complete your purchase). This will not cost you additionally. The small commission I earn will help me continue to run this blog.

Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Altenew September 2017 Release Blog Hop Day 2 + Giveaway

Hello friends

 Warning: PHOTO-HEAVY POST!

I am super excited to be part of the Altenew September Release Blog Hop!😁
Today is Day 2 of the hop over Scrapbook Blog. 
If you come by the talented Kymona Tracey's blog, you are in the right spot.

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This release features some timeless, vintage yet modern images. With these stamps and dies, you are going to have tons of fun creating your holiday projects!


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Card #1. "With Gratitude" stamp and Matching Die ( see the bundle here). 

 You will be so thankful that Altenew comes up with these cool designs. Being Canadian, I find that With Gratitude Stamp & Die is absolutely enchanting! It can be retro and modern, depending on how you use it.
Altenew_with Gratitide stampDie_Virginia#1

I love that you can stamp two colors easily in the intricate maple leaves.
The embossing, stamping and diecutting are most straightforward with this set. With the Zig Glue Pen, I applied Tonic Radiant Gold Nuvo Gilding Flakes.  You can use any glue pen (see here) with the Gilding Flakes. . You'll love the Midas touch!  
 
Altenew_WithGratitudeDie_Virignia #2


I highlighted the colors with alcohol inks (see here). The vellum background makes the colors pop even more. Altenew's Antique Gold Embossing Powder is perfect for these maple leaves!
Altenew_with Gratitide stampDie_Virginia#3

You can find this lovely stamp and die bundle here. 
 
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Altenew's Reflection Paper Pad comes in handy! 
Altenew_SpeechBubbleDie_Virginia#1

After white-embossing the images, I die cut and hand-stitched with DMC Silver Thread to highlight the Speech Bubble.

Altenew_SpeechBubbleDie_Virginia #2

I also dressed up the grey dotty paper with Nuvo Droplets.
Altenew_SpeechBubbleDie_Virginia#3

Card #3. The Night Before Christmas Stamp and its Matching Die.  
You can find both items here.

A while ago, I didn't see the need or had the luxury of owning every matching dies. Recently, I realize that when you have the matching dies, you can apply SO many more techniques!  It has opened up a whole new world to me...The example I show with this card is one of them.

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Altenew_NightbeforeChristmas Die_Virignia #1

I positioned the stamp in stamp positioner, stamped one color at a time and repeated the stamping.
Altenew_NightbeforeChristmas Die_Virignia #2

Then I die cut the tree, inked up Versamark on edges, then white-emboss on both sides. Do you love the "snow"? For the Letterpress effect (that's how I call it), I dry-embossed the Matching Die with Tan Embossing Mat.
Altenew_NightbeforeChristmas Die_Virignia #3

Did you know I also used Halftone Stencil as a guide to add the white dots with White Pico Embellisher to the trees? Yeah, Altenew Stencils  rock!! I also used non-traditional colors for this  Night Before Christmas set. I will share it in my next post!

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Card #4  Peace on Earth and Matching Die...
are definitely the stamp set that covers it all.
 You can get Peace on Earth stamps and die here.

Altenew_PeaceOnEarth_Virginia #1

 I love the different languages of greeting for "Merry Christmas". I actually helped with the Chinese Traditional writing (see top right). I simply made sure the Chinese writing is in the correct form and style. 😇

To create the striking transparency of the ornament, you only need to white-emboss the image on a piece of acetate. Then mount it on the die cut/ negative card stock and you are in business!
Altenew_PeaceOnEarth_Virginia #2


The best thing about this card is that it is rather flat and mail-friendly!
You can find all the gold elements in Altenew shop here.
(gold foil card stock Ringstone Medallion,
DMC Gold String
Altenew_PeaceOnEarth_Virginia #3 
👉---->I have 3 more cards to share with Peace on Earth and Matching Die in October.
 So, please stay tuned.

 Prizes: Altenew is giving away a $50 Gift Certificate to THREE lucky winners. Please leave a comment on the Altenew Scrapbook Blog by Oct. 5th for a chance to win. The winners will be announced on the Scrapbook blog on Oct. 7th.  

Giveaway: please leave me a comment in this post. A random winner (it could be YOU) will be getting a $30 gift certificate. The winner will be announced here in this blog on Oct. 3rd.

I hope this post gives you some inspiration and it's time to hop to the awesome Keeway Tso'sblog. Please check out the complete hop details over Altenew Scrapbook Blog.

 You can find
the inks here and paper here,  
the entire release here
edited: you can now purchase Altenew products over Simon Says Stamp HERE.

All products I use in this post are all highlighted
Simply click on them and you are ready to shop.
Have fun hopping! 

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge #440


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Welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge !! Thank you for joining us for the Pop It Up Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too :-)

This week the challenge is...

Anything Goes

 We are using Stampendous products this week. You don't have to use them to join in but if you have some, we love to see them used :-)

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 For my project, I used this gorgeous cling stamp "Merry Ornament" Cling stamp.

Merry & Bright

 I had some grand plans when I inked up the stamp...but at the end, I decided that it doesn't need much. So, I took out the MISTI (you can use Tim Holtz Stamp Platform also) and started my favorite way of stamping-->multi-color stamping.

merry & Bright-001
From this photo, you can see that the photo is rather flat except for the Gold DMC strings and sequins. I stamped the ornament all in Distress Oxide.

Of course, my staple Stitched Rectangles Die is a must in this.
And oh...this yummy card stock is well....yummy!
DSC_0048  

As always, Simon Says Stamp will be giving away a $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store!
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So now it's YOUR turn ! Happy Crafting !!
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There are fabulous Give Aways and inspiration from fabulous designers on a daily basis over on the Simon Says Stamp Blog . If you haven't subscribed by email, you may want to do so you don't miss out.

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You have until Wed. 8am Eastern Time to join in :-)
Do you use Instagram ?  If so please add  #ssswchallenge to your challenge entry uploads so we can see them on there too !
I hope you check out the DT's work!  I can't wait to see what you create!!
Thanks for stopping by!

Altenew September Release!!

Hello friends!
Have you seen the preview of the Altenew September release
Can you see that the selections are GLORIOUS!!?
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One of my cards is in this release page... can you tell which one is mine?
The following photo shows the entire release.
You can get the complete collection here.
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The following are going to be popular: 

and many many more.

You can find out all the latest here
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I will be part of the blog hop on Thursday, Sept. 28th at 9am, EST.
Hope you come check out the inspiration and giveaway!
The comment feature in this post has been disabled.

 edited:
You can also shop Altenew's latest over Simon Says Stamp here. 
(do hurry since some of the items are out of stock already)!

Monday, September 25, 2017

Unique Random Take on Stamps and Dies

Hello friends!
I am excited to share a project with you. 
Now, you might ask: " How did you come up with the design?" 

Well, I did not have a specific plan when I designed this card. All I wanted to do was to use up the large embossed heart die (an extra leftover from this project).
you make life beautiful-001

So instead of sharing the details of the card, here are the major components of this card.
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 Wonky Hearts
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you make life beautiful

It was a bit challenging to work with that multi-color stamped and clear- embossed heart.
you make life beautiful

I decided to silver- emboss Elizabeth Background partially with this embossing powder.
The glitter/shine from the embossing is absolutely amazing.

The hearts from Artsy Shapes were embossed in Distress Oxide (just like the Wonky Hearts).

You Got This stamp set has many great encouraging sentiment. Love that!  
The accessories in this card: DMC String, Nuvo Glitter Drops.

DSC_0021

Well, what do you think? I think I like it a lot! 
If you like more info on any of the products, simply click on the highlighted affiliate links.
You can also use the store links at the side bar in my blog and it will take you right to the shops.

 (click photo to shop, certain items are gone already!)

The latest one from Technique Tuesday is....well, sassy! 

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If you make any purchase with my links today, please e-mail me at becr8ive2@gmail.com
That will help me out greatly! I would love to send you a card! 

(the 48-hour Altenew Coloring Starter Kit sale event ends TODAY!, click here or photo to shop)

Thank you so much for stopping by!