Friday, September 30, 2022

A Nature Scene Card Made Easy

 Hello friends!

It's easy to create a "nature scene" card with the embossing folder. I am using this beautiful Berried Cotoneaster 3D Embossing Folder as an example. It was part of the release from last week's Enchanted Winter (see post HERE).

 When it comes to images like this, I tend to look at it in sections. 

DSC_0098 (3)

It helps to dissect each section and see what colors and focus you like to emphasize.

DSC_0103 (3)

I know that I wanted the berries really bright and I applied bright red ink over them. With the same approach, I did that with the leaves, stems and branches. 

DSC_0094 (3)

For the background in blue, it was an after-thought. I managed to apply blue ink to the upper background and decided to leave the bottom half white.

Merry

The sentiment is from Poinsettia and Berries. 
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Thursday, September 29, 2022

Altenew Sticky Essentials Blog Hop + Giveaway ($300 in Total Prizes!)

 Hello friends!

Welcome to Altenew Sticky Essential Blog Hop ! 

I am super excited to share a very "sticky project" with you. The adhesives are the unsung hero in all of the paper-crafting projects. You need every bit of adhesive and yet they should remain hidden. That is why I call them the "unsung" hero. It's time to highlight these sticky adhesive.
 
 If you arrive from the Altenew Card Blog, are in the right place!
I am using Mistletoe Wreath Stamp & Die Bundle, Mistletoe Wreath Embossing Folder, Double-sided Adhesive Sheets for my example.

Altenew-Mistletoe Wreath Stamp Die Embossing Folder Bundle-Double-sided Adhesive Sheets 
 
For my project, I literally created my own sticker. I wanted the wreath to be 100% pliable. To do that, I took the Double-side Adhesive Sheet and adhered one side to the 80 Lb card-stock.

Altenew-Mistletoe Wreath Stamp Die Embossing Folder Bundle-Double-sided Adhesive Sheets-002 
 
I then stamped, colored and die cut the wreath like I normally would do on the card-stock.  Once I was happy with the wreath, I ran the Clear-embossing Powder all over the wreath and heat set it.
 
Altenew-Mistletoe Wreath Stamp Die Embossing Folder Bundle-Double-sided Adhesive Sheets-001
 
The Clear-embossing Powder helps strengthen the die and adds shine. Next I peeled off the backing paper and I now have a beautiful wreath sticker. Since the background was dry-embossed, it is even more important that DIY Sticker will be perfectly adhered to the card-stock.
 
Altenew-Mistletoe Wreath Stamp Die Embossing Folder Bundle-Double-sided Adhesive Sheets-003
 
The banner sentiment was popped up with the Altenew Instant Foam Tape (another great unsung hero). Thanks to these adhesive, my card remains mail-friendly without the bulk. Love that!
Berries. 

FREE U.S. shipping on orders over $29 (no code needed) or $8 OFF international shipping on orders over $99 with code SHOPPING9S8C from at checkout from 09/29/2022 at 12:01 am EDT until 09/30/2022 at 11:59 pm EDT Shop here and check out HERE
 Thanks for stopping by!


Prizes: $300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 2 lucky winners and a $25 gift certificate to 8 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by 10/05/2022 for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 10 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on 10/06/2022.

 
Your next stop is the blog of Helen Kalb
Have fun hopping! Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

How to Make Set of Cards In Minutes

Hello friends!

If you read the title, you are in for a quick treat! You might think it's misleading....nope, you really can make a set of cards (say 4 or 6) in minutes! 

If you are going to give out sets of cards as gifts, you can easily find inspiration in today's post. 

Cathy Holden Christmas Pines Miscellany Printed Die Cuts -002

First up, get a set of embellishments like the Cathy Holden Christmas Pines Miscellany Printed Die Cuts.

 Christmas Pines Miscellany Printed Die Cuts -001

Secondly, find the focal point and start adding.... more stamping, more die-cutting, more embellishments etc. 

 Cathy Holden Christmas Pines Miscellany Printed Die Cuts -001

 Thirdly, examine the card-stock you want to use and put them together. Don't be afraid to ad some colors in the background or around the images.

Christmas Pines Miscellany Printed Die Cuts

Can you find the stamping that I did with some of the image? Cathy Holden Christmas Pines Miscellany Printed Die Cuts

Last but not least, dress them up as best as you can. Add embellishments such as sequins or gems.

What do you think? I hope that you find today's post helpful. Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Subtle Textured Background

Hello friends!

Hope this post finds you well. I am popping in with a textured card.  

The Holly Flourish Embossing Folder is from the Christmas Flourish Collection by Becca Feeken. The folder adds texture and dimension of flourish design accented with holly berries and leaves covers the background. It can emboss various card size formats from A2, Slimline, 5 x 7-inch and more. For a letter press look, apply ink on one side and emboss. Lightly swipe the ink pad across the design to highlight its embossed design.


Christmas Flourish have hints of flourish designs throughout its collection. Everything you’ll need to make a holiday greeting from thin metal cutting dies to a sweet embossing folder. Mix and match to create amazing card creations!

Approximate Size: 5.50 x 8.50 in./13.97 x 21.60 cm

Nordic Ornaments #1

With this gorgeous embossing folder, I am using Nordic Ornaments as the focal point.

Holly Flourish 2D Embossing Folder -Nordic Ornaments Etched Die -001

I love everything about the Nordic Ornaments Dies as they are so neat and fit together beautifully.

Virginia Lu-Holly Flourish 2D Embossing Folder -Nordic Ornaments Etched Die -001

The subtle textured flourish background truly elevates this card.

Holly Flourish 2D Embossing Folder -Nordic Ornaments Etched Die

Here are my two cards with Nordic Ornaments.ornaments

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, September 25, 2022

Winner Announcement-Altenew Gift Certificate

 Hello friends!

It brings me a great pleasure to announce the TWO lucky random commenters! 

Every month, Altenew offers two giveaway to my followers/readers. I am thankful for your frequent visits and that you take some precious time to leave me a comment. Your feedback and comments are the energy boost that keep me going. Your use of my affiliate links (any store links in this blog) are much appreciated. Without further ado, here are the two winners. 

From THIS post:

Vikki H said...Your color choices are striking and dramatic, Virginia! 10 years ago I would never have believed gray leaves were pretty but times change, thankfully.

 
Thank you and have a beautiful day! The comment feature in this post has been disabled.

Saturday, September 24, 2022

An Ornament Card and Fall Warehouse Sale

 Hello friends!

Hope your weekend is going well. I am sharing a project with Sugarplum Tweets Etched Dies. All products used are linked at the end of this post.

The Sugarplum Tweets Etched Dies are from the Christmas Flourish Collection by Becca Feeken and has 20 thin metal cutting dies. The set includes two detailed cardinals, along with holiday sentiments that cut into the paper. In addition, there are holly berry and leaf, flourish accent and a hat for the birds!

We wish you

 These two sweet birds have lovely elements which make them extra special.

we wish you -002

 By using the Scrapbook.com Paper Pad, it was easy to assemble the birdies. I predominantly used Inlaid Die-cutting for the tiny pieces.

we wish you -003

 Those tiniest bits do matter. For example, the gold pieces on the birdie from the right were inlaid! 

Sugar Plum Etched Dies-Sept 2022-001

 I usually saved the bits (not poking them out) and directly pushed the pieces back to where they were meant to be. Voila. It works like magic this way.

 we wish you -001

 I did the same thing with the sentiment (also inlaid). It was such fun to create this card. Lastly, here are some info about the Spellbinders Warehouse sale. Do take a look at the awesome deals HERE and check out HERE

The Semi-Annual Fall Warehouse Sale feature clearance deals from $1, $2, $3, $5, & $10+. This sale also features past clubs, holiday, and bestsellers up to 40% off. And our biggest discount on machines to date! The Fall Warehouse Sale is now available until Friday 9/30/2022

 Edited: I also added the STAMPtember and Tim Holtz collaboration item (listed as first) in case that you are interested. Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, September 23, 2022

It's All About the Details!

Hello friends!

As mentioned in my previous post, I am back to share another project with Enchanted Winter release. Not This release is all about embossing folders, stencils, hot foil AND enamel dots! 

Today's card is about the Tulip 3D Embossing Folder. This embossing folder is not new, however, the coordinating stencil is. This new stencil set allows you to color the tulips with ease.

Altenew-Tulip 3D Embossing Folder-Fall Harvest Enamel Dots-Green Valley-Lapis Lazuli-Red Sunset-Rose Petal -Summer Afternoon -Warm Gray

You can color all the tulips in one color. However, I decided to add various color and shades to the tulips.

Altenew-Fall Harvest Enamel Dots-Green Valley-Lapis Lazuli-Red Sunset-Rose Petal -Summer Afternoon -Warm Gray

 Much like alcohol marker coloring, I usually use 3-4 shades of ink for each petal and leaf.

Altenew-Tulip 3D Embossing Folder-Fall Harvest Enamel Dots-Green Valley-Lapis Lazuli-Red Sunset-Rose Petal -Summer Afternoon -Warm Gray

 Last, but certainly not the least.... it is all about the details. After ink-blending and stenciling, I trimmed the image to fit. I thought it would be lovely to add the heart enamel dots. I took out the new enamel dots and applied heart shape ones along the stem.

Altenew-Fall Harvest Enamel Dots-Green Valley-Lapis Lazuli-Red Sunset-Rose Petal -Summer Afternoon -Warm Gray-001 

It is kind of cool to see that string of enamels dots which made the design much more special and heartfelt.  Do you find the enamel dots help elevate the overall designs? 

Shop Altenew sale here and check out HERE 

Receive a FREE brand-new Stacked Snowflake Stamp Set ($4.99 value) with every* order from 09/23/2022 at 12:01 am EDT until 09/24/2022 at 11:59 pm EDT.

  Thanks for stopping by!