Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Bright Happy Cards for January



I'm here to brighten these dull, cold winter days with some colorful chipboard cards.
Winter is rough on many people and can drag on way too long.  If you had a quick way to cheer someone up, I bet you'd jump at the chance.



A card made with love (and some fabulous Creative Embellishments chipboard) can go a long way towards brightening up someone's day. I created three cards to be used for that purpose.
(You can see this post over at Creative Embellishments here.)


 Here is a close up of the first card.  The Creative Embellishments chipboard pieces I used on my card are as follows:

My chipboard treatments are super easy - ink and paint.  I inked the Fancy Oval Frame Set with Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink -Walnut Stain.  Done! Next, I painted the Flourishes 10 piece with bright lime green and pink paint to accent the papers I used.  I cut the chipboard into pieces and used as filler around the Fancy Oval Frame  and in the floral cluster.  


Here is my second happy cheery card.  I embellished with some fabulous wood veneer hearts, pieces:Lovers Heart Set  intertwined within the floral vines.  I believe the wood veneer shapes from Creative Embellishments are enchanting and perhaps the company's best kept secret. 

Time to let everyone in on the secret I think.  


The last card  has a combo of chipboard and wood veneer hearts. Once again, I used the Flourishes 10  vines  simply inked with Distress ink.  I left the wood veneer Lovers Heart Set hearts untreated.  They are gorgeous "as is" and are super light so they don't make the card heavy for mailing.  


The ultra light wooden veneer hearts make such a statement on the cards.  
I also have to mention the paper I used....it's my ever-favorite from Prima Marketing.  The Madeline collection from a bunch of years ago.  Yessssssss I still have some and sadly not much is left. 

 Hey - I know you all have stashes and hoards of papers tucked away too.  Yeah, I'm looking at you...crack it out and use it.  

Here is one more look at the lovely pieces I used:
Flourishes 10 
Lovers Heart Set (wood veneers) 


Shop for your gorgeous Creative Embellishments chipboard here.  

Petaloo Darjeeling Butterflies
Prima Marketing SongBird Pink vines 539054
Paper - Prima Marketing Madeline collection 6x6 paper pack. 


Thursday, January 25, 2018

Flowers, Butterflies and Spellbinders Dies


Being a member of the Spellblogger Team for Spellbinders,  I have the very fun honor of showcasing some of the gorgeous new dies from Spellbinders. 

This month, I have been asked to feature the Amazing Paper Grace  - Chantilly Paper Lace collection designed by Becca Feeken .


Here's a look at the beautiful die set. 
I also accented the frame die using 
Spellbinders Layered Leaf Vines - Timeless Heart Collection by Marisa Job.  These are sweet versatile vine dies that can be tucked into any floral cluster.  


I die cut several vines using white cardstock, then inked the tips of the leaves with  Distress Ink Oxides in Peacock Feathers and

I wanted to pull out the orange color from the flowers on the patterned paper from Lemoncraft, so I accented the vines using Crystal Drops from Nuvo.


Thank you for stopping here and thank you to Spellbinders for inviting me to be part of the Spellblogger Team.  Such a wonderful opportunity to share the best dies in the world. 

Where to shop? 
You can shop for all your Spellbinders dies right here .
You can click here for the Amazing Paper Grace Collection.



Product List:
Lemoncraft Paper from Poland - Gossamer Blue collection

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Cards to Celebrate

What supplies do you pick when you need to make something with grace and elegance.  The answer is super easy.  That's when I seek out my Maja Design papers and Spellbinders dies - the "Dream Team"!

My "Dream Team" today features new products from both companies - a new paper collection and a new die added to Spellbinders Chantilly Paper Lace Collection designed by Becca Feeken.


These cards feature the gorgeous new Maja Design Celebrations paper collection created to celebrate 10 years in business and they are decorated with  the frilly fabulous die  Tallulah Frill Layering Frame - Chantilly Paper Lace Collection.


First a bit about the die.   This is a new addition to the Amazing Paper Grace collection at Spellbinders. 

 The  Tallulah Frill Layering Frame  is wonderful because of its multiple uses as a layered die or as separates.   I'm using the set as separates today. 

Next - a bit about the lovely paper. 
The new collection, Celebrations, from Maja Design also has a  solid collection called, Monochromes -Shades of Celebration.  The Shades of Celebration are solids that perfectly match the colors of the  Celebrations collection.  

 My first card was inspired by the pink cameo brooch in the picture.  The butterfly is a thin mixed media, metal piece I had from my stash.  


Here is the second card using Celebrations paper collection and the large frame die from the set.  

My sentiment is from Justrite Papercraft stamps .




Where to shop? 
You can shop for Maja Design papers right here. 
Shop Spellbinders collection of Amazing Paper Grace right here
You can find all your favorite Spellbinders dies and products right here.


Product List:
Maja Design -Celebrations paper : Welcome, Birthday, Glamour, Would You Care to Dance?





Thursday, January 18, 2018

DIY Grace - Delicate Cards Made Easy

My Fancy Purple Mood (with easy DIY instructions)

Purple is an emotional color for me.  
 Purple was my grandmother's favorite color and it reminds me of her.  It's a royal, regal, warm color and conjures feelings of grace and nostalgia in my mind.  It's a color that makes me smile.  

Usually when I work with purple,  the project will most likely tend toward being delicate or graceful.  Fortunately, I have the perfect Spellbinders dies to match my purple mood:
 the Chantilly Lace Collection created by Becca Feeken.  

I am so thrilled to be one of Spellbinders  Spellbloggers for 2018 providing me an opportunity to work with these divine and amazing products.  Thanks Spellbinders!!!

This is my first card, created using Spellbinders Amazing Paper Grace Collection designed by  Becca Feeken for Spellbinders  as part of the Chantilly Lace collection.  

The die has a super long name...
Don't let that distract you from the true beauty.  

When I hear super long names, I think royalty.  Those names go on and on...well this is similar.  Pure papercrafting royalty as you can see below.

Here is my card close up.   If you scroll on down through the post, I have a step by step showing how this was made. 


Easy DIY Instructions:
My paper choice for these cards is Maja Design - Fika collection.  This line has a full rich assortment of purples and chocolates that will make a purple paper lover drool.

Step 1. Cut one die to be used as the background for the card.  Set aside. Simple - no fancy techniques here.  Let the gorgeous die do the work. 


Step 2. Fold a piece of patterned paper so that it will fit the rectangle die included in the Chemise Layering Frame die set (approx. 2.80 x 4.85 in).  Place the die on the paper fold so that it overhangs a tiny bit.  

This will give you a rectangle that is cut to the size you need, and one that still has a fold.  
Step 3. I find it easier to cut this folded piece when the die is taped in place.  Note: use tape that will come off without ripping the paper. 


Step 4. Time to start layering.  Select your layers and cut using the rectangle die.  
But wait...now you have 3 pieces for laying that are all the same size.  My solution is to trim the layers to size so they layer and nest nicely when assembled: 
*trim about an 1/8in from the ivory cardstock layer
* trim about 1/4in from the floral paper layer

In my opinion it is easier to start with the same size and trim to size.  This way you know the base layer (the brown piece) will fit (nest inside) perfectly on top of the decorative frame die. 

Step 5.  I added gingham ribbon to my card by lacing it through the medallion die piece.  I cut a slit in the card using a craft knife and pulled the ribbon through the card. 

This gussies up the inside of the card with a cute surprise when opened. 



See how beautiful the inside of the card is?  What a fun detail.  

*******Card Number Two*******


This is the second card made while in my purple mood.  
I grabbed a different die, also from Spellbinders Amazing Paper Grace Collection designed by  Becca Feeken .

This Chantilly Lace die  also has a long name but we've already discussed the reason for the long name...royalty has long names.  

Once again made using Maja Design - Fika collection.
Thank you for stopping here and thank you to Spellbinders for inviting me to be part of the Spellblogger Team.  Such a wonderful opportunity to share the best dies in the world. 

Where to shop? 
You can shop for all your Spellbinders dies right here .
You can click here for the Amazing Paper Grace Collection.
You can shop for Maja Design papers right here.