Sending Hugs {DRU Inspiration}

Today I'd like to share a card I created for the Dies R Us Inspiration team.  

The following dies from Dies R Us were used to create this:

Sue Wilson Designs: Rose Oval

Frantic Stamper: Accessory Words #3

Tonic Studios: Mixed Edge Rectangle Layering Basics 

(any of these would also work)

I wanted to play around with a stencil to see if I could create an interesting background.  I used the AALL & CREATE stencil called Lushly Leafy. Although DRU doesn't carry any of their stencils at the moment, they do carry some of their amazing stamps.  I ended up creating two completely different backgrounds using this stencil.

The one in the upper right was created on watercolor paper and I used Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers to color in the stencil area.  It took a little bit of time, but it was relaxing to me and I love the results.

The bottom left background was created using white cardstock and Distress Inks.  I'll have a card for you next week using this background.  It's hard to believe that both of these were created using the same stencil.

Back to today's card.  After the watercolor paper had completely dried, I used my layering rectangles to die cut the black larger layer and the next size down to die cut my watercolored piece.

I used the same black cardstock to die cut my rose frame and my sentiment using the Frantic Stamper die set.

I played around with the sentiment a bit before I adhered it, trying to decide if I liked it centered of off to the side.  As you can see, I decided to center it.

Here's one final look at the finished project. Once the background was completed, this was a really quick and easy card to assemble.  I even have some smaller pieces of the watercolor background to use on another card in the future.

I hope you've enjoyed today's project.  Head back to the Dies R Us Blog tomorrow for more fabulous inspiration from the DRU Inspiration design team.

Don't forget to come join in the fun at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog.  There's a new challenge theme offered on the 1st and 15th of each month and one lucky randomly drawn winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to the Dies R Us Store.  For your convenience, all the important Dies R Us links are provided below.

click below for:

STORE 
 CHALLENGE BLOG
  FACEBOOK
  INSPIRATION BLOG

FRIENDS OF DIES R US PINTEREST PAGE

Thanks for stopping by!

Kitty Wishes {DRU Inspiration}

Hey everyone, I have another cute birthday card that was shared on the Dies R Us Blog today and I wanted to share it with you too. I love stamping as much as I love dies and today I've combined the two.

The following dies were used to create this card:

Tutti Designs - Bamboo Frame 

Die-Versions - Pretty Packages (although this is no longer available, any of these would work)

To start out, I die cut the Bamboo Frame from watercolor paper. You will be stamping on the negative piece in the center, so be sure to save that part too.

Nest, using a stamp positioner and Archival ink (Vintage Photo), I stamped my image by Newton's Nook (Newton's Birthday) onto the negative piece of watercolor paper.  

The image and the bamboo frame were colored using Zig Clean Color Real Brush Watercolors.  The image will be inset back into the frame.

My card base is a piece of kraft cardstock.  I wanted the front to have texture so I dry embossed it using an embossing folder by Spellbinders (Cane Weave).  This dimensional embossing folder gave it lots of texture. 

For the inside of the card, I die cut several of the presents and quickly colored them using glitter markers. You can also see the texture on the inside back of the card front too. 

Here's one final look at today's birthday card.

Hope you've enjoyed today's project.  Head back to the Dies R Us Blog on Monday for more fabulous inspiration from the DRU Inspiration design team.

Don't forget to come join in the fun at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog.  There's a new challenge theme offered on the 1st and 15th of each month and one lucky randomly drawn winner will receive a gift voucher prize to the Dies R Us Store.  For your convenience, all the important Dies R Us links are provided below.

click below for:

STORE 
 CHALLENGE BLOG
  FACEBOOK
  INSPIRATION BLOG

FRIENDS OF DIES R US PINTEREST PAGE

Thanks for stopping by!

Best Wishes

Hey everyone,  I'd like to share a watercolor card I created using the following Tutti Designs dies:

Asian Screen

Best Wishes

I started out by die cutting the Asian Screen from a large piece of watercolor paper.  I positioned it so that I would have a larger border at the bottom of the watercolor paper.  Be sure to save this large negative piece for later.  When die cutting this screen, you will also want to save all of the negative pieces.  My watercolor paper was thick enough that it cut through it, but when i removed the die, all the pieces stayed in place.  I added tape to the backside to make sure none of these smaller pieces fell out while I was coloring this die cut.

Next I used my Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers to color the focal point.  Once I was happy with the results, I adhered this focal point to my black card base.

Next I added blue to the large negative piece to resemble the sky.  I added dimensional foam tape to the back side and then adhered it on top of my focal point.  You can see how this really adds an extra bit of pop to the card front.

After the card front was completed, I die cut my sentiment using the Best Wishes die set, which includes four dies.  White cardstock was used to die cut my sentiment then I heat embossed it with a sparkly copper colored embossing powder.

I placed the sentiment so that part of the word "Best" was resting over the screen, giving even more awareness to the dimension achieved with sinking the focal point into the frame created with the negative portion of die cut. 

Until next time....

Thanks

I need a quick thank you card so I created this quick watercolor one.  This is a set from a company that is no longer in business.  I stamped the image onto watercolor paper using Archival Ink and then added color using my Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers.  I added a little bit of glitter on the petals, although it doesn't show up very well in the photo.

The die cut is by Crafter's Companion and it also has a stamp set that is included with the die. I layered the die cut to make it stand out more.

Quick and easy!


Until next time.....

Hello

I used the Playful Kittens exclusive die from Cheapo Dies.  This was die cut from watercolor paper and watercolored with Zig Clean Color Real Brush watercolor markers.

I actually die cut it a second time from a scrap of white cardstock so I could cut off the ball and string of yarn and add real twine around the ball and let it string along.  This gave it tons of dimension.

The sentiment was from a Concord and 9th stamp set (Bitty Burst) and stamped with VersaFine ink.  I then heat set it with Clear embossing powder.

Watercolor Stork

Today I'm showcasing the Stork die from Cheapo Dies.  The stork was die cut from watercolor paper and colored with Zig Clean Color Real Brush watercolor markers.

After coloring the die cut, I created the background using another sheet of watercolor paper.  This was also colored using the Zig watercolor markers.

The card base was dry embossed using a Sizzix embossing folder (Dot Matrix).

Be sure to visit the Cheapo Dies Blog daily to see what the Designers have created to inspire you.


Until next week.....

Kindness Is Always Beautiful

Products:

Stamps: Bearded Iris 889

Glitter: Bronze Mica (MF05); Butterscotch (GM2051)

Embossing Powder: Clear Detail (EP280); Cerulean Star (EP433)

Dies: Tonic Studios (Sweeping Pampas die set)

¼” Tear-ific Tape

Nuvo Smooth Precision glue pen

Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive

Nuvo Hybrid Ink Pad (Safari Green)

VersaMark

Tim Holtz Stamp Platform

Tangerine die cutting machine

Zig Clean Color Real Brush watercolor markers

colored pencils

This is one of the new March Releases from Sparkle N Sprinkle called Bearded Iris.  Using the Tim Holtz Stamp Platform, I stamped both the image and the sentiment onto watercolor paper with a Nuvo Hybrid Ink Pad (Safari Green).  I immediately added Clear Detail embossing powder to the sentiment and heat set it.

The image was watercolored using Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers.  Colored pencils were used to add some highlights after the piece was dry.  Butterscotch microfine glitter was also added to the center of the throat on the iris.

Bronze Mica Flakes were randomly added to the watercolor paper and were adhered using the Nuvo Smooth Precision glue pen.

A Tonic Studios die (Sweeping Pampas die set) was used to die cut my embellishments.  The two dies in this set are large!  I used one of them and cut it into two pieces for this project.  Butterscotch microfine glitter was added to the die cut using the glueless glitter technique.  I use the Tangerine die cutting machine for all my die cutting.  I've tried most of the die cutting machines on the market and I like the Tangerine the best, by far!

I wanted a non-traditional card base for this card, so I cut the cardstock at an angle and then applied VersaMark over the entire surface.  Cerulean Star embossing powder was added and then heat set.  The focal image and the embellished die cuts were adhered on top of embossed card base using Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive.  I've found this is one of the best glues to use when adhering to glitter or embossing powder.

Be sure to leave a comment here and on my post on the SNS Blog for your chance to win a $20 gift certificate to Sparkle N Sprinkle this month.  The more comments you leave for the designers, the better your chances of winning. :-)

Curious Cat

I'm so excited to share with you my first post for Cheapo Dies.  I'm very excited to be a part of this new team and new company.  I'll have something new for you every Friday and hopefully it will inspire you to create something with these fantastic dies as well.  These dies are nice and substantial feeling, not flimsy like some of the name brand dies I have in my stash.  They are very reasonably priced and cut like butter.

For today's card, I chose the Curious Cat die and die cut it out of watercolor paper.  I used my Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers for coloring the die cut.  This was quick and simple to do and I added his whiskers with a Copic marker.


I adhered the Curious Cat to a Simon Says Stamp (Stitched Circle) circle die cut making sure not to add adhesive on the cat itself.  However, any of these circle dies from Cheapo dies would work well too.

After the water dried from the cat, it had some natural dimension and I wanted to keep that look.  You can see the natural shadows it created when the photo was taken.

This was then adhered to a Tonic Studios die (Layered Rivoli layering die set) that I cut in half to make it shorter. This blue mat was dry embossed using a Sizzix embossing folder (Damask).  Nuvo Embellishment Mousse (Cornflower Blue) was applied on the top of the raised areas and really brought them to life.  It reminds me a little bit like rippling water.

This is a great die as you can create something quick and simple, like I have here, or more elaborate.  I can envision lots of glitter on the fish and water and flocking on the kitty.  Maybe a project for another time 😀.

Be sure to visit the Cheapo Dies Blog everyday for some new inspiration from our Designers.

Just A Note {Scrapy Land Challenge #66}

Today is the start of a new Scrapy Land Challenge.  The theme is Add Pearls and/or Lace, plus use any brand of die that Scrapy Land sells.

For my project, I created a very simple, yet elegant card using just two dies.

Sue Wilson Designs: Configurations Collection-Petite Arched Adornment

Sue Wilson Designs: Expressions Dies-Just A Note

I die cut the Petite Arched Adornment die five times and then adhered the pieces together.  This is what the adornment die looks like I was finished with my arrangement.

The sentiment was die cut from white cardstock and then white fun foam (for added dimension).  I colored the sentiment with Zig Watercolor Brush markers.  Pearls were added to the four corners of the Adornment piece as well as the corners of the first mat.





We hope that you will join us for this Scrapy Land Challenge.  You have until June 4 to upload your project.  The winner, which is chosen by the Design team members,  will receive a $15 gift certificate to go shopping at Scrapy Land.

Rustic Flowers - Snapdragons {Sparkle N Sprinkle Dec Reveal}

Welcome to Sparkle N Sprinkle's

 December 1 New Reveal Blog Hop!

We have six new stamp sets to share with you today.  These new sets are 20% off until the 3rd of the month.  So once you finish the blog hop, head on over to the store and start shopping.  All of the new sets are available on cling mounted rubber or as a digital image.  

The sets are:

Build A Flower 811  (digi version DIGI811)

  Will Ewe Be Mine 813  (digi version DIGI813)

   Light Up My Life 814  (digi version DIGI814)

Rustic Flowers-Snapdragons 816  (digi version DIGI816)

Spring Bunny 819  (digi version DIGI819)

Build A Wreath (Digi Only)  DIGI3128B

   

On Dec 3rd, ONE GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be selected from the comments left on the Designers' blogs listed below. Please leave a comment with each Designer in order to be eligible for the Grand Prize.  You never know who the Mystery Designer will be that has the winning comment.

The Grand Prize Winner, which will be announced on the SNS Facebook page and on the SNS Blog, will receive ALL of the new stamp sets released this month (or the digi versions, if preferred).

The Blog Hop order this month is:

Eret

Chris

Shona

Belinda

Jess

Anne

Diane

Donna

(*Tip: if you have difficulty with a particular link, try clicking on the Designer's blog title to send you to their Home page.)

We hope you enjoy the New Reveal Blog Hop as much as we do.  Thanks for joining us and remember to comment on each of the Designers' blogs to be eligible for the Grand Prize.  

 Wonder who the Mystery Host will be this month????

The Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge also begins today.  There are lots of prizes and recognition badges.  Come check out how you can become a SNS Featured Artist as well.  The theme is always Anything Goes using Loose Glitter, Embossing Powder, and/or Flock.


Have you checked out the SNS YouTube Channel featuring Demo Donna?  If not, then you are in for a real treat.  Subscribe today to get all the latest Demo Donna tips and techniques!

Now for a bit about my project:

The new Rustic Flowers - Snapdragons stamp set comes with four different sentiments, plus the main image.  I decided to watercolor the image and background with Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers.  I love how you can keep part of the image bold and bright and mute other areas.

I stamped my image onto watercolor paper and then die cut both the image and sentiment using an older Lifestyles Craft die set (Nesting Scallop Ovals).

After the watercolor area was dry (if it feels cold to the back of your hand, it's not completely dry yet), I added glue with my Sakura glue pen randomly over the blossoms and then covered the glue with Starfire glitter.  I have to say, the photos do not give the sparkle justice (even though I tried).  It's subtle, but very effective.

The mat behind the image was dry embossed using an embossing folder that my friend Donna sent to me.  I went over the raised areas with a white pigment ink so that they would be emphasized a bit more.

Here's a trick that I used for the card base.  The paper was a freebie in a crafting magazine.  So, as you can image, it was extremely flimsy - not at all suitable for a card base.  So, I decided to copy the colored pattern onto plain white cardstock using my copier/printer.  It worked beautifully.  I also ran a couple strips of 1/8" Tear-ific Tape along the sides and covered them with more Starfire glitter.

The sentiment, which was also die cut from watercolor paper, was adhered to a strip of ribbon that I had tied into a knot in the center.  This not only gave me added dimension by placing the die cut on top of the knot, but it also emphasized the sentiment perfectly.

Now it's time to go visit Diane.  I know she's created something special for you.  Be sure to visit all of the Designers on the New Reveal Blog Hop and leave a comment for each of us for your chance to win all six of the new stamp sets being revealed this month.  (This is checked for compliance. 😌)