Storybook Friends - Hello Bluebird Stamps

I'm so happy you navigated to my blog today to read about this watercolour painted card I created for Hello Bluebird Stamps.  This card features 'Storybook Friends' from the newest release and in case you missed it a couple of weeks or so ago, use the search function here on the blog to find another card I made with a different look using this same stamp set.



To make this card I stamped the background image of the path, hills and trees on to Strathmore Bristol Smooth using Distress Ink in Antique Linen - perfect for no-line watercolour painting.  I watercolour painted this scene using Kuretake Zigs in Green Shadow, Light Green and Pale Dawn Gray, the sky was done using Haze Blue.

Once this was dry I stamped the sentiment using Memento Ink in Fog and set this panel to one side.



On more Bristol Smooth I stamped my images of the adorable bunny and mouse again using the Antique Linen ink.   I watercolour painted them using the following - Kuretake Zigs in Oatmeal, Beige, Mid Gray, Green Gray, Light Gray, Warm Gray (2), Yellow and Light Pink.  I also used two Tombow ABTs in 761 and 020.

Cheeks were given a white dot highlight with a white gel pen and they were die cut using the coordinating dies.



I grabbed the new Gallery Frame #4 die and die cut a panel of 110lb white cardstock.  This die creates the broad outer die cut and also has a 'window pane' type inner cut.  I chose to keep just the outside of this windowpane inner piece by snipping out the rest with my craft scissors.  I flipped the two pieces over, nestled the inner piece within the outer frame and applied dimensional foam tape to the back to hold them together.  I then came back to my background panel and applied it.



I backed my bunny and mouse with the same foam tape and stuck them down in position.

I like the simple innocence of the scene and decided to resist all temptation (which is great) to embellish this card any further, so here's one final look where you can see it pops nicely with the green envelope I paired it with.



Thank you so much for coming by for some inspiration.

Happy crafting!

Nicky x

Banner Buddies - Hello Bluebird Stamps

Hi!  I have a new card for Hello Bluebird Stamps today, that uses Banner Buddies, the frame is the Gallery Frame #3 Die and also used here is the Grassy Knoll Die.

This card starts with a panel of white cardstock that I softly ink blended using Distress Ink in Spiced Marmalade.   I then die cut the grass using the Grassy Knoll die and ink blended that softly using Distress Ink in Tumbled Glass and applied it to the background.

Next, I die cut the Gallery Frame 3 Die from white cardstock, I used only the outer frame for this project and kept the inner die cuts for a future project.  The frame was backed with dimensional foam tape and applied.

The sentiment was stamped using Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil and on Strathmore Bristol Smooth I stamped my images with the same ink and watercolour painted them using the following colour palette - Kuretake Zigs in Oatmeal, Mid Gray, Light Gray, Fl. Green, Light Pink and Orange.  I also used a Tombow ABT in shade 451.

All images were die cut, points were highlighted with a white gel pen then backed with foam tape and applied to the scene.

The simple finishing touch was to apply some jewel embellishments by Pretty Pink Posh and with that - another card was complete!

Happy crafting and I'll be back with another card before you know it!

Nicky x

Peek-A-Boo Scary - Avery Elle

I'm back today with a new card for Avery Elle today.  This card uses those funny cuties from Peek-A-Boo Scary and I framed it out with the Plus Frame Die.



To begin I prepped a panel of cardstock by ink blending using Distress Ink in Wilted Violet and then I splashed it all over with a little Faded Jeans mixed with water.

I die cut the Plus Frame, backed it with foam tape and applied it to the panel.



I used Distress Oxide Ink in Blueprint Sketch to ink blend two grassy edges pieces of cardstock.  One was splashed with ink again and the other wasn't.  I inserted them within the frame and adhered with foam tape to lift them just a little.



On Bristol Smooth cardstock the images were stamped using Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil.  They were watercolour painted using Kuretake Zigs in Pink, Cobalt Blue, Light Violet, Gray Brown and Haze Blue.  The sentiment was stamped to the sign and all images were die cut and applied with foam tape.




The final touch was the application of several Sparkling Clear sequins by Pretty Pink Posh and then this bright and fun little project was complete when I adhered the panel to the sturdy 110lb white cardstock base.

I'll be back soon with a new card, thanks for coming by to read today.

Nicky x

Field Mice - Hello Bluebird Stamps

I've got a new card for you today using Field Mice the adorable stamp set that formed part of the June release from Hello Bluebird stamps.



My slimline cards measure 8 1/2 inches x 3 1/2 inches to fit a standard size 9 envelope.

I masked a panel of white cardstock with washi tape and softly ink blended Distress Inks in Tumbled Glass and Cracked Pistachio using my Clarity Stencil Brushes.  I stamped the sentiment and then carefully removed the mask, adhered the panel to a white cardstock base and set it to one side.



Using Bristol Smooth cardstock I stamped the images from Field Mice using Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil and watercolour painted them using Kuretake Zigs in Green Gray, Beige, Light Gray, Pale Pink, Light Pink, Yellow, Wine Red, May Green, Warm Gray (2) and Cobalt Blue.  Points were highlighted with a white gel pen and they were die cut, backed with foam tape and applied to the scene.




The finishing touch was the application of water droplet style embellishments, keeping the card looking fresh, summery and fun but with that lovely pop of read delicious red from the strawberries.

Thank you for coming by to read, see you next time!

Nicky x

More Jungle Littles - Hello Bluebird

Couldn't wait to share this card with you using stamps and dies from the most recent Hello Bluebird Stamps release.  This card features 'More Jungle Littles' together with the 'Wild About You' die.  I have also used the previously released Grassy Knoll Die.



My card started with a panel of white cardstock that I ink blended using my Clarity Stencil Brushes and Distress Oxides in a variety of pink, purple and orange hues.  I wanted to create a Serengeti sunset type feeling and the baby animals meeting at the end of the day.  

Once the panel was ink blended I die cut it to provide the faux stitched edge and I also die cut a piece of cardstock and ink blended it with the same pink and also used the same die to finish it the same way as the main panel so they'd match.   The top edge was cut with Grassy Knoll.   I adhered the grass section to the main panel which in turn was attached to a 110lb white cardstock base.



I die cut the Wild About You sentiment 4 times and glued them all in a stack and then attached it to the top of the card.

On Strathmore Bristol Smooth all of the little animals were hand stamped using Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil.  They were watercolour painted using the following colour palette -- Kuretake Zigs in Gray, Mid Gray, Oatmeal, Blue Gray, Light Gray, Mustard, and Tombow ABT in 761.

I highlighted certain points with a white gel pen and die cut each image, backed them with dimensional foam tape and applied them in a social group setting.



I finished with a few mixed sequins from my collection that toned, adding a fun twinkle.

Thanks for coming by to read today - happy crafting!

Nicky x

Bubbles - Miss Ink Stamps

You may have seen my first card using 'Bubbles' by Miss Ink Stamps and I was excited to find the time to create a second with this exceptionally cute stamp set.



To make this card I grabbed an A2 panel of white cardstock and a cloud stencil.  Using Distress Ink in Squeezed Lemonade I ink blended the clouds with the stencil.  Using Distress Oxide in tumbled glass I ink blended the 'grass' having die cut two grassy edges from dies in my collection.  All pieces were die cut to provide the wonky stitch background using a die from Mama Elephant called Cloud 9.

The taller section of grass was adhered directly to the main panel and the smaller front piece was backed with dimensional foam tape and applied.  The sentiment was stamped and then the whole panel was adhered to a 110lb white cardstock base which is super sturdy.  I set this to one side.



On Bristol Smooth cardstock the images I was using from Bubbles were stamped with Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil, then watercolour painted using Kuretake Zigs in Shadow Mauve, Light Brown, Light Pink, Mid Gray and Brown.  I also used a Tombow ABT in 850.  Images were fussy cut, backed with foam tape and applied to the scene with a few white highlights.



For my finishing touches I applied Nuvo Crystal Drops over the bubble with the mouse and over the bubble the fox is forming as he runs.  I also used some bubble style embellishments from my stash and glued them in place using Ranger Multi Medium Matte since it dries totally clear.

Card complete - thank you for coming by to read about this card making process. Happy crafting!

Nicky x

Beach Babes and Oliver Alphas Die - Hello Bluebird Stamps

Hello!  Day 4 of the Hello Bluebird June release Previews and also RELEASE DAY!!! (7pm MST) I'm introducing you to Beach Babes where we get to enjoy more of the adorable piggies we've come to love from Hello Bluebird over the months.  



This is a slimline card with finished dimensions of 8 1/2 inches x 3 1/2 inches to fit a standard Size 9 envelope.  I masked off the edges of my panel with washi tape and ink blended using Distress Oxides in Peacock Feathers, Squeezed Lemonade, Fossilized Amber and Tea Dye.  A few splashes of water were spritzed on then blotted up just to soften the appearance and then the mask was carefully removed.

Along the white line where the water meets the sand I dabbed on Stickles in 'Crystal' with my fingertip, you can just about make it out in Photo 4 of this blogpost but in person it gives a gorgeous strip of glitter through the scene.

I used the wave die from Otter Friends to cut the wave openings in the water and I used a white gel pen to highlight the edge of each opening.

Next, I tackled the die cutting of the new Oliver Alpha Dies.  From 110lb white cardstock I die cut each letter 4 times over and glued them in stacks and then after determining the centre point of the length of my card I centred the word 'punny' word BACON and adhered.



I stamped the two smaller sentiments which are from Hippos On Holiday, backing the white strip with dimensional foam tape and adhering.

On Strathmore Bristol Smooth and with my favourite Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil. I stamped all the piglets from Beach Babes.  I watercolour painted the images using the following colour palette - Kuretake Zigs in Flesh Colour, Pale Pink, Blush, Light Pink, Carmine Red, Cobalt Blue and Beige.  I also used a Tombow ABT in 020.  All images were die cut and backed with foam tape and adhered.  A few points were highlighted again using the white gel pen.



The finishing  touch was to  simply adhere some 'raindrop' style embellishments upside down turning them into splashes instead!  I also used used a pale gold gel pen and dotted in some glimmer in both the sand and sea.



I thank you for coming by to read about this card.  I hope you are excited as we are for the release this evening.  Happy shopping!

Nicky x