Simon Says Stamp - STAMPTEMBER - Special Release of Embossing Folders and Dies

 

Welcome to my blog where I'm sharing this sweet birthday card for Simon Says Stamp that was created using one of the BRAND NEW Embossing Folders and Dies being release TODAY as a special release for STAMPTEMBER.  This is the 'Fable Balloon Buddies embossing folder and Fable Balloon Buddies die.  To complete the card I also used Simon's 'Happy Everything EZ Strips' from a previous release.

Before I explain how I made this card I want to tell you that there are multiple new embossing folders with dies being offered today as part of the Stamptember celebrations but in ADDITION they are offering even more embossing folders and dies in the website's SALE CATEGORY at a discounted price! Please check it all out so that you don't miss out!

So turning to my card sample. I created an A2 panel of Simon Says Stamp's 'Seashell' cardstock and I ran it through my die cutting machine using the Fable Balloon Buddies embossing folder.  What is produced is gorgeous just as it is as a background to your card however let's take it further and build the dimension and add color.

I grabbed some sturdy white cardstock and die cut the Fable Balloon Buddies images 2 or 3 times.  Once die cut I opened the embossing folder again and lay it flat on my craft table.  You want to have the side down where you can feel the indentations (not the raised side).  I placed the die cut bunny and balloon shapes into their corresponding shape in the embossing folder.  Play around with this step if you're new to it.  You can feel when the piece is sitting nicely in the recess.

When all of the pieces are set, carefully close the top down and keep the 'sandwich' firmly shut and run it through your die cut machine just as you did with the main panel.

Now you have your embossed shapes you can colour them with ink blending or Copic markers or however you like to colour images - I did a combination of blending and Copics.  I then glued them to their corresponding spot on the background panel.

I chose to do a design where I only added the bunnies on half of the panel.  The others I added a little highlighting by gently passing white pigment ink pad over the the top.

To complete my card I tied frayed sheer ribbon around the panel and then adhered it to a prepared card base.  I used a white gel pen to highlight some points on the bunnies, balloons and flowers and I also came in with a pink Copic to very slightly define some of the flower petals.

I created the two piece sentiment using Happy Everything EZ Strips and and applied with foam tape.

Last but not least I added a few tiny sparkling clear sequins dotted around because I can never resist a little twinkle!

You will find several tutorial videos on Simon's YouTube Channel walking you through how to use these embossing folders and dies in different ways which is perfect for those of you who need a visual demonstration.

Thanks for stopping by!

Simon Says Stamp - Fresh Crocus Duo

 

Welcome to my blog and a new card for Simon Says Stamp featuring products from their most recent 'In My Heart' release.  Here's a hand list of links to the products you see used here:-

Fresh Crocus Duo

Fanfare Embossing Folder

Teardrop Pinpoint Frames

Giggle Hello

I started with the background panel which I trimmed smaller than A2.  I used a brayer on the inside of the Fanfare Embossing Folder and rolled on Salvaged Patina Distress Oxide Ink.  I was sure to roll this ONLY on the side where the pattern is in 'dips' (not raised) so that the ink would not be on the raised pattern and keeping it white after running it through my die cutting machine.  I then spattered on some Peacock Feathers Distress Oxide Ink that I loosened with a drop or two of Solar Spray in Crocodile Tears for some  pretty iridescence.  This panel was backed with white craft foam and applied to a white card base.

I die cut the focal panel from white cardstock using the Teardrop Pinpoint Frames die and ink blended softly in the centre with the Salvaged Patina again.  This panel was added with dimensional tape to the embossed panel.

I die cut the Fresh Crocus Duo from white cardstock and ink blended using Salvaged Patina, Peacock Feathers, Twisted Citron and Mowed Lawn.  I assembled the blooms with glue, backed them with foam tape and applied to the white panel.

To complete the project  I die cut the Giggle Hello 3 or 4 times, I ink blended one of the cuts and then glued them all together then to the card.  I threaded some toning coloured cord around one of the blooms and tied it to a bow and dotted in some interest around the flowers with a gel pen.  Lastly I added some jewel accents and with that this card was finished!

I appreciate you visiting my blog today and I'll be back very soon with something new.

My Favorite Things - July Card Kit Release Day - Celebrate You!

Happy to share that the July card kit Celebrate You by My Favorite Things is now available for purchase.  I have a new card today to share with you featuring elements from this release.

The card started by creating an A2 panel of Chantilly Cream Prestige Cardstock and adhering it to a prepared white cardstock base.    Then I created a small panel of cardstock using a design from the Party Time 6 x 6 Paper Pad which forms part of the kit.

I popped the patterned panel in my Misti and stamped the oversized sentiment from Celebrate you using Versamark Ink and I heat embossed in gold.  I repeated this process 2 or 3 more times so that the sentiment was nicely raised and embossed.

The panel was backed with white craft foam and mounted on the Chantilly Cream panel.

I stamped the candle and gifts with Versamark Ink on more of the cream cardstock and heat embossed just once in gold.  Elements were die cut and backed with foam tape, arranged and applied.

Above zoomed in photo shows how nicely the wiggly coloured line paper works with the smart gold.

I hope you treat yourself to the kit .... you deserve it after all!   Happy shopping and crafting friends, I always appreciate you stopping by and love to hear from you all in the comments below.   Take care!

Merry Pigs - Hello Bluebird

Hello!

I needed to make a Happy New Year card for personal use and so I called upon my favourite Merry Pigs by Hello Bluebird Stamps and the sentiment is from North Star, also Hello Bluebird.



I created a background using Distress Oxide Ink.  I ink blended the brighter colours of Cracked Pistachio and Worn Lipstick first and then used Chipped Sapphire and Black Soot to fill in and darken the scene for an amazing show of Aurora Borealis.  I used my heat gun to dry it quickly and then using Versamark Ink and my Misti Stamping Tool I stamped the sentiment and heat embossed in gold, repeating two more times so that the sentiment is very dimensional.  I then used some of the stars and also stamped and embossed although for the purposes of this card they are confetti which my pig seems to be throwing in celebration!



I applied the panel to my card base.  I then die cut the Gallery Frame #1 Die and the Gallery Frame #3 Die.   I applied the #1 cut with dimensional foam tape and then the #3 cut with more dimensional tape - making for a very deep and layered frame which gives the card a lovely substantial feel.



On Bristol Smooth cardstock I stamped my images with Ranger Archival Ink.  I watercolour painted them using Kuretake Zigs in  No.028 Pale Pink, No.045 Pale Green, No.021 Light Carmine and No.094 Gray Brown for the 'feet' and No.026 Light Pink for the blushing cheeks.  I highlighted some points with a Uni-Ball Signo white gel pen.  I applied the pigs to the scene using thick dimensional foam tape.

Card complete and perhaps a little inspiration for some of you looking to send some new year cheer!

See you next time and feel free to ask any questions you may have, thank you!

Nicky x

Golden Wedding Anniversary Card

Hi crafty friends!  Recently a friend commissioned a card from me for some relatives of hers who were about to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary ... which is kind of a big deal right?  I didn't want to make something that was utterly predictable and resorted to my own style, why would I do anyone else's style?



In brief this card consists of a 110lb Neenah cardstock base.  The base panel was gently ink blended with Distress Ink to form a soft blue backdrop to an embossed '50' in gold using Versamark Ink and Simon Says Stamp gold embossing powder.  A panel of white cardstock was die cut with the faux stitched edge, it was then die cut once more with a circular die and then lined/backed with a sheet of acetate to form the shaker window.

The panel had Scotch Dimensional Foam tape added to the reverse, creating a circular enclosed window area which I filled with a mix of sequins that I had on hand but importantly contained micro beads from Martha Stewart.  I love to include these micro beads because they stop the shaker contents from becoming lodged and keeps everything moving far more freely as the card is shaken and it makes a pleasing shuffling sound.  I'm a fan!  The panel was adhered to the base .... and yes .... some beads get away from you when doing this since they are experts at rolling away at hight speed but you COULD seal the shaker unit with another piece of acetate before applying to the base if you don't want to wrangle beads!!!!

All of the other card elements from the florals, to the birds to the banner were hand stamped using Banner & Wreath from Avery Elle in Ranger Archival Ink in Black . They were then die cut and watercolour painted and then adhered into the scene with dimensional foam tape and I finished out the scene with a few accenting sequins care of Pretty Pink Posh.



I'm really grateful that you stopped by the blog today to read how this card came together and if you haven't made a shaker card yet ... or in a while, I encourage you give it a go, it is worth the effort and is sure to delight.  Please use the comments section if you want any further detail, I'd love to help, encourage and enable you!!!!

Nicky x