Hello Bluebird Stamps - Frosty Friends

 

I had some time to work ahead on some Christmas cards and opted to use some loved older stamps from Hello Bluebird but please keep in mind that these older stamp sets have been retired.  I've used Frosty Friends along with it's companion die and I also used the Nesting Ovals Die which can be found in HB's Essentials section on the site.

I created several panels of cardstock in decreasing sizes and in tones that worked with the top panel of patterned cardstock selected from my stash.  These were glued in stacks then to the card base.

I die cut two nesting ovals from sturdy vellum and a size smaller in sturdy white cardstock.  To create a background to set the scene I stamped one of the tree images multiple times and then coloured with Copic markers to tone with the patterned panel.  I glued the ovals together and adhered them to the patterned panel.

I stamped the images from Frosty Friends and coloured with the following Copic markers:-

Snowman - C3, C1, C0

Reindeer - E44, E43, E42, E41, E40

Polar Bear - C3, C1, C00, E40

Red - R39, R29, R27

Green - G17, YG09

Top Hat - T6, T5, T4, T2

I die cut the images using the companion dies and adhered them to the background with dimensional foam tape.

I highlighted with a white gel pen and then I used a stylus and white acrylic paint to dot in the snow through the background and across the sweet images.

Last but not least I selected a sentiment from the stamp set, stamped it on a strip and applied this with foam tape and I glued a few sparkling clear sequins to the upper left and lower right corners.

Thank you for stopping by!

Frosty Friends Infinity Shaker - Hello Bluebird Stamps

I recently posted a card on Instagram that caused a bit of a stir and many were asking how it was made.  I promised a new infinity shaker card very soon and here it is, this time I've used Frosty Friends by Hello Bluebird Stamps



Now, I've never seen one of these made, I just came up with the idea by happy accident and for me it works well.  There are probably other methods but I reckon mine has to be the easiest!  The good news is that this is so simple many of you will kick yourselves that you didn't figure it out .... certainly a lot of face palming I reckon!!!!  Keep reading to discover my method.



For my card I cut an A2 panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock.   I stamped and heat embossed the snowfall background created from the Sprinkles Background Stamp.  I then ink blended using Distress Ink in Tumbled Glass, fading it away to nothing at the bottom.  I then took a stamp storage pocket  and slid the 5 1/2 inch length of my background panel into the 5 1/2 width of the storage pocket.  Now, you want and need for this to be a very snug fit but obviously you don't want the panel to bend.  Take your time and ease it in carefully all the way to the bottom of the pocket.  If it is not very snug you will lose some shaker contents around the back of the panel.



I then flex the storage pocket open, slightly bending the panel so that I can accurately pour in my shaker contents.  I keep adding and checking my quantities until I have the right look I'm going for and the right quantity.  You can use anything you like including micro beads seed beads, sequins and other shaker fillers.  I'm always very careful to only get the shaker contents on top of the decorative panel and not behind.   Once I'm happy I then lay the unit flat on the my craft table and firmly wrap the other 50% of the storage pocket around the back of the panel ... doubling it back on itself and I stick it down with generous amounts of my Scotch Tape Runner tape.  I then adhere the pocket to my A2 card base.  I recommend 110lb cardstock because the base has to support some weight.



To finish my card I stamped out my images from Frosty Friends onto Bristol Smooth cardstock.   I die cut and then watercolour painted them all using my Kuretake Zigs and then highlighted some points with my Uni-ball Signo White gel pen.  I simply adhered them to the plastic pocket front using more tape, creating the scene I had in my mind!

So that my friends is how I make my infinity shaker cards.  They are quick and easy and sure to please the lucky recipient.  I welcome your questions and comments and I would love to see your projects on Instagram so be sure to tag me so I can see what you made!

Until the next time then ......

Nicky x