Avery Elle New Release Blog Hop!

Hello and thank you for joining in the fun on the Avery Elle Blog Hop as we celebrate a big new release!  My card today features the brand new Easter Chicks mini stamp set that comes with coordinating dies.



My card consists of a panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock that was repeatedly and randomly stamped using all the elements from the mini stamp set using Distress Ink in Antique Linen.  I watercolour painted all images using the following ...... Kuretake Zigs in Oatmeal 064, Pale Orange 054, Pale Pink 028, Pale Yellow 055, Green Shadow 049 and Haze Blue 302.  Butterflies were done with an Arteza Real Brush Pen in Ice Blue/A173 and cheeks were blushed with a Tombow ABT in  shade 761.  Phew!  That was quite the list today!!

I love to do background cards, especially when images are as cute as these are.  Had I just stamped the three chicks once each I'd have been left craving to colour them more and more - so doing what I did was pure self indulgence!



I have this lovely cardstock in my collection that is right on the cusp of where pale pink meets pale beige and I love the subtlety of it and I thought it worked well with the egg shells.  I framed my panel using the Reverse Pinked Die because the inner edge echoed the broken eggshell image and applied it with dimensional foam tape.  I then applied all of that to a panel with a basic stitched edge in the same pink cardstock since I knew the stitched edge would still show.

From the negative cut I had remaining after die cutting the frame I made the Wonky Bow.  Now ..... the United States Postal Service will iron this bow flat for the bargain price of a 1st class stamp!!!!  Ultimately that is not the look I'm going for, I want my bow 'pert' and to help keep its shape I use some extra thick dimensional foam tape, I cut a piece that will disappear inside the loops of the bow.  I adhered the bottom down but I leave the peel away paper on the top side, that way, when the card is compressed 'ironed' it will bounce back up (I do hope that is clearer than mud)?  The good news is that I know what I mean and that's half the battle, much like making yourself laugh!



I adhered the bow into position and then using one final piece of the pink cardstock I stamped the sentiment from the Easter Chicks stamp set with Versamark Ink and heat embossed with silver embossing powder!  This was adhered with a double layer of foam tape.  I attached the entire decorative panel to a 110lb white cardstock base which is super sturdy and hey presto, card complete!

Thanks for stopping by to read today, hope you enjoyed my card, please keep scrolling to find the next designer on the the hop to click on.

Nicky x

Avery Elle  
Caryn Davies
Heather Campbell
Yainea
Melania Deasy
Katie Gehring 
Amy Kolling 
Ashley Marcu
Elena Roussakis
Nicky Meek (you are here)
Betsy Veldman

To celebrate our Spring 2019 Release Blog Hop, Avery Elle is giving away a $25 Gift Certificate to one random winner.  To enter to win just comment on this post.  There is no purchase necessary and you must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  This giveaway is void where prohibited.  You can also do options 2, 3, 4, 5 or all 6 of the following to increase your chances of winning. You have until midnight Sunday, February 10th to enter.  The winner will be announced on the Avery Elle Blog on Monday, February 11th .  All products are available for purchase in the Avery Elle store right now.  You can check them all out here. 
To enter to win you can do 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or all 6 of the following to increase your chances:

1. Comment on any of the design team's posts and/or here on the Avery Elle Blog
2. Follow us on Twitter and tweet the contest (we are @averyellestamps )
3. Follow us on Facebook (we are www.facebook.com/AveryElle ) and share us with your friends - make sure they tell us you sent them.
4. Follow us on Pinterest
5. Become a blog follower through email (comment on the Avery Elle blog if you already follow us)
6. Follow us on Instagram (we are https://www.instagram.com/averyellestamps/).

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek. Have a great day!

Piñata Party - Pretty Pink Posh

Hello!

Today, I have another card using product from the latest Pretty Pink Posh release.  This is Piñata Party!  Keep reading to find out how I made it.


To make this card I prepared an A2 panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock and ink blended a large focal point using Distress Oxide Ink in Spun Sugar.  I stamped the sentiment using Versamark Ink and heat embossed in silver.  I determined the centre point of the card and using silver gel pen and a ruler I drew a line down the centre of the card to just above the sentiment to act as the string from which the piñata is 'suspended'.



On more Bristol Smooth cardstock I stamped my images from the stamp set using more Versamark Ink and heat embossed them all in silver again.  I then watercolour painted the images delicately using the following Kuretake Zig colours - Light Violet, Pink, Light Pink, Bright Yellow, Pale Yellow, Green Shadow and Light Blue.  I then die cut all of these elements.  I applied them to the scene using dimensional foam tape.

I adhered the panel to the card base which is made of a nice and sturdy 110lb Neenah and just finished with a few festive dots of the same silver gel pen I used earlier so there is a nice twinkle as the card is handled.   The inside of the card has the cupcake piñata inside and the reverse of the card has the heart piñata applied just above my maker's stamp - so there's a lot more going on than initially meets the eye!



Thanks for coming by to read about this card, happy crafting, see you next time!

Nicky x

North Star - Hello Bluebird Stamps

Hi!  As promised a 4th Day of cards featuring the new Hello Bluebird Stamps release.  This is North Star.



For this card I ink blended Bristol Smooth cardstock using Distress Oxides in Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers, Broken China, Blueprint Sketch, Chipped Sapphire and Black Soot ..... yup, I pretty much used them all!  There's lots of overlapping of the blending and then coming back in with the lighter colours but this is, I believe, how to attain the best affect.



I stamped my 'stars' with Versamark Ink and heat embossed in white and then re-stamped just the Happy New Year portion with Versamark Ink and heat embossed in a twinkling embossing powder I have called 'Bridal'.  I wanted to build a real depth of 'stars' and to to that end I took a tiny pinch of white embossing powder and sprinkled it over the panel making sure none of it was too thick and then I heat set it by starting underneath the panel for a minute and then finishing with heat directly on top ....... otherwise you're going to blow the powder to the four walls!!!!!   I came back in with a Uniball Signo White Gel Pen and dotted in a few more stars again building depth.  I die cut my panel to provide the simple stitched edge.



On more Bristol Smooth I stamped my images with Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil.  I watercolour painted them using Kuretake Zigs then fussy cut the images and applied them with different depths of foam tape.  Just love those cute fluffy bums!  I adhered the panel to the card base.





Thanks for coming by to read my method today!  See you next time!

Nicky x

25 Days of Christmas Tags - Hello Bluebird

Hi, I'm excited to be participating this year in the big 25 Days of Christmas Tags event hosted by Tracey McNeely.  All month long designers from a plethora of stamp companies who are sponsoring this fun event, hope to inspire you with handmade gift tags for the Christmas season.  Today I am proudly representing Hello Bluebird Stamps with this trio of cute tags.



I took some tag dies that I pre-owned and die cut 3 tags and the top trim piece to go with each.  I used Bristol Smooth cardstock since the ink goes on like butter!  I then splashed on some white acrylic paint watered down with a dot of water to loosen the mixture.



I used the Hill and Dale die from an additional 3 die cuts of the tag so that I got the matching inverted V pointed bottom but had a curvy snow-line at the top, setting the scene for my characters.



I adhered the 'snow' die cuts to the main tags and the trim piece at the top with glue.



On more Bristol Smooth I stamped out my characters from North Pole Littles using Ranger Archival Ink in Coffee.  I watercolour painted them with my Kuretake Zigs and die cut the images.   I decided on a design for each tag with the lightest background having the lightest painted images progressing to the bolder coloured tag.  I wanted a related set that wasn't totally matchy matchy!  The images were adhered with foam tape.



Time to finish out the tags.  I stamped the sentiments from North Pole Littles with a toning ink colour using my Misti.  I then stamped a second time with Versamark Ink and then heat embossed the sentiments using Clear Embossing Powder.   The sentiments were also applied with foam tape.

I used white Nuvo Drops to add in some dimensional snow and then used toning baker's twine to finish each tag.

Little labours of love - but the right people will appreciate them on their special gift!

Thanks for stopping by!

Nicky x

Blog Hop - Peacock by Avery Elle

Hello everybody, I'm happy to be hopping along with my fellow design team friends for Avery Elle's new release.  I'm introducing Peacock a new mini stamp set that comes with a co-ordinating die.



For this card I took a panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock and I ink blended it to a soft ombré affect using Distress Oxide Ink in Worn Lipstick (seemed appropriate)!!!  I then splashed some water onto it and blotted it up a few seconds later to slightly distress the background.



I made sure the panel was good and dry by using my heat gun on it and then I thoroughly wiped it with my Embossing Buddy.  I randomly stamped my Peacock image using Versamark Ink to form a wallpaper pattern.  I then heat embossed in Antique Gold.  Further adding to the Valentine's Day theme I grabbed a trio of hearts from an older Avery Elle stamp set called 'Sending You' and I used them to stamp and heat emboss in some of the spaces.



The completed panel was then simply die cut to provide the faux stitched edge affect and then applied to the 110lb white cardstock base by Neenah.  Finally I stamped the sentiment on a strip of cardstock using Versamark Ink again and then heat embossed in Antique Gold also.  This was applied with some Scotch Foam Tape.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today, have fun hopping along to see all the new goodies from the rest of the Avery Elle Design Team.

Nicky x

Products Used:-
Peacock Stamp
Peacock Die

Avery Elle  
Caryn Davies
Heather Campbell
Yainea
Melania Deasy
Katie Gehring 
Amy Kolling 
Ashley Marcu
Elena Roussakis

Nicky Meek

To celebrate our Winter 2018 Release Blog Hop, Avery Elle is giving away a $25 Gift Certificate to one random winner.  To enter to win just comment on this post.  There is no purchase necessary and you must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  This giveaway is void where prohibited.  You can also do options 2, 3, 4, 5 or all 6 of the following to increase your chances of winning. You have until midnight Sunday, Novebmer 11th to enter.  The winner will be announced on the Avery Elle Blog on Monday, November 12th .  All products are available for purchase in the Avery Elle store right now.
To enter to win you can do 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or all 6 of the following to increase your chances:

1. Comment on any of the design team's posts and/or here on the Avery Elle Blog
2. Follow us on Twitter and tweet the contest (we are @averyellestamps )
3. Follow us on Facebook (we are www.facebook.com/AveryElle ) and share us with your friends - make sure they tell us you sent them.
4. Follow us on Pinterest
5. Become a blog follower through email (comment on the Avery Elle blog if you already follow us)
6. Join our Flickr group (comment on the Avery Elle blog if you already belong)

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek. Have a great day!

Pumpkin Patch - Hello Bluebird

Hello!

I'm back with my second card today and for the second time in a week I'm using Pumpkin Patch by Hello Bluebird Stamps which forms part of their incredible new release!



Since the last time that I played with this stamp set I went more traditional in my choice of colours, this time I decided to go with sweet pastels and switch it up a little.  To that end I took a panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock.  Using Distress Inks in Spun Sugar and Fossilized Amber I delicately and randomly ink blended the panel.  I then used my embossing buddy to prepare the surface for heat embossing.  

In my Misti I took some of the smaller images from the stamp set like a squirrel and pumpkin and acorn and some leaves and I arranged them in a design where I could repeat it twice across the width of the card by stamping once with Versamark Ink then moving the panel over in my Misti and stamping again.  I kept moving my panel and re-inking and stamping until all areas had the pattern and then I heat embossed using white embossing powder.  Once cooled I die cut the panel to give it a faux stitched edge.



I adhered the panel to my card base then from another panel of white cardstock I die cut the Gallery Frame #2 Die  and then layered this over the decorative panel popped up on dimensional foam tape.  I had a leftover die cut from Grassy Knoll which I ink blended softly, again using the Fossilized Amber Distress Ink and then I stamped the grassy tufts using a tiny stamp included in Deer Friend.  I measured it to size and adhered it, inserting it into the gap for a snug fit.

On Bristol Smooth cardstock (I like and always use Strathmore) I stamped my feature image using Ranger Archival Ink in 'Potting Soil'.  It stamped quite dark since I'd just re-inked my pad but it should calm down soon lol.  I watercolour painted the image using Kuretake Zigs and highlighted their cheeks with a Uniball Signo White Gel Pen.  I die cut and adhered the image with more foam tape.



Finally, I stamped the sentiment from Autumn Script.  It actually says Pumpkin Spice but I trimmed off the second word.  I then die cut using the coordinating dies for the stamp set and then die cut 3 more times from white cardstock to build a stack which I adhered together - each time trimming off in the same place since I'd chosen not to use the 'spice' word.  Finally I glued it in place and stamped 'season' on a little strip of cardstock and popped that onto some foam tape so it aligned nicely.



So there it is .... my non-traditional take on the season and I hope that YOU have an enjoyable Pumpkin Season and enjoy the change in temperatures and colours!

I'll see you next time, thanks for stopping by and feel free to ask any questions you may have, I'll be happy to try and answer them for you.

Nicky x

Autumn Script with Fall Buddies - Hello Bluebird

Hi!

Here's my second card today playing with delicious goodies from Hello Bluebird Stamps.  This card features the new sentiment set that comes with coordinating dies called 'Autumn Script' together with all the cuties from 'Fall Buddies'.



Taking a panel of A2 white cardstock, I ink blended it using Distress Inks in Stormy Sky, Carved Pumpkin, Rusty Hinge and Brushed Corduroy.  Initially the idea was that Stormy Sky would be the sky (not surprisingly) but when it came to actually beginning to build the scene I flipped it and preferred what I saw.  Using Versamark Ink I stamped the Blowing Leaves Background Stamp and heat embossed with a beautiful Copper embossing powder by Ranger.  The affect is very rich and luxurious.



I also used the Ranger copper embossing powder to stamp the sentiment from 'Autumn Script',  I die cut it and then used the die to cut several more times and then I adhered each cut to the next to build a good stack, finishing with the embossed on on top.  I adhered this into position on the card.  I cut the Gallery Frame 3 Die once from white cardstock and adhered it over the panel using dimensional foam tape.   

On Bristol Smooth cardstock I stamped all of my 'Fall Buddies' using Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil.  I watercolour painted them using my Kuretake Zigs and then since I didn't have the coordinating dies at the time, I fussy cut my images and then layered them into the scene using dimensional foam tape.  The finishing touch was the addition of a few rose gold sequins by Pretty Pink Posh.

I hope you like the card and feel inspired, here's one last close up of that background if for no other reason than I'm currently crushing pretty hard on copper embossing!!!



I really appreciate you stopping by to read - feel free to ask any questions in the comments section, see you next time!

Nicky x

Polar Peekaboo Pals

Hello!  I'm back today to share my latest card using the newest Avery Elle release.  This card features 'Polar Peekaboo Pals' with the new Three Stars Die Set.



To start with I took a panel of white cardstock and die cut it using the new 'Three Stars Die Set' which makes 3 openings in one pass through your die cutting machine and leaving a stitched edge.   I then stamped and heat embossed the silver sentiment.   I took another panel and ink blended in grey and added the snowflakes by hand with a Uniball Signo White gel pen.  I applied the star panel over the blended panel lifted up on foam tape and then applied it to a 110lb white cardstock base. 



I stamped out my images onto Bristol Smooth cardstock using Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black.  I watercolour painted them using Kuretake Zigs and highlighted some points with the Uniball Signo White gel pen again.



I die the images and applied them tucked into the scene with dimensional foam tape.  The final embellishment was the addition of a few die cut silver glitter cardstock stars.

I do hope you enjoyed my card and I will see you next time.

Nicky x

Products Used:-

Polar Peekaboo Pals
Three Stars Die

Fireside - Avery Elle

Hi!  I'm happy to be sharing a card I made using 'Fireside' the wonderful new stamp set from Avery Elle.



I stamped out all of my images onto Bristol Smooth cardstock using Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil.  I watercolour painted them using my Kuretake Zigs and then used a Uni-ball Signo White Gel Pen to highlight some spots and to make patterns on the individual stockings.



I took an A2 panel of Bristol Smooth and ink blended it with Distress Inks in Spun Sugar and Antique Linen and applied the painted elements with varying amounts of dimensional foam tape.



Finally I put the panel into my Misti and I stamped the sentiment with Versamark Ink and heat embossed in gold.  I attached my panel to the 110lb white cardstock base.  Card complete!

Thanks for stopping by to read today, see you soon!

Nicky x

Products Used:-

Fireside

Meowy Woofmus - Mama Elephant

Hello Friends!

I'm back with a sweet card using an older but much loved stamp set from Mama Elephant called Meowy Woofmus, maybe some of you have this stamp set, although quite frankly, you could insert any of the Mama Elephant cuties into such a scene!



I started by taking an A2 panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock.  I ink blended it very softly with Distress Inks in Tattered Rose and Squeezed Lemonade.   I then hand applied the 'snow' affect using a Uniball Signo White gel pen.  Next, I die cut the panel using Framed Tags - Union Square and then die cut it one more time using Basic Rectangles - Creative Cuts.     At the top of the main panel I stamped the sentiment from Jingle Greetings using Versamark Ink and then heat embossed in gold.



I die cut the snowy 'hills', trimmed to size and applied them layered into the back of the opening in the panel.  I then lined up the negative cut with the background colour on it behind the opening, found the correct position for it on the card base and adhered it down.   Since the two 'hills' unlevelled things, I added strips of cardstock to match the depth of the hills around the upper part of the opening.  With that done I was then able to apply my Scotch dimensional foam tape and apply the panel to the base making sure to align it perfectly with the negative cut.

On more Bristol Smooth, I stamped my little characters with Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil.  I watercolour painted them with Kuretake Zigs and then die cut and applied them into the scene with their cheeks highlighted with a Uniball Signo White gel pen.



The final touch was the application of 3 mini wooden star embellishments.

Hope you enjoyed the card .... many more to come, be sure to sign up to my blog so you don't miss anything!

Nicky x

Merry Merry - Avery Elle - Infinity Shaker

Hi everyone, today I'm sharing an 'infinity' shaker card I made using 'Merry Merry' which is a stamp set from the most recent release.

 

I took a panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock.  I stamped and heat embossed the sentiments in white then ink blended in Spun Sugar and Cracked Pistachio Distress Inks.   I applied a few sequins and other glittering embellishments with glue and once dry  I slid this panel into a stamp storage pocket, easing it down all the way to the very end.  I then put together a blend of sequins, stars, micro beads ... you name it and poured those into the pocket making sure that they only go on top of the decorative panel and not behind.  Once satisfied with the blend and the quantity I firmly wrapped the rest of the storage pocket around the back of the panel and stuck it down really well and then stuck the whole thing to a sturdy card base of 110lb cardstock which such a weighty card needs.



I'm in love with this moose from 'Polar Peekaboo Pals' and so I stamped it onto more Bristol Smooth using Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil.   I die cut the image and I watercolour painted it using Kuretake Zigs and highlighted a few points with a Uniball Signo White gel pen and stuck it onto the lower right of the front panel.



Such a fun and interactive card style for any time of the year.  I hope you like it!

I will see you again soon, thanks for stopping by to read today.

Nicky x

Products Used:-

Peekaboo Polar Pals
Merry Merry

Sending Peace - Avery Elle

Hello everyone, today I'm sharing a card using 'Sending Peace' from the brand new Avery Elle release.  This stamp set would work well both on its own or in conjunction with your other Avery Elle stamps since it consists of mostly words together with a few mini images.



My card/giant gift tag started with an A2 panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock which I ink blended using Distress Oxide Inks in Worn Lipstick and Twisted Citron.  I then splattered on some water and blotted it up to distress it.  I thoroughly wiped the surface with my embossing buddy and then placed the panel in my Misti, laid out the word stamps and stamped with Versamark Ink then heat embossing in silver.  Next the panel was die cut using the Avery Elle die called A Tag For All.  I die cut the matching back piece with another piece of white cardstock and the little silver binding piece for the top was die cut in glittering silver cardstock.



On a little piece of white cardstock I stamped and embossed the other little sentiment words and the dove and applied after die cutting with dimensional foam tape.   I scored the back panel about a half inch from the top so that it could be flexed to have the card stand up and adhered it to the front panel and bound the top with the glittered piece.



The finishing touches were the application of a few sparkling clear sequins and I tied some cream/silver baker's twine through the hole at the top.

Thank you for stopping by the blog today, see you next time!

Nicky x

Products Used:-

Sending Peace
Tag For All

Garden Frame by Mama Elephant

Hello!

Introducing Garden Frame by Mama Elephant which forms part of the delightful goodies from their June release.  I have been happily Guest Designing for Mama Elephant last month and this.  Garden Frame is ever so pretty and whilst I haven't done a shaker card here, it does have an internal die so the frame can be entirely cut out or just the inside to make a shaker card.




For my card here, I've ink blended a dreamy background using 3 shades of Distress Inks.  I then die cut it give the faux stitched edge and layered that over a panel of toning pink cardstock which was in turn applied to the card base.
  


Next I stamped the image from Garden Frame with Versamark Ink and heat embossed it in Ultra Fine Silver Embossing Powder by Simon Says Stamp.   This was then applied to the blended panel with dimensional foam tape.

I wanted to keep this card super delicate and accented it with a few jewels by Pretty Pink Posh, including one in the centre of each of the two largest flowers.  This stamp set comes with some very useful sentiments and you can make very quick cards using it.



Final touch was to add random dots of silver gel pen into the ink blended background just to break it up a little and add very subtle twinkle (I can never resist).  Thank you for stopping by to read today, more coming soon!

Nicky x