First Snow - Hello Bluebird Stamps

Hi, welcome to my blog and to this new winter themed card that uses First Snow, Frosty Flakes and the Gallery Frame #4 Die by Hello Bluebird Stamps.

To make these reindeer creating snow angels card. I first use the die to cut the snow angel shape 3 times out of glitter cardstock.  I then placed this glitter panel over a panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock in my Misti and I placed the stamp images within the die cut opening and stamped using Ink On 3 ink for no line watercolour painting.  I repeat this 2 more times for the other openings.

I watercolour painted the images using Kuretake Zigs, highlighted points with a white gel pen  and adhered the panel to a card base.   I went over the snow angel edge lines with a silvery/gold gel pen.  The glitter panel was backed with dimensional foam tape and layered over the top and the frame was die cut and backed with more foam tape and also applied.   Super chunky, dimensional card!

To finish the card I die cut several snowflakes from the Frosty Flakes Die and applied them with a sparkling clear sequin in the centre for some extra twinkle.  Finally, the sentiment was stamped and applied with yet more foam tape (I won't lie .... I get through this stuff)!!!!

Happy crafting!

Nicky x

Field Mice - Hello Bluebird Stamps

Hi!  A new project for Hello Bluebird Stamps today that uses the unbelievably adorable Field Mice stamp set, one of my all time favourites!



To make this card I took a panel of cardstock and using a cloud stencil in my stash I  delicately ink blended the clouds and then nearer the bottom I used a Clarity Stencil Brush to brush in some 'grass'.  I used a die in my stash to give it the faux stitched edge and then this panel was adhered to a 110lb cover weight white cardstock base.


On Strathmore Bristol Smooth I stamped all the images from Field Mice using Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil.   They were watercolour painted  using Kuretake Zigs then die cut and applied to the scene either directly or with foam tape to build depth.



Finally, I stamped the two sentiments on strips of cardstock and applied those with more foam tape.

A few sparkling clear sequins completed the scene.

Happy crafting!

Nicky x

Meadow Bunnies - New Release from Hello Bluebird Stamps

The long wait is over and Hello Bluebird has a brand new release available to purchase, it will go live at 7pm MST on April, 9th.  Be there!

The first card I'm previewing features 'Meadow Bunnies' and the background is called 'Pathway'.



This card features a watercolour painted background.  I stamped the Pathway image using Ink on 3 and watercolour painted using Kuretake Zigs and Tombow ABTs for a no line affect.  This panel was then die cut with a stitched edge from my stash and attached to a card base.



On Copic friendly cardstock I stamped out my images from Meadow Bunnies.   I coloured them with Copic markers E41, E42, E55 and E44.  I blushed their cheeks with R30 and R20 and highlighted some points with a white gel pen.  They were fussy cut (dies are coming a little later) and backed them with either a single or double layer of foam tape and applied them to the background scene.



I used a bright orange gel pen and dotted in a few 'flowers' and stamped and applied the sentiment.  I decided for this one no other embellishment was necessary and with that the card was complete.

Here's a little look at my bunny colouring below.  I didn't manage to get all of those cuties on to my card so I'm sure the extras will crop up in a future project!



Take a moment and visit the Hello Bluebird blog today and comment for a chance at winning the GIVEAWAY which will be announced just prior to the release.

Nicky x

Field Mice with Rainbow Sky Die - Hello Bluebird Designs

I have a new card for Hello Bluebird Stamps today that features the darling Field Mice stamp set in combination with the Birch Trees Die and the Rainbow Sky Die.



To kick things off I ink blended a panel with Tumbled Glass and a little Spun Sugar.   I die cut the rainbow shapes from the Rainbow Sky Die and ink blended the edges with pastel Distress Inks and adhered them to the background.  Layered over that I placed a white die cut like low clouds from the After The Rain Scene Die.  Almost done with the background, I also die cut the Birch Trees and edged this in Antique Linen Distress Ink and a little Ice Spruce too.  These too were applied to the scene.



I used the Grassy Knoll die to die cut two strips of grass from cardstock I had ink blended with Spun Sugar.  I applied this to the background panel.

I die cut the white frame using the Gallery Frame #1 die.  I backed it with foam tape and applied it.   The skinny pink frame can produced by using any of the Hello Bluebird Scene dies.  I made mine from toning pale pink cardstock and directly glued it.

On Strathmore Bristol Smooth cardstock I stamped the images of the mice from Field Mice using Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil.  I watercolour painted the images using Kuretake Zigs, highlighted the cheeks and other points with a white gel pen  and backed them with foam tape and applied them so that they were looking into each other's eyes.



A couple of quick finishing touches.  First of all I stamped the sentiment and applied it popped up on foam tape and I found a pretty little heart embellishment in my stash and floated that above the sweet twosome.  The whole decorative panel was then attached to a 110lb cover weight white cardstock base which is necessary for such a substantial card.

I appreciate you stopping by today, happy crafting!

Nicky x

Fly A Kite - Hello Bluebird Stamps

Hello, thanks for coming by the blog today to read about my latest card for Hello Bluebird Stamps that features the Fly A Kite stamp set and also the background image from Storybook Friends.



To create this card I first stamped the background image from Storybook Friends on to Bristol Smooth cardstock.   I watercolour painted using Kuretake Zigs and then I placed a layer of vellum over the scene to softly diffuse it and it gives a more dimensional look.   The panel was attached to a 110lb white cardstock base and set to one side.



On Bristol Smooth I stamped the images from Fly A Kite and watercolour painted using Kuretake Zigs.  Images were die cut and backed with foam tape and applied to the scene.

The frame was die cut using the Gallery Frame #4 Die, backed with foam tape and applied and the sentiment was also stamped and adhered with foam tape.



To finish the card I grabbed pink and white  gels pens and dotted in 'flowers' and I applied a few sparkling clear sequins as a final embellishment.

Thank you for stopping by to read and happy crafting!

Nicky x

A Beautiful Day - Purple Onion Designs

I have sweet little Valentine's style card for you today featuring stamps from A Beautiful Day, illustrated by Stacey Yacula for Purple Onion Designs.



My card started with creating the background.  My inspiration was a favourite and faded seersucker pink plaid tablecloth I have.  I recreated it using the Plaid Background Stencils by Honey Bee Stamps.  This is a 4 part stencil and you don't have to use all 4 but I did.  To recreate the faded charm of the tablecloth I used a Clarity Stencil Brush to softly brush on Distress Ink in Worn Lipstick, only this colour was used to create what you see.  This panel was die cut to give it the simple faux stitched edge.



A piece of pale pink cardstock was die cut with a grass edge and then ink blended with more of the Worn Lipstick ink.   I stamped the sentiment which you can find HERE.  This was backed with foam tape and applied to the background which in turn was adhered to a 110lb cover white cardstock base.

On Bristol Smooth cardstock I stamped the images from A Beautiful Day using Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil.  I watercolour painted them using Kuretake Zigs and then set about fussy cutting everything.  They were backed with foam tape and adhered to the scene.



Cheeks were highlighted with a white gel pen and for a little bubbly fun I added some Nuvo drops  around them.

Happy crafting!

Nicky x

Cupids - Avery Elle Stamps

Hey there, it's Nicky with you today with a slimline card featuring the pretty Cupids stamp set by Avery Elle Stamps.



To create this slimline card that measure 8 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches I made a base and then created a panel to decorate.  I ink blended with Distress Ink in Tattered Rose leaving a focal point in the centre.  I stamped and heat embossed in gold the string of hearts, I also stamped the sentiment and then applied this background to the base.



On Copic friendly cardstock the images from Cupids were stamped using Memento ink in Tuxedo Black.  The images were coloured with Copic markers then die cut, backed with foam tape and applied to the scene.



To complete this card I chose some pale peach coloured sequins from my stash and applied them with glue.

Card complete and I hope this inspires your own Valentine's projects.  Happy crafting!

Nicky x

Pig Card for Hello Bluebird Stamps

Hello everybody and happy new year!   I'm kicking off 2020 by combining the Hello Bluebird Stamps pig stamp sets have always been amongst my very favourites, they are scaled to work together seamlessly and so I created this colourful birthday card.



To create this card I first ink blended a panel using Distress Oxide Ink in Blueprint Sketch and another panel using DI in Crushed Olive.  The sky was splashed with water droplets which I quickly blotted up and the grass portion splattered with more Crushed Olive ink.  The sky portion was attached to my cardstock base and the grass portion was die cut using the Grassy Knoll die.  It was backed with dimensional foam tape and applied to the sky portion.

I die cut some clouds from the Maverick set.   Each cloud is a 'double' in that I stuck one down directly and the second one was layered directly over the top with foam tape so you get a nice dimensional look when you view it from an angle.   The Big Birthday Wishes sentiment comes from More Jungle Littles.



On Bristol Smooth cardstock I used Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil to stamp my pigs and other images from Merry Pigs, Pig Day and Beach Babes.  They were watercolour painted using a limited colour palette of Kuretake Zigs in Light Pink (cheeks), Scarlet Red, Ochre, Cornflower Blue and Light Gray.  The pigs were done with Tombow ABT's in 800, 761 and 942.  Images were die cut, backed with either one or two layers of foam tape and applied.



A few points were highlighted with a white gel pen and a few sparkling clear sequins were attached for a little sparkly interest.

I hope that 2020 proves to be a very creative year for you and that you find lots of inspiration from here on my blog.   Consider signing up to have each new email post mailed to you and never miss another one.

Nicky x

Winston - Purple Onion Designs

Hi, I have a new card for you today using the adorable little Winston from Purple Onion Designs as illustrated by Stacey Yacula Studio.



The card also features Garden Bushes which I stamped twice onto Bristol Smooth cardstock.  I also stamped Winston, May (the flying bird) and  Finch the little bird in the shirt.  I used my favourite ink for watercolour painting - Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil.  I painted all of my images and here is a list of the colours used.  Kuretake Zigs in Mid Gray 096, Beige 072, Warm Gray(2) 900, May Green 047, Light Green 041 and Mid Green 046.  Cheeks were blushed using a Tombow ABT in shade 761.  A few points were highlighted with a Uni-Ball Signo white gel pen.



I masked off the bushes at their base and ink blended the grass using Distress Ink in Cracked Pistachio. The mask was removed and I fussy cut the bush line.  I took another A2 panel of cardstock and ink blended it for the sky using Distress Ink in Peacock Feathers.  I applied the grass and bushes over the sky panel with dimensional foam tape.  I also fussy cut the bunny and birds and also attached them with foam tape.   I die cut a slim frame using kraft cardstock.  I backed the frame with foam tape and applied it.



The final touches were to stamp the sentiment.  I then hand dotted and flecked in tufts of grass using a Kuretake Zig in Green Shadow 049  which nicely tones with the Cracked Pistachio.  I blended it out a little with a waterbrush pen and dotted in some white daisies.

I found the wooden floral daises in my sequin stash and adhered them using Ranger Multi Medium Matte which is beautifully strong.

Hope you enjoyed my card, thanks for stopping by.

Nicky x

Silly Birds - Hello Bluebird

Hello!  Thanks for coming by today to read about this slimline card using Silly Birds by Hello Bluebird Stamps.

Finished dimensions of this card are 8 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches with a panel cut at 8.2 x 3.2 inches - you can make this entire card using just one panel of cardstock and it leaves you a handy sentiment strip too!  You can find standard envelopes for this card size by searching for Slimline, Invitation, #9 or Size 9 envelopes.

I ink blended the panel using Distress Inks in Mowed Lawn, Tumbled Glass and Spun Sugar.  I achieved the soft look by using Clarity Stencil Brushes.  I stamped my images on Bristol Smooth cardstock using Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil.  I watercolour painted them using the following colours - Kuretake Zigs in Light Carmine 021, Light Blue 036 and Light Green 041.  I also used a Tombow in 991.  I die cut the images and decided on an arrangement.  I stamped the sentiment then snapped a photo on my iPhone so that I could be sure of where everything was in case I forgot the arrangement and then set about applying each component using dimensional foam tape.

I adhered the panel to the card base and the finishing touches were to highlight one or two areas with a Uni-ball Signo white gel pen and then I used Ranger Multi Medium Matte to glue the water droplet style embellishments which are by Pretty Pink Posh.

Thanks for coming by to read ..... and see you next time!

Nicky x

VW Bus - Purple Onion Designs - Design Team Announcement!

Hey everybody I have some exciting news to share with you today .... I have been invited to join the Purple Onion Designs Design Team and I can't wait for all the creativity that lies ahead.

I've got a cute card for you today that seems quite fitting for the occasion and it features the incredibly sweet VW Bus and Trio of Balloons by Purple Onion Designs as illustrated by Stacey Yacula.  The scene also includes the Stacked Luggage with Bird stamp that nicely compliments the bus.



This is one of my slimline cards (use my search feature to find more) the finished dimensions of which are 8 1/12 x 3 1/2 inches with my panel cut to 8.2 x 3.2 and you can make this from one sheet of new cardstock with only a slim strip left over making it very economical and those strips are great to keeping for sentiments!  Envelopes for this size of card can easily be sourced by searching for slimline, invitation, #9 or size 9 envelopes.



I started by masking off an edge around my panel and then using Clarity Stencil Brushes I delicately ink blended using Distress Inks in Spun Sugar, Squeezed Lemonade and Dried Marigold which is a favourite combo of mine.  I finished by squishing a little Picked Raspberry onto my acrylic block and then spritzing a little water into it and then using a paint brush I splattered a few times to distress the background and then a few more times after that just with water alone.  This all makes the background so soft and dreamy.



I removed the mask and set the panel aside whilst I stamped my images onto Bristol Smooth cardstock using Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil and that I then watercolour painted using the following colours.  Kuretake Zigs in Warm Gray 900, Beige 072, Mid Gray 096, Bright Yellow 052, Light Carmine 021 and Haze Blue 302.  Also used was a Tombow ABT 020.  All images were then fussy cut out - nothing too complicated here but I did use a craft knife for in between the balloon strings!  

I decided on my exact layout and stamped my three sentiments with more of the Potting Soil Ink then applied dimensional foam tape behind the bus and balloons and applied them to the scene.



The final touch was to delve into my substantial sequin stash and find a variety of toning sequins which I glued using Ranger Multi Medium Matte.  The panel was attached to the card base using my Scotch Tape Runner and my card was complete.

Thanks for coming by to read today!  I'll be back very soon with new inspiration.

Nicky x

Sweetheart Owl and Arbor Valentine's Card - Purple Onion Designs

Hello!  I have a sweet little watercolour painted Valentine's card to share with you today using product from Purple Onion Designs I have always enjoyed using the stamps illustrated by the talented Stacey Yacula.



For this card I used Clarity Stencil brushes to delicately ink blend the background using Distress Inks in Tumbled Glass and Shabby Shutters.  I then die cut the panel for some simple interest to give it the faux stitched edge.



On Bristol Smooth cardstock I stamped my arbor stamp three times and also the sweetheart owl and the two little birdies using Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil.  Needing more hearts to place in the vines I stamped just that part of the owl stamp several times.  Everything was watercolour painted using Kuretake Zigs.  Colours used for this card are .... Beige 072, Oatmeal 064, Mid Gray 096, Light Pink 026, Light Green 041 and Carmine Red 022.



Points were highlighted with a Uni-ball Signo white gel pen and then I set to work fussy cutting out all the images.  It was super fiddly but totally worth it because I wanted a great deal of dimension on my card.  Once cut I adhered them to my background panel with either a single or double layer of dimensional foam tape.  I flecked in the grass by hand using the Zig in Light Green again.  For the sentiment, I curved it on to my stamping block and stamped with the Potting Soil ink again and added two little exclamation points by hand.



To complete the 'dewy garden' look and feel I pulled out some water droplet embellishments and dotted them around glueing with Ranger Multi Medium Matte since it dries clear and adheres strong!

Hope you enjoyed my card, thank you for coming by the blog to read today.

Happy crafting!

Nicky x

'And Then' Sentiment Set - Avery Elle

Hello everybody!  I'm sharing a card using the new And Then  sentiment stamp set from the most recent Avery Elle release.

Since the sentiments in this set are slightly chunky/oversized I decided I'd do a larger than normal card and I'm pretty much addicted to 'Slimline' cards right now.  The finished dimensions are 3 1/2" x 8 1/2", so cut an A4 panel of cardstock at 7 inches then score and fold in half (4 bar).  My panel was cut from the remainder of the sheet and is sized 3.2" x 8.2".  These cards fit a standard 'slimline' envelope which is easily found in online searches.



I ink blended my panel using Distress Ink in Mermaid Lagoon.  I then took a couple of different stencils that I had and used different sized circles from each, moving it about and ink blending using White Pigment Ink to create a bubbly or bokeh affect.  I stamped the sentiment with black archival ink and dotted in a few spots using a Uni-Ball Signo white gel pen.



On Bristol Smooth cardstock I stamped my images from Swans and watercolour painted them using Kuretake Zigs.  I fussy cut the images out and adhered them using foam tape for dimension.  I backed the panel with white craft foam and stuck it to the card base.



The final touch was to draw the ripples of water around the swans again using the Uniball Signo White gel pen.

Card complete!  Thanks for coming by today, I'll see you next time .......

Nicky x

Tea With Friends & Picnic With Friends - Mama Elephant

Hi!  I have a pretty card to share with you today where I've combined both Tea With Friends and Picnic With Friends by Mama Elephant.



The scale of these two stamp sets is perfect for combining as you can see and in order to fit everything into the one card, I opted for one of my slimline cards.  Finished dimensions are 8 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches with a panel cut at 8.2 x 3.2 inches - it can be made from one new panel of cardstock with just a skinny strip left over (useful for sentiments).  My panel was ink blended using Clarity Stencil Brushes.  Colours used are Distress Inks in Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky and Shabby Shutters.



I stamped all of the images using Bristol Smooth cardstock and Ranger Archival Ink in Coffee.  I watercolour painted the images using Kuretake Zigs in Oatmeal 064, Brown 060, Pale Rose 230, Beige 072, Blue Gray 092, Mid Grey 096, Light Pink 026 and Carmine Red 022.

Everything was die cut and I decided on an arrangement, took a photo on my phone so that I didn't forget it and then I set about adhering everything into the scene, sometime glueing it directly and sometimes popped up on dimensional foam tape.

I dotted in some crumbs and flecked in some tufts of grass directly with my Zigs and the final touch was delicately glittering a few areas as if glistening in the sunshine (it is super subtle).  I backed the panel with white craft foam and adhered it to the card base.  I had some left over little birds which I adhered inside the card where I also stamped a Happy Birthday sentiment.




I do thank you for stopping by the blog to read about this card today.  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