Fishin' Hole + Pond Builder - Hello Bluebird Stamps

Hi!  I'm excited to share this card today featuring primarily the all new 'Pond Builder' die from the latest release from Hello Bluebird Stamps together with 3 Mallard ducks from the new Fishin' Hole stamp set.



The Pond Builder die is so useful and a great investment if you like creating water scenes because it makes it so easy!   I have lots of ideas for it going forwards, so stay tuned!

To make this card I took an A2 panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock.  I die cut it first with the water's edge die and the remaining top section was die cut with the wave 'bushy' die from the set.  I ink blended the 'pond' with Distress Ink in Peacock Feathers and the bushes behind the pond with Twisted Citron and Mowed Lawn.  Finally the sky was  blended in Tumbled Glass and the sentiment was stamped with Memento, Tuxedo Black.

Using more Bristol Smooth I cut two grassy edges from the Pond Builder set for the bottom of the card which were ink blended in the same two green shades previously mentioned.  I also die cut the Bulrushes and rocks from Pond Builder and for these I directly coloured them with Kuretake Zigs and then blended them out with a fine detailer waterbrush pen.  Finally I stamped the Mallard from Fishin' Hole 3 times, watercolour painted them then die cut.



Time to assemble!

I adhered the pond to my card base leaving a little unglued section along the top.  I then layered on the grass strips at the bottom.  Next I adhered the bushes behind the pond and the sky .... they all fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.  I applied glue and tucked some of the Bulrushes behind the back waterline (this is why I left an unglued margin at the top) and a couple more were inserted behind the grass in the foreground.

I glued the rocks in and around the water and with the ducks I glued the base of them but their heads are popped up on a little foam tape for dimension.  I used a Uniball Signo White gel pen to draw in by hand the ripples of water around the ducks and rocks and the final touch was the additional of a few sparkling clear sequins.

Card complete!

I encourage you to imagine the possibilities with this Pond Builder die.  Thanks for stopping by the blog today, see you next time!

Nicky x

Moose and Friends - Hello Bluebird

Hello, this is my second post of the day using the exciting new release stamps from Hello Bluebird.  Introducing Moose and Friends!



This card features a panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock that was ink blended ever so subtly with Distress Inks in Spun Sugar and Tumbled Glass.  The panel was then die cut to provide the faux stitched edge.  More Bristol Smooth was die cut twice with the Grassy Knoll grass edge dies from Hello Bluebird and these were softly ink blended with Cracked Pistachio and layered into the scene with foam tape.



On yet more Bristol Smooth (I do love this stuff!!!) I hand stamped all the images from Moose and Friends using Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil.  I selected a number of toning Kuretake Zig watercolour pens and watercolour painted everything and then fussy cut and applied them into the scene layered up on varying amounts of foam tape to build dimension.  Points were highlighted with a Signo Uniball White gel pen.



The Hooray balloon group was created the same way the animals were.  I then flipped it over and attached single strands of solid cream baker's twine and made sure that the twine lined up with the bottom of each tied balloon.  I cinched them together and adhered them behind the cake to anchor it.  The final touch was the addition of several tiny wooden butterfly embellishments.  The panel was adhered to an A2 110lb Neenah solar white cardstock base.

I hope you enjoyed my card - I just LOVED making this one and can't wait to work with this stamp set again, these characters are just so beautifully illustrated.

Thanks for stopping by!

Nicky x

Bee Happy - Hello Bluebird Stamps

Hello!  I am excited to share two new cards today featuring new release stamp sets by Hello Bluebird.  This post features Bee Happy!



This card features an A2 panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock that I softly ink blended using Distress Inks in Spun Sugar and Cracked Pistachio.  I splashed on a little water and quickly blotted it up with a kitchen towel to distress the background.  I die cut the panel to provide the simple faux stitched edge.



On more Bristol Smooth I hand stamped my images using Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black.  I watercolour painted the images using Kuretake Zigs and highlighted some points with a Uniball Signo White gel pen.  I die cut the images and applied them into the scene using foam tape to build dimension.



I stamped the sentiment onto a strip of cardstock that I ink blended in Spun Sugar to match the colour of the background and attached that with foam tape also.  I decided the grass/ground needed more definition so I used simple dots to build definition.  To achieve this I used a combination of a Distress Ink pen in Mowed Lawn and my Uniball Signo White gel pen.  I stamped the trails of the bees and added a few Nuvo drops for a finishing embellishment.

I just love this stamp set and hope that you do too.

On to the next card!

Nicky x

Peek A Boo Pals - Avery Elle

Hi!  Are you ready for a dose of cuteness?  Look no further than these Peek A Boo Pals by Avery Elle and their coordinating dies.



For this card I started out by die cutting a panel of smooth watercolour cardstock.  I die cut it twice using two of the dies from Dotted Border Elle-ments and ink blended with distress inks and distressed each of the 3 portions created with water and paint splashes.  I adhered the sky piece directly to the card base, the middle section with one layer of foam tape and for the lower portion I doubled up the foam tape.  I stamped the sentiment in archival ink.



I took more watercolour cardstock, stamped my images and using an archival pen, I drew in some glasses for the bear and dressed him and the monkey up.  Next I watercolour painted them and die cut them out.  Everything was adhered into position with foam tape for lots of dimension.  I highlighted a few areas in white and I gave each of their cute noses and the eye glasses a dimensional glossy accent for the finishing touch!



Thank you for stopping by the blog today and I hope you enjoyed the card and are feeling inspired.

Nicky x

Dandelion Wishes - Two New Cards

Hello!  My blog is a busy place today with new cards ready for both Avery Elle and Mama Elephant.   This post is for Dandelion Wishes by Mama Elephant, you might remember my 3D pop up box card from a couple of weeks ago which also used Dandelion Wishes.  No box cards today but two classically pretty cards that are relatively easy to make.



This first card features a hand stamped gingham background which is from Hello Bluebird Stamps.  I then aged the edge by ink blending with Antique Linen Distress Ink and die cut the panel with the wonky stitched edge by Mama Elephant.  I already had this white square frame die pre-cut from a previous project and I applied it popped up on foam tape.  On Bristol Smooth cardstock I hand stamped all of my images with Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black and watercolour painted them using Kuretake Zigs.  Colours used are Gray 090, Oatmeal 064, Pale Pink 028, Yellow Green 053, and Lemon Yellow 051.  They were die cut and then I just built the scene that you see here by means of layering and building depth using different amounts of Scotch foam tape.  The sentiment was stamped on a little strip of cardstock and also applied with foam tape.  The final touch was the addition of a few pearly white sequin accents.



For my second card I chose the same basic idea but gave it a slightly different look - less antiqued if you will!



I stamped a panel with a cozy plaid background stamp by Hello Bluebird using Simon Says Stamp Premium Dye Ink in Lake Shores.  I used another white frame die cut I had to hand and applied it with foam tape.  I stamped the sentiment and added it below.  When I stamped and watercolour painted my images for the last card I made enough extra images to complete this second one and so all of these components were painted with the exact same colours as listed above.  Once again I set about to arrange a dimensional scene with foam tape that was pleasing to my eye and finished this card off with some pretty sparkling clear flower sequins from Pretty Pink Posh for a little twinkle.



When you have stamp sets with lots of little images I find this basic layout a really good 'go to' design.

I hope you're inspired ... go forth and craft!

Nicky x

Deer Friend Shaker Card

Hello everybody, I'm both here and on the Hello Bluebird blog today with this Shaker Card using Deer Friend.



This card started with a panel of cardstock that was softly ink blended with green, pink and blue Distress Inks.  Next I constructed the shaker unit by taking an A2 panel of white cardstock and die cutting it using the Gallery Frame Die #1 from Hello Bluebird.  I lined this die cut with acetate and then applied a double layer of Scotch Foam Tape so there was plenty of space for the shaker contents to move around.   I powdered the edges of the foam tape to keep the seed beads and sequins moving around.  I put on my mixologist's hat when I made the mix that worked with the background.  With the the mix in the upturned window I sealed the back of the unit with the ink blended panel and applied it all to the card base which is a sturdy 110lb Neenah solar white.



I stamped the sentiment on the top of the frame and then grabbed some more Bristol Smooth cardstock and stamped out my images using Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black.   I watercolour painted everything using Kuretake Zigs and a waterbrush pen then die cut each image.



Each image was adhered to the shaker window either with tape runner tape and some other areas with little pieces of foam tape to add a little further dimension.



If you haven't tackled a shaker card before I encourage you to push yourself to do so, they are not difficult and they really take your card making to the next level and are sure to please the happy recipient!

Until the next time then ........

Nicky x

Hippos On Holiday - Hello Bluebird Stamps

Hello Friends!

Initially I wasn't going to blog about this card, especially as I was in such a creative flow this week (it's been very productive) but I got some enquiries on Instagram about it so I thought I'd share here a little more detail including products and colours used.



I think the impact of this card is in the colour combination, the rest is just scene building and layering.  So I took a panel of A2 Bristol Smooth cardstock (I favour Strathmore).  I ink blended it with Distress Oxide Ink in Spiced Marmalade and splashed it with water and blotted it dry a few seconds later.   I die cut the panel with the stitched edge and applied it to the card base.  With another panel of Bristol Smooth I die cut it to match the stitched edge and then die cut 3 'waves' from Avery Elle.  I casually ink blended these from dark to light using Distress Oxide in Peacock Feathers and splashed them up with some paint splashes using  Peacock Feathers mixed with a little water.  Once dry I dotted in some Uniball Signo White gel pen.



I adhered my 3 wave die cuts to the card panel making sure to keep the tops of the waves glue free in order to tuck my hippos in later.  I took yet more Bristol Smooth cardstock and stamped up my images using Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black.  I watercolour painted them using my Kuretake Zigs.  The hippos and the gray points on the seagulls are done using Blue Gray 092.  Blushing cheeks and the pink on the beach balls courtesy of Light Pink 026.  The remaining 3 colours used are Yellow 050, Orange 070 and Light Blue 036.



I die cut all the characters etc and decided upon my layout and adhered everything with Scotch Foam Tape for dimension.  I selected my sentiment, stamped it with Archival Ink on to a little piece of scrap cardstock and once dry I took a blending tool with a little of the Spiced Marmalade Distress Oxide Ink on it and coloured it up so that it blended into the 'sky'.  The sentiment strip was applied with foam tape.

To add sequins or not to add sequins THAT is the question?!  I decided not to but instead I grabbed a bottle of Stickles in 'Crystal' which reflects blues and greens and I did tiny dots of it throughout the water and into the whiter part of the 'sky'.  Doesn't photograph but it does give a sweet twinkle when the card is handled and it catches the light.

Another card complete!

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you next time!

Nicky x

Pig Day - Hello Bluebird

Hello friends!

Today I have another card to share with you using Pig Day by Hello Bluebird Stamps.  It is possible this is my favourite stamp set of all time, but I'm not fully ready to commit to that statement just yet!



I took two A2 panels of Bristol Smooth cardstock and blended one with pink Distress Oxide and added some water and paint splashes, this was then die cut with the faux stitched edge and set to one side.  The other A2 panel was die once with the same faux stitched edge then further cut 3 times to provide the grassy edge from the 'Grassy Knoll' die set from Hello Bluebird.  This left one additional negative die cut which I flipped upside down and all 4 were ink blended in Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide Ink.


I layered up the grassy edges and adhered them but I made sure not to add adhesive near the top of each edge because I knew I'd be tucking my piglets behind tufts of grass.  I used a Uniball Signo White gel pen to add daisy dots into the grass.



I took yet more Bristol Smooth cardstock I stamped my Pig Time images with Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black.  I watercolour painted them using Kuretake Zigs in Pale Pink 028 and Light Pink 026 (for their blushing cheeks and ears) and highlighted their cheeks using the Uniball Signo again.  The little birds were painted with Beige 072 and given a few white speckles.  The animals were all die cut and applied with Scotch foam tape and a pompom was added to the one piglet's party hat.  The sentiments were stamped onto black cardstock with Versamark Ink and heat embossed in Super Fine White Embossing Powder and applied with foam tape.  I then decided to add a couple of puffy white clouds from Rainbow Sky Die from Hello Bluebird just to balance out the scene.   I adhered the decorative panel to an A2 110lb white cardstock base and voila!  Card done!



I think it is safe to say this is FAR from the last Pig Time card I'll be creating and sharing!  Happy crafting everybody, please feel free to leave questions and comments, I'd love to hear from you.

Nicky x

Springtime - Hello Bluebird Stamps

Hello!  Thanks for swinging by the blog today to read about this card made using Springtime by Hello Bluebird Stamps.



To make this card I created two A2 panels of Bristol Smooth cardstock.  I ink blended each of them to match one another using Distress Ink in Cracked Pistachio and blending it to a fade.  I distressed the panels with water splashes that were blotted up after a few seconds.  I adhered one panel to the card base and the second panel was die cut using the Gallery Frame Die #1 I only used the outer portion for this project and this was adhered to the other panel using dimensional foam tape.



The next step was to stamp out my images using Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black onto more Bristol Smooth.  I die cut them and then watercolour painted using Kuretake Zigs and highlighted some points with a Uniball Signo White Gel Pen.   I had some negative offcuts from die cutting the frame and I used a piece that had some of the minty green on it to stamp the Happy Birthday sentiment and applied this to the top of the scene with foam tape and decided on a layout for the animals and flowers and adhered them the same way.



At this point I considered the finishing touches.  For this card I decided to use a toning Kuretake Zig and add by hand some texture in the form of subtle strokes to give a look of grass under the feet of the lamb and frog and then I grabbed Liquid Pearls in Mint Green and dotted in some dimensional 'blobs', setting the card aside for those to dry completely for a couple of hours.

Hope you enjoyed the card, see you next time and feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Nicky x

Just Sayin' - Hello Bluebird

Hello!  Today I'm back with another card using all products by Hello Bluebird Stamps.  Specifically the card uses Just Sayin' which was one of the stamp sets from the lovely May release.



This sweet trio of furry friends each hold a sign and together with all the wonderful mix and match words included in the set you can spell out all number of messages for your project.



My card started with a panel of A2 cardstock which I stamped using the Cozy Plaid Background Stamp ......instant background!!!  I trimmed the panel by 1/8th of an inch.  Over this I layered a grassy panel that was die cut using the Grassy Knoll Die which I ink blended with Cracked Pistachio Distress Ink and used one of the little tuft of grass stamps from Deer Friend to create a little grassy interest.



On Strathmore Bristol Smooth watercolour cardstock I stamped the three little characters and their balloons using Ranger Archival Ink in black.  I delicately watercolour painted everything using my Kuretake Zigs and highlighted some points with a Uniball Signo White gel pen.  I chose my words from the selection and stamped them.  Everything was applied to the scene using Scotch Foam tape with a single layer behind everything except for the little bear who is front and centre who is on a double layer ..... because I adore him and his sweet sincere face!



I adhered the now finished panel to an A2 white cardstock base with a layer of white craft foam in between to lift it up and cards survive the mail with this layer of 'squish'.  The final touch was the application of a scattering of crystal clear sequins.

Thank you for stopping by the blog today, it has been my pleasure to share this card making tutorial with you.  Happy crafting and see you next time!

Nicky x

Rainy Day - Hello Bluebird

Hello!

I've probably said it before and I'll probably say it again but I'm just so deeply in love with the illustrations by Hello Bluebird Stamps.  I am sharing a card with you today made with Rainy Day one of my favourite stamp sets from their May release.




The card also uses many dies from Grassy Knoll.  This die set is so useful for all your scene building what with the choices of clouds and grassy edges.



First job was to die cut my cloud form and grassy edges using Bristol Smooth cardstock and I ink blended them using Distress Inks starting out with some intensity and then blending it out to a faded or ombré finish.  I took another A2 panel of Bristol Smooth and again ink blended it then stamped on the rain with white pigment ink and adhered it to my 110lb white cardstock base.



I stamped my sentiment from Rainbow Script and then layered the cloud and grassy edges into the scene using dimensional foam tape.  Next, I turned my attention to the adorable characters.  Taking more Bristol Smooth I stamped my images with Archival Ink in black then watercolour painted them using Kuretake Zigs.  I highlighted a few points with a Uniball Signo white gel pen then die cut and adhered them with more foam tape.



I didn't feel the card required any further embellishment other than to put a little jewel for the tag on the puppy's collar.  Project complete!

Thank you for stopping by and reading here for a couple of minutes, I appreciate it!

Until the next time then .....

Nicky x

Animal Parade - Background Card

Hi to you all, thank you for stopping by to read.  Today I'm sharing my final card for this May release by Mama Elephant.  This card once again features 'Animal Parade'.



I die cut a panel of Strathmore Bristol Smooth using the Cloud Nine Creative Cuts which gives the cute wonky stitched edge.  I stamped the sentiment in the centre and then stamped the imagines of the animals I wanted using black archival ink.  I delicately watercolour painted them.



I applied this panel to the card base with a layer of craft foam sandwiched in between which makes the card feel really substantial and in fact cards using craft foam survive the rigours of the mail system so much better!



I then lay the card flat and using different coloured Nuvo Drops I applied dimensional dots for juggling balls over the sweet penguin and set it aside to dry for a couple of hours.



I'm a big fan of these background cards, I love the wallpaper affect and I hope you enjoyed it too.  Thanks for stopping by to read.  Until the next time .....

Nicky x

She's So Lovely

Hi everyone!  I'm back for the second day in a row with two cards featuring She's So Lovely from the upcoming May release by Mama Elephant who I am happily guest designing for.



In brief the card features a softly ink blended ink panel (I used distress inks) that was then die cut using the largest rectangular die from the new Basic Rectangles Creative Cuts.  It was applied to the base with a layer of craft foam sandwiched in between.  I then die cut the envelope and little note card using the new  'Pocket Envie Creative Cuts' from pale peach cardstock and applied it to the scene after stamping both of the sentiments in archival ink



On Strathmore Bristol Smooth watercolour cardstock, I stamped the sweet girls with archival ink in black and then watercolour painted them with my Zigs and die cut everything out and applied them popped up on dimensional foam tape.  I die cut several mini hearts from glittering silver cardstock and glued them to the scene for a finishing touch.



My second card using She's So Lovely from the May release is a shaker card!



The card also uses the new 'Oh Happy Day' stamp set which I stamped with Versamark Ink then heat embossed with white ultra fine embossing powder on an distress ink blended panel.



Next I used the largest and the second largest dies from the new Basic Rectangles Creative Cuts to create a frame from white cardstock.  I applied acetate to the back of the frame and edged it with dimensional foam tape that I used my powder tool on in order to avoid the shaker contents sticking to it!  I inverted the frame filled it with glitter and sequins and then sealed it with the distressed panel and then applied the whole shaker unit to the card base.



The final step was to stamp my girls from She's So Lovely onto Strathmore Bristol Smooth watercolour cardstock using Ranger Archival Ink in black.  I watercolour painted them using my Zigs and highlighted some points with a Uniball Signo White pen and then together with the stamped sentiment I applied the to the shaker window



.... and there you have it, two cards with She's So Lovely and there are several other adorable girls in the stamp set coupled with some useful sentiments.

I do thank you for stopping by to read, see you next time with more from the May release.

Nicky x

Animal Parade

I'm totally head over heals excited to be guest designing for Mama Elephant this May and June and maybe beyond.  The materials for the new release are everything you want them to be from Mama Elephant and my first card here uses Animal Parade.



This card features an alcohol ink background that I distressed with white acrylic paint splashes and the tiniest dots of Stickles glitter for a playful twinkle.  I die cut the panel using the largest die from the new 'Basic Rectangles' Creative Cuts which is a comprehensive die set featuring several sizes and a rectangular window die.



On Strathmore Bristol Smooth watercolour cardstock I stamped all of the images, I die cut them and then watercolour painted each of using Kuretake Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers.  They were applied to the scene using dimensional foam tape.  They appear to be marching along a road taken from Cityscape Creative Cuts which I die cut from silver cardstock.



The final touch was to highlight a few points with my Uniball Signo White pen and then using Nuvo drops, I created the juggling balls over the little penguin.  The card panel is adhered to the card base with a layer of craft foam in between because I like my cards to feel substantial!

Hope you like the card, I will be back with more cards over the next 3 days, sometimes at the rate of 2 a day!

Thanks for reading,

Nicky x