Magic Mini Stamps with Kriti

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I had the opportunity to join another Altenew virtual workshop last Friday. What's really special about this workshop is an AECP Educator candidate, @craftyromantic, gets to teach us with her final project. 

The focus of the class is the use of small stamps. I don't have the flower stamp Kriti used on her card. I used the Altenew Charming Bouquet stamp set which is a freebie from Altenew. This stamp set was especially mailed separately by Altenew and it was also created especially for the recipient because it includes a stamp of your name. 

I stamped the floral cluster on a light weight cardstock 3 times since the card being created has a wreath. I used Memento Tuxedo Black ink which is a Copic friendly ink.

This is when the hard work starts for my hands. I colored the floral bundle image using the colors Kriti used on her flowers. She used the Altenew Alcohol markers which I don't have so I used my Copic markers which are also alcohol markers. I used 4 shades of red on the flowers (R05, R17, R29, R59), 2 shades of yellow green (YG01, YG03) and 2 shades of green (G21, G28) for the leaves. I don't think I have colored this much in a short span of time. 

Even though I tried my best, I still went over the lines when coloring the flower centers. A trick I learned in the class is to use gold gel pen to color those centers and over the alcohol markers. Such a great tip.

I have to fussy cut the bouquet since it does not have a matching die. More exercise for my hands.

I used a different embossing folder for my background panel since I don't have the embossing folder Kriti used on her card. I used the Altenew Raised Sentiments embossing folder. I embossed a shimmer white cardstock using this embossing folder.

I heat embossed a large sentiment from the Altenew Build A Garden: Sulfur Cosmos stamp set. I stamped the sentiment on white cardstock using a black pigment ink. I poured clear embossing powder onto the wet ink then heat set it. I die cut the sentiment using the matching die. I die cut two extra pieces on white cardstock. I stacked and adhered this to the back of the stamped sentiment.

I arranged the bouquet of flowers on the embossed card panel the same way as Kriti's wreath on her card. I adhered the flowers and the sentiment to the panel.

I was not able to create the second card which is an easy watercolored card. The technique of adding a light wash of halo around the watercolored images is something I will consider doing in my future watercoloring projects. 

I had a great time especially at the end when Erum was open to questions regarding the AECP workshop. She and the rest of the group were very encouraging. I just really need to pick a date and host my own workshop.

I hope you like today's card. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.
 

Eclipse Background Greeting Card

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. It is time for a new sketch at Stick It Down Scrapbook and Card Making Challenge on FB. As always, there are 3 sketch options to choose from. Pick one or better yet pick all 3.

I have two cards created for this month's sketch with one of them being an accident. I overlooked the sketch and thought there were 5 squares on the background only to find out there were only 3. I already cut the patterned paper. I did not want to put this aside and potentially forget about it. I just went ahead and created it into a card as a different interpretation of the sketch.

I did the eclipse technique on the background of both cards. Eclipse technique is when you pop up a die cut creating a subtle dimension on the card. 

After I trimmed the patterned paper into 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", I die cut the rectangles on this panel using a Hero Arts nesting rectangle die set. I kept the dies together using a less tacky tape to maintain the distance of the rectangles. I die cut 2 more white 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" cardstock panels using these arranged rectangle dies. I die cut 2 sets for each card. 

I adhered the white cardstock die cuts to the back of the patterned paper rectangle die cuts but only to the die cuts that are patterned on the sketch. The outer rectangle is layered. The one next to it is not. So on and so forth until I get to the inner rectangle. Both cards have a total of 2 dimensional frames.

For the frames that were not raised, I pounced the frame die cut to an embossing pad. I poured holographic embossing powder over the sticky ink and heat set it until the powder was melted. I had to repeat it again since some of the glittered powder was blown away by the heat gun. I don't think that was a wise choice since some of the glitters from the frame got stuck to the embossing pad. Oh, well.

I used an Altenew die for the flower and leaves. I die cut these on patterned paper and colored cardstock based on a color from the plaid pattern. I did a bit of ink blending on the base layer of the flower and leaves using a small blending brush. I only added glue to the center of the detailed flower die cut and the spine of the detailed leaf die cut so I can zhush this layer for an additional dimension. 

For the sentiment, I did foiling which is really hard work for me. Somehow, I always end up with trial and errors before coming up with a nice foiled piece. I used a blue foil on a red cardstock for the red card, and a silver foil on blue cardstock for the other card. I used a craft knife to cut the foiled sentiment leaving a small border around it. I fussy cut the curved corners. This foil sentiment set is from Altenew which has a matching die available.

 

To compare my cards with the sketch, I used a rectangle instead of a square card. I also used a vertical sentiment instead of a horizontal one.

I hope you like today's cards. Please join this month's challenge. I can't wait to see your take on the sketches.

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared these cards at

Challenge 3~Anything Goes #9

Pastel Fussy Cut Striped Card

 

Hello! I am back at the Blank Page Muse Blog with this card. The stamps I used on this card are the BPM Beyond the Border Mixed Media Set 1 clear stamps and the BPM Happy Birthday Phrase rubber stamp. 

Instead of using foam strips on this card, to add dimension to the fussy cut borders, I stacked several strips of scrap white cardstock cut at 1/4" wide. I stacked three pieces of the strips. In using strips, I created dimension without too much bulk a foam strip creates. The paper strips does not get squished flat like the foam adhesive when sent by mail. Best of all, I get to use my scrap paper stash. 

I adhered the stacked strip to the back of the fussy cut stamped border.

I adhered the stacked borders to a 4" x 5 1/4" white cardstock panel.

I adhered the borders alternating the colors until the panel is filled with the borders.

I adhered the panel to an A2 top folding note card. The sentiment was heat embossed on vellum using gold embossing powder. 

I hope you like today's project. Please visit the BPM Blog for more details on how I created this card. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this card at

Simon Says: Anything Goes #125

Valentine Pop-up Interactive Card with Stickers

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I created this project to participate in the Paper Source Stuck On You Valentine's Day Card Making Contest. The only requirement is to use any sticker in the design to be considered to win. I just inherited some craft supplies from my coworker Christina. These are craft supplies of her late mother. I am very much impressed on how organized her mom was with her supplies. 

I chose some stickers from the stash which I used on this project. It will be a very nice way to remember her mom. Too bad, this project needs to be mailed to Paper Source because if not, I would have given it to Christina. 

I also used some left-over Paper Source stickers which I used on a Valentine's class giveaway project when my youngest son is still in 4th Grade. The sticker set has been been discontinued.

I usually sketch my design on my notebook especially when it involves a lot of products that comes from different manufacturers. It helps me organize my creative process, which part of the project I should make first.

The interactive portion of this pop-up card is the pull-out hearts from the mailbox. Most of the die cuts I used are from Lawn Fawn. 

I adhered the stickers back to back with the embroidery floss sandwiched in between the hearts. The back portion of the hearts is stamped with a message which you can partly see on the photo below. 

The heart stickers and flowers are from Christina's mom's craft stash.

I had to permanently glue the flag of the mailbox. I usually will add a brad to this to make it move but I am afraid that this will hinder the mechanism of the pull-out hearts if I use a brad. 

I thought I had a fence die but since I don't, I die cut these posts on white cardstock using a Hero Arts Wood Frame Infinity Die. I snipped one edge to have a triangular edge. I adhered the posts on a strip of white cardstock to connect the posts together to create the fence.

I added a mini note card on the back to write on. I adhered another stick from the Christina's mom's stash. I stamped a simple message on the front and added stitched embossing to the front. 

I added floating cloads on the back. The cloud frames were cut on white cardstock. I adhered it on acetate strips to make it float. 

The size of the platform card, when collapsed, goes beyond the size limits of A2 and A4 envelopes. I used the We R Keepers Envelope punch board to create an envelope for the pop-up card. I adhered more stickers to the inner flap. I wanted to jazz up the outside of the envelope but the last time I did that, it was rejected by the post office. 

I hope you like today's card project. Below is a video of this pop-up interactive card.

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this project at

February 2026

Challenge 214~Inspired by Book, Movie or Song

Inspired by Nicholas Sparks Book "Every Breath". The novel is inspired by the Kindred Spirit Mailbox where visitors leave notes, letters and journals.

@americancrafts IG

Heart Shaker Card & Stencil Pack Giveaway Winner

Hello! I am back at the BPM blog with this card. The BPM products I used are:

• Petals & Flowers Art Rubber Stamp Sheet Set
  
• I Was Thinking Of You Today Sentiment Words Rubber Stamp
  

I repeatedly stamped on a white cardstock panel to create a heart frame.

I used alternate colors of ink for some variation. 

I also did a watercolor resist technique to create the background panel of the shaker.

I lately am doing a trick on adding a faux matte behind my card panel. Instead of using a full sized A2 panel, I cut paper scrap strips at 1/2". I adhere these strips to the edges of the panel using the lines on the glass board to make sure the panel and the strip are aligned. Since my panel is cut at 4" x 5 1/4", adding the faux matte made it into a 4 1/2" x 5 3/4" panel. I used a die to cut this back into a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" panel. You can also use a paper trimmer if you like. This is not only a great way to save paper (not like I don't have more than enough paper) but it is also a great way to use those left over paper.

I added gems to the frame for additional bling. It is always satisfying to hear the sound the shaker elements make.

There are more details on this project in the blog. Please visit the BPM blog if you like. 

As mentioned on the post title, it's time to announce the winner of the giveaway. There are 6 comments on all 3 posts. I utilized the roulette from the wheelofnames.com. I entered each commentor's name and spinned the wheel. The lucky commentor winning the BPM stencil set is...

Congratulations, Bo! To claim your prize, please email me at gmbatan@gmail.com with stencil winner as subject. Please include your name and address in the email. You have until February 28 to claim your prize. I am hoping you are a US resident. In case you are not, I will give you a $20 BPM store credit instead. 

I hope you like today's project. Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this card at

 

Love Letter #IB374-Inspired by the heart and the sketch.

Simon Says Stamp IG Challenge~Make It Shake

@americancrafts IG

Sketch Inspired Card with an Interactive Element

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. It is the month of February which means we have a new sketch challenge at Stick It Down Scrapbook and Card Making Challenge in FB. What makes this month special is that I am this month's card sketch contributor. As always, there are 3 sketch options to choose from making it easy to join.

I used a paper pack in my stash to complete the elements of the sketch. I die cut a heart on a patterned paper with the bear image holding on to a sentiment. I applied shimmer to the letters and added accents using a white gel pen. I die cut a skinny heart frame on kraft cardstock. The die set I used is Honey Bee Stamps Paper Hugs.

I die cut one of the patterned papers from the pack using Hero Arts nesting rectangle die to end up with a 4" x 5 1/4" panel. I inked the edges with a Tim Holtz Distress ink in Shaded Lilac. 

I created the strips using a patterned paper from the pack. I trimmed each design and interchanged it to create a new pattern. I butted the three strips to each other and kept it together with tape on the back. I cut this in half so I can extend the ends to the corners of the panel to follow the sketch. Since the heart is a bit large, it covered this gap on the center.

Instead of cutting a new sheet to matte the panel, I used a scrap of patterned paper, trimming it into strips. I adhered the strips on the edges of a typing paper cut at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I used a craft knife to cut the corners diagonally. I used a Hero Arts Wood Frame die to add details to this frame. To achieve this, I replaced the cutting plate with an embossing mat and embossing shim. This step can be skipped because it is hardly noticeable with how narrow the matte came out to be.

I adhered the white patterned paper panel to the embossed frame panel. I adhered the strips to form the x just like on the sketch. 

To add the interactive feature, I die cut a half inch hole on the upper center of the panel. I added a Pear Blossom Snap 'N Slide for the spinning mechanism. I adhered the heart to the top plastic piece. Once the glue has dried, I adhered the panel to a top folding note card with foam adhesive making sure that the foam pieces are adhered away from the Snap 'N Slide. 

Since the heart spins, I can actually make this into a landscape card. Which orientation do you like the most?

Below is a video showing the interactive feature of the card.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you join this month's challenge. I cannot wait to see your take on the sketches. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative year!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this card at

Simon Says: Anything Goes

Scraplift Challenge, Using a Scrapbook Layout on a Card

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I was able to watch a live of Paige Taylor. She is one of my favorite crafters. On her live video, she showed her process of creating a scrapbook layout using bows. She encouraged the viewers to create something based from her layout. I am glad she was okay with me creating a card instead of a scrapbook layout. 

The 3D bow dies are either too big or too small to re-create her layout so I used two different bow dies and layered it to make it 3D looking. 

The dies I used are from Paper Smooches. I die cut the curly one on a Lawn Fawn patterned paper. I matched these bows with the coordinating colored cardstock and die cut the smaller bow on the cardstock. I added a coordinating color Doodlebug sequin to the center of the bow.

I trimmed a light gray patterned paper from Authentique at 5 1/2" x 4 1/4". I stamped the message on the center. The stamp is from a Your Next Stamp stamp set. I flicked gray and pearlized water on this panel. I dried this with a heat gun. I should have left my stamp set on the Misti Stamping Platform. The red dye ink I used reacted to the splatters. I could have re-stamped the sentiment to regain the vibrant color of the ink. But it's okay. It looks like a special effect if you don't know that it was a crafter's mistake.

I adhered the bows around the sentiment applying glue to the center of the bows only. I added color coordinating sequins from my stash.  I did went gaga over sequins at one point of my crafting life. I think I still am.

I gave the bows a gentle lift to make it more 3D looking.

I hope you like today's card. Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this project at

Scraplift Challenge