Color Inspired Card

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I had the opportunity last night to attend a virtual Altenew crafting class by Traci Starkweather. I rarely attend these classes because of scheduling conflicts. Mosf of the classes happen on a Saturday when I am asleep from and going back to a night shift. 

The class is called "All About You." We are asked to think of a person to whom we would like to create the card for. I created a card with Alex Eala in mind, especially her green tennis outfit that she wore on her first ever WTA singles trophy on August 3 at DC. I call it the 'Milo' green because of how its shade of green reminds me of the Milo drink.

The stamp I used is from the Altenew Striped Florals stamp set. I repeatedly stamped the flower on a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" white cardstock. I rotated the stamp after each stamping to create variation. I used VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink pad in stamping. I colored the flowers using green Copic markers. I also colored the background with Copic markers. I was going for a cream background but it looked more like a yellowish cream which is was not too bad. After all, Alex wore a yellow dress on her formal pictorials after she won.

The great thing about attending live crafting classes is the interaction between the crafters. You can also ask questions and get immediate feedback not only from instructor but also from the other attendees. Although I am not a talker myself, Traci made it a point to include me in the conversation by asking me questions and how I am progressing with my project.

Since I shared to the class the reason behind my color choice, Traci suggested to use love for the sentiment. Although, love has a negative connotation in tennis since it means a score of zero, a lot of Filipinos, including myself, is supporting Alex. To make it more playful, I used the letter u instead of the word you to complete the sentiment. 

I die cut the sentiments twice on a green cardstock and once on a green mirror cardstock. The sentiment dies I used are from the Altenew Timeless Sentiments 2 die set. I did some die cut surgery to create the u from the word you. I stacked the sentiment die cuts with the mirror die cut on the top for some dimension. 

I feel something was lacking with my colored panel. I tried stamping bubbles and dots using white pigment ink (you might notice this on the top portion of the panel) but I did not like how it looked. I added white dots to the flowers but something is still missing. Someone suggested to splatter ink which I bravely did using a green Coliro Mica paint. That was very helpful. I wish I remembered her name so I can give her a shout out.

I trimmed my panel to make it into a 4" x 5 1/4" panel. I trimmed a green cardstock at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  Using a nesting rectangular die, I die cut this green panel into a frame then adhered it to the back of the colored panel. This allows me to save some cardstock and it also lessens the bulk of the finished card. Nobody will know that underneath the colored panel is a hollow space. 

I adhered the sentiment die cuts to an open space on the colored panel. 

I hope you like today's card. I had fun attending Traci's crafting class.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

Block Stamping Art Journal Page

Hello! I am on the Blank Page Muse Blog with another art journal page. the Blank Page Muse products that I used are:

• Petals & Flowers Art Rubber Stamp Sheet
  
• Special Day Clear Sentiments Flower Stamp Set
  

Please visit my post on the Blank Page Muse Blog for details on how I created this page. I also included steps on how to do partial stamping on the blog post. Partial stamping is a technique in which you mask and ink only a part of the sentiment stamp. I used this technique so I can make the one line sentiment stamp into a two lined sentiment. You can always cut the stamp if you want to but if you don't, partial stamping technique is the way to go.

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

Maria Giselle B.

BPM is generously offering a 15% discount to their online store to YOU, my blog readers. Just use the code BPMMaria when you check out. Enjoy!

I shared this project at

Anything Florals Goes #43 #92

Crocheted Wreath Ornament Christmas Card

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. It is the first of the month. Time for a new challenge @ Stick It Down Scrapbook and Card Making Challenge on FB. Joining is very easy. Create a new project following this month's sketch. It can either be a single scrapbook layout, a double page scrapbook layout or a card. Choose one or choose all! 

This was not the original card I planned to create for this month's sketch. I overdid my craft supplies shopping this month. Why not use it right away rather than stashing it somewhere in my craft room and end up forgetting it? Don't you hate that?

I created a wreath for the circular frame of the sketch. I stepped it up by crocheting on a circular frame which I cut out of cardstock and stacked it to make it sturdy. 

I die cut a lot of poinsettias on pearl white cardstock using a die from the Alex Syberia Mini Ornaments Die Set. I die cut the leaves on gold pearl cardstock. I used a shaping stylus to give the poinsettias and the leaves some depth.

I adhered the poinsettia layers then adhered this to the crocheted wreath using Ranger Glossy Accents. I tucked the leaves under the poinsettias. 

For the card panel, the focal point and the sentiment are from a cut apart sheet by Crate Paper Mittens & Mistletoe 6x8 paper pad. 

On a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" scrap cardstock, I adhered a plaid washi tape from Paper Source. I applied glue to the cardstock before adhering the washi tape. I covered the whole panel with the washi tape.

I trimmed a gold mirror washi tape into skinny strips and adhered this to the plaid panel to take the place of the matte on the sketch. I ran a stitched border die over these strips for added interest. The die I used is from Lawn Fawn.

Here comes the tricky part, trying to figure out how to temporarily attach the wreath to the card front panel. I positioned the wreath over the plaid panel to give me an idea on where to adhere the floral focal point. I wanted the flowers of the cut apart to show through the wreath. Afterwhich, I adhered the floral cut apart. I made this into a hanging picture frame. I created the rope hanger with the use of two nesting diamond dies. I die cut a brown shimmer cardstock on the long corner of the diamonds. I adhered this on the top of the floral focal point.

I poked a hole on the tip of the photo frame hanger and threaded a brad through it. This is where I will temporarily attach the wreath.

To hide the string of the wreath, I used a jewelry wire to tie the string to the back. I also created a small circular hook to attach the wreath to the brad. 

I added the sentiment to the card panel adhering it underneath the wreath instead of on the wreath like the sentiment on the sketch.

I added red gems to the top left corner of the panel replicating it from the sketch.

It might be a challenge to give this card away. Mailing it will require extra postage since it would not be considered as a letter. Hand delivery will be the best option. I am planning to write instructions on the back of the front cover about the wreath ornament and how to remove the jewelry wires without ruining it. I can also just tape the string to the back of the card cover to make it simple.

I hope I inspired you with today's card and that you join in this month's challenge. We look forward to seeing your projects.

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this card at

Simon Says: Anything Goes

Die Cutting on Digital Prints

 

Hello! I am on the Blank Page Muse Blog with another project using the new BPM Summer Citrus Digital Papers, Ephemera, Pockets & Tags Printables. This collection includes 8 downloadable sheets which are customizable to your crafting needs. This is my third post this month featuring printables from this collection. Please check the other two posts if you are interested to see the other prints from this collection and to see what projects I created using this printable collection.

For today's project, I created a card with a paper weaved background. The paper I used for the weaved background is from the printable collection. There are four digital papers which I all used on this card. 

The details on how I created this card is on the BPM blog. I am only sharing snippets here.

One technique I did for the paper weaving is to leave an uncut portion on the top and bottom edges of the panel. I weaved the paper strips from the side through the slits. Once I have reached the edge of this panel, I trimmed the ends following the slits for alignment. After I weaved the last strip, I secured the weaving by adding glue to the this strip.

I die cut a frame for the weaved panel using the green print out. 

I die cut a flower, a stem and leaves using the light green print out. I also die cut 2 extra pieces for each die cut on white cardstock. I lifted the end of the leaf for a 3D look. To keep it up, I snuck a clear foam adhesive tape underneath the end of the leaf.

The colors of the print outs complemented each other. I love the bright but muted happy colors of these full sheet print outs from the collection.

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

Maria Giselle B.

BPM is generously offering a 15% discount to their online store to YOU, my blog readers. Just use the code BPMMaria when you check out. Enjoy!

I shared this card at

Simon Says: Make Your Own Background #66

Anything Florals Goes #43 #61

Create a Mini DIY Journal

Hello! I am on the Blank Page Muse Blog with this project using the newly released BPM digital download, the Summer Citrus Digital Papers, Ephemera, Pockets & Tag Printables. This collection is my featured BPM product for this month. This is the second project I created with this collection. You will see a glimpse of my first project using this collection on the photos at the end of this post.

I was planning to create a card with the image with the green design. I thought I sized the image to a note card size. After realizing I did not, I thought of creating it into a mini journal instead. The size of it is perfect for one. 

I am not going into details on how I created this mini journal. Please visit my post at the Blank Page Muse Blog to learn more about it.

I used sheets from an old lined notebook and some typing paper. I scored the papers so I can fold it really well but somehow there are still sheets sticking out and not aligned with the journal cover. I trimmed a sliver off the sheets until all sheets are aligned.

 

I created a bookmark using an ephemera and a tag. I lined the two and punched a hole on it. I threaded a twine through the hole and tied it into a bow.

I inserted a journal page in between the tied tag and the ephemera just like a bookmark. You will see on the photo above that the inside of the journal cover also has a print out of the design. This is another advantage of a digital image. You can print the image on both sides of the paper and come up with a double sided sheet.

I slipped the mini journal inside the pocket. Now, I have a double page art journal ready to be written on.

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

Maria Giselle B.

BPM is generously offering a 15% discount to their online store to YOU, my blog readers. Just use the code BPMMaria when you check out. Enjoy!

I shared this project at

Challenge #102~Anything Goes #69

Stitched Panel in Shadow Box Stand-up Frame

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's project is a spur of the moment project. I thought I am done after stitching the panel since I have no plans for it. But after seeing American Crafts & We R Makers Stars, Stripes & Scissors Celebration in IG, I said to myself, "I can probably do something with this stitched panel." I just needed to use AC and/or We R Makers supplies although I always use the We R Comfort Craft Magnifying Glasses when I cross stitch. I cannot go by without it.

I did my cross stitching on a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" 80-lb cardstock. The stitching holes were created with the use of the Altenew Cross Stitch Canvas die. The pattern is from CrossStitcher Magazine, July 2026 edition. It is a part of the Stars & Stripes stitch sampler. I did a spotlight stitching of one of the samplers and repetetively stitched this pattern on the panel for a quilt-like look. I used 2  strands of DMC floss in stitching.

I created a frame for the cross stitched panel using the We R Makers Shadow Box Punch Board. The punch board was designed for a square shadow box but can be used to create a rectangular shadow box. Simply add 4" to each side to come up with the dimensions of the paper you need to create your custom sized shadow box. 

I used a blue cardstock for the shadow box. I followed the steps on the punch board. I placed the cross stitched panel on the center of the punched cardstock and  folded the scored lines towards the center. 

To make this into a frame, I die cut the same blue cardstock using an easel die from The Stamp Market Scalloped Frame Die set. I die cut this twice and stacked the pieces to make it durable. After all, this piece is very important in keeping the shadow box upright. 

I added a ribbon to the back of the easel to prevent the shadow box from tipping backward.

I added rickrack trims to the photo frame. I used the We R Makers Creative Flow Glue Gun to adhere the trims so if you see any strings of glue, it is from that. I am not a neat glue gun user. 

I adhered transparent stars to the corners of the frame, hiding where the two colored rickrack trims meet. I also used the glue gun in adhering the stars.

I added blue gems to the cross stitched pattern for some shimmery accent. 

Now, my stitched pattern is up for display. I hope you like today's project. Below is a short video of the stand-up frame.

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this project at

 

American Crafts & We R Makers IG

#StarsStripesAndScissors

Digital Prints on Art Journal

Hello! I am on the Blank Page Muse Blog with another art journal entry.  Today's page is different from my previous art journal entries. First and foremost, I don't have any stamping on this page. Second, I only used printed papers. And, lastly, it is interactive. I hope you like it. 

Blank Page Muse has a new digital download, the Summer Citrus Digital Papers, Ephemera, Pockets & Tags Printables. This is what I am using on today's page. I also used a green paper from the Frosty Night Christmas Papers & Ephemera Printables. 

One of the advantages of using digital prints is that it can be sized based on your crafting needs. I uploaded the full sheets of the the digital prints. It comes as a .png file when uploaded. I saved it as .jpg so I can add it as an image to Microsoft Word. I edited the image using this program, resizing it so it fills up the whole 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock. I also edited the margins, decreasing the size, to maximize the area to print the full sheet. The cardstock I used is Hammermill Premium Color Copy Cover Stock.

If you only want to print a particular image, you can crop outt image from the sheet. This cropped image can be resized and duplicated.

Not to forget, these digital prints are very affordable.

The only requirement is a printer. I printed my digital prints using a toner printer. I was going to try and use my Cricut to print and cut the images but my printer ink is low. I have not tried uploading the BPM digital prints to Cricut. I am very curious on how this will turn out. I am also curious on printing these images on a 12x12 paper which my printer is capable of. 

The details of the project is on my post at the BPM blog. I am just sharing snippets here. I added trims to the tags. I can intentionally fray the ends but I decided to heat set the this to melt it and prevent it from fraying.

I inserted the tags inside the pockets. The tags keep the folded journal closed shut. The one on the bottom tends to stay open so I might add a decorative paper clip to it to keep it close.

This is how the journal looks like when it is open when the tags are removed. You can see the stitching detail on the journals on the above photo. 

I have nothing written on the pages yet. I plan to write my goals on this mini journal pages.

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

Maria Giselle B.

BPM is generously offering a 15% discount to their online store to YOU, my blog readers. Just use the code BPMMaria when you check out. Enjoy!

I shared this project at

Challenge 7~Anything Goes #87

Challenge #131~Sunny Days & Bright Hues #34