Something New, Something Old: Creative Gift Card Holder Greeting Card

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I am commissioned to create birthday cards with a gift card holder. Aside from this, I was motivated to look through my craft box and use items from my stash. One of these items is a black cat die cut which I got from a mail swap. 

The other old items I used on this card are stamps from Newton's Nook Designs. I was inspired by their latest blog challenge. 

My new item is the balloon die from Hero Arts which is a part of a previous My Monthly Super Hero kit. 

I stamped the NND Birthday Roundabout stamp on a watercolor paper. I prepped the watercolor paper first with an anti-static powder tool before stamping the image with a Versafine Onyx Black ink. I poured black embossing powder to the wet ink then heat set it. I colored the images with Zig Clean Color Real Brush using fall colors. I die cut this stamped image using the solid balloon die from the HA kit. I die cut a white pearl cardstock using the outline balloon die from the same kit. I die cut the string on a white cardstock.

I partially stamped the balloon hat on watercolor paper. I heat embossed this hat the same way I did with the images on the balloon. I colored it using the same markers and colors as the one I used on the balloon. I fussy cut the hat on the outline. I ran a black marker around the cut up to hide the white core of the watercolor paper. For the top of the party hat, I added embroidery floss to replace that portion of the stamped hat.

The cat was die cut in black cardstock. I stamped Newton's face to this die cut using white pigment ink. I prepped it with anti-static powder tool and embossed it with white embossing powder. I added the blush using pink acrylic markers. I snipped off the tail and adhered it to the back of the die cut. I added white gel pen details to the cat. I adhered the party hat to the cat's head. 

I die cut a brown cardstock using a Simon Says Stamp stitched rectangle die. I heat embossed the sentiment using white embossing powder. The sentiment is from the NND Newton Loves Cake stamp set.

I cut strips of cardstock and adhered it to the top and bottom portion of the backside of the balloon. I used a gift card to guide me with placement of these strips. These strips will slightly lift the balloon off the brown cardstock panel allowing the gift card to smoothly slide to and from the back of the balloon. I applied glue to the strips and adhered it to the brown panel. I adhered the cat on top of the balloon string. 

I trimmed a patterned paper and adhered the brown cardstock panel over it to make this into an A2 card. I adhered this to a top folding note card. 

Below is a video of how the gift card slides out of the balloon.

I hope you like today's card. I am so glad that I am able to create a commissioned card and at the same time join the Newton's Nook Inky Paws Challenge. I love joining their challenges but I have been MIA lately because of my schedule. 

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

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this card at

Newton's Nook Designs Challenge Blog #32

Partial Die Cutting and Embossing Using One Die

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I had the opportunity to attend an online Altenew Cardmaking Workshop hosted by Mehnaz Diouman, @naaz_crafting. The techniques she shared was on partial die cutting, embossing with a die and stenciling over a die cut/embossed panel.

The most important supply on this card is a cover die. I don't have an Altenew cover die that creates holes on the paper. I used a Lawn Fawn cover die instead. 

As Naaz taught, we did partial die cutting first. This is tough using the old Sizzix machine which is narrow compared to the newer models of die cutting machines. Thankfully, I still was able to make it work. 

Without removing the plate from the cardstock panel, I added an embossing mat underneath the cardstock. I added a thin cardboard shim to make the embossing impression more pronounced. 

The next step is to stencil an image on the embossed/die cut panel. I chose an old Altenew product, the Silk Art stencil from the Craft Your Life Project: Silk Art. 

I used the Altenew Sticky Mat and the Altenew Mini Ink Blending Brushes for the ink blending portion of the class. The sticky mat wasn't even released yet when this stencil was released. The mini brushes are the perfect brushes to use on this stencil. This stencil has intricate stamens that I almost damaged when I used it before. Now, I learned to blend the color straight from the body to the tip of the stamen instead of a circular motion to prevent the stamen from moving and also not damage it.

I just did simple stenciling with the use of one colored ink for each flower. I went heavy with the ink blending on the flower centers and lightening the pressure on the edges of the image. The stenciled image on the open areas are hardly noticeable but it adds some color.

The sentiment I used is from the retired Altenew Halftone Stars stamp set. I pre-treated a black cardstock with an anti-static powder tool. I stamped the sentiment using a sticky ink. I poured gold embossing powder over the stick ink then heat set it. I fussy cut the sentiment leaving a small border around it.

To add dimension to this sentiment, I cut strips of black cardstock, stacked it and adhered it to the back of the fussy cut sentiment.

I always enjoy attending Altenew workshops. I learn a lot and get to enjoy other crafters' company even if its virtual. I am glad that Naaz held this workshop on a weekday since I am unable to attend the workshops held on weekends due to my work schedule.

I hope you like today's card. Thank you, Naaz, for sharing a great technique.

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

 

Gift Card Holder on a Burlap Background

 

Hello! I am on the Blank Page Muse Blog with another card using the BPM Denim & Lace Digital Printable Kit. Isn't that burlap on the digital print very realistic looking? I like it so much that it inspired me to add a burlap background to this trifold print out. 

 

I pre-treated the area with an anti static tool then stamped the sentiment on the digital print using a black pigment ink. The stamps I used on this card is not from BPM. This post is to showcase this digital kit more and how versatile it is that it can be used with other brands of stamps.

 

I poured clear embossing to the pigment ink then heat set it until the powder has melted.

 

For the burlap background, I adhered a double adhesive paper to a heavy weight kraft cardstock. I die cut this panel using a burlap die. I removed the release paper.

 

Adding double adhesive to the intricate die cut made it easy to adhere it to an acetate. I burnished the burlap die cut to the adhesive to make it really adhere to the acetate.

I stamped a sentiment on the first inner flap of the gift card holder.

I hope you like today's card. Thank you for visiting my blog. Please visit the BPM blog for additional details on how I created this card and for more inspiration. 

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

Blank Page Muse is having a FLASH SALE! 20 HOT red rubber stamps are featured for sale with an amazing 50% discount. What a deal, right? This month's sale includes Halloween themed rubber stamps just in time for your Halloween crafting. This sale is good until September 27. 

If there is nothing on the sale category that interests you, BPM is generously offering a 15% discount to their online store. Just use the code BPMMaria when you check out.

Only 1 code per transaction please. Enjoy!

Birthday Card with a Gift Card Pocket

 

Hello! I am on the Blank Page Muse Blog. I used the Denim & Lace Digital Printable Kit which was released last month. This kit includes 4 zip files and features junk journal images for printing at home. I am using images from the digital download to show you that this kit is not limited to junk journaling only. 

On this card, I pulled three craft items out of my craft stash vault:

1. Rub on-This product is starting to make a comeback. The one I used is from Martha Stewart. Some of the letters are missing a part. That's how old this craft supply is. Good thing it still sticks. 

2. Hole punch-The one I used is also a Martha Stewart product. It just shows how I adored her products back then. A punch or a circle die can be used to add a hole to the tag. 

3. Eyelet Setter & Snaps-I also have a Chomper that can be used for the eyelet but I have not had success using it on snaps. The eyelet setter seems to do the job of keeping those snaps in place.

And since this is a card with a gift card pocket, I adhered the same wide strip I used on the front to the inside of the card. I only added glue to the sides and the bottom corner. 

The details on how I created this card is on the BPM blog. I hope you check it out.

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!

3 Cards Using the Altenew Heirloom Filigree

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's post features several cards using the Altenew Heirloom Filigree which is a part of Altenew's September release. It comes as an embossing folder, a stencil set and a press plate. You can buy the items separately or as a bundle. 

I had an opportunity to use all the products from the bundle. The card on the top is an example of using all of the producs on a panel. I rarely pay attention to the instructions included with the packaging. I just go straight to work. But in this case, I allowed myself to be guided by the instructions on the insert. 

On this panel, I foiled first using a silver holographic foil. I embossed the panel with the embossing folder. Then, used the stencil to blend ink over the embossed panel. I also added glittered embossing paste to the intricate design of the embossing using one of the layers of the stencil set.

I am a frugal crafter. I always try to go out of the box in the use of a certain craft product to stretch out my supplies. In this case, I wanted to give the diamonds created by the press plate another use by creating a different look. After foiling the diamonds, I used this plate as a press plate, off setting it to add diamonds in the middle of the foiled diamonds. I also used one of the stencils to blend ink so I can fill the whole panel with diamonds. 

I used a half sheet of cardstock to create the background so it just makes sense to use it for a larger card. To make the most of this background, I die cut a scallopped circle on the center. I used this scalloped circle to create another card making a two-fer-one card using the same craft supplies.

I love the details created by the embossing folder and the individual oval frames. I love it so much that I thought of making it into a faux wax seal. After the embossing and stenciling, I pounced embossing ink to it and added clear embossing powder. Somehow, it became transparent after the embossing powder was melted. That it is not the look that I was going for. (While typing this, I just had a light bulb moment on how to attack this. Stay tuned.) I switched gears and embossed on copper vellum. And, that was a definite WOW! I don't need to add anything else since it is gorgeous by itself. What do you think?

I fussy cut the frame since I don't have an oval die that matches the shape of the embossed frame. I layered this on a scrap cardstock to give it some stability and make it really look like a wax seal. You can also use a metallic cardstock instead.

I still have a couple of panels made using this bundle. I can't wait to make them into cards. 

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

Maria Giselle B.

 

One Layer Card with Masking, Ink Blending and Embossing with a Cutting Die

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. It is the first of the month. It is time for a new challenge @ Stick It Down Scrapbook and Card Making Challenge on FB. Joining is very easy. Just 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 month's card sketch seems intimidating specifically the design on the center which is the focal point. I was in the process of recreating the focal point but went another route after watching a card making video by Kristina Werner. Instead of the overlapping curves, I went for straight lines.

I used Tim Holtz Distress Oxides for the ink. I used Post-it Tape to mask the front panel of the card and create triangular areas to blend the ink on. I used Tim Holtz Distress blending foam on applying the colors. 

I stamped the bottom part of the design with a My Favorite Things background stamp. I intentionally did not stamp this background well and if I am going ro redo this card, I would have done a second generation stamping to make the text lighter in color.

The main and sub-sentiment are from a Pinkfresh Studio stamp set. I used oxide inks on all of the stamping. Not the ideal choice of ink in stamping sentiments but I like the chalky vibe of the oxides.

To add the curved lines of the sketch to my card, I embossed a curved stitch die over the blended inks.  I used a curved border cutting die from Lawn Fawn. I placed an embossing mat underneath the cardstock to add the impression of the stitched curves. 

Since I embossed four curves on the inked area individually, I noticed that each time I pass the card through the die cutting machine, the previously embossed lines are sort of flattened but it's ok.

I hope my card inspired you to join this month's SID challenge. Please check the FB post to see the rest of the sketches. 

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this card at

Challenge #133~Back to Basics

Faux Stained Glass Luminary

Hello! I am on the Blank Page Muse blog with this home decor project. I used the following BPM products:

1. Christmas Stained Glass stamp
   
2. Vintage Gingerbread Christmas Papers - Festive Holiday Printables Digital Paper

The details on how I created this luminary is on my post at the BPM blog. It only shows that you can use digital prints to create 3D projects just like a patterned paper or a cardstock. Just make sure that you use an 80 lb cardstock to make it sturdy. If you only have a light weight paper to print on, adhere a double adhesive tape to an 80 lb cardstock then adhere the digital print to it. The only difficulty I see here is cutting out the window using a craft knife because of the adhesive on the tape. It can gunk the blade of the craft knife and/or scissors.

It would have been easier if the stamp has a matching die but since it does not, we just go back to old school of cutting it with a craft knife and/or a pair of scissors. I went through two craft knives and a pair of  sharp tipped scissors to cut out the windows. If you prefer to use a craft knife, make sure it is sharp. A blunt one does not give the best result. 

This is how the stamped faux stained glass looks with a dark cardstock behind it.

On the first photo, I used fairy lights to light up the luminary. On the above photo, I used a tea light that changes colors. I love how it looks especially when the tea light has a blue light. How about you, which one do you like more?

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 #103~Anything Goes