Masked Background Stamp and Sentiment Stamp Merry Forever Card

I created a square card with a Christmas theme. This was not the original plan I have in mind but I had to make adjustments since that plan of mine was not working out. For this card, I stamped the tree and colored it with Copics. I have the matching die for the tree but I fuzzy cut the trees to have no white border. For the background, I masked a part of the background stamp to create a triangular image. With a ruler, I drew lines to close the open squares and create the triangular edge. I used a Versamark pen since I am going to emboss the background. 

This is the first time I used the Ranger Verdigris embossing powder. The color of this powder after melting is very pretty.

I masked the sentiment stamp so I will only have the word merry stamped to the card. At first, I stamped this straight to the card using a gold ink. It wasn't noticeable being stamped on a kraft cardstock. I stamped this onto a black strip of cardstock and heat embossed it in gold. The forever was die cut using gold cardstock. To make it stand out, I colored it with Wink of Luna Pen in copper. Coloring it was tricky since it is attached to the final card already. If I planned this ahead of time, I would have colored it first before attaching it to the card.

Thanks for viewing my blog.

Maria Giselle B.

Stamp: Paper Smooches Hip To Be Square, Merry Motifs
Die: Paper Smooches Always & Forever

I am submitting this creation to:

 

http://papersmoochessparks.blogspot.com/

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/blog/work-it-wednesday-november-2014/

One Paper Pack Self-Challenge

My co-worker asked me to make a bunch of Thank You note cards. She will give it as a gift to her sister. I wanted to use what I already have, so I challenged myself to use one 6 x 6 paper pack. The one I chose is Jillibean Soup Sweet and Sour.

I used WOW! Ultra High Embossing Powder for the card below to add dimension to the die cuts. I used Glossy Accents for the die cut on the the card above. I like the Glossy Accent effect more than the WOW! But I enjoyed seeing the powder crystals melt, so it didn't stop me from using the WOW! some more.

With this next card, I didn't use the same sentiment die. I used the alphabet patterned paper and cut up the letters to create the sentiment.

Although it is not captured in photo, the letters were first heat embossed using the WOW! Ultra High. It didn't come out clean despite re-applying another second coat of powder. I ended up applying Glossy Accent on top of the embossing. 

This next two cards were inpired by Jennifer McGuire's technique:

 http://www.jennifermcguireink.com/2014/07/video-die-cut-window-cards.html. 

I wanted to give it a try.  Using both positive and negative cuts allowed me to come up with two more cards. Now, I have a total of seven cards to which my co-worker can choose from. 

I embossed the background on the first card, and used embossing paste for the second card.

A set of note cards won't be complete without a box. Thanks to Jennifer McGuire's tutorial 
(http://www.jennifermcguireink.com/2014/02/video-card-boxes.html).  The cards are snug in the box.  If I create another note card box, maybe I will measure the thickness of the cards and envelopes, then adjust the measurement accordingly.

Thanks for viewing my blog.

Maria Giselle B.

I posted this at:

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/

https://www.flickr.com/groups/lawnfawn/

Color Pencil Parol Inspired Card

I am a huge Jennifer McGuire fan, that is no denying. After seeing her video, I went ahead and tried the repeat stamping technique she thought in her video (http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/2014/11/03/video-repeat-stamping/). I was going to use this as a background for the tag I made on my previous post but it was both competing for attention. Maybe because of the colors I used on both.

I was supposed to be done with the repeated stamping but after coloring the image with color pencils, it kind of reminded me of the colorful 'parols' (star lanterns) back in the Philippines. So I cut a circle to use as a template in drawing two circles around the image. I colored this with a brown color pencil. I used Staedtler Ergosoft color pencils. I wanted to blend my coloring so I tried a Finesse Blender pen which was supposed to work for all kinds of color pencils. Well, there is no much change after applying the blender to the colored area. Maybe this type of Staedtler is not wax based which is what the Finesse Blender pen will work with.

I draw the tails, used a black marker to write over the lines, then colored it in. I stamped the sentiment using Versafine Ink in black, applied clear embossing powder, and heat set it. I have to mount letters together to create the sentiment. I've always asked my sister in the Philippines to keep a lookout for a stamp with the Parol on it. Unfortunately, there is none for sale back there although, there are stamps for sale online. 'Maligayang Pasko' means Merry Christmas in Filipino. 

I have no gold enamel dots. I can't believe it. So, I used a wooden enamel dot, applied glue on it, and sprinkles gold glitter over it. I also applied glue to the ring then poured gold glitter over it to tie in with the gold center of the star.

Thanks for viewing my blog.

Maria Giselle B.

Stamp: Hero Arts Christmas Crystals, Martha Stewart Unmounted Rubber Stamp Loop Script

Staedtler Ergosoft Color Pencils

EK Success Circle Curvy Cutter

Tim Holtz Distress Glitter Antique Linen

My Mind's Eye Enamel Dot

Versafine Onyx Black Pigment Ink

clear embossing powder

I am submitting this creation to:

http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/2014/10/01/new-holiday-challenge-2/

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-were-seeing-stars/

Merry, Merry, Merry Copic Colored Tag

After I made the tag for this card, I had a hard time making its background card. My initial plan didn't work out since the stamp on that card seems to be competing with the design of the tag. But at least, I was able to make two projects in one seating. I really love this crystal stamp set so I used it once more for this card.

I stamped the crystals on thick white cardstock before coloring it with Copics, then fuzzy cutting it. I attached a silver thread to make it into an ornament. Since I used a thin thread, I tripled the strand and applied Multi Matte Medium to keep the strands together to create a thicker thread. I used this technique also in creating a thicker bow. I stamped the sentiment using a Kraft dye ink. The tag was cut using the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge. I also cut the layer using this cartridge which I ran through my Sizzix for the dot detail.

For the background, I stamped it first with Kraft dye ink. I rotated the cardstock then stamped it with Cream pigment ink. I allowed this to dry before running it again through my Sizzix machine for that border stitch detail, and before adding some washi tapes. The tag was adhered with dimensional tape.

Thanks for viewing my blog.

Maria Giselle B.

Stamp: Hero Arts Christmas Crystals, HA Holiday Sayings. HA Tiny Flags
Copic Markers
Ink: My Favorite Things Kraft Hybrid, MFT Whip Cream Pigment, Tim Holtz Distress Tea Dye, TH Walnut Stain
Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots
Floss: Coats, DMC, Trendy Twine
Washi Tape: Doodlebug, My Mind's Eye
Die: Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, Mama Elephant Peek-a-Frame Creative Cuts

I am submitting this creation to:

http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/2014/10/01/new-holiday-challenge-2/

http://tagyoureitchallenge.blogspot.ie/2014/11/tag-youre-it-challenge-10.html

Second Generation Stamping With Sympathy Card

I made this card with my aunt, who recently passed, as my inspiration. She is my father's sister whom I met about 30 years ago. We kept our ties intact during holidays when we would send Christmas cards to each other.

I have never done a sympathy card, so this was a bit of a challenge for me. I looked through blog challenges to get some ideas, and I did find one. I wanted to keep the card simple as the photo inspiration. I also like how the blog designer, Tasnim, interpreted the photo inspiration http://runwayinspired.blogspot.com/2014/11/ric71-in-memory-of-oscar-de-la-renta.html. 

At first, I was trying a water spritzing technique to mute down the black dye ink wherein I spritz water to the stamp after inking it. It still came out too bold. Who would know that my first stamp pad in my collection will do this muted effect using second generation stamping. I used the Color It Pigment Ink by Ranger. I also eyeballed the flowers to stamp it on the black note card using white pigment ink. The big flowers were heat embossed using clear powder. For the sentiment, I stamped it using Versamark ink, applied white embossing powder, then heat set it. For embellishment, I used My Mind's Eye enamel dots. To add another color to this black and white card, I spritz the card with pastel pink spray. I am not sure if you you can see it in the photo below.

Thanks for viewing my blog.

Maria Giselle B.

Paper: white carstock, Hero Arts black Notecard

Stamp: Paper Smooches Denim & Daisies, Paper Smooches Recipe For Success, Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler

Ink: Color It black pigment, Memento Luxe Wedding Dress pigment, Versamark 

Embossing powder: clear, white

Die: Avery Elle Custom Panels Elle-ments

Embellishment: My Mind's Eye enamel dots

Spray: Prima Color Bloom Cotton Candy

I am submitting this creation to:

 

                                  

                                              http://runwayinspired.blogspot.com

 

                                     http://papersmoochessparks.blogspot.com

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge

http://liastampz.blogspot.ro

White Christmas Card

I made this mostly white Christmas card. I wanted to create trees using a stencil, so I masked areas using tape to create triangles. I have to make sure the pattern is going downward to mimic leaves of pine trees. I used embossing paste to create more texture, and applied glittered embossing powder on top. I set this aside to dry before heat embossing it. I had to make one tree at a time.

After the trees are made, I mixed  gray and white mists to paint over the background, to make it not so white, and allow the trees to stand out. I painted gray mist on the middle of the trees to recreate a tree trunk. It took me a couple of coatings before I was satisfied with the color intensity I was aiming for. I was hoping there will be shimmer on the background, too, but I don't want to take the attention away from the sparkling trees.

I have no snowdrift stamp or stencil, so I looked through my stamp sets and saw this solid dots (which are actually from floral stamp sets). I stamped it randomly with Versamark and applied white embossing powder.

For the ground, I cut 2 vellums. I had to trace the middle tree on the bottom vellum. I don't want the middle tree to be covered so I cut around the tree using the trace marks. I adhered the vellum using adhesive since I have no other way to hide the adhesive under the vellum, that's why you will notice some warping.  The sentiment was stamped using a gray dye ink. Since it is stamped on vellum, it stayed wet long enough for me to apply clear embossing powder and heat set it.

To finish off the card, I cut 3 stars from a silver glitter paper. I don't know how the star on the left ended sideways. Since it is already adhered that way, I guess it just adds to the homemade feel of the card.

Thanks for viewing my blog.

Maria Giselle B.

Stencil: Hero Arts Zig Zag Pattern

Embossing Paste: Wendi Vecchi White Embossing Paste

Embossing Powder: Hero Arts Clear, Judikins Iridescent Sparkle, Hero Arts White

Mist: Prima Color Bloom Storm Cloud, White

Die: Mama Elephant Borderlines Trio Creative Cuts, Confetti Creative Cuts

Stamp: Altenew Hennah Elements, Hero Arts Holiday Sayings, Paper Smooches Denim & Daisies

Paper: White Cardstock, Vellum

I am submitting this challenge to:

http://heroarts.com/blogs

Highlighted Stamped Poinsettia Christmas Card

I am trying a technique Jennifer McGuire shared in her blog a few days ago (http://www.jennifermcguireink.com/2014/10/video-colored-pencil-highlights-blog-hop-giveaway.html.)  I wasn't happy with the effect my white color pencil made, so I used other mediums like a white Gelly Roll pen and a white Wink of Stella brush pen. I combined some it in some of the flowers, too. After stamping and highlighting, I used the coordinating metal die to cut the flowers. I stamped, colored, and cut the leaf in the stamp set but I didn't like the look so I just stayed with the idea of creating a poinsettia wreath. I stamped, colored and fuzzy cut 3 candles.

I cut 2 kraft card stock circles using a 2 metal stack dies. I cut another solid circle using vellum with its size just in between the circle ring. I cut another solid circle the same size as the outer circle ring using a teal cardstock. Now it is time to adhere this altogether. With the teal card stock as base,  I adhered one circle ring on top of it. I adhered the candles, the vellum, and the last circle ring. I adhered the poinsettia to this ring, some of which was adhered with dimensional tape. The focal point of the card is now done.

To keep up with the sketch, I poke a hole on the top center of the card and cut a slit on the bottom center of the card. This is where I threaded my twine. After knotting the twine ends at the front, I applied a little glue to the knot and at the back side of the card front to keep the twine in place. I splattered some dark brown paint using my paintbrush to the card front. After it dried, I adhered the wreath to the card.

The sentiment was stamped on a bark wood tape I bought at Jetpens.com. I tried using a die ink to stamp it, and fortunately, it didn't smear, and it dried quick. I trim this down and cut the ends to create a banner. I stamped the snowflakes at the sides of the sentiment using a gold dye ink. I applied foam tape to the center and just adhered the bark wood tape straight onto the card base.

Thanks for viewing my blog.

Maria Giselle B.

Stamp: Paper Smooches Merry Motifs, Paper Smooches Warm Hearts
Die: Paper Smooches Motif Icons 
Ink: Close To My Heart (Cranberry, Hollyhock), Hero Arts Black Dye Ink, Hero Arts Gold Dye Ink
Copic Markers
Kuretake Gansai Tambi
Twine: Lawn Fawn Silver Sparkle Single Cord

I am submitting this creation to:

 

http://papersmoochessparks.blogspot.com

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/