Customized Pocket Planner

I had this idea since last year but never got to working on the idea until this year. Planners are at a rage now. Despite the availability of the calendar in cellphones and tablets, some people still use planners. Most of my co-workers use this pocket planner. So, how about I personalize the planner.

I took the staples off the planner and cut a Strathmore Bristol paper the same size as the cover of the planner. To customize the planner, I stamped the recipient's name on the front using Concord & 9th Sophisticated Script stamp set. I embossed my friend's name using Wow! Gold Rich Pale embossing powder.

I masked this area and the back cover of the planner cover so I could stamp the My Favorite Things Rose All Over Background stamp. The planner is longer than the background stamp set. Since the name acts as a break on the background, I stamped the top area first, then the bottom area. I poured Simon Says Stamp Rose Gold embossing powder to the area, then heat embossed it.

I colored the flowers with Kuretake Zig Clean Color Markers. I also applied some color wash on the area where the name is stamped. I adhered a thin strip of black card stock in between the flower and the area where the name is stamped. I applied some shimmer to these strips using a clear Spectrum Noir Shimmer Pen. This draws the eye back to the name despite the busy, colorful background. I adhered SSS Tiny Flowers Sequins to fill in the spaces before and after my friend's name.

To control the warping of the paper, I ran this through the Sizzix. I added a ribbon to the planner to serve as a bookmark. I adhered this ribbon to the back cover, very close to the score line using a thin double sided tape. I adhered a wooden embellishment to the end of the ribbon using Ranger Glossy Accents. To cover this side of the butterfly, I adhered an Arc Wooden tape. I used a blade to cut off the edges then smoothed it with a nail file. I added yellow Nuvo Drops to the center of the butterfly.

I stapled back the planner sheets and slid the planner back to the transparent cover. I had to trim a bit off the edges to make it fit the cover sleeve.

Now, it is ready for gifting. Next year, I plan to start early so I can come up with enough to give away.

Thanks for vieiwing my blog. Have a blessed and brilliant day!

Maria Giselle B.

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Challenge #231-Anything Goes

Pop-up Wedding Card Featuring Magnolia Stamps

My sons' principal got married recently. I tried to finish this card in time for her cupcake party with the school children but I didn't quite made it in time. I didn't want to abort the project. So i pushed through with creating this card just for her.

It has been a while since I created this card, and there were more cards created after this. I'm very behind blogging my creations. I am not going to the specifics on how I created this card. You can leave me a comment in the comments section if you have any questions on the elements of this card. For now, enjoy the shots I took of the card.

Thanks for visiting my blog. Have a blessed and brilliant day!

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation with

Anything Goes With A Magnolia Image

Anything Goes

Using Digital Image Like a Die Cut

I will be honest. I struggled a lot with the digital images for this bi-weekly challange. You have no clue how many times I've printed the images. I was close to giving up and just taking a pass on this week's post. But this is what a DT member should be. Come up with ideas for the challenge and use the resources we have. Coloring the images didn't work for me despite using different color mediums. I wasn't giving justice to the beautiful images. So, I just went ahead and printed the image in its original color. My plan is to embellish this image, add accents to it.

I fuzzy cut the image. Using a blade, I cut off the top windows. I adhered vellum at the back to cover the open areas. To accent the snow and the fluffy portion of the elf's hat, sleeves and pants, I used an Uchida Snow Marker. I added shimmer to the elf's wing and sock using Spectrum Noir Sparkle pen. I also colored the light of the candle using Wink of Stella in yellow and orange. For the, bottom windows of the lantern, I filled it in with a Sakura Glaze pen. Another option is to use Glossy Accents.

Today's Incy Wincy Designs Challenge is to use Non-Traditional Christmas Colors. With the help of Google, I came across with this website, http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/color/fresh-christmas-colors-12-combos-youve-never-tried-pictures.  Any idea which color combination I chose? I chose the first one, which is Green + Brown.

The image by itself has both colors. The elf has green. The lantern has brown. I cut a green and brown cardstock. I die cut one edge using Mama Elephant Borderline Trios die. I layered these two cardstocks, with the brown cardstock longer than the green cardstock. I created a window on the green cardstock using Simon Says Stamp Stitched Circle die. I spritz this cardstock with Perfect Pearl Pearl diluted in water. While this is drying, I placed a Heidi Swapp stencil on top of the brown carstock. Using a sponge dauber, I applied some Delicate White Shimmer Pigment ink to the open circle areas. You can see a few of this snow dots through the vellum and top open area. If I will re-do this process, I would have chosen a stencil with a smaller sized circle. 

I threaded a Little Yellow Bicycle Jute through the hole of the lantern. I adhered the ends to the back using tape. I secured the die cut and the jute with Ranger Multi Matte Medium. 

The sentiment is from Hero Arts Holiday Sayings stamp set. I heat embossed this on vellum using Hero Arts White Embossing powder. I trimmed this into a sentiment strip. I taped the the edges to the back. I also squirted some Ranger MMM to the back of the dots on the sentiment strip. I applied foam tape to the back of the green cardstock and adhered this to the brown cardstock. 

For the cardbase, I used Neenah Kraft cardstock. I added some x-marks to the sides using Lawn Fawn Stitched Borders. I inked the die with SSS Kraft dye ink to add more interest to the embossed border. 

For the final accent, I added Nuvo Crystal Drops randomly. 

Hope you join us in our bi-weekly challenge at Incy Wincy Designs. Thank you for viewing my blog. Have a blessed and brilliant day!

Maria Giselle

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I am sharing this creation with

Anything Goes

Challenge #230 - Christmas

Embellished Digital Image with Stamped Images

I am behind in creating this card for the current Incy Wincy Designs Challenge. We are having a Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge which I hope you come and join us.

I printed the image on watercolor paper. I masked the image with masking fluid so I can create the background by blending Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Salty Ocean. Using Simon Says Stamp Falling Snow stencil, I applied some Wendi Vecchi Embossing paste, making sure I fill up the holes on the stencil. I poured some Judikins Iridescent Sparkle Embossing powder to the paste while it is wet. Make sure you clean your stencil and palette knife after use. You can either wipe it with a baby wipe or by soaking it in soapy water.

Once the paste is dry, using the heat gun, I heat the powder. I colored the owl and the branch using Tim Holtz Distress Inks by rubbing the ink pad onto the craft mat, and picking it up with a water brush. The tree branch is short for my lay-out. I extended the branch while I was coloring it. When it got dry, I drew lines using a black marker.

To add the embellishments, I stamped the sentiment from Hero Arts Holiday Sayings stamp set on a wood patterned paper. I embossed the sentiment using Versamark ink and HA White embossing powder. I inked the edges to hide the white core of the patterned paper. I stamped a holly from the same stamp set to one of the vines. I inked the leaves with a green ink first, stamped it. I stamped the image several times on scrap paper to make sure the green ink is cleared, then I selectively inked the hollies with red ink. You can draw the hollies using a red marker if you find this process too tedious.

To complete the tic-tac-toe, I need candles or lanterns in my creation. I would love to use lanterns but I don't have a lantern stamp. The candle is from Technique Tuesday Say It-Happy Stamp set. I stamped this on Neenah Solar White and colored it with Copic markers. I fuzzy cut the candles.

To further embellish the owl, and cover up an unpleasant mix of embossing paste and masking fluid, I stamped a Santa hat from Paper Smooches Merry Motif stamp set on Neenah paper. I colored it with Copic which I later added Spectrum Noir Sparkle. This stamp set comes with a matching die which leaves a white margin between the edge and the stamped image. I fuzzy cut the image to make it consistent with the owl who doesn't have a white margin. I ran a black brush marker to the edges to create a finish look. I filled in the fuzzy part of the hat with glue and poured Wow! White Puff Powder to it, then heat set it.

It is time to put the card together. I created a 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" square card using Lawn Fawn Stitched Lines dies. I used the largest die to cut an Echo Park Keepin' Cozy patterned paper. I created a window to fit the watercolored panel by using the 3rd largest square die. My watercolor panel turned out to be slightly smaller than this square. I was planning to inlay it. Change of plans! I cut a navy cardstock large enough to cover the window. I spritz this with WPlus9 Shimmer Spray mist. I dried it using a heat gun. Wow! The effect of the spray! Love the glimmer!

I adhered this navy blue cardstock on a white base notecard. I adhered the red windowed pattern paper on top. I adhered the watercolor panel but added fun foam to give it a bit of dimension and show off the glimmer of that sparkly navy blue cardstock. I adhered the sentiment with foam tape. I adhered the candles and the Santa hat using Ranger Matte Multi-Medium. I applied sparkles to the candles and the owl with clear Spectrum Noir Sparkle. I added Nuvo Dandelion Crystal Drops to the candles as last embellishment.

Seems like a lot of work, right? But it was fun creating this scene.

Thanks for visiting my blog. Have a blessed & brilliant day!

Maria Giselle

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Challenge #44

Challenge #143

 

Challenge 169-Anything Goes 

Simon Says Stamp Blog Wednesday Challenge-Ice Inspiration

Flocked Stamped Sentiment

Do you remember that time when flocking was all rage? Messy work but the fuzzy dimension is eye-catching. I am featuring the flocking powder in this project.

I embossed the Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangles onto the front of a top folding 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" white note card. I used an embossing mat to achieve this look. The mat prevents the metal die from cutting the cardstock. Using Tab 2 in the die platform, I applied the embossing mat, a cardboard for extra shim, and the cardstock with die sandwiched between the two plates. I adhered the die with washi tape to prevent it from shifting when I run it through the Sizzix Machine. I was only able to use the two largest rectangles of the SSS die for this card.

I prepared the middle panel for embossing. I positioned the stamp on the Misti Stamping Tool. I first tried using the Ranger Sticky Embossing Powder to attract and adhere the flocking powder. I was not quite happy with the results so I resorted to the Tsukineko Essential Glue Pad. The results with flocking are better using this.

I adhered a very thin strip of double sided tape along the scored lines, avoiding the stitched impressions. I poured Elizabeth Crafts Warm Diamond to these strips and burnished the glitter using my finger. To make this pop, I drew a line around the rectangles using a Copic Marker.
I also added Doodlebug sequins.

To burnish the flocking powder, I covered the flocked sentiment with Swiffer cloth and used a bone folder to apply pressure to the flocked area. When I lifted off the Swiffer, it also picked up the extra stray flocking powder that I was having a hard time brushing off.

Is there a supply in your craft room that you have not used in a long time? How about you take a look and use it alongside with new released embellishments.

Thanks for viewing my blog. Have a blessed & brilliant day!

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation with

Neat and Tangled

Foiled Digital Image

It is a new challenge at Incy Wincy Designs. The challenge is to use a non-traditional image to create a Christmas Creation. I chose a cupcake for this challenge. I printed the image as a contact sheet, filling the sheet with the image. I printed it on Neenah 65 lb. cardstock using a laser printer. I cut a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" panel form this, making sure the images are centered. I foiled the image using the Minc Machine and a gold Deco Foil sheet.

I colored the image to create a Christmas tree cupcake with a poinsettia flower at the top. I used color pencils which is a challenge for me. I noticed with color pencils that having a sharp tip does not necessarily mean good coloring. In fact, it created harsh lines while I color. I also think that the weight you put on coloring is another factor with color pencils. I am using Staedtler Ergosoft Color Pencils which has a waxed core. I think this feature of this colored pencil is another factor in the ability to add details to the image. I used a blending pen to mute down the harsh lines I created while coloring. I am not sure if it worked or not. When I googled reviews for this brand, it scored poor in blending. 

Coloring the images with color pencil is a lot of work, by the way. I cant' imagine how I can color a whole sheet of coloring page. Anyway, I added score lines in between the images using Lawn Fawn Stitched Borders. Since the panel still looked plain. I blended a yellow dye ink using a sponge dauber, making sure I avoid the cupcakes.

I created a window with the use of a craft knife and using the score lines as guide. I lined up a brown cardstock behind the windowed panel. Using the Misti Stamping tool, I positioned the sentiment stamp inside the window. I picked up the stamp and removed the windowed panel. I applied anti-static powder to the dark brown cardstock, then stamped the sentiment using Versamark ink. I embossed the sentiment using a Wow! Metallic Gold Rich embossing powder. The sentiment is from Li'l Inker Designs Greetings and Salutations stamp set. I trimmed off the top and bottom edges of the windowed panel to reveal a little bit of the brown cardstock. I adhered the windowed panel on top of the sentiment panel.

I added details to the cupcakes by adding dots of white Ranger Enamel Accents. At first, I was applying the dots directly to the image but some of the dots are too big for the small image. To have control over this, I squeezed some onto a scrap paper. I picked up the Enamel Accents using a stick pin.

For the flower, I squeezed red Stickles onto a scrap paper. This time, I used a brush to apply the Stickles to the petals. I had a hard time applying the Stickles. I am not sure if it is from the waxed coating of the color pencil that prevents the glue to adhere to the surface. For the last detail, I applied a dot of gold Nuvo to the center of the flower.

Thanks for viewing my blog. I hope you join us in today's bi-weekly challenge. Have a blessed and brilliant day!

Maria Giselle B.

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Shrinked Stamped Crystal Images

I came up with a card idea that I couldn't just give up on. I know the Hero Arts Holiday Cardmaking will end today, about 6 hours before I started working on this card. This is a big challenge for me, time crunch.

I stamped the images from HA Christmas Crystals onto Shrinky Dinks Crystal Clear transparencies. I used Stazon Cotton White to stamp the images. I also used the Misti Stamping Tool which is very helpful in stamping a lot of images at once, and also prevent shifting of the images when stamping on transparencies.

I cut the images separate before coloring it. I tried coloring first but the inks end up transferring to my hand. I then, punched a hole on the top of the image. I fuzzy cut the image leaving a small border around the image and the punched hole.

Here comes the magic. According to the packaging directions, it is recommended to use a toaster oven to shrink the plastic. I used my heat tool, a popsicle stick and a box cover. The plastic will curl during heating and seem to have its own mind because it will start curling and flip. This is where the use of the popsicle stick comes in, to get some control over the plastic. The end result, pretty crystal gems!

To create the card, I used the HA Tiny Flags to create a Christmas tree. I initially stamped this on a scrap paper to plan how I will mask the background rubber stamp. I used painters tape to create the tree border. I inked this background stamp with HA Soft Leaf Shadow Ink. I took the tape off and placed a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" green cardstock, to create a tone-on-tone image.

For the sentiment background, using the same colored cardstock, I stamped the sentiment from HA Snowman Christmas stamp set. I used the Misti to repeatedly stamp the sentiment with Versamark ink since the first impression weren't good. I heat embossed the sentiment using American Crafts Metallic Gold powder.

To add more detail to this sentiment panel, I rubbed the HA Unicorn pigment ink to an acrylic block. I spritz this with a little bit of water, mixed it with a small paint brush, then tapped the paint brush on my finger to create small dots.

I positioned the crystals on the tree panel. I poked holes using We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy needle. I hand sew the crystals to attach them to tree, sort of like the hooks for ornaments. I used a DMC Metallic Gold thread. I secured the thread at the back using a strong double adhesive tape. I fuzzy cut the tree which I should have done before sewing. Well, it still worked, just gave myself a bit of difficulty. I adhered this onto the sentiment panel using foam tape, then adhered to a kraft colored note card. I did snip a small portion off the edges from this green panels to create a border with the kraft color.

Here is a comparative picture of the stamp set and the shrinked version of it.

Thanks for viewing my blog. Have a blessed and brilliant day!

Maria Giselle B.

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http://blog.heroarts.com/challenge/

November Linky Challenge-Anything Goes

Layered Stamping and Embossing

I have difficulties using layered stamps. I am amazed at what others can create from this kind of stamps. I just got to try again, right?

I started with creating the front panel. I repeatedly stamped the sentiments from Hero Arts Christmas Crystals stamp set. I positioned the words on an acetate. I made sure it is straight by using a T-ruler. I also made sure the 3 words are properly spaced. The acetate stabilizes the word stamps to prevent it from shifting. I am using the Misti Stamping Tool. I picked the word stamps by closing the door of the Misti onto the acetate. The word stamps attached to the Misti door. I then removed the acetate. I cut a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" red cardstock. I stamped the sentiments repeatedly using Versamark ink. I started at the middle, moving the cardstock down, then shifting it to the left or right. The Misti grid lines are very helpful as a guide in moving and shifting the cardstock for even spacing. Once I stamped the whole panel,  using a soft brush, I pounced some pearl Perfect Pearl on the stamped sentiments. Once I've covered the whole panel with Perfect Pearl, I mist the panel with water to set the Perfect Pearl. I dried this using the heat gun. I buffed of the excess Perfect Pearl using a Swiffer.

To create the window, I used a My Favorite Things circle die. I temporarily adhered the red cardstock onto a note card, then ran this through the Sizzix. I also die cut a mask using the next biggest sized circle,

The Christmas tree is from HA Christmas Color Layering Tree stamp set. The set has 4 layers to create the tree. I practiced first with the colors I was planning to use to see if they match. I think aside from aligning these stamps to create a layered look, choosing the right color combination is another key to come up with good results. Using a stamp positioner can also be helpful.

I stamped the base layer on the back panel of the note card using HA Field Green ink. I restamped the image using HA White Unicorn Ink to lighten the color of the first impression. I don't have a lot of coordinating green inks so this is one way of creating variety of shades especially if you have limited supplies.

This is where I kind of messed up the image. I thought I've dried the Unicorn ink well enough. I stamped the second layer using Versamark so I can emboss it. My mistake. After I poured the powder, guess what happened? The powder stuck to the base layer with the Unicorn ink. Oh well. Moving forward, it was actually a happy accident. I used Wow! White Pearl embossing powder on this base layer. After the powder melted, I like the look of it! Continuing, I stamped the 2nd layer and embossed it with HA Silver embossing powder. The 3rd layer, I used Wow! Gold Rich Pale embossing powder. And, for the last layer, I used Wow! Snow Puff powder. For the star, I embossed this using Wow! Gold Ultra High embossing powder.

For the tree background,  I used the negative portion of the mask and adhered this, centering the tree on the circle. I also created a mask for the ground. I blended Simon Says Stamp Sea Glass ink for the sky. I used HA Soft Granite and Silver inks for the ground. I added Nuvo Crystals drops for accents.

I stamped the sentiment in red ink. I adhered the red panel on the card front, making sure the circle windows are aligned. I added a Lawn Fawn twine and tied this into a bow at the top of the card.

Thanks for viewing my blog. Have a blessed & brilliant day!

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation with

http://blog.heroarts.com/challenge/

No-Line Digi Stamp Coloring

I thought the challenge for this image's sponsor, Sami Stamps, is next Incy Wincy Designs' Challenge. Aside from this, the card I created does not meet the challenge this image will sponsor. Let's just say, I fell in love with the cuteness of this owl, and that somebody who loves owls inspired me to create this card.

I printed the image on Strathmore Watercolor paper in sepia. I used Zig Clean Color and Akashiya Sai markers for coloring. I added a wash of grey on the background, making sure not to touch the already colored image.

I die cut the sentiment using Concord & 9th Grateful Leaf die. I heat embossed this with copper Ranger embossing powder.

For the panels, I cut a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" kraft cardstock and embossed this with We R Memory Keepers 3D embossing folder. I adhered a strip of patterned paper to this. I matted the watercolored panel with patterned paper. I adhered this onto the kraft cardstock panel with fun foam.

This is just a preview of this digital image can be used. Please come and visit my blog again when the IWD Challenge sponsored by Sami Stamps is posted.

Thanks for viewing my blog. Have a blessed & brilliant day!

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation with

Anything Goes

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-thanksthanksgiving-4/

Color Challenge

Collage Nativity Card

The challenge for me in creating this card is coming up with coordinating embellishments to re-create the lay-out of the sketch in today's bi-weekly Incy Wincy Designs Challenge. I used Copic markers to color the image. I later end up fuzzy cutting it leaving a small white border.

For the background (which is just one of many =)), I used Strathmore Bristol paper to blend Tim Holtz Distress inks. I blended Tumbled Glass to the whole panel, which is about 4 1/2" x 5". I have no definite plans at this point so I ink blended the whole panel. I masked one part at a time to create rays coming from the right upper corner of the panel. I blended Blue Sketch and Faded Jeans to create the night sky part while the light areas are the rays coming from the star. I pounced pearl Perfect Pearl powder on the light areas. I later cut this using the second largest SSS rectangle die. It was too large for my intended lay-out, so I partially die-cut it to create a custom sized rectangle.

Looking through my Christmas paper packs, I am using Fancy Pants Timbergrove collection. Following the sketch, I created a panel using two different patterned papers. I taped it on the back before die cutting it using Simon Says Stamped Stitched Rectangles die. I used the biggest rectangle to cut this half & half panel.

I created a hill to ground the scene using a light brown cardstock and die cutting it with Avery Elle-ments Custom Panels die. I die cut to create some layers. I added stitching details to the outer corners of the ground using the SSS die. I embossed it with a We R Memory Keepers Tide embossing folder. I inked one with TH Ground Espresso, and inked the other with Vintage Photo.

For the upper half of the panel, I added stars. I die cut a Hobby Lobby vellum with spots of glitter using the SSS die. The spots were not enough to create a starry night sky. I can't find a star stamp in my stash that I like to use for this card. So, I used some silver Studio Calico star sequins and adhered it under the vellum for a muted look.

For the corner elements of the sketch, I stamped a sentiment on the same green patterned paper using an old Inkadinkado Christmas stamp. I heat embossed the sentiment using two different kinds of pearl powder from Wow!, a white and a silver. I didn't see any difference between the sentiment was heat embossed. Even if I did aim for a variation in colors between the star and the sentiment, I just kept it as is. I cut this in a triangular shape for the top right corner, sort of where the rays are coming from. For the bottom corner, I die cut the wood grain paper using a Paper Smooches Toppers Wise Die.

I added shimmer to the hay using clear Spectrum Noir. I added Novu Crystal drops to the stars and to the bottom corner embellishment.

Before I started adhering the elements to this collage card, I ran the edges of the base card on a Versamark ink pad. I applied Wow! Rich Pale Gold and heat embossed it.

A lot of details in creating this card. I hope you like it. Thanks for visiting my blog. Have a blessed & brilliant day!

Maria Giselle B.

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