Very Interactive Birthday Card

Hello. I've been asked by a friend to create a birthday card for her second son who turned one last month. The story behind her asking me to do this a second time is that she showed her sons (she has two) the card I created for her first son for his first birthday. She saw how her sons love the interactive spinners in that card that she realized that she didn't have a card created for her second son. It is never too late to create and give someone a birthday card. She wants another interactive card. She said he loves cars.

I wanted to create a sliding story book card but couldn't just come up with the proper mechanism until I saw Jennifer McGuire's videos on slider cards. It was such a great help putting this card together.

I am using the My Favorite Things Town Bear stamp set for this card. I worked on the inside of the card first. Since this will be a continuous scene, I sketched it first to help me know the image placements, layers, colors and techniques involved in each part of this background scene.

I stamped the bear twice on Strathmore Bristol paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink. After this has dried, I colored the images with Akashiya Sai watercolor brush pens. This stamp set has a coordinating die which I don't have so I fussy cut the images leaving a small white border around it.

For the card base, I am using a Neenah Solar White cardstock cut at 10" x 4 1/4". I did not score this in the middle yet but I did put a tick mark on the center where this card will be scored in half. For the lay-out of the background, I die cut a gray cardstock using MFT Open Road Die-namics. Once I decided on its placement, I lightly traced the sides with a pencil to let me know what area I would not apply ink on. I die cut an Inkadinkado masking paper using Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Borders. I adhered this to the the white cardstock, placing it a little below the pencil marks I created on the top side of the road die cut. I positioned the house stamps which will be in front of the hill. I also created masks for the houses and trees. I removed the hill masks paper and stamped the houses. Using a Misti Stamping Tool is very helpful in this step. It did not only help in positioning the stamp but it also helps when you need to double stamp the image to make the impression crisp. I used Memento Tuxedo Black ink on this part since I shifted to Copic coloring. Making sure the stamped houses are dry, I adhered back the hill paper masks which was not a problem positioning it back. The masks has partial stamped impressions of both trees and houses. All I had to do is line up the houses. I then stamped the trees. I adhered the fussy cut trees and the houses on top of the stamped images.

I created a cloud stencil. I die cut an acetate using Taylored Expressions Rolling Clouds die. I used this to ink the sky background of my scene. I am using Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Salty Ocean for the inking.

I removed the hill masking paper, making sure to keep the trees and houses masking papers adhered. I  cover the clouds using the other half of the hill masking paper. I also applied tape over the area where the road die cut will be adhered. I inked this area using THDO Peeled Paint. I added some water splatters to this green inked area, lifting off the water droplets with a dry paper towel. I also inked the bottom part of this card which will be the other side of the road die cut.

Now, it is time to reveal how the scene looks by taking off the masks. I colored the houses and the trees with Copic markers. I created two score marks at the center of the card, at 4 7/8" and 5 1/8", not that you need to do this but I thought it will make this card more of a story book if I score it this way.

I started working on the right side of the background panel. I adhered a strip of acetate to the back of the bear. Using a craft knife, I cut a slit to the white portion where the road die cut will be adhered. I worked on the pull-out strip sentiment. I am telling you, this is the second part of this card that I put much time and effort on. The key to it is to practice the slide out piece first before adhering everything permanently. With all the masking and coloring, I do not want to make a mistake at this point. I adhered a 5" x 4 1/4" Neenah Solar White Cardstock to the back.

For the left side of the background panel, I die cut a slider channel using the die in the MFT Open Road die set, keeping the negative die cut. After I adhered the slider elements to the card for this side of the background panel, I worked on the front of the card which will cover this slider channel opening. For the negative die cut, this will be adhered to the back of the front panel after the front panel is assembled.

For the front panel, I die cut a gray cardstock using the wavy road die from the MFT Open Road Die-namics. I also die cut a masking paper with this die. I adhered this to a Neenah White Cardstock mearuing 5" x 4 1/4". I embossed a greeting from the MFT Town Bear stamp set. I inked the sides of the road with THDO Peeled Paint, flicked water droplets to the area, and lifted it with a dry paper towel.

I created the bear using the same process as I did with the other bears. I die cut a balloon on a scrap patterned paper using Birdie Brown Beary Special Birthday. I partially die cut the whole die, since I only needed the balloon using a yellow glittered paper. I taped a silver thread to the back with tape and glue. I added a dot of glue to the base of the balloon then wrapped this with the silver thread. I created a bow and adhered this to the base of the balloon.

To add the last interactive mechanism on this card, I adhered a mini Action Wobbler to the back of the bear, then adhered it to the road. I added a dot of glue to the bear and adhered the end of the silver thread to it, as if the bear is dragging the balloon with him while he drives. I secured the bear on the action wobbler with a strong liquid adhesive. I trimmed off the edges so the card base will mat this front card panel but before adhering, I lined up the negative die cut of the slider to the slider channel opening on the left inner panel. After adhering this and setting up the sliding car, I adhered the front panel with adhesive foam.

After taking photos of the card and watching the card I made for my friend's first son, I realized I did not add the number one to this card. If you notice, one of the photos has a number one on the balloon. I heat embossed the number one from MFT First Place Sentiment stamp. I used Wow! Glow in the Dark embossing powder. I fussy cut the number one leaving a white border around it. I adhered this to the balloon.

Whew! That was some hard work there! I am not even sure if I explained myself clearly here. Feel free to post any questions in the comment section.

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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at

MFT Card Challenges

Challenge 79~Anything Goes

Fall Colors Inspired Birthday Card

Hello! I am late in posting for Incy Wincy Designs Challenge Blog's current challenge on Happy Birthday. Our blog challenge sponsor is Rick St. Dennis.

I printed the image on Neenah Solar White cardstock. I am still inspired by the colors of a previously created card for a color challenge. This is my third card created using those colors. I just cannot get over it!

I colored the image with Copic markers, adding detail wherever I can using my pen supplies. I fussy cut the image leaving a small white border around.

For the background panel, I am using an old Basic Grey patterned paper. Using a My Favorite Things Spotlight stencil, I brushed in Hero Arts Unicorn White pigment ink. I used a Clarity stencil brush to color in the spotlight. I inked the side spotlights on the stencil as well but I did not like the effect. I did not want to pitch the patterned paper because it is the only one I have. To save the paper and hopefully, this project, I blended Tim Holtz Seedless Preserves on the sides of the center spotlight to cover the side spotlights. I  used the side of the stencil to cover the center spotlight while I added the purple ink. I brushed in Perfect Pearls Grape Vine to the purple blended area.

I embossed the sentiment from MFT BB Beary Special Birthday stamp set on the bottom of the spotlight. I feel that there was something lacking on the background despite using a patterned paper. There is just too much space on the sides of the spotlight. I did not want to add anything too overwhelming so I stamped little stars on this area using Versamark ink. The stars are from two different Mama Elephant stamp sets, Make a Wish and Confetti.

I adhered the colored digital image to the center of the spotlight using foam adhesive. My spotlight was off centered so I trimmed off the edge to center it. I adhered a fun foam to the back, then adhered this to a top folding note card.

I added Glossy Accent to the candle light and this finishes my card.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you join us in this challenge. Have a blessed, brilliant & creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

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Challenge #314

Challenge #10~Anything Goes

Patterned Paper Background Fall Card

Hello! I created this card to participate in Lawn Fawnatics Challenge on Awesome Autumn. I got inspired by the colors I used on the card I recently created so I decided to use the same color inspiration on this card. 

I am using an old Doodlebug paper collection Kraft in Color. The mailbox is from the Lawn Fawn Happy Mail die. Instead of using the stand die, I used the tree branch stamp from Lawn Fawn Into the Woods stamp set. I fussy cut the image leaving a small white border around it. The Happy Mail die set comes with an envelope die. I stamped the word fall from Lawn Fawn Ready, Set, Shake stamp set. I masked the stamp so I can just ink the word fall before stamping it to the front of the envelope die cut. I traced the letters with a Sakura Black Glaze Pen. I stamped the hello from LF Into the Woods stamp set on an orange cardstock. I used the Misti Stamping Tool so I can re-stamp it a couple more times to darken the ink around the sentiment. I fussy cut the speech bubble modifying the shape to an oval one. I adhered this to the envelope die cut.

I created the background scene using the Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Borders die. I inked the patterned paper die cuts. I started layering the background panel and started creating the scene. The critters are colored with Copic markers and cut with the coordinating die. I actually colored these critters a while back but end up not using it. Sometimes I like to do that when I just feel like coloring. I keep the colored images together with the stamps inside its packaging. I am sure that I will have a project for it one day, and I did. 

I trimmed a bit off the edges, then adhered this to a top folding kraft note card.

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

Maria Giselle

I am sharing this creation at

Lawn Fawn Challenge Blog

Challenge 3/18 ~ Halloween/Fall

Layered Stamp Image using Black Cardstock

Hello! I created this card as requested by a friend. She wants me to create a birthday card for her daughter. And, when I am asked to create something for a special recipient, I usually ask what the recipient likes. In this case, my friend's daughter's likes a black cat.

At the same time, I created this card to participate in Newton's Nook Challenge Blog's latest challenge which is a color challenge.

Among the things that needs to be done in creating this card, I think coloring on black cardstock is the most challenging. Like how are you going to make the cat alive on a black cardstock? Well, if one can color on kraft and gray cardstock, maybe it can be done on black cardstock, too. The image which is from Newton Loves Cake stamp set. I stamped the image about three times on a black cardstock using the Misti Stamping Tool just to make a bolder impression of the image. I stamped extras just in case I need to re-do my coloring and also for the layering. I colored the cat using Prisma Color Pencils. I followed the outlines of the stamped cat using an extra fine point black marker. I lined the eyes with Sakura Black Glaze pen.

I stamped this image on a white cardstock using black ink and on a gold vellum paper using gold ink, embossing this with Wow! Gold Pearl embossing powder. On the white cardstock, I fussy cut the frosting and temporarily adhered it to a Tim Holtz Non-stick craft mat. I applied Wendi Vecchi embossing paste to it to create a dimensional frosting. I set this aside to dry. Once dry, I added Nuvo drops and Stickles for the sprinkles.

For the stamped image on the gold vellum, I adhered this to a gold cardstock then fussy cut it. It will be easier if I have the matching dies. But for me, instead of putting the money on the dies, I just buy other stamps. I do have matching dies on the stamp sets that I use often.

To create the background, I am using cardstocks based on the color inspiration. I cut each colored carstock at 4 1/2" x 4 1/2". I layered these and die cut square windows using Lawn Fawn Stitched Square. I used every other square to create a stacked window effect. I added an embossed impression on these stacked squares using the Newton Nook Confetti stencil. To make the design continuous between the stacked layers, I used the Misti Creative Corner to flush one corner of the cardstock. I partially taped the stencil on the top to create a hinge. Once the cardstock is in place, I treated the cardstock with an anti-static tool. I pounced the Versamark ink on the stencil. I poured some Judikins Iridescent Sparkle embossing powder to the cardstock, then heat set it. I repeated this process on the other layers as well.

Now, time to assemble the front panel of the card. I fussy cut the stamped black cat. There is more fussy cutting to do but I only did this when I am ready to adhere it. I lose things while crafting. This is my way of keeping things in control.  I adhered the cat on the orange panel which has no die cut window. I adhered the yellow panel on top lining up the edges to the orange cardstock. This is where most of the layering of the stamped image was done.

I adhered the gold stamped image over the black stamped image, lining up the images. I then adhered the frosting. I fussy cut the cat's tail and each cat's paws, adhering it right away after I fussy cut it. I did not used foam adhesives but instead added a blob of Tim Holtz Matte Collage Medium on the back of the cat's front paws to give it a raised effect. I added a stamped candle to the cupcake. I colored this with Prisma color pencils, too. I should have added this while the embossing paste was still wet. But since it was a late design addition, I carefully added embossing paste to the bottom of the candle.

I also stamped and colored a party hat for the cat. I continued layering the panels. I stamped the sentiment on vellum with Versamark ink, treating the area first with an anti-static tool. I heat embossed this with Hero Arts White embossing powder. I trimmed this and tucked one edge under the panel.

I adhered this panel to a top folding 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" white note card. I also stamped a birthday greeting inside the card.

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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at

Newton's Nook Blog Challenge

October Challenge~Birthday Anything Goes

Monochromatic Card

 

Hello! We have a new challenge at Incy Wincy DesignsChallenge Blog. The challenge theme is Blue and Buttons which coincides with the name of our sponsor, Little Blue Button Stamps. I am using the image, Miss Lilly in the Garden.

I printed the image on Neenah Solar White cardstock. I colored the background and the image with Copic markers (B21, B23, B24, B26). I am also using the blender pen 0. I added shading and accents using Prisma color pencils and various pens that I have in my stash.

I die cut a blue cardstock using a Lawn Fawn Outside In Stitched Scallop Rectangle die. I was trying to create a window but end up using the negative die cut, creating it into a frame for the image by trimming off the edges.

For the background panel, I embossed a blue cardstock with a We R Memory Keepers Next Level Quilted embossing folder. I spritz this panel with Perfect Pearl Perfect Pearl diluted in water. I set this aside to dry.

I embossed the same colored cardstock using Sizzix Cornflowers embossing folder. I fussy cut the flowers.

For the buttons, I looked in my stash to find the buttons I got from my mother’s button stash in the Philippines. I colored the buttons blue using Copic marker B69 to keep up with the monochromatic look.  

For the sentiment, I am using a stamp from Paper Smooches Chit Chat stamp set. I positioned my colored panel on the Misti Stamping tool. I positioned my stamp and inked the sentiment with Memento London Fog ink. I used the Copic blender ink to lift the color inside the sentiment. After this had dried, I treated the area with anti-static tool and re-stamped the sentiment with Versamark ink. I poured Wow! White Pearl embossing powder to this then heat set it. 

I adhered the frame over the colored image panel. I trimmed off the excess. I adhered a fun foam to the back then adhered this to the center of the embossed panel. I adhered the flowers and the buttons afterwards.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you join us in this challenge which will run until October 13.

Have a blessed, brilliant & creative day.

Maria Giselle

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October 2018 Challenge

Christmas Themed 3D Pumpkins

Hello. I was given a challenge by Pebbles, Inc. to create something pumpkin inspired without having to use fall themed supplies. I am using the Merry, Merry collection for this project. I created 3D pumpkins to hopefully create a batch of these pumpkins to prepare for my 1st Grader's Christmas classroom party. It is never too early to get ready since there are 20 of them in his class.

The cut is from Cricut Design Space. The cut comes with instructions which includes what glue to use in putting the pieces together. I am posting here a photo step-by-step instructions that will hopefully help and inspire you to create these cute 3D pumpkins.

This is the cut file of the 3D Pumpkin in CDS.

I love to save on paper. I put the cut pieces together in one mat.

Sometimes, taking off the cut pieces is hard on a sticky mat. Instead of peeling the paper off the mat, I peel the mat off the paper, leaving the cut pieces on the mat. 

Use a spatula to gently remove the cut pieces off the sticky mat.

I had to clean the intricate cuts with a weeder or pick tool to push out the negative cuts. 

Spray the back of the large cuts, which I will call 'x' cut from hereon, with an adhesive spray. 

Adhere the second layer to the back of the first layer, covering the holes. I am using a single sided paper which worked out fine so the white backing will show through the holes.

Fold the scored tabs.

The smaller base layer comes with cuts on the center for the pumpkin stem. Using a craft knife, slide the blade in these 2 holes on one of the smaller base layer cut to allow easy passage of the stem tab.

Adhere the large 'x' cuts on top of each other by applying liquid glue on the center. Sorry, I forgot to take a photo of this.

 Add liquid adhesive to the tabs. I am using Ranger Matte Collage Medium. The small tip helps in controlling the amount of glue you place on the tabs. 

Adhere the tabs to the next leaf layer. Curving the paper gently to line up the edges. I use a craft tweezer to keep the tabs in place while the glue is drying.

For the small 'x' cuts, before adhering it on top of each other, I had to create the stem first. This cut is small. It came with score lines, with some being so thin. I also use a craft tweezer to make the tab stick well.

After putting the stem cut together, there are two tabs on the bottom that slides through the holes of the small 'x' layer. Threading the craft knife through this slits made this step really easy.

Add glue to these tabs. I placed an acrylic block on top while the glue is drying.

Just repeat the process as in the bigger 'x' cut. Then you'll end up with 2 concave pieces, a long one and a short one. The shore part has the stem.

I die cut a tag using Lawn Fawn Tiny Tags die on a green cardstock from the Merry, Merry paper collection. I used some of the cut-away patterned paper to complete the tag. I used the Lawn Fawn Gold Sparkle to add the tag to the pumpkin.

My first grader already added candy inside the pumpkins as you can see in the first photo.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Thank you Pebbles for letting me a part of this month's challenge. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.