Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Two Cards, Two 6x6 Patterned Papers, In-Lay Technique


Hello. I created this card to partake in Honey Bee Stamps Buzzworthy Challenge in Facebook. The challenge is on using patterned paper. I have a very limited supply of Honey Bee stamps. And when I say limited, it is really very limited. So this is an extra challenge for me, using what supply I have on hand.

The patterned papers I am using is from a retired Studio Calico 6x6 paper pad. I cut the two patterned papers into 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I planned out the lay out of the dies on this panel. After I positioned the dies, I secured the dies with washi tapes. I also placed the patterned papers on top of each other. Luckily, the dies ran through both sheets with just one passing. I kept all the negative and positive cuts for the in-lay technique. The dies I used are from Honey Bee Bless Your Heart Honey Cuts, Lawn Fawn Cole's ABC, and Concord & 9th Love You So. The heart die cut an outline and a stitched heart wherein I stamped the word heart using a dark grey dye ink. The sentiment is from the Honey Bee Bless Your Heart stamp set.

My sentiment was die cut off center so I trimmed a quarter of an inch off the left side of the panel. I applied adhesive to a white top folding A2 note card. I adhered the patterned paper to the glued area. This is when the fun begins...for me, anyway. I pieced all the die cuts to the negative cut of the die, interchanging the patterned papers. Of course, I lost the tiniest negative cuts of the letter 's', but I just die cut the matching patterned paper and, nobody will ever know that it is not the actual piece that is glued to it.



For the lighter background with the darker die cuts, I applied Nuvo Glitter Morning Dew Crystal Drops. For the darker background with the lighter die cuts, the sentiment cannot be read due to the busy pattern of the dark background. I did not want to give up in creating the second card. I need to do something to make the sentiment pop-out. I first applied Versamark ink to the letters using a Versamark ink pen. I poured Wow! White Pearl embossing powder to the area, then heat set it. I made sure the heat gun is warm to prevent the card from warping. This wasn't enough to make the sentiment pop. Next, I outlined the letters using Sakura Black Glaze pen. I think this kinda did the trick. For the heart, I die cut another heart on the light colored patterned paper. I stamped the sentiment to this.  I trimmed off the area with the sentiment while the hearts are on top of the other to create this into a strip sentiment. I pieced this on the heart, creating a striped pattern.

Using a cutter, I trimmed off strips of patterned paper to adhere to the edges of the die-cut sentiment panel.

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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at





Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Sketch Inspired Summer Card


Hello! I created this card for two reasons. For my 3rd son's 13th birthday, which was yesterday, and to join in the latest Inky Paws Challenge. I am using stamps from Newton's Summer Treats stamp set. I stamped the cat on Neenah Solar White cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I colored the cat using Copic markers. Of course, the cat is colored with one of my sister's cats as a model. This time, it is Pepe's turn. I fussy cut the image. I applied shimmer to the popsicle using Spectrum Noir Sparkle Glitter brush pen. I applied Ranger Glossy Accents to the popsicle and allowed this to dry. Afterwards, I applied Ranger Black Enamel Accents to the shades of the cat then set this aside to dry.

I rotated the sketch clockwise to create a vertical card. For the main panel, I trimmed a Simple Stories patterned paper to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I die cut a window on a red cardstock using My Favorite Things LJD Rectangle Peek-a-Boo Window Die-namics. I adhered a pastel blue vellum to the back of the window. Using another Simple Stories patterned paper, I die cut the edge using a scallop edger die from Mame Elephant Borderlines Trio Creative Cuts.

I die cut a banner using ME Framed Tags Uniong Square Creative Cuts on a mustard colored cardstock, coordinating with one of the colors on the dots of the scalloped edged patterned paper. I embossed a sentiment to the tag using Versafine Onyx Black ink and Hero Arts clear embossing powder.


I die cut a semi-circle using the Cricut Explore machine on the same colored cardstock. I die cut a heart window using Simon Says Stamp Mini Hearts Outline die. As the die is named, the die cuts heart outlines and shapes. I die cut the outline using the same patterned paper I used for the scalloped edge. I applied shimmer to this outline heart using Spectrum Noir. For the inner heart, I die cut a brown shimmer cardstock, and adhered this on top of the patterned paper heart die cut for some dimension. I applied a piece of transparent tape to the back of the semi-circle and paper pieced the outline and heart die cuts.


Putting the card together, I adhered some hexagon sequins to the area that will show through the rectangle window. I did not glue all the sequins to allow it to move behind the vellum, sort of a flat shaker card. I adhered the scalloped patterned paper next. I tucked in the banner underneath the scalloped patterned paper. I also tucked in the semi-circled die cut underneath the red window cardstock.

I die cut the B side of the scalloped patterned paper using the straight slider die from Lawn Fawn Slide On Over Lawn Cuts dies. This die's primary purpose is to die cut a window on your panel to create a slider interactive element to your card. But it does not mean you cannot use the positive die cut. That is what I am doing here. I die cut this twice and adhered it on top of the other. I adhered it to the bottom part of the window, to create a ground for the cat. I adhered the cat with foam adhesive.

To finish the card, I adhered this panel to a side folding A2 Neenah Desert Storm cardstock.

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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at



Monday, July 15, 2019

Digital Image on Ink Blended Background


Hello! We have a new challenge at Incy Wincy Designs Challenge Blog. The challenge is on Flowers and Colour Palette. I am using a silhouette image from Beccy's Place. This image is part of the Fallow Fields set.


I blended several inks on Strathmore Bristol paper. I am using Tim Holtz Distress Oxides in Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry and Fired Brick in lieu of the challenge's color scheme as seen above. I flicked some water on the panel then picked up the water droplets with a paper towel.

I wanted to print the image on the panel but I did not want to mess up the blended panel. I used the Cricut Design Space to draw the image on the panel instead. There is a feature in Cricut Design Space called SnapMat if you are using the mobile app. This allows you to take a photo of the material to be cut or in this case, drawn on, while adhered to the cutting mat. Once you have a photo taken, you can position the image to the center of this. This means to me that I can cut my scraps and I can place my cardstock anywhere in the Cricut mat. What a great feature!

Back to drawing the image, I wanted to use a navy blue marker but I don't have the Cricut marker of this color. I only have a navy Zig Color Twin marker. Knowing that I can push out the pen holder, I rubber banded the marker on the area that will have contact with the area where the pen holder used to be. There are adapters on sale online but I don't have those. The only worry I have at this point is the marker moving during the drawing process. But it did not! Another great discovery! Imagine the possibilities.


I did not want to re-activate the Oxide inks so I used Faber Castell Polychromos pencils in coloring the drawn image. I added some details to the flowers using a navy glitter marker and a white Pilot Juice gel pen.

I used the Avery Elle Pierced Mat Elle-ments to die cut the inked panel. The lay-out is longer than the die that I used so I partially die cut the lay-out, then moved the die to the bottom of the lay-out, making sure that the pierced dots are aligned, then run this through the Sizzix Big Shot.

I stamped the sentiment using Hero Arts Navy Shadow ink. The sentiment is from Paper Smooches Magical Sampler stamp set.

I adhered this to a navy textured cardstock, then to a white top folding notecard. I trimmed off the edges by using the diagonal panel die cut as guide, coming up with a shaped card. This is a bit narrow than the regular A2 sized note card. I had this matted on another blue cardstock but I changed my mind later on, so I trimmed this off.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you join us in today's challenge. I cannot wait to see what you create. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.



I am sharing this creation at






Sunday, July 14, 2019

Beach Scene Card


Hello! I am so glad I was able to take a night off from work to finish this card. I am still on call but not going to work at the set time allowed me to finish this card.

I created this card to participate in the latest LawnFawnatics challenge. I don't have a beach or summer themed Lawn Fawn stamp set, so I challenged myself to come up with a beach scene using my supplies. Also, I just purchased Lawn Fawn Stamp sets from a re-seller. I am also challenging myself to use my newly bought supplies first before buying more...unless, I really need it.

I created a mask using Taylored Expression Rolling Clouds die. I applied a blue chalk ink using a Picket Fence Life Changing Brush.

For the ocean, I fussy cut an Echo Park patterned paper which has a wave border design. I adhered the borders underneath the inked sky, making sure the border somehow overlaps each other.

For the beach, I die cut two different tones of kraft cardstock using Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Borders die. I heat embossed one of the layers with Hero Arts Sand embossing powder. I adhered this to the bottom of the wave borders.

For the focal point of the card, I stamped the image on different colored cardstocks, making sure it follows a rainbow pattern. The stamp is from LF Monster Mash stamp set. I masked off the face on the original stamp so I can use the smiley faces from the LF Love Letters stamp set instead. I fussy cut the monsters. I lined the edges with Memento Tuxedo Black marker to hide off any imperfections from fussy cutting.

I die cut a phone on black cardstock three times using the die from LF Selfie Frames die set. I adhered these die cuts on top of the other to create a dimensional look. It also gives stability to the frame.

For the sentiment, I needed a longer speech bubble that will fit the sentiment from the LF Monster Mash. I partially die cut the speech bubble from the LF Selfie Frames. I moved this die, lining the cut area with the cutting part of the die, then ran this through the Sizzix Big Shot. I stamped the sentiment with Versafine Onxy Black ink, and embossed it with clear embossing powder.

I positioned the monsters on how I like them to look inside the frame. I added Gina K. Connect glue to the back of the monsters. I also applied the same glue to the back of the phone frame. I adhered the sentiment using foam adhesive.

I used Spectrum Noir Sparkle Glitter pen to add shimmer to the waves. I applied small dots of pink Nuvo Jewel Drops for cheeks on the monster.

I trimmed off an 8th of an inch along the sides. I adhered this to a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" Jade cardstrock from Paper Source. I then adhered this to a top folding white note card.


I am sending this card to my eldest son, Rudy, who is in Basic Training right now. It is his 18th birthday next Sunday. The number of monsters coincides with the same number of his family members.

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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at






Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Window Christmas Card

  

Hello. I am so happy that Mama Elephant is sponsoring a challenge at Instagram #mamaelephanttopcardcontest. I love Mama Elephant products. I lately leaned on purchasing their Creative Cuts over the stamps.

For this contest, I sketched several ideas. I had difficulties creating my first sketched lay out. I was going to give up at that point but I still have several sketches to try out. Luckily, this last sketched lay out of mine worked out. I did have a couple of trial and errors before coming up with this card.

The difficult part for me for this card is cutting the dual window opening. One of the long sides of the window does not cut but only scores. I keep forgetting that so I end up cutting the window off when I get to cutting the second window. Also, lining up the two window was a challenge. But patience and perseverance paid off. This window die is from Mama Elephant Peek a Frame Creative Cuts.

After I cut the windows on a cream cardstock, I worked on the scene panel. I applied ink to an 80-lb. 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" Neenah Solar White cardstock. I used the Picket Fence Life Changing Brush. I used Tim Holtz Distress inks in Tumble Glass, Broken China, Chipped Sapphire and Black Soot. I added pearlized water droplets to this panel allowing it to dry.

I stamped the reindeer image thrice on Neenah Solar White cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I colored the images with Copic markers. I die cut the images using the coordinating die. Of course, one of the reindeers is colored with a red nose.


I stamped the sentiment on acetate using Stazon Cotton White with the help of the Misti Stamping Tool. I used the Mama Elephant Happy Everything stamp set for the sentiment. I trimmed off the edges of the acetate to make it the same size as the windows. I applied Ranger Glossy Accents to the back of the acetate, to areas behind the stamped sentiment, then adhered this to the front of the window. After this has dried, I cut the middle of the acetate with a craft knife using the window as a guide to be able to open up the window.


I adhered the reindeers with foam adhesive, adding a gold thread underneath to connect the reindeers. I added foam adhesive to the back of the window panel, then adhered this to the inked-reindeer panel. I cut off the excess.

The finished card is about 5 1/4" long. I could have made a shorter card but instead I added red glittered paper to the sides for added color. I adhered all of this to a side folding A2 note card. Adding more accents to the scene, I added red Stickles to first reindeer's nose, and Ranger Glossy Accents to the other reindeers' noses. I also added clear Wink of Stella to the antlers. I added dots of white Sakura White Gel pen to the night sky.

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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at






Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Watercolored Embossed Sympathy Card


Hello. I created this card to join in Hero Arts Challenge, theme is Sympathy. I also created this card to give to a school family who's loved one passed away.

I embossed the Hero Arts Floral Stamp & Cut by Lia on Ranger Watercolor paper. To do this, I sandwiched the die and watercolor paper with a Spellbinders Rubber Mat, the two cutting plates and an extra cardstock as an additional shim. I ran this on the Sizzix machine with Tab 2 open on the standard platform.

I taped the embossed panel on a hard board. I used Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolor for the whole panel, switching brushes from one area to the other. I removed the tape carefuly and trimmed off the edges.

I then embossed a sentiment from Hero Arts Everyday Sayings using clear embossing powder on Versafine Onyx Black ink. I used the Misti Stamping Tool to stamp the sentiment to be able to re-stamp it since the watercolor paper has some texture to it.

I adhered this panel to a top folding white note card using a strong adhesive. I added yellow Nuvo Drops to the flower centers.


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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at


Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Rainbow Background Window Card



Hello! I am late in posting for our new challenge at Incy Wincy Designs Challenge Blog. Nothing new for those who follow me and read my blog. I lost track of time. I did not realize it is already July. The good thing is I have the lay-out of this card sketched so I was quick in creating it.

Our challenge theme is Rainbows Galore. Our sponsor is Li'l Blue Button Stamps. I printed the image on kraft cardstock. I colored the image with Faber Castell Polychromos pencils.

For the card panel, I am using a Neenah Dessert Storm cardstock cut at 8 1/2" x 5 1/2". I scored it at the middle to create a side-folding A2 note card. I created a heart window using a Hero Arts Cut-Outs Floral Heart die. I am not using the intricate heart die cut for this card but I saved it for a future project.

I needed another heart to create a rainbow background for the heart window. I don't have a heart nesting die so I traced the heart on the same dark kraft cardstock using the die I used to create the window. I fussy cut the heart and I did not like how I cut it. Instead of cutting another one again with my scissors, I went to my reliable Cricut to cut the heart out.

I blended inks to this heart using Tim Holtz Distress Oxide inks in Candied Apple, Abandoned Coral, Wild Honey, Cracked Pistachio and Broken China. I used a small Picket Fence Life Changing Brush to apply and blend the inks. I cleaned the brush in between colors by brushing the color off a baby wipe, then brushing it on paper to make sure I removed the color before using the brush on another color. I adhered this to the inside of the card by lining the heart to the window on the front of the card, applied liquid glue to its back, and closed the card onto it.


For the front of the card, I embossed it using Li'l Inker Designs Quilted Stitched Pattern die. I fussy cut the image leaving a small border around the image. I wanted to back this up with another kraft cardstock to make it sturdy. This would have been easy if I cut the image using the Cricut. Since I did not, I traced the fussy cut image on a kraft cardstock, then fussy cut this using the lines as a guide. It is not a perfect match but it is good enough. I added liquid adhesive to the back of the digital die cut, to the areas that will adhere to the front of the card. I added liquid adhesive to other fussy cut kraft cardstock, then adhered this to the back of the window.

For the sentiment, I embossed this on the dark kraft cardstock using white embossing powder. The sentiment is from Mama Elephant Sunday Sentiments stamp set. I die cut this using Avery Elle Simple Sentiments Elle-ments. I die cut two more strips to adhere to the back of the embossed sentiment to create some dimension.


For the inside of the card, I strategically stamped the sentiment so it is covered by the digital image. I stamped this using Versafine Onyx Black ink. I used the Misti Stamping Tool just in case I need to re-stamp, which I did. I end up re-stamping the sentiment since I did not have a good impression the first time.


Thank you for visiting my blog. Hope to see your rainbow creations in the challenge blog. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.



I am sharing this creation at