Color Inspired Greeting Card

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I have a new card created with the colors of the latest Color Hues challenge, Lime Green and Aqua, as inspiration. 

I am using the Trinity Stamps Crafty Post 3x4 Stamp & Postcard Die Bundle. I created my own background by repeatedly stamping the postage stamp on a watercolor paper cut at 5 1/2" x 4 1/4". I used Versafine Onyx Black ink to stamp the image. I used the Misti Stamping Tool so I can move my paper in relation to the stamp and hopefully come up with equal spacing in between the stamped impression. The Misti Stamping Tool also helped me re-stamp the image again especially on this textured paper. 

After I filled up most of the panel, I sped dry the panel with the heating tool. I colored the image with Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Twisted Citron and Tumbled Glass to follow the color scheme. 

I heat embossed a scrap white cardstock with Wow! Embossing Powders Jealous Guy and Primary Blue Topaz. I am just so lucky that I have embossing powders that match the color scheme. I die cut the embossed cardstock with the heart die in the set. To make the hearts puffier looking, I added two more layers of embossing powder. I adhered this to the center of the postage stamp image.

I colored the background with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tea Dye. 

For the sentiment, I die cut the word Hello, which is also included in the set, on black cardstock and a teal cardstock. I adhered three layers of this sentiment die cut with the black die cut on top creating some dimension. I cut the shadow on white cardstock. 

I masked a part of the stamp to create the strip sentiment. I stamped the sentiment using Versafine Onyx Black ink. I heat embossed this with clear embossing powder. I die cut this using a sentiment strip die. I adhered this to the watercolored panel with the sentiment strip tucked in between the Hello sentiment die cut and the shadow die.

I trimmed off a fourth of an inch from the edges. I adhered this to a teal cardstock cut at 5 1/2" x 4 1/4". I added some shimmer to the word Hello using Zig Wink Of Stella Shimmer Pen.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope this card gives you some inspiration on how to use your small stamp images into creating your own made background. 

I added the link above to the Trinity Stamp product I used on this card which is highlighted for your convenience. There is no additional cost to you should you decide to purchase this product. Thank you for your support. And, as always, have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at

Color Hues: The Color Challenge #18

Ironed On Chair Pouch And String Bag Backpack For School

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. For today's post, I honed my sewing skills to create my 4th grader's Chair Pouch and Art String Bag. His chair pouch is a hand me down from his brothers. It is now frayed from overuse. So this is his new one. I have extra fabric so I created a string bag to match.

There are several string bag backpack tutorials online. The one that helped me for this string bag that I created is by Lorrie Nunemaker. But I did modify her design. Instead of using fabric to hold the the string bag rope, I am using eyelets to thread the rope through. Got to use those eyelets and grommets in my stash. 

The name of the student is usually machine embroidered on the chair pouch and string bag backpack. I don't know how to do machine embroidery. So, I turn to my handy Cricut and its variety of Iron On materials for this purpose. My 4th grader chose the iron on colors and the font. And before I forget, he also chose the fabric. 

I am using the Aloha! Summer Font from Creative Fabrica. I love the offset function of Cricut since I also love sentiment dies with shadow dies in the paper crafting world.

The tricky part for me is ironing on the material. I don't have the Cricut Easy Press so I am only using my handy dandy iron. I always put a parchment paper in between the iron on material and the iron. Somehow, with the holographic iron on, I needed to burnish the material into the fabric using the scraper. That was the only way the material adhered to the fabric. Same thing goes with the glittered iron on. 

There was a little glue seepage on the glittered letter but otherwise, the result looks very cool. My son loves it.

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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at

Challenge 561~Anything Goes #26

July 2021~Anything Goes #20

Christmas Free Standing Pop Up Card

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I created this card for several reasons. One of them is to join in Mama Elephant's Guest Designer Call. I love Mama Elephant products. I am glad that they have monthly challenges again which they have at Discord. 

Another reason why I created this card is...well, it is about time to use this stamp set! I bought this stamp set with my sister in mind because she loves cats and has a lot of cats, and it has be a while since I bought this stamp set. Now is the best opportunity to show what I can create using this stamp. 

I stamped the image from the Mama Elephant Oh Kitty Tree stamp set on Neenah Solar White cardstock with the use of the Misti Stamping Tool. I colored the image with Copic markers. I colored the cats with my sister's cats and some cats from the Studio Ghibli The Cat Returns in mind. My sister's cats are mostly tuxedo cats. I added glitter to the stars, ornaments and bows using a shimmer pen. 

This is a type of card that I really wish I can make a video showing the step by step process of creating it. Somehow, I am lost explaining the steps in words. I do have a video below of how interactive this card is. I hope you like it. If you have any questions, feel free to drop one in the comments section.

This is a short post than my usual since. Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B. 

I am sharing this creation at

Mama Elephant Discord Channel

Hero Arts Blog #15

Glittery Floral Card

Hello! We have a new challenge at Incy Wincy Designs. The challenge theme is Red/White/Blue +/Or Sparkly/Glitter. We have two sponsors for this challenge. I am using an image from one of our sponsors. 

I challenged myself to combine both challenge themes on my card. I printed the image on Neenah Solar White Cardstock. I colored the image using Copic markers. I die cut the floral panel using the third largest rectangle die from the Hero Arts Rectangle Nesting dies. I covered this panel with a double adhesive sheet. I ran a scraper over the panel to make sure that the adhesive is well adhered to the panel. I partly removed the backing sheet and poured Elizabeth Crafts Microfine Glitter on the exposed adhesive. I continued this process until all the adhesive is covered with glitter. Covering the glittered panel with the backing sheet, I ran the scraper again over the backing sheet, going back and forth, to make sure that the glitter sticks to the adhesive. After I removed the backing sheet, I burnished the glitter by rubbing my finger all over the panel. This type of glitter changes to a shiny finish after burnishing. I used a Swiffer cloth to remove any excess glitter.

I cut a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" red cardstock. I drew a line around the edges using a glue pen. I poured red glittered embossing powder to this and heat set it. 

I adhered the colored panel to this red cardstock panel with fun foam for some dimension. 

For the sentiment, I die cut the word 'hello' on a red cardstock and two times on white cardstock. I embossed the red sentiment die cut with the same red glitter embossing powder I used for the outline. I adhered the sentiment die cuts on top of each other. I created a supplemental sentiment strip by stamping the sentiment on the same red cardstock using Versamark ink. I heat embossed this with white embossing powder. I die cut it into a strip using an Avery Elle Simple Sentiments die. The sentiment is from Hero Arts Hello Stamps And Cuts. I adhered both to the colored panel.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope to see your creations at the challenge blog. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

Image Sponsor

Rainbow Colored Greeting Card

Hello! I created this card with the Karin Markers July Colors as inspiration. I am using a Strathmore Watercolor paper cut at 5 1/2" x 4 1/4". I used the grid lines on my magnetic mat to create the triangles, putting a tick mark on the edges of the paper. 

I did one color at a time. I applied painter's tape from one tick mark to the other. I applied the pigment heavily on the wide base of the triangle. I spread this pigment using a wet brush. Don't make it too wet to avoid bleeding. You can see this on the yellow and green area of my front panel. Also, re-use the painter's tape for the same color only. Sometimes, the pigment stays on the painter's tape. Introducing a new color ends up with the mixture of the new color and the color on the painter's tape. Another tip in creating a design like this is make sure the tape is adhered really well. This keeps the water and the pigment where you want it. 

If you noticed, there are bubbles on the colored panel. I lifted off the Karin pigment with the use of a wet brush and a paper towel. I am using the Trinity Stamps Tree Of Lights Stencil to add the water lifted dots on each painted triangle to create a bokeh effect. Who said that we can only used these stencils for Christmas, right? I did the color lifting after painting each triangular segment which I dried with a heat gun before doing the color lifting. I also heat dried this after I did the color lifting. In this process, do not over saturate the area to prevent the water from seeping under the stencil. Taping the stencil over the colored panel is very helpful. This allows you to hold the wet brush with one hand and a paper towel for dabbing with the other. 

I stamped the sentiment from the TS So Appreciative 4x6 stamp set on a Grafix Dura-Bright black film. I prepped the area first with anti-static tool. I stamped the sentiment using Versamark ink. I embossed this with white embossing powder. I painted the insides of the letters with a mixed red Karin and a white pearl Finetec paint. I set this aside to dry.

I die cut the watercolored panel with the coordinating die from the TS So Appreciative Coordinating die set. I adhered the black embossed panel on the back of the colored panel, lining up the sentiment so that it shows through the open window. 

The stamp set came with a dashed line stamp which I used in between the triangles for a faux stitched look.

I added the links above to the Trinity Stamp products I used on this card which I highlighted for your convenience. There is no additional cost to you should you decide to purchase any of these products. Thank you for your support. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at

Karin Colors Art Competition~July 2021

Sketch Inspired Scrapbook Layout (New To My Stash #18)

Hello! Welcome back to another New To My Stash post. For today's project, I am using the Lawn Fawn Spooky Village stamp set and coordinating die.

I created this with the Scrapbook And Cards sketch below as inspiration. The theme of the sketch is Halloween and having the 4 photos on the layout gives me an opportunity to feature the bumble bee costume worn by all of my sons. 

I stamped the houses from the Lawn Fawn Spooky Village stamp set on Neenah Solar White cardstock. I colored the images with Copic markers. I die cut the images using the coordinating dies.

I printed my sons' photos using the Canon TS Series PIXMA TS9521C printer. I am amazed by the photo quality with the use of this printer especially the print on glossy photo paper. 

My scrapbook layout is sized at 8" x 11". Not a lot of space to work around. Instead of matting the paper, I added strips of patterned paper around it. I used patterned papers from different companies, My Mine's Eye, Carta Bella and Doodlebug. 

For my journaling, I decided to make it interactive by posting a question, hoping that my sons, when they grow up, will be able to recognize themselves as a toddler. I used a My Favorite Things Wonky Stitched Circle die to die cut the journal piece. I used a typewriter for the blurb.

The tag is hidden behind the blurb panel which is adhered on two sides only so I can insert the tag behind the panel. I added sticker numbers on each photo which correspond with the trivia answer.

And since my Halloween supplies are out, I decided to create this bonus card using the same supplies.

I created a kid's birthday card using the image that I cut out of the blurb panel. The sentiment strip is from the cut apart patterned paper sheet. The striped panel are left overs that are not large enough for a a card panel so I put two scrap papers together. The seam looks like a part of the design. I could have added stitching but I was going for a quick card. I added purple star brads to fill the space next to the sentiment. It also matches the purple of the main image.

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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at

Challenge #212~Anything Goes #188

Scrapbook 101 FB Giveaway

Wizard Inspired Greeting Card

 

Hello! This is my first post as a Trinity Stamps Design Ambassador. I am very excited and also grateful for this opportunity. I hope you support me and my fellow ambassadors.

I created this card for my third son's upcoming birthday later this month. No, he is not a Harry Potter fan but he loves to read and he read the Harry Potter series. I actually bought this stamp set, the Trinity Stamps Magical Wizards stamp set, for my sister. She is the Harry Potter fan. I am also using the Trinity Stamps Magical Wizards Coordinating die set.

I stamped the images on Neenah cardstock. I colored the images using Prismacolor color pencils. Usually, I stamp, color and die cut the images using the matching die. Sometimes, I end up having offset die cuts. Yeah, this made my face cringe especially after all the coloring. Luckily, the images on this stamp set are small so I can start all over again. This time, I changed my process. I die cut without stamping the image. Leaving the negative cut on my stamp positioner, I pieced in the stamp on the open area. I picked the stamp with my stamp positioner. I added a piece of tape to the back of the negative cut. I pieced in the blank die cut. I then stamped the image. 

The main focus of the scene is the boy. I trimmed off the top white border of the scarf so I can adhere it flushed to the boy's chin. I tried stamping the eyeglasses before die cutting it but I was unsuccessful in lining it up. I don't think reversing the steps will make it any better. I just went ahead and die cut the glasses on black cardstock. I added punched acetates to the back of the eyeglasses and secured it with another black eyeglass die cut. 

 

For the sentiment, I die cut the acronym for the birthday greeting using Trinity Stamps Marshmallow Alphabet die set. I don't have a blue mirror cardstock. Looking at my supplies, I created my own blue mirror cardstock by using an iron on vinyl instead. I ironed the vinyl to a piece of cardstock which I sandwiched inside a parchment paper. This is actually a great way to use up those scrap iron on materials.

To create the scene, I trimmed a striped blue patterned paper for the ground. I also trimmed a woodgrain patterned paper for the background. I positioned the elements of my scene but before I adhered it, I did some embossing for the wand accent. 

I added links to the Trinity Stamps products I used on this card which is no additional cost to you if you decide to make a purchase. I highlighted these products for your convenience. At the same time, you can browse the other amazing products of Trinity Stamps. 

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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at

Challenge 103~Anything Goes #24

Challenge #409~Any Occasion #96

Watercolored Enchanted Garden Card

Hello! We have a new challenge at Incy Wincy Designs. The challenge theme is on Enchanted Garden And/Or Christmas In July. We have two sponsors for this challenge. I am using an image from one of our sponsors.

I printed the image on watercolor paper. I sized the image to print on a 4" x 6" paper. I colored the image using the retired Marvy Uchida Color In Watercolor Twist which works like a color pencil. Although you can color with this medium direct to paper, I chose to pick the pigment from the tip of the color pencil with a water brush and apply it to the image. 

I had a hard time using this medium in coloring the background so I switched to Zig Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolor. I added splatters of paint to the blue background. 

I traced the outline of the image with a black gel ink but then I realized that I wanted a bit of glow surrounding the image. I did not use watercolor for it might make the gel ink bleed so I used Faber Castell Polychromos to color around the image. 

I added a grass die cut which was cut using the Lawn Fawn Grassy Hills Border die. I ended up covering most of this grassy hill with various flower sequins. I did get crazy over the sequins. I added Nuvo Crystal drops to the flower centers. 

I added Lawn Fawn Liquid Stardust to the butterfly and the white accents of the mushroom. It was a challenge to use this since I re-activated the gel ink making it bleed. I need more planning next time. I added pigment again over those areas where the ink bled. 

I die cut a patterned paper using the largest die from the Lawn Fawn Outside-In Stitched Scalloped Rectangle Stackables die set. I die cut a rectangle window to create a frame using the Hero Arts Infinity Rectangle Die. I adhered this to the watercolored panel making sure the image is centered.

For the sentiment, I am using the Little B Handwritten dies set. I die cut the hello twice on cardstock and once on white glitter cardstock. I adhered these die cuts on top of each other with the glittered die cut on top.

For the supplemental sentiment, I stamped this on white cardstock using Navy Blue ink. The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp Circular Sayings stamp set. I masked the rest of the sentiment so I can stamp the word there only. I die cut this into a strip using Avery Elle Simple Sentiments die set. I die cut an extra strip so I can adhere it to the back of the stamped sentiment strip. I punched one end to create a fishtail banner. I adhered the sentiment to the right top side of the panel, flushed to the scallop frame. 

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope to see your creations on the challenge blog.

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

Image Sponsor

I am sharing this creation at

Challenge #54~Anything Goes #5

Mood Board Inspired Greeting Card

Hello! I created this card to take part in Scrapbook And Cards Summer Issue Mood Board Challenge. The black and white photo on the left in the mood board below caught my eye right away. 

I started off by trimming 1/2 strips of black paper. I am using Dura-Bright Black. I just like the slick surface and how black this paper is that's why I used it for this card. I weaved the strips to create a trellis like background. I used the diagonal lines on my grid mat as guide to  create the spacing in between the strips. I applied a dab of glue where the strips intersect. 

I adhered this to an Ellen Hutson woodgrain cardstock cut at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I trimmed off the excess strips that are hanging off the sides. 

For the greenery, I am using Altenew Just Leaves die set. I die cut the largest leaf brunch on three different green cardstocks. I blended green ink to the base of the leaves. 

I die cut the sentiment using Simon Says Stamp You Have My Heart Wafer dies. I die cut the word sentiment on gold mirror cardstock. I die cut two more pieces of this sentiment so I can adhere it to the back of the gold mirror die cut for some dimension. This die set comes with a shadow die too. I die cut a gold vellum using this shadow die. I used a small circle die to cut the inner circle of the O.

Assembling the card, I positioned the greenery over the the three corners of the weaved panel. I adhered the sentiment on the center but a little bit towards the right side. I trimmed off the excess. I added Pretty Pink Posh clear gems. 

I adhered this to a top folding A2 note card.

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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at

July 2021~Anything Goes #80

 

Mostly Stitched Card (Craft My Stash #17)

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. This card is part of my Craft My Stash series in which I feature products that I owned for a while or maybe a long while. 

The products I am using in this post are:

• Studio Calico Heyday 6x6 paper pack
• Altenew String Art Rectangles dies S
• Hero Arts Nesting Rectangle dies
• American Crafts Amy Tangerine Right Now Embroidery Stencil kit
• Paper Smooches Stitching Basics
• Waffle Flower Stitched Roses Stamp set
• My Favorite Things Circle Stax
• Paper Smooches  Gift Tags 3 dies
• Waffle Flower A2 Piercing Panel
• Paper Smooches Easter Egg Die set

I created this card to join in Scrapbook And Cards Summer Issue Sketch Challenge. The sketch to follow is below.

I adhered the rose patterned paper on a heavy weight cardstock for more support. I die cut the windows by first piercing the holes using the Altenew die. I created the window using the Hero Arts die. I needed to do a little bit of measuring and penciling to make sure that the windows are going to be cut equally spaced and leveled with each other. 

I added the stitching over the windows using a variegated DMC floss. I french knotted a flower sequin to the center of the floss.

I used the American Crafts stencil to poke holes on a yellow patterned paper creating a zigzag pattern. I used stem stitch on this. I trimmed this into a strip then cut the bottom edge by following the zigzag stitched pattern.

I die cut a blue cardstock with the Paper Smooches rectangle die. I heat embossed the sentiment on this strip using a stamp from Waffle Flower. I had to do partial stamping to create a one lined sentiment since the stamp is a two line sentiment.

I adhered two of the patterned papers on a scrap cardstock. I die cut circles on these patterned papers using a circle die from MFT. I die cut the holes using the PS die. To add some variety, I die cut an inner hole on the orange circle die cut. I added stitching to these circles, using a blanket stitch on the blue circle. I french knotted a butterfly sequin on the blue circle.

For the tag, I die cut a brown patterned paper using a PS Tag die. I stamped the flower from the Waffle Flower stamp set on a cream cardstock. I ran this through my die cut machine on top of the Waffle Flower Piercing Panel to add dotted impressions, and make it look like a cross stitching cloth. I trimmed this to fit the tag and adhered with foam adhesive. 

I created a bow using a PS die. I doubled the bow by adhering the bow die cuts back to back so as to hide the white back side of the patterned paper. I curled the ends before forming the bow. 

For the heart, I adhered a patterned paper on top of a scrap patterned paper. I die cut the PS heart on this which only cuts the holes shaped like a heart. I fussy cut the edges to create an outlined heart. I added running stitch to the heart.

I adhered each element to the window card panel, following the sketch. I added vellum to the back of the windows.

Below are close up photos of the elements of the card I created.

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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at

1 July 2021 #269~Anything Goes #94

Challenge #89~Anything Goes #129

July #7~Anything Goes #204