Monday, July 31, 2023

Icecream Inspired Holiday Card with Guest Artist


Hello! Welcome back to my blog. As the title says, we have a guest artist today. I welcome back my 11 year old son, Ryan. Take it away, son.

When I see my mom craft, she does it very neat. Then, I wanted to craft like her, so I did. I made this card because when I see my mom craft, I love it! I want to be a hard worker and a good crafter just like my mom.

How touching. I am glad I inspire you, my son. 

I hope you like today's short post. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle

Ryan would like to share his creation at




 

Soft Colors on Stencil

 

Hello. Welcome back to my blog. Today's card is my take on this month's Altenew Inspiration Challenge. I am using the stencil from Altenew's Silk Art Craft Your Life Project Kit. I blended the ink using blender brushes on white cardstock using Tim Holtz Distress Oxide inks. This is a 3-layered stencil set. The stencils are conveniently numbered as a guide to which stencil is to be used first. 

Stencils #1 and #2 have parts that are very delicate. It can get malpositioned or worse, broken if not gentle in appling ink or mixed media. For such, I recommend using a temporary spray adhesive to prevent it from shifting while blending ink which may potentially break or twist these delicate parts. Also, be gentle in cleaning these stencils. You can either soak it in warm, soapy water or wipe the stencil gently, wiping the stencil following the direction of the stamen or leaf vein. 

If you are going to use the stencil with the coordinating embossing folder and you are going to stencil first before embossing, emboss the floral cluster on scrap paper first. Use this as a guide to position the delicate parts of the stencil so that it will match up when you emboss it with the embossing folder. Or you can just emboss it first before using the stencil to add color to the floral cluster. Same thing, just align the malpositioned stamen and/or leaf veins of the stencil to the embossed floral cluster. 

On to the card, I cut the panel at 5 1/2" x 4 1/4". I created a recessed frame with the use of a nesting rectangle die set. I die cut several more panels using scrap white cardstock. I adhered this to the back of the inked panel to add some dimension.

I stamped the sentiment on the inner panel using a stamp from Altenew Silk Art stamp set. I used a gray dye ink to maintain the soft look of the card. 

I am using a pink cardstock cut at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" for the note card. I scored this at 4 1/4" to create a top folding horizontal card. I adhered the frame then the inner panel to the front of the card. 


I hope you like today's card. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at



6/2024: Altenew decided to change its affiliate program starting this month. Below is my affiliate link to the website. I don't think I can directly link the products I used with this new program. Please feel free to do a product search. I will update as I figure this out. The good thing about this new affiliate program is that I get to earn on each Altenew product you purchase and not only on the product/s I used on this project. As before, there will be no additional cost to you if you make a purchase. It is just a way to help a fellow crafter sustain her love for crafting. While in the Altenew blog, don't forget to check out their new release for this month. Thank you for your support!










Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Platform Pop-up Glow in the Dark Christmas Tree

 

Hello! Today's card's inspiration is Lawn Fawn's challenge blog's latest challenge, Christmas in July. This card is a bit tedious to create but I hope you like the details and the final result.

The Lawn Fawn products I used for this card are the following:

  • Platform Pop-up for the base, the bow and the wrap around ribbon.
  • Stitched Christmas Tree Frames for the Christmas tree, the star and the ornaments.
  • Upon a Star stamp set & die set for the bunnies
  • Ready, Set, Snow for the snow banks.
  • Offset Sayings: Christmas for the sentiment.
  • Flippin' Awesome for the banner.
  • Knit Picky paper for the bow, ribbon and banner.
As mentioned on the title, aside from the pop-up feature, this card has a glow in the dark feature.


I also used the Lawn Fawn Chunky Glitter to add snow to the top of the platform.



The ornaments were adhered to a silver embroidery thread which was threaded through the Christmas tree frame die cut. 


Below is a short video showing the interactive feature of this card.


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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this card at







Saturday, July 22, 2023

Monochromatic Colored Image & a Featured Guest


Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's image is a freebie from Beat Paper. I chose to color this image because of the cats. If you follow me, I love coloring cats because my sister has cats. Unfortunately, I am not coloring the cats based on her pet cats since the theme of this card is monochromatic pink.

I printed the image on watercolor paper. I colored the image using various Tim Holtz Distress pink inks. 

I fussy cut the image leaving a white border around it.

To make this into a card, I used scrap pink patterned papers and adhered this to a typing paper cut at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I lightly moistened this with a baby wipe before running it through a 3D heart embossing folder. I lightly blended a pink ink on this embossed panel so that the raised hearts will catch the ink.


For the sentiments, my son suggested adding speech bubbles to the scene. I heat embossed a speech bubble on vellum using clear embossing powder. I stamped the word 'mew' on the speech bubble using Versafine Onyx Black ink. I poured clear embossing powder to this, then heat embossed it. I fussy cut the speech bubble leaving a small border around it.

For the banner sentiment, I die cut one of the patterned papers using a banner die. I stamped the sentiment to the banner using the same black ink I used, poured clear embossing powder, then heat set it.

I adhered the elements of the card to the embossed panel.

My featured guest artist is my 11-year old son who colored the same image. He used Copic markers on his images. 

1
2

Which one do you like, 1 or 2?

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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at

 






Friday, July 21, 2023

Fringed Background Greeting Card

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I created this card to join in Newton's Nook latest challenge which I linked below. The card idea I have for the challenge is too hard to pass up. Thankfully, I finished this card on time for the challenge.

I am using crepe paper for the fringe background. I used a fringe die for this. For the oval piece, I adhered the yellow fringe die cuts to a scrap piece of paper before die cutting this panel with an oval die. For the rectangular panel, I added small dots of glue to the fringe die cuts. I adhered it to a yellow cardstock cut at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I poked holes on the upper portion of the fringe, and add sewing details using a gold embroidery floss. I layered the fringes starting from the bottom piece. I was going to use my sewing machine to sew the fringes to the cardstock but it was not cooperating so I just handsew it. 

For the image, I stamped the koala on a watercolor cardstock. I colored this with watercolor crayons. I fussy cut the image leaving a white border around it. The koala is from the Newton Nook's Pina Coala stamp set.

For the sentiment, I stamped this on a strip of watercolor paper. I add a wash of color to match the color of the fringes. I die cut these sentiments using a banner die. The sentiments are from the NN Pina Coala stamp set and the NN Summer Treats stamp set. 

I adhered the die cuts and the image to the panel using a strong liquid adhesive.


I love the texture the fringed crepe paper added to the design of the card. How about you? Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.






Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Weaved Patterned Paper on a Card


Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's card was created to join in the challenge mentioned and linked below.

The focal point of this card, the checked pattern comprises of weaved patterned papers from a 6x6 paper pad. I die cut this into a square. I added details to this checked pattern using Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies Stitching Lines.

I die cut a scrap of cardstock using the same square die I used on the checked pattern. I poked holes on the edges of this square cardstock. I added a Buttonhole stitch to the edges using a red DMC floss. I adhered this to the back of the checked pattern.

For the card panel, I dry embossed this using the Altenew Wicker Texture embossing folder. Make sure you moisten your cardstock with a baby wipe before running this inside the embossing folder to prevent cracking.

I created a faux wax seal using the Waffle Flower Wax Seals die. I die cut the layers on different colored cardstock that matches the checked pattern. I painted this with embossing fluid using the Wow! Mixed Media embossing brush. I poured clear Wow! Ultra High embossing powder to the fluid then heat set it.


For the sentiment, I am using the Altenew Essential Sentiment Strips die. I die cut this on a tan cardstock, then layered it on a red cardstock. 

I added several green sequins for accent.


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

Maria Giselle B.

6/2024: Altenew decided to change its affiliate program starting this month. Below is my affiliate link to the website. I don't think I can directly link the products I used with this new program. Please feel free to do a product search. I will update as I figure this out. The good thing about this new affiliate program is that I get to earn on each Altenew product you purchase and not only on the product/s I used on this project. As before, there will be no additional cost to you if you make a purchase. It is just a way to help a fellow crafter sustain her love for crafting. While in the Altenew blog, don't forget to check out their new release for this month. Thank you for your support!


I am sharing this creation at

 








 

Saturday, July 15, 2023

Caffeinated Christmas Guest Designer


Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I am guest designing at the Caffeinated Christmas Challenge blog. This is my second time as guest designer. I am very honored for this opportunity.

This month's challenge theme is Coffee + Stars. Just a reminder, creations should also be Christmas themed be eligible for the prize and to be chosen in the Top 3.


The cup I am using is a freebie die from Trinity Stamps. I die cut this on a dark red cardstock. The die cuts a cup outline but I am using both the outline and the negative cuts on this project. I stamped the snowman and snowflakes on the negative cut using a white pigment ink. The stamp is from La La Land. I adhered the cup on a scrap cardstock and trimmed off the excess. This just adds dimension and stability to the cup. The outline die cut is a very delicate one. 

For the cookie mug topper, I am using a star stamp from Simon Says Stamp Sweet Tooth Bears stamp set. I layered this stamp by stamping it on a white cardstock and a red cardstock. I fussy cut the layers. I pounced Versamark ink on both layers. I poured white embossing powder on the white fussy cut star, and red glitter embossing powder on the red fussy cut star. I heat set both stars until the powder is melted.

For the base of the cookie, I die cut a kraft cardstock using the matching die of this star cookie stamp. I adhered the layers on top of each other using strong adhesive. I added a white enamel glue at the center of the star. 

Once the layers have dried, I cut a slit on the bottom of the cookie and slid it through the top left portion of the cup. I adhered this with a very strong glue. 

For the foam looking tree, I die cut a Christmas tree on a scrap cardstock. I trimmed strips of white crepe paper and add fringes to one end using a fringe scissors. I adhered the non-fringed end to the tree so I can puff up the fringed end for some texture. To add color to the tree, I flicked mica green watercolor paint to it and set it aside to dry.


I flicked mica gold paint on a cream cardstock cut at 5 1/2" x 4 1/4". I punched several stars on a gold matte cardstock and set this aside for later.

For the sentiment, I used stamps from three different companies to create my own customized sentiment. The word 'sweet' is from SSS. I embossed this on cream cardstock using green embossing powder. The nice thing about this large sentiment is that it has a coordinating die. I die cut the embossed sentiment and also die cut an extra on scrap cardstock so I can add dimension to this die cut sentiment.

The word 'sending' is from Ink Blot. I stamped this straight on the cream cardstock panel. I used the Misti Stamping Tool to stamp this word. I also temporarily positioned the elements of my card so I will know where to stamp this word.

I did the same technique for the word 'wishes'. The only thing different with stamping this word is that I have to mask the rest of the sentiment on the stamp since I only want the word 'wishes' on my panel.

I added foam adhesive to the cup and adhered this to the cream cardstock panel. I added adhesive to the back of the tree and tucked this behind the cup. I added a foam adhesive to the back of the cookie. I then adhered the large sentiment followed by the gold stars.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you like today's card. I encourage you to join this month's Caffeinated Christmas Challenge. If you get to be on the Top Three, you have a choice to be Guest Designer on a future challenge in their blog. Isn't that neat?

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at



Thursday, July 13, 2023

Ice Cream Shop Inspired Greeting Card

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's card is my take in Lawn Fawn's latest challenge, Fun with Food. I think ice cream is a very appropriate treat this summer because of the heat. Do you have a favorite ice cream? I have plenty of favorite ice cream brands and flavors. Right now, I am on the look out for the Eddy's Rocky Road ice cream. I  like this brand because of the marshmallow chunks churned into the ice cream. I am not a fan of the swirl marshmallow. This used to be available at Target. Now, I am a lookout for this brand and/or another ice cream brand with marshmallow chunks.

I am using several Lawn Fawn products on this card. The stamps I used is from LF Here's the Scoop stamp set. Sadly, this stamp set is no longer available in the LF website. 

The word 'happy' is from the LF Fox Costumes Before n' Afters stamp set, and the word 'birthday' is from the LF Party Animal stamp set. 

For the die cuts, the photo frames are created using the LF Mini Picture Frames die set. The background die cut was cut using the LF Fancy Lattice Backdrop. The banners for the sentiments were cut using dies from the LF Flippin' Awesome die set although the banner tails were cut off.

It is so enjoyable to mix and match LF products. It also shows how much I adore this brand since I do have a lot of their products. 

The images were colored using Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers. I smooshed the photo frames onto a Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Antique Linen spritzed with water. 


I hope you like today's card. I had fun putting this scene together. It makes me want to visit an ice cream shop. 

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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at


Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Celebrating 1000 Hours Before Retirement Card


Hello! Welcome back to my blog. One of the best things about cardmaking is that you are able to customize cards based on the occasion and the recipient. Today's card was created for a friend who is on a countdown towards her retirement at the end of this year. She reached her goal of 1000 work hours that will make her enjoy her retirement more with a good pension.

The colors of the numbers were inspired by My Favorite Things Color Challenge. I die cut the numbers using the MFT Outline and Solid Numbers Die-namics. I added stitching details to the solid number die cuts. I poked the stitching holes manually and stitched a matching colored floss through the holes. I used a white floss for the laced running stitch. 

I adhered the outline die cut to the solid die cuts. 

For the panel, I die cut a cream colored cardstock using a stitched rectangle die. I stamped string garlands on this panel using a cream dye ink. 

For the large sentiment, I stamped this on a pearlized vellum paper using sticky ink. I poured Wow! Gold Pearl embossing powder to this, then heat set it. I fussy cut the sentiment leaving a small border around it. 

I adhered the sentiment and number die cuts to the stitched panel. I added star die cuts to the panel.


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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at




Friday, July 7, 2023

Layered Stencil Christmas Card

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I am inspired to create a Christmas card for today's post. I am so glad to dip into my Christmas stash especially this new to my stash layering stencil by Erin Lee Creative.

The stencil I am using is the ELC Cardinal Layering Stencil Set. There are 3 layering stencils included in the set. Very easy to use and align. Love the soft look it creates which is the advantage of using stencils.

After I colored in the bird, I blended a blue dye ink around the bird. I flicked mica blue paint on the panel. I stamped the sentiment using a navy blue dye ink. The sentiment is from the ELC Christmas Greetings stamp set. 

I die cut the panel using a die from the Sugar Pea Designs Postage Stamp set. I die cut 2 more pieces using scrap cardstock. I adhered these pieces to the back of the bird die cut panel.

I trimmed a red cardstock at 5 1/2" x 4 1/4". I adhered the postage panel to this red cardstock panel. This was adhered to a top folding horizontal A2 note card.

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

Maria Giselle B.


I am sharing this creation at










Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Sketch & Patterned Paper Inspired Card

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I just had a day of wanting to create something but couldn't decide what to create. A blog challenge always seem to motivate me. I guess I am having one of those overwhelmed days. Gladly, a retired Basic Grey 6x6 patterned paper helped me out get through my creative slump. 

For this card, I started first with working with the background panel. It is more involving compared to the focal point of the card. I know there are dies that can cut out this sun ray pattern but since I don't have one, I used the Newton Nook's Sunscape Stencil to help me with the cuts. I traced the sun rays on a scrap paper. I placed a number on each sun ray so I will not interchange the order of the sun rays. I cut this out with scissors and chose the patterned papers that I will cut out for each ray.

I adhered the cut out sun rays on another piece of paper cut at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". It was easier for me to adhered the corner sun ray first then worked my way through each sun ray. Who would think that I used a stencil to create this?

To complete the rest of the sketch, I used more of the patterned papers included in the 6x6 pad. The smaller scalloped edge was created using the edge of a rectangle die. The larger scallops were die cut using a border edge. 

I stamped the sentiment using a brown dye ink. The sentiment is from Newton's Nook A Cozy Day stamp set.

For the focal point of the card, I stamped Newton on white cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. The image is from NN Newton's Summer Treats stamp set. I colored the image with Copic markers. I added texture to the ice cream with Wow! embossing powders. I carefully painted Wow! embossing fluid to the ice cream, poured embossing powder, then heat set it. I fussy cut the image leaving a small white border around it. 

I die cut an oval shape on a red patterned paper. I die cut two more oval pieces and adhered this to the back of the red oval die cut for a some dimension. I inked the edges with Tim Holtz Walnut Paint Distress Ink. 

I adhered Newton to the oval with foam tape. 

Using the next small sized oval, I traced an oval outline on the oval die cut to create a frame. I used a black marker for this. I adhered this to the center of the panel.

I added sequins to the panel. I also added a red gem to the ice cream. 


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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at