Adding Curtain Fold on Your Card

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's project was inspired by the current Newton's Nook Designs Blog Sketch Challenge. I am using the Newton's Nook A Cozy Day In stamp set. This is one of my favorite NN stamp sets because it portrays my sister and her cats. 

I stamped the image on watercolor paper using Versafine Onyx black ink. I used the Misti Stamping Tool in stamping the image. Since I am using a textured paper, I needed to re-stamp the image several times until I get a crisp impression of the image. I set this aside to dry but you can heat set it to speed dry it. 

I colored the image with water reactive pens, Tim Holtz Distress markers and Kuretake Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers. I colored the image with my sister and her cats, Bibi (the black cat) and Tisoy (the Siamese cat) as inspirations. I fussy cut this image on the line. I ran a black marker on the edge of the fussy cut image to hide the white core of the paper.

Working on the paper curtain, I trimmed a 10" x 5 1/4" double sided patterned paper. I scored this at 1"-3"-4"-6"-7"-9". I marked the top right corner on the short side at 1". Using the paper trimmer, I trimmed this paper diagonally from the pencil mark and the left bottom corner. I folded this diagonal patterned paper on the scored lines, making sure that the top is aligned. I also made sure that I folded this with the back of the patterned paper showing on every other fold. I applied glue to the back folds to keep the curtain fold together. 

Using a ruler, I marked each curtain fold (which measures 1") at 1/2" with a pencil. I punched a hole on this pencil marks. I set eyelets to these holes. I threaded a twine through the eyelets and allowed some extra twine to hang over the edge. I taped the twine to the edges of the curtain folded paper to secure it. 

For the card panel, I am using a blue top folding A2 sized portrait card. I stamped a background text to the card front using the same colored dye ink. I used the Misti Stamping Tool so I can re-stamp this large background stamp several times. 

I temporarily positioned the stamped image and the paper curtain on the card front to give me an idea where to stamp the sentiment. Once I like the layout, I removed the stamped image and paper curtain, and stamped the sentiment using a black dye ink. At this point, I don't want to take a risk of making a boo-boo. I stamped the sentiment using the Misti Stamping Tool just in case, I need to re-stamp it. And, I did need to re-stamp the sentiment three times.

I adhered the paper curtain to the card front. I knotted the ends of the twine. I added a dot of glue to these knots and adhered this to the card front. I adhered the stamped image with foam adhesive.

I hope you like today's project. 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 Challenge Blog #13

Playing with Embossing Paste

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's card was created as part of my journey in the AECP Level 3. Today's card is a product of what I learned in the course, All About Layering 7, Stencils Edition. I am using embossing paste on layering stencils, a lesson I learned from Jaycee Gaspar's class. 

This card is beyond my comfort level because it is very messy to create. What attracted me to this class is the technique of layering embossing paste using layering stencils which I am willing to try. The stencil I am using is the Altenew Sixties Sunshine. It is a not a layering stencil but this stencil set allows you to color the petals and stamen with different colors or hues. 

I embossed a brown cardstock cut at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" using the Altenew Sixties Sunshine embossing folder. I swiped a baby wipe on the cardstock before running this through the embossing machine to prevent the paper from cracking. You can also lightly spritz water to the cardstock as an alternative. I am using the recessed side of the embossed panel. The recessed embossed impression will act as a well for the embossing paste. Also, in doing so, I don't add additional dimension to the card since you are filling up a the embossed impression with the embossing paste.

I chose colors that are retro for this project. I assigned a color for each type of flower. I mixed the ink from Karin Pigment Decobrush with a small amount of white embossing paste. For each stencil layer, I am applying embossing paste with all three colors, that's why it is messy. To add color variation, I used the Karin Decobrush, a less pigmented ink, on the second layer.  I repeated the process for the third layer of the stencil, using a different pigment color this time.

It is also messy because I have to clean the spatula in between colors and stencils. I have to clean the stencil and my work area in between layers. 

As you can see, I was not too particular in applying the embossing paste. The flowers are not perfect at all. I skimmed the embossing paste over the stencil to the best that I can which added some character to the flowers. I set this aside to dry.

For the sentiment, I die cut the Altenew Essential Sentiment Strips die on different colored cardstocks, following the colors of the flowers. I added a small border on the last layer to mat the sentiment strip. 

I trimmed a sliver off each side of the panel to remove the rough edges of the created by the embossing paste. You can sand this to smoothen it out if you don't want to trim it. I adhered this to a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" light blue cardstock, the same cardstock I used to mat the sentiment. I adhered the embossed panel to this panel using a strong liquid glue. I adhered the sentiment to the embossed panel. I added black dots to the stamens of the flowers using Ranger Black Enamel accent. I set this aside to dry.

I hope you give this technique a try. 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!

https://altenew.com/6358517

I am sharing this creation at

Anything Goes #24

One Stamp, Three Ways

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today is also my first post at the BPM blog as a DT member. I am very happy and I feel very blessed. I hope you stay with me in this new crafting journey of mine.

To celebrate my first BPM post, I created three cards using one stamp. The stamps that I am using are listed below:

• Floral Spray Sunflowers Chrysanthemum Line Art Rubber Stamps
  
• Kindness Changes Everything words & Henna Flower Decorative Motif Art Rubber Stamp
  
• Beyond the Border Mixed Media Set 1 CLEAR Stamps
  

Among the three cards, this card is my favorite. It is very easy to make this one. Just pick an area on your card to ink blend. Stamp your image on the ink blended area. No need to add color to the image since the blended background adds the color to the image. This technique will work best for stamps that are challenging to color.

If you like to color, the next card for you. I used Copic markers for coloring. 

The last card is a happy accident for me. I stamped the image on vellum using Versamark ink. I used turqoise embossing powder on the image. I didn't like the look of it until I saw the reverse side of the vellum. Yes. What you see is the wrong side of the embossed floral image. I fussy cut the image leaving a small border around it. 

I hope you are inspired by today's post into exploring whether you can use your stamp more than what it is intended for. In doing such, we get more out of our craft supplies.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Please drop by the BPM blog, too, and maybe leave a comment Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

Blank Page Muse is generously offering a 15% discount to their online store to anyone who reads this blog. Just use the code BPMMaria when you check out. Enjoy and thank you!

I am sharing this creation at

Inkspirational Challenges Blog #21

Simon Says Stamp IG Challenge

 

A Scene Card with a Pop-up Feature

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's card is a bit of detail intensive, if I may call it that way. It has several dainty and small elements which made me work out my aging eyes and fingers. But I enjoyed creating it which what matters most. The trick to working with this kind of die set is using a very reliable liquid glue. 

This card was created as part of my journey in AECP Level 3. One of the courses that I chose is All About Layering 6-Dies Edition. I am using the Altenew Modern Fireplace Layering die set on this card. You can create a scene using this die set. I am also using the Mantel Decor Winter die set which completes the scene using this die set. 

I usually search the web for photo inspirations and ideas on how to create a project. I take down notes and make a sketch of my idea. Sometimes, I also make a prototype of the cardbase. I was planning on making a bridge card using this die set. My idea was not working so I changed the design to a card with a pop-up feature once the card is take out of the envelope.

I die cut all of the elements of my scene on cardstock, patterned paper, felt, glitter paper and pearl paper. I die cut the elements once. I cut extras later on for layering.

The fireplace is the pop-up feature of this card. It includes three layers. I doubled the frame to add stability to it. I used a patterned paper for the window piece which I ran thru an embossing mat after die cutting it to give emphasis on the detail embossing this die adds to to the die cut. I blended ink on the back most layer, adding ink to the outer parts of the embossed lines.

I die cut the fireplace grate on black cardstock. I cut this twice and stacked it for more stability. I die cut the log on kraft cardstock. I blended ink to the embossed area using a detailed brush. I die cut the fire on yellow and orange cardstocks. I blended inks to each layer. I added shimmer to the fire with a shimmer pen.

For the wreath, I die cut this on glitter paper. I die cut the bow on red cardstock. I added red glittery embroidery floss to the wreath, wrapping this around the wreath. I added details to the bows with markers. I zhuzh the bows for some dimension. I adhered this bows to the wreath using a glue gun. I added baubles to the bows and wreath.

I die cut the candle on white cardstock. I blended ink to the top most part of the candle and colored the wick with a black marker. I wrapped the same red glittered embroidery floss to the candle. I adhered another candle die cut to the back of this. This will prevent the floss from unraveling. 

For the candle stand, I die cut this on silver pearl cardstock. I doubled this up to make it sturdy. I had to do some surgery on this die cut to make it shorter than its intended height so it won't cover the wreath. 

The stockings were cut on felt. I used glue gun to attach the trim to the main part of the stocking die cut. I adhered a snowflake sequin to the trim for some embellishment. I colored these clear sequins with a metallic silver paint so it will tie with the color scheme. 

I hope you like today's card. Did you enjoy some of the details that were captured on the photos? 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!

https://altenew.com/6358517

 

Using Acetate for Sentiment

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I don't think I have shared the news here but I passed my AECP Level 2 Final Challenge and headed on to AECP Level 3. I finished my classes but kind of slacked with creating something related to the classes I took. After some hibernation, I am back to complete what I have started. Thankfully, it is a self-paced course so I can still catch up where I left off.

One of the courses that I chose is All About Layering 5-Build a Flower Edition. When I watched all the classes on this course, I kind of cringe since layering stamps is not my cup of tea. But got to do my homework for this course, and rise up to the challenge. I am using the Altenew Vintage Roses stamp set,. I am kind of proud of myself with the progress I made using this stamp set.

The technique that I did for this card that I think worked for me in embracing layering stamps is instead of inking the stamp, I used a blending brush to apply ink to the stamp. I used the Misti Stamping Tool so I can re-ink and re-stamp the image. I was amazed on how subtle the color is. It somehow has the same effect as using a stencil.

On the last layer of the image, I did heat embossing instead of ink. The result is unbelievable. I wish I could find the crafter who inspired me to try this technique with this stamp set. Sadly, I could not find her and thank her for inspiring me and making me not give up on this stamp set. 

I die cut the images using the coordinating dies. I die cut extras on scraps and adhered this to the back of the matching die cut image for some dimension.

I added a scalloped frame to a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" acetate using the Altenew Scalloped Circles Hot Foil Plate. This is my first time to foil on acetate using the Spellbinders Glimmer machine. And my first try was a fail! I warped my acetate and I think I know why. I should have pulled the Glimmer Hot Plate as soon as the blinking green light stopped. On my second try, I was successful proving my theory to be true. 

I cut a light weight white cardstock at 4 1/2" x 5 1/2". I scored one end at 1/2" which will serve as the tab to adhere the acetate.The scallop foil plate has a matching die set which I used to emboss an impression to this panel. I made sure that the die cut is aligned to the foiled scalloped circle on the acetate before embossing. I flicked some mica watercolor paints on this panel using the same colors I used on the flowers.

I die cut a purplish-pink cardstock with the same die. Aside from cutting a scalloped circle, this die adds details to both negative and positive die cuts. I also die cut a white cardstock using the next smallest scallop. I adhered the scalloped circles to the dry embossed scalloped circle making sure the scallops are aligned with each other.

I adhered the flowers to the scalloped circle.

I applied a strong double adhesive tape on the tab. I adhered the acetate to this making sure the scalloped circles are aligned. 

I die cut the sentiment using the Altenew Hello and Hugs die set on vellum and the same colored purplish-pink carstock I used on the stitched scallop circle. I applied shimmer to the vellum sentiment using Spectrum Noir shimmer pen. I applied adhesive to the back of the vellum sentiment die cut using the Xyron Sticker Maker. I adhered this to the front of the acetate. 

For the colored die cut sentiment, I applied dots of glue to the front right side of the die cut. I adhered this to the back of the acetate, slightly offsetting it from the vellum sentiment to create a shadow effect. For any glue residue, I gently cleaned this off with a cotton bud lightly spritz with rubbing alcohol.

To cover the fold tab, I adhered a rose gold washi tape on the front side of the acetate. I trimmed a 1/4" white cardstock and adhered this to the back bottom edge of the acetate panel using double adhesive tape. I covered this on the front of the acetate using the same washi tape that I used on the top edge of the acetate. 

I adhered a side folding A2 note card to the back of the white panel. A top folding card note card can also be an option.

I hope you like today's card. 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!

https://altenew.com/6358517

I am sharing this creation at

Altenew Challenge Blog #19

SImon Says Stamp IG Challenge

Checkerboard Inspired Halloween Card with a Surprise Feature

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's card is a part of the Kat Scrappiness Happy Halloween Inspiration IG Hop. I added the link to the hop at the end of this post for your convenience. 

I am using the Kat Scrappiness Buffalo Plaid Backdrop die with a new twist. The die cuts diagonal vents as part of the plaid design. If you look at the photo below, you will notice that the vent part of the plaid die cut is in criss crossed pattern. That is because I die cut two pieces of the plaid die using the same color cardstock. I flipped the other die cut, using the back of the die cut instead. I lined up the vents on top of each other. It is not a perfect match, so I had to trim a row off and use this on the vents that does not have the criss cross design. 

I adhered this panel to an orange patterned paper.

The spiders are from the KS Creepy Crawly Dies. I die cut the spiders on black cardstock. I trimmed off the string that is a part of the die cut. I embossed these spiders using a customized embossing powder mix of black, glitter and glow in the dark embossing powders. I heat embossed each spider twice.

For the spiders' eyes, I adhered a white cardstock to the back of the spider. This is cut a bit smaller than the spider. I adhered this to the back of the black embossed spider. I added a dot to the eyes uisng a black gel pen. 

I adhered each spider to the solid square block of the plaid panel. 

I opted not to add a sentiment to the panel so that the focus will not be taken away from the spiders and the plaid background. The reason being is the surprise feature of this card. If you have been following me, you might probably have guessed what feature I added to this card.

 

Yes! The spiders glow in the dark!

I hope you like today's project. Please join the KS IG Hop for more Halloween inspiration. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

Kat Scrappiness IG

I added below links to the Kat Scrappiness products I used on this card. There will be no additional cost to you should you decide to purchase any of these products. While you are at the Kat Scrappiness website, do check out their wide array of products especially the exclusive Kat Scrappiness products. They have a new release, too!  

I am sharing this creation at

Inkspirational Challenges Blog

September 2023 Challenge #57~Anything Goes

Card & Envelope Set Using Digital Printed Paper

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's project's focus is on the use of printable digital paper. Although I am not new to this, this is the first time I have used one on a project. The digital download is by Blank Page Muse which I linked below:

Digital Download Fall Teal Flowers & Leaves . 

Great news! This is my first post as a Blank Page Muse DT member. For this, Blank Page Muse is offering you a 15% discount to their store. Please use the discount code BPMMaria. 

The download offers three zipped files. I am using the 8x11 file and a half sheet file for my project.

I printed the full page image on a light weight cardstock. This is what I used for the envelope. I minimized the margin to 0, hoping I can print the image edge to edge. But it didn't print that way. There was still an eighteenth of an inch margin around the image. I used Microsoft Word to print my images.

Since I am a bit short of an 8 1/5" x 11" paper, I chose an envelope that will fit the printed area of the paper. A 4-bar card's envelope's measurement will fit in it. Do you still remember when 4-bar cards are on trend? Yes, before slimline, there is the 4-bar. 

I used the We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board to create the envelope. I know, my creating process seems to be in reversed order. Creating the matching card was just an incidental plan for me. Let's just say that the envelope inspired the creation of the matching card.

For the card, I trimmed a heavy weight cardstock at 7" x 5". I scored the long side at 3 1/2". I printed the half sheet 5" wide. The half sheet prints with the the images attached. I trimmed this at the center so I can move the half sheets to the desired area of the print up that I want to include in my card. I matted this with a yellow cardstock. 

For the sentiment, I used a layering die to cut out the left-over printed paper from the envelope. I layered this with 2 more die cuts of yellow cardstock for dimension. I pounced Versamark ink to the letters and brushed yellow pearlized powder to it.

For the shadow, I die cut an emerald cardstock for this but it was too dark for the layout. To mute it down, I die cut the same shadow on vellum, then layered it over the teal cardstock. I adhered the letters to this shadow die cut.

Assembling the card, I adhered the matted printed panel to the card base, then adhered the sentiment.

Back to the envelope, I die cut a label on white cardstock to add a place to write the recipient's name. The label die I used also cuts a matching frame which I die cut on the same yellow cardstock that I used on the card. I also added some stitching lines to the label using a die for some interest.

I hope you like today's card. Using digital download paper offers a lot of possibilities. The only limitation I see is the printer ink usage.

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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at

September 2023 Challenge #57~Anything Goes

Disney Princess Jasmine Card

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's project is my second card for the latest Incy Wincy Design's September Challenge. In case you don't know yet, the blog is taking a break until the end of the year. Might as well make the most of this month's challenge since it will be a while before I create something as an Incy DT member.

Our challenge theme is Colors of Autumn +/or Not a Square or Rectangle. We have two sponsors for this challenge. I am using an image from one of the sponsors which I linked below. 

Coloring Jasmine with Autumn inspired colors was quite a challenge. I had to research the internet on this. I found a blue Jasmine photo which could pass for an Autumn color. Not your typical Autumn color but it should work. 

I colored Jasmine with Copic markers. I used the 0 marker to achieve a sheer look on the overlay over her pants. My other challenge was coloring her hair. Creating layers in black is tough for me but the key is to always go light-handed. It is always darken a lightly colored image and harder to lighten a dark colored image.

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

For the panel, since one of the themes is Not a Square or Rectangle, I created an oval panel. My oval die is too small to fit Jasmine so I used an old tool, an oval Curvy Cutter. Yes, I still have mine. I also have this tool in a circle shape and a square shape. The blade is a bit blunt from age and use. To somehow sharpen it, I ran the blade on an aluminum foil a couple of times. The blade does not become very sharp but sharp enough to not warp the paper as the blade passes through it.

I created a background for Jasmine using a marbled blue patterned paper and a orange glittered patterned paper. 

I cut a larger oval using a light brown cardstock. I adhered a cream lace trim on the edge of this oval piece. I adhered the blue/orange panel to this, then adhered Jasmine. I decided not to put a sentiment to keep the focus on Jasmine.

I added shimmer to the sheer pant overlay using a clear shimmer pen. I added shimmer to the lamp and Jasmine's jewelries using a shimmer gold pen. I tried capturing the shimmer on photo. I added Ranger Glossy Accents to the gems of the crown, necklace and the pant trim.

I cut another oval on the same light brown cardstock. I scored this at 1/4" from the top. I applied strong liquid adhesive to this flap, then adhered this to the back of the decored panel. Now, I have a shaped card.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you like today's card. Please visit the challenge blog, add a link to your project, and leave some encouragement to the team. I will miss Incy a lot especially YOU, its creative followers. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

Image Sponsor

The website is currently being upgraded, so I am not able to link the image. I will link the image as soon as I am able.

I am sharing this creation at

September 2023~Anything Goes

Scrapbook & Cards Today's September 2023 FB Challenge

Unicorn Pumpkin Shaped Card

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I am a guest designer at Send a Smile 4 Kids for the month of September. This month's challenge theme is Cute Fall/Halloween Cards 4 the Kids. I hope you join in this month's challenge.

Halloween is very memorable to me, crafting-wise. I remember creating classroom give-aways for my three grade school sons. It was busy since I create close to a total of 60 pieces classroom give-aways. That's why I am super excited to create a Halloween card for a kid.

I used products from different companies for this card. The pumpkin die is from Honey Bee. The eyes, ears and horn are from Pinkfresh Studio. And the flowers are from My Favorite Things. 

I did  a couple of free hand trimming on the pumpkin and ears to create the layers. 

Would you believe that the unicorn's eyes were also fussy cut? The unicorn eyes came as stamps only. Stamping on the pumpkin will not work because of the gaps on the pumpkin. To create this, I stamped the eyes on the back of a black mirror cardstock. I fussy cut the eyes using the stamped impression as a guide. The black mirror cardstock has a white core. I lined the edges with a black marker to hide the white core.

I die cut the horn on the same black mirror cardstock, then stamped the horn on this die cut using Versamark ink. I used a gold embossing powder so it will match the gold outline of the pumpkin. 

For the flowers, I die cut these on different colored cardstocks. I added stitching details to the flowers using DMC variegated floss. I added a circle die cut to the flower centers. I arranged these flowers on the pumpkin and adhered it using a liquid glue. I added a drop of Nuvo to the flower centers and set this aside to dry.

To make this into a shaped card, I trimmed a heavy weight cardstock at 8 1/2" x 2". I scored this panel at 4 1/4". I positioned the pumpkin die over this note card with a little bit of the die hanging over the folded edge. Cutting it this way will preserve the folded edge, thus, coming up with a shaped card.

I stamped a sentiment to the inside of the shaped card before adhering the card front to the back of the Unicorn Pumpkin.

There is an odd piece on the floral arrangement. Did you notice it? If you did not, watch the short video below to see the magic surprise.

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

Maria Giselle B.