Girlfriends Art Journal Page, a Blank Page Muse Post

Hello! I am at the Blank Page Muse Blog with this double paged art journal. The products I used are the BPM Just Us Girls Line Figure Art Rubber Stamp Sheet and the BPM Blocks Pattern Stencil. Please visit the blog to learn more about how I created this spread.

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

Mixed Media Sketch Inspired Greeting Card

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's card got its inspiration from the Newton's Nook Designs Inky Paws Challenge. You will see the sketch and the link at the bottom of this post. I struggled at the beginning of creating this card. I almost gave up but my method of walking away from my frustration worked. Some of my projects are staged in its creation. I either am creating it simultaneously with another project, or I work on it in between house chores, or I work on it during my waking hours as a night shift person. I think the break gives me time to think about the project, improve it and try not to ditch it.

Back on the project, I love joining the Newton's Nook Challenges. I try to join if my time allows. I used stamps from the NND Let's Be Mermaids. I think this stamp set has been retired since I cannot find it in the online shop.

I already stamped and colored the cat on the gray cardstock panel but I did not like how it looked so I changed my plan.

For the background, I cut blue and purple cardstocks to follow the sketch. 

I heat embossed the seahorse and fish on a blue cardstock panel using the Hero Arts Iridescent Blue embossing powder. I treated the panel first before stamping the images repeatedly using Versamark ink to create a background. 

I created a stencil of these images by stamping the images on a Post-It Note. I cut the images off the Post-It Note to create a window. This does not have to be perfect. I blended blue dye inks on the images over the DIY stencil. Easy and simple coloring!

For the purple panel, I stamped the shell image repeatedly using Versamark ink. This time, I brushed a Grape Perfect Pearl Powder over the ink. I wiped off any excess powder. I lightly spritz this panel with water to set in the powder.

I stamped Newton on a white cardstock using gray dye ink. I colored the image with Copic markers. I fussy cut the image leaving a narrow border around it. I stitched sequins to the mermaid's tail. This is the most tenuous part of the project but isn't it worth it? I used a transparent nylon thread in stitching the sequins to the paper.

For the gray cardstock panel, I partly embossed it with a wave embossing folder. I lightly swiped the Versamark pad over it. I poured Judikins Iridescent Sparkle embossing powder over the sticky ink. I heat embossed this area until the powder has melted.

I adhered a blue rick rack over the seams of the sketch. I used Ranger Glossy Accents to adhere the trim to the panel which explains the dots on the trim. I could have used my glue gun although I am not sure if I would have done a better job adhering the trim. I am always messy when I use the glue gun.

I adhered the cat with foam tape. 

For the sentiment, I heat embossed the sentiment stamp from NND Birthday Roundabout on the same blue cardstock. I used Simon Says Stamp Silver embossing powder. I cut this to create this into a strip using a craft knife. I fish tail cut the ends to make it into a banner. I adhered this to the panel.

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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this project at

Newton's Nook Designs Challenge Blog #27

Inspired By Challenge Blog #7

Simon Says: Anything Goes #6

 

Double Shadow Box Retirement Gift + Mini Photo Album

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's project was created for a co-worker who is retired yesterday. I want to thank her for allowing me to share this here.

I used the We R Memory Keepers Shadow Box Punch Board. The first time I saw this product, I knew this will be a great addition to my crafting tools. This tool made the job of creating a shadow box very easy. I have a feeling that this will not be the only time I will be using this punch. 

The punch board has square measurements imprinted on it. You are not limited to these measurements. In fact, my shadow box is rectangular in shape. To create one, determine the measurement of your shadow portion (recessed area). I want this portion of my shadow box at 4" x 6" to fit a photo of the same size. I added a total of 5" to each side to determine the size of the paper I need. In this case, I need a 9" x 11" paper. You just need to rotate your paper to continue the scoring of the paper.

I used a double sided patterned paper for the shadow box. I created two pieces of shadow box using the same patterned paper.

I created a hinge to attach the shadow boxes using left overs of the same green patterned paper. The hinge is 2" x 1". I cut two pieces of it. I punched the corners using the We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile Retro Corner Chomper Tool. I inked the edges of the hinges using a green dye ink. I scored the short side at 1/2". I adhered the hinges to the shadow boxes with the recessed areas facing each other. I die cut small circle pieces using a die from The Stamp Market on gold cardstock to mimic the screws. 

I embellished the card box front with a heart rosette die cut using a die from The Stamp Market. I die cut the heart on a cream cardstock. Don't throw those tiny heart drop outs. It will be put to good use later on. 

After I assembled the rosette, I applied glue to the edges and poured Ranger Gold Glitter over the glue. I set this aside to dry.

I die cut the letter D on aqua cardstock. This is the first letter of the recipient's name. The die is from Spellpinders. I added stitching to the holes. I added Pinkfresh Emerald City Jewels to the centers of the stitching. I adhered this letter to the rosette, then adhered the rosette to the cover of the shadow box.

I flicked gold paint to the cover using Finetec Mica paint.

This is the part where I struggled, creating the closure of the shadow boxes. If I am going to do this again, I will punch a hole on one of the sides of the shadow box before sealing the shadow box. Since my shadow box cannot be undone, I used the same cutting technique as the hinge but I punched a ribbon hole on the tab where I will be threading the silk ribbon through. To make this part sturdy, the scored side is on the outer edge of the shadow box, folded inward. I used a glue gun to adhere the ribbon to the inside of this tab. 

Just like the hinges, I added ink blending to the edges and adhered those small gold circle dots for faux screws.

This is how it looks when the double shadow box is opened. The one on the right is a surprise gift of a mini photo album that fits the shadow box. 

When the photo album is removed, another photo is revealed behind it. This double shadow box can stand on its own like a photo frame.

I added stitching to one of the photos using glitter embroidery thread. I used a stencil as a guide to poke the stitching holes. I die cut the numbers on gold cardstock using a die set from My Favorite Things.

The photo album was created using Simple Stories patterned papers. The sentiment on the front was die cut using a die from Crafty Meraki. I die cut the sentiment on a light and dark cardstock. I adhered the lighter green die cut over the dark green die cut slightly offset to create a shadow. 

I used the We R Memory Keepers Cinch Coptic Punch to add holes to the mini photo album. I stitched the pages together using a green Doodlebug twine.

I adhered the tiny hearts inside the mini album for embellishment. Sorry. I am keeping that part of this project for the recipient's eyes only but you can see a glimpse of it in the video below.

If you have not figure it out yet, the favorite color of the recipient is green. 

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

Maria Giselle B.

Twofer One

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I was only planning to create the card on the left but after I saw my left over cuts, instead of putting these negative cuts back to my stash, I decided to create something from it. 

I used Concord & 9th products mostly on both cards. I used the Aida Cloth Texture plate from The Greetery to add an mpression on the background of the first card. 

I die cut different colored cardstocks using the Concord & 9th Sunshine & Rainbows dies. I poked holes on each rainbow arch and added a chain link stitch on each arch using the same colored embroidery floss as the arch.

I die cut the strings on a white and gray cardstock. I layered the die cuts to add some volume. I sprayed mica on these string die cuts using a solution made of water and Perfect Pearl to add some shimmer.

I ran a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" gray cardstock with the Aida Texture Plate. I spritz a gray Prima Color Bloom to this panel. I heat set this to dry it. 

I stamped the sentiment on a white cardstock using a gray dye ink. The sentiment stamp is from the Concord & 9th Everyday Sayings stamp set. I fussy cut the sentiment. 

I adhered the rainbow arches to the strings. I adhered this to the panel with foam adhesive. I adhered the sentiment above the rainbow. 

I added matching color sequins to the rainbow. 

As I have mentioned at the start of this post, after seeing the left over cuts pictured above, I challenged myself to create another card using these negative cuts. I used the dome created by the arch die cut. 

The Concord & 9th die set includes dies that creates impressions to the arches. I impressed the largest arch die on a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" gray cardstock. I used the largest negative cut as a stencil to add some ink blending to this impressed details. I used the same gray dye ink I used to stamp the sentiment on my first card.

I impressed the rest of the arch dies on the next two arches. For the teal, the smallest negative cut, I used a heart die from Trinity Stamps. This die does not cut the heart but creates a stitched heart impression on the cardstock. 

I die cut stitching holes on the same gray cardstock panel. I used an old Concord & 9th die set for this. I stitched the word using a gray DMC floss. To add some sparkle, I used a metallic DMC floss to add a whipped stitched to the gray DMC floss. 

I adhered the domes on top of each other with a foam adhesive.  I spritz the same gray Prima Color Bloom to the panel then heat set it to dry the panel.

I painted the heart with clear Wink of Stella for some shimmer.

I enjoyed creating these two cards especially after being able to create a second card using the negative cuts from the first card. I enjoyed it even more because I get to stitch.

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

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this project at

Challenge #336~Add a Sentiment

Anything Goes~Weeks #712-713 #14

Paper Stitching Projects

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. If you follow me, you know how much I am into paper stitching. I used to cross stitch on Aida cloth. Now, I am doing it on paper, which makes me very happy. 

Pattern source: a book from the library

Piercing die: Crafty Meraki

# of Strands: 4

Comment: I would like to try using six strands of embroidery floss on this pattern to see if there is any difference in the end look.

Pattern source: waffleflower.com

Piercing die: Ellen Hutson

# of Strands: 2

Comment: I was trying to extend the green leaf on the top right of the pattern based to make the panel larger. If I decide to work on this leaf, I have to look for the exact embroidery floss I used on this pattern. If I don't find it, I can scale down on the size of the panel. 

Pattern source: Cross-Stitch Mandalas by Isabelle Haccourt Vautier

Piercing die: Ellen Hutson

# of Strands: 2

Comment: The pattern is larger than my panel of 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I did spotlight stitching, starting at the center of the pattern and moving out toward the end of the pierced panel.

Pattern source: a book from the library

Piercing die: Ellen Hutson

# of Strands: 2

Comment: I love how I was able to stitch the whole design using a higher count piercing die. 

Pattern source: Cross-Stitch Mandalas by Isabelle Haccourt Vautier

Piercing die: Ellen Hutson

# of Strands: 2

Pattern source: StitchableCards.com FB post

Piercing die: Crafty Meraki

# of Strands: 6

Comment: Working on 6 strands can be tricky. I had to make sure that I give the strands the right amount of tension so no strand is loose. If it did come loose, I pull the strand on the back and tape it to hold the thread down. It was recommended to undo the strands before stitching it to give it a bit of fluff. I could see the difference this makes to a stitched piece but I also wonder how the end piece will look if I don't do this step. 

I apologize to the creators of the patterns which source I was not able to mention. Once I find the books where I got the patterns, I will update the sources on this post. 

I prefer the smaller scaled piercing using 2 strands since I can stitch a larger pattern. The setback is my blurry vision. I use a We R Memory Keepers Magnifying Glasses to help me out. I also take a photo of the pattern that I am stitching using my phone. I am able to zoom the pattern while working on it. I should really consider using my IPad for this purpose.

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

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this project at

Anything Goes Floral 

Challenge 9~Anything Goes #87

Shaker, Wobbler Birthday Card, a Remake

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. A new month means a new challenge at Stick It Down Scrapbook and Card Making Challenge in FB. There are several opportunities to join with three sketches to choose from.

My Favorite Things just said its goodbye to its crafting era. I am saddened to see another great crafting company close its doors. I remember my first MFT product, which I still have, believe it or not. I also remember where I bought it, a brick and mortar store here in St. Louis, which sadly closed a long time ago. I also remember joining the MFT blog challenges, winning once last November 2021. Lots of great memories. It just shows how anything is vulnerable to the changing times. I want to thank Kim, MFT's owner, for all the great things she has brought to me in the crafting world. I wish her well and maybe I will cross paths with her again in the future.

This card is a tribute to MFT using MFT products from my card stash.

This is also a remake of a card I created a long time ago. I had a bit of technical malfunction with the shaker feature of that card. I really wanted a seamless shaker card at that time but I was not able to contain the shaker beads. With the developments and improvements in crafting, I was able to figure out how to fix this problem. 

I stamped the images on watercolor paper using Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress ink so I can do a no line coloring. I used the Misti Stamping Tool to stamp the images. With the texture of the watercolor paper, I needed to re-stamp the images. The stamping tool was a big help on this part.

I stamped five images from the MFT stamp set to follow the number of balloons on the sketch. 

I colored the images using a newly acquired Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors Noveau Set of 24. I already have the set of 36 colors and also own several single watercolor pans. I love this watercolor brand! The new set offers muted colors which is a great addition to the 36 color set. 

After  I watercolored the images, I fussy cut the images leaving a narrow border around it.

I used pattern papers from Doodlebug to complete my scene. I trimmed the green checkered paper at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  I traced the wavy road die on this panel. I cut the panel on the traced lines and erased the pencil lines.

I die cut the wavy road die on a pebbled patterned paper. Using the split panel as guide, I positioned the wavy road die cut on a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" light weight paper. I lightly traced this with a pencil. I colored this traced road with a black marker. This black coloring will show through the wavy road die cut.

I adhered the wavy road die cut to the white cardstock panel using the traced lines as guide. I erased the pencil lines. I lined the wavy road die cut with a double adhesive tape. I wrapped this panel with a left-over plastic film packaging leaving one of the ends open. The double adhesive tape served as a trap to keep the shaker elements. I poured seed beads on this wavy road pocket. It was a bit tough with the narrow opening that's why I chose a very small shaker element, seed beads. I closed the bottom flap to seal the shaker. Now I have a seamless shaker. This is the upgraded step of my previous card. 

I stamped the sentiment on the larger green checkered paper piece. I treated this first with an anti-static tool. I stamped the sentiment using a red dye ink then stamped it using Versamark ink so I can heat emboss it with clear embossing powder. I used the Misti Stamping Tool for this purpose.

I adhered the checkered paper to the wrapped panel using liquid adhesive. I set this aside to dry.

I adhered one of the bear images on the road portion of the panel using a mini wobbler. I adhered the other bear image and the larger tree with foam adhesive. I adhered the other tree and the stop sign image with liquid glue. I used a portion of the negative die cut to ground the car.

I inked the edges of the green checkered panel to mute down the brightness.

This is the old version of this card having the same shaker and wobbler elements (https://ienjoywhatido.blogspot.com/2016/02/masculine-interactive-birthday-card.html). 

Below is a short video showing the interactive elements of this card. It is scheduled to go live later at 4pm CST (My 13 year old posted it that way.) I hope you come back to see it.

I hope you join this month's Stick It Down Challenge. We can't wait to see your take on this month's sketches. 

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this project at

Challenge #346

Scrapbook & Cards Today FB Challenge

Multi-colored Ink Stamping, a Blank Page Muse Post

 

Hello! I am at the Blank Page Muse Blog with this card. The DT is celebrating Christmas in July. I hope you are enjoying the DT's projects. 

The stamps I used on this card are:

• License Plate Vintage Style Alphabet Rubber Stamp
  
• Beyond the Border Christmas Set 1 Clear Stamp
  

Please visit the BPM blog for details on how I created this card. 

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this project at

Craft & Connect Blog #8

Christmas in July 4 Kids

Card Made Less Than 30 Minutes ~ A Blank Page Muse Post

Hello! I am at the Blank Page Muse blog with this card. I created a one layer, CAS card which is very unusual for me since I usually add layers to my card. 

I used the ink smooshing with an acetate technique on this card. 

The stamps I used on this card are from Blank Page Muse Country Vintage Christmas Rubber Art Stamps Sheet. 

Please visit the BPM blog for card details. You might be amazed to find out that this card is very easy to replicate and mass produce. 

Thank you! Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this project at

Craft & Connect Challenge Blog #7

Weeks #708-709~Anything Goes

Christmas in July 4 Kids