Happy STAMPtember!

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Simon Says Stamp is celebrating STAMPtember! It is the biggest and most exciting stamping event of the year. Last month, SSS asked for mailing addresses from their followers. The first 100 will get a complimentary STAMPtember exclusive product. YAY! I am one of the lucky 100!

I used the SSS Best Witches Clear Stamp Set on my platform pop-up card. I stamped the images on watercolor paper. I colored the images with Kuretake Gansai Tambi, Coliro Mica and Karin markers. I fussy cut the images. The stamp set has a coordinating die available for puchase in case you are not into fussy cutting.

I think the most challenging part of this project is arranging all the elements on the platform. I did a lot of fiddling with the arrangement. I am so glad with all the re-arranging of the already glued elements, the platform survived. 

I stamped one of the sentiments on black cardstock, partially stamping a segment of the sentiment to create this into strips. In this way, the sentiment will fit on the back of the platform pop-up.

I added a glow-in-the-dark feature to the pop-up platform for an additional enchanting fun. These elements are also floating off the platform which was achieved with the use of acetate strips.

I hope you like today's project. Please join Simon Says Stamp in this month long celebration. Below is a link to this year's exclusive STAMPTember products. Also, from 9/4 through 9/29, everyday at noon 

ET, an exclusive limited edition collab. stamp set from will be released. Once these items sell out, it will not be restocked.

Thank you, SSS for allowing me to be a part of this celebration with this free stamp set.

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

STAMPtember 2025

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Stamp It In STAMPtember 

Cute Fall/Halloween Cards 4 Kids

Simon Says Stamp IG Challenge

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

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Anything Goes #24

Sketch Inspired Greeting Card

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. We are halfway through the month of June meaning you only have at least 14 days before the latest Incy Wincy Challenge ends. I hope you will find time to join the challenge. We have three themes for this month's challenge, Floral-Color Palette-Sketch. Below are the colors and the sketch for this challenge.

 

For today's card, I am featuring one of the two sponsors for this month's challenge, Mirtillamente. To see the first card I created for this month's challenge using the other sponsor, Alex Syberia Design, please visit the blog post, Two For One: Die Cut and Emboss with a Metal Die.

I printed the image on watercolor paper. I color the images using Karin markers. I followed the colors from the challenge color palette, although the blue might look lighter than the original color palette due to the Lawn Fawn Liquid Stardust I applied over the watercolor. With Karin markers, I usually apply the pigment to a palette then pick it up with a brush. I feel I have more control doing this compared to applying the color from the marker to the paper. I only do this if I need a bolder color on a part of the image just like what I did on the stigmas of the yellow lily.

For the panel, I am using a left over patterned paper panel I die cut with a stitched rectangle die. The patterned paper is from Doodlebug Design Hello 6x6 patterned paper. I trimmed three strips of patterned papers from the same patterned paper pack. I trimmed these strips into triangular strips using a paper trimmer. I mixed the triangular strips and used a tape to keep the triangular strips together, creating a wider triangular element. I adhered these to the panel, following the challenge sketch.

I wrapped a sheer ribbon around the panel. I also wrapped a white embroidery floss around the panel.

Back on the watercolored panel, I die cut this using one of the dies in the Waffle Flower Crafts A7 Layers dies. I rounded the edges using a We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper. I lightly inked the edges with a Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Victorian Velvet. 

The digital image came with a sentiment. I added more words to expand the sentiment using a Martha Stewart Letter Rubber Stamp. I adhered this to the center of the panel.

I added shimmer to the moon and to the dots using the Lawn Fawn Liquid Stardust.

Thank you for viewing my blog. I hope you have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

Image Sponsor

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Challenge #10 June 2022~Anything Goes #38

 

Slimline Christmas Card

 

Hello! I created this card to join the latest Lawn Fawnatics challenge on Happy Holiday Critters. I always enjoy joining their challenge because I love Lawn Fawn products and I enjoy creating using their products. Their challenges make me think out of the box, extending the intended use of my Lawn Fawn products.

I started off by stamping the critters on watercolor paper. The images are from LF Party Animal stamp set. I colored the images using Karin markers. I fussy cut the images up to the line, lining the edge with a black marker for a finished edge. Whew! Fussy cutting the antlers is sure very tricky! I created a scarf for each critter, cutting up some paper from LF Knit Picky 6x6 patterned paper. I drew the scarf then traced this with a black marker. I fussy cut the scarf and lined the edges with a black marker. It was very easy to adhere the scarf to the bear. With the fox and the reindeer, I had to cut their heads off to be able to tuck in the scarf underneath its chins. Sounds horrible, right? Rest assured, their heads were adhered back to place. 

I die cut the wreath from LF Mini Wreath on different shades of green cardstock. I cut the wreath so I can create this into a larger wreath. I die cut a thin circle frame into which I adhered the cut up wreath, layering the colors on top of each other. I, as Laura Bassen calls it, zhuzh up the leaves on the wreath to give it dimension. 

I die cut a Carta Bella plaid patterned paper using the Pink Fresh Studio Slim Stitched Scallop Circle Die to create windows. I adhered the wreath on the circles, covering the scallops. I inserted the critter into this wreath, applying liquid adhesive to the bottom area only. I added foam adhesive to the back of the heads of the critters. 

I die cut circles slightly larger than the scalloped circular window. I die cut the circles on a patterned paper from LF Snow Day Remix Petite Paper Pack. I adhered this to the back of the windows and the critters. 

I die cut the bow and the berries on red mirror cardstock. Since my mirror cardstock is single sided, I snipped off the portion that wraps around the bow. I wrapped this small piece to the bow with the shiny side up. I adhered this to the bottom of the wreath and randomly added the berries to the wreath.

I added Zig Clear Wink Of Stella to the wreath. I added Sakura Black Glaze pen to the critter's eyes. 

For the sentiment, which I will say was a brave move of mine, I heat embossed this using white embossing powder. If I am going to do this again, I would have stamped the sentiment first before going through all the gluing. The sentiment is from LF Offset Sayings: Christmas stamp set. 

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

Maria Giselle B.

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Lawn Fawn Challenge Blog

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge~Fun With Dies

Challenge #72~December 2020

My Son's Coloring

Hello! My youngest son did this a while back and I only get to post it now. Thanks to his persistence in reminding me. The images he chose are from Paper Smooches using Kari markers for coloring. He has a short blurb below the photo.

"Hi, guys! This is Ryan. I am 8 years old and I will be showing you images that I colored. One is my stuff animal, Josie, from Toy Story 4. Hope you like it!"

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

Maria Giselle B.

Rainbow Color Sketch Inspired Card

Hello! This is my 3rd creation using a product from my new craft stash. I am using products from Trinity Stamps. At the same time, I am participating in their blog challenge. This is definitely a way for me to use my stash.

I already chose the stamp set, So Appreciative stamp set, but I was debating on what paper to use which then comes to the question of what technique should I do based on the paper. I decided to use this retired Martha Stewart double sided colored paper. It has six colors and I can use a color for each layer of the card sketch.

I started with the back panel. I cut a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" blue colored paper. The next layer was a light blue, which I cut at 4" x 5 1/4". I repeatedly stamp the zigzag stamp using Versafine Onyx Black ink. I embossed this with a Recollections Charcoal embossing powder.

I trimmed a 5 1/2" x 2 1/4" of green colored paper. I used the dash line stamp to create a stitched edge. I stamped this with Versafine Onyx Black ink and embossed this with a Martha Stewart black embossing powder.

For the circular focal point, I die cut an orange color paper using Simon Says Stamp Stitched Circle die. I die cut the coordinating sentiment die on this circle to create a window for the sentiment. I die cut a yellow circle using SSS Circle Thin Frames. This circle is a little bit smaller than the stitched orange circle. I embossed the sentiment on this yellow circle using the same black embossing powder. I colored the sentiment using a Karin metallic black Decobrush. I colored the yellow background with Zig Wink of Stella yellow glitter brush pen for some shimmer. I lined the opening of the orange circle to the embossed sentiment on the yellow circle then adhered this together. I applied Zig Wink of Stella orange glitter on the orange paper. You can see the shimmer on the above picture.

I die cut a red colored paper using the banner die included in the die set. I stamped the sub-sentiment on this banner using the metal die as a guide to curve the sentiment stamp so it will be aligned with the banner. I stamped this using Versafine Onyx Black ink and heat embossed it with black embossing powder.

I created a slit on the Y of the embossed sentiment so I can insert the banner through it. I had to trim a little off the banner to be able to slide this through the slit. I die cut a pink heart and adhered this to the banner. I applied Nuvo Aqua Shimmer Glitter Gloss to the heart.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I truly appreciate your being here and checking out my blog. Have a blessed, brilliant and crative day!

Maria Giselle B.

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Trinity Stamps Crafty Troop Challenge~July 2020

Watercolored Digi. on an Envelope

Hello! We have a new challenge at Incy Wincy Designs. Our challenge theme is Anything But A Card. Our sponsor for this challenge is Polkadoodles. Thank you very much, Polkadoodles!

I printed the image on Strathmore watercolor paper. I strategically positioned the image so it will be on the left lower corner of a slim envelope. I trimmed off the excess so I will end up with a 8 1/2" x 11" watercolor paper. On the short side, I scored the paper at 2 1/2" and 6 1/2". On the long side, I scored the paper at 1 1/2" and 10 1/2". Here is a video tutorial by Jenny Card Designs that I found very helpful in creating this envelope.

I taped the watercolor paper to a board, right at the score lines to serve as a mask for the flaps of the envelope. I watercolored the image using Karin Decobrush markers. I did not apply the pigment straight on the image. I was afraid that I won't be able to save any areas with plenty of pigment due to the intricacy of the image. Not to forget, I might activate the printer ink with the pigment since I just used a jet ink printer to print the image.

When I have no idea on how to color an image, I usually go to the image's website and reference my coloring to their sample. This also helps me to make sure that I am coloring a part of the image as I should. It also helps me see if I missed any areas.

I try not to touch the outline of the image with my waterbrush. To fill in any gaps, I used Prismacolor color pencils. I also used the color pencils to add details.

I added a wash of watercolor as a background of the image. Since the image is a bit too far from the edge, I drew in black lines to fill in that gap.

I don't have a card yet to put in this envelope. But I can also use this envelope if I need to mail a letter to someone.

To protect the image from water after I mail it, I applied a thin coat of Ranger Distress Glaze over the image.

I created a process video featuring this card.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you have a blessed, brilliant and creative day! Stay safe always!

Maria Giselle B.

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Week 22~Anything Goes

June 2020~Anything Goes

Playing With Transfer Gel

Hello! It is my second son's birthday today. He specifically said before that he does not want to receive cards anymore. So, I just created a card thinking about him. I also created this card to take part in Newton's Nook latest blog challenge.

I had the Deco Foil Gel for a while but did not get to trying it until now. I know that there is a newer, upgraded version of this gel. It will be a while before I will be able to try this product out since I just opened my jar.

I usually search the internet before I try out a certain technique or a product. Even if I have used a product before or have used a certain technique before, if it has been a while since the last time I used it or tried it, I still watch videos related to it as a sort of a review for me. This is exactly what I did with the Deco Foil Gel.

I positioned the Newton's Nook Confetti stencil on top of a dark blue cardstock using painter's tape. I evenly applied the Deco Foil Gel with a spatula, making sure that I covered all the open areas. I removed the stencil and placed the stencil in a basin with soapy water. I set the cardstock aside to dry.

I stamped the image from NN Newton Loves Cake on a vellum which I pre-treated first with an anti-static tool. I stamped this with Versafine Onyx Black ink and heat embossed it with a black embossing powder. I colored the image on the back side. I initially started with a Copic marker transitioning to Karin Decobrush markers. I am amazed that the Karin markers work on vellum, too! I fussy cut the image, leaving a small border around it. I colored the cat with one of my sister's cats, Kenny, as the model. 

Going back to the dark blue cardstock with the Deco Foil Gel, the only way to know that the gel is ready for foiling is if the gel has turned clear, which means that the gel is dry. I cut a piece of Gina K. Designs Glimmering Gold Fancy Foils. I cut it large enough to cover the cardstock with the gel. I placed this foil, shiny side up, on top of the cardstock with the gel. I sandwiched this inside a parchment paper  and an extra cardstock to act as a shim. I fed this through the Minc Machine. I am so amazed with the glimmery result!

To follow the sketch in the challenge, I trimmed a light blue cardstock to 5 1/2" x 4 1/4". I also trimmed a 5 1/2" x 1 1/2" blue cardstock. I created three panels with the foiled cardstock piece. I adhered a vellum to the center piece to mute down the shimmer. I embossed a sentiment to this, then adhered the image. After I have assembled my card elements to re-create the sketch, I wrapped a gold DMC thread around the card, securing it with a tape on the back. 

I adhered this to a top folding wide A2 note card.

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

Maria Giselle B.

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Challenge #123-Sketch Challenge

#251~Anything Goes + A Sentiment

Challenge #163~Anything Goes

Distress Ink Colored Digi. Dinosaur

 

Hello! We have a new challenge at Incy Wincy Designs Challenge Blog. The theme is Anything Goes. The image I am using is from one of our challenge sponsors, Cute As A Button.

I printed the image on Strathmore Bristol Smooth paper. I heat set the image to dry the it and prevent bleeding when I color it. I decided to color the image pink. I used Tim Holtz Distress ink in Picked Raspberry and Victorian Velvet to color the dinosaur. I colored the dinosaur's hair with TH Tumbled Glass Distress ink.

To color it, I pressed the ink pad on a palette and picked up the color with a paint brush. I colored the bone with Zig Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolor. I mixed white and black for some gray shading. After this had dried off, I painted a the pearl white over it for some shine. I also used this on the collar. I added a small drop of white paint on the dinosaur's body spots and nails. I added gray dots on the dinosaur's cheeks. For the heart pendant, I used a Karin Decobrush metallic blue marker. I painted the grass with Zig Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolor.

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

For the panel, I have this card base with a blended background on it for a while. I finally found some use for it. I muted this busy background with a vellum. Looking through my stash, I found this left over black frame that I cut with Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangles wafer dies. I also found a small black rectangle cut with the same die set. I usually keep my extra die cuts together with the dies just in case I find some use for it.

I adhered the vellum to the back of the frame. I adhered the stitched rectangle on the center of the vellum. I adhered the dinosaur on the black rectangle with foam adhesive. I added small dots on the background using Sakura Stardust clear glitter gelly roll pen.

For the sentiment, I embossed this on a grayish-blue cardstock. The stamp I used is from Paper Smooches Digits stamp set. I die cut this into a banner using Lawn Fawn Fancy Folded Banner die but only partially die cutting it since I only needed the fish tail ends. I adhered this on the bottom of the image with foam adhesive.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I cannot wait to see what you created. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day. Stay safe always.

Maria Giselle B.

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Challenge #56~Anything Goes

Challenge 28~Anything Goes

Weeks 571/2~Anything Goes

Metallic Water Colored Image

Hello! We have a new challenge at Incy Wincy Designs. The challenge theme is Embellishment Starting With Your Initial. I could not think of what to create after I learned about the challenge theme. Good thing that most of my co-DT members has a name that starts with M, and somebody mentioned metallic. Aside from metallic, I thought about mirror, mini clothespin and mini brad.

Our sponsor is My Besties by Sherry Baldy. I printed the image on Arches Water color paper. I colored the image using Karin Deco Brush metallic markers. I did not color the image directly with these markers. I applied the pigment on a plastic film and picked the color with a brush. It was a challenge coloring this image due to the small spaces I have to apply the color to. 

I created the window panel by first applying Coliro Pearl Deep Space water color. I heat set this to dry. I created the window using My Favorite Things LJD Rectangle Peek-A-Boo Window Die-namics. I did partial die cutting technique to be able to extend the length of the window. I painted the stitched frame created by this die with a Finetec Pearl Gold water color. 

Do you remember grommets? I still have this in my stash including the Making Memories Eyelet Setter Grommet tool kit. I added this metal embellishment to the corners of the die cut window. 

I stamped the sentiment on a pink mirror card stock using Versafine Onyx Black ink. To prevent shifting while stamping, I used the Misti Stamping Tool. The stamp is from Ink Blot Bubble Words stamp set. I poured clear embossing to the stamped sentiment then heat set it. I fussy cut the sentiment leaving a small border around it.

I adhered the colored digi. to the back of the water colored window panel, making sure it is centered. I adhered the mirror sentiment with foam tape. I adhered this to a top folding A2 note card. I drew diagonal lines using a silver pen. I stamped small hearts using a Tsukineko Delicata Rose Gold Pigment ink.

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

Maria Giselle B.

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April Challenge~Anything Goes

April 2020 Giveaway

Facebook April 2020