Partial Die Cutting and Embossing Using One Die

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I had the opportunity to attend an online Altenew Cardmaking Workshop hosted by Mehnaz Diouman, @naaz_crafting. The techniques she shared was on partial die cutting, embossing with a die and stenciling over a die cut/embossed panel.

The most important supply on this card is a cover die. I don't have an Altenew cover die that creates holes on the paper. I used a Lawn Fawn cover die instead. 

As Naaz taught, we did partial die cutting first. This is tough using the old Sizzix machine which is narrow compared to the newer models of die cutting machines. Thankfully, I still was able to make it work. 

Without removing the plate from the cardstock panel, I added an embossing mat underneath the cardstock. I added a thin cardboard shim to make the embossing impression more pronounced. 

The next step is to stencil an image on the embossed/die cut panel. I chose an old Altenew product, the Silk Art stencil from the Craft Your Life Project: Silk Art. 

I used the Altenew Sticky Mat and the Altenew Mini Ink Blending Brushes for the ink blending portion of the class. The sticky mat wasn't even released yet when this stencil was released. The mini brushes are the perfect brushes to use on this stencil. This stencil has intricate stamens that I almost damaged when I used it before. Now, I learned to blend the color straight from the body to the tip of the stamen instead of a circular motion to prevent the stamen from moving and also not damage it.

I just did simple stenciling with the use of one colored ink for each flower. I went heavy with the ink blending on the flower centers and lightening the pressure on the edges of the image. The stenciled image on the open areas are hardly noticeable but it adds some color.

The sentiment I used is from the retired Altenew Halftone Stars stamp set. I pre-treated a black cardstock with an anti-static powder tool. I stamped the sentiment using a sticky ink. I poured gold embossing powder over the stick ink then heat set it. I fussy cut the sentiment leaving a small border around it.

To add dimension to this sentiment, I cut strips of black cardstock, stacked it and adhered it to the back of the fussy cut sentiment.

I always enjoy attending Altenew workshops. I learn a lot and get to enjoy other crafters' company even if its virtual. I am glad that Naaz held this workshop on a weekday since I am unable to attend the workshops held on weekends due to my work schedule.

I hope you like today's card. Thank you, Naaz, for sharing a great technique.

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

 

2-for-1 Graduation Cards

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. It is time for a new challenge at Stick It Down Scrapbook and Card Making Challenge on FB. It is very easy to join the challenge. There are three options to choose from. You can create a scrapbook layout, a double page scrapbook layout or a card. Choose one or choose all! 

I am commissioned by a college peer to create graduation cards that she will give away. Aside from the occasion, she specifically wants cards with gift card holder. I used this month's sketch to create two-for-one graduations cards since she ordered a dozen.

The first card I created was a shaker card. I trimmed a dotted Simple Stories patterned paper at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I die cut the stars on this panel using a star die from Altenew. I adhered an acetate on the back of the window patterned paper. I adhered strips of foam adhesives around the stars over the acetate. I wanted to contain the confetti in each star that's why I surrounded each star with foam tape. You don't need to do this. You can just surround all of the stars with foam tape to create one well.

The messy part of this project is putting the confetti in the shaker well. I treated the acetate and the sides of the foam with an anti-static powder tool to lessen the cling of the confetti. Somehow, the confetti has a mind of its own, adhering to places where it should not. 

I applied liquid glue to the foam before covering the well with patterned paper. The liquid glue allows some wiggle time in positioning the patterned paper over the shaker well. The down side of this is sometimes the confetti gets attracted to the liquid glue. 

I die cut star frames on a dark gray metallic paper. I used the star die I used to die cut the star windows and the next smaller sized star from the same Altenew die set. I pieced this on the acetate star window, adhering it with glue. 

I die cut the sentiment on gold glitter cardstock. The sentiment die is from Paper Smooches. I performed a bit of surgery on the die cut sentiment. Instead of using the original die cut of "congratulations", I trimmed the sentiment down to "congrats". The exclamation point is from a Hero Arts die set.

I created a gift card pocket using a We R Memory Keepers Goodie Bag tool. I adhered this to the inside of the card and embellished it with a grad cap which I cut using the Cricut. I stamped the inside and the grad cap with sentiments from my stamp stash.

I was tempted to add some gold splatters on the front but I was afraid it is going to take the eye away from the shaker so I kept the background as is. 

For the second card, I used the negative cut stars from the first card. I scored the gray star die cuts from the points to the center to make it 3D. I added a foam square to the back on the center to keep it raised as I adhere this to the dotted patterned paper star die cut. For the points, I used Ranger Glossy Accents to adhere this to the dotted star and keep the score folds up.

For the background panel, I partially embossed a white pearl cardstock with an alphabet embossing folder. I adhered the stars to this panel.

For the sentiment, I stamped this on gold pearl cardstock with black pigment ink. I poured black glitter cardstock to the wet ink and heat embossed it. I die cut the sentiment into a strip using the coordinating die. The stamp and die are from Pinkfresh Studio.

I curled the sentiment banner. I added a foam adhesive on the center and curled the ends up adding a dot of glue close to the edge to keep it adhered to the panel. 

For the inside of the card, I adhered a scrap patterned paper to the bottom to act as gift card pocket. I stamped the sentiment with a dye ink. Dye inks are supposed to dry quickly. My stamped sentiment did not. I accidentally smeared a part of the sentiment. Uggh! I was tempted to pitch the note card. I even thought of restamping the sentiment on another paper then fussy cut it. Then I remembered my white gel pen. I wrote over the mess to cover it up. Now, the boo-boo is hardly noticeable.

I hope you like today's cards and that you join this month's challenge. We always love to see your projects.

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared these cards at

Simon Says: Anything Goes

Challenge 5~Anything Goes

Altenew July 2024 Release Blog Hop + Giveaway ($300 in Total Prizes!)

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I am so honored to be a part of Altenew's July 2024 release blog hop. This is a huge release with lots of amazing products to choose from. Today's post features product from this release and a few old Altenew products just to show you that these products can be used together. 

(I added below links to the Altenew products I used on each card. My affiliate link is: https://altenew.com/6358517. There will be no additional cost to you should you decide to purchase these product/s. 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 the rest of the products included in this month's release. Thank you for your support!)

FOR YOU SHAPED CARD

• Altenew Build-A-Garden Sulfur Cosmos & Add-on Die
• Altenew Nature's Wonders Enamel Dots
• Altenew Organic Linen 3D Embossing Folder (not a part of this month's release)

The Altenew layering stencils are conveniently marked with a number as a guide in applying inks for layering. You don't have to follow the order of the number. On this card, I started with stencil #2 which has larger open areas which seems easier for me to begin with. 

I also find it easier to die cut first before stenciling if the stencil comes with a coordinating die. The shape of die cut helped me with the alignment of the stencil. 

Don't hesitate to go back and forth between stencils especially if you feel you need some shading on a part of the image. This technique is no different when you color with other mediums. 

Using different brush sizes also help in getting the best of your coloring. Using a small brush on those tiny nooks and crannies help in the application of color. On the other hand, using a larger brush on a larger space limits the harsh lines created when blending inks. 

This shaped card was partially die cut. There was some difficulty in doing this because of how I laid the die on the notecard. It went beyond the 6" width allowed by my die cutting machine. If you have a wider die cutting machine, this will not be a problem. Another way to achieve this card look is to create a tab on the fold, then adhere it to another panel to create a note card. Or rotate the die so that it will fit your die cutting machine without problems. 

One of the layered stencils on this set has a detailed part which you can skew during cleaning if you are not careful. I suggest you go one direction when wiping off the ink from the stencil, preferably wiping towards the detailed part. 

I did partial embossing on the inner card panel which creates a background for the flowers.

Use those enamel dots sparingly to add accent to the card. 

I love the sentiments on the stamp set included in this Build A Garden set. The sentiment I used came as a one lined sentiment. I did partial stamping and a stamp positioner to make this into a two lined sentiment. 

SENDING HAPPY THOUGHTS CARD

• Altenew Build-A-Garden Sulfur Cosmos & Add-on Die
• Altenew Raised Sentiments 3D Embossing Folder
• Altenew Just Leaves Die Set (not a part of this month's release)

The embossing folder I used on this card is my favorite in this release. You are not limited with the use of this embossing folder by its vertical sentiment design only. You can emboss a 6" x 6" cardstock and cut the sentiments apart creating a stash of sentiment strips ready for use. 

Or just like on the card above, you can use one of the sentiments and repeatedly emboss the same sentiment on a strip of cardstock which will be a great way to use those scraps. To make this last technique easier, I created a template by embossing a scrap cardstock. Using a craft knife, I cut off the sentiment that I will be repeatedly embossing. I positioned this template back on the embossing folder by matching the embossed impression with the raised sentiments on the folder. I placed the strip on the open spot, then emboss away! 

 

To make the embossed sentiment pop out some more, I used an inked brayer to apply white pigment ink to the raised letters. I over inked some spots but this added some grunge to the look of the strips. 

The floral stamp on the BAG comes with a coordinating die but fussy cutting this image is not hard at all. I also love the fourth stencil on the stencil set which is not a layering stencil but a background stencil. You can use this with other projects and not be limited to the layered floral image the stencil set creates. 

CONGRATS TO THE FABULOUS YOU CARD

• Altenew Geo Tree Stencil
• Altenew Raised Sentiment 3D Embossing Folder
• Altenew Woodland Escape Fresh Dye Ink (not a part of this month's release)
• Altenew Gold Peach Crisp Embossing Powder (not a part of this month's release)

The stencil, as its name implies, is designed to create trees. The packaging insert has instructions and photo samples on how to create different rows of trees with Christmas in mind. I don't have any Altenew Christmas-themed sentiment so I explored other ways of using this stencil for other occasions. Don't be afraid to stretch out those supplies. I cannot believe that I came up with this rosette-like design out of this stencil. I think I will be creating more projects using this stencil. 

I embossed the sentiments on pearl cardstock strips. To make the sentiment pop, I gently rubbed some lunar paste over the letters. The look reminded me of the Dymo embossed labels. 

NO SENTIMENT CHRISTMAS CARD

• Altenew Geo Tree Stencil
• Altenew Halftone Stars Stamp (not part of this month's release)
• Altenew String Art Rectangles Die Set (not part of this month's release)

I created another card using the same stencil I used on the previous project now with a Christmas theme. I blended inks on a row of trees. Instead of a pair of triangles to create the tree, I extended the width of the tree by adding another inked triangle on each side of the triangles. And, the tree trunks? I used the incomplete triangle on the stencil to create this. I masked these incomplete triangle openings to shorten the height of the triangle. I also created a DIY stencil to ground the tree by cutting up an oval shape on a Post-It Note.

What is a Christmas tree without stars and sparkles? A bit of glitter embossing powder here and there does the trick. And, don't forget to add accents to the tree. I used a white get pen and a sparkle pen for this purpose.

I also used a colored cardstock as card base which somehow created a new different color.

Who said every card needs a sentiment on the front? I kept the card front sentiment free to keep the focus on the ink blended trees.

I added stitching using a metallic embroidery floss to create a border. I created a stitching hole template by embossing the Altenew String Art Rectangle die on vellum. I used the holes created by the die as a guide to manually poke holes on my project. In this way, I can extend the length of the stitching. I also have the option to poke extra holes on the middle of each piercing to make the stitches smaller if I want to. 

LOTS OF INK BLENDING CARD

• Altenew Build-A-Garden Sulfur Cosmos Stamp & Stencil 
• Altenew Build-A-Garden Sulfur Cosmos Add-On Die Set
• Altenew Raised Sentiments 3D Embossing Folder
• Altenew Warm Gray Fresh Dye Round Inks
• Altenew Tea Party Fresh Dye Round Inks
• Altenew Northern Shore Fresh Dye Round Inks

I like to highlight the Altenew inks on this card. Altenew has conveniently grouped their inks into color families. You don't have to have all the inks of a color family but if you are a new crafter or a struggling crafter or a crafter in a hurry, these grouped inks remove the guess work of mixing and matching colors. I used the Altenew Tea Party inks on the flowers. I stamped the floral image for this card, which I also did on my second card. Unlike the second card, wherein I colored the image with alcohol markers, I blended the dye ink colors on this image. It just shows how versatile this BAG set is. 

I colored the leaves and the stems with a color twist, using the Altenew Northern Shore inks.

For the background, I used the Altenew Warm Gray inks.  I mimicked the trendy cardstock strips look on this background. I used a large Post-it Note and a repurposed plastic from an accordion file for masking. I marked a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" white cardstock every 3rd of an inch making the spacing on each line of the embossed folder just right. Make sure to center the markings on the cardstock panel since there will be an extra 1/16" on the top and the bottom of the panel if you make your project on a portrait orientation just like my card. I blend the gray inks in an ombre fashion. 

Thank you for visiting my blog. I apologize for a very long post. I appreciate your time. 

I hope you find inspiration in today's projects. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

Here is a link to Altenew's March Release Products: https://altenew.com/collections/july-2024-stamps-dies-press-and-foil-plates-fresh-dye-inks-more-altenew

Giveaway Prizes

$300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $100 gift certificate to 1 lucky winner and a $50 gift certificate to 4 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by July 16, 2024 for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 5 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on July 18, 2024.

*The winner of the $100 gift certificate will be chosen from comments left on the Altenew blog.

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

I am sharing some of the projects at 

Challenge #319 

#38-For You Shaped Card

Let's Get Into Shape!

For You Shaped Card

Rainbow Colored Block Letters Greeting Card

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I created this card to join in the latest Hero Arts Blog Challenge. I heat embossed the letters on a black watercolor cardstock using Wow! White Pearl embossing powder. The Hero Arts products I used on this card are from my stash and are, unfortunately, all retired. I am sure there is something in your craft stash that you can use as substitute to re-create this card.

Using the stencil, I drew the wonky shaped squares around each letter, some of which I have to extend vertically to accommodate the height of the letter. I also extended the width of the squares so the squares will be touching each other. I used the Karin pigment markers to add color to each letter block. 

I colored the inside of the letter with a black Wink of Stella shimmer pen. I outlined each block with a black Sakura Glaze marker. 

For the other half of the sentiment, I masked a stamp so I will only stamp the word brightly below the letter blocks. I heat embossed this word using the same embossing powder.

I stamped the stars using the Delicata White Shimmer pigment ink and the Avery Elle Silver Fox pigment ink. I brushed the Ranger Perfect Pearls in Perfect Pearl for some shimmer.

I trimmed this panel smaller. I adhered this to a partially embossed rainbow mirrored cardstock. The mirrored cardstock is from Simon Says Stamp. 

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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at

Hero Arts Blog Challenge

Anything Goes

Neon Colored Bears Birthday Card

Hello! I created a fun card. I made this to join Lawn Fawnatics latest blog challenge. After I saw the photo, all I can think of is the lively colors of the cupcakes.

I stamped the bear from Lawn Fawn Party Animal stamp set on Arches water color paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink. I colored the bears using Karin Neon Brushmarkers, following the colors of the cupcake icing. I stamped the party hats from the same stamp set following the colors of the cupcake wrappers. I brushed these party hats with Spectrum Noir Sparkle Glitter brush pen. I fussy cut these stamped images leaving a white border around the image.

For the pennants, I partially die cut the ends of the longest banner die in the LF Fancy Folded Banners die set to create small pennants. I die cut different colored card stocks and white card stock from my paper stash following the colors of the birthday candles. I used the negative cut created by the banner end as a placement guide for stamping the individual letters to create the sentiment. To do this, I added a full adhesive Post It tape to the back of the negative die cut. I nestled the banner in the open area, positioned the letter on the banner die cut. I used the Misti Stamping Tool so I can double stamp each letter for embossing. I stamped the letters using Hero Arts Unicorn White pigment ink and HA white embossing powder. The letters are from the LF Milo's ABCs stamp set.

After I have completed embossing the letters, I cut each pennant to an inch and scored the top 1/8". I folded the pennant on this scored line and adhered this to a twine. I adhered the white pennant die cut to the back of the colored pennant.

For the background, I trimmed two blue colored card stocks to 8 7/8" x 3 7/8" to create a slim card for an A9 sized envelope. I also cut a patterned paper using the same measurement. I partially die cut the patterned paper using the LF Outside In Stitched Rectangle to be able to create a longer framer.

I embossed the LF Fancy Lattice Background die on the darker blue card stock. I also did partially embossing on this card stock so I can embossed the whole slim sized card stock.

I created a confetti background on the light blue card stock using some of the small stamps on the LF Animal Party stamp set. I embossed these stamps using Wow! White Pearl embossing powder.

To put the scene together, I adhered the lattice embossed card stock to the bottom of the confetti background panel. I cut off the excess. I positioned the bears next. I adhered the banner using foam adhesive. I glued the excess twine to the card stock panel. I adhered the party hats with foam adhesive. I adhered the scalloped patterned paper next. I added Ranger Glossy Accents to the party hats and set this aside to dry.

Thank you for visiting my blog. It seems like a lot of work done for this card but I truly enjoyed putting this scene together. Have a SAFE, blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at

 

Lawn Fawn Blog Challenge

Partial Die Cut Valentine's Card

 

It's that time of the year were some of us get busy getting ready creating their Valentine's exchange. I created several cards using the Hero Arts Floral Stamp & Cut by Lia. I only partially die cut the heart onto the front of a note card measuring 3.5" x 7" scored at 3.5". To partially die cut, center the die onto the front of the note card, position the top cutting plate onto the area you want die cut, in this case towards the right edge of the heart, towards the card opening. Using a craft knife and with the guide of a ruler, I cut the card stock where the cut ends. This will reveal the half-heart shaped card front. Using the same die, I die cut glittered papers and directly adhered this onto the card front, making sure I line up the partial die cut heart with the front of the note card. Use a liquid adhesive since this allows some 'buy' time to wiggle the die cut while aligning it.

I embossed half of the inner note card, the one showing through the partial die cut, using We R Memory Keepers Next Level Embossing Folders. I only sandwiched the area I want embossed, same technique I used with partial die cutting. 

I stamped the sentiment from the Hero Arts Handmade Kindness stamp sent onto a vellum and poured white embossing powder onto it. I allowed the heat gun to be on for a while before pointing it towards the vellum piece to avoid warping. I applied dots of liquid glue to the back, to areas where there is concentration of the stamped sentiment to hide the glue. I randomly applied dots of Viva Decor Pearl Pen in Pastel Rose to the sides of the heart to add more accents. To finish off the card, I punch the outer top & bottom edges using We R Memory Keepers Crop-a-Dile. 

Thanks for visiting my blog. Have a brilliant day!

Maria Giselle B.

I am submitting this creation to:

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-have-a-heart-3/

http://modsquadchallenge.blogspot.com/2016/02/hearts-and-flowers.html

Watercolor Smooshed Embellishment Encouragement Card

I am addicted to the watercolor smooshing technique these days. After the last card I created, I can't stop creating more with this technique in mind. For this card, I applied Tim Holtz Distress inks on a palate, spritz it with water and picked up the color using an acetate. I smooshed this to a watercolor paper until I got the right shades and blending. I adhered a Stick-It adhesive sheet to this where I will die cut the flowers. I die cut the smooshed watercolor paper using Bold Blossom by Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies. I strategically chose the area where I will die cut the flowers and leaves. I needed some stems for the flowers. I used the stems from Fresh Cut Flowers by My Favorite Things to cut stems. I removed the release paper from the die cut flowers and poured some Elizabeth Crafts Silk Microfine glitter to this.

For the background panel, I used a 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" navy cardstock. I embossed this using Li'l Inker Quilted Swirl Stitched Pattern die. I partially embossed the cardstock, leaving an area without embossing. This is where I will stamp the sentiment. I also did not emboss the left side of the cardstock. I traced the flower onto this and cut this area making sure I cut on the traced line. The navy panel now is about 5 1/2" x 4" in size.

I adhered the flowers to this panel. Then adhered the stems and leaves. I tied the stems with a silver thread. I looped the thread several times on my fingers then tied it on the middle to create a bow. I adhered this on top of the knotted thread.

For the sentiment, I used a stamp from Mama Elephant In My Heart stamp set. I embossed this using white powder. I stamped the white note card with MFT Diagonal Stripes background using Simon Says Stamp Sea Glass dye ink pad. I adhered the navy panel to the note card with fun foam for dimension. I rounded the left lower corner of the note card. I added clear sequins for additional embellishment.

Thanks for viewing my blog.

Maria Giselle B.

I am submitting this creation to:

http://ellenhutson.typepad.com/the_classroom_new/2015/11/november-mix-it-up-challenge-with-mama-elephant.html

 

http://virginiasviewchallenge.blogspot.ca/2015/11/virginias-view-challenge-20.html