One Layer Card with Masking, Ink Blending and Embossing with a Cutting Die

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. It is the first of the month. It is time for a new challenge @Stick It Down Scrapbook and Card Making Challenge on FB. Joining is very easy. Just create a new project following this month's sketch. It can either be a single scrapbook layout, a double page scrapbook layout or a card. Choose one or choose all!

This month's card sketch seems intimidating specifically the design on the center which is the focal point. I was in the process of recreating the focal point but went another route after watching a card making video by Kristina Werner. Instead of the overlapping curves, I went for straight lines.

I used Tim Holtz Distress Oxides for the ink. I used Post-it Tape to mask the front panel of the card and create triangular areas to blend the ink on. I used Tim Holtz Distress blending foam on applying the colors. 

I stamped the bottom part of the design with a My Favorite Things background stamp. I intentionally did not stamp this background well and if I am going ro redo this card, I would have done a second generation stamping to make the text lighter in color.

The main and sub-sentiment are from a Pinkfresh Studio stamp set. I used oxide inks on all of the stamping. Not the ideal choice of ink in stamping sentiments but I like the chalky vibe of the oxides.

To add the curved lines of the sketch to my card, I embossed a curved stitch die over the blended inks.  I used a curved border cutting die from Lawn Fawn. I placed an embossing mat underneath the cardstock to add the impression of the stitched curves. 

Since I embossed four curves on the inked area individually, I noticed that each time I pass the card through the die cutting machine, the previously embossed lines are sort of flattened but it's ok.

I hope my card inspired you to join this month's SID challenge. Please check the FB post to see the rest of the sketches. 

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this card at

Challenge #133~Back to Basics

Crocheted Wreath Ornament Christmas Card

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. It is the first of the month. Time for a new challenge @ Stick It Down Scrapbook and Card Making Challenge on FB. Joining is very easy. Create a new project following this month's sketch. It can either be a single scrapbook layout, a double page scrapbook layout or a card. Choose one or choose all! 

This was not the original card I planned to create for this month's sketch. I overdid my craft supplies shopping this month. Why not use it right away rather than stashing it somewhere in my craft room and end up forgetting it? Don't you hate that?

I created a wreath for the circular frame of the sketch. I stepped it up by crocheting on a circular frame which I cut out of cardstock and stacked it to make it sturdy. 

I die cut a lot of poinsettias on pearl white cardstock using a die from the Alex Syberia Mini Ornaments Die Set. I die cut the leaves on gold pearl cardstock. I used a shaping stylus to give the poinsettias and the leaves some depth.

I adhered the poinsettia layers then adhered this to the crocheted wreath using Ranger Glossy Accents. I tucked the leaves under the poinsettias. 

For the card panel, the focal point and the sentiment are from a cut apart sheet by Crate Paper Mittens & Mistletoe 6x8 paper pad. 

On a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" scrap cardstock, I adhered a plaid washi tape from Paper Source. I applied glue to the cardstock before adhering the washi tape. I covered the whole panel with the washi tape.

I trimmed a gold mirror washi tape into skinny strips and adhered this to the plaid panel to take the place of the matte on the sketch. I ran a stitched border die over these strips for added interest. The die I used is from Lawn Fawn.

Here comes the tricky part, trying to figure out how to temporarily attach the wreath to the card front panel. I positioned the wreath over the plaid panel to give me an idea on where to adhere the floral focal point. I wanted the flowers of the cut apart to show through the wreath. Afterwhich, I adhered the floral cut apart. I made this into a hanging picture frame. I created the rope hanger with the use of two nesting diamond dies. I die cut a brown shimmer cardstock on the long corner of the diamonds. I adhered this on the top of the floral focal point.

I poked a hole on the tip of the photo frame hanger and threaded a brad through it. This is where I will temporarily attach the wreath.

To hide the string of the wreath, I used a jewelry wire to tie the string to the back. I also created a small circular hook to attach the wreath to the brad. 

I added the sentiment to the card panel adhering it underneath the wreath instead of on the wreath like the sentiment on the sketch.

I added red gems to the top left corner of the panel replicating it from the sketch.

It might be a challenge to give this card away. Mailing it will require extra postage since it would not be considered as a letter. Hand delivery will be the best option. I am planning to write instructions on the back of the front cover about the wreath ornament and how to remove the jewelry wires without ruining it. I can also just tape the string to the back of the card cover to make it simple.

I hope I inspired you with today's card and that you join in this month's challenge. We look forward to seeing your projects.

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this card at

Simon Says: Anything Goes

August 2026 Challenge~Frame Challenge

Sport Themed Birthday Card

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. It is time for a new challenge @ Stick It Down Scrapbook and Card Making Challenge on FB. It is very easy to join. Just create a new project following this month's sketch. Upload your project to the SID FB July folder. There are 3 sketches to choose from, a single scrapbook layout, a double page scrapbook layout and a card. Choose one or choose all!

We have three birthday celebrants in our household during the month of July. One of them is my oldest son, Rudy, who is turning a quarter of a century this year. I created this card for him based on the colors of his favorite basketball team. Can you guess which team it is? It is none other than the 2026 NBA Champions, the New York Knicks. 

To recreate the sketch, I die cut two pennants on orange cardstock using a die set from My Favorite Things. I embossed the pennants with a tiny dot embossing folder. I die cut the trims on a pearl white cardstock. 

For the sentiments on the pennants, I die cut an orange and blue cardstock using dies from Altenew. I backed these sentiment strip die cuts with the opposite color of the sentiment die cut. I adhered these to the pennants. 

I die cut a narrow rectangle frame on the same pearl white cardstock using a die from Simon Says Stamp. 

I die cut the large sentiment on the same pearl white cardstock using a die from Simon Says Stamp. I die cut this same large sentiment on blue cardstock and adhered it to the back of the pearl white sentiment die cut to give it some stability and dimension.

I created a background for the elements of the sketch using a patterned paper from Doodlebug Designs. I trimmed the 4x4 cut apart patterned paper. I die cut the star off this cut apart panel using a star die from Altenew. The star die almost matched the star on the cut apart panel. I trimmed off whatever is left of the star on the cut apart. In doing this step, I created a window. 

I die cut the next larger star on blue glittered paper and adhered it to the back of the window cut apart. The die is from the same Altenew star die set. 

I die cut extra stars on white cardstock, one star with the same size as the basketball star, and another which is the next larger star. I adhered the same size star to the back of the basketball star then adhered these stars to the larger star for some dimension.

I arranged the elements on the front of a blue top folding landscape A2 note card. I took a picture of the arrangement before adhering these elements to the front of the card so I would know the order of adhering it. Whatever is on the back of the arrangement was adhered first. To maintain the arrangement, I picked it with a Glad Press-N-Seal. Once all of the elements of my card were adhered, I trimmed off any excess. 

I did not add the small circle elements of the sketch to my card since my card design is already busy.

I hope I inspired you with today's card. Please join this month's challenge. We can't wait to see your take on this month's sketch.

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this card at

Summer Fun Cards 4 Kids

Challenge 7~Anything Goes

Bookmarks on a Card Sketch

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. It is time for a new challenge @ Stick It Down Scrapbook and Card Making Challenge on FB. Joining is very easy. Create a new project following this month's sketch. Upload your project to the SID FB June folder. There are 3 sketches to choose from, a single scrapbook layout, a double page scrapbook layout and/or a card. Choose one or choose all!

I got busy last month with a huge project that I had to set aside my paper stitching. I am so happy that I was able to add stitching to this month's card sketch. The pattern is from Just CrossStitch Magazine, Volume 44, Number 2, Summer 2026 edition. The name of the pattern is Tapestry of Twelve which is a large pattern. I did spotlight stitching on parts of the pattern.

The die I used to add the hole impressions on the cardstock is from Altenew. It created a faux 14-count Aida cloth on paper. I used an 80 lb light gray cardsotck on my project. I used 2 strands from the 6-ply DMC embroiderry floss. 

After I stitched the patterns on the cardstock, I used a craft knife to carefully trim off the excess leaving a thin border around the patterns.

I adhered this stitched panels to a darker gray cardstock using a double adhesive tape. I trimmed off the excess using the stitched panels as a guide. Now, there are two bookmarks created. 

I made this into an A6 card (4.5" x 6.25") to accomodate the length of the bookmarks. I trimmed a gray cardstock at 4.5" x 6.25" for the front panel. I added details to this panel with the use of The Greetery Aida Cloth Texture Plate to tie up with the stitching theme of the bookmarks. Since the plate is smaller than this front panel, I added the impressions on a staged fashion. I partially impressed the die cut on the top half of the front panel with the die laid horizontally to it. Afterwhich, I moved the front panel so that the die will be positioned on the area where there is no impression. I matched a portion of the impressed area with the die before running it through the die cut machine. I felt it lock in place that's why I know that the position will be just right.

For the sentiment on the sketch, I used a vellum to hold the stamped and die cut sentiment. At the same time, this vellum band will keep the bookmarks in place. The sentiment stamp and die is from Pinkfresh Studio. I stamped this on a dark gray cardsotck using a green dye ink. I stamped the sentiment again with Versamark ink so I can emboss it with clear powder. I love it that the sentiment was intricately die cut especially the space on the center of the words. I die cut an extra piece to layer it on the back of the stamped die cut sentiment for a bit of dimension. The vellum band was secured with a piece of tape on the back.

To keep the bookmarks from slipping down, I created vellum photo corners using scrap strips of vellum. I want to give a shout out to Aunt Annie's Crafts for this technique. I folded the vellum strip at a 45 degree angle to form a corner.  I slipped this to the corners of the bookmark. I applied a dot of glue to the back of these vellum corners, where the slit is. I slipped the bookmarks through the vellum band and pressed the photo corners to the front panel to adhere it. I placed something heavy over the photo corners, magnets in particular, while the glue is drying. 

Below is a video showing how the bookmarks stayed in place on the front panel, what it looks like when it is removed, and how to put it back. 

I hope you like today's card and my take on the sketch. I hope you join this month's challenge. We can't wait to see your projects.

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this card at

Simon Says: Anything Goes #150

Stitching FB Challenge~Monochrome

June 2026 FB Challenge~Sunshine

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

Sketch Inspired Greeting Card, Using a Puncher

 

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

On to my card. I did several modifications on the card sketch without altering it too much which I will explain throughout this blog post.

For the background, I usually search the web for color palettes to use on my card. Once I have made a selection and checked if I have the necessary colored cardstock to create the background, then I start going to work. I used a Martha Stewart punch for the detailed portion of the three wide strip background. 

I was all awe with Martha Stewart punch back then when she still had her crafting brand. I invested on a few. I still have it. The punch I used on the card is one of the punches I bought as a resale. Most of the punches are still boxed. The only downside of a punch, especially detailed ones, is it somehow loses the springy feature and some of the cuts are not crisp. To re-condition the blade of the punch, I punched on aluminum foil a couple of times. I should have punched on wax paper too to make the blade slick. 

Another downside on using a punch is that my wrist is not as strong as it was. Pressing the puncher proved to be more difficult this time. 

Another thing to consider is the paper being punched. I had difficulty with the mustard cardstock. I earned a lot of scraps from the punched rejects. I think results are better on a smooth cardstock that is 80 lb. 

I adhered the strips together, taping it to each other to connect it and create a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" background panel. I created a lace trim using the punch. I punched on the same colored cardstocks I  used on the strip background. I adhered the same trim color to the wide cardstock strip.

For the main focus of the card, instead of using flowers or other shaped embellishments, I used images from The Greeting Farm stamp set. It is about time for me to use this stamp after purchasing it on FB Marketplace. It is also time to give my color pencils some loving attention.

I stamped the images on kraft cardstock using a black ink. I have an old dye ink pad that did not give good results. I changed to my Memento Tuxedo Black ink which also did not give a good result. The Versafine Clair gave me the best result. Maybe because this is new or maybe the other two ink pads does not do well with the Neenah Desert Storm cardstock because I am able to use these inks on other paper without problem.

I colored the images using the Faber Castell Polychromos. I need to use it more so I don't lose the skill in coloring with color pencils. I have those harsh lines on the faces of the girl images. I should have blended it some more to smoothen it out. I added details to the colored images using gel pens and glitter pens.

I die cut the images using the matching die..

Instead of having the embellishment straight down the card as on the sketch, I staggered the arrangement just to partly cover the images. After all that coloring, I think I should show it off and not hide it.

I stamped a sentiment from the stamp set on a rust colored cardstock, the same one I used on one of the strips. I die cut this using a Lawn Fawn stitched die. I adhered this to the strip panel.

I hope you like today's card. I hope you join this month's challenge. We can't wait to see your projects.

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

Eclipse Background Greeting Card

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. It is time for a new sketch at Stick It Down Scrapbook and Card Making Challenge on FB. As always, there are 3 sketch options to choose from. Pick one or better yet pick all 3.

I have two cards created for this month's sketch with one of them being an accident. I overlooked the sketch and thought there were 5 squares on the background only to find out there were only 3. I already cut the patterned paper. I did not want to put this aside and potentially forget about it. I just went ahead and created it into a card as a different interpretation of the sketch.

I did the eclipse technique on the background of both cards. Eclipse technique is when you pop up a die cut creating a subtle dimension on the card. 

After I trimmed the patterned paper into 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", I die cut the rectangles on this panel using a Hero Arts nesting rectangle die set. I kept the dies together using a less tacky tape to maintain the distance of the rectangles. I die cut 2 more white 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" cardstock panels using these arranged rectangle dies. I die cut 2 sets for each card. 

I adhered the white cardstock die cuts to the back of the patterned paper rectangle die cuts but only to the die cuts that are patterned on the sketch. The outer rectangle is layered. The one next to it is not. So on and so forth until I get to the inner rectangle. Both cards have a total of 2 dimensional frames.

For the frames that were not raised, I pounced the frame die cut to an embossing pad. I poured holographic embossing powder over the sticky ink and heat set it until the powder was melted. I had to repeat it again since some of the glittered powder was blown away by the heat gun. I don't think that was a wise choice since some of the glitters from the frame got stuck to the embossing pad. Oh, well.

I used an Altenew die for the flower and leaves. I die cut these on patterned paper and colored cardstock based on a color from the plaid pattern. I did a bit of ink blending on the base layer of the flower and leaves using a small blending brush. I only added glue to the center of the detailed flower die cut and the spine of the detailed leaf die cut so I can zhush this layer for an additional dimension. 

For the sentiment, I did foiling which is really hard work for me. Somehow, I always end up with trial and errors before coming up with a nice foiled piece. I used a blue foil on a red cardstock for the red card, and a silver foil on blue cardstock for the other card. I used a craft knife to cut the foiled sentiment leaving a small border around it. I fussy cut the curved corners. This foil sentiment set is from Altenew which has a matching die available.

 

To compare my cards with the sketch, I used a rectangle instead of a square card. I also used a vertical sentiment instead of a horizontal one.

I hope you like today's cards. Please join this month's challenge. I can't wait to see your take on the sketches.

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared these cards at

Challenge 3~Anything Goes #9

Challenge #38 Anything Florals Goes