Watercolored Panel

Hello! I am on the Blank Page Muse Blog with this watercolored panel. The BPM products I used are:

• Butterfly with Woman Mariposa Eyes rubber stamp
  
• Vintage Text with Bird & Flowers Background Rubber Stamp
  
• Butterfly Trails Circles patterns Mixed Media Stencil
  

I used the Misti Lite, which is a new tool for me. It is a stamping tool that helps with precise stamping especially when restamping is needed. A magnet is necessary to keep the tool in place. As for the paper, it needs to be secured with a less tacky tape or with another magnet which I did not do. I think if you use a larger paper, the tool might be able hold the paper in place. 

I used different mediums in coloring this panel. I used Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stains on the girl's hair. I used Gansai Tambi on most of the watercoloring except for the circle swirls on the background. I aslo used Tim Holtz Distress inks on this panel.

I switched brushes when I was watercoloring. I used different sized small round brushes on watercoloring the image and the area to ground the image. I used a flat brush on the background.

My initial plan was only to use the girl image on this project. Sometimes, ideas flow as I work on a project. I used the text background stamp to add details to the background. Even if the watercolor wash background has harsh lines, it was less noticeable once the text was stamped. I used a Tim Holtz Distress ink to stamp the text background.

Since I am not after a crisp impression, I used my hand to press the background stamp to transfer the inked impression to the paper. If you like it to be crisp, adhere the rubber stamp to an acrylic block. 

I used the stencil to add another layer of design to the panel. I added ink to the open circles of the stencil. I used Tim Holtz Distress Spray Stain for this.

Some of the ink seeped under the stencil making it look like a blob instead of a circle. I am not too worried about this since I am going for a loose look. I picked up the excess ink with a dry paper towel.

I added details to the stamped image using a white gel pen for the eyes and a black enamel pen on the butterfly.

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

Maria Giselle B.

Blank Page Muse is having a FLASH SALE! 10 HOT red rubber stamps are featured for sale with an amazing 50% discount. What a deal, right? 

But if there is nothing on the sale category that interests you, BPM is generously offering a 15% discount to their online store to YOU, my blog readers. Just use the code BPMMaria when you check out.

Only 1 code per transaction please. Enjoy!

I shared this project at

simonsayschallenge IG~Bright & Colorful

Assorted Birthday Cards for Janice

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I was commissioned by a friend, Janice, to create cards for her grown up children. I have created cards for her husband and her daughter before but never for her sons. Time to put on my creating cap!

One of Janice's sons loves to travel so I thought of this design. I used a Hero Arts cover plate die on this card.

To create this look, I embossed the die on watercolor paper. To do this technique, I substituted the bottom cutting plate with an embossing mat. I added a cardstock as an additional shim to put more pressure on the paper. I painted the watercolor paper using the embossing as a guide where to paint.

I tried a paint that I recently bought, the Boku-Undo E-Sumi Shadow Black Watercolor Palette, on this card. It is a paint used for monotone paintings. The black stands out although I noticed difference in shades between the colors on the palette. With this being a birthday card, it needs more happy colors but I don't want to go away from the monotone since this is a masculine card. So what I did is add Tim Holtz Distress Sprays on a mixing palette. I muted this with water then mixed a small amount of Boku-Undo. I mixed the colors accordingly. 

I die cut the cover plate on holographic paper. I adhered this to the watercolored panel. I trimmed off the excess.

For the sentiment, I selectively die cut the sky portion of the cover plate on blue vellum. I treated the vellum with anti-static powder. I stamped the sentiment using Versaefine Onyx Black ink. I poured clear embossing powder over it then heat set it. I used a Sticker Maker to add adhesive to the back of the vellum then pieced this in to the die cut. 

I adhered this to a side folding note card.

For the second card, Janice mentioned her other son loves cars. I was going to create a truck card only to find out that her son has a car, not a truck. Good thing, I have this Spellbinders die set which I recently bought at Checkered Cottage. 

Like any die that I am not familiar with and since the packaging does not say much, I searched the internet on how to use this die set. There is a video on what this die set cuts and how to assemble it but after using this die set myself, I think there should be recommendations on what color of paper to use for each die so as to achieve the 3D look. I plan to create another card using this die. I want to see if I can recreate this car more easily being my second time to use it. I plan to write notes this time and share it here.

To create this into a card, I die cut a large diamond on black cardstock. I embossed this using a chevron embossing folder. I lightly swiped a white pigment ink over the embossing to make the dotted details pop out. 

I die cut the letters using a Lawn Fawn die set. I die cut this on black and white glitter papers. I adhered the black alphabet die cuts to the back of the glittered alphabet die cuts slightly offsetting it to achieve a shadow effect. I adhered the letters to the embossed diamond.

I die cut a glossy light blue paper with a Mama Elephant stitched rectangle die. The blue paper has some diamond design on it giving it a retro look. I adhered the elements of the card to this panel. It took a lot of adhesive to make the die cuts adhere to the shiny blue paper. Somehow, the blue paper repels the glue.

The last card is for Janice's daughter. It might look familiar to you if you follow my blog. This is not a new card. I created this last June for BPM. Janice showed a photo of this card to her daughter. Her daughter liked it so I saved this card for her.

When I created this card, it did not have a sentiment on it. To customize it, I added a sentiment by die cutting the word happy using a die from Hero Arts. I swiped a Lisa Horton Interference Ink on a white cardstock. I heat set this to dry. I die cut this twice, the second one being on black cardstock. I adhered the black sentiment die cut behind the other die cut slightly offsetting it for a shadow effect.

For the second part of the sentiment, I treated a black cardstock with an anti-static powder. I stamped the Altenew sentiment on the black cardstock with Versamark ink. I poured white embossing powder to it then heat set it. I die cut this using a sentiment strip die from Avery Elle. 

I adhered the sentiment strip to the sentiment die cut. I adhered the sentiments to the flower panel. I adhered this to a side folding A2 notecard. I was tempted to add a gem to the flower center but went against it to keep the card simple. 

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

Maria Giselle B.

I shared one of the cards at

Simon Says: Add Some Text

 

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

I am sharing this project at

Stamp It In STAMPtember 

Cute Fall/Halloween Cards 4 Kids

Simon Says Stamp IG Challenge

Art Journal Window, a Blank Page Muse Post

Hello! I am at the Blank Page Muse blog with a new entry to my art journal. For the month of June, the BPM DT members are using similar products which were provided by the lovely owner of BPM, Kim. 

For this art journal entry, I used the BPM Fern Art Rubber stamp and the BPM Create Something Sentiment Words stamp.

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

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I shared this project at

Simon Says: Monochrome

Pick Two Challenge #290~Recycle, Repeat

June 2025 Challenge #77 Anything Goes #95

Metallic Painted Dragonfly Panel, A Blank Page Muse Post

Hello! I am at the Blank Page Muse blog with this project. Please visit the BPM blog for more details. Thank you!

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this project at

Simon Says: Things With Wings

Simon Says: Things With Wings

 

Easter Treat Boxes

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. For today's project, I created an Easter Treat Box which can be filled with candy, chocolate, messages or just about anything as long as it fits inside. I used images from the Kat Scrappiness Easter Quokkas stamp set as box toppers. 

The treat box was cut using a Cricut Explore with the assistance of the Cricut Design Space. There are plenty of cut image files to choose from but I decided to use a cut from the images I already owned. The great thing about the CDS is that it allowed me to edit the cut image. On the original cut image, the box topper is a snowflake. I 'sliced' the snowflake off and 'welded' an arch shape in place. The snowflake was vital to the box design since it does not only adds decor to the box but it is also closes the box. 

The CDS also allowed me to 'attach' a score line on the treat box cut file. My cut file is originally from a cartridge so I had to do this unlike the new images in which this is already attached to the file for the user's convenience. You can always use a scoring tool to add the fold lines as another option. 

I used a light weight double sided patterned paper for the treat box. I highly suggest using a medium or heavy weight paper when creating a treat box. I found the colors of the patterned paper very Easter colors that's why I opted to use it.

I stamped the quokkas on watercolor paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink which is a watercolor friendly ink. I colored the images with Akashiya Sai watercolor brush pens. You can color direct to paper and blend the color out with a water brush which I did in some areas. But for areas that I want the color to be light, I scribbled the color on a palette then picked the ink with the water brush. I dried the color with a heat tool in between layers.

I die cut the images using the coordinating die making sure that the image is dry before die cutting to prevent any transfer of color to the cutting plate. I die cut an extra piece on white cardstock.

I adhered the stamped quokka on a closure tab. I had to trim the tab smaller on some of the boxes so it will not show once I adhere the quokka. I adhered the white die cut to the back of the stamped die cut to hide the tab for a finished look.

I trimmed the other closure tab smaller to hide it on the back of the of the quokka box topper.

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

Maria Giselle B.

I added below links to the Kat Scrappiness products I used on this project. There will be no additional cost to you should you decide to purchase this/these product/s. While you are at the Kat Scrappiness website, do check out their wide array of products. Enjoy!

I am sharing this project at

April 2025 Challenge #75~Anything Goes with Optional Twist: Things that Begin with the Letter "B"

#246-B is for Box

Masking to Create a Scene

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Creating a scene with masking is a lot of work but truly worth it especially when the masks are removed. It is like Christmas morning. 

On a scrap piece of paper, I stamped the images that I will be using for the scene. This layout gave me an idea on which stamp image will be on the front and which stamp image will be on the back. The images on the front will need masking. This layout paper was aslo cut the same size as my card panel.

I did the second generation stamping with the stamps that need masking on a Post-It Paper. I used the Ranger Archiver Ink to stamp on the masking paper. This is a fast drying ink that prevents the ink on the masking paper from smearing while fussy cutting this stamped image. When fussy cutting the masked images, I cut it on the stamped line. 

After I stamped the images that will be on the front, I covered these images with the fussy cut stamped masking paper. The ink I used on my panel is Versafine Onyx Black Ink since I will be doing some watercoloring on the images. Since I used a pigment ink, before adhering the mask, I dried the ink of the stamped images with a heat tool. This will prevent smearing the pigment ink used to stamp the images.

I returned the stamped scrap paper on top of the panel so I can align the image that I will stamp next on the scene. Once it is aligned, I picked up the stamp with the door of the Misti Stamping Tool, removed the paper template, inked the stamp, then stamped the image on the panel.

I put extra pressure on the areas that are close to the masking paper. Masking paper gives better results since it is thinner than a Post-It Note. But if you missed a line or two, just use a blank pen to fill in those missed spots.

Once I am done building my scene, it is time to peel off the masks and start coloring. 

I used the Kuretake Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens to color the images. 

I created a border strip using the skinniest strip die from the KS A2 Stitched Strips Craft dies. I die cut this on a paper from the KS Autumn Faux Glitter 6x6 paper pad. I adhered this to the edges of a 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" white cardstock. After the glue has dried, I added eyelets to each corner where the strips meet.

I trimmed the colored panel to fit inside the frame. 

I hope you like today's card. I hope you have a wonder Thanksgiving celebration. Thank you very much for visiting my blog. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

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

I am sharing this project at

Thanks/Thanksgiving

Scrapbook & Cards Today's October FB Challenge

Eclipse Card Technique

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's project was created for the Blank Page Muse and I Brake For Stamp blogs. Thank you BPM & IBFS for allowing me to share the project here in my blog, too!

Today's project showcases the Eclipse technique. Eclipse technique is when you die cut a word or a shape on a background panel, then raise this die cut up slightly with foam or layered die cuts. I have created several projects using this technique. I didn't know that what its called until now. Thanks to Craft With Sarah for now I have a name for this technique. 

The stamp I used is the I Brake For Stamps License Plate Vintage Style Alphabet Rubber Stamp. This is an unmounted red rubber stamp that comes in two strips of letters and icons. You have an option to cut the letters apart or keep it together. I did not cut my stamps apart.  

Initially, I was using the Misti Stamping Tool to create my background but later on changed to a long acrylic block. To temporarily adhere the rubber stamp to the acrylic block, I applied double sided adhesive to the block then adhered the rubber stamp strip to it. The adhesive was tacky enough to keep the rubber stamp in place but not too tacky that I wasn't able to reuse it for the other rubber stamp strip. I was also able to remove the tape without ruining the acrylic block. 

I repeatedly stamped the letters on a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" watercolor paper. I highly recommend using a smooth watercolor paper to get a better impression of the letters. 

I did the paper to stamp inking technique here. After I inked the letters with Versafine Onyx Black ink, I placed the watercolor paper on top of the inked stamp and rubbed my fingers over the paper to transfer the ink. I repeated this step until I filled up the whole panel. 

I heat set the panel before coloring the letter blocks with Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers following a rainbow pattern. Once I was done with the coloring, I heat set the watercolored panel again to speed dry it. 

Here comes the fun part. I die cut a sentiment on the panel making sure I kept every piece of the die cuts. The die I used is from Lawn Fawn.

I adhered tape to the back of the opening created by the sentiment die. Using a double adhesive tape is another option.

I die cut the word on brown cardstock three more times. I applied dots of glue to the back of one of the word die cuts, then pieced this on the opening of the water colored panel. 

I adhered the drop out pieces to the opening of the letters. It already looks good at this point, right? You can actually stop here to make this into an inlay card.

Since I am making this card into an eclipse card, I adhered the other two pieces of sentiment die cuts over the piece that is pieced in the panel to build layers. I adhered the sentiment die cut from the watercolored panel on the top. 

It is kind of difficult to see the raised sentiment on the first photo but this is what makes this card magical. The sentiment is hidden and you only figure out that there is a sentiment once you run your fingers over the panel and/or tilt the card. 

An option to make the sentiment pop out more is to lightly tap embossing ink over the raised sentiment, pour clear or glittered embossing powder over it, then heat set it. I like the camouflage look of the sentiment so I kept it as is.

I hope you like today's project and give this technique a try. Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

Blank Page Muse and I Brake For Stamps are generously offering a 15% discount to their online store to YOU, my blog readers. Just use the code BPMMaria when you check out. Enjoy!

I am sharing this project at

Challenge #40~Rainbow

Challenge #311~Anything Goes