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

Last Minute Christmas Cards

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. We are really close to Christmas with only 2 days left. I want to share my last minute Christmas cards created and mailed.

This card was created upon a friend's request. The idea of this card is to highlight several Christmas greetings in different languages specifically Tagalog (Filipino), Italian and English. My friend who requested this card is Filipino, and she will give this card to an Italian couple.

The techniques I used on this card are: 

1. Stamping with markers
2. Selective heat embossing
3. Masking
4. Ink blending

When you are on a time crunch, one of the easiest method of creating multiple cards is using a patterned paper line and making use of the cut-apart sheet. I used an old Pebbles paper collection on the above cards. Usually the papers in a collection complement each other so it easy to mix and match. You can also use cardstock that matches a color on the patterned paper. You can go simple by just using the paper in the collection or you can go beyond that by adding embellishments, using cutting dies, using an embossing folder, etc. The sky is the limit.

I hope you like today's cards. I hope you have a Merry Christmas. Enjoy the season!

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this project at

Inspired By Challenge Blog

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

A CASE (Copy And Share Everything) Card

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's project was inspired by the following:

• Altenew's April Inspiration Challenge featuring Bridget Casey. In fact, I was so inspired by Bridget's card that I did a CASE of it. I hope she doesn't mind. A photo of her card is at the end of this post.
• Altenew is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Congratulations! The Altenew FB group has a weekly challenge for the whole month of April. I am kind of late in joining but I am so glad that I was able to create and be a part of it. What a coincidence! My 10th post on April for Altenew's 10th Anniversary! What a milestone!

Both challenges are linked at the bottom of the post.

I am using the Altenew Hennah Elements stamp set on my card. This is my first Altenew stamp set. Below is the first card I created back in 2014 using this stamp set.

I stamped the flowers on watercolor cardstock, both the small and large circular flowers so I can layer these. I stamped an extra flower but applying ink only to the center circle of the flower. I colored the flowers with Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers, following the colors of the inspiration photo. I colored the flowers and leaves following Bridget's colors on her card.

Although this set has a coordinating die set, I fussy cut the images, cutting it on the line. I think this is one of the reasons why I love this stamp set because of the ease of fussy cutting the flowers. I ran a black marker on the edges of the fussy cut flowers and leaves to hide the white core of the paper. 

I layered the small flower on top of the large flower. For a bit of depth, I stacked several scrap circle die cuts in between these two flowers. I repeated the same step in between the small flower and the flower circle center. I just made sure that the circle die cuts are smaller than the flower circle center.

I blended ink on the leaves to add a bit of depth since this will be behind the flowers. 

I flicked mica paints to the fussy cut images, an orange paint on the flowers, and a blue paint on the leaves. I set this aside to dry.

I trimmed a white light weight cardstock at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" which I end up trimming it down to 4" x 5 1/4". I spritz some water on this cardstock and embossed it with the Altenew Organic Linen 3D embossing folder which is one of my newest Altenew craft supplies. 

Just like on Bridget's card, I matted this embossed panel with a white glitter paper. I also did Bridget's trick of gutting the glitter paper by die cutting the hello on the center of this panel. This sentiment is from the Altenew Hello And Hugs die set. I die cut the shadow on vellum. 

I adhered the flowers, leaves and sentiments to the embossed panel, following Bridget's layout. I have some white space that I can't help myself but add sequins to these areas. 

I hope you like today's card. Congratulations again to Altenew on a decade of creativity. It is such a pleasure to be a part of your journey especially when you gave me the opportunity to be a guest designer on one one of your releases and blog hops which I get to enjoy by winning one of your challenges. I am also thankful to Altenew for creating the Altenew Educator Certification Program (AECP) in which I have learned a lot from. I fulfilled the AECP 3 requirements. I just need to take the plunge and finish the course so I can truly be an Altenew Educator. 

Thank you for visiting my blog. Thank you Bridget for the inspiration.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

I am sharing this project at

 

Altenew Challenge Blog #56

Altenew FB

Anything Goes

Adding Curtain Fold on Your Card

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's project was inspired by the current Newton's Nook Designs Blog Sketch Challenge. I am using the Newton's Nook A Cozy Day In stamp set. This is one of my favorite NN stamp sets because it portrays my sister and her cats. 

I stamped the image on watercolor paper using Versafine Onyx black ink. I used the Misti Stamping Tool in stamping the image. Since I am using a textured paper, I needed to re-stamp the image several times until I get a crisp impression of the image. I set this aside to dry but you can heat set it to speed dry it. 

I colored the image with water reactive pens, Tim Holtz Distress markers and Kuretake Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers. I colored the image with my sister and her cats, Bibi (the black cat) and Tisoy (the Siamese cat) as inspirations. I fussy cut this image on the line. I ran a black marker on the edge of the fussy cut image to hide the white core of the paper.

Working on the paper curtain, I trimmed a 10" x 5 1/4" double sided patterned paper. I scored this at 1"-3"-4"-6"-7"-9". I marked the top right corner on the short side at 1". Using the paper trimmer, I trimmed this paper diagonally from the pencil mark and the left bottom corner. I folded this diagonal patterned paper on the scored lines, making sure that the top is aligned. I also made sure that I folded this with the back of the patterned paper showing on every other fold. I applied glue to the back folds to keep the curtain fold together. 

Using a ruler, I marked each curtain fold (which measures 1") at 1/2" with a pencil. I punched a hole on this pencil marks. I set eyelets to these holes. I threaded a twine through the eyelets and allowed some extra twine to hang over the edge. I taped the twine to the edges of the curtain folded paper to secure it. 

For the card panel, I am using a blue top folding A2 sized portrait card. I stamped a background text to the card front using the same colored dye ink. I used the Misti Stamping Tool so I can re-stamp this large background stamp several times. 

I temporarily positioned the stamped image and the paper curtain on the card front to give me an idea where to stamp the sentiment. Once I like the layout, I removed the stamped image and paper curtain, and stamped the sentiment using a black dye ink. At this point, I don't want to take a risk of making a boo-boo. I stamped the sentiment using the Misti Stamping Tool just in case, I need to re-stamp it. And, I did need to re-stamp the sentiment three times.

I adhered the paper curtain to the card front. I knotted the ends of the twine. I added a dot of glue to these knots and adhered this to the card front. I adhered the stamped image with foam adhesive.

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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at

Newton's Nook Challenge Blog #13

Ice Cream Shop Inspired Greeting Card

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's card is my take in Lawn Fawn's latest challenge, Fun with Food. I think ice cream is a very appropriate treat this summer because of the heat. Do you have a favorite ice cream? I have plenty of favorite ice cream brands and flavors. Right now, I am on the look out for the Eddy's Rocky Road ice cream. I  like this brand because of the marshmallow chunks churned into the ice cream. I am not a fan of the swirl marshmallow. This used to be available at Target. Now, I am a lookout for this brand and/or another ice cream brand with marshmallow chunks.

I am using several Lawn Fawn products on this card. The stamps I used is from LF Here's the Scoop stamp set. Sadly, this stamp set is no longer available in the LF website. 

The word 'happy' is from the LF Fox Costumes Before n' Afters stamp set, and the word 'birthday' is from the LF Party Animal stamp set. 

For the die cuts, the photo frames are created using the LF Mini Picture Frames die set. The background die cut was cut using the LF Fancy Lattice Backdrop. The banners for the sentiments were cut using dies from the LF Flippin' Awesome die set although the banner tails were cut off.

It is so enjoyable to mix and match LF products. It also shows how much I adore this brand since I do have a lot of their products. 

The images were colored using Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers. I smooshed the photo frames onto a Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Antique Linen spritzed with water. 

I hope you like today's card. I had fun putting this scene together. It makes me want to visit an ice cream shop. 

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

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this creation at

Lawn Fawn Challenge Blog

Scrapbook & Cards July FB Challenge