A Note of Thanks Fall Scarecrow Card

I'm dropping by to share a simple, fall thank you card. I wanted to thank an amazing colleague for his help, so I made this for him:

I stamped the corn from JB Corn Maze Cuties on Copic XPress-It Blending Card, then colored with Copics. I stamped the scarecrow and pumpkins separately, coloring with Copics and then fussy cutting them. The grass is a scrap piece from the Fun Fall Color Blends paper pack, cut with the Grassy Edges Die-Namics. I stamped the sentiment on the background panel, then popped up the grass, scarecrow, and pumpkins with foam dots.

List of all stamps/dies/paper/etc. used on this card:

• My Favorite Things JB Corn Maze Cuties stamp set
• My Favorite Things Grassy Edges Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things Fun Fall Color Blends paper pack

Other products used:

• Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
• Copic XPress-It Blending Card
• Copic markers
• Glue
• Foam dots

Hope you're having a fantastic week!

Two Sweet Cotton Candy Cards for MFT's Color Challenge 222

Today, I'm sharing design team inspiration for the My Favorite Things Weekly Color Challenge (#667). When I saw the names of the colors (Cotton Candy, Grapesicle, Lemon Drop, and Sour Apple), I immediately thought of candy. When I looked at the Cotton Candy Cone Die-Namics, I remembered that I had box of felting/roving wool from some old projects (years ago) and decided to make fluffy cotton candy cards!

I enjoyed playing with the wool so much that I made two cards, for different occasions, using the same colors:

By adjusting the amount of each color in the card, and using different characters around the sentiment, I made a card for someone's birthday AND a Halloween card.

I used the same paper for both: MFT's Cotton Candy, Grapesicle, Lemon Drop, Sour Apple, and Smooth White cardstock, plus MFT's Tiny Check Brights paper pad. Since both of my cards are 5"x7", and the paper pad is 6"x6", I cut panels of each color and pasted them to a 5"x7" panel of Smooth White. I cut the "Sweet" Die-Namics out of Cotton Candy and Sour Apple cardstock, layering 4 die cuts on top of each one to create depth. I stamped the birthday sentiment from SY Cotton Candy Critters and the Halloween sentiment from JB Delightful Halloween, trimming the stamped sentiments as needed.

I stamped the characters from JB Delightful Halloween, JB Carnival Critters, and SY Cotton Candy Critters. I stamped the cat holding cotton candy two extra times, then trimmed off the cotton candy to add to the ghost and mummy. Next, I focused on the cotton candy.

I used the Cotton Candy Cone Die-Namics with the matching cardstock to create the cotton candy with the striped cone. Next, I pulled out felting/roving wool in colors that matched (pink, purple, yellow, and green). I separated a chunk of each color and then carefully wrapped the wool in a "curl." I sealed the wool into the curl using a hot glue gun. Once my curl was complete, I used more hot glue (in a vertical line on the cotton candy die cut) to adhere the curls to the matching cotton candy. Once they cooled, I trimmed off any of the cotton candy die cut that could be seen, leaving the striped cone and the fluffy, wool curl. Here are some photos of the process:

After gluing all elements to the card base, I added some thin, flat polymer clay discs (that I bought many years ago) in matching colors to make the cards more festive. Here's a video showing the fluffiness of the candy. When I touch the wooly curls, I hear Agnes' voice (from "Despicable Me") saying, "It's so fluffy!"

List of all stamps/dies/paper/etc. used on this card:

• My Favorite Things "Cotton Candy Cone" Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things "Sweet" Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things "JB Carnival Critters" stamp set
• My Favorite Things "JB Delightful Halloween" stamp set
• My Favorite Things "SY Cotton Candy Critters" stamp set
• MFT cardstock: Cotton Candy, Grapesicle, Lemon Drop, Sour Apple, and Smooth White
• MFT Tiny Check Brights 6"x6" paper pad

Other products used:

• Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
• Copic XPress-It Blending Card
• Copic markers
• Glue
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Foam dots
• Felting/roving wool in various colors
• Thin, flat polymer clay discs in various colors

Have a lovely, crafty day!

Merry Christmas Birdhouse with MFT's Weekly Sketch Challenge 669

Today, I'm sharing design team inspiration for the My Favorite Things Sketch Weekly Sketch Challenge (#669). I used several different MFT sets to create a festive, winter birdhouse scene. 

I stamped the images from SY Peaceful Birds on Copic XPress-It Blending Card, then die cut the bow and candy canes (on the same paper) from the Gingerbread House Die-Namics. I colored everything with Copics.

Before fussy cutting the birdhouse, I drew a blanket of snow over the roof. I also took a piece of the Copic cardstock and drew additional snow for the bottom of the birdhouse, also fussy cutting that piece. I lightly colored the snow and then used a Zig glue pen with Ranger Rock Candy Glitter to cover the snow in glitter. Here's a look at the snowy layers before I colored and glittered them:

For the snow banks below, I used the In Your Corner Die-Namics on Smooth White cardstock. I kept every other stripe white and used the Zig glue pen and Rock Candy glitter to completely cover them. For the remaining stripes, I used Ranger's Silver Metallic Mixatives alcohol ink with a piece of felt, coating the cardstock until it had an antique silver appearance. I took a 4.25"x3" piece of white cardstock and glued the stripes on in order, trimming the top edge so the cardstock underneath is not visible.

For the card base, I cut an 8.5" x 9" panel, folding it in half to create an 8.5" x 4.5" card base. I cut a bottom layer of Black Licorice cardstock, then another panel in a soft blue MFT cardstock (couldn't find the name). I used the First Snowfall stencil with Prima Snowflake Paste, which is a glittery, translucent paste.  

I couldn't find a small enough sentiment, so I took a sentiment stamp from the Gingerbread Greetings stamp set, masked off everything but "merry," and stamped that word. Next, I masked off everything but "Christmas" and repeated the step. I cut out the sentiment with the second smallest circle from the Wonky Stitched Circle STAX Die-Namics.

I glued the foliage to the blue panel, then popped up the snowbanks/swirled layered with foam dots. I also popped up the birdhouse, candy canes, and birds with foam dots. I glued the sentiment circle to the front of the snowbank and added one last bird. Voila! Another Christmas card is finished and ready to go!

Here's a video of the final card:

List of all stamps/dies/paper/etc. used on this card:

• My Favorite Thing "In Your Corner" Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things "Wonky Stitched Circle STAX" Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things "SY Peaceful Birds" stamp set
• My Favorite Things "First Snowfall" stencil
• My Favorite Things "Gingerbread House" Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things "Gingerbread Greetings" stamp set
• MFT cardstock: Smooth White, Black Licorice, and light blue (can't remember the name)

Other products used:

• Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
• Copic XPress-It Blending Card
• Copic markers
• Glue
• Foam dots
• Ranger Silver Metallic Mixatives Alcohol Ink
• Ranger Rock Candy Glitter
• Zig Glue Markers (chisel tip)
• Prima Snowflake Paste
• Palette knife

Happy (very early) holidays!

Festive Gingerbread House Card with Candy and Penguins

Today, I'm sharing one of my favorite cards I've ever made: a sparkly, festive gingerbread house. The elements on the card are from My Favorite Things' Gingerbread House Die-Namics, Gingerbread Greetings stamp set, JB Gnome for the Holidays stamp set, and Stitched Scallop Basic Edges Die-Namics.

This card involved a lot of coloring (with Copic markers), as I chose to go that route vs. cutting colored cardstock and paper piecing. Here's the final card (front and inside):

I cut all of the elements from the Gingerbread House Die-Namics, then colored with Copics and glued them together (as needed). I built extra "wings" on the gingerbread house, so it needed to be a slimline card (5" x 8.5"). I wanted cute, scalloped edges on the snow, but the dies were made for standard-size cards, so I used each die twice, with a "dip" in the center of the cardstock (which is covered by the gingerbread house). No one will be able to tell that the snow banks aren't sized for a slimline layout.

I created my card base and attached a 5" x 8.5" panel of Black Licorice. I took a 8.25" x 4.75" panel of Summer Splash and lightly misted it with Picket Fence Distress Oxide Stain. I covered the snowbanks with glue with a Zip Glue Pen, then sprinkled Microfine Transparent Glitter over it. I did the same with the snow on the gingerbread house's roof. I wanted the gumdrops to look more "sugary," so I coated them in Ranger Rock Candy Glitter.

For the cobblestones in front of the house, I stamped the house from the JB Gnome for the Holidays stamp set, then fussy cut just the snow/stone area. I also stamped, colored, and fussy cut 3 penguins.

I attached the back snowbank to the Summer Splash panel, then used foam dots to pop up the front snowbank layer, gingerbread house, gumdrops, penguins,  and sentiment. Inside, I added another Summer Splash panel and Smooth White panel (with the sentiment stamped on it). Finally, I added another penguin, lollipops, and gumdrops inside. 

Because the glitter is so fine, it can be difficult to see in the photos/video, but it's super sparkly in person. Here's a video, attempting to show the sparkle:

I love the way this card turned out and hope you do, too!

List of all stamps/dies/paper/etc. used on this card:

• My Favorite Things Gingerbread House Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things Gingerbread Greetings stamp set
• My Favorite Things JB Gnome for the Holidays stamp set
• My Favorite Things Stitched Scallop Basic Edges Die-Namics
• MFT cardstock: Smooth White, Black Licorice, and Summer Splash

Other products used:

• Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
• Copic XPress-It Blending Card
• Copic markers
• Glue
• Ranger Rock Candy Glitter
• Sparkle 'n Sprinkle Microfine Transparent Glitter (Cool)
• Distress Oxide Stain: Picket Fence
• Zip Glue Pen
• Foam dots

Happy holidays, and thank you for stopping by!

Harmonious Hibiscus Thank You Card with MFT's Weekly Sketch Challenge 667

Today, I'm sharing design team inspiration for the My Favorite Things Sketch Weekly Sketch Challenge (#667). I never have enough thank you cards on hand, so I grabbed one of my favorite MFT floral stamps, the Harmonious Hibiscus Background, and created a version of a "spotlight" card.

A "spotlight" card includes a design in black and white, with a specific section in full color. I chose the diagonal centerpiece for the full-color section. I stamped the full stamp 3 times: once in gray and white (for my bottom layer), then twice in regular black ink on Copic XPress-It Blending Card. I knew I wanted to fussy cut and pop up two of the flowers with foam dots.

After I created the cover, I couldn't bear to throw away the colored edges, so I put them into the inside of the card. Now the front AND inside have that bright pop of color!

I colored the background image with Copic markers, then sliced off the top and bottom areas diagonally (to match the sketch design). I colored only two of the flowers on the second stamped background, then fussy cut them. I layered the shaped hibiscus panel on top of the gray-and-white hibiscus panel. I layered that on Lemon Drop and more Smooth White cardstock. Finally, I cut two rectangles (one in white, with the sentiment, and one in Lemon Drop) and popped them up on the front. I added foam dots to the two flowers I'd fussy cut and added them to the front.

The fussy cut flowers and original, cut hibiscus panel looked like this:

Now I have another thank you card that's ready to go when needed. Hooray!

List of all stamps/dies/paper/etc. used on this card:

• My Favorite Things "Harmonious Hibiscus Background" stamp
• My Favorite Things "All-Occasion Scripted Greetings" stamp set
• MFT cardstock: Smooth White and Lemon Drop

Other products used:

• Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
• Copic XPress-It Blending Card
• Copic markers
• Glue
• Foam dots

Hope you have a fantastic week!

Merry Bees-mas with MFT's Weekly Sketch Challenge 667

Today, I'm sharing design team inspiration for the My Favorite Things Sketch Weekly Sketch Challenge (#667). I used the super adorable new Jenoblade set, Merry Bees-mas, and used the sketch design on the front AND inside the card. 

I stamped the bees and tree on Copic XPress-It Blending Card, then colored them with Copics. I cut them out using the matching Merry Bees-mas Die-Namics.

For the card base, I used MFT's Smooth White, Black Licorice, and Amarena Cherry cardstock. I took a piece of white cardstock and sprayed it with "Flickering Candle" Distress Mica Stain. I cut a smaller rectangle of MFT's Kraft cardstock and sprayed it with "Frozen Fog" Distress Mica Stain. The papers now appear very textured and shiny/sparkly. I cut a thin piece of MFT's Kraft cardstock and stamped the sentiment, then layered the sentiment over the Frozen Fog splattered rectangle. I cut the golden cardstock to 4.75" x 6.75", then cut diagonally across the top and bottom to match the sketch design. I layered the gold cardstock on a piece of 4.75" x 6.75" Amarena Cherry, then on a 5" x 7" piece of Black Licorice. 

I didn't love the white outlines around the bees/tree on the card front, simply because it was so bright compared to the gold background, so I found a Copic marker that matched the splattered paper and colored in all of the white outlines. I popped up the sentiment/rectangle (1" x 3.75"), bees, and tree with foam dots.

I could've been done at that point, but I decided to carry the sketch design into the inside of the card. I replicated the same cuts I'd done for the front, using white cardstock instead of the gold, and added some bees and another tree. Now the inside is just as cute as the front!

List of all stamps/dies/paper/etc. used on this card:

• My Favorite Things "Merry Bees-mas" stamp set
• My Favorite Things "Merry Bees-mas" Die-Namics
• MFT cardstock: Smooth White, Black Licorice, Amarena Cherry, and Kraft

Other products used:

• Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
• Copic XPress-It Blending Card
• Copic markers
• Glue
• Foam dots
• Distress Mica Stains: Flickering Candle and Frozen Fog

Happy (very early) holidays!

Hot Chocolate Makes Everything Better with Emma in Reindeer PJs

Today, I'm guest designing for Paper Nest Dolls, a company that offers super cute rubber and digital stamps. Today's card features the digital stamp Emma in Reindeer PJ's. Yesterday, I shared Emma in non-traditional Christmas colors (pink and blue). Today's card features the traditional red and green Christmas theme on a fairly simple, slimline card.

I printed Emma on Copic XPress-It Blending Card, colored her with Copics, then fussy cut her. I kept the design simple with an 8.5" x 4" card size and regular rectangular layers in black and red. I added patterned paper from Lawn Fawn's "Knit Picky" 6" x 6" paper pad and some very old wood-patterned paper by Stampin' Up. I stamped sentiments from My Favorite Things' "Hug in a Mug" and Art Impressions' "Hug in a Mug" stamp sets, then cut them out using the smallest QuicKutz "Nesting Inverted Scalloped Rectangles" die. I popped up Emma, the floor, and the top sentiment with foam dots to finish the card.

List of all stamps/dies/paper/etc. used on this card:

• Paper Nest Dolls "Emma in Reindeer PJ's" digital stamp
• QuicKutz "Nesting Inverted Scalloped Rectangles" die set
• My Favorite Things "Hug in a Mug" stamp set
• Art Impressions "Hug in a Mug" stamp set
• Lawn Fawn "Knit Picky" 6" x 6" paper pad
• Stampin' Up wood-patterned cardstock (very old, don't remember the name of it)
• Black, red, and white cardstock

Other products used:

• Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
• Copic XPress-It Blending Card
• Copic markers
• Glue
• Foam dots

Happy (very early) holidays!

Emma in Reindeer PJ's Wishes You a Happy Hot Chocolate Season

Today, I'm guest designing for Paper Nest Dolls. They have a variety of super cute images, both as rubber stamps and digital stamps. Today's card features the digital stamp Emma in Reindeer PJ's. I chose her because I had that exact sweater and those reindeer slippers in elementary school, so this image triggered a forgotten-but-happy memory.

I completed two different cards with her, and today's post features a card in alternative Christmas colors: pink and blue.

I printed Emma on Copic XPress-It Blending Card, colored her with Copics, then fussy cut her. I created a scalloped, stitched card base by folding white cardstock in half and using the Gina Marie "Scalloped Stitched Rectangle" (largest die), slightly overlapping the folded edge so it would connect the front and back sides. I used the MFT "Sweet Snowflakes" Die-Namics to cut several snowflakes, then coated them in sparkly, white glitter. I stamped the MFT "Hug in a Mug" sentiment on white cardstock, then used a Lawn Fawn "Small Stitched Rectangles" die. Finally, I cut a piece of the Stampin' Up wood-patterned cardstock as the floor and used the MFT "Stitched Scalloped Edge" Die-Namics across the top, which was mostly covered up by Emma and the sentiment, so I probably would skip that step next time.

For the pink background, I cut a peace of hot pink cardstock, then sprayed it with Ranger/Tim Holtz's "Frozen Fog" Mica Stain. That added a very cool, iridescent splatter all over the page. I assembled the layers, popping up Emma, the floor, and the sentiment with foam dots. I used another piece of the pink, splattered cardstock inside, then added another sentiment from the "Hug in a Mug" set. I added sparkly snowflakes to the front and inside of the card. Here's the inside, as well as a quick video, showing the shine on the cardstock.

List of all stamps/dies/paper/etc. used on this card:

• Paper Nest Dolls "Emma in Reindeer PJ's" digital stamp
• Gina Marie "Scalloped Stitched Rectangles" die set
• Lawn Fawn "Small Stitched Rectangles" die set
• My Favorite Things "Stitched Scalloped Basic Edge" Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things "Sweet Snowflakes" Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things "Hug in a Mug" stamp set
• Stampin' Up wood-patterned cardstock (very old, don't remember the name of it)
• Pink and white cardstock

Other products used:

• Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
• Copic XPress-It Blending Card
• Copic markers
• Glue
• Foam dots
• Ranger/Tim Holtz "Frozen Fog" Mica Stain
• Iridescent white glitter, "cool" tones (Sparkle n' Sprinkle)

Have a fantastic day!