Another Cheerful Springtime Card with Butterflies and Blooms

I had some leftover flowers and butterflies I'd created for yesterday's card, so I decided to make one more cheerful, springtime scene.

For this happy, springtime card, I used some flowers and a butterfly I'd already colored and fussy cut from yesterday's card. I stamped some grass, then colored and fussy cut it, to create a little more depth.

I cut a 4" x 5.25" white panel, then masked off the right side and bottom edge with Post-It Notes. I used a blending tool and Distress Oxide inks (Tumbled Glass, Broken China, and Mermaid Lagoon) to create an ink-blended section. I lightly splattered the inked area with water, then dabbed it with a dry paper towel, to add some texture.

I mounted the inked panel on a 4.25" x 5.5" panel of black cardstock, then glued the grass to the blue area. I added foam dots to the flowers and added them. I glued the center (body) of the butterfly to the blue area, then gently bent the wings up for dimension. I stamped a sentiment from the Spread Your Wings stamp set (retired) on a white rectangle, then cut a slightly-larger black rectangle. I used a pair of scissors to cut a diagonal line on the white and black rectangles, glued them together, then mounted them on the card with foam dots. The sentiment hides the bottom of the fussy-cut images perfectly!

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

• My Favorite Things SY Butterflies and Blooms stamp set
• My Favorite Things Spread Your Wings stamp set (retired)
• MFT cardstock: Smooth White and Black Licorice

Other products used:

• Distress Oxide Inks: Tumbled Glass, Broken China, and Mermaid Lagoon
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• Copic XPress-It Blending Card
• Copic markers
• Glue (Art Glitter glue)
• Double-sided tape (to adhere the panels to the card base)
• Foam blending tool (Ranger)
• Foam dots

Voila! Now I have two cheerful cards to send to friends.

Lovely Spring Flowers for MFT's Weekly Sketch Challenge 678

Today, I'm sharing design team inspiration for the My Favorite Things Sketch Weekly Sketch Challenge (#678). I've enjoyed making Christmas cards over the past few months, but I'm ready for spring! 

For this happy, springtime card, I started by stamping the flowers and butterflies from the SY Butterflies and Blooms stamp set with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Copic XPress-It Blending Card. After I colored them with Copics, using a Uni-Ball Gel Impact Pen (white) for details on the butterflies, I fussy cut them with scissors.

I cut two 6.25" x 4.75" panels from Smooth White cardstock. I used the largest die from the Stitched Rounded Arch STAX Die-Namics set to cut a window on one panel. I used the Cloud Stencil and Distress Oxide Inks (Tumbled Glass and Mermaid Lagoon) to create clouds on the uncut panel. I used foam dots to make a "sandwich" between the two layers to create dimension.

I added foam dots to the flowers and butterflies, then adhered them to the white arched "sandwich" to create a garden scene. I cut a 1.25" x 3.5" panel from the Woodgrain Whimsy Paper Pad to resemble a flower box, then popped it up with foam dots. I stamped a sentiment from SY Butterflies and Blooms on a 3/8" x 4.75" white rectangle, then added that on top of the flower box. I adhered the final scene to the card base, using Black Licorice cardstock as the largest mat (5" x 6.5").

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

• My Favorite Things SY Butterflies and Blooms stamp set
• My Favorite Things Stitched Rounded Arch STAX Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things Cloud Stencil
• My Favorite Things Woodgrain Whimsy Paper Pad
• MFT cardstock: Smooth White and Black Licorice

Other products used:

• Distress Oxide Inks: Tumbled Glass and Mermaid Lagoon
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• Copic XPress-It Blending Card
• Uni-Ball Gel Impact Pen (white)
• Copic markers
• Glue (Art Glitter glue)
• Double-sided tape (to adhere the panels to the card base)
• Foam blending tool (Ranger)
• Foam dots

OK, now I'm ready for springtime!

Another Mice Birthday Card for MFT's Weekly Sketch Challenge #677

Today, I'm sharing design team inspiration for the My Favorite Things Sketch Weekly Sketch Challenge (#677). Since Christmas cards are finally done, I'm focusing on birthdays and other special occasions.

For this birthday card, I used the YUZU Micest Friend stamp set from MFT's new release, along with some of my favorite stamps and dies.

I stamped the mice and cheese "cake" from YUZU Micest Friend with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on Copic XPress-It Blending Card, then colored them with Copics. I fussy cut them and put them aside while I worked on the card base.

I cut several cardstock panels (Smooth White 5.75" x 4.5"; Lush Lagoon 5.5" x 4.25"; 4x Kraft 4" x 5.25") for the layers, then used the largest die from the Fanciful Frames STAX Die-Namics to cut out the center of each Kraft panel. I glued them together and then painted them with Jacquard Metallic Alcohol Ink (Silver). I layered the panels on the card base, with the silver frame on top.

I cut additional rectangles for the sentiment area (to match the Sketch Challenge) and stamped the smallest white panel with a sentiment from Twice the Wishes. I glued those layers to the silver frame, then added the cheese and mice, using foam dots to pop them up. I wanted to add a little birthday magic, so I used my White Uni-Ball Gel Impact pen to add some dots and sparkles.

For the inside, I added another Lush Lagoon layer and a Smooth White layer for the sentiment. I stamped the sentiment from Inside & Out Birthday Greetings, then added another mouse and cheese "cake." Now the card is ready to go!

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

• My Favorite Things YUZU Micest Friend stamp set
• My Favorite Things Fanciful Frames STAX Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things Twice the Wishes stamp set
• My Favorite Things Inside & Out Birthday Greetings stamp set
• MFT cardstock: Smooth White, Kraft, Lush Lagoon

Other products used:

• Distress Oxide Ink: Fired Brick
• Jacquard Metallic Alcohol Ink (Silver)
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• Copic XPress-It Blending Card
• Uni-Ball Gel Impact Pen (white)
• Copic markers
• Glue (Art Glitter glue)
• Double-sided tape (to adhere the panels to the card base)
• Foam blending tool (Ranger)
• Foam dots

I hope you have a wonderful day!

It's a Mice Day for MFT's New Release!

Today, My Favorite Things released their December 2023 products, and I'm sharing a card I made with one of the new sets. I LOVE the cute little mice by YUZU!

I couldn't decide which mice I liked best, so I used all of them. I stamped the mice, jars, and cheese from YUZU Micest Friend with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Copic XPress-It Blending Card, then colored them with Copics. I also stamped the kitchen and cake from the JB Kitchen Cuties stamp set. I used the Micest Friend Die-Namics to cut out the mice, then fussy cut everything else.

For the background, I cut a 4"x8.5" panel of Wild Cherry cardstock, then cut a 3.75"x8.25" panel of Smooth White cardstock. On the white panel, I used the English Brick Wall Stencil with Fired Brick Distress Oxide Ink. I wanted the brick to look worn, so I applied it very lightly and left some open areas. I cut a 1.5"x8.25" panel of Kraft cardstock, then stamped it with a sentiment from JB Kitchen Cuties.

Finally, I layered all of the panels on the card base, then glued and used foam dots to adhere the mice and accessories. I love the final scene and can't wait to give this birthday card to a friend.

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

• My Favorite Things YUZU Micest Friend Stamp Set
• My Favorite Things YUZU Micest Friend Die-Namics
• My Favorite Thing JB Kitchen Cuties Stamp Set
• My Favorite Things English Brick Wall Stencil
• MFT cardstock: Smooth White, Kraft, and Wild Cherry

Other products used:

• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• Copic markers (various)
• Distress Oxide Ink - Fired Brick
• Glue (Art Glitter glue)
• Double-sided tape (to adhere the panels to the card base)
• Foam blending tool (Ranger)
• Foam dots

Have a very mice day!

Angelic Peace Card for MFT's Ready, Set, Christmas! Challenge

Today, I'm sharing design team inspiration for the My Favorite Things Ready, Set, Christmas Challenge (#676). I've already mailed all of my Christmas cards for this year, so I'm getting a head start on next year's cards!

I wanted to do something a little different for this challenge. I rarely make cards with a religious theme, and I wanted to do something with an angel. Currently, there aren't any angels in MFT stamps or dies, so I took the little girl from the YUZU In My Prayers stamp set, masked off part of her nightgown, and then drew a dress and angelic wings. Here's the finished card:

I started by stamping the little girl with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, although I took some Post-It Tape and placed it over her nightgown before inking, then removed it for stamping. As a result, I was able to turn the nightgown into a dress. I then drew some wings for her. Once I was happy with the image, I colored it with Copic markers and fussy cut her.

Next, I cut the Peace Die-Namics five times out of Smooth White cardstock. I glued the stack of each letter together, until each letter was thick (like chipboard). I used Jacquard Alcohol Ink (Silver) and a piece of felt to cover each letter, so they appear metallic. I also cut the "clouds" out of the JB Treetop Die-Namics set (white cardstock) and set them aside for later.

I cut two panels of Berrylicious cardstock (4.25" x 5.5" and 4" x 5.25"), then one panel of Black Licorice cardstock (4" x 5.25"), and one panel of Smooth White cardstock (5.25" x 3"). I attached the largest blue panel to the card base. For the smaller blue panel, I used Brutus Monroe Glitter Gel (White) and the Heavenly Glow Stencil to stencil the top half of the panel. While that dried, I used the Cloud Stencil as a guide to fussy cut the top row of clouds on the white panel (since I didn't have that die set). I then used the Cloud Stencil with Distress Oxide Ink (Spun Sugar) to add fluffy, pink clouds. I also added the pink ink around the edges of the clouds I cut earlier.

I used the largest die from the Fanciful Frame STAX Die-Namics on the Black Licorice panel, so create a window. I layered the cloud panel on the blue glazed panel, then the black panel on top, then finally mounted that on the card base (blue panel I attached earlier).

All that was left was assembly. I glued the "Peace" letters across the upper half of the window panel, which created nice dimension (since each letter was 5 cardstock layers thick). I used foam dots to pop up the angel and clouds. I felt like it needed a little glitter, so I used a Zig Glue Pen and Ranger Rock Candy Glitter to add sparkle to her dress and the top of the clouds.

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

• My Favorite Things YUZU In My Prayers Stamp Set
• My Favorite Thing Peace Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things JB Treetop Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things Heavenly Glow Stencil
• My Favorite Things Cloud Stencil
• My Favorite Things Fanciful Frame STAX Die-Namics
• MFT cardstock: Smooth White, Berrylicious, Black Licorice

Other products used:

• Jacquard Alcohol Ink - Silver
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• Copic markers (various)
• Distress Oxide Ink - Spun Sugar
• Brutus Monroe Glitter Glaze - White
• Ranger Rock Candy Glitter
• Zig Glue Pen
• Glue (Art Glitter glue)
• Double-sided tape (to adhere the panels to the card base)
• Foam blending tool (Ranger)
• Foam dots

Happy holidays!

Gingerbread Cookie Wishes with MFT's Weekly Sketch Challenge 676

Today, I'm sharing design team inspiration for the My Favorite Things Sketch Weekly Sketch Challenge (#676). I've already mailed all of my Christmas cards for this year, so I'm getting a head start on next year's cards!

Today's card might put me on the naughty list, though! Poor little gingerbread darlings...

I started by cutting out the gingerbread men from the Gingerbread House Die-Namics out of MFT's Kraft cardstock. (This has become one of my favorite die sets, as there are so many possibilities with all of the included dies!) I used Gathered Twig Distressed Ink and a blending tool around the gingerbread men, leaving the center lighter. I used a Uni-Ball Gel Impact Pen (white) to draw on the details, including different expressions.

Next, I cut one of the hands out of the Crafty Hands Die-Namics on Smooth White cardstock. I used Copic markers (E00, E11, and E13) to color it.

I used the largest die from the Wonky Stitched Circle STAX Die-Namics with Smooth White cardstock, then cut the second largest shape on beige-colored paper from the Colorful Canvas Paper Pad. I stamped a sentiment from the Gingerbread Greetings stamp set, then used the smaller die from the Essential Stitched Sentiment Strips Die-Namics to cut it out.

My card (folded) measures 5" x 6.25". I cut a red page from the Tiny Check Brights Paper Pad to 4.75" x 6", then layered it on a Smooth White panel (5" x 6.25"). I glued the two circles together, then glued them to the red-checked panel. I added foam dots to the back of the gingerbread men, hand, and sentiment, then arranged them to reference the Weekly Sketch design. The final design is simple but fun, and I can't wait to sent it to someone next year.

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

• My Favorite Things "Gingerbread House" Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things "Crafty Hands" Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things "Wonky Stitched Circle STAX" Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things "Gingerbread Greetings" Stamp Set
• My Favorite Things "Essential Stitched Sentiment Strips" Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things Colorful Canvas Paper Pad
• My Favorite Things Tiny Check Brights Paper Pad
• MFT cardstock: Smooth White and Kraft

Other products used:

• Distress Ink: Gathered Twig
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• Uni-Ball Gel Impact Pen (white)
• Copic markers: E00, E11, and E13
• Glue (Art Glitter glue)
• Double-sided tape (to adhere the panels to the card base)
• Foam blending tool (Ranger)
• Foam dots

Happy holidays!

Bah Humbug! Grinch Card

Still in a die-cutting mood, so here's another card featuring die cuts and ink - no fancy coloring!

I'm also playing along with MFT's Christmas card challenge. Here's today's card:

This fun card uses the Kat Scrappiness "Grinch Hand" die set and Kat Scrappiness "Bah Humbug" shadow sentiment dies. I cut all of the grinch hand pieces out of white cardstock, then cut the sleeve and ornament again out of Lawn Fawn Holiday Sparkle Glitter Cardstock and gold mirror cardstock. I cut a second layer of the ruffle on his sleeve and used a Zig Glue Pen and white flocking powder to make it soft and fluffy.

For his hand, I blended ink from Distress Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, and Rustic Wilderness inks. I used black ink for the string holding the ornament. I cut the shadow sentiment dies out of white (for the shadow) and the Lawn Fawn paper for the red sentiment, then used the same green inks around the edges of the shadow layer.

I ink blended the edges of a 4" x 5.25" piece of white cardstock, using the same inks as the grinch. I matted the ink-blended layer on a 4.25" x 5.5" piece of red cardstock and popped the grinch and sentiment up with foam dots. Voila! A simple, yet fun, card to send out for Christmas.

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

• Kat Scrappiness "Grinch Hand" die set
• Kat Scrappiness "Bah Humbug" shadow sentiment dies

Other products used:

• White and red cardstock
• Gold mirror cardstock
• Lawn Fawn Holiday Sparkle Glittered Cardstock
• White Flocking Powder
• Zig Glue Pen
• Art Glitter Glue
• Black ink
• Distress Ink: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, and Rustic Wilderness

Bah humbug... I mean, happy holidays!

Peppermint Merry Christmas Card

My favorite hobby is coloring, but I've felt like playing with dies lately. I have so many dies I've never used, which are collecting dust in a box, so it's time to start using them. Today, I've made a merry, monochromatic peppermint Christmas card.

I'm also playing along with MFT's Christmas card challenge. Here's today's card:

I'd never used the My Favorite Things "Snowflake Fusion Cover-Up" die, and it's from 2014 (!!!), so I felt like it was time to try it out. I used it with Quotidian Metallic Silver Vellum, and it came out shimmery and delicate-looking. (Tip: I used a thin cardstock shim above and below the die/cardstock while cutting, and the die cuts came out perfect and crisp.) I used Art Glitter glue to glue the vellum layer to a 4.25" x 5.5" piece of MFT Smooth White cardstock, gluing along the edges (since they would be hidden by the frame layer). 

I cut a 4.25" x 5.5" panel of MFT Wild Cherry cardstock, then used the second-largest frame layer from the Elizabeth Craft "Frame It - Stitched Rectangles" die set to cut a thin, stitched frame for my card front. I carefully glued it onto the white/vellum panel and added a few dots of glue to any area where the vellum stuck up enough to get bent or caught on something. Since the vellum is silver and the cardstock is white, the glue isn't visible at all.

I used MFT Smooth White and Wild Cherry cardstock to cut out peppermints from MFT's Gingerbread House Die-Namics and both layers of MFT's Merry Christmas Die-Namics. I wanted more sparkle, so I used a Zig Glue Pen and Ranger Rock Candy Glitter to cover the peppermints and the white "Merry Christmas" letters. I glued them onto the front panel, and everything looks so shimmery and sparkly.

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

• My Favorite Things "Snowflakes Fusion Cover Up" Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things "Gingerbread House" Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things "Merry Christmas" Die-Namics
• Elizabeth Craft Design "Frame It - Stitched Rectangles" die set

Other products used:

• White and wild cherry cardstock by My Favorite Things
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• Glue (Art Glitter Glue)
• Ranger Rock Candy Glitter
• Zig Glue Pen
• Quotidian Metallic Silver Vellum

Happy holidays!

Quick and Easy Santa Suit from Ordinary Shapes

I love getting more mileage out of my stamps and dies by using them for unrelated occasions. Today, I'm sharing a simple Santa Claus (suit) card that I made by using several non-holiday shape dies, and you may already have something similar in your stash.

I'm also playing along with MFT's Christmas card challenge. Here's today's card:

I cut a panel of red cardstock using the largest Kat Scrappiness "Distressed Edge Rectangles" die. Next, I cut a thin panel of white cardstock and used the My Favorite Things "Torn Paper Edges" Die-Namics to trim it to approx. 1.5" wide, creating the furry part of the suit. I wanted the white panel to fit perfectly with the red one, so I used the largest Distressed Edge Rectangle (again) to cut the top and bottom edges.

Next, I cut the "belt" with dies from Concord & 9th's "Weekender Handbag Dies" set. Yes, Santa's belt was once a strap for a purse! I cut the stitched leather piece out of black cardstock, then cut the buckle out of Kraft cardstock. I used gold metallic alcohol ink to paint the buckle.

The bottom (black) layer is 5.5" x 4.25", and I layered everything on top. I felt like Santa needed a little bling, so I added "buttons" out of some sparkly, black 3D gems from my stash (originally from Michael's).

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

• Kat Scrappiness "Distressed Edge Rectangles" die set
• My Favorite Things "Torn Paper Edges" Die-Namics
• Concord & 9th "Weekender Handbag" die set

Other products used:

• White, black, and wild cherry cardstock by My Favorite Things
• Glue (Art Glitter Glue)
• Ranger Metallic Mixatives Alcohol Ink - Gold
• Black, sparkly 3D gems (from Michael's)

Happy holidays!