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!

Elegant Fish Easel Card with a Message in a Bottle Shaker Element

I'm still having fun with fish/aquatic images, so I made two more cards. These are easel cards, so they stand up for display, with a shaker element: a message in a bottle, with sand, that reads "just keep swimming."

Here are the two cards, propped up:

And here are just the card fronts, so you can see the details. I painted the metallic "arch" with silver and copper alcohol inks, which gives it a worn, antique look. I stacked both the arch and white swirl frame die cuts 5 times, so they're thick and substantial, like chipboard.

The leaves are die cuts from the Heartfelt Creations "Jars and Vines" die set, without using the matching stamps. I colored the fish, leaves, and bottle cork with Copic markers, and I filled the MFT Bottle Shaker Pouch with Whimsy's Hoourglass Sand Sprinkles. The pop-up element that holds the easel up consists of two more die-cut pieces, and I painted the bottom one with more metallic alcohol inks.

Here's a video, showing the shaker element and how to prop up the easel:

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

• Heartfelt Creations "Elegant Swirl Gateway" die
• Heartfelt Creations "Rectangle Filigree Frame" die
• Heartfelt Creations "Under the Sea" stamp and die sets
• Heartfelt Creations "Under the Sea Coral" stamp and die sets
• Heartfelt Creations "Coral Reef Collage" stamp and die sets
• Heartfelt Creations "Under the Sea" paper pad
• March 2019 Hero Arts Monthly Kit
• My Favorite Things "Mermazing" stamp set
• My Favorite Things "Message in a Bottle" Die-Namics
• My Favorite Things Bottle Pouch
• Whimsy Hourglass Sand Sprinkles

Other products used:

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

Hope you have a great weekend!

Pirates and Mermaid Tall Slimline Box Card (intended for MFT Card Design Superstar contest)

I spent a week and a half on my box card for the MFT 2023 Card Design Superstar: Box Card Master contest... and misread the deadline, missing it by less than an hour. I feel crushed, but the lesson is: ALWAYS READ CAREFULLY. (Smacks forehead). Ah, well. I still love the card and would've created it anyway!

I've been crazy about pirates and mermaids lately, so I had to include both in my card. The pirates are doing their swashbuckling on land above, while the mermaid is playing (and guarding the treasure!) in her aquatic wonderland below. There are a few skulls near the treasure, so it looks like some intrepid explorers have tried to claim the coins... and failed. Mwahahaha.

I started with MFT's Outside the Box die set, and cut the main die while overlapping the bottom edge over the end of the die plate, so it would cut everything but the bottom. After that, I scored the lines down the blank page to extend the length of the box. My final box measures 5.5" x 2".

Next, I spent more than a week stamping my images and coloring them with Copics. (I spent about a week coloring.) Once they were colored, I used my scissors to fussy cut them. It took SO. DARNED. LONG. to fussy cut everything. I've never longed for a matching die set so much! I also cut pieces from Under the Sea, Petite Clouds, Outside the Box Snow Drifts, Shady Palm, Beach Scenes Builder, and Outside the Box Waves.

After cutting everything out, I used Distress Oxide inks and the Perfect Pool Water stencil to create the inside/background pieces. I also used Distress Oxides on the sandy layers. I cut the sentiment with a die from the Outside the Box Low Profile set and a circle of ocean from the Slimline Slide-In die set. I spent hours arranging and gluing everything together. For the torn-paper edges on the back of the card, I used the Torn Paper Edges die set to make a custom shape. Here's a photo of the back of the card and a video of the final card.

List of all stamps/dies/stencils used on this card - ALL BY MY FAVORITE THINGS:

• Party Like a Pirate stamp set
• Gill Friends stamp set
• Polynesian Paradise stamp set
  
• Mermazing stamp set
• Outside the Box Die-Namics
• Outside the Box Low Profile Die-Namics
• Slimline Slide-In Die-Namics
• Outside the Box Waves Die-Namics
• Outside the Box Snow Drifts Die-Namics
• Shady Palm Die-Namics
• Beach Scene Builder Die-Namics
• Torn Edges Die-Namics
• Under the Sea Die-Namics
• Petite Clouds Die-Namics
• Perfect Pool Water stencil
• Fun in the Sun Paper Pad
• MFT cardstock: Smooth White

Other products used:

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

Hope you have a great week!

A Rainbow of Butterflies Card (MFT 2023 Card Design Superstar: Clean and Simple Genius)

I've started coloring and creating again in the past few weeks, after not coloring or making any cards in nearly a year. I'm a bit rusty, but I decided to jump back in with the MFT 2023 Card Design Superstar: Clean and Simple Genius contest. I felt like coloring something bright and happy, and what's brighter or happier than a rainbow?

I decided to use the butterflies from MFT's "Spread Your Wings" and a flower from MFT's "Magnolia Blossoms" to create a gentle arc, then color them as I would a rainbow (ROYGBIV colors). I used Post-It Tape to mask off the parts of the flower stamp that I didn't want to stamp (since I only wanted a single flower from the bunch), inked the stamp, removed the tape, and stamped the single flower image. I then stamped one of each of the butterflies, gently staggering them in an arc. I colored all of the images with Copic markers, then stamped the sentiment from MFT's "Magnolia Blossoms" set. I mounted the colored layer on MFT's Lemon Drop and Smooth White cardstock.

I cut more Lemon Drop and Smooth White layers for inside the card, then stamped and colored one of the smaller butterflies twice more. I cut them out with the "Spread Your Wings" Die-Namics, stamped a sentiment from MFT's "Thoughtful Greetings" stamp set, and glued the two butterflies to the stamped panel.

List of all stamps/dies/stencils used on this card - ALL BY MY FAVORITE THINGS:

• Spread Your Wings stamp set
• Spread Your Wings Die-Namics die set
• Magnolia Blossoms stamp set
  
• Thoughtful Greetings stamp set
• MFT cardstock: Lemon Drop and Smooth White

Other products used:

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

Hope you have a great week!