Colby's First Easter

 A friend asked me to make a personalized card for her to send to her newest grandson, Colby, for his first Easter.

Here is the card I created - it's a small 3 1/4" square card.

The bunny is from Colorado Crafts and he's actually holding a snowball, so I added a sweet chick puffy sticker to cover it.  I also added a puffy mushroom and heart sticker.  I softly colored the image with COPICs.

Here's what I stamped on the inside along with another puffy chick sticker.

I'm linking my card to:  

Double D Challenge

First Signs of Spring  ends 3/17

Stamps: Snow Happy - Colorado Craft, Bitty Baby Blessings - PTI (retired), Easter from Pumpkin Kit - SU.
Paper: Water color - Cold Press Canson, Robins Egg - Bazzill, New Leaf - PTI, DP scrap green check from stash.
Accessories: Noted Scalloped Squares die - PTI (retired), Alphanumeric Tiny Type Upper - Tim Holtz/Sizzix, Puffy Stickers - Nekoni, Copics: W2, B00, YG03, R20, Square Lattice Embossing Folder - Stampin Up.

February Group of Seven Cardmakers: Technique - Resist Debossed Background

It's time for the February Group of Seven Cardmakers post, playing with the Resist Debossed Background technique. 

Our group met for a zoom call in early February to try out a recent video tutorial from Splitcoaststampers (created by Anna-Karin Evaldsson).  

I love how this came out and I think blues and browns are my favorite colors to use with this technique!

So, basically, you lightly run a Versamark ink pad over the raised, inside, back of your embossing folder. (3D embossing folders seem to work best because they give a deeper impression).  

Take a piece of water color paper (or any water friendly paper like Mixed Media), rub over the paper with an Embossing Buddy (powder), put it in the embossing folder powder side down (over the Versamark inked side) and run it through your machine.

Take the panel out and cover the back side (the debossed side with the Versamark ink on it) with white embossing powder.  If the powder sticks to too much of your panel background, you can brush some off gently with a paint brush.  You want the powder to be on the design which is 'debossed' since you are using the back of your panel.

Then heat emboss the panel.  

To add color to the parts not white embossed on my panel, I pulled out two Distress Inks - Tumbled Glass and Frayed Burlap and two Distress Oxide Inks Salvaged Patina and Walnut Stain (DOX inks leave a darker color than the regular Distress inks).  You want to use water based inks.  I rubbed the inks (one at a time and do the Distress first, then the DOX since they are darker) onto my craft mat, spritzed with water and then pressed the panel randomly into the ink, then looking where there were open spaces and pressing that section into the ink.  

Notes: 

1.  You can just use one or two water based inks. 

2.  You should try several different embossing folders, as some work well and some not so well?!

A close up:

I added the die cut sentiment and some enamel dots to the panel.

I made a second card (below) using the same technique, embossing folder, white embossing powder and inks - and you can see it looks very different.  

The white embossing powder stuck to more of the card rather than just the debossed image and so just small bits of the panel absorbed the smooshed inks. (I didn't brush off the excess white powder on the flat bits!)  But it still makes for a pretty and interesting background I think?!

I'm linking my birthday card to:

Seize the Birthday

Three more cards I made using this technique.

Embossing folder:  Tree Rings - Tim Holtz/Sizzix.  White Embossing Powder/Distress Oxide Vintage Photo Ink.  The bird is Feathered Friends Thinlit dies - Tim Holtz/Sizzix covered with strips of DP.

I'm linking my tree ring card to:

Can you Handle the Pressure

anything embossed - optional things with wings

Embossing Folder:  Vintage Button - Eileen Hull/Sizzix.  White Embossing Powder, Distress Tumbled Glass and Frayed Burlap Inks.  The horse is an old wooden stamp by Judith, colored with markers.

I'm linking my Baby card to:

We Love Stamping

Feb - anything stamped

Embossing Folder: Circuit - Tim Holtz/Sizzix.  White Embossing Powder/Distress Lost Shadow Ink. Die: Voltage Bigz Die - Tim Holtz/Sizzix

I'm linking my voltage card to:

NBUS

First time using both the circuit Emb Folder and the Voltage Die

For the full tutorial of this Resist Debossed Background and inspiring samples from the rest of the Seven Cardmakers, please pop over to the Group of Seven Cardmakers Blog.

We post a new technique on the 28th of each month that we hope will inspire you to try it out as well!

  We've added a Mr. Linky to the post - so you can link up your creations if you try this technique -  It's not a challenge, just a place you can put your card so everyone can see it and be inspired! 

Birthday Card

Paper:  Water color - Canson Cold Press, Tropical Teal - Papertrey Ink.

Ink:  Ranger Distress Tumbled Glass, Frayed Burlap, Ranger Distress Oxide Ink Salvaged Patina, Walnut Stain, Versamark.

Accessories:  Gracious Leaves Embossing Folder - Memory Box, white embossing powder, heat tool, water mister, craft mat, Happy Birthday Die - Simon Says Stamp, Happy Birthday Poe Script Die - Poppy Stamps, Enamel Dots - Altenew.

Birthday, Baby and Friend Cards

 Today I'm sharing 3 cards I've made using some of Eileen Hull's Sizzix Chapter 1 releases.  

I've used the beautiful Vintage Buttons 3D Embossing Folder and her Snail Mail Thinlit Die (that coordinates with her Snail Mail Everyday Sentiments Maker Forte stamp set released last year).

First a card for a new baby boy.

I embossed a white card panel spritzed with a little water for the base of my card using the Vintage Buttons 3D embossing folder.  Such a gorgeous deep impression!

For the top embossed panel,  I rubbed the inside of the front of the embossing folder with blue ink, spritzed the white card panel with water, and then embossed the panel in the inked embossing folder - it gives a lovely subtle color behind the buttons!  

I cut this panel to fit inside the scallops of this die cut frame

I layered this over the white button embossed panel, added a sentiment and a button, both popped up on foam dots.

I stamped 'welcome little one' from Eileen's Snail Mail Every Day Sentiments stamp set inside.

For my next two cards I used die cuts from Thinlit Snail Mail Die and sentiments from Snail Mail Every Day Sentiments Stamp Set.

Hello Friend card.  

I adhered a strip of designer paper to the left side of the card.   I adhered the frame piece from the die centered on the card and layered 3 sizes of the cut blocks in different colors to frame my stamped sentiment.

Happy Birthday Card

I adhered a piece of patterned paper onto a white card base, adhered the frame offset over the paper (to feature the lovely florals in the corner!), stamped the sentiment on a block from the die and added red Nuvo Drops to opposite corners.

This photo shows the frame and blocks die included in the Thinlits Snail Mail Die along with die cuts out of white card.  If you cut the blocks on the dots - you get pieces that look like postage stamps!

To get the scalloped edge on the outside frame -  you cut a panel with the squares inside the frame.  If you cut just the outside piece it gives you a plain rectangle panel.

It is with a heavy heart that I say this is my last post as a member of Eileen Hull's Inspiration Team.

  

I have loved creating with Eileen's dies and working with Eileen and all of the wonderful creative people on her team over the past 6 years. 

I've just reached a time in my life when I want less deadlines and more free time for spontaneous activities now that COVID is loosening it's grip on us! (dare I say that?!)
Thank you Eileen for all of your support and encouragement while I've been on your team! I will certainly continue to create with your beautiful dies!

Remember to check out Eileen's blog every Wednesday to see a gathering of the teams creations!

Stamps:  Snail Mail Everyday Sentiments - Eileen Hull/Maker Forte, Cute as a Button from Baby Button Bits - Papertrey Ink.

Ink:  Caribbean Sky, Obsidian, Coral Berry - Altenew.

Paper:  White, Blueberry Sky, True Black, Raspberry Fizz - PTI, DP Garland 6x6 Pad - Memory Box.

Accessories:  Snail Mail Thinlit Die, Vintage Buttons Embossing Folder - Eileen Hull/Sizzix, button, foam dots, water mister, Word Window Punch - SU, Nuvo Crystal Drops Autumn Red. 

Eileen Hull/Sizzix - New Chapter 4 Release!

Today is the release day for Eileen Hull's new Chapter 4 Sizzix dies and embossing folder.

From Eileen:

The Chapter 4 Sizzix Release is exciting for so many reasons- there are two never-done-before designs!

One is the Full Size Journal which is a Bigz Pro size- you will need a machine with at least a 9" throat to cut this die- like a Big Shot Plus or Pro. Not to worry- if you don't have that machine, Eileen will have the pre-cut pieces available in her Etsy store for you to work with. The other new technology is a 3D Embossing Folder! It's called Sweater and is oh so cozy. Also new this release is a Bigz Notepad die with lots of options for materials and uses, and a Heart Mandala Thinlits to decorate with!

There is a GIVEAWAY too- leave a comment on each of the designers' blog posts and you will be entered to win one of the new dies! Another prize will be given to someone who attends and comments in the Release Party Facebook Live at 12 noon ET.

Here are some projects I've made using the new Chapter 4 products just to give you a quick peek!

Full Size Journal Die

8 3/4" x 6 1/4" x 1"

I will have a tutorial on how I made this BUGS Journal on my blog on 10/11/21.

 

Heart Mandala Thinlit Die

I cut the heart mandala in half for this birthday card.

Knit 3D Embossing Folder

Such a gorgeous deep knit embossing - it looks real!

Note Pad Die

A handy little notepad to slip into your bag or pocket!

3 5/8" x 3 3/4" x 3/8"

Hop Stops:

Eileen Hull Designs
Julia Aston
Jennie Atkinson
Sue Eldred
Maggi Harding
Lisa Hoel
Tonya Trantham
Sarah Lizzie Dodd
Karen Bearse

Have fun and visit next week for more inspiration from Eileen’s Chapter 4 Sizzix Dies release!

Are you a member of the Eileen Hull Fan Club? Join over 5,000 other members to share ideas, inspiration, sources, challenges and make some fabulous friends – make sure to answer the questions! Watch her Facebook Lives at Eileen Hull Designs on Tuesdays at 6:00 Eastern and Thursdays at 4:00 to for project ideas, techniques, inspiration and creative community. Additionally, you can also find Eileen on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Don’t miss Eileen’s Sizzix Chapter 4 Release Party Facebook Live
Friday, 10/1 at 12pm EST! It will be streaming live on both her YouTube channel and in FaceBook.

 

 

Eileen Hull's New Stamps Release Party

 Eileen Hull has collaborated with Maker Forte Stamps and today they are releasing three stamp sets designed by Eileen.  Eileen is hosting the release on her FB Eileen Hull Designs 8/27/21 at 1 pm EST.  Check it out - you could win the new stamps!

There are three stamp sets being released today and here are the projects I made!

For my first project I made a box using Eileen's Tiny Book Case die and filled it with Library cards I made with one of the stamps from the Buttons Cards and More set, where I can write down the names and a brief synopsis of the books I've read and tuck the cards into the box.

Here's the Tiny Book Case that I assembled and adhered some Tim Holtz DP to all the outside surfaces.

I stamped and adhered one of the 'library cards' to the back of the box labelled with what 's inside, using the OVERDUE stamp from the set and Big Chat Stickers and Label Letters from Tim Holtz.

I colored the inside of the box and the exposed edges with a Brushed Corduroy Ranger Distress Marker. I filled in the library cards with the title and author and a brief synopsis of the books I've read recently and slipped them inside the box!

Next I made a card using a button card stamp from the same set - Buttons, Cards and More.   I stamped one of the button cards in the set onto yellow dotted DP.  I had some sweet tiny buttons in my stash in pastel colors that I adhered over the stamped buttons.  I added some Clear Glitter Wink of Stella over the 'sun' rays on the top button for a little sparkle.  I adhered the stamping over some stitches DP.

And for my final project today, I made a card using the beautiful Vintage Damask stamp along with most of the stamps in the Snail Mail - Everyday Sentiments stamp set!  

There are so many versatile stamps in the Snail Mail- Everyday Sentiments set including the wonderful framed grid and the Vintage Damask made a gorgeous background for the other stampings and is, of course, gorgeous all by itself!

First I stamped the Damask using Pink Pearl Ink on a panel of white card.  Then I stamped the grid in black ink.  And finally, I stamped the images and sentiments using Fuchsia Ink.  I trimmed the panel to the edge of the frame and layered it over a Raspberry Fizz card with foam dots.  I added rhinestones and tiny gems to several of the images for a little sparkle.

We hope to see you over at Eileen Hull Designs FB at 1 pm EST today (8/27/21) to see Eileen's live release party - there are stamp sets to be won!

Library Card Box

Stamps:  Buttons, Cards and More - Eileen Hull/Maker Forte

Ink:  Cocoa Bean True Black - PTI

Paper:  Little Sizzles Matboard - Sizzix, DP Tim Holtz single sheet (from my stash).

Accessories:  Tiny Bookcase Die - Eileen Hull/Sizzix, ScorTape, Utra Bond Adhesive - iCraft, black elastic round cord - JoAnn, Big Chat Stickers, Label Letters - Tim Holtz/Idea0logy.

Sunshine Buttons Card

Stamps:  Buttons, Cards and More - Eileen Hull/Maker Forte

Ink:  True Black - PTI

Paper:  white - PTI, DP Modern Homemaker, Farm House - October Afternoon (older paper pads),

Accessories:  Tiny buttons from stash, foam dots, Clear Glitter Wink of Stella, Tombow Glue.

Happy Birthday Card

Stamps:  Snail Mail - Everyday Sentiments, Vintage Damask - Eileen Hull/Maker Forte.

Ink:  Pink Pearl, Fuchsia, Obsidian - Altenew

Paper:  white, Raspberry Fizz - PTI.

Accessories:  rhinestones - Dollar Store, Tiny Twinkles - Taylored Expressions, foam dots.

Dare to Get Dirty Post IV

Here's the 4th installment of cards I made for the Splitcoaststampers Dare to Get Dirty week-long challenges.   There were 5 challenges a day so at the end I made 35 cards!

 

We are not supposed to disclose the exact details of the challenge as participants need to be a member of the SCS Fan Club but I have listed their titles here so perhaps you can figure it out?!!? 

 I also list my supplies for each card at the end of this post.

Here are 5 more cards #16 - 20 :

The Challenge: Does it Spark Joy?

I'm also linking this card to the Merry Monday summer challenge:
Inspired by June 12th challenge

 

The Challenge:  Cling Wrap Background

The Challenge: Use a Digital Image

(Free colored digital image from the Graphics Fairy)

The Challenge:  Watercolor Plaid

The Challenge: Kick up your Background

It was so fun trying out new or forgotten techniques and to get so many cards made for my stash - I sell them to friends where I used to work as well as at my church -  so I need a constant supply of new designs!

I'll be back in a few days with 5 more - hope I'm not boring you to death!?!

The Joy of Holly

Stamps: Festive Foliage - Waltzingmouse Festive Foliage - Waltzingmouse, Signature Christmas - PTI

Paper: white, true black - PTI, DP Fine and Sunny Paper Pad - Kaiser Craft  

Ink:True Black, Pure Poppy, Simply Chartreuse - PTI

Accessories: Small Madison Window Die - Poppystamps, Holly Die - Waltzingmouse, foam dots

Winter Woods

Paper: Arches Watercolor Paper, White - PTI

Accessories: Brushos - Purple and Sandstone, cling wrap, water mister, Die - Ali Express, wooden star - Hobby Lobby, Gold Leaf Run'N Buff, foam dots

Unforgettable

Stamps: Ella and Friends - Mama Elephant

Paper:White, Terracotta Tile, Black - PTI

Ink:True Black - PTI

Accessories: Vintage Circus Elephant Digi Image - Free from the Graphics Fairy

Cutest Little Thing

Stamps:Sweet Cheeks - PTI

Paper:Arches Watercolor paper, White, True Black, Vintage Jadeite, Vellum - PTI

Ink: Versamark, New Leaf, Sweet Blush, Classic Kraft - PTI

Accessories:  Sweet Cheeks Dies - PTI, gold embossing powder, heat tool Gold metalic marker, water color paints pink, orange, green

Embossed Wreath

Stamps: Keep it Simple Birthday II set - Papertrey Ink

Paper: white, true Black - PTi

Ink:  Versamark, Wendy Vecchi Archival Cornflower and Fern Green Re-inker

Accessories: Wendy Vecchi White Embossing Paste (colored with Fern Green Reinker), Stencils: Wendy Vecchi Check Mate , Create a Wreath, Flowers - Taylored Expressions, tiny red brads, white embossing powder, pallette knife, foam dots