Maker Mania and Blending Bootcamp Card

I am participating in several on line classes this month and made this card with products and what I have learned. In Gina K's week of Blending Bootcamp, she showed how to add a darker color of ink in the centers of the flowers to add more dimension. I started with a Taylored Expressions layering stencil with foil highlights. I loved how the flowers turned out but felt the card needed something else to make it special. 

I am participating in Maker Mania 13 the end of the month and have my kit of supplies here in my craft room. From February 27-March 1, fourteen crafty stores are going to post videos of the many ways to create with all the paper, rub-ons, dies and embossing folders we received. My favorite item in the kit is Spellbinders Playful Stitched Panels layering dies. I die cut the card base with the largest and then die cut and raised the center with a smaller stitched rectangle.

You can still sign up to get the huge box of Maker Mania 13 supplies and then all the videos of creative ways to use them here. Just click on the link in the list for the store closest to you. I chose Winneconne Crafts because we are both in Wisconsin, and got my kit very quickly. She just has a few left so if you are in Wisconsin, be sure to contact them soon. 

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

Spring Flowers Sunny Hello From Spellbinders and Me

My favorite signs of spring are pink flowering trees so this month’s Spring Stitched Tree die set from Spellbinders put a smile on my face. I am wishing you a “sunny hello” even in the midst of a cold snowy winter like we have here in Wisconsin.

 

I started with a card base with the sides trimmed off at 1 ¼ inches at both sides. The tree on the center flap was created with all the pieces from this month’s Stitched Die of the Month from Spellbinders. I stitched the larger flowers for the tree and the side decorations in just a few minutes. The sky background has embossed clouds created with Spellbinders Head in the Clouds Detailed Embossing Folder.

If you love this Spellbinders Stitching Die of the Month and want it right away, you can visit the website here and join the monthly club. You have until the 27^th of the month to sign up to receive this set and then look forward to getting a new stitching die set each month. But if you can’t commit to a monthly club right now, you can check the website after the 10^th of next month to purchase. If not sold out, the monthly kit products are available to buy then. However, the cost is higher and shipping is not free.

I am a member of the Spellbinders Stitching Die of the Month club, so each month this year I will share cards made with that month’s die set on this blog, on my Instagram and on my Facebook page.

 Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

 

So Fry-tastic Collection from Concord & 9th

Flowers or fries for a special occasion? I would have to go with the fries I think- what about you? When I saw the new So Fry-tastic dies and stamps from Kristina Werner and Concord & 9th, I knew there was no resisting them. I never need another set of flower dies or stamps,  but show something unique and fun like these and I have to bring them home. There is a whole set of funny stamps that go with the dies and I picked stamps perfect for a funny Valentine or any day card for my grandsons or husband. I die cut the fries out of 3 colors of light yellow cardstock and added some shading to make them look fried and ready to eat. The fry dies are numbered in the order to put together so that part is so easy. I created the hearts background with two stencils from A Colorful Life Designs. 

My second card with these dies and stamps is an easel card held up with a fry I stamped. The die set includes several large word dies so I die cut "fries" instead of stamping it. The "love you" die is from Karen Burniston. Here is another view of this easel card from the front:

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

Spellbinders Gorgeous You Purse Shaped Cards

My favorite local crafty store- Harts n Scraps - is now carrying Spellbinders products and I treated myself to a die set that was on my wish list, then had a play this very cold weekend. The die set from Spellbinders is called Gorgeous You Makeup Bag, but I saw it as little purse shaped card that would be perfect for giving gift cards. There is a die in the set that cuts slits perfect for gift cards and I do give those often for all occasions. I started with a pink purse and the gorgeous textured overlay piece. 

I created this purse out of black mirror card and gold trim along with a gold foiled thank you. This little purse will be perfect for Christmas too as you can see from this one I made:

I embossed this purse with a Spellbinders poinsettia embossing folder and will add a gift card for an easy cute gift next Christmas.

If you are local and want this or any Spellbinders die, just ask Heather at Harts n Scraps to order it for you. Of course, they are also available on line at the Spellbinders website if you are not from this area. 

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

New Punny and Hearts Card Fronts from Therm O Web

The easiest way to add the shine of foil to our cards is to use Deco Foil Card Fronts and Therm O Web just released a bunch of punny and romantic ones. I had a play with them and some new colors of foil as well. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, my first cards will be perfect for that:

I foiled one of each of the new Deco Foil Card Fronts I received with various colors of Deco Foil and all sparkled beautifully. But to make the cards even more interesting, I added some stenciling and die cutting to each. Here is another card with a Cupid's Arrow foiled card front and stenciling and die cutting:

The "My Punny Valentine" collection of new card panels are sure to put a smile on the recipient's face! I added some stenciling and die cutting again and love how these cards turned out. Here is another pair of cards made with the new Deco Foil card fronts:

So fun! I made all these cards that sparkle with foil in a fun crafty afternoon. Start with the card fronts from Therm O Web, add some foil with your MINC or laminator and then decorate as desired. 

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

Poppin' Up To Say Happy Heart Day

My favorite cardstocks are the Stardream Metallics from CutCardStock and this is the front of the card I made in my newest video with Jupiter Red. I embossed the front with Spellbinders Beveled Diamond 3D embossing folder and then added some heart stickers I also found at CutCardStock. 

But as I show in the new video, the real magic happens when the sides are pulled:

A heart shaped message that says Happy Heart Day pops up! This surprise pop up fun fold is made without any specialty dies and I show how step by step in the video here. 

I hope you will watch the video and then send some handmade joy out into our world.

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

January Class Cards

The theme was Thoughtful Stenciled cards and we had fun making these cards:

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen