Love Card With Two Step Embossing

Aren't the texture and different shades on this card amazing? Valentine's Day is just around the corner and weddings or anniversaries can be any day. I created this card with my favorite cardstock from CutCardStock - Stardream Metallic in the Azalea pink color. 

I used a 3D embossing folder from Honey Bee Stamps with a heart die cut and embossed in the center. This step is messy, but so worth it when the heart is embossed with white pigment ink on the background. 

Aren't the different shades on that heart gorgeous? The layered love die from Gina K Designs was die cut out of white cardstock and vellum. 

I hope this card encourages you to give the technique and products a try. 

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

More USA Divinity Designs Slatted Eclipse Cards

 

I just got my new Slatted and Eclipse Dies from Divinity Designs this week and made all the cards I share in my new video with the 4 different shapes in just a day. As I show, it is so easy to make gorgeous eclipse cards with these dies, some skinny double sided foam strips and two pieces of identical paper. This card was made with Divinity Designs Watercolor Forests A2 Card Fronts and a circle Happy Birthday die from Creek Bank Creations. I turned the slats at an angle to make it even more interesting. 

Any scenery paper will work as long as you have two identical pieces. You can make do with one but it is much more difficult and time consuming. I used  Sealife Stained Glass paper and cutting dies from Paper Wishes Hot Off the Press on this card. I also cut the shadow of the word from the paper continuing the eclipse look on the sentiment. 

I tried one more idea with my new Slatted and Eclipse square die. It is a Hide and Seek Card I learned about in a video here. In the video, Einat Kessler used a craft knife and ruler to cut her slats, but I decided to try using the new square slatted die to do it. Here is what happens when the heart at the top is pulled:

The heart turns from pink to red and back to pink. All the diecuts on the card are made with dies from Karen Burniston.  I will admit figuring out this card took longer than all the other eclipse cards I made and shared in the new video, so I will not be making another. But it is a fun interactive card I will give to my hubby sometime. I will however be making many more slatted eclipse cards because they are to easy and gorgeous to make.           

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

Slatted Eclipse Cards USA Style

I loved the slatted eclipse cards I saw last year all over and I had two wishes: the slats were just a bit wider to make raising them easier AND the dies were available in the USA to purchase. Divinity Designs just answered those wishes with a new release of Slatted and Eclipse dies in 4 shapes. In my new video, I share many card samples and show how easy it is to create gorgeous slatted eclipse scenes in just minutes.

Divinity Designs also carries many A2 card fronts that are perfect for eclipse cards with the new slatted dies. The card above was made in just minutes with the new Slatted and Eclipse Rectangles die set and Stained Glass Watercolor Flowers A2 Card Fronts. The card below was made with Ovals Slatted and Eclipse dies and lilacs images from another A2 card front set.

My favorite of the new slatted and eclipse dies from Divinity Designs is the square because it can be used horizontally, vertically or even as a diamond as I did on this card:

In the new video I show how easy it is to achieve these dimensional eclipse looks. My favorite of the A2 card fronts from Divinity Designs is called Great Outdoors. Here are two cards I made with the square slatted eclipse dies and paper from that collection:

I made the card on the left in the video in just minutes and added some die cut animals and a sentiment to finish the card off. 

I hope my cards inspire you to give some of the products and this eclipse technique a try.

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

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 

Playing with Blending, Glimmer and New Card Fronts

I was so happy to see that Stamplorations is back and starting to release new products. I purchased some of the new Card Fronts and had a play this weekend. I am also participating in the Blending Bootcamp at Scrapbook and Cards Today. The first session was a masterclass taught by Mindy Eggen. She was teaching basics but I learned a lot and tried some of her tips when making this card:

As Mindy pointed out, we can ink blend on any paper and I decided to use an oval mask from Gina K to add some interest to the pretty scenery card front from Stamplorations. I needed a masculine birthday card and I added some blending on the inside too: 

I am also sharing the blending brushes and inks I used. I learned about the best way to use the different sizes of brushes in the first lesson of Blending Bootcamp. There are 4 different sessions each with a class and then a live session to watch. You can still join in here.

I haven't played with my Glimmer Machine or foil in awhile but Spellbinders has a new challenge and the theme is January Glam- Foil and Shine. I started this card with a new card front from Stamplorations and then added some foil and shine with a Spellbinders BetterPress plate called Feather Dream from Dina Wakley. I am entering this in the January Challenge here at Spellbinders. 

Another way to use gorgeous scenery card fronts like the new ones from Stamplorations is to cut one with an eclipse slatted die and raise it over another identical scene. The slatted die is from Craft Addictions UK. 

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen

Vellum With Unbelievable Color and Texture

Ever wonder what would happen if you soaked vellum cardstock with color? Maybe not, but you will want to try it after seeing my results:

I recently received a package of vellum from CutCardStock and wondered what would happen if I added water and Lindy's Magicals to it? I loved how it turned out!

I took pictures as I experimented and you can see all the tips and instructions on the CutCardStock blog here. I embossed the vellum before and after adding the water and watercolor powders in a Spellbinders 3D embossing folder. The layered Love die is from Gina K Designs.

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen 

Signs of Spring with Spellbinders Butterfly Dance Die Set

The holidays are over and who is ready for spring and warmer weather? I am for sure or at least for signs of spring like butterflies and flowers. January’s Stitching Die of the Month from Spellbinders is called Butterfly Dance and it definitely will make us forget winter with the beautiful butterfly, sunflowers and cloud dies. The stitching on this card took only a few minutes but adds lovely metallic highlights to the layered butterfly. The fun fold is one I learned from Jennifer McGuire with the center pop out that lays flat for mailing. Here is another view of this fun card:

 

 

One thing I love about these stitched dies from Spellbinders is that the dies are beautiful even without stitching. The lines and holes in the dies meant for stitching create lovely texture as you can see in the two butterflies on this card. The butterfly in the Butterfly Dance die set is designed to be a side view, but I turned it over to create the 2^nd full wing in the top butterfly. I also decided these sunflowers should be purple- why not?

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 January 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 

Is it Spring Yet? Floral Magic Square Card

Last week I shared several cards I made with new wide washi tape and dies from Pinkfresh Studios. One pass through the die cutting machine and we have so much spring floral beauty and that is perfect for a card with many layers like this one. I learned how to make a Magic Square Card from Stempelmariele here in this video. Here is what happens when the ribbon is untied:

3 layers of encouragement and floral beauty. I am ready for spring - how about you?

Cardmaking Joy & Hugs, Karen