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