Die-Version's It's a Boy Baby Giraffe Card

Happy Monday everyone! It's my turn to post a card on Die-Version's blog and mine, and I am sharing a baby card I made with the brand new “Giraffe” die from Die-Versions. I think this baby giraffe is too cute and I die cut him out of blue polka-dotted designer paper and attached him in the center of a round card. I added “It’s a Boy” cut with the “It’s a Boy/Girl” die. I die cut Die-Version’s Baby Confetti out of blue, pink and yellow scraps and glued them on all around the circular edge.

**Remember you can get a 15% discount on any of Die-Version’s great dies by simply using my discount code karen15 when you check out at the Die Versions website unless the dies are already on sale.

I am entering this card in the Anything Goes challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.

Another Moon or Luna Card

The theme of most of the cards I made for a gift for my daughter for Christmas was Luna or moon. I saw this moon stamp from Altenew and knew I just had to buy it. It is a layered stamp and looks very realistic. I created a night sky with light blue, dark blue and black Distress Inks. I stamped the moon and the Apache Blessing stamp from DRS. I mixed white ink and water and used Tim Holtz's spatter brush to make the starry galaxy look.

I am entering this card in the Anything Goes challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.

Tonic Studios I Heart You Shake, Twist and Pop Card

Want to know how to make a card that shakes, twist and pops? Sounds like a rock and roll song, right? I am sharing a tutorial on this love twist and pop shaker card on the Blog Tonic USA today. I have tried many ways to make the twist and pop apparatus and will show you the easiest way I have found so far, plus some tips on how to make a fun heart shaker. 

I am entering this card in the Anything Goes challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.

Creativation (CHA) 2017 Highlights

I had a blast at Creativation in Phoenix this last weekend! I have lots of pictures to share so I tried my hand at my first collages in PicMonkey. Many of my favorite moments happened in the Tonic Studios/Nuvo booth. The top highlight there had to be meeting Tim Holtz and getting my picture taken with him and Mario. He was autographing and giving away his awesome Tonic Mini-Snips detail scissors and the booth was mobbed when he was there. There was even a video on Facebook with us all which I will keep forever:) Here is a link if you want to take a peak. We are all very excited about the new Tim Holtz Tonic Stamp Platform which will be released in April. I saw Tim demo it and it is going to be a huge seller. I also met Paula Pascual who did a fantastic job demoing in the booth, and Jodie Johnson from the Tonic UK and Create and Craft who was so sweet and gave me a kiss on my cheek. Gary Torres who is the head of Tonic in the USA was so kind to all of us and was super super busy the whole time. There really was a buzz and excitement at the Tonic/Nuvo booth all the time and I was proud to be a part of it. 

Other highlights at this year's CHA for me included seeing Gina K's new line of foils, foil-mates, ribbons, etc. at the Therm O Web booth- I want it all! I am very intrigued by a new animated stamp line at the Uchi's Design booth and can't wait to try them. I don't have any pictures, but I was thrilled to meet Karen Burniston whose pop up dies I love and Suzanne Cannon of Quietfire Design who has just released some great new dies, stamps and stencils I can't wait to try. I also spent time with Marisa Job and Bekka Feeken of Spellbinders both of whom were so sweet and are very talented designers. Of course Marisa is also on our Tonic USA design team and it was great getting to know her. The top picture above shows my roomie Sheri Holt, Marisa and I. Sheri is on the Tonic USA DT too and we had so much fun together. I owe her a debt of gratitude for all the introductions and help she has given me. 

I was so blessed to sit next to Michelle Rose Jorgensen of Rose Mille on the plane ride from Minneapolis to Phoenix. I loved visiting with Michelle and her husband in their booth which featured vintage style Dresden trims, real glass glitter and lots of other fun papers and products. I am going to be playing and designing with her products and will be sharing here soon.

Tonic Studios Luna Embellishment Mousse Card

I am sharing a quick post today as I try to get caught up after my awesome trip to Creativation (CHA). First of all I need to say a huge thank you to my friend Gail Jaeger for allowing me to post her awesome cards while I was gone. And once I am unpacked and get my pictures organized, I will share my favorite CHA moments with you here on my blog.

This card is one I made for my daughter (whose last name is Luna) as part of a Christmas present. The cool background was created with black Nuvo Embellishment Mousse applied direct to paper with a piece of paper towel, and the stars are white Nuvo Crystal Drops. Then I simply die cut Tonic Studio's Luna moon and cat-tails and attached them to the night time sky background.

I am entering this card in the Anything Goes challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.

Day Six Guest Artist Gail Jaeger

Recently my very talented dear friend, Gail Jaeger, designed a series of six floral cards with Tonic Studios dies. While I am away at CHA Creativation, I am going to feature her cards and the descriptions she has shared. Gail is a real artist and what is most amazing about these cards is that they all feature works of art that Gail painted! After completing a painting, Gail takes a picture and then uses the photo of the painting as part of her card art. I am thrilled to feature Gail's art and cards on my blog while I am gone.

Here is what Gail shared about her art featured on this card: 

Abiqua’s Drinking Gourd is my pride and joy.  It was invited to the Museum of Wisconsin Art in New Berlin for their opening exhibit.  This piece is a mixed media piece.  The background was painted in dark shades of red and purples and set outside to dry.  It began to sprinkle, rushing outdoors to rescue my piece, I discovered that the rain drops left an interesting background. The next step was to “look and see” what was in the painting.  I saw hostas.  I then proceeded to draw and paint each leaf with colored pencil.  The leaves at the center of the painting were painted with detail and bright colors.  The background leaves are darker and less detail.

And how the card was made:

Sent With Love.  Select a shimmer gold card stock that is 8 ½ X 5 ½. The green shimmer insert is 5 ¼ X 4. On the right side of the green paper cut a heart shape using the Traditional Heart Layering Basics Die Set 1459e.  Secure the heart design paper behind the green paper and secure to the gold base.   

Using the heart die set, cut 2 gold paper (same as base paper) hearts, 2 blue shimmer paper hears and a heart design paper heart.  Refer to the photo for sizes. 

Using the gold base paper cut out the Miniature Moments Sent With Love Die 1254e.  Cut off the “love”.  Secure it along side the heart on the card face.  Refer to  photo. 

Let’s decorate the inside of the card.  First, cut a shimmer green paper heart.  Cut a Rococo Die and Stamp Set-Floral heart from the heart design paper.  Cut another sent with love die and keep the word “love”.  Secure the floral heart and “love” to the green heart and pop up onto the card.

Place a shimmer white piece of paper 4 X 5 and secure it to the inside of the card.  Please refer to the photo.  With color changes, this will make a wonderful Valentines Day Card.

Day Five Guest Artist Gail Jaeger

Recently my very talented dear friend, Gail Jaeger, designed a series of six floral cards with Tonic Studios dies. While I am away at CHA Creativation, I am going to feature her cards and the descriptions she has shared. Gail is a real artist and what is most amazing about these cards is that they all feature works of art that Gail painted! After completing a painting, Gail takes a picture and then uses the photo of the painting as part of her card art. I am thrilled to feature Gail's art and cards on my blog while I am gone.

Here is what Gail shared about the painting featured on this card:

This is a study of orange poppies. The background is left untouched so to focus on the flowers.  The poppies come from my garden as do all of my florals pieces.This is a pure watercolor so the paint is layered to give the flowers a glow. The use of water also is an important component.  With watercolors, one always begins with light color and builds depth using darker color.

And a description of how the card was made and the supplies used:

Birthday Wishes.  Using the silver glimmer paper cut a piece ½ X 4 ¼.  Using the Daisy Burst 1142e Double Detail Die Set cut one burst (cut in it in half) and a 3 flowers piece. 

Using green glimmer card stock, cut 2 pieces (2 X 5 ½) secure them to A and C on the first/horizontal labor.  Cut a Miniature Moments Birthday Wishes 1243e Die and set aside.  Cut a 1457e Mixed Edge Rectangle Layering Basics Die Set 3 X 3 ¼. Round the corners. Cut a piece ¾ X 4 ½.  Cut A Miniature Moments Birthday Wishes 1243e Die and set aside. 

Cut the floral design with the Mixed Edge Rectangle Layering Basics Die Set (2 ¾ X 3 ½).  Round the corners.  Secure the floral design to the green glimmer. 

Select a rust glitter paper and cut 2 pieces 2 ½ X 4 and secure them.  Cut another Daisy Burst, a Birthday Wishes and 3 flower die. 

Let’s put the finishing touches on the card.  Using the silver glimmer and rust glitter Daisy Burst (cut in half.)  Secure the rust over the silver leaving an edge that creates dimension.  

To create the glimmer green band that holds the card closed, cut a strip of green

2 X 11 ¾, Fold your card and slip on the band (leaving enough space to the slide the band on and off easily).  Secure it.  Take a piece of the glitter rust and cut a Miniature Moments Celebrate 1244e.  and Mixed Edge Rectangle Layering Die Set 2 ½ X 3 ¼ round the edges.  Using another floral photo (2 ¾ X 3) attach it to the rust glitter and secure it onto the band.  

There are a variety of Nuvo drops you can use to give your card that extra sparkle.  I used Nuvo Jewel Drops.  This will be a card that is bound to please.