Pinkfresh Studio {Hold on to your Hope}

Hi friends! I'm over on the Pinkfresh Studio Blog today sharing these two cards of happiness and hope! I've been creating so many seasonal cards recently, it felt good to switch gears to create these using the Folk Hummingbird Stamp Set. I hadn't had a chance to use it yet and I can tell I will be using it often!

I've been on a dry embossing kick so I decided to use it on today's cards as well.I used the Folklore Die to dry emboss the two panels and then spritzed them with Shimmer Spray. I set them aside to dry and stamped and colored the images that I would be using. I die cut them using the coordinating Folk Hummingbird Die Collection and set them aside.

I die cut two of the Essentials: Inverted Stitched Scallop circles and one of the large circle so that I could stamp this beautiful sentiment from the No One Compares to You stamp set. I did some inkblending around the perimeter using the new Ocean Breeze ink pad for a hint of soft color.

 I also added some white details to the colored images using a white gel pen. It is a simple way to add some extra interest to your images.

I adhered everything to the dry embossed panels using foam squares. The panels are adhered to A2 top folding card bases using additional foam squares for added dimension.

This sentiment is from the Folk Hummingbird stamp set and is stamped in black and adhered underneath the circle. I added a trio of Essentials Jewel Mix to each card using liquid glue for extra sparkle and shine!

I added some ink splatter here and there for some added interest. I had so much fun creating these two designs! Thanks for fluttering by!

Layton's Legacy {Holding you in my Heart}

Today I am honored to be participating with SugarPea Designs in the fundraiser and card drive for Layton's Legacy. Please head to the the link to read all about this moving and worthwhile cause founded by my friend, Lea Lawson! October is  Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness month, and October 15th is what many in the loss world call Wave of Light. It is a public way to share the memory of your lost pregnancies and/or babies. You can get all of the information for the fundraiser and card drive HERE.

The card I created for this year's card drive will be mailed to Lea for her to donate to a local hospital for them to distribute to mothers in the maternity ward. I wanted to keep it simple and comfortable, yet pretty. As I pondered what I would create and the sentiment I would use, my thoughts flashed back to my own experience of pregnancy loss. While I can't compare my situation with Lea's or anyone else for that matter, I can still feel the pain and extreme sadness that I felt all those years ago. I received a touching card from my Sister In Law that was specifically created for miscarriage. I wish I could remember what it said, but unfortunately, I can't. I do remember that the gesture touched my heart tremendously. Lea wants these cards to be sensitive, so I picked this "holding you in my heart" sentiment from the Heartfelt Sympathy stamp set because it is simple, yet heartfelt without too many words.

My card design evolved from this particular sentiment and that is why I chose to use the heart that is included in the Postage Stamp SugarCut Collection. I die cut it twice and glued it together for a weightier piece. The background was created by dry embossing the Leaf Cover Plate and adhering it to a standard top folding card base. 

I added the heart to the embossed background using foam squares. The sentiment is stamped in black and notched at the end for detail and interest. I layered that over the heart using foam squares as well.

The flowers, which are from the Meadow Motifs stamp set, are stamped in black and then colored using an assortment of alcohol markers. I die cut them using the Meadow Motifs SugarCuts and added them to the card using foam squares. I also added some details using a white gel pen.

I used a 2 way glue pen on the leaves and some of the petals and then added some coarse crystal glitter for some shine.

A few sparkling clear sequins finish off this simple design! Thanks for fluttering by!

P.S. I  will be sharing another card in honor of this occasion this month, so stay tuned!

Pinkfresh Studio Ink Pad Release Blog Hop

I'm so excited for today's awesome blog hop! Today is the release of the Pinkfresh Studio Ink Pads! There are 48 beautiful and amazing colors that you are sure to fall in love with! You can see them all HERE ! Before I dive into my projects, there's some information I'd like to tell you about before I begin!

Pinkfresh Studios will be giving away the full 48 set to one lucky winner on their Facebook page and the full set of mini cubes on their Instagram page. Also, one of you will be eligible to win a 25 dollar gift card by commenting here on my blog. You will need to check the giveway page and claim your prize within two weeks.

Pinkfresh Studio will also be offering Free Shipping on orders of $100 d0llars or more within the United States. Wahoo!

There is a full line up of talent and inspiration on this HUGE blog hop to celebrate this epic release!

Pinkfresh Studio Blog

Amanda- Jayne Baldwin

Anett Gelencser

Angelica Conrad

Ashley Horton

Caly Person

Cathy Zielske

Channin Pelletier

Elsie Robinson

Emily Midgett

Erica Thompson

Heather Hoffman

Ivana Camdzic

Jana Maiwald-McCarthy

Jessica Frost Ballas

Jung AhSang

Kelly Lunceford {you are here}

Kristina Pokazenievia

Laura Bassen

Lea Lawson

Missy Whidden

Natasha Valkovskaya

Nathalie DeSousa

Nichol Spohr

Rebecca Luminarias

TaeEun Yoo

Vicky Papaioannou

Yasmin Diaz

Zsoka Marko

Vincenza Zudor

I'm in full-on holiday crafty mode so I'm sharing some Christmas designs using lots of the new holiday products paired with these gorgeous new ink pads! To begin these two designs, I die cut 4 wreaths using the new Layered Wreath Die. I didn't line the inside die up in the same place each time so that I would get 4 different wreaths so they could be layered together in a natural and organic looking way.

Once the wreaths were die cut, I blended some Meadow and Evergreen ink all over them to get the desired look I was going for. I added some white paint splatter over the top for a snowy look. Once that was dry, I added some Red Nuvo drops to mimic berries.

I set those aside to dry and got to work on the letters; I die cut two of each required letter using the Kelly Alpha Upper Dies and then glued them together to create weightier pieces. 

I dry embossed the lacy detail on the sides of two white panels using the Essentials: Lacey Edgers 1 die collection. I love the hint of detail it adds while keeping the cards crisp and clean looking.

I glued the wreaths to the center of each of the white panels using liquid glue. Once that was done I was ready to add the letters. The ones that touch the wreath are just glued using liquid glue. The letters that are in the center of the wreaths are adhered using tiny pieces of foam squares for height.

I used the new Candy Apple ink to stamp the sentiment, which is from the new Merry Days stamp set, onto a white strip and notched the ends with scissors. I love how crispy and juicy these INK PADS are!

On this card, I added the sentiment strip right across the "O" in the word JOY.  The finishing touch to both cards are a few green jewels from the Essentials Jewel Mix. They are the perfect shade of green to accent these ink blended wreaths. I layered the white panels onto red top folding A2 card bases using foam squares for dimension. I absolutely loved creating these two holiday designs! Thanks for fluttering by!

Ink to Paper October Release Countdown Day 4

Well friends, today is the 4th and final day of the Ink to Paper October Release Countdown! Today the team is showcasing some fun sentiments, dies and this beautiful set called Christmas Florals! It complements the entire release so wonderfully!

Both cards I'm sharing today use the exact same stamp sets and dies. On this first card, I used the new To Die For Sentiments; Be Merry! I die cut it twice and glued them together. Once that was done, I was able to angle it on the card like I wanted and then aligned  the Inside Greetings sentiment into my mini MISTI. I removed the die cut portion and then stamped it a few times for a crisp result.

I die cut and stamped most of the images from the new Christmas Florals stamp set and arranged them above and below the sentiments and then added some glitter and sequins.

This next card uses the new Joyful die and another one of the Inside Sentiments: Blessed Beyond Measure.

I used foam squares and liquid glue to adhere all of the greenery and berries. The sequins are adhered using liquid glue. The glitter is added using a 2 way glue pen.

These cards are a little less layered than I normally make, but I love how they turned out! I hope you've enjoyed the countdown! Remember, everything will be available for purchase on October 15th at 10 pm EST. Thanks for fluttering by!

Spellbinders October Large and Small Die of the Month

Have you seen this month's Spellbinders Large and Small dies of the month? They are so much fun; I'm sharing both today on two seasonal cards that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

First up are two card using the Large Die of the Month called Fall Flora! This is such a beautiful collection of dies I know I will be using it year after year! 

To begin these two designs, I die cut the pumpkins and added some ink blending around the bottom for some detail, shadow, and dimension. I set those aside and die cut the "thanks" word that is included in the set out of gold specialty paper.

I love the little label that the pumpkin is adhered to; you can use it as a solid piece OR add the pierced detail/frame like I did on today's cards. I layered all of that onto a piece of Kraft cardstock that is die cut using the Nestabilities dies.

I love that the flower dies come separately so that you can die cut them from different colors of cardstock. I layered them onto the green vines using a 2 way glue pen.

The gingham pattern paper pairs nicely with this earthy autumn design!

Next up is the Small Die of The Month called Home for the Holidays and is just as sweet as can be! I'm so in love with this cute vintage gal bearing her perfectly wrapped gift! I kept these two cards VERY  clean and simple because I didn't want anything to distract from these cuties!

I was thrilled to discover that the vintage wrapping paper prints that my sister gave me were the perfect thing for these two vintage dresses!

I die cut all of the pieces and then got to work assembling these little ladies! The sentiment, which fits perfectly with the vintage vibe, is stamped at the top and then the die cuts are added using foam squares.

I had so much fun working on these seasonal cards! Thanks for fluttering by!

Ink To Paper October Release Countdown Day 3

Welcome to day 3 of the Ink to Paper October release countdown! How have you been enjoying the other 2 days! I hope you're liking all of the new products as much as I am! Today the festivities continue with some "frosty" products that are so much fun!

First up is the new Go-To Gift Card Holder: Snow Globe. I chose to use the smaller version on a card front rather than a gift card holder, but I'll be showing a gift card holder down below, so stay tuned. To begin this Winter Wonderland card, I dry embossed the On the Border: Splendid Snowflakes frame die using an embossing mat and my die cutting machine. I also die cut the snow globe pieces as well. the base is die cut 3 times and then glued together using liquid glue.

I used Faded Jeans and Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide ink to add some ink blending around the dry embossed panel as well as the snow glove. I added some white paint splatter on both pieces for that organic snowy look that I love so much.

The sentiment is stamped onto a piece that was die cut using the new stitched layers die collection and added to the top of the snow globe. I added some heat embossed snowflakes from the It's a Sign: Holiday sentiments stamp set. The centers each have a sparkling clear rhinestone for some sparkle and shine.

I almost stopped at that point, but decided to warm things up with some of the leftover bits from day 1. I added three different clusters of greenery and berries to add some extra detail!

The finishing touch is tinsel glitter sprinkled around the sentiment panel and all of the greenery and berries. It's perfect for this icy design!

Next up are a few projects using the new Go-To Gift Card Holder: Snowman and the new Snowman Accessories stamp set. This looks like a card, but it really is a gift card holder. These are quite the ingenious little dies that will allow you to slide a gift card down the back. This uses the large snowman in the collection that you need for the gift card. It also has a smaller snowman for use on card fronts and such.

For these gift card holders, you will need to die cut two for each one. You can decorate the front as you like and then the back incorporates the "slit"and the gift card portion. I did some inkblending on the front using Faded Jeans and Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide ink.

You can see the gift card portion in this photo; it has the portion for you to easily slide a card into and tuck in the back. You will want to do the back part before you add the scarf because the scarf in front hides the thick top portion of the gift card holder.

Once the ink blending was done, I spritzed both snowmen with Frost Shimmer Spray. I also stamped the sentiment using black ink. The wreath is from the "Framing Florals: Christmas stamp set that was showcased yesterday. I had some bits and bobs left so I used them on these gift card holders.

I added some twig arms using the branch from the previously released Birdie stamp set and the coordinating Birdie Die Collection. I stamped the carrot nose and added it using foam squares. the eyes are Black Nuvo Drops, but the Snowman Accessories stamp set has two sizes of eyes and two smiles as well.

Next up is one of my favorite gifts to give during the winter months, especially for Christmas and this sentiment is a perfect companion to showcase this gift. I love making handmade handwarmers each year to give to friends and neighbors.

The Tent Style Packaging die is the perfect size to package up this set of handwarmers.

This is the smaller snowman and he fits perfectly on the front. I also added some snow using the In the Meadow Die Collection to give it some extra detail.

This little guy also got some twiggy arms but cut smaller since the snowman is smaller. I was actually able to get both the large and small snowman's twigs from two branches.

I had so much fun working on this fun little gift! 

I've been listening to Christmas music while I have been doing all of my projects this week and "Frosty the Snowman" happened to come on a few times. I thought it would be fun to just focus on "that old silk hat"! This sentiment is perfect to add to a tag and top it off with the hat.

I die cut the Tag Creations: Modern Gift Die using the Candy Cane Prints pattern paper and then added the die cut "bows" that are included in the die collection.

The hats are embellished with the same die collection for easy detail! I added some tinsel glitter to the holly and berries for a festive touch.

I'm loving these new snowflakes so I thought it would be a fun touch to add to the side of the tags as well as a few sparkling clear sequins. I added some Pure Poppy Baker's Twine to the holes of the tags. I had so much fun working on everything for today! I am so well stocked for Christmas and it's not even Halloween! LOL! Thanks for fluttering by!