The Greetery {Hey Honey, It's Summer!}

Hello friends! I'm thrilled to be here with a fun mini release from The Greetery called Hey Honey, It's Summer! Memorial Day is over, which means it's the unofficial start of summer and that means summer cards and projects! I'm happy to begin the season with such a fun set of products to work with; each one is a joy and I can't wait to use them all season long! Make sure to head to The Greetery Blog for a listing of all the new products with details for each one! Also, make sure to leave a comment here, and on each of the designers' blogs, for a chance to win one of two product bundles! Each bundle will include:

• Hey Honeycomb Crab, Seahorse, & Fish dies

• Hey Honeycomb Summer Sentiments stamp set

• Honeycomb Ball Heat Wave & Tricolor Tropics mixes

• Making Waves stencil, embossing folder, and die

My first card for today features the Hey Honeycomb Seahorse Die paired with the new Making Waves Die, Embossing Folder, and Stencil. To begin this card, I took a larger piece of watercolor paper and secured it to a cardboard backer with washi tape. I spritzed it with water and then added the blue watercolor paint over the top. Once I liked the color and saturation level, I quickly dried it with my heat tool, but you could definitely let it air dry if you'd like. 

Once the panel was dry, I cut it using the Making Waves Die and the largest capsule shaped die included in the Capsule Basics Die. Once that was done, I embossed it with the coordinating folder. I chose to use the more detailed stencil to add a bit of teal ink to give it more interest. I realize this is more of a "backward" way of stenciling, etc. but with the watercolor panel, I didn't want to detract from that. That being said, when it was all said and done, I ended up covering most of it up, so on my next card, I did the same thing, but left it more open so you could see it better! haha!

I used the Capsule Fixed Border Large Die for the frame and then cut it using the Pretty Picado Die. I used watercolor paper for this as well so it would have the same pretty texture as the waves. I love watercolor paper and the inexpensive variety you can buy usually has the best texture! I did add a hint of the same teal ink over portions of the frame and then adhered it over the top of the waves. I love the Mediterranean feeling it gives the card! I layered it onto a teal card base and then got to work on the seahorse.

Here you can see the seahorse with it's tummy all inflated with the tricolor tropics honeycomb ball. I cut the base of the seahorse from Sweet Blush cardstock and then added the details with Melon Berry cardstock. Both the body and the details have ink shading as well with touches of glitter!

I used the Garden Tub Filler Die to create the underwater foliage! I just love the contrast between the blues, greens, and coral colors! I added Stickles to the greenery for a more luminescent look!

I used the Hey Honeycomb Basics cut from Melon Berry cardstock with white embossing powder using the new Hey Honeycomb Summer Sentiments Stamp Set. I love all of the cute seasonal sentiments that are included in the set, along with the essentials to let the recipient know to "peel open and stick".

As promised, you can see the beautiful Making Waves suite of products a little bit better on this card AND I made the card with the honeycomb already incorporated so you can see another variety in the tricolor tropics assortment. I created this panel exactly like I did for the first card, but this time I added green, which is included in the paint set I linked earlier.

This is a 5 by 7 card so you can see how large the beautiful waves are, BUT you could definitelyl cut the top portion of the waves and use it on A2 cards as well. There is a perfect break in the design that would allow you to do this very easily. I love this pearlescent paint for underwater/sea themed cards and with the addition of the Stickles, it looks so pretty in the light.

The fish was cut from Harvest Gold cardstock, including the fins, but I added heavy handed ink to give it dimension. The honeycomb ball is secured with the adhesive tab that it comes equipped with, and some additional liquid glue for an added measure of security.

I kept this card quite simple so you could really see the waves, but I did add two sentiment from the Laid Back Basics Stamp Set which I just love! 

Everything will be available for purchase tomorrow at 10 am EDT. You can find the entire new collection HERE; links will be live tomorrow! Don't forget to head to other designers' blogs to see the cute projects they've made and leave a comment to be eligible to win one of two bundles! Thanks for fluttering by!

Caly Person

Dana Kirby

Dawn McVey

Kelly Lunceford {you are here}

Laura Bassen

Laurie Willison

Lea Lawson

Melissa Phillips

Wanda Guess

 

Papertrey Ink May Release Countdown Day 4

Welcome to day 4 of the Papertrey Ink May release countdown! My first card for today features the new Big Blooms: Elegant Rose Die. I'm also using the new Frame Worthy Die along with the new This is Big Sentiments: Welcome Stamp/Die set.

My daughter just used my last wedding card the other day, so that means I need to build up my stash again. I chose to use the "Welcome to Your Happily Ever After" sentiment along with these beautiful roses. This card only uses the smaller roses, but my next card uses the nice big bloom, hence the name Big Blooms....ha ha!

To begin, I cut the pieces I would need for the three roses, the leaves, and the accent flowers. These are from the Into the Blooms: Pressed Flowers set that I can't seem to put down. I colored them with dye ink and blender brushes and then adhered the roses using foam squares for maximum dimension. I created the frame using the new Frame Worthy Die; I cut the frame portion three times from Sweet Blush cardstock and the base from white. I added some Aqua ink and ink splatter to the center and then glued the frame down.

I foiled a panel of Hibiscus Burst cardstock using the beautiful Merry Motifs Hot Foil Plate and then put the frame in the middle and surrounded it with the flowers and foliage. The sentiment is stamped in black and then the accent portion is heat embossed in gold and attached using foam squares. A good dusting of glitter and a few sequins finish off this design!

Here you can see the large rose in comparison to the small roses. This size is nice for a bold focal point!

I decided to use another accent sentiment that could work for a wedding or any type of "new beginning".

I looked up images of real roses to get the idea for this rose; yellow with the coral edges.

These roses are really easy to put together, which I love!

My final project for today, and for the release, uses the new In Stitches Starry Sky dies. As soon as I saw these new stitching dies, I had so many ideas in mind. It was  hard for me just to stick to one, but rest assured, I will be pulling them out shortly to get to work on these other projects! My project for today is a pair of ribbon fairy/princess wands for two sweet girls in the neighborhood!

The stars are cut from one of the most traditional 5-point stars included in the set; there are some other sizes and star shapes along with different clouds as well. I cut them from Lavender Moon and Sweet Blush Felt; twice for each star and then stitched using DMC floss. I left a hole at the bottom of each star so the dowel could be added along with the polyfiber fill. 

These are 1/4 inch dowels and are the perfect size for the scale of the stars....and for little hands to grasp. I added ribbon with long tails for added whimsy and charm!

I added a jingle bell to each want and this lavender wand also got a crown charm from my stash.

I made a tag for each wand using the new Handmade With Love Stamp/Die set and the smallest die included in the Love to Layer: Whimsy Die. These were so fun to make! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Project Inspiration {Always Remember}

With Memorial Day tomorrow, I wanted to make something fitting and appropriate for the day! I will be showing you how I created this card for this weekend's Project Inspiration feature for Papertrey Ink.

This card came together in 7 steps, but six fit on the grid much better! ha ha! I will share the 7th step in the post!

I brought in some older favorites paired with a few new things to bring this card to life!

step 1: Blend Spring Rain ink around the edges of an A2 panel of Spring Rain cardstock.

Step 2: Glue the Cover Plate: Ornate diecut to the panel using liquid glue.

Step 3: Cut two Oval Frames from white cardstock and glue them together. Attach them to the background using foam squares.

Step 4: Cut the pieces for the poppies from white cardstock. Add the color using dye ink and blender brushes. Glue them together with foam squares and liquid glue and then attach them to the frame.

Step 5: cut the foliage and accent flowers and color them the same as the poppies. Arrange them on the frame using liquid glue and foam squares.

Step 6: Heat emboss the sentiment using gold powder. Cut it out and then attach it inside the frame using foam squares. Add a trio of gold drops using liquid glue.

Step 7: Apply glitter to the flowers and foliage using a two-way glue pen.

I always like to use foam squares with these large flowers to give them realistic dimension.

I toyed around with heat embossing the sentiment on Pure Poppy cardstock which could be a bold alternative.

I have been loving adding light blue and pink to my patriotic cards!

Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Papertrey Ink May Release Countdown Day 2

Hello and welcome, friends! It's the 3rd day of the Papertrey Ink May release countdown! I'm back with more patriotic inspiration using the darling new Sweet Americana Die/Stencil set.  I chose to use the cute popsicle dies to create this fun and whimsical 4th of July card!

To begin, I cut the scalloped frame using the Fantastic Front: Scalloped Frame Die from white cardstock and adhere it to an A2 panel of Pure Poppy cardstock. I also used one of the star dies that is included in the new set to create the fun star border. It cuts twelve stars at one time so it was easy to get these cut quickly. I used my gem picker and liquid glue to make quick work and I just love how it turned out!

Next, I cut the striped frame using the In Frames: Rectangle Die and again from white and glued them together for a sturdy piece. I added it to the scalloped frame using foam squares. Once that was done, I used the middle-size mat included in the new Love to Layer: Whimsy Die and cut it from Sweet Blush cardstock. I placed it in the middle of the frame for a landing spot for the popsicle. 

I cut the popsicle stick three times from Fine Linen cardstock and glued them together. I added some Vintage Photo ink around the edges. The base of the popsicle is cut from white and then the top is cut from Pure Poppy and the bottom is cut from Blueberry Sky. I have a bad habit with not planning out my sentiment ahead of time, but in this case, the white portion was the perfect spot for this sentiment, which is from the Celebrate Freedom Stamp Set. I didn't plan this ahead of time so I added it after the card was assembled, which I would NOT recommend. Stamp it before the popsicle is added to the card... ha ha!

The stars at the top of the popsicle are meant to be for the pie, but they look so cute at the top of this popsicle, so I went with it! I'm currently obsessed with the Into the Blooms: Pressed Flowers Die so I added some flowers from that set as well!

I forgot to mention earlier, but I did spritz the popsicle with shimmer spray before I added it to the card and then I added glitter to the flowers, leaves, and popsicle. 

My next card features the new Reflections: Psalm 46 Stamp/Die set and the new So Radiant Stencil Collection. I was in the mood for something warm and sunshine-y so I opted for Canyon Clay, Harvest Gold, and Lemon Tart cardstock.

To begin, I foiled a panel of Canyon Clay cardstock using the Filigree Frame Hot Foil Plate with champagne foil. I trimmed it down and added some Canyon Clay ink around the edges and then mounted it onto a top-folding A2 card base using foam squares. 

I cut the largest mat included in the new Love to Layer: Whimsy Die and added the sunrays using the So Radiant Stencil Collection with Harvest Gold ink. The sentiment is heat embossed in gold and then cut using the Reflections: Psalm 46 Outline Die.

I had a few flowers and leaves leftover from my quilt card yesterday along with a lone bee, so I added them to this card for a simply look. I also added a trio of sparkling clear sequins for sparkle and shine!

Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Papertrey Ink May Release Countdown Day 2

Welcome back for day 2 of the Papertrey Ink May release countdown! I have some fun, summery cards to share with you today using products you're sure to fall in love with! My first card for today uses the new Build-a-Bear Die set and I've paired it with the new Land That I Love Sentiments that were showcased yesterday.

I don't know if I've ever mentioned it before, but all of my boys have the same initials with RL being the first and last. Of course, the famous American designer Ralph Lauren also boasts these initials on many of his designs, so my kids have worn quite a bit of Ralph Lauren during their growing up years, including the Ralph Lauren Bear or Polo Bear, whichever you prefer!

I decided to head in that direction for this card, but the bear ended up being a girl bear in the end because the bow is just too cute! ha ha!

To begin, I cut all of the main pieces for the bear from Fine Linen cardstock and then added some Vintage Photo distress ink around the edges with a blender brush. I also darkened the foot pads and ears to completely change the color using the same ink. The sweater is cut from Dark Indigo cardstock and then the flag is cut from white, Pure Poppy, and Enchanted Evening. I popped it up using foam squares for a bit of dimension.

Rather than cutting the whites of the eyes with the included dies, I simply added white with a white paint pen. The stars and bows are also included in the die set and I cut them from Pure Poppy to bring in a bit more red! The background was created by cutting an A2 panel of Bitty Big: Blueberry Sky Color Collection pattern paper. I glued it to a top-folding A2 card base using liquid glue and then layered the Reflections: John 1 Die frame over the top.

My second card for today uses the new Quilt-It: Baby Die. There is also a coordinating stamp set to stamp the patterns on the quilt pieces, but I opted to use pattern paper for my card today. I found some old papers from My Mind's Eye that are the right scale and look "quilt-y". I cut them using the Quilt-It: Baby Die and then adhered them to a white star base from the same die set. I let that dry and got to work on the background.

I love this Reflections: John 1 Die and I felt it would be perfect to frame the quilt star. I used the same pattern papers as the quilt pieces to place behind the frame. I used foam squares to pop the frame and then glued the other pieces in place.

I took my color cues for the flowers from the pattern paper. I cut the flowers and leaves using the Into the Blooms: Wild Wood Die from white cardstock and then colored them with Pure Poppy, Harvest Gold, Ocean Tides, Spring Moss, Simply Chartreuse, and Ripe Avocado ink. I added them around the frame using liquid glue and foam squares.

I had originally started this card to be for a baby boy, but I felt it really needed some flowers, so I switched gears and added the summer sentiment using the new This is Big Sentiments: Welcome Stamp/Die set. I really love how this card turned out, even though I desperately need baby boy cards! ha ha! Thanks for fluttering by!