Hello {you've been on my mind}

As promised, I'm back today sharing some Spring inspired cards using some of the latest products from the  Pinkfresh Studio release! I've been dying to use each and every piece and I've used some of my favorites today! 

With the end of January coming to a close, I think there are a few out there that are longing for Spring! I'm still loving the beauty of snow and the joys of the winter season, but I know it's not for everyone! LOL!

As you can see, I created two similar cards using the new Layered Bouquet stamp set. This is such a fun set because of the multi-step images, but also because it is easy to use and makes a big impact on a card!

To begin these two cards, I die cut the bouquet four times using the Layered Bouquet die and then used my mini MISTI to stamp both of the bouquets. I kept two of them white and layered them together using liquid glue to create a chipboard weight piece. I also added a few Essentials: Jewels in both yellow and pink to a few of the flowers.

For this card, I used Lemon Whip and Sweet Mustard ink for the yellow tulips and then for both cards, I used Fresh Pear and Olive ink for the stems and leaves. Once they were all stamped, I set them aside and got to work on the background elements and the rest of the design details.

I die cut the new Sentiment Suite: hello die set using vellum for the bottom portion and white cardstock for the thinner "hello" portion. I also stamped the "you've been on my mind" sentiment in black onto a piece of pattern paper from the Just a Little Lovely 6 by 6 pattern paper pad that has been die cut using the Essentials: Diagonal Stitched Rectnagles die.  I love this particular pattern because it reminds me of Holland and tulips! 

Once that was done, I layered the beautiful medallion that is die cut using the Intricate Mandala die set using foam squares. From there, I was able to add the bouquet and the "hello" portion using foam squares strategically placed!

The pink version uses Ballet Slippers and Sparkling Rose ink and the same green inks as I used for the other card! The "hello" die cut ended up a little bit higher on this one, so I made sure to lower it a little on the yellow. I still like this one, too, though! Each of the focal panels are added to top folding A2 cardbases using a tape runner! Thanks for fluttering by!

Keeping Christmas {Merry Mail}

Hello and welcome to the FIRST Keeping Christmas Blog Hop of 2020!  We've got some fabulous new designers on the blog roll this year, so you'll definitely want to head to each of their blogs to see what they've created for today's hop! If you're new here and don't know what "Keeping Christmas" is, well, let me explain! This is actually the beginning of my 4th year of Keeping Christmas and the 2nd year of it being part of the blog hop! I started this series as a way to get my Christmas projects done throughout the year, rather than a mad dash during the holidays! It is so much fun because I get to use all of my Christmas stamps, papers, and supplies all year long! So...without further adieu...here are the links to the other designers' blogs and I will dive into the details of my 2 projects I've made for today's hop!

Kelly Lunceford (Creator)

 Vicki Finger

 Claire Broadwater

 Lori Tecler

 Nance Salkeld

 Nina Forsyth

 Nancy Guse

 Marybeth Lopez

 Nancy Penir

 Carol Hintermeier

I've gone with a postal theme for today's projects because I've been dying to use the Mailbox Gift Holder Die that I got during this last Christmas season and didn't get a chance to use it! I also bought the coordinating stamp set, but didn't choose to use it for today's projects since I was going for a more vintage feel!

I created 3 mailbox gift card holders and 6 "Letters to Santa" gift tags for today using the same mix of papers, which were a gift from my sister so I'm not sure of the manufacturer. 

Let's talk about the tags first; these are actually a slightly different variation of a tag that I made a few years ago, but I used the LAST one this past Christmas and they were a favorite of mine!  I also purchased these cute Santa die cuts during this past holiday season and tucked them away since I didn't have time to use them! They are the perfect addition to these tags!

To begin these tags, I used my favorite envelope template from Martha By Mail that I got in the early 2000's. It's kind of crazy to think it is 20 years old, but that is the reality, isn't it? Anyway, I traced the envelopes 3 times each; twice for the tags, and once for the mailbox out of each of the three pattern papers. Once that was done, I hand cut them and folded them making sure to crease the edges with my bone folder.

The only adhesive I used to secure them is one foam square under the flap. I also used an additional foam square to add to the North Pole "seal". All of the stamped images are from one of my most favorite stamp sets; Santa Stationery. It has been a favorite for years and makes an appearance every year!

I heat embossed 6 of the seals in silver onto black cardstock and stamped 3 of the seals in Pure Poppy ink onto cream cardstock. I used a 1 inch circle punch to punch them out. I also heat embossed the "official letter to Santa" and the "please send to the North Pole" sentiments in silver onto the flap of the envelopes.

I stamped the checklist portion of the tag onto cream cardstock as well but noticed when I was finished with the tags that I used the wrong stamp; I wanted them to say "You've been" rather than "I've been" ! I was so bugged but had already added the holly berry embellishment using hot glue AND the red eyelets and twine! Ugh! Oh well! The mailboxes have the right sentiment, so there's that! LOL! The finishing touch is the addition of the Santa die cuts using additonal foam squares!

I got the sentiment right on these, though! Ha ha! Each mailbox is die cut twice out of the same pattern paper that I used on the tags. Wouldn't a plaid mailbox like this be so cute out on the street? LOL!

The letters are created  the same way that I did for the tags, but I omitted the Santa die cut. I also added a bow embellishment that my sister gave me last holiday season as well, and once again, I didn't have time to use them! That's why I love Keeping Christmas so much because I have time all year long!

You can see the beautiful silver detail on the pattern paper and that was the reason why I chose to use silver embossing powder. For my last set of tags, I used gold so it was nice to switch things up!

I had so much fun working on today's projects and I can't wait to pull them out in December! I store all of my projects throughout the year in my storage room under the stairs. I put the 3D items in boxes and store the cards in plastic totes. For those of you who visit regularly, you might remember the flood I had a few years ago that damaged a lot of my stash. So...I really should be better about keeping it ALL in plastic totes, but I don't! LOL!  Thanks for fluttering by!

Pinkfresh Studio January 2020 Stamp and Die Release Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the Pinkfresh Studio January 2020 Stamp and Die Release! There are so many AMAZING products being released today and I've just used the tip of the iceberg! I will be using these stamps and dies quite a bit next week so make sure to stop by to see more samples using all of these incredible products!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

You'll also want to make sure you head to the other amazing designers' blogs to see how they've used these products!

Pinkfresh Studios is giving away the entire release to two lucky winners: one from the Pinkfresh Studios Blog and one on the Instagram page @pinkfreshstudio

Pinkfresh Studio is also giving away a $25 gift certificate to one lucky commenter on my blog, so make sure to leave a comment here today to be eligible to win!

There is also a US Shipping promo going on now....simply place an order of $100 or more and you will receive FREE shipping! Wahoo! Just remember to click on the "free shipping" method at checkout!

For today's card, I chose to use a couple of the new stamps/dies paired together to create a one-of-a-kind design! To begin, I die cut the BEAUTIFUL new Foliage Frame Inset Die twice using white cardstock and glued them together using liquid glue. I set that aside and got to work on the focal panel.

I cut a piece of cardstock to 4 inches by 5 1/4 inches and did some inkblending around the perimeter using a blender brush. I also added some ink splatter using the same ink and a paint brush. Once that was done, I added the foliage piece using additional liquid glue.

I chose to use the "Live life in full Bloom" sentiment from the Full Bloom stamp set and used my MISTI to get it lined up perfectly in the recesses of the foliage. After that was done, I got to work on the beautiful stems and flowers.

I stamped the greenery from the Wildflower Sketches stamp set in Fresh Pear ink and the various blooms in Raspberry Bliss, Marigold and Lavendar ink.

I used the coordinating Wildflower Sketches die collection to die cut each of the stamped images. I really love these dies because they are SO easy to use! They line up perfectly and leave a perfect border! Once they were all cut, I added them to the card front using foam squares for added dimension.

The finishing touch is a few of the beautiful Essentials Jewels added here and there for some shine and interest! The focal panel is added to a top folding A2 card base using foam squares. I had so much fun putting this springy card together! Remember to stop back next week to see additional designs made with this release! Thanks for fluttering by!

SugarPea Designs Sweet Peek Week Day 5

Hello and welcome to the 5th and final day of the SugarPea Designs Sweet Peek Week! This week has been so much fun with so many amazing products that are on sale NOW! I'm feeling some heartbreak as this week is coming to a close because I am saying goodbye to my SugarPea Designs family which has meant so much to me over these last few years! This will be my last release with the team, but I will still be sharing fresh inspiration using all of the previously released sets as I make cards for friends and family! So...today's card has extra special meaning for me...I am SO lucky to have made so many friends throughout this journey and I can't say thank you to Wendy enough! Make sure you head to the other designers' blogs to see how they've used today's amazing products!

SugarPea Designs

Amy Kolling

Becky Pearce

Kara Pogreba

Kelly Lunceford

Nicole Vögeli

Simonne Clay 

Tatiana Trafimovich 

Tricia Barber
Vera Yates

I couldn't resist bringing back this cutie from the new Pandamonium stamp set to accent the new Friendship Sentiments and Friends Words with Shadows SugarCuts. 

To begin this design, I die cut the new Interlocking Circles SugarCut twice; once from Kraft and once from White cardstock and glued them together with liquid glue. 

Once that was done, I used the new Laurel Leaves Stencil to create the green leaves using Bundled Sage Distress Oxide ink. I layered that onto the scalloped panel using adhesive and then added the circle portion using additional liquid glue. From there, I was able to add the heat embossed "I'm lucky to have you" portion of the sentiment and the die cut "friend" word using foam squares.

The cute little Panda is the finishing touch perched there at the bottom! A few sparkling sequins finish off this design! Thanks for fluttering by!

SugarPea Designs Sweet Peek Week Day 4

Welcome to day 4 of the SugarPea Designs Sweet Peek Week! What has been your favorite so far? We've got some fun products that the team is showcasing today so make sure to head to each of the designers' blogs to see the creative ways they've used everything!

SugarPea Designs

Amy Kolling

Becky Pearce

Kara Pogreba

Kelly Lunceford

Nicole Vögeli

Simonne Clay 

Tatiana Trafimovich 

Tricia Barber
Vera Yates

I was feeling a little intimidated by the main image in the Jukebox Jive stamp set so I decided to head to Google to give me a few ideas on how a Jukebox should actually look. I found one and patterned my colors off of it.

I love all of the companion images and sentiments included in this set! They really help pull the 50's vibe together! I used the coordinating Jukebox Jive SugarCuts to die cut everything! There's also an AMAZING new die cut collection (picture below) called Rock and Roll Jukebox SugarCuts so you can put together a die cut jukebox! I can't wait to try it out!

Join me again tomorrow for the 5th and final day of the Sweet Peek Week! Thanks for fluttering by!

SugarPea Designs Sweet Peek Week Day 3

Well friends, we're halfway through the SugarPea Designs Sweet Peek Week and I just love today's sneak peeks! Today the team will be showcasing a fabulous new stamp set, stencil and stand-alone die!

SugarPea Designs

Amy Kolling

Becky Pearce

Kara Pogreba

Kelly Lunceford

Nicole Vögeli

Simonne Clay 

Tatiana Trafimovich 

Tricia Barber
Vera Yates

This new Pandamonium stamp set is just as sweet as can be and is perfect for those of us who don't have the best coloring skills! wink wink! 

To begin this fun design, I used the new Geotrihex Stencil with some Distress Oxide inks to create the background. Once that was done, I die cut the Bamboo Garden SugarCut twice from Kraft cardstock. I used foam squares between each layer give it a dimensional look.

I stamped the hearts, which are from the Sentiments of Love stamp set, and the "I love you this much" in the open space. Of course I had to use the cute bear holding his arms open wide to demonstrate just how much he loves the recipient!

The bears were stamped and then die cut using the Pandamonium SugarCuts and added to the card with additional foam squares. I added the blended panel to a piece of Kraft cardstock that is die cut using the Card Front Element Builder SugarCuts . I love the detail it adds to the edges of my cards. Join me again tomorrow for day 4 of the Sweet Peek Week! Thanks for fluttering by!