18 Carrot Friendship {Happy Easter}

I can't believe Easter is on Sunday! It feels like it has arrived so quickly this year! I couldn't let the special day go by without creating a card with this absolutely DARLING stamp set from Pink and Main. This is one of those must-have stamp sets for me and I bought it back in January when it came out and FINALLY took the time to create with it! I adore the sweet bunnies and chicks and I have really missed coloring! 

To begin, I used the 18 Carrot Friendship Die to cut all of the pieces out. I cut a few extra eggs so I could use them as fillers if needed. Once that was done, I used the 18 Carrot Friendship Stamp Set to stamp the images in black. I had to run some errands, so I just left them to dry because I absolutely hate when I go to color the images and the black ink smears! Ugh!

When I got home, I colored the images using OLO Markers, along with a few Copic and Prismacolor markers to blend colors. I also have a cheap Caliart set that I used as well. I have found that the key with the cheap sets is to make a color chart (or fill in the one that comes with it) because the caps never show the true color. I only have a few sets of the OLO markers, so the extra colors come in handy to provide shading if need be.

It was so fun and therapeutic to color and I really need to do it more often. My daughter asked me the other day which companies I used to make critter cards for and I told her neither company is currently making stamps, but I really need to create with them more often because they're so cute and I miss coloring!

I added some white pen detailing, glitter, and a touch of gold on the pink egg with polka dots.  

I kept things simple and just added the images to one of the beautiful mats that you can create using the Eyelet Layer Frames. I cut it from white and then added some Seafoam Ink and splatter to the center of the mat using a blender brush and paint brush. I set the scene and then committed using foam squares. I layered it up onto a panel of Pale Peony cardstock and a white card base.

I had a few images left over so I added them to the inside along with another sentiment. I am seriously perplexed because by the time I was finished with the majority of the card, my stamp set up and vanishes so I couldn't use one of the included sentiments. I opted to use the Simple Spring Mini Sentiments Stamp Set for the sentiment on the front and this one on the inside.

I had so much fun creating this card and while I normally like to make religious Easter cards, this one was such a joy and a delight! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Project Inspiration {He Is Risen}

It's my turn for this weekend's Project Inspiration feature for Papertrey Ink! I thought I'd sneak in one more Easter card before the big day, but that actually isn't true, because I sat down yesterday to make ANOTHER! haha! Easter and spring are so special and wonderful so it's hard not to keep creating!

This card uses a good mix of old and new stamps and dies, but I love how it turned out! 

Follow along with me as I show you how to create this card in six easy steps!

Step 1: Foil a panel of white cardstock using the Framed in Flowers Hot Foil Plate with silver foil. Cut it out using the Rounded Rectangles: Pierced Die. It is the perfect size to cut around the foiling. Add some ink blending to the panel using Lilac Grace, Aqua Mist, Harvest Gold, Pale Peony, and Berry Sorbet ink.

Step 2: Cut the window using the Stained Glass Window Die three times and glue them together. I used woodgrain cardstock for the top layer for added detail. Glue it to the foiled panel using liquid glue.

Step 3: Heat emboss the sentiment in silver using the Just Sentiments: Easter Mini Stamp Set on a strip of vellum and secure it to the back of the panel using clear tape or the adhesive of your choice.

Step 4: Cut the flowers and foliage using the Into the Blooms: Spring Basket Die and the Simply Birds Die from white cardstock. Color them with dye inks and blender brushes. Arrange them around the window and add glitter.

Step 5: Cut the cross three times from Kraft cardstock using the The Bigs Easter Sentiments Die and glue them together. Stamp the cross image on the top one (before you glue them together) using the The Bigs Easter Sentiments Stamp Set and vintage photo distress ink. Tuck it slightly behind the vellum and secure with adhesive.

Step 6: Cut the frame twice from woodgrain cardstock using the Border Bling: Skinny Vees Frame Die and glue them together. Add some Aqua Mist ink and Hawaiian Shores ink splatter over the top. Glue it to a top-folding A2 card base using liquid glue and then add the focal panel over the top using foam squares.

I did add some marker splatter to the lilies and the pink flowers for added detail.

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Papertrey Ink {You are My Happy Place}

Hello friends! I wanted to pop in today to share the card I made for the Papertrey Ink Instagram hop yesterday! This is actually the card I had envisioned making for the countdown, but I went in a different direction. I love how that previous card turned out, but it was so fun to create the card I had been envisioning and planning!

All of the new products are now available, including the darling Country Rooster Die and coordinating stencil. I certainly didn't think I was going to fall in love with this die set like I have, but here we are! haha!

This card is inspired by the farm animals plate set from Rifle Paper Co. with the French country colors, scallops, and rooster, of course! To begin this card, I die cut the scalloped frame using the Fantastic Front: Scalloped Frame Die from True Black cardstock. It's hard to see in the photos, but I also cut another frame using the In Frames: Rectangles Die from the same black cardstock. You can see the pierced detail on the upper righthand corner. I layered the two frames together using black foam squares. I trimmed a piece of white cardstock slightly larger than the opening of the frame and did some quick leaf stenciling using the new Stems & Blooms Stencil Collection. This is another unexpected favorite from this release and I feel like I just need to keep these near my desk to add quick details to cards!

The flowers and foliage are from the new Simply Birds Die with the exception of the yellow flowers; those are from the new Into the Blooms: Spring Basket Diet hat was featured on day 4 of the countdown! I cut everything from white cardstock and then colored them with dye inks and blender brushes. Once that was done, I glued the pieces together, spritzed them with fossilized amber distress oxide spray and then set them aside to dry. The red flowers also got some navy marker splatter using a color-spritzing tool.

The rooster is also cut from white and colored the same way as the flowers and leaves. I did add the stenciling to the body of the rooster using the Country Rooster Stencil Collection. There are three different patterns included in the collection for versatility. The bow is also from the Into the Blooms: Spring Basket Die and gives this rooster a little bit of whimsy; putting on some springtime finery! I also added a dot of marker for the eye; just a quick job with a fine-tip Sharpie!

The focal panel is adhered to an A2 panel of Blueberry Sky cardstock using liquid glue. I also added some white paint splatter and glitter for additional detailing. The sentiment is from the Just Sentiments: You're on My Mind Stamp Set and is stamped in black and then cut using the Just Tags Die. I secured it to the side of the frame using black foam squares. I mounted it all to a top-folding A2 card base using liquid glue. I had so much fun creating this card and I'm glad I got the idea out of my brain! haha! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

The Greetery {Welcome Baby}

 

Hello and welcome! I'm happy to be here today sharing a baby card and coordinating tag to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Baby Rose! I’ve been invited to a baby shower for a lady who has SIX boys…yes, SIX! She has been wanting a baby girl since forever and she’s finally getting her girl! Since she’s naming her baby Rose, I thought it only fitting to embrace it and create a rose-themed baby card and tag!

Since I knew the card would be rose-themed, I went straight for the Birth Month Blooms Cuttables, found the rose and coordinating Birth Month Blooms Q2 Die. I considered stamping the rose out, but this was a time-saver. If I was creating multiples of something, I would definitely do stamping instead. I created a gingham mat for the rose using some pink gingham pattern paper cut using the Capsule Basics Die. I used the Folk Heart Sentiments Stamp Set to add the “Welcome Baby” stamped in black. It’s also hard not to want to add Capsule Filigree Borders to everything, so why resist? I added the border cut from Vintage Cream cardstock using liquid glue.

I’m still loving the convenience and ease of the Capsule Fixed Borders Small Die; I cut it from white and then added the stamping to coordinate with the colors of the rose using the Capsule Collection Floral Borders Stamp Set. This is the perfect frame for the rose focal point and provides additional feminine detail to elevate the design. The Sweetest Frames Capsule Edition Stamp Set and Die embossed in gold  give it the perfect landing spot.

Next, I cut another border from yellow gingham cardstock using the Capsule Fixed Borders Large Die. It is a creamy, pale yellow to add warmth, without competing with the pink gingham used on the focal layer. I gave it a touch more detail by adding the pattern using the Thankful & Blessed Stamp. From there, I cut the base layer using the Capsule Basics Die from Vintage Cream cardstock. I also embossed it using the Capsule Basics Embossing Folder. From there, it was simply a matter of layering everything together to complete the design. I did create a capsule base for the card and stamped a sentiment on the inside as well.

The tag was created by choosing one of the beautiful prints included in the Capsule Valentine Gallery Prints. There were more than enough rose options, so I simply chose the one that coordinates nicely with the card AND allows room for a stamped sentiment. I just love how perfectly the Folk Heart Sentiments Stamp works for the card and the tag! I added another cream filigree border and some “hardware” cut using the Hang It Up Die from gold cardstock.

I did add both the large and small bows included in the Regency Bow No 2 Die; the large with some ink shading on the card, and the small on the tag. I’m happy with how this turned out! I have some sewing projects to get started on for Baby Rose, but I’m happy to have the card and tag all made! I hate running out of time and skimping on the card, especially since people think of me as the "card lady”! ha ha! I’m actually making a point to build up my baby card stash since it has dwindled. Thanks for fluttering by!

Papertrey Ink March Release Countdown Day 4

Welcome back for the 4th and final day of the Papertrey Ink March release countdown! Everything will be available for purchase tomorrow, so mark your calendars and set your alarm! As I mentioned yesterday, I have another big post for you today sharing three cards using the new Into the Blooms: Spring Basket Die and the final card features the darling new Cookie Swap: Spring Die! If you fell in love with the Christmas and Halloween sets, you're sure to love this one as well! In fact, it might be my favorite so far!

The new Into the Blooms: Spring Basket die features two different options for the "basket" portion. My first card shows it in its simplest form; the basket is cut from Fine Linen cardstock and then the outer ring is glued over the top. I will be showing another option that allows you to weave the slats through the frame for a bit more depth and detail.

I used the loop hanger for this card and the ribbon/bow option on another card so you can see the different choices. The flowers and foliage in this set are phenomenal and I'll be using these all the time, I can tell!

For the background, I used the stencils included in the Elegant Notes Stationery Kit. These are favorites of mine and I love using them for quick backgrounds for all types of cards!

The sentiments are from the new This is Big Sentiments: Spring Stamp/Die set! I added some white gel pen details along with some colored pencil details to enhance the flowers!

My  next card uses the bow and the woven slats that I mentioned earlier! I cut the pieces for the basket from white wood grain cardstock and then wove them though the hoop. To make sure I lined the slats up correctly, I simply placed it over the die I used on the first card and then slid them in place.

This card has more of a country/cottage core feeling with the colors and plaid paper.

The background is created by cutting an A2 panel of Blueberry Sky cardstock using the Border Bling: Tin Stitch Die. I also cut a frame using the Border Bling: Skinny Embossed Frame Die from the same cardstock and then glued it over the top using liquid glue.

I cut a strip of Bitty Big: Blueberry Sky pattern paper and glued it in the middle of the background panel using liquid glue. Once that was done, I layered the mat that is cut using the Love to Layer: Lovely Bracket Die and then added the basket over the top.

The sentiment is heat embossed using white powder and cut using the Just Tags Die. I layered it with foam squares in the middle of the basket.

I covered up the sentiment with a post-it note and then gave the front a light splatter of white acrylic paint.

This card uses the florals and bow on their own! They are so beautiful and can be used on all types of cards for many different occasions!

I used the smallest bird included in the Simply Birds Die as the focal point for this card along with one of the beautiful sentiments in the Praying For You Sentiments II Stamp Set.

The background is Winter Wisteria cardstock with some Amethyst Allure ink blended around the edges for added depth.

I spritzed the flowers and foliage with speckled egg distress oxide spray before adding them to the card.

I used the In Frames: Circles Die for the frame to secure the flowers and for the focal point for the bird.

I added details with a white gel pen to the berries and purple flowers.

My final card for today and for the release is just as springy as it can be! I used the previously released Cookie Swap Die for the cookie sheet, oven mitt, spatula, plate, and rolling pin! I had fun cutting and coloring all of the pieces for the cookies!

I heat embossed the spring sentiment, which is from the Just Sentiments: Welcome Spring, in white directly onto the cookie sheet.

I added some flower details to the cookies using flowers that are cut using the Into the Blooms: Wild Wood Die. I tucked some foliage from the same set here and there as well.

I think I may have mentioned this before recently, but sometimes I opt for spring sentiments rather than Easter, because I never know if I will get the time to deliver the Easter cards before the big day arrives! If I use a spring sentiment, I have all season long! ha ha!

Whew! That was quite a bit to share! Everything will be available for purchase tomorrow! Thanks for fluttering by!