Tuesday, February 4, 2025

The Greetery {Posted with Love}

 

Hello friends! I'm happy to here today sharing a fun, seasonal project for Valentine’s Day! I have been dying to make some love themed postal boxes and with a few new additions from the Bibliophile Collection, I am just thrilled with how these came out!

To begin, I used theArch Box Large Die to cut out the pieces I would need for the two boxes; one pink and one red. I added some tone-on-tone shading with coordinating ink to give the edges some dimension. I also die cut the accent pieces using the Post Box Details Die and added the same ink shading. I set those aside and got to work on the embossed postal elements.

I used a few of the non-Christmas images included in the North Pole Post Stamp Set. I knew these would come in handy when creating post boxes for other holidays or occasions! I used the coordinating North Pole Post Die to cut out the embossed sentiments and put them with the other pieces I’d already prepared.

I die cut the largest heart and border from the Nordic Hearts Die from both pink and red cardstock and then layered them using foam squares. I chose two different sentiments for the center of the hearts for variety. Once that was done, I used all of the prepared pieces to decorate the front of the post boxes using foam squares and liquid glue.

As soon as I saw the Have a Spine: Lock and Key Die, I knew the cute heart lock and keys would be perfect on the post boxes! I die cut the lock that is included in the Post Box Details Die for one of the boxes and the heart lock and key for the other. These details are die cut from Antique Gold cardstock as well as the Fancy Feet, which I adhered at the very end.

Once the front was decorated, I used ScorTape to assemble the boxes and then added the feet. I was tempted to leave them as-is, but I just couldn’t resist adding a few details from the Sent with Love Die and a few clusters of flowers created from the Winter Medley Die. These little accents just really make such a difference with the overall look and they are just so fun to create!

Each time I create with the Arch Box Large, I am so impressed with the size because it can hold more than other treat boxes I have made in the past. I can’t wait to fill these up with some Valentine’s Day treats and gifts to give to the special people in my life! Thanks for fluttering by!

Friday, January 24, 2025

The Greetery {I Will Give You Rest}

 


Hello and welcome, friends! It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone, but here we are ushering in 2025! I hope your new year is off to a wonderful start, full of new possibilities and fresh outlooks on your life! As 2024 came to a close, my heart filled with sadness for the many friends who mentioned 2024 was a difficult year for them. My card today uses a sentiment that is so fitting for each of them, and all of us, really! The Strength For Today stamp/die set continues to be a favorite of mine and I find myself reaching for it often! 

To begin this card, I created the background using the Ribbon Maker: Large Scallops Die by die cutting it twice from pink cardstock. I used the edges of the second one to use on the sides and then layered one down the center. I adhered them to a Grey Kraft A2 panel using foam squares for dimension.

I used the Winter Medley Die to create all of the tiny flower clusters. I know I use these quite often, but they are just so cute and so addicting to create! I die cut everything twice and then had fun coloring them with distress oxide inks and finger sponge daubers. I like to add a dot of black pen to the centers of the flowers to give them extra depth.  I use a foam mat and the fine-tipped end of a stylus to give the flowers a cupped shape. I glued them to the greenery using liquid glue.

For the wreath, I used the Magnolia Wreath Die and cut it twice from white cardstock. I used blender brushes and twisted citron, mowed lawn, and rustic wilderness distress oxide ink to color both wreaths. I adhered them together using foam squares and liquid glue. I have found that the oxide ink prevents the foam squares from being tacky enough, so I simply add a dot of liquid glue to the foam squares and allow it to dry. I added the wreath to the background panel using additional foam squares.

Once that was done, I stamped and die cut the sentiment, which is from the Strength for Today and placed it in the center of the wreath. I had fun arranging the floral clusters using liquid glue until I was satisfied with the arrangement. I gave it a quick spritz of Shimmer Spray, added a touch of glitter to the flowers, and attached it to a top-folding A2 card base. I have a few friends in mind that I want to send this particular card to, so that must mean I need to sit down and make a few more! I hope this sentiment brings hope to you as well! Thanks for fluttering by!

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

The Greetery {Bibliophile Collection}

Hello and welcome, friends! I'm so excited to be here today to share the beautiful new Bibliophile Collection from The Greetery! There are so many new things to fall in love with; I hope you like it as much as I do! Before I get started, don't forget to head over to The Greetery Blog to read all about each of the new products. Also, don't forget to leave a comment here, and on each of the designers' blogs for a chance to win one of two $50 gift certificates to the shop!

My first project for today features the new Shelved Suite of products! To begin, I used the Shelved Die to cut out the stack of books using textured linen cardstock to give added realism to the books. 

Next, I added the color to each of the book spines by using the Shelved Stencils. This allows you to create muli-colored books quickly and easily. Once that was done, I added the stamped details using the Shelved Stamp Set. 

I wanted to give my card a little something extra, so I added a tea cup that was cut from the Sips Tea Stamp + Cut Combo



My next grouping of projects features the new Bookish Frames: Romance Edition stamp/die set. I also used the new Romantic Corners Die, and the darling new Have a Spine: Shorty Story Die.


For this combo, I used Spring Moss and Forest cardstock, but for some reason, that Spring Moss is coming across as yellow in the photos! In person, it is a delightful combo! ha ha!

I chose to create a wedding card and the "short story" is a tag to be included on the gift. 




I created a card that can be opened like a book; I watched the You Tube video that Betsy made when the Have a Spine collection was released. I stamped one of the beautiful new sentiments from the Love Stories Stamp Set on the inside.

This is a fun anniversary ensemble; this one uses many of the same products as the last project, but this one uses the new Have a Spine: Lock and Key Die. This is such a cute detail that allows you to create a diary-type look; so, so cute!

Once again, I used the Have a Spine: Short Story Die for the tag.

There are so many different sentiment options for all kinds of occasions!

Up next is the darling new Folk Heart stamp/die set! I also used the new Folk Heart Sentiments, which I absolutely love! I have been itching to create a card using this cute little windmill from the Countryside Die because of my Dutch heritage and paired with the new Folk Heart suite of products, I felt like this would be the perfect time!

You could definitely swap out the windmill for one of the darling houses included in this set for another option if you're creating a welcome to the neighborhood card.

I added some colored-pencil details to the greenery for added depth and detail.

While I wanted it to have a Dutch flair, I didn't want to go overboard, so I added in some pink and yellow rather than just purely blue and white.

I added glitter here and there for some sparkle and shine.

I really like how all of the sentiments included in the Folk Heart Sentiments stamp set have a coordinating die; it really expands the design options when creating.

My final card for today uses the new Nordic Hearts Die. I absolutely LOVE these gorgeous hearts; there are three different sizes included in the set. I chose to use the largest and smallest on my card.

I found a beautiful illustration of some Scandinavian hearts on Etsy and knew that was the direction I wanted to head with this project. 

I used the Folk Heart stamp/die set to accent this card as well.

I used my MISTI to allow me to create  identical corners very easily.

The Nordic Birds would also be super sweet to incorporate with the hearts!

Well, this concludes my post for today! I hope you've enjoyed seeing all of the new goodies! Don't forget to leave a comment here and on each of the designers' blogs for a chance to win one of the gift certificates! Thanks for fluttering by!



Kelly (you are here)





 

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Project Inspiration {You Fill My Life With Joy and Love}

Hello and welcome! It's been a bit since I've said hello so I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and I hope your New Year celebrations are wonderful! We have a cozy night in planned, which is just fine by me! ha ha! The Papertrey Ink newsletter this week featured this card and I wanted to share it here as well.

While I made this card specifically for Valentine's Day, this would also work for a Thinking of You card as well.

To begin, I used the gorgeous Ornate Swirls Hot Foil Plate and Rose Gold foil on a panel of Pale Peony cardstock. I cut it down to measure 4 by 5 1/4 inches and adhered it to a top-folding A2 card base using liquid glue. I have found that I get some over-foiling in the middle with this particular plate, but I simply use a sand eraser to remove the unwanted foil. It didn't really matter for this particular card since I covered up the middle, but it's a handy tip to keep in your back pocket!

I used the Love to Layer: Garnished Edges Die for the focal layers; the larges size from white and the medium size from Pale Peony. I added them to the background panel using foam squares on both layers.

I stamped the sentiment, which is from the Larger Than Life: Love Sentiments Mini Stamp Set, using Scarlet Jewel ink on a white strip. I notched the edges using sharp scissors. I die cut the letters using the Elegant Notes Stationery Kit from Antique Gold cardstock and adhered them using small strips of foam tape.

It's no secret how much I love the Into the Blooms: Wreath Die and so I used the flowers to frame the sentiment. I also used the flowers from the Into the Blooms: Spring Nest Die.

I added leaves from both the nest and wreath die sets as well.

I chose one of the beautiful images from the Corner Decor Stamp Set to accent the two corners.

I added sequins, shimmer spray and glitter to finish off the card!

I had so much fun making this card and I hope the step-by-step photos are helpful!

Have a wonderful day and thanks for fluttering by!

 

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

All is Calm, All is Bright

I hope you're all having a wonderful holiday season so far! I'm behind, but that's okay.....the true spirit of Christmas burns deep and bright in my heart despite not having all of the secular things in place! I wanted to pop by to share this card that was featured in the Papertrey Ink Newsletter this week for this Project Inspiration feature.

This card was made up almost entirely from leftover pieces from a few different projects over the last few months. If you stop by regularly, you might notice which card projects they may have been leftover from! ha ha!
 I will share step-by-step photos and extra details on how I created this card.

The background wasn't leftover, so I got to work creating a stenciled background using the Seeing Stars Stencil Collection with Blueberry Sky and Spring Rain ink.

I added some ink splatters for extra detail, depth, and contrast.

I added Blueberry Sky ink around the edges and cut the harsh lines off by trimming the panel to 4 by 5 1/4 inches.

The poinsettia was leftover from the second card features in THIS post. You might remember the frame of the Stained Glass Window came from THIS card. I did inlaid die cutting for the first card, but was left with this beautiful watercolor frame! I actually had two, which you can see in the finished card. I had a few snowflakes leftover and they are die cut from the Border Bling: Snow Flakes Die. These are my go-to snowflakes when I need different shapes and sizes to use as fillers on cards!

I layered the stenciled panel on a top-folding A2 Dark Indigo card base and then glued the window frames over the top. Please note, I did cut four extra frames from white cardstock and then glued each window with stack of three; the watercolor piece and two white frames. I wanted dimension and it would be almost impossible to use foam tape or squares on those tiny lines.

I placed the poinsettia over the top using foam squares, added the snowflakes and gave it a good spritz of Shimmer Spray. The sentiment, which is from the Deerest Blessings stamp set, is heat embossed in silver on a strip of Dark Indigo cardstock and added using strategically placed foam squares on the poinsettia. I added glitter as well!

I was so thrilled to finally put those leftover pieces to good use!

I hope you have a blessed day and thanks for fluttering by!