The Greetery {Cap and Gown Millinery}

 

Hello and welcome, friends! I'm over on The Greetery Blog sharing a pair of Market Place arch boxes all done up for graduation and wanted to share them here, too!  I have been having so much fun creating these for recent graduates filled with some of their favorite things! I always love adding a battery-operated tea light (turned off) at the bottom so they can use the box as a luminary after they take out the gift/treat. They look so adorable flickering inside the tiny shop once the gift has been removed and it allows the recipient to enjoy the box for a little bit longer and keep the celebration going!

I’ve also found that I love pairing a regular Market Place arch box with the mini–Market Place box together and then packaging them up in a gusseted cellophane bag with a white sturdy paperboard base. They sit perfectly flat and then I tie them up with specialty ribbon in a big, beautiful bow! It makes gifting them so much easier and so adorable!

To begin, I started on the large box and settled on a mint green for the base! I know I say it all the time, but I have a tendency of getting stuck in color ruts, so I purposely tried something new for the base. I was on a quest for new and exciting green cardstock and ordered three different colors, all of which ended up looking almost identical to each other AND matched some I already own! Haha! Oh well….I tried!

I used the Arch Box Large Die and cut the two pieces for the actual box, making sure to cut the windows from one of the pieces. This is totally optional, but if you don’t do this step, it won’t be able to be used as a luminary. I cut the base of the building, along with the windows, using the Market Place No. 2 Die. I like assembling the box and then setting it aside while I work on all of the details for the shop.

 I cut the shutters from Aqua Mist cardstock and the window frames from Ocean Tides. The shop sign and the top of the building are cut using Hibiscus Burst cardstock. Once I had all of the main pieces cut, I got to work gluing everything in place. I like to use liquid glue for all of the pieces, but I used foam squares for the shop sign to give it some dimension. Once the main parts of the building were secured, I got to work on the accents.

The flower boxes, greenery, flowers, and banner are all cut using the Celebration Street Die and the shop name is from the Celebration Street Mini Stamp Set and is heat embossed in white detail powder. I left the window boxes white this time to give the market some crisp detailing, but colored the greenery with a blender brush and dye ink and then colored the individual blooms with markers. I glued them to the building using liquid glue. The “congratulations” banner is cut from gold cardstock along with the two bows, which are included in the Holiday Festoons Die.

I added the store front to the assembled box using liquid glue. You can place your hand inside the box to press everything in place. Once that was done, I added some Stickles to the flowers for some sparkle and shine! I also placed a tiny gem on the center of each bow as well.

I used the Arch Box Mini Die for the accent building along with the Market Place Mini Die. I chose a building that would have different architecture than the first to give some variety and visual interest. I took some of the colors from the flowers on the first box to use on this box. Of course, I just HAD to add the bicycle as well, which is also included in the Celebration Street Die. It is cut from the same gold as the banner with black wheels and gold brads to secure it together!

I like to use mini clothespins to secure the boxes, especially when I’m putting them in the cello bags so I don’t have competing ribbons at the top; does that make sense? I had so much fun working on this pair and I’ve already carved out some time to make a few bakery-themed shop boxes to give as gifts this week as well! I can’t wait and I hope to use even more different color combinations to stretch my brain! haha! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

The Greetery {Fête and Fiesta Collection} Day 2

Welcome back for day 2 of full reveals for the Fête and Fiesta Collection from The Greetery! I had so much fun working on all of the projects I'll be sharing today! Don't forget to head to The Greetery Blog for the official "meet and greet"! Make sure to leave a comment here, and on each of the designers' blogs, for a chance to win 1 of 2 complete Fête and Fiesta Collections!

My first card for today features the new For the Ages suite of products paired with some of my favorites from the Pretty Picado suite that was showcased yesterday! I'm calling this my "Encanto" card! ha ha! A few butterflies would have made it perfect!

To create the candles, I cut the base from Rasperry Fizz cardstock using the For the Ages Die. Once that was done, I embossed them using the For the Ages Embossing Folder. I just stuck them in one at a time for accuracy. There is a coordinating stencil, but I chose to add the color to the raised dots by using a gold metallic marker. I cut the outline using the For the Ages Detail Die from white cardstock. I glued them over the top of each "candle" and then used the same gold marker to add the color. These look exactly like the big number candles you can buy at the store, and I love it!

I added the candle flames using glue and then set them aside. This card features the beautiful and festive new Capsule Star Studded Borders Die. This is what I used for the teal base layer. I will also be sharing more of this die set later on in this post. For the sentiment, I chose to use the Pretty Picado Cut-Away Sentiments die. This is the perfect choice to really give the banner that true papel picado look that I love! I stamped the "birthday" portion of the sentiment in black using the Pretty Picado Sentiment Stamp Set. I also added some of the cute floral designs using coordinating ink on the banner.

I tucked a few floral clusters here and there that were created using the Winter Medley Die. This card is for my sweet daughter who will be celebrating her 23rd birthday in July!

Switching gears a little bit to share a graduation card using the new Capsule Party Scene Die. I wanted to use school colors, so it's not as festive as my first card, but I do love a good "school colors" grad card! As promised, this card also uses more of the dies included in the new Star Studded Borders! To begin, I foiled a panel of Pinefeather cardstock using the Capsule Borders 1 Hot Foil with champagne foil. I cut it using the Capsule Basics Die and mounted it on the black panel that is cut using the star studded borders. I feel like I have been making quite a few shaped cards ever since the capsule collection was released last year and it's going to be nice to have a few more options to switch things up a bit!

For the party scene, I cut a piece of gold cardstock using the medium sized "pinked" edge star-studded border. Once that was done, I cut the balloon portion using the Capsule Party Scene Die from gold cardstock in the center of that first piece. Please note: this die just cuts the scene; there are no edge cuts or a border of any kind.

I used the star border to glue over the top of the balloon portion for an added festive measure! I also used a few of the streamers and "celebrate" banner included in the Market Place Celebration Street Die that was showcased yesterday. I glued them to the edges with liquid glue.

The sentiments are both from the new Capsule Basics Celebration Borders Stamp Set. I nestled them so they could be seen around the balloons and balloon strings. I added a few sequins and gems for sparkle and shine. The Party Scene Die would be perfect for shaker cards as well!

When I was making my arch boxes that I shared yesterday, I mused to myself that I had never actually made a card using the main market place buildings or with the accent of the smaller building. I made THIS card, but it only used the smaller buildings. So, when I saw the sentiments that are included in the new Laid Back Basics Stamp Set, I knew the "Welcome to the Neighborhood" combination would be the winner AND I would be making a market place card! ha ha!

For the pink building, I cut it using the Market Place No. 1 Die. The main building is Pale Peony cardstock and the door and top detailing are cut from Raspberry Fizz cardstock. The window frames are cut from Spring Moss and the banner is cut from Ocean Tides. Rather than add a shop name, it made more sense to omit that detail and just add the "to the neighborhood" heat embossed on Olive Twist cardstock. I also omitted the detail at the top of the building so I could add the welcome portion of the sentiment.

The little building is cut using the  and I used the exact same colors as my mini box from yesterday. It complemented the main building so well, I just recreated it!

I stenciled an A2 panel of white cardstock with a cloud stencil and then I added the buildings using foam squares. I didn't add brads to the center of the bike on this one, but I think I like it better with the brads. 

I added stickles to the balloons and flowers for sparkle and shine!

Don't forget to visit each of the designers' blogs and leave a comment for a chance to win one of the prizes today! Everything will be available for purchase TOMORROW! 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

 

Project Inspiration {Class of 2026}

Hello friends! I'm popping in today with a second post to share the card I made for this weekend's Project Inspiration feature for Papertrey Ink! Graduation is definitely on the horizon and will be here before we know it! I have a few cards leftover from last year, but I found out about an exciting graduation happening in a few weeks, so I wanted to make one just for the occasion!

Rather than use school colors, I decided to go full-out feminine and fun for this one and I love how it turned out!

I'll share step-by-step photos and instructions on how I made this card!

Step 1: Foil an A2 panel of True Black cardstock using the Fresh Greens Hot Foil Plate and champagne foil. Trim it down closely around the tips of the foiled leaves. Mount it to a top-folding A2 Vintage Cream card base using foam squares.

Step 2: Cut the frame from Ocean Tides cardstock using the Framed in Success Die and attach it to the base using foam squares.

Step 3: Stamp the sentiment in black using the Framed in Success Stamp Set. Cut the books from white and then add Harvest Gold, Pale Peony, and Ocean Tides ink over the top. Stamp the book titles in pigment gold ink. Attach them to the frame with small strips of foam tape.

Step 4: Cut the flowers and leaves from white using the Into the Blooms: Anemones Die. Color the with ink and blender brushes. Cut the cap using the same die as the books and frame. Attach them to the frame.

Step 5: Cut the banner using the Hold That Thought Die. Heat emboss the sentiment and then glue the glitter numbers using liquid glue. Attach it with foam squares.

Step 6: Add glitter and die cut stars to finish off the design!

I realized later I stamped the book titles upside down, BUT in Sweden and the Netherlands, this is how they are printed, so I'm just going with it! ha ha!

I always love the gold cardstock for the center of the flowers!

Thanks for fluttering by!

 

The Greetery {Jubilee Collection}

Hello and welcome, friends! I'm so thrilled to be here today celebrating the SIXTH birthday for The Greetery  As always, you'll want to make sure to head to The Greetery Blog for the official "Meet and Greet"! Make sure to leave a comment here, and on each of the designers' blogs for a chance to win one of two Jubilee Collection bundles!!!

I'm absolutely smitten with the new World's Greatest suite of products! This cute trophy cup is so perfect and charming for so many occasions when paired with the World's Greatest Sentiments! I'm already getting excited to use this for my sons' football cards in the autumn! 

I specifically ordered some Rose Gold Mirror cardstock in anticipation of using it for this beautiful trophy cup and some Rose Gold embossing powder; for some reason it's showing up as black or grey in the photos, so go figure! ha ha! For this particular card I die cut the cup twice; once from the mirrored cardstock and again from blush cardstock and glued them together for a sturdy piece. There is also another insert or panel die that comes with the World's Greatest Die which could be used to create shaker cards, but I cut it again to give the trophy more dimension. I heat embossed the No. 1 sentiment before I cut it so I could line it up perfectly.

I also heat embossed the "world's greatest" and "Teacher" portion of the sentiment on the same mirror cardstock and then used the World's Greatest Die to cut them out. I popped them up using small pieces of foam tape for maximum dimension. Teacher Appreciation week is approaching quickly and I want to have a few things ready to go. That being said, they are doing a country-western theme this year, so this is a stretch, but I do feel like it will still work in terms of an equestrian/horse theme! ha ha!

This angle gives you a better idea of the immense shine this mirrored cardstock has; I was worried I wouldn't be able to get any pictures without my smiling face shining in the trophy cup! ha ha! 

I'm equally in love with the new Best Bouquet Detail Die that I have used on both card today! I cut everything from white cardstock and then used distress oxide ink to color all of the blooms and foliage.

Both card feature an arched background: I used the 2nd largest arch included in the A2 Arches Die and cut a panel measuring 4 by 5 1/4 inches. I added them to top-folding A2 white card bases using foam squares. I also added some blue ink and ink splatter to the center.

For this card, I die cut the trophy cup from Saffron Spice cardstock and then stamped the shadow using ink. I really like both the shiny cup and this one with the stamped detail. I heat embossed the sentiment, which is also from the World's Greatest Stamp Set, and then cut it out using the World's Greatest Sentiments Die.

I particularly love that you can fluff up the petal of the flowers for realism and dimension.

My next project is a planner for the grad using the new Dreams and Plans Stamp/Die set paired with the Sweetest Corners Stamp/Die set and the new Sweetest Frames Stamp/Die set. I've also created a bookmark using the darling new Bow Bookmark! 

You can see the bookmark tucked into the top of the planner on this photo! It's seriously so cute!

To begin, I cut a cover from Grapefruit cardstock from Concord & 9th and used ScorTape to secure it to the planner. I die cut the largest frame included in the Sweetest Frames Die and then stamped it with the coordinating stamp set using gold pigment ink. I also stamped the "it's time for making plans and dreaming dreams" sentiment, which is also included in the Dreams and Plans Stamp Set, using the same gold ink.

The 2025 was die cut from Antique Gold cardstock using the new Dreams and Plans 2025-29 Die and then glued them to the front. The corners are die cut from the Sweetest Corners Die and then stamped using the Sweetest Corners Stamp Set. The bow on the zero is also from the same stamp set.

The "Planner" sentiment is heat embossed using gold powder and then die cut using the Sentiment Suite Basics Die. I added it to the cover using foam squares.

I thought it would be fun to add some corners using the same Antique Gold cardstock. I used the Romantic Corners Die and then adhered them with liquid glue.

Up next is a graduation card and bookmark using the same products! I had SO much fun working on this ensemble! I pulled out my beloved Martha By Mail envelope stencil and cherished paper that was included in the kit to create the envelope for this special card.

As you can see, I used the leftover pieces of paper for the card for a perfectly coordinated ensemble! For the card, I die cut the numbers using the same die as the planner. The lavender paper is very thin because it is designed to be used for the envelope liner, which I did, so I die cut a few of the numbers from the Powder Green cardstock the "class of" portion is stamped on. I glued them together and let them dry while I got to work on some of the other details.

As you can see, I used both sizes of the Sweetest Frames for this feminine card. I just love how cute they are!

The sentiments are from the Dreams and Plans stamp set, which DOES include stamps for the numbers if that's more your style. 

The Sweetest Corners Stamp/Die set are easily stamped in three easy steps for each style of corner and then there are stand-alone bows for accents.

As you can see, I had to make another bookmark for this project! I want bows sticking out of all of the books I'm currently reading! ha ha!

I also included one of the smaller die cuts from the Sweetest Frames so I could heat emboss a sentiment for the inside OR use it as a tag for a gift!

Switching gears now for something a little bit more bright and bold! These two cards feature the new Big Yay! Stamp/Die/Stencil suite of products!

In anticipation of this release, I did a big order from the Cardstock Warehouse and this blue variety turned out to be one of my favorites!  For this card, I used the Big Yay! Stencil for the "rays/sunburst" portion of the design and then cut it out using the Big Yay! Die. I die cut the stars, which are also included in this die set from silver cardstock and then glued them to the rays.

I die cut the shadow "Yay" portion from light blue cardstock and then glued the main Yay sentiment. I stacked those letters three times and then added glitter to the top.

There are quite a few companion sentiments to finish off the Yay! I chose a generic "congrats on your big news" and I can use it for quite a few different occasions. For the background of both cards, I used the Ticker Tape Hot Foil which turned out so great on this sparkly cardstock! 

My other card is almost identical, but I did use the stamp set for the "rays" rather than the stencil so they are just one color!

The stars for this one are die cut from glitter cardstock, but I actually used them after I die cut the Star Struck piece which you can see to the left of this card. I didn't end up using it, but the stars came in handy! ha ha!

For this card, I used glossy accents and glitter on the Yay! die cuts.

I chose a birthday sentiment for this one and of course the same background!

For my last project, I created a set of notecards using the Best Bouquet Details Die, the Best Bouquet Stamp Set (I'm obsessed with the sentiments" and the new Sweetest Frames Stamp/Die.

I die cut all of the pieces for the bouquets from white cardstock and then colored them with distress oxide ink and finger sponge daubers.

I die cut the frames using the Sweetest Frames Die and then stamped the border using the Sweetest Frames Stamp set

I stamped each of the sentiments from the Best Bouquet stamp set with the exception of one sentiment using black ink.

I glued the bouquets to the panels using liquid glue.

I adhered the frames to Kraft Grey A2 card bases and then grabbed a few Nouveau Notes A2 Envelopes to coordinate! 

This concludes today's post and everything will be available for purchase tomorrow at 10 am EDT. Don't forget to  stop by the other designers' blogs to leave a comment to be eligible to win one of the TWO entire Jubilee Collections!!!!

Dana Kirby

Dawn McVey

Kelly Lunceford (you are here)

Laura Bassen

Laurie Willison

Lea Lawson

Melissa Phillips

Wanda Guess