Monday, November 29, 2021

Spring Blooms Card with Crafty Meraki Dies


Hello, crafty friends!
I am back today to share a soft, pastel floral card featuring stamps and dies from Crafty Meraki. There are so many gorgeous layered florals in the Crafty Meraki store, but I thought the Kelsey Meraki Floral Para-Dies would look great in pinks and yellows. I loved mixing the floral die cuts with artsy blends and splatters for my card today.


For my card, I started out by trimming a piece of Snowdrift Cardstock to 4.025" X 5.625". Next, I placed the Diamond Motif Stencil in the centre of the panel and applied Mint Ink lightly all over with a blending brush. I then flicked some black paint on my panel using a paint brush for a fun splatter effect. 

Next, I die cut the Kelsey Meraki Floral Para-DiesApril Meraki Floral Para-Dies, and Spade Meraki Floral Para-Dies twice out of Snowdrift Cardstock and White Foam using my Spellbinders Platinum 6" Machine. To colour the pieces, I blended Bubble Gum and Sparkling Rose inks over the three large flowers using sponge daubers. Next, I coloured the pistils using Sunshine Ink and adhered it down to the centre of the flowers. Then, I blended Bubble GumSparkling RoseOcean Breeze, and Fresh Pear inks over the florets using sponge daubers before adhering down the foam die-cut pieces behind for dimension.

Next, I stamped the small and large leaves from the Imperial Garden Layering Stamp Set using Olive and Fresh Pear inks and then cut them out with scissors, leaving a small border. Once that was done, I die cut the Small Circle Die from the Diagonal Stitched Circles Die Set twice out of Snowdrift Cardstock and White Foam and adhered it down to my panel using Liquid Glue. I then assembled my floral bouquet and then adhered down the pieces on to my panel using a combination of foam adhesive and Liquid Glue.  

Then, to accentuate my design, I die cut the Outer Frame Die from the Pretty Frames 2 Die out of Snowdrift Cardstock and adhered it to my panel using Liquid Glue. To complete my design, I stamped a sentiment from the Angel Wings Layering Stamp Set on a strip of Snowdrift Cardstock using Versafine Onyx Black ink and then die cut the sentiment out using the Fishtail Flag Trio Die Set, before popping it on my panel using foam squares for dimension. Finally, I adhered a few Sparkling Clear Sequins to my card panel and mounted it to an A2-sized top-folding white card base made out of Snowdrift Cardstock.

I hope you liked my floral card and thanks so much for stopping by today. Be sure to check out Crafty Meraki on Instagram or visit their Blog for tons of inspiration!

If you like what you've seen from me, please give me a follow over on my Instagram (@hussena_cal) and/or subscribe to my blog if you haven't already

Friday, November 26, 2021

Floral Springtime Card with Crafty Meraki Dies


Hello, crafty friends!
I am honoured to be guest designing on the Crafty Meraki Blog today and have a bright and fun floral card to share featuring dies from Crafty Meraki's October Release. The Meraki Floral Para-Dies cut several different beautiful florals and foliage which can be used for both A2 and Slimline-sized Cards all year long. I simply love the versatility of these dies! 


To create my card, I first die cut Watercolor Cardstock using the Outer Rectangle Die from the Essentials: Stitched Rectangles Die Set. Then, I wet my watercolor panel with water and used Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers, and Cracked Pistachio Distress Inks with a Water Brush in a dabbing motion, allowing the colors to mix slightly. I let the panel dry and then added some black paint splatters for interest.

Next, I die cut the Spade Meraki Floral Para-DiesApril Meraki Floral Para-Dies, and Chloe Meraki Floral Para-Dies twice out of Snowdrift Cardstock and White Foam using my Spellbinders Platinum 6" Machine. I coloured the die cut pieces using a variety of Copic Markers in different colour families before adhering down the foam die-cut pieces behind for dimension. I love how these flowers look combined together. They're so delicate and pretty! 

Next, I stamped a greeting and the coordinating banner from the Blooming Birthday Stamp Set on a strip of Neenah Solar White Cardstock using Versafine Onyx Black ink and then fussy cut the image using a pair of scissors. Once that was done, I die cut the Outer Frame Die from the Pretty Frames 2 Die twice out of Snowdrift Cardstock and White Foam and adhered it down to my panel using Liquid Glue. Then, to finish, I adhered a few Sparkling Clear Sequins to my card panel and mounted it to an A2-sized top-folding white card base made out of Snowdrift Cardstock.



I hope you liked my floral card and thanks so much for stopping by today.  Be sure to check out Crafty Meraki on Instagram or visit their Blog for tons of inspiration!

If you like what you've seen from me, please give me a follow over on my Instagram (@hussena_cal) and/or subscribe to my blog if you haven't already

Saturday, November 20, 2021

Spellbinders & Amazing Paper Grace Sweet Serenade Notecards Collection


Hello, crafty friends!
I am back today to share a set of four projects made with the new Sweet Serenade Notecards Collection by Becca Feeken. The delicate lace-like edge and stylish scrollwork designs in this collection of dies inspired me to create a set of sweet and dimensional floral note cards, which would be perfect for a variety of occasions.

Everything in this collection coordinates together from the card base to the embellishments to the stamps to make wonderful notecard creations! One of my favourite dies from this collection is the Scalloped Symphony Notecard Die Set, which is a set of 10 dies that can be used to create either a slimline card front or a 4″ square card when you add the score line insert die. Isn't that simply fantastic? 

The dies in the Scalloped Symphony Notecard Die Set are so elegant that I just had to create a slimline card using the layering elements and accents included in the set. I combined it with some floral accents from the Petite Floral Potpourri Etched Die Set to create a sweet floral birthday card.

To create my card, I first die cut Alabaster Cardstock using the Scalloped Notecard Die from the Scalloped Symphony Notecard Die Set. Next, I die cut the scalloped panel using the Large Square Outline Die from the Scalloped Symphony Notecard Die Set. I cut the die twice, on either edge of the panel, to create a continuous slimline background. This is a great way to get more out of your die designs and maximizing your stash. Once my panel was die-cut I trimmed a piece of Pink Sand Cardstock to 8” x 3.5” to adhere behind my panel as a mat layer for the intricate background design.

Next, I die cut Alabaster and Mirror Gold Cardstock using the Large Square Outline Die from the Scalloped Symphony Notecard Die Set to use as an accent piece on my card. I adhered them together with liquid glue, allowing the gold layer to peek out from behind the ivory layer a bit. Then, I die cut the sentiment using the Small Inner Square die from the Scalloped Symphony Notecard Die Set. I cut one more square out of Mirror Gold Cardstock and adhered it (offset) to the back of the sentiment panel to form a shadow layer.

To embellish my card, I die cut Snowdrift, Peridot, and Mirror Gold Cardstock using a bunch of flower and leaf dies from the Petite Floral Potpourri Etched Die Set. Next, I used a light pink Copic Marker to flick some colour out from the center to add some quick colour to the flowers. I shaped the petals and the leaves using the Ball Stylus from Susan’s Garden Ultimate Tool Kit. Then, to complete my floral arrangement, I added iridescent pollens to the centre of each flower for interest and adhered everything down on to my panel using a combination of Hot Glue and Liquid Glue. I mounted my card panel to a top-folding ivory card base measuring 9” x 4” with tape runner. Lastly, to finish, I adhered pink pearls all across my panel for visual interest.


My next project is a set of Note Cards made using the Scalloped Symphony Notecard Die SetPerfect Harmony Notecard Embellishments Etched Dies, and the Sweet Sayings Notecard Sentiments Etched Dies. I thought the intricate insert dies in this set resembled a snowflake, so I added some delicate embellishments and sentiment die-cuts to create a set of these soft and sweet note cards.


To create my cardlet, I die cut Alabaster Cardstock using the Scalloped Notecard and Score Line Insert Dies from the Scalloped Symphony Notecard Die Set.  Next, I die cut the panel using the Decorative Insert Die from the Perfect Harmony Notecard Embellishments Etched Die Set. I nestled the insert die as far into the two corners of the square die cut as possible and ran it through my Spellbinders Platinum 6" die-cutting machine. Then, I cut Mirror Gold Cardstock twice using the Decorative Insert Die from the Perfect Harmony Notecard Embellishments Etched Die Set and adhered it to the back of the die-cut card panel with liquid glue, slightly offsetting the die-cuts so that a gold shadow forms. I then trimmed a piece of Pink Sand Cardstock to 3.5" and adhered it behind my card base.

I kept the rest of my cardlet really simple, so that the intricate accent piece shines through. I die cut SnowdriftMirror Gold Cardstock, and White Foam using the 'Hello' die from the Sweet Sayings Notecard Sentiments Etched Dies. I adhered them together with liquid glue, allowing the gold layer to peek out from behind the white layer a bit. I then ink blended Picked Raspberry Distress ink to the top three-quarters of the sentiment die-cut piece for more depth. Next, I die cut Pink Sand and Peridot Cardstock using the flower and leaf dies from the Petite Floral Potpourri Etched Die Set. Once I had them all die-cut, I used a light pink Copic Marker to flick some colour out from the center to add some quick colour to the petals. I shaped the flowers and the leaves using the Ball Stylus from Susan’s Garden Ultimate Tool Kit and adhered them down on my panel using liquid glue. I also added some light yellow pearls to the flower centres for interest. Finally, I folded the panel at the score line and burnished the crease well to form my 4″ square card base.


My second cardlet was also made using the same supplies, but I changed the colours and the sentiment on this one for contrast. For this card,  I die cut Alabaster Cardstock using the Scalloped Notecard and Score Line Insert Dies from the Scalloped Symphony Notecard Die Set. Next, I die cut Alabaster and Mirror Gold Cardstock using the Decorative Insert Die from the Perfect Harmony Notecard Embellishments Etched Die Set and adhered it down to the card panel with liquid glue, slightly offsetting the die-cuts so that a gold shadow forms. 

Then, I die cut SnowdriftMirror Gold Cardstock, and White Foam using the 'Hello' die from the Sweet Sayings Notecard Sentiments Etched Dies. I adhered them together with liquid glue, allowing the gold layer to peek out from behind the white layer a bit. I then ink blended Faded Jeans and Tumbled Glass Distress inks to the top three-quarters of the sentiment die-cut piece for more depth. Next, I die cut Raindrop and Peridot Cardstock using the flower and leaf dies from the Petite Floral Potpourri Etched Die Set. Once I had them all die-cut, I used a medium blue Copic Marker to flick some colour out from the center to add some quick colour to the petals. I shaped the flowers and the leaves using the Ball Stylus from Susan’s Garden Ultimate Tool Kit and adhered them down on my panel using liquid glue. I also added some light yellow pearls to the flower centres for interest. Finally, I folded the panel at the score line and burnished the crease well to form my 4″ square card base.


My final cardlet for today features the Flourished Sonata Notecard Etched Dies and the Petite Floral Potpourri Etched Die Set. I love the delicate scroll-like style of the layers from the set!

For my note card, I started off my die cutting Lemon Yellow Cardstock using the Notecard Insert and Score Line Insert Dies from the Flourished Sonata Notecard Etched Dies. Next, I die cut Snowdrift and White Foam using the Decorative Frame Rim and the Decorative Frame Top from the Flourished Sonata Notecard Etched Dies. I adhered them together with liquid glue and lightly blended Tumbled Glass Distress ink over the white die-cut piece to give it a shabby chic look.  Next, I die cut Pink Sand Cardstock using the Decorative Frame Rim die and adhered it to the back of the die-cut card panel with liquid glue. Then, I die cut the sentiment using the Decorative Inner Frame Die from the Flourished Sonata Notecard Etched Dies and adhered it down on my panel using liquid glue.

I kept the embellishing very simple on this card, so that the focus remains on the sentiment. I die cut Pink Foamiran and Snowdrift Cardstock using the flower and leaf dies from the Petite Floral Potpourri Etched Die Set. I heated the petals with the help of an iron and shaped them using the Ball Stylus from Susan’s Garden Ultimate Tool Kit. Next, I added iridescent pollens to the centre of each flower for interest. The leaves were coloured using Bundled Sage Distress ink and then shaped with the help of a Ball Stylus and Tweezers from Susan’s Garden Ultimate Tool Kit. I adhered them down on my panel using Hot Glue and then assembled the rest of my card together. I die cut Snowdrift Cardstock using the Outer Rim Die from the the Flourished Sonata Notecard Etched Dies and adhered it behind my main card panel using liquid glue. Finally, to complete, I folded the panel at the score line and burnished the crease well to form my 4″ square card base.


I hope you enjoyed this set of layered floral projects featuring the Sweet Serenade Notecards Collection and are inspired to give it a try. Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Don’t miss out on the Black Friday Blowout Sale that is currently going on at Spellbinders with up to 50% off on a wide range of gorgeous dies, stamps, glimmer plates, tools, and more! There are so many AMAZING deals that you definitely shouldn't miss! 
 

If you like what you've seen from me, please give me a follow over on my Instagram (@hussena_cal) and/or subscribe to my blog if you haven't already.
Wishing you a great day ahead!

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Spellbinders November 15th Clubs Blog Hop + Giveaway!


Hello, crafty friends!
I'm delighted to be joining Spellbinders for the November 2021 Clubs Inspiration Blog Hop today. Spellbinders is celebrating all their Club Kits in shop for November 2021.

If you arrived here from Jessica Vasher's Blog, then you are on the right track. If this is your first stop, then you will want to start at the beginning, the Spellbinders Blog. We've got tons of inspiration and giveaways for you on the hop today, so keep reading till the end of this post for more information.

I have an A7 Layered Monochromatic Card to share for the hop today using the Amazing Paper Grace – November 2021 Die of the Month Set. In case you missed, it I shared a Dimensional Christmas Card on my blog a few days ago using this month's "Pop Up 3D Vignette Christmas Tree" Set, which you can check out HERE.

The Amazing Paper Grace Die of the Month for November 2021 is quite unique. It’s a fold-flat card that fits into a small catalog envelope and opens up into a showcase card.  On the other hand, it’s a gorgeous set of layered trees and adorable gifts. All of the details, the packages, the bows, the ornaments and such are really delightful and you can easily assemble a beautiful little pop-up scene using the dies in the set or use the elements separately on a traditional Christmas card.

Today's card is a bit different from my usual cards in terms of size. This card is really huge, measuring 5-1/2″ x 7-1/2″ inches. I just I folded an A4 Sheet of Snowdrift Cardstock in half and burnished the crease well to make the card base.

To create my card, I first debossed Alabaster and Brushed Gold Cardstock using the Outer Rim and the Large Decorative Insert Dies in my Spellbinders Platinum 6" Die Cutting Machine (I positioned my Platform Standard; Die Template Cut Ridges UP with Cardstock Inside; Embossing Mat; XL Embossing Plate and then ran this through my die cut machine as I would an embossing folder. The thick dies pressed into the paper leaving a lovely impression)followed by die cutting with the Large Oval Outer Rim from the Fluted Classics Ovals Etched Die Set. I adhered the ivory die-cut piece on top of the gold die-cut with liquid glue, offsetting them a bit to form a shadow. Next, I trimmed a piece of foiled vellum from the DCWV Scripts And Music Notes Paper Pack to 5" X 7" and adhered it down to my card base using tape runner. Once that was done, I adhered the delicate oval frame and the solid oval die cut on my card panel using a combination of foam adhesive and Craft Glue for dimension. 

Next, I die cut Alabaster and Brushed Gold Cardstock using the Medium and Small Filigree Tree Dies from Pop Up 3D Vignette Christmas Tree Die Set. I assembled each of the pieces together and adhered them down with Craft Glue. Next, I die cut a whole bunch of gift boxes from Alabaster and Brushed Gold Cardstock to add underneath the tree. I assembled the pieces together and adhered them down to my card front using foam adhesive for dimension. Then, I die cut Alabaster and Brushed Gold Cardstock using the solid banner and banner insert dies from the Pop Up 3D Vignette Christmas Tree Die Set. I adhered the pieces together with Craft Glue, allowing the gold layer to peek out from behind as a shadow.

My card background was already quite embellished at this point, but I still went ahead and die cut Alabaster and Brushed Gold Cardstock using the Medium and Small Poinsettia Dies along with the Evergreen Die included in the Pop Up 3D Vignette Poinsettia Sleigh Die Set to create a small poinsettia flower. I rarely make cards without flowers and felt that the design would look incomplete without one. :) I embossed the petals using the small ball tip from the Ultimate Tool Kit and then added matte-finish gold pollens to the centres of the flowers to give them a more realistic look. I then adhered the poinsettia and the leaves on the right-hand side of my card front using Craft Glue.

Once everything was assembled and adhered down to my card front, I used Ranger Diamond Stickles to create little circles to give the illusion of snowfall on my card background for a bit of glitz and glam. Then, to complete, I mounted my card panel to a side-folding A7 ivory card base made out of Alabaster Carfdstock.

I love the fact that the size of the trees and embellishments make it possible to make both A7 and A2 cards with the set. This gives you so many options! I also really enjoyed challenging myself to use only two colours to create my card. I would love to know what you think about it. :)


Giveaway:
To celebrate this release, Spellbinders is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 3 lucky blog readers – selected from the comments on our blog. Giveaway closes on Sunday, November 21st, 11:59 pm MST. The winners will be announced in this blog hop post the following Wednesday. The winner is responsible for shipping cost, duties and taxes.

Please note, store credit (gift certificate) cannot be applied to Club Subscriptions. Store credit can be applied to shop past Club products, Club extras and regular releases.

Blog Hop Order
Next Stop on this Blog Hop is, Melody Rupple's blog.
Just in case you lose your place along the way, here is the complete list of participants so that you can find your way back:

Thank you so much for your stopping by and reading this blog post. I hope you liked my project! 

If you like what you've seen from me, please give me a follow over on my Instagram (@hussena_cal) and/or subscribe to my blog if you haven't already.
Wishing you a great day ahead!

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Spellbinders & Amazing Paper Grace Die of the Month | November 2021


Hello, crafty friends!
I have yet another Christmas project to share today featuring the Spellbinders & Amazing Paper Grace November 2021 Die of the Month Set. This month's "Pop Up 3D Vignette Christmas Tree" Set is perfect for making gorgeous layered cards, boxes, gift baskets, and more. This die set features 21 dies.

The Amazing Paper Grace Die of the Month for November 2021 is quite unique. It’s a fold-flat card that fits into a small catalog envelope and opens up into a showcase card.  On the other hand, it’s a gorgeous set of layered trees and adorable gifts. All of the details, the packages, the bows, the ornaments and such are really delightful and you can easily assemble a beautiful little pop-up scene using the dies in the set or use the elements separately on a traditional Christmas card.

I have created a 2D Christmas Card using this month's Pop Up 3D Vignette Christmas Tree Die Set. I particularly love the fact that the nested trees can be cut with or without the dotted detail and they strategically stack, so that you have successive layers rather than a flat tree.  

To create my card, I first trimmed a piece of Snowdrift Cardstock to size and blended Dusk, Ocean Waves, and Sea Glass Dye inks to to the upper two thirds of the cardstock with a blending brush, concentrating the darker shades toward the top of the panel for more dimension. Next, I tapped a paintbrush soaked in clean water over the panel and sopped up the droplets with a paper towel to create the splatter effect. Once that was done, I used the Heidi Swapp Color Shine Spray in Lame Gold to add gold splatters to the panel for a rich, festive look.

Next, to embellish my card, I die cut PeridotAlabaster, and Brushed Gold Cardstock using the Pop Up 3D Vignette Christmas Tree Die Set and staggered the layers on my card front using a combination of foam squares and the Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue for dimension. I adhered the ivory die-cut piece on top of the gold die-cut with liquid glue, offsetting them a bit to form a shadow. Then, I die cut a bunch of ornament bases and a couple of presents from Waterfall, Pink SandBrushed Gold, and Alabaster Cardstock for decorating the tree. Next, I used Worn Lipstick Distress Oxide Ink Pad to ink the edges of the pink die cut pieces for more depth. 

I assembled the presents together using Liquid Glue and placed them below the tree using foam adhesive. The ornaments were also adhered to the various tree layers using foam squares. Then, I die cut Snowdrift and Brushed Gold Cardstock using the solid banner and banner insert dies from the Pop Up 3D Vignette Christmas Tree Die Set. I inked the centre of the die cut banner with Worn Lipstick Distress Oxide Ink Pad using a sponge dauber and adhered it down on my panel using foam squares. To complete, I matted my card panel with Brushed Gold Cardstock before adhering it to a top-folding white card base made from Snowdrift Cardstock.

I love how easy it is take all of the elements and arrange them for a card.  The nested trees are such a showstopper!


The Amazing Paper Grace Die of the Month is available exclusively at Spellbinders Paper Arts during November 2021. You can get the Pop Up 3D Vignette Christmas Tree Die Set at the special Cub Kit price, along with other membership perks.

If you'd like to see some more project inspiration using the Amazing Paper Grace Die of the Month, check out the Spellbinders Blog where Becca shares some stunning project samples using it.  
 

Don't miss out on the BIG Pre Holiday Clearance Sale going on now with a HUGE assortment of newly clearanced products. The offer is now live and available through November 11th, 2021 at Midnight PST.

That’s it for me today! I hope you liked my take on the die set! If you like what you've seen from me, please give me a follow over on my Instagram (@hussena_cal) and/or subscribe to my blog if you haven't already.

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Spellbinders November 2021 Clear Stamp & Die of the Month | Around The Holidays

Hello, crafty friends!
Happy Wednesday! I have a Christmas Card to share today made using the Spellbinders Clear Stamp & Die of the Month - Around The Holidays.

The Spellbinders Clear Stamp of the Month is a 9 piece stamp set containing decorative holiday details on a curved line with curved sentiments too. This stamp set is perfect for lots of Holiday occasions and can be used in a variety of ways. The Stamp Set coordinates with this month's Large Die of the Month and Glimmer Die of the Month Sets, so you can mix and match your supplies to create different projects. This “Around The Holidays” stamp set features made in the USA stamps from high-quality photo-polymer for clear, crisp impressions. 

I used the curved borders from the kit along with the coordinating dies to create my card.

For my card, I started by cutting a piece of Snowdrift Cardstock with the border die included in the Clear Stamp and Die of the Month Kit. Next, I stamped the snowflake border in Versamark Embossing ink on Snowdrift Cardstock and heat embossed it using Super Fine Gold Embossing Powder before die cutting it with the matching border die. Then I cut Mirror Gold Cardstock using one of the borders from the Clear Stamp and Die of the Month Kit and adhered the layer underneath the front card panel to add a gold border to it. 

Once that was done, I stamped the presents border on to Snowdrift Cardstock using Versamark Clear Embossing ink and heat-embossed it using Super Fine Gold Embossing Powder to make painting such small images a bit easier by providing a slightly raised edge to contain the pigment. I coloured the images using Copic Markers and then die cut each of the presents using the coordinating dies included in the Clear Stamp and Die of the Month Kit.

I assembled the different components of the card front together, then backed it with a piece of foiled patterned paper from a previous Spellbinders Card Kit of the Month Paper Pad. Once that was done, I stamped one of the sentiments in the stamp set, positioning it to follow the arc of the die cut card front using Versafine Onyx Black ink. Then I placed the die cut presents along the die cut edge and popped them on to my panel using foam squares

Next, I die cut Snowdrift Cardstock using the Holiday Word Blocks Etched Dies (I snipped off the holly leaves from the Ho Ho Ho piece to use for my card design) and coloured the pieces using Copic Markers. Then I matted my card front to a piece of Pomegranate Cardstock before adhering it to a top-folding white card base using the Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue. Lastly, I added custom-coloured Crystal Jewels to the die-cut leaves to embellish my card. 


I hope you liked my Christmas card and thank you so much for stopping by today. You can subscribe to any of the Spellbinders Clubs between the 1st - 24th of each month and never miss a fun kit like this again!
  

Don't miss out on the BIG Pre Holiday Clearance Sale going on now with a HUGE assortment of newly clearanced products. The offer is now live and available through November 11th, 2021 at Midnight PST.

If you like what you've seen from me, please give me a follow over on my Instagram (@hussena_cal) and/or subscribe to my blog if you haven't already.
Wishing you a great day ahead!