Friday, September 27, 2019

Happy Haunting- Jack-o-lantern Trio Card

Hey there, Crafty Friends!! 
I'm baaaack! And, do you know what else is back?? FALL!! And if it's fall, it means it's time for pumpkins! And if it's time for pumpkins, then it means time for jack-o-lanterns. And if it's time for jack-o-lanterns then it means time for Halloween! And if it's time for Halloween, then it means it's time for candy!! And for me, candy will lead to a sugar coma... so I think it's for the best if I just stick to crafting... it's safer! LOL

So, in the spirit of fall and all that is creepy, kooky, & sweet, I created this adorable Jack-o-lantern Trio Card...



Supplies Used
Crossover II Machine (Crafter's Edge)
Happy Haunts Stamp Set (Maker's Movement)
Happy Haunts Die Set (Maker's Movement)
Mega Runner (Xyron)
Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)
Black Cardstock (Recollections)
Blender Brushes (Picket Fence Studios)
Versafine- Onyx Black Ink (Imagine Crafts/ Tsukineko)
Brilliance- Starlight Silver (Imagine Crafts/ Tsukineko)
Clear Embossing Powder (Judikins)
Clean Color Real Brush Markers (Zig)
Green Button (Button's Galore)
Mini MISTI(My Sweet Petunia)
Guillotine Trimmer (Swingline) 
Heat Tool
Craft Foam
Black Twine

 The wonderful people at Maker's Movement were generous enough to send me some awesome goodies to play with for today. And even though this is a sponsored post, all ideas, thoughts, and opinions are my own. 



If you know me and have been following me for a while, you'll know I am a huge Halloween NUT!! I was born 2 or 3 weeks overdue and born the day before Halloween. My mom was so set on not having a baby on Halloween day that she set out and went for a jog the day before in hopes of jump-starting her contractions. Well, it worked, and she gave birth to a healthy baby girl on October 30th... OH MAN, I WAS SO CLOSE!! So now, every year it has become a tradition for us to have a party on Halloween and celebrate then. How fun is that?! I mean, how many people can actually say that they get to have a costume birthday party every year?!

So when I saw these pumpkins stamps and that rolling hill of haunted houses die, I knew they had to be mine! And even if the awesome people didn't send me these, these are set I absolutely would've purchased myself!

In creating this card, I started by first stamping my pumpkin images from the Happy Haunts Stamp Set onto 140 lb mixed media paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink. And then colored my images using markers water-based markers. I absolutely LOVE coloring pumpkins!! 


Then, I cut down the paper with my Swingline trimmer and ran both the pumpkins and a 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" strip of black cardstock through my Xyron Create-A-Sticker. There is lots of real estate space through that opening and wanted to utilize as much space as I could. This stuff is like gold and... waste not, want not, right?!!!


Then, I used the matching Happy Haunts Die Set, detached the pumpkins and die cut the pumpkins and the haunted houses, both at the same time.


I then stamped the silly jack-o-lantern faces. I could have done this first, but totally forgot (insert face-palm).

Using my blender brushes I inked on Distress Oxide inks in Carved Pumpkin, Worn Lipstick, Wilted Violet, and Blueprint Sketch. Then brushed on a bit of Black Soot around the edge.


I flicked water droplets onto the inked surface, then blotted it with a paper towel.


Once again I used the haunted houses die, this time not to die-cut the houses but to die cut the rolling hill. I simply laid the die-cut across the top of a 2"x6" strip of green cardstock and ran it through my Crossover II machine. I just used the cutaway portion that was leftover.

Then brushed on Mowed Lawn and Green Clover Distress Oxide inks to add depth to my hills.


I used my Xyron Mega Runner to attach my hill onto the inked background piece.


 Then attached the haunted house die-cut I turned into a sticker earlier.

I stamped out the words Happy Haunting in Brilliance Starlight Silver ink onto black cardstock, dipped into clear embossing powder, then heat set it.


to give my pumpkins added dimension, I made DIY foam adhesive by running a sheet of craft foam into my Xyron Create-A-Sticker, flipping it over, then running it through again so that I could have adhesive on both sides. Then I can cut as little or as much as I need.


I cut my Happy Haunting into a little flag and added my homemade foam adhesive to the backside of it and my pumpkins.

I attached my spooky background to a standard A2 (4.25" x5.5") sized card made from black cardstock. 


But then decided to add black twine. I wrapped the twine around the bottom of the card twice then tied button topped bow over the top.


Then, I finally added my 3D pumpkins and sentiment to the car front.

And here is my finished card...




I love the silly faces!! They are so cute and bit whimsical and a whole lot of fun!!

I hope you get inspired to start on some Halloween projects!!

Have a hauntingly good time!!
~Mitsyana

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Fuchsia Blooms Card- For Any Occassion

Hi, Crafty Friends! 
I'm back with Team Xyron with a paper pieced card with a clean and simple look... CAS but kicked up a notch with lots of added dimension using DIY foam adhesive. Let me show you how I created this all occasion card! 

Did you know that with proper care the fuchsia flower can bloom all year round? It is the perfect friendship flower! Just like friendships, you let give it a little warmth, a little sun, and let its gloriousness bloom, and when it gets cold and dark outside bring it in, nurture it, feed it, and it will continue to thrive. No matter the season, no matter the weather, the fuchsia is an all-occasion flower. Tend to your friendships and they too will continuously bloom! 

And, that is why I chose to use these beautiful stamps and dies today. You can make a bunch ahead of time, leave them without a sentiment, and just keep them in your stash, and you can pull one out whenever a need arises. 


Supplies Used
Mega Runner (Xyron)
Big Shot (Sizzix)
Fuchsia Trio Die Set (Stampendous)
Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)
110 lb Cardstock- White, Black ( Recollections)
Art Mask- Filigrane (Carabelle Studio)
Versafine- Onyx Black Ink (Imagine/ Tsukineko)
Clean Color Real Brush Markers (Zig/ Kuretake)
Tim Holtz Water Brush (Ranger Ink)
Sparkle Pen- Clear (Crafter's Companion)
Petite Posies- Red (Queen & Co.)
Glossy Accents (Ranger Ink)
Craft Foam
Mini MISTI (My Sweet Petunia)
Blender Brushes (Picket Fence Studios)


I started by stamping my images from Stampendous' Fuchsia Trio Rubber Stamp Set with Versafine Onyx Black Ink onto Mixed Media paper using my Mini MISTI

You don't need to use a MISTI, I just find a helpful tool that allows me to utilize and maximize the real estate of my paper without the worry of making a mistake.  If it doesn't stamp well the first time or I'm missing ink in a certain area, I can re-ink my stamp and close the lid for exact placement.


I then colored in my images with markers, building up layers. You'll notice in my first image I colored the bottom petal a peachy-pink, this helped tone down the purples I layered over it. The purples by themselves were too bright and blinding. And the slight orangy undertone gave the purple a nice depth.

Once, my images were colored, I used a Sizzix Big Shot machine and matching Fuchsia Trio Die Set to die cut my flowers and leaves.


On a  4"x 5 1/4" piece of white cardstock, I created a soft background by gently blending Distress Oxide- Cracked Pistachio using Picket Fence Studio Blender Brushes and Carabelle's "Filigrane" Art Mask. 

I brought back my Mini MISTI, placed my background into it, and stamped my buds and stamens where I thought they'd hang beautifully.

Then colored the tips of the stamen and bulb with my markers and blended out the color using a Tim Holtz water brush.


Before piercing, I knew I wanted lots of dimension on my card. I don't like scrimping on foam adhesive but brand name foam adhesive tends to come in small amounts and can get quite pricy. 
My all-time favorite budget-saving thing to do is just make my own! 

I have 4 kids, we always keep craft foam on hand... ALWAYS! It's relatively inexpensive and you can get bundle packs in assorted colors for a few bucks... And if you are especially lucky, you can even find them at your local dollar store!

And with the help from my Create-A-Sticker, I can have foam adhesive whenever the mood strikes!

I simply insert my foam sheet, crank through, and tear away the film. If you leave the foam as-is, it makes great foam stickers! It can easily be die-cut or cut with scissors. But if you want double-sided foam adhesive like I do, then simply flip your foam sheet, protective film side up, and reinsert your foam back into your machine and crank it through a second time! And presto, instant foam adhesive sheets!!

Now, I can cut as much as I need or want without having to scrimp and scrounge. I added a generous amount behind my leaves and flowers and set them aside.


For the card base, I used a standard A2 (4 1/4"x 5 1/2"-folded) sized card created from white cardstock. I layered a  4 1/8" x 5 5/8" piece of black cardstock onto the white card base using my Xyron Mega Runner. Then attached the background panel with stamped images over top. 


Once the card base was assembled I was able to start building dimension. I peeled off the protective film and layered my leaves toward the top of my card, just above the bulbs. Then tucked a couple flowers and stems under the leaves and positioned the flowers to go over the stamped stamens.

I added tiny blinged Petite Posies from Queen and Co. over each tiny stamen tip.

Then, added a bit of  Glossy Accents over each teardrop tip and let dry.

Lastly, I used a clear sparkle pen to add shine over each flower. This adds such a pretty shine to all the petals!


And here is my finished card...



I really love how this card turned out. The pictures don't do it justice, it's absolutely stunning in person!

I hope you enjoyed today's project and that it inspires you to build your own all occasion arsenal.
Thanks for stopping by and until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!
~Mitsyana

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Elegant Gift Tags That Say Thanks!

Hey, Crafty Friends... It's September 15th! 
That means it's time for another challenge at the I am Roses Blog!! And today I made a set of gorgeous gift tags. These would be a great accessory to a wonderful thank you gift. They are simple and elegant but with a pop of color that is striking! 

Let me show you how I created them, keep reading down below.


Supplies Used
Mini Mixed Christmas (I Am Roses)
Soft Green Carnation (I Am Roses)

Other Supplies Used
Big Shot (Sizzix)
Mega Runner (Xyron)
Lace Border Dies (Diamond Press)
Thanks a Bunch Stamps (Diamond Press)
Cardstock- White, Kraft (Recollection)
Cardstock- Red, Green (Bazzill)
Versamark Ink Pad (Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko)
Clear Embossing Powder (Judikins)
MISTI (My Sweet Petunia)
Buttons (Buttons Galore)
Cutter Bee Scissors (EK Success)
Quick Grip Glue (Beacon)
Hemp Twine
Assorted Rhinestones
Heating Tool
Wooden Skewer (optional)

I started by creating the tag bases. I knew I wanted them to be frilly and eye-catching. 

I cut 2- 2.5"x 6" strips of white cardstock and ran them through my Xyron Sticker Maker. Then die-cut them using an intricate border dies by Diamond Press called Lace Borders.

I die cut the actual tag itself from both Kraft and white cardstock using the largest die from Tim Holtz's Tag Collection die set. 


I trimmed about a quarter-inch off the kraft tag and layered it onto the white tag using my Xyron Mega Runner.

Next, I peeled my lacy borders from their protective film and attached them onto the tag.


I used my MISTI to help me align my sentiments from the Diamond Press Thanks a Bunch stamp set. Once it liked the position I dusted my tag with an anti-static pouch, then inked up my stamp with Versamark ink and stamped directly onto the card.


I sprinkled clear embossing powder over the entire stamped sentiment and heat set it,
 

I set the tag aside. 

Then used Eileen Hull's Leaves, Spring dies to die cut leaves from red cardstock. I used only the top corner stemmed leaf and placed 3 layers of scrap paper on the die and cut them all out at the same time.

I inked the tips of the leaves using Distress Oxide ink in Black soot.


I repeated all the previous steps, this time, I swapped out the red cardstock for green and switched out the lacy flower border to a delicate butterfly border.


I also switched out the sentiment both are great "thank you" sentiments (and both come included in the thanks a bunch set)


And here is where the pop of color comes in...

After attaching the leaves onto the card, I build a little floral arrangement on each. 

I curled the stems of the flowers using a wooden skewer to create little swirly vines. Then attached the flowers onto the tag using a rally strong liquid adhesive.

Then scattered a few rhinestones here and there and attaching them using tiny amounts of more liquid adhesive.


Lastly, I attached a twine bow to each tag topped with a single button.

And here are my finished tags...








I really love how bold these colors look against the kraft and white cardstock. Because I used neutral colors as my base the color I did add really pops!!

I really love how these turned out and I hope you did too!!

Make sure to join in on the fun!! Head on over to the I am Roses Blog to learn more and to enter for your chances to win some amazing prizes

Hope to see your lovely creations soon!!

HAPPY CRAFTING!!
~Mitsyana