Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Bear Christmas Shaker Card

Hey, Crafty Friends!! 
I'm back with Team Xyron today!!
Can you believe it's not even Thanksgiving?!!  Thanksgiving is tomorrow and it already feels like Christmas! So with that in mind, I'll show you how to make this adorable holiday shaker card that is bound to make you smile with Christmas cheer!


Supplies Used
Mega Runner (Xyron)
Big Shot (Sizzix)
Beary Christmas Stamp Set (Maker's Movement)
Beary Christmas Die Set (Maker's Movement)
Versafine Onyx Black  (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)
Water-Soluble Markers (Derwent Academy)
Watercolor Pencils (Derwent Academy)
Mixed Media Paper
110lb White Cardstock (Recollections)
Chalkboard Cardstock (DCWV)
Patterned Paper (DCWV)
Christmas Carnival Sparkletz (Buttons Galore and More)
Water Pen
White Pigment Ink
White Embossing Powder
Foam Tape
Clear Acetate Sheet (Grafix)
Painter's Tape

I started by using my MISTI to stamp my images from the Beary Christmas Stamp Set in Versafine Onyx Black onto mixed media paper.

Next, I colored my images Derwent Academy Water-Soluble Markers and Watercolor Pencils and blended the colors out with a water brush pen.

I used my Big Shot with a Magnetic Platform and the matching Beary Christmas Die Set to die cut my adorable bears.

Then, I added tiny polka dot details with a White Gelly Roll Pen.


To build the card base, I folded an 8 1/2"x 4 1/4" piece of 110 lb white cardstock in half to create a standard A2 size card. I set the card to the side and worked on the card front.

I layered a 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" piece of red cardstock and a piece of 4" x 5 1/4" green chevron paper together and attached them using my Xyron Mega Runner.

Once layered together, I used a Stitched Circle die to cut a window through both layers.


I wanted to break up the stark white background but didn't want to get ink around the edges of the card. So I taped off about a 1/4" perimeter. Then used the cut-out as a template to trace a circle where the window would lay.

With a penciled outline, I shaded Distress Oxide- Abandoned Coral using my Picket Fence Studio Life Changing Brushes.


To create my shaker window, I attached a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of acetate behind the cutout using my Mega Runner. Then attached a border of foam tape around the perimeter of the window.



I ran my previously colored trees through my Xyron "X" Sticker Maker and attached it to the center of shaded area.

I sprinkled in a generous amount of Christmas Carnival Sparkletz and topped it the window panel.

I used my Mega Runner to attach the bears around the window. 

Then, I stamped my sentiment onto black cardstock with white pigment ink and heat embossed it with white embossing powder and attached it to my card front.


And here is my finished card... 


I hope you enjoyed today's Shaker Card project. I had so much fun making it!

I hope you all have a BEARY happy holiday season!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

~Mitsyana

Friday, November 15, 2019

November I Am Roses Challenge

Hey, Crafty Friends!!

It's November 15th and time for another I Am Roses Challenge!! If you don't know by now, every month the I Am Roses Challenge Blog holds a challenge. The Challenge is open worldwide but each project must include at least use THREE IAR products.

For more details on the challenge and how to link up your project please visit the I Am Roses Challenge Blog Post HERE.


Well, with a blink of an eye the holidays are here! And this cold weather has got me in the Christmas mood.

So for today's project, I created this elegant Christmas card.


Supplies Used
Red Gardenias (I Am Roses)
White May Roses (I Am Roses)
White Tea Roses (I Am Roses)
Big Shot (Sizzix)
Tim Holtz Mini Holiday Greens (Sizzix)
Tim Holtz Mixed Media #2 (Sizzix)
Mega Runner (Xyron)
Disposable 3"Sticker Maker (Xyron)
Red Plaid Patterned Paper (DCWV)
Chalkboard Cardstock (DCWV)
Kraft Cardstock (Recollections)
Gold Metallic Paper (Grafix)
Green Cardstock (Coredinations)
Tim Holtz Quote Chips (Avantus)
Sparkletz- Home Spun Holiday (Buttons Galore and More)
Stickles- Diamond (Ranger Ink)
White Pigment Ink


I love traditional Christmas colors. There's something about all the reds and greens that I find absolutely mesmerizing. Throw in some hints of gold and pops of black and you have nothing short of elegance.

I started my card with a 5" x 7" (folded) card base made from 110lb Kraft cardstock.

Then matted it with a 4 7/8" x 6 7/8" piece of metallic gold cardstock that I adhered to the card base using my Xyron Mega Runner.


I placed the flourish die from the Mixed Media #2 die set, about 1 inch away from the edge, onto the red plaid paper. Then die-cut it using my Sizzix Big Shot Machine.

I cut a piece of black chalkboard paper and attache it to the backside of the plaid paper using my Mega Runner.


I pre-attached adhesive to the back of green cardstock by running it through a Xyron Disposable 3"Sticker Maker. Then die cut 2 different sizes of pine tree branch using my Big Shot machine and Tim Holtz's Mini Holiday Greens Die Set.


To add dimension, I attached two of the same die cut branches together, only connecting them at the center of the branch, and folded and crease the top pine needles back.

Then I inked the tips of the pine needles with white pigment ink to look like snow.



Next, I attached the branches onto the card, lining them up catercorner to the flourish cut-out.

Then, I attached two medium Red Gardenias, two small White May Roses, & a large White Tea Rose to the corner in between the branches.

I applied Diamond Stickles onto all the flowers and let them dry...



The results were amazing, so sparkly and shiny!!

I found this "Collect Beautiful Moments" chipboard strip from Tim Holtz's Quote Chips and adhered it across the bottom portion of my card using my Mega Runner.

For a final touch, I added some Home Spun Holiday Sparletz throughout for even more sparkle.

Some of you may have seen this sneak peek I posted on my social media with this caption...

"I hate attempting liquid glue on tiny things! It overlaps the object once placed and has a tendency to slide everywhere!! Xyron Mega Runner to the rescue!! Flip it up, uncap, place tiny objects onto micro-dot adhesive... lift off and apply to project... And PRESTO, NO MESS!!"


And here is my finished card...


I just love the way the Sparkletz look like Christmas ornaments. It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas... Christmas tree an all!


I hope you enjoyed this card and it inspires you to create Christmas elegance of your own!!

Don't forget to visit the IAR Challenge Blog post to see more inspiration from my Design Team sisters and to enter for your chance to win some amazing IAR prizes!!

Until next time...
HAPPY CRAFTING!!
~Mitsyana

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Encouragment Card- Choose to Shine w/ I Am Roses

Hello, Crafty Friends!!

Woooo, it's cold!! Dropping temps can only mean one thing... WINTER!!
And today, I created a card for the I Am Roses team that embraces the chili weather with a cool color palette.


Supplies Used
White Lilies Medium (I Am Roses)
Tim Holtz Skeleton Leaves (Sizzix)
Tim Holtz Mixed Media #2 (Sizzix)
110 lb. Cardstock- Kraft, Cream (Recollections)
Patterned Paper (DCWV)
Green Cardstock (Coredinations)
Mega Runner (Xyron)
Sailor's Sky Sparletz (Buttons Galore and More)
Tim Holtz Distress Oxide- Peacock Feathers (Ranger Ink)
Life Changing Blending Brushes (Picket Fence Studios)
Hemp Twine
Tim Holtz Chipboard Quotes (Avantus)
Big Shot (Sizzix)

You know I love my elongated cards and the extended surface area is a great canvas for using these substantial I Am Roses flowers.

Today, I used these of I Am Roses White Lilies. And though these perennials tend to die back in the fall, their beautiful white blooms remind me of the purity of snow.

I started with a #10 sized (9 3/8" x 4"-folded) car base made from Kraft cardstock and two mats of patterned paper measuring 9 1/4" x 3 7/8".

Then, using the floral lace looking die of the Tim Holtz Mixed Media #2 dies set, I die cut the corner of the top left of the lacy pastel paper.


Then I ran it through my Big Shot machine a second time moving the die to the lower diagonal corner.

With a Life Changing Blending Brush, I inked on Peacock Feathers Distress Oxide ink all along the edges and throughout the lacy cut-out.


Then I cut Skeleton Leaves from Cream and Green cardstock.


 I used a Xyron Mega Runner to layer the card panels together onto the card.

Then, I attached the leaves to the center of the card, laying the longer leaves at a diagonal.


I create multi-loop bows from hemp twine and attached them onto the base of each cream-colored skeleton leaf.


I took each lily and wrapped their stem around a wooden dowel to create spirals.

Then grouped the White Lilies into two bundles of three an attached the onto the card front.

**Option to Flower Arranging Yourself**
If you have difficulty in flower arrangement, I suggest using I Am Roses' pre-made flower sprays.
They take all the guessing out of pairing and arranging flowers together. An you simply attach the sprays in its entirety.

Check out their assortment of sprays HERE.


I stashed an extra multi-loop bow in between the two lily bundles to fill the gap.

Then, for a bit, of sparkle and shine, I attached an assortment of bling form the bag of  Sailor's Sky Sparletz.


Lastly, I attached this encouraging sentiment from Tim Holtz Chipboard Quotes.

And here is the final card...


Look at these gorgeous flowers... there's just so much detail and texture!


These beautiful blooms are quite sturdy and hold their shape extremely well even with constant handling.


I really love that, like many of I Am Roses flowers, these are stemmed. I love being able to "pose" and manipulate the flowers or even turn their stems into curly vines.

It really is a great added feature.


This card was really relaxing to make. I hope whoever receives it feels the serenity and love I poured into it.

I hope you enjoyed today's card and it inspires you to create something beautiful!

Until next time...
HAPPY CRAFTING!!
~Mitsyana 

Friday, November 8, 2019

Mouse Ears & Stars Shaker Card


Hey, Crafty Friends. 
I'm back today with this super cute Disney themed shaker card... a happy little "Dream" shaker card because after all, it is the happiest place in the world...


Supplies Used
Mega Runner (Xyron)
Big Shot (Sizzix)
Wish Upon A Star- 6x6 Paper Pad(Echo Park)
Wish Upon A Star- Dream Castle (Echo Park)
Wish Upon A Star- Hot Air Balloon (Echo Park)
Sprinkletz- Mouse Ears  (Buttons Galore)
Sparkletz- Crystal Stars (Buttons Galore)
Stitched Circle Dies (Pink and Main)
Black Cardstock (Recollections)
White Cardstock (Recollections)
Blue Cardstock (DCWV)
Red Cardstock (Bazzill)
Yellow Cardstock (Bazzill)
Craft Foam
Acetate (Grafix)
Tim Holtz Distress Oxide- Broken China (Ranger)
Tim Holtz Mini Ink Blending Tool (Ranger)


I started by gathering my supplies... look how everything coordinates perfectly already!

I die cut a rectangle from this super cute plaid paper using a stitched rounded rectangle die and my Big Shot machine. Then I die-cut two more from red craft foam.


Next, I ran my plaid die-cut rectangle through my Xyron Creative Station Lite and attached it to one of the craft foams.

Once adhered together, I die cut a circle window.


I placed my plaid my windowed rectangle over the second foam rectangle and used a pencil to trace the exact placement of the window.

Then, I used the same circle die to cut the window in the exact same place as the first. 

I set them both on the side and worked on the card base...


For my card base, I cut a piece of black cardstock to 4 1/4"x 11". Then score and folded it at 5 1/2" to create an A2 sized card. 

I attached a 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" piece of light teal cardstock onto the black card using my Xyron Mega Runner.

I brought back my plaid window and attached a 4"x4" square piece of acetate over the opening with a strong liquid glue. Then set it aside to dry.

While the glue was drying, I attached the other red foam onto my card base.


I ran a 3" strip of black cardstock through my Sticker Maker. Then die cut a castle and the word "Dream".

I attached the Castle into the circle of the red foam attached to the card.


I used scraps of white cardstock I ran through my sticker maker to die-cut clouds. Then inked around the edges using Broken China Distress Oxide ink.

I attached the clouds to the plaid window, adhering some clouds onto the window itself.

Then, I attached the word Dream under the window.


I used my sticker makers to attach more adhesive to red and yellow cardstock.

And die-cut hot air balloon pieces out of red, yellow, and black. I layered and paper pieced them together to create these cute Mickey-themed hot air balloons.

All the pieces had adhesive already on the back so assembly was a breeze... even with those tiny pants buttons!!


AND NOW THE ELEMENT OF FUN...

I attached the Crystal Stars Sparletz to the sky using a tiny dab of liquid glue.

Once my stars were dried, I scattered Mouse Ear Sprinkletz into my opening.

Then topped it off with my second window and attached the two pieces together.


And here is my finished shaker card...


How flipping cute is this??!!


All the stars stay in place because they're glued down... but those are free to move about!


I really love shaker cards, they are so much fun to make!!
I hope you enjoyed this card as much as I did!! And I hope it inspires you to create one of your own! 

Until next time...
HAPPY CRAFTING!!
~Mitsyana


Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Feeling Gratitude Card

Hello, Crafty Friends!!
I'm so sad that October is done and gone but I'm looking forward to the rest of the holiday season. Thanksgiving, here we come!! And I have so many things to be thankful for! This year has been filled with lots of trials but they have helped me grow and learn. Learn to be a better friend, better mom, a better role model, and a way better me... And for that, I am extremely grateful!

So this card I created for the Eileen Hull team was very fitting...


Supplies Used
Eileen Hull Embroidery Hoop (Sizzix- Retired)
Eileen Hull Blends Inks- Melon, Flagstone, Nutmeg (Clearsnap)
Big Shot (Sizzix) 
Mat Board (Sizzix)
Mega Runner (Xyron)
Feeling Gratitude (Waffle Flower)
Achillea Cottage Flowers (I Am Roses)
Versafine Onyx Black (Imagine. Tsukineko)
Pattern Paper (DCWV)
Kraft Cardstock (Recollection)
Twine
Brown Button- Bittersweet (Buttons Galore)
MISTI (My Sweet Petunia)

For this card, I used two of my all-time favorite dies from Eileen Hull Designs... 

The Leaves, Spring and the Embroidery Hoop. Sadly, the Embroidery Hoop has since been retired. But the Leaves, Spring die is still available and remains one that I constantly reach for.

I cut a 5" x 6" piece of white mat board and ran it through my Xyron Creative Station Lite machine. Once through, I flipped it over and ran it again a second time to get adhesive on both sides of the mat board.


I removed the protective film from one side and attached patterned paper to the mat board. Then I trimmed off any overhang with my scissors. Then, I placed my mat board (paper side down) onto my Embroidery Hoop Die.


I ran the die through my Sizzix Big Shot Machine.

And presto... It gave me three (count them... THREE) die-cuts!! You can use all three in your projects but today I'm only going to use the largest of the cuts as a frame. The other two cuts I'll set aside for future projects.


To build the body of my card, I started with a 5"x7" card base made from kraft cardstock. I matted the card with a 4.75" x 6.75" piece of orange cardstock. Then layered that with 4.5" x 6" piece of leaf patterned paper and a 4.5" x 1" strip of knit sweater patterned paper. 

I attached all the pieces together using my Xyron Mega Runner.

Then, attached my mat board embroidery hoop.


To decorate my card, I chose an assortment of papers that were similar in color to the leaves that were in my patterned paper.

I folded the papers in half before die cutting and covered each shape completely and ran it through my Big Shot. This resulted in cutting out the die-cut shape an it's mirror image (see middle picture below).

Then, I used Flagstone, Melon, and Nutmeg Blends Inks to shade my leaf die-cuts. 


Then I put the leaves on the side to concentrate on the sentiment of the card.

I've always loved this stamp from Waffle Flower called Feelin Gratitude. It encompasses my exact thoughts and fills up the Embroidery Hoop perfectly!

I used my Misti stamping tool to stamp my sentiment onto my card with Versafine Onyx Black ink and again onto gray patterned paper. 

Then cut out the banner pieces from the gray paper, added foam adhesive, and attached it over the banner images on the card front.


I used a strong quick-drying glue to attach my leaves to the embroidery hoop. I grouped the leaves into threes and followed the curvature of the hoop.

I added a twine bow topped with a button between the groupings of leaves. 

Next, attached my premade cherry blossoms... I snipped off the stems of the cherry blossoms and spiraled the achillea stems with a skewer. Then attached the cherry blossoms and achillea flowers onto the leaves and surrounded the bow. 


And here is a look at my finished card...


I totally love how this turned out!! The fall colors on this are so calming and not harsh. And couldn't use a little more calm in their lives, right?!!


I hope you enjoyed today's card and it inspires you to create something gorgeous this Thanksgiving season!!

Until next time...
HAPPY CRAFTING!!
~Mitsyana