Hero Arts United As One Release

Hey, Friends!! 

Hero Arts, along with two of my amazing friends- Pocono Pam & Dana Joy, have collaborated to release the New Hero Arts United As One Set! 

In my opinion, this stamp set was very much needed... now more than ever. Sadly, our society is greatly divided. Horrible events have turned the world upside-down and for far too long the world has turned a blind eye to racial and social injustices. But not anymore... It's time for a change! It's time to take a stand! It's time that we do better!! We need to unify our voices and hearts. We need to stop the division and come together!

The focus of this stamp is to encourage love and support. To some together in solidarity. To amplify and unify the voices of the unheard. To let people know you care and you stand with them and they are not alone.

Instead of harsh words, let's spread kindness and understanding!

You can intermix these stamps to form so many encouraging and uplifting sentiments!

Profits from this stamp set will go to charities that support racial injustice.

Finally, here is what I created with this set...

I chose to use the clasping hands from this set and repeated the image in different skin tones. We are all different shades- let's keep things real. But we should not let that divide us! I have so many friends of different shades and social backgrounds... I will not let their difference hinder our friendship. I respect and appreciate our differences and embrace each person according to what's in their hearts not what they look like. The holding of someone's hand, to me, represents compassion and support. Sometimes the simple act of holding one's hand speaks so much louder than words.

I am the type of person who wears my heart on my sleeve. But I also am the type of person who instantly speaks up when I see unfair and unjust treatment.

I am the type of person who will stand and raise their voice to call out bigotry.

I have ZERO tolerance for HATE!

Now, this stamp set may not be able to irradicate all the 'Negative-Nellys' of the world but it can spread hope and kindness! nd by doing so, hopefully, change a few hearts!

Pretty & Pink Slimline Card

Beautiful Floral Bouquet Card with I Am Roses

Hey, Crafty Friends!! 

I'm back with another gorgeous card for I Am Roses today!

We often take for granted just how just simply being here is a gift. Especially now, during these crazy and unsure times, we must remember that each new day is not promised, and cherish each moment. Small gestures, like video chatting, telephone calls, or even sending a handmade card, can make people feel connected. 

So, I created a card that reminds me of how lucky I am. I have family, friends, my health, a roof over my head, food on the table, and clothes on my back... I may not have all the things I want but I have all the things I NEED... I am Beyond Blessed.

Supplies Used

I Am Roses Products

Achillea Cottage Flowers

White Lillies 

Yellow Gardenias

Yellow Variegated Cherry Blossoms

Aqua 2 Layers Full Bloom Flowers

Other Products

Big Shot (Sizzix)
Magnetic Platform (Sizzix)
Tim Holtz Doily (Sizzix)
Foliage and Leaves 1 Dies (Dress My Craft)
Creative Station (Xyron)

Mega Runner (Xyron)
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Big Chat (Advantus)
Patterned Paper (DCWV)
Shimmer- Yellow Cardstock (DCWV)
110 lb. White Cardstock (Accent)
Green Cardstock (Core'dinations)
Clear-drying Liquid Glue

I can't say this enough... I LOVE LOVE LOVE my tall cards!! And it's been a little while since I last made one soooo... why not?!

I made a slimline (#10 card) by folding a 9 1/4" x 7 1/2" piece of white 110 lb cardstock in half vertically to make a 9 1/4"x 3 3/4" card base.

I used my Xyron Mega Runner to attach a 9" x 3 1/2" piece of patterned glitter cardstock to the front.

I ran a piece of Yellow Shimmer cardstock through my  Xyron Creative Station and die cut a Doily using my Sizzix Big Shot and Magnetic Platform. 

Then I peeled the protective film backer and attached the die cut doily to the front of my card.

I cut several leaves with my Foliage and Leaves 1 Dies from green cardstock and arranged them onto my doily.

Then I arranged my bouquet of flowers...

 I started with  I Am Roses' Yellow Gardenias. I used 2. These are quite big.

Then tucked a couple of Achillea Cottage Flowers in between the gardenias and nestled 2 White Lillies alongside them.

Next, I added 2- Aqua 2 Layers Full Bloom Flowers, one atop and one below.

Followed by Yellow Variegated Cherry Blossoms.

Then. I finished it off with more Achillea Cottage Flowers.

I attached all my flowers to my card front using a strong clear drying liquid glue.

For the finishing touch,  I used words from the Tim Holtz Idea-ology Big Chat stack. I like that these are individual pre-cut and self-adhesive words so I can build and create my own sentiments.

And here is my finished card...

I absolutely love how this card turned out. And unlike real flowers, these won't wilt or die and will always stay beautiful. 

I hope you enjoyed today's card! Thank you so much for stopping by!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING 

and STAY BLESSED!

~Mitsyana

I Treasure You... A Paper-pieced Mother's Day Card

Hey, Crafty Friends! 

I'm back again with Team Xyron today to bring you this gorgeous foliage card. I wanted to create something different this Mother's Day that was unique but still beautiful. And with the help of Xyron adhesives, this paper pieced card came together in a cinch! Let me show you how I created it...

Supplies Used

Creative Station Lite (Xyron)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

150 Sticker Maker (Xyron)

Big Shot (Sizzix)

Magnetic Platform (Sizzix)

Chrome Precision Plate (Sizzix)

Tim Holtz Funky Foliage (Sizzix)

Tim Holtz Stitched Circles (Sizzix)

Tim Holtz Mixed Media #4 (Sizzix)

Die Brush Tool (Sizzix)

Tim Holtz 3D Texture Fades Embossing Folder Botanicals (Sizzix)

Tim Holtz Ideaology- Chit Chat (Advantus)

Distress Oxide Inks- Black Soot, Mowed Lawn, Crushed Olive, Forest Moss, Barn Door, Worn Lipstick, Candied Apple, Abandoned Coral, Spiced Marmalade, Gathered Twigs, Faded Jeans, Blueprint Sketch (Ranger)

Guillotine Trimmer (Swingline)

110 lb. Kraft Cardstock (Recollections)

110 lb. White Cardstock (Accent)

One of my go-to tricks for quick & easy paper piecing is to add adhesive to the back of my papers BEFORE die-cutting. Not only does it save on time, but it also ensures that the adhesive covers from edge to edge without running over or having excess on the edges.

First, I cut my paper down to 3.75" x 9.24". That way it is narrow enough to fit into my Creative Station Lite. I run it through my machine and trim it with the attached trimmer. Then burnish the backside with a bone folder to ensure maximum adhesion.

Then, I used my Big Shot machine with paved stonework die from Tim Holtz's Mixed Media #4 set. I die-cut one side then flipped the paper and die-cut the other end. Because this die is so intricate, I used the Chrome Precision Plate to make sure it cuts out crisp and complete. 

There are tons of little pieces that were still left sitting in the cut so I took my Die Brush Tool and rolled it across the surface to help quickly get the pieces out.

To create the background behind the paved stone cut out, I cut another piece the exact same size and inked the entire panel in Faded Jeans, Blueprint Sketch, & Black Soot Distress Oxide inks.

Then applied the paved stone die-cut panel over it. 

This was where adding the adhesive before die-cutting totally was a life-saver. Imagine if I had to apply adhesive onto all those narrow cuts. I would've had a huge mess and a lot of tedious work.

Once my panel was layered together, I attached it onto a #10 sized card base made from Kraft cardstock.

To decorate the card front, I ran more white cardstock through my Creative Station Lite. I used it to die cut mushroom, leaves, and flowers from Tim Holtz's  Funky Foliage die set.

I love die-cutting piece from white cardstock because I don't need to have a huge inventory of colored cardstock on hand, I can just color them using ink pads I have.

It's really amazing what you can do with plain white cardstock!

I die cut a circle using Tim Holtz's Stitched Circle die and created a vignette using all the tiny paper-pieced foliage pieces. and because all the paper is already pre-backed with adhesive, I can just peel and adhere to my circle.

After a while, I felt the circle just floating in the middle of my card needed something to anchor it. So, I cut strips of kraft cardstock, ran them through my Xyron "X" 150 Sticker Maker, and embossed them using the Botanicals 3D embossing folder. 

Then inked the raised pattern with Gathered Twigs Distress Oxide ink and attached it to my card front, then reattached my circle, and created a sentiment using words from The Tim Holtz Chit Chat stack.

And here is my finished card...

I wanted my card to say something more meaningful than a generic "Happy Mother's Day"...

So I pieced together, " I treasure you every day...  forever & always".

This card is full of so much intricate detail... it's amazing how easy the pieces come together when you have the right tools.

 NO MESS, NO STRESS, is definitely a motto have come to live by while crafting with my Xyron machines!!

I hope this tutorial has inspired you to create something beautiful!!

Thanks for stopping by!

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

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)

Standard Magnetic Platform (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 

Make an Impact with Big Bold Prints

Happy Monday, Crafty Peeps! 

Today is the start of Team Xyron's partnership with the amazing Teresa Collins!! And she is the brilliant mastermind behind these luscious bold print flowers papers that I fell head over heels for! 

It was love at first sight for me and I knew immediately that I was going to create something absolutely gorgeous with it. And I'm kicking off the week with a little bit of encouragement. Because let's face it, it's Monday, and sometimes you need that extra push to roll off the bed and out the door. Adulting is hard work so we need as much optimism to start the day (and week) as possible!!

So with that in mind, I'm going to doing a giveaway to brighten someone's day. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below... your own words of encouragement. What are some of the nice thing you say to cheer someone up? Please, NO NEGATIVE NELLIES!! This is all about lifting others up, encouraging, and motivating your friends, family, neighbor, co-worker, or may even a stranger!! You never know how much a kind gesture can impact someones day or even life.

You have until Friday evening to leave a comment and a winner will be chosen at random from the comments section. I will announce the winner Saturday Morning. The Winner will receive a Brand New Teresa Collins Mega Runner like the one I use in this post!! 

Good Luck!!

Now, to my little bit of encouragement and motivation...

Supplies Used

Teresa Collins- Mon Cheri Collection- Flowers, Cabana Stripe, & Tags Papers

Teresa Collins Mega Runner (Xyron)

110 lb. Black Cardstock (Recollection)

Spectrum Noir Markers- F8, F9, & CG1(Crafters Companion)

3D Adhesive Foam (EK Sucess)

Paper Trimmer

I have been really getting into making #10 sized cards lately. They are not the average A2 (5.5" x 4.25") cards and not their bigger A7 (5"x7") cousin. And unlike their extended family (aka square cards) they one first-class stamp to mail and fit into a standard legal sized envelope.

Let me show you how I made my stunning card...

First, I started by creating a card base. I used 110lb black cardstock and cut it down to 9 1/2" x 4 1/8" (folded).

 The pink mat was made using Teresa Collins' Cabana Stripe paper cut down to 9 1/4"x 3 7/8".

Then, that gorgeous Flower paper was cut down to 9 3/8"x 3 3/4".

Next, I layered and adhered all the mats onto the black card base.

I love this "you got this" tag I trimmed from one of my Teresa Collins 12x12 Tag papers. 

I always find myself saying these exact words to friends whenever they need a little "pick me up" and I thought it would be perfect front and center of my card.

The side panel on my card measures 7 3/8"x 9 1/4" (black mat) and 7 1/4"x 2 1/2" (Cabana Stripe).

Then I trimmed my tag to 4"x3" and mounted onto a 4 1/8"x 3 1/8" piece of black cardstock using my Mega Runner.

 I  loved all that bold flower print but it got buried under layers... so I cut one out by hand. I used the large one that came on the 12x12 sheet of Tags. 

Then I used my Spectrum Noir Markers to shade them in. with light flicking motions. I used colors FS9, & FS8 for the flower petals and CG1 to color in the leaves.

And lastly, I added foam adhesive dots to the backs of the flower and leaves and mounted them to the front of my card.

I love how elegant and trendy this card turned out!! Just check out my finished card here...

I really hope you enjoyed today's project and it inspires you to go out there and be an uplifting spirit!!

And don't forget to leave a comment to ENTER for your chance to WIN a New Teresa Collins Mega Runner by Xyron!!

Hope you all have a Beautiful Day!

Until next time...

Happy Crafting!!

~Mitsyana

DISCLAIMERS

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The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with each manufacturer, provider, or party in question.

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Flamingos in the Tropics

Hey, Crafty Friends!! 

Boy, is it HOT! I don't know where Spring went but it's long gone and hiding!

My kids are already out for summer break and they are enjoying all the sunshine. swimming, running, lots of screaming laughter... that's what we're down for in these next couple of months. All of which reminds me of my of my childhood days growing up in Hawaii. Tropical weather and visits to the zoo where at the foot of the entrance gates flamingoes await visitors. Yup, those were the days. They were a bit stinky but those flamingos sure were pretty! Lots of these majestic birds standing on one leg or rubbing beaks, occasionally spreading their wings for a stretch. How I want to share memories like those with my children.

So, when Blank Page Muse released my good friend Pam Bray's newest stamp set, it brought back all kinds of feels! I immediately fell in love with these stamps!! And when Kim (owner of Blank Page Muse) and  Pam asked if I would like to create with these stamps, I literally squealed!! I've always loved Pam's designs and of course, I had to jump at the opportunity! What's even better is that all of these stamps are made of deeply etched red rubber! So I know the impression is gonna be amazingly crisp and clear! And boy, was I right! It makes a HUGE difference, especially with detailed stamps such as these!

And in the spirit of my childhood memories, I created this #10 sized Tropical Flamingo Card.

Supplies Used 

Pam Bray Flamingo Row (Blank Page Muse)

Tim Holtz Tropical Dies (Sizzix)
Tim Holtz Stitched Ovals (Sizzix)
Tim Holtz Labels (Sizzix)

Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)

Sun Drenched (Paper House)

Chalkboard Stack (DCWV)

Cardstock- Light Green, Orange

Vellum

VersaFine (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)

Tim Holtz Distress Markers- Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry, Hickory Smoke (Ranger)
Clean Color Real Brush Marker- No. 052 Bright Yellow, No. 023 Scarlet Rd (Zig/ Kuretake)

Eileen Hull Blends- Leaf, Frog, Melon (Clearsnap)

MISTI Stamping Tool (My Sweet Petunia)

Hemp Twine

Mixed Media Glue

Foam Adhesive
Aqua Brush (Pentel)
Stylus

I started by stamping my faves from the set... FLAMINGOS!! I stamped them onto mixed media paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink.  Then colored in m images using my Tim Holtz Distress Markers. First coloring most of the bird with Worn Lipstick. I blended out the color using a water brush then went back in to add a second layer using Picked Raspberry to add more depth. Then colored the beaks with Hickory Smoke.

Once I was satisfied with my coloring and the images were completely dried, I cut out both flamingos by hand with scissors.

I die cut monstera leaves out of light green cardstock using Tim Holtz's Tropical Dies by Sizzix. I cut 3 leaves altogether.

Then shaded around the edges using Eileen Hull's Blends inks in Leaf, then in Frog.

After the ink was completely dried, I used a ball stylus to add dimension and shape the leaves.

Using the leftover scraps from my flamingoes, I stamped these little stemmed flowers using more Versafine ink. I didn't need the stems so stamping the entire stamp perfectly wasn't necessary. As long as all the flowers were intact I was good to go!

I colored these dainty flowers using, my Zigs in Bright Yellow, blended out toward the center with a water brush, then added Scarlet Red in the centers and blended outward with the water brush.

Once the flowers were all dried, I fussy cut them out, then creased each petal down the center to give them more dimension.

For the hibiscuses... again used dies from the Tropical set, and die cut from orange cardstock. I shaded along the edges using the Melon Blends ink.

I separated each petal from the flower and creased and folded them, then re-attached them to the cut-out centers with glue.

Disassembling them then re-assembling them gave them a whole lot more dimension.

For the card base, I cut patterned paper from PaperHouse's Sundrenched collection
to measure 3-3/4" x 9".

I used my Xyron Mega Runner to mount it onto a 4-1/8" x 9- 1/4" card base made from 110 lb white cardstock.

I  wanted a center focal point that wouldn't block out all that gorgeous ocean scenery. So, I die cut an oval out of vellum using Tim Holtz's Stitched Ovals. I ran the oval through my Xyron Crative Station with a 5" permanent refill cartritdge. Then adhered it to the card front.

I anchored the oval with a palm tree cut from black chalkboard paper die using the palm tree die from the same Tropical die set.

I attached foam adhesive sheets to the back of the flamingos and attached them to the oval then arranged the flowers and leaves and tucked in loops made from hemp twine.

I thought the "I'll stand by you... Today, Tomorrow, Always" sentiment went perfectly with this pretty pink couple. So I stamped it onto more mixed media paper and die cut it out using a label from the Tim Holtz Labels die set and shaded the edges with Eileen Hull's Sunshine blends ink.

And at the very last minute, I decided to re-mount the card front with a black mat mad with more of that deep black chalkboard paper. It gives a nice balance of black throughout the card, don't you think?!

And here is my finished card...

CLOSE-UPS

I hope you enjoyed this card tutorial and definitely take a peek on over to Blank Page Muse!! Pam Bray has so many more amazing stamps sets you need to check out!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~Mitsyana