3D Embossed Chipboard Card- How's It Growing?

Happy Hump Day, Crafty Friends!! 

How's it growin', everyone? LOL Sorry, I couldn't help myself! This is such an awesome pun! And it goes perfectly with today's project. I'm here with Team Xyron. And all week long we will be playing along with Acco Brands to feature some amazing projects that we can create using their fabulous Swingline line of trimmers and staplers. 

Today, I created a beautiful garden on chipboard.

I love using chipboard to add dimension to my projects. Most times I die-cut chipboard or use it to lift die-cuts and other embellishments up off my projects. But this time I'm giving chipboard dimension. By embossing right into the chipboard.

Supplies Used

Classic Cut Lite Guillotine Trimmer (Swingline)

Legacy #27 Stapler (Swingline)

Creative Station Lite (Xyron)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

Tim Holtz Wildflower Die (Sizzix)

3D Embossing Folder- Ornate Lace (Crafter's Companion) 

Funny Farmer (Pink and Main)

Cardstock- White, Marigold

Chipboard

Distress Inks- Peeled Paint, Wilted Violet, Picked Raspberry, Fossilized Amber, Spiced Marmalade (Ranger Ink)

Momento Tuxedo Black Ink (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)

 But first thing's first. I need to cut my chipboard down to a workable size and with the Classic Cut Lite Guillotine Trimmer, trimming chipboard is a breeze. This trimmer can cut up to 10 sheets of cardstock at a time. So, it cut through this sheet like a hot knife through butter! 

 I cut my chipboard down to 4.75" x 6.75". Then, used Crafter's Companion 3D embossing folder, Ornate Lace, and ran it through my die-cut machine. Once embossed, I inked the entire chipboard using Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks in Fossilized Amber and Spiced Marmalade.

 After the chipboard was completely inked, I ran it through my Xyron Creative Station Lite. 

Even after I cut through chipboard, this trimmer cuts smoothly through cardstock. I trimmed a card base out of marigold cardstock and each cut was still crisp with NO FRAYED EDGES!! 

Wow, I'm totally impressed!

I mounted my embossed chipboard onto a 4-7/8" x 6/78" piece of white cardstock, then attached it to a 5" x 7" card base using my Xyron Mega Runner.

I die-cut various flowers from white cardstock using the Tim Holtz Wildflower die set and shaded them using Peeled Paint, Wilted Violet, and Picked Raspberry Distress Oxide Inks.

I used tiny dabs of glue to secure onto the card front.

Then stamped my sentiment from the Pink and Main Funny Farmer stamp set using Momento Tuxedo Black ink onto a strip of white cardstock. Then used my Swingline Stapler to attach it to the front of the card.

Again I was most definitely impressed... The staple not only went through the white cardstock but also the chipboard and 2 more additional layers of cardstock as well! This thing is HEAVY DUTY!! I am totally loving it!!

And here is my finished card...

Check out all that texture and that deep embossing from that folder!

 ***SWOON***

Well, that's my project for today! I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

Don't forget to check Xyron's Facebook page all week for more amazing projects from Xyron and Acco Brands!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!

~Mitsy

***Disclaimer***

This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.

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.

This blog may contain affiliate links, making a purchase through these links helps fund this blog at no additional cost to you.

Journal w/ Kraft Cardstock Flowers

Hello, Crafty Friends!

I'm back with Eileen Hull Designs with another journal project! Now, it's no secret that I've been bitten by the journal making bug. And today I wanted to share with you all this gorgeous flower covered journal using Eileen's Stitchy Flowers & Leaf Dies, Spring Leaves, & of course... Eileen's Heartfelt Journal die!

Supplies Used

Big Shot (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Designs HeARTfelt Journal Die (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Designs Stitchy Flowers & Leaf  Dies (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Leaves, Spring Die (Sizzix)

Tim Holtz Wildflowers (Sizzix)

Tim Holtz Labels Dies (Sizzix)

Creative Station (Xyron)

Patterned Paper- Happy Day Stack  (DCWV)

Kraft Cardstock (DCWV)

Believe Script (Pink and Main)

VersFine Onyx Black (Imagine Crafts/ Tsukineko)

White Cardstock

 Chipboard

Tim Holtz Distress Ink- Worn Lipstick, Vintage Photo, Mowed Lawn (Ranger)

Mixed Media Glue (Beacon)

One of the reasons I love making these journals so much is that they are so easy to put together!

Just cut your 12"x 12" cardstock and Chipboard in half to make 6" x 12" pieces. I used 1- 12" sheet of chipboard and 2 -  12" sheets of patterned paper. 

Once sheets are cut in half, I ran the pieces of patterned paper through the Xyron Creative Station (pattern side up).  

Then, I attached them to the chipboard pieces. Each piece of chipboard had patterned paper of both side (back and front) with a different pattern on each side.

Then, I used the journal die to die cut both pieces of covered chipboard. I made sure that the pattern I wanted on the outside was face down on the die.

 I used mixed media glue to attach the spines together, making sure to line up the pre-cut holes. Then set it aside to dry.

 While the glue was drying, I die cut several flowers from the Stitchy Flowers & Leaf dies from Kraft cardstock. 

To make the large flower, I used 3 large flower die-cuts & 2 stamen/ starburst die-cuts.

For the medium sized roses, I used 2 medium in each.

and for the rosebuds, I used 1 small flower and a leafy stem for each.

I die cut a total of 6 large leaves and 7 leafy stems.

I also die cut a doily and a couple of wildflowers from more Kraft cardstock and more wildflowers from White cardstock. Then lightly inked the edges using Vintage Photo Distress ink.

For color, I shaded all the flowers with Worn Lipstick Distress ink and all the leaves with Mowed Lawn Distress then with Vintage Photo.

I added micro beads to the center of my large flower.

I die-cut label from the Tim Holtz Labels die, inked the edges with Vintage Photo Distress ink, then stamped a sentiment from the Pink and Main Beliee Script stamp set.

I  attached all my die cuts onto the cover using more mixed media glue.

And here is the finished project...

And a couple of  close-ups...

I really love this sentiment! I think it's very empowering and great state of mind to keep one's self in!

I hope you enjoyed this journal idea and that inspires you to make one of your own!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!

~ Mitsy

***Disclaimer***

This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.

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.

This blog may contain affiliate links, making a purchase through these links helps fund this blog at no additional cost to you.

Forest Spirits Treehouse Card

Hi, Crafty Friends!! I'm here today with the Eileen Hull Inspiration Team. 

This month we partnered up with the awesome people at Stampotique to bring you some amazing projects featuring products from both Stampotique and Eileen Hull Designs!

And today I have this enchanting Treehouse card complete with tiny little "Forest Spirits".

If you follow me regularly on Facebook, you'll occasionally see my posts about Hayao Miyazaki and all things Studio Ghibli. And when I saw the Line Up stamp set from Stampotique it immediately reminded me of the movie My Neighbor Totoro. 

Totoro is a cat-like "Forest Spirit" or "Keeper of the forest". A beloved and iconic character of the Japanese animated movie that has become synonymous with Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli.

And is my main inspiration behind today's project.

Supplies Used

Big Shot (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Designs House/ Pocket Stitchlits (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Designs Leaves, Spring (Sizzix)

Heartfelt 6"x12" Cardstock Pad (Sizzix)

Line Up (Stampotique)

Cardstock- Kraft, Brown, White (DCWV)

140 lb. Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)

Tim Holtz Distress Markers (Ranger) 

Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Ranger)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

3" Sticker Maker (Xyron)

Creative Station Lite (Xyron)

Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)

Paper Flowers

Water Brush

3D Dots

Glossy Accents (Ranger)

Glue Pen 

First, I stamped my image ( cute line up of forest spirits) using VersaFine Onyx Black Ink onto 140lb mixed media paper.

Then colored them using Tim Holtz Distress Markers in (characters from left to right: Seedless-Preserves + Worn Lipstick, Hickory Smoke, Vintage Photo + Mowed Lawn, Stormy Sky +Worn Lipstick).

After my little cuties were colored, I cut each out by hand.

I wanted to do something a little different. So, I decided to stray away from the standard A2 sized greeting card. I chose to make my card a #10. Which is standard "Legal" size.  The great thing about making my card this size is that even though it is quite larger than the average crafter makes, it still only costs standard first class shipping price... one stamp!! How awesome is that, right?!!

So, I cut my card base to8"x 9" (4" x 9"- folded) and my card mat to 3-7/8" x 8-7/8".

I used Walnut Stain Distress ink to shade the edges of the mat, then used my Xyron Mega Runner to attach the mat to card base.

I used Eileen Hull Designs House/ Pocket Stitchlits to die cut paper from her Heartfelt 6"x12" Cardstock Pad and matching pieces in chipboard. Ran all the pieces through my 3" Sticker Maker and adhered them together. 

I shaded the edges of the rooftops using Tim Holtz Distress ink in Mowed Lawn, then lightly with Walnut Stain.

I added 2 sets of the rooftops to the front of my card, creating a 2-story looking treehouse.

All houses need windows and a front door, right... 

So, I die cut one square paneled window for the front of the door and one semi-circular window for above the door. I used the bright and cheery yellow patterned paper from Eileen's paper pad for the insides of all the windows. Look, it makes it look like someone turned on the lights inside!

Then for the second floor, I used 5 windows. I die cut and layered 2. 

And for the remaining three...

I cut out the panels of one to make a frame, adhered my little guy to the yellow background paper, attached the frame over him, then trimmed the excess. Then cut the other 2 windows so that they were just two stacked box panels. Then attached it to both sides of the previous window.

Now, the little forest spirit is at an open window with shutters!! Too cute!

I attached all my windows to the top level of the treehouse and added a chimney.

It's starting to really take shape now!

But what's a treehouse without tons of leaves?!!

This part may seem tedious but I found it quite relaxing... I made tons and tons of leaves... I think at least 25. And all die cut from plain kraft cardstock using Eileen Hull Designs - Leaves, Spring.

I shaded them first with Walnut Stain for the stems. Then blended on Mowed Lawn for the leaves. Don't worry about getting the colors shaded perfectly because they blend together perfectly and give a more "natural" look to the leaves.

Ok, I could have stopped there but wanted to add more detail to make them look even more realistic.

 I used my distress markers in Mowed Lawn. Forest Moss, and Vintage Photo for additional detail.

Then, I used an embossing stylus to add dimension to my leaves.

I used a Glossy Accents as a liquid glue to attach the leaves above the rooftops. I laid each stem down building up towards the peak. Wherever I had bald spots I filled with extra leaves I trimmed from any leftover stems.

I added foam adhesive to the backs of the remaining forest spirits and positioned them by the front door.

For a final touch, I added assorted paper flowers onto my covered rooftops.

And, here is my finished card...

I even added a couple more leaves (trimmed down) at the front door to look like little plants. 

Here are a close-ups...

You can really see all the details in the leaves. And look how adorable these little cuties are!!

I hope you enjoyed this adorable treehouse card!

For more crafty inspiration from our collaboration, please visit Eileen Hull Designs and Stampotique on Facebook and their other social medias!!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~Mitsy

***Disclaimer***

This blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.

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.

This blog may contain affiliate links, making a purchase through these links helps fund this blog at no additional cost to you.

Encourage Your Hopes

Hello, Crafty Friends! 

I'm back again with Team Xyron... and this week we partnered with the wonderful people at DCWV to bring you tons of inspirational projects!

This week I had the privilege to play with one of DCWV's newest paper stacks called Meet Me In Paris...

I was beyond excited because I had instantly fallen in love with it when first saw it at Creativation this past winter. This stack is GORGEOUS!! Oh, how I wish I could take it home me (that and many of their other stacks as well). 

Fast forward to the present and I couldn't be happier that it made its way home to me! If you are looking for papers that are utterly and romanticly charming, then this is the stack for you! 

So I used these beautiful papers to make this stunning encouragement card.

Supplies Used

Meet Me In Paris Stack (DCWV)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

Eileen Hull Stitchy Flowers & Leaf Dies (Sizzix)

Chalkboard Paint (Prima Marketing Inc.)

Finnabair Art Ingredients- Texture Powder, White  (Prima Marketing Inc.)

Opal Magic- Rose Gold Acrylic Paint (Prima Marketing Inc.)

Finnabair Mechanicals - Grungy (Prima Marketing Inc.)

Finnabair Mechanicals - Vintage Trinkets (Prima Marketing Inc.)

Tim Holtz Idea-ology- Word Bands (Advantus)

Tim Holtz Distress Oxide - Peeled Paint, Worn Lipstick (Ranger)

Tim Holtz Distress Ink- Walnut Stain (Ranger)

Flourish Frames Evie (Gypsie Soul Laser Cuts)

Fabri-Tac

Brads

Self Adhesive Rhinestones

Crinkle Ribbon

 I started by cutting my paper down to 4.25" x 11". Then folded it in half to create a standard A2 sized card base. I also trimmed down a piece of patterned paper down to 4"x 5.25" creating a card mat.

I cut 2" and 3" squares from coordinating papers. Using Eileen Hull's Stitchy Flowers & Leaf dies, I die cut flowers 3 large flowers, 4 6pt flowers, and 3 of the small 4 pt flowers. I also die cut 3 Large and 2 small stamens but ultimately decided against using those smaller stamens.

 With a scissor, I made cuts toward the center of the flowers creating longer petals.

Then, I inked the edges of all the flower petals using Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

 To make the small rose I used 4 - 6 petaled flowers and dampened them using a water brush. I shaped and curled the petals. Then layered them inside of each other and secured it together with liquid adhesive.

 For the larger flower bloom, I used the 3 large flowers that I made incisions into and again used my water brush to dampen and shape my flowers. To speed up the drying time and make the flowers firmer I heat set the flowers.

I layered the flowers and secured with more adhesive. Then repeated the same steps on the stamens.

Then. I attached a rhinestone cabochon to the sender.

The flower ended up being a little too brown for me so I decided to brush on a little Worn Lipstick Distress Oxide ink onto the flower petals.

 This flourished frame from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts was so pretty but seemed so flat... So I added texture by brushing on a mixture I made by mixing black chalkboard paint and texture powder.

Then dry brushed Rose Gold Opal Magic Acrylic Paint over the raised texture.

 I die cut 3 leaves (also from the Stitchy Flowers & Leaf die set). Then inked them with peeled paint distress oxide ink and heat set it.

I folded and cresed my leaves. Then inked Walnut Stain Distress Inks over the creased edges.

 Next, I inked around the edges of the card mat with more Walnut Stain ink.

I centered and attached the card mat to the front of the card base using my Xyron Mega Runner.

Then, attached the frame to the front of the card using more Mega Runner adhesive. The dot matrix system ensures that the adhesive sticks only where I need it to.

Then using a strong liquid adhesive I attached my metal leaves and bow to the frame. Then attached the leaves and flowers over top. 

Lastly attaching the metal butterfly and word band sentiment across the frame.

And here is my finished card...

I hope you enjoyed my project for the day and even more so I really hope you enjoyed Wrapping up our fantastic week with DCWV!!

Please come back and visit soon! 

But until then, 

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~ Mitsy

You Are Loved Card

Hello Crafty Friends!! If you follow me regularly, you know that I am an avid cardmaker. In fact, cardmaking is how I got into paper crafting to begin with. 

So, when Xyron said our first project was a cardmaking one, I squealed like a little pig. Seriously.

But I wanted to try a little something different... 

I came up with this three dimensional die cut overlay, layered over foil cardstock.

Supplies Used

Double Sided Cardstock Stack (DCWV)

Peri & Peach Stack (DCWV)

The Foiled Cardstock Stack (DCWV)

Tim Holtz Alterations- Mixed Media Set #2 (Sizzix)

Tim Holtz Distress Inks- Weathered Wood, Walnut (Ranger)

Tim Holtz Ideaology- Word Bands (Advantus Corp)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

1.5" Sticker Maker (Xyron)

Creative Station Lite (Xyron)

Engraver Brads (Prima Marketing)

Engraver Roses (Prima Marketing)

Craft Foam Sheets

Gears- Found Object (Bead Landing)

Clear Liquid Adhesive

Mini Brads (Recollections)

Heart Lock (Michael's)

 I wanted my overlay to look as if it leapt of the card. In order to do that, I need a thicker material to cut out my overlay. Since most thin metal dies don't cut out thick and dense materials, I opted to use a sheet of craft foam. It adds the thickness I'm looking for without the having to cut through a dense material or unnecessary weight.

I started by first running a piece of foam through my Xyron Creative Station Lite. I peeled off the protective layer, flipped it over, and ran it back through my machine again.

Now, I have a very die-cut friendly piece of material that is also self adhesive.

Then, I used very pretty flourish die, from Tim Holtz's Mixed Media dies, to cut out this pretty pattern. You may wanna crank it through a few times to make sure it cut thoroughly through.

I peeled off the protective liner and immediately attached the overlay onto a sheet of blue foil cardstock.

The foil shining through the cutout image catches the light like you would not believe... It's absolutely gorgeous!

 To add even more depth, I used my mini blending tool and applied Distress Ink around the cutout image and along the edges. I started with Weathered Wood and then added Walnut.

Then,  I tied crinkled silk seam binding along the left side of the card. 

I tied the heart charm in place onto the silk ribbon bow.

I used my Xyron Sticker Maker to add adhesive to the back of my gear embellishments, then attached them to my card front.

For the thicker and bulky pieces (like the flower and the sentiment band), to simply adhered them using a clear liquid glue.

And here is my finished card... 

I absolutely love how the blue foil shines through the cutout areas. 

It immediately draws your attention to it.

Well, that's my project for today! 

I hope that it inspires you to create your own foiled dimension die cut overlay!!

Until next time...

Happy Crafting Everyone!!

~Mitsy