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)

250 Create-A-Sticker (Xyron)

Big Shot (Sizzix)

Cling Fuchsia Trio Rubber Stamp Set (Stampendous)

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)

Distress Oxide- Cracked Pistachio (Ranger Ink)

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

DIY Laminated Monogram Luggage Tags

Hey, Crafty Friends!! I'm back! 

This time with Team Xyron! This week the design team made projects using the laminate refill cartridges. And today, I made a few DIY Laminate Monogram Luggage Tags!

Supplies Used

140 lb. Mixed Media

Stitched Traditional Tag STAX (My Favorite Things)

Colorista Aqua Stamp Set- Love (Crafter's Companion)

Spectrum Noir Aqua Markers- Landscape, Nature (Crafter's Companion)

PITT Artist Pens- S, B (Faber-Castell)

Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink - Antique Linen (Ranger)

VersaFine Onyx Black Ink (Tsukineko/ Imagine Crafts)

Creative Station Lite (Xyron)

5" Repositionable Adhesive Refill (Xyron)

5" 2 Sided Laminate Refill (Xyron)

Metal Findings/ Keyrings

I started by die-cutting 3 tags from 140 lb mixed media paper. I used this paper as the base of my tags because I was doing stamping and coloring and didn't want my colors to bleed through. This mixed media paper is nice and thick and it holds up to moisture very well.

I also die cut a 2.5" circle from patterned cardstock. Use whatever color you want for this part. White on white hurts my eyes and I just used a bold pattern to make it easy for me to see. 

Then, I ran my circle die-cut through my Xyron Creative Station Lite using the 5" Repositionable Cartridge to make the circle into a mask and placing it on my tag.

 I used a stamp positioning tool to help with exact placement and quick stamping. It really comes in handy when making multiples of the same project.

The rubber stamped I used on my tag was pretty big, it overlapped my tag on both sides. So, I placed my TAG at the 3" line so it would have room on either side of the stamp and not have a wall of the platform in the way of my stamp. I made sure to lay a piece of typewriting paper under my tag so I wouldn't get my platform inky.

Then, I placed my stamp on the "rubber" side of the platform lid, inked my stamp with VersaFine Onyx Black ink, and pressed firmly down on the stamped image.

Then, I lift up the lid to make sure the stamp gave a good impression.

 Once satisfied with the impression, I remove the circle mask. Then, I placed a new tag down in its place (in the same spot, at the 3" mark). Then repeated the previous steps onto the other two tags.

Then, I came to my favorite part, the COLORING!!

I used my Spectrum Noir Aqua Makers to color in the flowers and leaves of the stamped image and then blended the colors out with a water brush.

After I was done coloring, I placed the mask back onto the tag to re-mask the blank area.

I used Tim Holtz Distress Oxides in Antique Linen to shade the outer perimeter of the tag, leaving the center white.

I removed the mask, and hand drew my monogram. I call it faux hand-lettering. I can't hand-letter to save my life (#GOALS)!

But, I can draw each letter which is good enough for me, for now anyway! LOL

For my "faux" hand-lettering, I start by lightly drawing out my letters with a pencil. That way any mistakes I made or things I want to change can be erased.

Once I was satisfied with how my letters looked,  I traced over the pencil marks with a permanent ink pen. Then erased any pencil marks that I left behind.

I needed to switch out my cartridges. I wanted to make my luggage tags water resistant and more durable. So, I replaced the adhesive cartridge with a 2 Sided Laminate cartridge instead.

I punched holes at the top center of the tags. Then, ran them through the Creative Station Lite.

Next, I trimmed off the excess laminate and left a 1/8" border all the around.

I re-punched the hole to remove the adhesive. Then, slipped in a metal finding and attached a keyring onto each tag.

And here are my gorgeous Floral and MONOGRAMMED Luggage Tags!!

These can't just be used for suitcases!

How about on backpacks???

On School Supplies???

On purses and handbags???

Or why even hang it on a bag at all?? How but just using it as a keychain? 

I pretty sure you won't lose your keys now!! LOL

I really hope you enjoyed this tutorial!!

And if you can't hand-letter, have a go at "FAUX" lettering and draw them instead!

Hope you all have a very crafty day!!

Until next time, Friends!

~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.

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.

Die-Namites Dies and So Suzy Stamps Blog Hop- Day 2

Hello, Crafty Friends!!! Welcome to the Die-Namites/ So Suzy Stamps Design Team Blog Hop!!

We are ecstatic that you're here!! Please hop along as we share with you our projects that incorporate beautiful dies with awesome high quality stamps. Each day we'll have new projects featuring talented artist from 2 amazing design teams!

We also have some awesome blog hop candy to give away!! Each design team will be giving away a $25 gift certificate to their team's website.

PRIZES

- $25 Die-Namites Gift Certificate

- $25 So Suzy Stamps Gift Certificate

One random winner will be chosen for each prize. Chances of winning depends on amount of qualified entries.

To qualify to enter you must follow these few simple rules...

RULES

1. Click on each link to go to each participating BLOG. (complete list of links are posted below)

2. FOLLOW each BLOG & leave a COMMENT on the BLOG HOP post.

3. LIKE Die-Namites Dies & So Suzy Stamps on Facebook.

We hope we're able to inspire you!!

HAVE A WONDERFULLY CRAFTY DAY!

COMPLETE LINE-UP

DieNamites Blog 

 So Suzy Stamps with Suzy

 Martha Lucia Gomez

Susanne Rose

Marina Gridasova

Jennifer Loftfield

Henryka Kowacz

Monica Monge-Taylor

 Mitsyana Wright (YOU ARE HERE)

Erin Reed (GO HERE NEXT)

Justine Hovey

Freetany

Hello, Crafty Friends! Welcome to day 2 of the Die-Namites & So Suzy Stamps Blog Hop as we continue on with more crafty fun and inspiration!!

If you are just joining us you may want to start at the beginning of the hop, HERE.  If you are coming from Monica Monge-Taylor's blog, Taylormade Cards 4u, you are in the right place!!

Today I have a wonderful wedding/ anniversary card using the new Wedding Arbour (from Die-Namites)

Today, I will be featuring these awesome products from Die-Namites and So Suzy Stamps...

Wedding Arbour

Judy Garland 

I started by die-cutting my gazebo and couple out of plain white cardstock.

I colored in the gazeebo with  gray Spectrum Noir Markers (IG1, IG2, IG4) and leaves in IG4. Then I outlined and  drew in details with a PITT Artist Pen in XS. 

I used Spectrum Noir Markers FS3 & FS6  for the skin color. And, I used s PITT Artist Pen (XS) for the fine lines and details.

Then, I used VersaFine Onyx Black ink to stamp my sentiment... this beautiful quote by Judy Garland! Because So Suzy Stamps are deep red rubber stamps, every impression comes out crisp and clean.

After I stamped my sentiment, I inked the ages of my card front with brown chalk ink. Then I attached my arbour onto my card front, letting it over hang off the edge, and trimming away the excess. I used a Brush  (B) PITT Artist Pen to doodle lines around the perimeter of the card front. Then used a distresser to rough up the edges.

I made my card base from plain white cardstock and used a scalloped border punch along the bottom of  the card. Then used my Xyron Mega Runner to attach my gorgeous couple to my card front, and then attached card front to my card base.

Supplies Used

Wedding Arbour (Die-Namites)

Judy Garland (So Suzy Stamps)

Xyron Mega Runner

Spectrum Noir Markers-

White Cardstock (Bazzill Basics)

VersFine Onyx Black Ink Pad (Imagine Crafts/ Tsukineko)

VersaMagic-  (Imagine Crafts/ Tsukineko)

Pitt Artist Pen- XS, B (Faber-Castell)

I hope you enjoyed my project for today!! Don't forget to keep on hopping and visit these other wonderfully talented ladies!!

DieNamites Blog

 So Suzy Stamps with Suzy

 Martha Lucia Gomez

Susanne Rose

Marina Gridasova

Jennifer Loftfield

Henryka Kowacz

Monica Monge-Taylor

 Mitsyana Wright (YOU ARE HERE)

Erin Reed (GO HERE NEXT)

Justine Hovey

Freetany

Thank you so much for hopping along with us and good luck!!

HAVE A SUPER CRAFTY DAY!!

~Mitsy

Die-Namites Dies and So Suzy Stamps Blog Hop- Day 1

Hello, Crafty Friends!! !Welcome to the Die-Namites/ So Suzy Stamps DesignTeam Blog Hop!!

We are ecstatic that you're here!! Please hop along today and tomorrow (2/19 - 2/20), as we share with you our projects that incorporate beautiful dies with awesome high quality stamps. Each day we'll have new projects featuring talented artist from 2 amazing design teams!

We also have some awesome blog hop candy to give away!! Each design team will be giving away a $25 gift certificate to their team's website. 

PRIZES

- $25 Die-Namites Gift Certificate

- $25 So Suzy Stamps Gift Certificate

One random winner will be chosen for each prize. Chances of winning depends on amount of qualified entries.

To qualify to enter you must follow these few simple rules...

RULES

1. Click on each link to go to each participating BLOG. (complete list of links are posted below)

2. FOLLOW each BLOG & leave a COMMENT on the BLOG HOP post.

3. LIKE Die-Namites Dies & So Suzy Stamps on Facebook.

Here is today's complete line-up:

DieNamites (START HERE)

So Suzy Stamps with Suzy

Martha Lucia Gomez 

Susanne Rose

Marina Gridasova

Jennifer Loftfield

Henryka Kowacz

Monica Monge-Taylor

Mitsyana Wright (YOU ARE HERE)

Erin Reed 

Justine Hovey

Freetany

If you are just joining us you may want to start at the beginning of the hop, HERE.  If you are coming from Monica Monge-Taylor's blog, Taylormade Cards 4u, you are in the right place!!

Welcome!! We hope you're having a great time so far and I am so happy that you stopped by!

For today's project I chose to use the following Die-Namites Dies and So So Suzy Stamps.

Bell Flowers

Budding Branch

Elegance

I started by die-cutting the Bell Flowers and Budding Branches out of craft paper. I cut 4 Bell Flowers and 2 Budding Branches.

I colored and shaded all my flowers with my eBrush machine and Sharpie markers. For the leaves I used a the following colors: light green, green, and orange. For the bells I used lavender, purple, and brown... for the stamens on the flowers I used yellow and orange.

After airbrushing them I added a bit of dimension using a stylus and foam mat by rubbing my stylus in a circular motion on the back side of my flowers.

I hand drew detail lines using  a PITT Artist Pen in XS. And, for the budding vines, I used a white opaque marker just on the buds.

I stamped the Elegance sentiment stamp by So Suzy Stamps using VersaFine Onyx Black ink pad. The red rubber stamp gives a gorgeous crisp image! Just look at those details... these are really fine lines and the impressions are clean and crisp!

I snipped my budding branches and bell flowers into smaller pieces and attached them onto my card front using glossy accents.

Then, lastly, I used my Xyron Mega Runner to attach my card front to my card base. I could have attached the card front before adding my die-cut but got carried away and attached them to my card front first. LOL... sometimes it happens!

And here is my finished card...

Supplies Used

Budding Branch (Die-Namites)

Bell Flowers (Die-Namites)

Elegance (So Suzy Stamps)

eBrush (Craftwell)

Xyron Mega Runner

Patterned Paper- (Canvas Home Basics- Black and Craft, My Mind's Eye- Ooh La La For Her)

White Cardstock (Bazzill Basics)

Glossy Accents (Ranger)

White Opaque Marker (Recollections)

PITT Artist Pen-XS (Faber-Castell)

Sharpie Markers- Lavender, Purple, Light Green, Green, Yellow, Orange, Brown

I hope you enjoyed my project for today!! Don't forget to keep on hopping and visit these other wonderfully talented ladies!!

Here is today's complete line-up:

DieNamites  

So Suzy Stamps with Suzy

Martha Lucia Gomez 

Susanne Rose

Marina Gridasova

Jennifer Loftfield

Henryka Kowacz

Monica Monge-Taylor

Mitsyana Wright (YOU ARE HERE)

Erin Reed (GO HERE NEXT)

Justine Hovey

Freetany

And, don't forget to come back again tomorrow for day 2 of our awesome blog hop!!

HAVE A SUPER CRAFTY DAY!!

~Mitsy