IAR Monthly Challenge - You Are Loved Card

Hello Crafty Friends! 

It's March 15th and time for another I Am Rosses Blog Challenge!!

If you are unfamiliar with the IAR Blog Challenge,  Every month, on the 15th, there is a new Blog Challenge. Create a project using I Am Roses products and link your project to their blog by the end of the month and winners will be chosen to win some amazing prizes. I recommend you head on over to their blog to check it out!! There you will see inspiration from the I Am Roses Design Team and what other creators such as yourself are making.

For more info or to participate and link your project, go to the I am Roses Challenge Blog.

Here is what I created for this month's Challenge...

IAR Supplies Used

Pink Variegated Belinda's Dream Rose

Pink Variegated Cherry Blossoms 

 Hot Pink Variegated Rosebuds

Pale Green on Soft Yellow Leaves

Other Supplies Used

Big Shot Foldaway  (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Mandala Die (Sizzix)

Chrome Precision Cutting Plate (Sizzix)

Die Brush w/ Magnetic Pickup Tool (Sizzix)

Rejoice Sentiment Dies- You are Loved (Diamond Press)

Creative Station (Xyron)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

Disposable 3"Sticker Maker  (Xyron)

Patterned Paper  (Kingston Crafts)

110 lb White Cardstock

Distress Oxide Ink- Picked Raspberry (Ranger)

Blending Tool, Mini Ink Blending Tool (Ranger)

Heart Rhinestones (Buttons Galore)

Clear Drying Liquid Glue

I started by building my card base from a 5 1/2" x 11" piece of 110 lb white cardstock folded in half to create a 5 1/2" squared card. Then attached a 5 1/4" piece of Kingston Crafts' teal and white polka dot patterned paper using my Xyron Mega Runner.

To create the intricate doily, I ran more white cardstock through my Creative Station machine and die-cut it using my Eileen Hull Mandala Die through a Big Shot Foldaway machine. Because this is a very intricate die, I substituted one cutting plate for a chrome precision plate to ensure that it would cut out each tiny detail. Then poked out all the tiny tidbits with ease with the help of my die brush tool.

I created a simple shadow for my doily by placing my mandala die flat onto a piece of pink paper, also from Kingston Crafts, and tracing out its silhouette. Then cut it out by hand with a scissor.

I adhered the mandala die-cut on top and inked around the edges using Picked Raspberry Distress Oxide Ink and a mini blender tool then attached it to my card base.

Finally, I can start building up those beautiful flowers...

I usually start with the biggest which is the Pink Belinda's Dream Rose. This one I wanted in the center of the arrangement.

Then I surrounded the big rose with a bundle of three Pink Variegated Cherry Blossoms on each side.

Next, I tucked in Pale Green Leaves. I used a total of six.

Then I tucked in draped small Hot Pink Variegated Rose Buds. I used a total of ten of them. You will see all of them in the final card pictures.

I planned on sending this card to a dear friend of mine who is going through a difficult time so I wanted the sentiment big and heartfelt. So I chose this sentiment that says "You are Loved" and die cut the background from vellum and the words itself from more white cardstock. 

Then to blended on more Picked Raspberry ink onto the die-cut to tie it onto the card better.

Lastly. I used these tiny heart-shaped rhinestones and attached them by sticking them onto my mega runner and peeling them up. It applied instant adhesive to the backs of my rhinestones without having to wait for any glue to dry. Then I simply added the gems to my card.

And here is my finished card...

I hope you enjoyed today's project and are inspired to create something beautiful of your own!

Don't forget to head on over to the I am Roses Challenge Blog for more inspiration 

OR

To enter and link up your projects!!

Thanks for stopping by and 

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~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 

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

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

Solid Burgundy- 2 Layer Full Bloom Flowers (I Am Roses)

Yellow Variegated Cherry Blossoms (I Am Roses)

Mini Mixed Christmas (I Am Roses)

Mixed Green- Medium May Roses (I Am Roses)

Mixed Green White Cherry Blossoms (I Am Roses)

Mixed Green Small Paper Flowers (I Am Roses)

Soft Green Carnation (I Am Roses)

Other Supplies Used

Big Shot (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Leaves, Spring(Sizzix)

Tim Holtz Tag Collection (Sizzix)

250 Sticker Maker (Xyron)

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)

Distress Oxide- Black Soot (Ranger)

Clear Embossing Powder (Judikins)

MISTI (My Sweet Petunia)

Anti-Static Pouch (Ranger)

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 

Flowers & Cupcakes... SWEET!

Happy Monday, Friends!! 

Today, I created this adorable card as part of the I Am Roses July Challenge! 

If you don't know what that is, you don't know what you're missing! These monthly challenges are a great way to get creative, participate in a wonderful crafting community, and possibly win some amazing prizes in the process!!

To participate, all you have to do is create something new that includes flowers on your project and link it on the I Am Roses Challenge Blog. And the best part ...you can use ANY brand flowers!! Yes, you read that right... you can use ANY flowers!!! More Details can be found on their blog, HERE.

For my project, I made a sweet little card... This stamp had the cutest little girl holding a stack of cupcakes... I just couldn't help myself! 

I Am Roses Supplies Used

White Handmade Mulberry Paper Flowers

Purple Tone Paper Flowers

White Small Rose May Paper Flowers

Soft Pink Cherry Blossoms

Other Supplies Used

Cupcake Brigitta Stamp (C.C. Designs)

Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)

Clean Color Real Brush Markers (Zig/ Kuretake)

Big Shot (Sizzix)

Eileen Hull Leaves, Spring Die (Sizzix)

Jen Long Fancy Frame Die (Sizzix)

Edgeables Die (Crafter's Companion)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

3" Sticker Maker (Xyron)

 Cardstock-White, Black (Recollections)

Patterned Paper (Pink and Main, Lawn Fawn)

Double-sided Cardstock (DCWV)

ColorBox Archival Dye Ink- Wicked Black (Clearsnap)

Eileen Hull ColorBox Blends Ink- Leaf (Clearsnap)

Foam Adhesive

Chalk

White Gel Pen (Sakura)

Sparkle Pen- Clear (Spectrum Noir)

Paper Piercing Tool (Optional)

Scissors (EK Success)

Paper Trimmer (Swingline) 

MISTI Stamping Tool (My Pink Petunia)

I started by using my Misti stamping tool to stamp Cupcake Brigetta with Wicked Black ink onto mixed media paper. I colored her in using Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers. Then cut out the image by hand. I added red chalk to her cheeks using a small make-up brush, then added highlights to my image using a white gel pen.

I set aside my image and worked on my card base. I decided I wanted a 5.5" x 5.5" card (5.5" x 11"- folded in half). 

I cut out two pieces of 3" x 5" white cardstock, ran them through a Xyron 3" Sticker Maker, then die cut this beautiful and intricate lace design die twice.

I peeled each off its protective film and mounted them in the center onto a 5.25" x 5.25" piece of purple patterned paper, trimming off the overhang. Then, I attached it to the square card.

For the center of the card, I die cut fancy frames out of black and white cardstock. I layered and attached all the frames together, stacking the black frames on the bottom and the white frames on the top. I could have used all white but adding black to the bottom layers added visual depth. 

I also die cut a few leaves out of green cardstock using Eileen Hull's Spring Leaves die. Then I inked the edges using her Blends ink in Leaf.

I used a remnant from the fancy frame as a stencil to trace an oval out of plaid paper to go in the center of the frame. Then attached it using my Xyron Mega Runner.

I added foam adhesive to the back of my sweet little cupcake girl and mounted her onto my card, making her appear as if she was sitting on the edge of the frame.

I tied crinkle bow and attached the leaves to the frame. 

 I wound the wired stems around a paper piercing tool to create coiled vines. Then attached them onto the card base with clear-drying liquid glue.

And here is my finished card...

Isn't she absolutely adorable!! It looks like the cutie-patootie is having cupcakes in a beautiful garden!

All these shades of purple blooms are nothing short of gorgeous!! The pictures really don't do these flowers justice! They are even more stunning in person!

I hope you all enjoyed my tutorial! And I hope it inspires you to join in on this month's blog challenge... Just think of all the gorgeous flowers you could win!! 

For more amazing inspiration, don't forget to visit my design team sister!! All there projects, pics, and blog links can b found on the I Am Rose Challenge Blog, HERE!

Hope this started your week out with a smile!!

See you all next time!!

~Mitsyana