Thank You!

Hello again, my crafty friends!! I have an amazing card project for you all today featuring gorgeous stencils and color from our Xyron partner, Clearsnap.

Supplies Used 

ColorBox Art Screen- Cobblestone (Clearsnap)

ColorBox Cat Eye Pigment Ink pad- Lilac, Peony, Eggplant (Clearsnap)

ColorBox Spritzers- Pinkolicious (Clearsnap)

Creative Station (Xyron)

Mega Runner (Xyron)

Cream Cardstock- Black, White, Cream Stack (DCWV Inc.)

Natural Corrugate (DCWV Inc.)

Patterned Paper- Maps, Textiles, & Ledgers Stack (DCWV Inc.)

Assorted Flowers, Stems, & Leaves (Prima, Petaloo)

Wooden Frame Ornament (Celebrate It)

Metal Sticker Embellishment (Momenta)

Crinkled Ribbon

Glossy Accents (Ranger)

Distressing Tool

Paper Trimmer

Today, I will show you how you too can make this gorgeous card!!

 I started by cutting a piece of cream colored cardstock to 4.25"x 5.5".

Then, placed it under the Cobblestone Art Screen.

Using a pouncing motion, I lightly applied the ink onto my cardstock. I stenciled the entire A2 (5.5"x 4.25") sized card front. The pouncing motion helps avoid harsh lines.

I cut a piece of patterned paper to 3.25" x 4.5". I also cut corrugated paper 3.5"x 4.75" to mat my patterned paper.

Then distressed and inked the edges using Peony and Eggplant Pigment inks.

Once dried, I ran both pieces through the Xyron Creative Station and set them aside.

Meanwhile, I took a wooden ornament and spritzed it down with Pinkolicious Spritzer spray. This color is usually a vibrant pink. But because I didn't prime my surface and left it it's natural wood color, it turn the pink into a deep magenta, almost maroon. GORGEOUS!!

I gave it a few spritzes and zapped it with my heat tool to speed up drying time.

With all my pieces prepped, I assembled my card. 

I made an A2 card by first cutting a piece of cardstock to 4.25"x 11". Then I folded it in half so to measure a  4.25"x 5.5" card. Then attached my matted card front (aka, patterned paper and corrugated mat).

Then with some liquid adhesive I attached and centered my wooden frame.

With more adhesive I attached the beaded stem.

Then attached the crinkled ribbon bow.

Then attached my flowers and metal embellishment and set aside to dry.

And here is my finished card...

 I have fallen in love with this card. The deep pinks and purple are so charming together... especially paired wit the mossy greens!! 

**SWOON**

I hope you enjoyed this project as much as I did!!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~ Mitsy

February Inspiration Photo and Challenge

Hello, Crafty Friends!! It is already a new month... where is the time going?? Is it just me, or do crafter's always seem to lose track of time? I know when I'm in my craft room "playing", hours seem to just breeze by. And, coincidentally, the same thing happens when I'm shopping at a craft store. Hmmm... I think we crafters enter a different dimension once we cross over any crafty threshold. But, it's just a theory I have, so don't quote me.

Anyway, like I said, It's a new month. A new month means, a new Die-Namites Photo Inspiration Challenge!! WOOT WOOT!! And, with Valentine's Day being just around the corner... well, you know what that means...

Yup, this month's theme... LOVE!!!

You have till the the 28th to link you project ... To find out more info, please visit the 

Die-Namites February Inspiration Photo and Challenge here..

For my project, I was inspire by all the red and golds in the inspiration picture. I also stayed true to the love theme.

Here is what I came up with...

For this project I used the following Die-Namites Dies:

Winged Heart

Budding Branch

Regal Heart

Other Supplies Used

Xyron Mega Runner

Craftwell eBrush

 Cardstock (Bazzill Basics)

Patterned Paper (From stash)

Stencils (Tim Holtz, DCWV)

Sharpie Markers- Bronze, Brown, Green, Red

VersaFine Onyx Black Ink Pad

2Way Glue Pen (EK Success)

3D Dots (EK Success)

Paper Shapers 3" XL Circle Punch (EK Success)

3D Lacquer

Pencil 

Scissors

Sponge Dauber

Lock Charm

I started off by laying my Regal Heart die on the back side of patterned paper and tracing the entire shape of the die and cutting in out.

Then I used the Regal Heart die to cut a heart out of red cardstock. 

I used my ebrush machine an a brown sharpie to shade around the edges of my heart.

I then used a 2way glue pen to adhere the two pieces together.

I then cut out 2 Winged Heart die cuts from white cardstock. The first heart I airbrushed the rose and leave with my ebrush machine and green & red markers. The inked the edges with VersaFine Onyx Black ink and an ink dauber.

The second set of wings, I inked up the edges with the back in again. But cut the heart in half and removed the heart and roses. Leaving only the wings and bottom leaves. Then I eBrushed the wings with a green Sharpie.

Next, I layered the two wings together and mounted my Regal heart with foam adhesive.

For my card base,  I cut my card front down to "x 5.25".

I aibrushed stencil design onto the card front using bronze and brown markers.

I used a 3" circle punch to create a window.

With my Xyron Mega Runner, I adhered my window panel onto black cardstock. And then onto a 4.25" x 5.5" card base.

Before I attached the card front to card base, I added golden branches behind my heart.

I Cut out 2 sets of Budding Branches, trimmed the down to more manageable sized pieces, and tucked them behind the heart. I attached both the branches and lock (onto  the heart)with 3D Lacquer.

And, lastly, mounted the Winged heart onto the card front with foam dots.

And here is my finished card...

I think I really captured the essence of the inspiration picture... even without all the green that was in the inspiration photo.

I hope that this card is able to inspire you!!

Until next time...

Happy Crafting!!

~ Mitsy

Regal Heart Gift Bag

Hi, Crafty Friends!! As promised, here is the coordinating bag to the card I made previously.

Both will be for my bestie... who is also a craftaholic. I hope these put a smile on her face.

Supplies Used

Regal Heart Die (Die-Namites)

Heart Branch Die ( Die-Namites)

Xyron Creative Station w/ 9" Permanent Adhesive Refill

Xyron 3" Sticker Maker

Corrugated Cardstock (DCWV)

Patterned Paper- Bella Armoire (DCWV)

Gesso (Liquitex)

Red Cherry Gelato (Faber-Castell)

Mod Podge (Plaid)

Chipboard

Black, Red Cardstock (Bazzill Basics)

Craft Gift Bag

Hemp Twine 

Red Button

Regal Heart

Heart Branch

First I started by cutting black polka dot paper and chipboard with my Die-Namites Regal Heart Die.

Then I painted the chipboard die-cut with gesso.

Once dried, I rubbed on some Red Cherry Gelatos directly onto the die-cut.

Then spritzed with water and tilted it so the excess would drip off. (You can use a heat gun to speed up dying time).

Once the piece was dried I applied a layer of Mod Podge to seal the color.

Immediately after applying Mod Podge I layered my black polka dot die cut directly over it. Using the wet Mod Podge glues it in place.

Then I set aside to dry.

Once my die-cut was dry I ran it through my Xyron 3" Sticker Maker.

Then I cut out red and black cardstock with my Die-Namites Heart Branches Die. 4  in red and 2 in black.

I'm decorating a small craft gift bag that measures 5.25" x 8.5",

Black cardstock mat measures 5.25" x 5.25",

Red cardstock measures 5"x 5",

Corrugated cardstock measures 4.75"x 4.75",

Black & white patterned paper measure 2.5"x 2.5" each.

I ran all my mat pieces through my Xyron Creative Station. This is going on a gift bag and I wanted a really strong adhesive, so I used a 9" permanent adhesive refill cartridge.

I layered my mats  and then applied my patterned pieces in a diagonal. In the bare corrugated square I layered my heart branches.

Then attached my heart and topped it off with a hemp twine bow and red button. 

And lastly , I wrapped my goodie and stuffed the top of my bag with this red glitter tissue paper I had leftover from Christmas! Yes, Christmas!! That bright Christmas red pulls double duty as a lovely Valentine's Day Red too!!

And here is my finished bag!! I love how these dies really dress up a plain brown paper bag.

And here is my bag paired with the Valentines Day / encouragement card I mad earlier!! 

If you missed it, you can read all about it here!

Hope my bestie loves them!!

And I hope you enjoyed reading about them!!

Until next time...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~ Mitsy

A pocket full of wishes

Hello Crafty Friends... I hope you all are having a beautiful weekend so far!! 

I have for you today on my project for Die-Namites Dies' monthly inspiration challenge!!

This month's inspirational picture makes me feel warm and cozy! And I love the cool color scheme!!

So for my inspiration piece I chose to follow those cool colors!

But instead of a winter theme I chose to do a birthday card. My family has many birthdays in the month of January... including that of my husband and youngest son! So with that in mind a birthday card was a perfect fit!!

Supplies Used

Heart Branch Die (Die-Namites)

Jeans Pocket (Die-Namites)

eBrush (Craftwell)

Xyron Mega Runner

Sentiment Die (Taj Clubhouse)

VersaFine Onyx Black Ink Pad (Tsukineko)

Red Sharpie Markers

Polka-dot Craft Paper (Craftsmith)

White Cardstock (Bazzill Basics)

Red and White Polka-dot Paper (Martha Stewart)

Red and White Twine

Stitched Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon

Red Flower Button

Diamond Glaze (Judikins)

Gesso (Liquitex)

With a paint brush and gesso... I made paint splatter onto my patterned paper. I used a heating tool to speed drying time. I applied heat on both sides to minimize bowing and warping.

I used my Xyron Mega Runner to apply adhesive to my card front and attach it to a 4"x 5-1/4" white cardstock mat.

 When the sharpies are pushed too far into the adapter head it has a tendency to splatter... perfect... just the look I was going for!! I add red splatters along with my white ones.

Using white cardstock I die-cut both a Jeans Pocket and 3 Heart Branches.

   

 

The pocket I kept white. But I airbrushed all my stems using a red Sharpie and an airbrush (ebrush) machine.

My stems were too long and hanging out of the pocket too much. Much too long for my card... so I trimmed about 1 inch off each branch.

Then I glued my pocket a slight diagonal and glued my heart branches into the pocket and once the glue dried tucked in a few birthday candles. 

 I stamped my sentiment "a pocket full of wishes" along the top of my card. I figure this a perfect sentiment since it is customary for everyone to makes a wish before blowing out candles.

For a finishing touch, I made a quadruple loop bow made from red and white twine. Then I used a turquoise grosgrain with red stitching to make a regular looped bow and layered it over my twine bow, tied to them together, and topped it with a red flower button. 

And here is my finished card...

I hope you enjoyed my card and are inspired to join in on our challenge fun!!

For more info on the Die-Namites Challenge or to upload your project, please click here!

You could be the next winner of a $25 gift certificate from Die-Namite Dies!!

Thanks for stopping by and...

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

~ Mitsy

Butterfly Ornament

Hello, Crafty Friends!! It the holiday season and it's time to get those crafty gifts going. Today I have a beautiful butterfly ornament to share. It doesn't only serve as tree decor but as a gorgeous keepsake too.

Supplies Used

Cut'.n'boss (Craftwell)

Teresa Collins Pocket Dies- Today, Thankful (Craftwell)

eBrush (Craftwell)

Xyron 3" Sticker Maker 

Sharpie Markers- Green & Lime Greem

Spectrum Noir Markers- CG3, GB1, GB2, TN3

Acrylic Ornament

Hemp Twine

Cardstock- White & Green

PITT Artist Pen B (Faber-Castell)

Gesso (Liquitex)

3D Lacquer 

Iridescent Shreds (Optional)

I started off by using my stem and small leaf die from the Teresa Collins Thankful Pocket Die set to cut out white and green cardstock. I usually try to cut out more die cuts than I need... just in case I have an accident or two (or three). LOL

To cut wafer dies I used the following sandwich combination in my Cut'n'boss machine:

From Bottom to Top

D PLATE

A PLATE

B PLATE

DIE

PAPER

A PLATE

Then I added some shading with the help of my ebrush machine and markers. With tiny pieces like these shading and coloring can be difficult. sponging and inking can run the risk of damaging your die cuts. With the ebrush the color sprays on and virtually eliminates the need for vigorous rubbing.

I ebrushed my green leaves with a lime green and regular green sharpie. And my stems in a lime green sharpie then Spectrum Noir markers in CG3 and TN3.

Then I ran my leaves and stem through my 3" Xyron Sticker Maker... turning my pieces into stickers.

Then arranged them onto my ornament... concentrating on the bottom and top of the ornament. I used 6 leaves for the entire top and 8 leaves for the entire bottom. And used 4 stems on the top and 4 stems on the bottom.

I cut out two butterflies for the Teresa Collins Today Pocket Dies set. ebrushed them in Spectrum Noir GB1 and GB2 and hand drew the details with a PITT Artist Pen (B) and used gesso and a toothpick to add the small white dots.

After they were done drying, I ran them through my 3" Xyron Sticker Maker and applied the onto each other. These butterflies are symmetrical and if flipped mirror itself perfectly. Now my butterfly is double-sided. 

I gently curl my butterfly's wing in and pass it through the hole of the ornament. Once the butterfly is inside you can open/ widen the wings by gently pushing on them with a chopstick or paintbrush. Add shreds if desired.

I wrapped twine around neck of the ornament and glued on a bow I made with even more hemp twine.

And here is my finished ornament...

I hope you enjoyed today's project.

And Happy Holiday Crafting!!

~Mitsy

For more inspirational projects please visit my personal blog at:

www.upontippytoes.com