Hello! Although the String Art Nativity Star craft die makes a beautiful Christmas card, I wanted to show some other ideas that can be used any time of year. Baby Christening or Dedication? Baptism? Wedding? This is beautiful for any of those events, simply change up the colors!
The photos don’t catch this, but I’ve created a shimmery effect on the background paper for some added dimension and the results are stunning. I’ll share how I did this in the video below (super simple).
This is a fast, simple card to make. I’ve die cut this out of the colored foil paper from the 6 x 6 Polished Foil Pad from Memory Box. So many color options and I go through the colors in the video below. The foil die cuts beautifully and it’s fun to create tone-on-tone effects with a plate die such as this.
Thank you for stopping by the blog, and I hope you have a wonderful day!
Hello! Today’s card combines coordinating elements from the very versatile Belle Ornament Layer Set, Christmas Ornament and Labels stamp/die set, along with a very festive Big Joy Sugar Script! The ornament die from the stamp set is just slightly larger than the ornament from the Belle layering set, so it created a fun border of gold around the edge of the ornament. So many possibilities when combining everything!
Using glossy accents over foiled card stock (above) gives an amazing depth and also makes the word “Joy” really pop from the card – I love it!
The background stamp was heat embossed white-on-white for the background. The light catches the shiny white design, and it goes together beautifully with the shininess of the Joy.
Gold and white card stock was used for the actual ornament, along with some matching ribbon. This also makes an incredible tag to go along with a festive Christmas wrapping paper. Instead of the word “joy,” a person’s name could be written with a gold or red marker. Check out the video to see this card in action, and how it was made. Super easy!
Have a wonderful day, and thank you for stopping by the blog today.
Hello! Today I’ve combined the new Frosty Flake layers along with the Pinpoint Snowflake used as a background to create a mini card or gift tag. The gorgeous layers were white-on-white, with a soft dusting of blue distress oxide gradient on the bottom layer.
I call it a “mini card” because it’s smaller than a standard A2 size, but it’s not tiny. It’s perfect for a small card or tag. See the reference to the pen above. This would still fit nicely in an A2 envelope when used as a card.
I love how the Pinpoint Snowflake comes with an outer shape die as well as the pinpoint interior plate. This allows a lot of versatility with the design. I die cut two of the basic shapes (above), and glued the very tip of the flakes together. This gives me a shaped card that has no embossed pinpoints on the interior for writing. The outside was embossed with the pinpoint plate for a beautiful background. The interior also has a soft gradient of blue sponged on as well.
The photo above shows it being used as a gift tag on a plain white gift bag. So pretty and I love how the light shines through the pinpoints. The top layers are made from all layers of the Frosty Flake die set. Paired with the pinpoint background, it’s simple, but yet has so much beautiful detail. To use it as a tag, I simply tied ribbon through the inside. No gluing or holes needed and it stays perfectly secure!
These could be done in so many different colors, and given as a gift tag or card set. Snowflakes last all winter, not just the holidays! What about thank you cards in January? Or a Happy New Year greeting written inside?
The above photo shows the pinpoint die from the Pinpoint Snowflake set. This can be used alone for many different background effects. I used this for the exterior background of my card.
The outline die cuts around the edge, leaving a nice border around the pinpoint design. I die cut one as shown above, and one using just the outline die, as shown below:
For both the top and bottom, I went around the edges with Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide ink, following through to a soft gradient on the inside of the snowflake.
Once the inside had shading done, I applied glue to the top portion of the snowflake and glued the front and back together to form the card. This creates an area that the card can bend and be opened. Because I glued approximately 1/2″ down, the card is not fragile when opened.
Layers A, B, and C of the Frosted Flake set were glued together, and then glued over top of the pinpoint layer on the front. A crystal was added to the center. This was a fast, easy project with a big “wow” factor! So pretty. I hope you have a great day!
Hello! Today I am using two die cuts from just a lid to create a small box. It’s a great size to make small favors, place setting embellishments- many occasions and seasons! Above shows this as a name place holder for a Thanksgiving place setting. I simply wrote the name with a gold pen. These are a great size to send away to loved ones for their holiday tables if travel is not possible this season. Either way, and no matter the occasion, these are super easy and fast! Here we go:
I die cut two of the Small Square Lids out of a greenish-blue cardstock (above).
Top Left: Dark greenish-blue square cut to 1.9″ x 1.9″;
Bottom Left: Small Square Lid embellishment frame die;
Middle Column are two die cuts from the square lid embellishment die; one out of gold and one out of a scrap piece of a watercolored sheet from my stash. This also cuts out the center square to be inlaid.
The Layer C of the Autumn Breeze Plate Layer Set is a great die to cut out of foil. The pinpoints show up beautifully and the leaves offer a great variety of embellishments to keep on hand. The frame can also be saved for a future layering project!
With the ends of the two lids together, I glued two sides together.
Next, I put glue on all four corners (top and bottom left, top and bottom right). These tabs were glued to the outer sides (far left and far right). This creates the sides of the box.
Once the sides were glued together, I glued the dark greenish background to the inside, along with the watercolored frame. The box is now ready to open and close. It’s a great idea to create a small notch with a very small circle punch. I used a regular hole punch to create a tiny notch.
I then put the gold frame on the outside of the box, and inlaid the watercolored square. This fits perfectly because it’s from the same die cut. The leaves were added, along with a small crystal.
A small chocolate square was wrapped in foil, and a copper leaf was glued to the top. I was out of the individually wrapped chocolates that would normally fit inside this, but it worked well to cut down a large bar and wrap it to show the embellishment. 🙂
Thank you for stopping by the blog today. Have a wonderful day!
Hello! Today I’ve made some cozy card inspiration to send along some warm hugs and wishes! These cards are made from wool felt. It’s cold and rainy here in Idaho today, so I had Pendleton blankets on the mind while making these. So cozy!
Felt is very easy to die cut but I have a video below sharing some helpful tips and tricks I learned today. The card above has an inlaid heart, using one of the Simple Hearts available at Birch Press Design.
For the sentiment above, I used an Open Studio stamp from Memory Box’s Berry Wreath stamp set. Such a great font! This card would be great for any winter greeting… Christmas, New Year’s, wedding, and more!
Jumbo Lingo Hugs make a wonderful sentiment for a blanket card. The gray felt adds so much cozy to this card – definitely huggable! I had a lot of fun making these, and they’ll be even more fun to give. Have a great day! Here’s a link to the video if you don’t see it below.
Hello! Today I’m so excited to introduce the new Autumn Breeze plate set. This set is packed with die cuts to use layered or individually. It’s so well-thought-out, too, as nothing goes to waste.
See the leaves in the background of the above photo? Those are leftover die cuts from the second plate, Layer B. I love how no space goes to waste whether seen or unseen. This set is so efficient!
The leaves are wonderful to have in the stash for a quick fall embellishment, or a Thanksgiving table confetti would also be beautiful. Below is a photo from the website showing how this layer looks when die cut. To think there are spaces on this layer that show through to the front in carefully thought-out places- wow!
I wanted to add just a little something to the top of the pumpkins, so thought little wire curls would be cute. I didn’t have copper-colored wire, so painted some with Distress Paint (photo below). Super easy and fast!
Once the paint was dry, wire was wrapped around a small tool to create spirals coming from the pumpkins. I simply cut them with wire trimmers and glued them on.
The details offer an amazing background (below). The pinpoint breeze adds such a wonderful touch to the design! Also notice the very intricate leaves. Some show the copper layer, some do not. This set offers endless possibilities and was amazingly designed.
White pumpkins are my favorite fall decoration, so these were left white. I did add tiny little dots of white drops to the edge of the wire, but I don’t think that was needed.
Hello! Watching Jennifer McGuire make see-through cards this morning inspired me to make a mad dash to the Interlocking Frame and String Art Circle. I was so excited to make this card, it felt a bit like morning aerobics, except way more fun!
Jennifer’s video is the original and I highly suggest watching that for overall instructions; however, I wanted to offer some additional tips and tricks specific to the Interlocking Frame. This frame has a lot of intricate detail, which may offer some challenges to a card design such as this, but it’s totally doable, easy, and the results are stunning! Make sure to check out the short video below for some tips in using this particular die for this card design.
The mixture of the dies, holographic paper, and see-through design makes this an absolutely stunning card. As it sits on display, different colors appear just depending on the angle of light that is catching it. It’s almost like glass etching. In the photos above, blue turns to a gold, and even pastel as seen below:
The details of the String Art Circle are so stunning, with so many options. In the photo above, I’ve die cut one out of black. All the pieces were left intact to create a background for the holographic outline. Left over negative pieces were used to embellish the center, along with an iridescent black pearl. Wow! This has to be one of my all-time favorite cards.
For the interior, I added another String Art Circle cut out of the holographic paper to match the exterior. A light gray paper creates the background, with a white center for an embellishment. It’s a great card to have on hand because it’s so versatile. Depending on colors used, this could be very masculine or very feminine, and is great for any occasion from wedding, anniversary, birthday… even a holiday greeting would be beautiful. The inside font could be casual or formal, so it’s great for any style, too! Room for writing a note or even a larger sentiment is on the back.
No matter how hard I try, photos simply do not do this card justice. Check out the video below for some tips, tricks, and to see this card in action!
Hello! Today I’ve made two types of votives to share. They are both made the same way, but one is open on the top, and the others are made to cover a flameless candle. I’ve used the beautiful Grandiose Mini Tile layer set for the walls of the votives, and when the center is cut away, the Mod Alphabet dies perfectly fit inside the center! Although this is a custom box, making it was super easy by using the hinge from the Small Square Base set. Sky is the limit with what messages could be conveyed; from holiday greetings to names, it’s a wonderful table decoration or gift!
These are 2″ x 2″, and are perfect size for a small plant or small flameless candle. Very simple to make, I’ve made an example for a baby shower, or decoration for a baby’s room. The below photo shows what it looks like when used as a votive.
Check out the video for tips and how this project was created!
Hello! Today I am celebrating the birth of my beautiful niece, Ava Rose! In honor of her, I have made some festive cards using the Grandiose Bevel Plate Set and a banner using the Lumina Set. I love being able to come up with whatever word fits the occasion, and I used the dies from the Mod Alphabet Stamp and die set. Each letter in this set has two dies; one for the top layer, and one for the base. I used black for the base, with a color for the top.
Notice in the above photo, there are two sizes of cards shown. The one on the left is a standard A2 size using the die set as it is. The cards on the right utilize the repeating pattern of the same die to make a larger card than the die! These cards are not quite as large as slimline cards, but very close and would fit in the slimline envelopes.
To accomplish this, I needed to do some partial die cutting. I know that when I first heard of this technique, I was intimidated and it seemed complicated. Please try this! It’s easy, fast, and opens up so many possibilities to die cutting. Here are some photos of the process.
Notice the top cutting plate does not cover the bottom of the die. To extend this die cut pattern, we don’t want the end to be cut out. Anything under the top cutting plate will cut, anything not under the top cutting plate will not cut. Here’s what we get below:
Next, we need to just line up die. This is done by overlapping the pattern a little with the die, so the die can “click” into the cut piece, thus lining everything up perfectly for extending. If you don’t feel it “lock” into place, sometimes it is helpful to line it up from the back, as shown below.
Next, place the top cutting plate over the die, but remember we don’t want the end of the die to cut our pattern so we partially cut once again, as shown below on the cutting plates.
Here is the result:
The finished piece measures 3.25 inches by 7.5 inches. To leave a small border around the design, I cut the card base slightly larger. Note: the dies, when stacked, have a bevel effect on one edge as shown in the “Yay!” card. I cut that bevel off with my trimmer (after gluing the layers together) so it did not have a bevel, as shown below:
The banner was so much fun to make, and super easy! I used the Lumina Layer Set in various colors. Even though the die cuts a full 4.25 x 5.5 design, I simply used scraps over the part I wanted to cut, as shown below:
Once the layers were cut and glued together, I glued that piece to a circle that closely matched the size of the design.
The circle creates a base to be folded over twine or ribbon. This is a one-sided banner, but to make the pattern visible from both front and back, simply glue another design onto the back… or use a different full circle design from Birch Press Design and fold in half. I love dies that have so much versatility!
I embellished each center with some Fairy Sugar glitter glue in matching colors, along with some heart-shaped sequins.
Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope these projects inspire your next celebration!
Hello! Today I’m sharing how I made a magnetized clip or book mark using the gorgeous Frilly Triangle Layer Set.
I started off with a 3-1/8″ x 3-1/8″ square piece of kraft card stock, and scored it down the middle. The extra 1/8″ accounts for the 1/8″ score line.
I then used the die set to cut each layer. The middle layer and solid base layer (cut from outlining the triangle) was made using distress oxide inks.
I then adhered the assembled triangle to one of the kraft base halves. Next, I put the magnets on the other side, leaving enough room to comfortably glue the magnets in, so they were not placed directly at the top. It’s easy to line up the magnets by placing them back-to-back before adhering. This way, the magnets are stuck together and so placement is perfect alignment.
The next step was to place a blank piece of kraft triangle over the backing to hide the magnet. I cut a 3″ x 3″ piece of kraft card stock and cut it down the middle. I didn’t need the extra eighth of an inch here because I didn’t need to fold anything.
I then flipped the clip over to reveal the inside. The magnet showing in the photo below is on the backside of the decorated piece. The magnets I have are very thin, which is what I wanted for a bookmark-type clip. Because of this, the strength of the magnet would not work through all the layers. The magnet will be shown from the inside when opened up so I was careful to only glue the center to adhere it. Once I glued it, I closed the clip to let it all dry in place. The second magnet is hidden in the plain kraft layer and both magnets are stuck to each other through the sheet of paper in the photo below.
I made sure to let the glue dry completely before opening the clip. This is such an easy, beautiful gift that would be great for Father’s Day! Have a wonderful day and thank you for stopping by the blog today!
