A whimsical place to play, where paper and ink become one.

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Shaker Window Christmas Scene With Poinsettias

 Hi Friends,

Today I have a really special card that I created with the amazing Festive Christmas collection. This collection has been a joy to create with, I really hope you have been able to add it to your collection. Lets take a look...


 


Instructions:

Cut a piece of white card stock measuring 8 1/2 x 6” and score at 4 1/4” to create a side folding card base.  Using the largest die from the HCPC-31016 Ornate Window Die set to cut through both layers of the card base making sure that the left side of the die hangs over the left side some to preserve some of the fold line. This will form a shaped card base. Now cut a piece of white card stock with the same die and glue straight on top of the card base to give that fold line side a finished look. Using this same die cut once from Sheet 11A from the HCDP1-2152 Festive Christmas Paper Collection (reserve this one for the inside). From the HCDP1-2130 Home for the Holidays Paper Collection using the inside window die cut a scene from sheet 1B for inside the window. Using this shape and size as a guideline also cut a piece of clear acetate slightly larger than this piece. Set both of these aside until the assembly process.

Stamp the HCPC-31016 Ornate Window Cling Stamp Set 3x onto red Card Stock with Versamark Ink after treating first with an anti static tool. Heat emboss using Gold Embossing Powder. Die cut just the top arch from one and the entire window from the other two using the coordinating dies. Attach one full window to the card front. Using a razor blade style knife and a cutting mat, cut the window opening down the center, across the bottom, and down from the top center till the first hinge along both sides. Score gently along the sides from hinge to hinge to open the window. Sit the window pieces aside.

Next stamp the Birdies on the Branch stamp from the HCPC-31027 Festive Berry & Birdies Cling Stamp Set 2x with Black archival ink onto white card stock. Color using the Stack and Store daubers using French Ultramarine and Poppy Inks for the birds and Emerald Green and Vivid Chartreuse for the leaves. For the finer details of the branches and tiny leaves use Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers. Now with the same colors Stamp the leaf and berry branch out from the HCPC-31026 Christmas Lantern Cling Stamp Set and color in the same manner. Die cut with the coordinating dies. (Note: for one of the birdie branches trim off the birdies as just the branch will be used for foliage at the top of the window.)

Next stamp out 6 poinsettias from the HCPC-3881 Christmas Poinsettia and Holly Cling Stamp Set in Red Geranium Archival ink onto Deluxe Flower Shaping Paper. Color with the same. Die cut with the coordinating dies then using Stack and Store Daubers darken the edges of each petal. Glaze each flower using 3D Crystal Lacquer with a paint brush. Allow to dry. Then shape using the Deluxe Flower Shaping Mold and glue Gold Micro Beads to the centers.

Now to assemble the window shaker card; Taking the open window piece and carefully attach the two birdie pieces to the window glueing to the backside of the window. These will be on the outside of the acetate but made to look as they are outside the window in perspective. Turn the window face down and glue the acetate down to the back of the window attaching all the way around and also directly to the back of the birdie and branches you just attached. Give this a little time to dry. Now add two layers of 3D foam tape around the window opening making sure to seal in the opening completely so that the shaker bits do not fall out. Treat this inner well area with an anti static tool. Now add in the shaker bits (sequins and micro beads were added to this sample). Remove the foam tape backers and cover the well with the scene cut from the Home For the Holidays Paper Collections. Then Glue the entire front window to the back window to complete the shaker unit. 

To finish the front of the window add the embossed top detail using 3D foam dots. Then using a glue gun attach the leaf and berry sprig to the top left of the window along with 2 of the poinsettias. Lastly add the last poinsettia to the bottom right. For the inside of the card trim down the patterned paper previously cut so that it fits inside nicely, then simply cut an arched piece of white card stock using the Ornate Window die set to add to the inside for a written message.

I hope you enjoyed that as much as I enjoyed creating it for each of you! Check out my personal project in the Heartfelt Creations Gallery to find out what products I used for this project.

Also, please be sure to visit the Heartfelt Creations Blog to see all of the gorgeous projects created by the other amazing design team members.


Love, Melanie


Sunday, June 25, 2023

3D Embossing Folder Techniques Using the Mandala Blooms 3D Folder By Spellbinders

Hi Friends,

Today I come to you with a really fun embossing folder technique that I played around with using a new folder by Spellbinders.  I really liked the way it turned out. It is simple inking technique with really fun results. Experiment with the inks you own like I did and see what looks you come up with. Then try out different markers and just have FUN enjoying the process!!!! I have a full tutorial below but make sure to check out the close up photos as well. Enjoy!


 


                          
 
Thank you for stopping by my blog today. For a full list of supplies please visit my YouTube Video or to Shop Spellbinders Directly Click Here. Thank you for supporting my work. 
 
Melanie
 
Disclaimer: I use affiliate links whenever possible. This means that links, when clicked on and shopped thru support me by allowing me to receive a small commission at absolutely no cost to you. Thank you for supporting me and my work.

 

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Heartfelt Creations ~ Lantern Archway

Hi Friends,

I think the more I work with this collection the more I fall in love with it. It mixes so well with all of my other collections. I just love it. Today I am mixing it with a couple of different dies as well as an older poinsettia collection. Everything is mentioned below in my instructions. Now lets take a look.....




Instructions:

Cut a piece of white card stock measuring 10 x 7.5”  and score at 5” to create a side folding card base. Using the largest die from the HCD2-7337 Teardrop Lattice Gateway Die Set to cut through both layers of the card base making sure that the left side of the die hangs over the left side some to preserve some of the fold line. This will form a shaped card base. Now cut a piece of white card stock with the same die and glue straight on top of the card base to give that fold line side a finished look. Using this same die, cut once from Sheet 7B (dark blue) from the HCDP1-2152 Festive Christmas Paper Collection. Next using the largest die with the second largest die cut it 3x, twice from sheet 5B (light blue) and lastly from Luxe Silver Card Stock. (reserve one light blue piece for the inside of the card). Using Night Sky Archival Ink along with the Stack and Store Daubers ink the edges of the Light Blue pieces. Glue the light blue piece on top of the silver one, offsetting it as little so it peeks out from behind the blue for a drop shadow effect. Glue this double layer to the card front. Using the third largest die from the HCD2-7426 Elegant Filigree Frame Die Set cut 2x, once from white card stock and once from Luxe Silver Card Stock. Layer these so that the silver is slightly offset behind the white like in the previous step. Attach this double layer to the card base using foam tape for added dimension. 

Stamp the Lantern image 2x from the HCPC-31026 Christmas Lantern Cling Stamp Set onto Copic X Press It paper using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. Also stamp the Holly Berry Stamp from 2x from the HCPC-31028 Christmas Holly Accents Cling Stamp Set and color all of these images with Copic Markers. (TIP: One lantern image is colored entirely, the other image on the area that gets die cut by the inner lantern die that will layer on top). Stamp one tree branch with birdies in Archival Black onto white card stock from the HCPC-31027 Festive Berry & Birdies Cling Stamp Set. Only color the birds using stack and store daubers along with French Ultramarine and Poppy Archival inks, then use just the bird dies when die cutting. Stamp out the sentiment from the Christmas Lantern Stamp Set using Night Sky ink onto white card stock. Lastly stamp out 6 poinsettias from the HCPC-3881 Christmas Poinsettia and Holly Cling Stamp Set in Vermillion Archival ink onto Deluxe Flower Shaping Paper. Color with the same. Now die cut all images using their coordinating dies. For the sentiment die cut an extra die from Luxe Silver Card Stock to add as a drop shadow. 

To complete the flowers shape using the coordinating Flower Shaping Mold and glue multicolor yellow pearls to the centers. Add Nida Tanner’s Magic Glitter Powder for a sparkling finish. 

Arrange the Lantern and flowers on the front of the card in a pleasing way. Attach the second focal lantern to the center of the image using 3D foam dots. Add the birdies with foam dots. Glue down the leaves and berry branches and lastly hot glue the poinsettias into place. Off set the sentiment for a finishing touch. For the inside simply trim down the light blue layer set aside earlier, and cut a white layer from a smaller die from the same Teardrop Lattice Gateway Die Set for a place to leave a personal message.

I hope you enjoyed that as much as I enjoyed creating it for each of you! Check out my personal project in the Heartfelt Creations Gallery to find out what products I used for this project.

Also, please be sure to visit the Heartfelt Creations Blog to see all of the gorgeous projects created by the other amazing design team members.


Love, Melanie


Saturday, June 17, 2023

Spellbinders BRAND NEW Summer Collection of House Mouse Stamps / Copic Coloring Tutorial

Hi Friends,

Today I have a brand new Copic coloring video to share with you. This is from the NEW release over at Spellbinders. I am using the House Mouse Spring Stamp Collection by Stampendous.  It is an adorable collection and each stamp even comes with its own set of sentiments which go perfectly with the stamps. These stamps are PERFECT for the beginning colorist and in my video I show you exactly how the stamp itself helps you learn to color. Make sure to scroll down below the video to see a few of my finished samples before heading to YouTube...

 

 

 

This is the stamp we are coloring today in the video.....You can color just like this...Grab the stamp HERE and let me walk you through it one step at a time.


This one I have colored a little more advanced using more colors in the flowers but the techniques are the same and in my future video I will make sure to use more colors so you can step up your coloring so feel free to grab more of the collection because we will be coloring more one of the other three in a future video. 


I hope you have enjoyed a close up look at my flower coloring. I do love to color flowers and these house mouse stamps are such a joy to color as the artist makes them so easy to do so. Thank you for stopping by today and for supporting me. Please visit my YouTube Channel for weekly inspiration and I hope to connect with you soon.


Melanie

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Heartfelt Creations ~ Festive Christmas Collection

 Hi Friends,

Today Heartfelt Creations kicks off their New Release titled Festive Christmas Collection. This lovely holiday collection features a beautifully sized lantern with numerous greenery options with decorative birdies to design your holiday scenes. It will surely please all your friends and family this holiday season when they receive your handmade cards. Lets take a look...




Instructions:

Cut a piece of white card stock measuring 8 x 10” and score at 4” to create a side folding card base.  Using the largest die from the HCD3-7431 Slim Eyelet Rectangle die set cut through both layers of the card base making sure that the left side of the die hangs over the left side just barely to preserve the fold line. This will form a shaped card base. Now cut a piece of white card stock with the same die and glue straight on top of the card base to give that fold line side a finished look. Next using the HCDP1-2152 Festive Christmas Paper Collection use sheet 9B (red) to cut 1x with the same exact die and adhere to the card front. From the same paper pack cut sheet 6B (Dk Green) 2x using the largest die from the HCD3-7432 Slim Basic Rectangles Die Set (one piece will be set aside for the inside of the card). Now use the 2nd largest die to cut a piece from sheet 4B (Lt green). Also from this paper cut another piece for the inside using the 5th largest die and sit it aside for later use. Adhere the dark green piece to the card front. Now cut the HCD3-7433 Slim Lattice Die Set 2x, once in white card stock and once in Luxe Gold card stock. Adhere these together using Dries Clear adhesive with the metal tip so that the white card stock is slightly offset and the gold is peeking out from behind the white. Now adhere that layer to the Lt green layer previously cut and attach to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Now stamp out the two lower birdie images in Archival Black ink onto Deluxe Flower Shaping Paper from the HCPC-31027 Festive Berry & Birdies Cling Stamp Set and a second from the HCPC-31028 Christmas Holly Accents Cling Stamp Set as your focal images as seen in the photos. From the Festive Berry & Birdies Cling Stamp Set, also stamp the top image out 2x in Emerald Green Archival ink. Die cut out using the coordinating dies. With the two branch stamps stamped in green, trim off the birdies and discard the birds. Now using color pencils color in all of the images. Shape from the back side gently using the Deluxe Flower Shaping Kit. 

Next stamp out 16 small poinsettias (the stamp 2x) from the HCPC-3822 Poinsettia & Holly Clusters Cling Stamp Set in Red Geranium Archival ink onto Deluxe Flower Shaping Paper. Color with the same. Die cut with the coordinating dies then using Stack and Store Daubers darken the edges of each petal. Glaze each flower using 3D Crystal Lacquer with a paint brush. Allow to dry. Then shape using the Deluxe Flower Shaping Mold and glue Gold Micro Beads to the centers. Do this exact same process with the focal poinsettia only using the HCPC-3881 Christmas Poinsettia and Holly Cling Stamp Set. 

Begin arranging all the items on the card front using a combination of Hot Glue and 3D foam dots to give extra dimension. Using the sentiment from the HCPC-31028 Christmas Holly Accents Cling Stamp Set, stamp out the sentiment in Red Geranium and die cut with the coordinating die. Use adhesive foam strips to adhere this to the card. To finish off the inside of the card adhere the dark green and light green papers, previously set aside, on the inside of your card for a coordinating look.

I hope you enjoyed that as much as I enjoyed creating it for each of you! Check out my personal project in the Heartfelt Creations Gallery to find out what products I used for this project.

Also, please be sure to visit the Heartfelt Creations Blog to see all of the gorgeous projects created by the other amazing design team members.


Love, Melanie



 

 

 

 

 




Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Heartfelt Creations ~ Elaborate Wrinkled Roses

Hi Friends,

Today I have a card that I am excited to say actually was featured in the Heartfelt Creations marketing email. I know that seems silly to talk about but all the time I have been with the HC Team my work has never been featured in the email marketing. They have used it numerous times within Social Media Marketing but never in email marketing so this was a first for me.  

When I tried out for the HC team I created a card using my Wrinkled Roses and it must of attracted their attention then as well. That it the style of Wile Rose I have created in this project as well. Lets take a look.




Cut a piece of white card stock measuring 10 x 7” and score at 5” to create a side folding 5 x 7” card base.  Using the largest die from the HCD2-7309 Elaborate Oval Frames to cut through both layers of the card base making sure that the left side of the die hangs over the left side some to preserve some of the fold line. This will form a shaped card base. Now cut a piece of white card stock with the same die and glue straight on top of the card base to give that fold line side a finished look. Using this same die cut 3 more times, 2x (one reserved for inside) from Sheet 3B and 1x from sheet 12B, from the HCDP1-2139 Wild Poppy Paper Collection. Cut the red paper horizontally threw the middle and attach it to the back of the plaid paper so that it forms a drop shadow at the top and bottom of the plaid paper. Then glue this to the card front. (see photo) Next using the second largest die from the Elaborate Oval Set cut it 2x, once from white card stock and once from Luxe Gold card stock. Using the HCPC-3845 Just For You Sentiments Cling Stamps, stamp the sentiment on the white layer 
off set to the right to leave room for the flowers which will be added later. Layer the Lux Gold behind the white so that the gold peeks out. Add foam tape to the back and attach to the card front. Lastly using the HCD1-7202 Album Tags and Accent Die Set, use the 2 coordinating dies together to cut a Luxe Gold frame to accent the focal die cut nicely.

Stamp the 2nd and 3rd smallest roses from the HCPC-3906 Small Wild Rose Cling Stamp Set out 3x each using Red Geranium Archival Ink onto Deluxe Flower Shaping Paper. Using a Blender Brush color before die cutting out using Rose Madder Archival Ink. Die cut with the coordinating dies. Using Stack and Store Daubers Darken the edges of the flowers with Red Geranium and spray with water and hand crinkle. When almost dry use the Deluxe Flower Shaping Kit to complete the shaping. Add lots of beautiful Bridal Stamens to the centers, and finish off this classy look by applying clear glue using a Hydra Sponge and Sprinkle with  Nida Tanweer Magic Glitter Powder. Next Stamp the small HCPC-3999 Hollyhock Petals and Leaves Cling Stamp Set onto Rajni Chawla’s Vellum Paper with Versa Color White Pigment Ink making sure to treat it with an anti static tool first. Heat emboss with white embossing powder. Color on the back with Squeezed Lemonade Distress Oxide Ink. Die cut with the coordinating dies and shape with the Deluxe Flower Shaping Kit. Hot glue one single white pearl from the HCS1-457-1 Pastel Pearl Stamen Small pack to the center of each flower. Now stamp out two leaf branches from the HCPC-3835 Leafy Accents Cling Stamp Set with Olive Archival Ink and with a blender brush, color with Leaf Green Archival Ink. Die cut and darken the edges some with the Olive Green. Now shape using the Coordinating 3D Shaping Mold. 

Now simply arrange the leaves and florals so that they hug the left side of the card allowing the gorgeous die to speak for itself along the right side. For the inside of the card, simply trim the left side of the plaid panel cut previously. Then use the small label die from the Elaborate Oval Die Set to create a white card stock panel for the inside of the card. Glue this in place. This will make for a beautiful coordinated inside to finish off the design.

 I hope you enjoyed that as much as I enjoyed creating it for each of you! Check out my personal project in the Heartfelt Creations Gallery to find out what products I used for this project.

Also, please be sure to visit the Heartfelt Creations Blog to see all of the gorgeous projects created by the other amazing design team members.


Love, Melanie