A Spring Hello

 I used some favorite little dies for today's card, and a mix of companies again.

supplies: white and dark green cardstock, Distress Grey Two-Tone Woodgrain cardstock, Lawn Fawn Magic Iris Floral Wreath Add-On, bird from Magic Iris Birdhouse, Fancy Scalloped Rectangle dies, Memory Box Pinpoint Leaf cover plate, My Favorite Things (retired) Home Tweet Home birdhouse, sentiment from Newton's Nook (retired) Woodland Spring stamp set, adhesive foam squares

This wreath has extra flowers and leaves to affix to the main image, but today I just used some markers to color a white cut of it, then added the birdhouse and bird popped above a bit.  And this time I set it against a subtle leafy background.

Are you seeing any signs of spring in your neck of the woods?  My husband put out our birdhouses last week and we couldn't believe the birds they attracted immediately!  

Petal Pushers

 Here's a beautiful set of goodies from The Greetery that needs some love.  I used some pretty pastel colors for spring.

supplies: white and mint cardstock, The Greetery Petal Pusher Background plate and matching stencils, Pink Fresh Studio Sparkling Rose, Lemon Whip, and Sky Blue, Altenew Sweet Leaf mini ink cubes, gems and glittery stickers in flower centers

This cover plate cuts out the design as you see it, but the flowers and leaves are not cut all the way through; you can pull up their edges for dimension while the centers remain attached.  The 5-piece stencil set  colors everything.  

It turned out so pretty I didn't want to cover up anything with a sentiment, so I've left that off for now. 

This satisfied my need for spring for at least 1 happy afternoon!  Hope it makes you smile, too!

Simon's March Card Kit Tweet Friend

I couldn't resist the March Card Kit from Simon Says Stamp. Here are my first 3 cards using the wonderful elements inside!

First I played with the darling stamp set - so many cute birds and sentiments!

supplies: white and Surf Blue cardstock, Tweet Friend stamp set, Blossom Field embossing folder, Spellbinders Perfect Touch rectangle die, adhesive foam squares

Besides the 2 flowering branches in this set, there are 3 separate and different flowers (and a leaf, too, if you need an extra one), which I  stamped twice each, then used them to add to the branches for a place to pop up my birds.  I popped 2 of them up also amidst the flowers on the branches, and added some tiny pink gems to some of the flowers.  I wanted more color, so I put my panel onto an embossed Surf Blue one.  Isn't that baby bird in its nest adorable?  The sentiment is also part of the kit, just 1 of 5 large ones, not to mention bunches of smaller ones to go with them.

I'm always drawn to printed papers, and in this kit we have some from Paper Rose called Flower Shoppe.  One of the papers has 11 little scenes that can be cut apart and used.  I decided to make them my focal point for my next 2 cards.

supplies: white and black cardstock, Paper Rose Flower Shoppe design papers, Four Seasons Spring die, stamped sentiment from Tweet Friend stamps, Pink and Main (retired) Postage dies, adhesive foam squares

The pretty tone-on-tone paper is also from the papers in the kit.  And I was happy to see that the Four Seasons dies are still available!

Here's another, a 4 1/4" square card this time, and I used one of the Pretty Bows that is in the kit.

supplies: white and Cornflower cardstock, Paper Rose Flower Shoppe design papers, (bottles and blue stripe), sentiment from Tweet Friend stamps, a Pretty Bow die, MFT (retired) Stitched Mini Scallop Square Stax dies 

As you can see, there are so many ways to go with this kit.  I haven't even touched the embossing folder yet!  For more ideas, don't forget to look in Simon's gallery HERE.  The kit is sold out, but many of the elements in it are still available.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blooming Circle

 Today I brought out a favorite Simon Says Stamp floral wreath die that is still current to make my card. 

supplies: white, black, and Surf Blue cardstock, Simon Blooming Circle die, Tri-Blend markers to color, Lawn Fawn Fancy Scallop Rectangle die, Spellbinders (retired) Pocketful of Spring die

This wreath die cuts out the flowers and leaves, so I cut it first from an A2 panel, saving all the bits and pieces that fell out, then cut that panel with the fancy scallop rectangle.  I used my markers to color in all the pieces in rainbow order, then reinserted them back into the design.  I toyed with adding a bow, but didn't want to cover up any of the colors, so I kept things clean and simple and added only this little die-cut sentiment.  

This card makes me happy - hope it does the same for you!  Thanks for coming by today!

Gorgeous You Launch

Spellbinders just launched a collection called Gorgeous You, a Pink Fresh collaboration event held last August.  I used a 3D embossing folder and a set of floral dies for my card today.

supplies: white cardstock, plaid design paper, Doodlebug printed papers in blue, aqua, purple, green, and yellow, Gorgeous You Florals dies, Cross My Heart 3D embossing folder, sentiment from (retired) Sending Sentiments clear stamp set

I love the added interest that I get when using printed papers, especially these nicely-scaled Doodlebug ones.  They come in a lovely array of colors, too!  

Here's a 2nd card that uses the other flower in the Floral dies set.  I switched to reds for a change.

supplies: white and black cardstock, Doodlebug printed papers in reds, yellow, and green, Gorgeous You Florals dies, Cross My Heart 3D embossing folder, sentiment from Smooth Lines Mix & Match Sentiments

This Gorgeous You collection also includes a BetterPress sentiment set, and dies that depict a perfume bottle, makeup bag, and makeup to put in it - very fun!  I hope you'll give it a look!

Spellbinders March Club Kits: BetterPress and matching Stencils, Dies of the Month

 Two cards today.  First up is the BetterPress kit called Quilted Memories.  It has a matching 3-piece stencil set, part of the Stencils for this month, Mosaic and Quilted Memories.

supplies: white and black cardstock, Quilted Memories BetterPress plate, matching Quilted Memories stencils, small sentiment from Nearest & Dearest stamps/dies, large sentiment from Colorful Expressions Blossom stamp and die 

After pressing and stenciling the design, I used a rectangle die to cut out the center, then matted it in black before inserting it back in place.  The small sentiment was cut apart from its original.  It's from this month's stamp/die set, and includes lots of sentiments in this small scale, plus some family words: Mom, Dad, Son, Daughter a bit larger and in a script font.

My second card today showcases the Dies of the Month, Fairways & Fish Tales.  I chose the fishing part of these dies, as both my husband and Dad are/were fishermen!  

supplies: colored cardstock, Fairways and Fish Tales dies, sentiment from Nearest and Dearest stamps/dies, Summertime Waves embossing folder, Tunnel Clouds

The sentiment is just one of 25 included in this month's stamp/die set, Nearest and Dearest.  Most are this block style font, but there are 5 larger script ones, too, all revolving around family.  

Here are the new kits that I used for my cards today.

You can look HERE for information on Spellbinders Clubs.  Each is available for new subscribers only from the 6th until the 27th of each month.  If you click on my links under each card, you can see the specifics of each product.  You can subscribe to each of our 10 kits separately, (and you can "unjoin" a subscription at any time without any penalty), or you can get them all, plus a free bonus item each month, and save 60% by choosing the Deluxe Caboodle!

Spellbinders March Club Kits: Embossing Folder, Large Dies, Stencils, and Stamp/Die sets

 Today I have 2 cards using the embossing folder, Mosaic Memories, as my starting point.

supplies: white and pastel colored cardstock. Family & Friends Vignettes floral and arch dies, Mosaic Memories embossing folder, Nearest & Dearest sentiment, adhesive foam strip, tiny enamel hearts

The Family & Friends Vignettes is the Large Dies set for this month, and it has 3 different "scenes", if you will, to choose from to frame up with the arched piece.  I chose the florals, but there's also a puppy and accessories, and a dinosaur!  

My next card shows off the embossing folder along with its matching stencils.  I thought it was so pretty that I used just a tiny sentiment from the stamps of the month, Nearest and Dearest, and some flower sequins to accessorize it.

supplies: white and pink cardstock, Mosaic Memories embossing folder, matching Mosaic Memories stencils, sentiment from Nearest & Dearest stamps/dies set, adhesive foam strip, tiny yellow floral sequins

Here are the new kits that I used for my cards today.

You can look HERE for information on Spellbinders Clubs.  Each is available for new subscribers only from the 6th until the 27th of each month.  If you click on my links under each card, you can see the specifics of each product.  You can subscribe to each of our 10 kits separately, (and you can "unjoin" a subscription at any time without any penalty), or you can get them all, plus a free bonus item each month, and save 60% by choosing the Deluxe Caboodle!

Spellbinders March Club Kits: 3D Embossing Folder, Stitching, and Glimmer Kits

 It's time for me to share my cards from this month's Spellbinders Club Kits.  The theme this month is Nearest and Dearest. 

First off, I have 2 cards using the gorgeous 3D folder called Floral Fence of Togetherness.  It's one of those folders from which you can get 2 completely different designs.  Isn't it pretty?

supplies: pink and white cardstock, Floral Fence of Togetherness 3D folder, white pigment ink, sentiment from Colorful Expressions Sentiments

This one would be a stunner done in the blackout technique!

That's the design on the bottom of the folder.  Here's the one on the top - sweet and simple.

supplies: white and pink cardstock, Floral Fence of Togetherness 3D folder, Zig markers and water to color, sentiment from Smooth Lines Mix & Match Sentiments

I had Easter on my mind when I made my next card.  It features the Stitching die, Diamond Knit, with a sentiment from the Glimmer Kit, We are All Family.

supplies: colored cardstock, Diamond Knit stitching plate, yellow embroidery floss, 6 strands, sentiment from We Are All Family glimmer plates, Floral Spray flowers and leaves

I started off with the idea of using purples and yellows.  The background sheet had lots of colors auditioning before I chose this lavender......light aqua was a close contender.

I like the way the stitches make little pillows that give some extra dimension. 

Here are the new kits I used for my cards today.

You can look HERE for information on Spellbinders Clubs.  Each is available for new subscribers only from the 6th until the 27th of each month.  If you click on my links under each card, you can see the specifics of each product.  You can subscribe to each of our 10 kits separately, (and you can "unjoin" a subscription at any time without any penalty), or you can get them all, plus a free bonus item each month, and save 60% by choosing the Deluxe Caboodle!

Spring Blessings

 Here's a mix of Honey Bee Lovely Layers dies and a Spellbinders embossing folder and sentiment.

supplies: white, soft aqua, green, pale yellow, and 4 different kraft cardstocks, Honey Bee Stamps Lovely Layers Dogwood, Lovely Layers Nest, Spellbinders (retired) Branching Out embossing folder, (retired) sentiment from Lily Arch

I really enjoyed making this card - as their titles suggest, the florals and the nest are composed of many layers, and I added another with the leafy embossing folder background.  After all that, I liked this sweet little sentiment to finish things off.

I hope we get to see this for real soon!  

March Daffodils

Happy March!  I take this month as my okay to bring on the spring stuff! Daffodils are the birth flower for March; who can resist their sweet faces? 

supplies: white, yellows, green, and aqua cardstock, Sunny Studio Gingham Pastels dp, Winnie & Walter (retired) Audrey's Cutaways scalloped rectangle die, Spellbinders Rainboot Bouquet flowers and leaves, PTI Tuck It Sentiments stamp and die, sentiment from Simon (retired) Love and Friendship stamps

I had so much fun making this one; love the yellows with aqua!  I have a feeling there are more daffodils in my future.......

I just saw the current Inspired By.....  challenge is spring and gingham.  Their inspiration photo has daisies and gingham, so fresh!  I love a mix of spring flowers and some gingham!

Thank you for stopping by!  Hopefully we'll start seeing these for real soon!

Woodblock Wednesday

 It's time for Woodblock Wednesday over on Amy's blog!  This month I chose a Hero Arts stamp from 2006 called Stitched Flower Trio.  I love that the index on the front is colored; it makes the stamp that much prettier!

I took the stitching theme and ran with it and here's my card.

and another shot all by itself.

supplies: white cardstock, Doodlebug green buffalo check design paper, Hero Arts Stitched Flower Trio, Spellbinders Hemstitch Rectangle die, green embroidery floss, sentiment from Spellbinders (retired) Quilty Hugs clear stamp set, tiny buttons, glue dots

After stamping and coloring, I cut the panel with the medium size of the Hemstitch Rectangle die, then backstitched in using the holes it created.  I love these teensy buttons, so attached a few along with the sentiment.

I really enjoy seeing these wood treasures being used again.  I hope you'll play along too!

You can see all the other entries at Amy's blog HERE.

Beautiful Butterflies

 It should be no surprise that I love embossing folders; even without any manipulation on my part, they make a lovely background for our cards.  And in the scheme of things, they are pretty inexpensive.

Somewhere down the line I missed this Spellbinders Beautiful Butterflies 3D folder, so I used a holiday sale to add it to my collection.  I have 2 cards using it for today.

supplies: white cardstock, Beautiful Butterflies 3D embossing folder, alcohol markers to color, black ink pad, sentiment from All Seasons Spring PressPlate and Die set

I used the blackout technique, which works best with these 3D folders: emboss a white panel, turn it upside down so that it's debossed, color in the details with markers or inks, then rub a dark ink across the entire surface.

Next I embossed again on white, then gently rubbed a pink ink pad across the surface.  I didn't get pristine results this time, but it does bring out the lovely details in this folder.  

supplies: white and pink cardstock, Beautiful Butterflies 3D embossing folder, Carnation ink, A Little Hello Sentiments dies

All Spellbinders embossing folders are a big 5.5 by 8.5 inches, so you can move your paper around inside and get slightly different results each time.  

Thanks so much for stopping by today - hope I've brightened your day in a small way!

Floral Thank You

 Today I'm using a stencil set from Honey Bee stamps that was designed for the holiday season.  It includes 2 large floral designs that I think will work year-round.  

supplies: white cardstock, My Favorite Things pink and green plaid design paper, Honey Bee Stamps Floral Noel stencils, Altenew Lime and Cherry Blossom mini inks,  Penny Black Stitched Stackers dies, Pink Fresh Studio Perfect Sentiments stamp and die, Spellbinders Berry color essentials gems

I've used this sketch before, several years ago, and I like the bit of plaid peeking out and the subtle edging on the smaller panels.  

Thanks for stopping by today - hope your day is going well! 

Nature's Blooms

 I recently got a new die from Papertrey Ink called Nature's Blooms Elegant Edges.  Here are  some cards I made with it.

supplies: white, blue, and green cardstock, PTI Elegant Edges: Nature's Blooms dies, The Greetery Tartan Builder Diagonal stencils, tumbled glass, cracked pistachio and prize ribbon distress inks, Pink Fresh Studio Phrase Builder Sending sentiment dies

The plaid panel was already stencilled and in my scrap basket, so I just had to find some cardstock to match the colors and a sentiment.  I really liked using a plaid with these dies as I saw Brenda Noelke do when they were introduced at the end of December.

I wonder when they'll figure out how to make a blue rose?  I'll be the first in line to have one!

Next I matched it up with an embossing folder.

supplies: pink and white cardstock, PTI Elegant Edges: Nature's Blooms dies, Tim Holtz (retired) Roses embossing folder, Simon Sending Smiles die

I used the edging die to cut an extra piece of pink cardstock to line the white detailed panel, which was then put atop the embossed roses panel with a large sentiment die. and the negative die-cut of the long leafy sprig.

And one more, because I like mixing stripes with florals, and I had to have some yellow roses.

supplies: white, yellow, green cardstock, unknown green stripe patterned paper, PTI Elegant Edges Nature's Blooms dies, Spellbinders A Little Hello Sentiments stamp/die set 

Thanks for hanging with me for this long post today - have a good one!