Die Cut Giraffe card

 I decided to use a product that was or has not been used. I choose the Giraffe Greetings and Die that was made to cordinate from My Favorite Things.

I am using Stampin Up card stock for all my die cutting.

Early Espresso, Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake, and Lucky Limeade.

I used the cordinating inks to add some dimension and texture and bring the Giraffe to life.

I have a set off Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes for the Stampin UP ink.

Here are the two ears, one has ink and one does not have ink.

I am using a Stamps of Life die to cut out some grass.

I also used a Stamps of Life cloud die and some scrap white card stock to make my own mask.

The ink is Bashful Blue from Stampin UP.

I inked from the bottom of the cloud stencil and brought the bristles up to create my clouds.

Same motion each time.

A combination of Tombow Mono Liquid Glue and Stampin Up foam dimensionals for putting the card together.

I decided to use Bazzill Basics paper in the color Marshmallow.

I made a top folding card.

My sentiment was embossed with white pigment ink and Hero Arts white embossing powder.

I used a sentiment banner from my stash and the same Early Espresso card stock.

Trying to remember to stamp the inside, outside, back, and envelopes.

I used Early Espresso ink.

I paired with a light blue envelope.

MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #522

 I decided to play along in a Sketch Challenge and My Favorite Things always has some fun Sketches.

I went to their website and found the most recent one Click Here to view and participate.

I used a variety of snowflake dies, the smaller ones are all My Favorite Things - not sure the names- and the big one is from Simon Says Stamp - called Funky snowflake -.

I thought I was going use this stamped greeting for the front but changed my mind, its also from Simon Says Stamps - 

I cut multiples and glued for dimension using Tombow Mono Liquid glue.

Cardstock is from Bazzill Paper - Coconut Swirl, Gummy Bear, and Lilac Swirl.

I also used Lavander Lace from Stampin Up.

I wanted to add some splaters to create interest and texture.

I used Tim Holtz paint in Picket Fence and Seedless Preserves.

I used an old box for my splatter.

So I messed up my first splatter and was able to remove my snowflakes and turn over my paper and re spatter a second time and I was more happy with the results.

Finished card

I ended up using a Paper Smooches Stamps set for the sentiment and the same Coconut Swirl along with Versa Fine Black Onyx Ink.

Stamp set called Sentiment Sampler, I added some banner ends to each side.

I used a purple envelope from my stash and some Stampin Up ink in the color Highland Heather to stamp the sentiment happy you day.

The happy you day came from My Favorite Things set called Greetins and Salutations.

Basic Santas Vest card

 Anouther Santa card is done and in the mail, This time a very basic Santa's Vest card. I added some sparkle and texture to add some wow.

I started off by cutting a standard card base.

I am using Marshmallow from Bazzill Basics paper along with Wax Lips and Black Liquorice.

I am using some A2 layering dies from Waffle Flower to get the perfect mat for my card.

Some circle dies from my stash.

These are 3/4 inch in size.

Fun foam in the color red and some score tape to adhere my panel to my card base.

A dot embossing folder to add some texture to the belt and loop.

I used some Micheal's glitter paper for the white and sliver buckle.

Tombow Mono Liquid Glue to adhere the pieces since the texture makes tape runner hard to adhere the pieces together.

Finished card

Bazzill Basics Paper can be found at local craft store and online, I prefer to purchase at Joann's during their sales.

Tombow Mono Liquid Glue, Fun Foam, and Score tape can also be found locally or inline.

Glitter card stock paper is Micheal's their brand but you can use your favorite.

Any dot embossing folder can work, this one is a Retired one from Stampin UP.  My demo is Wendy Cranford.

Santa Card Die

 I am really loving these Santa card inspirations and I busted out my not yet used Santa Card Dies from Paper Smooches.  Well I used them and found inspiration from a set of photos on Pinterest. Click here to see them.  I combined two of the images into one design.

I am using Bazzill Basics Paper in the color Peppermint, Black Liquorice, and Marshmallow.

I also used a white glitter paper from my stash.

I am lining this on my mat so the top of his hat will be at the 5 1/2 mark.

I scored my card stock at 4 3/4.

I folded it in half and cut off the excess.

I goofed and made the pink to big, which is from Stampin Up Blush Blossom.

So I re aligned my card on my mat and cut off 3/4 of an inch from the bottom.

Added the rim to make sure I would have enough room at the fold to cover it with the rim of the hat.

I used a small amount of liquid glue at the bottom of the hat and again measured it so the top is just below 5 1/2.

Tombow Mono Liquid glue is my go to wet glue.

I added some thin foam adhesive to the top to add the rim and give some dimension to the card.

I folded the beard just above the red so I could add glue to the bottom.

I slid the black under the part of the beard.

I just eye balled the size of the beard and trimmed it.

I used liquid glue to adhere the nose, mouth, and mustache.

I added more foam and aligned it along the top of the beard.

A small amount of foam right above the mustache to attach the nose.

The finished card.

I added the eyes flat and the eye brows up with foam as well.

Here is what the Santa Card Dies look like.

You can find Bazzill Basics card stock at most local craft store and online stores, I purchase mine at Joann's using their sales.

Wendy Cranford is my lady I purchase Stampin Up card stock from - I am not sure Blush Bloosom is still available 

Paper Trimmer, Foam Adhesive, and Tombow Mono Liquid glue can also be purchased loacaly or online.

Paper Smooches has recently stopped making their products but you may be able to find a re seller

Water Color Santa

 Hello, and Welcome....

Long time no craft.  I recently saw a video by a fellow crafter I watch on You Tube make a water color Santa and I really wanted to try it out.  Not only because its completely out of my comfort zone but also because she made it look easy.  It was pretty easy and at first I did not like my results but now that its the next day I really love it.

Here is the link to her video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezTKslZMAGk&t=507s

I started out with some Strathmore Water Color paper that I cut to 4 1/2 by 5 3/4 since I added tape around the edges and was going to use an A2 layer die from Waffle Flower to cut it down after it dried.

I basic pencil to draw the beard, took two tries.

I lightly drew it.

I used some not so fancy brushes and water colors from my stash.

Daler Rowney Simpy Acrylic I believe from Micheal's in the color Brilliant Red and Black.

I started by wetting his suit area and adding color from the bottom up.

Very rough looking in the begining because I am just laying down a base color.

The blob on the left is one I thought I would use but did not.

Messy mixing pallet.

I dried it and added anouther layer of color.

I think I added roughly three layers of color.

The belt area was the hardest for me to get a nice blend and transition.

I really was not digging the beard but I pressed on using the techniques in the video.

Toning it down with water and using a smaller brush.

I know what to do and not to do next time.

All dry and I am using the A2 layer dies from Waffle Flower.

I used some gold paper from Micheal's and some double sided adhesive to cut out a "believe" die from Simon Says Stamp.

After I found the perfect pace I pressed it down and turned over the card stock and rubbed the back with my bone folder to create a nice seal and the adhesive to really stick.

Using fun foam in white I cut some down just smaller then my panel and used double sided tape to adhere to my panel and card base.

This helps with the little bit of warping I had from the layers of water, which actually was not as bad as I thought it would warp.

Finished Card.

I really love it.

I added the card to a top folding card base using Bazzil Basics paper in the color Marshmallow Cream.

I also used a Stamps of Life stamp set for the inside and back of the card called santa2stamp.