Glitter Snowflakes

You must have heard of the beautiful dies that Birch Press manufactures?  They are extraordinary!  The dies are not cheap, but you can configure them so many ways that I think they are worth the price.  I don't have very many of them but I knew I needed a wintry set so I could throw together a last minute card if needed.  This lovely set is called ISSA and I think it is perfect for wintry, but not necessarily holiday, cards.  I hope you agree! 

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Birch Press ISSA die set, #56082
Glitter Card in Blue and Light Blue
White, Blue and Light Blue Card
White Shimmer Card
Reverse Confetti Winter Words Die Set

Another Peek

I cut out a bunch of snowflakes with each die; in this case each die gives you three different

Just a few of the combinations

cuts, so I had plenty of options to use!  I made these two cards and I still have some left over!  Each die set I've gotten has at least two cuts to use except the larger cover dies.  One of these days, I am just going to cut out all of them and just play!  Making cards with these is almost like playing with paper dolls; you can just come up with endless combinations.  If you'd like some amazing inspiration, check out Jennifer McGuire's blog - she did a whole post on this very set - just click here to go there.

That's it for this post.  Easy, fun, sparkly cards are some of my favorites to make and receive.  I hope you like my cards, too!  Thanks so much for your continued support. - Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Glitter Snowflakes in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Warm Winter Wishes
City Crafter - #442, Snowflakes
ABC Christmas - M, Y is for Your Favorite thing, Z is for Zero Embellishments
Daring Cardmakers - Snowflakes Falling
Jo's Scrap Shack -#264, Anything Goes
Creatalicious Challenge - #153, Anything Goes, OPTION: Snowflakes
Dies R Us - #111, Anything Christmas, Entry #2
Mix it Up Challenge - #20, Anything Goes, OPTION: No Stamping
HLS Anything Goes w/ Dies Challenge 

Fall Colors

It's almost officially fall here {just a few more days} but I can feel the nip in the air; at night at least.  Denver has been breaking records for high temperatures during the day for a week or so!  While on a day trip up to the beautiful Estes Park, {where the Stanley Hotel is - Stephen King got the idea for The Shining while staying there during his college days} the trees were already changing.  And we were blessed to see a moose family - bull, cow, and baby {who was hiding in the brush - could only see him when his ears moved} and my brother, who has one of those amazing cameras that I haven't a clue how to work, got the lovely picture above.  We were very close to them and it took my breath away; I could have stayed there all day!

Now that you have read more than you wanted about my trip, let's get to the card.  I recently acquired the "waves" set of Birch Press dies and I've seen a lot of examples from people using them for summer cards.  Thought I'd do a twist and use them making a fall card.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base (I actually used a 5"x 7" card, cut it down to 4" x 6")
Rust, Brown and Green Cardstock
Vanilla Card
Wink of Stella in Clear
Wave Set of Dies from Birch Press Designs, #56067

Using these dies can be challenging; they have lots of little curly ques that aren't easy to glue.  At least, they weren't easy for me to glue!  I attached each layer and let the card dry overnight under the tile on my desk.  I definitely think the results were worth the effort.  

I started with a piece of vanilla card since white looked too stark to me, and glued each layer on that.  Then I attached the panel to a white card base, trimmed it down to fit, and there you have it! I am in love with the ease of using these dies.  I liked the look of the card so much I didn't even add a sentiment!  I added some sparkle around the edge of the card for a little more interest.

Before I close, I want to send my thoughts to those affected by Hurricane Florence.  Having lived on the East Coast most of my life, I've seen the devastation these storms can cause.  Now that I live out in the middle of the country, I get a whole new experience with the tornado sirens; still scares me to pieces, but we've been lucky so far this year!  Waiting to see what Old Man Winter has in store.  Thank you for stopping by and supporting my little blog.  I appreciate it more than you know! Christi

I would like to enter my Fall Colors card in the following challenges:
Always Fun Challenges - #76, Fall Colors
Cards in Envy - Feels Like Fall
Crafty Cardmakers - #218, Autumn Colors
Make my Monday - #80, Autumn/Fall Colors
Dragonfly Journeys - #127, Fall Festival of Colors
Sunsational Stamps - M, Fall
Studio 75 - M, #7, Colors of Fall {see color badge below}
Sparkles Monthly Challenge - M, #108, Dies or Punches {I used dies}
Cute Card Thursday - #547, Dies or Punches {I used Dies}
Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday Challenge - M, Signs of Autumn
That's Crafty! - Forever Autumn
Happy Little Stampers - Anything Goes with Dies Challenge (Sept)
Mix It Up Challenge - M, Anything Goes with 3 or more Layers 

Studio 75

A Thank You Card

Remember when I made a card for Layton's Legacy?  Well, I made a few other cards as well, packaged them up, and mailed them off to Lea.  I also included this "Thank You" card to thank her for having this card/donation drive for the NICU parents at U of M Masonic Children's Hospital.  This is the card I made and sent to her.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Birch Press Fiori Plate Layer Set
Hero Arts Thank You Pair Fancy Die, #DI192
3 Co-ordinating Colors of Card Stock {I used yellow, dark blue and light blue}
Scrap White Card for Sentiment

As you can see, this was a VERY easy card! It was the first time I had cut the Fiori plates and I really just wanted to see what they looked like in person.  But I felt the die cuts were so pretty it would have been a waste not to use it, so I turned it into a Thank You card!  I think I would have put more thought into my color choices had I known I was going to use the background but I was (and am!) so happy with the way it came out, I used it anyway.  Plus, I think the colors are sort of summery and fresh. 

All I did was attach the layered plates onto a white card base, cut the Thank You out of white card, and attach it.  I like this card so much I am going to use it for my Design Team project at Not Just Cards September Challenge! It's such a fun place to play, as the theme is always Anything Goes!  And, as the name states, you can submit ANY type of art - not just cards!  

So easy and so elegant.  These dies are pricey but I feel the versatility makes them worth it.  I've recently purchased a few other sets and I'll be sharing them soon!  Thanks SO much for stopping by and I hope to see you soon ~ Christi

PS: Hope to see you at the challenge! Remember, Not Just Cards!

I am entering my Thank You card in the following challenges:
The Crafter's Cafe - M, #203, Three of Something (I used 4 different dies)
Mix It Up Challenge - M, #17, Anything Goes w/ Option of Layering
DL Art Thankful Thursday - #235, Always a Thank You
Papercraft Business Challenge - M, Anything Goes w/ Optional Thank You
Happy Little Stampers - M, Anything Goes with Dies
Crafty Gal's Challenge - #174, Anything Goes plus 3+ Layers
Stamp, Ink, Paper - #167, Large Sentiment