Who Knew?

 Hi all! The current challenge at Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers, which is N is for Naughty,  inspired me to actually make this card - I'd had the Santa already put together and I had the sentiment on my desk for ages, but the current challenge was the push I needed!

I covered a white card base with patterned paper from DCWV Red & White Christmas paper {doesn't show on their website, but it is available online if you HAVE to have it}; and then I used Hero Arts Infinity Nesting Circle dies to cut the checkered paper from the same.  I used a circle I had left over from my Joy Ornament I made, so that is what I stamped the sentiment {from Riley & Company Funny Bones; I bought a ton of them recently so they will be showing up a lot!} on.  Like I said, Santa, which is from Frantic Stamper, was already made - I just added some googly eyes. I attached everything and added some beautiful bubble gems from Trinity Stamp.  There ya go! 

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers, #198 - N is for Naughty
Stamping Sensations - Christmas
International Art & Soul, #122 - Winter
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas, #569 - Christmas
Happy Little Stampers Dies Challenge - Anything Goes w/ Dies

 

 

Japanese Paper Dolls

I made this card ages ago and I recently came across it; I think it is just too cute not to share and I hope you agree!  Now, I have had the die set for a while, but this is the first time I've used them - I hope that counts as something new for all of these challenges!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base 
Frantic Stamper Kokeshi Japanese Paper Doll Die Set, #FRA-DIE-10067
MSE! Stamp Set, Handwritten Sentiments, #Y500 {they sell on eBay now and this link will take you to the store}
Vanilla Card {for the faces}
Black Card {for the hair}

Silver & Gold Card {for the belts and accessories} 

Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black  
Patterned Paper

I am loving these "assembly" die sets; cut out a bunch of different pieces and parts and then go to town assembling your items - in this case these adorable dolls.  There honestly isn't much to say about the process, it is fairly cut and dry.  I enjoy bringing all the parts out in the living room and playing around while I watch TV.  I actually look forward to commercials!  Anyway, once all my dolls were assembled, I stamped the sentiment on the card and attached the cuties above and below.  There was a time when Asian everything was all the rage in crafting and I have papers, coins, newspapers, books and so much more left over from that time but I love the items so much I can't let them go yet! It was nice to use papers that I've had since, well, let's just say a long time ago.  

I forget I have this die set and seeing this card reminds me - I think I will make a friendship card with all the little dolls holding hands - how cute would that be? Stay tuned! I would appreciate it if you'd elect to follow me on any form of social media of your liking, all of the links are on the sidebar.  If you do, please let me know so I can follow you back! Thanks SO much for spending your time here with me, fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Allsorts - Something New
Less is More, #434 - Fashion and/or Accessories {I hope my card counts!} 
Moving Along with the Times, #126 - New
NBUS - January NBUS
UNIKO, #63 - Anything Goes
Happy Little Stampers Die Challenge - Anything Goes
Dies R Us, #161 - Anything Goes
Ellibelle's Challenge - Something Old/Something New {I've got both!}
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Die Cuts and/or Embossing Folders
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Anything Goes w/ Patterned Paper

Die Cut Divas and Morgan's Artworld

Hello, crafty peeps!!  How is the month of March going for you?  We just had a MAJOR storm here in Colorado with winds up to 70 mph; some places it reached over 100!!  I hope you are getting some signs of spring where you are and, if you are in the path of the storm, get ready!  Enough weather related stuff.  Here is my card using a Morgan's Artworld digi.  Goodness do they have beautiful stamps, but I knew there was NO way I could do them justice!  Hope you like the card!

What I Used to Make my Card:
Yellow Top Fold Card
Skinny Orange Yellow Washi Tape {manufacturer unknown}
Morgan's Artworld Sunflower Image {join the FB group to purchase}
Frantic Stamper Elementals #11, Bracket Coved Label, #FRA-DIE-09468
Prismacolor Pencils
Pebbles Family Ties Paper Pad {discontinued - available at many stores}
Strathmore Bristol Paper, Series 300
Gamasol {sometimes referred to as Gamsol, readily available}
Blender Stumps {I got mine through Amazon, but readily available}

I had the image of the sunflower printed on Bristol paper and colored it in with Prismacolor pencils, blended with Gamasol using blender stumps and generally putzed around with it until I was satisfied with how the sunflower looked.  I die

Another Peek

cut yellow paper and patterned paper using the Frantic Stamper die.  I noticed the card base itself, which is really old, was sort of cracking at the top, like they sometimes do when the paper is old.  I had already attached everything to it and I like the summery yellow so I thought of a way to "save" it.  I have a pretty good collection of washi tape {that I rarely use} and I found a skinny, orangey-colored tape so I edged the entire card with that.  

So, there is my card; I hope it brings a little spring cheer to you!  You still have a while to enter the challenge at Die Cut Divas "Anything Goes" Challenge for March.  We'd LOVE to see what you have created so please be sure to enter!  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my sunflower card in the following challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge -  Anything Goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - #88, Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - M, Anything Goes
The Rainbow Card Challenge - M, Yummy Yellow

Colour Crazy Craft Challenge - Anything Colored Goes
Creative Friday - #226, Spring is Coming!
Morgan's Artworld - M, #3, Anything Goes
The Creative Crafters - #14, Anything Goes

A Vampire You Could Love!

If you are looking for my Black & White Halloween Card click HERE

When I saw this adorable little vampire die I scooped him up SO fast.  While I completely enjoy all of Halloween's traditional trappings -- the blood, goodies, being terrified out of your wits, the neighbor who seemed so normal and suddenly wants to eat your brains, and screaming at the girl to NOT go down the stairs, this little guy was just so cute; he seemed like a reluctant vampire.  He may appear complicated, but he was easy to piece together.  Here he is, Vlad the Vampire:

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Additional Orange, Purple, Vanilla, Black, Grey and Red Card
Frantic Stamper Vampire Die, #FRA-DIE-09944
Tutti Designs Stitched Nesting Rectangles, #TUTTI-217
Elizabeth Craft Designs, Words 3, Happy Holidays, #1467
Patterned Paper from American Crafts BOOtiful Nights 6" x 6" pad, {retired, but available in many places, and there is a Digital Pack you can get here}
Red Gems {stash}

The longest part of making this card was cutting all the different colors of paper

Pieces of Vlad

to piece together little Vlad.  I used one full cut of the entire vampire out of vanilla card, then glued all the pieces to that.  I used vanilla Vlad as a template.  I purposely made him vanilla so that the white of his shirt would show up and it turns out I was successful with cutting and piecing  every part of him except his shirt.  I tried quiet a few times to get that little triangle to fit where it belonged but I just couldn't coax it.  Perhaps if I had placed his shirt first, instead of last, it would have worked better.   I ended up coloring the shirt a very light beige and when you look at him, you can tell he has a shirt on and isn't trying to be a gigolo for Halloween.  I was actually nervous about trying to use this die; I was convinced I wasn't going to be able to get it right and poor Vlad would have a crooked suit or the wrong shoes on his feet.  Finally, one day I just went for it and I'm glad I did.  He looks wonderful to me.  

For the card background, I used the stitched rectangle die to give it some interest.  I didn't want to make a scene or do anything to take the spotlight off

His Selfie

of Vlad so I chose the plaid paper and the orange paper.  On the orange paper, I used a light purple card for the Happy Halloween words.  I put the background panels on first, then stuck good ole Vlad at an angle; he looks like he is introducing himself along with the sentiment.  He's a good spokesperson, but those fangs. . .   Anyway, the card was done quicker than I expected and I had to fight off the urge to put some sparkle on it - then I saw his eyes {which were literally holes, the plaid paper was peeking through} and I knew I had the best thing for a wanna-be-spooky vampire.  I adhered the red gems to his eyes and, while they aren't as dark as I would have liked, he's grateful he has eyes.

I hope you find him adorable as well and maybe he can give you a giggle.  This

Another Peek

time of year ushers in the stress of all the upcoming festivities and I know that I can forget just the joy of crafting.  I stress myself out about the cards I make.  My mind goes like this: are they good enough?  ...but that one has bled a bit out of line! ...did I make NanaConnie a nice enough card?  ...what on earth do I do for my mother?  On and on and on.  Then I can't sleep and that's it - everything is a horrible chaos.  So, this year, let's try to find the joy of crafting.  I hope you can find yours.  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Vampire card in the following challenges:
Scrapy Land - 100th Challenge, Anything Goes w/ a Die Brand they Sell
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Halloween/Spooky
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Halloween/Spooky
Cut it Up - #159, CASE a card & Use Die cuts (The card I CASED is on the Frantic Stamper site; it was the card that inspired me to get the die - see 
below}
Moving Along with the Times - M, #83, Halloween
My Time to Craft - #382, Halloween
The Fairy & The Unicorn -M, Halloween/Use a Mythical Creature
Emerald Creek Dares - All the Things in the Night, #ECOCT2018
Fussy and Fancy - #223, Things with Wings
Crop Stop Linky Party - #44, Anything Goes with Plaid

Cut it Up CASED Card

This is a Design Team Project for Frantic Stamper - if you go to this link and scroll down, you'll see the examples that the DT used for this die

Pets or Animals at Die Cut Diva's

Hello, fellow die lovers!  Have you entered the current challenge at Die Cut Diva's yet?  This month's challenge is Pets or Animals and we are sponsored by the fabulous Frantic Stamper!  They are offering an adorable prize, worth $20!

I decided to use a Frantic Stamper die that I already owned to make this card:

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Pink Paper
Frantic Stamper Floral Frame & Hummingbirds, #FRA-DIE-10412
Oxide Inks
Impression Obsession Love Die, #DIE385-B
Wood Heart {you could use this one}
VersaMark Pad 
Hero Arts Pink Prisma Embossing Powder {from My Monthly Hero Kit, Jan. 2018. But any of these pink embossing powders would work}
3 mm Pink Crystals {I got these from online, looking at the Nail Art section!}

The first step to making this card was gathering all my pink, purple, and red Oxide Inks plus a piece of watercolor paper to make the floral frame.  I just worked the colors until I was happy; layering them, spritzing them, adding more color, subtracting color, and I didn't write down the colors I used.  If you have any Oxide inks then you are familiar with the process - if you don't have any Oxide inks, what are you waiting for?!?  Once the paper was fully dry {this is very important - it is disastrous trying to die cut wet, or even slightly damp, paper - trust me!}, I cut out the frame.

Then I cut the hummingbirds out of white card and attached little pink gems for their eyes {as I said above, I got these from the Nail Art Supply section of an online retailer - I got 10 different colors, all divided up in a container similar to a weekly medicine holder, for less than $5!} and set them aside to dry.  

Meanwhile, I chose a wooden heart from my stash and began embossing it with VersaMark ink and pink embossing powder.  I think I embossed it at least 10 times; I didn't want any of the wood to show through.  I actually worked on the

heart for two days, obviously taking many breaks along the way.  I had a scrap piece of paper floating around on my desk from this project and, frankly, I was at the point where it needed to be used or thrown out.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that the shimmer on the scrap matched the shimmer on the heart really well.  So I cut the word love from that paper and attached it {draped it?} over my wooden heart.  The heart was glued onto the card, as were the hummingbirds and there you have it!

Looking at this write up it makes it appear that there was a lot of work involved making this card, but the construction went smoothly and it didn't seem as labor intensive as this tutorial sounds.  I wanted to stretch myself and NOT use cats on the card - trust me, they are my go-to, as many of you may know - and it was fun to think outside the litter box!  I hope you can find some time to enter the Pets or Animals challenge at Die Cut Diva's because you can't win if you don't play!  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Floral Hummingbirds Card in the following challenges:
Die Cuttin' Divas - #374, Heat Embossing 
Shopping Our Stash - #359, She's a Crafting Machine {used Big Shot & Heat Gun}
Back to Basics - #5, Heat Embossing
Sunny Day Crafting - #25, Any Animal 
Happy Little Stampers - (M) Anything Goes with Dies

Happy Autumn!

Living in Colorado, I am blessed to be able to see the leaves change from my own yard to the top of the mountain range.  This is my absolute favorite time of year; the brutal heat is gone, the crisp air is invigorating, and the sleeping is the best! 

What I Used to Make my Card:
Kraft Card Base
Authentique Paper, Harvest, 6 x 6 pad, #HVT008 {retired but available}
Die-Versions Holiday 1 "Complements", #DVC-4x6-206
Die-Versions Whispers Leafy Frame Panel, #DV-667
Frantic Stamper Fall Words, # FRA-DIE-10271
Impression Obsession Dies, Small Leaf Set, #DIE095
Fall Colors Cardstock 

I die cut the frame from the Authentique paper and attached it to my card base.  Then, for the words, I used Fall Words for "autumn" and Holiday for "happy" - cutting happy out of red card and autumn out of dark brown card.  The leaves are cut from various autumnal colors and scattered about. The leaves actually have life-like patterns on them that are spectacular but I used 

Another Look

card with texture, so you can't see the patterns that well. 

The leaf colors bring out the colors in the panel wonderfully!  I hope you enjoyed my card and will consider entering the Dies R Us Challenge.  And don't forget, if you need inspiration, you can find it daily at the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog.  Have a great day! Christi


Don't forget to play along at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog for your chance to win a gift voucher to the Dies R Us Store.  A new challenge begins on the first and fifteenth of every month.  

Be sure to Follow Us on FACEBOOK too. 

click below for:

STORE

CHALLENGE BLOG
FACEBOOK
INSPIRATION BLOG

FRIENDS OF DIES R US PINTEREST PAGE

I am entering my Happy Autumn card in the following challenges:

Allsorts - #441, Colors of Autumn

Quick Quotes - #81, Fall Colors

Double D Challenges - Feeling "Fallish"/Mood Board

Meow You Doin'?

Hi all! Today I am showing you a card that I made using left over die cuts and some adorable kitties! I'm happily owned by Four Fabulous Felines (if you'd like to meet them, click here) and I love cat stamps and dies.  I was thrilled to see that Dies R Us carries Lawn Fawn products and I scooped up this set as fast as I could.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Watercolor Paper
Frantic Stamper Floral Confetti, FRA-DIE-10119 (left over from this project)
Fence Die,  Hero Arts MMHK, March 2017 (didn't get the kit? Go here)
Lawn Fawn Meow You Doin' Stamps Set, LF1315
Lawn Fawn Meow You Doin' Dies Set, LF1316
Lawn Fawn Blue Skies Dies Set, LF519
Distress Oxide Ink in Broken China
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Small Leaf Punch
Handmade Stems
Grass (made with Silhouette Cameo, but a good choice is here)
Derwent Inktense Pencils
Sun Punch
MISTI


While there are a lot of ingredients in this card, it was really easy to put  

together!  I knew I wanted to use the leftover cuts from the Floral Confetti die

and I knew I wanted the tulips to be in front of the fence, but other than that this card came together on its own! 


I had colored the cats prior; after stamping them on watercolor paper and using my Derwent Inktense Watercolor pencils to color them. I then die cut them out and set them aside.  The first step in making this card was making the blue sky background which I did by using Broken China Distress Oxide Ink on watercolor paper.  I let that dry overnight.

Meanwhile, I began putting the tulips together.  I hand cut my own stems and

cut apart punches I made using a small 3 leaf punch.  I die cut out the fence, and carefully attached the flowers, stems and leaves to the fence.  The little peek of grass you see was made with my CAMEO. Once the sky was dry, I attached the grass to the edge of the card and then the fence.  It was pure luck that those kitties fit into the scene so well!  


Using my MISTI, I stamped my sentiment directly onto the sky and then used the clouds I had die cut, and the sun I punched out, to sort of frame the sentiment.  Lastly, I attached the card panel to a standard white card blank.  Now, it's YOUR turn to make a project using the die cuts that Dies R Us carries! Don't forget to come back to the Inspiration Blog every day to see a new creation made by my wonderful teamies!  Thanks! Christi 

Another Look

Don't forget to play along at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog for your chance to win a gift voucher to the Dies R Us Store.  A new challenge begins on the first and fifteenth of every month.  

Be sure to Follow Us on FACEBOOK too. 

click below for:

STORE

CHALLENGE BLOG
FACEBOOK
INSPIRATION BLOG

FRIENDS OF DIES R US PINTEREST PAGE

I would like to enter my "Meow You Doin'" card in the following challenges:

Happy Little Stampers -M, Anything Goes w/ Die Cuts

Lawn Fawnatics - #8, Summertime Fun

Joy Clair - M, Anything Goes

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - #4, Anything Goes w/ a Critter

SUYP Challenge - #20, Furrything Goes

Frilly & Funkie - In the Good 'Ole Summertime

The Paper Shelter - #302, Punches and/or Dies

4 Crafty Chicks - #359, Summer Celebrations

A Gem of a Challenge - #198, Animals

Floral Hello

Hi everyone! I love all the texture on this card; plus, I feel like I sort of "re-purposed" a die. I hope you enjoy my card.

What I Used to Make this Card:

White Card Base

White Cardstock

Various Colored Cardstock

Green Cardstock

Frantic Stamper Floral Confetti, FRA-DIE-10119

Die-Namics Butterfly Wreath, DN-1005

Darice Floral Vines Embossing Folder, 1218115 (got mine at ConsumerCrafts)

Hero Arts, Stamp & Cut, Hello, DC151

Plain Butterfly Wreath

First thing I did was cut out out the wreath die in green, thinking that I would attached the flowers from the Floral Confetti and the green would be the stems and leaves. Well, let me tell you, I ended up with a huge amount of flowers; in fact, you will be seeing a card I made with the leftovers very soon.

The Flowers

Once I had my flowers and wreath cut, I worked on my craft mat so that any glue leaking wouldn't be an issue, since I knew I'd be gluing things in places they technically didn't belong.  It took me days to get the placement of the flowers where I wanted them (please don't take me literally - I typically work on a few projects at once, so when I say days I really mean some time each day, for a few

Placing the Flowers

days. Clear as mud?) but I finally did, cleverly covering all the butterflies, and I even snuck a heart into the design. 

Setting the wreath aside to dry fully overnight, I wasn't sure what else I was going to do to the card. I could have left the card alone after I placed the wreath on it,  but I felt a bit more was needed. Using white card, I embossed a piece that was about 5 1/4" x 4" using the Floral Vines Embossing folder.  Liking what I saw, I still felt there was one thing missing.  I had the Hero Arts Stamp & Cut set on my desk (ok, truthfully, I

KNEW it was on my desk but it took me a few minutes a while to find it.  Once I did, I used the

Another Look

die to cut out "hello" in lavender cardstock.  This card is so colorful and bright in person; I'm very pleased with the outcome. 

Thanks for stopping by! I truly appreciate all your support and I hope you get a chance to check out the Dies R Us Inspiration blog for fresh projects every day! Fondly, Christi

Don't forget to play along at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog for your chance to win a gift voucher to the Dies R Us Store.  A new challenge begins on the first and fifteenth of every month.  
Be sure to Follow Us on Facebook too. 

click below for:

STORE
CHALLENGE BLOG
FACEBOOK
INSPIRATION BLOG

FRIENDS OF DIES R US PINTEREST PAGE

I am entering my Floral Hello Card in the following challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge: #194, Spring Fever
Aud Sentiments - #180, Anything Goes with a Sentiment
Cardz for Galz - #47, Add Some Texture 
Crafty Gals Challenges - #123, Add Flowers
Word Art Wednesday - #282 -282, Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown - #383, Texture
a2z Scrapbooking - May, Sentiment is Main Focus
Country View Challenges - May, Flower Power
Die Cut Diva's - May, May Flowers
Happy Little Crafters - May, Anything Goes with Die Cute