Fall is on the Way!

 It's difficult to think in anther few weeks fall will be upon us as when I am writing this we are expecting another few days up in the high 90's! I can tell the difference in the evening and it has cooled down significantly so sleeping is not a problem, thank goodness!  I wanted to give this card a fall feel and I think I achieved my goal! You can find this beautiful die, as well as so many more, at Dies R Us and I hope this inspires you to join in our challenge.

What I Used to Make my Card:
Vanilla Card Blank
Poppystamps Adriana Oval Frame Die, #2327
Sue Wilson Mini Sentiments, Just For You Die, #CEDME028
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Wink of Stella, Gold
Nuvo Dream Drops, Indigo Eclipse, #1796N
Dark Brown Card

No stamping on this card so I put my coloring skills to work trying to make the leaves around the oval look like fall leaves as much as possible.  I took some pictures of my process so you can see that I actually colored over some of the leaves quite a few times

The Leaves

.  Once the leaves were finally to my liking, I colored the inner oval with the gold marker and used the Nuvo drops on the berries. These are not your regular drops, they actually have an iridescent shine to them that is beautiful, so beautiful I bought all three colors!  Once the gold and the berries were dry, I attached the oval to a cream colored card base {white just looked too stark} and adhered the sentiment die which was cut from dark brown card in the center.  I am very pleased with how this card came out; I hope you like it as well!

The Nuvo Drops

Don't forget that you have until the end of the month to join in the Dies R Us challenge, all the important links can be found below. All you need to enter is to use a die from a company they carry and you could win!  Please do pop by to see the design teams wonderful inspiration; there is a new post every day.  Thanks so much for stopping by and see you soon! Christi

Don't forget to come join in the fun at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog. There's a new challenge theme offered on the 1st and 15th of each month and one lucky randomly drawn winner will receive a gift voucher prize to the Dies R Us Store.  

 For your convenience, all the important Dies R Us links are provided below.

 click below for:

STORE

CHALLENGE BLOG

FACEBOOK

INSPIRATION BLOG

FRIENDS OF DIES R US PINTEREST PAGE

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Glimmer & Sparkle
Use Your Stuff, #430 - Anything Goes
Path of Positivity, #93 - Anything Positive Goes w/ Option of Enjoying Nature
A Place to Start, #8 - What's your Style {I love using die cuts & water coloring!}

Sending Wishes. . . with Dies R Us

Happy Wednesday! I am thrilled to be back on the Dies R Us Inspiration Blog Design Team; Dies R Us is a fabulous store that has so many other things besides dies, I do hope you will go have a look and don't forget to enter the fortnightly anything goes giveaway!  Spring is FINALLY here in Colorado, sort of.  We have been having 80 degree days, and then 60 degree days - still, it isn't rain or snow, so I'm a happy girl :) If you are a regular reader you know I am in love with Lawn Fawn and I pretty much buy every new thing they come out with {I'm happy, wallet is NOT happy!} because I just have to have it! Here is a new spring card I made with some of their products :) 

What I Used to Make my Card
White Card Base
Lawn Fawn Dandy Day stamps, #LF2217
Lawn Fawn Dandy Day dies, #LF2218
Lawn Fawn Spiffy Speckles Petite Paper Pad, #LF1868
Lawn Fawn Stitched Windy Backdrop, #LF1425
Lawn Fawn Grassy Border die, #LF613
Lawn Fawn Fancy Wavy Banners, #LF1923
Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 17, #S5-025
White Card {for frame}
Clear Wink of Stella 
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers 
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink
Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive Glue

You can see the sparkle a bit in this photo

I stamped, colored and cut all of the components, ran a pretty piece of Spiffy Speckles through the die machine using the windy backdrop {if you look close, the mice seem to be speckled too; before I cut them out I had used a bleach clean up product on my desk and got the speckled mice, not on purpose, but a fun accident. Kind of different!} I framed the background with white card cut out using Labels 17 and before I glued it down, I pieced the scene together.  I went over all the dandelions with clear sparkles to give the card a bit of pizazz, you can't really see it in the pictures but it's there.  I glued all the pieces onto the background, added the banner with the sentiment and I was done.  This was such fun card to make and I love that the flowers are included with the set as coloring grey {hmmmm, rainbow mice? Sounds like a plan to me! Oh! How about some pastel mice to help usher in spring!?!} mice all day can get really boring!

I hope you enjoyed my mini tutorial {truthfully, I run out of ways to word them and honestly, who is going to read this that needs a how to? But it is my way of blogging, so you are stuck with it! I like to blog like you & I are having a conversation so that's what I do!} and you are getting some signs of spring in your neck of the woods.  I appreciate you guys so much and your comments give me the push I sometimes need to continue with my hobby.  Please continue to be careful as the world slowly begins to open back up! Fondly, Christi

  

Don't forget to come join in the fun at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog. There's a new challenge theme offered on the 1st and 15th of each month and one lucky randomly drawn winner will receive a gift voucher prize to the Dies R Us Store.  

   For your convenience, all the important Dies R Us links are provided below.

 click below for:

STORE

CHALLENGE BLOG

FACEBOOK

INSPIRATION BLOG 

FRIENDS OF DIES R US PINTEREST PAGE

I am entering my card into the following challenges:
Moving Along with the Times, #129 - Animals/Birds
Crafty Animals, #49 - Anything Goes w/ an Animal
Crafty Calendar Challenge - Spring and/or Easter
Make my Monday, #145 - Spring and/or Easter
Try it on Tuesday - Hello Spring
Lawn Fawnatics, #98 - Happy Spring

 

 

Party Like it's 1922!

I have been a fan of Hero Arts since I started stamping and when they came out with their My Monthly Hero kit I HAD to subscribe!! I've been crafting for a long time and the value of these kits amazes me every month!  With moving {again!} and helping my friend pack his home and prepare for his move cross country, plus all the fun things life throws at you {like needing a new car and a kitty with tooth issues!} I haven't been able to play with the kits as much as I'd like to, but I did manage to make a cool retro card with the kit from February {the stencil in this kit is calling my name!} I think this card is especially relevant since we have all been inside all winter and now it's getting warmer; puts me in the mood to PAR TAY! 

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Black Cardstock
Gold Card
Hero Arts My Monthly Hero Kit, February 2019
Hero Arts Gold Embossing Powder, #PW100
Wink of Stella Clear
Die-Namics Stitched Fishtail Sentiment Strips
Krylon Gold Leafing Pen
Dimensional Dots

I glued the sized, black card to the base, then attached the background piece which I cut out of gold card.  I kept the largest piece from the background cut and glued that back into the center of the card.  The dancers were embossed with the gold embossing powder, as was the sentiment on the banner.  I cut the banner and dancers and attached them to the card, using dimensional dots for the banner.  It was then I decided to add some sparkle with the Wink of Stella pen in clear.  

I learned something - don't start with an old pen and finish with a new pen! The difference between the sparkle was very evident, so I went over the spaces with the new pen.  Honestly, it would have been easier if I had gone over the black panel before putting the background die cut on, but I rarely do things the easy way!  When inspiration strikes, you need to listen!  I also decided to lightly edge the banner in gold after it was attached to the card - not the brightest move, but it came out better than expected.  Leafing pens used to be all the rage and that is what we used to use to make alcohol ink backgrounds {called Polished Stone back in the day} before companies released all the cool mix ins formulated specially for alcohol inks.  The pens can be costly, I've seen them up to $10 apiece {I've also seen them for under $6}, but they last such a very long time I feel they are worth the price.  Plus, I use them for other things than just art - I've used my silver leafing pen to touch up jewellery {the leafing pen is duller than polished silver, but I've put clear coat on the touched up spots and it blends in fine} and many other uses that escape me at the moment.  

Anyway, this card is so festive and while it is traditionally a birthday card, I think I could send it out to anyone needing a lift.  I hope you like it as much as I do!  Are you on social media?  I am and I would love it of you'd give me a follow.  If you do decide to subscribe to me, please leave me a comment so I can return the favor!  Thanks so much for reading,and have a fabulous day!  Fondly, Christi

 

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
TTCRD - Anything Goes
Pammie's Inky Pinkies, #2114 - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Layer It
A Place to Start, #4 - Anything Goes & Make it Elegant
Crazy for Challenges, #578 - Party Themed Card

Thanks for reading all of this and stay safe & healthy!!

You Have My Heart

Hey everyone!

First, I have been moving and as I write this I am currently surrounded by bins & boxes - I'm exhausted just looking at all the stuff I need to find homes for.  Anyway. . . .

Have you ever seen a card and said to yourself "I need that stamp"? That was the beginning of this card!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Simon Says Stamp You Have my Heart Stamp Set, #SSS202250C 
Simon Says Stamp You Have my Heart Die Set, #SSSD112295C
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink
Distress Ink in Blueprint Sketch
Dimensional Dots
Wink of Stella Clear

Cindy's Card

I was so inspired by the beautiful card made by CRNCards {you can check out her other creations on her Instagram account, @CRNCards}I had to get this set.  I love the clean and simple look of the wreath, and the purple hues Cindy used are just gorgeous! Since there is only one flower on the wreath I figured I could actually color the image and make it look good enough to present it to the public.  I enjoyed coloring this wreath so much I plan on stamping a bunch of them on watercolor paper, to have them ready if the coloring bug bites me.  I have already stamped and started to color the other floral element in the set but this wreath is my favorite part! All I did was stamp the wreath, color it with my Zigs, cut it out, figure the placement, stamp the sentiment onto the card base and use dimensional dots to attach the wreath.  I'm not skilled at clean and simple cards but I feel that this card is a great example.  So, as I asked before, have you ever seen a card and literally rushed to get the set it was made from? If so, let me know below! 

Thanks for stopping in, I appreciate it! 

Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Crafting Happiness Challenges, #87 - Flowers
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Use Something Green
Dragonfly Dreams - Include a Flower or Flowers
Challenge Up Your Life, #133 - Flowers
NBUS Challenge, #24 - Anything Goes as Long as it's New {first time I have used this set!}
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - A Bit 'O Green
Addicted to Stamps and More, #400 - Use Dies and/or Stencils
Watercooler Wednesday, #311 - All thing Feminine
The Cat's Pajamas, #377 - Florals
Craft Rocket Challenges, #79 - Use Dies and/or Spring

Love has Four Paws

Good morning! I'm so glad you stopped by and I hope you like my most recent card for Die Cut Diva's.  This month's theme is Anything New and this image, provided by our sponsor, Bugaboo Digi Stamps is brand new; at least to me!  You still have a little time to enter this month and I hope to see you there!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Pink Card
Alcohol Ink Markers
Bugaboo Valentine Pup Set, #BUGVALPUPSET
Kat Scrappiness, Pet Sentiments dies
Darice Mini Hearts embossing folder, #1219223 {retired? Still available}
Tutti Scalloped Stitched Nesting Circles, #TUTTI-419
Altenew Enamel Dots, Red Cosmos, #ALT2591
Wink of Stella, Clear
Gelly Roll Gel Pen, Clear
Gelly Roll Gel Pen, White, #10 {I highly recommend the 3 pack}

I had printed this pup out on two different type of paper just to see if different

If you look close you can
see the sparkle on the
heart and a few around
the puppy.

paper printed better - I could see no difference.  I just grabbed the image closest to me and started to color away with my hodgepodge of alcohol ink markers; the reason I don't note the colors I've used is because I have such a mix of the markers half the time I'm not even sure which manufacturer I'm using!  The picture was colored and I added the white dots around the smaller heart {which is a different color than the large heart - I'm not sure if that is clear on your monitor}, some clear Wink of Stella around the large heart and I added some little sparkles around the dog with my clear gel pen.  

Once the image was colored I concentrated on the rest of the card.  I like the light pink background but it lacked something; the card needed more interest so I embossed the background paper with the mini hearts folder.  I trimmed that paper down and adhered it to my card base.  I then cut the dog out using the stitched scalloped circle die and cut the love out twice, using white and red card.  I inlaid the paw with the red pieces and glued that to the card.  Finally, just to add a bit more embellishing I finished off the card with three enamel dots on the lower right side; one of them blends in very well with

Another Look

the pink card so you might have to look for it.  

I am becoming more comfortable with using digital stamps and I still plan on learning how to use my alcohol markers properly.  I realized while coloring this image that alcohol ink markers use color to highlight and blend not a blender.  Might not sound like a breakthrough to you but I was happy; I felt as if I cracked one of the many secrets of using these markers.  I'd love to hear your secrets to using alcohol markers, please leave me a comment {complete with your info so I can return the blog love and visit you!} with your breakthroughs or tips and tricks, I could use all the help I can get!  As I said, there is still a bit of time to enter this Die Cut Diva's challenge, using the theme of Anything New,  but if you can't make this one there will be a brand new one tomorrow.  I hope to see you there! Fondly, Christi

I am a day late in adding my card to some challenges! I forgot I had this card scheduled :)
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - #23, M, Anything Goes w/ a Critter
Pearly Sparkles Challenge - #37, M, It's a LOVE thing
Dies R Us - #114, Use the Color Red
Color Crazy Challenge - Anything Colored Goes (week 4)
Creative Friday - #223, Love is in the Air
Cut it Up - #166, Hearts
Kat Scrappiness Challenge - Hearts

The Guys Have it at Stinkin' Inkers

The monthly theme for June at Stinkin' Inkers is The Guys Have It.  My man just so happens to have his birthday in May, so by the time you read this post he's already gotten his card and he loved it! Of course he did, I made it for him.  I hope you like my creation, too!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Black Card
Red Card
Tiny Graven Alphabet {company out of business}
Silhouette Cameo
Free Font - Loki-Cola from dafont.com
Die-Versions Whispers Retro-Car, #DV-528 {retired but available}
Wink of Stella in Clear
Numbers Embossing Folder {local craft big box}
Homemade Dots
Craft Foam {see this post to read about the foam I used}

I had an idea in my head of how I wanted his birthday card to look.  Part of my inspiration came from the fact that my man is a Coca-Cola™ addict.  He drinks the stuff like it is going out of style.  I knew what I wanted the front of his card to say and to tie in his soda addiction {he calls it pop.  I guess it makes all the difference depending on where you grew up. It will always be soda to me.}  I chose a free font to design and cut the word "classic" for the front.  That was the easy part.

Before I even started my Silhouette Cameo machine, I decided to stamp the part of the sentiment leading up to the word "classic."  Some of you may remember how difficult it was to stamp personalized sentiments with the old fashioned wood mounted stamps.  Well, that was what I used on the front of this card.  And, honestly, I was stunned that I only had to stamp it once.  Of course, it's far from perfect but I wanted the words to be sort of wonky

Sparkle & You can see the
numbers a little bit

anyway
 {plus I knew I'd never, ever get the letters in any semblance of a line so I had decided if it was readable, it would work.}  Once that part was done, I sized the "classic" to fit on the panel for the front.

Then I made my car.  I cut out red card and some craft foam and glued them together.  I used clear Wink of Stella a few times {letting it dry in between coats} to give the car a sparkly finish.  All the components of the card were set aside while I took a piece of black card, embossed it with an old embossing folder I had, which was nothing but numbers, attached the white panel with the sentiment on it, and glued on the "Classic" I had made with my Silhouette Cameo.  In hindsight, you can barely see the numbers from the embossing folder, so I could have

Dimension!

skipped that step but, since it doesn't hurt the card any and since there was NO WAY I was going to stamp out all those words again letter by letter (!), I continued on and attached the white panel.  I also thought that perhaps I should have used dimensional dots, but the card was glued, so that was that.  

Lastly, I attached the foam backed car and the two plastic dots.  I made the dots out of Perler beads; they have a slight dimple in the center (that seems to only happen with the black ones) but he doesn't notice that sort of stuff so no worries.  I hope you decide to make at least one masculine card and join us at Stinkin' Inkers - I'd love to see you there!  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my You're Not Old, You're a Classic card in the following challenges:
Crafty Friends Challenge - #85, Happy Birthday
Always Happy Birthday - M, Anything Goes
Simply Create, Too - M, #139, For a Male
Crafting by Designs - For the Boys
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Cards in Envy - Let's Hear it for the Boys!
Dream Valley Challenges - #180, For a Man or Boy
Tuesday Throwdown - #395, What a Guy!

Birthday Fishes

As I said in my previous post using this set, I think these little puffer fish are so charming! I hope you feel the same way I do about them.  Instead of a romantic card, today I've used them to celebrate a birthday. 

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Oxide Inks in Faded Jeans, Salty Ocean & Broken China
Distress Sprayer
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Hero Arts I'm a Puffer for You stamp set, #CM170
Hero Arts Puffer Frame Cuts, #DI395
Clean Color Markers
Watercolor Paper
MFT/Die-Namics Stitched Oval Stax, #MFT-521
Versamark Ink Pad
Hero Arts Black Embossing Powder, #PW119
Wink of Stella, Clear
MISTI
Scrap of Matching Blue Card
Assorted Sparkle Gel Pens 

Since I had already decided to use this set to make this card, I wanted a

background that looked like water.  I used my trusty Oxide Inks to make the ocean for my fishes to swim, which I feel is a perfect look.  I stamped, colored, and cut my puffers, using some whimsical colors as I discovered that real puffer fish are a boring beige color.  To add a bit more pizzazz, I colored the eyes and the lips using sparkly gel pens - you can see them in both pictures of the card.  I also stamped and die cut some little fishes to keep the puffers company.  I had let my background dry overnight and it had begun to curl a bit; nothing the tile on my desk couldn't handle! I just placed the paper between some waxed paper and slid it under the tile for the night.

The next day I decided that I need some embellishments, some party wear, for the puffers.  I stamped the hat a few times and the noise maker once, colored them in and cut them out.  Then I fussed with which puffer fish got to wear what hat and which one would blow the ever important noise maker.  I attached all the festive embellishments to the proper puffer.  

I stamped the sentiment directly on the blue card using Versamark ink,  embossed it in black embossing powder; then used the oval die to cut it out.  I attached the sentiment directly to the ocean background, then began placing all the fish.  Once I worked out the placement, I attached them directly to the background as well.  When everything was attached, I glued the background to the white card base and I had my birthday card!

Another Look

This card is so cheerful I can't see how anyone could look at it and not smile! Those party hats just make me giggle.  I hope you enjoyed my journey making this card as much as I did.  Thanks for stopping by! ~Christi

I am entering my Birthday Fishes card in the following challenges:
International Art & Soul - #28, Emboss & Use a Die
Cut it Up - M, #142, Anything Goes
Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - M, Anything Goes 
Pause, Dream, Enjoy - M, #9, Stamped Image
Scrapy Land - M, Anything Goes 

I Love You Easel Card

I hate to admit it, but this is my very first easel card, ever.  I was never good with patterns {even though there have been many of them floating around the internet}, all that resizing and the need to cut a straight line was just too much for me.  However, when I was browsing my Silhouette files I saw I had purchased one that was an easel card and today was as good a day as ever to try one out! And, honestly, I had a new DCWV pad that needed to be broken in.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card
Silhouette CAMEO Machine
Lori Whitlock's A2 Easel Card Be My Valentine, File #117356
Hero Arts Stamp & Cut, Hello, #DC151
Core'dinations Pastel Pink Paper {used as base}
DCWV Copper Luxury Paper Stack {hope they didn't close!}
Wink of Stella in Clear
White Brad

Yes, I'm spoiled.  All those complicated cards are a breeze now thanks to the

The card closed

electronic cutting machines and all the dies that can do the hard work for you.  I don't care; I think this is a beautiful card! There really is no tutorial because Lori Whitlock has put together a fabulous one; it's a generic tutorial for all of her easy easel cards.  If you happen to have any type of Silhouette machine, consider purchasing the file for this card.  It was super easy to make and lots of fun.  

In fact, the card was easy to see how to construct just by looking at the pieces.  The one thing I

Ah ha! It's a brad!

couldn't figure out {before I watched the tutorial} was how the cards stayed "up" like an easel.  I realized I'd never looked that hard at one of the cards to see the brad!  How ingenious, and frankly, since these cards are so striking, who's gonna be bothered looking for how it works {well, I did, but only because I was making one}? 

I did discover how to fix a mistake I make often - putting glue on the wrong side of the cardstock.  At

least in this case I quickly wiped the glue off with a baby wipe and then covered the heart in clear Wink of Stella - ta da! No glossy tell tale glue marks on this heart! If you look closely, you can see the wonderful Wink sparkle.

Well, I hope you enjoyed my short post and my lovely card.  The patterns and colors of the Copper Luxury stack are perfect for any cards or projects you might have on your 'to do' list.  Thanks so much for visiting ~ Christi


I would like to enter my Love You Easel Card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Layer it Up
Cardz for Galz - Anything but Square {I hope this qualifies!}
a2z Scrapbooking - M, New to Me {never made this type of card before}
Joy Clair - Dec/Jan, Make it Pop!
Wednesday's Creative Inspirations Challenge - M, Something New!
Die Cuttin' Divas - M, Something New {2}
Fussy and Fancy - #204, Fussy and Fancy
SumMoreFun Mood Board - #20 

Wintertime Joy

This is a simple card and my main goal was to use up some of my stash papers.  This is the first time I used the die and I think it came out beautifully.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Gold Glitter Snowflake Patterned Paper
Gold Shimmer Paper, dark
Gold Shimmer Paper, pale
Memory Box, Wintertime Joy die, #99589 {not sure if retired, but available}
Wink of Stella, Gold

I have no idea where the Gold Glitter Snowflake Paper came from; I'm certain I got it in a kit umpteen years ago.  I have a bit still hanging around so you might see it make an appearance in a card next year.

The panel of patterned paper was already cut, so all I had to do to make this card was cut out Joy twice.  I used the pale and the dark gold {and again, I've had these papers for so long!} and inlay the dark gold letters into the pale gold card.  However, I wasn't happy with how the dark gold letters looked once they were inserted into the pale card. The dark gold paper didn't quite match up to the shimmer of the pale gold, so I colored the letters over with a gold Wink of Stella pen.  In the picture on the left, the rounded piece of cardstock is the original dark gold, and the letters are cut and colored using the pen.    

Coloring the letters made a huge difference in the shimmer and I feel like it matched the pale shimmer much better.  I took a gazillion pictures to try to capture the beautiful shimmer of the pale gold and, honestly, I think the picture at the top pf this post shows it the best.  But I also wanted to show the intricacy of the die, so I decided to use the picture on the right.  I think I could even snip those snowflakes away and use just the outline of the word for another project that isn't so seasonal.

Another Look

It's easy for me to make a snowflake card because we haven't had much snow here in the Denver area of Colorado, yet {EDIT: I just heard we are expecting snow today! Only 1 to 2 inches, but we desperately need it.  I hope we get some!}  We will see what old man winter brings us in the next two months. I hope this little tutorial finds you in good health as I see that there is a bad flu making the rounds.  Thanks for reading and I hope to see you soon! Christi
PS: We are getting snow right now! :) 

I am entering my Wintertime Joy card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Use Patterned Paper (#2)
Crafty Cardmakers - Bling's the Thing, #203
Poppy Stamps Challenge - M, Snow Day, #40
Craft Rocket Challenges - Winter, #44
Cute Card Thursday - #512, Something New (die is new)
Die Cut Divas - M, Use or Do Something New (die is new)

A Few Thank You cards. . .

It is one of my New Year's Resolutions to make {AND send} more thank you cards.  This Christmas I got some totally unexpected cards from a couple of my Blogger friends and, since I sort of coasted through the holiday, I decided to make them some thank you cards.

Both of the cards.  They look better in person, trust me :)

What I Used to Make my Cards:
White Card Base
Basic Grey Patterned Paper, Sultry Vogue*
Pink Cardstock {Core'dinations Pastels}
Hero Arts Stamp & Cut, Thanks, #DC152
Homemade Dots {see below}
Wink of Stella, Clear

*Basic Grey closed its scrapbooking section in 2016 so I highly doubt you'll find the paper I used to make the cards, but there are plenty of beautiful florals out there - bet you have some in your stash!  

I had a blast making these cards and they were super easy!  I just trimmed the patterned paper, attached it to my white card base and then embellished.

Since there are two cards, I'm calling this one "Pop Out" and the second card "Dots."

This is the second "pop out sentiment" card I've made.  If you'd like more information on making this type of card check out this post I made in October.  It's got detailed directions and a link to Jennifer McGuire's blog post on how to make these beauties. I used clear Wink of Stella to give the "thanks" a bit of sparkle; you can't see it in the card above, so here is a close up:

On to the "Dots" card.  As I stated above, I made these dots myself.  I hope you like the card and find a chuckle in the saga explained below.

I used Perler Beads to make my dots.  I bought a huge package of them from Amazon {I ended up giving a bunch away because I had SO many} and being I had never used them before, I had fun experimenting with them.  I also learned a few things; make absolutely sure you use parchment paper on your cookie sheet, you can literally bake these things for hours {yes, I forgot about them, but you'll see why in a second} and they won't burn.  I had the oven set at 350 degrees and they baked for hours!  I had originally timed them at taking about 45 minutes to bake; well, no worries about forgetting them! Lastly, you can cut the beads in half to make smaller dots, which is what I was doing when I got a nasty gash in my finger, hence forgetting about the beads baking.  I'm healing up though and no trip to the ER was needed.  I was nervous when I cut myself

Another look

because I am due for an ER visit; I seem to average one every six months or so and it's time. All in all, I'm glad I used the dots, I'm glad I made them smaller and I'm really glad that my finger is healing just fine.  Come to find out that Perler actually sells mini beads {and there are other companies who make the same type of beads}, so all that could have been easily avoided.  Eh, story of my life! {hehehehe}  

I am very happy with how the cards came out, even the dots.  I just bought some new dies {and have even more on their way!} and I intentionally purchased some larger word dies so hopefully I'll find some time, most likely once Valentine's Day is over, and get to making some more of the "pop out" cards.  They are really fun to make.  I hope you have a wonderful day and thank you for stopping by! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Thank You cards in the following challenges:
Craftaholics R Us - Patterned Paper, #2
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Use Patterned Paper
Through the Craft Room Door - Always Anything Goes
Cuttlebug Mania -Flowers
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - M, Anything Goes
Scrap From Your Heart - M, Flowers, #17