Peace, Joy, and Love To You!

Christmas in July is a good thing, right?!  I love getting a head start on my Christmas cards and today's features another adorable House Mouse stamp set.  This is the Tree-mendous stamp set and is available over at Spellbinders, along with three other sets in this collection.

I stamped the Tree-mendous Christmas image in Copic safe ink and used my markers to color it.  I added gold gel pen accents on the ornaments and the star (too back it doesn't show in photos).

Next I die cut the panel with a die from the A2 Matting Basics A die set.  Then I added Splatter White opaque watercolor diluted with water for the "snow".

I die cut dark gray cardstock with a Matting Basics B die and glued it behind the colored image.  I added foam tape to the back of the layers.

The card base is an A2 size and has a panel of white cardstock embossed with the In The Pines embossing folder.

The sentiment is one of three included in the set and is popped up on the card with foam strips.

That's it!  So easy to make this adorable holiday card with quick coloring.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend and lots of crafty time!

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Back In The Saddle -- Get Well Scene Card

Hello crafty friends!  Today I'm sharing my card that features Honey Bee Stamps new Lovely Layers: Tack Honey Cuts along with a new stencil set.  Read on for all of the details!

I started by die cutting the dies in the Lovely Layers: Tack from white and teal cardstocks.  I used a few Copic markers to color the white cardstock.  See how I managed to keep the debossed areas of the die cuts white?  To do that, I laid the nib of the marker almost flat and lightly colored over those areas.  I was very happy it worked out!!

I used glue to adhere all of the Lovely Layers: Tack pieces together.  Be sure to refer to the handy layering guide while you assemble the saddle!

Next I created the background layer with the Range Scene stencil set.  I used blending brushes and Distress Inks on an A2 white cardstock panel.  The colors I used are Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Lost Shadow, and Tumbled Glass.  NOTE:  I intentionally did not stencil the fence post section.

The idea in my head was to have the saddle hanging over a fence.  So I die cut white cardstock with the Lovely Layers: Barn Wood Fence dies.  Then I used my scissors to trim off the top picket sections even with the top rail.  Then I colored it with a blender brush and Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

I glued the rails onto the fence, added foam tape to the back, and then adhered it to the card with a portion of the bottom of the fence hanging off.  I just used my scissors to trim it even with the bottom of the card.

The sentiment stamped in black pigment ink is from the Saddle Up stamp set.  I cut it out with the coordinating die and popped it up on the card with foam strips.

I blinged out the saddle with some pretty coordinating gems I found in the Vitamin Sea Gem Sticker set.

I love it when I have an idea for a card actually turns out to be like I wanted!  I hope I've given you some inspiration too!  Thanks so very much for stopping by!!!

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Warm Hellos and Days To Remember!

I'm still in catch-up mode after returning from our 3-week trip to Greece, Croatia, and Italy!!  I'm sharing three cards today that feature three of Spellbinders June 2025 Club Kits.  Two cards also use products from their fabulous La Dolce Vita Collection!

NOTE:  These June club kits are currently available for separate purchase!  Check under Club Kits, then "Shop Past Kits".  Club Kits are not always available for a separate purchase, so be sure to check!

This first card features the June Betterpress called Harbor Weave along with a previously released Set Sail die set.

I used my Betterpress System and Tawny Betterpress ink to press the plate and sentiment onto Porcelain Cotton cardstock.  The set also has a die to cut out the two included sentiments.

The rest of the card is made with the dies in the Set Sail die set cut from colored cardstock.  (All cardstocks used are in the list below.)  I thought this set went with the nautical theme of the Press Plate perfectly!

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Next up is my card with the 3D Embossing Folder of the Month called Nautical Knots.

I love the detail of Spellbinder's 3D embossing folders!  This one looks beautiful on light blue cardstock!  

For the feature elements I used another set from my favorite La Dolce Vita Collection called Deckside Dreams.  The sentiment is from the La Dolce Vita Sentiments Press Plate and Die Set.

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My third card features the June Embossing Folder of the Month called Mariner's Weave.

I made these three cards a cohesive set by using the same light blue cardstock on each one.  The sun is the Under The Sun die set from the La Dolce Vita Collection.

The sentiment is another from the La Dolce Vita Sentiments.  There are nine total sentiments in this set!

I'm off to do more catching up!  Thank you always for stopping by!

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One Christmas Card and Two Gift Tags Featuring Altenew's July 2025 Release

Happy Saturday, crafty friends!  I have a card and two Christmas tags to share with you today.  These are my featured projects for Altenew's July 2025 Release Instagram hop.  In true Altenew fashion, there are some awesome prizes to be awarded to commenters on the Instagram hop.  I hope you'll join me over there!

This card features the gorgeous Lush Berry Branch stencil set and 3D embossing folder.

First I embossed white cardstock with the Lush Berry Branch 3D embossing folder.  Then I added Fresh Dye Inks through each stencil with my favorite Mini Blending Brushes.  The inks I used are: Cherry Sweet, Mocha, Forest Glads, and Evergreen.

When I finished stenciling I trimmed the piece to 4" x 5-¼" and added it to a layer of Jet Black Crafty Necessities cardstock.

The sentiment is from the Wrapped With Love Press Plates.  I cut it out with the coordinating die.

I added a bit of bling with some Dazzling Diamond Stellar Sequins.

My next project is two Christmas gift tags.

I created these tags with the Berry Whisper Press Plates and dies.  There are two berry branch press plates.  I used Evergreen Fresh Dye ink to press the images onto white cardstock.  TIP:  If you find the ink beading up on the press plates, clean them off and then press some clear embossing ink onto the plates.  Then use a micro fiber cloth to gently wipe off some of the ink.  Then re-ink with the colors of your choice.

The berries remain white after being pressed, so I used a couple of red Copic markers to color each berry.

The tags are die cut from Moonstone Glitter cardstock with Terrific Tag dies.  After trimming the Berry Whisper branches into three pieces, I used glue to adhere them to the tags.

I stamped the Wrapped With Love sentiment stamps with Cherry Sweet ink.  Then I cut them out with the coordinating dies.

I added bits of ribbon and twine from my stash to each tag.

If you need holiday cards and tags, keep these in mind.  Not only are they easy to make, the stencils make the coloring quick too.

I hope you'll join me over on my Instagram for the hop.  I have the complete hop list and prize details for you there.  Have a wonderful weekend!

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Ciao Bella

I'm BACK!  I just returned yesterday from an amazing 3-week trip to Greece, Croatia, and ITALY!  I'm sharing one more card featuring a couple products from Spellbinders wonderful La Dolce Vita Collection.

This card is a fun one featuring the Ciao Spaghetti die set.

I die cut the Ciao Spaghetti dies from white cardstock and used a few Copic markers to color each one.

I did die cut one more each of the spaghetti pieces and glued them together.  This made these thin die cuts stronger.

All of the finished pieces are glued to a background embossed with the Lemon Fresco embossing folder.

Apologies for the brief post, but I am still tired and jet lagged!  Thanks always for stopping by!

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Boots, Lace, and A Whole Lotta Grace Die Cut Card

Hello crafty friends!  Today I have a fun card to share with you that features Honey Bee Stamps' new Lovely Layers: Western Wear dies, Lovely Layers: Mini Desert Blooms dies, and the Saddle Up sentiment stamps and coordinating Honey Cuts!  All of these products are part of Honey Bee's awesome Sawdust and Saddles release!

I die cut the Lovely Layers: Western Wear dies for the boot from 80# white cardstock.  I colored the pieces with various Copic markers.  Then I used Bee Creative glue to adhere the layers.

Next I die cut all of the die in the Lovely Layers: Mini Desert Blooms Honey Cuts from more white cardstock.  This time I used ink blending brushes to color the pieces with various inks in my stash.  Using the Layering Guide is so helpful when glueing the layers together.

For the card base, I die cut some lacy patterned paper from the Textiles & Textures: Vintage paper pad with the largest Sweet Stacks: Rectangles dies.  I glued this to an A2 card base.  Next I die cut white cardstock with the third largest Sweet Stacks: Ovals die.  Then I placed it in the Burlap 3D embossing folder and ran it through my die cutting machine.

Before I adhered the oval to the card base, I tied a bow around it with some lace seam binding that's been in my stash forever!  Haha!  Then I added foam tape to the back of the oval to adhere it to the card.

I glued the Mini Desert Blooms onto the boot and adhered it to the card with foam tape.  I tucked the two cactuses at the base of the boot with glue and foam tape.

The sentiment is from the awesome Saddle Up stamp set.  After I stamped it with black pigment ink and then die cut it with the coordinating die.  I added foam tape strips to adhere it.

I thought the boot needed to be fancied up, so I added gem stickers from the Aurora Borealis gem stickers set.

I love the lace and textures of this card!  I sure hope you've found inspiration from my card today.  Thank you so much for stopping by!

Firepit and S'Mores Retirement Card With Honey Bee Stamps New Release

Hello crafty friends!!  Today I'm sharing the first card I've made with Honey Bee Stamps awesome new Sawdust and Saddles release!  This is such a fun and unique release and you should definitely check it out!!  And how about a fire pit with s'mores and a beautiful sunset sky--how wonderful that would be!

I created the background layer by first stamping two of the cactuses from the On The Range stamp set onto a 4-¼" x 5-½" white cardstock panel.  I stamped both in a green ink, then stamped them again on masking paper.  After I used my scissors to cut out the masks, I put the masks over the cacti.  (I did stamp one more of the round cactus on white cardstock and cut it out with my scissors.)  All three cactuses are colored with Copic markers.

I used my scissor to cut a strip of more masking paper into a slight hill shape.  I took the bottom mask and placed it just slightly above center on the cardstock.  Then I used blender brushes to blend on Distress Inks creating a sunset.  I used these colors:  Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Faded Jeans, and Chipped Sapphire.  I added just a bit of Black Soot around the edges.

Before I moved on, I added white paint splatters for stars on the blue sky.

I placed the upper strip of masking tape over the inked sunset sky.  Then I blended on Antique Linen Distress Ink over the entire bottom for a sand look.  I added Gathered Twigs just around the edges.  I added splatters with a paint brush with diluted Gathered Twigs Distress Ink to give the look of small rocks.

Next I die cut all of the pieces of the Lovely Layers: Fire Pit from 80# white cardstock.  I used various Copic markers to color the pieces.  Then I used Bee Creative glue to adhere all of the layers together.  I assembled the fire pit pieces with glue and adhered them to the card with foam tape.  How fun is it that there are dies for roasting marshmallows and dies to make a s'mores?!!!

The sentiments are from the fun new Nailed It stamp set.  After I stamped them with black pigment ink, I cut them out with the coordinating dies.  I used some foam tape strips to adhere them to the card.

This is such a unique release!  I love the sentiments that are a bit "punny" too!  Check it all out over at Honey Bee's shop!

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  I hope your day is wonderful and filled with lots of crafty time!

 

With Sympathy -- How To Create A Watermark Card Background

Hello crafty friends!  Today I'm sharing a sympathy card featuring Honey Bee Stamps beautiful Zelia's English Garden stamp.  Read all of the details below!

First I selected a blue cardstock and die cut it with the rectangle die in the Lace Heart Layering Frames Honey Cuts.  I added a bit of subtle shading around the edges with a blender brush and Shaded Lilac Distress Ink.

Next I placed the die cut panel into my MISTI and then inked up the Zelia's English Garden stamp with clear embossing ink and stamped it onto the blue cardstock piece.

I let the stamped piece dry for several hours (overnight) so I wouldn't accidentally smear the ink.  I love the watermarked background this created.  It is subtle but the image of the stamp is still clearly visible.  I used glue to adhere it to an A2 card base

I die cut two greenery sprigs from the Lovely Layers: Greenery Honey Cuts.  Two from white cardstock and one from mat silver cardstock.  I used glue to adhere these to the card.

The sentiment is from the Great Greetings: Sympathy die set.  I die cut the shadow layer from 110# cardstock and the top layer from mat silver cardstock.  I used foam tape strips to adhere them to the card.

It's always great to have these type of cards in my stash ready to send, when needed.  This card would also be very easy to mass produce in other colors!

I always appreciate you stopping!  Thank you!!  Have a fabulous day!

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Ciao Bella! Sending Warm Thoughts Your Way

Have you seen the La Dolce Vita Collection by Spellbinders?  I absolutely love it!  This card features three of the products from this collection!  I am actually about to head out for a trip to Italy and Greece and this collection just makes me even more excited!

Because of my trip, I need to keep this post brief!  I'll share all of the product links in the list below.  

The background is the gorgeous Lemon Fresco 3D embossing folder embossed onto teal card stock.

I die cut the die from the Citrus Spritz die set from white and colored cardstocks.

The sentiment is one of several in the La Dolce Vita Sentiments Press Plate & Die Set.  Again, I love that all of the sentiments are on one plate and then cut out with the die that is included!

I added white gel pen dots on the lemons, and a few yellow gem stickers for some sparkle!

Well, all that's left for me to say is, "Ciao Bella"!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

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You're The Best, Sweet Friend!

Happy Wednesday crafty friends!  Today I'm sharing my card that requires just two dies sets and one stamp set!  I've used Honey Bee Stamps' new Bold Background: Chinoiserie with the older Big Time Kindness stamp set and Honey Cuts.

To make the coloring easier, I started by die cutting green and light coral colored cardstocks with the Bold Background: Chinoiserie dies.  Then I used a blending brush to add a coordinating green ink color to the layers for shading.  I used a couple of Copic markers to shade the flowers.  Don't forget to die cut the flowers two times each!

Next I referred to the Layering Guide while I used glue to adhere the layers.  Then I glued the piece to an A2 white cardstock card base.

For more detail and interest I added some pretty metallic Champagne Gold paint splatters and set it aside to dry.

I pulled out the Big Time Kindness stamp set, one of my favorite sentiment sets!  I stamped the sentiments with clear embossing ink and then added Princess Gold embossing powder.  I used my heat tool to set the powder.  I cut out the large sentiment with the coordinating Big Time Kindness die and used my paper trimmer for the other.

I added foam tape strips to the sentiments to adhere each one to the card.

I love this card with its sweet flowers and metallic sentiment!  Perfect for many occasions  to send to a friend!  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Stay crafty!

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Hello, My Sweet Friend

Hello crafty friends!  Today I'm sharing a card I made that features Honey Bee Stamps beautiful Lovely Layers: Wishing Well.  The Scene Builder die sets have always been a favorite of mine and I was happy to get to use one again!  I love how these older and new products work together!

First I die cut the Lovely Layers: Wishing Well dies from light gray and 80# white cardstock.  I used various brown and gray inks to color most of the pieces with Blender Brushes.  I had fun using three different shades of gray inks on the wishing well stones.  Then I splattered the stones with white paint.  For some reason it started smudging off even after it dried.  So I just used a clean paper towel to smudge it and it turns out, I liked the look!

To color the smaller pieces that I wanted more detail on (the well handle, the bucket, and rope) I used a few Copic markers.

Next I followed the Layering Guide to adhere the layers with glue.

I pulled out the Farmhouse Fields Scene Builder Cover Plate die and cut it out from 80# white cardstock.  To color the scene, I used the coordinating stencil set with Blender Brushes and various shades of green inks and a brown ink.

I trimmed the left edge of the colored scene with my paper trimmer.  Before I glued the scene to my A2 card base, I inked on some blue ink for the sky.

I wanted some more color on the card, so I die cut white cardstock with three of the floral dies found in the Lovely Layers: Front Porch Spring Add-On set.  I used blending brushes for some quick coloring of the layers.  Then I used glue to adhere the layers together.  These remind of wildflowers that might be growing at the base of a wishing well!

The wishing well and flowers are adhered to the card base with foam tape.  Then I stamped the sentiments from the So Special stamp set with black pigment ink.  I cut them out with the coordinating dies and adhered each one with a double layer of foam tape.

I totally love this scene and hope you do too!  Also, I hope you've been inspired to give this type of scene card a try.  It's fun!  Have an awesome and crafty week!!

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Altenew June 2025 Release Blog Hop + Giveaway ($300 in total prizes)!

Welcome to Altenew's June 2025 Release blog hop!  This is another amazing release by Altenew that has products in it to inspire any crafting style!

There are awesome designers in this hop sharing some beautiful inspiration for the June 2025 Release.  Check out the hop list below.  If you would like to start at the beginning, head on over to the Altenew blog.  Be sure to read until the end to see what Altenew has for prizes this month!  For the best chance to win, be sure to leave a comment on my blog and at each stop along the way.

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I have three (actually four) cards to share with you today!  This first one is filled with sunshine and features the beautiful Build-A-Garden Radiant Blossoms stamps, stencils, and dies.

The card base is A2 sized and is layered with Fresh Lemon Crafty Necessities Cardstock that I embossed with the Batik Blooms 3D embossing folder.

I stamped the florals from the Build-A-Garden stamp set with Obsidian black ink.  Then I used my beloved Mini Blending Brushes to add in shades of yellow and green inks.  I used inks from the Pocketful of Sunshine and the Green Valley Fresh Dye ink collections.  The basket is lightly shaded with Limestone ink.

I cut out the flowers and basket with the coordinating Radiant Blossoms dies.  Then I adhered the pieces with Instant Dimension Foam Tape.

There is lots of subtle sparkle on this card!  I added the new Clear Iridescent Stellar Stellar Sequins (3 of 5 sizes used) to the flower centers and then a few more around the sentiments.  The sentiments are also in the Radiant Blossoms stamp set and cut out with the coordinating dies.

My next card is filled with lots of beautiful shine and features the stamps and dies from the Crafty-Your-Life Bold & Beautiful set.

I'm going to keep the rest of this post fairly brief.  Be sure to check out the product links in the list below.

This card has gold heat embossing, a gold cardstock layer, and gold die cut flowers!  I love the Craft-Your-Life Project Kits since you get the stamps, dies, stencils, and embossing folder all together!  This Bold & Beautiful kit can be used so many ways, as demonstrated in my next card.

I added more sparkle by placing some Sparkling Gold Sequins to the flower centers.

This next project is a two-from-one stenciling session using the beautiful Craft-Your-Life Bold & Beautiful embossing folder and stencils.

My Stampwheel 2.0 gave me plenty of room to use the Bold & Beautiful stencils and color the panel I had already embossed with the embossing folder.

I used Mini Blending Brushes to color through the stencils.  I used inks from these Fresh Dye ink collections:  Sweet Dreams,  Green Meadows, and Cherry Blossom.  Then I used my paper trimmer to cut the piece in half.

Each half piece was adhered to coordinating teal cardstock (embossed with the Bold & Beautiful 3D embossing folder) with Instant Dimension foam tape.  The sentiments are included in the stamp set and popped up with foam tape.

This card is just the same as the previous card except for the foiled sentiment.  This sentiment is from the Versatile Greetings 3 Press Plates.  (You do know that these press plates can be foiled, right?)  I was happy to find that I had the perfectly coordinating foil in my stash!

Both cards have Clear Iridescent sequins adhered around the sentiments for some pretty sparkles!

I just have to finish up by sharing a photo of the awesome new Crafter's Showcase Mini Blending Brush Storage!  I love how this keeps all my brushes together and within easy reach!  I actually have it front and center by my work space!

Be sure to leave me a comment below for your chance to win a prize before you head to the next stop on the hop.

Giveaway info: 

• • $300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $100 gift certificate to 1 lucky winner and a $50 gift certificate to 4 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by June 16th for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 5 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew's Blog Hop Post on June 17th, 2025.

  • The winner of the $100 gift certificate will be chosen from comments left on the Altenew blog.

Blog Hop List:

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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