Celebrating Honey Bee Stamps' 10th Anniversary Card

Hello, crafty friends! This time tomorrow I will be headed to the airport to go to Oregon for Honey Bee Stamps' 10th Anniversary Card Making Retreat! I'm so excited! As you may guess, this trip is what inspired my card for today!

I pulled out what was one of my very first Honey Bee purchases! I still love the Busy Bees stamps and Honey Cuts, and good news, these are still available!

I think that the Busy Bees stamps and Honey Cuts are timeless, as these pair perfectly with newer products!

The background for my card is an A2 card base. First I used a blender brush to add blue ink to the card for the sky. Then I used the hill die from the Horizon Slimline Borders Honey Cuts to die cut green cardstock. I glued this to the bottom of the card base.

Next I stamped the grass from the new Dog Gone Amazing stamp set with green ink onto the hill. Then I stamped two of the dogs from that set with Intense Black ink and colored them with my Copic markers. I cut them out with the coordinating Honey Cuts.

My next step was to stamp all of the flowers, leaves, and some bees from the Busy Bees stamp set with black ink. I repeated the stamping onto more white cardstock since I knew I would want extra. After I colored them with my Copic markers, I cut them out with the coordinating Busy Bees dies.

I decided on an arrangement for the flowers, then adhered some with foam and glued some to the bottom of the card. I used my scissors to trim anything hanging off the edge of the card. I used glue to tuck the leaves here and there around the flowers.

I die cut the 1 and 0 from the Bee Playful Numbers die set four times from white cardstock and once from black. I used glue to adhere the layers together.

I stamped the sentiment from the Celebrating You with black ink and die cut it with the coordinating die.

Next I adhered the Dog Gone Amazing pups with foam squares. Then I put a butterfly from that set onto a stamp block and stamped it with Intense black ink. Then I colored them with a few blue and yellow Copic markers.

To finish up, I glued the number 10 on the card. I added foam strips to the right side of the sentiment and glue to the left to adhere it.

Then I placed the cute little Busy Bees here and there on the card.

If you would like to see some photos from the retreat, then be sure to follow me on my Instagram!  I hope to have time to share some of the fun!

Thank you so much for stopping by! You are most appreciated!

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You Were Born To Sparkle!

Hi crafty friends!  Today I'm sharing this makeup bag shaped die set by Spellbinders that is absolutely THE cutest set ever!  Not only is the Gorgeous You Makeup Bag set totally adorable, it can also be a gift card holder!  My vision for this was to be more like a clutch purse, and I think it worked!

I die cut the pieces of the Gorgeous You Makeup Bag dies from Bellini, Coral, white, and mat gold cardstock (linked below).  I adhered the pieces with glue.  Then I die cut one more bag, omitting the decorative center, from Bellini cardstock.  I will use this piece for the back of the card, adhering the two together with the die cut hinge that's included.

Then I glued the gift card holder on the inside of the card.  Note:  This die just cuts the slit, but since I didn't think to do that before I glued the Markup Bag pieces together, I just trimmed it into a strip.

The two sentiments are from the Bougie Birthday Sentiments press plate & die set.  This set presses all the sentiments at once, then die cuts them all with one die.  I love this type of set to have all of the extra sentiments for other projects, like this one here!

I die cut Coral and Rainforest cardstock with flower and stem dies from the Sprinkle & Grow die set.  I arranged and tucked them under the sentiment using glue to adhere.

To go along with the sentiment on the outside, some bling was needed!  I found some coordinating gem stickers in my stash and placed them around on the card front.

Nothing like a sparkly makeup bag, right?!!  This collection also has a coordinating Gorgeous You Makeup die set that you can check out by clicking the link below.

I hope you've been inspired by my card featuring the MOST adorable Gorgeous You Makeup Bag!  Thanks so much for stopping by!!

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Sending Love, Just Because I Care

Today I'm sharing my card I made with the Spellbinders' BetterPress Club Kit for March.  This beautiful press plate is called Quilted Memories and I love the more generic design so I can use it with different styles of cards!

I decided to use the Quilted Memories Press Plate with coordinating cardstock and ink for a subtle tone-on-tone background.  I used a piece of Bellini cardstock and inked up the press plate with a coordinating peachy color ink.  After running it through my BetterPress Letterpress System, I trimmed it to 4" x 5-¼" and glued it to an A2 card base.

I used the Sealed Blooming Stems die set and die cut the pieces from Bellini, Coral and Rainforest cardstocks.  Before I glued the layers together, I inked up the flower edges and under layer with a darker peachy ink.

The main sentiment is the Copperplate Sending Love BetterPress letter press plate.  The March BetterPress club kit includes two sub-sentiments and I chose one to go along with the other sentiment.  They both are pressed onto Porcelain cotton card with BetterPress black ink.  I cut the main sentiment with a rectangle die from the A2 Matting Basics A set and the small sentiment with the die that is included in the BetterPress Club Kit.

I added foam tape to the back of both sentiments and adhered the Sending Love first.  Then I arranged the flowers and adhered them with glue.  I finished up by adding the other sentiment as shown.

If you have never checked out Spellbinders' Club Kits, I would encourage you to do so.  There is a club for several different products if you aren't into press plates.  Also you can cancel at any time!  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  

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Rain Or Shine, I'm Here For You!

Hello, friends!  It's time for the new release by Simon Says Stamp called Rain or Shine!  Just as we can expect, this is a fabulous release filled with all sorts of crafty products in various themes.  There's something for everyone!

My card features the adorable Rain or Shine stamp set.  I created a sweet little scene with a few of the many stamps in the set.

I began by inking an easy background with a green and blue ink onto the A2 card front.

Next I chose five of the stamps from the Rain or Shine set and stamped them with Copic safe black ink.  After I colored the images with my Copic markers, I used my scissors to trim around each image.  (There are coordinating dies available!)

First I glued the bear image to the card.  Then I added foam tape to the back of the other images to adhere them to my card.  I stamped a sentiment from the Rain or Shine set with black pigment ink.

Then I trimmed it into a strip and used a corner rounder to round off the two bottom corners.  I popped it up with foam tape.

Super sweet and easy to make!  There are five other bears in this set along with another main sentiment and three sub sentiments too.

Be sure to check out all of the new crafty goodies in this release by visiting Simon Says Stamp.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Get Well Card With Adorable Kitties!

Hello Honey Bee friends! Today I have a card for all of the cat lovers out there! I'm a bit allergic to them, but still think they are so cute! I've used the so sweet and adorable Meow & Furever stamps and coordinating dies for my card today.

First I stamped the images I wanted to use from the Meow & Furever stamp set with Copic safe black ink. After I colored them with my Copic markers, I cut them out with the coordinating dies. (If you are interested in what marker colors I used, I have them listed at the end.)

I stamped the sentiment from the Meow & Furever stamp set with black pigment ink and cut it out with the coordinating die. The separate cat's die actually cuts slits below its paws so I used glue to adhere it to the sentiment.

I added foam tape dots and strips to the back of the images and the sentiment and set them aside while I made the card base and background.

The card base layer and the heart are both included with the Floral Heart 3D embossing folder. I love that this includes the heart die! I embossed a 5" x 7" piece of white cardstock with the Floral Heart embossing folder. I glued this to a 5" x 7" card base.

I die cut more white card stock with the heart die and used blender brushes to ink it with some green and blue inks. Then I placed the little grass stamp (Meow & Furever stamp set) onto a stamp block. I randomly stamped it over the inked grass using the same green ink as before.

Next I removed the backing from the foam tape on the images and adhered them to my card front.

The Meow & Furever stamp set has another focal image along with several more cats and sentiments too!  I thank you so much for stopping by!!

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Two Drastically Different Cards Using One 3D Embossing Folder

Hi, crafty friends!  I'm back today with two cards featuring another Spellbinders Club Kits for March.  I've used the 3D Embossing Folder, called Floral Fence Of Togetherness.  I used two different, and very fun, techniques for my cards.  (Hint: my second card is a "bonus" card where I used the backside of a panel since I didn't like the front that I did.)  Read on for all of the details!

This first card I kept fairly clean and simple by using one color with black and white.  I used my brayer to add yellow ink to the de-bossed side of the Floral Fence embossing folder.  I placed an A2 sized piece of 80# Neenah Solar White cardstock onto the raised side of the folder and then ran it through my Platinum 6 die cutting machine.

I trimmed the piece and added a black mat layer before I glued it to my A2 card base.

The butterfly and sentiment are from the January Betterpress Club Kit, called Take Flight, which is currently available for individual purchase when I checked.  Please click the link in the list below for more details.

After pressing the butterfly with black ink in my BetterPress letterpress, I added glue to the center of the butterfly to adhere it to my card.  The sentiment is also from the Take Flight BetterPress set and is popped up with foam strips.  I then added a few gem stickers for a bit of sparkle.

My second "bonus" card is a result of a failed trial on the embossed piece.

If I ever wonder how something would work, I try it!  Well, since I didn't care for what I had tried on the embossed side of the piece, I flipped it over to try the "blackout" technique on the de-bossed side of the Floral Fence embossed paper!

I have to say, I think I like this!  It kind of has the appearance of velvet!  On the de-bossed side of the Floral Fence embossed piece I first used blending brushes to add color to the flowers and leaves.  The cool thing about this technique is that you can "go outside the lines".  Then I used a black pigment ink pad and swiped the pad over the entire piece.

The trick is to not use too much pressure as you are adding the black ink.  Just go back over any areas that need more ink until it is all covered in the black ink.

There were still just a few small areas that were not covered with black ink and I used my black Copic marker to fill those in.

The sentiment is from the A Little Hello Sentiments set.  This set not only includes the large layered "hello" sentiment, but it has one stamp with seven sub sentiments and one die to cut them out at once!  Love that!

Well, how about those two cards?!  Dramatically different but so fun to make!  Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope your weekend is fabulous with lots of crafting time!

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You Know I'm Here For You!

Hello, and happy Wednesday, friends!  I'm back today with another card featuring a few products from Honey Bee Stamps awesome Pet-tastic Release!

I've used three of the new Lovely Layers sets for my card. These include the Lovely Layers: Big Dogs, Lovely Layers: Medium Dogs, and the Lovely Layers: Small Dogs. I thought it would be fun to include a dog from each of these adorable sets.

I die cut all of each dog's layers from Neenah Solar White cardstock. I used various neutral colors of Copic markers to color each layer of the dogs. Something that helps me when coloring animals like these is to do a web search for images of that animal. For example, by looking at images of the Labrador, that helped me to choose my Copic marker colors. I don't try to do a totally realistic coloring of the animal, but it certainly helps by giving me a starting point!

I downloaded and printed the Layering Guides for the Big Dogs, Medium Dogs and Small Dogs that are found just below the product description. Then I used glue to adhere the layers together. To give the assembled images a finished look, I wanted to color those white edges of the layers that weren't fully colored. I used one of the Copic markers I used for coloring the dog and colored the edges with the tip of the marker.

I used two of the papers in the "FreeBee" pack you get with a qualifying purchase for the background. I cut the heart paper to 1-¾" tall and the teal to 3-¾". I glued the heart paper at the bottom edge of an A2 card base.

Before I glued the teal paper to the card I placed it into the Paw Prints 3D embossing folder. What I hadn't considered is that since this is patterned paper it does have a white core. The beautiful dimension of the 3D embossing folder did crack the paper on the paw prints showing the white paper core. Luckily, I did have some ink in my stash that coordinated with the paper so I hid the white cracks by blending the ink onto the cracks with a blender brush. I glued the piece to the card base. I also added a narrow strip of teal inked cardstock at the bottom edge of the embossed paper.

I stamped two of the sentiments from the You've Got A Friend stamp set with black ink. I cut them out with the coordinating dies. I added foam strips to the sentiments to adhere them to the card.

Next I glued the Beagle to the card. I used foam dots to adhere the other two dogs. I added a few Ocean Blue acrylic hearts with glue around the sentiment for a touch of bling.

All of the dogs in each of the sets are so cute and I can't wait to use the others in a project! I sure appreciate you stopping by today! Have a wonderful and crafty day!

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So Grateful For You -- Featuring Spellbinders March Embossing Folder

Spellbinders' March Club Kits are out now!  My card today features the beautiful and very versatile Embossing Folder Of The Month called Mosaic Memories!

I have fun creating this card with a bit of a different look!  If you look at the image of the Mosaic Memories embossing folder, you can see that the pattern is in a grid.  First I embossed white cardstock and then I used my paper trimmer to trim the center piece out.  I use two shades of warm yellow inks to add color to the piece.

Then I used the Mosaic Memories embossing folder to emboss a piece of Beeswax cardstock.  I trimmed it to about 5-¼" x 4".  I also trimmed the inked center piece by about ¼".  Then I matted both with white cardstock and glued the large piece to an A2 card base.  I used foam tape to adhere the smaller piece.

I used a few of the dies from the Vivid Blooms set to die cut Rainforest, Fern, and a periwinkle colored cardstocks.  (All available cardstocks are in the list below.)  I used glue to adhere the flowers and stems and the glued them to the card.

I used a sentiment from the Spring Magnolias Press Plates (currently on sale ½ off!) set with a warm orange ink.  I cut it out with the coordinating die and popped it up with foam squares.

I have several ideas on different ways to use this beautiful embossing folder!  Check out all of the Club Kits to see which ones you like!  Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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Thinking Of You Card with a 3D Emboss & Cut Folder

Hello friends!  Today I'm sharing my card that features Spellbinders gorgeous Blooming Butterflies 3D Emboss & Cut Folder.  These folders that not only emboss but also emboss and die cut extra elements in one pass are my absolute favorite products!

First I placed the included dies into their spots on the Blooming Butterflies embossing folder.  Then I placed an 8-½" x 6" piece of 80# Neenah into the embossing folder.  I ran it through my Platinum 6 die cutting machine and just marveled at the gorgeous embossed pieces!!!

To really show off the embossed details, I decided to try adding some sparkly texture paste to the embossing.  I used my finger and barely dabbed it into the texture paste.  Then I lightly rubbed my finger across the embossed piece.  I repeated that until all of it was covered.  I used Altenew's Rose Gold Shimmer Relief Paste.  These Shimmer Relief Pastes are my absolute favorite!  The colors are gorgeous and the pasts spreads like butter!

Before I closed up the Shimmer Paste, I took a palette knife and spread a fairly thin layer across a wide strip of white cardstock and set it aside to dry.

Next I set up my BetterPress with an A2 piece of Porcelain Cotton card.  Then I positioned the sentiment, Copperplate Thinking Of You Press Plate and inked it up with a coordinating brown ink.  I positioned the sentiment to be pressed into the lower left corner of the card.

I used glue to adhere the panel to an A2 card base.

I used my paper trimmer to trim the large Blooming Butterflies embossed piece to fit across the top of the card.  Then I glued it to the card.

I made sure the texture paste strip was dry before I trimmed three narrow strips from it.  I glued one strip to the top of the card and two at the bottom.  I put just a bit of glue on the middle of the butterfly to adhere it to my card.

I added a few coordinating warm colored pearl stickers for a bit of embellishment.

I will add this beautiful card to my stash to use for a special person in their time of need.  I hope you've found some inspiration today!  Thank you, always, for stopping by!

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An Adorable Stenciled Doggy Card

Happy Wednesday, my friends! Today I'm sharing details of my sweet card that features three of the new products from Honey Bee Stamps new Pet-tastic release!

I wanted to try a technique that I've seen, but have never actually tried. It involves taking dark colored cardstock, like this dark blue I've used, and adding white pigment ink through stencils first. So I started with each of the six stencils in the Pet Friends stencil set. I used Bee Creative Brilliant White pigment ink and a blending brush to add the ink.

When the white pigment ink had dried for a bit (I did use my heat tool to help it) I pulled out lots of Distress Oxide Inks in various colors. I repeated coloring through each of the Pet Friends stencils with my Detail Blender brushes.

I trimmed the panel to 3-¾" x 2-¾". Then I glued that to a card base I made with a Scallop A2 Card Frames Honey Cut. There is a "FreeBee" paper pack you can get with a purchase over $100 that has 12 two-sided sheets of adorable patterned paper. I chose one piece and trimmed it to 3-¾" x 2" and glued it to the card base. I added a narrow strip of cardstock I inked up with Vintage Photo Distress Oxide ink.

I used the Pet Friends stencils again, but just for two of the dogs. I added the Distress Oxide colors onto white cardstock with blender brushes. Then I cut them out with the coordinating Pet Friends Honey Cuts. I used foam dots to pop them up on the card.

The sentiment is from the Pet-tastic stamp set and stamped with black ink. After I cut it out with the coordinating die, I popped it up with a foam strip.

I really wasn't sure if this stenciling on dark cardstock would work, but I really like it, and hope you do too! I always so appreciate you stopping by! Have a fabulous day!

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The Most Adorable Pet Card!

Happy Monday!  Today I'm sharing my card that is part of Honey Bee Stamps' Instagram Hop to celebrate their latest "Pet-tastic Release".  This release not only has the dogs and cats we love, but several other pets, like these little hamsters and their hamster house!

I die cut the Lovely Layers: Hamster House and accessories from light gray, two shades of teal, vellum, and matte silver cardstock.  The hamster tunnel pieces were die cut from the vellum.  I die cut the hamster wheel from teal and silver cardstocks.

I always print off the Layering Guides for each of the Lovely Layers sets and used that to adhere the cage and other elements.

Our daughters had hamsters when they were growing up and let me tell you, we have hunted the corners of the house for one that always managed to escape!  There are two different hamster in the Lovely Layers: Hamsters die set.  I die cut five hamsters and used various shades of brown Copic markers to color each one.  After I glued each of the hamsters' layers together, I had fun planning where to place each one, with two of them as escapees!  Haha!

Once I had my plan figured out, I created a 5" x 7" card base and adhered patterned paper from the Textiles & Textures: Vintage paper pad onto the card for a subtle background.  I added a strip of woodgrain cardstock for a "table" for the cage from the Grain & Grunge paper pad.

Isn't it so cute that there is a die that will cut two seeds for the hamsters to eat?!

I stamped a sentiment from the You've Got A Friend stamp set in black ink.  Then I cut it out with the coordinating You've Got A Friend die.

I hope you will join me over on Instagram for the hop.  Honey Bee will be giving away two $50 gift certificates to two winners!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

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