Die Cut Valentine

I wanted to create a Valentine-themed card without a stamped sentiment, because I wanted the background to have some texture. so turned to the Hero Arts Alphabet Dies for an “X” and an “O.” To create the pattern on the die-cut envelope, I stamped one of the hearts from the Hero Arts “Four Hearts” set in a row (alternating direction) to give me enough surface for the envelope die. I used the Pale Tomato shadow ink – I couldn’t believe how beautifully it stamped with the heart stamp. Really enjoying using the shadow inks!

XOCard

Supplies: Amuse Studio envelope die; Amuse Studio wood grain impression plate; Glitter paper (Target)

Valentine’s Mittens

Yesterday I stumbled upon the Restoration Hardware Baby and Child website. I honestly have no idea exactly what led me there, but once I was there, I was mesmerized. The site is full of imaginative and fun spaces!

I particularly liked a child’s room decorated for the winter and set out to make a card with the photo as my inspiration. I wanted to capture the knit print on the bed covers, as well as the gray and red paired with the white. (I find this color combination particularly appealing, especially for the winter.)

ValentinesMittens

Since it was Valentine’s Day, I added some hearts. I had several fits and starts with the card, trying a couple of different ideas for how to add the sentiment. In the end, I decided just to stamp directly on the card base in gray ink (black ink seemed too harsh). So many details, so little time! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Supplies: Impression Obsession Nordic Stripes background stamp; Simon Says Stamp Mini Hearts; Hero Arts Soft Granite Shadow Ink; ColorBox white pigment ink; Stampin’ Up cardstock; Amuse Studio mitten die

Online Card Classes Kick Start Card

I enrolled in the Online Card Classes Kick Start course last fall, but for a variety of reasons, I didn’t make any cards.

 

After the tremendous mojo boost I got from the Clean and Simple 2 course, I decided to revisit the Kick Start materials!

I had a bunch of strips left over from my Neat and Tangled Valentine’s Card, so started with those and made a card based on one that Jennifer McGuire shared in the Kick Start class.

Kickstart1

 

I am amazed time and again by how well the Hero Arts shadow inks work. I used the Soft Granite shadow ink for the “Awesome” sentiment and got a great impression. When first stamped it looks blotchy, but as it dries, it magically smooths out!

Supplies: ColorBox white pigment ink; Encore silver ink; Stampin’ Up gray cardstock; Spellbinders dies

Pinspired Challenge #3

It’s time for another Pinspired Challenge. The inspirational photo is for you to interpret anyway you want. You can take from the colors, the style, the theme – it’s up to you!

This challenge is sponsored by Sweet Stamp Shop who are offering a $10 gift certificate to their online store.

For my take on the challenge image, I sought to capture the Valentine’s theme, the colors of pink and red, and the idea of something contained from the inspiration image.

Challenge3-JM

The X’s and O’s were die-cut out of pink and red paper and adhered to white cardstock stamped with the jar image. I stamped the jar image on vellum, and on gray paper, to create an overlay and jar top. The “love you” sentiment tag was created in Photoshop.

Head on over to the Pinspired Challenges blog to see the creations from the rest of the “Pin Heads” and find out the details for playing along. Three runner ups will be chosen and win a “Pin Pal” badge for their blog. A winner, who will also be chosen by the “Pin Heads,” will win a “Pin Perfect” badge for their blog along with the prize from Sweet Stamp Shop. We can’t wait to see your creations!

Supplies: Stampin’ Up cardstock, vellum; StazOn black ink

CAS 2 Day Ten Card

I can’t believe that today is the last lesson for the Online Card Classes Clean & Simple Card Making 2! Today’s lesson showed six ways on how to use the Technique Tuesday Bright Idea stamp set. I chose to create Jennifer McGuire’s card, a technically challenging masterpiece!

Here’s the card front:

Day Ten Front

 And the card inside:

Day Ten Inside