You Put The Merry In My Christmas

Image ~ 15 September 201621 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 4 Comments

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – You Put The Merry In My Christmas

Hello, and welcome! Today I’ve got for you a couple of rather traditional Christmas cards. As you probably remember we are showcasing My Hero RMHC Stamp Set by Stampin’ Up!®

Aren’t they lovely?! And they are so easy to make.

The card base is standard top folded A6 in Very Vanilla and I’ve used beautiful This Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper for my panels. These were supposed to be simple, straightforward cards, but then again, I can’t make things that are too easy, can I?! So I decided to turn them into a split panels cards.

The panels I prepared earlier were 4 x 5-6/8″ in size. To create split panels, I cut them diagonally into 3 and removed the middle piece. I cut narrow strips of Garden Green and Cherry Cobbler cardstock and glued them underneath my split panels to accent the’split’. I adhered the panels to the base using snail adhesive.

Using my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig I stamped the sentiment in the ‘split’ area. Next, I created these uber cute mini Christmas trees. To make them, I die cut a scalloped circle from a sheet of the same DSP, just a different design. I cut it in half, fold it into ‘tree’ and secured my folds with mini glue dots.

Because design on this paper is quite ‘busy’, you couldn’t really see the trees, once attached to the card. So I die cut 2 scalloped circles in Very Vanilla and run them through my big shot with Festive Embossing Folder.

Next, I die cut 2 slightly bigger scalloped circles: one in Garden Green and one in Cherry Cobbler to create mats for Very Vanilla pieces. Adhered them together (de-bossed side up) and then added my trees on top.

First I thought to pop my circles up with dimensionals. But because these cards got quite of dimension anyway, I adhered them to the base with snail adhesive.

Super easy, aren’t they? I hope you like them. As always, if you wish to purchase any of the products I have used, simply click the images below to go directly to my online shop and don’t forget to enter the hostess code for the month of September RKW34AHD, to receive a gift from me.

I’m also adding my card to Craftyhazelnut’s Patterned Paper September 2016 challenge

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day,

Negative Die-Cutting

Image ~ 8 September 201621 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 2 Comments

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – Negative Die-Cutting

Hello everyone and welcome! Today I’ve got for you super cool & easy technique to try out: negative die-cutting. Just a reminder: each week we are using Ronald McDonald House stamp set ‘My Hero’.

For today’s project, I’ve decided to use this lovely umbrella image. To create my card I started with a Very Vanilla card base and a Very Vanilla panel, slightly smaller than my base. First, I arranged the layout of my card using the Umbrella Weather Framelits. When I was happy with the placing, I die cut the umbrella first and the handle next, from my panel. But instead of using the die-cut piece on the card (as we usually do, don’t we?), I’ve used the negative image. Savvy tip: Don’t throw your die cuts away. You can use them for your next project.

I took my panel, placed it on the card base without adhering it, and I stamped the umbrella and the handle through a die cut holes. Stamp-A-Ma-Jig ( I love this tool!!!) was a big help to position my stamps perfectly. To create an ombre effect on umbrella image, I coloured the stamp with Crushed Curry and Tangerine Tango Stampin’ Markers (Crushed Curry to the top and Tangerine Tango in the middle). And, because I don’t own the 2015-2017 In Colour Stampin’ Markers, I carefully dabbed Watermelon Wonder ink pad to the bottom of the stamp.

When I was done with the stamping, I trimmed my layer at slightly ‘wonky’ angles, and run it through the Big Shot with a Seaside embossing folder. This folder is intended to imitate the waves, but if you turn it aside, it looks like rain streaks on a window, which is totally cool 🙂

I took a piece of Watermelon Wonder DSP from 2015-2017 In Color Designer Paper Stack (there are four different designs to choose from, but I’ve gone for dots). It was slightly bigger than my top layer, but I didn’t want to use it all on my card. I only wanted it to peek from underneath my top layer where the ‘wonky’ angles were. So I measured it up, trimmed the piece and adhered it to the base. next, using dimensionals, I’ve added the top layer.

I decided not to use any additional sentiment on my card, as I think the one on the umbrella says it all. To embellish the card I’ve used White Perfect Accents. But hey, you say, these are clear, right? But did you know that you can peel off the white, sticky backing from your White Perfect Accents, and you get these super awesome clear, perfectly round embellishments?! It’s cool or what?! But, of course, once you peel the backing off, you need to use glue to adhere them.

So, did you liked my project?! I hope I inspired you to give this technique a go. It’s really cool and you will be hooked in no time!

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day,

Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge #10 – Butterfly Birthday

Image ~ 21 May 201621 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 28 Comments

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge #10 – Butterfly Birthday

Thank you for joining us for another Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge! We’re so excited to be sharing this hop with you. The products used are all available in the current Annual, or seasonal, Stampin’ Up!® Catalogues*. Simply use the buttons at the bottom of the post to keep hopping!

And today’s sketch was designed by lovely Kathleen from Lilypopcrafts.

This is such a great sketch, with lots of layers, which I truly love. But I challenged myself to create CAS (clean and simple) card. And I think I did well.

The base of my card is top folded A6 Mint Macaron, with layers of Whisper White and Color Me Irresistible Specialty DSP.

I decided to use beautiful (and retiring) stamp set Floral Wings. I stamped the butterfly in Mint Macaron, roses in Watermelon Wonder and leaves in Cucumber Crush. Next, I die cut the butterfly using Bold Butterflies Framelits and another one on vellum using a middle of Butterflies Thinlits and layered them together. I cut 1/4 of a Tea Lace Paper Doily and attached it underneath my butterfly and adhere it to the card base with dimensionals.

The sentiment comes from Number Of Years. I stamped it in Basic Black Archival Ink on a strip of Whisper White and punched both ends into banners using Banner Punch (also retiring). I took Gold Metallic thread, created some messy loops and add it underneath the banner. Few gold sequins finished off the card.

Do you like my project?! If so please leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you!

Now, be sure to hop along and see more inspiring projects. Your next stop is Karen’s blog – go and see what she has made for you.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day,

CAS Card – Birthday Blooms Meets Wink Of Stella

Image ~ 30 April 201621 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ Leave a comment

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – CAS Card – Birthday Blooms Meets Wink Of Stella

Today I’ve got for you beautiful, clean and simple (CAS) birthday card. I am so happy that Birthday Blooms stamp set staying with us for another year. I love this set for it’s stunning, bold flower image.

For the base, I took a piece of Whisper White cardstock that measures 5-7/8″x 8-2/8″ and fold it in half at 4-1/8″. Next, I cut a strip of this beautiful, embossed Color Me Irresistible DSP in Basic Black and adhere it to my base. The strip measures 2″ x 5-7/8″.

I stamped the flower image in Basic Black Archival ink and watercolour it. For the petals, I’ve used Watermelon Wonder and Rose Red. Center of the flower is Crushed Curry – I fell in love with this shade of yellow just recently. And leaves are a mix of Old Olive with a gentle touch of Always Artichoke. First, I added my colours and shadings with blender pens. Next, I used my Aqua Painter to blend it nicely and to add more colour or shading if required.

I let my flower dry completely and then fussy cut it. I should probably mention that as I knew I will fussy cut it, I’ve used regular Whisper White cardstock for the flower. Because my hands are quite numb and I find it hard to do more intricate things, I cut off tiny leaves from the flower. Really wasn’t able to fussy cut them. However I’m pretty chuffed with myself that I managed to fussy cut the little buds, it took me a while, though.

While the flower was drying I stamped the sentiment, from the same stamp set, in Versamark and heat embossed it with silver embossing powder. I really like this curly font. I assembled the flower using dimensionals and added some Silver Metallic Baker’s Twine underneath.

I stamped the inside of my card too. I used the single flower from the set, but this time, I colour it only with blender pen so it doesn’t bleed through. I also added a strip of the same DSP (5-7/8″ x 1/2″), to match the card front.

The last touch was to add some shimmer to my beautiful flower, using Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush Pen. I love this stuff!

I love how this card turned out! I have to admit that CAS cards are growing on me but I still have a tendency to overthink and overcomplicate them. I’m a grungy-distress at heart, you know haha

I’m adding my card to Crazy 4 Challenges #C4C333 – April Showers bring May flowers!

Now I would love to hear from you. Do you like my today’s card?

Thank you for stopping by! Have a blessed day,

Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge #9 – Time To Split!

Image ~ 23 April 201621 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 24 Comments

Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge #9 – Time To Split!

Today’s sketch was designed by talented Karen from Lilliputcrafts.

I have to admit I was stumped when I saw this sketch, and my mind just went blank. Like mo ideas at all!! But two days ago? Eureka! A lightbulb moment! So here’s my take on the sketch:

I don’t know if this technique has any name, but I’ve noticed that splitting your card fronts is quite a big trend lately. And I really wanted to give it a go. And as unusual for me, I only used one stamp set to make my card: Balloon Celebration. Shock, right?! 😉

The base of my card is A6 top folded Very Vanilla because I run out of Whisper White when making my swaps for OnStage…oops 😉 Actually the last piece of WW (4″ x 5-6/8″) I’ve used to create panel for this card., seriously haha

First, I stamped the circles (quite overlooked stamp in Balloon Celebration set) in Versamark and heat embossed them in white. Next, I took Wisteria Wonder ink pad and swoosh it through the panel until it was all covered in beautiful lavender colour. This technique seems to add texture to the card as it’s not flat solid colour.

To add even more texture I sprinkled some water on my panel. I love to watch how ink reacts with water. Remember, for this cool effect, you have to sprinkle your water as soon as possible. And you have to immediately wipe off the water with paper towel. Otherwise, you will ruin your panel (ask me how do I know lol). When my panel was dry I cut it: the wider piece, with circles, measures 4″ x 2-1/2″ and the other piece measures 4″ x 1″.

The split we’ve got left is the perfect spot for our sentiment. I’ve used this cool “let us celebrate” balloon string. I attached the panels with dimensionals. Next, I stamped and punched two balloons from a piece of Very Vanilla (one small and one large), glued them together, and add them above the split. So it looks like the sentiment is actually a string hanging from balloons. I love it! I stamped the inside of my card too.

Do you like my project?! If so please leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you!

Now, be sure to hop along and see more inspiring projects. Your next stop is Suzanne’s blog – go and see what she has made for you.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day!

Anna' Stampin' Cave

creative life by anna krol – stampin' up! uk independent demonstrator

CAS

You Put The Merry In My Christmas

Negative Die-Cutting

Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge #10 – Butterfly Birthday

CAS Card – Birthday Blooms Meets Wink Of Stella

Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge #9 – Time To Split!