Sale-A-Bration

You Send Me Soaring

~ Anna Krol ~ Leave a comment

I love the vintage feel to Sky is the Limit stamp set from Stampin’ Up! and I’ve used it recently to create cute Valentine’s Day cards perfect for men in our lives.

sky is the limit 3

First card I’ve made for a card-swap in our group of demonstrators. As all stampers, we love to swap! Swapping lets you share your creativity, enjoy the creativity of other stampers, and gather and collect ideas.

sky is the limit 7

The base of my card is Watermelon Wonder cardstock. For the layer, I cut two pieces of Typeset Specialty DSP (each measure 5-7/8″ x 1-3/8″) and a strip of Very Vanilla cardstock that measure 5-7/8″ x 1-1/4″. Before I adhered them on my base I stamped my images on Very Vanilla using Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad, as I was planning to do a little colouring. Our archival ink pads are perfect for watercolouring as they do not bleed. I coloured heart using Watermelon Wonder ink pad and a blender pen and added a little shimmer with clear Wink of Stella Glitter Brush. Yeah, I know that most of the guys do not like a bling. But come on: he loves you, so you can sneak a little shimmer here and there, and he won’t say a word 😉 I stamped the sentiment on a piece of vellum and heat embossed in black. Cut it into a banner and attached to the card using a regular stapler.

For the second card base, I chose cardstock in my favourite neutral colour – Crumb Cake.

sky is the limit 6

For the layer again I reached for Typeset DSP. But this time I stamped directly onto my designer paper. I also added some splotches from Gorgeous Grunge stamp set and sponged the edges to add to the vintage look. This time I stamped sentiment onto a piece of Crumb Cake instead of vellum. I attached everything to the base using snail adhesive. The plan for the heart was to leave it blank this time, but when the card was put together I’ve changed my mind. I colour the heart using a Real Red marker and then filled it with Crystal Effects. I have to say I love how a little of Crystal Effects makes the heart just POP! sky is the limit 4

It’s been ages since last time I’ve made masculine cards, so rather pleased how these turned out. I was wondering which of the finishes get more votes: Wink of Stella or Crystal Effects. So I’ve asked my fellow crafters (showing them just a hearts sneak peek) what they think. And I’m not surprised that Crystal Effects gets more votes. And which finish do you prefer? Let me know in the comments below.

Thank you for stopping by and have a great day,

Ink Smooshing With Bloomin’ Hearts Thinlits Dies – Using Die-cut Negatives

~ Anna Krol ~ 4 Comments

Hello guys! I’m back today with ink smooshing technique again. But this time I’ve used die-cut negatives I’ve saved from my previous project.

bloomin love

For these cards, I decided to choose different colours: shades of red, green and purple. The base of my cards is again a watercolour paper as it’s perfect for watercolour techniques. I explained ink smooshing technique in my post here.

To add some more detail to the die-cut pieces I run them through my big shot with Happy Heart Embossing Folder. I love how they stand out from busy backgrounds.

bloomin love green

To stamp main sentiments I have used my die-cut as a guide to make sure I stamp it exactly in the middle of my card. I stamped it in Versamark and heat embossed in gold. Before adhering the panels I’ve made few “splotches” using Gold Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush.

To finish off my cards I took a strip of black cardstock and heat embossed “love you” sentiment in gold. My husband’s friend came over at the weekend and “nicked” one card for his girlfriend straight away haha Hope she will like it.

If you like my project or got any questions please let me know in the comments below.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day,

Ink Smooshing With Bloomin’ Hearts Thinlits Dies

~ Anna Krol ~ Leave a comment

I have to say when I first saw Bloomin’ Hearts Thinlits Dies in new Stampin’ Up! Spring Summer Catalogue I couldn’t wait to put my hands on them and try ink smooshing technique.

bloomin love 2

Aren’t these awesome?! And ink smooshing is childishly easy. All you need is a piece of acetate or craft mat, you can use a plastic packaging too (any sleek surface works really).

bloomin love yellow 2

Then you choose the colours you want to use on your card and you simply smoosh them onto your surface. Spritz it with water and dip your card into the ink droplets. Let your card dry completely before you add more colour.

bloomin love yellow

For my cards, I decided for really bright, intense colours. But you can make it as soft as you wish just add less ink and more water. And I have to say here I highly recommend using watercolour paper with this technique.

bloomin love orange 2

I’ve used the same design for all my cards. I die-cut hearts from a piece of Whisper White cardstock using Precision Base Plate. Trust me you need this plate! It’s perfect for more detailed thinlits dies to give you extra fine cuts. I saved the negatives (not tiny bits just “frames”) for another project.

bloomin love orange

I then dabbed my die-cuts in Versamark and heat-embossed it with Iridescent Ice embossing powder. I love the gentle bling/shimmer it gives.

bloomin love blue 2

I wanted the sentiment to really stand out so I took a strip of Basic Black c/s and stamped my sentiments in Versamark and heat embossed them in white.

bloomin love blue

To finish off my cards I added few white and clear sequins from Metallics Sequin Assortment.

I love how these turned out,  really pleased! I know these are not typical cards you would think off for Valentine’s Day, but I love the unusual.

Thank you for stopping by,

Pootler’s Sale-a-Bration Launch Party Blog Hop! What I Love For Valentine’s Day

~ Anna Krol ~ 14 Comments

pootler's blog hop

 Thank you for joining us again on Pootler’s Blog Hop! On this occasion, our team get together to introduce you to the product line up for this year’s Sale-A-Bration from Stampin’ Up!®, so that you can be inspired and work out what you would like to earn. Prepare yourself for lots of beautiful projects and inspiration. If you have arrived here from Hannah McCurley, a big welcome to you. To continue your journey simply use the buttons at the end of each post to keep hopping!

My today’s project is highlighting What I Love stamp set.

What I Love

I love this 3-step stamp set. It’s beautiful and you can use it with so many techniques: heat embossing, watercolouring, stamp off, masking – just to name few. I was so inspired with Blushing Bride and Tip Top Taupe colour combination that I decided to use it for this beautiful Valentine’s Day card. Because who said that Valentines must be red, right?

What I Love 3

I stamped the outline of the flowers with Tip Top Taupe, but the inside is stamped in Blushing Bride. I love this almost vintagey feel of the card.

What I Love 4

I’ve added some WOW factor to my flowers: a touch of clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush Pen. Blushing Bride cotton ribbon finish off my card.

What I Love 5

I also created a matching gift box for a little sweet treat.

I truly hope you enjoyed coming to my blog and see my card.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day!

Thank You Notes Using Botanical Blooms & What I Love Stamp Sets

~ Anna Krol ~ 2 Comments

Today I decided to show you some thank you notes I’ve made using Botanical Blooms Stamp Set and coordinating Botanical Builder Framelits Dies.

customer gifts botanicals 5

I just love how these turned out! 

The idea behind these note cards was pretty simple. I wanted to create a panel card with floral design on one side and plain on the back, where you could leave a private message. Sentiments come from two different stamp sets: on the left from Rose Wonder Stamp Set and the other one is from Botanicals For You Stamp Set.

customer gifts botanicals 3

As my note cards aren’t typical size, they measure 3×4″, I created little holders for them using envelope punch board.

customer gifts botanicals 4

Now just a belly band to wrap it up together. Aren’t these A W E S O M E!!! I love love love these dies so much!

For a second lot, I have used the same idea just different stamp set and colours.

customers thank you notes 3

To create these I’ve used What I Love stamp set.

customers thank you notes 2

I love this three-step stamp set. It’s got a WOW factor without much effort. All I have done is to stamp step nr 3 & 2 in Mint Macaron, and nr 1 heat embossed in white. And voila!

customers thank you notes

To “break” all that white I decorated the holder using sponges and one of Happy Patterns stencils. To decorate belly band I’ve used a border die from Botanical Builder and few punches: Petite Petals and Pansy punch. Super easy! As I was on the roll 😉 I also made these super lovely tags.

tags

Hope you like my note cards. They are super easy and what fun to make! And you?

Have a blessed day,