You Are My Hero

Image ~ 22 September 201621 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ Leave a comment

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – You Are My Hero

Another week has passed by, and it’s that time again when our little group of demonstrators is showcasing you this lovely stamp set called ‘My Hero’. I love the versatility of this set, as it covers all major holidays/occasions throughout the year. But not only that. This is Ronald McDonald House Charities stamp set, which means for every set purchased, Stampin’ Up! donates £2 to the RMHC. Visit www.stampinup.com/giving_uk to learn how you can help too.

For today’s project, I’ve chosen ‘You are my #1 hero’ sentiment. I’ve seen many beautiful samples using this stamp. It’s perfect for all those oh-so-hard-to-make masculine cards. But I decided to make a card with a feminine twist. After all, women can be heroes too.

This is a very simple card. For the card base, I chose beautiful and very vibrant Emerald Envy cardstock (standard A6 size). Next layer is a piece of DSP from Playful Palette Designer Series Paper Stack. I took half of the sheet of my chosen design ( 3″x 6″) and trimmed 1/4″ from both sides. I adhered the larger piece to the base first and next, those tiny strips on each side of the panel, but reverse side up. Because the base is smaller than 6″ wide, I trimmed any overhanging paper using my scissors. It’s easier, and for sure you won’t end up with a too small panel. Unfortunately, my strips slightly ‘disappeared’, when adhered to the card base. So I draw few black lines along the edges using Project Life Journaling Pens.

Tip: learn from my mistakes! If, like me, you chose a design that has a kinda symmetrical pattern on the reverse, make sure you trim your panel so you have the same pattern on both strips you’ve trimmed.

Now to the focal point. I stamped my sentiment in Flirty Flamingo, on a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and fussy cut it. It’s an easy shape to do so. I distressed the edges slightly. To make the sentiment ‘pop’ I decided to add a square Basic Black cardstock underneath. I could dry emboss it but instead, I decided to create a fun panel using Layering Squares Framelits. I’ve seen this idea just recently, on Carolyn Bennie blog and just had to try it myself. Carolyn is an amazing Australian demo. You should definitely check her out.

I arranged five scalloped squares dies on a piece of Basic Black cardstock, but offset them slightly. I secured dies to the paper with washi tape and run it through the big shot. Before I removed my dies, I’ve added washi tape underneath of the panel, to keep the squares together. I took another piece of Basic Black cardstock and adhered my die cut squares to that panel. I trimmed it to the 2-3/8″ square.

I adhered my fun square to the card base with a couple of dimensionals. Next, I’ve added my sentiment on top of it, with regular snail adhesive. Few rhinestones on the corners of the badge finish off my card.

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,

Halloween Treat Holders With Popcorn Box Thinlits Dies

Image ~ 1 September 201621 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 2 Comments

Hello, everyone! From today, for every Thursday, for the next 5 weeks, I’m gonna showcase My Hero Stamp Set by Stampin’ Up!

The stamp set is called ‘My Hero’ and what’s amazing about this particular set is that it’s a Ronald McDonald House Charities Stamp Set.

If you haven’t heard about it, here’s how it works: through the Making a Difference program, which Stampin’ Up! launched back in 2003, we partnered with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). Each year, Stampin’ Up! design an exclusive stamp set to promote the partnership with RMHC, and donate a portion of the proceeds from each sale of that set. To date over $1.5 million has been donated from RMHC stamp set sales!

But let’s get back to my project. For this week I’ve decided for something fun and created these Halloween treat holders using Popcorn Box Thinlits Dies.

Aren’t these cute?!! You won’t believe how quick and easy they are to make. For each holder, you only need one die-cut piece (for the box you need two). Next, you trim the larger flap, varnish well all the score lines and use a strong adhesive. I’ve used Tombow Multipurpose glue.

To create panels from Designer Series Paper you just simply die-cut the box and hand cut them following shallow lines created by the die.

For my treat holders, I’ve used two different colour combinations: Basic Black with Pumpkin Pie and Elegant Eggplant with Old Olive. I think these colours suit Halloween perfectly.

I’ve used ‘face’ stamp from My Hero Stamp Set, which I believe supposed to be a pumpkin face (!!?), and created these uber cute spiders. For their legs, I’ve used a wavy die from Popcorn Box Thinlits Dies. And yes, I know that spiders supposed to have 8 legs, but come on! These are mine and they only have six lol The sentiment is stamped using Brushwork Alphabet Stamp Set and the panels underneath are just cut-outs I have left after die-cutting the box itself. These tiny strips of paper in my treat holders are also created using cut-offs. I love it – cute and frugal! For a final touch, I’ve added a piece of Metallic Foil Doily in Silver and also Basic Black and Silver Metallic Threads under the sentiment.

Elegant Eggplant with Old Olive treat holders I have turned into cute Frankenstein. For the hair, I die-cut a circle from a piece of Basic Black cardstock and gave him a trim with scissors. Not that I’m talented hairdresser but hey, for Frankenstein it’s just perfect.

To create black doilies I took the smallest of Metallic Foil Dollies and deepen them in Basic Black Archival ink pad. Remember to set them aside for a while, as it takes some time before the ink dries. I also added few loops of Gold Metallic Thread under the doily. For the sentiment, I’ve stamped (randomly) ‘sweet treats’ from Teeny Tiny Sentiments Stamp Set on the diagonal white stripes. I put some purple tissue paper into my treat holders. I coloured the smallest dot from White Perfect Accents, using a golden sharpie – it holds the overhung tissue paper in place.

So here they are! I really hope you like my little project and that you will try to make these cute treat holders yourself. These would be super cute for Christmas treats too.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day,

Swirly Scribbles See-Through Window Shaker Card

Image ~ 25 June 201621 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 16 Comments

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge – Swirly Scribbles See-Through Shaker Card

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!

The sketch we’re working today with was designed by talented Keren Howell.

I really like this sketch. And funny how many cards I created recently could fit this sketch perfectly. But today I wanted to make something slightly different: a see-through window shaker card.

Don’t you just love Playful Palette Designer Series Paper Stack?! 48 sheets of such fun designs! I couldn’t decide which one to choose. But because I wanted to use Sweet Sugarplum cardstock for my base, these fun, wonky squares were perfect.

I cut out the window in my base first. Next, I traced the “window” on my DSP and cut it out too. Save that piece as you will need it later. I’ve used our new Foam Adhesive Strips to create the shaker. I added them around the window on the base and adhered a piece of acetate. I’ve used more foam strips around the base to adhere my piece of DSP. To finish my shaker window, I added black sequins and adhered another piece of acetate on the inside of the card.

For the inside, I’ve used a Very Vanilla panel and a piece of DSP that I cut out when creating the window. But this time I’ve used the reverse side of that DSP. The placing is the key, so when the card is closed, you can see that piece through the window. The sentiment “It’s Your Day” was stamped in Basic Black Archival Ink, using Labeler Alphabet Stamp Set (which I truly love). And yes, I stamped it wonky on purpose 😉

When the shaker bit and the inside of the card were done I could concentrate on the front. I die-cut two wreaths using Swirly Scribbles Thinlits Dies. One in Basic Black, and one in Very Vanilla. I glued them together slightly off-setting, so the Very Vanilla is peeking from underneath. I adhered it to the base with Multipurpose Liquid Glue. My sentiment, again, was stamped using Labeler Alphabet Stamp Set. I stamped it on a piece of Very Vanilla, and hand-cut it leaving a little border around the letters. Adhered it with liquid glue.

For embellishments, I’ve used White Perfect Accents, which I coloured black using a permanent marker. And that finish off my 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 Helen’s blog – go and see what she has made for you.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day,

Pootlers Annual Catalogue Blog Hop – One Wild Ride

Image ~ 18 June 201621 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 20 Comments

Thank you for joining us on another Pootlers Blog Hop! We’re showcasing lots of gorgeous projects using products from the new Stampin’ Up!® Annual Catalogue. Simply use the buttons at the end of each post to keep hopping!

I hope you had a chance to look through our Annual Catalogue and you’ve got your favourites already. For today’s project, I’ve used One Wild Ride Stamp Set from page 115, to create a Father’s Day card for my hubby.

Why did I choose this set? As a teenager I was a rebel girl: I was listening to Gun’s N’ Roses, Aerosmith and other rock stars, wearing skinny jeans, long hair and combat boots, I always dreamed of having my own Harley-Davidson. Silly, I know, but who wasn’t those days 😉 No surprise then, this set was in my first order. And what can I say, hubby has a soft spot for Good Ol’ Harry too.

To really show off this stamp set I decided to create a twisted easel card, which sounds more complicated than it sounds. I have to admit I wanted this card to look really rough and distressed, so you could nearly feel motorcycle’s grease j/k 😉 (Chris loves distressed cards with lots of layers).

The base of my card is standard top folded A6 in Basic Black. And the “front” of the card is scored in half diagonally to create an easel. For the proper card front I’ve used a piece of Basic Black again, a slightly smaller piece of Basic Black and Whisper White for stamping.

Basic Black panel I left intact. On Basic Grey, I stamped with this gravel-splatter -kinda stamp from the set, with Versamark, and heat embossed it in silver. Next, I took Basic Black Archival Ink and smooshed it across the panel, where the embossing was. It makes it look a little bit dull, but you can still see the Basic Grey card.

To add some shine and dimension to the motorcycle, I dabbed my stamp in Versamark first. Next, without stamping, I dabbed it in Basic Black Archival Ink, so once it’s stamped, Versamark was on top and I heat embossed the image using clear embossing powder. Again I’ve used gravel stamp and stamped it all around the edge of my WW panel. heat embossed it in silver and smooshed Basic Black across the panel where the embossing was. Next, I took a cloth and “took off” some of that ink which created that dull metal look. Because there was a too big contrast between Whisper White and all that black, I smooshed Basic Grey across the centre of the panel. To finish it off I added some distressing to the edges using scissors.

For the inside of the card, I’ve used banner and sentiment from Guy Greetings Stamp Set. I hand-cut the banner and add it to the card using dimensionals. I also stamped tire trail stamp on a scrap piece of paper, cut it out and adhere it to the bottom of the inside panel. To create a stopper for the easel I stamped Route 66 stamp on a piece of whisper white, cut it out with scissors and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. I next used it as a guide, to create two slightly bigger layers to go underneath the original image. One in Whisper White and one in Basic Black. Glued them together and adhered it in the corner of the inside panel. I could now assemble the whole card.

The sentiment for the front comes, again, from Guy Greetings Stamp Set. I stamp it on a scrap of Whisper White and just simply tore it out. It’s hard to see on the picture, but I added few strings of new Basic Black Metallic Thread underneath the sentiment before adhered it with dimensionals.

I’m really happy with this card(it’s got our daughter approval too haha). I know Chris will love it too.

How about you? Do you like my card? Let me know in the comments below.

Now, be sure to hop along and see more inspiring projects. Your next stop is lovely Kathleen from Lilypopcrafts – go and see what she has made using the new products.