Stampin’ Up! Watercolour Wings – Good Things Come In Threes

Image ~ 22 April 201722 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 6 Comments

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – Stampin’ Up! Watercolour Wings – Good Things Come In Threes

Hello, everyone! I hope you have an amazing Saturday so far. We have such a beautiful weather today down here in Midlands – it doesn’t feel like I live in the UK at all ? And I really hope this weather will stay for a little while. Even just to cheer me up. This past week was one of the toughest in last few months, as the pain is back and it ain’t go anywhere in near future. It laughs at painkillers too. So my days are filled with enormous pain that truly makes my brain freeze and I find it hard to concentrate, let alone create. But I had such a great idea for this week’s challenge over at Global Design Project that I just HAD TO make it happen! Do you have it sometimes? An idea that feels that if you won’t try it you will POP!? hahaha So a couple of nights back, I hid in my cave, despite the pain, and … five hours later I came out not with one but three cards! How that even happen?! As I was creating my initial card, more ideas popped into my head and obviously, I HAD TO TRY them all, haha So just a warning: this post is long and picture (glitter) heavy ?

So I will start with my first card where it all started: lovely, clean & simple and … pink-ish. Not really something you’ve seen here often. But I actually like it:

Flirty Flamingo card dimensions:

Whisper White Thick cardstock card base: 11-6/8″ x 4-1/8″ scored in half at 5-7/8″ (29.7 x 10.5 cm scored in half at 14.8 cm)
Flirty Flamingo cardstock: 3-6/8″ x 4″ (9.6 cm x 10.2 cm)
Whisper White cardstock: 3-1/2″ x 3-6/8″ (9 cm x 9.6 cm)
Flirty Flamingo Ruched Ribbon: 12″ approx, to tie a bow

This beautiful butterfly from Watercolour Wings Stamp Set is a three step stamping image as you have three stamps to create the look. I’ve used three different shades of pink: Pink Pirouette for the base, Blushing Bride for the details on the wings and Flirty Flamingo for wings’ edges and the body of the butterfly.

Savvy tip: if you’re just starting your papercraft adventure and don’t have many ink colours (been there, done that) you can use the same ink pad to stamp all the layers. If it’s a light colour ink, you can stamp each layer on top on previous one and it will get slightly darker each time. You can repeat more detailed layers couple of times to get the shade you are happy with. If you have dark colour ink, you can use stamping off technique (also called ghost stamping or second/third generation stamping). You simply stamp off your image couple of times before stamp it on your piece. The rule is: the larger the image like the base here, the lighter the shade.

I also stamped this polka-dot-kind-of image in two opposed corners of my panel. You are probably wondering: OK, but where all that glitter come from? And no, I didn’t use glue for that.

When the image was stamped, I prepared the card with embossing buddy and I stamped the edges of the wings of the butterfly, the body and polka dots once again, but this time using Versamark ink. I sprinkled it with Heat & Stick Powder, heat it till it melts, add Dazzling Diamonds glitter and heat set it again. Heat & Stick Powder once re-heated it melts again, making all that glitter to soak in, so when I send this card out the recipient can enjoy beautiful card and won’t be covered in glitter.

I adhered my panel to a Flirty Flaming mat and next to the card base. Firstly, I wanted to create the banner or a strip of cardstock for a sentiment, but it didn’t look good. So using Stamp-A-Ma-Jig I decided where I want my sentiment to go and stamped it in Flirty Flamingo. Next, to jazz it up a little I stamped it twice more, without re-inking my stamp. It’s called ghost stamping or stampin’ off. A little, dinky bow finish off my card.

Card number 2 (Jazz it up babe ?)

Bermuda Bay & Crumb Cake card dimensions:

Crumb Cake cardstock card base: 11-6/8″ x 4-1/8″ scored in half at 5-7/8″ (29.7 x 10.5 cm scored in half at 14.8 cm)
Bermuda Bay cardstock: 3-6/8″ x 4″ (9.6 cm x 10.2 cm)
Crumb Cake cardstock: 3-1/2″ x 3-6/8″ (9 cm x 9.6 cm)
Bermuda Bay cardstock strip for a sentiment
Bermuda Bay Thick Baker’s Twine two lengths: 16″ and 4″ (approx)

I this card for the butterfly I’ve used Soft Sky for the base, Pool Party for all the details on the wings and Bermuda Bay for the body and edges of its wings. And again I stamped polka dots in the corners. I’ve added gold glitter to my images same way as with my first card, using Heat & Stick Powder.

Using two lengths of Bermuda Bay Thick Baker’s Twine I created simple sailor knot. I added mini glue dot behind the knot and adhered it to the Crumb Cake panel. I secured the twine at the back using Fast Fuse. Next, I mounted my panel to the Bermuda Bay mat using thin (1 mm) foam adhesive tape and adhered them both to the card base.

The sentiment is stamped on a strip of Bermuda Bay cardstock and in Bermuda Bay ink for the subtle, tone on tone effect. I also added a strip of DIY gold glimmer paper behind it. I popped it up with dimensionals but before I adhered it to the card base I stamped few rows of polka dot piece on the card base in Versamark.

Card number 3 (the more the fancier ?)

Elegant Eggplant & Basic Black card dimensions:

Basic Black cardstock card base: 11-6/8″ x 4-1/8″ scored in half at 5-7/8″ (29.7 x 10.5 cm scored in half at 14.8 cm)
White Vellum cardstock: 3″ x 3-6/8″ (7.7 cm x 9.6 cm) + extra for die-cutting
Elegant Eggplant Paper From Regals Designer Series Paper Stack: 5-1/2″ x 3-6/8″ (14 cm x 9.6 cm)
Basic Black cardstock for butterfly
Whisper White cardstock for sentiment
Gold Metallic Thread

To be able to stamp the butterfly in various colours on black cardstock I stamped the base of my butterfly in Whisper White Craft Ink first. When it dried I stamped the base again, but this time in Perfect Plum. For the details on the centre of the wings, I’ve used Rich Razzleberry. The edges of the wings and body of the butterfly are stamped with Elegant Eggplant ink – I could totally skip this step as honestly, you can’t see that even in person, not only on photos. I added glitter as before and die-cut my butterfly using a coordinating die from Bold Butterfly Framelits Dies.

I took a piece of Elegant Eggplant DSP and I tore two strips of paper from the top and from the bottom. I didn’t measure it, just eyeball it, briefly about 1″. I also tore in half the strip of White Vellum cardstock. I adhered both strips of torn DSP behind the main piece, but showing the reverse design and so the torn edges were showing. I also

I adhered both strips of torn DSP behind the main piece with reverse design up and both strips of vellum behind it with jagged edges showing for extra dimension. I rolled up the edges of my DSP slightly and adhered the whole panel to the card base.

I die-cut a circle from White Vellum using the largest circle die from Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies. Before I added my butterfly on top I stamped the butterfly antenna in Basic Black on the vellum. I adhered few lengths of Gold Metallic Thread behind the butterfly, glued it to the vellum circle with Fast Fuse and next add it to the card base. The sentiment is stamped in Elegant Eggplant n piece of Whisper White cardstock and adhered to the base with glue dots.

And here are all of the cards together:

I hope you like my cards and that I didn’t bore you with my mouthful-sort-of-directions, haha But this is me: love it or hate it ? Please let me know in comments below which one, which style is your favourite. I would love to hear from you!

As always, I really want to encourage you to visit the Global Design Project challenge blog to see other beautiful projects from all around the world. Just click on their logo below to visit the website.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day,

One Wild Ride For GDP078

Image ~ 18 March 201722 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ Leave a comment

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – One Wild Ride for GDP078

Hello, everyone! Today I’m playing along with Global Design Project’s Sketch Challenge. And oh how cool this sketch is – endless possibilities, honestly. It looks so soft and feminine to me yet I decided to go on the ‘dark side’ as there are always shortages in masculine cards.

One Wild Ride card dimensions:

Crumb Cake cardstock: 8-1/4″ x 5-7/8″ scored in half at 4-1/8″ (21cm x 14.8 cm scored in half at 10.5 cm)
Basic Black cardstock: 2-1/4″ x 5-7/8 and 3-6/8 x 2-1/8″ (5.7 cm x 14.8 cm and 9.5 cm x 5.4 cm)
Whisper White cardstock: 2″ x 3-5/8″ and 1-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ (5 cm x 9.2 cm and 3.8 cm x 6.3 cm) + a strip for a sentiment

I started with stamping card front with this gravel-splatter kinda stamp from One Wild Ride stamp set, in Crumb Cake for soft, tone on tone effect. Next, I embossed it with Brick Wall Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

I took 2-1/4″ x 5-7/8 piece of Basic Black cardstock and distressed it by tearing the edge of the panel. Using the same ‘gravel’ stamp I stamped the whole panel in Versamark, heat embossed it in silver and adhered it to the card base.

Next, I stamped motorcycle in Basic Black on a piece of Whisper White cardstock. It looked too ‘clean’ so once again I’ve used the gravel stamp. This time I stamped it in Basic Grey. I also distressed the edges of the panel using scissors.

I matted my Harley image with Basic Black cardstock and a smaller piece of Whisper White and adhered it flat to the base.

I kept sentiment simple, just Basic Black ‘congratulations’ on a strip of Whisper White popped out with dimensionals.

I hope you like my card and that maybe, just maybe, it inspired you and gave you some ideas for a surprisingly tough subject called ‘masculine cards’.

As always, I really want to encourage you to visit the Global Design Project challenge blog to see other beautiful projects from all around the world. Just click on their logo below to visit the website

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day,

You Are Amazing – Kylie Bertucci’s International Stampin’ Up! Blog Highlights

Image ~ 14 March 201722 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 16 Comments

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – You Are Amazing – Kylie Bertucci’s International Stampin’ Up! Blog Highlights

Thanks for coming to my blog today! We are being highlighted internationally by Kylie Bertucci and you are able to VOTE on my project. The top ten winners will get to be part of an international blog hop so please vote for my project. You can do it here or use button at the end of my post.

Our theme for this highlight is using the stamp set All Things Thanks! This is a Wonderful stamp set with so many gorgeous sentiments. We wanted to highlight how versatile it really is.

This is my first time taking part in Kylie Bertucci’s International Stampin’ Up! Blog Highlight so I’m a little bit nervous. For my card, I went with monochromatic clean and simple design.

You Are Amazing Card dimensions:

Whisper White cardstock: 11-6/8″ x 4-1/8″ scored in half at 5-7/8″ (29.7 x 10.5 cm scored in half at 14.8 cm)
Basic Grey DSP from Neutrals DSP Stack: two pieces 3″x 3″ each (7.6 cm x 7.6 cm)
Basic Grey cardstock: 1/2″ x 3-3/6″ (1.2 cm x 9.5 cm)
for sentiment piece of Whisper White cardstock
Whisper White Thick Baker’s Twine: 12″

First, I stamped my sentiment in Basic Grey on a piece of Whisper White cardstock and die cut it using 2nd smallest oval from Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies. Next, I took my card base and adhered my squares of Designer Series Paper in the middle, offsetting them slightly.

I took Basic Gray strip of cardstock and created a fun banner using a dotted strip die from Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Dies.

I adhered the banner in in the centre of my card front and popped up the sentiment on top using dimensionals. I wrapped bakers twine around my card and tied a simple knot on the front. For the final touch, I added a rhinestone to the ‘i’ in the sentiment.

Thanks for visiting my blog today and make sure you head over to Kylie’s blog to check all lovely projects and vote for your favourites. Hope my project will be among them as I would love to be chosen to do an international blog hop.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day,

Roses and Dragonfly Thank You For A Smile Card for GDP#075

Image ~ 24 February 201722 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 10 Comments

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – Roses and Dragonfly Thank You For A Smile Card for GDP#075

Hello and welcome everyone! Today I’ve got for you a card I created for this week’s Global Design Project theme challenge: Winged Creatures. I’m bit late to the party but thankfully not too late.

I’m a big fan of detailed die-cutting and had this idea bouncing around in my head for a while now, just never had enough time to try it.

In this card, I’ve incorporated two die-cutting techniques – inlaid die-cutting and partial die-cutting – using a couple of detailed die sets: Rose Garden Thinlits Dies and Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits Dies.

Roses and Dragonfly Thank You For A Smile Card dimensions:

Sweet Sugarplum cardstock: 11-6/8″ x 4-1/8″ scored in half at 5-7/8″ (29.7 x 10.5 cm scored in half at 14.8 cm)
Whisper White cardstock cut into two panels: bottom one measure 5-6/8″ x 4″ (14,5 x 10,2 cm) and top one 5-1/2″ x 3-7/8″ (14 cm x 9,8 cm)
Blooms & Bliss Designer Series Paper: 5-1/2″ x 3-7/8″ (14 cm x 9,8 cm)

To create my card I started with die-cutting.

I wanted this small dragonfly to be in the foreground of my die-cut panel so I run it through my Big Shot first.

For this technique, you first want to die-cut the image you want to have in the foreground of your card and you work your way backwards. Everything you die-cut later will appear to be ‘behind’ this first image.

Once it has been die-cut, I removed the dragonfly die and die-cut and I placed the rose die on the panel. I placed it the way that some parts of the die overlapped the negative space where dragonfly was die-cut previously from.

Again, I run it through the Big Shot and very carefully removed my rose die-cut from the die, being careful not to lose all the separate pieces as I will need them all to inlaid them back to my panel. I die-cut two more partial roses (one at a time) from the same panel, every time making sure they overlap the space of a previously die-cut image and saving all the little die-cut pieces. I arranged all my die-cut on the desk, so I knew

Once all the images were die-cut, I adhered what was left of the panel to the Blooms & Bliss DSP piece. And now the fun began: I had to inlay all the die-cut outlines where they came from.

The easiest part was to inlay the dragonfly outline. From there, I worked my way through the roses in the same order I die-cut them. Once I was done, I matted my detailed panel with slightly bigger Whisper White piece and next mounted it onto my Sweet Sugarplum card base.

I masked bottom part of the sentiment ‘Thanks for the smile and everything else’, stamped it on a strip of Whisper White cardstock in Basic Black Archival Ink and cut it into a banner. I also cut a banner from Sweet Sugarplum cardstock and adhered them both to my card, offsetting slightly.

I was pretty happy with the outcome but I had a feeling that something was missing. So I masked the detailed part and all the edges of my card, and I added some tiny speckles in Basic Black and Sweet Sugarplum. Few rhinestones wrap up my card.

I hope you feel inspired and that you give this technique a go. Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day,

The Creative Flow Blog Hop – No Red Romance With Large Letters Framelits Dies

Image ~ 11 February 201721 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 8 Comments

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – The Creative Flow Blog Hop – No Red Romance With Large Letters Framelits Dies

Thank you for joining us on our Creative Flow Blog Hop. Each month we are set a challenge to creatively stretch our imaginations. The products we have used are all available in the current Annual and/or seasonal Stampin’ Up!® catalogues. To hop along, please use the buttons at the bottom of the post to keep hopping.

Today’s challenge was to create no-red Valentines Day card, and for some time I wasn’t sure what colour scheme to use. But Global Design Project came to the rescue with their #073 Colour Challenge. I really love this unusual, bright and oh-so-not-valentine’s colour mash-up, so I decided to combine these two together 🙂

I know it supposed to be no-red, but Watermelon Wonder is rather orangy red right lol And here’s what I came up with: a perfect card to give to my hubby on that special day.

No-Red Romance card dimensions:

Whisper White cardstock: 11-6/8″ x 4-1/8″ scored in half at 5-7/8″ (29.7 x 10.5 cm scored in half at 14.8 cm)
Whisper White panel: 5-7/8″x 3″
Emerald Envy cardstock: 2 strips 5-7/8 long and briefly 2/8″wide
a piece of Whisper White for die-cutting

The first step was to die-cut word ‘LOVE’ using Large Letters Framelits Dies. I’ve used regular Whisper White cardstock for this. I’ve sponged the letters with my inks as follows: Watermelon Wonder first, Daffodil Delight next, and Emerald Envy as the last one creating ‘rainbow’ effect. I’ve paid special attention there’s smooth transition from one colour to another.

When I was done and happy with blending, I took a small paintbrush and flicked some water droplets all over the letters. I love how the water reactivates the ink. Such a simple step but add so much interest and texture to the (otherwise) flat surface.

Next, I took Whisper White panel and using the same small brush and my ink pads as a palette, I speckled some inks over the whole panel. I tried to keep my speckles somehow under control colour-wise, so the speckles match the letters that go over them.

Remember: The smaller is the brush, the smaller are the speckles.

When speckles dried, I adhered two strips of Emerald Envy cardstock underneath, one on top and one on the bottom of the panel.

Now to assemble the card. I adhered the panel to the card base using Fast Fuse adhesive. And I have to say I’m happy to say it seems I finally made friends with this adhesive haha.

I wanted to pop-out my letters so I’ve used Foam Adhesive Strips to adhere them to the panel. You could use any regular foam adhesive, but these strips are perfect for adhering die-cuts that are quite narrow in shape. They are long but you can easily cut them to the length you want/need.

I was really happy how nicely this card was coming together, but I was desperate to add some embellishments to it. Yes I know, a card for a hubby and embellishments?! I must have lost my mind, haha. But why not?

So I scattered black sequins from Metallics Sequin Assortment pack all over my card and tried to figure out the placing and how many I will use. Once I was happy I adhered them with Fine-Tip Glue Pen. For the final touch, I coloured some rhinestones with black Sharpie and added them to the card too.

That’s it from me for today. I really hope you enjoyed my step by step directions.

For those of you who asked about stretching your stitched dies using partial die-cutting – I will have a short how-to post for you soon. So watch this space.

Now be sure to hop along our tiny blog hop to see more inspiring projects. Your next stop is lovely and talented Helen.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day,