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,

Pinkies Stampin’ Up! Autumn Winter 2016 Blog Hop – Merry Mice

Image ~ 8 September 201621 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 10 Comments

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

If you arrived here from lovely Hannah at Stampin by Hannah, thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoy seeing all these beautiful projects and inspiration and continue to hop on through to see what everyone has made.

Here is my project –

I wanted to create shadow-box type card for a while but never came around to do it. But when I saw these adorable little mice I thought they are just perfect to do so.

For the base, I’ve used two pieces of Soft Sky cardstock that measures 4-1/8 x 8-1/2″. scored them both at 1-1/2″ and 3″. Next, I die-cut a window in my front panel using Layering Ovals Framelits. I used the same die and slightly bigger scalloped oval die to create the frame from Very Vanilla cardstock.

I wanted to add some subtle ‘bling’ to my card base, so I decided to use Heat & Stick Powder with Dazzling Diamond Glitter. I took this little, distressed stamp from Timeless Textures stamp set, and stamped it around the front panel in Versamark. I sprinkled Heat & Stick powder over it, heat set it, sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter and heat set it again.

I cut a piece of Whisper White cardstock that measures 4-1/16 x 8-1/2″ and sponged it to create a background for my scene. I wanted to achieve beautiful night sky. To do so I’ve used Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, Island Indigo, Perfect Plum and Night of Navy. I started with lighter colours at the bottom and slowly building up the colour until I was happy with the results.

To create starry night I’ve used irreplaceable Gorgeous Grunge and again Heat & Stick powder with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. Once the glitter was set, I took this piece and cut a 1-1/2″strip from it, on the long side, and scored the remaining piece at 4″. I glued the longer piece to my base, to the back panel. The strip I cut off, I adhered on the inside of my front base, so once the card is closed for posting, you can still see the starry night. on the inside panel. And what’s cool about this card: it’s folding down, just like a card in the box, and fits standard A6 envelope

To create front and back inserts, I took 2 strips of Very Vanilla, that measured 2-1/2 x 5 and I tore them both (one bit smaller) on one side so they look like snowbanks. I’ve added a liquid glue to the torn edges and dabbed it in Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. I scored them both at 1/2″ and 4-1/2″. I adhered the taller one to the background panel.

Now the fun part: colouring the mice! I stamped singing mouse on a piece of Very Vanilla with Jet Black Stazon ink. I coloured him with Many Marvellous Markers and fussy cut it. Next, I took a piece of Very Vanilla (2-1/2 x 5″) and marked it at 1″ from the bottom, on the long side. This piece will create our middle insert. I stamped my cute carolers so their feet were touching my 1″ mark. I coloured them in, and fussy-cut them, but only to the 1″ mark. I scored this piece at 1/2″ and 4-1/2″.

I took all my inserts and assembled the card. I adhered the singing mouse on the front of my card with dimensionals. The sentiment underneath comes from the same stamp set. But because of all the ‘busy-ness’ (if it’s even a word haha) of the card, I decided to keep it simple.

I’m really happy how this card turned out. Aren’t these mice super cute?! I hope I inspired you a little bit.

Now, be sure to hop along and see more inspiring projects. Your next stop is amazingly talented Jerim from Willow Piggy – go and see what she has made using new products.

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,

Anna' Stampin' Cave

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

Join my team

You Put The Merry In My Christmas

Pinkies Stampin’ Up! Autumn Winter 2016 Blog Hop – Merry Mice

Negative Die-Cutting

Halloween Treat Holders With Popcorn Box Thinlits Dies

Swirly Scribbles See-Through Window Shaker Card