Colourful Striped Background For Global Design Project – I am Guest Designer

Image ~ 1 May 201722 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 8 Comments

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – Colourful Striped Background For Global Design Project – I am Guest Designer

Hello, my friends! I am so excited as today I am a Guest Designer for Global Design Project. How amazing is that?! I’m so humbled and honoured that GDP team has chosen me to join them for this week’s Colour Challenge. And boy, what a great colours we have to play with!

Choose your fav three wasn’t an option for me because I love all of these and wouldn’t know which to choose, to be honest. So I decided to be a rebel and for my project today I’ve used all five. Let’s say this post is a farewell to these beautiful In Colours.

Colourful Striped Background card dimensions:

Mint Macaron 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)
Very Vanilla cardstock: two panels, one for the card front, one for the inside of the card 5-7/8″ x 4″ (14.8 cm x 10.2 cm) each
cardstock for building the background: 5-7/8″ x 3-1/2″ (14.8 cm x 8.9 cm)
scraps of cardstock in colours: Mint Macaron, Delightful Dijon, Watermelon Wonder, Cucumber Crush and Tip Top Taupe
White Vellum for stamping and die-cutting

I started my card by creating this fun and colourful striped background. I took my scraps of cardstock of 2015-2017 In Colours and I cut it into strips of different widths. Next, I took a piece of cardstock (random colour as it won’t be seen anyway), covered it in glue, using snail adhesive, and adhered my strips diagonally, mixing colours and widths, making sure there’s no space left in-between the strips. When the whole panel was covered, I trimmed any overhanging stripes.

Can you see the shimmer on this panel? I took empty spritzer bottle and fill it with water. Next, I took Clear Wink of Stella Glitter Brush and squeezed pretty few drops of it into the spritzer. I shake it really well, spritz my entire panel with this glittery mist and let it dry.

I took the Very Vanilla panel and die-cut this intricate butterfly from Butterflies Framelits Dies in the middle of it. I also die-cut solid butterfly from vellum using Bold Butterfly Framelit Dies.

Using t-ruler, I draw two diagonal (and parallel) lines at the back of my panel. Using these lines as guides, I cut my panel into three and discarded the middle piece. Next, I stamped this lovely chicken wire (kinda) pattern from Butterfly Basics Stamp Set all over the other two pieces. I stamped it in Mint Macaron and to create this faded look I stamp off twice before I stamped on the cardstock.

I adhered my Very Vanilla pieces to the background panel, with butterflies inlaid between them: vellum butterfly at the bottom and vanilla one on the top, and added the whole panel to the card base with liquid adhesive.

For the sentiment, I chose “Sending Wishes Your Way”, also from Butterfly Basics Stamp Set. I prepared vellum with embossing buddy, dabbed my stamp in Versamark and straight away in Basic Black Archival ink, and stamped it onto vellum. Sprinkled it with clear embossing powder and heat set it. Adhered it to the card with few tiny drops of Fine-Tip Glue Pen. All that’s left was to add second Very Vanilla panel inside of the card. Done!

Once again I wanted to thank amazing GDP team for this opportunity and privilege, that I could showcase my project alongside such wonderful artists. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

As always, I really want to encourage you to visit the Global Design Project challenge and play along. You too have a chance to be the next Guest Designer

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day,

Global Design Project #082 Sketch Challenge Beautiful Message

Image ~ 15 April 201710 November 2017 ~ Anna Krol ~ Leave a comment

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – Global Design Project #082 Sketch Challenge Beautiful Message

Hello, everyone! Today I’m playing again with Global Design Project Sketch Challenge. But before I show you my take on the sketch I want to share with you some exciting news. My cards were among the winners at the last GDP Colour Challenge! Woo hoo! But that’s not all. I have also been chosen to be a Guest Designer in the next colour challenge! How cool and what a privilege?!

Totally unexpected; I’m still pinching myself 🙂 If you have not seen my winning cards, just click the button above.

But now let’s go back to today’s project.

Today I’ve got for you this beautiful, clean & simple card with an amazing message from the Bible.

Beautiful Message card dimensions:

Whisper White Thick 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)
Mint Macaron cardstock: 5-7/8″ x 4″ (14.8 cm x 10.2 cm)
Whisper White cardstock: 4-1/8″ x 2-2/8″ (10.4 cm x 5.7 cm)
Gold Foil: 5-7/8″ x 1″ (14.8 cm x 2.5 cm)

I was really eager to put my hands on this beautiful stamp set ‘Easter Message’ the moment I saw it. But I was able to order it only just recently.

To create this beautiful card I first took Mint Macaron panel and randomly stamped palm tree all over it, using Versamark inkpad, and heat embossed it in gold.

To make sure none of the embossing powder sticks to the cardstock where unwanted, I rubbed my embossing buddy across the paper before application.

To slightly ‘dull’ golden embossing I rubbed my piece with a dry cloth. I think it creates unique, dramatic effect.

I adhered Mint Macaron panel to the card base, followed by a piece of gold foil.

Next, I took my piece of regular Whisper White cardstock and I stamped cross image in Mint Macaron on the top of my piece, so I still had a room for a sentiment below the cross.

For the sentiment I chose this beautiful, life-giving verse from a Bible: Matthew 28:6 ‘He is not here; He has risen’. I’m short for words to say how much this little verse mean for me.

I stamped my sentiment in Versamark and heat embossed using Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder again. To stamp it and not ruin my panel, I’ve used good ole stamp-a-ma-jig, so it’s straight and exactly where it should be.

I mount my piece onto the card base using dimensionals.

I may not be an expert if it comes to clean & simple cards. I’m not good at using a minimal number of supplies either. But I’m working on it, and I have to say I’m really happy how this card came out. I hope you like it too. Gold and mint make such an amazing colour combination.

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

If you wish to purchase any of products I have used, simply click the images below to go directly to my online store and don’t forget to enter the hostess code for the month of April XMAJ4CYX to receive a gift from me.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day,

Easter Message Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[142984]

£21.00

Easter Message Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[142987]

£15.00

Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock

[140490]

£6.50

Whisper White A4 Card Stock

[106549]

£8.25

Mint Macaron A4 Cardstock

[138344]

£7.25

Gold Foil Sheets

[132622]

£3.75

Mint Macaron Classic Stampin’ Pad

[138326]

£6.00

Versamark Pad

[102283]

£7.75

Embossing Buddy

[103083]

£5.50

Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder

[109129]

£4.50

Liquid Multipurpose Glue

[110755]

£3.75

Stampin’ Dimensionals

[104430]

£3.75

Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

[101049]

£11.00

Stampin’ Trimmer

[129722]

£27.00

Heat Tool – Uk Plug

[129054]

£27.00

Don’t forget to check:

Stampin’ Up! Spring Summer & Annual Catalogue 2016 2017 Retiring List

It’s that time of the year again, when Stampin’ Up! is getting ready to retire stamps and accessories from both the Annual and Spring Summer catalogues. As sad as it is to see these products go, there’s still time for you to get them before they’re gone. Retiring products will only be available until 31 May, or while supplies last. So if there’s something from retiring products on your wishlist, don’t wait until last day – once they’re gone, they’re gone. And they are selling fast! Click here for more details ->

The Creative Flow Blog Hop – Hello Spring

Image ~ 26 March 201722 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ Leave a comment

Anna’ Stampin’ Cave – The Creative Flow Blog Hop – Hello Spring

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. And this month’s theme is ‘Spring is sprung’.

I don’t know about you, but for me, nothing says ‘spring’ more than flowers. So today I’ve got for you a set of super cute, 4 x 4″ notecards.

Spring notecards dimensions:

In Colour cardstock: five pieces, one of each colour, 4″ x 8 ” scored in half at 4″ (20,3cm x 10,1cm scored in half at 10,1cm) + scraps for die cutting
Whisper White cardstock: five panels 3″ x 3″ (7cm x 7cm)
Linen Thread five pieces, 20″ length each
Pearls: 15 mini pearls, 3 for each notecard

For the base of my little notecards I decided to use, soon retiring, 2015-2017 In Colours. I stamped each card base with a ‘dotty’ stamp from Number Of Years Stamp Set in Versamark.

I stamped each 3 x3″ Whisper White panel using Writing Notes background stamp. I’ve used Cucumber Crush, Mint Macaron, Blushing Bride and So Saffron x2. Next, in the middle of each panel, I stamped a little bouquet of flowers, from Number Of Years Stamp Set. This is a two-step stamping set, so I first stamped the foliage using Pear Pizzazz and Wild Wasabi ink pads, and next I added the flowers in So Saffron, Pool Party, Watermelon Wonder, Blushing Bride and Wisteria Wonder.

I die-cut my bouquets with stitched circle die and adhered a leftover piece to the card base. I also die-cut five scalloped circles: one in each In Colour. Next, I layered each bouquet with a scalloped circle and adhered them to the card base with dimensionals.

Sentiments come from Crazy About You Stamp Set and I stamped them in coordinating colours once my cards were assembled. For the final touch, I added mini pearls to some of the flowers. I also created cute little bows using Linen Thread and added them to the cards using glue dots.

I’m really pleased with my little notecards and I think they fit the theme perfectly. But just a little reminder that In Colours 2015-2017 will retire soon (end of May) so if you love them I would really advise you to stock up on cardstock, Designer Series Paper, and ink refills as they surely will be sold out way before the end of May. Click the picture below to check the entire collection.

Now be sure to hop along to see more inspiring projects. Your next stop is lovely and talented Jerim.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day

…And The Greatest Of These Is Love – Embossed Impression Technique

Image ~ 22 November 201621 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 8 Comments

Hello and welcome!

Today, I’ve got for you card using beautiful Bloomin’ Heart Thinlits Dies. I’ve made various cards using this die in the past, but this time I wanted to try something new: an Embossed Impression Technique. This is very easy, yet effective technique. And great way to stretch your dies too.

I’ve used Stampin’ Up! White Shimmery cardstock for this technique, as I planned to do a bit of water colouring later on. I prepared my Big Shot sandwich: Big Shot on Tab 1 -> Cutting Plate -> Silicon {embossing) mat -> cardstock (I swiped the cardstock with embossing buddy). Next, I tapped Versamark over the cutting edge of the die very gently, and placed the die, cutting edge down, on my cardstock. Remember, once it’s on the paper don’t move it or you will mess up your image. I then carefully placed the second cutting plate over the top and run it through the big shot.

Because I put Versamark Ink on the die, now I had that ink in all the ‘valleys’ of the impression I just made. So I sprinkled Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder over it and heat embossed it.

I love those tiny gold lines! Next, I made few watercolour washes over my piece, using Mint Macaron ink pad and Pool Party reinker. Once dry, I cut my panel to 3-7/8″x 4-3/8″.

I also die cut five flowers, two large and three small, from Whisper White cardstock (I probably should have used Shimmery White cardstock for them too), and adhered them to my piece with glue dots. I’ve added some soft Mint Macaron watercolour wash to the flowers to add some depth to them

My card base is Very Vanilla. I stamped ‘Love’ in Mint Macaron using Brushwork Alphabet stamp set. I adhered my embossed panel with liquid glue to a piece of Mint Macaron mat (4″x 4-1/2″), and add them both to the card base with dimensionals.

To finish off my card I’ve added some shimmer to the flowers with Clear Wink of Stella Glitter Brush and put a rhinestone in each flower centre.

I hope you like my card, and that you give this technique a try.

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.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day

Brushwork Alphabet Photopolymer Stamp Set

[141772]

£23.00

Bloomin’ Heart Thinlits Dies

[140621]

£22.00

Very Vanilla A4 Card Stock

[106550]

£8.25

Shimmery White A4 Card Stock

[121717]

£7.25

Mint Macaron A4 Cardstock

[138344]

£7.25

Whisper White A4 Card Stock

[106549]

£8.25

Mint Macaron Classic Stampin’ Pad

[138326]

£6.00

Pool Party Classic Stampin’ Ink Refill

[122933]

£3.00

Versamark Pad

[102283]

£7.75

Embossing Buddy

[103083]

£5.50

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

[141897]

£7.25

Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder

[109129]

£4.50

Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments

[119246]

£4.50

Aqua Painters

[103954]

£15.50

Stampin’ Dimensionals

[104430]

£3.75

Liquid Multipurpose Glue

[110755]

£3.75

Silicone Craft Sheet

[127853]

£5.50

Heat Tool – Uk Plug

[129054]

£27.00

Big Shot

[143263]

£99.00

Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge Blog Hop #3 – Sweet & Mint

21 November 201521 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 10 Comments

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!

Today’s sketch was designed by very talented Angelina from Intatwyne Designs. I really like the simplicity of this design.

My first thought about this sketch was that it’s sweet. So is my today’s card: sweet & mint. I absolutely love 2015 – 2017 In Colors. But Mint Macaron is definitely my favourite one.

The base of my card is Mint Macaron scored at 4-1/4″ and folded in half in landscape mode. Both panels measure 5-3/4 x 2″. The top panel is a piece of Whisper White. I stamped one of the “swooshes” from Work of Art in Mint Macaron (briefly in the middle of the panel). Then I stamped the sentiment in Memento Black. The bottom panel is a piece of 2015-2017 In Color Envelope Paper.

I adhered both panels to the base and added a ribbon in the middle ( I tucked the ends under the panels). Don’t you just love this Dotted Lace Trim Ribbon? I’ve used a glue dot to bunch up the ribbon and adhered button on top. I was planning to add bakers twine bow on top, but I didn’t like it. I added Blossom Accent instead.

To finish my card off I added few star sequins. I didn’t plan that but needed to hide a boo-boo. I end up adding three just for a good measure 😉

Hope you like my sweet and simple card. It’s very versatile design and would work nicely with different sentiments. Plus it’s perfect for mass-producing: only took few minutes to put it together. So it’s a win-win.

Now, be sure to hop along and see more inspiring projects. Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day!

Anna' Stampin' Cave

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

Mint Macaron

Colourful Striped Background For Global Design Project – I am Guest Designer

Global Design Project #082 Sketch Challenge Beautiful Message

Don’t forget to check:

The Creative Flow Blog Hop – Hello Spring

…And The Greatest Of These Is Love – Embossed Impression Technique

Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge Blog Hop #3 – Sweet & Mint