Wildflower Fields Fridge Mini Calendars

5 March 201621 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 8 Comments

Good evening everyone. A few days ago, on my facebook page, I’ve posted some fridge mini calendars I’ve made as a thank you gifts for my customers. But they were such a hit that I thought I will make a blog post, to show how to make them. Just a warning, it’s gonna be picture heavy 😉

I’ve bought these mini calendars on eBay while ago, but due to chronic fatigue I just couldn’t push myself to sit down and craft – maybe except for the cards once in a while. But I was wondering about customers gifts the other day and had a lightbulb moment – why not make cute magnetic fridge calendars?! Each calendar measures approx 2-7/8″ x 1-7/8″, and on their size, I’ve based my design.

The base for my calendar measures 3″x 4″ – here I’ve used Hello Honey. Designer Series Paper measures 2-7/8″x 2″ and Whisper White piece for stamping measures 1-1/2″x 2″. I rounded all the edges of my base, top edges of DSP and right top corner of Whisper White. I’ve used my Envelope Punch Board to do so, but you could use the corner rounder punch if you have one.

I stamped “a little something cute…” sentiment from Something To Say stamp set on my Whisper White pieces. Next, I stamped floral images from Flowering Fields stamp set. I just love this set! Don’t forget that this beautiful stamp set you can earn free with every £45 purchase during Sale-a-bration.

I’ve used Hello Honey for butterflies, Old Olive for stems and leaves, and Lost Lagoon and Calypso Coral for flowers. I’ve used ink pads as well as Stampin’ Markers to do my stamping. I have to say here, I love that all Stampin’ Up’s Designer Series Papers got all coordinating colours listed at the back of the paper pack. It makes creating so much easier if you don’t have to work out which colours to use. I also sponged stamped panels, so they stand out nicely from the background.

To embellish my Blackberry Bliss calendars I’ve used Silver 1/8″ Ribbon as it looked pretty neat on a dark background. But it didn’t work as good on the light one. So I cut “skinny” strips of cardstock in Lost Lagoon and Hello Honey, smooshed Versamark over them and heat embossed with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder. I love this gentle shimmer.

I assembled my calendars using Tombow glue. I also added two strips of a magnet at the back of each one.

I really hope you like my little project and that you give them a go. Or maybe you have different ideas to use these little calendars for? I would love to hear from you!

Have a blessed day,

Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge Blog Hop #6 – You Are My Person

13 February 201621 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 18 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 Debbie who sadly couldn’t take a part in Hop today. But we’re all hoping she’ll be back with us soon. I also wanted to wish a very Happy Birthday to Sam from Sam’s Crafty Things as she’s celebrating today! Happy Birthday, Sam, have a good one!

But now let’s get back to the sketch.

My card for today is pretty simple and created using few favourites from Annual Catalogue. As Valentine’s Day is just one day apart I wanted to create something in this theme. I’ve made this card purely with my husband in mind. He is my partner and best friend. He is my person. He is a true blessing in my life.

The base of my card is standard A6 in Very Vanilla. For the background, I chose Colour Me Irresistible Specialty DSP. I love this paper! Each pack contains 6 white sheets and 6 other colours sheets (one of each colour). And each sheet has a subtle embossing in various designs. For my card, I decided to use a white sheet with the geometrical design.

To add colour to my background I’ve used a brayer. I bought it recently (finally) and it was the perfect occasion to open it and have fun adding colour. It’s so easy! The ink I’ve used is Bermuda Bay. When I was happy with my background I decided to add some twist to it. First I sprinkled few water droplets on top to lift some of the colour. Next, I stamped few splotches from Gorgeous Grunge. For this. I’ve used Pacific Point. I trimmed my piece so once adhered to the base I would have nice, clean border. I also added a tiny strip of Pacific Point cardstock.

Next, I created the banner. I took a piece of Very Vanilla that measures 2 x 5-6/8″. To create this elegant edge I’ve used 3rd biggest of Lots Of Labels framelits dies. I die-cut a heart from Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Dies. And die-cut it twice: once from my banner and the second one from Red Glimmer Paper. I glued these two hearts together and traced the edge with Real Red Stampin’ Marker. Before I put my card together I stamped the sentiment. Word “you” comes from Rose Wonder stamp set. It’s actually “Thank You” sentiment, but it was very easy to ink just that one word. To create the rest of my sentiment I’ve used Alphabet Rotary Stamp. Oh, wish Stampin’ Up! had “You are my person” sentiment in their offering. It’s such a beautiful thing to say. Not only to your partner but also to a friend. I stamped inside of my card as well.

Now was the time to put the card together. I adhered the background and a strip of Pacific Point cardstock using Tombow glue to make sure it will hold the paper really well. I added the banner with snail adhesive and I popped my glittery heart with dimensionals.

And what do you think? Do you like my card? Please let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.

Now, be sure to hop along and see more inspiring projects. Your next stop is lovely Karen – go and see what she has made using our cute sketch. It’s her first blog hop with us, so please show her some love.

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day!

Shadowhunters Fangirl Birthday Card using Stampin’ Up! Products

9 February 201621 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 5 Comments

Sharing something a little different with you today. I’m so happy I finally had some spare time to post this awesome card (if I do say so myself).

My (not so little anymore) girl had her 16th birthday last Sunday. And because she’s a big fan of Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunters book series, I really wanted to create something in that theme for her.

Obviously, I don’t own any matching stamp sets so I had to improvise. I’ve used pretty few current stamp sets to create my card. First I choose black & gold colour combo – I think it fits the theme perfectly. It’s a gate-fold card, with base in Basic Black. I “brushed” Versamark around the edges, added gold embossing powder and heat set it. I didn’t go for perfection – it was meant to be a bit edgy, rough. Next, I cut two panels to go on the front. Using Versamark again, I stamped flourishes from Everything Eleanor stamp set, and heat embossed it in gold. As before, I didn’t pay attention to detail on purpose – the edgier the better.

Inside of the card is pretty simple. I’ve found Angelic Rune symbol online, printed it on copy paper and then traced it on a piece of basic black. I hand-cut it and heat embossed it with Iridescent Ice embossing folder first. But I didn’t like how this turned out and decided to add more sparkle to it. I dabbed Versamark on top of my symbol and added Heat & Stick powder. I melt the powder with Heat Tool, covered it with gold glitter and heat set my piece again. I love how this turned out. Sentiment comes from Rose Wonder stamp set.

To close my card I created a belly-band. Same as with a card front I added that rough gold edge. I stamped small butterfly from Butterfly Basics, heat embossed it in gold and die-cut it. I also die-cut the more intricate butterfly from gold glimmer paper. I adhered them together, added some gold Metallic Thread underneath and attached it to my belly-band.

And that’s it. That’s my Shadowhunters birthday card. Do you like it? I have to say that my daughter truly loved it. And the moment she opened the card and saw the Angelic Rune symbol – well, that was priceless to see how her eyes light up. Mission completed!

Thank you for stopping by and have a great day,

Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge Blog Hop #5 – Valentine’s Day Gift Box

30 January 201621 February 2018 ~ Anna Krol ~ 15 Comments

Wow! It’s been long since we’ve played with our challenge last time. Did you missed us?! But we’re back with a new sketch and lots of fabby projects to bring you endless ideas and inspirations. So welcome to our 5th sketch challenge! And today’s sketch has been created for us by lovely Cat.

I love this sketch! And the moment I saw it I had this idea popped into my head. It’s a little bit out of my comfort zone because I don’t do boxes usually. But I was just dying to make my idea into a project. So here it is:

Isn’t it cute?! This box measures 4 x 3″ and make perfect “home” for Raffaello chocolates

To create my box I took 2 pieces of whisper white that measured: for the lid 7 x 6″ (I trimmed it later slightly) and for the base 6-7/8 x 5-7/8″. I stamped the top piece randomly using a Real Red ink pad and flowery stamps from Bloomin’ Love stamp set. When it was done I scored both pieces at 1-1/2″ on each side. After I assembled the base I’ve decided I want my lid to be slightly shorter than the base so I trimmed it 1/2″ on each side.

I also stamped same design on a piece of white tissue paper, to put it inside of my box. As for the sentiment, I’ve stamped it in Real Red again and fussy cut it. But because it would disappear in a “busy” background I die cut a circle from Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper. I attached it to my box with Tombow adhesive and added my sentiment on top using dimensionals.

Taa-daah! The box is done! And it’s perfect little box for delicious chocolates. Or maybe for a piece of jewellery? What do you think?

I hope you enjoyed my little project today. I would love hearing from you.

Now, be sure to hop along and see more inspiring projects. Your next stop is lovely Karen – go and see what she has made using our cute sketch. Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day!

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

21 January 201621 February 2018 ~ 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.

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.

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,

Anna' Stampin' Cave

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

Stampin Up Coventry

Wildflower Fields Fridge Mini Calendars

Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge Blog Hop #6 – You Are My Person

Shadowhunters Fangirl Birthday Card using Stampin’ Up! Products

Simply Sketched Saturday Challenge Blog Hop #5 – Valentine’s Day Gift Box

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