Sticthed details

 The Less is More Challenge this week is:  pierce your project.

For my card I pierced my projects in two ways with a rectangle die with stitched detail (Marianne design cr1339) and with a circle die that cuts out the branches ( Simon Says Stamp circle of leaves).

For the sentiment I used Simon Says Stamp it's your birthday set and I stamped it on the cardbase with Versafine onyx black ink.
 I also cut the same rectangle form a soft pastelly 6x6 paper pad and adhered it to the branch panel with liquid glue and a fine tip applicator. Then I mounted the panel with foamtape and adhered it to the cardbase.


For more information on the Less is More challenge, or to play along, see this.

Cherryliquor bonbon giftbox

Today I'm making little giftboxes or party favors if you like.
The finished box is 2,5"x2"x1'1/8
For it you need a piece of paper measuring  7 3/8 x 4 3/4 making sure your pattern is the right way, see flower scribbles on the plan, the notch on the left is the top.
You can get two boxes out  of one sheet of 12"x12"paper and you'll have some scraps for tags or matching card mats.

Score on the long side at: 1"1/8, 2"1/4, 4"1/4 and 5"3/8
Score on the short side at: 1"1/8 and 3"5/8

Fold and reinforce the score lines,
Cut as shown on the plan. Notch the lid as shown on plan/video.

Then, using hot glue, start to put the box together, see the video on how you get the best result.

If you like you can use a gluedot to keep the flaps of the lid from parting and then you can tie a ribbon around the box. The box doesn't need the ribbon to stay  sclosed, but it looks much more festive that way ;-)

I'm not sure you can get these cherryliqour bonbons everywhere, But i'm sure there's similar treats that would fit in a 2.5"x2" box...

The plans are not 100% accurate, I did draw it in  realsize, but I have some crooked lines and I;m not sure how the scanning affects the plans, so please just use it as reference or make your own with my measurements.

Teddy with flowers

The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is: anything goes with Wild Rose Studio products.

I used the WRS stamp called Teddy with flowers, I stamped it with SSS intense black ink onto Crafter's Companion Neenah paper and colored it with Spectrum Noir and Illustrator markers.
The sentiment is also from WRS, a set called dragon and bird, and I used Versafine onyx black ink for that.
Adhered the colored panel with taper runner onto a cardbase.

Nuvo shimmer pen (clear gloss) on some of the flowers.



For more information on Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, or to play along, see this

You've got the edge

You've got the edge, that's the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, this week.

For my card I used the Simon Says Stamp birthday Balloons for the sentiment and Simon Says Stamp intense black ink to stamp it.
for the edge I sued a Memory box/Poppystamps die called fiesta flowers.
It's not actually a border die, so I partial diecut and embossed the other side.
Cut of the bottom, so now it's a bunch of floating flowers above Distress inked (swiped) cardbase (twisted citron).
Mounted the panel with foamtape and adhered it to the cardbase.
The lilac butterfly is from Joy Crafts, it's a bit older, but it still works... and a few Nuvo drops dotted around the card, shame I don't have a lilac Nuvo drops and I so didn't want to chance it with my Ranger enamel dots, as they're getting gloopy due to being old.

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, or to play along, see this

Layered stamping and masked background, with video

For today's card I used the Horticultural script  from Creative Expressions and the flower from Concord and 9th (you are enough stamp set).

I started by stamping the outline flower on Inkadinkado masking paper and cut it out, really close, if not on the lines.

Then I stamped the flower on Schut watercolor paper with Simon Says Stamp intense black and applied the masks. I thought it was easier to cut off the little stalk.

Then I grabbed the background stamp and used Memento Toffee crunch to stamp it. and on top tinted emboss it ink and  Zing clear embossing powder as I will be messy with water later and the embossing will protect the script.

I marked the top of the backgroundstamp on the release paper with a Sharpie, as I found it hard to see which way was up.
You can't read much of the script, but some bits and it would be a shame if they were upside down.

To "color" the flower I used the layering bits and Distress ink Picked raspberry. I applied It to the stamp and then instead of water I spritzed it with  Shimmer spritz (frost ). heat setting in between each layer.
I used mowed lawn for the stalk and just a brush to fill it in and to tie it in with the pink and green washi tape.
Mounted the panel with foam tape and adhered it to the cardbase.

I was tempted to stamp  "brave" as it would fit on the foam raised bit, but then I remembered I used embossing powder, which would resist the stamping, so I left it. This way you can use it for any occasion you seem fit.

Katzelkraft, Riley and company and Talens ecoline, with video

For today's card I used a new stamp I got at the craft store today.
Katzelkraft mini 088 a really fun ostrich. There's a lot of weird dogs and cats in this release, but I only liked this one oh and a tree.

The sentiment is from Riley and Company (rwd 524) and I stamped it in Versafine onyx black ink.
I stamped the ostrich image on Schut coldpressed watercolorpaper with Simon Says Stamp Intense black ink and colored it with Talens Ecoline.
The beaks of ostriches seem to have a darker spot in front, I tried to emulate that, but I didn't like it ;-)
Also I used the Nuvo shimmer pen (clear gloss) on it's beak, for a fun shimmer.

I think the sentiment went so well with the image and made it a masculine card of some sorts.

I'm sorry the last bit of the  video cut out, but all you miss is me fiddling with foam tape ;-)

I also showed you another stamp I got today, I shall be using that in he next video/blogpost.

see through card

The Challenge over at Less is More this week is: anything but stamps.

My first card was a strip of washi tape which is called color your own washi, but it's not alcohol marker proof, so I thought what if I make a panel on vellum or acetate, color that and put the washi on top?

I cut a strip of acetate, not a very sturdy one, I would suggest a thicker one, but hey...I scribbled on different colors or marker and then spritzed it with alcohol, so the colors would move and mingle and create a watercolor effect. Heat set it and then I loved it so much as it was I didn't want to cover it with said washi tape...

So I cut the front of the card base to accommodate the "window"and then cut the same for the inside, but from thinner card. This way you won't see any  red sticky tape and or how it was assembled.


For the sentiment I used Simon Says Stamps small hello die. I cut it from black card with Stick it on the back so it becomes a sticker and applied it above the "window".


For more information on the Less is More challenge, or to play along, see this

AAA cards Challenge #95

The AAA cards challenge this forthnight is: rainbows.
Our sponsor for this challenge: Stamplorations - product specified by Shery, value up to $15 + 10% coupon offer for players.

For my card I used the MISTI and the Simon Says Stamp Happy 3x4 stamp set for the word "happy".
I positioned it 2cm off the bottom ot the cardbase and started stamping.
I used Memento dewdrops for my stamping and I used: Love letter, Tangelo, Dandelion, Peartart, Bahama blue, Grape jelly and lilac posies.

I cleaned off the stamp really well in between colors and moved the card instead of the stamp, at one point I reached the edge of the MISTI, so I lifted up the cardbase and let it stick out at one end, that worked.

For the "birthday"  I also used a Simon Says Stamp stamp set, called "it's your birthday" and I've stamped it with Versafine onyx black ink.
I've added three matching rhinestones along the rainbow.

For more information on the AAA cards challenge, and to enter your own creation, see this

And just to show you if you use the MISTI but don;t align it properly in the corner, you can still mess up your card :-(...had to start over...

Zig like markers from Aliexpress

I saw these and ordered them just because I was curious.
I am willing to try something to see if they work and it paid off. I got the 14/16 set. 
I got 16 the url says 16, the title of the advert said 14....no biggie..

These markers came individually wrapped and I saw  other adverts selling them per one for less than 1 euro.
The have a real brush on them with individual hairs,  not like felt. The brushes are really soft an pliable and perfect for handlettering or calligraphy, I'm not very goot at that.

But my main drive was to watercolor with them, and I thought this smallish set would give me enough range.

The packaging is all in Chinese and I can't see a numbering system or alike, the icons all look the same. Pretty gold printing on the barrel and see through cap, cap end in color of the marker.

I swatched them in the video on Bristol smooth and Schut coldpressed watercolor paper and they worked great. Not so much on the cheaper watercolor paper, that's too absorbent.
I used a brush and water and I was happy at how the washed out and the gradient they gave, also how they blend on the papers and into each other.
You can also scribble a bit of ink on a block and pick it up with your brush.
Also did a little direct on stamp coloring and well it was a bit small to tell for sure but it seems to work well on that too, I huffed and I sprayed water, the spray might have been a bit too much water for the Bristol paper.

All in all I like them, certainly for the price and I will play some more with them and get to know them better and then feature them again, I'm sure.

I don't expect them to be refillable, but being available openstock replacing the empty ones is not costly, mine arrived in less than two weeks, but  it might take longer.

Link to the shop I got them is here

little treats "envelope"

The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is: get in shape.
The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is: we're seeing stars, showcasing My Favorite Things.

I decided to make little treat envelopes with the WRMK envelope punchboard.
I made them to fit one After eight dinner mint or two mini Milka tablets.

For this you need a piece of card measuring 4"square. You punch and score at 2" on every side.
If you want you can round the corners and then assemble the envelope like you usually do, I used gluedots.

For my  cardstock I used a Christmas paper from last year, with glittery white stars on black.
I made two one with a tag saying you're a star ( My favorite things bold statements) and I stamped it on white card with Verafine onyx black ink, then I cut it to make it look like a tag and punched a hole in it. Wrapped it around the treat with gold thread.

For the second envelope I used the fairy happy image also My Favorite Things and I colred her with my Spectrum Noir  markers. I used Simon Says Stamp Intense black on Crafter's Companion Neenah paper.

Also used a glue dot to stick her on.





For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, see this.

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, see this.

Dove blender pen with Aquablend pencils, first impressions and try, with video

For today's card I used Spectrum Noir pencils and the Dove blender pen instead of water.
I thought that would be a great tool on the road and it worked relly well, it picked up the color and transported it much further than I thought.
Also it doesn't leave the hard edges water does, see video.
But after I used the blender pen I founf layering another shade on topwas near impossible, except withyou use a wet brush to pencil method.
Not usre what the blender pen is made of, but it seems to seal the paper. So you best apply the twoshaed at ones, which luckily I did as part of the experiment. 
You can buy refills and new nibs for this pen, so not a throw away thing, which I like.

I used Schut watercolorpaper, coldpressed but smooth and stamped the image from C.C Designs (kitty with chickies) with Simon Says Stamp intense black ink.

The pencils I used were from the essentials and primary tins:
Banana and chrome orange for the chicks
Bottle green and parakeet for the grass
Royal blue for the sky
Coral, Antracite, gravel for the kitty

I wanted the sky to fade, to  make asort of halo around the image and  there ws quite a lot of pigment in that thin line I drew, I feel the colors stay more virbrant with the Dove blender pen, so all in all I'm really happy with it.

I will test the layering more, maybe it needs to dry better.
That's another plus, with water you need to wait, with the blender pen it's almost instantly dry, which helps with colors touching each other.


I used a sentiment from Clearly Besotted (best friends) and stamped it with Versafine onx black ink. Mounted the panel with foamtape to the card base

lots of patterned paper

The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is: use plaid and showcasing Lawn Fawn.

I used Lawn Fawn Forest border die and the trees are a plaid that was in a SSS cardkit, I can't remember which though.
The sky is a  greyish blue, almost a worn wood panel and the watercolor stripes I thought could look like fields with different crops.

I used SSS birthday balloons for the sentiment and I stamped it with Versafine onyx black ink.
Mounted the sky flush to the cardbase and the tree hill with foamtape.

I colored the trees brown with an alcohol marker.
Glued the tree tops to the trunks with liquid glue.

I wanted to keep the sky and field as neutral as possible, so the plaid would  pop. I tried plaid or ginham sky and earth...was too much..way too  much.

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, see this.

Everyday Christmas #10: masculine card, with video

Let me apologize first: the video starts halfway as my "old" phone chewed up the video. Was on  the SD card, but the file was corrupted :-(.
I always use this older phone as I can turn of the recording microphone, can't do that with my present phone, both are Sony, so it's  bit weird.
My new phone though cut out twice as it overheated very quickly..also :-(...
In the meantime I reset my old phone, lost all personal stuff on there, but I could switch again and film the last bit.

I think you can still get the gest of it, I really didn't feel like restarting the inkblending, I know you all know how to do that!

I used Memento inks: tuxedo black, gray flannel and London fog. I also used Bamboo leaves, to diecut some leaves, but I didn't use them in the end, they were too big.

I then diecut a lot of stags from the grey ombre card (Newton's Nook splendid stags).
Then did the same for the white panel, I measured the middle and started with the outer two stags (top and bottom) then the middle, easier to get an even placement that way.

Somehow I had less proper stags and I could have inkblended another piece of card or I could do what I did and that's to trim the card.

To place all the stags back I used Elizabeth crafts double sided adhesive on the cardbase and placed the white panel on top, then inlaid all the grey stags.
I think it looks like wallpaper in a man's den of hunting lodge or something.
I trimmed the card and the backflap off to make my deer whole again.

I had a golden disc left over from another project and I used it as the trophy background.
Also had a cardbase left over with black glitter attached to it, so I grabbed that too.
It's manly black glitter! lol.
I attached the inlaid panel to the cardbase and stuck the golden disc and the black deer on top (also black glitter).

As I used 140lbs/300grams for each panel it's quite the sandwich now, but at least a project saved!

I also used the negative part and diecut a bunch of silver glitter deer heads and inlaid them, much in the same way and used the Simon Says Stamp painted happy birthday die and some stick it.

Oldie but goodie #12: smiles for you, with video

For this week's oldie but goodie I pulled out two stamp sets from Your Next Stamp (smiley happy critters set one and two).
Not sure which year they were made, but I got them from a clearance at  my craftstore, I found Your Next Stamp still carries them, but clear stamp versions, I guess they were re released at some point? see links above.

I pulled out the lion, parrot (I think) and the cat and stamped them with Simon Says Stamp intense black on Crafter's Companion Neenah paper and let the Brother Scan N Cut, cut them out. I think the lion could also be a hedgehog, the cat a panther and the parrot a dodo lol.

I colored them with my Spectrum Noir markers and added Nuvo shimmer pen (clear gloss) to their noses and beak.

Made a wobbler with some wire and attached the cat to it. I thought I would want three wobbles, but decided against it, as I thought it would be too much "action", you can of course.

I chose to put the cat (or panther) in the middle as he was the neutral colored one and separates the bold colors.

Attached the lion and parrot with tape runner to the cardbase.

The sentiment is from one of the sets and I also used the intense black ink.

Everyday Christmas #9: Wow glow in the dark embossingpowder, with video

For today's card I used the last, previously colored, polar pals from My Favorite Things I had left.
To see how I colored him, see the second video below.

I started by making a window in a cardpanel, I had chosen a Sizzix snowflake, but that didn't leave any space for my scene, so I changed it into a circle, but it could be any shape.
I then traced the window onto the cardbase and I stamped the stars (Avery Elle let it snow) with a new to me embossing ink, it's from Tsukineko and it's tinted pink. When I saw it in a video it looks properly pink, but I can barely see this, I think normal Versamark is much more visible, ironically. I've ordered the reinker too as the pad seems a bit dry, maybe that will change things.

After stamping the stars I used Wow! glow in the dark embossing powder and heat set it.
I really didn't do a good job stamping the little stars, or it's because the inkpad is dry, but I rolled with it. The speckles could be smaller stars further away ;-)...

For the wintry sky I used Distress inks (dusty concord, shaded lilac and tumbled glass), although the mountains will cover a lot of it, I still applied ink to the whole circle as I wasn't sure where the mountains would  go yet.

I diecut mountains from brown cardstock with the Lawn Fawn (stitched mountain borders) and then inkblended  Distress ink ground espresso on top and splattered it with water.
I used Weathered wood on the icy snowcaps, that I die cut from white card.
Glued the snowcaps in place.

On a side note: I don't think there's polar bears where there are mountains and vice versa, unless they venture very far down south, maybe if the mountains were white it could be Alaska...don't over think these things too much Maaike!

I attached the first row of mountains with red sticky tape and the second row with foamtape to the cardbase.
I mounted the panel with foamtape as well, except where the foam mounted mountains are, to compensate for their thickness.

The sentiment is from a unknown brand, I don't have the packaging anymore and it's a  few years old, but any sentiment will do. Funny enough the Polar Pals  set doesn't have any Christmassy ones.
I used Versafine onxy black ink.

Mounted the polar bear on top.
Tjeerd was keeping me company whilst I was trying to type this blog and starting the voiceover ;-) I waited lol....

Distress it

The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is: Distress it.

For this panel I used 6 inkpads (salty ocean, mermaid lagoon, mowed lawn, cracked pistachio, tumbled glass, peacock feathers) and 5 spray stains : tarnished brass, antiqued bronze, cracked pistachio, picket fence and mermaid lagoon).

I used a mini foam blending tool and started applying color in no particular order or placement.
When I was satisfied with the blending and layering I splattered water, and the stray stains, heatsetting in between the layers.

I then diecut the floral pattern out of it (I think it's for a bookmark). I should have used

Stick it on the back, but I forgot!.
I cut a panel of gold mirrored card and adhered it to the cardbase.
then added taperunner to the Distressed panel and set the diecut back in. I used a glue pen, but it dries quicker than I can apply it.
Anyway I managed  ;-)

I then used the SSS painted thanks die and black card (with Stick it) to make the sentiment, and placed it on top.

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, see this.

summer flamingo

The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is: Summer showcasing SSS own brand.This one's about to run out.
The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is: Distress it.


For my card I first made a stencil for the sun ( it's a die from Lawn Fawn Spring showers) and inked it with  Distress inks (mustard seed and wild honey), then I used the edge of the mask for the ocean and again I used Distress inks (mermaid lagoon and faded jeans). Then I splattered the water with...well... water..lol...
I stamped the Hero arts flamingo with SSS pale blush pink for the legs, then Memento ink (angel pink in  a couple of layers and rose bud).

The sentiment is from SSS too and I diecut it from black card with Stick it on the back.

Then I added the loops around the flaming feet in blue print sketch (Distress ink) and  Yeti white from Lawn Fawn.

For more information on Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, see this.
For more information on Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, see this.

Faux watercolored landscape, with video

For this technique I used my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers and a Spellbinders 3d stamp (dsc-048)
I mounted the stamp onto the WRMK precision press tool.
And then grabbed a few color markers for the mountain. as they're further in the back these should be lighter thank the ones in front.
But it's a non to precise technique and you must embrace the loose feeling of it, it's not perfect.

I put on darkers colors where I think the shading should be.
Once happy I spritz on alcohol or blending solution and stamp.
Then repeat this step for every color.
I think it turned out nice, I definitely need more practice, but as I say it's not a prefect technique.
I'm going to try this also with waterbased markers, I ordered some from China.
Mounted the panel with foamtape and added some green washitape on the bottom

Oldie but goodie #11: in a nutshell, with video

Today I'm using the woodmounted stamp from Penny Black called In a nutshell.
It's from 2005 and on a quick searchI found a lot of sited that still listed it, but it's sold out everywhere.
I found this set from Stampendous though, which is very similar.
The aim on the Oldie but goodie is to use what you have in your stash and you might very well have  something alike.

I stamped the image with Intense black ink from Simon Says Stamp onto  the Crafter's Companion Neenah paper and colored it with my Spectrum Noir markers.
The "it's a boy" stamp is also an older one and again there are many similar ones across the industry.

To attach the panel and to hide all the seepage I use tape runner and adhere the panel to a cardbase.
Then I added some shimmer with the Nuvo shimmer pen (clear gloss).

Splotches

The Less is More challenge is also running for a fortnight to coincide with the AAA cards challenge.

It's: one layer with a colored cardbase....WAY out of my comfort zone, but it wouldn't be a challenge, without it being challenging, right?

For my card I used a minty cardstock from my stash. For me it's not sturdy enough, but it seemed to hold it's weight during photography, it's just my preference I guess.

I used the Tim Holtz stencil "splotches" and applied Distress inks Peacock feathers and mermaid lagoon through it.
I them stamped a bold/masculine ish sentiment from Sizzix (birthday by

Stephanie Barnard) with Versafine onyx black ink.
No rhinestones or sequins as I wanted to keep it as masculine as possible.

For more information on the Less is More Challenge, see this

AAA cards challenge #94

This fortnight (we started a bit earlier than our normal Sunday to coincide with the Less is More challenge), the theme is: one layer with a colored card base.

Our sponsor is Happy little stampers and you could win a $20 giftcard.


I chose the eggplant/aubergine purple card with linen structure from my stash.

I wanted a tone on tone look , so to stamp the My Favorite Things background stamp (wavy coloring book) I used Memento Sweet plum ink.

I wanted a faded look, so after I inked the stamp I wiped the edges somewhat, so it looks like the pattern comes out the paper, or at least it's supposed to ;-)

It's a background stamp, I could have covered the whole cardbase, but a requirement of CAS cards is to leave as much white/empty space as possible.

The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp (birthday balloons) I stamped it with Versamark en heat embossed it with  Papermania superfine silver embossing powder.

For more information or to play along with the AAA cards challenge, see this

String of lights

The Simon Says Monday Challenge is: red, white and blue. It was the 4th of July this week, so big holiday in the U.S.A.
But I chose to go for a Christmas in July thing. I could have done the same-ish card like I did for the Less is More challenge (also red, white and blue) or a similar nautical theme, but I really wanted to stir things up.

They're showcasing Sizzix on the SSS blog, and I used the Big shot diecutting machine and precision baseplate.

I also used the Lawn Fawn String of light, which could also be a string of ornaments.
I diecut white, blue and red glitter paper and for the string and lightbulb ends I used black card.


I did the bulb thingies twice so there was a bit more bulk to them.
Attached everything to the card with tiny dots of glue and then stamped the sentiment with Versafine onyx black ink (Simon Says Stamp Merry trees.
I'm sorry if the white lightbulb is hard to see, but it's there ;-)

For more information on the Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge, see this

Welcome to my channel

Part two: assembly of the fairy card, with video

This video is quite long, I sped it up 3x. I colored the fairy on Tuesday and now I'm putting it all together. I got the Marianne Design cr1337. I wasn't sure how to finish the card and I needed these birch tree dies to make a forest. 
I did look at the My Favorite things one, but this one was in stock at my local shop.
I diecut them from sturdy 140lbs/300grams card and them embossed them.

For the background I inkblended Memento ink on the cardbase, I used: nautical blue, teal zeal and bamboo leaves. To make a hill I used the Snowdrift die from My Favorite Things to cut a mask from a big Post it note.

I adhered the treed at different heights on the back of a window I made with the Nellie Snellen multi frame die, but any brand will do.

Adhered the Fairy to the background and then mounted the frame with foamtape and added it to the cardbase.

I diecut the flowers from the same thick card , but added some of the green left on the inkblending tool, for a bit of shading.
Tucked them in and under the frame, then glued the bee on one of the flowers.
The sentiment is from the same set and I stamped it with Versafine Onyx black ink.
Dotted Veramark witht he marker on the bacground and added some Wow clear hologram sparkle embossing glitter on the spots, I thought the dots would look like fireflies or other fairies in the background, it's subtle as it's clear, but special when the ligh catches it.