Then I duplicated the flower 9 times so I could layer the petals for dimension and printed them out on Georgia Pacific cardstock.  I cut the swirl frame using SCAL and my mom’s baby bug from one of my DCWV glitter mat stacks. Then I trimmed all of the flower layers, and similar to Lindsay’s post on Monday, I used the end of a rounder paintbrush to burnish the backside of the leaves to give them some dimension as I wasn’t going to piece them separately from the base layer.

The card base is from my stash – I ran it through my Big Shot with a Cuttlebug embossing folder and then used my Pebbles Pearlescent chalks to add shimmer to the embossed area. I added the frame and then began layering and adhering the flowers.  I used buttons from my stash (Wal-Mart) as the flower centers and added a glitter butterfly (Wal-Mart) for fun and sparkle.  I drew the butterfly trail with one of my Zig Micron pens. Here’s a close-up of my sparkly butterfly:And my layered flowers – I just love the dimension here: Such a versatile a fun set to create with.  I purposely didn’t add a sentiment as I am thinking of gifting this card and I want the recipient to be able to use it however they’d like.

If you didn’t arrive here from Lindsay’s blog, be sure to stop there.  She’s known to have freebies, as well as fabulous eye-candy and the links to the rest of the DT blogs/projects.  She’s also having a sale in celebration of St. Patty’s day – helping you save a bit of green!

Have a great day – we’re off to gymnastics, and then to shop for a new toaster oven – ours smells like it’s about to combust – you know the not so pleasant burning electronics scent that everyone wants in their kitchen?!?!?!

I used all sorts of fabulous products to create this fun and easy project!  

     Whew – I told you I used lots of products! Now, let’s get to the goodies! For this basket, I used the basket base SVG file from SVG Cuts Easter Egg Treat Bags kit, sized to 10.5 and cut on my Nana’s Cricut Expression with SCAL. These bags are SUPER easy to put together!  The designer eggs are digital stamps from Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff – Cute Easter set.  I opened them in Photoshop and “colored” them using styles from Bannerwoman  (Easter Egg – retired).  The detail work I also did in Photoshop using Jodiann’s Robot Gold styles – I adjusted the pattern size and bevels a bit since I was working with fine detail lines and fills.  Then I printed them out on SU Whisper White CS as I really wanted a smooth and bright finish, trimmed, and adhered them to my bag.The coordinating card was also super-easy to make!   As before, the designer eggs are digital stamps from Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff – Cute Easter set.  I opened them in Photoshop and “colored” them using styles from Bannerwoman  (Easter Egg – retired).  The detail work and sentiment  were done in Photoshop, this time using Jodiann’s Robot Princess styles – I love the versatility of her styles!  For the sentiment I added a color overlay to one of the Robot Princess styles – I am quite please with the end result.  The sentiment layer is edged with an EK Success punch and matted with a bit of bluish glitter CS from DCWV – one of my many mat stacks.  I used the same punch to edge it as well. The card base is from my stash and happened to coordinate perfectly with the yellow CS Nana and I used to cut the treat bag.

That’s all from me – at least for today.  We’re having a guy come out to give us an estimate on pruning our Mulberry trees – they’re getting a bit out of hand! Then Nadya and I are off to do our grocery shopping, and have a picnic at the park with one of the local Meet-Up groups – that is if the weather cooperates!  Have a great Monday and following week!  Be sure to stop by Lindsay’s blog – she usually has fabulous eye candy and treats on Mondays, plus links to one of her DT groups creations.

Since I”m fortunate enough to be on her DT, I was able to play a bit early.  My DH asked me to make a sympathy card for a friend who suddenly lost her husband.   I immediately knew I wanted to use one of the wonderful papers from this kit!   My card base is textured white Bazzill CS (6×6).  I printed the fabulous purple DP from Lindsay’s Beginning – I love the subtle coloration and florals – and embossed it with an SU texture plate and my Big Shot.  I used an EK Success punch to create the scallop edge.  The Iris is from a retires SU set – Still Life Stems.  I colored directly on the stamp with my SU markers and then “huffed” before stamping onto Whisper White CS.  I typically use Georgia Pacific or Staples CS for my digi-images, but I wanted the extra crispness that the vivid white SU CS offered.  The image and glitter CS (DCWV) mat were trimmed with my Long Rectangle and Scallop Nestabilites.  I added a bit of Almost Amethyst and Lovely Lilac inks with a sponge dauber to give subtle color to the glittered CS mat.  The narrow organdy ribbon is from my stash.  After adhering everything together, I stamped the sentiment (SU) twice – first with Silver MetalExtra ink (Clearsnap) and then with Vintage Violet (SU) to give an embossed effect.  I added the adhesive pearls from Michaels for a bit of dimension and elegance. I continued the theme on the inside by reprinting the DP from Lindsay’s Beginning with a verse I found on the internet.  The verse reads:  

Although we know at such a time there’s little we can say. We want to let you know that you are in our thoughts today.

My DH was then able to personalize his message. I found my 6×6 envelopes weren’t large enough, so I used a sheet of 12×12 paper and created an envelope for the card too.

Since I was in a card making mood, and this kit is so stunning, I have a little goodie for.  I have created 2 printable (4.5×5.5) cards for you (with Kristine’s permission).  I didn’t add a sentiment, so you can personalize the cards to suit your needs.  You can print them one a single sheet of 8.5×11 paper using a borderless setting and then stamp your sentiment or open them in your favorite editing software and type your sentiment before printing. I hope you enjoy them! If you like what you see, please send your friends to my blog to download for themselves.  Thanks!

That’s all from me.  Mondays are errand running/grocery days, so we’ll be busy busy today!  Be sure to check out Lindsay’s Beginning and the rest of goodies at Kristine’s store (and her blog – I’ve hears there might be goodies there too) and then head over to the DSO store too – the Designers have a released a new Collab Kit – with a twist! You won’t be disappointed!  

Using Lindsay’s Multi-Bracket Paper SVG freebie as a starting point, I experimented in Inkscape until I created Multi-Bracket card base and mat SVG files – definitely a bit of a learning curve, but completely doable! Then I turned to my trusty Photoshop and with the help of Jodiann’s styles, created 5 different papers that I printed out and then using SCAL cut the card bases and mats – I used 5.5 inches as the height for me card base and 5.15 inches for the height of the mat.. Then, using Photoshop again, I selected and printed the stamps from Love Grows Here.

I must admit, I’m rather pleased with the way they turned out – though my fingers were getting a little tired – thankfully I have really good, sharp scissors!  The birds are colored with Copics and Bic Mark-Its; the hearts have a generous coating of red stickles on them, and the the stitching was drawn in with a Blue Spica pen. The sheer organdy ribbon is from my stash. The heart paper is one I created and the card base is from my stash. This was one of my DH’s favorites. This little guy was colored with Bic Mark-Its with a touch of Spica Yellow glitter pen added to his wing and Cool Grey 1 Copic for shadow. Since Lindsay is sponsoring this week’s challenge over at Tuesday Morning Sketches, I used Melissa’s fabulous sketch to guide my layout. I used Bazzill CS and an EK Success Punch to create the image mat.  The card mat is one of my creations; the base is Bazzill textured CS.  The flowers are from Prima (checkout my friend Suzanne’s store – Crafting Connection, for awesome deals on Prima) and the pearls are from Michaels. This was DH’s other favorite!

Yes, once again, I HAD to use the fabulous cupcakes in the Love Grows Here set.  I colored the cupcakes with Copics, Mark-Its, and Spica pens – I used a white gel pen for accent.  The small cupcake sprinkles are coated with Red Stickles while the large sprinkles are Dew Drops from Crafting Connection.  I added ribbon from my stash to the card mat (another of my papers).  The card base is SU.Last but not least, I used the doily heart from Love Grows Here.  I colored the heart with Copics and punched the holes in the lace with my Fiskars hand punch.  The flowers are Prima and the pearls are MS.  Both the card mat and base were created by me.

That’s about it from me, but before you head over to Lindsay’s blog to check our her fab project and goodies – as well as the links to the other DT creations, I have a surprise for you!  I’m giving away the card base and mat SVG cutting files and 4 layered, printable cards – you can get them here.  If you like them, please leave a comment and send your friends to my blog – don’t share the links directly – thanks!

Have a fabulous Thursday!

That’s all again – it’s time for supper!

In case you hadn’t noticed, I really love Lindsay’s cupcake stamps!  The box is glittered CS from DCWV and the DP on the lid is from my stash – a pad of 8×8 The Angel Company paper.  Donna is a big fan of purple, so unlike Jody’s box, I opted to leave the purple square intact rather than using acetate and create a window.  I used another piece of DP from the same pad to create the liner/cupcake holder inside the box. The cupcakes were printed using Photoshop and my HP printer on Georgia Pacific CS at 70% size.  I colored them with Copics and then cut them out.  After adhering to my box lid, I added Smooch to the sprinkles and stickles to the candy heart toppings. That’s the entire ensemble. The card is from last week’s post.  Be sure to visit Lindsay’s blog as she’s always got a fabulous treat and the links to the other DT posts – and while you’re hopping, leave the rest of the ladies some love! Hey work hard to create stunning and inspirational projects.

That’s all from me – have a fabulous Thursday!

Using SCAL, I resized Fancy Border #1 to be 3.5×5 (keeping proportions) and cut it out of SU Naturals Ivory. I used Photoshop to generate the sentiment (1st verse of the Hymn) and to rotate and print the butterfly from Winged Things.  Then the fun began as I was determined to try something new and use some of my fabulous supplies!  Using a Ranger Alcohol Ink Applicator with a felt pad, I distressed the frame with Tea Stain and Vintage Photo inks.  Then, because I wanted some shine without being overwhelming, I spritzed the distressed frame with Gold Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist. While my frame was drying, I trimmed the butterfly and then drug it through my Brilliance Pearlescent Purple ink pad to add color and shimmer at the same time. My card base is SU Certainly Celery embossed with my Big Shot and an SU Texture Plate then spritzed with Garden Fairy Glimmer Mist. While I waited for the base to dry, I trimmed the sentiment (printed on Apricot Appeal CS) and attached my frame. I didn’t have any roses, but I really loved the color of the Prima flowers (checkout my friend Suzanne’s store – Crafting Connection), so I centered them over the frame and sentiment and then layered the butterfly over them and the corner of the frame.  Then I used Aqua glue and microbeads to added a bit more texture to the corners cutouts in the frame.  Once the card base was dry, I adhered everything together. I hope you like it as much as I do!

That’s all from me – it’s Monday, so that means errands and grocery shopping! I have several stops to make, so I’d better get started!

Have a great week!

And, as an added bonus, all of her designs and cutting files at My Grafico are 25% off through Friday – woohoo! What better time to add to your digi-stamp and/or cutting file collections?!?!

For my project this week, I opted to use the yummy (and 0-calorie) cupcake in Lindsay’s Love Grows Here stamp set: I have a couple of birthday cards to make and I thought the cupcake would be perfect for one of them! Last week, in Lindsay’s What Is Digi-Stamping Yahoo group a “challenge” to use scraps was issued (Thanks Cheryl). So, my card base and the white scallop layer are from my scrap bin.  The DP is DCWV The Sweet Stack and the ribbon is from my stash.  I used an EK Success Diamond Lace border punch on all three layers. Then, I adhered a 4.25×5.5 piece of transparency film to my card front to give me an area to stamp my sentiment and because I had never tried adding “clear” paper to my cards – I rather liked the results! I colored the cupcake with Copics, Spica, and Sakura markers and pens.  After trimming and adhering to my card with pop-up glue dots, I used red stickles on the heart sprinkles and Moonlight Smooch (love the Stampin Studio) to add the accent on the cherry.  The Birthday sentiment is SU stamped in Cotton White Opaque Staz-On onto my transparency sheet. I really like the effect!

That’s all from me – today is our first day with gymnastics after 9 months of swimming lessons – which means a change in our schedule and routine – though I’m sure Nadya will be perfectly happy.

Be sure to check Lindsay’s blog for a treat and the links to the rest of the DT projects! Have a fabulous day!

And available at Cocoa’s Studio store at My Grafico!  I had the privilege of working with this new SVG cutting set – a let me tell you – it was EASY! The files cut beautifully (thanks again Mom for loaning me your baby bug).  Cocoa has included JPG printables and cutting templates for those that don’t have a Cricut or SCAL/Make The Cut.  The printables are full color and adorable – perfect for other cutting systems (think print and cut with your KNK, Wishblade, Gazelle, Silhouette, etc). The JPG templates offer further customization – bring them into your favorite editing software and use them with digital papers to create one of kind items!  FABULOUS!!!  Ok, so you want to see what I did – here ya go: This card was a breeze to assemble! First I cut the adorable bear set from Confetti Vanilla CS using the SVG cutting files in SCAL and my Mom’s baby Bug. I wanted to add some texture, so I coated the bear in Versamark and then applied Heat N Stick Powder.  I melted the powder with my heat gun and applied brown flock (I should have heated the powder a bit longer so that more of the flock adhered) and then reheated to set it.  I used Taffy and Moonlight Smooch (check out Bunny’s Stamping Studio – love the goods and she’ll try to order anything you need – just ask) on the mouth, ears, nose and heart cutouts and then glued them on to my bear body. I colored the eyes and added the smile with my Spica and Sakura glitter pens.  I used my SU Regal Rose marker to color the balloon, then coated it in Versamark and Heat N Stick Powder.  This time I wanted bling instead of fuzz, so I used Doodlebug Design’s Sugar Coating Bubblegum Glitter over the Heat N Stick powder.  I painted the balloon highlight with Moonlight Smooch and glued it in place.  I was going to cut off the “string” that came with the balloon but found I liked the swirl shape, so I wrapped it in white embroidery floss from my stash and viola – a string that has the paper shape but a more realistic appearance! Hooray! Before Christmas I has snagged a couple of packages of DCWV glitter cards from the Hobby Lobby clearance rack, so I used one of those cards with the largest of the Labels 8 nesties to create my shaped card base(which means I can enter TSG’s challenge – woohoo).  For the mat, I found this fabulous swirled and embossed paper in my DCWV The Sweet Stack mat stack, so I used the 2nd largest of the Label 8 nesties to cut the mat – you could do the same thing in Cricut using SCAL if you’d rather or if you don’t have the Labels nesties, etc. I used ultra thin glue dots to adhere the mat and base as my mono adhesive doesn’t always handle glitter well. For the bear and balloon I used Dimensional Dots and Ultra Thin glue Dots.  The mini pearls are from my stash. I think the card is adorable – perfect for Valentine’s Day, or in my case, a little girl’s birthday! 

I’d better run – it’s grocery shopping and errand day. So we’ll be heading to  my “favorite” place – WalMart. Have a good one!

For this week, Lindsay challenged us to recycle – aka repurpose an item or two on our creations – and you can enter too! Today is the last day to enter your “repurposed” project for a chance to win a free stamp set – check Lindsay’s blog for all of the details, links to the other fabulous DT projects, and possibly a FREEBIE! Then head to Lindsay’s store to snag this super cute set and check out her new SVG files – yup Lindsay is now selling cutting files!  And, just for hanging out with me today – I have a goodie for you too – my VERY FIRST cutting files – they’re in SCUT format as I haven’t mastered all the conversions yet – but hey we all to start somewhere.  I’m sharing the scallop heart mats I created to go with my cards and Bunny’s class!

That’s all from me – today  is the last day of swimming lessons – next week we start tumbling again. Plus I REALLY need to join the ranks and tidy my craft space and find homes for all of the new Christmas goodies. Have a fabulous day!