Birch Tree Backgrounds - Simon Says Stamp DieCember Release

Hello! It's time to kick off the fun month of DieCember at Simon Says Stamp - a month devoted to celebrating die cutting. It is kicking off with a fun big DieCember Release. And.. the irony isn't lost on me that the first two cards I'm sharing tonight have NO die cutting on them! They do, however, use some of the BRAND NEW release, so there is that!

This first card I owe credit to my artistic daughter for the doodling added on the birch trees!

I'm sharing two cards today using the fun Birch Tree cling background stamp. This card is actually the second card I created, once I figured out how it worked - haha! I mixed up the part that stamped, thinking it was the trees that stamped, not the background. On this one, I clearly figured it out.

I lined the stamp up in my MISTI, then stamped it multiple times. I started by inking it up with Seafoam Pawsitively Saturated inks, then moved on to the next darkest color - Surf. I finished off with Ocean at the top. I just kept adding ink and stamping to get a bit of a gradiated image.

At that point, the birch trees looked a bit boring to me, so I used a fine line Sharpie to outline the trees. It still felt like it needed a little something - but my artistic skills are sorely lacking! So my daughter did the honors - and I think she did fabulous! I actually think I could look at this and re-create it with hers as a guide.

Of course we needed a snowy background - so I added some white splatters to mimic snow, and set that aside to dry.

While that dried, I worked on a sentiment. I used Joy to You and Yours - the stamp set from the December Card Kit. I stamped it with black Versafine ink, then heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. This is my favorite way to get a black heat embossed image - so much easier than messing with black embossing powder! And it gives great shine!

I fussy cut that image out, then mounted it on my background with foam adhesive for a touch of simple dimension!

And...second card, which is actually the first one I made. My plan was to create a striking sunset sky, then stamp the trees over the front in black to create a silhouette. Once I stamped it - I quickly realized my mistake. I almost tossed it - but, I spent a long time creating the background, and couldn't bring myself to waste it! So I decided it could be a night sky, with red Christmas lights reflecting on crisp white and snowy birch trees. Right?!?

For this one, I used Distress ink in Tattered Rose, Abandoned Coral, Lumberjack Red, and Aged Mahogany.

I stamped over with Versafine black ink, then heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. Lots of the clear powder actually stuck to the distress ink, which gave some added texture on there for fun!

I added some white splatters for snow on this one, and then left it to dry overnight, since some of the splatters were over the shiny heat embossing, and I wanted to make sure they were nice and dry and wouldn't rub off before they were dry.

Sentiment was created with the same stamp set, and heat embossed the same way. I also fussy cut it out, and mounted with foam adhesive on the panel.

Hard to capture the texture and shine on this card - but here is a little closer look:

Product links are all below - including affiliate links where possible, which simply means if you use one of the links below that I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful day!!!

Happy Birthday with all the Candles - Simon Says Stamp

Good morning! I've shared a few cards over the past few weeks that I created while visiting my friend Lea in Minnesota.  We went to a crafty retreat while I was there, and while I brought just a few things with me, I was mostly packing from her supplies to bring for the weekend. I decided to raid some of her Simon Says Stamp sets to play with. I loved this cute Birthday Borders set, and it was perfect for bulk creating a few cards!

I feel like birthday cards are something I NEVER have enough of!

Once I lined each part of the candle image up, I stamped it multiple times. I used the same color for the candle flames, and then just switched out the colors for the wax part of the candles.

I switched out each sentiment, stamping it in black under the candles. This one I also added a couple hearts from the set for fun!

I packed these all up to bring home, and when I got home from my trip, I die cut each panel out with a Stitched Rectangle, and mounted them on coordinating cardbases.

I finished off by adding Nuvo Blizzard Glitter Drops on the candle flames for a bit of sparkle, and let that dry. I resisted the urge to add any other embellishments, keeping this nice and flat, and easy to mail!

Product links are all below - including affiliate links where possible, which simply means if you use one of the links below that I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful day!!!

Blue Floral Thank You - Pinkfresh Studio Instagram Release Hop

Hello! Today I am part of a fun Instagram hop to celebrate the new Pinkfresh Studio release. There are giveaways up for grabs, so hop on over to check that out if you haven't yet! I have had so much fun creating with this release - yesterday was the blog hop, and I shared several cards for that! Today I'm sharing a card I created on last week's YouTube Live with Lea Lawson as a sneak peek. We used the same products in different ways to create two completely different cards. It was so fun! You can watch that video HERE if you want to see more details!

I also have added the video here if you want to watch here:

I started off by stamping my florals in a soft gray ink, then adding color with the layering stencils. I pretty much followed along with the colors of the sample on the packaging. I love how those are always great suggestions, and a good reference for color ideas. Since I left the stamp set lined up in my MISTI, it was easy to come back over the top and restamp in Detail Black over my stenciled images with perfect alignment!

I also stamped and heat embossed the florals in white on vellum to add some extra texture and fun. I love how ethereal they are that way!

I die cut the previously released Diagonal Stripes with a Window die from white cardstock, and mounted it on a soft blue cardbase to create a focal point for my card. Because I'm crazy, I used foam adhesive strips to pop it up with foam tape. Adding them live. Yes - I did say it was crazy! Haha!

Once that was adhered, I arranged the florals, tucking the vellum ones underneath, and adhering the stenciled ones over the top. I used liquid glue to adhere them all, and fluffed up the edges of the stenciled versions.

For the sentiment, I stamped the "thank you" from the stamp set in Coral Reef ink, and die cut it with the coordinating die, mounting it with foam in the center of the window. I added the secondary sentiment from the set, stamped in Detail Black, then trimmed into a small strip to mount underneath.

Finally, for a touch of sparkle, I added trios of coordinating bling from the Essentials: Crystals Mix. The soft tones were perfect! Later after photographing, I did trim off the extra floral pieces that extended over the edges of the card, so it would fit better in an envelope. I didn't think I would like it as well, but it was still quite lovely! I don't have a photo so you will just have to trust me on that! :)

Product links are all below - including affiliate links where possible, which simply means if you use one of the links below that I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful day!!!

Pinkfresh Studio November 2022 Stamp, Die, Stencil, and Hot Foil Release

 Good morning! Today is the blog hop to celebrate Pinkfresh Studio's November 2022 Stamp, Die, Stencil, and Hot Foil Release! You aren't going to want to miss a stop along the way - TONS of inspiration and prizes up for grabs! YAY! You can find links to all of the new release items I used on today's cards at the bottom of this post!

As usual, I have a few cards to share with you today!

First up I have this card that features several sets from this new release!

I started off by hot foiling the new Geo Leaf hot foil plate in satin hot foil, and then I ink blended the layers using the colors on the packaging mock up. I used Ballet Slipper, Coral Reef, Apricot, and Ocean Breeze.

I die cut that panel, and popped it up with thin foam tape on a light peach cardbase for a touch of warm contrast.

Next, I heat embossed the pretty floral from With Sympathy in white on vellum, and die cut it with the coordinating die.

I hot foiled the word "mother's" from Phrase Builder Happy, then carefully fussy cut off the apostrophe and the "s" to make the word just say "mother". Isn't that a fun way to stretch your supplies?!?

I stamped secondary sentiments from You're the Best in detail black to create my own custom sentiment. I used tiny bits of liquid glue to adhere the vellum florals, and then added the sentiments with foam adhesive.

Finally, I added a few Champagne Glitter Drops to finish these off!

Next up, you may recognize this same floral, but with a different look for this card!

This time I hot foiled the flower cluster using the With Sympathy hot foil plate, then colored it in with the coordinating layering stencils. I used a soft color combo of Coral Reef, Passion Fruit, Slumber, Sweet Mustard, Fresh Pear, and Olive.

For the background, I added some texture by using the new Modern Design Blocks hot foil plate to add some texture, then used the leftover ink on my blue blending brush to add a touch of color to the upper portion.

I die cut an Ornate Oval frame, and popped it up with foam on my background.

Then, I tucked that floral in the center, and popped it up with foam adhesive.

I love all the sentiments in this set - not only are they wonderful for sympathy cards, but I love that the coordinating die set has a die for each of those sentiments. Makes them so much more useful!

And check out the foiling on the flowers - so hard to capture in photos, but isn't it pretty?!?

I also love all the dimension and texture on this card, but without it being too busy either.

Finally, I mounted on a coordinating blue cardbase, and added a few of those Champagne Glitter Drops to finish off!

And next up, a card using one of the release supplies in a bit of a different way!

For the background, I used the same Overlapping Geo Leaf die from the first card, but this time without the coordinating hot foil plate or stencils. And before I die cut it, I die cut the the Hexagon Tiles coverplate from the panel of cardstock. So I ended up with a fun geometric background with some fun background texture!

Next up, I wanted to use the florals from You're the Best in a nice soft delicate way, so I heat embossed them in white on white cardstock, and added color with the layering stencils. I used Ballet Slipper, Coral Reef, Apricot, Ocean Breeze, and Aquamarine.

I die cut those with the coordinating dies, then got ready to arrange them on my card.

In the spirit of not wasting things, I also used the leftover oval from the inside of the Ornate Oval die on the previous card. This gave me a great place to tuck the florals around and give a focal point for the sentiment.

I mounted the background with foam tape, and then adhered the oval down directly over the top of it. Florals I adhered with liquid glue, curling up the edges for dimension.

I used one of the great sentiments from With Sympathy stamp set, stamped in Detail Black and die cut with it's coordinating die. And of course mounted with tiny bits of foam adhesive.

And of course, we know there had to be a few Glitter Drops added as well, right? Champagne again for the win!

I think it is hard to fully capture in the photos, but these florals are so pretty and ethereal!

And of course, could this sentiment be any more perfect for a sympathy card? All the feels...

Now moving on from all the girly cards and pink, I also love how some of the products in this release are perfect for more masculine designs!

For this one, I featured the new Quadrant Backdrop set. I foiled it in an unusual for me color - Viridian Green - and then set about stenciling in with the layering stencils in a fun masculine color combo. I used Sweet Mustard, Peach Fuzz, Aquamarine, and Persimmon.

Once that was done, I die cut it with the coordinating die, which allows the details to shine through and give great dimension when popped up on your cardbase!

The sentiment was created with the Phrase Builders: Happy hot foil set. I foiled the 3 large words using soft blue foil, then foiled the reverse using the Solid Hot Foil plate. I actually ended up using the reverse foiled ones on this design!

It felt like it needed something to complete it, so I grabbed the sentiment from You're the Best, and heat embossed it in white on a tiny coordinating aqua heart die cut using Shaker Hearts die.

I popped the sentiment all up with foam adhesive, nestling the little heart with the secondary sentiment in between the last two sentiments. Doesn't it fit perfectly?

Finally, I grabbed some coordinating glitter drops in Jade, Aqua, and Butterscotch, and sprinkled those around my design. I tried to plan strategically based on the color I was placing them on, to keep the contrast just right. For example, no aqua on the aqua sections, etc...

What do you think? Isn't this a fun design for Father's Day? And it's never too early to get started, right?

Whew! If you made it all the way through those cards - congratulations! If you just skimmed the photos quickly, I don't blame you. I just add all the details and info for those that want it, and it's always there as a reference. :)

GIVEAWAY INFO:

Make sure and leave a comment before you leave for a chance to win one of 10 $25 gift certificate to Pinkfresh Studio chosen from comments left across the hop! All winners will be chosen and posted on the Pinkfresh Blog on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 - so make sure and check back to see if you were a winner! Winners must check that page and claim their prize within 2 weeks.

Here is the entire blog hop line-up so you don't miss a single stop - and product links are below - including affiliate links where possible, which simply means if you use one of the links below that I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful day!!!

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