Take care

 Take care

I'm getting back into the swing of doing Jen Rzasa #altenewchallengelive Tuesday Altenew challenge.  This time the challenge is Frame It. 

supplies used:  Unity stamp co. Floral Tapestry, Waffle Flower co. Take care die set

I decided to do my own take on this Frame It theme. The saying is framed with the black die of the take care words. I believe you can also call this a take on the eclipse technique.  Hopefully Jen will see what I was trying to show with my take on the Frame It theme.

Thanks for stopping by.  Come back soon.

  

Hello 2026!

 Hello 2026!

Happy New Year everyone!

I took a break from doing my blog, but I'm back!

supplies used:  Altenew Camellia Build a flower, Color pop Hello die

Today I'm getting back in the swing of doing my blog posts, by doing Altenew Tuesday  #Altenewchallengelive with Jen Rzasa.  This week the challenge is Hello 2026, which just means you need to use Hello somewhere on your project.  My first project is a tag ... and if you follow me here on my blog you know I do like to make tags.

I am also an avid cardmaker!  Most of my cards are A2 size, which is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (folded).  The background on both my tag, and card are done with Altenew Camellia build a flower.  It's actually a stamp layering flower set, but I just used one of the images, and repeated it on the cream cardstock panel.  Next I die cut the color pop Hello die, which doesn't cut out the word completely.  I put black cardstock behind the cut out Hello to make it stand out more.  Added leaves I already had die cut (I keep a bunch of die cuts in a container for when I need something extra on my project) out with foam mounting tape.  I have used lots of mounting tapes over the years but for the past few years my favorite one is by Altenew.  For the sparkle on the leaves I used stickles glitter glue.  

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Tic tac toe

 Tic tac toe

It's December, and time for the creative card crew group I belong to; to have our monthly meeting.  

stamps/die/stencils used:  Altenew stencil art: nature splashes, Stampin' Up saying

We had to choose a line from a tic tac toe board this time.  I chose on of the diagonal lines:  die cut/punch - matching envelope - sponging. If you take a look I sponged colors using Altenew Stencil Art: Nature Splashes set, which has layering stencils, and I used the leaf dies in the same set for the die cuts.  Look to the left of the picture to see the envelope, which I stenciled plus used one of the die cut leaves.  This was a different theme for us, but it was fun to do.

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Wreath cards

 Wreath cards

I was at Interlaken Inn, Lakeville, CT for Making Memories at Lakeside crop on Friday Nov. 7 - 9, 2025.  I was there with a few friends to have a nice weekend away. 

I made a bunch of cards using dies from Altenew stamp co.  and Sizzix. Basically I penciled a half circle, then adhered leaf dies to it.  These are only a few of them that I created at the crop.  Interlaken Inn is out of the way ... in a lovely setting.

I also made some Christamas cards that I will show at a future time.

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Booooooooo

 Booooooooo

These Halloween cards are a little different for me ... I say that because of the color scheme.

dies used:  TH Sizzix Fright Night and Gothic Protraits

I had the backgrounds done and laying out on my table, along with a bunch of dies I had die cut ... so ... why not use them together.  And that is how these cards came about.  Also when I stenciled these backgrounds ... guess what ... you guessed it ... those color ink pads were out on my table, so there you have it.  You could say I was being creative or just lazy.  what do you think creative? or lazy?  Either way I like them with all their quirks of color and theme.

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Die cut Inlay

 Die cut Inlay

I decided to do another challenge by Jen Rzasa from Altenew that she does on Tuesday. 

stamps/supplies used:  Altenew Painted Butterflies & Bold sentiments

Jen used one of the cover dies but I don't have any cover dies from any company.  Needless to say I had to find another way to do an inlay technique.  I went to an old faithful creator, Jennifer McGuire.  She did this technique where you glue strips of cardstock to a layer. 

Next you die cut out an image then layer a smaller image inside the cut out image.  Sometimes it works out (if you don't mess up) that you can get two for one.

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Altenew Challenge - Bingo

 Altenew Challenge - Bingo

This week for the Altenew challenge with Jen; we are playing Bingo.  I picked the bingo line:  enamel dots - metallic - stencil - ink blending.  With these challenges there are a lot of creative license, another words I am using sparkle gems instead of enamel dots.  

supplies used:  Altenew Stencil Art: nature splashes, metallic cardstock, sparkle metallic gems.  birthday die, and stamped happy (unknown company)

Here's a close up of both the cards ... yes, I did two cards mainly because I needed a couple of birthday cards this week.

This one is done with CP inks in blues, and greens ... I ink blended my favorite colors lately that I use. The sparkle gems on this card are silver ... wish they showed up better in this pic.  The die cut leaves are a beautiful shiny blue metallic.

The pinks, and oranges CP inks, that I ink blended are out of my comfort zone.  I'm not much of a bright color stamper.  The sparkle gems on this card are gold ... but again hard to see in pic.

The die cut leaves in this pink/orange card are a lovely shiny prisma metallic.  I had fun with this challenge.  Look forward to seeing what everyone else does.

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New beginnings with Moths

 New beginnings with Moths

This is another technique where you can get four cards from one stamping.  

stamps used:  GinaKdesigns New beginnings stamps/dies by Lisa Hetrick, Unity stamp co. rectangle die set

I call this technique collage stamping.

Instructions:

1.  Stamp various images on 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock.  Just stamp images randomly all over the cardstock.

2.  Cut or die cut 8 1/2" x 11" stamped cardstock into 4 cards.

3.  Layer stamped cards onto black layer, then onto pale orange A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2" folded card) card.

4.  Add thinking of you die cut.

See more on this post from 2009, or on this post.  If you type collage stamping in search bar you will find more.

That's it!

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See through cards

 See through cards

I do enjoy making these see through cards, even though they do take a little patience and time.

stamps used:  all by GinaKdesigns Little Hello layering stencil bundle, Lisa Hetrick Choose Grace, Whimsy & wonder stamp/die set

This is a technique I saw done by Jennifer McGuire years ago, but she is bringing it back ... so I decided to do some of these cards, too.

Basically what you do is die cut a lot of flowers or whatever image you would like to use for this technique.  Cut a card base with a flap on top that is 1/4" to 1/2".  I like to do the Glad Press and Seal technique.  What Jennifer McGuire did new is use one of the self sticky mats to hold the flowers. Either way the cards come out beautifully.  

stamp/die/stencil used:  GinaKdesigns Little Hello layering stencil bundle

You can see videos over at Jennifer's blog or you tube channel.

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Seashells

 Seashells

Weather is warming up so thinking of the seashore.

used:  SU Seashell 3D EF

This is a simple card for me, because only used minimal supplies.  Also got out cream and kraft cardstock.  I hardly ever use cream cardstock.  Thinking of seashore made me think of sand, soooooo why not use cream cardstock.

First I ran cream cardstock through my Big Kick, with 3D embossing folder.  I do like 3D embossing folders ... they just make cardstock pop.  Here's a tip when using a 3D embossing folder ... give the cardstock a quick spritz of water to soften it a little.  Most of the time, if you do this, the 3D EF will not crack the fibers of the cardstock.  Next edged it a little with light brown ink.  If you noticed there are a couple of cut out shells mounted on the embossed card.  For this all you need to do is run a second cardstock through your machine with the 3D EF.  I had a die cut birthday (not sure of the company for birthday die) die out and glued that to embossed card.  Adhere embossed card to A2 kraft card.  Simple card but effective.  Don't you think?

Thanks for stopping by.  Come back again soon.

***not affiliated with above company just happy customer***

Everything coming up carrots

Everything coming up carrots

card #1

stamps/dies used:  SU Thanks a Bunch 

For these cards I used up things I had done already, like shaving cream backgrounds, and die cuts.  Yes, I have a baggie full of die cuts ready to be used on my cards.

Card #1 measurements:

A2 card: 4 1/4" x 11" 

pop up strip: folded to create a box

card #2

Card #2 Double pop up measurements:

A2 card: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"

inside layer: 8 1/4" x 5 1/4"  folded in half. With card folded in half, cut on folded edge to create pop ups.

Card #3 Explosion fold measurements:

A2 card: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"

inside explosion fold: 7" square 

See video in this post or at my you-tube channel.

Card #4 Tag pop up card

See measurements for card #2

Check out this pop up post for more pictures and instructions on how to make pop up cards.

Let me know in the comments if you have made pop up or explosion fold cards.

Thanks for stopping by.  Come back again soon.

***not affiliated with above company just happy customer***

Seashore

 Seashore

Just wanted to do some mixed media on this card.

stamps/embossing folders/dies used:  SU Sea of Textures stamp/die set, SU Seashell 3D EF, Unity sending hugs die

Started by running seashell 3D embossing folder through my Big Kick (any machine would work) with a white card.  Inked the edge a little with some blue ink, just so it would stand out more.  Had strips of pattern paper, so why not add them.  Die cut the net with vellum ... dotted the vellum piece with glue, and added to card.  Next die cut the octopus with gold cardstock, and mounted him with foam mounting tape to card over vellum net.  The die cut sending hugs was layered onto scrap of vellum, then fussy cut.  Adhered this piece to top folded white A2 card.

Thanks for stopping by.  Come back again soon.  Leave me a comment on what you think.  Do you like mixed media or not?

***not affiliated with above companies just a happy customer***

Hello flowers

 Hello flowers

Thought I would use up all the flower die cuts, that I had leftover from other cards.  Just having a play making backgrounds for cards.

stamps/dies/stencils used:  GinaKdesigns Hello stencil kit, Unity stamp co. sending hugs/thinking you dies and rectangle scallop die set

Basically what I did for these cards is glue flower die cuts on 5 1/4" x 4" card.  Randomly all over the card panel, then adhered the panels to card bases. This is an easy and fun background idea.

  

I've been doing this for years.  Sometimes if I'm feeling more ambitious I will do what I call ... collage stamping. 

 You can see collage stamping here from 2009, or here from 2016, in this post with a video.  To see even more just type collage stamping is search box in the side bar.

Thanks for stopping.  Come back soon.

Gel plate printings

 Gel plate prints!

This post is going to have lots of photos.

stamps used:  Hot Potatoes --- die: Unity stamp co. Thinking of you

Gel printing is a fun process but can get very messy.  

Above is a photo of a print being pulled off the gel plate.

The prints showing are either on 80 lb. cardstock, or Rice paper.  Rice paper is very thin, so when I added to a card I needed to back it onto cardstock.

I die cut some of the prints that I created.

I have lots of prints ... so I will be making lots of cards.  Think I might even add a few of these prints into Treasure books I have created just for fun.

Thanks for stopping by.  come back again soon.

Mixed Media w/Friends #19 - #20

 Mixed Media w/Friends #19 and #20

Continuing with our altered jumbo cards.

#19 by sue

I ripped up an old book page for background. Did a little dry brushing with white paint, then mounted snowflake dies and cityscape die. Added pearls, twine and strip saying.

#19 by JAGS

She used distress ink, cut out Graphic 45 paper.  Added circle die with stamped saying.

#20 by sue

Adhered decorative paper for background.  Added fence/chicken die cuts, and saying in circle.

#20 by JAGS 

She used butterfly and bee dies. Grateful is a wooden piece. Gesso and stencil used for background.

Still more of these altered jumbo playing cards to come.

thanks for stopping by and come back soon.

Double easel step fun fold

 Double easel step fun fold card

 

stamps dies used:  Altenew stamp co.

This fun fold card has been around for years ... this one just has an added a full size card to the back instead of just a panel to write or add saying.  

Measurements:

base accordion card:  4 1/4" x 11"  score at 5 1/2" and 2 3/4"

inside card:  4 1/4" x 11" score at 5 1/2"

Accordion fold base card, then add folded card to the back of accordion folded card.  Add pattern papers to panels of accordion card and die cuts to front of card.  Stamp inside card with saying and add pattern paper strip plus dies as desired.  You will be seeing more of this style card soon.

Thanks for stopping by and come back again soon.

***not affiliated with above company just happy customer***

Gel plate backgrounds and more

 

Gel Plate backgrounds

stamps/dies used:  Unity stamp co. sayings, IO balloon/feather dies

I'm trying my hand at gel printing ... I've had this 5" x 7" gel plate for a couple of years, I'm sure and have only used it maybe once.  Thought it was time to get it out and try it again.  This time I did an idea that I saw Jennifer McGuire do, where she used die cuts. Continue to scroll down and you will see photos of prints and some cards/tags I created with them.

Basically what you do is add ink/paint whatever you have onto your gel plate.  Next place die cuts on top of the inked gel plate, in my case I was using distress oxide inks.  Place a piece of copy paper or cardstock over the inked plate with the die cuts, and pull a print.  

It's hard to see in photos but I used balloon die cuts on the green background, spider web stamp on blue background and bubble wrap on mixed colored background.  Each print will be different.

Above photo shows card and tag with a print that had feather die cuts.

Here are cards/tags that used balloon die cuts on the prints.

The prints for the above feathers and balloon cards are what I call the ghost prints.  It is the second print where I removed the die cuts, then placed a card over the gel plate, and did a second print.  I really like the way these prints turned out.  Just a faint design on the cards.

Last photo with some of the prints in back of the cards I created.

This post has a lot of photos (I have more but won't bore you with them. teeheeehee) that I hope you enjoyed seeing.  If you have a gel plate that is sitting around collecting dust ..... dust it off and make some prints.  I'd love to see what you do.

Thanks for stopping by and come back soon.