Birch Press Design August Post #2

 Hello, hello!  Popping in to let you know that I have a post up on the Birch Press Design blog today.  Here is a little peek of what I created:

Hope you will head over to the blog to check out the full project.  Does it remind you of anything?

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.

majestic heron...

 Hello!  Popping in to share a card that I made for the Paper Players challenge to make a clean and simple card with a critter.  I will also be posting this to the Memory Box August challenge since I did use a Memory Box die on the card.  The other dies are from Birch Press Design.  Let's have a look.

The most recent Birch Press Design release is beyond amazing.  I have been having a ball creating cards with the dies.   Most of the dies are aquatic in nature, but there are several different bird die set.  Two featuring cranes and one featuring a majestic heron.  We have herons here in the Puget Sound region and it is always fun seeing them slowly moving through the shoreline looking for little fish swimming in the shallows.  That was what I was going for when I created my card.   For my heron I used direct to paper inking to get the colors I wanted.  Once I was happy with the colors die cut the pieces, let them dry and then assembled my heron.  For his "shoreline" I die cut white cardstock using a Memory Box Curved Cap Pinpoint layer die and then inked the bottom with Broken China and Tumbled Glass distress oxide inks and the top with what Broken China ink was left on my brush.   The little shore waves were created by using the Sea Kelp die.  I then inked up the pieces with the residual ink on the brush used for the Tumbled Glass.  The little fish are also from the Sea Kelp die set.  I inked them up with residual oxide ink from my green brush.   Everything was adhered to my background piece and I finished with a sentiment from a Simon Says Stamp stamp set.  

That's it for me.  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Birch Press Design Post

 Hello, hello!  Can't believe that August is almost half over!  Time sure is flying by.  I'm stopping in to let you know that I have a post up on the Birch Press Design blog today.  Here is a little peek of what I created.

I hope you will head over to the blog to check out what I made.  Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day!

by the water...

 Hello, hello!  Popping in with two cards for two challenges and both feature water, sort of, lol!   First up is my card for the Paper Players.   Their challenge is "by the water", thus the title of my blog post.  Here is what I made.

Last week I was able to make a day trip to the Washington coast with my boys and when I saw the challenge at the Paper Players, it had me thinking about my trip and seashells!   A few months ago, I was able to purchase a die set from Waffle Flower that features seashells that fit perfectly inside their postage collage die.   I die cut all the images and then used just three colors of oxide inks to ink up my shells and starfish.  I die cut the postage collage and then inked up each little panel with Salty Ocean and Antique Linen oxide inks and the coordinating stencil to create a sandy beach with water in the background.   The sentiment is also from Waffle Flower and that was stamped in one of the postage openings.   The small "sending" is from a Simon Says Stamp set.  I stamped it and die cut it with small strip die.  Everything was arranged on the panel and then it was added to a kraft cardstock base.  

My next card is for Color Throwdown and uses a die set from the most recent Birch Press Design release.  This one is called Koi Duo.   Here is what I created. 

One of my favorite places is Kubota Garden in the Seattle neighborhood of Rainier Beach.  My mother-in-law was friends with the granddaughters of the creator of the garden, Fujitaro Kubota.  It is so serene and peaceful there.  There are several ponds and all of them have koi swimming around.  It is kind of relaxing watching them moving slowly through the water.  So, that is what I was thinking when I created this card using the CTD colors.   The water element is represented by the grouping of black hexagons.  I used another Birch Press Design die called Honeycomb Cutout.  I used glossy black cardstock to give the hexagons the look of wet tiles.   I wasn't sure how the koi would turn out done in hot pink, peach and green, but I think I was able to create a harmonious look.    Let me know what you think.   Arranged everything on a white panel and finished with the small sentiment from a Simon Says Stamp set. 

Well, that's it for me.  Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day.

Birch Press Design Blog Post

 Hello!  Wow... July is just whizzing by!  My second Birch Press Design post is up on the BPD blog today.  Here is a little peek.

Hope you will check out the post.  Thanks to for stopping by and have a great day!

three cards...

 Hello!  Popping in with three cards today.  And each card is for one challenge each!   First up is a card that I made for the current Color Hues challenge.  Let's have a look at what I made.

This card was made using the Altenew Craft Your Life Watercolor Flowers stamps and stencils along with sentiments from the Simon Says Stamp Sweet Birthday stamp set.  A few weeks ago I think I mentioned that I had been looking through my Altenew products and came across the Watercolor Flowers stamps and dies.  I had thought I had also purchased the coordinating stencils and embossing folder, but couldn't find them.  Well, I found the stencils and the embossing folder a few days ago.  YAY!   What was lost has been found, lol!  I used Altenew inks to stencil the flowers and leaves after I stamped the image.  I was going to die cut the image, but decided to just leave it as is and just die cut the panel.  I adhered the panel to a white cardstock base, stamped the two word sentiment and die cut them.  I did die cut additional layers for the words.  I adhered them together and then added the words to the card front.   A simple, but elegant card, I think.

Next up is a card for the current Just Us Girls challenge.   This week it is mood board week and it is a pretty one.  This is what I made.

 

When I saw the mood board I immediately thought of a Simon Says Stamp set that I got in a card kit called Cozy Autumn Hugs.  It had leaves in it that are similar in style to some of the images in the mood board.   I used to it create my own version of the mood board.  I tried to use what I thought were some of the colors found in the mood board, as well.  Not sure if I totally hit the mark with the colors, but I love how the card turned out.  I arranged all the leaves and berry stems around the sentiments that are also from the stamp set.  I adhered all the leaves flush to the card base.  The sentiments were stamped and die cut and then I die cut additional layers of each word to adhere behind the words so there was a bit of dimension.   Did I hit the mark?  Let me know what you think.

The final card is for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge of cute critters.  Are whales cute?  I think the ones on my card are, lol!

I created this card using more new dies from the latest Birch Press Design release.  The fun whales are from the Block Print Whale Duo set.  The waves are another new die set called Corner Waves.  I also used the Wavy Hillside die set and a sentiment from the Vintage Everyday Greetings stamp and die set.  I die cut the whales and then added some ink to give them a little more depth and dimension.  I had wanted both whales to be a little more tucked behind the waves, but I wasn't paying attention when I added foam tape to the bottom two waves resulting in me not being able to tuck the whales down behind the waves.  I added the hillside in the background and then did some inking on the remainder of the white panel for the sky.    I added the sentiment to finish things off.  I think this will be a good card to send to my brother for his birthday.  

Well, that's it for me.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

July Birch Press Design Post

 Hello!  Popping in to let you know that I have a post up on the Birch Press Design blog today.  Here is a little peek of what I made.

That's it for me.  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Ocean Wonders...

 Hello, hello!  I'm popping in to share two cards that I made using the FABULOUS new Birch Press Design release!   This release is huge and while I do two monthly posts on the Birch Press Design blog (one coming on Wednesday July 9th) I will be sharing lots more here on my blog.  Let's take a look at what I made.

This first card using the new Block Print Deep Sea Fish set of dies.  Isn't that a cool fish?  Honestly, the whole release just makes me think of Finding Nemo!  I have so many ideas, lol!  I used the colors from Color Throwdown for my little scene.  I inked up sections of white cardstock with distress oxide inks in carved pumpkin, seedless preserves and frayed burlap.  I let them dry a bit and then die cut all my pieces.  Using the ink left on the blending brushes I added different colors to each of the pieces.  I love how the fish turned out.  The layout is from Sunday Stamps.  I will admit that I took a bit of license with the sketch.  I thought the top and bottom fins added those two additional elements on the sketch.  The kelp was die cut from a scrap of white cardstock and then inked up with the seedless preserves and carved pumpkin.  I added everything to a white cardstock base and then remembered I needed a sentiment.  Thankfully it stamped correctly, lol!  I used one from the Birch Press Design stamp set called Classic Sentimental Wreath.   Three clear sequins in three sizes were the finishing touch.

On to my second card.  This one is for the Paper Players to use circles.  Let's have a look.

I absolutely love the new Block Print Floating Jellyfish!  This card came about because I just wanted to figure out how the jelly comes together.  I die cut it from a dark blue cardstock and then worked out the layering.  I put the piece aside and worked on the first card.  After I finished the first card I really started looking at the blue jelly and realized I could make a card with it.  I added some ink to parts of the jelly.  The bottom legs of the fish were inked up with seedless preserves.  The middle layer was kind of left alone and then I really darkened up the top layer.  I die cut a circle from light blue and then added some ink to the circle as well.  The kelp was die cut from a bright green cardstock and then inked up with green and teal inks.  I used oxide inks and basically used what ink remained on the blender brushes to add the color.   The sentiment is one I hot foiled months ago using the Birch Press Sugar Scripts Sentiments 2 set.  I layered the kelp on the circle and then added the jelly.

In this close up you can see some of the ink blending a little better.  I added the circle to a white cardstock base.  Adhered the sentiment and then added all the little sequin "bubbles".  The sequins are a silvery blue.   I decided to add the panel to a bright green cardstock base and love how it makes the jelly really pop.   

Well, that's it for me.  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

June Birch Press Design Post #2

Hello, hello!  I'm popping in to let you know that I have a post up on the Birch Press Design blog today.  Here is a little peek of what I'm sharing.

Hope you will head over to the blog to see what I created.  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

June Birch Press Design Post #1

 Hey friends!  Buzzing in to let you know that I have a post up on the Birch Press Design blog.  Here is a little peek of what I made.

Hope you will buzz by the blog and check out what I made.  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Birch Press Design Blog Post #2

 Hello everyone!  I have a post up on the Birch Press Design blog today and here is a little peek at what I made:

I hope you will head over to the blog to check out my project. Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day!

Birch Press Design Post

 Hello!  I'm popping in to let you know that I have a post up on the Birch Press Design blog today.  Here is a little peek of what I created.

Hope you will head over to the blog for a look.  Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day!

Birch Press Design Blog Post

 Hello, hello!  I'm popping in to let you know that I have post up on the Birch Press Design blog today.  Here is a little peek of what I created. 

I hope you will head over to the blog to check out what I made.  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

just because...

 Hello, hello!  I'm popping in with a card for Freshly Made Sketches and Color Hues.  Let's have a look at what I made.

Do you ever come up with your idea for a card and then can't find one of the items you need to complete said idea?  Happens to me all the time, lol!  Such was the case with this card.  I couldn't find my set of MFT fishtail flag banner dies.  In the process of looking for them and for another product I came across the Simon Says Stamp Happy Hello suite of products.  The Happy Hello die set had the other die I needed for another project, but as I was looking at everything I realized that the funky flowers in the Happy Hello stamp set would be perfect to use for my card!  I stamped the stems in MFT Tropical Teal and the flowers in PFS Clementine and then die cut them with the matching die.  I used a smaller fishtail flag banner die for the banner element and layered on the flowers.    I wrapped some bright orange twine around the top and tied a bow.  The sentiment is also from Happy Hello.  I stamped it in the Tropical Teal and then die cut it with a label die.  I had this light gray cardstock panel that I had used to figure out how many shims I needed to emboss a die into cardstock.  Because it is a technique I don't do that often I forget what my embossing "sandwich" needs to be. I used a Birch Press Design layering die for the embossing.  The embossing is subtle, but I think adds a nice touch.  Anyway, adhered the panel to a white cardstock base, added the banner with thin foam squares and then the sentiment.   Simple, but I love those boldly colored funky flowers!

That's it for me!  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.

Birch Press Design

 Hey friends!  I have a post up on the Birch Press Design blog today.  Here is a little peek at what I created.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day. 

Having Fun With 49 and Market...

 Hey friends!  I'm popping in with two projects that I made with some newly purchased products from 49 and Market.  I will be posting one project to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge (birthday) and the other project will be heading over to the Paper Players (travel) and Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge (tag it).   So, let's get to it!

My first project is a birthday card that I made using laser cuts from the 49 and Market Starlight Dreams collection.  When I purchased the Starlight Dreams laser cuts I didn't think I would need the patterned paper pack, but now I have decided that I do need it, lol!  I'm not really into celestial motifs, but I couldn't resist the gorgeous designs in the laser cut pack.   For this card I used a set of angel wings, a floral piece, some feathers and butterflies.  For the background I used a light blue cardstock that I embossed with a layering die from Birch Press Design.  The sentiment was hot foiled and is also from Birch Press Design.    Pretty quick to put together once I figured out what pieces I wanted to use and the arrangement. 

This next project is a tag that I created for the Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge and the Paper Players using another new line from 49 and Market called Wanderlust Explorer.  What sold me on this collection was the ability to make masculine projects like birthday cards.    I used a few Tim Holtz Idea-ology products with this tag.  Namely, a #8 thick board tag, a thick board scalloped trim, a window frame base board and crackle paste.  I trimmed out some of the patterned paper to fit the tag and adhered it with collage medium.   I covered the scalloped trim and part of the window frame with crackle paste and let it dry.  Once dry I applied paint in a soft teal and orange wiping some of the paint off.  I trimmed down the scalloped piece and then applied collage medium to the trim and window to seal them.  Ground Espresso distress crayon was added to all the pieces I picked out, as well as the tag and then I got to layering everything.   I used glue and thin foam squares to add my pieces.  I finished with the little sentiment that is also from Tim Holtz.   I love how it turned out.  I was, again, inspired by the super talented Emma Williams who is a member of the Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge design team.  

Well, that is it for me!  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.

Birch Press Design Post

 Hello!  Popping in to let you know that I have a post up on the BPD blog today.  Here is a little peek of what I created.

Hope you will head over to the blog.  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.

Posting on the BPD blog

 Hello!  I have a post up on the Birch Press Design blog today.  Here is a little peek of my card.

Hope you will head over to the blog to see what I made.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

Birch Press Design Post

 Hey everyone!  I'm popping in to let you know that I have a post up on the Birch Press Design blog.  

I hope you will head over to the Birch Press Design blog to see the full card.  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

The BPD Blog is Back!

 Hello!  The Birch Press Design blog is back!  I have a post on the blog today and here is a little peek:

I hope you will head over there to take a look at the full card.  Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!