Paper Smooches

3D Cross for Easter Cards

With Easter only a few weeks away you are probably making beautiful cards for friends and family.  Paper Smooches has a unique die set called 3D Cross that features 2 crosses which once die cut and mounted one on top of the other, create a cross with a dimensional look.  But the set doesn't stop there.  It also includes another cross, feather, butterfly, 3 flowers, greenery and a small heart!  Here's a look at the set:

3D-Cross-die-setLet me share with you the samples I made with this set. For this card I used many of the dies in the set to make the wreath surrounding the cross. 3D-Cross

3D Cross Feathers – Paper Smooches die 3D Cross; design inspired by Laurie Schmidlin

On the next card the 3D cross is set amidst a spray of pale blue and yellow flowers on very pretty decorative paper.Peace-and-happiness3D Cross Peace – Paper Smooches die 3D Cross; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Easter Blessings

I created the wooden cross on this next card by die cutting the crosses and the "blessed" sentiment from paper embossed with a wood grain effect.  Once die cut, I colored the paper using dark brown colored pencil which brought out the wood grain of the paper.  The spray of white flowers and greenery was die cut with other dies in the set.  I mounted the cross on a piece of white cardstock embossed with Taylored Expressions' embossing folder "Weathered."  This background was then die cut with Memory Box's Wrapped Stitched Rectangles.Peace-and-happiness3D Cross Blessed – Paper Smooches dies 3D Cross and Religious Words; Memory Box die Wrapped Stitched Rectangles

I used pretty pastel papers for the crosses on this card and mounted it on an embossed background.
Peace-and-happiness
Yellow Cross – Taylored Expressions stamp sets with matching dies My Redeemer Lives and Fresh Florals; TE embossing folder Redeemer; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Easter Blessings; design inspired by Keia Shipp-Smith

Taylored Expressions Stamp and Dies "My Redeemer Lives"

Here are more samples featuring Taylored Expressions' stamp and matching die sets "My Redeemer Lives."
He-Is-Risen
He Is Risen – Taylored Expressions stamp set My Redeemer Lives; TE dies My Redeemer Lives, Stitched Ovals Stacklets and Stitched Frame Stacklets; TE embossing folder Redeemer; Memory Box die Stitched Circles; design inspired by Kerri Michaud
He-Is-Risen
Yellow Cross – Taylored Expressions stamp sets with matching dies My Redeemer Lives and Fresh Florals; TE embossing folder Redeemer; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Easter Blessings; design inspired by Keia Shipp-SmithHe-Is-Risen

Alleluia – Taylored Expressions stamp set My Redeemer Lives; TE dies My Redeemer Lives; TE embossing folder Redeemer; design inspired by Michele Boyer

He-Is-RisenSympathy Cross – Taylored Expressions stamp set My Redeemer Lives; TE dies My Redeemer Lives, Ornate Frame Bloomers 2, Bloomers Greenery, Stitched Banner Stacklets and Arbor Accessories; design inspired by Jen Shults

This card features several TE products including the very attractive petite Petals Background.  I stamped in gray ink then sponge don pale pink.  I cut an oval opening and filled it with the new TE die Inside Scallop Ovals.  It's a little hard to see the white on white die cuts so be sure to click on the photo to enlarge it.Easter-BlessingsEaster Blessings – Taylored Expressions dies Stitched Ovals, Inside Scallop Ovals and Little Bit Crosses; TE stamp petite Petals Background; Paper Smooches stamp set  Easter Blessings; design inspired by Kim Singdahlsen

I hope you have a wonderful Easter.  Please stop by The Stamp Act soon.


New Merchandise in Stock

Hello Friends and fellow papercrafters.  The weather is warming and spring and Easter cannot be far away.  But before Easter arrives with bunnies, chicks and eggs galore, let me share with you some cards I made using some of the new merchandise that's recently arrived at the Stamp Act.

We have tons of new merchandise in stock from all our favorite companies.  New dies and stamps and papers from Memory Box, Poppystamps, Impression Obsession, Taylored Expressions and many more.  We've got new stamps and dies from Deadbeat Designs featuring Texas and Bluebonnets; beautiful new pastel "springy"papers and unique and fun dies from Lawn Fawn; plus very soon we will be carrying the Misti stamp Positioner so don't order one on line -- come here and learn all about how to use it to its fullest.

The Square (Ornate or Lacey) Frame from Impression Obsession is so pretty and makes a perfect backdrop for some of the other new (or nearly new) dies from IO.

For my first card I cut the frame from purple cardstock and the interior embellishment piece (comes with the frame) from white cardstock.  I adhered these pieces to a white card using foam tape.  Next I cut the IO die Lily Trio from green and purple card gluing these together then adhering them on top of the frame.  This is such a pretty card that's very quick and easy. Purple-Lily-TrioPurple Lily Trio – Impression Obsession dies Square Ornate Frame and Lily Trio; design inspired by Kitty Caracciolo

For my second card I switched the color palette to white on purple and placed the beautiful new die Garden Bird inside the frame.Purple-Lily-TrioGarden Bird – Impression Obsession dies Square Ornate Frame and Garden Bird; design inspired by Kitty Caracciolo

Need a wedding card?  This one is perfect!  On a silver metallic folding card I placed the square frame cut from white shimmery card and filled it with the Songbird Branch die.  I cut two of the Songbird Branch and mounted a second pair of birds over the birds and added extra foliage to give the focal image a fuller look. Wedding-OutsideWedding Card 1 – Impression Obsession dies Square Ornate Frame and Songbird Branch; design inspired by Kitty Caracciolo

Inside the card I cut another Songbird Branch from silver and positioned it across the top of the mats cut with Spellbinders Labels 1.  The lovely sentiment is from a wedding stamp set from Taylored Expressions. 

Wedding-OutsideWedding Card 2 – Taylored Expressions stamp set In & Out Wedding; Impression Obsession die Songbird Branch; Spellbinders Labels 1; design inspired by Kitty Caracciolo

My last card from Impression Obsession features the Songbird Branch die too.  I guess I still had weddings on the mind when I made this an anniversary card.  I cut the Songbirds from white cardstock and watercolored them using Memento markers.  I sponged the blue sky background (Memento ink Summer Sky) and framed the birds with rectangle frame die from IO. Songbirds-AnniversaryHappy Anniversary – Impression Obsession dies 6-in-1 Rectangle Frames and Songbird Branch; Hero Arts sentiment; design inspire by Kitty Caracciolo

These pierced hearts from Taylored Expressions are so versatile.  Here I used them to make a simple card that I intend to use as a thank you for one of my neighbors. I die cut the white cardstock with the Stitched Squares then with two of the Pierced Hearts (there are 5 in the set).  I then cut one of the Stitched Hearts (coordinates with the Pierced set) from the lighter pink and placed it behind the smaller pierced heart to carry on the two-tone pink color theme.  To complete the card I stamped the "You're So" words and die cut the "Sweet Script" and mounted them inside the hearts.  Pierced-Hearts

So Sweet – Taylored Expressions dies Pierced Hearts, Stitched Hearts and Script Sweet; TE stamp set How Sweet It Is; Memory Box die Stitched Squares; design inspired by Kim Singdahlsen

Here's another card using the same wording and a yummy cupcake! You're-So-Sweet-CupcakeYou’re So Sweet – Taylored Expressions dies Sweet Script and Little Bits Cupcake; TE stamp set How Sweet It Is

Pretty, colorful and very springy, this next card uses lots of fun new dies from Taylored Expressions.  Look closely and you'll see the blue sky is embossed with the Raindrops embossing folder.  A colorful rainbow and umbrella take center stage and the sentiment is perfect sentiment for sending encouragement to a friend.  RainbowRainbow – Taylored Expressions dies Rainbow, When It Rains Umbrella, Stitched Cloud Duo and Build-A-Scene Rolling Clouds; TE stamp set Rain or Shine; TE embossing folder Raindrops; design inspired by Jean Manis

While you may not think of Saint Patrick's Day as a card sending occasion, Taylored Expressions' new "Shake Your Shamrock" set makes a wonderful friendship card.  With this set you stamp all 9 shamrocks (in 3 different patterns) at once then die cut them with one die so making lots of shamrocks is super fast.  I love the inside sentiment!Shamrock-outside
Shamrock-outside
Shamrock – Taylored Expressions stamp and die combo set Shake Your Shamrock; TE dies Stitched Banners 1 and Stitched Rectangles; design inspired by Kim Singdahlsen

Another set of new dies that recently arrived are the Stitching Circle and Stitching Square from Paper Smooches.  I have not had time to play with these a lot, but here are two samples I made.  The die cuts cardstock and then you stitch whatever pattern you want on the "canvas." I adore the snowman -- I cut the square from kraft cardstock then cross stitched the snowman and the white frame.  The sentiment is also from Paper Smooches.SnowmanFor the rose I was following a pattern I found on line (there are tons of free patterns), but then I started improvising to fit the space.  The rose is framed with an embroidery hoop die from Paper Smooches too.
Snowman
Snowman – Paper Smooches dies Stitched Square and Warm Wishes; and Rose – Paper Smooches dies Stitched Circle and Embroidery Hoop; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Kindness Sampler

That's just peek at the new products we have in stock.  You will be receiving several blogs this week as I have been busy playing with even more new products.  Let me know what you think!

Support your local papercrafting store ... stop in soon at The Stamp Act.  We're open 10am to 5pm, Wednesday through Saturday.  Thanks!


Cool Treats

What's better in the summer than a delicious cool treat?  Whether you prefer ice cream, watermelon or lemonade, you will love all these fun cards.  Check them out and stop in for all the supplies to make one for yourself.

Newton's Nook clear stamp set Summer Scoops

Lets-ChillLet’s Chill – Newton’s Nook clear stamp set Summer Scoops; Copic markers; washi tape

Lets-ChillWhat’s the Scoop? – Newton’s Nook clear stamp set Summer Scoops; Copic markers; Taylored Expressions Label Stacklets 3
Lets-ChillHappy Birthday Sprinkles – Newton’s Nook clear stamp set Summer Scoops; Copic markers
Lets-ChillLet’s Chill 2 – Newton’s Nook clear stamp set Summer Scoops; Copic markers

Impression Obsession Good Old Summertime Sweet-SummertimeSweet Summertime – Impression Obsession clear stamp set Sweet Summertime; Spellbinder die Classic Circles; Copic markers; design inspired by Ilina Crouse Sweet-Summer-watermelonSweet Summer – Impression Obsession clear stamp set Sweet Summertime; Taylored Expressions die Script Sweet; Copic markers

Paper Smooches products

Sweet-Summertime-Popsicle-CSweet Summertime – Paper Smooches die Cool Treats; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Summer Sampler; Memory Box die Scallop Border; Impression Obsession clear stamp set Good Old Summertime; IO die Ice Cream Set; Taylored Expressions Little Bits die Ice Cream Sundae (cherry); Spellbinders die Scallop Circles; TE embossing folder Burlap; design inspired by Geraldine Andrade
Sweet-Summertime-Popsicle-CAnything is Popsicle – Paper Smooches die Cool Treats; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Summer Sampler; design inspired by Paper Smooches
Sweet-Summertime-Popsicle-CMelt Popsicle – Paper Smooches die Cool Treats; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Summer Sampler; design inspired by Seven Hills blog
Sweet-Summertime-Popsicle-CYou’re Cool and Relax and Chill – Paper Smooches die Cool Treats; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Summer Sampler; Poppystamps die Delicate Stitches; Memory Box die Scallop Border; design inspired by Paper Smooches and Alice Wertz
Sweet-Summertime-Popsicle-CChocolate – Paper Smooches die Cool Treats; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Summer Sampler; Impression Obsession die Drip Edger; Newton’s Nook clear stamp set Love & Chocolate

Taylored Expressions products

Color-Block-SummertimeColor Block Summertime – Taylored Expressions dies Color Block Background, Rolling Hills and Tall & Skinny Alphabet; Little Bit dies Beach Umbrella, Beach Ball, Sandcastle, Ice Cream Cone, Popsicles and Sun and Clouds; design inspired by Kay Miller

Vacation

The Stamp Act will be closed from Monday, August 21 through Monday, September 4 for vacation.  We will reopen on Tuesday, September 5 at 10am.

Please come see us now!


Ribbit ... Ribbit!

OK, today's blog is a little crazy because it's all about frogs!  It just so happens that I have a lot of frog dies and stamps in stock and they all jumped on my desk at the same time so here they are!  I hope you will enjoy them.  I even went into the archives and pulled out some frog cards from years past.  Enjoy!

It all started with the new Frog/Bear die from Paper Smooches (shown below).  All the cards shown here used just this die so you can see the set is really versatile.Happy-BirthdayThis is the third die in their trilogy of fun card dies including their Bunny Card die here and their Cat/Dog die here. I will show you the Bear cards first then it's all about frogs!  Each of these die sets is $19.99.

For this card I cut a party hat for the bear and added the sentiment below.Happy-BirthdayHappy Birthday – Paper Smooches dies Bear/Frog Card and Hearts; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Salutations; design inspired Teri Anderson

Love the sentiment on this sweet bear!
Happy-BirthdayBear Hugs – Paper Smooches dies Bear/Frog Card and Word Bubbles; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Courteous Cuties

This cute bear is holding a letter that opens to reveal heartfelt wishes.  For his hands I cut the (face) oval in half and added claws made from the nostril die.

Happy-Birthday
Happy-BirthdayBeary Loved – Paper Smooches die Bear/Frog Card; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Courteous Cuties; Taylored Expressions die Stitched Heart Stacklets; design inspired by Savannah O’Gwynn

Thank-You-Beary-Much Thank You Beary Much – Paper Smooches dies Bear/Frog Card and Hearts; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Courteous Cuties

Now for the frogs.  Our first one is bringing "hoppy" birthday wishes.  I used the cat/dog eye lash die for the "hands." As you look at these cards notice how all the ways you can make the frogs look just by varying the pieces of the set you use. Happy-BirthdayHoppy Birthday Wishes – Paper Smooches dies Bear/Frog Card and Cat/Dog Card; Avery Elle clear stamp set Ribbit Ribbit; design inspired Lisa PetrellaRibbiting-NewsRibbiting News – Paper Smooches die Bear/Frog Card die; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Critter Card Puns; design inspired by Jill HawkinsToadally-Ribbiting-NewsToadally Ribbiting News – Paper Smooches dies Bear/Frog Card and Hearts; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Critter Card Puns; design inspired by Teri Anderson

Now for another set of frog dies: Poppystamps dies Tiny Frogs and Lovely Lily Pads:

Poppystamps-Tiny-FrogsPoppystamps Die Tiny Frogs, $5.99

Lily-padsPoppystamps Die Lovely Lily Pads, $5.99

And with these I used a set of stamps and dies from Avery Elle:

Ribbit-Ribbit-stampsAvery Elle clear stamp set Ribbit Ribbit, $8.99
Ribbit-Ribbit-stampsAvery Elle die set Ribbit Ribbit, $14.89

Jumping-for-Joy Jumping For Joy – Poppystamps die Tiny Frogs; Poppystamps clear stamp set Hope and Thanks; Avery Elle clear stamp set Ribbit Ribbit; design inspired by Michele Ferguson

Wart's-New Wart’s New – Poppystamps die Tiny Frogs; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Word Salad; Avery Elle clear stamp set Ribbit Ribbit

Oh-Hoppy-Day Oh Hoppy Day – Poppystamps dies Tiny Frogs and Lovely Lily Pads; Memory Box die Splashing Puddles; Poppystamps clear stamp set Into the Words; design inspired by PMT Meg’s Treasures

Terrific-Birthday Hopping a Terrific Birthday – Poppystamps dies Tiny Frogs and Lovely Lily Pads; Poppystamps clear stamp set Hope and Thanks; design inspired by Lezlye Lauterbach  Hoppy-Birthday-1Hoppy Birthday Wishes 1 – Avery Elle stamp and matching dies Ribbit Ribbit; Memory Box Stitched Circles; Taylored Expressions Stitched Tags; design inspired by Amy KollingHoppy-Birthday-2Hoppy Birthday Wishes 2 – Avery Elle stamp and matching dies Ribbit Ribbit; design inspired by Caryn Davies

For this next card I cut the clouds and lily pads from felt; sponged a background on a vellum panel; and embossed the Warts Up sentiment in white on black cardstock.  The "hello" is from Penny Black's die set called Doodles.

Wart's-Up Wart’s Up – Avery Elle stamp and matching dies Ribbit Ribbit; Penny Black die Doodles; Memory Box die Clouds; design inspired by YaineaJumping-for-JoyJumping for Joy – Avery Elle stamp and matching dies Ribbit Ribbit; Taylored Expressions Stitched Tags; design inspired by Heather CampbellWarts-NewWart’s New – Art Impressions stamp Wart’s New; Cottage Cutz die Mini Frog; Taylored Expressions dies Frame in Frame, Cloud Border and Little Bits Sun and Clouds

This next card is made with an older Poppystamps die set of frogs called Pond Frogs.  The inside of the card is also shown. 
Hoppy-Inside

Hoppy-InsideHoppy Birthday – Poppy die Pond Frogs; Memory Box die Stitched Rectangles; Impression Obsession die Plain Alphabet; Taylored Expressions stamp set And Many More; design inspired by Stephanie Serrano

The next several cards are made with a stamp set from Taylored Expressions called A Pocketful of Sunshine.

Frog-sending-love Frog Sending Love – Taylored Expressions stamp and die combo set Pocketful of Sunshine; design inspired by Joan Ervin

Purple-Hoppy-DayPurple Hoppy Day – Taylored Expressions stamp and die combo set Pocketful of Sunshine;  design inspired by Joan Ervin  Make-me-SmileYou Make Me Smile – Taylored Expressions stamp and die combo set Pocketful of Sunshine; Impression Obsession dies Instant Photo Frame and banners and Tails; Penny Black clear stamp set Snippets; design inspired by Taylor VanBruggen  Flowers-Hoppy-DayFlowers Hoppy Day – Taylored Expressions stamp and die combo set Pocketful of Sunshine; design inspired by Shelly Mercado

Froggie Froggie – Taylored Expressions stamp set And Many More; My Favorite Things die Stitched Speech Bubble Edges; Memory Box die Stitched Circles; Spellbinders die Classic Circles; design inspired by Charmaine Ikach

Stampendous-Hoppy-over
Stampendous-Hoppy-over Stampendous Frog Cards
– Stampendous stamps; Cuttlebug embossing folders; Spellbinders circles dies

Well I think that's enough frog cards for one day.  If you're "hopping" for some "Toadally Awesome" frogs, stop by the Stamp Act and let some hop home with you!  Have a great week.


Paper Smooches Cat/Dog Die Set

Hello Friends.  I love unique dies and Paper Smooches new Cat/Dog and Bear/Frog die sets not only give you all the dies you need to create a wide variety of creatures, but the price is fantastic!  Look at all the dies you get for $19.99!  And Paper Smooches new clear stamp sets provide the perfect "punny" sentiments that will delight all animal lovers!

The Cat/Dog die set comes with two different head/ear dies (tall ears and short ears) and all the eyes, noses, mouths, whiskers, ears and even "paws" that you need to make a variety of different creatures. 

Cat-Dog-card-diePaper Smooches die set Cat/Dog, $19.99  Critter-Card-PunsPaper Smooches clear stamp set Critter Card Puns, $16.59

These two clear stamp sets have all the sentiments you need to make cards using the Cat/Dog die as well as the Bunny die (check out my post on the Bunny Die here), the Frog/Bear die set and the Dinosaur die.

Huge-Hugs-2Paper Smooches clear stamp set Huge Hugs 2, $16.59

Dino-die Paper Smooches die Dinosaur, $8.29

I don't have any cards with the new Bear/Frog die but it is so cute.  Think panda bear and green frog -- and look at the sentiments on the sets above that will bring these creatures to life! 

Bear-Frog-Card-die Paper Smooches die Bear/Frog Die, $19.99

For my first card I made a white cat holding an envelope (with his "paws) that flips down to open.  This card is 5.25" wide and 4.875 tall (closed).

Cat-with-LetterCat-with-letter-open Cat with Letter – Paper Smooches dies Cat Dog Card die and Hearts; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Critter Card Puns; design inspired by Savannah O’Gwynn

Love this white pooch!
Raise-the-Woof
Raise the Woof – Paper Smooches die Cat Dog Card die; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Critter Card Puns; design inspired by Katie Gehring

See how you can completely change Kitty's look by using different dies to create unique features?Cat-with-HeartsCat with Hearts – Paper Smooches dies Cat Dog Card die and Hearts; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Critter Card Puns; design inspired by Teri Anderson

Can't you just hear this kitty purring!
Cat-on-Check-Paper
Cat on Check paper – Paper Smooches die Cat Dog Card die; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Critter Card Puns

I found a scrap of Cheetah cardstock and created this wild guy!

CheetahCheetah – Paper Smooches die Cat Dog Card die; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Huge Hugs 2; design inspired by Heidi Randazzo

Turn Kitty on his head for yet another look!

Calico-CatCalico Cat – Paper Smooches die Cat Dog Card die; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Critter Card Puns; design inspired by Katie Gehring

I intended this to be a dog, but some poeple think it's a fox!

DogDog – Paper Smooches die Cat Dog Card die

And don't stop with Cats and Dogs, I made a sheep and a pig!  Love the pig sentiment!

SheepSheep – Paper Smooches die Cat Dog Card die; design inspired by Katie Gehring

Pig-timePig – Paper Smooches die Cat Dog Card die; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Critter Card Puns; design inspired by Katie Gehring

More Puns from Deadbeat Designs

And speaking of "punny" stamps, check out the new stamps from Deadbeat Designs here.  They are hilarious!  I have ordered all the new cow stamps and sentiments plus some new bluebonnet stamps that are perfect for spring in Texas.  Scroll down the Deadbeat blog to see them. 

Whether you are papercrafting cards that are funny or punny, sweet or serious, The Stamp Act is your one stop shop for all things papercrafting.  Please stop in soon and shop!


Bunny Cards and Candy Bags

Hello friends. Spring and Easter are such a welcome time as the weather warms and the days grow longer.  And in the papercrafting world it's a time for fun cards starring cute Easter Bunnies!  Paper Smooches has just released their new Bunny Card Die that is beyond cute!  The set includes over a dozen dies that give you endless options for creating bunnies with a variety of expressions.  I used just this die set to create the bunnies that decorate the cards, paper sacks and handle bags below.  Take a look at these samples and think how you would use this darling die.

Bunny-card-diePaper Smooches Bunny Card Die  $21.99

Paper Smooches Critter Card Puns clear stamp set offers clever sentiments for their Bunny Card, Cat Dog Card and Bear Frog Card dies.Critter-Card-PunsPaper Smooches Critter Card Puns clear stamp set  $16.59

For my first card I cut the bunny out of white and pink felt.  Isn't he the cutest?Somebunny-SpecialSomebunny Special – Paper Smooches die Bunny Card; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Critter Card Puns; design inspired by Heidi Randazzo

I turned down this rabbit's ear to give him a playful look!  Be sure to notice how you can vary the eyes and mouths on each sample.Somebunny-SpecialHoppy Easter – Paper Smooches die Bunny Card; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Critter Card Puns; design inspired by Paper Smooches

This little lady has long eyelashes!
Somebunny-Special White Bunny Card –
Paper Smooches die Bunny Card; design inspired by Paper Smooches

Is this bunny sleeping?  Nonetheless she's so stylish with the cute bow on her ear! Sack is approximately 5.5" square.

Bunny-Sack-PinkBunny Sack Pink – Paper Smooches dies Bunny Card and Baby Bow; Taylored Expressions dies Wispy Grass and Ric Rac Border; design inspired by Paper Smooches

Create your bunnies from any color cardstock -- gray is perfect.  Add grass along the bottom of the card and hide some Easter eggs.  I adhered decorative paper to the back and front of the sack then cut through all layers with a ric rac die.Bunny-Sack-Pink Bunny Sack Gray – Paper Smooches dies Bunny Card and Baby Bow; Taylored Expressions dies Wispy Grass and Ric Rac border

The Bunny Card die does not cut the bottom so the bunny's body can be as long as you desire.  This bunny and grass measure about 9" tall and 5.25" wide. You can fill the handle bag with Easter grass the candy or use it to gather eggs!

Bunny-Bag-EggBunny Handle Bag Egg – Paper Smooches dies Bunny Card, Easter Egg with Bow and Pocket/Flowers; Memory Box die Hippity Hoppity; Poppystamps die Pasture Grass

Bunny-Bag-EggBunny Handle Bag Carrots – Paper Smooches die Bunny Card; Paper Smooches clear stamp set Critter Card Puns; Impression Obsession dies Basket and Carrots; Poppystamps die Pasture Grass

Stop in soon and shop for your Easter papercrafting needs including bunnies!

And don't forget the Upcycled Art Fair at The Placita Santa Fe shopping  center.  It's Saturday April 1 from 10am to 5pm.  Plan a day out with the girls (or guys) and see unique art created by local artists.  See you there!


Zinnia Bouquet and Butterflies

Zinnia Bouquet

It's flowers again!  With so many flower dies I could blog a different one every day!  Today I am spotlighting the Memory Box dies Zinnia Bouquet and Zinnia Bouquet Background.  The background die makes it easy to cut matching background papers for each flower.

Zinnia-die

Zinnia-Background-die

Zinnia Gold Mirror – Memory Box dies Zinnia Bouquet, Zinnia Bouquet Background and Stitched Squares; Memory Box stamp Seeds of Happiness; design inspired by Jean Okimoto.

I wish you could see this "in real life" -- the shiny gold mirror paper really catches your eye.

Zinnia-Gold-Mirror

Zinnia Pink Orange – Memory Box dies Zinnia Bouquet and Zinnia Bouquet Background; Impression Obsession die Cutwork Border; Penny Black clear stamp set Happy Snippets.

This card is similar to the one above with the addition of a border die and ribbon.

  Zinnia-Pink-Orange

Zinnia Hello – Memory Box dies Zinnia Bouquet and Zinnia Bouquet Background; Savvy Stamps die Hello; design inspired by Louise Charlton.

Add some rhinestones and a die cut greeting for a quick card.

 Zinnia-Hello

Zinnia Bright Orange – Memory Box dies Zinnia Bouquet, Zinnia Bouquet Background and Stitched Rectangles and Stitched Squares; Memory Box stamp Happy Day; design inspired by Jean Okimoto.

For this card I embossed the flower die (tops) on white cardstock by using the tan rubber mat with my die cut machine.  Then I watercolored each flower and adhered them over the green stems.  I added Wink of Stella glitter pen to the centers.


Zinnia-Bright-Orange
Now for the Butterflies

Here are the Impression Obsession dies I used on the following cards:

Butterfly-Block-die

Butterfly Block

Square-Ornate-Frame-die
Square Ornate Frame

Butterfly Block White – Impression Obsession dies Butterfly Block; Lifestyle Crafts die Nesting Rectangles; design inspired by Kitty Caracciolo.

I cut the Butterfly Block from white cardstock then cut a frame using the nesting rectangle dies.  The picture does not show it well, but I cut the butterfly again and popped it up on top of the first butterfly for added dimension.

  Butterfly-Block-White

Butterfly Block Painted – Impression Obsession dies Butterfly Block; design inspired by Kitty Caracciolo.

Wow -- lots of color!  I colored the Butterfly Block with Copic markers and then to add more interest, I took my Versacolor embossing ink pad and "sponged" ink all over the image and heat embossed it in clear.  This really makes the color shimy and vibrant.  Butterfly-Block-Painted

Square Ornate Frame – Impression Obsession dies Square Ornate Frame and Butterfly Block; Memory Box die Stitched Squares; design inspired by Kitty Caracciolo.

The Ornate Square Frame (which I did not use on this card) comes with an ornate corner piece.  I created a frame using the Memory Box Stitched Squares then adhered the corner pieces to the underneath side of the frame.  The butterfly is from the Butterfly Block die.

Square-Ornate-Frame
And a Few Miscellaneous Cards

Here are some more samples I made recently ... I hope they give you some inspiration:

Forest Birthday – Impression Obsession dies Forest and Greetings Edgers; IO Cover-A-Card stamp Bark; design inspired by Kitty Caracciolo.

Super easy card and great for a man's birthday.  I stamped the kraft card front with the Bark stamp (6" x 6") then cut the trees (all one die) and sponged them with Vintage Photo Distress ink.  I adhered the trees to the card with scor tape rolls (see Tip below).  The Impression Obsession Edgers dies cut the top of the word out but leave the bottom attached.  I cut the bottom edge to about 1" and adhered the edger word to a strip of brown cardstock.  This strip was popped up with mounting tape.

Tip:  To pop up a very skinny die like the trees on this card, cut a 2" to 3" piece of Scor tape (double sided tape).  I use 1/2" wide or 1" wide Scor tape.  Adhere this tape to a non stick surface like a Craft Mat or your desk surface.  Working with the length of the tape, use your fingertips and roll the tape into a roll.  You can adhere this roll to the back of the trees cutting it to any length you need.

Forest-Birthday
Mountain Birthday Wishes – Impression Obsession dies Boy with Flowers, Mountain Landscape Layers and Puppy Set; design inspired by Harriet Head and Darlene at darscraftycreations.

I wish you could see the card Harriet made using the same paper and mountain die set.  It is truly awesome!  The paper is the Believe collection from Bo Bunny and one of the papers contains all these colors (and more).  The Mountain die set has three mountain profiles so you can "build" your mountains in any number of ways.

Mountains-Bday-Wishes

Paint Strokes – Paper Smooches clear stamp set I Heart Art; Paper Smooches die Paint Strokes; design inspired by Michele Boyer

Paint-strokes

Rush Arrow – Poppystamps die Rush Arrow; Penny Black clear stamp set Happy Snippets; design inspired by Jeanne Jachna

I love this very graphic die.  I used the same Bo Bunny Believe paper for the backgrounds behind each arrow.  Another idea for this same layout would be to stamp sentiments in some or all of the arrow openings.  Be creative and have fun!  The die also comes with a skinny arrow die.

  Rush-Arrow

Boddington Treescape – Memory Box dies Boddington Treescape, Puffy Clouds, Auto Parts, Tiny Village, Stitched Circles and Butterfly Delights; sentiment stamp by Amuse Artstamps; design inspired by Jeanne Jachna

My friend Molly recently moved to Virginia and this is the card I sent her to welcome her to her new home.  I embellished the Boddington Treescape scene with cars, houses, sun, clouds, butterflies and a sentiment.

Boddington-Treescape

 

Wedding Cake Card – Impression Obsession dies Wedding Cake and Love Doves; Spellbinders label die

Here are the dies:

Wedding-Cake-Die

Love-doves-die

Wedding Cake Card – Impression Obsession dies Wedding Cake and Love Doves; Spellbinders label die

 I am sorry there is a shadow on the middle and top of this card. 

Wedding-Cake-Card

Adhesive Tip:  Adhering the two trim pieces on each cake layer can be very tedious and messy if you use glue.  White shows every imperfection -- ask me why the my first card took forever to complete!  So my tip is to use Stick It Adhesive Paper.  Take a piece of cardstock, white in this case, and adhere it to one side of a Stick It double sided adhesive sheet.  Cut the cardstock away from the Stick it sheet and die cut the trim pieces from this now self adhesive paper.  Important: Be sure to cut the cardstock side so the adhesive side is the back of the die cut.

Now all your tiny trim pieces are self-adhesive and easy to apply to your cake layers.

If that's not clear, stop in and I will show you how to work with Stick It.  It is sold in a packet of 5 sheets (8" X 12¼").

Dimension Tip:  It is hard to tell in this photo, but the cake layers are curved.  To do this I put a double layer of  foam tape behind the center of each cake layer.  I also added dimension to the wedding couple by die cutting three extra couples from chipboard, gluing them all together then coloring the sides of the chipboard black. 

I added dimension to the doves, the cake layers and cake stand by die cutting these pieces from fun foam and gluing the cardstock die cuts to the top of the foam.

Here's another card made with the same Wedding Cake die.  This one also features the Impression Obsession dies Ornate Frame Rectangle and tiny flowers.

Wedding-Cake-Card-first

Sunshine Birdhouse – Taylored Expressions die Little Bits Birdhouse, Picket Fence and Picture Perfect – Sunny Days; TE embossing folder Walking on Sunshine; Memory Box die Marshmallow Clouds, Resting Birds and Mini Heart Collection; design inspired by Jean Manis.

Just a happy and colorful card that anyone would love to get.

  Sunshine-Birdhouse

I know it's hot and you are probably burrowing into your air-conditioned home, but should you decide to pop out and shop at The Stamp Act, you will be rewarded with a FREE make and take card that's perfect for summer.  I would love to be relaxing in a hammock with a cool glass of lemonade, a good book and a powerful fan! 

Summer-Hammock

Stop in soon!

 

 


Masculine cards and other samples

Hello friends. Today’s post is going to be a compilation of miscellaneous samples starting with a few cards suitable for the men in your life.  March means birthdays for my brother and brother-in-law so I always have to scramble for guy cards.  Here’s what I came up with:

Masculine Cards

Mustache-Bday-2Mustache Birthday 2 – My first mustache card and I must say I like it. I didn’t have one of the cute mustache joke stamps so I made my own using various stamps and dies. 

 

Supplies – Paper Smooches die Mustaches; Memory Box die Pinpoint Rectangles; Paper Smooches stamp set Sentiment Sampler; Impression Obsession stamp set Sentiments 2; Memory Box die Classic Alphabet U/C and Numbers 

  

Mustache-Bday-1Mustache Birthday 1 – This is a simple version that you can make lots of and keep on hand for male birthdays. Switch the sentiment for other occasions.

 

Supplies – Paper Smooches die Mustaches; Memory Box die Pinpoint Rectangles; Paper Smooches stamp set Sentiment Sampler; design inspired by Jocelyn Olson

  

 

 

Hoppy-BirthdayHoppy Birthday – My brother grew up loving all animals; he even had an iguana in college! So a card with a frog jumping across is perfect for him. 

Hoppy-Inside

Supplies – Poppy die Pond Frogs; Memory Box die Stitched Rectangles; Impression Obsession die Plain Alphabet; Taylored Expressions stamp set And Many More; design inspired by Stephanie Serrano

 

 

 

Numbers-B-DayHere's an easy card perfect for any man's birthday.  I cut a strip of the numbers paper and then cut it in 2 pieces (the reverse side was a perfect match!) and rounded the ends.  I added two brads, wrapped natural twine around the brads and tied a bow.  Add a sentiment and a balloon and you're done!

Supplies – My Favorite Things die Brushstroke Birthday sentiments; Penny Black die Uplifting

 

 Diamond-BorderDiamond Border – I love this card! The new diamond border die from Penny Black cuts the solid and the outline diamond borders. Choose a color scheme and cut 2 of each from both colors.  Glue the outline borders on top of the solid borders.  Cut a strip of cardstock 1” x 5½” and adhere the middle border to the middle of this strip.  Then adhere one border above and one below, leaving a little space between the borders. Finish the card with a sentiment die cut from same colors and adhered slightly off set.  I plan to make this same card in a variety of different color schemes and sentiments.

Supplies – Penny Black die Diamond Border; Paper Smooches die Quote Tag; design inspired by Elizabeth Allan

 

Brevilla-HillsideWelcome – The die does all the work for this card. I cut the die from white cardstock and mounted it to blue cardstock.  Then I cut the same die from green and inlaid the hills.  Next I cut the houses and trees from various colors and glued them over the white version.  I added cloud above and a sentiment below. 

Supplies – Poppy die Brevilla Hillside; Taylored Expressions Stitched Clouds; TE stamp set Welcome Home

  

 

Ironwork-Window-BirdIronwork Window Bird – It’s easy to spot a Penny Black die! I stamped the background with a PB stamp then cut the window in the center of the stamped panel. Next I cut the window again from white and glued it on top of the stamped version.  The bird was mounted behind the window.  Finally I die cut the finished piece with the Memory Box die Pinpoint Rectangles to add some more textural interest.

 

Supplies – Penny Black dies Ironwork Window and Perched Bird; Taylored Expressions stamps and dies Many Minis All Occasions; Memory Box die Pinpoint Rectangles; Penny Black cling stamp Star Ivy; design inspired by Jean Manis 

 

Ironwork-WindowIronwork Window – Quick and easy. Cut the window from white and glue it over yellow cardstock. Add a few red hearts, a sweet sentiment and an embossed background and you’re done!

 

Supplies – Penny Black die Ironwork Window; Taylored Expressions embossing folder Leafy Vines; TE Little Bits die Love Confetti; sentiment stamp from Printworks; Memory Box die Pinpoint Rectangles; Penny Black clear stamp set Snippets; design inspired by Jean Manis

 

I hope you've enjoyed these cards to day.  Be sure to click over to the classes page to see the samples for the Negative Die Cutting class coming up Saturday, April 2 at 10am.  And stop in soon to shop.  All Easter stamps and dies are 40% off until April 9!