Showing posts with label die cutting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label die cutting. Show all posts

Saturday, December 6, 2025

Juggling Snowballs

Hi Friends and Happy Saturday!  I have a quick share for you today featuring a Snowman juggling Snowballs.  The Happy Snowman is a die set received as a gift last year and I've just gotten around to using it. I've paper pieced his festive outer wear, the snowballs and hat brim are cut from glitter card.


The patterned papers are from the Winter Wonderland 6x6 paper pad from Doodlebug Design, the sentiment is from the Trimming the Tree Stamp stamp and coordinating die set from Picket Fence Studios.  I've cut the sentiment several times and adhered each layer for dimension, used a nesting Arch Die from Hero Arts for the focal panel and popped the snowballs on foam pads.



That's all from me today.  I hope your weekend is a good one, full of crafty fun and rest.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Thanksgiving Gratitude

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Wednesday!  I have a quick share for you today featuring an Autumn theme.  In the States, tomorrow is our Thanksgiving Day holiday and we will be spending it with family and friends.  It's been a tough year for us as a family and I've had fleeting thoughts of foregoing Thanksgiving and Christmas, but that would not be honoring our son Dylan, as the holiday season was his absolute favorite time of year.  

We are spending the holiday with my brother and my sister-in-law's family, and I needed to make a thank you card to go along with the hostess gift.  I thought these tattered and distressed leaf die cuts were perfect for the card.


I've went with a square card measuring 6", I've cut the leaves from various colors of cardstock and inked the edges with distress inks. The sentiment was die cut a few times for dimension and the background panel was embossed with the "Texture" EF from Penny Black.  The patterned paper strip is from my box of scrap.


To finish off the card, I've sprayed with Shimmer Spray for a glittery effect.  If you're celebrating Thanksgiving, please have a blessed day and I hope you are surrounded with family. friends and love.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Art Nudge - 1125B
 

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Santa Knows!

Happy Tuesday Friends!  I have a quick share for you today featuring a die cut Santa Claus from Spellbinders.  I picked this set up during their clearance sale a few months ago and couldn't wait to put him on a Christmas Card.


After die cutting and adhering Santa together, I've added bits of shading with a cool gray colored pencil to give him a bit of dimension.

The patterned papers are from a Holiday paper pad by Recollections, the sentiment is from a pre-made sentiment pack by Simon Says Stamp and has been popped on foam pads.  


I've used a card sketch from Cardz TV and embossed the background with a wintery scene folder from Darice.  Santa's hat is glittery and I've added small red gems to complete the design. 

That's all for today friends.  Remember - he knows if you've been bad or good.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna 

**Challenges Entered:
Christmas Bingo - Top Line straight across
Beccy's Month of Holiday Cards - "S" is for Santa



Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Let's Play with Circles

Hello and Happy Tuesday!  The last Tuesday of the month...wow, I know February is a short month but this time it flew by faster than years' past.  I have a quick share today using a geometric shape and ink blending.



I was inspired by a video short I saw by Ardyth Percy-Robb, who is the Queen of ink blending and geometric shape designs.  For this simple design, all you need are circles, which I've die cut, and  shades of each color.  



After ink blending the circles, I've embossed them and adhered flat to the card base with a thick strip of black card as a backdrop.  I've splattered everything with gold and white paint, added silver sequins and popped the sentiment strip on craft foam.  That's it...easy peasy and so effective.

Have a fabulous day and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Dream Valley - I love Rainbows with all the pretty colors






Saturday, November 26, 2022

Christmas Wishes Poinsettia

Happy Saturday Friends. Today I have a quick post sharing a sweet and simple Christmas card where the patterned paper made creating this project easy.


I was searching for some holiday patterned paper in my stash and came across the Ornamental Christmas 12x12 paper pad from The Paper Studio. The baubles make a great background so I die cut a poinsettia using a die set from Alina Craft and cut the sentiment from a set by Kat Scrappiness.


The poinsettia petals and leaves were looking a little too flat and boring so I embossed the pieces using the Crystal Distortion 3-D embossing folder from Simon Says Stamp and added a bit of  Aged Maghoney Distress Ink around the edges.  The word dies were cut from white glitter card; this set comes with a shadow die but I decided against using it.

The only bells and whistles added were a clear gem to the "i" in Christmas, for the center of the flower and Wink of Stella over the entire flower and leaves.  If you have paper with a large pattern, it makes creating a background quick and easy.

Thanks for stopping by today.  In the States, it's Small Business Saturday so if you're holiday shopping today, please try and support a small business in your community.  Unti next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:




Friday, August 26, 2022

Respond with Grace

Hello Friends and Happy Fri-YAY!  I hope you have something special planned for this weekend.  It's been a very hot, rainy and humid day here today so I decided the best way for me to pass the time indoors was to play with alcohol inks. 



To start the process, I've used Ranger and Jacquard alcohol inks in shades of cranberry, ginger, latte, mocha, gunmetal and bronze along with Tree-Free non-absorbent card. This is not Yupo paper, I've found an alternative that comes in sheets of  8x12"card that's 300 gsm/140 lb. and 20 sheets to the pack.  If you're interested, you can find it at the USA Amazon Site HERE.  


Using the Fantasy Floral 3-D layering Die Set from Altenew, I've die cut all the floral layers from the alcohol inked card.  I've die cut a triangle stitched frame, embossed a 3.75 x 5" cream colored card panel and cut the leaves from olive green card.  To give the leaves added interest, I've finger creased them which gave them some shape.


Before embossing the panel, I stamped the sentiment, from the Altenew Magnificent Branch Stamp Set, using Rich Cocoa Ink from Memento.  I did a "dry run" with the arrangement before adhering to the panel.  Once happy with the look, I picked everything up with Press & Seal Cling Wrap, popped the florals on craft foam and adhered the arrangement to the panel.  Lastly, I've added peach enamel dots to complete the design.

That's all I have for you this Friday.  I wish you a wonderful weekend and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Word Art Wednesday

Saturday, January 22, 2022

Altenew Academy Level 2 Course: Impressive Heat Embossing

Hello Crafty Friends!  Today I'm sharing a card created for the Altenew Academy Level 2 Course:  Impressive Heat Embossing.   I love to heat emboss so this class was right up my alley.  This course covered tips, tricks and techniques for adding heat embossing in ways that differ from the standard stamp and heat embossing method.  

For my card, I've used the Altenew "Here For You" Stamp and Coordinating Die Bundle to create a Sweet and Simple Card....my term for a Clean and Simple Card that had a bit more pizazz.


  1. To start my design, I stamped and heat embossed the large coneflower using watermark ink and fine detail Gold Embossing Powder.  The flower was cut using the coordinating die.
  2. Using Staedtler Watercolor Pencils, I've watercolored the floral and leaves then set aside to dry.
  3. To prepare the background, I created a frame using an Embossing Pen and Fine Detail Gold Embossing Powder.  TIP:  I scored the panel at 1/4" on each side before going over the line with the embossing pen. This created a "trough" and gave the embossing dimension.  
  4. The sentiment, from the same set, was stamped with watermark ink and heat embossed with the same gold powder.
  5. To create additional interest in the background, I splattered the card with water, sprinkled with powder and heat embossed again.  The powder will stick to the water droplets and this technique was one shared in class.  I never thought to use water instead of watermark ink to emboss with.
  6. Lastly,  I've adhered the panel to a 110 lb. card base, popped the floral on craft foam for dimension and placed it on the embossed panel.

This completes my class project and I'm impressed with the result.  The Altenew Academy classes have taught me so much and it's been a fun time learning so many cool tips and techniques.  I have 2 more classes to go before compeleting Level 2.  I'll be back with another AECP project soon.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
AYLI - Favorite coloring medium is alcohol markers but my next fav is watercolor as in this project






Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Thankful, Grateful and Blessed with Sunspot Background Die

Hello Crafty Friends.  Today, I'm on the Kat Scrappiness Blog with an Autumn themed card featuring ink blending, the Kat Scrappiness Sunspot Background Die, new Embellishment Spoon and Gold Mine Rhinestones.


To start, I blended an A2 sized panel of Kraft Card with Dusty Concord, Fired Brick and Fossilized Amber Distress Oxide Inks.  After allowing the inks to dry completely, I die cut the blended panel with the Kat Scrappiness Sunspot Cover Die and adhered to a Kraft Card base using liquid adhesive.

The cover die cuts a circle in the middle and I wanted to place a sentiment there and needed a larger area to stamp on, so I stamped and die cut a larger circle.  For dimension, I mounted the sentiment circle on craft foam and adhered to the card.


Lastly, I wanted sparkle and shine on my project so using the new embellishment spoon by Kat Scrappiness, I scooped some Gold Mine Rhinestones and adhered the medium sized gems around the sentiment circle.  

That completes my card for today. Below, please find affiliate links to the Kat Scrappiness Products I've used and thanks for visiting.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna 

Affiliate Links (if used, they are at no cost to you and provide me a small commission that enables me to stay crafty).
Sun Spot Background Die by Kat Scrappiness
from: Kat Scrappiness, Inc Gold Mine Rhinestone Mix - New Release
from: Kat Scrappiness, Inc Embellishment Spoon by Kat Scrappiness - New Release
from: Kat Scrappiness, Inc

**Challenges Entered:

Thursday, August 5, 2021

Altenew Academy Level 1 Course: Easy Die Cutting Techniques

Hello Friends!  Today I'm sharing my project for the Altenew Educator Certification Program Level 1 Course:  Easy Die Cutting Techniques.  This is a great course, loaded with ideas and tips for easy but effective die-cutting.  My card features layered die cuts and ink blending.

I've used the Altenew Craft-A-Flower Morning Glory Die Set to create 4 Morning Glories and leaves in shades of Purples and Greens.  This is a lovely set and appears intimidating, but actually it was enjoyable and therapuetic putting the pieces together.


To start, I ink blended 80 lb. white card in the shades I wanted for the flowers and leaves.  I'll admit I have colored card to use but I was in the crafting zone, home alone, candle lit and ink blending just sounded relaxing.

After allowing the inked card to dry completely, I proceeded to die cut the pieces and here's a Tip:  I used small tin trays to keep all the die cuts separated; organizing by color.  Once all pieces were cut, I started adhering the pieces together with liquid adhesive.  The die set has a guide to assist you in putting the elements together so it was not intimidating at all.  Once the die pieces are together, they become dimensional, chipboard-like embellishments, which I like a lot!


Naturally, no card of mine would be complete without sparkle and/or shine so I brought out some gold foil Washi tape I've had in my stash for several holidays but why wait for the Christmas Season?  I applied the Washi to a 2" panel in a diagonal pattern and adhered to the 110 lb. card base.  

I did a dry run layout for the floral and leaves and once I was pleased with the look, using Press and Seal Plastic Wrap, I picked up the die cuts and applied liquid adhesive to the backs.  The Press and Seal keeps everything together and makes adhering the layout to the card quick and easy.

I stamped the sentiment, which is from the Altenew Amaryllis Layering Stamp and Coordinating Die Bundle, die cut with a circle die and mounted on craft foam before adhering to the card front.  Lastly, I applied enamel glitter dots for additional interest.

I enjoyed the process of creating this card and the course was very informative and inspiring.  This is the first layering die set I've put together and probably wouldn't have tried using these types of sets had it not been for the course.  I'm glad I took that step...now I do believe I'm hooked!

Thanks for visiting today and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:







Saturday, July 24, 2021

Watercolor Bouquet Slimline

Good Day Friends!  Today I'm sharing a slimline card created using the Altenew Watercolor Bouquet Layering Stencil.



This is a 2 layer stencil that is quite large as you can see by the image, which is on a standard sized slimline card base.  I've blended Altenew inks to create the 2 tones of Aqua Blue and used snippets of Bo Bunny patterned paper to accent.  For a bit of shine, I splattered Gansi Tambi Starry Metallic Watercolors in Gold. 




The die cut and stamped sentiment are from Gina K. Designs.  I've adhered the die cut flat and popped up the strip on craft foam.  The right corners have been rounded for a different look.

Thanks for stopping by.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Krafty Chicks Challenge - Any Occasion

Hello Friends and Welcome!  Today begins a new challenge at the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog and I'm back with my 3rd Guest Designer project.  The theme this week is Any Occasion and my project today features lovely florals and Ink Smooshing for a Birthday Card.


To start, I ink smooshed a panel of white card with Catherine Pooler Inks.  After allowing the card to dry completely, I stamped blooms from the Altenew Majestic Bouquet Stamp Set with Gina K. Designs Obsidian Amalgam Ink and die cut the florals with the coordinating dies.  

I wanted to keep white space but also wanted texture, so I embossed a panel of Neenah 80 lb. card with a Basketweave pattern and adhered flat to the card base with liquid adhesive.


To finish the card, I arranged the die cuts, popping the front floral on foam pads for dimension.  I stamped the sentiment, both from the Gina K. Designs Enjoyable Greetings Stamp Set and adhered flat to the embossed panel.  Of course I couldn't call this card complete without a bit of sparkle and shine so I added Wink of Stella to the florals.

Thanks for visiting today and please stop by the Krafty Chicks Challenge.  We hope to inspiration you with our designs and hope you'll enter the challenge.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Simon Says Stamp Wed. Challenge Old is Embossing Folder, New is Floral Stamp

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Monstera Layering Stencil

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy Tuesday!  Before I continue with sharing my Card of the Day, I wanted to remind everyone of the Blog Hop that is active until Midnight EST on 14 July so hop along for your chance to win some holiday themed prizes.  To find the hop, click HERE and you can also find the post in the sidebar to the right.  Hope to see you there!


My card today features the Erin Lee Creative Monstera Layering Stencil and the Good Vibes Layering Die.  I love the ease of layering stencils and stencils have come a long way from when I first started papercrafting, producing lovely layered inages.


I used 4 shades of Catherine Pooler green inks to create the background of this slimline card.  The layering stencil is very easy to line up and ink through.  After stenciling and allowing the ink to dry, I added additional interest with Dina Wakley Black and White Acrylic Gloss Spray splatters.


I inked a snippet of card with 2 shades of Pink Catherine Pooler ink to create an Ombre and die cut the sentiment.  I layered on a shadow of Vellum and adhered to the panel.  I didn't have the exact color of enamel dots so I dug out my old skool hand punch for the tiny circles, using glitter card.  

I matted with black card and adhered all on a card base of Neenah Solar White Classic Crest 110 lb card.  I love the Tropical feel of this card and I hope you do as well.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:












Monday, July 5, 2021

Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge - Newton's Nook

Hello and Happy Monday!  For those in the States, I hope your 4th of July Holiday was filled with food, family and fun!  Today begins a new challenge at Pammie's Inky Pinkies with an Anything Goes theme.  We have the fun Newton's Nook as our sponsor and I created my design team project using the Terrific Terriers Stamp and Coordinating Die set.  This is a retiring set so if you like it, head over to Newton's Nook and grab it before they are gone forever.


I colored this sweet pup with my Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers and die cut with the coordinating die.   I also die cut ovals and a stitched, scalloped border die from My Favorite Things.  The patterned paper is part of a digital set from Scrapbook Gems on Etsy.


I popped the oval on foam pads for dimension and using Dina Wakely Gloss Acrylic Spray,  I added splatters for additional interest.

Please join us this week at Pammie's Inky Pinkies for your chance to win a Gift Certificate to Newton's Nook!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:






Friday, July 2, 2021

Altenew AECP - All About Layering 3

Hello Friends and Happy Friday!  Today I'm sharing my submission for the Altenew Academy All About Layering 3 course.  This course goes further in depth with instruction on multi-layer stamping and has lots of great tips and tricks to get a perfect layered image.

For my class project, I've used the new Altenew Bearded Iris Layering Stamp and Coordinating Die Bundle to create my A2 sized card. This is the newest set in the Build-a-Flower monthly subscription plan and it's a beauty.  

To start my card, I brought out the color wheel for a bit of color wheel theory on the design of this card.  I decided upon an Analogous + Complimentary color scheme.  For those not familar, Analogous are colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel and Complimentary are colors that are directly opposite each other.  So, my floral is stamp layered with Analogous colors and the background is a complimetary color.  


I stamped and heat embossed one of the iris images (this set contains 2 floral images) using embossing ink and Fine Detail Gold Embossing Power on Strathmore Watercolor card.  I started the stamp layering process with the other floral image in the set, first with the outline using black pigment ink and the layers using different shades of yellows and oranges.  The floral has 4 layers; the stem and leaf having 2.  The floral was a bit more intricate to line up but in no way difficult, just a bit of patience.


Setting aside the die cut floral, I watercolored the embossed panel with a light purple wash.  Purple is the complimentary color I mentioned earlier, it is complimentary to the yellow/orange floral.  With my heat tool and being careful not to skorch the embossing, I dried the panel thoroughly and adhered to the card base.  The sentiment was created using a manual Dymo Label Maker.  



The final touch to my assignment was adding faux lilac colored gems.  I hope you've enjoyed my post today, and appreciate you visiting.  Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

Supplies Used:
Neenah Solar White Classic Crest 110 lb card base
Strathmore Watercolor Card
Catherine Pooler Inks
Versafine Pigment Ink
Versamark Embossing Ink
Ranger Fine Detail Embossing Powder
Gansai Tambi Watercolors
Art Glitter Glue Liquid Adhesive
Art Class Faux Gems
Dymo Label Maker

Challenges Entered:

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Krafty Chicks Guest Designer - Stamp Act

Hello Friends and Happy July 1st!  Wow, where did June go?  I've been invited to Guest Design with  the Krafty Chicks Challenge for the month of July...Wow...I'm honored to be invited to be on the blog with these Chicks.  They are an awesome, crazy talented group of crafters!

The theme this week is Stamp Act..meaning soemthing on the design must be stamped.  For my GDT project, I used the new Gina K. Designs Sketched Flowers Stamp and Coordinating Die Set.  This set is part of the Time to Coast June 2021 Release.


I started by die cutting a scalloped oval and ink blending Cumberbund Ink by Catherine Pooler.  I stamped the florals with more CP inks and die cut.  I then arranged everything on my A2 size card base of Neenah Solar White Classic Crest 110 lb card.  The sentment is from the same GK Designs set, lastly adding my trusty sequins for sparkle and shine.  



This is an easy set to layer stamp and I love the whimsical look of the flowers.  Please join us at The Krafty Chicks challenge, I'll be back on 08 July with another GDT project.  Until then, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:
Pearly Sparkles - Fav Time of Year is Summer


Saturday, June 26, 2021

AECP - All About Layering 2

Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!  I'm back to share my 2 submissions for the Altenew Academy All About Layering 2 class.  This course continues with instruction on multi-layer stamping with different tones of inks to achieve visual impact and depth.  

For my first project, I used the Altenew Budding Thanks Stamp and Coordinating Die Bundle to create my A2 sized card. I stamped the solid leafy portion of the image on a snippet of card using a shade of teal green ink, matching up the outline portion and stamping over the solid with black ink.  I used black because I wanted high contrast against the green.  I matched up the floral bud portion to the leaf and stamped the 2 layers using a light and midtone yellow.  I did the same layered stamping for the stem.



I cut out the floral image and stem with the coordinating dies and aside to work on the focal panel, which I stenciled with Crackle Texture Paste tinted with yellow alcohol ink.  



After drying, the texture paste didn't have the deep cracks I'd hoped for, I think due to the alcohol ink I used to tint with.  The alcohol ink added moisture and prevented those deep cracks but it still cracked and looks nice nonetheless.

I stamped the sentiment from the Altenew Blissful Bud Stamp Set, trimmed out and mounted on foam pads along with the floral and stem; however the stem is only elevated at the top, the remainder is adhered flat to the textured card. Lastly, added my trusty sequins and this design is complete.

My 2nd project uses the Altenew Watercolor Blooms Stamp Set to create a one layer design.  I created a floral focal, slightly to the left of the card panel, stamp layering the floral buds and one set of leaves and branches.  I wanted a very colorful design so I choose a Pastel Color Scheme.


I have to admit, I started this panel 3 times as I just wasn't happy with the outcome of the 1st go, I dropped the black ink pad on the 2nd panel and as they say, the 3rd time is a charm...I like this one.



I stamped the sentiment from the Altenew Dearest Friends stamp set directly to the panel and the assignment is complete.  It was a great exercise in layering stamped images and now I'm ready to proceed to the next Course in Layering.  I hope you've enjoyed my post today, Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

Supplies Used:
Neenah Solar White Classic Crest 80 lb and 110 lb card
Catherine Pooler Inks
Ranger Crackle Texture Paste
Ranger Alcohol Inks
Versamark Onyx Black Pigment Ink
Art Glitter Glue Liquid Adhesive
Ocean Sequin Mix from Kat Scrappiness
Unbranded Stencil from Amazon

Challenges Entered:
As You Like It - Tip:  When not happy with the 1st try, keep going..it's only paper!