Well. . . technically it's only the 3rd of July, so happy 3rd of July! : )  We're just extending the celebrations here! But, be sure to come back tomorrow for another patriotic themed card with a fun easel fold.

*All supplies are linked at the end of this post for your convenience. 

This slimline card measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2" and is designed to fit inside a regular #10 business sized envelope.  As with all my cards, I use 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock for the card base (and nearly everything else too).  Using the Slimline Stars Background die from Whimsy Stamps, I die cut it twice, once from red cardstock and once from blue cardstock.  I then cut each slimline panel  down the middle and assembled the card half red and half blue.  

I die cut the "Happy 4th" sentiment using the Bold ABC letter dies also from Whimsy Stamps.  I die cut these letter from silver glitter cardstock.  I also die cut the letters three times from white cardstock to stack them for dimension (in lieu of foam adhesive which can get costly).  Lastly, I stamped the sentiment in red ink and notched both ends before adhering it below the silver letters. 

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
​

Hello readers and happy Monday! Welcome back from the snowy weekend.  We didn't end up with nearly as much snow here in Western Massachusetts as was predicted, but a fresh 4-5" made it look pretty all the same.  

Today I am sharing three cards that were made using the Magic Luck Digi-Next Card Club series from 88 and Clear.  Continue reading below to learn more about this monthly card club subscription.

Kit includes, Exclusive Digital Download, link to the class, Instructions, 4 kits to create 4 beautiful cards, along with RG.


Subscribe, Receive and Create! It's that simple!


Live Virtual Class with step-by-step instruction. Classes will stay recorded so if you can't make the Live class, not a problem you can access it anytime. Come and play when you want!


*Live class is pre-scheduled each month*


*Subscription is billed every 1st of the month*


Receive your Exclusive Download instantly after checkout and start creating! Exclusive Digital bundle included with files in 4 formats; Regular PDF, Digital Die Cut Machine Outlined PDF, SVG & JPEG. You will also receive a printed digital each month to create your projects.


Here's what you receive in each monthly Kit:
- Exclusive Digital Bundle and a printed copy with your kit
- Exclusive Digital Bundle in 4 formats! (Regular PDF, Digital Die Cut Machine Outlined PDF, SVG File and JPEG File)
- One on one education! Live virtual education class. The recording will always be available so you can tune in at your convenience!
- Learn Design Trends First
- Tips, Techniques and methods
- Design and composition
​

I have so much inspiration to share with you from this kit!  Here is a closer look at the three cards I made using this month's card club subscription:

And here are a few more beautiful cards that 88 and Clear owner and CEO Richard Garay (RG) made using this same kit:

This is a fun digital stamp set with the most GORGEOUS digital papers!  To learn more about digital stamping, please click here.  Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
​

Hello crafty readers! Today I am on the Birch Press Design blog beginning to share some Valentine's Day inspiration using the Flora Heart Layering Dies. 

This slimline card measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2". Slimline cards are designed to fit inside a regular #10 business sized envelope and require no additional postage. The base of this slimline card was made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. The first layer of the card is also a piece of Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock measuring 8 1/4" x 3 1/4". I ran this piece of white cardstock through an embossing folder with small cascading hearts (a retired product).  

To create the two die cut hearts:

Using the Flora Heart Layering Die set, I die cut Layer A, Layer B and Layer C all from white cardstock. (I did this twice). I adhered all three white layers together using a fine tip liquid glue. Then I fussy cut a red heart background behind the layers to ensure the die cut hearts would "pop" when placed on a white background. I adhered the hearts to the top and bottom of the card using 3M foam adhesive for dimension. 

To create the alcohol ink hearts:

On a 5 1/4 " x 4" piece of white Yupo paper I ink blended Ranger Adirondack Alcohol inks in the colors in Crimson, Red Pepper and Pink Sherbet. I also added in gold mixative for the swirls of metallic gold. After the ink was dry, I die cut one large heart and two smaller hearts from the Yupo Paper. I adhered the large heart to the center of the card using 3M foam adhesive. I added the two smaller hearts beside the white die cut Flora Hearts.  

​Lastly, I stamped the sentiment "with love" in red ink on white cardstock. This sentiment is from the Contempo Christmas Greetings stamp set. I die cut the sentiment with the coordinating Contempo Christmas Greetings die. I adhered the sentiment to the center heart using 3M foam adhesive.

I hope you have enjoyed this beautiful and elegant slimline card. While designed with Valentine's Day in mind, this card would also work for weddings and anniversaries. 
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
​

Today's slimline card measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2". Slimline cards are designed to fit inside a regular #10 business sized envelope and require no additional postage. The base of this slimline card is made from 80 lb. black cardstock. I cut an 8 1/4" x 3 1/4'" miscellaneous piece of black and white diamond printed paper for the first layer. Using a hexagon shaped die, I die cut three 2 1/2" hexagons from white cardstock. I adhered the hexagons directly down the center of the card using a Tombow tape runner. ​

From a piece of rainbow cardstock, I die cut the body of the butterfly from a section of the paper that included more red and oranges, then a section of yellows and greens and a third section from blues and purples, to mimic the colors of the rainbows. I die cut the butterfly outline from black cardstock. I adhered the black outline over the rainbow bodies and adhered the three butterflies to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. I stamped the sentiment "just because" from the Brush Sentiments stamp set in Memento Tuxedo black ink on a thin strip of white cardstock and adhered it to the card also using 3M foam adhesive. Lastly, I added a couple black rhinestones to the card for added texture.
​​

Hello friends and happy Friday!  Yay for long holiday weekends and to the official start (hopefully) of a MUCH better looking summer than 2020!  Today I am sharing a slimline card created using two brand new digital stamp sets from 88 and Clear.  Both the "Love Sent" and "Strong Enough" digital stamp sets will be released and available for purchase in early June.  So, I hope you enjoy this special sneak peek!

This slimline card measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2."  The base is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  Using a piece of patterned yellow miscellaneous paper, I die cut the first mat to 8 1/4" x 3 1/4."  I printed out the images from both the "Love Sent" and "Strong Enough" digital stamp sets on Neenah White cardstock.  I used Copic markers to color the images and then fussy cut them by hand.  I die cut three scalloped circles from white cardstock and placed them vertically down the center of the card.  

I adhered the flowers to the left or right side of the scalloped circles using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  I added the butterflies over the flowers.   I printed the sentiment on a thin strip of white cardstock and angled the left edge before adhering it to the lower half of the card.  I added a couple randomly placed black rhinestones on the card.  Lastly, I added a coat of Dazzling Pat to the images for added sparkle.  

Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative extra-long weekend!
​

For a step-by-step process to see how this card was made, please visit the Birch Press Design blog.  Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!
​

Hello! Hello!  Happy New Year friends and welcome back!  I'm excited to be returning to a regular blogging schedule after taking some much needed time off for the holiday season.  Today I'm kicking things off with a slimline New Year's themed card using the Cheers stamp set (retired) from 88 and Clear. 

This slimline card measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2".  Slimline cards are designed to fit inside a regular #10 business sized envelope and require no additional postage.  The base of this slimline card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Crest smoothcardstock.  Using the Slimline Frames and Portholes die from Newton's Nook, I die cut the background from black cardstock.  I stamped the champagne bottle, wine glasses, top hat and party hat in Versamark ink on white cardstock.  I heat embossed all the images with gold embossing powder and then fussy cut each image (there is no coordinating die).  I die cut the large numbers (retired Stampin' UP!) from gold glitter cardstock.  I adhered all the images to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  Lastly on a thin white strip of cardstock, I stamped the sentiment "make it amazing" in Memento Tuxedo black ink.  I notched the left end before adhering the sentiment strip to the upper righthand corner of the card.  

May this new year bring you blessings in abundance of love, joy, health, peace and prosperity!  

Hello readers!  Today I am honored to have been asked to join Alex Syberia in sharing her latest release of digital stamps.  This was the first time I have been able to participate in one of her new releases due to scheduling conflicts, but I'm happy it's filled with lots of Christmas and wintery goodness.  Alex Syberia has also just released her first line of acrylic stamps with Maker Forte and I can't even begin to image how proud and excited she is to see her digital stamp dreams come true in physical form. 
Alex is a brilliant artist with a flair for flowers and you have to check out her unique dot coloring!  

For my card today, I have colored the slimline gnomes in a variety of pinks, reds and greens for a fresh modern whimsical take on these mythical beings.  Pleae keep reading to see how I created this card. . . 

This slimline card measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2".  Slimline cards are designed to fit into a regular #10 business sized mailing envelope and require no additional postage.  The base of this slimline card is made from Real Red cardstock.  Using the Newton's Nook Slimline Frame, I cut the frame from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I used a pink piece of Lawn Fawn Watercolor Wishes paper for the background.  I colored the gnomes with Copic markers and then fussy cut the entire image out as one piece to adhere in front of the pink watercolor background.  I adhered the gnome image using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  I used a Uniball white gel pen to create different sized white dots to resemble snow on both the background and the gnomes themselves.  

To learn more about digital stamps, please read this post.  To see more beautiful designs by Alex Syberia, please visit her Etsy shop here. 

Thank you for visiting and happy stamping!

TGIF friends!  Well, it seems I have inadvertently skipped over all things Thanksgiving this week and jumped full speed ahead to Christmas!  This is SO not me at all!  I will be the first to tell you that I don't decorate for Christmas, or gasp, listen to Christmas music until at least December 1st.  And, I could do without the Christmas music until December 23rd really. . . So, the fact that I'm looking ahead at my future blogposts and I am inundated with elves, wreaths and poinsettias tells me that this weekend will be spent creating more fall things!  

But for today, it's still Christmas as I'm sharing the new Pine Bough classic rubber stamp from Whimsy Stamps.  This 3" x 5" background stamp is from the latest November release at Whimsy Stamps.  For my slimline card, I went with a very traditional take on the stamp by heat embossing it in gold and pairing it with an evergreen cardstock.  At the end of this post, I'll share with you some of the beautiful cards that my fellow Whimsy Stamps Creative Team members created using this same background stamp.  

*A full list of supplies is located at the end of this post.

This slimline card measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2".  Slimline cards are designed to fit into a regular #10 business mailing envelope and require no additional postage.  The base of this slimline card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I then lined the white cardstock with an 8 1/4" x 3 1/4" piece of evergreen cardstock.  Using the Slimline Scenic Window die, I cut the frame from gold foil cardstock.  I stamped the Pine Bough stamp in Versamark ink on white cardstock and heat embossed it with gold embossign powder.  I cut this piece enough to fit behind the gold frame and peek through teh windows.  I die cut a scalloped circle of evergreen cardstock and placed it to the right 1/3 of the card.  I stamped the sentiment "Christmas Wishes" in Versamark ink on white cardstock and heat embossed it with gold embossing powder.  I fussy cut the words and adhered them to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  Lastly, using the Leaf Foliage 2 die set, I die cut four leaves from evergreen and lime green cardstock to tuck behind the scalloped circle.   

Here is a look at what my fellow Whimsy Stamps Creative Team members created using this same stamp:

I hope you have enjoyed seeing a variety of ways to use the beautiful new Pine Bough background stamp by Whimsy Stamps.  To check out the November release by Whimsy, please click here. 

​Have a wonderful weekend!

Hello friends and happy Thursday!  Today I am happy to be representing 88 and Clear (formerly Richard Garay Designs) for the Fall/Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop with their new "Hot Cocoa" digital stamp set.  Tomorrow, Friday, November 13th, is the last day to join the hop and be eligible for some of the fabulous prizes from the 72 sponsors of this bi-annual blog hop!  Please read to the end of this post to see how you can link up your coffee-themed card to be entered to win.  

Here is the slimline card I created using the "Hot Cocoa" digital stamp set: 

This slimline card measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2.  The base is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I cut the slimline frame from Sweet Cane sugar stock paper and lined the back of the frame with red and white diagonal striped paper.  I printed out the "Hot Cocoa" digital stamp set on 80 lb. Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock and colored the images using Copic markers.  I used my Brother Scan and Cut 2 e-cutting machine to cut the images in lieu of fussy cutting.  I adhered the images to the slimline card using 3M foam adhesive in an array that was pleasing to my eye.  Once all of the images were adhered, I used Dazzling Pat (similar to Wink of Stella) and added a coat of sparkle to all of the images.  

Here is a list of the fabulous prizes that you can win simply by linking up a caffeinated beverage (coffee, tea, cocoa, matcha, cider, etc) themed card to the hop:

 Jillian Vance Design  ::  $25 Gift Code  ::  FLASH [Two] Coffee, Tea and Me Die Set (USA only please)
Angie Blom Digital Designs  ::  $15 Gift Code ::  FLASH – $15 Gift Code
Anthony’s Paper Craft  ::  One  Coffee 2  ::  FLASH – One  Coffee 2
Art Impression  ::  Envelope for Gift Card Holder Set +  Java Gift Card Holder [set goes to one winner]  ::  FLASH – Coffee BFFs + Hot Java Mama
Avery Elle Stamps  ::  $25 Gift Code
Butterfly Reflections Ink  ::  Miss Ink Stamps – Brewtiful stamp set 
CAS-ual Fridays Stamps  ::  $50 Gift Code  ::  FLASH – $15 Gift Code✦
Catherine Pooler Designs  ::  $25 Gift Code
Clearly Besotted Stamps  ::  £25 EGift Code
Close to My Heart – Chris Franco  ::   CTMH November SOTM – You Warm My Heart
Club Scrap  ::  $30 Club Scrap Gift Certificate
Crackerbox & Suzy Stamps  ::  $30 Gift Code
Dare 2b Artzy  ::  $15 Gift Card✦
Digi Doodle Studios  ::  $25 Gift Code
Dina Kowal Creative  ::  Two – $10 Gift Codes  ::  FLASH – coffee art mini bundle – ornament, mini canvas, glass pendant✦ 
Divinity Designs LLC  ::  $25 Gift Code✦
DL.ART  ::   TWO $10 Gift Codes  ::  FLASH – Coffee Bundle + Flair
Doodlebugswa.com  ::  $25 Gift Code ::  FLASH – $10 Gift Code✦
Ellen Hutson LLC  ::  $25 Ellen Hutson Gift Card
Evelin T Designs  ::  $10 Gift Code  ::  FLASH – $10 Gift Code
Flora & Fauna  :: One Stamp Set $15 Value
Funky Fossil Designs  ::  £25 Gift Code
Gerda Steiner Designs  ::  $25 Gift Code
Gina K Designs  ::  $50 Gift Code  ::  FLASH – FIVE $10 Gift codes
Happy Town Studio  ::  Two Happy Town Studio Coffee Stencils for One Winner ::  FLASH –  Two Happy Town Studio Coffee Stencils for One Winner
Impress Cards and Crafts  ::  Caffeinated Prize
Jaded Blossom Stamps  ::  $25 Jaded Blossom Gift Card
Jane’s Doodles  ::  $25 Gift Code
JessicaLynnOriginal.com  ::  Two $15 Gift Card  ::  FLASH Digital Download for all + Two $5 Gift Cards✦◼︎
Journals for Life  ::  Coffee Bundle $25 Value
Joy Clair Designs  ::   $15 Gift Code valid for stamps only [clear & digital]
Kat Scrappiness  ::  $25 Gift Code for KS Products  ::  FLASH – Surprise KS Gift Pack
Limited Runs Stamps  ::  $15 Gift Code to Store  ::  FLASH – TWO prizes – Any Three Digital images in shop
Makers Movement [NEW]  ::  One MiniMaker Die Cutting Machine  ::  FLASH – One MiniMaker Die Cutting Machine ✤
Miss Ink Stamps  ::  $25 Gift Card  ::  THREE $10 Gift Code✦
Newton’s Nook Designs  ::  $25 Gift Code  ::  FLASH – Mugs Stencil + Coffee & Wine Stamp
Not 2 Shabby  ::  $25 Not 2 Shabby Gift Certificate
Paper Sweeties  ::  $25 Paper Sweeties Gift Card  ::  FLASH – Two Coffee Theme Sweet Mini Duo Sets
Pink and Main  ::  Surprise Package worth $25
Pretty Pink Posh  ::  $30 Gift Code
Rachel Vass Designs  ::  £15 gift code
Reverse Confetti  ::  Two Prize Packages worth over $50  ::  FLASH – TWO Reverse Confetti $15 Gift Codes
Richard Garay 88andClear  ::  One Stamp set of winners choice
Rubbernecker Stamps  :: $50 Gift Code  ::  FLASH – Coffee Lovers Clear Set
RunningStitchDesign  ::  Coffee Bag filled with coffee treats✤
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L  ::   $30 Value Adhesives Package  ::  FLASH – TWO $30 Value Adhesive Packages
Seven Hills Crafts  ::  £15 Gift Certificate
Simply Charming Bags  :: Hot Chocolate Bar Apron  ::  FLASH – A Set of Zip Accessory Bags [one winner]
Stamp Simply  ::  Choice of 2 Stamp Simply products – Stamps/Dies
Stampendous  ::  Thankful Kitty Perfectly Clear Stamps and Gift Card Wallet Die Set ($40 retail value) to one US winner only.
Stampin’ Up Independent Demonstrator Shannon Fralish  ::  Stamp set of choice [value up to $25]
Stamplorations  ::  $25 Gift Code  ::  FLASH – THREE $10 Gift Codes ✦◼︎
Studio Katia  ::  $25 Gift Code  ::  FLASH – $25 Gift Code
SugarPea Designs  ::  $25 Gift Code
Sunny Studio Stamps  ::  $25 Gift Code
Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps  ::  $25 Gift Code
Taylormadecards4u  ::  $25 Gift Code – Digital Images Only  ::  FLASH – Coffee Flash Card Digital Set
The Cat’s Pajamas  ::  $25 Gift Card  :: FLASH – TWO $10 Gift Card
The Greetery [NEW]  ::  $25 Gift Code✤
The Rabbit Hole Designs  ::  Two $15 Vouchers  ::  FLASH – Five $10 Vouchers✦
The Ton Stamps  ::  $10 Gift Code [stamps/dies/ink/gilding only]  ::  FLASH – Two $10 Gift Code [stamps/dies/ink/gilding only]
Therm O Web  ::  $30 Gift Card  ::  FLASH – $25 Gift Card
Three Room Studio  ::  $30 CAD Gift Code
Topflight Stamps  ::  $25 Gift Card
Trinity Stamps  ::  $25 Gift Certificate
Twiddler’s Nook [NEW] ::  Two $15 Gift Codes ::  FLASH – $10 Gift Code✦✤
Uniko  ::  In Stock Clear Stamp Set of the Winner’s Choice  ::  FLASH – Two winners each receive a £5 Clear Stamp Set of Winners Choice ✦◼︎
Unity Stamp Co  ::  Coffee/Tea Themed Prize Package that includes 11 Unity stamps + 1 paper pack, value approx $207+
Waffle Flower  ::  $25 Gift Code
Whimsy Stamps  ::  $25 Whimsy Stamps Gift Code
WOW Embossing Powder  ::  $20 Gift Card  [WOW Embossing Powder UK]
Your Next Stamp  ::  $25 YNS Store e-gift card

Happy creating!