This weekend I will be participating in the Whimsy Stamps Virtual Weekend.  Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this fun annual get-together had to be reorganized from a live audience event in Punta Gorda, Florida, to an online Facebook gathering.  If you are available anytime over the next two days, please join us Saturday and Sunday, June 6th and 7th, from 9 AM to 6 PM for lots of inspiration and ideas from project tutorials and YouTube videos to card challenges, free digital stamp releases, prizes, giveaways and interactive games!   

For this special event, I created a gift boxed set of cards using two of the FREE digital stamps that will be released during this weekend's event.  

Here is a step-by-step video tutorial showing how I created this set:
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​Thanks for visiting and I hope to "see" you at this weekend's virtual Facebook event!

Hello readers!  Today I am sharing a simple way to create elegant backgrounds for your cards.  It's nothing new or earth shattering, but may be something you have never considered before.  These cards were created using a tone-on-tone, or as in these examples, black-on-black heat embossing.  Simply heat embossing an image with black embossing powder onto black cardstock.  It is simple, subtle and stunning.  

I used the brand new RG Avenue digital stamp set called "Strong Courage" to create these cards.  There is also a full supply list with clickable links at the end of this post. 

Here is the step-by-step tutorial video I created showing how both of these cards were made: 

If you haven't already, I hope you will try the black-on-black heat embossing.  I think you will find it adds a very elegant look to your cards. 
Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

Hello readers!  Today I am featuring these cards using the beautiful new "Floral Star" Layering Dies on the Birch Press Design blog.  These dies, like all of the Birch Press Design products, are simply gorgeous and after initially making the purple card, I wanted to show you how these dies look in other colors too!   This basic flower/star design would well for a variety of occasions.

I have created a video for you to watch and learn how these cards were made.  Each A2 sized card was made in a similar monochromatic color tone.   Each color was carried throughout the card both in the cardstock base and coordinating ink.

I hope you have enjoyed today's cards and instructional video.  Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

Hello friends and happy Tuesday! Today I am over on the Whimsy Stamps blog sharing my first "Tuesday Tutorial." These "Tuesday Tutorials" are step-by-step instructional posts by the Creative Team members offering guidance on how to do something - whether it's coloring, creating texture, die cutting, stenciling or so many other techniques. I am excited to be sharing my first video featuring alcohol ink backgrounds and the new March release stamp set called Shamrock Top Hat. You might recall that just last week, I also sharedthese two cards using this wonderful new Shamrock Top Hat stamp set. I am just so in love with this St. Patrick's Day themed set!

I hope you will enjoy this video sharing how I created both the alcohol ink backgrounds and the three cards themselves:
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Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

Hello readers! Today I am on the Birch Press Design blog sharing another way to use the beautiful Butterfly Garden Layering dies. If you recall, just last week I shared these two cards created using these same dies, yet they look vastly different when they are done in a completely different color scheme! I can't decide which one I like better, can you?!

I have created this fairly short video for you to watch to see how I put this A2 sized card together. This will guide you though step-by-step each process of this card - and it's all under five minutes long! I'm a fan of keeping things short and sweet!

​There is also a list of supplies used (with clickable links) conveniently located at the end of this post.

I hope you have enjoyed this card and video tutorial.  Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative weekend!

Hello friends!  Just about two weeks ago I released my first ever craft video (as seen below).  This was a very exciting moment for me and I have been overwhelmed by the positive responses, reviews and feedback I have already received thus far.  I have created my own YouTube channel to which you can subscribe and follow me, so that you never miss a video.  However, all of my videos will also be posted on a new "video" highlight tab right here on my website.  This way you will have an easier point of reference should you ever choose to re-watch a video or need a reminder about something you saw me create.  If you look at the very top of the page across the title line, you will now see "videos" sandwiched between "gallery" and "contact." 
    

Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy creating videos has been using iMovie (right on my iPhone). 
I have ZERO experience and I was able to figure it out fairly easily.  I had my own personal lists of "do's and don'ts" when it came time to creating videos.  For instance:
DO:  Be clear and precise.
DO:  Keep it simple and to the point. 
DO:  Have clean hands/nails/desk.
DON'T:  Use "ummm", "ahhhh," wait a minute, hang on, etc.
DON'T:  Have other interactions going on in the background (radio, tv, cats running around, etc.)
DON'T: Have flappy talking hands. 

I feel confident that in my first video I achieved all of these, so I consider that in and of itself, a success!  To hold my phone while I am film, I am using the Arkon "Remarkable Creators" Mount, which came highly recommended for crafters, bakers and nail artists.  It is set up permanently on my desk in a location where it doesn't have to be moved, so it is readily accessible.  I film each video in sections so that I can edit/delete/speed up various parts of the video rather than the entire clip and then I go back and merge them all together.  This also helps eliminate the need for deleting the entire video and starting over too!  Once the video is complete, I then draft a script (no, I don't fly by the seat of my pants here)!  A script helps me eliminate fumbling for words, or miscellaneous random conversations that no one wants to hear.   So far, the most challenging part has been finding a quiet location in my house to do the voiceover, so that you don't hear my cats screaming at me for their tenth meal of the day!  Yes, Guinness would eat ALL DAY LONG if I let him. . . 

It has been a fun learning experience for me and I hope YOU have enjoyed these videos.   I look forward to what I might create and you'll see a new video up tomorrow!  

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!