Pretty Pink Posh: March Product Release...

This month I was asked to participate in the March product release for Pretty Pink Posh! They sent me some fun stamps and dies, and here is what I came up with! I used their new Scallop Circles die set and the Birdie Friends stamp set and coordinating dies. I also used my MOST favorite thing that PPP carries - their Clear Sequins!

The Scallop Circle dies have a pretty "stitched" look to them that creates a nice finished look, love that. I did some ink blending in the background, then die cut the stamps, nest, leaves and branch and stamped them. The birds, nest and branch were colored in with Copic Markers: Y15 (birds), R20 (nest) and YG11 (on branch). The background paper is by Papertrey Ink's Vintage Linens paper pad and the inks used were: Tropical Teal, Summer Sunrise, Pure Poppy, New Leaf and Dark Chocolate by Papertrey Ink.

There are two $25 gift certificates up for grabs today by Pretty Pink Posh! Swing through each blog and leave a comment. Comments must be left by 11:59 PM PST on 3/14/2016. Winners will be announced on the PPP blog and will be picked randomly along the blog hop. 

P.S. If you enjoy my cardmaking style, I would love for you to check out my online card class called Cards With Dimension: Lovely Layers, Textures and Embellishments over at Craftsy.com. Right now I can offer you 50% off my class, and if you are new to Craftsy, you have a chance to win $1000 for your favorite charity by signing up for any class right now through Sunday, March 13th. 

Or if If you’d like to try one of the other awesome Craftsy classes at a discount, you can view them HERE. Thank you SO much for swinging by today, have a blessed day!

Now get to hoppin' for your chance to win:

Pretty Pink Posh blog

Laura Bassen

Heather Hoffman

Amy Kolling

Yana Smakula

Joni Andaya

Liz Sarkisyan

Melania Deasy

Nichol Spohr Magouirk

Lisa Elton

Danielle Flanders (you are here)

Yuki Yoshioka

Joy Taylor

Nina-Marie Trapani

Gayatri Murali 

Julia Altermann

Yoonsun Hur

Carissa Wiley

Revisited: Fancy Folk Art...

Each month on the 1st, the Papertrey Ink team revisits an older stamp set to give you fresh ideas of what you can do with it! Today we are using the Fancy Folk Art stamps and dies. I have one card three ways for you today:

1. a one-layer card (simple),
2. a card using the dies and an extra technique for the sentiment (intermediate),
3. and one with extra dimension, ink blending in the background, and splitting the sentiment (advanced). 

You can use these same tips with any stamp and die set, however, to step up your cards!

1. First is the one-layer stamped card or "simple" version! 
Everything is stamped directly onto the card base with Fancy Folk Art.

The leaves are stamped in Stormy Seas ink and the flowers with Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist, Tropical Teal and Bright Buttercup inks, then the sentiment over the top.

Nothing wrong with this one, but let's see how we can "step it up"!

2. Next is the "intermediate" version! 
I added a couple more steps in my process to add extra dimension. The big floral piece is die cut and stamped first, so I could raise it up off the card with pop dots. Then I placed the die cut directly onto the card and actually stamped the sentiment right over the top (before raising it up!). It did stamp through the holes of the die cut onto the card base. The die cut was then adhered with pop dots to help it stand off the card, and I also stamped and cut out another banner to place over the top.

Can you see the dimension of the die cut that is standing up off the "intermediate" card? I love dimension!

Now should we "step it up" a bit more? :)

3. Last is the "advanced" version: 
I will call the last version of this card "advanced", just because it has a few more steps to creating it, but I really think the extra steps give it a bit more "WOW" factor and detail to look at! What do you think? Which version do you prefer?

The floral is die cut and stamped, but before adding it to the card with pop dots, I did some ink blending in the background with a sponge and Aqua Mist ink. I really love how the soft aqua brings out the teal and red! It also brings out the white banner and white edges around the die cut, which really makes it pop. When placing the die cut on the card, I adhered it on an angle. This way I didn't cover up the two tulip shapes. The slight tilt of the floral piece makes a huge difference!

The sentiment stamp was cut apart! (YES, I cut the stamp!) I wanted to stamp only the "many thanks" separately in Aqua Mist under the die cut. You could also mask off the banner if you'd like. I don't mind cutting my stamps apart, because they can be put back together very nicely on the acrylic block. I stamped the banner in black and cut it out and added it over the top of the floral piece. I've also added the clear sequins as another detail that adds sparkle and catches the eye, without taking the attention away from the pretty floral.

I hope you enjoyed these tips for adding more detail and color and "stepping up" your card designs!

Visit Betsy, Dawn, Heather, and Melissa for more Fancy Folk Art ideas!

Creative Cardmaker: Inlaid Die Cuts...

Happy Thursday! This week I was up with another Creative Cardmaker post over at Scrapbook Expo's Weekly Scrapper blog. This time I have a tutorial on adding inlaid die cuts to your cards to get a really professional look!

This technique involves die cutting a word or shape out of the card front and inserting another of the same shape in a different color, like I did with the gold "birthday" here on this card.

The result is so lovely! I've used Papertrey Ink's Birthday Cheer dies, Confetti Toss stamps, The Sweet Life stamps and dies, gray paper from the new Stormy Sea + White Pattern Pack, True Black cardstock, and Luxe Gold Adhesive Sheets.

Stop by the Weekly Scrapper to read more about this process! Have a great day!
Danielle

SAF 2015: Patterns Challenge...

Welcome to the Patterns Challenge! Each of the Papertrey Ink designers have contributed a basic card design based on a card that we created in the past. Then we'll show you two more cards based on that pattern! Here is mine. The sketch is based on the first card in THIS blog post.

My first card is made with the Nostalgic Notions kit.

The pre-printed patterned papers were used from the kit. The pretty yellow scallop mimics the one in the pattern, then the flowers were stamped with the Nostalgic Notions stamps. I made a little bouquet and added twine for the stems.

The sentiment fit better in the lower corner on this particular card instead of the upper corner like in the sketch!

Hoping Your Day is Lovely card: 
STAMPS: Nostalgic Notions
INK: True Black, Pure Poppy, Sweet Blush, Aqua Mist, Tropical Teal
PAPER: Nostalgic Notions
DIES: Nostalgic Notions
OTHER:  twine, sequins.
______

My second card is vertical instead of horizontal.

Again, I used the Nostalgic Notions kit papers, stamps, dies and notions. I cut the blue paper with the scallop die in the kit, added one of the paper doilies from the kit, die cut a heart and instead of creating a bouquet, I used it in the place of the bouquet in the sketch. The fabric trim, button and sentiment stamp were all in the kit as well.

Thank You Kindly card: 
STAMPS: Nostalgic Notions
INK: True Black, Aqua Mist, Tropical Teal, Pure Poppy, Sweet Blush
PAPER: Nostalgic Notions
DIES: Nostalgic Notions
OTHER:  twine, button and doily from kit.
______

Visit Nichole Heady's blog to check out what the other designers have done with the patterns challenge and be sure to play along for your chance to win!

Release day...

It is release day for August and that means we get to show you more new products coming out tonight at 10pm EST at Papertrey Ink! First, I have the Keep it Simple: Home stamp set. I've also added some leaves and acorns with Quilted: Autumn.

Happy New Home card:
STAMPS: Keep It Simple: Home, Quilted: Autumn
INK: Simply Chartreuse, Harvest Gold, Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate, Classic Kraft, Orange Zest

PAPER: Autumn Chicken Scratch Gingham, Autumn Abundance Patterned Paper

DIES: Quilted: Autumn

OTHER: pearl, twine, pin.

______

Next, I used Pumpkin Patch stamps and dies and had to add a few leaves from Quilted: Autumn again. :)

Many Thanks card:
STAMPS: Quilted: Autumn, Pumpkin Patch
INK: Canyon Clay, Summer Sunrise, Orange Zest

PAPER: White, Classic Kraft, Autumn Chicken Scratch Gingham

DIES: Quilted: Autumn, Pumpkin Patch

OTHER: pearl, seam binding.

______

I think this one is my favorite. I cut a big leaf from watercolor paper with the new Enclosed: Leaf dies, then used Papertrey Ink ink pads: Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise and Harvest Gold. I dipped a paintbrush in the ink and some water and blended the colors on my leaf.

When the inks were dry, I added the stamped veins in Summer Sunrise and a die cut from the Enclosed: Leaf dies.

Grateful For You card:

STAMPS: Enclosed: Leaf
INK: Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Harvest Gold

PAPER: watercolor paper, Vintage Linens Paper Pad, white, Dark Chocolate Pattern Pack

DIES: Enclosed: Leaf

OTHER: seam binding, pearl.

______

Last is a beautiful new floral set called Fall Florals. I just love it! I used a Vintage Linens paper in the background.

Happiest Birthday To You card:
STAMPS: Fall Florals
INK: Tropical Teal, Aqua Mist, Summer Sunrise, Orange Zest, New Leaf

PAPER: Aqua Mist, white, Vintage Linens Paper Pad

DIES: Fall Florals

OTHER: pearl.

______

Is there a product you can't wait to get? All of the new products you see here today will be available August 15th at 10pm EST at Papertrey Ink. Here are the other design team members' wonderful blogs...stop by and visit them to see more!

Amy Sheffer
Ashley Cannon Newell
Betsy Veldman
Dawn McVey
Erin Lincoln
Laurie Willison
Lizzie Jones
Maile Belles
Melissa Phillips
Nichole Heady

Today is the last post for my guest spot over at Basic Grey, and it's been fun working with their products! My layout is made with their new Plumeria line and is their sketch for the week. Let me help you complete a scrapbook layout quickly by providing you with a starting point! Simply grab your photos and favorite product, and you’ll be done in no time!

I love this photo of Kati, and I know I've used it before, but when I look at it I see a happy girl, a lot like me, she's usually very positive and kind to people... usually so very content no matter where she is or what she's doing. I thought "She's an extension of my happiness" would be a fun title for this page. It also has a double meaning to me, that when my husband and I decided to try for one more baby, we were so happy in that time of our lives. Had just moved into a house together and everything seemed like the right time. Cheesy? I know...a little bit! I'm really sappy like that....
Here I used the Plumeria Stickers as a little embellishment next to my photo. I die cut some of the papers with the Love Lives Here die by Papertrey Ink and scattered them down the page. The purple cardstock helps ground the photo a little bit. I wrote the journaling on a die cut Half & Half tag and tucked it under the photo!

I absolutely love the grey/purple color combo!

Here is the sketch if you'd like to play along this week - leave a link to your layout or card at the Basic Grey blog HERE!

Thank you to Basic Grey for having me be a part of your blog this month!!

There are so many different ways you can create with layers in your scrapbooking and card making. Stop over to the Pink Paislee blog all this week to read several different ways by the team members! I'm impressed at how differently everyone's take was on the "Layered Look" theme this week!

I decided to show how layers can be added with stamping on these two cards. On this card, first I adhered two die cuts from London Market Ephemera (post card and flowers). Next, I stamped the postage stamp with red ink onto pink patterned paper from the London Market 6x6 Paper Pack and cut it out. I adhered it, then stamped the black postage mark over the top. The black frame is another Ephemera piece also that I folded in half over the top of the card! (It was actually placed there to cover up a stamping mistake!) Stamps are from the Spring Jubilee stamp set.

Other ways to layer include patterned paper bits, tape and buttons and twine like I did here. Am loving this twine by Trendy Twine! I wrapped it around the card top before adhering to the card base and tied on a Wooden Spool Button by Pink Paislee.

On the second card, I used the Spring Jubilee stamps again and first stamped with Jenni Bowlin's Chewing Gum ink (pink). Next, I used Papertrey Ink's Pure Poppy to stamp the flowers in red over the top. A similar design was used for the sentiment in New Leaf ink by Papertrey Ink, and I stamped again and again without reinking to get a lighter version of the sentiment. Really creates dimension to the eye, without actually adding dimension!

The Trendy Twine is used here to create butterfly antennas - just wrapped it around the butterfly and tied, leaving two tails for the antennas. I also stitched around the die cut to add dimension and interest to a plain 'old die cut. :) (Oops, one antennae is falling down in my pic.)

Visit the Trendy Twine blog to see more twine ideas, and the Pink Paislee blog to see more layering ideas! :)

Sizzix fresh vintage...

For the past couple of weeks, you may have been wondering what's been up with the Sizzix Fresh Vintage photo in my side bar? ------>

Sizzix has asked quite a few designers to participate in a blog hop that lasts several weeks. I love the name "Fresh Vintage" for their blog hop! That is really how I think you could describe my style. I love the vintage warm cozy feel, but I also love it to look fresh and bright - not old, like you might think vintage would look!

Anyway, Sizzix sent me the Bigz Flower 3D #2 die to work with!

I made a pretty flower with it to dress up a gift box in silver and red for the holidays. It was very easy!

I followed the directions on the insert for the die. It tells you to first cut paper in squares of 4x4". I used some printed tissue paper from my Christmas stash! (You could stamp on tissue paper also to make your own designed tissue!) The tissue paper works great because it's so thin, and you can cut many layers at once.

Next, you fold these 4" squares in half and then in half again, leaving you with 2" squares. Place them on the flower die in the corner with the fold on the outside and run them through the Sizzix. You will get some little pointy flowers that look like this...

Now take some thread and sew them all together at their points. String them all on the same line.

When done, it might look something like this...

Now pull the two thread ends together tight and tie in a knot. You can unfold the petals a bit, and scrunch them up on the ends. After I scrunched mine, I added some spray adhesive and sprinkled on some Diamond Dust Glitter from the craft store.

Although you can't see it very well in the picture, I sprayed the top of the box with Calico White Mister Huey mist by Studio Calico to make the box a little whiter. I hot glued the twine on and added a rub on saying by Melissa Frances directly to the box. The measuring tape sticker around the box is from the Portrait line by Crate Paper. Red polkadot paper is Autumn Press paper by Studio Calico, striped paper is Candy Cane Prints by Papertrey Ink.

The whole process of creating the flower took me only a few minutes! I am imagining these flowers on all kinds of gifts - birthday, Easter, etc. You could spray the tissue paper any color you wish with mists too.

To continue on the hop, click on that FRESH VINTAGE image in my side bar! (UP by my photo) You can see ALL of the designers participating, but if you click on the image in my side bar, you'll just be visiting those of us doing the "Flower 3D #2 Die" blog hop today.

Visit the Oh My Crafts blog for your chance to win a die!