Candle Centerpiece

Good Morning my crafty friends.  I am happy you came to visit my blog.  

This is a 6-inch square card.  For the gold design, I used a piece of white glossy cardstock and used the Spellbinders Merry Filigree Quatrefoil glimmer plate and gold foil.  I love using the Spellbinders Glimmer Foil System for adding beautiful foil accents to my cards.  

Using Susan's Poinsettia die set, one poinsettia was created.  It was die cut using Susan's Specialty Cardstock.  Susan's Flower Tool Kit was used to create the veins before coloring.  This helps to bring out the scored lines after they are colored.  Using the Waffle Flower Media Mat and brushes, red ink was applied to the leaves.  White acrylic paint was thinned then using a small paint brush to pick up the paint, it was flicked over the colored die cuts.  The bracts were made using green Nuvo drops and a small yellow Prill pressed in on the top.  

The Garden Lantern die set includes a candle die.  This was die cut using white glossy cardstock.  The flame was colored using alcohol markers.

The Pinecone & Evergreen Bough die set was used for the  Evergreen Boughs.  The Winterberry & Mistletoe die set was used for the other greenery.  Red berries were added to the Winterberry branches.  Snowflake paste was added to some of the greenery.  

Garden Lantern with Poinsettias

Good Morning.  I am happy you came to my blog. I would love it if you would leave a comment below to let me you came to read about how I created this card.   

I am still working on my Christmas cards.  I love Susan's new Garden Lantern and Poinsettia die sets so created another card using these  sets.

This is a 6-inch square card.  On the front I added a piece of foiled, gold striped card stock from my stash.

Using the Garden Lantern die set, the lantern was die cut using a gold metallic card stock. The lantern was die cut a second time, using gold mirror cardstock.  Using scissors, the trim on the lantern was cut out and glued to the gold metallic lantern.  The top ornament and latch for the lantern were also die cut using the gold mirror card stock.   A piece of marbled gold card stock was used for the background at the back of the lantern.  Using the candle die from the Garden Lantern die set, it was die cut using a textured white card stock.  It was cut in half length wise then edges on the cut side were rounded to match the other side.  White Nuvo Crystal Drops was used to create melted wax along the top edge of the candle.  The flames were die cut using yellow and orange metallic card stock.  The two candles were shaped to appear round and attached inside the Lantern.

Using the Poinsettia die set, three poinsettias were die cut using Susan's Specialty Cardstock from Spellbinders.  The poinsettias were shaped using Susan's Flower Tool Kit.  Watered down light pink watercolor was brushed down the center down the petals on one of the poinsettias.  For the center of each poinsettia, I used green Nuvo drops and added a yellow Prill to the top of the bract on the pink poinsettia.  The glue used for assembly is the Bearly Art Glue.

The Pinecone & Evergreen Bough die set was used to die cut the evergreen boughs.  Pink Styrofoam balls were used for the berries.  A black fine tip pen was used to push down on each berry.  

Susan's Holiday Quotes stamp set was used for the greeting.  It was die cut using a scallop oval die.  It was attached using double sided dimensional dots.  

I am often asked about different products I use, so I have tried to add links below on products I used to create this card plus a lot of other products I regularly use.  

I hope you like visiting my blog.  Happy crafting!

Fall Bouquet

Are you ready for Autumn?  Today it is very cool outside and the leaves are changing colors.  I decided to create an Autumn bouquet using Susan's Button Daisy & Chrysanthemum, Cactus Dahlia & Ornamental Garden Pottery, Foliage & Ladybug, and Woodland Garden Leaves die sets.

Using the Cactus Dahlia & Ornamental Garden Pottery die set, the pottery was die cut using a piece of bronze metallic card stock.  It was die cut a second time using gold metallic card stock and the two gold bands were cut out with scissors and glued to the pottery.

Using the Button Daisy &  Chrysanthemum die set, flowers were die cut using Susan's Specialty Cardstock, colored, and shaped using the Deluxe Tool Kit.  They were assembled using Bearly Art Glue.  Yellow Prills were added to the center of the Button Daisies.  

The Foliage & Ladybug die set was used for the berry branch and red Nuvo drops, now sold by Spellbinders, was used for the berries.  

The Woodland Garden Leaves die set was used to die cut five of the small maple leaves.  They were colored, shaped then clear crystal glaze added.  

A piece of woodgrain design paper from my stash was used for the background.

All the beautiful mums are now out at all the grocery stores and florist shops, which gets us all ready to decorate for Autumn.  

Masculine Poinsettia Card

Today I wanted to create a masculine Christmas Card using Susan's Poinsettia die set from Spellbinders.  Other die sets used are shown in bold print.

This is a 6-inch square card.  I used a piece of plaid design paper from my stash for the background.  

On the upper right side, I used the Spellbinders Essential Squares die set to die cut the two white squares. In the center of the smaller square I used one of the stamps from Susan's Holiday Quotes stamp set.  Both squares were attached using dimensional tape.

Using the Poinsettia die set, three poinsettia were created.  Susan's white Specialty card stock from Spellbinders was used and her Deluxe Tool Kit was used for shaping them. The glue used is Bearly Art Glue.   Green Nuvo Drops, Prills and Pollen was used for the bracts.

The Foliage & Ladybug die set was used for the Eucalyptus leaves.  The Pinecone and Evergreen Bough die set was used for the evergreen boughs and the pinecone.    Snow was added to the evergreen boughs and clusters of red berries.  The berries were created using bean bag styrofoam balls that were painted red with acrylic paint.  

The Garden Lantern die set includes a candle.  The candle was die cut using a piece of card stock from the DCWV Mercury Glass Cardstock Pad.

I love how realistic the poinsettia and pinecones look using Susan's die sets.  For help in knowing how to assemble Susan's flowers, you can watch her Spellbinder YouTube Videos or also get instruction on her Facebook Garden Club Live Videos.

I have links for products used and a lot of other products I use below.

Geraniums

Hello Paper Gardeners!   Today I have a card created with Susan's Geraniums & Antique Wooden Bucket die set from her Summer Release from Spellbinders.

This is a 6-inch square card.  I used a background die from my stash for the background.  It was die cut using white card stock and backed with green card stock and attached to the right side of the card front.

The Geraniums & Antique Wooden Bucket die set was used to die cut the Antique Wooden Bucket.  Gold mirror card stock was used to create the bands around the bucket.  The bucket was attached using dimensional tape in the center and glued on both sides, to give it dimension.  The same die set was used to die cut enough pieces to create three geranium flowers. They were die cut using Susan's Specialty Card Stock from Spellbinders.   They were shaped using Susan's Deluxe Flower Tool Kit and assembled using Bearly Art Glue.  The geranium leaves were die cut using white card stock, brushed with green ink and edged lightly with red ink.  They were shaped and attached around the flowers.

One of the quote from Susan's Spring Quotes stamp set was used.  It was stamped using VersaFine Black Ink then cut out using one of the square dies in the Spellbinders Essential Squares die set.  

Poinsettia Wreath

Since Susan's Christmas die sets are now available from Spellbinders, I decided to post another Christmas card.  The die sets used are: Woodland Wreath & Feathered Friends, Poinsettia, Pine Cone and Evergreen Bough, Winterberry & Mistletoe and Winter Bough & Evergreen Shrubs die sets.

The Woodland Wreath die set was used to die cut three wreath out of brown card stock.  They were attached to the card front.  

The Pine Cone and Evergreen Bough die set was used to die cut two pine cones.  They were die cut out of brown card stock, shaped and assembled using Bearly Art Glue.  Craft Snow was added to the tips.  Eight Evergreen Boughs were die cut, shaped and added to the wreath.  

The Winterberry & Mistletoe die set was used to die cut the Winterberry Holly.  They were brushed green then brushed with Crystal Clear Glaze to make them shiny.   Winter leaves were die cut using the Winter Bough & Evergreen Shrubs die set.  They were die cut using white card stock and colored with a green marker, leaving the edges white.  All the foliage was shaped using the Deluxe Tool Kit.  Snow was added to some of the boughs.

The Poinsettia die set was used to create one red poinsettia.  It was die cut using Susan's Specialty Cardstock and was brushed with red ink, then shaped using the Tool Kit.

The poinsettia and pine cones were glued to the wreath over the evergreen boughs and other foliage.  Red berries, created by coloring bean bag Styrofoam balls, were glued to the foliage and a fine tip pen used to add a black dot on the end of each berry.  

The Woodland Wreath & Feathered Friends die set was used to die cut the Cardinal.  It was colored with markers and attached with dimensional tape.  

It is nice to have most of my Christmas cards made before the holidays.   

Thanks for stopping by today. 

Peach Gladiolus

Good Morning!  I wanted to let you know that Spellbinders now has Susan's Summer Release shown on their site for you to leave your email address so you can be notified when these dies will be available.

Today I have designed a slimline card using the new, soon to be released, Gladiolus & Berry Picking Basket and the Daffodil/Narcissus & Antique Vase with Honey Bee die sets.  I also used the leaves from the Foliage & Ladybug, and the Woodland Wreath & Feathered Friends die sets.  Susan's new release has different containers in each die set for our bouquets and I have used one flower die set and a vase from a different die set.

A piece of embossed white cardstock was attached to the front of the card.

Using the Daffodil/Narcissus die set, the vase was die cut using a piece of design paper from my stash. This cardstock was from Tonic but I was unable to find it to link below.  The vase was attached with dimensional tape in the center and glued around the edges to give it shape.  The top was left open to insert the flowers.

The Foliage & Ladybug die set was used to die cut the leafy branches.  Five branches were die cut using white card card, brushed with green ink and shaped with Susan's Deluxe Tool Kit from Spellbinders.  I like to place the die cuts on the Waffle Flower Media Mat and brush on ink.  

The new Gladiolus & Berry Picking Basket die set was used to die cut the flowers, using Susan's Specialty Card Stock.  Peach ink was sponged on the edges of the flower petals, leaving a white streak down the center.  They were lightly misted with water and shaped using the Flower Tool Kit.  They were assembled using the Bearly Art Glue.  Two branches of flowers were created and tucked in the vase.

The Foliage & Ladybug die set was used to die cut the little ladybug.  She was colored, shaped, and attached with Bearly Art Glue then Crystal Glaze added to make her shine.  

The Woodland Wreath & Feathered Friends die set was used to die cut the bird.  It was colored by sponging on color and attached with dimensional tape.

A few small clear embellishments were attached around the bouquet.

I have linked Susan's Garden products below along with other products I use.  

Thanks for stopping by today.

Mistletoe in Gathering Basket

Today Spellbinders has Susan's Garden Christmas die sets available.   I have them linked below.   I have posted a lot of Christmas cards using this collection that I hope has give you a lot of inspiration for creating your Christmas cards.   Today I have a simple card using the Winterberry & Mistletoe and the Gathering Basket from this release.

I used a piece of 6x6 design paper that had a mistletoe border down each side.  

 

The Gathering Basket die set was used to die cut the basket out of white card stock and was colored by brushing on several different colors of brown ink.  It was attached using dimensional tape in the center and gluing down the edges using Bearly Art Glue.

The Winterberry & Mistletoe die set was used to die cut a lot of the the Mistletoe branches.  They were die cut using Susan's Specialty Card Stock and brushed light green.  I used the Waffle Flower Media Mat and brushes to add the ink.  White Pigment ink was sponged onto the edges of the Mistletoe.  The leaves were shaped using Susan's Deluxe Tool Kit from Spellbinders.    To match the mistletoe in the design paper, I used Nuvo Autumn Red Crystal Drops for the berries.

Using Susan's Holiday Quotes Stamp Set, the quote was stamped using VersaFine Black Ink and die cut using a Rectangle die.  Before taking out of the die, the edges were sponged with green ink.  The quote was added using dimensional tape.

We are happy now that Susan's Christmas release is now available from Spellbinders.  Happy Shopping!  (Links are below.)

Cactus Dahlia and Garden Lantern

Good Morning Paper Gardeners!  

Today I have a card designed using a variety of Susan's Garden die sets.  Coming out soon in the US, is Susan's new Summer Flora collection.  From that collection I used the new Cactus Dahlia.  From Susan's Christmas Release, I used the Garden Lantern die set and the Woodland Wreath & Feathered Friends die sets.  Spellbinders now has Susan's Christmas Release dies and stamp set available.  I have linked these products below.

This is a 6-inch square card.  The gingham design  paper is from The Paper Boutique-Bumblebee's Dance paper pad.  I used the Scorboard to score a line 1/8 inch around the edges.  It was attached to the card front.

The Garden Lantern die set was used to create the white and silver trimmed lantern.  I used Tonic specialty papers for the roof and design inside the lantern.  Silver metallic cardstock used for the trim.  

The Foliage and Ladybug die set was used to die cut the ferns and the little ladybug that is attached on a leaf at the bottom of the card.  

The Spirea die set was used for the pink spirea.  The flowers were die cut using Susan's Specialty white card stock that was sponged light pink prior to die cutting.  A fine tip pink pen was used to add a dot in the center of each little flower.

The Winterberry & Mistletoe die set was used to die cut the berry branch.  White bean bag filler was used for the white berries.  A fine tip black pen was used to add dot on end of each berry.

The Cactus Dahlia die set, from Susan's Summer Release, was used to create three different dahlia flowers.  This is such a beautiful flower!  The flowers were shaped using tools from Susan's new Deluxe Tool Kit and assembled using Bearly Art Glue.

The Ferns & Ivy die set was used to die cut the ivy which is along the bottom of the arrangement.

The Woodland Wreath & Feathered Friends die set was used to die cut the bird.  It was colored by sponging on blue ink and very, very light grey ink on the chest.  

The little bee die is in one of the new summer release die sets.

Susan's Christmas release  from Spellbinders is now linked below along with the other die sets I used to create this card.  

Hybrid Tea Rose Bouquet

Good Morning Paper Gardeners.  One of the very first dimensional flowers I created, many years ago, was a rose created using Susan's Punch A Bunch punches.   It is one of my very favorite flowers to create.  I was happy Susan's Summer release with Spellbinders includes a hybrid tea rose die set. These roses are smaller and easy to create a beautiful bouquet. 

This is a six-inch card.  The die sets used are Susan's Hybrid Tea Rose, Ivy & Fern, Pottery (from Cactus Dahlia die set), and Foliage & Ladybug die sets.  

The background is a piece of Graphic 45 Design Paper.  Spellbinders Anabelle's Trousseau Layering Frame Medium die set was used for the pretty corners.

The Pottery was die cut using a piece of gold metallic card stock.  It was die cut again using black glossy card stock and the trim pieces were cut out using scissors and glued to the pottery.  It was attached with dimensional tape to the bottom of the card.  

Using the Hybrid Tea Rose die set, three roses and two buds were die cut using Susan's Specialty Card Stock from Spellbinders.  The edges of the petals were sponged using a bright pink ink, then shaped using Susan's Deluxe Tool Kit.  Bearly Art Glue was used.

Using the Ivy & Fern Die Set, several pieces of Ivy was die cut, colored using a green marker and shaped.  Using this same set, four Maidenhair Ferns were die cut, colored and shaped.  

Using the Foliage & Ladybug die set, the small flower die, to be used with the Rosemary die, were die cut using white card stock, shaped and glued to the berry branch.  I used this for a filler behind the roses.  Two ladybugs were die cut and added to the bouquet.

Thank you for visiting my blog.  I will attach links to the new dies when they are available.  

Black Lacquer Christmas Lantern

Good Morning!   I have had fun creating pretty Garden Lanterns with Susan's new Spellbinders die set.

The background for this card is a textured platinum card stock.  

To create the lantern, it was die cut using the Garden Lantern die set and glossy black cardstock.  It was then die cut again using silver mirror cardstock.  The black glossy lantern was cut apart so decorate the silver lantern. I used a Quatrefoil background die for the bright silver window decoration.  A piece of silver mirror card stock was attached to the back of the lantern.  The center vertical line of the lantern was drawn again with the leaf tool from the Flower Tool Kit, then bent in half slightly, for dimension.  Spellbinders silver, self adhesive  embellishments were added as a decoration on the top and windows of the lantern.  

Using the Poinsettia die set, one poinsettia was created.  Using the Pinecone & Evergreen Bough die set, one pinecone was created.  The Evergreen Bough die  was used to die cut 9 boughs.  White berries were added.

One of Susan's new Christmas Quotes was stamped with VersaMark Ink, on glossy black cardstock and silver embossed.  It was die cut with a fancy die and attached with dimensional tape.

Pink Variegated Poinsettia with Bird

One of my favorite color of poinsettias are the variegated cream/pink.  I love the soft color!  

Susan's new Spellbinders Poinsettia die set was used to create these pretty poinsettias.  They were die cut using an ivory cardstock.  The Flower Tool Kit was used to shape the petals.   Using a paint brush, light pink watercolor was brushed down the center of each petal.  Tiny Styrofoam balls, colored light green, were added to the center of each poinsettia.  On top of each ball, one small yellow prill was added.  

Using the Winter Bough & Evergreen Shrubs die set, the bough was die cut using light brown cardstock.  Two boughs were glued down on the upper left side.  

Before die cutting the Evergreen Bough, I loaded a paint brush with white acrylic paint and splattered it onto green card stock.  After it was dry, the Evergreen Bough die was used to die cut 4 boughs.  Using scissors, each point on the bough was cut in half to create fullness.  

Using the Winter Berry die, three branches were die cut using dark green card stock.  Light pink berries were added.  

One bird was die cut and colored with markers.  It was added to one of the branches.  

Poinsettia Merry Christmas

This is one of my favorite Christmas cards.  It was designed using Susan's Poinsettia, Pinecone, Evergreen Boughs, Winterberry, and Eucalyptus die sets.  The Eucalyptus is from an earlier release.

For the background, I used a piece of design paper from the P13-The Four Seasons Winter paper pad.  In the center of the card the Spellbinders Candlewick Rectangle die was used.  The rectangle was attached with dimensional tape.

Three red poinsettia were created using  the Poinsettia die set.  They were die cut using Susan's white Specialty card stock, brushed with red ink, and shaped using Susan's new Flower Tool Kit.  Bearly Art Glue was used to assemble them.  

I use Susan's white Specialty Cardstock from Spellbinders to die cut my flowers/foliage.  I like to color the flowers and foliage by placing them on the Waffleflower Media Mat and use brushes to add ink.  The Media Mat holds the die cut pieces down and makes it quick and easy to color using just one solid color and/or to highlight/blend with additional color.  The mat cleans up very easily when you are ready to color with different ink - I use a babywipe.  I prefer this method of coloring because it is a very smooth application and is also easy to blend colors. There are two sizes of this mat, which I have linked below, along with the brushes. 

The Eucalyptus die set was used to die cut five branches.  They were colored pale green and the ends of the leaves sponged using white pigment ink.  

The Winterberry & Mistletoe die set was used to die cut five Winterberry.  Red berries were added to these leaves.  I used bean bag filler for the berries.  I pick out the smaller balls, put them in a Ziploc bag along with a little acrylic paint, and squish around to get them all colored.  I pull them out with a chop stick onto a piece of waxed paper to dry.  If they stick together after pulling them out, don't worry because they will easily separate when dry.

The Pinecone and Evergreen Bough die set was used to die cut seven pine boughs.  The same die set was used to die cut the pieces to create one pinecone.  

All these die cut pieces were arranged on the left side of the rectangle.  

One of the sentiments from Susan's new Christmas Quotes stamp set was stamped using black VersaFine ink and added to the upper right corner of the rectangle.  

For additional embellishment, I added some red metallic jingle bells to the arrangement.

Hippeastrum Amaryllis

Good morning my crafty friends.  Today I have a card I designed using Susan's new Amaryllis die set.  This is a beautiful flower that generally blooms around Christmas time, so Susan has included it in her Christmas die set release from Spellbinders.

It's hard to see an amaryllis in full bloom without admiring it huge flowers and bright colors.  There are many different colors you can create for your cards.  Some of the most common varieties are the red/red-and-white blooms but there are also shades of pink, orange, yellow, green, purple and multi-colors. 

Rather than creating a card with the most popular red amaryllis, I decided to create an amaryllis called Hippeastrum.  Here is a picture of one I found on the Internet that I tried to duplicate.

This is a slimline card  I used a piece of embossed pearl green card stock for the background.  For the white die cut design, I used the Spellbinders Moroccan Kaleidoscope Slimline die set.  This die cut is a perfect background for this beautiful flower.

Susan's new Gathering Basket was die cut using white card stock and several colors of brown ink were brushed over the embossed design  It was attached using a couple of dimensional tape squares in the middle of the basket then glued down around the sides and bottom, leaving the top open to insert the flower.

The Amaryllis die set was used to die cut three flowers using Susan's Specialty Card Stock from Spellbinders.  Petals were also die cut to create two amaryllis buds.  The flowers were colored to resemble the flowers in the picture I found on the Internet.  The flowers were shaped using Susan's Flower Tool kit and assembled using Bearly Art Glue.  The ends of the stamens were cut in half, glue added to the tips, and dipped in Susan's Yellow Pollen.

To create a longer stem for the flowers, two stems, from the Amaryllis die set were die cut and glued together.  Leaves were die cut using white card stock and brushed with green ink, shaped and glued to the bottom of the stem.  For filler in the basket, I used floral moss.  Glue was spread across the opening of the basket then the moss pressed down in the glue.

One of the stamps in Susan's Christmas stamp set was stamped on white card stock, using black VersaFine Ink.  Using scissors I cut around the sentiment and attached it with dimensional tape.  

What is your favorite amaryllis color?   

Poinsettia Merry Christmas

This is one of my favorite Christmas cards.  It was designed using Susan's Poinsettia, Pinecone, Evergreen Boughs, Winterberry, and Eucalyptus die sets.  The Eucalyptus is from an earlier release.

For the background, I used a piece of design paper from the P13-The Four Seasons Winter paper pad.  In the center of the card the Spellbinders Candlewick Rectangle die was used.  The rectangle was attached with dimensional tape.

Three red poinsettia were created using  the Poinsettia die set.  They were die cut using Susan's white Specialty card stock, brushed with red ink, and shaped using Susan's new Flower Tool Kit.  Bearly Art Glue was used to assemble them.  

I use Susan's white Specialty Cardstock from Spellbinders to die cut my flowers/foliage.  I like to color the flowers and foliage by placing them on the Waffleflower Media Mat and use brushes to add ink.  The Media Mat holds the die cut pieces down and makes it quick and easy to color using just one solid color and/or to highlight/blend with additional color.  The mat cleans up very easily when you are ready to color with different ink - I use a babywipe.  I prefer this method of coloring because it is a very smooth application and is also easy to blend colors. There are two sizes of this mat, which I have linked below, along with the brushes. 

The Eucalyptus die set was used to die cut five branches.  They were colored pale green and the ends of the leaves sponged using white pigment ink.  

The Winterberry & Mistletoe die set was used to die cut five Winterberry.  Red berries were added to these leaves.  I used bean bag filler for the berries.  I pick out the smaller balls, put them in a Ziploc bag along with a little acrylic paint, and squish around to get them all colored.  I pull them out with a chop stick onto a piece of waxed paper to dry.  If they stick together after pulling them out, don't worry because they will easily separate when dry.

The Pinecone and Evergreen Bough die set was used to die cut seven pine boughs.  The same die set was used to die cut the pieces to create one pinecone.  

All these die cut pieces were arranged on the left side of the rectangle.  

One of the sentiments from Susan's new Christmas Quotes stamp set was stamped using black VersaFine ink and added to the upper right corner of the rectangle.  

For additional embellishment, I added some red metallic jingle bells to the arrangement.

Noel Poinsettias

Today I have another slimline card designed with poinsettia and pinecone.  

For the background, I used one of the Spellbinder dies in the Charming Christmas Words die set.  (At the time I used this die set, I didn't realize it is not longer available at Spellbinders, but you can use any border die.)  

Susan's Poinsettia die set was used to create one large poinsettia and three small poinsettia.  To create the smaller poinsettia I used the smallest die and die cut it twice.  The poinsettia and leaves were shaped using Susan's Flower Tool Kit and assembled using Bearly Art Glue. 

Using the Pinecone & Evergreen Bough die set, one pinecone was created and 6 pine boughs were die cut.  White berries were created using Bean Bag Filler.  They were glued down then a black fine line pen used to add a black dot to the end of each berry.  

One of Susan's Christmas Quotes was stamped using black VersaFine ink then cut out with a decorative die.  I used a red marker to trace around the edge of the die cut to help make it stand out.  It was attached with dimensional tape.