Wednesday, January 15, 2020

using dies with the foil press

Did you know that you can use your low-profile dies with the Gemini Foil Press?
I love that my dies can do double duty, cutting and foiling! And I have to tell you a secret, I haven't found many hot foil dies (the dies that are designed for use with hot foil & the foil press,) that I dig soooo I'm extra happy that I can use my low-profile cutting dies.
The thickness of the cutting line on the dies often varies by brand so it's fun to test them out. These Hero Art heart dies have a really thin cutting line so it creates a very delicate foiled shape. You can see what I mean in this quick process video...


By the way, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Ellen Hutson is having a big, fun sale and you can stock up on some good tools including FOIL! You can check it out HERE.

 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Carly

supplies:
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Sunday, January 5, 2020

the stamp market's january release blog hop

Thanks so much for joining us for The Stamp Market's new release hop! (You should be arriving from Caly's wonderful blog).

 This release is jam packed full of adorable stamps & dies and I want to show you everything but you have some hopping to do so let's start with Special Delivery!

 The Special Delivery stamp & die set is so sweet! I was in a sparkly mood when I opened it so I started by created an infinity shaker...
For the background, I used low-tack tape to create a border. Then I used a rubber brayer to apply two shades of pink ink, Fresh Pink & Party Pink.

 Over the pink, I applied a thin layer of Moonstone Glimmer Paste, removed the tape and let it dry before finishing the shaker pocket.

 By the way, you can see more about creating an infinity shaker card in this video.

 After I creating the shaker card, I got a crazy idea to make a little treat box...

 The process is so wonderfully simple but I created a video for all you visual learners like me...



 And for reference, here is the box formula...

 Your next stop on the hop is Rebecca's awesome blog!

 And you can check out all the new Stamp Market goodies HERE.

 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Carly
supplies:
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Saturday, January 4, 2020

how to be more creative

Creativity is a skill you can cultivate and here are 3 techniques I use to be more creative.

 I agree with Maya Angelou 100% that you can't use up creativity but I've certainly been known to misplace it. Anyone else ever feel like their creative mojo has hit the road? 

 Here are a few ways I sharpen my creative skills...
  • Create without purpose. As a crafter, I am generally making for a reason like a birthday card for a friend, a holiday garland, etc. BUT when I'm not feeling super creative, sometimes it is just good to get out some paint or markers and PLAY. Just have fun experimenting.
  • Challenge yourself with limited supplies. I'm not gonna lie, I have a lot of craft supplies. Like A LOT. And sometimes all the choices are actually a road block. I can spend hours just trying to choose a medium to use. As a fun creative exercise, sometimes I choose one medium, one simple color palette and 1-2 other tools to see how many different projects I can make. This is a great challenge for cards.
  • Make a crafty goal list. One last thing I like to do is create a crafty project list for the year. Some people set fitness goals, I set craft goals (and that pretty much explains me, haha!) Here is my project list for 2020...
Felt Flowers
Rifle Inspired Wreath by Alison Michel on Etsy

Every time I see felt flowers I think, I NEED to make some of those! I already have so many wonderful die cuts that would work perfectly.

Flower Sweatshirt
Misusu Decorated Sweatshirt

Speaking of playing with felt and using my cardmaking supplies for other projects...how cute would it be to decorate a sweatshirt with felt flowers?!

Birthday Calendar

DIY Recipe Box Birthday Calendar by Tatertots & Jello

 I am complete rubbish at remembering birthdays, which feels extra embarrassing as a cardmaker. I'm going to get myself organized with a birthday calendar like this one that can also hold the cards I make until I'm ready to send them.

So what sparks your creativity? 

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Thursday, December 5, 2019

my favorite shaker cards with the stamp market

Thanks so much for joining us for The Stamp Market's new release hop! (You should be arriving from Caly's amazing blog).

 I feel like the new goodies really have my name on them because they are pretty much made to make shaker cards!!! And I LOVE shaker cards!

 In fact I have been having so much fun that I didn't know what to share with you today, LOL! I decided to share my two favorite shaker card layouts, circles & big 'ol words!

 Circle Shakers
I love a good circle! And a circle shaker window is my go-to style of shaker card because I think it works well with so many stamp & die designs! You can use the circle window to highlight anything!

 Here's how I like to put my circle shakers together...

  • a glittery background...sometimes I use glitter paper and sometimes I make my own like this a layer of Nuvo Moonstone Glimmer Paste over colored cardstock
  • a circle window, die cut from the top cardstock panel and backed with acetate
  • foam tape creates the shaker "container"
  • sequins in the shaker
  • any element can go on top of the circle window like this die cut "love you"

Word Shakers
The only thing I love more than circles are big 'ol words and The Stamp Market makes some of my favorite word/phrase dies EVER! This is one of my favs and this one and this one...the list could really go on, LOL! And the Layered Love die set is going on the list too!

 I love how bold the word dies are! I love to use them to create the shaker windows with a bold pop of glittery color underneath. It makes my white-space-loving-heart so happy!

Your next hop stop is Rebecca's wonderful blog!

 And you can check out all the new products HERE! Consider it secret Santa-ing yourself ;)

 Thanks for stopping by!
Carly
supplies:
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Friday, November 29, 2019

adorable holiday gift card holder idea with the stamp market + giveaway

I love the ease of giving gift cards at Christmas but I definitely think they need a little dressing up. The Mailbox Gift Card Holder die set and Merry Mail stamp set from The Stamp Market are perfect for adding a little fancy wrapping!

 Hopefully you are joining us for The Stamp Market hop and arriving from their blog.
This die is ingenious and it's really easy to put together once you see how it works.
I made a quick video so you can see what I mean AND so you can see another way to use the die set...
Before you leave, The Stamp Market has generously gifted me with a $20 gift card to give to someone! So leave me a comment about anything at all and I will draw one lucky & random winner!

 And I feel like it's my duty as your crafty friend to also point out that The Stamp Market is having a fabulous sale today!!!

 Once you are done shopping, keep hopping with us by heading over to Ashlea's amazing blog!
Have a great day!
Carly
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Monday, November 25, 2019

the gray muse

Happy Monday friends! I'm excited to be guesting over on The Gray Muse blog today and I hope you will stop by!
Hope you have a great day!
Carly
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Friday, November 22, 2019

galaxy backgrounds with alcohol inks

Have you tried creating a galaxy background with alcohol inks? 
Until today (well yesterday really), I had been making all of my galaxy cards with ink blending techniques. And I don't know why I'm so late to the game but I suddenly decided to break out my alcohol inks.

 I think my technique might need a little work but I'm still pretty happy with the results. 

 Here's how I made this one...

 I started by using different colors of alcohol inks, blending solution and an air blower (really meant to clean my camera lens) to create an abstract background on glossy cardstock.



Then I used a mini alcohol ink applicator to apply dark denim blue alcohol ink over the top. I might have been a little heavy-handed with the blue, but more of the colors show through in person.


 When the panel was dry, I added a little white paint splatter and teeny star sequins to complete my galaxy look.

 And it seems like the perfect space (pun intended, LOL) for the Essentials by Ellen Space Out ship!


 I also added my message inside because why not?!

 I love how the alcohol ink has so much texture and I can't wait to play more!

 Thanks for stopping by!
Carly
supplies:
affiliate links may be used at no additional cost to you. thank you!
Essentials by Ellen Space Out stamps & dies
New Moon Ink (for Copic coloring)
Copic Markers BG15, BG13, BG34, BG11, R24, YR68, YR16, T2 & T1
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