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Friday, December 14, 2018

my first attempt at no-line coloring with colored pencils

I'm over on the Honey Bee blog today with my first try at no line color with Poly Chromos pencils. Come on over and give me your pencil tips!

Hugs!
Carly

Sunday, December 9, 2018

december essentials by ellen

Today is release day for the latest Essentials by Ellen collection and I just have to share the silly pizza card I made using some of the dies.

I have a sweet friend who needs some cheering up so I made her a goofy, felt pizza card. Here a quick video of the process...





Check out the whole Essentials by Ellen release HERE!

Thanks for stopping by!
Carly


supplies:
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Friday, December 7, 2018

creating christmas lights with honey bee die cuts


I'm thrilled (and deeply humbled) to be joining in the Honey Bee 12 Designers of Christmas today! Please come on over and say hi!

Hugs!
Carly

Thursday, December 6, 2018

3 ways to add woodgrain to holiday tags + the ellen hutson 12 tags of christmas

It's the Ellen Hutson LLC 12 Tags of Christmas time! I love this event! Not only is it so fun to make holiday tags but it is so fun to see what everyone else makes!

Today my talented buddy Laurel Beard and I are both creating with The Stamp Market stamps & dies and our theme is woodgrain! This was a challenge for both of us because we lean towards glitter, and you will see that none of our woodgrain tags escaped without a little sparkle. LOL!

For my tags, I went with a minimalist design and tested 3 ways to add the woodgrain effect.


#1. Essentials by Ellen Woodgrain Embossed Cardstock
First I tested the EBE Woodgrain Cardstock. It has a really pretty woodgrain pattern and comes in white (as well as tan), so it can be inked. I'm sure no one is surprised I made it a minty green. The only downside, a little hard to see the grain in photos.


#2. Crafter's Companion Wood Veneer
These are self-adhesive sheets of real wood "paper". I love the clean look it creates on the tag! Just an FYI, it die cuts beautifully but is super hard to stamp on, I haven't found a black ink that doesn't bleed a little.

#3. The Stamp Market Woodgrain Background Stamp
I love this stamp! It looks so pretty heat embossed in white, especially on kraft cardstock. For this tag, I embossed in white on white and then did a little ink blending on top. It might be my favorite!

All the tags feature a little "merry christmas" sentiment heat embossed in white on black cardstock. And because it seems I can't create without glitter...they all feature glittered polka dots made with Glue Dots.

Thanks so much for stopping by! hugs!
Carly


P.S. Please forgive my mess as my blog is under a bit of construction. If you are having trouble leaving a comment, just click the post title and scroll down.  

supplies:
affiliate links may be used at no additional cost to you. thank you!  

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

brayered backgrounds + a few of my favorite essentials by ellen sets

What do you get when you use a rubber brayer and ink pads on white cardstock? A quick & easy background for handmade cards!

I love how using a brayer creates custom patterned paper with the look of texture! It's great for stamping on!
I used Mondo Sakura, a much-loved but not much-stamped set from my Essentials by Ellen collection. I'm a little intimidated by the coloring so I gave myself a little wiggle room by creating a colored & textured background with a rubber brayer. 

You can see more in this quick video...




Thanks so much for stopping by!
Carly


supplies:

Monday, November 19, 2018

my 5 favorite card making products + the EH anniversary sale!

Ellen Hutson LLC is celebrating 12 years this week and I'm so darn proud that I have been a part of the last six! 
We are celebrating with a lot of fun things this week, including a sale! You can take 20% off your EH orders today and tomorrow with the code celebration18. AND there are some amazing gifts with purchase too...
In case you aren't sure where to start with your shopping, here's a list of my top 5 favs right now!

Essentials by Ellen Pop-Up Mittens
This die set is getting sooooo much use in my craft room right now! I adore the clean lines of the snowflake and the pop-up mechanism is so cool!



The Stamp Market Beyond Grateful Bundle
I haven't finished my Christmas cards yet but I'm working on a bunch of thank you cards with this awesome set! I just love how the stamps & dies work together. And I love how bold they are!


Honey Bee Bee Bold Alpha
I love letters & words and using them to make shaker cards with cheeky sentiments. The Bee Bold Alpha from Honey Bee is a great size, perfect for filling a card and great for shakers!


Essentials by Ellen Classic Block Alpha
Speaking of letter dies, this is another set that I love and use bunches! It's works wonderfully with the Bee Bold set but is also nice for projects that need smaller letters.



Nuvo Moonstone Glimmer Paste
Ok, so this made my top 5 last year too but I just can't stop! I'm on my 4th jar and I just LOVE it! 


Have a great day & have fun shopping!
Carly