Holiday Cards Featuring Memory Box

Hello Everyone!  I am here today with a couple of cards for you using Dies and Washi Tape from the newest Memory Box Holiday 2019 release.

This card was very simple as I cut the Pine Needle Oval and Candle Centerpiece from Rose Gold Metallic Cardstock.  Then laying just that part of the die that I needed the inlay pieces from I cut the Holly from some Moss Shimmer Metallic scraps.  I did the same for the berries only from Red Satin Cardstock.  The Candle was cut from a scrap of previously painted watercolor cardstock.

I used some shimmer mist on the Red Satin panel and die cut it with the second largest Rectangle Basics Die.  I also misted it with some shimmer spritz and let it dry while I assembled the various pieces of the candle.  You can see the little flecks of shimmer mist.  Trust me when I tell you it is super sparkly in person! 

I used some Stardust Stickles for the center of the flame on the candle.  there is also a lot of shimmer on the paper.  It was actually a little bit of a waste to use Shimmer Metallic Cardstock for the background panel since I spritzed it, but it was a leftover piece, so no big deal to me.

This took a pretty minimal amount of time for a super beautiful look.  Once I had the candle outline attached to the card front, I used my Crystal Katana tool to inlay the other pieces.  I often wait until I decide who I am sending a card to before adding a sentiment, so this goes right into my personal stash until I start getting ready to mail my Christmas and Holiday cards - in about a month!!  Holy Cow, this year has flown by.

Now on to my second project for today!   Memory Box just released its very first Washi Tape and I love the Watercolor Woodland Washi.  It is 4.5-inches wide by 11 yards long and in this case, I just adhered it to some white cardstock and then die cut a panel for the background of this card.  I actually have several ideas to incorporate this into my card making, but I only have so much time in a week.

We are expecting some much-needed rain here in North Texas for the next three days so it's very cloudy, but I finally managed to get a couple of good images for you.

I used the Rectangle Basics in 2nd largest size for my background panel.  I die cut two Shining Dove Frames from Cougar Super Smooth Digital White cardstock.  One to keep pristine white and one to use the parts for my inlay technique again.

I die cut two of each of the Harvest Double Arch dies from scraps of green cardstock.  In fact, one set is die-cut from a piece of alcohol inked background that I ran through my Minc Machine.  I had the heat setting on high and so it left too much gold foil on it for a background panel, but die cutting the branches from it was a great way to use it.  The other branches are from a green cardstock scrap.  I love using up scraps from my bin for things like this.  Of course, I've barely made a dent in them and I'm sure some of you can relate!  *Ü*

I have a few panels of white 5 x 7 cardstock that I have laminated to use when I need a slick surface to work on.  So laying the Harvest Double Arch Branches on there, I added Xmas Red Stickles to all of the berries.  I find that I am having much better luck with the stickles than I am with my Nuvo Drops, so that's what I used for these.  It makes for quick and easy clean up doing it this way and I'm using the same piece over and over rather than using paper towels.

For the green background panel, I used some homemade shimmer mist by mixing clear shimmer spritz with a few drops of reinker in a small mister bottle.  The ones I have are from Stampin' Up and I've had them for several years.  I keep a few flat boxes under my desk for this type of thing and also for spray adhesive.

Starting with my background panel that used the Washi Tape, I added the frame for my next layer.  Then using the circle piece that you normally throw away, I laid it (without adhesive) to use as a guide for getting the Shining Dove part of the die lined up correctly.

For the dove, I used a Spectrum Noir Shimmer Pen all over.  When that was dry, I added a black gel pen dot for the eye and a little white spec from a white gel pen for the little highlight in the eye.  I used the Brush Merry Christmas for my greeting.  One of my girlfriends loves this Shining Dove Die and Green is her favorite color, so I'm planning to send this to her.  By mixing and matching using card scraps with some new cardstock, I ended up with a card that I think turned out super pretty.  I love how the Harvest Double Arches bring in the same style as the Watercolor Woodland Washi Tape.  Those same dies also match with the Silverdale Branch Die as well.

Here's a sneak peek of what's coming next from me!

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Kokuyo Long Dot Adhesive Shop at: SSS	Memory Box - 30086 Rectangle Basics Set Shop at: SSS | MB	Memory Box - Candle Centerpiece Die Shop at: SSS | MB	Memory Box - Harvest Double Arch Dies Shop at: MB
Memory Box - Pine Needle Oval Die Shop at: SSS | MB	Memory Box - Shining Dove Frame Dies Shop at: SSS | MB	Memory Box - Silverdale Branch Die Shop at: SSS | MB	Memory Box - Watercolor Woodland Sprigs Washi Tape Shop at: SSS
PP.Com - Cougar White Digital Smooth - #110, 200 pack Shop at: PPC	PP.Com - Shine Red Satin Shop at: PPC	PP.Com Shine Moss Green Shop at: PPC	Ranger Multi Medium Matte Shop at: SSS
ScraPerfect No Clog Tip for Ranger Multi Medium Matte Shop at: SSS	Tsukineko Sheer Sparkle Shimmer Spritz Shop at: SSS

Memory Box Chandele Star and Chandele Snowflake

I have two Blog Posts today so if you're looking for the Keeping Christmas Blog Hop, you'll find it is the next one down.

I have a new project for you today featuring some fantastic items from Memory Box's latest Holiday 2019 Release.  I fell in love with this Chandele Star Die and knew I wanted to make it shiny & sparkly!  Those are my two favorite colors after all!  I also used the coordinating Chandele Snowflake Die to both die-cut and to dry emboss my background panel. Just FYI, this word is pronounced "shan-dell" just in case you are like me and want to make sure you are pronouncing things correctly.

I have a huge bin of scraps that I try to use as often as possible.  I noticed I had one in a coordinating color that had been die cut and had also been heat embossed - ON THE WRONG SIDE!  This is exactly why I keep those scraps.  So I took the Chandele Snowflake Die and using an embossing sandwich, dry embossed the image into this scrap card panel of Peacock Metallic Cardstock.

Then I die-cut the Chandele Snowflake from White Glitter Cardstock.   This die does cut each of the tiny dots and other pieces that are shown in the image, but I am just not that patient so I wanted only the white glitter snowflake to put behind the Chandele Star Die.

I chose a light pool colored glitter cardstock and die-cut the Chandele Star Die from that.  Then I used the Memory Box Shining Star Set to die cut a simple Star shape in the largest size to go behind the Chandele star and the next size down to cut one from white to go behind the die-cut Chandele Star. You'll probably have to open the image in a new tab to see the color differences, but I promise you it's there.  I definitely needed that White to make the glitter cardstock die cuts really pop.

I wanted to add a few simple embellishments, so I added a jewel in the center of the star and also at the pointed tips of the star.  I also chose to cut the "Peace" word die from the same white glitter cardstock.  I tried a few different colors and the white definitely was the right choice.  Who doesn't wish for a little peace around the holidays?

Originally, I had planned to line the star up in true North/South orientation, but when I was playing around with orientation before I adhered it, I liked it better in this "tipped" to the left version, which also does a better job of highlighting the Chandele Snowflake.  I used foam tape on the back-side of the snowflake to give it a little bit of dimension.

Between the Shimmer Cardstock, the Glitter Cardstock and the little gems, this card is absolutely breathtaking in person.

Thanks for stopping by today! I'll link as many of the products as I can below for your convenience and I hope you'll consider shopping through my affiliate links. I love it when you take the time to leave me a comment!

Affiliate Links may be used at no additional cost to you.

GKD Connect Glue Shop at: SSS | GKD	Memory Box - Chandele Snowflake Die Shop at: SSS | MB	Memory Box - Chandele Star Die Shop at: SSS | MB	Memory Box - Shining Star Die Set Shop at: MB
SSS Glitter Cardstock Assortment Shop at: SSS	SSS Silver Glitter Cardstock Shop at: SSS	SSS White Glitter Cardstock Shop at: SSS	SSS White Glitter Cardstock 8.5 x 11 Shop at: SSS
Teflon Bone Folder Shop at: SSS	Tim Holtz Tonic Paper Trimmer Shop at: SSS	Tonic 6 Inch Personal Trimmer Shop at: SSS

Keeping Christmas - October 2019 Edition

Hello Friends!  Today's post is part of the monthly Keeping Christmas Blog Hop and I have several cute and quick gift card holders for you.   Not to scare you or anything, but Christmas is just 2 months from today!  

A few weeks ago, I happened to check and see if any of the Ink to Paper September release products that I wanted had come back in stock.  The one item I most wanted was back in stock; Tag Creations: Modern Gift.  I absolutely love how well thought out this die set and it makes these beautiful Gift Card Holders!  The stitching details in the poinsettias are so perfect!  

A week or so after this die set arrived, my husband had traveled home to the family farm for a family reunion.  My father-in-law is the last of his siblings to still be living at the age of 89, but a few of his nieces and nephews live in the area and still come each year.  I have to pick and choose my trips as travel is difficult for me, and I want to be able to go at Christmas, so I stayed home with the doggies this time.  

Our dogs are pretty spoiled and they won't eat unless I am sitting right with them.  I grabbed my scrap bin of papers, my little sidekick machine, the Modern Gift Dies and sat and die-cut for several hours to make piles of the pieces for these gift cards.  Sadly, this barely made a dent in my scrap pile.  I know some of you can probably relate!  

On the other side of that is the fact that I made more than 30 gift card holders and have already given several of them away.  I also have a significant number of the poinsettias left to work with for many more of these.  I have a whole bunch of photos for you.

I also have some tips for you on maximizing your paper usage.  If you cut your paper in half lengthwise (4.25 x 11) you can get a gift card holder and a ribbon from that one piece.  Especially when you are mixing and matching papers, this works great.

I don't buy much paper from retail stores unless I really like it and when I do it is often a paper pad from Hobby Lobby for a specific purpose.  In my case, this is usually something masculine or foiled.  Quite by accident last weekend, I discovered that the 4.5 x 6.5-inch paper pads from Hobby Lobby are just enough longer to cut the gift card holder from with almost no waste.  Because of the tab that you tuck in, you need that little bit of extra length that this paper size affords.

You don't get that ribbon piece from the taller piece of cardstock, but given my penchant for gold or shimmer cardstock, this worked out well for me.

Initially, I also felt that the ribbon would be a lot of wasted paper, but as you can see in this image, you can cut multiple items from the set from the scraps.  In the end, I didn't feel there was any waste at all.  Even though I was using scraps for the decorative elements, I still don't like waste good quality and/or specialty cardstock.  It was actually very cleverly thought out!

These next few projects are a few of my favorites and I added them to my personal stash!

Red Glitter Paper, Red Satin Flower with white Glitter Ribbon and Silver Accents

Misty Rose Metallic with Garnet Plum flower and gold foil ribbon and accents

Iridescent Ice Gold, Shimmer Gold, and Gold glittered paper scraps

Aqua Mist, Gold Shimmer, Moss Green, and Alcohol Inked background scraps

Iridescent Ice with Tonic Gold Satin Silk Effect, and Lovely Lady Cardstock for the bloom

Misty Rose Metallic with Gold Satin Silk Effect elements

And last but not least, my personal favorite!  You know how I love pink and gold!  This was an awesome way to use up some of the scraps in my bin.  I am very hopeful that Ink to Paper will add other seasonal elements that can be used with this tag for other holidays.

As you can see, I have many of these to use and will most likely include some in the Sister-In-Law Christmas Goodie Bags this year!  I'm definitely planning to look through my stash to see what other stamps and dies I have that can be used for other occasions.  Even if it's just a $5.00 Starbucks Coffee Gift Card, what a nice way to brighten someone's day!  Think of all the special days throughout the year that you could use this type of item. 

There are always so many projects to see that I know you'll enjoy.  I hope you'll stop and leave a little love with these ladies who bring content to you each month of the year except December when we actually observe Christmas.

Kelly Lunceford

Anita Madden

Broni Holcombe

Claire Broadwater

Julee Tilman

Kim Heggins

Lori Tecler

Nance Salkeld

Nina Forsyth

Vicki Finger (You are Here)

Nancy Guse

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I appreciate it when you take time to visit, comment or shop through my affiliate links. Here is my affiliate link to the Ink To Paper Store.