Memory Box Valentine's Card ft. Heart Bouquet 3-D Embossing Folder

Good Morning!  Vicki here with you today!  It's my turn up on the Memory Box Blog, "Outside The Box" today.  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday yesterday!  Christmas Eve and the weekend before are our big days to celebrate, so I spent a quiet day at home yesterday with my husband and our doggies.

In the new Memory Box Valentine's Release, there is a gorgeous Embossing Folder called Heart Bouquet.  This is a 3-D Embossing Folder and it is so beautiful that I confess I had a hard time putting anything over it to create a card.  There are so many ways to use embossing folders, but I wanted something that would enhance it, rather than cover it up.

To start, I misted the back of a 4.25 x 5-inch Panel of Sweet Blush Cardstock with plain water on the back side.  I use a bottle that sprays a very fine mist.  This allows the paper to stretch and give a little bit and gives the crispest impression.

Next, I die cut the outline of the Scribble Rose Trio from Gold Foiled Cardstock and the solid images from Pale Peony Cardstock.  I attached the outline to the back piece with Ranger Multi Medium Matte.  I have a ScraPerfect fine line tip for this purpose.

I die cut the Love Airy Script from Gold Foil as well and laid it across my heart while adding the roses to the lower-left area.  This card was super simple to make!  I can't wait to have time to play with this folder more and I have a specific technique in mind to try with it.  I'm traveling for the first few weeks of January so it will be a few weeks before I know if my technique worked or not.  How's that for a little teaser?  I hope you won't mind waiting too much and will look forward to my next post!  Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I really appreciate it when you take the time to spend with me here.

Ink to Paper December 2019 Release - Guest Designer

Hello everyone.  I am here today with a post as a Guest Designer for Ink to Paper this month.  How exciting for me!  Then when I got my crafty parcel,  I was even more excited because, at long last, I knew what to do to create today's project.  This project has been on my desk since late October but I needed to have it completed before Christmas Eve. Until my parcel arrived, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. 

A few years ago, for family members, I started making a keepsake using the couple's wedding invitation.  I do it large enough to frame, but small enough to still be affordable.  Because it is 8.5 x 11 inches in size, they can easily find a ready-made frame for it or if they want to go all out, they can have it matted and framed.  Today's project is inspired by their invitation and this fun wedding photo on the right; a totally unstaged moment as you can see.

This is my son-in-law's sister and she is becoming like a daughter to me.  Ana actually passed the bar exam before she graduated from law school - isn't that impressive?  Her husband just got his Ph.D. and did his dissertation so they are pretty conservative for the most part.  It was fun to see this less conservative photo of Ana from their wedding.

Their wedding took place during our move back to Texas last year, and we ended up not being able to attend at the last minute, so we've had to relive it via photos.  I think this one is so much fun.

While I had already purchased specialty cardstock for this project, if you wanted to create a similar look as far as the colors, you could use Lilac Grace, Amethyst Allure, Winter Wisteria, and Royal Velvet.

 
Using the various stamps and dies from the Cake Creations Stamps and Dies,  I created a kind of replica of their wedding cake.   You notice I didn't say duplicate!   I started by die-cutting the full-sized cake base from White Cardstock but cut the bottom layer off as theirs was only the two tiers. You can cut the whole cake and then there is also a die for each layer of the cake so that you can use however many layers you like.  There are also decorative layers that can be used such as stripes and dots.

As you can see, they had edible gold flakes on their cake to match their invitations, so I wanted to include that little detail.  I freehand fussy cut the layers from cardstock to give it the marbled and gilded look.  Then I ran a quickie glue pen along that line where the colors changed and added Nuvo Gilding Flakes (from the Papertrey Ink Modern & Marbled Kit) with a tiny ¼ inch wide flat brush dipped into the lid of my container of gilding flakes.  If you haven't used these, they can have a mind of their own, so go slow and cautiously when you open your container.  For a project of this scale, you'll have more than enough flakes in the lid to use on your project.

Because I was also trying to imitate the look of the marbled layers on their cake, I used Nuvo Dream Drops in Indigo Eclipse.  The dream drops are iridescent and also pick up the color of whatever they are on top of.  Of all the Nuvo Drops, the Dream Drops are my very favorites. They come in 6 colors (although I haven't looked at them for a while) so there may be more colors now.

For the flowers on the cake, I die cut the flowers and leaves from the shimmer cardstock scraps and then stamped and heat embossed the detail layer using Versamark with gold embossing powder.  In this particular case, I didn't want the white outside border for the flowers, so I cut the basic shape from colored cardstock.  I also like this look for many other projects.  Sometimes I use plain white and don't mind the border and other times I use colored scraps.  I have a scrap bin full of colored cardstock scraps, so either option works and it's a great way to use those scraps. 

Using the Pierced Feature Frames: Rectangle, I die cut the background pieces where the cake is. Since it also has the interior piece, I cut another and then used the interior piece to add the additional pierced detail layer. The cake stand and the gold layers were cut from gold foiled cardstock which if you've been here before you know I use a lot! 

Since their wedding was a multi-day event, they also had the little Weekend Event enclosure and I wanted to be sure to include that on their keepsake.  Ana loves jewel tones and purples in particular.

I also wanted to make a card that had a similar feeling to the large piece, so I used the same cardstock and made another cake, this time with three tiers.  I added the gilding flakes to the layers just free-handed with the Quickie Glue Pen.  I normally use Multi Medium Matte for my liquid adhesive, but for this small, fine detail, the Quickie Glue Pen works better.  For the largest background layer on the card, I die cut the Bold Borders: Stitched from the darkest purple cardstock and then embossed it with the Border Bling: Tin Stitched Die.  This die doesn't cut, but it embosses that detail into the card stock.  I know this will come to be a favorite.

The middle layers are also die cut using Pierced Feature Frames: Rectangles and using the two leftover pieces from the larger project, I inlaid the smaller piece into the frame.  I wanted to keep this design very simple so I chose to just use a larger flower from the Tag Creations: Modern Gift from several I made previously for all of my gift card holders that you can see in my October 2019 Keeping Christmas post here.  I still have a lot of the assembled flowers left, so I just need to cut more foliage and make a few more gift-card holders.  Since I am giving this to the couple at Christmas, I wanted to use the Poinsettia.  I stamped and heat embossed the "Mr. and Mrs." from the Cake Creations stamp set in the same gold embossing powder.

Another tip that I would like to share is that when using the Nuvo Drops, roll them back and forth in your palms or set the closed bottle inside a cup of warm water to help them warm up and be fluid.  Practice on a scrap of cardstock to get an idea of how they flow.  I've found the various types to each work a bit differently, so it's important to check the flow of the one you want to use to make sure it is warm enough to be fluid.

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I'll have another project for you in a few days featuring a few more products from the December 2019 Ink to Paper Release. The products I've used are linked below and I always appreciate it very much when you use my affiliate links.


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

I2P - Border Bling: Stitched Shop at: PTI/ITP	I2P - Border Bling: Tin Stitched Shop at: PTI/ITP	I2P - Cake Creations Die Set Shop at: PTI/ITP	I2P - Cake Creations Stamp Set Shop at: PTI/ITP
I2P Perfect Match Amethyst Allure Ink Shop at: PTI/ITP	I2P Perfect Match Lilac Grace Ink Shop at: PTI/ITP	I2P Perfect Match Winter Wisteria Ink Shop at: PTI/ITP	I2P Stamper's Select White Cardstock #110 Shop at: PTI/ITP
Kokuyo Long Dot Adhesive Shop at: SSS	PTI Modern & Marbled Kit Shop at: PTI/ITP	Ranger Multi Medium Matte Shop at: SSS	ScraPerfect No Clog Tip for Ranger Multi Medium Matte Shop at: SSS
SSS Antique Gold Embossing Powder Shop at: SSS	Teflon Bone Folder Shop at: SSS	Tim Holtz Mini Craft Snips Shop at: SSS	Tim Holtz Tonic Paper Trimmer Shop at: SSS
Tonic Nuvo Dream Drops - Indigo Eclipse Shop at: SSS

Valentine Card ft.La Rue Heart w/Hutton Left & Right Gate Dies

Hello there!  It's my turn over at the Memory Box Blog today, "Outside The Box".   Have you noticed all of the Valentine products that are being released right now?  Memory Box has a new release hitting the market right now as well.  It is a super gorgeous release that I know you will all love as much as I do.  I haven't received my products as of yet, so I thought I'd show you an easy card using some previous Memory Box Products that I already had on hand.  It's always a good idea to see what you have that you can add to the mix of old and new products. 

This patterned paper you see here is one that I have hoarded for many years! It's from my paper scrapbooking days which I haven't done in about 10 years, although I did quite a bit of digital scrapbooking around 2010 - 2014.  I am down to one full sheet plus a sheet that is about 4.5 x 6 inches.  That's it - that all there is.  Throughout the last 20 or so years, I have made Valentine's card for my husband using this paper several times. We celebrated our 35th Anniversary this past June but I didn't use to be into paper crafting so I just bought cards for the first several years. This is my all-time favorite sheet of paper.  I think I bought about 20 sheets of it way back when and it's been 20 years at least since that happened.  I just love the combination of colors here; the saturated red with the warm coral and yellow tones, and then there are foil accents throughout the stripes. This paper is the epitome of my style.  It's rich and regal looking.  I like to challenge myself to make something completely different each year using this paper. I don't even think my husband realizes I've been using the same one for almost every Valentine's Card since I started paper-crafting in 1998.

I wanted the La Rue Heart to be the focal image of my card, so I tried to match it up with other Memory Box dies in such a way that it would still let the Heart be the star of the show.  You'll have to decide if I was successful or not.  I'm happy with what I have but I don't know if I achieved my objective or not. *Ü*

I started by cutting a card base from Red Lacquer Shimmer Cardstock from PaperPapers.com.  Next, using the largest Rectangle Basics Dies, I cut the patterned paper for the front of my card.  Next, I die cut a Left Hutton Gate and a Right Hutton Gate from gold foiled cardstock (you surely know of my love for gold by now).

Using the Circle Basics Die Set I used two different sizes to get a gold circle and a red one that is slightly smaller.   I also cut the La Rue Heart from the gold and started assembly.  I added the patterned paper on top of the card base, then adhered the left and right Hutton Gates using my 5-inch Xyron sticker maker.

It can be a bit tricky to get to the adhesive on such intricate dies as the Left and Right Hutton Gates so I'll share a little tip with you here.  I run them through my Xyron to get adhesive on them.  Then before taking the top layer of cellophane off, use an embossing sandwich and run it through your die-cutting machine, back and forth one time.  If you don't do this, then you'll need to take a stylus or something similar to go around all of the edges, inside and out, so you won't have adhesive strings popping up and gunking up your work.  I've used a Multipurpose tool, a stylus, and other similar tools, but using an embossing pad and running it through your die-cutting machine is so much faster --like 60 seconds compared to 20 minutes or so doing it by hand.  I had wondered if this would work, so I tried it one day and I doubt I'll ever go back to the old way.  Doing it this way also means you don't have to use an adhesive eraser or Un-du on it.  Un-du is a fantastic item to have on hand if you use a lot of foiled cardstock like I do as it removes the sticky without damaging the surface of the foil. 

I adhered the red circle to the gold circle directly, using Kokuyo Tape Runner, which has been my favorite for years and years. Way before my card-making days, it was my preferred adhesive for my scrapbooks. Then using a double thickness of Scotch Foam Tape, I adhered the circle to the card base.

Using a little bit of adhesive across what would be the center horizontal "band" area, I adhered the La Rue Heart directly to the raised circle.  I also die cut four of the Poppy Stamps Swirled Love Die and glued them together to make a thicker embellishment so that it would really stand up and be dimensional.  For this, I like to use Range Multi Medium Matte as tape runner doesn't work very well for this.

Since I used Red Lacquer Cardstock, I'll need to add a white panel inside of the card for my personal note to my hubby.  I also like to add a little Ghiradelli Square or two in there as well.

Thanks for stopping by today to see my project.  Next time I hope to have a card sharing new Memory Box Valentine's 2020 Collection.  Have a great day!

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

Kokuyo Long Dot Adhesive Shop at: SSS	Memory Box - 30086 Rectangle Basics Set Shop at: SSS | MB	Memory Box - Circle Basics Die Set Shop at: SSS | MB	Memory Box - La Rue Heart Shop at: SSS
Memory Box - Left Hutton Gate Die Shop at: MB	Memory Box - Right Hutton Gate Die Shop at: MB	Poppy Stamps - Swirled Love Shop at: SSS	Ranger Multi Medium Matte Shop at: SSS
Scotch 3M Foam Tape Shop at: SSS	ScraPerfect No Clog Tip for Ranger Multi Medium Matte Shop at: SSS	Teflon Bone Folder Shop at: SSS	Xyron Create-A-Sticker - 5 inch Shop at: SSS
Xyron Create-A-Sticker - 5-Inch Refill Shop at: SSS

Memory Box's Grateful Autumn Stamp Set

Hello, Everyone!  Vicki here with you today, sharing a card I made last week for today's post using the Memory Box Grateful Autumn Stamp Set.  In case you haven't noticed, Black Watercolor Paper is all the rage right now.  I saw Kristina Werner working on some with her Pearlescent Watercolors and decided I had to try that out.  A couple of years ago, I got the Finetec Pearlescent Watercolors from Simon Says Stamp during a Steals & Deals Weekend.  I have never been too happy with my personal results from them on regular watercolor paper, so when I saw Kristina using them on black, I had to order some of that paper, right away.  I have the Legion Stonehenge Black in 10 x 14 so I cut one sheet down into 4-5 x 7 pieces.  You can find it on Amazon here.  

Before my paper even arrived at my house (2-day delivery), I saw another video on YouTube using this paper again. Mine arrived the very next morning - early for a change - since I had so many other packages.  Once I had a bit of time to play, I really loved the results on the Black with the Pearlescent Watercolors and decided I just had to try it on these beautiful fall leaves from Memory Box.  I'm not an "artist" by any stretch of the imagination, but I can do Watercolor for Card Makers.  It's a class offered by Online Card Classes - co-owned by Kristina Werner and Jennifer McGuire.  I took the class about 3 or 4 years ago.  Someday, I might want to pursue it more in-depth, but for what I do, this class was great.  You can sign up anytime, and you will always have access to the classes you take there.  

I started by prepping my black watercolor paper with a liberal dusting of powder tool.  I like using talc-free baby powder with a fluffy brush for this.  The little pouch is too chalky feeling for me and the little brush tool doesn't hold up to use, so this has been my solution for about 4 years now.  You can also use cornstarch if you want to find something that you already have at home.  This is the most important part of heat embossing.  Otherwise, you end up with little bits of embossing powder where you don't want it to be.

For my images, I used Versamark with Simon Says Stamp Antique Gold Embossing Powder.  It's my favorite as it isn't a bright yellow.  Use whatever you have even if it's clear embossing powder. I just happen to like and use a lot of gold in my work.

Next, I used a wet on wet technique for the watercolor.  Starting with a large brush, I wet each leaf, one by one.  Using the Pearl Gold color, I started adding in little bits of color at the base of the leaves and worked out.  Then using a size 4 round brush, I started at the tip of the leaves and added Red Pearl color and worked my way in toward the base.  Then I used Orange Copper for the center area with a bit more water and just let the color travel and settle how it wanted to.  I worked my way around each of the leaves, and let it dry almost completely before adding in the Amethyst, just kind of dabbing here and there with my brush.  I am so happy with the way this looks and that it looks as if I actually know what I am doing with my watercolors.

I let it dry overnight and then cut it with the Rectangle Basics in the 2nd largest size. I also cut a mat for behind it from a shimmer cardstock called Garnet Plum that I get from PaperPapers.com.  I chose the sentiment I wanted and prepping the surface again in the area where I wanted to heat emboss, I stamped with Versamark and then heat set the Antique Gold Embossing Powder.

I use a microfiber cloth to remove the excess powder from the surface and I give the cloth one mist of Water to help remove it.  It is a very fine mist, and I'm careful not to tear the paper.  I attached the watercolor piece to the mat piece and then that to a white card base.  I added the three little gold hearts and some sequins in a similar plum color then a little gem in the center.  I have no idea where I got the sequins, but I'm going to have to start looking for some more soon as I am nearly out. I call this color "Sugarplum" and along with pink, it's one of my absolute favorites.  I love how these fall leaves turned out, especially on the black paper.  It was surprisingly easy to do.  In fact, for me, the hardest part is walking away to let it dry and not mess with it too much as I have control issues. *Ü*

If you've been visiting my blog, you may have noticed that I have been heavily into Christmas and Holiday Cards, so I was glad for a chance to take a break and do something a little different.  I hope you enjoyed my card today!  Thanks for stopping by!

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

Finetec Pearlescent Watercolors Shop at: SSS	Kokuyo Long Dot Adhesive Shop at: SSS	Memory Box - 30086 Rectangle Basics Set Shop at: SSS | MB	Memory Box - Grateful Autumn Stamp Set Shop at: SSS
MSP- Original MISTI Stamping Tool Shop at: SSS	PP.Com - Cougar White Digital Smooth - #110, 200 pack Shop at: PPC	Ranger Multi Medium Matte Shop at: SSS	ScraPerfect No Clog Tip for Ranger Multi Medium Matte Shop at: SSS
Silver Black Velvet Size 2 Shop at: SSS	Silver Black Velvet Size 4 Shop at: SSS	Silver Black Velvet Size 6 Shop at: SSS	SSS Antique Gold Embossing Powder Shop at: SSS
Teflon Bone Folder Shop at: SSS	Tim Holtz Tonic Paper Trimmer Shop at: SSS	Versamark Ink Shop at: SSS	Wagner Heat Tool Shop at: SSS