A Simple Card Made With Stylish Memory Box Products

Hello everyone.  It's Vicki here with you today to share a really simple but beautiful card with you.  It's no secret that I like geometric dies and I think a lot of that comes from my love of Art Deco Style. 

Recently, I took a watercolor card class and learned that Hot Press or Bristol Paper doesn't really hold up well when you need to use it with a lot of water, but this is a cold-pressed paper, so it isn't an issue at all.  It is also a really beautiful paper for ink blending and splatter techniques, which I really love to do. The texture of the paper on the front side reminds me of pinwale corduroy, only not that deep.  It's super cool.

To start this card, I used an ink blending brush on a sheet of the new Memory Box Watercolor Paper that comes in a 4.5 x 5.75-inch sheet.  I blended Hawaiian Shores Ink over the center of the panel.  and gently worked my way out all the way around this piece.  Next, I gave it a generous amount of splatter with Daniel Smith Iridescent Aztec Gold Watercolor.  You need to use a very small, fine brush with long bristles to get this small splatter.  I have a Princeton Neptune Script Brush in Size 1 for this purpose.  I set that aside to dry for a little while, and moved on to my die-cutting.

The Stylish Rectangle Trio has three different sizes of rectangles but I cut the smaller two from Gold Foiled Cardstock.  I also cut the 4 different layers of the Birch Press Design Sparkler Butterfly from colored Glitter Cardstock that Memory Box recently released. The gold glitter card is from Simon Says Stamp but the rest is Memory Box.  I assembled the butterfly layers using ranger Multi-Medium Matte then laid a heavy 5 x 7 glass block on the top to let it finish drying.

Going back to my ink blended panel, I decided I also wanted to add some iridescent gold shimmer mist to the panel.  This spray is very fine, but if you haven't used it for a few days, it can put some larger drips on there as well.  I didn't mind that as this gives it that somewhat distressed look that feels more organic.  If you want just the fine mist, be sure to spray it into a box or whatever first until the mist is coming out evenly without the big drops.  Be sure to wipe off the hole on the nozzle for a "clean" spray. 

Once that dried, I die cut the panel with the Matinee Rectangle Layers Die in the largest size.  I made a card base from Hawaiian Shores Cardstock and started assembling my card. I ran the Stylish Rectangle Frames, very carefully, through my 5-inch Xyron and then ran it through my die cutting machine with an embossing sandwich so that I didn't have to spend time going around each frame with a little tool and then still have gooey strings to pull off.  This trick works every time. It saves a lot of time and frustration in dealing with glue strings.  And because the frames have such a fine line, this was much easier to do than trying to use a liquid adhesive that I got all over the outside of the gold foil.  That would ruin the look.  I added some sequins then added the gems onto the sequins to cover the little holes and add a lot of sparkle and shine to my card.

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

Birch Press Design Sparkler Butterfly Layer Set Shop at: SSS	I2P Cardstock - Hawaiian Shores Shop at: PTI/ITP	I2P Perfect Match Hawaiian Shores Shop at: PTI/ITP	Kokuyo Long Dot Adhesive Shop at: SSS	Memory Box Delicate Pastel Glitter Cardstock Shop at: SSS
Memory Box Matinee Rectangle Layers Shop at: SSS	Memory Box Stylish Rectangle Trio Shop at: SSS	Memory Box Twinkling Jewel Glitter Cardstock Pad Shop at: SSS	Ranger Multi Medium Matte Shop at: SSS
ScraPerfect No Clog Tip for Ranger Multi Medium Matte Shop at: SSS	Xyron Create-A-Sticker - 5 inch Shop at: SSS	Xyron Create-A-Sticker - 5-Inch Refill Shop at: SSS

Memory Box Valentine's Day Card with Selective Coloring

Hello everyone!  Vicki here with you today sharing a Valentine's Day card that uses typical supplies in a less than typical way.

By now, I am sure you all know of my love for gold foiled cardstock and papers.  I wanted to create a card that shows you one of the reasons that I love white and gold foiled papers in particular.

Last week I was in the city for an appointment and I had time to run into Joann's as I was looking for Sateen Supima Cotton in a certain color and the particular store I was in has a much larger fabric selection than the one near my home.  I didn't find the fabric I was looking for, but I almost always do a quick walkthrough of the Scrapbooking section on my way out.  I was pretty excited when I saw this 6 x 6 Mat Stack from Die Cuts With a View that contained all white and gold foiled cardstock.  It doesn't have a GSM or weight on the paper but it's comparable to Text Weight Papers if you want a comparison.  Anyhow, there were two of these at 60% off and I grabbed them both.  My total came to $4.00 and some change.  

While I do love the gold, I also love the things you can create using White & Gold papers like these.  You can do ink blending on them to get the exact background color you want, or you can use any one of several coloring media to make it your own, which is what I did today.  

I grabbed my drawer containing all of my Red and Red Violet Copic Markers and sat down to start coloring the sheet seen above.  I have a stacking four drawer unit that has all of my markers in them and those two color groups are in the same drawer.  

I knew I wanted to use a favorite Memory Box Die to create this card but I wanted something other than a solid color behind it so I started coloring in the flowers.  I could also have colored in the leaves, but I didn't want that look, so I only colored the flowers.  Let me just say, I am not a person who has "Mad Coloring Skills" as they like to say in this industry.  But I was really only looking to enhance the white paper by adding bits of color.  My approach would have been different if I wanted to use it for the whole background, but for what I wanted, this was great.  

The single 6 by 6 sheet yielded two hearts for behind the La Rue Heart.  In order to get the correct sized heart to go behind, I used the negative piece from the Die Cut Gold La Rue Heart as my template. 

If I would have used the die for my template to trace around, it would have been too large, so I traced the negative opening and then fussy cut them.  Yes, I did actually fussy cut the two hearts!  Most of my followers know that I detest fussy cutting, but sometimes you just have to do it.  I slipped the extra heart into the stamp pocket that has the La Rue Heart in it for future use.  

After I did that, I also had this long diagonal piece left to use.  I used it to put a band across the bottom of the card for my die cut Love Airy Script Die.  I die cut a background panel from red cardstock for the base using the largest Basic Rectangle Dies.  I cut the second largest rectangle from some scrapbooking paper in a similar color to the flowers that I colored with Copics.  It's not quite red, but not quite coral either.  And with the gold foil accents, it was perfect! 

I love how this card turned out and there won't be another like it anywhere.  That is one of the many advantages of using White and Gold Coiled cardstock and making it your own. 

  

This made such a striking card!  I love that I could add a single little gem to the center of the La Rue Heart for that additional touch of bling. 

In case you'd like to try this technique for yourself, I did a few other examples of adding color to White and Gold Foiled Papers for you here. The sky is the limit.  I also love that many times the patterns for this are geometric because most guys like geometric patterns.  You can make stripes in straight or diagonal lines, quilt patterns or any kind of random coloring you want.  Use Ink Blending Brushes, Mini Round Ink Blending Tools, Markers, or even paint if you have the time and desire to do that.  The amount of time you spend is up to you.  I hope you enjoyed this post and if you try this out, be sure to tag us on social media!  

Don't forget this month's challenge is a friendship card and this would be a fun way to make something special.  

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

Gemini Junior Die Cutting Machine Shop at: SSS	Kokuyo Long Dot Adhesive Shop at: SSS	Kokuyo Long Dot Adhesive Refill Shop at: SSS	Memory Box La Rue Heart Shop at: SSS
Memory Box Love Airy Script Die Shop at: SSS	PP.Com - Cougar White Digital Smooth - #110, 200 pack Shop at: PPC	Ranger Multi Medium Matte Shop at: SSS	Scor-Pal Scoring Board 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	Tim Holtz Mini Craft Snips Shop at: SSS
Tim Holtz Mini Round Ink Blending Tool Shop at: SSS	Tim Holtz Tonic Paper Trimmer Shop at: SSS	Tonic 6 Inch Personal Trimmer Shop at: SSS

An Announcement & Project ft. Memory Box w/Drop Nativity, Gilded Drop, & Hanging Lantern Frame

I am very excited to announce that I was approached early in September by Laura Fulcher, Design Team Coordinator for Memory Box, and asked to join the Memory Box Design Team.  I think this is a fantastic fit for my style and so I accepted.  This is my first post as part of the Team.

First, I want to share a little about Memory Box with you.  Did you know that Memory Box has a monthly challenge you can participate in?  I did not know this until I was looking at their blog where I will be posting and noticed a Challenge Category.  The challenge is posted on the first of every month.

Additionally, the blog, "Outside the Box" has a French and Spanish version if you look on the right-hand sidebar, you will find the links there.  I hadn't realized that Memory Box had a blog.  I still enjoy blogging and I try to include as much information as I can for you.  I know it's much quicker to look at a photo on Instagram, but you just can't put much information there for folks who want to recreate the look you've achieved. So I will be adding the information in both places for you.  Here on my blog, I will be providing Affiliate Links for you in case you'd like to purchase the supplies I've used.

While I was waiting for my supplies to arrive from Memory Box, I pulled the dies that I already had and created a couple of projects to share with you.  This card features a couple of new products from their most recent release.  I decided to include this card because I actually remembered to take a few process photos for you.  That will take a few times for me to remember!

I started by selecting the dies I wanted to use for this card.  I love the simple Nativity image from Drop Nativity and wanted to pair it up with the Gilded Drop.  I also knew I wanted to use a frame, so I chose the Hanging Lantern Frame from a previous release because it would provide me with the opportunity to use some jewels on my card which, if you've been here before, you know I love.

It was important to figure out first, which color would go in which order.  It's the same principle as masking if it helps you to think of it that way.  What do you want to be the very front image.  I started by cutting a white cardstock Drop Nativity and one in Gold.  Next, I cut the Hanging Lantern Frame from some Stardream Lagoon Shimmer Cardstock.  I also cut the Gilded Drop from Gold Cardstock.

Using a Blending Brush, I ink blended Hawaiian Shores Ink over the background of the die-cut.  Except for the blue background, this is basically serving as my base layer to attach all the other layers to.  I used my Nuvo Shimmer Pen to add sparkle to the background. Once that dried, I started assembling my card.  I added the gold gilded drop directly to the whole diecut using Ranger Multi Medium Matte.  Next, I put the gold die-cut Drop Nativity on top of that and set it face down on my glass mat so that I could stack a few acrylic blocks on the top.

Once I had all the layers adhered for the focal point, I made a cardbase from Cougar Super Smooth Digital White Cardstock and added the frame from the Hanging Lantern Die to the card.

Using foam tape I added the assembled Drop Nativity to the center of my frame.  I stamped the "Merry Christmas" Sentiment in Versamark and heat embossed it on a leftover piece of the Stardream Lagoon.  This happened to be the stamp that was already in my MISTI since I was waiting for my products to arrive.  I now have Memory Box Stamps to choose from for my sentiments, so you'll see those used in the future.

I added my favorite jewels to the Cross, the corners and to the sentiment strip and let them dry.  That finished off my card.  I think this is a beautiful, timeless design that will work for anyone who celebrates Christmas.  The foam tape really lets the focal point pop off the card. The shimmer on the blue background is really visible in the picture as well.

For my other project, I used Shimmer Gold Cardstock, Gold Foiled Cardstock, and Red Satin Cardstock with Hanging Lantern Frame Die and Ruffled Poinsettia Die. I did not remember to take process photos but I think you'll figure it out.

Lots of people ask me about all the gold foiled cardstock I use and I get it from different places.  Because I don't want to be limited in how much I use, I typically get it from Amazon.  This is the brand I usually purchase and they have other colors as well.  I am not an affiliate for Amazon.

Instead of jewels, I used pearls as accents on my card.  I love the Glossy Pearls from Little Things from Lucy's Cards and use Glossy Porcelain or Glossy Eggshell.

I've linked the supplies I've used listed below for your convenience.  If there's a Memory Box die that you want, but your store doesn't carry it, be sure to ask them for it!

Compensated Affiliate Links used whenever possible at no additional cost to you!

Kokuyo Long Dot Adhesive Shop at: SSS	Little Things from Lucy's - Glossy Eggshell Mix Shop at: SSS	Little Things from Lucy's - Glossy Porcelain Mix Shop at: SSS	Marvy Jewel Picker Shop at: SSS
Memory Box - Drop Nativity Die Shop at: SSS | MB	Memory Box - Gilded Drop Die Shop at: SSS | MB	Memory Box - Hanging Lantern Frame Dies Shop at: SSS | MB	Memory Box - Ruffled Poinsettia Dies Shop at: SSS | MB
MSP Original MISTI Stamping Tool Shop at: SSS	PaperPapers.com - Cougar Super Smooth Digital White - #110, 200 pack Shop at: PPC	PaperPapers.com - Shine Red Satin Shop at: PPC	PaperPapers.com - Stardream Fine Gold Shop at: PPC
PaperPapers.com - Stardream Lagoon Shop at: PPC	Ranger Multi Medium Matte Shop at: SSS	Scor-Pal Scoring Board Shop at: SSS	Scotch 3M Foam Tape Shop at: SSS
SSS Antique Gold Embossing Powder Shop at: SSS	Teflon Bone Folder Shop at: SSS	Tonic 6 Inch Personal Trimmer Shop at: SSS	Tonic Aqua Shimmer Pen Shop at: SSS
Versamark Ink Shop at: SSS	Wagner Heat Tool Shop at: SSS	WPLUS9 Gift Card Layers Designer Dies Shop at: SSS