Concord and 9th April Release Take 2- Painted Rose and Sketched Stripes

May 23, 2018May 20, 2018 curlesuecardsLeave a comment

Whew, that’s a long blog title! Welcome back! Today I wanted to share two more items from the C&9th April release with you. I was hoping to share the rest of the release with you, but a headache took me out early on Sunday. That’s also why I only have one finished card to share, even though I did a ton of stamping…

I guess we can start with the card first. I know this one is good, as my daughter gave it her stamp of approval 🙂

I started with the Sketched Stripes stamp. I stamped it once with Versamark ink and heat embossed with Recollections Gold powder on to Gina K Design’s Kraft Cardstock.

Next, I struggled with the Painted Rose stamp. This was my fault, I should have watched the video that C&9 has on their website. I tried stamping the solid stamp first, then realized it was almost impossible to line up the shadow stamp. Since I planned to heat emboss the outline, I wanted to stamp it last. This is when I broke down, admitted defeat, and went to the C&9 website. Yup, you need to stamp the outline first to line up the other stamps.

I decided to start over. I already had my Misti out, and broke out my almost broken Stamp Perfect tool to help. I put the outline in the Stamp Perfect and stamped it in MFT’s Grout Gray. This way I could see the outline to line up the other stamps, and could heat emboss it later. I left the outline stamp in the tool, and switched to the Misti for the layers.

The lightest layer is Altenew’s Pink Diamond. Next, I used Altenew’s Pinkalicious (all the inks are Altenew). The leaves are Bamboo and Parrot. Then I heat set the ink, and placed it back in the Stamp Tool. I used Versamark and the Recollection’s Gold again, to add the outline.

The sentiment is from the same set, and was die cut from MFT’s Brushed Gold cardstock. I layered it with three layers of white cardstock, and did the same with the flower, using some Elmer’s liquid adhesive I had left over from my Christmas card experiments. I adhered the finished layers to the card with liquid adhesive too.

This card turned out better then I expected! Lots of shine and interest!

Ok, let’s take a look at what else I stamped with the rose set. I only stamped the outline shape, and embossed it in a bunch of colors. I figured, while I had the stamp out…

This one is Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock with Hero Art’s Silver Embossing powder.

Next up we have the Hero Arts Silver on vellum, and Lawn Fawn’s Licorice cardstock with Hero Arts Pink Prisma embossing power.

I found some MFT Wild Cherry, already cut down, so decided to try it out with Hero Arts Silver powder. Not bad.

And, last but not least, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock with Ranger Lilac Pearl embossing powder. This powder was one of my Mother’s Day gifts from my daughter, and is absolutely stunning! When I swatched it, I fell in love.

I’m not sure what I will do with all of these. I think I will color some, maybe use colored pencils on the dark cardtsock. I have an idea for the vellum (stamp the shadow layers on white cardstock and then attach the vellum over it). In any case, I’ll have these ready when inspiration strikes!

I’m sure you can guess what I did with the Sketched Stipe stamp. Yup, I got out the Delicata Shimmer ink!

The ink colors are in the pictures. I love these combos! All of the stripe pieces were stamped twice (stamp once, turn the cardstock 180 degrees and stamp again). The plaid was stamped twice as well, only a 90 degree turn instead. I wish you could see the shimmer in the pictures.

Again, I don’t have any concrete ideas for these yet, but this is my usual MO. I like to stamp different color combinations, and save them for future cards. I’m sure these will see some flower images.

Hopefully I will get to show you the last two sets next week. We have the Triple-Step Hooray and the Confetti Cards.

Next weekend is also the last weekend before the new house stuff begins. We close on the house on 5/31, and move on 6/14. Between the self imposed budget restrictions, packing, and moving, I’m not sure how much crafting I will be doing. I can take some “before,” pictures of my craft room, and post those. I’m hoping you guys will stick with me through the pause.

Thanks for stopping by!

Nicole

Hero Arts May 2018 Kit Unboxing

May 21, 2018May 20, 2018 curlesuecardsLeave a comment

Hello! Once again I’m a little late in posting. I wanted to wait until I had a card to share with you, along with the kit unboxing.

Here are the kit contents:

MAY KIT INCLUDES:

► – 6″ x 8″ Clear Stamp Set

► – 13 Coordinating Frame Cuts Dies

► – 2 Leaf Dies

► – 1 Window Fancy Die with Frame

► – 1 Roll Leaf Patterned Washi Tape (Assorted Designs)

► – 5 Ivory Skeleton Leaves

► – 4 5″ x 7″ Sheets 100% Recycled Handmade Hot Pressed Watercolor Paper (140 lb)

► – 1 5.25″ x 6.5″ Tree Swirl Stencil

LIMITED TIME ONLY! Once this product sells out, it will no longer be available. Quantity limited to two kits per household.

With all of the goodies packed into this kit, it’s an incredible value at $34.99. (Contents add up to $75 if bought separately.)

Let’s take a look at the kit.

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I haven’t used any of the dies yet, but that tree frame die is awesome.

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The stamp style is the silhouettes, like a lot of the kits. I plan on building a tree with the trunk and branches with white heat embossing, and doing an emboss resist with Nuvo Shimmer powders for the A Blog Named Hero May challenge. I was hoping to do it this weekend, but that headache made that difficult.

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This is the package with the stencil, handmade watercolor paper, leave skeletons and washi tape.

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Here is a better look at the item. The card I made this weekend used the stencil.

I took some Lawn Fawn Black Licorice cardstock and used the tree stencil with Nuvo Moonstone Glitter paste. I added the image of the squirrel, stamped in Versamark ink and heat embossed clear. I had to add the white frame because I messed up the edges, so it’s not exactly what I imagined it would be. The sentiment is from the kit (I really like the sentiments include, especially “with brave wings she flies.” The card base is Gina K Design’s new Tranquil Teal. I stamped one of the branches with Altenew’s Teal Cave on a white envelope to match.

I wish I had more cards to share, but I’m struggling a bit with this kit. I have the heat resist card to make, but not sure what else to do. Do you have any ideas? Let me know in the comments!

Thanks for stopping by!

Nicole

Making Cards · New Products

Concord and 9th April Release Turnabouts

May 18, 2018May 12, 2018 curlesuecardsLeave a comment

No, that isn’t a typo, I’m a month behind. And, I have a confession to make. I cheated on my new house budget, and purchased the April Release bundle from Concord and 9th. I did it when they had the customer appreciation sale, 25% off!

So, since I caved and purchased the whole bundle, I figured I would share part of it with you. I haven’t had the chance to play with all of it. But, I did play with my favorites.

Let’s start off with the main reason I purchased the bundle, the Bitty Burst Turnabout stamp.

I got this baby out and stamped it in my favorite Delicata shimmer inks.

I also stamped in with Silver and Blue shimmer ink, but forgot to take a picture of the panel. Here are the cards.

This first card features Silver and Gold Delicata ink, each stamped twice. The graduation cap is from Lawn Fawn’s Hat’s off, colored with Copic markers and was added with foam tape. The sentiment is from Concord and 9th Everyday Greetings. I finished it off with Pretty Pink Posh’s Metallic Gold Confetti, and a Gina K Design’s Moonlit Fog card base. The silver shimmer envelope is from MFT.

Next we have the blue and silver card. I kept this simple, using the sentiment that comes with the turnabout stamp, embossed in silver. The card base is Gina K Design’s In The Navy, with Lucy’s Cards Blueberry Gems. Another shimmer envelope from MFT, this one Navy blue.

This card is a bit goofy. I used the pink and silver shimmer Delicata ink. I cut a circle out of the inside, and layered some light pink glitter cardstock underneath. The sentiment is from another new Concord and 9th product, You’re My Happy. I die cut it from MFT’s Tickled Pink cardstock and adhered it to the card front. The card base is the same MFT card stock, and I added some Lucy’s Cards Pink Pearls.

I think this card is my favorite! I stamped the silver shimmer ink with all 4 turns. Using Hero Art’s nesting hearts, I die cut a larger heart from MFT’s Silver Sparkle cardstock, and then used the next size down to die cut a white heart. I stamped the sentiment from Concord and 9th’s Monogram Ampersand set in Altenew’s Jet Black ink. I layered the white heart on to the silver on, and then used foam tape to add it to the card.

I die cut some flowers and greenery from the Monogram die set, and added them to the heart. Pink glitter Nuvo drops accent the center of the flowers. The card base is MFT’s Sno-Cone, with a matching shimmer envelope from MFT.

This Bitty Burst turnabout stamp is going to see tons of use! It’s so easy to make a quick, fun card, or something more intricate. I could see large flowers, or even little critters… I can’t wait!

Next up, let’s take a look at the Wreath Turnabout set.

This set features two smaller turnabout stamps. Again, I had to get out the Delicata inks for these. Some how I missed getting a picture of the second wreath panel…

Lets take a look at the cards.

I used the pink and silver Delicata inks, along with Altenew’s Bambo and Parrot inks. I stamped the sentiment from the kit in Versamark ink, and embossed it with my favorite Hero Arts Silver embossing powder. I accented the card with Lucy’s Cards Pearls, and another Tickled Pink card base. I love these shimmer envelopes from MFT!

This next one is my favorite, but it’s a close tie with the third one. This one uses the same inks as the last card. Then I die cut the sentiment from You’re My Happy, layered it with three versions of the sentiment cut from Tickled Pink cardstock, layered them all and inlaid them. Lucy’s Cards gems accent the sentiment, and I used another Tickled Pink card base.

For this card, I used the blue and silver Delicata shimmer inks, with both colors stamped twice. I cut a circle from vellum, ran the edges in Versamark ink, then covered it with silver embossing powder. The sentiment is the other free set from April, cut from Silver Sparkle cardstock. Blueberry gems accent the sentiment, and a MFT Grout Gray card base finish off the card. I love that blue ink wit the silver. It’s gorgeous in real life!

Sadly, that was all that I have played with so far… There is so much left! Here is a peak.

The other set that was a main driver in my buying the bundle, the Painted Rose. I hope I get a chance to play with this set tomorrow.

The Confetti Card Dies. I think that outline die is going to get a lot of use. I just added it to my favorite die frame, so it would be in easy reach.

Triple Step Hooray set. I’m thinking about making some graduation cards with this. It would be really cool to use school colors for the different layers.

Sketched stripes background stamp. I see this stamped in Delicata stamps as well. This will be a fun stamp to use. I could also see this with some large flowers.

I’ll be sure to write another post, once I get around to using these. Besides the My Monthly Hero kits, these are the only new items I’m allowed for the next couple of months. Hopefully I will be able to dig up my will power..

Thanks for stopping by!
Nicole

Challenges · Making Cards · New Products

Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge-For The Boys

May 16, 2018May 12, 2018 curlesuecardsLeave a comment

Happy hump day! Today I am sharing my card for this weeks’ Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge.

This week the challenge is For the Boys, using Lawn Fawn products. This was a perfect challenge, as I have some new Lawn Fawn products I haven’t had the chance to use.

Here is my very busy card:

I used the Bayou Backdrop die on a panel I had made with Distress Oxide ink and glossy cardstock as the start for my card. I’ve had this piece cut out for a little while, just never got to using it. I die cut several other elements from the Bayou set, including the pond (from alcohol ink), the duck (like I was going to leave that out…) and the grass (colored with Copic markers).

The background was made by blending Tumbled Glass Distress ink over a Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock panel. I layered all of the elements together, and got out the sentiment from Lawn Fawn’s Dad and Me.

Of course I had to add a couple of the fireflies from Little FireFlies, with glow in the dark embossing powder on their bottoms.

This was a fun, crazy card to make. It’s been awhile since I created a scene like this, and I missed it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Nicole

Challenges · Making Cards

MFT Sketch Challenge 384

May 14, 2018May 14, 2018 curlesuecardsLeave a comment

Welcome back! Sorry for the break, I was sick for a couple of weeks. I caught a very nasty virus, which had me out of commission for almost 2 weeks. It was difficult getting out of bed, let alone craft. Thankfully, I am better now, and my mojo is overflowing!

Today I’d like to share the card I made for this week’s MFT Sketch Challenge. Here is the sketch.

Here is my card:

For this simple card I got out my trusty alcohol ink panels. I decided to go for a soft, pastel look. I knew I wanted to use a die cut sentiment, and settled on Wish, from one of my first MFT sets, Counting Stars. I cut the message from my favorite Silver Sparkle cardstock.

The stars and sub-sentiment are also from Counting Stars, and I embossed them in silver.

I wish you could see the shimmer from the Metallic Mixative on the alcohol ink panel. Its so pretty, with the pastel colors.

I added a sentiment inside from my new favorite, Anything But Basic Birthday Wishes. These sentiments are awesome.

I had a lot of fun making this card, it was nice to get back in the grove!

Thanks for stopping by!

Nicole

Challenges · Making Cards

A Blog Named Hero-Put a Flower on It

May 4, 2018April 29, 2018 curlesuecardsLeave a comment

Welcome back and happy Friday! We made it!!! Wahoo! May the Fourth be with you (sorry, I couldn’t help it, I am a big nerd at heart).

Today’s post is one I promised a few weeks ago. This is the post to share my card made for the A Blog Named Hero April Challenge-Put a Flower on it. I know, I shared both of these cards previously, but I wanted to write a special blog post focusing on them.

Here is the link to A Blog Named Hero, so you can check out all the Design Team inspiration!

First up, the card I originally made.

I love how this card turned out! I am totally in love with that Catherine Wheel Nuvo Shimmer powder. Here is the link with the details on how it was made. This was the card I made for my Sister’s Birthday.

The next card I made this past weekend, and shared in my Mother’s Day post. I love this card too. It’s for my cousin to give to my Aunt, who I love and miss tons!

It’s funny, I’ve been itching to watercolor these flowers again, and my cousin gave me the perfect opportunity. This is the last card on the Mother’s Day post, all the way at the bottom.

I really excited that A Blog Named Hero is back, I missed it. I need some directed crafting in my life right now, my mind is so full of other things. It was also great to be able to make these two cards for special people in my life.

Speaking of other things, we are officially in May, which happens to be the month I close on my new house!!! It’s not until the 31st, but I’m finally in the same month. I can’t wait to start posting the craft room make over post.

Sorry, I am just so excited. Thanks for stopping by!

Nicole

Making Cards · Rambling

Mother’s Day Cards

May 2, 2018April 29, 2018 curlesuecards1 Comment

Hello and happy Wednesday! Today I thought I would share the Mother’s Day cards I made.

Mother’s Day is a bit tough for me, as my Mother passed away when I was little. It was over 30 years ago, but new things still occur that make it fresh. Like, being a new card maker, but not having a Mom to make a card for. I’m not sure why this year is harder then last. Maybe card making means a little bit more to me now. Last year it was so new (card making that is).

Jennifer McGuire mentioned that she was making Mom cards for her friends, and I thought that was a great way to share this holiday with other Moms. I already shared one card I made for a friend. Today I’m sharing the cards I made for my sisters. Unfortunately they are probably going to read this post and ruin the surprise, but that’s ok. They won’t know exactly which card they are getting lol.

The first two cards are almost exactly the same, just different colors.

I thought Altenew’s Extra Special Stamp set was perfect for this occasion. It has great sentiments and that gorgeous, large, floral image. I first stamped the image in a light gray Archival ink on to Ranger Watercolor cardstock . Then I added Catherine Wheel Nuvo Shimmer powder on the flowers and sprayed the powder with water. I knew it was going to have a loose, messy look, it was what I was going for.

I let it dry a bit, then placed some Atlantis Burst Shimmer powder on my craft mat and added water, to make my own watercolor paint. Using a fine paint brush, I added the green to the leaves.

Once the panel was dry, I put it back in my Misti and stamped the floral image again, this time using Altenew Jet Black ink, so I would have a crisp outline. I also added the sentiment with the same ink. I added this panel to a Gina K Design’s Passionate Pink Card base, and used some Glitter Nuvo Drops to the flower centers.

As I said above, this next card is almost exactly the same.

For this card, I used Violet Brocade Shimmer Powder instead of Catherine Wheel. I was also a bit more careful with how much powder I used.

I used the same materials to paint the leaves, and stamp the outline again. The card base on this card is Gina K Design’s Lovely Lavender, with a matching envelope.

Next up, we have a slightly different card. Same stamp set, but slightly different design.

For this card, I created a mask of the floral image, using the coordinating dies and masking paper . I masked off the area for the image, and sprayed the white shimmer spray from one of the My Monthly Hero kits. Then I stamped the floral image and colored it with Copic Markers. As you can see, I didn’t leave the card that way.

I didn’t like the way the colored image looked, and I had a couple of spare die cuts I had previously stamped and cut out. I took the one I liked the most and added it over the colored image with foam tape. The sentiment was stamped with Jet Black ink, and I added Glitter Nuvo Drops to the flower centers. I added the panel to a card base made with MFT’s Cool as a Cucumber (I love this color green, it’s so soft).

Bonus card #1: I did make 2 Mom focused cards. This first one just because the design popped into my head. It’s a good card for a Mom up in Heaven, right?

This one was really quick. I already had the butterfly panel, cut using Hero Arts’ Butterfly Confetti Die and Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock. I added some of the white glitter cardstock I had left over from Christmas, and die cut the letter’s from Altenew’s Calligraphy Alpha using MFT’s Brushed Silver cardstock.

Quick and simple, with the right amount of shine from the glitter.

Bonus card #2: I made this as a special request, for someone special to me.

This one was a bit more involved. First, I colored the sweet pea images from a older My Monthly Hero kit, using Distress Markers as watercolors (the image was stamped with Versafine Onyx ink and heat embossed with clear powder on watercolor paper first). The colors I used were Salty Ocean and Evergreen Boughs.

While the flowers were drying, I stamped the jar image with Hero Arts Intense Black ink and colored it with Copic markers.

I made the background with Concord and 9th’s Polkadot Turnabout Stamp, using Altenew’s Turquoise ink. No, my stamp isn’t faulty, I made it wonky on purpose.

I used the wooden board pieces I stamped ages ago using Concord and 9th’s Planks and Petals set, to give the jar a place to sit.

At this point everything was dry and ready to die cut. I glued the die cut images using Scor-tape, and added Clear Wink of Stella to the flowers and jar. Then I covered the jar with tons of Glossy Accents. The sentiment is from the Altenew set I used throughout this post. A Grout Gray Card base wraps it all up.

Whew! That was a lot of Mother’s Day cards for someone who doesn’t have a Mom to celebrate with! I have to say, I think making cards for the Mother’s in my life, even if they aren’t mine, is brilliant! Making these cards was very special for me, and I can’t wait to send them out!

Oh, and if any of my sisters are reading this, guess which card is yours! Love you guys!

Thanks for stopping by!

Nicole