Eileen Hull - Sizzix Dies - April Showers Party Favors

April is known for showers right?

So Eileen Hull's Sizzix Inspiration Team has been busy at work this month creating all kinds of 

Baby Shower, Bridal Shower or other party favors, decor, invitations etc.  

Please check out Eileen's Blog for creative party inspiration all month!

I decided to make favors for a Tea Party - not only because I like tea (Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte or hot Earl Gray, please) but I also love Eileen's 3D Tea Cup die!

(The teapot is from an Antique Shop - it has a metal cozy around it to keep the tea hot!)

I actually used 3 of Eileen's dies on my projects -  Tea Cup - 3D, Floral Arch and Words,  and Bookplate Hinges and Labels.  The patterned papers are from Eileen's Sizzix Heartfelt Paper Pad.

I have a few photos to show how I put these together - although I'm sure you can tell by just looking at them!  

I mixed 3 different patterns on the cups so they are different but coordinated!

To make the invitation, I die cut two of the bookplates.  I scored a line across the top of the one on the left, put a piece of ScorTape on the dome piece and attached it to the unscored piece

Then the two pieces become an invitation that stands up and the party info can be written inside!  

The lovely stamps I've used are from a retired Waltzingmouse set called Afternoon Tea.

Here they are all put together.

I die cut a smaller oval to layer over the 'saucer' using a Petite Oval Nestability.

I looped Honey Dew Bakers Twine through the tag and adhered the ends to the inside of the teacup with a piece of tape.

 I added a glittery blue rhinestone to the center of each Floral Arch.

Here's how I finished the back of each tea cup.

 A little bag of cookies would fit nicely inside each of the cups - or maybe a bunch of teabags as gifts for the Tea Party attendees!  

The teacup base measures 4 1/2" and the top of the cup is 3".

 So please do check out Eileen's blog for party decor inspiration all month long!

Stamps:  Afternoon Tea - Waltzingmouse (retired)
Paper:  Cream Little Sizzles Mat Board - Sizzix, Blueberry Sky and White - PTI, Heartfelt Paper Pad - Eileen Hull/Sizzix.
Ink:  Hero Arts Black
Accessories:  Tea Cup 3D, Floral Arch and Words, Bookplate, Hinges and Label dies - Eileen Hull/Sizzix, Petite Oval Nestability, Honey Dew Bakers Twine - the Twinery, Rhinestones - St. Tropez/Prima, foam dots, Tombow Glue, ScorTape.

Mid Month CAS Mix Up Card Challenge Reminder - Rubber Band Technique

If you live in the USA - I hope you have gotten your taxes in!!

I'm also here to remind you there is still time to link up your card for the CAS Mix Up Card Challenge (much more fun than filing your tax return - right??!!)  

I'm the challenge host this month - and we are using the Rubber Band Technique, stamping and your choice.

 

Here is my reminder card.  

I used the Rubber Stamping Technique, stamping and stenciling for my card design.

I wrapped different widths of rubber bands around 3 different blocks for this card, just 2-3 bands on each block.  I inked the bands on one of the blocks with Wendy Vecchi Archival Fern Green ink and stamped it on an angle onto the white card panel.  Then I did the same with two other wrapped blocks using Archival Pink Peony Ink  and Archival Buttercup Ink, changing the angle each time to create a plaid-like pattern.

I stamped the banner image from AALL & Create Set #23 designed by Bipasha Bk in Hero Arts Black and then the sentiment from Birthday Basics by PTI below the banner.

I stenciled a strip on another panel of white card using a mini layering stencil from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous.  First I sponged over the stencil with Pink Peony ink, shifted the stencil just a tad to the right and then sponged with Fern Green to give the stenciling some depth.  Then I adhered the Rubber Band panel over the stenciling with foam dots and layered it all to a white card base.

I hope you'll join me for this CAS Mix Up Card Challenge and show us how you use the Rubber Stamp Technique!  You'll find links to YouTube videos using rubber bands and lots of samples from the Design Team over at the blog.

You have until 4/24 to link up your Rubber Band Technique CAS cards over at CAS Mix Up!

I'm also linking my card to:
The Card Concept - Mine is clean and layered
inspired by the colors

Seize the Birthday

Stamps:  Set #23 - AALL & Create, Birthday Basics - PTI
Ink:  Wendy Vecchi Archival inks Pink Peony, Buttercup, Fern Green, Hero Arts Black.
Paper:  White - PTI
Accessories:  acrylic stamping blocks, assorted width rubber bands, foam dots.

You are One Tough Cookie!

I was excited to get out my new Fortune Cookie dies and Good Fortune sentiments from Ellen Hutson, to create a get well card for a friend who had surgery and will be laid low for a few weeks while she heals.

I die cut the cookies out of Vintage Cream Card and sponged the edges with Ranger Distress Tea Dye Ink.  I stenciled the background onto a Vintage Cream  card panel using Mini Basket Weave from The Crafters Workshop and Ranger Distress Marmalade Ink.  Then I stamped along the top border with a retired Waltzingmouse stamp from Asian Garden in Dark Indigo ink.  I added a strip of washi tape along the bottom.   I die cut the flat bottom circle out of Origami Paper and adhered it to the panel.  

I stamped the sentiments - one from Good Fortune set, one from Ways to Say: Get Well soon, on the strips and slipped them into the cookies!

I made my card for the two Friday challenges over on Splitcoaststampers, Mix Ability (sketch) and Free 4 All (encouraging wellness).

I'm also linking my card to the following challenges:

Addicted to Stamps and More

I used a stencil

Happy Little Stampers

Stamps: Good Fortune - Essentials by Ellen Hutson, Ways to Say: Get Well Soon - PTI, Asian Garden - Waltzingmouse (retired) 
Paper:  White and Enchanted Evening, Vintage Cream - PTI, Origami Paper
Ink:  Ranger Distress Spiced Marmalade and Tea Dye, Dark Indigo - PTI 
Accessories: Mini Basket Weave Stencil - The Crafters Workshop, washi Tape - Michaels, Flat bottom circle Die - Ali Express (China), Fortune Cookies - dies Essentials by Ellen Hutson, foam dots   

Peace

I've got 4 more Christmas cards to share today -  I used ornaments for one challenge and ribbons for another challenge that you will find linked to below.

I used Distress Ink dyed crinkle ribbons on each ornament and chose my colors based on the ribbon.  

I received the already-died ribbons from Funky Junkie Boutique, who always sends a little envelope of treats (die cuts, charms, buttons) tied with a ribbon, in every order!

This first card is the most CAS of the four.    I love the rustic look of the brown and green over the vintage cream card base.  I used a simple stitched edge die for the panel. The branch is die cut with Tim Holtz/Sizzix Holly Branch Die.

I brushed Clear Glitter Wink of Stella on the colored parts of all the ornaments as well.

Close up of the Wink of Stella Glitter

For my 2nd and 3rd cards, I used the Papertrey Ink's Mix and Mat Plaid Die for my panels layered onto a coordinated color panel.

close up of Wink of Stella

Close up of Wink of Stella

And for my 4th card I die cut the panel out of birchwood wrapping paper that I got from Pier One Imports last Christmas season.

Close up Wink of Stella
 (I just have to keep showing you because it's SO sparkly IRL!)

I'm linking my first CAS card to:

CAS Christmas - Ornament

I'm linking my 4th  Birchbark card to:

Merry Monday - Use Ribbon

Stamps:  Ornate Ornaments - Waltzingmouse (retired)
Paper:  Vintage Cream, White, Spring Rain, Cocoa Bean, Raspberry Fizz - PTI, Color Core Coredinations,  Birch Wrapping Paper - Pier One Imports.
Ink:  Cocoa Bean, New Leaf, Raspberry Fizz, Canyon Clay, Spring Rain - PTI
Accessories:  2011 Heirloom Ornament Dies - Nestabilities, Holly Branch die - Tim Holtz/Sizzix, Stitched Mat Rectangle Die - Lil Inkers Design, Crinkle Ribbon - Idea-ology, Clear Glitter Wink of Stella, foam dots, Tombow Glue.

Happy 4th Birthday Madelyn!

My youngest grand-niece, Madelyn, turns 4 on Tuesday but she had her birthday party today.  I always make special cards for my four grands for their birthdays, usually featuring one or more photos of them that I liked during the past year.   

I used a fun Stackable Frame die by Sizzix to create Madelyn's card this year.  This is the first time I've used this new die and it went together wonderfully!
Each frame is 3" x 4 3/8" .

I die cut 6 frames and the circle pieces out of Black Little Sizzles Matboard.  I cut the photos and sentiment piece to fit inside the frames and adhered them to the back with tape.  I die cut 3 frames out of the woodgrain patterened papers and adhered them to the fronts.  Then I adhered another frame on the back.  I double layered all the circle pieces and slid them into the slots to hold the frames together and the same with the feet on the bottom.   I added the starred circle at the top, using dies from PTI - Scene It Basic Backer Die and Scene It Celebration Dies. I added the #4 in front  that I die cut out of fun foam.  I die cut the 3 balloons, glued twine to their ends and adhered them with foam dots.

I decided to add 2 more photos of Madelyn from Easter on the back - along with my birthday message.  I added a little drop of glue to the inside of each slot to help hold them together -  they did all fit snugly, just a little extra insurance for this kids card!

These are the full photos of the pictures I used on the front of Madelyn's card.

A sleep over for the 4 cousins at Madelyn's and James' house.

 Hiking in Goffstown, NH

Happy Birthday sweet Madelyn!!

Stamps:  Birthday Girl from; Party Time Set - Stamplorations,  Happy Birthday from: A Beary Good Year - The Cats Pajamas
Paper:  Black Little Sizzles Mat Board - Sizzix, white card - PTI, wood grain patterned paper - Mrs. Sparkle and Co. - Joann, Color Core Coredinations..
Ink:  Hero Arts Black
Accessories:  Stackable Frame Die - Sizzix, Birthday Balloons Die, Scene It: Celebration Dies, Scene It Basic Backer Die, By the Numbers Dies - PTI, Tombow Glue, ScorTape, twine, Label Letters - Idea-ology, black fun foam.

Ornamental Christmas

I'm charging forward in the quest to fill my Christmas card box for next year!
I've got 4 cards to share today using pretty much the same design but with some color and ornament stamp changes.

The pretty ornament stamps are from the retired Waltzingmouse set - 2011 Holiday Ornaments. The ornament die is from 2011 Heirloom Ornaments Nestability set.
The Merry Christmas stamping on all of them is from Inside and Out Holiday by PTI. 

The embossing folder is Beaded Garland from Tim Holtz/Alterations/Sizzix, a new acquisition!  
I used Ranger Distress Inks in Wilted Violet, Barn Door, and Evergreen Bough on the ornaments.

The sentiment strip is from Wonky Stitches Die set from Avery Elle.

I brushed Clear Glitter Wink of Stella over all of the ornaments but it never shows up in photos!

There is a lovely shine to them in the light - hopefully you can see it in the close ups below.

I had the perfect sentiment for the inside of my ornament cards

also from the Inside and Out Holiday set from PTI -   

Like ornaments, 

thoughts of special people 

BRIGHTEN THE SEASON 

and warm our hearts.

I'm linking my red ornament card to:

Merry Monday

I'm linking my purple ornament card to:

CAS Christmas Card Challenge

Just Us Girls

Stamps:  2011 Holiday Ornaments - Waltzingmouse (retired), Inside and Out Holiday - PTI.
Paper:  White - PTI
Ink:  Her Arts Black, Ranger Distress Wilted Violet, Barn Door and Evergreen Bough.
Accessories:  2011 Ornament Dies - Nestabilities, Wonky Stitches Die - Avery Elle, Beaded Garland Embossing Folder - Tim Holtz/Alterations/Sizzix, Clear Glitter Wink of Stella Brush, foam dots.

April CAS Mix Up - Rubber Band Technique

Happy Easter everyone!    It's April 1st and I'm also hosting this month's CAS Mix Up Challenge!!  And my challenge is to use a Rubber Band Technique!  

What?  You've never heard of using rubber bands to ink a design?   Or maybe you have but haven't done it in a long time??

Not to worry!  We have some links to videos using the technique over at the CAS Mix Up blog

Here's my card.

And here are a few photos of how I used a rubber band technique on the colored strip on my card.

First I masked off a column on a panel of white card stock using some Eclipse Masking paper.  It helps to work on a grid so you are sure your papers are straight.

I chose 3 colors of Ranger Distress Inks to use, Black Soot, Crushed Olive and Broken China.  And I wrapped some thin and thick elastics around an acrylic block.

First I pressed the Broken China Distress ink over the elastics.  Then I spritzed the block lightly with water and pressed it against the masked panel.

I inked up the elastics 3 times with the blue, spritzing with water each time I 'stamped' them over the panel - moving the block around so the pattern was varied.  You don't really know what it will look like until you're done!

Then I wiped off the block and elastics with a baby wipe 

(you could use a wet paper towel as well)

 and inked it up with Crushed Olive and 'stamped' three times.

Then I did the same with Black Soot - stamping the dark color less times so it didn't over power the other colors.  

Then I removed the masking paper and revealed my lovely rubber band technique design!

I stamped the flowers and sentiment from AALL & Create Set #44 

(designed by my stamping friend Tracy Evans!) 

 around the colored panel.   

The sentiment says "Happiness held is the seed.  Happiness shared is the flower".  

I knotted a piece of bakers twine around the panel.   

I layered the panel onto a slightly larger Limeaide Ice panel and then to a slightly larger Hawaiian Shores Panel and all of it to a white card base.

I brushed over the flowers and the Crushed Olive inked parts with a Clear Glitter Wink of Stella -  you can see the shimmer on this photo I hope!

You can't see the glittery shimmer at all on the photo below - but it IS really shiny IRL when you tilt it in the light!

So please join us and show us how you use the Rubber Band Technique!!  The CAS Mix Up Design team has lots of creative inspiration over on the challenge blog here.  And there are links to videos using the technique too!

Stamps:  Set #44 by Tracy Evans - AALL & Create

Paper:  White, Hawaiian Shores, Limeaide Ice - PTI

Ink:  Ranger Distress Crushed Olive, Broken China and Black Soot,  True Black - PTI, Hero Arts Black.

Accessories:  Caribbean Bakers Twine - The Twinery,  Clear Glitter Wink of Stella Brush, clear acrylic stamping block, assorted width elastic bands, water mister.