Simon Says Stamp Rain or Shine Release Blog Hop Day 1 + Giveaway

Hello there, I am delighted to be joining Simon Says Stamp today to celebrate the Rain or Shine release with a fun blog hop (there is more inspiration being shared tomorrow too!). 

They kindly sent me the Farm Life set to play with. I thought it would be perfect to use with masking. I used to make scenes with masking all of the time and then stopped. I remember why I stopped now, it takes ages, but the results are worth the effort I think! 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

For my first project, I went all out and stamped almost all of the animals from the Simon Says Stamp Farm Life Stamp Set onto Altenew Masking Paper. I then fussy cut them out with scissors and created a masking map on scrap paper to see what layout I wanted to use for the images. I then cut my cardstock to size (6" x 3.5").

I placed the masking map inside my Mini MISTI and placed the first image I wanted to stamp (the image that will be the most forward/on top of the others on the card) on top of the image on the map. I closed the MISTI door and then removed the map from the MISTI and brought in the cardstock. I inked up the stamp with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and stamped it onto the cardstock. I removed the mask from the map and placed it on the stamped image. 

I repeated the process multiple times until I stamped all of the animals and the girl. Using a Large Blending Brush, I blended Tim Holtz Peacock Feather Distress Ink around the images. The masks were removed and the images coloured with Copic Markers and Polychromos Pencils (for a little added shading). The colours that I used are listed below the supplies list for reference. I also added Copic Marker dots in the background for added interest. 

The sentiment, from the Simon Says Stamp Farm Life Stamp Set, was stamped in the top right hand corner using Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink. Once the ink was dry, the panel was adhered to a 6" x 3.5" white card base with tape runner adhesive. To finish, I added white gel pen dots in the background. 

For my second project, I wanted to create a tag. I first die cut the largest of the Hero Arts Tag Infinity Dies from white cardstock. I then cut the length of it down slightly to fit the design. I stamped the girl sitting from the Simon Says Stamp Farm Life Stamp Set on top using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. 

I stamped her onto masking paper and fussy cut her out. The mask was placed over the stamped image and then I masked off the bottom part of the tag (below where she is sitting) and added ink blending above for the sky. I used Tim Holtz Peacock Feathers Distress Ink again and a Large Blending Brush. 

I removed the mask from the bottom half of the tag but kept the mask of the girl in place. I then hand drew in the wall using Copic Markers. I removed the mask from the girl and coloured her using Copic Markers (with a little pencil for shading), adding Copic Marker and white gel pen dots to the background. 

I stamped a sentiment from the Simon Says Stamp Farm Life Stamp Set onto black cardstock using Versamark Ink. I applied white embossing powder and heat set. It was cut into strips and adhered to the card with thin foam squares. I cut the eyelet for the tag from black cardstock and adhered that on top. To finish, I added twine through the top of the tag and tied in a bow. 

BLOG HOP:

As mentioned this post is part of a fun, inspirational blog hop with prizes. For the hop, you should have arrived here from Barb Engler. Next on the hop is Charlene Madrid. If you get lost along the way, or want to start the hop from the beginning, please head over to the Simon Says Stamp Blog. 

GIVEAWAY:

Simon Says Stamp are giving away a $25 coupon on every stop on the hop. Leave a comment to be entered to win. Winners will be announced on the Simon Says Stamp blog on 26th March 2025. 

BLOG HOP EXCLUSIVE:

The exclusive Simon Says Stamp Balloon Bouquet die will be automatically added to carts that contain $23 or more of Rain or Shine release products. This offer will expire 31st March 2025 at 11.59 pm EDT or while supplies last. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the projects. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except those marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

COPIC MARKERS: Girl's skin - E99, E13, E11, E00, E000/R20. Hair - E49, E29, E27, E25, E23. Dungarees - B99, B97, B95, B93. Tops, hair tie & hat - V09, V17, V15, V01. Shoes - C10, C8, C6, C5. Chicks - Y17, Y15, Y13, Y11/YR18, YR16, Y17.  Duck - C5, C3, C1, C00/YR18, YR16, YR17. Pig - E13, E11, E01, E00, E000/R24, R22, R20. Cow - C5, C3, C1, C00/C10, C8, C6/R24, R22, R20, R00/E57, E55, E53. Hen - W5, W3, W1/R89, R39, R35. Wall - W8, W6, W5, W3, W2, W1. Background dots - BG13, BG11. 

For more inspiration using the Rain or Shine release, please head over to the gallery HERE. Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a great time on the rest of the hop and a wonderful rest of the day! 

Hero Arts | Floral Window

Hello there, I am delighted to be joining Hero Arts today to celebrate the release of the March collections. There are three new collections releasing today, my card uses the Spring Whimsy collection (although my card isn't very spring-like!). 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

I started off my card by die cutting the Hero Arts Floral Window Layering Die Set (frame) from a 4.25" x 5.5" panel of Hero Arts Pitch Black Cardstock. I removed the inside piece and set the panel aside while I worked on the background. 

I took a panel of watercolour paper and sprayed Hero Arts Royal Purple + Gold Two-Tone Metallic Spray and Hero Arts Ocean Blue + Gold Two-Tone Metallic Spray on top, spiritizing in water to help the metallic spray move around. I picked up some of the spray by adding in water droplets, letting them sit for a minute and picking the excess ink up with a paper towel. 

I then splattered on Hero Arts White Acrylic Spray and set the panel aside to dry. Once dry, it was adhered to the front of a US A2 sized black card base and the frame piece adhered on top with thin foam tape. I die cut the butterfly from the set, also from Pitch Black Cardstock, and adhered that inside the frame. 

I stamped the sentiment from Hero Arts Everyday Sentiment Strips onto Pitch Black Cardstock using Hero Arts Clear Embossing & Watermark Ink. I applied Hero Arts White Detail Embossing Powder and heat set. It was cut into a strip and adhered to the card with thin foam tape. To finish, I embellished with Spellbinders Onyx Color Essentials Gems. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except those marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

We are celebrating the release over on Instagram with a fun hop with prizes. You can visit my Instagram profile HERE. Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day! 

Football Boots

Hello there, today I have a card to share that I made for my nephew for his birthday last year. I don't tend to share the cards that I make for my family because quite often I don't write down what products I used or I simply cannot link to the products that I used because I used my Cricut. I know many of you have electronic die cutting machines though, so I am going to try and share them here more in the future. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

I started off by cutting the Soccer Cleats by Victor Losev from Cricut Design Space on my Cricut Joy. I cut them from Hero Arts Pitch Black Cardstock and then once cut, I added small pieces of white cardstock behind, for the stripes. I took the MFT Distressed Patterns Stamp Set and using the boots as a guide, stamped the patterns onto the front of a US A2 sized card base using blue inks. 

I will be honest with you, I cannot remember all of the colours of inks that I used but I believe I used Sapphire, Persian Blue & Caribbean Sky from the Altenew Glacier Caves Fresh Dye Ink Collection, Dusk from the Altenew Cool Summer Night Collection, and Aqualicious from the Altenew Sweet Dreams Fresh Dye Ink Collection. 

The football boots where then adhered on top using thin foam tape. I stamped a sentiment from the Mama Elephant Birthday Messages Stamp Set onto white cardstock using Versafine Clair Nocturn Ink. It was cut into a strip and adhered to the card using more thin foam tape. To finish, I embellished with Hero Arts Clear Enamel Dots. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except those marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

If you don't have an electronic die cutting machine, I hope that I can still inspire you with this card. This design could easily be replicated with a different focal point. Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day! 

Altenew | March 2025 Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hello there, I am delighted to be joining Altenew for a fun blog hop celebrating the March 2025 release. There are lots of stamps, dies, embossing folders, inks and embellishments releasing today, as well as new wax seal products. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

FUN LITTLE ENVELOPES, BERRIES & BRANCHES + SCRIPTED SENTIMENTS

My first two cards use three new die sets - Zero Waste: Berries & Branches, Fun Little Envelopes (which can be made to be closed like I have or open and even have envelope liners!) and Scripted Sentiments. 

For my first card, I started off by die cutting one of the Altenew Fun Little Envelopes from white cardstock. I folded it up and secured it together using Altenew Ultra Sticky Double Sided Tape. I then die cut the heart from the set from Altenew Crafty Necessities: Pink Diamond Cardstock and adhered it on top. 

I die cut the Altenew Zero Waste: Berries & Branches Die from Altenew Crafty Necessities: Dew Drops, Aqualicious and Limeade Cardstock. I added ink blending to the aqua pieces with Altenew Sweet Dreams and Marine Life Fresh Dye Inks, and the green pieces with Altenew Green Valley Fresh Dye Inks and Altenew Micro Blending Brushes. 

I adhered the foliage onto an A2 sized white card base with liquid adhesive, followed by the envelope with thin foam squares. I die cut the 'hello' from the Altenew Scripted Sentiments Die Set three times from Altenew Crafty Necessities: Jet Black Cardstock. I adhered them one on top of another and then onto the card. To finish, I embellished with Altenew Ivory Pearl Dots and Glossy Accents on the heart. 

For my second card, I used the same foliage cut from the aqua cardstock (with ink blending on top) but this time, I added ink blending to the berries using Altenew Marine Life Fresh Dye Inks. I adhered the berries to the stems and then adhered the foliage to an A2 sized white card base with liquid glue. 

I die cut two envelopes from the Altenew Fun Little Envelopes Die Set from white cardstock and assembled them in the same way as above, using a bone folder to press the creases down. They were adhered to the card using thin foam squares. 

I die cut the 'hugs' from the Altenew Scripted Sentiments Die Set three times from Altenew Crafty Necessities: Jet Black Cardstock. I adhered them one on top of another and then onto the card. To finish, I embellished with Altenew Ivory Pearl Dots and Glossy Accents on the berries. 

FLOWER ARCH PROJECT KIT + MARINE LIFE INKS

My last card for today uses the Altenew Craft Your Life Project Kit: Flower Arch. I stamped the large floral image from the stamp set onto white cardstock using Altenew Obsidian Pigment Ink. I then coloured the image using the coordinating stencils and ink blending. 

I used Altenew Marine Life Fresh Dye Inks for the flowers and Altenew Green Valley Fresh Dye Inks for the leaves and stems. Both applied with Altenew Mini Blending Brushes. I die cut the image out using the coordinating die and adhered it onto an A2 sized white card base with Altenew Instant Dimension Foam Tape. 

I cut the excess off the sides with scissors. I stamped a sentiment from the set onto Altenew Crafty Necessities: Jet Black Cardstock using Altenew Embossing Ink. I applied Altenew Pure White Crisp Embossing Powder and heat set. It was cut into a strip and adhered to the card with more foam tape. To finish, I embellished with Altenew Marine Life Enamel Dots. 

BLOG HOP:

As mentioned, this blog post is part of  a fun, inspirational blog hop with prizes. Please click the links below to visit the other participants in the hop. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

GIVEAWAY:

$300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $100 gift certificate to 1 lucky winner and a $50 gift certificate to 4 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by March 20th 2025 for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 5 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on March 22nd 2025.

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the projects. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except those marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

Whilst I love all the products in this release, I especially love the first three die sets I used today. I see me using them a lot! Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day and a great weekend! 

Spellbinders | Dad, You Are the Best

Hello there, today I have a card to share using the Spellbinders March 2025 Small Die of the Month Club Kit. The kit is called "Fairways & Fish Tales" and has two sets of dies - one set for golf and one set for fishing. I decided to use the golf set for my card today. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

I started off my card by die cutting the handle of the golf club from the Spellbinders March 2025 Small Die of the Month Club Kit from Spellbinders Raven Cardstock, the clubhead from Spellbinders Matte Silver Cardstock, the base layer of the golf ball from Spellbinders Fog Cardstock, and the top layer of the ball from white cardstock. I adhered the golf club layers together using Bearly Art Glue, followed by the golf ball layers.

I then die cut a panel of Spellbinders Peridot Cardstock using the landscape die in the kit (can be used either as water or as grass) and adhered it to a US A2 size white card base. I adhered the hole (cut from Spellbinders Fern Cardstock) on top with Bearly Art Glue, followed by the club and ball using thin foam tape. The excess was cut off the side using scissors.

I rounded the bottom two corners of the card using the Spellbinders 2-1 Punch: Corner Rounder & Notch. I pressed the sentiment from the Spellbinders Mother's & Father's Day Sentiments Press Plate onto Spellbinders Porcelain BetterPress Cotton Card with Spellbinders BetterPress Black Ink and the Spellbinders BetterPress Letterpress System. It was die cut out using the coordinating die and adhered to the card with thin foam tape. 

SPELLBINDERS CLUB KITS

To buy the kit - if you are a current subscriber to the Small Die of the Month Club Kit (or any kit), you do not need to do anything. You will be charged as normal on the 5th of the month and your kit will be shipped to you. If you are a new subscriber, you can purchase the kit from the 6th - 27th March 2025. Members can cancel their membership at any time. If you are not keen on subscribing to the kit but still want it, you can purchase it individually (without a subscription) on the 10th of the following month but the price will be higher. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except those marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day! 

Spellbinders | Gorgeous You Florals

Hello there, I am delighted to be over on the Spellbinders Blog today, sharing three cards using the Gorgeous You Collection. This collection is a beautiful one - makeup, perfume and florals. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

The peek below uses the Spellbinders Gorgeous You Florals Etched Dies that I cut from Spellbinders and Hero Arts Cardstock and adhered together using Bearly Art Glue. I placed a panel of Pitch Black Cardstock inside the Spellbinders Cross My Heart 3D Embossing Folder and ran it through my die cutting machine. 

I adhered it to an A2 sized black card base and adhered the flowers on top using Bearly Art Glue and thin foam tape. I hot foiled the Spellbinders Flawless Sentiments Press Plate & Die Set using Spellbinders White Foil on more black cardstock, die cut it out and adhered it to the card. To finish, I embellished with Spellbinders Berry Color Essentials Gems. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

For more details on how I made the card, as well as the other two, please head over to the Spellbinders Blog HERE. Thank you so much for stopping by today, I hope you have a wonderful day! 

VIDEO | Faux Velvet 3D Embossing

Hello there, today I am giving 3D embossing a faux velvet look. I am a huge fan of embossing folders and I am always trying to find new ways to give them a different look. This is a variation of a technique that I use often - highlighting the raised areas with white pigment ink but it adds an extra step that gives a soft velvety look. 

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

I started off by die cutting one the larger tags from the Altenew Terrific Tags Die Set from white cardstock. I then added ink blending on top using Altenew Bubblegum Dreams Fresh Dye Inks (the three lightest shades) using an Altenew Small Blending Brush. 

I blended Midnight Violet, from the Altenew Shades of Purple Fresh Dye Ink Collection, on top to give some extra darkness to the tag. I placed it inside the Altenew Garden Whispers 3D Embossing Folder and ran it through my die cutting machine. 

I smooshed Altenew Cloud White Pigment Ink onto the mat and picked it up using a Blending Tool (with a sponge applicator). I then pounced the tool onto the raised areas in layers. The white intensifies the more layers you add. I wanted to pounce/dab the tool onto the embossing, rather than swiping, to transfer the texture of the sponge and give a mottled look. I then placed the tag into my Splat Box and misted it with Altenew Iridescent Shimmer Ink Spray. 

This really brings out the white ink on the tag and gives a lovely soft velvety texture/look. I heat set the ink and then set the tag aside to dry while I stamped my sentiment, from the Altenew Garden Whispers Craft Your Life Project Kit, onto Altenew Crafty Necessities: Jet Black Cardstock using Altenew Embossing Ink. I applied Altenew Pure White Crisp Embossing Powder and heat set. It was die cut out using the coordinating die. 

I cut another tag from white cardstock and adhered it behind the embossed one. I threaded twine through the top of the tag and tied in a bow. I added Altenew Instant Dimension Foam Tape 1/4" onto the back of the sentiment and adhered it onto the tag to finish. 

VIDEO:

Here is the video showing how I made the tag:

If you are viewing this blog post via email subscription, you can watch the video HERE on YouTube. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except those marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

I am definitely going to try this technique again, it really gives a softness to the project. Thank you so much for stopping by today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day! 

Spellbinders | Gorgeous You 16

Hello there, today I have a card to share using some fun makeup themed products from the new Gorgeous You Collection from Spellbinders. I thought it would be fun to have the makeup hanging out the top of the make up bag. This card was for my niece for her 16th birthday and she loves makeup, so this collection is perfect for her!  

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

I started off my card by die cutting the Spellbinders Gorgeous You Makeup Bag Etched Dies from Spellbinders Cardstock. I actually made this card quite some time ago and so I used the older (now discontinued cardstock). I cut the base layer of the bag from Raindrop Cardstock (this is very similar to the new Cascade Cardstock) and the top, detailed layer, from Glacier Cardstock (this is very similar to the new Windy Cardstock). 

I cut the top trim and pull from Spellbinders Matte Gold Treasured Cardstock. I adhered the pieces together using Bearly Art Glue. I then die cut the Spellbinders Gorgeous You Makeup Etched Dies. The gold parts are the same cardstock as above, the pinks are the older Pink Sand and Fruit Punch (but Hero Arts Peony and Ultra Pink would work too), the top of the brush is cut from Spellbinders Alabaster Cardstock and the makeup palette uses grey (old Spellbinders Graphite). I also used black cardstock (now Raven). 

Since I knew that you would be able to see the makeup pieces from the back, I cut more layers to add to the back of them (back to back). This works for symmetrical images but doesn't for non-symmetrical images. Thankfully most of these are symmetrical! I then cut another base layer of the bag to use as the back of the card.

In the set, there is a hinge piece, so that you can easily make a card base from the bag, but I wanted the card to be top folding (so that it hid the bottom of the makeup), so I scored a line at the top of the piece and added adhesive to it, before adhering to the back of the front panel. 

Since it was my niece's 16th birthday, I die cut the 1 and 6 from the Spellbinders Be Bold Lower Alphabet & Numbers Etched Dies from more gold cardstock and adhered them to the bag. To finish, I added a Spellbinders Gold Mix Color Essentials Gem to the bag pull. 

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except those marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

I will be sharing more from this collection later in the week, until then, if you are a fan of makeup, I hope you will check out the collection, as well as the others releasing today. Thank you so much for stopping by, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a wonderful day! 

Spellbinders | Daisy

Hello there, today I have something different to share with you again. This time, a framed piece. If you have been here with me for a while, you will know that I love pigs, so as soon as I saw "Daisy", I knew I wanted to ink her up but that I probably wouldn't want to send her out. So I decided to frame the image, rather than adding her to a card!

PLEASE NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Please see below for my full disclosure.

I started off by taking a panel of Spellbinders Porcelain BetterPress Cotton Card and cut it to 5 7/8" wide (the same width as my frame but also the widest you can cut it to fit through the machine). I left the length longer to give me some wiggle room. I placed Spellbinders Daisy BetterPress Plate onto the Chase in the Spellbinders BetterPress Letterpress System as centred as possible. 

I inked up the plate with Spellbinders BetterPress Black Ink and then placed the cardstock on the back of the Platen, securing in place with Best Ever Craft Tape. I placed the Platen on the platform and then ran it through the Platinum Six. I removed the image and then cut the length of the panel down to 5 7/8". 

I painted the image with Tim Holtz Distress Inks. I smooshed them onto an acrylic block and then picked them up with wet paintbrush. I used Picked Raspberry, Wilted Violet & Mermaid Lagoon for the pig, Evergreen Bough and Peacock Feathers for the leaves, and Peacock Feathers and Prize Ribbon for the flowers. For some added interest, I pressed the image again, painted the flowers, fussy cut them out and adhered them on top of the panel. To finish, I added a white gel pen dots before placing in the frame. 

SUPPLIES:

 

Here are the links to what I have used on the project. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. All products were personally purchased except those marked with an asterisk (*) which were kindly sent to me to use. You can read my full disclosure here.

The pig did turn out a lot more purple than I had planned but I still like how it turned out! Thank you so much for stopping by today, I hope you have a great weekend!