Craft projects

Simple Thank You Cards with Spectrum Noir

| marialrussell

I hope everyone’s doing well!  I don’t know about you but lately, I have been needing to give out “thank you” cards a lot more often.  I wanted to create some cards today that I can mass-produce that’ll look amazing but wouldn’t take a lot of effort.  Layering stamps are great for this type of project because you don’t have to color the images one by one.     Spectrum Noir quick dry dye inks are my go-to when it comes to stamping layering images.  The ink pads are so juicy, and the colors are so vibrant that it’s perfect to use for the stamp set that I am showcasing today.  

 

Here’s the step-by-step on how I made the cards:

 

Choose 2 colors of Spectrum Noir Quick Dry Dye inks for each color family to use for the cards today. For the blues, I used Oasis and Parakeet.  Green – Spring Meadow and Grasshopper.  Yellows – Straw Bale and Honeypot. Pinks – Pink Tulip and Fuchsia and Purple – Pale Fig and Crushed Velvet.

 

 

Position the first layering stamp inside the stamping tool and use Spring Meadow ink. Do this method four times.

 

 

Layer the next stamp set inside the stamping tool and use Grasshopper ink.

 

Position the layering flower stamp inside the stamping tool and use Pale Fig as the first color. Clean the stamp and use the other colors described above to stamp the first layer.

 

Position the second layering stamp and use the darker shades for each color family.

 

Repeat this process using the other colors.

 

To add more details to the card, use Spectrum Noir water-reactive inks. Match the color used for each flower.

 

 

Press the ink pad onto an acrylic block and add some water to dilute the color. Use a watercolor brush to splatter color onto the card panel.

 

 

For the sentiment, use the Crafter’s Companion Thanks sentiment die. Die-cut 4 times using some black card stock.  Adhere the sentiment on the card panel.

 

Here’s what the finished card looks like:

 

 

I really LOVE that the cards I made were simple and can be easily mass-produced.  Here’s a look at all four cards:

 

Here’s a little close-up:

 

 

If you haven’t tried the Spectrum Noir ink pads yet, I suggest that you order them now.  They are my favorite ink pads to use for all of my projects! 

 

I hope you like my cards today.  Thanks for stopping by and happy stamping!

 

 

Stretch Your Stamps – Mother’s Day Cards for Mom & Grandma

| marialrussell

I know Mother’s Day was last Sunday but I still wanted to share these cards that I made for moms and grandmas.  For my projects today, I am showcasing the Tides of Love stamp set and coordinating dies with the Lovely Blooms stamp set.

 

To make the first card, I ink-blended a panel of Bristol smooth white card stock with distress oxide inks.  I spritzed it with water and dried with a paper towel.  I diluted some white paint with water on an acrylic block and used my watercolor brush to add some white speckles to the background.  I set this panel to dry.

 

I stamped the images on some Neenah solar white card stock using some Memento fog ink for a no-line coloring.  I colored the images in with spectrum noir alcohol markers and used the coordinating dies to die-cut the images.

 

I die-cut a white card panel using an ocean die from my collection.  I foam-mounted this piece on the ink-blended panel to give it more dimension.  I adhered the whale in the middle of the card, and stamped the sentiment with Versafine onyx black ink.

 

 

To finish my design, I added some clear droplets to the panel with liquid adhesive to make them look like bubbles.  Here’s a closer look:

 

 

The second card was created with the same steps that I made for the first card.  I used some painter’s tape to adhere on the card temporarily so I can ink-blend the background with distress oxide inks.  I removed the tape and adhered this on an A2 size card base.

 

I foam-mounted my focal image in the middle of the card and added the sea weeds using dies from my collection.  I stamped the sentiment on the card with some Versafine onyx black ink.  I also adhered some black and white patterned paper, as well as a black strip to ground the image.

 

 

I finished my design by adding blue droplets to the card to make them look like bubbles.  Here’s a closer look:

 

 

I hope I have given you some great ideas to stretch your stamps.  With just a little imagination, you can use any stamp sets that you have in your collection to create cards for different occasions.

 

The supplies I use are listed and linked below.  Thanks for stopping by and happy stamping!

 

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Rainbow Bridge

| marialrussell

I hope you’re all doing well and creating a lot of cards and other D.I.Y. projects while on lockdown.  I am honestly so thankful we have this hobby.  This is what keeps me going whilst not being able to travel and see my family.  Let us all pray together that this pandemic goes away so we can all get back to our normal routine.

 

My project today showcases the Rainbow Bridge stamp set.

 

To make my card, I stamped the rainbow image on some Bristol smooth white card stock using versamark ink.  I put some white embossing powder and heat-set with my heating tool.

 

 

I ink-blended the stamp image with various distress oxide inks in rainbow colors.  Using my precision snips, I fussy-cut the image.  I also die-cut a few elements that I needed to create my scene.

I used a stencil from my stash to create the clouds on a panel of Neenah solar white card stock.  I adhered the rainbow onto the card with liquid glue, and foam-mounted the clouds.

The sentiment was stamped with versamark ink and embossed with my heating tool.  Here’s a closer look:

 

 

To finish my design, I added the red enamel heart in the middle of the rainbow.  I really LOVE how this card turned out.  

 

 

Here’s what the Rainbow Bridge stamp set  look like:

 

 

Please don’t forget to use my coupon code below to get an additional 15% off your order.  Have an amazing day and happy stamping!

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Two Slimline Cards with Kat Scrappiness Dies

| marialrussell

Did you know that Kat Scrappiness came out with two Slimline dies?  The Embossed Edge Nesting Slimline Dies and Stitched Scalloped Nesting Slimline Dies.  They are AMAZING!   Here’s what they look like:

 

 

 

For my cards today, I am also showcasing the Koala-Ty Time stamp set along with other supplies available at the shop.  They are of course listed and linked below.

 

For my first card, I die-cut a panel of Bristol smooth white card stock using the new Embossed Edge Nesting Slimline die.  and ink-blended this with salty ocean, peacock feathers and chipped sapphire distress oxide inks.  I used the Ray of Light stencil with a baby wipe to achieve the look of sun rays shining on the water.  Since distress oxide inks are water reactive, it took some color out of the card stock and it made it look more realistic.  I die-cut another panel to create the sand with more distress oxide inks and used my alcohol markers to create more texture.

 

I stamped, colored and die-cut the images and foam mounted the sand on my card.  I also adhered the images that I colored with either foam or liquid adhesive.  The sea weed and coral were die-cut using a die from my stash and colored with alcohol markers.

 

I stamped the little fishies from the BB Mermazing stamp set.  Lastly, I stamped the sentiment with Versafine Onyx black ink.

 

 

I love how this card turned out.

 

 

For my second card, I used the Stitched Scalloped Nesting Slimline die to die-cut another panel of Bristol smooth white card stock.   I used the Clouds and Grass stencils from Newton’s Nook Designs to create the colorful clouds and grass hills on this panel.

 

I stamped my image and colored them in with my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers and die-cut using my Scan N Cut machine.    I adhered the images with some liquid glue.

 

Lastly, I die-cut another panel using the biggest die from the nesting set to mat my card and adhered on my slimline card base measuring 3 1/2 by 8 1/2.  I stamped the sentiment with Versafine Onyx black ink.

 

 

Both slimline dies cut like butter and as with any other Kat Scrappiness dies, they are pretty inexpensive compared to other dies available in the market.   Here’s another look at my card:

 

 

I hope you like my cards and got inspired today.  Thanks for stopping by and happy stamping!

 

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Thinking of You Card

| marialrussell

Hello LDRS fans!  I have a confession to make!  This lockdown is starting to make me feel anxious and my way of dealing with the anxiety is to stamp and color images.  I make some camomile tea, put on some relaxing music and just color, color, color!

 

This card that I made today reminds me of home.  Everything about it is so serene!  I mixed and matched a couple of stamp sets to create my scene.  I am showcasing the Up & Away stamp set and coordinating dies, with the Thank Ewe and Mountains stamp set, along with the At the Clouds Edge Border die.  The sentiment came from the Anytime Stack stamp set, and die-cut using the Sentiment stack coordinating die.

 

 

I stamped the images with Raven Hybrid ink on some white card stock.  I also stamped the tree and picket fence from the Thank Ewe stamp set on some masking paper to mask the images.  I colored the images in with my alcohol markers and used the Up & Away coordinating die to cut them out.

 

The clouds and the grass hill was die-cut using the At the Clouds Edge die.  I colored the grass hill with alcohol markers again to match the ones I’ve already colored.  I foam-mounted the clouds and grass hill on the card to create more dimension.

 

 

Lastly, I stamped the sentiment using the Anytime Stack stamp set, and die-cut using the Sentiment stack coordinating die on some black card stock.   This stamp and die combination is one of my favorites now because you can die-cut a bunch of them in one go.  I keep the others inside the sleeve so that I can use it for another project.  Easy, peasy!

 

 

 I also have a process video of this card today (with speed coloring) if you’re interested.

  

I hope I’ve inspired you today!   The supplies are listed and linked below.  Thank you for stopping by and have an amazing day!  Happy stamping!

 

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World’s Best Mom Card with Newton’s Nook

| marialrussell

Hello Newton’s Nook fans!  I hope everyone is doing well.  I am back today to share with you this cute Mother’s Day card (or just-because you love your mom), showcasing a lot of stamp sets from Newton’s Nook Designs.  I’m featuring the Love Owl-ways, What A Hoot, Newton’s Birdhouse and Simply Relative stamp sets with the Essential Alphabet dies.  I love mixing and matching different images from my stamp set collection and stretch out my supplies.  These stamp sets were not meant for Mother’s Day but with a little imagination, you can certainly achieve it!

 

To begin, I stamped and colored my images on some Neenah solar white card stock.  I fussy-cut the images with my precision snips.   

 

I created the clouds by using the Clouds stencil and some dye inks with my blending brush.  I also used the Hills and Grass stencil to add the grass on this panel.

 

 

I die-cut the word “MOM” using the Essential Alphabet dies and adhered them on the card with some liquid glue.   I adhered the rest of the images on the card and foam-mounted the owls to give them more dimension.

 

 

I used glossy accents to add some texture and dimension to the owl’s beaks.   Here’s a closer look:

 

 

 

Lastly, I stamped the sentiment “WORLD’S BEST” with my Spectrum Noir Finesse ink in rich cocoa.

 

 

I hope you like my card today and got inspired.  The supplies are listed and linked below.  Have an amazing day and happy stamping!

 

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Spread Joy Not Germs Blog Hop with Cas-ual Fridays

| marialrussell

 

 

Hello hoppers!  I have the pleasure in being a stop on the “#Spread Joy Not Germs” blog hop initiated by Catherine Pooler  and Alexandra of The Hedgehog Hollow.  You should have arrived here from Kerys Sharrock’s blog, and your next stop is Wendy Nicola Jackson’s blog.   If you ever get lost along the way, just stop by Catherine Pooler’s blog or The Hedgehog Hollow.  There are lots of prizes to be given away so please read at the end of the blog post to see how you can participate and be eligible to win!

 

For my card today, I am showcasing the Pretty Posies stamp set and Posies fri-dies by CAS-ual Fridays stamps.

 

To begin, I stamped my images on some Neenah solar white card stock and colored them in with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers.  I die-cut the images using the coordinating dies.

 

I ink-blended an A2-size panel of Bristol smooth white card stock with some distress oxide inks.  I adhered this panel on a white side-fold card base.

 

I die-cut some white card stock using a watercolor striped background coverplate and foam-mounted this piece on the colored background.  I also adhered the flowers with foam and liquid adhesive.

 

 

I finished my design by stamping the sentiment with Versafine Onyx black ink and added white dots in the center of the flowers using my Sakura gelli-roll pen.   Here’s a closer look at the card:

 

 

The Pretty Posies stamp set is one of my favorites from CAS-ual Fridays.  They are so easy to color.  Here’s another look:

 

 
PRIZES
We have 31 Sponsors!!  
The prizes will be randomly drawn from all the blogs and all the comments. Leave as many comments on as many blogs as you can!  Some of the companies are not only giving away prizes but also offering discounts and freebies.  This info will be found on the sponsor’s blogs so KEEP HOPPING!  
 
Deadline to enter to leave a comment is April 24 for prizes. Winners will be announced on Monday, April 27 on Catherine Pooler ‘s and Alexandra’s blogs. 
Sponsor and Prize List:
Catherine Pooler Designs – $20 Gift Certificate on each of the Brand Ambassadors’ blogs 
Hedgehog Hollow – one month free sub to the box with free us shipping
Artesprix – Getting Started Kit
Beacon – Product gift bag 
Brutus Monroe – $50 GC
CAS-ual Fridays – Win the new release – over $80 value
Dina Kowal – Two $10 gift codes to Dina Kowal Creative
Dress My Craft – $35 gift certificate
Ellen Hutson – $35 Gift Certificate
Greeting Farm -$25 Gift Certificate
Heffy Doodle – £35 voucher for the store
iCrafter – $20 Gift Certificate 
Ink on 3 – $35 Gift Certificate
Joy Claire – $25 Gift Certificate
Miss Ink Stamps -$25 Gift Certificate
Pear Blossom Press -$25 gift certificate
Paper Sweeties – $50 Gift Certificate
Polka Dot Orchard- $20 Gift Certificate
Pink and Main – $25 Gift Certificate
Rabbit Hole Designs – $10.00 gift code on each DT members blogs
Sassy and Crafty Stamps – $35 Gift Certificate
STAMPlorations – $25 gift code on the STAMPlorations blog + $10 gift code on each designer blogs.
Taylored Expressions – $50 Gift Certificate
Trinity Stamps– $25 Gift Certificate
The Ton – $20 Gift Certificate (stamps, dies, ink or sequins)
Unity – two $25 Gift Certificates 
Whimsy Stamps – $15 GC on each of their Creative Team team blogs
WOW! Embossing Powder – two gift vouchers £30 UK or Europe & $30 for US winner
Xyron – Mega Runner, Refill & 1.5 inch sticker maker, refill
You’re Next Stamp – $25 Gift Certificate

Send Uplifting Smiles Blog Hop with Newton’s Nook Designs

| marialrussell

Let’s spread smiles with a Send Uplifting Smiles Blog Hop!  The goal of this hop is to inspire everyone and help brighten your mood while many of us are staying home or practicing social distancing due to the coronavirus. During this uncertain time, we want to encourage everyone to create cards to send to those they care about and spread smiles!  For my porject today, I am showcasing the Believe in Unicorns stamp set and Believe in Unicorns die set, with the Sky Borders die set and Sky Scene builder dies.

 

To begin, I stamped my images on some Neenah solar white card stock and colored them in with my Spectrum Noir classique markers.  I die-cut the images using the coordinating dies.  

 

I die-cut the clouds using the Sky Border and Sky Scene builder dies.  

 

I ink-blended an A2 size panel of Bristol smooth white card stock with some distress oxide inks and cut them into strips.  I adhered them on an A2 size card base with liquid glue.   I stamped the stars with dots using some light blue dye ink and foam-mounted the clouds.  I also added some of the smaller clouds with liquid glue.

 

I adhered my focal image on the card and added stickles to the unicorn’s mane and tail

 

 

 

Lastly, I stamped the sentiment with some Versafine Onyx black ink.  This card is going to my friend who loves unicorns.   Here’s a closer look:

 

 
Did you get inspired?  What will you create?  Newton’s Nook Designs is having a sale this weekend too so you can stock up on your favorites to make some cards today!  Check out their shop at www.newtonsnookdesigns.com for details!  I also listed and linked the supplies below.
 

Send Uplifting Smiles Hop Giveaway!


Would you like to win a $25 store credit to Newton’s Nook Designs online shop?  We are giving them out to TWO lucky winners!

Here’s how to win:


Comment on the NND blog and Design Team blogs (see list below)!  The winner will be chosen at random from the collective reveal posts.  Make sure to check out each of their blogs and comment for your chance to win. You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning!  You have until Monday, April 20th at 9pm EST to comment — winners will be announced on the blog post on Tuesday, April 21st.

 

Check out all the awesome Design Team Blogs below to enter:

 

Coloring with Spectrum Noir Illustrator Markers

| marialrussell

Hello my crafty peeps!  I hope everyone’s doing well.  I am back today to inspire you to do some coloring using your Spectrum Noir Artist Illustrator Markers.   Coloring images for me is very therapeutic and having the right markers and card stock makes it more fun! 

 

For my project today, I am showcasing the SN Artist Markers and SN Harmony Water Reactive Inks.  The stamp and die set that I am featuring today is called Tulla and Norbert Stamp and die set collection by Photo Play Paper.

 

Begin by stamping images on Spectrum Noir Premium Ultra Smooth card stock using SN Alcohol Proof Dye Ink in Black.  Color images using Spectrum Noir Illustrator markers and die-cut using the coordinating dies.   

 

Here are the colors I used for the Gnome sitting on top of the mushroom:

Beard – BG1, BG2 and Blender

Hat and Clothes – BT3, BT4, BT5 and GB1, GB3 and GB5

Mushroom – OR1, OR2, OR3 and BG5, BG6, BG7 and Blender

Bee – CT2, CT3, GY3 and Wings – IB1 and Blender

 

 

Die-cut an A2 size piece of Bristol Smooth white card stock and ink-blend this panel using SN Water Reactive inks in Fuchsia and Honey Pot.

 

 

Die-cut the rest of the elements needed to create the card.   Adhere the die-cut panel on the ink-blended background with foam adhesive.  Adhere the main focal image in the middle with liquid glue.

 

Stamp the sentiment using Spectrum Noir Finesse ink in Black. 

 

 

Finish the design by adding some crystal jewels.  Add “stickles” to the bee’s wings and glossy accents to the Gnome’s nose.

 

 

I really LOVE how this card turned out.  Here’s another look:

 

 

I hope you got inspired today.  The supplies I used are listed and linked below.  Thanks for stopping by and happy coloring!

 

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