Lilac branches

 Hi,

I am playing along Simon Says Wednesday - Anything Goes challenge today.

Challenge:

Simon Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

 Supplies:

Hero Arts No One Lilac You Stamp & Cut

Altenew Watercolors 36 Pan Set

Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)

Lunar New Year Fishes

 Hello there,

It's 2 days away from Lunar New Year of the Fire Horse.  Let me take this opportunity to wish all who celebrate a happy, healthy, prosperous Lunar New Year!!  And there may surplus in every aspect of your life.

I am honored to be guest designing for Lunar New Year Challenge in 2026.  I will be posting every other month starting this month.  And here's today's card.

On our New Year dinner menu, there is always fish.  The pronunciation of the word Fish in Chinese is the same as the word Surplus.  I think you know where I am going.  Yes the fish dish signify the hope of having surplus in every aspect of our lives.  Make sense?  😉

Supplies:

Hero Arts Color Layering Koi & matching frame cuts

Hero Arts Circle Pattern Bold Prints Cling Stamp

Mama Elephant Lunar Sayings Clear Stamp

Spellbinders Essential Ovals Die Set

Altenew Watercolor 36 Pan Set

Atlenew Metallic Watercolor 14 colors Pan Set

Ranger Distress Inks (Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, Picked Raspberry, Barn Door, Wild Honey)

Hero Arts Shadow Ink (Soft Granite)

Versamark Watermark Ink

WOW Metallic Gold Rich Super Fine Embossing Powder

Copic Marker (Y17)

There is a quarterly link up at Lunar New Year Challenge.  Even though we are officially on break with the sponsored challenges, we'd still enjoy seeing your Lunar New Year creations.  Click here to link up.

Thanks for coming over to my blog.  Have a great day!

Red Ornament on Die Cut Divas

 Hello,

It's my turn to share another Red and/or Pink project on Die Cut Divas.  Although Christmas has just passed not so long ago, but you know what the next one is on the way!  LOL

I thought I use some red card stock and made my very first Christmas project for 2026.

I picked of the of dies in the good old reliable Hero Arts Ornaments Infinity Dies set, I die cut using two shades of red card stocks (24 times), score, and glue to create my ornament.  To decorate the top, I went to my stash and picked out some Hero Arts art flowers and gems.  The green foliage is die cut using Hero Arts Winter Foliage Stamp & Cut XL set.

Our February sponsor is Hero Arts.  The challenge prize is $25 gift card to their online store.

Now it's your turn, bring out some of your favorite craft goodies and create.  Remember our challenge theme is: Use Red and/or Pink on your project, and use die cut and/or dry embossing to qualify for the draw.  Use hashtag #diecutdivaschallengeblog if you're on social media.  To link up, go to Die Cut Divas and click the "monthly challenge" button on the right sidebar.

Supplies: 

Hero Arts DC304 Winter foliage Stamp & Cut XL

Hero Arts DI400 Ornaments Infinity Dies

Hero Arts Art Flowers

Hero Arts Art Gem

Thanks for visiting.  See you in the challenge gallery.

Red and/or Pink creations on Die Cut Divas

 Happy February 1st!!

Our challenge on Die Cut Divas this month is: Use Red and/or Pink (no need to be Valentine's card).  I challenged myself to use both Red and Pink on a friendship card.  

For the background I first inked the white card stock with Hero Arts reactive inks Taffy and Berry Smoothie, then I inked Blobby Circle Cling stamp with the same inks, spritz with water and stamp on the inked card stock.  Then I distressed the edges with distress ink Kitsch Flamingo, stamped and heat embossed the sentiment, and then attached to a white card base.

I stamped the Poppies in black, watercolored, and die cut.  I arranged it like a bouquet and adhere to card front.  I embellished with gold metallic thread, and a clear seal with the lady bug image underneath it. 

Hero Arts is our sponsor this month.  They are generously giving $25 gift card a prize to the challenge winner.

Come join in the fun.  Go over to Die Cut Divas and see what the design team created for you.

Supplies:

Hero Arts CG944 Blobby Circles Bold Prints Cling Stamp

Hero Arts CM503 Hero Floral Poppy Clear Stamp

Hero Arts DI853 Hero Florals Poppy Frame Cuts

Hero Arts CM231 Layered Topiary Clear Stamp

Hero Arts Reactive Inks (Taffy, Berry Smoothie)

Spellbinders Clear Seal Tool & Stick

Spellbinders Small Solid Square Wax Seal Stamp

Spellbinders Gold Bullion Wax Seal Powder

Altenew Watercolors 36 Pan Set

Altenew Metallic Thread (Enchanted Gold)

Ranger Distress Ink (Kitsch Flamingo)

Ranger Liquid Pearl (Onyx Pearl)

Thanks for visiting me today, have a lovely day!!

2024 September Woodblock Wednesday Special Hop on IG

 Hello there,

So nice to see you here.  I am participating in a very fun, very special Woodblock Wednesday IG Hop today.  

Why is it so special?  Because we're using Hero Arts owl woodblock stamps, and I am using this one: 

I own this stamp since 2008.  So it is very nice to bring it out and give it some inking/coloring love.  Here's today's project.

I first heat embossed Big Own in Platinum on mixed media paper.  Then I watercolored it with metallic watercolors, and hand cut.  

I 3D embossed the background with decorative foil, then ink blended the sides.  I made slits on a couple of leaves so I could tug Big Owl in there.  The sentiment is heat embossed in Platinum.  I found the woodblock sentiment stamp from Impression Obsession at a stamp sale just last week, I thought it is perfect for my card.

Amy Tsuruta is the host of the Woodblock Wednesday, get more information about this hop at her blog:  Tsuruta Designs or visit @woodblockwednesday on Instagram.

Supplies used for my card:

Hero Arts Big Owl Woodblock Stamp

Impression Obsession C5546 Owl Be Thankful Woodblock Stamp

Spellbinders Lush Leaves 3D Embossing Folder

Alternew Metallic Watercolor 14 Pan Set

Altenew Enamel Dots (Tropical Forest, Warm Grey)

Versamark Watermark Ink

WOW Metallic Platinum Super Fine Embossing Powder

Ranger Distress Ink (Peeled Paint, Uncharted Mariner)

Memento Dye Ink (Tuxedo Black)

Sizzix Decorative Foil Sheets (Rose Gold)

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a lovely day!

Scrapbook Centrale Creative Team Project 2024-Feb-06

 Hi,

I am sharing my February's planner page on Creations Scrapbook Centrale FB group today.

Our February challenge theme is: Valentine/Friendship and/or the color Red/Pink.  I used a sheet of ECD's Bellerose Pink pattern paper pack for the background.  I adhered the calendar and note elements, then I embellished with some hand cut flowers (from Mintay paper) and floral heart die cut (Hero Arts Floral Heart Stamp & Cut).  The heart die cut was cut with Sizzix Iridescent Opulent Cardstock.  I love how the color changes when you hold it at different angle towards the light.

Here's photos of the supplies I used from my planner page:

I used the negative piece from the panel I die cut the floral heart and created a second project.  Don't you love it when you could die cut once and make two cards?!

I made a shaker card out of it.  The birds, birdhouse, and flowers are hand cut from the same Mintay pattern paper.  And since one of my New Year craft resolutions is make matching envelope for my cards, I die cut the floral heart using red shade vellum and adhere it to the envelope flap.

There you have it.  Have a wonderful day!!

Non-Traditional Valentine Card on Die Cut Divas Take Two

 Hello there,

I am sharing another Non-Traditional Valentine Card on Die Cut Divas today.  Once again, I stayed away from the red and pink palette, and went with green and white with a bit of gold.

I partial die cut using the Hero Arts Puzzle Fancy Die to get two puzzle pieces for my focal elements.  I did this three times and stacked the pieces together so that they're as thick as chipboard.  

The sentiment is white heat embossed.  The pattern paper panel was die cut with a stitched rectangle die and mounted on a gold foiled panel, and then it's adhered to a white card base.  I hope I've inspired you to play along.  

Our sponsor this month is Hero Arts, they're giving a $25 gift card to their store.  

Supplies used from my card:

Hero Arts Puzzle Fancy Die

Hero Arts Love by Lia Clear Stamp Set

Die-namics Stitched Rec STAX die

Versamark Watermark Ink Pad

Ranger Super Fine Detail White Embossing Powder

Thanks for stopping by.  Happy crafting!

Creations Scrapbook Centrale Creative Team Project 2024-Jan-27

 Hi,

Today I am sharing a Christmas card featuring an older stamp set that I have not pay enough attention to.  What prompted me to take it out from deep under the treasure pile, you ask?  

Well, the January challenge theme on Creations Scrapbook Centrale fb group is: make something old new again, along with the color blue, and New Year.

Let's see my card, then I'll explain.

This 2019 Hero Arts Color Layering Nordic Tree has been waiting to be inked up again, what time is better than the present to make something old new again?  I also used a Hero Arts ombre ink pad that I've neglected for a long time.  

On a white card stock panel, I stamp the base layer of the tree with the ombre ink, then gold heat embossed the detail layers and the poinsettia on top of the trees.  Next I slightly ink blended the background, then stamped the sentiment in black.  I adhered the panel to a dark navy blue panel and then onto a white card base.  I didn't use any foam adhesive, so it is perfect for snail mailing with basic postage.

One of my crafty New Year resolutions is to make matching envelope.  So I stamped the base layer with distress ink, and stamped the detail layer with gold metallic pigment ink on the flap of the envelope.

I am linking up to these challenges:

Christmas Kickstart Challenge #82 - The Midas Touch

Supplies used are shown in photographs below:

Thanks for visiting.  Happy crafting!

Creations Scrapbook Centrale Creative Team Project 2024-Jan-07

 Happy Sunday!!

Today's project is the first one to post on the Creations Scrapbook Centrale FB group for 2024.  Our challenge theme this month is New Year, but also the color Blue, and Make Something Old New Again.

I combine a couple of new craft supplies, and older stamp and use some blue inks to create my card.

I die cut and dry embossed my white shaped card base.  On a separate white card panel, I white heat embossed the Sketch Flower, inked blended with three blue distress inks, spritzed with Perfect Pearl solution, then hand cut.  I inked sprayed a piece of multi media paper, and die cut two long leave branches, and die cut another using vellum.

I stamped with greeting with black, and adhere the arrangement onto the card base.  And Embellished the flower center with light blue enamel dots.

The Sketch Flower stamp was purchased in an in person class (Nov 2010) titled: Color My World, taught by Jennifer McGuire.  And here's the card we made with that same stamp.

I had fun pulling this stamp out of my Hero Arts collection and gave it some inky love.  

Here's photos of the supplies I used (except the Altenew Glacier Caves Enamel dots).

Thanks for stopping by.  Happy crafting!

Creative Scrapbook Centrale Team Project 2023-Aug-10

 Hi and welcome back,

I am sharing a holiday card in the Creations Scrapbook Centrale FB group page for August's challenge theme:  Animal/Insects. My project is inspired by Bibi Cameron's trellis card seen in this video.   

This was fun to make.  I think I will definitely make more to add to my holiday cards stash.  

Supplies used in my project are photographed below:

That's all for now.  Have a good one!

Christmas Cards 2023-Jul-27

 Hi,

I am playing along Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmaker Christmas In July linky party.

I use the July BYSH Sketch #35 for my card.

Supplies:

Lisa Horton Crafts Festive Postal Marks Embossing Folder

Hero Arts Candy Cane Fancy Die

Hero Arts Winter Foliage Stamp & Cut XL

Elizabeth Craft Designs Winter Home Pocket Die

Elizabeth Craft Designs Mason Jar/Snow Globe Die

Ranger Distress Ink (Weathered Wood)

Thanks for visiting, have a great day!

Creative Scrapbook Centrale Team Project 2023-Jul-11

Hi,

It's my turn to post on Creation Scrapbook Centrale FB page today, and I am sharing another 'Garden' theme project.  I am inspired by the herbs in my garden, particularly this pretty editable flower: Naturtium.

I have created a multi-layered 3D card.

I stamped and colored Hero Arts Hero Florals Nasturtium three times.  Die cut them with Flowering Nasturtium Frame Cut and glued them onto three panels.  Top layer die cut with Arch die, middle layer die cut with Arch die and adhered with trellis die cut, and the bottom layer was just ink blended.

Here's a photo of my Nasturtium in my garden.

Other challenges:

Stay Crafty with A Blog Named Hero July 2023 Challenge: Here Comes the Sun

(The Nasturtium has such bright and sunny colors)

Main supplies used for my project are photographed below:

Thanks so much for visiting.  Have a lovely day!

CAS Flower Challenge

 Hi,

It is always nice to use some extra pieces left over from another project to create a new one.  I have a left over stem of Lily of the Valley from my last project.  I die cut some leaves and colored with alcohol markers.  Then glue them onto a white card base that's been dry embossed with a cutting die.  I also cut the corners to add interest.  Added a sentiment strip et voila!

Challenges:

The Flower Challenge #82 - Clean & Simple

Supplies:

Hero Arts Lily Of The Valley Fancy Die

Pinkfresh Studio Art Deco Frame Die

Altenew Stunning Sakura Clear Stamp Set

Memento Dye Ink (Tuxedo Black)

Copic Markers

Thanks for stopping by, I wish you a lovely day!

Scrapbook Centrale Creative Team Project 2023-Jul-01

 Hi, welcome back to my blog.

It's my turn to post an inspiration project on Creations Scrapbook Centrale FB page today.  Our July challenge theme is Garden.  I am hosting the challenge this month, and I've created some sub-themes for fun.  From the first to the tenth this month, the sub-theme is ornamental/flowering garden. 

The inspiration of my projects comes from the beautiful Lily of the Valley in my garden.

I altered/decorated a plain wood clip frame using Hero Arts Lily Of The Valley Fancy Die.  

The frame is 8 by 8 inches.  I was so excited to start the project, I've forgotten to take a photo of it before I start.  So here's a shot right before I completely covered the front of the frame with Black Gesso.

While that dries, I water colored two pieces of mix media paper panels with various shades of green.

Then I die cut a whole bunch of leaves as well as some flowers and buds out of these two panels.  Also I die a bunch of flowers and buds from Spellbinders Color Essentials CS (Alabaster).

I shaped the leaves and flowers/buds before arranging them at the bottom of the frame.  To ground the Lily of the Valleys, I added a strip of corrugated panel also painted with black gesso.

To make it even more 3 dimensional and sturdy, the flowers and stems are doubled up.

Supplies I used:

Hero Arts Lily Of The Valley Fancy Cut

Altenew Watercolor 36 Pan Set

Ranger Distress Ink (Peeled Paint)

Art Basics Heavy Gesso (Black)

Thanks for visiting.  I wish you a fabulous day!