Cut 'n Paste

Lucky Day!

It's the final day to celebrate the new Essentials by Ellen February Stamp and Die release, and today I'm highlighting the new Bear Ware 3 Stamp and Die set.

As you can see, this set was designed to coordinate beautifully with the "All Inside" bear that was released a few years ago. Every so often he receives a few accessories to spiff up his look!⁣
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I chose to highlight how the images in this set could also be used on their own - in this case, for a cute little St. Patrick's Day card! If you like sending seasonal cards, you're going to love this set for Spring and Summer themed cards.

HERE'S THE SUPPLY LIST:
Stamps:  by Essentials by Ellen
Dies:  Rectangle Peek-a-boo Window by My Favorite things
Inks: Midnight by Catherine Pooler and Peeled Paint by Ranger Distress ink
Patterned paper: Emerson Lane by Heidi Swapp
Cardstock: Solar White by Neenah
Distress Markers to watercolor with: Peeled Paint
Other: Watercolor brushes, Ranger Craft Sheet, MISTI Stamp positioner (large or small, either will work for cards), 3D foam mounting squares

Thanks for your visit today!

It's too Peopley!

Welcome to my second card featuring the February Essentials by Ellen Release.  

The Latte Love stamp set is FULL of sweet, adorable images, and I had thought, when I was first given a sneak peek of the graphics, that I would work with one of the wee animal images from it.

But, when the set arrived and I sat down at my desk to work on my assignment, I immediately saw something else. I saw the possibility of making a card for someone who was going through a period in her life when it seemed like she was being followed by a rain cloud. As someone who had a serious fight with depression twenty years ago, one that culminated in a hospital admission, I would have appreciated receiving a card like this during my illness. One of the typical ways depression often manifests itself is that the sufferer feels anti-social. So when I created this's card I imagined it as one that I would send to a friend, letting her know that I love her during the battle she is fighting and that, even though she doesn't feel like being around people right now, I am still here for her.

Technique wise, I did have to get a tad creative with the stamp. If you look closely, you'll notice that the cloud stamp has a smily face -  making this a happy little rain cloud. So, I needed to remove his smile. Instead of stamping the entire design with one ink, I used Distress markers to color directly onto the stamp. I omitted coloring the eyes and smile, thereby removing it from the design. I used the Pumice Stone Distress marker for the cloud and the Weathered Wood Distress Marker for the rain drops. I then added more color using Pumice Stone, Stormy Sky, Weathered Wood Distress markers as watercolors, thus turning the happy cloud into a storm cloud.

HERE'S THE SUPPLY LIST:
Stamps:  Latte Love by Essentials by Ellen
Dies: A2 Stitched Rectangle STAX Set 1 by My Favorite Things 
Inks: Tuxedo Black by Memento, Pumice Stone Distress ink by Ranger 
Patterned paper: Emerson Lane by Heidi Swapp
Cardstock: Ranger Watercolor paper
Distress Markers to watercolor with: Pumice Stone, Stormy Sky, Weathered Wood
Other: Watercolor brushes, Ranger Craft Sheet, MISTI Stamp positioner (large or small, either will work for cards), 3D foam mounting squares

Thanks for coming by to check out my latest card. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions.

Ellen Hutson February Release

Hi friends! Today I'm joining Ellen Hutson to celebrate her February Stamp and Die release! There is a lot of variety in this release, but my favorite, probably because I love making feminine styled cards, is this stamp set, the Mondo Gerbera Daisy Stamp and Die set.

Not only is the flower part of the stamp set pretty, but the greetings are adorable too!

SUPPLY LIST:
Stamp & Die Combo: Mondo Gerbera Daisy Stamp and Die by Ellen Hutson
Inks: Emboss it Clear Embossing ink by Ranger, Coffee Archival ink by Ranger
Embossing Powder: White by Ranger
Copic Markers: Y11, Y13, Y15, YR61, YR23, G24
Patterned paper: Tiny Checks Bright by My Favorite Things (if that's out of stock, this one is the identical pattern, and has a similar yellow)
Cardstock: Solar White by Neenah, Desert Storm by Neenah
Other: 3D Foam adhesive, Heat embossing tool, MISTI Stamp positioner (large or small, either will work for cards)

For both this card, and the sample below, I added color to the flowers using the Faux Watercolor Technique with Copic markers on the backside of vellum. Here's a video tutorial I made a few years ago that features this technique. While this tutorial uses the Mondo Hydrangea Stamp & Die set instead of the Mondo Gerbera Daisy one, the technique itself is identical.

Finally, in addition to the Mondo Gerbera Stamp/Die combo, the next card also showcases the brand new Big Scripty Hello Die. For this one I die cut the greeting out of cardstock, then after gluing it in place on top of the flower, I applied Glossy Accents following the shape of the die cut so that it now looks like a puffy sticker. It's a simple technique, but adds subtle dimension to the card front, which I love. 

SUPPLY LIST:
Stamp & Die Combo: Mondo Gerbera Daisy Stamp and Die by Ellen Hutson
Hello Die: Big Scripty Hello Die by Ellen Hutson
Inks: Emboss it Clear Embossing ink by Ranger
Embossing Powder: White by Ranger
Copic Markers: Y11, Y13, Y15, YR61, YR23, G24
Cardstock: Solar White by Neenah, Desert Storm by Neenah
Other: Glossy Accents by Ranger - large bottle or small, 3D Foam adhesive, Heat embossing tool, MISTI Stamp positioner (large or small, either will work for cards), antique ledger paper, sewing machine and white thread.

Thanks so much for your visit. Please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions!

Thinking of you | Spellbinders, Jan 2019 Die of the Month

After a difficult past 6 weeks health wise, I'm finally beginning to feel like myself and get back to some Paper crafting!

Did you know that each month Spellbinders has a Die of the Month Kit club? I was kindly invited to play with the Jan 2019 Amazing Paper Grace kit, featuring the Lacework Finery Slip-In Card Die Set. What I loved, is that this set can be incredibly intricate and delicate, such as the samples shown on the Jan webpage, or, you can make it work with a more modern style, such as the card I made! There's just a few more days until the set is gone, if you're interested, be sure to snap it up soon!

Here's the supply list for today's card:

Dies: January 2019 Amazing Paper Grace Kit 
Stamps:  #95291-N by Inkadinkado
Patterned paper: Magnolia Jane paper pad by Heidi Swapp
Cardstock: Ranger Watercolor paper, green cardstock by Bazzill.
Distress Markers to watercolor with:  Peeled Paint, Bundled Sage, Stormy Sky, Shaded Lilac
Embellishment: Phrase Tags by Jen Hadfield for Pebbles
Other: Water Mist bottle Ranger or Hero Arts, Vintage ledger paper

Hang in There

Hi there! As I start another year on the Ellen Hutson, LLC Design Team, I'm pleased to share that they've built a page where you can learn more about my thoughts about creativity and some of my favorite products. Click here to check it out!

As I can't post without a photo, here's the card and supply list that is posted on the feature.

SUPPLY LIST:
Stamps: All Inside, by Ellen Hutson. Encouraging Greetings by Pretty Pink Posh.
Dies: Rectangle Peek-a-boo Window by My Favorite things
Inks: Potting Soil archival ink by Ranger, Pumice Stone by Ranger.
Marker: Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo, Picked Raspberry and Brushed Corduroy Distress markers by Ranger
Cardstock: Solar White by Neenah, Pale Rose by Bazzill
Patterned paper: Emerson Lane by Heidi Swapp
Other:  MISTI Stamp positioner (large or small, either will work for cards), Aqua Flow brushes by Tonic, kitchen twine

January Essentials by Ellen Release!

Today is release day for the January Essentials by Ellen release and I have a few cards I whipped up using the new trio of Starry dies to share with you!

First we have two Winter themed cards using the new Star Trail (left) and Circle of Stars (right) Dies, which I combined with other fab Ellen Hutson stamps.

SUPPLY LIST:

Stamps, or Stamp & Die Combos: Conductor of Light Stamp | Die | Combo set by Ellen Hutson, Bear Ware 2 by Ellen Hutson, Warm Fuzzies by Ellen Hutson
Dies: Star Trail and Circle of Stars by Ellen Hutson
Inks: Versamark Ink by Tsukineko, Warm Sunshine by Altenew.
Marker: Mustard Seed Distress Marker by Ranger
Embossing Powder: White by Ranger
Cardstock: Solar White by Neenah, Licorice by Bazzill
Other:  Heat embossing tool, MISTI Stamp positioner (large or small, either will work for cards), Ink blender tool by Ranger.

Next, I used the brand new Starry Night Die Set to make this sweet wintery themed card.

SUPPLY LIST:

Stamps: All Inside, High Five both by Ellen Hutson.
Dies: Starry Night Die Set  by Ellen Hutson
Inks: Potting Soil archival ink by Ranger, Warm Sunshine by Altenew.
Marker: Walnut Stain and Vintage Photo Distress markers by Ranger
Embellishments: Snow Flurries Mix, Clear Droplets both by Ellen Hutson
Cardstock: Solar White, Desert Storm by Neenah
Patterned paper: Patio Party by Pebbles
Other:  Heat embossing tool, MISTI Stamp positioner (large or small, either will work for cards), Aqua Flow brushes by Tonic, kitchen twine

This trio of dies are great additions to my background arsenal, and I'm sure you'll love them too! Enjoy!

Peace on Earth - a watercolor Christmas tag

Tis the season! There are just a few days left until Christmas and it's time to start wrapping gifts. This cute little tag will grace a plain kraft gift bag to add a bit of color and cheer. 

SUPPLY LIST:
Stamps:Christmas Candles by Reverse Confetti Clear Stamps
Dies: Tag'd by The Stamp Market Dies
Patterned paper:  Pick me Up 6x6 paper pad by Pink Paislee
Cardstock: Watercolor paper by Ranger, kraft cardstock
Distress Markers to watercolor with: Victorian Velvet, Tattered Rose, bundled sage, peeled paint, scattered straw, spiced marmalade
Ink: Potting Soil Archival ink by Ranger
Other: sewing machine with white thread, string

Merry Christmas Watercolor Stamping Card

Are you feeling ready for the holidays? I've been in Thailand for the past three weeks, and just returned home, so I'm trying to get my Christmas prep crossed off my list in short order... However, I am under the weather, so we'll see how ambitious I am. More than likely I'll be content with getting some holiday baking knocked out and the tree will stay with little white twinkle lights as opposed to completely decorated. But, we shall see.

One of the things that always makes holiday prep much less stressful around here is that I usually knock out my Christmas card making rather early - usually in the Fall, so that is already crossed of my to-do list - yay! 

Here's one of my favorite Christmas cards I made this year. It's simple, but the colors, oh the colors, speak to my shabby chic loving heart. Technique wise it was rather simple to make as well (sweet!). It uses one of my favorite techniques, watercolor stamping, to stamp the ball ornament and sprig onto watercolor paper. The technique is very easy. Simply color directly onto the stamp with waterbased ink markers (I used Distress Markers), then holding a water mister about 6-8 inches away from the stamp, lightly mist the stamp surface and immediately stamp onto watercolor paper. This will blend the inks wonderfully and give you the beautiful watercolor effect as seen on my card! 

I wanted to add the greeting using a very classic font, and so the typewriter like greeting from "Beart Ware 2" set by Essentials by Ellen was my pick. To finish the card, a small strip of patterned paper was glued down the left edge of the card.

Here's wishing you a great week, and that your holiday crafting is almost finished so that you enjoy a restful holiday.

HERE'S THE SUPPLY LIST:
Stamps: "Xmas Sprig" by Penny Black and "Bear Ware 2" by Essentials by Ellen
Inks: Midnight by Catherine Pooler
Patterned paper: Pick me Up by by Pink Paislee
Cardstock: Ranger Watercolor paper
Distress Markers to watercolor with: Tattered Rose, Victorian Velvet, Peeled Paint, Bundled Sage, Walnut Stain
Other: MISTI Stamp positioner (large or small, either will work for cards), Water Mist bottle Ranger or Hero Arts

High Five - December Ellen Hutson relase

Hi Friends! Today is the Release day for the December Essentials by Ellen release and I'm excited to share my projects with you. I was given the "High FIves" stamp and coordinating die set to work with, and I immediately thought a simple design, with lots of white space, would be really eye catching. So I quickly made the first card, and liked it so much that I immediately made a second, using a different color scheme and greeting.

So first, here's what the "High Five" stamp and die sets look like:

Cute, right?!

Both tags follow the exact same formula. First, cut a piece of white cardstock in half 8.5" x 4.25", then fold the halves to make two greeting cards. Using red and turquoise cardstock, use the conversation bubble die cut and cut two conversation bubbles. Then, Stamp the greeting on each bubble using embossing or Versamark ink and, using white embossing powder, heat emboss the greeting. Place the bubble where you think you'll want it, but don't glue in place yet. This is so that you can line up where you want to stamp the trio of hearts. Then, using a stamp positioner, stamp the hearts below the conversation bubble. The final step is to use low profile foam adhesive to glue the conversation bubble to the card front. And there you go, easy peasy!

SUPPLY LIST:

Stamp & Die Combo: High Fives Stamp and Die by Ellen Hutson
Inks: Versamark Ink by Tsukineko, Mountain Mist and Ruby Red both by Altenew
Embossing Powder: White by Ranger
Cardstock: Solar White by Neenah, Peppermint and Robin's Egg both by Bazzill
Other: 3D Foam adhesive, Heat embossing tool, MISTI Stamp positioner (large or small, either will work for cards)

Thanks for joining me today - and if you are curious about the rest of the release, here it is - Those letterboard sets are so awesome, right?!

Ellen Hutson 12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist 2018 - Day #1

The 12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist Hosted by Ellen Hutson, LLC has become a tradition in the stamping/paper crafting world and it is always a joy to be asked to take part in this celebration again and share a tag with you. Today, my partner in creating is Jennifer McGuire and our challenge was to create a tag using alcohol inks and featuring Hero Arts stamps.

I decided I would use the alcohol inks to make the pink background for my tag. I took two different Copic alcohol ink reinkers, and squeezing a little bit onto a Ranger Alcohol ink applicator, I smooshed the ink into glossy cardstock. By applying only a little bit of alcohol ink at a time onto the ink applicator, you get a bit of a 'dry brush' application whereby you can sort of see the strokes of the applicator on the paper. If, conversely, you apply a lot of ink at a time onto the applicator then dab it onto the cardstock, you would get a much smoother finish. I enjoyed playing around with this technique as it sort of gives a bit of a plaster like look to the background! 

After inking, I used a die cut to cut my glossy cardstock into a tag shape, and from there decorated my tag. As a patterned paper addict, I couldn't resist adding a strip of patterned paper along the bottom of the tag and I then stamped the greeting with black ink into the center of the strip.

The beautiful white reindeer was stamped with Veramark ink onto kraft cardstock, then heat embossed with white embossing powder and cut with his coordinating die cut. I cut a flower from a vintage flower posy that's been kicking around in my craft cabinet for several years, and glued it onto his neck to add a bit of shabby chic elegance to him. To mount him onto the card front, I used dimensional adhesive (pop dots).

Sewing plays a part on so many of my craft projects and this tag is no different, I added a line of straight stitches to the top, and a zig zag stitch to the bottom, of the patterned paper section.

Finally, I mounted the whole thing onto a large kraft tag from the Ranger Distress Assorted Tag packet. This seemed to give nice contrast to the pink, and allows a place, at the bottom of the kraft tag, to add "to/from", or little message, to the recipient.

SUPPLY LIST:
Stamp & Die Combo: Wonder and Magic of Christmas Stamp and Die Combo by Hero Arts
Inks: Versamark Ink by Tsukineko, Midnight by Catherine Pooler
Die: Tag'd by The Stamp Market
Embossing Powder: White by Ranger
Patterned paper: Gotta Have Gingham by Lawn Fawn
Cardstock: Solar White by Neenah, large Kraft tag by Ranger, Glossy White Cardstock by Ranger,
Copic Markers: RV13 marker, RV13 refill, RV11 marker, RV11 refill
Other: Ranger Distress Tag Assortment, 3D Foam adhesive, Alcohol ink felt by Ranger, Alcohol ink applicator by Ranger, Heat embossing tool, MISTI Stamp positioner (large or small, either will work for cards), small vintage flower, sewing machine with white thread, kitchen string.

If you haven't already seen Jennifer's version of today's Feminine Tags of Christmas challenge, please click on over to check it out.

As I close out today's post, my generous friend Ellen Hutson is offering some lovely PRIZES during this "12 Tags of Christmas" event and you have TWO chances of winning.

1) Ellen Hutson will be giving away a $25 gift certificate to one randomly selected commenter on each day day of the giveaway, chosen from all the comments on the Ellen Hutson blog and both tag makers - meaning Jennifer and I today. The more comments you leave, the greater your odds of winning, so be sure to leave a comment here, on Jennifer's post, and on today's Ellen Hutson blog for three chances to win!

2) Ellen Hutson will be giving away a $150 gift certificate to one randomly selected participant in the 12 Tags Challenge. All the info for this giveaway is on the EH blog here: https://blog.ellenhutson.com/?p=1352