Vellum Spider Web

I used plain vellum and my spider web embossing folder to make this background. Then pulled some black and gray ribbon, layered the sponged and stamped image and it's done! You can't see it in this photo but I applied dabs of the Fine-Tip glue to the eyes. This is the replacement for Crystal Effects; it dries clear and is not tacky. But you do have to allow for dry time. I do that step last and then set the card far away from my work space so I don't disturb it for at least 30 minutes.

Vellum Flower

I cut some vellum using the Sunburst thinlit and then just randomly shortened the rays. Then layered the punched circles over that. Quick and Easy. But you do have to be careful when pulling that vellum out of the sun3ellburst thinlit.

CelebrateToday!

I got this idea from Pinterest and changed it around a litle bit. I did a free hand cut of the grad hat. The tassel for hat is one of the dies from the Balloon framelits. When I was ready to make the inside of the card I decided the negative space left over from stamping and cutting out the balloon would work perfectly.

Ballon Celebration

I finally got my Balloon Celebration stamp set out to play with it. There are so many fun cards to CASE on Pinterest! This is one that uses the Tree Builder punch to cut clouds out of vellum. The punch works best if on vellum if you add a layer of copy paper and punch the two layers together. Then I used some candy dots to cover up the glue dots. The expression was made using the Endless Birthday Wishes stamp set (a really versatile photopolymer set). The balloons were stamped by stamping off 2 times before stamping on the card front with the solid balloon image and then using the same color full strength with the dotted balloon image.

Glittery Background

 It's not real easy to see in this photo but the purchased card had glittery swirls for the background. Again I thought the easiest way to duplicate the cross overlay would be to use some vellum. Since confirmation is coming up in May I decided to stay with the cross as a focal point but the expression I wanted to use made me change the orientation.

 This card is for the girls being confirmed. I used the swirl from Everything Eleanor. I stamped the sentiment with Soft Suede ink and then let it dry. Then I stamped just two times with Crumb Cake ink on Crumb Cake cardstock and immediately sprinkled with Iridescent Ice and then heat embossed. Then I filled in the background using VersaMark ink and again embossing with Iridescent Ice.

The card for boys was made in the same way but I used two stamps from Gorgeous Grunge stamp set to make the card.
Both crosses come from the Blessed by God stamp set and were stamped with White Staz On on vellum. A little fussy coating and a couple of glue dots to adhere them and the card front was finished.

Happy New Year!

2016! Can you believe it? It's seems like I was just getting used to writing 2015. But here we are in a new year. I always start the year watching bowl games and working jigsaw puzzles. And this year was no different. But finally got to my craft studio this week. I had to spend a few days just cleaning it up. So, many gift wrapping things scattered about.
I got a great gift from my sister for Christmas. It is the Leisure Arts "Card Sketches for Paper Crafters". We draw names in my extended family and give gift ideas. So, this is a book I had seen at Barnes and Noble. It is jock full of template designs for cards, tags and more.

I've been having fun using it the last two days. Here's a CASE of a card in the book.

TBT with Miracle of Easter

Today's throw back uses the retired Miracle of Easter stamp set. I received this set from a niece. (Thanks, again!) I love the image and the script. I stamped it on Vellum with Versamark and heat embossed with white embossing powder. After that it's just layering and a candy dots to cover up the dots of glue underneath. Simple and so pretty!

Happy Easter Bunny

I couldn't resist getting this single stamp from the Occasions catalog. I just love the happy dancing bunny image. We should all be so happy about Easter!
I stamped the bunny on vellum card stock and then colored the back side using markers. He's framed by cutting Pistachio Pudding card stock with the Oval framelits in the Big Shot. It's hard to tell with the picture but I used my stylus and piercing mat to hand emboss his stomach and tail. That gives the vellum the white look and puffs them up a bit. The liner for the envelope was made using the Something Borrowed Designer Series Paper.

CASE of Manufactured Card

Have you noticed that card manufacturer's are producing cards that look hand made. I think we have them worried!
Here's a CASE of a card I received recently. The manufactured card had stems that were scripted words. Honestly I like mine better because the purchased card had to be turned on its side to read the script. And it didn't have the embossed vellum like mine does. I colored the Basic Jewel Rhinestones with blendabilities markers and the vellum was colored using a sponge dauber and ink pad of the same color. The stem is actually the balloon string from Celebrate Today stamp set and the flower is from Petite Petals. I used the Petite Petals punch, too.

Holiday Home Votive

This cute little votive candle holder is made using a strip of vellum Staz-On ink and the Blendabilities (you have to stamp the image on one side of the vellum and then color with the markers on the opposite side) and the Holiday Home stamp set. I found this idea on Vicky Hayes' blog. I used her directions but she didn't have the instructions for making the base so, I had to figure that out on my own. It was hard to get a picture that would come close to doing it justice. It's so pretty with the little flickering battery votive.

Today's card is another CASE from Deb Currier. I wish I could get a better photo. I used the Banner framelits to cut a piece of vellum and then I punched the top edge of the banner with the Scalloped Tag Topper punch. The vellum was adhered using mini glue dots hidden beneath the button and heart.  All the stamp images come in the Work of Art stamp set.

Vellum Ghosts

As promised, today's card has some vellum ghosts popping out of the expressions box. Again I've used the Mingle All the Way (135773 c, 135770 w) and Holiday Home (photopolymer 135095) stamp sets from the Holiday catalog. I'm really enjoying the Holiday Home photopolymer set. It's so easy to line up your images with these photopolymer stamps!
The background of the card was made with a Gold Foil Sheet (132622) embossed with the new Lucky Stars embossing folder (135817) also from the Holiday catalog. This year's Holiday catalog is packed with wonderful products!
The ribbon is some Raven 1/2 lace trim currently available in the Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack. Great price, check it out.
I used Daffodil Delight and Calypso Coral Blendabilities to color the embossed stars. For more on this technique click here .