3D Christmas Card

Here is a simple Christmas card made from the 3D White Bear.  It is a very simple and quick card.

After I used the Foam pads to "build it up", I used my pitch black and clear spicas and my cool grey copics to add a little depth and glimmer to the  images.  I wish the pictures would show much it made it sparkle for snow.

Overall, I love the final product and how fast it went together.  I am definitely going this route for future Christmas cards as it is a huge time saver and still has a personalized touch!

Enjoy!

Image:  3D White Bear

Embellishments: Spicas - Pitch Black and Clear, Copic Sketch

Other: ATG, Foam Pads

Stash: Paper

Nativity Card

Hi!  With Christmas right around the corner, I have been feeling a little overwhelmed with the daily schedule my family has and have been dreading making my cards this year.  I found myself trying to find alternatives to my usual elaborate cards as I just don't have the time with an active infant trying to crawl everywhere!

Here is a very simple Christmas Card I made using scraps found in my paper drawer with an SVG image I found here.  I love all of his designs and they are so versatile with every project I have been making lately.  I than used my cutting machine to cut out the base, the star and the nativity scene.  

I adhered the star to my base and ran it through my Big Shot with the Cuttlebug Snowflakes folder and than used a file to make the white stand out a little more.  I used clear mounting tape to place my image for a 3D effect.  I thought about lining up the image with the green star, but I found I liked the layered look better.  I think it makes it pop a little more.  For the final touch, I added Liquid Pearls for the star.

thanks for looking!

Image:  Nativity Star Element

Embellishments: Snowflakes, Liquid Pearls

Other: ATG, Big Shot, File Set, Kool TAC

Stash: Paper

Melissa's Halloween Door Hanger

I started with an inspiration from the Sept/Oct issue of PaperCrafts Magazine (from page 60 if you have it).  I loved the idea of a holiday door or wall hanger.  My project ended up being 12" tall by 4" wide if you want to make one of your own. 

I took the cardboard from some empty cereal boxes and double layered for extra thickness.  I than cut some black paper from the Bazzill Dotted Swiss Pack and filed it down to make the dots pop.  Using my Spellbinders Labels 18, I cut out the largest shape on a sheet of orange paper from my Echo Park Apothecary paper pack.  I trimmed off the edges and added it to the top and bottom of my hanger.

I took a cream piece of paper from my stash and traced the edges of it with my copic YR18 for some added pop and added 3 squares of paper from the Echo Park Apothecary pack.  I added holes and eyelets with my big bite as the thickness of the cardboard and paper made it a little difficult with my cropadile. 

I added buttons from my stash and colored some white ribbon with my Copic 110 to add some black.  I printed the sentiment for free from here, trimmed and lined it with some left over black paper and used Kool Tak to make the sentiment pop up.

Then for extra, I went over the sentiment with my Spicas and the birds in the trees.

Hope you like it!! 

Image:  PaperCrafts Magazine Trick or Treat
Paper:  Bazzill Dotted Swiss, Echo Park Apothecary
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Spicas
Embellishments: Spellbinders Labels 18,
Other: ATG, Big Shot, File Set, Kool TAC, Big Bite, Scor-Tape
Stash: buttons, ribbon, eyelets, cardboard, cream paper

Congrats by Melissa

So I made a really simple congrats card for a bride and groom.  The total card size is 3 1/2x 4 1/2.  So it's great to slip in with a gift.  

I started coloring this adorable image from InStyle Stamps; the Wedding Couple.  I colored in all grays to make it classic looking.  Once done, I used my Labels Three to cut out the area around their faces.  

I sanded my base paper which came from the Cosmo Cricket Core'dinations pack.  I than used my Big Shot again on leaves from the Foliage set.  I used some paper flowers from my stash and used some Gold Liquid Pearls for added effect.

What do you think?

thanks for looking!!

Image: Wedding Couple -InStyle Stamps 

Paper: Bazzill Simply Smooth, Core'dinations
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics,
Embellishments: Liquid Pearls
Other: ATG, Glue Pen, Spellbinders: Foliage and Labels Three, Big Shot
Stash: Kaisercraft paper flowers: cream

Groom Hair: T1, T3, T4, T6
Skin: T0, T1
Dress: C1, C2

Veil: C00, C1
Flowers: R83, R85, E04, YG91, YG93, YG95

Melissa's Christmas in July

So I decided to revamp a Christmas card idea I have had for quite awhile.  I started with a snowflake border on my computer for a 5x5 card and cut it out using my Cricut.

After I cut the image, I ran the paper through my Big Shot with the Cuttlebug Snowflakes folder and again with my Lace Tree folder to soften the snowflake impressions slightly.

I used some red glitter from my stash to bring out the snowflake design.  I wouldn't recommend glitter for an area this large as it gets messy!  For future cards, I will use the American Crafts glitter card-stock.  It cuts cleanly and there is no glitter residue to be found weeks later on another project :o)

After the glitter was added I glued my embossed/cut image to the card.  It was still missing something, so I sprayed some Lily Pad glimmer mist on a tissue and ran the tissue over the raised image of my tree.  Once it was dry, I sprayed the front of the card with Dazzling Diamonds glimmer mist to add overall shimmer.  Doesn't it look pretty?

For the next step, make sure your card is completely dry!  I didn't check and noticed after the fact and had some ink running.  I used 3 different Perfect Pearls to accent "ornaments" on the tree.  What do you think??  Definitely a lot of work for a Christmas card, but you are waiting for the card to dry so much in between that it is actually pretty easy to reproduce like a production line.

thanks for looking!

Image: n/a 

Paper: Bazzill Simply Smooth 
Ink: Glimmer Mist: Lily Pad, Dazzling Diamonds
Embellishments: Perfect Pearls: Emerald Green, Ruby Red, White Opal
Other: ATG, Big Shot, Cuttlebug -Lace Tree (retired), Snowflakes, Cricut
Stash: red glitter

Melissa's Summer Cards

 So I was looking through my Color Inspiration Magazine that came out earlier this year and I got an idea.  Not so much the colors but the layout.  If you have it, it's on page 46 - Spread Sunshine.  I just love this simplicity of it, so here are some simple birthday cards I came up with.


I really like the look of white ink on black paper, so I wanted the white to look a little messy on the embossed images.  The first card I used Flourished Frame and added the white ink and flowers after stamping my words on some Kraft paper from my scrap paper.  Who says brown and black don't go together :o)  I topped it with someCuttersCreek branded and Prima flowers.

This card I also embossed, but with one of the images from the Organic Flourish Collection.  I also used white to enhance the embossed image but no where else.  I just really like the simple feel to it.  Both cards took maybe 10 minutes total so this was perfect for a card in a hurry or  making some for your stash of birthday cards.  And they look completely different!

thanks for looking! 

Image:  Stampin' Up -retired
Paper:  stash

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, white ink from stash
Embellishments:  Prima Flowers: Dimmet, Aurora. CC Flowers: Aqua Marine, B, W, G.  Organic Flourishes, Flourished Frame.
Other: ATG,  Glue Dots, Big Shot

Melissa's Copic Portfolio

So I decided to update my Copic Portfolio with an image I used quite a bit by *Princess Elemmiriel.  Using my copics I colored my image focusing on lighting.  I have the sun coming from the upper right, so the shadows would be on the right of the body and more specific areas like where her waist is bent, the arm slightly covered by her dress, where her hair covers her face and dress, her nose, and what would not be hit directly by the light.

Definitely one of my favorite images to color.  The main reason I put this image in my portfolio is because of the size.  Usually when I color this image, I tend to use a larger version and the card ends up around 5x7.  This image was printed at 2x3 so it was a challenge to color with the shading at so small a size.  I really like how it turned out.                                                                                                                        Are you working on a portfolio?  It is a good reference tool and it helps you have a comparison of how much your coloring has progressed from when you start.  It is also a good way to keep track of favorite color combos, techniques and samples you have made.  I tend to color two of every image I use as it helps me practice in a way, but also I can get two cards done at once but that also can turn out so differently from one another.

thanks for looking!

 

Image:  *Princess Elemmiriel
Paper: Bazzill Simply Smooth,

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Copic Multiliner
Embellishments:
Other: ATG,
Stash: green paper

Melissa's Favorite Things

Hi!  I'm keeping it really simple today since I'm having some technical difficulties with my internet . . . But, I decided for my favorite item this month to use my Graphic 45 Once Upon a Springtime paper - -I have been using this for everything!  I kid you not!! 

I used some scraps of my Cosmo Cricket paper for the background and sanded it.  Over this is one of the images in the back of the paper pack.  I popped out the center image and used pop dots to raise it slightly.  I then added some of the fantastic CuttersCreek and Prima flowers to add some contrast.  It was still missing something, so I used my new love, stickles, on the wings.  I love how it makes them look 3 dimensional too!!

I hope you like it!!!

 


Stamps: none
Paper: Graphic 45, Cosmo Cricket
Ink: none
Embellishments: Stickles, CuttersCreek: Aquamarine; Prima Flowers:Splash,
Other: ATG, Scor-Pal
Stash: Pop Dots

Melissa's Miss Anya

So, I decided to try again with a purple colored card.  I think this one went a little smoother :o)  I started with one of the images from the Miss Anya Dressy Collection - -I love these images by The Greeting Farm!  I also stamped it on a post it so I could stamp the leaves and flowers without worrying about my image being ruined. 

I colored my image with my copics and used B000 and G0000 to blend in the background as sky and grass - - just very light colors, but enough to show the white edges on the Curved Rectangle where is was embossed.  The background paper is from Prima Reflections and I used different papers in the collection for the butterflies as well.

Hope you like it!!

Image: Miss Anya Dressy- TGF, Flutterby Friend- PTI 

Paper: Bazzill Simply Smooth,  Prima Reflections,
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics,
Embellishments: Martha Stewart Punch (Stash)
Other: ATG, 1/4" Scor-Tape, Glue Pen, Curved Rectangles, Big Shot
Stash: Purple Cardstock, Post-it Notes

Hair: E11, E97, E99, E19
Skin: E50, E00, E21, E11
Dress: BV0000, V93, V95, V99
Flowers: Y000, Y11, Y15
Leaves: YG13, YG17, YG23
Background: G0000, B000
Shadows: N0, N1, N3

Melissa's Anime Image

So today, I wanted to show some really simple, lovely cards I made using one of the oriental weave embossing folders from Cuttlebug.  I was trying to think of an image that would compliment the embossing folder.  So I went to my favorite site for anime images; http://www.deviantart.com/

I LOVE this site.  One of my favorite artists is Princess Elemmiriel.  She has the most gorgeous line art to color.  I chose Lady Rose Dragon . . . I can't tell you how many cards and miscellaneous items I have made with this image in particular.  So while I waited for my printer ink to dry - -you can never wait too long - -I embossed a beautiful Jade Green and a Silver Gray paper from Core'dinations Gemstone pack with my oriental weave embossing folder.  I would highly recommend this paper as well!   I centered them on some back cardstock from my stash and started coloring my images.  Bytheway, these cards are the standard A2 size :o)

So I tried to stay with complimentary colors to the papers I chose.  You don't have to use all the colors I did to get the same effect; I just started tossing in colors while I was playing.  I really tried for a dramatic look with the eyes and lined them with a multiliner and with spicas.  What do you think?

Hair: YR000, E50, E21, E11, E97, E99, E37, E29

Skin: E50, E00, E21
Eyes: G20, YG11, YG17
Makeup: R12, R02, R32, Pitch Black Spica, Peach, Clear
Hairband/Trim: Y32, Y35, Y17
Dress: BG10, BG11, BG23, BG13
Flowers: RV02, R12, R02, R32, R35
Shadows: C00, C1

Hair: C00, C1, C2, C4, N4, N6, N9, 0- Blender
Skin: E50, YR000, E00, YR01
Eyes: G20, YG11, YG17
Makeup: R12, RV91, RV93, Pitch Black Spica, Peach, Clear, Silver
Hairband/Trim: N1, N4, N6
Dress: BG10, BG11, BG23, BG13, BG45
Flowers: BV0000, BV00, BV02
Shadows: C00, C1


thanks for looking!!!

Image: Lady Rose Dragon by PrincessElemmiriel

Paper: Bazzill Simply Smooth, Core'dination Gemstone,

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, 0.1 Multiliner, Atyou Spicas

Embellishments: Liquid Pearls

Other: ATG, 1/4" Scor-Tape, Cuttlebug Oriental Weave

Stash: Black Cardstock

Melissa's Easter Card

So I am trying so new techniques I learned at the Copic Intermediate Certification and decided to use the Miss Anya Dressy Collection as the stamps leave so much open for interpretation as far as shading and placement.  Making an Easter card I decided she should be sitting on the edge of a basket.  There was a lot of stamping and post-it notes involved; just as a reminder or hint, make sure you wash your hands between cutting the image on the post- it note and  placing it on your stamped image.  Ink spreads in case you didn't know :o)

I used the Linear Light template from Marianne Walker's Shadows and Shading Book to determine my light source to create a  more realistic picture; the upper right side.  Now, I colored my images paying attention to shadows and cast shadows in particular.  Cast shadows are shadows created by an object being reflected on another surface.  Does it look like shadows of her legs on the basket and her hair and side on the eggs?

I cut out the stamp using Curved Rectangles, embossed the edges and placed this over some Graphic 45 paper to make it pop!  I than took some Core'dinations paper and sanded it to use as my card base.  I stamped 'happy' on the top right, 'Easter' is on the inside, and used the new Prima Flowers as a corner accent.  What do you think overall? 

Stamps: TGF- Miss Anya Dressy, CTMH Eastertime (Stash)
Paper: Bazzill Simply Smooth, Graphic 45, Cosmo Cricket
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics
Embellishments: Prima Flowers: Aurora. Splash
Other: ATG, Curved Rectangles, Embossing Mat, Scor-Pal

Stash: Post-It Notes, Shadows and Shading Book by Marianne Walker

Basket:  E21, E34, E44
Sky:      G0000
Eggs:     BV0000, BV00, BV11, BV04
             R30, R32, R35
             Y11, Y32, Y35
Grass:   YG23, YG03, YG17
Skin:     E50, E00, E11, E13
Hair:     E11, E13, E17, E19
Dress:   B00, B14, B16, B26
Trim:    BG10, GB11, GB23 

Pinwheel Card with Melissa

So today I am sharing a super easy card with no stamping involved; took me less than 10 minutes from start to finish!  You absolutely have to try this!  It is simple and quick for mass production or just a quick card on the go.  I got the idea from my good friend KellyRae.  She got it from here (video included).  

Here is what I started with:

A base card of 3.5" x 5" -slightly smaller than the standard A2 card already run through my big shot with the Swirls Embossing Folder.

8- 1 1/4" squares in two different patterns

2- 2 5/8" squares as my base

Embellishment -Prima Say It In Pearls

1/4" Scor Tape

Start with putting your adhesive on the papers; make sure the tape goes in the same corner for the 1 1/4" squares on the back side of the paper.  As you can see in my pic, I didn't follow the steps on the first try :o)

Next add tape to one 2 5/8" square and place the other square across it, twisted.  

Now add your first square.  The rest is easy!  Just alternate the color or pattern papers aligning it with the corner of the base card stock.  For the last piece, you simply lift the edge of the first piece you laid down and work the last piece in so it is layered.  Very, very easy to do.

And here is the end result of the layering.  Hmm, I think I need to change my trimmer blades . . . . . 

I than added an embellishment in the center and used Scor-Tape again to adhere it to the card base.  I chose the smaller card base of 3 1/2" x 5" as I wanted the Pinwheel to dominate the card front so all of my stamping can be on the inside.  Think it worked?  

Stamps: none!

Paper: Graphic 45, PTI Aqua Mist & Ocean Tides

Ink: none!

Embellishments: Prima Say it in Pearls, Burlap & Swirls

Other: Scor-Tape, Paper Trimmer

Melissa's Fairy Tale Card

So I wanted to show some new products that Cutters Creek now has and what better way than making a card! I started with the Graphic 45 Once Upon A Springtime Paper. I have never used their paper before and I can honestly say I cannot wait to buy more! This card was a learning curve for me and I loved it!!

I have a tendency to lean towards mythical in stamps and papers and this just fell right into my element. I loved the fairy and butterfly theme in this collection and was trying to find the perfect stamp set to complement it. I came across a new stamp set from In Style Stamps; Fairy Tales. Perfect! There is an image of Thumbelina that would work perfectly with the fairy theme.

I wanted to make the wings pop from the paper and also just add a shimmer effect to the stamped image but I wanted something more popping than the subtlety of Spicas; Stickels! They were the product of the month for February and I have never used them before. I really like how it gave the fairy wings a realistic look and added a fantastic feel to the Thumbelina image.

I love how I was able to blend the Graphic 45 paper with some from my stash for the inside of the card.

Let me know what you think!!

Don't forget the chance for the FlowerSoft blog candy!  A random comment will be chosen from one of the posts for March.  Good Luck!!!

Stamps: In Style Stamps Fairy Tales, SU! Well Scripted (No longer available)

Paper: Bazzill Simply Smooth, Graphic 45

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Atyou Spicas

Embellishments: Stickles -Tropical Tangerine, Diamond

Other: Glue Dots, ATG

Stash: corner rounder, green background paper
Skin: E50, E00, R12, Peach, Sky Blue Spica
Dress: BV0000, BV00, BV11, Lavender Spica
Hair: E42, E31, E34
Leaves: YG11, YG13, YG17, YG63
Flower: YR000, YR01, E02

Copic Tutorial With Melissa

So I wanted to share with you how I color my images.  I am using an image from The Greeting Farm, Miss Anya Collection.  I LOVE these images.  They are so versatile and adorable! Usually I use the feathering technique when I color hair, but because the image is so detailed I will just blend the colors today.  I am also using my favorite color combinations today so you may see them a lot on my projects. 

Just click on the pictures for a larger view.  I started with E11 on her hair, deciding the sun is coming from the upper left of the picture.  I than added E97 and E99.  Then I went and added additional layers until I received the blending I was looking for.  If you have any questions on this process let me know and I will put a video together.   

For her dress,  I started with BG10.  I want her dress to look like a satin texture; extremely light colored but dark where there are shadows or creases in the fabric so I colored with deliberate white areas showing.  BG11 was next, with BG23 following.  BG13 was last as it is the darkest of the four colors and was only added close to the skin and basket.  I went over with BG11 to blend in the darker colors.  For her socks, I used BG11 and BG23 and blended with BG10 to give it the same satin feel.  BG18 was added on the ribbon for the dress.

The flowers were very simple. I started with Y000, added Y11 and lastly YR21 and Y35 to the very bottom of the flowers.  I used the clear spica on the very tops of the flowers to add a little shimmer. Next the leaves, YG11, YG13 and a little amount of YG17.

Last was the skin.  The pics are a little out of sequence and I apologize for that.  I started with E50 around the edges of the face, arms and legs.  I than added E00 under the bang and forhead, inner arms and legs under the basket.  E21 added in the same areas as E00 but in a less amount.  I than used R12 (separate picture) to add color for her cheeks; I want to make her look sunkissed.  Lastly, I went back to E50 and blend, blend, blend. 

Here is the card finished.  Very simple, but I like it :o)  I used vellum for the paper behind her that was colored with BV02 to make the image pop a little more. 

   

And here is the image completed.  You'll notice the colors are a little more bold as the ink has settled and dried at this point.  I went over the image with my spicas (LOVE these!) and added pitch black to her shoes and eye lashes, and peach above her eyes as an eye shadow and clear on her hair dress and flowers.

thanks for looking!!!

 

 

Stamps: TGF Miss Anya Collection, SU! Well Scripted (No longer available)
Paper:   Bazzill Simply Smooth, Prima Paper
Ink:       Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Atyou Spicas
Stash:    corner rounder, vellum   

Skin: E50, E00, E21, R12, Peach, Pitch Black Spica

Dress/Socks: BG10, BG11, BG23, BG13, BG18, Clear Spica

Hair: E11, E97, E99, Clear Spica

Basket: E31, E33, E44

Leaves: YG11, YG13, YG17

Flowers: Y000, Y11, YR21, Y35, Clear Spica

Vellum: BV02