BB Bitty Bears Shadow Box Card - My Favorite Things

Hello crafty friends!  It's been such a busy month at my house that I haven't had much time to post the cards that I've been working on.  However, I'd love to share with you a fun little shadow box card that I made featuring the BB Bitty Bears stamp set from My Favorite Things.  

A few weeks ago, I saw a snowy-scene shadow box card by Amy Yang that inspired me to create one of my own.  I wanted to make a shadow box card that was big enough to create a snowy Christmas scene but small enough that it would still fit into a standard sized 5"x7" envelope.  I'm sure that there are tutorials out there that give directions to create this type of card, but I couldn't find one and ended up measuring and making my own.  I've quickly listed the measurements below if you wanted to try one of your own.

Measurements:

• Trim 2 pieces of cardstock at 5"x 8 1/4"
• Score these pieces on the long side at 1 1/4" & 7" 
• Cut an open window in one of the pieces (I used the MFT Die-namics A2 Rectangle Stax and added a white scalloped frame using the MFT Die-namics Stitched Rectangle Scallop Frames) 
• Adhere these two pieces together on one side where the side flaps will overlap (this will be the frame of your box)
• For the inside strips, cut three pieces of cardstock at 6 3/8" long at varying heights to add dimension (I used heights of 1 1/2", 2" and 2 1/2"). 
• Score each inside piece at 3/8" & 6"
• After you are done scoring, you can then diecut these pieces with whatever border dies (if any) that you want to use.  I used the MFT Die-namics Stitched Snow Drifts on mine.  
• I also cut some inside strips (6 3/8" long x 1/2 " high, scored at 3/8" and 6") for the top of the card to adhere my trees.

For the background of my card, I blended some distress inks (Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers and Chipped Sapphire) and then diecut this panel with the MFT Die-namics Snowfall Horizontal Die. I love this background die.  It's so easy to use and really adds the look of falling snow.   I also added some snowy trees using the MFT Die-namics Birch Trees.  Lastly, I added some sweet little Christmas bears from the BB Bitty Bears stamp set.  I used the BB Beast Friends stamp set to add some cute little Santa hats.

As you can see, when this card is collapsed, it fits perfectly into a 5"x7" envelope and still weighs under 1oz for easy and inexpensive shipping.  And even though dimensional cards may sometimes look like a lot of work, this card was pretty simple to make.  It was mainly measuring, cutting and scoring.  The best part about these type of cards is that they're so much fun to pull out of the envelope and pop open!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today!  Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday!

Rachel  

 

     

 

 

Santa's Elves Box Card - My Favorite Things

Hello!  I'd like to quickly share a fun pop-up Christmas box card that I made for another crafty friend.  I have been eyeing the BB Santa's Elves Stamp Set from My Favorite Things for awhile now and was finally able to snag it over MFT Stamps Black Friday sale.  I just love these cute little elves!

To start, I first stamped my images with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto smooth white cardstock (I like using the Neenah Classic Crest Smooth Solar White 110lb for myimages in a box card so that they don't tend to bend or flop over when standing upright).  I then colored everything using Copic Sketch Markers.  

Colors Used:

Skin: E50, E51, E11, E23

Hair: E27, E29

Reds: R14, R29, R46, R59

Green Clothes and Green Bulbs: G20, YG13, YG17, YG97

Tree and Green Stocking: G20, YG13, YG17, G16 and G29 for shading

Blue Gifts: B21, B23, B26

Yellow Bulbs on Hats: Y06, Y15, E33

Whites: 0, C00, C0, C2, C4

Once complete, I then used the coordinating dies to cut out my images.  I then created the box/base of my card using a 12"x12" piece of white cardstock, a paper trimmer and a scoring board.  I usually follow THIS TUTORIAL by Splitcoaststampers to get me started, but make a few of my own changes to customize the size that I want. 

I added some patterned paper panels along the sides of the box.  On the back panel (it's difficult to see in the photos), I used the MFT Snowfall Stencil and White Crackle Embossing Paste to create the look of falling snow.  I diecut some snow white grass using the MFT Grassy Fields Die-namics and then added some street lights using the Streetlights Die-namics from which to hang some Christmas ornaments.

To finish the card, I added heat embossed the sentiment "Happiest of Holidays" onto red cardstock and attached it to the side panel of the box after using the MFT Die-namics Essential Fishtail Sentiment Strips to cut it out.

I will be playing along and entering this card into the following challenges:

Simon Says Monday Challenge: Icy Inspiration

Addicted To Stamps and More Challenge #271: Anything Goes

Thank you all for dropping by!  If you liked this card and want some more crafty inspiration, don't forget to check out my INSTAGRAM feed!

Wishing you all a lovely day!

♥ Rachel

Squirrels2love - The Stamps of Life

I hope you are all having a relaxing weekend!  For me, this time of the year gets pretty hectic with Christmas decorating, planning and shopping.  I wanted to quickly take a break from the Christmas-themed cards and share with you a few cards that I made using the The Stamp Set of The Month from The Stamps of Life.

Squirrels2love Stamp Set

This set is called Squirrels2love and it comes with a bunch of sweet scripty sentiments.  This set would work fabulously for Valentine's Day but it is also perfect for birthdays or friendship cards.

For my first example, I created a sweet little pop-up box card.  I used the Sizzix Box Card Set for my base and added some patterned paper panels from the SOL Good Times Patterned Paper Pad.  I added some grass using the grass die from the Sizzix Tree Step-ups Card Die Set.  For my images, I stamped them onto white cardstock and colored them with Copic Sketch Markers.  I used the coordinating dies to cut them out.  Once done, I adhered them to the inner panels in my box card.

For my second example, I made a standard A2 sized card using only one of the squirrels.  Isn't he so cute holding his bouquet of flowers?  I started this card by first created my base with a mix of white cardstock and patterned paper (again from the Good Times Patterned Paper Pad).  I added a Dotted Circle die cut and lightly blended some Color Box Seaglass Ink onto this circle.  

I then added my squirrel using some 3D foam squares.  For my sentiment, I stamped and diecut a banner from white cardstock using the Morechalksayings2stamp Stamp Set and coordinating Banner Dies.  I colored this banner with Copic Sketch Markers and then adhered it with some foam adhesive squares.

I will be entering the box card into the following challenge:

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes

 

 

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  Please feel free to leave any comments or questions.

Rachel

    

Sizzix Heart Fold-it and Love Statement Stamp and Die Combo

Happy Friday, friends!  I'm here to share with you two new stamp and/or die sets that were released today from The Stamps of Life.  The first is the Love Statement Stamp and Die Combo.

The Love Statement Set from The Stamps of Life

This set comes with a bunch of versatile sentiments along with the "Love" word die and a coordinating shadow die.

For this first card, I first blended a galaxy background onto smooth white cardstock with Distress Inks (Salty Ocean, Seedless Preserves, Chipped Sapphire and Black Soot) and splattered some white copic ink to resemble stars. I then used the SOL Circle Dies to diecut a large circle on a 4.25"x5.5" piece of white cardstock (the front panel of my card).  I then adhered my ink blended background behind this circle.  I then diecut another smaller sized circle from white cardstock and then diecut this piece again with an Oval Die to create a crescent moon.  To give the moon some texture, I used some Light Grey Copic Sketch Markers to color it.  I added this moon with adhesive foam squares to the front of my card and added my statement word in front of this.  For the hanging star, I used the smallest start from the Stitched Star Dies.  

Sizzix Scallop Hearts Fold-it Die Set

The next set that I'd like to share with you is the Sizzix Scallop Hearts Fold-it Die Set.  I love the beautiful swirly design on these dies.  

For my first example, I made a stand-up card using the Sizzix Kind Sentiments Step-ups Card Die Set.  I added some hearts using the small heart dies from the Scallop Hearts Fold-it Die Set and stamped a beautiful large sentiment using the Youare2square Stamp Set.

For my second example, I created a 6"x6" box from 12"x12" white paper and then added some strips of red cardstock to resemble ribbon. 

I used the Scallop Hearts Fold-it Die Set to add a shaker heart on top.  For the tag, I used the Minitags2cut Stamp and Die Set.

To add a little bit of color contrast, I added some green flourishes using the flourish die from the Sizzix Heart Step-ups Die Set.  

I will be entering some of these into the following challenge:

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes

Thank you for stopping by my blog today!  Head on over to The Stamps of Life Gallery Webpage for more crafty inspiration! 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

 

 

 

Sizzix Box Card Die Set

Hello friends!  I'm so excited to share this new Sizzix Box Card Die Set designed by Stephanie Barnard.  For those of you who have been following my blog, you know how much I love box cards.  I especially love the layout of this one.  It still folds flat and fits into a standard A2 sized envelope but it also has great surface area that you are able to fit in a bunch of cute details if you wanted.

Sizzix Box Card Die Set

It comes with five (yes, five!) interchangeable edges for the box card (see photo above), making this set not only so much fun but super versatile!

For my first example, I combined this box card set with the Penguins4Christmas and Morepenguins2love stamp sets from The Stamps of Life.  I used the coordinating Penguin Die Set for the smaller penguins but fussy cut the larger penguin and santa hats by hand.  For the background, I blended Sky, Blueberry, Midnight and Licorice Colorbox Inks by Stephanie Barnard. I also added some candy canes from the Reindeer Pudgie Stamp & Die Set.

For this second example, I used mainly just the dies that come with the set and added some cute little bees from the Sizzix Windows Stamps and Dies Combo Set.  The sentiment came from the messages4friends stamp set.     

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Rachel

     

Have You Been Naughty or Nice? Santa Box Card - The Stamps of Life

Hello and Happy Thursday!  I'm excited to share with you a super fun pop-up Santa Box Card today!  I like to mix things up sometimes and used about 6 different Stamps of Life Sets to make this fun little Santa popping up out of the chimney to say hello.

Exclusive Stamps of Life Box Card Die Setn

I first used the Exclusive Stamps of Life Box Card Die Set to make the base/chimney.

Add cafptionFireplace2stamp

To get the brick pattern around the chimney, I stamped (and masked) the pattern from this fireplace onto smooth white cardstock and colored with Copic Sketch Markers.  Once finished, I then trimmed 3 different pieces down to size to fit around the base of the box.  

Santa2stamp Stamp Set

I used the Santa2stamp stamp set and dies to create Santa's face and used the fun sentiment "Have you been naughty or nice" from this set as well.

Mitten Die Set

I used these fun Mitten Dies to create his gloves.

 

Add captiondChristmas Light Dies

I used this Christmas Light Die Set (the light die in the very middle) to make his arms and legs (however, you could just fussy cut some pieces of red cardstock.  I just wanted symmetry since my cutting skills are somewhat lacking, lol.

 

Sizzix Triplits Rainboot Die Set

Lastly, I used the Sizzix Triplits Rainboot Die Set to create his boots.  This set is so fun and it's definitely versatile enough to be used all year round.  

Once I assembled the individual pieces of my Santa together, I adhered him piece by piece into my box card chimney.

Lastly, to get the snow effect on the chimney, I used the puddle die from the Sizzix Triplits Rainboot Die Set.  I had a lot of fun making this card.  I supposed it could even be used as a Christmas decoration if you wanted to!

Thanks again for stopping by!  

Happy Stamping!

Rachel 

 

 

 

Sizzix "Take The Cake" & "Happy Birthday Card Front" - FLASH SALE

Hello friends!  I'd like to share with you some fun new stamps and dies that were released today over at The Stamps of Life.  And the best news is that they are available for 24 hours at a special discount of 25% off the retail price!

Sizzix Take The Cake Stamp and Die Combo

The first set is called the Sizzix Take The Cake Stamp & Die Combo.  As you can see, it comes with a bunch of cute birthday-themed stamps and coordinating dies.  

I used this set to create a fun birthday shaker card.  I first blended the background with some distress inks (Mustard Seed, Peacock Feathers, Shaded Lilac and Seedless Preserves) onto some Tim Holtz watercolor cardstock and then spritzed it with some water.  I then added my cake (which I had stamped onto smooth white cardstock and colored with Copic Sketch Markers) and heat embossed my sentiment with white embossing powder.  The fun banner that is attached to the frame is from the Sizzix Banner Drop-in Die Set.  I used the coordinating Sizzix Drop-in Card Front Die Set to achieve this effect.  

 

Sizzix Card Front Happy Birthday Set

The next die set that I wanted to share with you is called the Sizzix Card Front Happy Birthday Set.  It's a fun background die that can be used alone or with other sets for creating some fun birthday cards.

For my card today, I went super simple.  I used more masculine tones and used the die set alone with white cardstock over a dark blue background so that the words would really stand out.  Very easy!

Head over to The Stamps of Life Gallery Website for more inspiration!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Enjoy the rest of your day and happy stamping!

Rachel

Nativity Scene - The Stamps of Life

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year.  I was super excited when I first saw this darling Nativity Stamp and die set from The Stamps of Life!  

 
There aren't a lot of Nativity Stamp Sets out there, so this is a great find for those of you who are looking to make some traditional and/or religious Christmas Cards.  

Nativity Stamps & Dies - The Stamps of Life

This set comes with a number of beautifully scripted sentiments and some adorable images.

For my first card, I made a nativity box card.  I stamped my images onto smooth white Neenah Solar cardstock and then colored them with Copic Sketch Markers (colors listed down below).  I then used the coordinating dies to cut them out.  For the base (box) of my card, I used The Stamps of Life Exclusive Box Card Die Set. 

In order to get the manger to fit into my box card, I cut off the legs (support beams) and reattached them closer to the center of the manger's peak.  For my sentiment, I used the Christmas4him stamp set.  I also added some palm trees by using the tree dies from the SOL Flamingo Die Set.

Copic Colors Used:

(Joseph) Green Robe: YG23, YG95, YG99

Dark Brown Portion of Robe and Headpiece: E23, E37, E29, E49

Lantern Flame: Y06, YR18, R27

(Mary) Purple Robe: V04, V06, V09

(Baby Jesus) Blanket: BG000, BG01

Cradle/Trough: E42, E44, E47

Blue Headpiece: B32, B24, B28, B39

Angel: 0, C00, C2, C4

For my second card, I mainly used only diecuts to create silhouettes and used one stamp for my sentiment.  For the starry sky background, I blended Sky, Blueberry, Midnight and Licorice ColorBox Inks by Stephanie Barnard.  Once blended, I spritzed a bit of water on top and added some stars using some white gel pen.

Lastly, I created a 5x7 Nativity Scene card.  I used the same inks and process as above to create the starry night sky.  I diecut my manger from brown cardstock and blended some brown inks on top of it to give it a bit of a weathered look.  For my sentiment, I heat embossed it with Ranger Super Fine Detail White Embossing Powder.  I stamped, colored and diecut my images.

Copic Colors Used:

(Joseph) Dark Brown Robe: E23, E37, E29, E49

Light Part of Robe: E40, E42, E43

(Mary) Blue Robe: B32, B24, B28, B39

Headpiece/Veil: 0, C00, C2, C5

(Baby Jesus) Blanket: B12, B16

Cradle/Trough: E23, E37, E29, E49

Hay: Y06, E43

(Angel) Robe: 0, C00, C2, C5

Wings: BG0000, BG000, BG01 

I will be entering two of these cards into the following challenge:

Addicted To Stamps and More Challenge #267 - Make Your Mark

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  Wishing you all a lovely day and happy stamping!

Rachel