Butterfly Birthday Card

Happy Wednesday!  Today I am sharing a pretty, embossed birthday card created with some great Couture Creations products for Crop Stop. You will find it on their blog today, too.

The Core'dinations cardbase is 4.5" x 6."  I dry embossed the background cardstock with Couture Creations "My Gardens" Embossing Folder.  

Using the background stamp in Couture Creations 3 in 1 "Butterfly Notes"Collection, I created a 3 color image by gently dabbing 3 different colors of ink on the stamp and stamping it onto a piece of smooth white cardstock. 

Check out the side view!  I dry embossed the stamped image with the corresponding embossing folder in the collection.  You can really see how the embossing gives the stamped image great dimension.

Featured CropStop Product

Couture Creations 3 in 1 Collection: Butterfly Notes

Couture Creations All Occasions Collection Embossing Folder: My Gardens

Couture Creations Double-Sided Tape: 18mm x 50m

Core'dinations Cardstock

May Arts White with White Sheer Dots Ribbon

 

Thanks for stopping by!
~Kate

Kicking the New Year off with CropStop!

Happy New Year!  I am so excited to be back with CropStop as their January Guest Designer.  A new year always brings new things, a time of rebirth and growth.  Today I am sharing with you a simple card that embraces this feeling.  

I started with a 4.25" x 5.5" white card base made with Core'dinations Cardstock and embossed the front of the card with Couture Creations Plush Embossing Folder.  These embossing folders are so awesome that even when you dry emboss with them on a white card base the embossed image is so sharp! 

Next, I stamped my sentiments strategically around the embossed image.  To get the two toned image,  I dabbed my sentiment stamp with Momento Ink in Bahama Blue, then I lightly stamped the inked sentiment onto a scrap piece of paper a couple of times (leaving a bit of the blue ink on the stamp) and then dabbed that stamp with some Ranger Archival Ink.  

Couture Creations  Butterfly Notes 3 in 1 Collection was used to make my 3-D butterfly.  This is an awesome limited edition collection that includes matching stamps, dies and embossing folders!  I die-cut two butterflies out of Core'dinations Cardstock using the butterfly die in Butterfly Notes.  Then I stamped one of the butterflies with the butterfly stamp (from this same collection) and the Bahama Blue ink.  I scored the stamped butterfly and then layered it on top of the other die-cut butterfly, making it 3-D.

Wishing you a new year in which you can imagine, dream and fly! 

~Kate

CropStop Supplies: 

Couture Creations 3 in 1 Dream Boat Collections: Butterfly Notes

Couture Creations Plush Embossing Folder

Couture Creations Double-Sided Tape: 18 mm x 50 m

Core'dinations Cardstock: Brights

Memento Ink: Bahama Blue

Ranger Archival Ink

Other Supplies:

Core'dinations Cardstock: Snowflake

Unity Stamp Co. 

CHA Projects 1

If you were at CHA in Anaheim last month you might have seen some of my designs.

I was asked to design 8 cards, 1 altered, and 1 layout by CSW Distributors using 

Couture Creations "Fresh & Fun"Embossing Folders*. 

(photo credit Cheryl Boglioli) 

Today I am sharing some of the cards shown in the display above.  

Each card uses Core'dinations Cardstock in addition to the Couture Creations Embossing Folders.

To create the fun embossing image in "Bursting With Pride" I embossed a piece of Core'dinations Cardstock with Powder Puff embossing folder.  I heat embossed glimmery embossing powder to make it sparkle and then lightly sanded the raised embossed images. 

Debossing was used to create the fun imagery in "A Little Birdie Told Me..." 

 I used the Extra Flint embossing folder with grey Archival Ink to deboss. 

Doesn't this embossing folder  have a bit of retro feel to it?  

I embossed these Maya Road chipboard butterflies with the Almanzo embossing folder.

Once embossed, the butterflies were misted with Tattered Angel's Glimmer Mist and the embossed image was swiped with Momento Ink in a darker shade than the mist.  

Petal Pleasures and Fudge embossing folders were used to simply emboss for "Happy Birthday."

I did sand down the embossed image, just a touch, to have the shades of grey show.  

I hope you enjoyed these embossed creations.

I promise to post some more of them in the next couple of days!

*All of the embossing folders I used in today's post can be pre-ordered at CropStop. 

CropStop is the only distributor for Couture Creations Embossing Folders in the U.S. 

Another CropStop Challenge

This week is all about photo corners at CropStop Challenge Blog.

I have to tell you that I struggled with this challenge.

Pretty sure I made three different things before I was happy

with my outcome.  Does that happen to you? 

This tag is a perfect adornment to a lovely 

bottle of wine for a house warming gift.  

I embossed a library book pocket creating the base of my tag.

The embossing is so crisp on this! 

The butterflies are embellished with Distress Crackle and Inks.

To tone down the Fired Brick red ink, I just rubbed a little 

Vintage Photo brown ink over the red with my finger.  

The photo corner used for the house roof has been in my stash forever.

Pretty sure it is by Melissa Frances.  

Here is the tag on a bottle of wine.

CropStop Supplies:

Cart-Us Trendy Circles Embossing Folder

Helmar ScrapDots Liquid Adhesive

Sheer Ribbon with Dots

Tim Holtz Mini Butterfly Movers & Shapers

Tim Holtz Movers & Shapers Base Tray

Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Tim Holtz Fired Brick Distress Stain

Use "CTKND-2" coupon code for 10% off 

your next order at CropStop. 

Hexagon Craze

Hexagons are everywhere! I have to say that I love them

as much as the next paper crafter.  Lately they have taken 

the place of circles and hearts in my layouts and cards. 

This week's challenge at CropStop Challenge Blog is to 

create a project using hexagons.  I got a little out of control with the hexagons so

I have two cards to share with you today for the CropStop challenge

and for Hooked on Hexagons Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

To give the hexagons a bit more texture in this hexagon birthday card

 I embossed the orange hexagons.  

CropStop Supplies:

Tim Holtz Core'dinations Paper

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Spellbinders - Becky Fleck

Helmar ScrapDots Liquid Adhesive

Cuttlebug Herringbone Embossing Folder

My second card uses hexagon patterned paper.

I love the effect of dry embossing on patterned paper.  It is a simple way

to add design and texture.  To make my embossed image stand out 

on this card I inked the world map image with Distress Stain & Distress Ink. 

CropStop Supplies:

Becky Fleck SpellBinders

Tim Holtz Die

Helmar 3-D Scrapdots

Couture Creations Embossing Folder

Tim Holtz Distress Stain

Tim Hotz Distress Ink

Upload your hexagon card to CropStop Challenge Blog to be eligible 

to win this week's $15 Gift Certificate to CropStop.

Love Birds

Love is all around!  At least in my family.

My sister, Kerry, got married last month.  

Her and her wonderful new husband got married on a whim way out in Arizona.

None of us could attend so when they came to visit this week

we took them out to dinner at one of Kerry's favorite restaurants

to share their new marriage and hopes for the future. 

How perfect that I wanted a "love" card for this occasion AND 

CropStop Challenge Blog's theme this week is love. 

"Love Birds"

I used this month's new Becky Fleck Spellbinders to create this card. What a fun new set!
The birds are from Tim Holtz's Caged Birds die. I spruced them up by mixing
Helmar Gemstone Glue and glitter then brushing the mixture on my birds.

CropStop Supplies:

Becky Fleck SpellBinders

Tim Holtz Die

Helmar 3-D Scrapdots

Cuttlebug Embosser

A pretty embellished envelope is always a nice touch for a special occasion.

I created this envelope to compliment the card for Kerry and Rodney.

Upload your love inspired creation to CropStop Challenge Blog by next
Wednesday at 11:59 EST to be eligible to win the random prize drawing.
Rules for participation can be found here.
Don't forget there is always a 10% off coupon to the CropStop
store on my side bar!

Congratulations again to Kerry and Rodney!
May your marriage be blessed with children and years of happiness.

Cards Galore

This weekend was a card making weekend. 

I had ones to make for Father's Day.

The one below is the card I made for my hubby, Scott.

He definitely loves his girls bigger than anyone else!

He is a fab Dad, there is no denying. 

His card is based around some fun Tim Holtz ruler paper.  

You can see how I made a card very similar to this one in my 

Simply Colorful Masculine Card Class on Helmar Ustream recorded live tonight.  

I got some more fun Cart-Us Embossing Folders from Crop Stop 

last week and had a grand time using them to make cards.

I kept my cards simple to focus on the fantastic new embossing designs.

Trendy Circles really pops on the sunshine yellow cardstock. 

I embossed and debossed the melon and aqua papers with the 3D Dots embossing folder.

The embossing was lightly sanded to show the core of the cardstock.

Brick Wall is a unique embossing folder.  I embossed some kraft paper

and then inked the embossed image with some brick red ink. 

Love that I found the perfect quote to match the brick.  

Lollipop Trees!

No, no, there really isn't such a thing as lollipop trees!

If there were, I would have one in my front yard. 

Strawberry, please! 

The Lollipop Trees I am talking about are the new embossing folders

by Craft Concepts that are available only at CropStop.

Earlier this week I shared the cards I made with Craft Concepts'

 Solid Stars Embossing Folders.  I love the Lollipop Trees just as much! 

I used Lollipop Trees in three different ways to make my cards.

I embossed the first one onto patterned paper.  

The image is crisp and did not rip my pretty paper at all. 

Challenges:

Milk Coffee Challenge: Emboss

Simon Says Stamp & Show: Texture

Lawnscaping Challenge: Patterned Paper

**********

The Lollipop Trees are debossed in my "Great Day" card. 

To deboss, just flip your paper wrong side up in the embossing folder. 

The image will be imprinted instead of raised. 

Challenges:

Simon Says Stamps: Bling

Dies to Die For - Anything Goes w/ a Die

Freshly Brewed Challenges: Pop It

 **********

For my last card I used a brayer to spread yellow & green paint onto the embossing folder.

I tried really hard to make it even and not get into the embossed trees.

This is embossed on a piece of Grunge Board.  The tree images are very sharp! 

I would love to know what unique ways you use your embossing folders! 

Please share. 

Embossed Star Cards

Crop Stop has a new line of Craft Concept Embossing Folders.

This company is one of my faves for embossing folders. 

Embossed or debossed, the images are always sharp.  

The Crop Stop Design Team had an opportunity to design using these

new limited edition folders. In the US, they are only available at CropStop.

The first folder I played with was Solid Stars.  Perfect for any occassion! 

This card is a lift of Laura's.

Challenges ~

The Paper Players: Summertime

Raise the Bar: Summer

Challenges ~

CAS-ual Fridays: Bling

Party Time Tuesdays: Anything Goes

Challenges ~

Just Us Girls: JUGS #139

Divas by Design: Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes

Road Trip!

This week's challenge at CropStop Challenge Blog is 

to use some pearls in your project.

Normally when I think pearls, I think pretty.  For this challenge, I decided

to step outside by box and go a little grungy, distressed with black pearls.

The tag and jalopy are both Tim Holtz dies.  

The tag was spritzed with several TA mists

then distressed with my Distrezz-It-All and inked up with 

Distress Inks.  The jalopy is colored with TA mist.  

CropStop Supplies:

Tim Holtz Movers & Shapers Dies - Tag & Bookplates & Mini Old Jalopy & Arrow

Cream Crushed Velvet Ribbon

Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Faded Jeans & Vintage Photo

(a 10% coupon for CropStop is on my side bar)

See rules for challenge participation on the CropStop Challenge Blog.


Other Challenges:
Tip Top Tuesday 77: Dig out the old (Tim Holtz Papers 1+year)
Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes
Die Cuttin Divas: Anything Goes

Doily Challenge @ Crop Stop!

Good morning!  

Today I have a cute, bright card to share with you.

I designed it for this week's challenge at CropStop Challenge Blog.

 Challenge #73 is to use a doily on your project.  

A real doily or die cut or maybe both. 

I used a paper doily.  You can see it peaking out just behind the quote.

I colored the doily by mixing Ranger Distress Reinker & 

Ranger Perfect Pearl Powder and painting the mixture on with a brush.

The effect is a muted shimery metallic sheen on the doily. 

Crop Stop Supplies:

Couture Creations Embossing Folder

Cuttlebug Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Distress Ink Reinker - Pumice Stone

Ranger Perfect Pearls Pigment Powder

A 10% off coupon to Crop Stop is always on my side bar! 

Please upload your doily embellished project to CropStop Challenge Blog's

Challenge #73 by next Wednesday at 11:59 P.M. EST to be eligible for

this week's challenge prize.  

I have uploaded this card for..

The Paper Players - Polka Dot Challenge

My Cousins

Good morning!  

Today we are being buried under a blizzard of snow and I am wishing

it was more like the wonderful beach day weather you see in the photo 

in my layout below. That was this past October in Maine.  Really! 

This week at CropStop Challenge Blog we are all about Becky Fleck

 sketches and ovals!  We have a card sketch & and layout sketch by 

Becky for you to use for our oval challenge.  

I chose the awesome layout sketch to use for my DT project this week.

My oval is small, but full of goodness.  I used an oval chipboard which I 

embossed with Cuttlebug's Polka Dot Embossing Folder. 

Then I painted it with Broken China Distress Crackle Paint.  

You will definitely want to play along with this week's CropStop Challenge! 

The random prize drawing is for Becky's Exclusive Labels & Tags Dies by 

Spellbinders.  How cool is that!!! 

Please be sure to use my 10% off coupon code (found on my sidebar)

for any order you place at CropStop.  

CropStop Supplies used in my layout:

Tim Holtz Decorative Strip Dies - Vintage Lace

Core'dinations Paper

Cuttlebug Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Spellbinders Dies - Labels Four & Nested Lacey Pennants

Momento Ink - Rich Cocoa

It's Time!

Good morning!  Rise and Shine!  

This week's challenge at CropStop Challenge Blog 

is to create a project that includes a clock on it.  

I have been having lots of fun with all the new embossing folders at CropStop.

They are such a great way to add texture and dimension to a card. 

For my DT card I used the Cart-Us Trendy Diamond Embossing Folder.

In the little spaces between the diamonds I added a drop of Enamel Accents in black.  

CropStop Supplies:

Cart-Us Trendy Diamond Embossing Folder

Enamel Accents by Ranger

Tim Holtz Decorative Dies Strip by Sizzix

Sizzix Big Shot Extended Spacer Platform (13in)

Sizzix Decorative Strip Cutting Pad (13in)

Core'dinations: Tim Holtz Distress Collection

Upload your challenge project to CropStop Challenge Blog for an opportunity

to win a $15 gift certificate to CropStop.  Don't forget, too, that my special discount

code for 10% off any purchase at CropStop is always on my blog sidebar. 

I am off to CHA today!  

You might just find some of my favorite things from the event

popping up on my blog over the next week.