Scrapbookcom Love You Cover Die

This Scrapbookcom Love You cover die is one piece and fits on the front of an A2 (4.25 x 5.5”) card front. To me it would be perfect for a shaker card but I had all these flowers in my stash just waiting for a purpose 

I cut the die once from 110 lb cardstock, once from fun foam. I buy the sheets from Michaels, it costs around $1 for a large sheet. You could also cut the die several times and glue them together to get dimension. 

 The flowers are cut and inked from Tim Holtz’s Tattered Florals. Yes, it takes a bit of time but they’re fun to make…to me. You can also use ready made flowers. I have a bunch from probable 10+ years ago, they came in a bottle from Archivers. Oh, please don't tell me how many years ago that was!

The green background is Distress Inks (Mowed Lawn and Twisted Citron) dipped and splattered. 

That's it, the products I used are linked below. Using my links is a huge thank you to me. I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you from any purchases made. It also lets stores know and me, that my content is helpful. Thanks so much.

You can also click on the store link, it will take you to the coupon page at Scrapbookcom, there's often discounts and freebies, be sure to check it out.

Click the photo for more information

Click the photo for more information

Spotlight Card Using Solar Paste and a 3D Embossing Folder

 

Have you ever made a spotlight card? It's where you highlight a portion of a card either by only coloring the spotlight portion or popping up the spotlight portion to make that section stand out.

Here I do both. I used black 110 lb cardstock cut to 6"x 6" (the size of the embossing folder}. Although I cut the panel down to fit an A2 size card (4.25" x 5.5"), It's easier to place the cut to fit panel into the folder rather than trying to line up a smaller panel later on the folder.

Cut the square out of the 6" x 6" panel BEFORE embossing because I want to emboss the image into the already pasted panel, more dramatic.

Here I placed the paper on the embossing folder and placed the square on top. Close the embossing folder and arrange the square die so that it will be over the portion you want highlighted, the spotlight. Tape the die in place with low tack mint tape, and run it through the Big Shot.

Here is a video tutorial explaining all the details:

After the square is cut out, use Simon Hurley/Ranger Solar Pastes to cover the small square and frame using a foam blending tool.

After it dries, place the diecut square, frame and original black panel into the embossing folder, carefully putting it back into place, using mint tape to hold it together. 

Rub black Archival Ink over the top of the folder, over the raised center. This ink will be pushed into the Solar Paste and make the image stand out.

The black panel will have a small amount of 3D embossing on it, but not colored. I took an embossing pen to put embossing ink on the raised areas, sprinkled it with clear embossing powder and heated it. Shiny black! 

I diecut 2 more squares from black cardstock and glued them to the Solar Pasted center. This will pop it up a bit, no foam tape needed! Adhere the entire panel on an A2 card. 

The 3rd card is a regular card, no spotlight. I cut cardstock to !=A2 size, put Solar Paste over the entire panel, let it dry. I rubbed the black Archival Ink over the embossing folder and ran it through the Big Shot. I then mounted it on an A2 card.

SUPPLIES ARE LINKED TO STORES BELOW (Affiliate Links at NO additional cost to you). Using these links let me know you find these tutorials helpful: Simon Hurley/Ranger Solar Pastes ---- https://shrsl.com/4934k [Scrapbookcom] ---- https://shrsl.com/49tqf [Spellbinders] Altenew Whimsy Mofif Embossing Folder ---- https://shrsl.com/4e749 [Scrapbookcom] Sizzix #662602 Square Frame DISCONTINUED You can use any square frame 3.5", the inner square is 3". Or you can use square nesting dies, place the smaller 3" square inside the 3.5" square, and diecut these together, you will have a square and a frame. ---- http://shrsl.com/4e74p [Scrapbookcom nesting dies] Mint Tape ---- http://shrsl.com/4e74v [Scrapbookcom] Palette Knife ---- http://shrsl.com/4e74y Embossing Pen (mine is Versamark but below is a Ranger pen) ---- http://shrsl.com/4e74z [Scrapbookcom] Clear Embossing Powder ---- http://shrsl.com/4e750 [Scrapbookcom] Scrapbookcom Artis Glue ---- http://shrsl.com/4c7h9 [Scrapbookcom] Ranger Ink Blending Foam ---- https://shrsl.com/49tqs [Scrapbookcom] Scrapbookcom Blending Tool ---- https://shrsl.com/4934q [Scrapbookcom] Ranger Archival Ink ---- https://shrsl.com/4934z [Scrapbookcom] Thank you for your support!

Always be sure to check out the 'Coupons' section on Scrapbookcom, there's often FREE gifts or discounts! Click the image below to take you to their coupon section!

Embossing Folders and Ink Blending on a Gel Plate

I love an ink blended panel but it takes a while to ink up and get a good blend on a piece of cardstock. So here's a shortcut using a Gel Plate.

You can buy this at Blick Art Supplies or Michaels. I use a brayer and Distress Oxide Inks. I pull the ink pad onto the gel plate in 3 Distress Oxide colors, use a brayer to blend the inks where they meet. Then I press an embossing folder onto the gel plate. This pulls the ink onto the folder. I then put a piece of cardstock into the folder (NO misting with water or you'll get water spots on your paper). I put it through my Sizzix Big Shot and the background is inked while the raised parts stay white! You can also pull the image off the gel plate. It's best to watch the video here:

I use warm colors here, but you can use any colors you like, it's best to use colors that will blend well where they meet and not make brown. Unless you like that.  Pretty easy today! 

A note about my paper, I use 65lb cardstock with the Gel plate and embossing folder. If you're just going to lift a print from the gel plate, even copy paper will do. I don't like a paper too heavy only because it's a bit harder to emboss without misting with water. For this technique I don't mist the paper.

SUPPLIES ARE LINKED TO STORES BELOW (Affiliate Links at NO additional cost to you). I receive a small commission for any purchases you make using these links. It also lets these companies know (and me) you find this content useful!

I purchased all products used for this video. Distress Oxide Inks: Fossilized Amber, Ripe Persimmon, Picked Raspberry ---- http://shrsl.com/4br24 [Scrapbookcom] ---- http://shrsl.com/4br29 [Spellbinders] (Limited Colors) Speedball Brayer ---- http://shrsl.com/4dx1z [Scrapbookcom] Ranger Distress Brayer ---- http://shrsl.com/4dx22 {Scrapbookcom] Gelli Arts Gel Printing Plate (no link, I purchased mine at Michaels) Altenew Whimsical Bouquet Embossing Folder ---- http://shrsl.com/4dx2j [Scrapbookcom] Spellbinders Beautiful Butterflies 3D embossing folder ---- http://shrsl.com/4dx28 {Spellbinders] ---- https://shrsl.com/4dx2e [Scrapbookcom]

QR code for 12x12 Cardstock Shop

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I can also be found on Instagram @Susanbcards

and YouTube @Susanbcards

 

Simon Hurley "Beautiful Blooms" Stamp and Die Bundle

These Simon Hurley Beautiful Blooms are reminiscent of antique botanical prints. Each one is lovely on it's own but I chose to stamp them all on one card. Spellbinders has the stamp and die bundle available HERE, so you can cut each flower and insect out in one swoop. I only cut out the 2 insects on the sentiment.

Speaking of the sentiments, there are some very nice ones here, "Like flowers, friendships bloom and grow more beautiful with time."

I originally was going to leave it uncolored except for the 2 insects by the sentiment but it looked too plain to me. So I went back with colored pencils and lightly colored the florals in, wanting it to look vintage.

The sentiment is diecut using 2  rectangular dies from Stampendous' "Fran's Frames". The insects are diecut, colored and then I applied Glossy Accents to them and popped them up with small foam dots. 

I cut some black fun foam and attached it to the rectangle for more dimension, added a piece of black ribbon from my stash and it's done!

There are other stamps and dies in Simon Hurley's release, you can chcek them out at the Spellbinders website, here is a clickable link. If you use my link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you, it helps me continue providing tutorials and samples. Thank you!

Also available at Scrapbookcom click here:

Thank you for looking! I post several times a week on Instagram @Susanbcards

 

My First Cards Using Spellbinders BetterPress!

I received a Spellbinders BetterPress for Christmas. It's very easy to use and the results are nice. Bonus, you can use your BetterPress plates in your Spellbinders Glimmer machine! BUT you CAN'T use your Glimmer plates on your BetterPress. Spellbinders is pretty adamant about that. 

I'm not sure if it's my imagination, but I thought the BetterPress plate foiling came out better than the Glimmer plate foiling. I didn't have any over foiling. I also took the Pinkfresh solid foiling plate and foiled the negative space on another cardfront. It came out pretty nice.

BetterPress "Cosmos Backdrop" Archival Ink and Watercolor painted

BetterPress "Cosmos Backdrop" foiled with the Glimmer Machine. I used the stencils and Distress Oxide inks.

BetterPress "Cosmos Backdrop" taking the negative space leftover and using it on a card. I colored in the lines with Copic markers. The areas I colored in had no foil, just the bare cardstock. I left the plate on double the usual time to get the full plate very hot, hoping the foil would transfer well. It worked perfectly. I used 2 pieces of copy paper as a shim.

Closeup of the stencil and Glimmered image. 

I'm usually not a fan of stencils, I like coloring my own images in but I have to admit this was so much faster. It's a 5 piece layering set of stencils, 2 for the petals,1 for the flower center, 2 for the leaves. I decided use some color variation within each layer. You can see that the part of the petal closest to the center is the darkest. I colored all the petals with Distress Oxide Spun Sugar, then used Festive Berries, lastly Candied Apple. I like how it gives the petal dimension. 

For the leaves, I used Twisted Citron and Mowed Lawn, randomly. The center of the flower is Ripe Persimmon and Dried Marigold.

I'm really pleased with how these cards came out, it's so good to be able to get 3 different looks from one BetterPress plate.

Listed below are the supplies I used with affiliate links. If you use a link to buy something, I receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Using these links also let these companies (and me) know you find these tutorials helpful.

Thank you for using these links and thanks for looking! I'm also on Instagram @Susanbcards where I post several times a week. I don't always film videos or write tutorials but I share lots of cards.

Supplies:

See the Spellbinders Pressed Posies Collection 

Cosmos Backdrop Press Plate [Spellbinder Store]

                        Cosmos Backdrop Press Plate  [Scrapbookcom]
 

Cosmos Backdrop Press Plate and Stencil Bundle [Spellbinders]
Cosmos Backdrop Press Plate and Stencil Bundle [Scrapbookcom]

Pinkfresh Solid Foil Plate for Glimmer Machine for reverse foiling  

Other Supplies Used:

Glimmer Gold Foil [Spellbinders]
Glimmer Gold Foil {Scrapbookcom]
Distress Oxide Inks [Spellbinders]
Distress Oxide Inks [Scrapbookcom]

BetterPress System [Spellbinders]

Betterpress System [Scrapbookcom]

Aged Sizzix/Tim Holtz Lovestruck

Tarnished Brass Distress Spray Stain and Distress Resist Spray together to make a grungy, aged background. Various colors of Distress Oxide and Distress Spray Stain mix together for a patina finish. 

I made a holiday card using the Tim Holtz Sizzix Sparkle embossing folder which to me looks like fancy garland paired with the Forest Shadows dieset (trees). Several people asked me how I created the look.

Back in 2020, Tim Holtz showed a technique called "eroded metallic". He painted several colors on paper, let it dry and then quickly painted on metallic paint on top of it, dripped puddles of water on the metallic paint, dried the paint just a bit, with the thinking that the puddles of water would keep that paint wet. Press a paper towel over it and soak up the water and then pull up some of the wet paint, exposing the original paint underneath. It's great looking, you should watch the video.

Back then there were supply shortages due to the pandemic and these Distress Paints were hard to find. Sooooo, I thought up this idea, not exactly the same result but something that still looked good to me.

In my version, I sprayed Tarnished Brass Spray Stain on Mixed Media Heavystock, let it dry. Then spray on Distress Resist Spray on the paper, in areas. Distress Resist coats the paper and works like clear embossing powder, creating a resist to ink. It traps the brass color wherever it is sprayed and dried. If you spray other Distress inks or Oxides over it, it will not be absorbed by the paper.

As Valentine's Day approaches, I decided to make a valentine, I've been married for nearly 30 years, so this card seems appropriate.

 

SUPPLIES ARE LINKED TO STORES BELOW (Affiliate Links at NO additional cost to you): Sizzix Tim Holtz Sparkle Embossing Folder ---- http://shrsl.com/4dkxs [Scrapbookcom] Sizzix Tim Holtz Lovestruck Dieset ---- http://shrsl.com/4dkxw [Scrapbookcom] Sizzix Tim Holtz Forest Shadow Dieset ---- http://shrsl.com/4dkzf [Scrapbookcom] Distress Resist Spray ---- http://shrsl.com/4dkyw [Scrapbookcom] Distress Spray Stain - Tarnished Brass, Unchartered Mariner, Faded Jeans, Walnut Stain ---- http://shrsl.com/4dky4 [Scrapbookcom] Distress Oxide Spray - Peeled Paint, Rustic Wilderness, Speckled Egg. ---- http://shrsl.com/4dkyb [Scrapbookcom] Distress Mixed Media Heavystock ---- http://shrsl.com/4dkye [Scrapbookcom] Distress Spray Bottle (water mister) ---- http://shrsl.com/4dkym [Scrapbookcom] Versamark ink pad ---- https://shrsl.com/4dkyz [Scrapbookcom] Brutus Monroe Gilded Embossing Powder ---- http://shrsl.com/4dkz3 [Scrapbookcom] ---- http://shrsl.com/4dkz6 [Brutus Monroe] Distress Embossing Dabber ---- http://shrsl.com/4dkz7 [Scrapbookcom] Archival Ink Ground Espresso mini kit not available at Scrapbookcom just full size pads ---- http://shrsl.com/4dkzb [Scrapbookcom] Distress Crayons - Walnut Stain, Rustic Wilderness, Tarnished Brass, Mermaid Lagoon These only come in sets but not with the colors I used. I would get Set #7 or #10 ---- http://shrsl.com/4dkzo [Scrapbookcom] Distress Collage Medium ---- http://shrsl.com/4dkzs [Scrapbookcom] Tim Holtz Idea-o-logy Clipping Stickers ---- http://shrsl.com/4dkzv [Scrapbookcom] Scrapbookcom Artis Glue ---- http://shrsl.com/4c7h9 [Scrapbookcom] Scrapbookcom Reverse Tweezers ---- http://shrsl.com/4c7hc [Scrapbookcom]

Watercolor Painting Spellbinders Fresh Picked Anemone Dieset

 

I received the Spellbinders Anemone dieset from the "Fresh Picked Collection". The flowers are abstract and bold. I thought they would look great in bright colors against a black background. 

I diecut the pieces from Distress Watercolor paper and used Altenew's Artist Watercolors to paint the pieces. 

I used the "Columns" embossing folder on black cardstock and the "Fresh Picked" sentiments are cut 3x from a piece of fushcia scrap paper, and once from a piece of white cardstock for a shadow.

Here is a video tutorial:

I think this is such a eye catching card! It would look equally as good cut from colored cardstock.

I also made 2 other cards (so far). My New Years resolution is to use products more than once and show versatility to my favorites. 

SUPPLIES ARE LINKED TO STORES BELOW (Affiliate Links at NO additional cost to you): Spellbinders Fresh Picked Anemone Dieset ---- http://shrsl.com/4dg98 [Spellbinders]

Spellbinders Fresh Picked Collection (Sentiments and Columns Embossing Folder) ---- http://shrsl.com/4dg9j [Spellbinders] Altenew Artists' Watercolors ---- https://shrsl.com/4axp6 [Scrapbookcom] ---- http://shrsl.com/4axp8 [Altenew] Altenew Watercolor Brush Set ---- https://shrsl.com/4b7j5 [Scrapbookcom] ---- http://shrsl.com/4b7j8 [Altenew] Distress Watercolor Paper ---- http://shrsl.com/4db2z [Scrapbookcom] Scrapbookcom Artis Glue ---- http://shrsl.com/4c7h9 [Scrapbookcom] Scrapbookcom Reverse Tweezers ---- http://shrsl.com/4c7hc [Scrapbookcom] Other supplies used, no links: Valbox A6 Envelopes [Amazon] Cardstock [Michaels] Tonic Scissors

Thank you to those who use my affiliate links. This lets companies know (and me!) you find my tutorials helpful so I continue providing this content.

I can also be found on Instagram @Susanbcards and Facebook @Susan Bcards (2 words). I post several times a week there.

Thanks for looking and all your support!

Spellbinders Stitching Die of the Month Club

 

Supplies with Affiliate Links. If you use any of these links, I receive a small commission with no additional cost to you.

Spellbinders January 2024 Stitching Die of the Month (BEE) ---- http://shrsl.com/4db2v [Spellbinders] Spellbinders Club Overview ---- http://shrsl.com/4db2w [Spellbinders] Distress Paint (Colors used: Speckled Egg, Twisted Citron, Peacock Feathers, Salvaged Patina, Mowed Lawn, Lucky Clover ---- http://shrsl.com/4db2x [Scrapbookcom] Distress Watercolor Paper ---- http://shrsl.com/4db2z [Scrapbookcom] Distress Mixed Media Heavystock Paper ---- http://shrsl.com/4db30 [Scrapbookcom] DMC Thread ---- http://shrsl.com/4db33 [Spellbinders] DMC Tapestry Needles sz 22 ---- http://shrsl.com/4db34 [Spellbinders Spellbinders Watercolor Resist Paper ---- http://shrsl.com/4db35 [Spellbinders] ---- http://shrsl.com/4db37 [Scrapbookcom] Spellbinders Mailbox Parcel and Post Collection ---- http://shrsl.com/4db3a [Spellbinders] ---- http://shrsl.com/4db3c [Scrapbookcom] Spellbinders/Simon Hurley Everyday Sentiment Dies ---- http://shrsl.com/4db3i [Spellbinders] ---- http://shrsl.com/4db3f [Scrapbookcom] Your Paper Insider Box 3 ---- http://shrsl.com/4db3w [Your Paper Insider] Spellbinders Small Die (Just Because Die) ---- http://shrsl.com/4db3l [Spellbinders] Scrapbookcom Artis Glue ---- http://shrsl.com/4c7h9 [Scrapbookcom]

Scrapbookcom Reverse Tweezers ---- http://shrsl.com/4c7hc [Scrapbookcom]

Even More Stitching!

I’m not good at stitching but you don’t have to be to make these cards! They also look great with NO stitching. I used simple straight stitch on the wings, the dies emboss lines so you can see where to stitch but this is only a suggestion. I watched Yana’s Smakula’s

NO STITCHING!

video for stitching ideas.  

The white and black papers are 110 lb cardstock but the yellow is 65 lb both were no problem, but you could always double up the paper by gluing 2 pieces together. My thread is 6 ply embroidery thread that I separated into 3 ply and I used a tapestry needle (you can use any sewing needle). A tapestry needle has a big eye, which is much easier to thread. 

Here is how I stitched the rosette:

Stitch the 7 petals. Bring the needle/thread up through the center. Put the needle under the first petal and bring the thread through, don't pull the stitch too tight.

Skip the next petal and put the needle/thread under the following stitch, letting the thread go over the one you skipped. Weaving the thread under and over the stitched petals but in a circular fashion. this will form a rosette and cover the holes, repeating this all the way around, you can stop whenever you want. 

This is my end result, pull the needle/thread down through one of the petal holes and knot in the back.

All the stitches are shown in my video and how I made the background.

YouTube Video here!

The last 2 cards use no stitching on the dies. The first card uses glitter paper in cold and black, the wings are made from paper from Your Paper Insider, linked in "Supplies" below.

This card has no stitching. I used small flower and leaf dies to cover the stitchng holes. I love the way this looks! I used small dies from another Spellbinders set but many small dies would fit here. The wings are cut from some patterned vellum. I had this is my stash and it's OLD. I covered the wings with the floral dies from this set. I think it looks great. The background paper is from Spellbinders, it's a preprinted watercolor resist. I just blended some Distress Oxide inks on top and the white leaves resist the ink. I used Mowed Lawn and Twisted Citron inks.