Elizabeth Craft Designs Splendid Season Release!

Hello, friends! My lovely friend Annette Green (Annette's Creative Journey) has created another new release for Elizabeth Craft Designs, called Splendid Season from the Everyday Elements line of stamps and dies! (Find the new release at your favorite scrapbooking shop, or wait a few weeks and the product will be available in the ECD shop!)

Annette showed everything on Facebook Live on the ECD page (or see it HERE on their YouTube Channel) on August 21st. The ECD Team will be sharing their projects now that the release has been revealed! I will be sharing a few projects over the next few months.

The release contains three stamp sets and six die sets. Everything is coordinated to work together, plus the full release can work with any of the other ECD dies and stamps, too!

Full disclosure here...I am leaving next week for a 16-day vacation so I am only sharing some Christmas planner pages today. I will be working with the rest of the collection after I get back, and at that time I will be sharing some fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving projects.

I often create a December Daily or a Christmas mini album, and this year I decided I would create it as a planner album, combining the ECD Planner Essentials products with Annette's two releases. 

Note: The planner I am using is NOT an Elizabeth Craft Designs product. I only have the regular size planner from ECD, but I wanted to make my Christmas mini using the Sidekick size. I fortunately had a cheap knockoff in my craft hoard, and the rings are in the exact same spot as the Sidekick page dies! 

I recently purchased the Graphic 45 Letters to Santa Collection, which I paired with the G45 St. Nicholas collection for my pages. I think I will use these two collections, plus a few other things for the entire planner mini. 

I also recently purchased the ECD Sidekick Essentials 25 - December Day by Day die set, which was used in Annette's December workshop last year. Everything in the NEW release coordinates perfectly with the older product! 

I used the page die from the December Day by Day for all my page bases. For the cover page, I also used the page inset die to cut the Santa paper for my main page. I also added the Reinforcement Variety Pack to die cut the hole reinforcements.

For the page title, I first stamped then die cut the labels from Soft Finish Cardstock, using the Layered Labels Stamps and the Layered Labels Dies. I then die cut the letters for "MERRY" from red cardstock using the die from the Joy and Merry stamp set. I arranged the letters onto the labels. Next I stamped the "Merry Christmas" sentiment from the All Occasion Sentiments stamp set onto a scrap of white cardstock with red ink. I trimmed the sentiment to just have the "Christmas" part, which I matted with red cardstock.

To frame my Santa journaling card, I cut a mat using the Postage Stamp die set. The numbers are from the Sidekick Essentials 25 - December Day by Day die set. I created the holly element by die cutting the holly leaves and branches from the Joy and Merry die set out of printed and solid papers and layering them. I created "branches" by die cutting one of the divider elements from the Layered Labels die set out of gold cardstock, then trimming it in half. I also added the snowflake element and a red circle that was left over after die cutting the main page. (Waste not!) 

I love getting my Christmas on! Especially when the temperatures are in the low 100's! I am super excited to keep working on this mini as we lead up to the Christmas season. I have created the cover page, then pages one, two, and three so far!

I again used the page die from the Sidekick Essentials 25 - December Day by Day for my page base. I didn't care for the reverse of the cover page, so I die cut the page again and glued them together, wrong sides facing. Plus I used the circle die from the Reinforcement Variety Pack to die cut the hole reinforcements. 

The Postage Stamp die set makes a wonderful photo mat cut from gold cardstock. The Layered Labels Stamps and the Layered Labels Dies make the perfect journaling spot.

The number "1" for page 1 of the December Daily is cut using the number dies in the Sidekick Essentials 25 - December Day by Day die set. This die set is really a MUST companion to the new Christmas sets in the new Splendid Season release!

Tip: I die cut several of each number and stack them together to give them more dimension on the page.

To create the greenery I used the large fern die from the Mushrooms and Ferns die set. The fern can be cut apart and layered to look just like pine branches!  I created "branches" buy die cutting the divider element from the Layered Labels die set and one of the flourishes from the Fancy Flourishes die set out of gold cardstock.

I added the "Joy" die cut from the Joy and Merry die set, which I cut from red cardstock. I added some of the berries and also some leftover gold circles. 

Note: I always save the little "cast offs" from when I die cut things. I place them in a small container on my desktop - thinks like the hole centers. That way I can scrounge around in there for odds and ends while I am working.

For page 2, I once again cut a base page from the printed paper. I also used the Slimline Adventure Edges to die cut a snow bank from Soft Finish Cardstock. I used the Festive Season stamp set to stamp the music notes in red ink along the bottom of my snow. I then die cut the deer from gold cardstock using the Joy and Merry die set.

Once again, the  Postage Stamp die set makes for a great photo mat and a spot for my page number. I also stamped the postage cancelation in red ink onto the photo mat. The Festive Season stamp set has so many lovely stamps for the season! I also die cut a music note from red cardstock to add to the top edge of the photo mat.

For the page title, I wanted to make sure to add some gold, so I die cut the words from gold cardstock using "Christmas" from the Joy and Merry die set and "wishes" from the Everyday Words 2 die set. I love that Annette has made these sets useful in so many ways! 

I die cut the words several times and glued them together to make them pop up off the page a little. (I confess, cut those words from a number of colors and I am still not 100% happy with how the gold looks. But...at some point you have to stop fussing!)

For page 3, I once again cut a base page from the printed paper and glued it to the back of page 2. I know some folks worry about their planner getting too thick, but I don't mind that. I will probably bind it somehow in the end rather than keeping it in the planner.

I used tiny gold hole reinforcers cut with the Reinforcement Variety Pack. I was trying to create a sort of polaroid photo looking photo mat, but think I was less than successful. But I like how the "Merry" inset looks, and I like the Layered Labels journaling spot! Keeping my papers to the red, gold, ivory, green palette will help this mini to look cohesive.

I hope you check out Elizabeth Craft Designs' and Annette's socials to see more of this collection! You will not believe what the ECD team and Annette herself has done with these amazing stamps and dies! (Annette's YouTube is HERE.)

Note: All the product links today are for Everything Mixed Media online store, which has a physical location in Florida. I have never shopped with them, so you are on your own there. Feel free to source product at your favorite stores. There are sure to be lots of stores carrying (or going to be carrying) these products. Shop where you like to shop for Elizabeth Craft Designs products the most! 

Elizabeth Craft Designs Products
Splendid Season Release

Festive Season Stamps

Joy and Merry Dies

Layered Labels Dies

Layered Labels Stamps

Mushrooms and Ferns Dies

Everyday Words 2 Stamps

All Occasion Sentiments Stamps

Everything's Blooming Release

Postage Stamps

Fancy Flourishes

Planner Essentials

Reinforcement Variety Pack

Sidekick Essentials 25 - December Day by Day

Joset Van De Burgt

Slimline Adventure Edges

Other
Clear Double Sided Adhesive (1/4")

Soft Finish Cardstock

Other Products
Cardstock: ColorMates Natural; Elan Metallics Cover Antique Gold
Printed paper: Graphic 45 St. Nicholas, Letters to Santa
Patterns and Solids: Graphic 45 St. Nicholas
Ink: Ranger Distress Old Paper, Close to My Heart Cranberry
Tools: trimmer, Big Shot Plus, MISTI
Adhesive: ATG, foam squares, Art Glitter Glue, foam tape

A+ Student

Hello, everyone! I am sharing a Really Reasonable Ribbon post today. Some of you have already sent your kids off to school by now. I know that most schools in my area have already started back as well. My future daughter-in-law and her younger sister, as well as my nephew have already started their college classes, too! I don't have little ones in school any more, but from time to time I do need a school-themed card for a special "youngling" in my life, so I made on to share with you today.

This is a simple card, which makes it easy if you have to make a whole stack of them. The card base is 4 1/2" x 6" which is my new go to size. Envelopes size A6 (4 3/4" x 6 1/2") are a pretty good fit. This card can also be resized to A2 very easily. 

I used the adorable school papers from Authentique (Scholastic and Studious). I cannot fuss enough about how sad I am that they have stopped making paper! I am so thankful that they were so generous with the team, which allowed me to amass a nice hoard! 

I used two prints and then a cut-apart card for the focal image. I used foam tape to pop the image off the card front. The Studious collection also came with stickers, so I used a few of those, too.

I did a very simple ribbon treatment for this card, which keeps it from being too fussy, and also keeps it pretty flat for mailing. I wrapped a length of the 5/8" Smoke Blue Taffeta ribbon around the card where the two printed papers join. Then I tied a small double bow with another piece of the ribbon and hot glued it in place. This ribbon photographs much brighter than it is in person. I really is a soft, smoky blue in person. 

I added a few navy blue enamel dots to the bottom left edge of the card for some extra shine. This simple design can be used for any theme or card size. 

I am hoping to use up a lot of my 6x6 pads this winter making a lot of simple cards like this one. I have an idea in mind for them...praying it will come to fruition! 

As always, I lined the inside of the card with white cardstock to give a place to stamp or write a message. A gift card holder could also be added to the inside. 

Thanks for joining me today! I am taking next month off, but I will be back in time for the Ribbon Hop on October 13th.

Really Reasonable Ribbon Supplies Used:

5/8" Smoke Blue Taffeta ribbon

1/2" and 1/4" Scor-tape

1/4" ATG tape

Bow-It-All Tool

Other Supplies Used: 

Cardstock: ColorMates Smooth Flag Blue, Neenah White

Printed paper: Authentique Scholastic, Studious

Stickers: Authentique Studious

Enamel dots: Eyelet Outlet

Tools: corner rounder

Adhesive: hot glue, foam tape, foam squares, 

August Stitching Saturday

Good morning, stitching and crafting peeps. Today's post is a re-share of this adorable August-themed stitching project I finished in the spring. 

I love this series of cottage samplers from Country Cottage Needleworks! So far I have stitched June-October and have November ready to stitch! I plan to stitch all 12 samplers hopefully finishing around the end of February. I am not a "monogamous" stitcher, so it will depend on how many other projects I am working on! These stitch up pretty fast at any rate!

For all the information on this project, including the papers and finishings I used, click HERE for the original post. I am going to be sharing each project closer to the month it pertains to from here on out. That way, for those of you who wish to start these for next season will have plenty of time to get started!

Here is a peek at the back of the easel. I am loving using up some of my scrapbook paper hoard on these finishes. I am guaranteed to have just the correct color and print for anything I stitch! Plus, my vast hoard of ribbon comes in handy, too! 

Thanks for stopping by today for this "repeat" project. I have something very fun to share next week for the 25th of the Month Christmas project! Come on back to see!

Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop - August 2023

   

Welcome to the Really Reasonable Ribbon July Blog Hop! We have a THEME HOP this month...each of the design team ladies is going to be creating a project using AUTUMN colors and themes! 

You should be coming to my blog from Ginny's Blog. After visiting me hop on to Kathy's Blog next! (The full blog list is at the end of the post.)

At the end of the hop, comment on the RRR Blog post, answering the question listed, for a chance to win a $10 Gift Card to the RRR Shop, plus one digital stamp set of your choice from Bonnie Garby Designs. The Design Team appreciates your comments, too!

A few years ago I started to make 6" x 6" chipboard covered panels to use as home décor. I realized that I do not have a fall themed panel! I have Halloween, Thanksgiving, and School themed panels, but nothing for fall! Well, that oversight has been remedied! 

I used a 6" x 6" piece of chipboard, covered with the BEAUTIFUL Graphic 45 Hello Pumpkin papers for my base panel. I am in total love with this new G45 collection! I recently purchased five collections, and my favorite is this new autumn themed paper pack! I have been wanting G45 to come out with a fall (not Halloween) collection for such a long time! Happy happy!

Note: I know that I said I was trying to use up my hoarded paper...but did you think I was NEVER going to buy any new paper??!!? As if! {giggle}

i created borders for the plaid paper using the Elizabeth Craft Designs Lace Borders die cut set. I next fussy cut the "Hello Pumpkin" image from the paper and attached it to the panel with foam tape. I also fussy cut the word strip and added it to the bottom of the main image. 

For my ribbon and flower element, I started with a large bow made from 5/8" Brown Shimmer Satin ribbon. Next I created two bows from 5/8" Seam Binding, one from Rose, and one from Melon. Perfect color match! 

Note: Sometimes the seam binding has the same color name, but the color is a bit different. I have two labeled "melon" and they are very different colors!

I then used hot glue to attach some flowers. I used Mixed Earth Tone Chrysanthemums for the main flower. I wanted i to look similar to the sunflowers in the paper collection, so I used a E49 Copic marker to color the flower center to make it a dark brown. I also used Mixed Green Tone Rosebuds, various sizes of Open Roses in vintage and two-tone colors, and a few peach roses from the Mixed Pastel Cottage Roses package.

I will use a little easel to stand this panel up on my table or shelf. The colors are so pretty and I love how it turned out! I am excited to decorate for fall, but it will have to wait until I return from my cruse in mid-September! I normally put up my fall stuff around the first day of Autumn, which is September 23rd, plenty of time for me to get back from the trip and reacclimate! {smile}

Thanks for joining me today! Have fun hopping! 

Here is the RRR Blog Hop Order in case you get lost!
Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings
Ginny
Gloria - YOU ARE HERE!
Kathy
Cheryl
Bonnie
Karen
Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings

Really Reasonable Ribbon Supplies Used:

Trims:  5/8" Brown Shimmer Satin, 5/8" Seam Binding

Flowers: Mixed Earth Tone Chrysanthemums, Mixed Green Tone Rosebuds, Open Roses, Mixed Pastel Cottage Roses

Adhesive: 1/4" ATG tape, 1/4" Scor-tape

Bow making tools: Zutter Bow-it-All

Other Supplies Used:

Cardstock: ColorMates Smooth Natural

Paper: Graphic 45 Hello Pumpkin

Border die: Elizabeth Craft Designs Lace Borders

Ink: Copie E49

Chipboard: Grafix

Adhesive: Art Glitter Dries Clear Glue, hot glue, foam tape

Other tools: paper trimmer, scissors

Love and Strength - Graciellie Design

Hello, Friends! This is my last post as a July Guest Designer for Graciellie Design! It has been fun to play with digital images and all my coloring toys this month! I tired to do a different technique for each card (see all the cards at the end of this post).

For today, I used Distress Oxide inks to create a fast and easy card with a lot of pizzazz!

I was talking to my daughter about art stuff the other day and she mentioned a technique that she had done with watercolor paints and canvas. A lightbulb went off in my head because it is similar to a technique we card makers have used for years using Distress Inks. Then I remembered that I had used a similar technique using Distress Oxides in a class last fall. Well....all that "ah-ha" remembering came together in this card!

I started by creating a custom stamp using several digital stamps from the Vintage Peonies Release. One of the things I love about digital stamps is that you can combine them to create unique images in a few easy clicks of your mouse! 

I first used the "fulfilled life" library card from the Vintage Library Cards Digital Stamp Set as my bottom layer. (I use Photoshop Elements 19 for quick projects.) Next I added the large flower stamp from the Vintage Peonies 1 Mega Digital Stamp Set, enlarging it to allow the image to bleed off the edge of the library card. Lastly, I placed the "love and strength" sentiment from the same stamp set at the top of the library card image.

Because these images are created in such a way that they can be layered and manipulated, you get so much bang for your buck! When purchasing digital stamps, making sure they are in PNG format, with transparent backgrounds means you can do a lot more with them! 

I printed the image onto ColorMates Smooth Natural  cardstock, which is a soft, vintage white. Using my craft mat, I smooched four colors of Distress Oxide onto the mat, then sprayed them with a little water to allow them to run together (Carved Pumpkins, Wild Honey, Abandoned Coral, Squeezed Lemonade). I simply placed the printed image face down in the ink and swirled it around. I kept going, adding ink and water until I was satisfied with the look. 

I placed the wet image between clean sheets of printer paper under some heavy books to dry. I wanted to make sure it dried flat. I allowed the image to dry overnight. This simple technique can take longer simply because you need to allow things to dry. I find drying naturally gives me better results than drying with my heat tool.

I used a stitched die to cut out the image, then matted it with a scrap of old gold metallic paper before attaching the panels to a black card base. The finished card is 4 3/4" x 6" which is one of my favorite sizes!

I added some glitter enamel dots here and there to finish off the card. I also lined the card with more of the natural cardstock to give a place to write or stamp a message.

I hope that you will check out the Graciellie Design shop and blog to see more amazing products! There are both digital and rubber stamps, and loads of inspiration on the socials! 

Here is a look back at the other cards I made with this collection:

Technique: Colored with Prismacolor Premiere colored pencils. Vintage collage style. Details HERE. 

Technique: Colored with Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens with a Distress Oxide background. Fussy cut and stacked main image. Details HERE. 

Technique: Monochromatic color scheme using Prismacolor Premiere colored pencils. Digital stamp background on karft cardstock. Details HERE.

Technique: Distress Oxide ink smooching. Details above.

Thanks for joining me today!

Graciellie Design Products

Vintage Library Cards Digital Stamp Set

Vintage Peonies 1 Mega Digital Stamp Set

Other Products

Cardstock: ColorMates Smooth Black, Natural; Old Gold Metallic unknown

Ink: Ranger Distress Oxide Carved Pumpkins, Wild Honey, Abandoned Coral, Squeezed Lemonade

Enamel dots: Echo Park Let's Be Mermaids glitter dots, Doodlebug Design Lily White glitter sprinkles

Dies: Elizabeth Craft Design Stitched Rectangles

Tools: water spray bottle, craft mat, trimmer, score board

Adhesive: ATG tape, fScor-tape

Christmas in July

Hello! I had a big post that I wanted to share with you today, but life happened and I must put off the project until closer to Christmas! The project has been finished for a while, but I need to edit a mountain of photos and record a video. Plus it's summer time which means it is too hot to spend all day in the craft room! 

There is also a lot going on around here, with the HUGE news that my youngest son is engaged to be married with an October 2023 wedding planned! Plus, my daughter and I are going on a two-week cruise in September, just the two of us, which means there is a lot to accomplish before we go. Therefore, it is a smaller post today, which is sad, but small is better than nothing, right?!

Many of you know that I designed some physical stamps for a few companies a number of years ago. I stopped doing it because my return on investment was really small. I loved creating the designs, but the time I invested did not pay off very well. I do still get some royalties, in the form of a few dollars a quarter. {smile} 

I designed a few wood mount Christmas stamps for Hampton Art, which were placed in some of the big box stores (A. C. Moore used to carry them), and then they made their way to some of the online discount stores. I don't think you can find them these days, but if you were lucky enough to snag one, good on you!

I still have a lot of digital art that either was not accepted for one reason or another, or that I never submitted. I had planned to open an Etsy shop for digital images, but honestly, once again the work required was just more than I have been willing to put into it! 

As my Christmas in July gift to you, here are THREE Gloria Stengel Designs originals for you to use! Just right click on the image and copy or save for use in your favorite word processing program or photo editing software! (If the images appear blurry once you print them, you may have to resize them to be smaller for printing.)

I just did copy/paste into Microsoft word, sized the images, and printed onto cardstock. Easy peasy! 

If you use one of my stamps, either a physical stamp or one of my various free digital stamps, please share your project on social media and tag me! I would love to see!

I hope you are able to enjoy a bit of Christmas project-making as you escape the summer heat! If you are south of the equator, you are having winter now, so...enjoy! {grin}