Thank you, BIrch Press

Our Sponsor for November is Birch Press Design.

You could win a $20 gift card to spend at Birch Press Design and there is still time to enter the Challenge at Die Cut Divas.

Any Holiday of the Year!  
You have until 9:00 p.m. Pacific time.

  The challenge for this month is
Any Holiday of the Year! 

You only have until 9:p.m. Pacific time tonight to enter. 

I've used this beautiful die before and thought I'd change it up a bit.  I chose cream and a kind of mustard color which worked together better than I could have imagined.   I put my flower on all kinds of papers that I have and found one 12" X 12" piece that seemed just made for this color combo.  Combining the other two Birch Press dies with the poinsettia was a no brainer.  I can't believe how much I like this.
  
There is a new poinsettia that is made similarly to this one.  I believe it has a couple more leaf dies and a center for the flowers. 

The new Classic Poinsettia Contour Layers has the same wonderful leaves to layer together as this flower here.  I do, so, love this - my favorite poinsettia.  If I didn't already have this die, I'd buy the Classic Poinsettia.

Supplies:
Birch Press  Holiday Hugs
Birch Press Linear Triangle
Birch Press Splendid Poinsettia Contour Layers - no longer available - however

Birch Press Classic Poinsettia Contour Layers is almost the same flower, but with a couple more leaves.

Copie marker VG03

Papers from my paper stash

Vagabond die cut machine

I'm entering the following challenges:

Merry Little Christmas Challenge (always Anything Christmas Goes)

The 12 months of Christmas challenge - "Anything goes" no/opt twist here

Love to Craft Challenge ‘ “Always Anything Goes” (3/8)

Mix It Up Challenge Blog Anything Goes” w opt twist (3/8) 
Polkadoodle's Craft Challenge "Anything Goes" (2/4)

Time for Craft Roulette

 I'm so glad I had time to play today with the Craft Roulette categories:
Project: Gate Fold Card - yes
Colors: Produce Aisle - green, red, orange purple, melon, yellow
Element: Fence - yes, a not intrusive tan fence below the flowers
Random: Crumple Paper - two panels w/distress & distress oxide inks

When I ordered some Birch Press dies, I also received some Memory Box dies (freebies) and this is the first time they've been out of the box, so to speak.  

I crumpled the paper and used part of it with the Wild Honey to dab onto a scrap piece of paper, then took an unused part and applied some Worn Lipstick oxides.  Using the same paper, I applied a little Wilted Violet Distress ink. I cut and glued the panels to the gates.  I die cut two pieces of the heart frame and glued them together for more strength.  I colored the frame, die cut and colored the flowers with Copic markers. I colored the berries with Nuvo Drops and had already applied the orange dots to the top of the panel.  They really didn't shine, so I added red drops on top.  I only glued the frame to the left panel.  I added a small flower to the inside with a nice sentiment.

Outside of card

Gate Card half open

Inside of Gate Card

Supplies:
Memory Box Happy Daisy Stem
Memory Box Lavonia Heart Frame
Elizabeth Craft Designs Adventure Edges 2
Poppy Stamps Diamond Sentiments
Copic markers
Waffle Flower Shader 1+ double ended brushes for dabbing oxide ink on the fence
Nuvo Crystal Drops - Gloss - Red Berry & Ripened Pumpkin
Distress Ink Antique Linen on fence, Wilted Violet on  crumpled paper
Distress Oxide Inks Wile Honey & Worn Lipstick on crumpled paper
Vagabond die cut machine

I'm entering the following challenges:

NBUS (Never-Before-Used-Schtuff)
Ally's Angels  "Anything Goes"  (1/8)
FarmQuestGeneralStoreChallenge  - fence & flowers always on a farm

Polkadoodle's Craft Challenge "Anything Goes" #47

Digi Choosday - "Anything Goes" (1/4)

Fab an Funky Dies and or punches

The Creative Crafters in November

 The Creative  Crafters starts a monthly challenge every 15th of the month and I've made a
Christmas card as inspiration for this month.  This challenge is always "Anything Goes".  

Be sure to join The Creative  Crafters challenge!

I've had this trio of dies for several years and I may never have actually put them all together because I can't find any record of them on my blog.  I decided to try them out.  I can see where any one of the panels could be nice to use.  I really wish I had tried them sooner.  There's no special place that you have to put the fruit. I have some on each panel.  

Supplies:
Birch Press Forest Canopy, Layers A, B & C - no longer on site
My Favorite Things Itty Bitty Holidays (sentiment) no longer on site
Copic markers
Vagabond die cut machine

I'm entering the following challenges:

Love to Craft Challenge ‘ “Always Anything Goes” (4/6) Mix It Up Challenge Blog Anything Goes” w opt twist (4/6) 

Merry Little Christmas Challenge (2/6)

The 12 months of Christmas challenge - "Anything goes" (2/10)

Gem of a Challenge - "Anything Goes"    
Creatalicious Challenge "Anything goes" w opt twist (no twist here)

Washi Tape - What?

 Lea Lawson taught us all about quick and easy Washi cards last week at the Fall Scrapbooking Fun Summit.  I was amazed at the ideas and uses she had for creating with Washi tape, the stuff that I haven't used in years and have about 15 - 20 rolls. 
Lea also made 2 other cards in different ways, but this is the method I used. 

I did not photograph making these cards so, no videos or even shots from the begging to end result.  I am just now thinking I should have. LOL
I usually make A2 cards, so that's how I started out.  When I die cut the panel, it seemed to seal the Washi tape and tighten up the outside edges, so I did not have to glue the Washi tape down.

1. Take a 11X8 1/2 inch sheet of cardstock and cut it into 4 quarters.
2.  Take one of the quarters for the base of your Washi tape panel.
3.  Find the Washi tape you want to use, 3 to 6 tapes that will look good together.
4.  Put them in order you want.
5.  Start in the middle, top left or bottom right to begin taping on the diagonal.
6.  Complete taping all of your selected Washi tape to the panel
7.  Die cut the panel (I used a rectangle die)
8.  Cut the panel on the diagonal at a breakpoint in your Washi about mid-point.
9.  You are ready with the basis of two panels to make two cards.

I used 5 different pieces of Wash tape and one piece of ribbon

Supplies:
Washi Tape - cheap stuff from a local store 5 to 10 years ago
Ribbon from stash - Birds are next to the ribbon & Snowman right under ribbon
Elizabeth Craft Dies (ECD) Stitched rectangles no longer available on site
Vagabond die cutting machine

Card #1:
Sunny Studio Tropical Birds stamps & matching dies

Card #2:
Local King Rubber Stamp Tanning Buddies mounted stamps & matching dies
I believe the "Noel" is an old die from ECD

I'm entering the following Challenges:
Creative Moments - "Anything Goes" (1/3) optional WINTER
Gem of a Challenge - "Anything Goes" 

Merry Little Christmas Challenge (always Anything Christmas Goes) 8

Peace on Earth Xmas "Always Christmas & Anything Goes"

The 12 months of Christmas challenge - "Anything goes" no opt twist Christmas Crafts All Year Long - Ugly Sweater theme
Stamping Sensations Challenge - Make it Magical
NBUS (Never-Before-Used-Schtuff)

Guest at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge

 Guest at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge beginning November 6th.

 There are so many marvelous images in the shop from angels to Steam Punk.
I'm using a sweet Sheep Ski image, Mika.  I'm not sure if I've done her justice, but I tried.  I used Copic markers Y04 on her gown and wings and lightly covered the wings with E11. I extended the yellow into the sky.  Yes, that was on purpose. 

Supplies:
Sheep Ski Mika
My Favorite Things Elegant Stitched STAX
Copic markers
Distress Inks Broken China & Ground Espresso

Vagabond die cut machine

I'm entering the following challenges:

Love to Craft Challenge ‘ “Always Anything Goes” (3/8) Mix It Up Challenge Blog Anything Goes” w opt twist (3/8) 

Gem of a Challenge - "Anything Goes"                

Polkadoodle's Craft Challenge "Anything Goes" Wk 43
Digi Choosday - "Anything Goes" (4/4) Wk43

A Call for Card Making, Maybe

  Time for completing your cards for any occasion, especially when they contain random elements and categories with diverse colors and elements.

I'm talking about Craft Roulette, of course.
Project: Interactive Card - (Pop up card)
Colors: Picnic - (Take a picnic basket to a picnic)
Element: Farm -  (Take a basket to collect eggs)
Random: Paper Strips - strips of paper with sentiments)

Supplies:
Poppy Stamps Woven Basket Pop Up Easel set
Birch Press Birch Press Contempo Greetings stamp & die set
Distress inks Forest Moss and Blueprint Sketch - not sure what I used on basket
Nuvo Crystal Drops - Gloss - Red Berry & Simply White
Vagabond die cut machine

I'm entering the following challenges:
Love to Craft Challenge ‘ “Always Anything Goes” (2/8) Mix It Up Challenge Blog Anything Goes” w opt twist (2/8) 
Polkadoodle's Craft Challenge "Anything Goes" Wk 43 -3
Digi Choosday - "Anything Goes" (2/4) Wk43
We Love 2 Create  mixed media  (4/4)

October Reveal for the Card Chain Challenge

 October's Reveal for Card Chain Challenge

Here are the choices we had for October.

I chose plaid as my option and used a new die set.  I thought the houses would work out with plaid and they did! I'll tell you a little secret as to why I purchased THREE sets of stamps and dies.  ONE, the main die set is really cute and TWO, the accessories to the main set drove me to buy them. (I LOVE those trees - yes, the Trees made me do it).  I have not used the "Winter Town Accessories Die" set yet, but I'm sure they will be used soon!

Straight on photo 

Photo showing the layers

Supplies:
Brass and Bliss Old Town Scape Die (actually a set of dies)

Brass and Bliss Spring Town Accessories Die

My Favorite Things Outside the Box Grassy Hills Die-namics
My Favorite Things Outside the Box Snowy Drifts Die-namics
My Favorite Things Outside the Box Level Up Die-namics
Papers in my stash

Vagabond die cut machine

I'm entering the following challenges:

Double Trouble   Different themes

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge "Anything Goes" (3) #583                         Gem of a Challenge - "Anything Goes" starts Saturday  (3)                  Creatalicious  "Anything Goes" 15th & last day of month

Love to Craft Challenge ‘ “Always Anything Goes”

Mix It Up Challenge Blog Anything Goes” w opt twist (1/8)

Polkadoodle's Craft Challenge "Anything Goes" Wk 43

Digi Choosday - "Anything Goes" (2/4) Wk43

We Love 2 Create  mixed media 

November with Morgan's Artworld

  "Anything Goes" November 1st to November 27th

You can use any image or project you have posted in November to enter Morgan's ArtWorld challenge. For purchasing Morgan's ArtWorld Images, please visit the website at:

Morgan's Fitzsimons Art Studio    

Join Morgan's ArtWorld Facebook 

I chose this cute little girl from Morgan to color.
I made a mistake on her pinafore and since it was a last touch on the card, I had to save it.  That sentiment was perfect and it even looks like it's meant to go there.  It might have gone there anyway, but the idea  was born to save the card.

Supplies:

Morgan Fitzsimons Missie May digital stamp
My Favorite Things Elegant Stitches STAX
Waffle Flower Hello Friend Combo sentiments
Distress Oxides broken china, candied apple, faded jeans & broken china
Copic markers
Vagabond die cut machine

I'm entering the following challenges:

Double Trouble   Anything goes for Thing 1

Gem of a Challenge - "Anything Goes" starts Saturday
Creatalicious  "Anything Goes" 15th & last day of month

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge "Anything Goes" (1/3) #582

Polkadoodle's Craft Challenge "Anything Goes" Wk 43

Digi Choosday - "Anything Goes" (1/4) Wk43

November and Birch Press

 Good Morning to You All and our sponsor for this month is
Birch Press!

Birch Press will give a prize of a $20 gift card,

The challenge for this month at Die Cut Divas is
Any Holiday of the Year!  

I love how glitter cardstock makes every Ornament card absolutely stunning, no matter the color.  This card die is one of the easiest to put together to make one of the most beautiful cards you can make. In RL, it is amazing.

No Sentiment, but looks fantastic without one. Usually I space the two (gold) layers closer together and it doesn't look like you need a sentiment or anything in between the space - seen here.

Same card with Sentiment - each letter is separately die-cut.
A sentiment of the same color glitter paper works out perfectly.

Top & Bottom panels on foam tape with Warm Wishes outline.
I never tried putting the two panels on foam tape before, but I do like the look.  You can fit the outline of the sentiment in perfectly.

Supplies:
Birch Press Christmas Ornament Pop Up Easel
Birch Press Warm Wishes Vintage Sentiment
Glitter Cardstock
Vagabond die cut machine

Now it's time for another card.  I picked these up in mid-August and found them so much fun to play with.  I got 3 sets of house dies and a Wavy Hillside die which is actually 3 die cuts so you can have an entirely different look.  I do like the way this came out.  

Supplies:
Birch Press Wavy Hillside
Birch Press Littletown Cabins
Birch Press Littletown Home
Birch Press Littletown Village

Birch Press Contempo Christmas Greetings clear stamp & die set (no longer avail.
Copics G40 on panels, G03 on panel between the hills, E11 & E15 on houses Y19 for windows, Y00 & Y 04 for the light yellow sky.
Waffle Flower double sided shader brushes

Distress inks broken china and blueprint sketch

Vagabond die cut machine

I'm entering the following challenges:
Creative Moments - "Anything Goes" 

Double Trouble   Different themes

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge "Anything Goes" (3)                             Gem of a Challenge - "Anything Goes" starts Saturday                        Creatalicious  "Anything Goes" 15th & last day of month

The 12 months of Christmas challenge - "Anything goes" w/o the opt twist