Pinkfresh Studio November 2021 Essentials Release

Hello Friends! I'm always super excited to ink up a gorgeous new floral set from Pinkfresh Studio, but no flowers this release ... just a crazy amount of essentials that you'll want to use on every single card you make!

You may have come from Keia's delightful blog, but if not feel free to join at the beginning with Pinkfresh Studio.

Essentials: Folk Edge Squares Die Set

My projects today feature mostly the Folk Edge Squares Die Set. This set comes with three sizes of folk edge squares, and three proportionally smaller sizes of straight edge squares (for cutting frames, or layering panels on top).

What's special about the fancy Folk Edge? Not only does it look adorable, but it has stitches and holes ... that you can USE! Let's take a look!

Wouldn't you know, the smallest Folk Edge square is the PERFECT size to fill a slimline card when you line three of them up? I was so excited to find that out.

This type of layout is perfect if you're a little intimidated about filling up the bigger slimline format. I just stamped/cut/colored the Lush Peonies Stamp Set, and used the proportionally smaller square die to cut three different sections from that one Lush Peonie. Then adhered each of the three peonie squares to a Folk Edge square. Super easy!

Let's take a moment to admire those edges!! Yes, yes, yes! They add so much to your project without being distracting in the least. Here's what I was getting at with using the holes in the Folk Edge ... I used some gold thread to "sew" each panel together. It's not functionally necessary, of course, since they're adhered to the card, but I love the look of something just a bit different.

You might have also noticed the Metallic Pearls Matte Gold that I added to the centers of some of the peonies. I'm definitely more of a matte vs. full-on shiny person, so these really speak to me. They come in silver and bronze as well. I can see turning to these often when I want to add something, but can't figure out what ROYGBIV color to use.

I initially made four of the small squares since I was able to get that many cuts from the peonies, but since I just used 3 squares on the previous card, I had one peonie square left over. It was too cute to leave in the leftovers bin though. Since I still had the sewing idea in my head, I decided to sew another square behind it ... 

... and turn it into the cutest mini card! Eeep! I chose a contrasting color for the inside square, and added two little hearts from the Essentials: Shaker Heart Die Set.

Of course I had to make tiny envelope for this cutie. Sometimes small can make a big impact.

There's a blanket stitch along the spine of the card with some thin ribbon. Between the ribbon, and the popped up peonies, and the popped up sentiment, AND the Folk Edge, this little number has a lot of things going for it!

 
If you know me, you know sometimes I just like to keep going with a concept : )

So the last project I sewed a bunch of squares together. These use papers and embellishments from the Holiday Magic line of products (6x6 paper pad, epoxy dots, and all manner of ephemera).

But why would I sew squares together like a tetris puzzle piece?!

 

To make a Christmas block, of course! I sewed the four sides together, and then a top and a bottom, all collapsible for mailing and storage.

Here's what the other side looks like.

On the lid I sewed a loose bead and button so there's something for you to grab onto when opening, and also to keep the paper down nice and straight (although with the super heavy quality of the Pinkfresh cardstock, you don't really have to worry about this).

The bits of ephemera are popped up on foam tape. 

So, now what do we do with this Cube of Christmas Cheer? Well, if you'd like to actually use it as a box for putting something special inside you can certainly sew the base all around to each edge. I'm keeping mine just sewn on one side so I can flatten it later, so my box will be more decorative than functional. Actually, I should have taken a photo of the box opened. Since these papers are double sided, it's neat to see the inside of the box as well!

I do have one  more project with the Essentials: Folk Edge Squares Die Set, so stop back tomorrow on my Instagram where we're doing one more hop with another set of inspo and prizes!

GIVEAWAYS:

We will be giving away the full release on the Pinkfresh blog & YouTube channel!! What a prize for someone, can you imagine?!!

-We will also be giving away a total of TEN $25  gift cards, so comment along the hop for more chances to win. The winners will be posted on November 30, 2021 on the GIVEAWAY PAGE, so check back and claim any prize within 2 weeks. GOOD LUCK!!

I'm now pleased to send you to none other than Laura Bassen for some pretty darn amazing inspiration!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Kelly

Supplies Used (Affiliate links, thanks so much for your support!)

Lush Peonies Stamp Set

 

Essentials: Folk Edge Squares Die Set

Essentials: Shaker Heart Die Set

Metallic Pearls Matte Gold

New Anita Jeram Christmas Release!

Hello Friends! Hard to believe it's time for another Anita Jeram Christmas release, seems like just a bit ago we were debuting last year's charming Christmas collection. This one, like last year's, has several adorable illustrations of woodland creatures caught spreading holiday joy. And many unique sentiments as well. 

You may have come from the blog of Amy Young where you were just wowed with her amazing creations, but if not feel free to start at the beginning with Colorado Craft Company.

The bunny from Hiding Presents thinks he's being clever hiding presents, but what happens when he forgets what he bought, or where he put it?! Well, thankfully, he's got a little mouse in the lower right to chat with and keeping an eye on things

I cut extra dies of the little mouse and adhered them together so I can solidly pop him up. This also helps draw attention to him, and to what he's saying.

Such a cute scene! In addition, I appreciate that these sets often have sentiments with coordinating dies. Does anyone else have anxiety about stamping a sentiment directly to the card base after it's all finished? This way you don't have to! I love diecutting the sentiment, and then moving it around until I figure out what looks best.

Santa Bunny is trying to quietly sneak around doing his thing, but wouldn't you know, one of the baby bunnies appears to have spotted him! Will he listen to Santa and keep quiet so he doesn't wake everyone else up?

If he wants to stay on the Nice List, yes, the baby bunny will definitely stay quiet! Like the little mouse from the last card, I popped Santa Bunny up on a few layers of cardstock to make it seem like he's in the foreground, and the baby bunnies are back a bit.

On this card I combined three of the sentiments from the set, but even still there are other sentiments included. I really like having lots to read on a card, and think it's nice to not always just say "Merry Christmsas."
 

Getting Ready is so adorable, the little bunny getting ready for Christmas by hanging his stocking outside. With the stocking being as big as he is, I bet he's expecting a lot of presents. Good thing he's "on the nice list!"

I went for texture and used white felt on the bottom for snow. To get the snow only below the die cut line, I die cut the actual felt, and then trimmed the bottom edges.

Another nice thing about the felt is that the thickness pops your die cut nice and high off the card base. I have foam tape to support the upper portion of the scene. Finally, I flicked some paint on the blended blue panel for a snowy day.

GIVEAWAY: 
I'm happy to announce I'm able to give away one Hanging Stockings Mini stamp set! Please head over to my Instagram account to enter. It's super easy, just comment on my post, and follow my account and Colorado Craft Company. The giveaway ends on the 23rd at midnight mountain time. Winners will be announced on the Colorado Craft Company blog on the 25th of November. Good Luck!

It's time to send you on your way to see my friend Caly Person, who has amazing things to share with you!

Thanks for stopping by!
- Kelly

Supplies Used (affiliate links, thanks for shopping!)

Getting Ready

Hiding Presents

Santa Bunny

Altenew Glint & Glimmer Hot Foil Plates, Embossing Folders and Stencils Collection Release Blog Ho+ Giveaway ($300 in total prizes)

Hello Friends! How exciting that Altenew is now offering Hot Foil?! And talk about starting with a bang, the Sentiment Banners Hot Foil could potentially be used on every card you make, and the Gilded Rose Hot Foil is giant at almost 5"x5"!

You may have come from the blog of Joy Baldwin, but if not feel free to start this new release hop at the beginning with the Altenew Blog.

Glint and Glimmer Release

Here's a look (or a recap if you're hopping along) of all the new items that have just been released. Let's take a look at some projects!

The Sparkle Bright Stamp Set has a great sized floral bunch that covers the front of a card nicely. For this card I used a holiday color scheme with deep reds, gray greens, and blush. Really loving this color combo right now!

I pulled out the Hello Winter stamp and die set from 2019 for the sentiment, and put the secondary sentiment on a red strip of cardstock to carry the bold color thru the card.

The flowers and leaves all come together so quickly since there are stamps that fill in the colors. Especially with the leaves, there are so many of them and it's a joy to see them all colored in seconds.

 
Here's another look with that same Sparkle Bright Stamp Set, this time using the coordinating die as well.

The look changes so much just with the different color choices. The background is the new Tree Bark Embossing Folder OMG, all that divine texture!!

It's so hard to keep your fingers off these hills and valleys! A good wood grain is such a useful thing to have in your stash. I inked up the folder (direct pad to folder) before embossing it to get the impressed color.

Finally, here's a third card with the Sparkle Bright Stamp Set. This time I've just stamped the floral bunch around the edges, and have only colored in one layer of the flower to keep it light and airy.

Let's have a moment for these new Hot Foil Sentiment Banners! Eeep! Love, love, love! Now we can have any secondary sentiment outlined in foil?! Yes!

I'd like to share a tip for stretching your supplies with these Sentiment Banners:

This is what you will get when you make the first impression, the banners on the left and the leftover piece of foil on the right. DO NOT THROW AWAY THE LEFTOVER FOIL! Turn your hot foil plate upside down, like I have on the bottom here, and use that to foil the leftover foil onto another piece of paper. Now you have TWO sets of sentiment banners!

The "regular" banners are on the left, and the banners made with the left over foil are on the right. Do you see a THIRD pile of banners on the bottom?! Those are made from cutting the edges left on the leftover die cut paper! I just sliced them off with my paper trimmer.

So there you have it ... THREE sets of foiled Sentiment Banners from one hot foil and die set!

Here's one of the sentiment banners in action. I was able to heat emboss right over it! The gorgeous flower is the Gilded Rose Layering Stencil Set.

The nice thing about these stencils is that you don't need a stamp to go with them, just get the stencils! Th e other great thing is the size ... these are almost 5"x5"!

I cut the flower down for this card, but it's great to have options. Cut it down, fill a portrait card, or even fill most of a landscape card! Here's a great look at the hot foil Sentiment Banners.

The Gilded Rose Hot Foil is a coordinating product to the layering stencils. If you want, you can actually hot foil the gilded rose! Love!

Check out the debossed hot foil! So much dimension! For even MORE dimension, I made two Gilded Roses and cut the middle out of the second rose to layer on top of the first rose. With layering stencils, the coloring goes so quickly, you can afford to spend a few minutes making another layer.

This rose was so pretty, and large, that I wanted to just have it be the card. So I cut around the edges and put an easel on the back so it can stand.

Really loving that second layer. And best of all, you don't need any additional supplies to make it!

Free Gift!

• Get a FREE brand new Glint & Glimmer Mini Inspiration Guide with every order from 11/16/2021 through 11/18/2021. Shop HERE!

• Get a FREE brand new Online Cardmaking Class with every order from the new Glint & Glimmer Hot Foil Plates, Embossing folder & Stencil Release Collection from 11/16/2021 through 11/22/2021. Shop HERE!

 

Giveaway Prizes

$300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 2 lucky winners and a $25 gift certificate to 8 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop by 11/23/2021 for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 10 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew Winners Page on 11/24/2021

I'm happy to send you to Eva Bussom who has some beautiful projects to share on the final stop on this hop!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Kelly

Supplies Used (affiliate links at no cost to you, thanks so much for your support!!)

Sparkle Bright Stamp Set

Sparkle Bright Die Set

Sparkle Bright Hot Foil

Gilded Rose Hot Foil

Sentiment Banners Hot Foil

Sentiment Banners Die Set

Sunburst Doily Hot Foil and Die Set

Tree Bark Embossing Folder

Gilded Rose Stencil Set