Die-Versions Valentine's Day Love Cards

Happy Monday!! I hope you had a wonderful weekend!! It's my turn to post on the Die-Versions blog and I'm so excited to share a couple of Valentine's Day cards with you today using dies from the newest Die-Versions release. This is an amazing release with all kinds of unique and beautiful dies!! If you use the code lisa15, you will receive a 15% discount on all regular-price purchases.

The focal point for my cards is the new Whispers Lovely Kids die. Aren't they the sweetest??!! I just love this die!! I cut them once in black and then again in sparkly black paper, popping up each layer for dimension. The papers are from Prima.

Tucked among the Wild Orchid Crafts flowers is the new Whispers Flourish die. This one is a favorite of mine.

The beautiful ribbon is from DL.ART. I added some cheesecloth as well.

A die from the new Whispers Tag Set was used for the sentiment. This set is another favorite of mine. The ten tags can be used for so many different uses. Love is from the Compliments Everyday set (not currently in stock). I cut it in three layers for dimension.

On the inside, I used an Express Edge XOXO Die.

Die-Versions Dies Used

Whispers Lovely Kids

Whispers Flourish

Whispers Tag Set

Compliments Everyday (not in stock)

Express Edge XOXO

I am entering these in the following challenges:

1) Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Something New (new dies)
2) Dies R Us Challenge - Anything Goes Using Dies
3) Jo's Scrap Shack Funday Friday - Anything Goes
4) Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
5) Little Scrap Pieces Show if Off Saturday - Anything Goes

To see all of the dies from the newest release, click HERE. Don't forget, use the code lisa15, for a 15% discount on all regular-price purchases. Thanks so much for stopping by!! Have a great day :)

Celebrate Love

Happy Monday!! I hope you had a wonderful week!! It's my turn to post on the Die-Versions blog and I have a couple of cards to share with you using several Die-Versions dies. If you use the code lisa15, you'll get 15% off your regular price Die-Versions order.

I actually made these cards months ago but haven't had a chance to post them yet. I know the papers are Prima but I'm not sure which stack I used.

I started by stitching the bottom layer to the heavyweight white cardstock. A Whispers Loopy Lace die (not currently in stock) was tucked under the first torn layer, along with flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts.

The doily is a Whispers Ring of Hearts die. The button on the ribbon is a Wee Petites Button die (not currently in stock). The sentiment is a Compliments Everyday Love die. I cut it twice for a shadow effect.

The butterfly is a Whispers Pretty Wings die it was cut three times for dimension. The sentiment is a Celebrate Sweet Wordlet die.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Have a great day :)

Congratulations, Grad

Happy Monday!! I hope you had a wonderful weekend!! It's my turn to post on the Die-Versions blog and I have a couple of graduation cards to share with you using several Die-Versions dies. If you use the code lisa15 you'll receive 15% off your regular price Die-Versions order.

These cards are very different from my usual style, but I wanted them to be both unisex and flat enough that they would mail easily. I really struggle not using flowers and ribbons and bling!! I did add a touch of sparkle to the cap and diploma from the new Whispers Graduation Set. They were both popped up with foam for dimension. The square is a Whispers Stitched Nested Square, also popped up with foam. 2016 is from the Downhill Font set. Congratulations is from the Compliments Everyday set. The scalloped border is a Whispers Lacey Dots die (not currently in stock).

On a different note, I got a 150-600mm camera lens for Christmas and I've been practicing with it, capturing some of the springtime birds that have been visiting. The lens is super-heavy and it's hard to hold it steady to take shots. I really want to capture the hummingbirds but I haven't managed a great shot yet. It's been raining on and off for like a week, so most of these shots are taken through the glass.

This is the best I could get of the hummer. Unfortunately, you can see the reflection from the glass.

I had to add a shot of a Cardinal, the state bird of Indiana :) This is the male and...

the female. Sadly, I cut off her tail :(

Blue Jays are so beautiful but they are so noisy!! And they eat all of the food I leave for my outdoor cats.

The Eastern Bluebird is one of my favorite birds...not a great shot with the deck post in the way. I haven't been able to get another shot yet.

I'm guessing this is a female Gray Catbird since it looks like she's gathering materials to build her nest. Look at the size of that twig :)

This is a Northern Flicker...a medium sized woodpecker. His coloring is so beautiful!!

This is a Grosbeak....so pretty!! They stop by in the spring and don't stay long but I love when they visit. This is the male...

and the female. Not fair the male gets the pretty coloring!!

I was so excited when I saw the turkeys puffing and posturing!! Sadly, I couldn't get a decent shot through the window screens. I thought I'd try sneaking outside to get a better shot...

And while it is clearer, he (not sure what the correct term is) de-puffed and took off. One of my cats followed me and meow'ed the entire time so they heard us coming a mile away :) I hope to get some decent shots of the hummingbirds soon. There only a few right now and by the time I can heft the camera and spot them, they fly away :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Have a great week :)

DL.ART Thankful Thursday #173 and Random Acts of Kindness :)

Happy Thursday!! I hope you are having a wonderful week!! It's time for another Thankful Thursday Challenge at DL.ART!! The theme this week is a fun one: Valentine :)

I had two inspirations for these cards...first, the gorgeous Valentine Bundle from DL.ART. Aren't the ribbons beautiful? And the second is the fabulous Penny Black Happy Berries stamp sent to me from my sweet friend Alexandra of Art Scrap & More!! Thanks again for everything, Alexandra!! I absolutely love everything you sent :)

I started off by stamping the Happy Berries in Versamark and then heat embossing them with White Detail Embossing Powder by Sparkle N Sprinkle. I then inked the background with several different Tim Holtz Distress inks. For this card, I used Barn Door, Fired Brick, Festive Berries and Candy Apple. The edges were inked with Gathered Twigs. I then used a baby wipe to remove the color from the berries and to give a little texture to the Distress Ink. The ribbon is Red Hot Love from The Valentine Bundle. The button is a Poppystamps Stitched Button die and the red twine is from the DL.ART shop.

For this one, I used Spun Sugar and Victorian Velvet, along with Gathered Twigs along the edges. The corner dies are Anja's Vintage Corners from Marianne Designs. This is my favorite ribbon - Sweet Pink from The Valentine Bundle. The pink twine is also from DL.ART.

The heart is from My Creative Time. I made it into a shaker with Stampendous Shaved Ice. Love is a Die-Versions Compliments Everyday die. Among the leaves, I tucked Sue Wilson Catkin Stems, which I thought mimicked the Happy Berries stamp set, Memory Box Botanical Stems and Marianne Leaves dies, along with baby's breath. "With all my heart" is a Tim Holtz Remnant Rub.

I am entering these in the following challenges:

1. Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Love is in the Air + Red
2. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
3. Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday - Something New (PB Stamp and DL.AR Ribbon)
4. 2 Creative Chicks - Anything Goes
5. Pause, Dream Enjoy Linky - Anything Goes
6. Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

Random Acts of Kindness!!

My sweet blog friend Sherry of Createology has the most beautiful, generous soul. We crossed paths a few years ago and I am so fortunate and thankful to have met her in blogland. Among her many, many charitable deeds, she sews beautiful dresses for children around the world and she constantly sends random acts of kindness to her friends. I have been so fortunate to be the recipient of her generosity many times. I have a seaside image she sent to me that sits on my desk and brings me peace and joy each time I look at it.

I want to sit in that chair and look at that view every single day!! Joy!! Yesterday, I received an unexpected package from her and was shocked to open it to find this inside...

Look at this beautiful mermaid!! Sherry purchased this hand-sewn and painted mermaid several years ago from the artist's studio. She thought she would now want to live with me since I love everything mermaid. I was beyond touched...she's the most beautiful mermaid I've ever seen!! Then I looked at the tag from the artist where she named the origin (the Pacific Ocean) and the mermaid's name and not only did chills rack my body, but tears sprang to my eyes -- her name is Lana -- my Mom's name!! How perfect!! To say she will hold a special place in my home and heart is an understatement. I can only hope that when my mom sees her, she doesn't try to steal her from me :)

Thank you so much, Sherry and Alexandra for your kind, generous hearts!! I hope you all will visit both Sherry and Alexandra's blogs and tell them I sent you...not only will you find amazing inspiration, but even more amazing women!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Big hugs :)

Oriental Hidden Garden Card

Happy Monday!! I hope you had a great weekend!! It's my turn to post on the Die-Versions Blog and I have a card to share with you using two of the dies from the newest release, as well as several other Die-Versions dies.

For my card, I created a hidden garden. The gate is the new Whispers Oriental Screen. I cut it out in foam and adhered it to the cardstock for some dimension. Thinking of You is from the Compliments Everyday die. Tucked among the Wild Orchid Crafts flowers is a Whispers Daisy Flair die, which isn't currently in stock.

Open the gate to reveal the beautiful Whispers Geisha taking a stroll with her glittered parasol. She is joined on her stroll with several critters from the Wee-Petites Buggy die set. She's staring at the Whispers Butterfly Garden die (not currently in stock). I used a hole punch on some Velcro to keep the gate closed.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

1. Little Scrap Pieces - Show if Off Saturday
2. 2 Creative Chicks - Anything Goes
3. Pause, Dream Enjoy Linky - Anything Goes
4. Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Have a great day :)

Congratulations Easel Gift Box

Happy Wednesday!! I hope you are having a wonderful last week in April!! It's my turn to post on the Die-Versions blog and I have a easel card gift box to share with you today. For the tutorial on how to put them together, click HERE.

The papers are from Prima. I used a Whispers Lacey Dots die along the sides of the box and for the easel stop. Congratulations is a Compliments Everyday die, and it was cut twice for a shadow effect. The heart above it is a Wee Petites Heart Doodle die.

A Whispers Heart Burst die was used in the background. The middle heart was cut from red paper and popped up with foam tape. The couple is a Whispers The Proposal die. It as also cut twice for a shadow effect and popped up with foam tape. A Whispers Daisy Flair die was cut in vellum and tucked among the Wild Orchid Crafts blooms.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

1. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
2. Decorate to Celebrate - Anything Goes
3. DL.Art - April Linky
4. Little Scrap Pieces - Show it off Saturday

I hope you will stop back by on May 3rd to help celebrate Jo's Scrap Shack's 3rd Blogaversary Blog Hop!! There will be lots of inspiration and a fun birthday giveaway, too!!

And then come back on May 5th for the Die-Versions Mother's Day Blog Hop and Card Challenge!! You could win a Die-Versions gift certificate!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Have a great day!!

Make A Wish

Happy Monday!! I hope you had a wonderful weekend!! It's my turn to post on the Die-Versions Blog and I have a couple of birthday cards to share with you with you using several Die-Versions dies.

The papers are from Prima and the edges were all distressed with a Zutter DIA. I started with the Whispers Bricks Background and cut it in half, before popping it up with foam tape and adding flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts. A Whispers Heart Burst die was placed behind the bricks.

A Wish Compliments Everyday die was used for the sentiment. The bike is a Whispers Pedal Power die. I popped it up with foam tape for dimension as well. A Wee Petite Button Die was used on the ribbon.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

1. DLArt - April Linky
2. Little Scrap Pieces - Show it Off Saturday

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Have a great week :)

Bow Maker Tutorial

Happy Sunday!! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend :) I have a quick tutorial to share with you today on how I make bows for my projects. I've meant to put this together for years. I'm sure there are many ways to make bows with a bow maker, this is just how I do it. If you are like me, you don't have much time to watch videos, so I made this a short one...a little less than two minutes. Also, if you are interested, I do sell bow makers in my Etsy Store.

I put together a couple of cards for the tutorial to display the bows.

I love this couple stamp from Crafty Individuals. I cut them out and popped them up with foam tape. The papers are from KaiserCraft's Kaleidoscope stack. Love is a Die-Versions Compliments Everyday die. The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, with Chloe Stems from Memory Box tucked around the edges. Her dress is covered with a Wink of Stella clear glitter pen.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

1. DLArt - April Linky
2. Little Scrap Pieces - Show it Off Saturday

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Have a wonderful week :)

Believe

Happy Friday, everyone!! I hope you have fun plans for the weekend :) It's my turn to post on the Die-Verisons blog and I have a couple of cards to share with you using several Die-Versions dies, including my favorite die from the June release - Whispers Hairdo.

The papers for this card are from Bo Bunny. The edges were distressed with a Zutter DIA. The Whispers Hairdo die was cut in black and then purple for a background. Believe is a Sweet Wordlets die, cut once in orange and once in black for a shadow. The flowers are from Prima and they were sprayed with Dylusions inks to match the papers. The gems are Prima Say It In Crystals.

I have another card to share with you today, using dies from the Shapes Diva Set. The vase and birdcage are from the Shapes Diva Set. Get Well Soon was cut from the Compliments Everyday die set. I cut a big x into the paper and then rolled the edges to reveal the back side of the paper.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

1. DL.Art - July Linky
2. Little Scrap Pieces - Show Off Saturday
3. Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
4. Sisters of Craft - Anything Goes
5. Fan-Tastic Tuesday - Anything Goes
6. Crafty Girls Challenge - Anything Goes
7. 613 Avenue Crafts - Anything Goes w/Pink
8. Crafting From the Heart - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Have a great weekend :)

Stenciled Day 4 - Part 3

And the final card from today using techniques from the online class Stenciled :)

I love the colors of this one. The stencil is a Crafter's Workshop Layered Butterflies stencil. It was inked with Tim Holtz Fired Brick, Spiced Marmalade, Squeezed Lemonade, Mowed Grass, Peacock Feathers and Salty Ocean Distress Inks. A Crafter's Workshop Flames stencil was then placed on top and the same colors were inked again. Thank You is a Die-Versions Compliments Everyday Die, you can find HERE. It was cut three times and glued together with Glossy Accents. It was then covered with Glossy Accents and sprinkled with Martha Stewart Carrara Marble glitter while it was still wet.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

1. DL.Art - January Linky
2. Just B Creative Crazy - January Linky
3. 2 Creative Chicks - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by!! This was the last day of class, but I will have a few more cards using the stencil techniques later this week. Have a great day :)