“Stronger” Orchid Encouragement Card

This card came together after I was left with a beautiful watercolored orchid from my last blog post and video. To see how I made the watercolored image using Prima Water Soluble Oil Pastels head over to that blog post.

After cutting out the orchid, from the Stampendous Orchid Greetings Stamp Set, I misted it with some spray mist in a nice light tan color to make the paper look aged and add some shimmer.

I adhered it to a piece of brick patterned paper from Authentique’s “Accomplished” collection. I proceeded to put the orchid image on my background paper with the bricks vertical rather than horizontal (oops!). I didn’t realize this until the very end when I was looking at my card and by then it was too late to remove anything. We’ll just pretend I was trying to be edgy and different!

The sentiment is from a 12×12″ piece of paper that is supposed to look like newspaper ads but has all these awesome sayings. It says “Everyday Moments” at the top. Sadly I threw away the strip with the information and I have no idea who makes it or where I bought it from. I think I may have got just this single piece of paper at one of my local scrapbook stores so who knows what company it was (sorry!). I popped that up with some thin foam tape for a tiny bit of dimension. I sprayed this cardstock with the light tan spray mist to match the background of the orchid.

Lastly, I inked the edges with some Donna Salazar Mix’d Media Inx in the color “Vintage”. These inks are by Colorbox and they are sooooo juicy! I don’t really ever see them for sale at the online craft stores or brick and mortar stores but they are really nice. I was able to find this color and many others on Amazon though.

I always forget to make encouragement cards for my stash so I am glad I have one ready to go now. When you have a friend in need you want to be there for them right away and that means no time to make a card. Now I’ll be ready the next time I need a card for this. Even if it’s just a friend trying to get a raise or save money! It doesn’t always have to be a sad situation to get a card like this.

Thank you for stopping by!

We’re Expecting Card with Authentique Classique Pretty

This card was a quick one and it showcases some gorgeous papers by Authentique! The papers I used on this card are all from the Classique: Pretty set. We have them for sale on our e-bay store right now. The set we have usually retails for $30.40 but after the already discounted price along with the extra 25% off we have running right now, it’s just $15.75 which is almost 50% off! 

To make the letters on the front that say “We’re Expecting” I used the Amperzand font and cut them out of the Authentique paper using my Silhouette Cameo 2. The inside of the card says “a Baby Girl”. I popped the front of the card up using some adhesive fun foam so when the card gets squished going through the mail you won’t see the outlines of foam tape. Such a cool little trick!

This card came together pretty quick and I’m excited for more of my family members to know about our little bundle of joy that’s on the way! Thank you for stopping by.

Thankful Avery Elle & Authentique Card

This card was quick, easy and fun to make! I pulled out some pieces I had previously cut on my Silhouette Cameo 2 and this card was born.

The Authentique Papers are from Classique: Pretty 

The Avery Elle Stamp Set is called Handwritten Notes. I love this stamp set because it has the tiny arrows with words to add as if you were writing it and wanted to add something extra. All of the sentiments are long and horizontal but you can stack them like I did by just inking up the area you want to stamp.

This is what the stamp set looks like:

I used Versamark embossing ink and some brassy gold embossing powder to make the sentiment really pop.

As always, thank you for stopping by!

Turn Your Stamps into Die Cuts

As you know from my last blog post, I recently got a Silhouette Cameo 2 Electronic Die Cutting Machine. When I finally decided to purchase this machine after drooling over it for years, I told myself if I am going to dish out hundreds of dollars for another electronic die cutting machine I BETTER USE IT A LOT. Yes, I yelled it at myself in my head. I deserved the yelling though. Considering I spent $350.00 on the Sizzix Eclips when it first came out and I have a SLICE machine. I actually occasionally use the SLICE machine still just because it’s so small and convenient. Sizzix obviously realized they made a huge mistake with the Eclips machine because the cartridges that they used to sell for $40-60 each are now $5.00-6.00 on their website. I’d say that’s admitting you messed up. I didn’t purchase any cartridges and the only reason I bought the Eclips was because I knew I would also purchase the ECAL software (for $50.00 more) and make my own designs. Sizzix actually has an Eclips 2 now that’s specifically designed to be used only with a computer.  I suppose I could have just kept using my Eclips but I just did not like the software at all! So, after years of contemplation, I bought the Silhouette Cameo 2 and got a great bundle with a ton of extra stuff for only $250.00 and Silhouette doesn’t charge you for software (unless you want the designer edition). Now there’s a company that knows what they’re doing!

So, here’s a fair warning that a lot of my blog posts will likely include the use of the Silhouette Cameo 2 machine. However, I am sure a lot of what I am using it for could be achieved in other ways. Such as fussy cutting or using the dies that manufacturers make that you can run through a manual die cutting machine such as the Big Shot (which I still plan on using).

On to the real reason we are here! 

I was playing around with the Silhouette Cameo 2 and thought it would be sooooo cool if I could turn some of my stamps into die cuts!

It was easier than I expected and I am so happy with the results.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Pick a stamp and stamp it in black on white cardstock. (I used Tim Holtz Flower Garden Stamp Set)
2. Take a picture of the stamped images after mounting them on your PixScan Mat. 
3. Import the Pixscan image and trace it. Don’t just trace the outside edge like you normally would. Trace the entire image.
4. Cut out the images and assemble on a card.

   It’s as easy as that! I also cut out the outer edge so I had something to stack the inside of the flower on. I love how well this worked and it’s an awesome way to stretch your stamps.
   
   Isn’t that just amazing!? If you have a Silhouette Cameo, I HIGHLY recommend getting a PixScan mat if you don’t already have one. It will greatly increase your creative abilities.

   All of the papers used on this card are Authentique and the stamped sentiment is by Avery Elle.

   That’s it for today. Thanks for stopping by!

Graphic 45 Paper Cheaper Than You’ve Ever Imagined!

I just added a sale to the ebay store that discounts over 60 items to 35-60% off!

Included in those listings are many Graphic 45 papers! Spend over $75.00 and get an extra 5% off. Spend $40.00 or more and get $5.00 flat rate shipping. Paper is heavy which means the more you buy, the more shipping you normally have to pay. Not when you are buying from Intoxicating Arts! In fact, it’s the exact opposite.

Here’s what we have for sale by Graphic 45:

Baby 2 Bride Deluxe Collector’s Edition – MSRP $30.00 , you pay $17.00!

Raining Cats and Dogs – MSRP $22.00 , you pay $12.74!

Time to Celebrate – MSRP $22.00, you pay $12.74!

Times Nouveau Deluxe Collector’s Edition- MSRP $30.00 , you pay $18.78!

Typography Deluxe Kit 16 papers , Chipboard & Stamps MSRP $32.99, you pay $13.59!

Typography Chipboard MSRP $5.99, you pay $3.39!

Typography 8 papers and Chipboard MSRP $13.99, you pay $6.37!

Couture , 13 papers and engraved wood tag MSRP $15.69 , you pay $8.99

Time to Celebrate 8 x 8″ – MSRP $11.00 , you pay $7.64!

This great sale ends in just ONE WEEK so now is the time to snag some Graphic 45 papers at an amazing price!

New Graphic 45 on the way!

Check out these beauties I have coming for you guys!

I got the 6×6″ pads that have the patterned paper for both lines too, but they don’t have pictures for those up yet. I’m so excited to see these in person! I’ll let you know when they are posted. Thank you for stopping by!

Graphic 45 Papers. What’s your Favorite Collection?

I know I have seen these papers before, but I never knew who made them or where to get them from. Now that I found them I am curious what everyone’s favorite collection is? I know that is probably a really hard question if you are loving Graphic 45 papers as much as I am. However, I am feeling very drawn towards their new Graphic 45’s Staples Collection and their Olde Curiosity Shoppe Collection.

I am very seriously considering stocking some of their papers. Your input is greatly appreciated. Also, let me know if you prefer paper pads or single 12 x 12 sheets. If you prefer paper pads, let me know if you like the 8 x 8 or 12 x 12 more.

To check out all of Graphic 45’s collections, click here.  Thanks!