Category Archives: Cards

Faux Laser Cut Christmas Tree

Posted in Cards, Christmas, Holiday Cards by

Faux Laser Cut Christmas Tree

I recently took the Holiday Card Workshop 2022 and really enjoyed using the techniques and inspiration to create a bunch of holiday cards. I had been suffering from a serious case of “lack of mojo-itis” (and limited time), and this was just what the doctor ordered! I focused on the techniques for each of the classes and kept the “finishing” of the cards pretty simple. And I did not stress if I only got to one of the two lessons each day. It’s supposed to be fun, right?!

Day 1 focused on die cutting, and the first lesson was called “Faux Laser Cut Cards” taught by Jennifer McGuire. You need two dies for this technique; the tree die came from the “Christmas Tree Shaker Die” set from Cheery Lynn Designs, and the second die was the “Flourish Vine Die” from Gina Marie Designs (no longer available?). I know the vine is not “Christmas-y, but I am trying to limit my purchases for this class so I used what I had!

I used Gina K Designs Christmas Pine ink and card stock. The greeting was from the “Merry Tree” mini set, also from GKD.

If you are interested in seeing how to do this technique, check out the class over at Online Card Classes!

Thank you for checking out my card project!

Acorns and Quilt Autumn Birthday

Posted in Birthday Cards, Cards by

Acorns and Quilt Autumn Birthday

This card features the “Oak Sprig” die from Tutti Designs and the “Quilt Block Die #1” from Gina Marie Designs. Both were cut from Cardstock Warehouse Copper card stock. The quilt block was cut again from sheets from the Gina K Designs “Give Thanks” and the “Casual Friday” patterned paper packs (no longer available).

The quilt was assembled on a panel of Recollections White Dove card stock that was embossed with a Stampin’ Up “Subtle” embossing folder (retired?).

The greeting was from the “MiniatureType” stamp set from Clearly Besotted and was heat embossed with Hero Arts Copper embossing powder.

Thanks for checking out my card project!

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Leaf Printing

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Leaf Printing

I recently watched this video where Linda uses leaves that have fallen from trees with her die cut machine to get beautiful leaf images that can be used on cards. She shows samples with more of an embossed look, but I kept trying different leaves, looking for ones that gave a lot more color.

I “printed” each leaf on water color paper, added a sentiment, layered the panels, and the card was complete.

Here are a few more samples…

The “so blessed…” sentiment is from the “Elegant Autumn Swirl Leaves” stamp set from Heartfelt Creations and the “thinking of you” sentiment is from the “Sketched Flowers” stamp set from Simon Says Stamp. I also used Gina K Designs Chocolate Truffle Amalgam Ink and Dark Chocolate and Honey Mustard or Faded Brick card stock. I chose to keep these cards simple and let the leaves do all the work!

I made a TON of panels. As I mentioned above, every leaf left a different impression with varying amounts of color. But they all looked cool in their own way! I found it interesting that the brightest leaves did not always leave the brightest images And the colors of the leaves did not always match the color of the images. You just didn’t know what to expect which is what made it so fun!! As Linda said, the technique works best if the leaves still have lots of moisture in them, and I also had the most success with maple leaves, although I got some great impressions with other types as well.

Thanks for checking out my card projects!

Embossing Folder with Powders

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Embossing Folder with Powders

I came across THIS VIDEO by Jennifer McGuire where she used Lindy’s Magical Powders and embossing folders to create a bunch of background panels for cards. I did not have those powders, but I did have Bisters and Color Burst powders so I thought I’d give it a try.

A few tips/comments: When she says a little powder goes a long way, listen to her! (I think I used way too much powder!!) And when she shows the sandwich she used for her embossing, pay attention. (I kind of ignored that thinking I knew how to emboss, but the watercolor paper is so thick that I struggled to get the folder through with the regular embossing plate. It eventually squeezed through but shot out the other end when done and wet ink went everywhere!) And finally, the next time I work with these powders, I may seriously consider wearing gloves. (My hands were a mess, and I struggled to get the ink off!) It was fun to experiment with all the different methods she showed in the video, though.

The greenish samples were made with blue and green Bisters. For the sample above and this one (below), I put the powders directly on the folder, spritzed with water, and embossed a piece of watercolor paper:

For the next one, I sprayed the embossing folder (with the leftover ink) with water and pressed the watercolor paper down on it as if I were stamping the image (and then smooshed parts with ink on mat).

I had tons of ink/water on my mat so I smooshed watercolor panels through it to pick up the color.

The blue and purple samples were made with Color Burst. In her video, she shows how to add white pigment ink to the embossed surface (once dry) to bring out the pattern better. (You can see this on the second and third samples below.)

Once the panels were completely dry, I added greetings with either the “Make A Wish” die from Elizabeth Craft Designs or the “Happy Cutaways” die from Walter & Winnie (no longer available) and either a printable sentiment strip or one stamped from the “Label Me Bold” set from Stampin’ Up (retired). The embossing folder I used was the 5×7 “Leaf Floral” from CGull.

Thanks for checking out my card projects!

This content uses referral links as described in the disclosure policy on my sidebar.

Blooming Branch Birthday Card and the HDSA fundraiser from Simon Says Stamp

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Blooming Branch Birthday Card and the HDSA fundraiser from Simon Says Stamp

This card features the “Blooming Branch” stencil set and stamp from Pink Fresh Studio. The greeting die cuts and stamp are from the “Happy Thoughts Stamp and Die Set” from Gemini/Crafter’s Companion which came from the craft box I received from Simon Says Stamp with my donation to HDSA (*see below).

Gina K Designs inks (Tomato Soup, Coral Reef, Faded Brick, Honey Mustard, and Dark Sage) and card stock (Warm Glow, Faded Brick, and White) were used as well as Memento Tuxedo Black ink. After the image was stamped and stenciled, the panel was embossed with the “Subtle” embossing folder from Stampin’ Up.

*UPDATE (6/29/22) – IT APPEARS THAT THE CRAFT BOXES DESCRIBED BELOW ARE OUT OF STOCK, BUT DONATIONS CAN STILL BE MADE.

Simon Says Stamp is sponsoring a fundraiser to raise money for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. The following is from Simon Says Stamp:


We are working to make a difference in the lives of those affected by the devastating illness, Huntington’s Disease.

Make a $50 donation through this purchase and the net proceeds will be donated to HDSA Central Ohio.  You will receive a box of craft supplies donated by our generous vendors to support this campaign [while supplies last]. The retail value of this box is at least $100 and includes random, exciting supplies… There is also a $150 box available.


100% of the net sales from the Donation Boxes will be going to help those in need.  For more information or to donate directly to HDSA Central Ohio, please visit: https://centralohio.hdsa.org/simonsays.

(Thanks, Diana, for making me aware of this very worthy cause.)

Thanks for checking out my card project!