I often forget to use my embossing folders for backgrounds and so when I saw Jennifer’s video yesterday where she used some of Simon Says Stamp’s new embossing folders and did inking on them, I decided to break out some of mine to make a couple of cards.
Now, I have to say one of the things I love about my style of cardmaking is that I combine products from multiple craft companies to design my cards. I really enjoy doing that and so with these cards, I used items from:
Hero Arts, Simon Says Stamp, Mama Elephant, Cuttlebug, Pinkfresh Studio, Nuvo The Ton Stamps and Memory Box.
I broke out my Simon’s Pawsitively Saturated Ink pads for coloring the embossing folders. I couldn’t wait to use these as I ordered them last month on reserve so I was eagerly awaiting for them to come back in stock.
I used Cuttlebug embossing folders that I’ve had in my stash for a couple of years, so great to use them for my backgrounds!
For the ink colors, here’s what I used to blend over the embossed images:
- SSS Pawsitively “Seafoam and Surf”
- The Ton Stamps Inks “Hollywood Star” and “Cosmopolitan Pink”
I followed Jennifer’s tip of letting the ink dry and using a sanding block to brush over the card to reveal some of the white areas which I think you can really see in the pink card. If I were to make these cards again, I think I would use a darker blue color, I probably should have used Simon’s “Ocean” ink.
The “Hello” and “friend” are Pinkfresh Studio‘s Word Phrase Builder die sets and I wanted some sparkle so I die cut the shadow with white cardstock but the letters with Memory Box‘s glitter paper. Their glitter paper pads comes in many assorted colors and the weight is so good when die cutting with them.
After I added my sentiments on the card panels, I added some Nuvo “Silver Rain” sequins but I felt like something was missing. I opted to make a frame around the cards so I used Mama Elephant‘s “Mega Snowflake Cover” frame die set from their “Everything Nice” release. I love their collection and used this same die for cards made in this post.
Now of course, the frame die is meant for winter or holiday-theme, but I decided to use it for friendship cards and that’s a great thing about these kinds of products, they’re great for many occasions!
After adding my frames to the cards, I really liked them even more BUT, I didn’t stop there…
I Made Belly Bands!
I absolutely love making belly bands especially around the holidays! For these, I knew I wanted to make a circular shape for the center of the bands so I used Hero Arts Moon die + a circle die to get the frame around the shape.
I also die cut a regular circle again with Memory Box’s glitter paper and I adhered that together. I also added a backing circle to give the band more support. I wanted a small sentiment on the front so I chose Simon’s “Hibiscus” stamp set because 4 of those sentiments comes with coordinating dies. I stamped the sentiments with Simon’s inks. I used their “watermelon” ink for the pink card and “surf” for the blue card.
To make the belly bands, I trimmed the colored cardstock to 2-1/2″ in width, the length was 11″. I folded that around my card but not too tight so that it would slide off easily. I taped the center of together and then trimmed my white cardstock to 2″ in width and glued that to the center. Finally, I added my moon ornament to the top.
Here’s what they look with the belly bands on top!
I wish you could see these cards in person! They are so much more beautiful than in the pictures. I often think my photos aren’t that great! Well, whatever right?! LOL
There’s so much sparkle on these cards and I love, love how they turned out. The belly bands would work well with gatefold cards and I more than likely will be making some of those soon too!
- Cuttlebug Embossing Folders (I don’t have the labels to the ones I used, so I don’t know the names but you can use whatever embossing folders you have on hand)
- SSS “Pawsitively Saturated Inks”
- The Ton Stamps Inks
- Pinkfresh Studio Word Phrase Builder Die Sets here and here
- SSS “Hibiscus” Stamp set / coordinating dies
- Hero Arts “Cloudy Moon” Die
- Memory Box Glitter Paper Pack “Delicate Pastel”
- Mama Elephant “Mega Snowflake” Frame Die
- Nuvo Sequins here and here or here
- Accent 100 lb. white cardstock
- SSS Assorted Color cardstock
- Neenah Exact 65 lb. color assorted cardstock
