Exciting, Exciting, Exciting!!

Sorry for the long absence. I went out of town last Friday for my niece's wedding and haven't had a chance to post anything . . .

First, I have some TOTALLY exciting news (hence, the title of this post!)!!! I was chosen to be a Guest Designer for Our Daily Bread Designs for August!! I can't tell you how happy this makes me!! I found out at about 4:00 a.m. on Saturday while I was cruising the 'net at the hotel . . . hard to sleep with a semi-snoring mom in one bed and a 15-year-old daughter with arms and legs in every direction right beside me!!! I wanted to wait to announce the news when I actually had a card or something I could share with you! I can't wait to get my hands on some of the ODBD stamps . . . they are so lovely and uplifting . . . :)

This is Butterfly #98 . . . can you believe it??!!??? NINETY-EIGHT!! We are nearing the end, my friends. Although I am seriously contemplating continuing the challenge on a less-frequent basis. What do you think? I've been having waaaayyyy too much fun with it! Don't feel quite ready to relinquish my "Butterfly Queen" crown just yet.

I used many-o'-Spellbinders die on this baby (check supply list below). I also tried the reverse stenciling technique with the Pierceabilities border die. SHAZAM!!! I think this looks AWESOME (even if it is messy!). Here is a link I did forEVUH ago on how to do reverse stenciling:

Reverse Stenciling Tutorial

Stamps: NONE (can you believe it??)
Ink: Basic Black craft
Paper: Basic Black and Whisper White by SU; Light Berry Red and Dark Meri-Gold by WorldWin
Accessories: Spellbinders Flying Beauties (S4-123), Victorian Lace Border Pierceability (S4-167) and Antique Bookplate (S3-009), Piercing Tool/Mat, Glue Dots and Pop-Up Glue Dots





Last, but not least, I wanted to share this photo of my daughter and my niece from the wedding (Amelia was the flower girl . . . even though she is 15!). I took over 300 photos and this is my favorite one . . .

Pre-CHA Sneak Peek #10!!

EDIT: "Thanks to everyone who entered the Spellbinders' 5th Anniversary Party to win my Die Template release. You can no longer enter to win my release. Please check out the links below to enter the contest on other blogs. Check Spellbinders Blog for the announcement of Daily Winners. Grand prize winner will be announced on January 30th."

It’s Spellbinders’ 5th birthday, and I am sure many of you know that they are celebrating by sharing LOTS and LOTS of new dies via Sneak Peeks on the blogs of various designers (see the complete blog roll on the sidebar to the right). And can you say PRIZES??? Every day there is an opportunity to win the dies that are been showcased PLUS all the dies that have been showcased up to that point! Each day an additional die is added to the daily give-away list for a grand total of 16 dies on the 16th day of reveals! Who DOESN’T love FREE????

You still have until 1/14 until 11:59 CST to visit and enter Jeni Calkins' release at Mixed Media Madness.

Commenting on this post is welcome but does not enter you into the contest. This contest is sponsored directly by Spellbinders Paper Arts. Please read the post to find directions for entering the contest. If you have any questions, please e-mail ContestQuestions@spellbinders.us.

For those of you who have been religiously following our peeks (and for those who haven’t!), here is a list of the remaining peeks. Be sure to check them ALL out!!

Jan. 15 Beth Pingry - Cookies for Breakfast
Jan. 16 Keri Lee Sereika - Pink Lemonade
Jan. 17 Sally Lynn MacDonald - Inky Heart
Jan. 18 Donya Schroeder - Donya Schroeder
Jan. 19 Linda Duke - Linda's Works of Heart
Jan. 20 Trudee Sauer - Follow Your Bliss

Winners will be announced on Spellbinders Blog

When I was sent the image below and told that it was the die set that I was going to feature here on my blog, I was STOKED out of my MIND!! These little flowers are the dang cutest things EVER!! I see SOOOO many possibilities with them!! Cards, layouts, borders, altered items . . . the images in my head are endless!!



DIE NAME: Flower Bouquet Miniabilities
DIE SKU # S4-200
MSRP $19.99

How stinkin’ cute are these??? I see everything from fun and whimsical to classy and elegant with these little flowers! They are all approximately 1" to 1.25" wide and tall (the little flower with the heart in the middle is the only one that is out of proportion . . . it is about 1" tall and 1.25" wide).

Now, it’s time to play!! I made three different projects here. The first is a little more on the “over-the-edge” side, while the other two are quite simple. I wanted to be able to showcase different ways you could use these flowers with reverse stenciling, regular stenciling, and just plain ol’ cuttin’ and embossin’!





With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I thought making a framed wreath in a heart shape would be fun! I started by selecting the three dies from the set of 8 to use as elements in the wreath.









First, I cut/embossed all of the pink and white flowers. I used a technique known as “reverse stenciling.” Basically, you need to ink up the die BEFORE you run it through the Wizard. That way, all of the ink on the die will transfer to your finished image . . .



Don’t forget that you need to both CUT and EMBOSS the die in order for this technique to have it’s full effect, so each flower will need to run through the Wizard twice (I know, I know, that’s a lot of cutting/embossing, but well worth the effort!)

For reverse stenciling, pigment or chalk inks work best. You basically are going to need to use an ink with a slow drying time. This will allow you the time you need to cut and emboss while the ink is still wet so that it will transfer to the paper. Spot (meaning small) inks work the best, but you can use full-sized ink pads (a little harder to maneuver, but not too difficult). Another way is to use an ink refill and squeeze some of the ink onto a sponge and dab the die (as I did here with the silver ink).

Next, I did the same reverse stenciling technique with the little white and silver flowers (the ones with the heart in the middle). This will take a little patience and some time, but you will be happy you did it.





The black and silver flower square is done a little bit differently. I cut/embossed the image like usual. Before disengaging the cardstock from the die, however, I used a silver gel pen to trace the holes in the die onto the cardstock. A totally different look using the same little dies. I love it!!




I then cut out the second largest heart from the Spellbinders Classic Heart die set. This is an important element, as it serves as a base for your wreath and allows you to make a true heart shape (mine would have been VERY wonky if I had not had this!). If you don’t have the heart dies (and you DO need them!), any heart shape that you cut out will work just fine. Then, arrange your little flowers around the edge of the heart to form the wreath. I started with the little white/silver flowers, then added the black/silver flowers.


It is important at this point to use some glue dots or other adhesive to stick the black flowers to the white flowers on the points where they make contact. After doing so, transfer the flowers to the cardstock base underneath the entire wreath (in this case, the Berry Red cardstock, cut into a 10" x 10" square). I literally used a spatula to move the dies over. A few of them didn’t quite make it, but I had enough of the wreath intact to be able to replace them where they belonged once the wreath had been moved over. Center the wreath on the base cardstock and adhere (you will basically have to slide little glue dots or some other adhesive under the flowers here and there to hold them in place). Don’t worry too much about adhering each and every flower . . . when you place the white/pink flowers down with pop-up glue dots, they will help to hold the rest of the wreath in place.

At this point, you will be ready to add the white/pink flowers. I used pop-up glue dots to give them added dimension. I then added some rhinestones to the center of the flowers for some added “pop.”

The “forever” sentiment was typed up on my computer and printed out. (I used the third smallest Classic Heart die template and cut the sentiment out once it hat been printed). Just place the sentiment in the middle of your wreath and you are NEARLY done!

The last step on this wreath was just a little finishing touch . . . I intertwined some silver cord amongst the flowers . . . I think it adds just the right amount of sparkle, don’t you? This close-up shows the details a little more closely!

Supplies

Tools/die templates: Spellbinders Wizard, Spellbinders Flower Bouquet Miniabilities (S4-200 – MSRP $19.99), and Classic Heart (S4-136)
Ink: Colorbox Warm Red Chalk Ink, Encore Silver and silver gel pen
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, and WorldWin DoubleMates Berry Red
Accessories: 10" x 10" Square Frame, Pop-Up Glue Dots, silver cord, flat-backed rhinestones, CK Wistful font, sponge

This next project was easy and fun! (My teenage daughter fell in love with these!) I also am proud to announce that this is a totally GREEN project!! I used soda pop cans as the medium for the cut/embossed flowers. I also used a cereal box for “chipboard” to back the largest flowers on which I adhered the little Flower Bouquet Miniabilities. Cute and environmentally friendly! Cool beans!!

The Wizard cuts through soda pop cans like they were buttah!! No problem at all! And the embossing detail really jumps right out at you!

Supplies

Tools/die templates: Spellbinders Wizard, Spellbinders Flower Bouquet Miniabilities (S4-200 – MSRP $19.99), and Shapeabilites Nested Flowers (S4-159)
Paper: Brushed Gold and Bronze Cardstock (manufacturer unknown) and WorldWin Elan Metallics Obsidian cardstock
Accessories: Soda pop can, cereal box, jumbo paper clips, gold and silver ribbon (manufacturer unknown), Pop-Up Glue Dots, ZipDry by Beacon

For my last project, I made a card I have affectionately been referring to as the “Mod Squad” card! (I swear I think Peggy Lipton had a pair of pants that inspired this baby!) I used a sponge to stencil the flower petals before I removed them from the die. The background paper was created by placing the die, with the flat side down, on the paper and sponging around all the edges . . . inside and out! Yet another fun way to create a totally different look!

Supplies

Tools/die templates: Spellbinders Wizard, Spellbinders Flower Bouquet Miniabilities (S4-200 – MSRP $19.99), Labels One (S4-163), and Classic Scalloped Circles Small (S4-125)
Ink: Hunter Green, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, WorldWin Treasures Sherwood Green and Prism Prismatics Majestic Purple Dark and Majestic Purple Medium
Accessories: black gingham ribbon, hardware, ¼" and ½"circle punches, Pop-Up Glue Dots

One of my favorite things about Spellbinders dies is that they are universal . . . which means you can use them with ANY die cut machine and still get professional-looking projects. Here are a few links to some tutorials that will help you see not only how to use the dies in the Wizard, but other machines as well: Check out this link on Spellbinders’ site:

Wizard Tutorials

Now, for all the details on the BIG CONTEST!

Spellbinders 5 Year Anniversary Celebration

Sneak Peek Party Drawing Information
Spellbinders will randomly pick one entry from each of the 16 Spellbinders Sneak Peek Blog reveals as stated in the “Rules”. This name will be drawn to receive the die being revealed and any other dies listed as a part of said blog give-away. These entries must follow all rules stated below to be valid for the drawing.

Entrants visiting all 16 Spellbinders 5 Year Anniversary Celebration Sneak Peeks Blog reveals and correctly entering their information into the 16 separate drawings, as described below, will automatically be entered into a GRAND PRIZE give away of a full set of all 28 NEW RELEASE dies debuting at the Winter Craft and Hobby Association Show in Anaheim, California, on January 25-28, 2009!

Rules

Any participant wishing to be included in the daily drawing for the Spellbinders Birthday Celebration Sneak Peek die give away must adhere to all of the following rules:

1. Participant must click on the provided link on Reveal blog to enter each individual drawing on sneak peeks between January 5 and January 20, 2009.
2. Participant must type in the subject line the name of the die being revealed.
3. Participant must send their entry for this blog before 12:00 midnight Central Standard Time on January 15, 2009.
4. Participant is only allowed to enter each of the 16 Spellbinders sneak peek blog give away drawings one time per sneak peek. Participant must use the same email address daily to be considered for grand prize entry, no exceptions. Please consider whether you will have access to the same e-mail address from January 5th through the 20th and plan accordingly.
5. Spellbinders Design Team members and employees are not eligible for drawings.
Any participant wishing to be automatically entered into the drawing for the Spellbinders 5 Year Anniversary Celebration Sneak Peek Grand Prize drawing, must enter the drawing from all of the 16 blog reveals and follow all the above rules.

Please note:
*Spellbinders will only use email information to contact the winner.
*Spellbinders will not share this email address with any other parties.
*Spellbinders will not use this email information for advertisements or communications(close up this paragraph)other than to contact the winner.
*If you wish to be included in further communications from Spellbinders, please go to their homepage SpellbindersPaperArts.com and sign up SpellbindersPaperArts.com for their newsletter.

(If you use an e-mail client that does not work with this pop-up box, you may copy and paste this address to send your entry to: ContestDay10@spellbinders.us)

For questions regarding the contest, please send an e-mail to: ContestQuestions@spellbinders.us

For more Spellbinders product release information go to www.SpellbindersPaperArts.Com

Thanks for stopping by to visit me today! I had SOOO much fun creating these projects with the darling Flower Bouquet Miniabilities (S4-200) die templates! Just one more set of dies to add to your wish list, right???

Butterflies Again!

I have been working-working-working on projects for Spellbinders for CHA. Which means, basically, that I have not had time to keep up on my butterflies as I should have (frowny face). I am happy to report, however, that this makes Butterfly Card #72 in my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge. What is that, you ask? See the link on the sidebar to the right for all the info.

I was actually inspired to make this for the Featured Stamper challenge on SCS this past Sunday (FS101). The featured stamper was Jaydekay, also known as Judy. Her gallery is simply lovely! I was stopped dead in my tracks by this card, however, and knew it was the one I was going to use for inspiration:

White Rose Valentine by Jaydekay (Judy)

The only thing that makes me sad about this photo is that you can't see the sparkly Iridescent Ice embossing powder that I used on the butterfly! Oh well!

By the way, dear friends . . . COME BACK TOMORROW as I am finally going to get to share with you the dies I was given or the pre-CHA Spellbinders Blog Frenzy! Wahootie!!!

Stamps: Butterfly by Rubbernecker, sentiment by JustRite
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, zebra dsp (unknown)
Ink: Basic Black, Basic Black Craft, Glorious Green Craft
Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Heart (S4137) and Classic Heart (S4136), Sunflower Set Two (S4158 - for the leaves), Martha Stewart red glitter, tacky tape, pop-up glue dots, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, black/white polka dot organza ribbon by May Arts

Two Cards from There She Goes

I've been so wrapped up getting my projects ready for my Spellbinders Sneak Peek this Wednesday (be sure to come back!), that I haven't had a chance to post these cards I made using some of the fun stamps I've received from "There She Goes" (thanks, Jessica!). Seems my Spellbinders dies keep sneaking their way into a lot of things I have been making lately as well!

This first card is actually my first Valentine of the season. I LOVE this new set called "Special Delivery." There's a darling little mailbox that you can stuff full of a variety of things. Check it out here:

There She Goes

Stamps: Special Delivery by There She Goes
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Real Red
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red
Accessories: Spellbinders Labels Two dies (S4162), Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirl embossing folder, May Arts black organza polka dot ribbon, rhinestone sticker, pop-up glue dots

This next card is using a set from TSG called "Welcome Home." I love how the door and windows are interchangeable! It comes with a couple of different options so that you can do whatever suits your fancy! There are also a number of wreaths and other things to make your home welcoming and uniquely you!

Stamps: Welcome Home by There She Goes
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Ballet Blue, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White
Ink: Pitch Black Adirondack by Ranger, Various Copic Markers, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Cuttlebug Distressed Stripes embossing folder, 1/2" circle punch, large oval punch, keytag punch, chocolate gingham ribbon by Offray, pop-up glue dots

There ya have it!! I still have a few more things to finish up so that I can be ready for my Sneak Peek on Wednesday! I can't wait to share!! Speaking of sharing . . . check out Jennifer Ellefson's Sneak Peek from yesterday (great use of paper clay with her sneak peek dies):

Created from Paper

And Sharon Harnist is doing today's Sneak Peek over on her blog! Super fun and darling projects!

PaperFections

Who DOESN'T Love a Cupcake????!!??

I swear, all you have to do is SHOW someone a cupcake and you will get a smile in return! (Although I DO like to eat them more than I like to look at them!)

This is a great little cupcake die released during LAST CHA from Spellbinders. I think it is one of my favorite dies. It is just so fun to create with!!

I put a double layer of clear embossing powder on both the frosting AND the cherry to make them extra appetizing! I also pulled out my trusty airbrush and compressor to use with my Copic markers on this one. I swear (again!) that this thing looks ALMOST good enough to eat!!

Be sure to check out Becca Feeken's blog to see what new dies she is going to share today!

Amazing Paper Grace

And you still have today left to enter the contest over on Heidi Blankenship's blog, too! Don't miss out! She has created some JAW-DROPPINGLY WONDERFUL things with her Sneak Peek die! (Her luminary is SPECTACULAR!!)

Embellished Dreams

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes (sentiment)
Paper: WorldWin ColorMates – Lt. Pretty Pink, Dark Totally Tan, Deep Coffee Brown, Light Autumn Red
Ink: Copic Markers – R59 Cardinal, E31 Brick Beige (ABS)
Accessories: Spellbinders Labels One (S4161), Labels Trio (S3147) and Cupcakes (S4156) dies, May Arts brown polka dot organza ribbon, pop-up glue dots, Glassy Glaze embossing powder, D'Vine Swirl Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Chocolate Chip craft ink

The Elegance of Black and Gold . . .

. . . AND of inverted scallops! Hooray!! The first time I saw a photo of these inverted scallop dies I just about jumped out of my chair!!! I just couldn't wait to share with you what I was able to do with them . . . don't you just LOVE-LOVE-LOVE how you can pair them with the traditional Classic Scallop dies and get such an amazing border????

If you haven't seen it already, click on the link to the right for Michelle Wooderson's blog (Mish Mash) to see how she used these dies to emulate the look of a lovely postage stamp!

Now, I know what you are thinking . . . I NEED me some of those dies!! (And you would be RIGHT about that!!) Be sure to check out Sherry Cheever's blog today (BadSherry on SCS) to see the fabulous new dies she is sneak-peeking for you AND for a chance to win not only the dies she is introducing, but also all of the dies introduced so far this week by Debbie Olson, Michelle Wooderson and Holly Craft as well!!! Excellent!! Here's a link to Sherry's blog:

Walkin' on the BAD Side!

Stamps: Word Collection by Stamp Oasis (a new favorite of mine!)
Paper: Basic Black and Brushed Gold by SU
Ink: Gold Encore by Tsukineko
Accessories; Spellbinders Classic Scallop Square - Small (S4129), Classic Inverted Scallop Square - Small (S4197), and Rose Blossoms die (S4044), gold edged gold organza ribbon (Papertrey), pearl sticker embellishments (unknown), gold embossing glitter by ClearSnap, pop-up glue dots

Roses in Winter - Spellbinders Style! & BLOG FRENZY!

One of my favorite old stamp sets from SU is "Roses in Winter." Funny thing is, I didn't initially like it, 'cause it looked like a "grandma" set to me! It was another case of "the more you see it, the more you like it!" Anyway, I digress . . .

Fast forward to now. Yesterday on SCS the limited supply challenge (LSC201) was to make a card using "my favorite things." Well, this card was created using the Rose Blossom diecut from Spellbinders. I totally love that baby!! When you do the reverse stenciling/embossing technique, you can get absolutely stunning results!! Here is a link to a tutorial I did clear back last May. You can see how to do this technique (super duper easy) by clicking on it:

Reverse Stenciling Technique

A few of my other "faves" included on this card include embossing glitter (who doesn't love bling?), my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, and this wonderful sentiment from Stamp Oasis. AND pop-up glue dots! I use so many of those babies I should buy stock in the company!! Oh! And Purely Pomegranate cardstock from SU. I was very sad indeed when that color retired. Good thing I stocked up!! And of course, my Nestabilities dies! They are definitely a "must have"!!

Also, y'all need to check out out the Spellbinders Pre-CHA blog frenzy starting on Monday, January 5 (that's only two days away!!). There will be LOTS of chances to win FREE dies!! Check out the frenzy schedule to the right for links to all of the sneak peeks!!

Beginning Monday, January 5th and continuing through January 20th, a different Spellbinders’ Designer will preview at least one of more than two dozen new die templates set to debut at Winter CHA. These exclusive sneak peeks will be available ONLY through Spellbinders’ Designers’ Blogs!

In addition to getting the first look at these new die templates, you’ll find innovative project ideas and can sign up during specified times for a chance to win daily prizes, as well as become eligible to win the Grand Prize … a complete set of all new release die templates valued at more than $600! Wahoooo!! Who doesn't LOVE free????

Stamps: Word Collection from Stamp Oasis
Paper: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Purely Pomegranate
Ink: Silver Encore
Accessories: CTMH Silver Embossing Glitter, silver ribbon, silver cord, Spellbinders Rose Blossom (S4044), Classic Large and Small Oval Nestabiities (S4110 and S4112), Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, horizontal slot punch, pop-up glue dots

"A" for Effort?

Although I had EVERY intention of trying to upload this post so that it would show up while I was out of town, I just ran out of time! I DID get the card made before I left . . . does THAT count???

I recently started playing and making butterflies with this Spellbinders die called "Bugs" . . . I really like how the butterflies come out when then are "reverse stenciled." For a tutorial on how I did this, click on the link below:

Reverse Stenciling

This makes card #46 in my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge (there is a link at the right for more info). I swear, it feels like sometimes the only cards I make have butterflies on them!! I still have 58 more to go . . .

I also did a two-fer card as far as SCS challenges go on this one. CC174 - Groovy Guava, Barely Banana and Chocolate Chip; and SC184.

I stopped on my way home from river rafting by Jackson Hole at our family's condo in Bear Lake. I think I am trying to have WAY too much fun this summer! I'll only be here 'til tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon, then I'm back home again . . . 'til next weekend!! It sure is making the summer fly by!!

Be sure to check out the butterflies on Donya's blog today! Can't wait to get my hands on THOSE!!

Puckish by Donya Schroeder

Stamps: Heartfelt Thanks, Fancy Flexible Phrases, Twill bg
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana, Groovy Guava, Whisper White
Ink: Barely Banana, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Groovy Guava
Accessories: Spellbinders S4008 Bugs die, chocolate chip taffeta ribbon, large and small oval punches, horizontal slot punch, dimensionals

Promises, Promises . . .

I have been TRYING to get this post put together for DAYS! Every time I have a few minutes to get to it, there is NO ONE around to help me by taking some pictures . . . so that is why this has taken so long! It seems that life gets REALLY busy at the end of the school year.

So . . . AS PROMISED . . . here is the tutorial doing "reverse stenciling" with a Spellbinders die . . . (and I also PROMISE, that you are going to love this technique!)!!

STEP ONE: Ink up your die. I have found that small ink pads work the best, as they are the easiest to manipulate. For example, a Stampin' Up "spot" pad, or a Color Box "cat eye" shaped chalk ink pad work really great. In any case, you will need a slow-drying ink (SU craft ink and chalk inks work splendidly!). You can see that after giving you all this great advice, I used a regular-sized ink pad . . . mostly because it was the only one I had in the color I wanted to use!! (In this case, SU Chocolate Chip craft ink!)

Here is a picture of what the die looks like after it has been all "inked up" . . . make sure that the ink makes it into all the "nooks and crannies" on the die. (And YES, I AM holding this poor die upside-down! I didn't realize that I was doing that until I had finished going through the whole process, and my photographer had already left for school!!! What's a girl to do?? I just ran with the photos I had!)

STEP TWO: Once the die has been properly inked, run it through your die cut machine to cut; switch the "sandwich" and run it through again to emboss it. (Yeah, yeah, yeah . . . the poor wheelbarrow is STILL upside-down . . . directionally-challenged, I guess!) As you can see from my inky fingers, it does kinda get all over ya, but luckily it cleans easily. I have also noticed that I wish I had lovely, long fingers with beautifully-manicured fingernails . . . sigh . . . guess ya can't have EVERYTHING!!

That's pretty much it. So you can see, there is hardly anything to it, yet the results are AWESOME. (Did ya notice that I finally got the little wheelbarrow right side up?? Hooray for me!!)

I have included this extra picture to show you what the die looks like, cut and embossed, without and WITH the ink. The details just POP right off of it. This technique is worthy the sticky, inky fingers. It's one of my new favorite things!

Ink, but No Stamps!!

Have you ever had one of THOSE weeks??? I have been having one this week, and have not had ANY time to "play" with my stamps (and they are getting lonely)!! I decided to post this little card I made for Spellbinders last month. Isn't it just the springiest???

One of the girls on our design team (that would be Michelle Klomp . . . hey, girl!!), figured out a fun little technique that NONE of us had ever tried, and I used it on this card. Before running the diecut sandwich (white embossing plate, white spacer plate, die - face up, cardstock, white embossing plate) through the Wizard, she inked up the die. You then run the sandwich through again, this time with the "embossing recipe" without removing the die. What??? The stack would then be white embossing plate, die, cardstock, tan embossing mat, white embossing plate. Basically, I used SU craft spots and "sponged" up the cutting side of the die (the one with the raised edge). You really only need to make sure the ink covers the area INSIDE the raised edges. Then, when you run the whole sandwich through, the ink transfers to the cardstock in the "positive" spaces. It totally adds a WHOLE new dimension and makes these Spellbinder dies just "POP" right off the page! I did it on the wheelbarrow with Chocolate Chip craft ink, and again on the flowers, using various colors. I LOVE the effect!! I will be doing a tutorial with photos in the next day or so (life has been really nutso this week . . . . loooonnnnggg story!). If you are anything like me, photos are a MUST (I'm totally a visual learner!!).

The card is a 4 1/4" x 11" piece of cardstock, scored at 4 1/4" and 8 1/2". I used the outside edge of CM circle cutter to trace the "flap" edge to give it a more rounded look. I also used a Fiskars texture plate to emboss the cardstock on the front of the card.

I really hope I get a chance to stamp today, but it may not be until tomorrow, as I have a very full schedule!! I HATE weeks like this!!

Stay tuned for step-by-step photos!!

Cardstock: ColorMates by WorldWin - Lt. Chocolate Malt, Lt. Pretty Pink, Dark Pretty Pink, Deep Pretty Pink, Lt. Sunshine Yellow
Accessories: Glue Dots, Creative Impressions Flowers Clip and Sparkly, Brad, Paper Glide by Inspired Crafts, American Crafts Butterfly Ribbon, Fiskars "Whimsy" texture plate, paper piercing tool, Circle Cutter by Creative Memories
Spellbinders: Wizard, Flower Creations Die (S4 072) and Wheelbarrow Die (S3 136)