Dot & Whimsy

Hello, crafty blogger friends!

I've shared this adorable card at 

SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES by 3L

Welcome, welcome to day #1 of the
Xyron and My Favorite Things Blog Hop!
www.xyron.com
www.mftstamps.com

**GIVEAWAY**GIVEAWAY**
Xyron will be giving away three $50 Gift Certificates to MFT!
Just visit the Xyron Facebook page over the next three days, leave a
comment on at least one post from the day (or all three posts) to have
your name in the running for one of the prizes!

For my A2 card project today, I'll be using the
Xyron 9" Creative Station, the 9" Permanent Adhesive Refill Cartridge and the 3 Inch Permanent Adhesive Refill Cartridge.  From My Favorite Things, I'm using the Pure Innocence Perfect Harmony Stamp
and the Die-Namics Jumbo Peek-A-Boo Circle Windows Dies.

The 6X6 papers are from Echo Park's Simple Life Paper Pad.

To begin, I stamped the image onto Neenah Premium White 65 lb Cardstock
and a sheet of the 6X6 patterned paper with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.  Next, I used both
 Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils and a few of the Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers
for shading on the dress and coloring in the flower in the girl's hair.

After cutting out the image that was stamped onto the Neenah cardstock and
dressed with the patterned paper dress, I also stamped the image onto a
circle that will be added to the base of the card.  I did this mainly so that
I could color in the pigtails :)

The 3" Permanent Adhesive was placed into the Xyron 9" Creative Station
and the cut-out girl was ran through and adhesive applied
NOTE: Just be sure to place your image FACE UP when running through
any of the Xyron adhesive machines (yes, I have learned this from experience LOL)

After cutting the smaller mat to 3.75"W X 5"H, I used the solid circle die from the
die-set to cut out the shape in the center.

I wanted to add foam adhesive to the back of the mat, so adhesive was applied
and then pieces of foam were cut and placed where needed.  To apply adhesive
to the other side of the foam: lift the top of the Creative Station so that the rollers
are slightly disengaged; roll through the paper with the foam on the back.
It's now ready to attached to the card base.

The scalloped circle die was used to die-cut a piece of solid turquoise paper;
this was attached to the inside of the stitched circle.

Here is a better view of the dimension that you can create by using
the two dies and foam adhesive...I love the way she appears to be veiled in
a stage's curtain!


One of the sentiments from the stamp set was added to the bottom,
along with a strip of the same yellow dot paper and buttons/enamel dots from my stash.

And to make things easier, My Favorite Things also offers matching dies for
many of their stamp sets!
Visit the Xyron Facebook Page to learn more about this week's blog hop...enjoy!

I've had a new package of goodies from

sitting on my desk, so this past week I dove in and got crafty

with stamps, dies and Prismacolor pencils!

Here's a look at one of the cards that I made with the 

Pure Innocence Happy Banner Stamp & Die Set:

I started with a 3.25" circle of white cardstock that was sprayed with Citron Color Shine by Heidi Swapp.  The circle was trimmed with Bubblegum Twine by Doodlebug Design and trimmed around the back with white pom pom trim.

Next, I traced around the die with a pencil onto a piece of smooth white cardstock.

   The image was carefully stamped inside of the tracing with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  

I proceeded to color in the image with Prismacolor pencils and used gamsol and

blending stumps to create a watercolor effect.  

After completely coloring the image, the die was lined up with the tracing and then 

cut out with the WeR Memory Keepers' Evolution Advanced manual die-cutting system.

For the background papers I used a gingham swimming pool and swiss dot bubblegum

prints from Doodlebug Design.  

The bottom was embellished with a satin scallop ribbon by May Arts.

There is a fantastic video tutorial over at 

Inky Antics on how to use gamsol and blending stumps.

I hope you'll check it out and give it a try!

Thanks for stopping by!

There is no doubt that love is in the air! 

Time to  share a fun and functional heart-shaped treat box covered in loveliness.  

It all begins with a paper mache heart box from Maya Road and gorgeously crafted 

papers and accents from Authentique's Lovely Collection.

 Can't you just imagine receiving this sweetly decorated box filled to the brim 

with delicious handmade goodies or a variety of chocolate candies...oh yeah!

 To begin, I traced the box shapes onto the"Adore" 12x12 Paper and cut out. 

 As you can see, the lid comes with an acrylic 'window';  I carefully removed this so that

 I was able to trace the inner aspect of the heart.  After attaching the paper to the lid,

 I reattached the window with adhesive.  

 I fashioned a small heart from the "Crush" 12x12 Paper by using a quilter's template. 

 Next I layered on a small paper doily from my stash and topped that with the sweet

 girl and greetings motif cut from the "Greetings" 12x12 Paper. To the bottom

 I gathered a cluster of blooms from Petaloo, as well as some that I die-cut and 

rolled myself from the "Crush" paper.

 I used a scruffy walnut ink pad to gently distress the edges of the paper.  

A band of "Crush" paper covered the top's edge along with some pretty pearl, 

lace trim that I got in a bundle from Hobby Lobby.
And nothing says "Valentine" like a red/cream gingham bow, which completed my sweetheart box. 

 Supplies:
Authentique Paper- Lovely: Adore Paper; Crush Paper; Greetings Paper; Details 12x12 Sticker Sheet
Maya Road- Heart Box
Petaloo-Pink Dahlias

My Favorite Things- Flower Die

Authentique will be showcasing the newest collections: Winter, Renew, Spring & Hope

at the blog throughout the month...collections sell out quickly, so don't  miss out!