Get Cracking on Christmas - January 2022

 ...aaaaand we're back to Christmas crafting, LOL! 

This year, just like last year, I am joining Jenn Shurkus in her "Get cracking on Christmas" initiative - we will be encouraging each other, and our readers/followers, to create something Christmassy every month. It can be a card, a tag, a decoration... whatever you really want to! It saved me two years in a row now, with having enough cards in my stash for posting out in late November/early December. No stress, no drama - love it!

Do you want to join in? You can read all about it on Jenn's blog here.

My goal last year was to create at least two cards every month. This year, I would hope to do the same. That being said, in January I only have one card for now to share, ha! ;0) But at least there is that one!

An easy-peasy card with some dry embossing (I am using the embossing folder from this post again!), Copic colouring and stamping. LOVE the end result, and I didn't even put any bling on it! I am still considering some shimmer, though - should I sparkle it up a bit?!

Soooo - who's joining in this year? 

Stay safe and crafty,

Mirella

SUPPLY LIST (please see affiliate disclaimer & essential supplies info here):

Stamp set: MFT, Christmas Selfies (appears to be discontinued? But can be still purchases from smaller retailers, like Seven Hills Crafts here)

Enamel dots: Altenew "New Day", but these ones would work really well, too! 

FROM SIMON SAYS STAMP

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3D embossing folders - what is the fuss about? :-)

Happy New Year Everyone! Here's to hoping for a great 2022!

Lots of companies have recently been releasing 3D embossing folders, and I was wondering what the fuss was about. Most of us would have had embossing folders in our stashes for a while now, and - if you're like me - you probably don't use them too often nowadays, do you? I used to be obsessed with the embossed texture, but I do tend to forget about my folders nowadays... Therefore, I was not hugely interested in the new hype... Until I tried one out, of of curiosity, that is!

I must tell you, these 3D folders are a whole new experience! The dimension is amazing, and they somehow seem to be much kinder on the paper also (I used to get lots of cracks in the past, but maybe that was just lack of experience and using different, paper, not sure?), which is great!

Now, don't get me wrong, I will definitely not be using these on every single card, but when I do want some additional interest to the background, I will be remembering about my 3D folders for sure! These backgrounds are also fantastic for CAS designs, as the designs are so interesting that just a small sentiment, a bit of bling, or a small image will totally be enough! 

Here's one of my most recent cards, with an Altenew folder & image. The white Neenah cardstock was covered with some gilding polish (another item in my stash that I love, and that I constantly forget about, but you can read more about it here), and then embossed - and it took it beautifully! I am so in love! 

Have you used any of the new embossing folders yourself? Share your thoughts! :o)

Stay safe and crafty,

Mirella

SUPPLY LIST (please see affiliate disclaimer & essential supplies info here):

FROM ALTENEW:

Best Mom stamp set

Diamond stars 3D embossing folder 

Pocketful of sunshine enamel dots

FROM CRAFT STASH (UK)
(they ship worldwide) 
Note that if it's your first order from Craft Stash, you can get 20% off your order of the Polishes

Metallic Gilding Polish at Craft Stash
Citrus Green Metallic Gilding Polish at Craft Stash

FROM SCRAPBOOK.COM

Metallic Gilding Polish at Scrapbook.com (all colours)

FROM SIMON SAYS STAMP

Gilding Polish (all colours, although they don't seem to carry the Citrus Green at the moment)

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Altenew Educator Certification Program - Easy Die Cutting Techniques

Hi Everyone,

Today I am back with another card I made for the AECP. This time, the class was all about Easy Die Cutting Techniques, and the videos and ideas were led by the one and only Yana Smakula. I adore Yana's creations, so I was delighted to see what she had to share with us. 

Yana did not disappoint - in the class, she shares some great ideas on how we can stretch the dies we already have in our stash. She also *might have* encouraged me to get a die or two, haha! I will admit, I was familiar with most of the techniques Yana showcased, however it was great to be reminded of some of them, and to learn a few new tips along the way. Plus, let's face it, her inspiration was fantastic, too! 

One technique that I really like seeing, and usually forget using myself, is embossing with dies. Whenever I dry emboss, I tend to reach for my embossing folders straight away. Which is a bit limiting, seeing that I only own a few of them... However, I have a plethora of dies, and I really need to remember that for the future, as my dry embossing options are so much wider thanks to the dies! 

For my card, I opted for a rather simplistic design, but I am really happy with how it turned out. And, it pretty much uses only dies, with just a bit of bling and some colouring/ink blending. I used the gorgeous Rose Filament die set for both the focal image on my card, as well as the dry embossing of my background. The fantastic Fine Frames came handy to draw the eye to the sentiment. I honestly don't think this designs needs anything more!

This is a perfect feminine card, and I am sure it will make any special woman in my life happy on her birthday!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything goes

I hope you like this design as much as I do, and that you give dry embossing with dies a go, if you haven't already!

Have a great crafty day,
Mirella

SUPPLY LIST (please see affiliate disclaimer & essential supplies info here):

Vellum: Crafter's Companion, Printable vellum
Enamel dots: from my stash