lauralooloo

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

How to Make St. Patrick's Day Decorations with Die Cuts

St. Patrick's Day comes and goes pretty quickly, so let's make some simple and festive St. Patrick's Day decorations with dies, cardstock, and patterned paper from Fun Stampers Journey. Today I'll show you how to make this LUCKY banner, which comes together so simply with FSJ's Alpha Bold Steel Rule Die Set and the Reversed Pennant Die Set. Then we'll add a few other coordinating projects to match!

Below are some closeup shots of the banner. To begin, you'll want to die cut one of the largest pennants seven times from green cardstock. (I used FSJ Limeade Splash.) Then die cut seven of a smaller pennant from patterned paper. I chose this pretty plaid print from FSJ's new Create and Bloom paper. Die cut the letters, and the shamrocks (Alpha Bold Steel Rule Die, and Lucky Clovers Die Set) and then assemble the banner. Punch holes in the corners and string together with twine or ribbon.

Next, I decided to make a few other little goodies with extra pieces I had diecut. I made a striped treat bag and added a tag that matches the banner. And then just a quick coordinating card to finish of the ensemble.

And lastly, I have one more little decoration to go along with these projects. I decorated my FSJ Letter Board with a few more die cut shamrocks, plus a medallion made from the Paper Fan Die.

And now, I think I'm ready to drink a Shamrock shake, and celebrate the season of leprechauns and rainbows! Thanks so much for stopping by today! Have a LUCKY day! xoxo

For more St. Patrick's Day goodness, check out this blog post with a few springtime St. Patrick's Day cards!

Supplies on today's projects:

Alpha Bold Steel Rule Die Set

Reversed Pennant Die Set

Create and Bloom Prints

Lucky Clovers Die Set

Romance Treat Bags

Paper Fan Die

FSJ Letter Board

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Two Colorful Cards That You Can Make for St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day isn't necessarily a day I think, "I better go send a card to..." but with adorable shamrock stamps and dies from Fun Stampers Journey, I'm thinking maybe I WILL. Both of today's cards aren't SO over the top St. Patrick's Day - you could send them anytime during the month of March and they will be totally enjoyed! I promise!

I really thought about my color scheme for both of the cards I'll share today. Certainly they needed some GREEN, but I didn't want them to be a great big PILE of green. For this first card, I paired Cool Pool (because I've already covered the fact that Cool Pool matches ALL THE THINGS) and I feel pretty much the same about Watermelon Fusion. It's the perfect POP of pink.

I embossed the shamrocks in White, for the background of this card, using the I'm Lucky stamp set. Then I added a few diecut shamrocks, and a sentiment. I finished it off with twine, dots, and washi and called it DONE. I really really like the way this turned out. I am digging the embossed shamrock background.

For the next card, I used the same shamrock stamp, but I paired it with some florals. I thought this would especially be a good subtle St. Patrick's Day card. It's just perfect for spring. The watercolor background was leftover from another project. To make it, I added rainbow stripes of Liquid Color onto the Gel Press, brayered the colors out, and pulled a print on a Color Splash Watercolor Sheet.

Do you send out cards for St. Patrick's Day? Do you make treat bags, or decorations or other crafted projects for this fun springtime holiday? In a few days I'll be back with a coordinating set of some cute St. Patrick's Day crafts - perfect for a party, a classroom, or just to add some festive fun to your family's home! Thanks so much for hanging out with me for a few minutes! Looking for more springtime inspiration? I have two Pinterest boards brimming with Easter and St. Patrick's Day goodness. Come on over and check them out!

St. Patrick's Day Crafts and Treats

Spring and Easter Crafts, Party and DIY

I'd love for you to join me over there! Have a terrific day!

Looking for more Springtime inspiration?

Check out this Easter card using the Easter Blessings Stamp Set from FSJ

Plus find amazing inspiration for Springtime in the FSJ Easter Blessings collection!

Supplies Used on Today's Projects:

I'm Lucky Stamp Set

All Year Long Stamp Set

Every Moment Matters Stamp Set

Lucky Clovers Die Set

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Encore! Retired FSJ Stamps and Dies Back in Stock!

You guys. THIS is so fun. Fun Stampers Journey brought back some old favorite stamps and die sets for an encore. Let's take a walk down memory lane, as I revisit some of my favorite products that are BACK in the FSJ shop! And then check out the full list of encore products at Fun Stampers Journey.

YAY Stamp and Die Set

The YAY stamp and die set has been one of my very favorite products. I've used it over and over again, long after it retired. It was one of the sets that I absolutely squealed YESSS over when I first saw the list of goodies coming back to us! Click on over to see the details for making fun and easy birthday cards, using the YAY stamp and die set.

Pinch Love and Sandy Toes

That lobster from the Pinch Love stamp is just such a cool image. It pairs perfectly with the sentiment from Sandy Toes (another super fun summer stamp set!) This was a fun layout to make of my boys at the beach. Click here to check out the details about this summer scrapbook page.

Snappy Birthday

Another of my favorite summer stamp sets! Snappy Birthday! The crab has the same fun style as the lobster. Lots of little designs and details on the crabs in this stamp set! On this crab I used a few different colors of ink, and added a lot of fun layers to this card. Head over to see the details about this fun layered Snappy Birthday card.

Magical Journey Prints

Oh man, if you missed the Magical Journey collection the first time around, you are going to LOVE it. I used a combination of stamps on this page, some of which have come back for an encore, but it's the Magical Journey printed paper that really brings this page together. Obviously this collection is PERFECTION for Disney themed crafts, but it's so great for any type of celebration card or craft! (And yes, I might have dressed my child purposely so he would match Disney scrapbook pages.) Stop by this blog post to see more pictures and details about this scrapbook layout!

Summer Fun

Oh man, I LOVE this card. I'll be honest, it still sits on the shelf above my workspace. Pink pineapples? Yes please. The Summer Fun Stamp set is one I'm definitely excited to play with again! (Want to see more pictures and details about the Oh Happy Day pink pineapple card?)

Fun Filled Prints and Summer Fun

Ahhh, another pineapple from Summer Fun. This set pairs so well with the Fun Filled 6x6 paper pack. Man, I just love this stuff. Bright colors, pineapples and flamingos!? YES PLEASE. This sentiment was from another set that I don't believe is on the Encore list, but that pineapple y'all.... ) Check out the scoop on this Summer Is Here handmade card idea

Thanks for cruising down my crafty memory lane! This ended up being a very bright and summery walk - but bright colors are always my jam! There are a TON of other products on the Encore list, and I'm pretty sure you'll find something you can't live without! Remember these products are all available while supplies last, so don't hold off if there's something you love! You can find all of the Encore products here on the Spellbinders + FSJ website!

Friday, February 1, 2019

Spellbinders Happy Octopus Handmade Card

Oh my gosh you guys, I can NOT EVEN with this octopus! He's part of the Spellbinders Indie collection - it's a fabulously fun collection that's only available at independent shops, not on the Spellbinders website. I recently got my hands on this little guy, and I HAD to get crafty with him. (Or her???) This die is really cool because it not only cuts but embosses too - see that great spotty texture on the tentacles and head? So much fun.

To get this card started, I was completely inspired by my sweet friend Betsy Veldman. She was experimenting with watercolor and SALT (yes, SALT) and she made some really fantastic cards, with gorgeous watercolor effects. (Please go visit Betsy and see what she created - then come right back here!) She even has a quick little process video. Isn't it amazing?

So now, you see why I was totally inspired. To begin this card I got my Color Splash Watercolor Sheet wet with a water brush. (I kept the water mainly to the center part of the paper.) Then I started dripping and painting using FSJ Liquid Colors (Catalina Splash and Cool Pool) and water. I let the water and color move around, dry, and then add some more layers. I also added some salt (mixed with Catalina Splash Liquid Color.) As it dried, I worked on my sweet pink octopus!

To make the octopus, I grabbed another Color Splash Sheet, and used the same method - except I used Watermelon Fusion Liquid Color. I layered it, and dried it a few times as I worked, and although it's tough to see, I did add some salt, as well as some FSJ Sparkle Silk! Then after the sheet was mostly dried, I die cut it.

For the sentiment, (also part of the Spellbinders Indie Collection) I die cut the HELLO from Whip Cream cardstock three times. Then I glued them together to make a nice thick sentiment, and covered it with Journey Glaze. I stamped "my friend" on a little strip of cardstock and adhered everything together.

It's funny, I honestly wasn't sure that I would even blog this card - but I love it SO much. That octopus just makes me happy, and I love the way the colors turned out. Here's my number one tip if you decide to play with some watercolor and salt. (And it actually applies to a lot of different techniques and mediums.) Don't throw ANYTHING out too soon. This background panel was one of three that I did - and honestly it was the one I thought I "messed up". It was my least favorite originally, but as things like this dry and the colors blend a little more and mellow out, sometimes it changes. So - don't give up on anything too soon!!!

So to recap:

Stop by and see my friend Betsy. She'll show you just how to add salt to your watercolor, and she's got three STUNNING cards to check out using this technique.

Then stop on by FSJ and grab some Liquid Colors (they're super concentrated and extra gorgeous liquid dye inks.) Grab some Sparkle Silk, and Color Splash Sheets while you're at it!

And then go hunt down this Happy Octopus! You can find it at Simon Says Stamp affiliate link or a variety of other online shops! The sentiment set, Hello Expressions affiliate link is part of this same Spellbinders Indie collection, and I am SO in love with it too! Perfect die cut sentiment, paired with a variety of stamps to coordinate!

Thanks so much for stopping by, my friends! xoxo

FSJ Stamp of the Month February 2019 - Orange Blossom

The Fun Stampers Journey Stamp of the Month for February 2019 is the gorgeous Orange Blossom Stamp Set! I am completely in love with this cheery, sunshiny red rubber stamp set from FSJ. I'm so thrilled I can finally share it with you!

I love this cluster of oranges because the stamp is large enough to stand as the focal point on a card. It's beautiful colored in a variety of ways. (You'll find so much inspiration on this FSJ blog post and website.)

For this card, I used Journey Color Burst Colored Pencils. If you love to color, you'll love spending some time shading in the fruit! I've also watercolored this stamp, but if you're not so much into coloring, there's a stamp just for you. This set has a solid orange stamp to coordinate with the individual outline orange - (and although it's technically an orange, this set makes a great lemon or lime too!)

My orange cluster paired so well with the fun simple striped patterned paper from the RSVP Prints, plus the Sweet Candy Drops enamel dots. (Y'all know I put those dots on ALLLL the things!)

For more information on the Fun Stampers Journey Stamp of the Month Club, head on over to the FSJ website and see all the details on this great monthly rubber stamp club.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you'll spend some time checking out the fabulous inspiration for the Orange Blossom Stamp Set over on the Fun Stampers Journey website - there's even a fun video with project demos and tips for this stamp set! I promise, you'll find something you love! xoxo

Monday, January 21, 2019

Make A Colorful Valentine for Your Sweet Science Geek

Cardmaking confession: Until last week, I had never tried the crazy fun marbling technique, using liquid inks and shaving cream. And, dang, I have been missing out! Have you ever used a shaving cream technique on handmade cards and paper crafts? You are hereby challenged to try it! Can I show you what I made?

I was inspired by a video by Kim Kesti, during her weekly Tools, Tips, and Techniques video at Fun Stampers Journey. I've seen this technique before, but after watching Kim's video I HAD to try it. I used Watermelon Fusion, Cool Pool, and Sweet Pear Liquid Colors from FSJ.

For this card, I started out with a piece of my marbled cardstock for the background and that led my color choices for this card. Today's card is a part of a mission to have FUN. Me and my friend/partner in crafty crime, Mariana Grigsby, decided to have some FUN together. Our job at FSJ is pretty fun already, but sometimes we get into a rut and we're just STUCK. So we decided to add some more sketch challenges into our lives and find ways to jumpstart our creativity. I put Mariana in charge of finding us a sketch that we could do together, and she made one for us! So fun!

Today Mariana and I are both sharing the cards we made from this sketch. You're welcome to join in too! If you love this sketch and make something with it - share it in the comments of our blog posts, or tag us on social media! We would LOVE to see what you make!

I was thinking I'd take a pretty literal interpretation of the sketch, but one thing led to another, and I ended up with the chemistry images in place of the circles. It's a SKETCH and its a STARTING point, so don't ever feel like you HAVE to do exactly what a card sketch shows. I love the way the chemistry and science images work with the marbled background.

Thanks so much for coming by today and checking out this fun marbling technique, plus a great sketch!

Here's your assignments:

1.) Add shaving cream to your grocery list!

2.) Stop by Mariana's blog and check out her sketch card! (I can't wait to see what she made!)

3.) Watch Kim's video on this shaving cream technique, or check out the photo tutorial on the FSJ blog.

4.) Make a card using shaving cream, or the sketch, or BOTH! And then...

5.) Share your creations with me! I can't wait to see what YOU make!

Supplies on today's project:

Liquid Colors: Sweet Pear, Watermelon Fusion, Cool Pool

(shaving cream)

Perfect Atoms Stamp Set

Perfect Atoms Die Set

Journey Color Splash Watercolor Pencils (to color in beakers)

Journey Glaze

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Love Ya Valentine Card with FSJ {CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge}

Good day, lovely friends! I decided to hop into the CAS(E) This Sketch challenge, and make a card for sketch #304. I'm not gonna lie, my crafty mojo has been tanking for a while. Art and crafting is a lot more of a mental game than one might initially think, and I am STRUGGLING. The usual jumpstarts just aren't working for me, and almost every project is a fight. It will pass, and things will flow again - they always do, but in the meantime I'll just take the wins as they come. (Tell me I'm not alone in this weird crafty mental-game battle?)

So here's the sketch for this week's challenge. Funky and fun, yes? I went with a pretty literal interpretation of this sketch, using striped paper from the Good Vibes Prints from Fun Stampers Journey. (I love love love that paper pack!!!) I did add a scalloped circle into the sketch, and I love the way it turned out with the flowers and sentiment. The flowers were fussy-cut from printed paper from the 6x6 Follow Your Heart Prints . Cute, right!?

I kept everything pretty clean and simple because that seems to be what works best, when I'm in a craft funk. I added a few enamel dots, a heart, and a splatter of Sparkle Silk to finish it off. (Oh, and did you notice the tiny bit of Journey Glaze on the flower centers?)

If you'd like to join in with a clean and simple handmade card for the CAS(E) This Sketch challenge blog, stop on over there. There's a new sketch every week! I think I'll have to play along more often! Thanks so much for stopping by my friends - may your day be crafty and bright! xoxo

If this is your first time here in a while, I'd love to connect with you again! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

PS...my sweet friend and partner in crime, Mariana Grigsby, also created a card with this sketch! Stop by and visit her and see her take on this fun sketch!

Looking for more Valentines inspiration?

All You Need Is Love {Fun Stampers Journey Follow Your Heart Collection}

We Have Great Chemistry Mixed Media Valentine with the Gel Press

Monday, January 7, 2019

How to Add Colorful Watercolor to Valentine Cards

Hello sweet friends!

I've been playing with the Follow Your Heart collection from Fun Stampers Journey - this is our Valentine's release and it is just DARLING. For today's cards I used the Valentine Pals and Hey Girl stamp sets. I also made a fun (and simple) watercolor background that I'll explain just how to create for yourself!

I made both cards using the same watercolor technique, so let me explain that first. You can use any liquid dye inks you'd like, but I used FSJ Liquid Colors in Watermelon Fusion, Bubble Gum and Rich Coral.

Watercolor Background HOW-TO:

Start by adding a few drops of liquid dye ink onto a clear plastic sheet or nonporous surface. (You could also use the Gel Press.)

Mist the ink with water - lots of water, until the colors begin to blend together. Flip a piece of watercolor paper (like FSJ Color Splash Sheets) right down onto the puddle of colors.

Play with this idea and see what happens when you adjust the amount of water and color.

The piece I used for the Purr-fect card had more water, so the colors are smoother and more blended. The sheet I used for the Galentine card had less water, so the color is more splotchy (but in a good way!)

Once my Color Splash Sheets were dry (I also left them under a book for a while to flatten out,) I die cut a large heart from one sheet to make the Galentine's Day card.

The second sheet, I left just as is - I just added a little bit of Black Licorice Silk and it was the perfect background for my kitty cat Valentine.

The next order of business....thank you SO much to those of you that participated in last week's Seasons Givings blog hop! It was SO much fun to have lots of new friends stop by. I hope you'll keep on hanging out here as we create more crafty goodness in 2019! I'd also like to give a big shoutout to my giveaway winner: connie #2909

January 3, 2019 at 9:46 AM

I emailed you Connie! Email or message me if you didn't receive it!

It was really fun to introduce so many of you to FSJ, who weren't familiar with it! I loved reading the comments and I hope that you'll take some time to check out what Fun Stampers Journey has to offer!

Find Spellbinders + FSJ on social media!

Spellbinders on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube

FSJ on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube

And while you're at it, I'd love it if you follow me too!

Laura Williams on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Seasons Givings Blog Hop with an FSJ Stamp of the Month Giveaway!

Happy New Year, my friends!! Welcome to the Seasons Givings blog hop. This annual blog hop is an extra special way for crafty bloggers to say THANK YOU to our readers and friends. Every single stop along the way will have a GIVEAWAY! How fun is that!? 

I'm super excited because I also get to share the brand new FSJ Stamp of the Month Club. The January 2019 stamp set is called Key to My Heart and it is gorgeous! I have two cards to share with you today, featuring this beautiful new red rubber stamp set, and if you hang with me...you might even WIN this brand new stamp set! 

For the first card I created, I sponged Cool Pool ink across the background panel, and then used the Heart Strip Die to just emboss the pattern into my cardstock. I stamped and die cut the key and wings, and rubbed on a little Gold PanPastel to add shading to the wings. 

On the next card, I stamped and embossed the Vintage Notes Stamp in gold. Then I dabbed Gold ink across the Polka Dot Wall stencil over the top. This created a beautiful layered background. I didn't want it to distract from my main images though, so I overlayed a torn sheet of vellum on top. 

I hope you like these two cards featuring Key to My Heart. And I hope you'll check out all the details about Fun Stampers Journey's monthly stamp of the month club. But I know, what you REALLY want is the GIVEAWAY! 

One lucky winner will receive the Key to My Heart stamp set, as well as both of the handmade cards I shared today. (One for you, and one for a friend perhaps?!) 

Here's HOW:

Comment on this post - I'd love to know if you're familiar with FSJ, or if you've ever been part of crafty monthly club. (Or tell me whatever you want to - but be sure to include your email address or some way for me to track you down if you win!) One random comment will be chosen on Monday January 7th. This giveaway is only opened to mailing addresses in the US. (I'm sorry, international friends!)

UPDATE: GIVEAWAY CLOSED, thanks for participating!!!!

Looking for more of ME!? Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

Alright my friends - you have a LOT of blog hopping to do, so get to it! Here's the whole list, so you can find your way! Thanks so much for stopping by!!!