Meet This Adorable Fox for Springtime Cardmaking {NEW from FSJ}

How adorable is this fox stamp!? He's part of the FSJ February stamp and diecutting release called Ready, Set, Spring! I used a fun watercolor technique on him, and added some bright patterned paper to make this colorful card. Let's take a look and then I'll tell you all about this BRAND NEW springtime release. 

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To add color to my fox I used Jane Davenport Mermaid Markers. WHAT is a Mermaid Marker? Let me tell you about these fun coloring tools. It's basically watercolor in a brush. It's really intense color that you can brush straight onto a project, or dilute with water. A tiny bit goes a LONG way.

Here's a peek at what they look like. (photo credit: Spellbinders)

 To create this look:

• Brush color directly onto the rubber stamp. I used yellow and orange shades for the fox's body, plus red and green on the tail. Then I added dark brown to the eyes and nose. 
• Next, mist rubber stamp with a little water. (It doesn't take much, but you may want to play with this and try different amounts of color and water)
• Stamp image onto white cardstock and diecut.

So, let's talk about this new release for a minute. 
Here's the deal. The Ready, Set, Spring! release goes live on February 10th. But today, we've released a project kit so that you can snag the goodies EARLY.

It's a pretty amazing deal - it includes a selection of coming-soon stamps and dies, along with a project kit to create four unique cards. We’ve done the hard work, all you have to do is stamp, color and assemble!  Plus you can access an online video tutorial filled with tips and techniques to ensure your cards turn out perfectly. Click here to head straight to the Ready, Set, Spring! kit. 

Once the collection goes live on February 10, you'll be able to purchase each of the stamp and die sets individually - but you get a great discount when you get them in the kit!

Want a sneak peek at the four cards you'll create with the stamps, dies, kit pieces and instructions. These four Easter cards are SO sweet!

Then, the full collection (plus the ability to purchase all the stamp sets and die sets individually) will release on February 10th. (You can find a sneak peek of each of the new products releasing in the Coming Soon section of the Spellbinders website.) 

FSJ + Spellbinders Supplies on Today's Project:

Joyful Greetings Stamp Set and Joyful Greetings Die Set

Happy Spring Mini Stamp Set

(All are found TODAY in the Ready, Set, Spring! project kit)

Jane Davenport Mermaid Markers

Media Mister

Good Vibes 12x12 printed paper pack

And hey - in case you missed it, you can still grab the January project kit, Kindness Matters, in the Spellbinders shop. It's almost all the products from the release + the card kits and instructions.

Make an Easy Shaker Card With a Frame Die {Impression Obsession}

Have I mentioned that I'm really happy to be making VALENTINE cards instead of Christmas cards? I love the winter holiday colors, but I gotta tell you - I'm glad to be moving on. 

There's something pretty fun about a Valentine shaker card filled with hearts and sequins rattling around so let's take a look at today's first card idea, shall we?

This blog post contains affiliate links. When you shop through my links, I may receive compensation at no cost to you. Thank you from the bottom of my crafty heart!

Shaker cards can be a little intimidating, a little complicated and quite frankly, a little frustrating to make. BUT I have a secret weapon for you today. This die, called the Mid-Size Frame from Impression Obsession makes it so simple to make a shaker card. The frame is wide enough for foam tape so there's no trimming little bits of tape. Here are the steps if you want to try this out:

• Die-cut Mid-Size Frame from cardstock.
• Trim a piece of acetate (clear plastic) around the same size as the outer edges. Adhere the acetate to the underneath side of the frame.
• Next, cover underneath side of frame with foam tape or foam squares. If you're using something tiny like glitter, be sure you don't leave any openings where the filling can escape.
• Pile sequins and die-cut hearts onto the card base and then sandwich acetate/frame on top, sealing in the sparkly goodies. 

There are other ways to make a shaker card, but that's how I made this one. 

Before I send you on your merry way, here's one more card made with the same supplies - the Mid-Size Frame die and the Love Words dies. This one has no shaker element, but you can see how simple and striking this frame die is. It has great stitched details, and I love that it includes stitching even on the center rectangle. I know you'll use that die even on it's own! (And did you notice, this card was created with the opposite pieces of the first card. I die cut the frame in aqua and then pink and used the opposite pieces on each card.)

Today's post is part of Impression Obsession's Die Cut Obsession. The design team is sharing die cutting magic today, so head over to the IO blog to see  links for everyone participating. I can't wait to see what they've each created for today! And be sure to stop at the IO shop for these fun new dies plus all kinds of spring and Valentine goodness for your craft projects. Thanks so much for stopping by today! xoxo

Impression Obsession Supplies:

Mid-Size Frame Die

Love Words Dies

Lots of Hearts background stamp

Looking for more shaker cards? Click here to check out other shaker cards I've shared on my blog!