Under the sea slider birthday card

A special young lady turned 6 a few days ago. And she's totally into axolotls right now.  So I created this card for her with a slider mechanism so that the axolotl can explore its world. The base of the card is created using the Seabed 3D Embossing Folder and I used watercolor pencils to add color and dimension:

And here the axolotl is gliding down and to the left:

and close to the left edge of the card:

The axolotl can also twirl and do somersaults as it moves through the undersea world...but I didn't think to photograph that! (I'm sure the recipient will have it "dance" around!)

and last but not least, a glimpse of the inside of the card. The images are from the retired Whale Done stamp set. Oh and the axolotl was copied from the listing that I bought as a gift.

Thanks for stopping by....have a wonderful day. I hope you slip in a moment to do something creative!

Cherry Blossom cards - softly watercolored with pencils

I remember this stamp set each year around this time in spring, but I often don’t get around to using it. I love it and can’t get rid of it but…actually use it?? Hmmm….LOL I don’t even remember the name of the set anymore as I just kept the stamp!! But I love the way the cards turned out and am so happy to have used the set again and so, I am sharing it here.

On the left, I did the cards in coral (Calypso Coral to be exact!)  using the Stampin’UP! watercolor pencils and brushed over the color with a water painter brush. When I was done with coloring, I embossed the panel using the Textured Textile Embossing Folder in the Cut & Emboss machine. I love the subtle texture that this embossing folder imparts, without becoming too overwhelming with the rest of the card. The punch used for the sentiments is the Double Oval and the Thinking of You sentiment came from the Paper Pumpkin kit Pick of the Crop from June 2022. I added jewel-like sequins to the card to complete the cards. Here’s a close up of the coral card design:

After I finished the coral cards, I decided that I needed to make some in a soft pink, which is more the typical cherry blossom color. So I used the Melon Mambo watercolor pencil fairly lightly and matched it with Bubble Gum card stock and a soft pink ribbon as embellishment. Tiny faceted rhinestones completed these cards:

 

And I forgot to photograph the insides and the envelopes separately but I stamped the lower bottom insert in the card with a cluster of  buds. And you can see the envelopes peeking out from behind the card also have the flower branch stamped on it.

If you like coloring with pencils and/or the softer watercolor look, try the watercolor pencils and a bit of water on a brush. See the supply list at the end of this post. Thanks for stopping by.

Supplies used for this card include:

-Basic White card stock 8.5x11”  #159276

-Calypso Coral cardstock 8.5x11” #122925

-Bubble Gum cardstock 8.5x11” #161718

-Watercolor pencils assortment 1 #161700 & assortment 2 #149014

-Double Oval Punch #154242

-Water Painters #151298

-Paper Trimmer #152392

-Cut & Emboss machine #149653

-Calypso Coral Classic Stampin’ Pad #147101

-Stamp set: retired (name unknown)

-Ribbon: white or pink organza ribbon (from my stash) 

Hand Penned Friend card

Hand Penned is a stamp set with coordinating dies from the current 2022-23 Stampin’Up! catalog. The DSP paper pack retired but the stamp set is still available and there are more and more pins with cards featuring it every day! I absolutely love this set and have used it many times. I recently found the set of card bases and matching envelopes so I created the following using some of my last pieces of the DSP pack:

The "friend" sentiment is from the "Happiness Abounds" stamp set, which is also another fave! (I can't believe I haven't posted any pics of cards made with this set or the beautiful paper pack...except that I haven't posted many cards at all period.)

The butterfly die is from my stash and creates a nice focal. Tiny pearls add a touch of elegance, but oh so subtly.  I’ll be adding these cards to my Etsy shop soon. Please visit at KikumiDesigns.Etsy.com if you’re curious. 

Thanks for stopping by! Have an amazing day! 

Hydrangea Hill Barn Door Birthday Card

Have you ever bought a paper pack that was too pretty to start using? That was this paper pack for me. Hydrangeas are so beautiful! And this paper pack captures the lilacs, blues and pinks of this flower so well. I decided to do a barn door card. Why is it called a “barn door”? It’s because the card opens like this:

 

A simple but neat design! I started with cardstock in Fresh Freesia (11”x4.25”). I scored the card stock at 5.5” then used my paper trimmer to cut along the score line from the top of the card down 2 1/8”. The piece that was cut off was trimmed down to 1 7/8 x 5 and then run through the Cut & Emboss machine using one of the Meadow embossing folders. 

Inside the card is a Basic White panel 4 x 5.25” and three pieces of the DSP measuring 1 5/8 x 1 3/4. To decorate the white area beneath (and the envelope) is a flower stamp from my craft stash. The sentiment is from the Boho Indigo set atop of Highland Heather grosgrain ribbon. A few small pearls finish off the card!

This card is available at my Etsy shop, while quantities last at https:KikumiDesigns.etsy.com

Thanks for stopping by! Hoping I’ve inspired you today!

Have a Peachy Day

Don’t the peaches on this card remind you of warm summer days? Maybe some peach cobbler baking in the oven though it’s so hot outside?? YUM!! (Ice cream too please!)

 

This is my favorite print from the You’re a Peach Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack. I added the scallop edge (from the Peony Dies set) then a bit of the striped DSP also from the You’re a Peach DSP pack. 

 

The sentiment is inked with craft white on Calypso Coral and is from the coordinating Sweet as a Peach set. The fun really begins inside and on the envelope though…

I inked the peach stamp using Pale Papaya. Then I added some dimension by using a sponge dauber and some Calypso Coral ink. I tapped the sponge dauber onto the ink pad lightly, then tapped the sponge dauber directly on my stamp, right on top of the Pale Papaya ink along one edge of the stamp. Then I stamped the image onto some Basic White. Wow, what fun! Then I repeated the steps and stamped the back of the envelope too. I perhaps could have used a darker color instead or in addition to Calypso Coral to get more depth and definition, but I was quite happy with the results. 

 

Hope you've enjoyed this post and that it inspires you to be creative! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.