There's No One Elf Like You!

 Hello Crafty Friends and welcome! My card today uses Karen Burniston's Photo Collage Pop-Up and Mama Elephants Little Elf Agenda stamp set as well as the Little Agenda Trains stamp set. 

For this card, I started with an A2 sized card base using a light weight red cardstock.  I found this great Christmas light patterned paper in my stash and used it for the inside and front of my card. 

I began by die cutting the pop-up mechanism from a heavy weight red cardstock. I also cut the arms from the same cardstock. 

I then die cut four polaroid fronts from four different colors of cardstock. I also cut the backgrounds from smooth white cardstock. 

I then began to stamp my images using the Mama Elephant stamp sets mentioned above. I used Copic markers to color in the images. I added some Glitter Gel and Glossy Accents to some of the images. Then I glued all the images to the photo fronts. 

I then began to place my photos on the pop-up mechanism, using my Lineco Neutral pH glue. 

I die cut a fancy square using an extra die in the Fancy Label Accordion die set, from smooth white cardstock and added it to the inside of the card. 

Then I used some extra red cardstock arms I die cut and stamped the sentiment "There's No One Elf Like You" using VersaMark ink and white embossing powder. 

For the front of the card, I added four additional photo images. I also die cut the sentiment "merry Christmas" from Karen Burniston's Word Set 3 - Holiday using a white glitter cardstock and black cardstock. I glued the two pieces together to give the sentiment some dimension. 

How adorable are those elves? I made this card for my daughter for Christmas. The little Agenda stamp sets fit perfectly with this die set. Thank you so much for stopping by and Happy Crafting!

Christmas Accordion Card!

 Hello Crafty Friends and welcome!! This past week I spent baking up a storm, getting ready for Christmas. I make up tins of cookies, squares and butter tarts to give to family and friends as gifts, so I haven't had time to work on cards. But this weekend, I got my butt in gear and got crafty! 

My card for you today features Karen Burniston's Fancy Label Accordion and the new Heart Add-On for the Fancy Label Accordion. I was inspired by Nicky Foden and her really beautiful card, where she turned the hearts upside down and made trees. I did the same for this card, making the hearts into Christmas trees. 

I started by die cutting four Fancy Label Accordion pieces from a light weight red cardstock. I went through my paper stock and found this beautiful patterned paper (I apologize, I can't remember who makes it) to use for the borders and the Hearts Add-On. I die cut everything I needed from the patterned paper. 

I glued everything together, only for the Hearts and Birthday Candles Add-Ons, you fold the accordion backwards to what you would normally fold it. 

I then die cut the hearts (or trees in this case lol) from smooth white cardstock and colored them in with Copic markers. I then die cut four star tree toppers from the Christmas Tree Pop-Up die set, using a gold foil cardstock. I added these to tops of the trees. I trimmed a thin piece of dark brown cardstock and created the tree trunk for each tree. I then used a red glitter gel, white Nuvo Crystal drops and a gold gel to create the ornaments on the tree. 

Then I glued the trees to the Hearts Add-On piece. I glued the add-on to the inside of the accordion card. 

Lastly, I wanted to use the beautiful stickers that came with this paper pack, so I used several of the stickers to decorate the other panels on my card. 

Thank you to Nicky Foden for the great idea!! This turned out very pretty and will be a great card to give to my in-laws. Thank you so much for stopping by and Happy Crafting!

Karen Burniston - KB Riley LLC December 2023 New Release Blog Hop!

 Hello Crafty Friends,

Welcome to our Karen Burniston Products - KB Riley LLC December Release Blog Hop. The Design Team have come together with Karen today for a fun blog hop to celebrate the release of 7 new dies. Sneak peeks of the new release started last week, and the dies are available to order NOW!

This release includes:

• 2 new Add-ons Die Sets
• 1 new Pop-up Die Sets
• 1 new Tag Die Set
• 2 new Stand Alone 3D Die Sets
• 1 new Sentiment Shadow Die Set

Dies are available to order now on the website.

GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate the release Karen Burniston and each of the Karen Burniston - KB Riley LLC Design Team members will be giving away a $25 Gift Certificate to some lucky person who comments on our blog posts, so make sure you join the hop and comment on everyone's blog post. Winners will be randomly chosen from ALL of the blog hop comments received on our blog posts by Monday, 18th December 2023. Lots of chances to win some goodies, so just leave a comment on this post or any other blog hop posts to enter! Don't forget to leave some way for us to contact you, in case you are a lucky winner!

My card for you today features the new pop-up die, Raising Platform Pop-Up! 

For this card, I wanted to create a fairy tale themed card, using the raising platform to look like clouds where the dragon lives. 

I started with an A2 sized card base using Neenah Classic Crest smooth white heavy weight cardstock. Then I cut two rectangle panels to create the inside scene of my card. I used my mini cloud stencil from My Favorite Things and Peacock Feathers Distress Ink to create the clouds for the background. I then die cut two grassy areas using Karen Burniston's Outdoor Scene die set. I cut these both from the same smooth white cardstock and with my Distress Oxide ink in Mowed Lawn and Rustic Forest, I created the grass area. I used my Copic markers to color in the trees. 

I then die cut the castle out using the Castle Pop-Up die set and some grey cardstock. I die cut the stone areas from the same cardstock, only I ran these pieces through my die cutting machine with the embossing plates to make the stones really stand out. I colored in all the stones on the castle with Copic markers, then glued the pieces all together. I added this to the inside of my card. 

I then die cut the dragon and the knight. I the dragon out using all white cardstock, then I colored the dragon in using Copic markers. I wanted to add some scales and some smaller details, so I went in with a soft pencil crayon after and added some scales around the dragons body and face. 

I then added some shine lines to the dragon and some glitter gel to make the dragon look like he's shiny and sparkly. I added his eyes and mouth using the die and a black pen. 

I then die cut several clouds from the Outdoor Scene die set and the Castle Pop-Up die set. I wasn't sure how many clouds I would need so I cut several of them, just in case. 

I set the dragon to the side to dry and started on my Knight and my Princess. I die cut the Knight from smooth white cardstock and from a matte silver cardstock. I colored the knight in with Copic markers, but I wanted to add some wear to the knights armor. So I used a black pencil crayon to add some dimension to his armor. 

I then started on his shield and sword. The shield was cut from white cardstock and silver cardstock. I added a pattern to the front and colored it in with Copic markers. I made the back of the shield look like wood, but the front area like metal. 

I did the same to the sword, making the handle wood and the blade a shiny silver cardstock. 

Lastly, I added the red feather to the top of his armor. 

For the Princess, I decided to go with a green dress, which I cut from smooth white cardstock and colored in with Copic markers. I added some glitter gel to her gown and used a shiny gold cardstock for her crown and belt. I add some Glossy Accents to her lips to make them shine. 

Once my characters were drying, I started on the pop-up mechanism. This is best if cut using a light weight cardstock. I used a 65lb white cardstock to create mine. I continued with the cloud pattern on the pop-up mechanism so it blended in with the background of the card. I then die cut the label insert that goes with the pop-up mechanism. You will have to fold this in half to insert it. I used a bone folder a few times to make sure that it was really well folded. Then I glued it on to the tabs that hold this piece in place. 

Once dry and I tested the pop-up to make sure it was working correctly, I added my dragon. I had to fold one of his wings to fit him in, but that was no problem. Then I stamped a small "Happy Birthday" sentiment on the label and began placing my clouds. I closed the card frequently to make sure the clouds wouldn't stick out the side. 

Then I added the Knight and Princess to my card. I had an extra die cut piece that was from the Fancy Label Accordion die set and used that as a place to sign the card. Then I die cut the "make a wish" sentiment from Word Set 3 - Birthday using a shiny red cardstock and black cardstock. I glued these layers together to give the sentiment some depth. 

For the front of my card, I wanted to keep things simple, since there is so much going on, on the inside of the card. 

I dug through my paper packs and found an old paper pack that had castles and dragons and Vikings on it. I used a piece that was like stone and one that was clouds to create the front of my card. 

I die cut the cloud patterned paper using the Ovals - Crosshatch die set. I also cut a smaller oval using the same die set, only this time with white cardstock. 

I die cut the word Celebrate using Karen's Celebrate die set, again twice from shiny red cardstock and black cardstock. I glued these together to make the sentiment stand out. 

I added some extra clouds around the ovals to continue the theme that is inside the card. 

Lastly, I stamped the "yay! it's your birthday" sentiment using MFT - Bitty Birthday Sentiments stamp set with VersaMark ink and white embossing powder. 

I think my favorite part of this whole card is the dragon. He is just so adorable!! I love how his little scales came out. Let me know what you think of this card in the comments below. Be sure to leave your name and email address for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate for Karen Burniston's online store!! Thank you so so much for stopping by, happy crafting and Good Luck!! Be sure to visit the other Design Team members, check out their fantastic cards, leave a comment with your name and email address for more chances to win!!  

Karen B

Lois Bak

Sue Small-Kreider

Frances Byrne

Jennifer Webster ---- you are here!

Fran Sabad

Suzanne Smit

Nicky Foden

Sandy Diller

Karen Burniston December 2023 New Release - Sneak Peek Week: Birthday Candle Add-On!

 Hello Crafty Friend and welcome to the last day of Sneak Peek Week. I hope you have been enjoying all the great cards, boxes and tags the Design Team has been creating! I know I love seeing all the great creations our Team has made. 

My card for you today uses the new Birthday Candle Add-On which pairs with the Fancy Label Accordion die set. I love this new die set so much. It's easy to add to the Fancy Label Accordion and it makes a great Birthday card! 

For this card, I die cut 4 Fancy Label Accordion pieces using Neenah Classic Crest heavy weight smooth white cardstock. 

I then went through my patterned paper scraps and found a pretty dark pink paper and a yellow patterned paper to use for the Fancy Flourish Frames to make a pretty border around the outside of my accordion card. 

I then die cut the Birthday Candle Add-On using a light yellow cardstock. I also cut the add-on piece from a balloon patterned paper as well and trimmed the inside so that it would just cover the outer panel area. 

I die cut all my candles using white cardstock and added color to them using my Simon Says Stamps Pawsitively Saturation Ink in various colors. I used a darker color ink to add the detail to each candle. Then I colored the candle flame using Copic markers and added them to each candle. I glued them into the pop-up insert. 

I die cut the center of the Fancy Label Accordion using the same light yellow cardstock as the Birthday Candle Add-On piece. I trimmed the center piece from the outer frame and glued it on top of the white cardstock piece (I'm so sorry if this doesn't make sense). Then I used the additional die from the Fancy Label Accordion to create a center piece using the balloon patterned paper and white cardstock. I put the balloon paper on the front panel and with a stamp set from Honey Bee Stamps, I stamped a sentiment on to the white cardstock piece and added that to the last panel. 

I then die cut the Happy Birthday sentiment from Karen Burniston's Happy Birthday die using a glitter blue cardstock and black cardstock. I glued these layers together to give the sentiment a bit of dimension. I added it to the front panel. I did have to trim a bit of the sentiment to fit. 

Then, I glued everything together to create my Accordion! Thank you so much for stopping by, the New Release will be available on December 11th. Be sure to play along with our Blog Hop for a chance to win a $25 online store gift certificate. Happy Crafting!

Karen Burniston December 2023 Release - Sneak Peek Week - Candy Hearts Box

 Hello Crafty Friends and welcome! I hope you are all enjoying all the great, creative things the Karen Burniston Design Team has been showing you for Sneak Peek Week! This new release has 7 new dies for you and today I will be showing you the new Candy Hearts Box! For this project, I decided to show the Candy Hearts Box two ways. One, filled with candy and one, filled with small Valentines for kids to share with friends at school!

Let's start with the Candy Hearts Box that is filled with candy! For this box, I started with some Valentines Day patterned paper. I wanted to add a heart shaped peek-a-boo front to my box, so you could see the candy inside it. So, I used the hearts from the Heart Add-On die set from the new release. I die cut the smaller heart into the box. Then on the inside I added a small piece of acetate. I then die cut a larger heart frame to go around the heart shaped window.

I then stamped the sentiment shown on the front using a stamp set I got from MFT called Something Sweet. I used a teal blue cardstock and stamped the sentiment with VersaMark ink and white embossing powder. 

I then folded the box up and glued it together using Lineco Neutral pH glue. I used the packaging instructions to help me along. 

I had some left over red Jelly Belly's in my cupboard and filled the box up with jelly beans. It actually fit quite a few. This would be a great little treat for kids to give out for Valentines or any holiday really. That inspired me to come up with my next Candy Hearts Box idea. 

For my next idea, I created 5 small Valentines using the Rectangles - Crosshatch die set and some of the fantastic animal dies that Karen has, such as the Safari Animals and Woodland Animals. I first made sure that my rectangles would fit into my Candy Hearts Box. They did so I created 5 Valentines. 

I used a red cardstock for the base of the Valentines. Then I die cut a smaller rectangle and used a heart shaped stencil along with a pretty pink ink to create a background for my Valentines. 

I then die cut several animals out using smooth white heavy weight cardstock. I colored each animal in using Copic markers. I then glued them onto the Valentines. 

I die cut several sentiments using Karen Burniston's Word Set 9 - Love, using a sparkly white cardstock and black cardstock. I added some Glossy Accents to the Valentines and some glitter gel and set them aside to dry. 

While they were drying, I die cut my Candy Hearts Box from a Valentines themed patterned paper. This time I created a diamond shaped window on the front, creating a frame to go around it. I used the dies in the Candy Hearts Box die set to create this. Then I used a sticker that came with the patterned paper pack to wrap around the box. 

The box fit 5 Valentines perfectly! I just love this little Candy Hearts Box. There are so many neat things you can do with it, including using it as a gift card holder! Thank you so much for stopping by today. The new release will be available on December 11th. Happy Crafting!

Karen Burniston December 2023 New Release - Sneak Peek Week Day 3: Tags, Tags and more Tags!

 Hello Crafty Friends and welcome to Day 3 of our Sneak Peek Week for the new Karen Burniston December 2023 release. This new release consists of 7 new fantastic dies all available as of December 11th, 2023. 

Today I have for you four tags using the new Topper Tags. The Topper Tags was the first thing I created when I got the new dies. I love love love making tags! All the fun details you can add to a small little tag. Then putting it on a present to give to someone! So exciting! For my tags, I tried to make four different tags for four different occasions. 

For these tags, I went with Christmas, Easter, Birthday and Valentines Day. 

Not only can these just be used as tags, but they can be used to expand the Tag Book Pop-Up as well!! Another versatile die set.

My first tag for you is the Christmas tag. For this tag, I used the largest die in the Topper Tags set. I used the Long Nature Edges to create the tree lined background. 

Then I die cut a dark blue section for the tag, using a sparkly blue for the circle area where the ribbon attaches. 

I used the Snowman die set to create a cute snowman, using Copic markers to add some shadow and detail to the snowman. I added a white glitter snowflake using the snowflake that comes with the Snowman die set. I stamped the sentiment using Lawn Fawn's Jet Black ink and their Merry Messages stamp set. Then I die cut a red banner using some scrap red cardstock and a die from MFT and stamped Merry Christmas on it using VersaMark Ink and white embossing powder. I added some silver glitter ribbon to the end of the tag. This is a very large tag, but perfect when you have a big present!

My next tag for you, uses the next tag size down from the largest Topper Tag. With this one, I went with an Easter theme. I used the Spring Animals die set to create this super cute Easter tag. I die cut all the images using white cardstock and then colored the images with Copic markers. I added Glossy Accents and Glitter Gel to the eggs and heart to add some more dimension. 

I added a spring flower end to my tag using some scrap patterned paper I had on hand. Then added a light pink scalloped border using MFT - Stitched Scalloped Borders. I used Lawn Fawns Wavy Banner and a stamp from a Lawn Fawn Easter stamp set to stamp my sentiment. 

I die cut the flower piece from the Topper Tags to support the hold in the tag where the ribbon goes. I used the same light pink cardstock as the scalloped trim. Then I added two different colors of ribbon. 

My next tag in the set is a Birthday tag! For this tag, I used some fun birthday themed patterned paper as my background. Then using the Word Set 2 - Birthday Die Set, I added the "Make a Wish" sentiment using a glossy red cardstock that I had on hand. 

I used the candles from the new Birthday Candles Add-On die in the new release, and added them to my tag. 

I also used the Border Blends - Trims to create a glitter blue border between the base of the tag and the topper. I die cut another wavy banner and stamped the "Happy Birthday" sentiment using VersaMark ink and white embossing powder. I added the other flower looking hole cover that comes with the Topper Tags to the top part of the tag. Then added a plain white ribbon. 

My last tag, the smallest die in the Topper Tags, is my Valentines tag. I used the hearts from the Heart Add-On die set in the new release. I also added some fancy borders using the Border Blends - Trims. 

I stamped the sentiment using a Valentines Day stamp set I got a few years ago from a Simon Says Stamp card kit. 

I added a heart hole cover from the set using white glitter cardstock and added a heart ribbon. I kept this one pretty simple, because it was a smaller sized tag. 

I hope you find some great inspiration from my post today. Be sure to check out the other Design Team members and their fantastic ideas using the dies from the New Release. Thank you so much for stopping by and Happy Crafting!

Karen Burniston Designer Challenge December 2023 - Naughty or Nice?

 Hello Crafty Friends and welcome! It's Karen Burniston's Designer Challenge time again and this one also comes during Sneak Peek Week for her new December 2023 release. So my card today includes both! We were challenged this month to create a card using a stocking in our card. For my card, I used the stocking from the stocking pop-up as well as the stocking from the Holiday Charms. From the new release, I used the new Mini Gift Bag. I also used the Parcel Pop-Up die set to create this card!

For this card, I made a 5.5 x 5.5 sized card using red cardstock. I used this really pretty patterned paper I recently purchased for Christmas on the inside and front of this card. I die cut the cardboard box from the Parcel Pop-Up die set from kraft cardstock. Then I added some dimension to the box using Distress Ink in Vintage Photo. Then I used my Waffle Flower stamp set called Postage Collage Clear Stamp to create some postage marks on my box. 

I then die cut the pop-up mechanism from the same kraft cardstock, using Karen Burniston's assembly video on YouTube as help. If you want to see the video click here. 

Then I die cut the Mini Gift Bag and assembled it as per the package instructions. I also die cut a few of the Holiday Charms to add to my mini gift bag. I then added it to the pop-up mechanism. 

I stamped the sentiment for the inside of the card, from Clearly Besotted using Karen Burniston's Short Rectangles - Crosshatch, adding the scalloped rectangle for a more decorative look. 

For the front of the card, I used the same patterned paper as the inside, then using Karen Burniston's Square - Crosshatch die set, I die cut the largest square using a white sparkly cardstock. I also die cut a square one size smaller, using the back side of the patterned paper I used. 

I die cut the stocking from the Stocking Pop-Up, adding Copic marker for some dimension to the stocking. 

I die cut the sentiment Merry Christmas from Karen Burniston's Word Set 3 - Holiday using a shiny Green cardstock. 

I was so excited that the Mini Gift Bag could fit into the Parcel Pop-Up. You can used the Mini Gift Bag to hold a gift card as well!! 

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you are all enjoying all the fantastic Designer Challenge/Sneak Peek Week cards but our entire Design Team. Have a great day and Happy Crafting!

Karen Burniston December 2023 New Release - Sneak Peek Week Day 1: Heart Filled Accordion!

 Hello Crafty Friends and welcome to Day 1 of Sneak Peek week for Karen Burniston's new December 2023 release. This release includes 7 new fantastic dies! I hope you are as excited as I am for this new release. 

My card for you today features the new Heart Add-Ons die that coordinates with Karen Burniston's Fancy Label Accordion. 

For this card, I started by making four panels using the Fancy Label Accordion die set. I used four different colors of cardstock, teal blue, pink, purple and yellow. 

I then die cut the Heart Add-Ons insert using heavy weight smooth white cardstock. I wanted to create candy hearts for the center panel, so I used the Candy Hearts die that comes with the Candy Hearts Box new die set to create all my candy hearts. Once I die cut a bunch, I used a coordinating ink color to give each candy some detail. I glued them all on my white Heart Add-On insert. 

I then die cut some red and white glitter cardstock hearts. These hearts come with the new Hearts Add-On die set. I added them to the Heart Add-On. I die cut two white smaller pieces for the Fancy Label Accordion and added them to the first and last panel. 

I then used Karen Burniston's You're Sweet die to cut out my front sentiment. I carefully cut off the You're part, leaving just the word Sweet. I added that to the front panel. Then I stamped the to my and heart sentiments on the front panel. I added some more candy hearts and some small heart embellishments I had in my stash. 

I left the last panel blank to write a personal message. 

You may notice that this new add-on requires your Fancy Label Accordion to be backwards from how we normally put the accordion card together, but it's great because it's like turning an old die into a new one!! I did use a heart stamp to create the hearts around each accordion panel. I just love how all of Karen's die can be interchangeable. Thank you so much for stopping by on day 1 of Sneak Peek Week!! Come back tomorrow for another great card using one of the 7 new fantastic dies coming out December 11th. 

Wrapped In Love Christmas Card with The Greetery!

 Hello Crafty Friends and welcome. I recently (or finally lol) purchased some dies from a company called The Greetery. I have wanted to shop through them for a long long time and finally I bought myself some dies and stamps. I just loved their Wrapped in Love stamp and die sets they came out with in November, so my card today features this collection from The Greetery. 

For this card, I started with an A2 card base using a smooth red cardstock. Then I die cut a white rectangle using my largest die from Karen Burniston's Rectangles - Crosshatch. I loved the crosshatch effect around the border. 

I die cut all my pieces from the Wrapped with Love die set. This included a piece that looks like rolled out wrapping paper, wrapping paper rolls and all the added things needed to wrap the perfect gift! 

I used VersaMark ink with gold and white embossing powder to create the rolls of wrapping paper, which I die cut from red, green and white cardstock. I also added some detail to the die cuts using Copic markers. 

There really isn't much to say about this set, except that it's amazing!!! The small details are incredible and the quality of their product is perfect! I would highly recommend their products. I just love those scissors!! I did buy the Wrapped in Love Sentiment Stamp add-on as well as the matching dies for the word Wrapped. I can't wait to use the other dies I purchased, which aren't Christmas, but are pretty flowers and a watering can. 

Thank you so much for stopping by and Happy Crafting!