card design

SNOW DAYS WITH STRIPES

Why is it I always have too many irons in too many fires? Launching an online holiday class almost simultaneously with a new release is nuts— I’m still trying to catch my breath . . . The above is one of several samples I made for the November release but I got completely overwhelmed . . .

Alrighty, on to the project I’ve posted today! I love using these smaller dies, like the Skinny Stripes, for DIY Stencils—makes me supremely happy!

I tested out a bunch of different tools for getting multiple ink colors stenciled within this tight pattern, with the least amount of fuss/work (y’all have no idea; I was like a woman possessed) and, after many fails, it was actually my Sponge Daubers for the win! YASSSSSS!!! •fist pump•

Glossy Accents over the diamond shapes makes them look like epoxy dots! LOVE THAT!!!

Crystal Clear Plastic for the pop-up platforms are almost invisible. Cool. Video for how to assemble the Pop-Up Mittens Die Set is HERE; just scroll down the page a bit until you see the video player.

Hope you’re having a good week!

How did it get to be Tuesday already????? Note to self: Get a clone.

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HOLIDAY ONLINE WORKSHOP IS UP!

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I’ve been sooooo MIA, but that’s cuz I’ve been up to the gills getting THIS ready! It’s finally LIVE! YAY!!! •collapsesinheaponthefloor•

All the details are here at this link: MAKING MERRY <—-click that to check it out!

I’m giving away 3 seats! Leave a comment on this post, and I will announce some winners on Monday, Nov. 12th!

Hope you’ll come make merry with me online! •grin•

Merry Days Glitter Stickers

This glittery thing was made using the very same method as I show in this video tutorial on the Ellen Hutson LLC blog HERE. It’s a fun video—’cuz you get to see something I’m rarely willing to do: get stuff on my hands. •insert shocked eyeballs• AAAAAAaaaand, my involuntary shudder is off camera so you don’t have to watch the look on my face while I’m squee-gee-ing (sp?) all that glitter off with my BARE.NEKKED.FINGERS. GAAAAAH!

A viewer very kindly suggested I wear surgical gloves next time. So smart!!! I have tons of those laying around and I dunno why I didn’t think to don them prior to the glitter bath. •smacks forehead•

Incidentally, the card over on the Ellen Hutson blog was the first one I made with that set when I first got it into my hands and the rest were follow-ups/variations.

Don’t they look like puffy glitter stickers?! Don’t get me wrong, I love my foam mounting tape and I use GOBS of it. BUT, just double-layering the die cut shapes + the glitter really does give them great dimension without needing to use the foam tape in this case. •BOOYAH!•

Xyron Sticker Maker + glitter = DAZZLING!

Cheers!

HOLIDAY COLLAGE

In the world of art, this probably wouldn’t be classified as “collage”, but it’s MY kinda collage—simple and crisp, with dimension. Mmmmm mmm good!

I just LOVE the imagery and lettering of the sentiments in Merry Days by The Stamp Market!

I slapped a poll the other day up on my Instagram Stories, asking folks to choose which of two color schemes (yes, only two) appealed to them. I was surprised at the outcome…

IG Holiday Color Scheme Poll.jpg

Do you know which won? •cheeky grin•

I kinda blended the two a bit on this card—I actually made a small stack and one of the other designs is going to be featured in a video tutorial over on the Ellen Hutson YouTube channel next Monday (Hello, Monday Playlist). That one turned out so SO sweet I was monkey clappin’ all around—actually, the whole stack I made turned out sweet! YAY! I’ll share the others soon.

Anyhoo, it’s hard to tell, but all the images above are all coated with that glorious NUVO Shimmer Pen, minus the holly berries; those have clear NUVO Drops on them—that stuff is BOMB! Totally held its shape and loft—the berries look so glossy and juicy! LOL!

Hope you’re having a great week!

Cheers!

MODERN CHRISTMAS WOODGRAIN EFFECT

I’ve been so busy working on some illustrations for future releases… trying to get ahead, which always seems/feels impossible. I’m so far behind, I can see my arse up ahead. Do you feel like that? Running… Always running…

So, just popping in to quickly share this sample I made a while back with a set that is retiring, called Modern Christmas. I just love this set because it’s a two-step! (The coordinating dies have already sold out, just FYI)

The faux woodgrain effect was achieved by stamping the detail tree (grey ink), in two rows, tightly together and rotating on the 2nd row, nestling it into the first row. The wreath was die cut first from white card stock, and then I stamped the solid tree repeatedly over the top (green ink), rotating and overlapping the image to get a really fun look!

That’s all I got for today before head back down to the salt mines. ;)

Have a great day—and weekend!