
Hi there! Happy Monday! Today, Pinkfresh Studio is having a blog hop to celebrate their newest Essentials release. You should have arrived here from Cathy Zielske’s blog, and your next stop on the hop is Enza Gudor’s blog. These “essentials” releases are comprised of items that are truly essential to the papercrafting process, with the added bonus of having a little extra Pinkfresh “flair” to make them even more unique and versatile! This month, in addition to a plethora of fabulous dies, we also are releasing some gorgeous new jewels and crystals, perfect for adding that extra touch of sparkle to your projects! To celebrate their newest release, Pinkfresh is offering multiple giveaways, a freebie, and a shipping promotion. Read all the way to the end for all of the details! I have two projects for you today, so let’s get started with the details.

For my first project, I wanted to showcase the beautiful details in the new Braided Circles die set. I began by die cutting just the detailed cutout portion of the dies from a panel of black A2 card stock, backing it with some bright purple foil card stock to flash and shimmer through the negative spaces. I also stamped the lovely floral spring from the recently-released Folk Hummingbird stamp set using white ink on some more black card stock.

I used my C’aran D’Ache Luminance colored pencils to do some no-line coloring on the black card stock; it’s amazing how vibrant the Luminance colors are, even on black card stock! I die cut the finished penciled image using the coordinating dies, then layered it over the circular window of the Braided Circles panel. I added a white die cut Hello from the Essentials Words die set for the greeting and a few new jewels for some sparkle!

(I highly encourage you to check out the new jewels and crystals… each embellishment pack comes with a huge variety of colors, and the storage is absolutely perfect. No need to find your own method of storing these sparklies; they come in their own storage containers!! Genius!)
For my second project, I am showcasing the absolutely gorgeous new Pretty Frame 2 die! I had a leftover floral bouquet from a previous Pinkfresh Liquid Watercolors painting session (you can see the other projects in this blog post), and I thought that the pretty, feminine colors in the bouquet matched the beautiful feminine details in the new Pretty Frame 2 die! I die cut the new Pretty Frame 2 die from some black card stock, then layered it over some beautiful bright amethyst card stock, the contrast of which allowed for those gorgeous detailed cutouts from the new die to really pop.

I layered the watercolored bouquet over the die cut frame using foam tape, then added a sentiment (from Abstract Builder and black embossed on a strip of amethyst card stock) with more foam tape. The final touch was some of the new jewels to add a bit of sparkle.
Now for some fun promotions and giveaway information!
Each order on the Pinkfresh Studio website will receive a free XO die with purchase. There is no code necessary… the die will automatically load into your cart!
We will also be offering free/discounted shipping from May 20-26th on orders $50+. You must use the code MAYESSFREESHIP50. Shipping is free in the USA, and $5.50 off for our International friends.
In addition, Pinkfresh Studio is also hosting a few giveaways…
We will be giving away the full April Essentials release on the Pinkfresh blog, and on our IG feed!
Pinkfresh Studio has also generously given each stop on the blog hop a $25 gift certificate to give away! All you have to do to enter each of the giveaways is leave a comment on the blogs. The winners will be chosen and posted on Monday, May 27th on our GIVEAWAY PAGE. You must check that page & claim your prize within 2 weeks.
Your next stop on the hop is Enza Gudor’s blog. Here’s the rest of the blog hop list in case you get lost:

OMG! These dies are GORGEOUS! And I LOVE how you did them in BLACK! Makes the flowers just pop!
I love blog hops because they inspire me to create. Thank you!
Very nice love the color combos and your style. Thanks for sharing you inspiration!
Wonderful cards!!! Love how the images pop up from the black cardstock.
Hi Emily! I love how you used the black for the background and how the flowers just pop off the card! Awesome work!
Oh my!!! You work is JUST GORGEOUS!! I’m so in love with the dies with your inspirations! Fabulous coloring and I just love the black that pops all the colors so bright and beautiful! 🙂
Stunning and dramatic on the black. Love both cards. Very inspiring. Thank you !
Beautiful!!! I love the pretty frames 2 set. Using the black cardstock really makes the colors pop!
Wow, what striking cards. Beautiful work. Thank you for sharing.
WOW! I especially adore how those gorgeous flowers pop off that bold, beautiful black canvas!
These cards on the black backgrounds are AMAZING! I never think to use black as the base – I MUST try it!
These are so pretty! 🙂 Love how they look with the dark backgrounds.
Who knew black cards would be so beautiful? So dramatic with the gorgeous jewels. I love the new essential dies.
WOWZERS your cards are stunning with the lovely coloring against the black diecut frames backgrounds!
Absolutely stunning cards!!! The colors are amazing and really do show off the dies.
Awesome cards! The black background looks soooo good with colorful flowers
Amazing! I love how you used black. It makes the other colors really pop!
The hello card is fantastic—the circle die is really versatile.
Your coloring is amazing on top of these dies! and that frame in black is a wow!!
Oh boy, the way you colored the flowers and leaves is wonderful. I am going to try pencils again–i am not really good with them, so I need to practice.
Emily, as always your coloring is stunning!! These cards are gorgeous. <3
Really Stunning cards!!!
Beautiful dramatic cards! Wouldn’t have thought to color on black with pencils – luminescent! Thanks for your ideas!
Powerful color on black, i love it
WOW the color combination on these is amazing! I LOVE the no line flowers with the embossed braided circle on black, soooo beautiful!
Beautiful projects!
Your cards are absolutely stunning! And of course, I love the
new dies (& the color purple. lol).
OMG these projects are stunning:)
These dies are just gorgeous!
Beautiful cards! Love the dies and the crystals.
Thanks for sharing…
Gorgeous cards. I love the black backgrounds.
Simply gorgeous cards!! I do love the details on those dies and your coloring is so awesome!!!
Oh my…gosh!! Stunning!!! Those colors on black.. Just Stunning!!
These cards are so gorgeous! I just love how beautiful your colored images are over the black cardstock. 🙂
The black in the background is totally complementing the colorful images. Very gorgeous!
The black in the background is totally complementing the colorful images. Very gorgeous!
Love. love, love those gorgeous colors on the black & the Braided circle is soooo awesome! Great cards!
These cards are stunning! These products truly are essentials. tfs
Dramatic and gorgeous!!! WOW!!!
<3 J
jwoolbright at gmail dot com
HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com
So beautiful against the dark background.
Love everything about these cards. The black background, the flowers, the pretty frame and the design.
Great cards. Love the black background with the Tiny bits of color shining through
Wowww.. Another wonderful creation in black.. Stunning card.. Great release by Pink fresh studio..
I swear, you always make the most beautiful cards – and these are no exception – stunning!
Such pretty details with these new dies! Gorgeous cards!
Both of your cards are stunning Emily. The first one reminds me very much of a Mary Englelbreit illustration in colour & style. I’ve been in hospital for a while & have missed a few new releases, think it’s catch up time. Have a great week x
Totally amazing cards!! Love the cut out panels. Wow!
Absolutely love it on a black background!
The colors are amazing
Oooo just breathtaking! Those colors just pop on the dark backgrounds. So, so beautiful.
Wow, Emily, you always rock it!
Simply stunning work with this great release!!
You sure did bring in the WOW factor with the black background! So Stunning!!! Love how you showcased these release, the colors, the dies, the bling and your talent. Lovely!
Your cards are simply stunning!
Adding my voice to the others: your cards are bold, dramatic and gorgeous! Showcase sensations in every way!
~carol
Wow!!. Your card using the new Pretty Frames 2 Die set is stunning!!. Made me smile. Thank you for inspiring.
So beautiful! I love the black and they still look feminine! Beautiful!
oh, your cards are so beautiful!
My favorites from this release are the Braided Circle die and the Jewel Mix. Your cards are gorgeous BTW! 🙂
Wow those colors pop on the black! Awesome design!
Love these cards. The vibrant colors against the black just pop. Gorgeous!
The black cards are amazing and so unexpected. Beautiful.
What a cool idea to use black and let the colored card shine through beautiful! The jems highlight the frames nicely!
These are really stunning against the black!
I love how you used black for these cards. It really makes the colors pop!
These cards are beyond gorgeous! I love the background of the braided circle, and the colouring on the black cardstock is breath taking beautiful! Just love the effect of the whole card! And I really like how the pretty frame die can be used for a whole background! Super pretty.
Oh my stars, beautiful use of the dies! Thank you. I’m looking forward to receiving my dies and trying to copy them 🙂
Wow!!!! The metallic purple shining through the braided circle is fantastic!! Great use of color! And then, to top it off, the addition of the beautifully colored flowers!! Wow!!! The colors show off your artistry especially when put on that black background! I think that I need to go and create a card like yours!!
Creating your cards in black is so innovative. Love the deep color combination & how these new dies create so much interest.
How striking! Love the color combination.
The black is so striking! Wow, what inspiration! Thank you!
Your cards are just so elegant 🙂
Both cards are gorgeous, Emily, but the Hello one is a real stunner in my eyes!
Super saturated color, so pretty!
Beautiful,stunning cards!
wow those colors are awesome on the black
Your cards took my breath away, I rarely use black except to edge my white so this was such an inspiration. I really like everything in this new release by Pink Fresh but the braided circles are stunning.
Great new Essentials release. Your cards are stunning!
Absolutely stunning! Your floral coloring is fantastic and it pops so nicely against the black. Your hello card is my favorite thing I’ve seen so far on this Hop. Fantastic!
Great cards. I like the pops of colour through the black.
Gorgeous card! The rich purple behind that black die cut piece is so striking! I love this card.
Oh wow, those colours! Gorgeous !!! Fabulous, love it
So many ideas to get a person feeling creative!
Wow! Stunning cards!
Gorgeous! I love the new die sets. The pencil coloring on black card stock is lovely.
Your cards took my breath away! They are both so stunning and perfectly highlight the newly released braided circle and frames! Your color choices and that black background are sensational!
Outstanding cards! You used the two that are on my list – the Braided Circles and the Pretty Frames! Can’t wait to have them!
So pretty!!
SWOON!! Such an AMAZING New Release!! LOVE your Creations!! Just BEAUTIFUL!! THANKS for sharing and have a FABULOUS WEEK!!
Hey Emily! Your black based card fronts are so regal with the purple showing through the die-cuts. And the coloring of the Hummingbird floral DIVINE!!!
Your cards are gorgeous! I love the black base…it really helps the flowers in the second card to pop!!! I have yet to create a card with a black base, but I just might give it a try!!! TFS
hugs,
joni
Your cards are beautiful. Love the dark backgrounds.
I really, really like your use of the black cardstock. A new way for me to use black cardstock. Thanks for sharing.
Oh WOW!! Your cards are just GORGEOUS!! I love the black with the coloring and your use of the dies and jewels-just breathtaking!!! A feast for the eyes!!
I love your use of all of the dies but the purple……oh, the purple….swoon….
Really beautiful cards
Thank you for these wonderful creations!
Gorgeous cards! Love the dark background with the bright colors.
Gorgeous cards
Ooh la la. Love the black cardstock!
Wow, I love how you used the black paper and then added the bright colors on top..stunning coloring!!!
Wow, stunning cards..love how you used the black background and beautiful colors for the images.
I love the use of the black. The purples showing
through the black die cut and the flower that
picks up the color is great. Spectacular cards.
thanks for sharing.
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
Beautiful cards! Striking with the black backgrounds!
Loving these fantastic cards! BEAUTIFUL!
My mouth dropped. Beautiful beyond words for me
These cards are so striking with those dark backgrounds! Love the bit of color peeking through the dies`
Oh what striking cards, absolutely gorgeous!
Dear Emily
You proved me wrong by using black as backgrounds. I really fell in love with the first card as the sentiment hello hooked me. Both cards are lovely.Hugs
The Purple foil card peeking through the spaces is genius Emily….. These dies all look so wonderful. I can’t pick a favorite yet. Thanks for sharing these lovelies.
Gorgeous card…Thanks for sharing !!
I love the bright colors with the black – it is just stunning! Thank you for sharing! Where do you find all the beautiful pens that you have in your photos with your card designs?
Wooooooooow (with about 5 syllables). Between your gorgeous coloring and the bright colors through the background die cuts, these cards just glow. Thank you for sharing these amazing projects with us!
Stunning looks, love how you used the dies on dark paper with pops of bright color! Fun to see something unexpected!
Wow! Gorgeous cards! I love the beautiful, bright colors against the black card stock! Stunning! Great use of the frame dies!
They are wonderful.. Stunning.. yet another creation in black.. love.. love..
A black background is a neat idea! Thanks for sharing.