This post was sponsored by Simon Says Stamp. Thanks, Simon! *I have gathered links to all of the products used at the bottom of the post for your convenience, using affiliate links at no extra cost to you. Thank you for shopping with my links! I truly appreciate your support for my work!*
Hi friends! I am hopping along with Simon Says Stamp today to celebrate their Joy For You release (click HERE to see the full release!). You should have arrived here from Barbara Tarayao, and your next stop is Nicky Meek. You can see the entire hop list over on the Simon Says Stamp Blog. I have created a bevy of holiday projects using these fabulous new products, and for today’s project I used one of my favorite images and color palettes for the holidays. Cardinals have always symbolized peace to me; after I lost my grandparents, I have always felt so much comfort when I see them and hear them chirping outside my window. Their ruby red feathers are absolutely spectacular against the wintry landscape, and so I tried to capture that bold contrast with today’s shaped A7 card. Let’s get started with the details on my project!
The new Pine Cone Cardinal embossing folder and die set features a beautifully illustrated cardinal with lots of exquisite texture perched on a pine branch. It also comes with a die for the cardinal, so you can die cut and emboss the shape in a different color of cardstock or other technique. Whenever I am working with embossed die cuts, I die cut the image first, then run the die cut piece through the machine with the embossing folder so that all of the textured details stay crisp. I then used my OLO Markers to add vivid color to the cardinal. Adding detailed coloring to these super textured die cuts just makes them look so realistic!!
After I had colored the standalone cardinal, I die cut a medium arch from white cardstock using the older A7 Arches nesting die set. I then placed it in the Pine Cone Cardinal embossing folder and ran it through my die cutting machine, adding lovely texture to the panel and creating a serene little scene upon which my vibrant cardinal could perch! I adhered the standalone cardinal to the embossed die cut with thin foam adhesive, then die cut a second, slightly larger A7 arch from shimmering white glitter cardstock and mounted the embossed piece in the center with thin foam adhesive. I also used that same larger A7 Arch die to die cut a shaped card base, making sure that the fold of the card was within the lines of the die so that it did not cut.
For the greeting, I die cut the Fancy Peace detail layer from the same white glitter cardstock and backed it with a vellum shadow layer, adhering the two pieces with liquid adhesive. I also die cut the Christmastime EZ Strips sentiment cards with the EZ Strips Banners. I arranged the sentiments next to the die cut cardinal, adhering them with more thin foam adhesive. I die cut some iridescent white foil cardstock using the new Fresh Pine Sprigs dies, then tucked them behind the cardinal and the sentiment pieces, which creates a lush bough of pines in which the cardinal can nestle! Finally, I added a few Opal Pawsitively Dazzling Gems for a touch more sparkle. I just love how the vibrant cardinal pops from the layers of white texture. Such a festive way to let the cardinal be the star of the show!
Well, that’s all for my project today. Now for some fun giveaway information!
Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $25 coupon to every stop on the hop, with each winner selected from each blog’s comment section. Winners will be selected and then posted on the Simon Says Stamp blog; be sure to check there to find out if you won and how to redeem your prize!
Simon Says Stamp is also offering a fun gift-with-purchase promotion over the weekend: the adorable Joy of Snow stamp set (not yet released!) will be automatically added to your cart for free with *any* purchase from the Joy For You release (click HERE to see the full release!).
Your next stop on the hop is Nicky Meek. Thanks so much for stopping by today, and happy hopping!
