Sixth Street Sundries

Emily Midgett

imperia plate

One Die, Two Cards with Simon Says Stamp!

This post was sponsored by Simon Says Stamp. Thanks, Simon!

Hi friends! I have a pair of crisp projects to share with you today using the same die in two different ways! When working with monochromatic or tone-on-tone color palettes, I like to use lots of different textures of cardstock in the same color palette to keep the contrast and visual interest high. For today’s projects, I die cut the newer Gentle Layers Floral Wreath dies from both plain Hammermill white cardstock as well as pearlescent white cardstock, then added some coloring and textural details with other die cuts to create these crisp and clean cards. Let’s get started with the details!

For both of my projects, I used the delicate blooms from the Gentle Layers Floral Wreath dies to create some decorative floral focal points, using my alcohol markers to add vibrant pinks to one set of the floral die cuts and keeping the others plain. Using alcohol markers to add vibrant color to specialty cardstocks is a fun way to get extra uses out of your fun coated cardstock!

For my first project, I created a fun shaker card, taking advantage of the open window behind the Gentle Layers Floral Wreath die set for my shaker background. I die cut the floral wreath and coordinating flower dies from both plain white cardstock and white pearl cardstock, then used alcohol markers to add vibrant pinks to only the flower die cuts, layering the finished flowers on their correct spot on the Gentle Layers Floral Wreath die cut. I didn’t go too crazy with the shading on the flowers, simply using one color per flower, then using the different layers to add interest and contrast to the images.

To create my shaker window, I used a circle die that was slightly smaller than the opening for my circular wreath die cut, cut on the bottom right of my A2 card front and backed with some clear acetate. I filled my shaker with some Summer Blooms embellishment mix, then adhered the finished wreath around the circular window using liquid adhesive. I trimmed down a wedding sentiment strip (which I think is from a discontinued set, but THIS set is similar!) and added a delicate bow, dyed a coordinating shade of pink using one of the same alcohol markers and some white ribbon. Finally, I added a few Clear Pawsitively Dazzling Gems for added sparkle!

For my second project, I wanted to take advantage of the leftovers from my first card. Because I had die cut the wreath components from both Hammermill white cardstock and pearlescent white cardstock and used only the pearlescent flowers for the wreath arrangement, I had a pearlescent wreath base and plain white flowers leftover. I changed up the layout a bit, preferring instead to arrange parts of the wreath and flowers around the edge of a vellum die cut circle.

For the background, I die cut a panel of white cardstock using the Imperia cover plate die, which adds beautiful pierced texture to your panel of cardstock without actually cutting any shapes from it. I added the embellished vellum circle die cut to the textured card front, hiding the foam adhesive behind the solid die cuts. I embossed a sentiment from Sunshine and Smiles stamps and dies using silver embossing powder and added it to the center of the vellum circle. Finally, I added a few sparkling Clear Pawsitively Dazzling Gems to fill the arrangement out a bit more and cover more of the card front.

Well, that’s all for my projects today! I cannot believe that we are already approaching back to school time… the summer has flown by so quickly! I can’t wait to get my fill of holiday cardmaking very soon. Thanks so much for stopping by today, and have a marvelous day!

Here’s To What’s Next, Grad!

This post was sponsored by Simon Says Stamp. Thanks, Simon!

Hi friends! I have a pair of projects to share with you today using some of the new graduation-themed goodies from the Simon Says Stamp Celebrate release from last week! Graduation season is upon us, and we have reached the age where relatives who were tiny kids when my husband and I met are now full-fledged adults (well, sort of, ha) and are graduating from high school and college! (Off to check out the white hairs sparkling at my temples, be right back!) Our local high school colors are maroon and white, and so I thought I would create a pair of projects using the new Grad Cover Plate and the new Grad foil transfer cards. Let’s get started on the details!

Who doesn’t love a shaker card, right? Even a teenager might be tempted to shake shake shake when presented with some shiny sequins (and some cash)! The new Grad Cover Plate cuts the letters out of a die cut rectangle, creating a negative space that is perfect for use with tons of different techniques. Paper piecing, ink blending, stenciling, etc! I chose to back my white die cut with some acetate, creating a perfect window for a shaker. This card would be super simple to customize to your graduate’s school colors, too!

I started by die cutting the Grad Cover Plate from some plain white cardstock, reserving the center of the R, O, and A die cuts. I adhered some clear acetate behind my die cut and used Simon Says Stamp Foam Adhesive Strips to add some foam adhesive in a continuous line around the edge of the the back of the die cut, which creates the space to fill my shaker card with sequins. I added a shimmering frame, cut using the A2 Nesting Frames dies with gold glitter cardstock, then accented it with some Hero Arts 5 Point Star Infinity Die cuts cut from gold mirror cardstock.

To add a little extra texture behind the shaker window die cut, I ran a panel of deep marron cardstock through my die cut machine with the Imperia Plate. This plate pierces a textured pattern into the cardstock, which makes it a beautiful and simple way to embellish a plain background, adding a little extra interest behind your focal point. I filled my shaker with Candy Hearts sequins, which coordinated beautifully with my color scheme. Simon Says Stamp stocks so many different colors of confetti sequin packs that you are sure to find a color that coordinates with your graduate’s school colors! I love the simplicity of this card… you could even mass produce this one for a graduation announcement, simplifying it by removing the shaker part and just having the die cut window. So many different options!

What graduate doesn’t like a little extra cash or gift card? I created this gift card holder by first die cutting the Gift Card Pocket Envelope from some plain white cardstock, then cutting a separate cardstock rectangle the same size as the front panel and running it through my die cutting machine with the new Shimmering Starfall embossing folder. Using a separate panel of cardstock helps to add that texture without making the gift card holder difficult to fold and put together. I ran the new Grad foil transfer cards through my Minc machine with Simon Says Stamp’s Yellow DecoFoil toner foil and used my sharp scissors to cut them out. I added another gold glitter cardstock frame cut with the A2 Nesting Frames dies on top of the embossed background panel, then popped up the greeting pieces with some foam squares. I added a few more shiny gold foil stars cut using the Hero Arts 5 Point Star Infinity Dies and gold mirror cardstock to finish the project off!

Well, that’s all for my projects today. I love the simplicity of cards made using only die cuts; they’re so easy to customize and would be super simple to mass produce, which is perfect for an occasion like high school graduation! Thanks so much for stopping by today, and have a marvelous day!

Simon Says Stamp Celebrate Blog Hop Day 1!

This post was sponsored by Simon Says Stamp. Thanks, Simon!

Hi friends! Welcome to Day 1 of the Simon Says Stamp Celebrate Blog Hop! You should have arrived here from Cathy Zielske, and your next stop is Mindy Eggen. You can also start back at the beginning at the Simon Says Stamp Blog in case you get lost! The Celebrate Release features a huge variety of styles and themes, some whimsy, some elegance, and just about everything in between. I have a pair of cards today that would work perfectly for wedding season and could be easily customized to fit the color scheme for the wedding party. Let’s get started with the details!

Aqua is one of those colors that works beautifully as a neutral and as a main element for your color palette. My first home with my husband was painted in varying shades of aqua (the painters called it “the Easter egg house,” ha); such is my love for this color! And I think that Simon Says Stamp’s Sea Glass cardstock is the most perfect shade of aqua: not too intense, but also enough to add a beautiful pop of color to your card, and works beautifully as a neutral. I used it as the jumping off point to create a pair of wedding cards using the new To the Happy Couple and Daisy Oval Frame from the Celebrate Release.

For my first card, I started by stamping images from the new To the Happy Couple set: a bride and groom with one of the lovely scripty sentiments included in the set. I stamped the images using black pigment ink and embossed them with clear embossing powder to make the black lines even more crisp. I used OLO markers to color the images, keeping the bride’s dress “white” by adding some pale BV shadows and softening the lines with the colorless marker. I also used a clear glitter Sparkle Pen to add some extra shimmer to the overlay on the bridal gown, making it that much more special! I die cut the finished images with the coordinating dies, also heat embossing a greeting from Simple Wedding Wishes onto a strip of white cardstock to add to the card.

For the background, I die cut the Lace Heart die from some silver pearl vellum, adding another element of shimmer to the card. (Wedding cards and shimmer go hand in hand in my book!) I offset the heart on my Sea Glass A2 card front, trimming off the edge and adhering it with some foam adhesive in the center of the vellum die cut. The vellum is semi-transparent, but I knew that I would be adding the happy couple over the top of the adhesive, effectively hiding it. I added the bride and groom and sentiment pieces over the vellum heart with more foam adhesive, creating a double layer of foam tape to give the different elements plenty of height.

The simplicity of the bride’s gown makes me think that she would have a simple bouquet of daisies, so I thought that some of the standalone daisy die cuts from the Daisy Oval Frame set would work perfectly to help accent the focal point and provide a little extra interest and sparkle! I die cut the large daisy image from white pearlescent cardstock, as well as some of the smaller florals from white glitter cardstock and foliage from darker aqua cardstock. I arranged the flowers around the focal points, accenting the centers with some Clear Pawsitively Dazzling Gems. Wouldn’t this be such a special card to include with a wedding gift?

My second card features the rest of the totally gorgeous new Daisy Oval Frame. I die cut the frame from some white pearlescent cardstock, reserving the center oval die cut. I ran that oval through my die cut machine with the Imperia Plate die, which adds pierced texture to the image without cutting any shapes. I also die cut the standalone daisy die cuts from some more white pearlescent cardstock. The Daisy Oval Frame has a partial version of this shape at the top and bottom of the frame, so I adhered the standalone pieces to their respective spots with liquid glue, then adhered the overlapping spots to the textured oval piece from the center. This created one cohesive die cut piece to which I could add thin strips of foam adhesive!

For the greeting, I die cut the Boho Celebrate die twice from some medium aqua cardstock and adhering both pieces together with liquid adhesive, backing this dimensional die cut with a vellum shadow layer. I also die cut some iridescent white mirror cardstock from my stash with the A2 Nesting Frames, layering the largest frame around the outside edge of my Sea Glass A2 card front. I popped up the embellished frame in the center of my card front with some foam adhesive, then added the greeting in the center of the frame with some small dots of liquid adhesive behind the solid die cut. Finally, I added a few Surf Pawsitively Dazzling Gems for added sparkle! This card would work well for a bridal shower, wedding, or other celebratory event. It’s neutral enough that it could fit lots of occasions!

Well, that’s all for my projects today. Now for some fun giveaway information!

Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $25 coupon to every stop on the hop, with winners selected from the blog comment section. Winners will be posted on the Simon Says Stamp blog on Wednesday the 24th of April and can email Simon Says Stamp to claim their prize!

Simon Says Stamp is also offering a fun Gift-With-Purchase opportunity to celebrate the new release! Simply follow the instructions in the graphic and enter code GHBD to receive the Groovy Happy Birthday die FREE with any purchase. (This gift with purchase will expire 4/21 at 11:59 pm EDT. While supplies last.)

Your next stop on today’s hop is Mindy Eggen. Don’t forget to check the Simon Says Stamp blog again tomorrow for Day 2 of the Celebrate Release Blog Hop. Lots more inspiration and prizes to be had tomorrow! Thanks so much for stopping by today, and happy hopping!

Getting Back to My Stamping Roots with Monogram Stationery!

This post was sponsored by Simon Says Stamp. Thanks, Simon!

When I first started stamping, I was a new bride in search of the perfect stationery upon which to send out my thank you notes. I, as most new brides do, loved the sight of my new initials on anything and so began making monogram stationery for myself. When I was designing the Floral Frames stamps for Simon Says Stamp, one of the ways that I envisioned using it was to create monogrammed stationery. It’s taken me nearly a year for me to find the time to make some, but make some I did!! Let’s get started with the details.

I began by stamping both of the floral images from the Floral Frames set using Intens-ified Black Ink on Hammermill white cardstock. I used OLO Markers to color the images with muted shades of lavender and rose to create some a pair of elegant, coordinating frames.

For my first project, I paired the circular ranunculus floral frame with some Tattered Leaves Dies, die cut from Pitch Black cardstock to accent the crisp black lines of the stamped image. I added an initial cut from Black Glitter Foam using a die set that has (I now realize) been discontinued, but the Heather Alpha dies would be a good substitute!

For the background, I wanted to add some subtle texture, so I die cut the Imperia Plate from some white cardstock. I trimmed it down slightly and added a strip of black cardstock to accent the textured panel from the plain A2 card base at the bottom. I arranged the black standalone leaf die cuts around the floral spray, popping them all up with foam adhesive. Finally, I added a few black gems for some sparkle!

My second project features the anemone arched frame from Floral Frames, focusing the color on the more muted shades of lavender. I die cut a black glitter foam “C” initial and adhered it in the center of the frame, again accentuating the black lines of the stamped image with more black Tattered Leaves die cuts.

For the background, I trimmed down an A2 panel of white cardstock, then added some low tack tape from Simon Says Stamp around the edges of the cardstock. I blended Thistle ink around the open area to coordinate with the light purple flowers, then spritzed some Hero Arts Iridescent Shimmer Spray over the blending to create a lovely white framed backdrop for the monogram. I ran the blended, sparkling panel through my die cut machine using the Blossom Field embossing folder (which is currently out of stock, so be sure to sign up for email updates when it is back in stock!) to create some lovely, subtle floral texture behind my bold black and white focal point. I adhered the frame and blooms with more foam adhesive, then added some more complementary black gems for more sparkle.

Well, that’s all for today’s monogram projects! It was so cathartic for me to be able to use my own illustration to create one of my favorite styles of card. Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a marvelous day!

Magenta and Mustard- Fashion Inspiration!

This post was sponsored by Simon Says Stamp. Thanks, Simon!

I have mentioned in other blog posts that I frequently find myself inspired by fashion-the cuts, the patterns, the textures, the sparkle… I love clothes and accessorizing to look as cohesive and put-together as possible. My Grammy always made sure that she looked as perfect as could be when she went out of the house, from her Lancôme mascara to her pantyhose (that she wore nearly every day of her life, including to the beach, haha!), and so it is to her that I attribute my meticulous attention to detail. Color schemes are one of my favorite ways to play with stamps and dies; pairing interesting and sometimes unusual color combinations on every element of a project is like a puzzle to me. I have a dress that is the most beautiful shade of golden mustard yellow with big fat magenta blooms all over it. So unique, that I needed to recreate it on a card front using another of my illustrations for Simon Says Stamp: Celebrate Rose Corner!

I began by stamping the Celebrate Rose Corner onto some golden mustard cardstock found amongst my (copious) cardstock stash using white pigment ink. I angled it so that it was gracefully dripping down the front of my A2 card front and spilling over the sides. The large size of this image makes it great for creating full backgrounds as well as rotating to use part of the image on the corners of your card! I then used my Caran D’Ache colored pencils to do some no line coloring in shades of deep magenta and maroon, adding lots of white highlights to provide tons of contrast. The intense yellow cardstock beneath the pencil layers doesn’t completely disappear, but it’s very subtle; my husband said it looked almost like the roses had been dusted with pollen! The pencils do a good job of popping off the color saturated background with just a hint of yellow undertone.

Once I’d finished coloring, I die cut the image with the coordinating die. The image is complete on all sides, so it’s easy to rotate it and use as much or as little as you’d like!

After I’d finished with my bright pink roses, I used the Imperia Plate to die cut another panel of the same golden yellow cardstock. This cover plate adds a beautifully intricate pierced texture to the background, perfect for adding a little bit of extra interest behind the bold pink roses. I also die cut one of the biggest workhorses in my craft room: the A2 Thin Frames. I use these frame dies on a huge portion of my projects. They’re perfect for adding the most subtle of accents, especially in a situation like this, in which the tone-on-tone frame finishes off the visual rectangle provided by the floral spray draped across the front of the card, but doesn’t add any other color or much extra bulk.

I popped up all of the die cut pieces onto the pierced background die cut using foam adhesive, then die cut the Basic Trio Dies (which are currently out of stock but you can always sign up for email notifications when it comes back in!) three times from some coordinating green cardstock, adhering them together using liquid adhesive. I nestled the greeting amongst the foliage and popped them up with a double layer of foam tape to help give them some extra interest. Finally, I added a few matte gold pearls which coordinate beautifully with the golden background.

I hope you enjoyed this project! I love creating with such minimal colors, which I think creates such a cohesive, intentional design but definitely doesn’t skimp on the vibrancy. Thanks so much for stopping by today, and have a marvelous day!