On Using Focal Point Die Cuts

Do you have any of those?  You know, those AWESOME dies that you just HAD to have because they are THAT awesome!  And then you realize they are kind of big and they can TOTALLY take center stage!  Yup.  Totally love those.  Today I have two cards showing off a couple of focal point dies from Simon Says Stamp!


Ummm...I love this card. Sorry. I just can't even help it. HA! I used the amazingly fabulous Life Bubble Vertical 1 Craft Die. I LOVE this die!!! Seriously. What could be better than a giant rectangular speech bubble just WAITING for something fun inside? I know, right? Right. Totally. And I did warn you yesterday that I did a lot of playing with my Simon Says Stamp April card kit, right? Those Fancy Pants Park Bench papers and that awesome stamp are from the same kit, but you can totally get them individually! LOVE!


I used the chalkboard technique (white embossed the sentiment on black and then stamped off to the side with VersaMagic white ink) for the speech bubble sentiment and I LOVE how cute it looks! That sentiment is SO perfect for this technique! LOVE IT. What is particularly nice, is that this card was so easy to design because that die totally takes center stage and holds it well! Love that!


This die is not only an awesome focal point die, but it is also a focal point SENTIMENT! Woot! Woot! It's the Thank You Heart Craft Die Pair (yup...two dies...background heart and thank you heart) from Simon Says Stamp. My tip with a focal point sentiment die is to keep it simple! Don't feel like you have to over compensate for how EASY it was for you to cut and adhere that die cut! LOL! Let it shine all on it's own!


Have you used focal point dies in your crafting? I am really loving them! It almost feels like cheating! HA!


If you would like to see the products I have used on these fun cards be sure to check out the links below.


Have a Happy!!!

InLinkz.com

For A Happy Couple of Couples!

Happy Monday, folks!  If you are a week-day-only kind of visitor, I want to let you know that I posted two fun cards over the weekend!  One for the Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger and the other for the Avery Elle Challenge.  Don't forget to check them out!

Today, however, I have two cards that are great for an Anniversary!  Actually...one is good for an anniversary OR even a wedding card.  Over the weekend I pulled out my April Simon Says Stamp Card Kit and some super fabulous Simon Says Stamp exclusive dies and went to TOWN!  I had SO much fun playing with these goodies! While the April Card Kit is sold out, you can still order any of the individual items, including the stamps!


For this one I used the gorgeous Danville Wreath Die. I love the detail in this wreath! It is just SO pretty! I decided to cut the wreath into two pieces and use it in a slightly less traditional manner. It brings to mind the feeling of two becoming one, as they are two halves of the same circle. I love that! The stamps on this card are from the Beautiful Words set and the Happy Every Day set.


For my second card I used the super pretty Ariana Wreath Craft Die. I used both the actual wreath portion, and the inner portion that is cut as a result of cutting the wreath. I love how this creates a 'framed sign' sort of look with the wreath die. SO FUN!


I also made good use of the Fancy Pants Park Bench 6x6 papers, by trimming a piece for the sentiment on my card. I LOVE papers that are super useful. For reals. Just sayin'.

I have a little tip to offer you today, as well. When using intricate dies have your favorite glue stick handy! You don't want to make a mess, so press the stick against the die, blotting instead of rubbing it over the surface. This will give you a good adhesive coverage. Glue pens are also a good option for intricate die cuts.

ALSO...if you happen to have the Simon Says Stamp April Card Kit there is an opportunity for you to WIN a $25 E-card to Simon Says Stamp! All you have to do is upload your cards, using the kit, to Splitcoast Stampers and use keyword: APRIL2013CK by 30 April! Yup! That's it! Just use your kit and upload your cards! DO IT!

If you would like to check out the goodies I've used on these two cards, click on the links below! Nice and easy, folks. Keepin' it real.

InLinkz.com

City Love at Fresh Squeezed Stamps

I have a card up over on the Fresh Squeezed Stamps Blog today using my new favorite FSS stamp set, On Trend!  LOVE!!!  Here is a sneak, but you will have to head on over there to see the card!