4/30/2020

Watercolor Elephant Pocket ~ MCT Gift Card Giving

Hello.  Today, the My Creative Time team is sharing projects for gift card giving.  Here is my pocket style gift card holder.  It includes a watercolor elephant and accent layers.




Sentiment:  Celebrate

This pocket holder could be for almost any celebration occasion including birthday, baby shower or congratulations.  It can be used as a party favor with treats or as a gift card holder.

To make this, begin by die-cutting the pocket holder and the tag layers.  Then, stamp the sentiment tag and the elephant in waterproof ink onto watercolor paper.  Next, add watercolor to the elephant.  Then, die-cut the elephant and the top tag layers.  Finally, assemble and layer everything, to finish.



Supplies:  My Creative Time Treat Sleeve Die (Revised), Sweet Little Smile and Hello Gorgeous; Archival ink in jet black and magenta hue; mini Misti, Zig clean color real brush markers, water brush, twine, foam tape, Canson watercolor paper and K&Company double-sided paper.

Please visit Emma's My Creative Time blog for more inspiration.

Enjoy your day.
Gaylynn

4/29/2020

Watermark background card with white accents + tutorial

Hello.  For Technique Time at Unity, I am sharing a watermark background card with added accents in white and gray.


Sentiment: Just roll with it.

Adding a watermark background is one way to add soft stamping detail to a card.  It can easily be made to coordinate with the main card focus.


Here are helpful tips for creating a watermark background for a card.  First, trim or die-cut a background panel from colored cardstock.  Then, stamp and trim the sentiment panel.  Next, using the mini Misti stamp positioner and VersaMark ink or watermark ink, stamp the toilet paper rolls and the hearts all around the cardstock panel.  Optional, repeat the stamping to get the best stamp impression.  Next, add white accents to the tp rolls using a colored pencil.  Also, add gray color accents to the roll on the sentiment panel to create a bit of dimension.  I used gray Copic markers, but gray colored pencils would work, also.  Finally, layer the card, add the sentiment tag and the twine, to finish.




I made a quick video tutorial showing the process for this project.
{{Please subscribe to my video channel and like this video.  Many thanks.}}
YouTube:  Gaylynn NeatThingsBtq



Here is another look.



Supplies:  Unity Stamp Co. Lil' Bathroom Humor and Crappy Day; twine, mint cardstock, Prismacolor white colored pencil, VersaMark ink, MFT die-namics, double-sided foam tape, mini Misti, twine, Copic markers C1, C3, 0.

Be sure to visit the Unity blog for the entire article and tutorial.
Also, you can find my other features at Unity's
Technique Time and
Watercolor Wednesday.


Thanks for visiting.
Gaylynn

4/22/2020

Watercolor swoosh card background with colorful stamping.

Hello.  For Technique Time at Unity, I am showing a watercolor swoosh background technique along with colorful stamping.


Sentiment: So well done.


A watercolor swoosh background can be made easy with a one or two colors along with simple stamping. This is an easy way to add softness to card making.

Here are helpful tips for creating a watercolor swoosh background card. To begin, pre-cut or die-cut a watercolor paper panel to fit your card base. Next, mix two different colors of watercolor onto a palette. Then, using a wide paintbrush, dab the brush into one of the colors and make a swoosh from left to right. Optional, add layers of color to the swoosh if you want to. Now, repeat the swoosh with another color below the first swoosh, overlapping slightly. Next, heat set the watercolor swoosh background or leave out to dry completely. Then, using an original Misti or stamp positioning tool, add the big sentiment, the mouse and the border stamp in navy archival ink or waterproof ink. Also, stamp the flowers in three coordinated colors, repeatedly around the top. Finally, add twine and adhesive gems, to finish.



I made a quick video tutorial showing the process for this project.
{{Please subscribe to my video channel and like this video.  Many thanks.}}
YouTube:  Gaylynn NeatThingsBtq


Here is another look.


Supplies:  Unity Stamp Co. So Well Done and A Little Mousy; MFT die-namics, double-sided foam tape, Altenew palette mat, Canson watercolor paper, Prima watercolor, Ranger archival ink in cobalt, saffron and aquamarine; original Misti, paintbrush, adhesive gems.

Be sure to visit the Unity blog for the entire article and tutorial.
Also, you can find my other features at Unity's
Technique Time and
Watercolor Wednesday.


Thanks for visiting.
Gaylynn

4/17/2020

Happy Mail Card ~ #spreadjoynotgerms Blog Hop

Hello, Gaylynn here sharing my happy mail card and tutorial for the #spreadjoynotgerms official blog hop.



Sentiment:
During these uncertain times, know this is true, you are loved.


Today, I am sharing a heart card with butterflies.  This is great as an uplifting card to show love during these uncertain times or it can be given as a get well card or for breast cancer survivors.

Some of the ways that I like to share happy mail are in person (when possible) for birthdays or events or by mail for those who are not local.  I rarely send store-bought cards, but instead, send one of my handmade cards.

Here are helpful tips for creating this card.  To begin, preheat a laminator.  Next, using a stamp positioner, like the Misti, stamp using one stamp at a time.  First, stamp the small butterfly on white cardstock, using ink for use with your markers of choice and then clean off the ink from the stamp.  Make note of how you placed your cardstock within the Misti and leave the stamp in place for use on another pass later.  Next, add color to the butterfly (optional).  Next, place the stamped butterfly piece back into the Misti.  Add VersaMark ink to the small butterfly, then stamp over the existing butterfly piece.  Repeat with VersaMark ink if you want.  Next, add clear embossing powder to the small butterfly piece, then heat set.  Then, place a trimmed piece of gold foil (pretty side up) over the butterfly piece.  Next sandwich those two between a folded piece of parchment paper carrier sheet.  Run these through a preheated laminator.  Remove the foil to reveal a shiny butterfly with color showing on the wings.
Repeat this process for the larger heart-shaped butterfly stamp.
Finally, cut out (fussy cut) the pieces then layer everything to finish the card. 

Here is another look:


Supplies:  Unity Stamp Co Trust It Will Be Okay and Cuppa Comfort; gold deco foil, MFT die-namics, Ranger clear embossing powder, heat tool, Simon Says Stamp intense black ink, original Misti, YourStory laminator, parchment paper carrier sheet, VersaMark ink, white and pink cardstock, foam tape, Copic markers RV29, RV11, R20.  

Thanks for visiting.
Gaylynn

4/15/2020

Creative stenciling with embossing paste nurse card + video tutorial

Hello.  For Technique Time at Unity, I am sharing a nurse card with creative stenciling with embossing paste.  This is a great one to give as a thank you card.



Sentiment:  Nursing is a work of heart.

Here are helpful tips for creating cards using stenciling with embossing paste.  To begin, pre-trim or die-cut cardstock to prepare for stenciling.  Also, pre-color and cut out a focal stamp like the nurse.  Next, over a plastic craft mat, spray the stencil with pixie spray then place the stencil over the trimmed cardstock panel.  Use masking tape, as another option.  Then, using a spatula, cover the stencil area with the silver metallic paste or your paste of choice.  Next, set aside to dry or gently heat set.  Then, place the full stenciled background or trim diagonally as needed.  Finally, assemble all of the layers to the card base, to finish.



I made a quick video tutorial showing the process for this project.
{{Please subscribe to my video channel and like this video.  Many thanks.}}
YouTube:  Gaylynn NeatThingsBtq


Here is another look.


Supplies:  Unity Stamp Co. Work Of Heart {digital stamp} and Care For The Caretakers (digital stamp}; MFT die-namics, Rabbit Hole Designs stencil, Dreamweaver metallic silver embossing paste, pixie spray, spatula, double-sided flat and foam tape, plastic craft mat, painter's tape, Fiskars paper trimmer, Copic markers C1, C3, C5, R32, 0, E00, Y26, Y21, E11, E33, E13, BG49, BG32, BG15, BG53, BG10.

Be sure to visit the Unity blog for the entire article and tutorial.
Also, you can find my other features at Unity's
Technique Time and
Watercolor Wednesday.


Thanks for visiting.
Gaylynn

4/14/2020

A set of watercolor thank you tags ~ MCT Tag It Tuesday

Hi there.  Today, the My Creative Time team is sharing tag projects.  Here is my set of thank you tags with watercolor and heat embossing.




Sentiment:  Thank you.

I needed some thank you tags, so I made a set using ink smooshing watercolor in two colors.  These are great to include with a package or used as a wine tag on a hostess gift.

To make them, begin by die-cutting all of the tag layers on watercolor paper and on colored cardstock.  Next, stamp and heat emboss the flower onto each of the watercolor paper pieces.  Next, mix watercolor with water and dab color onto a plastic craft mat or a piece of acetate.  Then, when you get the two colors placed around the mat, gently smoosh the watercolor mat with the watercolor paper.  Now, repeat as needed to get the color look that you want.  Next, heat set or allow the panels to dry.  Finally, add twine to the yellow cardstock and then layer the tag panels together to finish the tags.

Supplies:  My Creative Time Stay Beautiful, Eggstra Special, Tag Frame Dies and Tag Frame Die Layers; Archival cobalt ink, mini Misti, VersaMark ink, Sakura Koi watercolor, watercolor brush, white embossing powder, heat tool, hemp twine, foam tape, cardstock.

Please visit Emma's My Creative Time blog for more inspiration.

Enjoy your day.
Gaylynn

4/11/2020

Celebrating doctors and nurses ~ thank you card set.

Hi there.  Today, I am sharing a set of thank you cards for doctors and nurses on the front lines, during this time.  These are great cards to send out thanks to medical professionals.


Here are helpful tips for creating this.  To begin, either use printed digital stamps or hand-stamped images and a sentiment for use with Copic markers or your markers of choice.  Next color in the doctors and nurses and then cut them out (fussy cutting).  Next, stamp the background using gold metallix gel, ink or emboss it.  To assemble, layer the background panel onto the card base.  Finally, layer the doctors and nurses, overlapping a bit along with the trimmed sentiment.


Sentiment:
Each day you are part of a miracle.  Thank you for saving the people we love.

Here is another look.


Sentiment:  Nursing is a work of heart.

Supplies:  Unity Stamp Co. Part of a Miracle {digital stamps}, Work of Heart {digital stamps}, Care for the Caretakers {digital stamps} and Quatrefoil Backgrounddouble-sided foam tape, My Favorite Things A2 stitched rectangle dies, gold metallix gel, Copic markers C1, C3, C5, C5, C9, BG49, BG32, BG15, BG53, BG10, 0, R32, E00, E29, E71, E44, E49, E18, E37, E11, E33, E13, Y26, Y21.

Thanks for visiting.
Gaylynn

4/09/2020

Thinking of you card with Copic markers ~ MCT Just Cards

Hi there.  Today, the My Creative Time team is sharing just card projects.  Here is my Spring inspired floral card made with an embossed edge detail plus Copic coloring for the flowers.



Sentiment:  Thinking of you.  Make every day count.

This is a great card to send for thinking of you or encouragement.  It has a cheerful look to it with popped up flowers with sentiments as stems.

To begin, trim or die-cut a piece of cardstock fit onto the card base.  Next, trim then place an edge strip of patterned paper or embossed paper to the top panel.  Next, stamp the petals onto a separate piece of cardstock.  Now, position and then stamp the sentiment stems onto the cardstock layer.  Next, add color to the flowers and then die-cut them.  Finally, adhere the flowers to the card front using foam tape.  Optional, add glitter glue to the flower.




Supplies:  My Creative Time Stay Beautiful and More Stitched Rectangular Dies; Simon Says Stamp intense black ink, mini misti, MSC silver glitter glue, embossing folder, foam tape, Copic markers R27, RV29, R32, R02, Y26.

Please visit Emma's My Creative Time blog for more inspiration.

Enjoy your day.
Gaylynn

4/08/2020

2 Butterfly Cards Using Embossing Folders and Ink + Video Tutorial

Hello.  I am sharing two butterfly cards using embossing folders and ink as background accents.


Here are helpful tips for creating cards using embossing folders and ink.  To begin, pre-trim or die-cut cardstock to prepare for dry embossing.  Also, stamp, color and cut out butterflies and sentiment pieces.  Next, open an embossing folder and ink up the inner flat side and leave the raised side without ink.  Then, lay the trimmed cardstock panel on the uninked side of the embossing folder.  Now, gently place the inked side over the dry side of the folder.  Next, dry emboss using your embossing/die-cutting machine of choice.  I ran mine through a die-cutting/embossing machine and sandwiched the closed embossing folder between two plates over the base. Remove the ink and embossed panel and heat set.  Repeat for the other card panel.  Finally, trim as needed and then assemble all of the layers to the card base, to finish.



Sentiment:  Take care of your garden and the butterflies will come.

Here is another look.


Sentiment:  No matter how difficult the days may get, remember your purpose.

Note:  The embossing folders that I used are no longer available, so I added similar ones below.

Thanks for visiting.
Gaylynn

4/04/2020

Sweet bunny love card with masking, watercolor & stenciling.

Hi there.  Today, I am sharing a darling bunny card with a love theme for any occasion.  There can never be too much love to go around.




Sentiment:  XOXO

Here are helpful tips for creating this card.  To begin, pre-trim or die-cut paper layers, then stamp the bunny onto the top watercolor paper panel.  Next, punch or die-cut a circle from masking paper, like masking magic.  Then, adhere that masked piece over the bunny or your own stamping.  Next, add stencil ink blending around the whole top panel from dark to light.  Then, remove the masking.  Now, color in the bunny with watercolor or your coloring of choice.  Finally, assemble the card layers and accents, to finish.


I made a quick video tutorial showing the process for this project.
{{Please subscribe to my video channel and like this video.  Many thanks.}}
YouTube:  Gaylynn NeatThingsBtq


Here is another look.





Supplies:  Unity Stamp Co. Hugs & Kisses Bunny and All Kinds Of Love Stencil; Gina K Designs masking magic, distress oxide ink worn lipstick, Zig clean color real brush pens 065, 071, 072, 064, 028, 021, 026; blending brush, Spellbinders dies, adhesive pearls, Pretty Pink Posh dies, PTI vellum, StazOn ink, Ranger jet black archival ink, multi medium matte glue & plastic craft mat; Canson watercolor paper, double-sided foam tape, My Favorite Things A2 stitched rectangle dies, watercolor brush, heat tool.

Thanks for visiting.
Gaylynn

4/03/2020

Pretty Circles ~ MCT 101th Edition Release & Blog Hop + Video

Hi there, it's Gaylynn.  The My Creative Time 101th Edition release, sale and blog hop has begun.
For the blog hop, you may have arrived from Emily's blog.


Sentiment:  For you.

 *** BLOG HOP GIVEAWAY ***
Leave your comments on each blog for a chance to win a $25 Gift Card to the My Creative Time store. One lucky winner will be chosen and noted on April 8th on the MCT blog! GOOD LUCK my friends!
***ALSO, PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE A WAY/EMAIL FOR US TO CONTACT YOU IF YOU WERE TO BE ONE OF THE LUCKY WINNERS! :) 

For this card, I first added distress ink to the card base using a stencil.  Next, I die-cut the circle layers using teal cardstock and watercolor paper for the scalloped circle.  Then, I added light watercolor to the scalloped circle in pink and teal.  Next, I stamped two flowers onto watercolor paper in waterproof ink.  Then, I added layers of pink and teal watercolor to the flowers for a variegated look.  Next, I die-cut the two flowers.  To finish, I layered everything and added gems to finish.

I made a video tutorial showing the process for this project.
{{Please subscribe to my video channel and like this video.  Many thanks.}}

*** SALE ALERT ***

DON'T FORGET our sale starts RIGHT NOW HERE! Use the code: MAR2020 to receive a 15% discount off your entire purchase! This sale applies to "IN-STOCK" items ONLY. This sale will end on Friday, April 10th, 2020, at midnight PST. Here are my sneak peek blog projects from this release.



Da
y 2

Day 3


Day 4

Here is another look at today's project.


Supplies for today's project My Creative Time Stay Beautiful, Pretty Scalloped Circle dies and Pretty Circle Layer dies; Ranger archival ink and distress oxide ink in worn lipstick; blending brush, stencil, mini Misti, Canson watercolor paper, watercolor brushes, Altenew watercolor half pans and palette, adhesive gems, foam tape.

Hop along with us.


Your next stop in the hop is Giner's blog. The entire blog hop lineup is on Emma's My Creative Time blog.


Thanks for visiting. I look forward to your comments.

Gaylynn


4/02/2020

Day 4 MCT 101st Edition Sneak Peeks ~ Letter Board Card

Hi, it's Gaylynn.  Here is Day 4 of the My Creative Time 101st Edition sneak peeks.  Today, I am sharing a letter board inspired card using letter dies and patterned papers.  This would be great for a guy or a gal.



Sentiment:  Happy birthday.  Cheers.

For this card, I pre-cut patterned paper pieces to fit the card front.  Onto the darker background, I stamped and heat embossed the happy birthday sentiment.  I decided to trim and use one of the paper sheets that reminded me of a letter board background.  Next, I adhered all of the trimmed paper layers.  
Then, I die-cut the cheers letters and letter layers.  Next, the letters were adhered over the stiped background piece.  To finish, I added flag accents and adhesive pearls.

*** Sneak Peek Giveaway ***
We will be giving away the sets we are showcasing each day to ONE lucky winner!  For example, the set we are showcasing on Wednesday, Emma will announce the winner of that on Thursday and the sets we are showcasing on Thursday, Emma will announce that winner on Friday on the MCT blog!  ALL you have to is leave a comment on each of our blogs!  You are NOT required to comment on every single blog, but the more you comment on, the more chances you have for winning!  VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE leave a way for us to contact you with your comments just in case YOU are the lucky winner!  
For EXTRA entries, you can spread the word about this release on Facebook, tweet about it OR even Instagram it.... #mycreativetime

Here is another look.





Supplies for today's project: My Creative Time Stay Beautiful, ABC dies, 3x3 Trifold Dies Revised; ivory cardstock, Pink Paislee and BasicGrey paper, adhesive pearls, foam tape, heat tool, powder tool, mini Misti and VersaMark ink, embossing powder.

For more sneak peek inspiration, visit Emma's My Creative Time blog.
Join us tomorrow for the full release reveal and the blog hop.
Thanks for visiting. I look forward to your comments. Gaylynn

4/01/2020

Mixed media pear card + watercolor and distress oxide ink.

Hello.  For Technique Time at Unity, I am sharing a mixed media card using watercolor, stamping and distress oxide ink blending.




Sentiment:
New day, new strength, new hope.  We got this.

Here are helpful tips for creating this mixed media card.  To begin, pre-trim or die-cut watercolor paper to fit your card front.  Then, stamp the pear and one sentiment onto that watercolor paper.  Next, stamp the bottom sentiment or add foil onto vellum and then trim that to add later.  Next, prepare a palette of watercolors mixed with water.  Now, add color in different shades of green to the pear and the leaves and then heat set.  Once dry, begin adding ink shading using a blending brush, around that pear panel.  I used two colors of ink blending.  Then, splatter with green watercolor and again with white diluted paint.  Heat set.  Finally, layer the panels, the foiled sentiment, gems and cording to finish.




I made a quick video tutorial showing the process for this project.
{{Please subscribe to my video channel and like this video.  Many thanks.}}
YouTube:  Gaylynn NeatThingsBtq



Here is another look.




Supplies:  Unity Stamp Co. Head Up, My Friend 4/2020 SMAK, Prima watercolor half pans, distress oxide ink in peeled paint and walnut stain; heat tool, watercolor brush, Canson watercolor paper, paper trimmer, double-sided flat and foam tape, white acrylic paint, deco foil in Spring green, adhesive pearls, cording, Ranger archival ink and plastic craft mat; blending brushes.

Be sure to visit the Unity blog for the entire article and tutorial.
Also, you can find my other features at Unity's
Technique Time and
Watercolor Wednesday.


Thanks for visiting.
Gaylynn