Using a Die to Stencil

 I'd had my eye on a die from Simon Says Stamp, "Spring Blooms Corner," and finally got it.  I thought I would use it as a regular die cut, but as I worked with it, I first decided to use the die cut as a stencil, and after stenciling, I decided to use the die to emboss the stenciled image.  I really like the result.  The sentiment is from "Flag and Tags Stamps" set by L'il Inker Designs.

I used Distress Oxide inks (worn lipstick, scattered straw, spiced marmalade, and mowed lawn), then added a bit of Wink of Stella (clear) on top of the flowers.

Sending Hugs Birthday Card

I'd been wanting to use a new (to me) stamp set, "Sending Hugs" by Avery Elle, and decided to use it for my nephew's wife's birthday.  There are several critters in the stamp set, and I chose the elephant since my niece-in-law likes them.  I used alcohol markers to color everything and added one little branch from Avery Elle's "Sending Flowers" stamp set.  The frame is "Wonky Squares Frames" also by Avery Elle.  The background is patterned paper.

On the inside, I used another copy of the same elephant from the front of the card, a sentiment from "Happy Birthday Sentiments" by Pinkfresh Studio, along with a strip of the patterned paper.