Happy Friday, crafty friends! Welcome to day 2 of the And Back Again release blog hop, which is full of amazing new products! There is a FREE Love Gnome stamp set available with any purchase while supplies last, just be sure to use the code GNOMIE. This promotion will expire 01/23 at 11:59 pm ET.
I will put all of the blog hop details at the end of my post, but how about we get to my cards first? I've created a fun set of rainbow themed Valentine's Day cards!
XO rainbow card set
I started this card set by trimming a block of Hammermill white cardstock to fit the Big XOXO die. I cut out thin strips from a rainbow of colored cardstocks using the Slim Stripes die set. I adhered these thin strips towards the bottom of the white cardstock panel, where I knew they would cut approximately from the middle of the bottom set of XO's. I trimmed off the excess, then cut the Big XOXO die. I cut it one more time from white cardstock, then stacked & glued together those letters with the rainbow letters.
I set the diecut letters aside and started to work on the shaker card. I added acetate to the back of the XO panel, then glued the O middles to the front. I added foam tape around the letters, making sure to seal it together so my shaker mix wouldn't leak out. I cut a Stitched Rectangle from white cardstock that mounts perfectly within an A2 card base, then mounted it. I poured some shaker mix and clear iridescent jewels to the front of it, then mounted the XO shaker window to the top. I diecut a Stitched Scallop Rectangle 3 times: once from gold pearl paper and twice from white cardstock. I stacked and glued them together, then mounted it to the front with thin foam strips. To finish, I stamped a sentiment from Love Day in onyx black ink and trimmed into a thin strip. I mounted it to the upper O with foam adhesive.
To create the second card, I diecut a Stitched Rectangle from champagne colored glitter paper, and mounted it to a light pink card base. Next I diecut a Chunky Hearts Panel from white cardstock, and mounted it to the front with foam tape. I added the diecut XO letters to the lower right corner with foam tape, then accented it with both Clear Chunky and Clear Iridescent jewels. I stamped another sentiment from the Love Day stamp set and trimmed it down. To finish I mounted it to the top of the letters with foam adhesive.
Winter Snowflake card trio
Did you know that with the Pinkfresh Studio Solid Hot Foil Plate, you can use toner based transfer foil and toner based images with your letterpress style hot foil machines? I learned this fun trick from my friend, Heather Hoffman! When I saw these fun Suzy's Snowflake Season toner cards in my shipment, I just knew I had to try it! I didn't get absolutely perfect results, but close enough! I haven't wanted to add a laminator into my crafting area because I really don't have room for it, and I didn't foresee myself using it as often as my hot foil system. But the invention of the solid hot foil plate gives us the best of both worlds!
Start by heating up your solid hot foil plate on your hot foil system. I use the Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil System, but you can use whichever system you have that works with your diecut machine. The solid hot foil plate is a BIG surface, so I let mine heat up with the machine and then also hit my timer button twice to make sure it is nice and hot. Trim down you toner based Deco Foils (I used gold, aqua and blue) to the size of the Suzy's Snowflake Season toner cards. Place a piece of foil pretty side down on to the solid hot foil plate, then add the toner card face down to it. I use two paper shims when using my solid hot foil plate, but use what works best with your diecut machine. Sometimes this has to be dialed in when you are first working with the solid plate, but once you do...it will work beautifully. Add the plates and the shims and run it through your diecut machine.
Gently pull the foil up from one side to see if you got good results. If you didn't just start the process over again, and this will typically yield much better results! You can do this same thing with the sentiment strips, and I did a set from the Brrrr sentiment strips in gold. Some of the sentiments didn't turn out perfectly, but I was pleasantly surprised by how many did. I did find that brushing the sentiments off with a watercolor brush helped remove excess foil left behind, and cleaned up the sentiments quite nicely.
After I did all the toner foiling, I diecut each card with a decorative edged rectangle die, and mounted them to card bases. I added some of the Brrr sentiment strip phrases to a couple of them, then accented with jewels and pearls to finish. These are very simple notecards to make, and the added foiling just makes them even more fun! I hope you will try this out if you have the solid hot foil plate!
PRIZES
Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $25 coupon to every stop on the hop from the blog comment section. They will choose the winners and post on the Simon Says Stamp store blog on Wednesday. Winners can email SSS to claim their prize.
BLOG HOP LINK LIST
Simon Says Stamp Blog
Laura Bassen
Debby Hughes
Amanda Korotkova
Amy Rysavy
Vicky Papaioannou
Heather Ruwe
Kulbir Kirkland
Miriam Prantner
Yoonsun Hur
Heather Hoffman
Lea Lawson
Sandi MacIver
Tina Smith
Dilay Nacar
Emily Midgett
Jennifer Kotas
Be sure to hop along and leave comments along the way for your best chance to win one of the prizes. And don't forget to check back in at the Simon Blog tomorrow for day 2 of the blog hop!
SUPPLY LIST
**Includes affiliate links which provide me with a small amount of compensation at no cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!
70 Comments
Feb 3, 2022, 1:52:04 PM
Carol W. Blaisdell - I don't know why, but I just saw this post..? I am interested in your process and directions for foiling with the deco foil. You said "put the foil pretty side down on your hot foil plate"? Could this be right? it just seems backward to me... I was wondering if you could show us that on your hot foil plate video for 2/4/22.
Jan 26, 2022, 5:32:52 AM
tina Z - wow, this is stunning!
Jan 25, 2022, 1:57:46 PM
Nancee Purdum - Great cards! Thanks for the tip on the hot foil machine!
Jan 24, 2022, 10:38:03 AM
Donna L Walls - Gorgeous card with clever designs. TFS
Jan 24, 2022, 5:47:51 AM
Scraporcraft - Nice projects shared. I like the snowflake set.
Jan 23, 2022, 3:43:28 PM
Giselaine Ellison - Love both sets of cards, Lea. A foil machine is definitely on my wish list.
Jan 23, 2022, 11:57:01 AM
Mirella Rogan - So much awesome inspiration, woohoo! Those XOXO cards are my favourite, cause I love the hint of rainbow ;-)
Jan 23, 2022, 10:47:30 AM
Sonia W - Lovely cards. The XOXO is my favorite.
Jan 22, 2022, 11:39:34 PM
Beth Merrill - I love the idea of making two cards from one design! Love the rainbow stripes!
Jan 22, 2022, 8:29:14 PM
Nancy Steyer - I really like all of these cards. I have that one friend that absolutely loves snow. She would enjoy all of those cards. I love rainbows so your rainbow cards really made me smile. Thank you for the inspiration.
Jan 22, 2022, 7:24:54 PM
Anne Sturgeon - Love both sets Lea. My cards are focused on Valentine's right now and I have to confess, I'm not a fan of snow! Of course it is beautiful on cards. Nicely done TFS!
Jan 22, 2022, 6:35:48 PM
Sharon Zarembka - Thanks for sharing so many ideas. They are all lovely.
Jan 22, 2022, 5:26:38 PM
Dee Earnshaw - OMG what beautiful collection of cards - so inspiring - thanks for sharing
Jan 22, 2022, 4:45:47 PM
Lisa Achilles - Oh my goodness! I love these cards so much. Great job.
Jan 22, 2022, 2:41:39 PM
Marie Hansen - So much great inspiration! Thanks!
Jan 22, 2022, 12:47:46 PM
Brenda McKinley - Love the card and such a great release! Love those dies and stencils
Jan 22, 2022, 12:40:01 PM
Angie D Cammack - Lea, your cards are amazing and the instruction you provide is just incredible. Thanks so much. :)
Jan 22, 2022, 12:29:33 PM
Michelle H - Wonderful cards and descriptions!
Jan 22, 2022, 10:50:55 AM
Justene - Wow!! Fantastic cards!! I love them sooo much!
Jan 22, 2022, 9:49:34 AM
Miesje Flach - These are awesome! I love those hearts for a shaker card.
Jan 22, 2022, 8:07:10 AM
Sara Emily Barker - Wow! You really spoiled us with two sets of cards! Love those clever shakers, but snowflakes really melt my heart! Thanks for your hard work and inspiration!
Jan 22, 2022, 7:56:49 AM
Alma Dirpaul - The rainbow adds so much! Great cards!
Jan 22, 2022, 7:53:04 AM
Katherine Kloschinsky - All such AMAZING cards! Hard to pick a favourite when I LOVE hearts,rainbows, sparkle, and snowflakes! Thanks for the AWESOME inspiration!
Jan 22, 2022, 7:22:05 AM
Lauryne Cunningham - Great cards! I love the shaker and the rainbow stripes!
Jan 22, 2022, 3:56:48 AM
Helen F - Wow! What an amazing set of cards Lea! I lovethe wonderful variety of cards using some of these super new goodies. I always like the bonus of 2 for 1 creations!! Thanks so much for the great inspiration! Stay safe! :)
Jan 22, 2022, 3:53:57 AM
Nandini Karmarkar - Wow! These cards are so elegant and festive!
Jan 22, 2022, 3:20:38 AM
Cheriese H - beautiful!!
Jan 22, 2022, 1:28:07 AM
Bj Clark - Loved the cards
Jan 22, 2022, 12:47:00 AM
Denise Bryant - Love the beautiful rainbow and snowflake cards you created! Awesome details!
Jan 21, 2022, 11:55:04 PM
Merrill P - Love them all; the blue gems are a perfect touch.
Jan 21, 2022, 11:17:49 PM
Kathryn Remold RN - Love the edge dies you used on the foiled cards
Jan 21, 2022, 9:31:48 PM
Debbie - Fun cards!
Jan 21, 2022, 9:08:22 PM
Kelly Kuharik - Absolutely love all of these!
Jan 21, 2022, 8:49:51 PM
Peggy Pighetti - Beautiful cards. Thanks for sharing.
Jan 21, 2022, 8:42:04 PM
Marisela Delgado - Wow! Gorgeous cards!
Jan 21, 2022, 7:13:16 PM
Winnie Dolderer - Love the "hint" of rainbow on your Valentine's day card. So subtle but full of impact.
Jan 21, 2022, 7:02:24 PM
Rebekka - So many wonderful and creative cards. Awesome job on this release.
Jan 21, 2022, 6:38:11 PM
Lucy E. - The die cut rainbow cards are so fun! Your snowflake cards are stunning and elegant.
Jan 21, 2022, 6:23:17 PM
Janet D. - Lovely cards, thanks for sharing!
Jan 21, 2022, 6:16:37 PM
Jill Rauenhorst - Fabulous cards! I love when you can make 2 cards from one die.
Jan 21, 2022, 6:06:31 PM
Barbara-Jean - Pretty cards, as always!
Jan 21, 2022, 5:45:25 PM
Susan Richter - Beautiful cards. I love all the combinations you've done with different dies and the XO die.
Jan 21, 2022, 5:01:28 PM
Kimberly Asman - IN LOVE with your cards! Especially the XO cards with the cheery strips and colors and touch of gold! Brilliant!
Jan 21, 2022, 4:55:27 PM
Elisa Murphy - I love the bright cheery color and design.
Jan 21, 2022, 3:58:14 PM
Lisa S - These are so fun.
Jan 21, 2022, 3:50:54 PM
Lisa Spiers - Beautiful inspiration! Thanks for sharing:)
Jan 21, 2022, 3:41:07 PM
Jeanne Beam - Such beautiful cards! Thanks for sharing…
Jan 21, 2022, 3:36:06 PM
Luci - Love the hot foil plate technique to create the beautiful cards
Jan 21, 2022, 3:21:36 PM
Maureen Reiss - Thanks for the info!!!! These are Stunning!!!
Jan 21, 2022, 3:10:24 PM
Cyndi Morris - Love your cards and love this release. Simon never disappoints!
Jan 21, 2022, 3:10:08 PM
Lori Spitzer - Dear Lea - Love both of the "rainbow" cards and am glad to see you using an older die in conjunction w/ a new one. Love that big XO XO stacked vertically. The snowflake card trio is also beautiful. I was thinking of getting those and handcoloring or doing watercolors. I don't have the ability to foil other than w/a laminator but I could use the laminator, I think, to do something like what you have shown. They're glorious - so pretty! TFS - Lori S in PA
Jan 21, 2022, 2:50:27 PM
Jeanne Rice - Love the snowflake cards. So pretty. Thanks for sharing.
Jan 21, 2022, 2:31:19 PM
Talitha Wright - Great cards. Love the cut outs on the first two and the snowflake card is really pretty.
Jan 21, 2022, 2:10:05 PM
Alexandra Y - Love all the sparkle!!
Jan 21, 2022, 1:57:12 PM
Linda Crowley - Fantastic card sets! Great tip about. using the solid foil plate with Deco Foil, thanks!
Jan 21, 2022, 1:52:08 PM
Pam B - Love it!
Jan 21, 2022, 1:41:44 PM
Mary Holshouser - Love your XO cards. Great way to do assembly-line cards. Each is different and so neat. thanks for sharing txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
Jan 21, 2022, 1:36:57 PM
Reiko F - Great cards! So fun and fresh!
Jan 21, 2022, 1:33:59 PM
Meghan Kennihan - Gorgeous designs! I LOVE the sparkle!
Jan 21, 2022, 1:05:15 PM
JULIE HAEDTKE - So awesome! Love rainbows1
Jan 21, 2022, 12:52:58 PM
Lori - The bright , cheery colors of the Rainbow will make the recipients day, especially now! Thanks for sharing. Thanks
Jan 21, 2022, 12:22:22 PM
SHAUNA ANDERSON - These are great cards. I love the borders and details...they much such a difference. Thanks
Jan 21, 2022, 12:02:45 PM
Joyace - Amazing cards! Thank you so much for sharing.
Jan 21, 2022, 11:32:02 AM
roxanne tellini - OMGoodness. Why is this the first I am hearing that the watercolor prints are foilable? That should be celebrated!
Jan 21, 2022, 10:10:22 AM
barbara lassiter - Such great ideas with different looks from these amazing products.!
Jan 21, 2022, 9:39:47 AM
Tami B - I LOVE all your snowflake cards.
Jan 21, 2022, 9:38:19 AM
Sharon Gullikson - I like the cut outs. I forget to do that with my dies. It looks really cool!
Jan 21, 2022, 9:37:12 AM
Vicki Fedor - Love how you make coordinating cards. It would be great to give as a gift! Very inspiring!
Jan 21, 2022, 9:11:08 AM
Marlee K - Really strong dimension on both cards, and precise finishing, especially on the shaker card. That pop of rainbow color on the die cut is just the right touch.
Jan 21, 2022, 9:04:26 AM
Laura Joyce - I like the suspended snowflake idea. Thank you!