Music Notes Stencil Inspiration by Jennifer Jackson

Music Notes Stencil Inspiration

Hello! Jen here today and I'm two cards using our new Music Notes Stencil. We just added this stencil as part of our Retro Product Release, but I wanted to show some ways you can use it with other products too!

1. Aloha card

For my first card I paired the Music Notes Stencil with our Aloha Newton Stamp Set. I thought the kitty playing the ukulele would be a perfect fit! I stamped and colored the kitty using alcohol markers before creating the rest of my card. Of course I had to color the kitty orange to look like Newton! 

Next, I cut a rounded rectangle to hold my scene using our Frames & Flags Die Set. I then stenciled the fun retro sun from the Retro Sun & Palms Stencil Set in bright fun colors, letting it bleed off the edge. 

I decided where I wanted the kitty to sit on the card and stenciled some music from the Music Notes Stencil so that it would look like it was floating from where he sat. I used some washi tape to mask off the areas of the stencil that I didn't want to ink up. Then I adhered on the kitty with some dimensional tape and added the "aloha" sentiment underneath the music notes. 

I added a bit of pattern using the fun teal print from the New Retro Paper Pack, cutting it out with the large zig zag edged frame from the Frames & Tags Die Set. Then I mounted everything onto a purple cardstock base. 

2. Happy Birthday Card

For my second card I created a fun birthday card featuring the Music Notes Stencil with our Newton's Birthday Trio Stamp Set. First, I stamped and colored that cute trio of cats singing "Happy Birthday" from the Newton's Birthday Trio Stamp Set. To color them I used watercolor markers.

Next, I created a fun music background. I cut out a square panel using our Basic Frames Die Set. Then I used the Music Notes Stencil with pink ink to create a fun music background. I added extra pink ink to the bottom to create a solid pink area to place the image over. 

I used the same teal print from the New Retro Paper Pack in the background. This time I cut it to a 4" x 5 1/4" rectangle using a paper trimmer. I then adhered all the layers onto a white card base, adding some dimensional tape behind the kitties. 

I hope you can see how versatile the new Music Notes Stencil is! This stencil will go with so many fun music related themes!

Don't forget to check this stencil out, along with other products in our Retro Party Release today! 

Cat Birthday Card by Donna Idlet

Happy Birthday!

Today we are sharing an adorable kitty themed birthday card by Donna!

This card features our Newton's Birthday Trio Stamp Set along with our Birthday Time Paper Pad and our Frames & Flags Die Set.

To begin, Donna cut a stitched rectangle out of white cardstock using our Frames & Flags Die Set. Then she stamped the image from our Newton's Birthday Trio Stamp Set onto the die cut panel. This cute image includes a trio of kitties along with a little bird, all wishing you a happy birthday! 

To continue the birthday theme, Donna chose a pretty patterned paper filled with balloons from our Birthday Time Paper Pack. She cut the paper out using the Frames & Flags Die Set to give it the scalloped edge. Then she layered the two pieces together to create a fun and simple birthday card! 

This sweet birthday card would be purr-fect to send to a cat lover!

To see more beautiful creations by Donna, you can visit her blog, Creative Lady!

Love is in the Air Card by Diane Morales

For the Love of Coffee!

Today we have a sweet little card by Diane that is perfect for any coffee lover! This card features our adorable Love Café Stamp Set. 

Diane colored the duo of coffee mugs from the Love Café Stamp Set in using alcohol markers. She also stamped the little trios of coffee beans with brown ink. Then she cut the images out using the coordinating Love Café Die Set. 

For the background she used a light colored gray ink to cover the white panel with coffee mug images. Then she stamped the big sentiment on the top, embossing it in black.  She added some black paint splatters and then she cut the panel out using the scalloped rectangle from our Frames & Flags Die Set. She added the die cut mugs and coffee beans over the top to finish the card front. 

This sweet little card would be a great Valentine to send to a coffee lover! Or, with the colors she used, you could use it any time of year just to send a happy hello! 

To see more creations by Diane, you can visit on her blog, 2sisters project.

The Perfect Mix Valentine Card by Amanda Wilcox

Send a Perfect Mix for Valentine's Day!

Amanda is back today with some Valentine inspiration. This sweet card features our Love Quarry Stamp Set and Valentine Word Trio Die Set along with some fun stenciling! 

Amanda stamped and colored the cement mixer truck from our Love Quarry Stamp Set choosing a color palette of red, pink and teal. She also stamped and colored a duo of construction cones using the same colors. She cut the images out using the coordinating Love Quarry Die Set and added some glossy effect to the images for a to add a bit of shine. 

She cut out the banner with the XOXO from our Valentine Word Trio Die Set in three colors (red, pink and white). She used the pink banner base and inserted the red and white letters back in. Then she added the truck and cones to the top of the banner. So fun! 

NOTE: the Valentine Word Trio Die Set is currently out of stock but we have more on the way so make sure to sign up to be notified when it's back in stock on the Valentine Word Trio Die Set product page. 

For the background she used our Bokeh Hearts Stencil Set and our Petite Hearts Stencil. She started with a teal cardstock panel and used the two piece Bokeh Hearts stencil, adding teal ink over both stencil layers. This created a nice tone-on-tone effect. Then she applied more hearts using the Petite Hearts Stencil with white texture paste. The teal cardstock panel was cut out using our Frames & Flags Die Set.

She assembled the card together, using dimensional adhesive and layering it over a white scalloped background pane that was also cut out using our Frames & Flags Die Set.

We hope this card inspires you create some Valentine cards. Also, make sure you try Amanda's technique of layering different stencils together!

See more of Amanda's work over on her blog, Twiddler's Nook!

Loads of Love Card by Samantha Mann

Loads of Love!

It's a new year and we are ready to spread some love! Today Samantha created a love filled card using our Love Quarry and Valentine Postage Sampler stamp sets paired together! 

To start, she stamped the three construction trucks along with the construction cones from the Love Quarry Stamp Set and colored them in yellow and gray with a pop of pink! She cut them out with the coordinating Love Quarry Die Set. She decided to add a bit more fun by adding in the images of the speech bubbles with hearts and the heart balloons from our Valentine Postage Sampler Stamp Set, coloring them to match and cutting them out with the coordinating Valentine Postage Sampler Die Set. She also added some fun white accents to her images with a white gel pen . 

Next, she cut out the frame with three windows using the Frames & Taags Die Set with pink cardstock. She created a subtle heart background to layer behind the frame using our Petite Hearts Stencil with white texture paste onto the white stitched cut outs. The she added piles of dirt by cutting out hills using the cloud edge from our Sky Borders Die Set and flipping it upside down. She added white and brown paint splatters to her piles of dirt to help give texture. 

She then layered on the construction vehicles. It's so cute how she added the speech bubbles above the cement truck and the big heart balloons behind the dump truck! 

Last she added the sentiment, also from the Love Quarry Stamp Set, embossed in white on a black rectangle. 

We LOVE how all of these elements come together. This card would be perfect for Valentine's Day or just to send a bit of extra love any time of year! 

To see more fun cards by Samantha you can visit her over on her blog, Sam' Scrap Candy!

Christmas Cactus Card by Diane Morales

A Christmas Cactus Card for the Holidays!

Here at NND Headquarters the Christmas Cactus is one of our favorite festive flowers and today we are sharing a beautiful holiday card by Diane featuring the beautiful cactus blooms! 

This card features our Christmas Cactus Stamp Set along with our Frames & Flags and Basic Frames die sets. 

For the main floral image she stamped the bundle of blooms from the Christmas Cactus Stamp Set, colored them with alcohol markers and cut the image out using the coordinating Christmas Cactus Die Set. 

The fun scallop shaped card base was created using our using the Frames & Flags Die Set with red cardstock. For the beautiful gold background she stamped the blooms from the Christmas Cactus Die Set onto gold cardstock using clear Versamark ink. Then she added gold embossing powder and heat set. The gold panel was then cut out into the banner shape using the Basic Frames Die Set. So gorgeous!

The final touch is the sentiment, also from the Christmas Cactus Stamp Set. 

What a wonderful way to send some holiday cheer! The addition of the gold gives it the perfect special touch! 

To see more creations by Diane, you can visit on her blog, 2sisters project.

Snowy Die Cut Card by Amanda Wilcox

Let it snow!

Today we are sharing TWO fun techniques using our Let it Snow and Snowfall die sets by Amanda. 

First, Amanda created a scallop edged panel using our Frames & Flags Die Set. She covered the panel in splatters of blue, grey and white. She also striped background by cutting out strips of paper in shades of blue and light teal and adhering them to a second panel. She used both of the pieces with her first die cutting technique.

Die cutting technique 1:

Amanda chose three snowflakes and their shadow (background layer) from our new Snowfall Die Set.  She decided where she wanted the snowflakes to appear on her card. Then she used the outer shadow dies for the snowflakes and cut them directly from the white scalloped panel. She also cut the snowflakes from white cardstock and set them aside. Then she layered everything together. She added the white panel on top so that the stripes showed through the openings of the snowflake shadows. Next, she adhered the snowflakes inside each matching opening from the top layer.  What a fun and unique way to use the layered snowflakes in the Snowfall Die Set.

Die cutting technique 2:

She created the message using our Let it Snow Die Set. She cut the message out three times using different shades of blue and light teal paper. She then glued them together, placing them just slightly offset so that you can see all three colors.What a fun way to use your sentiment dies! 

This beautiful card really shows some fun ways to use die cuts on your cards! I hope you will give them a try and discover how versatile die cutting can be! 

See more of Amanda's work over on her blog, Twiddler's Nook!

Let it Snow Card by Donna Idlet

Let it Snow!

Are you ready for snow? We already had one snowy day at NND Headquarters. It melted right away but it did remind us that the holidays will be here soon! 

Today we are sharing a gorgeous snowy card by Donna featuring our new Let it Snow and Snowfall die sets! 

To create this beautiful card Donna cut out a teal stitched paper panel using our Basic Frames Die Set. Then she cut out a bunch of snowflakes using our new Snowfall Die Set. She layered each snowflake, stacking three of the same shape to create dimension. She then layered the snowflakes over the teal stitched panel and then cut off the parts that extended beyond the edges of the panel. 

Next she cut out the message using our Let it Snow Die Set. She cut the words out three times, stacked them for dimension and then added glossy accents to the top. This die set includes a shadow die too and she cut that out of vellum and layered it behind the words. So beautiful! 

 She adhered the teal stitched panel over a white scalloped frame that was cut out using our Frames & Flags Die Set.

We love the gorgeous dimension you can create by just stacking the die cuts! The added glossy accents gives this card the perfect finishing touch!

To see more beautiful creations by Donna, you can visit her blog, Creative Lady!

Bow-Wows of Sparkles and Holly! Card by Amanda Wilcox

Bow-Wows of Holly!

Today Amanda is sharing a holiday card filled with sparkle that is perfect for dog lovers! This card features our 'Tis the Season Toner Card Fronts and our Wreath Pups Stamp Set. 

To create that gorgeous sparkly background panel, Amanda used the peppermint striped panel from our 'Tis the Season Toner Card Fronts pack. She applied the red foil (you can use a minc or heat based laminator) and then cut the panel out using the zig zag edged die from our Frames & Tags Die Set. 

For the cute tag in the center of the card she stamped and colored the duo of dogs inside a big wreath from our Wreath Pups Stamp Set, cutting the image out with the coordinating Wreath Pups Die Set. She also added white gel pen accents to the image and a bit of shine to the berries. 

She then cut out a tag using our new Essential Tags Die Set. She inked the edges with blue distress ink and stamped the sentiment, also from the Wreath Pups Stamp Set along the bottom. 

We love this beautiful Christmas Card by Amanda! This layout with the shiny background creates the perfect backdrop for your favorite Christmas image. Simply change out the image on the tag to create a custom holiday card for anyone on your list! 

See more of Amanda's work over on her blog, Twiddler's Nook!

Candy Corn Card by Amanda Wilcox

Time for Candy Corn!

If you like candy corn you are going to love this yummy candy filled card by Amanda featuring our Candy Corn Newton Stamp Set and our Candy Corn Stencil Set. 

For her main image she stamped and colored the adorable kitty wearing the Halloween costume from the Candy Corn Newton Stamp Set. She cut the image out with the coordinating Candy Corn Newton Die Set. She then created a spooky night scene using several die sets. She started by cutting out the stitched rectangle using our Frames & Flags Die Set. She then cut out some black grass with our Land Borders Die Set. For the sky she cut out clouds, stars and a moon using our Spooky Sky Die Set. She assembled all the pieces together, adding a little bit of distress ink onto the yellow moon and the edges of the rectangle. 

To create the candy corn background she used our  Candy Corn Stencil Set. This stencil has three pieces that you can line up easily to create the three different colors. Amanda inked her layers over black cardstock. On the dark cardstock the colors become desaturated and it makes a great spooky or night time look! 

After everything was assembled she added the sentiment from the Candy Corn Newton Stamp Set, stamping it onto a small oval that was cut out with our  Oval Frames Die Set.

We love this fun and spooky night scene! Perfect for Halloween! 

See more of Amanda's work over on her blog, Twiddler's Nook!

A Big Cup of Thanks Shaker Card by Larissa Heskett

Cup of Thanks!

Today we are sharing a beautiful shaker card by Larissa featuring our Newton's Mug Stamp Set. 

Larissa colored the sweet kitty in the coffee mug from the Newton's Mug Stamp Set. This set has several different sentiments that fit on the front of the mug and she chose to make it into a thank you by using the "big cup of thanks" sentiment. She cut it out using the coordinating Newton's Mug Die Set.

Next, she cut out a brown rectangle using our Basic Frames Die Set and used our Falling Leaves Stencil with white ink to add a leaf pattern onto the die cut shape. She then used it for a shaker background, adding sequins underneath a piece of acetate and stitching it all closed. She cut out a scallop edged frame using a paper from our Autumn Meows Paper Pad and cutting it with our Frames & Flags Die Set. She layered it all together and adhered it to a white card base. She added the cute kitty image on top to finish off the card. 

What an adorable thank you card! 

To see more projects by Larissa you can visit her on her blog, Larissa Heskett Designs.

Sunflowers Card by Samantha Mann

So Many Sunflowers!!

Today Samantha is sharing a gorgeous sunflower card, perfect for sending sunny smiles!

This card features our Autumn Fields Stamp Set and Card Layout 5 Die Set.

To create her field of sunflowers Samantha stamped the images of Sunflowers from our Autumn Fields Stamp Set and Sunflower Days Stamp Set several times. She colored the sunflowers in bright yellows with touches of pink to add a special whimsy! She then cut out all the blooms using the coordinating Autumn Fields Die Set and Sunflower Days Die Set. She splattered white ink over the images for a fun bit of texture. 

For her card base she ink blended a card panel in shades of green and then die cut it using our Card Layout 5 Die Set. She layered the pieces onto her white card base and then layered all of the sunflowers over the top. She let some edges of the sunflowers go past the edge of her card and then cut them even with the card edge. What a fun technique! 

To finish the card she added the sentiment "Hello Sunshine" from the Sunflower Days Stamp Set.

To see more fun cards by Samantha you can visit her over on her blog, Sam' Scrap Candy!