Danny's Cards Blog

Over on AAA Cards , they had a unique challenge that I've not really seen from a clean and simple challenge. Let's take a look: So I went in knowing I had to cover two quarters of the card. It could be any quarters, but I wanted to use an emboss folder for one of the quarters. That's no small feat as those folders often are meant to take up a large portion of space. But with a little careful spacing, I managed.  I used these Hampton Art stamps . I couldn't tell if it was because I just re-inked my pads or if it was the stamps themselves, but I really struggled to get a clean stamp from these. I had to go over them with Copic black markers to fully color in the image. I often find that's the case with stamps that go with full black over letting you color them. Here's the card I'm submitting to the challenge: But I also made two others: I can't say that the cards have super wow factor, but they look clean and simple, which is really all I was going for her...

Over on Tuesday Morning Sketches , they had one of the most fun sketches I've done in a while. Let's take a look: What I loved was the sort of parallelism that occurred between the semicircles. I recently acquired a stamp set from Brutus Monroe out of a random box I purchased from Stampin' Up. I'm completely unfamiliar with Brutus Monroe products, but after stamping with these, I'm a huge fan. They stamp clean and easy, and all the details pop evenly. I settled on the owl as a center piece. From there I thought about a tree bark background, and then I embossed a circle with leaves. I used a foil leaf background to offset the tree, and voila, here's my end result: I used an assortment of Copic Markers to color in the owl. I even did a little bit of shading around the owl's forehead, his arms and his belly. Overall, I'm thrilled with how he came out. If you enjoy what you see, be sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button at the top to see new posts. Please follow ...

Over on AAA Birthday , they released one of the easiest challenges in a while; simply, use flowers! And it just so happened that I recently received a request from the Spanish teacher at my school. She asked that I make two Feliz Cumpleanos birthday cards, and (no joke here) she said, "use lots of flowers. They love flowers." So here's AAA Birthday's challenge: And talk about kismet because HSN finally delivered my Anna Griffin Mini Flower and Foliage Die Set . I immediately got to work and so here are the two results: I have to say, I just adore how these flowers came out. I used some old flower cardstock from a Michael's Hot Buy pad and the Feliz Cumpleanos sentiment was made using my Cricut Joy. The background blue die cut was made using an Anna Griffin die set, but that set seems to longer be available for purchase. For my second card, I used the same Mini Flower set: For the background die cut I used the 3D Decorative Layer Dies . Again, the Feliz Cumpleanos ...

This week I combined the Happy Little Stampers  and the Inkspirational Challenge , the challenge from Happy Little Stampers was "Anything Goes with Dies" and on Inkspirational it was Slimeline Cards. These are my favorite challenges because I get to utilize different dies and revisit dies I haven't used in forever. Here were the challenge titles: I ended up using my Anna Griffin Slimline Concentric Dies for the very first time. I love making Slimline cards. The large shape make them look so elegant, so I was excited to get to work with this. I created two cards, largely the same but with a different sentiment in the center. Here they are: For the first card, I utilized a simple sentiment of "wishing you good luck." I think the square offset it nicely. I used 3D adhesive dots to really give the center a nice dimension. As for the center card, it was nearly identical. The only difference is the sentiment in the center which is circular which helps make the ovals ...

Hey crafters! It's been a minute. My craftspiration has been low, but in truth, I've also been busy on a few projects. I'm working on a teaching blog series, dedicating more times towards playing video games and enjoying the nicer weather. So the crafting is on the back seat.  That said, yesterday I found a bit of time with myself, so I got to use some of the new items I acquired. The Just Us Girls Challenge group posted this beautiful color combo this Saturday. The color combo was as follows: The colors definitely showcased a spring vibe to me. Which was perfect because I just acquire my Birdhouse Easel Card Dies from Anna Griffin. I compiled my paper and went to work. Here were the results: The card and the embossing actually didn't take a particularly long time. What gave me a heart attack was when I went to apply the purple house to the purple cardstock. That was a complete accident! I meant to apply the purple colored house to the blue backing. I was devastated b...

Over on the Festive Friday Papercraft Challenge Blog , they're aware that April 2nd marks World Autism Day. To mark the occasion, they came up with an inspiration list to help us think about that day: I ended up making two cards based on the inspo list. A while back, I found a set of Autism Awareness washi tape. I had yet to use it, and I couldn't think of a more apropos time to use it. I implemented a technique that I never did before with washi tape. I ended up making a square of washi tape and then used a die cut on the washi tape so that the image cut out as if it was a patterned paper. Usually when I'm using washi tape and a die cut, it's used solely for a mirror effect. This gave a depth to the card that I was really happy with. Here you can see the jigsaws, rainbow, and bright colors in full order. Here was the first result: I used 3D dot adhesives to give the heart a little dimension. Here you can see it from a different angle: I then did the same thing with a f...

Over on Freshly Made Sketches blog , they offered a very simple and elegant sketch this week that I liberally applied my ideas to. This sketch is the kind of classic design that creators really can all in on: The shape was perfect. Ultimately, I took the design and also added to the bottom right corner as a sort of parallel to the top left design. Here was the result: I used my Anna Griffin Floral 3D cut for the flowers and leaves. The background is a Darice Script Emboss Folder , and I finished up the piece with a button to give it a little extra texture.  And remember, if you like what you see, be sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button at the top to see new posts. And be sure to follow me on Instagram  @DannysCards Related posts: St. Patrick's Day Cards: Inspired by... Challenge Global Design Project #275: Lovely Envelope Cards Color Week Challenge #567: Notable Note Cards Try Stampin' Challenge #486: Smash the Patriarchy Cards Daring Cardmakers Dictionary Day Entry: Defining Bir...

Over on the Inspired By Challenge Blog , they're gearing us up for St. Patrick's Day. Take a look at the inspiration photo: When I think of St. Patrick's Day, I imagine horseshoes and clovers, and the color green. Recently, I acquired the Lucky For All Papercraft Kit from Anna Griffin. I also obtained the Lucky 3D Concentric Layer Dies and the Spring Cut and Emboss Dies . With all these, I went to work. I made half a dozen St. Patrick's cards.  Here is my favorite card: The gold is a little hard to see, but this card catches every ounce of light. This is an A7 card. Here was my other A7 card I made. I also made 4 A2 cards: For the past few weeks, I felt too busy with my upcoming show. But now that my show is complete, you should see regular updates again. Thank for reading. And remember, if you like what you see, be sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button at the top to see new posts. And be sure to follow me on Instagram  @DannysCards Related posts: Global Design Project #27...

Over on Freshly Made Sketches , the sketch challenge was just what I needed to continue my Valentine's Critter Cards. The sketch was as follows: I really stayed true to the sketch itself with only a minor variation. Here was the end result: All the card stock is from a Hot Buy Paper Pack at Michael's, and the stamps are this year's  2020 Recollections Valentine's Set .  Check back later this week for a full review of Anna Griffin's China Cabinet Box.  Anyway, if you like what you see, be sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button at the top to see new posts. And be sure to follow me on Instagram  @DannysCards For More Valentine's Cards, Check Out: Valentine's Sketch Challenge: Valentine's Day Critter Cards Related posts: Global Design Project #275: Lovely Envelope Cards Color Week Challenge #567: Notable Note Cards Try Stampin' Challenge #486: Smash the Patriarchy Cards Daring Cardmakers Dictionary Day Entry: Defining Birthday AAA Cards CAS Game #175 Entry: Co...

Anna Griffin's new Slimline Compendium dies feel essential. In the past few months, several companies as well as crafters showcased Slimline cards. These much taller (and much slimmer) cards measuring an astounding 8" x 9" and fit into business sized envelopes. They looked attractive, and while no doubt, anyone could cut the base with a bone folder and a paper cutter, the dimensions feel so unwieldy, it does feel intimidating.  Enter Anna Griffin's Slimline Compendium Dies. Now everyone knows that I'm one of Anna Griffin's biggest fans. The Empress is to me, bar none, the best die cutter out there. Additionally, her dies always impress, and I rarely feel disappointed in any die set I purchase.  But the Slimline dies feel next level. Maybe it's just the sheer quantity of dies. While other sets for the same price offer two or three intricate cuts, this set offers an outrageous 21 dies. And while each die is a variation on the other, it gives the set a wholly...