When using these embossing machines I had to add a layer of cardstock to add pressure to the sandwich to get a clean cut when using  the detailed dies in the  pack, there is not need to do this when using any other die in the pack,  the other dies will cut 2 layers of cardstock with no problem and  I  would rather prefer to use  the Cuttlebug or the Stampin' Up! Big Shot to cut paper in general  as they do not leave undesirable embossing  marks even when the embossing plates are worn. The Big Shot Plus sadly mark the paper and I really do't like the results.

These dies  cut and emboss creating beautiful details on the cardstcok ... Simple  beautiful

The gold sentiment was die cut out of Craft Perfect  Mirror Card  by Tonic Studios. The colour is Harvest Gold.  

Since Tonic sent me samples of this card in different striking colours  I can't stop die cutting words out of this high gloss cardstock! I love it.. it is something so very new to me.

I also visited Hobbycraft yesterday and I noticed that Daler Rowney sell a smooth card that comes in a stack of 20 sheets .  It was next to the watercolour paper so I couldn't resist  and I bought a stack to give it a try. 

It is ultra smooth and is 100% white (not ivory).  The name of this cardstock  is Bristol Board - Airbrush 250g and  I used for the front panel.  I'll be stamping on it later to see what its performance.

The card base was made using thick Whisper White cardstock by Stampin' Up!

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!

When I saw  Mandala Moments by Tonic Studios  I was quite intrigued.  I have  to say that I have never seen anything like this collection of stamps and dies despite seeing the shop shelves filled  with Zen Colouring books that include mandalas designs.

I always thought that colouring images with such amount of detail could be very  boring and it wasn't my thing. However,  I only needed to stamp the images on a piece of whisper white cardstock and for the very first time I had the opportunity to enjoy and discover  the benefits of Zen colouring and on top of that I could make cards with these images ... it was a relaxing  and enjoyable experience...

Mandala Moments collection includes stamps with bold chunky words and 3 images ( lady bird, dragonfly and a flower)  with mandalas patterns all over them  and  it comes with big, chunky, coordinating dies. Plop! the dies are to die for and I try them with my 3 embossing machines: Cuttlebug, Stampin' Up! big Shot, and Big Shoot Plus, they  worked just fine on any of them.

Tonic also sent me the Nuvo Creative Pen Collection (Dual tipped alcohol based markers) and Nuvo Brush Scrip Pens  Collection (water based, ultra fine tip pens), and I used the same 3 colours on each collection  to add colours to all the cards today.

I also used my sewing machine to apply stitches  over the cardstock and create frames for some of my cards.

Ok, so first I want to share a Valentine's Day Card idea. 

I can't take the design as my own.  I CASE it from Agniezka Malyszek here. I  die cut the words out of Whisper White Cardstock By Stampin' Up!  then I stamped them over using Memento Black Ink with a floral stamp from  Marmalade's World Collection ( Also by Tonic Studios).

I use one of the stamps on Blooming Love stamp set  by Stampin' Up!  the : XOXO and I stamped it with Memento black Ink. 

The card base was made in Sahara Sand cardstock by Stampin' Up!

Thanks for visiting my blog today.  I hope you like these projects and you can find in my blog a source of inspiration and ideas for your paper craft projects.

Do not hesitate to ask any questions or leave a comment. I would love to hear from you.