Good Tuesday morning and welcome to the Essentials by Ellen Winter 2016 Release Hop! I’ll be showcasing a few of the new stamp sets and dies on my post today!
I am so excited that I get to give away an Essentials by Ellen stamp set! The winner may chose ANY Essentials by Ellen brand stamp set (maximum value $15) currently in stock at Ellen Hutson.com To enter my giveaway, please leave a comment on this post by February 16th!
There is also a fantastic Grand Giveaway in the CLASSroom! To enter, be sure to leave a comment THERE, also by February 16th; ALL winners will posted at the CLASSroom on Friday, February 19th!
My first project was made using the new Bed of Roses die paired with a flower images from the Wild Garden set. The frame was made using the Nesting Card Templates set.
I started by cutting the rose background and the frame. I applied double stick tape to the back of the frame and attached it to the rose die cut. Next I applied thin strips of mounting tape all the way around the back of the frame as well as on the back of a few key flowers and attached it to the card base.
I crimped a piece of white cardstock and attached it to the pink layer and attached it to the front of frame. I cut the flower and laid it over a piece of white cardstock and lightly traced around the flower with a pencil. I used the traced line to cut out the white background and attached it behind the flower with rolled up double stick tape. I cut a few sections of another of the open flowers in the Wild Garden set and attached it to the crimped section with glossy accents to create a foliage background. I finished by attaching the flower over the foliage using glossy accents.
My second project was made using the Mondo Hydrangea stamp set and Mondo Hydrangea die set. The scalloped background layer was made using the Scalloped Rectangle Stackables die set.
I stamped the leaves using Peeled Paint distress ink and then watercolored the leaf using my waterbrush and reinker. I painted the green wash outside the line of the leaves all the way around to create a green border so when I die cut the leaves there wouldn’t be a white edge showing. I repeated the same technique to stamp and watercolor the flowers. I stamped the flowers using Chipped Sapphire and lightly watercolored the blue to till in the flowers as well as creating a border outside the flower. I then lightly washed Spun Sugar reinker over the blue flowers and borders to create the variegated appearance of a blue and pink hydrangea. I heat dried the leaves and flowers and prepared to cut them out. I lined up the open die over the stamped images and ran them through my Big Shot. Both the leaf and flower line up easily to get a perfect cut. Painting slightly out of the stamped lines as I described above eliminated the white cut borders. I finished all the flowers and leaves by applying versa to them and then embossing with clear embossing powder. This step really made the colors pop.
I formed the flowers lightly using my stylus and molding pad and then attached them to the large hydrangea base using glossy accents. The large flower as was attached to the card base using mounting tape. The leaves were lightly rolled in my fingers to form and were then tucked in under the large flower and attached with glossy accents. I finished by adding a simple white multi loop bow.
If you are following the designer hop list from the CLASSroom you would have arrived here from Heather Campbell’s blog and your next stop from here will be Kimberly Crawford’s blog . If you get lost, please visit the CLASSroom blog for a complete list of all the designers.
I hope you enjoy the hop and all the wonderful projects made with Julie’s new release sets.
Both cards are 5.50” x 4.25”
I love the background. Such a beautiful card.
Posted by: Myrle C | February 09, 2016 at 09:23 AM
Love the card with the hortensia, nice 3D. The other one is really classy!
Posted by: Bianca | February 09, 2016 at 09:29 AM
That hydrangea is beautiful, coloring is so life like. The rose background is also a great card. So useful, thanks you.
Posted by: Karen Martens | February 09, 2016 at 09:30 AM
Love the cards and the colors. thanks for sharing
Posted by: gael | February 09, 2016 at 09:30 AM
That Hydrangea card is breathtaking!! So life- like, just beautiful.
Posted by: Lisa Beeman | February 09, 2016 at 09:32 AM
I love all the dimension these cards have. Beautiful!!!!!
Posted by: 1aquagirl | February 09, 2016 at 09:41 AM
Beautiful Cards!!
Posted by: Becky | February 09, 2016 at 09:42 AM
Both cards are beautiful Kittie! I especially like the Bed of Roses background, so delicate. TFS
Posted by: Loly Borda | February 09, 2016 at 09:44 AM
Bold and beautiful cards!
Posted by: Karen B. | February 09, 2016 at 09:46 AM
Oh my goodness! All of your cards are stunning and beautiful!
Posted by: Terry B. | February 09, 2016 at 09:51 AM
The hydrangeas card is so awesome. I love all that texture
Posted by: Nadine Sutoyo | February 09, 2016 at 10:03 AM
Iluv luv the hydrangea, looks so realistic
Glad to see you back...I missed your creations!
Posted by: sue oliveira | February 09, 2016 at 10:05 AM
Love the purples in the hydrangea! Your coloring technique is wonderful. I always get a blob of color, but your color is so lifelike. Your ribbon ties it off so beautifully.
Posted by: June S. | February 09, 2016 at 10:06 AM
LOVE the Rose BG die and roses are so 'in' now; gotta have it!
Posted by: kathleen amstutz | February 09, 2016 at 10:11 AM
I'm addicted to your work! The hydrangea is breath-taking! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Kelly | February 09, 2016 at 10:17 AM
Oh Kittie, your cards are SO PRETTY! Love them both!
Posted by: Teresa Doyle | February 09, 2016 at 10:17 AM
Love both cards. The hydrangea is amazing.
Posted by: Susan P | February 09, 2016 at 10:24 AM
Gorgeous cards! I especially love the hydrangea colors and depth. Stunning!
Posted by: Pam Burish | February 09, 2016 at 10:27 AM
Both cards are stunning but the Hydrangea is a work of art - gorgeous! I love to see what you come up with each time - thank you for that!
Posted by: Sue | February 09, 2016 at 10:38 AM
Oh Kittie, I think you have outdone yourself this time! Both cards are great! Love how you used the Bed of Roses to make the background and the focus flower! Also how you got dimension on the hydrangea!
Posted by: Hannah Means | February 09, 2016 at 10:41 AM
OMG! So excited about the new products. Thank you for sharing your creativity. Can't wait to create something fabulous! Love the hydrangea set.
Posted by: Rhea Kraszewski | February 09, 2016 at 10:42 AM
These are both pretty, but that hydrangea card is exceptionally pretty.
Posted by: Tami B | February 09, 2016 at 10:47 AM
Your cards are gorgeous. The hydrangea is beautiful, love the dimension
Posted by: Donna M Cervantez | February 09, 2016 at 10:58 AM
Your cards are always stunning...no exceptions today! Lovely!
Posted by: Kris | February 09, 2016 at 11:07 AM
Beautiful background for the rose and I love the dimension and layering for the hydrangea!
Posted by: Conniecrafter | February 09, 2016 at 11:09 AM
I love this Mondo as much as the magnolia love both those flowers and you have done an excellent job of making it so realistic.
Posted by: Sandie Scott | February 09, 2016 at 11:09 AM
Exquisitely beautiful cards, Kittie!
Posted by: joy meadows | February 09, 2016 at 11:13 AM
Beautiful Hydrangea
Posted by: Theresa | February 09, 2016 at 11:17 AM
Love the 3D hydrangea! Great release!
Posted by: Colleen | February 09, 2016 at 11:23 AM
Striking cards, Kittie! Love them both!
Posted by: Cathy P in AZ | February 09, 2016 at 11:30 AM
Love that rose background! All of your cards are fabulous!!
Posted by: April S. | February 09, 2016 at 11:32 AM
You are so very talented. The cards are beautiful and this release is great! I want them all!!
Posted by: Barbara M. | February 09, 2016 at 11:34 AM
They're both B-eau-ti-ful!!!
Posted by: D.Ann C | February 09, 2016 at 11:35 AM
Gorgeous job with the lovely flower!! Thanks for the post
Posted by: LeslieS | February 09, 2016 at 11:35 AM
Beautiful cards! So creative!
Posted by: Linda | February 09, 2016 at 11:35 AM
Wow. I expected amazing cards from you, but these are AMAZING!!! Love the roses die and paired with the leaves and flowers it is stunning!
Posted by: Kari V. | February 09, 2016 at 11:38 AM
Your cards are beautiful. The hydrangea is amazing.
Posted by: Gilda (McStamper) | February 09, 2016 at 11:40 AM
I really like the Bed of Roses, Kittie. Looks like a clean and simple card resulting in elegance! Hydrangea is gorgeous too!
Posted by: Christine Ray | February 09, 2016 at 11:49 AM
love those hydrangeas!
Posted by: Christine | February 09, 2016 at 11:51 AM
Beautiful cards! I love your work! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Donna Whitten | February 09, 2016 at 11:51 AM
The hydrangea is beautiful.
Love the layering.
the rose is a wonderful card too.
I see it as a sympathy card - very restful and calming.
thanks for sharing some fantastic cards.
Posted by: Mary Holshouser | February 09, 2016 at 11:55 AM
The dimension on these cards are amazing! I absolutely love the coloring you did on the hydrangeas.
Posted by: Alex | February 09, 2016 at 11:59 AM
Very clever way to create dimension with the hydrangea! Love it!
Posted by: Barbara Limone | February 09, 2016 at 12:03 PM
I really like the Bed of Roses die and the way you used it in a card. The Mondo Hydrangea is my favorite stamp set from this release. Thanks for sharing your ideas.
Posted by: Claudia M. | February 09, 2016 at 12:04 PM
Kittie I love the rose card with the white against the rose background.
Posted by: Karen P. | February 09, 2016 at 12:06 PM
That hydrangea card is AH-MAZ-ING!! I love how you gave it dimension. When I saw this, I ran over to Ellen Hutson and snatched up that stamp set before everyone else bought them all.
Posted by: Amy Gray | February 09, 2016 at 12:07 PM
What spectacular use you put these flowers to. The rose card is beautiful but the hydrangea is incredible.
Posted by: conil | February 09, 2016 at 12:08 PM
That flower just leaps off the page. The distress inks you've chosen are just perfect. So lifelike.
Posted by: Dawne Smith | February 09, 2016 at 12:08 PM
I am speechless. The hydrangea is one of the prettiest things I have ever seen. It could be framed as a piece of art. I love your work!
Posted by: Jeanne Jordan | February 09, 2016 at 12:10 PM
Your Hydrangea card is stunning. I love all the detail and dimension you created!
Posted by: Jasmine Burgess | February 09, 2016 at 12:10 PM
Beautiful cards!
Posted by: Cynthia Daugherty | February 09, 2016 at 12:23 PM
The bed of roses is my favorite product of the release & now I "have" to have it! Actually, I "need" your card, Kittie--can that be a prize?!
Posted by: Greta H | February 09, 2016 at 12:23 PM
Beautiful cards! I like the roses card the most.
Posted by: henriette | February 09, 2016 at 12:27 PM
Absolutely beautiful cards! Can't wait to try some of these new products. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Leanne in CA | February 09, 2016 at 12:30 PM
Awesome cards and new release! Lovin' it!
Thanks for the chance to win!
~God bless~
Posted by: Janet Trapp | February 09, 2016 at 12:34 PM
Both cards are beautiful. Love the background on the first and the beautiful coloring and dimension on the hydrangea! Wow!
Posted by: barbara lassiter | February 09, 2016 at 12:35 PM
Oh goodness gracious, those are stunningly gorgeous cards. I'm really thinking hard about the Bed of Roses die. So versatile.
And your hydrangea card is jaw-dropping!
Posted by: Randa McNair | February 09, 2016 at 12:38 PM
What gorgeous cards! So unique and beautiful!
Posted by: TaeEun | February 09, 2016 at 12:39 PM
Gob smacked by the hydrangea Just unbelievable!
Posted by: Liz McAllister | February 09, 2016 at 12:40 PM
super cool! I especially like the hydrangea
Posted by: Kathy Thisted | February 09, 2016 at 12:41 PM
Amazing cards to highlight an amazing release!
Posted by: Linda Gorman | February 09, 2016 at 12:42 PM
Love!Love!Love!
Posted by: Tracy | February 09, 2016 at 12:44 PM
WOW! Your cards are stunning.
Posted by: Valerie Serfozo | February 09, 2016 at 12:45 PM
Gorgeous, gorgeous cards!! Absolutely love Mondo Hydrangea. I am going to remember your technique of coloring beyond the lines to avoid the white outline.
Posted by: Dorothy C. | February 09, 2016 at 12:46 PM
Wonderful dimension in both cards!
Posted by: Tammie | February 09, 2016 at 12:48 PM
Your cards are stunning!thanks for all those tips &it ricks.I will definitely try your style.
Posted by: Tema | February 09, 2016 at 12:50 PM
Both of your cards are WOWs! I can't decide which I love the most.
Posted by: Carolyn S | February 09, 2016 at 12:52 PM
I am so glad I had a snow day because I discovered KittieKratfs! Everything is so absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
Posted by: Kathy M. | February 09, 2016 at 12:53 PM
absolutely in love with your hydrangea card!! it is just gorgeous! the watercoloring is beyond amazing!
Posted by: Rosemary D | February 09, 2016 at 12:54 PM
I recently found your blog and just love what you create with dies. I especially like the rose card but the other one is very nice also, it's just that I am a fan of roses.
Posted by: ElaineBC | February 09, 2016 at 12:57 PM
WoW! Your hydrangea card is amazing! I also love your other card. Beautiful!
Posted by: Craftin' Caly | February 09, 2016 at 12:58 PM
I love both the cards, but the hydrangea card is absolutely stunning! Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: Susan McKay | February 09, 2016 at 12:59 PM
Roses are Red
Hydrangeas are blue
I known everyone said love widespread
I love them, too.
Posted by: KimberlyRae | February 09, 2016 at 01:06 PM
Your cards are absolutely amazing. Your hydrangea card is so life like. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Diane | February 09, 2016 at 01:09 PM
The background die is fabulous !
Posted by: NatQuebec | February 09, 2016 at 01:10 PM
Your work is always stunning!! You are so gifted!! Love the new EH release!
Posted by: Katie K | February 09, 2016 at 01:27 PM
Both of your cards are stunning Kittie, but I always know that when I see your card art. I love the classic and classy die cut panel and flower.
But I have fallen in love with that gorgeous Hydrangea stamp and I just adore how you have used it. Beautiful decoupage layers and I can really see that being used to create a couple of canvas or panels. Thank you for the fabulous blog hop and for sharing your card art with us Karen x
Posted by: Karen P | February 09, 2016 at 01:27 PM
Love the bold contrasts and designs. Thanks for the inspiration and a chance to win.
Posted by: Kathleen B. | February 09, 2016 at 01:30 PM
both of these cards are simply beautiful! I love that elegant bg you created on the first card, and I can almost smell the lovely aroma coming from the hydrangea on the 2nd one, it looks so realistic! :)
Posted by: Jennifer Scull | February 09, 2016 at 01:31 PM
What gorgeous hydrangeas! Beautiful work.
Posted by: Mo Jo | February 09, 2016 at 01:36 PM
Awesome cards
Posted by: Donna Northcott | February 09, 2016 at 01:42 PM
Absolutely stunning cards, as always! I start my day with a cup of coffee and a look at your website for inspiration. Looking forward to many more works of art!
Posted by: Vicki R | February 09, 2016 at 01:44 PM
Beautiful cards as always Kittie. Thanks for inspiring us all. Thanks.
Posted by: Jody V | February 09, 2016 at 01:44 PM
You ALWAYS do the nicest cards. These are no exception.
Thanks for everything you do...
Posted by: Shirley M | February 09, 2016 at 01:48 PM
So fun to see your take on the EH release. I love your style.
Posted by: Melody Holcomb-Hockin | February 09, 2016 at 01:56 PM
Stunning cards! Just stunning!
Posted by: Stephanie Rodgers | February 09, 2016 at 02:02 PM
Your cards are stunning. Thanks for the chance to win.
Posted by: Carol | February 09, 2016 at 02:02 PM
Amazing cards Kitty as always. Love your work.
Posted by: Julieann | February 09, 2016 at 02:07 PM
Gorgeous cards!
Posted by: Angie Linton | February 09, 2016 at 02:18 PM
Both of your cards are beautiful, but the first one really grabbed my attention. I love the die you used.
Posted by: Shirley Qu | February 09, 2016 at 02:32 PM
that hydrangea looks so real!
Posted by: Pai Meng | February 09, 2016 at 02:49 PM
Your cards are beautiful. Wonderful techniques.
Posted by: Sue R | February 09, 2016 at 02:51 PM
Loving that rose background die. Your hydrangea is simply gorgeous.
Posted by: Donna Wakefield | February 09, 2016 at 03:01 PM
Love the bed of roses, but that hydrangea - so beautiful!
Posted by: Pam C | February 09, 2016 at 03:02 PM
Gorgeous cards Kittie! Love the dimension.
Posted by: Glorie | February 09, 2016 at 03:08 PM
Hard to choose, both cards are to die for but I think the rose one wins.
Posted by: Salley | February 09, 2016 at 03:17 PM
Love these. That rise due is beautiful!
Posted by: Pam | February 09, 2016 at 03:22 PM
Love the rose background! It makes such a beautiful card!
Posted by: Kathryn A | February 09, 2016 at 03:23 PM
Love both cards. You always create such wonderful cards. The rose card is beautiful. Love the colors of the hydrangea card.
Posted by: JeanMarie | February 09, 2016 at 03:23 PM
I didn't need that background die until I saw your card - it's stunning.
Posted by: Jackie | February 09, 2016 at 03:24 PM