Hey there, I have several photos today. I had to wait to share these cards because I didn't want to spoil a birthday surprise. I treated myself to some new dies that I've been loving from afar for quite a long time, and as so often happens I couldn't decide which ones I wanted... so I got several. It was still not easy to narrow it down.
Today I'm sharing four cards all made with the Creative Expressions Puffin Splash Edger. I fiddled around until I got my groove on with it. The first card shown is my favorite result.
When I bought the edger dies I figured I'd be cutting in white or other solid color and placing over a blended background. In the end I thought the Puffin looked way cool on the Mintay Marina designer paper with a matching solid blue underneath. In the area of the pretty Mintay design I pieced two fish and a heart-shaped splash back in so as to relieve some of the busyness. The bottle was cut from the Mintay paper and a sentiment stamped. Cardstock and ink are SU Brilliant Blue. Pearls for embellishment.
A second favorite idea was to use just part of the die as a focal piece. After cutting the die in white I cut again with a stitched circle die. I stenciled a red on red background, added the blue dotty frame, then matted on a larger white circle. All that was added to a Mintay Marina covered card and tied with baker's twine. The card is an odd size, not quite square, not quite A2. That's because I goofed one day when making square envelopes on the envelope punch board. Rather than discard the envelopes I simply made cards to fit.
I like this idea for stretching the use of the die.
Finally, the last two cards are the first I made and more closely resemble how I imagined I'd be using this die. I did not make my own backgrounds, but remembered my Vivid Ink Drops designer paper. Hey, if I'm going to be a designer paper fanatic I might as well make a point of using it. I like these cards, too, but they did not turn out to be my favorites.
Thank you so much for stopping by. It was great fun making these cards and sharing the ideas. It's not often I start playing with new acquisitions almost as soon as they come in the mail.
Now it's time to send one of these pictures over to Darnell's NBUS Challenge #35. Lots of great things to see over there!
Wishing you a wonderful day!
The puffin edge die looks amazing. I do exactly the same when choosing Leslie! Your first card shows off the penguin and the intricate die perfectly and what a good idea to fill in some of the die cuts smaller pieces x.
ReplyDeleteI would never have thought to use an edge die within a circle aperture, so thank you for the inspiration and the papers on the last two look fabulous, along with inlaying some of the penguin x. Great to see these wonderful and creative cards Leslie x.
All beautiful cards but really love the second one with the circular aperture
ReplyDeleteCarol x
Wow absolutley gorgeous, great colours and brilliant designs. ♥
ReplyDeleteHi Leslie. Many thanks for your sweet comment on my Penny Black Stickeroo card. I came to return the favour. LOVE your puffin cards and how clever to think of using the puffin within a circle. I see that you enter plenty of the challenges I love - we'd love to see you come and play in the Snippets Playground with us!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Di xx
Wow, your puffin cards are awesome!!You certainly have found the perfect way to make them stand out, and the 2nd card is ever so creative. I love too how you have incorporated the Mintay papers, (I just bought more new pads of it myself), how great it is that you have used your 'new stuff' right away too, something I need to do!! I think it is as fun to order new things as it is to use them, way better mail to receive then bills HAH!
ReplyDeleteWonderful cards Leslie! Love these edger dies, although I have never seen this one. The cards are so unique in their own way, so hard to say which one is my favourite, probably the 2nd card, the circle, but they are all so beautiful! Also I might add, great use of the Mintay Papers. I seem to hoard mine, nots sure why as I have so many of them. So nice to see your cards today, thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful day Leslie. A nice day here in SW Ontario - sunny high of 7C (45F) compared to what we have been having.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post showing all the wonderful ways you can make a card using all kinds of ways to change them up and make them look different. I love the use of the minty papers and cutting out on the first, love that bottle with the sentiment. The second was such a fantastic new way to use that die, now I need to go through mine and think of different ways to use them because this one is a winner. I do love those papers you used on the last cards, so nice when they look like you have done them yourselves but was able to make a quicker card by having the background already done for you, all Terrific!
ReplyDeleteLeslie, stunning and so creative. These are a lovely collection of eye candy.
ReplyDeletelovely cards. Love the multiple versions of the die cuts. Well done. Have a great day
ReplyDeleteWhat a great die, Leslie, and I love everything you did with it. I think my favorite is the second one. I agree with you about the patterned paper - I have so much I just need to use it and not worry about making my own backgrounds. Most people that I send cards to wouldn't know if I made the background or not!
ReplyDeleteAwesome I deas for these edger dies. My favorite is the circle one... so looking to see how I can use mine in different ways now. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteOh Leslie, my friend, these cards are all just fabulous! I think as far as favorites ... I would go in the same order you did ... but they are all amazing in their own right!
ReplyDeleteHow clever to use that Mintay Marina paper (love that idea) and your use of the watercolor design papers is perfect too! I with ya on that 'being a paper fanatic' ... good grief, I could wallpaper my entire 2 story house with all the paper I have in my stash LOL (and still buying more! call me crazy lol).
SO HAPPY you're having some crafty fun and I truly appreciate all the inspiration! YOU GO GIRL!!! Big Hugs
Leslie, seeing real Puffins in the wild is an item on my bucket list - of course I've seen them in a zoo, but that's not the same, is it?
ReplyDeleteUntil then, I'm thrilled to see your adorable Puffin die cuts in any color or setting! Just darling with your gorgeous nautical paper!
=]
I love all the ways you used this fantastic die, Leslie! Very creative to put him in a circle frame! Love those polka dots! He looks very festive with the fancy paper and just as lovely with the ink drop paper! Looks like you had lots of fun and got your money's worth from this die!
ReplyDeleteThese are all just wonderful. Such a unique die. I would never have thought to use it in the different ways that you did.
ReplyDeleteAll the work...as I scrolled through your post, I kept saying, "So many details...so much work!" I just don't have it in me, Leslie! I was trying to understand an edger die but am not sure that I do. That puffin is so cute and so unusual. I do love the blues that you used. (As for a favorite, I kind of like the the very last one, maybe because of the color combo.) These are all beautiful examples of design, color, and combinations.
ReplyDeleteOh my..What fun playing with your new Puffin Bird Die and pretty papers, Leslie. How awesome to get 4 adorable cards using very different creative designs for your Puffin Bird Die and designer papers:-) BTW..I have been using my Vivid and Dusk Ink Drops designer paper lately too. You will eventually see in my blog what I have created. LOVE both 6" x 6" double sided paper tablets. TFS your beauties, my dear friend. Love and Hugs...Nancy
ReplyDeleteSpectacular card designing here!!!! So bright and cheery I loved each one - so they are all my faves!!! Big hugs
ReplyDeleteThese are all so gorgeous. I love that edger die. The die looks fabulous against that Brilliant Blue background.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, I like this die on design paper and I have two favorites. The first one and that circle one. I have been hearing a lot about Mintay paper, but goodness knows that I don't need more paper.
ReplyDeleteI was so excited to see your cards! The main reason we went to Nova Scotia years ago was to see the Puffins! I just love them. I'm glad you used your DSP. It is just perfect for your cards! All your nautical items go perfect with the scenes. I love the one in the circle! Brings back good memories!
ReplyDeleteYou have really showcased this die in so many ways. I do love the second card with the circle opening. Good to see you posting again. I'm slowly beginning to come out of the fog. The doctor is kind of amazed at how well I have done. I understand this is a very tough surgery but I'm recovering well. I've been released to drive and I am so pleased!
ReplyDeleteLeslie, I absolutely love this die, this penguin can be dressed up in all kinds of colors and the ones you used for the background are amazing, he looks so elegant and sweet.
ReplyDeleteThe paper is fabulous, you always know what DSP to use on your beautiful cards.
Stay healthy and safe, my friend.
XO
Maria.
Wow! How unique and beautiful! I love the designer paper too! Looks like the ocean. I think they are my favorites. Thx for your creativity!
ReplyDeleteI have wonky eyes so it took me till the last picture to figure out the die cut. 😂 After that, the puffin stood out in all the pictures. Fabulous cards and so versatile, too. Thank you for sharing with us at NBUS.
ReplyDeletePrudence
NBUS February Guest Designer