He Grew - JustNick Studios

Hello blogging friends!

This week on the JustNick Studio blog the focus has been on flowers, perfect for Spring. In Minnesota, I am still waiting for those flowers as there is still snow on the ground. It cheers me up though to be able to create with some beautiful flowers. Spring is also a time when the children in my church make their first communion. So I thought combining flowers on this layout of my Dad on the day of his first communion would work. My Dad grew up on a dairy farm, the youngest of 11 children. My grandparents are posed with him in this photo. It brings a smile to my face as I see my Grandpa dressed up ... he is wearing a tie with his bib overalls, lol.

I used the Floral Swag 3 and Blossom Blooms digital cut files and arranged them in a circle to frame my photo. Since I had greenery from the Floral Swag 3 cut flowers, I used my eraser in Silhouette Studio to erase the leaves from the Blossom Blooms cut file so I was left with just the flower. I did the same for the Floral Swag cut file so I could cut the flowers out of different pattern papers.

To add some dimension to my layout, I placed buttons in the center of my flowers and added even more flowers with some painted wood veneer pieces.

Here are the digital cut files I used today ...

If you are interested in watching my YouTube process video here it is ...

I hope I've inspired you to add some flowers to your Spring layouts too. Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have a delightful Easter weekend.

Top Dog Dies Tutorial

Hello blogging friends! I have a super easy Top Dog Dies tutorial for you today. It's one of those things were you'll think "Why didn't I think of that?" I want to show you how easy it is to adhere intricate dies like the cross I used on this card....

I created this card for my brother-in-law. If you follow my blog you know that he has been battling bladder cancer for about  18 months. On this journey, he has found God. He was to have received the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, Confession, and Confirmation on Holy Saturday. Unfortunately, he has been hospitalized again and required surgery last week. I will still give him the card. His journey has not been easy and I want him to know that with God all things are possible.

The sentiment by Lori Whitlock was printed with my Silhouette Cameo using a gold sketch pen. I then added some blue watercolors over the top starting with a light blue at the top and gradually getting darker at the  bottom. When it was dry, I die cut the edge using the Top Dog Dies Chelsea Signature die.

The gorgeous Top Dog Dies Cross die is the focal point of my card....

Because this die is so intricate, it can be difficult to adhere without getting glue residue everywhere. Here is my trick.

1. Cut a piece of cardstock just large enough for the cross die. Run it through your Xyron Sticker Maker. I am using the 2.5" Sticker Maker, but Xyron makes a 5" and a 9" one as well.

2. Set the die on top of the paper and make your sandwich for die cutting. (Remove plastic from the top first if necessary.)

3. Run the die through your die cutting machine.

4. Remove die and punch out any remaining negative parts. Look.... no glue residue!!!

5. Peel off the paper backing when you are ready to use it and adhere to the Cross base.

6. I did not have to weed out any excess glue residue!

Just remember to use your Xyron first and die cut second!

Supplies:
Top Dog Chelsea Signature Die
Top Dog Dies Cross Die set
Xyron 2.5" Sticker Maker
Silhouette Cameo
Lori Whitlock cutting file (use gold sketch pen instead of blade)
watercolors
Moxie pattern papers
White and Gold cardstock.

Thanks for stopping by,
~Marcia

First Communion Card - Top Dog Dies

Hello blogging friends. Did you hop yesterday to see all the awesome projects created with the new Top Dog Dies? No? Scroll down to see my post from yesterday. Top Dog Dies is giving one lucky person a complete set of these Spring dies! You have until March 6th to enter. The very lucky winner will be announced on March 7th.

I think this new Cross die is a favorite among the designers. It is so intricate and pretty. I created this First Communion card with it.

I used some gold foil paper for the cross. Against a white background it is just stunning.

The Top Dog Dies Scallop Frame and Mat set is not new, but I thought it would really frame that gorgeous cross nicely.

Supplies:
Top Dog Dies Scallop Frame and Mat set
Top Dog Dies Cross Die set (new)

If you haven't seen the other new dies, check out the Top Dog Dies store here.
Thanks for stopping by!
~Marcia