The Penny Black Blog

A Closer Look: Die Cut Sentiments

April 25, 2018

This week we will be taking a closer look at all of the new Creative Dies included in our newest collection, Nature’s Art. All of these new dies (and the new stamps, too) are now available in our online store. Shop HERE. You can also view the complete catalog HERE. And don’t forget to scroll down to enter our GIVEAWAY, too!

These Creative Die sentiments are designed for versatility and to suit a variety of stamping and die cutting styles. Let’s take a closer look…

Introducing Creative Die Set 51-433 Believe in your Dreams

Card above features 40-610, 51-411, 51-433, 51-198

Card above features 51-433, 40-602, 30-467, 51-198

Introducing Creative Die Set 51-427 Fantastic Thank You

Card above features 51-050, 51-427, 30-474, 51-416, 51-428, 51-423

Introducing Creative Die 51-439 Congratulation

Card above features 51-439, 51-418, 30-392, 51-043, 30-425

Card above features 51-439, 30-466, 30-474, 51-411, 30-238

We want Nature’s Art to bloom in your craft room, too! Enter our giveaway for a chance to win a shopping spree to our online store. We have for you THREE WAYS TO WIN… pick which works best for you, or enter on all three social media platforms. THREE happy stampers will win a $25 shopping spree to our online store. Here’s how to enter:

1: “Like” our Facebook page and leave us a comment there.
2: Leave a comment here on the blog during the next two weeks of NATURE’S ART posts. (April 16-26)
3: Follow us on Instagram and leave us a comment there.

Note: You don’t need to do all three to qualify, please pick whatever works best for you, although we’d certainly love to connect with you in all three places. We will be choosing one winner from the Facebook entries, one from the blog entries, and one from the Instagram entries so the more ways you enter, the greater your chances of winning. Giveaway closes Sunday, April 29, at 11:59 PM PST.

And never fear, even though we do not have tutorials or supplies/instructions for each card shown today, our designers and crafty friends will be joining us very soon sharing tutorials, card details, and videos, too! In the meantime, don’t forget to explore our current videos on our YouTube channel as many of those techniques work great with these new stamps and dies.

A Closer Look: Window Designs

April 24, 2018

by pennyblackinc

Come peer through these two new dies for a view filled with creative possibilities!

Introducing Creative Dies 51-443 Art Deco Window and 51-442 Window Treatments

These dies are sized to work perfectly together to create many design variations.

Card above features 51-442, 51-443, 30-460, 40-593, 51-423, 51-441

Card above features 30-482, 51-443, 51-442, 30-481, 51-441

Card above features 51-442, 30-483, 51-443, 40-137, 51-199, 30-283, 51-191

And before you go, don’t miss this week’s card on our SIMPLICITY site…

A Closer Look: Wrap-Style Cards

April 23, 2018

by pennyblackinc

We are thrilled to share with you two new dies which can be used to create interactive, wrap-style cards.

Introducing Creative Die 51-446 Scrolls Half Edger

This die can be placed along the edges of a gatefold card design to create a flourish on each side of the card.

Card above features 51-446, 51-409, 51-002, 51-026

This style of card lends itself to creative closures for the card, such as this removable panel which can slide off the front of the card.

Here are a couple more variations on this design.

Card above features 51-446, 51-422, 51-430

Card above features 51-446, 51-413, 51-416

This next die can also be used to create interactive, wrap-style cards.

Introducing Creative Die 51-445 Floral Half

This card features a tie front closure. Once untied, the interior portion of the card is actually a top fold card. The red script panel can be opened to reveal a sentiment or a handwritten note.

Card above features 51-445, 40-470

Card above features 51-445, 51-050

And there’s no need to feel limited to use this die only for a wrap-style card, it looks great on the front of a standard card, too.

Card above features 51-445, 51-422, 30-470

And while the cards above feature square card designs, these dies also work well for standard, A2-sized (4.25 x 5.5 inch) cards as well. When working with a piece of cardstock cut to 5. 5 inches x 11 inches, score at 3 3/8 inches from each end. Place the die along the score line to create the look shown below. Or, if you would like the wrap design to overlap more at the center, place the die further from the score line before running it through your die cutting machine.

standard size card wrap

Runs with Scissors

April 21, 2018

by pennyblackinc

Hello, hello, hello! Is anybody there? I’m a bit worried that many of you may have gone into hibernation until feisty Ms. April left town. Here in Alabama those April showers (thunderstorms) have brought us blooming dogwood trees and azaleas. The combination of pinks and whites against the green grass is breathtaking after all the cold and rainy weather. My Wisconsin and Minnesota family members have every right to be sick of their six month long winter. Before I thought about what I was saying, I mentioned to my Minneapolis daughter during our last phone call that my rose bushes were in bloom. Ooops!

This week I have spent the rainy days playing working with Penny Black’s newest release, Nature’s Art. This release will bring spring to your crafting space, no matter the weather outside. Mother Nature truly is an artist: birds, butterflies and blossoms – and darling toddlers and a fashionista or two.

The Leaf Pattern die is just the right size to cover the top half of a vertical card. I love the texture it provides and how it complements the CAS design of the lower half. The flower is from the Radiant stamp set and is fun to color and easy to fussy cut. It is the smaller stamp in that set and looks great on its own or can be used to create a bouquet. This design can be adapted to celebrate or acknowledge any occasion.

This sweetie is from the Good Friend mini stamp set. I just want to squeeze those sweet cheeks. I think of granddaughter Evelyn who is taking Irish Dancing lessons when I see this little girl. I couldn’t resist using up a few of my bazillion sequins. No need to wait until St. Patrick’s day to use this stamp. The sentiment also makes it perfect for a friendship card.

None of us like to make sympathy cards, but sometimes we must. I prefer very simple stamping and designs for this type of card. I’ve used the Ravishing brush stroke stamp for my background, stamping it in Antique Linen Distress Oxide ink. The meaningful sentiment is from the Heartfelt stamp set and says just enough. I love the font.

Before there was Cooper …

… there was a little white poodle named Jobi.

Back in “the olden days”, while living in the small town where I raised my family, I worked in the community hospital as a Medical Records Transcriptionist (boy, can I type fast!) My three older children had left the nest for college and my two youngest sons were in middle school. Like most working moms, I dealt with pangs of guilt that my boys came home to an empty house and were by themselves until I arrived from work a couple of hours later. I had, at times, wondered if a dog might be a good addition to our mini-family but had not taken the time to explore that option or even discuss it with my sons. I thought the house would seem more welcoming and less lonesome if the boys were greeted by a tail wagging companion.

And then, as it sometimes happens, the Universe took care of the matter.

It was early on a Monday morning at work and I was starting on the weekend’s dictation when one of the nursing assistants came into our room, appearing a bit distressed and anxious. She asked, in a voice devoid of hope, if any of us would be interested in having a dog. To sweeten the offer, the dog came with food bowls, collar, leash, and a supply of dog food.

Had I kept on typing (on my IBM Selectric with the automatic correction key) and ignored her plea, our family would have missed out on all the joy that 12 lb., five year old white miniature poodle brought to our family.

The nursing assistant had been given the dog by her good friend to take to the vet to be put down. The friend’s husband and teen aged boys did not like him and wanted him replaced with a “real” guy kind of dog. Poor Jobi had been kicked, had the door closed on him as he was going in or out, and was generally mistreated by the males in the house. The final straw was when Jobi’s habit of chewing paper involved a twenty dollar bill. Jobi had sealed his fate and the woman who owned him had no choice. She surrendered Jobi to her nursing assistant friend as she did not have the heart to take him to the vet herself. Heartbroken herself, the nursing assistant was making one last effort to find Jobi a new home.

This was one of those decisions that had to be made quickly as our department was the last to be visited and offered the dog. I’m still not sure that it really was my voice that spoke up and said, “I’ll take him.” At lunch time, the transfer of ownership was made and I took the little dog to our house and left a note on the kitchen table announcing to my sons that we now owned a dog and his name was Jobi.

The boys were not only thrilled, they were astounded that I thought a dog was a good idea. Of course, like any parent who agrees to a pet, I discussed with them the responsibility involved. It would be up to them to walk the dog after school as well as play with him and make sure he received daily attention.

Many parents say they bring a pet into the home to teach their children responsibility. My theory is the responsible child will become more responsible and the child who needs to learn responsibility lets the other kid be in charge.

And that’s what happened. While both boys loved the dog and played with him after school, it was John who became the primary caretaker of Jobi. I can still see him on his bike, Jobi under one arm, on the way to the vet’s office for his heartworm pills or updating his vaccinations. While even I would forget or minimize the importance of such things, John would faithfully take care of it.

Eventually, we all considered Jobi to be John’s dog.

I am forever grateful for Jobi’s loyalty to my boys and his protective nature. All night long Jobi slept outside the boys’ bedroom door. He did not leave his post until the last child had come downstairs. Because of his past abuse, Jobi still cowered every time we opened the door to let him in or out. He never came into the kitchen while we were eating and when it was his mealtime, he would carry his little dish in his mouth to the safety he found under the dining room table. Not once did he ever eat any food left within his reach or crumbs that had fallen to the floor.

I could not have asked for a more perfect dog for my boys.

I have more to share about Jobi and his life with us. Enough to fill another edition of Runs with Scissors. And some confessions about my shortcomings as a first time dog owner.

This fashionista’s Balancing Act allows her to spend time with her kitty while lost in her daydreams. The Believe in Dreams die set is the source for the Dream sentiment. The designer paper base is from a winter paper pack titled Holiday Trimmings. I like the colors and don’t think the poinsettias are too noticeable.

I say it every time I do an all white card: “Why did you do an all white card?” They are hard to photograph and never look as pretty as they are in real life. The Floral Half along with the Wishes sentiment just say “wedding card” to me. My next use of this die will be to add color, but for now I am enjoying the pure vanilla card.

This little mouse from the Birthday Critters set is enjoying pushing off from the Congratulation die cut, heading for the clouds. Kraft paper is a good starting point for the masculine cards we have to make. It’s fun to use colored pencils on kraft and the pop of white adds brightness. That Congratulation die will be put to good use during graduation and wedding season this year.

I am so grateful that Mr. RWS is in charge of Cooper’s walks. He doesn’t seem to mind walking Cooper even when it is raining. Cooper, on the other hand, hates getting wet and sometimes just plants all four feet and refuses to walk in the rain. We have had so much rain lately, for days at a time, that Cooper has had to overcome his objections to being wet and just get down to business! Maybe we need a doggie raincoat.

And here we are again, at the end of another Runs with Scissors. I enjoyed all the comments last week and was thankful that my fashion advice and organizational ideas were helpful. It seems we all agree, too, that bacon should be crisp, not soggy. If I awarded a prize for the outstanding comment of the week, it would have to go to the reader who sympathized with my aggravation with pesky robocalls by sharing that she received a robocall from a carpet cleaning company WHILE IN LABOR. Dear Reader, I am thankful the only phone call I received while in labor was from a nosy sister-in-law who, after sixteen hours, wanted to know why I hadn’t had the baby yet!

On that note, I am off to the Penny Circle Flickr Gallery. I leave you with the reminder that the Nature’s Art release is now available in the Penny Black store.

Shop for today’s featured Penny Black supplies

Card No. 1: 30-353 Words of Kindness, 30-481 Radiant, 51-432 Leaf Pattern

Card No. 2: 30-486 A Good Friend, 51-422 Stitched Square and Circles

Card No. 3: 30-286 Heartfelt, 40-589 Ravishing, 51-416 Stitched Stackers

Card No. 4: 30-487 Balancing Act, 51-416 Stitched Stackers, 51-433 Believe in Dreams, 80-013 Holiday Trimmings

Card No. 5: 51-036 Wishes, 51-416 Stitched Stackers, 51-445 Floral Half

Card No. 6: 30-466 Birthday Critters, 51-033 Silver Linings, 51-416 Stitched Stackers, 51-439 Congratulation

Fun Friday: Bible Journaling with Penny

April 20, 2018

by pennyblackinc

Once a month, Penny Ward joins us with her inspiring and gorgeous Bible journaling pages featuring our products! You can read more about Penny and her Bible journaling tips HERE. We love her approach to Bible journaling: “I journal in a Bible to show my love of God and particular scripture most of the time. God gave me the crafty gene and I am showing him what He gave me. I am sure He loves it in His book no less. I also have a second Bible for reading.” So whether you are new to Bible journaling or a card-maker looking for stamping ideas and techniques, we welcome both you and Penny as we celebrate another EXTRA fun Friday with our fabulous friend.

Penny is mixing and matching techniques with our Creative Dies in her Bible today. To begin, she’s die cut our Creative Die, 51-328 Elegant, from masking paper and applied inks through it like a stencil. This approach allows only a light layer of ink to be pounced onto the page, keeping the text readable, but still personalized.

Next, Penny has featured our Creative Die set, 51-006 Flutters, with a straightforward approach –cutting and coloring the butterfly and attaching it to her page in an open area. This butterfly could also be added to a bookmark or along the edges of the page to mark this particular spread.

Finally, she stamped the verse from our transparent set, 30-429 Gifts from Above, to finish off her journaling art.

One more thing… TGIF!

“Like” our page on Facebook for exclusive inspiration by Birgit Edblom!

Shop for today’s featured Penny Black supplies

51-328 Elegant
51-006 Flutters
30-429 Gifts from Above

A Closer Look: Feathered Friends and Time for Tea

April 19, 2018

by pennyblackinc

This week we will be taking a closer look at all of the new stamps included in our newest collection, Nature’s Art. All of these new stamps (and the new Creative Dies, too) are now available in our online store. Shop HERE. You can also view the complete catalog HERE. And don’t forget to scroll down to enter our GIVEAWAY, too!

Let’s begin today by taking a look at stamps that feature our feathered friends and their flowery perches.

Introducing Cling Stamp 40-593 Flower Perch

Card above features 40-593, 30-484, 30-238

Introducing Transparent Stamp Set 30-474 Ebullient

Card above features 30-474, 30-416, 51-224, 51-434

Introducing Cling Stamp Set 40-611 Singsong

Card above features 40-611, 51-296, 51-416, 30-463

And while you listen to the cheery chirps from the birds above, how about brewing a cup of tea?

Introducing Transparent Stamp Set 30-482 Cup of Tea

Card above features 30-482, 51-443, 51-442, 30-481, 51-441

Cards above feature 30-482, 30-481, 51-441, 51-281, 51-422

A Closer Look: Elegant Blooms

April 18, 2018

by pennyblackinc

This time of year is a great time to embrace all things elegant and blooming. That’s what today’s closer look is all about: fresh flowers and gorgeous gardens of inky delights.

Introducing Cling Stamp 40-610 Summer Glow