Hello & Happy Monday, Crafters! The new October Essentials by Ellen release products are now available in the Ellen Hutson LLC shop! To find out more about this release, please visit the Ellen Hutson Classroom blog. There, you will find info about the super fun release prizes ... One random lucky commenter will win $25 to the Ellen Hutson shop and one will win the whole October Essentials by Ellen release! To enter for a chance to win, make sure to leave comments at each stop along the release blog hop list from yesterday, HERE! To be entered for the prize drawings, please be sure to leave your comments before Thursday, October 10th at 11:59pm PST. To help assist in your felt project crafting, Ellen has just put together a wonderful assortment of wonderful Felt and Embroidery Floss collections! These items are available in the collections, as well as individually. So if a particular collection happens to be currently sold out either just click on the "Notify Me" button OR just make note of the colors listed in the collection product descriptions and those can be purchased individually! <<-- Great for mass productions! Now on to my ornament! To create... Continue reading

Hello & Happy Sunday, Friends! Today the October Essentials by Ellen release is available over at the Ellen Hutson LLC shop ... NOW! You'll find a wonderful new selection of holiday, fall, and general stamps and dies HERE! Come hop along with the Ellen Hutson team today, to find some fantastic inspiration! Links are listed below. For today's project, I stitched a paper snow-woman for you! Even though she is made with paper, you could easily make her from felt and have her be a removable holiday ornament! It was super easy to build this sweet snow-woman! First, I used the previously-released Stitches Cover Plate on Neenah 100 Lb Solar White cardstock to create a quick and easy stitched background. Then I die cut the background using the new Sew Cute-Snowman die. The rest of my snow lady's ensemble was also die cut from cardstock and assembled, then stitched together with DMC Embroidery Floss. To anchor snow lady to her Oyster Gray card base, I created some "snow hills" at the bottom using a Stitching Lines die and adhered her with Foam Mounting Tape to the card base. To finish the card, I added Stardust Stickles to the holly berries... Continue reading

Thank you so much for joining us today for the August Essentials by Ellen Release Hop! You'll find a lot of amazing inspiration awaiting on today's hop, along with . . . *PRIZES: We've got super fun prizes! One random lucky commenter will win $25 to the EllenHutson shop and one will win the whole August Essentials by Ellen release! To enter for a chance to win, make sure to leave comments at each stop along today's hop! Comment before Thursday, August 15th at 11:59pm PST. Winners will be notified by email. But first, here's a little about the card I have to share today, using Julie Ebersole's new Mondo Amaryllis stamp set and Mondo Amaryllis die set: Isn't this floral gorgeous?!! I stamped it with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam ink onto watercolor paper and watercolored with these Daniel Smith watercolors: Rhodonite Genuine (PrimaTek Set), Quinacridone Rose (Floral Half-Pan Set or Ultimate Mixing Half-Pan Set), Permanent Alizarin Crimson (Ultimate Mixing Half-Pan Set), Serpentine Genuine (Colors of Inspiration Half-Pan Set), Green Apatite (Floral Half-Pan Set). The finished floral was die cut with its coordinating Mondo Amaryllis die set and popped up on X-Press It Foam Mounting Tape. The background was... Continue reading

Happy Friday, Crafty Friends -- Today is release day over at Ellen Hutson LLC! Once again, Julie Ebersole has a wonderful mix of whimsical stamps and die combos, along with some great stand alone dies you can mix with anything in your collection! I've used some of both on today's card: the new Good Times stamp and coordinating Good Times die sets, along with the Big City and Landscapes die sets, to create this Embossed Watercolor birthday card! I hope you can see in the photo above how the multi-color sentiment is shiny? That's because I used Zig Clean Color Real Brush Watercolor Markers to ink the letters and words in different colors directly on the stamp. First I stamped the sentiment all over with Versamark using my Misti, then without cleaning the stamp, I applied the different colors of watercolor marker directly on the stamp. The Versamark on the watercolor paper and left over on the stamp help to keep the color nice and wet long enough to then clear heat emboss, for that fun shiny look! I did the same for the balloon outlines, then filled in the balloons with watercolor of the same color. Color on the... Continue reading

It's May Release day over at Ellen Hutson LLC -- Wonderful new stamp and die sets fresh for your Spring picking! I naturally gravitate to flowers, so it's no surprise I have a wonderful watercolored Mondo Wildflower bouquet for you today: This beautiful bouquet was gold heat embossed onto watercolor paper, then watercolored with Daniel Smith Ultimate Mixing and Blues Half-Pan sets. I absolutely LOVE how effortlessly these watercolors blend on paper and the amazing shading you can get with them! The watercolored panel was die cut with a stitched rectangle die, then mounted onto a Solar White card base. One of the four great sentiments from this stamp set was also gold heat embossed, cut into a banner shape, and popped up with foam tape. Be sure to head over to Ellen's CLASSroom blog and enter to win some release prizes and see more fabulous samples using this new May Release! Thanks so much for joining me today! SUPPLIES: Mondo Wildflowers by Brandi Kincaid, Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps Mondo Wildflowers by Brandi Kincaid, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies VersaMark Ink Pad Ranger Watercolor Paper, 10 pk Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Heavyweight, Classic Crest Solar White 110 lb, 25 pk... Continue reading

Good Morning, Friends! Today I have a scrappy project for you -- I know it's been a while, but the new Instant Photo Frames die set by Julie Ebersole for Essentials by Ellen was a wonderful inspiration to scrap a favorite photo! Ahhh ... my blood pressure lowers about 100 points when I see this view! :D I thought both of the great sentiments included in the Instant Photo Frames die set were appropriate, so I used them both! The "Good Times" was cut out of both white and Bazzill Lollipop cardstock. I placed the Lollipop die cut letters into the white negative die cut cardstock, and placed that behind the smallest Instant Photo Frame which was stamped with Painted Stripes in black ink. The other "Best Day Ever" sentiment was die cut from a Lollipop Folk Heart die cut. White cardstock was placed behind the "Ever" word, then the heart was accented with the arrow die, also stamped with Painted Stripes in black ink. The photo was mounted to a 6-inch square piece of Bazzill Gumball cardstock, with a finishing touch of the "St John" sentiment die cut with Essentials by Ellen Letterboard Larger Alpha. I also have a... Continue reading

Happy Friday, Friends! Today is release day over at Ellen Hutson LLC! There's a fabulous new round of stamps and dies that are sure to please the any-occasion cardmaker or scrapbooker alike! Please meet Everyday Doodles and Everyday Punnies by Julie Ebersole for Essentials by Ellen! These are the sweetest images and funniest sentiments . . . I couldn't resist making a set of notecards using all of the Everyday Doodles images! Here's a closer look at each of the 4.5" x 3.75" notecards: This notecard set was die cut using Catherine Pooler's Nested Label Dies cut from 110 Lb. Neenah Solar White cardstock. I used Catherine Pooler's awesome Mini Ink Pad Bundle to stamp the images in all of the different ink colors. Colorful striped accents were made by inking the new Painted Stripes stamp in different colors (that task is made easier with these mini ink pads!), then cutting the stamped stripe image into thirds. The Everyday Doodles images were die cut with their coordinating Everyday Doodles Dies, then matched up with their coordinating Everyday Punnies sentiments and popped up with foam tape. Now I have a great selection of adorable notecards on hand to pop into a... Continue reading

Hello and happy Friday, Crafters! Today is THE day ... new March Essentials by Ellen products are now available in the Ellen Hutson shop! You can view the entire March release HERE! Today I am giving you a look at the adorable Backyard Bird Friends stamp set and coordinating die sets from Brandi Kincaid, with this family of feathered friends: Notice the little hummingbird has flittered off by herself, leaving the family trio nest behind ... just like my family! ;-) I thought this wonderful sentiment from the stamp set was also very fitting ... "Home is where your birds sing". Love that! :D It is gold heat embossed. These sweet birds were stamped with Coffee Archival ink onto watercolor paper, then watercolored with Daniel Smith Ultimate Mixing and Blues Half Pan Sets. To create the tree, I just stamped the one leafy limb a few times and extended the longer branch. The nest and bluebird were both die cut with their coordinating Backyard Bird Friends dies and popped up on foam tape, for wonderful added dimension: Be sure to check out Ellen Hutson's The CLASSroom blog for more release details and giveaways! Thanks so much for joining me today... Continue reading

Hello and happy Friday, Friends! Today's project is a bouquet of watercolored Spring daisies using Julie Ebersole's latest February stamp and die release for Ellen Hutson's Essentials by Ellen. Mondo Gerbera Daisy was stamped and clear heat embossed, then watercolored with Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolor set, keeping the colors soft and light. The watercolored piece was then trimmed and mounted onto a black card base. The beautiful Big Scripty Hello die is also new from Ellen's February release. It was also die cut from black cardstock, glittered with shimmer pen, then its coordinating shadow die used to cut vellum for a soft background accent. Need some new stamps? They are all on sale this weekend at Ellen Hutson LLC! Just click the banner below to start shopping! Thanks so much for joining me today ... Happy weekend! SUPPLIES: Mondo Gerbera Daisy by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Stamp & Die Combo Mondo Gerbera Daisy by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Clear Stamps Big Scripty Hello by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Designer Dies Big Scripty Dies by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen Die Combo VersaMark Ink Pad Ranger Watercolor Paper, 10 pk Ranger Distress Watercolor Cardstock Essentials By Ellen Cardstock,... Continue reading

Happy Friday, Crafters ... It's Release Day at Ellen Hutson! There are a wonderful new group of February stamps and dies by Julie Ebersole for the Essentials by Ellen line. One of my favorites (of course!) is the Mondo Gerbera Daisy! This beautiful new floral is a dream to color but also makes a fabulous impact stamped in just black or colors, without coloring it in! For this card, I gold heat embossed the daisy onto watercolor paper (cutting off and extending the length of the stem), then watercolored with Daniel Smith's Ultimate Mixing Half Pan Set. The daisy was die cut with its coordinating Mondo Gerbera Daisy die, then popped up on foam tape over a watercolor background I created by lightly washing Daniel Smith Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Genuine (SBT), then splattering with a darker mix of the same (gorgous!) color! This SBT is also available separately in an individual tube, or in Daniel Smith's Blues Half Pan Set. To finish this card, I die cut several layers of Neenah Solar White #110 cardstock using one of the two word dies that is included in the Mondo Gerbera Daisy die set -- isn't that a pretty font? I then... Continue reading

Happy Sunday, Crafty Friends! The December Essentials by Ellen release is now available in Ellen's shop! You will flip when you see this release -- especially if you love alphabet and word dies (like me!) or have been following the latest letterboard trend! One of my favorites of this release is the fabulous new Letterboard Die Set I used for this card: (All bold products are linked below in the supply section): I think these products would be a fun alternative to a larger letterboard because you can make cute, more "permanent" pieces of framed artwork, to send through the mail or hand to a friend or family member! This great Letterboard background and frame (two separate dies), includes the small alphabet die set that also has a bunch of fun symbols and emoticons! The Letterboard background was cut from Ellen's Ebony Black cardstock and the frame from gold metallic cardstock. I also used the Letterboard Larger Alpha Die set for the "EVER" word, and Letterboard Script 2 for the "you" and "favorite" words. All of the words were die cut from Neenah #110 Solar White cardstock, then colored in an ombre effect with Copic BG Markers. Your friends for... Continue reading

Welcome to this year's Ellen Hutson 12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist series . . . my absolute favorite project/post each year! I'm so honored to have participated in this tradition for the past 7 years, since 2011! (You can find my previous year's tags by clicking (here -->) on the 12 Tags of Christmas category over in my right sidebar). This year we once again have 24 designers paired up for each of the 12 days, to share their talents with you as we provide you with ideas for creating your own tags this holiday season! My partner in crafting today is the very talented Emily Midgett! Please be sure to head over to her blog to see her take on today's theme! GIVEAWAY: We are looking forward to seeing what you are inspired to create from the tags/techniques/themes that are shared this year and we would LOVE to have you participate! Just look for the little “theme box” (below) on each post and use the designer’s tags to inspire you to join in the fun! Remember to leave a comment every day sharing your appreciation with the artists (on the Ellen Hutson CLASSroom blog AND the... Continue reading

Happy Black Friday, friends! The Ellen Hutson LLC 12th Anniversary celebration continues this week! Each day this week Ellen's Design Ambassadors are celebrating by creating with our favorite Essentials by Ellen stamp and die sets! Keep a watch on Ellen's The CLASSroom blog for some great inspiration by a different set of designers every day this week! And you know Ellen -- it's her anniversary, but she's giving you the gifts! You didn't think she would forget you on Black Friday, now did you? :) Just click the graphic above to head over to the store -- that's one heckova great deal!! Here's a card I made with one of my very favorite stamp sets, Julie Ebersole's Essentials by Ellen Mondo Sakura: Be still my heart! Julie's mondo florals never cease to capture my heart! I colored this gorgeous floral image with another of my (newest!) loves . . . the AMAZING brand new Daniel Smith Watercolor Half Pan Sets Ellen started carrying in the shop recently -- I haven't been able to put them down! I can only describe them as soft & buttery -- they reactivate with your watercolor brush SO very easily and can easily be worked... Continue reading

Happy Thanksgiving week, friends! This week, besides the U.S. celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday, everyone at Ellen Hutson LLC is celebrating 12 ... TWELVE ... years of bringing you the very best selection of top-notch, unique products for all of your papercrafting needs! And you know a celebration usually means gifts . . . for YOU! :D Here are a few of the gifts Ellen has in store for you this week: For today and tomorrow only, you can save 20% on ANYTHING in the store, just by using this coupon code! <=== Click the graphic to be taken to the store. The next gift is this: In addition to your 20% savings, you'll receive a FREE gift with EVERY order placed today and tomorrow! AND if you spend $75 or more, you'll receive this absolutely adorable Conductor of Light stamp set! $150 orders will also recieve the coordinating die set absolutely FREE, too! To see more about this stamp set, please visit Julie's post today over on the Ellen Hutson the CLASSroom blog here. Ready for some more 12th Anniversary fun? Head over to Instagram, where a fabulous group of crafters have put together a "Warm Fuzzies" themed hop to... Continue reading

I have some exciting news to share! My dear friend, Julie Ebersole, has a new online video workshop to help you through your holiday card crafting - Making Merry! Julie will walk you though the making of 16 different holiday cards! Each card lesson features a step-by-step video instruction (16 video lessons!), tips and suggestions, full-color photography of the finished project and a complete supply list. This workshop is self-paced and evergreen (lifetime access). You can access course content any time and re-watch as often as you like! Click HERE or the graphic above for more info and/or to sign up for this fabulous class! If you know Julie or have seen any of her videos, you know that this will be a very informative and F-U-N workshop!! And generous Ms. Julie is giving away a seat in this class to one of my lucky readers! Just leave a comment on this post, and I will announce the winner on Monday evening, November 12! Good Luck! This giveaway is closed and the winner has been notified. Continue reading

It's finally time ... the newest November Essentials by Ellen stamps and dies are now available in Ellen's shop and you can find them all HERE! I promised full details for the Pop-Up Mitten banner project I sneaked peeked for you last week, and here they are: As you can see, this adorable die set is great for many other types of projects besides the fabulous intended use of a pop-up mitten element (genius!) -- I absolutely love the three different sizes of pretty snowflakes as well! These mittens measure approximately 3-1/8" at the longest point. I die cut them from coordinating colors of wool felt: light and dark pink, light blue and dark aqua, and paired them up with opposite colors. So the first light pink mitten has a dark pink backing and the second light aqua mitten has the darker aqua backing. Here is a view of the backs of the mittens: I also die cut the snowflakes from the Pop-Up Mittens die set from white felt and stitched them on the mitten fronts first, using embroidery floss. Then I stitched each pair of mittens together using a regular stitch or a blanket stitch, leaving them open at... Continue reading

Hello friends! Today is the last day of sneak peeks for Ellen Hutson's upcoming Sunday, Nov 4 Essentials by Ellen release! Today the preview is for a wonderful graphic sentiment stamp set called Snow Days! I used two of the fabulous sentiments on this card. This stamp set contains five large wonderful sentiments, along with three cool (no pun intended!) graphic images, such as the row of vertical lines I used on the mitten cuffs. These mittens were fun to create ... Here's how I did it: - Use Pop-Up Mittens die (also being released on Sunday) to lightly trace a pencil outline around the outside edge of dies onto watercolor paper. - Stamp Snow Days sentiments with Versamark ink and clear heat emboss. - Fill in mitten outlines with watercolor. - Cover watercolored mittens with mitten die cuts, then splatter background with aqua watercolor. - Die cut stitched scalloped rectangle frame from vellum; adhere to card front. - Die cut snowflakes (from Pop-Up Mittens die set) from aqua watercolored paper; pop up with foam tape. - Glitter snowflake centers. Easy-peasy and F-U-N ! ! GIVEAWAYS: You can see more inspiration with this fabulous upcoming Snow Days stamp set today... Continue reading