Nutz about Stamping

Try this unique way to color a background stamp

Want to see how to make this really interesting card?

It is easy using the Fragrant Forest background stamp! 

 

Supplies:

• Stamp Sets: Fragrant Forest (162198); Handmade Hugs (161401)
• Card Stock: Pretty Peacock (150880); Basic White (159276)
• Stamp Pads: Lost Lagoon (161678); Old Olive (147090); Pretty Peacock (150083)
• Misc: Decorative Circle Punch (159174); Handmade Tag Punch (159690); Clear Block F (118483); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

Measurements:

• Pretty Peacock 11” x 4 ¼”; 2 ½” x 2 ½”
• Basic White 5 ¼” x 4”; 2 ½” x 2 ½”

Instructions:

1. Add the Fragrant Forest stamp to an “F” block.
2. Ink up the stamp using the three colors of ink. I used Pretty Peacock ink on the bottom row of trees, Old Olive on the middle row of trees and Lost Lagoon on the top row of trees. I applied the ink directly from the ink pad.  I went over it until I felt it had a good coating of ink.  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   TIP:  If you find you have “over sprayed” the ink on the other rows, just wipe it off with a baby wipe.
   
   
3. Once you have the ink on the stamp, add your Basic White 5 ¼” x 4” to the stamp, carefully laying it down. Take a piece of scrap paper (I used grid paper) and lay it down and rub all over to get the ink on the paper.
   
   
   
   
4. Once you have that done, gently lift up your paper (tweezers work great!).
5. Adhere this to the Pretty Peacock card base.
6. Stamp the outline and the sentiment in Pretty Peacock ink on the Basic White 2 ½” x 2 ½” piece. Punch out using the Handmade Tag Punch.
7. Punch out a Pretty Peacock piece using the Decorative Circle Punch.
8. Adhere the sentiment to the Pretty Peacock punch out and then to the front of the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

TIP:  You can use all kinds of color combinations and just adding one color of ink works great as well.  This stamp set works great for any occasion: Get Well, Sympathy, Masculine Birthday, Thinking of you, and Thank you!

Here's a unique way to use your crafting supplies

Ohh I love challenges like this! 

 

Do you wonder why? It's because we get to think about, and use, our crafting supplies in a completely different way beyond card making. 

And we get to make a gift for someone too! 

This project is super easy to make and helps you use up leftover bits of designer series paper as well. As you will likely guess I used some leftover paper from the A Walk in the Forest pack. 

And a phrase from the Brightest Glow stamp set. 

A few score lines, an embellishment, a colorful nail file and.... taadaa! 

And here's a photo with the colorful nail file: 

If you want to see how to make this 3D pouch, then watch my Instagram Reels and I will show you how soon!

Are you going to take on our challenge this week? What will you make as a stocking stuffer idea?

If you want to see what the other design crew members made this week, click here. 

Want To Jazz Up Your Holiday Cards? Try This!

Want to jazz up your Christmas cards this year? Use the Christmas Tidings embossing folder to create an eye-catching card layer. This folder is covered with Christmas sentiments and words, with an added touch of festive images.

Design Tip: to create a colored layer, daub ink on the folder before running it through the die-cutting machine and get texture and color!

Here’s how to make this card at home.

Supplies:

• Stamp Sets – Cottage Wreaths (159652); Brightest Glow (159542)
• Card Stock – Basic White (159276)
• Stamp Pads – Cherry Cobbler (147083); Garden Green (147089); Early Espresso (147114)
• Misc. – Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (104108); Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755); Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (149653); Country Wreaths Dies (160238); Deckled Circles Dies (162286); Adhesive-Backed Glitter Sequins (162029); A Walk in the Forest Designer Series Paper (162377); Christmas Tidings Embossing Folder (162115)

Measurements:  

• Basic White: 8 ½” x 5 ½”     3 ¾” x 5”    1 ¾” square     3” square      
• A Walk in the Forest 4” x 5 ¼”

Instructions:

1. Fold Basic White card stock in half and score to create card base.
2. Using Multipurpose Liquid Glue, adhere A Walk in the Forest layer to card base.
3. Emboss Basic White layer using Christmas Tidings Embossing Folder.
4. Ink wreath image using Garden Green ink and stamp onto Basic White square.
5. Ink branches image using Early Espresso ink and stamp on top of Garden Green wreath. Die-cut using Country Wreaths Dies.
6. Ink phrase using Cherry Cobbler ink and stamp onto Basic White square. Die-cut using Deckled Circles Dies. Adhere phrase to back of wreath image using Multipurpose Liquid Glue.
7. Ink bow using Cherry Cobbler ink and stamp onto Basic White square. Die-cut using Country Wreaths Dies.
8. Adhere wreath to center of card base. Attach bow using Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals.
9. Add 3 Adhesive-Backed Glitter Sequins to complete card.

 

Try this last-minute easy Christmas fun fold idea

Hi fellow crafters. If you love fun folds and easy Christmas card ideas, then this is the video for you. This fun fold is super simple to make and will give a bit of a surprise to the person who receives it. This card idea will also help you use up some of those left over pieces of designer series paper too - bonus!

If you browse through my blog posts this season you will see my favorite stamp set and paper combination - and today is no different! I hope you will see the value in so many different project ideas using: 

Brightest Glow: 

And A Walk in the Forest: 

Here's my card, which has a fun spin through an easy fun fold: 

 

Here's how to make this card at home - and be sure to watch the video tutorial below showing you how.

Supplies

Stamp set: Brightest Glow (159542)

Ink: Pretty Peacock

Paper and cutting dimensions:
    Balmy Blue: 5 7/8" x 6 3/4" (score at 4 1/8" along 6 3/4" side)
    A Walk in the Forest: (2) 1 5/8" x 5 7/8"
    Pretty Peacock: 2 1/4" square
    Basic White: 2" square

Misc: Deckled Circles Dies; Essentials Baker's Twine; Mini Glue Dots; Adhesive-backed Glitter Sequins (162029); A Walk in the Forest designer series paper (162377); Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals

Here's my video - be sure to watch all the way through for my bonus tips and design ideas. 

This new kit features a fun travel vibe

Plan a crafting getaway today with the all-inclusive The Best Destination Kit!

This kit lets you make nine tri-fold cards with a colorful, nostalgic, travel vibe. 

I am loving the stamp set - I see so many uses beyond this kit! 

Here's what the kit looks like unboxed:

DETAILS

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This month's kit includes:

• Enough supplies to create 9 cards—3 each of 3 designs
• 9 coordinating envelopes
• Best Destination Photopolymer Stamp Set
• One Gorgeous Grape Ink Spot
• Printed card bases, printed die cuts, adhesive, embellishments, and a clear block
• Finished card size: 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" (14 x 10.8 cm)
• Coordinating colors: Balmy Blue, Boho Blue, Cajun Craze, Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Flirty Flamingo, Fresh Freesia, Gorgeous Grape, Granny Apple Green, Misty Moonlight, Pecan Pie, Petal Pink, Pretty Peacock, and Shaded Spruce

 

Stampin' Up! shows you how to assemble the kit in this fun video.

 

If you want to place an order for the kit (think about what a fun gift idea this would be) Click here! 

Have you seen the tool that crafters can’t live without?

Today I want to recommend a very handy and inexpensive tool that most crafters can’t live without.

Have you ever heard of Stampin Up's Take Your Pick Tool? It's one of those tools that when you have it, you don't know how you ever lived without it. I want to share all the uses this tool has and how I use it with almost every project I create!

This is how Stampin’ Up! describes the Take your Pick: “Multipurpose pickup and precision tool simplifies meticulous tasks. Includes 2 exchangeable, double-ended tips with a paper piercer, mini spatula, small stylus, large stylus, and a tacky putty tip that picks up sequins, paper accents, and other small objects.” 

This is a 5 in 1 tool. It has a nice no-slip rubbery grip as well as 2 functional tips. The first is a putty end used for picking up sequins, sliding gems, dots, and jewels off their window sheet, and adding them to your projects. You can pick up small slices of paper – glue them and use them to line the small paper piece where you want it! Just unscrew the end and you have a refill when you run out! 

The other end has a mini spatula and a paper piercer. The spatula is helpful when sliding under embellishments, tear and tape, shaving off the chalk, and is a nice pallet knife. Have you ever placed something in the wrong spot, this is perfect for lifting and replacing your embellishments without damaging them. The pointy tool is a wonderful paper piercer, you can make small holes around stamps, and shapes to enhance the focal part of the card. It also helps when taking off embellishments if you don't want to use the putty, takes off the tops of dimensionals, and helps with detailed dies to get out paper that gets stuck in them. 

You can exchange the ends to a large/small stylus. Either end can be used with the Simply Scored scoring tool. If you happen to misplace that stylus, either one can score for you. If you want to add some custom scoring on a card, a stamped image, or vellum, this will give you that freedom to do so. 

Next, we have the Take Your Pick Crafters tips. These tips fit in the Take Your Pick. Simply remove a tip and insert a different tip for the task you have at hand.These can take you to the next level of crafting.   Stampin’ Up! says this: “Interchangeable tips for Take your Pick tool.  Set of 3 tips: hobby blade, pick tip, rotary perforating tip. Includes protective end caps.” The hobby blade is used for precision cutting. Just grab your ruler and you can create peek-throughs, cuts that don't always work well or easily with your paper trimmer, or cuts that are longer than your paper trimmer. It is a lot like an X-acto knife.

We have a double-end piercing and a little "hook" tip. The long straight end is like a needle tip. It can get into closed areas, and it will make fine holes when piercing.The hook end is wonderful for getting under tear and tape. As you know, sometimes you have to really work at getting the top layer of tape off, this will create some ease for you.  

Last is a rotary perforating tip. This is great for cutting perforated patterns for cards or creating a bookmark card for friends. The blade has a protective cover and when you slide it down, it will expose the blade.  

The hobby blade can be changed out with a standard #11 blade and the rotary tip uses a standard #28 cutting or perforating blade. 

The die brush tip comes with 2 foam pads. When you die cut and pieces of paper get stuck, just put the die on the foam pad and brush back and forth. This helps get all those delicate or hard pieces in your dies.  

If you do have a hard time, you can always use your pokey tool to help you out. Want to add this amazing tool to your crafting room? Click here! 

Are you excited to join our fun fold challenge?

Who doesn't love a good fun fold, especially one that is super easy to make! 

If you know me at all, you are not surprised that I am up for a good fun fold challenge. My YouTube channel is FULL of fun fold ideas so I was excited to see this week's post. 

What I love about my choice in fun folds is that this particular fold encourages you to use up some designer series paper scraps. I have a lot of the A Walk in the Forest paper lying around so I chose a cute pattern that is perfect for my layout. 

I also used my Cottage Wreaths stamp set and Country Wreaths dies to make a fun element on my card. Note: my photo shows them as a bundle but they are only sold separately now. 

My phrase comes from the Brightest Glow stamp set - I bet that is not a surprise to you as I use this set a lot! 

Here's my card: 

And here's what I did on the inside: 

 

What fun fold will you try this week? We'd love to see what you make - post a link to your photo in the comments section under this post! And if you want to see what the other design crew members created this week, click here!

 

Do you want to know which products are retiring?

It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to a Stampin’ Up! catalog, isn't it? 

 

The September–December 2023 Mini Catalog is retiring soon and I bet you want to know which products are retiring for good. There is some good news too however:

From 21 November 2023–3 January 2024, you can stock up on your favorite seasonal products and save up to 60% on essential craft supplies!

So, what are you waiting for?

Click on the image below to download the list of Mini Catalog retiring products. And then click HERE to link over to my online store!

 

Here's another great way to use your Christmas paper strips

Hi fellow crafters. Today I want to show you another way to use up your Christmas paper scraps to create a super easy holiday card. Once you learn this layout technique you can apply my idea for any occasion you need. This idea is also perfect for those last minute holiday cards you realize you need, just when you are ready to dash out the door. 

 

First you want to select your paper designs. I would recommend two different but complementary designs. You will see why when you see my card below.

 

I chose a design in the A Walk in the Forest paper pack.

 

 

I love love love this paper as it was created for a good cause. If you follow me on Facebook you will have my Facebook live where I talk about what makes this paper so special.

These are the two designs I will be using. You are going to make 2 different cuts and that's all there is to this layout.

The phrase on my card comes from the Brightest Glow stamp set:

Here's what I did for the inside design:

If you want to make this card at home, here's what you need:

Supplies

Stamp Set :Brightest Glow (159542)  

Ink: Pretty Peacock

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Old Olive: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2
        A Walk in the Forest: (2) 1" x 4"; (2) 3" x 1"
        Basic White: 3 1/4" x 2" 

Misc: Something Fancy Dies (160424); Multipurpose Liquid Glue; Paper Trimmer; Adhesive-backed Glitter Sequins (162029); A Walk in the Forest designer series paper (162377)

Here's my video tutorial showing you how to make this card; watch for my bonus tips sprinkled throughout! 

Which set makes a BIG impact on cards? This one!

One of my favorite stamp sets in the Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog is Biggest Wish. 

 

The sentiments in this stamp set are sized to make an impact where it counts. The strong bold fonts are gender-neutral, meaning you can use this stamp set for all the people in your life. Additionally, the large bold fonts, along with the smaller script fonts in this stamp set, are designed to pair together in perfect balance. (also available in French)

I have thoroughly enjoyed using all kinds of combinations of the BIG BLOCK and small cursive words in the set. Did you know that every word appears in both formats?

You’ll not be surprised, then, to know that a BIG favorite from this year’s Stampin’ Up! September-December Mini Catalog is More Wishes.

 

 

While the original stamp set was a great all occasion set, More Wishes leans more towards the winter holidays. But there are a few surprises in there, too. That’s why I chose to show off something of both stamp sets today.

Christmas

My first two cards are two ideas for using the words, “Merry” and “Christmas.” A technique that I’ve used a lot with the Biggest Wish stamp set is to repeat one of the words several (usually three) times and then cap it off by using the second word at the end. That’s what I’ve done with the first Merry Christmas card.

I had intended just to add the cursive “Christmas” flat at the end lined up with the three “Merrys.” But when it came time to stamp, I thought stamping at an angle created a fun sense for the card. And it does! I added a stocking from the Sending Cheer stamp set and a little bow to finish the card.

In the second card, I switched the Merry from block to cursive and the Christmas from cursive to block. They both work well either way. When I use this way of overlapping the cursive onto a block stamp, I like the cursive stamp to be a darker tone than the block, as I did with the Shaded Spruce-stamped Merry.

I finished this card with some bulbs from the Merry & Bright stamp set and added a whimsical bow (I love bows on Christmas cards!).

Mixing It Up

While still thinking and using Merry and Christmas from the More Wishes stamp set, I wanted to add “and Happy New Year.”  The ampersand and the words New and Year are right there in that stamp set. And if you guessed that I found “happy” in the Biggest Wishes set, you’d be right!

For this card I mixed up some colors that I think of as Christmas (Navy and Old Olive) and New Year (Navy and Balmy Blue). The Night of Navy color connects the two greetings, and the Adhesive-Backed Glitter Sequins, in Blue and Old Olive, provides a sense of the whole holiday season.

Continuing with mixing it up, I got away from the holidays a bit and created a birthday card that needs both stamp sets to complete my birthday wish. Birthday, of course, comes from Biggest Wishes. But I am so happy to have the words wishes, to and you from the new More Wishes set.

 

And a Fun Valentine Card to Wrap it Up

 

You only have to look at the sample cards in the Mini Catalog to see that words love and you are perfect for a Valentine’s Day card. OK. That’s nice. Oh, and that exclamation point does perk it up a bit. But how about adding another word? How about Friend from the Biggest Wishes set?

I added some hearts from the Country Cottage stamp set (in the Annual Catalog) and some Iridescent Dots that will be in the upcoming January-April Mini Catalog. It’s definitely a Valentine Card!

About All the Cards

All of these cards are made with Stamps, Ink, and Paper, with a bit of embellishment. Each of them is made with a 4” x 5-1/4” stamped layer, a 4-1/8” x 5-3/8” mat, and a 4-1/4” x 5-1/2” card base. They can all be made with whatever stamps and embellishments you have on hand.

Enjoy the Wishes!

Want to take your crafting to the next level?

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Why join? Here are just a few great reasons:

- exclusive card samples with photos and step-by-step instructions
- stamping techniques
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- customer Q&A's - perhaps some you have been secretly asking too!
- information on upcoming classes with registration and payment links
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I email a newsletter every week - sharing Stampin' Up! special announcements and an exclusive project idea just for you!

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Let all your crafty (and crafty wannabe) friends and family members know about my free newsletters and subscribe today to let the stampin', scrappin' and paper craftin' fun ideas begin!

Expand your crafting collection with inspiring new products that are meant to be loved and shared. Explore the annual catalog today. PSST: my next newsletter emails tomorrow.  

Want to know why I love this week's challenge?

Ohh I love this week's Paper Craft Crew card sketch challenge, want to know why? 

 

Because it has a tag on it! When I bought the Tailor Made Tags dies a while ago I wondered if I would use them.

I will admit I let them get a bit dusty but now I have renewed energy and are starting to use them a lot. It's not just about the money spent, it's because I find cards with tags intriguing. And seriously, look at how many tags you get in 1 pack! 

I also knew that I wanted to use my Brightest Glow stamp set. Speaking of getting my money's worth - this is my go-to Christmas set this year! 

The fun part for this week's challenge is the layout. I decided to dry emboss a card front layer to add visual interest, using one of my Basics 3D Embossing folders: 

 

And things just fell into place very quickly. Here's my card:

And another photo.

Do you like Very Vanilla for Christmas cards? I think it adds a bit of an antique appeal. 

Whether you have tags dies or not, why not give this week's challenge a try? We would love for you to post your card over on the Paper Craft Crew site or you can add a link in the comments section under this post. 

 

 

 

This beautiful set is perfect for your fall projects

With four highly detailed textured leaves, three leaf vein stamps, and six thankful sentiments, the Autumn Leaves stamp set will provide you with use for years to come. 

 

 

These stamps work great for card making or scrapbooking, or they can be pressed onto gift packaging. Whether you want to celebrate the fall season, a friendship, or deliver a card just because, each of the sentiments will bring joy and gratitude to any recipient.

Simply use the Two-Step images to add beautiful veining to the leaves for another touch of dimension or stamp on a card as a background image. Stamp the leaves in autumn colors or spring greens! These leaves are versatile enough for nearly every season.

You see that cool background? It's a STAMP:

This large stamp is designed to cover the background of a standard-sized card. You can also use portions of the stamp to create smaller layering pieces and gift tags.

Here's how to make this beautiful card. 

Supplies:

• Stamp Sets– Autumn Leaves bundle (162186); Sketched Plaid (161424)
• Card Stock – Crumb Cake (120953); Very Vanilla (101650)
• Ink Pads – Crumb Cake (147116); Pecan Pie (161665); Mossy Meadow (147111); Cherry Cobbler (147083); Misty Moonlight (153118)
• Misc. – Regals Stampin’ Write Markers (161699); Mini Cut & Emboss Machine (150673); Linen Thread (104199); Neutrals Adhesive-Backed Sequins (161627); Dimensionals (104430); Stampin’ Seal (152813); Mini Glue Dots (103683)

Measurements: 

• Crumb Cake card stock: 5-½” x 8-½” for card base, plus scrap for label
• Very Vanilla: 3-½” x 5-½”
• Linen Thread: 15”

Instructions:

1. Stamp Sketched Plaid onto front of Crumb Cake card stock with Crumb Cake ink. Color in stripes with Pecan Pie and Misty Moonlight Stampin’ Write markers.
2. Stamp leaves in Pecan Pie, Mossy Meadow and Cherry Cobbler onto Very Vanilla card stock. Die cut on Mini Cut & Emboss, along with the thinnest label/strip die.
3. Die cut rectangle label from Crumb Cake card stock.
4. Stamp “I’m Thankful” in Misty Moonlight on Crumb Cake label toward the top half and “For All You Do” on Very Vanilla label/strip in Crumb Cake ink.
5. Adhere leaves to card front with Stampin’ Seal, Mossy Meadow leaves on dimensionals.
6. Apply a strip of Stampin’ Seal between leaves where Crumb Cake label will cover. Loop Linen Thread on top of the adhesive, then attach label with dimensionals over the thread.
7. Adhere “For All You Do” strip on Crumb Cake label under “I’m Thankful” with mini glue dots.

Do you know why this paper is so special?

Hi fellow crafters. I am back with another easy Christmas card idea. This week we are going to feature your leftover scraps of designer series paper, designs that will make your card a real standout.

 

If you are making a lot of cards this year then this simple layout will help you do that in a short amount of time. For my card, I chose the A Walk in the Forest designer series paper.

 

I am quite surprised to see who much of this paper I have on hand considering how many cards I have made using it this year.  In my video below, I tell you why I chose this pack and why you might want to consider it too. 

 

When choosing your strips, consider both sides for colors and coordination. You may be able to use both sides of one sheet like I did or you may need to coordinate colors and designs from different sheets in the pack. 

 

I chose leftover strips of this paper and cut them down to be the main focal point on my card. 

 

For the phrase, I chose to use the Brightest Glow stamp set. This is the perfect stamp set for Christmas, offering you a variety of fonts, sayings (inside and out) and sizes for all your holiday projects. 

 

 

Here's my card!

 

 

Here's how I designed the inside:

 

 

 

Here's what you need to make this card at home. 

 

Supplies

 

Stamp set: Brightest Glow (159542)

 

Ink: Pretty Peacock

 

Paper and cutting dimensions
        Balmy Blue: 8 1/2" x 56 1/2"; 3 1/4" x 2 1/4" 
        Basic White: 2 3/4" x 2" 
        A Walk in the Forest: (4) 1 1/4" x 5 1/4"
        Pretty Peacock: 5 1/4" x 4" 

 

Misc: Adhesive-backed Glitter Sequins (162029); Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

Here's my video tutorial. Be sure to watch all the way through for my bonus tips and design ideas. 

 

 

If you are looking for a great gift idea, look no more!

I have the perfect solution that will bring hours of fun: A Crafting Kit***!

Not only will this kit be fun to make, you will also have fun adding pocket treats AND watching each pocket unveiled during the countdown. 

Here's what the pieces look like: 

DETAILS

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This kit includes: 

• Enough supplies to create 25 individual envelopes
• Printed die cuts, printed labels, adhesive, embellishments, clothespins, and twine
• Folded envelope size: 4" x 3" (10.2 x 7.6 cm)
• Coordinating colors: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Mossy Meadow, Old Olive

*** This kit would make a GREAT gift idea in November or buy one yourself and invite your kids or grandkids to help you put it together.

Here's what it looks like put together - of course you can adapt it to suit your artistic taste! 

 

Stampin' Up! has made an unboxing video for your viewing pleasure: 

 

 

Want to order this kit? Click here!