Nutz about Stamping

Why not join this delightful tic tac toe challenge?

If you were to participate in this Paper Craft Crew card map challenge which row or column would you choose? The decision was not so easy for me this week. I started by eliminating some boxes because I either didn't have that product or it just didn't appeal. Some boxes were hard to figure out, such as 'Gone Wild' which could be animals or...?

 

I finally decided to go diagonal, from top left down to bottom right. The reason I chose this diagonal set was because I wanted to use my Snowfront stamp set:

Snow Front Photopolymer Stamp Set
$22.00

I have loved this set from the moment I laid eyes on it (in the catalog) and am so happy that I own it now! There are so many possibilities for this set thanks to all the fun images that can be combined to create different landscape scenes. 

My card came together quite easily. I copied the layout from another card I created a couple of weeks ago and think that the Night Before Christmas layer is a nice visual treat.

Night Before Christmas 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.50

 

True confession: I cut the paper layer too small so added that additional strip at the top to fill that empty space. Tip: I could have used ribbon instead of the strip. 

Here's my card:

I wish you could see the sparkle I added - using my Fine Tip Glue pen and Dazzling Diamonds glitter. Yummy!

Here's a side view:

Now it's your turn: try our card map challenge and see what you can create. Or take your challenge over the top and try several rows/columns for fun! If you want to see what the other crew members created for this week's challenge, click here. 

 

How to create your own stunning card backgrounds

I think the Merry Moose bundle (page 27 Holiday Catalog) is so much fun! I must confess, though, that when I first saw the bundle, I thought it was a bit too cutesy for my taste. But then I started seeing samples online and had that 'oh, oh' moment = I am in trouble!

Merry Moose Bundle
$31.50

And today's card also features the Buffalo Check background stamp, to make a stunning card background:

Buffalo Check Cling-Mount Stamp Set
$16.00

 

The trick to the Buffalo Check stamp is to use a dark ink color (such as Basic Black) and stamp it onto a lighter color, in this case, Real Red. 

Add an interesting layer on top of the checked background and the card begins to take on a very interesting style. The embossed trees say Christmas loud and clear, then the punched moose and the card is almost done!

The one final, fun touch is the frayed linen trim (ribbon). Here's how to make this cute card. Why not give it a try?

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets: Merry Moose (photopolymer 150494 or bundle 153015); Buffalo Check (151372)
• Cardstock: Thick Whisper White (140272); Whisper White Cardstock (100730); Real Red (102482); Crumb Cake (120953); Early Expresso (119686)
• Stamp Pads: Real Red (147084); Early Expresso (147114); Versamark (102283)
• Other: Moose Punch (150652); Stitched Shapes Dies (145372); White Stampin’ Emboss Powder (109132) Heat Tool (129053); 3/16” Braided Linen Trim (147808); SNAIL Adhesive (104332); Dimensionals (104430); Die Cutting Machine

 

Measurements:  

• Thick Whisper White: 5 ½” x8 ½ ”; scored at 4 ¼”; 
• Whisper White 3” x 4”
• Real Red: 4” x 5 ¼”;; 
• Crumb Cake scrap for 3” circle; 
• Early Expresso scrap for Moose

 

Instructions:

1. Fold the Whisper White cardstock in half to form the card base.
2. Stamp the Real Red cardstock with the Buffalo Check stamp using Early Expresso ink.  Use SNAIL adhesive to add to front of card base.
3. Stamp the saying with Real Red onto the bottom center of the 3”x4” Whisper White piece.  Adhere to center of card.  
4. Stamp a collection of trees with Versamark onto the Crumb Cake.  Sprinkle with Emboss powder and heat set.  Cut out with Stitched Shapes die using a die cutting machine.  Adhere to card with dimensionals.
5. Punch a moose out of Early Expresso.  Tie a piece of Braided Linen trim around neck to resemble a scarf.  Adhere with dimensionals.  

See how to use designer paper to make a beautiful Christmas card

In today's video I am going to show you how to create a beautiful Christmas card idea, that is so easy it's amazing. To help me I am going to use the Merry Christmas to All stamp set and Feels Like Frost paper. 

Merry Christmas To All Photopolymer Stamp Set
$27.00

Feels Like Frost Specialty 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$14.50

 

 

I think the Feels Like Frost paper is so pretty - photographic images on one side and silver foil on the other. It is always to difficult to decide which side to choose, isn't it?

Do you remember when we used to sell Sizzix Multipurpose adhesive sheets to make sticker embellishments? Well I used some of the left over pieces I had to help me with the So Many Stars die that I turned into a sticker embellishment for the front of my card:

Stitched Stars Dies
$38.00

I can already tell that this pack of stars dies will be well loved this holiday season!

Here's my Merry Christmas to All card - don't miss the video below!

Stamp set: Merry Christmas to All (147702)

Ink: Seaside Spray

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Seaside Spray: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 4 1/2" x 2"; 4" x 1 1/4"
        Whisper White: 3" x 2 1/2" 
        Night of Navy: 2 3/4" x 3/4"
        Feels Like Frost: 5 1/4" x 4"

Other: So Many Stars (150653), Feels Like Frost designer paper (150444), SNAIL, die-cutting machine, Sticker paper (optional)

Here's my video - watch for extra tips along the way:

See the amazing potential of all your embossing folders

I know, I know. The Stylish Scroll embossing folder is supposed to be part of Halloween creations this year. I get that is part of the Monster Bash suite but I just can't see it that way. To me Stylish Scroll is so very Christmas!

Stylish Scroll Embossing Folder
$7.50

 

And I have't let its intention stop me from using it on all sorts of Christmas-type cards either. Today's card is yet another example!

So far I have used Stylish Scroll on strips and layers but today's card uses the folder on the entire card front. I love how eye-catching this results in - it adds a lovely touch doesn't it? 

The card below also features some other lovely products in the Most Wonderful Time product medley: the paper and stickers! 

Just in case you haven't seen this fun medley yet:

Most Wonderful Time Product Medley (En)
$70.00

This entire suite can be used for many ah-mazing Christmas projects this year - it's kind of a one-stop shop, isn't it? 

Here's just idea:

 

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Most Wonderful Time Product Medley (150705); Itty Bitty Christmas (150513)
• Card Stock – Thick Whisper White (140272); Real Red (102482)
• Stamp Pads – Real Red (147084)
• Misc. –Stitched Shapes Framelits (145372); Stampin' Dimensionals (104430); Stylish Scroll Embossing Folder (150665), die-cutting machine

Measurements:  

• Thick Whisper White: 4 ¼” x 11 scrap for sentiment and Oval
• Thick Whisper White:         3 ½” x 4 ¾” 
• Real Red:                     3 5/8” x 4 7/8” 

 

Instructions:

1. Dry Emboss your White Mat using the Stylish Scroll Embossing Folder
2. Layer your Embossed White Mat to Red Mat and attach to card base using adhesive.
3. Cut Stitched Oval using Big Shot. 
4. Add two Holly Stickers from the Most Wonderful Time selection of stickers, adding a small  one to the left bottom. 
5. Stamp greeting onto scrap of white and notch with paper snips and attach to front of oval.
6. Attach the Oval to the front of card using Dimensionals.

How to bring out the crafter in all of us

The holiday season will be here before we know it. And along with putting up the Christmas tree and spending snowy nights by the fire, many Paper Pumpkin subscribers will be looking forward to opening their holiday kit. Christmastime papercrafting with Paper Pumpkin has become an annual tradition!

Even non-crafters like making simple and fun projects to celebrate the season. And since “simple and fun” is Paper Pumpkin’s middle name, you have the perfect gift idea for yourself or for your crafty friends this year.

It’s Christmas made easy with Paper Pumpkin!

Here are the November Kit details!

Makes 24 holiday-themed gift tags of 4 various sizes and designs.

Coordinating colors: Early Espresso, Pool Party, Poppy Parade, and Shaded Spruce

 

Want the fine details?

• There’s no commitment, you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at anytime. You can also skip a month if you want by logging onto the website and putting that month's kit on hold.
• Each month Stampin’ Up will send you a unique, surprise kit with a project – cards, journals, décor, and more! (They’ve even color-coordinated, measured, and cut everything for you! How great is that!)
• Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper, and accessories – everything but scissors.
• Each kit gives you a 30-minute creativity escape – who doesn’t need that?
• Stampin’ Up will ship your Paper Pumpkin on or around the 15th of the month.
• You need to sign up for a kit by the 10th of the month to get that month’s kit. If you sign up after the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the following month. 
• A Paper Pumpkin membership is $21.95 per month (and shipping is included!)

You don't want to miss the next Paper Pumpkin kit, but you have to subscribe no later than 10 November! Order now and the fun Christmastime kit will arrive on your doorstep in this sweet box! 

 

See 1 easy way to use your dies as embellishments

Here's this week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge - how fun!

This week I let myself be guided by something other than the card map layout - I chose my Feels Like Frost paper design first and then looked to my other supplies for the rest of the card. 

Feels Like Frost Specialty 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$14.50

 

I chose Balmy Blue for the card base - a nice light color that doesn't require a layer inside for stamping and writing my holiday message. 

I did have a difficult time figuring out what phrase I wanted but I did know that the phrase would be on the Whisper White layer. That meant it had to be quite large and vertical in nature. I ended up choosing a phrase from Merry Christmas to All:

Merry Christmas To All Photopolymer Stamp Set
$27.00

 

Then I got a bit stumped but finally decided to open my brand new Stitched Stars dies. Hint: I purchased the So Many Stars bundle so watch for many more card ideas using this gorgeous bundle!

Stitched Stars Dies
$38.00

The final bit was adding the black strip - mainly for contrast than for anything else. And instead of adding additional embellishment like the ones showing on the card map above, I used the left-over stars from the star strip die - easy!

Here's my card:

Now it's your turn: take our Paper Craft Crew card map challenge and see what you can come up with. If you want to see what the other design crew members have created this week, click here (tomorrow).

Don't miss this one-day sale. It's amazing!

Today is the BIG day! For 24-HOURS ONLY, you can save 15% on select stamp sets. This sale will be over at midnight tonight, so don't miss out on a chance to save!

I know you can't wait to see which sets are on sale, so click on the flyer below to download it to your device. Then head on over to my online store to place an order for your favorites on the list! 

 

Psst: click on the shopping cart on the right side of my blog to link to my online store!

 

How to create a lovely vintage Christmas card

In today's video I am going to show you a really quick and easy and very pretty, vintage Christmas card idea using the Everything Festive stamp set. 

I think the Everything Festive stamp set is perfect for all upcoming holidays. So many phrases perfect for what lies ahead:

Everything Festive Cling Stamp Set (En)
$24.00

 

When you think of Christmas, what kind of tone do you prefer to set? Vintage? Cutesy? Traditional? Non-traditional? No matter what you prefer the phrase in Everything Festive is the perfect match. 

It's what you choose for the rest of the card that sets your tone. Normally I prefer more traditional Christmas colors (red/green) but this year, the Night Before Christmas paper, colors and designs, has me making vintage and traditional Christmas card ideas. 

Night Before Christmas 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.50

 

I do love it when I try different ideas for my cards each year - and I have so much more to share with you too!

Here's today's card idea - and don't miss my video tutorial below!

Stamp set: Everything Festive (150566)

Ink: Mossy Meadow

Paper and cutting dimensions:
          Crumb Cake: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
          Very Vanilla: 3" square
          Crushed Curry: 5 1/4" x 4"
          Mossy Meadow: 5 1/4" x 1 1/2"
          Cherry Cobbler: 3 1/2" square
          Night Before Christmas: 5 1/4" x 2 3/4"

Other: Linen Thread, Basic Pearl Jewels, SNAIL adhesive, Stylish Scroll embossing folder (150665), Night Before Christmas paper (150437), Layering Circles framelits (141705)

Here's my video - watch for bonus tips along the way!

You need to create this colorful and easy fall window card

Here's why I love today's card idea:

• you can change the phrase
• you can choose the fall colors you want
• you can create a vertical or horizontal layout
• you can add embellishments for interest
• you can add a strip of designer paper down the left side to coordinate
• you can angle the leaf windows to demonstrate a falling pathway

Why do you love today's card? Add a comment under this post to tell me why!

So, let's have a look at the supplies used:

Gathered Leaves Dies
$26.00

Yes, that's it! Then you pick your colors and phrase and your card is done. Easy peasy right?

Here's how to make this fun card:

Supplies

Stamps:  Tropical Chic (cling-148226)

Inks:  Memento Pad (132708)

Paper: Whisper White (100730), Crumb Cake (120953), Granny Apply Green (146990), Crushed Curry (131199), Poppy Parade (119793)

Other: Gathered Leaves Dies (150662), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), SNAIL (104331)

Measurements: 

• Crumb Cake: 8-1/2” x 6” folded in half; finished card dimensions are 6”x 4-1/4”
• Whisper White: 6” x 4
• You will need scraps of the following: Crumb Cake, Granny Apple Green, Crushed Curry & Poppy Parade

Instructions: 

1. Using the smallest of the leaf dies from Gathered Leaves, die cut 4 leaves out of the scraps of cardstock.  You will have 4 leaves, in 4 different colours. Set aside.
2. Use the same die to cut four leaves down one side of the Whisper White cardstock.  Watch the placement so that you have enough room to cut all four without leaving too much/little space between each one.  
3. Stamp the ‘Thank You’ sentiment from Tropical Chic onto the Whisper White cardstock, using Memento Ink.
4. Attach the Whisper White cardstock to the Crumb Cake base using Stampin’ Dimensionals.  Don’t be stingy because you need to ensure that the entire panel sits off of the base, especially around the leaves. 
5. Use SNAIL to glue the coloured leaves through the die cut leaves on the Whisper White cardstock onto the Crumb Cake cardstock.

See how ribbon can be the perfect touch

This week's Paper Craft Crew card map is super fun and the cards that can be created using it will look very different depending on what you choose for the layers:

 

I decided to use only designer series paper for my card layers and that the three 'red' strips would be a phrase cut apart. That was easy to challenge myself with but then I had to make my final choices and create my card! 

So first I started with the paper and chose two designs in the Night Before Christmas paper. Then I found my phrase, stamped and cut it apart using my paper snips. 

I laid everything out on the card base but something was missing to create an interesting background. At this point I looked at my stamps and chose one that I thought would create a interesting image. 

 

I am not really happy with the stamped background now that it is done. It looks way too busy for my liking! What would you choose to stamp on the background - I would love to hear your ideas and try this card again!

The above photo looks just fine but sometimes ribbon can be that perfect final touch on a card. And as the card map uses ribbon, I added a bow and took a second photo, this time of the final project. 

 

See how one little piece of ribbon can add that nice final touch? If you want to see what the other design crew members created for this challenge, click here! 

Christmastime is here early this year!

Christmas is coming early this year! 

We hope you’re ready to make this holiday season magical, because the Christmastime Is Here Suite is, well . . . here November 1st!

This exclusive, limited-time collection of festive, floral coordinating products has everything you need to share love, joy, and creativity this holiday season.

The table below has all the information you need to preorder products from the Christmastime Is Here Suite. You can purchase items separately or if you want it all, that's an option too! 

 

 

 

ITEM	DESCRIPTION	PRICE
152156	GOLD 1/4" (6.4 MM) SHIMMER RIBBON	$7.00
152155	GOLD GLITTER ENAMEL DOTS	$8.00
152154	CHRISTMASTIME IS HERE SPECIALTY DESIGNER SERIES PAPER	$14.50
152159	CHARMING ROSE BRACELET	$22.00
152144	ROSES DIES	$30.00
152431	CHRISTMAS ROSE STAMP SET*	$38.00
153944	CHRISTMAS ROSE BUNDLE*	$61.00
153947	CHRISTMASTIME IS HERE SUITE BUNDLE*	$112.50

Note: Products from the Christmastime Is Here Suite will be available while supplies last only. 

More information coming soon! But until then, here's a sneak peek:

See how to layer papers to create a beautiful layout

In today's video I am going show you how to create a very easy but quite pretty Thanksgiving card using the Painted Harvest stamp set and Come To Gather designer series paper. 

Painted Harvest Photopolymer Stamp Set
$21.00

Come To Gather Designer Series Paper
$11.50

 

Cards don't have to be complicated to be pretty. You can choose your colors and papers carefully to create a gorgeous result. On my card below I added a very thin layer of Early Espresso card stock under the top Come to Gather paper layer to make it stand out a bit. And it helps to pull one more neutral coordinating color into the mix. 

After you created your design your next step is to think about embellishments. On my card I chose to create and punch two leaf images using my Leaf punch. Aren't punches so much fun to craft with? No fussy cutting or die-cutting machines needed! (although I often combine both!)

Here's my card - don't miss my video below:

 

Stamp set: Painted Harvest

Ink: Early Espresso, Pretty Peacock

Paper and cutting dimensions: 
        Early Espresso: 3" x 4 3/4"
        Whisper White: two pieces 2 1/2" x 2"; 2 1/2" x 1"
        Come to Gather:  2 7/8" x 4 6/8"; 4" x 5 1/4"  
        Pretty Peacock: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" 

Other: Leaf punch (144667), SNAIL, Copper Trim ribbon (144179), Mini Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

Here's my video - watch for some additional tips along the way!

 

How to make super sweet Harvest Hello boxes

Today I have a super sweet Harvest Hello box that you can easily make and I am going to show you how! First, have you seen the cute Harvest Hello bundle?

Harvest Hellos Bundle (En)
$35.00

The box below was created using the Come to Gather paper too - for added visual interest:

Come To Gather Designer Series Paper
$11.50

 

You can use this bundle for amazing cards, on scrapbook pages and even to make boxes like this one!

You can add a face to the pumpkins or not. Without a face these boxes have an apple image:

 

 

Here's how to make these super sweet Harvest Hello boxes:

Harvest Hello mint boxes

Supplies: 

Stamp Sets – Harvest Hellos (150581)

Card Stock (CS) – Pretty Peacock (150880); Cajun Craze (119684); Mint Macaron (138337)

Ink Pads – Pretty Peacock (150083); Memento Tuxedo Black* (132708)

Misc. – Come To Gather Designer Series Paper (DSP) (150454); Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker* (100082); Apple Builder Punch (150663); Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755); Bone Folder (102300); Paper Snips (103579)

 

*The black ink pad and marker are optional - use if you are adding the jack-o-lantern face. 

 

Measurements:  

• Pretty Peacock CS: 3” x 3” scored ¾” from all four sides; ½” x 6-3/4” 
• scraps of DSP and Pretty Peacock, Cajun Craze, and Mint Macaron CS for punching

 

Instructions:

1. Burnish all score lines using a Bone Folder.
2. Cut one score line at each corner of the 3” x 3” CS.
3. Fold up the sides and glue each tab onto the inside of the adjacent side, to form the box.
4. Run a Bone Folder along the ½” strip of CS to soften it, then glue the ends onto the inside of the box sides.
5. Stamp the pumpkin twice in Pretty Peacock ink onto a piece of the DSP. If desired, stamp the face in Memento black ink, and fill in the face using a Black marker.
6. Stamp the stem twice in Pretty Peacock ink onto a scrap of Cajun Craze CS.
7. Stamp the leaf twice in Pretty Peacock ink onto a scrap of Mint Macaron CS.
8. Punch out all the stamped pieces.
9. Punch two pumpkins from a scrap of Pretty Peacock CS.
10. Glue the stem and leaf onto the back of each DSP pumpkin.
11. Glue the Pretty Peacock CS pumpkin onto the back of the DSP pumpkins.
12. Glue the pumpkins onto the sides of the box.

How to send no tricks just treats this Halloween!

It's time for another card map challenge and another Halloween card this week. I love the card I created not only because it used up my left-over Halloween paper (yay me!) but also because it is a fun way to send no tricks only treats to someone special who lives overseas!

 

The Everything Festive stamp set is the perfect set to use because of its Halloween phrase that has a spooky font and a fun phrase:

Everything Festive Cling Stamp Set (En)
$24.00

 

Over the past couple of weeks I have used the same set for a variety of other card ideas, some that I have already shared and some that I will be sharing soon. 

The perfect match for the Everything Festive stamp set is the Monster Bash paper and I used two strip of this paper on my card below:

Monster Bash Designer Series Paper
$11.50

 

My final touch was the Basic Black strip across the front of the card and after I added the phrase layer I attached two Rhinestone Jewels for a nice touch of bling. 

Here's my card:

Now it's your turn: try our card map challenge this week. And if you want to share your card idea with us, or if you want to see what the other design crew members created for this challenge, click here! 

How to make the season bright with coordinating kits

The holiday season will be here before we know it. And along with putting up the Christmas tree and spending snowy nights by the fire, many of my Paper Pumpkin subscribers will be looking forward to opening their holiday kit. Christmastime papercrafting with Paper Pumpkin has become an annual tradition!

So to deliver more of what our subscribers love this holiday season, in October and November Stampin' Up! is offering back-to-back coordinating kits, one with Christmas cards, the other with Christmas tags. Both kits make it easy for you to add a handmade, personal touch to your holiday giving—without a lot of fuss. It’s Christmas made easy with Paper Pumpkin!

About the Holiday Kits

October Kit

Kit details: Makes 10 cards and envelopes

Card size: 4 1/4" x 5-1/2" (10.8 x 14 cm)

Envelope size: 4-1/2" x 5-3/4" (11.4 x 14.6 cm)

Coordinating colors: Early Espresso, Pool Party, Poppy Parade, and Shaded Spruce

 

November Kit

Kit details: Makes 24 holiday-themed gift tags of 4 various sizes and designs.

Coordinating colors: Early Espresso, Pool Party, Poppy Parade, and Shaded Spruce

 

The October and November kits coordinate; however, each kit is all-inclusive and can stand alone.

Want to subscribe for one or more Paper Pumpkin kits? Here's the link! 

Hint: these crafting kits make GREAT birthday and Christmas gift ideas too!