Nutz about Stamping

Do you know how to add tones of color to your stamps?

In today's project idea and video (below), I am going to show you how to add tones of color to the Healing Hugs flower stamp.  

This is a great technique to learn because once you know how to do it you can then apply this technique to other stamps that you own.

My card is designed for a 'get well' theme because I learned this week that a work colleague and her family were diagnosed with COVID-19. {shock} I decided to make and mail a card to her so that they all know that I am wishing them a speedy recovery. 

I chose bright colors for my card...

• Granny Apple Green
• Poppy Parade
• Calypso Coral
• Pumpkin Pie

...because my colleague always wears bright clothing and choose brightly-colored accessories so I know she will love my color choice and I hope the bright colors cheer her up as well. 

Although I could have stamped the 'cross stitch' image from Healing Hugs on the Granny Apple Green card base I decided to add visual interest and texture using the Dainty Diamonds 3D embossing folder - and I am very happy with how it turned out. 

Here's my Healing Hugs card - what do you think? In the video at the bottom of this post, I have added a few bonus tips along the way so listen through so that you don't miss them.

Healing Hugs Get Well card

 

Stamp set: Healing Hugs (148223)

Ink: Poppy Parage, Calypso Coral, Pumpkin Pie, Granny Apple Green

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Granny Apple Green: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
        Poppy Parade: 4 1/4" x 1 1/2"
        Calypso Coral: 4 1/4" x 1 1/4"
        Pumpkin Pie: 4 1/4" x 1"
        Whisper White: 3" square, two squares 1 3/4", 2 1/4" x 1/2"

Other: Dainty Diamonds 3D embossing folder (152702); Sponge Daubers (133773); Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine

Here's my video - thanks for watching!

 

7 great reasons why you should join my mailing list

Would you like TWO free crafting projects every week (no strings attached) using products featuring this seasonal (fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas!) catalog...

or this Annual catalog?

Then subscribe to my free newsletters!

Every week I share a Mini Catalog or Annual Catalog project idea along with all the supplies that were used (including ordering numbers!) and a full set of step-by-step instructions. I also share tips, tricks, techniques and products I am nutz about. 

Why join my mailing list? Here are 7+ great reasons:

• exclusive card samples with photos and step-by-step instructions
• stamping techniques
• tool tips featuring brand new products or my all-time faves
• customer Q&A's - perhaps some you have been secretly asking too!
• information on upcoming classes with registration and payment links
• card maps and challenges
• special offers and surprises sprinkled in
• and much, more

If you are not on my mailing list and would like to be, here's what you do:

1. Look for the Join My Mailing List heading in the right column of this blog

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3. In a few minutes, check your email. I use a confirmed opt-in subscription process to guarantee that you do want to subscribe. Please watch your email and respond to the confirmation notice that you will receive.

BONUS: As a thank you, I will send a link for you to download three exclusive project ideas 

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

Here's a peek at a card I recently shared in one of my recent newsletters, using the Love of Leaves bundle:

Do you want to learn how to make your own cards?

Have you stumbled across my blog because I love to make cards and you want to learn how to make cards too? You have come to the right place!

I have been a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for over 16 years and have definitely found my passion in life! I never thought of myself as an artist, but have come to realize that being an artist doesn't just mean art hanging in a gallery or in a store or on the walls of people's homes. 

Art is expressing yourself. However you choose to do so. And I chose card making as a way to express my inner creativity and I love doing it too.

So what do I do as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator? I share my love of card making with others, through this blog, my Facebook page, my Pinterest page, and on Instagram. My favorite, though is my YouTube channel. I post a video each week sharing a card idea that you can copy and make at home. Of course I hope that you will purchase these products through me but even if you have another demonstrator I hope that I can still provide you with inspiration. 

Stampin' Up! has a brand new brochure to help you get started making your own cards. 

This brochure feature five products that are perfect for beginners. Some of the products are from our current catalog, but others are exclusively found only in this brochure. Click on the brochure image above to download a copy to your desktop. 

One of the products in the brochure is Simply Citrus. Have a look at the video below to learn more about this fun product:

This stunning kit is an easy way to get started making your own cards. The kit makes 15 cards (3 each of 5 designs). 16 printed envelopes (8 each of 2 designs). A few of the other things this kit contains is 10 yards of Calypso Coral and white Baker's Twine, 60 vellum die cut flowers and it is all contained in a super cute printed cardboard box. The colors used in this kit are Calypso Coral, Mango Melody, Just Jade, Garden Green, Night of Navy and white.

If you like what you see and want to get started I am happy to help. I am happy to consult with you as you decide:

• what you need to get started
• your favorite colors
• what kinds of cards you might like to make
• any other questions you may have

Feel free to email me (anytime!) at: [email protected] and let me know when you are free to chat. 

How to send healing hugs to someone special

There are times when I breathe a sigh of relief when I see my weekly Paper Craft Crew card map challenge. And this week was one of those times. The map below is perfect for a beginning card maker but don't be fooled. You can also take the map and add sophisticated elements to take it to another level. 

I decided to start with the polka dot and build my card around this element. The polka dots could be something that I stamped, it could be a paper layer or it could even be a layer that I dry or heat embossed. 

I chose a strip of the Playing with Patterns paper - one that has polka dots on it. 

I let the colors in this strip of paper guide the colors for my card: Crushed Curry, Purple Posy and Whisper White. 

I decided that the smallest layer on my card would be a phrase. Digging through my stash for a vertical phrase, I spotted the lovely Healing Hugs stamp set. I stamped the phrase and then die-cut it out using the Stitched Nested Labels dies. This will make the phrase really stand out. 

I almost had the card ready to assemble and then at the last moment I decided to emboss the Crushed Curry layer using my Subtle 3D embossing folder. 

Here's my card:

Now it's your turn. Try this week's card map challenge and decide whether you will keep it simple or go all out. Whichever your choice, I am sure you will love what you create too! 

If you want to see what the other crew members created for this challenge, click here. 

This is for those who love to celebrate all things spooky

Is that you? Then you will want this kit!

Paper Pumpkin is our monthly subscription service that offers fun ‘n’ easy papercrafting projects for crafters of any skill level! Each kit is all-inclusive: subscribers receive pre-cut paper pieces, embellishments, ink, and an exclusive stamp set. As the subscription continues, subscribers will have a collection of cards and other creations for a variety of occasions, in addition to a stockpile of supplies!

As the autumn season approaches, prepare to celebrate with the September Paper Pumpkin Kit! There’s so much to love about fall—some love the haunts of Halloween, many love the time to give thanks, and others love the changing colors and cooler temperatures. Whatever you love most about fall, September’s kit has everything you need to celebrate the season your way! Between a multi-occasion stamp set and enough supplies to design 20 cracker box treat packages, you can create custom fall crafts to celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, pumpkins, and leaves. Whether you make them all the same or mix ‘n’ match your crafts, there’s something for everyone in this kit!

September’s kit is a must-have for those who love to celebrate all things spooky. The Hello Pumpkin Paper Pumpkin Kit includes enough supplies to create projects celebrating Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the autumn season. Make them all the same, or mix ‘n’ match!

***Subscribe to the Hello Pumpkin Paper Pumpkin Kit between 11 August and 10 September.

Subscribe by 10 September to get your Hello Pumpkin kit!

Click here to subscribe

Here's a sneak peek of the August kit - just so you can see what one is like:

How to create an unusual card layer

Today I am going to show you how to create a very unusual card layer for a friendship card that I am going to make using the Under My Umbrella stamp set. 

 

This set is such fun to craft with with its friendly phrases and fun images that can be combined to create colorful and playful cards. If you love to color these outline images are perfect for that. 

I also used the Playing with Patterns paper and I pulled my Stampin' Blends and ink colors to match the colors in the stripes: Night of Navy and Crushed Curry. 

Now that you have a basic idea of what I used to create my card, watch the video below to learn the special technique you can use to add a unique layer to your cards. As I say in my video, try your favorite dies once you learn the technique - it's easy and fun!

Under My Umbrella technique

Stamp set: Under My Umbrella (151518)

Ink: Night of Navy; Crushed Curry; Memento Tuxedo Black

Stampin' Blends: Night of Navy (154891); Daffodil Delight (154883)

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Whisper White: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"; 1 1/2" square
        Playing with Patterns: 3" x 1 1/4"; 4 1/4" x 3 1/2" 

Other: Stitched Shapes dies (152323);Playing with Patterns #152490; Mini Stampin' Dimensionals; Stampin' Seal; Snowflake Sequins (150443); die-cutting machine

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

 

How well do you know you adhesives?

One of the most important tools you can have when crafting is adhesive. Why? Because you need to ensure that all your designs stick together for the long term - especially when you realize that when you make a card and mail it to a loved one, they tend to keep it for months if not years. 

Adhesive isn't a sexy topic for a blog post but I want you to know my favorite adhesives and when to use them. 

Here are my top 5 adhesives and how I use them:

1. Stampin' Seal: 
   
   
   
   Instant-bond, permanent adhesive. 
   Holds cardstock and ribbon. Acid free.
   16.4 yards (15 m) each.
   
   I use this adhesive for paper and cardstock. As this is a new product, here's a video that Stampin' Up! recently made: 

2. Mini Glue Dots

Instant dots of adhesive. No fumes, no mess, no drying time. Holds heavier embellishments, ribbon, cardstock, and detailed die cuts. 300 dots. 3/16" (5 mm).

Ideal for use with cardstock and paper, embellishments, ribbon, and detailed die cuts. I use Mini Glue Dots to attach bows to paper - works like a charm!

3. Multipurpose Liquid Glue:

Crafters’ must-have glue. Securely adheres small embellishments. Includes narrow tip and broad tip. Strong bond; dries clear. 0.9 oz. (27 ml).
Acid free.

Ideal for cardstock and paper, embellishments, glitter, 3D objects and accents, and detailed die cuts. I use Multipurpose Glue for detailed die-cuts because it dries clear (love that!). 

4. Tear & Tape Adhesive

Strong adhesive with tearable paper backing for easy sticking. Perfect for adhering 3D items and large embellishments. 27 yards (24.7 m). Acid free. I use it for putting boxes together and sometimes for cards with lots of layers (added weight). 

5. Stampin' Dimensionals (my all time favorite!)

Double-sided adhesive foam dots add depth and dimension. Great for heavier embellishments, too. Instant bond. Acid free. Stampin’ Dimensionals®: 300 pieces, 3/8" (1 cm). I use the all the time. On almost every project. I love the visual interest these create!

Now that you have seen my top five, which is your #1? Leave me a comment to let me know which adhesive you use all the time. 

3 easy tips for every masculine card you make

I am often asked for masculine card ideas and today this post will help you with this kind of card designs. I have three tips that you can think about for every masculine card you make:

Tip 1: Color choice

I think color choice is the most important consideration when making masculine cards. Many people think dark tones/colors when making cards for men or boys; most crafters lean towards Night of Navy, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, or Smoky Slate. But I don't really agree.

I love to add a pop of a brighter color into the mix. And that is perfectly ok, especially when choosing paper designs and patterns. 

Consider:

• Cherry Cobbler
• Melon Mambo
• Blackberry Bliss
• Shaded Spruce
• Pretty Peacock
• Bumblebee
• Pumpkin Pie

In Stampin' Up!s August-December Mini catalog there is a pack of 6x6 designer paper that is perfect for masculine cards. Introducing: Plaid Tidings

I love, love, love this pack of paper and I am sure you can see why. The plaid patterns have a masculine feel which means that the colors in this pack are perfect for masculine cards. 

So don't be afraid to try colors that are a bit out of the norm and try a pop of brighter color too. 

 

Tip 2: Choosing embellishments

When choosing embellishments for masculine cards, do you avoid adding a bow or ribbon on your cards? Consider again. Using a bow does not make your card feminine in design. If you want to add a bow, keep it small or if using ribbon or twine, tie it in a knot and place it near the card crease. Choose a coordinating color for ribbon or twine and these, too, can add a pop of brighter color. And consider the ribbon texture: Linen thread/ribbon, Braided Trim, Faux Suede Trim and Denim Ribbon are a few suggestions. 

As for other embellishments, certainly use them! Keep them small and consider the shape. Circles and stars work well and don't worry if they sparkle or shine. As long as they are small they will work. Again, coordinate your embellishments with the colors in your paper so that they blend in rather than stand out. 

I recommend you consider:

• Woven Threads: Pretty Peacock, Purple Posy, Rococo Rose, Seaside Spray, Terracotta Tile
• Holiday Rhinestone Basic Jewels: Cherry Cobbler, Coastal Cabana, Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie, Shaded Spruce
• Whale of a Time Sequins: Flirty Flamingo, Just Jade, Pacific Point, Pool Party

Each of these embellishments have colors that will be fabulous on masculine cards.

Tip 3: Choosing layouts

My final tip is about the layout of the card itself. Most card layouts can be either masculine or feminine, depending on the colors, paper, and embellishments you use, but I feel that some layouts lend themselves perfectly to masculine cards.

Each week I post a card map challenge for you to try and here is your challenge for this week. The moment I saw it, I thought: masculine card layout. 

I took the above three tips into consideration when designing my card for this challenge. I used the Plaid Tidings paper, the Snowflake Sequins (not all are snowflake designs), Bumblebee Gingham ribbon and for the stamp set, I chose Tasteful Touches because I feel the word font is more masculine:

What colors do you normally choose for masculine cards? Leave me a comment and let me know.

There are many more tips I could share for designing masculine cards - I will do another blog post about this some day soon. 

For today, here's my card. 

How to use only 5 elements to make a beautiful page

This weekend I joined another Pick 5 challenge and had so much fun making my page. 5 elements had to be on our page but I modified the list a tiny bit to match what I had on hand:

-blue or gray letters

-designer paper

-triangles

-torn paper

-something metallic

When I saw that I had to have blue on my page, I immediately thought of a trip I took to Greece last year because the photos I took had lots of blue in them. I matched the blue in my photos to Pacific Point and then had to figure out what I would use for triangles. I don't have any triangle dies and could cut squares in half but then I spotted my Tailored Tag punch:

I figured out that if I punched a Pacific Point tag I could cut it in half lengthwise and end up with a triangle shape. I punched and cut several tags and arranged them on my page to look a bit like steps. 

The letters I created with the Playful Alphabet dies and used Basic Gray to match the color of the steps in one of my photos. 

Next I chose some of my left over Forever Greenery paper and tore the ends of each piece. This paper would be the base for my journaling. 

Finally, I needed something metallic. I chose a title sticker from World of Good Memories & More Card Pack. The sticker has brass foil letters and the word is perfect match. 

Here's my Pick Five page:

Fun right? Why not give our Pick Five challenge a try - and yes you can tweak one of the items like I did. Have fun! 

You need to learn the fabulous color blocking technique

It's time to learn a new technique - or to try an oldie but goodie. I am calling it the color blocking technique because I am not sure if there is an official name - likely there an official name out there somewhere. 

To create your own card, there is a list of products and measurements below but I do want to feature a few necessary products:

1. Watercolor paper: 

Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper is a thick paper designed especially for watercoloring. Cold-pressed, archival cotton paper. Natural white color with subtle texture.

* 10 sheets
* 5" x 7" (12.7 x 17.8 cm)
* Acid free

2. Stamping Sponges - don't miss the tip in my video below about how to use these. 

 

The easy way to apply Stampin' Ink for a colored effect.

* 3 sponges
* 2-3/4" (7 cm) diameter

And that's it. Once you have these items you can create and re-create cards using this fabulous technique. 

To add a phrase to my card I used the Best Year stamp set:

And for embellishments and to die-cut the phrase I used my Painted Poppies bundle:

Here's my Poppy Parade Color Blocked card:

 

Stamp sets: Best Year (152568); Painted Poppies bundle (153827)

Ink: Poppy Parade; Bumble Bee; Flirty Flamingo; Memento Tuxedo Black

Stampin' Blends: Poppy Parade (154958), Basic Black (154843)

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Cherry Cobbler: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
        Bumble Bee: 4" x 5 1/4"
        Watercolor: 3 3/4" x 5"; two pieces 2" x 1 1/2"

Other: Fluid 100 Watercolor paper (149612); Stamping Sponges (141337); Woven Threads Sequin Assortment (149498); Bumble Bee Gingham ribbon (153658); Stampin' Seal; Stampin' Dimensionals; Mini Glue Dots; die-cutting machine, washi tape

Here's my video - leave me a comment to let me know if you will try this technique and if you do, what three ink pad colors will you try for your card? 

 

Thanks for dropping by! 

The best color combinations for beautiful beach projects

This week our weather has been over the top {{HOT}} which makes me crave the beach. But right now there are too many people at the beach every day and I am a bit nervous hanging about a bunch of strangers when we are supposed to be keeping our distance from each other. 

So I have been creating a lot of beach-themed cards, like the one I posted on Wednesday. And that made me think that maybe you might be in a beach mood too. 

When creating beach projects, there are certain color combinations I would recommend:

Combination #1

These three I choose for basic beach elements: sky/water, sand and plants/trees. Sahara Sand, Old Olive and Balmy Blue are my most common go-to colors for this kind of theme. 

 

Combination #2

This set of colors are darker in tone. I love Crumb Cake with Soft Suede - think beach sand with palm tree trunks. Pacific Point is quite a vivid blue so use it sparingly, like on the lighthouse below. You can also use it to lightly sponge the sky - but only with a tiny bit of ink on your sponge:

Combination #3

This set of three colors created a more pastel look for beach cards. I love the soft look of this combo:

What are your top colors for beach cards or projects - leave me a comment to let me know - I might give your combo a try on my next beach card. Why not try your combo and make a card today too!

 

How to boost your crafting mojo

Ready for another Pick Five challenge? I hope that this challenge inspires your creative juices and boosts your crafting mojo as you dig through your stash. 

Here's what you need to use if you join this challenge. 

Pick Five:

1. tag(s)
2. Ribbon
3. Flower(s)
4. the color pink
5. Layering

The reason I love challenges like this is that they help me look at my crafting supplies in new or different ways. I find myself dusting off products I haven't used in a while, such as my medium Daisy Punch:

I was also inspired by a sheet of my Plaid Tidings paper. 

This sheet uses Melon Mambo (pink!) and the Bumblebee color in the same plaid quickly inspired me to think about daisies. The rest, almost was easy!

The one piece of the challenge that I struggle with was the tag. I decided to make one and add it to the phrase I used on my card. The phrase comes from the Sending Sunshine set. Funny (or not), but when I bought this set I was not sure the I would ever use it. I use it all the time!

All the pieces fell together quite easily, much to my surprise. Here's my Pick Five card:

Why not give our Pick Five challenge a try, and boost your crafting mojo? It's so much fun! 

What comes to mind when I say Vacation Paradise?

When I hear vacation paradise so many places come to mind. I think Greece beats out Malta, Spain, and Hawaii out by a slight edge. There are so many countries I have yet to visit, but for now vacation paradise = Santorini. Here are just 2 photos from my trip there: 

https://www.typepad.com/site/blogs/6a00e54facd573883300e54facd5758833/post/6a00e54facd5738833026bde88b501200c/edit?saved=e#

Now that I have you in a vacation paradise mood, what will you create using today's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge?

I love the bright colors in the challenge but you don't have to use them for this challenge. For my card I was guided by my paper choice - which was Playing with Patterns:

And the stamp set I chose was a no-brainer - Waterfront:

I combined these products to make my colorful vacation paradise challenge card:

This was so fun to create and I 'aged; the top layer and the entire card base by sponging Crumb Cake around all sides. 

Now it is your turn - what will you create that shows a vacation paradise? If you want to see what the other crew members created for this challenge, click here. 

 

How to preserve those day to day experiences

A few months ago I joined a Facebook group for beginner scrapbookers because one of the group leaders placed an order at my online store. We made a great connection and she invited me to join her group. I am so happy that I did because they are a fun group of crafters who are really open to share their journeys into scrapbooking. 

A couple of weeks ago the group leaders started posting a Saturday layout challenge. Most of the weekends I don't participate because I am so busy making cards to post here on my blog. But this weekend I decided to join in because this sketch looked pretty fun:

Since lockdown and working from home happened around the same time I joined this scrapbooking group, I started taking walks in a forest that is pretty close to my apartment. i have watched spring arrive, then summer and now each day I enjoy the shade and coolness that this amazing forest provides on my walk. I am often 'wowed' with the paths I take, the different shades of green I walk by and how the sunlight filters through the branches. At times I stop and take a quick photo during my walks. 

This weekend I realized that these kind of moments are what I will always treasure from living in The Hague. Years from now, no matter where I am living, I will remenber this forest fondly. 

So why not scrapbook this to remember? 

Digging through my crafting stash, I decided to create a page filled with the greens in my photos. I chose the Forever Fern bundle:

Along with the Forever Greenery paper:

The idea for my title came so easily, using the fabulous Playful Alphabet dies. 

I also used the new Foam Adhesive Sheets when die-cutting my title so that they would pop up off my page. 

Speaking of my page, here it is. I will add my journaling when I have a few quiet moments and time to think about what I want to say. If needed I will add another tag behind the first. 

Do you scrapbook? If so, would you like to see more pages posted on my blog to give you inspiration. Please leave me a comment to let me know. I love hearing from you!

Want to learn how to antique your cards?

Here's a fun technique to learn that's super easy and can be applied to any cards you create. It's call the Antique technique - or you may have heard it called the 'Aging' technique - it's the same thing. 

My card today is a birthday card and I create an antique look on my layers. I used these two fabulous stamp sets: Daisy Lane and Best Year

 

and my medium Daisy punch. I love the Daisy punch - it allows for quick embellishment-making.

I also used the new Plaid Tidings designer paper - the perfect match for my card base and layer colors:

 

In my video (below!) I show you how to antique your cards, through using the Subtle 3D embossing folder and a bone folder. Frankly, a bone folder is a must-have for all card makers! 

Here's my Daisy Lane antique card. Doesn't it look like a frame hanging on a wall?

Stamp sets: Daisy Lane (149325), Best Year (152568)

Ink: Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight, Highland Heather, Basic Gray

Paper and cutting dimensions: 
        Basic Gray: 8 1/2"  5 1/2"
        Gray Granite: 5 1/4" x 4"; 3 1/4" x 1 3/4"
        Whisper White: 2 1/4" x 11"
        Plaid Tidings: 3" square

Other: Bone Folder (102300); Subtle 3D embossing folder (151775); Tasteful Labels dies (152886); Medium Daisy punch (149517); Linen Thread (104199); Rhinestone Basic Jewels (144220)

And here's my video - listen along the way for my bonus tips!