Nutz about Stamping

How to transform a colorful card into a gift card holder!

This week I am going to show you a second gift card idea, perfect to pop into the mail without a lot of extra weight. To make this gift card I used the Poinsettia Petals stamp set (for the phrase), the Trimming the Town paper and the Home Together dies (seen below). 

As I say on my video below I adore this designer paper. The colors are bright and the patterns are delightful. I especially love that you can use some of the Home Together dies to cut out the houses and trees for your projects. 

If you want the MAC DADDY of all suites, get the entire Trimming the Town suite at a discount. That's what I did and with no regrets as I have made good use of them all!

Finally I used a piece of the Heartwarming Hugs paper on my card, which nicely compliments the Trimming the Town strip that I used:

Click on any of the photos above to link over to my online store (USA only). Contact me at [email protected] if you live in Europe! 

Here's a photo of my Trimming the Town gift card. You can see it is partially open in the photo. Watch the video below to see how to make this project, step by step, and watch for my bonus tips along the way. 

Trimming the Town gift card holder

Stamp set: Poinsettia Petals (153475)

Ink: Old Olive

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Old Olive: 11" x 4 1/4"; 3" x 4"
        Trimming the Town: 1" x 4"
        Heartwarming Hugs: 4" square
        Whisper White: 2 3/4" x 1 1/2"

Other: Home Together dies (153515); Trimming the Town designer series paper (153491); Heartwarming Hugs designer series paper (153492); All the Trimmings Ribbon Combo pack (153451); Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Trimmer (with scoring blade); Layering Ovals dies (151771); 1" punch; Tear & Tape adhesive; Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Here's my video - thanks for watching. 

Do you love an old fashioned Christmas?

I really can't decide. I usually prefer Christmas projects that are on the cutsey and modern side - especially if they have a Scandinavian feel to them. 

But every once in a while I see some products that make my creative heart sing. And today I want to share this simple but gorgeous card that has a bit of a surprise inside. 

The old fashioned Christmas tone comes from the Toile Tidings paper. Perfect for cardmaking and gift packaging, you'll love the Toile Tidings paper for its pastoral theme and designs, and basic patterns in classic Christmas colors. This papercrafting staple is great scrapbook paper, card making paper, and more!

The fun detail on this card is the embossed spine using the Winter Snow embossing folder. The phrase and leaves come from  the Poinsettia Petals bundle. 

Supplies:

• Stamp Sets – Poinsettia Petals (153475) or Merry Christmas stamp of your choice
• Card Stock – Real Red (102482); Garden Green (102584); Very Vanilla (101650)
• Misc. – Garden Green Stampin’ Write Marker from the Regals Assortment (147155); Toile Tidings Designer Series Paper (DSP)  (150432); 3/8” Reversible Ribbon (149496); Playful Pets Trim Combo (152466); Sweetest Borders dies (153559); Winter Snow Embossing Folder (153577); Label Me Lovely Punch (151296); All The Trimmings Embellishments (153540); Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (149653); Stampin’ Seal (152813); Dimensionals (104430)

Measurements:  

• Real Red cardstock:                         5 1/2” x 5 1/4”
• Garden Green cardstock:                         scraps for leaves
• Very Vanilla:                                                 Inside layer: 5 1/4" x 4", scrap for greeting
• Toile Tidings DSP:                                      5 1/2” x 4 1/4”
• 3/8” Reversible Ribbon: 17”
• Red ribbon from Playful Pets Trim Combo: 7”                   

Instructions:

1. With the 5 1/4" edge resting at the top of your trimmer, score 1” all the way down the piece of cardstock.
2. Emboss the 1” edge with the Winter Snow Embossing folder.
3. Using Stampin’ Seal, adhere the DSP to the back of the embossed cardstock.
4. Wrap reversible ribbon around card front and tie a square knot. Trim excess as needed.
5. Tie the red trim around the reversible ribbon and tie in a small bow; trim excess as needed.
6. Punch the label shape from Very Vanilla cardstock using the Label Me Lovely punch.
7. Using Garden Green marker, stamp the “Merry” part only just above the center of the label shape. Cover the “Merry” part with cello or masking tape then ink the “Christmas” part and stamp below “Merry” on the label shape.
8. Using the holly leaf dies (those with the veins and those without the veins) die cut a variety of the 2 sizes of leaves (I used 3 large leaves and 2 small veined leaves). Stack a veined leaf with a solid leaf if desired for some of these using Stampin’ Seal. Using Stampin’ Seal, adhere one pair on the top lower corner of the label and using 2 or more dimensionals, adhere 2 more leaves to the to right corner (see picture for placement if desired). Add more dimensionals to the back of the label layer and adhere above center on the front of the card (see picture if desired).
9. Adhere the remaining large leaf to the top right corner of the inside panel.
10. Add one rhinestone on top of the dot of the “I” in Christmas. Add one red holly berry from the All the Trimmings embellishments and add 3 holly berries to the bottom point of the holly leaf on the inside panel.
11. Enjoy sending your beautiful card to someone special.

Here's one idea for the inside of the card - can you see the surprise?

I think this card would be perfect for someone who loves a vintage look as this card certainly has a vintage feel to it. If you want to order the Toile Tidings paper, click the photo of the paper pack (above). That will link you right to the exact spot at my online store!

What is it like to have a birthday this time of year?

Did you know that my family - every one of them! - has a birthday in November? Except me - I am a Leap Year Baby, yes 29 February!

I often wonder: what is it like to have a birthday this time of year? Halloween and the candy buzz has ended and now everything is all a-buzz about Thanksgiving, Black Friday Sales, and getting ready for Christmas. 

I sometimes think that birthdays in November and December get lost in the mix so each year I sit at my crafting table to give some creative thought to making a special card for everyone in my family. 

Which brings around to this Curvy Birthday card idea. You did know about this special promotion, right? 

There are bunches of products as part of this promotion so if you want to read all about it, click here to see my blog post. What I want to focus on is this bundle, which is part of the promotion. It's called Quite Curvy:

There are so many pretty card ideas that you can create with this bundle and here's just one of them. Perfect for a special family member this month!

Quite Curvy birthday card

Here's how to make this pretty card:

Supplies:

• Stamps – Quite Curvy (154430); or Quite Curvy Bundle (156228)
• Ink Pads – Tuxedo Black Memento (132708)
• Card Stock – Coastal Cabana (131297); Whisper White (100730); Night of Navy (100867); Misty Moonlight (153081); Purple Posy (150881)
• Misc. – Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (149653); Wreath Builder Dies (152722); Curvy Dies (154319), Mini Glue Dots (103683);    Playing with Patterns 6”x6” Designer Series Paper (DSP) (152490); Wrapped in Texture Embossing Folder (153574), Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue (110755); Bone Folder (102300); Paper Snips (103579); Paper Trimmer (152392); Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals (144108); Stampin’ Blends Combo Packs: Pool Party (154894); Crumb Cake (154882)

Measurements: 

• Coastal Cabana: 5 ½” x 8” scored at 4”, scraps
• Playing With Patterns DSP: 1 ¾” x 4 7/8”
• Night of Navy: 3 ¾” x 5”, scraps
• Misty Moonlight: scraps
• Whisper White: 4” x 5 ¼”; 3” x 4 7/8”, scraps;
• Purple Posy: scraps
  
  

Instructions:           

1. Fold Coastal Cabana card base in half on score line. Flatten fold with bone folder.
2. Die cut 3” x 4 7/8” piece of Whisper White with the wavy dotted die from the Curvy dies. Pay attention to placement so that the cutting edge is closest to the long edge of Whisper White.
3. Place the “wishing you the happiest of birthdays” stamp on the clear block. Check the curvature of the text to the die cut edge prior to applying ink. Adjust the curve of the text to follow the curve of the holes on the die cut. Stamp text in black ink.
4. Adhere DSP to the bottom edge of Night of Navy card stock. Adhere the Whisper White die cut to the top edge of the Night of Navy card stock.
5. Stamp two birds on scraps of Whisper White card stock & color with Pool Party and Crumb Cake Stampin’ Blends. Die cut the birds with coordinating dies from the Curvy dies.
6. Die cut 2 each of Coastal Cabana and 2 each Misty Moonlight leaf branches with the die from Curvy dies. Die cut flower with Purple Posy scrap with flower die from the Wreath Builder dies. Die cut Night of Navy flower center with die from the Wreath Builder dies. Emboss the flower center with the Wrapped In Texture Embossing Folder.
7. Adhere the leaves to the upper right side of card front – see picture for placement. Adhere flower center to flower with multi-purpose glue. Adhere flower to card front with mini dimensionals.  Adhere birds to card front with multi-purpose glue.
8. Stamp remaining 4” x 5 ¼” piece of Whisper White as desired and adhere to inside of card.

Today's challenge: create something that reflects the holidays

Ohhh, this card map challenge is super fun, right? You can create whatever you want as long as it reflects the holidays! As soon as I saw this challenge I knew I would like it. 

I immediately went to my all time favorite Winter Holidays bundle: Trimming the Town suite. 

This suite just makes me happy and I love using it for my Christmas projects this year. If you haven't seen all the cards I have made so far this season, scroll back through my blog and have a look. Lots of fun ideas to give you inspiration.

For my card I chose to use the dies for a background with trees, dies for the houses (cut from a sheet of the corresponding designer paper), the stamp set for the background snowflakes and the designer paper for the phrase. 

My Trimming the Town card came together in mere seconds, and I love it:

Now it's your turn: have a look at your crafting supplies and see what you can create that reflects the holidays. If you want to see what the other design crew members made for this challenge, click here. We invite you to upload your project for us to see too - look the link under the challenge. 

 

You need to know about our online extravaganza happening today!

Are you just about ready to start your Christmas countdown? The big day is only weeks away, which means you are starting to think about your holiday papercrafting plans.

Perhaps you'd like to make an advent calendar, create some handmade décor, or prep some scrapbook pages. The possibilities are truly endless! And since the busiest shopping season is going on now, this is the perfect time to let you know that our Merry & Bright Online Extravaganza is happening today, with 10% off select Annual Catalog items.

 

Today Only! Yes, 24 hours only!

 

 

Not all items in the 2020–2021 Annual Catalog are included in the Merry & Bright Online Extravaganza discount offer. Click below to see the exclusions list.

 

Why is that special? Because that means that everything else is in the Annual Catalog is on sale!!!

 

Click here to see the list of exclusions.

 

How to let your crafting supplies help keep you organized

Do you like to be organized at work and at home? Me too. I am always looking for ways to help me maintain my focus and avoid going to bed at night exhausted and anxious. 

For many years I used a hard bound annual organizer that I purchased at a local bookstore or craft store. I tried so many of these and although I liked the hands-on experience I didn't like that I had to follow the format in each organizer and often found not enough room for the tasks I needed to list, and that the pages didn't allow for any creativity.

Then electronic calendars appeared on the market and became quite the rage. Although I love technology and usually jump on the latest bandwagon pretty quickly, these were a bust for me. Too impersonal, and something else to carry around in my purse. I think there are great uses for these for reminders in the future but not for my daily tasks.  

A few years ago I literally stumbled across a YouTube video about bullet journals and how you can design layouts that work for you, start at whatever month in the year you want, and you can personalize them too! A big thank you to Ryder Carrol for inventing this method (book here, video here) and to Kara at Boho Berry for showing me how to take my bullet journal to the next level (videos here)! 

I am completely hooked and wish that I would take more time every month to evaluate my bujo (abbreviation for bullet journal) layout. I also wish I would take more time to unleash my creativity in my bujo! 

Want to know how you can use your Stampin' Up! supplies in your own bujo? Here are some monthly pages that I created using my stamping supplies. 

 

 

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As you can see, you choose your colors, products and layout, but not only on your monthly intro pages but also on each week's layout too! You can create what you want when you want it - all using the supplies you have on hand. 

So why not give it a try? If you don't bullet journal yet, look at what you do every day and see where you might be able to add a touch of creativity and color. Not only is it relaxing and profitable, you will be able to focus on productivity in a colorful and fun way. 

How to create a beautiful Christmas gift card holder

In today's video I am going to show you how to make a beautiful gift card holder idea with the help of my Poinsettia dies and Stitched Nested Labels dies.

The Poinsettia dies are part of the fabulous Poinsettia Petals bundle - worth investing in! The dies have an insert piece that embosses while the flower is begin die-cut. So very cool. 

Here are the Stitched Nested Labels dies - also fab with the stitched edging all around - adds a lovely added touch. 

Combine these two packs of dies along with the Poinsettia Place paper.....

And look what you can create! Note: if you don't have the Stitched Nested Labels dies, try this idea with large shaped dies you do have on hand. 

 

Poinsettia Place Gift Card Holder

My gift card holder is for Christmas but one you know how to make one you can adapt it for birthdays, baby showers, retirements, etc. 

Here's what you need, including measurements. 

Stamp set: none

Ink: none

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Real Red: 5 1/2" x 3 1/4"; 2 1/2" x 3 1/5"
        Poinsettia Place: 5 1/2" x 3 1/4"
        Old Olive: 2 1/j5" x 2 1/4"

Other: Poinsettia Place designer series paper (153487); Mini Stampin' Dimensionals, Multi-purpose Liquid Glue; Poinsettia dies (153522); Stitched Nested Labels dies (149638); Trimming the Town designer series paper (153491); Stamping Emboss & Die-cutting Machine, Pearl Basic Jewels (144219)

Here's my video - watch all the way through for tips along the way and to see a second idea using a completely different set of products and paper. 

Here's how you can get your favorite products on sale!

Are you just about ready to start your Christmas countdown? The big day is only a short time away, which means you are likely starting to think about your holiday papercrafting plans.

Perhaps you'd like to make an advent calendar, create some handmade décor, or prep some scrapbook pages. The possibilities are truly endless!

And since the busiest shopping season is going on now, this is the perfect time to let you know that our Merry & Bright Online Extravaganza will be here soon, with 10% off select annual catalog items.

As a fellow crafter, you know that adding a personal touch to the holidays can make the season even more meaningful and fun. So don't miss this fabulous sale so you can make the world a more beautiful place this Christmas season!

Promotion Date: 24 November 2020    One Day Only

Watch this space for an announcement one day before this amazing sale begins - and for a list of products that will not be discounted. 

Then let the fun begin!

 

 

Let me be your weekly creative inspiration

Need a little crafting inspiration in your life? I am here to help!

How about 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

2. Type your name and email address in the boxes and click the "go" button

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!

How to be playful with a card map challenge

This week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge is super easy so I decided to do something a bit different. 

I decided rather than stamping and layering a scalloped rectangle, that I would go a bit rogue today and use something completely differing.

As usual, I started with my designer paper choice: Heartwarming Hugs. 

I decided to use two corresponding designs on my card and make one of them the complete card base layer. The right away I chose to use the Christmas Gleaming stamp set and matching punch to make the top layer - instead of the layered rectangle. 

I love this bundle - and am delighted that is was a returning favorite in this year's Aug-Dec catalog:

The rest was pretty easy. I decided that that top banner on the card map would be my phrase and I would attached it at a playful angle on my card. 

I love how it turned out, do you? 

Now it is your turn - give this card map challenge a try using what you have on hand at home. Why not share your final project over on my Facebook Page? Look for the card map image and post under there! 

You need to see this beary-y cute kit!

After a year like 2020, we all could use a big bear hug!

If you haven’t heard already, Paper Pumpkin is our monthly One-Stop Box that offers a wide variety of unique papercrafting projects for subscribers of any skill level! These themed, all-inclusive craft kits enable you to explore your creativity, try new techniques, and discover so much fun when papercrafting.

December’s cute and cuddly Paper Pumpkin kit—called “Beary Comforting”—is designed to uplift your loved ones as this beary tough year finally comes to a close.  With the help of this bear-themed kit, you can create 12 un-bear-ably cute cards featuring warm and fuzzy friends, sweet stamps, and meaningful messages. Near or far, send your friends and family the extra comfort, love, and encouragement they need with this month’s Paper Pumpkin kit!

ABOUT THE DECEMBER KIT

Name Beary Comforting

Details

• Kit contains enough supplies to create 12 cards and coordinating 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: Basic Gray, Calypso Coral, Cinnamon Cider, Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Sea Foam, Whisper White

Ready to subscribe? Click below!

PSST: These kits make a fabulous Christmas gift idea too - the gift that keeps on giving all year long!

How to create a beautiful multi-layered Christmas card

For today's card and video tutorial (below), I am going to show you how to create a beautiful and multi-layered Christmas card idea using a combination of products:

• Christmas Gleaming stamp set
• Gleaming Ornaments punch pack
• Best Plaid Builder dies
• Best Year stamp set
• Heartwarming Hugs designer paper

Here are photos for these products - you can click on any of them to link to my store place an order Remember that these are time sensitive products. When our catalogs retire some of these products will no longer be available. 

Christmas Gleaming bundle: has a gorgeous pack of matching paper different to what I chose to use today. 

Best Plaid Builder dies:

Oh and it gets ever more yummy! You can bundle the Best Plaid Builder dies with the Best Year stamp set and save 10%:

And of course the Heartwarming Hugs paper:

Coming all of these fun products together to make this amazing

Best Plaid Builders Christmas card:

Stamp set: Christmas Gleaming (151464); Best Year (152568)

Ink: Real Red

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Whisper White: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 3" x 2"; 4 1/4" x 1"
        Real Red: 5 3/4" x 4 1/2"
        Heartwarming Hugs: 5 3/4" x 4 1/2"

Other: Best Plaid Builders dies (152720); Multi-purpose Liquid Glue; Mini Glue Dots, All the Trimmings ribbon combo pack (153541); Stampin' Dimensionals; Stampin' Write Markers: Real Red and Old Olive; Heartwarming Hugs designer series paper (153492); Gleaming Ornaments punch pack (150647); Regals Stampin' Write Markers (147155)

And here's my video - watch along the way for bonus tips and to see a second card idea using the same layout. 

Don't miss this amazing music, perfect to craft by!

Are you like me? Do you listen to music when you craft? I do all the time and depending on my mood I have a few Spotify playlists that I go to. I thought it would be fun to share my playlists with you too!

Of course, when I make Christmas cards I listen to Christmas music. My top two lists are:

The Christmas Hits has my faves of all time, including good old Bing Crosby. And Pentatonix: what more can I say? LOVE!

When is it not Christmas, I choose my playlists to match my mood. For example on weekend mornings, I listen to:

When stressed I listen to:

And when I feel like rocking a bit:

In case you can't yet tell, I have very eclectic taste in music - I have even listened to: 

To me, music helps to calm, invigorate, and definitely helps me to create! How about you? What playlists do you listen to - I would love some recommendations to try. Post your comment below! 

What would you create with this easy card map challenge?

This week's Paper Craft Crew challenge is super fun and I took a bit of a departure from the map:

 

I knew right away that the card base would have designer paper on it and that this would be a Christmas card. I am feeling a bit behind on my Christmas card list and need to get cracking'!

So I dug through my pile of holiday paper and immediately stopped when I got to the section for Trimming the Town. You just have to know that I LOVE this paper - heck, I love the entire product suite!

Seriously, what's not to love about this suite? The moment I saw it in the catalog I knew I had to have it ALL. So I did. 

I used the paper as a main layer and then stamped and colored the house and wreath with my Stampin' Blends

• Old Olive
• Real Red
• Pool Party
• Smoky Slate
• Misty Moonlight

Those colors coordinate fabulously! 

I really struggle with the circle background on the card map. Should it be a die-cut? A layer? A stamped image? In the end I decided to a bit of a cheat: it would be a bow instead. I just didn't have anything else that looked good. 

And the smaller banner I decided to place in a different spot and make it a phrase for my card. 

Here is my Coming Home card map challenge card:

And here is a side view:

Righty-oh! It's your turn now. Try our card map challenge and see what you can create. 

 

What if being creative was your job?

Wouldn't that be amazing? Oh, wait! It can be! Sign up to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, like I did 17 years ago!

Nothing brings people together like creativity. As a Stampin’ Up! independent demonstrator, you’ll get to share what you love and see your circle of friends expand when you join our community. You’ll meet fellow demonstrators at company-sponsored events. Also, host fun gatherings to share your favorite projects and products with your customers. Help them discover a love of papercrafting.

 

We design our products with all skill levels of crafters in mind. Whether you’re a beginner or have been stamping for years, we have something for you. Our exclusive selection of coordinating stamps, ink, paper, tools, and product suites make it easy for you and your customers to make gorgeous projects. Explore creative possibilities with our vast array of dynamic, specialized tools and products.

At Stampin’ Up!, people are at the heart of everything we do. We make a difference when we share creativity through demonstrator-organized efforts and through our formal Making a Difference program. As a demonstrator, you’ll have the opportunity to give back to your community and do more good in the world. Learn more about Making a Difference or check out #SUdifferencemaker

And those are not the only reasons for you to join my team and all the fun. 

There's more:

• Three new catalogs every year! As a demonstrator you can pre-order from them and save 20% on every product order!
  
  
• Anything you buy for yourself to craft with counts towards your quarterly minimum ($300). Join now and your first quarterly minimum is not due until August 31st! You can spend a bit each month or wait until August 31^st and make one large purchase
  
  
• Anything friends or family buy from you counts towards your quarterly minimum. You can earn additional commission on purchased products!
  
  
• Buy from yourself and it counts too – Birthday, Christmas, Wedding presents, etc.
  
  
• Our products make great stocking stuffers during the holiday season. All these products count towards your quarterly sales requirement too. 
  
  
• Buy products to make gifts to sell and it can be a write-off on taxes plus add extra income for your family.

Do you have additional questions for me about the Stampin' Up! business opportunity? Contact me at: [email protected] and I am happy to chat with you.