Nutz about Stamping

How to let the beauty of nature help you design your cards

For today's card and video I am going to introduce the Northern Lights technique using the fabulous Snow Front stamp set:

This technique was inspired by a photo that came up on Facebook this week - you know when they share photos from the past several years? Four years ago I took a trip with some friends to Iceland, with the purpose to see the Northern Lights. The first night out we didn't see them but the second night we scored big time! Here's one of the photos from this trip - pretty fabulous, right? 

Growing up in Canada I have been fortunate enough to see the northern lights many times as a child - and each time the shape, movement and colors have been different. Such a fascinating sight - if you have not had the pleasure yet, I highly recommend you add this to your bucket/wish list. There is even a Facebook page that shows live videos of the Northern Lights - this Aurora Borealis Observatory site will give you lots of color choice inspiration for your cards, and just plain wow you. 

I used the above photo to give me inspiration for my card:

Snow Front Northern Lights 

Stamp set: Snow Front (150483)

Ink: Crushed Curry, Basic Gray, Granny Apple Green, Memento Tuxedo Black, Cherry Cobbler

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Crushed Curry: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
        Basic Black: 5" x 3 3/4"
        Whisper White: 4 3/4" x 3 1/2

Misc: Stamping Sponges (141337); Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Chalk Marker (132113)

Here's a second and slightly different version of my card. I used the same colors but added the Crushed Curry with a Blending Brush instead. And then I added a phrase from my Art Gallery stamp set. Key to this technique is applying the ink. I recommend using Stamping Sponges.

Again, I kept this second version very simple so that the technique would stand out in the background.

Ready to learn this fun technique? I will show you step by step in my video below; 

 

 

Use this super fun set to make playful cards

When I first spotted the Hey, Chick stamp set in the Mini catalog it made me smile and immediately brought back fun crafting memories using another, yet familiar, stamp set from a couple of years ago. Do you know which set I am talking about???

If you don't, stay tuned until February when a special announcement will be made. Until then, let's have a look at the Hey, Chick stamp set:

So cute right? Flock to the fun with the Hey Birthday Chick Stamp Set. It's "chick" full of celebratory images and phrases you can use to make any birthday delightful. These quirky line-art chicks are ready to be stamped and colored using your favorite coloring technique. 

Here's a cute Hey Chick card idea, complete with envelope:

Here's how to make this fun card:

Supplies:

• Stamp Sets & Dies – Hey Birthday Chick (154464); Birthday Chick Dies (158200); All Wired Up (149262); Layering Circles Dies (151770); Stitched Shapes Dies (149638)
• CardStock – Basic White Thick Cardstock (1159229)); Basic White Cardstock (159276); Whisper White Thick Cardstock (140272); In Color 6” x 6” DSP (153070); Just Jade Cardstock (153079)
• Stamp Pads – Cinnamon Cider Ink (147050); Tuxedo Black Memento Ink (132708)
• Stampin’ Blends – Mango Melody Combo (154888); Cajun Craze Combo (154879); Daffodil Delight Combo (154883); Crumb Cake Combo (154882); Just Jade Combo (153107); Magenta Madness (153106)
• Misc. – Artistry Blooms Sequins (152477); Paper Snips (103579); Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755); Mini Glue Dots (103683); Dimensionals (104430); Stampin’ Seal (152813)

Measurements: 

• Card Base: Basic White Thick – 4 1/4” x 11” scored at 5 1/2”,
• Card Front: Basic White – 4 1/4” x 5 1/2”
• Bumblebee In Color DSP Layer: - 2 13/16” x 5 1/2”
• Scalloped Circle Mat: Cinnamon Cider - 2 7/8” x 2 7/8”
• Stitched Shapes Circle : Basic White - 2 3/4” x 2 3/4”
• 2nd Largest Layering Circle: Die Cut Partial Circle
• 3 Baby Chicks: Basic White - 2” x 4 1/4”
• Happy Birthday Die Cut: Just Jade Cardstock - 1 1/8” x 2 1/8”
• Inside Layer: Whisper White – 3 3/4” x 5”
• Bumblebee In Color DSP Strip: 1/2” x 3 1/2”

Instructions:

• Stamp all the chicken images with Tuxedo Black Ink.
• Color the chickens with Stampin’ Blends Markers
• Stamp the chicken wire with Cinnamon Cider Ink on the card front & the inside layer.
• Die cut the baby chicks.
• Die cut the stitched circle & the scalloped circle.
• Die cut the partial circle on the Bumblebee DSP with the Layering Circles Die (13/16” from the top & 3/8” from the left.
• Die cut the Happy Birthday.

 

Assemble the card:

• Fold and burnish the card base with a bone folder.
• Adhere the Bumblebee In Color DSP layer to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
• Adhere the Stitched Circle to the Scalloped Circle with Liquid Glue or Stampin’ Seal.
• Adhere the assembled circles to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals..
• Adhere the baby chicks to the card front with Mini Glue Dots.
• Adhere the completed card front to the card base with Liquid Glue or Stampin’ Seal.
• Adhere the Happy Birthday die cut to the inside layer with Liquid Glue.
• Adhere the DSP Strip to the inside layer with Liquid Glue or Stampin’ Seal.
• Adhere the inside layer to the inside of the card base with Liquid Glue or Stampin’ Seal.
• Add the Sequins to the card front.

Which Sale-a-bration product do you love most?

We want to know! The Jan-June Mini and Sale-a-Bration catalogs are live, and my online store is primed and ready for your orders! 

First, the Jan-Jun Mini Catalog:

Here's what you need to know about this fab new mini catalog:

 

• 91 pages total!
• 8 new suites
• 2 kits
• 54 stamp sets
• 9 new paper packs
• Foil sheets
• Memories & More pack
• Hostess stamp set
• 6 new punches
• 2 embossing folders
• 7 ribbons
• 10 accents and embellishments (gilded leafing!!!)
• treat boxes

Want a FREE copy of this mini? Click here! 

Sale-A-Bration is one of our biggest promotions of the year. It’s packed with perks, overflowing with opportunities, and filled with fun for everyone! 

Here's what you need to know: Sale-a-bration dates are different this year: 

5 January 2021—28 February 2021

A. Shop

 For every $50 or $100 you spend, you can choose between two purchasing levels of free products.

B. Host

During the Sale-A-Bration, host an online event with me or gather orders from your friends. All orders over $300 earn the exclusive Punch Party Stamp Set for FREE.

C. Join

Enjoy discounts and share creativity as a Stampin’ Up! independent demonstrator. Build a Starter Kit by choosing $125 of products for just $99. Join during Sale-A-Bration and you get a FREE, exclusive gift from the upcoming catalog—an assortment of five 6" x 6" (15.2 x 15.2 cm) stacks of our newest Designer Series Paper. Business supplies and free shipping are included.

Want a free copy of this catalog? Click here! 

Which is your favorite product in these catalogs? Leave me a comment to let me know!

 

What really catches your eye on this colorful card?

 I had so much fun with this week's card map: 

I love that there is one single set of elements at the top of the card - there are so many possibilities, aren't there? 

So I dug through my stash and my eye fell on my new Pierced Blooms dies. 

There is so much value in this set of dies - and you don't need to get the corresponding stamp set either. How many flower combinations can you spot? 

Once I selected the dies I wanted to use for my card, the next step was easy:

The gorgeous Paper Blooms paper! Such colors! Such patterns!

Put all these products together and....taa-daa! My card map card:

Now it is your turn: try our card map challenge and see what you can create with what you have on hand. You will love what you create too!

If you want to see what the other Paper Craft Crew team members made using this card map challenge, click here. 

 

My top 8 blog posts of 2020

It is always so much fun in January to look back at the previous year's projects to see which ones were the most popular. Today I want to show you my top 8 blog posts - the ones that had the most views and likes on social media. 

If you want to see each blog post and learn how to make these projects, search for the blog title (in italics) and then add Nutz about Stamping after it in the search bar. 

Number 8: Let me show you how to use up your paper strips - this paper piecing technique is colorful and packs a wow factor. 

 

Number 7: How to take your project to the next level, using the Playful Alphabet dies. 

 

Number 6: How to wish a friend sunshine and happiness - using the fabulous Honey Bee bundle.

 

Number 5: You need to learn these cool paper tricks - this card uses the Trimming the Town suite and the matching video shows you have to make all the cool layers. 

 

Number 4: How to use the Peaceful Poppies elements: these elements are really fun to craft with. Add quick and easy artistic touches to your projects with Peaceful Poppies Elements and you’ll love how easy it is to step up your handmade cards and paper crafts with these die-cut printed accents. 

Number 3: How to make a super cute Easter card. Sometimes simple works perfectly, right? 

 

Number 2: Beautiful World Slimline card - this style of card is super popular right now and is fun to make. 

Click here to see my video! 

 

and.....Number 1: Golden Honey Gift Card Holder. Some of my most popular posts are 3D items and you can make this gift card holder using the supplies you have on hand!

Want to see the video I created showing you how to make this gift card holder? Click here! 

Which one of my top 8 is your fave? Leave me a comment to let me know.  

Want to add a wow factor to your cards?

Do you want to add a wow factor to your cards? Well in today's project (and step by step video), I am going to show you the Basket Weave technique. It's easy and guaranteed to wow your friends and family. 

To create an element and phrase for my card I chose the new Art Gallery bundle:

Inspired by impasto paintings, the floral images in the Art Gallery set can be used to create a variety of different cards. What are impasto paintings you ask? Well I had to ask The Google about this term:

"Impasto is a technique used in painting, where paint is laid on an area of the surface in very thick layers, usually thick enough that the brush or painting-knife strokes are visible. Paint can also be mixed right on the canvas. When dry, impasto provides texture; the paint appears to be coming out of the canvas." (Wikipedia) 

Pretty cool right? 

Here's my Art Gallery Basket Weave card:

Here's a photo with a different angle:

Here's what you need to make my card at home: 

Stamp set: Art Gallery (bundle, 156227)

Ink: Misty Moonlight

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Seaside Spray: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 4 strips: 1/4" x 5" 
        Misty Moonlight: 5 1/4" x 4"; 4 strips 1/4" x 4"
        Whisper White: 3 3/4" x 5"; 4" x 3 1/4 (for flower and phrase)

Misc: Multi-purpose liquid glue; Mini Stampin' Dimensionals; Elegant Faceted Gems (152464); Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (149653)

Here's my video, showing you 10 easy steps to create my beautiful Basket Weave card. Watch for my bonus tips along the way. 

 

Here's a nice way to offer comfort and care

February’s Paper Pumpkin kit—Bouquet of Hope—provides a way to offer comfort, care, and condolences to those enduring life’s challenges. With beautiful blooms and supportive sentiments, the Bouquet of Hope Paper Pumpkin Kit will soothe sorrow and share sympathy in a heartfelt, handmade way. While you can create nine cards of comfort and coordinating envelopes with this month’s kit, the kit’s exclusive, versatile stamp set can be used to uplift loved ones during trying times, any time.

 

 

What is Paper Pumpkin? Paper Pumpkin is our monthly One-Stop Box™ that offers a unique variety of paper projects for subscribers of any skill level to enjoy! These thoughtfully-themed and all-inclusive craft kits encourage Stampin’ Up! customers to explore their creativity, try new techniques, and discover their potential in papercrafting.

Why Paper Pumpkin? Paper Pumpkin introduces an impressive collection of Stampin’ Up! products, from our one-of-a-kind ink pads to our eye-catching embellishments. Plus, the carefully-chosen components of each Paper Pumpkin kit highlight the unbeatable versatility and coordination our products provide! This easy and exciting way to stock up on supplies—and create small-batch projects for occasions of any kind—inspires customers to continue crafting. 

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

So, what’s in store for this month’s kit?

Name: Bouquet of Hope

Details

• Kit contains enough supplies to create 9 cards—3 each of 3 designs—and coordinating envelopes. Kit includes card bases, decorative die-cut pieces, embellishments, and more.
• 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 Black, Bumblebee, Just Jade, Merry Merlot, Mossy Meadow, Rococo Rose
• Coordinates with the Flower & Field Designer Series Paper, an exclusive Sale-A-Bration item.

COORDINATING PRODUCT

155223 | Flower & Field Designer Series Paper

• Earn this pack of paper for FREE with a purchase of $50  or more during Stampin’ Up!’s Sale-A-Bration promotion! 

You will have so many hours of crafting fun with these

They came, they came! I have been waiting for the Pierced Blooms dies to arrive so that I could craft using them. And they arrived this week. 

From the moment I saw them in the Mini catalog I knew I had to have them. Why? Because:

• they stand alone without the stamp set
• they can be used for so many different projects
• there are die cut flowers in several sizes, complete with stitching details, plus the leaves and centres to go with them.

I think the stitching details are the crowning touch to these flowers and leaves. And think of all the possible combinations! 

I know I will have hours of crafting fun using these dies and so when I saw this week's Paper Craft Crew challenge I knew exactly what I would make. 

This is a simple layout that not only let me feature the Pierced Blooms dies but also my new Paper Blooms designer series paper:

I used two patterns of the paper along with three Pieced Blooms flowers to create my card (the phrase and die belong to the Art Gallery bundle): 

Now it's your turn! See what you can create using this week's card map. If you want to see what the other design crew members made, click here to head over to the Paper Craft Crew website. 

How to care for your punches

If you are looking for quick and easy paper crafting tools, then try our Stampin' Up! punches! Every time  Stampin' Up! releases a new catalog I quickly look to see if there is a stamp set/punch combination and in the new Mini catalog there are a few. Here are my top 3 in the catalog:

Hearts & Kisses #156201

Dragonfly Garden #156224

Sweet Strawberry #156214

You can use punches to create beautiful designs on cards, use them to create home decor, party decorations, gift boxes and more. They are certainly worth the investment as they last for years!

Speaking of investments, do you know how to care for your punches? 

1. Punch on hard surfaces, such as a sturdy table. (Or turn them over while holding the punch so you can perfectly place your stamped image.) My rule of thumb: stamp first, then punch!
2. Avoid punching: glitter paper, adhesive backed paper, fabric backed paper, corrugated paper, foam and handmade paper. 
3. Store your punches closed/locked and in a dry location. You can stand them up or lay them flat. Keep them away from dust - I store mine in shoeboxes in my crafting closet, standing up so I can spot the image on the top end. 

Do you know how to keep your punches in good condition? 

1. Sharpen your punches using aluminum foil - fold a sheet a few times and then punch several times
2. To make your punch smooth, punch several times using wax paper
3. Although I have not had to use a bit of lubrication, I have read that it works well on punches that are jamming

Now that you know how to care for and store you punches, don't be afraid to give them a try!

 

 

 

 

Do you know how to use blending brushes?

Today I am going to show you how to create a Darling Donkeys card from start to finish using an amazing new tool from Stampin' Up! - Blending Brushes!

Stampin' Up! introduced Blending Brushes on page 70 of the new Mini Catalog. I decided to use my Blending Brushes to create a background of color for today's card. Watch the video below to see how to do this. 

Tip: to clean Blending Brushes, you can use our Shammy, a slightly damp micro fiber (soft) cloth, or run the brush under water. Just know if that when you use water you need to set your brush aside for a while to dry. 

After I decided on the colors to use for blending my background layer I then chose elements for my card front, using the oh-so-cute Darling Donkeys set. If you want to earn this set for free, check out my Darling Donkeys kit offer here. 

I stamped and colored my donkeys using Stampin' Blends and then fussy-cut them out to add to my card.

I also used my new pack of Dandy Wishes dies to create some grass for my card as well. I explain more about this on my video.

 

All these elements add a touch of fun to my card, including the phrase from the Darling Donkeys set. Here's my card:

Here's how to make this cute card:

Stamp set: Darling Donkeys (155264 - FREE with a $5o order)

Ink: So Saffron, Basic Grey, Crumb Cake, Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        So Saffron: 8 1/2" 5 1/2"
        Basic Grey: 5 1/4" x 4"
        Whisper White: 5 1/8" x 3 6/8"
        Old Olive: scraps

Misc: Blending Brushes (153611), Mini Stampin' Dimensionals, Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue, Dandy Garden dies, Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine

Here's my video showing you how to use Blending Brushes - watch for my bonus tips along the way. 

 

Are you looking for an easy way to earn Darling Donkeys for free?

Then consider my Darling Donkeys Kit!

I have carefully considered a set of products that will equal exactly $50 US so that you can choose Darling Donkeys as your FREE choice.

Here's what I put into my kit: 

1. Well Suited designer series paper        154562             $11.50
   
   
   
   This paper is perfect for your free choice but also for masculine birthdays and Father's Day.
   
   
2. Memento Tuxedo Black ink                   132708            $6.00
   
   
   
   This is my go-to ink pad anytime I want to stamp an image and then color it with a variety of tools. This ink never runs!
   
   
3. Smokey Slate Stampin' Blends                154904            $9.00
   
   
   
   Use both the light and dark to color and outline your donkeys. Use the lighter color to add shading to all your stamped images.
   
   
4. Well Suited Twine Combo Pack            154566            $7.00  
   
   
   
   There are so many uses for twine - and this pack coordinates with the Well Suited paper.
   
   
5. Bronze/Ivory Stampin' Blends               154922           $9.00  
   
   
   
   The perfect combo for faces, autumn and much more. 
                  
6. 1/4" Crinkled Seam Binding (white)     151326           $7.50
   
   
   
   This is a must-have bolt in your craft cupboard? Why? Because you can color it using any ink pad you have on hand. So cool. 

Grand Total = $50!

Here's just one card idea you can create using my kit:

If you love my kit idea, and want to purchase it all in one go, I have an easy button for you! Click on the easy button below to head to my online store and purchase my Darling Donkeys kit. 

OR: Feel free to substitute products with others you like - click here to head to my online store. Purchase my Darling Donkeys kit and I will send you three samples using the kit supplies!

You need to see this second idea for the drapery card technique

This week's Paper Craft Crew challenge card map really stumped me. I immediately thought Valentine's Day but after thinking for a few minutes I realized that the map could indicate occasions beyond 14 February. 

So I looked through my stamp sets and spotted one set that had the word: Liefs - which means Love in Dutch. I don't use this set much so dusted it off and chose it for my phrase. 

Next was the layout, which was an easy choice for me. This past week I learned a new folding technique called Drapery - you can see my blog post HERE introducing this technique, along with a YouTube video taking you through step by step. I love this technique so much that I decided to duplicate it but with a twist. 

I used a leftover piece of the Paper Blooms designer paper. Lovely colors and patterns, right?

This paper pack is a FREE choice for any order over $50 USD between now and 28 February, as part of Stampin' Up!s Sale-a-Bration event. Look on the right side of my blog and click on the cover of the Sale-a-Bration catalog to download it to your device. You can see many other products you can earn for free!

For my card I recreated the Drapery technique but changed how it is laid out on my card front. I also had fun adding several Woven Thread sequins - to add a fun, sparkly touch. 

Here's my card:

Now it's your turn: have a look through your supplies and see what Romance-themed cards you can make using the supplies you have on hand. If you want to see what the other design crew members made for this challenge, click here. 

How to survive your first mystery stamping event!

What is mystery stamping, you ask? It's a fun way to create a card without knowing what the end result looks like!

Here's how it works.

Step one: I will share of all the supplies you need to gather, and the cutting measurements for your card stock pieces. 

Step two, three, four, and so on: I will tell you what to ink and stamp, how to layer all the bits and pieces, and where to place your images and layers. This is a slow reveal and you do each step in the process without peeking at the next step! 

The fun behind mystery stamping is that you use the supplies you have on hand and then once all the steps are done, we share our cards with each other. It's also fun to see who followed the instructions most closely - although that doesn't really matter to any of us, right?

Here's my survival tip: read through the list of supplies and open up your mind to what you have on hand. Then follow through each step carefully and if you mess up, let it go. You will love your card no matter what!

As I have so many blog followers from all over the world, I chose not to do this event live. To make it as fun as possible, don't peek ahead to the next clue. Follow each clue as it comes and don't move on to the next clue until the previous one is done. That's what adds the mystery to the event!

You ready to get started? Have Fun! 

Get Your Supplies Ready!

Clue 1

Clue 2

Clue 3

Clue 4

Clue 5

Clue 6

Clue 7

Clue 8

Clue 9

I know I promised to post my card for this challenge but I decided not to do that until Friday! So come on back here on Friday so you can see my card. In the meantime, have fun mystery stamping!

As promised here is my card! How does yours look - I would love to see!

 

 

Do you know the beautiful drapery card technique?

Today's Sweet Ice Cream thank you card features the Drapery technique, using the new Paper Blooms designer series paper. This paper folding technique is sometimes called the Curtain technique - it's fun and easy, so give it a try!

To make my card I used a phrase from the Sweet Ice Cream stamp set. This set comes bundled with the punch or you can purchase it separately.

For the Drapery technique, I chose a sheet of the new Paper Blooms paper - this pack is FREE with a $50 (€60) purchase at my online store - but only until 28 February, when Sale-a-bration ends. Click here to learn more and to download the Sale-a-Bration catalog for free. 

Aren't the patterns yummy? And what about those colors = soft and playful!

• Night of Navy
• Petal Pink
• Old Olive
• Rococo Rose
• Seaside Spray
• Soft Sea Foam

For my card base I chose Petal Pink and matched it with Night of Navy. Love this color combo! 

Here's my card - and don't miss my video below. Watch for my tips along the way, especially about the embellishment for this card. 

Tip: after the video recording ended I decided to add 3 additional embellishments. Can you spot them on my card? 

Stamp set: Sweet Ice Cream (154456)

Ink: Night of Navy

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Petal Pink: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
        Paper Blooms: 4" x 11 1/2"

Misc: Paper Blooms designer series paper (155222); Simply Scored; Multipurpose Liquid Glue; Playing with Patterns Ribbon Combo Pack (152468)

Here's my video - thanks for watching! 

Announcing my first ever mystery stamping event. Join the fun!

Have you heard of mystery stamping? If not, read on and join my first ever mystery stamping event!

What is mystery stamping, you ask? It's a fun way to create a card without knowing what the end result looks like!

Here's how it works.

Step one: I will share of all the supplies you need to gather, and the cutting measurements for your card stock pieces. 

Step two, three, four, and so on: I will tell you what to ink and stamp, how to layer all the bits and pieces, and where to place your images and layers. This is a slow reveal and you do each step in the process without peeking at the next step! 

The fun behind mystery stamping is that you use the supplies you have on hand and then once all the steps are done, we share our cards with each other. It's also fun to see who followed the instructions most closely - although that doesn't really matter to any of us, right?

Come on back here to my blog on Tuesday, 12 January, and join the fun of my first Mystery Stamping Event! Follow the steps and then post your card photo using the comment link under Tuesday's blog post. 

I will also host the event on my Facebook page. Click here to follow along on Facebook!