Nutz about Stamping

What kind of card would represent summer nights?

This week's Paper Craft Crew challenge card is a challenge indeed. A real stumper for me. 

I see the flowers on the image above but still wasn't completely inspired by what I own. Until I saw the sunset and thought that would be a good starting point and hopefully the rest will fall into place. 

So I pulled out my Blending Brushes to help me create color on my card base. 

I have used my blending brushes before to create a sunset feel so decided to try that idea again. This time, though, I used Pumpkin Pie at the top of my Bumblebee card base and then Cinnamon Cider at the bottom. I really like how it turned out!

Still stumped until I remembered, sadly, that I wanted to make a sympathy card for someone special. So I looked for a phrase next and saw the Color & Contour stamp set:

Yes, it comes as a bundle and I did buy the set and dies for other project ideas. But there is a two-part phrase in this set that expressed what I wanted to say to my special friend who will be getting my card. 

After I stamped this phrase onto the front of my card, inspiration finally hit! I would use my Meadow dies for the card elements, keeping my card simple but pretty. 

Yes another bundle and well worth it. But you can also buy the dies and stamp sets separately - you don't save $$ doing it that way but you need to do what works best for you and your budget.

I used one of the dies and one of the butterflies and my card is complete! What do you think? I would love a comment under this blog post if you have the time. 

Do you think my card now represents Summer Nights? I think so Let me know if you want more ideas for using your Blending Brushes - and I am happy to supply them in the coming weeks. 

Why not give this idea a try using what you have on hand? If you want to see what the other design crew members created for this week's card map challenge, click here to head on over to the Paper Craft Crew site. 

Here's a playful way to celebrate a very special day

1 July is a very special day for my Canadian family and friends. It is Canada Day, which means that 153 years ago Canada became a new federation with its own constitution. 

So every year I try to create and post a special card to honor Canada Day as Canada is the country of my birth and definitely worth celebrating!

Normally I use a maple leaf die but Stampin' Up! retired the pack of dies that I normally use. So I was a bit stumped for what to use. When these times happen I leaf my way through the catalog, looking specifically at the dies that I do own. Tip: I put a check mark on all the products I own so I know to use those consistently and avoid temptation as I go through the catalog! (ok I still give into temptation at times)

When my eye fell on the Playful Alphabet dies, I immediately got an idea! 

I love these dies! You can create custom die-cut letters, numbers, and the pack include duplicate letters (A, E, I, L, N, O, P, R, S, T). These dies are great for handmade birthday cards, scrapbook pages, and other paper crafts.

Do you see where I am heading? Clever you! I spelled out Happy Canada Day in red and used a white background. Add two red strips on the left and right sides and my card was done! 

 

My spacing wasn't perfect so I added the three little stars at the bottom to fill that white space. I love it and am excited to post it on my social media sites today so that my family and friends back home know I am celebrating with them today! 

Try this fun fold card technique to surprise and delight your friends

Hi fellow crafters! Today I am going to show you another fun fold technique using the Best Year and Forever Fern stamp sets and the matching Forever Flourishing dies. My card is going to be a birthday card but you can adapt this technique for other occasions too.

 

Let's have a look at the Best Year stamp set. These sentiments will help you make greeting cards for events throughout the year and can be used inside and outside your cards. I think Best Year one of those hidden gems in the annual catalog - it's a great value and I use it all the time. 

For the elements on my card I used the Forever Fern stamp set and Forever Flourishing dies. Below is a photo of the set and matching dies. It is no longer sold as a bundle but you can still buy these products in the current Annual Catalog. 

This fun fold technique is fabulous for using up those bits and pieces of designer series paper that you have been stashing. For my card I chose to use the Beauty of the Earth paper but you can use what you have on hand. 

Here's my Best Year fun fold card. Watch my video below to see how to make this technique! 

Here's what you need to make this fun fold technique:

Supplies

Stamp Sets:  Best Year (152568); Forever Fern (152559)

 

Ink: Misty Moonlight, Old Olive

 

Paper and cutting dimensions:       

    Misty Moonlight: 4 1/4" x 8 1/4" (score at 5 1/2"); 3" x 8" (score at 4")

    Basic White: 3" x 2 1/2";  (2) 2 3/4" x 1 1/2"; 3" x 1 1/2"

    Beauty of the Earth DSP: (2) 4" x 2 1/2"; 5 1/4" x 4"

 

Misc:  Forever Flourishing dies (152714); Stitched Rectangle dies ( 151820); Multi-purpose Liquid Glue;  White Crinkled Seam Binding (151326); Sponge Daubers (133733); Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (149653); Mini Stampin' Dimensionals; Beauty of the Earth paper (155841)

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

Here's a fun take on a 4th of July card - why not give it a try?

The 4th of July will be here before you know it. Barbecues, parties with neighbors, fireworks - the whole celebration shebang to enjoy!

So what about trying a 4th of July card when you craft this weekend? Here's a fun take on a 4th of July card for you to try, using the Celebrate Sunflowers stamp set:

When this set was first released it was sold as a bundle along with the dies. In the current annual catalog these are now sold separately: Celebrate Sunflowers #152517 and the Sunflowers dies #152704. Click here to order one or both of these products. 

The rest is just paper, the Brick & Mortar embossing folder and the Stars dies. Easy peasy! Tip: this would make a fab birthday card as well - just change the colors (or not!). 

Here's how to make this card at home. Happy 4th! 

Supplies:

• Stamp Sets – Celebrate Sunflowers (152517)
• Card Stock – Sahara Sand (121043); Real Red (102482); Night of Navy (100867); Basic White (159276)
• Misc. – 6x6 Regals (155227) and Neutrals (155226) Designer Series Paper (DSP); Regals Stampin’ Write Marker Assortment (147155); Brick & Mortar 3D embossing folder (149643); Stitched Rectangles dies (151820); Stitched Stars dies (150653); Rhinestone Basic Jewels (144220); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

Measurements: 

• Sahara Sand: 4-1/4” x 11”, folded in half for card base; 4-1/2” x 3-1/4”
• Real Red and Night of Navy: scraps for die cutting
• Real Red and Night of Navy DSP: scraps for die cutting
• Basic White: scraps for die cutting

Instructions:           

1. Use Brick & Mortar 3D embossing folder to emboss front of folded card.
2. Die cut one rectangle (3-7/8” x 7/8”) from Real Red DSP (from Regals pack) and Night of Navy DSP (from Neutrals pack) and 2 from Basic White cardstock.
3. Die cut 3 small stars (1 each from each of red, white, and blue cardstock).
4. Use Real Red marker to ink “LET’S celebrate” onto one white rectangle. Adhere all rectangle shapes to small piece of Sahara Sand cardstock and attach to card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
5. Adhere stars to rectangles and then attach a rhinestone to each star.

Sometimes simplicity says it all with your card designs. Do you agree?

Today I have such a simple card idea to share with you. But a card that is also gorgeous because of its simplicity!

I started off by choose my paper layer: Very Vanilla, Basic Black and the Simply Elegant designer series paper. I know that this paper pack was likely designed for weddings and such but I just can't help myself and use if for so many other ideas. 

And oddly, I often choose the patterned side that does not have the shiny inlays.

The leaves in the one of the designs immediately reminded me of my Forever Flourishing dies:

I decided to use the largest die and a scrap of Very Vanilla. Once I die-cut the fern and added it to my card front, I realized that I really only had room for a phrase. And that came from the Tasteful Touches stamp set:

All that was needed to complete my card was one simple Silver pearl. Here's my card and the instructions on how to make it. If you want to order any of these products from me, click on one of the product images to order it at my online store. 

Supplies:

• Stamp Sets – Tasteful Touches (152562)
• Card Stock – Very Vanilla (101650); Basic Black (121045)
• Stamp Pads – Smoky Slate (131202)
• Misc. – Simply Elegant designer series paper (DSP) (155761); Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755); Forever Flourishing dies (152714); Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (149653); Metallic Pearls (146282)

Measurements:  

• Very Vanilla:             8 1/2” x 5 ½”             3 ½” x 1”        4 ¼” x 3 ¼”
• Basic Black:             4” x 5 ¼”                               
• DSP:                         3 ¾” x 5”       

Instructions:

1. Fold Very Vanilla 8 ½” x 5 ½” card stock in half and crease to create card base.
2. Adhere Basic Black layer to card front using Multipurpose Liquid Glue.
3. Adhere DSP layer to card front using Multipurpose Liquid Glue.
4. Die-cut fern using Very Vanilla and Forever Flourishing dies. Adhere to card front using Multipurpose Liquid Glue.
5. Ink phrase and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Adhere to card front using Multipurpose Liquid Glue.
6. Add on Silver Metallic Pearl to complete card.

Can you guess what products I used for this card map challenge?

This week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge helped me to create a gorgeous friendship card!

I bet you can easily guess what I used for today's challenge! Yes, my Pierced Blooms dies because I am completely smitten with them: 

This pack is perfect for creating die cut flowers in several sizes, complete with stitching details, plus the leaves and centres to go with them. Try them on handmade cards, scrapbook pages, and other paper crafts.

For my challenge card I decided to use the same colors as I did for a recent Pierced Blooms fun fold card showing a fun fold card with a lovely surprise inside. This video received some rave reviews and so I decided to use the same flowers and color combo for this week's challenge. 

As you can see on the map above, the card is to use a phrase as well. I decided not to stamp a phrase on my flower, instead I put it right beside. I chose the 'hello' stamp from my Best Year stamp set. This set has such great value as you can use it all year long. 

Here's my challenge card: 

I hope you will give either my card a try or create something completely different using the supplies you have on hand. If you want to see what the other design crew members created for this week's challenge, click here! 

 

What lands on your doorstep in a cute, colorful, and collectible box?

Dream and discover In Color!  The June Paper Pumpkin ink-credible kit contained enough elements to create nine cards—and coordinating envelopes—including ink-stained paper pieces, an exclusive stamp set, and not one, but two Classic Stampin’ Spots! And, it all came in a cute, colorful, and collectible box.

So what is Paper Pumpkin, you ask? Have a look at this video:

With the Expressions In Color Paper Pumpkin Kit, you were introduced to our intriguing collection of In Colors for 2021–2023—and, you found a familiar shade from our 2020–2022 In Color selection.

What are In Colors, you ask? In Colors consist of a limited-edition collection of colors. Stampin' Up! comes up with a new collection every year, and release it around the same time as the release of our annual catalog! In each In Color collection, they will offer ink, paper, markers, and more. The catch? In Colors are only available to purchase for a period of two years, so stock up on your favorite In Color supplies while you can!

Now you can see the fun it would be to have a crafting kit land on your doorstep each month - with a unique set of different and delightful products to explore. Sadly the June kit is no longer available. 

But: you can subscribe here and excitedly away the July kit! And yes, I have a sneak peek too!

ABOUT THE KIT

Name The Adventure Begins

Details:

• Contains enough supplies to create twelve cards and coordinating envelopes.
• Card size: 4-1/4” x 5-1/2” (10.8 x 14cm)
• Envelope size: 4-1/2” x 5-3/4” (11.4 x 14.6 cm)
• Comes with a Stampin’ Spot plus an exclusive Stamp Set.
• Includes inspirational sentiments and adventure-themed imagery featuring these nature-inspired coordinating colors: Basic Black, Basic White, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, Flirty Flamingo, Garden Green, Granny Apple Green, Mango Melody, Night of Navy.

How to make your Quiet Meadow bundle a real standout on your cards

Hi fellow crafters! This week I am going to show you a fun coloring technique to make a real standout card using the Quiet Meadow bundle. My card is going to be a birthday card but you can adapt this technique for other occasions too.

 

First let's look at the Quiet Meadow bundle (so yum!):

 

As you can see the stamp set includes flowers, background patterns, and positive greetings so you can put them all together for perfect projects! Choose one greeting, flower, and pattern or bring several of them together for a collage effect. The wildflowers dies enable you to create an abundance of beautiful blossoms. Mix and match the different pieces to get the right look for your cards.

 

To create this gorgeous coloring technique you will need Water Painters and Fluid 100 Watercolor paper: 

 

 

Water Painters hold liquid for easy watercoloring. When you order them (click photo above to order a pack at my online store) you will get 3 painters in one pack: 1 fine tip, 1 medium tip, 1 large flat brush tip. You use Water Painters with Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper or Shimmery White Cardstock along with your Classic Ink pads or Watercolor Pencils.

 

Here's what the Fluid 100 Watercolor paper looks like: 

The Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper is a thick paper designed especially for watercolouring. It is cold-pressed, archival cotton paper and the color is natural white colour with subtle texture.

The reason you need this paper for today's card is that this high quality paper (click on the photo above to order it at my online store) absorbs color and wetness easily and won't wrinkle or shred. 

 

Here's my Quiet Meadow birthday card - and read on for the supplies you need to make it at home, along with a step-by-step video tutorial! 

 

 

Supplies

Stamp Sets:  Quiet Meadow bundle (155847); Art Gallery (154421)

 

Ink: Highland Heather, Soft Sea Foam

 

Paper and cutting dimensions:       

    Highland Heather: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" (21 x 14.8 cm)

    Basic White: 5 1/4" x 4 1/4" (10.5 x 14 cm); 3" x 1 1/2" (7.5 x 3.5 cm)

    Fluid 100 Watercolor paper: (3) 2" x 4 1/2" (5 x 11.5 cm); (2) 5 1/2" x 1" (14 x 2.5 cm)

   

Misc:  Meadow Dies (purchase separately using 155852); Scalloped Contours dies (purchase separately using 155560); Water Painters (151298); Blending Brushes (153611); Multi-purpose Liquid Glue; Fresh Freesia Open Weave Ribbon (155615); Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (149653); Mini Stampin' Dimensionals; Fluid 100 Watercolor paper (149612)

 

Here's my video tutorial - listen all the way through for BONUS tips and ideas! 

How this this set will inspire you with its flowers and beautiful line-art images

I love spring, it's my favorite time of year. And here in the Netherlands spring bring tulips, crocuses, hyacinths and peonies, just to mention a few gorgeous signs that much better weather is on the way. 

One tradition each spring is to drive to the tulips and hyacinths fields when the flowers are in full bloom. You can only see them for a few short weeks before they are harvested. And this year they were fabulous - maybe because we have been inside for so many months! Each time I visited the fields this year I took a few photos and decided that two of them were definitely a memory I wanted to preserve. 

Here's the funny thing. Although I own the Timeless Tulips stamp set, I decided not to use it on my page. Instead I chose the Painted Poppies stamp set (gasp). 

Painted Poppies 

When this set was first released it was bundled Painted Labels dies and you could also purchase a coordinating pack of elements - which of course I did. I promised myself that this was the year to use up my supplies, even the ones that are retired. And I know you will forgive me, right? Plus coloring these images with the Poppy Parade Stampin' Blends made a perfect match for the color of the tulips in my photos. 

Here's my page:

I will add journaling in a bit - that's pretty personal to me so I prefer to keep it private. I hope that you will preserve your special memories and lovely photos too - why not try my layout or if you also have the Painted Poppies stamp set, see how you can use this set on your next memory page. 

This card map challenge will help you use up leftover designer paper

This week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge will help you use up all those leftover pieces to designer paper that you have tucked away. 

This is such a simple layout idea and you can go wild with possibilities. As Father's Day is coming up next weekend I decided to create a masculine card idea using my Best Year stamp set:

This is the perfect set for so many different occasions so you get such good value from this purchase (tip: click on the image above to order it at my online store). You can stamp the phrases and die cut them out or use them to create a simple layer as I did below.

I also chose to sue some left over pieces of the Simply Elegant designer paper. An unusual choice you may be thinking! And I agree but I love to challenge my thinking when crafting and I think with the Basic Gray card base these particular paper designs just work. 

What I did struggle with was that single strip across the front of the card map. It looks like it is supposed to be a contrasting strip and I tried to see what might work. In the end I went with a strip of one of the larger patterns and am very happy with how it looks. 

The crowning touch, in my humble opinion are the 6 Gold Metallic Pearls. I seldom use the gold pearls on my cards but they were a perfect match on my card!

Here's my card. Although the photo makes the phrase look unnoticeable, in reality it really stands out.  

Now it's your turn. Why not challenge yourself and see what you can create using this week's card map challenge? If you want to see what the other crew members created for this week's challenge, click here. Happy designing! 

Here's a fantastic way to challenge your card making creativity

Do you struggle with card designs? Have you ever taken time to create a card and sat there completely stumped, not sure where to begin and what to use? Yes, I have been there too!

I have a fantastic way to challenge your creativity when card making: card map challenges! It took me years to realize that there are all sorts of card challenges out there that would help me overcome my creativity blocks. Once I started using card maps, card making became a breeze! 

I love card map challenges so much that I joined the Paper Craft Crew as one of their design crew members, committing to participate in their card map challenges every week. Here's the link to their site if you want to have a look around. 

To give you an idea of what a card map looks like, here's this week's Paper Craft Crew card map:

The idea is this: you look at the layout and then have a look at what you already own. Use the map to guide you in creating a card. As you can see in this particular challenge, there are three layers attached to the card base, each one is supposed to be unique. You are also to add a phrase on top of, or on, one of the layers. 

You decide on the colors, whether or not you want to use designer paper, and what kind of sentiment you will use (think what's coming in your life: birthday, graduation, Father's Day, etc). You also decide on the card base color. You can also change the layout from horizontal to vertical = the map is just a map, to guide you but as with any map, how you reach the final destination is up to you. Google does that too: gives you several different options to reach your destination and card map challenges do the same thing! 

Beyond making those decisions, the fun is adding embellishments (ribbon, gems, jewels, pearls, brads, etc) to complete your card. 

Other than Paper Craft Crew challenges, which are weekly, there are other sites that also offer weekly card challenges. Many are layout challenges like the one above; some sites also include color challenges, tic-tac-toe challenges, coloring tool challenges, and so on. 

Here are some of the other sites I often check out when I need card design inspiration:

• Global Design Project
• The Paper Players
• SUO Challenges
• Freshly Made Sketches

But: there are many other sites you can find if you ask The Google! If you want to see what I created using the card map challenge above, come on back tomorrow. My card is designed and my post is ready to share! 

This is a beautiful fun fold card idea you need to learn how to make

Hi fellow crafters! Today I am going to show you how to create a fun fold card with a nice surprise inside. I will be using the Pierced Blooms dies and Color & Contour stamp set. Once you learn how to make this fun fold card, you can adapt it for a variety of occasions.

 

 

I think the Pierced Blooms dies are amazing. You can die cut flowers in several sizes, plus leaves and centres to go with them. I love the stitching details on every die. Not only are they great for cards but also for scrapbook pages, and other paper crafts.  

 

The Color & Contour set has lovely phrases in such a pretty font. The photo above also shows the dies that you can bundle with the stamp set and get a 10% savings (bonus!). 

 

Here's my card! Below is a list of supplies and a video showing you how to create this card, step-by-step! 

 

 

Stamp Sets:  Color & Contour (154994)

Ink: Night of Navy

 

Paper and cutting dimensions:       

Basic White:  (2) 2 3/4" x 3 1/4"

Granny Apple Green: 3 1/4" x 3 3/4"; 5" x 3 3/4"; 1 1/2" x 5"

Night of Navy: 1 3/4" x 1 1/4"; (2) 3" x 3 1/2"; 5 1/2" x 6 1/4" (scored at 2")

Bumblebee: (5) 1 3/4" square

   

Misc:  Pierced Blooms dies (154312); Multi-purpose Liquid Glue, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals;  Mini Glue Dots; Bone Folder; Bumblebee Gingham Ribbon (153658); Silicone Craft Sheet; Mini Glue Dots; Blue Adhesive-backed Gems (153547)

 

Here's a photo of the card when it is open - showing the fun surprise inside: 

 

 

Do you like fun-fold card ideas? If you'd like to see more, then simply comment 'see more' under this video in the comments section. And listen all the way through for my BONUS tips!

 

 

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If you love metallic then this is the card challenge for you

I think this week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge is super fun - because of the unusual elements that have to be present on your card:

I am not much of a metallic person but I did purchase the Simply Elegant paper and went immediately to my stash to find a pattern that I loved. Once I did the rest of my card came together quite nicely. 

First let's look at Simply Elegant: 

Lovely right? And it has copper, gold and silver foiling. Plus, it has Basic Black and Very Vanilla, so with one pack of paper I can check of three of the challenge items. 

And then I got completely stuck. I had no idea what element I wanted to put on my card. I tried three different stamp set images, each embossed with Copper embossing powder. But none of them looked very good. In the end, I decided to go simple and simply add a phrase from the Tasteful Touches stamp set. I have used this set a lot lately: 

Here's my challenge card - I love how it turned out and feel that adding the Pale Papaya butterfly from the Meadow dies (part of the Quiet Meadow bundle):

made a nice final touch. Is it 'pop' of color? Not sure but it works for me!

Here's another angle:

Now it's your turn! Give our card map challenge a try and see what you can create using what you have on hand. If you want to see what the other design crew members created this week, click here. 

Father's Day cards don't have to be difficult to impress

Father's Day is coming soon - are you ready? If not, I have a really fun and very simple card idea using the Handsomely Suited stamp set and coordinated Suite & Tie dies. 

Here's the Handsomely Suited stamp set, a great value for all this masculine cards you will be making every year:

 

And what if we paired the stamp set and dies with the Pansy Petals designer series paper? Unusual, huh! 

But it is such a good fit, don't you think? And remember, Father's Day cards don't have to be difficult to impress your dad. He will love whatever you create for him! 

Here's how to make this card. 

Supplies:

• Stamp Sets – Handsomely Suited (154444)
• Card Stock – Evening Evergreen (155574); Soft Seafoam (146988): Soft Succulent (155776); Basic White (159276)
• Stamp Pads – Evening Evergreen (155576)
• Misc. – Pansy Petals Designer Series Paper (DSP) (155807); Suit & Tie Dies (154322); Dimensionals (104430); Genial Gems (155500); adhesive of choice

Measurements:

• Evening Evergreen 1: 11” x 4 1/4”               
• Soft Seafoam 2:            5 3/8” x 4 1/8”, 4" x 1 1/4" (for sentiment)
• Soft Succulent 3: scrap to stamp & cut bow tie
• Basic White:  5 1/4" x 4" for liner
• DSP:                         5 1/4" x 4"     

Instructions:

• Score & fold Evening Evergreen card base at 5 1/2"
• Adhere Soft Seafoam mat to card base. Adhere DSP to Soft Seafoam mat
• Stamp the dotted bow tie onto the Soft Succulent scrap, die-cut using larger bow tie die
• Stamp sentiment onto the Soft Seafoam strip over to the right side
• Adhere the sentiment strip to the card front about 1" from the bottom
• Adhere the bow tie to the left side of the sentiment strip using Dimensionals
• Add a green Genial Gem below the bow tie
• Adhere the Basic White liner to the inside of the card & decorate as desired