Nutz about Stamping

See how to create a diagonal optical illusion layer on your cards

This week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge is a fun one:

I love the layout but the diagonal sentiment kind of stumped me. So I decided to create an optical illusion strip on the front of my card and use two of the same sizes of layers above and below the strip. It wasn't until after I finished my card that I noticed that the top layer is a little bit narrower. But no matter. 

What makes this card look tricky is the diagonal strip because it makes the striped paper on the map below it look like it was cut diagonal. But not necessarily! If your sentiment strip is wide enough you can angle the strip when attaching it to the card so it looks like the striped paper is cut on the diagonal. Pretty fun optical illusion huh! 

For the bottom part of my card I actually used Christmas paper! (HA) the Tidings of Christmas pack is really designed for your Christmas cards but the patterns in the pack can also be used for other occasions my birthday card below! 

I love that this paper uses two of the new In Colors: Soft Succulent and Evening Evergreen so I used those colors for the stems, phrase and narrow strip on my card front. 

And of course I just had to use my Meadow dies for the flowers! The dies come bundle with the quiet Meadow stamp set or you can purchase them separately. Your choice. 

Psst: Did you know that if you click the product photos above you will link over to my online store? Easy peasy! 

Here's my challenge card.

As I walked away from my table top photo box it crossed my mind that 3 small pearls might be a nice touch so I added these to my card and took a second photo.

Which do you like best? With pearls or without? 

If you want to see what the other design crew members created for this week's challenge, click here to hop on over to the Paper Craft Crew site. And why not give this map a try? You just may love the optical illusion sentiment strip that you will create! 

This beautiful fancy fold card has a fun surprise inside

Hi fellow crafters! Today I am going to show you a beautiful fancy fold card that has a fun surprise inside. I will be using my Beauty of Friendship bundle, a left over piece of Beauty of the Earth designer series paper and I will be giving you a sneak peek at a super cute stamp set that will be available to order in August.  

 

I have used the Beauty of Friendship bundle a lot in the past few weeks. I love the tree images and the variety of phrases, and the dies add   visual interest and texture. 

 

 

And, I am quite proud to say, I have almost used up my entire pack of Beauty of the Earth designer series paper. That might not seem like a big deal to you but if you saw my paper stash you would shake your head! 

 

 

Combine these products along with the fancy fold technique that I share on my video below, and you can create this super fun card idea! 

 

 

And here's the surprise inside:

 

 

Here's what you need to make this card. 

 

Supplies:

 

Stamp Set: Beauty of Friendship (bundle 155834); Nuts about Squirrels (156475)

 

Ink: Cinnamon Cider, Early Espresso, Misty Moonlight

 

Paper and cutting dimensions:       

    Basic White:  11" x 4 1/4"; 2 1/2" x 1 1/4"; (3) 2 1/4" square

    Beauty of the Earth: (3) 5 1/4" x 4; 3 1/2" x 3

    Mossy Meadow: 4" x 3 1/4"

    Misty Moonlight: 11" x 1"

    Merry Merlot: 2 3/4" x 1 1 /2"

    Cinnamon Cider: (4) 2" squares; 4 1/2" x 3 1/2"

 

Misc: Paper Snips; Multi-purpose Liquid Glue; Bone Folder; Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine; Mini Glue Dots; Beauty of the Earth DSP (155841); Beautiful Trees dies

 

Here's my video. ***Be sure to watch all the way through for my bonus tips and design ideas AND to see a second card idea using the same technique.

 

 

This colorful pocket card is perfect for birthdays and other occasions

Today's project is a beautiful and colorful pocket card idea, featuring the Expressions in Ink paper:

This pack of paper is the feature on this card and once you know how to make one, you can make several for the different occasions you need this year. 

This card is a birthday card, with the phrase and embellishments coming from the Artistically Inked stamp set: 

I love the font for the phrases - each one unique from the rest! 

Here's the birthday pocket card project and the instructions on how to make it are below. Why not give it a try! 

 

Supplies:

• Stamp Sets – Artistically Inked (154542)
• Card Stock (CS) – Shaded Spruce (146981); Basic White Thick (159229)
• Ink Pads – Magenta Madness (153117); Shaded Spruce (147088); Pale Papaya (155670)
• Misc. – Artistic Dies (155371); Stitched Rectangles Dies (151820); Expressions in Ink Designer Series Paper (DSP (155464); Artistry Booms Adhesive-Backed Sequins (152477); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430): Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals (144108); Tear & Tape (154031); Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755); Bone Folder (102300); Take Your Pick Tool (144107); Paper Trimmer (152392); Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (149653)

Measurements: 

• Shaded Spruce CS: 11” x 4-1/4”, scored in half at 5-1/2” (2 pieces)
• Basic White Thick CS: 5-1/4” x 3-3/4” plus scraps for die cutting
• DSP: 5-1/4” x 4”, then cut in half diagonally

Instructions:

1. Burnish the folds in the two Shaded Spruce CS bases.
2. Lay the bases side by side, lying horizontally, so the folds are on the left and right.
3. Cut the front of the left base diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom right corner.
4. Cut the front of the right base diagonally from the bottom left to the top right.
5. Glue the back of the bases together, so that the triangular fronts overlap in the front.
6. Glue the DSP triangles onto the two card fronts.
7. Using Tear & Tape, adhere the left front onto the inside, only along the very bottom edge.
8. Using Tear & Tape along the bottom edge, and glue where the two fronts overlap, adhere the right front down. Now you have a pocket!
9. Using the large ink splotch stamp and Pale Papaya ink, stamp along the top edge of the 5-1/4” x 3-3/4” Basic White Thick card stock piece.
10. Onto a scrap of Basic White Thick CS, stamp the larger flower and the tiny flowers in Magenta Madness ink., and 2 leaves and the sentiment in Shaded Spruce ink.
11. Die cut the sentiment using the Stitched Rectangles Dies.
12. Die cut the flowers and leaves using the Artistic Dies.
13. Lay all the die cut pieces on the front of the pocket to arrange them, then glue all the pieces together in a cluster.
14. Adhere the cluster onto the card front using Stampin’ Dimensionals (I used the regular size and the mini.)
15. Apply sequins onto the large flower and the larger two of the tiny flowers.
16. Slide the Basic White Thick CS piece into the top of the pocket.

Have you ever been uncertain about a stamping technique? Don't miss out.

Watercoloring.

Just reading the word on this week's Paper Craft Crew challenge made me shudder. Watercoloring is one stamping technique that I don't feel comfortable with...yet. 

And as much as I tried to avoid it, I didn't have the supplies for any other row or column. So I did what I usually do - avoid. Until the last minute and then I had to face it head on. 

After a good night's sleep I pulled out my Water Painters and watercolor paper and stared them down. 

I knew that I wanted to use the beautiful tree and birds dies and a phrase from the Beauty of Friendship bundle: 

So I convinced myself that I do have an inner artist and to just give it a try. I grabbed some ink pads and tries to create a sunset on a piece of watercolor paper, after I die cut it using the Scalloped Contours dies. 

And you know what? I kind of like it! So much in fact that I decided that my card didn't need any additional elements on it. What do you think? I would love some encouraging words if you don't mind leaving me a comment. 

The moral of this story: Have you ever been uncertain about a stamping technique? Don't miss out. Give it a try and you just might fall in love with your own creative abilities! 

Hint: if you want to see what the other Paper Craft Crew design team members created for this week's challenge, click here to head on over to that site. 

 

Have you ever tried this fun fold technique? It is amazingly easy!

Hi fellow crafters! Today I am going to show you a fun fold technique that may be familiar to you but I am going to add a bit of a twist.  I will be using the Forever Fern stamp set and coordinating Forever Flourishing dies. 

 

First let's have a look at the products I used to make my fun fold card. I chose the Forever Fern stamp set for the phrase and to create some embellishments for the front of my card:

 

You can use the Forever Fern set to create cards and accents with the detailed leaves. This is a "Distinktive" stamp set (patent pending!); it has a special texture on each stamp that gives added depth and dimension in a single step, creating photo-realistic images.

 

The Forever Flourishing dies are the perfect complement to the Forever Fern stamp set - makes for easy die-cutting instead of 'fussy cutting' with scissors: 

 

 

Green thumb or not, these dies are perfect for you! Create custom die-cut leaves using the Forever Flourishing dies. Pair the dies with the coordinating Forever Fern stamp set to quickly cut out stamped images from the set. You’ll love the beautiful natural aspect it will bring to your projects!

 

The stamp set and dies are a nice complement to the Beauty of the Earth paper: 

 

You can get lost in the woods with the forest-themed patterned papers in the Beauty of the Earth designer series paper. This  paper is excellent scrapbook paper, card making paper, and more. Pack includes various outdoor-themed images, prints, and patterns. Use them to create masculine projects and more. The paper colors include: Bumblebee, Cajun Craze, Cinnamon Cider, Early Espresso, Merry Merlot, Misty Moonlight, Night of Navy, Mossy Meadow, and Old Olive.

 

Here's my interlocking fun fold card idea - complete with a list of supplies and paper measurements and a video tutorial showing you how to create this fun fold:

 

 

Supplies (note: click on any of the product photos above to link over to my online store)

 

 

Stamp Sets:  Forever Fern (152559)

 

Ink: Old Olive, Cinnamon Cider, Pumpkin Pie

 

Paper and cutting dimensions:       

        Basic White:  8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; (2) 2 1/4" squares; (2) 2 1/4" squares

        Beauty of the Earth: (2) 5 3/8" x 2"

        Merry Merlot: (2) 2 3/4" square

 

Misc: Forever Flourishing dies (152714); Multi-purpose Liquid Glue; Bone Folder; Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine; Mini Glue Dots; Beauty of the Earth DSP (155841); Layering Circles dies (151770); Metallic Pearls (146282)

 

And here's my video: be sure to watch all the way through for my bonus tips and design suggestions AND to see a second idea using the same technique.

 

 

Learn how to create your own beautiful peach orchard on a card

Everything is peachy when you craft with the Sweet As a Peach bundle.

You can build your own images by stamping the peaches, flowers, and foliage individually; the images are perfect for watercoloring. Then add a sentiment that expresses your feelings: thanks, happy birthday, celebrate, and more for perfect handmade cards.

Which is what I have for you today! This card has lots of layers and is paired with embossed (Tasteful Textile) and die cut layers (Scalloped Contours dies) - all of these add texture and visual interest, don't they? 

Here's how to make this beautiful card, why not give it a try? 

Supplies:

• Stamp Sets – Sweet As A Peach (155050); (Bundle 155823)
• Card Stock – Basic White (159276); Pear Pizzaz (131201)
• Stamp Pads – Pear Pizzaz (147104); Calypso Coral (122934); Pale Papaya (155670)
• Misc. – Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430); Bone Folder (102300); You’re A Peach Designer Series Paper (DSP) (155686); Peach Dies (155829); Elegant Faceted Gems (152464); Scalloped Contours Dies (155560); Tasteful Textile 3D Embossing Folder (152718); Pale Papaya 3/8” Open Weave Ribbon (155672); Clear Wink of Stella (141897); Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755); Calypso Coral (154881) and Pale Papaya (155519) Stampin’ Blends; Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (149653); Mini Glue Dots (103683); Paper Snips Scissors (103579)

Measurements: 

• You’re A Peach DSP: 2 ½” x 4”
• Pear Pizzaz: 5 ½” x 11”, 4” x 5 ¼”
• Basic White: 4” x 5 ¼”, 4 ¾” x 3 ½”, scraps for sentiment & peaches
• Pale Papaya Ribbon: 4”

Instructions:           

1. Fold the Pear Pizzaz card base in half and use bone folder to flatten the fold. Emboss the Pear Pizzaz layer using the Tasteful Textile 3D Embossing Folder. Adhere this piece to the card front with multipurpose liquid glue.
2. Adhere the DSP to the center of the card front using multipurpose liquid glue.
3. Die cut a stitched scalloped rectangle from the smaller piece of Basic White using the appropriate size Scalloped Contours die. Stamp the peach tree leaves with Pear Pizzaz ink on the stitched scallop rectangle. Stamp “To a sweet friend” near the bottom right of this piece using Pear Pizzaz ink. Die cut a small, dotted scalloped rectangle (from the Scalloped Contours dies) from a scrap piece of Basic White.  Stamp “Happy Birthday” on this piece with Calypso Coral ink. 
4. Stamp the 3 peaches on a scrap of Basic White card stock with Pale Papaya ink. Add accents with the Calypso Coral and Pale Papaya Stampin’ Blends. Die cut the peaches with the coordinating die from the Peaches dies.
5. Adhere peaches to stamped leaves piece with dimensionals. Apply wink of stella to the peaches. Tie a simple knot in the ribbon and adhere to the top of the branch with a glue dot. Adhere to card front with multipurpose liquid glue. Adhere sentiment piece with dimensionals.  Add 3 gems.
6. Stamp the remaining Basic White card stock piece as desired for the inside of the card.

Want to learn an amazing optical illusion technique for your cards?

Hi fellow crafters! Today I am going to show you a fun technique that creates an illusion on your cards.  I will be using the beautiful Color & Contour bundle and introducing a brand new product from Stampin' Up!s next mini catalog!

 

One of the perks of joining Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator is the opportunity to earn free products and the Color & Contour bundle was one of my new catalog free choices. 

 

 

The open-line floral art and abstract filler stamps allows for a range of coloring techniques. This bundle also includes a number of scalloped border dies that range in size, allowing you to decorate a card front or create scalloped labels for your sentiments.

 

I created a video tutorial showing you, step-by-step, how to create the Floating Strips optical illusion. One of the products I highly recommend is the Foam Adhesive Strips.

 

 

These are perfect for shaker cards to add depth and dimension - you will want the depth for this technique. 

 

Here's my card: 

 

 

 

Here's what you need to try this technique at home.

 

Stamp Sets:  Color & Contour bundle (158356)

 

Ink: Misty Moonlight; Bumblebee

 

Paper and cutting dimensions:       

    Basic White:  8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 3 3/4" x 2"; 3 3/4" x 5"     

    Bumblebee: (5) 3 1/4" x 1/4"; 4" x 5 1/4"

    Misty Moonlight: (5) 3 1/4" x 1/4"

    Window Sheet: 3" square

 

Misc: Foam Adhesive Strips (152815); Multi-purpose Liquid Glue, Bumblebee Gingham Ribbon (153658); Bone Folder; Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine; Mini Glue Dots; Timeworn Type 3D embossing folder (156505); Window Sheets (142314)

 

 

Be sure to watch all the way through for my bonus tips and design suggestions AND to see a second idea using the same technique. And don't miss that new catalog product, coming soon! 

Make this beautiful fun fold card and wow your friends and family

Do you know what you get when you combine the Beauty of the Earth paper, the Color & Contour stamp set, and the Floral Gallery and Pierced Blooms dies? You get a WOW card idea that unfolds a surprise inside! Be sure to watch all the way through my video for my bonus tips and design ideas. 

I think you know by now that I am completely addicted to the Pierced Blooms dies. 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 these dies great for cards but also for scrapbook pages and other paper crafts.

I choose a design in the Beauty of the Earth paper pack that coordinates beautifully with my fun fold design. This paper is perfect for outdoor-themed images, prints, and patterns and for masculine projects. 

I chose the phrase die in the Art Gallery bundle for the inside of my card - easy to die cut and perfect for the occasion. 

And for the surprise inside, I used a phrase from the Color & Contour stamp set. This set is bundled with some gorgeous dies. I predict many lovely layers in my future designs using this bundle: 

Here's what you get when you combine all the products above. (If you want to order any of them, click on their images to link over to my online store) Underneath my card photo is a list of supplies and measurements along with a step-by-step video. 

Be sure to listen all the way through my video for my bonus tips and design ideas. 

Here's is the card open, so you can see the WOW fold inside. 

Stamp Set:  Color & Contour (154994)

 

Ink: Mango Melody

 

Paper and cutting dimensions:       

    Basic White:  11" x 2 1/4"; 8 3/8" x 4 1/8"; 3" x 1 1/2"

    Daffodil Delight: (6) 2" square;

    Mango Melody: (3) 2" square

    Old Olive: (3) 1 3/4" x 1 1/4" ; (3) 4" x 3/4"

    Early Espresso: (2) 1 3/4" x 1"; 3" square

    Beauty of the Earth DSP: 5 1/8" x 4"; 4" x 2 6/8"

    Bumblebee ribbon: 12"

   

Misc:  Pierced Blooms dies (154312); Floral Gallery dies (154316);  Stitched Rectangles dies (148551); Multi-purpose Liquid Glue, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals;  Mini Glue Dots; Bone Folder; Bumblebee Gingham Ribbon (153658); Silicone Craft Sheet;  Mini Glue Dots; 2021-23 In Color Jewels (155571)

 

Here's my video - thanks for watching! 

 

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.

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! 

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. 

Learn how to make this gorgeous surprise birthday card element

Hi fellow crafters! Today I am going to show you how to create another over-the-top card idea - a stunning birthday card that has a unique surprise inside. I will be using the Forever Fern, Tasteful Touches and Best Year stamp sets: 

 

Forever Fern (matching dies now sold separately)

 

 

Tasteful Touches:

 

 

Best Year:

 

 

along with the Beauty of the Earth designer paper:

 

 

You won't want to miss this one!

 

I decided that I would use two main colors for my over-the-top card idea: Mossy Meadow and Misty Moonlight, two of the colors in the Beauty of the Earth paper. 

 

Here's  photo of the outside of my card:

 

 

And the surprise inside: 

 

 

Which has it's own surprise: 

 

 

Here's what you need to make this card - and I have created a video tutorial to show you how, step-by-step with bonus tips along the way! 

 

If you want to order any of these stamp sets, click on the set image to link over to my online store. 

 

Supplies

 

Stamp Sets:  Forever Fern (152559); Tasteful Touches (152562); Best Year (152568)

 

Ink: Mossy Meadow; Misty Moonlight

 

Misc: Beautiful Trees dies (155840);  Forever Flourishing dies (152714); Multi-purpose Liquid Glue, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals;  Mini Glue Dots;  Bone Folder;  Beauty of the Earth designer series paper (155841); Layering Circles dies (151770); Scalloped Contours dies (155560); Tear & Tape adhesive; Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

 

Paper and cutting dimensions:     

For main card: 

Basic White:  10 1/4" x 5 1/8" (13 x 26 cm); 3" x 2" (7.5 x 4.5 cm); 2" x 1 1/4" (5 cm x 3 cm)
Misty Moonlight: 4 1/4" x 3" (11 x 8 cm); 1 1/2" x 1 1/4" (3.5 x 3 cm);

Beauty of the Earth: 5 1/8" square (13 cm square);  5 1/8" x 1 1/4"  (13 x 3 cm); 3 1/8" x 1/4" (8 x .5 cm)

 

For inside mini card:

Basic White: two pieces: 2 1/2" x 1 3/4" (6.5 x 4 cm); 2 3/4" x 1 1/2" (7.25 x 4 cm); two pieces 2 1/2" x 1 3/4"; 2" x 1 1/4" (5 x 3 cm); 

Misty Moonlight: 2' square (5 cm); 4" square (10 cm)

Beauty of the Earth: 5 1/8" x 1 1/4" (13 x 3 cm); 1/4" x 3 1/8" (13 x 1 cm); ; 3 1/2" square (9 cm square); (2) 3 1/2" x 1/4" (9 x .5 cm)

 

Here's my video, thanks for watching! And remember to leave me a comment if you want to see more over-the-top ideas!

   

 

See the masculine set that will inspire all your new adventures

Whether you're sailing home or going off to new adventures, the images and sentiments in the Sailing Home stamp set will inspire you on your journey. And it is what I chose for today's card map challenge: 

This challenge was super inspiring for me. I decided to pull out some of my old products and use them with the Sailing Home stamp set and Smooth Sailing dies which are still available for purchase:

I think this combo is perfect for masculine cards and with Father's Day coming up soon, I decided to make a masculine card idea to share with you. 

What makes this card so striking is the background layer, which came from the retired Memories & More card kit that was released the same year as the Sailing Home set and dies. I have always wanted to try this overlay and wow, I am so happy I did! Note: the striped layer also came from the same card kit. 

Here's my Sailing Home Father's Day card:

Want to see what the other Paper Craft Crew members created for this week's challenge? Click here! We hope you will give this map a try and see what you can create using what you have on hand. 

 

This beautiful birthday card idea is perfect for your special friends

Today I am going to show you how to create a beautiful Color & Contour birthday card idea that is perfect for your special friends. This 'over the top creation' will take a bit longer to make but is well worth the effort.

 

One of the perks of joining Stampin' Up! is the opportunity to earn free products and the Color & Contour bundle was one of my new catalog free choices. I have to confess that at first the stamp set wasn't thrilling me but I loved the dies so I thought, well it's free so why not? But now that I have been crafting with the set it I love it as much as the dies.

Supplies: 

Stamp Sets:  Color & Contour bundle (158356); Art Gallery (154421)

 

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Smoky Slate; Fresh Freesia

 

Paper and cutting dimensions:       

Basic White: 11" x 4 1/4"; 4" x 2 1/4"; 2 1/8" x 3 3/8"

Gorgeous Grape: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"

Fresh Freesia: 3 3/4" x 4 3/4"

Smoky Slate: 3 1/2" x 2 1/4"

   

Misc:   Stampin' Blends: Fresh Freesia and Soft Succulent;  Multi-purpose Liquid Glue, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals;  Mini Glue Dots; Fresh Freesia Open Weave Ribbon (155615) 6 1/2" and strip for bow; Bone Folder; Tear & Tape adhesive; In Color Jewels (155571)

 

Here's my card: 

Want to see step-by-step how to make it? I created a YouTube video showing you how. Listen all the way through to hear my Bonus tips! 

 

Here's the perfect way to feature some of the new In Colors

Which of the new In Colors is your fave? 

• Pale Papaya
• Fresh Freesia
• Polished Pink
• Evening Evergreen
• Soft Succulent

Regardless of which is your fave, today's card is a fun way to feature one or more of these fab new colors. 

The card below uses the new Color & Contour bundle:

I earned this bundle for free and chose it particularly for the dies. But I am quickly learning that the stamp set is fun too!

Create your own background paper layer but make it the feature on your card. Add a simple phrase and embellishment and here's what you get:

Here's how to make this cute card! Want to order the Color & Contour bundle? Click here!

Supplies:

• Stamp Sets – Color & Contour Bundle (158356)
• Card Stock – Fresh Freesia (155613); Basic White (159276); Basic Black (121045);
• Stamp Pads – Memento Tuxedo Black (132708); Fresh Freesia (155611); Pale Papaya (155670); Petal Pink (147108)
• Misc. – 2021-2022 In Color Markers (155639); 3/8” Open Weave Ribbon (155615); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430); Mini Glue Dots (103683)

Measurements: 

• Fresh Freesia: 5 ½” x 8 ½” score at 4 ¼”
• Basic Black: 5 ¼” x 4”
• Basic White: 5 1/8” x 3 7/8”, scrap for die cut

Instructions:

1. Stamp the sentiment on white scrap.
2. Die cut with the frame that fits the sentiment. In the sample the smallest die cut is used.
3. Stamp the flower outline with black ink on the white cardstock.
4. Stamp the fill in flower with the three ink pads.
5. Color the centers of the flowers using the markers.
6. Stamp the “splatter” stamp using the Fresh Freesia ink pad.
7. Layer all cardstock layers together. Add the sentiment using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
8. Add a bow to the left side of the sentiment.