Nutz about Stamping

How to create a colorful card with aqua painters

Today I have a color birthday card idea using two sets, some ink and your aqua painters. If you haven't colored using Aqua Painters yet, you need to give this tool a try. 

Aqua Painters
$17.00

 

You get two painters per pack - one with a narrower brush tip and one with a wider brush tip. Fill the 'tank' with water and pick up color from your ink pads. If you would like a video on how to use Aqua Painters, leave a comment below - your wish is my command!

Tip: When you use Aqua Painters you must use an archival ink pad, like our Jet Black StazOn ink. If you don't use archival ink and you color with the painters the ink will run and look very messy. 

 What I love about today's Half Full card is that you can choose any colors you want for the images and card layers. You can make this card seasonal, festive, antique or playful. Don't miss a full set of instructions below. 

If you want to place an order for the products used to make this card, click the online store link below:

 

Half Full birthday card

Supplies:

• Stamps: Half Full Clear-Mount Stamp Set [144999] , Window Shopping Clear-Mount Stamp Set [143265]
• Ink :  Berry Burst Classic [144083] , Old Olive Classic [126953], StazOn Jet Black [141406]
• Card Stock :  Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] , Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] , Berry Burst 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [144243], Watercolor Paper [122959]
• Tools & Adhesive :  Aqua Painters [103954] , Paper Snips Scissors [103579],  Pearl Basic Jewels [144219] , Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]

 

 Cutting Measurements: 

• Whisper White Thick: 5 ½  x 8 ½ ” card base; 
• Whisper White CS: 3 ¼  x 4 ½ ”  
• Berry Burst CS: 3 3/8 x 4 5/8 ”  
• Watercolor paper: about 3 x 4

 

Instructions: 

1. Create card front from thick Whisper White CS by scoring at 4 ¼ ”. 
2. Stamp wine bottle, glass and part of the tag with grape on scrap watercolor paper in archival black ink. Using Aqua painter to paint stamped images with old olive ink and berry burst. Just squeeze the lid of the ink pads to transfer the ink to the lid and use it as a pallet. Let the images dry then cut them with the paper snips. Set aside.
3. Stamp “Happy Birthday” image in top right side of the whisper with piece. Mount into berry burst mat. Then adhere to the card base with snail.
4. Adhere bottle with snail and wine glass and grape with dimensionals.
5. Embellish with pearls.

How to send beautiful smiles across the miles

Do you have long distance friends and family that you FaceTime or Skype with? Although that form of communication is fun and instant, what is longer lasting is sending them a card in the mail. 

I wish I had a dollar for every time someone said to me: I still have that birthday/Christmas/friendship card you sent me. And I wish you could feel how awesome it is to hear that from someone I care about. 

The next time you craft, have that special person in mind and try the card layout below. For this idea, I had my son in mind so I chose colors that were more masculine:

• Basic Black
• Gray Granite
• Smoky Slate
• Melon Mambo - for a touch of color

 Regardless of masculine or feminine, the Lift Me Up stamp set would work fine:

Lift Me Up Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$21.00

This set is super because of the images and the phrases. And there are matching thinlits too. The background was too plain so I decided to add a Tin Tile embossed layer which took my card from 'ok' to 'wow'. 

As a final touch I added the banner and strip and then popped the hot air balloon up off the circles layers using a Stampin' Dimensional. 

Here's my card - don't miss the full instructions underneath:

Who will you send your next card to? Leave me a comment below and tell me: friend or family!

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Lift Me Up (clear 142896, wood 142893)
• Card Stock – Mango Melody (146989), Gray Granite (146983), Whisper White (100730), Basic Gray (121044), Basic Black (121045)
• Ink: Basic Gray (149165)
• Stampin’ Write Markers: Mango Melody (147157, Brights Collection) Gray Granite (147158, Neutrals Collection)
• Misc. – SNAIL Adhesive (104332), Big Shot (143263), Up & Away thinlits (142748), Magnetic Platform (130658), Tin Tile Dynamic Impressions embossing folder (147906), Layering Circles framelits (141705), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

Measurements: 
Mango Melody: 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”; 3” square (for circle); 1/4” x 5”
Whisper White: 2 3/4” square (for circle); 4 1/4” x 4 1/4”
Basic Gray: 5 1/2” x 1 1/4”
Gray Granite: 4 1/4” x 4"
Basic Black: 5" x 1"

Instructions:

1. Fold Mango Melody card stock in half to create card base. 
2. Enclose Gray Granite layer inside Tin Tile embossing folder and emboss using Big Shot.  Adhere to Whisper White layer and then to card front.
3. Cut banner end to Basic Gray strip. Adhere Mango Melody strip then adhere banner layer to card front. 
4. Diecut Whisper White circle and Mango Melody scallop circle. Adhere together.  
5. Ink and stamp Balloon on Whisper White card stock, using Mango Melody and Gray Granite Stampin’ Write markers. Diecut using Up & Away thinlits. Adhere to scallop circle using Stampin’ Dimensionals. 
6. Ink phrase using Basic Gray ink and stamp onto Mango Melody card front. 

You need to try this unusual card layout

Whenever I take time to craft a card I love to look for unusual layout ideas, do you? I think trying different layouts helps to stretch us and our ability to think about crafting in different ways. 

Today I have one of those unusual layouts for you to try yet as you look closely you will see that it is actually quite easy to create, thanks to your Big Shot, Layering Circles framelits and Softly Falling embossing folder. 

Here's a funny thought: while all of you are thinking Thanksgiving cards and Christmas cards right now, I am diving deep into birthday card ideas. Yep. My entire family was born in November which means I have to put Thanksgiving and Christmas ideas on hold for a couple of weeks while I madly craft birthday cards to mail to them. 

The card below uses the the Picture Perfect Birthday stamp set for the featured phrase. Pair this phrase with the fun Broadway Bound paper, a couple of bright color layers and a piece of ribbon, and you get this:

 

Here is a list of supplies and a set of instructions in case you need to make birthday cards in November too! Enjoy. 

Supplies

Stamp Sets:  Picture Perfect Birthday (p 145519 )

Inks:  Black Memento Pad (132708)

Paper:  Gray Granite (147118), Lemon Lime Twist (144245), Lovely Lipstick (146970), Basic Black (1211045), Whisper White (100730)

Other:  Broadway Bound Specialty Designer Series Paper (146277), Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (143263), Layering Circles Framelits Dies (141705), Softly Falling Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (139672), Lemon Lime Twist 3/8” Mini Ruffled Ribbon (146947), Faceted Dots (146910), Mini Glue Dots (103683) Snail (104332), Dimensionals (104430)

Non-SU: Stapler

Measurements: 

• Gray Granite: 8 ½” x 5 ½”; scored at 4 ¼” 11 x 4 ¼”; scored at   5 ½”
• Lovely Lipstick: 5 x 1 ¼”
• Lemon Lime Twist: 4 ¼” x 2”
• Basic Black: 3 ¾” x 3 ¾”; 2 ¾” x 2 ¾”
• DSP: 3 ½” x 3 ½”
• Whisper White:  2 ½” x 2 ½”
• Ribbon:  5”

 

Instructions: 

1. Fold the Gray Granite card stock in half to form the card base.
2. Emboss the Lemon Lime Twist card stock, with the embossing folder, in the Big Shot.
3. Cut the white circle and the scalloped black circle out on the Big Shot.
4. Stamp the saying with Black ink on the white circle.
5. Attach the Lovely Lipstick cardstock strip and the Lemon Lime Cardstock to the front of the card.
6. Attach the DSP to the Basic Black Cardstock.
7. Attach the saying to the Black Scallop Circle.
8. Use a glue dot to secure the ribbon on the circle and then staple it in place.
9. Add the saying to the front of the card using dimensionals. 
10. Add some black faceted dots to the front of the card. 

The best way to use beautiful designer paper patterns

When I saw this week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge I knew immediately that I wanted to use designer series paper on the card base. But not just any paper, I wanted to use paper that had a larger or brighter pattern: paper I might not normally choose for my cards. 

 So, that's where I started. I went through my designer paper box until I found some pieces of the Nature's Poem designer paper. I had to large pieces yet untouched, one of them being the Tranquil Tide leaf pattern:

Nature's Poem Designer Series Paper
$11.00

Tranquil Tide is such a lovely color but not one that I normally turn to when designing a card. This week, though, I had a specific purpose - I want to make a birthday card for my brother and the colors and pattern in this piece of paper would be perfect for him. 

 After my paper choice the colors fell into place:

• I chose Tranquil Tide for my card base
• I decided to use Crumb Cake as my coordinating color

Then it was time to search for a phrase - which I wanted to be featured on the square image in the card map:

I chose Picture Perfect Birthday - as there was a smaller phrase that would work for my brother:

Picture Perfect Birthday Photopolymer Stamp Set
$17.00

 

To frame the 'treat yourself' phrase I used my Layering Squares framelits. I next created the Crumb Cake banner using my Bunch Of Banners framelits and set that under the phrase square. 

Here's my card: 

The final bit I added was the embellishments. I love the leaf from the Seasonal Layers framelits so created one in Crumb Cake. What did stump me was the smaller embellishments seen on the map so after a few failed attempts, I happily settled on the Basic Adhesive-Backed Sequins, choosing the Soft Sea Foam color. 

My card was then done in a jiffy and I love it! If you want to see what the other Paper Craft Crew members created for this week's challenge and/or to enter your card in our challenge, click here! We'd love to see what you have created. 

If you love my card too, please add a happy face in the comments below. If not, tell me why! 

See this excellent card map challenge with fun elements

This week's Paper Craft Crew challenge offers so many possibilities for sets and accessories that I was at a bit of a loss for what to create. So many ideas jumped to mind that I wasn't quite sure where to begin:

 

The first decision I made was not to be so obvious with the swirly element. I also did not want a Whisper White or Very Vanilla card base. 

So I decided to use Crumb Cake as my card base color and the branch diecut from the Birds & Blooms thinlits dies. And the naturally I chose one of the bird stamps from the Best Birds set to sit on the branch. In only a matter of minutes I had the elements for the card ready but there was still an issue: I didn't like the plain Crumb Cake card base. 

At this point I looked through my embossing folders and chose the Basket Weave Dynamic folder. Do you know why it is called Dynamic? It is because it creates a deeper impression on your card stock and also uses a different 'sandwich' combo plate. I you need me to show you how to set up for using these folders, add a comment below and I will create a How To video over on my YouTube channel. 

So my elements were done, my card base was done and then there was the color for the oval. I chose Mango Melody because I wanted something bright to draw you eye to my card and the coordinated the flower using the same color. 

Here's my finished card - what do you think?

Best Birds greeting card

What would you choose for this week's card map challenge? Post a comment to tell us which sets and accessories you would try first! And if you want to see what the other crew members created for this challenge, click here. (on October 31st: I posted early as I am traveling overnight when this should post) You will get a lot of different additional ideas to try!

What would you create with this color challenge?

This color challenge stopped me cold. I love the bright colors - these three are some of my faves out of all the new colors Stampin' Up! introduced in this year's Annual Catalog. 

But. 

I didn't have any designer paper that uses these colors so that stumped me for a while. So I did what you like do when you are wondering what to create - I searched on Pinterest and found a card idea that I decided to copy for the stamp set and then change it up to make a card that matched this week's Paper Craft Crew challenge:

 

I diecut a phrase to put on the front of my Healing Hugs card and then changed my mind. My card front was already really full and the phrase that I wanted to use just wouldn't fit. So it will go inside. And I don't have to decide right now whether this will be a birthday, a friendship, a get well or some other kind of card - bonus!

Here are some of the products I chose for my card - click on any of them to link over to my online store:

Basket Weave Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
$9.00

Layering Ovals Framelits Dies
$35.00

Healing Hugs Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$21.00

Flourish Thinlits Dies
$29.00

 

 I think what makes the card so great is the embossing folder background and the diecut leaves. These add texture and interest to the card, don't they? And the color layers pull the card together to look like it was planned! Well, it was but you get what I mean - I normally wouldn't use these three together but I sure might now:

Now it's your turn: what would you create using Gorgeous Grape, Mango Melody, and Granny Apple Green? What theme would you choose? Let us know by adding a comment under this blog post - I'd love to hear what you would use. 

If you want to see what the other design team members created using this week's color challenge, click here to head over the Paper Craft Crew website.

1 easy way to create 4 beautiful cards

Whenever I craft I find myself thinking that once a card is complete I could make several more using the same layout but different stamps or colors, or change the layout and use the same products to make a completely different look. 

You can do the same and I will show you how with today's blog post. All the cards created below use the Delightfully Detailed laser-cut specialty paper. This paper has vanilla on one side, white on the other side. Each sheet can easily be cut apart and used as accents on card fronts.

Which is what I want to share with you today! Here are some of the products used on the cards below - you can click on any of them to link over to my online store to make a purchase:

Delightfully Detailed Laser-Cut Specialty Paper
$14.00

Beautiful Day Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$21.00

Rooted In Nature Clear-Mount Bundle
$72.75

Copper Foil Sheets
$4.00

For each card, one of the specialty papers was chosen and layered onto a piece of copper foil sheet. Underneath this Beautiful Day card is a list of products, measurement and a full set of instructions. And underneath all that is a second photo - one that shows three other card ideas using the same layout and products:

Instructions

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Beautiful Day (145915); Rooted in Nature Bundle (w: 148352, c: 148353)
• Cardstock – Cajun Craze (119684); Copper Foil (142020); Delightfully Detailed Laser-cut Specialty Paper (146907); Whisper White Thick Cardstock (140272)
• Stamp Pads - Versamark (102283)
• Misc. – Copper embossing powder (141636); Heat Tool (129053); Embossing Buddy (103093); Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (143263); Fine Tip Glue Pen (138309); Silicone Craft Sheet (127853) ~ I used two; Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755)

Measurements: 

Cajun Craze:  4 1/4" x 11", scored at 5 1/2" (base card) 

Copper Foil:  3 1/2" x 5" and a scrap for the leaves

Delightfully Detailed: One panel ~ 3 1/2" x 5"

Whisper White Thick:  1 1/8" x 4 1/4"

Instructions:

1.  Rub your embossing buddy over the Whisper White Thick cardstock.  Stamp 'Happy Birthday' in Versamark, emboss with the Copper embossing powder.

2.  Use the leaf embossing die to add detail to the leaves.  Cut out the leaves by running through the Big Shot with the corresponding leaf die.

3.  Lay the Cooper Foil on your Silicone Craft Sheet.  Carefully apply glue around the back edges of the Delightfully Detailed panel and lay on the foil.  Cover with your second Silicone Craft Sheet and let it dry.  When dry adhere to the base card using the Multipurpose Liquid Glue (so you can move it around if necessary).

4.  Add the Happy Birthday layer and the embossed copper leaves to the side.

 Here are some other ideas - add a comment below telling me which one of the four cards is your fave!

How to make your birthday cards sparkle and shine

If you are like me, every once in a while you want to go all out and create a birthday card that sparkles and shines. The way to do that is through accessories, specialty paper, and die-cuts. 

The Broadway Bound card I want to share with you today uses the following products - click on any of them to link over to my online store:

Broadway Birthday Photopolymer Stamp Set
$17.00

Broadway Bound Speciality Designer Series Paper
$14.00

Broadway Lights Framelits Dies
$29.00

Gold Mini Sequin Trim
$6.00

Gold Foil Sheets
$4.00

 

 

Combine these products to create a stunning birthday card - perfect for a friend who loves a lot of bling in her (or his) life! Don't miss the detail at the bottom of the card - a row of peek a boo shapes that adds a touch a class to the card front. 

Don't you love the look of the sequin trim woven through the Black Satin bow knot? Again, it's all about those extra details that make this card sparkle and shine. 

Here's a list of supplies used to make the card - why not give it a try? 

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Broadway Birthday (photopolymer-147067)
• Card Stock – Lovely Lipstick (146970); Basic Black (121045); Whisper White (100730)
• Stamp Pads – Tuxedo Black Memento (132708); Lovely Lipstick (147140); Pineapple Punch (147141)
• Misc. – Broadway Bound Designer Series Paper (DSP)  (146277); Black Satin 1/2” Ribbon (146280); Broadway Lights Framelits Dies (146317); Gold Foil Sheets (132622); Big Shot (143263); Mini Dimensionals (144108); Gold Mini Sequin Trim (144128)

 

Measurements:  

• Lovely Lipstick Card Stock: 11” x 4-1/4” scored at 5-1/2” for card base
• Basic Black Card Stock:           3-3/4” x 3-3/4” 
• Whisper White Card Stock: 3-1/2” x 3/4” banner and 4” x 5-1/4” for inside of card         and scrap for candle
• Broadway Bound DSP:  3-1/2” x 3-1/2”
• Gold Foil sheet:                             2” x 4” 
• Black Satin Ribbon:                      14”
• Gold Mini Sequin Trim:                 4"

 

Instructions:

1. Use the Big Shot to cut out the diamond border on one end of the Lovely Lipstick card. 
2. Layer the DSP on the black panel and adhere to front top of card. 
3. On a scrap of white card stock, stamp a candle in Lovely Lipstick and a flame in Pineapple Punch AND on the upper left corner of large white card stock panel. Stamp “You’re Never Too Old…” on white banner in black. 
4. Cut out stamped candle, flame with framelits as well as “Wish” from gold foil sheet. 
5. Adhere candle and flame over the “i” of WISH and attach word to DSP on top of card using mini Stampin’ Dimensionals. 
6. Attach “You’re Never Too Old” banner above the WISH.
7. Tie black satin ribbon in the space between DSP layer and diamond window border. Slide Sequin Trim into the knot before pulling tight. 
8. Adhere white card stock panel inside card. 

How to create a stunning birthday card

It was my son's birthday yesterday so of course I wanted to create a stunning birthday card for him. I haven't used my Lift Me Up stamp set (page 32) and Up & Away  thinlits in a while so I pulled them out knowing that I wanted to use them for my design. 

Lift Me Up Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$21.00

Up & Away Thinlits Dies
$30.00

 

After that decision was made I chose my colors: Night of Navy, Pool Party and Crushed Curry. Thanks to my Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets the layers for behind my balloon was so easy - each layer became a sticker that I easily applied! 

My next decision was what to do with the Pool Party background layer - thanks to Pinterest I chose a fun idea - the Seaside embossing folder turned on its side to look like a breeze flowing through the clouds!

 

Seaside Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
$8.50

 

 

Add a few clouds, a strip of Night of Navy Baker's Twine, a few Metallic Sequins and my son's birthday card is complete!

I chose not to have a phrase for the outside to my card - inside I used Night of Navy to stamp: Hope your birthday is on cloud nine. Happy birthday! This is a large phrase and I didn't want it to detract from the balloon on the front. 

Let me know in the comments below if you like my Lift Me Up birthday card - what Stampin' Up! colors would you choose for a masculine card idea? 

Cards don't have to be complicated to be beautiful

Birthday cards don't have to be complicated to be beautiful and I can prove it!

Today I am sharing a card idea (and video tutorial below) that uses a few Big Shot products that are super easy to die-cut and will add a nice touch to the card front. Add these elements with a colorful designer series paper pattern and your card will look gorgeous!

For the Better Together birthday card below I chose the following products - click on any of these photos to link over to my online store:

Better Together Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$37.00

Stitched All Around Clear-Mount Bundle
$46.75

Wood Crate Framelits Dies
$30.00

Country Lane 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.00

 

 

When you craft, consider what you already own and see how to can combine different elements to make something new and unique to your style. That's what I did here. I started with the paper pattern that I loved, chose my phrase and then added the Stitched Shapes die-cut layers after seeing something similar on Pinterest (yes, demonstrators use Pinterest too, wink!).

To me, what makes this card unique is the color combinations and the stitched shape of the Crushed Curry layer. (I show you how to make this card below in a video tutorial)

 Better Together Birthday card

Stamp sets: Better Together (141736); Stitched All Around bundle (148374)

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper and cutting dimensions: 
          Whisper White: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 3" x 2"
          Early Espresso: 4" x 5 1/4"; 1 1/2" square (for heart)
          Country Lane designer series paper (147804): 3 7/8" x 5 1/8"
          Crushed Curry: 3 3/4" x 3"

Accessories: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Wood Crate framelits (143730), Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive, Everyday Label punch (144668)

Here's my video - thanks for watching!

 

How do you design your greeting cards?

I have a fun Paper Craft Crew card map challenge for you this week - it's nice and easy and offers to many design possibilities!

Here are 8 different ideas to try:

• make the square out of designer paper
• make the circle layers squares instead
• use designer paper for the background layer
• make the background layer a solid color and stamp images over it using Versamark ink
• make the top square layer a large embellishment or die-cut image (flower, etc)
• make the background layer (rectangle) designer paper
• make the solid skinny rectangle layer a phrase
• add a phrase to the square layer at the bottom
• so many more ideas!

For this card I worked backwards to what I usually do. I designed the phrase layer first because I wanted to use my En Route stamp set and Best Route washi tape. I decided to flip my card on its side so that the Best Route paper pattern would be heading in a logical direction. Then I decided to create the world layer circle combo and after that things just fell into place. 

After the card was designed and put together it seemed a bit 'naked' on the left side so I added a 1/4" strip of Whisper White down the side to finish it off. 

I love what I created using this week's map - do you? 

Now it is your turn! Try our card map challenge using the supplies you have on hand. And if you want to see what the other design members created, click here. 

See the perfect way to spend your weekend

Do you have plans to spoil yourself this weekend? If not, I have the perfect idea, represented in the fun card below!

The Bubbles & Bubbly stamp set has 9 fun stamps that will make you smile as your craft. There are four word stamps and 5 image stamps that you can add a touch of color to in just a few seconds, so you can still create cards if you don't have a lot of time to craft. Grab your Stampin' Blends and Aqua Painters and follow the instructions under the card photo. 

Here are some of the products used - click on any of these photos to link over to my online store! (Can you spot the sequins on the card?

Bubbles & Bubbly Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$19.00

Iridescent Sequin Assortment
$5.00

 

 Birthday or friendship? You decide!

 

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Bubbles & Bubbly (wood 147380, clear 147383)
• Card Stock – Smoky Slate (131202); Thick Whisper White (140272); So Saffron (105118)
• Stamp Pads – Tuxedo Black (132708)
• Misc. – Light Pool Party Stampin’ Blends (144595); Daffodil Delight Combo Stampin’ Blends (144603); Bronze Stampin’ Blends (144607); Ivory Stampin’ Blends (144606); Light Calypso Coral Stampin’ Blends (144042); Clear Wink of Stella (141897); Aqua Painters (103954); Iridescent Sequin Assortment (144212); Fine-Tip Glue (138309); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

 

Measurements:  

• Smoky Slate (base): 5 ½” x 8 ½”, scored at 4 ¼”
• Thick Whisper White (layer): 4” x 5 ¼”
• Thick Whisper White (banner): 5/8” x 2 ¾”
• Thick Whisper White (bathtub): 3” x 4”
• Thick Whisper White (towel): scrap 
• So Saffron: 4 1/8” x 5 3/8” 

 

Instructions:

1. Squeeze the closed ink pad of the Smoky Slate pad. Open the pad and pick up color from inside the lid using the Aqua Painter. Carefully add color along the bottom 1” of the Thick Whisper White layer as shown. Add additional color near the tub to create a shadow. The paper will pill from the water, which is fine since you’re after a wet bathroom floor look. Let dry. 
2. Stamp the greeting using Memento ink on the Thick Whisper White banner. Adhere to the upper left corner of the card base using Dimensionals.
3. Stamp the bathtub and towel images using Memento ink on the Thick Whisper White cardstock pieces. Color in the images using the Stampin’ Blends. Cut out the images using your scissors. 
4. Line up the bathtub image on the Thick Whisper White layer for placement. Stamp the bubbles image using Memento ink on the layer. Adhere this layer to the So Saffron layer. Adhere these layers to the card base.
5. Adhere the bathtub and towel images using Dimensionals. Color in the bathtub, towel, champagne glass and bubbles using the Clear Wink of Stella. 
6. Adhere several sequins to the stamped bubbles using Fine-Tip Glue. Let dry. 

When did you last make a card for a little friend?

 Don't forget those little people in your lives - even the ones who can't read yet. I have a very young nephew who lives in Canada and although he doesn't know me well, I still send him a card once in a while to help him practice reading and also so he knows that I still love him to bits from afar. 

The card below is such fun to create for a special young person and the Call Me Clover color is perfect for either gender. The Little Elephant set is bundled with a fun Elephant Builder punch so you can create a bunch of cards for a variety of occasions  - just change the phrase to meet your needs! 

Here's what this bundle looks like - you can click on the photo to link over to my online store! 

Little Elephant Clear-Mount Bundle
$34.00

Here's a monochromatic card idea using this fun bundle. Don't miss the instructions below the card photo! 

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Little Elephant Bundle (148340) 
• Card Stock – Call Me Clover (146969); Whisper White (100730)
• Stamp Pads – Call me Clover (147139)
• Misc. – 2018-2020 In Color 6” x 6” Designer Series Paper (DSP) (146963); Stitched Shapes Framelits (145372); Whisper White Solid Baker’s Twine (124262);  Basic Jewels Clear Rhinestones (144220); Dimensionals (104430); Big Shot (143263)

 

Measurements:  

• Call Me Clover:8 1/2” x 5 1/2” (card base)
• Whisper White: Scraps for elephant and Stitched Square 
• In Color 6” x 6” DSP:  5 1/4” x 3”

 

Instructions:

1. Fold the Call Me Clover card base in half and adhere the piece of designer series paper to the right side.  Choose anyone of the fun patterns.
2. Stamp the elephant in Call Me Clover ink and punch using the Elephant Builder Punch. (I like to use strips of white to save on paper.)  Set aside.
3. Cut the largest square Stitched Framelit in Whisper White.
4. Stamp the hearts on the Stitched Square and then stamp the sentiment.  Use the elephant to decide placement of both.
5. Adhere the punched elephant to the square using dimensionals.
6. Now add the completed square to the card using dimensionals.  
7. Wrap the Whisper White Twine twice around the side of the card and tie in a bow.
8. Add a rhinestone to the elephant’s eye.
9. Stamp a Happy Birthday or any other sentiment you would like to the inside of the card.  I added an elephant on the inside with the little bird on his nose…so cute!  
10. Stamp an elephant on your envelope and send to a special friend.

Do you know how to make a center step card?

This week's Paper Craft Crew card challenge is a doozie! But let's take it on with a fun attitude and learn a new fancy fold, shall we?

If you know me by now, you will understand that I had to go all out with this one so I decided to learn a new card fold technique and share it with you too!

Introducing the Center Step Card - this card is perfect for birthdays or other occasions where you want to add a gift card for someone special. 

I chose some products I have not used in a while:

Itty Bitty Greetings Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$36.00

Balloon Celebration Photopolymer Stamp Set
$26.00

Balloon Bouquet Punch
$18.00

Tranquil Textures Designer Series Paper
$11.00

 

And as is typical for me, I made a ton of mistakes on my first creation. But I can live with those because overall my gift card holder turned out ok  even though the front panels do not lie flat (no matter what I tried!). 

Here's my Center Step card - what do you think? If you like it please let me know. Personally, I love the Stitched Labels layers on the front of this card - I wove the Night of Navy Baker's Twine through one end to keep it in place.

If you want to learn how to make this card, email me at: terri@nutzaboutstamping.com and I will share a video link with you. 

Here's the inside from a side view - where you can see how I went 'wrong'. But that's how we learn, right!

Here's a closer view of the inside - you can slide a gift card into the pocket that was created using a fold:

The cool thing about this card fold is that you can create the same idea for many different occasions: think baby shower, wedding, etc! 

Want to see other card fold ideas? Click here to see what the other crew members made this week! 

 

 

 

 

1 quick and easy card layout is the key to your success

I am so excited that two new members joined my Stampin' Up! team last month. So of course I want to send them each a little product gift (shh, don't tell!) and mail them a welcome card too. 

To make crafting a bit faster for me I decided to use 1 quick and easy layout idea and create two different cards using the layout. 

The first card uses the Celebrate You thinlits and the Animal Expedition designer series paper. You may think this paper is more for children but I always look at the patterns in every pack of paper to see what I can do beyond the obvious.

Animal Expedition Designer Series Paper
$11.00

Celebrate You Thinlit Dies
$23.00

This hippo paper is so cute and friendly and has a playful feel so I decided to use it for my card for Linda. Linda is a long distance customer so we have never met but she joined my team anyway and has a fun sense of humor. I know she will love this paper as much as I do! 

Here's my card to celebrate a new team member:

As I already said, my second card uses the same layout but I wanted to play with some new Holiday Catalog (coming soon!) products: the Merry Christmas thinlits (yes, you read that right: Christmas!) and the Country Lane designer series paper. 

I am not allowed to show catalog images to you until the catalog goes live on September 5th - BUT - I did do a Facebook Live showing my first Holiday catalog order which is perfectly 'legal' with Stampin' Up!. Click here to see this Facebook Live. 

I love this paper - the colors, the patterns are perfect for fall and have such a 'country home' feel to all the designs. I highly recommend this paper when it goes live for ordering next month. 

The next time you craft, why not try my layout idea using the thinlits and paper that you own? Or, click here to order these products at my online store!