Nutz about Stamping

I dare you to try this unique layout challenge

This week's Paper Craft Crew challenge has a really unique layout to it, one that looks simple enough until you give it a try. 

I knew right off that I did not want a Whisper White background/card base - I wanted to challenge my design this week instead. So I chose a left over strip of the Painted Seasons designer paper and used this as my color coordination inspiration: to use Poppy Parade, Early Espresso and Color Me Clover on my card. 

Note: this is the final week you can earn the Painted Seasons paper for free with a qualifying order so don't wait and be disappointed! Click here to link over to my online store now. 

Rather than try to stamp an image on the darker card base I chose my Stitched Labels framelits for that design feature and then one of the other framelits to die-cut my 'thank you'. 

Stitched Labels Framelits Dies
$33.00

 The one embellishment that caused me a bit of grief was the leaf. First I tried my Leaf punch but the leaves were too large. I ended up choose a leaf die-cut from the Flourish framelits - and am very happy with how they look as they have a bit of texture to them:

Flourish Thinlits Dies
$29.00

Finally, I needed a phrase so chose to make a thank you card. Here's my All Things Thanks card for this challenge:

Now it's your turn - give our card map challenge a try the next time you craft! And if you want to see what the other design crew members created for this challenge, click here to link over to the Paper Craft Crew website. 

Try this beautiful, simple card map challenge

I am a big fan of clean and simple cards as they don't take a lot of products to create and are very appealing (to me). This week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge is beautiful and simple - bonus! At first I thought it was more of a Valentine or Love layout but then realized I can make it whatever I want it to be. 

Which led me to my So Hoppy Together stamp set - I am having so much fun created cards with this set and now that we have coordinating framelits creating is a breeze!

Once I decided to use a frog image for the heart, things fell into place very quickly. I wanted my card to be very soft looking so choose a left over strip of the Painted Seasons designer paper (now available separately!) for the banner layer. Using the colors in this paper as my guide I used Lemon Lime Twist and Pool Party and my Blender Pens to color the frog. The background image is from the Timeless Textures stamp set - so many fun images in this set that I could have used: (click on the set image to link over to my online store)

Timeless Textures Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$20.00

 

Here's my card:

If you want to see what the other design crew members created using this map, click here to link over to the Paper Craft Crew site. 

Want to see what I created for last week's card map challenge where I introduced the #simplestamping technique? Click here. 

Have you heard about the simple stamping technique?

At Stampin' Up!s On Stage event last year a new #simplestamping campaign was announced. All Stampin' Up! demonstrators were challenged with showing more project ideas that were simple to create so that crafters all over the world would understand that they don't need to create cards that cost them $100+. I love this idea but have found, after all these years of crafting, that it is not as simple as you'd think.

So when I saw this week's Paper Craft Crew challenge, I first thought "oh-oh" followed by: I can do this!

 

My #simplestamping card was inspired by one I saw online. I loved how the base of the card was stamped so decided to "CASE" (copy and share everything) it, using my two favorite colors: Gorgeous Grape and Lemon Lime Twist. The card that inspired me used a layered die-cut phrase and that, to me, is not simple stamping. 

So I decided on two simple layers: Whisper White and Lemon Lime Twist. I chose two stamp sets: Better Together (for the phrase) and Bloom by Bloom for the other images. 

Better Together Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$37.00

Bloom By Bloom Photopolymer Stamp Set
$17.00

 

Just to be clear, I used a phrase that suited my needs for a card this week and I already owned the Better Together stamp set. You can choose a phrase to match your needs.

Tip: if you are a new stamper, purchase stamp sets that have both images AND phrases in them, preferably for a variety of occasions. You will keep costs down that way. 

Here's my Bloom by Bloom #simplestamping card!

If you want to see what the other Paper Craft Crew design team members created for this challenge, click here to link over to that website. 

What image would you use for this challenge?

This week's Paper Craft Crew card map is a doozie for me! I would love to know what you would use for the 'bunny' on this card map challenge. Leave a comment under this post and let me know what pops into your mind. 

I had to look through all my stamp sets until I realized that I would used a stamp set at all! I decided instead to use my Butterfly Beauty thinlits dies. 

First, let's look at the sketch:

And now my design considerations:

• I didn't want a plain color for my background so chose a piece of Painted Seasons designer paper - a new free choice for Sale-a-bration 2019! Click here to see these newly added choices and two more cards using this gorgeous paper.
• I used two more strips of the same paper for the thin banners
• I used my Layering Circles framelits for the embellishment layers
• I used my All Things Thanks stamp set for the phrase - to help me catch up on my mailing my thank you cards for orders placed at my online store!
• The final touch which is super hard to see are the five Petal Pink Basic Adhesive-Backed Sequins. Can you spot them in the photo below?

And then back to that dang bunny. I thought and thought and finally decided on the butterfly die-cut using Whisper White and Poppy Parade layers. True confession: after I had my card put together I then discovered that my butterfly wouldn't fit on the left side like in the map above: oops! So I put it on the right side instead. Not a deal breaker but just a funny moment. 

Here's my card: what do you think? I love to hear from you so how about a comment under this post? 

If you want to see what the other design team members created for the same map challenge, click here. 

Why not join me in my interesting design challenge

This week's Paper Craft Crew design challenge is really interesting. Have a look below and leave a comment telling me which row catches your eye.

For me this was a challenge indeed. I decided not to create a Valentine card, even though Valentine's Day is just around the corner. 

I decided to create a vintage card instead. Which meant that I could either do the top row or the left column. 

To design my card I started with my designer paper choice. I don't have much that would be considered 'vintage' but I do have the Classic Garage designer series paper which have vintage patterns and colors:  Basic Black, Basic Gray, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Read Red, Tranquil Tide, Very Vanilla and Whisper White.

Classic Garage 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.00

 

I decided right away that I would choose a pattern that had Tranquil Tide as I wanted that to be one of my layer colors. I found the pattern that I liked and cut it as a layer as well, 1/4" smaller than Tranquil Tide. 

Then, something new, which just happens to be a die-cut too! I just got the Well Written framelits and chose to use 'happy' as the phrase on the front of my card:

Well Written Framelits Dies
$40.00

 

The rest of my card just fell into place - the layers under the 'happy' phrase and two layers to feature the phrase. I added three silver Metallics Sequins to add some sparkle and the shape of the sequins closely match the design in the paper! (tip: add the 'birthday' die-cut to the inside of the card to make it a birthday card)

Simple but oh so cute and I love the way the sequins shine in the light. I added a Basic Black Solid Baker's Twine knot up the left side and my card was done. 

If you want to see what the other design crew members created for this Tic Tac Toe challenge, click the link at the very top of this post. Give our card map challenge a try! And leave a comment under this post to let me know which row or column you might try!

Who doesn't love a simplistic card map challenge?

This week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge is quite similar in terms of layout but has some layers that add complexity too:

 

The heart embellishment and time of year made me think of Valentine's Day and I thought you might be looking for Valentine ideas to try. 

So first I went to my designer paper and spotted the All My Love designer paper pack:

All My Love 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.00

 

Now it is confession time. I don't have a stamp set with hearts in it, nor do I have any hearts framelits that are large enough to make this embellishment. But there is a patterned paper in the All My Love pack that has large hearts so I cut one out to use on my card!

Next I looked at the other patterned paper in this pack and one caught my eye, and I decided to use it for the banner strip in the map. I matched the colors in this patterned paper to my card stock and embellishments to pull everything together. This is the first time I have used Soft Sea Foam - wow, this is such a lovely color!

One difficult decision I had was what to use for the three strips across the heart in the map. After trying a few ideas and not being happy with how any of them looked I finally decided not to have paper strips across my heart. 

Here's my card, using the Beauty Abounds stamp set:

Why not give our card map challenge a try? What products would you use? If you want to see what the other design team members made for this card map challenge, click here!

 

What you can do when struggling for a beautiful card idea

There are times when we all struggle for a beautiful card idea so I will share what I do when I struggle too. 

Idea 1:

First, I often look for a card map idea. I share a Paper Craft Crew card map challenge with you almost every Wednesday along with a card I created using the map. But you can also search online (The Google!) or on Pinterest and you will find a lot of ideas to give you inspiration. 

Here's our challenge this week:

Idea 2:

I often look through my designer paper too. The patterns and colors in my paper often give me inspiration for a card theme idea. When I see some paper that I want to use I let the paper design help me with choosing a stamp set. For example, birthday paper would help me choose a birthday stamp set, etc. 

Idea 3:

Sometimes I start by looking through my stamp sets. Is the a set I haven't used for a while? Is there a set that 'speaks' to me that day, one that I suddenly want to use?

Idea 4:

I cruise through Pinterest and through Stampin' Up! demonstrator-only online art galleries. Sometimes seeing what someone else has created gives me a super idea for what could be my starting point. Funny, but my finished card is seldom like the one that gave me inspiration in the first place. 

Now for my card idea today. I used the color challenge above to guide me as I looked through my designer paper. I spotted two patterns in the All My Love designer paper (page 5 Occasions catalog) that I decided to use:

All My Love 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.00

 

 

My difficult moment was choosing a stamp set. I wanted to make a Valentine idea to share with you so immediately chose the Labels to Love set. I love the frame image and thought I would stamp that in Lovely Lipstick and then use Blushing Bride for the 'LOVE' phrase. But I couldn't make it work for me. So back I went into my stamp stash until I spotted the Flourishing Phrase set with the 'I love you' phrase. Perfect!

 

Labels To Love Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$21.00

Flourishing Phrases Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$37.00

 

I embossed the card base with the Tufted embossing folder for a bit an extra interest. I am really happy with how my card turned out:

What stamp set(s) would you use on this card layout? I would love to know - add a comment below with your suggestions; I love to hear from you! 

If you want to see what the other Paper Craft Crew design team members made for this challenge, head over to the site using the link at the very top of this post. 

How to create a colorful card from start to finish

Recently someone emailed me with a request to share how I design a card from start to finish. I am happy to do this and want you to know that you have requests to email them to me too (terri@nutzaboutstamping.com) or to add a comment underneath a blog post with your request. 

When I lack in design inspiration I often look to a card map for ideas. I am a design team member for the Paper Craft Crew and we are given a card map challenge each week, like the one below. Our challenge is to use the materials we have to make a card to match the map and then share our final card idea over on the Paper Craft Crew site. It is really fun to see all the different ideas one simple card map can offer. 

So for today's card I am using the card map above and then I am going to show you my card from start to finish, using photos along the way!

The map above has a swirl image so I looked through my stamp sets and spotted the Beauty Abounds stamp set:

Beauty Abounds Cling Stamp Set
$23.00

I chose the swirl image, stamped it using Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored the images using three Stampin' Blends: Poppy Parade Light, Daffodil Delight Dark and Granny Apple Green Light:

At this point I decided to use the thank you image from the Stitched All Around set, and to make my card a thank you card. I always make and mail a thank you card to everyone who orders from my online store so this card would suit this purpose. 

Stitched All Around Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$19.00

 

You can change the phrase image to suit the kind of card you need: birthday, friendship, etc. 

After I diecut the layers I decided that that Poppy Parade solid circle was too big for my card front so I chose a somewhat larger circle from my Layering Circles framelits pack and used that instead:

I was much happier with the smaller circle but my next challenge was what to do with that extra strip on the card map. Then it hit me! I could stamp the 'thank you' image a second time on scrap Poppy Parade card stock, cut out the thank you and adhere it on top of the Whisper White circle. 

Worked like a charm:

After my card front was complete, I decided to use Poppy Parade as my card base (I could have also used Daffodil Delight or Granny Apple Green) and adhered the white layer on top. But my card seemed very 'white' and plain. When this happens I turn to my embellishments and spotted the Granny Apple Green Glitter Enamel Dots:

Glitter Enamel Dots
$7.00

The perfect complement to my card so I added three dots for that final touch!

 A few weeks ago someone made a request on my YouTube channel. She asked me to share ideas for what I do on the inside of my cards too. Did I stamp inside? Leave it blank? Do something different? I really appreciated this question because it never occurred to me to share my 'insides'. 

To answer her question, I either stamp the inside: sometimes with words, sometimes with images (see below) or sometimes I add a strip of washi tape or left over designer paper to match the outside. I also stamp something on the envelope as well because I think it adds a bit of excitement and anticipation for the card inside.

Here's the inside of this card - using an image from the Stitched All Around set:

 

 

Why not try this card map too and see what you can create using the supplies you have on hand? Or head here to my online store and add some fun new products to your stamping supplies. Don't forget that Sale-a-bration is now on and you can earn FREE products with your online order!

What products would you choose for this fun challenge?

That's what I would love to hear from you - which products come to your mind when you see this week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge? 

Looks so easy right? 

Let me share my design notes for my card below:

• I started by choosing my paper layer - I had two full sheets of the Festive Farmhouse paper that I hadn't used yet.
• I then chose my card base: Very Vanilla
• The smaller layers were coordinated by color: Very Vanilla and Cherry Cobbler
• Next the stamp set: I chose Cookie Cutter Christmas and matching punch for a playful look
• I colored the Santa using my Cherry Cobbler Dark Stampin' Blends
• I added the phrase before adhering the Santa
• I added three flowers from the Detailed Deer thinlits 
• Three small gold metallic pearls to complete my card

Click below to place an order for any Stampin' Up! products - don't forget there is a huge year end sale happening right now!

Now it's your turn. What would you choose for this card map challenge? Leave a comment below and let me know!

How do the holidays inspire your cards?

This week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge is wide open! This fun challenge below has me ask: how do the holidays inspire your cards? For me, it is my home decor.

A few years ago I bought this gorgeous paper mâché reindeer with a huge red velvet bow and I set it beside my fireplace every year. The Dashing Deer bundle was an instant 'gotta have it' for me because the reindeer stamps reminded me of my home decor deer. 

Here's some exciting news: Dashing Deer is on sale and available while supplies last! Click on the image below to order it at my online store:

Dashing Deer Clear-Mount Bundle
$50.25

So when I saw this challenge I knew I needed to use Dashing Deer. But I chose to use a different paper for my deer die-cut: Sparkle Glimmer paper!

And as I had several bits of the Festive Farmhouse designer paper around I decided to use some of this appear on my card. 

Festive Farmhouse 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.00

 

Here's my card; don't miss the Falling Softly embossed layer - a nice final visual touch. Why not try my layout to make your cards this year? 

To see other cards created using this fun inspiration challenge, click here. 

How to do a creative change up on a card map

Isn't this week's Paper Craft Crew card map fun? Have a look at all your products and I bet you can create three different cards following the layout - and each one will look totally different. 

 

I decided to use my Best Route product suite and make a creative change to this card map. 

Here's what I used for my card. Click here to link over to my online store to place an order. 

Best Route Designer Series Paper
$11.00

Best Route Washi Tape
$5.50

En Route Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$21.00

Basic Adhesive-Backed Sequins
$7.00

 

 This map is fun as it is, but I like to be different and try force myself to think in a new way when possible. Plus, the phrase I wanted to use from the En Route stamp set is square and so that helped me make the decision to change up the map and see how it turned out. 

Here's my card using the above map - I used washi tape up the side and three adhesive-backed sequins for the embellishments. 

Now it's your turn - try the above card map the next time you craft. And if you want to see what the other 'crew' members created head over to the Paper Craft Crew website for this week's challenge. 

A new way to think about creative card design

When I craft I love to try new things each time - and card maps it helps me keep fresh with challenges and a new way to think design. As a result I stretch myself and see possibilities that I didn't know I could produce. 

This week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge is quite obvious - a punched daisy with a sentiment across the front. But...what if you think outside the design box? 

My card below was inspired by a sample I spotted in the Annual Catalog on page 16. It matched the card map above almost to a 't'. And it is something completely different from a daisy!

Here's the stamp set I used, it's called Better Together and I paired it together with the Sparkle embossing folder:

Better Together Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$37.00

Sparkle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
$7.50

 

Here's my card challenge Better Together card - do you like it? 

Now it is your turn! Try our card map challenge for this week and think outside the design box too! Then share your card over on the Paper Craft Crew website. 

An interesting card map to challenge your creativity

This week's Paper Craft Crew card map will definitely challenge your creativity! It is quite complicated in its layers and embellishments and I had quite the time trying to figure out what to create.

I immediately decided to use my Daisy Delight stamp set and Daisy punch for the flowers. Then the Banner Triple punch for that layer and the Leaf punch for that element. I spent a lot of time trying to match paper and colors for the rest of my card. 

Here's the Paper Craft Crew card map challenge - what supplies would you use for this map?

In the end I decided on the True Gentleman designer series paper for my feminine card - it's always fun to think outside the box, isn't it? So my card colors are: Very Vanilla, Night of Navy, Tranquil Tide and Crushed Curry. Click on any the product photos below to link over to my online store - just in case you want to order them to craft with too. 

True Gentleman Designer Series Paper
$11.00

Daisy Punch
$18.00

Leaf Punch
$16.00

Banner Triple Punch
$23.00

Daisy Delight Photopolymer Stamp Set
$17.00

 

Here's my Daisy Delight card: 

To see all the card ideas that the rest of the Paper Craft Crew created for this map, click the Paper Craft Crew link at the top of this blog post. 

To see other card maps and cards, click here, here, and here!

 

 

Learn how to create stunning background layers

This week the Paper Craft Crew has a fun tic-tac-toe card map challenge for us to try! I decided on the middle row: oval - elements of springtime - clean & simple.

This decision was easy for me because right away I knew what I wanted to create, using the new Springtime Foils specialty designer paper and Blossoming Basket stamp set! Plus I have a thing for clean & simple cards. 

 First, have a look at the card map challenge - which row would you pick (vertical, horizontal or diagonal)?

Here are some of the products I used to create my card - you can click on any of these products photos to link over to my online store: 

Blossoming Basket Clear-Mount Bundle
$0.00

Sponge Brayers
$8.00

Night Of Navy 3/8" (1 Cm) Corduroy Ribbon
$8.00

Springtime Foils card

You might be wondering how I got the Navy color on the Springtime Foils paper - I used a sponge brayer and my Night of Navy ink - simply ink up the brayer and roll back and forth over the paper until you get a clean layer of ink on the paper. Then take a paper towel and rub off any excess ink. Let dry for a few minutes (not long at all!) and your layer is complete. 

Then I simply finished off with a strip of Night of Navy corduroy ribbon and the phrase from the Blossoming Basket stamp set. Clean & simple!

If you love card map challenges, check out the last few that I participated in: here, here and here!

Go here to see holiday inspiration

This week's Paper Craft Crew challenge map is wide open - the only requirement is that we celebrate the holidays!

And that is super easy. I decided to use up some supplies I have left over from my Christmas card making and instead of making a Christmas card I created a thank you card, holiday style!

 Let's start off with the map:

Here's what I used to make my holiday card - you can click on any of these product photos to head to my online store:

One Big Meaning Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$19.00

Be Merry Designer Series Paper
$11.00

Christmas Stockings Thinlits Dies
$30.00

 

Here's my One Big Meaning thank you card. Easy to make and the tiny trees make such a nice added touch. Don't forget to say thank you this holiday season: 

 

I love hearing from you - please post a comment under this blog post!

If you want to see more holiday card ideas from the others in the Paper Craft Crew, click the link at the top of my blog post.