Nutz about Stamping

What 3 colors inspire you for this week's challenge?

I love a good color challenge and this week's Paper Craft Crew challenge feels all about fall colors to me: 

 

 

I immediately chose Wild Wheat, Mossy Meadow and Copper Clay for my choices and decided to create an unusual layout (for me). I chose to use up some paper scraps which is always a good thing and create some elements for the front of my card using the All That dies. 

From the first time I saw this pack of dies I was intrigued by the shapes and style. I wish I could say I use these dies all the time but I don't and am a bit sad to admit that. So today I dusted them off and chose the top 2 elements for my card. 

The phrase for my card comes from the Around the Bend stamp set:

And the splatter stamp comes from Color & Contour:

 

 

Here's my card: 

My son just started a new job and so my card will be perfect to mail to him - with the congrats message from this set. I think my card looks pretty cool and know my son will love it too.

What will you create using this week's color challenge? Let me know in the comments below which colors you chose. 

If you want to see what the other design crew members created this week, click here to head over to the Paper Craft Crew website. 

 

You need to see these thoughtful design details

Create unique handmade cards with a vintage feel using the Bottled Happiness stamp set.

The set includes vintage bottles and floral imagery as well as heartfelt sentiments, perfect for showing a special someone you care or to wish a loved one congratulations! Make sure to use the thoughtful design details in your projects for more versatility—the cork fits both jars, and the floral pieces can be used coming out of the bottle or as a background piece. Also available in French.

Here's a fun and colorful idea to try at home, using the Masking technique. 

Supplies

Stamp set:  Bottled Happiness (158684), Charming Sentiments (159985), Zany Zoo (161305)

Ink: Azure Afternoon #161663, Berry Burst #147143, Lemon Lime Twist # 147145, Pumpkin Pie #105216, Memento Black, Azure Afternoon Stampin’ Blends #161672

Paper with cutting measurements: 

        Misty Moonlight #1530815 ½ X 8 ½ sc 4 ¼
        Azure Afternoon #161719 1 X 2 ¼
        Bright & Beautiful DSP #161449 4 X 5 ¼, ¾ X 4
        Basic White #159276 (2) 3 ¾ X 5, ¾ X 2 1/8.

Accessories:  Stampin’ Trimmer (152392), Paper Snips (103579), Bone Folder (102300), Silicone Craft Sheet (127853), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (144220), Masking Paper (155480), Multipurpose Glue (110755)

 

Instructions:

1. Cut all cardstock as stated above.
2. Stamp the largest bottle twice on a piece of Masking Paper and fussy cut along the lines of the bottle. (Color doesn’t matter).
3. Using the Lemon Lime Twist ink and the large bottle stamp, stamp the image towards the bottom left corner of the Basic White CS.
4. Using one of the Mask, remove the backing and cover the bottle with the bottle lines slightly showing. If need to trim Masking Paper do so.
5. Once covered, stamp the next bottle in Berry Burst with the left side slightly overlapping the first bottle. Remove Mask and set aside.
6. Stamp the third bottle to the right using Azure Afternoon ink.
7. Using both Masks cover the Lemon Lime Twist and Berry Burst bottles. Stamp the bottle over the Lemon Lime Twist using Pumpkin Pie.
8. Using the confetti stamp from the Zany Zoo, stamp random colors towards top left and right of card top.
9. Remove Mask and discard. Stamp sentiment from the Charming Sentiments in Memento Ink on Basic White scrap. Using your Paper Snips cut each end at a slant. Set aside.
10. Cut the Azure Afternoon CS and cut the ends at a slant.
11. Adhere the Basic White Sentiment to the above using your adhesive.
12. Stamp confetti on the above,
13. Using the Azure Dark Stampin’ Blend color two Rhinestones and attach to sentiment.
14. Add SU Dimensionals to the above and attach towards the top right.
15. Adhere the completed Basic White CS to the Bright & Beautiful DSP using adhesive, then attach to card front.
16. Add the strip of DSP to Basic White using adhesive and then attach it to the inside of card.

Want to add a unique metallic look to your cards?

If you have leftover pieces of cardstock or designer series paper (and who doesn't!) then this is the Paper Craft Crew card sketch challenge for you. 

As usual I decided to go a bit rogue on the sketch to add my own flavor. I chose some leftover pieces of the Dry Brushed Metallics Specialty designer series paper:

You can metallic shimmer to your paper crafting projects with this Specialty Designer Series Paper. This mixed metallic paper combines metallic ink and foil with textural dry brush designs for a unique finish. 

I also chose my Meadow Dies for the circular element - again stepping outside the design box. 

I have definitely gotten my money's worth from this pack of dies. I love wildflowers and using these on my cards adds visual interest. 

Here's my card:

Now it's your turn. What will you create using this week's card sketch challenge? Grab your paper scraps and see what you can come up with.

If you want to see what the other design crew members created, click here. 

Let your imagination run wild and have some fun

Here's a unique Paper Craft Crew card sketch challenge, will you give it a try? 

 

There are so many possibilities for this one and I decided that the main layer on my card base would be a bold pattern of designer paper, from the Fresh as a Daisy pack:

The pattern I chose also had me using a new In Colors for the first time: Moody Mauve. And I really love it! 

The Fresh as a Daisy paper is the perfect match for the Cheerful Daisies bundle so I course I used it too: 

There are so many possibilities and color choices that you can just let your imagination run wild and have fun. Here's my card for this week's challenge:

If you follow me on Instagram, watch for a reel in the next week or so where I will show you (in less than 1 minute!) how to make this card along with a fun detail for the inside! 

And now it's your turn - what will you make for this challenge? We would love to see! If you want to see what the other design crew members created this week, click here to hop over to the Paper Craft Crew site. 

Connect to nature with this beautiful suite

Here's an easy Paper Craft Crew card sketch challenge for you this week - or is it? 

My Earthen Elegance Collection just arrived and so I knew right away that I wanted to use it for this week's challenge.

 

The Earthen Elegance Suite Collection is filled with everything you need to connect with nature. Add color with the Earthen Elegance 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper, which features photographed pottery designs. It has all the hues and tones of the outdoors—use it to add a soothing, natural look to all your paper crafting projects! The stamps and dies work well together to give you clean-cut edges and elegant floral arrangements. Top it all off with a little bit of Natural 1/4" (6.4 mm) Wavy Trim and a sweet sentiment and you’ll have stunning paper crafts that anyone will love! 

But: there is no circle element in the set or dies, so what to do? 

Substitute it! Our card sketch challenge have lots of flexibility - the purpose is to help you get started and you don't have to copy each sketch exactly. So I didn't. I used one of the gorgeous paper designs and substituted the sketch circle element for a flower pot. 

Here's my card:

What will you create using this week's challenge? I would love to see what you made so why not post your card on Instagram and use #PCC525 so I can find your creation. 

If you want to see what the other Paper Craft Crew members created this week, and our followers, click here. 

Which set will help you create elegant paper crafts that anyone will love? This one!

Send celebratory messages, invitations, greetings, apologies, and so much more with the Classic Letters stamp set!

 

 

This classic and sophisticated stamp set has every letter of the English alphabet, plus additional alphabet characters so you can also create words in French, German, Dutch, and Spanish. This set also comes with greenery flourishes that can be added to any of the letters or numbers. Keep your greetings clean and polished, or dress them up by making the greenery the center of your craft! No matter what the big celebration is, or if you just want to let someone know you’re thinking of them, this set will help you create an elegant paper craft that anyone will love!

Here are 3 project ideas: 

 

 

Stamp Set:  Classic Letters (161267)

Cardstock:  Basic White Note Cards & Envelopes (159232); Thick Basic White cardstock (159229)

Designer Series Paper (DSP):  Naturally Gilded 12" x 12" (161639, ONLINE EXCLUSIVES)

Stamp Pads:  VersaMark (102283)

Other:  Metallics Stampin' Emboss Powders (155555); Silver 3/8" Metallic Edge Cotton Ribbon (159193); Something Fancy Dies (160424); Dimensionals (104430); Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755); Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (149653); Heat Tool (129053)

Measurements:

• Naturally Gilded DSP:  2" x 5"
• Ribbon:  16"
• Thick Basic White:  scrap for the letter

Instructions:

1. Choose the letter for the monogram ~ yours or a friend’s.  A set of note cards makes a great gift!
2. Stamp the letter using Versamark, add Silver Embossing Powder & emboss on a scrap of thick basic white cardstock.
3. Cut the letter out with the six-sided die.
4. Adhere the DSP to the notecard using the Multipurpose Glue.
5. Tie the ribbon around the front of the card and tie in a knot.
6. Add the monogram letter using Dimensionals.

Note:  This DSP comes in three colors ~ gold, silver, and copper ~ and, so does our Metallics Embossing Powders!  Make one in every color!

What to do when you fall in love with a beautiful new bundle

Have you ever had this moment too? You open up a new Stampin' Up! Mini Catalog and start leafing through page by page. And suddenly  you spot a bundle that takes your breath away for a quick second. 

That's the feeling I got when I first spotted the Dainty Delight bundle! 

Although I don't have much time for creating cards that require a lot of coloring, I knew that I would want to make time for the images in this set. 

So, what do you do when you fall in love with a beautiful bundle? You buy it and craft your heart out! Which is what I have been doing - here on my blog and on my YouTube channel. 

Today's card offers a fun way to create your own background so that you don't have to use an entire sheet of designer series paper. This layout is perfect for using up scraps and it also shows that you can make a beautiful card using only one color of ink. 

 

Here's how to make my card:

Supplies:

• Stamp Sets – Dainty Delight (161078); Something Fancy (160416; bundle and save 15% - 160425)
• Card Stock –Basic White (159276); Starry Sky (159263)
• Stamp Pads – Starry Sky (159212)
• Misc. –Stampin’ Seal (152813); Dainty Flowers Designer Series Paper (160834)*; Night of Navy Bordered Ribbon (160581); Something Fancy Dies (160424); Mini Glue Dots (103683); Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (149653)

*Free with a $50 product order (Sale-a-bration)

Measurements: 

• Basic White: 8 ½” x 5 ½”; 3 1/4” x 2”
• Starry Sky: 3 3/4” x 2 1/4”
• Dainty Flowers: 3/4” x 5 1/2”; 1” x 5 1/2"

Instructions:

1. Fold Basic White cardstock in half and crease to create card base.
2. Ink floral image using Starry Sky ink and stamp several times onto card base.
3. Adhere narrow (floral) Dainty Flowers strip slightly under Dainty Flowers (Starry Sky Strip) and then to right side of card front.
4. Ink Something Fancy phrase using Starry Sky ink and stamp onto Basic White. Die-cut phrase and Starry Sky layer using Something Fancy die. Adhere together, slightly off-setting.
5. Adhere phrase to card front.
6. Adhere Night of Navy bow using Mini Glue Dots to complete card.

Here's a fun bundle to help you welcome in a new year

It’s always fun to welcome in a new year and now you have the perfect bundle to help you do that. You can send friendly and welcoming messages with the Warm Welcome stamp set and die bundle.

Create layered looks using the dies, add details with the coordinating stamps, then color those cute line-art images with the colors of your choice! Celebrate special occasions or simply send a warm heartfelt note to a special someone. And there is the perfect die to help you welcome 2023!

Stamp set: Warm Welcome (bundle and save 10%, 160704)

Ink: Orchid Oasis (159214); Memento Tuxedo Black Pad (132708)

Paper and cutting dimensions:

Smoky Slate (131202) – 8 ½” x 5 ½”; (2) ¼” x 4”; ¼” x 1 3/8” Orchid Oasis (159267) – 4” x 5 ¼”; (2) ¼” x 4”; 2” x ½”; Basic White (159276) – 3 ¾” x 5”; scrap for cat; 1 ¾” x 3 ¾”; scrap for hello phrase

Misc: Adhesive Sheets (152334); Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals (144108); Pearls Basic Jewels (144219); Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack (154904); Stampin’ Seal (152813); Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110775)

Instructions

1. Fold Smoky Slate card stock in half to create card base. Adhere Orchid Oasis layer to card base using Stampin’ Seal.

2. Ink door frame using Memento Tuxedo Black ink and stamp onto Basic White layer. Color using Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blends.

3. Die-cut door insert from Basic White card stock. Adhere Smoky Slate strip to top of door insert and then adhere door inside frame using Stampin’ Seal.

4. Using Multipurpose Liquid Glue, adhere Smoky Slate and Orchid Oasis strips to Basic White layer, two strips above and two strips below.

5. Adhere Basic White layer to card base.

6. Ink cat image using Memento Tuxedo Black ink and stamp onto Basic White scrap; color with Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blends and die-cut.

7. Adhere cat to card base using Mini Stampin’ Dimensional.

8. Adhere Adhesive sheet to back of Orchid Oasis card stock. Die-cut ‘2023’.

9. Peel backing layer off ‘2023’ numbers and adhere vertically to door insert.

10. Ink ‘hello’ image using Orchid Oasis ink and stamp onto Basic White scrap. Die-cut. Adhere to card front using Mini Stampin’ Dimensional.

11. Add Pearl Basic Jewel to complete card.

Here's one idea for the inside of this playful card:

Have you discovered all the things you can do with this amazing die?

Have you discovered the Dots & Spots die from Stampin’ Up’s! Annual Catalog. It is a hidden gem.

 

This stand-alone die can be run through your Stampin’ Up! Cut & Emboss machine to create an all-over pattern of small holes. Today, I am sharing some ideas for simple projects to create using the die.

 

A Textured Strip

On this card, a narrow strip of dotty card has been layered on top of some Designer Series paper and beneath the sentiment strip. This adds a different texture to the card and draws the eye to the sentiment and the die cut flower from the Hues of Happiness Designer Series Paper.

 

Just In The Background

In this sample, the dots are in Basic White and sitting on a Basic White card base. This creates a great textured background for this stamped and die cut flower and sentiment from the Sending Smiles Bundle.

 

Spots & Stripes

A great idea for using up odd bits of cardstock. Strips of card measuring ½” (1.5cm) wide have been adhered across a 5” x 3 ¾” (13.9cm x 9.5cm) piece of copy paper. The colours used here were Tahitian Tide, Parakeet Party, Sweet Sorbet and Daffodil Delight. This has then been die cut with the Dots & Spots die. The dotty piece was then layered over a 4” x 5 ¼” (14.4cm x 10cm) piece of Basic Black card before being stuck to a Daffodil Delight card base. The black card shows through the holes giving a bold effect.

The sentiments came from the Sending Smiles bundle.

 

A Touch of Metallics

This final card features a mat of dotty Basic Black card layered over some Brushed Metallic Gold card. The “sending” sentiment was also die cut in black and gold, whilst the “all good luck your way” was heat embossed. This gives an elegant look to the card. Of course, you can play around with any colours of metallics and card stock to give different looks.

This is such a fun die and a great addition to your crafty stash.

What products would you use to create a beautiful forest fantasy?

Oohhhh, today's card map challenge is full of possibilities!

I feel I kind of went for the obvious on my card but I LOVE how it turned out. I have a new pack of paper from the July - December mini catalog, called Boughs of Holly and one of the patterns is filled with trees - can you spot it below:

These beautiful papers embrace the classic emerald green and rich reds we love to see at Christmastime with poinsettia, holly, and evergreen motifs. It also includes a more neutral birch tree bark pattern, soft polka dots, and abstract swatches of classic seasonal colors. You can also cut out images for quick textured and detailed layering pieces. Create card fronts, gift tags, scrapbook pages, and more!

But: this paper goes beyond Christmas as you will see below. I think the pattern I chose pairs beautifully with the Majestic Mountain dies!

And here's my challenge card:

And, yes, it is your turn now! Try this week's card map challenge and see what kind of forest fantasy you can create. 

If you want to order these products, click on one of the images above to link over to my online store. If you want to see what the other design crew members created for this week's challenge, click here. 

this is the EASIEST way to make beautiful cards (no complicated tools required)!

Do you find yourself wanting to make a beautiful card but you just don't have a lot of time to make it? Do you believe that cannot make beautiful cards because you don't have fancy tools and a pile of products? Today I am going to show you how to create a beautiful 'clean and simple' Color & Contour card idea, one that is stunning. You ready to learn how?

 

'Clean & Simple' is a technique that I don't use that often and I don't know why. All you need is a stamp set, ink and cardstock. If you love what you make the first time, you can easily make lots more and in a short period of time. 

I recommend the Color & Contour stamp set for getting creatively colorful. The open-line floral art and abstract filler stamps allows for a range of coloring techniques. Try freehand watercoloring for a modern look, or use ink and sponge daubers on the filler stamps to create an ombre floral effect! This set is also available in French.

Tip: click on the link below to order the stamp set at my online store! 

 

When the Color & Contour set was first introduced it was bundled with these FAB dies. Each are still available to order but now are sold separately. So if you don't yet have the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine and dies, no worries. You can still make today's card. 

Here's how to make this beautiful card at home. For step-by-step instructions, check out my video below. 

Supplies
Stamp set: Colour & Contour (154994)

Ink: Polished Pink; Fresh Freesia; Parakeet Party; Tahitian Tide; Starry Sky

Paper and dutting dimensions:
    Basic White: 8 1/2" x 4 1/4"; 2 1/8" x 1 1/4" 
    Fresh Freesia: 3/8" x 2 1/4" 

Misc: Silicone Craft Sheet (127853, optional); Multipurpose Liquid Glue; Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (144108, optional); Pearl Basic Jewels (144291)

Be sure to watch all the way through my video for my bonus tips and design ideas!

 

Make your own singing songbird ensemble with the Sweet Songbirds bundle

Remember the struggle I had with last week's card map? Well, this week went so much better!

Everything fell into place so sweetly (pun intended). I started with a piece of the In Color designer series paper:

From there I had a look through my stamp sets and spotted Sweet Songbirds, which I haven't used in a while: 

You can make your own singing songbird ensemble with the Sweet Songbirds Stamp Set! Stamp the images in different colors for a custom look—a light pink body, a darker pink wing, and yellow feet. Nestle your birds into the nest image or perch them on top of the branch. With multiple everyday sentiments, you're sure to use this cute stamp set all year long!

Or you can keep it super simple too, by stamping directly onto your card stock. To add a little pizzazz to my card I stamped the leaves twice, cut out one set and used Mini Stampin' Dimensionals for visual interest. 

Here's my card:

Now it's your turn: try this week's card map challenge and see what you can create. If you want to see what the other Paper Craft Crew members created this week, click here. 

How can a simple card map challenge stump me so badly?

Maybe it's the heat. Maybe it's the 30 hour training I just finished. Maybe...it's too simple? 

 

Who knows. But this map sat there looking at me for hours. Waiting for inspiration to hit me. Which it finally did but only after I rooted around in my stamping supplies for a very long time.

And then I saw my Hues of Happiness product suite - well, bits and pieces of what was left. 

So I decided to go with that, especially since I love that funky die in the Blossoming Happiness dies and wanted to try it on a layer. 

Here's my card.

If you want to see where I got my inspiration from, open the front cover of the Annual Catalog - do you see where my idea came from? 

If you want to see what the other design crew members created for this week's challenge, click here to head over to the Paper Craft Crew site. I sure hope the other crew members had an easier time than I did this week! 

These playful little cuties will guarantee smiles all around!

Have you seen the adorable Hippest Hippos stamp set that was released this month? I am going to show you a cut out window card idea using this playful set and matching dies and left over pieces of the colorful In Color designer series paper pack. You ready to see this fun technique?

Have a look at these playful little cuties that guarantee smiles all around! Stamp them individually or group them together to make your own bundle of happy, happy hippos! Color the hippos using your favorite Stampin’ Up! coloring technique.

 

 

And check the matching dies which you can also earn for FREE during Sale-a-bration! Create all kinds of fun scenes with the die cuts you make using these Hippo Dies. The hippos in this set are ready to have fun! You can show them dancing, snorkeling, boating, playing in the water, dancing in the rain while holding an umbrella, and more—there are simply too many options to name them all! Die cut the pieces then color any way you like for hip little hippos having a frolicking good time on your cards and papercrafts.

 

 

You can quickly create multiple color versions of this adorable cut out window card with the new designs featured in our In Color Designer Series Paper (DSP) Stacks in the 2022-2023 Annual Catalog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the best part is that you can earn this set for FREE with a $50 or €6o product order!

 

See the two border dies in the Art of Happiness bundle below? I chose one of them to add an interesting visual detail on my card. 

 

 

Stamp Set: Hippest Hippos* (159921)

Ink: Tahitian Tide; Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper and cutting dimensions: 

        Basic White: 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″; 1" x 5 1/2"; 3 1/8" x 11"; 2" square
        In Color Designer Paper (Tahitian Tide): 1″ x 5 1/2″; 1/2″ x 5 1/2″; 3″ x 5 1/2″
        Polished Pink: 1 1/4" x 1"

Misc: Blossoming Happiness Dies (158823); Adhesive Sheets (152334); Stampin' Seal; Stampin' Dimensionals; Layering Circles Dies (151770); Hippo Dies* (159928); In Color 6x6" Designer Series Paper (159253); Tranquil Tide Stampin' Blends; Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends

• FREE with a $50 (€60) product order - July and August only! 

Here's my video showing you how to create this card at home. Be sure to watch all the way through for my bonus tips and design ideas. 

If you love learning new techniques then this is the project for you

If you love learning new techniques then this is the video for you. I am going to show you how to combine two techniques to create a colorful and eye-catching card. I will be using my Floral Gallery dies for one of the techniques - you can use any word dies you that have on hand. The second technique is a fun and easy way to add color to the card background.

These dies offer open dies for artistic floral accents as well as label shapes that are designed especially for sentiments. Floral Gallery Dies are perfect for what your heart wants to say to your friends and loved ones.

To create my card background, I am going to show you an easy watercolor technique, using our Stampin' Spritizers (2 to a pack). 

This is such a fun tool: you fill an empty spritzer with water or rubbing alcohol and any color of Classic Stampin’ Ink Refill. Mix and spritz. I chose Highland Heather for my ink color - you can choose your favorite color for this project. 

Here's what I am going to show you how to create - watch my video below for all the steps and bonus tips and design ideas. 

To help you see the depth of the stacked dies, here's a photo with a different angle:

As I say in my video, I wish you could see this card up close - the phrase depth and the sparkle are amazing! Here's what you need to make this card at home:

Supplies

Stamp set: none

Ink: HIghland Heather Classic Stampin' Ink Refill (147010)

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Very Vanilla: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; (3) 3 1/2" x 3 1/4" 
        Highland Heather: 3 3/4" x 5"
        Adhesive Sheets: 3 1/2" x 3 1/4" 

Misc: Floral Gallery dies (154316); Multipurpose Liquid Glue; Stampin' Spritzers (126185); Sparkle & Shine Sequins Assortment (suggested,158137); Adhesive Sheets (152334); Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper (149612)

Here's my video - enjoy! 

 

1 great way to feature your designer series paper scraps

Do you have left over bits of designer series paper lying around? I sure do. So today, I am going to show you how to take these paper bits and create a wow factor on your cards. 

 

I am also going to feature the bright and beautiful Hues of Happiness designer series paper:

 

 

And the Happiness Abounds bundle:

 

If you want to try this paper technique at home, you will also need white embossing powder, a heat tool and your Blending Brushes:

 

 

Here's my card - to see this wow technique, check out my video below. 

 

Supplies

Stamp set: Happiness Abounds (bundle: 158824)

Ink: Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Mango Melody

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Basic White: 5" x 3 3/4"; 2 1/2" square
        Hues of Happiness: scraps
        Daffodil Delight: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 2 3/4" square
        

Misc: Hues of Happiness Designer Series Paper (158822); Blending Brushes (153611); Stampin' Seal (152813); Basics Embossing Powders (155554); Stampin' Dimensionals (104430); Glossy Dots Assortment (158827); Layering Circles Dies (151770); Heat Tool (129053)

Here's my video - be sure to watch all the way through for my bonus tips and design ideas.