Nutz about Stamping

You need to know how to create eye-catching backgrounds

Today's card shows you a cool stamping technique called tone-on-tone. This technique is fun for creating eye-catching backgrounds and can be utilized for many different stamp sets. 

The card below features the Crafting Forever stamp set  - cute images that will stoke your creative fires!

Crafting Forever Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$20.00

 

The tone-on-tone technique was created using the scissors image and stamping it using Balmy Blue ink on the Balmy Blue card base. The same technique was used to create the phrase banner at the bottom of the card. The paintbrush pot layer was colored using Stampin' Blends to pull all the color combos together. 

Although this card doesn't look like one for beginners, it is not difficult to create. It's the layering that makes it look complicated. Don't miss the full set of instructions under this card photo. 

 

 

Supplies:

• Stamp set: Crafting Forever (143958)
• Cardstock: Balmy Blue (146982), Crumb Cake (120953), Shimmery White (101910)
• Ink: Balmy Blue (147105), Memento Pad Tuxedo Black (132708)
• Miscellaneous: Stampin’ Blends: Crumb Cake Combo Pack (144601), Smoky Slate Combo Pack (145058), Mango Melody Light (147943), Lovely Lipstick Light (147026), Blackberry Bliss Light (147909), Pumpkin Pie Dark (144577), Pineapple Punch Dark (147030), Night of Navy Light (144036), Bermuda Bay Light (144580),   3/8” Classic Weave Ribbon Crumb Cake (144162), Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (143263), Layering Ovals Framelits (141706), Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies (148551), Banner Triple Punch (138292), Frames Elements (146906), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), SNAIL Adhesive (104332), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Paper Snips (103579)

 

Measurements:

• Balmy Blue card base: 4-1/4” x 11”, scored at 5-1/2” then folded in half; 3-1/2” x 2-1/2”, 2-3/4” x 1”
• Shimmery White: 2-1/2” x 3-1/2”
• Crumb Cake: 2-3/4” x 4-1/4”, 1-1/2” x 2-1/2”
• Ribbon: 8-1/2”

 

Instructions:

1. Stamp scissors image on the front of the card base with Balmy Blue ink in vertical columns. Start in the upper left and alternate the alignment of the scissors so they face down, up, down and, up.
2. Stamp pot of stampin’ tools with Memento Ink on Shimmery White. Color in with Stampin’ Blends as shown or as desired. Die cut image with oval.
3. Die cut scalloped oval from Balmy Blue card stock and a rectangle from Crumb Cake.
4. Stamp sentiment on Balmy Blue and trim end with Triple Banner Punch leaving room to later adhere one of the wood Frames Elements.
5. Attack sentiment piece onto Crumb Cake and trim to create a border on three sides.
6. Tie ribbon around lower portion of the Crumb Cake rectangle. Trim ends.
7. Affix focal point onto Crumb Cake rectangle with Stampin’ Dimensionals. Scoot ribbon down as needed to fit the oval on top of it.
8. Adhere the focal piece to card base with SNAIL Adhesive.
9. Add sentiment with 2 Stampin’ Dimensionals.
10. Using a Mini Glue Dot affix a wooden heart to sentiment piece.

Try the unusual with this simple card map challenge

This week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge is very simple in layout. A few simple layers and you will create a lovely card to give to someone special. 

 

But this week I wanted to try something different. I was thumbing through my Occasions Catalog and stopped when I saw the page featuring the Happiness Blooms Memories & More card pack.

Happiness Blooms Memories & More Card Pack
$10.00

 

I love this entire product suite and ordered most of these products when the catalog was first live for ordering. I have used many of the cards in this pack for both cards and memory keeping pages and decided that the rectangular layer on the card map could be one of the smaller cards.

I trimmed the card a bit to make it a bit smaller as the original size was larger than I wanted, plus I wanted to keep to the card map as much as possible. 

Next I chose some of the stickers in the card pack for my card elements. I then punched a 1" Night of Navy circle and instead of using a 'star' element I used one of the flowers on the sticker sheet. The final touch were the 5 Enamel Dots and my card was complete:. I particularly like the night of navy 'banner' layer under the Good Luck card. The white 'bubble' strip is from the sticker pack too - I simply trimmed to be the right size and stuck it to the navy strip. 

Here's my card map challenge card for the week:

I love how my card turned out, do you? Why not give our card map challenge a try this week and if you want to see what the other design team members created for the same challenge, click here. 

How one simple card idea can inspire your imagination

Even though the Painted Seasons stamp set is no longer available as Sale-A-Bration is now over, I still have a fun project idea to share with you - especially if you chose this product when it was available. And if you didn't, use my idea as inspiration for any flower sets you have and love! 

It is especially fun that Stampin' Up! also offered a set of framelits (Four Seasons framelits) to make crafting with this set super easy.

I decided to keep my card to two simple colors: Gorgeous Grape and Smoky Slate, inspired by a left over strip of Gingham Gala paper. I think Gingham Gala is one of my favorite designer paper packs EVER. 

Gingham Gala 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.00

Funny how small check and large checks can be so appealing - perhaps it is the color choices that made them even more fun to craft with. 

Here's my card - I diecut the phrase using the popular Stitched Labels framelits pack for an added fun detail. 

Painted Seasons Friendship card

Supplies:

Stamp Sets – Painted Seasons (150349)
Card Stock – Smoky Slate (131202), Whisper White (100730)
Ink - Gorgeous Grape (147099), Smoky Slate (147133)
Misc. – SNAIL Adhesive (104332), Big Shot (143263), Magnetic Platform (130658), Four Seasons framelits dies (150074), Stitched Labels framelits (146828), Silver Metallics Pearls (146282), Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals (144108), Gingham Gala designer series paper (148554)


Measurements: 


Whisper White: 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”; three pieces 2 1/4” square (flowers); scraps for leaves; 2 1/4” x 1” (for phrase)
Smoky Slate: 5 3/8” x 2 1/8”
Gingham Gala: 2” x 5 1/4”; scrap for inside of card (optional)


Instructions:

1. Fold Whisper White card stock in half to create card base.
2. Using SNAIL adhesive, adhere Gingham Gala paper to SmokySlate cardstock. Adhere layer to card base.
3. Ink flower image using Gorgeous Grape and stamp onto Whisper White (three times).Diecut using Four Seasons framelits dies.
4. Ink leaf image and stamp onto scrap Whisper White cardstock (three times). Diecut.
5. Ink Itty Bitty Greetings image using Smoky Slate ink and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock. Die cut using Stitched Labels framelits.
6. Attach flower and leaves to card front using Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals. Add phrase using SNAIL adhesive.
7. To complete, add three sliver pearls to center of flowers.

Here's what I did on the inside of the card - helping me use up a leftover strip of designer paper. 

 

How to create the perfect card for a horse-lover

When I was a young girl I was absolutely horse crazy. I drew horses on everything, read every horse book I could find and took riding lessons for years. 

So you can imagine my excitement when I spotted the Let it Ride stamp set in the Occasions catalog (page 45). 

Let It Ride Cling Stamp Set
$24.00

You can combine these inspirational thoughts with the graceful horse images to create perfect projects, like the clean and simple card idea below. Add a couple of fun embellishments and you have an amazing card. Don't miss the full instructions under the card photo!

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Let It Ride (148765); Buffalo Check (147794)
• Card Stock – Real Red (102482); Thick Whisper White (140272)
• Stamp Pads – Tuxedo Black Memento (132708); Real Red (147084)
• Misc. – Wood Textures Designer Series Paper Stack (144177); ¾” Circle Punch (119873); 5/8” Burlap Ribbon (141487); Crumb Cake Stampin’ Blends Combo Markers (144601); Bronze Stampin’ Blends Marker (144607); Take Your Pick (144107); Pierce Mat ( 126199); Metallic Brads (146929); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430); Glue Dots (103683)

 

Measurements:  

• Real Red (base): 5 ½” x 8 ½”, scored at 4 ¼” and folded
• Real Red: scrap
• Thick Whisper White (layer): 4” x 5 ¼”
• Thick Whisper White (strip): 1” x 4”
• Thick Whisper White (tag): 2” x 3 ½”
• Designer Paper: 3 7/8” x 5 1/8”
• Burlap Ribbon: 18”

 

Instructions:

1. Ink the Buffalo Check background stamp using the Real Red ink pad. Stamp on the Whisper White (strip) cardstock. 
2. Adhere the Buffalo Check strip, slightly less than half way down, to the designer paper. Adhere the designer paper to the Thick Whisper White (layer) cardstock. 
3. Use the pierce tool on the Take Your Pick, make a hole on the far-right side of the designer paper strip, through the Whisper White layer. Insert a large silver brad into the hole. Adhere this layer to the card base. 
4. Create mitered corners on the Whisper White (tag) cardstock using your scissors. 
5. Stamp the greeting using Memento ink on the lower left side of the tag.
6. Stamp the horse image using Memento ink on the far-right side of the tag. Color in the image using the Stampin’ Blends.
7. Punch the Real Red scrap cardstock using the ¾” Circle Punch. Cut the circle in half and adhere it to the top of the tag.
8. Pull one strand from the Burlap Ribbon. Fold it in half two times and make a knot in the center. Adhere it to the center of the Real Red half circle using a Glue Dot.
9. Adhere the tag to the left side of the card base using Dimensionals. 

Want to order the products used to make this fun card? Click the image below to link over to my online store:

Learn how to make beautiful filigree cards

I have been so taken with the Stampin' Up!s Occasions Catalog products that I have purchased, but I realized today that life isn't just about what I love - it's about showing you all of these amazing products to suit your design tastes!

So today I want to introduce the Florentine Filigree bundle, page 40 of the Occasions catalog, and show you what you can create using it:

The stamp set allows you to create clean geometric designs that you can combine with all-occasion sentiments for perfect projects. And then there is the Florentine thinlits die that is a completely unique style! 

Florentine Filigree Photopolymer Bundle
$40.50

Stampin' Up! has produced a video showing you some beautiful card ideas AND some tips and tricks for using this bundle. Have a listen and if you decide to order the bundle click the link to my online store below. 

Remember, place a $50 qualifying order and you can earn FREE product as well! Click the image below to link over to my online store:

 

Make the perfect card for your dog loving friends

Whether you are a dog lover, a cat lover, a horse lover or some other kind of animal lover, you have got to admit that the Happy Tails stamp set (page 33 in Occasions Catalog) is super cute. And that you can bundle the set with the Dog Builder punch is simply the icing on the cake (so to speak)!

Happy Tails Photopolymer Bundle
$31.50

 The card I want to share with you today also uses the Hardwood background stamp to coordinate with the doghouse image with the woodgrain on it.  What fun!

Hardwood Clear-Mount Stamp
$15.00

If you have these supplies already at home, read on and try the card idea below. If not, click here to link over to my online store and add these products to your collection so that you, too, can make the perfect card for your dog loving friends! (see the inside of this card at the bottom of this post)

Happy Tails friendship card

 

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Happy Tails (148682);  Hardwood (c-133035 or w-133032); Optional~Nine Lives (148703)
• Card Stock – Whisper White (100730); Real Red (102482); Pacific Point (111350); Early Espresso (119686)
• Stamp Pads – Real Red (147084); Early Espresso (147114); Pacific Point (147098); Versamark (102283)
• Misc. – Dog Builder Punch (148543); White Stampin’ Emboss Powder (109132); Heat Tool (129053); Blender Pen (102845) ; Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

Measurements:  

• Real Red:           8 ½” x 5 ½ ” folded in half to create card base
• Pacific Point : 2 ¾ ” x 3 ½”
• Whisper White: 2 ½ ” x 3 ¼”, 4” x 5 ¼” and small scrap for bowl
• Early Espresso:          2 ½” x 2 1/2"

Instructions:

1. Lay Hardwood stamp face up on flat surface. Add Early Espresso ink to stamp, then lay Real Red card on top. Cover with a scratch paper and rub all over to ink up card stock. Remove card stock from stamp. 
2. Using Pacific Point ink pad, stamp sentiment in top left corner of smaller white card stock using Pacific Point ink. Stamp paw
   prints on the left side of larger white card stock (this piece goes on the inside of the card). Optional: Stamp pet bowl (from Nine Lives stamp set) on small scrap of white and color by “pulling” the ink from the image into the space with a Blender Pen. 
3. Using Early Espresso ink pad, stamp dog house under stamped sentiment and a bone onto the scrap of white. Cut out bone and bowl with scissors. 
4. With the Real Red ink pad, stamp the bold house image under the roof, a small heart to the right of the sentiment and “Keep Calm” on the larger white card stock with the paw prints.  
5. Emboss the dog stamp onto Early Espresso using Versamark ink, white Stampin’ Emboss powder and a heat tool. Cut out dog using the Dog Builder punch.
6. Assemble card as shown, uning dimensionals under Pacific Point layer, Dog and bowl/bone.

Here's just one idea for the inside of the card:

Last chance to earn this set for FREE

If you have been following me for a while, you will know that I have a passion for clean and simple card designs and that I often share ones with you too. 

Today is no exception. It features the Painted Seasons stamp set which you can earn for FREE only until March 31st (and while supplies last). On March 31st Stampin' Up! announced a set of coordinating framelits that you can purchase for perfect coordination and to avoid fussy cutting (using scissors!) all the images. 

Four Seasons Framelits Dies
$28.00

Painted Seasons Bundle
$0.00

Here's a fun Painted Seasons card idea. Don't miss the faux washi tape element which adds a pop of color and interest to the clean and simple layout. I have included a list of instructions under the card photo to help you make this card at home. 

Supplies:

Stamp Sets:  Well Said Cling (148796); Painted Seasons Stamp set* (*from Painted Seasons Bundle 150349 free during Sale-a-bration)

Inks:  Call Me Clover (147139); Lemon Lime Twist (147145); Poppy Parade (147050); Versamark (102283)

Paper:  Whisper White Thick (140272); Whisper White (100730); Poppy Parade (119793)

Other: Four Season Framelits Dies (150074); White Stampin’ Emboss Powder (109132); Gingham Gala Adhesive-Backed Sequins (148561); Heat Tool (129043); Big Shot (143263); Snail (104332); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430); Glue Dots (103683) 

Measurements: 

• Whisper White Thick: 5 ½” x 8 ½”; scored at 4 ¼”
• Whisper White: 5” x 3 ¾”
• Whisper White: 2” x 2”
• Poppy Parade: 5 1/8” x 3 7/8”
• Poppy Parade: ½” x 2 ¾”
• Painted Seasons Designer Series Paper*: ½” x 3 ½”

Instructions: 

1. Score Whisper White Thick at 4 1/4" and fold to form card base.
2. Stamp the leaf image in Call Me Clover ink in the lower right corner of the Whisper White (5" x 3 3/4") and the palm leaf image in Lemon Lime Twist.
3. Glue the stamped Whisper White to the Poppy Parade layer (5 1/8" x 3 7/8") and glue both to the front of the card.
4. Stamp the flower image in Poppy Parade ink on the Whisper White (2" x 2") and cut out with the coordinating framelits.
5. Pop up the flower with Stampin' Dimensionals on the stamped leaves.
6. Glue the strip of Designer Series Paper (DSP) to the bottom of the stamped Whisper White lining up the right sides.
7. Stamp the sentiments in Versamark ink on the Poppy Parade strip (½” x 2 ¾”), apply White Stampin' Emboss Powder and heat set.
8. Glue the embossed strip to the card centering  on the DSP.
9. Add the flower sequins randomly on the card.

Remember, you can earn Painted Seasons for FREE only until March 31st and as supplies last. Click my store graphic below to link over and place your qualifying order:

You need to try this beautiful designer paper technique

Today I have a very unique Paper Craft Crew card map challenge! Instead of the normal white background this map challenges you to create a card using a darker color card base and then add several other elements that contrast yet pull the card together. 

What caught my eye was the swirl on the card map - especially the pattern on the swirl. And then I got an idea...

I knew immediately that I wanted to use my Flourish thinlits for the swirl - but how to get that pattern on it? Hmmm. 

Flourish Thinlits Dies
$29.00

 

 

Then it hit me: what if I die-cut the swirl using designer series paper - one that already had the pattern in it? Enter the Share What You Love designer paper:

Share What You Love Specialty Designer Series Paper
$27.00

 

I chose the pattern that was Mint Macaron and Basic Black and then my card design came together quite quickly after that. My card base would be Mint Macaron and then I would use a strip of Pick a Pattern Washi Tape,  and some Basic Black Faceted Dots  for my embellishments:

Pick A Pattern Washi Tape
$8.00

Faceted Dots
$6.00

For the phrase I used my Flourishing Phrases stamp set and die-cut the phrase using my Stitched Labels Framelits:

Flourishing Phrases Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$37.00

Stitched Labels Framelits Dies
$33.00

 

Here's my card:

Now it's your turn! Try the above card map and my designer series paper technique the next time you craft. And if you want to see what the other design team members created using this map, click here to link over to the Paper Craft Crew site. 

How to send sunshine wishes and itty bitty wishes

I love clean and simple card ideas. Why? They appeal to my eye and my sense of design. I have always believed that clean and simple cards are elegant and artistic. 

What is your favorite design style? Leave me a comment under this post to let me know because I want to help you out with ideas each week!

Today's card uses one of my favorite stamp sets: Itty Bitty Greetings. 

Itty Bitty Greetings Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$36.00

 

There are 32 stamps in this set featuring sentiments for every occasion. It is simply a must-have set for your collection. 

Pair up Itty Bitty Greetings (using your favorite phrase) with Sunshine Wishes and the Floral Romance paper and you end up with a gorgeous clean and simple card. I love the Floral Romance paper with its soft, elegant designs for weddings, anniversaries, and more, including printed vellum for layering and hand-cutting accents.

Floral Romance 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper
$14.00

Sunshine Wishes Thinlits Dies
$27.00

 

Here's the perfect card to send sunshine wishes and itty bitty wishes! 

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Itty Bitty Greetings (146667 clear, 146664 wood)
• Card Stock (CS) – Petal Pink (146985); Whisper White (100730)
• Ink Pads – Petal Pink (147108)
• Misc. – Floral Romance Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP)  (148586); Sunshine Wishes Thinlits Dies (141489), Pretty Label Punch (143715); Sponge Dauber (133773); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430); Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755) 

 

Measurements:  

• Petal Pink CS: 5 1/2” x 8 1/2”, scored in half at 4-1/4”; and a scrap for die cutting
• Whisper White CS: 5 3/8” x 4 1/8” layer; 5 1/4” x 4” for the inside; and scraps for die cutting and punching
• DSP vellum: 5 ¼” x 4”

 

Instructions:

1. Burnish the fold in the card base using a Bone Folder.
2. Stamp the sentiment in Petal Pink ink onto a scrap of Whisper White CS, cut it out using the Pretty Label Punch, then ink the edges in Petal Pink using a Sponge Dauber.
3. Die cut a heart from Petal Pink CS and one from Whisper White CS.
4. Glue the 5 3/8” x 4 1/8” Whisper White layer onto the front of the card base.
5. Adhere the sentiment onto the vellum layer using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
6. Glue the two die cut hearts onto the vellum layer.
7. Glue the vellum layer onto the Whisper White CS layer, putting glue only behind the pieces attached to the front, and one teeny tiny dot of glue behind each corner.
8. Glue the 5 1/4” x 4” Whisper White CS onto the inside of the card.

How to create a beautiful (and easy) friendship card

In today's blog post and video I am going to introduce a brand new product that recently arrived. It's called the Country Floral Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing folder (149698). You can earn this product for FREE with a $50 product order until March 31, 2019.

There are a lot of techniques you can do with this folder so if you want to learn some of them, leave me a comment under this blog post!

I decided to keep my card clean and simple and monochromatic, making Grey Granite my card base. I used the Beauty Abounds stamp set for my phrase and one of my embellishments:

Beauty Abounds Cling Stamp Set
$23.00

 

Here's my card - and don't miss my video at the bottom of this post!

Country Floral friendship card

Stamp set: Beauty Abounds (148726)

Ink: Grey Granite

Cardstock and cutting dimensions:
          Gray Granite: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" 
          Whisper White: 4" x 5 1/4"; 2 3/4" square, scrap for butterfly

Other: Big Shot, Country Floral Dynamic Embossing folder (149698), Layering Circles framelits (141705), Gray Granite 1/2" Textured Weave ribbon (147656), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (144108), Metallic Pearls (silver) - optional

Here's my video - thanks for watching:

As promised on my video - here's the inside of my card - again, clean and simple:

 

 

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. 

How to make a stunning background image

Have you ever tried Stampin' Up!s background stamps, featured on page 172 of the Annual Catalog? These large stamps (available in wood or clear) make super cool eye-catching details on cards, boxes and scrapbook pages. 

Here's the catalog image so you can see how two of these stamps are used: Marbled and Handwritten.

Today's card features the Burlap background stamp:

Burlap Clear-Mount Stamp Set
$15.00

This stamp adds a vintage or country detail so is the perfect background for the Home to Roost stamp set - free with a $50 order until March 31st! 

This card also features watercoloring using ink pads and an aqua painter. I love how this notecard looks - the angle of the layers and stamps add an interesting detail. To learn how to make this card, read the instructions under the card photo. 

Home to Roost notecard

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Home to Roost (SAB) (149736); Burlap (143982)
• Card Stock – Whisper White Thick (140272); Whisper White (100730); Mossy Meadow (133676)
• Stamp Pads – Stazon – Jet Black (101406); Soft Suede (147115); Crumb Cake (147116 ); Mossy Meadow (147111); Cherry Cobbler (147083); Rich Razzleberry (147091); Pumpkin Pie (147086) 
• Misc. – Aqua Painter (103954); Linen Thread (104199); Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies (148551); Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755)

Measurements:  

• Whisper White Thick: 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”
• Whisper White: 2 3/4” x 4” ½” wide scrap (sentiment)
• Mossy Meadow: 4 ¼” x 3” 
• Linen Thread:27” (approx.)

Instructions:

1. Score at 4 1/4” along long edge of Whisper White Thick cardstock, and fold to make card base.
2. Stamp burlap image (at an angle, as shown) onto card base with Mossy Meadow ink. Set aside to dry.
3. Stamp rooster image in Stazon ink; set aside to dry.
4. Use the (approx. outside dimension) 2 3/8” x 3 ¾” Rectangle Stitched Framelit to cut out the center of the Mossy Meadow cardstock. Keep the frame and set aside the inside section for a future project.
5. Watercolor the rooster with an Aqua Painter and ink from inside the lids of the various colored inks. This example uses Soft Suede for the lower area of the rooster, and Crumb Cake followed by a little Mossy Meadow beneath the feet. Rich Razzleberry for the breast, back & tail, Pumpkin Pie for wing and around eye, and Cherry Cobbler for his comb. Remember to apply color quickly and DO NOT saturate any area of the cardstock. If you need to additional color depth, apply additional layer(s) of color after the previous layers have dried. 
6. Once all watercolored areas are dry, stamp the grasses with Crumb Cake and then repeat with Mossy Meadow.
7. Layer the stamped rooster behind the Mossy Meadow frame and glue together. Note that the stamped layer is a little smaller than the frame so you’ll have some room to adjust width of overlap for preferred visual balance. 
8. Stamp “Just a note” with Stazon ink, leaving a tiny bit of room to the right of the periods, and enough space in front of the word “just” to trim a banner shape. Apply glue behind the periods and tuck that end of the banner slightly under the lower right edge of frame, leaving the left end free. Curl left end upwards a little, if you wish.
9. Adhere the framed piece (at an angle) to the card base with additional glue.
10. Fold the linen thread into thirds and tie into a bow. Attach bow to the frame with a tiny spot of glue. Trim ends as desired. 

You have got to see this new product!

In today's video (see below), I am going to introduce a brand new product and use that product along with the So Happy Together stamp set to create a friendship card or perhaps a card for somebody young (or young at heart!). 

True confession: when I first saw the So Hoppy Together stamp set as one of my Sale-A-Bration free choices, I thought: MEH. Not so crazy about it. But I got it anyway and it quickly grew to be one of my favorite choices this year. Every time I see a card I have made using it, I feel a little smile coming on. And that's what crafting is all about for me!

And now that we have coordinating framelits I am loving the ease in stamping, coloring and die-cutting - the framelits make crafting a breeze!

Click here to link over to my online store and place a qualifying order today - remember these products are only available until March 31st. 

Click on the flyer photo below to download it to your device - and to get the ordering numbers!

Here's my So Hoppy Together card - cute, right? And don't miss my video below the supplies so you can learn how I created my card - thanks for watching. 

 

Stamp set: So Hoppy Together

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Stampin' Blends: Mango Melody Combo (147945), Granny Apple Green combo (147274)

Paper and Cutting Dimensions:
          Granny Apple Green: 11" x 4 1/4"; 3 1/2" x 1 1/2"
          Whisper White: 4" x 5 1/4"; 2 1/2" x 2"
          Mango Melody: 2 3/4" x 2 1/2"

Accessories: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Well Written Framelits (148534), Hop Around framelits (150073), SNAIL Adhesive, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Gold Metallic Pearls, Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets

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. 

Fill beautiful vases with vibrant wishes

Do you know the two-step stamping technique? If not, then I have a beautiful card idea to show you! Introducing the Vibrant Vases stamp set:

Vibrant Vases Photopolymer Stamp Set
$17.00

 

Fill these vases with your best wishes and make creating them super easy with the coordinating Vases Builder punch. Combine individual stamps to create the final image you want in the colors you want - for this card Granny Apple Green, Gorgeous Grape and Pool Party was used and against the checked background makes the vase a standout! 

This card is also a great example of how to use bold patterns of Botanical Butterfly designer paper. Change the phrase to match the occasion you need!

Vivid Vases greeting card

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Vibrant Vases (148656) 
• Card Stock – Whisper White Thick (140272)
• Stamp Pads – Memento Tuxedo Black (132708); Pool Party (147107); Granny Apple Green (147095); Gorgeous Grape (147099)
• Misc. –Sale-a-bration Botanical Butterfly Designer Series Paper DSP (149622); Silver Metallic Thread (138402); Glitter Enamel Dots (146934); Big Shot (143263); Stitched Labels Framelits (146828); Stitched Shapes Framelits (145372); Vases Builder Punch (147040); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430); Mini Glue Dots (103683); Mini Dimensionals (144108)

Measurements:  

• Whisper White Thick: 8-1/2” x 5-1/2” (score 4-1/4”); & 3” x 4” – (x2)
• Botanical Butterfly DSP: 5-1/4” x 4”
• Metal Thread Ribbon: 20”

 

Instructions:

1. Score Whisper White card base at 4-1/4”, fold in half to create card base.
2. Adhere the DSP to the card base.
3. With the 2^nd largest Stitched Circle and the tag from Stitched Labels and the 3”x4” piece of Whisper White, run through Big Shot and die cut both pieces.
4. With Memento Tuxedo Black ink, stamp the greeting image on the white tag.
5. With the 3”x4’ piece of Whisper White, ink the vase with Pool Party, the leaves with Granny Apple Green.  Ink the outline image of the tulips with Memento Black and then the inside tulip image with Gorgeous Grape.  Punch all shapes with the Vase Builder punch.
6. Adhere the Silver Metallic Thread to the circle with adhesive.  
7. Assemble the vase and flowers and tulips with mini glue dots and mini dimensionals; then adhere to the circle with dimensionals.  Adhere the greeting tag with dimensionals.
8. Add a few of the Gorgeous Grape Glitter Enamel Dots.