Nutz about Stamping

A fun wish for life's next exciting adventure

Oh how I remember this month a few short years ago when it was time to take my son off to college in the mountains of North Carolina. He was so excited and quite nervous yet there was an air of new-found confidence about this next step in his life. 

Although I was so happy for him and supportive of this next exciting adventure in his life I was so very sad to see him move out and on. We drove for 3.5 hours, found the apartment complex, got him all signed up, moved in his boxes, ooh'd and ahh'd at the amazing view from his living room window and then it was time for me to drive home. 

I barely made it into the car before I started crying (much to his amusement) and then sobbed (I mean SOBBED) all the way back home. It is amazing I made it safely as my eyes were almost swollen shut by the time I drove into my garage - yep, that ugly cry look. As I think back to that time now, my eyes still fill with tears but I can also laugh at how emotional I was knowing that my 'little buddy' was all grown up. 

Are you sending someone off to college soon? Here's a fun card to create to wish them well, using the Above the Clouds bundle on page 89 of the Annual Catalog:

Above The Clouds Bundle
$36.00

Tip: that hot air balloon punch has so many amazing uses beyond simple air balloons! Check out my Pinterest Board for all sorts of new ideas. 

Above the Clouds card

Here's how to make this cute card: 

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Above the Clouds Bundle (151135)
• Card Stock – Daffodil Delight (119683); Coastal Cabana (131297); Thick Whisper White (140272)
• Stamp Pads – Tuxedo Black Memento (132708); Crumb Cake (147116)
• Misc. – Daffodil Delight Combo Stampin’ Blends Markers (144603); Light Bermuda Bay Stampin’ Blends Marker (144580); Pretty Label Punch (143715); 2” Circle Punch (133782); Stampin’ Pierce Mat (126199); Take Your Pick (144107); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430); Mini Dimensionals (144108)

 

Measurements:  

• Daffodil Delight (base): 5 ½” x 8 ½”, score at 4 ¼” and folded in half 
• Coastal Cabana: 4” x 5 ¼”
• Thick Whisper White: 3” x 4”
• Vellum: 2” x 3”

 

Instructions:

1. Using the 2” Circle Punch, punch an opening in the lower portion of the Coastal Cabana cardstock as shown. 
2. Place the Coastal Cabana cardstock on the Pierce Mat. Using the paper-piercing tool attachment on the Take Your Pick tool, create a row of holes around the circle opening. Repeat this step by making an additional row of holes, two more times, until your piercing appears as shown.
3. Stamp the greeting using Memento ink in the lower right corner of the Coastal Cabana cardstock.
4. Adhere the Coastal Cabana cardstock to the card base using Dimensionals. Be certain to place Dimensionals around the circle opening so it won’t sag.
5. Stamp the outline image of the hot air balloon on the Thick Whisper White cardstock. Stamp the outline image of the basket on the Thick Whisper White cardstock.
6. Stamp the solid basket image using Crumb Cake ink to fill the outline image. 
7. Color in the hot air balloon using the Stampin’ Blends.
8. Punch the hot air balloon and basket using the punch. 
9. Punch out a vellum “cloud” using the Pretty Label Punch and the vellum cardstock.
10. Adhere the vellum to the backside of the hot air balloon, placing adhesive where it will not show. 
11. Place Dimensionals on the backside of the vellum cloud and hot air balloon, where they will not show and adhere it to the right side of the circle opening.
12. Adhere the basket image to the base of the hot air balloon using a Mini Dimensional.

How to create card layers for visual interest

Did you think that Stampin' Up!s Memories & More card packs were only for memory keeping or scrapbooking? Well, think again. These cards also make lovely and easy card ideas.

Today I have a beautiful Magnolia Lane card idea and will show you how how to create layers for visual interest. Here's the card pack that I used: 

Magnolia Lane Memories & More Card Pack
$11.00

The beauty of this card idea is that it uses no stamps, ink or cardstock! I used my die-cutting machine and Stitched Rectangles dies to create the layers using the "Hooray for Today" card in the pack:

Stitched Rectangle Dies
$35.00

I could have used my paper cutter to create the layers but feel that the stitched edges on the layers adds a touch of elegance to my card. 

Then I simply reassembled my card layers onto one of our fabulous Magnolia Lane large specialty Memories & More cards and envelopes which were designed to coordinate with the card pack (I love perfect coordination, don't you?) 

One final touch: I used Stampin' Dimensionals to bump up my layers for that final added touch. Here's my card:

Tip: there are several larger cards in the Memories & More pack. You can choose the one that you fancy or to match the occasion you need. This card could easily be use for birthdays, friendship, congratulations, engagement, birth of a new baby - any occasion that deserves a cheer!

Here's a side view:

Here's how to make this card - it's easy! 

Supplies: 

• Stamp set  – none
• Card Stock – none
• Ink - none
• Misc. – SNAIL adhesive (104332), Magnolia Lane Large Specialty Memories & More Card Pack (149487), Mint Macaron 1/4” Textile Ribbon (149480), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Die-cutting machine, Stitched Rectangles (149551), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104330)

Measurements:  

• Mint Macaron: approx 10” 

Instructions:

1. Fold Memories & More card in half to create card base.
2. Choose Magnolia Lane card to feature on card front.
3. Using die-cutting machine and Stitched Rectangles, die-cut two stitched rectangles from the Magnolia Lane card, using two different sizes of rectangles. 
4. Adhere die-cut card layers to card base using Stampin’ Dimensionals to create layers. 
5. Create Mint Macaron bow and attach to card front using Mini Glue Dot. 

Who doesn't like a super fun card map challenge

After last week's tough color challenge, this card map challenge was so much fun to follow. (And I really love how my card turned out!)

My first decision was to use the Come Sail Away product suite. I have used up most of the paper and am so pleased that I am sticking to my promise. Rather than have a Whisper White card base I chose Balmy Blue, one of the colors in the Come Sail Away paper. 

My next decision was that that larger rectangle layer would be a paper in the Come Sail Away pack. I wanted the front square layer to be a phrase from the Sailing Home stamp set and the banner strips would come from the paper. 

All of these decisions came easily to me. But those leaves/branches stumped me. Until I remembered the Smooth Sailing dies - there was a seaweed die in the pack. Problem solved easily!

I tried my best to match colors in the paper to solid card stock and although this is not the kind of card layout I would normally create nor the color combos I would normally choose, I am very happy with how my card turned out:

And here's another view, more from the side:

Now it's your turn: try our card map challenge using the supplies you have on hand. If you want to see what the other crew members made for this challenge, click here!

An easy teacher gift idea: week two

In today's video I am going to show you a second teacher gift idea that would be perfect to give to your children's teachers on the first week of school this year. As a former teacher I would  have LOVED getting a gift like this, as there were many times when I wished I had cards like these on hand to use at a moment's notice.

I am going to feature the Notecards & Envelopes pack...

Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes
$7.00

and two stamp sets: Flourishing Phrases and Crafting Forever:

Flourishing Phrases Cling-Mount Stamp Set
$37.00

Crafting Forever Cling-Mount Stamp Set
$20.00

The idea is that you would create a set of notecards with matching envelopes so the design would be kept simple but still be really cute. The notecards pack has twenty pre-scored cards and envelopes in a bit smaller size which also helps keep the design process easy. 

Last week I created another teacher gift idea (click here to see the project and video) and I used the Follow Your Art paper. As this is a second idea for teachers I decided to use the same paper. I love the colors and designs - they are so fun don't you think?

Follow Your Art Designer Series Paper
$11.50

Here's my project and video below. Keep watching the video to the end as I show two other card ideas using the same products so the final gift idea would be a coordinating pack of three notecards! 

Crafting Forever Notecards & Envelopes

Stamp sets: Flourishing Phrases (151407), Crafting Forever !!!!!

Ink & Markers: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Whisper White: 3 1/2" x 2 1/2"; 2 1/2" x 1 3/4"
        Calypso Coral: 2 3/4" x 1 3/4"; 3 1/2" x 1 1/4"
        Follow Your Art: 1" x 3 1/2" 
        Basic Gray: 3 1/2" x 1 1/2"

Other: Notecards & Envelopes (131527), SNAIL adhesive, Layering Ovals framelits (141706), Mini Stampin' Dimensionals, Follow Your Art designer series paper (149489), Die-cutting machine

Here's my video tutorial. Watch for a companion video on my YouTube channel showing you how to create a companion pocket for these cute cards and envelopes!

See the fun color challenge that stumped me

This week's Paper Craft Crew completely stumped me, would it stump you too? I had a tough time with my design because I wanted to use designer series paper on my card but didn't have a pack that used any of these colors!

I looked through the catalog to see if any paper packs had these colors and no luck. I was completely stumped. I put the challenge in the back of my mind while I did other things then came back to it later in the day. Then it hit me: I don't have to use these exact colors (as the challenge clearly notes); I can use colors that closely match. The only way I could make this color challenge work for me was to adapt it a bit.

Do you know which paper pack would work? Follow Your Art!

Follow Your Art Designer Series Paper
$11.50

The colors that I chose from this paper were: Pacific Point, Calypso Coral and Crushed Curry. 

I decided to choose the Crafting Forever stamp set to coordinate with the Follow Your Art paper:

Crafting Forever Cling-Mount Stamp Set
$20.00

 

Here's my friendship card. I used a phrase from the Crafting Forever set and diecut it to make the phrase stand out a bit on my card. 

Now it's your turn. I challenge you to make a card using the colors in our challenge and see what you can create too. If you want to see what the other design crew members created, click here. 

An unusual way to use beautiful paper

If you have bits of designer paper lying around or if you want to feature parts of a piece of designer paper, I have a fun project for you to try today. I think this layout shows an unusual way to use up those beautiful patterns, especially patterns that may have larger images on them. 

To make this card you will need the Good Morning Magnolia stamp set, the Magnolia Lane designer series paper, and three circle punches (different sizes), see below. 

 

Good Morning Magnolia Cling Stamp Set
$36.00

Magnolia Lane Designer Series Paper
$11.50

Tips:
Choose circle punches that match the sizes of the images on the designer paper you want to use. 
Choose the card base paper layer that coordinates with the paper you want to feature inside the circles.
Instead of stamping the image in the center you can choose a coordinating paper image and use it instead

Good Morning Magnolia friendship card

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Good Morning Magnolia (149298)
• Card Stock – Petal Pink (146985); Mossy Meadow (133676); Whisper White (100730); Vellum (101856)
• Stamp Pads – Mossy Meadow (147111); Memento Black Ink (132708)
• Misc. – Magnolia Lane Designer Series Paper (DSP)  (149484); Stampin’ Blends Old Olive Combo (144597);  Stampin’ Blends Calypso Coral Combo (144045); 2 ¼” Circle Punch(143720); 2” Circle Punch (133782); 1 3/8” Scallop Circle Punch (146139); Leaf Punch (144667); Wink of Stella Glitter Brush (141897); Rhinestone Basic Jewels (144220); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

Measurements:  

• Petal Pink: 11” x 4 ¼”; 4” x 5 ¼” (circle punches)
• Mossy Meadow: 1” x 4” 
• Whisper White: 2 ¼” x 3 ¼”;  scrap (circle punch)
• Vellum 2 ¼” x 3 ¼”; scrap (leaf punch)
• DSP:  4” x 5 ¼”; 4” x 4” (circle punches)

Instructions:

1. Score and fold the Petal Pink in half
2. Stamp image with Memento Ink on Whisper White and punch out w the 2” Circle Punch
3. Color image with the Old Olive and Calypso Coral Blends 
4. Punch out all the Circle Punches w Petal Pink Card Stock
5. Stamp the sentiment w Mossy Meadow Ink on the Scallop Punch
6. Punch out the DSP using the 2” Circle Punch and attach to two of the Petal Pink circles
7. Attach the stamped layer to the last Petal Pink circle
8. Attach the DSP layer to the card
9. Add the Mossy Meadow in the middle of the DSP layer
10. Assemble the circles as picture. I used Wink of Stella on the stamped image. I used Stampin Dimensionals on the middle circle and attached the leaves to that layer before adding to the card
11. Add Rhinestones Jewels

The perfect project for the perfect challenge

What products would you choose for this week's card map challenge?

What came immediately to my mind was the Colorful Seasons set and Seasonal Layers dies - because of the deck chair die:

Colorful Seasons Photopolymer Stamp Set
$27.00

Seasonal Layers Dies
$33.00

To me, a deck chair reminds me of the beach so I started my layout with this embellishment. The second thought I had was to use some paper on my card, and what better paper pack but the Come Sail Away pack:

 

Come Sail Away Designer Series Paper
$11.50

My struggle was finding a strip that would work with the deck chair. I have used up most of this paper pack but when I found some of the navy stripe paper I decided that work work. 

Tip: did you know that if you diecut a second chair, turned it over and cut off the chair back, you have a beach table to match? And of course the table needs some cool drinks on it to beat that beach heat. 

So I decided that to add a tiny pop of color I would use two bright ink colors (Melon Mambo and Call Me Clover) to add one final element. 

Rather than stamp my phrase I decided to feature it by making it a circle layer to complete my card. Here it is:

I hope my card provided you with some fun inspiration. Why not join us and create and share a beach-themed card over on the Paper Craft Crew site? We'd love to see what you make too. Enter your card for challenge #345!

What to do with this unusual card map challenge: week 2

Last week's Paper Craft Crew challenge is a fun one: Case the Designer! I am not sure you know this but the Paper Craft Crew has 15 crew members. And this is a 2-week challenge so I thought it would be fun to choose another crew member and case one of their cards. 

Do you know what 'case' means? Copy And Steal/Share Everything. I had such fun looking through everyone's blogs for an idea that caught my eye. 

Here are two Perennial Essence cards that I chose to 'case', from Rick's blog:

These are clean and simple card ideas that take only seconds to create. I own the same paper pack but decided that I would copy Rick's layout but use other paper instead - the Follow Your Art paper that is gathering dust in my crafting closet (gasp)!

Follow Your Art Designer Series Paper
$11.50

This paper is so colorful and has such fun designs but I don't own the stamp set that coordinates so tend not to use it. But I do own the Crafting Forever stamp set and thought it would be fun to use one of the cute phrases from it on my cards. 

Crafting Forever Cling-Mount Stamp Set
$20.00

And although I kept the same layout for my cards, my phrase was a different size and shape so I used my Stitched Shapes framelits to feature my phrase. I love that these framelits have three different sizes so you can easily layer your phrases and stamped images without digging through your other framelit packs to find a match. It's coordinated for us!

Are you ready to see my cards? I used the same piece of designer paper, and featured both sides:

 

Now it's your turn to give this fun idea a try: case the designer (me) the next time you craft. Use one of my card photos on my blog as your inspiration, use your crafting supplies and see what you can some up with. 

How to add subtle details to perfect your cards

In today's card and video tutorial I am going to use the Daisy Lane bundle (page 23 Annual Catalog) to make a beautiful greeting card. I will also show you how to combine products and layers to add some sophistication to your card.  

Daisy Lane Bundle
$35.00

I love bundles because they save me money (yay, always good) and are put together to support my creativity. The punch is perfectly matched to fit the smaller daisy in this set which saves me time when crafting. 

There is a second product I used on my card which I am delighted that I own - it just arrived recently and I can tell that I will be using it a lot: the Subtle 3D embossing folder:

Subtle 3D Embossing Folder
$10.00

This product doesn't need a lot of explaining - which is the subtle embossed image for card layers. The reason this folder is a must-have is that it will add that final sophisticated touch to layers that might seem too plain otherwise. This is the product you will reach for when things look a bit 'stark' or a bit plain but you don't want to add details that take away from a stamped image, paper or embellishments. 

Here's my card - don't miss the instructions and video underneath!

Daisy Lane friendship card

 

Stamp set: Daisy Lane (149325, OR bundle with Medium Daisy punch #151118)

Ink: Crushed Curry, Mint Macaron

Paper and cutting dimensions:
          Very Vanilla: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 4" x 5 1/4"; two pieces: 3" square
          Mosaic Mood: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"; 4 1/4" x 2"

Other: die-cutting machine, Rectangle Stitched framelits (148551), Subtle 3D embossing folder (151775), Pearls Basic Jewels (144219), SNAIL adhesive, Daisy punch (143713), Mosaic Mood designer series paper (149478)

Here's my video - watch throughout for bonus tips!

Did you ever have a day like this one?

It is Saturday and I barely feel like moving - have you ever had a day like this? I bet you have so I thought it would be fun to share a card idea that matches my mood.

The Back on your Feet stamp set is perfect for those who are a little under the weather. It's sure to make them smile! And I bet using this set will make you smile too. 

Back On Your Feet Cling Stamp Set
$21.00

This set is even more appropriate for me as I had a bike accident last week and broke a bone in my hand, making crafting very painful to do. 

I am stuck with this brace for the next five weeks, and when I have it off to shower, I am actually relieved to put it back on to relieve the pain. Darned if I do, darned if I don't situation. 

If you have the Back on your Feet set why not make a bunch of notecards to tuck away for when you need them: for clumsy friends like me (HA)? The card below is fun to create using the Scalloped Notecard and envelopes (new!) and Layered Leaves embossing folder:

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Back On Your Feet (149385)
• Card Stock – Scalloped Note Cards & Envelopes (149610) Terracotta Tile (150884) Very Vanilla (101650) 
• Stamp Pads – Memento Tuxedo Black (132708)
• Misc. – Stampin’ Blends Cajun Craze Combo (147931); Stampin Blends Old Olive Combo (144597); Stampin Blends Bronze (144607); Stampin Blends Crumb Cake Light (144582); Stampin' Dimensionals (104430); Mini Glue Dots (103683); Snail Adhesive (104332); Terracotta Tile Scalloped Ribbon (149705); Stitched Nested Label Dies (149638); Layered Leaves Dynamic Embossing Folder (143704); Die Cutting Machine

 

Measurements:  

• Note Cards & Envelopes
• Whisper White: Scrap
• Terracotta Tile Scrap, 5" x 1”

 

Instructions:

1. Emboss the Old Olive Card base with Layered Leaves embossing folder.
2. Stamp Sloth on Whisper White Scrap using Memento ink.  Color using the blends listed above.
3. Stamp your “sigh” on stamped layer. Stamp inside of card with “sometimes that is all there is to say….” Using Memento Ink.
4. Using Die Cutting Machine and the Stitched Nested Framelits, cut the Sloth layer as well as a Terracotta Tile layer, cut the Terracotta Layer in half and adhere to back of Stamped layer using Snail.
5. Cut the linen portion of the Scalloped Ribbon away.  Tie in a bow, and carefully unravel.  Adhere using a Glue Dot.  Adhere the scallops to the bottom of the stamped layer.
6. Adhere to card base using dimensionals.
7. Adhere 1” x 5” Terracotta Tile to the bottom inside of note card.
8. Stamp your envelope to match.

Every little kindness makes the world a little brighter

This stamp set phrase is so true, isn't it? And it is certainly worth featuring on a card too. So I did. 

But, first I started with my paper choices and card stock layer and card base. Right now I am pretty much in love with the Garden Lane paper, no wonder why.

Garden Lane Designer Series Paper
$11.50

It is more, for me, about the paper designs rather than the greens, but maybe they work so well hand in hand. So I chose two designs to match together and layered each onto a larger piece of Mossy Meadow.

Then to make my Waterfront phrase stand out and to also match the pattern in one of the papers, I created two squares in a diamond layer. 

Waterfront Photopolymer Stamp Set
$17.00

Here's my card and full instructions underneath:

Supplies: 

• Stamp set  – Waterfront (photopolymer, 146386)
• Card Stock – Pear Pizzazz (131201), Mossy Meadow (133676),  Whisper White (100730)
• Ink - Mossy Meadow (147111)
• Misc. – SNAIL adhesive (104332), Die-cutting machine, Stitched Shapes framelits (145372), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104330), Tear & Tape adhesive (138995), Magnolia Lane Ribbon Combo Pack (149485), Garden Lane designer series paper (149488)

 

Measurements:  

• Pear Pizzazz: 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”
• Whisper White: 2” square
• Garden Lane - two designs each: 3 7/8” x 2 1/2” 
• Mossy Meadow: 5 1/4” x 4”; 2 1/2” square
• Magnolia Lane ribbon: 4 1/2” strip

 

Instructions:

1. Fold Pear Pizzazz cardstock in half to create card base.
2. Using SNAIL adhesive, attach two pieces of Garden Lane paper to Mossy Meadow layer. 
3. Attach two strips of Tear and Tape adhesive to the back of Mossy Meadow layer. Peel off covers. Lay Magnolia Lane ribbon across center of card front and adhere to Tear & Tape on the back.
4. Using SNAIL, adhere Mossy Meadow layer to card base.
5. Ink phrase using Mossy Meadow ink and stamp onto Whisper White card stock. 
6. Using die-cutting machine and Stitched Shapes framelits, die-cut the two stitched squares: the Whisper White phrase (diamond layout) and Mossy Meadow, using two different sizes of rectangles. Adhere ‘diamonds’ together using SNAIL.
7. Adhere diamond layer to card front using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

How to feature bold designs on cards

In today's video I am going to show you how to use some of your designer series paper to make a beautiful thank you card, although you can change the phrase to suit any occasion you need. My card is part of a series of recent posts showing you how to feature bold paper designs on cards. 

If you want to see other posts featuring bold paper designs, click here, and here. 

For my card below, I chose the Garden Lane paper and used a larger piece as a card front layer. I love the combinations of greens in the designs; I think it is the first time Stampin' Up! has done this.

Garden Lane Designer Series Paper
$11.50

You can use any of the following colors to perfectly match: Garden Green, Old Olive, Mint Macaron, Pear Pizzazz, Mossy Meadow and Soft Sea Foam. How cool!

When making cards, think about how you can add unique, eye-catching elements. For my card I chose to use the Scalloped Tag Topper punch so that my phrase will stand out and be a free moving element on the card front:

Scalloped Tag Topper Punch
$23.00

 

I also decided to stamp my tag to add extra interest, using the lovely Verdant Garden stamp set. Then the phrase which I created using the Well-Written framelits. 

Here's my card - I included a video and a full list of supplies and measurements underneath. 

Stamp set: Verdant Garden (149460)

Ink: Mint Macaron

Paper and cutting dimensions:
          Mint Macaron: 3 3/4" x 1 7/8"; 2 1/2" x 1"
          Whisper White: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 3" x 3 3/4" 
          Garden Lane: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
          Mint Macaron: two strips 4 1/2" each plus extra for the bow

Other: Die-cutting machine, Well Written framelits (148534), Scalloped Tag Topper punch (133324), Braided Linen Thread (147808), Mint Macaron 1/4" Textile ribbon (149480), SNAIL adhesive, Linen Trim Braid (147808), Mini Glue Dots

Here's my video - thanks for watching!

 

What to do with a designer's choice challenge!

This week's Paper Craft Crew challenge is a: designer's choice!

So what does that mean? Well, it means that pretty much anything goes. Have some fun and go through your stash to see what catches your eye, or perhaps challenge yourself to use some products you haven't opened yet (gasp) or used in a long time.

For me, I knew that I wanted to use some of my Magnolia Lane designer series paper. When the last catalog retired I was shocked to see how my designer paper I had not used, paper that is no longer available to order. I try to only show products that are available to you to order at my online store, in case you really like something and want to add it to your collection. So I promised myself that with this new catalog I would use what I have - completely use it so that there are no left-overs when the catalog retires. 

Not hard to do when the paper is gorgeous:

Magnolia Lane Designer Series Paper
$11.50

I decided to make this lovely paper the feature on my card, completely covering the Whisper White card base with one pattern and then use a complementary pattern for the strip layer. 

My final decision was which stamp set to use. I chose a phrase from the Colorful Seasons stamp set:

Colorful Seasons Photopolymer Stamp Set
$27.00

 

 

To feature the phrase, I chose two Stitched Shapes framelits. Three coordinating embellishments and my designers choice card is done:

 

Now it's your turn: I challenge YOU to create a card that features designer paper that you have on hand. And if you want to see what the other Paper Craft Crew design team members created as their 'designer's choice', click here. 

 

 

The world needs more people like you

I am sure you know a bunch of people that bring value to your life and the lives of others. When was the last time you told them that? 

If it has been while, or never {shock}, then today is the day to make a card that tells them this! And what better way to do so that with the amazing Bird Ballad suite:

Tip: bundle this fun stamp set with the Stitched Nested labels dies and save 10%:

Free As A Bird Bundle
$51.25

Once you have these products then you can make this beautiful Bird Ballad card below, to honor all these friends who came to mind as you read this blog post. Why not make this card for each of them and include a lovely message inside to let them know how much you appreciate them?

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Free As a Bird (149468)
• Card Stock (CS) – Smoky Slate (131202); Pool Party (122924); Whisper White (100730)
• Ink Pads – Basic Gray (147113); Pool Party (147107)
• Misc. – Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper (DSP) (149592); Stitched Nested Labels Dies (149638; Bird Ballad Trinkets (149594); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430); Mini Glue Dots (103683); Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755)

Measurements:  

• Smoky Slate CS: 5-1/2” x 8-1/2”, scored in half at 4-1/4” plus a scrap for die cutting
• Pool Party CS: 5-1/8” x 3-7/8”
• Bird Ballad DSP: 5” x 3-3/4” plus a scrap for die cutting
• Whisper White CS:5-1/4” x 4”plus a scrap for die cutting

Instructions:

1. Burnish the fold in the card base using a Bone Folder.
2. Stamp the sentiment in Basic Gray ink onto a scrap of Whisper White CS and die cut it.
3. Stamp the bird in Pool Party ink onto the Whisper White CS for the inside of the card.
4. Die cut a scrap of DSP, and a scrap of Smoky Slate CS. 
5. Glue the Pool Party CS layer onto the front of the card base.
6. Glue the DSP layer onto the Pool Party CS layer.
7. Glue the Smoky Slate CS die cut onto the DSP layer.
8. Glue the DSP die cut onto the Smoky Slate CS die cut.
9. Adhere the die cut sentiment onto the DSP die cut using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
10. Adhere the bow trinket onto the sentiment using a Mini Glue Dot.
11. Glue the Whisper White CS onto the inside of the card base. 

Here's what you could do for the inside of the card, simple, but it ties everything together:

How to create your card designs like a pro

If you have difficulty designing your cards each time you craft, then I have the perfect challenge that will have you designing your cards like a pro!

Try our weekly Paper Craft Crew challenge!

I use card maps a lot when I need inspiration. I use them to help me get started with a layout and then go from there. Often my final product doesn't match the map but that's ok. It was just the bump I needed to open my mind and unlock my creativity. 

Lately I have shared a lot of project using the new Come Sail Away product suite:

To see some of these projects, click here, here and here. 

I wanted to try an unusual layout this week, starting with a Whisper White layer on the Whisper White card base. Instead of layering my Come Sail Away paper in the center of the Whisper White layer, (which I usually do) I moved it to the right side then I positioned my stamped and die-cut sail boats on the left side. popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.  

The center of my card was looking pretty bare so I decided to add a strip of Balmy Blue card stock, a sticker phrase from the Come Sail Away Memories & More card pack and then a die-cut steering wheel.

Here's my card! Can you tell which row or column I used from the Tic-Tac-Toe challenge map above?

 

Now it is your turn: try our card map challenge the next time you craft. And if you want to see what the other design crew members created, click here.