Nutz about Stamping

How to create a beautiful Magnolia Lane thank you

In today's video I am going to introduce the Good Morning Magnolia stamp set and coordinating dies to show you how to make a beautiful thank you card. You can take this idea and make any kind of occasions card you need!

I love the Magnolia Lane product suite not because it is one of our top sellers in the new catalog but because of the variety of products that you can create with! 

NOTE: You can actually buy ALL of these products as one complete bundle to get everything in the photo above - use order #152178

My card looks complicated to make but was very easy as my video below will show. And if you love to color this is the perfect bundle for you to consider!

Here's my card, I posted the inside below. (hint: check out page 36 in the Annual catalog to see how I got my idea!)

Stamp set: Good Morning Magnolia (bundle with framelits (151087)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper and cutting dimensions:
          Crumb Cake: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
          Vellum 'card', trim to: 4" x 5 1/4"

Other: Die-cutting machine, Clear Block (118483), Magnolia Lane Memories & More card pack (149554), Calypso Coral Stampin' Blends combo pack (144045), Mossy Meadow Stampin' Blends combo pack (148547), Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends combo pack (144601), Magnolia Lane Ribbon Combo Pack (149485)

Here's what I did for the inside of my card - using a sticker from the Memories & More sticker sheets:

Here's my video - thanks for watching and don't miss my bonus tips along the way!

How to say a sad goodbye to two beautiful folders

In today's video tutorial I am going to feature two retiring embossing folders, and combine them to make a beautiful and easy to create thank you card. I also need to say goodbye to the Bitty Blooms punch pack so am going to make fun flower embellishments to make my thank you card a stand out. 

It's time to say a sad goodbye to Petal Burst and Petal Pair so what better way to do that other than use both of them for my card. 

Petal Pair Textured Impressions Embossing Folders
$7.65

Petal Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
$7.50

Bitty Blooms Punch Pack
$23.00

 

These two embossing folders are now discounted so click the shopping cart image on the right side of this blog post to place your order before they are gone for good! 

I was inspired for the colors of my card by a left over sheet of Needlepoint Nook paper - also retiring tomorrow - I love the bright colors in this paper and the happy feeling I get when I craft with it. From this patterned paper I chose Poppy Parade and Crushed Curry for the layers and elements, and then I created the 'thanks' phrase from the Well Written framelits pack. I love this pack of words and images and know I will certainly get my monies worth out of it in the coming year. 

Well Written Dies
$40.00

Watch the video under my card to not only see how I created it but also for some extra tips along the way!

Well Written thank you card

Stamp set: none

Ink: none

Paper and cutting dimensions:
          Whisper White: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 2" square
          Crushed Curry: 3" square; scrap for phrase
          Poppy Parade: 5 1/4" x 4" 
          Needlepoint Nook (148807): 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Other: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Well Written framelits dies (148534), Multi-purpose adhesive sheets, Best Route Enamel Shapes (146900), Petal Burst embossing folder (141493), Petal Pair embossing folders (145656), SNAIL adhesive, Bitty Blooms punch pack (148532)

Here's how I designed the inside of my card, using a strip of the Needlepoint Nook designer paper which was my original inspiration for design and colors: 

Here's my video tutorial: thanks for watching!

Delight a friend with this stunning thank you card

I say this all the time and I really do mean it: stunning cards don't have to be complicated to create.

Today's thank you card idea is the perfect card to delight a friend. And it is so easy to create with these three main products:

All That You Are Cling Stamp Set
$23.00

Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack
$9.00

Old Olive Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack
$9.00

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The All That You Are is going to retire at the end of this month so if you love these images and the card I am sharing today, don't wait - place an order for it today so that you have it for years of crafting fun. (Click on the stamp set image above to link over to my online store)

I also like this card idea because you can change up the Stampin' Blends colors for a totally different look! 

Try these other color combos:

• Poppy Parade & Granny Apple Green
• Daffodil Delight & Call Me Clover
• Flirty Flamingo & Soft Sea Foam
• Balmy Blue & Mint Macaron

and so on! There are so many possibilities! 

Remember to use either the Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad (my fave) or the Jet Black Staz On ink pad when you stamp the main image so that when you color the flower and leaves your colors don't smear!

All That You Are thank you card

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets - All That You Are (148664)
• Card Stock – Fresh Fig (144242); Old Olive (100702); Whisper White (100730
• Stamp Pads – Memento (132708)
• Misc.- Rich Razzleberry Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack (144602); Old Olive Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack (144597); Natures Twine (146342); Mini Glue Dots (103683); Snail Adhesive (104332)

 

Measurements:  

• Fresh Fig: 4-1/4” x 11” 
• Old Olive: 4” x 5-1/4”
• Whisper White: 5” x 3-34” and 4” x 5-1/4” for inside of card
• Natures Twine (Fresh Fig): 5” and 8” for bow

Here's one way to design the inside of your card:

 

Instructions:

1. Stamp Small flower with Memento Ink in the lower right corner of large Whisper White cardstock and color in with Rich Razzleberry Combo Stampin’ Blends Markers and Old Olive Combo Stampin’ Blends Markers.
2. Fold cardstock in half and attach larger Whisper White cardstock to the inside of the card.
3. Stamp large flower and sentiment with Memento Ink on smaller of the Whisper White piece.
4. Use Rich Razzleberry Stampin’ Blends Markers to color in the flowers and Old Olive Stampin’ Blends markers to color in stems and leaves.
5. Unravel the 5” piece of Natures Twine and wrap the twine around the stamped piece securing it behind with Snail Adhesive.
6. Attach stamped cardstock to the Old Olive cardstock and attach Old olive cardstock to the front of the card base with Snail Adhesive.
7. Unravel the 8” piece of Natures Twine and tie it in a bow and attach to the card with a Mini Glue Dot.

Which color is your favorite in this challenge?

This week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge is actually a color challenge - which color is your favorite?

Hands down my favorite color is Lemon Lime Twist. And I am so sad to have to advise you that this color is retiring on June 3rd so if you love it as much as I do you will want to stock up on card stock and accessories well before the retirement announcement happens - once it posts these colors will fly off the shelves instantly. 

I chose Daffodil Delight as my mystery color, and along with Coastal Cabana I created a soft and beautiful friendship card idea. For the stamp set I used Bloom by Bloom, one of my favorites in the Occasions Catalog. 

Bloom By Bloom Photopolymer Stamp Set
$17.00

I used the larger images on the Whisper White card base because the colors or more soft so using large images won't be too 'in your face'. For the phrase I chose the Beauty Abounds stamp set - another pretty set in the Occasions catalog:

Beauty Abounds Cling Stamp Set
$23.00

To complete my card I used two embellishments, a butterfly from the Beauty Abounds set and a single Lemon Lime Twist Glitter Enamel Dot. 

Here's my Bloom by Bloom friendship card:

Now it's your turn: try our color challenge the next time you craft! 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 site! 

How colorful butterflies will brighten someone's day

The Butterfly Gala stamp set is perfect for creating warm wishes to brighten someone's day.

Butterfly Gala Photopolymer Stamp Set
$21.00

 

This is a 'Two-Step' Stampin’ set which means you combine individual stamps to create the final image you want in the colors you want using Stampin' Up!'s coloring tools. 

And the images are so gorgeous when stamped that you don't need a lot of extra embellishments or layers to make a very pretty card, like the one below 

Butterfly Gala thank you card

Here's how to make this pretty card. Why not give it a try the next time you craft? 

Supplies

Stamp set: Butterfly Gala Stamp Set - #148580

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black; Botanical Butterfly designer series paper

Ink: Memento Jet Black

Other: Butterfly Duet Punch, Gingham Gala Sequins, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals

 

Measurements

Basic Black Card Base: 5 ½ x 8 ½ 

Basic Black: 2 ½ x 3 7/8, 2 ¾ x 3 ½ 

Whisper White: 4 x 5 ¼ (2 of these), 2 ½ x 3 ¼ 

Botanical Butterfly paper: 2 ¼ x 3 5/8 

 

Instructions

1. Fold 5 ½” x 8 ½” piece of basic black and crease. 

2. Attach DSP piece to 2 ½ x 3 7/8 basic black panel.

3. Stamp image on lower corner of 2 ½ x 3 ¼ whisper white panel.

4. Attach to 2 ¾  x 3 ½ basic black panel. Attach to whisper white panel with dimensionals.

5. Punch out butterflies from DSP paper.

6. Attach butterflies to white panel.

7. Stamp antenna on butterflies.

8. Attach panel to basic black card base.

9. Attach sequins.

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. 

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:

 

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. 

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. 

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. 

You need to know the hinge stamping technique

Where do you get ideas for your cards? I was emailed this question recently and I get my inspiration from a variety of sources: Pinterest, a quarterly magazine that Stampin' Up! mails to demonstrators, my own projects and from non-card ideas. Today's video and card was inspired by a gift box that I spotted in Stampin' Up!s magazine. I loved it and immediately decided to make it a card idea to share with you. 

My video tutorial (below) will show you 2 stamping techniques, one of which is the hinge stamping technique - which will help you with perfect placement!

My color choices for my Bloom by Bloom card started with Lemon Lime Twist (my happy spring color) and then I looked through my ink pad colors and selected Bermuda Bay as my accent color. 

Rather than blog my decisions and how the card was created, why not watch the video to see step-by-step how I created it? In my video I also share additional stamping tips, cutting dimensions and product numbers for the products I used. 

Stamp set: Bloom by Bloom (148820)

Ink: Lemon Lime Twist, Bermuda Bay

Paper and cutting dimensions:
          Whisper White: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 3" square, scraps for flowers
          Lemon Lime Twist: 5 1/2" x 3 1/4"
          Bermuda Bay: 3" x 1"

Other: Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Well Written framelits (148534), Stitched Shapes framelits (145372), Multipurpose Adhesive sheets, SNAIL Adhesive, Stamparatus (146276), Take Your Pick tool (144107), Silicone Craft Sheet (127853), Stampin' Dimensionals, Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets (144106)

A customer emailed me recently to ask how to take basic cards and make them look more sophisticated. One way to do this is to add (tastefully) more embellishments. Here's my card with three Glitter Enamel Dots (146934) added - for added interest and sophistication:

Here's my video tutorial - thanks for watching! 

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. 

How to find color inspiration for your next card

Recently a customer emailed me to ask where I find color inspiration for my cards. I am going to share one of my design tips today! 

In today's video (see the bottom of this blog post), I want to show you how to make a lovely thank you card, but you can change the phrase to make it a birthday card, thinking of you card, friendship card or any other occasion that you need. My card features the Bloom by Bloom stamp set found on page 25 of the Occasions Catalog:

Bloom By Bloom Photopolymer Stamp Set
$17.00

This super cute set has no phrases so combine the images here with phrases from other sets that you love. 

I was inspired for the colors on my card from the Happiness Blooms designer paper:

Happiness Blooms 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper
$11.00

 

This paper has bold and bright florals and patterns, using the following Stampin' Up! colors: Call Me Clover, Calypso Coral, Lovely Lipstick, Night of Navy, and Pineapple Punch. So I chose two of these colors for my card. 

During my video I mention a stamping term: fussy cutting. Basically this means stamping and cutting out images using your paper snips, which is how I created the flower images for my card. A pair of high-quality scissors is a crafters must-have so don't cut costs for this item!

For my card I chose Lovely Lipstick and Pineapple Punch for my focus colors. Here's my card:

Bloom by Bloom greeting card

Supplies

Stamp sets: Bloom by Bloom #148820; Love What You Do #148042

Ink: Pineapple Punch, Lovely Lipstick

Paper and cutting dimensions:
          Whisper White: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 3 3/4" x 5"; three pieces 1 3/4" square (large flowers);
          three pieces 1 1/2" square (small   flowers)

Accessories: SNAIL adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips

And as promised, here's how I decorated the inside of my card - using one of the small stamps in the Bloom by Bloom set. 

Would you like to see how I created my card? Here's a video to show you how:

How to create a fun (and easy) thank you card

The card I want to share today was so fun and easy to create, thanks to my Big Shot. I love this tool and use it almost every week to show you a card idea on my YouTube channel.

If you have been following my blog for a few weeks you will also know that I am so in love with the Happiness Blooms card pack. Yes these cards were designed for memory pages but Stampin' Up! titles these projects as Memories & More. One possibility for more is for card making. 

I wanted to create a thank you card for an online order I received last week and so that was my goal. First I found a super cute card in the Happiness Blooms pack which I layered onto Night of Navy:

Happiness Blooms Memories & More Card Pack
$10.00

 

Then I die-cut a Night of Navy 'thanks' using the Well Written dies:

Well Written Framelits Dies
$40.00

I also decided to emboss the Whisper White card base using the Scattered Sequins folder because the pattern reminded me a bit of the flowers on the Happiness Blooms card:

Scattered Sequins Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
$10.00

 

I added a Lovely Lipstick bow and two punched flowers using the Bitty Blooms punch pack (LOVE THESE!):

Bitty Blooms Punch Pack
$23.00

and my thank you card was done! 

If you want to order the products I used to make this fun (and easy!) thank you card, click the link to my online store below: