Here’s a Zany Zebras card suitable for anyone, not just pink-lovin’ folk (see these cards). The recipient is sure to smile over the frolicking black and white equines.
A beautiful print from the Forever Greenery Designer Series Paper makes a perfect backdrop for the Zany Zebras. Sprigs cropped from Brushed Metallic Paper and the Forever Flourishing Dies along with Gilded Gems add a punch of pizzazz.
You will need a die cutting machine, but overall this handmade birthday card can be accomplished in a short time. Family and friends will cherish the greeting long after the special day has passed.
Which Zany Zebras is your favorite: Pink or Jungle? I invite you to leave a comment. Just click on Comments at the top of this post.
What I love about Stampin’ Up!’s 11-piece Zany Zebras cling stamp set is that it’s too stinkin’ happy. Kid or adult, who wouldn’t smile when they spy the mini zebras? The same with the zippy bright pink. Reminds me of my bumpy rides up the Sedona buttes and mesas while on the Pink Jeep tours. Good times, right?
This card trio offers the Zany Zebras ready to send cheer on a birthday, happy event or “just because.”
Kick Up Your Heels!
Yes! Those are high heels in the background. What better way for girls to celebrate than to slip on the high heels (figuratively, of course bc who wears heels anymore??), then kick them up. This is the perfect card for a friend celebrating an accomplishment, big or small. You can find the heels in the Dressed to Impress stamp set.
Festive stars are scattered about. Notice the sweet stitching outlining the cutout. The Black Glitter Paper conceals the same stitching on the inside of the star. The must-have 23-piece Stitched Stars Dies set offers stars from teensy-weensy to huge.
Happy Birthday
It’s always time to celebrate! Of course, birthdays are always cause for celebration, but let’s get honest. This is 2020. We need to celebrate getting out of bed each morning after the rough patches we’re enduring. Omit the Happy Birthday and send a cheery reminder to be grateful for the small stuff.
Like the polka dots? The 6 x 6″ Designer Series Paper Stacks available in every color family are my favorite patterned papers. The polka dot pattern is my favorite, but I also love the wood grain. Thank goodness they’re separate sheets, and not back to back.
Just Because
A striped, scrappy background honors the zebra stripes with a Magenta Madness twist, and there are more black and white stripes in the twine wrapping the Magenta ribbon. You can find the striped twine in the Playful Pets Trim Combo Pack (the stitched Real Red grosgrain makes this a winning purchase).
Confession. It took a good friend’s comment to turn me on to the Stitched Triangles. I uttered my famous last words: what do I need those for?, only to be presented with loads of inspiring projects. Next time . . .
Still not convinced the Zany Zebras should be in your collection? Tune in tomorrow for Zany Zebras in the jungle. Still happy, just not drowning in Magenta Madness pink.
These projects were featured on a Friday Facebook Live. If you missed it, you can view the step-by-step process on this cleaner recording from my YouTube channel here.
Skip over to My Store to shop for any of these supplies and others.
It’s all about the packaging! This custom gift box for mini hand sanitizers makes a pretty party favor or appreciation gift. The best thing about it? It is super simple to create.
This project was featured on yesterday’s Friday Facebook Live. If you missed it, you can view the step-by-step process on this clean recording from my YouTube channel here.
I’ve created several custom gift boxes for several differenct occations. It truly is perfect packaging. Here’s another sample from the Prized Peony Suite using the Peony Garden Designer Series Paper.
Here’s the gift that was included in my most recent Bingo Plus Card Class. I used the Gilded Autumn Specialty Designer Series Paper,Copper Foil and amazing Stitched Leaves Dies. So pretty!
And since it’s Back to School season, I created a teacher-themed appreciation gift using the Harvest Hellos stamp set and punch along with the In Good Taste DSP.
If you earned Bonus Days Coupon Codes during July, Monday is the final day to redeem. If you need help with the codes or placing your order, I’m here to help!
Here’s a stunning inked background for fall and holiday cards that truthfully can be extended year-round. Just choose your color combinations with the season in mind and your hand-made card can become a beautiful snail mail greeting to send any season.
Setting the background for inked images begins with a few ink pads and some sponges. Actually, one sponge if you snip one circle into 6 wedges. To choose color combinations, I head to the Stampin’ Up! Color Coach, which includes dozens of color combinations to get your creative juices flowing. I show just one page of the great color resource. Dare to use colors outside your usual realm.
Here’s the color combo I selected for a fall card.
Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, and Pear Pizzazz
My Tips to Create a Stunning Card
Stampin’ Up!’s Whisper White regular weight cardstock is ideal for this inking technique. The smooth surface allows the inked sponge to glide.
Begin with the lightest color. Using a circular motion, begin on your grid paper off the Whisper White project paper.
Add texture to your project with an embossed pattern.
Die cuts pop off the project when you adhere with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
I had fun creating this pretty fall card and sharing it during a Friday Facebook Live. Here’s the video, snipped to focus just on the tutorial.
Switching up the colors creates a whole new look for a whole new season. Here’s a wintry holiday card created with the too-cute Freezin’ Fun Bundle and the same inked background technique.
Here’s the color combo used on the winter holiday card.
Pool Party, Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay, and Pacific Point.
What do you think? The color combos are limitless, and the technique results in colorful backgrounds to showcase your images and greetings.
They say every dog has its day. Apparently, that’s so for cats as well. And that day is this Saturday, August 8.
According to daysoftheyear.com, the day was established in 2002 to celebrate the most popular pet on the planet. Not to editorialize, but who knew? I thought the most popular household pet was the canine.
For those of us who know a few ladies who are one cat short of crazy (no need to name names), it’s another day to celebrate. Let’s face it, these days we all need more reasons to celebrate.
I can think of a few felines from my past I would like to celebrate.
How ’bout you? Can you also think of a cat lady, friend or family member who could use a cause for celebration?
Celebrate International Cat Day and pay homage to the critters who help relieve stress and improve our mental health. Make a toast, send a card — just be sure to get permission from the cat first.
Who’s on your shortlist of felines to celebrate this International Cat Day?
The Pampered Pets bundle and coordinating patterned papers are the perfect supplies to craft a greeting for all the cat lovers in your circle. Click on the photos to view the materials used to create each project.
Rather than a phone call, how about wishing someone a happy birthday with this elegant Wow! technique birthday card? The beautiful floral sprays will bring a bit of nostalgic appeal while wishing the recipient a special day. It’s guaranteed to be cherished long after the phone call.
Three Techniques for One Birthday Card
To create the Wow! layer, the magical heat embossing technique was employed. Heat embossing was magical the first time I witnessed it, and it was magical for the hundredth-plus time when I created this greeting card. It never fails to take my breath.
After the heat embossing technique, came the coloring technique. Stampin’ Write markers were literally scribbled across small areas; Cherry Cobbler for the flowers, Mossy Meadow for the foliage. The deep red and green are the quintessential rose combo.
Finally, the entire layer was watered. First, I spritzed with water to allow the color to flow yet remain contained within the embossed areas. Then the background was quickly sponged with Old Olive.
See the techniques at work by clicking the video. As with many creative projects, early stages may be discouraging. My project after markering looked a wreck. Ignore the inclination to crumple and toss, and carry on with the next step.
Here are the alternate cards I created. The versions below were simply die cut with a stitched rectangle die and adhered to the black card base with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Lighter, brighter color combinations are perfect for spring and summer birthdays. All versions were kept clean and simple with only twine or narrow ribbon and rhinestones to embellish.
Wondering what I used to create these pretty technique cards? Click on the image below to view the Stampin’ Up! products.
Without question, condolence cards are the most difficult to send off. So difficult that I often don’t get the card in the mail.
Why is it difficult? Because I don’t know what to say. Most people don’t.
What if we could make picking up the pen easier with a little preparation? As daunting as it is to stare at the blank card stock inside a handmade card, I know I don’t like the regret I feel when I don’t send off the card. Unwritten words weigh heavy on my heart. The words matter both to me (the sender) and to the person who lost a loved one (the receiver).
To lessen the difficulty of getting the heartfelt card in the mail, prepare. I often begin a crafting project with a template to get a jumpstart. Similarly, create a template to help with the words inside the project. Of course, you will want to tweak the suggested words and examples to suit your situation and your relationship to both the recipient and the deceased. This is just a jumpstart for what to write inside the handmade condolence card.
General Words
Start with the words we learned in kindergarten.
I’m sorry.
These two words matter. The same words we would say out loud apply to what we can write. The recipient will appreciate any caring words you write. Already you are off to a great, confident start. Continue:
I’m going to miss her.
I have so many wonderful memories.
I’m thankful to have shared memories with …
The joy … brought to others will not be forgotten.
Be Specific
Remind the recipient why you think their loved one was special, or share a memorable experience you shared with the loved one.
I remember the nice time we had together last year.
One of the things I loved most about …
Offer Support
If you are able to help, offer something specific. Avoid just asking “what can I do?”
Can I help by …
I’m available if you need …
Finding the right words seems paralyzing, but in realty any words matter. Don’t miss the golden opportunity to offer comfort and peace to someone who is mourning. Be prepared with words that matter and send the card. Let go of the excuse that too much time has passed. It’s not too late. Accepting the loss of a loved one is a slow process. Your handmade, hand written card will provide needed reassurance to someone grieving.
Stampin’ Up!’s Gorgeous Posies Project Kit offers an easy way to create the stash of beautiful cards needed when words matter. Add-on the coordinating 10-piece stamp set, and you can create more than the 16 cards in the project kit. Click on the photo for more details.
Patterned papers with specialty texture and shimmer can help create beautiful cards for all occasions. Although I have more than six crates full of patterned paper in all patterns and colors, there are times when not one sheet from any package suits the design in my head. Sound familiar?
The solution? Stamp your own custom specialty designer series paper. You can choose your theme, elements, and colors.
Take a look at three cards I created with the awesome Tasteful Touches 9-piece cling stamp set. The custom paper is the focal point of these beauties.
Besides the beautiful images in the stamp set, I used the coordinating dies to frame the greetings on each card. Surprisingly, not one die in the coordinating die set will crop an image from the stamp set. However, the dies frame the greetings awesomely.
Would you like to try to create your own custom specialty designer series paper? Here’s the How To video tutorial that includes my tips on selecting stamps and color combinations for your project. Give it a try — you will love the results!
What do you think? I would be thrilled if you left a comment if you enjoyed this tutorial.
What I love about Stampin’ Up!’s 11-piece Zany Zebras cling stamp set is that it’s too stinkin’ happy. Kid or adult, who wouldn’t smile when they spy the mini zebras? The same with the zippy bright pink. Reminds me of my bumpy rides up the Sedona buttes and mesas while on the Pink Jeep tours. Good times, right?
