Why Bundles are the Best

Coordination — Bundles take the guesswork out of creating. Stamps and dies or punches are perfectly sized from the start.

Discount — When you buy the coordinating stamp set and dies or punch, you SAVE 10%.

Add the Punch to Lemon Zest

Today I made cards with one of my top bundles in the latest Stampin Up! catalog: Lemon Zest Bundle. This one is a favorite because the whole lemon and leaf images are cropped with a PUNCH. I love framelits and thinlits, but punches are the easiest. No platform, cutting pads, Big Shot … are required.

Here are today’s main tools.

How sweet are the greetings punningly written about this sour fruit? Both items are a MUST. I know some crafters try to squeeze by with just the stamp set or the punch, but I’m here to advise from the start that would be a regretted decision.

I offer more unsolicited advice: Be sure you own the 1 3/4″ Circle Punch. If you don’t, you will want to invest in it for your convenience. With it, you can easily punch the lemon slice, and then further slice that in half with your Paper Snips.

One Bundle, Three Looks

I LOVE a fancy fold, and this Z-fold card is probably the simplest fancy fold in existence. I paired the bright Daffodil Delight lemon with pretty paper from the Petal Garden Designer Series Paper Stack. The pattern is identical to the new Garden Trellis Embossing Folder design.

The leaves were punched from Old Olive cardstock. The sentiments were stamped on Whisper White cardstock cut with the Lots of Labels Framelits.

Pacific Point, Old Olive and Daffodil Delight are a sunny, summer combo. A strip of Old Olive cardstock texturized with the Petal Burst Embossing Folder was slipped behind a Whisper White square cut and detailed with the largest Stitched Shapes Framelit square. The leaves and whole lemon were brushed with the Wink of Stella Glitter Brush. Unseen, a wee Mini Dimensional adheres the top-most leaf.

A decorator’s tip: Give black a chance! A slim strip of Basic Black punched with the new Decorative Ribbon Border adds punch to this Whisper White card of encouragement. LOVE it! This little border punch  works two jobs: it creates a simple tiny scallop and a pretty eyelet border. This double-sided versatility gives a crafter more value for her money.

This little notecard features two embossing techniques!

1. The cardbase has been “debossed” to created recessed leaf images with the Petal Burst Embossing Folder.
2. The lemons and leaves have been “heat embossed” with VersaMark and Clear Embossing Powder to create “real” lemon shine and sparkle.

Again, I used my go-to Stitched Shapes Framelits—a circle this time.

Here’s a peek at the inside of the card.

I’d love to hear what you think. Post a comment by clicking here.