Side Step Fancy Fold Birthday Card Tutorial Featuring Grown with Love

By | September 2, 2017

Side Step Fancy Fold Birthday Card Featuring Grown With Love

This side step fancy fold card is loaded with fun. After sharing a side step card using the Birthday Memories Suite (see it here) in one of my card classes, I received requests for the step-by-step instructions and details. Today I’m not only sharing the PDF project sheet, I also have my first-ever video tutorial for you.

Today’s side step card features the Grown with Love Bundle that includes the stamp set and the Garden Grown Framelits Dies. This bundle was one of the first new products that landed on my wish list when the new Stampin’ Up! catalog was launched. It’s adorable. I also used Stylized Birthday, which is a must-have stamp for your stamp closet. You’ll grab it often when creating birthday cards.

Creating the side step card is simple. Once you give it a try, you’ll want to create lots of scenes.

Here’s What I Made

Check out the video.

Here’s What I Used

Click on any image to skip over to my store.

Get the Project Sheet Here.

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Hand-Made Greeting Cards for Christmas

By | August 5, 2017

Happy Holiday Card Class

Serene Winter Scene

Almost every December 24th I ask myself how the time got away. Christmas Eve arrives and I’m still wrapping gifts, making tags and wishing I had gotten all my Christmas greetings in the mail the previous week.

Not this year. There are 19 weeks til Christmas and I’m here to invite you to join me in getting set for the holidays with hand-made greeting cards for Christmas.

Happy Holidays Card Class

Make eight winter scene Happy Holidays cards and coordinating envelopes,
plus eight BONUS thank you cards.

Date: Sunday, August 20, 2017
Time: 1 – 4 pm
Cost: $25
Location: Studio 5425

Class size is limited. RSVP and pre-payment is required. To reserve, click here.

Bundles are the Best!

By | July 31, 2017

Stampin Up! Lemon Zest

 

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.

Lemon Zest Z-Fold Detail

Stampin Up! Lemon Zest Z-fold Card

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

 

Lemon Zest Pacific Point Notecard

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.

Lemon Zest Pacific Point Notecard Detail

 

 

Lemon Zest Encouragement Card

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.

Lemon Zest Encouragement Card

 

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

 

 

 

Eight Quick Steps to Create Punny Cards with Patterned Papers

By | July 11, 2017

Just Stamp | Wild About You

Delightful Characters from Patterned Papers Steal the Spotlight to Create Punny Cards

Today’s greeting card was just eight cinchy steps thanks to the two new products I used from Stampin’ Up!’s latest catalog.

Centre Stage was stolen by the adorable moose and Flamingo Pink fox scattered on one sheet from the new Pick a Pattern Designer Series Paper. Warning: Fussy cutting is required, but it’s virtually painless.

How ’bout that greeting? Wild About You is included in the coordinating 14-piece Pieces & Patterns stamp set.

 

Just Stamp | Wild About YouDetail

Pick a Pattern Suite

I have to confess that this suite did not capture me at first sight. Or second. Or even third. Heck, I had to study it before I determined it was for me. But like many crafty supplies, deep study reveals lots of details and lots of possibilities.

Look what’s included in the set.

 

Stampin' Up! Pieces & Patterns

The greetings are sweet. The images are quite random. This will be a plus when creating cards for everyone: kids, teens (note that they’re in their own category), men and women of all sorts.

The Pick a Pattern Designer Series Paper is just as eclectic. Check out the campy options: retro cameras, mod posies, mushrooms, dinos, old school pencils and cute wildlife. The patterns on the reserve side featuring the same color scheme make card-building a snap.

 

Stampin' Up! Pick a Pattern

Just Stamp Steps

  1. Pick your favorite hand-drawn objects, characters or land formations from the patterns.
  2. Relax.
  3. Snip.
  4. Crop. The large oval from the Stitched Shape Framelits pulls together images and the greeting.
  5. Stamp. Pick a greeting. Two of the greetings have outline lettering that’s fun to color—just sayin.
  6. Color. Use ink from the lid of an ink pad with a Blender Pen, or color directly with a Stampin’ Write Marker.
  7. Glue. Adhere all the elements using Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue for a mail-able greeting card destined to bring a smile to the recipient.
  8. Send. #MakeACardSendACard

Here are the supplies I used. Click on any image to shop.

 

 

This Clean and Simple Little Piggy Makes Me Happy

By | June 13, 2017

Just Stamp | This Little Piggy Picture

Hog Wild for this Clean and Simple Stamp Set

It was Number One on my list after my first peek in the new Stampin’ Up! catalog. The adorable little piggies in This Little Piggy, with their various poses and adorable greetings, make me smile. Anyone receiving a card created with these images will do the came.

Take a look.

This Little Piggy©

 

Options for Coloring the Outline Images

The clean and simple image design gives you option for coloring. For this card, I chose my Watercolor Pencils and Aqua Painters. Calypso Coral, Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight and Old Olive were my color choices.

 

 

If you need some tips on coloring with Watercolor Pencils, here’s a great tutorial. You’ll see a great comparison of images blended with Blender Pens and Aqua Painters.

 

Just Stamp Tips

  • For the background sky, I used my Aqua Painters again and ink from the lid of my Pool Party Classic Stampin’ Pad.
  • The Brick Wall Embossing Folder adds the perfect texture to the Whisper White Thick Cardstock base.
  • Sahara Sand splatter was added to the wall using one single stamp from Swirly Bird.
  • Lemon Lime Twist in the new 1/4″ Ombre Ribbon adds the final pop of color at the piggy’s feet.

 

Here’s a list of the supplies used on the card. Click on any image to shop.

 

Deliver the Cheer with A Fox, A Girl and A Poodle

By | June 8, 2017

New Birthday Memories Suite Makes Crafting Easy

Just Stamp | Birthday Delivery Fox  Just Stamp | Birthday Delivery Girl Photo  Just Stamp | Birthday Delivery Poodle Photo

Introducing a fox, a girl and a poodle. Their expressions make them the perfect team for crafting a birthday message that delivers the cheer. They’re all part of the Birthday Memories Suite in the new Stampin’ Up! catalog, and they’re too cute!

I love the sly fox parading about with the celebratory banner. And the pretty little girl with the coy smile delivering a sweet treat. But the poodle with the wind in her face! She’s my favorite. Too. Stinking. Cute.

Just Stamp | Birthday Delivery Girl Detail Photo  Just Stamp | Birthday Delivery Poodle Detail

The images were inspired from the Little Golden Books of childhood days. These cards are just my latest projects using the suite that includes stamps, framelits and paper, which is a perfect addition to my stamping supplies. The striped panel of the frolicking poodle is a signal that this paper pack coordinates with a load of SU! colors, including some of the new trendy In Colors.

This suite was designed to make birthday greetings easy. The fox, the girl and the poodle will surely put a smile on anybody’s birthday face.

Stamp Along with Me

Just Stamp | Birthday Memories Class Photo

Join me for a relaxing afternoon on Sunday, July 2.
We’ll create five  birthday cards featuring the Birthday Delivery Suite, including two special-fold cards.
Class includes your personal set of Watercolor Pencils, Blender Pen and all consumables.
RSVP and Payment by June 15, 2017. Hop over to my Calendar page for more details and to register.

In the meantime, Click HERE if you’d like to shop.

Coming Soon! Birthday Memories Suite for Celebrating Their Day

By | May 25, 2017

Just Stamp | Birthday Memories

A Birthday Delivery To Bring Smiles

Coming next week in the 2017-18 Stampin’ Up! catalog is the irresistible Birthday Delivery Suite that includes a 23-piece photopolymer stamp set, 10-piece Framelits Dies set and colorful Designer Series Paper called Birthday Memories. I LOVE it!

When I attended the regional Stampin’ Up! event in San Diego last month, I had a sneak peek of this adorable set. Not just a peek, I was able to create the card below. One of the details that sold me was the coordination of the Framelits Die with the Designer Series Paper and the stamp set. Uber cute!

Just Stamp | Birthday Memories Fox

 

I was able to stamp the banner, then crop it AND the fox from the sheet of Designer Series Paper. Way cool!

All the images are reminiscent of the characters from The Little Golden Books most of us grew up with. The poodle with the wind in his face is adorable. So is the baker. And the cherubic little girl. And the …

While this suite is at the top of my list, Stampin’ Up! has managed to once again find all my buttons to push. I’ve pre-ordered many of my favorites — one of the perks of being a demonstrator — but I still have my lengthy list waiting to click SEND on June 1.

If you like this suite, and the sweet side-step card I created, you’ll want to join me on Sunday, July 2, from 1 to 4 pm. We’ll create five colorfully fun projects using the Birthday Memories Suite. Click here for details.

One Easy Card Design, Two Deserving Thoughts for Mom

By | May 10, 2017

Just Stamp Crazy About You Mom

With Mother’s Day just days away, I offer you one easy card design with two deserving thoughts for mom. One greeting for your own mother, one for all the other mothers in your life.

Thanks, Mom

One little word with one big meaning goes nicely with flowers for mom and a little- or big-box gift. Frankly, not much more is needed on this handcrafted card. But there is more; peek inside.

 

Just Stamp Crazy About You Appreciation

I love this greeting from the new Stampin Up! set Just Add Text, available June 1. It’s nice to tell someone they’re appreciated.

Happy Mother’s Day

For all the other mothers in your life—mothers-in-law, aunts, grandmothers, sisters, daughters and friends — here’s a similar card with a switched-up greeting.

Just Stamp Crazy About You Happy Mothers Day

Both cards follow the same layout, and both were designed with Crazy About You, a 33-piece retiring stamp set with coordinating Hello You Thinlits (also retiring) and Flower Medallion Punch (also retiring and nicely discounted).

To personalize the Thanks card, I inked up two letters from the handy Labeler Alphabet stamp set to spell M-O-M. Letters and other characters totalling 101 pieces help spell any word you might need EVER!

Mother’s Day, like any other holiday, always creeps up fast. Use this one easy design with two deserving thoughts card idea to whip up one of the traditional musts for mom: a handcrafted card.

If you’d like to check out the supplies I used on these cards, here’s a quick list.