Eight Quick Steps to Create Punny Cards with Patterned Papers

By | July 11, 2017
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.

 

 

 

Sure Way to Ease the Handcrafted Card-Worthy Debate

By | May 8, 2017
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Just Stamp Flower Patch Birthday

This handcrafted card-worthy debate often surfaces at my crafting table: Do I know anyone worthy of this handcrafted card?

Sadly, stampers often create a beautiful card, but never send it. Why? Because most card recipients don’t appreciate all that went into crafting the card, they say. “She’ll (or he’ll) just read it and toss it.”

A two-step solution/project to ease the handcrafted card-worthy debate

  • Step One: Stamp
  • Step Two: Crop with Framelits

The rest is just assembly. A sturdy cardbase of solid cardstock, pretty patterned paper and two small rectangles.

Which adhesive?

My go-to, cost-effect Multipurpose Liquid Glue.

It doesn’t get any easier. This card takes just a few minutes to create. The result? As my favorite first grader Junie B. says: Wowie. Wow. Wow.

It beats any store-bought card and costs less to produce than you’ll fork over at the card store.

Just Stamp Flower Patch Detail

 

Cards should be created to be shared. While all recipients may not study and appreciate a stamper’s showpiece, everyone should be handcrafted card-worthy. Who knows. They may have the handcrafted card lovingly displayed at their desk or on the refrigerator without the creator even knowing it.

What do you think? Should crafters let go of their handcrafted cards? Or keep them in a box to stay forever pretty? I invite to share your opinion by leaving a comment.

If you would like to recreate this project, here is a list of some of the supplies used. Many are on discount.

 

Eastern Palace Suite Available Today!

By | May 1, 2017
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Brilliant colors, creative shapes—the beautiful Eastern Palace Suite is available beginning today! This exotic suite will be featured in the new Stampin’ Up!® catalog, but you can beginning enjoying it a month early with a special sneak peek offer. It’s one of the most beautiful from the new catalog and it includes three of the new In Colors! PLUS, the bundle offers come with some free gifts! Who doesn’t love freebies, right?

You have two options to purchase:

The Starter Bundle

Eastern Palace Starter Bundle

The Premier Bundle

Eastern Palace Premier Bundle

 

Free Project Tutorial with Purchase

To help you get the most from this trendy bundle, I have a special gift with your purchase of either bundle — a project tutorial with three beautiful cards. Honestly, you will want the Premier Bundle since it includes the Eastern Medallion Thinlits, which are perfect for cropping and more. It is the ultimate! Use the host code below and your tutorial will be delivered to your email box.

Host Code JWP6GSNA

Click HERE to shop.

Add Color by Watercoloring with Pencils and Blender Pens

By | April 24, 2017
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Just Stamp Watercoloring with Pencils and Blender Pens

Watercoloring with pencils and blender pens is one of my favorite ways to add color to outline stamps. The results are magical, bringing out the artist in those of us who think we have no artistic talents.

It’s also the solution for crafters and stampers who don’t have a huge stash of ink colors. The Stampin’ Up! set of Watercolor Pencils, priced at only $16, includes 13 pencils in the Stampin’ Up! colors. Use with the Aqua Painters or Blender Pens and you have the perfect watercoloring tools to create and blend infinite colors.

How To Watercolor With Pencils and Blender Pens

Get set right! Stamp your image on the right cardstock with the right ink. I love Shimmery White cardstock. It accepts moisture without pilling and it’s less bumpy than Watercolor Paper. Plus, it has that special shimmer to it.

Next, choose the right ink. I choose either StazOn Jet Black or Archival Basic Black. I must say I have more success with StazOn not bleeding when moisture hits it.

Begin watercoloring. Use a Blender Pen to pick up pigment and add to your art. Or use the pencil tip to scribble inside your outlined image, then use the Blender Pen to pull the color throughout the area. For bolder color, continue to add color from the pencil. Remember: Be mindful of the amount of moisture you add. The paper will pill with too much.

Don’t Forget Your Card’s Purpose

Today’s card was built with Helping Me Grow, a 15-piece set on the Retirement List, and One Big Meaning, a 7-piece set. Together these two sets create cards that convey kindness and gratitude. You will want to mail this beauty!

Stampin' Up! Helping Me Grow    Stampin' Up! One Big Meaning

 

Just Stamp Watercoloring with Pencils and Blender Pens

 

Just Stamp Tips

  • Watercoloring with pencils and blender pens was only one of the techniques I used.
  • Sponging created the background. I snipped a 1/4 wedge from a Stamping Sponge and dipped it into a Tempting Turquoise ink pad. Next, I applied it to the cardstock in circular motion. Remember: Add color in small amounts, continuing to add ink to your preference.
  • Add a greeting. I masked off the Thank You from one stamp image using a Post-It Note. After inking up with the VersaMark Pad, I removed the Post-It and stamped a 3/4 x 4 inch Basic Black cardstock scrap that was pre-treated with the Embossing Buddy to avoid random white flecks.  I sprinkled White Emboss Powder and heat set. Voilà

To view a how-to video and more cards created by watercoloring with blender pens and ink pads, click here.

Are you visiting Just Stamp? I’d love to read your comments. Click on Comment at the top of this post to leave your thoughts and suggestions. TFS!