Make It Mine: 2 For 1

by

I saw this card on Pinterest and liked the simplicity of it.  It was the perfect card to showcase the gorgeous new Soft Succulent In-Color as well as the fun silhouette dies from the Meadow dies. (These dies can be bundled with the Quite Meadow stamp set).

The first thing I thought of after admiring this card was “2 for 1”!  I’m not sure if Carol die cut the floral image from the green or if she die cut it from the white and the green we see is from the background layer.  It doesn’t really matter because I saw it both ways and figured I could make two cards with one die-cut image! So that’s what I did!

Here are the two cards that I made from Carol’s inspiration. As you can see, I die cut the floral silhouette from Basic White cardstock to make the focal point for both cards.

On the white card I used the die-cut space of white cardstock as the focal point and on the Soft Succulent card I used the die-cut image.

From there I simply added layers and coordinating ribbon to finish off my cards. As I was creating these cards I kept thinking to myself that they needed something else….maybe an embossed or stamped background or something but then I decided that the simplicity of the cards made them work. Sometimes it’s good to remember that less is more.

The Meadows dies are gorgeous. There are 6 floral/greenery silhouette images along with 2 butterflies, 2 labels and some small leaves. I can’t wait to begin my next project using these dies and the coordinating Quite Meadow stamp set!

Have a great day! Take care and Happy Stamping!

Fun Fold: Cap & Gown Gatefold

by

It’s Monday. I know I should be writing a Make It Mine post but I absolutely just HAD to share this fun fold with you today. It’s graduation season and you might be needing to make a card or two.

If you really want to get picky about today’s post you could say that it is a Make it Mine card as well as a fun fold. The original card that I saw online was larger and fit into a Memories & More envelope sized for a 6 1/4″ x 4 1/4″ card (closed). My card that you see here fits in a regular envelope sized for 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ card (closed). I had to do a lot of math to figure this out but to be honest, I kind of enjoy that. 🙂

When closed all of the way this card looks a little boring but wait until you open it. You really get the full effect.

When the card is open like it is in the picture to the left you have the cap sitting on the gown. Too fun!

The first thing you have to do to make this fun card is to figure out your colors. When you choose the secondary color for the trim on the collar you need to make sure you have something the same color to make the tassel from. I went to my local craft store and purchased embroidery floss because I couldn’t find the right color in the thousands of skeins I already owned! Sheesh! If you don’t know how to make a tassel don’t worry. I’ve included that in the video below.

Here’s a couple of more pictures of the card so you can see how it looks:

As you can see, the card has a simple gatefold base and then you add the cap. I’ve cut a piece of cardstock slightly smaller than the cap and scored it diagonally. the bottom portion of this piece is adhered to the card base and the top portion is adhered to the cap. Most of the bottom portion is hidden by the white insert.

Dimensions for 3 ½” x 5 ½” Card
Base:  3 ¾” x 7”  score at 1 ¾” from each short side
Cap:  2 ½” x 2 ½”
Smaller Square to attach cap to card:  2 ¼” x 2 ¼”  score diagonally
Collar:  1 ¾” x 1 ¾” cut diagonally
Collar Edging:  2 strips 1/8” x 3”
Card Insert:  3 ¼” x 3 ½”
Cardstock to wrap tassel around:  1 ½” x 2”
Embroidery Floss or Baker’s Twine for tassel:  about 36” or more
Dimensions for 4 ¼” x 6 ¼” Card
Base:  4 1/8” x 8 ½”  score at 2 1/8” from each short side
Cap:  3” x 3”
Smaller Square to attach cap to card:  2 ¾” x 2 ¾”  score diagonally
Collar:  2 1/8” x 2 1/8” cut diagonally
Collar Edging:  2 strips 1/8” x 3 ½”
Card Insert:  4” x 4 7/8”
Cardstock to wrap tassel around:  1 ½” x 2 ¼”
Embroidery Floss or Baker’s Twine for tassel:  about 38” or more

Now that you know how to make these fun cards the question is this….what colors will you make your cards? Leave me a comment and let me know! Have a great day! Take care and Happy Stamping!

Fun Fold: Double-Flap Gatefold Card

by
Double-Flap Gatefold Card

It’s time for another fun fold and this week’s fun fold is another Gatefold card. It’s the Double-Flap Gatefold. As you can see from the photo, a little flap of the card front is folded back on itself. This card also has a bellyband like last week.

Do you ever finish making a card and just have to stop and smile? That’s what happened when I finished this card. It turned out even better than I imagined!

I used the gorgeous Hydrangea Hill designer paper to layer on the card base. After I made my bellyband I was stuck. I didn’t know what to use as the focal point on my bellyband. I couldn’t use anything from the Hydrangea Haven bundle because I didn’t have it! It was at this point that I regretted not owning it. But then, I noticed the Butterfly Brilliance stamp set on my shelf and thought “buttefly die!”. Of course then I had to figure out what to die-cut it from. Back to my package of designer paper and I found the perfect pattern that coordinated with the front of my card!

Now for the details on how to make this fun fold. You need to start with a piece of cardstock that is larger than your regular card base. You want a piece that is 5 1/2″ x 10 1/2″. I’ll give you a hint though. It works best if you measure just short of the 10 1/2″ mark on your cutter.

Lay your cardstock on your Simply Scored scoring tool with the long edge at the top. Score at 1″ and 3 1/8″. Now turn it over so that the other long edge is at the top and score at 1″ and 3 1/8″ again. The inside score marks will be valley folds and the outside score marks will be mountain folds.

The larger pieces of designer paper are 1 7/8″ x 5 1/4″. The smaller ones are 3/4″ x 5 1/4″. You can see how to make the bellyband on last week’s post. Before I die cut the butterfly I adhered a piece of designer paper to a piece of cardstock to give it a little more support. Instead of adhering the butterfly directly to the bellyband I die cut a small circle to adhere it to.

In the second photo you can see that I added another die-cut butterfly to the inside of the card as well as adding a layer behind the Basic White. Don’t forget to decorate the inside of your card too!

I liked this card so much I had to make two more for Mother’s Day. One for my mom and one for my mother-in-law! I hope you liked it too.

Have a great day! Take care and Happy Stamping!

Tools of the Trade: Take Your Pick Tool

by
Stampin’ Up!’s Take Your Pick Tool

If you’re looking for an all-around useful tool for your craft room, Stampin’ Up!’s Take Your Pick Tool is the one for you!

Here’s what Stampin’ Up! has to say about this tool:

“Multipurpose pickup and precision tool simplifies meticulous task. Includes 2 changeable, double-ended tips with paper piercer, mini spatula, small stylus, large stylus, and a tacky putty tip that easily picks up sequins, paper accents, and other small objects. Includes protective end caps.”

Wow! That’s a lot of versatility packed in to a 6 1/2″ long tool! I use a paper piercing tool all the time to pick up jewels (and their adhesive backing) for my projects. The putty tip is perfect for picking up sequins and other loose accents. You can even purchase a putty refill tip!

Die Brush Tip and Foam Mats for Stampin’ Up!’s Take Your Pick Tool

There is also a Die Brush Tip for the Take Your Pick Tool that comes with two foam mats! Die brushes are so useful when you are working with intricate dies.

Yes, you can probably find all of these tools separately at a craft store but why clutter your craft room with all those tools when you can find everything you need in one little tool!

As I mentioned before, this tool is a must-have for any craft room! Have a great day! Take care and Happy Stamping!

Connect, Craft & Collect

by

It’s time to Connect, Craft & Collect! From My 4th – June 14th you can earn an extra $25 in Stampin’ Rewards when you either host a qualifying party or place a qualifying order of at least $250! Woo Hoo!

There are all sorts of ways to connect & craft. You could host a catalog party. You could have a small gathering of friends if you’re comfortable doing that or you could do a combination of the two.

We could also try and do something virtually with Zoom or maybe an online Facebook party.

So many options! Contact me if you would like to Connect, Craft & Collect! I’m here for you!

A Sweet Deal

by
Stampin’ Up!’s 2021-2022 Annual Catalog

There is something important that you need to know about before Stampin’ Up!’s Annual Catalog comes out tomorrow. Actually, it’s a fabulous opportunity just for you!

JOIN + Have you seen a copy of Stampin’ Up!’s new catalog yet? Have you seen some of the amazing projects that have been made with some of these products? Do you love Stampin’ Up! products in general?

Do you love gathering together with friends to share your love of stamping either safely in person or virtually?

Could you use a little extra money in your pocket? Do you love a discount? Would you love a discount on Stampin’ Up! products?

If you could answer yes to any of these questions then the month of May is the perfect time for you to join the Stampin’ Up! family and my group of Sassy Stampers! During the month of May you can choose $155 worth of Stampin’ Up! product for ONLY $99! Wow! That’s an extra $30 worth of free product!

Here’s the details:

  • Pay only $99 + tax
  • Choose $150 of products from the 2021-2022 Annual Catalog and the January-June Mini Catalog
  • Receive a Paper Pumpkin kit and business supplies in your Starter Kit for free.
  • FREE Shipping on your Starter Kit!
  • Receive a 20% discount on future orders.

Wow! This a great deal AND you’ll be part of my Sassy Stampers group! As Demonstrators we do need to fulfill a $300 sales minimum each quarter. This does include your purchases (not the Starter Kit cost) as well as sales to family and friends. The nice thing about joining in May is that you don’t need to fulfill this minimum of $300 until September 30th! Wow! That’s almost 6 months depending on when in May you join! You’ll want to know too that the July-December (Holiday) Mini Catalog will be coming out this summer so that means more new product for you to choose from.

This is definitely an offer that can’t be beat! I would love to have you join my team of Sassy Stampers! If you have any questions on this fabulous opportunity please contact me. If you’re reading to jump right in, just click here and sign up today!

Make It Mine Monday: Pretty in Pink

by
Stampin’ Up!’s Color & Contour Bundle

This past month I participated in two different card swaps.  For each of them I made twenty cards ( a different design for each one), mailed them to the hostess and each she sent me back twenty cards from other demonstrators.  This card was made by own of the hostesses.  Isn’t it lovely?  Michelle made it with the Color & Contour Bundle that you can find in Stampin’ Up!’s  2021-2022 Annual Catalog which comes out TOMORROW!  Woo Hoo! 

Michelle used two of the new In-Colors, Polished Pink and Pale Papaya.  The designer paper is from the Pansy Petal pack (pg. 132, #155807 $11.50). Aren’t the little flowers cute?   They’re from a package call Loose Flower Flower Flourishes (pg. 141, #155808 $7.50).  They come in two different sizes and three different colors, Pale Papaya, Polished Pink and Fresh Freesia.

Color & Contour Bundle Card by Cindy Russell

I really liked Michelle’s card but I knew I wanted to make it mine but where to start? Her card is so pretty and you know how much I love the new Polished Pink color! I like the new Pale Papaya color but I’m not sure how I like it with the Polished Pink.

Changing the two major colors on the card was the first thing I did. I decided to coordinate Polished Pink with the Fresh Freesia. Next I changed the Basic White cardstock to Very Vanilla since I liked how it coordinated better with the designer paper.  Then, of course, I had to add more layers.  You know me and my layers!  I decided to go with Fresh Freesia and Polished Pink instead of the Polished Pink and Pale Papaya.   To finish off my card I switched out the ribbon and added another little flower. 

This card layout is fun because it gives you a chance to show off a little bit of designer paper.  The front of the card base is trimmed by 1”.  Then you add a piece of 1” designer paper to the insert of your card.  Add a focal point that overhangs the trimmed off area and your card is done!

The Color & Contour Bundle is very versatile. The stamp set has a few fun flower images and five different sentiments. The die set has two dies that cut out the floral images from the stamp set and 5 different scalloped rectangle dies and a scalloped border die. Too fun! You can view this bundle on page 98 of the new Annual Catalog.

Have a great day! Take care and Happy Stamping!

Fun Folds: Bellyband Gatefold Card

by

Last week I introduced you to the Gatefold Card. It was a fun and easy card to make.

Today I want to share the Bellyband Gatefold Card to you. The base of the card is made the same way as you make the basic Gatefold card base. Start with a piece of cardstock that is 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″. With the long edge at the top of your Simply Scored or Paper Trimmer score 2 1/8″ from each end.

The difference on the two types of cards comes with the focal point. On the original Gatefold Card you design a focal point that you adhere directly to the left side of the card base.

On the Bellyband Gatefold Card you design a Bellyband that holds the card closed. My bellyband is 9 1/2″ x 1″. This gave me enough overlap to adhere the two ends of the bellyband together. 9 1/2″ – 9 3/4″ should be good for a card that’s 4 1/4″ wide. If your card is the same size but in landscape orientation instead of portrait you will need to start with a bellyband that is 12″ long. I didn’t score my bellyband. Instead, I held one end of the band just over the halfway point of the card and then I loosely wrapped it around the card. You don’t want your bellyband too loose or it will fall of the card. Then again, you don’t want it too tight or you won’t get it off of the card. You do want to use a stronger adhesive like liquid glue or Stampin’ Seal + to adhere the ends of your bellyband together.

Once you have the bellyband itself made you just need to add your focal point. I decided to go simple on this card. I stamped the flower and added rhinestones. I was going to adhere the flower focal point square on the card but then it dawned on me that the diamond shape might be just a bit more interesting.

Here is a phot of the inside of the card along with the bellyband. You can see how the bellyband looks when it’s not on the card.

If you like fun fold cards but don’t want to get too carried away the Gatefold Fun Fold Card and the Bellyband Fun Fold Card are great choices. They are both fairly easy to make. The hardest part is figuring out your colors and design!

Have a great day! Take care and Happy Stamping!

Tools of the Trade: Using the Stamparatus

by

In the past few weeks in my Tools of the Trade posts I’ve introduced you to Stampin’ Up!’s stamp positioning tool, the Stamparatus.

This tool is a must-have for any craft room. Today I am sharing a video that will show you three different ways of using this stamp positioning tool as well as a few little tips.

You will learn the basics of using the Stamparatus, how to hinge stamp as well as how to use the Stamparatus for perfectly die cutting or punching out a stamped image. Check out the video below and let me know if you have any questions.

Using the Stamparatus stamp positioning tool

The video is a little longer than most of my videos but I think you’ll learn a lot! Have a great day! Take care and Happy Stamping!

Make It Mine Monday: A Blast From the Past!

by

I’m trying to get my craft room/things organized (yes, I realize this is on ongoing situation in my life) and came across this blast from the past.  Who remembers the Upsy Daisy stamp set? How about the Square Lattice Embossing Folder?  I remember both of these products as being favorites of mine. 

I’ve determined that this card has to be about 10-11 years old.  I went searching through old catalogs and found that embossing folders first appeared in Stampin’ Up! catalogs in the 2010-2011 catalog.   Wow!  That is a while ago!

When I came across this card I really liked the three-panel layout of the card.  I knew that with the new Fresh Freesia In-Color I had three purples that went well together so I thought I’d give the layout a try.

This is what I came up with for my new three-panel card. As I was posting the picture I realized that I did forget to use an embossing folder on the card. Oh, well….

I think it turned ok even without the embossing folder. Don’t look too closely at the image…my embossing got a little messy. Sorry!

I used a floral image from the new Quite Meadow stamp set that will be in Stampin’ Up!’s upcoming 2021-2022 Annual Catalog. It has a coordinating die set called Meadow Dies and they are actually the star of the bundle. There are six silhouetted floral dies, a couple of labels and a few smaller images. You can view it on page 160 of the new annual catalog.

The purples I used on my new card are Fresh Freesia, Highland Heather and Gorgeous Grape. I love that these colors coordinate together so well. This was a fun card to make. I hope you like it too.

Have a great day. Take care and Happy Stamping!

Fun Folds: Gate Fold Card

by
Gatefold Card

The Gate Fold Fun Fold is quick and easy. At first glance it looks like a normal, folded in half, card. If you look closely though you can see the seam down the center of the card front.

The front section of the Gate Fold Card is actually two pieces that open outward like….a gate. 🙂

To make a gatefold card you start with the same size piece of cardstock that you would for a regular card. 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″. Instead of scoring it at 4 1/4″ you score it at 2 1/8″ from each side. The short edges should meet up perfectly when you fold along your score lines.

In this photo you can see how the card opens. The photo also shows you how you attach the focal point of the card. You want to make sure you only attach it to the left side of the card so that you’ll be able to open the card.

It must be Polished Pink Week here at Stamp by Stamp Creations. On Monday I shared a card with you that I made with Polished Pink. In Tuesday’s newsletter that I emailed out I also used Polished Pink and today I’m using it again.

The designer paper that I used on the front of the card is one of the new patterns in the In-Color Paper stack. You’ll be able to find this pattern along with three others in all of the color family paper stacks in Stampin’ Up!’s new Annual Catalog. I used the Color & Contour stamp set on my card. The scalloped rectangle die comes from the coordinating Scalloped Contour Dies.

This last photo shows the inside of the card and is a good overall view of how it works.

As I mentioned, this is a fun and easy fold to make. Give it a try!

Have a great day! Take care and Happy Stamping!

Tools of the Trade: The Stamparatus (part 2!)

by

Last week I introduced you to Stampin’ Up!’s stamp positioning tool, the Stamparatus. I gave you a brief overview of this amazing tool.

Today I want to share a quick video with you showing you the actual tool as well as what comes with it and additional accessories that you can purchase with it.

Next week I’ll get down to the Nitty Gritty and start showing you how to use this useful too.

https://youtu.be/rHfmZ16gu2Y

You can view the Stamparatus and it’s accessories in my online store by searching for “stamparatus”.

Have a great day! Take care and Happy Stamping!

Make It Mine Monday: Think Spring!

by

Happy Monday!  We’re past the midpoint of April and I need to think Spring.  We had snow here in Colorado last week (over 6″!) and we’re suppose to get more tonight!  Sheesh!  I’m ready for warm weather.  Since flowers are definitely a sign of Spring I thought I’d find a floral card to copy for Make It Mine Monday.

I received this lovely card in a swap from Tina Barela.  It was made using the Art Gallery stamp set from Stampin’ Up!’s January – June Mini Catalog.  This stamp set is part of the Fine Art Floral Suite of products that can be found on pages 32-33 of the Mini Catalog.  So many fun products!  The sentiment and the die to cut it out are part of the suite.  Tina used Flirty Flamingo and Mossy Meadow as the colors on her card.

The first reason that this card caught my eye to CASE was that it was PINK! When the dominate color of the card is my favorite color of course it’s going to catch my eye! I also liked that Tina used two different embossing folders on her card. It may be hard to see but she used the Subtle Embossing Folder on the large piece of Basic White cardstock. This embossing folder is retiring on May 3rd so if you love it as much as I do you may want to get one fast!

Stampin’ Up!’s Art Gallery Stamp Set

As you can see I didn’t change too much on Tina’s card. I kept pink the main color but instead of using Flirty Flamingo like Tina did I used the brand new 2021-2023 In-Color Polished Pink! I think it’s my new favorite Stampin’ Up! color!

I also used the strip of pink embossed with one of the Greenery Mini Embossing Folders. I have to admit I wanted to add the Subtle Embossing Folder to the Basic White background of my card like Tina’s but unfortunately I didn’t remember until the card was put together….oh, well….

I did add a few more layers to my card. You know that I can never seem to have enough layers on a card. Ha!

Soft Succulent is the gorgeous green that you’re seeing on my card. It too is one of the new In-Colors. It’s very similar to Mint Macaron but with a little more gray to it. And of course my card wouldn’t be complete with ribbon….Polished Pink Open Weave Ribbon to be precise. Oooo….SO pretty!

It’s so fun (and easy!) to get inspiration from someone else’s project. Have you tried it lately? If not, go for it! Have a great day! Take care and Happy Stamping!

Fun Fold: Angled Corner

by
Angled Corner Fun Fold Card
Angled Corner Fun Fold Card
Angled Corner Fun Fold Card – back

The Angled Corner Fun Fold card is fun and easy to make. The upper left corner of the card isn’t cut off, it’s folded in on itself. You then use die-cut or punched images to fill in the area that is “missing” on the card.

When you are decorating the card and filling in this “missing” area you want to be sure to stay within the 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ card front area so that you card will fit in the envelope.

Below you can see some photos of the inside of the card as well as the side where the angled fold is.

The nice thing about this fun fold is that it’s easy to alter. You can increase or decrease the size of your angled fold depending on the size of dies/punches that you use to cover the “missing” corner.

You also want to add a die-cut or punched image on the fold on the inside of your card to show it off. In the picture to the left you can see how adhered the single die-cut flower to the inside fold.

The fold itself is made up of only 3 scored lines and one of those scored lines is the one you made at the halfway point (4 1/4″) to form your card. Below you can see the template I used for my card.

The cardstock measures 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ which is a standard card size. I scored it along the long edge at 4 1/4″ which will be the center fold of my card.

Along this center fold score line I measured in 2 3/4″ and made a light pencil mark.

I also measured up 2 1/2″ from this center fold score line and down 2 1/2″ making light pencil marks at these points.

You can’t really use the Simply Scored tool or your Paper Trimmer to score these angled lines so you need to get out your trusty Bone Folder and a regular old ruler or any type of tool with a straight edge. Line up one of the points on the side with the point on the horizontal score mark and run your Bone Folder along the straight edge.

After you’ve made all three score lines fold the card in half like you usually would. Open it up again and crease the angled score lines in the same direction. They will be “mountain fold”.

This fun fold is very easy to make. The hardest part is figuring out how to decorate it! Be sure to contact me if you have any questions on it. I’ll be happy to help you out!

Have a great day! Take care and Happy Stamping!

Tools of the Trade: The Stamparatus

by
The Stamparatus

If you are a “particular” stamper and like everything lined up perfectly you definitely need a stamp positioning tool.  Back in the day, Stampin’ Up! carried a tool called the Stamp-a-ma-jig which I loved and used often.  It was retired many years ago and now they have a new fantastic stamp positioning tool called the Stamparatus.  There are many tools similar to the Stamparatus but I love this one.  It is an amazing tool and comes in so handy, especially of you’re making multiples of the same project.

Here’s how Stampin’ Up! describes the Stamparatus:  “The Stamparatus stamp positioning tool helps you stamp perfect, crisp impressions every time.  You can easily align stamp images, including Two-step Stampin’ Stamps; get complete ink coverage even on large stamps; and stamp multiples of the same project without using multiple blocks.”

This tool is a must for every craft room.  The Stamparatus was created by stampers for stampers, so it has all the features you want.

* Compatible with red rubber cling and photopolymer stamps

* 2 magnets to hold the paper in place

* Rulers on 2 sides for quick measuring

* 2 open sides so you can use larger paper

* Multiple hinges for more placement options

* 2 reversible plates for 4 sides to work with

* 1 foam mat for use with photopolymer stamps

* 1 base with grid

* Magnet storage areas built in underneath the base

Craft & Carry Stamparatus Bag

The Stamparatus measures 8” x 8” x 7/8” so it’s a small but mighty tool.  It doesn’t take up a lot of room and is easy to transport.  Did you know that in Stampin’ Up!’s current Annual Catalog you can purchase the Craft & Carry Stamparatus Bag which is perfect for storing and transporting the tool.  If you think this bag is a must-have for you then you need to purchase it today because it will be gone after May 3rd, 2021. Guess what? This bag is now only $11.60 while supplies last!

This post has given you a basic overview of the fantastic tool.  Over the next few weeks I will be sharing tips on using your Stamparatus. Stay tuned!

Have a great day! Take care and Happy Stamping!