A CARD FOR ANY GENDER AND ANY OCCASION...

I tried something new on this card... There was no greeting stamp placed in the Card Box, so stampers had to choose their own greeting (from my stash), for the pocket tag.  It was so fun.  I loved watching their enthusiasm while they picked something to suit their own special occasion.

To carry out the tailored, clean look, I put one single matching eyelet on the flap of the lined envelope.  Don't you love the WOW factor!

 
 

Supplies & Accessories:  Stamp Set (optional); Textured Card Stock #108696 Always Artichoke; Card Stock #101650 Very Vanilla; Designer Series Paper #115668 Autumn Traditions; Embellishments #108431 Jumbo Eyelets Antique Brass, #105319 Eyelets Antique Brass; Tool #108362 Crop-A-Dile; Punch #109047 3/16" Corner Rounder; Ribbon #109035 Always Artichoke Grosgrain; Envelopes #107300 Very Vanilla Medium.

There are so many things I like about this card and envelope set.  It fits my design style well.

You may order 24/7 at my Stampin' Up! Store.  Click on the round button, top right.  Then click on SHOP NOW.

PUN FUN IS LOVED A LATTE!

Hip-hippo-ray!  This Pun Fun Stamp Set is Purrrfect.  I made this card kit last year and wanted to show you a nice ribbon-finishing technique.

 

I used a 3/4" and a 1/2" punch to make the little circles for card front as shown above.  Position and glue circles to front of card.  Examples below show the inside of a card... After circles are in place, punch a 1/8" hole in center of circles.  Thread ribbon into hole, trim and glue down on inside of card.  Punch 1" circle in matching card stock color and slit edge with scissors.  Glue on top of ribbon spot for nice finished look.

      

      

 

This simple folder with inside pockets holds 4 cards and 4 envelopes. (The navy blue dotted paper is now retired so I'm going to redo this kit using the #115684 Bermuda Bay Patterns Designer Series Paper and coordinating colors of card stock.)  Download the folder pattern with instructions by clicking on my blue sidebar Demonstrator button.

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies & Accessories:  Stamp Set #115054 Pun Fun; Stamp Pad #101406 StazOn Ink Jet Black; Card Stock #102482 Real Red, #101166 Brocade Blue, #100867 Night of Navy, #101650 Very Vanilla; Polka Dot Paper (retired); Color Coordination #101879 Watercolor Pencils; Applicator #102845 Blender Pens; Punches #107217 3/4" Circle, #104390 1/2" Circle, #109046 1" Circle, 1/8" Handheld Punch; Ribbon #109034 Real Red Grosgrain; Embossing #107412 Seeing Spots Classy Brass Template; Tools #112530 Circle Scissor Plus, #116631 Paper-Piercing Tool.

 

When I look at this 4-card set, it brings back memories.  My husband and I went on a cruise to Alaska, and I took along a little box of Stampin' Up! supplies to make this kit.  As I sat on the outside deck watching for real whales in the ocean, I watercolored my little Pun Fun whale.  It was a heavenly day.

 

You may order 24/7 at my Stampin' Up! Store.  Click on the round button, top right.  Then click on SHOP NOW!

A LITTLE WEAVE HERE AND A LITTLE WEAVE THERE...

With my love for fabrics and quilt-making, I enjoyed making this card.  It was a natural for me.  But I wondered if my stampers would like it, due to the extra detail...  Well, they loved it!

Note: I originally saw a card with this same weave embossed with dots, somewhere on the world wide web, but I can't find it or remember where.  If you know, contact me and I'll give credit where credit is due.

Here are the steps to weave the 1/4" card stock strips:  1) weave the papers while working on a flat surface, 2) when completed, secure with tape on back side, 3) emboss dots on woven design with Big Shot Background Texture Plate, 4) adhere the large scallop circle to front side of woven papers, 5) trim excess of woven papers from under circle, 6) glue full circle to card, letting part of circle hang over edge of card, 7) cut off part of circle that hangs over edge.

Supplies & Accessories:  Stamp Set #113806 Very Versatile (2009 Occasions Mini); Stamp Pad #101179 Basic Black; Textured Card Stock #108697 Old Olive; Card Stock #105124 Apricot Appeal, #105120 Bashful Blue, #105130 Regal Rose; Big Shot #113468 Scallop Circle Big Diez; Tool #112530 Circle Scissor Plus; Punches #109043 Scallop Circle, #104403 1-1/4" Circle, #109046 1" Circle, #104390 1/2" Circle, #109183 Trio Flower; Embellishment #106954 Soft Subtle Brad, Apricot Appeal; Adhesive #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals.

This post inspired me to take photos of some of my quilts and post them on my This & That page.  Go see.

You may order 24/7 at my Stampin' Up! Store.  Click on the round button, top right.  Then click on SHOP NOW. 

SIMPLE AND SPECIAL ALL IN ONE...

Many of my stampers tend to shy away from watercoloring.  But as I teach and encourage with hands-on demos by slowly spreading beautiful color across the stamped image, observers are inspired to give it a try.  It looks harder than it really is, especially when using our quality watercoloring accessories.

My favorites are the Watercolor Wonder Crayons and Blender Pens, but frequently gals want to learn the technique with whatever supplies they have previously purchased... Pencils, Chalks, Ink Pads, Markers - they all work well.  

Another technique used on this card is called masking... After stamping the first image on the card, I stamped the same image on a Post-it note then cut image from the Post-it note, laying that cut image (mask) directly on top of the first image.  Then I stamped a second image, partially covering mask.  I repeated for a third image.

For a simple coordinated envelope treatment, trim the flap with the scallop punch.

 

Supplies & Accessories:  Stamp Set #113734 Fifth Avenue Floral; Stamp Pad #101406 StazOn Jet Black; Card Stock #115316 Rich Razzleberry, #105019 Watercolor Paper; Watercolor Wonder Crayons #106698 Rich Regals; Applicator #102845 Blender Pens; Punches #112091 Scallop Edge, #109047 3/16" Corner Rounder; Tool #100663 Stylus; Ribbon #115613 Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain; Envelope #107301 Whisper White.

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."  That's for sure!

 

THE OLYMPICS HAVE BEEN IN THE NEWS...

Does this card remind you of the Olympic Rings?  Sort of?  A little?  Oh well, it was fun to do and slightly different from the norm.  As you can see, the inspiration came from one of the stamps in the Circle Circus Stamp Set and looks terrific on the matching envelope!

If you like abstract designs and stamps that may be used with lots of round punches, this set is for you!  Decorated and layered, 3-D circles can add pizazz to cards and scrapbooking pages as well as to bags and boxes and more...

Supplies & Accessories:  Stamp Set #115778 Circle Circus (on envelope); Card Stock #102544 Rose Red, #100730 Whisper White; Patterened Designer Series Paper #112162 Rose Red; Stamp Pad #101778 Rose Red; Ribbon #109025 Whisper White Grosgrain; Punches #104403 1-1/4" Circle, #109046 1" Circle, #109047 3/16" Corner Rounder, (1/8" Circle discontinued); Tools #112530 Circle Scissor Plus; Envelopes #107301 Whisper White Medium; Adhesive #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals.

It takes all kinds of card designs to make the world go around!

  

You may order 24/7 at my Stampin' Up! Store.  Click on the round button, top right.  Then click on SHOP NOW.

AUTUMN DAYS STAMP SET - CARD #2

Yesterday I posted the Pheasant Card from Autumn Days.  Monday you'll see a third card from that same set, using the Pine Cone stamp.  Today's card is simple but classy.  (Thanks, Diana Morris.)  When I decided to use the Modern Label Punch, I repeated the same design feature by rounding all the corners including those at the bottom of the card. 

A closer look will reveal that the Always Artichoke card stock has been textured with the Big Shot Plate #4.  To make the grasses the same length, I positioned a Post-it note at the bottom edge, then stamped the (green) image so all three blocks would have similar design proportions.  And they look nice with Dimensionals behind them.

Monday's card, made with the Pine Cone Stamp, will feature a unique ribbon treatment.

Stamps & Accessories: Stamp Sets #115452 Autumn Days, #111672 Pocket Silhouettes; Stamp Pads #115654 Dusty Durango, #105219 Always Artichoke; Textured Card Stock #115719 Dusty Durango; Card Stock #105119 Always Artichoke, #100730 Very Vanilla; Big Shot Texturz Plate #114531 Kit-4; Punches #116630 Modern Label, #109047 3/16" Corner Rounder; Embellishments #105319 Copper Eyelets; Adhesive #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals.
  
You may order 24/7 at my Stampin' Up! Store.  Click on the round button, top right.  Then click on SHOP NOW.

This timeless stamp set is worthy to be placed on your Wish List.

 
 

AUTUMN DAYS STAMP SET - CARD #1

My oldest brother, Doug, is an avid sportsman and his birthday is just around the corner. I stamped a birthday greeting inside and wrote some loving (big sister) words to him.  He'll like this card.  And my sister-in-law will notice every special handmade detail.  

 

This has been a very popular card in my classes and clubs, due to the masculine theme and rich fall colors.  Tomorrow and Monday, I'm posting two more cards using stamps from the same Autumn Days Stamp Set.  This is definitely one of those sets that qualifies as VERSATILE and should be on your WISH LIST if you haven't already made the purchase.

Supplies & Accessories:  Stamp Sets #115452 Autumn Days, #111550 Sock Monkey; Stamp Pad #100908 Chocolate Chip; Stampin' Write Marker #116329 Dusty Durango (set of 6 assorted); Textured Card Stock #108697 Chocolate Chip, #115719 Dusty Durango; Card Stock #101650 Very Vanilla; Designer Series Paper #113974 Bella Bleu; Embellishment #112454 Hodgepodge Hardware Styled Vanilla; Punches #107590 Designer Label, #107214 Ticket Corner; Ribbon #115609 Dusty Durango Polka Dot Grosgrain; Adhesive #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals.

You may order 24/7 at my Stampin' Up! Store.  Click on the round button, top right.  Then click on SHOP NOW.

Yikes!  I'd better get busy.  I have 3 more brothers and 4 sisters with large families... I have lots of cards to make!  (See a picture of all 8 of us by clicking on the This & That button.)

 

SHARE A LITTLE JOY FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

I still have several cards with an autumn theme to show you in the next couple of weeks, but I just had to sneak this holiday design in!  Why?  Because if you're making Christmas cards, this is a beauty!  Everything is done with a Big Shot Die or Punches!  You still have plenty of time to place an order for the supplies and accessories (listed below), and get your handmade cards ready to mail.

 

  

Here's an idea... While waiting for your order to arrive, prepare the inside of your card.  In my workshops, I offer a white or vanilla colored liner for cards made with dark papers.  I've used vellum on this card.  Stampers can place their greeting along with a personal note, directly onto the liner.  When the outside of your card is complete, adhere a strip of SNAIL Adhesive to the top edge of the liner, and attach to the card.  (That's how Hallmark does it.)  

Supplies & Accessories:  Stamp Set #111760 Cardinal Christmas (inside greeting); Stamp Pad #102192 Basic Black Craft Stampin' Pad (inside greeting); Textured Card Stock #108698 Real Red from assorted pack (or substitute #102482); #115719 Rich Razzleberry from assorted pack (or substitute #115316); #108693 Whisper White from assorted pack (or substitute #100730); Vellum #101839 White; Punches #112091 Scallop Edge; #109041 5-Petal Flower; #110711 Boho Blossoms; Big Shot Die #113452 Join in the Cheer Sizzlit Decorative Strip; #113144 Clear Rhinestone Brad; #105826 Mat Pack; #116631 Paper Piercing Tool; #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals.

You may order 24/7 at my Stampin' Up! Store.  Click on the round button, top right.  Then click on SHOP NOW.

I'm sure that as you share a little joy, you'll be sharing a little peace too.

DOES SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEED A HUG TODAY?

I love this idea... The ribbon is not attached to the card.  It is just wrapped around the card inside the envelope - sort of like a hug.  So the recipient (the person who needs a real hug), receives this meaningful card and is also blessed to get a piece of ribbon to use elsewhere.

At just the right moment, something as simple as a piece of pretty ribbon can warm the heart.

This standard size card is folded to open in the middle with the design and tab feature adhered to the left flap.

SUPPLIES & ACCESSORIES:  Stamp Sets #116503 Autumn Splendor, #115370 Teeny Tiny Wishes; Stamp Pads #105214 Bravo Burgundy, #102277 Old Olive, #115654 Dusty Durango; Textured Card Stock #108696 Bravo Burgundy, #108697 Old Olive, #115719 Dusty Durango; Card Stock #101650 Very Vanilla; Punches #108340 Round Tab, #105090 Word Window; Embellishment #105319 Antique Brass Eyelets; Ribbon #115609 Dusty Durango; Adhesive #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals.

Give someone a hug today!

 

 

HERE'S MATER FROM THE DISNEY MOVIE, CARS!

Mater is the (self-proclaimed) World Champion Backwards Driver!  But we don't really care.  What we do care about is that we can draw teeth on our Loads of Love truck - and have a Mater of our very own!

I used the Big Shot to cut the yellow letters with the Go Go Boots Alphabet Set.  I glued them to a piece of red card stock and cut around the edge.  I then attached the Mater name to the card with Dimensionals to get the 3D look.

 

Add teeth with a Marker Pen.  The bigger and uglier the better.

 

No matter where I go, I search for creative inspiration...  And I found it in this candy piece...

 

SUPPLIES & ACCESSORIES:  Stamp Set #115022 Loads of Love; Stamp Pad #101406 StazOn Jet Black; Textured Card Stock #108698 Real Red and Yoyo Yellow; Card Stock #101341 Close to Cocoa, #100730 Whisper White; Markers #100052 Real Red, #100050 Yoyo Yellow, #100072 Close to Cocoa, #100082 Black; Sizzlits Dies #113450 Go Go Boots Alphabet; Accessories #102845 Blender Pens, #106958 Cutter Kit, #100982 Natural Hemp Twine, Gold Brads from 2009 Spring/Summer IBC, #104430 Stampin' Dimensionals.

Our Loads of Love Stamp Set has been a big favorite.  Mater would agree!