Fanc-ify with Christmas Labels

November 12, 2024November 12, 2024Leave a comment

Perhaps it’s the reader in me, but I am a typophile (someone who appreciates a pretty FONT). Stampin’ Up! combined lovely label dies with the gorgeous typography in the Christmas Labels stamp set, and it was a must-have BUNDLE for me.

The way a label can elevate a simple card or gift is what I wanted to demonstrate in a video tutorial:

These were the projects made during the video. The first card features the Season of Green & Gold Specialty Designer Series Paper, and the shiny gold accents aren’t as visible in the picture, but can be seen in the video:

Next is another simple card layout spotlighting a piece of the Sentimental Christmas Designer Series Paper, and showed how to create a contrasting matte behind the label by cutting a second label in half:

I’m sharing easy cards to encourage you to keep your holiday crafting attainable! No need to overthink it, or add stress.

Layer a color over the center of the larger label for a striking contrast, add a coordinating ribbon and the tag makes a basic box beautiful:

When bundles (stamps + dies -OR- stamps + punches) are introduced to my Stampin’ Store, they are 10% off the price of purchasing each product individually. CLARIFICATION: In the video, we thought the Christmas Label bundle and Christmas DSP would be in Seasonal Sale that begins tomorrow (11/13/24), however we learned that only bundles and patterned paper in the Annual catalog are included in the Seasonal sale, along with most ink and card stock:

Hollyhock floating frame and Sentimental Wishes Christmas Card floating Frame

Learn Paper Crafting with a Kit

October 22, 2024October 22, 2024Leave a comment

If you can use scissors and glue, you have the ability to make pretty things with paper! All you need next is a kit: Lucky for you ~ the Stampin’ Up! Kit Collection is up to 30% off through October 31st:

Not only is a kit a wonderful starting point for any new paper crafter, they also give you ideas for further crafting, as I’m about to show you.

Playing with the Hello Hollyhocks kit (an all-inclusive, non-stamping kit), I demonstrated how to let the sketch for card #1 (on the left) inspire a future project (on the right):

Hello Hollyhock card sketch to Zinnia Card

Swapping out a hollyhocks for stamped and colored zinnias and creating your own splatter background made this “dupe” super simple.

Next, you can “step up” a card from the kit by cutting apart the card base and framing it on coordinating card stock:

Watch the video (below) to see what I did for the inside of the stepped-up version!

Finally, let a kit teach you a new technique to try, like this floating frame idea. The card on the left is from the kit, which inspired the Christmas card on the right:

Hollyhock floating frame card to Sentimental Wishes floating frame card for Christmas

Keep a few kits on hand for gift-giving occasions, too~ they are unique, thoughtful gifts!

SHOP KIT COLLECTION

Product List

Hello Hollyhocks Kit

Simply Zinnia Bundle (English)

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Blends Markers Combo Pack

Copper Clay Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

Copper Clay 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Three Twine Combo Pack

Everyday Details Dies

Sentimental Wishes Bundle (English)

Take A Bow 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Garden Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Petal Pink 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Adhesive Sheets

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

New at SU! Elevated Embossing with Zinnias

August 21, 2024August 21, 20243 Comments

Embossing folders add texture, dimension and visual interest to any paper crafting project, thus, the New at SU! Design Team is elevating your dry embossing techniques with our Blog Hop in August!

Have you ever used an embossing folder on a Window (acetate) sheet?

For this project, the Zinnia 3D Embossing folder gave a little pattern to the overlay that folds around the card, giving it two layers! TIP #1: Use your bone folder to give the window sheet a crisp fold in the center before AND after running it through the Cut & Emboss machine.

Because I adhered the back of the cardstock card to the inside of the window sheet on the back, I added a card stock layer on the back of the card so you can’t see the adhesive:

Carrying the theme through, I also embossed the flap of my envelope:

On the card inside the window sheet, I created a background with blending brushes and stamps from the Simply Zinnia stamp set, “built” Pretty in Pink flowers from the dies, then added a word strip to the top of the clear layer.

Tip #2: Cut a length of ribbon down the center, creating two thin ribbons and tie around the front layer for a double bow…let the loose strands add whimsy!

Explore other embossing folder ideas by hopping on over to Diane’s post featuring the Distressed Tile embossing folder, then catch the rest of the crafting crew’s exciting embossing projects:

August 2024 New at SU! Blog Hop: Elevated Embossing Folders

Previous Blog Next Blog

1.Studio Shabaz (AU) – Elevated Embossing

2.The Joy of Stampin’ with Rachael (USA)- Emboss Dry, Emboss Heat Techn

3.Stampinxime by Ximena Morales (DE) – Fantasievoll Verwirbelt

4.iHeartCards2 (US) – Elevated Embossing

5.Stamping Flair (AU) – Layered Florals

6.Furry Cat Designs (UK) – Embedding a layer in a design

7.De Kijkkast (NL)- Elevated Embossing with Cute Crochet

8.Creative Juice by Loni (US)- Elevated Embossing Zinnias Window Sheet

9.24-7 Inkspiration (US) – Distressed Tile

10.Tricia’s Stamping Creations (US) – Dashing Designs Elevated Embossing

11.Crafters Northwest (US) – Elevated Embossing

12.Nature’s INKspirations (US) – Eyelet Elevated Embossing

Product List

Busted Canvas Card Technique

August 19, 2024August 20, 20242 Comments

TREND ALERT! This technique was popping up in my social media, so I wanted to bring it to card-making: The Busted Canvas looks like the card is being unwrapped to reveal an image and sentiment, so while it’s not going to fit in a traditional envelope, it will look fabulous hanging out of a gift bag or handed to a friend personally.

The happy surprise behind the paper has an excited “feel”… like you were too thrilled to open the package to carefully undo the wrapping!

In the video tutorial, I share some tips and tricks, and one thing to note is that when you roll the Designer Series Paper out as tightly as you can, it doesn’t really *need* to be glued down, but if you choose to adhere it to the front, you’ll probably want to use hot glue. The pointed edges do adhere well flat using Tear & Tape, but the rolled pieces tend to pull away unless you use a glue gun.

While I stamped and colored in both my images with Stampin’ Blends, you could use a pre-printed image or more Designer Series Paper on the inside.

Before I share the video, here’s the second example using the Nests of Winter products coming in the September-December mini catalog:

The technique is too much fun to stop with one!

Okay, okay, here’s the tutorial! You’ll need an 11″ x 4-1/4″ card base, a 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ piece of white card stock and a 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ piece of Designer Series Paper, plus your stamps, ink and coloring tools to craft along:

It’s a timely technique for the Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Paper Sale during August 2024

Product List

Stack, Cut, Shuffle, STAMP

August 12, 2024Leave a comment

So many marvelous Designer Series Papers, so little time? This technique for cutting a stack of patterned paper will have you making multiple cards at ONE TIME!

Begin by selecting 4 patterns of Designer Series Paper- I suggest using a maximum of two busy or bold patterns and add a subtle design and a tiny or monochromatic print, in 4 different colors (or different shades of the same hue). This will give you the CONTRAST you need when piecing them back together.

You can adhere the shuffled pieces edge-to-edge (as on the card, left) or leave a small space between them, giving a window-pane look (card on right). You may find that a design on the BACK of your paper works well, so go ahead and flip it over, if needed.

I used the Unbounded Beauty 12″ x 12″ pack- it’s part of the Designer Series Paper SALE this month, August 2024 and showcases the 2024-2026 In Colors, which are lovely together. With the few scraps left over, I added a piece to the inside layer and to the flap of my envelope.

Grab your patterned paper and follow along with me here, as you practice your cardmaking:

If you paper is directional, you’ll need to decide if you are creating PORTRAIT cards (tall) or LANDSCAPE cards (wide) **before** you cut your paper, and make sure it’s oriented the correct way.

The Unbounded Beauty cards were landscape, but I also needed some sympathy cards, and the blues in the Countryside Inn Designer Series Paper (also 15% off in August) seemed fitting. These are portrait versions of the Stack, Cut, Shuffle technique:

Inside the cards:

I’ll list supplies for both versions, starting with the Unbounded Beauty demonstrated in the how-to video:

Product List

Supplies for the Countryside Inn Comfort card are below.

Product List

Joseph’s Coat Technique (with Embossing Folders)

July 29, 2024July 30, 20241 Comment

Revisiting a classic stamping technique- this time with 3-D Embossing Folders!

The Joseph’s Coat technique has been done with heat embossing in the past, but Stampin’ Up!’s beautifully detailed and deep image embossing folders really make it easier than ever to create colors that seem to POP from a dark background.

This was the second card I created in the how-to video today using the Layered Florals embossing folder, and it shows the vibrancy of the colors you can achieve with this trick. I also made these cards into a Z-Fold style that stand up to display.

In a nutshell, the way to make this stunning background is to emboss a white or vanilla piece of card stock, then color in the RECESSED images using sponge daubers + Classic Ink Pads -OR- Stampin’ Write Markers. Once you’ve colored all the images, drag a dark ink across the top of the background. I used Night of Navy ink over my Petunia Pop water lilies on this version.

Watch to learn how:

Peek at the details from the Changing Leaves Hybrid Folder Joseph’s Coat card…amazing, eh?

For best results, make sure your dark ink pads are inked up well to achieve the dark “background” in one swipe of your pad.

Here are the supplies I used – order them today, then give this technique a try!

Product List

Changing Leaves Bundle (English)

Layered Florals 3 D Embossing Folder

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Petunia Pop 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Sponge Daubers

Petunia Pop Classic Stampin Pad

Shy Shamrock Classic Stampin Pad

Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad

Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad

Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad

Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad

Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad

Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad

Petunia Pop 3/8" (1 Cm) Bordered Ribbon

Baker's Twine Essentials Pack

Stampin' Dimensionals

Just a few days left to earn BONUS DAYS coupons in July! Redemption for the codes you’ve earned this month will begin August 1st!

Hybrid Embossing Folder How-To

July 15, 2024July 15, 20244 Comments

Curious about how a “Hybrid Embossing Folder” works? Allow me to demonstrate how-to using the new Online Exclusive Changing Leaves bundle.

The embossing folder creates amazingly detailed leaves which are beautiful both embossed (raised) and debossed (recessed). Here is a “raised” example in Granny Apple Green using the embossed design for a background on a card:

Flip the embossed paper over and paint into the recessed images using water painters and ink refills -OR- water painters with Metallic Enamel Effects for shine:

Simply stamping the images and die cutting them to use on your projects is also an option. Watch for the tip to lining up all three leaf images in the correct spot, making them easier to die cut at the beginning of this video, in which I also demonstrate all the techniques I’m sharing:

I used my stamped/die cut leaves on a floating frame card:

Finally – and this is the HYBRID VERSION – the dies snap into the embossing folder! All you have to do is add your paper, run it through the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine, and out come die-cut, embossed accents! This is a bonus project that shows the detail:

I borrowed the sentiment from another Online Exclusive stamp set called Comforting Thoughts for an occasion when there are just no words to express what you are feeling for someone’s heartache.

Try dragging your ink pad across the top of an embossed/cut leaf to bring out the details (or use a brayer rolled in ink), like the Pretty Peacock leaf on the card:

The Changing Leaves bundle is $54 (US) so it qualifies for a $5 BONUS DAYS coupon when you purchase it during July 2024. Collect coupons July 3-31st, then redeem them during August!

Ice Cream, Adhesive Sheets and Last Chance Sale

April 9, 2024April 9, 2024Leave a comment

When you have the right tools, any project becomes easier.

Adhesive sheets are a type of double-sided adhesive that make any piece of paper into a sticker, and they are indispensable for a project like PAPER PIECING. The Ice Cream Swirl dies are a perfect example of how you can create sweet cards to drool over, using adhesive sheets:

Start with a 5.5″ x 6.75″ card base (scored at 4.25″) and “build” layers with Designer Series Paper. The Lighter Than Air designs have creamy colors that I used to cut 3 swirls from, then built up my lemon-raspberry ice cream swirl. This is a card you’ll want to make triplets of at one time, just to use up all the pieces:

Today (April 9th) is the last day to register for my Crafting Happiness class on Friday, April 19th, where I’ll be featuring the Ice Cream Swirl Bundle (and you get a discount on the class if you purchase the bundle from my store)- OR you can use one of the stamp & die bundles you may already have.

Crafting Happiness Class Registration

A tutorial to teach how to use Adhesive Sheets:

Inside the card:

Today also begins the Stampin’ Up! Last Chance Sale– click image to shop!

I appreciate your order of genuine Stampin’ Up! products from my store! Your support give me the opportunity to continue sharing creativity with you. I’m always tickled to mail a hand-stamped card as a thank you for online orders!

Product List

Ice Cream Swirl Bundle (English)

$53.00

Adhesive Sheets

$11.50

Lighter Than Air 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

$12.50

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.50

Fresh Freesia 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.00

Lemon Lolly 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.00

Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.00

Fresh Freesia Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Sweet Sorbet Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Sweet Sorbet Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$10.00

Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

$66.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.25

Paper Trimmer

$26.00

Stampin' Seal

$8.00

Mini Glue Dots

$5.75

Coloring with Masks (Enduring Beauty)

March 25, 2024Leave a comment

Masks (the fancy Stampin’ Up! term for stencils) make coloring stamped images speedy and simple!

I was truly WOWed with how quickly I was able to color the floral spray image from the Enduring Beauty bundle with the coordinating masks, blending brushes and ink pads. This is a technique you may embrace if you don’t love to color, OR if you are just getting started, you can stamp and color this image with just two ink pads! Watch & learn how:

Did you catch how to die cut just half the image so you can add a layer of Designer Series Paper as the background? For the video, I added a second fold that opens on the right:

But you can just add a 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ layer of Designer Series Paper behind the flowers to make it a regular card. I really like the look of the Poetic Expressions designs with the flowers, and used the colors of that paper for coloring the flowers, as well.

Turn the design sideways and try different colors, too.

It’s a beautiful stamp set to use for so many projects, and if you haven’t seen my two previous posts using this set this week, check out the Notebook Cover project HERE and the color challenge card HERE.

THANK YOU for shopping in my Stampin’ Store for GENUINE Stampin’ Up! products!!! It enables me to continue bringing you creative ideas and you are guaranteed high quality products with service from someone who cares about you.

Product List

Enduring Beauty Bundle (English)

$50.75

Poetic Expressions 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

$12.50

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

$8.25

Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Bubble Bath Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Moody Mauve Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

2023–2025 In Color Jute Trim

$8.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.25

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

$128.00

New at SU!- Softly Sophisticated for SAB

January 17, 2024January 17, 20246 Comments

Happy to see you hopping through here! Our New at SU! global group of demonstrators have ALL the Sale-a-Bration products here for you this month, and trust me: You want them ALL. Whether you are ending here, or just starting, don’t miss a single post!

I get to showcase the Softly Sophisticated bundle that you could choose free through February 29th with a qualifying order in your country (in the US, it’s free with a $100 order) and it comes with a stamp set AND an embossing folder:

It feels so elegant in Very Vanilla and I used the Perennial Postage dies for this first card to show how a simple layout can be “next level” when you add a little embossed texture.

Only one little problem: The small die with the postage cancellation wasn’t long enough! So here’s HOW TO STRETCH a die!

Leave me a comment and tell me what you think of this project, or which SAB item is next on your wish list, then visit these posts to help you celebrate creativity during Stampin’ Up! Sale-a-Bration – remember to save or PIN your favorites!