Dog Days of Summer

We are in the “Dog Days of Summer”, but do you know what that means?

It refers to a period of particularly hot and humid weather occurring during the summer months of July and August. In ancient Greece and Rome, the Dog Days were believed to be a time of drought, bad luck, and unrest, when dogs and men alike would be driven mad by the extreme heat. This heat wave coincides with the rising of Sirius, the Dog Star toward dawnThe name “Sirius” even stems from Ancient Greek seírios, meaning “scorching.”

For the ancient Egyptians, the dawn rising of Sirius (known to them as “Sothis”) also coincided the Nile River’s flood season. They used the star as a “watchdog” for that event.

Of course, the appearance of Sirius does not actually affect seasonal weather, but because it rises near dawn during the hottest part of summer, the star lends it’s lore to the hot and humid season.

Now you know the history, let’s make a fast and simple card using the Dog Builder punch!

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Download the Tutorial Here

Order the Dog Builder Punch here

The best way to stay cool during these “Dog Days of Summer” is to craft in your air-conditioned craft room. Take my advice and make something to mail to a friend 🙂

 

Theater Card: Whale of a Time

This is a card you send to someone you really *really* REALLY love… and they are going to love it, too!

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We made this at our July stamp club so you don’t need to be cautious to try it: It’s easier than it looks and the trick is to cut the basic pieces first.

Once you’ve made one Theater Card, you’ll want to make another. I’m here to make it easier for you with a video tutorial and cutting guide (see below).

Before I give you the cutting instructions, I wanted to tell you that today is World Day against Human Trafficking: Did you know we have more people enslaved now than ANY other time in the world?  And of the 30 million current slaves, 10 million are children? I’ve supported Operation Underground Rescue as my primary charity since I learned about this pernicious plague 3 years ago, so I’m linking arms again today and tomorrow with O.U.R. to help make a difference and your order will help!

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Thank you for considering how to help make a difference and Rise Up for the children. Now on to the instructions for your Theater Card pieces.

Cutting Guide:
Cut the following pieces from the same color of card stock:

  • (2) 4-1/4” x 5-1/2”
  • (2) 4” x 5-3/8” scored in landscape position at 1-1/16” and 2-5/8” (watch video for instructions to cut slits)
  • (2) 6-1/4” x 3/4” strips, scored on each end at 1”
  • (1) 1-1/4” x 4-1/4” trimmed to an i-Beam (see video)

Designer Series Paper (DSP)

  • 5-1/4” x 4” for front of card
  • 3” x 4” for back of “stage”
  • 3/4” x 4” for front of I-Beam (optional)

Tips:

  1. Layer the largest piece of DSP on the front of a 4-1/4” x 5-1/2” panel (don’t adhere them together yet). Use the 4th largest Stitched Rectangle die to cut a window in the front of both
  2. Adhere the DSP frame to card stock frame, and cut the piece of DSP from the inside of the frame in half to use for the “curtain” later.
  3. Use the Multipurpose liquid glue: It has some “wiggle room” while it is wet, then a firm bond once it dries.

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Watercolor Wash: Wild Rose

July is World Watercolor Month and the new Water Painters from Stampin’ Up! will have you feeling like an artist in minutes.

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Wondering how they work? Watch the video tutorial on my Facebook Page! This is one of the cards I showed you how to make:

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The layout follows the #GDP250 sketch challenge250

I love watercoloring over embossing because the raised edges keep the colors in place, or in the case of the watercolor wash, the image appears like magic.

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Have fun trying this technique yourself!

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G.O.A.T. Greatest of All Time

For a short while, we raised a goat. He was a curious little creature, and the kids really enjoyed his antics. They are funny four-legged animals with tons of personality…kind of like the Way to Goat stamp set: goat set

As I was playing with these stamps I happened to have a Melon Mambo frame laying on my desk that I had already cut from the Ornate Layers dies and the idea for this simple card was born:IMG_6143-(W2)

Download the Tutorial HERE

Making cards with the Way to Goat stamp set will make you laugh out loud! Thanks for ordering the necessary supplies from my Stampin’ Store and keep on crafting every day!

 

Split Panel Shaker Card

Combining unique techniques to create a one-of-a-kind card is so gratifying– This is one I shared on my Facebook Lunchtime Live Crafting a few Mondays ago and I finally edited the video tutorial to share with you!

IMG_6035-(W)-2-(W)It’s a Split Panel card with a Mason Jar Shaker Dome and you can make it in many colors~ I used the 2020-2022 In Colors. 

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You may have noticed the second one ISN’T a shaker card…I gave the one from the video away!

You can watch and follow along in the video to create your own:

You can order all the supplies to create this card from my Stampin’ Store. Let me know if you try it and how you love it!

Meanwhile, join me each Monday at 12:30 pm (MT) for live crafting on my Creative Juice by Loni Facebook Page.

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Simple Sunflower Celebration Card

Send a little sunshine with a sunflower card!

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The new Celebrate Sunflower stamp set is sensational to stamp with!

One detail I love is the subtle embossing folder: I adhered the vanilla card stock to the cinnamon cider layer before running it through this often overlooked tool…and it gives it a texture like a painter’s canvas:

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While I only used the stamps for this project, there are coordinating dies and when you bundle the stamps & dies together, you save 10%.

I used this card as an invitation for my annual hostess appreciation brunch and it was an easy one to make in multiples. If you would like an invitation to next year’s hostess appreciation event, June is a fine time to hold a virtual (or in-person) Stampin’ Up! party because when your total reaches $250, you earn an additional $25 in Stampin’ Rewards to spend!

Host in June

Shoot me a message and let’s plan a party with your friends!

To create this sunflower celebration card, DOWNLOAD THE TUTORIAL HERE or click on the image below.

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Country Club: A Hole-in-One

The Mini Catalog Inspiration

Celebrate Dad like the champion he is! The Country Club Suite is a classic blend of argyle, plaid, and iconic golf images. It’s perfect for Father’s Day, masculine birthday cards, and projects for any sports enthusiast, male or female!

The Absolutely Argyle 3D Embossing Folder is sure to be a hit for everything from Father’s Day to baby showers, so you’ll definitely want it on your shopping list.

The card tutorial I’m sharing is rich in color, texture, and details. It features heat embossing, dry embossing, and distressing techniques. This card will score a hole-in-one this Father’s Day, and don’t forget other dads (sons, uncles, brothers and grandfathers) when you are making and mailing cards!

Country Club – Father’s Day Card

Country Club - Father's Day Card

Join my Email Newsletter List and receive my tutorials by email. With each mailing you will receive a picture of the finished project, a supply list, card layout, and a step-by-step tutorial.

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS: Clubhouse (#151583)

CARDSTOCK: Whisper White (#100730), Poppy Parade (#119793), Basic Gray (#121044), Smoky Slate (#131202), Gold Foil Sheets (#132622)

PAPER: Country Club Designer Series Paper (#151314)

INK: VersaMark (#102283), Uninked Stampin’ Pad & Whisper White Refill (#147277), Jet Black Stazon (#101406) or Tuxedo Black Memento (#132708)

ACCESSORIES: Stampin’ Emboss Powder White (#109132), Country Club Twine Combo Pack (#151318)

ADHESIVES: SNAIL (#104331), Stampin’ Dimensionals (#104430), Mini Glue Dots (#103683), Fine-Tip Glue Pen (#138309) or Multipurpose Liquid Glue (#110755)

TOOLS: Sponge Daubers (3133773), Stitched Rectangle Dies (#148551), Golf Club Dies (#151580), Absolutely Argyle 3D Embossing Folder (#151590), Embossing Buddy (#103083), Heat Tool (#129053)

TIPS: Use the Heat Tool to speed up the drying time for the Whisper White ink.

VIEW SUITE ONLINE

COUNTRY CLUB DESIGNER SERIES PAPER VIDEO

DOWNLOAD THE CATALOG

Country Club Suite

 

Ornate Garden Specialty DSP Card

The think I love MOST about the Early Release Ornate Garden Suite is the DESIGNER SERIES PAPER!152488g

Some of the sheets of this paper (inspired by Victorian Foils) have gold foil designs on one side and they are so very frilly and feminine: IMG_5145-(W)

This card is a unique way to see BOTH sides of the paper by using the DSP as your card base. I’m sharing a tutorial and you can click on any of the project pictures to download it! It opens up accordion style like this: IMG_5146-(W)-1

If you struggle with die cutting detailed dies (like the ornate frames in this suite of paper crafting products) I shared a TIP on this Facebook Live Video that will make die cutting SO MUCH EASIER for fancy things like this!

Got a lot to say in your card? Add another layer of card stock in the first fold and you can write a longer message to the recipient: IMG_5147-(W)
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Ready to make one yourself? Click link to download a .pdf tutorial or on the image below!

Click here for Ornate Garden DSP Card tutorial

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Oh, so Witty! A Virtual Card Class

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We could benefit from a little laughter amidst the chaos of life, so I’m trying something NEW to keep you stamping and giggling: A Virtual Card Class! There is no better stamp set to feature in this class than the “Witty-Cisms” set that will tickle your funny-bone with it’s clever images and greetings. It’s one of the most popular in the Mini Catalog!

Here’s how it works:

The Virtual Class includes the Witty-Cisms stamp set and the Everyday Label Punch ~OR~ 4 Stampin’ Blends Markers (Light Daffodil Delight, Light Call Me Clover, Highland Heather Combo pack) as well as instructions and the supplies to create 6 cards (2 each of 3 different designs). You will need both the punch and Stampin’ Blends to complete your cards as well as a Memento Black ink pad and a Lovely Lipstick (or Real Red) ink pad, adhesive and Stampin’ Dimensionals. You may add those items to your order, if needed. The tutorial will be emailed to you once your payment is received. Your basic kit will be delivered from Stampin’ Up! and the supplies will be mailed to you from me.

If you already have the Everyday Label Punch and Stampin’ Blends, you can substitute another product of equal value.

SIGN-UP for the Witty-Cisms Virtual Class here by April 30th!

Looking forward to sharing a little laughter and crafty love with you,

Loni

Pot of Tulips to Help You Heal

How I love a punch that coordinates with a stamp set! And tulips! And teaching you a fun fold card! It all comes together with my pot of tulips to brighten the day of someone who is recovering from a health challenge:

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The flowers pull out so you can write a message below, and still fits inside an envelope:tuliploni

Download the Tulip Pot Card Tutorial

Tip: As you are adding the tulips to the top of your white card stock, lay it on top of an envelope so you adhere the flowers within the dimensions of the sides of the envelope.

When placing an order in my Stampin’ Store, please don’t select “no contact”: I want to send you a hand-stamped thank you card and can only do that if I can see who ordered!

Will you try making this card? Let me know in the comments!