A Top-Flip Fun Fold Card

September 16, 2024Leave a comment

Simplifying an idea today with this flip-top fun-fold card! I wanted to use the “Warms My Heart” stamp set, which doesn’t have coordinating dies, so opted to use a panel I could stamp on as the focal point. The Everyday Details dies has these darling dots around the edge of the rectangles, and don’t need much dressing up. Plus, the beautiful pumpkin patch on the bottom of the patterned paper needs to be seen:

The top flap (with girl carrying pumpkins) flips up and there is a second message that matches the theme on the top of the card:

Finally, you open the card all the way and you can make a pocket with the other large piece of Designer Series Paper to slip a gift card in!

Here are the paper supplies you’ll need (with the ones I used for the card above in parentheses):

Card base: 8.5″ x 5.5″ scored at 4.25″ (Cajun Craze)
Flap for over top: 5.25″ x 2.75″, scored at 4.25″ (Cajun Craze)- watch video for paper-saving TIP!
Layer for inside card: 5.25″ x 4″ (B asic Beige)
Two rectangle “frames”: Largest die from Everyday Details (Basic Beige)
One rectangle matt: 2.5″ x 4″ (Pumpkin Pie)
Designer Series Paper: 5.25″ x 4″ and 5.25″ x 2″ (Splendid Autumn)

For the Pumpkin Spice drink layer, I used the More Than Autumn bundle (you’ll see more of that bundle on Wednesday!)

After this How-To video, you’ll find the Christmas version of this simple fun-fold card!

Here’s the same card pattern using the image of the woman with the holiday wreath:

While this version could also hold a gift card, I chose to make it a normal card and on the inside, and simply added a strip of the back side of the Designer Series Paper to the inside to make it fancy:

The Christmas Version features the Sentimental Christmas Designer Series Paper which is our “Craft & Give Back” product: For each package ordered, Stampin’ Up! donates $3 to Firstbook.org to support Children’s Literacy. (Outside the US? Check with your demonstrator to find out where the donation goes in your country)

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BREAKING NEWS: Wednesday, September 18th will be a FREE SHIPPING DAY on orders over $75 USD!

Gratitude- Key to Happiness

September 3, 2024Leave a comment

All the research agrees: Being grateful – and showing it – leads to a happier and healthier life.

We already know creating something with your own hands brings joy and satisfaction, so combine the two and crafters are the most joyful folks on the planet!

The Splendid Autumn suite (arriving September 4th) provides the tools to both create and send gorgeous gratitude notes:

This card took only slightly longer to make than the 60 seconds shown in this reel, and uses a full sheet of the 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper on the outside, inside and envelope.

The Splendid Autumn Designer Series Paper is one of 10 different collections that you would receive a sampling of with the September-December Mini Catalog Paper Share, but TODAY (Sept. 3) is the deadline to guarantee your spot!

Send me a Share!

Stampin' Up! Attention Shoppers, Pop Up Gift Card Sunburst card

Let’s Go Shopping

August 30, 2024Leave a comment

The theme for the TGIF Challenge #tgifc488 is retail therapy: What could make you feel better than new crafting supplies?

Did I throw you off by showing the inside of the card first? It’s one of my favorite gift card holders, and pops out to present a card or gift certificate. Did you know I offer gift certificates of any amount? My gift certificates are good for products OR classes/events!

Moving on to the FRONT of the card…

A sunburst is a terrific way to use up scraps of Designer Series Paper, and I know I’m always on the lookout for ways to bust my stash of scraps!

The shopping cart die cut with silver foil sheets just feels like the real experience of being on the hunt for the perfect item in store. I was going to fill it with little die cuts from the Crafting With You dies, but apparently it’s loaned out to a friend…the goodies in the Attention Shoppers bundle work just as well to give you the gist.

Here’s to filling your cart with a gift certificate to delight a friend, or all the supplies needed to make this card your own:

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3 Unique Ways to Use Designer Series Paper

August 26, 2024August 26, 2024Leave a comment

Patterned Paper may fade into the background for most paper crafting projects, but here are THREE different ways to make the most of this crafting staple:

STAMP IT: Double up on your backgrounds to give it faux layers! For the first sample, I stamped the Drizzling Droplets stamp onto a piece of the Country Lace Designer Series Paper and the second card has the Leaf Collection stamped onto a piece of the Full of Life Designer Series Paper:

2. Heat Emboss Over It: Embossing powder covers patterns beautifully! LIghter paper patterns allow you to color in parts of the embossed image.

These samples use the same Designer Series Paper as the first cards, just different patterns from the same packages:

3. Dry Emboss It: Stamp a sentiment first, then run it through an embossing folder. To bring out the pattern, rub a sanding block (or emery board) over the top of the ridges!

The Sending Love & Hugs card uses the Perennial Lavender Designer Series Paper and a 3D embossing folder (EF) called “Forever Plaid” (available 8/4/24), while the Mediterranean Blooms version was embossed with the 3D Eyelet EF:

Just 5 days left of the Designer Series Paper Sale (ends August 31, 2024) – featuring ALL OF THE PATTERNS USED TODAY!

LOVE Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Paper?? Don’t miss the chance to reserve a 6″x6″ sample of (almost) every pattern in the upcoming September-December Mini Catalog:

Watch today’s video showing these three techniques to try on Designer Series Paper :

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

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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

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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:

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Supplies for the Countryside Inn Comfort card are below.

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The Versatility of a Fabulous Kit

August 5, 2024August 5, 2024Leave a comment

Stampin’ Up! has the #bestcraftingkit (or kits) on the planet. Whether you just want to dip your fingers in the paper crafting ocean, or you want to commit to creativity each month…there’s a kit for you!

I wanted to showcase how amazing the July Paper Pumpkin kit “Painted Petals” was, and encourage you NOT TO WASTE A SECOND in subscribing for the August kit (and beyond).

After assembling one of the cards as intended from the kit, I created an “alternate” card by just adding a bit of Basic Black card stock. You may enjoy simply following the instructions, but if you want to stretch your artistic muscles, kits are a superb starting spot:

Fold the printed card base with the printed images INSIDE the card, then trim 1/4″ off the bottom and open side, making it 4″ x 8 1/4″ when open. Fold the front (colored) flap back on itself, add a 3″ x 4.25″ black card stock to the front left side of the card and attach your details. Adhere the card to a 5.5″ x 4.25″ black card stock base and voila:

Try turning your kit into scrapbook pages for your memory albums! The back side of the card became a faux strip behind my photo mats, and I added a simple floral border at the bottom:

Finally, don’t forget the box! On the months when the box matches the contents (usually Paper Pumpkin kits arrive in Poppy Parade boxes), you may want to gussy it up and use it as gift wrapping:

For the box top, I used one of the envelopes and the special Add-On Every Celebration Dies, which coordinate with the July, August AND September Kits:

Once your kit is completed, you are left with a small ink spot and the photopolymer stamps. With some basic supplies, you can create more fantastic cards, tags, gifts, etc.

So what is the August 2024kit going to be? Birthday Cards!

The “Time for Cake” craft kit will be shipped around the 15th and features the following, but you must subscribe by August 10th

Rose gold foil
Accordion card folds
A festive color palette
A birthday sentiment stamp set

Subscribers will also receive a gift with their kit: an additional stamp set! Those number stamps will become an indispensable tool in your stamping arsenal.

Subscribe to Paper Pumpkin NOW!

We have MORE INCREDIBLE a la carte kits that you won’t want to miss – stock up for yourself, to make with friends, or to give as gifts! The selection is always growing, so check back every month to discover your inspiration.

Explore the Kit Collection NEXT

Keepin’ It Cool with Pink Ice Cream

August 3, 2024Leave a comment

When we take the grandkids for Ice Cream, COLOR is always the biggest factor in choosing which flavor to get! According to their thinking, the brighter the color, the better it tastes?

For a hand-stamped birthday card today, the colors were chosen by the weekly TGIF Challenge, #tgifc484

I’m a big fan of images that pop out of the frame, and that concept works well here.

A quick swipe of the White Craft ink pad over the eyelet-embossed Daffodil Delight background allowed me to emboss it with white embossing powder – if double scoops of ice cream are better, so is double embossing!

Top if off with some sprinkles (Iridescent discs sparkle and catch the light, and they are flat for mailing as an added bonus) and you’ve served up a cute birthday cone!

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Remember to redeem any Bonus Days Coupons you earned in July this month (August)!

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: