A Card Folio to Gift Away

February 12, 2024Leave a comment

Dropping a Valentine on a friend’s doorstep may not be a custom any longer, but with today’s project, you can hang a set of hand-crafted greeting cards on a friends door as a gift that shows you love them.

I get my best ideas when I should be asleep, and this one came just as I was laying down last night, so I made a quick note on the notepad next to my bed and woke up ready to try it!

All you need is a 12″ x 12″ piece of non-directional (meaning there isn’t a top and a bottom to the design) Designer Series Paper (or DSP), a Simply Scored board, adhesive and 24″ coordinating ribbon:

Instructions (also in video):

Fold DSP diagonally from corner to opposite corner, with the pattern you want facing out.
Lay fold (longest side) of your folded paper (a triangle shape at this point) along the left side of the Simply Scored board and score at 1/4″. Turn and do the back side the same way.
Turn folded side to the top edge of the board and score at 6″ and 11″. Flip the triangle over and score the back side on the same measurements.
Open up your paper and fold along the 1/4″ score lines just off center.
Open again and fold the outside points (along the 6″ and 11″ lines) IN towards the center. Flip and fold the top points back-to-back, with the center folds at the bottom, creating two pockets on the outside.
Punch at hole (or two) at the top to tie together (leaving a loop to hang from is optional).

I used up a lot of the bits and pieces of the Softly Stippled Designer Series Paper I’ve had left over from other projects to create four simple cards (plus envelopes) to go inside the folio:

1″ x 3″ pieces of Designer Series Paper + your favorite punch

Or use a die with two contrasting patterns as background (Everyday Details Dies – NEW!)

Blend color on the plain Designer Series Paper images and emboss a greeting

Layer on 5-1/4″ strips from the same package of papers in varying widths and finish with focal point.

Don’t throw away the images on your Designer Series Paper that are on the edges! Cut them out and use them on the inside of your card!

2-1/2 weeks left of Sale-a-Bration ~ still time to collect your favorite SAB products FREE with qualifying purchase, and so much to choose from:

I appreciate the opportunity to serve you. If you find that I have taught you something, please order the supplies from my store and support a small business!

Product List

Softly Stippled 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

$12.50

Simply Scored

$36.00

Layering Leaves Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

$24.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.50

Wild Wheat 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.00

Calypso Coral 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.00

Modern Oval Punch

$22.00

Pebbled Path Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Wild Wheat Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Uninked Stampin’ Craft Pad & Whisper White Refill

$10.50

Basics Embossing Powders

$18.00

Heat Tool (Us And Canada)

$31.00

2023–2025 In Color Jute Trim

$8.00

Pool Party 3/8" (1 Cm) Grosgrain Ribbon

$8.00

Pool Party 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Crinkle Ribbon

$0.00

Paper Trimmer

$26.00

Stampin' Seal+

$12.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.25

Everyday Details Dies

$34.00

Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

$66.00

Small Blending Brushes

$12.00

Consider yourself invited to join my Stampin’ Up! team! During February 2024, purchase the STARTER KIT and choose an extra $30 in products in your kit ~OR~ select the Stampin’ Glass Mat Studio (as shown in the video) as your bonus option:

SUPER (Cool) Sunday!

February 11, 2024February 10, 2024Leave a comment

If football isn’t your game, crafting for a challenge is a SUPER way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

The best part of gathering for a game is the snacks, so today, I’ve got PRETZELS for you! One of the new Sale-a-Bration options is the Delightfully Eclectic mega pack of Designer Series Paper (an option you could choose free – use item #165706 when choosing a SAB freebie once your cart hits $50 in my store)

You’ll see how clever Stampin’ Up! was in designing this pack of paper: It coordinates with a LOT of current stamp sets: Inked & Tiled, Just My Type, Cheerful Daisies, Sweet Citrus, SUPER COOL and Simply Sparkling, just to name a FEW. Many of the patterns are versatile enough for any project.

Inspired by the #tfifc459 sketch, I replaced the circles with pretzels and sprinkled a few Opaque Faceted Gems (also a Sale-a-Bration option) around to give a little sparkle:

Don’t be afraid to practice your fussy-cutting skills on these images- the more you try, the better you become. One final tip: I cut my vellum die in half to make it longer and “hid” the space under the sentiment!

Give me a CHEER if you like this take on the sketch (or if it just makes you hungry)!

Product List

Super Cool Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

$20.00

Sale A Bration Delightfully Eclectic 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

$30.00

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

$10.00

Pecan Pie 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.00

Calypso Coral 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.00

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

$10.50

Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.00

Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Pecan Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$10.00

Everyday Details Dies

$34.00

Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

$66.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.25

Opaque Faceted Gems

$8.00

Starting From A Sketch for SAB DSP

January 29, 2024Leave a comment

As we approach the half-way point of Sale-a-Bration (or SAB- the biggest party of the year for Stampin’ Up!), it’s time to show a little love for the Designer Series Paper (DSP) you could choose free with a qualifying order…and stick around for a late-January-ONLY offer!

Giving your creativity a few parameters makes it EASIER to use your imagination, and a SKETCH helps to narrow down your options.

Measurements for this sketch (you can adjust sizes to work for you):

Card Base: 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ scored at 4-1/4″
Layer One: 4″ x 5-1/4″
Layer Two: 2-3/4″ square on a 3″ square mat
Layer Three: 2″ x 3″ on a 2-1/8″ x 3-1/8″ mat
Layer Four: 3-1/2″ x 3/4″

Once you’ve found a fun template for a card, just plug in the pieces, and nothing could be easier than patterned paper!

You don’t need overalls to build this first card, just the Trusty Toolbox Designer Series Paper. Cut a tool from the paper for a focal point.

A version for mom using the Softly Stippled DSP. Substitute the strip on top with a length of lovely ribbon. The Brushed Brass Butterflies pull the gold thread from the bow to help catch mom’s eye.

Be BRAVE: Turn the sketch sideways or flip-flop it and it looks completely different! Flight & Airy DSP is delicate and delightful, the fluffy birds being my favorite! The sayings for the previous 3 cards all came from the Heartfelt Hellos stamp set, which is also a Sale-a-Bration option.

Next, the Sunny Days Designer Series Paper was delightful to pair with the “Playing in the Rain” bundle for a card to uplift and bring sunshine!

Finally, the Most Adored Specialty Designer Series Paper has Red & Pink patterns on one side, with gold foiled designs on the opposite sides: Use them for Valentines or Weddings! I embossed sentiments from the Heartfelt Hexagon stamp set on both cards.

I walked through making most of these cards with tips to help you choose patterns and layer nicely in this video tutorial:

SO WHAT’S THE SPECIAL OFFER??

While all of these papers are available through the end of February (while supplies last), for the next 3 days – through January 31, 2024 – place a $50+ order from my Stampin’ Store and you’ll receive a 4″ x 6″ piece of EVERY Sale-a-Bration Designer Series Paper as a thank you from me! That’s 30 pieces total.

Thanks for visiting and learning all about using a card sketch. Now get off the computer and get your fingers inky!

Quilted Cards

January 22, 2024January 22, 2024Leave a comment

Greeting card crafters know how similar their art is to quilting: Matching patterns, colors and textures of little pieces of paper gives us a quicker satisfaction on a smaller scale than a quilt!

This card not only patchworks paper together, it ALSO HAS A QUILTED TEXTURE!

I paired the Softly Sophisticated Sale-a-Bration bundle with the Softly Stippled Sale-a-Bration Designer Series Paper for this card.

INSTRUCTIONS & MEASUREMENTS: Stamp images & sentiment on the Wild Wheat textile patterned paper (2″ x 3-1/4″) then adhere it to the center of a 5-1/4″ x 4″ piece of Wild Wheat card stock, with two 3/4″ x 3-7/8″ pieces of Designer Series Paper on the top and bottom and two 3/4″ x 4-1/8″ pieces of Designer Series Paper on the sides (adjusted measurement from the video). Emboss all the layers with the Softly Sophisticated 3-D Embossing folder before mounting it to the card base.

Follow along and craft with me- you can pause as you stamp & assemble:

The Softly Sophisticated Bundle is a set of stamps & embossing folder you can choose FREE with a $100 order before 2/29/24 for Sale-a-Bration!

I didn’t stop with the first card, but pulled out some supplies from the Annual Catalog to make a few handmade hugs (gatefold cards):

TIPS FOR THIS CARD: Cut a 3-1/4″ x 4-3/4″ piece of each pattern in the Countryside Inn Designer Series Paper. You can cut two sheets at a time with the Sunburst die, but you may want to go forward and back through the Cut & Emboss machine. You can flip pieces over, since the top and bottom of the design are the same size/shape and get ALL 12 designs in the starburst!

This card also used the Softly Sophisticated 3-D Embossing Folder, then I tried a few other textures:

3-D Embossing folders used left to right: Softly Sophisticated, Layered Florals, Basics Floral

These are the supplies I used for the blue sunburst hug cards:

Product List

Countryside Inn 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

$12.50

Boho Blue 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.00

Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.50

Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Patchwork Pieces Dies

$35.00

Heartfelt Hexagon Punch

$22.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

$128.00

Crafting With You Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

$21.00

Softly Sophisticated Bundle (English)

$23.75

Basics 3 D Embossing Folders

$30.00

Layered Florals 3 D Embossing Folder

$11.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

$5.50

I’ll be sharing some of these cards with new team members during Sale-a-Bration – if you would like to start a crafty adventure with Stampin’ Up! I’m here to help. There are two bonus options if you choose to give it a try before the end of February, and the Glass Mat Studio is one of them!

Softly Sophisticated Appreciation Card

January 19, 2024Leave a comment

There is an art to being grateful, and expressing heartfelt appreciation is the first step to living in abundant gratitude. This simple card will help:

It’s a breeze to create quickly (watch below), and the combination of Vanilla, Lost Lagoon & Pretty Peacock are the sophisticated part.

Add a few Brushed Brass Butterflies and it’s a luxe & lovely thank you card, wouldn’t you agree?

I appreciate the opportunity to serve YOUR creative needs, as well as your recommendation to other paper crafters. THANK YOU.

This stamp set (plus coordinating embossing folder, see previous post) is a FREE BUNDLE you could choose when you purchase $100 from my Stampin’ Store before February 29, 2024. Here are the supplies needed for this card, and adding them all to your cart would get you the Softly Sophisticated bundle as a complimentary gift (if you choose it during checkout) PLUS another free Sale-a-Bration product!

Product List

Softly Sophisticated Bundle (English)

$23.75

Lost Lagoon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.00

Masterfully Made 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

$12.50

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

$10.50

Lost Lagoon Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad

$9.00

Nested Essentials Dies

$34.00

Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

$66.00

Brushed Brass Butterflies

$10.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.25

Stampin' Seal

$8.00

Spiral Pop-Up Cards, Valentine Edition

January 15, 2024Leave a comment

Crafter problems: Losing sleep over a project that you’ve dreamed up! That was the situation last night because I was too excited about making this idea come to life:

But I’m getting ahead of myself…

This simple pop-up card uses WINDOW sheets (spiralized) to make the bees buzz with a message of love on Valentine’s Day! The front of the card:

I actually made TWO versions with the Bee My Valentine suite AND a Sale-a-Bration specialty paper (which I’ll show you after the video). They are very easy to create and will be buzz-worthy when my grandkids open them!

Here’s the tutorial video:

It’s your last chance to sign up for my January VIRTUAL Class, featuring the Bee My Valentine bundle

-OR- stamps and punches you may already have! Click the image for more info:

Stampin’ Up! Sale-a-Bration is in full swing, and you could choose the Most Adored Specialty Designer Series Paper as a free product with $50 order before it ends on 2/29/24 (or the paper is sold out), in which case, you could ALSO make this version of the Spiral Pop-Up Card:

One side of the paper is Flirty Flamingo and Real Red and the other side is white and GOLD FOIL, which will be perfect to have on hand for wedding season and anniversaries.

When you checkout from my Stampin’ Store, you’ll be prompted to choose Sale-a-Bration product(s) you qualify for! Here’s a cart I’ve started for you (add or take out, as you wish):

Use a 6″x6″ Designer Series Paper for This Card!

January 8, 2024Leave a comment

Some patterned paper comes as 12″ x 12″ and a few of our fancy designs are 6″ x 6″, so today (and to help you use up your Paper Share!), I’ve got a fun fold slimline card which uses a 6″ x 6″ piece of Perennial Lavender Designer Series Paper:

On the left is the card closed flat, and on the right, it’s open to see all the panels.

Cut two 2″ wide and two 1″ wide pieces from one 6″ x 6″ piece of pretty paper to fit into each section. You’ll also need a 1″ x 6″ and 2″ x 6″ panel of card stock to fit where you will write a message. The finished size is 3.5″ x 6.25″ when folded flat.

Here’s a different version with a piece of the Lighter Than Air Designer Series Paper, which already comes as 6″ x 6″-

I created a belly band for this one to keep it closed, then when you slide it off, it opens to wish you a Happy Birthday:

If you didn’t snag a stack of patterned paper in my Designer Series Paper Share, I have a few left! Get one piece of EVERY paper in the 2024 Jan-April Mini catalog for $18 (if you pick up from me in Hurricane, UT) or $22 shipped to you, while supplies last. Both pieces used on these cards ARE INCLUDED IN THE SHARE.

Need more ideas to try for 6″ x 6″ paper?

I love making Sour Cream treat containers or use the Corner Angle card technique to get 4 cards from one piece of paper!

The Perennial Lavender Designer Series Paper (and Perennial Lavender suite) coordinates with the January Paper Pumpkin craft kit! Subscribe by January 10th to receive the Lovely Lavender kit:

Make love-themed cards for special occasions, Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, and more with this all-inclusive kit that arrives in your mailbox in January. The kit includes a unique photopolymer stamp set and ink spot and…

• Makes 8 cards: 4 each of 2 designs with 8 coordinating envelopes

• 4 bonus tags that punch out from the card front

• Precut paper pieces and linen thread

• Coordinating colors: Garden Green, Pretty Peacock, Lost Lagoon, Highland Heather, Gorgeous Grape (Classic Stampin’ Spot), Berry Burst

Product List

Perennial Lavender 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

$12.50

Perennial Postage Bundle (English)

$51.25

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

$10.00

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

$10.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.50

Shaded Spruce 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.00

Lost Lagoon 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.00

Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Paper Trimmer

$26.00

Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

$66.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.25

Free Valentine Designs for Sale-a-Bration

January 4, 2024January 4, 2024Leave a comment

Love is in the air as Stampin’ Up!’s yearly party starts today and you could choose the “Most Adored” SPECIALTY Designer Series Paper as a free product (with $50 purchase) to complete some elegant Valentines in Real Red and Shiny Gold:

The sketch from the Global Design Project #GDP426 was the inspiration for this simple and sparkly card:

Paired with the Sale-a-Bration “Heartfelt Hellos” stamp set, the gold-foiled stars shimmer!

This sketch would work with any Designer Series Paper and there are many designs you could select as your complimentary product(s) with each qualifying purchase through February 29th – while supplies last!

Join the PARTY: Shop and Earn free products during Sale-a-Bration!

Product List

Most Adored 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

$16.50

Heartfelt Hellos Cling Stamp Set (English)

$20.00

Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.00

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.50

More Dazzle 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Specialty Paper

$7.50

Real Red & Burlap Ribbon Combo Pack

$9.00

Bee Builder Punch

$22.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.25

Mini Glue Dots

$5.75

DON’T MISS THIS! There is still time to reserve your Designer Series Paper Share – one 6″x6″ piece of every pattern in the new 2024 January-April Mini Catalog:

January Virtual Stamping Class: Bee My Valentine

December 27, 20231 Comment

Since my crafty friends are spread across the continent, I wanted to try something new in 2024: Once a quarter, I’ll be offering a virtual stamping class which will feature a new product. Each class could also be stamped with products you already have!

When you sign up for the class, you’ll be sent a package with all the consumable supplies (card stock, envelopes, Designer Series Paper, etc) needed for 6 projects PLUS two full sized accessories (embellishments and ribbon) and a color copy of the completed projects.

The class will be privately streamed to *YouTube and you’ll receive a link to watch and craft along with me, or watch at your convenience anytime!

* You may need a free YouTube account to log in and access the video tutorial.

The first Creative Juice Virtual Class of 2024 will be streamed Friday, January 26th at 4 pm MT (or watched with private link later) and features the BEE MY VALENTINE bundle (shown above) from the January-April Mini catalog. This bundle is OPTIONAL for you to purchase from my Stampin’ Store starting on January 4, 2024, and it’s going to be a HOT seller, so buzz over early to get it in time for the class!

Alternatively, you will be able to complete the cards with the SWEETEST CHERRIES –or– HELLO LADYBUG stamp sets and coordinating punches (click image to view in store or add to cart):

For the class, you will also need these supplies:

Included in the class kit will be:

Full Sweet Sorbet 1/4″ Bordered Ribbon (10 yards)
Full Adhesive-Backed Hearts & Flowers embellishements
Card Stock, Designer Series Paper, Vellum and twine cut for projects
One sheet of Stampin’ Dimensionals
Envelopes and packaging
Buzz-worthy surprises!

Class fee (includes tax and shipping to you!): $35.

U.S. Customers Only. Purchase class through January 15th, while supplies last. Must purchase class kit to participate in the class.

This card is NOT one of the projects from the class. It was designed by my demonstrator friend Beth Olsen and shows how adorable this bundle is going to be! Hope you’ll join me at class- sign up ASAP!

Copying MYSELF- Something Old, Something New

December 22, 2023Leave a comment

On Monday, I demonstrated how to use the catalog to find layouts (card sketches) to copy, but have you ever made a card you loved so much, you copied yourself?

This is a card I created for a swap at Stampin’ Up! BackStage (a leadership event) to swap with the New at SU! design team:

This isn’t all of the team, but these demonstrators come from all over the globe and we’ve been participating in blog hops once a month for a few years to bring you ideas (see previous post!). Those of us in Las Vegas in August met to swap cards and capture a picture, so I used the Curved Occasions stamp set to make a special card for them. We are each holding the cards we exchanged:

I liked the layout of that card, so when I opened the Simply Sparkling bundle (an online-exclusive product you can find in my store), it made sense to re-visit the same design:

The strawberry Designer Series Paper is a design in the Delighfully Eclectic Mega-pack and I’ve been wondering what it would coordinate with: Apparently it was in anticipation of this bundle 🍓

Card Measurements:

Card Base: 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″
First layer: 3-1/4″ x 5″
DSP strip: 3-3/4″ wide by 1-1/2″ OR 2″
Stamped layer: 3-1/2″ x 2-1/4″
Mat behind stamped image: 3-3/4″ x 2-1/2″
Sentiment Strip: 2-3/4″ to 3″ wide and as tall as needed for sentiment

If you need a disco ball or roller skates in your stampin’ stash, collect the Curved Occasions stamp set – or bundle- before it retires (and on sale at 10% off). These are the supplies for the Happy Day Card:

Product List