Joseph’s Coat Technique (with Embossing Folders)

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!

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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

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!

Paper Crafts with ZEST!

The frame die from the Citrus Blooms bundle offers such versatility when you are considering summery cards or gifts, and in my Live Crafting broadcast today, I couldn’t stop with just one project.

The first card I demonstrated was the elegant “gate-fold” card, which opens to reveal a simple branch of mouth-watering fruit. For once in my career, I DIDN’T add a sentiment to this card! It seems like it could be used for any reason, so I left the options open.

The measurements for this gatefold card are:

  • Night of Navy Mat: 5.5″ x 4.25″
  • Basic White card stock: 4″ x 10.5″, scored at 5.25″
  • Designer Series Paper for gate flaps: 5.5″ x 5″, folded in half at 2.5″
  • A piece of Designer Series Paper to die- or fussy-cut your preferred citrus from
  • 22″ Navy & Gold Glimmer ribbon

While I didn’t demonstrate the second card, I’ll show you how to cut the larger navy layer from the frame using a 4.25″ x 5.5″ piece of card stock in the short video below.

Finally, when I found the Lemon Crisp Kit Kat candies, I knew I needed to make a favor (before I ate them all and regretted my life choices).

Measurements for this project:

  • Cut the frame from a 4″ x 5.5″ piece of Designer Series Paper, then score it at 2-1/8″ and 3″ in the center.
  • Night of Navy card stock 2-7/8″ x 4.5″, scored on all four sides at 1″ to create the “box” that holds two candies inside.
  • Navy 1″ x 8.5″ for the band around the outside (you’ll cut off the excess on the top after wrapping it)
  • Ribbon- as long as you want (tie a knot or a bow)

Now you have all the pieces prepared (right?), watch HOW to make each of these projects:

JULY is the month to earn BONUS DAYS COUPONS!

Add these items to your cart to earn your first coupon(s) AND make the projects shown here!

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You are the reason I am able to bring inspiration to you once a week without charging a fee. Thank you for your orders, comments, and shares. It means so much to me, I hope you know!

Enjoy Today for Independence Day

A Pinch of Party Pizzazz

Let’s be real. Who has time to make a balloon arch, a photo booth, hand-made party favors, personalized invitations PLUS the food & entertainment for a party by themselves? NOT ME.

However, there are a few details I CAN make quickly and simply to elevate a celebration. This one was inspired by my mother-in-law who always has seasonal “china dishes” (paper plates) and napkins. The dollar store makes this even more feasible and all you need to do is wrap them all together and add a tag!

To make it easy for your guests to grab & go, wrap the utensils, a fun straw and box of sparklers (or other small gift) together with a ribbon (no bows required, but a little bling goes a long way), add a simple tag and set them in a fun cup or basket. Your friends can easily hold on to the whole bundle while still filling their cups.

This striped tag was created using the Labeled with Love bundle- choose a coordinating punch or dies when you purchase this versatile crafting combination! I have a few tips in the short video tutorial for mass-producing these labels in minutes. Remember you can switch-up colors and sentiments for any party, too.

When you have the basics on hand (card stock, stamps, ink, ribbon and a punch), you are prepared to sprinkle a pinch of pizzazz onto a gathering of any type. Select the items you need to stock up on:

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Color Block Zinnia Stand up Card

Simply Zinnia, Simple Fun-Fold Thanks Card

Bright colored flowers shout “I LOVE YOU” as well as “THANK YOU” and “YOU’RE THE BEST!” Zinnias lead the garden in bold flower-power during the summer, so a color-blocked card that stands to display seemed like the one to craft today:

The Simply Zinnia stamp & die bundle is an Online Exclusive that you can NOT miss! For my demonstration, I used Versamark ink to stamp the zinnia image on both the Berry Burst and Coastal Cabana card stock pieces that fit on the card base.

However, the Zinnia bundle IS part of a larger Flowering Zinnia SUITE of products, which includes the Zinnia 3-D Embossing folder…so I also did a version of this card using it to make a “touchable” raised background.

This is how they stand:

There is a HELPFUL TIP for layering the petal dies in today’s video tutorial, which will save you time in assembly. Remember, you can click on the gear in the bottom right of the video and change the speed to make any tutorial play faster, if you are an impatient crafter like me!

Just a few more days to collect the Stamp + Die bundles you love, or the Cut & Emboss machines, for an ADDITIONAL 10% off.

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Stampin' Up! Tune In Bundle, Hidden Message card

Hidden Message TV Card – plus July Virtual Class

Today on the Creative Juice Crafting Channel, an interactive birthday card featuring a hidden message that appears “on screen”… and NEWS FLASH, it’s a gift card holder, too!

When you pull out the “Stay Tuned” screen, the birthday greeting appears:

What’s on the inside of the card? A pocket ready for a gift card, gift certificate, cash or a note.

The TUNE IN stamp & die bundle has a “retro” feel and has been unique to play with, so I will feature it in my July Crafting Happiness Virtual Class! Another option that will work well with the virtual class is the ATTENTION SHOPPERS bundle. Both bundles are an EXTRA 10% off during June, so whichever you prefer, NOW is the time to order them and register for the class.

*** When you order either bundle from my Stampin’ Store, you’ll get an email with a discount code for $5 off the class registration fee.

The Crafting Happiness class will be privately streamed to YouTube on Wednesday, July 17th at 4 pm MT, and registered crafters can watch LIVE or at their leisure anytime after the live stream.

The class is designed so you can stamp along and it’s up to you to use the suggested stamp sets OR use a set of stamps + dies you already own. There will be 5 projects and this is what is included:

Class packet includes: 

  • Gold & Silver 1/8″ Trim Combo Pack (Item #16133)
  • Neutrals Adhesive-Backed Sequins (Item #161627)
  • Card Stock, Designer Series Paper and accessories cut for projects
  • One sheet of Stampin’ Dimensionals
  • Envelopes and packaging
  • Sweet surprises!

Also needed (not included in class fee): 

  • Tune In bundle OR Attention Shoppers bundle OR use one of your own,
  • Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (or Mini Machine) or similar die cutting machine for coordinating dies (MACHINES are also 10% off in June!!)
  • Ink Pads: Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad (#132708), Balmy Blue (#147105), Basic Beige (#163806), Cajun Craze (#147085), Versamark (#102283)
  • Watercolor Pencils Assortment #1 (Item #161700)- IF USING ATTENTION SHOPPERS BUNDLE or your own stamps that are line-art type sets.

Before I share the supply list (thanks in advance for supporting my business- I look forward to sending you a thank you card!), here is the video tutorial showing how to create this delightful “hidden message TV” card…craft along and pause as needed:

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Paper Purse/Tote for Happy Bday Shoppers

The vibrant In Color combination from the Global Design Project challenge #gdp449 felt like just the ones to use for today’s Live Crafting project

Your stampin’ stash can be used for MORE than cards, and this little purse/shopping tote/beach bag template can be used for gifting things such as gift cards, candy, money, jewelry, etc. The finished size of the box itself is 3.75″ tall, 3.5″ wide and 1″ deep.

The inspiration for the gift bags in the shopping cart came from a swap from my team mate Heather Goins, a.k.a. the Crazy Cardmaker. I love how she stamped onto patterned paper and colored the tissue paper in!

Normally, I wouldn’t pair foil paper AND glimmer paper, but this time it really added all the shimmer needed for a birthday celebration.

This is the month to add the NEW Attention Shoppers bundle to your collection: A stamp set + die bundle is discounted 10% when it is new to a catalog or publication PLUS in June 2024, bundles are an *additional* 10% off!

Did you notice the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machines are also 10% off?

The video will walk you through creating this boxy tote, and scroll down for printable instructions using the Tune In Bundle!

You can keep going to the tutorial but don’t forget to click and add these products to your shopping cart:

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I had created this pattern for a project that I shared with the Stampin’ Leaders Project Sheet group. The instructions will give you the same measurements for the Attention Shoppers version!

Pop-Out Book-Binding Card

Remember the SQUASH CARD we made last week? We’re using the SAME fold, just starting smaller, and putting it inside a book-binding card for a POP-ular fun-fold for your favorite POP this Father’s Day (or ANY OCCASION)!

At first glance, this looks like a normal book-binding card. But wait until you open it up!

Watch this tutorial and give this a try, and you’ll be chopping all your Designer Series Paper to 6″ square to make more!

The silver foil pop top and bottom really make it look like an aluminum can:

The Simply Sparkling stamp set and dies are just a taste of many incredible products only found in my online store, so while you are adding them to your cart, check out the other Online Exclusives.

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Squash Fun-Fold Card

Usually, I’m a bit more timely in posting my finished project from my Monday Lunchtime Live crafting videos, but we were focused on tending the grandkids. I’m just now getting settled back at home and sharing this (late Saturday night)…better late than never!

This fun-fold card is called a “squash card” and begins with an 8.5″ square piece of card stock. Once finished, the card squashes (or smashes) flat to fit into a standard Stampin’ Up! envelope.

Measurements for the pieces:

  • 8.5″ square card stock, scored at 4.25″ horizontally and vertically AND once diagonally.
  • Designer Series Paper: One 3.75″ square and two 3.5″ square
  • Basic White card stock: Two 3.75″ squares, plus a piece to stamp a greeting and/or images to embellish with.

I die cut images from the Designer Series Paper for the front of my cards, but you could just as easily stamp what you’d like for the top of your cards.

Now peek inside:

TIP: The same design can be used on a 12″ x 12″ piece of card stock to create a mailable scrapbook page! Place photos where any of the paper or card stock layers are, and save a spot to journal about the memories, then fold it up to send to a friend to remember a happy day together.

Watch for instructions:

Thanks for ordering the supplies from my Stampin’ Store so I may continue to bring you ideas to try!

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Good news! Starting June 5th, both the standard and mini Cut & Emboss Machines will be 10% off (they have NEVER been on sale before!) PLUS stamp + die bundles- which are already 10% off – will be available for an ADDITIONAL 10% discount through June 30, 2024.

Attention Shoppers Happy Birthday Slimline Card, 2024-2026 In Colors, Full

May Bonus: Colors in the Starter Kit!

Throughout the month of May 2024, there is a fabulous Starter Kit Special: You’ll get to choose $125 worth of your favorite products for just $99, then Stampin’ Up! will add FOUR 2024-2026 In Color products added to your kit FREE!

I wanted to show something you could make with these colors and potential items in your kit, so I demonstrated a simple stamping project on my Facebook page, inspired by a layout from the new annual catalog:

I failed to mention that this card is the ideal size to include a gift of ca$h, and here’s what I would stamp on the inside:

Basic masking and fussy cutting techniques are shared in the video you can watch here:

While that’s the smartest way to collect the colors quickly, you could also opt to add them one-at-a-time to your toolbox over the next 5 months by joining my In Color Collectors Club, including getting the new Basic Beige color collection FREE!

If you are in southern Utah, don’t miss my Catalog Carnival Open House this Saturday from 1-4 pm in Hurricane where you can craft a card, snag a snack, capture a new catalog, AND shop from my ONCE-A-YEAR-BOGO SALE!!

Attention Shoppers: I’m always delighted when you choose me to serve your creative needs – thanks for ordering your genuine Stampin’ Up! supplies from my Stampin’ Store by adding the products you love below to your cart, and watch for your thank you card in the mail when you allow me to inspire you!

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