Monday, March 11, 2024

Moody Textures

I've been creating swaps to bring to Houston this week, as I will be attending Stampin' UP!'s annual OnStage event.  This large convention-like gathering will be introducing the upcoming 2024-25 Annual catalog and lots of new products.  

Demonstrators from all over the US and Canada will be meeting, and lots of us have made cards to "swap" for samples from others.  Check out this one:


 Using the Earthen Elegance Designer Series Paper dictated my main color of Moody Mauve.   Blackberry Bliss is a perfect complement for a layer and the embossed pot (embossed with the Earthen Textures dies).

I cut a Nested Essential shape with Pretty Peacock and heat-embossed a greeting in Silver.  

The pot contains sprigs in Moody Mauve, Granny Apple Green and Pretty Peacock.  So pretty!  

And I finished with some 2023-25 In Color Dots in Moody Mauve.  

I can't wait to share the cards I bring back from Houston!  

Product List

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Simple Scoring

Want to see a really cool, easy, fast and sophisticated technique that will take your cards to the "next level"?

Check out the score lines on this card:


 When your entire focus of the card fits into a small section, add some score lines above and below.  This draws the eye towards your focal point, and takes up a little of the blank space without detracting from what you want to say.


I started with a piece of Basic White cardstock, 3-3/4" x 5".  I knew what stamps I was going to use and laid them out on my paper (not yet stamping them).  This just gave me an idea of how much room I needed to take up.


Then I flipped my cardstock upside down and used my paper trimmer to score at 1/8" intervals at the top, (1/2" from the top) and at 1/4" intervals from the bottom (1/2" from the bottom).  When I turned my cardstock right-side-up, the lines were popped out.

The greeting is from a new stamp set, Happy Little Things, that will be available on March 4th through the OnLine Exclusives.  I used my Misty to line up the inside "CELEBRATE" and stamped it with Lost Lagoon.  Then I lined up the outline, and stamped it with Pretty Peacock.

My little cake is from Hooray for Surprises.  I used my Stampin' Write markers to color the top with Calypso Coral, the middle with Melon Mambo, and the cake stand with Pretty Peacock.  Then I used the coordinating dies to cut it out.


The little candle/flame was stamped directly on the cardstock and the cake was popped up on Dimensionals.  The background DSP is from the Hello Irresistible paper pack.  

So the next time you need to take up a little space on your card front, try scoring it!


Sale-a-Bration is nearly over - just two more days to catch some FREE stamps, paper, accessories and even Stampin' Write markers with every $50 purchase.  Don't lose out!


Product List

Monday, February 26, 2024

Oops, I Did It Again!

 Lately I've been finding scraps on my desk that I find new purposes for.  Take this card:


See that cute black frame?  That was actually a left-over piece after I cut Basic Black cardstock with the Perennial Postage dies (the largest one).  I had carefully centered it on my piece of cardstock, so it left this perfect little frame.

So when I needed a few thank you cards for customers it seemed like just the right accent for my card.


And those little flowers?  Die-cuts from the Simply Zinnia dies - coming to the OnLine Exclusives on March 4th!  These are the little "extra" dies that don't coordinate with the stamps in the Simply Zinnia set, but they are as cute as can be!  

How did I make that background?  

It's a piece of 3-7/8" x 5-1/4" Basic White cardstock.  First I stamped the greeting from Sweetly Scripted (another sneak peek of a stamp coming March 4th!), then I ran the cardstock through my Cut and Emboss machine with the Basics embossing folder.  BUT I stopped it after embossing about 2/3 of the sheet and backed it out, leaving the stamped area "un-embossed".  Doesn't the Black & White Gingham ribbon make the perfect compliment to this sweet card?


Two versions with the two types of flower blossoms included in the die set.  L.O.V.E.!

Watch for the beautiful Simply Zinnia suite of products (stamps, dies, embossing folder, DSP and sequins are all included), coming March 4th!





Product List

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Filled with Happiness

 Here's a fun-fold card that is sure to please.  


The front of the card looks like an ordinary one.  I used the Filled with Happiness stamp set, punching out the middle with the Modern Oval Punch and popping it up on Dimensionals.  

But look at what happens when you go to open it:







It's easy peasy to create!  Take two 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" pieces of cardstock (Boho Blue here).  Decorate  one for the front of your card.

Then score a piece of 3-3/4" x 11" Basic White cardstock at 5" and 10".  Adhere the bottom (5" x 3-3/4") part to the cardstock base (Boho Blue that is not decorated).  Then fold on the 5" score line, bringing the top towards you.  Fold "backwards" on the 10" score line, leaving a 1" piece.  Add Liquid Glue to the 1" area and place your decorated card front on top, matching up the edges to the bottom piece of cardstock.

This is such a fun card, and one that is a little surprise as the recipient goes to open it!


Product List