I fell in love 21 years ago……with paper, ink, and stamps that all matched like the Garanimals wardrobe I grew up with, and life has never been the same since!
Did you know I’ve been a demonstrator for 21 years this year????😮 I joined the Stampin’ Up! family during Sale-A-Bration in 2000 because I wanted a discount on all the pretty coordinating things Stampin’ Up! had to offer at the time (and if I’m being honest I needed to get out of the house as a stay-at-home mom). However, I never realized the potential for creating-mania that would be a huge part of my life in the years to come. I honestly thought rubber stamping would be a passing fad, like other crafting that has come and gone in my life.
If you have been my customer since the beginning (we are talking dawn of the 2000s) then you remember when Perfect Plum and Mellow Moss ruled the Soft Subtles world!😂 They were my first ink pad colors and I still consider them good, good friends (RIP). I remember pining over the catalog and making list upon list of items I HAD to have not only because they were excellent products, but because they COORDINATED and made the card-making and scrapbooking experiences so effortless.
And to this day 21 years later there is no better coordination of stamping products than what Stampin’ Up! has to offer crafters! 🙌🏻 (moment of silence). So what are we coordinating today you ask? Ink, card stock, and paper! Check it out!
Color coordination bliss using Evening Evergreen, Pale Papaya, and Soft Succulent inks, papers, and ribbon!
I created a quick video to celebrate new In Colors and amazing color coordination. (Happy sigh) 😍 Enjoy and as always, happy stamping!
It’s time to make a simple card that has amazing color coordination.
Once I get a good pattern, it is hard for me to stop creating. My new 6×6 Double One Sheet Wonder pattern is so satisfying to make that I wanted to try it with all the new Designer Series Papers! I made another video with a different set of double-sided paper to showcase this pattern again.
Sweet Symmetry DSP and Flowers of Friendship Bundle
Double One Sheet Wonder for 6″ x 6″ DSP
Here are four more sets of cards using this fun pattern. If you want to see more step by step pictures of the process of making these cards check out this blog post.
Misty Moonlight DSP and Biggest Wish Stamp SetHand-Penned DSP, Hand-Penned Bundle and Happy Thoughts stamp setPattern Party DSP and Art in Bloom Stamp SetPansy Petals DSP
One of my favorite commercials from childhood was the Doublemint Gum commercial that featured sets of identical twins chewing gum (“double your pleasure, double your fun.”) Why? I don’t know. However, I think the brilliance of a Double One Sheet Wonder pattern is even better than those commercials. Right?
1986 Doublemint Commercial
My favorite thing about using a pattern like this is that the basic design of the card is already figured out which allows you to just choose your favorite greeting set and some embellishments to finish the cards. It also brings great pleasure (double your pleasure, if you will) to put together the pieces of these cards like a puzzle.
Hand-Penned Designer Series Paper
I created this Double One Sheet Wonder pattern to make 5 quick and easy cards in a snap. You can view the replay of the Facebook Live Papercrafting Playdate video were I put together this pattern and download a pdf to save for your own files. Here are the supplies you need to whip up a batch of delightful cards.
2 sheet of 6 x 6 Designer Series Paper (all four sides should coordinate)
5 card bases in a coordinating cardstock color 5 1/2” x 8 1/2” each
5 pieces of Basic White cut at 5 1/4” x 4”
Ribbon or embellishments of choice
Optional: Basic White scraps for die cutting shapes for sentiment images
Optional: A second coordinating cardstock color for layering with sentiments or adding accents.
Tips for Success
Cut both pieces of DSP at the same time.
If using DSP that has two “busy” patterns, be sure these sides of the paper are facing each other when cutting
If one of the DSP sides has a stripe or a directional pattern make sure it is upright and horizontal when cutting.
Make the first cut at 2” along one side so that you have 2”x 6” and 4”x 6” pieces.Turn the 2” x 6” pieces and cut at 3 1/4” along the long side. This gives you 2” x 3 1/4” and 2” x 2 3/4” pieces.Turn the 4”x 6” pieces and cut at 4” and then at 1 1/2”. This gives you 4” x 4” squares, 4” x 1 1/2” pieces and 4” x 1/2” pieces.Take the 4” x 4” squares and cut diagonally across (not from corner to corner, but offset from the corners about 1”)Do the above cutting of the 6″ x 6″ DSP both at the same time.Lay the pieces onto the Basic White cardstock first. Do any stamping on the Basic White before gluing on the DSP.
Considering the amount of mail (actual paper mail 📪 and emails📧) we get in a given day or week, how much of that do you consider fun mail? What would the percentage be? I can’t guess mathematically but I’m guessing it would be less than 5%? Wouldn’t it be amazing if all the mail we received weekly was only the FUN kind? And what would YOU consider to be fun mail? My list of fun mail would include actual handwritten letters from people I know, cards (of course), party invitations, birth/engagement/wedding announcements, and paychecks!
Despite the fact that we are bombarded with a high percentage of junk mail each day most of us I assume still look forward to seeing what is in the physical mailbox (and electronic mailbox). Think about that my friends, and here comes my point – Your words written to other people are precious to them and can change someone’s day from average to great! I am saying this out loud as I type because I have to remind myself too! My stamping community is all about the art of making handmade cards and the goal is to SEND them to others essentially making the world happier 😃.
Today I’m giving a shout out to the people in my life who have sent ME handmade cards, and showering them with appreciation and love 🥰!
Amazing cards I’ve received in the mail – thank you!
Starting at the top and working our way down the grouping of cards…
Julie J – I love your picture cards!
Sheri F – An amazing anniversary card using the elements of a Paper Pumpkin kit.
Judy C – You are speaking to me with the black & white DSP and the pink flowers! This is a great card front pattern to make with all kinds of DSP.
Sue S – This 3D pop-up box card is absolutely amazing and you’ve inspired me to make one.
Sandy M – This daisy card screams happiness and absolutely brightened my day!
Jill W – The Paper Pumpkin kit you used was one of my favorites! How clever to make it into an anniversary card!
Thank you, thank you my friends for sending me these amazing creations! If you are actually reading this blog post then I challenge you to send out a card 📝 this week, maybe two, and bring joy to someone you care about with your words!
Go and make the world better! Happy stamping! Robin
My husband, Tim, inspired this week’s Papercrafting Playdate idea. We celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary last week and I was the recipient of one of his amazing handmade cards. As always, he impresses me with his creativity in putting together a sweet message for me. (Equally impressive is the fact that he can anything in my stamp room without my help!) Check out this post to see other amazing cards he has made me through the years.
He created a gatefold card without even knowing what he was doing; he just went with the flow of his idea – to make the number 3 and the number 0 fold together, meeting in the middle. After he gave it to me and I oohed and ahed over it, he said that he wanted the numbers to interlock but he couldn’t figure it out. Immediate inspiration for me!
Tim’s anniversary card to me! He made a gatefold card and didn’t even know it!
Check out my Papercrafting Playdate Facebook live video to see a walkthrough of all the variations of gatefold cards.
3 Ways to Create Interlocking Gatefold Cards
So we are going to dive into making 3 kinds interlocking gatefold cards! But first, let’s review the basic gatefold card. Unlike traditional cards that open from one side, gatefold cards open in the middle, creating two doors like a gate. Many times, these cards are held closed by a belly band or by attaching a focal point piece on one side.
• 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2” – card base, scored at 2 1/8” along long edge
4” x 5 1/4” – DSP, cut in half at 2” (or 1 7/8” x 5 1/4”, cut 2)
2 1/2” x 3 3/4” – cardstock, cut with a stitched die
4” x 5 1/4” – Basic White cardstock for inside
Basic Gatefold – Chuncky Door Version
• 4 1/4″ x 11” – card base (scored at 2 3/4” along long edge)
2 1/2″ x 4”, cut 2 – DSP (or 4” x 5 1/4” cut in half)
3” x 4” cardstock, cut with a stitched die and layered with Basic White
4” x 5 1/4” – Basic White cardstock for inside
Directions for both Versions
Score card base along long edge at 2 1/8” (or 2 3/4” ) depending on which gatefold you are making – skinny or chunky . Fold on score line and crease well. Fold the other side in to meet the edge in the center. This creates both doors of the gatefold.
Attach DSP to the doors.
Create a focal point. Attach one half of this piece to one of the gatefold doors.
Stamp inside greeting and attach the 4” x 5 1/4” Basic White on the inside of the card.
Decorate and embellish as desired.
Let’s move on to our first interlocking gatefold card. I call this one a Flap Hinge interlocking gatefold card. What a mouthful! But it is really pretty easy to make.
Interlocking Flap Hinge Gatefold Card
Basic Interlocking Flap Hinge Gatefold Card
The basic card base of this this card is exactly the same as the basic gatefold. The difference is that you create flaps that attach on the opposite outside edges of the card. These flaps make a fun interactive addition to the gatefold doors. It is very easy to make this card with either size card base to get two different looks to the design. The hinge flap size can be adjusted to whatever looks good to you for the stamping/embellishing that you want to do.
Pieces for skinny flap hinge, the inside of the card, and pictures of both versions. Check out the pdf for all the details.
Interlocking Buckle Gatefold Card
Next we have the Interlocking Buckle Gatefold card. This card design is super duper fun because the buckle mechanism is just addictively wonderful to play with and it is really simple to make!
Cut 2 of the center dies and 2 of the nesting dies to make the buckle mechanism sturdy. Adhere them together and then attach to gatefold doors. Adhere half of the frame to the left door and half of the center die to the right door.Interlocking Buckle Gatefold Cards
Interlocking Triple Flap Gatefold Card
Lastly, I bring you the amazing Interlocking Triple Flap Gatefold card. This is the one you NEED to make right now! Grab your supplies and get busy. You will love how this card opens and closes. Trust me!
The pieces needed for the design, the inside and aerial view.Interlocking Triple Flap Gatefold Cards
Today’s journey through gatefold cards has been delightful. If you have stuck with me this far thank you so much! I appreciate you wanting to learn new ways to manipulate cardstock – just like me!
Leave me a comment about which version of the gatefold card is your favorite – I’d love to hear from you! Happy stamping!
Yay! A new card class – the first official in-person class of 2021! Can I get a woo-hoo? Saturday, June 5th is the last day to register.in colors
You don’t want to miss this opportunity to play with some new products while diving into the new In Colors. This class will feature 5 cards; each card showcasing one of the new In Colors. They are so amazing and I know you will love them.
I am offering this class both in-person at my home and as a take home kit (where you supply all the stamped images and I supply all the card pieces & embellishments). Both options are $15 (unless I need to mail the kit to you then add $8).
Register for Class on June 8th now! Once you register you will get an email from me to reserve your class time. If you would like to take this class as a take home kit complete with instructions and a stamp-along video, just let me know when I email you.
Our neighbor gave us some strawberry plants for our garden a couple weeks ago. I haven’t ever grown them before so I’m excited to try something new! Per instruction from my neighbor, I dutifully pinched off the first blossoms and as I did so, I realized that the Sweet Strawberry Stamp Set really does a good job reflecting the beauty of a real strawberry plant! I literally and immediately ran to my stamp room and created this card.
I so often get hit with inspiration from the natural beauty of this earth, but don’t always have time to act on it. When I do have the time I’m always awed by how God’s creation is pure perfection! And that’s all that needs saying about that!
I am in word heaven with the new sentiment stamp sets in the catalog, and today I’m featuring 2 of my top 5 favorite sets so far. The layering possibilities with these sentiments are many, and you need only to use your imagination to whip up some sweet greetings for those you love.
When sentiments are the focal point!
I challenged myself for today’s Papercrafting Playdate to create some cards focusing on the words in these two sentiment stamps sets: Biggest Wish and Create With Friends. To make the challenge exciting I also gave myself some parameters for creating-using the new In Color Designer Series Papers and Stampin’ Up!’s Color Coach.
Using Stampin’ Up!’s Color Coach is really helpful because it gives you color combinations that may be outside your usual go-to color selections. For me, using suggested color combos stretches me beyond my “safe” combos and invites new creativity into my stamping space. Here are all my In Color wordy cards.
I’m offering a product share until June 10th which gives you a small portion of each IN COLOR 2021-2023 offering. Contact me directly to purchase this.
This week has been all about Criss Cross Pocket Cards in my craft room! I cannot stop making this fun fold pattern and you need to try it immediately!
Who do you know who would love this happy card?
(You can find the directions for a basic Criss Cross Card in yesterday’s post here.)
Watch the video tutorial below to see how this card pattern is put together AND download the pdf for your home files.
You are going to love making this fun fold!
Ready to see how this fun fold gets put together? Here we go!
Supplies
4” x 11” DSP – 2 coordinating pieces (with 4 coordinating sides), scored at 5.5″
3” x 5.25” cardstock for insert (Basic White)
Tailor Made Dies (3 largest dies)
Border Basics ( Cloud border)
Black & White Twine 18 “
Cardstock scraps to cut tag dies
Paper supplies for the Double Pocket Criss Cross Card. Score the 4” x 11” pieces at 5.5”. Lay them next to each other and draw opposite diagonal lines creating a “house” shape. See yesterday’s post for more details information on the basic criss cross card. Step 1:With the two pieces layered together, cut one half diagonally from middle score line to outside corner following the drawn lines. This creates 2 opposite diagonal panels that will layer together and cross over to form a pocket.
Lay the cut off triangles together as shown and use as a guide to trace a triangle along the top edge of one panel and cut out. The guide should be .5” above the bottom edge.
Adhere the cut out panel on top of the back panel. I love to use Multipurpose Glue for this project. Only put the glue on the bottom and the outside edge. This creates the back pocket.Adhere the diagonal panels along the bottom edge, overlapping one over the other. This will create the front pocket.
Use the cloud border die to trim off just the top of the Basic White insert cardstock piece for the front pocket. Decorate the tags for the back pocket. Add focal point on card front. Who wouldn’t love to receive this bright happy card?With the leftover triangles you can create a quick and easy “bonus card” and use up those pieces!
Watch step by step process of making the Double Pocket Criss Cross Card.
Oh my! Why has it taken me so long to make one of these fun folds????? These are not only so much fun, they are a great addition to your card template repertoire. I’m going to show you how to make these pocket cards two different ways, using cardstock and Designer Series Paper for great versatility. We must immediately dive into the directions for these cards because I have a lot to share!
Criss Cross Pocket Card – 2 Different Versions
Watch a replay of my Papercrating Playdate – Criss Cross Pocket Cards
Supplies for Cardstock Version of Criss Cross Pocket Card
4.25” x 11” Cardstock – 2
5.25” x 4” double-sided patterned paper (DSP)
3.75” x 5.25” cardstock for insert OR notecard folded in half (5”x7”)
18” Ribbon
Scraps to create decor for the card front
Step 1:Score the 4.25” x 11” cardstock pieces at 5.5”. Lay them next to each other and draw opposite diagonal lines creating a “house” shape.Step 2: With the two pieces layered together, cut one half diagonally from middle score line to outside corner following the drawn lines. This creates 2 opposite diagonal panels that will layer together and cross over to form a pocket. Step 3: Adhere one back panel on top of the other. I love to use Multipurpose Glue for this project. Step 4: Cut the 5.25” x 4” piece of patterned paper in half diagonally and adhere to diagonal panels each showing a different side of the paper. Step 5: Adhere the diagonal panels along the bottom edge, overlapping one over the other to create the pocket. I recommend the Multipurpose Glue so that you have the most possible room inside the pocket. Step 6: Decorate the outside of the pocket, and the inside postcard or note card. I used a Basic White Notecard for the inside.
Now it’s time to try the Criss Cross Pocket Card with Designer Series Paper!!!! The layout and assembly is basically the same. The main difference is in the measurements. I like to cut my DSP in 4″ strips to maximize the use of one 12 x 12 sheet.
Supplies for Designer Series Paper Version of Criss Cross Pocket Card
4” x 11” DSP – 2
3.75” x 5.25” cardstock for insert OR Largest Scalloped Contours die cut with folded card on top (4.5” x 6.5”)
Scraps to create decor for the card front
The fun thing about this version of the Criss Cross Pocket Card is that you have 2 DSP triangles left over to use in making a bonus card! There are so many different ways you can layer the triangles onto a card front to create a very simple yet lovely card!
A bonus card using the leftover triangles from the Criss Cross Pocket card pattern.
Ideas for using the leftover triangles to create bonus cards!
