Today is the last day of Sale-a-bration 2021! As I reflect back on the last two months and all of the Sale-a-bration projects I’ve created and the fun I have had interacting with YOU in a new way through my Live Crafting Playdates I am so very thankful and humbled by your enthusiasm! I cannot thank you enough for blessing ME with your presence throughout these two months. You are the best!
I gathered all of the cards that I have created as a result of doing Live Facebook videos and totally astounded myself with my output! I didn’t count them all but am impressed with my stash of ready to send cards. Have you been more creative these last two months also? I love it when you send me pictures of the projects you create, and your enthusiasm gets me inspired!
I look forward to having more fun with you on Fridays on Facebook! If you have missed any of the Live Playdates don’t worry you can rewatch them all on my YouTube channel.
Ready to get messy? Or at least a bit inky? The Smooshy Technique creates beautiful backgrounds using ink, water and watercolor paper. It’s so simple!
Smooshing With Ink Technique
My Facebook Live Crafting Playdate video shows you how to get smooshy with ink three different ways. You can watch a replay of the live video below AND download the technique tutorial for your reference.
First Step – Apply 2-3 colors of ink to a plastic surface.Step 2 – Spray the ink with a Stampin’ Spritzer (about 10 sprays)Lay watercolor paper on top of the watery ink and let sit a moment to soak up the ink! Thank lift up carefully and blot off any extra puddles of ink with a paper towel.
There are so many ways to modify this technique. You can change the type or amount of ink, use more of less water, or change how you apply the ink to the plastic and each variation will change up how the background looks. No two times with this technique will look the same.
Variation Ideas
Apply the ink on an acrylic stamping block to achieve the Smooshy Technique in a defined shape.
Stamp images on to the plastic surface.
Use a small piece of plastic and do the technique upside down for more control.
Use stamped images to create the ink patterns.
Don’t miss out on earning any of the Sale-a-Bration Free products – The sale ends February 28, 2021!
Use Hostess 7Q3KYPDM scode, spend $50 and get a free card class from me! During February 2021, the last month of Sale-a-bration, if you place a qualifying order of $50 or more you will get a free Card Class Kit from me. The kit will include the pieces to put together 3 cards with envelopes, color directions and access to a video class to assemble the cards along with me. AND you will get to choose a FREE item from Stampin’ Up! for Sale-a-bration!!!!
Sometimes you need to play with paper but don’t want to think too hard, right? This template is super simple to make and allows you to produce multiple cards with very few supplies. The beauty of this card template is that it is mostly made of patterned paper so it is already gorgeous. You need easy? This is your template!
Here is how you put these cards together. Score the 12 x 12 paper at 3 1/2″ and 8 3/4″. Turn and cut the paper at 4″ and 8″ which gives you 3 pieces. Fold on the score lines to create overlapping edges. Attach these pieces to quarter sheets of cardstock ( 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″). Add the layered focal point piece of any size or shape, decorate, embellish and you’ve got yourself a super cute card!
Once you get started making these cards you won’t be able to stop!! Check out these other happy trios.
I challenge you to grab a piece of 12 x 12 patterned paper and get busy making some easy cards! Watch my Facebook Live recording that shows how to make the Overlapping Gatefold Card Trio.
Today’s project is a fast new favorite! What do I love more that double-sided patterned paper? Mailable mini albums!!! This pattern is a great way to send someone special a card that is interactive and can hold pictures or gift cards or multiple messages. I kept the project simple by using only 1 sheet of 12 x 12 patterned paper and 1 sheet of 8 1/2″ x 11″ Basic White cardstock. Watch the video tutorial for step by step instructions and download the pdf for directions and dimensions.
Recorded Facebook Live of 4 Pocket Card Album & Overlapping Gatefold Card Template4 Pocket Card Album
Directions
Score the 12 x 12 paper at 4” and 8” across one side, and mark the top of the paper with a paper clip or washi tape. Turn paper to the left and score at 3.5” and 8.75”. Turn the paper back to the right so that the 4” and 8” score lines are vertical (Note the picture below and how the sections are numbered 1-9. This will help you reference the directions for each section keeping the paper clip at the top)
Remove section #1 cutting on the score lines. Save this piece to use on the belly band.
Cut on the bottom score line of section 3.
Use the ruler and pencil to draw a diagonal line through the center of section 9 from the outside corner to the center corner as shown. Then cut on this line.
Cut on the right score line of section 7.
Trim a tiny bit (small sliver) on either side of the score lines between sections 1 & 4, sections 3 & 6, and sections7 & 8. This will help the flaps on the album to fold cleanly on top of each other.
Tear (or fold back) about 1” on the outside edge of section 3. Fold section 3 to the left onto section 2 and glue on the outside edges to create a pocket. Insert one of the 3.5” x 2.75” Basic White pieces.
Fold the two diagonal halves of section 9 onto section 6 and section 8 to create pockets. Glue on the outside edges. Inset one of the 3.25” x 4.5” pieces in the pocket on section 6 and insert one of the 3.5” x 2.75” Basic White pieces in the pocket on section 8.
Punch the 2 1/4” circle punch on the bottom edge of section 7. Fold section 7 onto section 4 and glue along the edges to create a pocket. Insert one of the 3.25” x 4.5” pieces into the pocket on section 4.
Attach the 3.5” x 4.75” Basic White piece to section 5 in the center.
Fold section 4 and 6 to the center, then fold section 8 up and section 2 down to close the album.
Wrap the 1.5” x 8.5” strip of Basic White around the middle of the closed album and glue where the ends overlap. This will create the belly band needed to keep the album closed.
Punch a circle out of section 1 that you removed from the album to use as a focal point on the belly band.
Decorate as desired. Send to a very lucky person!
Here are some more! These 4 Pocket Card Album’s are so easy to make, once you start you won’t be able to stop! Once you add some pictures they become magical! Let your imagination add inspiration to this card album template and see what you can create!
Happy Stamping! Get out your patterned paper and make something beautiful!
Only 9 more days of Sale-A-Bration left. Order $50 or more with me using hostess code 7Q3KYPDM by the end of February and earn a FREE Card Class with 3 projects! Order Now!
It is a genuine pleasure to receive happy mail in my mailbox! Getting a handmade card or a handwritten note from someone you care about is extremely exciting and NEVER gets old. I rip open the envelopes of personal mail with glee anticipating a message from someone special! How about you?
I want to share the handmade cards I received with you and give a shout out to my amazing stamping friends who made them! Let’s give them some love…
Judy C. – The pretty pastel hearts she attached send a clear message of love and are so pretty in abundance! I love this gorgeous Valentine’s Day card and appreciate all the little details within it!
Judy K. – This amazing Christmas card from Judy is one I haven’t taken down with the rest of the Christmas decor. I love this 3D Diorama Card! Breathtaking!
Claudia K. – Claudia uses the best of December’s Paper Pumpkin kit creating her own version of the monthly project. It’s so cute! No, you ahhhh!
Carol D. – I love how Carol has watercolored the flowers with watercolor pencils. The color is so vibrant! I admire how Carol adds stamped greetings and images to all sides of her cards and the envelope too!
Sheri F. – Simply gorgeous is how I would describe Sheri’s card. Black, white, and yellow never fail to deliver a spectacular card! I will BEE yours, Sheri!
Jill W. – I actually got two cards from Jill this month because she is just EXTRA in everything she does. I am honored that Jill used my January Card Template to create her Valentine’s Day cards. And her thank you card tag is a delightful visual pop! Thank YOU, Jill!
One of my favorite color combinations for making Valentine’s Day cards is Real Red, Pool Party, and Petal Pink. Kinda traditional with a pop of freshness, that’s what I think anyway. Throw in a sweet snail and some X’s & O’s and you’ve got some Valentine sweetness. Sending you so much love today and always!
Do you see the pretty stitched border on this card? This cuteness is brought to you by the Stitched With Whimsy Dies.
Valentine’s Day is in the air. My cards have been made and sent, and I’m happy to share some projects with you! This year I made the decision to not buy any new Valentine’s Day stamp sets and instead be creative and “use what I had”. I dove into my Paper Pumpkin kits to make my Valentine’s Day cards and am thrilled with how they turned out. What do you think? Check out my process video for making this beary cute card using Stampin’ Blends.
A Valentine using my Paper Pumpkin kits.
I purchased the January Add-On kit which included 20 cute boxes and these adorable snail cut-outs. These little boxes perfectly held little chocolates of all kinds, and I chose my favorite Ghirardelli Chocolates for the inside. Yum!
The Paper Pumpkin kits are a great way to get supplies sent to you in the mail. You choose how often you want them sent. You get a sneak peek of the next kit ahead of time so you can pick and choose which ones you need. You have until the 10th day of each month to decide whether you want to get that month’s kit. Currently, we are in the ordering period for the March kit.
Kit contains enough supplies to create 8 cards—4 each of 2 designs—and coordinating envelopes. The kit’s contents include printed card bases, die-cut paper pieces, embellishments, adhesive, and more!
Double-sided patterned paper is an amazing thing to add to projects because the designs/patterns add a layer of color, texture, and coordination that can tie all the elements of your project together. I have stacks and stacks of Stampin’ Up!’s double-sided patterned paper (Designer Series Paper) in my craft room and I love them all equally, just as I do my children. However, when it comes time to add a piece to my cards I always feel a bit bad for the side of the paper that doesn’t get used. So when I find a card template or fold that utilizes BOTH sides of the paper, it makes me happy!
Trifold Window Card Paper Blooms Designer Series Paper
The Trifold Window Card template showcases the Designer Series Paper beautifully AND lets BOTH sides be in the spotlight! What I also like about this template is that with 1 full sheet of 12 x 12 patterned paper you can make 2 Trifold Window cards and 2 bonus cards. Here is how you do it! You can download the pdf of this template to keep in your stash of designs and watch the video tutorial from my Facebook Live Crafting Playdate.
Watch the Facebook Live tutorial for this card template!paperSupplies needed for the Trifold Window Card Template
Supplies Needed
5.25” x 12” Double-sided patterned paper (DSP)
5.5” x 4.25” Coordinating cardstock
3.75” x 5” Basic White cardstock
Pair of same shaped dies that nest together (two sizes)
Basic White cardstock to cut out window shape insert
Coordinating cardstock to create a frame around the window
Scraps to create decor for the card front
Cut & Emboss Machine
Score the patterned paper at 4″ and 8″ to create three panels for the trifold. . Use the smaller die to cut a window in the front panel. The piece that gets removed to create the window will be an extra piece to use on a different card. Use this same die to cut out a small oval in a Basic White cardstock.Center the nesting dies together on the cardstock and cut out with Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine. This will create the window frame for the window. The smaller piece that gets cut out is also extra so save for another card.All the pieces ready to assemble!
Now that you know the basic template to make this card think about all the delicious double-sided paper you have in your stash waiting to be used and GET BUSY!!!! I couldn’t stop making them once I started. Check out all the samples!
By saving the pieces you cut out to create the window and frame you can make two more bonus cards and use up the entire sheet of 12 x 12 paper!
Dandelions, dragonflies and lady bugs. Oh my! The ladybug trinkets are the perfect embellishments on your project! Use Stampin’ Blends in Poppy Parade to color the antique gold red and “BOOM” you have an adorable accent on a project! The Dragonfly Garden stamp set and Dragonfly Punch are a perfect match!
Stampin’ Blends can color just about anything!
Now to add them onto a card front I used glue dots to keep them from wandering away.😉
During February 2021, the last month of Sale-a-bration, if you place a qualifying order of $50 or more you will get a free Card Class Kit from me. The kit will include the pieces to put together 3 cards with envelopes, color directions and access to a video class to assemble the cards along with me. AND you will get to choose a FREE item from Stampin’ Up! for Sale-a-bration!!!!
Use Hostess Code :7Q3KYPDM to order online or contact me to place your order!
Guess what happened this week? The groundhog saw his shadow. You know what that means – six more weeks of winter! Yikes! Instead of viewing this event as a huge bummer, I let it inspire me to work on the Shadow Stamping Technique this week and I had so much fun! If it has been awhile since you’ve tried this technique then you need to revisit it. Pull out those neglected stamps sets and try a fun technique!
There are three different ways to do this fun technique: Basic, Stepped-Up, and 3D.
For a full tutorial on this technique watch my Facebook Live video and then download the technique pdf for directions and photos. (See below)
The Basic technique is to stamp an image in one color ink, then stamp the image a second time in a lighter color offset slightly from the first time. That’s it! So easy to create depth and movement with your images.
This Basic technique is also great to try with greeting images because the shadows on the letters look really spectacular! Zoom in on these images to see the great shadow effect.
The Stepped-Up version of this shadow stamping technique brings in white embossing powder over a dark shadow. It creates a more vivid contrast between the image and the shadow and is a great way to step up your card.
This technique has a third application called 3D Shadow Stamping. For this version you want to use a stamp positioning tool for more precise stamping. The Stamparatus Tool is perfect for this. First stamp the image tone on tone on colored cardstock. Then shadow stamp over first image in White Craft Ink.
What I love most about the versions of this Shadow Stamping Technique is that you can make it as simple or complex as you want. I really like to make quick and easy cards most of the time and this technique is easy to eye-ball for a great effect on your cards. However, if you want to add more precision to your technique, using the Stamparatus Tool makes this so easy!
During February 2021, the last month of Sale-a-bration, if you place a qualifying order of $50 or more you will get a free Card Class Kit from me. The kit will include the pieces to put together 3 cards with envelopes, color directions and access to a video class to assemble the cards along with me. AND you will get to choose a FREE item from Stampin’ Up! for Sale-a-bration!!!!
