Colorful Seasons Fall Card

Here's another card featuring beautiful, colorful leaves. This time the leaves are stamped instead of die cut. The stripe across the front is cardstock that has been scored along every line on the Simply Scored. The lighter colored leaves were created by stamping off, which basically means stamping a second time before re-inking.

Here's the inside of the card:

 

 Supplies:

Stamps: Colorful Seasons

Ink:  Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, Garden Green, Pumpkin Pie

Cardstock: Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, Garden Green, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White

Big Shot: Layering Circle Framelits, Stitched Shapes Framelits

Tool: Simply Scored

Botanical Blooms Frame

I actually made the insert for this frame during the last catalog pre-order period. I remember because I used my brand new Layering Love stamp set, which fortunately is not retiring, and the Go Wild paper stack, which was retiring at that time. Even though Go Wild is long gone, you could use another DSP as the base layer. Playful Palette has some patterns that would work. If you don't want to substitute, let me know and I can hook you up with a Go Wild paper stack.

 

Supplies:

Stamps: Layering Love

Ink: Tempting Turquoise

Cardstock: Basic Black, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi

Designer Series Paper (DSP):  Go Wild Paper Stack (retired, but let me know and I can sell you one or try another DSP such as Playful Palette, which is retiring)

Big Shot: Botanical Builder Framelits (retiring, discounted)

Tools: Simply Scored (to make the diamonds on the Tempting Turquoise card stock)

Embellishments: Basic Rhinestones, Basic Pearls

Super Stampin' Fun! [Tutorial]

What's this? Keep reading (or for those of you who are impatient, jump past all the preliminary stuff and go right to the the tutorial) to find out.

I was super excited last week when I got a call from Brandi Barnard at the Stampin' Up! home office in Utah. She told me that she and Brian Pilling would like to come observe one of my classes. Now, if you subscribe to the Stampin' Up! YouTube channel, I'm sure you've seen both of them in SU! videos. If you aren't a subscriber, I highly recommend it. Lots of great videos about your favorite Stampin' Up! products. Watch some of their videos and you'll see why I was so excited (and if you find some items you just have to have, hop on over to my online store and order away - use the current hostess code ZSQU7Q63 and get a special thank you from me).

Brandi and Brian are absolutely as nice and funny and great to spend time with as they seem online. They were so sweet and took my husband and me out to dinner last night. Then today they came to observe my club. It was fun to have them here.

The club members enjoyed meeting them, as well. One of the stampers asked how we rated for a visit from Stampin' Up! and they went on and on about what a wonderful demonstrator I am so really, how could they stay away (okay, so I'm kind of hard of hearing in that ear and so had to guess at their answer, but I imagine that's what they said - and I'm sure they're too nice to contradict me, so that's my story and I'm sticking to it). Seriously, they're checking out several demonstrators' classes in an effort to see what we do so that Stampin' Up! can provide even better training and support. It is such a great company to be a part of (and here's where I add - you, too, can be a part of it, ask me for details or click that link above to the online store and click Join the Fun instead of Shop Now).

The only downer part of the visit is that I completely forgot to take any pictures with them. Worse, I remembered before they got here, so set out my camera right on the table where we have class and I wrote a reminder note and put it by the Big Shot. I got busy setting up and moved the camera aside, picked up the Big Shot to use in class, and that was the last I thought about a picture until I was cleaning up and found the note. So, what's a demonstrator to do? Improvise! I found this picture that I figure is a pretty close representation.

Okay, on to the stuff you come here for. Here's one of the projects we made in class today. It's a Pinwheel Card. I followed the tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers, but modified the size. Thank you to my math teachers for teaching me how to calculate ratios. I'll give you some quick instructions here, but for more details and a video, follow the link above to Splitcoast.

Here are two versions of the card while closed. This cute DSP, Go Wild Designer Series Paper Stack, is great for masculine or feminine projects. It is retiring, as are the Six Sided Sampler stamp set, Hexagon punch, and Diagonal Score Plate (which has a big discount!). Luckily, Timeless Textures, is carrying over to the Annual Catalog.

Start with a 6 x 6 piece of DSP. Use the Diagonal Score Plate to score all four sides at 2.25". The design that is down will be the inside pattern.

The score lines will converge in the middle of each side to form a triangle. Cut out these triangles from each side.

Remove the Diagonal Score Plate from the Simply Scored Board so you can make vertical score lines. With side that was face down for the first round of scoring now facing up, score at 3/4" on each side (stop when you reach the cut out triangle).

The diagonal score lines will fold in (closing the card) and the straight score lines will fold out. Use your bone folder to gets nice creases. This is what the inside of the card looks like when open. There's a 2 5/16" piece of Whisper White cardstock in the center which has been stamped with the flourish from Timeless Textures and sponged around the edges.

 Fold each flap down in a clockwise direction.

When you get to the last flap, tuck it under to hold it closed.

Decorate the front however you desire. If you do a hexagon or other object, make sure to only put adhesive on the part that will adhere to one flap. If you adhere it to more than one flap the card won't open properly. I know, pretty obvious - but that's just the kind of thing that can be forgotten/overlooked while caught up in the excitement of creating (please tell me I'm not the only one who does this).

The tutorial on Splitcoast makes a bigger card. Start with an 8 x 8 piece of DSP. Diagonal score lines are at 3" and vertical score lines are at 1".

You missed today's class and the opportunity to meet Brandi and Brian, but you can still come to Tuesday evening's class. In addition to making three cute projects, you'll have a great time hanging out with a lively, chatty, friendly group of stampers. You can see the other projects here and here (or just keep scrolling down).

Contact me today to reserve your spot and get directions if needed.

Open Sea Best Dad Ever

These cards feature some of my favorite masculine sets, the versatile sentiment set And Many More, and the all around useful set Timeless Textures. We will make the top one in the May class. There's room if you'd like to join us.

Stamps on the front are from And Many More and Open Sea. The decorative lines in the corners are made with the Diagonal Score Board. I turned down one corner as if the ship's log had endured a hard life at sea, but it could also be taped down if that's more your style. The sponging also helps with that aged look. It's hard to see in the picture, but I added Dazzling Details to make the water sparkle.

 This sweet inside sentiment comes from Guy Greetings, a must have set if you have important men in your life. The "sea water" along the bottom is made with a stamp from Timeless Textures.

 Here's a collage style card using a couple of the same sets and techniques.

Several of these products are retiring, so be sure to get them before they are gone! The Diagonal Score Board has a pretty big discount. Dazzling Details, And Many More,and Open Sea are also on their way out.

Sprinkles of LIfe Gift Card Holder

We made this in club this past week. We used the diagonal score board to make the outer envelope. It's perfectly sized to hold a gift card. I like the idea of presenting it like this. I think it looks pretty.

 Here's the insert. The cupcake top is popped up. The top of the tag is punched with the Scallop Tag Topper punch. The cupcake top is punched with the Tree Builder punch.

 You could also close it up to give. If you slide the band up like this, the envelope flap will tuck under the band. The tag is on the opposite side of the envelope than if I was presenting it open like above.

Stamps: Sprinkles of Life.

DSP is retired Moonlight pack. If you missed it, I have some available for sale. I also have some of the retired ribbon available as part of a ribbon share (2 yds ea of each of the 5 in colors). Let me know and I'll hook you up.

Epic Day Scrapbook pages

I like this two page spread because you can flip it around for a different look. I photographed the pages a little apart because they'll be separate in a book, but if you have them together, they make one continuous design.

Here's the way I originally designed the page. It was easy with my Simply Scored Tool and the Diagonal Plate.

I really like the color combination of this sheet of Epic Day Designer Series Paper (DSP) and Basic Gray. The accent strip is Smoky Slate.

These pages won't stay this way, but I wanted to show you a completed sample. I particularly liked using the Epic Day Washi Tape to hold down the pictures and title. The colors coordinate with the page and I think it adds to the look. The Washi Tape is even quicker than using SNAIL. Another bonus of the Washi Tape is that items on the page can easily be rearranged. A good option when I'm afraid more pictures from an event or trip might turn up.

 

I made the happy discovery that the pages can be switched for a coordinating look.

If  you are coming to the 5/17 class, you can make this layout - and lots of other stuff :)

Butterfly Card

We had a great time this morning at the Stampin' Up! fundraiser I put on for Relay For Life! Special thanks to my friend Karen Kline, who helped with the event.  And thanks to my friend Karen O'Connell, who supplied half the participants. The group was varied in both age and skill level. The teenagers really got into being creative and it was fun to see where that creativity led them. I wish I would have thought to take pictures!

This clean and simple (aka CAS), one layer card was the easiest of the four projects we made. Since the sentiment came from Teeny Tiny Wishes, the participants could choose whichever message they wanted.

We used the Simply Scored tool to make the decorative lines. Then we used the Butterfly Punch to punch butterflies from retired In Color Patterns Pack Designer Series Paper (DSP) and lined them up between the lines.

We used the Note cards and envelopes set for this card, so it is 3.5" x 5". The card is CASEd, but I can't remember where I saw it.

I'll post more of the projects next week, so be sure to check back. And thank, again, to everyone who participated in the Relay For Life fundraiser.

Floral District Card for Try Stampin' On Tuesday

I decided to try a challenge I haven't done for awhile - the Try Stampin' On Tuesday Challenge.  I had kind of forgotten about it until I saw Mary Jo's sample earlier this week.  You can see the design team's samples and other entries here.  Maybe you want to go ahead and challenge yourself, too.

I love the Floral District Designer Series Paper (126919).  When I saw this design it reminded me of the retired Flower Burst embosslit (good news - it's on the Clearance Rack for only $2.39 if you go through my Online Store Item No. 114515).  It also reminds me of the big flower in Betsy's Blossoms (clear 126006, wood 126004, digital 127210), but that was too big for this card.  In the challenge sketch, the strip behind the flower was striped, but using striped DSP made the card too busy.  So instead I used my Simply Scored tool to emboss stripes.  It's hard to see in the picture, but it adds a nice touch.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.  Be sure to check back tomorrow to see what I made for the challenges that I'm on the design teams for.

Friendship Preserves Shaped Card and Envelope

We made both of these items in a recent class.  We used the Window Frames framelits and the Friendship Preserves stamp set to make this little shaped card.  It's perfect for a quick note.  

The above card can fit in a 3 x 3 envelope, which you can get from Stampin' Up - or you can make your own using Designer Series Paper and the Diagonal Score Plate, like we did.  The center is blank so that you can add the recipient's name.

Sprinkled Expressions Valentines with Embossing

I  have two Valentines to share today.  They are similar but a little different.  Both use the same stamp from Sprinkled Expressions, which is one of the exclusive Sale-A-Bration stamps this year.  They both use 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, both have a Whisper White base beneath a Real Red layer, and both have a row of hearts along the bottom made by one of the Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folders.  These are in the new Occasions Mini Catalog and contain three small embossing folders which are ideal for creating a border along the edge of your project.

The first card has stripes along the side which I made using the Simply Scored tool. I love this tool! It has simplified so many tasks and added new possibilities. I would never have tried decorative scoring without the Simply Scored tool.  My hand just isn't steady enough.  The sentiment was punched out with the extra large oval punch and layered in one of the two frames included with the Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folders.

This card has a second row of hearts along the top. The sentiment was also punched out with the extra large oval punch, but this time I sponged the edges with matching Real Red ink and then used Stampin' Dimensionals to adhere it.

3-d Stocking Gift Holder

I'm having so much fun with this new Holiday Stocking Die.  Here is a 3-d stocking I made.  Great to fill with any number of small items.  What a cute way to package a small gift.

You could decorate the stocking with holly berries like in this post

or write the recipient's name on the white cuff.  Or you could leave it like it is if you like a simpler look.

Here is the inside of the stocking.  Basically I took a piece of matching card stock, used my Simply Scored tool to score the bottom and sides and attached between two die cut stockings.

Here's the stocking filled with candy canes.  Though, if I wanted to actually give this filled with candy canes, I think I'd make the box part in the center a little shorter so that the candy canes stick up more.



Thanks for viewing.  If you'd like to get the Holiday Stocking die, click on the Order Online button in the upper right hand corner or contact me directly and I can place your order for you.

French Foliage cards using Simply Scored

Have you seen the new Simply Scored tool?  I love it!  Makes scoring cards, boxes and other 3-d items so easy!  I'll be posting more projects using the awesome tool in the near future.  Today's cards use the Simply Scored to create the look of tiles.

We made the top card at the recent "Share the Wealth" party that I had.  If you missed it, you missed a good time.  Hopefully you can join us at my next event!

The bottom card is a simpler version.  It's cute for a quick notecard, but the twine in the top card really steps it up a notch.  I like the addition of the rain splotches in the top card, too.



Both cards:

Cardstock:  Naturals Ivory, More Mustard, Cherry Cobbler

Ink:  More Mustard, Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede

Stamps:  French Foliage

Top Card also uses Hemp Twine and Sahara Sand ink

To create the tile look:  Use the Simply Scored tool to score top layer at 1/2" intervals both vertically and horizontally.  Stamp on the side where the score lines are inverted so that they give the look of the grout lines.