FB Live Recap: Simply Succulents

 

The new Simply Succulents bundle includes many stamps and dies that afford a variety of ways to design beautiful cards and projects. I played with this set for the first time this week and knew that I just had to share it on my video. I demonstrated three different ways to combine the stamped images and dies, but there are so many more possibilities! Be sure to watch for more designs coming on my blog.

You can watch the replay of the video here if you missed it.

All of the card bases are a basic A2 size, which is 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″. The first layers are 5 3/8″ x 4 1/8″, and the second layers are 5 1/4″ x 4″. all of the stamped and die-cut pieces are scraps of the colors indicated in the video.

The products I used for these cards are listed below. If you need any of them you can shop with me here.

 

Product List

Simple Pansy Patch Birthday Card

 

As I mentioned on my Facebook Live video this week, I love the new pansy Patch Bundle! There are lots of stamps and dies to choose from when creating, and you can opt for flowers made by stamping or just made by using the dies. Whichever you choose, you won’t be disappointed.

For this card, I chose to highlight the pansy dies and used colors coordinating with the DSP. If you haven’t already watched the video from earlier this week, check it out for more ideas using this set.

I will also be sending another idea plus some graphics for the die set to everyone on my email list, so be sure you have signed up for that! If you’re not on my list, you can sign up to the right of this post.

 

Cut Cardstock:
  • Card Base: Polished Pink – 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″
  • First Layer: Pansy Petals DSP – 5 1/4″ x 4″
  • First layer (Inside): Basic White – 5 1/4″ x 4″
  • Second Layer: Pale Papaya – 4 1/2″ x 3 1/4″
  • Flower Pieces: Scraps of Basic White, Polished Pink, Soft Succulent, Evening Evergreen, and Bumblebee

 

Assembly:

Adhere the DSP to the card base. Crop the Pale Papaya cardstock with the largest Stitched So Sweetly die. Stamp the Happy Birthday sentiment using Polished Pink ink onto the upper right corner, then adhere this piece to the card front using dimensionals.

Crop the Polished Pink and Basic White cardstock with the large pansy dies, making sure to crop two of the single large petal pieces from Basic White and two of the large petal trim pieces from Polished Pink cardstock. There’s a tiny die for the flower center; crop a scrap of Bumblebee cardstock with that and be careful not to lose that tiny die!

Crop the leaf and stem pieces from Soft Succulent and Evening Evergreen cardstock. Assemble the flower and leaf pieces – if you need a refresher on this, watch the Facebook Live video I made demonstrating this. Attach the flower bud and leaves to the card front using seal and dimensionals, refer to photo for placement.

 

Inside:

Stamp the sentiment using Polished Pink ink to the remaining piece of Basic White cardstock. Use Polished Pink ink to stamp a small pansy on the lower left corner. Stamp the flower in the following order:

  • Stamp the detailed image with full strength Polished Pink ink.
  • Next, use the solid image with Polished Pink ink, being sure to stamp off once on scrap paper so that the pink is a lighter shade.
  • Stamp the flower highlight with Blackberry Bliss ink, then the center with Bumblebee ink.

Adhere the completed piece to the inside of the card.

 

 

For the envelope, repeat the stamped image of the small pansy on the lower-left corner of the envelope.

The products I used for this card are listed below. If you need to purchase any of them, you can shop with me here.

 

Product List

FB Live Recap: A Tour of the Pansy Patch Bundle

 

I love the new Pansy Patch Bundle and coordinating Designer Series Paper! There are so many stamps and dies to play with! The flowers and leaves are two- and three-step stamping, making it super easy to create beautiful images. There are simple outline dies to crop the stamped images, and also dies that crop your cardstock to build flowers and leaves. So many choices!

For my Facebook Live video this week, I made a couple of cards with this bundle and also walked you through using the dies to put together a flower simply using the cropped pieces. I will be posting another card tutorial with this bundle on my blog later this week. If you’re on my email list, I will also be sending you some graphics on using the dies, as well as another card idea. If you’re not on my email list, you can sign up just to the right of this post!

If you missed the video, you can watch the replay here.

 

 

For the triple layered card, you will need cardstock cut as follows:

  • Card Base: Gorgeous Grape – 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″
  • Basic White Layers: 5 1/4″ x 4″,   4 1/2″ x 3 1/4″,   3 3/4″ x 2 1/2″
  • Gorgeous Grape Layers: 4 5/8″ x 3 3/8″,  3 7/8″ x 2 5/8″
  • Inside Layer: Basic White – 5 1/4″ x 4″

 

 

For the card with the three DSP panels you will need the following:

  • Card Base: Calypso Coral – 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″
  • First Layer: Pansy Petals DSP – 5 3/8″ x 4 1/8″
  • Panel Mats: Calypso Coral – 2 7/8″ x 1 1/2″, cut three
  • Pansy Petals DSP Panels: 3″ x 1 3/4″, cropped with the stitched Rectangle die, cut three
  • Pansy: Scrap of Basic White
  • Leaf: Scraps of Soft Succulent and Evening Evergreen
  • Inside Layer: Basic White – 5 2/8″ x 4 1/8″
  • Be sure to check my blog later this week for another card idea using this set.

The products I used for these cards are listed below. As always, if you would like to purchase any of them, you can shop with me here!

 

Product List

FB Live Recap: Hand-Penned DSP Ideas

 

Let’s face it – many of us tend to hoard the beautiful Designer Series Papers that we buy, simply because they are “too pretty” to cut! I admit I am guilty of that too, although lately I’ve been trying to make an effort to use it on my cards and other projects. I did just that with the cards I made for my Facebook Live video this week. I used the Hand Penned Petals bundle and DSP, trying to feature a few different ways to use the gorgeous paper. The basic card layout could be used with any of your favorite papers – just coordinate the cardstock colors.

 

 

For the card with the large flower image, you will need the following cardstock:

  • Card Base: Misty Moonlight – 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″
  • First Layer: Hand Penned DSP – 5 1/4″ x 4″
  • Second Layer: Pale Papaya – 4 3/4″ x 3 1/2″
  • Flower Image: Basic White – 3 1/2″ x 3″
  • Inside Layer: Basic White – 5 1/4″ x 4″
  • Inside Strips: Misty Moonlight – 4″ x 1/2″;  Hand Penned DSP – 4″ x 3/8″

 

 

Cardstock requirements for the pink card:

  • Card Base: Blushing Bride – 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″
  • First Layer: Basic White – 5 3/8″ x 4 1/8″, cut two
  • Second Layer: Blushing Bride – 5 1/4″ x 4″
  • Third Layer: Basic White – 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″
  • Square Mats: Mint Macaron – 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ , cut four
  • DSP Squares: Hand Penned DSP – 1 3/8″ x 1 3/8″, cut four
  • Greeting: Basic White – 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″

 

 

Cardstock needed for the Thank You Card:

  • Card Base: Cinnamon Cider – 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″
  • First Layer: Hand Penned DSP, 5 1/4″ x 4″
  • Banner Mat: Cinnamon Cider- 4 1/2″ x 2 1/4″
  • DSP Banner: Hand Penned DSP – 4 1/4″ x 2″
  • Greeting: Basic White Scrap
  • Leaves: Soft Succulent Scraps
  • Inside Layer: Basic White – 5 1/4″ x 4″
  • Inside Strips: Cinnamon Cider – 4″ x 5/8′;  DSP 4″ x 1/2″

 

The products I used are listed below. If you would like to purchase any of them or any other items in the new catalog, you can shop with me here. If you are not currently working with a demonstrator and would like a hard copy of the new catalog, let me know and I will get one in the mail to you!

 

Product List

Way To Goat! Birthday Card

 

Like last week, I am sharing another funny card for National Humor Month using the Way To Goat stamp set. The images in this stamp set are just too cute and bound to make you smile! This card is also rather simple and easy to make, but the embossed foil paper adds just enough bling to it to make it look impressive.

 

Cut Cardstock:
  • Card Base: Misty Moonlight – 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″
  • First layer: Basic White – 5 3/8″ x 4 1/8″, cut two
  • Second Layer: Misty Moonlight In Color DSP – 5 1/4″ x 4″
  • Greeting: Basic White – 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″;  Mat: Basic White – 1 3/8″ x  1 3/8″
  • Goat: Basic White- 2 5/8″ x 2 5/8″;  Mat: Basic White – 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″
  • Foil Strip: Silver Foil Paper 5 1/4″ x 1 1/2″

 

Assembly:

Adhere one 5 3/8″ x 4 1/8″ piece of Basic White cardstock to the card base. Adhere the DSP to this.

Emboss the silver foil strip with the Hammered Metal embossing folder and adhere to the card front.

Use Memento ink to stamp the greeting onto the 1 1/2″ square piece of Basic White that has been cropped with the small square Stitched With Whimsy die. Adhere to the corresponding mat, and then use dimensionals to adhere to the card front – see photo for placement.

Stamp the goat image with Memento ink onto the 2 5/8″ square piece of Basic White cardstock that has been cropped with the larger square Stitched With Whimsy die.  Color the goat as indicated with the Light Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blends marker and the horns with the Light Crumb Cake Stampin’ Blends. Adhere to the corresponding mat, then use dimensionals to adhere to the card front. See photo for placement.

Place a Matte Black dot onto the stamped pieces; see photo for placement.

 

 

 

Inside:

Stamp the sentiments using Memento ink. (For my card, I only inked the “Happy Birthday” portion of the stamp.)

Use Smoky Slate to stamp the little tin can on the bottom left corner of this piece and color with the Light Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blends. Adhere the completed piece to the inside of the card.

 

Envelope:

Stamp the tin can image onto the lower-left corner of the envelope and color with the Smoky Slate Blends.

In case you missed the tutorial from last week using this stamp set, you can access it here!

Here are the products I used for this card. Please shop with me here if you need to purchase any of them. Please keep in mind that the Silver Foil Paper will be retiring on May 3rd of this year.

 

Product List

FB Live Recap: Welcoming Window Mother’s Day Cards

 

The Welcoming Window is one of those bundles that has lots of great stamp images and dies, which makes it super fun to play with and be creative. I used it to make a couple of Mother’s Day cards on my Facebook Live video this week, but of course you can make cards for many other occasions as well!

You can watch the replay of the video here if you missed it.

Join me each Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET for a video demonstrating a project or technique and please feel free to share the videos on your timeline – thank you!

Here are the dimensions of cardstock needed for the card with the window:

  • Card Base: Basic White – 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″
  • First Layer: Sahara Sand- 5 3/8″ x 4 1/8″
  • Second Layer (inside) : Basic White – 5 1/4″ x 4″
  • Shutters, Window Frame and Shelf: Fresh Freesia – 3/12″ x 3 1/2″
  • Shutter Hinges: Scraps of Crumb Cake
  • Window: Very Vanilla – 2 1/2″ x 1 3/4″
  • Flower Pots: Scraps of Cajun Craze
  • Flowers and Greeting: Scraps of Basic White

You will need the following cardstock for the card with the shelves:

  • Card Base: Soft Succulent – 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″
  • First Layer: Basic White – 5 3/8″ x 4 1/8″, cut two
  • Flower Pots, Flowers, Greeting: Scraps of Basic White
  • Shelves: Scraps of Crumb Cake
  • Leafy Branch: Scrap of Soft Succulent

The list of supplies used for these cards is below. Should you need any of these supplies, you can shop with me here.

At the time of this writing, the new In-Color products are not yet available since the new catalog doesn’t go live until May 4th.  I’ve also listed the new products that I used along with the order numbers for your convenience.

  • Fresh Freesia Cardstock  #155613
  • Soft Succulent Cardstock  #155776
  • Fresh Freesia Stampin’ Pad  #155611
  • Soft Succulent Stampin’ Pad  #155778
  • Evening Evergreen Stampin’ Pad  #155576
  • Polished Pink Stampin’ Pad   #155712
  • Pale Papaya Stampin’ Pad  #155670

 

Product List

Yet Another Reason to Buy the Arrange A Wreath Bundle!

 

The Arrange A Wreath Bundle is one of my favorites from the current catalog, and I’m sorry to say that it is retiring on May 3rd!

One of the reasons I love this set is because it is so very versatile, and you can make special cards for all seasons and occasions. I had great fun making Easter cards with this set just a few weeks ago ,and now I wanted to show you yet another reason to get this set before it retires.

It makes gorgeous Christmas cards!

Whether you like the traditional red and green colors of Christmas or tend to like the elegance of silver and gold foil accents, the dies in this set will make beautiful wreaths.

No need to be stressed out about making Christmas cards when the holidays start approaching. Make sure you have this set on hand and you can make your cards at your leisure!

 

 

For these cards, I made the standard A2 card, 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ scored at 4 1/4″. I kept the design rather simple since I usually want to make several of the same or similar cards for Christmas.

I’m showing you cards where I made a wreath from the Silver Foil paper, one from Gold Foil Paper, and one from Real Red and Shaded Spruce cardstock.

 

 

For the Silver Wreath, I used the dies to make the Poinsettias with Basic White cardstock and highlighted them with Wink Of Stella. I used Red Rhinestones for the flower centers. I placed the wreath on a Night of Navy background, which I embossed with the Tasteful Textile embossing folder, and finished it off with a bow made with sheer red ribbon.

 

 

For the gold wreath card, I used Cherry Cobbler cardstock for the card base and some retired Christmas pine branch DSP as the background. Use your favorite DSP or coordinating cardstock color for your background. The poinsettias are made with Cherry Cobbler cardstock and embellished with Gilded Gems for the flower centers. I used a piece of Gold Metallic Edge ribbon for the bow and used Cherry Cobbler ink to stamp the greeting on a 3/4″ piece of Basic White cardstock, which I then flagged the ends of and attached to the card with dimensionals.

 

 

For this traditional Christmas color card, I used Real Red cardstock for the card base and layered on a piece of Shaded Spruce cardstock, then a retired piece of Christmas DSP. I cropped the wreath pieces with Real Red and Shaded Spruce cardstock, and the poinsettias with Basic White highlighted with Wink of Stella. I used rhinestones for the flower centers and added a silver metallic edge bow at the top of the wreath. I stamped the greeting with Real Red ink onto Basic White cardstock, flagged it and layered it onto a piece of Shaded Spruce cardstock, and then attached it to the card with dimensionals.

For the inside of these cards, I used matching cardstock for one layer, then stamped my sentiment with matching ink onto a piece of Basic White cardstock before adhering it to the inside of the card.

I have made several cards using this bundle and I just love how they all have a unique look to them even though I’ve used the same dies. If you haven’t seen these projects, just click on the Gallery on the menu bar and scroll through the 2021 photos.

As I mentioned, the Arrange A Wreath bundle will be retiring on May 3rd, so I would urge you to purchase it now if you don’t already have it. I know you will love it and use it year-round! When you’re ready to purchase, you can use this link to shop with me.

Also, please be aware that the following products will also be retiring as of May 3rd:

  • Silver Foil Sheets #132178
  • Gold Foil Sheets #132622
  • Silver Metallic Edge Ribbon #144213
  • Gold Metallic Edge ribbon #144146

 

Product List

FB Live Recap: Faux Silk Technique

 

I brought out the Art Gallery stamp set to demonstrate the Faux Silk technique this week on my Facebook Live video. It’s a technique that’s been around for a while but is worth revisiting every once in a while. I think the technique works best with stamped images that are more solid rather than outline-type images, and the Art Gallery stamps are perfect for this!

If you weren’t able to join me last Tuesday, you can watch the replay of the video here.

Join me each Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET for a video demonstration of a project or two. Share my videos to your timeline so that your “crafty” friends can watch too!

 

 

Cardstock Requirements for the Large Flower card:

  • Card Base: Basic White – 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″
  • First Layer: Pool Party – 5 3/8″ x 4 1/8″, cut two
  • Second Layer: Basic White – 5 1/4″ x 4″, cut two
  • Third Layer: Pool Party – 4 3/8″ x 2 7/8″
  • Fourth Layer: Basic White – 4 1/4″ x 2 3/4″

 

 

Cardstock Requirements for the Easel Card:

  • Card Base: Basic White – 11″ x 4 1/4″, score at 5 1/2″ and 2 3/4″
  • Base Piece: Basic White – 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″
  • First Layer: Pool Party – 5 3/8″ x 4 1/8′, cut two
  • Second Layer: Basic White – 5 1/4″ x 4″, cut two
  • Third Layer: Basic White – 4 1/2″ x 3″
  • Fourth layer: Pool Party – 3 3/8″ x 2 5/8″
  • Fifth Layer: Basic White: 3 1/4″ x 2 1/2″
  • Inside Strips: Pool Party – 4 1/8″ x 1 1/8″; Basic White – 4″ x 1″

You will also need two pieces of white tissue paper approximately 6″ x 4″.

I used the following products for my cards. If you would like to purchase any of them,  you can shop with me here!

 

Product List

Way to Goat! National Humor Month

 

Happy National Humor Month! Honestly, I had no idea that there was a National Humor Month, but April was given this designation in 1976. We’ve all heard the saying ‘Laughter is the best medicine’, and studies have actually proven this to be true. From the National Humor Month website:

National Humor Month was conceived as a means to heighten public awareness of the therapeutic value of humor. Laughter and joy – the benchmarks of humor – lead to improved well-being, boosted morale, increased communication skills, and an enriched quality of life.

It’s no coincidence that the month begins with April Fool’s Day, a day which has sanctioned frivolity and amusement for hundreds of years.

Humor as a tool to lift ailing spirits is an established notion supported by scientific research. The curative power of laughter and its ability to relieve debilitating stress and burnout may indeed be one of the great medical discoveries of our times.”

With that in mind, a card made with the Way To Goat stamp set certainly brings a smile or giggle to the recipient. Here’s a card that’s pretty easy to make and also uses some of the pretty Flowers For All Seasons DSP. I made it into a birthday card but switch out the sentiment and make it an all occasion card, then be the reason someone smiles!

 

Cut Cardstock:
  • Card Base: Misty Moonlight – 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″
  • First Layer (front): Flowers For Every Seasons DSP – 5 3/8″ x 4 1/8″
  • First Layer (inside): Basic White – 5 3/8″ x 4 1/8″
  • Second Layer: Misty Moonlight – 4″ x 3″
  • Third Layer: Basic White – 3 3/4″ x 2 3/4″

 

Assembly:

Adhere the DSP to the card base.

Use Memento ink to stamp the “dancing” goat to the 3 3/4″ x 2 3/4″ piece of Basic White cardstock. Color the goat with Light and Dark Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blends markers. Color the horns with Light Crumb Cake Stampin’ Blends. Stamp the greeting with Memento ink. See photo for placement.

Using Smoky Slate ink, stamp the tin can several times as a background for the goat by stamping off once on a scrap piece of paper so that the can image will be very light.

Adhere the stamped piece to the small piece of Misty Moonlight cardstock, then use dimensionals to adhere to the card front.

 

Inside:

Apply Memento ink to the “Happy Birthday” portion of the stamp and stamp it on the remaining piece of Basic White cardstock. Use Smoky Slate ink to stamp the tin can image several times on the lower-left corner of this piece, forming a little stack of cans. Color the cans with Light Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blends – refer to photo. Adhere the completed piece to the inside of the card.

 

 

 

Envelope:

Use Smoky Slate ink to stamp a tin can image onto the lower-left corner of the envelope and color with Light Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blends.

Products used for this card are listed below and can be purchased here!

 

Product List

FB Live Recap: Mother’s Day Cookie/Tea Bag Holder

 

Well, as they say, spring has sprung – and believe it or not, Mother’s Day is just around the corner! For my video this week, I created this cute little teabag/cookie holder from a sheet of DSP, ribbon, and a few embellishments.

I purchased a prepackaged shortbread cookie, but you could easily wrap your own homemade cookies and place them in this holder as well. Add a couple of your favorite flavored teabags and you’ve got a darling little treat for Mom or a special table favor for a luncheon or shower! This project makes up rather quickly, so it’s a good one to keep on hand if you need to make more than a few treats. This is also a great way to use up some of the beautiful DSP you’ve been saving! Make a bunch to treat all the women in your life.

You can watch the video here if you missed the live presentation.

For the basic treat holder, you will need a piece of Designer Paper of your choice cut to 9 1/2″ x 8 1/2″. For my project, I used a piece of Hydrangea Hill DSP.  Score the long side at 3/4″, 1 1/2″, 4 1/4″ 5 1/4″ 8″ and 8 3/4″. Turn the paper and score the short side at 2 3/4″ and 5 3/4″. Cut out the two narrow rectangles from each corner. Fold on score lines as indicated in the video.

Use a 1/4″ hole punch or the slit on the Label Me Fancy punch to punch holes for the ribbon to thread through. Embellish as you choose with small flowers, leaf sprigs, butterflies, etc.

Insert a teabag of your choice into each of the pockets and a pack of cookies into the center. You could also make your own cookies and wrap them in cellophane or place them in a small plastic bag and insert them into the center of the holder.

Join me every Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET on this page for videos where I make a project or two or demonstrate a fun technique!