Happy Birthday to a Special Downline

Today is one of my downline's birthday, so I had to make a PINK card just for her!

I used my Balloon Festoon bundle (stamp set & dies) with Bloom Boutique DSP, Barely Blush DSP, Barely Blush cardstock, and White Willow cardstock.  (The ribbon is from my stash.) I used Crisp Cantaloupe ink for the sentiment.

 The card base uses a folded card that I cut with the largest balloon die (and then covered with the Bloom Boutique DSP).  I had to mail this in a 5" x 7" envelope to accommodate the extra balloons.  I hope this made her day!  Happy birthday, teammate!

Thursday Live: Halloween Cat Paper Pieced Card

For my Facebook Live last week (each Thursday at 7:30 PM), I created this paper pieced easy easel Halloween cat card for one of our daughters.  (This card is for the same daughter who will call me and ask about the cats before her parents!)  You can find the YouTube replay with instructions HERE.

I saw this cat idea from Libby Stamps but had to guess on measurements.  I ended up using six 1 1/2" squares of Texture & Tone black & gray DSP.  The fifth square used half (for the right "ear" as you look at the cat, because the "left" ear and angled back are the same square cut on a diagonal), and then I added the "tail" strip (which I think is the perfect finishing touch).

The DSP rectangle was the leftovers from the 1 1/2" x 12" strip that I used to make the squares.

Here is the easel card propped open to enjoy.  I think our daughter will love it!  I certainly loved making it for her and sharing it live.  Be sure to catch me tonight at 7:30 on my Facebook page!

 

Get Carried Away with Balloon Festoon: Daisy Card

This daisy card is the make & take that I made and taught for the 100 participants at the Connected Hearts team retreat.

It uses five Crisp Cantaloupe balloons to create the petals.  (Yes, I die cut over 500 individual balloons for the project!)

I like the inside even better!  

Team Retreat Swap Card

Another perk of our team retreat was participating in a ten-card swap.  (I made ten cards and then received back nine different ones- one went to the silent auction to help raise money to offset the costs of next year's retreat.

Since I used the Mosaic Garden DSP for my make & take project, I created this fun fold card with the patterns that I hadn't used.  I chose the Scalloped Blooms bundle for the stamp set and die cuts.  Can you see the Old Olive specialty rickrack behind the flower?

The front sentiment panel has dimensionals on the left side only so that the right panel can tuck behind it. 

Don't forget to decorate the insides of your cards and the coordinating envelope (not pictured)!

Get Carried Away with Balloon Festoon: Ice Cream Sundae Easel Card

This card was probably my favorite to make!  The ice cream scoops and the bowl were all made with Balloon Festoon balloon dies, and the cherry stem is a piece of the balloon string die.

Stamping from the bundle includes the sprinkles, sentiment, and the whimsical streamers.

My original plan was for the easel to open and rest on the sentiment strip, but the card didn't sit very tall.   Instead, I was able to hold it open with the top of the interior arch.

Who would you send this card to?  I'm looking forward to brightening someone's birthday!

September Crafternoon Card #4: Thinking of You Bendy Card

The bendy card may be my new favorite fun fold!  We made this cheery sunflower version at this month's Crafternoon.

We used the Sunflower Fields DSP and added a sunflower Cricut cut.  It will fold flat for mailing.

Thinking of you is my favorite sentiment.  Who would you send this card to?  You write the message on the back. 

September Crafternoon Card #2: Painted Pumpkins Card

This card style is a fun way to showcase both sides of our DSP (Painted Patch collection here).

We fussy cut the pumpkins from the DSP to stretch our stash just a little bit.

My next Crafternoon will be 10/18, so mark your calendar to save the date!

September Crafternoon Card #1: Triple Panel Z-Fold Card

This triple panel Z-fold card features the pretty September Product of the Month, Luxe Foliage DSP.

I think would be cute with a bow on top like a stack of presents or even as a wedding cake!

We had fun fussy cutting this pretty paper to make the card accents.

September's Card Crafternoon: Falling for Autumn

Yesterday some lovely ladies joined me for the September edition of my monthly crafternoon.  This month's theme was "falling for autumn."  Here are the four cards we made:

I have three kits left for these four cards, so please let me know if you'd like one of them (mailing fee will be an extra cost if you're not local to me). 

You're invited to next month's Crafternoon, which will be held on 10/18.  We'll begin our holiday cardmaking with a Traditional Christmas class that will include some gift card ideas.

Thursday's Live: Fun Fold Half Card

Here is the Thursday before last's Facebook Live (each Thursday at 7:30 PM) card creation using the August product of the month, Glow of Autumn DSP, to create a fun half card!  (You can also find YouTube instructions HERE.)  

The first two cards both started with Crumb Cake cardstock and the third card uses Cajun Craze.  They all have sentiments from the Sweetly Sentimental hot foil dies with gold foil.

The first card uses acorn and leaf dies from the Silly Old Bear bundle with Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Pecan Pie, and Early Espresso cardstock.  I added stitching with a Pecan Pie Stampin' Blend.  

For the second card, I used more Silly Old Bear die cut cardstock leaves and fussy cut the pumpkin from the Glow of Harvest DSP.  Timid Tiger Stampin' Blends worked beautifully on this pearlescent paper to color the focal pumpkin!

Die cut mushrooms from the Cute As a Bug dies are a fun fall twist.  Use a white gel pen to add details!

So which card is your favorite?

Thursday Live: Accordion Fun Fold Card

Each Thursday, I go live on Facebook Live at 7:30 PM, except that last Thursday was my husband's birthday so I went live on Friday.  Here is the accordion fun fold card that I made.  (You can also find YouTube instructions HERE.)

I paired the Valley in Bloom DSP with my Cute As a Bug bundle (still available while supplies last).

A few Stampin' Blends and some ink blending added pops of color.

Don't forget some Wink of Stella on the lily of the valley flowers and the bee's wings!

Get inky, friends!  Catch me tonight for my next Facebook Live at 7:30 PM! 

Welcome Card

A new member joined my Stampin' Up! team, so I made this double easel fun fold card to welcome her!  She loves the color pink!

Side view:

I had a lot of fun using my Fern & Flora bundle in pretty Barely Blush, Flirty Flamingo, Strawberry Slush, and Old Olive color combo!

Can you see the shimmer splatters from Wink of Stella?

Supplies used: 

• Basic Gray, Barely Blush, Strawberry Slush, Old Olive, and White Willow cardstock
• 26-28 In Color Pearlized Specialty Paper
• Fern & Flora bundle (stamp set & dies)
• Flirty Flamingo, Strawberry Slush, and Basic Gray inks
• Flirty Flamingo and Old Olive watercolor pencils
• Wink of Stella
• 25-27 In-Color Flat Pearls
• Baker's twine
• Blending brush

Silly Old Bear Easel Card

The fourth and final card of July's Card Crafternoon was a Silly Old Bear easel card.

Here is the front opened up to make the easel.  Won't this be cute sitting on someone's desk?

I absolutely love all of the Silly Old Bear suite elements on this card from Pooh Bear to the honey pots to the bees!

Save the date for August's Crafternoon on 8/16: Metallic Magic!

Velvet Meadow Fancy Fold Card

My friend Nancy Dodge at YB Stamping create this fun fold (watch HERE), and I couldn't resist playing along for my July Card Crafternoon with the flocked Velvet Meadow DSP.

We used the Balloon Festoon stamp set & Berry Burst ink for the sentiment banner.  Now wait for it...

What do you think?  I kept the card simple to let the folds and gorgeous DSP do all the hard work.

This card does use a lot of paper, but I think the effect is pretty stunning.  

Thanks, Nancy, for the idea and instructions!

Balloon Festoon Fun Fold Birthday Card

This Balloon Festoon was a fun fold card indeed!

I die cut the two balloons from Flirty Flamingo cardstock and Barely Blush In Color Painted Patterns DSP then stamped the background images with Flirty Flamingo.

The card base is Strawberry Slush as is the Happy Birthday sentiment.

This will be a fun design to try to recreate with large dies.  I can't wait to see what you make!
 

Thursday Live: Double Easel Fun Fold Card

Last Thursday's Facebook Live (each Thursday at 7:30 PM) card creation was this double easel fun fold card.  (You can also find YouTube instructions HERE.)

The pretty vase and polka dot paper are from the gorgeous black & white DSP, Artisan Garden, quickly colored with Stampin' Blends.

I'd love to see what you make!  Get inky, friends!  Catch me tonight for my next Facebook Live at 7:30 PM!

Supplies Used:

• Basic White, Basic Black, and Golden Glow cardstock
• Artisan Garden DSP
• Scalloped Blooms stamp set
• Golden Glow and Black ink
• Golden Glow, Old Olive, Balmy Blue, Basic Black, and Gray Granite Stampin' Blends
• Everyday Arches dies
• 26-28 In Color Pearls
• Blending brush

Wedding Gift Card Holder

Last week we were blessed as a family to attend the wedding of a dear friend (and our girls were bridal attendants).  I made this gift card holder because it was much easier to travel with a gift of this size.

This is a really fun fold!  I loved using the white and gold DSP from the Lovely & Beautiful DSP.

I used the Forever Florals bundle and heat embossed the sentiment in gold.

Here are a few pictures from the wedding:

The Four of Us

The gorgeous bride & groom (& venue)

Scenic Coast 6"x6" DSP = Two Cards (Card #1)

At my recent June Crafternoon, we made two cards using one Scenic Coast 6"x6" DSP.  The first card is a bookbinding card.

I love the addition of the 3D Waves embossing folder to the bookbinding edge!

I left this one blank (for now at least) since I don't have a recipient in mind at the moment.  It's nice to have a stash of cards just in case!

The Scenic Coast Craft Class is happening today (but also available as a recording)!  Learn more HERE!
 

Diagonal Accordion Birthday Card

Having our daughter home from the University of Illinois to celebrate her birthday was very special for our family!  I had a lot of fun creating this diagonal accordion birthday card for her on my recent Facebook Live (each Thursday at 7:30 PM).  You can also find YouTube instructions HERE if you're interested.  (Did you know that my customers get a tutorial for each of these projects?  Just place an order with me HERE!)

I love the soft color palette of the Beautiful Ordinary Life DSP paired with the Balloon Festoon bundle (stamp set & dies).  I used Petal Pink Two-Tone cardstock also.  

I love all of the pieces of this bundle!  We will have a "birthday party" at my July 12 Crafternoon to create all kinds of birthday projects.  (You're invited!)

Happy birthday to our firstborn!