Happy Graduation!

Our niece graduated with weekend with her Master of Science in Speech Pathology.  We are so proud of her!  I made this interactive Peekaboo Flap card with the new Artisan Garden DSP.

I began with a side-fold A2 card and layered the striped 4" x 5 1/4" DSP.  I then used a square die cut to cut out the "mortarboard" from the front of the card and to cut an identical square of black cardstock.

The polka dot swing pennant is also from the same DSP, and the sentiments (inside & out) came from a former Paper Pumpkin kit.

I used a white gel pen to create the white "thread" and used Basic White cardstock to create the tassel.

BTW, I have instructions for a similar card along with two other projects from the Mauvelous Lollies collaborative free to anyone who places a minimum $50 order with me HERE this month.  Here's a peek:

 

Cute As a Bug Stamp Camp: Picnic Basket Card Holder

Last but certainly not least, we actually started the Cute As a Bug Stamp Camp making this adorable picnic basket, which will hold all four cards and envelopes for gift giving if you so choose.

Again, instructions for all of these cards and the picnic basket are available so contact me for more info!

Cute As a Bug Stamp Camp: Card #4

The fourth card was a bonus that I added on from the original Stamp Camp because we had so many supplies left.  (I can't wait to see what everyone makes with their leftovers!)

(I've featured this fun DSP fold here before.).  I added a Mossy Meadow and Basic White die cut mushroom.  

For my 4/12 Card Making Crafternoon, I will be combining the Forever Florals stamp set with the Cute As a Bug dies.  Be sure to RSVP by 4/10!  Also, let me know if you'd like instructions for the Cute As a Bug Stamp Camp!

Cute As a Bug Stamp Camp: Card #3

The third card highlights using the dies available in the Sweet Bug dies or stamp set/dies bundle.   

We added some shading on the die cuts and colored the stamped images with Stampin' Blends.  I did add some Wink of Stella on the little bell flowers, but it doesn't show well in the photo.

As I mentioned in previous posts, please reach out if you'd like info on how you could get the stamp camp tutorial!

Happy Easter Cross Card (with a FREE Tutorial)

Happy Easter!  I made this cross card on a recent Live on my Facebook page (Thursday nights at 7:30 PM ET) and wanted to share it with you.

I used Thoughtful Journey 6"x6" DSP with Country Woods DSP plus die cuts from Beautiful Gallery.

As a gift to you for visiting my blog, click HERE for the instructions (including the YouTube link of the Facebook Live).  Please leave me a comment if you save these directions!  Did you know that my customers receive these weekly project sheets in our exclusive VIP Facebook group?  Place an order with me to become a customer of mine HERE.  Thank you!

Special Offer! Gliding Swings Bundle + Tutorial

Purchase the Gliding Swings stamp set, dies, and/or the bundle from me and receive an 8-page "Class To Go" for FREE!  (The Gliding Swings bundle was on my wishlist for a cardmaking class, but I've run out of time as it's on LAST CHANCE.)

 Here are some peeks at the projects:

Get this bundle before it's gone!  I will email you the PDF tutorial after you complete your purchase HERE.

Mauvelous Lollies March Project Sneak Peek

If you're a current customer of mine, then you probably know about my collaboration with six other Stampin' Up! demonstrators across the country, the Mauvelous Lollies.  Each month, three of us create projects with a video of one project and written instructions for the other two based on that month's theme.  Here's a peek at my project this month, a fun-fold window card:

Anyone who places a minimum $50 order from me (before shipping/handling & tax) will receive the instructions for this month's projects.

What are your guesses for this month's theme?  Post them in the comments!
 

January Gift with Purchase (Tutorial PDF)

Anyone who places an order of any size with me during the month of January (HERE) will receive a PDF tutorial to create this fun birthday card!  

I made mine for my Mom's 80th birthday last month, and I love how it turned out!  I used the Lovely and Beautiful DSP with Fresh Freesia, Darling Duckling, Old Olive, Petal Pink,  and White Willow cardstock and the coordinating ink colors with the addition of Peach Pie.  

PRO TIP: Use Tear Tape to adhere your ribbon.  Make sure that the ribbon extends all the way across the bottom of the bottom box to look more professional.

The outside sentiment is the Branching Out stamp set. The inside stamps are all from the Aug. 2024 Paper Pumpkin (Time for Cake & Make a Wish).  I love how the addition of the blending brush made the candles really glow!

I think that Mom liked it!  Again, you will receive instructions to recreate this card style with any order placed with me this month HERE.  Thank you for your support!

Stair Step Easel Birthday Card

My "baby" has a birthday last week, so I made her this pretty stair step easel birthday card with the Wildflower Birthday DSP, Arched Wishes stamp set, and Everyday Arches dies.

To create this stair step card, I began with a 4-1/4"x 12" piece of cardstock that I scored at 1-1/4", 2-1/2", 4-1/4", 6", and 9". then folded as shown.

Next, I attached a 4-1/4"x5-1/4" piece of coordinating cardstock to the front of the back fold to create the tall back panel.  You could certainly use a contrasting color if you prefer.  Embellish as desired.  (I added 4" wide strips to the front small panels: two 4"x1" and one 1-3/4"x4".) 

Instead of coloring in the cupcake, I paper pieced it on other pieces of the Wildflower Birthday DSP suite.  The pretty flower and leaf accent was from the included die cuts.  I added several Party Dots to finish off the card.

I decorated the back with the Arched Wishes stamp set and then wrote my message on the inside of that fold.  That way, she can stand the card on her desk (if she'd like) without sharing the entire message.

I think this card helped her feel special since we weren't able to be with her on her day (though we did already celebrate together early)!

July Technique Blog Hop: Interactive Elements

This month's technique blog hop features interactive elements.  (Think: I like to move it, move it!)  Be sure to visit everyone on the hop for some fabulous ideas!  (If you're already hopping, then you've probably arrived from Wendy's blog.  From here, you'll visit Melissa's blog next.)

Since my husband and I recently celebrated our 26th anniversary AND we are RVing out West, I knew that I had to make a pretty special card.  The Wander Cardmaking stamp set and Thin Cuts were what I had to use with the limited supplies that I brought with me, and they were perfect!  (I was inspired by a card I found on Pinterest HERE but put my own twist on the design.)

After inking the sentiment up in Toffee, Sapphire, and Evergreen, I stamped it onto White Daisy cardstock and then used a Wander Die Cuts frame and arrow to highlight the "belly band" sentiment.  I fussy cut the s'mores stamp after stamping with Toffee ink.

Here's a closeup of the mountains inked up in Mink and Evergreen plus the river inked up in Glacier and Sapphire then brushed with Clear and Sapphire shimmer brushes.

If you're interested in creating a similar card, here are the specs: I stared with an Evergreen 4.25"x5.5" panel.  I then cut two Evergreen pieces that were 5.5"x5" and scored at 4.25" (to make a 4.25"x5.5" panel with a tab).  Next, I cut from the scored line to .75" from the bottom of the opposite edge.  Finally, I adhered the "wings" to the back of the base panel.

Finally, for the center panel, I cut a piece of White Daisy cardstock 4"x5.25" and a piece of Wander patterned paper at 4"x6".  I folded the excess across the top to make a tab to adhere the Wander paper to the White Daisy base.

I had a lot of fun creating the mountain scenes on the "wings" and then the little camper scene on the center panel.  After Thin Cutting the trees, I sponged them with Sage and Evergreen inks respectively and stamped the center images in the same colors.  After stamping the camper in Sapphire, I fussy cut it and then colored the wheels and hitch with my black journaling pen.  It may not show very well, but I painted the pond with clear shimmer brush so that it shines in the "moonlight."

I inked the sentiment in Toffee and Sapphire, and then inked the campfire in Sundance and Toffee to create my final sentiment for our anniversary card.

My husband was pretty impressed with his anniversary card!  Here we are at (windy!) Yellowstone Canyon on our anniversary.

Here's to 26 years!

Thanks for letting me share my interactive anniversary card with you!  Please leave a comment before you hop on over to Melissa's blog next to continue the July Interactive Elements Technique Hop.

Heart2Heart Challenges: Slimline Cards

 Slimeline cards are all the rage again, so this week's Heart2Heart Challenge is to make one and share with us.  The typical slimline card measures 8"x3.5", but as long as yours is long and skinny then you can join (plus use some CTMH products)!

I had fun using the Happiness Lives Here paper collection, Blue Belle glitter paper, and my Fancy Borders Thin Cuts to make the wavy edge.  

To make sure that both layers matched, I layered my thinner glitter paper piece on top of the patterned paper and then die cut them together.  My die wasn't long enough to cut the entire length, so I lined the die up for the second cut as best that I could, knowing that I would cover the seam or gap with my sentiment.

I stamped the sentiment panel in Blue Belle with the Sentiments by Melissa Esplin stamp set.  A few Blue Belle glitter gems finished off this simple card nicely.

Now it's your turn!  Be sure to create a slimline card using something from CTMH and join us before the end of January.  You can find inspiration and link up HERE.

November Stamp of the Month Side Stair Step Card

This card was a lot of fun to make!  You definitely want to have a paper trimmer to make it.  (I taught this side stair step card to my VIP Facebook group.)

I used the November stamp of the month, You Warm My Heart, paired with the Serenity paper collection.  I used the color of the year, Blue Belle, with Sapphire and Toffee inks and cardstock, plus gold shimmer trim, Blue Belle glitter paper, and a gold glitter gem.

Here's a side view so you can see the different angles and layers.

I'm adding this card to the Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge #422 Tic-Tac-Toe Serenity color palette, column 1.

The Pretty of Paper-Piecing Technique Blog Hop

This month's technique blog hop, the Pretty of Paper-Piecing, was honestly a challenge for me!  I think you're going to learn a lot along this month's hop.  (If you're already hopping then you've probably arrived from Lauren's blog.  From here, you'll visit Darlys next.)

My project might not be what you were expecting when you thought of paper-piecing.  While I was struggling for ideas, I turned to Pinterest (of course), and all of the paper-piecing projects were for quilts.  One thought led to another, and I decided to create a sunburst card.

I used strips of scraps from my Summer Vibes collection.  As you can see below, the pieces behind the focal sentiment are a hot mess.  I maybe should have trimmed them a little more at an angle (less rectangular and more triangular), and I wish that I had added some gold shimmer trim.  The thing is, because I was using scraps, there's really no way for me to make it again unless I start cutting up big pieces of paper.

For the focal sentiment, from the July Stamp of the Month, For My Beautiful Friend, I first inked up the sentiment in Lemonade, then Smoothie, and the Candy Apple before stamping it on the White Daisy rectangle.  Even the Smoothie mat was a scrap that I cut down a bit.

Here's another quick card that used paper piecing for the focal sun.  I stamped it first in Lemonade, then again on scrap in Black.  I cut out the Black circle center and adhered it to the Lemonade sun.

Thanks for letting me share some quick & easy paper-piecing projects with you.  After leaving a comment, hop on over to Darlys's blog to continue.

Happy 22nd Birthday!

Our older daughter turned 22 on Sunday!  My, does time fly!  We celebrated with a small family gathering, and here is the card that I made for her.

I was on a shaker card kick!  Our shaker kits make it so much easier to make a fun, interactive card.  I knew that she would love the colors and this patterned paper from the Stitched Together collection.  I followed a Make It From Your Heart, Vol. 4 sketch for the design.

After adhering the floral B&T to the peach B&T, I used my largest circle Thin Cut die to cut out the window.  I stamped the birthday sentiment from my Just Saying stamp set in Sapphire and then added the little hearts from the (retired) May stamp of the month, Time to Celebrate.

The next step was to carefully add the clear window and shaker kit 3D foam ring to the back of the front panel. I added a sprinkle of retired sequins that matched well and mini silver star confetti (available now) to the card front, and lots of foam tape squares from the shaker window kit to raise the entire panel off of the card front.

I carefully placed the panel on the card front.  Finally, I fussy cut a ladybug from a scrap of that beautiful floral paper and then created a bow with pieces of the Sweet Leaf zip strip.

I stamped the "Full of Beauty" stamp on the inside.

Thanks for letting me share her birthday card with you!

I'm linking this card up to the Color My Heart Color Dare #398- Tic Tac Toe, and I used all of the colors!  (Aren't they pretty?!?)

Color Dare #398