Making Your Own Envelopes & More

I was so excited when Stampin' Up! introduced the Diagonal Score Plate this month. It's a wonderful addition to the Simply Scored tool. It works beautifully and I'm seeing so many ways to use it. Not just for envelopes, but boxes, adding embossed lines to cards and scrapbook pages, clever folds for cards and more ....

Here's a video to share with you.

Beautiful Designer Notes

Stampin' Up! always has beautiful note card sets that you can use just as is or, if you want, you can add your own embellishments. The most recent design they have is the Designer Cuts (125414) featured in the Spring Mini Catalog (click here for a copy). You get 8 cards and envelopes. Four cards have hearts and four have a beautiful ornate border.

 Although the beautiful laser cut designs are fabulous just as they are (card on the left), you might want to color them a bit with your own unique touch. I saw this coloring tip on Patty Bennett's blog (click here for the video tutorial). I simply loved how it turned out. Here's a close up. I placed a sheet of velum over the heart and colored the cut out areas, on the velum, with Stampin' Markers. Then I placed the velum behind the cut out. It has a stained glass look that is just grand!

Even simpler, just tuck some of your favorite designer series paper or card stock behind the cut out.

Now you have the perfect card for any occasion - your cards will be loved.

Happy Crafting.

Acrylic Paint Embossing

The vintage look is so popular these days and I love the way this technique (acrylic paint embossing) compliments the look.

To create the embossed look of the label in the middle of the card, I painted a piece of card stock with acrylic paint and let the paper dry. Then I embossed the paper with the Big Shot (113439) and the Finial Press embossing folder (115963). I sanded the surface of the card and then sponged Calypso Coral classic ink (122939) over the card stock.

I planned to sand the embossed side of the card stock, but the best laid plans often go astray. I placed the card stock in the folder with the painted side down and therefore, the painted side was de-bossed. And . . .  it turned out lovely anyway. Don't you love it when that happens?

To make the shape of the label, I used the Top Note die  (113463) to cut the shape. Then I turn the cut piece 90 degrees and placed it on top of the die again, lining up the points on the side of the shape with the middle of the die and I cut it a second time. What a lovely shape.

To complete the card I added a scrunched up flower using the Blossom punch (125603), an Antique brad (117273) and some of my favorite ....butterflies from the Beautiful Wings Embosslit die (118138). Tiny pearls (119247) add the finishing touch. The greeting, which compliments the shape of the label, is punched with the Curly Label punch (119851). 

Don't forget to take advantage of Sale-a-bration! You can order the paper and tools to make this lovely card and earn free product at the same time. The patterned paper I used for the card, for example, could be yours for free. Click the picture below for more information.

Colors used

Concord Grape, Whisper White, Cajun Craze, Bravo Burgundy, and Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper



Dazzle them with Diamonds

I love this idea shared at Stampin' Up! Leadership conference - use Multipurpose Adhesive Paper (120805) with Dazzling Diamonds (102023) to make a very sparkly and beautiful card.

Multipurpose Adhesive paper is with adhesive on both sides. Its great for creating stickers or other embellishments with our Big Shot and it's so fun to use this way too. Stamp your image on a piece of Whisper White card stock. Use a decorative punch along one side. Cut a piece of Multipurpose Adhesive Paper just the same size.

Peel back the protective covering paper and place your stamped image face down on the Multipurpose Adhesive Paper. Burnish with a bone folder to transfer all of the adhesive to your stamped image. Remove the Multipurpose Adhesive Paper and sprinkle Dazzling Diamonds over the stamped image. Shake off the excess. - Now you have a wonderful focal point for your card, scrapbook page or project.

I chose the Elementary Elegance Stamp Set for this card. I love the elegance and the greetings on the set. If you want to get one free, hurry, the set will only be available during Sale-a-bration. You can find more information here.

I used a gate fold card in Pink Pirouette to show off my stamped piece. And I embossed the two front pieces with the Elegant Bouquet embossing folder. This fold is a fun way to add interest to your card. See below for instructions on the Gate Fold

The stamped image is mounted on a piece of Pumpkin Pie Card stock which is embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder. I place a small strip of Melon Mambo card stock behind the edge to show off the pretty scallops created by the Scallop Trim Border. The top and bottom edges are framed by a piece of Melon Mambo card stock punched with the Lace Ribbon Border punch.

And for a finishing touch - Pumpkin Pie and Melon Mambo butterflies cut with the Big Shot and the Beautiful Wings Embosslit die. I added some Dazzling Diamonds to the small butterfly in the same way as I added it to the stamped image - don't you love the sparkle?

My supply list is below. 

Don't forget - This stamp set is a Sale-a-bration Special - only available now with a $50 purchase. Click here to get more details and the Sale-a-bration catalog.

 Card Stock: Pink Pirouette(111351), Melon Mambo (115320), Pumpkin Pie (105117)

Whisper White (100730)

Stamp Set: Elementary Elegance (SALE-A-BRATION SET)

Ink: Melon Mambo (115656)

Punches: Scallop Trim Border (118402), Lace Ribbon Border (122362)

Die Cutting: Big Shot (113439), Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die (118138), Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder (115964), Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335)

Other: Multipurpose Adhesive Paper (120805), Dazzling Diamonds (102023)

To create a GATE FOLD Card:

Cut the card stock 8.5" x 5.5"

Lay the card stock in the Simply Scored (122334) in the landscape position

Score at 2 1/8"

Turn the card stock 180 degrees

Score the other end at 2 1/8"

Crease on the score lines - the two sides should meet in the middle.

Home Decor with Punches

It's so exciting to create a piece of art to decorate your home with a "garage sale" picture frame, some scraps of paper and just a bit of time. I love to repurpose things (like the frame) and I love to find ways to use my paper scraps. 

Stampin' Up!© has a wonderful selection of punches and they are easy to use and create smooth clean cuts. The punches I used are the Heart to Heart punch, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, Boho Blossom Punch and a collection of circles and ovals.

I was inspired by a picture I saw on Splitcoaststampers of a large (perhaps 12 x12) frame with more than 16 lovely designs. Since I was restricted to a smaller frame (at least for now), I gave my project only 6 designs. I chose 4 colors: Calypso Coral, Bashful Blue, Soft Suede, Night of Navy. I also used Whisper white for my neutral color. I alternaed the colors to create 6 mats and arranged them on a Calypso Coral background. With a few punches and a bit of imagination, I had 6 pleasing designs and a very FUN piece of art to adorn my wall.

I hope you are inspired to create something fun for your home!

Boho Blossom Punch 119858 $16.95

Heart to Heart Punch 119881 $16.95

Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch 122464 $23.95

Here's a fun fact - with the purchase of these three punches, you will earn a free Sale-a-bration item. To see a catalog of your wonderful choices, click here.

  - SHOP HERE

Create & Keep

All of these items were made with the Simply Sent® card kit called Create & Keep (122380). You will find this item in the Mini Catalog. Such a wonderful bargain. 10 printed cards and envelopes all ready to assemble. You will also get a great box for keeping your cards. The box is so lovely, you will want to show it off. And it comes with dividers to keep your cards organized.

By themselves, the cards are stunning, but if you want to step it up a notch, you can add the ribbon and brads that you can get for free with a purchase of $50 during Stampin' Up!® Sale-a-bration®

The following cards show the fun touches when you add the brads and ribbon to give the cards your own personal touch. Order a second package to give as a gift, along with Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Basic Pearls and Bakers Twine. You will total $50.70 and earn a free ribbon and brad pack (above). See below for items numbers.



 

Two Create & Keep card kits - 122380 $14.95 each = $29.90

Bitty Buttons - 118761                                                    $4.95

Basic Pearls - 119247                                                    $4.95

Sticky Strip - 104294                                                      $6.95

Stampin' Dimensionals  - 104430                                   $3.95

TOTAL                                                                         $50.70

Free - Brad and Ribbon Pack (or other item of your choice)

Click here to shop now 

 

Hearts and more hearts!!!

Although Valentine's day is over, I just couldn't resit showing this card with the cute spinner hand (121893) as the arrow and the very cute inside of the card which is a pop up card that I learned from Linda Heller's Stamping School.

The Designer Series Paper is the always versatile Patterns Pack. And I am using real red from the Brights Collection (117155). Real Red, Crumb Cake and Whisper White are always a popular combination . . . . so bright and cheery.

I used the Big Shot along with the Framelit Dies - Hearts Collection (125599) and Fashionable Hearts Embosslits Die(125596) to create the hearts. Both of these items are new products from the Spring Mini Catalog.

You can find these and more at Stampin' UP! just click here to shop. Don't forget - with every $50 of product purchased, you can choose a free item from the Sale-a-bration Catalog.