Very Simply Susan

Isn’t this a bold, bright look for the Daisy Lane Stamp set? I recently attended a “Virtual” Demonstrator Conference on Zoom and one of the events was a color challenge for a card using Cinnamon Cider, Flirty Flamingo and So Saffron. And once I laid out the card stock in those colors, I knew I wanted to use Daisy Lane and the Daisy punches for this card. The trick was figuring out how to get them all on a card so they made sense.

I stamped the daisies and flower centers and punched them out. Once I adhered them to the Cinnamon Sider background, I liked the look, but it needed “something”. I finally recalled a technique that’s been around a while and I am not even sure what it is called. You can get an “all over” textured look by adhering your top layers to the base card stock and then running it through the big shot with an embossing folder. I think it looks like quilting!

You can see how much texture it adds and the designs literally “meld” into the background card stock! For this design, I used the Tasteful Textile 3D embossing folder, which really gave the card a rich look. Because I wanted the background design to show up as much as possible, I used one of he Stitched Nested Label dies for both the sentiment and the frame. I simply trimmed around the edge of the sentiment to make the frame work. Then, I added a simple bow using the braided linen. This kept the sentiment and embellishment small and neutral looking so the background could be the focus.

I am so glad I remembered this technique. It has been around a while and I know I will use it again. This technique works wonderfully with the new 3D embossing folders. They emboss deep, rich designs that will give your card a special look. You should try it!

What I Used To Make This Card: 

Today’s card is a ‘fancy fold” that is a snap to create! This card was part of a “Mystery Challenge” my Upline did for our last Demonstrator meeting. She sent out basics measurements for solid and patterned pieces. We had to pick our card stock colors and DSP prior to the meeting. It was a really fun “virtual meeting via Zoom” . Aren’t you loving the new virtual meetups everyone is having?

At the meeting she gave us the final clues and viola! A card was created!  I am terrible at listening to or reading instructions when I want to be stamping, so I admit, I was all confused at first with this mystery challenge. But once I saw a finished card, it was like a light went on and I was able to finish the”Fancy Fold Mystery Challenge” card you see above. The card is just a simple base with a small folded piece on top.

Here is an image of the inside of the card, stamped and ready to go. You can see I mixed and matched several greens and they all work together well.

To make the card you just make a layered 505″ x4.25″ card base. Then you cut out a strip of 3.25″ x 8.5″ card stock and score it at 4.25″ for the sentiment and inside message part of the design. The front of this piece is layered with a 3″ x 4″ DSP and the inside the same in a solid color card stock that works for your message.  I added a bit of ribbon and some Gilded Gems. You can see the base of my card was embossed. I first used the Tasteful Textile embossing folder and then went back over it with the leaf design in the Greenery folders. I loved how the double embossing came out.

This card is so easy, you have to give it a try. Its a lot of fun and your design only requires a 3.25″ 4″ space! How easy is that? There are countless possibilities with a Fancy Fold card like this! Have fun!

Stampin’ Tip: I used the Classic Label Punch to punch out the word HELLO from the Forever Fern set. It is the perfect size for that. Then I used the Lovely Label Pick A Punch to snip the ends into a different shape. The Pick A Punch was used to make the larger background layer for HELLO as well. I love using punches and layering them to frame sentiments. 

What I Used For This Card

July’s Paper Pumpkin Is All About Magical Summer Nights. Don’t Miss Your Magical Night! 

I don’t think I am exaggerating when I say the In Good Taste Suite seems to be on everyone’s radar now that the 2020-2021 Stampin’ Up! Catalog has hit!  I mean, what’s not to like? A stamp set with beautiful sentiments, artsy elements and a huge Designer Series Paper set that has so many fabulous natural designs.

I know I have been going through this set since I got it. Today’s card was inspired by the paper. And I think it is the Designer Papers that will inspire a lot of cards in this suite. I love the neutral tones. And it seems Early Espresso works with almost all of them to add a bit of punch!

I used a combination of Gray Granite and Early Espresso with this. I went many different ways before deciding to go with a very neutral color story and punch it up with the rich brown of the Early Espresso Faux Suede Ribbon. The In Good Taste Wood Elements are just a surprise that adds more texture and makes the card interesting.

What I Used To Make This Card

Paper Pumping For July Is A Sure Fire Winner For Summer!

Did your summers ever include catching fireflies or as we called them, lightning bugs? I am sure fireworks enter into your memories for July 4th! And with most of us staying close to home this summer, wouldn’t it be nice to create something to that captures those wonderful summer nights? The July 2020 Paper Pumpkin is designed to do just that!

Honestly, if you have never tried Paper Pumpkin and I am amazed you haven’t, July is your month!  With some darling laser cut luminaries and postcards to send to those who can’t be with you this holiday, this Paper Pumpkin is a box of front porch summer fun!

And what if you ONLY like to make cards? No problem. This month’s Paper Pumpkin will have some “add-ons” that go on sale July 1st to match the set and make full sized cards. There will be enough embellishments and a stamp set to allow you to not only make the kit, but some beautiful cards that capture the night sky perfectly. Here’s a sneak peek! You have the looks of a summer sky during the day, at sunset and the night! I can’t wait to see the stamp set and embellishments to make these.