Flowery All-Occasion Card

This is the floral card I created for Sassy Stampers Card Camp on May 2.

Materials

* Pacific Point card stock**: 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", scored at 4-1/4" for card base; scrap for bow

* Blue and white flowered patterned paper from Temu: 5" x 3-1/4"; 3-3/4" x 5/8" strip for inside

* 80# white cover stock by Hammermill: 5-1/4" x 4" (front layer); 5-1/8" x 3-7/8" (inside); about 4" x 3" for flowers image; about 2-3/4" x 1" for sentiment

* Split Card Textures Die**

* Subtle 3D Embossing Folder**

* Camomile stamp and die set from Amazon

* Ornate Frames Die**

* Kittie Says stamps from Rubbernecker (now brassandbliss.com)

* Nocturne VersaFine Clair Ink

* Pacific Point Stampin' Write Marker**

* NicPro Self-Adhesive Rhinestone Stickers from Amazon.com

* Bow die from Temu

** Stampin' Up! retired items

Assembly

* Use die to cut grid design in 5-1/4" x 4" white card stock.  Use embossing folder to add texture to the die cut.  (TIP:  This embossing folder is VERY subtle!  To get the best impression I could, I lightly spritzed the card stock with water on each side before running through my Big Shot, and then cranked it forward and back again so it was essentially embossed twice.)

* Adhere flowered paper to back of white card stock so flowers show through grid.

* Adhere assembled piece to card front.

* Stamp the flower image with black ink; color and cut out.  (I colored my flowers with watercolor pencils, scanned the image and then printed it out 6 per page.  Since I was making so many card kits for my May classes, I opted to then cut the images out with my Scan 'n Cut rather than using the die.)

* Cut the Ornate Frames label from white card stock, and then use the Stampin' Write Marker to trace a line all the way around the edge.  This accomplishes two things -- it defines the edge of the label so it doesn't disappear into the background and also makes it easier to stamp the sentiment since you can see where the edges of the paper are.  Use black ink to stamp sentiment.

* Use foam adhesive to adhere sentiment and flowers.  Adhere the sentiment first so you can overlap the the flowers slightly.

* Apply rhinestones wherever they make you happy.  (NOTE:  I also placed one in the center of the bow.)

* To finish the card, adhere the 3-7/8" x 5/8" strip of flowered paper across the bottom of the 5-1/8" x 3-7/8" white card stock, and adhere card stock to inside.

I know I always say this, but I thought this was a very fun card to make.  I hope you try it!

Back to Nature Dragonfly Card

The theme for May at Sassy Stampers Card Camp this month was nature or floral.  So I made one of each!  This was my nature card.

Materials

* Some funky gray textured 12" x 12" card stock I picked up in a big unlabeled clearance package at Hobby Lobby (I think).  What a find!!!!  

    * 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", scored at 4-1/4" for card base

    * 5" x 3-3/4", embossed layer

    * Scrap for small dragonflies on inside

* Wild Wheat card stock**

    * 5-1/4" x 4" (two pieces for first layer on front and inside)

    * about 4" x 3" for cattails die

* New Horizons 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper**: 3" x 3" (background sky)

* 80# White coverstock from Hammermill: 5" x 3-3/4" (inside)

* Unnamed weeds stamp on inside (Temu)

* Wild Wheat Stampin' Pad**

* Dragonflies Punch**

* Cattails die (Temu)

* Deckled circle dies from Temu

* Floral embossing folder (can't figure out where it came from, but it sure is pretty, isn't it?!)

* Dragonfly (PET Tape Sticker from Temu)

** Stampin' Up! retired items

Assembly

* Adhere Wild Wheat card stock to card front.

* Use deckled circle die to cut 2-3/4" circle about 3/4" from top of 5" x 3-3/4" gray card stock.

* Emboss card stock with floral embossing folder.

* Adhere 3" x 3" patterned paper to back of embossed card stock so sky is showing through to the front.

* Adhere embossed card stock over Wild Wheat card stock.

* Cut cattail die from Wild Wheat card stock and adhere over embossed card stock as shown.

* DO NOT remove dragonfly sticker from backing; apply small pieces of foam tape under wings on backing and adhere to card front as shown.  (NOTE: If the dragonfly sticker is removed from the backing it is very flimsy and flexible.  I wanted it to have more stability and stiffness so it would pop up properly, so I left it on the backing.  Trust me -- it's SO DIFFICULT to remove from the backing that it will never come apart.)

* Adhere second piece of Wild Wheat card stock to inside of card.

* Stamp weeds image in bottom left corner of 5" x 3-3/4" white card stock and adhere over Wild Wheat.

* Punch small dragonflies from a scrap of gray card stock and adhere as shown with glue dots or small dots of liquid glue.

I hope you enjoy this card.  It makes me long for the days when my husband and I used to go fishing -- we would see scenes like this all the time!

Framed Flower All Occasion Card

This card was created for Stamp Camp North in Westminster last Saturday.  It's a beautiful card, simple to make -- perfect for sending a quick note.

Materials

* Terracotta Tile card stock:** 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", scored at 4-1/4" (card base)

* River Rock card stock:** 5-1/8" x 3-7/8" (first layer on front and inside); 3-3/4" x 2-1/2" (frame)

* You're a Peach Designer Series Paper:** 4-7/8" x 3-5/8" (top layer on front) + 3-5/8" x 1/2" (strip across bottom on inside)

* 80# White card stock by Hammermill: about 4" x 3" for flower stamp; 4-7/8" x 3-5/8" (inside)

* Sweet Chamomile stamp and die set from Amazon

* VersaFine Clair black ink pad

* Watercolor pencils

* Wood Frames Infinity dies by Hero Arts

** Retired Stampin' Up! products

Assembly

* Adhere River Rock card stock to card front.

* Adhere striped paper over card stock.

* Stamp flowers on white card stock; color, cut out, and adhere to frame.  (NOTE:  Since I was making so many card kits, I used my Scan 'n Cut to cut out the flowers, but the set comes with a slightly more detailed die.)

* Use foam adhesive to adhere assembled flowers and frame to card front.

* Adhere narrow strip of striped paper near bottom of 4-7/8" x 3-5/8" white card stock; adhere to inside of card.

That's it!  You could add bling if you like, but I really liked the simplicity of this card, so I left it off this time.

Fun Fold Pocket Card

We made this card at my Craft Box class last Friday.  The inspiration came from my friend Terry Kaspari who showed us how to make it in a class at her house earlier this month.  It's easy to make, but perhaps a little difficult to explain in words, so I may try to add a video tutorial next week.

Materials

* Perfect Plum card stock**: 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" (card base); 4-1/4" x 3-3/4", scored at 1/2" (inside panel); scraps for flowers and bow dies

* Pale Plum card stock**: 8-1/2" x 5-1/4", scored at 2-3/4" and 6-3/4" (folded card); scraps for flower die

* 80# white card stock: 5" x 2-1/2" (front panel); 4" x 3" (inside panel)

* Patterned paper***: 5" x 2-1/2" (inside left panel)

* Patterned paper (contrast color)***: 5" x 1-1/2" (inside right panel)

* Mossy Meadow card stock***: about 4" x 2-1/2" for leaves die

* Textured Notes stamp set*** (leaves on inside of card)

* Mossy Meadow Stampin' Pad***

* Petals and More Dies*** (leaves)

* Bow and flower dies (TEMU)

* Tiny pearl self-adhesive gems (flower centers)***

* Coastal Weave embossing folder***

** Stampin' Up! retired items

*** ROOBEE by Mara-Mi 12" x 12" Designer Paper Pad "Natural Paper" design (Walmart)

Assembly

* Fold Pale Plum card stock away from score lines to create card.  Emboss 5" x 1-1/2" white card stock and adhere to front left panel.

* Cut leaves, flowers and bow from card stock scraps and adhere to embossed card stock as shown -- don't forget to add a pearl to the center of each flower.

* Open card and adhere 5" x 2-1/2" patterned paper to inside left panel.

* Stamp sentiment or design, if desired, on 3" x 4" piece of white card stock and adhere to 4-1/4" x 3-3/4" card stock.  (NOTE:  Center between scoreline and edge, leaving 1/2" flap free.)

* Fold 4-1/4" x 3-3/4" card stock back at scoreline and apply adhesive to outside of 1/2" flap.  Carefully line up outer edge of 1/2" flap right up against bump of fold, centered from top to botton, and adhere to left panel over patterned paper.  (TIP:  This sounds kind of tricky, but the photos below might help.  The first photo shows how this finished panel will look when glued down -- note that folded edge is 1/2" away from the fold on the card; the edge of the 1/2" flap isn't shown in this photo, but it's right up against the fold of the card.  The second photo shows from the top what the inside of the card will look like when it's completed.) 

* Apply thin line of liquid glue or narrow double-sided tape across top and bottom edges on inside of remaining 1-3/4" flap.  Fold panel created in the last step to the right and fold 1-3/4" flap down over it.  This creates a pocket, and enfolds the panel inside the pocket.

* Adhere the remaining 1/1/2" patterned paper to the front of the pocket.

* Final step is to adhere completed card to 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" Perfect Plum card stock.  You actually can attach it at any point, but it felt to me like it was getting in the way as I worked on the card, so I waited until the last step.

Whew!  It's finished!

When you close and card, the inside panel will slide further into the pocket, and when you reopen it, it will slide back out.  There is actually only about 1/4" to 1/2" of the panel inside of the pocket, so you can carefully pull it out to write a sentiment on it.  You also could include a gift card or separate note in the pocket.

Thanks again to my friend Terry for showing me how to make this fun and unique card!  I hope you'll try it too.

Easy Masculine All-Occasion Card

There always seems to be a need for . . . and a lack of . . . good masculine card designs.  I found a design similar to this one somewhere online a few months ago and decided to tweak it a little for my April classes.

Materials

* Honey Nut card stock**: 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", scored at 4-1/4"; scrap for circle punch

* Smoky Shadow card stock**: 5-1/4" x 4"; scrap for six-sided punch

* Wood patterned paper from my stash: 5" x 3-3/4"; 5-1/4" x 1/2" (inside)

* Off-white card stock from my stash: 5-1/4" x 4" (inside); scrap for sentiment

* Simply Said Stamp Set*** (Happy Birthday)

* Country Birdhouse Stamp Set*** (inside sentiment)

* Pebbled Path Twine***

* Pebbled Path Stampin' Write Marker ***

* 2" Circle Punch***

* Tailored Tag (six-sided) Punch***

* Washi Label Die from TEMU

* Dark Gray Rhinestones from Amazon.com

** PapertreyInk.com

*** Stampin' Up!

Assembly

* Adhere patterned paper to Smokey Shadow card stock.

* Starting from the back, wrap twine around card stock three times, crossing over in the front, and ending in the back.  Use tape to secure ends on back.

* Use foam adhesive to adhere to card front.  (TIP:  Do not place foam over twine -- the twine is very thick and will create a "bumpy" spot in the middle of the card.)

* Trace around edge of circle and label with brush end of marker to define the edges.  Stamp sentiment on label.

* Adhere six-sided shape to circle; adhere label over six-sided shape.  Apply foam adhesive to top and bottom of assembled piece and adhere to card front over twine.  (NOTE:  Do not place foam adhesive over the twine.  One piece at the top and one piece at the bottom of the circle will be plenty of adhesive to hold it in place.)

* Add self-adhesive rhinestones to finish card front.

* Adhere strip of patterned paper near bottom of vanilla card stock.  Stamp sentiment and adhere inside of card.

I hope you enjoy this masculine-themed card.  My husband tells me (often) that bling has no place on a manly card, but since this is a darker, kind of toned-down color, he had no problem with the bling on this card.

Girly Pinkish Card (for Mothers Day or Birthday or ???)

This is the second card we made at my table in Berthoud this month.  It's definitely a girly card -- not that I'm girly, but the theme was Mothers Day, Graduation or Congratulations cards, and my other card was graduation (see previous post).

The inspiration for this card came from the flower die itself.  It was so much fun to use!

Materials

* Basic Beige card stock**: 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", scored at 4-1/4"; scrap for sentiment

* Flirty Flamingo card stock**: 5-1/4" x 4" (inside layer)

* 80# White cover stock by Hammermill: 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" (front); 5" x 3-3/4" (inside); scraps for sentiment and butterflies

* Flirty Flamingo Ink Pad**

* Mini Blending Brushes

* River Rock Stampin' Write Marker**

* Double Oval Punch**

* Exposed Brick Embossing Folder**

* Flowers and butterflies dies from TEMU

* Miscellaneous stamps from my stash

* Basic Gray Ink Pad**

* Iridescent Rhinestone Jewels**

** Stampin' Up!

Assembly

* Use flowers die to cut right edge of card front.  Use embossing folder to add texture to front and also 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" white card stock.

* Lay front of card over a piece of scrap paper and use mini blending brushes to add color to just the center area of each flower, pulling the color from the centers out to the edges of the center section so the great concentration of color is in the center.  Also add some color to the butterflies, pulling color from the centers out to the edges.

* Apply adhesive to the back of the card front and adhere the white embossed card stock, positioning it right up against the fold line.  If you place the card stock OVER the fold line, the card won't close very well.

* OPTIONAL STEP:  I wasn't fond of the white edge of the embossed card stock, so to give the card a more finished look, I used the brush end of the marker to add color around the edges of the white embossed card stock.

* Punch small oval from white card stock; punch larger scalloped oval from Basic Beige.  Stamp sentiment on white label and adhere to beige, then adhere to card front with foam adhesive.

* Use dies to cut butterflies from white card stock; use glue dot or liquid glue to adhere centers of butterflies to card front.

* Finish front by adding self-adhesive rhinestones to centers of flowers and butterflies.

* Adhere Flirty Flamingo card stock to inside of card; stamp sentiment on 5" x 3-3/4" card stock and adhere over Flirty Flamingo.

The most difficult part of this card was cutting the flowers.  The die itself was great -- cut everything nicely; but all the little pieces parts stuck to my Magic Mat, so I ended up cleaning them off after each cut!  (And I cut 64 of them!!!!

Time to post April cards . . . .

All of my classes and stamp camps this month occurred within an 8-day period, so I've had little time to post them until now.  This is the first card I made at Sassy Stampers Card Camp in Berthoud on April 11.  It was created as a graduation card, but I also included extra pieces parts and sentiments so it could be used as a birthday or other celebratory card.

Materials (most of this stuff came from my stash -- yes, I've been trying to shop my stash for most of my cards lately -- I've got SO MUCH STUFF!!!!)

* Black card stock: 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", scored at 4-1/4" (card base)

* White card stock: 5-1/4" x 4", embossed with star embossing folder (the one I used is called Lucky Stars, a vintage Stampin' Up! embossing folder from my stash)

* Black card stock: 5-1/4" x 1-1/2" (mat for patterned paper)

* Stars Patterned Paper: 5-1/4" x 1-1/4" (the pattern shown is by Paper Studio from Hobby Lobby)

* Silver stars were cut from Recollections Silver Foil Card Stock, also from Hobby Lobby, using three vintage Stampin' Up! star punches

* The label dies are from TEMU

* Tiny black stars are Starform stickers purchased from Stamplistic.com.

* Don't really know where the stamps came from, but they were stamped with black VersaFine Clair ink.

* Balloons image was found online and both those and the graduation cap were printed and then cut out with my Scan 'n Cut

Assembly

* Adhere star-embossed card stock to card front.

* Adhere black strip of card stock about 1/2” from right edge of embossed white card stock; adhere patterned paper over black.

* Adhere silver stars as shown.

* Stamp sentiment on white label and adhere to black label.  

* Use foam tape to adhere sentiment and graduation cap or birthday balloons as shown.

* Scatter black glitter star stickers wherever you like.

* Stamp sentiment on remaining white card stock and adhere inside of card.  Add a few black glitter stars.

I hope you enjoy this versatile card design!