Patriotic Card

Hey, it's me with a patriotic card -- "a day late and a dollar short," as usual.  This is actually the card I'm making for my friend Lesa Moseley who donates 500 cards to the VA each year for Veterans Day.  This is the 6th year in a row that I've contributed cards to her contribution.  I started out making 100 card kits; but now I actually finish all of the cards before giving them to her.  (Last year I took a little break because she only needed 50 from me.)

Click on image for closer look.

This is a versatile card and, with a different sentiment on the front, could be used for Memorial Day, 4th of July, Veterans Day, or even a birthday card for a member of the military or a patriotic friend or family member.

Materials

* 100# white Hammermill Premium Color Copy Cover Stock: 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", scored at 4-1/4" for card base

* Pure Poppy card stock by PapertreyInk.com: 5-1/4" x 4" (first layer)

* Fireworks patterned paper by The Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby): 5" x 3-3/4" (second layer)

* Any weight white card stock: 4-1/4" x 2-1/4" (third layer)

* Pure Poppy card stock: 4" x 2" (fourth layer)

* Night of Navy card stock by Stampin' Up!: 3-5/8" x 1" (banner)

* Scraps of all three colors for star punches; white for sentiment

* Lucky Stars embossing folder by Stampin' Up!

* Banners Pick-a-Punch by Stampin' Up!

* Tags Collection Dies by Tim Holtz (sentiment)

* Star Punches by Stampin' Up!

* Brave Hearts stamp set by Technique Junkies ("American Thanks You for Your Service")

* Celebrate Freedom stamp set by PapertreyInk.com ("land of the free because of the brave")

* Night of Navy Stampin' Pad and marker (Stampin' Up!)

Assembly

* Adhere red card stock to card front

* Adhere fireworks paper over red card stock

* Adhere 4-1/4" x 2-1/4" white card stock over fireworks paper

* Emboss 4" x 2" red card stock with Lucky Stars embossing folder and adhere over white card stock

* Use Banners Pick-a-Punch to trim one edge of the navy card stock; line up flat end of banner with top of fireworks paper and adhere with foam tape at top and bottom edges

* Use navy marker to outline all of the white stars

* Adhere red star to center of large star; adhere to card fron with foam tape on under points to the left and regular adhesive under the part that overlaps banner

* Outline sentiment label with navy marker and stamp sentiment with navy ink.  Use foam tape to adhere to card front.

* Use regular adhesive to attach small white stars to the right as shown.

* Stamp sentiment on inside of card.

* Use regular adhesive to attach red, white and blue stars as shown.

I hope you enjoy this card.  It was a little tedious to make 100 of them, but overall just a small token of appreciation for the veterans.

Surprise Pop-up Fun Fold Card

This is my final May card designed for my Craft Box class.  It opens up with a square tube on the front, and then if you fold that square down, there's a note card behind the sentiment.  Unique and surprisingly easy to make!

No, the paper clips aren't part of the card . . . they were simply there to hold the card flat while I took the photo.  😉

This layout for this card came from Georgia Lane (Creative Moments by G).  You can watch her YouTube tutorial at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp0jkJZeBPk&t=1488s.

Materials

* Grapefruit Grove card stock by Stampin' Up!: 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", scored at 1/2", 1-3/4", 3" and 4-1/4" (card base); 10-1/2" x 2-3/4", scored at 5-1/2" (inside card); 4-3/4" x 2-1/4" (rectangle on front)

* Patterned paper by Temu: 5-1/4" x 1" (3 pieces for front panels); 5" x 2-1/2" (front of inside card)

* White card stock: 5" x 2-1/2" (inside of inside card); 3-1/2" x 2" (rectangle on front)

* Regal Rose card stock by Stampin' Up!: 5" x 1-1/2" (flower die cut)

* Meadow dies by Stampin' Up!

* Various stamps from my stash

* Pebbled Path Stampin' Pad by Stampin' Up!

* Round Holographic Stickers by Starform (available from Stamplistic.com)

Assembly

* Line up 5-1/4” x 1” strips of patterned paper to show complete design.  With card closed, adhere strips to first three 1-1/4” panels; adhere ScorTape or other strong adhesive to 4th (1/2") panel.

* Open card with “bumpy” side of score lines showing on the left.  Fold first two panels (1/2” and 1-1/4”) to the inside so ScorTape is showing.  Remove backing from ScorTape and carefully close back of card over panels, to create a square tube.

* Fold 10-1/2” x 2-3/4” card stock at score line creating a 5-1/4” x 2-3/4” card.  With folded edge at the top, adhere to remaining space on inside of card.

* Stamp design on 5” x 2-1/2” white card stock and adhere to inside of 5-1/4” x 2-3/4” card.  Adhere remaining piece of patterned paper to the front.

* Stamp sentiment on 3-1/2” x 2” white card stock and adhere to 3-3/4” x 2-1/4” card stock.  Use foam tape to adhere this piece to middle panel on card front.

* Trim bottom stem of pink floral die cut to whatever size works for you and adhere next to sentiment.

* Finish card by adding holographic stickers randomly.

Here are some more views of this card.

View of front with square popped up.

Card front with square flaattened to left to open inside card.

View with inside card opened

I I hope you enjoy this card and try it yourself.  The tutorial really helps to see how it all goes together.

Masculine-Themed Pocket Card with Tag

This card was designed for my May Thornton Active Adult Center and Craft Box classes.  It has a definite masculine look, but with different paper it could be used for any occasion.

Thanks to Stampin' Up! demonstrator Wendy Lee (Creativelee Yours) for sharing this design.  You can find more of Wendy's designs on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Materials

* Honey Nut card stock from PapertreyInk.com: 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" (card base); 3-1/2" x 1-1/2" (band across front)

* Cocoa Bean card stock from PapertreyInk.com: 5" x 3-3/4" (pocket); about 4-1/4" x 2" (die cut)

* Glasshouse patterned paper pack by The Paper Warehouse (Hobby Lobby): 4-3/4" x 3-1/2" (layer on pocket)

* White card stock: 4-1/4" x 2-3/8" (tag); 3-1/8" x 5/8" (sentiment)

* Jute twine (about 5")

* Cane Weave 3D embossing folder by Stampin' Up!

* Tags Collection dies by Tim Holtz (tag and sentiment)

* Meadow dies by Stampin' Up!

* Unlabeled sentiment stamp set from my stash

* Early Espresso Stampin' Pad by Stampin' Up!

Assembly

* Cut tag from white card stock; cut reinforcement ring from Cocoa Bean card stock and adhere to tag.  Fold twine in half and feed folded edge from back to front through hole; loop ends back through loop and pull tight; trim to desired length.  Set aside tag.

* Score Cocoa Bean card stock from upper left corner to 2" from top on right side.

* Cut 4-3/4" x 3-1/2" patterned paper from upper left corner to 1-3/4" from top of right side; DO NOT DISCARD cut out triangle.  Adhere patterned paper to Cocoa Bean card stock so top is right up against -- but not overlapping -- scoreline.

* Fold Cocoa Bean card stock to the front along score line and secure to patterned paper with foam adhesive.

* Remember that triangle cut from patterned paper?  If you're using double-sided paper, you can just trim 1/8" from long edge and adhere to flap -- the piece will show the design from the back of the paper.  (NOTE:  I actually cut two separate pieces for my card because I was using single-sided paper and wanted the design to appear upside-down to look like it had been folded over.)

* Use embossing folder to add texture to 3-1/2" x 1-1/2" card stock and adhere across front of card just below point of flap.

* Cut weed from Cocoa Bean card stock and adhere over embossed card stock and overlap the flap.

* Use die to cut label from white card stock, stamp sentiment with Early Espresso ink, and adhere as shown with foam adhesive.

* Apply narrow double-sided tape or thin line of liquid glue to side and bottom edges on back of pocket and adhere to Honey Nut card stock.  Insert tag into pocket.

That was easy, right?

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.