I am sharing a quick card that is more Spring than Winter. Hopefully you will like the technique of the focal layer and try it yourself.
Background Technique
The DSP is probably more the star of this show because it is so soft and elegant looking. However, I am focusing on the background I used with the focal layer. But the softness of the DSP did give me the color combinations I used on the floral layer. This is my Squiggle Technique!
The Squiggle Technique is simply taking a Stampin’ Blend and using the brush end to “squiggle” lines back and forth across the paper. For this floral stamp, I wanted different colors to simulate (sort of) looking eye level to the flowers. So I began with Dark Mint Macaron, next was Light Mint Macaron followed by Light Soft Sea Foam. Then I added Dark Soft Sea Foam and finished with Light Pool Party. My mind sees the darker grass at the bottom moving up to lighter and then the sky. You may just see squiggles! And that is okay. 🙂
Stamps
The floral stamp is from the Dragonfly Garden stamp set. This looks to me like a bunch of wild flowers growing up from my imaginary field. Part of the thought with the background was a way to not have to color all of the flowers with shades of green and flowery colors. I thought the squiggles were a much quicker route to take.
For the sentiment I went to the Charming Sentiments stamp set. This set is one of all wonderful sentiment in a mixture of fonts. I love the mix of fonts and partially chose this one for the fun look it gives. It seems to be trying to get your attention with the exclamation point!
Papers
Last but not least is the beginning of the card! This beautiful embossed DSP is from the Splendid Day Designer Series Paper. It contains this same pattern in a few of the softer colors. Since this DSP piece is a Soft Sea Foam, I went a shade darker for the card base. That is Mint Macaron with a layer of Basic White between the two.
Finishes
To finish this card I added just a few little touches. First is the Brass Butterfly with the larger flower in the field. As I said in the beginning, it really is not a Winter card! Next I used the Label Me Fancy Punch to cut the fun sentiment with. The floral layer is placed close to the left edge to leave room on the right side for the tag. The two are almost touching in the center. So I added a simple White Baker’s Twine Bow to break that up a bit.
Don’t forget the Current Clearance and Last Chance Products!!!
HOST CODE
My December Host Code is Y7T7EMTC. Please use this code for orders under $150.00. I will have a small gift for those with orders over $50.00 in addition to the Perk Rewards Program. You can read all of the information at the top of the page in the Menu Bar under SHOP / Perks.
Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed today’s project and will come back. I do read and reply to all of the comments individually. They mean a lot to me. Please reach out if you have a question.
Today’s card was a fun idea that made a turn in the middle. And I love the way it ended up. Sometimes my idea doesn’t work out exactly as planned. In this case, it was better!
Dies
The cute little tree in the center of the card was created with the Spruced Up Dies. They are also called “Outline” Dies. That is because when I die cut this tree, I got not only the tree from the center, but the outline also. I love this idea! It allows us to mix and match, which is what I have done here.
To create this fun little tree, I adhered the DSP to the Soft Suede piece. But I did not add adhesive around the center of the layer. I then used the single die for the largest tree and centered it in the middle of the card layers. After die cutting, I had a DSP tree and outline, and also a Soft Suede tree and outline.
My method for putting these back together was the simplest idea I could come up with. I took a scrap of White cardstock cut to 3 X 4. And I put adhesive all over it, not totally covered but more than I would with a normal layer. By placing the White on the table and centering the two layers over top, I could see through the die cut and know that there was White behind the opening. Press this down and choose the outline piece. I chose to use the Soft Suede outline. Carefully place it in the opening and against the edges. Lastly add the DSP tree to the center. Easy Peasy!! And I have an outline and a tree left for another use.
Paper
When I saw these trees on the DSP sheet, I knew it was perfect for the idea I had. Even though the idea changed a bit, I love this paper. It is from the Storybook Gnomes Designer Series paper. The different shades of green are especially nice at this time of year when we see a lot of the same ones. I chose the Bermuda Bay from the paper to be the card base. And of course I had to go with the Soft Suede for the trunk of the trees. These two colors work very well together.
Here is a close up of the paper and the Die Cut tree.
Stamps and Embellishments
The only stamp showing on the front of the card is the little sentiment. This is from the Celebrate With Tags stamp set. I love this simple and sweet sentiment. My goal of late has been to choose to be Happy. So this fits perfectly! The Be Jolly is stamped on White card stock using Soft Suede Ink. There is not a die for this little guy. So fussy cutting was needed. Although they are all straight cuts so it is pretty easy to do.
There are two finishing touches to this card. Although the rhinestone does not show very well in the photo. But there is an Iridescent Rhinestone at the top of the tree for the star. And to carry on with my more rustic tree and card, I used Linen Thread for the ribbon. I tied a double bow and added it to the base of the tree with a Glue Dot. Another easy touch.
SALES
There are still quite a lot of great deals available on the Clearance Rack from the refresh. And the Last Chance Product Sale is going strong. These All Spruced Up Dies are available at a discounted price. So compare the price of the stamp and dies separately vs the Bundle price!!
HOST CODE
My December Host Code is Y7T7EMTC. Please use this code for orders under $150.00. I will have a small gift for those with orders over $50.00 in addition to the Perk Rewards Program. You can read all of the information at the top of the page in the Menu Bar under SHOP / Perks.
Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed today’s project and will come back. I do read and reply to all of the comments individually. They mean a lot to me. Please reach out if you have a question.
Today’s card is a Winter card instead of a Christmas one. The weather has turned colder even here in the South. It is now sweater weather and the paper used reminds me of a sweater pattern. Additionally this card is for the Make My Monday Challenge and that is for a Winter card.
Everyone is welcome to join in on the Make My Monday Challenges. Simply click on the icon and you will see all of the design team cards. And you can add your own version of the current challenge.
Paper
My idea for the Winter card came from the piece of DSP. It is from the Storybook Gnomes Designer Series Paper. This pattern is a sweater pattern to me. This soft blue is different than all of the Christmas cards I have been making. But also is the color of cold ! This lead to an almost monochromatic card.
Stamps
After deciding on paper I went looking for a stamp to match. I immediately thought of the All Bundled Up stamp set where the sweet critters are all wearing scarves. By using the sweet little cardinal, it allows a lot more of the DSP to shine. The cardinal is stamped and colored with Stampin’ Blends. And to add some additional stamping, I added the snowflakes as well as a bit of “snow” on the ground. A few squiggles of Balmy Blue Stampin’ Blend is all it took.
Finishes
To complete my warm sweater card, I added one of the Wonderful Snowflakes to the mix. The iridescent shine is perfect. And just a few of the Fine Sparkle Gems scattered around completed the card. Even though I put more than an odd number of them. I can never get that correct 🙂
Clearance Rack Refresh and Last Chance Products……..
HOST CODE
My December Host Code is Y7T7EMTC. Please use this code for orders under $150.00. I will have a small gift for those with orders over $50.00 in addition to the Perk Rewards Program. You can read all of the information at the top of the page in the Menu Bar under SHOP / Perks.
Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed today’s project and will come back. I do read and reply to all of the comments individually. They mean a lot to me. Please reach out if you have a question.
I hope you have taken advantage of the Clearance Rack Refresh as well as the Last Chance Sale for the Mini Catalog. There are some amazing deals in both places.
My project today is a package of Gift Tags, or Random Act of Kindness cards, using one of the Retiring products. It is the Decorated With Happiness set. This is a wonderful Bundle, and one that is less expensive purchased separately with the sale pricing.
Stamps
All of the stamps used on this project are from the Decorated With Happiness set. There are matching dies as I mentioned at the top of the post. However, I wanted to keep this as flat as possible. The bough is stamped and then the shadow stamped added. As is the two ornaments. For the sentiment I used the Layering Circles Dies and then turned it into the look of an ornament. To do that I drew a straight line for the hanger using the Sweet Sorbet Stampin’ Write Marker. And to finish that look I tied a bow using the In Color Baker’s Twine in Sweet Sorbet and White.
Cards
The 3 X 3 cards are made the same way as the front of the gift holder. Here is a view of one of those. They do not have the added layers of the sentiment though. I made a few with different ornaments but all done the same way. They each received a Festive Pearl in the center of the ornament for a touch of bling.
Directions for Card Holder
The front stamped layer is 4 X 3 3/4 to begin with. After doing the stamping I cut 1 1/8 off the top to fit over the flap. When adhering this layer, place the bottom section first and allow equal measures on the bottom and sides. Do this with the holder closed and the bottom section you are adhering will be flush against the bottom of the flap. Then add the top piece with it being flush with the bottom of the flap and equal on sides and top.
Here is an open view of the card holder.
This is a very simple card holder. It is another oldy but goody that I found when looking for something! That seems to happen fairly often. The holder begins with a piece of Garden Green card stock cut to 4 1/4 X 11. It is then scored at 1 1/4, 5 1/4, 6 1/4, and 7 1/4. Fold and burnish the score lines to create the mountain in the center .
For a closure, I used clear velcro dots. They were added after the front layer is adhered. You may have your own method for adding these. But I add the one under the flap first. I can place it towards the bottom of the flap and then with the second half attached simply close the flap on to the closed box. This ensures perfect placement.
I included 4 cards and envelopes and there is plenty of room.
HOST CODE
My December Host Code is Y7T7EMTC. Please use this code for orders under $150.00. I will have a small gift for those with orders over $50.00 in addition to the Perk Rewards Program. You can read all of the information at the top of the page in the Menu Bar under SHOP / Perks.
Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed today’s project and will come back. I do read and reply to all of the comments individually. They mean a lot to me. Please reach out if you have a question.
The Last Chance and Carry Over Lists are below. There are some awesome deals on the Last Chance List with up to 60% off. So be sure and check prices for a Bundle. It may be quite a bit less to purchase the stamps and dies separately than as a bundle. Get the most bang for your buck! And please use my Host code, Y7T7EMTC if your order is less than 150.00! Reminder that these products are while supplies last!
HOST CODE
My December Host Code is Y7T7EMTC. Please use this code for orders under $150.00. I will have a small gift for those with orders over $50.00 in addition to the Perk Rewards Program. You can read all of the information at the top of the page in the Menu Bar under SHOP / Perks.
Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed today’s project and will come back. I do read and reply to all of the comments individually. They mean a lot to me. Please reach out if you have a question.
I wanted to drop back into your mailbox to share the Last Chance List and the Carryover List for the current Mini Catalog. The sale goes LIVE on December 1st!
The Carryover list is first. It is a single page as shown. For the Last Chance list, click on the picture and you will get a complete PDF of the multiple pages. There are some great deals with half price items even!
Please remember that with a $50.00 qualifying order you receive my Blue Star Awards. All you have to do is use the Host Code
Birthday Organizer Kit
DETAILS
Kit includes one 8″ x 10″ (20.3 x 25.4 cm) monthly planner with space to record birthdays each month as well as a pocket sleeve to hold birthday cards.
Includes 12 full-size birthday cards, 6 of 2 designs, and 12 coordinating envelopes.
Includes Glue Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Adhesive-Backed Embellishments, and Tear & Tape Adhesive
Includes die-cut florals and pieces ready for you to use—no prep work required!
Includes sticker sentiments and die-cut labels in Dutch, English, French, and German
My November Host Code is XUE6MDFV. Please use this code for orders under $150.00. I will have a small gift for those with orders over $50.00 in addition to the Perk Rewards Program. You can read all of the information at the top of the page in the Menu Bar under SHOP / Perks.
Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed today’s project and will come back. I do read and reply to all of the comments individually. They mean a lot to me. Please reach out if you have a question.
The content in this blog is the sole responsibility of Jackie Beers as an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. The use of and content of classes, services or products offered is not endorsed by Stampin' Up!
