“Glisten” versus “Sparkle”

Hello Friends,

I’m sure you’ve all heard the phrase, “Women don’t sweat, they glisten!”  Well, with these temperatures, I’m surely glistening when working outside!

After taking care of my horses this morning, I showered the “glisten” off and decided to create a little sparkle in my craftroom!

I’m completely in love with the Balmy Blue Glimmer Paper!  I love sparkle and bling and this Balmy Blue Glimmer Paper shimmers and shines so beautifully.

It pairs so well with  the Snowflake Wishes bundle that I chose to let the glimmer paper and DSP do all the work today!  Stampin’ Up always comes up with such beautiful designer series papers, and the quality is so much better than the big-box stores! (personal opinion, of course!)  The cool blues and purples with the lovely watercolor effect…Snowflake Splendor DSP is gorgeous!  So, why not feature it and let it speak for itself?!

LET’S GET INKY!

Materials Used:

Paper:

  • Whisper White: card base – 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″; mat 2 – 3″ x 2 1/2″; mat 3 – 4 1/8″ x 1 3/8″; front sentiment panel – 2 5/8″ x 1 1/2″; inside sentiment panel – 5 1/4″ x 4″
  • Snowflake Splendor DSP: mat 1 – 5 3/8″ x 4 1/8″; featured panel – 2 3/8″ x 2 7/8″
  • Misty Moonlight: front embossed panel – 1 1/4″ x 4″; inside mat – 5 3/8″ x 4 1/8″
  • Balmy Blue Glimmer Paper:  2″ x 6″ – Use So Many Snowflakes Dies to cut 1 large, 1 medium, and 2 small snowflakes

Stamp Sets Used:

  • Snowflake Wishes (front sentiment)
  • Wrapped In Christmas (inside sentiment)

Ink:

  • Misty Moonlight
  • Balmy Blue

Accessories:

  • So Many Snowflakes Dies
  • Winter Snow Embossing Folder
  • Adhesive-Backed Snowflakes
  • Misty Moonlight/Silver Baker’s Twine (Flowers For Every Season Ribbon Combo)

PUTTING IT TOGETHER:

  1.  Adhere mat 1 (DSP) to card base.
  2. Adhere DSP to mat 2 and wrap Baker’s Twine 3 times around panel, securing with tape on the back of panel. Tie small bow with the Baker’s Twine and apply with glue dot.
  3. Run Misty Moonlight 1 1/4″ x 4″ piece through Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine in the Winter Snow Embossing Folder.
  4. Adhere embossed piece to mat 3.
  5. Cut 1 large, 1 medium, and 2 small snowflakes from Balmy Blue Glimmer Paper using So Many Snowflakes Dies.
  6. Stamp sentiment on 2 5/8″ x 1 1/2″ Whisper White piece using Misty Moonlight ink.
  7. Adhere DSP panel to left upper corner of card front.
  8. Adhere embossed Misty Moonlight panel across bottom of DSP panel.
  9. Adhere sentiment tag to bottom right card front over Misty Moonlight panel.
  10. Adhere glimmer paper snowflakes on card front and then scatter the Adhesive-Backed Snowflakes randomly to fill in the gaps!
  11. For the inside of the card, stamp the sentiment from Wrapped In Christmas in Misty Moonlight (on Whisper White panel), and then stamp snowflakes (Snowflake Wishes) in Balmy Blue.
  12. Adhere that white panel to the Misty Moonlight mat and adhere all to card inside.

DONE!

So, which camp are you in?  Do you like the summertime “glisten”, or the wintertime holiday “sparkle”?  I guess I’m somewhere in-between!  I love summertime if I can lounge by a pool or on a beach somewhere – somewhere to rinse off the “glisten”.  And, I love wintertime if I can cozy up next to the fire with a good book!  Being cozy by the fire, and the Christmas season definitely puts a sparkle in my mood!

I hope you’re allowing yourself some time to get INKY and getting ahead of the holiday rush!  If you’ve purchased Stampin’ Up products from me, my biggest wish is that you USE THEM!!!  Take these hot days and spend some time making cards to give to those you love!  It’s good for the heart and mind!!!

Until next time… I hope you get INKY!

Janet

Product List

How To Make An Eye-Catching Double Z-Fold Card

Hello Friends!

Today we’re back to Summer/Fall with Celebrate Sunflowers and an eye-catching Double Z-Fold fancy fold card.

I’m having so much fun with all of my new products from the August-December Mini Catalog, but needing a birthday card, I returned to Celebrate Sunflowers from the Annual Catalog.  This is fast becoming one of my “go-to” sets.  I love big statement-making stamps!  This super large sunflower along with the bright, cheery designer series paper (DSP), Flowers For Every Season, makes for a card with lots of Wow-Factor!

This is one of those cards that turned out so pretty, I kind of want to keep it!  But then again, it’s so pretty that I can’t wait to give it away!  It’s a good thing I ordered extra of this DSP, and thankfully this stamp set will last, and last, and last – even longer than the Energizer Bunny! I think it’s safe to say, I’ll be making more of these cards!

I’ve created a PDF file with all the specifics for this card, including step-by-step instructions.  You can download it and even print it for future use if you’d like!

Just click here for the free file!

 

 

I’ll be back SOON with another fun-fold using one of my favorites from the holiday catalog, Snow Wonder!

I hope you get INKY! Until next time…

Janet
Product List

Stamparatus

$49.00

Stampin Up Poinsettia Petals With Free PDF instructions

Lots Of Layers With Poinsettia Petals

Hello Friends!

I’ve been busy in my craft room playing with all of my new “toys” from the holiday mini catalog.  Today I wanted to share one of the cards I put together using the Poinsettia Place suite of products.

I love lots of layers and textures on the cards I create and this set of products delivers all of that and more!  Take a close look at the Beaded Pearls in the center of the poinsettia; they are soooo PRETTY!

Stampin Up Poinsettia Petals With Free PDF instructions

I also used Versamark ink and clear embossing powder to create a watermark effect over the inside sentiment.  It looks so pretty, though doesn’t show well in the pictures.  Give it a try and see what you think!  Just make sure your sentiment ink has dried well before over-stamping with the Versamark!

Also, as you can tell in the picture, my clear embossing powder is quite old and over the years has apparently gotten some little bits of glitter or other colored embossing powder mixed in.  This actually prompted another trip to my Stampin’ Up store (darn it!) to buy some fresh embossing powder (and a few other things), as well as a good cleaning of my embossing tray that I use!  Dean says the specks just give it a more custom, one-of-a-kind look!  He’s right about that!  It will be one-of-a-kind, as I’m going to wait for my fresh EP to arrive before making duplicates of this card!

   

 

I’m feeling pretty good right now that I’ve gotten a little jumpstart on Christmas cards and I even started my Christmas shopping the other day!  Who knows…Maybe for the first time EVER, I actually will get all of my Christmas shopping done by the end of August!  Getting it wrapped may be a different story, however!

So, what about you?  Have you had a chance to play with any of the new holiday products yet?  If you haven’t placed your order yet, I would encourage you to do so in order to get a head start on the holidays yourself!

It feels pretty good to be ahead of the game!  I can see myself now… baking, decorating, crafting, leisurely wrapping gifts with Christmas music playing in the background and actually enjoying the holidays rather than hustling to get everything done at the last minute (which is what I’ve done the past few years and is not enjoyable!)

At any rate, I hope you craft today – for the holidays or otherwise.  Take some time to slow down and enjoy the process, always remembering the reason for the season!

LET’S GET INKY!

I’ve created a PDF file with all the specific measurements and instructions for making this card which you can download and print if you’d like!  Just click below and you’re on your way to an early start on holiday prep!

 

Poinsettia Petals Color Block Card

 

If you have questions, please use the “contact” tab at the top of this page and reach out to me.  I’m always happy to help you in your crafting endeavors!

And, please let me know in the comments below if you like the downloadable PDF, or prefer all the directions written out on each post!

Until next time, here’s to hoping you get a little INKY!

Janet

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Shaker card using Stampin' Up Peace & Joy Bundle

A Shaker Card The Bright Way Using Peace & Joy Bundle

Hello Friends!

I’m back today with a shaker card that I made using the Stampin’ Up Peace & Joy Bundle from the August-December 2020 Mini Catalog, from which you can start ordering TOMORROW! (August 4)

It’s been a little difficult for me to wrap my head around making Christmas cards, as it’s been so dang HOT outside!  We finally finished putting all of our hay in the barn a couple days ago and I have not been loving the heat!  I don’t like haying season to begin with; add 100-degree temperatures to it and words pop into my brain that shouldn’t be thought!

However, I’ve had a couple days to cool off and let the sore muscles recover; now it’s time to get back to my craft room!

Hopefully you’ve all had a chance to look through the new holiday catalog.  There’s so much to love between those two covers!  If you don’t have a catalog, please let me know and I’d be happy to send you one!

For those of you who know me well, you had to know that the Peace & Joy Bundle would be at the top of my shopping list!  I love my last name (Thank you, Dean!) and at Christmas-time, there’s a lot of “Merry & Bright” decorations in our home.  So, it should come as no surprise that I chose to feature the “Bright” stamp and die from that bundle.   I also purchased the “Sequins For Everything” in my holiday catalog pre-order with shaker cards in mind.  I don’t know what it is about shaker cards, but I think they bring out the kid in all of us!  What better time to send them out then at Christmas!

I’m so happy that Stampin’ Up elected to carry over the Stitched Stars Dies, which are available in the ’20-’21 Annual Catalog (pg 183).  The stars include pieces which are basic to very ornate, so you can dress them up or down to fit the look you’re after; the choice is yours!   Check them out if you’re not familiar!  The star shape can be used for so many occasions, making these dies nearly as versatile as ovals, rectangles, squares, and circles!

I also chose to use a 5 1/4″ square card base, just to “shake things up” a bit!  (5 1/2″ square envelopes can be bought on Amazon.)

So, let’s get INKY!

Continue reading “A Shaker Card The Bright Way Using Peace & Joy Bundle”

It’s Snow Wonder I’m In Love With The Holiday Catalog!

Hello Friends,

Today I’m taking a break from the summer heat (a mental timeout) with nothing but Christmas, and building snowmen with my grandkids on my mind!  I couldn’t help but grab for the Snow Wonder bundle when thinking about today’s project!  This bundle is featured on page 39 of the new Stampin’ Up August – December Mini Catalog (Holiday Catalog) and includes the “Snow Wonder” stamp set and “Snow Time Dies”

The new holiday mini catalog has so much to love about it, but I absolutely fell in love with this snowman.  “It’snow wonder”…he’s so darn cute!!!  I started playing with this set and before I knew it, I had two cards made which I’ll share with you now!

The first card features some of the new DSP(Designer Series Paper), Snowflake Splendor.  I love the cool blues featured here.

The second card was inspired by a picture in the mini catalog (page 39) which I elected to CASE (copy & selectively edit).  I love the white on kraft (Crumb Cake CS) look.  I also chose to feature paper from the new Heartwarming Hugs DSP.

Isn’t that snowman just too cute?

The sentiment tags used on both cards are included in the Snow Time Dies which coordinates with the stamp set.

LET’S GET INKY! Continue reading “It’s Snow Wonder I’m In Love With The Holiday Catalog!”

How To Make A Double Gate-Fold Card Using World Of Good

Hello Friends!

Today I’m here with a fancy fold, “Double Gate-Fold Card“. I made this featuring the World Of Good product series from the Stampin’ Up ’20-’21 Annual Catalog.  This suite of products is amazing for making masculine cards, scrapbooking, if you love to travel, or just a pick-me-up card for male or female.  The colors of the paper are so rich and much of the paper has brass foil accents.  I’d also like to point out the Old World Paper Embossing Folder.  I think this folder is becoming one of my favorites.  It adds so much texture!

I ventured into the world of video for this one.  It’s my first-ever YouTube video, so please be kind… I know there’s some room for improvement and I’ll be working on better quality as I go forward with videos!  In the meantime, feel free to snicker and snort, even laugh out loud. It’s okay, I can’t see you!!! Just please bear with me as I work out the kinks!!!

As I note in the video, the paper colors and measurements are listed below, and all of the other products used to make this card are below as well.  If you wish to purchase any of the items, simply click on a product link to be taken to my online Stampin’ Up store!  As always, I’m here to help!  If my instructions in the video aren’t clear, you need help placing an order, or you have other questions or requests, please click on the “Contact” button at the top of this post to reach out to me!

So, with no further ado, “HOW TO MAKE A DOUBLE GATE-FOLD CARD USING WORLD OF GOOD”!  (I’d say go pop some popcorn, pour yourself an ice-cold drink and settle in, but the video isn’t that long! 😉

 

 

Continue reading “How To Make A Double Gate-Fold Card Using World Of Good”

Using Embossing Paste For The Sweetest Time

Hello Friends!

I’m here today with a card made from some of my new products from the Holiday Mini Catalog (August – December, 2020 Mini Catalog).  I was recently questioned regarding embossing paste.  While I have it in my stash, I’ve used it very little.  So…what better time than now to break it out and use it again!  I was hoping to do this in video, but our satellite internet installation didn’t happen yesterday.  Unfortunately, it seems the satellite the technician was trying to reach was behind the horizon and he was unable to get a sightline on it.  We’ll keep trying, however.  Sooner or later, I WILL have faster internet!!! (I hope, I hope, I hope…)

But, back to embossing paste!

The embossing paste comes in White (matte) or Shimmery White (matte w/subtle sparkles), however, can be colored whatever color you want it to be with your Stampin’ Up re-inkers.  This is fantastic, as it then coordinates with all the other Stampin’ Up colors!

Just use a palette of some sort, i.e. a plastic margerine container lid works just fine!  Add a drop or two of ink from your re-inker, and mix with a palette knife.  You get to adjust the color darker or lighter, depending on how much ink you use!

I chose to use the brick pattern from Pattern Party Decorative Masks (oops…those masks are now retired – use Basic Pattern Decorative Masks instead!)

I made two different cards, one using Merry Merlot cardstock and white embossing paste.  The other I used Gray Granite cardstock and mixed some Merry Merlot ink into the embossing paste.

Simply hold the mask (stencil) in place over the cardstock.  A little bit of crafting tape or washi tape to hold it along the edges works well.

Smear the embossing paste over the mask as thick or thin as you like using a palette knife.

Lift the mask off and let the embossing paste dry (can be heat set if you’d like, but actually dries very quickly) for instant texture!  Then, simply clean your mask and tools with warm water!  A super easy way to make your own textured background.   So many possibilities!

These cards feature the Sweetest Time Bundle from the new Holiday catalog (Sweetest Time Stamp Set & Sweetest Borders Dies).

I also used the new Banners Pick-A-Punch for my sentiment tag on the front of the card.  I love the versatility of these “Pick-A-Punches”  Remember the other new one in the Annual Catalog, Lovely Labels Pick-A-Punch?  Options… I always like options and these punches deliver the options!!

Please remember that the new products I used here are not available for order until August 4…..

But, enough of all that… Let’s GET INKY!!!

Continue reading “Using Embossing Paste For The Sweetest Time”

Happy Birthday Blossoms

Summertime is heating up and so are the birthdays in our family!  Our family has kept the labor and delivery department at the local hospital busy during the summer months over the many years, i.e. we have a lot of summer birthdays!

The most recent birthday girl was our now 14-year-old granddaughter, Chloe!   She came into our lives when she was just 4-years-old…where, oh where, has the time gone?  She’s growing into an amazing, beautiful young lady with a heart of gold.  We certainly feel blessed to call her our granddaughter!

Today’s card was made for her and I chose Blossoms In Bloom, a new set from the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog. Continue reading “Happy Birthday Blossoms”