Facebook Live

Over the weekend I participated in a catalog launch with the Stampin up team I am apart of and I was asked by my upline to do a facebook live with one of the new stamp sets from the preorder. She asked what I had purchased and I mentioned the Grandkids Stamp set which is a sentiment set. She asked if I would show some ideas on how to market the set and inspiration on how to use the set. Of course I agreed because facebook lives are the next thing I want to try in my social media journey. I was nervous and excited at the same time.

When I looked at the stamp set my anxiety went up because how do I make cards with a sentiment set that are good enough to be used by demonstrators. I took a few days to think about it and then some inspiration hit me.  Here is a good look at the stamp set which will be available for purchase on June 3.

I made two cards for the class but I only taught the pop up card. If you would like the instructions on how I made that card I have a pop up card tutorial on the birthday bonanza post. Here is the link for it below:

https://joy-of-crafting.blogspot.com/2020/05/birthday-bonanza.html

The card I am going to show today uses that stamp set in another way by making it the focal point not in a pop fashion but as a background on the card.

So how did I make the card? Well it was a super easy and it is fun to make your own DSP. 

I started with a whisper white card base and began to make layers. I attached a coastal cabana layer to the card base measuring 5 1/2 inches x 4 1/4. I then cut a piece of gorgeous grape cardstock at 5 3/8 x 4 1/8. This gives about an 1/8 border around the layers. I then cut the whisper white layer at 5 1/4 x 4 inches. Before I attached it I wanted to stamp it because I didn't want to get ink on the other layers. 

To make the background I put a piece of scrap paper underneath the cardstock so I don't get ink all over. I choose the following ink colors to stamp my different sentiments down on the cardstock: granny apple green, flirty flamingo, daffodil delight, coastal cabana, and pumpkin pie. When I am making a background, I stamp each sentiment or picture three times on the paper. I make sure I vary where I am stamping it and include stamping it off the page as well so it looks like real DSP. I always start with my largest image and work my way to the smallest. I use the smaller images to fill in the spaces and I don't worry about being perfect.

Its time to decorate so I used the circle layered dies to make the scalloped circles and enamel dots to make the center of my flowers. To make my flowers I punched out them using the small blossom punch. I always cut two so I can add dimension.

I like to add ink with a dauber around the edges of the flower because it make it more life like and adds a 3D element.

To shape the flowers I take the piercing mat and the score tool stylus. I go around in a circular motion with the stylus in the middle of the flower with some pressure but not too much so I don't pierce the paper. As I go in the circular motion it causes the petals to come up and make the flower blossom look 3D. I use a dab of glue in the middle and place the other blossom on top so the petals are in between the petals of the bottom layer. I finally add the enamel dot in the center. I will attach the flowers to the card using Stampin dimensional.

Here is the link to my website where you can order this set from on June 3 but you can get lots of inspiration from my site as well.

https://joyofcraftin.stampinup.net/

Scrap Paper Card

Like I said in last weeks post I love the Dressed To Impress Bundle and I wanted to continue the theme this week with another card that is using this great bundle. I will be showing you a herringbone pattern using 1/2 inch scraps but you can use any size that you currently have in your stash.

To start I took some Petal Pink cardstock and cut it to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 and attached it to a whisper white card base. I then took a whisper white piece of cardstock cut at 4 x 5 1/4 inch and I used that for my base to attach my strips. I cut my DSP in 1/2 inch strips and began to play with the strips to see what looked good together.

 To start your Herringbone pattern you need to place your first two strips and based on the pattern the two strips on the left are the longest and they seem to start the pattern. As you start placing the strips keep the ones you cut off because they can fill the small gaps that are formed as you build the pattern.

Now you can decorate the card by using the Dressed to Impress stamp set and your Stampin up Blends in the colors of petal pink, blushing bride, and real red. For the sentiment label I used the Stitched So Sweetly Dies. I finished the card off with some sequins to give it a little bling.

For more information or to order please click the link on my website listed below:

https://joyofcraftin.stampinup.net/

May Flowers

I can't believe that May is almost over and we will be starting summer next month. Here in Saskatchewan it has not been feeling like spring due to a bit of a cold spell. Despite the cold I am still seeing signs of spring all over like the farmers seeding their crops, the trees starting to bud, and the many people planting their flowers or gardens across the country. I have been busy planting my garden and filling my pots with all the bright flowers I can get my hands on as well.

 I guess I was inspired by the flowers I have been planting because this birthday card is full of them. I decided to use the Beautiful Friendship set to make this card because it includes some of my favorite flowers that I have planted in my own garden such as hydrangeas as well as peony.  Below is a look at the stamp set.

This set is great to just do a one layer card or use some masking to make a bouquet the possibilities are endless. Another great thing about the stamp set is the great sentiments that can be used for many different types of cards.

 For the card I am showing today I made it as a birthday card but it could be a thankyou card or a wedding card or even a friendship card to your best girlfriend. Well lets get into how I made this card.

I started by making a card base with Coastal Cabana papers. The measurements are for a A2 size card 4 1/4 x 5 1/2. To do that I took a 8 1/2x11 piece of coastal cabana and cut it at 5 1/2 x 8 1/2. I then scored it at 4 1/4 and used my bone folder to press down the scored part. 

I then took a piece of whisper white and cut that piece at 4 x 5 1/2. This is the piece I will be using to stamp upon. I also took a scrap piece of whisper white to make some fussy cut flower on and also to punch out my circle.

To start the card I punched out my circle from a 2 1/4 inch circle punch and stamped my sentiment out in memento black ink. I then took the rest of my scrap paper and stamped out some flowers and leaves that I later fussy cut out to give my card some dimension. For this I used granny apple green for the leaves and blushing bride for the flowers. I then decided to make my bouquet. I wanted it to be on the side of the card and fan out so planning of where everything went was crucial. I stamped the hydrangea first in gorgeous grape in the middle of the card and decided to build the bouquet out from there. 

To make the bouquet look like it was cascading off the paper I put a scrap piece of paper down and stamped some of the image partially off the card front. I then took the next largest image which was the peony and I placed them on the top and bottom of the card. Making one stamp off the page slightly and one upside down for something different. 

As you can see above I used crushed curry to make the stamen or center of the flower. This up close view shows how the stamp has been constructed to produce light as well as dark spots on the flower just like in real life. This flower was stamped in flirty flamingo but you can see the detail the stamp produces along with making  the ink look lighter or darker in certain areas.

After completing the big peony flowers, I used the leaf images as well as the sprigs to fill in the white spaces and to extend the bouquet out a bit. I decided to add some light splatter with blushing bride by stamping on a block and then using watercolor brushes with some water to thin out the ink so it will splatter on the card. I did this by taping on my finger with the brush over the card front. 

Finally I was ready to assemble and I glued down the card front to the base and based on the measurements their should be a 1/4 inch of the coastal cabana showing on the right side. I then used stampin dimensionals to pop up the sentiment circle and to pop up the fussy cut flowers. I then added some sequins from the Birthday Bonanza Suite for a bit of bling.

Always remember to decorate the inside of  your card as well and to add some stamping to your envelope. That just personalizes it and is something you would not see on a store bought card.

Here is some ideas from the catalog on how else to you use this great stamp set.

If you are wanting to purchase this stamp set or any of the products shown here is my link to my website: 

https://joyofcraftin.stampinup.net/

Dressed To Impress

The Dressed To Impress Bundle has to be one of my favorite sets that has come out in the catalog. I have so many ideas going on in my head on how to use it so I will be posting a few posts on this great set. I am glad its not retiring, but the bundle will be so this is the last chance to save 10% on the bundle. In the new catalog you will have to buy it separately without the discount.

 The rest of the suite which includes the designer series paper and embellishments is retiring and will no longer be available in the new catalog. The paper is so cute and has some very pretty floral prints. 

For today's card I want to showcase the retiring paper and how to use up the scraps once you are done with the paper pack. For most crafter's having scraps of any kind is something we dread and we never know what to do with them. This card will show you how can use the scraps to make a background for your card. Today's card is called a hybrid tag/card and something I have never done before but makes so much sense when you think about it.

To start you want to take a 12 x12 piece of whisper white and cut it down to 4 x 12 and then score it at 6 inches. Remember to use your bone folder to burnish the top. Start from the left of the score line and measure in 1 inch. Once you find that point take your ruler and measure back to the left so you can draw where you will cut the side of the tag. You will cut on the line so you can start forming the tag. This will be done on the right side as well and to make sure its even I used my ruler to measure across. Then use a hole punch to make your tag hole and remember to find the middle before you commit to where your hold will be placed.

Now you get to decorate. I started by cutting the Designer Series Paper in 1/2 inch strips and played with the paper to find the right pattern. I went with a purple theme with this card so all my strips reflected that including my decorations. I colored the lipstick and flowers with Stampin blends and I stamped out the perfume bottle in gorgeous grape ink. I then used Highland heather paper to make my scalloped circle with the layering circles dies. I placed it on the tag with dimensionals to add a 3D effect. 

I finished it with some sequins and purple ribbon. I moved into the inside of the card and made sure it looked just as nice as the front.

Here is a better look at the completed card.

I hope you enjoyed this card and I would love to see your versions. If you want more information on the products used or would like to order her is the link to my website.

https://joyofcraftin.stampinup.net/

Mother's day

It was Mother's Day on Sunday the one day a year that people all over the world celebrate their Mother or Mother figure in your life. A mother doesn't have to be the one that gave birth to you but could be the person that has been there for you no matter what the situation. Its also the person that has influenced you to be the person you are today. My Mother is my main person of course but in fact I have many women in my life that I feel fit the category of Mom and deserves to have a special day.  Now lets get into the card.

When I was figuring out what the card should look like I knew there had to be some flowers in it because that is something I associate with the important women in my life. I come from along line of women that love to garden and have grown some of the most beautiful flowers. My Grandmothers were the ones that started my love of flowers and I have many memories of spending time in their yards. From the large Peonies in my Baba's yard that would be so full the bush would hang on the ground, to my Grandma Helen's red Geraniums as well as her competition with her sister, my Auntie Lil, on who grew the best Gladiolus. Flowers had to be in the picture and the colors need to be bright and full of life to represent  those women in my life as well as their memory.  I decided to use the Abstract Impression Stamp set to do this one because it was a stamp set I had not tried yet and I loved the beautiful images.

This stamp set is a bit different than most in that it is a layering stamp set. What does that mean? This is where multiple stamps inked in different colors are stamped on top of each other to make the image have depth as well as detail. 

To illustrate I have made some examples on how to do that using one of the images which is the largest Flower in the set. Here are the color I used for the example:

For the first example I am using three colors Crisp Cantalope which is retired, Flirty Flamingo, and Melon Mambo. This flower is a three step layering flower so you will be using three stamps to get the full detail. To begin start with your lightest color first then work your way to the darkest. Here is a picture of the them stamped separately so you see how the order should go. The lightest color is always your base stamp that usually is the largest stamp. As you add more detail the stamp will get smaller and show more of the detail. On the far left is the finished flower and you can see the three distinct layers. 

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So you don't have three colors that would go together can you still use the set? Of course you can. To do this you will use a technique called 2nd generation stamping.

Here are some examples of how I did it using Melon Mambo. Here is the finished example below. Using second generation stamping.

To do this you want to start with your base stamp which is the lightest color so to get that using Melon Mambo you ink it up like normal and stamp it off on a scrap paper twice before stamping on your card.

This is the example of third generation stamping below.

For the second layer you will ink up the stamp and only stamp off on your scrap paper once before stamping it on your card. Here is the example of second generation compared to stamping directly after inking. The third layer is just normal stamping and will be the true color of Melon Mambo.

Now Lets take a look at the card. To see how everything looks together.

With the card you can see how the layering just adds some nice depth and detail to the flowers and leaves. The best part about the set is because the flowers are abstract looking you don't have to worry about lining everything up. So how did I make the card. Here are my measurements:

Card Base- A2 size Whisper White 51/2 x 41/4

Gorgeous Grape: 53/8 x 4 1/8

Blushing Bride 51/4 x 4

For the sentiment I just used scraps up so I don't know the measurements.

To stamp I started with my bigger flowers first and put them on three corners to form what looks like a triangle. I then filled in the rest with the other flowers and leaves to make it look full.  I was not worried about the stamps overlapping so I did not use any masking and I wanted a bit of white showing too so my stamps aren't close together in some spots. I took a bit of Melon Mambo reinker and made some splatter on the card. I did that by putting a small dot of it on a stamping block and used a watercolor brush to flick it over the card. Again I wasn't worried about it getting all over the flowers so I didn't mask.

I then added some stickles to the card and a random butterfly I had in my stash to finish it off. The sentiment came from the Bloom and Grow set another one of my favorites. I used some of Stampin' dimensionals to pop up the sentiment as well.

Here is the finished card that I later gave to my Mom for Mother's day. I hope you like it.

If you would like to order any of the items here is the link to my website:

https://joyofcraftin.stampinup.net/

 

Birthday Bonanza

Birthday Bonanza is one of my favorite stamp sets for kids and its such a  cheery set that just makes you smile. I love the bright colors of the DSP and the cute animals from the stamp set which are perfect for kid projects or even a day at the zoo. It is literally cuteness overload and I can't believe they are getting rid of the entire suite including the stamp set. I had to show the projects I made with the set because everyone needs some cheer right now especially with the current situation. Let's take a look at the set below:

The dies not only cut out the animals but also will cut out a banner and a tag a nice thing to add to a project to bring a bit more detail or depth. The DSP is so cute too and you can take the animal dies and cut out images to put on projects if you don't want to use the stamps. 

Below is some projects featured in the catalog that you could case for your very own projects or use as inspiration.

Today my project is a cute and easy pop up card that you can make in a short time but people will think it took you hours. Its a Wow card but something anyone can do. 

To start the card you will want to take your favorite color of cardstock and cut it at 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches. 

For this card I used coastal cabana but daffodil delight or grapefruit grove looks really nice too. You will then want to score the piece down the center long ways or vertical at 2 3/4 inches which will split the cardstock in half long ways.  Flip the piece horizontal and score it at 2 inches, 4, 6 and 8 inches. At the 8 inch mark you will make a tab on the bottom half of the cardstock. On the top of the 8 inch score line you can cut that piece off. You will then use your scissors to cut on the top half on each of the score lines up to the score line that separates the paper in half or on the 2 3/4 score line. 

Now you have the beginning of the box. The cardstock will look like there are three squares on the top and three on the bottom with a tab. Now you get to form the box and you will see the bottom will make the box and the top will be the flaps. You will want to use score tape to adhere the box together because it is a stronger adhesive. I put the score tape on the tab and built the box. As you can see from the above picture you will need to add some cardstock in the middle of the box so it is sturdy. I did this by cutting more coastal cabana cardstock at 2 1/2 x 3 and scoring it at 1/2 inch and 2 1/2 inch. You will need two of them and they are like ribs in a body in that they hold things together. You will also attach the pop up pieces to them. Remember to add score tape to the 1/2 and 2 1/2 inch score line when you attach them to the box. 

Now lets decorate and make the detail pieces. I start with attaching the DSP to the box and I usually start with the back piece. You can add it before you add the two inside pieces its up to you on how much you want to fiddle with attaching it. For the back piece I cut the DSP 1 3/4 x 5 1/4 and I adhered it with  snail adhesive. For the three flaps I cut the DSP at 2 1/2 x 1 3/4.

I then made my decorations by using the stamp set and dies. I also made some scalloped circles in various sizes with the circle layering dies. To start attaching your decorations I took the window acetate sheets and cut in 1/2 inch pieces. I then used the stampin dimensional to adhere the decorations to the acetate pieces and then to the box. The great thing about this card is it will fit in an A2 size envelope and can be mailed with no extra charge.

I love that toucan and Koala bear they are so cute with their party hats.

Here is the completed card. I know one little boy or girl would love to get this interactive card. If you would like to purchase the products I used to make this card or just want more information please click the link below. Thanks

https://joyofcraftin.stampinup.net/

Its been awhile

Wow where has the time gone. Its been way to long since I last posted on any of my social media sites and I have decided its time to get back into it. I didn't fully stop creating but things changed a bit and my focus was on my classes. I taught some great classes and met some wonderful ladies over the last few months. I am hoping once the social distancing is over I can get back into having regular classes. Here are some of the pictures I took of my classes:

This is my first Cards and Coffee class and the girls gave me some great feedback for future classes.

One of my most favorite classes. Making Christmas Tags with my girlfriends.

One of the cards for my Snowman Class.

Tags for my Tags Class.