Gold Tree Trio - Stampin' Up!® Ornamental Christmas

   I'm continuing to add to my Christmas card stash slowly but surely and I've got another one today.  I love the simple Christmas tree shapes in the Ornamental Christmas stamp set as they can be changed up in lots of different ways for a variety of looks.

  I used gold along with some light shades and the Ornamental Christmas bundle to bring this one together.  I started with a Balmy Blue panel embossed with the Forever Plaid embossing folder for the background.  I blended a bit of Balmy Blue ink along the edges just for added definition.  

  The Textured Notes dies were used to make the panel to highlight the trees.  The sentiment is embossed in gold and some Balmy Blue sheer ribbon is tied around and finished with a fork bow on the side. The panel is popped on dimensionals.

 The back tree is water color paper and the image is embossed in gold then the tree is watercolored with ink and an aquapainter.  The Lemon Lime Twist tree is embossed in gold.  The Fresh Freesia tree is the same shape as the Balmy Blue tree but is stamped with the garland image and then embossed in gold.

  The Fresh Freesia tree is accented with a gold foil die cut star as well as some gold sequins. Finally 2 Frosted Iridescent Dots draw the eye to the sentiment for the finishing detail.

 Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Ornamental Christmas (Online Exclusive)

Ink: Versamark, Balmy Blue

Paper: Balmy Blue, Basic White, Lemon Lime Twist, Fresh Freesia, Gold Foil

Accessories: Ornamental Trees dies (Online Exclusive), Textured Notes dies, Balmy Blue Sheer ribbon, loose gold sequins, Forever Plaid embossing folder, dimensionals, gold embossing powder, Frosted Iridescent Dots

Moments of Thanks - Stampin' Up!® Gathering Moments

   My card today has lots of layers and texture and uses products from a few different groups.  It ended up being quite heavy so I think it might be an in person kind of card!  That or I'll need a good padded envelope!

  This card started for me with the colors.  I knew I wanted to use Secret Sea, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Peach Pie and Coastal Cabana to make a fall card.  So I  just started adding layers starting with the background with a piece of Peaceful Garden DSP in this nice botanical pattern in Secret Sea.  Next is a banner in Basic White with the top torn and embossed with the Damask Designs embossing folder.

  The next layer is a vellum square (keep an eye on the November Online Exclusive release for newly packaged vellum!), then a Secret Sea Stylish Shape die cut square.  And finally some stamping lol!  I used the crosshatch pattern stamp from the Gathering Moments stamp set to cover the whole square.

  A die cut circle comes next and then more stamping.  I used the Gathering Moments images in the various colors I listed above and die cut them and added them around the circle using some dimensionals.  The sentiment is stamped on a piece of Coastal Cabana and then a smaller strip of Cajun Craze is behind it with all the ends torn and popped on dimensionals.

  And now for some gold embellishments.  I added a few loose gold sequins as well as a large gold hoop from the Modern Christmas suite collection.  Remember I said it was a heavy card?  This is why lol but it's such a cool accent isn't it?  I used rolled up glue dots to secure it to the card front which seems to work pretty well.

  I enjoyed the many layers and textures on this card but I don't think I could make all my cards this layer heavy or I'd go broke mailing them out lol!

   Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Gathering Moments (Online Exclusive)

Ink: Secret Sea, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Peach Pie, Coastal Cabana

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Peaceful Garden DSP, Secret Sea, vellum (coming soon!), Cajun Craze, Coastal Cabana

Accessories: Gathering Moments dies (Online Exclusive), Stylish Shapes dies, Damask Designs embossing folder, dimensionals, loose gold sequins, large gold hoop (Online Exclusive)

Stampin' Up!® Join Special for the Month of October!!

   It's no secret that I love my Stampin' Up!® products and if there is a way to get them into more crafters hands I am all for it!  Stampin' Up!® has a FANTASTIC join promotion for the month of October where you get choose your Starter Kit option from 2 price points so you can get whichever suits your budget (and your wish list!).

  Yes you are reading that correctly!  You can choose $125 of Stampin'Up!® products for your fully customizable kit for just $35.  New to papercrafting and still need some of the basics? This is the kit for you; you can add in some inks, cardstock and all occasion stamps as well as some useful tools and then finish off your wish list using your 20% discount and you're on your way to making  loads of projects.

  Want it all? Or at least more than $125 worth?  Then the $189 worth of products for only $99 is a great option!  Ready to start your Christmas projects and can't decide between several of our awesome Suite Collections?  Or are you ready to jump into sharing papercrafting with others and want to try to have classes? The kit is a great way to get stocked up for that and not to mention the free business supplies that are included!

  No matter which option works for you I'd love to have you join my team of demonstrators who love paper crafting.  If you are interested in chatting more about it and have questions about all the details please leave a comment or reach out via my contact form HERE

Did you stamp today?

- Amanda

Birthday Wishes Mash Up - Stampin' Up!® Just A Note

   I'm calling today's card a mash up because I used 3 different stamp sets to bring this idea to paper.  It all started with the color combination: Blueberry Bushel, Shy Shamrock, Strawberry Slush and Timid Tiger.  I was thinking about non-traditional Christmas colors and was trying different combos to find something fresh to play around with and ended up not with a Christmas card but a birthday one.  There are presents though, so there's that at least!  

Besides not being a Christmas card this one turned out pretty much like I had envisioned.  I started with a piece of retired 2024-2026 In Colors 6x6 DSP in a Shy Shamrock pattern.

  Using Blueberry Bushel ink I inked up the notepaper line stamp from the Just A Note stamp set and stamped it off once for a lighter look.  Then I used the notepaper die and cut the paper out.  A few stars are stamped towards the top.

  Next I used the A Little Cheer Stamp set and stamped the adorable little presents in the colors and then fussy cut them.  They are popped on dimensionals in a nice line.

  And for the the 3rd stamp set on the card I embossed the Simply Said sentiment in white onto a Blueberry Bushel Stylish Shape die cut circle.  I popped it up on dimensionals and then embellished a bit.  The clip die from Just A Note and some silver foil cardstock make for a nice shiny accent.  I tied a bit of retired thick twine through the hole.

 Finally a few retired Sunday Day Iridescent Dots add a bit of sparkle to this mash up card.  I may have to go back and make this one over in true Christmas colors and try these colors on a Christmas card!  What set do you think would work with these colors??

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current products used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Just A Note (Online Exclusive), A Little Cheer (Online Exclusive), Simply Said

Ink: Blueberry Bushel, Shy Shamrock, Strawberry Slush, Timid Tiger, Versamark

Paper: Basic White, Blueberry Bushel, silver foil, 2024-2026 In Color 6x6 DSP (retired)

Accessories: Just A Note dies (Online Exclusive), Stylish Shapes dies, dimensionals, white embossing powder, Pumpkin Pie thick twine (retired), Sunday Day Iridescent Dots (retired)

Layered Autumn Thanks - Stampin' Up!® Gathering Moments

   My card today is the one I made in yesterday's Facebook Live and seems to be perfectly in sync with the fall weather we've been having the last few days.  It's sunny and a bit breezy and much cooler than last week!  These are classic fall colors and I used the Gathering Moments bundle which continues to inspire me!  

  I used almost the whole suite for this design so obviously all the components work fabulously together.  One of the best parts of using Stampin' Up!® products is the coordination!

  Check out the video to see how this one comes together!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Gathering Moments (Online Exclusive

Ink: Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Early Epsresso

Paper: Basic Beige, Early Espresso, Basic White, Cajun Craze Two-Toned, Gathering Together DSP

Accessories: Gathering Moments dies (Online Exclusive), Traditional Labels dies, Gathering Leaves embossing folder (Online Exclusive), Early Espresso linen thread (Online Exclusive), Low Profile Dots (Online Exclusive), dimensionals

Halloween Squirrel - Stampin' Up!® Fluffy Squirrel

   I've been falling behind in creating cards for my customer challenge that I post on the group Facebook page every other week.  It seems that I don't get to a challenge until the next one posts.  Time to add that to my weekly stamping schedule and not just hope that I remember! But this time I'm getting one made before the next one posts.  It's a fun color challenge that would work perfectly for a Halloween card which is what I chose to do!

It occurred to me that I have only used the Fluffy Squirrel bundle to make brown squirrels.  The most common colored squirrel where I live is a gray squirrel so I don't know why I haven't used gray yet!  He looks like a handsome fellow in gray right?? I decided it was a nice neutral to pair up with the bright challenge colors so I got to work.

  The card base is Gorgeous Grape, then I used a piece of the retired Friends of the Ocean DSP in a fun Pumpkin Pie pattern.  I tore off the top edge for a bit of texture.  I added in some Granny Apple Green by way of a narrow strip of retired Festive Glimmer paper.

  The fun notebook paper is made with the Online Exclusive set Just A Note and I used the coordinating dies to make the paper edge as well as the heart and paper clip.  If you like stationery and stationery accessories then you will love this bundle!  They are great accents for scrapbook pages as well! The paper is popped on dimensionals and gives a nice spot for our gray squirrel to sit.

  The squirrel is stamped in Basic Gray and is then colored in with Stampin' Blends and is punched out with the Fluffy Squirrel builder punch. To actually make this more of a Halloween theme I used the pumpkin stamp from the More Than Autumn set and color it in with Blends as well. I popped it on a mini dimensional in the squirrels hands.

  I stamped a few stars right onto the card front to fill in some of the open space to the side of the notebook paper.  The sentiment is embossed in white onto Granny Apple Green cardstock using a retired stamp set; Good Greetings. A few Purple Fine Shimmer Gems are the final touch to this fun Halloween card.

  Thanks for looking! Did you stamp today?

All of the current supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Fluffy Squirrel, Just a Note (Online Exclusive), More Than Autumn, Good Greetings (retired)

Ink: Gorgeous Grape, Versamark, Basic Gray, Granny Apple Green, Pumpkin Pie

Blends: Gray Granite light & dark, Pumpkin Pie light

Paper: Gorgeous Grape, Basic White, Granny Apple Green, Festive Glimmer Paper (retired), Friends of the Ocean DSP (retired)

Accessories: Fluffy Squirrel builder punch, Just A Note dies (Online Exclusive), white embossing powder, dimensionals, Purple Fine Shimmer Gems

Wonderful Treeline Birthday - Stampin' Up!® Light & Wonder

   I'm highlighting the small trees from the Light & Wonder die set for my card today.  I was inspired by the layout at CAS Colours & Sketches challenge.  I turned the card base to landscape instead of portrait so I could show off more trees but I think you can see the elements from the sketch in there!

  I started with a Basic White card base then die cut the strips of the small trees in Secret Sea and Misty Moonlight card stock.  I trimmed them down to fit and so they wouldn't look exactly the same.

  The sentiment is stamped in Secret Sea and then die cut with the Traditional Labels dies.  I popped it up on dimensionals right in the center of the tree line.  The 'magic' is stamped in Secret Sea, then fussy cut and popped on the label.

  This would be a great design to use to make a set for gifting with a different color combo for each card.  I'm think the Stampin' Up!® color buddies would be a great place to start.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Light & Wonder

Ink: Secret Sea

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Secret Sea, Misty Moonlight

Accessories: Light & Wonder dies, Traditional Labels dies, dimensionals

Autumn Quilt Block - Stampin' Up! Gathering Together Specialty DSP

 My card is one of those designs that looks intimidating at first but once you know how it comes together you realize "hey, I can totally make this!"  Lorraine Tierney, another Stampin' Up! demo shared her version of this card and as soon as I saw it I wanted to to know "how?".  Luckily she gave a great tutorial and I was able to teach it to my stampers.  They loved it and it's always wonderful to have something to do with all those half inch strips of DSP that accumulate!

  I wanted to use the Gathering Together Specialty DSP in my version to make a nice autumn inspired card with the colors.  I started with a Cajun Craze card base, then added a band of Old Olive with a bit of Basic Beige Classic Ribbon tied around it.

  The quilt block starts with a 3" x 3" square of Basic Beige and 4  1/2" x 6 inch strips of DSP. Using a pencil and ruler lightly draw a line diagonally from corner to corner so you have an X on the cardstock. 

 Add a bit of glue to one corner and then line up 2 of the strips along either side of one of the pencil lines.  Just do glue in the corner for now and use the wiggle room the glue allows for to get the DSP straight.  Then take your other 2 pieces of DSP and weave them through the first 2 pieces; one over and then under, the second under then over (like you're weaving a paper placemat back in kindergarten!).  Then add a bit of glue to the next corner and line up the woven strips along the pencil line, adjusting all the strips so they are straight and even. Gently lift up the loose ends and add a but of glue under the strips and secure them all down.

  For the next step trim off the overhang of the strips so they are nice and even along the edges.  Then take 4 pieces of Basic Beige cut to 3/4" square. Add one little square to each outside corner of the woven square and that's how you get the perfect pointed edges along the DSP.  And finally emboss the quilt block with a folder of your choice.  I used the Gathering Leaves embossing folder for mine.  

  Once the quilt block is finished and embossed it's adhered to an Early Espresso panel and popped up on the card front with dimensionals.

  The sentiment from The Right Words stamp set is stamped below the block in Early Espresso.  A few Streaked Dots are added for the final detail.

  Lorraine has a fantastic video on her blog post so you can see how the card comes together if you are more of a visual learner.  Thanks to her for sharing this great technique!

Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

  All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: The Right Words (Online Exclusive)

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper: Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Early Espresso, Basic Beige, Gathering Together Specialty DSP (Online Exclusive)

Accessories: Gathering Leaves embossing folder, dimensionals, Basic Beige Classic ribbon, Streaked Dots