REPLAY Facebook LIVE 2.9.2024 Valentine Cards

Card measurements for all 3 versions:
Card base: 8.5 in x 5.5 in, scored at 4 1/4 in
Inside layer: 5 1/4 in x 4 1/4 in
The elegant card version has a red mat layer outside, which is 5 in x 4 in.
Designer series paper: 6 in x 6 in piece cut at 3 3/4 in. You will use both pieces. To make the 2 bee cards, cut 1 in from the 3 3/4 in DSP at the bottom. This makes the 1 in strip to put across the front. To see this demonstrated, please see the Stampin’ Peace with Mary Knabe video HERE. She uses a winter paper, but the technique works on ALL DSP! 
Please share if you made these cards, either for Valentine’s Day or any other card!
Thanks!
Barb 

In the Word Wednesday #12: Time

 

My beloved hubby has amassed quite the watch collection over the last 2 years. It all started with the smallest watch, next to last in line. It belonged to his father (Pops!) and he received it when he retired. Hubby has had it for years, but due to his very hands-on jobs, he rarely wore it. Now he rotates between all of these and the latest one that arrived yesterday (G-Shock Rangeman, in case you are wondering).

Time. We are obsessed with time; we live in less than 700 square feet and between our watches (yes, I have a few, too), phones, clocks and other appliances, we have TWENTY time telling pieces. 

I spend a lot of my time creating cards…and I finally got around to mailing a few out! 😉If I don’t take some time to write out a card, why make them, right? We spend time in church; do we take the time to serve in church? To show God’s love to others? I spend time cooking; do I take time to make extra to bless someone?

There’s a lot in Scripture about time, and how we choose to spend it. Time, for us, passes quickly and seems so short. It was only yesterday that I was 20…30…you get the idea. I can’t believe I can say, “I remember in 1975…” and it was decades ago! My oldest would have just turned 40 a few weeks ago, and my oldest grandkid is almost 17. What?

I mentioned above that my oldest would have been 40 years old…I never imagined that I would celebrate that day without her. We don’t know how much time we have with our loved ones. It is precisely the nature of our fleeting time that Jesus is concerned with. In many places in Scripture we’re told TODAY is the day of salvation. Take the time to listen to Him today. 💛

Blessings, my friends,

Barbara 

Crafty Thursday #13: Dry Embossing

*FEBRUARY 2024 HOST CODE: YH7YXNSK

Hello Crafty Crew!

There are a few ways to achieve texture on your cards. Adding elements such as ribbon, embellishments like rhinestones or pearls, layering papers or vellum. All of these are fun and add lots of pizzaz to a card.

Let’s discuss embossing. Embossing creates texture on the paper using either a pressure method (embossing and die cutting machine) or special ink and powders added to an image to enhance it (raise it up from the paper). You can also use decorative masks and embossing paste. So many fun choices!

I like dry embossing using different patterned folders to create patterns on your papers. You can use about any paper you have, including vellum. Vellum is a bit tricky, but it can be done. 

Here are some embossing folders that I have, some are made specifically  for the mini machine and all may be used in the big guy. My two youngest granddaughters, ages 6 and 2.5, love to emboss paper with me!

In these examples I left the cards fairly plain so you can see the difference the embossed piece makes. I used the same stamp set, Softly Said, for all of the cards. I just love the large sentiments and the distinctive brush stroke type font. I will add some ribbon or bling to them before I send them out. 

Adding an embossed background layer to a card elevates a simple design to elegant, especially if you use the same color. Using white-on-white somehow makes a card appear very elegant. (Sorry the Very Vanilla one doesn’t show as well)


Adding an embossed strip for accent can bring out other design elements used on the card.

Showing the difference between a layer of Designer Series Paper and an embossed card stock background. (I realized after I had already stuck the sentiment down with dimensionals that it should have been a horizontal card…ooops! Happy mistake!)

Now, with this last one, I got a wild hair, and not only embossed the card stock and the DSP, but I also die cut the sentiment from the embossed background layer! I know, I’m so crazy! 😅You have to stamp prior to embossing.

I hope you enjoyed this look at how embossed layers and strips can elevate your cards in just a few simple steps. Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!

Next week I’ll feature some embossing with powders. Below is a list of all products I used on these projects. You can find them all in my online store. If you don’t already have a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, I would love to be yours! You can contact me through the website or at stampinopolous@gmail.com

Thanks for popping in! Till next time stay crafty and get your hands inky!

Blessings, Barb

Did you know that the Bible says that Jesus is the exact imprint of the Father?

He (Jesus) is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. Hebrews 1:3, ESV

Read more about Jesus being the imprint of God here on gotquestions.org

*any links provided are for my online store through Stampin’ Up! I earn a commission on any sales from those links.

*Please use the February 2024 Host Code at the top of the post when ordering. This helps me earn products to show you! If your order is above $150 in product, don’t use the code, as you will enjoy your own rewards! 

*If you join Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator during February 2024 Sale-A Bration, you can get the Glass Mat Studio as a sign-on bonus for free. Email me for details!

Products used:

Basics 3D Embossing Folders (set of 3) 

Geometric Patterns Embossing Folders (set of 2, works with mini machine)

Stampin’ Up! Card stock: Blueberry Bushel, Gorgeous Grape, Bubble Bath, Basic White, Very Vanilla
Stampin’ Up! Ink Pads: Blueberry Bushel, Misty Moonlight, Pebbled Path, Gorgeous Grape

In the Word Wednesday #11: Using Stamps in Your Faith Journal and Planner

Happy Wednesday, friends! I’m so glad you came for a visit. Pour some tea or coffee, pull out your faith journal/planner and some supplies and let’s get creative!

Wait a second…what does stamping have to do with worship?

 We worship the CREATOR of the universe; the sun, moon and stars, mountains, valleys, birds, butterflies, rivers, lakes, oceans, you get the picture. Why not incorporate creativity into your journaling? 

I don’t always “feel” like it; sometimes I just want to write, write, write. But there are times when some pretty stamps or washi tape (and let’s not forget stickers…but that’s a whole different rabbit hole!) inspire some praise, or worship can inspire the decor! 

You don’t need to run out and buy anything; chances are if you read this blog, you already have stamps, ink and paper. 😀 Why not use them for more than card making?

I wanted something a bit different this year for my planner, and I decided to once again try out a disc-bound system. My friend Kristi of LifeinLine123 creates really nice, functional pages that you can print and use in your planners or journal. All her info is in the link, she’s passionate about incorporating faith into planning, wellness, and all of life! Here are a few shots of my February spread and weekly pages. Nothing too fancy, just reminders to trust God as I make plans, write appointments, etc.I also have a spiral notebook that I use for worship and prayer. 

Who doesn’t love Washi tape? I’m pretty low on it, but I’m NOT low on ink and stamps!

I used the Easter Lilies and Courage and Faith stamp sets on the February monthly spread. 🠞

I love me a good Bible verse set! Encouraging words for the month are always good to review. I love the background stamps, too, to add just a bit of interest to the pages. If you use Kristi’s or any printable pages, you don’t have to disc-bind your journals. You can 3 hole punch, put them in plastic sleeves, the sky is the limit! If you have a comb-binder, you can do that, too. I may splurge on some better quality printer paper as I go forward. 

🠜Here I’ll use the tiny heart from the Sending Love set to mark off my daily goal boxes..SO CUTE!!! 💛 I think that tiny heart is my very favorite stamp. Do you have a favorite stamp or set? Break it out and use it for more than cards! 

I’ll share my March spread at the end of February…it’s birthday month 🎆and I’ll try adding some fun papers to my monthly and weekly spreads, as well as some hand made dividers using a retired color card stock and some overstock of Sale-A-Bration DSP.

I hope this inspires you to get out some ink and stamps (and, maybe some washi 😉 ) and do a little creative stamping in your journals or planners.

Till next week, stay creative and prayerful!
Blessings

Barbara 🌻

Still Around!

Good Thursday morning! I hope this finds you all well and in a crafting state of mind!

Sorry for the silence, the hubby and I have both been down with some health issues. This “over 50” stuff isn’t for the faint of heart!
I have been preparing for both my in-person and Facebook Live card class coming up on February 9th. Card kits are ready to go!
I’d love for you to join me, and the best way to keep up with what I’ll be doing is to sign up for my newsletter! If you hop over to the “Links and Thinks” page, you’ll find the sign up. Or, go to my Facebook page, and it’s pinned at the top. I promise not to pester you excessively 😉
Next week will resume my normal posts. 
In The Word Wednesday: using stamps in your faith journal.
Crafty Thursday: Dry embossing
Hope to see you there!
Blessings!
Barbara

Facebook LIVE Card Class February 9

Hello crafty friends!

Join me on the Stampinopolous Facebook page on Friday, February 9th at 1PM, Mountain Time for a live card class. I’ll walk you through making three cards, two fun ones and one that can be considered elegant. I’ll be using products from the Bee Mine Suite, the Perennial Postage bundle and the beautiful Most Adored Specialty Designer Series Paper. The Most Adored paper is a Sale-A-Bration exclusive, available free with a $50 or more product purchase.

Kits to craft along will have everything needed to create the cards except the STAMPED IMAGES/STAMP SETS*. This includes all die cut pieces, card bases, DSP*, any embellishments and dimensionals. Below is a list of other supplies you may want to consider purchasing. 

*Bee Mine and Most Adored DSP designs may vary

Available for several purchase options:

~ Purchase Option #1: Place an order for the Bee Mine Suite Collection (#162560), $75 by Friday, JANUARY 26, using the Valentine Live Host Code AVDT69RX , and I will send you the kit and instruction sheet via email. You will qualify for a Sale-A-Bration $50 level free product with this option. The highlighted LINK or HOST CODE must be used, as it is specific to this live class. That is how I will know who to send the kit to. Supplies for 6 cards, 3 different designs (2 each).

~ Purchase Option #2: Place an order for the Perennial Postage Stamp and Die Bundle  (162608) $51.25, by Friday, JANUARY 26, using the Valentine Live Host Code AVDT69RX, and I will send the kit and instruction sheet via email. You will qualify for a Sale-A-Bration $50 level free product with this option. The highlighted LINK or HOST CODE must be used, as it is specific to this live class. That is how I will know who to send the kit to. Supplies for 6 cards, 3 different designs (2 each).

~ Purchase Option #3: Place an order for the Bee Mine Stamp Set and Punch Bundle (#162554), $38.50, by Friday, JANUARY 26, using the Valentine Live Host Code AVDT69RX, and I will send you the kit and instruction sheet via email. The highlighted LINK or HOST CODE must be used, as it is specific to this live class. That is how I will know who to send the kit to. Supplies for 4 cards, 2 different designs (2 each).

~ Purchase Option #4: You may purchase a kit from me for $40 PPD. Supplies for thee cards, one of each design. Contact me: stampinopolous@gmail.com, Valentine Card Kit in the subject box.

I’m excited for you to join me!

Blessings,

Barbara 

*Stampin’ Up! policy: Images are the copyright property of Stampin’ Up! and may be purchased through Stampin’ Up! or a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator. Individual stamped images are not for sale.

Most Adored Specialty Designer Series Paper, #162976, Sale-A.Bration $50 Exclusive Free Item

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad, #132708 – $6.50

Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Ink Pad #147094 – $9.00

Real Red Stampin’ Ink Pad #187084 – $9.00

Clear Stamp Blocks I #188488 (5 7/8 in x 2 1/4 in) $13;

                                 C #118486 (2 in x 2 in) $8.00; 

                                 D #118485 (2 7/8 in x 2 11/16 in) $9.50

Simply Shammy Stamp Cleaner #147042 –  $8.50

Bone Folder #102300 – $7.00

Stampin’ Seal + #149699 – $12.00 (

Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755 – $5.50

Mini Glue Dots #103683 $5.75

Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430 $4.25

Crafty Thursday #12: Let's Make a Dozen Notecards!

*January 2024 Host Code: M6C34D2G

Happy Crafty Thursday, everyone!

To celebrate my 12th Crafty Thursday post and the new Mini Catalog and Sale-A-Bration, let’s be adventurous and make a dozen cards! I used products from the new mini, which I shared about in my post earlier today…go check it out! Supply list is below 👇

I started with the Very Vanilla cards and envelope set for my base. These sets are great to have around when you get an urge to quickly make a set of cards, OR, if you need a quick note card for someone. The smaller cards are easy to whip up, just pick out a stamp set, DSP and get going! Stampin’ Up! has sets in Very Vanilla, White and Kraft paper.

I wanted to use alllll the new products, there are so many fun ones! I picked the Perennial Postage stamp and die set. The dies have a range of sizes, and a few extras. I used the next to largest one, since I recently acquired the BIG Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine! I have the Boho Blue Mini, and that one is a great starter. I was very excited to get the bigger machine, and man, oh, man, is it heavy! This is a definite work horse! I can now use all the bigger dies as well as the beautiful embossing folders.

The Perennial Lavender paper was calling my name, and there are 12 beautiful patterns in the package. I wanted to use one of the large and small lavender prints, so I made 6 of each pattern. I cut those with the dies. For the mats, I used Pretty Peacock and Lost Lagoon. I think it really popped out the highlight of those colors in the papers. I also used the same colors of ink to match on each set.

The sentiment is cut with one of the smaller postage stamp dies, and the Perennial Postage stamp set. It has 10 beautiful sentiments, and they are mounted on the red rubber.

I used the assembly line technique, getting everything ready, cut and stamped prior to putting them together. That made it quick and fun. There’s nothing like a prepared kit, right? 😉

Don’t forget your envelopes!

You can download an instruction sheet right here.

Supplies I used are the Very Vanilla Note Cards and Envelopes, the Perennial Postage stamp set and die bundle, the Perennial Lavender 12″x12″ Designer Series Paper, Courage and Faith stamp set on the envelopes, Pretty Peacock and Lost Lagoon card stock and ink, Blooming Pearls and Iridescent Pearls embellishments

Next week I will announce details for my February card kit and demonstration, using the Bee Mine Suite of products. Super cute bee prints and a bee “builder” punch, pretty ribbon, embellishments and more! Kits will include everything you need to make 3 cards with your own stamp set.

*My January 2024 Host Code is M6C34D2G. Thank you for using it when you order. If your order is over $150 in product, don’t use my code, you will be able to enjoy your own rewards benefits! If you order $50 or more in product, you will receive a thank you gift from me personally.

Crafty Thursday #12 Extra: New catalog and Sale-A-Bration!

*January 2024 Host Code: M6C34D2G

Today is THE day! Let’s talk Sale-A-Bration and the NEW Mini Catalog! There’s so many fun, new products and fun new products to get for FREE with Sale-A-Bration going on. 

I am so excited to show you more projects with all the great new products. I have some (not all! 😉) and the ideas are endless; I’m planning on making a planner for the year, using  some of the ab-so-lutely beautiful new papers. 

Sale-A-Bration is the biggest promotion of the year, and it runs Jan 4-Feb 29, 2024. There are 2 tiers of free gifts you can earn from shopping:

Tier 1: for every $50 you spend in product, you earn free product. There are lovely papers and stamps sets that are only available during SAB. That’s for every $50 you spend, you can pick a free, exclusive product!

Tier 2: For every $100 you spend in product, you can earn a different choice of product. Again, lovely papers, stamps sets with dies, all exclusive to SAB. You can also combine, and pick a $100 freebie and a $50 if you spend $150, or 3 $50 freebies. There’s really no downside!

If you’re interested in joining as a demonstrator during SAB, you get $125 worth of products as your starter kit (YOUR choice, there are no pre-set kits) PLUS the new Glass Mat studio all for $99. 

This is a hot, hot item, so IF you’re considering choosing this as a join option, hurry! The generous glass mat (17″x14″) comes with a cleaning cloth and a silicone multiuse mat that you can use to mix inks, hold your Stampin’ Spots inks and so much more. This is a great offer and I’m a little envious 

If you saw my post from last week, I featured the Rock and Roll Suite from the new Mini Catalog, which is available today! Products in the new mini are available Jan 4-April 30, 2024. Some of them, like the Perennial Lavender Suite, is going to go fast! I used some of them on my Dozen Notecards in today’s regular post. I love the Postage Stamp dies that are part of the suite; they make such unique cards.

The Bee Mine Suite is going to be the focus of my February card kit and demonstration. The kit will include supplies to make 3 cards, including embellishments and an instruction sheet. I will let you know in next week’s post about the kit’s availability and price.

I hope you decide to try some great products, make some cards and spread joy! I’d love to help you in your crafty journey. Contact me for any help or information you need: stampinopolous@gmail.com

*My January 2024 Host Code is M6C34D2G. Thank you for using it when you order. If your order is over $150 in product, don’t use my code, you will be able to enjoy your own rewards benefits! If you order $50 or more in product, you will receive a thank you gift from me personally.

In the Word Wednesday #10 Names of God by Ann Spangler

 Good morning friends!

I know last week I said I was going to go back to a different devotional, but…this one popped off my bookshelf instead. I started it a while back, and didn’t finish (well, I selectively went through it, haha). 

This features 26 weeks of study of names of God in the Bible. There’s an introduction, then 4 days of further questions and prayer. I might go through it twice or, maybe take 2 weeks to really soak in the text. 

Do you have some devotionals on your bookshelf that you haven’t finished or maybe used years ago? Revisit your own books! They want to be read 😀

I did start reading Proverbs again. I’m reading it in the King James Version, the version I used when I first began my journey. I’m very glad that I have this classic foundation. The KJV is so beautiful with the poetic books (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon). It took some years for me to switch over to another version for regular reading and study, but I like to go back to the KJV for these books. What’s your go-to Bible version? Let me know, and please keep it polite. I know it can be a controversial topic, and that’s not what we’re about here.

Whatever you choose, I pray that it brings you refreshment and joy as you grow closer to God this year!

Till next week, be blessed!

Barbara 

Crafty Thursday #11 The Rock and Roll Suite Sneak Preview!

Good morning, crafty friends! 

Today’s cards feature a preview of  the Rock and Roll Suite, and man, oh, man! This is a fun group of products! This suite will be available for purchase January 4th – April 30th, 2024 from the new Mini Catalog. The December 2023-January 2024 Host Code is M6C34D2G *

Just take a look at all those fun things! The 12×12 Designer Series papers are all black and white themed, so you can use them for many different occasions, not just Rock and Roll birthday greetings!  The stamp set is red rubber, and there are coordinating dies with a few extras thrown in. I love the big guitar pick, and with the right DSP, it looks perfect! 

What suite would be complete without some embellishments? The stars and lightning bolts really complete your cards. On a few of the samples I also used the Gold Faceted Sequins, since the larger ones looked like guitar picks. 

To make my sample cards, I used a simple layout that shows both sides of the DSP. I will put the measurements at the end of the post. I created one simple card that you can create with minimal supplies, then I made a few stepped up versions with die cuts and embossing folders. You do not need a lot of tools to make beautiful cards…but they are fun to use!

For the simpler card, I used a 2 3/8 in circle punch for the focal point, stamped in black on white card stock. The decorate strip on the left side of the card is a coordinating piece of DSP. All of these patterns work well together as they are all black and white.

The only embellishments on the front are a few of the Gold Faceted Sequins. Inside I used the “Thanks for Being an Icon” stamp from the set, that sentiment just makes me smile! Nothing fancy, just some black ink and white inside, on a black card base. I wanted  to emphasize “simplicity” with the layout and supplies

For the stepped up versions, I used some colored card stock, embossing folders and dies. The strips on the left have been embossed, and the focal points all use different die cuts, some that are in the matching set, and others are from the Nested Essentials and Stylish Shapes die sets. Some of the cards have a few points of color using the handy sponge daubers to create highlighted areas on the DSP or the inside sentiment. A few of the focal points have been heat embossed. I used Wink of Stella  on some of the cards to highlights the records on the DSP for a bit of shine! 

Today (Dec 28) is my brother’s birthday, and his card has ALL the fun stuff on it, and was also a jumbo sized card. 

I used  a similar layout as the featured cards, as well as the matching die cuts, and some markers to color the guitar to match his. You can also see the lightning bolt and star embellishments, as well as a few of the star die cuts that are extras in the set. The banner is from the Nested Essentials die set. Inside was more or the same, I added the large die cut guitar pick and microphone, more lightning bolts…It was a pretty full card! He said it was “the best birthday card ever,” and that makes me a very happy card making sister! 😁 

Schnibby, if you read this, Happy, Happy! 

Here are the measurements for the featured cards, which fit in a regular, A2 envelope.

Card base: 5 1/2 in x 6 in, scored at 4 1/4 in

DSP front: 3 in x 5 1/2 in

Decorative strip on front: 1 in x 5 1/4

                                                                Inside blank: 4 in x 5 1/4 in

I’d love to know if you made this card or used this template with other colors and Designer Series paper.

 You can read about singing a new song to the Lord at this gotquestions link.

Thanks for taking some time to spend with me today. Have a wonderful and blessed New Year and I’ll see you again in 2024! 

Blessings,
Barb

*My December 2023-January 2024 Host Code is M6C34D2G. Thank you for using it when you order. If your order is over $150 in product, don’t use my code, you will be able to enjoy your own rewards benefits! If you order $50 or more in product, you will receive a thank you gift from me personally.