Tag: paper crafts

Crafty Thursday #10: Bookmarks!

 Who doesn’t love a bookmark? 

Bookmarks are a quick and easy project and great for gifting; they can be tucked into a card, hand delivered or tucked into a book for gifting. I’ve been making them and giving them to my wonderful Bible study friends, and a few ladies here at my complex who I meet with some days for crafting. 

They are also very, very versatile, for many occasions. Mix your stamp sets and papers, and you create unique gifts. If you use plain card stock, you can shadow stamp on that, too, for a completely different look. So many options! These are also pretty great for using odd scraps or retired DSP that you may not think you have a purpose for. 

The measurements are so simple, it doesn’t require a whole instruction sheet 😁

Supplies needed:

Stamp set

Card stock or Designer Series Paper

White or vanilla card stock

Glue, or adhesive of choice

Hole punch and ribbon

Base for your bookmark is 2 inches wide by 6 inches long. Cut this from colored card stock or any designer series paper.

Cut your white or vanilla card stock for center 1.5 inches by 6 inches. You can make it a bit shorter if you want a border on the top and bottom.

Decorate your center piece with your stamp set of choice.

Glue your pieces together. I like glue for this, so it will stand up to use. If you use wet glue, let dry completely before next step.

Punch hole at top, and add your ribbon. This is, of course, optional. One of my study friends immediately takes the ribbon off of her bookmark.

Here are some of my recent creations; a friend ordered 3 dozen!

I hope this gives you an idea for last minute gifts or small ways to bless others. After all, isn’t that what crafting is all about?

I will be “off” next week as we have a few appointments and, of course, last minute Christmas shopping!

I hope that you all have the most wonderful of holidays, and come back December 28th for a “rocking” fun birthday card! 

Glory to the new born King!

Blessings, Barb 

Crafty Thursday #9 Pleat Fold Christmas Cards

*December Host Code M6C34D2G: see below for details 

Hello friends!

I appreciate you coming along on my crafting and card making journey. I have found such joy in creating cards, and I hope that I inspire you to get your hands a little inky, get some glue in your hair and create, too!

Believe it or not, I’m done with my Christmas cards! *release confetti!* Of course, I have a few spares, just in case I may have overlooked someone. I was so excited when my order with the Heartfelt Hexagon bundle, the Boho Blue Mini emboss and die machine, and the Cheery Patterns embossing folders arrived, because I was able to finish up my cards! The Hexagon punch was perfect to use with my favorite Christmas stamp set, too. 

Just look at these beauties! And, they did not require extra postage! 🙂

I have loved creating with this gorgeous Winter Meadow DSP, which is staying in stock! Yay! Hurry and grab some! I was a bit intimidated by the 12×12 sheets at first, but once you slice into it, the inspirations abound. I’ve made quite a few Christmas cards with this paper, and I still have some left for other wintery projects.

Speaking of wintery projects…I am so very ready for bright colors and fun new papers…and that is exactly what will be coming via UPSanta today! So many beautiful new papers, fun dies and stamp sets, all from the new Mini Catalog and Sale-A-Bration, which both begin availability on January 4, 2024. One of the perks of being a demonstrator is getting the chance to pre-order and start playing with all the new products. There are plenty of others, too, and I’m happy to talk to you about it more!

I’m so looking forward to making new, fun projects to share, and the very first video will be…
Ah! You’ll have to subscribe to the channel to see the premier! 😁 Trust me, it will be a rockin’ good time. I’m planning to be on mid-January, barring anything urgent that comes up and I can figure out the whole tripod, 2 screen thing. 

All of my personal shopping links are above in the post, if you’d like any of the products I used for these cards. Instead of an instruction sheet, I refer you to the Suestampfield blog post , who is the designer of these lovely cards.

Thanks for joining me today! Have a blessed and wonderful weekend. Let me know in the comments if you went to any Christmas parties! 🎄

Barbara

*By using the Host Code at the top of the post, I have the opportunity to earn some free products. You can host an online class and earn free products, too. Email me with any questions and we can set up an online class. stampinoplous@gmail.com

If you use my Host Code, and spend $50 or more in product, before tax and shipping, you will receive a thank you gift from me personally. Code on this post is valid for December 2023 only.

Saturday Stampin'

Happy mail today! 🎉
Remember my order that I almost ordered the day before the sale? Well, I ordered the correct day, and got my new supplies today! Fun new DSP, inks, and card stock colors!
Supplies used:
》DSP: Zoo Crew
I wasn’t sure I would like this DSP: oh, my, it is SO MUCH FUN!
》Stamped With Love stamp set
This stamp set is fun, too! I love, love, love that tiny heart!

》Inks: Lemon Lime Twist, VersaMark for the tone-on-tone, Memento Tuxedo Black, and Melon Mambo for that adorable heart!!

I’ll be experimenting more tomorrow, and I have a few other cards to show you. Two sets of cards, using the pre-made card bases. One set was very simple, the other a bit more. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings,
Barbara 
*All Stampin’ Up! links are mine, and I make a commission

Read about the seal of the Holy Spirit on your heart  

#creating #createandblessothers #stampinopolous #stampinup #cards # cardmaking #papercrafts #newsupplies #happymail

Crafty Thursday # 6: Explosion Cards Fun Folds

 Confession: I really love the creativity of Fun Fold cards. L.O.V.E. it!

But…some are really hard! 😏 I’ll show you both of my attempts.

NOVEMBER 2023 HOST CODE: AUJPKKWY

This was the easier one. The inner piece is called a squash fold, and it’s fairly easy to make. More about that below; I was able to liberally use my favorite stamp set, Circle Sayings, I just love that little cupcake! I chose not to color it this time, I liked the look of the tone-on-tone vibe I had going with the fun Bright and Beautiful papers. I used Bubble Bath card stock for the base, and stamped with Fresh Freesia. I love the color combo!

One great thing about the squash fold piece is that you can make it any size so long that it’s a square. I made some fun ornaments with this fold, too. They can be given or used for Christmas, birthdays or any other occasion where you may want a fun alternative to a card. The designer series paper is the perfect weight to use for this very fun fold! You can use card stock, but it’s a bit bulky, and if using in a card, will require extra postage.  

To create the squash fold: You need a 6 in x 6 inch square. Score at 3 inches on both sides, creating 4 squares. Then, score diagonally, once across. You can see the folds in the above photo. Fold the piece in half, keeping the pattern you want to show on the INSIDE of the fold. Do the same for the other horizontal side, keeping the chosen pattern inside. You will have a 2 3/4 in square. Open it back up,  then fold on the diagonal the opposite way, so the chosen pattern is on the outside. It sounds a lot more complicated than it is, and I hope I’m explaining it well here. You can see in the picture how it pops out, creating the “explosion” when you open the card.

The next card is the one I had some trouble with. I made several templates before I attempted the card. The squash fold is up in the corner, and it’s not quite as easy to create as the simple squash fold. I used a thinner piece of white card stock from Hobby Lobby to create the base, as I found that a bit easier to work that tricky corner.

I’m holding it closed so you can see the front and how it opens up to the right. I put the round greeting on a square, to keep the linear look. 
As you can see in the second picture, there was plenty of room to decorate this card. I probably got a bit caried away 😁 I’m not sure that I have this one down, and after a few failed attempts, my hubby told me to set it aside and try again another day. So, I listened to his wisdom and made dinner!
Creating is all about the process, and sometimes the process doesn’t quite
work the way you intend it to. My grandkids will love the card, and never know that it’s “not perfect.” Perfect cards are available in the stores; imperfections are the love you put into it. 
 
I’m going to leave you a link to Really Robin Stamps’s You Tube tutorial on the corner fold card. She explains it so much better than I think I can, and makes it look easy. 😉 
All supplies can be purchased in my online store or you can use my shopping link here. If you use my host code at the top of this post, and spend $50 or more on product, you will receive a thank you gift directly from me. The Seasonal Sale ends today, so if you want anything, hurry over to shop!
Thanks for spending some time with me today. I hope you try BOTH of these cards, and if you do, let me know how they turned out. You can post a picture of them in the comments for this post on my Facebook page.
A tutorial sheet for the Explosion Card and Squash fold (first card) is available right here.
Till next time, have a blessed and wonderful day!
Barbara
*all Stampin’ Up! links are mine, and I earn a commission.

Just a Reminder! Seasonal Sale!

 Starts TOMORROW!

Get on early so you don’t miss out on papers, inks, embellishments and more! It’s also a great time to join as a demonstrator and get a nice discount off your Starter Kit! 

My Shopping Link and November 2023 HOST CODE AUJPKKWY

Sales Period: November 14-16 2023

Ordering Deadlines

Phone: November 16 2023 at 6:59 p.m. (MT)

Online: November 16 2023 at 11:59 p.m. (MT) 

  • 10% off ribbons and trims.
  • 15% off inks, including pads, refills, markers, and Blends. Bundles are not included.
  • 20% off papers, including cardstock, specialty paper, and Designer Series Paper.
  • Shop online to see the full selection of discounted products available. This is a limited time offer.
  • Discounts are automatically applied when sale items are added to any order, including Starter Kits.
  • Please keep in mind that due to the high volume of orders, the distribution center may fall behind our typical shipping timeframes. We will do everything we can to return to our regular service levels as quickly as possible.

Please note: Some items may sell out due to high demand. The discount will automatically be applied to qualifying items that are in stock. Per our updated policy, backorders are not available. 

Thank you and have fun shopping! Don’t forget orders of $50 or more gets a freebie gift directly from me! 

Crafty Thursday #5: Eight Cards in ONE HOUR! Assembly Line Technique

 Yes, you read that correctly! I made 8 cards in one hour, including the matching envelopes! 

*NOVEMBER 2023 HOST CODE: AUJPKKWY

These were fun cards to create, and a great return for an hour of work! (Okay, making cards isn’t really work, but you know what I mean!)

I know the assembly line isn’t a new idea, after all, that’s what made Henry Ford a rich man! It’s a great technique in card making, especially when you want to make lots of cards in a little bit of time. This is a great idea to make gift sets. Using the premade cards and matching envelope set certainly helped the process, that was one step already done! The premade cards and envelopes are a great deal. 

I decided to make Christmas cards after watching a video by Lisa Freeman. I chose Winter Meadow Designer Series Paper and my favorite Christmas stamp set, Christmas Classics and got to work!

I cut all my coordinating card stock pieces first with the Paper Trimmer (LOVE that tool!). The packaging of the DSP lists all the Stampin’ Up! colors used in the papers, so it’s very easy to match your card stock with your DSP. Same with the ink! I double checked my measurements, then cut my DSP pieces.


Next came the front sentiments. I love the Modern Oval punch, and made fast work of popping out the white and colored ovals. I stamped the sentiment in coordinating ink, then glued them to the backing. I did the same on the inside of the cards, as well as the back flap. I love the font used for the set, and the Seasons Greetings stamp is perfect for the flap! I used the pine bough and berries to give it a bit more oomph, and copied that on the front. I kept the same color palette on the envelopes, too. I really like the looks of it, and it would be a great set to gift!

The assembly of the cards was super quick; first gluing the strips to the card stock, then gluing the panel to the card fronts. Using the Stampin’ dimensionals, I placed the oval sentiments on the fronts. Easy as pie!
In an hour, I had 8 simple, beautiful cards. I was pretty happy!
I hope you try this technique. A free project sheet is available HERE.
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Barbara 
Read the Beatitudes and see who is blessed! 
*To order, please use the host code for November, 2023 AUJPKKWY. If your order is over $150 in product, don’t use the code, enjoy your own rewards! Orders over $50 will receive a free pack of embellishments from me personally as a Thank You!

All product links are my demonstrator links, and I earn products when you use them to shop, thank you!

Monday Product Review #1: Stampin' Up! Stamp Blocks

Quick Review and comparison of Stampin’ Up! stamp blocks and Fiskars Stamp Blocks

When I first caught stampin’ fever, I had been binging on the MayMay Made It! You Tube channel. Based in Alabama, she has a brick and mortar store and crafting studio in a quaint small town, Clanton. My first supplies were purchased from their online store, and I picked up a set of Fiskars stamp blocks* to be used with my first ever photopolymer cling stamps. I have never used more than a wood-mounted rubber stamp prior to 2023, and I felt these worked fine. They are flat, thin plastic, approximately 1/4 in thick, and have a grid marking which is nice to get your stamping placement straight. They have curved handles on the sides where you hold them to do your stamping. With the exception of the smallest one, you need two hands to use them. Alongside of the odd “oops, stuck my finger in the stamp pad” issues, I’ve gotten used to them.

Since I purchased (another) new stamp set, I wanted to try out a few of the Stampin Up! stamp blocks, too. I purchased the three that were suggested in the catalog under the set listing. The difference working with them is real. The blocks are comfortable in my hand, and are simple to use one-handed, all which make it much easier to place and stamp. They are approximately an inch thick, and come in several sizes, both square and rectangular. I tend to have a heavy hand, and it was very easy for me to lighten my touch. I was skeptical, but after an afternoon of using them, I will be collecting more! 

Price point to consider: the Fiskars set, sizes 1×1, 2×2, 3×3 and a large 2×6.5 inches, is $23. You can use them all for most of your hobby needs. If you purchase 2 sets you won’t need to constantly change out your stamps if you’ll be creating more than one or two cards. The Stampin Up! clear acrylic blocks * are riced as a bundle of 9 sizes at $81, the smallest block being just a hair under 1.5×1.5 and the largest at 5×6, big enough for their background stamps. The prices of the individual blocks run from $5-$20. The bundle is a great option if you have the finances to get them all up front. In the catalogs, when you purchase a stamp set or bundle, the suggested sized blocks are listed. 

The Fiskars set is a great set to begin with. MayMay’s online store also has an inexpensive set of acrylic stamp blocks  (under $10) if you want to try out acrylic blocks. If you decide to move from casual to avid stamper, upgrade to the Stampin Up! blocks. 

I hope this was helpful if you are considering taking up this amazing craft!

Till next time, be blessed, and don’t forget to #createandblessothers 

Barb 

*Full disclosure, as a Stampin Up! demonstrator, I will make a commission if you use my SU links. Links to MayMay Made It! are not affiliate links. I will always tell you if any link is an affiliate link. 

Crafty Thursday #1: Quarter Gate Fold Card

 Hello! Thanks for joining me on Crafty Thursday!

I find a lot of card inspiration on You Tube and Pinterest. I saw the card I made today by Stamping Queen Bee on You Tube. I’m calling it a Quarter Fold Gate Card; it’s a variation of the Gate Fold card that I posted about here.

This card is a great vehicle for displaying both sides of the 12×12 Designer Series Paper. I have been wanting to use the Winter Meadow DSP with the deer scene, and this card was perfect for it! The small trees were also a great choice to use with this card design. Stampin’ Up! DSP’s make card designing simple. All of their papers are double sided and all of their products are designed to work together. I was able to choose the coordinating inks to go along with the DSP. (I kind of wish my closet was this easy to coordinate!) 

I used the Christmas Classics stamp set, which is in the Sept-Dec 2023 Mini Catalog. I love the fonts on the sentiments, very clean and classy. The holly, and pine boughs make it a perfect, cozy and beautiful card. The Seasons Greetings sentiment was perfect for the envelope flap…yes! Don’t forget to decorate those envelopes! I used my Modern Oval punch for the front sentiment. 

On the inside of the deer scene card, I decided not to put in a white interior piece; the paper is light enough to write on. (the picture is a bit dark) Again, I stamped the Seasons Greetings sentiment across the top, and added Poppy Parade berries for some accent color. Of course, if I change my mind before sending, it will be quick and easy to add that interior piece. I finished off the front of each card with a few Blooming Pearls for a little but of bling.
Please let me know if you try make this fun fold card. A free instruction sheet is available to download here.
Thanks for joining me today! Please create and bless others!
Blessings!
Barbara
Read more about Jesus’ parable of the pearl of great price
*All links take you to my Stampin’ Up! shopping page.