Merry Christmas....a little late

 Hello stamping friends,

I blinked and most of December disappeared. With Christmas prep, entertaining, baking, wrapping... well, you get the picture, I have been remiss in wishing you a Merry Christmas. I hope your holiday festivities were grand. 

Today is Boxing Day, a day to relax from the flurry of Christmas activities. Maybe even make a card.

Today I'm posting some of the cards I have made over the past couple of weeks. I hope you like them.

Thanks for stopping by. Take time to relax if you can. Until next time…

Paula

Kindest Gnomes

 Hello,

It's been a while. I've survived a kitchen reno. All my energy and focus was on getting the kitchen back to normal. I have to say, the next time a reno happens in my house, I'm moving to a hotel! 

The stress level is gradually coming down so I was able to get in to my craft room. 

Today I made this card.

I used the Kindest Gnomes bundle. The gnomes are kind of generic so can be used for any occasion. 

I'm well on my way to making Christmas cards. I won't be caught off guard at the last minute. 

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time...

Paula 

Floating Card

 Hello crafters,

I saw this floating card idea on Pinterest. 

The card base measures 4-1/4” x 5-1/2”. Adhere  a piece of coloured card stock, for this card I used Shaded Spruce, to the card base. Cut a piece of acetate to measure the same as the card base.  Cut strips of white card stock about 3/4" wide. I made the length long to hang off the edge of the acetate and cut to the width of the card after all the strips were adhered. Glue the strips to the acetate so that they are evenly spaced within the 5-1/2” acetate. Trim the strips. Add dimensionals to the back of the acetate behind the white strips so that they are not seen from the front of the card. Adhere to the base.

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time…

Paula

 

Vintage Sled

 Hello,

Today’s card took me a while to make. There are lots of fiddly bits to this die set from Tim Holtz/Sizzix called Vintage Sled. 

All the card stock is from Stampin’Up.  The background dies are one of my favourites called Color and Contour. The snowflake die I’ve had forever, one by Cuttlebug. 

I love the snow detail. It’s called Grit Paste by Ranger. It stays white when it dries. 

This card will be a one off unless I can muster the energy to make another one.  See those little rivets in the sled? They are die cuts. Next time I’ll colour the rivets with a marker. Easy peasy. 

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time…

Paula

Gift of Giving

 Hello,

I've started my Christmas cards for this year. One of my new favourite stamp sets is Gift of Giving. 

It can be found in the new September-December 2023 Mini Catalogue, available September 6th to customers. I purchased it for the mug image alone....its so cute.

For my card today:

Card stock: Pretty Peacock, Old Olive, Basic White

Stamp Set: Gift of Giving

Die cut: Christmas Layers (R) for the foliage and Layering Circles (R) for the image

Embellishments: Enamel Effects

Stampin' Up Blends: Bronze, Ivory, Pretty Peacock, Old Olive, Sweet Sorbet

Embossing Folder: Cable Knit (R)

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time....

Paula

Whimsical Trees Fun Fold

 Hello,

I've got an easy fun fold for you today. 

Searching through my stash of DSP and stamp sets, I found Whimsical Trees. I think Stampin'Up has the prettiest shades of green. For this card I used Mint Macaron. 

The fun fold is simple, a couple of score lines and that's it. 

The Mint Macaron base measures 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" scored at 4 1/4". The Basic White insert measures 5 1/4" x 8" scored at 4" and 6". Adhere the white insert, 4" x 5 1/4" section only leaving the 2" scored sections free, as in the photo below.

Now you can decorate as desired.  For this card, I chose to die cut a circle out of the front of the base. For a different look, you can omit a die cut opening on the front of the card and decorate with DSP, die cuts, sentiments and embellishments.

You can choose any shape you like. Use the die cut for your image and sentiment. Adhere the shape to the outside 2" scored piece, ensuring the shape matches up with the cut out section on the front of the card. I added glue to half of the circle, closed the card then adhered the circle to the section showing through the opening.  

You can choose to add coordinating dsp for the sections as I did. The strips measure 1 3/4" x 5". The card lays flat and fits into a medium envelope. 

I hope you give this fun fold a try.

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time.

Paula

🎄

Mixing and Matching

 Hello,

I love the way Stampin' Up coordinates all of their products, whether it be DSP and card stock or various stamp sets. 

For today's card I chose Ever Eden DSP and the Poinsettia Petals bundle. It's a bundle I love and will never part with. 

The front of the card features a mini card. 

Open the full card to reveal another sentiment and plenty of room for your own personal message.

The card recipe:

Evening Evergreen card stock- 4 1/4" x 11" scored at 5 1/2"

Ever Eden DSP layer- 4" x 5 1/4"

Front mini card in Evening Evergreen- 3" x 7 1/2" scored at 3 3/4"

Mini card DSP layer- 2 3/4" x3 1/2"

Inside of mini card Basic White card stock- 2 3/4" x 3 1/2"

Inside of card Basic White card stock- 4" x 5 1/4"

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time...

Paula

Fitting Florets

 Hello,

Today I am showcasing the Fitting Florets Designer Series Paper. One of the things I like best about Stampin' Up is not only the coordination of DSP and card stock, but most stamp sets are mix and match. 

For this card I paired the Fitting Florets DSP with the Poinsettia Petals (flower, berries and sentiment). For the berries I used Pearlized Enamel Affects in Basic White. The scalloped edge is from Color and Contour...one of my favourite set of dies.

Here is another card made with the Fitting Florets DSP.

It's not your typical Christmas card but the flowers remind me of a Christmas rose.

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time....

Paula

Sweets & Treats Fun Fold

 Hello,

Sweets & Treats is one of my favourite stamp sets. It’s not only for Christmas but birthdays, Thanksgiving and so much more. The fun fold is called an angle fold. 

The card recipe: all measurements are in inches

Base: 11 x 8 1/2 scored at 4 1/8 and 8 1/2

DSP : 3 7/8 x 5 1/4

          2 1/4 x 5 1/4

Inside: 4 x 5 1/4

Scrap cardstock for image and die cuts  

As pictured above, the right side flap will measure 2 1/2 ". At the top of the flap, measure in 1 1/8" and make a tick mark. From that tick mark cut on an angle to the bottom of the flap. Same for the DSP. Adhere your DSP to both flaps on the front of the card.

Select your image and die cuts. Adhere to the left front flap of the card ensuring the right side can move freely to open and close. To close the card, the right flap will tuck under the die cut. 

Until next time...

Paula

O Christmas Tree

 Hello,

It’s been a while. I used to think that when I retired my days would be leisurely. They’ve been anything but! I seem to be so busy, I don’t know when I had time to work. The days are flying by. It’s December already, 23 days until Christmas. Are you ready? Have you put up your tree yet?

I haven’t put up a Christmas tree in years. I have 2 cats, one of which would destroy the tree, thinking the decorations are his personal playthings. Instead I decorate with vignettes around the house, making sure the displays are up high where prying eyes can’t see or furry paws can't reach. 

This is Mickey. He may look cute and innocent, but he can get into lots of mischief.

This is Finnigan. He's more laid back. I think he would be ok with a tree but I don't want to chance it.

On to the card....Today’s card is all about the tree. Stampin' Up's Whimsical Trees is one of my favourite holiday bundles. I  like to mix and match different craft company’s products    (the O Christmas Tree is a Concord and 9th stamp). It’s amazing how many craft supplies compliment each other. 

 

Using non traditional Designer Series Paper, like Expressions in Ink, can add a different flair to your cards. This is the first time I used the Rectangle Stitched Dies. I took the largest die and used it to cut the card base. It makes a smaller card, measuring 5 x 3 1/2. 

Still plenty of room for a personal note.

Until next time…

Paula

Ever Eden Joy and Love

Hello,

This card took on many changes while making it. I had a design in mind but the card turned out totally different. Does that ever happen to you? Sometimes I think I overthink a design. Too many ideas floating around in my brain. 

Today's card uses the Ever Eden Specialty DSP. I love the gold elements in the paper. The image is from the Mistletoe Season stamp set. 

I coloured the bow with a gold gel pen. I didn't care for the way it looked so I coloured over it with a Bumble Bee Stampin' Write marker and added some Wink of Stella for some shine.

I've just about finished my Christmas cards. Now on to shopping. Yikes, only 36 days until Christmas!!!

Until next time....

Paula

Front Flap Diamond Fold

 Hello,

Here again today with another fun fold card. This fold is called a front flap diamond fold. Very easy to make. 

The recipe:

Base: card stock measuring 4 1/4"x 11" scored at 2 1/8" and 5 1/2" on the 11" side. 

Rotate so the 4 1/4" side is at the top of your trimmer and make a tick mark at 2 1/8". Flip it around and do the same to the opposite side.

Fold and burnish the score lines. Use a pencil to mark at 2 1/8″ at each end and cut on the diagonal to the score line. 

 Template reference:

Fold the card stock like this:

Now to decorate:

For the card front, cut a coordinating color of card stock 3 1/8″ x 4 1/8″- I used  Soft Succulent. For the card front, also cut some  DSP 2 7/8″ x 3 7/8″ – I used Painted Christmas. Adhere the DSP to the coordinating card stock and adhere to the front of the card.

Cut a Basic White layer measuring 3 1/8" x 4 1/8" for the sentiment. Adhere to the inside of the card. I used the same layering as the front of the card for the inside left panel but a piece of Basic White could also be used for a personal note.

For the diamond flip piece, cut the coordinating card stock 2 7/8″ x 2 7/8″ Adhere the square to the triangle to make the diamond shape – be careful to apply glue to only half of the square. Cut a piece of 2 3/4" DSP to adhere to the triangle square.

Use scraps to cut out a sentiment in whatever shape you choose, I used the oval Stitched Shapes. If layering the right side  triangle, cut a piece of coordinating card stock at 2 7/8" and cut on a diagonal. Cut a piece of DSP at 2 3/4" and cut on a diagonal. Adhere together and then on to the card base. 

Decorate with embellishments on the front as desired. This card folds flat and will fit into a regular envelope.

Until next time....

Paula

Poinsettia Petals

 Can you believe its November already? Where has the time gone?

I was looking through my stash of designer series paper....and by stash I mean hoard.😊 I found the Poinsettia Place where the dies from the suite cut out the images on the paper. Yup, that'll work for this card. 

Check your stash of papers. Coordinate them with new dsp or card stock, incorporate some die cuts, add some embellishments and make them new again.

Until next time....

Paula

Easel Card

 Easel cards are so cute. A regular card that pops up with a secret image or sentiment.

The card folds flat in order to fit into an A2 envelope. 

The center folded flap lifts up to reveal the sentiment. Be sure to pop up your sentiment strip with Dimensionals so the flap of the easel stands up.

There is space to write a personal note inside or a piece of card stock can be adhered to the back of the card.

Here are the measurements for this card:

Base: 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"

DSP for base: 5 1/4" x 4"

Easel base: 8 1/2" x 3" scored at 4 1/4" and 2 1/8"

White card stock for inside easel: 2 3/4" x 4"

White card stock to cut a 2 1/2" circle

Sentiment strip: 1/2" x 3"

Scrap card stock for embellishments

Note: if you are colouring your image with Stampin' Blends I suggest adding another circle behind as the ink will bleed through. 

Until next time.....

Paula

 

White on White with a Pop of Red

 Hello,

A simple card with a couple of layers, embossing and an image. 

Card stock: Basic White and Mossy Meadow Stampin' UP

Embossing folder: Flourished Frame Provo Craft

Image: Wonderful Autumn Studio Light

Sentiment: Christmas Gleaming Stampin' UP

Until next time....

Paula

Beauty of the Earth

 Hello,

Today's card is an easy fun fold. It's a box card that folds flat for mailing.

The dimensions of the card is 5 1/2" x 4 1/4". Here's the recipe:

Base: 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"

Box: 5 1/4" x 8 1/2" scored at 1/2". 1", 4 1/2" and 5"

Fold and burnish all the score lines. Lay the card stock flat. If you are decorating the front  of the box with DSP this is the time to adhere it to the card stock then cut a window using whatever die you wish.  Adhere the 1/2" flap to the back of the card stock. I used tear and tape but glue would work too. There's the box portion of the card made. The inside DSP measures 5 1/4" x 3 1/2". Add some glue to the back of the DSP and slide it into the box. Adhere the box to the card base. Decorate as desired.

Thanks to Leena Girsa for the inspiration. You can watch Leena's tutorial HERE.

Until next time...

Paula