Another Friendly Foliage Card

Hello Friends!  Back again with another card using the Friendly Foliage bundle.  I had so much fun creating with this that I just wasn't ready to put it away back on the shelf.  Why not try it in blues this time?  Or at least the gray/blue colors of both Cloud Cover and Secret Sea?  And why not add one of the gorgeous prints in the Peaceful Garden Designer Series Paper while I'm at it?  That was my plan, and I love the card that was created with those basic parameters.  Let's see what I got...

Cloud Cover and Secret Sea?  check

Peaceful Garden DSP?  check

Friendly Foliage bundle?  check

Love it?  double check!

Let's get started.  The card base is Secret Sea that measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".  It's scored at 4 1/4" and folded in half.

The first layer is Cloud Cover cardstock that measures 5 1/4" x 4".  Then a layer of the Peaceful Garden DSP is cut to measure 5 1/8" x 3 7/8".  This is a bolder leafy print.  

It is attached to the Cloud Cover layer with adhesive.

Then another print from this DSP pack is cut.  This one is the soft diagonal checked Cloud Cover design that is so beautiful.  It is cut to measure 4" x 2 3/4".  It's attached onto the center of the card front with adhesive.  So far, these layers are all flat with no extra height added.

The next step is to stamp the framed stems.  I used Secret Sea ink on a piece of Cloud Cover cardstock that measured about 2 3/4" x 4" so there is enough room around the image to easily die-cut it.  To cut this, use two of the dies at the same time.  One is the larger outline die, and the other is the detail die that fits inside to cut all around the stamped image.  TIP:  Line them up and then add small pieces of washi tape or a Post-It Note to hold the two dies in place while die-cutting.

After cutting the main image, use the larger outline die again to cut a Basic White piece of cardstock.  This gives you the background behind the image.  Layer the two pieces and attach with Tombow Liquid Glue.  Make sure you have the pieces very straight so there is no white showing around the outside edge of the image.

Attach this to the center of your card front using Dimensionals.

For the sentiment, I used the new Banner Sayings and the new punch that coordinates with it.  I punched the Basic White label first.  The punch makes 3 different labels at the same time, so you'll have some extra to use right when you need it.  The sentiment is stamped with Secret Sea ink.  Don't you love this sentiment?  This will probably be my favorite in the whole set!  I attached it with Mini Dimensionals.  To keep it flat across the card, it uses single Dimensionals on the left side, but it has two Mini Dimensionals stacked on the right side for added height.

For the inside of the card, I cut a Basic White layer at 5 1/4" x 4".  This has a special sentiment from the Gathering Moments set that is stamped with Secret Sea ink.

On the bottom left corner, I stamped a single stem three times using Cloud Cover ink to bring some of the design inside the card to coordinate.  After looking at it, I decided it needed a little something else.  I had a skinny 1/4" strip of Cloud Cover cardstock that I was just going to throw away.  Instead, it seemed like just the right addition to finish the inside of the card and give it just a little extra pop of color.

Thought you'd like another good look at the card.  I love the colors and especially the two prints working together.  Oh my, looking at this made me realize I forgot to mention the three Iridescent Faceted Gems that were added for the bling factor.  They add such a pretty touch to this serene card.  I can't wait to get this is the mail to a special friend.  

Thanks for sticking around to see what is being created around here.  I took a little break from fall and Christmas to make this card today.  I'm finding I love these papers so much together, maybe I need to try a Christmas card using them.  What do you think?

The two new stamp sets used today will be available on Nov. 1st.  Make sure you visit the Online Exclusive store to see all the new products that will be available for you.  I think you'll fall in love with one or two or these great items!

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon

Friendly Foliage Inspiration

Hello, my stamping friends!  I would say that autumn has officially arrived in upstate South Carolina.  We've got temps in the low 40's and predicted in the 30's later this week.  Brrrr!  Add to that mix the rain we've been getting from "Melissa" and that makes things pretty damp and chilly around here.  But I am still grateful for where we're living and having most of our family nearby.  Right now, life is pretty good.  With those thoughts in mind, I set about to make another Thanksgiving card.  I was inspired by a new bundle that was coming out November 1st.  I fell in love with it as soon as I laid eyes on it!  Then in the mail a lovely card came from a good friend using that same set.  It was beautiful, and I'll share her card with you at the end of this post.  I hope you enjoy both of these ideas and want to try them yourselves.

I hope you can see all the little details that make this clean and simple card quite special.  Let me walk you through it.

The card started with a base of Mossy Meadow cardstock that was cut at 11" x 4 1/4".  It's scored at 5 1/2" to make a top fold card.  

Next is a layer of Old Olive cardstock that measures 5 1/8" x 3 7/8".  This gives a little larger border of the Mossy Meadow to anchor the card.  The layer is embossed with the new Beautiful Pattern Embossing Folder that will be available November 1st.  This gives a small, subtle design to the cardstock.  To help it be a little more noticeable, I used a Blending Brush and Old Olive ink to add a touch more color.  Then the layer is attached to the card base using adhesive.

Next is a layer of Very Vanilla cardstock.  It's cut with the Radiating Dies that are retired.  I liked the look of the border detail, so that's what I used.  Of course you can use anything you'd like to get similar results.  The layer measures about 4" x 2 5/8".

This interesting greenery die is from the Friendly Foliage bundle which I just love!  It's used to cut an Old Olive print from the Sweet Days of Autumn DSP.  I searched through my stash of DSP to find a simple print that wouldn't detract from the shape of the die.  This DSP retired just recently, but it worked perfectly for my design idea.

The die-cut is attached to the Very Vanilla layer.  I used "green glue" lightly to attach them together.  

These layers are attached to the card front using Dimensionals.

There is another new bundle coming out that will be very useful to me as far as I can tell.  This set is called Banner Saying and it is paired with a punch that makes three different small banners when punched.  It was used to punch Very Vanilla cardstock to make the banner used here. The sentiment is one from this new stamp set.  

The banner is stamped with Old Olive ink.  You can see it fits perfectly here at the bottom corner.  It's attached with Mini Dimensionals.

The small bow is made from the white twine in the Black & White & Gold Bakers Twine pack.  This is another new item coming Nov. 1st.  (so many great new goodies!)  I liked the small touch of gold this added to the design.  It's attached to the card with a rolled Mini Glue Dot.

For an embellishment, I was looking for something rather subtle.  These gems are from the Strawberry Slush & Pretty in Pink Gems.  You're right, these don't look pink at all.  The gems come in three shades of color, and these are clear with just a few gold glitter pieces inside of them.  Like I said, very subtle.

Lastly, I wanted to share the inside of the card.  There is a layer of Very Vanilla that measures 5 1/4" x 4".

The sentiment I used for the inside is from the Gathering Moments stamp set that is an Online Exclusive set.  It's stamped with Old Olive ink.

As an accent in the bottom corner, a single stem stamp from the Friendly Foliage set was used.  It was inked with Mossy Meadow ink and stamped twice.  Then inked again and stamped twice again.  Just enough to tie it to the design on the front but still leaving enough room to write out my message. 

I did promise to share my friend, Sue's card that inspired me, and I certainly can't forget to do that.  I think you'll love her card too.  

This card was made by my good friend, Sue Fabris.  She sent it to cheer me up when I was struggling with this coughing issue that wasn't letting up and in turn causing heart problems.  Who knew?!

Anyway, isn't it lovely?  So crisp and clean looking with the Lost Lagoon and white.  I love the checked paper for the background and the shimmery ribbon peeking in the background.  Just all around happy and cheerful.  The perfect card to raise my spirits.  Thank you, Sue, for the card and the inspiration!

That's it for today.  Hope you are as inspired as I was by these ideas.  These sets used today will be available on November 1st.  I can't wait for you to be able to get them and put them to use.  You'll love the new products that will be available!

Thanks for stopping by today.  Make sure you stop in again to see what's being made down in my stamp room.

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon

Thankful for You Card

Hello Friends!   Today's card idea is a real mishmash of a whole stack of stamp sets and dies.  It consists of a touch of this and a little smidgeon of that with a sprinkle of something else.  This is what happens when you've got lots of bits of leftover pieces from the last several cards just lying there staring at you.  I decided to find a way to put them all together and this is what I've come up with.  Let me know what you think.  Try to be kind, please! 

I wish the colors were a little truer on this photo compared to real life.  The background layer looks so washed out in the picture when in reality the pumpkin is stamped on the same color cardstock with the same color ink.  It really shouldn't look so different!

The base layer for the card is Peach Pie that measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".  It's scored at 4 1/4" and then embossed with the Bark 3D Embossing Folder to give it some interest.

The first layer is one of the prints in the Elegant Pines Snowflakes Designer Series Paper pack.  It is a lovely Old Olive watercolor print that I have enjoyed using with the Delicate Pines stamp and die bundle.  I'll get back to that on another day.  This is cut with the 2nd largest die in the Branching Out set.  I love this shape to make the layers really stand out.  This layer is attached to the folded card base with "green glue".

The next layer is where all the action is going on.  It's the 2nd smallest die from the same set - Branching Out.  This time it cuts a layer of Basic Beige cardstock.  I thought this matched nicely with the design of the Elegant Pines Snowflakes DSP.  Before attaching it to the card front, a sentiment was stamped on it.  The sentiment is from the Gathering Moments stamp set and Memento Tuxedo Black ink was used.

There is a die that is a lovely spray of leaves in the Delicate Pines Die set.  This was used to cut a pile of leaves from the Splendid Autumn 6" x 6" DSP pack.  I have so many partial pieces of paper left from cards previously made using this paper that it's great to use some of these "scraps" up!

The oak leaf at the bottom of the design was also cut from this DSP.  The leaf die is part of the Amber Autumn die set.  And the leaves surrounding the pumpkin were also cut from the same DSP pack.  Like I said, love the paper and lots of scraps put to good use!

The pumpkin used is from the Beautiful Pumpkins bundle.  It's stamped onto Peach Pie cardstock with Peach Pie ink for the base color.  The detail stamp over this is stamped with Pumpkin Pie ink.  Then it's die-cut with the matching die.  The stem is cut from the same DSP print as some of the different leaves.

The pumpkin and leaves were attached to the design first using Dimensionals.  Then all the other leaves were clustered around the design.  Some needed to be trimmed before being used if they didn't fit quite right.

After trying several different kinds of embellishments for this design, I liked how the Cajun Craze & Gold Dots blended in with all the colors on the card.  They seemed to enhance the nice fall colors of the leaves.

Just need one more look at this autumn design.  If you were counting along, how many stamp and die sets did you count?  How many different DSP packs?

Hope you like this idea using multiple sets of stamps and dies to pull a card idea together.  You just never know what will work together until you start playing around with different elements of a design.  Get creative and play some mix & match with your stamps and dies.  It's fun!

Thanks for stopping by to see what's going on around here.  Hopefully I'll be back soon with another installment.

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon

Elegant Pine Snowflakes Card

Hello, my stamping friends.  Have you gotten a head start on your Christmas cards yet? I've only made a few of them so far, but I was thinking ahead to the cards I'll need for the shut-ins come December.  I know I have lots of time yet and Thanksgiving cards to make, but it's never too early to plan Christmas cards.  Right?  I have to tell you that I'm in love with the Elegant Pine Snowflakes DSP.  It's different and I think the colors and prints are all fabulous.  Especially the DSP prints that are on the dark backgrounds.  Truly scrumptious!  So, the card I'm sharing today needed to be easy to make but look eye-catching and very Christmas-y.

The card turned out a dark, rich blend of colors that were chosen to match the print.  I started with a base of Cherry Cobbler that measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".  It's scored at 4 1/4" and folded in half to make a landscape style card.

Next is a layer of the Shaded Spruce cardstock that measures 5 1/4" x 4".  

There is a layer of the Elegant Pine Snowflakes Designer Paper cut to 5" x 3 3/4".  This DSP can only be found in the Online Exclusive section in the store.  It's definitely worth it to spend the time looking for it! This layer is attached to the Shaded Spruce layer with adhesive.  Then both of these layers are attached to the folded card base with adhesive also. 

Next the Everyday Arches Dies were used to cut the sentiment pieces.  The 2nd smallest die cut a piece of Basic White cardstock.  The 3rd smallest die cut a piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock.

On the white piece, a small snowflake cluster from the Snowy Delights stamp set was stamped with Soft Sea Foam ink towards the curved end.  Then the sentiment - Joy to the World - was stamped with Cherry Cobbler ink right over the snowflakes.

The white layer was attached to the Cherry Cobbler layer with adhesive.  Then both layers were attached to the card front with Dimensionals to make it stand out more. 

I made a mistake.  I thought the ribbon I used on this card was from this year.  Unfortunately, it must be retired from last year.  Oops.  It's Cherry Cobbler with gold edging and it worked here.  So, I guess this means go through your stash and fine something that works!  It's attached with a Mini Glue Dot to hold in place.  

The glittery dots are a fun addition here.  They are from the Traditional Sparkling Sequins that are found in the Sept-Dec Mini Catalog.  I've used the green ones here and the red ones on another one of these cards.  I think I prefer the green ones that tend to show up a little better.

TIP:  I considered a gold bow and gold gems of some kind for the bling.  I think the gold would be very elegant!

So far, the inside is a layer of Basic White with a 1/2" strip of the DSP along the bottom edge.  I just haven't decided on the wording I want to use yet.  That will come later as needed.

Well, there you have it.  Just a nice, quick, and simple card if you're doing multiples for Christmas.  Of course, you'll want those fabulous show-stopper cards for special people, but these work out well when you've got stacks of cards you need to mail out and you're running out of time to get them done.

Thanks for stopping by to see what's new around here.  There will be both Thanksgiving and Christmas cards coming in the near future.  I've got lots of ideas in my head.  I just need to get downstairs and get the creating part done.

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon

Amber Autumn Dies

 Hi all!  Have you been seeing all the wonderful projects made with the large coverall leaf die in the Amber Autumn bundle?  It seems these awesome ideas are cropping up all over the place.  I haven't seen anything quite like what I want to share with you today.  Hope this is new to you and you love the idea.

Can you see what I did here?  I started with a quarter sheet of Cajun Craze cardstock which measured 5 1/4" x 4".  The die was placed in the center of this keeping the edges even all around as much as possible.

It was run through my die cutting machine twice to make sure that all the detail in this die was cut properly.  Then I took the time to make sure all the little cut pieces were cleaned out from the design.

Now comes the fun part.  Find a nice 'pathway' up through the middle of the die to sort of cut it in half.  When you look at the two cards above, if you turn the one on the right upside down the two pieces mesh together.  I love that you can easily cut the two sections apart and then make two cards instead of one.

The card base for both of these cards is Basic Beige cardstock.  It measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".  It's scored at 4 1/4" and folded in half.

There is a Basic White layer that is cut to measure 5 1/4" x 4" for each of the cards.  To give the cards lots of texture, both white layers were embossed with the 3D Exposed Brick Embossing Folder.  I thought this was a good background for the leaves.  

Before attaching the white layer to the card base, the Cajun Craze die cut leaves layer was added to it.  I used Tombow MultiPurpose Liquid Adhesive (green glue) around the edges and small touches on some of the more solid leaves to hold this in place.  Make sure you don't use too much where it would ooze out from the leaves.  Keep a light touch!

The same "green glue" was used to attach the white layer to the folded card base.  This gives a really good bond to hold in place.

The sentiment is from the Amber Autumn stamp set.  It's stamped onto a Basic Beige piece using Cajun Craze ink.

Then a label is die-cut around this using one of the sentiment dies in the Delicate Forest Bundle.  I love the shape of this die with the corners squared off nicely to give a different look.

The sentiment layer is attached to the card front with Dimensionals to make it stand out.

The extra oak leaf is from the Amber Autumn set and matches the background die perfectly.  It's die-cut from Cajun Craze cardstock.  I used more of the "green glue" to attach it to the card front.  It looks like it's just floating down from a tree.

The lovely bit of bling on this card is the Cajun Craze & Gold Dots.  I wasn't sure if I'd like these until I saw them in person.  They are really pretty with the flecks of gold in the transparent coppery dots.  They are just the perfect addition to this card.

The sentiment inside the card uses another of the Amber Autumn sentiments.  It has five of them and I've used each of them already.  So often there are only one or two sentiments in a set that I really like.  This time I like (and use) all of them!

I also die-cut a few extra of the single oak leaves that ended up gracing the inside of these cards.  This was a quick and easy way to make two cards at the same time.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Hopefully I'm on the mend and back on my feet again.  It's been a rough month.  But it should all be behind me now. (fingers crossed)

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon

Autumn Wishes for You

Hello, my lovely creative friends!  I just love the look of the easy autumn card I have for you today.  Do you have the Gathering Together DSP yet?  If not, you really need to get this gorgeous autumn themed paper pack.  There isn't a print in the whole pack that I don't really like - a lot!  The fine gold detail accent lines just make this DSP pack over the top.  Let me show you the simple, but elegant, card that I recently made to share with you.

My card starts out with a Basic Beige cardstock base that matches the background of this particular print.  It measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and is scored at 4 1/4" and folded in half.

Next there is a layer cut of the same Basic Beige.  This measures 5 1/4" x 4".  On the bottom right corner, a sentiment from the Amber Autumn bundle was stamped.  Early Espresso ink was used for this so it's nice and dark.

Then the layer is embossed with the Exposed Brick 3D Embossing Folder to add extra texture.  I think this really adds to the overall look of the design.

After embossing, the layer was attached to the front of the card base.  I used "green glue" for this to get a really good bond.

I think you can get a good look at the texture the embossing adds in this picture.

Next a 3" x 3" piece of the Gathering Together DSP print was cut.  Since it's got an all-over print, I had to decide which way I wanted to be up.  I chose to focus on the brown mushroom for orientation.

A layer of Cajun Craze cardstock was cut to frame the print.  It measures 3 1/4" x 3 1/4".  I love how the Cajun Craze really makes this print really pop.  I was planning on using a smaller layer to give just a small frame of color to the DSP, but I liked the bolder look of this.

It was then attached to the card front with Dimensionals to make it stand out nicely.

This is where I kind of went off the rails a bit.  I was working on some cards for the church shut-ins right before making this card.  I try to use up some of my retired supplies while making these cards.  One of my favorite colors recently has been Copper Clay.  Remember that one?  Well, I had cut several leaves from an Amber Autumn die from the Copper Clay cardstock.  I seemed to have a few left over when I was finished with the cards.  So, one of them meandered right onto this card and decided to stay.  I really could have cut one from the Cajun Craze, but why not use what was sitting right here?  It's attached with just a few touches of "green glue" to hold it steady and keep it from "falling" any further.

Lastly was deciding what bling this card needed.  Just plain gold to pick up the gold details?  No, I chose to use the Cajun Craze & Gold Dots for the card instead.  There are three of them sprinkled on the design and I think they're the perfect accent.

Hope you liked this idea.  It is a wonderful layout when you want to make the most of those fabulous DSP prints.  If you need multiple cards of the same design, you can get 16 pieces of 3" x 3" DSP from just one sheet.  That gives you the wow of the DSP just in smaller pieces.

If you happen to be reading this between October 6th and 8th, you're in luck!  Did you hear that Stampin'Up! is offering all their kits at a discount of between 10 -30% these 3 days?  You can get your favorite kits on sale.  Yes, you heard me right.  I'm sure there's a kit or two that you've been eyeing and now's the time to get them.  Plus, there are several new kits that have just been added to the line-up.  Make sure you check this out and don't miss your opportunity.

Thanks for spending time with me today.  Hope you have time to get creative and crafty and have some relaxing fun.  And then make sure you send your fabulous creations out to family and friends to put a smile on their faces too.  That just makes everybody happy!

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon