More Lovely Arrangements

Hello, my stamping friends!   Hope today finds you all doing well and feeling creative.  I seem to be having trouble leaving the Lovely Arrangements bundle alone.  First of all, that Lovely Blossoms Designer Series Paper is just so gorgeous.  I love the colors and patterns and pretty much everything about it.  So, that means I'm using it again today for a series of five fun fold cards.  If you don't like this DSP, just think of doing these fun fold cards with your favorite DSP.  I'm sure they would turn out lovely.  

First let me share with you the entire batch of cards.  The fun fold is the same for each of them.  There are two different prints in this paper pack that I focused on using with accents from the reverse side to enhance the designs.  They also use different wording and embellishments to make each of them a little different.

Let's focus on the cutting dimensions first.

lg card base - 7 1/2" x 4 1/4" 

score @ 2"

sm card - 8" x 2 1/2"   

score @ 4"

For all my card bases, I used either Cloud Cover or Secret Sea cardstock.

DSP measurements - 

inner piece 5 1/4" x 4"

left front flap - 4" x 1 3/4"

right front flap - 3 3/4" x 2 1/4"  I used the reverse side or a different print for an accent

Basic White inner piece - 3 3/4" x 2 1/4"

This is the first design we'll look at and create.  The Cloud Cover cardstock base is scored and folded on the left side.  The largest piece of DSP is attached inside this card using adhesive.  The 1 3/4" x 4" DSP piece is attached to the left front flap.

The smaller card is folded in half with the fold on the right side.  This is attached to the inside center of the card base.

An accent print piece of DSP is attached to the right front flap with adhesive.

The inner white piece is stamped before attaching.  I also had an extra flower that I attached inside for interest.  On the other cards, I used a partial stamp for the accent.

All the flowers are stamped with Secret Sea ink on Basic White cardstock and die-cut with the matching dies.  For this stack of cards, I used 6 full flowers and 5 half flowers.  The flowers were each attached with one Dimensional in the center so the leaves could be tucked in around and under the flowers.  I also die-cut a pile of leaves to pick and choose from while constructing the cards.  I used Old Olive, Secret Sea, Cloud Cover, and several from a print from the Beautiful Gallery 6" x 6" DSP.  Those made a lovely accent on one of the cards.

Now that you have a basic knowledge of how these cards all go together, let's take a closer look at each of the other cards.

This card has a Secret Sea base with the same print used on both the inside and left flap.  The print on the right flap is the reverse of the print on the last card.  The soft pink color was a perfect accent.  

The sentiment is from the same set and is stamped on a 1/2" strip tucked under the leaves.  The leaves used on this card are both Secret Sea and Cloud Cover.

The bling used on most of these cards is from the Moody Palette Glossy Dots pack.  I'm loving these low-profile pretty dots as accents! 

The left flap on this card uses the reverse side of the print above.

Instead of a DSP layer in the center of the right flap, I used a small Everyday Arches piece for the sentiment.

The flowers here have a bit of Cloud Cover ink blended in the centers to give the flowers more depth.

This time the Moody Palette Dots were added in a line to accent the sentiment.

This card is very similar to two cards back.  The sentiment is different.

The flowers have Petal Pink ink blended in the center for more color.  

The bling is little Petal Pink hearts from a Paper Pumpkin kit 2-3 years ago.  Only had a few left and thought they looked nice here.

Last card of the five and it has the most changes.  The Old Olive print is from the same pack of paper.

The left flap has the circles from a die in the set.  I thought that was an interesting addition.  

The flowers have Cloud Cover blended on them a little heavier than a previous card.  The leaves are a mix of Old Olive, and both Cloud Cover & several from a print from Beautiful Gallery DSP using a different die so they are skeleton leaves.  Just a different look.  

This sentiment if from a different company.  I'm having trouble finding get well sentiments for the cards I've been needing.

 There you have it - a lovely series of cards that use the same fun fold idea and the same DSP and stamps.  But don't they all have their own identity?  I hope you can see how easy they are to put together.  It would be fun getting one of these in the mail instead of a regular card.  I usually do more basic cards, but these were fun for a change of pace.

Don't forget to redeem any of your Bonus Days coupons.  You can only do that through the end of this month.  Don't lose out on them!!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I appreciate the time you take to visit my blog and hope you were inspired to get creative soon.  Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think of my cards or even what else you'd like to see.  I'm open for suggestions.

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon 

5 cards with 1 Sheet DSP

Hey there.  Do you have problems trying to figure out what to do with those sheets of DSP that are broken up into segments of different pictures?  Like this one?

This is a sheet of the Lovely Blossoms Designer Series Paper.  I love the colors and prints in this pack of paper, and I've used some of it already.  But it comes with 3 sheets of this design, and it's been a struggle figuring out what to create with it.  All the images are lovely, but I'm more used to stamping or die-cutting the focal pieces on my cards and not just using something ready-made.  So, I chopped this one up and got ready to create with these pieces.  The 2" x 12" section along the bottom didn't get cut into 2" squares but left long.  I turned it over and used the flip side of the design.  Let's see what I came up with, and you can decide if it all worked out well.

Let's start with the design in the top left corner and continue from there.  This piece of the design measured 6" x 4".  It's trimmed down to 5 1/8" x 3 3/4" to fit a card front.  There is a layer of Cloud Cover behind it that measures 5 1/4" x 3 7/8".  This is just enough to give it a skinny frame of color.  The card base is Old Olive cardstock that measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".  It's scored and folded in half.

After attaching the print to the Cloud Cover layer, a piece of Secret Sea Bordered Open Weave Ribbon was wrapped around and tied into a bow.  Then the layers were attached with Dimensionals to the card base.

The sentiment is from the Banner Sayings stamp set.  I intended to use the full sentiment but ended up trimming between the words to get a smaller banner.  This is curled at the left edge a little and attached at the right edge only.

There are three of the green Moody Palette Glossy Dots used as an accent to the design. 

This is the 2nd design across the DSP.  Again, it measures 6" x 4".  The Textured Notes die was used to cut out the design.  Then the DSP was turned over and trimmed to have the DSP measure 5 1/2" x 4" with the die-cut area centered on the paper.  This was attached to a Secret Sea cardstock piece that measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and is folded in half.  

The die cut piece was attached in the center to cover the hole using Dimensionals.  Looking at the card at an angle you can see a slight edge of the Secret Sea peeking through.

The sentiment is stamped onto a Basic White die-cut using the Textured Notes dies.  It's stamped with Secret Sea ink.  A double bow of Linen Thread was added to the corner.

Three of the Secret Sea dots from the Moody Palette Glossy Dots were added for contrast.

The next card is the 6" x 4" design in the right top corner of the DSP sheet.  This was trimmed to 5" x 3 3/4".  It's layered onto a Secret Sea cardstock piece measuring 5 1/4" x 4".  A length of Secret Sea Bordered Open Weave Ribbon was wrapped around this and tied into a knot.

A card base was made from an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" Petal Pink cardstock that was folded in half.  The layers were attached to this with adhesive.

The sentiment is from Banner Sayings and punched with the Three Banner Punch.  This was tucked under the knot in the ribbon and attached with adhesive.

Three of the white Moody Palette Glossy Dots were added to the design for interest.

Now we move down to the next row in the DSP design. This piece measured 3" x 4".  There is a layer of Secret Sea cardstock that's cut at 3 1/4" x 4 1/4".

A card base was made from Crumb Cake cardstock and measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".  The bottom 2" strip of DSP was trimmed to 5 1/2" and attached along the left side of the card base using adhesive.

The layers were attached to the card base with Dimensionals.  The sentiment is from Banner Sayings and is stamped with Secret Sea ink onto a 1/2" white strip.  The ends were angle cut with scissors.  Then it was attached with Dimensionals.  Three Secret Sea Moody Palette Glossy Dots were added to the design.

This last card I made has a design piece that was trimmed to 3" x 3 3/4".  It's layered onto a Secret Sea piece that measures 3 1/4" x 4".

The card base is Cloud Cover that measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".  Another piece of the 2" wide strip of DSP was trimmed at 5 1/2".  This was attached on the left side of the card base using adhesive.  The focal image layers were attached to this with adhesive also.

The sentiment is from Banner Sayings again.  It's also trimmed at an angle with scissors.  Then it's attached to the card front with Dimensionals.  Three Secret Sea color gems from the Moody Palette Glossy Gems were added to the design.

Here's another quick look at the five cards I made from this one piece of the Lovely Blossoms DSP.  Seeing them all together, I think they'd make a really nice gift tucked inside a card holder that matched.  Hmmm, I'll have to consider that.  

There are still two pieces of the sheet of paper left that I have no plans for yet.  That will take a bit more thought also.  Hope you liked these card ideas.  They were a pretty easy way to get a card assortment done quickly.  If you don't need thank you cards, just change the sentiments to what you need.  They are all simple but pretty and I think they would definitely brighten the day of anyone receiving them.  

Have you heard about the free shipping Stampin'Up! is giving us?

There is Free Shipping for 3 days!  From February 18 to 20, you can shop and save on all qualifying orders of $75 or more.  You won’t want to miss this chance to stock up on all your favorite products from the catalog, Online Exclusives, kits, and more!

Plus, when your order total reaches $75 (after subtracting any rewards) you are eligible to purchase the Product of the Month for only $5 which is an awesome pack of the Painted Illusions Designer Series Paper!  This is a doubly - great bargain for you.

Thanks for sharing some time with me today.  If I can help you in any way, just get in touch.  I'd be happy to be your demonstrator if you're looking for one!

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon

Lovely Arrangements Fun Fold

Hello my friends!  Are you having a good day?  I feel like I'm on a roll with getting this card finished and still have time to share it on a blog post today.  Don't you love it when things actually come together like you think they will?  It doesn't happen often so you need to enjoy it while you can!  Since I haven't made any fun folds in a while, it seemed like today would be a good day to do that.  I've shared before that fun folds are not what I'm good at - not at all!  But I have found some fairly simple ones over the years that I enjoy making, and the card today is one of those simple fun folds.  Today's card features the Brushed with Beauty Designer Series Paper.  This is such a pretty pack of paper.  I love the color mix, and the prints are great for designing.  Let's dive right into this card.

Here's the card all folded up and ready to go into the envelope.  You can see that the DSP really makes up the basis of the card with the folds giving the card its stability.  Let me give you all the information on cutting the pieces first and then we'll cut and score the DSP and put it together.

Using the Branching Out dies:

3rd largest - Mossy Meadow

4th largest - Very Vanilla

5th largest - Very Vanilla

Cut Very Vanilla cardstock at 2 1/2" x 5" and

1/2" x 2 1/2" (sentiment)

Also cut a 2" strip of Very Vanilla for die-cutting flowers

Cut Mossy Meadow cardstock at 2 5/8" x 5 1/8"  and 5/8" x 2 5/8" (sentiment layer)

Also cut a 2" strip of Mossy Meadow for cutting leaves

In the center area of both Very Vanilla Branching Out die-cuts, use a Blending Brush and Crumb Cake ink to lightly add a blush of color.  This will help the flowers stand out from the vanilla background.

Stamp two larger flowers and one smaller flower with the Lovely Arrangements stamps.  Use Crumb Cake ink and add Early Expresso marker onto the stamens before stamping onto the Very Vanilla strip.  Die-cut these 3 flowers with the matching dies.

Also stamp 3 clusters of three leaves using Mossy Meadow ink on Mossy Meadow cardstock.  Die-cut these with matching dies.  Die-cut the 2 single leaves from Mossy Meadow cardstock.

Stamp the birthday sentiment from the Lovely Arrangements set onto the 1/2" piece of Very Vanilla cardstock.  Use Mossy Meadow ink for this.

On the smaller vanilla Branching Out die-cut, stamp the first part of the sentiment (from Perennial Postage set) at the top with Mossy Meadow ink.  Clean and dry the stamp well, then ink up the 2nd part of the sentiment and stamp it at the bottom of the die-cut.

Stamp another sentiment from the Perennial Postage set onto the larger Very Vanilla piece for the inside of the card.  Use Mossy Meadow for this again.

Ok, I think we've got everything stamped, die-cut and ready to go.

Cut the Brushed with Beauty DSP print to measure 11 1/4" x 5 1/2".  Then score at 1", 4", and 7".  Fold this to make a W fold with the short flap on the left side.

Since this picture is right here, we'll start from the back.  Attached the vanilla to the mossy cardstock with adhesive.  Cut apart one set of stamped leaves and attach as shown.  Then attach layers inside the card making sure they don't show beyond the flap when it's closed.

The center flap has the smaller vanilla layer attached with the smaller flower and the two single leaves attached to the center of the layer.

Now for the front layer.  Attach the two layers of die-cuts together.  Attach the sentiment strip to the Mossy Meadow layer.  Position flower, leaves and sentiment on this layer.  Attach one flower flat tucking one set of leaves under this.  Attach 2nd flower with a Dimensional in the center.  Cut apart remaining leaves and tuck in under this flower.  Attach the sentiment with Mini Dimensionals making sure to keep them only on this layer.  None on the overhanging edge.

To attach this layer to the card front, I used Tear & Tape.  There is a strip along the left edge of the layer from top to bottom.  This holds the layer firmly on the small edge of the DSP.

This card uses some antique brass looking dots that blend nicely with the more neutral colors used here.  These are retired, but there are similar current ones.  

I hope these directions make sense to you as you create along with me.  If you have any questions, get in touch and I'll try to clarify any problems you have.  I totally love how this card evolved and the finished look.  Give it a try.  There are so many lovely DSP prints that it's a shame you can only see one side of them.  I like to find ways to get the full effect of the pretty prints.  If you make this with other prints, I'd love to hear what you've created!  Please share.

Since it's February now, that means it's also time to redeem any of those Bonus Days rewards you earned.  Don't forget, redemption is only in February.  That's it, so don't miss out!!

Thanks for stopping by again to see what's been going on here.  I've been having fun holed up in my stamp room trying to ignore all the cold, snowy-icy-rainy weather we've been having.  I think I need to come up for air pretty soon!  Where's that sunshine?

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon

More Fragrant Layer Ideas

Hi again!  Back with more ideas for using the fun new Fragrant Layers stamp and die bundle.  It seems the more I play around with it the more ideas that start swirling in my brain.  The Fragrant Layers bundle is only found as an Online Exclusive item and not in any catalog.  It really is an interesting set to play with in my opinion.  For these next card samples, I'll still be focusing mostly on the dies again, but stepping it up a bit with another layer that's die-cut to add more dimension and color.  Again, this will be much simpler than it looks, and it's so surprisingly easy!  I was on Pinterest and found a post from Su Mohr at Aromas and Art using this bundle that I absolutely fell in love with and had to try making it too.  You can find her post here.

Doesn't this look like it's really difficult and time-consuming to make?  But it really isn't at all.  Just follow along and you'll see how easy this is to make.

Let's start with the Basic White die-cut layer.  This measures 5 1/4" x 4".  The die is placed about 3/4" from the top edge and centered, then run it through the machine.  Set this aside while the next pieces are die-cut.

There is another die that is a wider outline of just the flowers.  This was used to die-cut Petunia Pop cardstock.  There are also 3 different leaf dies.  These were used to cut Shy Shamrock cardstock.

This picture shows the back side of the white layer.  You can easily see how the flower layer and each of the leaves just nestle right in place on the back.  Little dots of Tombow Liquid Glue (green glue) were carefully added along the white lines of the die-cut images.  Then the colored cardstock was carefully set down right over the design and pressed in place.  Then the appropriate leaves were added to the design.  Just remember a very light touch on the "green glue" and this comes together perfectly.

Next a card base of Basic White cardstock was cut.  This measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and is scored at 4 1/4" and folded in half.

I was looking through all my DSP to find something that I liked behind the flowers.  I found a left-over piece of something that was subtle stripes in a plummy/purply shade that looked fine with the design.  If I remember correctly, it was a Sale-a-bration item a year or maybe two years back.  Maybe?  Anyway, the piece measured 3 1/4" x 4" and would fit nicely under the design.  It was attached to the card front with "green glue" so there was time to wiggle it into place.

Before adding the front layers to the card, the sentiment was added.  This is from the new Simply Beautiful stamp and die bundle.  I like the mix of two fonts used here.  It's stamped with Petunia Pop ink in the center of the bottom area.

From the previous picture you can see all the Dimensionals that I used to attach this layer to the card base.

I thought the addition of the Brushed Brass Butterflies on the design kept up with the spring look of this card.  They're the perfect touch.

Now, I have a picture of another card I made along with this one with a different color scheme.  I wanted to add a little extra color instead of so much white, so the ribbon was added.  Not sure I'm totally happy with the finished design.  Why don't you let me know what you think??

The colors used on this card are Calypso Coral and Shy Shamrock.  I'm wondering if the addition of the Shy Shamrock ribbon is a little overpowering for the design.  Or should I have used softer colors?  I think I like the gems in the flower centers, but should it be more neutral instead of matching the leaves to stay within the color confines.  Oh my, I'm really picking this one apart, aren't I.  Funny thing is, the more I look at it the more it all doesn't bother me.

While I'm doing all this considering about 'what ifs', I've just had a thought that I really want to try this with only blue and white.  Wouldn't that be striking?  Hmmm.  What do you think?

Before finishing up the post here, I wanted to give you a real close-up view of the die-cut layers fitting together perfectly.  I'm just so tickled with how easy this is yet looks so cool.

I hope today's post has inspired you to give this lovely Fragrant Layers stamp and die bundle a try.  I think it's well worth your time to try it out.  There seem to be so many different ways to use this set, and I definitely haven't tried them all yet.  So, stay tuned for more ideas using the Fragrant Layers bundle.

Thank you for coming by to see what I've been up to lately.  Hope you're staying warm and dry.  This has really been an experience this winter.  I've always lived in Michigan, so I'm used to the cold and snow.  But I've learned houses here in the south are not insulated the way they are in the northern states.  And Brrrrr!  It's been cold around here!  Normally you hear about dressing in layers to stay warm when you go outside.  Shoot, we're doing that inside the house!  Sending "warm" hugs your way!

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon