Autumn Opulence Fun Folds

Hello friends!  What a gorgeous, sunshiny fall day.  I just love looking out over the back yard and seeing azaleas just bursting with rosy blooms all over them.  Also, the hummingbirds have been very busy at our feeders, and they are so much fun to watch.  Seems like I've been spending lots of time enjoying life outside now that it's not so blistering hot.  Only a few of the trees around here have started changing colors though.  That is one thing I miss so much about Michigan - the fall colors which are truly glorious!  So instead of seeing the colors outside, I've been making a series of cards using the Autumn Opulence Designer Series Paper.  I know there's always so much going on in the Online Exclusives section of the website that it's hard to miss things.  This DSP seems to be quite overlooked, and I'll be spending a few days highlighting this gorgeous paper.

Today's post features two cards made with any easy fun fold technique, but one is lined up landscape style and the other is set as portrait style.  Both of the cards really focus on the DSP and have very little stamping, so like I said - very easy to make!  We'll start with the portrait style first.

If you don't know, the Autumn Opulence DSP comes with two pre-cut sheets of printed designs that coordinate with the paper.  That's why the cards I'm sharing with you have minimal stamping.  There are lots of pre-made designs for you to use.  But first, let's focus on the prints on the DSP.  Two of them are used on this card.  Don't you just love them?

To make these fun fold cards, you start with an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of cardstock for the base.  This card uses Pecan Pie.  The base needs to be scored at 1 1/4" and at 5 1/2".  Both are folded in to make an off-set gatefold card.

The DSP print on the left side measures 2 7/8" x 5 3/8".  The plaid print on the right side measures 1 1/8" x 5 3/8".  These pieces are attaches to the front flaps with "green glue" which gives me a little wiggle time to get them on straight.

The base for the focal image on the card is Very Vanilla cardstock that is die-cut with the Sweet Words & Labels dies.  This one is the 3rd largest label in that shape.  When cutting, another was cut using the 4th largest sized label die for the inside of the card.

To be the focal image on the die-cut, the pumpkin with flowers cluster was chosen to use.  I personally don't care for a large white outline around the pre-printed images, so I fussy cut around the image to "give it a closer cut".

The Sweet Words & Labels die set also has some smaller oak leaf dies.  I cut two leaves from Golden Glow cardstock to tuck in around the pumpkin.  The upper one on the design has a little Golden Glow ink added to it with a Blender Brush.  The one tucked in at the bottom has a little Cajun Craze ink brushed over it.  The pumpkin was attached with only two Dimensionals so there would be plenty of room for the leaves and the sentiment to tuck under around this.

The label on the front was adhered to the front of the card with "green glue".  

TIP - next time I make this card, I'd run the side of my Pecan Pie Marker along the outside edge of this label.  This would give it a little better definition between the label and the background.

The sentiment is from the Banner Sayings stamp set.  I only wanted those two words, so it was inked on only them and stamped onto a 1/2" strip of Very Vanilla cardstock.  Early Espresso ink was used to stamp this.  Then it was punched with the Three Banner Punch.  This was tucked under the pumpkin and attached with a couple Mini Dimensionals.

A bow was made with Linen Thread.  This was attached to the pumpkin with a Mini Glue Dot that was rolled to fit under the knot.

There are several retired pearlized, champagne-colored dots added to the design for an accent. 

Just wanted to quick show how the inside was finished.  Both of these stamps are about 20 years old and not Stampin'Up!.  I tend to have trouble finding the sentiments I want to use in my SU! stash.  I do hang on to sentiment stamps forever, but sometimes you just have to hit the contraband stamps too.

BTW, I have no idea why the pic looks like Basic White was used inside the card.  It is not.  It's Very Vanilla all the way.  Now, on to the 2nd card sample.

This time the card base is Early Espresso.  The measurements are the same - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".  It's scored at 1 1/4" and 5 1/2".  This time we're working with a landscape style card, so the opening lands near the bottom.

The DSP is the same Autumn Opulence pack I've been using.  The checked print is the backside of the print used on the first card.  The measurements are the same - larger size 5 3/8" x 2 7/8" and the smaller strip is 1 1/8" x 5 3/8".  They are attached with "green glue".

A strip of Early Espresso cardstock was cut that measures 2" x 4 1/4".  

A strip from a different print from this DSP was cut that measures 1 7/8" x 4".  This was attached to the Early Espresso strip with 'green glue".  Then both of them were added to the card front about an inch from the left side.  Make sure you mark where the top flap ends so you only get the glue on that area and not the bottom area.

Three of the pre-printed images were chosen.  Each of them was fussy cut around the edges to make the white edges less visible.  Then they were arranged on the front flap as shown.  Again, be aware of your placement so no adhesive is on the overlapping areas.  The leaf was attached with adhesive, and the mushrooms and acorn were attached with Dimensionals.

The sentiment used here and inside are from the Thanks & Giving set.  The front one was stamped on a 1/2" wide strip of Basic White using Early Espresso ink.  The right edge was angle cut.  Then the label was added to the design with Dimensionals.

Three of the Earthy Matte Dots in the Cajun Craze color were added to the design.

The inside has a 4" x 5 1/4" layer of Basic White cardstock.  The sentiment is stamped near the top with Early Espresso ink.

There is a 1/4" strip of the checked print DSP added that is the same one used on the front of the card.

Another of the printed leaves in the DSP pack was trimmed and added to the design.

Okay, that's two cards made with the same fun fold and the same DSP pack.  But don't they look different?  I just love how changing colors or orientation can make such a large difference in the finished card.  I never get tired of playing with the same items and seeing what else can be created!

When you're shopping around in the catalog to see what's new, don't forget to peruse the Online Exclusives section of the website.  Sometimes it feels like SU! hides some of the best treasures in that area.  Make sure you look through the whole section, so you don't miss anything.  😊

Thanks for stopping by today.  If you give either the Autumn Opulence DSP or this fun fold a try, let me know what you think.  I'd love to hear from you.

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon

More Painted Pumpkin!

 Hello friends!  Yes, I'm back again with another Painted Pumpkin card idea.  These pieces - stamps, dies, and stencils - are so easy to use when creating.  Unfortunately, they've become rather addicting also.  This darling little card might be the last card I share using these products.  Or not, if the mood strikes again!  Today's card is a cute little 4" x 4" card.  So adorable.

Before we get started, I've got to tell you the pictures have a real problem with the color integrity.  I tried taking pics last night and again this afternoon, and the colors are less than stellar.  I'll be posting all the actual colors I used, so go by that when trying to recreate this idea.  Okay?

The idea for this card started with the new Tile Garden Dies.  I think these decorative square layering dies are so much fun.  The die I used is about 3 1/4" square.  It cut one of the Sunflower Fields DSP prints leaving that cute border.

There were a few pumpkins left over from other projects.  These are stamped with Early Espresso ink.  Then the stencils were used with Crisp Cantaloupe, Pumpkin Pie, and a light layer of Crushed Curry inks.  These looked nice again the DSP.

Because I wanted a small-sized card, Old Olive cardstock was cut for the card base.  It measures 4" x 8" and is folded in half.  (This is where you need to use your imagination - the green definitely doesn't look like Old Olive!)

There are several leaves and vines die-cut from the same Old Olive cardstock.

The design needed a brighter layer between the Old Olive and the Pecan Pie/Early Espresso print.  A 3 1/4" x 4" strip was cut from Two-Tone Crushed Curry cardstock.  (This cardstock is really much richer and golden looking than the photos suggest.)  It was attached across the card front with the darker side showing.  Then the brown striped DSP die-cut was attached to this in the center.  Adhesive was used for these two layers.

The pumpkins, leaves and vines were arranged on the card front.  Both of the pumpkins were attached with Dimensionals.  The leaves and vines were tucked in, on, and around the pumpkins.  They were all attached with adhesive.

The sentiment banner on the card is from the Thanks & Giving bundle.  It's stamped on the lighter side of the Two-Tone Crushed Curry cardstock that I used earlier.  It's stamped with Early Espresso ink.  Then it's fussy cut with paper snips.  

A Blender Pen was used to slightly blend in the fold back sections of the banner.  Then the banner was attached with Dimensionals.

I tried several different forms of embellishments on this design and each of them I tried did nothing for the design and were not used.  

The inside of the card is a layer of Basic White cardstock.  It measures 3 3/4" x 3 3/4" square.  One of the sentiments in the Thanks & Giving set was used on the inside here.  It's stamped with Early Espresso ink.

At the bottom of the white layer, a 1/8" strip of Early Espresso was attached.  Then a strip of Crushed Curry cardstock was added.  This was the same Two-Tone Cardstock used earlier in the darker color.

An itty-bitty pumpkin from the same set was stamped in the bottom corner using Early Espresso ink.  Stampin'Blends were used to color this in using Golden Glow, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive.

Then this layer was attached inside the card with adhesive.  And that's it for this sweet little card.  I will mail it out in a regular sized envelope.  Using a different size envelope requires extra postage when mailing.  So, if the card fits in a regular envelope, that's how I mail it.

I love sending out cards that are a little different and give the recipient a tiny surprise.  Why not try a little different size for a change?  This size of card is so cute, and this design took very little time to put together.

I want to apologize again for the strange color of green showing up on my pictures.  Definitely looks more like Garden Green instead.  I really don't know much about photography at all.  I'm more a point and click kind of gal.  It seems that the natural light coming in my windows doesn't care much for my photos and does what it wants some days. 

Thanks for hanging out with me again today.  I don't know about you, but I seem to be really stuck in the autumn-themed cards lately.  Hope you're enjoying them as much as I am!

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon

Lots of Painted Pumpkins!

Hello stamping friends!  Do you like autumn and especially all the pumpkins in the many sizes, shapes, and colors they grow in?  I do, I do!!  I kind of went a little crazy the last few days playing with the Painted Pumpkins bundle and those fun coordinating stencils.  I seem to have a whole pumpkin patch growing on my worktable and now I'm creating cards with them. So much fun!   Are you ready for a pumpkin patch visit?  I've got five cards ready for sharing already, so instead of a separate post and going in depth on each one, it's going to be a fairly quick overview on each card.  OK? 

I'll start with this one.  Using the stencils and Basic White cardstock, I made two batches of pumpkins.  One batch was using just Crisp Cantaloupe for all three layers of stencils and darkened the color each stencil.  On the last stencil, a little Pumpkin Pie ink was added to it to darken the color on some of the pumpkins.  The fourth stencil makes the stems  which I colored with Crumb Cake and just a tiny bit of Pecan Pie to darken.  (The stencils can make 6 pumpkins at a time.)  

After wiping and drying the stencils, I did the same thing with Crumb Cake ink on the layers of stencils.  On the 3rd stencil layer, a little blush of Pumpkin Pie was added to a few like you can see on the front pumpkin on this card.

All the pumpkins were die-cut along with a bunch of leaves and curly stems.  For the leaves on this card, Lost Lagoon cardstock was used.

A layer of Soft Sea Foam cardstock was stenciled with the all-over leaf background stencil using Soft Sea Foam ink.

The card base is Crisp Cantaloupe that measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".  The stenciled Soft Sea Foam layer measures 3 3/4" x 5".  It's backed with a Lost Lagoon layer that measures 3 7/8" x 5 1/8".  The two layers are attached together with adhesive then added to the base with Dimensionals.

All six pumpkins and the greenery were attached with adhesive, except for the front pumpkin which was popped up with Dimensionals.

The sentiment was stamped onto a 3/4" strip using Crumb Cake ink.  It's trimmed and added to the card front with Dimensionals.

Several of the 2026-2028 In Color Butterflies were added to the design.  I used the Crisp Cantaloupe and White butterflies for this card.

The next card is very similar in coloring as I was using more of the pumpkins made for the last card.  This time, the Lost Lagoon layer was attached to the card front with adhesive.  Then the stenciled Soft Sea Foam layer was attached to it with Dimensionals.

The fence from the die set was used to cut some Wood Grain Wonder DSP.  This has not only the printed graining, but the die also has graining when it cuts.  The sections of fence were attached with adhesive about an 1" from the bottom of the card front.

Then four of the pumpkins were arranged staggered in front of the fence and attached with Dimensionals.  Lots of the Lost Lagoon leaves and curly stems were tucked in around the pumpkins and the fence.

The sentiment used here is from the Thanks & Giving stamp set that is an Online Exclusive set.  I don't remember where I got the circular die from, but it worked.  The sentiment was stamped with Lost Lagoon ink to match the leaves.  This is popped up in the corner with Dimensionals.

I decided not to add any sort of bling to this design.  It was nice as it was.

For this next card, I went back to the pumpkin stencils and made darker pumpkins.  These started out with Pumpkin Pie ink for the three layers. Then some Cajun Craze ink was added on the 3rd stencil to add more depth to them.  The stems were still Crumb Cake ink.

This time a batch of leaves and stems were die-cut from Mossy Meadow cardstock.

The card base is Crumb Cake cardstock.  There is a layer of Mossy Meadow cardstock that measures 5 1/4" x 4".  This was embossed with the new Softly Woven 3D Embossing Folder.  This detail shows up so nicely here.  It was attached to the card base with "green glue" to hold securely.

There is a layer of the checked 2026-2028 In Color Gingham Gallery DSP in Golden Glow cut.  This measures 3 1/4" x 4 1/2".  

Before attaching to the base, a 12" piece of Early Espresso jute from the Neutrals Jute Combo Pack was cut.  Then it was unraveled to get three strands instead of one bulky one.  This was wrapped around the DSP layer and tied into a knot.  Then the layer was attached to the embossed layer with "green glue".  

Next a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock was cut to 2 3/4" x 3".  This piece has some splattering from Early Espresso ink and water mix and flicked on with a water painter.  After it dried, a little Early Espresso ink was blended on the edges with a Blending Brush.

The larger pumpkin was attached with adhesive with the smaller one added with Dimensionals.  The leaves and curlicues were tucked in around the pumpkins.  

The sentiment comes from the Thanks & Giving set. It's stamped on Basic White with Early Espresso ink.  Then fussy cut around the words.  It's attached with Dimensionals.

Three of the Sunset Sparkle Sequins in an orange-y color were added to the design to finish.

I still had more pumpkins to play with yet.  These are two of the Pumpkin Pie/Cajun Craze and one of the Crumb Cake with a blush of pumpkin on it.  This time I die-cut Old Olive leaves and stems to use.

The card base is Golden Glow that measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".  The wood-grain print is from the Country Woods DSP in a weathered wood look.  It measures 5 1/8" x 3 7/8".  It's backed with a layer of Early Espresso cardstock.  This measures 5 1/4" x 4".  The two layers are attached with adhesive, then attached to the card base with adhesive also.

The three pumpkins are arranged on this, then attached with Dimensionals.  The leaves and vines are tucked in all around them.

The sentiment this time comes from the Elegant Leaves stamp set.  They are stamped with Early Espresso ink on a 1/2" x 4" strip of Basic White cardstock.  This is layered onto an Early Espresso cardstock piece that measures 3/4" x 4 1/4".  It's attached with Dimensionals.

A short length of a Neutral Jute Combo Pack in Pecan Pie is tied into a bow.  The ends are frayed.  Then it's attached at the bottom corner of the sentiment strip using a Mini Glue Dot.

Five of the Sunset Sparkle Sequins in the orange-y color are scattered around the design to finish.

Okay, we have come to the last design and the one I think I like the most.  Two of the pumpkins this time are made with Pumpkin Pie/Cajun Craze inks.  The middle one has Timid Tiger added so it's a little brighter.  The leaves and vines are cut from Peaceful Pine cardstock this time.

The card base is Peaceful Pine cardstock.  It measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".  There is a layer of Country Woods DSP added.  This measures 5 1/4"x 4".  It's attached to the card base with adhesive.

There is a gate cut from another print of the Country Woods DSP that is quite dark but has a nice, weathered look.  The fence section was not cut this time, just the gate.  It's attached to the card front at the left side with the right edge not glued down yet.  

One of the pumpkins was tucked partially behind the gate, then the gate was fully attached over this.

The other two pumpkins were attached in front of the gate using Dimensionals.  The leaves and vines were tucked around the pumpkins and into the gate.

The sentiment is another from the Thanks & Giving stamp set.  The words are stamped on a piece of Basic White cardstock using Early Espresso ink.  It's die-cut with a small Perennial Postage die. 

After die-cutting, a Blending Brush and Pumpkin Pie ink was added lightly around the edges.

A large bow was made from Linen Thread and attached behind the sentiment.  Then Dimensionals were added behind to hold in place.

Several Low-Profile Sparkle Dots in the dark blue color were added to the design.  I liked how the golden sparkles in the dots really tied in with the warm glow of the pumpkins.

Whew!!  That was a lot to get through.  I hope I gave you enough info to CASe any of these that you would like to try.  If you have questions about any of these specifically, please feel free to contact me at sharoncarr50@gmail.com .  I'm always happy to talk with you about anything I've made or any other questions you might have.

Thank you for spending your time here with me today.  Yes, I've given you a lot to take in, but I truly hope you give this bundle of goodies a try.  I totally love these stencils for coloring the pumpkins.  It's so easy to add a blush of another color over what you've already made, and it changes the look so much.  It's definitely something to play with and try combining different colors for these cool pumpkins.  Time for a color play date!

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon

Painted Pumpkin Stencils

Hello stamping friends!  Happy almost fall y'all.  So, let's talk a minute.  What are your thoughts on stencils for cardmaking?  Have you tried them?  Do you like them?  I'm totally hooked on the idea, so I of course had to get the Painted Pumpkins Bundle found on page 30 of the new catalog.  I'll admit that the colors SU! chose for displaying the suite aren't quite my cup of tea for fall.  But that said, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the stamps, dies, and coordinating stencils.  They are so much fun to play around with to get different color combos.  I've got my first card made with these stencils to share with you.  It's just a simple card with a few layers including some pretty DSP and a few stenciled and die-cut pumpkins to round it out.  Psst - if you don't like seeing any retired items used, then you don't want to go any further.  This uses a retired die, woven trim, and bling.  Sorry, sometimes you just have to use what works!

The first thing done to make this card was to stencil the three pumpkins onto Basic White cardstock.  The stencils in the Painted Pumpkins bundle have 4 stencils for the pumpkins and 1 stencil that is leaves and vines that would cover a card front size area.  So far, I've only used the pumpkins stencils, but will get around to the leaves at a later date.

The first batch of pumpkins stenciled used Crisp Cantaloupe ink and stencils labelled 1-3 to build the pumpkin colors.  Then a bit of Timid Tiger was added to the third stencil layer to darken it a little.  The fourth stencil adds the stems to each of the pumpkins.  For this I used Crumb Cake ink to keep the pumpkins on the light side.

After the stenciling was finished, these pumpkins were die-cut with the matching die from the set.  While die-cutting, I also cut several loose leaves and all the vines that are in the set.  For cutting, I took a section of Basic White Thick cardstock and Blending Brushes with several green inks - Garden Green, Old Olive, and Peaceful Pine.  The colors were swirled, light and dark, and blended into a fun mixture that was perfect for die-cutting all the leaves and vines.  You can see multiple greens on each piece.  Now that all the pieces were ready, it was time to plan the card.

The layer needed for these pumpkins to reside on was die-cut with the (R) Textured Notes dies from Peaceful Pine cardstock.  I really liked the contrast of this green with the pumpkin colors.  This die measures approximately 4 3/4" x 3 1/4".

Next, a length of (R) Irregular Weave Trim was wrapped around this and taped in the back.  The earthy neutral trim fit in well with this design.  After attaching the trim, the pumpkins were arranged on the right side.  The largest was attached flat with adhesive, and the other two were layered on with Dimensionals.  One of the vines was tucked in over the pumpkins, and the other one was tucked behind.  The leaves on the vines each have a Mini Dimensional behind it to give it depth.

The sentiment is from the Thanks & Giving set.  You'll find this in the Online Exclusive section starting Sept. 1st.  It's stamped with Pecan Pie ink onto a Basic White scrap.  Then it was cut with scissors.  It's attached to the layer with a Dimensional in the center.  Then a couple of loose leaves are tucked under it.

Now, on to the card base.  This is Pecan Pie cardstock that measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".  It's scored and folded in half.

It took a while to decide on a DSP print to use.  I wanted to stay rather muted and let the pumpkins shine.  Looking through my stash, I found this lovely muted Peaceful Pine print in the new Autumn Opulence Designer Series Paper that I just love.  It's so unassuming, but it was just what this design needed.  This will be another Online Exclusive find on Sept. 1st.  A layer was cut that measures 5 1/4" x 4".  It's attached to the card base with adhesive.  Then the Peaceful Pine layer that was just finished was added to the center with adhesive also.

Several (R) Low-Profile Dots in a soft Petal Pink color were added.  Surprisingly these looked perfect with the Crisp Cantaloupe pumpkins.

Now, to finish off the inside of the card.  Another piece of the Autumn Opulence DSP was added.  This measures 5" x 4".

Then a layer of Basic White was cut that measures 4" x 3".  On this, another one of the sentiments in the Thanks & Giving set was stamped in the left corner using Pecan Pie ink.

There's also a tiny pumpkin stamp in this set that is so cute.  It's stamped in the bottom right corner with Pecan Pie ink.  Then Crisp Cantaloupe and Crumb Cake Stampin'Blends were used to add a little color.  Then the white layer was attached inside the card with adhesive.  And that's it.

Thanks for hanging out with me today.  If you haven't tried using the Decorative Masks (stencils) yet, I hope you give them a try.  It's really fun seeing how the colors blend and change as you keep adding layers until you have the final design.

Remember, the new catalog starts September 1st, just two more days to wait!  I'm so excited to see what you'll be getting and the fun things you'll make.  I'd love to hear what you're creating!

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon