Mountain Air - Take 2

 Hi all.  Just a quick update.  When I shared the Mountain Air card the other day, I mentioned that I had used a 4 1/4" square of the Sale-a-bration Peaceful Prints Designer Series Paper.  And yes, it is free!  Anyway, I told you I had cut the DSP at an angle and used half on the card I shared.  Just wanted to share with you the other half of the DSP,  namely the backside of it, and the same card with a little change added.

See, basically the same card using the same stamps, cardstock, ink, etc.  It looks a little different using the snowflake-over-plaid Designer Series Paper, which I really like.  Maybe even more than the first version.

But I couldn't leave well enough alone.  I had the scraps left over from the black glitter paper that the center trees were die-cut from.  It was just too pretty to waste.  So I took the tiny star from the Christmas Trimmings Die set, and cut as many stars as possible from the scraps.  Now I have a tidy pile of stars for future use.  The Black Glitter Paper already had the Adhesive Sheets I had put on the back, so it was easy to peel and stick a few on.  Did I get carried away with the number of stars?  Not sure.  I keep going back and forth about that number, but they're on there now, so I guess they're staying.  

Here's a little more of a close-up of the Black Glitter Paper tree and stars.  The paper seems difficult to photograph and really show how pretty it is.  Guess it's just too subtle for my camera  As far as I can tell though, it does look gorgeous on the actual card, so I'll be using touches of it here and there quite often.  I usually go for the more subtle look on cards, so this is right up my creative alley!

Keep playing around with your stamping 'toys'.  It definitely is more fun than therapy!  I'll be back with more ideas shortly.  Stay tuned!

If you're placing an order yet this month to get those Sale-a-bration freebies, don't forget to please use the Host Code shown here.  I really appreciate you wonderful ladies.  I'm already working on goodies to send you next month as a thank you.

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon

Thankful Stand Up Card

 Hey, great news!   The weather has decided to cool down some around here.  But we still have the rain to deal with on and off for the next foreseeable future.  We even had tornado warnings yesterday again.  Oh well, win some, some not so much.  Still enjoying all the birds showing up at our feeders though.  They are here rain or shine.  Don't you like dependability?

Thought today would be a great day to share a fun fold card with you.  Actually this was a fold we did years ago, but I had forgotten all about it.  Lately I've been seeing lots of this fun fold on Pinterest and blogs, so figured it was time for me to resurrect this too.

This card has an accordian-style fold on either end so stands up nicely on a mantel or bookshelf, or my favorite place - the dining room table.  This will be a perfect card to be part of your holiday decorations.

It starts out with a card base of Cajun Craze cut to 5 1/2" x 9 1/4".  It's then scored at 1 1/2", 2 3/4", 6 1/2", and 7 3/4".  There is a layer of Very Vanilla cardstock for the backside of the card cut to 3 1/2" x 5 1/4".

The cute print paper comes from the Harvest Meadow Designer Series Paper.  You could use two different prints on your card - one for the center and a different one for the two side wings.  For this card, I chose to stick with one print because it was fairly busy and I didn't want to overpower the card with competing prints.  These papers were cut 5 1/4" x 3 1/2" and (2) at 5 1/4" x 1 1/4" for the sides.

The pumpkins were stamped with images from the Pretty Pumpkin stamp set.  These were stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock using Early Espresso ink.  The coloring was all done with these Stampin' Blends:  So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake, and Old Olive.  If you haven't noticed yet, I just love coloring with the Stampin' Blends!  It's so easy to get shading and highlighting and infinite shades of colors with just a few Blends.  So easy to get multiple colors of pumpkins.  After coloring the pumpkins and leaves, they were die-cut using the coordinating Detailed Pumpkins dies.

Then I chose the large filigree pumpkin die and Cajun Craze cardstock to cut.  Oh my, so gorgeous!  I also die-cut two leaves with Old Olive cardstock.  Don't you just love all the detail in both the pumpkin and leaves?  I'm going to have to play with that some more!  The pumpkin has some MultiPurpose Liquid Glue sponged on the back to attach it.  The leaves have Mini Glue Dots behind them.  The "painted" pumpkins  are attached with adhesive, but the leaf out in front has Mini Dimensionals attaching it to the card.

The sentiment is from the Pretty Pumpkins set along with the sentiment stamped on the back of the card.  This was stamped with Early Espresso ink on a Very Vanilla die-cut from the Ornate Frames Dies.  Love the different shape and stitching on it!  It's attached with Dimensionals.

The back of the card is Very Vanilla cardstock.  This tucks in so nicely right between the folded "wings" of the card.  I also stamped a vine with leaves and flower on the card with Early Espresso ink.  It was colored in with Stampin' Blends to match the pumpkins on the front of the card.

I was going to finish the card off with some Linen Thread tied in a bow.  But then ran across some Crushed Curry Twine that was left over from another project and liked that better.  It was attached with a rolled Mini Glue Dot.  

Wouldn't this be the perfect card to display on Thanksgiving?  I love the different styles, textures, and prints on the card, and yes, I'm really happy with how it turned out.  Hope you try making a card similar to this with the easy fun fold and different styles of elements added together to form a happy card.   Just put your own take on it and have fun!  Let me know if you've tried this one.

If you're planning to order any time yet this month, please use this updated Host Code.  I'd really appreciate it so much, and I like to share goodies with my customers.  Don't forget to take advantage of Sale-a-bration.  There are some awesome stamps, dies, and Designer Paper that are available to you right now.  And who doesn't like free?

Thanks for stopping by again.  I love hearing from you, so leave a comment if you would and tell me what you think of my creations and what you're doing too.

Stay cool, and keep stamping,

Sharon

Mountain Air Christmas

 Hi y'all!  Hope you're having a fabulous day today.  It's Monday here and it can't decide if it's really hot and all sunshiny, or cloudy and rainy.  It seems to swing back and forth between the two today so I have no idea what to expect when out running errands!  Leave when it's sunny and come back drenched - how crazy!  And even with all this crazy hot and wet weather, the card today is Christmas.  Guess I need to get used to a warmer winter than I was used to in Michigan!  Think cool!

I've always liked red and black for cards, so masculine.  And  the Mountain Air stamp set with it's coordinating Majestic Mountain dies was a big favorite of mine last year for fall and Christmas.  I'm so happy it's still in the current catalog so I can share this simple and classy Christmas card with you.

I started with a base of Basic White Thick cardstock cut at 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored and folded at 4 1/4".  The cool plaid paper is from the traditional Peaceful Prints Designer Series Paper that is one of the free items during Sale-a-bration with a $50 order.  Each of the 12 prints in this DSP is great and will make up some great cards or Christmas themed scrapbook pages or 3D items.  This is one of the first items I chose because of the versatility.  

The plaid DSP was cut at 4 1/4" x 4 1/4".   It was then cut diagonally, about 1" up from the bottom left corner to about 1" down from the top right corner.  Since this basically cuts it in half, you can easily make two cards at a time when using both pieces.  For my 2nd card, I flipped the DSP over and used the other side which has white snowflakes over the plaid.  A real nice look with the black trees.

After attaching the DSP to the bottom of the card base, I added a 1/2" strip of Basic Black at the cut edge and attached with adhesive.  This strip really gave the card a nice finished look.  It's best to start with a longer strip than you think you'll need just to make sure that the ends both overlap the sides of the card and can be snipped off. (ask me why I know this.  Hmm...)

The sentiment comes from the Perfectly Plaid stamp set.  I love the beautiful font on these words and use it often.  This was stamped in Real Red ink.

Two of the trees were die-cut from Basic Black cardstock.  Actually I was only planning on using two, then I remembered I had ordered the Black Glitter Paper that is in the Halloween section of the Mini Catalog.  How would that look?  Oh my goodness!  I loved the look of two plain black trees and the center one have that awesome glitter.  Very understated and gorgeous.

Before die-cutting the trees, I adhered the cardstock pieces to the Adhesive Sheets.  This made it so easy to later just peel off the backing and attach them to my card.  Lastly, I added three Real Red Rhinestones for a bit of glitz.  So happy with how the cards turned out!  And two more cards finished for my Christmas Card Stash!  Woo hoo!

So glad you stopped by today.  Hope you like this very classy and clean idea today.  Of course you can take the idea and make it into any type of card you need.  That's why it's so fun to have basic card layouts that you can go back to time and again.  It takes some of the stress out of what to do on those days when your creative mojo just isn't doing too well.  You know, we all have those days. Just pull out a layout that you're comfortable with and add paper and stamps.  Easy Peasy.

If you're planning on placing an order this month so you can take advantage of Sale-a-bration, please use the host code listed below.  I really appreciate it.  And I'm so happy you've decided to shop with me!

August Host Code

WW9ZCZHH

Happy stamping and creating!

Sharon

Friendship Friday Again

 Hi there.  Glad you stopped by today.  Can you believe the week is almost over and it's time for another Friendship Friday post?  Time is just whizzing by lately and I can't seem to get enough accomplished.  But my wonderful friends have still been sending me cards to keep in touch.  I just love you guys!  So, here they are.  The latest installment of cards made by my friends and shared by me.  Not all are Stampin'Up! products, or they may be really old, retired products that are still wonderful.  

created by

Kathy Hintz

created by

Barb Eisenman

created by

Jean Mazurek

created by 

Diane Wallace

created by 

Kathy Hintz

created by

Shirley Krone

created by

Jean Mazurek

created by

Diane Wallace

Aren't they all lovely?  And they mean so much to me!  I can't begin to explain how wonderful it is to go to the mailbox and find a card addressed to me.  And then to open it and read the special notes inside just makes my day.  Thank you all for still caring about me and sending me these hugs through the mail.  You're so special!

Love and lots of hugs,

Sharon

Tidings with a Painted Christmas

 Hi ladies!  It's hard to concentrate on Christmas ideas when the weather outside is anything but chilly! More like in the mid 90's lately!  But if I try hard enough, I can still remember the snow and cold weather from last winter in Michigan.  So that's what I've been doing to get in the mood for Christmas.  Today I want to share a card that has a simple twist on a regular gate-fold card that opens in the middle.  This one has a small flap on the right side with most of the card front taken up on the left side.  Here, see what I mean...

I love this Painted Christmas Designer Series Paper that's in the July-December Mini Catalog (page 17 if you're interested).  There's just something about those hand-painted patterns that call out to me - "use me first!"  So I thought this would be a good fun-fold card to share two of the prints at once.

Here are the dimensions for cutting the cardstock and DSP:

Crumb Cake - 11" x 4 1/4",  scored at 1 1/2" and 7"

Real Red - 4" x 3 3/4"   and  4" x 1 1/4"

DSP - 3 3/4" x 3 1/2"    and   3 3/4" x 1"

Plus extra Real Red, Crumb Cake, Basic White, and Garden Green cardstock for cutting all the other bits and pieces needed.

The main thing to making this card is get the scoring done correctly and everything else comes together like a dream.  This kind of fun-fold can be used with so many other designer papers and for any occasion.  Just give it a try.

After the Crumb Cake cardstock is scored, layer the different prints of designer paper onto the Real Red layers using adhesive.  I attached them to the front flaps of the card using adhesive, because I wanted it flat so my card didn't get too bulky.

Next up was deciding what to use for the focal point and the sentiment.  I knew I wanted to use the Tidings & Trimmings stamp set, especially that cute little stocking.  So the stocking was stamped with Evening Evergreen ink onto Basic White cardstock.  The background of the stocking was colored with the Light Soft Sea Foam Stampin' Blends, and the leaves with Light Soft Succulent Stampin' Blends.   This was die-cut and ready to use.  

Then I die-cut a Crumb Cake circle with the Layering Circles die set for the sentiment and stocking.  Stamped the sentiment from the Tidings & Trimmings set next using Evening Evergreen ink and positioned the stocking to check.  It looked a little lost, so I die-cut the next size up circle with the scalloped edge and cut a Real Red circle to layer behind it.  Just right on that, but needed something else. 

 The coordinating die set, Christmas Trimmings, has some little holly leaves, so I die-cut a set from a scrap of Garden Green cardstock.  These were positioned on the stocking and attached with a Mini Glue Dot behind each one to hold in place.  

The circles were then attached to the card front using Dimensionals only on the left side so it wouldn't impede opening the card.  It needed some bling so I added three little Real Red Rhinestones to the holly leaves.  Then added a couple extra on the sentiment area.  Now it looked just as I'd envisioned.  And that doesn't happen too often!  Usually I start out with an idea and somehow by the time it's finished it seems to be something altogether different!  *huge grins*

The inside was super simple.  Basic White cardstock was cut at 5 1/4" x 4".  The sentiment from the Tidings & Trimmings set was stamped inside with Evening Evergreen ink.  I had a skinny 1/4" strip of Real Red cardstock that I attached to the left side to bring more color inside the card.  And that's it.  Another Christmas card ready to get mailed in just a couple more months.

I hope you enjoyed this easy fun-fold idea and give it a try.  Also, check out the Tidings & Trimmings Bundle where you can get both the stamp set and dies to match at 10% off the full price.  I just love bargains and this one is a really great one.  I'll definitely be using these pieces for more Christmas cards in the near future so keep an eye out for them.  And if you're thinking about Sale-a-bration, get this bundle and add a Designer Series Paper to go with it and you'll qualify for one of the Sale-a-bration freebies!  What's not to like about that idea?!

Here's the Host Code for you to use if you're planning on ordering this month.  Remember, for every $50 you order in August and September, you qualify for a Sale-a-bration item.  Or spend $100 to qualify for one of the larger items.  It's all up to you how you want to qualify for those adorable stamps or gorgeous new Designer Papers.  Have fun shopping!

Stay cool and stamp inside!  

Sharon

Vertical Birthday Card

Hello friend!  Glad you stopped by.  Today I  have a lovely birthday card for you.  Over the 22+ years I've been a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, there's been several different sets with vertical sentiments.  I always think I'll get around to getting one, but it seems like I never do.  Well, not this time around!  There is a set called Celebrate With Flowers that I picked up recently.  And I needed another birthday card - no surprise there.  That's something I seem to be making a lot of a regular basis!  So check out this new set and see how you like it!

Isn't this one fun?  I love the sentiment going up the side with the little stamped dragonfly.  And did you notice the little Loose Flower Flourishes tucked in among the greenery?  Just too cute!

This card starts with the card base of Garden Green cardstock, cut at 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4" for a basic card size.  Instead of lots of layers, I just used the card base showing through as an accent.  The Hand-Penned Designer Series Paper is cut at 5 1/4" x 3" and is attached near the left folded edge.  

The Basic White strip is cut at 5 1/4" x 1".  The vertical Happy Birthday sentiment was stamped in Garden Green ink.  Behind this, I stamped the leafy branch with Pool Party ink to add some interest and not have it be such a stark white piece.  Above the sentiment, I stamped a dragonfly (which is part of the set too) using Cinnamon Cider ink.

Along the folded side, I wrapped the Soft Succulent Open Weave ribbon, tied into a square knot, and trimmed the ends.  I really like the soft, sheer ribbon off-setting the busy print of the Designer Series Paper.  And for those of you that a bow-challenged, this ribbon is very easy to work with and you can manipulate it into whatever size bow or knot you need.

The card looked a little plain at this point and I checked how all the different rhinestones and sequins would look.  But nothing seemed to work the way I wanted.  Ah ha!  I remembered the little Loose Flower Flourishes that I had purchased and set aside.  (Duh, I don't know why I never think of using these cute little things!)  They come in three colors, Fresh Freesia, Pale Papaya, and Polished Pink.  I used a large one near the bottom, and two of the tiny ones going up the leafy branch.  They just need a little Mini Glue Dot behind them to attach.  Easy peasy, and I love how they look!  Just the perfect addition.

The inside was quick to finish up.  I stamped on a layer of Basic White cardstock cut at 5 1/4" x 4".  I used Garden Green ink to stamp the sentiment which is part of this same set.  I added the leafy branch to the left side stamped in Pool Party ink.  And then the little dragonfly stamped in Cinnamon Cider ink again makes another appearance, this time inside the card.   I love how the ribbon wrapped around for the front makes a lovely accent inside the card too.

That's all for today.  So glad I finally got around to buying one of those vertical sentiment stamp sets.  Wish I had done that so much sooner.

Just a reminder, Sale-a-bration is going on this month and next month too.  Please don't wait too long to order.  I always feel bad when the Sale-a-bration freebies start to sell out!    Hmmm, wrong word - they're not for sale.  But you know what I mean.  Please don't wait til the very last minute and be disappointed when you can't get what you really had your heart set on!

And Please use the Host Code on the left.  I really do appreciate all the orders you ladies have given me!  You're awesome!!

Happy stamping and creating!

Sharon

Gorgeous Delicate Dahlias

 Hi all!  So glad you've stopped by today.  I just got my new Sale-a-bration free set called Delicate Dahlias and I've got to tell you that I am impressed.  This is a two-step set that's just lovely, and the detail is simply awesome.  On the cards I want to share today, I didn't even use the outline stamps, just the more solid stamps.  And they certainly aren't lacking in any kind of detail.  Let me show you what I mean...

Aren't these cards just absolutely beautiful?  I'm so pleased with how they turned out.  As you can see, I couldn't decide which way to use my favorite color combo, so I made the cards both ways.  I just love the combo of Pale Papaya and Mint Macaron, so I tend to grab those colors a lot.  Hope you're not tired of them yet, because I'll probably be using them for a good long while.  *grins*

For the first card, Mint Macaron in the card base that's cut at 11" x 4 1/4" and scored at 5 1/2".  This is a slightly different way of using that size - usually the card is a top fold, but I put the fold on the side instead.  I added a 1 1/2" strip of the same color, but used a Blending Brush and Mint Macaron ink to add some soft shading on all the edges of it.  Then I ran it through my Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine with the Meadow Moments Embossing Folder.  This was attached to the cardfront about 1/2" from the left edge using MultiPurpose Liquid Glue.  I wrapped a length of Soft Succulent Open Weave Ribbon around the center of this and tied it into a pretty bow.

For the stamping, I chose Pale Papaya ink and stamped the Dahlia in the center of the 3 1/2" square Basic White cardstock piece.  I added two of the 3 leaf stems to this using Mint Macaron ink.  The sentiment was stamped with the Mint Macaron ink also.  I wanted to add a couple of the pretty smaller flowers to fill in, and decided on Pumpkin Pie ink.  Love how that turned out.  And can you see all the detail on those little flowers?  Oh my, just fabulous!  There's a tiny little leaf in the set also, so those were stamped around the smaller flowers.  The edge of the cardstock have color very lightly added with the Blending Brush and Mint Macaron ink.  Then a layer of Pale Papaya cardstock, cut at 3 1/2" square, was layered behind this.  Dimensionals popped it up from the card base.

For the Pale Papaya version of this card, the cardstock is cut at 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and scored at 4 1/2".  The extra strip of cardstock on the front of this card is only 1" and embossed with the Checks & Dots Embossing Folder.  It's also been shaded on the edges with the Blending Brush and Pale Papaya ink.  This time a Pale Papaya Open Weave ribbon was tied around and a bow added with a Mini Glue Dot.

The stamping on this one is all the same as the first one.  The sentiment ended up in a different corner because it seemed to fit better there.  Again it has Mint Macaron ink softly added to the edges with the blending Brushes.  Mint Macaron is the layer behind and was attached with Dimensionals.  The little rhinestone on each card is from the 2021-2023 In Color Jewels.  I used the Soft Succulent color on each card.  

Ok, that was fun.  But I didn't want to stop there yet.  I wanted to try it out using bolder, brighter, sort of fall looking colors.  Here's the next versions...

I think these turned out beautifully!  It's basically the same pieces for the main part of the card and a few tweaks when putting them together.  

The Basic White cardstock piece on both of these was a smidge bigger - 3 1/2" square with backings of either Old Olive or Pumpkin Pie that is 3 3/4" square.  I didn't add any embossing or coloring to the strips of cardstock used as accents on the Daffodil Delight card base. The colors of ink used for stamping on these was Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, and Old Olive.

On these two cards, I added three smaller flowers to each instead of only two like the first version.  Since the cardstock was bigger, I felt it would fill the space better.  Also, I switched up the wording and used the Biggest Wish hello stamped in Old Olive ink to make a card to use at any time.

These two cards also used the 2021-2023 In Color Jewels, but in the Pale Papaya color as accents.  Each card here used three of these lovely jewels.

Ok, there you have it - my soft pastel version and the bolder, bright summer or fall look.  Which do you like better?  Lots to choose from here.  And it's wonderful that the Delicate Dahlias is a stamp set that you can choose for free when you spend $100 or more on your next order.  I have a feeling that this one is going to be one of my favorites and I've just barely started in on what can be done with this set.

If you're planning on ordering in August (and who wouldn't with Sale-a-bration going on!) please use the Host Code on the left.  I greatly appreciate it.  And for those of you who've already ordered this month, Thank You So Much!

Make sure you keep an eye on how much you spend to maximize your Sale-a-bration freebies!  I don't want you missing out on anything special!

Just wanted to mention that we had a great time in Charleston and saw so many interesting things.  But there wasn't near enough time and we're going to have to make time for another short trip.  We didn't even get to go on one of the 'ghost tours' and we really want to try that!  Maybe in October closer to Halloween??  Anyway, it's good to be back and creating again.  I'm all revved up with some great ideas I'm looking forward to sharing with you.  Come back again soon!

Happy stamping and creating!

Sharon