Archive for the 'Card Making' Category

Clover Card

Published on February 20, 2010 in Card Making. 0 Comments

I’m not sure what to call this shape, I’m sure there’s a special name for it, but I’m going to call it a clover card. I created my own template with it and I’ll be posting it on a templates page soon. I made a “permanent” template by cutting it out of stencil plastic that I bought at a local craft store.

Here’s what the template looks like cut out of white cardstock.

I made my card by cutting it out of colored cardstock. On the front I added some design paper of alternating patterns to give it an interesting look. Then added a small message. You might notice that 90% of my cards are for birthdays, and that’s because I need all those for my family and friends!

Certainly Celery cardstock, Pumpkin Pie classic ink, Kaleidoscope designer series paper, Birthday Whimsy stamp set.

On the inside I used more paper from the Kaleidoscope designer series and then stamped a message with the Whimsical Words stamp set. I’m considering this design to use for my Mother’s Day cards this year.

Oh, and my kids let me know… this shape… it’s called a quatrefoil!

Round & Scalloped Shaped Cards

Published on February 15, 2010 in Card Making. 0 Comments

One of the simplest designs that I like from the show was the circle shaped and scalloped shaped cards. For whatever reason I’ve never tried these before. They are simple, just punch out your card leaving a little edge out of the die template so that you have a spine for the card. Here are two that I made today.

Pink Passion cardstock; Tempting Turquoise classic ink and cardstock; Kaleidoscope designer series paper; Always and One of a Kind stamp sets.

Certainly Celery cardstock, Tempting Turquoise cardstock and classic ink; Flock Together designer series paper; Whimsical Words stamp set.

The Easel Card

Published on February 10, 2010 in Card Making. 0 Comments

I love the easel card and have been making them left and right! It’s just as simple as your standard card, but so cute for display. I’ve made 2 different size cards, one 4″ x 4″ and one 3.5″ x 3.5″.

The closed card is square shaped. Once it’s opened, the face of the card can be tilted down and placed on a shelf to show for display.

The front of the card.

The open card on display.

Displayed card from the side.

Card opened, side view.

The 4″ x 4″ card is made with the following:
A- 4″ x 8″ basecard, scored at 2″ and 4″
B- 4″ x 4″ facecard

With one sheet of 12″ x 12″ paper you can get 3 easel cards.

Decorate you facecard (A) as you desire, I use a slightly smaller card size (3.75″ x 3.75″) so that the edges of the facecard can be used as a frame for the design.

Fold the basecard (B) at the 4″ score line (this folds the card in half). With the fold at the top and 2″ score line in the front, place adhesive on the bottom half of the card (opening edge, up to the 2″ score line). Attach the facecard to the basecard. On the inside of the card use a brad, embellishment, or cut out for the stop to the hold the facecard when on display. Folding the front at the 2″ score line tilts the facecard. You can choose to decorate the inside of the card, or just use it for your personal message.

Only orange cardstock; Kaleidoscope designer series paper, Birthday Whimsy stamp set.

The 3.5″ x 3.5″ card is made with the following:
A- 3.5″ x 7″ basecard, scored at 1.75″ and 3.5″
B- 3.5″ x 3.5″ facecard

I tried this size because I can get 2 cards out of a 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of cardstock.

This card was made with some of the design paper I made myself (see previous post).

Orchid Opulence cardstock; Turquoise ribbon; Whimsical Words stamp set.

Pixie Pink cardstock; Kaleidoscope designer series paper; Whimsical Words and Always stamp sets.

Using Handmade Designer Paper for Cards

Published on February 6, 2010 in Card Making. 0 Comments

On my last post, a video, I showed you how easy it is to make your own designer paper. I promised that I would also show you what I had in plan for that paper. I’ve used the paper for what is referred to as a “One Sheet Wonder.” Basically you use one sheet of paper to make a set of coordinating cards, I’ve seen anywhere from 6 to 10 cards- I used my paper to make 7 cards.

Cut the 8.5″ x 11″ paper into fourths and then into different shapes and sizes to use for making your cards.

Using coordinating ink, paper, and a few embellishments you can create a set of coordinating cards. These make great gifts too!

Tempting Turquoise cardstock and classic ink; Orchid Opulence cardstock and classic ink; Pixie Pink cardstock and classic ink; Whisper White cardstock; Versa-Mark; Always and One of a Kind stamp sets.


Tempting Turquoise cardstock and classic ink; Pixie Pink cardstock and classic ink; Orchid Opulence cardstock and classic ink; Whisper White cardstock; Turquoise ribbon; Versa-Mark; One of a Kind and Whimsical Words stamp sets.


Green Galore cardstock and classic ink; Orchid Opulence cardstock and classic ink; Pixie Pink cardstock; Whisper White cardstock; Always and Whimsical Words stamp sets.


Orchid Opulence cardstock and classic ink; Tempting Turquoise and Green Galore classic ink; Whisper White cardstock; One of a Kind and Whimsical Words stamp sets.

Playing Around with my New Loot

Published on February 2, 2010 in Card Making. 0 Comments

So I’ve been working with my new loot from my demonstrator’s starter kit. I’m learning to use some new stuff, specifically the pastels, the two step stamps, and the Versa-Mark. At first I just played around a little trying to get a look at the stamps and the colors, etc.

Then I started to put together some cards. Each one was playing with something a little bit differently. My first card was with the bird from the Always stamp set, I really like this bird. I wanted to use a single card color and white so I chose something darker, Perfect Plum. Here’s what I made, I like the way it turned out with the white contrast against the dark background color.

Perfect plum cardstock, classic ink, and designer series paper; Whisper white cardstock and craft ink; Always stamp set.

Next I wanted to try out the pastels. This is what I created, simple and elegant.

I wanted to play with my alphabet set and figure out good ways to use it. Here’s what I made.

Whisper White cardstock; Pixie Pink, Tempting Torquoise, and Green Galore classic inks; One of a Kind and Jumble Alphabet stamp sets; pastels.

I also worked on the two step stamping and the Versa-Mark, but I don’t love what I’ve created yet. Not even liked it enough to post it. It is yet to come!

Coordinating Stamps and Punches

Published on January 24, 2010 in Card Making. 0 Comments

In the 2009/2010 Stampin’ Up Idea Book and Catalog there is a stamp set and punch that coordinate.  This is a great idea and I hope that Stampin’ Up starts doing this more often.

The stamp set is Flight of the Butterfly (item 111564) and the larger butterfly can be punched out with the Butterfly punch (item 116629).  I love using this stamp set and have created tons of little butterflys to use on my cards.

Whisper White and Old Olive cardstock; Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, and Rich Razzleberry classic ink; Whisper White craft ink. Stamped images punched using the Butterfly punch. Overlay stamping accomplished with the Stamp-a-ma-jig.

I made a set of cards using this stamp set, here is one example.

Chocolate Chip cardstock as card base; Old Olive and Whisper White cardstock; Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, and Pumpkin Pie classic ink; Whisper White craft ink.

There are a few other stamp sets that coordinate with punches.  The new I {Heart} Hearts stamp set (in the Occasions mini catalog) coordinates with the Heart to Heart punch and the Full Heart punch.  I just purchased the One of a Kind stamp set and I suspect it coordinates wit the Boho Blossoms punch (there’s nothing that says so in the catalog), I’ll let you know what I find out.  There are also several stamp sets that coordinate with the shaped punches (like ovals, squares, etc).

[Update 25 Jan 09: A friend just pointed out that Heart to Heart punch also coordinates with the Love You Much stamp set.  Thank you, Joan.]

I look forward to Stampin’ Up introducing more and more of these coordinating sets!

My First Commissioned Card Set

Published on January 23, 2010 in Card Making. 0 Comments

Last week I received my first request (that I could honor) for a set of cards; 5 Thinking of You, 5 Happy Birthday.  I say “that I could honor” because I’ve had requests for cards with a particular stamp collection that does not allow me to sell the cards with their images.

For this card set I used some of the materials from my first purchase with Stampin’ Up.  One of my favorite stamp sets is Birthday Whimsy (no longer available, there is now Garden Whimsy in the catalog).  I also love Garden Whimsy, but don’t own it yet- soon, but not yet.  These are super easy stamp sets to make cards with.

When I made my original purchase with Stampin’ Up I had a paper pad (from a local retailer) that I loved.  The first paper, ink, and ribbon purchases I made were colors from this paper assortment.  It’s this set of materials that I used to make the card set.

Pumpkin Pie cardstock, classic ink, and 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon.

Bashful Blue cardstock, classic ink, and taffeta ribbon; Pumpkin Pie classic ink; Certainly Celery classic ink.

Old Olive cardstock, classic ink, and 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.

Certainly Celery cardstock, classic ink, and 1/4" grosgrain ribbon; Chocolate Chip cardstock, classic ink, and taffeta ribbon.

And for my favorite new color…. presenting…. Mambo Melon….

Melon Mambo cardstock; Old Olive classic ink; Pumpkin Pie classic ink; Certainly Celery classic ink.

These cards are all still very simple designs (I pretty much want everything to be simple).  By using the colors in the paper assortment I was able to create a nice set of cards.  Hope you like them.  I’ll be making more for sending to my friends this year- I just love these colors!

Simply Elegant

Published on January 21, 2010 in Card Making. 1 Comment

Another simple card, this time with 2 tones.  I’ve shown you how using just 1 color you can make great cards.  Now I want to show you what you can do with two complimentary colors.  These are two of my favorite colors right now, Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry.

I used the following for this card; Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, and Whisper White cardstock, Old Olive designer series paper, Old Olive ribbon, Rich Razzleberry classic ink and the Of the Earth stamp set (Level 1 hostess set).

I stamped the butterfly from the Of the Earth stamp set with Rich Razzleberry on Whisper White cardstock.  After punching the image out as a circle I went over the edge of the circle on the Rich Razzleberry ink to try and soften the edges.  I punched the Old Olive cardstock in a scalloped circle and adhered the butterfly.  I then used the paper piercer to create the piercing in the scallops.  Using Rich Razzleberry cardstock as the card base I adhered the Old Olive designer series paper, with a ribbon already attached and knotted- I don’t do bows very well.  The final step is adhering the scallop to the card.

On the inside I used Whisper White craft ink with my verse (this was a birthday card for my aunt).  This would also look good stamped in Rich Razzleberry classic ink, the effect of the ink on paper of the same color is really nice.

Basic Supplies for Card Making

Published on January 16, 2010 in Card Making. 0 Comments

You can make card making as simple or complicated as you choose.  Either way, a handmade card, means so much more than what you can find on the shelf.  It doesn’t take much to get started.  Once you have these supplies you’ll be able to make 48 cards easy, more if you use your white cardstock for the card base.  If you were to buy that many cards at the store you’d spend I’m guessing around $150, maybe more, that’s assuming $3/ card. And to make more cards you have your initial investment made, so to make more generally just means you need more paper. Here’s my list of basic supplies to get you on your way to making beautiful handmade cards for all occasions.  I’ve included some of my recommendations in case you might be interested in trying this out.  I figure you can start from nothing to card making for as little as $100 (if you do this during Sale-A-Bration you will get a few extra goodies or book a party and let your friends help you get the things you want- then everyone can take advantage of Sale-A-Bration):

Paper Trimmer ($24.95)

Paper and Stamping Ink: Razzleberry Lemonade designer series paper ($9.95) with 1 pack paper from a single color; I love razzleberry ($5.50), Whisper White cardstock ($7.50), and 1 stamp pad from a single color; again I’d choose razzleberry ($5.95)

Adhesive: 2-way glue ($3.50)

Design Stamp Set (if you want to be a minimalist choose something generic; flowers, fancy design, birds): Holiday Blitz ($38.95)/ Always ($28.95) / Best Wishes & More ($26.95) / Garden Whimsy ($26.95) / Lovely as a Tree ($27.95) ***super popular*** / Petal Pizzazz ($32.95)

Verses Stamp Set (there are several all occasion sets available out there): Family Phrases ($19.95) / Three Little Words ($13.95) /  Sincere Salutations ($23.95) [added Jan 19, 2009; the new Celebrations Mini catalog has a verse set called 'Well Scripted,' it's so cute... can't wait to order it myself]

Keeping it Simple

Published on January 15, 2010 in Card Making. 1 Comment

Today I’m posting my first projects. For those of you who are new to this I’ve kept it super simple. I wanted to show you what you can do with 1 color ink and paper and 1 stamp set, the principle behind my future post on the basics of card making. Here you can see how, just with the basics, you can make fantastic homemade cards.

For both cards I used the Happy Heart Day stamp set and Real Red cardstock as the cardbase.

For the first card I used the 6×6 Real Red designer series paper (a hostess gift) and the Whisper White craft ink.  I cut the heart out by hand and used the stamps to create a design for the front of the card. If you can imagine this card in other colors, plum or green maybe, it could be used for Mother’s Day or a Birthday just as well- just change the verse inside!

For the second card I used the Real Red classic ink on Whisper White cardstock, and a color pencil. For the background I stamped 3 different stamp designs on the cardstock and then colored in the hearts.  For both Whisper White paper pieces I used a sponge dauber to soften the edges in Real Red (don’t get nervous, this is a simple technique).