Beautiful Art Gallery

 Have you discovered the Stampin' Up Art Gallery Bundle and Fine Art Floral Suite in the current mini catalog?  It is absolutely gorgeous!  I have seen some beautiful cards madew with this set, so I just had to jump in and start creating cards of my own.  The Fine Art Floral Product Suite includes the Art Gallery Stamp set, Floral Gallery Dies, Golden Garden Designer Specialty Acetate, Gilded Leafing Embellishment, Fine Art 3/8" Ribbon, Painted Texture 3D Embossing folder, Heat & Stick Powder and Fine Art Floral designer paper.  Whew!  That's a lot!  You don't have to buy everything (but I wish I could!)  I have started out with the Art Gallery stamp set, Heat & Stick Powder and Gilded Leafing.  The only problem is the Gilded Leafing was on back-order.  It is in the mail to me but who knows when I'll receive it.  It left Salt Lake City March 3 and hasn't arrived yet!  The postal service is getting worse and worse.

The Art Gallery stamp set is a 2-step set, so you can use a lighter color for the main part of the flower and a darker color to add accents over the top with a second stamp.  To do this, you can either use the same color ink for both steps and just stamp off for the lighter ink and go full strength for the top and darker ink.  Or use two different colors of ink when stamping.

So, the flowers on the left side were stamped off using the largest flower and stamped full strength with the smaller flower.

The flowers on the right were stamped with two different colors of ink.  So many choices!

Here are some ideas for other color combos that would work well with these flowers - 

• Daffodil Delight & Mango Medley
• Daffodil & Bumblebee
• Petal Pink & Pumpkin Pie
• Mango & Pumpkin Pie
• Blushing Bride & Rococo Rose
• Flirty Flamingo & Calypso Coral
• Flirty Flamingo & Real Red
• Magenta & Razzleberry
• Pool Party & Coastal Cabana
• Balmy Blue & Misty Moonlight

What combos can you come up with?  Here are a couple of cards I made.

I used Gorgeous Grape and Highland Heather for my sister's birthday card.  I used the Tufted 3D embossing folder on the background.

For this card, I stamped off for the large flower with Magenta Madness Ink and stamped full strength Magenta Madness for the accent.  I added some sparkle with Wink of Stella.

Sorry - this is one is out of focus but I have already mailed it so can't retake the picture!  I used Mango Medley and Pumpkin Pie for the flower.

This stamp set includes sayings and greetings like:  "I'm Think of You", Congratulations, happy birthday, You are Lovely, Best Wishes, Good Luck, I Miss You, Sorry and Thank You."  The Floral Gallery Dies includes a large "Just Want to Say" die that can be used with any of the stamped greetings.

Paper Pumpkin Alternatives for February

 I have finally gotten my crafting room somewhat organized.  At least I have room at my desk to make a few cards!  I bought a rolling cart from Michael's and put a lot of items on it.  These carts are really handy.  The one I bought has hooks on the sides, a little basket, and rods to hang ribbon on.

a clean desk!!

It felt good yesterday to sit down at my desk and make a few cards.  I really like this month's Paper Pumpkin. and ended up making several cards with the kit.

The vellum piece is gold on the other side but I preferred the softer look and flipped it over.  I did the same thing with the doily.  It is gold on the other side.  I cut it in half and now can use it on another card.  I used the SU Blends to color the flowers.

This was super easy to make!  I love the look of the white embossed flowers on the black cardstock background.  

I cut the floral piece in half to use it on another card.  Notice the other half of the doily on this card also.

For this card, I used the Blending Brushes to color the white doily with Roccoco Rose ink.   This is one of the three sample cards made with the kit instructions - minus coloring the doily.

This is one of the cards that was made using the instructions in the kit.  The only change I made was to use the white side of the vellum instead of the gold.

This card was also made using the kit instructions.  I didn't change a thing.

Dragonfly Garden

 How many more days until Spring??!!  I am anxiously awaiting the arrival.  My camelia bush is full of blooms and I know it's Lent because my Lenten Roses are blooming too!

I just wish they would raise their heads up so we can see the beautiful flower!

So pretty!

I am so thankful that my back is doing so much better.  I was really worried for a while that my card making was going to be a thing of the past.  I am trying to be really diligent about not pushing myself though. 

I have a few Dragonfly Garden stamp set cards to share with you today.  This stamp set is available in the Mini Catalog and comes bundled with a Dragonfly Punch.

I couldn't get a picture without getting the glare on the transparency sheet.  I inked the leaves and flowers up with Mint Macaron and then used markers to color the flower heads.  I made a stitched frame using the Stitched Rectangles and cut a piece of transparency to adhere to the back of the frame.  The dragonfly was stamped in black and colored with Stampin' Blends Rich Razzleberry.  Then I sponged ink onto the front of the dragonfly and adhered it to the back side of the transparency.  Then the frame & transparency were adhered to the black mat.  I forgot to stamp the sentiment & had to lift up the part I had glued down to stamp the sentiment ..... CROOKED!!

I am loving making these slimline cards.  This one measures 7 1/4" x 7" and fold in half.  I stamped the small dragonflies all over the Gray Granite card with white ink and embossed them with white embossing powder.  (You could do the same thing using Versamark instead of white ink.)  The rectangles are 2" x 2 1/4" (Misty Moonlight) and the DSP (Sale-a-Bration Field & Flower) is about 1/8" smaller.  I stamped the dragonflies and used Stampin' Brushes to color the wings and then put Wink of Stella on them.  The sentiment is die cut with Stitched Sweetly dies.

This is a bright card!  I stamped the flowers with Memento black ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock and used Stampin' Blends to color them.  I die cut one side with the Ornate dies and adhered it to a piece of Artistry Blooms DSP.  Next I mounted it onto Bumblebee cardstock and then onto the Melon Mambo card.  I stamped 2 dragonflies in Bumblebee Ink - one in vellum and the other onto Vanilla cardstock and layered them with the vellum one on top.

Shake, Rattle & Roll!

Welcome to the February NC Demos Blog Hop.  This month we are making cards that .... shake, rattle and roll - meaning there should be movement with your project!   

Have you ever made a Flip-Flap card?  Well, that's what I've made for this Shake, Rattle & Roll blog hop for the NC demos.  I have two samples to share with you.

The first card I have made with this technique uses the adorable Woodland Wonder stamp set.  You can find this stamp in the current Mini Catalog on page 53.  This was my first time using this stamp set but I can tell I will be using it a lot!  The little creatures poking out of the tree are so cute!

Here is the card closed.  I used Granny Apple Green and Daffodil Delight for my card.  The DSP is Artistry Blooms.  I used SU's Blends to color the images.  I also used my Blending Brushes to blend Balmy Blue ink and Granny Apple Green ink on the image.  I love those Blending Brushes!!

When you pull the tab (Daffodil Delight), you get another cute woodland image hidden on the inside.  I used the Scalloped Tag Topper for the "mechanism" tab but you could also the Delightful Tag Topper.

This is the card open.  I put a small strip of the Artistry Blooms DSP at the bottom of the inside page.

Here are the measurements for my Woodland Wonder card above:

• Granny Apple Green card base - standard card 8 1/2" x 11" and scored at 5 1/2"  
• Daffodil Delight (mechanism) 6" x 2" / scored at 2" and 2 1/2"
• Whisper White (inside of card) 5 1/4" x 4"
• Daffodil Delight - 4 3/4" x 3 1/2"
• Artistry Blooms DSP 4 5/8" x 3 3/8"
• Granny Apple Green (door panel) 3 7/8" x 2 7/8"
• DSP 3 3/4" x 2 3/4"
• Granny Apple Green (hidden panel on right side) 3 7/8" x 2"
• Whisper White 3 3/4" x 1 7/8"
• Ribbon - approx 4"

Here is another Flip Flap card I made to show that you can make this card in different sizes.

For this card, I used the Hey Chick Birthday stamp set and colored everything with Blends (Calypso Coral, Magenta and Daffodil.)  The card is Cinnamon Cider and the mat piece is Calypso Coral.  The Calypso Coral check DSP is retired.  I also used the Blending Brushes on the image - blue and cinnamon.

I used the Classic Label punch to punch the slot in the DSP that the tag fits through.  The square of DSP that the tag goes through is from World of Good (which I think is retired.)  I used the Layering Squares for the Calypso Coral  "door."

And this is the card fully opened.   

I loved making these cards and hope you will give it a try also.  I got my tutorial on-line by googling "flip flap card."  There are several tutorials on the web for this kind of card.  I used one by Terri Pocock from the UK.

Continue the blog hop and see what Tracie has made for us.  I'm sure it will be something great!

Enjoy all the other great Shake, Rattle and Roll projects!

Tina Lessons

Amy Kinler

Toni Campana

Sharon Maranich (you are here)

Tracie Evans Langley

Jo Anne Hewins

Sue Root

Darling Donkeys + Easy Fun Fold

 Just a couple more days for Sale-a-Bration.  Make sure you have your order and your FREE items and are checked out by Sunday!  I love the Flower & Field Designer Paper that is in the Sale-a-Bration catalog (pg 10).  If you love it too, use my Hostess Code  and order it by Sunday, Feb. 28!

I made this fun fold using the Darling Donkeys which are also Sale-a-Bration items.  I love the florals and the more classic patterns on the flip side.  This is a great pack of paper to mix and match.  Don't you love the floral and the polka dots on this card?!

Here's how to make this card:

 1. Cut a 4" x 12 piece of DSP(designer series paper).   I chose to cut the DSP a little smaller than normal so I could get 3 card bases from one sheet of DSP.

2. Score at 3-1/4" and 8-3/4".  Make a pencil mark at 2" along the 4" side.  Make a diagonal cut from the 2" pencil mark to the edge of the fold.  Repeat on the other side and the other end.

3.  Fold on the score lines.  Apply a little adhesive to one of the points.  Fold and secure over the other end.  The point will overlap and lay flat.    I decorated the front of my card using one of the donkey's from Darling Donkeys that I colored with SU Blender pens.  He is mounted on one of the circles from Layered Circles.  

4. The inner card pieces measure 4" x a smidge less than 5-1/2" (Just Jade), 3-3/4" x 5-1/4"(Bumblebee) and 3-5/8" x 5-1/8" (Whisper White).  

I wish I had a wobble to put under the donkey to make him move.  I recently saw on Pinterest how to make your own wobble with thin wire.  Maybe tomorrow!!

Sending Hearts (Paper Pumpkin cards)

 So, who's getting a special heartfelt card?  This cute little panda is!  The panda is from an old Sale-a-Bration set.  But there are so many other images you could add to this mailbox like the kitty from Pretty Kitty, a weiner dog from the Hot Dog set, a donkey from the Darlin' Donkey set and even the cute little snail that is included in this Paper Pumpkin kit.

This card is an easy fun fold.  Trim 1 1/2" off the front of the card.  Score a 7"x 4" piece of cardstock at 3 1/2" and attach that to the inside of the base card.

Like this:

Corner Bouquet

A quick share with you before I'm off and running!  I had a dentist appointment this morning at 10; time for a quick lunch at home before I'm off to Mooresville for a 2:30 doctor's appointment and a 3:30 PT appointment!  Most I've had to do in a long time!!

I wanted to share with you these cards I made with the Corner Bouquet stamp set.  It is a Sale-a-Bration set that I was able to get for FREE for a $50 order.

This card uses the Emboss Resist technique.  I stamped the bouquet in two corners of the white cardstock with VersaMark Ink.  (Don't forget to rub the embossing buddy over the card first.)  Sprinkle the bouquet with white Embossing Powder & use your heat gun to melt the powder.  I used a piece of masking tape from corner to corner to mask the white area.  Put the tape on your pants to get some of the sticky off & it won't tear your card stock when removing it.  Using the Blender Brushes (pg 70 of the Mini Catalog - a set if 3 for $12) blend ink  in both corners and over the bouquet.  I used Mint Macaron, Balmy Blue and Highland Heather.  When you are finished blending inks, remove the tape and stamp your sentiment.  Also, use a soft rag, kleenex, paper towel, etc. to wipe excess ink off the bouquet.

For this card, again stamp and emboss the bouquet - but this time onto the black card stock.  Use blender pens to color the image.  I used a piece of retired DSP across the back of the card and framed the image with a piece of Melon Mambo.

This pretty card uses the Stitched Sweetly dies (Coastal Cabana) and Stitched Rectangles (white.)  The Field and Flower DSP is a FREE Sale-a-Bration item.  I colored the bouquet with markers.

 Which one is your favorite???

How to Make a Beveled Edge

 I am so excited that I've been able to spend several hours in my craft room this past weekend without my back screaming STOP!  I think I am at the point where I can cut my physical therapy down to once a week and pretty soon to nothing!  I just need to continue doing my exercises (which I am not good about.)  Last week I only had PT once (on Tuesday.)  I had an appointment to go on Friday but when I woke up, I had vertigo.  Sonny says he is going to dig a hole in the backyard & throw me in it!!  I have not had vertigo in quite some time.  I know when it hits me, I am out for the count.  I pretty much laid on the couch all day ...  Until late afternoon when we drove to Statesville for some delicious fried chicken!  Between the chicken & a motion sickness pill that I took, I was on the road to recovery!  Now to make the nerve in the crown of my head go away!!  Growing old is NOT for the meek and mild!

Here is one of the cards I made this weekend.  

The hearts and flowers that are stamped on the white piece are from the Sending Hearts Paper Pumpkin.  I used the retired Pink Pirouette for the ribbon and card stock.  The sentiment is from a great stamp set in the Jan - June 2021 Mini Catalog.  (You can find a link to the catalog on the left hand column of this blog.)  It is called Many Messages.  It is a big single stamp that has lots of greetings on it.  There is a matching die that cuts out all the greetings at one time.  What a time saver!  

I learned a new trick this weekend too.  After die cutting the pink card stock, leave it in the die.  Use your stylus to make a crease all along the edges.  In this case, I die cut the piece with the Stitched Rectangles.

The end result is a small beveled edge all the way around.  Use dimensionals to adhere it down.  Give it a try!

I also want to remind you that there is just another week left of Sale-a-Bration!

This year, the promotion is running for 2 months (down from 3 months in recent years.)  If you were planning on ordering to earn some FREE Sale-a-Bration items, you have until February 28, 2021 to do so.

 For every $50 order, your earn one FREE Sale-a-Bration item.  There is no limit to how many items you redeem ($100 order, earn TWO items, $150 order, earn THREE Items and so on.)

Sign up for Paper Pumpkin - March is a great one!

Three cheers for mountain air, a sky filled with sunshine, and finding joy in life’s journey! Adventure awaits inside this month’s majestic, mountain-themed Paper Pumpkin kit. With enough elements and embellishments to create eight cards and coordinating envelopes, the Here’s to You Paper Pumpkin Kit is the perfect pick for celebrating life’s little moments and mountain-high milestones!  Order your Paper Pumpkin by March 10!

What makes March’s kit one-of-a-kind? The spectacular set of four free stencils—and a stamping sponge—that you’ll find inside (plus the embellishments, cards and stamp included in the kit!) Pair this pack of stunning stencils with the kit’s contents to stamp a springtime scene, then store the set to stamp for any season in the future. Clean up your binoculars and dust off your hiking boots—the Here’s to You Paper Pumpkin Kit is ready to lead you on an excursion to explore your creativity!

Happy Valentine's Day!

 It's almost Valentine's Day!!  The Paper Pumpkin kit for January was all about hearts so I've made a bunch of Valentines and a few anniversary cards for the future.

These slimline cards seem to be all the rage now.  You can make them different sizes.  The Traditional Slimline is 8 1/2" x 9" and scored at 4 1/4" on the 8 1/2" side.  This one that I made (above) is 6 1/2" x 7" and scored at 3 1/2" & it fits in a business size envelope.  Here are a few other slimline card dimensions:

Mini Slimline - 2 3/4" x 11"; scored at 5 1/2"  You can also make an envelope for it - 6 1/2" x 6 3/4"; scored at 1 5/8" and 4 5/8" on the 6 1/2" side.  Then, turn 90 degrees & score @ 5/8" & 6 /1/4".

Short Slimline - 3" x 6"; scored at 3"

Basic Slimline - 7" x 8"; scored at 4" for a 4" x 8" card

Extra Slim Slimline - 6" x 9" & scored at 3" (on the 6" side)

Well just disregard that I glued the white piece wrong so the hearts are  upside down!

This is one of the samples that was made with the kit's directions as is the next card.

I just love this little snail!

Enjoy!