Wednesday, March 27, 2024

HEARTS OF LOVE EXPOSED

In my last post I promised that I would share some interactive cards made with the Hooray for Surprises Bundle.  So, although at first look you may not be able to tell, today's card does have a surprise for the recipient.

I used the heart from Hooray for Surprises along with the plaid designer series paper (DSP) from BEE MINE.  The plaid design in this DSP may be my favorite in the collection.  It's cheery and certainly very versatile, which is always a good combination.  The dots embossing folder from Basics Embossing Folders, an ONLINE EXCLUSIVE, was used to provide some texture for the card front.

Isn't this heart stamp pretty?  I love how it has dots and tulips on it! 

 But you may be wondering... Where is the surprise? Do you see the little "Pull" on the upper right side of the heart?

When you pull on that little tab and "peel off" the heart, this is what you will find hidden behind it.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

It is a little shaker!  Isn't that fun?

I willingly admit that I don't do many shaker cards as I don't think I am very good at them and I find them a little "fussy" to make.  But maybe because this shaker element is smaller than what I have normally done, it came together very easily.  YAY!  Maybe, I'll make some more now.  I have plenty of sequins in my stash to make a bunch of them.

Change up the colors and this would make a really cute Valentine Card, too, wouldn't it?  I'm going to try to remember that next February because there is more good news.   This stamp set and the coordinating dies are NOT retiring when the Spring Mini Catalog sales period ends at the end of April!

I kept the inside of the card very simple and tied it to the front of the card with a strip of the same plaid DSP and a Blackberry Bliss mat.  Plus, there is plenty of room to write a message of encouragement to someone who needs a smile.

Use this link to download a detailed tutorial.

A list of products used is shown below.  The sequins and Blackberry Bliss ribbon are from my stash and probably long-sense retired.  But as always, use what you have.

Product List

Monday, March 25, 2024

BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL STARS & FLOWERS

I am sharing cards this week made with the really fun Hooray for Surprises Bundle.  This is from the January - April Mini Catalog and is a bundle that I totally overlooked until a good friend pointed it out to me, and I am so happy she did!  With this bundle, you can make interactive cards.  So I think it would be a great set to make masculine cards or cards for kids.  They usually like to tear things apart, right?

Today's card, however, is not interactive.  Sometimes I have to build my way up to doing something that I fear may be a little challenging.  But I promise the rest of the cards this week will be interactive.

Today's card is made with the Fractured Card Technique (aka a Shutter Card).  I demonstrated this technique on my Learning with Friends video series a couple of weeks ago.  If you missed it, you can watch the replay by using the link to my YouTube Channel below.


I used the Bright and Beautiful Designer Series Paper (DSP) which I'm so happy is NOT retiring.  This 6" x 6" DSP is so happy and colorful which makes it very versatile.

This version of the Fractured Card Technique is the simplest and most common, but to see additional versions be sure to watch the video.

The flowers and leaves that I used to decorate the card are from the Hooray for Surprises Bundle.  The coordinating dies make quick work of cutting them out.

Color selection was also easy as I just picked colors from the stars on the DSP.


I made quick work of decorating the inside of the card and the envelope by using some more of the DSP.

If you would like a written tutorial please use this link to download a free PDF.

A list of the products used is shown below.  Click on any image to be taken to my Stampin' Up! store where you can learn more details on products or purchase something you love.


Product List

Friday, March 22, 2024

HOLDING YOU CLOSE

I saw a card on Pinterest recently by CindyLeeBee Designs that I thought was beautiful.  I also thought it was a little "different" from many of the cards I've see made with the Enduring Beauty Bundle.  So, I decided to CASE (Copy and Share Everything) it.  About the only thing I changed were the colors and the sentiment.

Isn't this a pretty card?  I thought it was an interesting way to use the large flower--cut it in half and use a portion at the top and a portion at the bottom of the card.  

This card uses the Enduring Beauty layering masks.  If you having used masks before or have and would like some tips and tips based on what I learned when using them watch my Learning with Friends video on YouTube.


I also felt like the softness of the Pool Party color made the card usable for many different occasions.  

The texture on the embossed Basic White panels give the card depth and offer additional interest without significantly increasing the thickness of the card.

I experimented with adding an additional panel to the card front, but I liked the elegant simplicity without the added mat.  

The Enduring Beauty sentiment I selected, "holding you close in my heart", is my favorite sentiment in the stamp set.  I think it can be used for many different occasions, but it is also appropriate to just let someone know how important they are to you.

For the inside of the card I stamped a partial image in the corner and used the masks and blending brushes to color it in.


If you would like a tutorial with cutting dimensions and step-by-step instructions please use this link to download a copy.

I hope you have enjoyed the Enduring Beauty Cards I shared this week.  Now that I have finally used the masks and used the bundle on different styles of cards, I know I have just touched on the possibilities it offers.  

Maybe since you have also seen a few ideas using this bundle, you would like to get your own bundle and experiment with all the possibilities.  

Below is a complete list of the products I used on today's card.  If you would like more information on any product or would like to place an order, you can click on the image and it will take you to my Stampin' Up! store.

Product List

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

TWISTED ENDURING BEAUTY

Are you ready for a new Fun Fold?  I've seen this one somewhere before but had never made it.  Our Coffee Club challenge this month was to make a Fun Fold card that we have not made before, so I decided to try this Twisted Easel Fun Fold.  It was surprisingly easy to make!


This was also the first time I had used the Enduring Beauty Masks.  I thought I might require some practice with the masks so I didn't think much about what colors I chose, so when I surprised myself and was happy with my first attempt, I thought I may as well use it for a card.  

I had used Poppy Parade and Granny Apple Green ink for the flowers/leaves, and then the search began for designer series paper (DSP) that I liked with the bouquet.  That was when the challenge begain with this card.   I didn't want the DSP to detract from the flowers as I wanted them to remain the focal point.  So, the DSP need to be something subtle.  I was looking for a soft color wash but didn't find anything in suitable color.  

I ended up using Pebble Path Tartan Foil for the base of the easel and a design from Softly Stippled DSP for the easel itself.  The Softly Stippled DSP was a Sale-A-Bration item, so is no longer available, but my search did teach me a valuable crafting lesson.  Start with the DSP, and then choose your ink colors based on the colors in the paper.  

I have some leftover 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" square envelopes in my stash, so I made the card 5-1/4" x 5-1/4".  

If you would like a tutorial for this size Twisted Easel card you can download a copy at this link.  The tutorial includes all the cutting and scoring dimensions and step by step directions to make the Fun Fold.  The tutorial also explains how I created the masked flower image.  These masks are extemely intuitive and easy to use.

The "inside" of the card where you can write your message is actually the back side of the easel.

The "stopper" that holds the easel in place for display was made by layering two of the sentiment dies that are part of the Enduring Beauty Bundle.

I hope you enjoyed today's Fun Fold card.  See the Product List below for a complete list of the supplies that I used.

Product List