Monday, March 2, 2026

FOR A GREAT GUY

Who finds making masculine cards challenging?  I do!  This week I am going to feature a bundle that is great for making cards for those guys in our life.  It is called Nature's Symphony.  It even includes "manly" sentiments!

The Nature's Symphony Bundle is part of the Nature Walk Suite Collection.  Today I am using one of the Designer Series Paper (DSP) Collections from the Suite, Nature Walk.  This paper is gorgeous!  To keep the focus of my card on the beautiful watercolored stem, I chose two designs from the DSP Collection that are more on the subtle side.  But be sure to check out the Nature's Walk DSP using the link in the product list below to see all the wonderful (and more colorful) designs.


I used the large leaf die from Nature's Symphony Dies to die cut a leaf from Watercolor paper and from Vellum.

HINT:  When you die cut Vellum with this die, add a piece of wax paper between the die and the vellum.  It will help to release the vellum from this very detailed die.  (I learned that the hard way!)

For the water-colored leaf on the card front I used three different blue inks, Pretty Peacock, Lost Lagoon & Pool Party, to create an ombre effect.  The stem was colored with Crumb Cake with touches of Pecan Pie to give it some pops of color.

For the water-colored leaf on the inside of the card I simplified my process and did not use Lost Lagoon.  

Honestly, I determined I could create the ombre effect by creating darker and lighter shades of each by going over some areas twice.  Either way works.  You choose which you prefer?

Do you have a visual preference of which one you like?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Use this link to download a tutorial with all the dimensions and step-by-step directions.

A list of the products I used is shown below.  Click on any image to learn more about a product or to make a purchase.


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Thursday, February 26, 2026

EASTER FUN FOLD

Today I have another fun fold card for you.  This "fancy" fun fold was shared by Brandy Cox at the Winter Creativate Retreat.  I made mine a little different than her's.  Not on purpose, but I think it still works! 

As with Monday's card, fun folds are not always the easiest cards to photograph. Some fun folds don't like to stand up well on their own.  Others don't like to lay flat.  At least this one does stand up nicely for display, but it is still a little difficult (at least for me) to capture how the card really works.

It also can be much easier to just show you how fun folds are made rather than explain it clearly in a written tutorial.  So, today I'm giving you both.  Watch the video to see how it is done and download the written tutorial to have all the dimensions that you need.

In the video, I actually made the card "correctly" -- the way Brandy made her's.  Now you can decide which way you prefer.  😀😀😀


This Easter Basket Bundle is part of a Suite of Products called Easter Joy.  I purchased only the Easter Joy Designer Series Paper (DSP) and the Bundle, but the suite also includes adorable embellishments (some are checkered and egg shaped), Balmy Blue gingham ribbon and the Pleasant Patterns Specialty DSP.  Use the link to the Suite in the Product List below to see everything.


The Easter Joy DSP that I used is also a Specialty Paper.  Some of the images are "foiled", but there is also a unique sheen to the paper.  This DSP is heavier weight than our "normal" DSP.  Watch the video to get a better, up-close view.

But, for me, the star of the show for this suite is the dies!  All the images in the stamp set have coordinating dies -- three adorable bunnies, a cute little chick, two flowers, a carrot and an Easter egg.  You can see many of them on today's card. 


Here's a close-up of the two inside panels.  Check out the center tulip made with just the dies -- no stamp.


However, you haven't seen my favorite dies on today's card.  There is an Easter Basket die and a die that cuts narrow strips of paper that can be woven through the basket die cut.  It is so cute!  I couldn't fit it on today's card, but I promise, you will see more of that awesomeness when I feature this bundle in a couple of weeks!

Use the above link to download the PDF tutorial.  Then follow along with the tutorial when watching the video and chose which way you want to make the card.  I do hope you give it a try!

A list of the products used on the card is shown below.


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Monday, February 23, 2026

SCALLOPED WISHES SNEAK PEEK & A FUN FOLD

My theme this week is FUN FOLDS.  I love fun folds because they often are a great way to show off pretty Designer Series Paper.  Fun Folds can be a bit technical, or they can be super easy.  Today's is super easy.  In fact, the most difficult part of this card was photographing it.


The Perennial Lavender Designer Series Paper (DSP) is the "fun fold" of this particular design.  It is mounted to a 5-1/12 " x 4-1/4" fixed base, but the DSP is where all the fun takes place.


The DSP is folded like a fan, so it creates two folds to attach any type of focal points you like.  Just be sure to position the middle one behind the first, so you don't see it until you open the card.

For this card I used a new Online Exclusive coming March 3, 2026.  It is called Scalloped Wishes, and I fell in love with the oval layering frames that come in the Bundle.


On the card front I used two of the larger of the oval die cuts.  The fancy, beautiful, Berry Burst Metallic Oval was die cut from another online exclusive coming in March -- Garden Textures Foil.  If you love rich saturated colors, you will love this textured foil.  It comes in three colors, Berry Burst, Blueberry Bushel, and Shaded Spruce.

For the smaller oval on the middle fold, I first stamped the pretty oval frame with Berry Burst ink and then die cut it.


All the stamped images and die cuts used on this card are from the Scalloped Wishes Bundle.  

To give you a little better understanding of the Fun Fold, here are a couple additional photos.

View from the top...


View with the card fully opened...


I left the message layer blank for now.  I can always stamp an additional sentiment when I know who it is being sent to, but there is also plenty of room to just write a hand-written note.  I will just need to remember to keep my messy handwriting to the left, so it doesn't show when the card is closed!

If you haven't made many fun fold cards, this is a great one to start with.  A long as you can score & fold paper at simple dimensions like 2", 4", 6" & 8", you can make this fun fold.

Use this link to download a tutorial that includes a diagram with all the dimensions.

A list of the currently available products that I used is shown below.  I apologize, I thought the Perennial Lavender DSP was still on the Last Chance list, but as I checked just prior to publishing this post I see that it is now officially retired.  But don't let that scare you off from trying this fun fold.  You can use any DSP and products that you already own.  The shapes on the folds can be any shapes.

The information for the online exclusive products available on March 3 is:  
  • Scalloped Wishes Bundle:  Item # 167453; $43.00 USD
  • Garden Textures 12' X 12" Specialty Foil; Item # 167125; $10.50 USD

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