Thursday, March 5, 2026

ANTIQUED NATURE'S SYMPHONY

Today's card took a few twists and turns before I called it "done".  The technique that I planned to use for the background did not work the way I thought it would, so I conducted several experiments and finally ended up with this "antiqued foil".

I used Garden Textures Foil in Blueberry Bushel for the background.  To see how I made this "antiqued foil" watch my video below.

The stamped leaf was stamped with the Nature's Symphony stamp and Blueberry Bushel ink and then die cut with the coordinating die from the bundle.  I die cut a second Blueberry Bushel leaf stem using the detailed large leaf die.


The leaves on the die cut stem were curled slightly before I adhered only the stem to the foil.  Adding a slight curl provides lift to the leaves to make them look more life-like.

The top leaf branch was first stamped with Blueberry Bushel ink and then die cut with the coordinating die.  Again, only the stem was adhered to the die cut leaf.  This allowed me to lift a few of the leaves and intertwine them with the stamped branches.


The designer series paper (DSP) behind the leaves is from the Nature's Walk Collection. This DSP has some very interesting designs, and I love the colors.

The sentiments (front and inside) on this card are from the Prayer's & Promises Stamp Set.  If you are looking for comforting and uplifting sentiments then you need to take a closer look at this set.


There is a smaller leafy stem in the Nature's Symphony stamp set that I stamped twice in the lower left corner before stamping the sentiment next to it.

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

A list of the products used is shown below.

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Location: Commerce Township, MI, USA

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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Location: Commerce Township, MI, USA

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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