Monday, October 30, 2023

HAMSTER BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

Are these cute little guys hamsters or gerbils?  I have no idea, but they sure are cute aren't they?


Since I didn't really know what they were, I wasn't sure what color I should make them!  And since I couldn't decide which color I liked best I thought I would just use all three.  And besides, birthday wishes from 3 hamster friends is better than one wish, right?  The more balloons the merrier!


I used colors from the 2022-2024 In-Color Collection.  Balloons should be cheery, and I thought Sweet Sorbet, Tahitian Tide and Parakeet Party met that requirement.

The openings for my window card were made with a die from Nested Essentials Dies.  I usually think of using circles for a multi-window card, but I liked the look of these rounded rectangles.  These dies are an ONLINE EXCLUSIVE item and if you have missed them because they aren't in any catalogs, you should check them out.  They include a variety of shapes in varying sizes and are thus very versatile!

My hamsters are colored with Stampin' Write Markers and a Water Painter.  This was one of the cards I shared recently on my Learning with Friends series and if you saw it and wished you had more information (i.e. cutting dimensions and instructions), now you can download a copy of the tutorial.

If you missed the Watercoloring with Stampin' Write Markers video you can watch the replay using the link to my YouTube Channel below.


The vertical birthday sentiment is from the So Sincere Stamp Set.  This stamp set is in the 2023 Fall Mini and it has a really nice variety of sentiments.


For the inside I added a few more balloons and another sentiment from So Sincere.


The item number for the sneak peek Fluffiest Friends bundle is 162850.  It will be available to order on November 7.  All other products used are listed below.  Click on any item for more information.



Product List

Sunday, October 29, 2023

BEARS LOVE HONEY

This week I am featuring the Fluffiest Friends Bundle.  This bundle is an ON-LINE EXCLUSIVE and will be available to purchase for everyone on November 7.  One of the great benefits of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is that we get to purchase items early.  When I saw these adorable Fluffiest Friends, I knew I wanted to have this bundle.

Today I am introducing you to Honey Bear.  Isn't she cute?


She looks so happy sitting in the beautiful autumn woods having a snack.  There are a few bees buzzing around her head, but she's not paying any attention to them as she focuses on one of her favorite foods, honey.

Honey Bear also knows that today is Share It Sunday at Crafty Collaborations and she invites you to hop along with us on our monthly "anything goes" blog hop.


Be sure to follow the links below and see what everyone is working on this weekend.


Honey Bear was colored using Watercolor Pencils and a Water Painter.  I shared some tips recently on my Learning with Friends series for coloring with Watercolor Pencils.  If you missed the video you can watch the replay here.



Watercolor Pencils are a great economical way to color images.  Check them out in the Product List shown below to learn more.


Honey Bear's beautiful woodland home is thanks to the All About Autumn Designer Series Paper (DSP).  This 6" x 6" DSP is from the 2023 Fall Mini, and it is absolutely gorgeous.  It also makes it very easy to make beautiful, picturesque cards like this one.  All I did was add this beautiful, wooded scene to the front of my card base to give Honey Bear her happy place.

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The "sweet as honey" sentiment on the inside of the card is from another new sneak peek suite of products (Bee Mine), which will be available in the Spring Mini.  I felt like the sentiment was just too perfect not to use for this card so you a receiving a very tiny, very early sneek peek.

If you would like a tutorial with all the details for this card, you can download a free copy at this link.

Now it is time to grab your favorite beverage, relax and enjoy the Crafty Collaborations Blog Hop for more inspiration.  Enjoy!


Product Information for Sneak Peak items is as follows:
  • Fluffiest Friends Bundle        Item # 162850
  • Bee Mine Suite Collection    Item # 162560
If you love these products and don't want to wait to be able to order them, join as a demonstrator and you can order them now.  The 35th Anniversary joining special ends in two days, and it is a awesome promotion.  See below for more details.

Current Products used on today's card are shown in the following Product List.

Product List

Celebrate Stampin' Up!'s 35th anniversary with the best bargain ever! 

Join by October 31 and choose either 35% OFF the cost of the Starter Kit or get 35% MORE product with the Starter Kit. If you have at least a $65 wish list you want to take advantage of this promotion.

Choose Option 1:  You will receive $125 worth of product for only $64.35!

Choose Option 2:  You will receive $168.75 worth of product by spending $99.  You can choose whatever products you want from the Current Annual Catalog, the Fall Mini or ONLINE EXCLUSIVES.  What you include in your kit is entirely up to you!

And don't forget!  Shipping is FREE!  Click on the Join My Team Button to learn more.



Friday, October 27, 2023

SNOWFLAKE FUN FOLD

Once again I am using the Snowflake Magic Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP).  How can you use a Sparkling Snowflakes stamp sent and just not gravitate to this beautiful paper.  These two items seem like they were designed to be used together.  Who knows maybe the designer had that in mind!  One of my favorite things about Stampin' Up! products it that they coordinate so well together.  So, even though the Snowflake Magic Specialty DSP is part of the Winter Meadow Suite, I think it is perfect with Sparkling Snowflakes!

Are you looking at this fun fold and thinking YIKES?  I know I did when I first saw it, but the engineer in me was determined to figure it out!

If you would like to try it, don't worry, I've figured it all out for you!  I made cutting and scoring diagrams for each of the 4 main elements (the card base and the 3 steps) so you don't have to figure out measurements for yourself.

I'm not even sure what this Fun Fold is called, but how about we name it "Multi-step Fun Fold".  It sort of looks like steps doesn't it?

Once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy to put together as each step is made the same -- it's just a different size, but the way you attach it to the Z-Fold card base is the same.

This is a beautiful card to send to someone who appreciates your handmade creations!  It's made to be displayed because it will stand perfectly on its own on a shelf or mantel.


The snowflakes on the card front were stamped with the two smallest snowflakes from Sparkling Snowflakes.  They were stamped with VersaMark Ink on Basic White cardstock and then heat embossed with Silver Embossing Powder.  A Rhinestone Basic Jewel was added to the center of each snowflake for even more sparkle.  The photos do not do justice to the sparkle on this card!


And all the foil layers from the Specialty DSP add even more sparkle and shine!

Maybe you are wondering, "where do I write my message?"


It' on the back.  I stamped 3 more snowflakes with Lost Lagoon on the back of the card.  The sentiments on the front and the back are both from Brightest Glow.   

Use this link to download a copy of the tutorial.  It is detailed and includes several diagrams, so should be easy to follow.  If there is interest, I would be willing to make a video to show you how to assemble this fun fold.  Leave a comment here on my blog and I'll watch to see how much interest there might be.

A list of the products used is shown below.


Product List