BE GOOD TO YOURSELF!

Are you good to yourself?  I hope so.  It seems that the person we are often the hardest on, is ourselves.  I hope that today, you will take a few minutes to do something just for you!

Looking at this woman standing on her deck with a glass of her favorite wine makes me wish I were doing just that.  Unfortunately, as I write this post, if I were to go stand on my deck with any sort of beverage it would probably freeze, and I would definitely need to be wearing something much warmer.  

What do you think about this gal's outfit?  Are you wondering how I made it?  It was so easy!  Just choose your favorite designer series paper, stamp her image on the paper and fussy cut the part that you want.  For her hat I stamped her on the same Hand Penned Petals designer series paper (DSP) as I used for the background.   For the blouse, I stamped her on another pattern in the Hand Penned Petals DSP.  For her skirt I used Misty Moonlight cardstock because I thought it looked like the color of a dark denim skirt.  Once the images were stamped, I got out my Paper Snips and started fussy cutting.  Then just adhered each piece to the full image that I had already stamped on Shimmery White cardstock.

This technique is called Paper Piecing.  Before I "dressed" her, I did a little coloring on the base image with some Stampin' Blends.  The railing was colored with Crumb Cake, her skin was colored with one of the new Neutral Tone Stampin' Blends (S1000), and I gave her a glass of white wine with my So Saffron Stampin' Write Marker and a touch of Wink of Stella.  The sky was created with my Water Painters and some Balmy Blue ink - which is why I used Shimmery White cardstock rather than Basic White cardstock.  The finish on the Shimmery White cardstock handles the water a little better.

After completing the image, I die cut it with the largest circle die from Layering Circles and then die cut a coordinating scalloped circle from Misty Moonlight -- to tie in with her "denim" skirt.

I purposely kept the inside of the card very simple -- but not naked.

Using multiple layers in the colors of the card front are a great way to dress-up the inside of the card.  For this card I used Misty Moonlight and Crumb Cake layers.  I also like to slightly vary the width of the revealed layers as I think this is more interesting than if each layer has the same width.  This is very easy to do.  The Misty Moonlight has a 1/16" reveal and the Crumb Cake has a 1/8" reveal.  You would not think that just 1/16" would make a difference, but it does provide a bit more visual interest.  So don't forget the "little" things when you make your cards.

If you would like a tutorial with all the cutting dimensions and step-by-step directions, you can download a FREE Tutorial using this link.

For more information on the products used, please refer to the list below.

I would also like to take a minute to remind you that Sale-a-Bration ends at the end of this month.  Don't miss out on your opportunity to choose from some awesome FREEBIEs!  There are several choices at the $50 merchandise amount, and a couple at the $100 level.  If you spend $100, you can also choose two $50 items.  Obviously, the more you spend, the more FREEBIEs you get!

But, if your wish list is over $100, you should seriously consider signing up to become a demonstrator.  When you join during Sale-a-Bration, not only will you get $125 worth of merchandise for $99 (includes shipping), but you will also be able to select any two additional stamp sets for FREE!  And don't forget, once you join, you will enjoy at least a 20% discount on any additional purchases you make.  I would love to have you join my team.  If you have interest and have questions, please reach out to me at fairlessflair@gmail.com

Product List

In The Moment Cling Stamp Set (English) [157987]	Tasteful Labels Dies [152886]	Layering Circles Dies [151770]	So Saffron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [105118]	Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [120953]
Shimmery White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101910]	Hand Penned 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [155499]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [153081]	Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [147105]
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Subtles Stampin' Write Markers [147156]	Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154882]	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897]	Water Painters [151298]
Misty Moonlight 1/4" (6.4 Mm) 2020–2022 In Color Ribbon [153624]	Tasteful Textile 3 D Embossing Folder [152718]	2020–2022 In Color Enamel Dots [152480]	Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653]

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LOST IN THOUGHTS OF YOU

Today I have a new technique to share with you.  I was reminded of this technique at a retreat I participated in a couple of weeks ago.

It is called the Chalkboard Technique.  It has been a long time since I used it, and honestly, I had forgotten all about it.  Are you like that?  Occasionally, do you need to be reminded of a technique that you first learned many years ago?

So, before getting into the details of today's card, let me briefly and simply explain the Chalkboard Technique.  If you think of a chalkboard, what do you see?  Well, first you probably picture a blackboard.  Next, maybe you think of erasers and the chalk dust they would leave behind.  Were you ever "assigned" to clean the chalk board?

Well, it is that dusty chalk that you are trying to mimic when you use the chalkboard technique.  The 1st step in the technique is to heat emboss your image with white embossing powder on black cardstock.  Then, all that is left is to add some "chalk dust".  To do that, use White Craft Ink and a blending tool of your choice to add a little white "dust" on and around the image.  

My chalkboard is actually quite clean, or at least it looks clean in the photo.  In person you can see a light coating of "chalk dust" all over the image.  I used another image from the In the Moment Stamp Set.  I love how this stamp set has three different images and three different sentiments -- one sentiment that seems to coordinate perfectly with each image.  Doesn't this girl in the window look like she is deep in thought?

This technique is fun and simple, so I challenge you to try it. 

I call the fun-fold for today's card a double-flap fun fold.  I've used this basic fold before, just in a little different size.  The section on the left folds to the right, like a normal card, but the smaller section on the right with the girl in the window folds to the left.  

This is a perfect fun fold to use your designer series paper.  The wood grain paper I used is from the Heart & Home Designer Series Paper (DSP) Collection.  This collection definitely deserves a second look.  There are colorful floral images on one side and different woodgrain patterns in Basic Gray and White on the reverse side of each sheet.  See more details by checking it out in the Product List below.

The right flap is held in place by a one-inch flap that is secured under the white panel on the inside of the card.  The sentiment on the inside is from the Special Moments Sale-a-Bration Stamp set that you can select for FREE with a $100 purchase.  If you are in need of a great, versatile sentiment stamp set, this is a perfect choice.  You can check it out in the Product List below to see all the diverse types of sentiments that are in it.  I really like this "hang in there" sentiment.  Some days that is about all we can do, isn't it.

If you would like the cutting dimensions and directions to make this fun fold, you can download a FREE Tutorial here.

Below is the Product List with links to see me information on each item.

Product List

In The Moment Cling Stamp Set (English) [157987]	Special Moments Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [158081]	Balmy Blue 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146982]	Basic Gray 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121044]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121045]
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Heart & Home 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [157928]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Uninked Stampin’ Craft Pad & Whisper White Refill [147277]
Baker's Twine Essentials Pack [155475]	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]	Blending Brushes [153611]	Basics Embossing Powders [155554]	Heat Tool (Us And Canada) [129053]

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IT'S TIME TO RELAX

What is your favorite way to relax?  Do you enjoy sitting on the beach, doing crafts, reading a good book, listening to music?

Today's card depicts one of my favorite ways to relax.

I love to cuddle under a cozy warm blanket with a good mystery book!  And what could be better than hanging out with your furry friend?  My problem is, once I start reading a book, especially if it is one filled with mystery and suspense, I don't want to stop until it is finished -- and as a result I get NOTHING done until the book is done.

My furry friend, Baxter, wasn't much of a cuddler.  He'd tolerate it for a few minutes, but much preferred hanging on the other end of the couch or at the foot of the bed.  But wasn't he a cutie?  He was as sweet as he was cute, but he was a little too independent to be much of a cuddler.

The stamp set I'm featuring this week is the In the Moment Stamp Set.

I also find coloring relaxing, so this stamp set is a great stamp set if you like to color.

Today's card is colored with Stampin' Blends, and I love these alcohol markers because they make coloring so easy!  

I paired today's image with the new Abstract Beauty Designer Series Paper from the Spring Mini.  I love, love, love this paper.  Abstract and geometric based art is my favorite, and this paper offers lots of abstract choices.  It is so pretty, and it even has bling!

I chose this particular pattern for today's card because I thought the colors of Blushing Bride and Just Jade were soft and calming.  That's what we need when we are trying to relax, right?

I used the largest die from the Stitched Rectangles die to die cut the paper and then matted it on Mint Macaron cardstock.

The sentiment and trim below it were die cut with dies from the Painted Labels Dies.

I kept the inside clean and simple and just trimmed it with a piece of the pretty Abstract Beauty Designer Paper.  Often, I leave the inside sentiment free as I can always add that later when I know where the card will be sent.  

In the background you can see that I also covered the envelop flap with the same designer series paper.  This is a quick and easy way to coordinate your envelope with your card.

For a list of the products used, please reference the list below.

This card is a simple card, but if you would like a detailed tutorial with all cutting dimensions and step-by-step directions, you can download one using this link.

I hope you will come back on Wednesday and Friday this week to see cards made with the other two images from In the Moment and the techniques that I used to create them. 

Also, tomorrow, I will have a special introduction of the new Here Together Bundle which will be available for purchase beginning tomorrow, February 1st.  You aren't going to want to miss this set!  It has beautiful sentiments and special images to show others we care.  That's really what making and sending cards is all about, isn't it?  Showing someone, we care.

Product List

In The Moment Cling Stamp Set (English) [157987]	Stitched Rectangles Dies [151820]	Painted Labels Dies [151605]	Blushing Bride 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [131198]	Mint Macaron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [138337]
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276]	Abstract Beauty 4" X 6" (10.2 X 15.2 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper [158039]	Flirty Flamingo Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154884]	Just Jade Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [153107]	Mango Melody Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154888]
Night Of Navy Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154891]	Seaside Spray Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154901]	Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154904]	Gray Granite Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [154886]	Pink Pirouette Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144604]
Stampin' Blends Color Lifter [144608]	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897]	2021–2023 In Color Jewels [155571]	Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653]

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