Showing posts with label Stampin' UP!. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stampin' UP!. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

TWO SEASONS WITH CHRISTMAS GREENERY

When I've created cards using products from this Traditions of Christmas suite previously, I mentioned that I thought some of the products in the suite could easily transition to seasons other than just Christmas.  I hope today's cards help to demonstrate what I was thinking.

This first card that I made today was created for Christmas but keep reading and you'll see below how I turned it into a "non-Christmas" card.  

For the card front I used the Traditional Wreath embossing folder.  It is a beautifully textured wreath with tons of dimension, but the "greenery" does not "scream" Christmas.  There are no pine boughs but rather just simple leaves appropriate for any time of year.

The bouquet was quick and easy to create.  In fact, so easy that I even surprised myself!  It was made using two-step stamping which I often struggle with.  With some two-step stamps I have trouble aligning the "2nd step" stamp with the first stamp.  But with this set I had NO TROUBLE at all--even on the first attempt. 

I had actually stamped the outline image twice because I assumed I'd need the first one to practice getting the 2nd layers aligned.  That's why I had an extra stamped outline image to make a non-Christmas card.

On Monday's Blog Post I mentioned how much I like the Traditional Labels dies.  I want to explain how I used this particular die to create the little Cherry Cobbler Border.  No, there are not two layering dies in this shape that are slightly different in size.  These layers were made using the same die!  And until I die cut the Basic White cardstock, I didn't realize the possibilities!  

When you cut cardstock with this die it creates a tiny little border that is mostly "loose" from the center portion of the die cut.  It is only attached at 4 places--in those little corners.  So I carefully snipped it loose.  I then die cut a 2nd piece from Cherry Cobbler and left the tiny border attached.  Voila!  I had a nice, bordered layer!

Since I rarely throw "scraps" away -- like the tiny little white border piece, I used it as a frame for my Merry Christmas sentiment on the inside of the card.


Doesn't that give it a nice finishing touch?  My mom would have said, "It just does something to it!"

The designer series paper (DSP) on the front, inside, and envelope is from the Traditions of Christmas DSP collection.

Here is my "non-Christmas" version of the same card.

Does it look like this card was made with "Christmas" products?  I don't think so.  I intentionally used the exact same design for the card.  I wanted to keep them as similar as possible -- even down to using plaid designer series paper (DSP).  This plaid DSP is from the Timeless Plaid Collection.


I just changed up the colors and sentiments.  Even the Sparkly Sequins are from the Traditions of Christmas Suite -- just gold rather than red.


What do you think?  Did I convince you this "Christmas" suite isn't just for Christmas?


Listed below are the products used for the Christmas version of the card.  The products for the birthday version are listed on the Tutorial.

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Location: Commerce Township, MI, USA

Monday, September 15, 2025

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

This week I will be sharing cards made with products from the Traditions of Christmas Suite.  This is a Mega Suite that includes two bundles, beautiful Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP), Shiny Red Ribbon, the sparkliest sequins you will find and a versatile Traditional Wreath that will take you well beyond Christmas.


Today's card uses dies from both bundles, a stamp from Traditional Labels, the gorgeous DSP, the ribbon and the sequins.

Gold Metallic foil adds elegance to the card.  When you hesitate to use foil as a large mat, maximize the use of the more pricey foil by cutting your leaf out of the center of the mat before adhering the DSP.


If you feel like I often do, "I don't need  anymore Christmas stamps and dies," you are going to want to at least take a closer look at the Traditional Labels dies.  These label dies have many different shapes and sizes, so you are going to be able to use them for SO MANY greetings that you already own.  


My greeting is from the coordinating Traditional Labels Stamp set, and I love how the sentiment curves to match the shape of the die.  BUT remember, you can easily "bend" your photopolymer stamps to shape them to fit curved designs.

My little berries are the largest of the Sparkling Sequins.  The appearance of the ribbon doesn't show as well as I hoped in the photos. (Photographer's error I'm sure)  In my opinion the Real Red Shiny Ribbon, has more of a "shimmer" than a shine.  It is definitely not a matte finish, but it also isn't glossy like satin ribbon.  It has a bit of sparkle in it and it is beautiful, but the best part--it is super easy to tie!


For the inside of the card I added a strip of the Gold Foil and die cut a couple more Holly Leaves with the Christmas Greenery Dies to tie the inside to the card front.  Again, Sparkling Sequins were used for the berries.

Use this link to download a tutorial with all the details. 

A list of the products used is shown below.  You can purchase the complete Suite and get it all or just choose individual items of interest to you.  But do take a closer look at the Traditional Labels Dies!  And remember -- you save 10% when you purchase the stamp set and die bundle.

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Friday, September 12, 2025

STRAWBERRY SUNFLOWERS

Today's Sunflower card features the 2025 - 2027 In-Color, Strawberry Slush.  I'm never sure if I should put it in the red family or the pink family.  It sort of seems like a cross between the two.

For some reason, I don't use this color often.  But for today's card I convinced myself I needed to give it a try.  

However, rather than starting with Basic White cardstock and dragging Strawberry Slush ink across the Sunflower embossed surface, I decided to emboss Strawberry Slush cardstock.  I then dragged a White Craft ink pad across the embossed side to add white highlights to the raised areas.

After dragging once, I wasn't really happy with what I was getting.   So I inked up my White Craft ink pad really well and dragged it again.  It looked better.  I let the craft ink dry (it is slower drying than Classic Ink Pads) and then dragged again.  I did this a couple more times even re-inking the area of the pad again that I was dragging.  Each time the white got whiter until I was finally satisfied.

Then I needed a contrasting color to make things pop.  So, I pulled out my trusty Color Coach.  It gave me a few options, and after holding samples of each behind the Strawberry Slush, I chose Lost Lagoon.  


I originally planned to place the matted Strawberry Slush focal point in it's typical place--the center of the card front.  That looked "OK", but after playing around a bit and trying different locations, I landed on the lower left corner.  I don't know why I don't think of using this layout more often.  It's unique and more interesting.  Plus, the circle sentiment doesn't cover up as much of the pretty sunflowers!

The sentiment is from Encircled with love.  I used three different size circle punches.  One to create a Lost Lagoon mat and a slightly smaller one for the circular sentiment.  I then stamped the complete sentiment again with Strawberry Slush and punched out a smaller center circle with just the hearts and popped that up.  Iridescent Striped Ribbon and Iridescent Faceted Gems added a bit of sparkly elegance.

I had made my embossed Strawberry Slush Panel a little oversize so used the trimmed pieces to add a bit of color to the inside of the card and the front of the envelope.

Use this link to download a tutorial with all the details.

The products used on this card are listed below.  You can click on any image to learn more and/or place an order for something that catches your eye. 

Have I convinced you this week that you really NEED this Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder?

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