Nutz about Stamping

Grab your metallic embossing powders and make this beautiful card at home

Hi all! I am away for a three-day weekend training so no video tutorial this week. However, I cannot leave you wanting a new project idea to try so.... here you are! 

Today's project idea uses the beautiful Scenic Garden stamp set. 

 

Create a tranquil setting on all your handmade cards with this stamp set. Whether you’re looking to send some cheer or a sweet hello, these lovely images are sure to carry someone special to a peaceful place of reverie. Whether you make it simple, with an image of a lone bench, or create a vivid scene complete with a walkway and floral touches, you can’t go wrong. 

If you have the Metallic embossing powders and a heat tool, you are set to make this gorgeous card: 

And here's how: 

Supplies:

• Stamps: Scenic Garden Host Cling Stamp Set [160831], Beside Me Cling Stamp Set (English) [160780], Sending Support Cling Stamp Set (English) [160822]
• Card Stock: Pacific Point 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [111350], Silver Foil Sheets [132178]
• Stamp Pads: Versamark Pad [102283]
• Misc: Metallics Embossing Powders [155555], Heat Tool [129053], Brights Stampin' Write Markers [147157], Multipurpose Liquid Glue [110755], Stampin' Dimensionals [104430], Clear Block Bundle [118491], Paper Snips [103579], Paper Trimmer [152392]

Measurements:

• Pacific Point – 11” x 4 ¼”, 3 ¾” x 5”, scrap piece
• Silver: 4” x 5 ¼” (Tip: use a Rectangle Die to cut out the centre and use on other cards).

Instructions:  

1. Fold the 11” x 4 ¼” cardstock in half to form card base.
2. Glue silver foil cardstock to front of card.
3. Stamp bench image from “Scenic Garden” stamp set with Versamark ink pad onto 3 ¾” x 5” Pacific Point cardstock. Sprinkle silver embossing powder over top, shake off excess and set with heat tool. Repeat with the stones image, emboss with silver. Stamp the flowers, emboss with silver. Stamp and emboss birds from “Beside Me” set.
4. Colour the bench with Pacific Point Stampin' Write Marker.
5. Stamp flower pot with Versamark ink pad onto scrap piece of Pacific Point card stock. Emboss with silver. Colour the pots with Pacific Point marker. Cut image and place onto card with Stampin' Dimensionals.

I will be back next week with another video tutorial - in the meantime.....happy paper crafting! 

See how to create interesting visual details on your cards

It’s all hearts and flowers with the Country Bouquet bundle. The set includes conventional hearts, of course, but also features flowers that come together in the shape of a heart. You can instantly add a unique spin to projects celebrating love and valentines. (Also available in French and German)

Today's card shows you how to create some interesting details on your cards to add visual interest. These details are very simple to create but pack a lovely 'wow' factor, don't you agree? 

Here's how to make this card at home.

Supplies:

• Stamp Sets – Country Bouquet (Photopolymer, 160377)
• Card Stock – Thick Basic White (159229); Basic White (159276); Sweet Sorbet (159268); Balmy Blue (146982); Mint Macaron (138337)
• Ink – VersaMark (102283)
• Misc – Country Gingham 6” x 6” Designer Series Paper (DSP)(160388); Country Floral Lane 12” x 12” DSP (160375); Stylish Shapes Dies (159183); Cane Weave 3D Embossing Folder (160580); Pastel Adhesive-Backed Sequins (160387); Basics Stampin’ Emboss Powder (155554); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

Measurements:

• Thick Basic White CS: 4-1/4” x 11””, scored at 3-1/2”, 9”
• Sweet Sorbet CS: 2-1/2” x 4-1/8”, 3-3/8” x 4-1/8”, 1” x 3”
• Balmy Blue Gingham DSP: 2” x 3-3/4”
• Mint Macaron Gingham DSP: 3” x 3-3/4”
• Basic White CS: 3-1/4” x 3-1/4”
• Balmy Blue CS: 2-1/4” x 2-1/4”
• Mint Macaron CS: 1-3/4” x 1-3/4”
• Country Floral DSP: fussy cut small heart

 

Instructions:

1. Die cut Mint Macaron CS with 2^nd from smallest Stylish Shapes square die.
2. Die cut Balmy Blue CS with 3rd from smallest Stylish Shapes square die.
3. Die cut Basic White CS with largest Stylish Shapes square die then emboss with Cane Weave 3D EF.
4. Adhere Gingham DSP to Sweet Sorbet CS then adhere to card front panels.
5. Adhere die cut square layers then add to top panel of card front.
6. Add DSP heart with Stampin’ Dimensional as shown.
7. Stamp sentiment on Sweet Sorbet CS with VersaMark then heat emboss with White Emboss Powder.  Die cut with Stylish Shapes banner then add to card front.
8. Finish with Pastel Adhesive-Backed Sequins.

This playful kit is just what you’ll need to create cards to brighten someone's day!

Make cloudy days a little brighter with the Sunshine & Smiles Paper Pumpkin Kit!

This kit includes nine sweet and sunny cards—three each of three designs. If someone you know is weathering a storm, this kit is just what you’ll need to create cards that are sure to brighten their day!

 

ABOUT THE KIT: Available to order until 10 February 2023. 

Name: Sunshine & Smiles

This kit includes:

• Everything you need to create 9 radiant cards—3 each of 3 designs—and 9 coordinating envelopes.
• A sweet springtime photopolymer stamp set.
• A Mango Melody Stampin’ Spot
• A fun peek-through window scene on each card!
• Cute precut critters and labels, fun raindrop embellishments, and more! 

Finished card size: 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" (14 x 10.8 cm)

Coordinating Stampin’ Up! colors: Balmy Blue, Cajun Craze, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Flirty Flamingo, Mango Melody, Old Olive, Shaded Spruce

Don’t forget! This kit perfectly coordinates with the Rain or Shine Suite Collection (item number: 160556).

AND for the first time ever, we’ve got a coordinating die add-on! 

Sunshine & Smiles Dies (Available for purchase starting 11 January, while supplies last)

Item number: 162486

$6.00 USD 

This add-on includes:

• One coordinating frog-shaped die: 1-1/8" x 7/8" (2.9 x 2.2 cm)
• One coordinating flower bouquet die: 1-1/8" x 7/8" (2.9 x 2.2 cm)

Click here to subscribe! (Bonus: there is no penalty or limitations for subscription cancellations)

Here's the perfect challenge to help you take a new look at your crafting collection

Today's Paper Craft Crew challenge helps you take new inspiration with the crafting supplies you own. 

 

Although it might see to have a Valentine focus, think beyond that! It could be close friendship, wedding, anniversary, birthday - the sky's the limit. 

I decided to create a challenge card using a bundle that is not known for this kind of theme. Introducing Desert Details: 

This bundle spoke to me when I first saw it in the Mini Catalog. I lived in New Mexico for several years (a long time ago) and learned to love the beauty that the desert has to offer. 

And the corresponding Delicate Desert paper is just as yummy! 

To me, the obvious doesn't always have to be the obvious. What about a southwest 'love' card? The phrase that I chose could easily say 'love' but the paper and embellishments don't necessarily have to as well. 

I had such fun with the layout as well - why not grab this bundle at my online store and try this idea too? 

Tip: if you want to see how I made this card, check out my Instagram Reels! 

And now it is your turn: see what you can create using this week's 'Love' challenge - think outside that obvious box and see what you can design. 

If you want to see what the other crew members created for today's challenge, click here to link over to the Paper Craft Crew website. 

What to do when you fall in love with a beautiful new bundle

Have you ever had this moment too? You open up a new Stampin' Up! Mini Catalog and start leafing through page by page. And suddenly  you spot a bundle that takes your breath away for a quick second. 

That's the feeling I got when I first spotted the Dainty Delight bundle! 

Although I don't have much time for creating cards that require a lot of coloring, I knew that I would want to make time for the images in this set. 

So, what do you do when you fall in love with a beautiful bundle? You buy it and craft your heart out! Which is what I have been doing - here on my blog and on my YouTube channel. 

Today's card offers a fun way to create your own background so that you don't have to use an entire sheet of designer series paper. This layout is perfect for using up scraps and it also shows that you can make a beautiful card using only one color of ink. 

 

Here's how to make my card:

Supplies:

• Stamp Sets – Dainty Delight (161078); Something Fancy (160416; bundle and save 15% - 160425)
• Card Stock –Basic White (159276); Starry Sky (159263)
• Stamp Pads – Starry Sky (159212)
• Misc. –Stampin’ Seal (152813); Dainty Flowers Designer Series Paper (160834)*; Night of Navy Bordered Ribbon (160581); Something Fancy Dies (160424); Mini Glue Dots (103683); Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (149653)

*Free with a $50 product order (Sale-a-bration)

Measurements: 

• Basic White: 8 ½” x 5 ½”; 3 1/4” x 2”
• Starry Sky: 3 3/4” x 2 1/4”
• Dainty Flowers: 3/4” x 5 1/2”; 1” x 5 1/2"

Instructions:

1. Fold Basic White cardstock in half and crease to create card base.
2. Ink floral image using Starry Sky ink and stamp several times onto card base.
3. Adhere narrow (floral) Dainty Flowers strip slightly under Dainty Flowers (Starry Sky Strip) and then to right side of card front.
4. Ink Something Fancy phrase using Starry Sky ink and stamp onto Basic White. Die-cut phrase and Starry Sky layer using Something Fancy die. Adhere together, slightly off-setting.
5. Adhere phrase to card front.
6. Adhere Night of Navy bow using Mini Glue Dots to complete card.

These 3 different coloring tools will make your cards beautiful

This week I want to show you three different ways to add color to your cards, using my top 3 coloring tools! Each of these tools will add a different look to my card and the result is fabulous. 

I decided to use my Dainty Delight bundle for the floral image on my card: 

 

And to color the larger stamped image I will be using my top three coloring tools: 

1. Stampin' Blends:
   Stampin' Blends are alcohol markers and when you use them to color stamped images, they give you beautiful, rich, saturated smooth colors. The ink from Stampin' Blends will bleed through you paper so be sure to have grid or scrap paper underneath your card stock to protect your work surface.
   
   
   
   
2. Stampin' Write Markers - Blushing Bride
   Stampin’ Write dual-tipped markers have a broad tip for coloring and achieving unique color effects and a fine tip for writing. I use these for a lighter look on my projects. You can color your images before stamping on card stock or use them to color images stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, my permanent ink of choice.
   
   
   
   
3. Blending Brushes - you need to see the smaller brushes now available in the Mini Catalog (Yippee!) 

The small tip helps you apply ink with precision. The velvety soft bristles blend ink perfectly. Of course I had to get a pack of the smaller brushes to go with the larger set I already own. 

And as I am going to use a design from the Dainty Flowers Designer Series Paper pack, I let the colors in this pack be the feature on my stamped image. 

Did you know you can earn this paper pack with a $50 (€60) product order? Yes, you can, but only until 28 February 2023. This paper is so popular it may not last until the end of Feb so don't wait and be disappointed! 

Although my card may look complicated, it is not - it just takes a bit of time to color the image. Here's my card, and don't miss my video below showing you how to make this card, step-by-step, along with bonus tips and design ideas! 

Supplies

Stamp Set: Dainty Delight (bundle: 160675)

Ink: Daffodil Delight; Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Basic White: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 5 1/2" x 2 3/4" 
        Dainty Flowers: (2) 1 1/2"
        Daffodil Delight: 1 1/4" x 2"  
        Fresh Freesia: scrap

Misc: Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends (154883); Old Olive Stampin' Blends (154892); Fresh Freesia Stampin' Blends (155518); Mini Stampin' Dimensionals; Blushing Bride Stampin' Write Marker; Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine; Small Blending Brushes (160518); Enamel Dot Essentials (160751)

Here's my video - enjoy! 

Sale-a-bration is one of our biggest promotions of the year - here's why

Sale-A-Bration is overflowing with opportunities for you, and filled with fun for everyone! Download our Sale-A-Bration brochure (below) to preview the great products you can earn for FREE when you shop, host, or join my team from 5 January to 28 February 2023.

SALE-A-BRATION PERIOD: 5 January–28 February 2023

There are three ways to enjoy Sale-a-bration:

1. SHOP

Earn exclusive items from the Sale-a-Bration brochure while purchasing (before shipping and taxes) Stampin’ Up! products that you already love – including from the Annual Catalog, the new Mini Catalog, the Clearance Rack or other Online items (like Prepaid Paper Pumpkin subscriptions and Kit Collections). 

Stampin’ Up! is offering two levels of FREE Sale-a-Bration items:

• LEVEL ONE – Free with $50 Purchase. For every $50 you spend, you can select one Level One item to add to your order. 
• LEVEL TWO – Free with $100 Purchase. For every $100 you spend, you can select one Level Two item to add to your order OR two Level 1 choices.  

2. HOST

You are going to love this second way –HOST. 

When you place a Stampin’ Up! order at my online store for more than $300 between January 4 and February 28, you will automatically receive the gorgeous Scenic Garden Stamp Set. Have a look at this gorgeous set: 

Tip: grab your friends and together create a $300 order - then share the Scenic Garden stamp set around! 

3. JOIN

This is my FAVORITE way for you to save during Sale-a-Bration, and it’s perfect for you! Between January 4 and February 28, join my All About Stamping team and earn the following with your $99 Starter Kit - pick your FAVE option!

• Option 1: The exclusive Boho Blue Mini Machine ($63 USD) + your choice of $175 USD of Stampin’ Up! products for only $129 USD 
• Option 2: The original white Mini Machine ($63 USD) + your choice of $175 USD  of Stampin’ Up! products for only $129 USD.
• Option 3: Your choice of $175 USD of Stampin’ Up! products for only $99 USD. 

AND there are more amazing reasons to join my team during Sale-a-Bration:

• FREE SHIPPING of your Starter Kit!
• 20% discount on all purchases immediately after joining (and for as long as you are an active demonstrator). Fabulous!
• Earn Sale-a-Bration rewards on orders after your starter kit arrives with an opportunity to earn additional rewards only available to demonstrators
• My exclusive support based on your goals!
• You are under no obligation to ever sell or share with anyone (although it's fun when you do) and do you have to make any further purchases unless you choose to do so.

 

Here's how to say thanks to the people who make your day

We invite you to say thank you to the people who make your day, every day with Saying Thanks all-inclusive card kit! This month’s kit has everything you need to show appreciation to family and friends who light up your life!

Make nine bright, colorful cards in no time to say thank you, recognize friends, and share your gratitude with a bright watercolor wash that won’t go unnoticed! You’ll never miss an opportunity to express gratitude with this colorful kit!

Want to see what you get in this kit?

And here's what you will make: 

Sara from Stampin' Up! is here to tell you more: 

 

SAYING THANKS KIT -     click here to order your kit now!

$13.00 USD 

Each kit comes with pre-cut die cuts in Dutch, English, French and German

Available NOW!

DETAILS

---

This kit includes: 

• Enough supplies to create 9 cards—3 each of 3 designs—and 9 coordinating envelopes.
• Printed die-cut words, precut pieces, and enough adhesive to complete projects.
• White baker's twine and iridescent diamond sequins.
• Finished card size: 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" (14 x 10.8 cm).
• Coordinating colors: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Gorgeous Grape, Granny Apple Green, Poppy Parade, Tahitian Tide.

See how to layer 3 beautiful paper designs for a lovely overall effect

This week's Paper Craft Crew card sketch challenge is a fun one and offers lots of potential for variation. You will see how you can change up the layers to create a completely different card each time. 

 

I knew straight away that I wanted to use some of the designs in the Dainty Flowers paper pack (FREE with a $50 or €60 product order until 28 Feb 2023!): 

 

Choose from a variety of elegant floral designs in different sizes and shapes. Or use the opposite side for more pastel background layering pieces. This is a stunning set of papers that you won't want to miss out on!

I decided to choose three of the patterns for my card and then to use an image in the coordinating Dainty Delight bundle as the smallest layer: 

If you love to color then this is the bundle for you! I love the pretty flowers and matching dies and know that there are SO many ideas for how to use these products. 

Here's the card I created for today's sketch:

And now it's your turn - give today's sketch a try and see what you can create using your lovely paper patterns.

If you want to see what the Paper Craft Crew created, click here to check out all of our creations. And as I wrote above, the Dainty Flowers paper is on offer for FREE - until 28 Feb and only as supplies last. So don't wait and be disappointed - place your qualifying order using the shopping basket link on the right side of my blog or click the photo of the paper pack above. 

 

There are 3 great options for joining Stampin' Up! now!

 

Why have so many crafters joined my team? Here are the top 5 reasons:

• Make new stampin’ friends

• Join a global community of creative stampers

• Qualify for the perks of being a Stampin’ Up! insider

• Take the opportunity to share what they love with others

• Gain the potential to earn an income by doing what they love, being rewarded with free products, and buying products at a discount.

There are 3 amazing options for you to choose from when you join Stampin' Up! and my team by 28 February: 

 

Click here to learn more! 

12 sheets of elegant floral designs that will make your cards shine

If you are like me, 2023 has kicked off with a bang and I already have so many things going on. Paper crafting is still an important part of my week because I know how important it is for my wellbeing so I make time to craft and unwind from all that busy-ness. Today I am going to show you how to make a beautiful card idea that features the elegant Dainty Flowers paper - these patterns and colors make make your cards sing - and today's layout will only take minutes to make.

What a clever idea to offer a pack of coordinating designer paper and to make it a FREE offer with a qualifying order! 

 

Enhance your paper collection with the whimsical and versatile Dainty Flowers 12" x 12" designer series paper. Choose from a variety of elegant floral designs in different sizes and shapes. Or use the opposite side for more pastel background layering pieces. This is a stunning set of papers that you won't want to miss out on!

* 12 sheets of patterned paper: 2 each of 6 double-sided designs
* 12" x 12" (30.5 x 30.5 cm)
* Acid free
* Lignin free

Product colors: Blushing Bride, Crushed Curry, Fresh Freesia, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Starry Sky

 

As I wrote above, this paper pack coordinates perfectly with the new Dainty Delight bundle - bonus!

 

 

Expand the horizons of your delicate designs with the coordinating stamp set and dies in this bundle -  use these products to create beautiful, cohesive layered paper craft projects.

Here's a simple but elegant card idea - change the phrase to suit the occasion you need. be sure to watch my video below for my bonus tips and design ideas!

 

 

Supplies

 

Stamp set: Dainty Delight (bundle #160675)

Ink: Starry Sky

Paper and cutting dimensions:
         Basic White: 11" x 4 1/4"; 2 1/8" x 1" 
         Old Olive: 1 1/2" x 4 1/4" 
         Dainty Flowers: 5 1/2" x 4 1/2"; 2 1/4" x 3"

Misc: Night of Navy Bordered Ribbon (160581); Multipurpose Liquid Glue; Something Fancy Dies (160424), Mini Glue Dots; Dainty Flowers Designer Series Paper (160834); Tear & Tape Adhesive; Enamel Dot Essentials (160751)

 

Here's my video - enjoy!

 

Here's a fun bundle to help you welcome in a new year

It’s always fun to welcome in a new year and now you have the perfect bundle to help you do that. You can send friendly and welcoming messages with the Warm Welcome stamp set and die bundle.

Create layered looks using the dies, add details with the coordinating stamps, then color those cute line-art images with the colors of your choice! Celebrate special occasions or simply send a warm heartfelt note to a special someone. And there is the perfect die to help you welcome 2023!

Stamp set: Warm Welcome (bundle and save 10%, 160704)

Ink: Orchid Oasis (159214); Memento Tuxedo Black Pad (132708)

Paper and cutting dimensions:

Smoky Slate (131202) – 8 ½” x 5 ½”; (2) ¼” x 4”; ¼” x 1 3/8” Orchid Oasis (159267) – 4” x 5 ¼”; (2) ¼” x 4”; 2” x ½”; Basic White (159276) – 3 ¾” x 5”; scrap for cat; 1 ¾” x 3 ¾”; scrap for hello phrase

Misc: Adhesive Sheets (152334); Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals (144108); Pearls Basic Jewels (144219); Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack (154904); Stampin’ Seal (152813); Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110775)

Instructions

1. Fold Smoky Slate card stock in half to create card base. Adhere Orchid Oasis layer to card base using Stampin’ Seal.

2. Ink door frame using Memento Tuxedo Black ink and stamp onto Basic White layer. Color using Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blends.

3. Die-cut door insert from Basic White card stock. Adhere Smoky Slate strip to top of door insert and then adhere door inside frame using Stampin’ Seal.

4. Using Multipurpose Liquid Glue, adhere Smoky Slate and Orchid Oasis strips to Basic White layer, two strips above and two strips below.

5. Adhere Basic White layer to card base.

6. Ink cat image using Memento Tuxedo Black ink and stamp onto Basic White scrap; color with Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blends and die-cut.

7. Adhere cat to card base using Mini Stampin’ Dimensional.

8. Adhere Adhesive sheet to back of Orchid Oasis card stock. Die-cut ‘2023’.

9. Peel backing layer off ‘2023’ numbers and adhere vertically to door insert.

10. Ink ‘hello’ image using Orchid Oasis ink and stamp onto Basic White scrap. Die-cut. Adhere to card front using Mini Stampin’ Dimensional.

11. Add Pearl Basic Jewel to complete card.

Here's one idea for the inside of this playful card:

Happy New Catalog Time! Tips for Finding Products in the New Mini Catalog!

I absolutely love it when I first get my hands on a printed copy of a new Mini Catalog. After checking out the cover for hints of what’s inside, I start going through the pages with new products one by one. I carefully make my “must buy” list and place my order with Stampin’ Up! While I eagerly await my product delivery, I go online to find out what others have ordered. It’s only then that I find out that I totally missed an embellishment that I would have snapped up in a pair of seconds. How did I do that?

With a Mini Catalog, unfortunately, it’s easy. While the Annual catalog has products in different categories neatly grouped together in sections, not so the Mini Catalogs. So, unless you study that Mini like it was for a high school math final exam, you’re likely to miss something the first time around. With this article, I’ll give you some hints about where to look for those sneaky products hiding through the Mini.

 

Look Carefully at Pages Advertising “Suites”

This is what the first two pages in every “Suite” in the January – April 2023 Stampin’ Up! Mini Catalog. Pages 8 & 9 Show the “Country Floral Lane” suite. Every product in that suite is listed along the right side of the two-page spread. The best way not to miss anything on these pages is to go through this list one by one.

There are product suite pages like this on pages 14-15, 22-23, 30-31, 42-43, 50-51, 58-59 and 68-69.

 

Look Even More Carefully At The Other Pages

On every other page of the Mini Catalog, you won’t necessarily have that neat line up of products. The first set of pages like that is on pages 12 & 13. Yes, there are a few products that are listed across the bottom of the page. But did you see those “Opaque Adhesive-Backed Gems up there in the middle of the 2-page spread, whose picture is running off the page? If it’s not a “Suite” set of pages, check for those out-of-the way listings. I found other such listings on page 19 (the Dragonfly Trinkets), page 37 (Enamel Dot Essentials) and page 67 (small blending brushes). See if you can spot any that I may have missed! 

 

Take Advantage of the Mini’s Index Pages WITH PICTURES!

At the back of every Mini Catalog these days, there are sections listing all of the products in the Mini in different categories. Look at the “Catalog at a Glance from pages 84 to 87. I particularly pay attention to pages 86 and 87. If there’s something that’s not a major stamp or die set or Designer Series Paper in this catalog, it’s listed here.

 

You might ask, “If I went through the catalog so well, why do I need this.” I’ve found that, if I come to a page where the suite or other products just don’t appeal to me, no matter how well I’m studying, I managed to just gloss over it. These two pages may well show you something from a suite that you’d definitely use in your crafting even if the whole suite didn’t appeal.

In my case, the “Rain or Shine” suite didn’t particularly appeal to me. But then, on page 87, I saw the “Raindrops” embossing folder from the Rain or Shine suite. I could definitely use that with lots of my other Stampin’ Up! products.

 

Enjoy Browsing Your New Mini Catalog!

I think now that I’ve written this, I might just go through the catalog once again and see if there’s something else that I missed. I hope you enjoy going through this catalog using my handy tips. If you have questions or need support with placing an order, please email me at: terri@nutzboutstamping.com.

2 pieces of patterned paper are perfect for this card sketch challenge

This week's Paper Craft Crew card sketch was designed to help you feature (and use up!) leftover pieces of designer paper:

 

I have a brand new pack of Dandy Designs designer series paper and wanted to dig into some of these bright colors and simple designs. 

Did you know that you can earn this pack of paper (48 sheets!!) for FREE with a $100 (€120) product order? Yes, you can but only until 28 February 2023 at which time it will retire forever. The designs feature spring-like colors: Balmy Blue, Calypso Coral, Fresh Freesia, Granny Apple Green, Mango Melody and Petal Pink. 

I decided that the designer paper designs I chose would be a card's main feature so used a simple phrase and the 2 flower images from the Framed Florets stamp set:

that I die-cut using a new set of dies, called Something Fancy (something yummy I declare!): 

And here's my card sketch challenge card: 

And now it is your turn - try our card sketch challenge this week and see what you can create using up leftover patterned paper you have lying around. 

If you want to see what the other design crew members created this week, click here. 

Want to learn a fun way to get a lot of new crafting ideas?

 

If you are a demonstrator (or would like to be one!) you know that we demonstrators participate in a lot of card swaps.

But even if you are NOT a demonstrator, you could still consider swapping cards with friends, family and demonstrators. ANYONE can organize a swap. If you have several friends or relatives who are stampers, think how much fun it would be to do a swap with them. And with 2 new catalogs now live, this is the perfect time to give this fun idea a try!

Here are a few ideas, hints, and possibilities:

• Your favorite stamp set would make beautiful swaps.
• A swap of cards with different techniques or a swap where everyone uses the same technique and interprets it “their way.”
• A themed swap based on a holiday. This could be done for ANY holiday.
• A Birthday Card swap—who doesn’t need birthday cards!

The same goes for sympathy cards.

Why not gift card holders swap.

Small treat boxes swap, either all the same size/holiday/birthday or different sizes. HINT: include a list of items that would fit in your box.

A “Just for Fun” swap where anything goes!

Here's how to organize a swap:

· Contact your friends and ask them to participate.

· Decide on your theme or technique

· Set the parameters of the swap: card size, number of layers, using embellishments, etc.

· Current Stampin’ Up! items or any stamps?

· What tools to use.

· Packaging the cards: Do you want them to use clear envelopes to protect the cards? Do you want to have them package their swaps in a gallon zipper bag with their information adhered to the bag (name, address, phone #, email)?

· Should they include the “recipe” for how to make the card or other item?

· Should they include an envelope for each card, and should it be decorated to match the card?

· Should they send a prepaid envelope for you to send the sorted swaps back to them, OR should they send $$ to you for envelopes and postage to get their swaps back to them.

· Deadline to have the swaps from all participants. How strict will you be about this?

· After you have all the swaps, sort them into a stack for each participant using their ziploc plastic bag. Lay the bags on a table or counter and put 1 of each card on it.

· After sorting, place each participants’ cards in their zipper bag

· Package for mailing.

I hope you decide to host or participate in a swap. They are fun—especially when you receive your package and take time to ooh and aah over all the beautiful swaps you received.

Enjoy!