Posted in Animals, beginner stamper, Easter, Mini Catalog 2020, Rabbit, Sponging technique

Welcome Easter Cute Bunny

Hello and Good Day! I hope you amazing people are doing well and hanging in there with all the social distancing and self quarantine. It is really different. Easter will be very different as I will be “going” to mass online. Not the usual pretty dress, and new shirt and tie affair I am used too.

This is a cute Easter card with Springtime colors. It is very simple to make using the Welcome Easter stamp set in the Stampin’ UP! Mini Catalog.

Measurements: Card Base is Petal Pink card stock (CS): 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches with a score mark at 4 1/4 inches; Whisper White CS: 4 1/2 x 3 1/4 inches and 2 3/4 x 2 1/4 inches; Best Dressed Designer Series Paper (DSP): 5 1/2 x 2 inches; 5/8 inch Organdy Striped Ribbon 7 inches and a bow.

Let’s Get Started:

I wanted the “Happy Easter” sentiment to be able to fit inside the Pretty Label punch. One thing you can do is cut the stamps so you can use a different arrangement for the sentiments. It is a little scary at first! They do fit back together on the block so you can use the original arrangement. Use the Melon Mambo ink to stamp the ‘Happy” onto the 4 1/2 x 3 1/4 inch Whisper White CS.

Stamp the “Easter” sentiment just under the “Happy” and slightly to the right. See how it fits nicely inside the Pretty Label Punch? Go ahead and punch the sentiment out.

Stamp the bunny and the little bee in Memento ink onto the 2 3/4 x 2 1/4 inch Whisper White CS. I just love this cute bunny!

Stamp the little patches of grass in Granny Apple Green ink just under the bunny. Tip: It is best to use the size of block that most closely fits the size of the stamp. You have more control and will not rock the stamp as much, thereby avoiding the halos you can get around your stamp. Sometimes you have to place the stamp on the diagonal to achieve this.

Use the Pineapple Punch Stampin’ Write Marker to color the bee. The Petal Pink Stampin’ Write Marker is used for the bunny’s ears and feet. Add a little bit of black with the Black Stampin’ Write Marker on the bee and the bunny’s nose.

Now we are going to use the Sponging Technique. To get the sponge ready, cut the Stamping Sponges in quarters, then cut each quarter in half. I attach a square of the coordinating color of cardstock with the name of the color written on it by stapling it to the top.

The Sponging Technique is an easy way to add a slight border to the card piece. Dab the ink with the sponge, then brush the edge of the card piece back and forth as you move along the edge. Tip: Start with light pressure so you only get a little ink on the card piece. You can always add more color but you can’t take it away!

This is the completed bunny piece with just a hint of Melon Mambo ink along the edge.

Use the Sponging Technique on the Pretty Label sentiment and the strip of Best Dressed DSP. On the DSP just sponge the two long sides.

We will adhere the ribbon with Glue Dots. Apply one Glue Dot to each end of the 7 inch piece of Organdy Striped Ribbon. Tip: I find it easiest to put the ribbon on top of the Glue Dot while it is still on the roll.

Adhere the ribbon to the strip of Best Dressed DSP, slightly to the left. Use the Bone Folder to make a crisp fold on the card base.

Adhere the DSP piece to the front of the card base, slightly to the left. Use a Glue Dot to adhere the bow to the top left of the card.

Now add some Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the bunny and the sentiment. Tip: Make your Stampin’ Dimensionals last twice as long by cutting them in half.

Adhere the bunny piece, then the sentiment piece.

Viola! You have a very sweet Easter card! I hope you are able to observe the Easter season in a way that is still meaningful to you. It may take some creativity. Stay open to new ways of doing things. I have really been enjoying meeting with my friends on Zoom. That may be a great way for you and your family to get together.

Thank you so much for joining me today. I really enjoyed making this cute card.

Today is the last day for Stampin’ Up!’s Sale-a-bration! This is your last chance to chose free product with a $50 or $100 order. There are new items on the list which include the Dual Butterfly Punch and several DSP’s. Check out my store by clicking here.

Posted in Cars, Grunge style, Guys cards

Cardz 4 Guyz Challenge #241 Use a Stencil

Hello! I hope today finds you well. I am joining the Cardz 4 Guyz challenge #241- Use a Stencil- at cardz4guyz.blogspot.com. My card today was made with the brick wall stencil from Stampin’ Up! Pattern Party Decorative Masks and some White Embossing Paste.

I used the Geared Up Garage stamp set by Stampin’ Up!

Using Embossing Paste

Here’s how to use the Embossing Paste. Before you start to play with the paste, cut the card pieces and have the stencils ready to go. Also have a dishpan full of water with a scrub sponge. The paste likes to dry and stick to the stencil, so if you scrub it off right away you can keep the stencil looking good.

Use Painters tape to secure the corners of the stencil on one side to a piece of paper. Slide the piece of card stock under the stencil and secure the other two corners of the stencil. I used 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch pieces of card stock, so that I could trim them later as desired.

Pick up a fair amount of the Embossing Paste with the Diamond trowel from the set of Palette Knives Stampin’ Up! offers. Start to spread it out onto the stencil.

Keep the jar of Embossing Paste covered with a wet towel between applications so that the paste does not dry out.

Spread the paste back and forth until you are satisfied. Keeping it a little thicker in some places than others adds to the texture.

Remove the Painters tape on one side and slide the card stock piece out. Let dry for a few hours or overnight before trying to use the piece to make a card.

I made a whole bunch of card pieces. I have heard that even when the jar is screwed tight, the Embossing Paste can dry out. So I decided to just use the whole jar in one day!

Thank you so much for visiting today. Please stop by the Cardz 4 Guyz website and see all the other cards submitted with Challenge #241 – Use a Stencil. Stay safe and do some crafting today!

Posted in balloons, beginner stamper, Mini Catalog 2020, Punch, Sale-A-Bration 2020, Simple stamping

Birthday Balloon Bling – Layered with Kindness

Well hello again! Great to have you visiting my blog. Today I created a very simple Birthday card with a lot of rhinestone bling and balloons!

This is a really tough time for us all, being stuck at home and not being able to hug each other for support. My goal was to create a sunny, happy card today. I love the way it turned out!

The Stampin’ Up! Layered With Kindness stamp set has a great Happy Birthday sentiment. There is a coordinating Label Me Lovely Punch to make it very fancy.

Measurements: Whisper White Card stock (CS): 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches with a score at 4 1/4 inches and a 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch piece to stamp on; Daffodil Delight CS: 5 1/4 x 4 inches; Grapefruit Grove CS: 4 1/2 x 2 3/4 inches; Birthday Bonanza Designer Series Paper (DSP):4 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches; and Terracotta Tile CS: 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches.

Stamp the “Happy Birthday” sentiment in Terracotta Tile ink onto the 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch piece of Whisper White CS. Use the Label Me Lovely Punch to punch the stamped image out.

Punch out a Lovely Label using the 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch piece of Terracotta Tile CS.

Cut the label in half diagonally from one corner to the other as shown.

Adhere the Terracotta Tile label to the “Happy Birthday” sentiment piece leaving just a small border on the top of the sentiment label. Tip: I use the Silicon Craft Sheet for gluing to keep the glue off of my table.

Now add the bottom half of the Terracotta Tile label to the sentiment label. Trim any edges as needed. Set aside.

Adhere the Grapefruit Grove piece to the balloons from the Birthday Bonanza DSP.

Cut a 4 inch piece of the Daffodil Delight 1/4 inch Ruched Ribbon. Apply a Glue Dot to each end.

Position the ribbon, then flip and push on the Glue Dots to adhere it in place.

Use the Bone Folder to get a nice crisp fold at the 4 1/4 inch score line on the 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch Whisper White CS to make the card base. Adhere the 5 1/4 x 4 inch Daffodil Delight CS to the front of the card base.

Apply Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the balloon piece.

Adhere the balloon piece to the card front, slightly to the right of center.

Apply a Stampin’ Dimensional to the back of the “Happy Birthday” piece behind the “Birth” side of the piece. Apply Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue or Snail Adhesive tape to the “Day” side.

Adhere the sentiment label to the left upper portion of the card front.

Tie a bow with the Daffodil Delight 1/4 inch Ruched Ribbon and apply a Glue Dot to the back.

Adhere the bow to the card front.

Now add the Bling! Put as many Rhinestones as you desire. I ended up using 9 rhinestones! Tip: Use the Take Your Pick tool for transferring the rhinestones from the package to the card.

And Viola! You have a bright, cheery Birthday Balloon with Bling! card to send to someone!

As I said earlier, this is a tough time. It is so important to stay optimistic. Crafting is a way to stay positive and then spread that positive feeling to someone else by sending them the card you make. I did a challenge for myself since I had many cards stashed away. I decided to send a card to someone each day for 30 days. It was a great way to get my cards out to someone and hopefully spread some hope and joy!

Sale-a-bration is winding down. The best deal of the year will only be available until March 31, 2020. There are many FREE products to choose from when you place a $50 order at my Stampin’ Up! Online Store. Click on the Stampin’ Up! Online store to connect directly to my store.

I am an Independent Stampin’ Up Demonstrator and would be happy to help you gather the supplies you need to do some crafting. Send me an email at: theresastreasures.az@gmail.com or private message me through my Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/theresastreasures.az/. I would also love to have you on my team of demonstrators. If you are interested, let me know.

Thanks for visiting today. I hope you feel a little more hope and joy. Hang in there!

Stampin’ Up! Products included: Stamp Set: Layered With Kindness #151655; Punch: Label Me Lovely #151296; Paper: Whisper White CS #100730, Daffodil Delight CS #119683, Grapefruit Grove #146972, Terracotta Tile CS #150884 and Birthday Bonanza DSP #151313; Ink: Terracotta Tile #150086; Clear Blocks: D #118485; Silicon Craft Sheet #127853; Bone Folder #102300; Take Your Pick tool #144107; Adhesives: Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755, Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430 and Glue Dots #103683; Embellishments: Daffodil Delight 1/4 inch Ruched Ribbon #153815 and Rhinestone Basic Jewels #144220.

Posted in beginner stamper, flowers, Gratitude/ Thanks

Ornate Garden Suite/ Fun with Sponge Daubers

I just love learning new techniques. Today’s card will show how to use the sponge dauber for coloring. There are many ways to use sponge daubers. This is just one way. Experiment with the sponge daubers yourself to learn different coloring techniques.

I used the Stampin’ UP! products in the new Ornate Garden Suite for this card.

Measurements: Calypso Coral Card stock (CS): 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches scored at 4 1/4 inches; Old Olive CS: 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 inches; Whisper White CS: 5 1/4 x 4 inches and 5 x 1 1/8 inches; Gold Foil Sheet: 5 1/8 x 3 7/8 inches; Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP); 5 x 3 3/4 inches.

Stamp the ‘Thank You” sentiment from the Ornate Thanks stamp set in Calypso Coral ink onto the 5 x 1 1/8 inch piece of Whisper White CS. Stamp in the upper left hand corner.

Now we are going to use the “you made my day!” sentiment which is very skinny. Tip: In order to get the sentiment on straight, lay it on the paper and put the block over it to stick it to the block.

Use Soft Suede ink to stamp the sentiment “you made my day!” just under the “Thank You”. Trim the paper to 3 3/4 inches.

Now for the fun part! Lay the Ornate Garden Specialty DSP on a scrap sheet of paper. Apply Calypso Coral ink to the sponge dauber by gently tapping it onto the ink pad.

Rub in a small circle onto the scrap paper first. With light pressure, rub in small circles onto the Ornate Garden Specialty DSP. Tip: Start light and then add more to make the ink dark.

Continue to color the flowers. Make some darker than others. I know it doesn’t really look that great right now. Kind of just a smudgy mess!

Daub on the Old Olive ink where there are leaves. The card front looks a little better now.

Fold the 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch Calypso Coral CS in half at the 4 1/4 inch score mark. Use the Bone Folder to make the fold crisp. This is the card base.

Use the filigree to stamp the corners of the inside of the card in Soft Suede ink. Adhere the card piece to the inside of the Calypso Coral CS card base. The filigree makes the inside a little more fancy.

I must admit that I kind of cheat with the Gold Foil Sheets. I have a Big Shot and some rectangular dies and I cut out the center of the card piece to save the Gold Foil sheet. If you don’t have a Big Shot or other cutting machine, just use the Paper Snips to cut out the center. Adhere the Gold Foil card piece to the Old Olive card piece.

Adhere the Ornate Garden Specialty DSP to the Gold Foil layer, then adhere the whole piece to the card front. Tip: Using multiple layers makes the card more interesting.

Adhere the sentiment piece to the card front on the lower third of the front.

Now for some Bling! There are Gilded Gems in the Garden Suite! Tip: The best way to transfer the gems to the card front is with the Take Your Pick Tool. Slide the pick under the adhesive on the gem.

Place the gem on the card and use light pressure to push the gem onto the card. Continue to apply the gems until you like how the card front looks. Use as many as you like. Keep in mind that an odd number is more pleasing to the eye.

Viola! You now have a beautiful thank you card to send to someone. Remember that an attitude of gratitude helps you be more healthy both psychologically and physically along with spreading some positivity to someone else.

Thank you so much for joining me today. The Garden Suite will go on sale on April 1, 2020. Enjoy your day!

Stampin’ UP! supplies used include: Stamp set: Ornate Thanks #149471; Paper: Calypso Coral CS #122925, Old Olive CS #100702, Whisper White CS #100730, Gold Foil Sheets #132622 and the Ornate Garden Specialty DSP #152488; Ink: Calypso Coral #147101 and Soft Suede #147115; Clear Blocks: C #118486, D #118485 and H #118490; Bone Folder #102300; Take Your Pick tool #144107; Adhesives: Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755; and Embellishments: Gilded Gems #152478.

Posted in beginner stamper, Sea, Simple stamping, Stampin' Up! 2019-2020 Annual Catalog

Masculine Sailing Home Birthday Card

Hello! I hope you all are staying well. If you are working at home during this Coronavirus Pandemic, I hope you are taking some time for fun and relaxation. Look ahead and see who has a Birthday coming up. My Brother In Law has a birthday at the beginning of April. I decided to go ahead and make his card today.

This is a really quick and simple card. I used the Stampin’ Up! Sailing Home and High Tide Stamp sets for the sea images, and the Itty Bitty Birthdays for the sentiment. Click on the title of the stamp set to go to the online store and view it.

Measurements: Whisper White cardstock (CS): 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches scored at 4 1/4 inches; Come Sail Away Designer Series Paper (DSP): 5 1/2 x 2 3/8 inches; Night of Navy: 4 1/8 x 3 3/8 inches and Seaside Spray CS: 4 x 3 1/2 inches.

The first step is to stamp the “Happy Birthday” sentiment in Night Of Navy ink onto the 4 x 3 1/2 inch piece of Seaside Spray CS. Stamp towards the bottom and in the center.

Cover the sentiment with sticky note tape. This is a mask. Stamp the lighthouse and the sail boat in the Night Of Navy ink.

Use the waves image stamp from the High Tide stamp set to make it appear that the sail boat is in water.

Lastly, stamp the seagulls from the High Tide stamp set onto the upper right hand corner. If you want fewer seagulls, there is a similar stamp in the Sailing Home set but there are only 3 birds.

Let dry then remove the mask. Adhere the stamped piece to the 4 1/8 x 3 3/8 inch Night of Navy CS piece.

Apply Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the card piece.

Use the Bone Folder to get a nice crisp fold at the 4 1/4 inch scoreline on the 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch piece of Whisper White CS. Adhere the Come Sail Away DSP piece to the front of the card base, slightly to the left side.

And there you have a really nice card. But, I wanted to add a little something to give it more panache.

I tied a small piece of the Night of Navy/Sahara Sand Baker’s Twine on the anchor from the Sail Away Trinkets and attached it to the card with a glue dot.

Viola! You have a great masculine birthday card! That was a fast one!

Thanks for joining me today. I hope you get a chance to make some birthday cards for you friends and family. Nothing says “I care about you” like a homemade card or gift!

Stampin’ Up! Products used include: Stamp Set: Sailing Home #149457, High Tide #143006 and Itty Bitty Birthdays #148618; Paper: Whisper White CS #100730, Night Of Navy CS #100867, Seaside Spray CS #150883 and the Come Sail Away DSP #149481; Ink: Night Of Navy #147110; Clear Blocks: C #118486, G #118489, and H #118490; Bone Folder #102300; Adhesives: Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755, Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430 and Glue Dots #103683; and Embellishments: Night of Navy/Sahara Sand Baker’s Twine #149483 and Sail Away Trinkets #149482. The sticky note tape I have was purchased at a big box store but you can find it online here

Posted in Animals, beginner stamper, cactus, desert, Mini Catalog 2020, Sale-A-Bration 2020, Simple stamping, Stampin" Blends Alcohol Markers

The Gang’s All Meer for a Birthday Greeting

Good day! I hope this post finds all of you staying healthy. If you are stuck at home, remember all those projects you wished you had time for? Well, get them out and spend the time working on them. That will help you feel more positive and productive!

Today’s card is a little silly and very cute. It is a great Birthday greeting for just about anyone except perhaps the most serious among us.

These little Meerkats are just too cute!

And there is a little surprise inside! A cute lizard with a birthday hat next to a cactus.

The Gang’s All Meer cannot be bought. You can get it free with a $50 purchase from my Stampin’ Up! Online store. Click here for the store. Do not delay because this offer is only good until March 31, 2020.

Well, let’s get started and make this card!

Measurements: Very Vanilla Card stock (CS): 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches with a score line at 4 1/4 inches, 3 1/4 x 2 1/2 inches, 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches, 3 x 1 inches, and (not pictured) 5 1/4 x 4 inches; Pool Party CS: 5 1/4 x 4 inches and 3 x 2 1/4 inches.

Use Memento ink to stamp the group of Meerkats onto the 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch piece of Very Vanilla CS, and the sentiment “Happy Birthday to a Stand Up Friend” onto the 3 x 1 inch piece of Very Vanilla CS.

I used the Stampin’ Blends Alcohol Markers in: Ivory, Light and Dark Crumb Cake and Light Old Olive to color the Meerkats. Check out all the Stampin’ Blends here.

There are many ways to color with the alcohol markers. I will just share what I did. I first did a Goggle search of Meerkat images to get the coloring close to natural. I started with the Ivory to color the bellies and a little on the head. I added the Light Crumb Cake for the rest of the body and head.

I used the Dark Crumb Cake for the outline of the eyes and the Light Old Olive to add some color.

Measure a length of the 5/8 inch Burlap Ribbon that is about 8 inches long. Use the Glue Dots to adhere the ribbon to the card. Tip: I put the ribbon over the the Glue Dot while it is still on the roll to adhere the dot to the ribbon. See the Burlap Ribbon here.

Adhere the ribbon to the card. Use the Take Your Pick Tool to transfer a Glue Dot under the ribbon to hold it in place. Click here to see the Take Your Pick Tool.

Tie a knot to use on the front of the card. First overlap the ribbon, then push the end through the hole.

It should turn out like this. It is a little flattened so it will lay on the card properly. Set aside.

Trim the piece with the Meerkats on it to 2 3/4 x 2 inches. Apply Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back and set aside.

Adhere the 3 x 2 1/4 inch Pool Party CS to the 3 1/4 x 2 1/2 inch Very Vanilla CS.

Apply Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the Very Vanilla /Pool Party piece and set aside.

Trim the sentiment to 1 3/8 inches and apply Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back. Set aside.

Now to put it all together! Adhere the Pool Party with Burlap Ribbon piece to the card front. Adhere the Meerkats to the Very Vanilla/Pool Party piece.

Adhere the Meerkat piece to the left of the card front. Now add the sentiment to the right lower corner.

Place the knotted Burlap Ribbon on the card and trim to size.

Use a Stampin’ Dimensional to adhere the knotted Burlap Ribbon to the card front.

Now to make the surprise inside the card! Stamp the little cactus in Memento ink onto the 5 1/4 x 4 inch Very Vanilla CS. Now stamp the little lizard next to the cactus.

Use Call Me Clover ink (or your favorite color of ink) to stamp the mini birthday hat onto the head of the lizard. So Cute!!

To color the cactus and lizard I used the Stampin’ Blends Alcohol Markers in: light and dark Lovely Lipstick, light and dark Old Olive and light Crumb Cake. Check out all the Stampin’ Blends here.

I first used the light Old Olive Stampin’ Blend, then used the dark Old Olive Stampin’ Blend to try to create some shadow.

I used the light Old Olive Stampin’ Blend to color the little lizard. I then colored the inside of the cactus flower with light Lovely Lipstick.

Add the dark Lovely Lipstick for the outer part of the cactus flower. I used the light Crumb Cake to color the sand and make a little shadow for the lizard.

Adhere this piece to the inside of the card.

And Viola! You have a really cute and silly Birthday card! I hope you get a chance to try this card. Thank you for joining me today! Have a great day and stay safe and healthy! Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of the cards I demonstrate. Any suggestions are welcome!

Stampin’ Up! Products used include: Stamp Set: The Gang’s All Meer #152294 (free with a $50 purchase); Paper: Very Vanilla CS #101650 and Pool Party CS #122924; Ink: Memento #132708 and Call Me Clover #147139; Stampin’ Blends Alcohol Markers: Ivory #144606, Light and Dark Crumb Cake Combo #144601, Light and Dark Old Olive Combo #144597, and Light and Dark Lovely Lipstick Combo #147281; Clear Blocks: A #118487, B #117147, C #118486 and D #118485; Take Your Pick #144107; Adhesives: TomBow Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755, Glue Dots #103683 and Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430; and 5/8 inch Burlap Ribbon #141487.

Posted in Animals, Birds

Cards 4 Guyz Challenge #240-Flying

This card was created for the Cards 4 Guyz Challenge #240 which is: Something that begins with “F”. I chose “Flying”.

This card was made with the Smooshing Technique which I will demonstrate for you.

Measurements: Balmy Blue Cardstock (CS): 11 x 4 1/4 inches scored at 5 1/2 inches and 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches; Watercolor paper: 4 x 4 inches; Pacific Point CS: 3 5/8 x 3 5/8 inches; Gorgeous Grape: 3 3/8 x 3 3/8 inches; and Whisper White CS: 3 1/2 x 2 3/4 inches.

The Watercolor paper will be trimmed down to 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 inches after the Smooshing Technique.

Place the Watercolor paper on some paper towels, about 3 layers thick, and spray with water. Dab with a paper towel so the paper is damp.

You will need a piece of acetate, or Stampin’ Up! Window Sheet, that is larger than the Watercolor paper. Lay the acetate on the table and dab the ink onto it. Start with the lightest color first.

Once all the color is on the acetate, flip over and roll onto the Watercolor paper.

Smoosh (or rub) the ink onto the Watercolor paper. If needed, spray a little more water onto the paper to allow the ink to spread more easily.

Smoosh the ink some more by rolling the acetate onto the Watercolor paper until you like the result. Dab dry. Leave to dry or use a heat tool to dry more quickly. That is all there is to it!

I made 2 other Smooshed Watercolor papers, but when I stamped Bella onto them it did not come out dark enough. I decided to try the Stampin’ Up! Stamparatus. This will allow me to re-stamp the image until it is dark enough. I also made the last Smooshed Watercolor paper a little lighter.

As you can see the first stamp is too light.

After stamping a second time, the ink was dark enough so that Bella and her bird friend showed up nicely.

Assemble all the pieces. Apply half of the balloon to one side of the stamped balloon. I used a pick tool to secure the other side so I would not smash the balloon.

Viola! You have a nice card to let some fella know you think they are the best!

I used the Stampin’ Up!: Bella and Friends stamp set, Pretty Label stamp set, Pretty Label Punch, 1 1/4 inch circle punch and 1 3/8 scalloped circle punch. The Stampin’ Up! colors are: Balmy Blue, Pacific Point, Gorgeous Grape and Pool Party(balloon).

Posted in beginner stamper, bow, Gratitude/ Thanks, Mini Catalog 2020, Photopolymer, Sale-A-Bration 2020, Stampin" Blends Alcohol Markers

Ornate Garden Suite for the Beginner with 10 Tips

This is a very simple and beautiful card. I like to practice an attitude of gratitude. Gratitude has been shown to have positive effects on your overall health, increasing happiness and decreasing depression. This card is fun and straight-forward to make. I did go into more detail to help anyone just starting out stamping. There are 10 tips!

Measurements: Whisper White card stock (CS): 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches scored at 4 1/4 inches, 3 x 1 3/4 inches and 2 3/4 x 1 1/4 inches; Terracotta Tile: 5 7/8 x 4 1/8 inches; Gold Glimmer Paper: 5 1/4 x 3/4 inches; Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP): 5 1/4 x 2 inches; Old Olive: 3 x 1 1/2 inches. You also need the Ornate Garden Ribbon: 6 1/2 inches for the ribbon around the card and approximately 10 inches to make the bow. Tip #1: Learn how to tie the bow here.

Let’s start stamping! You will stamp the “Thanks” sentiment from the Ornate Thanks Stamp set in Terracotta Tile ink onto the 2 3/4 x 1 1/4 inch piece of Whisper White CS. I stamped a little bit towards the left and above center to allow space for the daisy. Tip #2: This is a Photopolymer stamp (one you can see through). You will need a pad of some sort. I am using the Stampin’ Pierce mat. This is used for Photopolymer stamps to get a better image. You may also use your catalog as a pad if needed.

Stamp the daisy in Memento ink onto the 3 x 1 3/4 inch piece of Whisper White CS. Tip #3: This is a red rubber stamp. You get the best image by stamping on a smooth, firm surface. Note: You can easily see the foam the red rubber rests on. The pink line on top of the foam is the red rubber.

You will need several colors of Stampin’ Blends Alcohol Markers. I started with Light So Saffron alcohol marker (AM) to color the flower petals. Next I used the Dark Daffodil Delight AM to trace the lines in the petals, and make a little ring around the flower center. Tip #4: Practice using the alcohol markers before you do your card. It takes a very light touch to get the ink on the paper, and sometimes it bleeds too far. There is a fine tip and a brush tip. Use the fine tip for small or thin areas and the brush tip for larger areas. Some papers bleed more than others. The Stampin’ Up! Whisper White does not bleed much. It is the best that I have found.

Use the Bronze AM to color the flower center. The Light Old Olive AM is used first for the stem and the leaf.

The reason the markers are called Stampin’ Blends is because you can blend the light and dark shades to make shadows on the image. If you are really good, the image will look 3-D. Tip #5: First apply a thin layer of the Light Old Olive. Then use the fine tip of the Dark Old Olive to trace the line in the leaf and darken the base of the leaf. Finally, use the Light Old Olive to blend the light and dark shades together. Viola!

Fussy cut the daisy cutting as close to the black outline as possible. (“Fussy cut” is the term for cutting an image out with the Paper Snips.)

Tip #6: To get rid of the remaining white on the border, you can go over it with the Basic Black Stampin’ Write marker as shown.

Now it’s time to put everything together. Adhere the Ornate Garden DSP to the bottom of the Terracotta Tile piece, leaving an eighth of an inch border. Then adhere the strip of Gold Glimmer Paper. Tip #7: Try different adhesives to see what you like best. Read all about adhesives here.

Adhere the ribbon to the card front with glue dots. Apply one glue dot to each end of the ribbon. Tip #8: To get the glue dot on the ribbon it is easier to just put the ribbon on top of the glue dot as it is on the roll.

Hold the ribbon in place, flip the card and stick the glue dots down.

Fold the 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch Whisper White CS at the 4 1/4 inch score line. This is the card base. Now adhere the decorated card front piece to the front of the Whisper White card base.

Adhere the “Thanks” sentiment to the Old Olive CS piece. We are going to adhere the Thanks piece with Stampin’ Dimensionals. These are little foam pieces with adhesive on both sides. They lift the paper slightly to give dimension to the card.

Tip #9: I usually cut my Stampin’ Dimensionals in half so they last longer. I also cut the part that remains after using all the dimensionals as shown. Apply the Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the Thanks piece.

Adhere the Thanks piece to the card front. Now adhere the little daisy we colored and cut out next to the sentiment.

Lastly, add the bow with a glue dot. Tip #9: Apply the glue dot to the back of the bow by placing the bow on the glue dot while it is still on the roll. Gently peel it off of the roll and adhere the bow to the card.

Viola! You have a beautiful thank you card! Tip #10: Now that you have completed the card, send it to someone to let them know how much gratitude you have for them! Too often we make these beautiful cards and then we keep them in a box or something. I am guilty of doing just that, so I have challenged myself to send one card every day for 30 days. I am on day 18. It has been fun and I have gotten wonderful feedback from the folks I have sent cards to!

As always, thank you so much for joining me and reading my blog. I am very grateful to all of you for supporting me in this endeavor!

I am a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator. If you see anything you would like to purchase, please visit my online store here. If you would like to contact me, follow me on Facebook here or shoot me an email at: Theresastreasures.az@gmail.com.

Stampin’ Up! products used include: Stamp Set: Ornate Thanks #149471 and Ornate Style #152572; Paper: Whisper White CS #100730, Terracotta Tile CS #150884, Gold Glimmer Paper #146958, Ornate Garden DSP #152488 and Old Olive CS #100702; Ink: Terracotta Tile #150884 and Memento #132708; Clear Blocks: D #118485 and H #118490; Adhesives: Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755, Glue Dots #103683 and Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430; Embellishments: Ornate Garden Ribbon Combo Pack #152479.

Posted in beginner stamper, flowers, Mini Catalog 2020, Sale-A-Bration 2020

Beautifully Braided Friendship Card

Hello and Good Day! Happy Friday! I have a very straight-forward and simple card for you today to let a special friend know how much you appreciate their friendship.

The card is made using the Stampin’ Up! Beautifully Braided stamp set, available in the 2020 Mini Catalog.

Measurements: Blushing Bride card stock (CS): 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches scored at 4 1/4 inches for the card base; Mint Macaron CS: 4 1/4 x 3 inches; Whisper White CS: 4 1/8 x 2 7/8 inches and 5 1/2 x 1/4 inches; and the Parisian Blossoms Designer Series Paper (DSP) 5 1/2 x 2 inches.

Ok, let’s get started on making this beautiful card!

Stamp the sentiment “Friendship Refreshes the Soul” in Soft Suede ink onto the Whisper White CS in the bottom right hand corner. Tip: Remember to use the Stampin’ Pierce Mat or a pile of catalogs since these are Photopolymer stamps.

Use the Crumb Cake ink to ink up the Ginkgo flower.

Tip: To apply ink to the large ginkgo flower, I lay the stamp upside down and apply the ink to the top. This way I am able to make sure the whole stamp is covered with an even layer of ink.

Stamp the ginkgo flower next to the sentiment at a slight angle.

This is the most challenging part of this card. In order to get the stamp on straight, lay it on the table and then push the block on top. Use the Mint Macaron ink and stamp the image onto the 5 1/2 x 1/4 inch piece of Whisper White. If you don’t get it the first time, just try again.

I used the Stampin’ Write markers in Blushing Bride and Mint Macaron to color the Ginkgo. Tip: Remember if you apply a second layer, the ink will be much darker. Try to use light brush strokes to get the color even.

I colored the flowers in strokes going along the lines of the flower. I intentionally went over some areas 2 or 3 times to make the flower more 3-D.

Fold the 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch piece of Blushing Bride CS at the 4 1/4 inch score line and use the Bone Folder to make the fold crisp. Next, adhere the 5 1/2 x 2 inch strip of the Parisian Blossoms DSP to the left side of the card front.

Adhere the 5 1/2 x 1/4 inch strip of Whisper White CS with the Mint Macaron stamp to the left side of the Parisian Blossoms DSP.

Adhere the Whisper White CS stamped with the Ginkgo onto the 4 1/4 x 3 inch piece of Mint Macaron CS.

Use the Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back of the Ginkgo flower piece. Tip: I cut my Stampin’ Dimensionals in half to make them last longer, but I do use a full Stampin’ Dimensional in the center.

Adhere the Ginkgo piece to the card front slightly to the right and above the center line.

And Viola! You have a lovely card to send to that special friend to let them know just how appreciated they are!

Thank you for joining me today. I hope you enjoyed this card. Remember that during Sale-a-bration, which is until March 31, 2020, you may choose free product when you make a $50 or a $100 order. There are new products from a second release to choose from as well as the products that came out in the first release. Check out the details at my online store here.

Stampin’ Up Products used include: Stamp Set: Beautifully Braided #151637; Paper: Blushing Bride #131198, Whisper White #100730 and Mint Macaron #138337; Ink: Soft Suede #147115, Crumb Cake #147116 and Mint Macaron #147106; Stampin’ Write Markers: Mint Macaron and Blushing Bride in the Subtles Stampin’ Write Marker 10 Pack #147156; Clear Blocks: C #118486, F #118483, and I #118488; Adhesives: Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755 and Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430; Stampin’ Pierce Mat #126199; Bone Folder #102300.

Posted in Animals, Mini Catalog 2020

More Fun with Bonanza Buddies

The Birthday Bonanza Suite is just so much fun! I made another card I think you will enjoy. You will see how doable this is if you go step by step.

Sale-a-bration is going on until the end of March. If you purchase the Birthday Bonanza Suite, you can choose a free Sale-a-bration item! If you add on a package of Whisper White Card stock, 2 ink pads and a bottle of Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue, you can choose 2 free items!

Now to start to make this card!

Measurements: Whisper White card stock (CS): 11 x 4 1/4 inches scored at 5 1/2 inches, 5 x 3 3/4 inches and 4 x 2 inches; Birthday Bonanza Designer Series Paper (DSP): 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 inches and a 3 3/4 x 1 1/4 inch strip of the birthday candle design; and Bermuda Bay CS: 5 x 2 1/2 inches.

Stamp the koala bear in Smoky Slate ink onto the 4 x 2 inch Whisper White CS to the right. You will need your Stampin’ Pierce mat or a catalog to stamp on since this is a Photopolymer stamp.

Use the Memento ink to stamp the toucan and the eyes and nose for the koala.

Finish the toucan by stamping the beak in Mango Melody ink.

Fussy cut the koala and toucan with your paper snips. If you do have a Big Shot or other die cutting machine, use the Bonanza Dies.

Adhere the strip of birthday candles to the bottom of the 5 x 3 3/4 inch Whisper White CS. Position the 1 1/2 inch circle punch as shown to make the bottom port hole.

Position the same punch as shown to make the top port hole.

Continuing with the 1 1/2 inch circle punch, punch 2 circles from the Bermuda Bay CS leaving space around the circle.

Use the 1 3/4 inch circle punch to cut a rim around the smaller circle. This will create a piece to accent the “port holes”.

Tip: To apply the Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue to small pieces I use a set of tweezers. That way I do not get (too much) glue on my fingers. It is very easy to position the piece and lay it down without getting glue everywhere.

Now use the Coastal Cabana ink to stamp the sentiment “Happy Birthday” in the upper right corner. Also stamp the square present as shown leaving room to stamp other presents around it. Stamp a square present on a piece of sticky note. Tip: It is easiest to use a full sticky note. Stamp the bow for the square present in Bermuda Bay ink.

Fussy cut the present on the sticky note with your paper snips and use it to cover the present that is stamped on the card front. This is a mask for the Masking Technique.

Stamp the rectangular present in Calypso Coral partially over the masked present. Stamp another onto the sticky note paper. You will use this as a mask too. Stamp the bow for the rectangular present in Cajun Craze ink.

Fussy cut the rectangular present and apply it over the rectangular present on the card front.

Stamp the rectangular present again but turn it vertically. Use Mango Melody ink for the present and Coastal Cabana for the bow.

Remove all the masks. Now you have a pile of presents!

Fold the 8 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch Whisper White CS at the 5 1/2 inch score line and use the Bone Folder to make the fold crisp. Adhere the 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 inch piece of the Birthday Bonanza DSP to the card front.

Prepare to adhere the stamped port hole piece by applying Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back.

Adhere the stamped port hole piece to the card front.

Apply a Stampin’ Dimensional to the back of the head of the koala and toucan.

Apply adhesive to the feet of the koala and toucan and place them so they are peeking out of the port holes.

And Viola! You have an adorable birthday card with these cute animals again! See the post before the previous post for another card with the Bonanza Buddies Stamp set.

Thanks for visiting my blog. This blog is geared toward the beginner with an occasional more difficult card. This card would be a more difficult card since it requires more ink colors and uses the Masking Technique.

I hope you enjoyed this card. I had a fun time making it. Remember that during Sale-a-bration, which is until March 31, 2020, you may choose free product when you make a $50 or a $100 order. Today there are new products to choose from as well as the products that came out in the first release. Check out the details at my online store here.

Stampin’ Up Products used include: Stamp set: Bonanza Buddies #151567; Punch: 1 1/2 inch Circle #138299 and 1 3/4 inch Circle (I didn’t realize this one was retired, use the 2 inch Circle #133782 instead) Paper: Whisper White CS #100730, Bermuda Bay CS #131197, and the Birthday Bonanza DSP #151313; Ink: Smoky Slate #131202, Memento #132708, Mango Melody #146989, Bermuda Bay #131197, Coastal Cabana #131297, Calypso Coral #122925 and Cajun Craze #119684; Clear Blocks: A #118487, B #117147 and C #118486; Bone Folder #102300; Paper Snips #103579; Adhesives: Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755 and Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430; Stampin’ Pierce Mat #126199.