Posted in 2020 August-December Mini Catalog, 2020-2021 Stampin' Up! Catalog, Avid Stamper, flowers, Stamparatus, Stampin" Blends Alcohol Markers, Stamping-off technique, Winter Holiday

Stampin’ Up!® Poinsettia Petals Merry Christmas with Stamparatus Tips & Tricks

I am on day 4 of my 15-Day Christmas Card Challenge! Today I have a gorgeous poinsettia card wishing a Merry Christmas!

The Poinsettia Petals stamp set and coordinating Poinsettia Dies create the perfect poinsettia for this card. The background has a Christmas Layers Die which is in the 2020-21 Stampin’ Up Annual Catalog. The Poinsettia Petals and Poinsettia Dies are in the 2020 Aug-Dec Mini Catalog.

Measurements: Very Vanilla CS card base: 4 1/4 x 11 inches with a score line at 5 1/2 inches; Very Vanilla CS: 3 7/8 x 5 1/8 inches, 7/8 x 3 1/4 inches, 5 x 5 inches and 4 x 6 inches; Mossy Meadow CS: 4 1/8 x 5 3/8 inches and 3 x 4 inches; and Real Red: 4 x 5 3/4 inches.

Warning: this blog is a little longer than usual so I can introduce some new products with some tips.

Stamp the sentiment ” Merry Christmas” in Mossy Meadow ink onto the 7/8 x 3 1/4 inch Very Vanilla CS. Set aside.

To make the background a little more interesting I stamped some small dots from the Gather Together stamp set in Real Red and in Mossy Meadow by Stamping Off first. Set aside.

To make it more simple to stamp all the pieces for the poinsettia, berries and leaves I used the Stamparatus. Tip: The Poinsettia Petals stamps are Photopolymer. In order to get a good image, it is helpful to use the Stamparatus Deluxe Foam Mat. The other option which I had used for quite awhile it to use the Stamparatus Foam Mat with a Silicone mat on top.

I placed the card stock I want to stamp on about 1 inch from the inner edge. Tip: If the stamp is too close to the inner edge it will not stamp all the way. Position the two leaves and the berries on one half of the 4 x 6 inch Very Vanilla CS. Trick: I wrapped my magnets in colorful duct tape with a little extra tab to grab onto. This makes it easier to pick the magnets up. It also prevents them from getting stuck together.

Apply Memento Black Ink to the stamps, close the panel and press firmly and evenly.

Turn the Very Vanilla CS and stamp onto the other side. As you can see, there is an area that did not get stamped on the upper right leaf. This is the beauty of the Stamparatus. Just apply more Memento ink, close the panel, press more firmly on the unstamped area, lift the panel and Viola! the problem area is fixed!

Using the second panel, position the three sizes of poinsettia on the 5 x 5 inch Very Vanilla CS. Repeat the process. Note: If you wanted to make, say 25 cards, that were all similar, this is the way to do it quickly. You just keep stamping until you have as many as you want. Can you tell I love my Stamparatus!

When I am done stamping I stamp onto a scrap paper to remove most of the ink. I then use my Simply Shammy moistened with water to clean the stamps. The Simply Shammy can be rinsed out although the ink does stain it a bit.

I used the Stampin’ Blends Alcohol Markers to color the poinsettia, leaves and berries. The colors I used were: Light & Dark: Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Mossy Meadow and Old Olive. I used Light Mango Melody for the center of the poinsettia. For the berries I used the Bronze and Ivory. The images are cut with the Poinsettia Dies.

The leaves and petals of the poinsettia can be curved with the Bone Folder to add dimension to the card.

The last piece needed is the branch of leaves from the Christmas Layers Dies. I cut the branch into three smaller branches. Now we can put it all together.

Adhere the branches onto the stamped Very Vanilla CS card piece. Use a Stampin’ Dimensional on the center of the largest poinsettia and adhere it to the card piece. Add the berries. Since the petals of the poinsettia are not adhered, the berries slide right under the petals.

Use Stampin’ Dimensionals in the center of the two remaining poinsettias and adhere them to the first poinsettia. Adhere the leaves in place. Use Stampin’ Dimensionals to adhere the sentiment “Merry Christmas”.

Adhere the Cherry Cobbler CS to the front of the Very Vanilla CS card base, then adhere the Mossy Meadow CS. Finish the card by adhering the poinsettia panel to the card front.

Add a little sparkle with the Wink of Stella Glitter Brush.

Of course, I think the card needs a little more Bling! Add the Cherry Cobbler rhinestones that are in the Holiday Rhinestone Basic Jewels for a touch of sparkle in the background.

Viola! You have a gorgeous poinsettia card to wish someone a Merry Christmas!

Thanks for hanging in there today. This one was a little long. I wanted to be sure to introduce some new products and techniques with a few tips & tricks..

All of the products I used to create this card are pictured below. Select any photo to go to my Online Store and start shopping. If you have any questions, please send me an email at theresastreasures.az@gmail.com

Product List

I hope you give this one a try. It is a little bit of a challenge, but the end result gives a nice feeling of accomplishment. Have a great day and spend some quality time stamping soon!

Theresa

Posted in 2020 August-December Mini Catalog, 2020-2021 Stampin' Up! Catalog, Fun/Fancy fold card, Gratitude/ Thanks, Sponge Dauber

Gather Together for Friday’s Fun Fold

The Gather Together stamp set in the 2020 Stampin’ Up! Mini Catalog is so versatile. Today’s Fun Fold is yet another way to use the set for a nice Autumn card.

I saw this Fun Fold on a YouTube from Karen Titus. Her card was a Christmas one, but I wanted to make a Thanksgiving-style card. The large sentiments are from the Ornate Thanks stamp set in the 2020-21 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog. If you plan on making a lot of thank you cards, getting the Ornate Thanks set is the way to go!

A Technique I will be sharing today is Sponging with the Sponge Dauber. Sponging is how I was able to add some color to the leaves and pumpkins!

Measurements: Very Vanilla Card Stock (CS): 4 1/4 x 11 inches with a score line at 5 1/2 inches, two at 2 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches, 1 3/4 x 4 inches, 1 3/4 x 3 inches and 3 x 6 inches; Cajun Craze CS: two at 2 3/4 x 4 1/2 inches; and Gilded Autumn Designer Series Paper: two at 3/4 x 4 inches.

Usually we stamp first. But for today’s card, se have to do a little cutting. Cut 1 inch past the 5 1/2 inch score line on the 4 1/4 x 11 inch Very Vanilla CS, then cut 1 inch off the bottom of the piece you just cut off.

Lay the 1 x 4 1/4 inch Very Vanilla piece on the bottom of the back of the card front, and make a pencil mark near the upper border. Make a pencil mark on the bottom border of the piece that folds down. The two pencil marks on each side will guide you where to stamp.

Use the Terracotta Tile ink and the sentiments from the Ornate Thanks stamp set to stamp between the pencil marks and along the side borders. Remember to use the Stampin’ Pierce Mat or a catalog to stamp on when stamping with the Photopolymer Stamps.

Use the Terracotta Tile ink to stamp the sentiment “May this season bring you smiles…” in the center of one of the 2 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch Very Vanilla CS. Stamp the wheat on the bottom. Both of these stamps are in the Gather Together stamp set.

Also from the Gather Together stamp set is the sentiment “Gather Together” which you will stamp in Cajun Craze ink onto the 1 3/4 x 4 inch Very Vanilla CS. Punch the sentiment out with the Label Me Fancy Punch.

Using the Cajun Craze ink, stamp the two different pumpkin stamps onto the 1 3/4 x 3 inch Very Vanilla CS. Stamp two of the Maple Leaves in Cajun Craze ink onto the 3 x 6 inch Very Vanilla CS.

Technique: to use the Sponge Dauber, gently tap the white foam tip onto the Cajun Craze ink. Rub the ink off in small circles onto a scrap paper. Apply a light layer to the Maple Leaf.

Gradually add more ink until you are satisfied with the look. Follow the same procedure for coloring the pumpkins.

Fussy cut the leaves and pumpkins with your Paper Snips, or if you have the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine along with the Gathered Leaves Dies, you can cut the leaves and pumpkins out that way.

Adhere the inner sentiment and wheat sheaf to one of the 2 3/4 x 4 1/2 inch Cajun Craze CS card pieces.

Lay the two Maple leaves and the pumpkins, along with the “Gather Together” sentiment in place on the other 2 3/4 x 4 1/2 Cajun Craze CS card pieces. Adhere the two Maple leaves and the large pumpkin with adhesive.

Use Stampin’ Dimensionals to adhere the sentiment and the pair of small pumpkins.

Adhere the inside panel to the inside of the Very Vanilla CS card base.

Adhere the 3/4 x 4 inch strips of Gilded Autumn Specialty DSP to the Very Vanilla CS strips on the upper and lower border of the card front.

Apply adhesive to the upper and lower edges of the “Gather Together” sentiment piece and adhere it to the card front as shown.

Viola! You have an amazing Autumn Fun Fold to share how grateful you are!

Thanks again for joining me on this Fun Fold Friday! Please leave a comment. I would love to hear from you.

If you need any of the following products, just click on the photo and you will go directly to my online store.

Product List

Happy Crafting!

Theresa

Posted in 2020 August-December Mini Catalog, Nature, Thanksgiving

Cardz4Guyz Challenge #256 Colors of Autumn/Fall

Welcome Autumn! It is still hot here in Bisbee Arizona, USA but the evenings and early mornings are cooling down a bit. Today is windy and cool. I love the changing leaves. We don’t see too much of that here, but I recently visited Kentucky and Tennessee so I saw a lot of color. So for the Cardz4Guyz challenge #256- color of Autumn/Fall, I wanted to make some falling leaves with different fall colors for my card today.

The Stampin’ Up! colors I used are: Cajun Craze, Calypso Coral, Mango Melody, and Merry Merlot. I used the Gather Together stamp set (in the 2020 Stampin’ Up! August-December Mini Catalog) to make this colorful Fall card.

For the sentiment, I cut a maple leaf with the Gathered Leaves Dies. I sponged some Cajun Craze ink around the edges of the Very Vanilla card stock leaf and stamped the sentiment “Gather Together” in Cajun Craze ink.

The trick with the leaves is that I applied ink to the die, put it on the cardstock and ran it through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss Machine. The photo on the right shows the leaf with and without using the ink with the die.

Viola! You have a very colorful Autumn card to send to your special guy!

RamZ here loves the leaves too. He appears very happy to be in the leaf pile at my sister’s home. Beautiful golden yellow!

Thanks for stopping by for the Cardz4Guyz Challenge #256- Colors of Autumn/Fall. See more cards with this theme at the Cardz4GuyZ blog by clicking HERE.

Have a wonderful Fall day!

Theresa

Posted in 2020-2021 Stampin' Up! Catalog, Avid Stamper, flowers, Gratitude/ Thanks, Grunge style, Vintage

Kylie Bertucci’s Top 10 International Blog Winners Hop September 2020- Country Home Thank You

I am so honored and excited to be participating in today’s Top 10 Winners Hop! I won a spot in the Top Ten from Kylie’s International Blog Highlight. I thank everyone who voted for my card in that hop. I was feeling very creative for this card and I hope you like it. I can’t wait to see everyone’s projects!

I used a number of stamp sets for this card. I really like to mix and match! Country Home is where you will find the milk can and flowers. The “Thank You” sentiment and the script pattern are from Very Versailles. The remainder of the stamps are from: Gathered Together, Comfort & Hope and Forever Fern. Stampin’ Up!® ink colors include: Misty Moonlight, Bumblebee, Cinnamon Cider, and Early Espresso.

I have been really enjoying the versatility you get with the Stampin’ Blends Alcohol Markers. From the outside in on the milk can, I blended Dark Smoky Slate, Light Smokey Slate and Light Gray Granite. The flower arrangement has Cinnamon Cider, Just Jade and Calypso Coral.

I continued some of the design from the front to the inside of the card. The tiles from Country Home are stamped in Misty Moonlight. The grid pattern from Comfort & Hope is in Cinnamon Cider. The Forever Fern leaves are in Just Jade. The little splatter pattern stamped in Early Espresso (most are Stamped Off) is also from Forever Fern.

Techniques used to make this card include: Masking, Sponging, and Stamping Off.

Thank you so much for visiting today! You are at Theresa McEntee/Theresa’s Treasures. Have a very creative day!

Theresa

Posted in 2020 August-December Mini Catalog, Gratitude/ Thanks

Gather Together this Fall- but Social Distance?

This fall and winter will definitely be challenging if we still need to social distance. How will you and your friends and family “Gather Together”? Will it be online? Will it be in person with everyone standing 6 feet apart and wearing a mask? These are uncertain times for sure. But what is certain is the importance of staying in touch with others. Making and sending handmade cards is a very personal way of staying in touch with your loved ones.

The Gather Together stamp set in the Stampin’ Up! August-December 2020 Mini Catalog has a lot to make some great fall cards.

This wonderful fall card is very quick and straight forward.

Measurements: Very Vanilla Card Stock (CS): 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inch card base with a score line at 4 1/4 inches, and 4 x 5 1/4 inches; Cajun Craze CS: 4 1/8 x 5 3/8 inches; Gilded Autumn Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP): 2 x 5 1/4 inches; and Terracotta Tile CS: 3 x 3 1/2 inches.

Ink and supplies: Stampin’ Up! Cajun Craze and early Espresso ink, and Memento Black ink. Copper 1/8 inch Metallic Ribbon from the Basket Weave & Metallic Ribbon Combo Pack; and Champagne Rhinestone Basic Jewels.

Stamp the large leaf onto the Terracotta Tile CS in Cajun Craze ink. Note: Remember to use the Stampin’ Pierce Mat or a catalog under the CS so you will get the best image with the Photopolymer Stamp. I cover my Pierce Mat with paper so the paper will absorb any stray ink.

You could use the Paper Snips to fussy cut the leaf or if you have a cutting machine use the Gathered Leaves Dies to cut the leaf out.

Adhere the 2 x 5 1/4 inch Gilded Autumn DSP to the 4 x 5 1/4 inch Very Vanilla CS. Note: I like to use the Tombow Liquid Glue because it gives me a second to straighten out the piece before it sticks.

Stamp the sentiment “Season of Thanks” onto the upper portion of the Very Vanilla CS in Early Espresso ink. This ink takes a little longer to dry than some of the other colors so take care not to smear it. I have smeared it many a time!

Cut two 6 1/2 inch pieces of the Copper 1/8 inch Metallic Ribbon. Adhere the ribbon to the card by applying a Mini Glue Dot to each end. I also put a couple of glue dots under the middle portion of the ribbon to hold it in place.

Adhere the Terracotta Tile leaf and a Copper Metallic Ribbon bow to the card front. Adhere the card front to the 4 1/8 x 5 3/8 inch Cajun Craze CS, then adhere the whole piece to the front of the Very Vanilla card base. Tip: Be sure to fold the Very Vanilla card base at the 4 1/4 inch score line by using a Bone Folder. This way you get a nice crisp fold.

The card is currently a very nice card. However, you know me-I want some Bling! The Champagne Rhinestone Basic Jewels are perfect for this.

To easily transfer the rhinestones from the sheet to the card, use the Take Your Pick tool or a toothpick. Tip: Use an odd number of rhinestones arranged in triangles to achieve a pleasing look.

Viola! You have a wonderful fall card to help you stay in touch with your friends and family this year!

Thanks so much for joining me today! I hope this fall and holiday season is memorable for you.

For those of you who purchased Stampin’ Up! products in July and received the Bonus Days Coupons in your email, be sure to make an order and use the codes before August 31, 2020.

Click on any product below to go to my Online Store:

Product List

Have a Happy Crafty Day!

Theresa

Posted in Aqua Painters, Gratitude/ Thanks, Thanksgiving, Watercolor Techniques

Harvest Blessings

Autumn leaves filling up the street; golden colors on the lawn, natures trick or treat.-Rusty Fischer

I just love the coolness and freshness of fall! With the holidays approaching, it is a great time to stock up on some cards. Here is a card of thanks.

This beautiful fall card is a lot of fun to make because it involves using the Aqua Painter to watercolor the background. I CASE’d this card from one done by Peggy Noe. This card is for the more avid stamper as it uses 3 different stamp sets.

Measurements: Very Vanilla card stock card base: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch card base scored at 4 1/4 inches and a 3 1/4 x 3/4 inch strip; Pumpkin Pie card stock: 5 1/8 x 3 1/8 inches; Fluid 100 Watercolor paper: 5 x 3 inches. You will also need ribbon from the Gather Together combo pack, Leaves Trinkets and of course an Aqua Painter. This card was made with Cajun Craze and Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Up! ink.

First you need to use the Aqua Painter to moisten the watercolor paper. Gently squeeze the Aqua Painter until a drop of water comes to the tip of the brush. Now spread water evenly over the watercolor paper. Note: I placed the watercolor paper on my Stampin’ Pierce mat because the first stamp is a Photopolymer. The black paper is just so you can see the watercolor paper better.

Stamp the wheat bundle in Cajun Craze onto the moist watercolor paper. The more water on the paper, the more blurred the image will be. Note: The wheat bundle is from the Stampin’ Up! Gather Together stamp set.

Continue to stamp around the edge. Use the Aqua Painter again to smear the ink a little and add color to the rest of the watercolor paper.

Take the paper off the Stampin’ Pierce mat because the next stamp is red rubber. Keeping the watercolor paper moist, stamp the flower bunch in Pumpkin Pie ink around the edge of the watercolor paper. Note: The flower is from the Stampin ‘ Up! Healing Hugs stamp set.

Use the Aqua Painter to smear the Pumpkin Pie color onto the rest of the watercolor paper. Let dry or use a heat tool to expedite the drying process.

Clean the Aqua Painter by squeezing out water onto a paper towel until it runs clear.

Stamp the sentiment “Happy Harvest Blessings” in Cajun Craze. Note: This sentiment is from Stampin’ Up! Country Home stamp set.

Use your paper snips to cut a banner end on the left hand side. Tip: Start with a center cut, then cut from one corner to the center and repeat on the other side.

Use the bone folder to make a crisp fold at the 4 1/4 score line on the Very Vanilla card base.

Adhere the dried watercolor paper onto the 5 1/8 x 3 1/8 inch Pumpkin Pie card piece. Flip over to rub on the back of the piece to ensure the adhesive sticks and you don’t smear the ink.

Apply a glue dot to the ribbon by pressing the ribbon onto the roll. Put a glue dot on each end.

Line up the ribbon on the front, then flip over and press to adhere the glue dots.

Use the Cajun Craze colored twine to tie around the card and make a bow slightly to the left of center. Adhere this piece to the Very Vanilla card base.

Apply Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the sentiment. Tip: I cut my Dimensionals in half to make them last longer.

Position the sentiment on the bottom right hand side of the stamped piece. Use glue dots to adhere the Leaves Trinkets just under the bow.

Tip: Pick up a glue dot with a Pierce tool and apply it to the card front behind the trinkets. This will stabilize the bow and Trinkets so they do not flop around.

And there you have a beautiful fall card!

Stampin’ Up! products used include: Stamp Set: Gather Together, Country Home and Healing Hugs; Paper: Very Vanilla card stock #101650, Pumpkin Pie card stock #105117, and Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper #149612; Ink: Cajun Craze #147085 and Pumpkin Pie #147086; Blocks: D #118485 and H #118490; Adhesive: Mini Glue Dots #103683, Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430 and Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755; Ribbon and twine: Come to Gather Ribbon Combo Pack #150456; Leaves Trinkets #146343; Aqua Painter #103954, Stampin’ Pierce Mat #126199 and Paper Snips #103579. The Take Your Pick #144107 can be used as the pierce tool.

Posted in Gratitude/ Thanks, Photopolymer

Colorful Autumn Leaves

“And all at once summer collapsed into fall”- Oscar Wilde

Well, the temperature has dropped and my morning walks require a light jacket. Fall is definitely in the air! I love fall colors, especially the colors in the Stampin’ Up! color palate.

I will be using Stampin’ Up! stamp sets Gather Together and Birch.

Measurements: Very Vanilla cardstock: 11 x 4 1/4 inches scored at 5 1/2 inches and 5 1/8 x 3 7/8 inches; Soft Suede cardstock: 5 1/4 x 4 inches; Crushed Curry, Mango Melody and Cajun Craze 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 inches (one of each color).

In addition you will need: Stampin’ Up! ink in Cajun Craze, Soft Suede and Crumb cake, Clear blocks B and D, the Holiday Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Paper Snips, Stampin’ Pierce Mat, Stampin’ Dimensionals and Multipurpose Liquid Glue.

Mount the larger leaf onto a D clear block and stamp the leaf in Cajun Craze onto each of the 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 inch colors. Tip: Use the Pierce mat since this is a Photopolymer stamp to get the best stamped image.

If you have a cutting machine, like a Big Shot, you could use the Gathered Leaves Dies to cut the leaves out. Or you can fussy cut the leaves with your Paper Snips as I did.

I usually purchase the wood block version of the large background stamps. I find it easier to use. I place the stamp image-side up on the table and apply the ink.

Carefully lay the cardstock over the stamp. Use the Stampin’ Pierce Mat and apply even pressure. This will ensure that the ink is distributed evenly to the cardstock.

Hold the cardstock steady with one hand, lift up one corner and peel off.

Use the B clear block to mount the “Season of Thanks” sentiment. Stamp in Soft Suede onto the Birch background. Note: I stamped the sentiment a little too high so that the leaf did not fit above it when it came to that step. Tip: Lay the leaves on the Birch background piece to determine where to stamp the sentiment.

Fold the Very Vanilla 11 x 4 1/4 inch piece at the 5 1/2 inch scoreline. Use the bone folder to make the fold clean and crisp.

Adhere the Soft Suede 5 1/4 x 4 inch piece to the card base. Now adhere the Birch Background piece with the sentiment to the Soft Suede.

This is the point at which I realized the sentiment was stamped a little too high for the leaf to fit over it. No worries. I just moved it until I could get it to fit as well as possible. Adhere the Crushed Curry leaf on top and the Cajun Craze leaf on the bottom.

Apply Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the Mango Melody leaf.

Adhere the Mango Melody leaf between the Crushed Curry and Cajun Craze leaves.

The new Holiday Rhinestone Basic Jewels in the Stampin’ Up! 2019 Holiday Catalog are simply gorgeous! There are 5 different colors!

Tip: Use a tool to get under the adhesive on the rhinestone and position it over the spot where you want it on the card. Use the other finger with gentle pressure to slide the rhinestone off onto the card.

Position an odd number of rhinestones in a triangle pattern to get a nice effect.

And there you have a nice autumn card with colorful falling leaves!

“Autumn leaves are falling, filling up the street; golden colors on the lawn, nature’s trick-or-treat”-Rusty Fischer.

Check back next Tuesday for a card with a nice fall floral bouquet!

The Stampin’ Up 2019 Holiday Catalog is online. I would be honored if you were my customer. To choose me as your demonstrator go to my web site at: https://theresastreasures.stampinup.net. You can download a PDF of the catalog there. There is a special on Designer Series Paper(DSP) right now, so when you visit my website look for more information. Don’t delay because the sale on DSP ends September 30, 2019!

Stampin’ Up! products used include: Stamp Set: Gather Together #150589 and Birch #149259; Cardstock: Very Vanilla #101650, Soft Suede #115318, Crushed Curry #131199, Mango Melody #146989 and Cajun Craze #119684; Ink: Cajun Craze #147085, Crumb Cake #147116 and Soft Suede #147115; Clear Blocks: B #117147 and D #118485; Stampin’ Pierce Mat #126199; Dies: Gathered Leaves #150662; Holiday Rhinestone Basic Jewels #150457; Paper Snips #103579; Adhesives: Stampin’ Dimensionals #104430 and Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755.