Hello and Happy Spring! I am fortunate to have some flowers starting to bloom in my garden outside! Springtime Joy is a stamp set with super cute animals to help welcome spring and Easter. Today’s card is a step up from Simple Stamping, and is simple nonetheless.
Measurements
Measurements: Basic White Card Stock (CS) card base: 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches with a score line at 4 1/4 inches; Gorgeous Grape CS: 4 x 5 1/4 inches; and Basic White CS: 3 1/2 x 4 3/4 inches.
Stamping
Start off stamping the sentiment “Welcome Spring” in Memento Black ink onto the 3 1/2 x 4 3/4 inch Basic White CS. Add the little butterfly.
The next step is to stamp the cute little bunny onto both the 3 1/2 x 4 3/4 inch Basic White CS and a piece of full sticky sheet.
Carefully fussy cut the bunny on the full sticky note. This will be used as a mask.
Sponging Around the Mask
Using a Stamping Sponge that has been cut into a small wedge, dab the sponge first on the Balmy Blue ink. Then rub in small circles on a scrap sheet of paper. Next Sponge some onto the card around the little bunny. Do the same with the Granny Apple Green ink. (For more information on Sponging check out this blog post: Sponging.)
Tip: I find it to be very easy to remove the mask by using the Take Your Pick tool.
Finishing the Card
The sponging helps to accentuate the bunny. Again using the Memento Black ink, stamp some of the flowers and tulips around the bunny.
Use whatever you like to color the card. I really enjoy using the Stampin’ Blends Alcohol Markers. The colors I used were: Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Magenta Madness, Highland Heather and Balmy Blue.
First adhere the stamped Basic White CS card piece to the 4 x 5 1/4 inch Gorgeous Grape CS. Use the Bone Folder to make a crisp fold at the 4 1/4 inch score line on the Basic White CS card base. Adhere the Gorgeous Grape CS card piece to the front of the Basic White CS card base.
Viola! You have a super cute bunny to help welcome in the Spring!
Thanks for coming by today. I am still recovering from receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. Although I am grateful for the vaccine, I have been feeling very tired since receiving it. Each day I feel better. I am going to resume the Wacky Wednesday Technique blog next week. I am planning on having something for Fun Fold Friday. See you then!
Welcome to Wacky Wednesday! Today’s card is made using the Simply Succulents stamp set and Potted Succulents Dies by Stampin’ Up!. These products are found in the 2021 January-June Stampin’ Up!® Mini Catalog. I will be showing how to use one of the die-cuts as a stencil. We will be using the Sponging Technique also.
I just love how this lovely card turned out and it is fairly easy to do. The colors are some of the 2021-2023 In-Colors: Bumblebee, Magenta Madness and Just Jade.
Measurements
Measurements: Just Jade Card Stock (CS) card base: 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches with a score line at 4 1/4 inches; Basic White CS: two at 4 x 5 1/4 inches and 3 x 4 inches. You will need a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch piece of Thick Basic White CS to make the stencil with the die (not pictured).
Creating the Stencil
Here are all the lovely dies that come in the Potted Succulents Dies. The largest die is the one we will use to make our stencil.
First place the die on top of the 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch Thick Basic White CS and center it. Use your Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine to cut out the stencil. Note: If you do not yet have an awesome Cut & Emboss Machine, there are 2 available. You will need the full-sized Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine to be able to use this die. You can buy one HERE.
Preparing the Sponges
The Stamping Sponges come in a large circle. Use a big pair of scissors to first cut the sponge in half. Then cut the half in half to make a quarter. Finally cut the quarter in half to make an eighth. The next step is to put a square of the color of cardstock that matches the ink you will use that sponge for. You will not need to rinse the sponge out if you are only using it for one color.
I store my sponges in a compartmentalized craft box.
Stamping
In order to make the sentiment label, you will first stamp the sentiment “you’ve been on my mind” in Smoky Slate ink onto the upper portion of the 3 x 4 inch Basic White CS. Next use the two different label dies in the Potted Succulents Dies set to cut out the labels as shown. I love the stitching around the edges of the labels. It adds a nice touch.
Sponging
The first step here is to secure the stencil to a scrap piece of paper with the 4 x 5 1/2 inch Basic White CS card piece also secured to the stencil. The stencil is a little bit longer than the 5 1/4 inch length of the stencil, so I used some sticky note tape to create the bottom border on the card piece.
Remember that the stencil is paper and will rip if rubbed too harshly. Sponging requires a gentle touch. First daub the sponge on the Bumblebee ink pad. Then use a gentle small circular motion to put ink on the card piece. You will have a very light layer of ink to start and will gradually add to that until you like the results.
To continue sponging the stencil, switch to the Magenta Madness ink and then the Just Jade ink. I wanted a border of the Just Jade so I went around the edges of the entire stencil.
Carefully remove the sticky note tape and Viola! You have a stunning and beautiful card front! Now we will use the die cut again as a stencil for the inside of the card.
To stencil the inside of the card, secure the stencil with the sticky tape so that you will sponge on the right-hand border. Again start with the lightest color-the Bumblebee ink. Then add the Magenta Madness ink and finally the Just Jade ink.
Viola! Another stunning and beautiful card piece!
Putting It All Together
Begin to put the card together by adhering the inside card piece to the inside of the Just Jade CS card base. Now adhere the front card piece to the front of the Just Jade CS card base.
To complete the card, adhere the larger label to the card front. Use Stampin’ Dimensionals to adhere the stamped sentiment “you’ve been on my mind” over the first larger label.
Viola! You have completed an awesome card! I usually like to add some Bling! to my cards, but I felt this one was fine without the Bling!
Thank you for stopping by today to learn this fun technique. I hope you give it a try. Don’t worry if you need to do this a few times before you like the result. The experimentation is part of the fun!
I showed a sneak peak of the wonderful and festive Stampin’ Up!® Mini Catalog with an adorable Winter card on my last blog. Today I am going to show a spooky Halloween card. I will plan on showing a Fall card on Friday. I recommend you spend some time looking through a PDF of the Mini Catalog here and start planning for the holidays coming up now. If you act now, you will have plenty of time to design some handmade cards!
This Halloween card was a lot of fun to make with the Magic In The Night Designer Series Paper (DSP)! Lots of creepy spiders!
Measurements: Blackberry Bliss Card Stock (CS) card base: 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches with a score line at 4 1/4 inches; Smoky Slate CS: 4 x 5 1/4 inches and 2 x 3 1/2 inches; Basic Black: 4 x 5 1/4 inches; Magic in the Night DSP: 3 7/8 x 5 1/8 inches; and Basic Grey 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches.
This is the Hallows Night Magic stamp set in the Stampin’ Up!® Mini Catalog. The design detail on the bats is awesome!
Let’s start stamping!
Oops! First I wanted to show you how to deal with a “halo“. That is when the ink gets on the part of the stamp surrounding the image and makes a mark on your card that you do not want. This is a BIG halo!
One way to fix this issue once and for all, is to trim the stamp. I use a sharp pair of Paper Snips. Others use an Exacto knife. I just trim a little away as shown.
That’s better! I used the Memento black ink to stamp the spider onto the 4 x 5 1/4 inch Smoky Slate CS. This will be the inside of the card.
I added a few of the smaller spiders. I used a straight edge to draw a string of web with the Stampin’ Write Basic Black Marker.
Using the Memento Black ink stamp the larger spider onto the 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch Basic Grey CS. You can fussy cut the spider or if you do have a cutting machine, you could use the Halloween Magic Dies to cut the spider out.
Stamp the frame for the sentiment in Memento Black ink onto the 2 x 3 1/2 inch Smoky Slate CS, then stamp the sentiment “Happy Halloween” in the middle of the frame. Next, squeeze the middle of your Blackberry Bliss ink pad so that you get a little ink on the lid. Use a Blender Pen to take up a little ink and color in the flowers in the frame.
Now we are going to sponge the sentiment to make it more interesting. First I just dabbed the sponge right over the sentiment and around the frame. Next I flicked the sponge along the edge to darken the corners and edges of the card piece. Finally, lay the card piece on some scrap paper and move the inked sponge in small circles to darken more of the edge. Now that is interesting!
Use the Bone Folder to make a crisp fold at the 4 1/4 inch score line on the Blackberry Bliss CS card base. Adhere the Smoky Slate CS stamped with the spiders to the inside of the card base.
Adhere the Blackberry Bliss spider design from the Magic in this Night DSP to the 4 x 5 1/4 inch Basic Black CS. Now adhere the card piece to the front of the Blackberry Bliss CS card base.
I used the Black Stampin’ Dimensionals to adhere the sentiment piece to the card front.
Now some Bling! The Mini Catalog has Self Adhesive Black Iridescent Pearls! I used the Take Your Pick tool to transfer the Iridescent Pearls to the large spider and to a few other spiders in the background. When you move the card around, the pearls look purple, blue and green!
I decided the card needed just a little more Bling! so I added the Wink of Stella Glitter Brush to the body of the large spider and to the flowers in the frame.
Viola! You have a very spooky spidery card! So much fun!
A lot is happening today. As I stated above the Stampin’ Up!® August to December 2020 Mini Catalog is going live! Also, Stampin’ Up! has updated their catalog website to make your shopping experience better. There will be new features including the ability to sign off but keep items in your cart so you can come back to shopping later. The new website my not keep your link to my store. Try the link here to go to my Online Store. Please double check to be sure you are still shopping with Theresa McEntee from Bisbee Arizona 85603. Thanks so much for all your support of my small business. I would not be able to do this without your support. Thank you!
Hello and Welcome to the Cardsz 4 Guyz Challenge #249- No Patterned Paper.
This card was the #1 Winner in the Top # for the Cardz 4 Guyz Challenge!
A Good Man and Summer Days stamp sets by Stampin’ Up® make for a great pair for this Cardz 4 Guyz Challenge. This turned out to be an avid stamper type card.
I just love this quiet and peaceful moment between the man and the girl.
I decided to try something a little different and make a scene inside the card that could be seen outside the card through an oval die cut.
In order to do a Partial Die Cut to leave the little girl uncut, I came up with a novel idea. I made a smaller plate to use in my Big Shot. I took an old cracked plate and had my son cut it at 3 1/2 inches. He then filed the rough surface and rounded the corners. I am calling this “Theresa’s Small Cutting Plate”.
I adhered the front panel with the stamped man and girl to the Poppy Parade Card Stock (CS) card base with repositional tape, then placed the oval die cut on the front panel. I used sticky note tape to hold the oval in place and a Sharpie to mark the area I did not want to cut (from the top of the man’s head to his pant leg). The Big Shot sandwich from bottom to top is: Magnetic Plate, Cutting Plate, Card Stock, Oval Die cutting surface side down and finally Theresa’s Small Cutting Plate. I placed Theresa’s Small Cutting Plate as shown before running it through the Big Shot. It will only get cut where the plate covers the CS.
Here is what it looks like after running the sandwich through the Big Shot. The rest of the girl was fussy cut.
I cut an oval out of the middle of a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch sheet of Gina K. Masking Magic paper to mask the inside of the card. I sponged the sunset with the following Stampin’ Up! inks: Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, Terracotta Tile and Poppy Parade. I used the Stampin’ Blend Alcohol Markers to color the images. The Stampin’ Blend colors used are: Granny Apple Green, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Misty Moonlight, Purple Posy. Petal Pink and Flirty Flamingo. I used the light and the dark Stampin’ Blend for each color except the Flirty Flamingo. I only used the light Stampin’ Blend for that one.
Thank you so much for visiting today for my Cardz 4 Guyz Challenge #249- No Patterned Paper. If you want to give this card a try, the supplies are all listed below. The supplies can be purchased from my Online Store by clicking on any of the photos below.
This is the third in a series of cards made with stamps, ink and paper- SIP cards. For this card, I made it a little more advanced by adding a Circle Punch, a couple of techniques, Stampin’ Dimensionals and lots of Bling!
This is still a very simple card to make if you just take it step by step, so I included lots of photos. The card looks more difficult than it is. The stamp set is Forever Fern by Stampin’ Up! and is part of the Forever Greenery Suite in the new 2020-2021 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog. The images make it fun and easy to create elegant cards!
Measurements: Whisper White Card Stock (CS): 11 x 4 1/4 inches with a score line at 5 1/2 inches, 5 x 3 3/4 inches and 2 1/4 x 4 inches; and Misty Moonlight CS: 5 1/4 x 4 inches.
Using the Misty Moonlight ink, stamp the sentiment from the Forever Fern stamp set onto the 2 1/4 x 4 inch Whisper White CS.
Use the 1 1/2 inch Circle Punch to punch out the sentiment. Now use the punched out piece to draw a circle on the 5 x 3 3/4 inch Whisper White CS. This will be the focal point for stamping the leaves.
Using the Seaside Spray ink, stamp the largest bunch of leaves in the Forever Fern stamp set at 12 o’clock at full strength, and without adding any ink, stamp again at 4 o’clock. This is called Stamping Off. Using the Seaside Spray ink again, stamp the medium sized branch of leaves at full strength a 5 o’clock.
Stamp the long thin leaf branch in Misty Moonlight ink full strength at 1 o’clock and Stamped Off at 11 o’clock. Be mindful of where the end of the stem is. Ideally the end should stay within the pencil marked circle.
The berry type leaves are stamped in Pretty Peacock ink as shown.
One of the most fun stamps in the set is the splatter. There are so many possibilities with the splatter. For this card, I used the Seaside Spray ink and stamped full strength on some and Stamped Off on other images around the focal point.
I wanted to make this a little more interesting. I decided to use the Sponging Technique on both card pieces.
The Sponging Technique adds a darker edge to the card piece. I cut the Stampin’ Sponges into smaller pieces and label them with the color of ink. For more on how to prepare the Stampin’ Sponges click HERE. Using the Misty Moonlight ink, dab the sponge onto the ink pad. Gently rub the sponge on the edge of the card piece in a back and forth motion.
Do the same to sponge Misty Moonlight ink on the 5 x 3 3/4 inch card piece.
Adhere the sponged 5 x 3 3/4 inch card piece to the 5 1/4 x 4 inch Misty Moonlight CS. Use an eraser to erase the circle. Adhere the sentiment with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Use the Bone Folder to fold the 11 x 4 1/4 inch Whisper White CS at the 5 1/2 inch score line. Adhere the completed card piece to the front of the Whisper White card base.
The Artistry Blooms Self-Adhesive Sequins are the perfect color to add some Bling! to this card. Use the Take Your Pick tool to easily transfer the sequins to your card.
Viola! You have a great card to send off “to a friend who makes you smile”.
Thank you for coming by today and seeing how easy it is to make this elegant card. The Forever Fern stamp set is very versatile. Check out the previous two blogs to see two other cards made from this set.
Joining Promotion
Would you like to get a FREE bundle? From now until June 30, 2020 when you sign up as a demonstrator with Stampin’ Up! you will not only get $125 worth of product for $99, you will get to choose any one stamp set with dies, or any one stamp set with a punch-for FREE!! To join clickHEREand select the Specials tab on the right. Scroll down and find the “sign up now” button. If you need any further assistance, contact me via email at theresastreasures.az@gmail.com.
Today I have a great card for you! This is so simple but so beautiful! I am CASEing (copy and selectively edit) a card from Kathy Clark. We will be doing the Sponging Technique. I made this card especially full of sunshine because I wanted to tell you about the June Paper Pumpkin. Paper Pumpkin is a monthly subscription you can purchase from Stampin’ Up!. You will get an all inclusive kit every month delivered right to your door! It is a great way to start stamping at home and start building your stamping supplies. Every month you get a stamp set and an ink spot! You also get all the supplies needed to complete the project! You have to order a prepaid Paper Pumpkin for 1, 3, 6 or 12 months before June 10, 2020 to get this Box of Sunshine. Go to my store here and use item #137858 for 1 month, #137859 for 3 months, #157860 for 6 months and #137861 for 12 months. You will get a code via email and go to paperpumkin.com to submit your prepaid code. Then the fun can begin!
Now for the card!
I actually made a mistake on this card. I had intended to put a ribbon around the top two layers, but I applied the glue and had to adhere it to the third layer. I did make a second card which I will show at the end that does have the ribbon.
Measurements: Whisper White Card stock (CS): 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches with a score line at 4 1/4 inches, 5 x 3 3/4 inches and 4 x 2 inches; Mango Melody: 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 inches; PoppyParade: 5 1/8 x 3 7/8 inches.
Sponging Technique: You will need three inks: Daffodil Delight, Mango Melody and Poppy Parade. I have a sponge for each color that is marked with a square of the corresponding cardstock. To see more about preparing the sponges review my blog here . We will be sponging on the 5 x 3 3/4 inch Whisper White CS. Start with the Daffodil Delight ink. Use a light circular motion to sponge the color onto the scrap paper then onto your cardstock. Make a horizontal line of Daffodil Delight covering the lower third of the card piece.
Repeat using the Mango Melody ink for the middle third of the card piece. Next use the Poppy Parade ink.
Use the Aqua Painter to flick little water drops onto the sponged card piece. Watch the spots appear!
Stamp the sentiment “All days are beautiful that begin with you” onto the 4 x 2 inch Whisper White CS. Use the 1 1/2 inch Circle Punch to punch out the sentiment. Adhere the sentiment with Stampin’ Dimensionals. Adhere the sponged card piece to the 5 1/8 x 3 7/8 inch Poppy Parade CS. Next adhere the 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 inch Mango Melody CS to the Whisper White CS card base. Be sure to use the Bone Folder when you fold the card base at the 4 1/4 inch score line. Now adhere the sponged card piece to the Mango Melody taking care to center it.
Add some of the Holiday Rhinestone Basic jewels to the front. Viola! you have a very sunshiney card that will brighten anyone’s day!
Here is the second card with the ribbon across the middle. The ribbon is the Whisper White Crinkle Seam Binding Ribbon and it was dyed using the Mango Melody Stampin’ Blend alcohol marker. This card turned out a little darker.
Which card do you prefer? With the ribbon or without? Light or dark? Let me know what your thoughts are.
Thanks for visiting. I am an Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator. If you have questions about starting the monthly Paper Pumpkin subscription, please let me know. Email me at theresastreasures.az@gmail.com or leave a comment here.
Below are all the Stampin’ Up! products I used. Just click on a photo and you will go directly to my Online Store.
Sometimes I need something new to try, so I wanted to do something a little different today. I thought I would show you how fun it is to make a sunset by using the Sponging Technique.
This card was made with a Host set called Soft Spring. I will discuss how to get a Host set below. To me this is a very serene appearing card and could be used for a variety of occasions.
Measurements: Bermuda Bay card stock (CS) card base: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches with a score line at 4 1/4 inches; Pool Party (CS): 5 7/8 x 4 1/8 inches and a 1/2 x 5 inch strip; Whisper White (CS): two 5 1/4 x 4 inches.
The colors of ink we will be using today are: Mango Melody, Daffodil Delight, Coastal Cabana and Bermuda Bay.
To prepare the scene you will need full sticky note paper punched with the 1 1/2 inch Circle Punch. Tape the 5 1/4 x 4 inch Whisper White to a sheet of scrap paper. Tape another sheet of scrap paper about 1 3/4 inches down from the top of the Whisper White card piece. This will be a mask.
To prepare the sponges, first cut the Stampin’ Up! Stamping Sponges in half.
Now cut the half in half, then the quarter in half.
I use a square punched out of the color of cardstock that I am going to use the sponge for, attached with a staple. I store my sponges in a compartmentalized crafters box.
Dab the sponge onto the Daffodil Delight ink pad. If the ink is quite wet, dab lightly. Now rub the sponge onto the scrap paper with a small circular motion. This will give you an idea of how the sponging will look and will take off any excess ink.
Sponge the ink onto the Whisper White with a small circular motion very lightly. It is best to go light at first then gradually add to the color to make it the shade you want. I wanted a medium color. You can see that it is a little blotchy. Do not worry about that. It will not be noticeable on the completed card.
Apply the sticky note circle. The area that is masked will become the sun. Using the Mango Melody ink, sponge over the Daffodil Delight until you get a darker shade. Make it a little darker near the “sun” and the “horizon”.
I apologize for the blurry photo. My phone has been acting strangely all day. You can get the idea of how the sun and sky will look once you remove the sticky note.
Now move the scrap paper that was masking the bottom of the card piece to mask the area above the horizon. Leave a wee bit of color showing under the mask so that you do not end up with a white space between the sky and the lake. Start sponging the Coastal Cabana ink onto the lower part of the card piece, using the same gentle circular motion.
Once you have covered the area in Coastal Cabana ink, you can start sponging with the Bermuda Bay. Only sponge along the outer edge of the lake.
When you have finished with the Bermuda Bay ink, remove the scrap paper mask. Place the card piece on a Stampin’ Pierce Mat since we will be using a Photopolymer stamp set.
Using Memento ink, stamp the images from the Soft Spring stamp set on the edges of the card piece.
Add images until you like the look. You could stop here if you like. This stamp set is a two step stamp which means you can stamp some more over the outline of the leaves and flowers to make them more of a silhouette.
Add the little dragonfly.
Now you can add the second step of the stamping. This will make the leaves and flowers darker and more of a silhouette.
As you may have noticed, my second stamp does not line up with the outline perfectly. I do struggle with getting the two step stamps to line up. However, I do not think this will detract from the overall look.
Adhere the second 5 1/4 x 4 inch Whisper White to the inside of the card base. Use the Bone Folder to fold the card base at the 4 1/4 inch score line.
Adhere the stamped card piece to the Pool Party CS, then to the front of the card base.
Now for the sentiment. Stamp the sentiment “Happy Day” from the Itty Bitty Birthday stamp set in Memento ink onto the 1/2 inch strip of Pool Party CS. Trim it down and make a banner end. If you need help with the banner end, please click on THIS for a “How to”. Boy my fingers are blue!
Apply Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the sentiment strip, then adhere it to your card front.
And Viola! you have learned how to sponge a sunset and make a very serene appearing card. You could use a different sentiment and make this card very versatile. Now to go wash all the ink off my fingers!
Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you are well and staying safe. If you want to get the Soft Spring Host Set, you would need to place a $150 order. Then you can order it for $9.50. One way to place such a large order is to have your friends order with you. Then you can all get together (once the pandemic is over) and use the Soft Spring stamp set!
