Category Archives: HANDMADE CARDS

Beautiful Butterflies …

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Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

Today I’m excited to share two fun technique cards that are highlighting the “retiring” Brilliant wings dies. These dies come in handy so many times for a quick card … and if you join me tonight on my Facebook LIVE, I’ll show you another 2 ways (or more) to use these!!

The first card show a fun way to use watercolor backgrounds … On the small butterfly, I just cut it out of the watercolor background created in the video. The larger butterfly was die cut, and the background was trimmed to accent the butterfly and give it a 3-D look. I popped up the butterfly by cutting a small piece out of the Stampin’ Dimensonals.

My greeting comes from the Peaceful Moments stamp set and is stamped with the Rock -n- Roll technique. I inked up the stamp with Parakeet Party first, and then rolled the stamp in the Bermuda Bay. I choose that color because the Parakeet Party and Bermuda Bay used in the watercolor background change color a little when blended together.

The greeting has a Basic Black mat as do the butterflies and were mounted onto my Coastal Cabana front that I embossed with the 3-D Fern embossing folder. I added Wink of Stella to my butterflies before mounting onto the black mat. To complete my card I added the Mat Black Dots to create additional depth and texture and to draw your eye around the entire card.

CLICK HERE if you would like to watch the Watercolor Background video again.

My second card I used the “Masking Paper” to create the card front. I cut out butterflies from Brilliant Wings out of the Masking paper and then adhered it directly onto the Linen paper (retiring).

Then with alcohol in my Spritzer and about 5 drops of Bermuda Bay ink … I spritzed the color onto the Linen paper. The alcohol helps to dry the ink faster, and what it leaves behind when you remove the “butterfly masks” is a soft beautiful “dyed” Linen paper.

I invited you to join me tonight on my Linda’s Stampin’ Escape Facebook page and watch me LIVE at 6:30 pm to see how I use these amazing butterfly dies, and I’ll also be highlighting some amazing designer paper!!

Thank You for hanging out with me today! Enjoy your day ~

Here is a list of ingredients that I used to create today’s card. NOTE: All orders of $50 will receive a FREE qualifying Sale-a-bration item of your choice.

The Retiring Awash with Beauty Designer Paper & Making Beautiful Cards …

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Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

I had to share my “Handy Cutting Guide” Video using the retiring Awash with Beauty Designer paper. Take one 12 x 12 sheet of Designer paper and turned it into 8 beautiful cards. Today I will be showing you step by step how I did my cutting with a quick video! Then you will get to see the four remaining cards.

Don’t you love how simple that is … and this is perfect for creating multiple cards in a short period of time. My first card I kept very simple ….

Basic White cardbase with an 5-1/2″ x 3-1/4″ Balmy Blue mat. My greeting comes from the Paradise Palms stamp set (Retiring) and is punched with the Double Oval punch.

The second card …

Same dimensions on this card, however I used a Granny Apple green mat and Polished Pink ink, cardstock and ribbon. Don’t you just LOVE coordination!!! I brought in the Layering Circle dies (Retiring) to my sentiment and then added the Iridescent Rhinestones.

The third card is stepped up a bit …

I used the Stitched Greenery die (Retiring) to create texture and a cool background for my floral piece … I matted the designer paper with Polished Pink and then a Granny Apple Green background. My granddaughters love this color combination. I also used the Iridescent Rhinestones on this card. My sentiment … that comes from the Happiness Abounds.

For my fourth and last card I wanted to show you that you can stamp directly onto the designer paper …

I also stamped directly onto the card base to create some depth and interest to the card. The leaves come from the Happiness Abounds as does the greeting. The mat and cardbase are Merry Merlot (Retiring)… it truly changes the look of the card and gives it a beautiful deep look. I completed my card with the white ribbon and Brass Butterflies.

My purpose for sharing this with you, is to inspire you to cut that beautiful designer paper AND how to take one 12 x 12 sheet of Designer paper and turned it into 8 beautiful cards.

Thank you so much for joining me today ~

Happy Easter

Posted in HANDMADE CARDS, Techniques by

Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

I’d like to wish all of you a very Happy Easter, and hope you are with family and / or friends on this beautiful day.

I am re-sharing one of the Easter Cards that I made earlier … please know that you can use this technique with any shape, I just love how this one turned out.

To VIEW how this card was made; CLICK HERE

Beautiful Thistle in Gold Card

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Hello Stampin’ Friends,

Happy Friday! Today I’d like to share my Beautiful Thistle in Gold card with you. The Beautiful Thistle bundle is on the retirement list and I’m saddened that it is leaving, so I’ve been sharing my creations with you.

This design is stunning is Gold yet pretty easy to recreate … I will share the dimensions and instructions with you along with the links to the products used.

Lets take a look …

You will begin with Very Vanilla cardstock; a 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ sheet scored at 4-1/4″ and folded. You will also need a piece to stamp and emboss with the Gold Embossing powder, plus a piece for your greeting.

Cut a piece of the Gold Foil sheet to 4″ x 5-1/4″ … then you can die cut a circle from the center as a “mat” to back your greeting. No need to worry about that hole in the middle of your Gold Foil sheet as it will be the “mat” behind the stunning “Naturally Gilded” Specialty Designer Paper … cut this to 5″ x 3-3/4″.

You can attach your Naturally Gilded piece to the Gold mat. Using Stampin’ Dimensionals, attach your card front assembly to the front of your card base.

Your next step is to stamp the thistle and your greeting onto a piece of Very Vanilla using your VersaMark pad, sprinkle with Gold Embossing Powder, tap off excess powder and heat emboss. You can now die cut your thistle and using the circle from the Stylish Shapes dies.

While you are die cutting, die cut a piece of Vellum cardstock using the Scallop Contours dies. Attach your thistle and greeting to this piece of vellum … it allows the pattern to show through somewhat but will highlight your flower and greeting.

Once you have your thistle assembly completed, you can attach it to the front of your card … place your Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals behind your thistle and greeting so they will not show through

Complete your card by embellishing with the Brushed Brass Butterflies… the coordinate beautifully with the Naturally Gilded Designer paper and our thistle.

Thank you for stopping by and hanging out with me today.

Have a beautiful day ~

If you purchase the Beautiful Thistle Bundle from my On-Line Store (Host Code: BAPEANG2) or directly through me, I will send you the PDF’s for those 3 cards as a thank you for your purchase. 

Here is a SHOPPING LINK for your convenience:  https://www.stampinup.com?hostcode=BAPEANG2

Beautiful Thistle in Black & White

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Hello Stampin’ Friends,

Today I’d like to share another card using the Beautiful Thistle bundle which is on the retirement list. In life things are not always Black & White but in card making we can do just about anything! So today my card is a twist with basic stamping and some heat embossing. Have I intrigued you yet?

I love the look of this thistle in black and white … it is not only a strong contrast but a I think it’s a sign of strength, so I guess I picked the perfect sentiment.

Start with a 1/2 sheet of Basic White cardstock for your base. Now you will need one each 4″ x 5-1/4″ of Basic White and Basic Black, layer the two pieces together and and then align them onto your paper cutter diagonally and once your two ends are aligned properly … cut!

You will stamp the white craft ink onto the black piece and heat emboss with white embossing powder. Then use the white piece that matches your black and then stamp image in black – align your two pieces and tape together on the back side … I just use scotch tape.

I took the second half of the black sheet and layered it behind the white half of the card front. Once everything is in alignment, use Stampin’ Dimensionals to attach it to the card front.

Stamp your sentiment onto a piece of white cardstock and then trim the ends diagonally and attach it to the front of the card base using dimensionals. You could add embellishments to the card if you prefer but I felt that it made a bolder statement by leaving it simple.

Thank you for joining me today.

Enjoy your Thursday ~

Yesterday I shared a video with 3 beautiful cards highlighting different ways you can use your Stampin’ Blend markers.  If you purchase the Beautiful Thistle Bundle, I will send you the PDF’s for those 3 cards as a thank you for your purchase. 

Here is a SHOPPING LINK for your convenience:  https://www.stampinup.com?hostcode=BAPEANG2

Beautiful Thistle using Stampin’ Blends 3 Ways

Posted in HANDMADE CARDS, Techniques by

Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

Today I’m sharing a video “replay” of last nights Facebook LIVE where I shared tips on coloring the Beautiful Thistle bundle with Stampin’ Blends. Then see how I took these tips and colored on 2 more stamping mediums – Heat embossed and the Fine Shimmer paper.

The results are stunning, so grab a coffee and join me ….

I got rave reviews from those who watched LIVE last night, and I am offering the same deal to you. When you purchase the Beautiful Thistle bundle before it retires (or sells out) I will send you the PDFs for these beautiful cards.

Here is a SHOPPING LINK for your convenience:  https://www.stampinup.com?hostcode=BAPEANG2

Thank you for joining me today and I hope you find something beautiful in every day.

Saying Good-bye with Celebrate Sunflowers

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Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

Today is the day our Retiring product List goes LIVE with up to 60% Off!! I am going to miss my Sunflower stamps & dies. So many different ways to use them … If you have to have this in your stamp collection …. Check out some of my favorite designs!

Was I right? Amazing … and sunflowers are just so cheerful and pretty!!

Here is a SHOPPING LINK for your convenience:  https://www.stampinup.com?hostcode=BAPEANG2

FUN FOLD: Accordion Z-Fold Birthday Card

Posted in Birthday, Fun Folds, HANDMADE CARDS by

Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

Here’s another beauty that will be retiring, the Happiness Abounds Bundle and the Hues of Happiness Designer paper… going to be hard to let this one go. Today I’d love to share this beautiful card with you that is enhance with the Accordion Z-Fold.

For my birthday card I used the Hues of Happiness Designer paper …

I began with my Night of Navy card base and the Hues of Happiness Designer Series Paper … You can see that I have used the coordinating dies to cut the floral pieces for the front. I will share measurement below so your can try out this car too.

Measurements: Card Base: (Night of Navy) 5-1/2″ x 11″ scored at 1-3/4″, 3-1/2″, 5-1/4″ and 7 on the 11″ side. Hues of Happiness and white embosses panels on accordion: 1-1/2″ x 5-1/4″, DSP on inside: 3-3/4″ x 5-1/4″, Folded mechanism: Night of Navy – 3″ x 6″ scored at 3″ on 6″ side and (3) White squares 2-3/4″ x 2-3/4″, Night of Navy mat for the white inside is cut 3″ square and will be placed onto the designer paper as shown. Use the alignment tip that I shared in yesterday’s video.

I used the Painted Texture embossing folder on the two white panels on the inside of the card. Greetings were stamped from the Happiness Abounds bundle in Night of Navy… and to complete my card, I added a few Iridescent Rhinestones. Who doesn’t love a little sparkle?

I hope you have time this weekend to play with these fun folds that I have shared in the past two days. Have fun and enjoy!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Here is a list of supplies used for today’s Fun Fold Accordion Z-Fold Card …

Simply Sunday: Adventurous Journey

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Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

Today I would like to share a card with you that used the same technique as I shared last week … the floating elements technique. Quite simple to do and you are going to love the results when using the Adventurous Journey stamp set.

The Adventurous Journey is one of those stamp sets that hit the retirement list. Found on page 85 of the Annual Catalog, you will see how fun this stamp set is.

Measurements: 

  • Card Base:  Thick Basic White: 11” x 4 ¼”;  score at 5 ½”
  • Layer #1: Thick Basic White:  at least 4 ¼” x 5 ½” ; die cut with Stitched Rectangle that measures 3 ¾” x 5 “
  • Layer #2:  Window sheet:  at least 3 ½” x 3 ½”  will be die cut with circle 3-inch die
  • Layer #3: Strips of Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, Garden Green and Pale Papaya cardstocks to be cut ¼” wide and at least 3 ½” long
  • Layer #4:  Kayak- Thick Basic White piece about 4” x 4” 

Instructions:

  • Cut and fold card base.
  • Die cut Layer #1 with Stitched Rectangle die and Layer #2 Window sheet with 3-inch circle die.
  • Stamp sentiment with Bermuda Bay ink on lower third of the stitched rectangle piece.
  • Cut Layer #3  strips of the 4 different colored cardstocks as listed above.  Attach strips to the window sheet circle with adhesive of your choice leaving small space between strips.  If using liquid glue use scant amount so it does not smear on the window sheet.  Arrange in order referring to photo.  Using scissors trim edges of the strips the entire way around circle.  The strips are arranged to simulate water on the bottom half and a sunset sky on top half.
  • Add strips of foam adhesive strips directly behind each row of colored cardstock on the back of the window sheet circle being careful to not extend past the edge of the circle.
  • Stamp kayak with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Layer #4 cardstock and color with Stampin Blends and Basic Black marker referring to photo.  Fussy cut out the kayak and attach to front the circle. 
  • Attach circle to front of stitched rectangle using the foam adhesive strips.  The stitched rectangle is also popped up with foam adhesive strips then attached to card base.  This can be attached flat to card front if want less dimension.

Hope you enjoyed this card as much as I did. I did not make this card but loved how it was constructed and it’s ease to make and color combinations.

Thank you so much for joining me today. Enjoy your Sunday.

Taco Fiesta Card….

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Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

Today I have a cute -n- tasty card for you! Created by a fellow Design Team Member (and friend) I thought this was too cute not to share, and I don’t have this bundle so it’s a win, win!

It’s the Taco Fiesta stamp set ….

Measurements: 

  • Card Base: Granny Apple Green – 1 pc. 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, scored at 4 1/4
  • Cardstock #2: Basic White – 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 for stamping and fussy cutting and 3 x 5 1/4 for inside
  • Cardstock #3: Crushed Curry – 3/4 x 5-1/2 for fringe
  • Cardstock #4: 4 x 4 for punched piece
  • Flowers & More Designer Series Paper: 1 x 5 1/2

Instructions:

  • Fold and burnish Granny Apple Green.  Cut 1 inch off right side of card front with trimmer.
  • Stamp tacos in Granny Apple Green on card front.
  • Glue strip of DSP on right side of inside of card so that is visible when card front is closed.
  • Cut along long edge of Crushed Curry to create fringe.  Cut up approx. 1/2 inch about 1/8 inch apart. Glue to inside edge of card front.
  • Using Memento Black ink, stamp, color with Blends, and fussy cut the tacos (2), cactus, lime, and sombrero. Stamp sentiment and fussy cut.
  • Punch Decorative Circle from Sweet Sorbet.  Position and glue on card front.
  • Layer images over Sweet Sorbet circle with glue and use two Stampin’ Dimensionals to adhere the top taco. Sombrero is glued to this taco.
  • Create a loopy bow with Sweet Sorbet Baker’s Twine. Attach with Glue Dot.
  • Adhere 3 Fun Flowers to card front.
  • Glue 3” wide piece of Basic White to inside of card.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I hope I’m back on schedule with posting daily again. I appreciate you checking back.

Have a great weekend. Linda

Greatest Journey Card in Just Jade

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Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

I am back … took a little getaway to visit my sister Rita to celebrate her birthday. We all had a great visit and created some wonderful memories.

Today I’d like to share yet another card from the Greatest Journey bundle and Enjoy the Journey Designer Series Paper. It’s easy to recreate but I’ll be sure to share the dimensions and step by step instructions as well.

Measurements: 

  • Mint Macaron:  4 1/4’” x 11” scored at 5 ½” 
  • Designer Series Paper: 5 ¼” x 4” (rectangle pattern)
  • Designer Series Paper scrap (mountain pattern) for Stitched Rectangle Dies
  • Basic White Scrap for sentiment label with Stitched Rectangle Dies
  • Basic Black Scrap for cyclist using Greatest Journey Dies

Instructions:

  • Cut Basic White label and mountain Designer Paper layer with Stitched Rectangle Dies
  • Stamp sentiment onto label with Shaded Spruce ink
  • Adhere Designer Paper layers Stampin’ Seal to card base
  • Adhere sentiment label with Dimensionals
  • Cut cyclist from Basic Black cardstock using Greatest Journey Dies
  • Adhere cyclist to card with Mini Dimensionals
  • Adhere Enamel Sticker Icon as shown

Such a great card and so easy to make! I want to remind you that designer papers will be retiring soon, so take a good look at all of them and grab your favorites before they are gone. I will be sharing the Retiring List with you as soon as I can, and once it’s out … favorites tend to disappear quickly.

Thank you for joining me today. Hope your day is a good one.

Cheerful Basket: You Have My Heart

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Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

If you liked my basket full of kitties yesterday then you are sure to enjoy today’s basket using Stampin’ Up!’s Cheerful Basket Bundle. Send a card that tells someone that they have your heart and “they fill your days with happiness”.

I’ll be sharing easy step by step instructions so you can recreate this sweet and simple card. To highlight the hearts on the card, I used assorted Stampin’ Blends (colors listed below), which are alcohol-based markers that provide a smooth and even color application.

Our card base is Basic Black 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ scored and folded at 4-1/4″. The colorful ombre background comes from the beautiful “Enjoy the Journey” designer paper. You can add some texture with the “Whimsy” dies or use a subtle embossing folder if you don’t have the dies. Don’t be afraid to leave it just the way it is … it’s beautiful paper!!

Here are some steps to follow to color the hearts using Stampin’ Blends:

  1. Choose the colors of Stampin’ Blends that you want to use. You can use one color per heart or create a multi-colored effect by blending different shades.
  2. Start coloring the hearts with the lightest shade of the Stampin’ Blend, filling in the entire heart with the color.
  3. Next, use the darker shade of the Stampin’ Blend to add shading and depth to the heart. Start at the base of the heart and work your way towards the top, blending the two colors together as you go.
  4. If you want to create a multi-colored effect, use a third shade of the Stampin’ Blend to add more color and depth to the heart. Again, start at the base of the heart and work your way towards the top, blending the colors together as you go.
  5. Once you have finished coloring the hearts, use a Wink of Stella brush to enhance the color and add shimmer. Simply brush the Wink of Stella over a portion of the heart, being careful not to smudge the ink. I just added it where those little black lines were from the stamped heart.

I also die cut the little white hearts from the Cheerful Basket bundle and covered them with Wink of Stella and then placed them around the basket to really make the colors in the basket pop … it’s make your own embellishments!! The basket, hearts and greeting are all popped up using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

By following these steps, you can create a beautiful and colorful hearts card using the Cheerful Basket Bundle and Stampin’ Blends. Have fun crafting!

Thank you so much for taking time out of your Friday to visit my blog and check out this cute card.

Have a great weekend!!

Basket Full of Kittens with Cheerful Basket

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Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

Did you ever see something that made you think … that would make a cute card!? Today I’m going to share such a card. While visiting at my daughters, they have become foster parents to a big batch of kitties …

I told her she needed a basket to keep all them kitties in… and then it dawned on me; I have a basket full of kitties, and more! I pulled out my Cheerful Basket bundle . Oh, I haven’t even played with this one yet, and who knows … it may be on the Retiring List 😦 I hope not!!

So let’s check out our basket of kitties … I stamped my images in Memento Ink and used assorted Stampin’ Blends to color. I just love to smooth look you get when coloring with the Stampin’ Blends. What color do you like your kitties?

I couldn’t resist having my kittens paws hanging outside of the basket … you know them little guys are crawling “everywhere”!!! To do this, you just cut his legs free and slide them over the basket. I used designer paper scraps for a pop of color behind my basket of kitties. You can use what ever you have around your craft room. The background was done with the Stitched Greenery Die … just love this die as it is so very versatile.

Check out the layers on this card ….

This card was just fun to make … especially if you like coloring and building with layers! Almost as fun as a basket full of kitties. I’ll be sending this card to my granddaughter because she fills my day with happiness, and she loves her kitties!!

Thanks so much for the visit. What would YOU fill your basket with? Hearts? Apples? Crafting Supplies? Let me know in the comments below.

Have a great day ~

Creating Motion using Layers & the Greatest Journey Bundle

Posted in HANDMADE CARDS, Man Cards by

Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

I can’t wait for you to see this card, I absolutely love the way it turned out!! Today I have a video … the replay of my Facebook LIVE where I shared two cards the featured the Greatest Journey bundle. I will show you how to create “motion” by using several of the same dies and a slight change of color, then you will see a simple card with a fun pop of color made mostly of scraps!

Join me for a bit and watch the video, after which I will share any dimensions needed for our cards…

So … I didn’t actually start my kitchen on fire, but a little fire inside one of my pans, easily taken care of, but not the way one would like to start their day! lol OK … back to our cards. I wanted to create the appearance of motion with my card, and since there is no coordinating stamp, I could not do the dragging technique (which smears the ink and makes it look like it’s moving).

I thought the layering technique worked well ….

The great part of this is you are using up your scraps! Anything big enough to fit your images on. The colors for my layers are: Basic Black, Basic Grey, Smoky Slate, and Basic White … which is amazingly visible on the card. My Basic Black card base is the standard A2 size: 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ scored and folded at 4-1/4. The Basic White Front is 5-1/4″ x 4″. Keepin’ it easy.

The next card was just an easy pop of color and was also done mostly with scraps!

While I was preparing my photos for the blog, I realized that instead of die cutting my runners out of black … I could have die cut the image “out of” the color blocks and let the black show through! Another way to create dimension …. WOW! The possibilities never end.

The color blocks are die cut from the Stylish Shapes dies (as is the banner) the black mat behind it measures 3″ x 4-3/4″ and the Starry Sky piece is 3-1/4″ x 5″ … the Basic Black card base is the standard A2 size: 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ scored and folded at 4-1/4.

I hope you enjoyed today’s adventure into creating “motion” on your cards and give it a try. If you are interesting in purchasing this bundle, I have the links below.

Thank you. Have an adventurous day ~

Here is the list of supplies used for today’s cards ….

Let’s go on an Adventure …

Posted in HANDMADE CARDS by

Hello Stampin’ Friends ~

I have been playing around with the Greatest Journey bundle … for those of you who snagged up the Designer paper in the Sale-a-bration catalog, you should find it easy to create some great cards.

This card simply cuts the cardstock into 3 pieces and then uses a piece of cardstock to “highlight” the center section and create a fun look.

If you are looking for ways to use the stamps and dies without the designer paper, then join me tonight on my Linda’s Stampin’ Escape Facebook page when I go LIVE at 6:30 Central time. I’d love to have you join us!!