I love making Joy Fold cards. They are so easy, and yet so impressive to the recipient. They are definitely one of those "wow" cards that everyone things is so amazing, and you, the creator, know that it really wasn't that hard to make!
I thought it would be fun to show two different ways to make a Joy Fold card. The first way, shown above, is the traditional orientation for a Joy Fold card. But check out how it looks when you simply turn the card and have it open vertically, instead of horizontally. Fun, right?
I actually think I prefer the vertical version, simply because it gives a little more writing space inside the card. Not only do you have the inside of the square, but also the inside of the bottom flap. Then again, I don't always have a lot to say in a card, so for those times, I'd probably prefer the top version. :)
Supplies Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, So Sorry (retired) Ink: Sahara Sand and Tangerine Tango markers Paper: Sahara Sand and Very Vanilla card stock, Sweater Weather DSP (retired) Accessories: Simply Scored Scoring Tool
I know, I know, Father's Day was in June. Somehow I missed posting this, and even though we've long passed Father's Day, I still wanted to share it. Plus, I have the best dad in the whole world, so there's nothing wrong with a card that makes me think of him, even in August.
This card uses the Hardwood background stamp, which I LOVE. I also used the Woodgrain embossing folder for the strip of paper going across the card. Yes, I love any product with any kind of woodgrain on it!
After stamping the tree from Thoughts & Prayers, I cut it out using the Labels Framelits Collection and my Big Shot, then sponged around the edges of it and the smaller label with Soft Suede. I topped it off with some Linen Thread, and that's it. Easy-peasy!
Supplies Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, All Year Cheer, Hardwood Ink: Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip Paper: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, and Ivory Naturals Accessories: Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Linen Thread, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Sponge
I had a request for a card using the sponging technique with a silhouette image, and this is what I came up with. I don't have a lot of current images that fit the silhouette category, but the tree from Thoughts & Prayers works perfectly for this technique.
I embossed the tree using Early Espresso embossing powder. I stamped the tree first, rather than sponging first. I like to do it this way so that the tree is placed where I want it, and I can sponge around it and work the "ground" around the base of the tree.
For the sponging, I used Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, and Baked Brown Sugar. I simply dabbed and rubbed the sponge around the card, beginning with the brown for the ground. Next I used Pumpkin Pie at the top, and worked my way down. I filled in with Crushed Curry and just blended the two together. For the tag, I stamped right on a piece of cotton ribbon. That's it! Such an easy card, but the bright sunset makes it look like it took a lot more time than it did!
Supplies Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, Teeny Tiny Wishes Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, and Baked Brown Sugar Classic Ink, VersaMark Paper: Baked Brown Sugar and Very Vanilla card stock Accessories: Sponge, cotton ribbon, Heat Tool, Early Espresso embossing powder
Have you tried the new Blendabilities yet? It was quite out of character for me to get these markers as soon as they were released, but I'm so glad I did! They are so much fun to color with. The color goes on so smoothly, and it really is a piece of cake to get the colors to blend without that tell-tale line that our regular markers would leave. Don't get me wrong, I still love those, but Blendabilities serve a different purpose, and I love having options when it comes to coloring!
One issue I did have, however, was that I don't have a lot of line art images. It took some digging through my current stamp sets to find something that I could color. I adore Papillion Potpourri, so I was more than happy to color in these lovely butterflies. I like to start with the darker shade and blend to light, but you can choose to go from light to dark. Check out the video below for more tips on coloring with Blendabilities.
Supplies
Stamps: Papillion Potpourri, Thoughts & Prayers
Ink: Crumb Cake, Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, and Rich Razzleberry Blendabilities
Paper: Crumb Cake, Naturals Ivory, and Whisper White Card Stock
Accessories: Big Shot, Argyle Embossing Folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Sponge
If you love purple, then this is the card for you! And if you don't, well, I guess you could just make this in a different color scheme. :) I've actually made a version of this card in browns, which is gorgeous. This time, I wanted to change things up, and since the stamped image looks kind of like lavender, purple was the natural choice.
I used one of my all time favorite stamp sets, Pocket Silhouettes, which retired years ago. But I still love it. I stamped the same image across the paper, at varying heights, in three different shades of purple.
I also used the retiring Square Lattice embossing folder. The fact that it's retiring still has me scratching my head. I love this folder.
Supplies Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Thoughts & Prayers Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant Paper: Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, and Whisper White Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Linen Thread, Scallop Oval punch, Large Oval punch
This is just a simple card I whipped up in a few minutes. It's one I'll be making with about 20 tween girls later today, so I needed something simple and easy, but also on that's fun to make. I think they'll love the splatters and the washi tape. At least I hope so!
Supplies
Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, Gorgeous Grunge Ink: Daffodil Delight and Melon Mambo Paper: Naturals White and Island Indigo card stock Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Gingham Garden Designer Washi Tape
A few weeks ago I mentioned that each week I wanted to make a card and send it to someone different each week. I've only done this twice, but each time, the recipient told me how much it meant to them. That's not why I do it, but it's a good reminder that something as simple as sending a card makes a difference. It's easy to make lots of pretty cards and just let them accumulate. What's the point in that? More than ever, I'm encouraged to make sure I use my cards to bless others.
This is one of those cards that's going to someone who has been going through a really rough time lately. I'm hoping that receiving this card will be an encouragement. It's always nice to know that someone is praying for you!
Tips & Tricks
I love this Coastal Cabana Stretch Ruffle Trim. But I wouldn't recommend using SNAIL to adhere it. Be sure to use our Tombo Multipurpose Glue or Sticky Strip.
You may notice the paper-piercing on the Praying for You element. I had to eyeball the poking, which just made me appreciate all the different templates that Stampin' Up! does have (I really wish there was one for the Deco Labels Framelits!) They are quite inexpensive and I highly recommend getting them if you haven't already!
Supplies
Stamps: Betsy's Blossoms, Thoughts & Prayers Ink: VersaMark, Tangerine Tango Paper: Soft Suede and Very Vanilla card stock, Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper Accessories: Coastal Cabana Stretch Ruffle Trim, Big Shot, Deco Labels Framelits, Pearls Basic Jewels, Heat Tool, Winter White embossing powder (retired), Paper-Piercing Tool and Mat
I've made a new goal for myself, one that I've thought about so many times before. I'd like to try to send a card to someone different each week. I've put a reminder in my calendar so that each week I'll remember to do this. At the same time, it gives me a chance to be a little more intentional about praying for that person. This is one of those cards.
I've gone on and on about my love of woodgrain, so how could I possibly pass up the new Hardwood background stamp? I LOVE it. I wanted something muted and simple, and I love the interest this stamp lends to a card. I thought the tree from Thoughts & Prayers tied in nicely, too.
Tips & Tricks
Less is more...I used a tone on tone look here, first by stamping in Soft Suede ink on Soft Suede card stock, and next by mounting that piece to a Soft Suede card base. I also stamped the tree and sentiment with Soft Suede.
For a softer look, use a sponge on the edges of the card elements. I sponged the edge of the Hardwood piece, as well as the edge of the Deco Labels shape.
I'm not sure what it's like where you live, but this is the perfect card today. I have the window open to let in the (very) crisp air, just heard the school bus drive by for the first time, and there's a cup of tea steeping in my kitchen. It feels like fall today. I LOVE fall...it's my favorite season. And I love leaves, because leaves mean fall to me. So on this first fallish day, a card with leaves is the perfect thing! Tips & Tricks
Ruffled ribbon is beautiful, but ruffled crochet trim makes it tricky to when trying to adhere those leaves. Use a double layer of Stampin' Dimensionals on either side of the crochet trim to make the leaves stick
Two-step stamps can be frustrating to line up. Clear mount stamps are a great solution, as the clear block makes it easy to see the first step. If you're not a clear mount fan, use the Stamp-a-ma-jig! Or better yet, don't sweat it...there's not need for perfection with these leaves, especially if cutting them out!
Supplies
Stamps: Gently Falling, Thoughts & Prayers Ink: Soft Suded and Tangerine Tango Classic Ink Paper: Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper, Naturals Ivory, Soft Suede, and Crushed Curry card stock Accessories: Scallop Oval and Large Oval punches, Pearl Basic Jewels, Crochet Trim, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimentionals
I seem to have a lot of cards featuring that fun clear block technique. I hope no one minds...at least you'll get to see lots of variety using this technique! For this one, I stamped the top half of the block with Baja Breeze (sniff, sniff, goodbye...) and the bottom half with Crumb Cake. I just stamped with the pad right onto the block. Then I spritzed it with a mixture of Champagne Shimmer Paint (again, sniff, sniff, farewell...) and alcohol. It has such a light sparkle to it. Unfortunately, it doesn't show up in the picture very well. Trust me, it's gorgeous! Then I simply stamped the flowers from Thoughts & Prayers in Early Espresso, and put just a dab of Dazzling Details on each flower. Yes, more sparkle. It's so pretty. Yet another very simple card with lots of wow. Have you tried this technique yet?
Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers (113252) Ink: Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake (126975), and Early Espresso (126974) Paper: Baja Breeze, Naturals White (102316), and Crumb Cake (120953) Accessories: Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119959), Labels Collection Framelits (125598), Big Shot (113439), Stampin' Spritzer (126185), Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (116806)
Wow, there's a lot of pink going on with this card! It features some of the papers in the International Bazaar DSP, and I just took the color cues from the strip along the bottom. The smaller rectangle above that is also paper from that same collection. For the biggest rectangle, I simply ran a piece of Rose Red through the Big Shot with the new Fancy Fan embossing folder. I LOVE that one! The butterflies were quickly made using the Beautiful Wings Embosslit, in Regal Rose, Rose Red, Tangerine Tango, and Naturals White. I added some pearls to each one to jazz them up a bit.
This is one of the cards we made at club this month. I have recently fallen in love with the crochet trim. I love how it adds the perfect finishing touch to every card I put it on. Why did it take me so long to start using this?!?
Er, somehow that flower got smushed. Fortunately, I have a different version of this card below, so you can see how pretty the pearl in the middle of the flower is. Both cards use papers from the Comfort Cafe DSP, which I love! Fall colors are my favorites, plus there's a blue thrown in for good measure. A perfect combination!
Yeah, did I mention how much I love the Spice Cake DSP and how sad I am to say goodbye to it? Here are a couple more Spice Cake cards, this time little square ones. I've been in a rut lately with my cards all seeming to be the same, so I mixed it up and changed the shape and the size.
This card is loaded with retiring products, not just DSP. The card itself is Soft Suede card stock, cut to 4"x8" and scored down the middle. The DSP is, of course, Spice Cake. I simply used a More Mustard marker to color the Thinking of You part of one of the stamps from the Thoughts and Prayers set. I wanted that white piece of the card to be simple, since there's so much going on around it. I cut out a square of the same paper I had used on the top part of the card, mounted it on a slightly bigger piece of Soft Suede card stock, and then topped that with a beveled window (the smallest size). These are retiring, and I'm a little sad, because I never used them as much as I had planned to. I have this hoarding problem when it comes to pretty things like that. I save them for the perfect project, and then never seem to use them. Anyway, I tied it to the card using the More Mustard 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (also retiring). The little flower at the top was punched with the Boho Blossoms punch using the two smallest flowers, and then put together with an old (already retired) eyelet. But you could easily just use a brad. I won't allow myself to buy brads until I've used up my endless stash of eyelets. I loved eyelets and have them in every. single. color. And probably will forever. There are that many of them.
This is a completely different card, but made with the same DSP. I love how versatile our packs of Designer Series Paper are...there are so many different designs in each package. This one uses the striped paper, and looks a little more masculine. This is a very easy card...just some Old Olive grosgrain ribbon wrapped around (in both the retired 5/8" and the retiring 1/4"), both scallop punches to punch some Soft Suede and More Mustard, as well as a circle from Circle Circus stamped in More Mustard and punched with a circle punch. The little banner at the bottom is from the soon-to-be-available Bitty Banners Framelits, and stamped with a Father's Day sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes.
There you go...two quick and easy square cards using my beloved Spice Cake DSP!
