March 22, 2023

Masculine Cards featuring Stampin' Up! Legendary Ride

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Hey friends,
So glad you stopped by, today I have a couple of fun cards featuring the Legendary Ride bundle from the January to April 2023 Mini Catalog. 

The first card features the DSP inside and outside the card. I love that you can see the amazing paper when the card is closed and open. The Legendary Ride stamp set is a perfect set for masculine cards as you can see here it's used as a Birthday card. 

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Card #2 is perfect to let that special guy in your life know you think they're pretty special, "legendary" even! I love the shadow effect you can see just by popping the motorcycle up on Stampin' Dimensionals. And check out all the detail in that bike! Stampin' Up! and their artists do an amazing job of capturing all the details in their stamps. I love it!

I hope these cards inspire you to create some masculine cards to have in your stash. We all have those occasions we need to spoil the men in our lives and I think these help fit the bill.

Happy Stamping, 

 

 




March 21, 2023

20 Birthday Sentiments for Inside your Handmade Birthday Cards

 Ever create the PERFECT birthday card for someone, totally capturing their essence, then completely draw a blank on what to write inside the card? It happens to ALL of us! But now, you can print this off and save with your crafty supplies so you will always have the perfect sentiment to write in the inside along with your personal little note to recipient.

Here are 20 ideas for things to write inside your handmade birthday cards.

20 things to write inside birthday cards

  1. Happy Birthday! Wishing you joy, love, and lots of cake!
  2. Another year of fabulousness! Have a wonderful birthday!
  3. May all your birthday wishes come true!
  4. Cheers to another year of amazing adventures!
  5. I hope your birthday is as special as you are!
  6. Sending you lots of love and good vibes on your special day!
  7. Here's to a year filled with happiness and success!
  8. You deserve the best on your birthday and always!
  9. Happy Birthday to someone who always puts a smile on my face!
  10. May this birthday be the start of your best year yet!
  11. Wishing you a year filled with laughter, love, and lots of cake!
  12. Happy Birthday to a true gem!
  13. Celebrate like it's your birthday, because it is!
  14. May your birthday be full of all the things you love!
  15. Happy Birthday to someone who makes the world a better place!
  16. Wishing you a day filled with love, joy, and all your favorite things!
  17. On your birthday, may all your dreams come true!
  18. Cheers to a year of blessings and new opportunities!
  19. Happy Birthday to a wonderful and amazing person!
  20. May your birthday be as wonderful as you are!

I hope you find this helpful. As stated, print it off and keep it with your craft supplies so you know where to find it when you need it.



Happy Stamping,


 


March 17, 2023

Double Masking to Create a Spotlight

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Hey Friends,

Today's card features a fun technique of masking your card twice to create a fun "spotllight" for your card. Here, I first masked off the center of the panel with masking paper that I had die cut with a circle die from the Layering Circles dies. I then used my blending brushes and Starry Sky Ink and Tahitian Tide Ink to blend my background. When I removed the mask, I had a nice bright white circle with a beautiful blended background. I then took the remaining masking paper that I had cut the circle from and laid that down over the panel ensuring to line up the circles while protecting my blended background and I stamped my Sentiment and my floral images. The colors I used are Starry Sky for the sentiment and Polished Pink for the flowers and the centers and leaves are stamped in Parakeet Party. Then as a final touch, I added some white Baker's Twine that I wrapped twice around and tied into a bow. 

Using the double masking is a fun way to add a spotlight effect to your card. I love how these pretty pink flowers pop here and are spotlighted in this card. Let me know if you give this a try. I'd love to hear. In the meantime, 

Happy Stamping,






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March 16, 2023

The Top 5 Mistakes Paper Crafters Make

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Hi there - here are the top 5 mistakes paper crafters make:

  1. Not planning ahead: Not taking the time to plan out a project can lead to mistakes such as incorrect measurements or colors
    • So, to avoid this, think about the colors you want to use, choose a DSP you would like to use and pick out 2-3 colors you'd like to use and start there.
  2. Skimping on supplies: Trying to save money by using lower quality supplies can lead to a project that doesn't turn out as expected.
    • Always use the highest quality of material you can afford. Stampin' Up! offers the best quality crafting materials at an affordable price.
  3. Not reading instructions: Taking the time to read and understand the instructions can help to avoid costly mistakes.
    • If your following a pattern or a tutorial, it's always best to read through them completely before getting started, then read them again as you create to ensure you're understanding them correctly.
  4. Not using the right tools: Using the wrong tools can make a project more difficult or even impossible.
    • Make sure you're using the right tool for the job! Make sure to have a bone folder on hand for making great fold lines and crisp edges. If you'll be die cutting, be sure to have a die cutting machine...I know that sounds obvious, but I have been called and asked about using a rolling pin to roll over dies and wondering why it wasn't working. 
  5. Not taking time to practice: Taking the time to practice a technique before beginning a project can help to ensure a successful result.
    • This is really important when trying a new to you technique like creating an alcohol ink background. Your first time or two may not look the way you want it to, so be sure to practice a few times to make sure you're achieving the results you want and expect..0

I hope this helps you in your paper crafting endeavors!



March 15, 2023

Creating a Masked Background - Round 2

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Hey friends,
Thanks again for stopping by. I have another card featuring an ink blended background, created by die cutting a circle from Masking Paper and masking off the panel used for the card front. I LOVE this technique. As stated Monday, it provides such a beautiful look with a touch of elegance but can also add whimsy in the right situation. This is definitely a go to technique to have in your back pocket. 

Here I cut a sheet of the masking paper down to 4" x 5-1/4" equal to the Basic White card panel and die cut a circle using the Layering Circles Dies from the center of the masking paper. I layered the Masking paper with the Basic White panel and used my blending brushes to add Pale Papaya and Polished Pink ink to the inside of the circle. I then used Memento Black Ink to stamp the sentiment and the foliage from the  Botanical Layers stamp set along with the Sentiment from the same set. Once again, keeping the card super simple. 

Happy stamping!


 





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March 14, 2023

9 Tips for Determining Your Card Layout

One of the first things you do when designing a card is determine your card layout. Will it be a portrait or landscape orientation? What sentiment would you like to use? Is there enough room for it? Where do you want it located? Outside top left? Top Right? Maybe lower right? Or maybe you would rather keep the sentiment for the inside of the card? 

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Here are a few tips to help you choose your card layout when creating:

9 tips for choosing a card layout when creating

  1. Consider the message you want to communicate. Is it a holiday card, a birthday card, or something else? This will help determine the overall tone of your card.
  2. Keep your card design simple. Too many elements can be distracting and make it hard to focus on the message.
  3. Choose a layout that complements your message. For example, a landscape design may be better for a nature-themed card, while a portrait design is better for a small focal point
  4. Select an appropriate size for your card. A note card may be better for a shorter message, while a larger standard size card may be better for a longer one.
  5. Think about the colors you’ll use. Bright colors can be cheerful, while muted colors can be more subtle.
  6. Consider your stamp image. This will be your visual interest and add personality to your design. Will it be best suited for a landscape or portrait orientation
  7. If mixing sentiments, be sure the fonts pair well together.
  8. Don’t forget to leave enough room for a personalized message.
  9. Have fun with your design! Experiment with different ideas and make sure you’re happy with the end result.
I hope you find these little tips helpful and get you on your way to creating with a little more clarity. In the meantime, I wish you Happy Stamping,


March 13, 2023

Creating a Masked Background - Round 1

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Hello my friends,

Welcome back to my little corner of the web. All this week I'm sharing how to create a "masked background". I love this technique as you can create simple yet elegant or simple yet adorable cards with minimal effort and they all pack a punch.

Today's card was created using Stampin' Up! masking paper and Framed Floret's Dies along with a blending brush. Just cut an oval shape from the masking paper and place over the Basic White panel and apply layers of ink with a blending brush. Once you achieve the desired saturation of color, remove the mask and stamp the image and the sentiment. Finally, attach all the layers and add them to the card base. 

This card is so simple, yet elegant and is perfect for the beginner stamper as well as the most experienced stamper.

I hope this card inspires you to try a simple ink blended background with a mask. 

Happy Stamping,






 

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