Clean and simple trees - choose your own decoration

I recently watched a YouTube video by Inkhill revival about ‘the Secret to buying supplies you will actually use,’ it was an inspiring video, which made me think about my style and what I love to create. Looking at my favourite cards I realised that I am a clean and simple card marker. I love cards with lots of white space (not sure that these are the cards my mother likes though.) I love making multiple cards in my limited time in the craft room. I also find it hard to return to part started projects so I prefer to finish what I am doing. I have a huge box of unfinished projects and I am trying not to add to the collection of pieces in the box. I have also realised that I need to use up my stash, so while making cards I have been thinking what I have on hand which will work and make each card individual.

For this card I wanted to use a tree I haven’t used from Perfectly Plaid, I also wanted to play with the Evening Evergreen. I love the colour but I found that it was too dark. I was also playing with the red to match, I tried Merry Merlot, but found it to be too dark. I used Cherry Cobbler, ink which I think compliments the second generation stamping I used for the tree.

Measurements:

My Metric

10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (10.5cm by 29cm scored at 14.5cm)

Inside White Panel - 10cm x 14cm

Metric

10.5 cm x 14.8 cm (10.5cm by full length scored at 14.8cm)

Inside White Panel - 10cm x 14.3cm

Imperial

4." x 5.5" (4” by full length scored at 5.5”)

Inside White Panel - 3.75” x 5.25”

Each card uses different embellishments, I have used Metallic Pearls, Gilded Leafing, Gold Glitter, Gold embossing powders (from Stampin’ Up for the gold and Stamps By Chloe WOW embossing powder in Kir Royal.) and a star embellishment. I have also used different stamp sets to add different sentiments. As well as changing the green/red colour combinations. I am still in love with the Just Jade, Cherry Cobbler combination which is in the Joy to the World Kit.

Soft Suculent and Poppy Parade with WOW Kir Royale embossing powder

The video below shows how I made the cards:

Top Tips-

• I stamped off on scrap paper before using the Evening Evergreen ink on the card, this tones down the colour (it is very very very dark.)

• When using the sticky notes, they do not have to be expensive ones, you could use any you can find.

• The sticky notes will soak up the ink, so can not be used more than twice, if you continue using them the ink transfers to the stamp and you will end up with random words on your card.

• You could use the Stampin’ Write Markers, but these work better on Cling stamps.

I love the slight differences between the cards and that they still work. The choice of decoration works as you could customise each card for the reciepient, use up your stash. Alternatively you could choose a favourite and make multiples quickly. My favourite is the the card with the Metallic pearls, which is yours?

Simple Sweet Ice Cream Birthday Card

One of the first Bundles which I loved in the January to June Mini was the Sweet Ice Cream Stamps and co-ordinating punch. I decided that I didn’t need the whole suite but I adored the stamps and punch.

This card doesn’t use the punch but it is a simple card which can be used to make multiples. I have used two of last years In-Colours Magenta Madness and Just Jade with Cinnamon Cider to create the perfect cone. I love the colours they are bright and perfect for a birthday. But the card could work with any colour you could choose, I would recommend using the Cinnamon Cider for the cone. I personally used a second and third generation image to create the cone. The card could also work with the other sentiments in the stamp set.

Measurements:

My Metric

10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (10.5 by 29cm scored at 14.5cm)

Inside White Panel - 10cm x 14cm

Metric

10.5 cm x 14.8 cm (10.5 by full length scored at 14.8cm)

Inside White Panel - 10cm x 14.3cm

Imperial

4." x 5.5" (4” by full length scored at 5.5”)

Inside White Panel - 3.75” x 5.25”

The video above shows how I made the card.

To step the card up, stamp on a white layer, add lots of glitter (I used Stamps by Chloe  Sparkelicious glitter in Unicorn Sparkle, I have to say it goes everywhere though ) But you could add any glitter you may have. Do you prefer the glitter or the sequins?

Christmas Clearance Items

Stampin’ Up! update their clearance rack every now and again. The items are only whilst stocks last and are discounted below the original catalogue price. (It is worth a note that the items may not be the lowest price that they have been on offer in the clearance rack, sometimes last chance lists are lower.) Clearance rack items are items which have been retired by Stampin’ Up! and are no longer available to buy from the catalogue. You can still find alot of inspiration for these items on YouTube, the internet and also Pinterest.

I have been playing with the Joy to the World Paper Pumpkin and the Christmas Traditions Punch Box. I think that they are gorgeous. As with most Paper Pumpkins the box contains stamps, ink, embellishments and items to make 8 cards. The only thing you will need is a block and scissors. I also recommend a bone folder and also liquid glue (they do contain glue dots and dimensionals in the box, but I prefer liquid glue.)

Tips and tricks -

Prime your stamps before stamping, ink up and stamp off checking the image. I normally do this a few times. Also practice stamping on scrap parper before stamping on the pop outs.

I leave any items which are stamped on in the original cut outs before I pop them out, it makes it easier to stamp straight (also you can use the reverse of the card

I recommend adding the twine and then adding a bow rather than tying the bow, as you can then move the bow if you need to when adding the wreath

Don’t be stingy with the dimensionals, it can create a saggy shape, add some to the inner and outer edges

.The video below shows the items and my tips.

I think that the cards created are gorgeous and also you have a fab stamp set to use on other cards (the inside card sentiment is amazing.)

Blended Birthday Backgrounds

I am regularly asked for birthday cards, which means that I need to come up with some different designs, so that nobody gets the same card twice (I try to avoid duplicates). One way to create easy quick different cards which I love, is playing with my blender brushes. Each background is different and can be finished in different ways. Also the colour combinations which can be used are endless as well (well nearly endless.)

I loved the colour combination when I saw it in a colour challenge. I wanted to play with it even though I am not normally a Bermuda Bay fan (I am normally a subtles girl.)

The video below shows how I made the different backgrounds, using these colours adding embossing powders and mirror card.

Measurements:

My Metric

10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (10.5 by 29cm scored at 14.5cm)

Inside White Panel - 10cm x 14cm

Blended Panel – quarter of A4

Metric

10.5 cm x 14.8 cm (10.5 by full length scored at 14.8cm)

Inside White Panel - 10cm x 14.3cm

Blended Panel – quarter of A4

Imperial

4." x 5.5" (4” by full length scored at 5.5”)

Inside White Panel - 3.75” x 5.25”

Blended Panel – quarter of A4

I love that each one is different and that the card base and the way the sentiment is stamped can change the card. Which is your favourite?

How I Prepare my Cling Stamps

Last week I shared how I prepare my photopolymer stamps. Today I am sharing how I prepare my cling stamp sets.

For the longest time I avoided cling stamps as I struggled with placement and also stickiness. However, Stampin’ Up! have developed a cling adhesive backing which is super super sticky and with more practice and stamping I have gotten better with stamping. Of course I still make errors but I am getting better.

Before stamping my cling stamps, I check all the stamps are there, that the stamps are the correct stamp set in the correct language. If it is a two part cling set I check that I have each part. After I have checked that the stamp sets are correct, I check the stamps outline. Stampin’ Up! stamps are cut on machines ( i think) and if they are lined up incorrectly there can be insufficent space around the stamp and therefore can affect how the image is stamped (this has only happened to me once with the Panda’s from Sale-a-bration a few years ago.

After my checks I add the cling stickers to the back of my stamps, it is easiest to add the cling if yoiu remove the backing one by one. You need to line up the stickers, as they can not be removed once they are stuck on the back. If you try to remove them they can remove the foam from the stamp which can affect the way it stamps.

I then stamp out the stamps on scrap paper to check how they stamp and to ensure that all the residue from the production process is removed. The video below shows the process that I use. It depends on the stamp set whether I use the Stamparatus or just using blocks.

I also create masks when I stamped the stamps, I use some gorgeous masking paper by Inkadinkado, which I cut out with scissors. Do you create masks for your stamps?