Ways to add oomph to a card using different items

Card using Coastal Cabana and the Biggest Wish Stamp Set with Artistry Bloom Sequins

In my last few videos I have shown how to make a set of 4x4 thanks cards and a box to hold them and some envelopes. I explained in my original video that I though that this simple card would work for 3x3 cards and maybe notecards but there may be a little too much white space on a normal card (14.8cm x 10.5 or 4.1" x 5.8".) Having made a ‘normal card’ I like it, but there is a bit too much white space and needs a bit of oomph to make it stand out and take away the white space. As this is a sentiment set, you could take another stamp set with mainly images, but I wanted to show that you don’t need another stamp set and that there a number of relatively simple ways to oomph up your cards.

A card using the Biggest Wish Stamp set and Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana and Night of Navy ink, with Basic White paper

A card using the Biggest Wish Stamp set from Stampin Up and Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana and Night of Navy ink, with Basic White paper

1. Using the reverse of one of the stamps, stamp a random pattern for the background..

2. Using the smallest stamp in the stamp set to create patterns.

3. Smooshing - using ink and water on plastic to create a watercolour background (please leave to dry before stamping the sentiment otherwise it may not stamp properly)

4. Ink Blending with a Blending brush

5. Ink Blending with a Blending brush and stencil

6. Splattering with Wink of Stella

7. Block stamping with ink and Wink of Stella

A card using the Biggest Wish Stamp set, Calypso Coral ink, with Basic White paper

A close up of a card using the Biggest Wish Stamp and Calypso Coral ink, with Basic White paper

Measurements

Metric

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

Panel – 10cm x 14.3cm 

Imperial

4 1/8" x  5 7/8" (4 1/8” by full length scored at 5 7/8)

Panel – 3 7/8” x 5 5/8”

A card using the Biggest Wish Stamp set and Mango Melody ink, with Basic White paper

A card using the Biggest Wish Stamp set and the smooshing technique with Melon Mambo and Night of Navy ink

A card using the Biggest Wish Stamp set blending brushes and mask with Melon Mambo and Magenta Madness

A card using the Biggest Wish Stamp set and blending brushes with Melon Mambo and Magenta Madness

A card by using the Biggest Wish Stamp set Wink of Stella and Calypso Coral

A card using the Biggest Wish Stamp set Wink of Stella and Calypso Coral

My favourite is definitely the Wink of Stella and coloured splatters. Which is yours?

New stamps and dies - What do I do now?

I often think that sometimes I have a number of hobbies, buying stamps, using my stamps and cleaning/organising my craft room. I am really good at buying stamps, not so good at utilising my stamp collection or organising my room.

I have to admit, that I lack confidence sometimes in what to create. Sometimes I can take up the limited time in my craft room pondering what to create. To overcome my block, I prepare my stamps and dies to show how they stamp and the look of the dies. I look at the combinations of the stamped messages and write out some of the options. For Words of Cheer, I considered just buying the dies, but the sentiments are gorgeous and can be used for inside and outside sentiments

I also look at the catalogue for ideas from the concept artist. As a demonstrator I can access the information which shows what items have been used to create each card and also the basic techniques, this helps as a starting point (you can use the pictures or contact me directly if you have any questions about catalogue samples.) I then tend to create a board on Pinterest to Pin the items that I find using the stamps and dies I am playing with. I am conscious that not all examples and images can be seen on Pinterest so I also tend to do a Google search and look at the images ( I must confess sometimes you get some random images so be careful what you put in the search box!) These images can be saved to Pinterest or can be saved for future reference, I tend to try and Pin them to Pinterest as that is where I tend to look for inspiration. Of course, there is also Facebook and Instagram as well, also its does not have to be the stamp and die set you are using which inspires you, it doesn’t even need to be Stampin’ Up! I tend to pin anything which inspires me .

Pining keeps me quiet when I someone has stolen all my spoons. I love searching for inspiration, I just have to ensure that I remember to craft too. What do you use to find inspiration and to start creating with your new stamps and dies?

Finishing Cards

Free as a Bird on a blended Misty Moonlight Background

I have to admit that I have a bad habit of not completing my cards, I either get distracted with another card idea or run out of craft time or energy.

Every now and again, I collect all my unfinished cards and cut lots of white panels to complete the inside of cards. I know some people also make matching envelopes, I make matching envelopes before I send the cards, rather than keeping a pre-made envelope with the card.

After making white panels, I pull out all the matching stamp sets and also any sets which match or work well with the original stamp set.

Dandelion Garden and blended stencil Background

I personally don’t think that it is necessary for every card to have a sentiment on the front, sometimes I send them without and add a sentiment to the inside of the card. Sometimes I add a sentiment later to match the occasion I need the card for. Sometimes it is easier to find the perfect card, rather than the perfect sentiment.

The video below shows my process and finished cards.

I now have more birthday cards for my collection and also some blank cards for emergencies. I still love the Free as a Bird card, which is your favourite?

How I choose and use Designer Series Paper

When it comes to choosing Designer Series Paper, I look through the catalogue to identify DSP which I can use and also which is versatile. I also where possible sign up for a paper share to receive a taster of all the papers as it can be difficult to judge papers from the catalogue.

 I love the Playing with Patterns paper as it has made gorgeous cards for birthdays, Easter and Christmas (although Non – Traditional for Christmas.)

I love the colours and also that some of the patterns are suitable for stamping on rather than just using them as background to add layers on to. I love the appearance of the dark night of navy on the patterns,

When I order a pack of DSP, I check to ensure that I have card stock and inks in the co-ordinating colours (I have nearly all the colours although Pumpkin Pie is one, I never remember to add to my order). When receive a pack of DSP, I check the colours recorded on the packaging and also in the catalogue (the packets do not always have all the colours on.)  I go through looking at the colours in the papers, sometimes there are some extras. I pull out all the co-ordinating papers and make card blanks and layers for all the colours.

I also pull out all the ink, Stampin’ write markers and also blends, so when I begin creating I do not need to start looking for them.

Next, I look for sketches which will work with the papers and then choose a stamp set which will work with those sketches. My favourite birthday set was Itty Bitty Birthdays, but it is retiring on May 3rd. I have included some of my favourite sketches on here.

Sketch 2 and 3 are my go to Sketches. I love the simplicity of them and they don’t take a lot of brain power to create a beautiful card.

How do you choose and prepare your designer series paper?