Flashback Friday--Spring Birthday Accordion Fun Fold Card

Here's the big reveal from my last post, Sunday Sketch--Spring Birthday. Never ever have I made a card like this before, and you can see why it was six months late :-D

This amazing fun fold card is an accordion fold card. You can make accordion fun fold cards with or without the interlocking middle panel and windows. A quick Google will give you lots of inspiration.

This card was so amazing I made a video of it as it was hard to photograph.

Some more photos--click for full-size:

It's a little difficult to give exact instructions as the card was received, but I can give some general guidelines. I enjoyed the design and assembly challenge immensely. With this card, remember you are designing a front, four middle panels, the accordion and potentially the backside. Although I stamped the inside accordion, you'll see many stampers use scrap DSP instead. Go with whatever makes it special--the windows don't need to be a rectangle either!

• Take time to make a model card from scrap cardstock to work out the measurements. As I used one of the Ornate dies for the window frame, I had to make the cut out slightly smaller.
• The card is still 4.25x5.5" when folded. I used a 12x12" Very Vanilla sheet to cut a regular base and then I made another base with the left side 0.5" longer so I could attach them together to make one long accordion.
• The inside accordion is 2" tall and originally had six panels--but I realized four would work.
• Use a quality adhesives like tear tape or Tombow to keep the card together ;-D

Seriously, I felt like I used every stamp in the stash! I ended up taking group photos of the stamp sets so I would remember :-D Current ones are linked:

• Butterfly Brilliance
• Dragonfly Garden
• Enduring Beauty
• Everyday Details
• Grassy Grove
• Honeybee Home
• Nature's Beauty
• Nested Friends
• Quiet Meadow
• Textured Essentials
• Thoughtful Expressions

Other details:

• Petal Pink cardstock
• Very Vanilla 12x12" cardstock
• Flight & Airy DSP
• Early Espresso ink

Would I make another accordion fun fold card again? You bet!! I loved all the different elements and space to work with, plus they have so much potential and possibility! One could easily make a mini scrapbook or gift book for someone or create a seasonal display too.

 

Sunday Sketch--Spring Birthday

LOL this is a belated sketch for a belated birthday card--look for a post about this very special and complex card. You'll see why it was six months late :-) The complexity of this card required the inside to be designed, which was actually quite easy. The front, however, remained quite elusive and it was the last part of the card to be finished.

Stay tuned...

 

Flashback Friday--Inspirational Sketches

I've been meaning to post this little card for ages. I made it back in spring 2024 when I had friends over for crafternoon. I was working on something else, but I just had to make a card! Sometimes it's easier to make a complex card than something simple--but all you really need is ink, stamps and paper. I love birds--I've had budgies since I was a kid--and I enjoy wandering the wilderness and urban areas to catch a glimpse of them. I may not be the most hardcore birder out there, but nature reminds us to take it slow, take it easy and move at our own pace :-)

The house sparrow from Inspirational Sketches is just the right size for a vertical or horizontal card--and just realistic enough for me. Although I like birds, it has to be the "right" kind of bird stamp for me to add to my collection.

Until next time...

 

July Stamping Project - Proud Peacock

Sooooooo I don't need to apologize for my love of birds, but it is exciting when birds show up in the SU catalogue. This is the third time that I know of that a peacock has graced a stamp set. The Royal Peacock photopolymer stamps and matching Royal Peacock Detailed Dies are ornate and perfect for a touch of class or style. I just wish that there were some feather stamps to go along with the peacock. I ended up making two cards as I wasn't satisfied with the first. Sometimes a card is a problem solving journey. It began with a sketch, like all good ideas:

Click for larger

However, the reality was that the peacock stamp and the Heirloom Frames oval die were too large to use together. Another oval would have to do. Tip: Die cut first before embossing for best results. I cut a bunch of front panels from a 6x12" piece of peacock paper and tried different embossing folders on them. I liked Subtle embossing folder because it leaves just a hint of an impression. Since I was die cutting and embossing anyway, I also made a panel with the Layered Leaves 3D embossing folder.

Now back to the card...sample 1 started with a white base and I stamped all over it with Old Olive and Pretty Peacock. That seemed too loud, so I toned it down by sponging the same colours on top. Looking good!

I die cut the branches from the matching set with copper foil cardstock, but as I assembled the pieces together, it was not looking right. Instead of being harmonious, all the elements were screaming at each other. Oops! A piece of Balmy Blue cardstock and some sponging around the edges with Pretty Peacock brought calm to the storm. It covered up all my work to this moment and I was glad! A sentiment, a circle punch and a little touch of gold ink completed the card.

Card 1 - click for larger

For the second card, I went for tone on tone. I stamped a Pretty Peacock base with the flowers in Pretty Peacock ink and the effect was more subtle than a white base. As Stampin' Up! does not sell a gold ink pad, I edged the base and embossed panel with gold ink from another brand. The differences between the bases really changed things up.

Card 2 - click for larger

So, I guess that's my free advice this month - don't be afraid to make extras, cut extras, stamp extras - you never know when you need to change your design. And if not, there always another project waiting in the wings!

June Stamping Projects - My Sampler Swap Cards

Whew! Enough of the mystery. You have seen the sketches for my swap cards. You have seen some of the swap cards I received! Now it's time for the big reveal! One thing you might notice is how different the final card is from the sketches. An idea scribbled at work takes a few turns once the shapes and sizes are all laid out. Click on each picture for a larger version.

Each card had a secret challenge:

1. How to make a lot of designs with just a few stamps - stamped the bird group upside down for the border.
2. Where to place the sentiment with so much going on - tuck it on the side.
3. How to fill in some empty gaps - add die cut leaves.
4.  How to make sponging easier - make a stencil with scrap cardstock!
5.  How to add a touch of class and delicateness - die cut vellum cardstock

Balmy Blue, Very Vanilla and Crumbcake cardstock

So Saffron cardstock and Petal Pink ink for the background

Crumbcake, Very Vanilla and Soft Suede cardstock

Mint Macaron cardstock and So Saffron ink

Petal Pink and Granite Gray cardstock

I made 50 cards to be on the safe side for the swap and I really enjoyed trying to come up with new ideas by using the paper and stamps in the Bird Ballad suite. Stay tuned for next month's project!

January Stamping Project: Lilypad Lake Thank You Card

Water Front is one of the more popular sets introduced in the 2018-2019 Stampin Up! annual catalogue. You'll see it everywhere on Pinterest! It's not hard to understand why - it's a versatile set that gives stampers a versatile set of pieces for nature themed card.

Now it's my turn. This card may look ambitious, but when broken down into steps, it's a great opportunity to try new techniques and use up scraps. The two samples show that a monochromatic background can be as interesting as a daylight one. Practice beforehand on heavyweight paper if you are new to using water and ink. The Aqua Painters are great for learning as you can control the amount of water a little easier. Start with a moist tip and squeeze as necessary. Remember, more water equals lighter colours and more wear on the paper. You can also try a wet on wet technique where you stamp onto damp cardstock. Experiment and see!

Blue version - click for larger

Supply list

• Very Vanilla 8.5x11" cardstock
• Whisper White 8.5x11" cardstock or large scraps
• Extra Thick Whisper White 8.5x11" cardstock, mixed media paper or Bristol paper
• Night of Navy 8.5x11" cardstock
• So Saffron 8.5x11" cardstock or large scraps
• Scrap pieces of Old Olive cardstock
• Night of Navy ink
• Blueberry Bushel ink
• Waterfront stamp set
• Lilypad Lake stamp and die bundle
• Aqua Painters
• Scrap paper or sticky notes for masking
• Dark blue and green Stampin' Write or Stampin' Blends markers
• Big Shot and adhesive

Instructions for two cards

1. Make two Very Vanilla cardstock bases by scoring a 8.5x11" sheet and cutting in half.
2. On scrap Whisper White paper, stamp two herons and several lilypads with Memento. Die cut using the Big Shot and matching dies. Memento allows you to use wet media like markers or inks without smearing by the way. Just make sure it dries first.
3. Colour the herons and lilypads with your choice of colours. I used Stampin' Blends on the lilypads.
4. Cut two 1.5x6" strips of Night of Navy cardstock. Use the wavy water stamp to stamp on the strip. The stamp isn't long enough to cover the whole area, so you will have to stamp twice. Or, you can use a Night of Navy marker to drawer water lines or draw over the stamped image.
5. Cut 6x1" strips of So Saffron for the sentiment. You may want a thin strip to cover where the background image and Night of Navy strips meet and use additional strips for the sentiment. Play around and see what works for you - a long strip can always be trimmed down.
6. Cut two 3x6" pieces of extra thick Whisper White, mixed media paper or Bristol paper. Things are going to get a little wet!
7. Lightly make a mark 1.75" from the top of the area to be painted. This will be the shoreline of the background painting. Stamp mountains across this line in Blueberry Bushel ink. Stamp the same area several times to get a dark colour, or use a piece of scrap paper to mask off the water area. This way you can turn the mountain stamp around and make some interesting shapes.
8. Take the tree stamp from Waterfront and rotate it horizontally. Stamp the edge of the trees along the shoreline in darker Night of Navy ink. Use a mask!
9. Stamp the water and clouds lightly with Blueberry Bushels ink. Add a sun if you wish. You can use the stamp off technique - that is, stamp on scrap paper to remove some of the ink before stamping on the good paper.
10. Use the Aqua Painters to gently drag at the clouds and water. Push and pull the colour to make fluffy clouds and ripples. When you are done painting and the cardstock is dry, clean up the shoreline by using a Night of Navy marker - either a Stampin' Blend or Stampin' Write - to squiggle in little trees and straighten any whoopsies.
11. Time to assemble! First adhere the background painting and Night of Navy strip to the front of the card. Trim any excess paper off the sides.
12. Second, affix the sentiment strip. The sentiment in the card below actually covers up a whoopsie...placement is a happy accident sometimes.
13. Lastly, arrange the heron, lilypads and rushes as you like.

Hopefully the watercolour painting wasn't too taxing. Another way to make this card extra special is to use Shimmery White Paper. This coated paper will add a touch of luxury and sparkle as well as hold water a little better. There's lots of room to experiment with this design. You could try adding the heron on some layered vertical rectangles to make it stand out. Whatever you make - always make it yours :-)

Alternate version - click for larger

Sunday Sketch - January Stamping Project

Since I always post my projects at the end of the month, I decided to share the sketch for them at the beginning of the month. Check back in a couple of weeks to see how the sketch becomes reality. This idea contains a few elements that were easier to stamp out than sketch out.

October Stamping Project - Take Your Pick Tool Sipcase

October's project is a little different! It's easy to forget that papercraft is more than just cards :)

I learned from one of my team mates that it is totally a thing to make a box for your Take Your Pick Tool as the original box is quite flimsy. You can find the instructions on Old Stables Crafts. I took a different approach and made a slipcase for the box.

This is where the minute measurements of the Simply Scored board really shined.

I measured a sheet of Berry Burst cardstock against the box and carefully scored everywhere I wanted a fold. I wasn't sure how much paper I would need, so I trimmed the excess off.

Then, for the top, I personalized it with a scrap piece of Whisper White cardstock using the Petal Palette stamp set and 2017-2019 In-Color inks. Admittedly I printed out my name because it was too intimidating to stamp it out!

As for the Take Your Pick Tool itself, I love it. I love that the spatula can help you pop up any whoopsies that have been stuck down. The putty tips take the frustration out of affixing small details and it's easier to hold the bigger stylus than the one that comes with the Simply Scored board.

June Update

Whoops, ran out of month again! There were many good reasons, I assure you! First of all, my mom and I went on our first vacation together in many years. We went to the lovely Okanagan region of British Columbia and enjoyed a week there.

For some reason, I always end up watching home and garden shows on vacation. Perhaps we watched a few too many because soon I couldn't wait to get back and rearrange the basement. As it happened, there was an unplanned opportunity to do so! Let's call the unplanned opportunity a leaky water line.

Once I realized all the potential, my husband and I set to work on cleaning OUT the basement. It didn't seem like a lot of stuff...until we found ourselves marking multiple trips to the recycling depot. Knowing that I would have the basement of my dreams motivated me as we tossed, sorted, cleaned and scratched our heads at some of the stuff we found. Stay tuned! I took some before pictures.

I am working on a team swap, but working on the basement was exhausting. Things downstairs moved upstairs and I tried not to pack too much of my stamping stuff away. I managed to break down the cards into steps and hope to finish them this weekend for the next team meeting. Here's a sneak peek - it took forever to fussy cut all the little birds!

Whew! June flew by pretty fast. I did order a lot of the new products. May can be a scary time for a demonstrator because you want the new stamps, but there may be some things from the previous year that you want too. I'm really in love with the Tea Room suite, especially the set of cards. These are perfect for scrapbooking or quick makes when you need one. I don't believe it, but I forgot to order the stamps and die set despite ordering the paper...ah well! It happens :-)

Wish me luck with my reno - I'll need it! The result will be worth it.

February Stamping Project: Lovely Swan Centrepiece or Decoration

LOL you may have expected a Valentine’s Day card or project this month, but instead I present a project that is just as full of romance and love as any card. When I saw that display stampers were wanted for for OnStage, I literally jumped at the opportunity to apply. And I had to jump because I only had a few things that qualified for the three cards, one scrapbook page and two 3-D objects.

This idea materialized somehow except that I was lying in bed thinking about it and had to get out of bed to quickly sketch it before I forgot. When the Lovely Swan stamp set appeared in last year’s Occasions catalog, I knew I had to order it not just because it featured a bird - but because it looked so versatile for any card that needed a touch of flowers or nature. I will get around to updating this post with some instructions and a supply list - I didn't really keep track of how I made it!

Click image for larger

February Stamping Project: Best Birds Happy Birthday Greeting Card

 

My February project is a card that I made for a team swap back in October. It's a really fun card that stamps up quickly - you can stamp a stack and have birthday or congratulations card for a year's worth of celebrations.

Supply list for 16 cards

• Crumb Cake cardstock (8 8.5x11" sheets) for card bases
• Pink Pirouette cardstock (1.25 12x12" sheets from Subtles collection pack) for flowers
• Very Vanilla cardstock (1.5 8.5x11" sheets) for birds and tags
• Tip Top Taupe cardstock (1 8x11.5" sheet) for branches
• Birds and Blooms thinlits dies
• Flower Fair thinlits dies
• Crumb Cake and Tip Top Taupe inks
• Best Birds stamp set

How I made the cards:

1. Score each sheet of Crumb Cake before cutting in half to make two 4.25x5.5” card bases. Don’t fold the cards.
2. Stamp all over the front of the card with the background stamp using Crumbcake ink.
3. Stamp the inside bottom right of the card with the left facing (male) sparrow from Best Birds using Tip Top Taupe ink.
4. Use the large flower and smaller flower from the Flower Fair die set to die cut the large and small flowers for the front from Pink Pirouette paper. Here’s a tip - draw a grid pattern on the 12x12” sheet to make best use of your paper to cut the big flowers. Use the scraps from in-between to cut the small flowers.
5. Stamp 16 branches with Tip Top Taupe ink on Tip Top Taupe paper and die cut.
6. Stamp 16 right facing birds with Tip Top Taupe ink on Very Vanilla paper and die cut.
7. Assemble the bird, branch and flowers before sticking down to front of card. My tip - assemble one and then place a sheet of wax or parchment paper over it to use as a guide for the other pieces so they are all spaced the same.
8. Divide a sheet of Very Vanilla into 1.5x4.25" pieces for tags.
9. Stamp the desired greeting with Tip Top Taupe towards the right side of the edge of the tag.
10. Using a craft knife and ruler or Stampin’ Trimmer, cut out the tags. You can fussy cut the banner tail or use a hexagon punch.
11. Adhere the tags to the front of the card, fold in half and it’s ready to give!

Click for larger size!

I find that I use the Best Birds set a lot - you won't go wrong with purchasing this set for your Stampin' Up collection!