Sunday Sketch--Happy Birthday Card Swap

I'm really excited about this sketch. It's my first swap in a long time. Sometimes Stampin' Up! teams or crafting groups hold a swap and they're so fun--and sometimes challenging! Sometimes there's a theme and sometimes there's not.

The theme for this card swap was birthday with the only requirement that products from the 2024-2025 Annual Catalogue were used. My swaps are in the mail, so stay tuned for the cards I made and the ones I received 🙂

Stay tuned...

 

Flashback Friday--Dove of Hope Bundle

If you're like me, you have baggies of unfinished ideas or extras that never quite made it into a finished project. I started writing about these projects because, as we enter a new year, there's still value to them. Or, also "late for this year, early for next", as I like to say!

I don't even remember cranking out all the die cuts from SU's Dove of Hope Bundle, a unique set where the dies didn't completely match the stamps. All it took was a little Tombow, a little Wink of Stella and an afternoon to assemble them and a couple made it onto cards. Because of the Canada Post strike, I didn't make a full set of cards, but I think with some festive ribbon, the doves would make great ornaments too!

To complete the card, I cracked open a package of last year's O Holy Night DSP. Using up DSP will be another topic for another time, but I used one of the starry sheets with lots of sponging! It's hard to tell in the photo, but I sponged Night of Navy, Misty Moonlight and even a little Orchid Oasis ink around the edges. The effect toned done the whiteness of the stars and yes--you can sponge ink on dark papers for a vignette effect.

Until next time...

 

Let It Snow Christmas Card with Reindeer Fun

I'm always a little secretive with my Christmas cards because it's so hard to keep things a secret on social media. We just all want to share so bad and smartphones are super good at making it easy!

Now that the Canada Post strike is over, I just don't feel like sending out my Christmas cards, aw! Here's one that was waiting in the wings using Reindeer Fun and a Memories and More card from last year or the year before. Memories and More cards are so handy when you need a right-sized background...or foreground! You can't go wrong with having some holiday themed ones on hand for a quick card.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

 

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...

 

December Stampin' Up! News

December is a busy month for Stampin' Up! demonstrators. Not only do most of us have the January-April Mini Catalogues and new product on the way, the September-December Mini Catalogue Last Chance Products Sale is on starting December 3rd! It's always a good time to dust off those wish lists. It's also a good time to mention going forward that Stampin' Up! is making changes to how it retires products. I'll make another post about this since demonstrators have access December 3rd and I need to read up on it, but the Clearance Rack we know and love is being replaced by the Last Chance Products promotion.

As always, you can shop with me online or email me to place an order.

In other news, there's some beautiful new old DSP now available while supplies last! Whaaaaat? Three previously used designs have been refreshed with new colours and personally I can't wait to order a refreshed Serene Love package. These count as an Online Exclusive, which is where you'll find them on the website. Online Exclusives have no fixed retirementdate like Annual and Mini Catalogue items by the way--some may be available while supplies last and others may be replenished. date like the Annual and Mini Catalogues

Lastly, Sale-A-Bration starts January 7th, so mark those calendars!!!

Stay tuned...