Yippee-Skippee!

I had scraps of Designer Series Paper that were just too big to throw away. So I made this card. The little cupcake is from Another Great Year stamp set (retired) and fussy cut... meaning I used my Paper Snips (103579) to cut it out. Current stamp set suggestions:  Birthday Surprise (134120 c, 134117 w) or the little cake from Little Buddy Birthday stamp set (133863 c, 133860 w). I punched a heart using the Owl Builder Punch (118074)  and the 1" circle punch (119868) for the background to the cupcake. The sentiment is from Yippee-Skippee stamp set (131344 c, 131341 w). Other than the fussy cutting and coloring the cupcake liner (Many Marvelous Markers 131264 or more choices on pages 179-183 in the annual catalog) this card goes together really quickly. The ribbon is retired but check out all the current ribbons on page 206-207!

This week the theme is Birthdays!

I make and mail about 25 birthday cards a month. So many people tell me it is the only birthday card they receive in the mail. I think that is kind of sad! So, there's no way I am stopping this "ministry" - that's what a friend in Chicago calls it.
Here's a quick and easy masculine card using the Stylish Stripes textured embossing folder (132174). Embossing folders can be used with the Big Shot (113439) or the Texture Boutique Machine (132657) and are a quick way to take your cards to another level. I've also used the Bitty Banners (129267) framelit (have to have the Big Shot for the dies and framelits) and the coordinating Itty Bitty Banners stamp set (126257 c, 132022 w).
Other than those little touches and punched stars it's all about layers. Multiple layers give your cards more dimension.

Buried Treasure!

All of today's cards were made using one of Stampin' Up!'s Simply Scrappin' packs. I was rearranging some things in my stamping studio last week and discovered this unopened pack. Who knows how long I've had it! While they no longer make these packages the cards may give you some ideas for design layout and for using some of your stamp sets and papers. I've made some matching envelopes for two of the cards using the Envelope Liners framelits (132172). It's a fun way to take your cards to another level and to use your Designer Series Paper. 

I used the Trust God stamp set (126702 c, 132094 w) in the top two cards and the photopolymer Another Thank You stamp set (136835) on the bottom card. I've found it helps to use the Stampin' Pierce Mat (126199) as a base for stamping with the photopolymer stamps. It helps to get even pressure and ink coverage.  

The Flower Patch photopolymer stamp set and coordinating Flower Fair Framelits (Bundle 136788 saves you 15%) would make beautiful cards in these layouts along with the All Abloom Designer Series Paper Stack (133703). You get 48 (4-1/2" X 6-1/2") sheets in the stack (4 each of 12 double-sided designs). 

Or use the Beautiful Bunch stamp set (134282 c, 134279 w) and coordinating Fun Flower (133785), Petite Petals (133322), 1/2" circle (119869), 7/8" scallop circle (129404) punches. 

Tag Topper Punches

I have two cards to share today using the Tag Topper Punches. The first uses the Scalloped Tag Topper (133324) punch and then I used a square punch to notch the bottom of my tag. The sentiment comes from the Perfect Pennants stamp set (1332330 c, 133227 w).

The Make a Wish card was made using the Angled Tag Topper Punch (133323) and the Fringe Scissors (133325) for the lower edge. The sentiment is also from the Perfect Pennants stamp set (1332330 c, 133227 w).  I also used Starburst Sayings stamp set (133185 c, 133182) and coordinating Starburst framelits (132967). Ribbons are retired but there are so many pretty new ribbons in the catalog to choose from. Check them out on pages 206-207. Linen thread or Baker's Twine are great for using to secure the large ribbon. 

More Banner Cards

Since I used the Banners framelits in yesterday's card I decided to share a few other cards that I've made with banners.
This "Q" card uses the Banners framelit and the Star card using a square punch to create the banner.
For the "Q" card I centered a banner framelit on the largest piece of Designer Series Paper (cut to 5-1/4" by 4" here). Then I layered a coordinating piece of DSP under the cut out banner. The sentiment was stamped on Whisper White card stock and then cut using the smallest banner framelit. Quick and easy with the Big Shot (113439), Banners framelits (132173) and Magnetic Platform (130658).  The ribbon and DSP used here are retired but any of the new DSP packs would be pretty and I'd suggest using the new 1/4" cotton riboon or 1/2" seam binding (ribbons are on page 206-207 in the annual catalog) as the bow wouldn't be as bulky as in my card.

The star card was made using a square punch to notch the end of the strip of Designer Series Paper to make the banner. Then I used the DSP banner as a guide to cut the notches in the layers of card stock. The inside of the card has a 1/2" strip of glimmer paper (Silver 135314) layered along the bottom edge to add more sparkle. I used some retired star punches but the Stars framelits (133723) could be used. (CASE polkadotsand paper.com)
I think I'd use the current Confetti Celebration Designer Series Paper (133692) for the star card and Flowerpot (133698) for the other card but really any of the new papers would work.

Hexagon Hive Thinlit

Being a collector of all things bee, I had to have Stampin' Up!'s  Hexagon Hive Thinlit (132965)  the minute I first saw it. If you have this thinlit you can get very frustrated using it until you know the secret:  use a layer of wax paper (from your kitchen) between the thinlit and the card stock or paper you are cutting. Then the pieces just fall out neatly.
My cards today are

a CASE of Cindee Wilkinson.

Star card uses some retired star punches but the new Stars framelits would work. The sentiments are from a retired set but just about any sentiment you need could be substituted.
The flower card uses the Petite Petals stamp set (133155 c, 133152 w) and coordinating Petite Petals Punch (133322). I've used this stamp set and punch a lot. It's a really good investment!

Glue Dots (103683) and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430) lift the stars, flowers and banner off the card. The banner for the card was cut using my Big Shot (113439), Magnetic Platform (130658) and Banners framelits (132173).

Again, the background Designer Series Paper is retired but any of the new DSP would work. I really like the colors in the Sweet Taffy pack (133693) and the tiny patterns in the Flowerpot (133698) would work well with this card design.

Happy Together!

Okay, it's been a long time since I've posted on this blog. But one of my nieces has challenged me to post some of the cards I've been making.
So, here's today's card:

When Stampin' Up!'s new annual catalog came out earlier this summer I told myself I could not order any more Designer Series Paper until I had used up some of the packs I had. A pack of DSP paper goes a long way when making cards. So, I started to use some of the retired paper I had because I just had to have some of the new patterns in the new catalog. So, many pretty papers and colors.
This was some paper that was pretty but really plain so I pulled out the Chalk Talk framelit and some stamp sets and punches and got busy. (This is a CASE of a card I saw online but I can't find my source.) I will probably add some pearls (119247) to the center of the stamped scallops and the center of the three punched flowers before sending.
Since some of the supplies I used are retired I'll just suggest some current products that could be used to make a similar card.
Linen thread (104199)  to make the loops just like in the photo.
Designer Series Paper:  Park Lane (133694) could be used; pictured is a retired pattern
Card Stock: Night of Navy for card base, Whisper White for base and stamped pieces, Daffodil Delight and Cherry Cobbler
Ink:  Night of Navy for sentiment, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point and Cherry Cobbler for stamped images
Stamp Sets:  I used A Round Array (129090 c or 129087 w) for the Daffodil center on the large blue shape, A Dozen Thoughts (131059 c or 131056 w) for the sentiment, Other sets I used are retired (Vintage Labels and Mixed Medley for the blue and cherry scallops and Perfect Plaid for the design above the sentiment) Current sets that could be used: Polka-Dot Pieces (129708 c, 129705 w),  Daydream Medallions (126467 c, 131976 w) and coordinating Floral Frames framelits (127012) or switch the scallops to stars and use Be the Star stamp set (135734 c, 135731 w) and coordinating Stars framelits (133723) and for the design above the sentiment Work of Art (134114 c, 134111 w) or Draw the Line (133659 photopolymer)
Punches: 7/8" scallop circle (129404), 1-1/4" scallop circle (127811), 1-3/4" scallop circle (119854), Boho Blossoms (119858)
Big Shot (113439), Magnetic Platform (130658) and Chalk Talk Framelits (129983)