Card Art by Helen

Well Suited Card Tutorial

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Well Suited Suite

Fear not my creative friends! The Well Suited Suite is here, and it's the perfect solution we've been searching to find for those hard-to-create masculine cards. This suite is ideal for masculine birthdays, Father's day, and a few more unexpected uses, too.

The Handsomely Suited stamp set has a combination greetings and images that are great as focal images, accents, or stamped backgrounds. The Suit & Tie Dies take this bundle over the top with dies that coordinate with the stamps and a whole set of pieces to mix n' match to create shirts, vests, or suit jackets. Pair the stamps and dies with the handsome patterns of the Well Suited Designer Series Paper and you have a top-notch combination.

Obviously, the shirts and suits you'll build with this set are going to be a hit, but what about using the suit dies with Basic White to create a lab coat, or with Mint Macaron to create scrubs as a thank you to nurses and doctors. Or in the colours of police, fire, or military uniforms? Or create wedding cards with black tuxedos and move the "V" of the jacket dies up to create a V-neck wedding dress with embossed Basic White cardstock and Pearl Jewel details.

The possibilities really are endless. I look forward to seeing what you create with this unique set!

The tutorial below creates layers of texture with stamped images, a popped-up frame technique, twine, and stamped Designer Series Paper.
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Well Suited Popped-Out Frame Card

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Well Suited Popped-Out Frame Card

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Cut Night of Navy cardstock to 5-1/2" x 8-1/2". Score at 4-1/4" along the 8-1/2" side. Cut a Night of Navy cardstock to 5-1/2" x 4-1/4". Cut Basic White cardstock to 4" x 5-1/4" and adhere inside the card as a writing surface.

2) Stamp tie image from Handsomely Suited stamp set across the Night of Navy 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" cardstock with Night of Navy ink. Rotate the image 180 degrees each time. You can start in the center and work out or start at one edge and work your way across the card.

3) Use the 4-5/16" x 3" Stitched Rectangle die to die cut a rectangle from the center of the stamped cardstock. This die created stitching on either side of the die cut rectangle.

4) Adhere the outer die cut frame to the card front with Stampin' SEAL. Wrap about 30" of the Night of Navy twine from the Well Suited Twine Combo Pack around the die cut rectangle about 5-6 times. Adhere or knot the ends on the back of the cardstock. Adhere inside the coordinating frame, like a puzzle piece, but popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.

5) Cut striped Well Suited Designer Series Paper to 2-3/4" x 2-1/4". Adhere centered on the card front with Stampin' SEAL or Stampin' Dimensionals.

6) Stamp greeting on scrap Basic White cardstock with Basic Gray ink. Die cut greeting with die from the Tasteful Labels Dies. Adhere to card front with Stampin' SEAL.

7) Stamp bow tie image on paisley Well Suited Designer Series Paper using Basic Gray ink. Die cut with coordinating die from the Suit & Tie Dies. Adhere to bottom of label with Stampin' SEAL or Stampin' Dimensionals.

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March Color Inspiration

Friday, March 26, 2021

Time is springing forward and that means it's the perfect time to plant the seeds of creativity in your life!

A little creative time leads to happier days and sharing the cards and gifts you create help smiles and friendships bloom. Whether you set flight with the Butterfly Brilliance pre-release special, flock to fun with the Hey Chick Bundle, or take the traditional route with springtime florals we've got the tools and inspiration to make your creativity blossom!

This month's Colour Inspiration projects take two very different approaches to floral designs. I think you'll find both the colours and the projects perfect for Spring!

Terracotta Tile

Pretty Peacock

Coastal Cabana

Spring is here which means colours will be blooming all around, including new In Colours coming soon! It seems like the perfect time to celebrate a last hurrah for some of our outgoing 2019-2021 In Colours. Pretty Peacock and Terracotta Tile are colours you'll want to have in your creative collection. They span the seasons and can go from vibrant to natural depending what they are paired with.

The first sample is a bold and stunning matchbox style box. It's fast to create with the Love You Always Treat Boxes that are useful for much more than just Valentine's treats. The great thing about these boxes is that they are a nice medium-size and just need to be folded for assembly, no adhesive required! The Art Gallery two-step stamp set makes a simple and beautiful design great for birthdays, weddings, and so much more. The Terracotta Tile 1/2" Scalloped Linen Ribbon adds the perfect finishing touch.

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The second sample is a card with a cool retro vibe. This card has an unexpected combination of the Dragonfly Garden stamp set with the scalloped Terracotta Tile paper from the Ice Cream Corner Designer Series Paper. The diagonal cardstock stripes and the subtle ombre effect on the stamped image created using the Blending Brushes create a vintage look.

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Last Chance Products Sale

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Hello Stampers; Stampin' Up! has just released the list of retiring products and many Last Chance Products are on sale! Now is the time to get those last items off your wish list ordered before they are gone. My Top 5 Retirement List Tips: 1) In Colors: All 2019-2021 In Color inks, paper, and embellishments are retiring. These items usually sell out quickly so don't forget to add ink refills and extra cardstock for your craft stash. You don't want to miss having these gorgeous colours in your collection! 2) Stamps vs. Accessories: Retiring stamps are available through May 3rd. All other retiring items such as; bundles, paper, embellishments, dies are only available while supplies last, so you don't want to wait and miss out. 3) Bundles: Bundles, with their 10% savings, all retire! Even if the bundle items carryover to the next catalogue the discount does not so save on bundles while you can. Bundles are only available while supplies last. 4) Online Ordering: Your best bet for grabbing items before they sell out is to order online! I'm always happy to help and place orders for you, but the delay could mean items you want won't be available. 5) Host Rewards: Exclusive Host Reward stamp sets also retire. If your order qualifies for host rewards, you may want to select those stamps. You can also apply your Host Rewards to the cost of your Starter Kit. When you join between April 1 and May 3 you get early access to add new 2021-2022 Annual Catalogue preorder items in your Starter Kit! Sincerely,
Helen

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So Cool Paper Pumpkin

Monday, March 22, 2021

Stampin' Up! Paper Pumpkin - Kits in the Mail

Paper Pumpkin - Paper Crafting Kits in the Mail

The So Cool Paper Pumpkin Kit is a little taste of summer fun, with enough supplies to make 12 shaped cards with coordinating envelopes. Six card bases are popsicle shaped, the other six are semicircles: three watermelons and three rainbows.

The kit also includes two full-size, matching sticker sheets, die-cut accents, fun embellishments, and more as well as it coordinates with the Ice Cream Corner Suite for more project fun.

The kit’s exclusive So Cool Stamp Set is versatile, offering sentiments that can be used for multiple occasions such as birthdays, congrats, cheer, and more! It’s a great addition to any crafter’s collection.

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Get Creative each Month
Your first kit comes with a FREE, clear stamping block. The box you receive each month contains all the materials you need to craft with ease, from adhesive to precut paper. All you need to do is follow the crafting instructions and assemble the pieces to create a Stampin' Up! card or project. Feel free to let your creativity flow and personalize your Paper Pumpkin craft!

Design
Envelope size: 4-1/2

Project Type
Kit includes enough supplies to make 12 fresh, fun-shaped cards—6 popsicles and 6 blank semicircles to color—and coordinating envelopes. Kit includes card bases, 2 full sticker sheets, decorative die-cut pieces, embellishments, and more.

Coordinating Colours
Blackberry Bliss, Bermuda Bay, Bumblebee, Cinnamon Cider, Old Olive, Terracotta Tile

Sneak a Peek at this Paper Pumpkin Kit

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Subscribe to Paper Pumpkin before April 10th.

March Tutorial - Snail Mail!

Friday, March 19, 2021

The Snail Mail Suite is the perfect way to add a little whimsey to your day and to your mail. It's a fun way to unplug, slow down, and share that old-fashioned "You've got mail" feeling with a friend! It's also featured in this month's tutorial so you and I can both say "You snailed it!"

Let's shake off the blues, bash quarantine boredom, and add a bit of playfulness and whimsey to our days with the Snail Mail Suite! These adorable characters are sure to send a smile near and far.

I love that the coordinating dies work with both the stamp images and images in the Designer Series Paper. That means I can take my artistic time and colour or go the quick route with pre-coloured images from the paper. This surprise inside this card will delight anyone that opens it, so let's get creative!

1. Card Layers

Cut Thick Basic White cardstock to 5-1/2" x 8-1/2". Score at 4-1/4" along 8-1/2" side. Layer 4" x 5-1/4" Real Red cardstock and 3-3/4" x 5" Snail Mail Designer Series Paper with Bermuda Bay stitched pattern on card front.

2. Die Cut

Die cut Basic White cardstock with the large postage stamp square die and small letter die (fits inside mini envelope) from the Snail Dies. Die cut snail image from Designer Series Paper or stamp the same snail image and die cut it, either way works great!

3. Die Cut Envelopes

Die cut mini stitched envelopes, one each, in Bermuda Bay, Real Red, and Daffodil Delight. Fold along score lines and burnish with a Bone Folder. Note one large flap is slightly taller than the other, the taller one is the top flap.

4. Stamp

Stamp "hello" from Snailed It stamp set onto top right corner of the die cut letter with Real Red ink. Adhere inside Bermuda Bay envelope so it overlaps onto the top flap.

5. Fold Envelopes

Use a strong adhesive like Stampin' SEAL+ or Tear & Tape to adhere the mini envelopes. Fold the two small side flaps in first and then add more adhesive and fold up the bottom flap. Add adhesive to the top flaps but don't close yet.

6. Add Snail

Adhere the large square die cut postage stamp to the card front near the top left corner. Cut an 18" piece of the Blushing Bride twine from Snail Mail Twine Combo Pack. Add Stampin' Dimensionals to the back of the die cut snail. Adhere one end of the twine behind the snail with the Stampin' Dimensionals.

7. Add Envelope

Use Stampin' Dimensionals or Stampin' SEAL+ to adhere the Real Red envelope to the bottom right corner of the card front. Loop the twine once and then lay it across the envelope. Fold and adhere envelope to hold twine in place.

8. Add Heart

Add a heart from the self-adhesive Resin Hearts to the Real Red envelope flap.

9. Add Inside Envelopes

Adhere Daffodil Delight envelope inside the card on the bottom left corner. Lay the twine over the envelope and close the flap. Lay the twine loosely across the open card and adhere to the top right corner with Stampin' SEAL+ or Tear & Tape. Cover end of twine with the Bermuda Bay envelope.