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?

Simple Tag Topper Tags

When wrapping Christmas and Birthday presents, I tend to use tissue paper to wrap them. A few years ago, I bought some gorgeous tissue paper in Paperchase one was purple (like Gorgeous Grape) and ones was green (it is very close Shaded Spruce.) My last birthday tags were inspired by the Gorgeous Grape tissue papers. This project was made to use with the Shaded Spruce tissue paper. Heat embossing is a perfect way to create easy tags which look super easy and wow people who think that they are gorgeous and complicated to make.

Measurements-

Metric

Shaded Spruce and Basic White - 5cm x 10.5cm

Imperial

Shaded Spruce and Basic White - Just under 2 inches x 4 inches

The measurement of just under 2 inches will ensure that the card fits in to the tag topper. Please do not add more than one piece of card in the tag topper punch as it will damage the punch.

The video below shows how I made the tags.

The tags can work in any colour, the picture below shows Highland Heather and Silver or Night of Navy and silver. It depends on whether you want a traditional or non traditional colour scheme for wrapping. I used the co-ordinating ink to the card stock, if you don’t have the same colour in ink, you could use any complimentary colour. Also you could use any ribbon that you have in your stash.

I love the Shaded Spruce tag but I think that the Highland Heather will look gorgeous on some white tissue paper with silver spots that I found in Home Bargains. What will your colour scheme be?

Clean and Simple Masculine Cards

I have lots of birthdays coming up, it isn’t just ladies that I need to make cards for. I have a number of masculine cards which I need to make. I have spent the weekend with my nieces which was super fabulous but has limited my time in the craft room. I have had limited time to craft so wanted some quick easy cards with minimal supplies.

These are some cards which I made in my last video on ways to use large ink pads video. I have used the same colours Misty Moonlight, Just Jade and Gray Granite and stamped dots using the end of a pencil. You could use anything to create the circles, others have used finger daubers or the ends of pens.

Measurements:

My Metric

10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (10.5 by 29cm scored at 14.5cm)

Inside White Panel - 10cm x 14cm

Metric

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

Inside White Panel - 10cm x 14.3cm

Imperial

4." x 5.75" (4” by full length scored at 5.75”)

Inside White Panel - 3.75” x 5.5”

This is another card where you can choose your own colours and materials to stamp with. I love this colour way but would love to play with more colours. What colours would you love to play with?

How I use Large Ink Pads

Are you new to Stampin’ Up! ink pads, or would you like to find out other ways to use your large ink pads. Over the years that I have been creating cards and items, I've fallen in love with the Stampin’ Up! inks and colours. If you're looking for high quality ink pads with gorgeous colour options (bonus being that they co-ordinate with the paper, pens and embellishments), these ink pads are for you. All the cards on this page were made using different techniques and the large Stampin’ Up! ink pads. There are a number of ways that they can be used.

There are different ways you can use large ink pads. These are a few:

Stamping- using the ink pad to ink up stamps, large ink pads make it super easy to ink up large backgroun stamps.

Stamping with blocks - either with or without water (look out for a future video on ways to use blocks for stamping.

Stamping with other items - geli plates or other items such as Stampin’ Marker lids or the end of pencils.

Creating you own embossing colours - using Versa mark and the ink pad with embossing powder to create you own coloured embossing (stamp in the Versa Mark first then add the ink, this prevents adding colour to the Versa mark pad.)

Adding colour- their are a number of ways to add colour to your cards, using Wink of Stella, Water Pens or blender pens.

The video below shows the different ways I use the ink pads and the cards I have made.

Look out over the next few weeks for more in-depth videos on how to use your ink pads. I am super excited about sharing different ways to stamp with blocks, it is one of my favourite techniques, what is yours?

Host Pattern Party Overview

One of my favourite Designer Series Paper packs in the new catalogue is the Pattern Party DSP. Rather than finding it in the DSP section it is in the host rewards section of the catalogue as it is a paper which you can earn but can not buy directly.

I love the bright random patterns on one side and love love love the monochrome on the reverse. Also as it is 12x12 paper there and multiple ways this can be used, for scrapbooking, card making, home décor, or 3D items. The monochrome side is perfect for random colouring (eg with blending brushes Stampin’ Write markers or blends) to create different looking looks.

The DSP is a host reward called Pattern Party, which can only be ordered using Stampin’ Rewards.

What are Stampin’ Rewards? Stampin’ Rewards can only be earned by an order from a party or an individual that is £150+ (before postage). If your Stampin’ Up! party sales reach between £150 and £274.99, the hostess of the party / individual will receive 10% of that total to spend for free

The video below gives an overview of the paper and the colours it contains.

I am loving the options and versatility of this paper pack, I cant wait to get back in to the craft room and start playing.