ThePowerOfACard

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

It's Time for Some Sunshine Vibes!

Now that summer has arrived (with a vengeance and a massive heat wave!), I decided to feature items from the Boho Vibes Suite. The suite has the Sunshine Vibes stamp/die bundle, the Boho Vibes Designer Series Paper (DSP), and the Muted Palette Dots. While many of my cards feature the DSP from this suite, I have quite a few cards with different color schemes, and have even paired the dies with some other products so you can see just how versatile this set is.

There are eleven stamps and eleven dies in the bundle. The DSP is not in your typical rainbow colors - Cajun Craze, Cloud Cover, Daffodil Delight, Mossy Meadow, Petal Pink and Secret Sea. While you might find these colors a bit different, give them a chance because I found they are fun! I especially love this paper for making masculine cards.

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Thick Basic White 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; Basic White 3-1/2" x 4-3/4", 1/2" x 2"; Strawberry Slush 3-5/8" x 4-7/8"; Florals in Bloom DSP 3" x 4"
Bundle: Sunshine Vibes
Inks: Strawberry Slush and Daffodil Delight
Stampin' Blends: Strawberry Slush, Peach Pie, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green and Shy Shamrock
Ribbon: Baker's Twine Essentials (white) 14"
Adhesive and Tools

The card I make in the video is super easy to make! My sample shown at the beginning was made with the Boho Vibes DSP and I paired it with Basic Beige for a warmer feel. I decided to demonstrate the same layout with bright colors and different DSP. Start by folding your card base in half and creasing the fold with a bone folder. From the white panel, cut out the rainbow about 1/4" from the bottom. Keep the bands of the rainbow as we will use them later.

Stamp the sun and its rays in Daffodil Delight. Add the floral piece of DSP behind the openings of the rainbow, then adhere this panel to the Strawberry Slush cardstock. Pop this up with Dimensionals onto the card front. Stamp the sentiment in Strawberry Slush on the 1/2" strip of white and flag the end. Place one Dimensional on the end and adhere this where the sun and rainbow meet. Double the Baker's Twine, tie a small bow and adhere it to the tag with a Mini Glue Dot.

Color the five bands of the rainbow with Stampin' Blends. I find that the brush tip works great for getting even coverage. I also ran the marker on the inner and outer edges so I didn't have any white showing. Now comes the fun part! Put your bands on your table and position them just like they should be. Place a sticky note over them so you can pick them all up at once. You will be cutting them in half, so it's also helpful to have a second sticky note on the other side. I positioned the first one near the half way mark to make cutting them easier. After cutting, add glue to the bands and stick them down on the inside of your card and envelope corner. By having them attached to the sticky notes, it's easy to get them placed!

For my first sample, I went with the traditional rainbow colors. I didn't want purple to be forgotten, so I used Gorgeous Grape to mat the sentiment. The Basic Black card base has a layer that was embossed with the Exposed Brick embossing folder - it's a subtle texture that shows up much better in real life. I really love how the colors (Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green and Blueberry Bushel) pop with the black and white.

My next two cards feature the Boho Vibes DSP. The white rainbow done in the "fancy" bands look great on the paper, which is matted with Secret Sea. The Faux Linen Ribbon tied in a knot and simple little sentiment lends a very classic look to this fun rainbow card. The second one pairs several papers from the pack and Cajun Craze for a cheerful get well card. The Feel Better Soon sentiment is from Unbounded Love.

There are lots of smaller stamps in this set that are great for making patterned strips to use in the background. I chose Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Azure Afternoon and Lemon Lime Twist to stamp on 3/4" strips of white. The label is from Nested Essentials. I cut the smallest band out of white (there are two different versions of this smallest size) and used a Blending brush (and sticky notes) to add the same colors. The little black star is popped up to tie it together.

I totally switch gears with this next one! I stamped the leaves in Granny Apple Green and Lemon Lime Twist on white and fussy cut them out. The label is cut on Secret Sea with the Spotlight on Nature dies. After embossing my sentiment in white, I added the two leaves and embellished with the Holographic Resin Dots. My card base is 4-1/4" x 11" Thick White, scored at 2-3/4" from each end so it opens from the middle. I added a piece of the 2025-2027 In Color 6" x 6" DSP (almost looks like a belly band) and adhered the circle just to the left side of the card with Dimensionals. I used Unbounded Love for my Best of Luck sentiment.

Another bundle I recently received was Notes & Totes and I thought that some rainbow stripes would look adorable on a beach bag - I was right! I cut the rainbow in Pumpkin Pie, Timid Tiger and Peach Pie and adhered them to a tote of Crumb Cake. I used a blending brush to add a deeper shade for my bag handles. I love how you can use the hearts from making the glasses too - such a cute touch. Wouldn't this make a fabulous retirement card?

As I was using the vines from the rainbow, I wondered if they would fit with the modern oval die from Impressions Abloom. Turns out, they do! I used Adhesive Sheets and cut out two of each and added them to the white oval. I used the Brights 6" x 6" DSP as my background. Before adding the oval on top, I was able to fussy cut out five of the flowers and nobody can tell! I added them where the vines meet, then added a thin mat of Granny Apple Green. My sentiments are from Pattern of Friendship.

My last card also pairs another die - Everyday Arches. My DSP is a new Online Exclusive pack called Floral Charm - it will be released in July (along with the Charming Day Bundle - oh so pretty!). I cut the rainbow at the top of the arch on a gorgeous floral pattern. I embossed my sentiment (using only Sending from one sentiment and adding Thanks below it) in white on a strip of the DSP (the reverse side). Then I added two thin strips of torn Peach Pie paper to this piece and cut it with the same die. This allowed me to align it the dots on the arch. I then added this to the Mossy Meadow card base. Lastly, I popped up the bands of the rainbow back into place with strips of Dimensionals (the edges work great for this), which gives it the eclipse look.

Whew, that was a lot of card samples! You've got lots of ideas to try and whether you like the traditional ROYGBIV color scheme or some funky alternatives, the Sunshine Vibes is sure to add some fun to your card making projects this summer!

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

Etsy Shop: The Power of a Card

Shop my Store!

https://ThePowerOfACard.blogspot.com

Images Copyright Stampin’ Up!®

Find me on Facebook - The Power of a Card or

Join my Facebook Group (The Power of a Cardmaker): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1042676296088278/?ref=share

The new rewards program is here! For any purchase above $20, you will earn 10% in rewards to spend on a future purchase. And you don’t have to use them all at once as you can save up rewards to get something big for free! If you don’t have an on-line account with me as your demonstrator, please go to my store and get one.

Product List

Sunshine Vibes Bundle (English)

[165152]

$43.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

[159229]

$17.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Strawberry Slush 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[165625]

$14.00

Florals In Bloom 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[165175]

$12.50

Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad

[165286]

$9.00

Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad

[147094]

$9.00

Baker's Twine Essentials Pack

[155475]

$11.00

Mini Glue Dots

[103683]

$7.25

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$6.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$28.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

The Amazing Extraordinary Flora Bundle

The Extraordinary Flora Bundle is such an amazing die and stamp set, especially when paired with the Extraordinary Flora Washi tape! The stamp set has one large stamp with sixteen flowers and leaves, plus four other stamps (three sentiments and dashed lines). The die will cut out all the flowers/leaves with one pass and it's small enough to fit in the Mini Sampin' Cut & Emboss machine! The Washi tape has flowers/leaves in two different color palettes - one with pinks and purples and the other in corals and reds. As soon as I started using these products, I was hooked - I think you will be too!

When applying the washi tape to cardstock, you will need about 3-1/4" x 5-1/2", but as I show in the video, I used a 3-1/2" x 11" piece of Basic White and added two "sections" at the same time. I like having a little extra room when I'm working with such a long piece. When I first started playing with it, I only put it on white. Then I tried it on light colored Two-Tone cardstock (I show Pool Party and Darling Duckling in the video), but you could try Very Vanilla, Bubble Bath, Lemon Lolly, Soft Sea Foam... well, you get the picture!

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Pool Party 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; Basic White 4" x 5-1/4"; Subtles 6" x 6" DSP (Pool Party pattern) 4" x 5-1/4"; Pool Party Two Tone Cardstock 3-1/4" x 5-1/2"
Bundle: Extraordinary Flora (and the Extraordinary Flora Washi Tape)
Stamp: Layers of Beauty
Inks: Pretty Peacock and Pool Party
Embellishment: Iridescent Pearls Basic Jewels
Adhesive and Tools

Adhere the washi tape (the pinks/purples segment) to the Pool Party Two-Tone cardstock, and cut out with the die. Arrange the flowers and leaves along the left side of the Subtles DSP. Feel free to play and move pieces around until you get the arrangement you like. Then start adhering the pieces - I found it easiest to use Mini Glue Dots and just set them down without pressing too hard so that they could be moved if necessary. For the three individual flowers, I used Mini Dimensionals to add these and give more lift to the swag. Once the greenery is in place, stamp the anniversary sentiment in Pretty Peacock, then add this to the card base which has been folded in half and pressed with the bone folder.

For the inside of the card, stamp the interior sentiment in Pool Party ink and decorate the corner with a few more flowers. Adhere this panel with glue and add a few pearls to the card front. I added some more flowers to the corner of the envelope too - just make sure you spread the glue all over the back so it won't come off when it goes through the postal machines. My second card with this layout was done on Basic White and paired with Fresh Freesia (I said Highland Heather in the video, but the that was only ink color of the Happy Anniversary) - which version do you like better?

My next card was done on Darling Duckling Two-Tone cardstock. I was a little worried that it would be too dark, but it wasn't! I cut two ovals from the Framed Scenes dies and made a spray of flowers on the top above my sympathy sentiment (from Unbounded Love). For the backdrop, I used the Glass & Gardens embossing folder on a piece of Darling Duckling. Then I fussy cut the edge to make a stunning border against the white card base. I think the final card turned out perfectly and I love the warmth of the colors together!

For my next one, I just stamped the flowers/leaves in Secret Sea on white. I used my Wink of Stella to add a little sparkle to the flowers. If you do this soon after stamping, you'll pick up a tiny bit of the ink and get a hint of blue in the petals. I used the Stylish Shapes to cut out a circle, which was placed on a panel of Secret Sea that was embossed with the Glass & Gardens in the center. I popped up the sentiment and completed the inside with Congratulations and a few more flowers. What a lovely wedding card!

My flowers for this card were stamped in black and a few were colored with Stampin' Blends. I used the two smallest squares from Stylish Shapes to cut squares in Basic Black and Highland Heather, alternating the arrangement. I added a small mat of Basic White on the smallest die cut square before adding them on point with the larger square. Before adding them to the white panel, I embossed some diagonal lines using a score board and my Take Your Pick tool. My sentiments are from Blooming Phrases and The Right Words.

More coloring with Blends on this card! I used a background of the Mixed Media Florals DSP and another square from the Stylish Shapes, set on point the middle. I embossed my sentiment from Wonderful Thoughts in white on the black square. I arranged two sprays of flowers top and bottom and finished off with more of the Iridescent pearls.

This next card is one of my favorites! It is so simple in design, yet so stunning. I embossed a diagonal panel of Strawberry Slush with the Exposed Brick embossing folder and adhered it to my card base. Then I punched out a circle, stamped "for you" and added a small spray of flowers. The Strawberry Slush and Pretty in Pink Gems add the final touch. The sentiments are from Tags of Thanks and Simply Said. I liked this one so much that is is one of the cards in my monthly card class.

The natural curve of the flowers and leaves really fit so nicely as sprays around circles and here is another example. I cut a circle out of the beautiful Irresistible Designs Specialty DSP and matted it with Strawberry Slush. The embossed pattern on that paper is subtle and might be hard to see, but is leaves on a vine. The Greetings for All Mix & Match Ephemera pack (a wonderful source of a variety of sentiments) provided my sentiment and was placed in the middle of the opening and the flowers were added to surround it.

I'm finishing up my samples with one last circle - this time it's cut from DSP (Floral Impressions) instead of plain cardstock. I used the other embossing folder from the Glass & Gardens pack to emboss the white panel. I stamped my Congratulations on a strip of white, then cut it out with the same die (Stylish Shapes) so that it would have the stitching along the edge to align with the circle. I glued this down before adding my spray of flowers.

I have made lots and lots of flowers and there are still so many left on the roll! I keep the extra ones in a plastic folder that the die came in to use later. You'll be able to get so much enjoyment from this bundle and I hope you love it as much as I do!

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

Etsy Shop: The Power of a Card

Shop my Store!

https://ThePowerOfACard.blogspot.com

Images Copyright Stampin’ Up!®

Find me on Facebook - The Power of a Card or

Join my Facebook Group (The Power of a Cardmaker): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1042676296088278/?ref=share

Product List

Extraordinary Flora Bundle (English)

[165245]

$43.00

Extraordinary Flora Washi Tape

[165269]

$15.00

Layers Of Beauty Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[163514]

$20.00

Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[122924]

$14.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Pool Party 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Two Tone Cardstock

[166691]

$10.00

Subtles 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[165306]

$12.50

Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad

[150083]

$9.00

Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad

[147107]

$9.00

Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels

[158987]

$7.50

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Mini Glue Dots

[103683]

$7.25

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$6.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$28.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Graduation Card with Encircled with Love

Graduation season is upon us! In my video today, I am making a simple graduation card that has a holder for a gift card or cash. I am using the Encircled with Love stamp set, a new one from the Annual Catalog. It is reasonably priced and has a good variety of sentiments, making it a great addition to your stamp collection.

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Crumb Cake 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", Basic White (2) 4" x 5-1/4", 4-1/4" x 2", scored on three sides at 1/4", scrap to cut a 2" circle; Regals 6" x 6" DSP (Blueberry Bushel pattern) 4" x 3-3/4"; Blueberry Bushel 1/4" x 5-1/4"
Stamps: Encircled with Love, Sunrise Sailing, Choose Happy
Ink: Blueberry Bushel
Punch: 2" Circle
Adhesive and Tools

Fold the card base in half and crease with the bone folder. For the DSP, I cut my piece at 4" and then at an angle. This will leave you with another piece for the next card and all you need to do is trim off some from the end. Add this to one of the pieces of large basic white. Add a little glue next to the DSP and add the strip of Blueberry Bushel paper so that it meets the DSP. Trim with your snips.

On the scrap of Basic White, stamp the Way to Go sentiment in Blueberry Bushel. Use the circle punch to cut it out, then pop it up on the card front with Dimensionals. Add a few stars from the Choose Happy stamp set. (While I had the stamp out, I also stamped the stars down the left side of my envelope.) Add this panel to the front of the card.

To make the gift card holder, score the smaller rectangle of Basic White at 1/4" on both sides and the bottom. With your snips, cut at an angle to the point where the score lines meet, them pivot a bit before completing the cut. As I show, this will leave the tiniest of space when the flaps are folded back, making the corner perfect. Before adding the gift card holder, stamp the A Little Something for You sentiment. Fold all the flaps to the back, add glue to the flaps and adhere to the inside front side of the card.

Finish the card by stamping the Congratulations sentiment to the remaining piece of Basic White. Add a few more stars and adhere to the inside of the card. This card would be super easy to make in the school colors of your graduate!

My first sample features new In Colors and a new DSP called Boho Vibes. My card base is Cloud Cover and I paired it with Cajun Craze and Secret Sea to coordinate with the DSP. I also used a little of the Faux Linen Ribbon to accent my circle. The strip of Cajun Craze is embossed with the Exposed Brick embossing folder and the inside sentiments are from The Right Words.

My next card is all about circles! I stamped my Thank You sentiment in Granny Apple Green. I cut a little larger circle from Lemon Lime Twist and embossed it with Soft Waves embossing folder. The largest circle is from Irresistible Designs 12" Specialty DSP. This is gorgeous paper that is embossed white on white in three different patterns. When I used a blending brush on top of it, the design really pops! The ribbon is knotted around a piece of Granny Apple Green. After the circles were adhered, I added a few Holographic Resin Dots.

If you haven't noticed, I really love using Basic Black for card bases because I love how the colors pop! I used a strip of the same DSP I used in the video, but this time in Pumpkin Pie. I added two tiny strips of Pumpkin Pie on either side and under my Happy Birthday Wishes circle. For the inside, I added a little more of the DSP and a greeting from Hooray for Surprises.

My next card goes back to the Boho Vibes DSP and Secret Sea (both card base and ribbon). I stamped my sentiment in Darling Duckling (another new In Color) and the inside has a sentiment from The Right Words. You can't get much easier than this one!

The With Love stamp is stamped with Strawberry Slush (yet another new In Color) and matted with a larger circle of the same color. I used the Mini Corrugated embossing folder on a piece of Pretty in Pink, then added a strip of the Floral Impressions DSP on the left. The bow is from the Faux Linen ribbon (available in all five In Colors) and the embellishments are Strawberry Slush and Pretty in Pink Gems. The Right Words (isn't this such a versatile stamp set?) and a fussy cut flower adorn the inside.

My last one is the only card where I'm not using circles! I used the Perennial Postage Dies to stamp three of the flowers (only the center one with the word Sorry). The strip of DSP is from Florals in Bloom and it is adhered to the panel of Summer Splash. I tied a bow with the white from the Baker's Twine Essentials. The inside sentiment is from The Right Words and I added another piece of DSP. I think I forgot to mention in the video, but I did add Wink of Stella to the flowers.