Criss Cross Cards Featuring Designer Series Paper

A few months ago, a friend of mine made a criss cross card and I thought it would be fun to do one too.  My first one was the same orientation as hers and I loved it because it was fun and different.  But then, I wondered how it would look in a vertical orientation - I liked that one too!  And then I did one that opened upward!  So many different options to showcase our beautiful Designer Series Paper.  Thank you Kelly Acheson for the inspiration!

Gather your supplies:

• Cardstock:  Thick Basic White 5-1/2" x 8-1/2"; Night of Navy 2-1/2" x 2-1/2"; Basic White 2-1/4" x 2-1/4"; (2) Hues of Happiness DSP 3-7/8" x 5-1/8" (Depending on which pattern you select, you may only need one of these.)
• Stamp Set: Happiness Abounds
• Ink:  Night of Navy, Melon Mambo
• Dies:  Stylish Shapes
• Punch: Decorative Circle
• Adhesive and Tools

Before I show you how to make the card, I have two diagrams that will help you cut your cardstock correctly. I explain it in my video, but I think you'll find the diagrams pretty self explanatory.  

One other consideration before you cut the DSP is to look at the pattern of the paper and see if it is directional.  Before you cut this piece, decide which orientation you want your card base and cut that.  This will help you visualize how to cut the DSP so that it looks best.  

Now, let's get started with the vertical variation of the criss cross card!  Score and fold the card base, giving it a good crease with the bone folder.  Then cut off a triangle by placing the top crease point and outside corner in the groove of the cutter as shown in the diagram.  Flip the triangle over and position it criss cross on the top triangle flap.  

Cut the DSP rectangle in half on the diagonal so that it will fit the triangle front flap (watch my video if you are uncertain on which direction to cut this).  I decided not to use the reverse side of my paper, so I used a second DSP rectangle for the second triangle.  Because of this, I had to cut the diagonal in the opposite direction.  That is why I like to cut the base first and place the two triangles near their final position because it helps me cut my paper properly.

Adhere the two triangles of DSP to the card base and white triangle.  The loose triangle can either be positioned on top of the card front, or behind, depending on which side you want to see more of.  I chose to put it behind, so I lined up the bottom and right edge with my card base, then closed the card flap over it.  I put my bone folder (you could use a piece of paper) along the flap edge to give me a visual stopping point for my glue.  Open the card, add your glue to the portion to the left of the bone folder, then close the card to get perfect alignment and just the right amount of glue.

All that remains is to add our sentiments.  Cut a circle from the white square (don't you love the details from the Stylish Shapes Dies??) and a Decorative Circle from the Night of Navy square.  On the circle, stamp one of the flowers with Melon Mambo ink, stamped off to make it lighter.  Add the sentiment with Night of Navy and layer this on the Decorative Circle.  Pop this up with Dimensionals where the two triangles come together.  

This variation is horizontal, but opens upward rather than sideways.  I really like each one - which is your favorite?

Of course, I had to make a variety of samples to show just how fun this card layout is!  The first one features the He's the Man Suite (and was my husband's father's day card).  The DSP worked so well by just flipping the paper over.  I like when that happens.

This one uses the Cheerful Basket Bundle and Tea Boutique DSP.  I love how the kitten is looking adoringly at the butterfly.  I also like that this shows another option - you don't have to use a label or basic shape for the center of your card.  It's just as easy to use something else.  The only thing I did was to cut another kitten in white to glue behind the colored one since the blends bleed through and I thought it looked nicer to have a clean white back.

The next two samples feature new products available July 1st.  The first one is a Sale-a-bration (SAB) item you can earn for free in July and August.  It is called Wonderful World and has both a stamp set and DSP and you can get this free for a $100 purchase during SAB.  The second one uses the Handmade Wishes Bundle and the Boughs of Holly DSP.  This paper is simply gorgeous and I love how this turned out.  And it's not hard to make either, so you could mass produce them for Christmas this year.

Thanks so much for your support - I appreciate my followers and the comments, likes and shares from my video.

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

Etsy Shop: The Power of a Card

https://karensliwinski.stampinup.net 

https://ThePowerOfACard.blogspot.com

Images Copyright Stampin’ Up!®

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

My current host code for June is: Z24FNYHV

Please use this for orders less than $150 and you’ll get a special treat from me.

For orders over $150, you qualify for host rewards from Stampin’ Up! (plus a treat from me!).

Product List

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

[159229]

$8.75

Hues Of Happiness 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[158822]

$12.00

Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[100867]

$9.25

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$10.25

Happiness Abounds Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[159238]

$23.00

Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad

[147051]

$8.00

Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad

[147110]

$8.00

Decorative Circle Punch

[159174]

$19.00

Stylish Shapes Dies

[159183]

$30.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$4.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$25.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$125.00

Small Elements - big Impact!

We have so many great bundles in the Stampin' Up! catalog!  I love them because they eliminate the need to fussy cut and make layering so much easier!  Often these bundles have many small stamps or die cut shapes, which get used far less than the main stamps, or overlooked entirely.  In my video, I show you how to make these small stamps/dies the main attraction.

When I was preparing for this video, I had pulled out three or four stamp sets to use when making my samples.  The first one I started with was the Cheerful Basket.  And here I got stuck!  There are many small elements and I just kept thinking of cards to make!  I bet you can take these ideas and do the same thing with many of your existing stamp sets.  

I also used the new bundle called Charming Sentiments in many of my samples.  This is a great new set that has 17 sentiment stamps and 30 dies!  Besides the dies to cut out each sentiment, there are candles, hearts, stars, flower and more.  You could use some of these dies as substitutes if you don't own the Cheerful Basket bundle.  I know you'll be seeing this bundle a lot in upcoming videos and card samples in my Facebook group, The Power of a Cardmaker.

Gather your supplies:

• Cardstock:  Melon Mambo 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; Basic Black 4" x 5-1/4"; Basic White 3-7/8" x 5-1/8" and 4" x 5-1/4" (inside panel); Hues of Happiness DSP 4" x 1-5/8"
• Stamp Bundle: Cheerful Basket
• Ink:  Melon Mambo
• Dies:  Basic Border
• Other:  Black Stampin' Write Marker
• Adhesive and Tools, including a small drafting style triangle

I began by cutting a 4" strip of the DSP - this is a great width to cut because it's usable as a card front panel and is a third of the entire sheet.  I try to be efficient when I cut my DSP.  Then, I cut off the top part (1-5/8" worth) to use for cutting the small hearts.

Stamp the sentiment in the lower right corner of the smaller white panel with Melon Mambo ink.  Now it is time to draw the curved line.  The Basic Border dies are a perfect tool to use as a guide for the arc.  I used the fine tip end of the Stampin' Write marker.

Next, I placed my piece into the corner of the Stamparatus.  Slide the triangle along the top edge and draw vertical lines of varying lengths starting at the curved line and heading toward the bottom of the card.  The triangle and the Stamparatus makes drawing perfectly vertical lines easy! Place very tiny dots of glue along the lines and adhere the hearts.  The Take Your Pick tool makes this an easy task too.  Finish by drawing the bows.  I found if I did the loops first and made them almost like and infinity symbol, they turned out nice.

Layer the white panel onto the black and pop this up on the card front with Dimensionals (in my video, I used black ones, which come with both regular and mini sizes in one pack, but you could also use white ones).  I added another string of three hearts on the inside white panel before adding it to the card.  I stamped the cluster of hearts stamp to decorate my envelope.

My next card features the butterfly.  I used two consecutive sizes of the Stitched Rectangles dies and taped them together with low tack tape so they could stay perfectly nested.  I cut out the "frame" four times in Basic White and adhered them one on top of the other.  I then cut a rectangle slightly smaller and stamped it with a background image from the Nature's Prints set, using Parakeet Party and Tahitian Tide.  I stamped in full strength and stamped off until I got the coverage and blending I desired.  Then I attached this behind the frame.  Color the butterflies and pop them on the panel before sticking it on the card front.  A simple sentiment is all you need to finish this card.  

For my Thank You card, I cut 12 apples from Sweet Sorbet and 12 stem/leaves from Parakeet Party.  To position them on the white panel, I cut a small circle with the Stylish Dies on a post it note.  I then folded this in quarters and added a pencil line to make the quadrants more visible.  Position this on the panel and then add the apples (with mini dimensionals) at the N, S, E and W points.  From here, it is easy to position two additional apples between each one for even spacing.  Tuck in the leaves/stems and add a popped up sentiment - wouldn't this make a wonderful teacher card?

This lovely card uses the Timber embossing folder on a crumb cake layer which is matted with a Garden Green layer.  On the largest circle from the Stylish Shapes, stamp the sentiment.  Add a variety of the branches, cut in Garden Green and Granny Apple Green to form the spray as shown.  Finish with a double bow made from twine.

This fun pinwheel card is made from the die that cuts out the cloth to overhang the basket.  I cut four each from Sweet Sorbet and Night of Navy.  To position them on the card, I drew light pencil lines to make a cross and added the Sweet Sorbet pieces with Dimensionals.  The only trick is to keep the points going in the same orientation as you move around the center.  Add the Navy pieces in the gaps and add a Rhinestone at the center.  A tiny strip of Navy makes the handle and the sentiment is popped up on top.  This is a delightful twist on the intended use of the die!

My last card is super simple and such a clean, classic look.  I used the Greenery die to cut a strip of White and added that near the bottom of a White layer, which is then popped up onto the card base.  The sentiment is embossed with white on Black and popped up.  The two Parakeet Party leaves tucked under the sentiment coordinate with the stitching.  For the inside, I added another sentiment embossed on Black and a few of the small leaves.

Which card is your favorite?  I was thrilled with all of them and hope you are too!  I'd love to see what you come up with - please add a picture of your cards in my Facebook group!

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

Etsy Shop: The Power of a Card

https://karensliwinski.stampinup.net 

https://ThePowerOfACard.blogspot.com

Images Copyright Stampin’ Up!®

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

My current host code for June is: CW2QPBTG

Please use this for orders less than $150 and you’ll get a special treat from me.

For orders over $150, you qualify for host rewards from Stampin’ Up! (plus a treat from me!).

Product List

Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[115320]

$9.25

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$10.25

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[121045]

$9.25

Hues Of Happiness 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[158822]

$12.00

Cheerful Basket Bundle (English)

[158680]

$47.50

Basic Borders Dies

[155558]

$29.00

Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker

[100082]

$3.00

Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad

[147051]

$8.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$4.00

Black Stampin' Dimensionals Combo Pack

[150893]

$6.00

Take Your Pick

[144107]

$10.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$25.00

Stamparatus

[146276]

$49.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$125.00

Split Card Texture Dies

When I filmed this video, I was recovering from Covid and was glad that I had prepared most of the samples before I got sick.  I didn't want to disappoint my followers and miss posting my video on YouTube, and managed to get that released on my normal schedule.  This blog post, however, took me much longer to get done and for that, I give my apologies.  Recovering from Covid takes much longer that I ever expected.  If fact, I am still coughing, weeks after the start of it!

When I first saw the Split Card Texture Dies in the new catalog, I was intrigued.  They weren't prominently displayed and I think that many people may not notice them.  Once I started playing with them, I was in love!  They make a stunning card so easy to do!  The geometry of the cut-outs adds so much interest that not much else is needed to complete your card.  So as you'll see, making samples for this video was a breeze.  Let's dive in...

Gather your supplies:

• Cardstock:  Thick Basic White 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; Basic White 1" x 2-1/2"; Hues of Happiness DSP 4" x 5-1/4" plus flowers cut from that DSP with the dies
• Stamp Sets: Paradise Palms, Happiness Abounds and Inspired Thoughts
• Ink:  Gorgeous Grape
• Dies:  Split Card Texture and Blossoming Happiness
• Other:  Iridescent Rhinestones
• Adhesive and Tools

My first card is so simple for two reasons - the Split Card Texture dies and the DSP!  Previously, I had used the Blossoming Happiness dies to cut our two sheets of the flowers from this DSP pack.  I just put them in an envelope and pull them out whenever I need a quick card.  After cutting a rectangle of the DSP, I selected two flowers that coordinated along with several leaves.  

Position the die on the DSP so that there is even space around the edge of the die on three sides.  Then cut it out on your Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine.  Adhere this to the front of your card.  On the small piece of white, stamp your sentiment.  Trim to the desired width and flag the end with your paper snips.  All that is left to do is assemble and embellish!  I popped up the two flowers and the sentiment with Dimensionals.  The leaves were tucked under the flowers with glue and Iridescent Rhinestones added the final touch.  Easy Peasy!

I decorated the flap of my envelope with the large flower stamp.  I also used that same stamp, stamped off, for the inside of my card, alone with another sentiment to compliment my birthday wishes.  The first card I made and showed at the beginning of my video uses the other end of the DSP and has a different color scheme entirely!  Which one do you prefer?

My next card uses the second of the two dies.  This on his on a Soft Succulent base with Early Espresso for the die cut layer.  I used He's the Man DSP, which has these amazing elements that you can use to make your cards - no stamping is necessary!  I loved how it looks like the minivan is on an adventure, heading down a steep bumpy road!  This card is for my younger brother's birthday - adorable but still manly!

Changing gears a bit, this next card is more subtle.  I used Sahara Sand for both the base and the layer.  I added a small strip of Granny Apple Green to the die cut layer before finishing off the card with two palm trees (Paradise Palms Bundle) and the retirement sentiment.  These are great cards to have on hand - good for either a man or woman!

Another card that I adore is this one!  I used a Starry Sky base with the new Distressed Gold DSP for the layer.  The sentiment and leafy elements were made from the Natures Prints Bundle.  I also used regular Gold Foil and Brushed Brass Butterflies to add a little more glam to this graduation card for my customer Michele.  Hope she likes it as much as I do!

Here is my first card I made with these dies - a classic look in black and white.  The stamp set is called Places in the Heart, another new one that I had to get - perfect for new parents (and grandparents!).  And keeping with the black and white theme (with a pop of color), is my last sample.  For this one, I cut a circle using the third largest Layering Circles Dies out of my top panel.  I then cut a 3" x 4" piece of white with the texture dies to layer behind the opening.  I used the Sending Smiles Bundle to decorate the front of the card.  I just love how the grids add interest to this card front!

I really hope this has inspired you to give these dies a try.  They are not part of a bundle, so look in the back of the catalog on page 174 to see them.  Of course, I have all of the products listed below for the card I made in my video.  Please let me know if I can help with any of your stamping needs or questions!

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

Etsy Shop: The Power of a Card

https://karensliwinski.stampinup.net 

https://ThePowerOfACard.blogspot.com

Images Copyright Stampin’ Up!®

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

My current host code for June is: CW2QPBTG

Please use this for orders less than $150 and you’ll get a special treat from me.

For orders over $150, you qualify for host rewards from Stampin’ Up! (plus a treat from me!).

Product List

159229

$8.75

158822

$12.00

159276

$10.25

159162

$28.00

158824

$49.50

157716

$23.00

155536

$19.00

147099

$8.00

158130

$7.50

104430

$4.25

110755

$4.00

103579

$11.00

144107

$10.00

152392

$25.00

149653

$125.00