ThePowerOfACard: February 2023

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Saying Thanks Kit and Extra Bonus Cards!

Have you checked out our kits from Stampin' Up! lately? There are so many of them now and with every new one, they just keep improving! Kits are a great way to start your card making journey. Some of them don't require stamping (like this kit), some of them are themed (examples are Christmas, birthday or thanks), some are aimed at kids or guys (so many people ask for help making masculine cards!) and some aren't even cards at all! Another new kit I just got is Wreath of Blooms ant this makes a lovely three dimensional flower wreath that I hung up at work. Kits come with everything you need to make your project, so they are also great to give as gifts.

I've been a Paper Pumpkin subscriber for years and that means I get a "kit" every month. The difference is that it's always a surprise (although there are usually hints about the next month's kit inside). I like to say it's a fun card class that comes in the mail right to your door. With these kits, I often make variations of the cards to expand the contents, show my customers alternative layouts, or stretch my creative muscles. I did the same thing with this kit. I took the ingredients for three of the nine cards, added a few supplies of my own and made 11 different cards! I show all of them in my video and demonstrate how I made one of them.

I want to give a shout out to two people. The first is my best friend and team member Penny. She allowed me to use her kit so I could show you the unboxing of the kit in my video, which is great for you because it allows you to have the full kit experience. The second is another demonstrator, Rachel Tessman. She made some alternative cards and I show two cards with one of her ideas - just with different ribbon and sentiments. I twas such a great way to use the card base that I wanted to share it with all of you.

Gather your supplies:

Saying Thanks Card Kit
Cardstock: Mango Melody 5-1/2" x 8-1/2"; Enjoy the Journey DSP 3-7/8" x 5",
Adhesive and Tools

When I make a kit, I usually make my first set of cards or items just like the instructions. I made the three cards and the only change I made was I used less baker's twine and fewer embellishments because I knew I was going to make bonus cads and wanted to stretch out the supplies. Most of my bonus cards are on Basic Black card bases because that makes the colors really pop. I did have a few other pieces of cardstock on some of the cards and several different ribbons, but mainly, I used the materials in the kit, including the envelope.

I wanted to demonstrate the card I made in the video, because I wanted to also show how I used the hearts piece to make another card before I made this one. I turned over the layer with the hearts punched out and used it as a template to make another card front. With a sponge dauber, I added Sweet Sorbet ink to a layer of Basic White. I chose a dauber over a blending brush because I thought it would be a better way to ink the hearts and preserve the paper "template" for the card I make in the video.

I love the colors in this kit, but also thought the papers from the Enjoy the Journey DSP would look great and give a different vibe. I cut a piece just a little smaller than the white heart layer and glued them together. After adding this to my card base, the only thing I added was the pre-cut sentiment with a few mini black Dimensionals.

With all the hearts that get punched out, there are many of them to play with! I turned some into flowers and drew the stems with one of my Stampin' Write markers (Stsmpin' Blends would have worked too). I blended some color for the sky and grass and added a sentiment and embossed mat layer. The last of this set just uses the original base with a gingham ribbon and the French word for thanks.

These next two sets are super easy. For the rainbow, I just trimmed the card front into two pieces and added the words. The rainbow dots one is super cute. By cutting the card base before you fold it into a 5-1/2 square, you can then cut that in half so you get a blank space to add a sentiment of your choice. By tying a ribbon around the scored line, you cover that up and nobody is the wiser.

The last set was made from one of the envelopes. The colorful flap is so pretty, I decided to cut it up. I used a square from the Stylish Shapes dies to cut a square with enough space around it to use both the stitched square and the frame. From the remaining pieces, I cut some stitched circles. With just a little bit more cardstock, I was able to create these three additional cards.

Please give the kits a try! They are a great value (this one retails for only $13!), are quick and easy, and they come with all the supplies you'll need. And don't forget - there are a few more days left in Sale-a-bration! I believe they've added some additional choices and the Enjoy the Journey DSP is one of them!

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

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Product List

Saying Thanks Kit

[162361]

$13.00

Mango Melody 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146989]

$9.25

Enjoy The Journey 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[160586]

$12.00

Black Stampin' Dimensionals Combo Pack

[150893]

$6.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$4.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$25.00

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Last Minute Valentines

I am not usually into making Valentine's Day cards, but this year, I can't seem to make enough! Since it is only days away, I thought I'd make some more cards for you as last minute ideas. These are a little quicker to make and feature some products you may not have seen yet. As you will see in the video, I am also using the Basic White Note Cards and Enveloped - a smaller size than normal and something you may not have used before.

Before I start, I also want to mention that I am using a lot of paper that is available for free during Sale-a-bration, which is over at the end of February. There are some additional choices of products, so please check out my on-line store to see what you might select! And lastly, don't forget about the great offer to join my team - I'd love to welcome you!

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Basic White Note Cards and Envelopes; Dandy Designs DSP 3-1/2" x 5", Country Floral Lane DSP - one grouping of hearts and leaves, Basic White 2-1/4" x 3-1/2" plus a scrap strip 1/2" wide; Petal Pink scrap
Bundle: Country Bouquet
Dies: Something Fancy
Ink: Sweet Sorbet
Stampin' Blends: Mossy Meadow, Petal Pink
Ribbon: White Crinkle Seam Binding - 24"
Adhesive and Tools

The note cards are pre-scored, so all you have to do is use a bone folder to give it a good crease. Cover the front entirely with the Dandy Designs DSP. In my first sample, I used the Country Gingham DSP as you see in my photo here.

Use the punch to cut out the two hearts and two leaves. Because this piece is so small, use a post-it note to hold it as I show in the video.

On the white rectangle, cut out the tag die, leaving the top edge wide enough to draw a stem. Use the brush end of the Mossy Meadow Blend to draw a line and then fussy cut it out with the Paper Snips. Use Dimensionals to place the large heart on the tag. Add the stem with Multipurpose Glue, tucking it under the heart. Add the leaves on either side of the heart point, making it look like a flower.

Stamp the sentiment on the strip of white and trim at an angle. Mat this in Petal Pink, trimming to have a small border all around. Add this over the stem and then place the tag at an angle on the card front. Using the Petal Pink Blend, color the crinkle ribbon. This ribbon is so light weight, it will dry quickly. Cut in half and then tie a double bow to fasten to the tag with a Mini Glue Dot.

For the inside, I stamped some additional sentiments and added the small heart punched from the paper. I used two hearts from the stamp set to decorate the envelope. I did mine in Petal Pink, but you could easily use Sweet Sorbet.

My next two cards were inspired/influenced by a demonstrator friend of mine, Sharon Chin. This first card is similar to a layout she made, but I changed up the paper and sentiments. The DSP is Day at the Farm and I used the Heart Punch Pack and some Cherry Cobbler Paper. Punch out the smaller, smooth heart from the DSP where you will be placing it on the finished card. The ruffled heart can be cut from the middle of the mat layer. I used the Love for You Bundle for the sentiment and some Baker's Twine in white. I love how quickly this card comes together!

The next one uses the Love Cats stamp set (which Sharon made me buy!). I stamped the cat in Stazon ink so that he was intense black. Then I cut out the circle with the Stylish Shapes dies. For the piece the cat is sitting on, I took a scrap of Calypso Coral and embossed it with the Timber 3-D Embossing Folder and glued it at the bottom of the circle. Then I positioned the circle die back over the entire piece and ran it through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine again to trim it. The background DSP is from Favored Flowers. I wasn't going to get this stamp set... but am so glad I did!

My last sample features the Dainty Flowers DSP and the Share a Milkshake Bundle. The oval is from the Framed Florets Dies. I used Fresh Freesia, Pale Papaya, Polished Pink and Melon Mambo inks to make my bowl of ice cream. The Polished Pink open weave ribbon adds the finishing touch.

I plan on sending some of these cards to my family who don't live close to me. I never got my Christmas cards in the mail, so I figure it's a nice way to tell them how much I love them. I hope I've inspired you to get those last minute Valentine's Day Cards out to your loved ones too!