ThePowerOfACard: October 2023

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Basic Borders Dies and a Fun Fold

If you've watched my videos for a while, you know that I love dies! The Basics Borders Dies are a set of six dies that will cut a six inch swath of paper. Of course, the obvious use would be for a decorative edge at the bottom of a card, or perhaps along a strip of paper. But believe me, they can be used in many other ways! I'll be demonstrating a fun fold with one of the dies, but have card samples using all the others too. I think you just might be surprised at the different ways to use these remarkable dies. And there are two more fun folds in these samples!!

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Thick Basic White 8-1/2" x 4-1/4"; Basic White 1/2" strip; Basic Black 2-1/2" square and a 3/4" strip; Zoo Crew DSP 3" x 4" (mostly black), 2-3/4" x 4" (mostly white) and one of the animals that can be cut with the die in the bundle
Stamp Bundle: Zany Zoo
Ink: Pool Party, Memento Black
Die: Basic Borders
Punch: Decorative Circle
Ribbon: Pool Party Grosgrain 14"
Adhesive and Tools

To begin making this fun fold, score the Thick Basic White at 3" and fold the flap over. You will need to cut the edge of this folded over piece with the scalloped die - place the die close to the edge and center it from side to side. Do the same thing with the smaller piece of DSP and while you are cutting, cut out one of the animals (I love the ballerina and she fits so well in our punched shape).

Adhere the mostly black piece of DSP to the right side and the mostly white piece to the flap. Stamp the sentiment with Pool Party ink on the inside under the flap and tie the ribbon in a knot around the flap with the Pool Party Grosgrain ribbon. The knot can be either at the bottom like I show in the video, or at the top as you see to the sample on the left.

Since the decorative circle holds down the flap, it has to be popped up with Dimensionals and the positioning has to be just so. You want enough overlap to hold the flap down, but not too much so that it hard to open and re-tuck. Place three Dimensionals along an imaginary vertical line that is just to the right of the flap when tucked. Pop up the ballerina and add to the punch.

To finish, stamp the sentiment on the strip of Basic White and trim to fit. Add this to the Basic Black strip and again, trim to fit. Pop this sentiment over the ribbon. Add some music notes or confetti down the side of the envelop and you're all set!

My first sample uses the zig zag in a traditional way - as a strip along the edge of DSP. When I cut this strip, I cut a wider piece of Basic Black and placed the die down the middle. This way, after I was done cutting, I had two borders and could quickly make a second card. There are two sneak peaks with this card - the bear is from the Fluffiest Friends, coming out on November 7th as an on-line exclusive. The DSP and sentiment are from a new bundle coming in January (so exciting!).

This next card is a fun fold of sorts. I started with a piece of Basic White that was 4" x 5-1/4". I angled the cloud die to make the first cut. Then with the top remaining portion, I changed the position of the die to a slightly different angle so that the clouds looked different from the lower layer. I adhered them together and placed them on the layer of Coastal Cabana, which was mounted on a Lemon Lolly card base. The Fluffiest Friends Bundle provided the adorable bird in the nest and the insert was colored lightly with Blending Brushes. The sentiments are from Happy Labels and Sentimental Park.

I love making cards with strips of colors. Not only is this a good way to use up scraps of cardstock, but it is easy and so attractive! Here's a different take on that concept - cut the strips with the fancy zig zag die and layer them on top of one another. Just like I did with the honey bear card, I cut the strips wider (about 3") so that I had both halves after cutting down the middle. I used the Gorgeously Made Bundle for the branch and sentiment strip and the colors are Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, Parakeet Party, Azure Afternoon and Gorgeous Grape.

To make this adorable card, start with a 3-1/2" x 5" piece of DSP (Glorious Gingham) and use the banner die to cut the paper about 2/3 of the width. Pop the two pieces up on a Basic Gray card base. Add a cat from the Fluffiest Friends Bundle (can you tell I love this new bundle??) and a sentiment form the So Sincere stamp set (the vertical orientation is perfect for this layout!). And if you turn the card sideways, the piece the cat is on looks like a pocket - that would also make a fun card layout.

My last card is another fun fold and really shows off the beautiful paper from the Joy of Christmas DSP pack. To make the DSP layer, start with a 4-1/4" x 11" piece and score at 3', 7", and 9-1/4". Using the curved die, cut off about 1/2" from the left side, but save this piece as you can use it to decorate the inside panel of white (3-3/4" x 5"). After folding the DSP, tie it closed with a coordinating ribbon (I used the Ribbon Duo Combo), then adhere it to a 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" piece of Shaded Spruce. Use the Joy of Noel and Christmas Classics to stamp a sentiment and adhere this to the front flap (make sure you only place glue on the part that rests on the red flap, or your card won't open!

I had a lot of fun making these samples for you. I hope you give the border dies a try - they are both fun and versatile!

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

Etsy Shop: The Power of a Card

https://karensliwinski.stampinup.net

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

My current host code for October is: HYAKNXRB

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

Zany Zoo Bundle (English)

[161315]

$54.00

Basic Borders Dies

[155558]

$29.00

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

[159229]

$9.00

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

[121045]

$10.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$10.50

Zoo Crew 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[161304]

$12.50

Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad

[147107]

$9.00

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$6.50

Decorative Circle Punch

[159174]

$22.00

Pool Party 3/8" (1 Cm) Grosgrain Ribbon

[160430]

$8.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$5.50

Paper Snips

[103579]

$11.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Bone Folder

[102300]

$7.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$26.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$128.00

Basic White Medium Envelopes

[159236]

$8.50

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Adding Bling with Silver & Gold Glimmer Paper

It's always fun to add a little bling to cards, especially when it is so easy to do! The new Silver & Gold Adhesive Backed Glimmer DSP, available in my online store (in the online exclusives section) is fabulous for adding touches of bling! I was so excited to start playing with this paper and the more I used it, the more ideas came into my head! As you saw in my video, I had eight cards to share!! I had a hard time selecting which one to make in the video, because I loved them all. I finally picked a lovely Christmas card - it's an easy card to make, which allowed me to show the cards off sooner! Let's begin...

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Shaded Spruce 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; Basic White (2) 4" x 5-1/4", 2-3/4" x 2-1/8"; Silver & Gold Adhesive Backed Glimmer DSP 1" x 3-1/2"; Joy of Christmas DSP (two different but complementary patterns) 1-3/4" x 5-1/4", 3/4" x 5-1/4"
Stamp Sets: Christmas Classics and Joy to You
Ink: Real Red, Granny Apple Green, Garden Green
Die: Nested Essentials
Punch: Banners Pick a Punch
Adhesive and Tools

On one of the white panels, add the two pieces of DSP along the left side, placing the wider one right along the edge. Trim the ends of the Glimmer paper with the punch and stick this down on top of the front panel, about 1-1/4" from the bottom.

Cut a label using the second largest rounded rectangle die and stamp the sentiment in the middle with Real Red ink Add a few sprigs of evergreen boughs to the corners using Granny Apple Green and Garden Green. Pop this up on the card front, and then pop the card front up on the card base of Shaded Spruce.

For the inside of the card, stamp the sentiment in the top left corner of the remaining white panel in Real Red. Stamp some greenery from the corner towards the words like we did on the label. Adhere this panel to the inside. The corner of the envelope will be decorated in the same manner - add the sentiment and surround it sprigs of greenery.

This card would be an excellent one to mass produce! If you group the three stamps together on one block (Happy/Holidays/To you and Yours), it will be easy to stamp them perfectly each time. Then when you are stamping the boughs - stamp all the lighter green ones first, followed by the darker green. This will save time because you don't have to clean between each card.

This next card was the one I almost demonstrated. I love the Delightful Floral DSP, another online exclusive product! I used 3/4" strips of the DSP across the Berry Burst panel. The Sentiments Silhouettes Dies were used to cut out the words and the candles! I used the gold for the stripes and flames, then used scraps of cardstock to compliment the colors in the DSP for the candles. The shape is also from the Nested Essentials Dies (second smallest one).

The very first card I made with the glimmer paper was this one. I used the Waves of Inspiration stamp set and the Waves dies. These blue tones just cried out for a silver crest to the wave! The Azure Afternoon ribbon with the silver edge was a perfect match!

The Joy of Noel bundle and Joyful Specialty DPS, paired with the gold glimmer paper make this card a real knock out! As a helpful tip - cut the glimmer paper with your timer to be a perfect 1-1/8" square (I had just cut it out with scissors, so my leftover piece was a little wonky!). Then after you die cut the letters, don't poke them out from the background - instead, leave everything attached and just peel off the backing from the letters. Using the entire square to hold the letters in place, position them onto the embossed circle and press into perfect place! Additionally, you an use the remaining frame to use on another card!

This lovely get well card features the gold glimmer paper and the Vellum Basics DSP. I used the Chic dies to cut the leaves and placed them on my label (both the label and background paper is the Earthen Elegance DSP). When cutting the vellum, I cut it a little wider than needed and folded the excess to the back of the panel, where I added my adhesive to hold it in place.

This next one is super fun - it's like making a shaker card without the shake! I chose a window sheet from the Gold Celebrations Specialty DSP pack and adhered it to a frame made from the Countryside Corners dies. I then popped the entire piece up with Foam Adhesive Strips and added the word Celebrate (cut from gold with the Wanted To Say dies) on top. Another fun tip - the other side of this DSP looks like silver, so you could make this card in either one!

https://ThePowerOfACard.blogspot.com Karen Sliwinski ©Stampin’ Up!

The Cheerful Daisies Bundle was used in this next card, one of my favorites! I cut the flowers/leaves from Fluid 100 Watercolor paper. Then I used re-inkers to color it - Parakeet Party and Granny Apple Green for the leaves and Gorgeous Grape, Blueberry Bushel and Tahitian Tide for the flowers. The sprigs cut from the silver glimmer paper was so easy to adhere to the embossed panel and added just the right amount of lightness to this card. I heat embossed the sentiment with silver embossing powder and added a few rhinestones to finish the gorgeous birthday card.

I do believe this last one is my favorite! I used blending brushes to color a piece of Basic White, starting with Azure Afternoon in the middle and working toward Berry Burst at the top and Blueberry Bushel at the bottom. Then I sprinkled some drops of water on top to add texture and interest. After it was dry, I cut it with the Deckled Rectangles dies. The silver branch of leaves is from the Artistic Dies and the sentiment is from the Biggest Wish.

I sure hope I have wet your appetite to try this amazing Glimmer paper! You can find it by clicking on the links below, or by browsing my online store. Have fun adding bling to your cards!

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

Etsy Shop: The Power of a Card

https://karensliwinski.stampinup.net

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

My current host code for October is: CATUFXQV

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

Christmas Classics Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[161970]

$21.00

Joy To You Cling Stamp Set (English)

[162090]

$24.00

Shaded Spruce 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146981]

$10.00

Joy Of Christmas 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[161958]

$12.50

Silver & Gold 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Adhesive Backed Glimmer Paper

[162288]

$7.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

$10.50

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

[147084]

$9.00

Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad

[147095]

$9.00

Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad

[147089]

$9.00

Nested Essentials Dies

[161597]

$34.00

Banners Pick A Punch

[153608]

$27.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$5.50

Bone Folder

[102300]

$7.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$26.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$128.00

Basic White Medium Envelopes

[159236]

$8.50

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Deckled Circles - a Fun Fold and More!

Our new set of Deckled Circles dies are an amazing set of 14 circles that range from 1" to 5-3/4". Of course, the smaller sizes can be used just like our Stylish Shapes or the retired Layering Circle dies, but the bigger dies can do some really fun things! The card I demonstrate in the video is a fun fold I designed for my recent monthly card class and modified to make it a Christmas card. I love how the deckled edges look as they meet in the middle of the card.

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Shaded Spruce 5-1/2" x 4-1/4"; Basic White (2) 4" x 5-1/4", (2) 5-3/8" x 2-5/8"
Stamp Sets: Joy of Noel and Christmas Classics
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Shaded Spruce
Die: Deckled Circles
Ribbon: Real Red & Burlap Ribbon combo 21"
Watercolor Pencils Assortment 1 and Blender Pen
Adhesive and Tools

The first step is to create the two "gates" that close on the front of the card. The steps to making each piece are 1) cut, 2) decorate, 3) score, 4) trim and 5) adhere. Use the second largest deckled circle to cut each of the 5-3/8" x 2-5/8" pieces. It is important to place the die to the very edges to maximize the circular area.

To decorate, I chose to stamp my design on these pieces, but you could also use Designer Series Paper (DSP) in place of the Basic White. For the card in my video, I stamped my design with the large foliage stamp in Shaded Spruce ink. Since this stamp is not a two-step stamp, I colored it with watercolor pencils and smoothed the coloring with a Blender pen. I could have used Stampin' Blends, but since the ink bleeds through, I didn't think that would look particularly nice when the card was opened.

Score the straight edges at 1/2" and trim the top and bottom from the score line to the straight edge at an angle. This will allow you to tuck the scored edge under the white panel and not have anything show. Before we can adhere these two panels, we need to stamp the sentiment on one of the white panels. I stamped my Season's Greetings in Cherry Cobbler and added a few sprigs of holly (also colored with watercolor pencils). It is important to stamp your sentiment in the center of the card, so that it is hidden when the card is closed. Then you can add the two "gates" to each side, adhering the flap to the back side.

For the final touches of the card, tie the ribbon around the panel so that it closes the flaps. I found it was easier to tie the ribbon and move it into position before adding a little adhesive under the ribbon on the back side to hold it in place. Adhere this piece to the Shaded Spruce panel, then stamp the remaining white panel with your "interior" greeting and adhere this to the back.

My next card is a get well card featuring a rainbow of deckled circles. I started with Melon Mambo and the largest die. Then I skipped a size to cut each subsequent layer of the rainbow, using Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, Lemon Lime Twist, Coastal Cabana and Highland Heather. I love how the Wanted to Say dies makes a big and bold statement to balance the big colorful rainbow! This rainbow was only possible because the dies are so large and there are enough of them to make all six layers.

Another larger die was used to make the Christmas ornament in my next card. I started out with a 4" square of Basic White and added strips of varying widths from the Joy of Christmas DSP pack. Then I cut out the ornament with 3-1/2" deckled circle. I free handed an ornament topper from the Distressed Gold DSP (I used the Deckled Rectangles to trim the bottom edge) and added a knot of Sheer Ribbon Combo (I colored the Bubble Bath ribbon with Real Red Blends). Before mounting it on the card front, I added some tree branches. I really am happy with how this one turned out!

The larger dies are perfect for cutting a decorative piece of DSP to use as the focal point, like I did in my next card. I cut a piece of the Beary Christmas DSP to be 4" x 5" and cut it with the 4-1/2" deckled circle. I fussy cut the tree and small polar bear from the Beary Cute stamp set and mounted them on top of the Heartfelt Hexagon punch (newly released!). The red ribbon from the Real Red and Burlap Combo pack behind the label adds just the right amount of color for this adorable Christmas card.

My next two cards use deckled circles in more of the traditional way of layering. The first one features Silly Goose stamp set, with the image colored with Stampin' Blends. The ribbon is the Balmy Blue & White (I love how easily this ribbon ties) and the paper is from the Subtle 6" x 6" DPS pack. The last one is a cute Halloween card where I used Pick of the Patch to make jack-o-lanterns in a variety of pumpkin colors. To get the multiple tones, I stamped in one color, then used a sponge dauber to add a second, darker color. I added them to deckled circles on top of the wide ribbon from the Copper & Natural Ribbon combo. The embossing folder for the background is from Stripes & Splatters 3D.