ThePowerOfACard: January 2024

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Great Tips for Using the Everyday Details Dies

I love die sets - something you already know if you've followed me for any length of time. The Everyday Details dies are part of a bundle and can be found on page 28 of the Jan-April Mini Catalog, but really, they are fantastic stand-alone dies. They are super for sentiments of a variety of sizes, can be used to make frames, and can even be embellished with embroidery floss/baker's twine/linen thread or brads!

I have decided not to make a card in this week's video in favor of showing you some great tips and a large variety of sample cards. In the list of products below, I have not included all the supplies, but rather the products that are the main focus. If you need any details about the cards, please feel free to reach out to me via comments in the video, or email.

Let's start by looking at the dies. There are 11 dies in the set and two of them do double duty. By that I mean that they cut a frame (like the largest rectangle on the top right and the square with circle on the left) and a shape (see below the frame and to the right of the square) at the same time. Most of the shapes are obviously designed for sentiments and all but the smallest have holes punched out around the perimeter. There are three additional dies that simply cut out a pattern of dots. On my diagram, I have included the measurements as a reference.

The first tip I want to share is cutting additional sizes of frames by cutting with multiple dies at the same time. If you take all three of the largest rectangles or circles and cut them at once (I use low tack tape to center and hold them in place), you will get two smaller sized rectangular frames and two circle frames with the largest having a double row of dots.

My first two cards use the dies in a standard way - as a sentiment, a place holder for popped up card elements, and as a frame. The card with the Cutest Cows Bundle was one I designed for a card swap I participated in. I loved pairing the Rock & Roll DSP with the Angus cow for this adorable birthday card. The Fluffiest Friends Bundle and Softly Said stamp set were used in the second card. I also use the Most Adored DSP pack (one of the Sale-A-Bration (SAB) free selections!). It is a great reminder that it is OK to stamp on the patterned paper! I also love the heart the beaver is holding - it fits so well with the sentiment!

Now it's time to look at some creative ways you can embellish the pieces cut from the dies. The first is a Mother's Day card using the largest circle and the Stippled Roses Bundle. I used the In-Color Baker's Twine to stitch the shape. At first, I tried just threading the twine but it soon became too frayed. Then I tried adding some tape around the end, but that didn't work very well either. Then I got out a tapestry needle (like those used in cross stitch) and that was the perfect solution! The second card features the Softly Sophisticated Bundle (another SAB free selection) and linen thread. Shout out to Dena Rekow for the inspiration behind this card. Adding embroidery floss, baker's twine, linen thread, thin metallic yarns, or any other similar materials you may have adds both texture and interest. The holes in the shapes lend themselves perfectly to this embellishment! And just think - wouldn't this be fun for your kids to help you do?

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

Another way to add texture and take advantage of the hole is to use brads as you see in this music themed birthday card. Brads used to be very popular years ago and I still have a selection from Stampin' Up! that are long since retired. We do have Black and White Brads in the annual catalog, so if you don't have any, you can certainly get some. A few tips for using them - firstly, it is best to mat the die with paper. The reason for this is because when you open up the flaps of the brad, they will show beyond the edge of the die cut piece. The second tip is to use your Take Your Pick tool to pierce through the paper mat in the places where you want to add the brads. Depending on the size of your brads, you could have lots of fun creating additional designs along the edges of these shapes!

My next sample is an elegant congratulations card in gold and white. I used the double dots frame in Gold Foil (using the tip where I die cut all three circles at the same time). I embossed my sentiment in gold and decorated the frame with flower/leaves cut from the Nature's Sweetness DSP and the Lovely & Sweet Bundle. I added a few Iridescent Foil Gems as the final touch. What a lovely card for a wedding, retirement, welcoming a new family member or any special occasion!

My next two cards feature the large X patterned die. In the first card, I used it to make a lovely background on "solid" colored DSP. The paper from the Meandering Meadows DSP pack isn't technically a solid color, but practically speaking it is so and is perfect for repeating the cuts over the entire piece of paper. I started by placing the die along the top edge and just moving it down after each cut. The Thoughtful Expressions Bundle was used to complete the remainder of the card. The Father's Day card features the Trusty Tools Bundle. Here, I used the die on a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock. After the first cut, I offset the die down and to the right to make second cut. Then the third cut was up and to the right. This gives another look to the dots. After I was finished cutting, I used a blending brush to add some Pecan Pie ink to the piece.

My last two cards feature the two think strips of X shaped dots. In the catalog, the image looks like there is one long and thin die, but as you see from my display of all the dies, there are actually two of them. The one on the left features the Softly Stippled DSP (yet another Free SAB choice) and the Baker's Twine Three Color Pack. I cut a 12" strip of DSP that was slightly less than a 1/2" width and lined up the two dies to make a continuous row of dots. I used this as a border for my patterned paper, as well as on the inside of the card. The second card has a rectangular sentiment where the two dies just cut a decorative border. I matted this and added it on top of the Sunny Days DSP (yes, another free SAB choice). It elevates this quick and very simple card with very little effort!

There you have it! The Everyday Details Dies are a wonderful addition to my craft room and I hope I have inspired you to get them and use them in a variety of ways! Don't forget - Sale-A-Bration lasts until the end of February and as you can see from many of my projects, there are many great choices of items you can get for Free with every $50 purchase you make. Like I always say, SAB is the best time of the year!

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 January is: VGHH3RT9

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

Everyday Details Dies

[162864]

$34.00

Cutest Cows Bundle (English)

[162897]

$41.25

Rock & Roll 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[162695]

$12.50

Fluffiest Friends Cling Stamp Set (English)

[162846]

$26.00

Softly Said Cling Stamp Set (English)

[162906]

$25.00

Most Adored 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

[162976]

$16.50

Stippled Roses Bundle (English)

[162667]

$54.00

2022–2024 In Color Baker's Twine Pack

[159195]

$15.00

Softly Sophisticated Bundle (English)

[162947]

$23.75

Linen Thread

[104199]

$5.00

Heartfelt Hellos Cling Stamp Set (English)

[162964]

$20.00

Round & Square Brads

[155570]

$7.00

Lovely & Sweet Bundle (English)

[162627]

$52.00

Nature's Sweetness 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

[162616]

$16.50

Gold Foil Sheets

[132622]

$5.00

Thoughtful Expressions Bundle (English)

[162822]

$55.75

Meandering Meadows 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[162735]

$12.50

Trusty Tools Bundle (English)

[162723]

$54.75

Sunny Days 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[162974]

$12.50

Softly Stippled 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[162975]

$12.50

Baker's Twine Three Color Pack

[162759]

$8.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$128.00

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Fun Pop-Up Card

As many of you know, I have been stamping for a very long time. Recently, I saw a card I had made many, many years ago when I lived in Raleigh, NC. I decided to use this as my inspiration and these fun pop-up cards in the video are the result. Here is my inspiration card:

This card is more than 25 years old!

I wanted a smaller version, one that fit the scale of the stamps I wanted to use. The result is a fun card that pops up and sits nicely on your desk. It folds flat to mail and it's quite easy to make. I had fun creating the samples for you - so let's get started!

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Thick Basic White 4-1/4" x 9", 3-1/4" x 5"; Basic White 3" x 3-3/4", 1/2" strip, scrap for bee body, wings and antenna; Sweet Sorbet 3-1/8" x 3-7/8"; Bee Mine DSP (2) 1-1/8" x 4-1/8", 7/8" x 4-1/8"
Stamp Bundle: Bee My Valentine Bundle
Ink: Lemon Lime Twist, Sweet Sorbet, Petal Pink, Daffodil Delight, Memento Tuxedo Black, and Stazon Black
Punch: Banners Pick a Punch
Other: Wink of Stella, Adhesive Backed Hearts and Flowers
Adhesive and Tools

Let's begin by making the base. I've started with a half a sheet thick cardstock, even though I only need 4-1/4" x 9". Here is a template to show you where you need to score.

After scoring the cardstock, cut a thin slit at the 4-1/2" score. I positioned the cardstock just shy of the 4-1/2" mark and cut a slit from 1/2" to 3-3/4" (so there is 1/2" uncut at each end. Then I moved the cardstock slightly past the 4-1/2" mark and cut again. This leaves me with a tiny piece that I can snip off. Use a bone folder to burnish each score line, all in the same direction.

To decorate the base, you will need three pieces of DSP - two for the top of the base and one for the front. If you are using a paper with a pattern that is more random, make sure to keep the pieces in order so the pattern will have continuity when added to the base. Set the base aside for later.

Decorate the small white panel with flowers and leaves. In the video, I used Petal Pink but in my sample, I used Flirty Flamingo. When the flowers are done, using black ink (I used Stazon for an intense blackness), stamp your sentiment over the flowers and add the bee path. Stamp and punch out a bee - I like stamping the stripes first, then adding the yellow body as it's easy to line up. Punch out the wings and antenna, adding a little Wink of Stella to the wings. The points of these two pieces make it easy to attach it to the bee body. Pop this up near the top of the card, remembering to keep it high enough so the card can fold flat.

The final steps are to mat the white panel with Sweet Sorbet and attach this to the Thick Basic White pop-up piece. Feed this through the slot and fold up the bottom flap. Add some glue and attach the base centering it from side to side and flush with the fold like I show in the video. Add some additional glue over this flap and close the card base with the other end flap folded in. This is how you will fit the card in an envelope to mail. (Note - with the folds, it doesn't like perfectly flat as you can see in the picture, but trust me, it fits nicely into the envelope.) When you push the base down, the card stands on its own.

Flattened view

My next sample is super quick to make - what makes it special is the DSP. I used a scene from the Meandering Meadows paper pack. I first cut a 4-1/8" x 6" piece. Then I trimmed off 7/8" and 1-1/8" from the bottom. From the remaining piece, I trimmed off 1/2" from each side. When these pieces are added to the card base and pop-up piece, the design of the paper continues, making a very cohesive scene. I kept this card very simple, with a sentiment at the top and a birthday greeting attached to the front flap. The sentiment and flowers are from Garden Meadow stamp set, one of the on-line exclusives.

This card was the first one I made with this Pop-Up design and it is so stinking adorable! The Cutest Cows Bundle has lots of stamps which makes building a scene easy and fun. I borrowed the clouds from my Trucking Along stamp set. The milk can was attached with just a little piece of paper folded in half and positioned mid way on the top of the base. Just think of the other sets you have and how you might build other cards with dimension!

My last sample features the Perennial Lavender Suite (such a lovely collection of products!). I added a little dragonfly to the decorated panel, but because it is so thin, the pop-up piece will still easily fit though the slot.

I had lots of fun designing this fun pop-up card and making these samples for you. I'd love to see what you make using this design!

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 January is: VGHH3RT9

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!).