ThePowerOfACard: Gathering Moments

Showing posts with label Gathering Moments. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Patterned Paper Crazy Quilts

When I recently delivered some goodies to one of my customers, Sue Martin, she shared some cards she was making with scraps of paper. She had sorted them into bags by color and then pieced them together in a crazy quilt fashion to make a beautiful background for her cards. I loved the idea and thought I'd give it a try. I'm not sure if my technique is the same one she uses, but it worked for me and I know it will work for you too! Enjoy the video!

I am a quilter, but I've never made a crazy quilt (but I have used a lot of scraps!). So Sue's idea really inspired me to try. I decided to not add the decorative "stitching" that is common in actual quilts because I thought it wouldn't work well with the scale of my "quilt", or the patterns of the paper. While I chose to stay within a single pack of DSP, you could certainly mix and match all of your papers. The process is fun and the results are different each time.

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Basic Beige 8-1/2" x 5-1/2 scored at 4-1/4"; Basic Beige 4" x 5-1/4"; Basic White 4" x 2-1/2"; Gathering Together Specialty DSP a variety of scraps
Stamp Bundles: Gathering Moments, Words of Beauty
Die: Branching Out
Inks: Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Daffodil Delight
Embellishment: Cajun Craze & Gold Dots
Adhesive and Tools

Fold your card base and press the fold with your bone folder. From the rectangle of Basic Beige, cut out the center with one of the Branching Out dies. You can use the label another time, but for this card, we need the "hole" in the center. Place this piece on the card front and lightly trace the cutout onto the card front. This will help you know the exact area you have to cover with your scraps of paper.

Start by adhering the first scrap in place. Then continue adding bits of paper at a variety of angles all over the card front until the pencilled area is covered. Trim pieces as needed, especially if they might get too close to the edge of the card. I typically like to adjoin pieces together, but also overlap some of them as the whimsy hits!

Add the Beige rectangle with Dimensionals on the card front - this will frame the beautiful crazy quilt you just pieced together. Stamp the sentiment in Old Olive and the large leaf in Cajun Craze; cut with the dies. Adhere the sentiment with Mini Dimensionals and glue the leaf in the corner. Finish the card by stamping some additional leaves (in Cajun Craze and Daffodil Delight) on the inside of the card as well as the envelope corner. Stamp the inside sentiment with Old Olive. The last touch is to add embellishments in the corners of your opening.

When I first tried the technique, I wasn't sure I would like it, so I used some retired patterned paper (Take a Bow). I made the opening with the Peace on Earth Dies (this bundle is on the Last Chance List and so worth getting!). The sentiments and holly are from Jolly Holly and I embellished with Real Red & White Adhesive-backed Peppermints. After this first one, I knew I'd be making more!

Next came the Modern Christmas Specialty DSP pack. I chose the Nested Essentials dies to make a very large opening to showcase the gorgeous black/white/gold paper! I used the Ornamental Christmas bundle for the sentiments, tree and star. As a fun tip, you can add tiny dots of glue on the tree, cover them with gold embossing powder, let dry and then melt with the Heat Tool to make ornaments on the tree! I love how this turned out, especially on the black card base!

As you know from last week's video, I really love the Elegant Pine Snowflakes DSP, so of course, I had to make a card with that! My opening is a circle from the Stylish Shapes dies and the snowflake and sentiments are from the Delicate Pines Bundle.

Changing it up a bit for this one - I used Celebratory Sips DSP to cover a rectangle of paper instead of filling in the space below an opening. This was even easier to do because when you're done adding the scraps, you just trim off the edges before adding it to the card front panel. I used the Cheers & Sips and With You in Mind stamp sets for the sayings.

Lastly, I used the Beautiful Bokeh paper pack, which is filled with soft pastel patterns. I filled the opening made from the Stylish Shapes dies, then stamped flowers from the 12 Days of Advent Crafting Calendar onto some of the same paper and cut them out with the coordinating die. This was so fun to do! All of my examples are so different from one another - it's hard to pick a favorite! Thanks again Sue for the inspiration!

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

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Product List

Gathering Moments Bundle (English)

[165980]

$56.50

Words Of Beauty Bundle (English)

[167090]

$45.75

Basic Beige 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[164511]

$14.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Gathering Together 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

[165969]

$16.50

Branching Out Dies

[165775]

$29.00

Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad

[147090]

$9.00

Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad

[147085]

$9.00

Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad

[147094]

$9.00

Cajun Craze & Gold Dots

[165984]

$9.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$6.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$28.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Variations of a Flap Over Fun Fold

In my last video, I showed a lot of cards and projects we made at my team retreat I attended in Iowa. One of those cards was made by my friend, Gwen Eich and I thought you'd like to see how this one is made. The card I make in the video is just like hers but in different colors and papers. Then I show you how to change it up by using different sized/shaped flaps and even by changing the orientation. As Fun Folds go, this one is simple to make and I think it will quickly become a Go To in your repertoire!

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Cajun Craze 8-1/2" x 5-1/2 scored at 2-1/8" and 4-1/4", 3-1/2" x 4-1/2" scored at 3-1/2", 2-1/2" x 3/4"; Gathering Together Specialty DSP (2) 1-7/8" x 5-1/4", (2) 3-1/4" square; Basic White 4" x 5-1/4", 3/4" x 2-1/2"
Stamp: Gathering Moments
Ink: Cajun Craze
Punch: Three Banner
Ribbon: Early Espresso & Old Olive Linen Thread
Embellishment: Cajun Craze & Gold Dots
Adhesive and Tools

Start by scoring your card base at 2-1/8" and 4-1/4" parallel to the short side. Fold the card in half along the score line, then fold the flap back towards the left side and press the folds with your bone folder. Adhere the two rectangles of Designer Series Paper (DSP) to the flaps as shown.

Next, score the 3-1/2" x 4-1/2" rectangle of Cajun Craze at 3-1/2" and use the bone folder to give a good crease. This is the flap we will attach to the card base. Attach the two squares of DSP, making sure to pay attention to any one-way patterns in the paper so they face in the correct orientation. Then add glue to the flap and attach to the right side of the card, centered from top to bottom. The fold should align with the right edge of the card base and will fold over the folded flap.

To finish the inside, stamp the sentiment in Cajun Craze ink on the large Basic White panel and adhere to the inside. Decorate with a few dots on the lower right side. Stamp the sentiment for the outside on the small piece of white and punch out. Adhere this to the small piece of Cajun Craze and attach to the flap with Dimensionals. You will want to decide where you want your label and then only place Dimensionals where it will attach to the flap. As a finishing touch, I added a little bow from the Early Espresso linen thread with a Mini Glue Dot. (After the video, I added a scrap of DSP to decorate the side of my envelope. 😊)

My next example features the Christmas Tags & More DSP pack and the Greetings for You Mix & Match Ephemera Pack. I love these two so much, I designed an entire card class for my customers to make Christmas cards! The sentiments are adhesive backed (making them super easy to use) and the DSP pack has all sorts of embellishments that are pre-cut. One of the papers has six rectangles that can be cut apart to be featured as I did on the flap. I matted the rectangle in Real Red and BasicWhite, then cut a larger rectangle of Garden Green to use as a flap. All you need to do for the flap is add 1" to the width and score it like we did in the video. I popped up the matted piece and added a sentiment above the stockings. I added another sentiment from the pack (on a scrap of Basic Red) for the inside and another on the envelope. There are plenty of sentiments and paper to make lots and lots of holiday cards!

At my watercolor retreat, we did a lot of practicing with color combos and salt techniques. I took one of those sheets and cut out flowers using the two detail flower dies from Petals of Beauty. Instead of using DSP for my front flap, I adhered the flower pieces to a rectangle of Basic White and to the corner of my envelope. I chose the Brights 6" x 6" DSP for the second flap to match the Azure Afternoon card base. For the flap, I used a rectangle of the watercolor paper and decorated it with a white flower and a fussy cut sentiment from the Friendly Foliage stamp set. I recommend using an adhesive sheet on the back side of the watercolor paper to ensure it is fully adhered on all the tiny parts of the flower. (It's also easier that way!)

I hadn't planned on getting another snowflake set this year (I'm always a sucker for them but "thought" I had enough already in my collection!), but after seeing this Delicate Pines Bundle at the retreat, I was hooked! The DSP (Elegant Pines Snowflakes) is so very pretty and is perfect for this fun fold! For the flap, I wanted to feature the stamped snowflake. I stamped and die cut four layers of the snowflake and assembled them. Then I cut a strip of Granny Apple Green (same as the card base), scored it in half and attached it to the right side of the card like all my other samples. I then added the assembled snowflake to the top of the flap. I cut another large snowflake out of Basic White to attach to the back side to cover up the flap. I was really excited to see this card turn out so well!

My last sample switches orientation for you! To begin, cut a piece of Berry Burst cardstock 4-1/4" x 11" and score it at 2-3/4" and 5-1/2" parallel to the short side. Fold it the same way - in half first, then back towards the right. I used the gorgeous Lights of Aurora DSP, keeping the pattern across the fold - each was 3-1/2" x 4". For the flap, I used the Peace on Earth Bundle (another favorite). After stamping and layering the labels, I cut a strip of Berry Burst to become the flap mechanism. Oncee the label was attached to the flap, I added another piece of DSP to the back side to cover the flap strip. For my placement, I moved this one up a bit so that my sentiment wouldn't be seen when the card was closed. The Frosted Iridescent Dots added just the right amount of sparkle and another piece of DSP decorates the flap of my envelope.

I hope you enjoyed these wonderful fun folds as much as I did. Thanks again to Gwen for the inspiration!

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

Gathering Moments Cling Stamp Set (English)

[165970]

$26.00

Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[119684]

$14.00

Gathering Together 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

[165969]

$16.50

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad

[147085]

$9.00

Cajun Craze & Gold Dots

[165984]

$9.00

Early Espresso & Old Olive Linen Thread Pack

[165986]

$9.00

Three Banner Punch

[167050]

$26.00

Mini Glue Dots

[103683]

$7.25

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$6.00

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$28.00

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Ready for a Taste of Fall?

Fall is my favorite season! There is so much I love about it - cooler temperatures, gorgeous fall colors in the trees, football, the availability of fall and winter craft beers, hoodies, and of course, the new mini catalog and September On-line Exclusive release! There are quite a few fall sets and while I got quite a few, I certainly didn't get all of them. I decided to give you a sampling of cards that feature four of the bundles I purchased early - Amber Autumn, Gathering Moments, Beautiful Pumpkins and Label Me Grateful. I'm also showcasing a stunning pack of DSP called Gathering Thoughts Specialty - it has gold foiling on half of the sheets and the most beautiful fall leaves! You will see how easy it is to mix and match all of these products and I know you'll love these cards.

I decided to make a masculine birthday card in the video. This one is comprised of two simple layers and is monochromatic. It would be quite simple to add more colors or jazz it up with ribbons or gems if you wanted to make it more feminine. You'll see just how quickly it comes together too!

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Basic Beige 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", 3-7/8" x 5-1/8", 3-3/4" x 2"; Old Olive 4" x 5-1/4", 3-7/8" x 2-1/8"
Stamps: Amber Autumn, Layered Thoughts, The Right Words
Ink: Old Olive
Adhesive and Tools

Fold the card base in half and crease with a bone folder. Ink the acorn and leaf stamp in Old Olive and stamp randomly all over the large Basic Beige rectangle. Make sure you rotate the stamp and paper to get a variety of orientations for the image. If there is a gap at the edges, simply add a snippet of leaf to fill it in. While you have the stamp inky, add a cluster of leaves/acorns to the corner of the envelope too. Adhere this piece to the large layer of Old Olive and add this directly to the card front.

Stamp Happy Birthday (don't you love the sketchy look of these stamps?) on the small rectangle of Basic Beige. Usually, I would add the layer to this piece but for a different look, I added the layer to the card front. Then I added Dimensionals to the back of the Happy Birthday piece and then added that to the Old Olive layer. Finish off the card by stamping the inside sentiment with Old Olive ink. My original sample was done with Pecan Pie, but acorns are green when they are on the tree, so I did green for the video. Which one do you prefer?

For my first sample, I show a helpful tip to add stitching to the large leaves from the Gathering Moments Bundle. I used a tapestry needle (mine came from a pack that was sized 18-22) to stitch the veins of each leaf with Linen Thread. The Gathering Together Suite contains linen thread in Old Olive and Early Espresso, which would also look great. To easily thread the needle, cut a thin strip of copy paper and fold the end over the end of your thread, which will feed into the eye of the needle. Secure the end of the thread to the back with transparent tape and backstitch the veins. I fussy cut the word Gather and decorated the inside and envelope with a strip of leaves, acorns and berries in a variety of fall colors. I love the look of that!

I must confess that the whole reason I purchased the Amber Autumn Bundle was for this large leaf die! This was the first card I made once I received my order. I used Blending Brushes to color a panel of Basic White using Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Real Red. After cutting it out and adding it to my Basic Black card base, I didn't want to cover up the pretty leaves, so I just added a small sentiment. The leaves on the inside and envelope are from Gathering Moments. Then because I wanted a card with more vivid colors, I did one with watercolor paper and some more intense colors. For a switch on the card base, I used Early Espresso instead of black. I pulled in the Label Me Grateful Bundle for the inside.

And because I just couldn't stop playing with this die, I made one more card for you. I die cut a smaller piece (3-5/8" x 4-7/8") of out Pumpkin Pie and adhered it to a 3-3/4" x 5" piece of the same color to give a textured background. The label is from the Branching Out dies (which has six nesting dies of this shape!) and stamped the words and images with Gathering Moments. Even using the die for this subtle background, I love it!

Now I'm getting into some of that gorgeous DSP I showed in the video. I know the paper has gold foiling, but I decided to use copper embossing powder (part of our Metallics set) to emboss the pumpkin grouping from the Amber Autumn Bundle on watercolor paper. I then colored this piece to pop up over the label (Label me Grateful Bundle) and Mossy Meadow & Gold Trim. I used Iridescent Foil Gems to add just a bit more bling. Love this one too!

I'm finally showing the the Beautiful Pumpkins Bundle. Again, Im using the Gathering Together Specialty DSP paper and because I didn't want to cover up so much of it, I used a die from Styling Shapes to cut out the square to add on the white panel. I tried to cut it out so that the pattern of the plaid would align and I think I did pretty good! I stamped the pumpkin in Pumpkin Pie and Daffodil Delight. I found that it is easier to stamp the more shaded stamp in the darker color first, then add the lighter stamp second. I embossed the sentiments (Amber Autumn) in gold embossing powder to highlight the gold in the paper.

Since Pumpkins some in lots of colors, I used Lost Lagoon and Soft Sea Foam for my large pumpkin and Peach Pie (stamped off for the more filled in part of the pumpkin). I did stamp my stems onto the pumpkins (rather than stamping them individually and using the dies), so I had to fussy cut the combo. I added some patterned paper from the Subtles 6" x 6" DSP pack and Pretty Peacock and Soft Sea Foam card stock and sentiments from Label Me Grateful to complete the card.

My last card shows off the stunning leaves from the DSP pack. Again, I didn't want to cover up much of the paper, so I used a small label from Unbounded Love Dies. My sentiments and leaves are from the Gathering Moments Bundle and the gems are Adhesive Backed Metallic Gems. I added a touch of Wink of Stella on the envelope berries which almost made it look like gold to match the paper.