ThePowerOfACard: Leaves

Showing posts with label Leaves. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Shadowed Strips

I've been seeing a lot of cards on the internet with this technique, so that inspired me to make this video for you. I'm not sure if this is the "official name" of the technique, but it works for me! Often, you see the Shadowed Strips made with paper that has a scene on it. But as you will witness, you can make it with a variety of papers, even embossed cardstock! I have a special tip that makes adhering the strips easy and with precision! The card I make in the video uses Dimensionals, but my sample used Foam Strips, which definitely give more lift and shadow. I show you both side by side so you can decide which look you want. Let's get started!

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Basic Beige 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" scored at 4-1/4", 3" x 4-1/4"; Pretty Peacock 3" x 4-1/4", 2-7/8" x 5-1/2"; Nature Walk DSP 2-1/2" x 5-1/2"
Stamp Bundle: Nature's Symphony
Ink: Pretty Peacock
Ribbon: Linen Thread 37"
Embellishment: Antique Pearls
Blends: Dark Pretty Peacock
Adhesive and Tools

After folding your card in half, cut out the large leaf cluster from Basic Beige and Pretty Peacock. Set these aside until we prepare the panel of strips. Cut the piece of DSP into 1/2" strips, keeping them in order until we can adhere them. One thing to note is that whatever piece you cut into strips must be evenly cut into 1/2" increments. (For example, you can't evenly cut a horizontal piece of paper that begins at 4" x 5-1/4" because you'll be left with a 1/4" strip.)

My helpful tip is to use Glad Press'n Seal to assemble the strips. This is a thin film that has a light adhesive that isn't too sticky for paper, but will adhere to your containers in the kitchen. Turn your strips over, one at a time and place them on the piece of Press'n Seal. Keep adding strips right next to each other, making sure there are no gaps and that the tops and bottoms align. When your have all the strips on the Press'n Seal, you can add glue to every other strip, then pick up the entire arrangement and add it to the larger piece of Pretty Peacock.

Carefully peal back the Press'n Seal, keeping the unglued strips in place. Add either Dimensionals or Foam Strips to the back of the first strip and add it to the end of the panel. Repeat with each unattached strip until they are all adhered. I like to do the strips one at a time so they don't get out of order. Set this panel aside as we work on the leaves.

For the leaves, I kept one intact, but cut the second one (Basic Beige) into two pieces. Use a Silicone Craft Sheet to work out your arrangement of the leaves. When you get them positioned as you like, use Mini Glue Dots to adhere them together. This will allow you to pick it up as a single unit.

You'll need just over 3 feet (not yards like I said in the video!) of Linen Thread. If you use a fresh dryer sheet (not used in the dryer) to rub over the thread, it will help remove some of the curls and smooth it out. Wrap it around the Shadowed Strips layer twice and tie in a bow. Add this panel to the card front with glue. Then you can slip in the leaves, position as desired, and adhere with more Glue Dots to the strips.

To finish, stamp the sentiment in the lower right corner with Pretty Peacock ink. I decided to leave this sample without an inside sentiment so that when I need to use this card, I can customize it for the occasion - birthday, graduation, retirement, etc. I did stamp some leaves (stamped off for a lighter version) on both the inside of the card and the envelope.

Paper with scenes are so great for this technique! Here I have the musical bugs from the Cute as a Bug DSP. After cutting it into strips and mounting them to the piece of Old Olive, I added a few more bugs, which were cut using the dies from the Sweet Bugs Bundle, on the elevated strips. The sentiment straddles several strips and is from a new set called Exciting Times.

Instead of patterned paper for this card, I used the Greenery Lane Washi tape on a piece of Basic White. From the Greenery Lane stamp set, I used the small flowers to stamp on my card base around the edges in Lost Lagoon ink. The strips were mounted on Pretty Peacock and the sentiment was embossed in white on a panel of the same color. I added a few more leaves from the washi tape to finish the card.

For this next sample, I wanted to show a completely different look. First, I embossed a panel of Basic White with the Sunflower 3D embossing folder. Then I cut it in half on the diagonal. On my trimmer, I placed the cut edge of the diagonal piece at 3/4" and cut a strip. I repeated this process until I had four pieces for each half of the embossed panel. Then I adhered them in the same manner to a piece of Golden Glow, one of the new In Colors. Before adding this to the card front, I tied a bow with Golden Glow Bordered Ribbon. I embossed the sentiment from Friendly Foliage and decorated with 2026-2028 In Color Dots. I embossed two more strips of Basic White to place on the inside and envelope.

This next sample is a variation of the Spotlight technique (which has only a portion of the paper colored). I stamped the Flowers Fair image in black on a panel of Basic White. After cutting it into strips, I colored every other panel with Stampin' Blends in Hydrangea Hue, Crisp Cantaloupe (not cucumber 🤣), and Granny Apple Green. As I adhered them to the panel of Hydrangea Hue, I did not peel off the backing of the lower end of the strips so I could tie a strip of ribbon around the lower strips. When that was done, I adhered the strips with Dimensionals over the ribbon to create a woven look. Lastly, I added that panel to a piece of Basic White and glued it to a Crisp Cantaloupe card base. My sentiments are from Phrases and Frames and I used more 2026-2028 In Color Dots.

This sample features one of my favorites from the new Online Exclusives for May - Silly Old Bear Suite. While I seem to prefer layouts with vertical strips, I decided to make this one with horizontal strips. There are a lot of great scenes on the Silly Old Bear DSP but this one was perfect for Eeyore. I placed the strips on Early Espresso paper which was matted with Hydrangea Hue. The card base is Very Vanilla and the sentiments are from Sweet Words & Labels. I made this a gift card holder by adding a rectangle embossed with the Hundred Acre Woods folder. I pulled in a stamp from the Gears & Textures stamp set to add texture to the envelope flap and strip on the inside.

My last card features the paper from the new May - August Mini Catalog called Scenic Coast Specialty DSP. It is so lovely that I hate to cut it into smaller pieces! That makes it perfect for this technique so you can still see a large portion of the paper. I kept it simple by putting the strips on Blueberry Bushel and adding it to a Daffodil Delight card base. I used the Sunset Coast bundle for my sentiments and sailboat. By trimming the sentiment with my snips, I covered up less of that pretty sunset.

I hope I've given you plenty of ideas for trying out this technique. It's super fun and so easy when you use the Press'n Seal! Have fun!

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

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Product List

Nature's Symphony Bundle (English)

[166926]

$46.75

Basic Beige 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[164511]

$14.00

Pretty Peacock 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[150880]

$14.00

Nature Walk 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[166912]

$12.50

Linen Thread

[104199]

$5.00

Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad

[150083]

$9.00

Pretty Peacock Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154895]

$9.00

Antique Pearls

[164679]

$8.50

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$6.00

Mini Glue Dots

[103683]

$7.25

Take Your Pick

[144107]

$12.00

Basic White Medium Envelopes

[159236]

$11.00

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

The new rewards program is here! For any purchase above $20, you will earn 10% in rewards to spend on a future purchase. And you don’t have to use them all at once as you can save up rewards to get something big for free! If you don’t have an on-line account with me as your demonstrator, please go to my store and get one.

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

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Textured Notes Bundle

If you've followed me for any length of time, you know how much I love dies! So when I saw this bundle, I mostly wanted the dies. But of course, it's a bundle and I hate to pass up that bundle savings! The fonts and sentiments are lovely and the more I played with the stamps, the more I fell in love with them too. This bundle is just part of a larger suite of newly released online exclusive products called the Botanical Textures Suite - it also includes two packs of DSP (Botanical Textures and Woven Textures). the Mini Corrugated 3D Embossing Folder, Neutral Matte Dots and White 1/4" Ribbon. I don't have everything in the suite, but in my video, I will show a few of them in my sample cards.

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Ctumb Cake 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"(scored at 4-1/4"); Basic White (2) 4" x 5-1/4", 1-1/4" x 5"
Bundle: Textured Notes
Stamp: Pattern of Friendship
Inks: Garden Green, Granny Apple Green, Lemon Lime Twist
Ribbon: White 1/4" Ribbon 6"
Adhesive and Tools

This card is quite striking in its simplicity. Start by stamping the large leafy stamp in Garden Green three or four times on one of the white panels. I like to start with the darkest color first and stamp in various orientations, including going off the edge. Before cleaning the stamp, add a partial leaf to the corner of the envelope. Switch to Granny Apple Green and add more leaves, including the envelope and one on the inside white panel. Complete the panel by stamping with Lemon Lime Twist. Stamp the leaf on the inside piece and envelope too. When considering a color combination for these leaves, remember that the leaves will overlap and the colors need to look good when you do so. My initial sample was done in Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie and Daffodil Delight.

Since the inside panel is nearly done, let's finish hit by stamping the sentiment from Pattern of Friendship in Garden Green. For the sentiment on the front of the card, I used the second largest die and did partial die cutting to make a thin label from a piece of Basic White that was 1-1/4" x 5". Here is a video that shows how to lengthen or shorten a label using partial die cutting - it's really simple to do and extends the usage of your dies a lot! I used another sentiment from Pattern of Friendship for this label, also stamped in Garden Green.

Before popping the label up on the card front, wrap the ribbon around the middle of the leafy rectangle and adhere it to the back side with Seal. Glue this panel to the card base, which was folded in half and creased with the bone folder. Glue the interior panel to the inside of the card and you are done!

My first sample uses Crumb Cake Two-tone cardstock on a Very Vanilla base. The woven stamps are done with Pecan Pie ink and the leaves are stamped with Garden Green and Old Olive. I used some Garden Green Linen Thread (from the Natural Tones Linen Thread trio pack) to add to the organic feel of the card and stamped a few more leaves on the inside and envelope. The Thank You sentiment is from Simply Said.

As I mentioned, I really fell in love with the dies in this bundle. I cut out a bunch of the 2nd smallest dies from Basic White – maybe 7 or 8 of them – and arranged them diagonally on a 3-3/4” x 5” panel of Basic White. When you trim off the edges, you will have smaller bits that can be used to fill in the gaps. I then stamped my sentiment on another label and matted this in Lemon Lime Twist, leaving space on the left side for leaf (which was fussy cut). I added a little bow in white Baker's Twine. (If you wanted to make it a more masculine card, you could leave this off.) I stamped the side of the inside panel and envelope with the same leaves.

This one is another simple card layout that looks fabulous because the paper (Botanical Textures DSP) is so lovely. Instead of leaving it black and white, I colored it with Stampin’ Blends (Granny Apple Green, Lemon Lime Twist and Lemon Lolly). I used the smallest long rectangle for sentiment, popped that up with Dimensionals and adorned it with a little bow in the White 1/4" ribbon.

Using that same pack of DSP, I cut a 4" x 5-1/4" rectangle and folded back the corner before mounting it on a Basic Black card base. I used the middle die (4th from either direction) and partial die cutting to make a square. I liked the pop of Real Red leaves on this panel. I used white embossing powder to make my sentiment and adorned it with Adhesive Backed Sparkle Gems. Black, white and red always look so sharp together!

The sentiment for exterior label is from Everyday You & Me and is stamped in Misty Moonlight on the 3rd smallest die. I stamped the woven circle in Crumb Cake on a White panel as my background. Misty Moonlight cardstock was used to mat the panel and add a strip of color beneath the label. The inside of the card uses the 2nd smallest die and a sentiment from Wonderful Thoughts.

I used the largest die to cut out a piece of the Mixed Media Florals paper, then stamped the large leaf in Shy Shamrock (both full strength and stamped off). The circle is made with the 2" circle punch and is backed with the Shy Shamrock Bordered Ribbon. The final touch is the addition of the 2024-2026 In Color Shimmer Dots. One thing to note is that the proportions of these dies do not quite match the standard A2 size of cards I make - as you can see from this card, the borders on the sides are slightly wider than that on the top and bottom. If this bothers you, simply trim the card down to have even borders.

My last card also features the Everyday You & Me stamp set for the flowers and leaves. I die cut the second and third largest dies from Basic White, then stamped Painted Stripes (another new stamp) in Peach Pie on the smaller of the two before adhering them together. I tied the White Woven Ribbon around this panel, then added the flowers, leaves and sentiment (all fussy cut) with Dimensionals. Before popping this up on my card base, I stamped a few leaves in opposite corners in Peach Pie ink - it adds a little touch of additional texture.

This Textured Notes bundle is just a small sample of all the new products released yesterday in the Online Exclusives section of my store. Check it out and watch my Facebook group to see more samples - I know I will be having a lot of fun with these new goodies!

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

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My current host code for March is: RFH4TBKK.
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For orders over $150, you qualify for host rewards from Stampin’ Up! (plus a treat from me!).

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