ThePowerOfACard

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Graduation Card with Encircled with Love

Graduation season is upon us! In my video today, I am making a simple graduation card that has a holder for a gift card or cash. I am using the Encircled with Love stamp set, a new one from the Annual Catalog. It is reasonably priced and has a good variety of sentiments, making it a great addition to your stamp collection.

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Crumb Cake 8-1/2" x 5-1/2", Basic White (2) 4" x 5-1/4", 4-1/4" x 2", scored on three sides at 1/4", scrap to cut a 2" circle; Regals 6" x 6" DSP (Blueberry Bushel pattern) 4" x 3-3/4"; Blueberry Bushel 1/4" x 5-1/4"
Stamps: Encircled with Love, Sunrise Sailing, Choose Happy
Ink: Blueberry Bushel
Punch: 2" Circle
Adhesive and Tools

Fold the card base in half and crease with the bone folder. For the DSP, I cut my piece at 4" and then at an angle. This will leave you with another piece for the next card and all you need to do is trim off some from the end. Add this to one of the pieces of large basic white. Add a little glue next to the DSP and add the strip of Blueberry Bushel paper so that it meets the DSP. Trim with your snips.

On the scrap of Basic White, stamp the Way to Go sentiment in Blueberry Bushel. Use the circle punch to cut it out, then pop it up on the card front with Dimensionals. Add a few stars from the Choose Happy stamp set. (While I had the stamp out, I also stamped the stars down the left side of my envelope.) Add this panel to the front of the card.

To make the gift card holder, score the smaller rectangle of Basic White at 1/4" on both sides and the bottom. With your snips, cut at an angle to the point where the score lines meet, them pivot a bit before completing the cut. As I show, this will leave the tiniest of space when the flaps are folded back, making the corner perfect. Before adding the gift card holder, stamp the A Little Something for You sentiment. Fold all the flaps to the back, add glue to the flaps and adhere to the inside front side of the card.

Finish the card by stamping the Congratulations sentiment to the remaining piece of Basic White. Add a few more stars and adhere to the inside of the card. This card would be super easy to make in the school colors of your graduate!

My first sample features new In Colors and a new DSP called Boho Vibes. My card base is Cloud Cover and I paired it with Cajun Craze and Secret Sea to coordinate with the DSP. I also used a little of the Faux Linen Ribbon to accent my circle. The strip of Cajun Craze is embossed with the Exposed Brick embossing folder and the inside sentiments are from The Right Words.

My next card is all about circles! I stamped my Thank You sentiment in Granny Apple Green. I cut a little larger circle from Lemon Lime Twist and embossed it with Soft Waves embossing folder. The largest circle is from Irresistible Designs 12" Specialty DSP. This is gorgeous paper that is embossed white on white in three different patterns. When I used a blending brush on top of it, the design really pops! The ribbon is knotted around a piece of Granny Apple Green. After the circles were adhered, I added a few Holographic Resin Dots.

If you haven't noticed, I really love using Basic Black for card bases because I love how the colors pop! I used a strip of the same DSP I used in the video, but this time in Pumpkin Pie. I added two tiny strips of Pumpkin Pie on either side and under my Happy Birthday Wishes circle. For the inside, I added a little more of the DSP and a greeting from Hooray for Surprises.

My next card goes back to the Boho Vibes DSP and Secret Sea (both card base and ribbon). I stamped my sentiment in Darling Duckling (another new In Color) and the inside has a sentiment from The Right Words. You can't get much easier than this one!

The With Love stamp is stamped with Strawberry Slush (yet another new In Color) and matted with a larger circle of the same color. I used the Mini Corrugated embossing folder on a piece of Pretty in Pink, then added a strip of the Floral Impressions DSP on the left. The bow is from the Faux Linen ribbon (available in all five In Colors) and the embellishments are Strawberry Slush and Pretty in Pink Gems. The Right Words (isn't this such a versatile stamp set?) and a fussy cut flower adorn the inside.

My last one is the only card where I'm not using circles! I used the Perennial Postage Dies to stamp three of the flowers (only the center one with the word Sorry). The strip of DSP is from Florals in Bloom and it is adhered to the panel of Summer Splash. I tied a bow with the white from the Baker's Twine Essentials. The inside sentiment is from The Right Words and I added another piece of DSP. I think I forgot to mention in the video, but I did add Wink of Stella to the flowers.

Super easy cards. Super versatile stamp set. Get ready for those graduation parties and impress them with your card making skills!

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

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Product List

Encircled With Love Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[165338]

$20.00

Sunrise Sailing Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[165491]

$20.00

Choose Happy Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[163701]

$21.00

Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[120953]

$11.50

Regals 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[165304]

$12.50

Blueberry Bushel 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146968]

$11.50

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Blueberry Bushel Classic Stampin' Pad

[147138]

$9.00

2" (5.1 Cm) Circle Punch

[133782]

$23.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$6.00

Paper Snips

[103579]

$12.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$28.00

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Cheers & Sips and Tips for Filling your Glasses

When the new On-line Exclusives were first announced, I immediately fell in love with this collection of products! In my video, I am focusing on the bundle and the DSP pack, but there are more items in the suite collection, including a two-pack of embossing folders, ribbon and embellishments. There are 20 stamps and 15 dies in the bundle and it was even better than I imagined after I started playing with all of them.

Instead of making a card, I decided to show you different ways you could fill your glasses (as well as adding ice, shine and texture) - I hope you don't mind! I do show some completed cards (so plenty of ideas to inspire you), but I think you'll find my demonstration useful when you start using this bundle.

Let's begin with the three ways to fill your glasses. The first way is to stamp on the DSP sheet that is full of color blocks. Usually I use Smoky Slate for stamping the glass, but you could also stamp in black. If you plan on using the die to cut out your glass, I recommend cutting the DSP into smaller widths, either two or three blocks wide. This will allow the paper to easily fit into the Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine. Stamp the glass so that the top rim is above the color block, then cut out with the die. (Sample notes: Yellow glass has ice cubes embossed in clear.)

The next way is to stamp on Basic White and then color with Blends. Start with drawing a line where the top edge of your liquid will be, then fill in the rest. I usually use several colors and shade it a little darker near the bottom and sides. (Sample notes: Both of them have the added texture. The yellow one was colored with Lemon Lolly, has Smoky Slate ice cubes, and was shined up with Wink of Stella. The pink one was colored in Flirty Flamingo and adorned with a little strawberry.)

The third way is to use a sponge and add color from your ink pad. The way I did this was by first stamping my glass on a sheet of copy paper. Then I cut out the middle portion (it is helpful to cut out a circle from the middle of the glass first so that you can easily use your snips to cut). Cut right on the stamped line of the glass, and leave space at the top that is uncut. You could use sponge daubers, or even blending brushes, but I liked the look of the sponge. This method came to be because the first card I made was in Strawberry Slush and I didn't have the Blends yet - so this way, I could have a strawberry colored drink. (Sample notes: Here is the "mask" I made from copy paper which allowed me to color in the middle of the glass.)

Now let's add some ice - you can stamp ice cubes in Smoky Slate ink or with VersaMark to emboss, either with white or clear. For so many of my glasses, I tended to add the ice cubes at the bottom of the glass - that was just craziness because ice cubes float! (Sample notes: All three were sponged with the technique above. Ice cubes left to right are Smoky Slate, embossed in white and embossed in clear. The mint julep also shines compliments of Wink of Stella.)

On to adding shine! The first way is to use packing tape - simply add the tape over the stamped or paper image, then cut out with scissors or the die. Remember to press well with bone folder to get a perfectly shiny glass. (Sample notes: The glass on the right was colored with a Cherry Cobbler Blend to give it the appearance of wine. Both are covered in Packing tape, but the shine doesn't really show in the photograph.)

The next way to add shine is to emboss the entire surface. For this technique, it is helpful to have a bit of a "handle" to hold onto while pressing the glass into the VersaMark ink, then adding clear embossing powder and heating to melt. After it's cool, you can cut out your glass. The last way to add shine is to use Wink of Stella to get a nice overall sparkle. (Sample notes: You can see the texture, especially on the one on the right. If you want a smoother look, add a second or third layer of clear embossing and it will smooth out the surface.)

The last thing I showed in the video was to add texture to the glass. There is a die for the tall glass that adds a starburst sort of design to the glass. This reminds me of the fancy cocktail glasses you might see in a restaurant.

Here's the first card I made with my bundle. I colored my glass with the sponging technique and Strawberry Slush ink, then added ice cubes that are embossed in white. I also used the Painted Stripes, Spring Corners and With You in Mind stamp sets. I really love this one!

For my next sample, I fussy cut out glasses from the sheet of DSP with big glasses. While there are some that can be cut with the dies, many have fun things sticking out. I even used a few that were at the edge of the paper and by running my glasses edge to edge, it was a great way to use that partial glass. For the bottom of my white panel, I used the texture die to add a "surface" for the glasses to sit upon - a good way to expand usage of this die.

My next two cards use the paper with color blocks. The first one was stamped with black and cut out. I added some ice cubes with clear embossing (at the bottom of my glass - ugh) and then decorated with some extra blackberries. The sentiment is from Sweet Jar and the die is from Nested Essentials. The other one uses the color blocks as a background and the glasses were cut from the DSP (and their ice cubes in the red drink are at the bottom too!). I added the two cherries and a little umbrella and sentiments from The Right Words and Beautiful Motifs.

The paper in this pack is so gorgeous (I've already purchased two packs!) and these next two cards show it off. The die is from Textured Notes and the sentiment is from With You in Mind. While I was fussy cutting the glass, I also cut a few of the little flowers sprinkled in-between the glasses - they add a little extra touch. Lastly, I had to show the fun fold I made in my video from two weeks ago because it shows off more of the paper (and I love it).

Which technique will you try first? I bet that once you get started, you'll try them all in no time at all! Have fun with the Cheers & Sips Bundle and Celebratory Sips DSP!

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

Etsy Shop: The Power of a Card

Shop my Store!

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Images Copyright Stampin’ Up!®

Find me on Facebook - The Power of a Card or

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Product List

Cheers & Sips Bundle (English)

[165594]

$41.25

Celebratory Sips 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[165586]

$12.50

Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad

[147113]

$9.00

Versamark Pad

[102283]

$9.50

Basics Wow! Embossing Powder

[165679]

$21.00

Embossing Additions Tool Kit

[159971]

$27.00

Heat Tool (Us And Canada)

[129053]

$32.00

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

[141897]

$9.00

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Interlocking Fancy Fold

How would you like to impress your friends with a card that has a definite WOW factor while in reality, it quite easy to make? If you said yes, I have the video for you. This interlocking fancy fold looks quite challenging to make but is actually pretty simple. The trick is to get your inside panel added before you make the front of the card.

When I saw this fun fold on-line, I wanted to try it. As soon as I did, I knew I would use the layout for a video. I have a variety of cards using a mix of current products and soon to be gone products while sprinkling in some upcoming new ones too! I tried to show you some pared down versions (less layers to cut), as well as some variations on the components. I hope you enjoy this deceptively easy interlocking fancy fold!

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Basic White 5-1/2" x 10-3/4"(scored at 1-5/8" and 3-1/4" from both ends), 3-3/8" x 4-5/8, 2" x 3"; Brights 6" x 6" DSP (Azure Afternoon patterns) 3-1/2" x 4-3/4", 2-3/4" x 3-3/4", 2-1/4" x 3-1/4", 6" x 2-3/8" and a few scraps to fussy cut if desired; Azure Afternoon 2-7/8" x 3-7/8", 2-3/8" x 3-3/8"
Hybrid Embossing Folder: Thoughtful Moments
Stamp: Wonderful Thoughts
Ink: Azure Afternoon
Ribbon: Baker's Twine Essentials and Pack Your Bags Twine 3-Pack - 18"
Embellishments: Adhesive Backed Rainbow Dots
Adhesive and Tools

The card base is a little different for two reasons - size and weight. Because we are adding so many paper layers onto this card, I found that using the Basic White instead of the Thick version works perfectly fine. The size of the base before scoring is 5-1/2" x 10-3/4". To prepare it for the fun fold, score at 1-5/8" from both ends. Then turn the paper over (I'll explain why in a minute) and score at 3-1/4". When you look at the scored base, you will see two lines that are indented, or valleys, and two that are raised, or mountains. The best way to fold paper after it has been scored is to fold so that the mountain is on the inside of the fold. Fold the large sections toward the middle of the card, then fold the remaining flaps back. This is the base for our fun fold.

Unlike most cards when we do the inside of the card after completing the front, it is vital to do the inside first. Stamp the sentiment onto the large white panel with Azure Afternoon ink and glue this to the large piece of DSP. Attach this to the inside of the card, centering it top to bottom and side to side.

Attach the two layers of DSP to the coordinating piece of Azure Afternoon with glue. With the card closed, lay the largest of the two pieces near the top left corner. Use the inside panel as a guide for the top of this piece. You will want the same size border on the top and left side. Add glue on the underside, just where the panel attaches to the card flap. Position the second piece near the lower right corner. The bottom will align with the inner piece. Slide it to the left temporarily to see where to add four dimensionals, then add the panel on top of the dimensionals, keeping the same size border on the left and bottom. The dimensionals will give the space for the left side panel to tuck under the right side panel easily.

Instead of using ribbon like my first card, I decided to use Baker's Twine. The white is from the Baker's Twine Essentials pack and the Azure Afternoon is from the Pack your Bags Twine 3-Pack. I cut 18" of both and tied them around the larger of the two panels. This variation of adding a bow isn't required and in fact, these are the only two cards with ribbons.

The Thoughtful Moments hybrid embossing folder (and die) can cut out a 6" square with a variety of sentiments. However, if you only want one of them, like I do, then just place a 2" x 3" piece of white where the Thank You is located and cut it out on the Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine. Attach this with Mini Dimensionals so the sentiment sticks out a little off the side of the small panel.

For the envelope, I chose to decorate the flap with a panel of the leafy version of the DSP. Simply apply ink close to the edges, add the paper, then follow the edge of the envelope flap to trim. For a little extra, I fussy cut one of the leaf designs and added it to the front of the card. I had originally planned to put that on the inside, but liked it on the front. After filming, I cut out a another leaf and flower to add to the inside and added a few embellishments onto the front.

The first sample card I show in the introduction used the Unbounded Beauty and 2024-2026 In Colors DSP. I used the Thoughtful Moments again for my sentiment and the ribbon is Pretty in Pink Bordered ribbon. The gems are new - Strawberry Slush & Pretty in Pink Gems - aren't they perfect?? The inside sentiment is from Pattern of Friendship. Who wouldn't love to get this card in the mail?

The Frames & Flowers Specialty DSP pack was used for this card. Instead of using two different papers for the panels, I used the same paper and matted it in Pretty Peacock. This pack of paper has two sided sheets, plus sheets full of frames, sprigs, sprays and flowers that are ready to use. I chose two sprays to surround the scalloped oval cut from Petal Pink (Unbounded Love dies). The sentiments are from The Right Words, a new sentiment set that I know will be so useful. I added some Riverside Irregular pearls to accent the front. For the inside, I chose to use a smaller white panel (3-1/4" x 4-1/2") so that more of the DSP would show.

This masculine birthday card is more on the simple side. The paper is from the County Woods DSP, which is one of my favorites when I have to make a card for a guy, and matted with Early Expresso. I didn't even add a second layer of DSP on the inside since the card base is crumb cake and the white shows up nicely (just make sure this is the 3-1/2" x 4-3/4" size). I used my favorite dies (so very, very sad they are retiring) called Wanted to Say to make the Birthday sentiment in Basic White and Misty Moonlight. The inside sentiment is from Hooray for Surprises.

Here's another card that uses the Wanted to Say dies and Unbounded Beauty DSP. The interior Celebrate was cut from the same paper as the larger panel - I like how it give a texture look to the letters. I used the Flowers of Beauty bundle to add a leafy die cut on the left panel and flower on the inside and envelope. The sentiment is once again from The Right Words.

My next two cards use paper from the Celebratory Sips DSP pack. It's part of a new suite coming out next month and I love it! For the first card, I chose that happy paper with lots of colorful fruits and matted it in Old Olive. For the smaller panel, I used a print that looks almost solid and matted it in Mossy Meadow. I fussy cut the drink from the DSP and the stamped sentiment - they really stand out on that paper! I used the Cheers & Sips bundle for all the sentiments, mint sprig and orange slice on the envelope. The second card made with this paper pack is another variation - instead of matting a piece of paper with a solid, I simply added a 1" strip near the outside edge of the layer. The label, hugs word and leaf is from the Hugs Abloom dies, a special set of dies for Paper Pumpkin subscribers. They release one each quarter and this one is the latest. I used more of the Brights 6" x 6" DSP for the inside and The Right Words for the inside.