Sharing July Paper Pumpkin Card Designs with YOU!

I had a lot of fun with the July Paper Pumpkin Kit and I thought I'd share my designs with you! In case you have a kit you haven't opened yet, these ideas may inspire you to break open the box and get started creating!

The Kit was called Sending Good Thoughts! So I have to say I was surprised by the name on the paperwork that Stampin' Up! released about the kit.  Yes it is a message in a bottle, but that wasn't the name used in advertising the kit. Oh well, no big deal really.

The included stamp set had a lot of fun possibilities. I think the rolled up message also looks like a diploma. That stamp will come in handy next June! What do you think?

The first trio of my cards were cased from a demo who's name I didn't write down and Vy Tran. The first smart cookie suggested sanding the embossed waves, so I used an emery board and did just that.

Vy Tran had the brilliant idea to use an exacto knife to cut along the wave edges and slip a bottle in the  cut slit with the message hidden on the bottle. The trick was to only adhere the edges of the wave layer to the card base. That way the bottle will come out easily and return easily.

On the next trio of cards, I dusted off my White Craft ink pad and used a Q-tip to daub on the white ink onto the clouds carefully. Followed by setting the craft ink with my heat tool. That didn't take too long.

Stamped the schooner image on Basic White cardstock  with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and fussy cut them out, then raised on mini dimensionals on top of the bottle punch out. The long skinny tag was also raised on mini dimensionals. Linen twine used for a bow on the bottle neck.

For the trio below, I used the Vintage Bottle Punch and punched out the bottle image to make a template on a scrap of Bermuda Bay cardstock. I could trace the bottle shape on the back of the kit banner punch out that I had stamped on the front with the irregular stamp image. With a 1/4" hole punch, I punched a starting hole inside my tracing on the banner back, so I could fussy cut with my paper snips the bottle shape for the Vintage Bottle Shaker Domes to be inserted. 

After inserting and testing for a good fit, I trimmed the shape as needed. When the shape was ready, I peeled off the bottle dome adhesive and attached the shaker dome to the banner. I had a variety of shaker materials I filled the bottle domes with. Then I peeled off the other side of adhesive on the dome. I lay the punched out Bermuda Bay bottle in the opening and  used a few small pieces of scotch tape to seal it long enough to apply glue and flip it over to securely adhere to the card front. No chance of the bottle shaker pieces escaping!

The linen twine was doubled and tied into a small bow and affixed with a glue dot. Assorted gems and sequins were applied to the individual cards as shown.

For the final three photos, I used the punch out frames from the kit for the three bottle sizes. I made stencils to extend my ability to have a variety of bottle sizes for additional card making. Then I used either a blending brush or sponge dauber to apply Bermuda Bay ink to the included envelopes and to the additional cards I created as shown below.

I'd love to read in the comments if you would make cards like these. Which is your favorite?

The Deadline is fast approaching for the August Sweet Sunflower Kit. August 10 is the last day to sign up to receive the kit this month. 

Don't miss out! Click the link below!

Read more on How to Sign Up for Paper Pumpkin

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Please contact me anytime if you have any questions 

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With love and gratitude,

Lots of Stripes in the Sweetest Christmas Suite to Choose From

I hope you've enjoyed the last two days of card inspiration using the Sweetest Christmas Suite.  Today's card is the final one from this Suite for a while. 

I hope you like stripes because today's card has many! But then again, so do real Candy Canes. This card is slightly more difficult due to 8 pieces that are die cut. You can still make multiples, it just requires a little more planning and organization.

Let's get started:

You need a Thick Basic White Cardstock base cut 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", scored at 4-1/4".

Next cut Real Red cardstock 4" x 5-1/4", Do not attach to the card front yet. 

Also cut one piece of Basic White cardstock 4" x 5-1/4" for the inner card liner. Go ahead and adhere inside.

On another piece of Basic White cardstock cut 2" x 4". Stamp the three leaf images in Garden Green Ink first, then die cut those out. 

The Candy Cane wishes tag is die cut from a 1-1/2" x 2-1/2" piece of Basic White cardstock first, then the sentiment is stamped in Real Red Ink. Trim off the excess cardstock below the sentiment.

The two opposite Candy Canes are die cut from the Sweetest Christmas Designer Series Paper (DSP) (which you will need to loosely cut from the DSP so they can run through your die cutting machine easily.) 

Using the Stylish Shapes Dies you will cut two circles from the DSP, matching the patterns shown. Start with a 3-1/2" square piece each.

Now for Assembly:

Adhere and overlap the two large circles first at a slight angle going downward to the left on the Real Red cardstock.

Use Mini Dimensionals to create the overlapped candy canes look.

Cut a 6" piece of the Garden Green Ribbon. Wrap the ends around the Real Red layer and scotch tape to the reverse side securely.  Now you can adhere the Real Red layer to the card front.

The stamped Basic White tag will go on last but you have to add the detail pieces and charm before it is attached to the ccard front. 

The three die cut leaves are adhered to the back of the tag as shown in the photo. 

The Jingle Bell charm is threaded with an 8" piece of Sweet Sorbet Baker's Twine. One end of the twine will also go through the top hole of the tag. Tie a knot at the top of the tag so the jingle bell charm fills in the hole (kind of). Then tie a secure twine bow and trim ends as you desire.

Apply mini dimensionals to the back of the tag, where the leaves are, and to the top of the tag. Then affix to the card front as shown in the photo.

Embellish with the sequins as shown.

If you'd like to create a matching covered with DSP envelope flap, cut a piece 2-3/8" x 6".  Adhere to exterior of flap and trim off excess with your paper snips.

It's been my pleasure to share these three Sweetest Christmas card designs with you. I hope you'll give them a try. The shopping links above will take you directly to my online store.

Feel free to post a comment about which card you liked the most.

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Please contact me anytime if you have any questions 

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stampinwitheva@gmail.com

With love and gratitude,

Candy Canes Galore with Sweetest Christmas Suite

Are you falling in love with the Sweetest Christmas Suite yet? I hope today's "sweet" card will encourage you do to so.

Like yesterday's Christmas Card layout I shared, today's is a little more advanced but still easy to make multiples of, to share with family and friends on a tray of cookies or fudge.  This card has torn Designer Series paper edges, die cut glimmer candy canes, ribbon wrapped around the candy canes and tied in a pretty bow, plus stamping directly on the card base.

Shall we get started?

Cut Real Red cardstock 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", score at 4-1/4"

Stamp greeting in lower right corner of card front in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.

With the Sweetest Christmas Designer Series Paper (DSP), cut 3" x 6" polka dot strip and a 2" x 6" red and white candy cane strip. Gently tear the edges as shown in the photo below trying to not remove too much DSP. Glue the two layers together. Position and adhere on card front above the greeting. Trim off excess overhang on both sides.

Using the Candy Cane Dies, cut one white candy cane from a 2" x 5" piece of white glimmer paper. Repeat with red glimmer paper using the opposite direction die. Adhere the two candy canes together where they cross. Using Mini Dimensionals put some at the curved head of the cane and at the opposite end, but NOT in the middle because that is where the ribbon will go under and through.

With a 12" piece of Real Red ribbon slide an end under the candy cane combo and tie a lovely bow. Trim the ribbon ends in at an angle.

Add embellishments of your choice by the greeting.

Last step, add a 4" x 5-1/4" Basic White cardstock layer to the inside of the card for your own personal message for the holidays.

If you'd like a matching envelope, decorate your  Basic White Envelope flap with a 2-3/8" x 6" piece of matching Designer Series Paper adhered to the flap and trim off the excess with your paper snips.

Here are shopping links for your convenience.

The following products are retired:

You may be able to purchase them from Ebay or Etsy

Resin Hearts Embellishments

Retired Real Red Ribbon 3/8" 

Thanks for stopping by today. I'd love to read a comment if  you have time to leave one.

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Please contact me anytime if you have any questions 

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stampinwitheva@gmail.com

With love and gratitude,

Stampin' Up!s Sweetest Christmas Suite Really is the Sweetest Collection Around!

Do you love Candy Canes at Christmas? I sure do! If you need some right now, our friendly online retailer Amazon has some available now.

Stampin' Up! has delivered a beautifully Sweet Suite you can do so much with. Starting today and two more days, I'll be sharing a total of three fun card ideas using this Suite. The best part is this Suite has no calories unlike real Candy Canes!

The Sweet Candy Canes Bundle isn't used in today's card, but I wanted to introduce it to you. Lots of great sentiments and there are so many possibilities with the large diagonally striped die. And the die that has two holes in it, fits a full size candy cane perfectly! A great way to give personalized treats so easily!

Sweetest Christmas 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (DSP)

Candy Canes and striped options galore!

Today's card is a combination of new and retired products, but I wanted to start off simple and go more advanced as the days pass. The shopping links below will help with what is new and retired.

You will be able to get 9 cards from one of the red striped 12" x12" pieces of DSP when you cut it into 4" squares. Each square will be split apart a little later. Keep reading...

Real Red Cardbase is  cut 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", scored at 4-1/4".

Basic White cardstock layer - cut two pieces (one for front and one for inside of card) 4" x 5-1/4"

One 4" square of the DSP shown above. You will cut it with your paper trimmer diagonally along one of the stripes. I aimed for about an inch up from what would be the lower left corner.

LAY the two pieces, do not glue yet, on top of the Basic White piece so you will know where to stamp your chosen single line greeting in Memento Tuxedo Black ink. (If you make a stamping mistake accidentally, you still have the other side of the Basic White cardstock to stamp on a second time without ruining the DSP.)

Once you have the greeting stamped to your satisfaction, then the DSP can be adhered to the Basic White cardstock layer.

Adhere the double layer to the Real Red card front. Also adhere the second piece of Basic White to the inside of the card for your personal message.

Cut a 24" piece of 3/8" wide Real Red ribbon and place it inside the card at the fold and bring the ends around to the front to tie your bow. I recommend having the fold facing you so your bow will be positioned similar to mine.

Add the Red Rhinestones as shown.

If you like to have a coordinated envelope flap, cut a piece 2-3/8" x 6" from another piece of matching DSP and adhere to exterior of the envelope flap and trim off excess with your paper snips.

The following products are retired:

You may be able to purchase them from Ebay or Etsy

156541 Heartfelt Wishes Stamp Set

156323 Real Red 3/8" Mini Ruffled Ribbon

This card design would allow you to prepare 9 or more cards easily for your family and friends. Please comment below if you think this is a card layout you would be interested in making.

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Please contact me anytime if you have any questions 

https://evadietz.stampinup.net/contact_me

or  email me at

stampinwitheva@gmail.com

With love and gratitude,

Stamp and Tear this Beautiful Christmas Card using the Christmas Season Stamp Set

If you love nature and all things outdoorsy, then this Christmas Card design might be one you would decide to make for your handmade holiday cards.

This card is pretty easy to assemble, just lots of stamping to create the corner design.

Start off with a 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" Shaded Spruce cardstock card base. Score the fold at 4-1/4".

The Cherry Cobbler cardstock layer is 4" x 5-1/4".

Hidden inside is a Basic White cardstock layer for your handwritten message also cut at 4" x 5-1/4". Adhere down.

With the Painted Christmas Designer Series Paper, find the green holly design 
and cut a piece 3-3/4" x 5". Adhere to the Cherry Cobbler cardstock layer.

Cut another piece of Basic White cardstock the same size 3-3/4" x 5". This is the layer you will die cut your tag out of the lower right corner and then stamp it with a greeting of your choice. 

Punch small 1/8" hole in ends of tag and thread 6" of copper ribbon through the holes. Raise tag up on Dimensionals. Stick in position as shown, then scotch tape ribbon ends to back of Cherry Cobbler layer.

Adhere the double layer to the Shaded Spruce card base.

The nature design stamping will begin in the upper left corner of the remainder of the Basic White cardstock piece.

Order and Colors to Stamp the Nature Images:

1. Berries – Cherry Cobbler Ink 

2. Holly – Garden Green Ink 

3. Base of Pinecone - Cinnamon Cider

4. Front of Pinecone – Early Espresso Ink 

5 Long Sprig – Two step stamping with Old Olive Ink 

6. Short Sprig – Two step stamping with Mossy Meadow Ink

7. Finish with Two step stamping with the Dots similar to photo above – Crumb Cake Ink 

When finished with the stamping, gently tear by hand a curved edge from top to left side. Once you are happy with the look, adhere to Holly Designer Series Paper layer.

Finish with 6 rhinestones - 3 on tag and 3 with the berries in the upper left corner.

Christmas Season Stamp Set  (the lower right pinecone is the base stamped in Cinnamon Cider ink, and to the left, the thinner lined pinecone is stamped in Early Espresso ink.

Seasonal Labels Dies

Painted Christmas Designer Series Paper

The following products are retired:

You may be able to purchase them from Ebay or Etsy

Cinnamon Cider Ink

 Watercolor Christmas Stamp Set

 150457 Holiday Rhinestones

Basketweave & Metallic Ribbon Combo Pack

I hope you'll give this outdoorsy holiday card a go. You can easily get an assembly line going with this design too!

I'd love to read a comment about my card design. What do you think?

Shop or Join at https://evadietz.stampinup.net/

Please contact me anytime if you have any questions 

https://evadietz.stampinup.net/contact_me

or  write me at

stampinwitheva@gmail.com

With love and gratitude,

Choosy Cardmakers Choose Stampin' Up! Products for Their Card Making Because Only the Best Will Do!

If you don't mind I am going to step up on my "soap box" today and share why I think Stampin' Up! is the best papercrafting company out there and why you should be choosy when making your papercrafting purchases.

It is my hope that every papercrafter that sees my projects online or meets me in person will see how passionate I am about Stampin' Up!s products. I've been using their products for over twenty years now and have been one of their Independent Demonstrators for 11-1/2 years.  Which means I have a lot of their products, and I have a lot of experience using their products in my papercrafting projects.

I know first hand use how high quality their products are. Color Coordinated products makes designing your projects easy. Their stamp sets, dies, punches, and tools are durable, well made, and if there ever is even a small problem, all you need to do is contact their amazing customer service department, and they will do their best to make it right. 

I know some people may think their product prices are on the high side, but you get what you pay for. You are also supporting small business in your local community by going through an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator such as myself. 

By purchasing quality products from Stampin' Up! and your local demonstrator, you are assured they will last a very long time and you have a local expert to help you learn how to use the items you buy. There is good resale value too should you decide to part with something you are tired of. 

If you believe high quality equals a product that lasts a long time, then by all means Stampin' Up! is the company you should be purchasing your products from via a local Independent Demonstrator. 

The big box craft stores have a variety of papercrafting supplies and sometimes their prices are a little lower or you can use a coupon. But in my experience, especially when purchasing individiual cardstocks and paper stack books, yes, they might go together in their own line, but trying to match them with other products can be frustrating, because they are not color coordinated with a large variety of products. 

One thing you should never do in my opinion, is buy any stamp sets or dies from shady Chinese companies who steal Stampin' Up!s intellectual property every time a new catalog comes out. These awful companies tarnish Stampin' Up!s quality name with their cheaply made and undersized stamp sets and ill fitting dies. Your order takes a month or more to be received, and if you have a problem there is no customer service. You are just out your hard earned money. These companies are so shady they even use Stampin' Up!s images and only blur out the Stampin' Up! name. Ugh! 

Don't be fooled. You are buying from copycats who don't have an original idea of their own! Stampin' Up! has Concept Artists who design their original stamps, dies, and papers. The really sad part is, I recently saw an American online retailer allowing these crooked Chinese companies to sell their poor quality products through them. They will be sorry in the long run that they have associated with these crooks in my opinion.

Now you may be saying to yourself, but many products are made in China. Yes, you are correct. Stampin' Up! has good working relationships and high standards with the Chinese companies that manufacture their high-quality products. Did you know Stampin' Up! manufactures their own stamps in Kanab, Utah? These are not the Chinese companies I'm referring to in my plea to you.

Please, please, please if you care about the cards and gifts you make and share with others, only use high quality Stampin' Up! products. I would be more than happy to help you learn how to use what you purchase properly, so you are happy and confident. 

I will step off my soap box now. I hope I have given you some food for thought.

Do you agree with me about the quality of Stampin' Up! products compared to these crummy knock-off so-called companies? Post in the comments, I'd love to know your thoughts.

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Please contact me anytime if you have any questions 

https://evadietz.stampinup.net/contact_me

or  write me at

stampinwitheva@gmail.com

With love and gratitude,

Are You a Cardmaker Who Wants to Make Their Own Christmas Cards but Can't Find the Time?

We all say we never have enough time to do things, but we are only fooling ourselves. We make the time for the things we really want to do. 

If you think of your cardmaking as a process to organize, and break the steps down like a project manager or mathematician would, you would be amazed at what you can accomplish in a short amount of time. 

Here's how to think about breaking down the task of making Christmas cards into manageable chunks.

Using the card above as my example...

The first thing to think about is how many pieces can be cut out of one sheet of 12" x 12" Painted Christmas Designer Series Paper (DSP). That helps to be efficient with your use of paper.

The strip of the pretty pinecones design is 2" x 5-1/2".

So you can make 12 Christmas cards from one sheet of this Designer Series Paper.

********

Next you'll need 6 sheets of Soft Succulent Cardstock, cut crosswise at 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", then score all 12 pieces at 4-1/4". You have 12 card bases. Use a bone folder or your fingernail to crease the fold line when matching the cardbase corners.

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The next piece to prepare is the Evening Evergreen cardstock 2-1/2" x 5-1/2" layer pieces. You will need 2 sheets of cardstock.

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Next step is to cut your Soft Succulent ribbon pieces. You will need 4" pieces. Cut 12.

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Since the Double Oval Punch was used in this card design, 2-3 strips of 1-1/4" x 11" of  Basic White cardstock will be perfect for the stamped greeting done in Evening Evergreen ink. The greeting used was from a retired stamp set called Arrange a Wreath, but you could use a stamp set similar that would fit into the plain edge oval. Stamp 5-6 images per strip horizontally. Remember to turn the punch over in your hand so you can see the alignment of each stamped image in the oval as you slide the stamped strip through the punch and you will have a portion of the cardstock strip to hold on to as you punch.

Next prepare 3 strips of 1-1/2" x 11" of Evening Evergreen cardstock, and punch out 12 scalloped ovals from the three strips.

********

3 sheets of Basic White cardstock are needed to make 12  4" x 5-1/4" pieces for the inner card layer for your personal greeting.  

***************

Using the Tasteful Textile Embossing Folder and your Die Cutting Machine, run just the front of the card in the embossing folder through your machine, while the back of the cardbase is exposed on the back of the embossing folder.

********

The No Naked Envelope Suggestion - Two Optional Choices you can do:

1)  Cut Designer Series Paper Envelope Flap pieces 2-3/8" x 6". 10 pieces can be cut from one 12" x 12" piece of matching Designer Series Paper. Adhere with adhesive to envelope flap and trim excess with paper snips.

 

OR 2) Stamp in matching ink on your envelope flap or on the lower left corner on envelope front with coordinating images or greetings.

********

NOW you are ready for your Card Assembly Production Line. You'll be just like Santa's elves!

1. Adhere the two narrow strips together - Pinecones and Evening Evergreen, making 12 sets.

2. With scotch tape secure 1 ribbon piece ends to back of double layer done in step 1. Repeat 11 more times.

3. Adhere this unit directly to embossed card front with 1/2" left margin spacing. Total 12 cards.

4. Adhere both oval tag (1 stamped plain oval and 1 scalloped oval) pieces together making 12 sets. 

Use 2 Dimensionals to raise each tag up on each card front similiar to photo.

5. Add 3 Rustic Metallic Adhesive Backed Dots to each card as shown in photo.

6. Adhere Basic White inner card layer to the inside of each card.

7. If you have your own personalized stamp, stamp the back of each card. If you don't, handwrite your name and year on the card back.

8. Decide what (if anything) you will be do with your Basic White envelopes from the previous suggestions. Pair one envelope with one card.

TA-DA You now have 12 cards made. Well Done!

The following products are retired:

You may be able to purchase them from Ebay or Etsy

152587 Arrange a Wreath Stamp Set for greeting

152718 Tasteful Textile Embossing Folder for subtle texture on the Soft Succulent card base

I'd love to read a comment from you. Was the detailed process and pictures helpful for you? Making one card at a time takes a LONG time, but using the assembly line method will result in time well spent. I use this assembly line method every time I prepare card kits for my classes.

Shop or Join at https://evadietz.stampinup.net/

Please contact me anytime if you have any questions 

https://evadietz.stampinup.net/contact_me

or  write me at

stampinwitheva@gmail.com

With love and gratitude,