a concertina fun fold

a concertina fun fold

by | May 24, 2021 | card samples, Designer Series Paper, fun fold

Early in my stampin’ career I would save files of cards I liked or tutorials (actually I still do it today!) but sometimes you get busy and the older files sit on your computer or phone – forgotten – that is so sad!! I happened to be clearing some of my files on my phone and some of those forgotten files were rediscovered. This is a tutorial from a LONG time ago that I never even got to do! I am so glad I rediscovered it and can share it with you all! This fun fold card is called a concertina fun fold and it will stand independently on your desk for all to see and admire!

Measurements:
3 pieces of Cardstock
(2) 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 pieces of cardstock scored
at 2 1/8″, 4 1/4″, and 6 3/8″ (the 6 3/8 mark on my Stampin’ Up! Paper cutter is a little difficult to see so I rotated the paper 180 degrees and cut at 2 1/8″ from the opposite side – see the video for clarity if that does not make sense!)
(1) 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ base (I used Basic White cardstock for the sample using the Fine Art Suite and Gray Granite cardstock for the Friends are Like Seashells sample)
Multiple 2″ strips of coordinating DSP or you can use colored cardstock if you would like
extra cardstock and dsp for the sentiment focal point and the embellishments
2 inch strips of Computer Paper for DSP templates
After the 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ pieces of cardstock are scored mark the short side of the cardstock at one inch and put the mark in the paper cutter so that the third score line is in one side of the cutting bevel and the tick mark at one inch is on the other side of the bevel and cut a diagonal line from the top of one side of the cardstock – do this to each piece of cardstock

Fold and burnish the score lines with a bone folder. Cut templates out of computer paper for each of the four sections for the Designer Series templates (then you will not waste any paper cutting the angle the wrong way on the wrong side of the DSP – Trust me this helps alot!) In the picture below the white sheets of computer paper are shown in between the 2 panels that already have DSP adhered to them.
Cut out 7 strips of DSP using the Templates – the templates can be flipped to use on the back side of the scored 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ piece of cardstock.
Fold one sheet of scored cardstock so that the front flap opens toward the middle from the left side and fold the other piece the opposite way. They will look like two M’s or W’s when standing up on edge. Do not adhere DSP to the back of the folded section.
Using strong tape (I used the Tear and Tape) on the back of both sections adhere the folded sections to the 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ base card section.
You want to adhere the piece that the top fold opens toward the left when opened towards the middle of the card on the left side of the base card (this is hard to explain but easier when you see the finished card or the video) adhere the folded piece that opens toward the card middle from the right to the right side of the base.
Fold both folding sections flat and add a sentiment embellishment over both front sections to adhere the card front together and embellish the front as desired!
Here are the finished samples!
Hope this fun fold inspires you to go and create your own art one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’

Natalie

Product List
Fine Art Floral Suite Collection
[155982]
$102.25
Art Gallery Bundle
[156227]
$50.25
Art Gallery Photopolymer Stamp Set
[158201]
$22.00
Sand & Sea Suite Collection
[155980]
$92.00
Friends Are Like Seashells Bundle (English)
[159516]
$54.00
Friends Are Like Seashells Photopolymer Stamp Set
[154368]
$26.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[159276]
$9.75
Gray Granite 8-1/2
[146983]
$8.75
Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2
[141416]
$8.75
Fine Art Floral 12
[154558]
$11.50
Sand & Sea Designer Series Paper
[154288]
$11.50
Gray Granite Classic Stampin' Pad
[147118]
$7.50
Bumblebee Classic Stampin' Pad
[153116]
$7.50
Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad
[147052]
$7.50
Blending Brushes
[153611]
$12.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$25.00
Bone Folder
[102300]
$7.00
Paper Snips
[103579]
$10.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$8.00
Tear & Tape Adhesive
[138995]
$7.00
Artistry Blooms Sequins
[152477]
$7.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$120.00
Stitched Nested Labels Dies
[149638]
$35.00
Seashells 3 D Embossing Folder
[154309]
$9.00
Seaside Seashells Dies
[156095]
$34.00
painting with craft white ink

painting with craft white ink

by | May 21, 2021 | card samples, techniques

I love showing new ways to use existing products – how about Craft White ink pad and refill – ever thought of painting with it? Neither had I until I saw a version of this card on Instagram from Hammond and Penny cards – thanks for the inspiration!

Measurements:
Gray Granite cardstock
5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ cardstock scored at 4 1/4″
Supplies
Gray Granite ink pad
Gray Granite Stampin’ Blends Combo pack
Craft White ink pad and refill
Blender Pen
paper snips
Hand Penned Petals stamp set

Stamp the larger flower image on the right side of the card in Gray Granite ink for a tone on tone repeating image.

Using the Gray Granite Stampin’ Blends color and highlight the leaves.
Squeeze white ink from the refill into the lid of the craft white ink pad container and with a Blender Pen paint the inside of the flowers.
Using Paper Snips fussy cut around the left hand side of the flowers and when you reach the top fold of the card cut towards the left hand edge on the fold line.
Stamp the sentiment onto the back panel of the card on the left side of the cardstock so the sentiment shows when the card is folded closed. Embellish with some Basic Rhinestone jewels.
Product List
Hand Penned Petals Photopolymer Stamp Set
[155070]
$22.00
Basic White 8 1/2
[159276]
$9.75
Gray Granite 8-1/2
[146983]
$8.75
Uninked Stampin’ Craft Pad & Whisper White Refill
[147277]
$9.50
Gray Granite Classic Stampin' Pad
[147118]
$7.50
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$25.00
Bone Folder
[102300]
$7.00
Paper Snips
[103579]
$10.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$8.00
Blender Pens
[102845]
$12.00
Rhinestone Basic Jewels
[144220]
$5.00
I love the tone on tone and the way painting the white ink onto the flowers makes them POP! Go create some art today – one stamp at a time! Have a great weekend!

Happy Stampin’

Natalie

blending and masking with after the storm

blending and masking with after the storm

by | May 19, 2021 | card samples, techniques

When I first looked through this new annual catalog, After the Storm stamp set caught my eye. I loved the sentiments and the possibilities with the set! Here is a card I made for my recent Facebook LIVE – which I will repost as a video at the end of this blog post!

Measurements:
Bumblebee Cardstock
5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White Cardstock
5 1/2′ x 4 1/4″
5 3/8″ x 4 1/8″
scrap for the circle die cut
scrap at least 5 1/2″ long for the masking

Fold the Bumble Bee cardstock at the score line. Using the scrap for masking place the mask on the 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ Basic White cardstock piece about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom. Stamp the sun’s rays stamp multiple times above the masking line in a semi circle pattern. I used Daffodil Delight ink here.

Flip the mask above the line previously used and using Blending Brushes and blue ink (Balmy Blue ink used here) blend to a rich blue color for the water.
Stamp with the outline rays in a darker color – I used Mango Melody ink.
Die cut a circle from the Layering Circles Die set – I used the second smallest circle die for the sun. With the mask in place covering the water I used the Blending Brushes to blend color into the sky portion. I blended Daffodil Delight ink around the edges of the rectangle where the rays were stamped. I then came in with Calypso Coral slightly above the horizon line. Blend color onto the circle die for the sun.
Place the mask at the horizon line and cover the top portion of the card. With an old toothbrush I lightly splattered water onto the blue portion of the card so that the water would lift some of the color and create depth and dimension to the “sea” portion of the card.
Stamp the Sentiment in Memento ink. Cut the cardstock down to 5 1/4″ x 4″. Add Stampin’ Dimensionals to the sun and cover the convergence points of the stamps with the die. Layer the stamped and colored Basic White cardstock onto the Basic White cardstock and then onto the base card. Then embellish with the Artistry Blooms sequins and Wink of Stella. I used the Wink of Stella directly below the sun to create a reflection for the sun!
Product List
After The Storm Cling Stamp Set (English)
[155038]
$21.00
Bumblebee 8-1/2X11 Cardstock
[153077]
$8.75
Basic White 8 1/2
[159276]
$9.75
Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad
[147094]
$7.50
Mango Melody Classic Stampin' Pad
[147093]
$7.50
Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad
[147101]
$7.50
Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad
[147105]
$7.50
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
[132708]
$6.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$25.00
Bone Folder
[102300]
$7.00
Paper Snips
[103579]
$10.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$8.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$120.00
Layering Circles Dies
[151770]
$35.00
Artistry Blooms Sequins
[152477]
$7.00
Blending Brushes
[153611]
$12.00
I love the way this card turned out!
Hopefully this card inspires you to create and create art one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’

Natalie

bleached hand-penned petals

bleached hand-penned petals

by | May 14, 2021 | card samples, techniques

Using bleach in Stamping always brings out fun results! This is one of the first “techniques” I learned when I first started stamping 20 years ago – crazy that I have been doing this for that long but I still love it as much as I did the day I discovered the craft!
Regular laundry room bleach will do fill a small cup or dish with bleach get a small paint brush and play! Different colors of cardstock will bleach lighter shades of the original color or sometimes surprise you with a totally different color altogether! Here we are using blending brushes to color on Basic White cardstock, stamping in Versamark and heat embossing with white embossing powder and then painting on the bleach! Simple as that!
Stamped with the large flower image from the Hand Penned Petals Stamp set (#155070) in Versamark (#102283) and embossed with White Embossing powder (#155554 – Basics Stampin’ Emboss Powders)
With Blending Brushes (#153611) I blended Balmy Blue ink (#147105), Pacific point ink (#147098), Misty Moonlight (#153118), and Night of Navy ink (#147110) on the Basic White cardstock (#159276)
Using a small paint brush I painted inside the embossing lines with the bleach.
And finished the cards…here are two different examples!
Product List
Basic White 8 1/2
[159276]
$9.75
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$25.00
Bone Folder
[102300]
$7.00
Paper Snips
[103579]
$10.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$8.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$120.00
Scalloped Contours Dies
[155560]
$35.00
Artistry Blooms Sequins
[152477]
$7.00
Rhinestone Basic Jewels
[144220]
$5.00
Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad
[147098]
$7.50
Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad
[153118]
$7.50
Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad
[147105]
$7.50
Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad
[147110]
$7.50
Hand Penned Petals Photopolymer Stamp Set
[155070]
$22.00
Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends Combo Pack
[154885]
$9.00
pop out window fun fold card

pop out window fun fold card

by | May 12, 2021 | card samples, fun fold

Another Fun Fold card – this uses the Layering Circles Dies (#151770) to create a pop out window fun fold card!

Measurements:
Basic White Cardstock (#159276)
*5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ scored at 4 1/4″
*5 1/4″ x 8″ scored at 2″, 4″ and 6″
Designer Series Paper in the sample I used Fine Art Floral (#154558 – which will be retiring at the end of June) choose complimentary patterns
*5 1/4″ x 4 (for the card front)
*1 7/8″ x 5 1/8″ for the inside center pop up panels
* piece of scrap colored cardstock or DSP for the sentiment

Adhere the 4″ x 5 1/4″ piece of Designer Series paper to the card base using tape only on the outer edges of the DSP. Die cut a circle or shape with tapered edges (a square or rectangle will not work because the edges will catch on the window). Separate the die cut shapes save the DSP die cut for another use and keep the Basic White card stock circle for a future step.
Take the 8″ x 5 1/2″ cardstock piece oand on the 8″ side score at 2″, 4″ and 6″.

Then fold as shown in the second picture below.

Adhere the 2 smaller pieces of DSP to the center two sections of the Basic White 8 x 5 1/4 piece of cardstock.
Adhere with Stampin’ Seal + for a strong seal – the right section to the right outer edge of the card base leaving an equal border the entire way around the insert.
Fold the cardstock so the DSP pieces are back to back and the left hand DSP section is on the right side with the left hand section of Basic white cardstock up against the fold of the card as shown in the picture below!

Using the Stampin’ Seal + make three lines in a C shape on the outer edges of the card as shown above and close the card front over the taped section and rub to adhere. This is what the card will look like at this point…

Place Stampin’ Seal + on the right side of the circle only and lay the Basic White cardstock circle die inside the die cut circle and rub the right side to strengthen the tape seal.
Here are two other samples with some retired products but I wanted to show you how changing the die shape or the paper changes the look completely!
Embellish the card front and the circle that will “pop out” of the card and you have a Pop Out Window Fun Fold Card!

Hope this Inspired you – now go out and create art – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’,

Natalie

Product List
Fine Art Floral Suite Collection
[155982]
$102.25
Art Gallery Bundle
[156227]
$50.25
Art Gallery Photopolymer Stamp Set
[154421]
$22.00
Fine Art Floral 12
[154558]
$11.50
Basic White 8 1/2
[159276]
$9.75
Bumblebee Classic Stampin' Pad
[153116]
$7.50
Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad
[147094]
$7.50
Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad
[147101]
$7.50
Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad
[147052]
$7.50
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
[132708]
$6.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$25.00
Bone Folder
[102300]
$7.00
Paper Snips
[103579]
$10.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$8.00
Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine
[149653]
$120.00
Floral Gallery Dies
[154316]
$34.00
Layering Circles Dies
[151770]
$35.00
Artistry Blooms Sequins
[152477]
$7.00
dandy laser-cut paper

dandy laser-cut paper

by | May 10, 2021 | card samples, techniques

Stampin’ Up! catalogs are always so graphically beautiful and packed with visual stimuli that sometimes it is a bit overwhelming! There are great things in the catalog that I think go unseen or missed! I believe the Dandy Laser-Cut paper is one of those beautiful items that gets lost in all the visual elegance of our catalogs! This gorgeous laser cut paper is stunning and there is so much you can do with it! Tonight at 7pm I will be demonstrating how I made these card in a Facebook Live – so if you are available join me and if you are reading this blog post after the Facebook Live airs I will be attaching it to the end of this post later on tonight after the Live is over so you can view it at your leisure!
For the cards I made I used colored cardstock that corresponds to the color combinations in the Dandy garden Designer Series Paper (#154297) – Bumble Bee (#153077), Misty Moonlight (#153081) and Mossy Meadow (#133676) cardstock.  Stampin’ Up! does the color coordination work for us – so I use those pre-designed color combinations to me advantage – why reinvent the wheel as they say! Below is one of the 2 sheets that come in the pack!

The Dandy Laser Cut Paper (#1154300) is so dainty and detailed. It comes with 2 sheets each containing different card front images and accents. I made a total of 13 cards with the designs and accents. The pieces can be colored with our Blending Brushes and here is my tip for the day! – Place a quarter sheet of Basic White or other neutral cardstock directly under your image and color onto the paper – not only will it keep your work surface clean but will create a lovely masked image – two cards for the price of one!

Above is one of the geometric designed card fronts that I colored in Misty Moonlight ink (#153118) with our Blending Brushes (#153611) and to the left is the Basic White quarter sheet of cardstock (#159276) I used to color the stencil on creating a masked image that I cut now cut down to 4″ x 5 1/4″ to use on a Misty Moonlight card base! The following two photos are the cards I created with the card front and the mask.

Here is another example of that same technique!
On this second card not only did I use the card front image as a stencil but I also used the flower image negatives to create an image overlay! Easy and a great layered effect.

There are separate pieces that come in the laser cut paper pack including dragonflies, flowers and leaves. Here are some of the cards I made using the separate pieces.

The card below uses the Pale Papaya Open Weave Ribbon (#155672) dyed with Blending Brushes (#153611) and Bumble Bee Ink (#153116)! Remember with lighter color ribbon you can achieve almost any coordinating color!!

Here is another card created using another card front image and some of the Dandy Garden Designer Series Paper (#154297) dragonflies that directly coordinate with the Dragonflies Punch (#154240).  I also used the Double Oval punch (#154242) in Misty Moonlight for the sentiment piece.

Lastly I created some more Water splattered paper like my previous paper pumpkin post – So Cool. This technique is a little addictive and thought it would make a fun background for the laser cut images!

Product List
Dragonfly Garden Bundle (English)
[156224]
$36.75
Dragonfly Garden Cling Stamp Set
[154411]
$23.00
Dandy Laser Cut Paper
[154300]
$11.50
Dandy Garden 6
[154297]
$11.50
Bumblebee 8-1/2X11 Cardstock
[153077]
$8.75
Misty Moonlight 8-1/2
[153081]
$8.75
Mossy Meadow 8-1/2
[133676]
$8.75
Soft Succulent 8 1/2
[155776]
$8.75
Basic White 8 1/2
[159276]
$9.75
Bumblebee Classic Stampin' Pad
[153116]
$7.50
Evening Evergreen Classic Stampin' Pad
[155576]
$7.50
Just Jade Classic Stampin' Pad
[153115]
$7.50
Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad
[153118]
$7.50
Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad
[147111]
$7.50
Soft Succulent Classic Stampin' Pad
[155778]
$7.50
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
[132708]
$6.00
Paper Trimmer
[152392]
$25.00
Bone Folder
[102300]
$7.00
Paper Snips
[103579]
$10.00
Stampin' Seal
[152813]
$8.00
Blending Brushes
[153611]
$12.00
Stampin' Dimensionals
[104430]
$4.00
Dragonflies Punch
[154240]
$18.00
Label Me Lovely Punch
[151296]
$18.00
Double Oval Punch
[154242]
$18.00
Whisper White 5/8
[146912]
$7.50
Pale Papaya 3/8
[155672]
$7.00
Multipurpose Liquid Glue
[110755]
$4.00
Rhinestone Basic Jewels
[144220]
$5.00
Artistry Blooms Sequins
[152477]
$7.00

Join me Monday, May 10th at 7pm for the Facebook Live where I will demonstrate the Masking and Water Splatter techniques used to make some of the cards above or if you are reading this post after that time the replay is linked below!

Did you know that if you loved any of the products show you can just click on the pictures above and they will take you directly to my Shop With Me page!
Technology is pretty cool!
I love to show my customers how to use all of the items in the catalog – so many pretty items and so many pretty ways to use them! Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions I am here to help you stamp at your best and achieve the results you desire! Hopefully this inspired you to go and create a little art yourself ONE STAMP AT A TIME!

Happy Stampin’

Natalie