extended z-fold card

extended z-fold card

Today’s blog post is all about a fun fold called the extended z fold. It’s a great card that shows off the beautiful Sale-a-bration Designer Series Paper called Most Adorned 12″ x 12″ DSP.

Measurements:
BASE: Flirty Flamingo CS 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 1 1/4″ and 5 1/2″
DSP: 1″ x 4″, 1 1/2″ x 4″, 4″ square
scrap for sentiments

Fold card in half at 5 1/2″ score line. Fold the score line backwards at the 1 1/2″ score line.
Adhere the 1″ DSP to the 1 1/4″ flap.
In the first sample I used the brayer and colored the foiled side of the 1″ DSP.
Adhere the 1 1/2″ DSP to the left hand edge of the card leaving an even border around the top bottom and right hand edge.
Place tape on the inside of the front flap. Place the 4″ square of DSP on the left side of the score line – close the flap adhering the 4″ square to the backside of the flap.
Stamp a 1/4″ strip with the sentiment in Real Red ink. Rub the strip with a Blending Brush. Adhere it to the circle die from the Everyday Essentials and add Real Red card stock heart dies to the circle.
Adhere the sentiment piece hanging over the flap.
Adhere three Adhesive-Backed Milky Dots to the sentiment piece.
The DSP piece attached to the underside of the flap extends the card while it is open to over 14 inches but it still fits into a regular envelope when closed.

The Most Adorned DSP is FREE with every order of $50 subtotal – it contains a foiled side of gold and white and the other side features patterns of hearts and plaids in Flirty Flamingo and Real Red. So many possibilities in using every side! Here is a second version!

Try this extended z-fold soon and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

fun with shapes

fun with shapes

Watercolor Shapes (#156968) is one of those versatile stamp sets with shapes that often gets overlooked – this stamp set is now retired and SOLD OUT but I wanted to share some ideas for using shape stamps with you as other sets have shape stamps in them.
Using the shapes as a background is one easy way to use this set and creates a lovely backdrop for this simply stamped card.
I stamped the background and them restamped the photopolymer clear stamp again on these 1/4″ Real Red cardstock strips. Stamped the Biggest Wish sentiment in Tuxedo Black Memento ink and added a few Matte Black dots to finish it off!
Not only did I use the small square for the background in this card as well, but I did a rock n roll effect (this is where you take a stamp and roll the edges only in the ink pad so that the center of the stamp remains less or uninked and stamp it down on the paper)
This “halo” effect of the rock n roll technique creates a spotlight for the sentiment! I stamped it onto a rainbow scrap piece of paper and added Brilliant Wings die cuts and Matte Black dots!
This card uses the same technique as the last sample but in a different color scheme.
This sample uses the larger circle as a background image for the sentiment. Popped up over the smaller circle background it adds interest and continuity to the card!
Using multiple colors and shape images this card uses the same techniques as the last sample but adds depth and dimension using the multiple colors and shapes.

This next sample uses the retiring color Mint Macaron and retiring die set Brilliant Wings dies as the foreground for the small square pattern made with the Watercolor Shapes stamp set.

Starting yesterday I will be posting every Sunday a color challenge – I would love to see what you all come up with – yesterday I posted a five color palette featuring Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral and Real Red.
Here is the card that I designed around this first color challenge – send me photos of the cards you come up with i cannot wait to see your creations!
a dynamic WOW single layer card – faux torn edge technique

a dynamic WOW single layer card – faux torn edge technique

How do you create a dynamic WOW card with ONLY a single layer? Make it appear to have more than one layer! Using a faux torn edge technique is an easy and simple way to create some fabulous single layer cards. All you need is a few supplies: some basic white cardstock, a few ink colors and blending brushes, and some sticky notes!

Prepare enough sticky notes to go across your page vertically or horizontally doesn’t matter you choose! Tape the sticky notes together and tear a small bit of the sticky side off the entire way across the edge of the note. Adhere to the cardstock (in the photo below I have used the sticky notes before – as long as the note is sticky and you are using the same colors you can use these edges again and again!

Starting with the lightest color apply color with a blending brush (could also use a sponge dauber) the the unmasked area between the sticky notes.
Apply the next darkest color in the same fashion
Add the darkest color of ink in the same way.
Keep the mask on and stamp your images and sentiment.
Gently peel up the sticky note masks and this is where the magic happens! It looks like you have another layer on this card! EASY so easy and so pretty!
Add a few embellishments and your single layer WOW card is complete! You do not need to make a card complicated to make it stunning!
Hoping this inspires you to go out and create some art of your own – ONE STAMP AT A TIME!

Happy Stampin’

Natalie