fruit salad sale-a-bration double z fold card

fruit salad sale-a-bration double z fold card

Who doesn’t like fun folds? It is one of the most fun types of cards to make – some take a little extra time and materials but they are so worth it!
The Double Z Fold card is a fairly simple design that any card maker can achieve! Try one out and see!

Measurements:
BASE: Garden Green CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 2 3/4″ and 5 1/2″
second z fold strip 1 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 2 3/4″ and 5 1/2″
DSP: 6″ x 6″ piece
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″ inside layer
scrap for sentiment die cut
Colored CS: scraps for Mini Alphabet dies

To best utilize your DSP I got all pieces needed out of ONE 6″ x 6″ piece of DSP – cut it this way!
If your paper is directional decide first how you want the direction to run and cut accordingly!
I wanted the watermelon stripes running up and down on the 2 1/2″ x 4″ pieces so I made sure to position the paper that way.
I cut two 1″ strips off the bottom of the paper.
Cut the 4″ x 6″ piece of DSP in (2) 2 1/2″ x 4″ pieces this left me with a 1″ x 4″ strip which I also used.
Cut the 1″ strips into (1) 1″ x 5 1/4″ and
(2) 1″ x 2 1/2″ strips.

Adhere the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layer to the inside of the 4 1/4″ x 11″ card base.
Adhere the 1″ x 4″ sttrip to the right-hand side of the Basic White layer I left a small border on the right-hand side.
Adhere the (2) 2 1/2″ x 4″ pieces of DSP onto the first two panels of the large base card.
Flip the smaller 1 1/4″ x 11″ piece so that the score lines are oppositely positioned from the large base card. (the larger panel will be adhered to the smaller front panel. This will make a difference if like my card your patterned paper is directional! I wanted my watermelon seeds to have the point side up so I made sure to position them accordingly before adhering onto the panels. Adhere the 1″ x 5 1/4″ strip to the larger left-hand side panel, then adhere the 1″ x 2 1/2″ strips to the two smaller panels on the right-hand side of the 1 1/4″ z-fold.
Match the edges of the smaller Z fold with the first small panel of the larger z fold base card and adhere the first 2 1/2″ portion of the 1″ x 5 1/4″ strip that will be attached to the card. **NOTE: if you put adhesive on the entire 5 1/4″ strip you will adhere the fun fold closed and it will not work because the adhesive will attach to the back of the smaller panel.**
Place adhesive on the back of the third smaller strip and close the card this will attach the smaller z-fold in the correct position.
I realized after I photographed this card that the die cut I grabbed out of my stash was from the retired Everyday Details die set but you can use the Stylish Shapes or Spotlight on Nature dies to get a similar look.
I stamped the sentiment from the Ice Cream Swirl stamp set and cut out the A from the “make a wish” sentiment.
I colored the die with a blending brush in Real Red before popping up the A on the die.
I used a Water Painter in Real Red ink and tapped it over the die cut piece with a bone folder to create a tone on tone splatter effect.
I adhered the circle die to the smaller front z-fold panel.
I took two pieces of Black twine from the Bakers Twine Essentials pack and tied a double bow and adhered it to the sentiment piece with a mini glue dot.
I had a bunch of letters die cut from a previous card in Melon Mambo and instead of wasting them I spelled out MELON and colored them with a blending brush in Real Red ink which gave them a depth of color and texture! Added BONUS!
I adhered the letter die cuts from the Mini Alphabet dies to the top of the second smaller z-fold panel.

I fussy cut three watermelon slices and adhered them to the inside panel of the z-fold and added Iridescent Adhesive-Backed Discs to finish off this fun fold card!

You do want to be conscious of the fact that some of the inside panel will be visible when the card front is closed so decorate accordingly!

Try this easy fun fold and see what you can come up with!

Now go and create some fun fold art of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

create your own shimmer paper cards

create your own shimmer paper cards

We used to carry Shimmery White cardstock and I LOVED IT!! It had this gorgeous sheen to it and a subtle sparkle. Well it retired and if you loved it too there is a way to make your own and the good news is … it’s even more versatile!

If you are not familiar with our Pearlized Enamel Effects there come in two versions and packs of three bottles of lacquer each:

#156310 Pearlized Enamel Effects Basics
$15.00
* 3 bottles: 1 each of 3 colors
* 1 oz. (29.5 g) each
Product colors: Black, Real Red, White Pearl

#161610 Metallic Enamel Effects Basics
$15.00
* 3 bottles: 1 each of 3 colors
* 1 oz. (29.5 g) each
Product colors: Copper, Gold, Silver

You can use this lacquer in so many ways. The small, thin tip makes it easy to outline stamped images or add detail. Draw attention to part of a stamped image. Write and draw shapes such as stars and hearts. Create dots to use on your creations. You will need to allow time for drying.

Did you know you can brush these directly onto cardstock and create a shimmer paper in these six basic colors and add drops of re-inker to them and create many more colors with shimmer!

Measurement Card #1
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
scrap for die cut
5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ for painting and die cutting
DSP: 2″ x 4 1/4″ and 2″ x 3 1/2″

Card #2
BASE: Basic White CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ for painting and die cutting
Fresh Freesia CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ for painting and
embossing
Pebbled Path CS: scrap for sentiment piece

I experimented with different colors and different enamel effects to increase the combinations I could achieve!

My first sample I embossed colored cardstock – Fresh Freesia – with a new Beautiful Butterflies embossing folder.

I squeezed a few drops of White Enamel Effects onto a Silicone Mat and using a wet Water Painter I painted that embossed surface with the watered down enamel effects to give it a shimmer! Allow to dry fully before using on a card!
Next I did the same thing on Basic White Paper painted with White Enamel Effects.
For experiment number 3 I used Basic White CS and painted it first with the White Enamel Effects and then painted just the butterfly images with Gold and Copper Enamel Effects.
I die cut the large and small butterfly from the painted metallic butterflies piece.
For the first card I took scraps of the Nature’s Sweetness 12″ x 12″ DSP and took two different patters and a die cut from another sneak peak product the Linked Together Dies. I first arranged them together in a pleasing pattern on a 4 1/4″ x 11″ base cardstock folded in half.
Once I liked the pattern I removed the DSP and die and started to adhere the pieces onto the base.
I adhered the 2″ x 4 1/4″ piece across the bottom of the base card leaving a small border along the bottom of the card base.
Next I adhered the gold foiled cross-hatched patterned DSP in the opposite direction.
I glued the die cut piece from the Linked Together dies set overlapping the two pieces of DSP.
I grabbed a scrap of Copper Clay to draw out the copper shimmer on the butterflies and stamped Time To celebrate in the same Copper Clay ink.
I adhered the sentiment piece overlapping all three previous pieces.
I popped up the large butterflie die from the Beautiful Butterflies bundle and adhered it over the sentiment piece.
I die cut the body of the smaller butterfly out of the white shimmer paper and adhered it onto the top of the detailed die cut butterfly. I then adhered this smaller butterfly below and overlapping the left corner of the sentiment piece.
I adhered 5 brass colored embellishments f( I realized after I adhered them that these embellishments are retired but you could easily substitute the Adhesive-Backed Metallic Gems which come in Copper, Gold and A dark silver/platinum color and are faceted for a beautiful shimmer and shine!
For Card #2 I used the Fresh Freesia cardstock that I painted as the background.

I mixed Berry Burst re-inker into the White Enamel Effects to create a Berry Burst butterfly.
I painted on the Berry Burst enamel onto a sheet of embossed paper.

I adhered the Fresh Freesia background 4″ x 5 1/4″ to the Basic White card base.

I die cut the large butterfly out and die cut the large butterfly body out of the Fresh Freesia enameled scraps. i adhered the butterfly body onto the middle of the large butterfly and popped it up on Dimensionals on the card. I stamped the sentiment in Pebbled Path ink on a scrap of Pebbled Path cardstock and adhere it over the butterfly die.
I added three of the Adhesive-backed Drusy embellishments for extra special sparkle and shine!

The possibilities are endless colored paper and white or silver, black paper and all of the enamel colors, white paper and all the colors of enamel or color the enamel with re-inkers WOW what will you come up with?

Now go out and create some fun shimmer designs of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Reminder this blog post contains references to sneak peak merchandise that will not be available for purchase until January 7th so they will not appear below in the photo shopping icons.

getting the most out of your designer series paper

getting the most out of your designer series paper

When you cut your Designer Series Paper efficiently it can go a long way! And this card is a perfect example of that efficiency!

I cut the 6″ x 6″ Subtle DSP from four sheets in half at 3″ and then at 1/2″, 3/4″ and 1″ sections depending upon the color, stretching the amount of cards you can do with just a few sheets of paper!

Measurements:
BASE: Basic White CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Layer: 3″ x 5″
Basic Black CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
DSP: 3″ x 1/2″, 3″ x 3/4″, 3″ x 1″
Lemon Lolly CS: 3″ x 1 1/4″

On the long 5 1/2″ side, rub the upper edge of the paper with an embossing buddy from the embossing accessories kit. Stamp the Wishing open sentiment in Versamark and sprinkle with the White embossing powder and heat set with the Heat Tool until melted.
Adhere to the Basic White card base, this will have the wishing turned to a vertical position.
Adhere the top strip of DSP to the 3″ x 5″ Basic White layer, leaving an even border on the top edge.
Then adhere the bottom strip, leaving an even 1/4″ border on the edge.
Stamp the open script YOU on the Lemon Lolly CS and adhere to the center of the Basic White layer.
Then adhere the remaining two pieces of DSP in the spaces in between the Lemon Lolly and the top and bottom DSP pieces. This will help get even spacing.
Wrap some Basic White Twine around the top portion of the 3″ x 5″ Basic White layer and tie in a knot.
Adhere this layer to the right of the embossed Wishing sentiment on the Basic Black CS layer.
Pick your coordinating sentiment and stamp on the Soft Seafoam DSP.

What a fun way to use some of your Designer Series Paper! Try this easy card design and let me see what you create!

Now go and make some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

delicate forest tri-color card

delicate forest tri-color card

Today I’m using a a stamp bundle I have not used for a while – Delicate Forest bundle.

Measurements:
BASE: Poppy Parade CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
scraps for the foliage die cuts
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″
scrap for the sentiment piece

Take the large foliage stamp and stamp on one of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ in Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, and Poppy Parade inks.
Die cut the frame from the Delicate Forest die.
Adhere the frame over the Basic White CS layer and adhere both to the Poppy Parade base.
Die cut the twin foliage strip in Poppy Parade cardstock.
Adhere the strip to the bottom of the card.
Stamp the sentiment on the Basic White sentiment die in Poppy Parade ink.
Adhere to the outside of the foliage frame and pop up the right side of the sentiment piece.
Adhere two more foliage die cuts from the Delicate Forest die set to either side of the card bottom.
Adhere three Iridescent Adhesive-Backed Discs onto the card front.

Our die sets make the prettiest cards – try your hand at a card and make some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

full of life designer series paper fold back card

full of life designer series paper fold back card

This card uses an entire sheet of 6″ x 6″ Designer Series paper folded to create a unique pattern!

Measurements:
BASE: Berry Burst CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
2 1/2″ square
DSP: 6″ x 6″ piece of paper
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″
2 1/4″ and 2 3/4″ squares

Cut the 6″ x 6″ piece of DSP at 1 3/4″.
Flip around to the opposite edge and cut 1 3/4″.
Fold the two 1 3/4″ pieces the inside top and bottom corners on a diagonal.
Adhere the middle piece of DSP 2 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ to the center of the Berry Burst cardstock base.
Adhere the two side pieces over the center DSP piece.
Adhere the 2 1/2″ Berry Burst square to the
2 3/4″ square of Basic White. Stamp the Happy Birthday and hearts in Berry Burst ink on the
2 1/4″ Basic White square and adhere that to the Berry Burst square.
Adhere in a diagonal in the center of the card.
Stamp the hearts in Berry Burst ink onto the 4″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White CS and adhere to the inside of the card.
Adhere three Iridescent Adhesive-Backed Discs to the sentiment piece.

Try this fun Designer Series paper fun fold card and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

I used this design for my current swap card and these are some of the other designs using more of the Full of Life 6″ x 6″ DSP patterns.

I also colored the Basic Rhinestone Jewels with the Dark Berry Burst Stampin’ Blends marker for perfect color coordination!!