Saturday, January 29, 2022

Step It Up Saturday

 Well it’s Saturday! For most people that means sleeping in, but oh no, not me. It’s right before the crack of dawn (4:30am) and as I roll over in bed, a thought comes in my head about this post. Now my brain is like a dog with a bone: it won’t let it go until I see it through.

Earlier this week, I posted a simple Beginner card that I cased from the SAB (Sale-A-Bration) brochure on my Facebook group, Diane’s Craft Space.


It came together quickly and used minimal products: stamp, ink, paper, scissors (to fussy cut the ladybug instead of the added cost of the punch) and adhesive. Beginners don’t have much of a card making stash but as shown here, they can still make a pretty awesome card. 

Once I finished this card, I thought, this can easily be stepped up for a Casual card maker.


On this card, instead of stamping my background, I added DSP (Designer Series Paper). I also added a matte for the sentiment, black dots and a small bow to the lady bug. These additions are quite inexpensive to purchase once you already own stamp, ink, paper, basic tools and adhesive.

Now comes the stepped up version for the Avid crafter. They have been card making for some time, they already own the basics and can now add the big guns to their collection of craft supplies.


Here we introduce the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss machine, a die and an embossing folder as well as the coordinating Ladybug Builder punch. Now I’m not saying a Beginner can’t use or afford the big guns. They can. If they have the budget and some tutelage, it can easily be done. It’s just most Beginners need to pace themselves into the art of card making supplies and knowledge. It’s also good for an Avid or Casual stamper to go back to basics sometimes. Sometimes less is more and more doesn’t mean better.

Here are my cards side by side to compare “skill” levels.


Supplies used Beginner:

Add on supplies for Casual stamper:
Add on for the Avid crafter:
I hope you enjoyed seeing my stepped up versions of a very simple card. Here is the inspiration from the SAB brochure:

Have yourself a very merry Saturday! Make some time this weekend to get your craft on. I’m off for coffee number two and fingers crossed: a nap this afternoon.

Friday, January 28, 2022

Freshly Made Sketches #520

 Welcome back, I’m so glad you stopped in. I have a simple card to share with you today.

I played along with the layout from Freshly Made Sketches #520. As soon as I saw it, I thought of the big half rainbow die from the Brilliant Rainbow dies.

I apologize for featuring the Rainbow Of Happiness Bundle again but I can't get enough of it. And you have to agree with the big half rainbow is perfect for this sketch. I went with a more pastel tone than the vibrant colours of a usual rainbow. Originally I was going to use the Sunshine & Rainbows DSP from the SAB (Sale-A-Bration) brochure but every paper I picked would be too wide and cover too much of the rainbow. I thought of white ribbon next and was happy that I can see through enough to still see the rainbow.

Supplies Used:


I kept the inside of the card as simple as possible with a simple strip of card stock and a star. For the envelope, I used one of the card stock panels that has the rainbow die cut out as a stencil and a sponge dauber to add the colours and stuck another star.


Well that's all for today! Here's hoping you can squeeze in some crafty time this weekend.



Thursday, January 27, 2022

Krafty Chick Challenge #596: All Occasions

  Happy Krafty Chicks Thursday to you!

Welcome to another great challenge week from the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog. All Occasions is the theme, so pretty much anything goes. Here's my card:


 I am so excited about this card. Reason: I LOVE MY COLOURING!! I love colouring images, I can do it all day. I have been practicing with the Stampin' Blends for quite a while and I finally think I'm getting better, like almost artist good. This image is my best by far!

 
 
It took a lot of Stampin' Blends to accomplish this image but now I can justify the worth of the investment. So much so, that in my next order I will be adding ALL the Stampin' Blends that I currently don't have. I already purchased the Natural Tones Collection. That's 10 new Stampin' Blends coming our way, right now for demonstrators and next month for customer. It's a pre-release product from the Annual Catalogue 2022-2023, going Live on May 3, 2022.
 

 The Collection consists of a stamp set with coordinating dies, 6x6 DSP pack, and 10 Stampin' Blends. I'll have more details of this soon.

Supplies I used:

I like to keep the inside of the card and the envelope just as CAS. I just added DSP.

Head on over to the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog for more details about the challenge and for more inspiration for All Occasions week from the Design Team. There's even a place to upload your project at the end. I hope you play along with us and show us what's happening in your craft space.

Here's a direct link to our wonderful Design Team's personal blogs:

Leanne's Blog

Melanie's Blog

Lori's Blog

Darnell (Guest Designer) 


 

Saturday, January 22, 2022

Late Throwback Thursday Card

 Good day everyone! It's Saturday, hope you have great things planned for the weekend. I will be working evenings but crafting by day. I created this really fun card that I posted to Facebook on Thursday on my group page Diane's Craft Space. See the post here.

It's a new themed feature post "Throwback Thursday" that may not happen every Thursday but often enough to call it a theme. The goal of this new feature is to get you using your old stamp sets, old Designer Series Paper, retired card stock, retired embossing folder and dies, etc. There's still LOTS of life left in these products, they shouldn't be pushed to the wayside and ignored. 

On the Facebook post, I asked: Can you name the Retired products used on this card?? Hint: there's three. Want the answer right away? Scroll to the Supplies Used section to find out if you're right.


 
 
 
I am a horrible fussy cutter. Are you one too? Here's a tip:
- Use your Basic Black Stampin' Write marker to colour in the white space outside of the outlined image. Ta Daaaa! No one will know.

For a more professional finish, here's another tip:
- Since you have the marker handy, colour your side edges. No white showing. Finished look.


 


 

 

 

 

Here's a close up to see the professionally finished edge. 

What do you think?? I like it much better.






Supplies used:


 And to finish of the card set, I added strips of DSP and stamp and coloured the hat image. Lots of white space to write a message and the address. No more naked envelopes and plain insides. Let the recipient start smiling upon receiving.

One more tip: If your DSP falls a little short for the envelope flap, measure it to see if there's still enough of the adhesive to close it. If the answer is yes, adhere the DSP flush with the top edge and trim off the white space. Another option: adhere the DSP flush with the end of envelope flap and add a strip of coordinating card stock to the top. Trim to fit.

For today's card, I played along with the following challenges. Click on the images to visit their blogs.


 

 


 

That's all for today Thank you for stopping in and enjoy your weekend. Hopefully you can squeeze in some craft time

Friday, January 21, 2022

Freshly Made Sketches #519

 Coming at you today with another card inspiration. I'm trying to spend more time creating and blogging with less time on Netflix and Prime TV. This week is working out but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed since most of my projects are last minute. Hopefully on my days off next week, I can get a few cards/blog posts ahead and not feel so rushed. Enough whining! Let's get to the card!

A great way to get creative is to play along with challenges. I have bookmarked a few that I think are my types of challenges. I like sketches, colour palettes, and themes. For this card, I played with the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #519.

It's Clean And Simple (CAS) in design and it all came together quite quickly once I decided on the stamp set.

Supplies I used:

I finished off the inside with the left over bits from the rainbow die cuts and used a Bermuda Bay Stampin' Write marker for the smallest arch. The strip of Melon Mambo anchors my rainbow. For the envelope I stamped the rainbow using Stampin' Write markers as my ink. Once my Sunshine & Rainbows DSP comes in on Monday, I think I will add some to the flap. I think it looks naked now without something on it. 

The Sunshine & Rainbows DSP (158126) I received for FREE when my order was more than $60 during the Sale-A-Bration promotion. Want some Stampin' Up! exclusive product for FREE too?? You will not see these products carry over once February 28, 2022 rolls around. And all the FREE products in the brochure are while supplies last, so they might not even make it to February 28. See the brochure here: https://issuu.com/stampinup/docs/sab22_en_ca?fr=sN2M0OTQ1MTA2ODU. Then go shopping to qualify to get FREE products.

Hope you have time to get creative today. Have an amazing day!


Thursday, January 20, 2022

Krafty Chicks Challenge #595: CAS

 Happy Krafty Chicks Thursday to you!

Are you ready for this week's challenge? I'm the hostess and we are looking for CAS, as in Clean And Simple. Here's my card:

I created this card as my monthly thank you cards for customers that buy from me in January. I like to send a little note of appreciation for their business. This time I played along with the latest sketch from Global Design Project

This sketch is perfect for our CAS challenge. Originally, I wasn't going to add the DSP but I could see how it anchored the butterfly. Plus it helps me use up my stash, I've got hoards of it. And that wasn't the only decision I had to make.

Top THANK YOU is in Memento Jet Black ink. Bottom is using Versamark and black embossing powder. Well, that was a no brainer after I heat set the embossing powder. Don't you agree?

Supplies I used:

One more decision to make. Although the black inked butterflies are beautiful, there was too much black for me. I stamped in Basic Gray also to compare. I'm happier with the gray. But I had no intentions of colouring the butterflies so it worked for this card and envelope.

I finished off the inside of the card and the envelope with a strip of DSP and a butterfly.

Want some more inspiration?? Go check out the Krafty Chicks Challenge Blog to see what the Design Team have created. Hope you play along and upload your project so that we can see what's happening in your craft space.

Here's a direct link to our wonderful Design Team's personal blogs:

Leanne's Blog

Melanie's Blog

Lori's Blog

Darnell (Guest Designer) 


 


Wednesday, January 19, 2022

What's Going On Wednesday? January 19, 2022

A Wednesday update about what is going on in the world of Stampin' Up! this week.


 

KISSES & HUGS MINI TREAT BOXES: Add-On to the January Paper Pumpkin kit 

  • Contains 20 mini treat boxes and 20 heart tags
  • Gold cord: 10-1/2" yards (9.6 m)
  • Finished size: 1-3/4" x 1-3/4" x 1-3/4" (4.4 x 4.4 x 4.4 cm)
  • Printed with gold foil

These coordinated treat boxes were not included in January's kit and are only available for purchase separately as an add-on online starting 14 January. You must be a Paper Pumpkin subscriber to purchase and they are only available while supplies last. Since I am subscribed, I can order these for you, just send me a message. If you already are subscriber, you can order yours here: https://www.stampinup.ca/products/kisses-hugs-mini-treat-boxes?demoid=2042209


SAFARI CELEBRATION, the upcoming February Paper Pumpkin kit. Answer the call of the wild—and your creativity—with the Safari Celebration Paper Pumpkin Kit. This playful, party-themed kit includes all the goodies and gear you need to create cards and coordinating envelopes in safari-inspired shapes and patterns you’ll go wild for! Make every occasion a celebration with this month’s amusing animals, beautiful botanicals, and celebratory sentiments.

  • This month’s kit contains enough elements to create 9 cards—3 each of 3 designs—and 9 coordinating envelopes. This all-inclusive kit includes printed card bases, die-cut paper pieces, embellishments, adhesive, and more!
  • The Safari Celebration Paper Pumpkin Kit includes a Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin’ Spot!
  • This kit’s stamp set is an uplifting one! Make every occasion a celebration with sentiments that say “yay!”, “fantastic!”, and other fun phrases.
  • Card size: 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" (10.8 x 14 cm)
  • Envelope size: 4-1/2" x 5-3/4" (11.4 x 14.6 cm)
  • Coordinating colors: Bumblebee, Fresh Freesia, Pear Pizzazz, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Succulent, Soft Suede

Get your subscription here:  https://www.paperpumpkin.com/en-ca/sign-up/?demoid=2042209



LIGHT THE CANDLES kit has been added to the Kits Collection! Light the Candles—a birthday card kit you’ll be using all year! This kit features bright colors, sparkly embellishments, and a simple peek-through technique that will make you want to party. These cards are perfect for wishing the happiest of birthdays, or to use as invitations to an exciting birthday bash!

  • Kit contains enough supplies to create 8 cards—4 each of 2 designs—and 8 coordinating envelopes.
  • Includes printed card bases, printed die cuts, adhesive, embellishments, and a clear block.
  • Includes an exclusive stamp set and a Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin’ Spot.
  • Finished card size: 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" (14 x 10.8 cm)
  • Coordinating colors: Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Magenta Madness, Mango Melody, Night of Navy

Get your kit here:  https://www.stampinup.ca/products/light-the-candles-card-kit-english?demoid=2042209



 

 PREPAID PAPER PUMPKIN DURING SALE-A-BRATION is the perfect time to subscribe. Why? During Sale-A-Bration, you can earn free Stampin’ Up! products with the purchase of a prepaid Paper Pumpkin subscription! New, existing, loyal, and even canceled or suspended subscribers can reap the benefits of this amazing offer.

Here’s what you can earn when you buy a prepaid Paper Pumpkin subscription:

When purchasing a 6 month subscription, you save $1 per kit. The better deal however is the 12 month subscription: pay for 11 and get the 12th free (save $28 plus shipping and tax) AND get Hostess Rewards. That's more FREE product ($30 value).

Order the 3 month subscription here: https://www.stampinup.ca/products/3-month-prepaid-paper-pumpkin-subscription?demoid=2042209

Order the 6 month subscription here: https://www.stampinup.ca/products/6-month-prepaid-paper-pumpkin-subscription?demoid=2042209

Order the 12 month subscription here: https://www.stampinup.ca/products/one-year-prepaid-paper-pumpkin-subscription?demoid=2042209

 

SALE-A-BRATION (SAB) is the first "most wonderful time of the year". It's where you get FREE product for shopping with me, hosting a qualifying party, and/or joining my team between January 4, 2022 - February 28, 2022. See the brochure here: https://issuu.com/stampinup/docs/sab22_en_ca?fr=sN2M0OTQ1MTA2ODU


How does SAB work?? There's three ways to benefit.

Shop with me: Choose a FREE SAB product for every $60 or $120 you spend (before shipping and tax). You can shop from the Annual Catalogue  (AC) or the January-June Mini Catalogue (JJ2022).

Host a qualifying party: Make treasured memories and share some fun creative time with others when you host a party. Host now and both you and your guests can earn FREE SAB products. Plus place any party order or personal order of $375 or more and receive the exclusive Calming Camellia stamp set for FREE!

Join my team: When you become an Independent Demonstrator, you join a supportive community of others that share your passion for creativity. Join now and select $165 of products and only pay $135, that includes the shipping and tax. If you join my team during SAB, you'll also get your choice of any TWO stamp sets for FREE! 

For more information on joining: https://dianelebrun.stampinup.net/join_now

 JANUARY-JUNE 2022 MINI CATALOGUE (JJMC2022) is now available to order from. It's your passport to stunning seasonal projects! It contains all the products you’ll need to craft, create, and celebrate during Valentine’s, Easter, and more. See the catalogue here: https://issuu.com/stampinup/docs/jj22_en_ca?fr=sYzg3ZTQ1MTA2ODU


Now you are in the know! Thank you for stopping in for a visit. Any questions about any of these promotions, don't hesitate to contact me at su.ink.outside.the.box@gmail.com



Krafty Chicks Challenge #743: CAS

Happy Krafty Chicks Thursday to you!   Are you ready for this week's challenge?? On the third week of the month, I'm the hostess an...