ANOTHER SQUARE COLUMN CARD AND MORE "SIMPLY ZINNIA".

 

Can you see too many zinnias?  Or too many Square Column cards?  I think the answer is no, and I hope you agree because I have more of both to share today.  I used the flower dies in the "Simply Zinnia" bundle on today's card, along with that gorgeous designer paper and some of the Adhesive-Backed Shiny Sequins.

This card was made for my great-niece, and I think she's going to love it.  When she was a little girl, she enjoyed stamping--and had her own box of stamping supplies at my house but, sadly, she rarely had the opportunity to visit and enjoy those supplies.  It's hard to believe that she's going to be 22 y/o on March 6th.

The above photo shows the left side of the "column".

It's not necessary to decorate the inside of the column, but I think it's a nice finishing touch.

Aren't the colors in the designer paper simply stunning?

You might can tell from one of the pictures that the flower centers were brushed with Wink of Stella.  Speaking of the centers . . . I couldn't decide if the Lemon Lolly die-cut should go on top of the die-cut Crushed Curry or vice versa, so I just layered those cuts the way that I thought looked best.  I almost forgot to mention that the white layer behind the fussy-cut designer paper was embossed with the Exposed Brick 3D embossing folder.  Even though this layer would be mostly covered, I think the embossing added a nice amount of texture.  After I had assembled the die-cut zinnias, I used Stampin' Brushes on the tips to darken them just a tad.

Thanks for stopping by today!  And just so you know . . . I've already decided to make it my mission to do something other than a Square Column card for my next blog post.  :-)

Have a stampin' good day!

"SIMPLY ZINNIA" SQUARE COLUMN CARD

 

Have I got a pretty card to share today?  Oh yes!!!

My "Simply Zinnia" bundle arrived earlier this week, and today's card features images from the stamp set, coordinating dies, shiny sequins, and designer paper, which is simply bursting with rich, vibrant colors!  This is a GORGEOUS bundle!  The collection of products will be part of Stampin' Up!'s Online Exclusives and will be available on March 5th, so you might just want to mark your calendar to make a purchase that day.  Don't let this one get away!!!

You may remember from a previous post that I mentioned having a few Square Column cards already scored and ready to make?  I love making these cards, and they are perfect for showcasing designer paper.  Since the flat panel to the right of the column featured a die-cut sentiment and designer paper, the back of this card will be used for writing a note, greeting, etc.  Speaking of the die-cut sentiment . . . I really liked the faintly-stamped zinnia as a background, don't you?

The little bunch of zinnias were stamped with Memento ink and colored with alcohol markers. A bit of Wink of Stella was brushed in the center of the flowers to give them a little glimmer, and I think the colors coordinate so nicely with the designer paper.

For the past several years, my daddy has grown gorgeous zinnias!  They're so colorful, and just a few of them look so pretty in any vase.  As long as his zinnias are growing, he will have a bouquet for my sister and I when we visit on the weekends--this is always such a treat, and I love having them in my home.  This collection of products really called to me, and I hope that you love them, too.  But don't forget . . . March 5th is the first day to buy any or all of them.  

If you don't already have a Demonstrator, I'd love it if you would shop with me.  Here is a link to the Online Exclusives, but remember . . . Simply Zinnia won't be there until March 5th.

Have a stampin' good day!

"SO REFRESHING" ON A MAGIC CARPET

When I first looked through Stampin' Up!'s main catalog (when it was brand new), I had pen and paper and was ready to make a wish list.  The "So Refreshing" stamp set gained a lot of interest but, over time, it kept getting bumped off of my orders to make room for something else.  I finally purchased the bundle and was so excited to work with it!

I'm the first to admit that I have no artistic ability, and I didn't realize as I was working on this card that the cloud designer paper (from the "Sunny Days" Sale-a-Bration collection) was only going to make the cute picnic blanket look more like the refreshing lemonade was on a fun magic carpet ride.  How did I miss that???  🤣  

As you can see from the above photo, about 1" was cut off of the right side of the card front, which left that much of the inside of the card visible.  Perfect place for a strip of that pretty red floral paper, huh?  One of the Perennial Postage dies was used to cut the sentiment, which was layered onto a square of Lemon Lolly cardstock and placed to hang off the right edge of the card front.

As usual, it isn't too easy to see that Wink of Stella was brushed on the die-cut lemons and ice cubes, but they are glimmery.  And those teensy die-cut strawberries with detail . . . aren't they adorable?  "So Refreshing" is definitely another of those bundles that is fun to use and will probably get even more use once we get into the summer months.

That's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by!  

"SIMPLY SPARKLING" ROCKING CARD

The "Simply Sparkling" bundle seems to include everything you could think of, including such fun fruits!  As someone who enjoys coloring, I chose to stamp, color and then die-cut the images, but there are dies in this bundle that are perfect for someone who might not want to color--just cut the shapes--which include embossed/cut details--from designer paper or cardstock.

Creating the rocking card was easy.  I just folded my cardstock in half and then placed a die on the cardstock so that only the lower portion (below the fold line) would cut.  Of course, you can use any size circle die for a rocking card.

And then, of course, I had lots of choices and decisions to make--all enjoyable, of course!  It's impossible for me to say just how fun the "Simply Sparkling" bundle is. And those fruits . . . aren't they sweet?  They'd be pretty on a project without the soda can.  In case you need another look at the bundle:

"Simply Sparkling" is one of Stampin' Up!'s Online Exclusives and only available while supplies last, so don't let this one get away.

ANOTHER SQUARE COLUMN CARD FEATURING LAVENDAR & WISTERIA

Today I'm sharing another Square Column card that features a mix of old and new products.  With so much on my wish list, I had to cut some corners and agree (with myself) to mix the gorgeous Perennial Lavender designer paper with the retired "Wisteria Wishes" stamp set so that I could also get the Perennial Postage bundle.  I may yet end up with the coordinating Painted Lavender bundle, which is so pretty, but--for now--I'm working with what I have.

Have you made Square Column cards yet?   I am having so much fun with them and have more card bases cut, scored, and ready to use.

I'm not sure if it's good or bad that my card features the same dies used to create wisteria and lavender, but the combination looks good.  The sentiment on my card is from the "Special Moments" stamp set and cut with one of the new Perennial Postage dies.

The above photo shows the fun 3D column design and also how I adhered designer paper to the inside of the column as well as the outside. It's a little tricky to show exactly how flat the card folds for mailing, but maybe you can see that from the photo below:

All cards need a little embellishing or bling, and I used some purple rhinestones on this one:

Since the entire front was decorated with designer paper and die-cuts, the back of the card will be used for writing a sweet note.  Of course, it deserved a little bit of decorating.

It looks like I'm going to need another pack of this gorgeous designer paper because I'm going to run out before I get tired of using it.  

If you haven't made any Square Column cards, be sure to check out this blog post for instructions.  These cards are sooooooo very easy and fun to make, and I know that they are fun to receive as well.  If you don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator but would like to order some awesome products, I'd love for you to shop with me.

Until next time . . . have a stampin' good day!

PUPPY'S READING LIST + OUR BORDER COLLIES

 

If you have a dog(s), then you'll totally understand why this stamp set called to me.  I happen to share my home with two Border Collies, and I swear they read books like the pup on the card.  Actually, I think they could write books!  If you don't know anything about Border Collies, let me just tell you that they are highly intelligent . . . intelligent to the point that they literally STUDY you and your habits and learn what actions normally precede other actions.  They don't have to be in the same room with you or within sight of you to know what you are going to do next.  Seriously . . . a simple human sigh tells them a lot. They are always listening for and predicting your next move.  They have a tendency to demand your attention, and your vocabulary quickly becomes their understood vocabulary.  We have to spell certain words so our boys won't know what we're talking about, and that's challenging when the spelling of a word can sound similar to the actual word, such as t-r-e-a-t.  Just go to Pinterest and search "border collie" to get an idea of what these precious fur babies are like.  They may have four legs, a tail, and shed like crazy, but they're much like living (and communicating) with a small human.  Such impressive creatures!  

So yes, this "Puppy's Reading List" stamp set by Newton's Nook Designs grabbed my attention.  Sometime last year, I think.  I had never used the set but came across it while looking for something else and decided that it was time to make a card.

I used alcohol markers to color the pup and his books, but I didn't dare try to make him black and white like my fur boys.  I rarely use a black marker and, truth be told, it scares me to think of making a mess with the darkest of dark colors.  I've never consciously thought of that until now.

My cardstock colors are Stampin' Up!'s Calypso Coral, Old Olive, and Coastal Cabana.

The book title was heat-embossed, which I think turned out to be a really nice touch.  You can see that better in the above photo.

For a little extra interest, I stamped "paws & reflect" on scrap cardstock and punched it with a 1.25" circle punch.  This was adhered to a 1-3/8" punched circle from Old Olive cardstock--after cutting a straight edge from the right side of both punched circles.

What better way to end this post than with a picture of the boys.

Jack (2-1/2 y/o) is on the left.  He's the sweetest little cuddler.  He's also the one you need to watch because he gets into stuff.  You know how some families have that child who's bound to end up in the ER a time or two?  Well, that's our Jack.  He's a smart little guy, and he takes many cues from Ramsour.  Sometimes he likes to take toys and attention from Ram, too.  Both of our boys were bred for agility, and that's easy to tell with Jack.  We often call him Jumpin' Jack for a reason.  It's so funny to watch him catch frisbees.  He jumps prematurely all the time, often hopping across the yard.  Just when you think he's totally missed it, he'll swing around and catch it.  You can throw a ball that will practically land in his mouth, but he's gotta jump to catch it.  There's got to be a jump!  LOL

Ramsour (7-1/2 y/o) is pictured on the right.  He's classic, textbook Border Collie.  Even though he was bred for agility, the herding instinct runs deep within him.  Sometimes I feel that we are remiss by not providing him a pasture of rolling hills and a flock of sheep.  He's a VERY quick learner, eager to "go to work", and an excellent communicator.  He's perfect and so easy in many ways; however, we're the only people that he likes--and he reserves the right to revoke that "like" on occasion.  Ram is sometimes too intelligent for his own good and/or contentment.  You can't mention "meds" or he will literally tiptoe away to a hiding spot.  And he's too clever for you to sneak meds into his food.  He'll eat everything but the medicine.  LOL  My husband has to make a concoction of scrambled eggs, peanut butter, bacon, treats, and regular butter just to get the monthly meds in this guy.  He's probably about got that figured out, so I'm not sure what the next method of delivery will be.  LOL

These two boys are a lot of work, but we love them so much.

WINTER "SQUARE COLUMN" CARDS

 

Last November, my friend, Laura, sent me the neatest birthday card!  It was a Square Column design that folded flat for mailing, and I just loved it.  Had to make one (or a few).  While I made a couple of Christmas cards featuring this fun design, the cards that I'm sharing today are thank you cards that I made after Christmas.

As you can see, I covered part of the inside of the column with the same designer paper that I used on the outside, but a coordinating color for the card base would look fine with designer paper only on the outside.  

I like the look of the two colors of snowflakes on this card.  As you can see, there's plenty of space for writing your greeting on the white panel, but you might want to continue building a scene there and use the back of the card for your greeting.  

I continued the snowflake theme on this card but used different colors and opted to inlay the snowflakes on the gray panel.

Making a Square Column card is quite simple.  The card base is 5-1/2" x 10-1/8" and scored at 4.25, 5.75, 7.25, and 8.75 inches.  Let me know if you make some cards like this, and I know you'll tell me how much you love them!  This would be a great way to dig into your ever-growing stash of designer paper and put some of it to use.

Okay.  That's all for now.  Off you go.  You've got some cards to make.

"EVERYDAY DETAILS" SYMPATHY

Sharing a simple sympathy card today that features an image from Stampin' Up!'s "Everyday Details" stamp set, which kind of looks like a set that was built by giving random images (and three nicely designed sentiments) a home.  The real appeal for me was the bird's nest image with three little eggs (see previous post HERE), which is so quick and easy to color and makes a great focal point for just about any kind of card.  I needed to color the other images in the set, so I worked with the vase (crock???) of flowers.  Do you like to color?  I find it a very relaxing way to spend an evening, especially when my mind wants to wander and I don't have a lot of time to get into something more time-consuming.  

Doesn't the colored image look nice with the wood designer paper background?  I used one of the Stitched So Sweetly (retired) dies to cut the white cardstock, and the sentiment is stamped onto a tag that was cut with a Tailor Made Tags die.  If you don't have this set of dies, you should get it as soon as you can . . . every paper crafter should have those dies!

That's it for today.  Treat yourself to therapeutic coloring!

"SIMPLY SPARKLING" FUN FOLD BIRTHDAY CARD

 

First things first . . . I apologize for the awful photos.  Lighting was totally working against me as I rushed to get this card photographed and ready for mailing.  My friend, Laura's, birthday was fast approaching, so I was in a hurry.  This card features one of Stampin' Up!'s recent Online Exclusive bundles--Simply Sparkling--and I'm sure that I can't fully express what a FUN bundle it is!  

SEE IT ONLINE HERE

Let's start with the inside of the card and work our way to the outside.  As you can see from the photo below, the 4.25" x 11" cardstock was scored and cut to have a 2" flap at the top and approximately 3.25" bottom pocket.  A stamped and die-cut soda can was slipped into the pocket, and that's where I wrote my greeting.

Now let's look at the front of the card with the top flap folded down:

The ribbon, of course, keeps the card neatly closed.  But take a closer look at that adorable soda can!

The can image was stamped with Soft Sea Foam ink onto Soft Sea Foam cardstock and then cut with the coordinating die.  The top and bottom of the can were cut with dies from Silver Foil, as were the bubbles that you can (kind of) see on the red gingham paper.  The lemon, strawberry, and lime images were stamped onto white cardstock, colored with alcohol markers, given a brush of Wink of Stella, and then die-cut.

I decided to use a Tailored Tags die to create a "birthday wishes" tag that I tied on the ribbon with silver cord.

Again . . . I apologize for the poor quality of the photos, but do take a look at this fantastic product bundle.  The Online Exclusive products are only available while supplies last, and I'd say this one is a must-have.  "Simply Sparkling" is like a new pair of shoes that fit like a comfy glove straight from the box.  When you sit down to create with this bundle, you'll just go and go and go and enjoy the process.

Have a stampin' good day!

CLEAN & SIMPLE "JUNGLE PALS"

 

Sometimes the most difficult card to make is one that is clean and simple . . . but still visually interesting.  The card that I'm sharing today is both, I think.  The only pop of color on my card is the green crocodile, and doesn't he look happy being green?

Two other elements that lend interest and texture to this card are the distressed edges and the embossed background, which features Stampin' Up!'s "Fern" 3D embossing folder.  For the die-cut "hello", I used (retired) Little Letters alphabet dies.  The "Jungle Pals" stamp set and dies are part of the current Sale-a-Bration promotion.  

With a $50 purchase, you can select the stamp set for FREE.  

With a $100 purchase, you can select the dies for FREE.

With a $150 purchase, you can select both products for FREE + earn Host Rewards.

Jungle Pals dies

Jungle Pals stamp set