simple and cute

Moving on to Better Days

Well, friends, it’s been a while since I shared anything with you here on my blog. I’m working on getting back into a regular flow and routine again after being out of sorts for a while. The past couple years have been tough. Instead of getting into all the boring details, let me just sum it all up to “health issues”. I am finally feeling more like myself again in the last month or so. I’m moving on to better days!

I haven’t been completely absent. You can check out the many Facebook Live videos I’ve shared on my Inking on the Fly Facebook page and the sporadic posts on Instagram. You may have even attended some of my Stampin’ Up! events since the start of this year. My monthly technique classes are up and running and I co-hosted a fantastic retreat weekend in March.

I’m excited to be at the beginning of a re-boot. There’s so much I want to create, so many people I want to connect with, and a lot of planning to do! It’s going to be AWESOME!

I’m back, Baby!

Simple Encouragement

Today, I’m sharing this simple and beautiful card design with you. The sentiment is encouraging and positive. I love that!

The card base is a clean Thick Basic White cardstock, on which I layered 3/8″ strips and a couple die-cut pieces of the Enjoy the Journey Designer Series Paper from Stampin’ Up!. I used the stitched circle from the Stylish Shapes dies and the hexagon from the Beautiful Shapes dies. The sentiment from the Greatest Journey stamp set is stamped with Versamark Ink, then heat embossed with Black Embossing Power before adhering it to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Orange twine from the Three Twine Combo Pack is tied in a large bow and adhered with a Glue Dot just under the hexagon shape. Finally, the Enamel Sticker Icon element was coloured with a Pumpkin Pie Blends Marker before adhering it to the card.

Some of these products are being retired this month! They might already be sold out or they might still be available. The best way to know is to go to the online store for the most up-to-date availability.

Life is good today and it will be better in the days to come.

How to Make this Easy Front Flip Fold

Seriously! This fun fold card is so easy! When I find an easy card design that I like, I end up making a lot of them!

I think it’s the kind of card that is also fun to receive because of the unique opening. I shared this design at my October virtual gathering with my team of demonstrators because it’s a great card to make together with friends.

The card base is a piece of cardstock, measuring 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″. However, you will cut off a 1 1/4″ section from the front of the card and use it to attach the front flap.

With those two pieces for your base, you can create multiple versions of this style of card. After that, it’s a simple matter of what patterned paper to use.

I have Christmas on the brain!

Since this fun fold is so easy to make, I was able to make a few different versions.

Both of the cards below feature the Holly Jolly Wishes Stamp Set for the sentiments. Though they are the same layout, they have a very different feel. The Sweet Stockings patterned paper gives a playful design, while the Peaceful Place patterned paper has a more serene presentation.

As you can see, the card in my video tutorial uses Shaded Spruce, Mint Macaron, Blushing Bride and Sahara Sand cardstock. Those colours coordinate nicely with the Whimsy & Wonder Designer Series Paper as well as the Pattern Party Designer Series Paper. I also used the Pine Tree Punch and one of the iridescent Wonderful Snowflakes with the Messages Die and White Glittered Organdy Ribbon.

The clear Epoxy Essentials are such a cute and simple addition to a card design. I like how the diamond-shaped ones coordinate with the pattern of the paper.

Check out the video to see how to make this easy fun fold card.

Let me know in the comments if you have any questions. I’m always happy to help when I can!

I Love a Peaceful Autumn

Autumn is here and there’s no more denying that summer is over. It feels like I missed the transition somehow, though, as the new chill in the air seemed to come on so suddenly. In reflecting on the last couple months, I’m realizing that I’ve hardly been outside! Yikes!

Colours of Fall

The As You See It Challenge gives us some colours to design with that immediately made me think of fall. However, these colours would be lovely for any occasion all year round.

Fall is my favourite season; the crisp fresh air, the changing leaves, and the smell of the damp earth as it welcomes the tired plants to join it once more. Autumn brings with it the peace of knowing that the cycle is winding down. Life is slowing and preparing to rest before it’s big reveal in the spring.

There’s comfort in that.

Even though plants are dying and losing their leaves and colours, it’s not the end. Those same plants will flourish again or they’ll live on in the new plants that grow from the seeds they left behind.

I’m not one to keep up a routine or a schedule, but I know that I need to start making time each week to get outside. I have a few little goals that I’m trying to keep up with (and it often feels like I’m failing!), like cleaning and organizing my craft room, submitting my taxes (yep, still not done), keeping up with my blog, and now I need to add “get outside”.

Thankfully, I only work for myself and my family, otherwise, I’d be even more of a hot mess than I already am!

My Design

I have a card for you today that has this peaceful autumn feel. I’m not sure if the sentiment is an expression to a person, or, in this case, to the fall season itself. Maybe it can be both.

The Blackberry Bliss is so striking against the Basic White layers on this design.

I die-cut the Peaceful Place patterned paper with one of the Stitched Leaves dies. Then, I inked a portion of the leaf image from the Love of Leaves stamp set with Granny Apple Green. With a Sponge Dauber, I applied Blackberry Bliss ink to the rest of the stamp, blending it slightly with the green. While holding the die-cut patterned paper in position, I was able to stamp the leaf on the Basic White.

For a bit of extra interest, I used the die that cuts the stitched veins over the stamped image and put that through the Cut & Emboss machine. It ended up being quite subtle, but adds a nice detail.

The layers could then be adhered to my card with the patterned paper lifted using Stampin’ Dimensionals. My sentiment was stamped, heat embossed with White Embossing powder, cut into sections and also adhered to the card. Because the sentiment pieces are placed over two different levels, I used Dimensionals under the right side and my Multipurpose Liquid Glue on the left.

The final touch on this peaceful autumn design are the clear Elegant Faceted Gems. They seem to play well with the silver foil in the Peaceful Place patterned paper.

Enjoy the Season

I cycle through seasons just as the earth does. Sometimes, I am flourishing with new growth, while other times, I’m winding down and preparing for a rest. At this moment, I am in my own peaceful autumn.

Ah yes. That is a comfort.

Things are slowing, but only for a time. It won’t be long before I cycle back around again. Soon, the inspiration will sprout up, where it will leaf into new ideas and blossom with renewed vibrancy.

It can be challenging to be in this phase, but now that I recognize it, I will allow myself to settle into it. I can observe it, welcome it, and even enjoy it.

And tomorrow, I will get outside and enjoy the crisp autumn air!