Techniques

Special Farewell to the Adorable Forest Friends

I had big plans for the Happy Forest Friends Suite when I purchased it in March. Unfortunately, I forgot to account for the possibility that it would retire at the end of April!

The “out-with-the-old” phase of the new catalogue is always a difficult time for me. Not only because I lose the use of some of my favourite products for my business, but also because it can be difficult to navigate what is still available for my customers to purchase, what to feature in my classes, and the awkwardness of having to let customers know that the product they want has sold out.

It can be frustrating, to say the least.

The only thing that makes it all okay is knowing that the “in-with-the-new” phase is just around the corner!! Change can be difficult, but it can also be incredibly exciting!! I look forward to playing with the new colours, discovering my new favourite products, and the security of knowing that a new annual catalogue ensures that these items will be around for an entire year!! THIS is the time for me to make grand plans with a product suite!

I still have big plans for the suite. The designer series paper, the stamp set and dies, and the ribbon will all play a part in making mini baby albums that I can sell or give as gifts. My original plan was to offer a class so others could make albums with me. I’ll simply have to create an album class with a different, and equally amazing, suite of products from Stampin’ Up!©️

Forest Friends Baby Card

The first thing I made with the Happier Than Happy stamp set and the coordinating dies was this sweet little baby card.

Forest Friends Baby card

This design features a simple acrylic block stamping technique. To accomplish this, you apply ink to the acrylic block (for this card, I used Mint Macaron, Soft Suede, and Crushed Curry), then spritz the block with a water and rubbing alcohol solution using the Stampin’ Up! Spritzer. Adding alcohol to the water helps it to dry more quicky on the Basic White cardstock.

Spritz two or three times onto the block until the ink begins to puddle. Then press the ink side of the block to your Basic White cardstock. Voila! You have a funky background!

I let it dry a little bit before stamping the little trees with Shaded Spruce ink. The bear is stamped with Soft Suede ink. Sweet Sorbet ink and Crumb Cake ink are used for the mushroom.

Mint Macaron delicately frames the stamped Basic White layer. This combo is then wrapped a couple times with Linen Thread that ties in a whimsical little bow.

(Have I told you lately how very much I LOVE Linen Thread?)

The layers are attached to the Mint Macaron cardbase with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Finally, the sentiment is stamped on Basic Black cardstock with Versamark ink, then heat embossed with White Embossing Powder and the Heat Tool. This, along with the bear and the top of the mushroom, is attached to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

It’s so freakin’ CUTE!

If you like this card and want to see it being made, go to my Facebook Page and find the live video. Feel free to skip ahead to the best parts!

Sadly, Mint Macaron and Soft Suede are both retiring colours. Make sure you check out my ONLINE STORE for the most up-to-date availability of retiring products and get ’em before they’re gone!

Gold in the Rainbow of Happiness

I’ve been taking a much needed break from, well … pretty much everything! My family and my personal well-being have been top priority these past couple months as I rest and reset. All consistency, planning, and organizing are to be tossed out the window! My attention and energy will be reserved for my family, their needs, schedules, and our household with the expectation of returning to my jobby (job/hobby) in the summer with a renewed work/life balance.

I miss you though, so I thought I’d take a break (from my break) to share a Rainbow of Happiness design with you!

Way back in November, I ordered some new products and only just opened them in January! The Rainbow of Happiness Bundle and the coordinating Sunshine & Rainbows Sale-a-bration exclusive patterned paper were waiting so patiently in the dark all that time. Poor things.

The Rainbow

I sponged some Basic Grey, Bermuda Bay, and Pool Party ink on Basic White cardstock to create the background for my rainbow. The rainbow beams were die-cut from the Sunshine & Rainbows paper so that each beam could be a different colour and pattern. I also took the time to sponge the edges of each beam with coordinating ink to give them a bit more punch. Before adhering the beams to my background paper, I applied Tear & Tape adhesive to where the spaces in my rainbow were going to be. I adhere my rainbow beams and then applied the Gold Leafing to the exposed Tear & Tape.

I love this! So Pretty!

The Layers

After completing the main feature of my design, I then could add my other layers and embellishments. The card base is Basic Black cardstock, over which I added a Basic Black die-cut layer, cut with my Cut & Emboss Machine and the Ornate Layers dies. I added a very thin Basic Black layer behind my inked rainbow piece and used Stampin’ Dimensionals to attach this ensemble to the center of the frame.

The sentiment from the Many Messages stamp was stamped with Versamark ink and heat embossed with White Embossing Powder on the Flirty Flamingo cardstock. I looped some white Baker’s Twine to adhere to the card before using more Stampin’ Dimensionals to apply the sentiment. The final touch was to add the three white Classic Matte Dots.

It felt good to do some stamping again and I am happy to take this moment to share it with you.

I don’t currently have a schedule for my blog posts, but when the wind blows just right and the mood strikes, I’ll be back to see you. I’m not going anywhere. I’m just taking it easy and floating on the breeze for a while.

No plans, no direction. Just going wherever the wind takes me.

Amy Jasper, Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator
Kelowna, BC, Canada

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!