tutorial

Muddling through to Beautiful Results

Sometimes, when I do a live stream video, nothing seems to go right. It can be technical issues, clumsiness, stumbling over words, family interruptions, or any number of things that could go wrong. There have been a couple live videos in the past that I had to remove so I could either edit out the worst parts or do the entire project over again!

Most of the time, I leave-in the blunders and mishaps because … well, because they’re real. I make mistakes and fumble through in my videos, just like I do in my life! I know that some of my videos are better than others. You can always skip to the important parts. I don’t mind. (If only I could do that in my life, too!)

The video below was recorded live yesterday. I muddled through a few weird mishaps, but the final result is beautiful.

At least, I think so.

Making the card

This is the first time I’ve used the cool Paper Lattice die-cut. I like the natural fibre look. It adds such a nice texture and pattern to a project. I layered the die-cut pieces of Pattern party Designer Series Paper over the lattice and attached the them to the card base with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

I had a couple of items left over from previous projects, just waiting to be made useful.

One was a Basic White star outline, the remnants of die-cutting for the Christmas in July Stamp Camp event. That event features the Christmas Trimmings dies and coordinating stamp set.

The other was was a black label with a white, heat-embossed sentiment. This had been stamped and cut using the Many Messages stamp set and Messages dies. Because of the multi-sentiment nature of that stamp and die duo, I had sentiments at the ready!

After adhering the star and sentiment, it was time for the best part! I stamped the dragonfly image from the Dragonfly Garden stamp set on Vellum with Versamark ink. Then I could use my Black Embossing Powder and Heat Tool to make that image really pop!

Thankfully, no fussy-cutting was necessary for this dragonfly image. Instead, I pulled out the handy-dandy Dragonflies Punch for a perfect cut-out! Stampin’ Up! makes it easy, folks!

Now that the punch did all the work for me, I could colour the underside of the dragonfly wings. Pacific Point and Shaded Spruce Stampin’ Write Markers gave me just the right combination. This elegant insect is nearly the same colour as the ones we see here in my part of Canada. So pretty!

Watch the Video below to see the elements of this card come together.

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Video: Love the Hand-Penned Suite? Frame It!

My goal was to create a home decor project using the Hand-Penned Memories & More Card Pack from Stampin’ Up!®. It did NOT disappoint! I absolutely love this art piece!

The card pack is part of the Hand-Penned Suite, which is collection of products intended to work well together. For my frameable art, I used only two of the elements in the suite: the Memories & More Pack and the Hand-Penned Petals stamp set.

This is basically a scrapbook page designed to be framed for display. You probably could even add a small photo on there somewhere.

I don’t do a lot of scrapbooking as I struggle with the extra planning and steps. When I make cards, I can sit down and make a card using the supplies in my craft room. With scrapbooking, I have to choose my photos and print them in the size I want. That’s two extra steps in my process! My brain just doesn’t work well with that. Kind of crazy, right?

I also find scrapbooking takes sooo much more time. It feels like forever to finish a book and I end up loosing focus and moving onto something else. I’m the kind of gal that is often moving on the the next “shiny” thing that grabs my interest.

In my 15 years as a demonstrator with Stampin’ Up!, I’ve probably completed two scrapbooks. One was digital and one was an 8″ x 8″ book with only about 10 pages. I love looking at the gorgeous ideas on Pinterest, so perhaps I will try again someday. Some of you preserve your memories so beautifully. Maybe you can share some of your tips to help me give it another go?

Making this project

I used a variety of patterned papers for this design and used my Paper Snips to add a bit of a distressed look. The Ombré Specialty Paper adds a nice glimmer in the background for interest and texture.

The label in the 3″ x 4″ card in the photo below was carefully cut with my Paper Snips to separate it from the blue patterned background. Cutting it out allowed me to put the label on Stampin’ Dimensionals. My Blending Brush with Misty Moonlight ink added some extra colour on the edges, deepening the colour and drawing the eye to the white label.

You can see that I stamped on the Basic White layer with Daffodil Delight ink using the coordinating Hand-Penned Petals Stamp Set. The yellow ink balances well with the yellow accents in the patterned design on the Memories & More cards.

Other supplies used

Oh, Stampin’ Up!, how I love that you make it so easy for us to coordinate the colours and patterns in our artwork! Ribbon, accents, paper, and ink! They are designed to work together so beautifully!

Watch the video for more!

If you’re interested in learning more about the elements and techniques used to make this project, watch the video below. Don’t forget to support my YouTube Channel by clicking that subscribe button!

Video: Rainbow Ferns in a Stitched Rectangle Window

I’m all over the rainbow trend right now! I love seeing the cheerful spectrum of colour. The Rainbow Glimmer Paper from Stampin’ Up! not only give us the colours, but it also gives us some sparkle!

The card I have to share with you today shows off some of those colours nicely against the contrast of the Gray Granite cardstock.

The sparkling leaves were die-cut using the Forever Flourishing Dies. They are adhered to the back of the Gray Granite so they can fill the window. A piece of Window Sheet behind them gives a little extra assurance that they’ll hold their position.

The Stitched Rectangle Dies are a major staple in my craft room. I use them for so many of my projects. That stitched edge adds texture and interest while still offering a minimalist and clean look.

Notice those fun chevron arrows on the card? You can make those with the Banners Pick a Punch!

Watch the video to see how it’s done!

I offered this video to those who attended my technique class or purchased VIP Access to the tutorial back in April. It provides detailed instructions on how to make this beautiful card.

Measurements and Supplies

If you like this project, let me know by leaving a comment and saying hello.

(Did that just rhyme? LOL!)

If you’re in Canada, like me, you can also go to my online store and order the supplies so you can make more cards just like this one!