October 29, 2021

My Challenge Results were Joy and Peace

Amy Jasper As You See It Challenge, Christmas, Events 2021, Christmas, holiday, markers, Ornate frames, Peaceful Place, stars are shining, vellum 4 Comments

It feels funny to be talking about Christmas this week when my kids are wearing their Halloween costumes to school today! However, in my stamping and crafting world, I have to work on Christmas projects all through the fall. That way, December can’t sneak up on me!

The As You See It Challenge blog has a challenge for us, and this one is all about Christmas!

I’ve been working on designing cards for an upcoming event. Conveniently, this challenge allows me the opportunity to create one card for two purposes! WhooHoo! I love how efficient that makes me feel! *grin*

My results for this challenge? Joy and peace, of course! This card represents the emotions that perfectly sum up Christmas for me.

Making the card

First, I used a Real Red cardstock base, layered with Gray Granite and Vellum. Next, I coloured the Peaceful Place patterned paper before adhering it to the Basic White. To colour the paper, you can either use some of the light Blends Markers or the Stampin’ Write Markers. Of course, the Stampin’ Blends Markers are super easy, as you can achieve a very even colour.

On this particular card, I used Petal Pink and Sahara Sand Stampin’ Write Markers directly on the cabins and the fox. Then, I scribbled Mint Macaron and Pool Party Stampin’ Write Marker on an acrylic block, so I could pick up the colour with a Blender Pen to create a softer colour for the trees and the snow drifts.

The sentiment from the Stars are Shining stamp set has been stamped on Basic White cardstock. This and the Real Red frame were die-cut using the Cut & Emboss Machine and the Ornate Frames Dies.

To make it festive, the Real Red Satin Ribbon and the Linen Thread topped off with a Black Glitter Paper star, are added to the card. I love that little star! The Starlit Punch, which can be purchased separately or bundled with the Stars are Shining stamp set, is what I used to punch out that sweet element.

If you tend to skip over the Halloween products in the catalogues, then you may have missed the Black Glitter paper. Even though I don’t make a lot of Halloween crafts, I made a point to snatch up that paper for other occasions. In this case, it is a great accent for a Christmas card!

Holiday Stamp Camp

This card will be one of the 10 cards that we’ll be making at the Holiday Stamp Camp event in November. Once again, Desirée Spenst and I have teamed up for another day-long virtual event! Anyone in Canada can join us for this event. Registration closes October 31st, so don’t wait! Go to my Events & Classes Page to find out more and to register.

October 24, 2021

How to Make this Easy Front Flip Fold

Amy Jasper Christmas, Fun Fold, simple and cute, Techniques, tutorial, Video 2021, Christmas, fun fold, pine tree, snowflake, whimsy & wonder 0 Comments

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!

October 15, 2021

I Love a Peaceful Autumn

Amy Jasper As You See It Challenge, simple and cute 2021, As You See It, colour challenge, Love of Leaves, Peaceful Place, stitched leaves, sweet and simple 0 Comments

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!