How to Create Fall and Halloween Window Cards

Here's a different way to use your dies!  Cut windows out of your card fronts to create peek through windows for your images! I used the More Than Autumn to create two cards using this technique.

I began with two card bases, one in Gray Granite card stock and the other in Pumpkin Pie card stock. For the orange card, I used the Party Celebrations stamp set to create a stamped background with the plaid, then dotted images with Pumpkin Pie ink.  For the gray card base, I stenciled a spider web on the card front with Going Gray ink.

I stamped and colored the images in the More Thank Autumn bundle and die cut them out. I stamped the sweater in Pumpkin Pie ink from the Stay Warm stamp set and the pumpkin from the Party Celebrations stamp set. This is such a great stamp for the "BER" seasons.  I can't tell you how many times I've reached for it and we are just into SeptemBER!

I placed them images where I wanted them on the card fronts, then removed them and placed the dies where the images were.  I ran them through the Stamp, Cut and Emboss machine. I added adhesive to the images I colored previously and pressed them through the "windows" I cut, adhering them to the inside card panel.  Fore the gray card, I also cut three spiders and spiderwebs from the Fright Night dies in black card stock

I stamped the Happy Halloween sentiment from the Spooky Halloween stamp set in Basic Gray ink.

I used the dies in the More Thank Autumn bundle to cut my sentiment for the Autumn card.  I added a few heart embellishments to finish off the orange card and a few black Shimmer Foam Star Stickers to finish off the gray card.

This is a fun twist on window cards.  I hope you will give it a try!

In a World Where You Can Be Anything...

 ...be kind. This world can be a hurtful place.  Prayers to everyone who has faced trials this week.  My heart is heavy for all of you.  At times like this, crafting becomes my therapy. Does anyone else use crafting as their therapy during trying times?

For my card today, I used a Very Vanilla card base for my card and a Strawberry Slush panel for the second layer. I used the 3D Sunflower embossing folder and a distressing tool to add lots of texture to this layer.

I cut a panel of Basic White card stock at 4.75 x 3.5 and used a retired stencil to ink blend Timid Tiger and Strawberry Slush inks.  I cut a circle from the Spotlight on Nature dies and stamped the floral image from the You are Remarkable stamp set in Black Memento ink. I used Timid Tiger, Strawberry Slush, and Shy Shamrock Stampin' Blends to color the flower.

To finish the card, I used the 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls.

Scatter kindness like confetti.

Treat Containers Class #2

Welcome back! I'm so glad you have decided to join our second treat container class.  Today we will work on simple sleeves to package treats. It can be candy bars, cookies, candles, and other rectangular items. I'll be using different DSPs and clear envelope to package my treats.  

Most of the treats are packaged in their original containers and I've just shared easy ways to dress them up for giving to coworkers, friends and family.

For a fall treat, I bought these Mug Hugger cookies at Aldie's and created a wrap for the box.  I used the Gathering Together DSP and scored it to fit the box.  I used the Gathering Moments stamp set to create a tag for the box. I cut a circle tag from Basic Beige card stock and stamped "Gather" on it in Cajun Craze ink. I stamped the acorn in Crushed Curry ink.  These are DistINKtive stamps and show lots of detail and texture.

The Halloween treat container uses the Spooky Sweet DSP, the Homemade Treats bundle and a clear envelope to package the cookie. This is a really easy way to gift cookies.  I cut the DSP at 5 x 4, scored it at 2.5, folded it over the top of the envelope and stapled it to keep it in place.  I cut a frame from the Fright Night dies and stamped the "Tis' the Season for Baking" in Early Espresso ink.  I cut the top off  and wrapped the top in Early Espresso twine then tied with a box. I stamped the baking mitt in Early Espresso ink, the piping bag in Pumpkin Pie ink then used them to hide the staples. I also used a few pieces of ephemera from the DSP pack for more details.  

I created a hostess gift of candles wrapped with Gathering Together DSP and a tag using the Fright Night frame dies.  I cut a strip of the plaid print DSP 12 x 2.5, wrapped it around the candles and adhered with Tear and Tape.  I stamped my tag with stamps from the Gathering Moments stamp set in Cajun Craze, Early Espresso and Crushed Curry inks. I added a bow using Basic Beige ribbon and Early Espresso twine.

The next treat is a Little Debbie Nutty Bar. These are my husband's favorite!  I simply cut a strip of Autumn Toile DSP, wrapped it around the bar and stapled it at the top.  I created a tag and tied a bow at the top.

For the final treat package, I had some festively dipped pretzels that I packaged in a clear envelope and folded the top down.  I cut a piece of 2.5 square from Autumn Toile DSP, then cut it at on the diagonal.  I cut a circle from the Spotlight on Nature dies with Pumpkin Pie card stock and a stitched circle in Basic White card stock. I stamped a pumpkin from the Party Celebrations stamp set in Pumpkin Pie ink and the stem in Early Espresso ink.  I adhered the triangles to the corner of the envelope for a decorative twist!

My goal was to demonstrate how easily it is to dress up treats for friends.  All it takes is some festive DSP, tags and ribbon.  The next time you are at the grocery store, look closely at seasonal items that can be used to show appreciation to friends and family!

One Sheet Wonder Christmas Cards Part 4

Today, I'll reveal card number 4 from the One Sheet Wonder on page 42 of the September Mini Catalog. The image shows how to cut your DSP to get six cards from one 12 x 12 sheet of paper. Not only do the images beside it also show how to use the different pieces on cards, they show how to dress up your DSP to take it up a notch. This project's use of DSP in a unique way is to use it with a large die to create a focal image. 

I began with an A2 Cherry Cobbler card base and stamped a tone-on-tone background on it with a stamp from the Gift of Joy stamp set and Cherry Cobbler ink. I adhered the smaller panel of DSP from the One Sheet Wonder Card 4 on the lower part of the card. Then I used the large oval die from the Impressions Abloom dies to cut the larger #4 panel from the One Sheet Wonder, using the opposite side of the one I adhered to the lower panel of the card. 

I cut a small envelope and frame for the focal point in Very Vanilla card stock.  I also cut some greenery from Cherry Cobbler and Pool Party card stock. I used the Keeping Traditions stamp set to stamp some faux stamps on Very Vanilla cards stock and fussy cut them out.  I arranged the pieces around my card in an eye pleasing arrangement then added a bow to finish off the card.  

The North Pole Delivery DSP is a fun twist on the popular postal trend.  There are lots of ephemera that you can use to create cards, scrapbook pages, and other fun projects.

Sneak Peek Thursday!

Would you like a sneak peek of one of the projects I'll be posting for my Holiday Containers Class #2 on Saturday?  During this class, we will be dressing up containers for yummy treats and little trinkets for the upcoming holiday season! 

This class is unique in that I will be showing you how to take items you have and wrap them in festive ways!

The Holiday Treat Containers Classes will be posted each Saturday in September! Mark your calendars for these fun classes and get ready to wow your family and friends over the holiday season!

One Sheet Wonder Christmas Cards Part 3

Today, I'll reveal card number 5 from the One Sheet Wonder on page 42 of the September Mini Catalog. The image shows how to cut your DSP to get six cards from one 12 x 12 sheet of paper. Not only do the images beside it also show how to use the different pieces on cards, they show how to dress up your DSP to take it up a notch. 

I made some slight adjustments to my card. I only used one of the flagged strips and turned my card to a  horizontal position. I began by running my A2 Pecan Pie card base through the Stamp, Cut and Emboss machine using a retired Christmas embossing folder.  To make the embossed images stand out, I gently pulled the White Craft ink across the raised portion.

I used the Homemade Treats stamp set for my sentiment.  I omitted part of the sentiment as I did with yesterday's card. 

Tip:  Use washi tape to cover the portion of the stamp you don't want to use, ink the portion you want to use, then remove the tape and stamp your image. This will allow you to omit part of the stamp you don't want to use for your project.

I used pieces of ephemera from the North Pole Delivery DSP pack as my focal image, adhering some flat and some with dimensionals.  I tied a piece of red thread around one of the envelopes for a 3D element.  To finish the card, I tied some green twine around my sentiment. 

How to Create a Text Background Using Your August Paper Pumpkin Kit

That's a Wrap on the August Paper Pumpkin Kit! Have you finished your kit this month?  I decided I needed to finish mine before the next one comes! 

I love the look of a text background, but don't have any large background stamps that are text.  The month's kit came with so many text stamps, I thought I could create one of my own using smaller stamps.

I was so happy with the final outcome of my card, I created a second one.  Read on to see the step by step directions on how to create your own text background stamp!

The only product that wasn't included in the kit and add on bundle was the Cajun Craze ink.  This ink spot will arrive in your September kit, so you could recreate my card once your September kit arrives.

I began by placing the stamps on a clear block, arranging them so that they were fairly close together. They don't have to touch since you will go back and stamp more with a second color in the next step.

Once you have them arranged like you want them, stamp them on a scrap piece of paper to assure they are all straight and that they are how you like them.  Then stamp them randomly around the card being mindful to go off all four edges. I chose Secret Sea and Cajun Craze inks.

Clean your stamps then place one stamp back on your block and choose a second coordinating ink.  Start filling in the empty spaces. I usually start with the largest stamp and work in decreasing stamp sizes until I'm done. 

I cut an envelope flap using the circle die from the Circle of Season add on dies. I stamped the teapot in Secret Sea ink and the sentiment and flowers in Cajun Craze ink.  I fussy cut the images out, adhered them to the circle.  Then I adhered the image to the card front with dimensionals and tied a bow from linen thread which was in the kit.

Here is the second card I created. It also uses only one more product that isn't in the kit, the Cajun Craze ink so you can also recreate this one once your September kit arrives. 

Tip: To make the image coordinate more, I stamped a few of the small flower image near the lavender ones, stamped the dotted image on the tea pot, and ink blended around the images, all in Cajun Craze ink.