Let's Make a Gate Fold Card

Gate fold cards are a fun fold card that opens from the center rather than from the side.  To create a gate fold card, begin with a piece of card stock cut at 4 1/4" x 8 1/2".  

Score each of the sides at 2 1/8" from the outer edges of the 4 1/4" sides.  Fold the left side in toward the center. Then fold the right side in to meet the left side at the center.  Use a bone folder to burnish your fold lines.

I chose to use the Beautiful Gallery DSP paper for my gate fold card.  Each panel was cut 1 7/8" x 4" and glued in place using Tombo glue. I applied a light ink blended border using Calypso Coral ink and ink blending brushes to the sides of the panels before gluing them down.

Using Basic Beige card stock, I die cut a large circle from the Spotlight on Nature dies and punched a slightly smaller circle.  I used the Distressed Tiles embossing folder to add texture to the punched circle.  Then I used a dauber to lightly apply Basic Beige ink to the raised portion of the punched circle.

I die cut a floral image from the Impressions Abloom set using Calypso Coral and Mossy Meadow card stock, then added a few highlights with a white gel pen.  I also stamped a small "hello" greeting in Mossy Meadow ink, added a twine bow and a few faceted embellishments to finish the card.

Back to Basic Saturdays coming in July!

Are you a beginning stamper?

Or someone who loves the look of handmade cards but don't have a lot of time to create?

Beginning July 5th, I'm going to teach a Back to the Basics Saturdays  class.  Each Saturday in July, I'll post a simple but beautiful card along with step-by-step directions for how to create each card. 

The cards will be created with minimal supplies so that beginning stampers can create along too! I'll also post a link to the supplies I use so you can recreate them or you can use supplies you have on hand.

I hope you will join me each week, not only by visiting my blog, but opening the door to your own creativity and creating a long with me. 

Below are the supplies I'll be using this Saturday: scissors, adhesive, paper cutter, your choice of a sentiment stamp, and...

Florals in Bloom DSP                2025 - 2027 In Color Card Stock                   Secret Sea Ink Pad

See you on July 5th!

Easy Note Card Set Using Blooming Phrases Stamp Set

Note card sets make great little thank you or thinking of you gifts.  I usually make seasonal ones to have on hand to give throughout the year. I created this set using the note cards from Stampin' Up' and the Blooming Phrases stamp set.  I used the new 2025-2027 In Colors and added Lemon Lime Twist for the greenery.

The note card set comes with cards already scored and envelopes which make this project come together quickly.  I stamped each greeting directly onto the card front using Secret Sea ink.  Then I used the other In Colors to stamp a different flower on each card.  I also used the Highland Heather ink pad to stamp one of the flowers so I'd have each flower a different color. I added leaves and stems with the Lemon Lime Twist ink.

I stamped a coordinating envelope for each card.  Then I used a piece of baker's twine to tie them into a bundle and created a gift tag for the set.  I used a Stylish Frames banner die to create my tag.  I cut one from a Basic White piece of card stock and two from the 2025-2027 In Color DSP. I stamped the "Thinking of You" in Secret Sea ink, the flower in Timid Tiger ink and the leaves in Lemon Lime Twist. Then I layered the three banner pieces and adhered them together. I trimmed the top and tied it to the bundle.

Can you think of other note card sets to create? I'm thinking about several!  Stop back often to see the others I create!

The Key to Creating a Silhouette Card...

Silhouette cards are striking and usually involve nature.  To make one, you need to create a light source for your background.  This can be a sunny afternoon, a moonlit night, a flickering candle or any other light source you can think of!

I chose to create my silhouette card with a sunny afternoon background.  I loosely ink blended Darling Duckling ink in a circle on the top left side of my card to represent the sun.  Then I ink blended Azure Afternoon ink on the rest of my panel.  I trimmed my panel to 4" x 5 1/4"  and ink blended a little heavier around the edge of the panel.  Then I adhered it to an A2 card base cut from Azure Afternoon card stock.

Once I had ink blended my background, I added some text and splatters from the Elements of Text stamp set. I used Azure Afternoon ink with second generation stamping over the blue part of the card and Darling Duckling in over the yellow portion of the card.

I stamped, colored and cut the swallowtail butterfly from a retired set.  I colored it using ink blending brushes and Stampin' Write markers.  I also added Wink of Stella for a bit of sparkle.

I used the dies from the Floral Charm Suite to cut some leaves out in Basic Black card stock.  This is the key to creating an effective silhouette card... it appears that the light source is casting a shadow on the greenery.

I used a bone folder to bend the tips of the butterfly wings outward before gluing it to the card front. I stamped my sentiment in Azure Afternoon ink on a Stylish Frames banner die and adhered it to the card front with dimensionals. 

I used a piece of Balmy Blue twine to add a bow to the left side of the card and a few faceted dies to finish it off.

What do you think?  Are you ready to give silhouette cards a try?

New 3D Sunflower Empbossing Folder

I decided to use the new 3D Sunflower Embossing Folder to create my card for the Global Design Project Challenge this week.  It makes a huge impact with the large sunflower images and deep impressions it creates! 

For my card, I used the folder as a kind of ink press to push Petal Pink ink onto the surface of my card panel.  To create this look, you simply press your ink pad onto the indented side of your embossing folder.  This will cause the ink to sit on the flat surface of your card stock. I used the two tone Petal Pink card stock to run through the Stamp, Cut and Emboss machine to apply the ink for the embossed panel.

Once my panel was I embossed, I gently tore the edges of it to reveal the white core. Then I stamped my sentiment in Versa Mark ink on Basic White card stock and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. 

I used a small ink blending brush and Cajun Craze ink to blend ink over the clear embossing to make the sentiment pop.  I wiped the ink off the white embossing with a soft towel to remove excess ink and reveal the bright white sentiment.

I used a fine detailed glue pen to adhere the sentiment strips after I had fussy cut them out, then set the panel aside to complete the next section of the card.

I cut a piece of 4" x 5.25" Cajun Craze two tone card stock and dry embossed it using the Forever Plaid embossing folder.  I used a sanding block to gently sand a few areas of color off to reveal the white core beneath it, then adhered it to an A2 Basic White card base.

Next, I added dimensionals to the back of the Petal Pink embossed panel and adhered it to the card base. 

The last step in creating my card was to adhere the Petal Pink woven ribbon to the card front with tear and tape. Then I added a linen thread bow and frayed the edges of the ribbon to add a few more details. 

The 3D Sunflower Embossing Folder will be available July 1st. This is a large embossing folder measuring 6" x  8.5". The impression it makes is absolutely stunning!  I can't wait to see all the gorgeous projects that are going to be created with it!

What is My Favorite Technique, You Ask?

This may surprise you, but my favorite technique is...paper tearing!  Yes, that simple technique that is easy and free!  But that is not why it is my favorite technique.  I like paper tearing because it can give a soft look to your handmade projects, but there is so much more you can do with it!  

If you use two toned card stock or DSP, you reveal a white core when you tear your paper.  That is like a built in border for your card! Here is a sample of using paper tearing to create a border.

TIP:  Tear the paper toward you to reveal the white core.  If you tear it away from you, your edge will remain the color of the paper.

You can also use paper tearing to create waves in the ocean like on this card.

You can use paper tearing to create frames for your focal points on card fronts...

...and to create borders for your sentiments.

You can use it to separate panels on your cards.

You can use it to create fault line cards.

But my favorite way to use paper tearing is to reveal a surprise image underneath the DSP layer (at least this is my favorite way to use it this week)! :)

How do you use paper tearing? I'd love to know!

Was Mr. MeGregor a Victim After All?

I have been scrapbooking for over 30 years!  I started when my daughter was born and she is now 33!  However, I did take a break from it once she graduated and moved on with her life.  

But lately, I've decided to get back into it more as a timeline of our retirement years. We recently moved to a new city, bought a new build and have been slowing making it our own.  Our latest endeavor has been to put a pollinator garden in the backyard. 

I have planted bee balm, coreopsis, coneflowers, sweet spirea, beauty berry bushes, verbena, and other plants that attract bees and butterflies.

About a week ago, to my dismay, I went to check on my garden and something had eaten many of my plants.  After a few vigil days of watching, we discovered we had a rabbit (or two).

They continued to nibble until I only had nubs left of some of my plants so we had to take action.  Fencing was bought and placed around the flower beds to prevent them from eating the plants.

At last, the plants are starting to fill back in and grow back.  There is plenty of other vegetation in the forest behind our house so the rabbits should be just fine, but maybe missing a few of the more tasty plants!

As I reflect on this process, I can certainly identify more with Mr. McGregor in the Tail of Peter Rabbit!  However, I have taken less drastic measures! ;)

Tip: To create the magnifying glass, I used a two circle punches.  I punched the smallest one on a Basic White strip of paper, then punched the larger one over the small one to create an open ring.  For the handle, I cut a very thin slice of two tone Basic Black card stock and glued it to the open circle.

The products I used for this page are the Storybook Moments Suite, Mixed Florals stamp set, and 

Two Tone card stock.

 

Springtime in the Garden Layout

The Storybook Moments Suite is perfect for garden layouts.  I created this one using the Specialty DSP with the cute punch out pieces and a few stamped images.

I began by stamping the garden image from the suite in Early Espresso ink on a two toned piece of Early Espresso card stock.  I tore a quarter of a panel of one of the DSP sheets from the suite to create a left border on the page.  I also used another sheet of the DSP to create large photo corners for the top left and bottom right corners of my photo.  

Look closely at the hat on the sweet little gardener in the picture...that is another element from the DSP images.  The scale of it fits the picture perfectly!

I stamped the bunny, pots and basket in black Memento ink and colored the images with Stampin' Blend markers.

 

I used the frame dies in the suite to cut three frames for journaling and used the Timeless Plaid DSP like a ribbon to connect the frames. I used more of the DSP elements for embellishments on the frames.

There are so many cute pieces in this suite and it is on the Last Chance List.  As an added bonus this month, when you purchase one suite, you can get a second suite for 50% off!  What an amazing deal! Check out the Suite Sale at stampinup.com for more details.  There are so many beautiful ones to choose from!

Storybook Moments Suite

Let Me Teach You How to Create a Reveal Card

Have you seen a reveal card?  It is a fun fold card that is pretty for hand delivering, but not so great for mailing due to the 3D element of the card. The name comes from how a piece of rolled back card stock on the card reveals a pretty piece of paper or stamped image.

You begin by using an A2 card base in landscape form.  You will also need a piece of coordinating DSP cut at 2.5" x 5.25.

Stamp your background image over your card front.  I used the Elements of Text and Charming Day stamp sets.  Then I tore two strips horizontally across 3/4 of my card front near the lower portion.  I used a bone folder to weaken the paper fibers on the strip I tore.  Once it was more flexible, I rolled the strip back toward the spine of the card.  

You can glue the scroll to the card front or use some twin to tie it so it won't unwind. I tied my rolled strip with a piece of Night of Navy Baker's twine and attached my "Hey" sentiment through the twine and attached it to the scroll. The sentiment was stamped with Pretty Peacock ink.

Place a line of glue at the top and bottom edges of your DSP, then place it behind your card front so that it is revealed between the top and bottom area of where your strip was before rolling it back.  Press it in place and allow the glue to dry for a few minutes.

I added a few left over elements from a card I made with white embossing and watercolor (see previous post) and my card was complete!

This is a great card to use when you have DSP scraps you can incorporate into your design.  I hope you will give this fun fold card a try!

Have You Made a Book Binding Card?

I used my Paper Pumpkin kit to create this book binding card.  I used the gold dotted card base from the kit

A book binding card is a fun fold that is easy to create! Simply, start with an A2 side folding card. Measure an inch in from the spine and score.  Fold out on the score link, then add glue to the inside fold, stopping at the fold. This will adhere the card from the spine to the score line, creating a book binding effect.

I cut out two leaves and flowers using the Hugs Abloom coordinating die set and ink blended Berry Burst and Pretty Peacock over the images. Then I added light highlighting with a white gel pen.

I used a floral image from the kit with Berry Burst ink to stamp around the edges for the card and added leaves with Pretty Peacock ink.

The sentiment is from a retired set and the die image it is stamped on is also from the Hugs Abloom die set.  I added some Pretty Peacock greenery from the kit as well.

I colored some old Fresh Freesia seam binding ribbon with a light Berry Burst Stampin' Blends marker to coordinate with the floral images I had stamped. Then I added three gold sequins to finish my card!

Paper Pumpkin kits are a great way to create beautiful cards in minutes and to stretch your creativity. I'd love to help you get started with your first kit! 

Are You Ready to Scrapbook?

Scrapbooking is a great way to document memories of fun family vacations, new births, retirement years, and lots of other events!

But sometimes, it can seem overwhelming to think about getting started.  For those who may feel this way, Stampin' Up! has a solution for you.  We are offering a virtual scrapbooking class that has almost everything you need to create a 12 month album! You will need to have on hand adhesives, scissors, pictures and a 12 x 12 album to place your pages in. 

The kit includes lots of DSP (already pre-cut), stamp sets, embellishments, twine, page protectors, and stickers.

During this three-day, virtual event, you’ll craft along with Stampin’ Up! staff as they go through the step-by-step process of creating an entire scrapbook album using the Month by Month Album Retreat 2025 kit. The class is free with the purchase of the kit!  Get more details by clicking the link below.

Virtual Album Retreat

Whether you are just beginning or a pro at scrapbooking, you will gain a lot of knowledge in the class and meet designers who will guide you through the creative process!

Water Coloring Over White Embossing...Will it Work?

I love the look of white embossing! Whether it is on Crumb Cake card stock or ink blending over it on white card stock to make an image pop.  As I was working on a card last week using this technique, I wondered how the white embossing would work if I tried water coloring over it.  

I used white embossing powder to emboss the large floral image from the upcoming Floral Charm Suite, available July 1st, on Crumb Cake card stock and also on Basic White card stock. Then I placed a drop of Fresh Freesia and Granny Apple Green reinkers on a clear stamping block.  I spritzed a little water on the ink drops and painted my image using the reinkers as watercolor.  I use this technique often when watercoloring and love the soft look I get with it.  

It worked just like ink blending, the color popped beautifully!

I cut a piece of Crumb Cake card stock to an A2 size, then cut 1.5" off the side of it for my card base.  I mounted the Crumb Cake panel on a Lemon Lime Twist card panel, then mounted both to the front of my altered card base. 

I cut a piece of Basic White card stock at 4" x 5.25" to place inside my card. Then I cut a 4" x 2" piece of Perennial Lavender DSP to glue to the inside base to make it peek out from under the top panel of my card. 

I cut out the floral image using the coordinating die and adhered it with dimensionals, being careful to only place them on the top, back portion of the image so that my card would still be able to open.

To finish the card, I tied a bow from Fresh Freesia seam binding ribbon and placed it to the left of the floral image. The ribbon was one of the 2025 Sale-a-Bration gifts this year. 

I'm so happy with how my card turned out!  I will definitely be using this technique again!

Timeless Plaid DSP and Floral Designs...What a Combination!

Do you like the look of plaid?  I love it, especially paired with florals.  For my two cards today, I used the Timeless Plaid DSP and the Your Are Remarkable stamp set. Spotlight on Nature is the die set I chose to use for these cards.

For the first card, I cut two large circles from the die set in coordinating patterns of DSP.  I stamped the small texture stamp from the set on the left side of the card in Pecan Pie ink.

I added more texture with the splatter dot stamp in the set, then cut my two circles to better fit the card base. I also used Calypso Coral and the splatter stamp to add more splatter on the card base and DSP.  I stamped my sentiment in Mossy Meadow ink and tore the bottom edge of the card stock. Then I layered the sentiment on a piece of Mossy Meadow card stock and tore the bottom edge of it as well.  After layering the two pieces, I tied a piece of linen thread around it.

I colored my flower using Calypso Coral and Mossy Meadow Stampin' Blend markers. I used the dark Petal Pink Blend to color the center of the flower.

To finish off the card, I add the little bee stamp, also from the set, and a few brass butterfly embellishments. 

For my second card, I cut a stitched rectangle from Basic White card stock, then stenciled using a mask and ink blending brush in Calypso Coral ink.  I was careful to apply less pressure as I moved from the center of the piece to give it a fading look.  I stamped my floral image and small bee in Memento Black ink and colored it using Lemon Lolly, Calypso Coral and Old Olive Stampin' Blend markers. 

My sentiment  and splatter are stamped in Pecan Pie ink.  I tore another piece Timeless Plaid DSP and placed it in the top left and bottom right corners of the card. I used a heart die to cut 3 pieces of Calypso Coral and layered them to create a 3D embellishment that I placed on the bottom right of the card.

I cut an A2 Pecan Pie card base, then layered a piece of Calypso Coral card stock cut at 4" x 5.25"  and my stamped design.

Have you tried the Timeless Plaid DSP?  It is so versatile and pretty!

My First Two Alternatives With the Full of Charm Paper Pumpkin Kit

Woohoo!!! My kit arrived a day earlier than expected!  Needless to say, I was so excited to open it and begin creating with it.  

There are so many pretty pieces in this kit!  For my first two alternatives, I cut one of the cards in half to create two separate cards.  

For the Miss You card, I stamped "To a Wonderful Friend" and "Miss You" with the Pretty Peacock Ink Spot that came with the kit. I stamped the floral image in Berry Burst, then wiped the pink off the stem of the image and used an Early Espresso Stampin' Write marker to color it in.  I stamped the image on the center of the card.  I inked small portions of the leaf image and stamped the leaves around  the floral image.  I used both saturated and second generation inking.

I mounted the card front on the A2 Pretty Peackok card base, then used dimentionals to raise the "To a Wonderful Friend" sentiment. I added three of the gold sequins that were in the kit and a gold thread bow to the floral bouquet. 

I tried something different with the "Thank You" card.  I used a ruler and two Stampin' Blends markers to highlight the gold lines on the card front.  I used the maker colors Berry Burst and Mossy Meadow.  I colored in one diamond in each section with a Stampin' Write Blackberry Bliss marker. I mounted this card front on a piece of Blackberry Bliss card stock cut at 4.25" x 5.5"

I traced the stitched lines on the pre-cut sentiment piece in Mossy Meadow to create solid lines and stamped the sentiment in Berry Burst ink.

Because the kit has so many beautiful pieces, I want to make the most of each of them.  I took a portion of the large pink floral piece and cut a small section of it, trimming some of the white outline off.  I also cut the Mossy Meadow punch out leafy piece and cut it into two pieces.  I arranged the pieces around the sentiment and adhered it with dimensionals to the card center.  

To finish the card, I added a few gold sequins and a double bow from gold thread.

This is such a beautiful kit and I can't wait to see what everyone creates with it!

How to Use Your Stamping Blocks to Create Beautiful Backgrounds

Do you like the look of a watercolored background, but not sure how to make it work? You can use your clear stamping blocks to get this look in just a few easy steps!

Begin by tapping your ink pad onto a clear block of your choice.  Gently spritz water onto the inked block, then press it onto Basic White card stock and lift it directly up. 

Tip: Be careful not to spritz too much water on your block.  Too much water will cause the color to drip as you turn your block over to stamp with it.  

Allow your card stock to completely dry by setting it aside for a few minutes or using a heat tool to dry it.

For the card I created, I used a stamping block to create my watercolor background.  I also added some splatter using a reinker, water, stamping block and splatter brush.  I simply placed a couple of drops of Starry Sky reinker (retired) on a block, added a drop or two of water, then dipped my splatter brush into the puddle of color and tapped it over my card stock. 

I used the flower from the You Are Remarkable stamp set and colored it using the left over color from the ink and water I had on my stamping block.  My sentiment is from a past Paper Pumpkin kit and is stamped on a circle of Basic White card stock. I cut it using the Spotlight on Nature dies.

To finish the card, I added a strip of vellum behind the sentiment and a bow from Night of Navy baker's twine.

Get double duty from your stamping blocks by using them to create interesting backgrounds!

 

Stepping up the Painted Stripes Background Stamp

I love the Painted Stripes large background stamp and have been eyeing it for quite a while.  I recently purchased it and made my first card with it today.  It is now official...it's my favorite background stamp... EVER!!

                                                                      

I inked the stamp with Petal Pink by holding the ink pad in my hand and pressing it onto the large stamp.  For me, this is the easiest way to apply the ink to the large surface.

Then I took the flower stamps from Impressions Abloom set and stamped them with Timid Tiger ink.  I stamped off for the solid stamps and used the fully saturated ink for the outline stamps. I stamped the leaves in Lost Lagoon ink.  

I loosely outlined the paint lines with my Lost Lagoon Stampin' Write marker.  Once that was completed, I used the dies from the Impressions Abloom bundle to cut flower centers using the smallest circle die in Basic White and Petal Pink card stock.  I also cut the tiny flowers for my sentiment from the same die set using Lost Lagoon, Petal Pink and Timid Tiger card stock.

I cut a circle from the Stylish Shapes die set in Basic White card stock and used the " thanks" stamp from the Blooming Phrases stamp set in Lost Lagoon ink.  I adhered the tiny flowers in two clusters of three and used dimensionals to raise the sentiment off the surface of the card front.  This casts a slight shadow on my card to create depth. 

I layered a piece of 4" x 5.25" Lost Lagoon card stock onto a Petal Pink A2 card base, then adhered my stamped design onto the Lost Lagoon rectangle. The measurements of my stamped design are 3.75" x 5".

Are you wondering how I came up with the unique color combination?  It is the weekly challenge for the Global Design Project.  You can see my card and what others created with this great color combination on Instagram using #GDP501.  :) I hope you will check them out!

2025-2027 In Colors...All on One Card!

What are your thoughts on the new 2025-2027 Stampin' Up! In Colors?  I absolutely love them and am looking forward to using them a lot over the next two years!

My card for today uses all the In Colors, Darling Duckling, Timid Tiger, Strawberry Slush, Cloud Cover, and Secret Sea. I used two stamp sets, More than Autumn for the images and Blooming Phrases for my sentiment.  

Are you wondering where the ice cubes for the frosty drinks came from?  I used the marshmallows that are intended to top the hot cocoa for the ice cubes! I masked off the center of each cup and stamped the marshmallow image above and below the mask. I used a light Pool Party Stampin' Blend marker to add just a hint of color to them as well.

My card base is an A2 Basic White card.  I used the new In Color Cloud Cover DSP as a background.  I gently tore the top and bottom edges, stamped sprinkles and hearts on it using Secret Sea and adhered it to the card base.  I also added small dots in groupings of three using the Cloud Cover Stampin' Blend for a subtle pattern to the DSP to create more depth.

All images were stamped in Momento Black ink, colored them with Darling Duckling, Timid Tiger and Strawberry Slush Stampin' Blend markers, then used my Stamp, Cut and Emboss machine to cut them out.

Are you wondering how the plaid cup holders were made?  I used a background stamp from the upcoming Party Celebrations.  I used my new In Color Stampin' Write markers to color the background stamp in the same new In Colors and stamped it on Basic White card stock. Then I stamped the middle portion of the cup on each of the colors, cut them out and glued them to the cups.

I assembled each cup, then placed them on the card front.  I used dimensionals to adhere the whipped toppings above the cups.  

I stamped the "celebrate" in Secret Sea ink and added three Secret Sea Pearls to finish off the card. 

The 2025-2027 In Color collection is an amazing group of colors!  I cannot wait to see how everyone uses these colors in the next two years! <3

 

Splish, Splash...Water Splatter!

One of the things I love most about Stampin' Up's inks is that it is water reactive.  Did you know you can ink blend a background, splatter it with water, then lift the water off to create a great splatter effect?

To create my card, I cut a square from the largest Stylish Shapes die on white card stock.  I embossed the flower from the stamp set, You Are Remarkable, in white embossing powder.  Then I used the embossed resist technique to ink blend Strawberry Slush, Pecan Pie, Lemon Lime Twist and Balmy Blue inks over the image to make the white embossing pop!

I also cut a Crumb Cake square in the same size and ran it through the Stamp, Cut and Emboss machine using the Forever Plain embossing folder.

I gently splattered some water over the ink blending, then used a paper towel to blot up the excess to create the pretty splatter design.

I embossed a partial sentiment from the same set in white embossing powder on Strawberry Slush card stock.  To do a partial image, simply use a low tack tape to cover the part of the image on your stamp you want to omit.  Ink the stamp, remove the tape, then stamp your image.  

I mounted a piece of Strawberry Slush DSP onto an A2 Basic White card base, then layered the other pieces as shown.  I used the Stylish Frames die to cut my sentiment out and adhered it with Stampin' Dimensionals. 

To finish it off, I added three adhesive pearls.

The splatter technique is easy, inexpensive and creates a beautiful background.  Give it a try!