Rejoice! Fall Reflects the Glory of God Card

Happy Sunday! "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Ecclesiastes 3:1 

We are experiencing a cold front in my area and it feels like fall!  I know it is a false fall, but it still feels wonderful and puts me in the mood for all things fall so I created another fall Bible verse card.

I cut my A2 base in Basic White card stock. The DSP I am using is called Gathering Together and will be available Wednesday, Sept. 3rd.

I cut the dark brown panel 4 x 5.25 then used a rectangle die to cut the leafy piece out at the same time I cut the green and gold sheet. I layered the die over a portion of the leafy piece and ran it through the Stamp, Cut and Emboss machine. Then I adhered the thin green piece to the leafy green piece.

I cut a piece of white card stock from the Hugs Abloom Paper Pumpkin Add On dies to stamp my greeting in Old Olive ink and layered it with dimensionals. I place a bow tied with Old Olive linen thread under the bottom left corner of my greeting to finish off the card.

This is another card where the DSP does all the work! Have a blessed week!

Candy Corn Week Sneak Peek!

Candy Corn Week is almost here! I'm so excited to share the projects I've made and maybe a few other surprises, that I've decided to give you a peek at some of the supplies that I used to create the cards and tags.

So just  a recap, the fun starts Monday, September 1st! I will be posting cards and treats inspired by candy corn and I'm inviting you to play along with me!  So get out the yellow, orange and white inks and paper!  I know you will want to create some tasty treat inspired projects too!

I will share candy corn memes, cards, tags and treat containers along with step by step directions on my blog so you can recreate them. I hope you will join in the fun by visiting my sites, leaving comments and even joining in by sharing your cards, treats and tags.  You can also see them on Instagram using #CandyCornWeekSU. I added SU to the end of the hashtag because I will be using Stampin' Up! products but you can use any products you enjoy creating with!

So start thinking about all things candy corn and mark your calendars to join me on Sept. 1st.  

And now for the sneak peek...

Fright Night Bundle

Party Celebrations Stamp Set

Stay Warm Stamp Set (available Sept. 3rd)

These are just a few of the supplies I'm using on my projects.  Have they inspired you to join in the fun?

See you Monday!

How to Cure Creator's Block Part 3/3

I've recently shared two posts on how I work around creator's block and today I will share another way I work around it.  

This one is simple but very effective!  I get one of my Stampin' Up! catalogs, either the Annual Catalog or the Mini Catalog and slowly look through it.  I don't simply look at the cards created by talented artists, but also the color combinations used and the sketches used to make the cards.  

I also have a notebook that I jot ideas in so that I can refer back to it when I'm in my craft room and ready to create. I create a page for each stamp set I have and jot ideas/sketches on that page.  

What do you do when creator's block hits you? I'd love to hear your tips on getting past it!

Such Splattery Goodness is Easy to Create!

 Do you like to make inky backgrounds?  I love how no two ever come out the same! 

I created this background using Gorgeous Grape, Granny Apple Green and  Basic Gray inks.  I began with Granny Apple Green and ink blended a spot at the top and lower panel of the card.  Then I filled in the rest with Gorgeous Grape ink.  I ink blended around the edge of the entire card using Basic Gray ink. The Granny Apple Green ink almost appears to glow!

Next came the fun part...splattering!  I used a splatter brush for each layer of splatter on the card today. Did you know Stampin' Up! inks are water reactive? This means that water causes them to change. The first splattering was done with water.  After allowing the water to sit on the card for a few seconds, I dabbed the water up with a paper towel. 

The panel needs to dry before the second splattering.  You can allow it to air dry or use a heat tool to dry it.  I placed a small amount of white acrylic ink on a stamping block with a little water mixed in to add a layer of white splattering. Allow the card to dry before moving on to the third splattering.

I placed a small amount of Black Memento ink on a stamping block with a small amount of water to create the third and final splattering.  Once again, I allowed it to dry before moving to the next step.

Tip: Create a splatter box by cutting the side panel on three sides of a medium size box to create a flap opening.  Place your paper panel in the splatter box to protect your desk/stamping area from all the inks and paint you use for splattering.

Next, I used the stamped images from the Fright Night bundle to create my focal point in Black Memento ink.  I used a stamping platform to re ink the image several times in Granny Apple Green, Gorgeous Grape and Basic Gray inks.  I used ink daubers to apply the ink to specific areas of the stamp several times to build a dark, solid image.  The back panel is stamped in Gorgeous Grape ink and I used the coordinating dies to cut both of the images out.

I added a piece of metallic green ribbon behind the image and adhered the panels with dimensionals.  For the final step, I added some black Shimmer Star Foam Stickers.

If you haven't tried ink blending and splattering, I'd highly recommend it! Not only is it beautiful, it is fun and exciting to see each unique background emerge right before your eyes!

Just Add a Greeting...

If you are an animal lover, you are going to be so excited to see the North Pole Delivery Suite in the upcoming September Mini Catalog .  There are dogs, cats, bears, badgers and more preparing for their holiday deliveries in this cute Specialty DSP.  The stamp set also has these animals gearing up for the holidays.  There are coordinating dies and a 3D gift card envelope die to create with so many options for gift giving. 

Today, I've created  two cards using the DSP pack with the punch outs that are also in the pack.  I began by matching pieces of DSP in the pack and arranging them to fit an A2 card base. The measurement for each completed panel is 4 x 5.25. Then I simply chose some of the cute punch out images and arranged them on the card.

The Petal Pink card base has three pieces of paper from the pack, punch outs, and a sentiment stamped in Poppy Parade ink from the Keeping Traditions stamp set.  This set also has some larger fonts that would work great on scrapbook pages.

For the Garden Green card base, I cut the stamps out from one of the pieces of DSP and arranged them in a linear position to create a border to separate the other two sheets. For this card, the sentiment was stamped in Garden Green ink and framed on Poppy Parade card stock. The sentiment and bow are from the Gift of Joy stamp set.

These are just two of the many simple cards that can be created with this DSP pack.  Mark your calendars for September 3rd! The new catalog is full of great products for the upcoming holidays!

Candy Corn Week in Coming Soon!

Candy corn may be the biggest controversy in the sweet industry.  It has a love/ hate relationship with consumers...you either look forward the time of year it appears on store shelves or can't understand the lure it has on others!

I am definitely in the love it category! And to celebrate this wonderfully delicious treat that has appeared on story shelves this past week, I am going to host a Candy Corn Week Crafting Share!

Beginning the week of September 1st, I will be posting cards and treats inspired by candy corn and I'm inviting you to play along with me!  So get out the yellow, orange and white inks and paper!  I know you will want to create some tasty treat inspired projects too!

I will share candy corn memes, cards, tags and treat containers along with step by step directions on my blog so you can recreate them. I hope you will join in the fun by visiting my sites, leaving comments and even joining in by sharing your cards, treats and tags.  You can also see them on Instagram using #CandyCornWeekSU. I added SU to the end of the hashtag because I will be using Stampin' Up! products but you can use any products you enjoy creating with!

So start thinking about all things candy corn and mark your calendars to join me on Sept. 1st.  

Holiday Treat Container Class Coming Each Saturday in September!

A BIG thank you to those who attended my virtual Back to Basics Saturday Classes in July!  I noticed a large increase in views as each Saturday passed. So I'm very happy to announce I will be teaching another class each Saturday in September!

The class will be titled Holiday Treat Containers.  The goal of the class is to demonstrate how to create holiday treat containers that are easy to create with a handful of supplies. I will share with you a different container each Saturday in September, giving you lots of time to create them before the holidays arrive.  The containers will be projects that can be used to gift small trinkets or snacks for Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. 

Below is a list of basic supplies that we will use. 

If you choose to order any of the basic supplies before the class and you don't have a regular demonstrator, I'd love to be yours.  To choose me as your demonstrator, simply find my name, Tonya Byrd, in the Demonstrator Selector before closing your order and click on it. Thanks so much! Be sure to opt in for mailing and emails so I can keep you up to date on specials and exciting information that will be coming later in the year!

Paper trimmer  

Bone folder       

Tear and tape adhesive        

Spooky Sweet DSP                    

 

Various patterned papers from the September Mini Catalog which will be available September 3rd.

  -Gathering Together DSP

  -Christmas Tags and More Paper Pack

  -North Pole Delivery DSP

From Paper Pumpkin Floral to Halloween

I had a few floral pieces left from the June kit so I thought with the gray and blue colors I could change it to a Halloween card!

I began by cutting an A2 Lost Lagoon card base. I flipped the floral image over and ink blended over it like a stencil in Pretty Peacock ink.  Then I  adhered the front of the floral image to the front of the card.  I stamped the pumpkin from Party Celebrations using Pumpkin Pie, Pretty Peacock and Crumb Cake inks and fussy cut it out.

I used the Fright Night dies to cut out the BOO! in Pretty Peacock card stock and the Halloween banner in Pumpkin Pie card stock. I also cut the spider and spiderweb out of Basic Gray card stock.

Then I cut the house and bats from the Spooky Halloween dies using Basic Black and Basic Gray card stock.  I cut a ghost from the vellum in the July Paper Pumpkin kit and drew eyes and a mouth on him with a Sharpie pen.

I like the non traditional color of my card base and would love to hear what you think of it!

Autumn Thanks Card

Happy Sunday!  "This is the day the Lord has made!  Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:24

It is just about time for the world to be dressed in the glory of fall colors! I am so ready for Fall and I think it is fairly evident by looking back at my blog this past week! LOL! 

Here is a simple card that allows the DSP to do all the work!  The beautiful fall DSP paper for this card will be available September 5th.  It is called Gathering Together.

I began my card by cutting an A2 card base in Crushed Curry card stock.  I cut three pieces for DSP from the paper pack, arranged them in a pattern I liked, trimmed them to 4" x 5.25 and adhered them together.  Then I adhered the panel to the card front. 

I cut a stitched circle die from the Circle of Season dies then stamped the Bible verse on it in retired Copper Clay ink. I adhered it to the card front using dimensionals and added a Copper Clay thread bow.

Such a simple card but definitely gives the fall vibes for the upcoming season! Have a blessed Sunday!

 

Spooky Mansion Halloween Frame

Sometimes when I'm creating cards, I also create a story in my mind as I'm creating! For example, the DSP for this card reminds me of an old mansion's dining room wall! And of course, creepy mansions have lots of old photos on the walls. This was how I came up with the idea for my card today!

I began by choosing a piece of the Beautiful Gallery DSP that looked like old wallpaper.  I ink blended with Basic Gray ink around the edges and stamped the sparkle and "Spooky" sentiment in the same color of ink using the Spooky Halloween stamp set.

I cut three layers of the ornate frame in Basic Black card stock from the Storybook Friends dies and adhered them together to make them stand out with more dimension on the card. I also used Foundry Wax on the frame and edges of the card to add some spooky shimmer. 

I cut an image from the same DSP to place in my frame.  I chose the harbor and added a few bats in the night sky.  This made me think of a haunted harbor! The bats are from the Spooky Halloween stamp set as well.

I used the Fright Night dies to cut a few spiderwebs and spiders to my card.  I also used a ruler and black pen to create a web for one of the spiders to climb down. 

Do you enjoy making Halloween cards?  I do and I've posted several over the past month. I'd love for you to go back through my blog and let me know which one you like best.

Happy Creating!!

How to Cure Creator's Block Part 2/3

A few days ago, I posted a strategy I use when creator's block visits my craft room.  Today, I'm going to continue by sharing another strategy I use when I am struggling to create.

I begin by choosing a couple of stamp sets I plan to work with and stamp the images on quarter sheets of Basic White card stock.  If they are open images, I use my Stampin' Blend markers to color them. For solid images, I stamp them in the colors I think will work well with the images I'm using. I stamp them on quarter sheets because these will fit in my Stamp, Cut and Emboss machine. Then I used the coordinating dies to cut both the solid and colored images.  

I group the images together either by the stamp set they belong to or by the colors I chose to use on them. Then I use divided containers to store them in until I'm ready to use them.

Hopefully between How to Cure Creator's Block parts 1 and 2, I've given you a few ideas on how to get your creative mojo going again.  If not, I have one more post with another tip to help you out that I will post in the upcoming days!

Inside, Outside Spotlight Stamping Christmas Card

Do you like to try new techniques? This is a fun one that I shared last week and decided to try it with DSP instead of a stamped image.  

I began my card using an A2 Garden Green card base.  I cut two card bases because I was making a trifold card.  I used the Deckled Rectangle dies, but any large open die would work. I used the Christmas Tags and More 6 x 6 DSP in the upcoming September Mini Catalog. It comes with lots of patterns of DSP, tags and punch outs to use on cards, scrapbook pages, tags and other crafts.  My sentiment is also from an upcoming stamp set called Gift of Joy.  I stamped it in Real Red ink and fussy cut the letters out. The directions to complete the card are below.

  

Step 1: Use a large die to cut out the center of the card front and two sheets of DSP at the same time. You will need to use two of the same patterns of DSP. Step 2:  Adhere one piece of the DSP to the inside of the card, aligning it in  the die cut out. Then place the second DSP over it, gluing the left side of the DSP to the left side of the card front.  Step 3: Realign the same die over the cut out image on the front, then run it through the machine, cutting only the DSP layer.  This will create an ongoing image from the front of your card to the inside of your card creating an optical illusion!

I cut a few other pieces of DSP to decorate the inside of the card and create a panel to write a message on before mailing it. I added a few white enamel dots to the mistletoe punch out on the front of the card to finish it. 

I hope you'll give this new technique a try! It gives a unique element to your cards and is fun to create.

Season for Baking Global Design Project Challenge #510

I created this card for the Global Design Project Challenge this week.  I used a new set that will be available in the September Mini Catalog called Homemade Treats and a few retired images from a previous baking set. 

I began by stamping, coloring and cutting out the images I planned to use on my card.  Then I cut a piece of the Gathering Moments DSP and added a few stripes to it using the Cloud Cover and Pecan Pie Stampin' Blend markers.  This created a custom patterned paper that directly coordinates with the images I colored.

Tip: Customize your DSP by adding coloring details. Stampin' Blends, Stampin' Write Markers and watercolor pencils are all good choices to color your DSP.

I adhered this panel on an A2 card base in Cloud Cover card stock.  I cut 3 circles from Basic Beige card stock using one of the Spotlight on Nature dies.  This die reminds me of a paper plate with the ridges around the edge of it.  

I used Tombo glue and dimensionals to place my images around the card. I cut a banner from the Stylish Shapes dies and stamped a sentiment from the set in Pecan Pie ink.  Then I fussy cut out the words "baking season" from the sentiment and added it to the banner. I needed the banner to be longer than the one in the die set, so I cut two of them, cut a straight edge to both, then glued them together.  I hid the seam behind one of the words I cut out.

 I added a few In Color flat pearls in Cloud Cover to finish the card.  Be sure to visit Instagram and search #gdp510 to see other cards created with this fun sketch!

It's All in the "Halloween" Details

Although Halloween is still a few months away, now is the time to start creating your cards, tags and treats. Today, I created this Halloween card that has lots of small details to make a big statement!

I began by ink blending Basic Gray ink around a die cut 3.75 x 5 deckled rectangle.  I also used a cloud stencil, a gift from Paper Pumpkin years ago, and a circle die for a moon stencil.  This created a spooky night sky for my card. I also used washi tape across the bottom of the card as a mask to create a grounding effect by ink blending heavily across the bottom.

I die cut the house from the Spooky Halloween bundle in Basic Gray and Basic Black card stock.  I also die cut pieces of the Woven Textures DSP for the roof lines.  I chose the woven texture that resembled a thatched roof for my house's roof. I layered the pieces together with black dimensionals, which disappear when used on black card stock.

I stamped, colored and cut the cat and dog characters for the front of the card, then hand stitched the dog's stitches across his face.  

I black heat embossed the greeting on Basic White card stock and cut it out with the banner die, both from the Fright Night bundle.  The "EEK!" sentiment was also cut from this bundle. I cut this one three times and layered the pieces.  The top layer was partially torn to reveal a rough texture.

I cut a layer a little larger than my white panel in Basic Gray card stock and layered it on Basic Black card stock then added a few Shimmer Star Foam Stickers to finish off the card.

Not all cards I create entail this much detail, but sometimes I enjoy creating a card with so many intricate pieces for special people in my life.

"Tis the Season for Baking!

Most people consider the baking season to be in December, but why not move it back a few months! Lots of baking can happen in fall...pumpkin pies, pumpkin rolls, apple turnovers...need I say more?

So I decided to combine the More Than Autumn bundle with the new Homemade Treats bundle to create this fall baking card!

I began by ink blending Timid Tiger, Poppy Parade and Crushed Curry inks onto a piece of Basic White card stock cut to 3.75 x 5.  Then I used Timid Tiger ink to randomly stamp " 'Tis the Season for Baking" on the card front. I added brown faux stitching around the edges and set it aside.

I stamped, colored and cut several images from both sets and placed them on the card. I didn't adhere them to the card yet because I wanted to doodle hearts in specific areas to create balance.  To create the hearts, I used brush end of my  Stampin' Write marker.

Tip: Use the brush end of the Stampin' Write marker to create hearts by gently pressing the brush to the right, then left. The thinnest part of the brush should be the bottom of the heart.  

I stamped the "Nothing's Better Than" in Early Espresso ink. Then I used daubers to ink the word "fall" in Timid Tiger, Poppy Parade and Crushed Curry inks.  

I adhered all my pieces to the card front, added a few more hearts and that finished the card!

Thanks for stopping by! Fall is my favorite season and I'll definitely be creating more fall projects!  I hope you will visit again soon! <3

Fall Card Using Paper Pumpkin Add On Dies

As I am patiently (NOT) awaiting my new Paper Pumpkin kit, I created another fall card with the add on dies for this quarter.  You must be a Paper Pumpkin subscriber to order these dies. I used the strawberry die and the hello dies from this set.  The background for my sentiment is from the previous quarter's die set. 

I began by cutting an A2 card base in retired Soft Suede card stock. I cut a 4" x 5.25" panel of fall DSP and tore the bottom edge to reveal the white core.  I stamped a leaf pattern in the background using tone-on-tone stamping.  I used the two tone card stock in Pecan Pie and Cajun Craze to create the mushrooms and hand cut the stems from the same card stock.  

This is a simple sketch that comes together quickly when you need a card in a hurry. 

Tip: Keep a few pre-cut and pre-assembled die images on hand to add to a card when you are in a hurry!

 

Keeping It In the Box - Paper Pumpkin

I know there are lots of new stampers who were like me and wanted every tool, stamp set and DSP as soon as you began stamping.  But, also like me, I couldn't buy it all at once!  It has taken me over 25 years to accumulate my stash and I could always use a little more! ;)

So today I was inspired to create a few alternatives from the new August kit to inspire new stampers (and old ones as well).  And...it didn't hurt that we got an extra stamp set this month! Wow! This is the first time we've received two stamp sets in August that I can remember.  We usually do receive a second one in March, which it Paper Pumpkin's birthday!

And don't you love the Secret Sea ink cube!  The color is such a great neutral and I will enjoy having that for lots of projects.  Did you know the Secret Sea reinker is on sale this month?  While the cube is super juicy right now, after a lot of use, it will need to be reminded. Plus, all the other 2025-2027 In Color products are on sale too, so you can stock up on ribbons, embellishments, paper and other items.

All three of the cards below were made with only contents from the kit!  Enjoy your kit and don't be afraid to try something different!  It will stretch your creativity! 

Stepping Up Your DSP for an Autumn Vibe

Have you noticed that often Stampin' Up! DSP has black and white images in their DSP packs?  I love this for a couple of reasons.  First of all, black and white are classic. You can use it as is to create beautiful cards with very little supplies. But the reason I like it so much is that I can customize the paper to fit my mood.

For example, this time of year I begin to get the itch to create fall themed items.  With the black and white DSP, I can change the colors from in the original pack to more of an autumn vibe.  For example, the Mixed Media Florals DSP has lots of bright, cheerful spring and summer colors.  While this is amazingly beautiful, it doesn't work for me when I want fall colors.  So, I took one of the black and white images and some alcohol markers to add my own color theme.  I also added some splatter and smudging to give it more depth. I love how it turned out! This is the color scheme that is more of the fall vibe I was hoping to achieve!

Once my DSP was finished, I added it to a brown A2 card base. I wanted to make a joy fold card so I cut a smaller card and distressed it using the splatter stamp in the You Are Remarkable stamp set, I also embossed the sentiment from the set with white embossing powder. I adhered this smaller card as shown below to the right side of the card. 

I wanted the DSP to be the most notable piece on my card so I added a double linen thread bow to the small card and no other embellishments.

The card opens in two steps as shown in the photos below.

What do you think?  Are you ready to step up your black and white DSP to custom create your own color scheme for a card?

Surprise! My Paper Pumpkin Kit Arrived Today!

 What a great surprise! My August kit arrived today. This month we received a new In Color spot, Secret Sea and an additional stamp set.  The cards in the kit have a different feel to it as well, it feels like handmade paper and looks like it as well!

I went to work on my kit and created the three cards as designed. I am amazed at how quickly these cards came together and how beautiful they look! 

The cards in this kit are amazing as they are designed but I will challenge myself to create at least a couple more cards using the kit's contents to make a few alternatives!