Gate-fold Birthday

Sunday I showed Mom how to do the Magic Colored Pencil technique using our Prismacolor pencils and mineral spirits (also known as the Gamsol Technique). I stamped some floral images for her to practice on, and while she was coloring and blending, I colored some flowers, too. It was a happy, creative day with my mommy!

These flowers were just begging to be used on a card, and I couldn't refuse! After choosing the linen-looking background paper, I found I already had a matching gate-fold blank in my Sahara Sand cardstock pack, so *BOOM* this fancy card nearly completed itself!

For those of you who like the look of fussy-cutting but don't like the work, this is a fun alternative. Use your Stampin' Trimmer to carefully cut up to - but not through - the image, letting some look like it's hanging off the edge. Then you only have a small bit to fussy cut and it still looks kewl!

Product List

Helping Me Grow Photopolymer Stamp Set

Birthday Banners Photopolymer Stamp Set

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Sahara Sand 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Soft Suede 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Serene Scenery Designer Series Paper Stack

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad

Stampin' Trimmer

Big Shot

Big Shot Magnetic Platform

Bunch Of Banners Framelits Dies

Stampin' Dimensionals

Bring On The Cake

I first saw this style of card on Gina K's Stamp TV blog, and thought it would be a great card for a fancy folds class because it is quick and easy to do.

It's a fun gate-fold card with a twist - it has flaps on both sides!

Since I'm always in need of birthday cards, I made several to have on hand.  The patterned paper used was from the (now retired) Domestic Goddess DSP. The masculine version of the card, shown below, was the same sheet of paper, just the reverse side! Notice, no bling - just another strip of ribbon to balance the other side.

Stamps: Bring on the Cake (both the image & greeting)
Cardstock: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Domestic Goddess DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka-Dots embossing folder, Daffodil Delight 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Rhinestones Basic Jewels

More Valentine Defined

At yesterday's party, I showed a couple of other cards that using the same stamp set.  The versatility is a plus!  These don't have to be just Valentine's Day card....they work for anniversaries, love you, miss you, and thinking of you, too.  This one showcased the inlaid embossing/embedded paper technique.  That was definitely a WOW factor!

Stamps: Valentine Defined
Cardstock: Real Red, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Basic Black, Red Glimmer Paper
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red
Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Heart to Heart punch, Two-Step Owl punch (smallest heart), Basic Rhinestones, Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

Christmas in July (CSAYL challenge)

When I first started card making (at BFF Barb's urging), waaaaay back at the beginning of last year (grin), I told her I had lost my crafting mojo and didn't have any idea where to start. She very kindly pointed me to Splitcoast Stampers, and to one blog, in particular, Maria Bell's Card Inspired.

That was all it took, I was hooked. I was so blown away by Maria's creations.... I wanted to make cards like THAT! I joined Maria's card club (at that time she was a CTMH demo), and spent way too much money on my new found addiction. :-)

After a while, I dropped out of the CTMH card club, but would still check out her blogs periodically for inspiration. Now I've come full circle! Maria and I are back in touch through Facebook, and I am participating in Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - Maria's Sketch Challenge # 26!

Okay, I know I didn't use a stamp on this card, but bear with me, okay? It was a sketch challenge, it didn't say I had to use a stamp, lol. I'm going to use this design to make the four Christmas cards for this month, and I don't have time for a lot of stamping/coloring. Besides, my new demo kit just arrived from Stampin' Up! and I need to open it!

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White and Bashful Blue
Inked edges: Not Quite Navy
Embossing: Sizzix Christmas set, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots
Embellies: Ribbon and Swarovski crystal