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Creative Inking Blog Hop: The Dies Have It

Creative inking blog hop

I’ve been a stamper for a long time (30+ years–wow!) and when I say ‘The dies have it’, it means the dies have what it takes to make the card. In my opinion, the coordinating dies for Stampin’ Up stamp sets takes card making to a whole new level!! The new Pansy Patch bundle is one of those sets I fell in love with immediately. The die cuts for the pansy is so realistic with the embossed images that are made when you die cut the pieces. This card is an example of using mostly dies. Read on how to make this fun fold card using the Pansy dies.

Pansy dies

Measurements:

  • Gorgeous Grape Cardstock: 5.5″ x 8.5″, scored at 4.25″ along 8.5″ side; cardstock for 4 die cut pieces
  • Basic White: 5.25″ x 8.25″ scored at 2.25″ & 4.25″ along the 8.25″ side, cardstock for center piece of pansy, cardstock for a white circle die cut
  • Highland Heather Cardstock: cardstock for 2 pansy petals
  • Garden Green Cardstock: cardstock for 2 leaves
  • Evening Evergreen Cardstock: cardstock for 2 die cut leaf overlays
  • Hand-Penned Designer Series Paper: 4″x5.25″

Preparation:

  • Die cut in Gorgeous Grape cardstock the outline of the pansy (3 pieces total), middle of pansy and small flower piece for inside. Using Gorgeous Grape cardstock, die cut the largest scalloped circle from the layering Circles die set. Then die cut a circle from the center of the scallop to create a frame.
  • Next, die cut in Highland Heather cardstock the 2 petals and the small flower for the inside of the card.
  • Using Basic White cardstock, die cut the middle piece of the pansy and sponge daub with Daffodil Delight ink in the center of the white. Also die cut a Basic White circle, using the same size circle used to make the scalloped frame.
  • Then die cut the leaves in Garden Green cardstock and the 2 overlays in Evening Evergreen. Die cut the stem for the inside of the card in Garden Green.
  • Stamp sentiment in Gorgeous Grape and die cut with Stitched Rectangle.
  • Adhere the DSP to the front of the Gorgeous Grape cardstock card base. Die cut a circle through the front of card (slightly more to the top so that you have room for the sentiment). (Note: Use the same size circle used to create the scallop frame.) Note: you will not use these circle die cuts on this card.
Pansy dies

Assembly for Pansy Dies card:

  • Assemble the pansy and leaves and adhere to the white die cut circle.
  • Pansy Petals
    • Center and adhere the 3.75″ section of the 5.25″ x 8.25″ piece of Basic White cardstock to the inside of the Gorgeous Grape card base, making sure the scored section is to the right. On the first score line, fold the Basic White cardstock as a valley (or to the left) and fold the second score line as a mountain (or to the right)..
    • Close the card. Place adhesive on the 1/2 circle of white folded cardstock you can see underneath the circle cutout on the front. Place the circle with the pansy through the circle on the front of the card, onto the adhesive on the white folded cardstock.
    • Assemble and place the small pansy bloom on the inside of the card.
    • Adhere Gorgeous Grape scalloped frame around circle cut out on front of card. Adhere the sentiment to the front of the card with dimensionals.
    Pansy dies

    Hop this way to see Sue Leher’s blog post:

    Hop this way to go to the prior blog by Kelly Acheson:

    Supplies for Pansy Dies Card:

    Encircled in Beauty Layered Card

    The Encircled in Beauty dies make any card beautiful! Paired along with the gorgeous Expressions in Ink Specialty paper and several layers, this card will impress your recipient! I love layered cards and this one has 6 layers, but is easy to assemble. Give it a try!

    Encircled in Beauty

    Measurements:

    Pale Papaya cardstock: 4.25″ x 11″, scored at 5.5″ along 11″, 4″ x 5.25″, 1.5″ circle
    Pear Pizzaz cardstock: 3 3/8″ x 4 5/8″
    Expressions in Ink Specialty Designer Series Paper: 3.25″ x 3.5″ floral and 1″ x 3.25″ in the stripe
    Basic White Cardstock: 4″ x 5.25″, 1 3/8″ circle
    Pale Paypaya & White 1/2″ ribbon: 9.5″

    Preparation:

    • Emboss the 4″ x 5.25″ Pale Papaya cardstock with the Pretty Flowers embossing folder.
    • Stamp the sentiment in Pear Pizzaz ink on the white circle.
    • Die cut the ornate circle from Basic White cardstock.

    Assembly:

    • Adhere the embossed piece of Pale Papaya to the card base.
    • Adhere the 2 pieces of DSP to the Pear Pizzaz cardstock. Next, place the Pear Pizzaz cardstock centered on the front of the card with dimensionals.
    • Place the white circle on the Pale Papaya circle and adhere together. Place the Pale Papaya circle on the Basic White ornate circle. Next, place the Basic white ornate circle centered on the the floral patterned paper with dimensionals.
    • Tie a bow with the ribbon and place the bow on the card with glue dots on the center line between the 2 pieces of DSP.
    • Add gold gemstone to the white circle under the sentiment.

    Supplies for Encircled in Beauty Layered Card:

    Quiet Meadow Bundle Fun Fold

    I love using the Quiet Meadow Bundle to make flower sillouettes and they look so pretty on cards for any occasion. The meadow flowers are colored with sponge daubers and ink–imagine the color possibilities! The Scalloped Contours dies are also one of my favorites because of the 5 nested scalloped rectangles, each uniquely different.

    Quiet Meadow

    Measurements:

    Pear Pizzaz cardstock: 5.5″ x 6 3/8″, scored at 4.25″ along the 6 3/8″ side
    Basic White cardstock: (2) 4.25 x 5.5″, pieces for the label and flowers

    Preparation:

    • Die cut 3 of the flowers/stems from Basic White cardstock, 1 label and the 2 largest Color and Contours rectangles.
    • Emboss the 2 1/8″ flap on the Pear Pizzaz with the Greenery Embossing Folder.
    • To apply color to the flowers, use a sponge dauber to apply Pear Pizzaz ink onto the stems of the flowers and then apply Gorgeous Grape ink in the same way to the flowers.
    • Stamp sentiment in Gorgeous Grape ink on the lable.

    Assembly:

    • Adhere the large scallop rectangle on the 4.25″ x 5.5″ side of the Pear Pizzaz cardstock.
    • Fold the 2 1/8″ flap on top of the large scallop rectangle; this is the front of the card.
    • Place the smaller rectangle onto the 2 1/8″ flap, so that it is centered inside the large scalloped rectangle. Glue 1/2 the back of the smaller rectangle; the right side of the rectangle will not be adhered.
    • Adhere the flowers to the front of the smaller rectangle.
    • Tie white ribbon around the white label on the left hand side. Put dimensionals on the back of the white label. The dimensional on the left side should straddle the ribbon and the label itself; this will help to keep the ribbon in place.

    Supplies for Quiet Meadow Fun Fold Card:

    Seashells Pearlized Technique

    Want to learn the pearlized technique to give your paper a pearlized shimmer look? This post tells you how!

    Seashells Pearlized Technique

    Measurements for Seashells Pearlized Technique card:

    Misty Moonlight cardstock: 4″ x 5.25″, piece for seaweed die cut
    Sahara Sand cardstock: 5.5″ x 8.5″, scored at 4.25″ along the 8.5″, piece for sand dollar die cut, piece for label
    Basic White cardstock: 4″ x 5.25″, piece for label
    Crumb Cake cardstock: piece for starfish die cut
    Linen Thread: 6″ x 3

    Preparation:

    • Emboss the Misty Moonlight cardstock with the Seashells 3D embossing folder.
    • Die cut the larger label in Sahara Sand and the small in Basic White. Next, die cut 2 sand dollars in Sahara Sand and 2 star fish in Crumb Cake. Lastly, die cut the seaweed in Misty Moonlight cardstock.
    • Stamp the sentiment on the white label in Night of Navy ink, and the Sand Dollars and Star Fish in Misty Moonlight ink.
    • To create the pearlized paper effect, apply Frost White shimmer paint (now retired but available on Amazon) to the front of the embossed Misty Moonlight cardstock. To do this, shake the paint and apply a dime size amount onto an acrylic block. Dip 1/4 of yellow sponge into paint so that it picks up a small amount, and in a swirl motion, apply paint to the cardstock front. Repeat until the front is completely covered. This will dry in a few minutes.

    Assembly:

    Adhere the Sahara Sand label to the front of the Misty Moonlight card front, near the bottom 3rd of the card. Place the 3 linen threads across the front of the Sahara Sand label and secure to the backside of the Misty Moonlight card stock with Scotch tape. Use 4 dimensionals to apply the white label on top of the linen thread (this way the label won’t rock) and centered in the middle of the Sahara Sand label. Adhere a Sand Dollar to the front behind the tag and a starfish using a dimensional. Add rhinestones to the front.

    Adhere the Basic White cardstock to the inside. Add the seaweed, sand dollar, and starfish to the inside.

    Supplies:

    Creative Inking Blog Hop: Fun Fold Double Gatefold

    Creative inking blog hop

    This blog will show you how to make a Double Gatefold Card using your favorite double sided DSP. This card features the Hand-Penned DSP, but any that you like will do! This fun fold shows how to angle the corners and use the pieces that are cut off to use on the front to make a diamond shape in the center when the doors are closed (see Figure 2).

    Figure 1

    Measurements:

    Hand-Penned Designer Series Paper – 5 ¼ “ x 12, scored at 2” 4”, 8”, & 10” 

    Blushing Bride cardstock – (1) 4 ¼” x 5 1/2”

    Basic White cardstock:  (1) 3 ¾ ” x 5” rectangle for inside, 2” x 3 1/8” for 3rd largest scallop rectangle from Stitched so Sweetly dies, (1) piece of Basic White for die cut image from Hand-Penned.

    Directions:

    Fold DSP along score line as follows (Make sure the side of the paper you want on the outside is facing towards you and rightside up)

    Fold the first score line on the left as a ‘mountain’ and the second score line on the left as a ‘valley’.

    Fold the first score line on the right as ‘mountain’ and the second score line on the right as a ‘valley’.

    Each side forms a double door—fold each side toward the center of the DSP. Use bone folder to crease folds.

    Use a pencil to mark 2.5” down from the left top corner/end of the DSP down the left side and then do the same on the right side of the DSP. (Make sure your DSP print is right side up before cutting)

    Use your trimmer to cut a diagonal on the top lefthand side, starting from the 2.5” mark to the 1st score line.Cut a second diagonal on the top righthand end, starting from the 1st score line on the right to the 2.5” mark.

    Close doors on card.  Use the corners that were cut out from the diagonal cuts and adhere them in the bottom left of the door front and the bottom right ofthe door front. (Make sure that when you adhere the pieces of DSP, that the side facing up matches the pattern on the backside of the card.)  The DSP showing in the center of the card should look like a diamond shape. 

    Figure 2.

    Mount card to card base cardstock. Adhere 3 ¾ ” x 5” Basic White cardstock to inside.

    Position rectangle in portrait direction and stamp sentiment on rectangle near the bottom and adhere with dimensionals to one side of a door front.

    Add Hand-Penned stamped/diecut image on top of rectangle with dimensionals. Wink of Stella was added to create some glimmer on the flowers.

    Figure 3.

    Embellish card with ribbon and pearls for the flower centers. For this card, Fresh Freesia ribbon was colored with the Light Highland Heather blend pen to better match the paper.

    Hop this way to see Sue Leher’s fun fold:

    Hop this way to go to the prior blog by Kelly Acheson:

    Creative Inking Blog Hop Must Have New Catalog Product

    Creative inking blog hop

    I’m excited about the new annual catalog and especially Expressions in Ink Suite—my favorite!! I love the mixture of colors and the faux watercolor effect without all the mess! I’ll show several samples and what you can do with do with the fabulous products in this Suite! The Suite of products includes Artistically Inked stamp set, Artistic Dies, Expressions in Ink Designer Series paper, and Epherma Gold Paper:

    Figure 1 – EXPRESSIONS IN INK DSP

    The Designer Series Paper is absolutely gorgeous! There are several patterns where there is white space at the top and bottom and the design across the middle, like Figure 1. You can make 6 cards like Fig. 2 by cutting at 4” increments top to bottom and the cutting the paper at 6” left to right and using on your card front. These patterns make beautiful cards without much effort! The paper does all the work.

    Figure 2

    You can make 6 cards like Fig. 2 by cutting the paper like in Figure 1 and stamping a sentiment in the white space. So easy and pretty!

    Here’s an example of using one of these patterns sideways and adding some stamping and the beautiful floral die cut from the Artistic Dies. You can make a coordinating inside using the background stamp

    Another example of using one of the other colored patterns from the DSP and adding the beautiful leaf die cut from the Artistic Dies and sentiment from the stamp set. Using Polished Pink and Pale Papaya ink, the stamps were used to make a coordinating design on the inside.

    This card uses another piece of the designer series paper and then adds stamped images to the front, that lines up with the floral die.

    The Epherma pack contains 5 sheets of gold elements including 2 different labels and leaves—up to 50 total elements. These elements work beautifully with this Suite and you can create beautiful cards with ease!!! I love these accent pieces!

    The two cards above use the stamped then die cut flowers as the focal point. The gold striped paper can be change to any coordinating color using you favorite ink color and a blending brush!

    One of the stamps in Artistically Inked stamp set that is so versatile is the background stamp! You can make faux watercolor backgrounds for your card using this stamp in any color you want. The sneak peek at the June Paper Pumpkin shows a faux watercolor background in pink and purple, so I thought I would give it a try using Polished Pink and Gorgeous Grape

    Thanks for stopping by. Click the image below to see what Susan Lehrer has created.

    Thanks for stopping by. Click the image below to see what Kelly Acheson has created.

    Hydrangea Haven Four Panel Card

    Mother’s Day is right around the corner and this Hydrangea Haven Four Panel card would be a perfect card to give to that special Mom in your life. The Hydrangea Hill Designer Series paper and the Hydrangea Haven bundle is retiring on May 3rd, so order soon if you would like to make this card!

    Hydrangea Haven
    Hydrangea Haven
    Click picture to watch video.

    Measurements:

    Basic White cardstock: 12” x 5.5” scored at  1”, 4 3/8”, and 7.75” (cardbase), 3″x4.5″; pieces for punch and labels
    Hydrangea Hill Designer Paper: 5” x 4.25”, (2) 4.75″ x 3; (2) 4 1/8″ x 2 5/8″
    Gorgeous Grape cardstock: piece to diecut and punch labels and hydrangea
    Highland Heather cardstock: piece to diecut and punch labels and hydrangea
    Hydrangea Hill Mercury Glass Designer Acetate: piece to diecut scalloped oval
    Old Olive cardstock: piece to diecut leaves and leaf detail

    Directions/Preparation:

    • Punch white label in Basic White Cardstock and in Highland Heather cardstock. Stamp flowers in Gorgeous Grape ink.
    • Die cut one hydrangea (both the intricate floral and solid flower) in Highland Heather cardstock and one in Gorgeous Grape cardstock.
    • Die cut 4 small flowers in Highland Heather cardstock.
    • Diecut 2 stems in Old Olive cardstock (both the intricate leaves and the solid stem)
    • Using the oval punch, punch the larger oval in Gorgeous Grape cardstock and the smaller oval in Basic White cardstock. Stamp sentiment in Gorgeous Grape ink.
    • Die cut 2 rectangular labels in Basic White cardstock and stamp sentiments in Gorgeous Grape ink.

    Assembly:

    Hydrangea Haven
    1. First, fold the white card base accordion style so that you have three panels, with the 1″ strip showing on the top of the stack.
    2. Attach the 1” strip to the 3 x 4.5” Basic White cardstock, which will be the first panel of your card. Cut the excess on the 1″ strip above the 3 x 4.5″ basic off.
    3. Adhere the two smaller designer paper pieces to the front of the card and the first inside panel.
    4. Adhere the two medium-size designer paper pieces to the second and third inside panels.
    5. Adhere the 5” x 4.25” designer paper to the fourth inside panel.
    6. Adhere the message pieces to the first, third and fourth inside panels with your adhesive. Be sure to adhere the Happy Birthday label more toward the left side of the fourth inside panel so it won’t show with the card closed.
    7. Adhere the oval diecut Mercury Acetate to the second inside panel
    8. Note: For the small hydrangea cluster label, cut the Highland Heather light purple label in half to layer it behind the stamped white label.
    9. Adhere the leaf detail diecuts to the leaf diecuts using liquid glue.
    10. Adhere the Hydrangea flower diecuts to the plain floral outline diecuts.
    11. Use dimensionals to apply the Highland Heather hydrangea to the second panel.
    12. Cut one branch of leaves apart for the second panel. Adhere it under your light purple flower pieces and adhere to second panel.
    13. Adhere the full branch and dark purple floral pieces to the fourth inside panel.
    14. Adhere the stamped white oval to the dark purple oval and use pop dots to place it on the card front.
    15. Add two small hydrangea petals to each side of your label. Add Pastel Pearls.
    16. Use glue dots to add the bow.

    Supplies for Hydrangea Haven Four Panel card:

    Dragonfly Garden Book Binding Fun Fold

    This book binding fun fold using the Dragonfly Garden bundle makes a great masculine card or general card. Read on or watch the video to learn how to make this card.

    Dragonfly Garden
    Click on picture to watch video

    Measurements:

    Basic Black cardstock: 8.5” x5.5” scored at 5.5” and 6.75” for cardbase ; 3”x3”; 3.5″ x 3.5″
    Mossy Meadow cardstock: (2) 4”x4”
    Basic White cardstock: 3.75” x3.75”
    Gold Foil Sheet: 3 3/16” x 3 3/16”; piece for small dragonfly
    Dandy Garden Designer Paper: 1 1/16” x 4 ”
    Mossy Meadow braided linen trim or black or crumb cake twine : 12”

    Directions/Preparation:

    Cut cardstock as directed in Measurements section.
    Using the 3″ x 3″ piece of black cardstock, stamp the wildflowers and small dragonflies in Versarmark and then cover with Heat & Stick powder, and ‘flick’ off excess powder. Heat until powder becomes clear. Rub gilded leafing over the Heat & Stick powder until images are covered.
    Stamp in Mossy Meadow the small dragonflies on the 3.75″ x 3.75″ Basic White cardstock.

    Assembly:

    • First, fold your Basic Black card base along the 5.5” score line so that the 6.75” score line is showing on the card front.
    • Use adhesive or liquid glue on the inside of your card to adhere the 1.25” “book binding” portion. (The front of your card should have a 1.25” left side that is glued down and doesn’t open, while the rest of the card opens.)
    • Adhere one of the 4”x4” Mossy Meadow cardstock pieces inside the card.
    • Adhere the Basic White 3.75” x 3.75” cardstock piece inside the card.
    Dragonfly Garden
    Inside of Card
    • Adhere the Dandy Garden designer paper strip of your choice to the “book binding” portion of the card front.
    • Adhere the other 4”x4” Mossy Meadow CS to the card front.
    • Adhere the 3.5” x 3.5” Basic Black CS to the card front.
    • Adhere the 3 3/16” x 3 3/16” Gold Foil sheet to the card front.
    • Adhere the stamped, gilded leaf Black CS to the card front.
    • Use a small Stampin’ Dimensional to adhere the tiny gold foil dragonfly to the card front.
    • Wrap the Mossy Meadow or black or tan twine around the “book binding” and tie in a knot, cutting off any excess twine.
    Dragonfly Garden
    Alternative Version

    Supplies for Dragonfly Garden Bookbinding Card:

    Butterfly Brilliance Card

    The Butterfly Brilliance bundle is so beautiful and makes great all occasions card. Paired with the Peony Garden Paper, which is retiring on May 3rd, it makes this such a pretty card. Try this card with the Peony Garden paper or your favorite patterned paper.

    Butterfly Brilliance
    Butterfly Brilliance
    Click on Picture to watch Video

    Measurements for Butterfly Brilliance Card:

    Basic White Thick cardstock: 8.5” x 5.5” scored at 4.25” along the 8.5″ side, piece for frame and butterflies
    Peony Garden Designer Paper (3 designs): 5” x 3.75”
    Basic Gray cardstock: 2.75” x 7/8”

    Directions/Preparations:

    Die cut white stitched frame using the Stitched Rectangle Dies and 3 different butterflies.
    Stamp sentiment on Basic Gray Cardstock with Versamark and heat emboss with white embossing powder.. Punch a banner on the right side of the tag.

    Assembly:

    Adhere the Peony Garden Designer Paper to the front of the card base centering it. Adhere frame to front of card base, centering over the designer series paper.
    Adhere Basic Gray sentiment to card front with dimensionals, slightly spanning the left edge of the frame in the upper left hand corner.
    Adhere the butterflies to the front of the card using glue dots.
    Place rhinestones down the center of the butterflies.

    Supplies for Butterfly Brilliance Card:

    Art Gallery Golden Garden Acetate Card

     The Art Gallery Golden Garden acetate is such a beautiful and glamourous piece to add to your cards. Two of the 12″ x 12″ pieces of Golden Garden acetate each match a design in the Fine Art Floral Designer Series Paper. With these papers, you can make 12 of the card shown below. Read on to learn now to make this see-through acetate card using the Art Gallery Bundle and coordinating Designer Series Paper.
        

    Art Gallery
    Art Gallery
    Click on picture to watch video

    Measurements:  

    Old Olive Cardstock: 4” x 5 1/2” (two pieces), (2) 3/4” x 4”
    Golden Garden Designer Specialty Acetate: 6” x 4”
    Matching piece of Fine Art Floral Designer Series Paper: 6″ x 4″
    Basic white: 3.5″ x 4″, white piece for sentiment, flower and leaf die cut

    Directions/Preparation:

    • Stamp and die-cut the large flower using Rococo Rose with the more solid flower and then stamp again using the 2nd layer flower. Stamp the leaves and stem with Mossy Meadow ink.
    • Using the second layer flower, stamp the 2nd layer flower in Versamark on top of the flower and then heat emboss with gold embossing powder.
    • Stamp and die-cut the sentiment using Merry Merlot ink.
    • Die-cut one more large flower from Old Olive cardstock.
    • Score the acetate 1/2” from what will be the top of the card, making sure the acetate is right side up to match the DSP.
    • Trim a diagonal section from the Designer Series Paper, keeping the bottom section. The piece in the photo is approximately 3” one side and 1 3/4” the other.  Cut a piece of Old Olive and Basic White the same size.  Make the Basic White very slightly shorter by trimming off 1/8″ off the bottom so that it doesn’t show when the card is closed.
    • Stamp your choice of flowers and/or sentiment onto the Basic White diagonal piece, making sure the diagonal is highest on the left side.

    Assembly:

    • Use a bone folder to make sure the acetate is well scored to ensure it will lay flat for the card. Using Tear ’n Tape or Stampin’ Seal + , attach the 1/2″ scored section of the acetate to the back of the 4″ x 5.5″ piece of Old Olive Cardstock.  Attach the 3/4″ X 4″ piece of Old Olive cardstock to the back, to cover up the acetate flap (optional.)
    • Lay the Designer Series Paper between the acetate and Old Olive cardstock, making sure it lines up with the acetate.  Do not adhere yet.
    • Attach sentiment to the strip of Old Olive cardstock using dimensionals, and then attach attach the strip of Old Olive to the acetate with adhesive.
    • Adhere flower stem to front of acetate, and attach flower with dimensionals.
    • Open the card and put adhesive on the back of the acetate behind the sentiment strip and lower part of the leaves.  Attach the Designer Series Paper (DSP) so the side of the DSP that matches the acetate shows on the front of the card, making sure it lines up correctly with the acetate.
    • Attach the matching Old Olive diagonal piece of cardstock to the back of the Designer Series Paper. This piece is to give your card more sturdiness. Then adhere the Old Olive flower to the backside of the acetate to cover up the dimensionals from the front side flower. (See Figure 1)
    • Stamp your choice of flowers and/or sentiment onto the Basic White diagonal piece, and adhere to the Old Olive card base, making sure it is in the same direction as the Designer Series Paper (See Figure 2)
    • Tie a bow using piece of gold twine from the Forever Greenery Trim Combo Pack and attach with a glue dot.
    Art Gallery
    Figure 1: Backside of the front of the card
    Figure 2: Inside of the card

    Supplies for Art Gallery card: