I’ll be celebrating Easter with my family who travelled from Thunder Bay to be with us. I’d also like to share my Easter greetings with you with this pretty daffodil card made with the retiring You’re Inspiring stamp set.
While this card is perfect for Easter, simply change out the greeting and you have a lovely spring greeting for a birthday, congrats or friend card.
With some simple stamping with my Tuxedo Black Memento pad and coloured with Stampin’ Blends, this was a fun card to design. I’m trying to use up some of my patterned papers and have a good swatch of it here for subtle background. (Not that I have much patterned paper mind you – yeah right!! 😊)
Let me give you all the measurements and steps to make this simple and pretty card yourself.
Cuttin’ It Up!
I’ve added a few different layers to pull out the pretty on this card.
Basic Black – 1 piece 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″, 1 piece 3 1/4″ x 3 1/4″
Thick White White – 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″
Pear Pizzazz – 2 7/8″ x 2 7/8″
So Saffron – two strips 1/4″ x 5 1/2″
So Saffron polka Dot DSP – 3″ x 5 1/2″
Basic Black Solid Baker’s Twine – piece about 14″
Let’s Make It
Glue patterned paper to middle of folded Basic Black card. Glue strips of So Saffron along top and bottom edge. TIP: I use little dabs of liquid glue for the small strips so I have a little bit of leeway to move if I don’t get them quite aligned at first.
Stamp sentiment on top and flower image on bottom centre of Whisper White Thick cardstock with Tuxedo Black Memento pad. Colour with Light and Dark Daffodil Delight and Light Old Olive Stampin’ Blends. See my Top 10 best tips here for the Blends.
Adhere to piece of Pear Pizzazz then to square of Basic Black. Attach with dimensionals to right centre of card. TIP: frame your piece with a large matted square for a bit more punch.
Tie piece of Basic Black Baker’s twine around bottom edge of card and tie in a bow to the left centre. TIP: start with a larger bow and pull on each end until your are happy with the size of your bow. Then trim your ends.
OPTIONAL: Stamp large daffodil along a piece of Whisper White cardstock (2 2/4″ x 5″) also in Tuxedo Black ink. Glue to piece of So Saffron (4″ x 5 1/4″) then to inside of card. TIP: I almost always layer inside a black card to tie together the front and inside. And it’s always nice to add that unexpected touch when you stamp the inside with an image and not just the greeting.
What would you design with this set?
What types of cards or projects would YOU first make with this pretty set?
Birthday?
Thinking of You?
Wedding?
Here are all the supplies you would need to recreate this card in your craft area. Be sure to use my host code for April ( CBPJASZX) if your online order comes to $60 CDN or more. That way you can earn Sunny Rewards from me!
Enjoy a wonderful day however you are spending it today. With family, with friends. Away from home or not. At a down home grand feast or a lovely Easter brunch.
Wherever you are, take a special moment to thank your companions and celebrate a Happy Easter 2019.
Today I want to show you how to create watercolour effects with rubber stamps. Plus once again I’ve got a die-punch combo to add something special to your designs.
With a card any fisher guy – or gal – will love, you’ll want to pick up the Best Catch bundle from the Occasions catalogue while you can still get it at 10% off!
I love the mix of colours on the jumping fish. And YOU’RE going to be happy it’s a technique you can do RIGHT NOW!
Isn’t it time we have a great bundle mainly with guys in mind? This one has fabulous stamps and dies with simple sentiments you will use again and again. I think the bulrushes are my fave!
Do you think you just don’t have that “artiste” gene?
That there’s no way you can be a watercolour artist?
Think again. Once you see how easy this technique is, your craft area is going to be littered with little pieces of watercolour art!
Let’s see how quickly you can become an “artiste”.
How to Create Watercolour Effects with Rubber Stamps
Colour directly onto your stamps with the brush tip of your marker TIP: use the SIDE of the brush to avoid damaging the tip
Hold stamp arm’s length away from you with the rubber/ photopolymer facing you and spritz with 3-5 sprays of good ‘ole H2O
Stamp onto watercolour paper TIP: hold your stamp in place before litfing it up a little longer than you might normally do just to transfer all the ink onto the watercolour paper
Let dry and crop as needed with open die (like for this fish)
OPTIONAL TIP: Re-spritz lightly again and stamp for a second, lighter impression
There now wasn’t that easy? Amazing what a little water can do for your rubber stamp crafting! With detail like you see on this fish, the two-tone stamping is FAB!
Another great thing? This card is made almost entirely of scrap papers you probably have lying around. Even your ribbon scraps you cut for something else that were just a wee bit short! Bonus!
Here’s a quick run down of the supplies and measurements for you.
See
how it’s created a focal point for our greeting on our card today but still
doesn’t take anything away from the overall design?
Show Me What You Create
Now I will just bet you have a stamp or two (🤣) that would be absolutely amazing with this technique. Share your designs so we can all see! You can always post a pic over on my Facebook group Design with Jo VIPeeps! We’re a growing community of crafters and it’d be wonderful to have you join us. Just a quick click here and you’ll be all set.
And if you have someone in mind who’d be taken in hook, line and sinker with
this Best Catch card, here’s my supply list to get you going.
How to Create Watercolour Effects with Rubber Stamps
I hope you got a hit of crafting inspiration today and you’re going to give this technique a try. Layer up some one-two die-punch combos with your Big Shot for cards sure to excite.
Add a fun element just like my fish. Or wouldn’t a pretty rose or a funky balloon be awesome on a card for a special friend? Now you know how to create watercolour effects with rubber stamps, let your inner “artiste” shine – and then bask in their praise!
Handmade birthday cards for friends are a favourite of almost everyone I know. It’s a little gift of yourself. And not only does your friend love that you took the time to make her something extra special, you had all kinds of fun being creative.
I’m doing something just a tad different for my Product of the Week. I’m featuring projects with the Big Shot and a die-punch combo I couldn’t live without.
By now you all know the Big Shot is retiring this June. EEEK! And it’s true we do not yet have a replacement. However if you have this fabulous tool, you WILL be able to continue to use it well into the future, perhaps with a few little adjustments with our new dies.
And you saw how much I love playing with my punches about two weeks ago. If you missed those posts, check them out quickly by viewing my Gallery of ideas.
Not only do I find punches the quickest tool to reach for when I’m crafting, they’re ideal for adding pop to your greetings and pair wonderfully with all kinds of dies. A simple frame like the Triple Banner makes a stand out statement in this handmade birthday card for friends.
Why do I reach for the Triple Banner punch a lot?
It’s
waaaay more than a “triple” size. Any size paper with a width up to 2 inches fits wonderfully.
always consistent so I know when I mat them together like this I’ll have a perfect fit.
one sided so I can choose to make a banner on the other end too – or not! And any length I want.
Fast! So it cuts down on fussy cutting time if I’m in a hurry.
A trendy shape that isn’t going away any time soon.
The Floral Romance vellum paper adds such a lovely background in its soft Petal Pink. For another idea I paired it here also with the Butterfly Beauty dies for this super easy stair stepper card.
These gorgeous dies have been selling like hotcakes (where DID that saying come from? ) In fact they’re currently on back order. But I’m excited they WILL be available in the new catalogue too so want to show you different ways I’m using mine over the next few weeks.
Like creating a focal point with the large die cut out of the group of five. Then placing it so it’s just fluttering into view. Who says you HAVE to see the entire butterfly? In fact a bit of mystery is part of the allure!
The bonus part of this birthday card? It can work equally well as a thinking of you card with the greeting from the Butterfly Beauty stamps. Here’s the inside.
Let me give you my top tips for this simple card.
Design with Jo Design Tips
Attach your Floral Romance vellum to your cardstock with a SLIGHTLY watered down application of liquid glue. See exactly how to do this in this video.
Liquid glue is your best bet to affix the butterfly to the bottom of your card making sure you extend it over the edge.
Turn your paper over to snip off the butterfly’s extending pieces with a sharp pair of small scissors like Paper Snips.
If your Smoky Slate strip is not the exact same length as your larger Whisper White don’t worry about it. Just overlap them the way you like and glue together.
I thought about adding a ribbon (you know I luv the stuff! 😋) but thought simpler was better with this card. Three of the faceted dots in Petal Pink complete it perfectly.
Over to You
Ok grab your Triple Banner punch and crop a large focal point die like Butterfly Beauty with your Big Shot. Then create a simple card just like this. Here are my supplies.
A word of advice. The Floral Romance DSP and Faceted Dots are both retiring so you’ll want to pick yours up pretty soon!
It’s that exciting time of year again – the Retiring Lists are here for the 2018-19 catalogues! A bittersweet time for most of us as we see some of our favourite stamps, dies, papers, embellishments and inks retire.
And this year is no different. In fact, there are a few surprises on our lists! Some items I’m going to especially miss.
Before you start to review the lists, a couple things to keep in mind so it’s not so confusion. Stampin’ Up! is moving almost exclusively to photopolymer and cling stamps. Only the large background stamps will continue to be offered in a wood option. Soooo this makes the lists SUPER long and a bit confusing. Here is the list of stamps that will CARRY OVER in the new catalogue.
But I won’t keep you in suspense any longer. To get a copy of the lists, simply click on the version you like to review it in the most.
I’ve got a new video for you for DIY handmade paper gift bags. Ones so simple and cheery you’ll be reaching for your Happiness Blooms DSP to make a few right along with me!
But first…did you see my Product of the Week this week? I’m featuring 3D projects and videos. All week!
Remember this funny little bunny? I love his toothiness! And you can get a pdf to make him yourself…simply click here.
And the rest of this week I’ll have more 3D items for you to check out just like this pretty gift bag. So make sure you hop back!
I’m not sure what I like more. The bright Pineapple Punch flowers or the little pop of Lovely Lipstick. Both are fab for sending your wishes for almost ANY occasion.
OK, I won’t make you wait any longer…sit back and enjoy!
DIY Handmade Paper Gift Bags
Let me give you a close-up of the matching tag. It’s a perfect match for this sweet paper and so much fun when you layer punches to frame your stamping.
Make Some At Home
OK, now it’s your turn. Here are all the supplies I used today. Pick up what you need right here for tons of cheerful bags. Plus be sure to use my April host code (CBPJASZX) to earn a free Sunny Rewards shopping spree from me!
I’d love it if you left me a comment. Which one can you see yourself making?
A. The colourful Night of Navy background offset with the bright Pineapple Punch cardstock?
Or B. the cheery Calypso Coral I made in my video?
No matter which one appeals to you the most, you’re going to love making your own for all the special gift giving occasions! These colours are ideal for spring, but maybe you have some manly colours hanging around for a fun Father’s Day bag? Or muted pastels for an up-and-coming Easter present?
Sooooo, I know you sometimes skip to the bottom and miss out on some of the good stuff 🙃. Did you take a peek at the video? It’s a nice short one and there’s nothing like seeing it made right in front of you to pick up my tips and techniques. Just sayin’…
A Quick Thanks
It was great to have you stop by for a gander today. I hope to see you again soon when I showcase my other 3D items. And ALL my paper crafting ideas in my blog posts.
I promise I’ve got lots more besides DIY handmade paper gift bags to keep your own creativity sparked – better stay tuned!
