Friday, February 20, 2026

Quick Card Using Spring Mix & Match Products #1

 Chris Lothian had a series of awesome, quick cards that used simple card lay outs along with our new Mix & Match Items for Spring in the Mini Catalog! So, I gave several a try.  The colors are just stunning (well, you ARE guided by the Mix & Match items!) Here's the first one! I had to search for a good Crushed Curry/Daffodil Delight base.  All I found, that I liked, was a retired piece from our 6x6 "family" paper packs! It's also paired with our Branching Out Dies!



Measurements:  

  • Highland Heather: 1/2 sheet cut LENGTHWISE, 2 3/4" x 4 1/4" (label)
  • Basic White: 4" x  5 1/4" (inside), 2 1/2" x 4" (front), 2 3/8" x 3 3/4" (label)
  • Regals 6x6 DSP; 2 3/8" x 3 7/8" (front), 2 5/8" x 3 7/8" (inside)
To Make This Card:

  • Fold Highland Heather card base in half and then remove 2 3/4" from the front flap. This can be used for your die cut label!
  • Adhere White piece to inside of card, and corresponding White piece to front flap.
  • Next, adhere the DSP as shown. There is only a 1 1/16" edge.
  • Die cut a Highland Heather and White label from the Branching Out Dies (they ARE still available, the stamps are not!). Adhere together
  • Then, attach left half of labels to front card flap.
  • Now, select a die cut from the Easter Time Mix & Match Die Cuts. Adhere to the front flap over labels.  I also added a coordinating Softest Spring Puffy Stick as well. Actually, I added 2 - the bird with yellow flowers, and small, yellow butterfly.
  • Stamp sentiment where it will fit, or stamp first, and work around it.
  • Finish with Scattered Purple Fine Shimmer Gems

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Simply Beautiful Watercolored Card

 I found this soft, watercolored card by "the Pampered Stamper". I tried her method of watercoloring with Watercolor Pencils on Watercolor Paper.  The colors were too dark for the effect I was looking for, so I switched to Heavy White cardstock and watercolored with ink from the ink pad and a Water Brush.  I liked this color so much better! (however, you can't tell by this photo). She, then, paired it with one of our gorgeous, new Embossing Folders - Lovely Stripes 3D Embossing Folder - in the Online Store, along with the Corner Dies from the Beautifully Celebrated Dies in the Mini Catalog. Such a gorgeous combination!


Measurements:  

  • Thick Basic White: 1/2 sheet, 1/4 sheet (stamping images)
  • Basic White: 4" x 5 1/4", scraps
To Make This Card:

  • Run one 1/4 sheet of "regular" Basic White through the new, Lovely Stripes 3D Embossing Folder.  Note: this folder CAN cut kind of deep, so only run it through you machine one way.  You might also want to sandwich a piece of Wax Paper or Copy Paper as a buffer.
  • Adhere to folded Thick Basic White card base.
  • Next, cut 2 of the "detailed corners" from the Beautifully Celebrated Dies in Basic White. (they cut 2 corners at a time! Aren't they gorgeous?)
  • After I mounted them to my card, I decided to add just a little Pretty in Pink ink color with a small Blending Brush.  So, if you like the soft color, I would add it now, before attaching to the card front.
  • Next, stamp the large flower, and double leaves in STAZON ink onto Thick White. Note: StazOn is not recommended for use with our Photopolymer stamps.  You will notice the paper sticks to the stamp and the stamp gets sticky. HOWEVER, we are coloring with WATER, so we use StazOn so it doesn't bleed (or as much).  Memento Ink WILL bleed with Water!
  • Die cut the images with the corresponding die.
  • I, then, colored the images with ink (or refill ink) and a Water Painter. Let dry and add more color, if necessary.  I used Pretty in Pink and Granny Apple Green for my softer palette. Once dry, add some Wink of Stella to the flower.
  • Add images to card front with Dimensionals.
  • For the sentiment, I stamped it onto a scrap of white. To minimize the amount of White around the sentiment, I cleaned the stamp, laid it on top of the stamped image, and lightly drew around the outside edge with a sharp pencil. It works amazingly well!  Then, cut out with scissors.  (I have also done with for a nice mat when I don't have a corresponding die.  Trace around the die for a nice layer to the die cut image!)
  • Finish card with Scattered Iridescent Pearls.

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Wednesday, February 18, 2026

True Blue Florals Curvy Concertina Card

 I guess I'm still on a "Blue" kick.  Here is another Curvy Concertina card that uses the POTM - True Blue Florals DSP, paired with the gorgeous Delicate Framing Dies (and stamps). This one was also designed by Sue Campfield. I love the scrolly dies, but also the fact that you can see the edges of the DSP much better than the elegant, White tone on tone version.





Measurements:  

  • White Willow: 5 1/2" x 10 1/4" (base)
  • Basic White: 2 pcs @1 7/8" x 5 1/4" (back), 2 1/2" x 4" (lg label), 1 3/8" x 3" (sm label)
  • Night of Navy: 2 pcs @ 2" x 5 3/8" (back); 1 3/8" x 5 3/8" (inside back) scraps
  • Adhesive Sheet" scraps
  • True Blue Florals (POTM): 2 pcs @ 1 1/2" x 4 3/4" (outside front - blue stripe); 2 pcs @ 7/8" x 4 3/4" (front - lt blue print); 3" x 4" (curvy pc - navy print); 2 pcs @ 1 1/4" x 5 1/4" (back - white print)
To Make This Card:

  • Score the base @ 2 1/8" - 3 5/8" - 5 1/8" - 6 5/8" - 8 1/8". Accordion fold (like a Concertina) - valley - mtn - valley - mtn - valley. Crease well.
  • Take the Navy Print "curvy" piece and score each 4" end at 1/2" - Note: be careful not to score too hard. Lightly curve with Bone Folder, crease the 1/2" back.
  • Now, we'll adhere this curvy piece to the card. Place Tear n Tape on the 1/2 strips neat the fold.
  • Take the card base and lay it flat. Remove the backing on the Tear n Tape of the curvy piece, center on the center panels of the card base and adhere. (Run your Bone Folder inside the piece to adhere the 1/2" pieces with the Tear n Tape!
  • Pick it up and see how nice this piece curves!
  • Let's work on the back, first.
  • Take the 2 Night of Navy strips and 2 larger White strips (1 7/8" x 5 1/4"). Adhere together.  Die cut 2, straight detail frames in Night of Navy cardstock. Place an adhesive sheet on the back to make it easier to adhere. Cut each piece in half and place into corners, as shown. Then, adhere to the outside, back panels. 
  • Next, take the smaller Navy layers and adhere the White print to them, and then to the inside, center panels.  Now, the back is done!
  • Now, for the front, match the coordinating DSP pieces to the front of the card base, as shown.
  • For the "labels", use the newly retired Textured Notes Dies, and cut the larger "label" in White.  Then, stamp a sentiment from the coordinating stamp set, in Night of Navy and cut out with another Textured Notes Die.  Layer together with Dimensionals.
  • Finish by adding "small, straight pieces" to largest label, as well as scattered Moody Palette Glossy Dots.
  •  Lastly, attach to the "curvy" piece with Dimensionals.



Monday, February 16, 2026

Blue Quilt Square Card

 I found this gorgeous blue card with an interesting quilt-like design on a reel by "The Pampered Stamper". It took me a while to find her dimensions, again, but it was worth the effort! Since then, several other people have also designed these "square quilt cards".  Hers uses a Memories and More card base, which makes the card a little bigger, as well as the squares.  I have since found a more "traditional" version, which I will try sometime soon! Anyway, this one uses Product of the Month (POTM) offerings - which BTW, are still available with qualifying purchase.  It uses the gorgeous True Blue Florals from December, and the Fabulous Sayings from January! For the embossed background, the new Stone and Vine in the Online Store! So, enjoy, and I WILL be trying this one, with one of our awesome DSP's soon!


Measurements:  

  • Basic White Assorted Memories and More Cards & Envelopes
  • Basic White: 4"x 6" (embossed), 1 1/8" x 4" (sentiment), scraps
  • Night of Navy: 3 1/2" square, 1 1/4" x 4" (layer), scrap
  • Balmy Blue: 2 3/4" square
  • True Blue Florals DSP (POTM): 2 pcs @ 3 1/2" square
To Make This Card:

  • Run White layer through new, Stone & Vine Embossing Folder.  Adhere to pre-cut and folded Memories & More Card Base.
  • Lightly mark the center of this square(1 3/4") .
  • Fold the 2 DSP squares in half, diagonally. Then, adhere to Navy Square with Multipurpose Glue, centering the creases and having them go "vertically".
  • Next, die cut a 2 1/4" square in Balmy Blue,  from the Stylish Shapes Dies
  • Attach this to the center of the Navy Square, on top of the DSP.
  • Then, cut, and attach 1 1/2" White square to the center of the Balmy Blue square.
  • Next, fold back the tips of the DSP over the Balmy Blue square, as shown.
  • Finish the "square", with a 1" die cut square over the points to keep them in place, and a small sentiment, in Navy ink, die cut with a small banner.
  • NOW, I adhere the "Navy Square" to the front of the card, so the top tips miss the top of the card base.
  • Cut the point that extend on the sides, or tuck them behind before attaching the embossed base (plan ahead).
  • Finish the rest of the card with a sentiment of your choice, and scattered Moody Palette Glossy Dots.

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Sunday, February 15, 2026

Friendly Foliage Faux Step Card

 I've had this bundle since before Christmas, but just haven't had the chance to use it! I love unique dies, and it's a bonus when it comes with an equally unique stamp set, as this one does!  I was looking for a unique idea, rather than just placing it on the center of a card, and found this one by Cindy Brumbaugh.  She has made it in 2 different color combinations. I have made both, but there are so many possibilities!




Measurements:  

  • Lost Lagoon (Strawberry Slush): 1/2 sheet, 3" x 8 1/2"
  • Basic White: 2 3/4" x 4", 2 3/4" x 4" (back), 2 3/4" x 4" (stamped image), scraps
  • Everyday Happiness DSP (ret) (Florals in Bloom): 1" x 5 1/4", 2 3/4" x 4"
To Make This Card:

  • Score base along 8 1/2" side @ 1 1/4" - 2 1/2" - 5 1/2". Crease well. Accordion fold.
  • Adhere 1" DSP strip to front of card.
  • Take single "sprig" and stamp in the same color, on the inside 3" of cardstock (that will be seen).  I also stamped on the back of the Strawberry Slush one, so take your pick!
  • Next, score "step" at 4 1/4" (or just fold in half). Crease well.
  • Adhere DSP to front, and White layer to the back.
  • Attach to card base as shown with Tear n Tape.
  • Now stamp image in coordinating ink onto piece of White.  Die cut both outside and inside images at the same time. 
  • Adhere to "step" with Multipurpose Glue. 
  • Also, die cut 2 "sprigs", and tuck those under "frame" adding to the image.
  • Stamp "sprig" and sentiment on the back piece.
  • If desired, stamp sentiment onto scrap of White. Die cut with Stylish Shapes Banner. And, adhere where desired.
  • Finish with White & Silver Bow and scattered Rhinestones.

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