Create a Beautiful Butterfly Bandstand Card Saturday Stampin'

 

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to my Saturday Stampin' Blog post. I was very excited to create and share my Bandstand Fancy Fold card using the Beautiful Butterflies Bundle by Stampin' Up! I was inspired by my friend Christi's Storybook Friends Bandstand card.

Christi's card is so sweet! I love the Storybook Moments Suite of products, and the Storybook Friends Bundle has so many beautiful frame dies. Christi was inspired by a similar Bandstand card by tlsblogspot.com. I love the springtime colors of this card. Christi used the Blossom Impressions 12" x 12" DSP (Level 1 FREE Sale-a-Bration).

This bandstand card that I created was a trial run at it for the first time. I did notice some measurement issues from the blog that Chirsti got her inspiration, so I had to do a bit of research to get one correct measure.

For this first card, I also used the Blossom Impressions Level 1 FREE paper. You can earn this free with a minimum $60 order in February (this is in "Low Inventory" and could run out soon, so don't delay in ordering to get it FREE) The other images are from Not 2 Shabby. I had left overs from all the cute Ephemera pieces I used for recent projects, so I thought I'd use them on this card. I did die cut extra heart pieces using the Elegant Heart Dies.

The Beautiful Butterflies Bundle and Beautiful Bokeh 6" x 6" Designer Series paper are so wonderful! I was thrilled at how this bandstand card turned out. 

This is the bandstand card that I demonstrated in my Saturday Stampin' YouTube video today. I love how the 3D Butterfly Embossing folder embossed the Bokeh DSP. Because the DSP is thin, it almost looks like you used a bit of the "sanding" technique to lighten the top of an embossed cardstock.

Notice the detailed butterfly layer. Do you see all that addtional texture on the butterfly? I die cut the detail butterfly from the embossed DSP. I layed it right onto the embossed butterfly and die cut it out. It was very fragile, so I glued it carefully to the white butterfly. I love how it turned out!

I admit that I'm not the biggest fan of some "fancy fold" cards. When some of the designs lay flat, they doesn't resemble a cohesive card front. When I take a card out of an envelope, I want to see a card front with images and a sentiment. Sometimes on "fancy folds", my eyes don't know where to focus. What I love about the Bandstand card, is when it lays flat, it looks like a normal card front. 

Ready to give the Bandstand fancy fold card a try? You can download the PDF tutorial that I created and give it a try. I'd love to see what you create, so share it with me on my FB page. I'll send a little "Thank you" for sharing. When you place an order with me, I hope you consider the supplies I used for my blog today. The Beautiful Butterflies Suite is fabulous! Remember when you shop with my by February 15th, I will send you a card kit with 4 card projects you can create for FREE. You can check out more details on an earlier blog post. 

Thanks again for stopping in today. I hope I have inspired your creativity. Leave a comment and be sure to follow.

Until Next Time...

Mary 

Weekly Wednesday FB - Cards to Melt your Heart - Not 2 Shabby

 

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for stopping in today. It is a wintery snow time here in the PNW. I love when I can have more time to papercraft and the snowdays from work have given me time to play with some products I've had hidden away. 

If you follow me, you know I just love hearts, Valentines, and bunnies (well these are a few of my favorites). I picked up a few of the Somebunny Loves Me products from Not 2 Shabby. I was inspired by Jill @JillianNorwood on YouTube. Jill hosts the #satmornmakes that I share on my Saturday videos. 

These card projects are so stinking cute! They will melt your heart! I think all of the ephemera and pattern paper would make such sweet baby cards too. Most of the projects don't have much stamping on them. I used the Hearts of Elegance Bundle by Stampin' Up! to enhance the cards. 

This first card was inspired by the February Sheetload of Cards hosted by @callmecraftyal on YouTube. I love to create each month using the Sheetload of the month. It makes cardmaking quick and easy!

This next card was also inspired by the February Sheetload of Cards. I simply turned the card virtically, so the super cute bunnies at the soda shop could shine. These bunnies are so sweet!

Are you starting to feel all warm and fuzzy inside yet? Well this next card will have you saying "awwwwww". I was inspired by my friend's card that I received recently from a monthly card swap group. Teresa creates wonderful cards. Her "Happy Valentine's Day" layout inspired my card.

This off set Gate card is really easy to create. You simply begin with a piece of 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" cardstock. Then score the cardstock at 3" and 7 1/4". I find it easier to score at 3" and then turn the cardstock around and score at 1 1/4". That way, I don't have to pull out the arm of my trimmer. The inside pieces were cut 4" x 5 1/4" and 3 3/4" x 5" layers.

Valentine's Day is a time to treat your coworkers, friends, and family with a little treat. Stampin' Up! had these super cute "Heart Boxes" in a kit a couple of years ago. These are the cutest little boxes that you can create over and over for different occasions. They are the perfect size for a couple of chocolate Kisses or miniatures. 

When I shared these heart boxes on my Facebook Live Wednesday, my friends asked if I could share the measurements of the boxes, so they could make some (since they are retired). The Hearts of Elegance Bundle is perfect to create beautifully die-cut hearts of different sizes. I've included the measurements below. Start with a rectangle of cardstock, and then follow the scoring details. The top is 1/4" larger of a rectangle than the bottom, so it can fit over the bottom. You will cut the corners off and notice the little "slit" cuts too. This helps the "flaps" fold cleanly. Have fun and be sure to share any boxes you create. 

One thing to note is that the measurements for scoring are as close as I can get. You can modify a little and see how it goes. Once you have your box, you can explore enlarging it for more treats if you want.

I hope you enjoyed all my projects today. I love to find inspiration for my papercrafting. You can check out the February Sheetload of Cards @callmecraftyal. I have the Facebook Replay video as well if you want to see the cards in action. 

Ready to get a FREE Card Kit from me? Get the details here, but don't delay. The offer ends Feburary 15th. Check out the updated "Last Chance" products and the fabulous new Kits available.

Reach out if you have any questions about current promotions. It's a great time to Sale-A-Brate and take advantage of specials. Joining Stampin' Up! is a great way to save money on your papercrafting supplies. I'm happy to talk with you about joining my team. 

Until Next Time...

Happy Stampin',

Mary 

February Sheetload of Cards for Quick and Easy Cardmaking

 

Hi Everyone, It's that time again for a Quick and Easy Cardmaking Monday. What better way than to download and print the February Sheetload of Cards from Call me Crafty Al. I love printing these each month when I'm working on multiple cards that I need for a swapping card group (Make a Card/Send a Card group).

So why do I say that the Sheetload of Cards is quick and easy? It's because 1/2 of your creative job is taken care of. The layout and measurements are given. All you need to do is to add your theme and other products like stamps, inks, and embellishments after you have cut your measured pieces. 

The February Sheetload of cards had the template for 6 cards. I like to double this, so I get 12 cards which I need each month for my card groups. I mix and match the pattern papers, but keep everything else the same. 

I used some pattern papers from Scrad Diva Designs. I loved how these coordinated pretty well with my Stampin' Up! cardstocks and inks. 

The inside of the cards are super fun! I decided to mimic the outside into the inside to use the great papers. 

Whenever you download one of the Sheetload of the Cards by Crafty Al, you can create your cards just like the example, or you can add your own ideas to it as well. For this next card, I turned the card virtically and decided to add a bit more "blue" to it. I love how this one turned out!

You can create your own Sheetload of cards when you visit Crafty Al's YouTube Channel and subscribe. Then you are able to download the Sheetload of Cards for the month. 

I hope you enjoyed my projects today. Thanks to the Sheeload of Cards, I've finished the 12 cards I needed to mail out to my friends for February. You can check out my Quick and Easy Monday Cardmaking video for any other details I didn't talk about here. 

I've listed the Stampin' Up! supplies I used for my projects. You can purchase any products at my online store. With a minimum $30 order through my online store (b/4 shipping and tax), I will send you a FREE card kit to create 4 great cards. Order by February 15th to qualify. 

Thank again for stopping in. Until next time..

Happy Stampin'

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café

February FREE Card Kit with Purchase - So Sweet!

 

Hi Everyone,

It's the first day in February and I have some great news for your crafting fun! This month I'm giving any customer who places an order with me at my online store a FREE card kit with 4 wonderful cards that I've created.

It was so fun creating these cards using the Spring Corners Bundle. This is an Online Exclusive Bundle by Stampin' Up! The Blossom Impression DSP is a FREE Level 1 Sale-A-Bration pick. The colors and pretty patterns of the paper are so bright and sunny. 

I used Azure Afternoon cardstock for this project. The Blossom Impressions DSP helped with the colors for the cards. I love the corner stamp with the lines. You could use this stamp in so many ways with other stamp sets as well.

I just love this card with the Petunia Pop card base. That die-cut daisy corner is so cool with the Petunia Pop peeking through. Think about using thin strips of the DSP instead of ribbon to add more dimension without the bulk.

I think this piece of the DSP is my favorite. I think it's because it has so many colors washed throughout it with the petite flowers. I used Flirty Flamingo Cardstock for this Z-fold card. How about the die-cut corners? Very cool.

Who wouldn't love to get this birthday card?! The Melon Mambo card base is so bright and cheerful. I really like the Blueberry Bushel accent color I brought in. How about that fun sun burst for the sentiment?! 

Ready to get your FREE card kit in the mail to create these cards? Let me share the details of how to qualify.

• Place an online order at my online store for $30 (before shipping and tax) between February 1st - February 15th.
• I will prep supplies beginning February 16th and will mail out kit packets by February 21st.
• Place a minimum $60 or at my online store and I will send you the FREE card kit with double supplies to make 8 cards (2 of each design). You also can choose a FREE Level 1 Sale-A-Bration item. 
• PDF Tutorial will be sent through email.

This offer is for US customers only. I am not permitted to take orders outside of the US. 

There will be supplies that you need in order to complete the FREE projects. I cannot stamp any sentiments or images for you, so if you want your cards exactly like mine, you would need to purchase the Spring Corners stamp set. I can emboss and die-cut, so those parts will be completed for you. You will also need inks, coloring tools, and adhesives. You can substitute and use other images or sentiments, but I would suggest getting the Spring Corners Bundle. It's pretty great!

Below are all the supplies I used. It is easy for you to purchase any of these supplies by clicking the links. Rmember that you have until February 15th (by 11:59 pm Pacific Time) to place your order through my online store to qualify for the FREE card kit with supplies for the four wonderful cards I've shared today. 

Reach out if you have any questions. Let me know what you think of the cards I created for Feburary.

Until Next Time...

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café

Sending Love Fancy Fold Cards

 

Hi Everyone,

I'm back to blogging with this super cute fancy fold Valentine's Day card. I created a card for my Storybook Moments Specialty Class too. when I got some fun Valentine crafting projects from Scrap Diva Designs. The Valentine pattern papers is so cute!

For this fancy fold, I used the Hearts of Elegance Bundle which is in the Online Exclusives section of Stampinup.com. There are so many fabulous heart dies included in the bundle. I used them to die-cut hearts out the the super cute patten papers. 

To Make this kind of fancy fold, you will need the following:

• Thick Basic White CS - 5 1/2" x 7 1/4", Score at 4 1/4"  
• Basic White CS 2 3/4" x 5 
• Basic White CS - 4 1/4" x 3 1/2, Score at 3/4" on 4 1/4" side
• DSP - 5 1/4" x 4" for inside  
• DSP - Strip for front of card 3/4" x 3" 
• DSP - 5 1/4"" x 2 3/4" (2 pieces) 
• DSP - 3 1/4" x 3"
• Any stamps, dies, paper for decorating

Once you have the cutting and scoring completed, the first step is to take the Basic White piece that is 4 1/4" x 3 1/2 (this is the front "flap" piece for the card). You will want to add adhesive to the scored tab. Then line it up onto the right side panel of the inside and centerd on the card. Then you can adhere the 5 1/4" x 4" DSP to the inside of the card which covers the tab you glued to the base.  You can check out my YouTube video on how to do this for visual details. 

Here is another fancy fold using the Storybook Moments products. 

These cards were so fun to create! I have more ideas for my Valentine's Day Cards. I created these super cute heart shaped Valentines. In my video for the fancy fold cards, I mentioned how you could use the largest heart die in the Hearts of Elegance Dies and create a folding heart card. I hope you like these. 

Thanks again for stopping in. I hope you enjoyed my fancy fold projects using some new Stampin' Up! releases. Be sure to check out all the new products by visiting my website: www.maryblocher.stampinup.net 

Until Next Time...

Happy Stampin',

Mary