Double Your Cardmaking with Layering Dies + A Freshly Make Sketches Layout

Hi Everyone,

I'm so glad you have stopped by for my blog today! I have a great tip to share on doubling your cardmaking with layering dies. The two cards I created came about when I layered two of my Thoughtful Expression dies onto Silver Foil paper and die-cut them out at the same time. When you do this with any of the layering dies, you will get a frame cut out and then the solid inside piece. 

My cards today are also for the Freshly Made Sketches #662 blog challenge for the week. It's so fun to create for a sketch. So much time is saved when you use a sketch to create. Today is a 2 for 1.

If you haven't seen the Reindeer Days products, you are missing out. Everything from the stamp set and dies to the designer series paper and embellishments are wonderful! The Reindeer Memories Sticker Sheet was used as my focal points and images. In fact, I didn't even pull out any inks or stamps today. 

This first card used the solid die-cut when I layered the dies. I love that it is a solid glimmer behind that awesome deer stringing up the lights on the tree. How about that designer series paper! Those Reindeer as super cute. 

This card is the same layout as the first one, but it is using the "frame" that was created when you layered the dies when diecutting. I love this being used as a "wreath". 

Aren't the Reindeer Memory Stickers just fabulous? I am blown away by the artistry!

You can check out all the Freshly Made Sketch #662 entries for more fabulous projects. Watch my video for more details on how to layer your dies to get double the cardmaking fun!

Until Next Time...

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café

Playing Along with Freshly Made Sketches & Sheetload of Cards

 

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for stopping in today for my double purpose of my project. I was creating this super cute card for the October Sheetload of Cards and it happens to fit perfectly for the current Freshly Made Sketches challenge for this week. It's so great like a buy one get one free promotion. 

At first when I saw the FMS #660 by Judy, I thought I needed to create a stunning center oval card. Guess what? I read the blog and it said elegant or cute, so I opted for the cute! 

The card layout for my project was also part of the #sheetloadofcards for October. I love downloading the sheetload of cards each month and creating with the sketch layout they have for the month. It's amazing how many variety of projects you can get with one sheetload template. The super cute fox is from Tracy Hey designs created with alpaca pals an organization that rescues alpacas. 

Don't forget to "dress up" the inside of your cards with a bit of DSP. I used the wonderful 6" x 6" Iconic Celebrations DSP pack. There are 48 sheets of many occasional double-sided papers to choose.

I guess you could say that my project today is like a buy one and get two free because my participants at my Stamp & Chat Saturday will be creating this card too. Be sure to check out all the wonderful projects crafters have uploaded for the FMS #660 sketch challenge. I hope you enjoyed my card today. It was so much fun creating with the super cute fox. Be sure to check out all the wonderful sheetload of cards too. 

Be sure to check out all the new releases that came out with Stampin' Up! today as well. There are 2 new Kits and many Online Exclusive releases to gobble up. You can shop and check out my stamping events too. 

Until Next Time...

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café

Saturday Stampin' with Freshly Made Sketch Challenge #647

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for stopping in today! I'm glad you are here. Today is a double crafting theme. I've uploaded my Saturday Stampin' #satmornmakes and #2crafters1design video, but also created using the current Freshly Made Sketch Challenge #647. If you follow me, you know I love sketch layouts. It makes creating great projects so easy!

The Freshly Make Sketch Challenge #647 is a great one.  I really like to off set my focal points, so I really wanted to create with this one. 

One of the things I really like about the Filled with Fun Bundle is that you have so many options when creating. There are dies for all of the images and wagon "builder" dies add so much more creativity. Today I decided to stamp the wagon, wheels, and handle for my project.

This card is so bright and sunny! You can see all the detail on the wagon and its parts. I think the presents are just so cute! 

Always add that bit of pizazz to the inside of your cards as well. It can add such a great touch. The banner stamp and die is also a great part of this bundle. 

I hope you enjoyed my creation today. Be sure to check out the other creations for the FMS #647 challenge. It's fun to see what other crafters create. 

Check back later this week for more fun projects and that August 6th begins the Annual Catalog Designer Paper Sale. I'll share projects with some of my favorite papers. 

Be sure to follow and share. Until next time...

Happy Stampinp',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café

Stampin' Saturday with Bird's Eve View Sketch Challenge

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to another wonderful Stampin' Saturday. Today I've been inspired by a card I received quite awhile ago. I just like the way the card was layed out and the sampling of a bit of designer series paper. 

This Poppy Parade card caught my eye and I thought it would be fun to create a card with the same layout idea. I just got the new Bird's Eye View stamp set and thought it would be fun to play with it. 

Here it is. This super cute card was created using Fresh Freesia as the main color and a sampling of the Delightfully Eclectic 12" x 12" Designer Series paper (DSP). I just love all of the images in the Bird's Eye View stamp set. 

Stampin' Blends were used for coloring. I can't get enough of coloring with Stampin' Blends. It comes out so smooth when you color and shading is so fun. 

One thing to note is that the Bird's Eye View stamp set has not sentiments. For my card today, I used Cirlce Sayings and this inside sentiment came from Charming Sentiments stamp set. I love that I can pull out other stamp sets to combine with the Bird's Eye View stamp set for the occasion I need. 

It was fun creating with inspiration from another card. I want to inspire you to create too, so I'm putting out this challenge. 

• Create your own card inspired by this layout. 
• Send me a photo of your card through email or upload to my Stampin' Spot FB page. You can comment under the shared post that I do with this blog. 
• Upload your creation to me by June 30th

When you send me your card, you can win a sampling of the Delightfully Eclectic 12" x 12" DSP. There may be more than one winner depending on the number of cards that are shared with me. 

The Delightfully Eclectic 12" x 12" DSP is a package of 48 sheets. You get 4 each of 12 double sided designs. That's a lot of crafting fun! I will cut the sampling to 6" x 6" sized pieces.

I hope you create and send me your card from my challenge. I'd love to see what you design. Crafting and sharing is a great way to connect. Remember you have until June 30th to get your card to me through email or my Stampin' Spot FB page.

Happy Stampin'

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café

January Sketch Challenge for a Chance at a $25 Stampin' Up! Gift Card from Me

 Hi Everyone,

Thanks for stopping in today. I have been having so much fun crafting with new products from the January-April 2023 Mini Catalog and Sale-A-Bration FREE products. I'm wrapping up the January Country Floral Lane Specialty Class and heading into ideas for the February Specialty Class using the Easter Bunny Bundle as well as other wonderful supplies and embellishments. 

The big reason for my post today is that I have a sketch challenge that has been posted on the Stampin' Café private stamping social group that I host. I thought it would be helpful to share a project inspired by the sketch and share the measurements I used as a guide. 

For the sketch challenge, you will create a card using any crafting supplies you have. You will use the sketch as your inspiration. Once you have finished your card, you can send it to me through email, message me on Facebook, or drop off or mail. You can message me for my address if you'd like to do it that way. Cards must be uploaded or sent to me by January 29th to qualify for a chance to win the $25 gift card.

Here are the measurements I used on my bunny card:

Mossy Meadow Base: 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"

Fresh Fresia Layer: 5 1/4" x 4"

Long Mossy Meadow piece: 4 3/4" x 2 1/4"

Dainty Flowers DSP: 4 1/2" x 3 3/4"

Horizonal Mossy Meadow piece: 3 3/4" x 2 1/4"

Dainty Flower DSP: 3 1/2" x 2"

Main Focal Point Mossy Meadow: 3 3/4 x 2 1/4"

Basic White CS: 3 1/2" x 2"

I hope this card sketch inspires you to get in your craft space and have some fun. Remember, you can use any of the crafting supplies you have to enter. Get your card to me virtually or mailed in my hands by January 29th for a chance to win. 

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you come back and see what else I'll be sharing. 

Happy Stampin'

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café

Paper Pumpkin Meets The Paper Players Sketch Challenge

Hi Everyone,

Well if this card doesn't make you smile, I don't know what will. Thanks for stopping in today for my Paper Pumpkin and sketch challenge mash up. The Paper Players 579 challenge is a "Wild about wildlife" theme challenge. It is perfect with the Safari Celebration Paper Pumpkin kit for February. It's a win/win!

The Paper Pumpkin, Safari Celebration kit gives supplies for 9 beautiful colored cards with matching envelopes. If you don't know Paper Pumpkin, you are missing out on this monthly fun. One of the things I like the best are the coordinating envelopes that are included. They are heavy and have coordinating colors to make your projects awesome!

Paper Pumpkin kits are also filled with wonderfully detailed cut-outs and embellishments. I love these milkly colored "stones" and detailed leaves. Well the roller skating elephant is cute too.

I am completely wild about this Paper Pumpkin kit! The elephant is cute, but what about this cupcake holding, banner wearing giraffe? Too adorable!

Thanks again for joining me today for my blog challenge card. You can see many other entries at The Paper Players 579 theme challenge. 

If you haven't tried the Paper Pumpkin subscription, I would highly recommend that you give it a try. You can sign up for a single month, or pre-paid for several month. Each kit is inclusive. This means you get an exclusive stamp set, ink, and all the supplies to create the designed projects. Remember, you can complete the kits as shown, or take more time to alter and create your own designs. Just subscribe by the 10th of the month to begin your journey with Paper Pumpkin. The March kit is special too. You will get 2 stamp sets in the kit. 

The March, Beyond the Horizon Paper Pumpkin kit is going to be fantastic! The Beyond the Horizon Paper Pumpkin Kit includes watercolor prints and designs inspired by the beautiful nature around us to create nine cards and coordinating envelopes. And paper pieces that perfectly coordinate with the New Horizons Suite Collection in the January–June 2022 Mini Catalog.

That is not all! Don’t forget the FREE stamp set inside (yes—that’s two stamp sets in one kit!) as our way of saying THANK YOU to all of our wonderful Paper Pumpkin subscribers. Ready to subscribe for these fantastic kits? Subscribe today!

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café

March Color Challenge Winner Revealed

 Hi Everyone,

Today is a very exciting day. I am so happy to share the wonderful creativity of other stampers. I recently posted a monochromatic color challenge and I have many submissions to share. The winner this month will win any Stampin' Blends Combo Pack of their choice. Stampers were tasked with creating a card using 1 color or hues of that color. I think monochromatic projects are so stunning!

Brenda created this beautiful card by stamping her own background just like a piece of DSP would be. I love the sponged tag and coordinating twine. 

Cheryl created this very elegant card. She really coordinated the grays. That soft background and the doily really stand out. I think Cheryl even sponged the doily to give it a gray look. 

Debra really knows that March belongs to greens. I love the layers and paneling for this card. This is a great way to feature the retiring Beauty Abounds stamp set.

Joleen is showing off that bold and sunny Magenta Madness color. Joleen used the Circle Celebration stamp set and Stamparatus to create a background that you can do over and over again for many projects. Notice that the dot are Magenta Madness too?

Kathy's card this month is a beautifully textured card with all of the stitched rectangle rectangles. This is a very rich looking card with a truly green feel.

Linda also focused on the Magenta Madness with layers of the Ornate Layers Dies. It is really stunning. I like that Linda used the coordinating gems and ribbon. 

Nichelle is showing off the wonderful Sale-A-Bration product from January-February. The Ombre DSP was a popular pick. The Corner Bouquet stamp is beautiful any way you stamp it. The metallic edged ribbon adds elegance to Nichelle' card.

AND THE WINNER IS:

Cheryl's dragonflies in gray card really screams monochromatic design. This card is stunning and it's all about the gray. Cheryl gets to choose any Stampin' Blends Combo pack of her choice. Way to go Cheryl.

I want to thank everyone for submitting a project. It is so great to connect and share our love of stamping! All of your cards are wonderful and I can't wait to see what you create next. 

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Card Cafe

Friday Inspiration Sketch Challenge Winner!

 Hi Everyone,

Thanks for joining me today on my blog post. It's the day I celebrate stampers who entered my monthly sketch challenge. This month was a layout sketch challenge and I have so many wonderful cards. How do you pick a winner? Here is a parade of awesome projects.

Linda used the really cute Kangaroo & Company Stamp set for this super cute card.

Bea's card is so pretty with the DSP focus. The Under my Umbrella Stamp set is great for this card. I like how Bea cut around the greeting for a trending look.

Cindi R. submitted a great card! I love the color combination of it. The really cute ladybugs were from last year's Sale-A-Bration time.

This is a first submission from Cindi H. The Level 2 Sale-A-Bration Touch of Ink set is stunning. So is Cindi's card.

Bunny creates such wonderful cards every month. This has so many great textures. I really like the bold colors.

Holly has submitted her first card for my sketch challenge. I love the color choices she made and the cute daisies would brighten anyone's day.

Joleen's card will make you smile. Those Darling Donkeys from Sale-A-Bration are the best! Joleen's Wood grain DSP is perfect for this card.

Tina is pinched by the Irish already. What a cute card in all it's shamrock glory! The little leprechauns are so cute!

And the Winner is...

Cindi Hutchings is the winner of this month's sketch challenge. Her card is stunning! The choices of color in the cardstock as well as the images work so well together. What did Cindi win? Cindi wins the Fancy Phrases stamp set. When Cindi receives her free stamp set, I hope she will create and share a card with me. I bet it will be awesome. 

Thanks so much for all of you who participated. It was so hard to choose a winner! If you think you'd like to participate next time, follow my blog. I usually post on a Friday in the middle of the month with the challenges. Let me know which of the cards may have been your favorite.

There are a couple of days left to earn any Sale-A-Bration products you want. Maybe the Darling Donkeys or Touch of Ink sets. If you would like to place an order through me, I would greatly appreciate your business. If you order a minimum $60 order you can get the Virtual Stamp Camp packet free. Any $25 order also begins my Loyalty Bucks program. Use the hostess code #UYSH7NDE at check out by March 15th for the free stamp camp packet.

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Cafe