July 2024 Sheetload of Cards Special 5" x 7" Edition

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for stopping in today for my July Sheetload of Cards Special Edition. I hope my card gives you cooling thoughts from all this hot weather we have all been experiencing. 

The Ice Cream Bundle by Stampin' Up! is pefect for this 5" x 7" card. When the July Sheetload of Cards came out from Crafty Al, I knew right away what supplies I wanted to use. As you can see, the ice cream cone is a large one (don't we all want a large cone on a hot summer day?)

I think my favorite part of this card is how bright and bold it is. The designer paper is so bubbly and fun. This was from a retired holiday paper called Merry and Bright. It's just super cute!

You can check out the monthly sheetload of cards on YouTube. Simply look up "sheetload of cards" or use @callmecraftyal in the search bar. These templates are free each month. They are perfect for quick multiple cards. 

I host Make a Card/Send a Card groups during the year. These sheetload of cards make it so easy and fun to create. In the card groups, members create 6 cards to send to 6 people by the 6th of each month for 6 months. I create the groups with mailing information for everyone. Our "Spring" edition is finishing up and new groups are being formed. Make a Card/Send a Card groups are not demonstrator only. You can use whatever crafting supplies you have to participate. This is a fun social stamping event. It's all about using your supplies and connect with others. 

Want to learn more about the Make a Card groups? Simply click the link here for more details. 

Thanks again for stopping in. Let me know what you think of my sheetload of cards. I hope I've inspired you to create your own sheetload of cards for this month. Be sure to share if you do. 

Until next time...

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café 

My Second Christmas in July Card with Nest of Nature Suite of Products from Creativity Now Event

 

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for stopping in today to see my creation. I loved the Creativity Now Event that was a virtual event hosted by Stampin' Up! This was a four hour event where we got to create several great projects and hear about the creating process for papers, stamps, and suites. I have participated in several of these events and I think this year was my favorite. Here are a few of the projects that we created. Then I'll talk about my newest card for today.

The focus for this event was with the Nest of Nature Suite, but we really used the Winterly Tree Tops Bundle. I'm pretty sure these products will become available in September with the release of the September-December 2024 Mini Catalog.

I liked that the second and third cards tied in together. We used the negative of the ordering frame dies as a mask for the third card. I loved the look of the varing green color you got on the branches as you used the Blending Brushes. 

This last project was created as a gift box. I used the mini Paper Pumpkin boxes. These would be perfect with a set of notecards and envelopes with matching designs. 

It was such a nice morning crafting with my demonstrator friends Arla, Julie, and Gabby. 

Of course this event got me so inspired to create more with this fantastic suite. One thing that I really like is when Stampin' Up! designs their beautiful Designer Series Papers to coordiate so well with the stamp sets and Bundles. The Winterly Tree Top dies will cut out the birds in one of the sheets of the Designer Series Paper (DSP). Since you get two sheets of the same design, you can have so many birds for your holiday or other occasion projects. 

My card project really focused on the beautiful Nest of Winter 12" x 12" DSP. I just love that I have so many die-cut birds that are beautifully designed and colored by Stampin' Up! Artists. They are so pretty on this card.

When you die-cut images from the DSP, be sure to die-cut those on the edges too. They can be used for edges of your cards. I did this for the inside of my card.

I hope you enjoyed my projects and are getting inspired to get a head start of your holiday cards. I have a cardmaking class every 3rd Saturday of the month. This month the four projects are all holiday themed. You can check out my events and if you are local, reach out and reserve your space. 

Be sure to stop back and check out other Christmas in July projects I might share. 

Until next time...

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café

Freshly Made Sketch Challenge Meets New Magnolia Mood Bundle

Hi Everyone,

With the bite of winter in the PNW, I'm ready to start feeling the sun a little more. Today is the perfect day for participating in the current Freshly Made Sketch Challenge. I have 8" of snow from overnight and it's still snowing with a bit of rain mixed in. I live in this Hood Canal region in Washington State and we just seem to get hit with those possible snow forecasts. 

Anyway, back to the stamping fun! I shared some of the upcoming Online Exclusives by Stampin' Up! during my FB Live session on Wednesday. I decided that the Freshly Made Sketch Challenge #623 would be so fun to share more of the upcoming products. I really like to do sketch challenges because a lot of the design work is done and you can simply create. 

For this card, I used several upcoming Online Exclusives. The Magnolia Mood Bundle is the main product. I also used the Flowering Zinnias 12" x 12" Designer Series paper pack and the Adhesive-Backed Shiny Gems.

For my sketch challenge card, I decided to use the beautiful Magnolia Mood dies as the focal point. I die-cut the large detailed die with Lemon Lime Twist CS and then again in Basic White. I cut the main flower out of the Basic White to then layer in the center (to cover the green flower).

Then I die-cut the smaller detailed flower die and layered it on top of the large flower. I also added some of the smaller die-cut leaves to fill out the central focal point. I added a bit of Bubble Bath sponging to the flowers and embossed piece.

Of course adding those layers and a peek of the DSP is always a nice touch. I also think it adds stability and equal weight from the front of the card.

Thanks again for stopping in. I hope you like my card. You might even give this sketch challenge a try. I like to challenge my stamping friends in my stamping social FB group. This layout is going to be my challenge for these friends. I always offer a fun stamping prize for particpants. If you aren't in my social stamping FB group, you might want to join in. It is a private group, so only honest and crafty friends are allowed.

There are a couple weeks left of Sale-a-Bration. More FREE products are available in this month and the joining special is still on. I love the Glass Mat Studio additional offer. Not into that? Well add an additional $30 into your Starter Kit. Did you know that you can also add any of the Online Exclusive products that aren't available to customers until march? Yep, you can order anything that current demonstrators can order. Check out my joining blog for more details.

Be sure to check out other submissions for the Freshly Made Sketch Challenge #623. It's alway fun to see what other crafters are creating.

I hope you come back for my blog again. Let me know what you liked about my card. I like to hear from you.

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café

 https://freshlymadesketches.blogspot.com/

Ring in the New Year with Light the Sky Bundle by Stampin' Up!

Hi Everyone,

I'm am so excited for 2023 to be over! I'm ready for 2024 where I can begin to work on organization, self care, and of couse more creativity! Today I'm sharing the wonderful Light The Sky Bundle by Stampin' Up! This bundle is not retiring, but won't be available for a 10% discount after January 3rd. This very versitile bundle is something you need to treat yourself with. 

If you look at the 2 layouts that are above, my friend, Susan made the beautiful navy and gold one. I was inpired and decided to create mine using a different color idea. 

For my version, I decided to use a pop of color with Berry Burst. The designer paper I used was from the retired Celebrate Everything 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper. I love the black and white fireworks and the colorful black drop design. 

One of the great things about these dies is the different ways they die-cut pieces. Many don't die-cut out full pieces, but cut designs into the paper. I think you can use some of them for snowflakes as well. 

If you like this layout, you can create your own. There are so many designer papers to choose from too, so your creations can go on for so many occasions. Here are the measurements for my card.

• 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" Thick Basic White scored at 4 1/4"
• Berry Burst- 1 piece cut at 5 3/8" x 4 1/8"
• Berry Burst- 1 piece cut at 5 1/4"  4" (inside of card)
• Basic White 3 3/4" x 5" (Inside of card)
• 2 coordinating pieces of DSP (I used Celebrate Everything, but it's retired)
• One pattern each has 2 pieces. I will say DSP "A" and DSP "B"
• DSP "A" - 3" x 7/8" and 4" x 7/8" (top and bottom)
• DSP "B" - 4 1/4" x 7/8" and 3 1/4" x 7/8" (sides)
• Sentiment piece - 3 1/4" x 2" Center piece
• Scrap white for main firework to stamp and die-cut. 

Well there is just one more thing to remind you of. If you want to order this with a 10% discount, but sure to order by January 3rd. After that date, the 10% discount goes away and you have to order the products with their ouwn order numbers. 

I hope you like my project today. I wonder, are you more of a gold and navy person or a pop of color person. I'd love to hear from you. 

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café

 

I Have Some Great Ideas for the July Bonus Days + More Rewards

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for stopping in today. I wanted to take a little time to talk about the fabulous July rewards for shopping! It's Stampin' Up! Bunus Days in July. For every $50 you spend, you earn $5 bonus coupons to redeem in August. If that isn't enough, I'm adding my own reward. It's also double Café Coin rewards when you shop with me.

I thought if you haven't taken advantage of these rewards yet this month, I would share a few of my favorite products with you. First, I wanted to share my Earthen Textures projects with you. This is a fabulous bundle, but even better suite of products which includes the Earthen Textures Bundle, Earthen Elegance 12" x 12" DSP, and the Naturals 1/4" Wavy Trim. The Bundle is $54.75. This will get you one $5 bonus coupon. The suite is $74.25. I would get the suite, and add a package of Adhesive Sheets ($11.50), a package of the Neutrals Adhesive Backed Sequins ($7.50), and a package of the 2023-2025 In-Color 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" Cardstock assortment ($10.00). This will earn two $5 bonus coupons and great supplies for wonderful stamping.

You might also be interested in participating in my Earthen Textures Specialty class in August. This is an In Person class and a To Go class if you are not local. You can get more information on my website.

For this next idea, I used such a beautiful designer paper. It's called Inked Bontanicals 6" x 6" DSP. This paper coordinates with the Inked and Tiled stamp set. Again, you can purchase the Inked and Tiled Bundle ($60.25) and earn one $5 bonus coupon, or purchase the suite which includes the Inked Botanicals DSP and the Lost Lagoon 1/4" Bordered Ribbon ($80.25). To earn two $5 bonus coupons, you could add a package of the Brushed Brass Butterflies embellishements ($10) and a package of Notecards & Envelopes ($8.00). Throw in a package of dimmensionals and you're there.

I hope these ideas have sparked you creativity and have you shop with me. When you do this month, you are going to earn double Café Coin rewards. When you shop with me, you earn one Café Coin for every $25 you spend. With this promotion, you will earn two Café Coins. With the Bonus Days, you earn the $5 bonus coupon with a $5o order. You will earn four Café Coins too. You can find out more about Café Coins on a previous blog. 

Thanks again for stopping in. I hope I gave you some great ideas on how to collect your $5 bonus coupons and double Café Coins. 

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café

 

Get Crafting each Month with my Make a Card/Send a Card Groups Forming Now!

Hi Everyone,

I'm so glad you stopped by today. I'm sharing all about the Make a Card/Send a Card groups that I organize throughout the year. The groups for spring/Summer are coming to a close and it's time for the fall/winter groups to form. Being part of this group is a great way to use your crafting supplies consistantly, and to have your creativity boosted when you receive cards back. I'll get to more details later in this post.

The cards I've created this month are so beautiful! I create for more than one group, so I look for ways to make my work easy and quick, but continue to share stunning cards. This is really easy with the beautiful Stampin' Up! designer series papers. I used the Inked Botanicals 6" x 6" DSP. For the Make a Card/Send a Card groups, you join one group and create 6 cards to send to 6 people by the 6th of each month for 6 months. See the pattern here? :)

For my cards, I used a store bought cards and envelopes pack at a clearance price. I bought this quite a long time ago. Whenever I'm out in craft stores, I always look for some great clearance deals that I can include with my crafting or help my daughter craft for all her friends. Of course, the quality of these products are nowhere near the high quality of Stampin' Up! products, but you can add to them and transform your project into a great finished product. 

I just love the floral border card front. Since I was making so many of these cards, having this premade card base was a time saver for sure. The die cut floral panel was already finished, so step one complete!

The fun part of this card, was using the beautiful Inked Botanical 6" x 6" DSP. One thing I love is monochromatic stamping (one color or shades of one color). There is something so clean and calming with this. I gave my card a stronger base by adhering the DSP to a piece of Basic White cardstock and then adhering that to the card front. I then used the Darling Details Dies and the Something Fancy Dies for the label and flowers. The cards were finished off with sentiments from the Charming Sentiments Stamp set. 

I'm not sure which color I like best. The colors are Calyso Coral, Lost Lagoon, and Daffodil Delight. I like them all so much that I can't decide on just one. The upcoming Make a Card/Send a Card groups will begin in September and run through February. When you sign up, you will recieve a list with the names, addresses, email, and birthday of the 6 people you will share cards with each month. 

Make a Card/Send a Card Group Details:

• Make 6 cards for the people on your group list (does not have to be all Stampin' Up! products. This is time for creativity and using your crafting stash).
• Send these 6 cards to the people on your group list by the 6th of the month.
• Continue to create to send your cards by the 6th of the month for 6 months.
• This group runs from September through February.

 If you would like more details or would like to sign up, fill out my Make a Card/Send a Card form by August 15th. This will give me time to organize the groups and get your group information sheet out to you, so you can create for your first month of cards. 

The Bonus Days promotion is happening now. You can double your rewards when you shop with me by collecting double Café Coins this month to go along with the $5 coupons you earn when you shop. If you are thinking of joining the Make a Card/Send a Card group, this is the perfect promotion for the cardmaking supplies you may want to stock up on. I have all the details on another blog post you can check out.

Thank you again for stopping in today. Which of the colors is your favorite with my cards? I'd love to chat. Be sure to reach out if you have any questions or stampin' needs. 

Happy Stampin',

Mary Blocher

Mary's Stampin' Café