Today's card is a special card to me for many reasons…it is a card inspired by my friend, Jeanie…it was a card that we made this week for Breast Cancer Patients in treatment…it is a card that is just my kind of card – clean, crisp and just fun!
I am hoping to share with you many tips that will be helpful to you….I apologize in advance that my posts are so long …I just love to share with you tips and tricks that I have learned…tips that have helped me grow…and tips that I hope will help you!
I want to start with when the new catalog came out…after flipping through – I fell in love instantly with the Stamp Set, Flower Shop – I knew that it was going to be mine especially when you can get a super pansy punch to POP these gems out! (it does come in a bundle…WOOT-WOOT – you save 15%)
The excitement of this stamp set quickly came to an end when I simply was frustrated that I could not get the stamps and the punch to line up!
I had tried lots of different tips that I had watched on the internet from other SUD but nothing clicked ( I know – I am challenged with some things!!!!) – and then there was Jeanie – my light-bulb!
Look at the black dot to the right…this is key! I cut a piece of scrap paper and then took it out to keep it as my "security blanket" Using the Subtle Candy Dots are perfect for the center of the flower and of course, Stampin Dimensionals are a must to POP them up!
Go ahead and do this to all 6….you will be happy! It works like a charm…When you put the stamp on your clear block…just make sure that the dot is to the right….and then you can take your punch in and POP…works every time!
When in doubt…line the stamp up like below….
To the card we go….Stamp the leaf part with Pear Pizazz and stamp both up and down to get the image but do not worry one bit about making an overlap or mistake – it will be covered!
A simple strip of Strawberry Slush at 1 1/4" X 5 1/4" and then a piece of Pear Pizzazz that has been run through the Big Shot with the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder creates a super focal point!
The paper piercing adds a great little detail, this is not necessary of you are running low on time but I will say, it does add fun! The Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack allows you to piece a straight line in a jif! I chose to do every other and then after I make the quick pierce…I do go back and make a "deeper" pierce by simply pitting my 2 fingers to line the tool up and go very deep to create the nice and bold piercing!
I need to touch on a tool that I simply just could not live without….the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, I have more emails and questions about how to use this and I truly wish that we all lived closer as it is easier to show yo in person, but let me try my best! You NEED to learn how to use it as it is such a life saver and a time saver…WHY? you get a straight stamp each and every time!
Next, take the plastic mat that you "stamped" your sentiment on and put it where you want your sentiment to go on your card. This gives you the freedom of placing the sentiment where you want it…and you can get it straight each and every time!
WHEW….this is hard to put in words but I do hope that these tips helps you…please take a sentiment and play with the stamp-a-ma-jig. If you were like me…I tried it a couple of times….became very frustrated and put the tool away and vowed I would never use that dumb piece of plastic! (Sounds familiar)? This IS one of my top 10 favorite tools as it always makes me look great!
Now I ask you…isn't this one beautiful card? Simple yet elegant and the colors were perfect for Breast Cancer Awareness Month!!! ( Strawberry Slush and Blushing Bride) Another thing I ask you…wouldn't it be a shame to do the work for this beautiful card and then have the sentiment crooked?
The sentiment came from the Stamp Set, Gifts of Kindness – a great set for so many cards…just look at the great messages….and the font is fun!
Being able to have the freedom of placing it where YOU want it is the best with the help of the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig…please do not be afraid of it!
The envelope came together with the Big Shot and the Envelope Liner Framelits (both a MUST AS WELL) as they are a time saver and again make you shine!!! The liner was from the In Color Designer Series Paper and I know you are tired of hearing me say this….but here I go – all of the collections of Paper Stacks are another "must have" as they are a quick go-to to finish a project!
Many thanks to all of you that left comments on my blog yesterday and remember….if you did not see yesterdays blog posting, click here and leave me a comment on yesterdays post and today at noon I will take all of the comments and emails I received and one person will win the BLOG CANDY that I featured!
I will announce the winner on tomorrows post! I look forward to another 250 blog postings and I look forward to many more memories made with YOU! Thank you for all of your kind words of inspiration!
I hope that today's posting was a help to you and that I inspired you to use some of the great tools that we have!
Hat's off to Jeanie for inspiring me and helping the light bulb go on to LOVE and use the Flower Shop and Pansy Punch! She is not only a HOOT….she is one talented stamper!
Have a great day and until tomorrow…..thanks for popping by!!!
Beautiful card! I will be casing it for sure. I love the stamp a ma jig, too, but I’ve never used it with clear mounts. I will definitely give it a try. Thanks for great ideas!!
Love it. Colors are great. Thanks for sharing.
Love it with the different flowers. For the record….it is YOU who inspires me.
The card is BEAUTIFUL. Yes me to….. You inspires me too. I love to go to my e-mail and you are the first one I look at. Thank you
Keep on writing the long blog posts…we love it. Tips and extra directions are always appreciated. Love this card. Will be making one soon!
Susan, I have started reading your blog daily. Your creations are lovely and professional. Thank you for sharing! This card is charming, and I suspect you are too!
Love love love the card!! Thanks for all the tips.
This card is oh so beautiful. Thanks for all the tips you give. I too cannot live without my Stamp-a-ma-gig. My friends make fun of me for using it so much!
This is so gorgeous…love everything about it. Colors, the piercing, the layout!
I just purchased this stamp set and happy to see your ideas as well as the tips! Keep posting!
Keep writing your blog just the way you do! It is fun to read and easy to find wonderful directions! I look forward to your blog every day.
Thank you for all the great tips and tricks!
Awesome card. Love everything about it. I also love your blog just the way it is. You are a ‘worry wart’ just like me. =) That’s what my Dad called me; ‘The worry wart of the family’! And, he was right. I love the tips; and yes, the pansy punch drove me nuts until I read somewhere about the dots. I did learn the stamp a ma jiggy on a you tube video too. But, I needed the refresher. Keep doing what you do and thanks for sharing and inspiring me daily.
Very pretty card! Just right for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But, I need to CASE this total package to make it in other colors just because! This is just a great layout and I want to make it in other colors as well like with blues and others. Great reminder tips as well. Thanks! I gotta invest in that Stamp-a-ma-jig thing! I am always on the look out for mailable flat cards and I think this would work pretty well. If the candy dots are a little too raised, I could just go with little circles punched out of paper.
I had already forgotten the Flower Shop set and Pansy Punch, so out they go to CASE your card. I had dotted the stamps when I received them. Now I will go try them out. Great tips and it truly doesn’t matter how long YOUR blogs are because they are great! Here’s to your next 500! Thanks!
Lovely card and colors.
Really like this one and the colors are perfect! But think I need to get that embossing folder:)
And don’t worry about long posts, that just shows that you are serious about helping all the paper crafters you follow you to do a better job at what we love and your tips and tricks are always keepers.
Have a great weekend:)
What a beautiful card and such a great sentiment. I will surely be casing this card. Don’t worry about long post; you have some great tips.
Thanks so much for the tip ob marking the stamps and punch. I just finished doing that and I know that tip is worth a million, don’t know how many flowers I’ve ruin up to now. THANK YOU!!!!
Susan, you are awesome! I had given up on matching the the pansy punch with the flowers, thinking it was a flaw in the design. Now I will use your tip and enjoy the set. I’ve picked up several great tips from you. Thank you so much. I look forward to your posts every day as I always learn new things. I’m a fan!
Karen
Wow! Another beautiful card. Gotta love it. I check out your blog everyday. You are so talented and quite the inspiration. A big thank you!!
What can I say that has not already been said so beautifully??? You do gorgeous work, your instructions are so easy to follow, and you are a joy to read every day! Thank you for taking the time (and I’m sure it takes a LOT of time) to do this great Blog, but know how much it is loved and appreciated as you are!
I love your posts Susan. I don’t think they are too long. This is a great card. I love the colors and I can’t wait to try it too. I tried your three little dots today on a card …. I had to cover over them. But I was having fun trying and thinking of you. Have a great Sunday! 🙂
Another great card. I guess all your followers are going to CASE this one – me included. Great colors for “breast cancer”. Thanks for the tip on the punch – I was going nutso-got the stamp set & punch as a birthday gift and have played with it several times. Once in a blue moon I got it right, but don’t remember how. THE DOT is now in place on the punch & stamps. THANK YOU FOR THE TIPS.
Beautiful card! I love it and will be sure to CASE it! Thank you so much for taking the time to teach us & show us all the tips tricks to this stamp set & punch! It truly helps me since I am a visual person! So don’t apologize! Please keep doing them! If you have a hard time sometimes I know others like me do too! Again, thank you for all you do and for sharing your BEAUTIFUL creations with us everyday! I love them all!
What a beautiful card. I have just bought the Flower Shop set and I must confess I have been very frustrated trying to get the punch in the right place. I will try your tip and see if I can do it any better. Thank you for sharing your lovely creations.