Good Monday to you! Did you miss me, did you think that I walked the plank?
All I can say is a big deep breath and let it all out! In a quick nut shell….Dad is good (in and out of the hospital)…John is hanging in there (one more day of tax season)…Peeps are great….Pups are enjoying the spring weather and Daisy…well, she’s not looking too pretty as she has scratched off hair off of both sides but I still love my piggy!
Ok…let’s MOVE ON! Yesterday…(Sunday) I told John that I was not doing anything…not going anywhere until I had some “me time” to go through the retired list and mark off the catalog! True, I have glanced at it but I have never taken a “block of time” to cross it off and take it all in! Were there surprises? Yep, always are but we all know that this happens and then we all know that new kids will be on the block in no time!
I have yet to unpack from On Stage but today I have my swap card that I made for the event. The card that I made to swap with was made with the Layering Love Stamp Set. This one has been around for a while and it IS walking the plank. I guess it is a no-brainer to you that I love it as the sentiments and boldness of it speaks my simple stampin’ language!
In my posts I have been trying to share with you things that I look at when I purchase a specific stamp. I admit, in the past I was very “hit happy” with the button but what I ended up with is a bunch of stamps that I did not use as much as I thought! Is anyone else on this same island with me?
Even though this stamp has been around for a while I would buy it again for these 2 simple reasons….the sentiments are great with fun fonts and the price….$16.00 is a great price point. I invite you to look and ask questions to yourself as to how much would you use it…and can you make multiple cards from it.
I do hope that you know that I am just like you….a person that loves to craft and also I know that it all adds up really fast! Even if we had an endless pocketbook….we also have another concern to think about – SPACE. I am blessed that I do have a space to craft in but I am always trying to be very honest and upfront to you about making choices!
Yesterday I decided to make up cards using the other 3 stamps that are in the set….to go with the one that I made for my swap! I adored the boldness and clean lines that my swap card was….but I admit, I was on the fence about the white space on the left but I ended up keeping it!
You see…I go through the same things that you do. I decided to leave it as you see it because of the size and crispness of this fun sentiment and let the boldness of the DSP be the WOW factor! I loved it, and I think that this type of card goes the long haul with many cards we might need to make and send!
The paper collection I used for all 4 cards was from the Tutti Fruiti DSP 6 X 6 stack!
This has been a “go-to” paper choice for me. I think that sometimes we look at papers and see such a distinct pattern that we say to ourselves….“that’s not for me”….but be patient and look at the offering with a different set of eyes…..to me, I think all of my examples for you today are clean, classic and true blue keepers! Remember, paper does and adds SO MUCH and when you look at it….it is really an affordable part of the card making process…let IT do the work for you!
In making these 4 cards I used the same formula OVER AND OVER for each of them. You know that I am simple so using a great layout is catalyst for making multiples and feeling rewarded with a great end result. I encourage you to make up a card with this formula today even if you do not have the stamp set….
Before we get to the Formula I want you to notice on the cards how I added little touches here and there to make the end result a bit more interesting. There are so many little things that we have – the simply scored tool or embellishments laying around taking up space! I invite you to look and see what you have and USE IT UP!
Here you go….please feel free to email me if you have any questions and also feel free to leave a comment and let everyone know how you like using formulas to make cards!
Before you GASP and see how much paper I am using…always know that you can make adjustments to be more frugal with your paper. I am all about making a nice, heavy card and I also want to use up the DSP I have….cause’ you know what is coming around the corner – NEWBIES and yep, I will be doing a paper share!
- Card Base – vertical or horizontal in A-2 …4 1/4″ X 5 1/2″
- Cover the front panel with card stock – 4 1/4″ X 5 1/2″
- The white piece that you will stamp on is 2 1/4″ X 5 1/2″
- The mat behind this is a smidge larger…2 3/8″ X 5 1/2″
- For the envelopes…the solid piece is 1/2″ wide and the DSP is 1 3/4″
That is basically it – super simple! Now here is the fun part – how you add your touches….you can score…add dots…add embellishments..lift elements up with dimension – the sky is the limit. The only requirement is TO HAVE FUN! Yep, something rather simple to do but also something that many times we forget to do….just enjoy the journey of your card making experience.
I have a bunch of pictures for you…as I know you love pictures! Enjoy and I hope that you can carve out some time to give this formula a try. It is always so much easier to have a “tried & true” formula that can be used over and over….and your secret is safe with me! 🙂
Remember, the plank walkers are only while supplies last so I would take a peek and see what you cannot live without! Wednesday I am hoping to share with you the ones that I view as “you need to swoop them up” !
Have a fabulous day and let’s all have a great week. I am learning to really embrace that “one day at a time thing”…as even though I attempt to have a “to do list” on my day, there have been many things that have changed my plans. In the end…life is great!
So glad you posted….I was getting worried about you and your dad. Thanks for the encouragement to use of stuff….yep, I’m a hoarder. I need to work on that and enjoy these things and share them with others.
I absolutely love your message!! It is so easy to get caught up in the “I need everything mode”! I must challenge myself to use things up more. Your cards are great motivation. Many thanks!!
Not only am I on the island with you regarding the stamp purchases – I sunk the darn boat most likely! I, like Kathy, am a hoarder of my precious craft supplies. I see a couple of projects using a set or special paper and SOLD I know I will make several of those! Just the other day I picked up a set and wondered why did I buy this? Luckily it will be carried over so I can explore some options on using it still.
Love these cards. I saw your swap card on Jeanie’s blog and thought, oh my look at that white space and started to cringe. Then, I looked at it later and thought I love it – the white is a good size to go with all the colors in the pattern. This is something I need to learn to look at with fresh eyes – more white space! I love your formula cards and I need to set up a system so I do go to these more often – why try to reinvent the wheel? I also love this paper as it is bright and cheery and just plain fun! If I don’t care for the fruit side, well flip it over and I most likely am thrilled with that side. Now, about that set. Do I really need it? Will I use all of the stamps – no, but a couple would be perfect for my nursing home cards or hospital ones. Dog gone it, no wonder you are the top dog as I really had no intention on ordering this set! But, with these cards and using up some embelishments etc. I can see the light!
So glad you are ok as well as the rest of the family. I have been tempted many times to pick up the phone and try calling or leaving you a voice mail message. Anyway, enough for now.
Great cards! I love the simple design and that you can crank out multiple cards but they don’t look all the same because you changed out the greetings and DSP. Yes, I realize that the DSP is retiring but I still haven’t used some up from last time, last, last, last, last time…… That’s okay. I’m still all about the paper share and the new DSP.
Oh yes Susan these are beautiful. Definitely give me a little push to make some cards today.
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FYI . . . I got to make three cards. I have to stop now and make dinner.
🙂
Glad your dad is doing well. Glad you are back ! Love your cute cards ! I have the dsp and Tutti Fruit bundle so I guess I need to get going ! I ordered those adorable fruit punches first and then just gave up and ordered the stamp set and paper . BUT…I do not have the stamp set Layering Love simply because I have procrastinated ! Guess I need to get it !
I know one thing …..I want one of your CARD STOCK RINGS ! LOVE the three I have ,but with all the new colors ….sigh ….
Hey Sonny, I found out something that worked for me with those cute little punches. I had used the strawberry and my red ink pad is gunky with shredding or something. Anyway, instead of throwing the whole thing away, I punched the strawberries out of the gunky ones and then put them over a stamped one that also was a bit wonky or something. Since the punched one was a teeny bit smaller it looked fine. I also managed to get red on my fingers and then on the white card so I just stamped more and punched them out. Hope this made sense -sort of a mini dimension look. I had two demos ask me how come my strawberries looked better than theirs. So, I must have done something right. One didn’t stamp all the way so the white showed through – I used a little touch of Lemon Lime Twist and it looked like the strawberry just wasn’t fully ripened!
Yep we are going to need shares and new cardstock rings with all this confounded refiguration! I procrastinated too on that stamp set and I am stewing about ordering it. The stamped images look like they belong on these cards!!!
Love these great cards, Susan. I will save this formula and will put it to work CASEing your beautiful cards. I see some cards I would like to make, order the product and by the time I receive it, I’ve forgotten my idea of how to use it. Another paper share…Yahoo!! Love those. Glad all is well with you and your family. Enjoy your day!
I am glad to see you posting, you had me worried and I kept your family in my prayers.
You are right on about needing to look at stamps to see how many of them I really will use. Space and money is an issue. I had been looking at this stamp set and now see some new ideas.
Susan think back to your sept post of the count your blessing card. Is the cardstock that you used for the base DSP or did you use a stamp to make the pear pizazz background on the card. If so what DSP did you use? Thanks so much for your time.
Thanks
Great formula and great cards! Can’t wait to make a few tomorrow. Glad your dad is doing well. Enjoy your day.
Happy to have you back! Been missing you! Love your formula card, esp to use up the DSP. I’m getting better at that!
Happy to have you back. Been missing you! Love the formula cards. I’m getting better about using up my DSP!
Good to see your post today. I have been loving your formula cards. Will try this one soon. So glad to hear that life is going well in Maryland. Your right, life is good!
Boy you have had your hands full Susan! Sending happy thoughts your way. Terrific cards, wonderfully CAS. Love your swap card.
Glad you are ok and hanging in there! Parents getting older is hard. Thank you for these beautiful samples with this stamp set. I got it from you with my Paw Prints and have not used it yet. Will be using up some DSP this weekend!