Posted in Cardmaking

Holiday Tri-Fold Card – Tutorial

When I saw this sentiment set and this die, I knew I wanted to create a dramatic tri-fold card. I actually made two of these as I was trying to figure out the best way to create it. I will share with you my tips and tricks.

I used the following products to create this card:

~The Nativity wafer die set

~Stacked Holiday Sentiments stamp set

~A2 Arches

~Gold Embossing Powder

~Fog cardstock

~ Blue cardstock

~ Dark grey cardstock

~12 x 12 gray cardstock (or blue)

Directions:

  • Die cut The Nativity die 2 times from gold glitter card stock. Save one of the gold stars that cut out – this will be used on the last panel.
  • Using the largest A2 Arch die, cut 6 arches from a dark grey cardstock.
  • Using the next size smaller A2 arch, cut 3 blue arches.
  • Using the Nativity die as a guide, find the closest A2 arch to match it, and die cut 2 from Fog cardstock. (when I first made this, I used vellum, but the glue showed through, so I opted for the Fog cardstock. I think the Fog cardstock gives the illusion of vellum.)
  • Emboss the “Silent Night” sentiment, in gold embossing powder, centered on the bottom of one of the blue panels. I masked the “Holy Night” off a post-it so I only inked up the “Silent Night” portion. Then I did the opposite to emboss “Holy Night” to the bottom, center of another blue panel.
  • On the third blue arched panel, I embossed the “All is calm, All is bright” sentiment. I added a gold star from step one above the sentiment.
  • Adhere the fog arches to the blue panels above the sentiment and then adhere the glitter gold Nativity on top of the fog arch. See photo below for placement guidance.
  • Adhere the blue arch, centered onto the larger grey arch.
  • Using a 12 x 12 piece of cardstock, cut a strip 3″ x 12″.
  • Score that piece at 4″ and 8″ and zig zag fold it. This will become our “hinges” that hold the card together.
  • Adhere the first panel of the card to the first 4″ section of the “hinge” piece. Be sure to line up the bottom of the panel with the bottom of the hinge and make sure you have room to fold the next panel. (refer to my completed card to get the proper fold sequence, photo below). You will repeat this process with the next two panels. You may need to trim a tiny bit of the “hinge” edges once this step is complete.
  • Now it is time to cover up the “hinge” from the back side view. Simply match up the other three, blank grey panels on to the back of each blue panel, mimicking the front design. Be sure to take your time and you will end up with a neat, crisp finished card.
  • If you wanted to add even more dimension, you could use foam tape to pop up the blue from the grey arch. You could also cut a few more Nativities, out of scrap cardstock, and layer those together. This card is a bit on the heavier side, so keep that in mind when thinking about adding more dimension.

I hope this helps explain how I created this card. If you have any more questions, please leave me a comment or message me directly.

Thanks for stopping by!

Posted in Cardmaking

And Everything Nice Release from Simon Says Stamp (and giveaway!)

Simon Says Stamp has just unveiled their latest release, and it is filled with fresh products perfect for holiday papercrafting and beyond. I couldn’t wait to dive in and create with the stunning new products!

This clean and simple card features the brand new Peacebird stamp set and the Hopeful Peacebird wafer die set.

To create this card, I started by die cutting the Hopeful Peacebird out of Simon Says Stamp white glitter card stock. I also cut it 3 more times out of white scrap card stock. I adhered those together using liquid glue. I die cut the leaf branch 5 times out of green card stock. Next, I added glitter texture paste to the leaves to add a little sparkle. While the paste was drying, I cut a gray panel to 4″ x 5 1/4″. I layed out my die cut pieces to determine where I wanted the sentiment to be placed. I stamped the sentiment from the Peacebird stamp set with embossing ink. I heat embossed it with white embossing powder and then adhered the die cuts. Lastly, I adhered the gray panel to a top folding A2 card base. A matching envelope makes this card extra special!

I have a special giveaway for one of my blog readers: the adorable Warm Thoughts stamp set ! Please leave a comment and I will pick a random winner on Sunday, November 9th.

Be sure to check out the entire new release here: https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/collections/and-everything-nice

Thanks for stopping by!!

Mary

Posted in Cardmaking

Three Floral Cards : Simon Says Stamp Friend Like You New Release

I am so excited to share a few cheerful floral cards I created for the brand new Friend Like You release from Simon Says Stamp. These cards spotlight the gorgeous new Rose Branch die. It is safe to say I am smitten with these bold, textured leaves. It is such a versatile die that works beautifully for birthdays, anniversaries or everyday notes. I needed to refill my stash of birthday cards, and these examples will show you how quickly and easily these can come together.

Card 1: Just For You A7 Card

This larger A7 card embraces rich, earthy greens, bright yellow, and a touch of gold. To begin, I die cut lots of the Rose Branch leaves out of green cardstock and carefully inked the edges of the leaves to add depth. I layered two branches to fill the background and cut a additional leaf to place behind the flower. The flower was created by diecutting different cardstocks with the Bold Flowers Wafer die. The warm colors of the flower bring a sunny contrast to the dark green card base. I added some dots to the center of the flower using an embossing ink pen. Then, I added gold embossing powder and heat set it. The gold heat embossed sentiment is from the EZ Strips Everyday stamp set (also newly released) and was layered onto gold cardstock cut with the A2 Rectangles Wafer die set.

Bonus Cards:

For this card, I brought back the happy yellows, but swapped the background for clean white and made this card a standard A2 size. The contrast between the bright flower and the white space really pop. To fit more leaves, I cut a few off of the stem and tucked them in the right corner. The sentiment is from the Celestial Wishes stamp set and stamped in Simon Says Stamp Honey Pawsitively Saturated Ink. To make it extra special, I plan to mail it in this pretty yellow envelope.

This blue version is very similiar to the previous card and is an even more clean and simple card. This time, I used the branch more like a stem for this floral card. This just shows how you can get lots of different looks from one die. I stamped the sentiment in Simon Says Stamp Ocean ink. Again, I added a matching envelope to make this birthday card even more special.

The whole release can be found here: https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/collections/friend-like-you

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope these cards inspire you to try out the Rose Branch die and bring a little handmade joy to someone’s mailbox. Be sure to come back tomorrow for more inspiration and a special offer!

Posted in Cardmaking

Simon Says Stamp You Are My Favorite Release

Welcome to day one of the You Are My Favorite release hop. Simon Says Stamp is offering a FREE gift when you order $30 or more from the new release. See the graphic below for details.

Sympathy cards can be some of the hardest to create, but also the most meaningful to send. Today, I am sharing a soft and subtle design using products from the new release at Simon Says Stamp. I thought these products were perfect for expressing heartfelt thoughts during difficult times.

I used the following Simon Says Stamp products used to create this card:

~Fresh Sprigs embossing folder

~Inside Greetings stamp set

~Fog card stock

I started by cutting a piece of Fog card stock to 4″ x 5 1/4.” I lightly spritzed it with water, placed it inside the Fresh Sprigs embossing folder and ran it through my Spellbinders Platinum machine.

Next, using finger daubers, I lightly inked up the flowers in Pawsitively Saturated ink in Dew and inked the greenery with Pearfection. I stamped the sentiment from the new Inside Greetings stamp set using Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

To finish the card, I adhered the completed panel to a top folding A2 card base.

If you are looking for a versatile sentiment set, Inside Greetings is a must have. It has a variety of sentiments and they are in such pretty fonts.

Be sure to check out the entire release here: https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/collections/you-are-my-favorite

Let me know in the comments what your favorite new product is! Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $25 coupon to every stop on the hop from your blog comment section – so be sure to leave a comment! And tomorrow there will be another amazing blog hop!!

Simon Says Stamp Blog
Caly Person
Barbara Tarayao
Heather Hoffman
Keisha Charles
Lisa Addesa
Emily Midgett
Emma Williams
Mindy Eggen
Bobbi Lemanski
Lorraine Aquilina
Rachel Alvarado
Barb Engler
Nicki Baxley
Dana Joy
Mary Reiner

Thanks for stopping by,

Mary

Posted in Cardmaking

Easter Greetings : Favorite Things Release from Simon Says Stamp

Simon Says Stamp’s latest release, Favorite Things, is here and it’s full of fresh, Spring-inspired products!   Be sure to visit all of the blogs and comment because Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $25 coupon to every stop on the hop. AND there’s more! Our exclusive Happy Bee Day stamp set is automatically added to your cart that contains $50 or more of Favorite Things release products! This gift with purchase will expire 3/2 at 11:59 pm EST or while supplies last.

For today’s card, I created a soft and elegant Easter card using a mix of textures and die cuts and featuring the brand new Blessings at Easter stamp set.

I used the following products to create my card:

~Blessings at Easter stamp set

~Scalloped Gift Tag dies

~Pretty Bows die set

~Basketweave Embossing Folder

~Pawsitively Saturated Ink in Seafoam and Latte

I started with a white card base and lightly splattered it with Seafoam ink for a subtle effect. The main focal point is a beautiful, stamped egg hanging onto a framed scallop die cut tag. To add dimension, I layered the tag over a kraft, woven embossed panel. A delicate die cut bow adds a finishing touch, and the “Greetings” sentiment, ties it all together.

This card is perfect for celebrationg the season! I hope you will head over to Simon Says Stamp and check out the whole release! https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/collections/favorite-things

Next on the hop: Melissa Phillips

And tomorrow there is another blog hop with lots more inspiration. The fun never stops!

Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate YOU!

Posted in Cardmaking

Charming Interactive Valentine

Today I am sharing a project I created featuring products from Simon Says Stamp. I posted this on Instagram as it is part of the To Be Loved hop. I hope you will hop along!

Products used:

~Always and Forever stamp set from Simon Says Stamp

~You Are cling stamp from Simon Says Stamp

~Heart Frames from Newton’s Nook Designs

How I created this:

  1. I stamped the large heart image onto Hammermill 100# smooth card stock and colored it with Copic Markers.
  2. I die cut it using the stitched heart die from the Heart Frames die set. (There is a coordinating die for the Always and Forever set and this would work as well)
  3. I die cut a heart out of pink card stock and white card stock.
  4. I stamped the You Are stamp, using Pebble ink from Concord and 9th, onto Fog card stock. Then, I cut that down to 3 3/4″ x 5″.
  5. Next, I figured out where I wanted the hearts and lightly marked with a pencil where they would overlap on the Fog panel, so I could stamp th sentiment and have it be hidden by the hearts. I carefully erased the guides.
  6. I scored the hearts using a score board approx. 1″ from the right side on the white stamped heart and 1″ from the left side of the pink heart. (I really just eye-balled this as I wanted the hearts to be on an angle on the card.)
  7. I folded the scored hearts and adhered them to the back of the Fog panel. This created the interactive pieces. (see images below)
  8. I stamped the sentement onto the white heart to finish the front of the card.
  9. I added the third white heart to the back of the copic-colored, stamped heart. I cut part of the heart off since part of the stamped heart was folded behind the panel. This additional heart piece is just to cover up the ink that came through on my coloring.
  10. I adhered all of this to a top folding A2 card base, added a few white gel pen dots to the flower centers and finished it off with a sheer bow.

Be sure to comment on my Instagram post @maryredjr for a chance to win $25 to Simon Says Stamp.

Thanks for stopping by!

Posted in Cardmaking

Oh, To Be Loved

Simon Says Stamp’s latest “To Be Loved” release is packed with heartfelt products, and I am thrilled to share a card featuring the Groovy Love You die set.

This bold and retro -inspired die truly steals the show! To create my card, I used the Concentric Hearts stamp set and stamped each heart in a different shade of Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Ink (Amethyst, Orchid and Lilac). Then, I die cut the sentiment out of Simon Says Stamp purple glitter card stock and then cut the shadow out of dark purple card stock and adhered them together. I glued the purple heart panel to a dark purple panel and then adhered the sentement. To complete my card, I adhered it to a top folding, A2 card base. A quick card that packs a punch!

Stay tuned for more projects from this amazing release and don’t forget to check out all of the new products. Click my link below to fill your cart:

Thanks for stopping by!

Posted in Cardmaking

National Hot Cocoa Day

December 13th marks National Hot Cocoa Day – a cozy celebration of everyone’s favorite winter drink! To honor the occasion, I created a festive card featuring adorable mugs filled with whipped cream and holiday spirit!

I used the following to create my card:

~Christmas Coffees stamps and dies from Super Sponsor Newton’s Nook Designs

~Oliver’s Stitched ABC’s from Lawn Fawn

~Reverse Sentiment Strips from Simon Says Stamp

Hot Cocoa is more than just a drink; it’s a reminder to slow down and savor the warmth of the season. I hope you take time today to do just that.

Make sure you visit all of our blogs for your chance to win a $20 gift card to one of our sponsors!

Posted in Cardmaking

Festive Fun Release from Simon Says Stamp

It is release day for Simon Says Stamp! Check out the whole new release here: https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/collections/festive-fun

Creating this cozy holiday card with the new Jolly Christmas stamp set was such a joy! The images and sentiments in this set are perfect for creating heartfelt Christmas cards.

Card Recipe:

~ Jolly Christmas stamp set

~ So Very Black card stock

~Glistening Snowflakes embossing folder

  1. Cut a 4 1/4″ x5 1/2″ panel from So Very Black card stock. Lightly spritz it with water and place it inside the embossing folder. Run it through your embossing machine.
  2. Using a light hand, gently rub a white pigment ink over the embossed panel.
  3. Stamp the image and sentiment onto white 100+ card stock.
  4. Color with Copic Markers or other alcohol markers.
  5. Cut the colored image down to 2 1/4″ x 3 1/2″
  6. Use an embossing pen to follow the lines of the snow. Use a glittery, white embossing powder and heat set.
  7. Adhere the stamped panel to the embossed black panel and then adhere that to an A2 card base.

I hope you are inspired to create some of your own holiday cards. If you would like to shop, I would appreciate you shopping through my link: https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=199868&u=3017887&m=24698&urllink=&afftrack=

For more card inspiration, head over to my Instagram @maryredjr

As always, thank you for stopping by!

Posted in Cardmaking

Warm Autumn Blessings

It’s time, once again, for the Fall Winter Coffee Lovers Hop. Thanks so much for stopping by. Warm up with some pumpkin spice vibes! This adorable card brews up autumn cheer with a smiling pumpkin mug. This is perfect for sending warm Autumn blessings to friends and family.

The following products were used to create this card:

Pink and Main Cocoa for You stamps and dies

Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Latte ink

Simon Says Stamp Basketweave Embossing Folder

I hope this hop inspires you as much as it has inspired me!