Outdoor cards - Paper Pumpkin May 2023

 Stampin’UP! has a “surprise” kit that is on a monthly subscription which includes everything you need to create the monthly cards inside the box (except for an acrylic block which you get with your first month when you subscribe). You get a few hints, like knowing the basic colors and theme and whether it’s a card or a craft kit (most are card kits) and you can choose to skip a month any time, which I often do skip. But I wanted this month’s kit because of the outdoors-y theme.  

The basic kit, as designed is a beginner kit that isn’t overwhelming or too complicated. This month’s designs were simple but with beautiful scenery and so, the cards didn’t need much: just a greeting! Here are the cards from the kit as designed (meaning all the supplies needed were in the box): 

I often like to change up the design and since I love fun folds, I often use parts of the kit to create different cards by adding some of my own supplies. I used one of the card fronts to create the bridge card below:

      

I liked the way it turned out so much that I made another one with a different card front from the kit and used different stamps:

And here’s a top view that shows why the design is called a “bridge” card….the front panel acts like a bridge across the two folded edges:

I hadn’t made a bridge card in a long while but I think I’ll remember this design again in the future! Oh and yes, it fits in a standard A2 envelope! Let me know if you want the measurements to make this card yourself. Thanks for stopping by…have an awesome day!

Simple A2 Card Folder Holder

 

Here’s a very simple but adorable AND functional little folder to hold A2 sized cards (5.5 x 4.25”). You can dress this folder up simply with a rectangle of DSP (Designer Series Paper), or adapt a favorite card design to the front of this folder. And what a wonderful little gift this folder filled with cards would make!  

 

I took a quick look at Pinterest but couldn’t find a SIMPLE card holding folder for A2 cards. So I modified one for a notecard sized folder to accommodate A2 cards. This one will fit approximately 4 cards and envelopes. 

 

To make the folder, you’ll need a paper trimmer and scorer, one sheet of 8.5” x 11” card stock, and approximately 24” of ribbon. 

 

1-Cut the card stock to 10” x 8.5”. 

2-With the 10” side along the top of your scoring tool, score a line at 4.75” and 5.25”. 

3-Place the 8.5” side along the top of your scoring tool and score at 2.5” 

4-Fold the 2.5” score line first, then fold the remaining two score lines to create the base of the folder. 

5-Create your focal decoration for the folder but before adhering it to the front of the folder, fold the ribbon in half and adhere it to the front, and then adhere your focal design to further secure the ribbon. 

 

To decorate the folder, I used the Petal Park stamp set and the corresponding punch for the floral elements. The base is made with Pale Papaya card stock and I've used the matching ribbon. The Basic White card stock panel is 3.5” x 4.75”. I used the Stitched With Whimsy dies for the fun edging and using my paper snips, I fussy cut following the outer edge of the design. For the leaves, I used Pear Pizzaz ink and Pale Papaya ink on Pale Papaya card stock for the flowers, then punched the flowers out. And to add a bit of color to the background, I used a blending brush and Pale Papaya ink. 

 

Hope this inspires you to create today! Please let me know if you make a folder based on this tutorial…I’d love to hear from you...

 

  

Bamboo Beauty beachy scenic card

Here’s a scenic card I created recently and it’s another that falls under the “SIP” category (Stamps, Ink & Paper): 

These are the “before” and “after” shots adding some twine on the card front as an accent. Otherwise, they’re exactly the same card in both photos (and the shows the difference that lighting makes!) This card was mostly CASEd (Copy And Share Everything) from a YouTube created by a demonstrator named Michelle Zindorf…you can see her original card and tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijqpcXfos-Y  and you’ll then notice that I’ve added my own tweaks to the card design. 

It’s ingeniously created using a sticky notepad sheet!! Using blending brushes, you apply several ink colors —you would never have guessed it was applied on a base of Basic White cardstock! Add some foliage on the side with the Bamboo Beauty stamp set and a few birds flying low…what a peaceful scene!

I used ink colors of Pacific Point, Balmy Blue, Crumb Cake, So Saffron and Old Olive on a square of Basic White. This was then mounted directly on an Old Olive card base. 

Sadly the Bamboo Beauty set has retired but I’m sure you can still find it on online websites. 

Thanks for stopping by & have a wonderful day!