Well! Can you say that 3 times?? I’m calling this a Floating Flip. The idea came from Susan Seki, and I’ve followed her design pretty closely with just a few adjustments to the floating strips. It’s a great fun fold, and the Beautiful Gallery Designer Series paper makes it quite suited as a Manly Card.
Stamps: Beautiful Motifs
Color Palette: Mossy Meadow, Pecan Pie, Basic White
Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Exposed Brick 3D Embossing Folder, Textured Notes dies, Window Sheets, Beautiful Gallery Designer Series Paper
The DSP is trimmed to fit the sides of the card, which are stationary. The center panel is mounted on a window sheet, which is then added to the moving part of the Split Fold card. It’s another way to use your DSP stash!
Inside the flap is a panel for your message. I’ve matted it with Pecan Pie to emphasize and pull together the earth tone color palette.
You can stamp on DSP! This piece was a remnant from trimming the panels to fit the card, and I love the textured look it offers. A solid color would be distracting from all of that gorgeous scenery.
How are you using your DSP? I hope you’re using it up! Here’s one more card with the gorgeous Beautiful Gallery DSP – I hope you have it in your stash!
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There are lots of ways to use our Timeless Plaid DSP, and my latest-favorite-layout is a great example. Trim a piece to 3 3/4″ by 4 3/4″, cut it in quarters, and you’ve got a card!
Stamps: Elements of Text, Spooky Halloween, Something Fancy (retired)
Color Palette: Basic White, Old Olive/Misty Moonlight OR Gray Granite/Misty Moonlight OR Lost Lagoon/Pool Party
I made a bunch of these the other evening, because we’re entering Manly Birthday season in my family! Timeless Textures has two different designs in the same color way on each sheet, so I cut the paper to size, cut it in quarters, and flipped over two of the four quarters. Done!
Are you sold on this layout? I sure am!! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – get out that stash and make some cards!
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Manly Cards shouldn’t be hard to design, but I always struggle a bit. I came across this great card layout using Designer Series Paper and realized it had a lot of Manly Potential. Best of all, it’s quick and easy!
Stamps: Elements of Text (Last Chance), Something Fancy (Retired)
Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Secret Sea/Mossy Meadow, Smoky Slate/Crumb Cake, Cloud Cover/Basic Beige
I tried this layout with two different designs from the Beautiful Gallery DSP pack. The DSP comes in 6×6 sheets, and I trimmed an inch and an eighth from top and bottom to get a 3 3/4″ height. I trimmed the sides to 4 3/4″ based on the image, centering the part I wanted to feature. The last step was to cut the resulting rectangle into quarters.
Elements of Text is such a great textural set of stamps! I wish it would be around much longer, but you can still snap it up from the Last Chance list. The sentiment, I’m sorry to say, is retired, but there are a number of current sets with similar fonts and sizing. Just search “happy birthday” in the Online Store. And the Textured Notes dies are truly indispensable- have I said that before??? 😆
This layout using Designer Series Paper is a great way to use up that DSP stash, and the end result is a stack of Manly Cards in a flash! Guys have birthdays too, you know.
Pull out your stash and start chopping.
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The Woven Textures DSP is absolutely perfect for a Manly Card. This card is a CASE of a stunning card by my dear friend Cheryl Hamilton, and I didn’t make a lot of changes. I did choose to add some Gold Foil for a little shine, and of course every card needs Linen Thread!
Stamps: Patterns of Friendship
Color Palette:Crumb Cake, Pecan Pie, Early Espresso, Gold
Be sure you adhere your diagonal strips to the DSP panel BEFORE you attach the panel to the card stock mat. Ask me how I know. 😳
There are multiple variations within the Woven Textures pack, and there are certainly other die cuts that would work to embellish the sentiment panel. This is a design that can be adapted almost indefinitely – use what you have.
What DSP has been neglected in your stash? Isn’t it time you pulled it out? I’ve done my best to give you some ideas – let me know how it goes.
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January is traditionally a time for change, but I think it’s also a good time to return to my anchors. I love this Timeless Plaid DSP from the January – April 2025 mini precisely for its classic design. The colors are updated, but the patterns are truly timeless.
Stamps: Everyday Greetings, Greetings of the Season
Color Palette: Very Vanilla, Boho Blue, Crumb Cake
I hope the Greetings of the Season dies stick around for a long time, because they give me a spot to anchor my BELOVED Linen Thread instead of using a Glue Dot.
Timeless Plaid is a January – April 2025 Mini Catalog product, part of the Storybook Moments Suite. The color palette includes Basic Beige, Boho Blue, Cajun Craze, Calypso Coral, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Lost Lagoon, Misty Moonlight, Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Pebbled Path, Pecan Pie, and Wild Wheat. Add a package to your order and take a creative journey!
Would you like to make your own DIY Calendars? The template is just $5 – let me know that’s what you want and I’ll send you an invoice. Please tell me you’re a real being in the message box – I’m getting increasing amounts of spam. Everything is done digitally, so you’ll have it quickly.
You are only purchasing a template, which you can download and print for your personal use.
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This simple layout can be anything you need – a true Swiss Army Knife design. Change the color palette and the DSP and you could have a child’s card, a feminine girlfriend card, or even a thoughtful sympathy card. The options are endless.
Stamps: Heartfelt Hexagon, Everyday Greetings, Greetings of the Season
Color Palette: Basic White, Pebble Path, Memento Black
Accessories: Hexagon Punch, Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Dashing Designs 3D Embossing Folder, Country Woods DSP, 23-25 In Color Opaque Sparkle Dots, In Color Textured Ribbon (retired), Stampin’ Dimensionals
I discovered that the hexagon stamp can be a little tricky to line up on a block. Since it’s an open stamp, the edges move around a bit and when you go to punch it, if it’s not perfectly “squared” it doesn’t fit. I solved the problem by lining up the stamp on top of the punch – put the side that you use to stamp directly onto the punch and have the flat side facing up. Then place your block on top of the flat part and carefully peel the stamp off the hexagon. Try it, it works!
The sentiment uses two Online Exclusive stamp sets, Everyday Greetings and Greetings of the Season. Between the two, just about everything you might want to say is covered.
My apologies about yet another retired ribbon. You could substitute the Pebble Path Jute Trim, and that would be even more manly. I need to clear out my trim drawer.
I usually make my mats pretty tight, so that Basic White panel is 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″. That means the DSP is 4″ x 5 1/4″, and if you make the embossed piece 2 1/4″ tall and the DSP piece 3″ tall, they’ll butt up nicely to each other. I like to make my DSP panels 4″ wide so that I can cut 3 across on a 12″ piece of patterned paper. And my favorite Country Woods DSP is still on sale in the Online Store!
Select Designer Series papers are 15% off while supplies last !
It’s time to redeem your Bonus Days coupons! The code is in an email sent to the same address you used to place your order. You can use multiple codes on a single order – have some fun with it!
The September Paper Pumpkin Kit is Autumn Abundance. It includes everything you need for 9 cards and envelopes, and features laser cut card fronts and an ephemera pack. Every Celebration, an exclusive set of dies coordinates with all 3 third quarter Paper Pumpkin offerings. Subscribe HERE by September 10th.
Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.
The 24-25 Annual Catalog is filled with inspiration. New stamps, dies, tools, and gorgeous new In Colors are waiting for you!! Shop HERE. And now more than ever, don’t neglect the Online Exclusives – you’ll find more beautiful products that never appear in a catalog.
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It was time to try the Earthen Treasures images in another color palette! As much as I love the earthy colors of the Earthen Elegance Designer Series paper, I knew these pots and stems would sing in other colors. What about Boho Blue?
Stamps: Earthen Treasures
Color Palette:Basic White, Boho Blue, Wild Wheat
Accessories: Big Boss, Tailored Tags dies, Deckle Rectangle dies, Timeworn Type Embossing Folder, In Color DSP Assortment, Boho Blue 3/8″ textured ribbon, Linen thread, Stampin’ Dimensionals
This design is suitable for nearly any occasion – if the colors were more muted, I think it could even work as a sympathy card. And I *think* it might even work as a Manly Card!
The sentiment is on a simple strip of Basic White card stock. I have about 20 miles worth of these 1/2″ strips from trimming down a standard sheet of card stock to 4 interior panels (4″ by 5.25″). I like to finish all my colored card bases with a white panel on the inside.
How do you like Earthen Textures in Boho Blue? Does it work for you? If you need some In Color card stock – or anything else for that matter – shop the Online Store.
There’s a Designer Series Paper sale in June! 15% off select papers – shop early to avoid any disappointment.
It’s a great time to become a demonstrator! Join my team and create the opportunity you want. Select your choice of product valued at $155 for just $99 and you can be a happy shopper, enjoy early access to upcoming products, and save on every Stampin’ Up! purchase you make! If you choose, you can build a business, but that’s not a requirement. Try it out risk free – JOIN TODAY.
Be sure to subscribe by July 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! Make 9 accordion fold cards with the July kit. It includes a Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Spot and plenty of embellishments.
Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.
Since many of our gorgeous Designer Series papers are on sale this month, I’ve got some inspiration for you! This first card features the Earthen Elegance DSP, and it’s one of my favorites. The colors are rich and the designs are earthy and neutral.
Accessories: Big Boss, Exposed Brick 3D Embossing Folder, Earthen Treasures dies, Earthen Elegance Designer Series paper, Best Label punch, 3/8″ Textured Ribbon, Blending Brush
These papers mix well, but they stand alone quite admirably too. More to come on that!
I used the Exposed Brick 3D EF (my new favorite) and added a little age with the blending brush and Pebbled Path ink. This Embossing Folder works well with both top or bottom faces. I used the Best Label punch to finish the end of my sentiment panel.
The sentiments in Earthen Textures are also complimentary, so I’ve added a little message inside with an extra die cut. This design would make a great masculine card, perfect for a birthday or Father’s Day.
Trust me, you can make this card! While there are multiple layers, none of them are difficult. Shop the Online Store for supplies.
There’s a Designer Series Paper sale in June! 15% off select papers – including Earthen Elegance! Shop early to avoid any disappointment.
It’s a great time to become a demonstrator! Join my team and create the opportunity you want. Select your choice of product valued at $155 for just $99 and you can be a happy shopper, enjoy early access to upcoming products, and save on every Stampin’ Up! purchase you make! If you choose, you can build a business, but that’s not a requirement. Try it out risk free – JOIN TODAY.
Be sure to subscribe by June 10th for your Craft Escape in a box! The June kit features 9 elegant, detailed cards. This is a card kit with an option to purchase coordinating dies while supplies last. You must be a subscriber to purchase the dies.
Paper Pumpkin subscriptions deliver ready-to-go projects to your doorstep every month, but you have ultimate control to skip or cancel 😱 if you decide it’s not for you. Stampin’ Up! also features an exclusive collection of kits that don’t require a subscription. Visit the Online Store to see what’s available.
There’s a new card challenge on Instagram, hosted by the very talented @MartinMayhem. He’s a Stampin’ Up! Artisan and has come up with 30 days of card prompts to keep us inspired.
I’m not very good at challenges because I have consistency issues. Today’s card is a case in point: this is the prompt from Day 3, which was, oh, I don’t know, a few days ago. But hey, there’s a pandemic on, I’ll make my own schedule. RIGHT?
I wanted to soften that Whisper White card stock just a little. I experimented with a couple of techniques and came up with the idea of the Stamping Sponge. You can layer the color and it keeps the image crisp, unlike watercoloring that blurs the edge.
I added a few leaves on the inside too. That leaf is from Timeless Tropical rather than the Rooted in Nature leaf, as I preferred the serrated edge for this card. If you look closely, you’ll see a little line detail on the Garden Green strip between the two sets of leaf panels.
Martin Stone is a Stampin’ Up! Artisan and you can find him – and his challenge – on Instagram @martinmayhem. You might be inspired to try one of his challenges too! He’s quite generous about timing, so pick a day, any day, and make a card!
If you need supplies, the Stampin’ Up! warehouse is still shipping! Shop HERE.
I’ve taken a summer blogging break, but I’ve been creating with a lot of energy. I needed a breather!
Last month, one of my groups asked to make Manly Cards. They’re really not difficult, but it does take a different mindset. I enjoyed the challenge and discovered that once I switched off the flowers-and-birdies reflex, it was a lot of fun! An easy place to begin is with A Good Man, one of the new stamps sets in the Stampin’ Up! 2019-2020 Annual catalog.
This card is notably plain. I find most embellishments are too, well, embellishmenty for a Manly Card. A little linen thread wouldn’t hurt here, but I honestly felt it was just right, just as it was. I think the gingham pattern on the DSP added enough interest.
One of the things I love about gingham is the even character of the pattern. Yes, I took the time to cut it so that the same row appeared on each edge, and yes, I measured my center panel so it would fit just so. I’m not an engineer (heaven forbid, we have plenty of those in my family, enough is enough), but I do love symmetry.
This image is really simple to color. I try to work with the lines that Stampin’ Up! gives me to guide me in my dark-to-light balance. It helps to imagine the sun shining from one side or the other, but I’m not seeking perfection here, just a pleasing appearance.
I colored quite a few of these and used different combinations and background papers. This is another retired paper from the Nature’s Poem series, and I think this is a perfect way to use up that stash. (Confess it: you have one too.)
Don’t forget – there are just two more days to earn Bonus Days vouchers!
The Maui Stamper 