Category Archives: Tips and Techniques

FRIENDLY SEAGULLS: THANKS

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I grew up in Santa Barbara, California, and seagulls were the bird-soundtrack of our beach days. Their noisy calls and antics are a big part of my memory, and I still love to watch the rascals when I visit home. Needless to say, Friendly Seagulls (SAB 2025) was a must.

  • Stamps: Friendly Seagulls (SAB 25)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Wild Wheat, Poppy Parade, Gray Granite
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Perennial Postage dies, Mini Corrugated 3D Embossing Folder, Mini Alphabet dies, Wild Wheat Jute Twine, Toadstool Garden DSP (SAB 25), Stampin’ Dimensionals

The Mini Alphabet dies are the BEST!!! One crank of the Stamp Cut Emboss Machine and you have all the letters PLUS extras of the ones you use the most. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

If you live anywhere near seagull habitat, you need these stamps. If you vacation near seagull habitat, you also need these stamps. If you just like a lot of sass and attitude, well, you can guess what I’m gonna say. See them in the Online Store. But don’t wait too long – Sale-a-bration is winding down! You’ve got until February 28th.

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CORNER IN BLOOM: BEAUTIFUL BEGINNINGS

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Today’s Corner in Bloom is a square card, a format I don’t often use because it requires a special envelope and extra postage. But this card just begged to be a square, and I couldn’t say no. (Please don’t judge me for talking to my projects.)

  • Stamps: Corner in Bloom (SAB 25), Something Fancy
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Daffodil Delight, Lemon Lolly, Granny Apple Green
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Stylish Shapes dies, Fern 3D Embossing Folder, Stampin’ Blends, Low-profile dots, Gold Open Weave trim, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Corner Rounder (retired)

As much as these flowers needed Daffodil Delight, that color was too much as the mat behind the colored image. I chose Lemon Lolly instead, and it’s surprising how much difference a small adjustment like that makes.

This layout is super simple – really just a bunch of stacked squares – but it makes great use of these beautiful corner stamps. Shop the Online Store for your own Corner In Bloom.

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SENDING LOVE WITH PERENNIAL POSTAGE

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I’m crossing my fingers that the Perennial Postage dies stick around for a while. I especially like the look I get when I mask off the edges. They were perfect for this special Galentine:

  • Stamps: Sending Love
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Petal Pink, Flirty Flamingo, Coastal Cabana
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Perennial Postage dies, Petal Pink Trim, Masking Paper, Blending Brushes, Low Profile Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I masked the edges of the large die cut to create that “postage stamp” look. I also masked off the mailbox and the circle in the middle of the “postmark”. I’ll tell you a secret: masking the mailbox was to make it easier. 😉 I used the Blending Brushes to create the backgrounds, and let me tell you, they are SO forgiving!

The sentiments in Sending Love are perfect. I like to use this one on the back of the envelope, too.

Hope your Valentines’ Day is sweet!

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PRETTY IN PINK SLICE AND SLIDE

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Can you stand one more Slice and Slide card? This one is very girly, all Pretty in Pink. I love working with In Colors because they are packed into so many collections – card stock, Designer Series Paper, markers, embellishments, you name it. It makes coordination so easy.

  • Stamps: Layers of Beauty, Bee My Valentine
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Pretty in Pink, Petunia Pop, Soft Seafoam
  • Accessories: 24-26 In Color Designer Series Paper, Stampin’ Blends, 24-26 In Color Shimmer Gems, Stampin’ Dimensionals

This is only half of the Layers of Beauty stamp, but using it this way leaves plenty of room for the sentiment. I slipped some Petunia Pop in there with Pretty in Pink because, well, it needed the POP!

Layers of Beauty is a 24-25 Annual Catalog bundle. It comes with stamps, dies and a set of masks designed to making the shading easy. I chose to use Stampin’ Blends for this card, but the masks are simple to use and do a beautiful job.

I know it’s only February, but it’s time to start thinking about the end of the 24-25 Annual Catalog. (Sorry, it’s the way my brain works.) If you’ve been meaning to add this bundle to your shopping cart, Sale-a-bration is a great time to do that. If Layers of Beauty is available after the catalog ends, it will most likely not be available as a bundle. Just sayin’.

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SLICE AND SLIDE FUN FOLD: TERRIFIC TOADSTOOLS

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Here’s another Slice and Slide card featuring the Terrific Toadstools stamps and the coordinating Designer Series Paper available during Sale-a-bration 2025:

  • Stamps: Terrific Toadstools, Seaside Wishes
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Granny Apple Green, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Smoky Slate
  • Accessories: Toadstool Builder Punch, Toadstool Gardens DSP (SAB 2025), Stampin’ Dimensionals

Seaside Wishes has the Goldilocks “dits”: not too big, not too small, but juuuuuust right.

This fund fold looks a lot more complicated than it is. There’s more information HERE.

Toadstool Gardens 6×6″ Designer Series paper is only available during Sale-a-bration 2025, and if it runs out, that’s the end of that story. The colors are vibrant and the designs are versatile – there are fun designs that coordinate with the stamps, but there are also dots and strips and backgrounds, oh my! Shop the bundle in the Online Store and add the DSP for free with a qualifying purchase.

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HAPPY HIBISCUS WITH THE FOREVER PLAID EMBOSSING FOLDER

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Happy Hibiscus looks great in shades of yellow, but don’t you think it’s gorgeous in Fresh Freesia?

  • Stamps: Happy Hibiscus, Ice Cream Swirl (sentiment)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Fresh Freesia, Petunia Pop, Highland Heather, Lemon Lime Twist, Granny Apple Green
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Happy Hibiscus dies and Hybrid Embossing Folder, Forever Plaid 3D Embossing Folder, Changing Leaves dies, Iridescent 1/2″ trim, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Paper Snips

I did a bit of fussy cutting on the sentiment and set it on the small oval from Changing Leaves. I added Iridescent 1/2″ trim to soften the leaves – it’s a beautiful accent trim.

Happy Hibiscus is an Online Exclusive– search for it by name in the Online store and add it to your crafty toolbox!! It’s a great choice for Sale-a-bration 😉

(Between the two of us, I bought an extra bundle for myself just in case I lose anything. This one is a keeper!)

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DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: FEBRUARY 2025

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Welcome to the second DIY Calendar Blog Hop of 2025. I hope you’re ready for some inspiration from our crafty calendar crew!

I am smitten with the Floral Delight Suite, but I’ve primarily worked with the yellow tones of the DSP. It was time to branch out (get it???) and try a new color combination. I’m loving the lavenders!

  • Stamps: Delightful Wishes, Elements of Text
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Bubble Bath, Fresh Freesia, Pecan Pie, Gray Granite
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Delightful Wishes dies, Rainbow Adhesive Backed Dots, Masking Paper, Stampin’ Dimensionals, DIY Calendar template

This branch can be die cut or stamped, and for the calendar I wanted the extra lift of the die cut. Adding each blossom takes a little more time, but I hope you like the end result. I don’t think I would do this for a stack of cards, but it’s no problem for a little calendar page.

And for the record, I LOVE LOVE LOVE our new Elements of Text stamps. Trust me when I tell you that you NEED this stamps set!!

I created this “cheat sheet” for the floral spray if you prefer to stamp them. The stamps are mounted on blocks and each block is numbered. The number is placed at the top of the block to make it easier to line up the flowers. I designed the cheat sheet for THIS project.

How do you like Delightful Wishes in lavenders? It’s a completely different feeling, much more calm and gentle versus the happy exuberance of shades of yellow.

Click the button to see what Cheryl, Malia and Sharon have in store for this month. Thanks for visiting today!

DIY Calendar Blog Hop

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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SPOTLIGHT ON NATURE VALENTINE

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Do you have trouble sending cards – and sending them on time? I am working on a new system featuring our gorgeous new Perpetual Calendar, but in order to make it work I need to have cards made. Why are the obvious things so hard?

  • Stamps: Bee My Valentine, Elements of Text, Happy Hibiscus, Spotlight on Nature
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Bubble Bath, Petunia Pop, Pretty in Pink, Shy Shamrock
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Spotlight on Nature dies, Happy Hibiscus dies, Watercolor Pencils, Petunia Pop Bordered Ribbon, 24-26 In Color Shimmer Gems, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I used a lot of different stamps to add visual texture, including the glorious Elements of Text. Have you added it to your crafty stash? You’re going to love it, I promise.

These colors aren’t super traditional, but they’re not too far off. What do you think? Do they work?

And do yourself a favor: add Elements of Text to your shopping cart and push the button. You’ll be so glad you did.

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ADORING HEARTS VALENTINE

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The Adoring Hearts Hybrid Embossing Folder is a bit of a sleeper. Just look at these gorgeous hearts – and the folder cuts out 9 at a time! Who knew? The Annual Catalog is full of surprises.

  • Stamps: Delightful Wishes, Bee My Valentine (inside)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Petal Pink, Flirty Flamingo, Poppy Parade
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Adoring Hearts Hybrid Embossing Folder, Country Lace DSP, Scoring Tool, Stampin’ Dimensionals

The white panel on the front of the card has a tab that slips between the Poppy Parade card base and the DSP. I used Tear ‘n Tape (aka TNT) on both sides of the tab to make sure it stayed put. Once it was secure, I added the layers of Flirty Flamingo and Poppy Parade.

This is a perfect Valentine for someone you love, but see often enough that there’s nothing more to say than “Happy Valentine’s Day”. There’s just enough room to sign your name with a bunch of X’s and O’s.

Go check out that Hybrid Embossing Folder. The hearts pop out in an assortment of designs and you’ll have a gorgeous stack to play with in a heartbeat. Throw in a package of Country Lace DSP while you’re at it – it goes with absolutely everything. And don’t forget – Sale-a-bration runs through February 28th. Get your free stuff cuz you deserve it.

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SLICE AND SLIDE FUN FOLD: FRUIT SALAD

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Fruit Salad Designer Series Paper has the perfect set of patterns for this clever fun fold card. You’ll have so much fun mixing and matching designs!

  • Stamps: Spotlight on Nature, Everyday Greetings, Greetings of the Season
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Coastal Cabana, Old Olive, Pecan Pie
  • Accessories: Fruit Salad Designer Series paper (SAB ’25), Paper Trimmer, Water Painter, 24-26 In Color Shimmer Gems, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I love the leaves from Spotlight on Nature. They’re elegant enough to stand alone, but they are subtle enough to work as a background. I used a Water Painter to blur the ink a bit after I stamped them.

This card is a direct CASE from one of Rachel Tessman’s Mystery Stamping events. Follow the link for detailed instructions, but the basic concept is to measure halfway down the right side of the front panel of the card and cut a diagonal piece to the lower left corner. That piece is rotated up the left side of the card, forming an asymetrical card front. Measure coordinating pieces of Designer Series Paper (Fruit Salad, in this case) to layer the card front and the rotated piece. Add a sentiment panel over the assembled card front and embellish.

These are absolutely addictive to make! The possibilities are endless, and the DSP is the star of the show. I may or may not have a somewhat excessive collection of DSP that needs to be used ASAP, and I’ve been slicing and sliding for a few days.

Rachel has very detailed instructions, so head over to her post if you need more specifics. If you need DSP, (come ON, you know you do), shop the Online Store. Be sure you take a good look at Fruit Salad, available for free with a qualifying order during Sale-a-bration 2025.

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