Tag Archives: Elements of Text

USING CONEFLOWERS WITH COLLAGE STYLE BACKGROUNDS

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I love this coneflower image, but it’s big. It fills a card front pretty quickly, so I decided to focus on the background. After a few tries, I hit on the idea of a medley of background stamps. I had a pretty big mess on the my craft desk when I was done!

  • Stamps: Coneflower, Beautiful Motifs, Textured Notes, Elements of Text (retired)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Peach Pie, Timid Tiger, Old Olive, Pecan Pie
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Coneflower dies,Stampin’ Blends, Masking Paper, Stampin’ Dimensional

Both flowers are colored with Stampin’ Blends and cut with the Coneflower dies, but one is adhered directly to the card front and one is on Stampin’ Dimensionals. Is it even possible to make a card without Stampin’ Dimensionals?

I played with the layers for the collage for quite a white. I haven’t done much collage, so it takes a long time for me to find the color, shape and textural combination. There was a lot of trial and error, but isn’t that what crafting is all about??

Find yourself a nice big image and play with the background. Then come back an tell me how you did!

In the meantime, shop the Online Store.

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MAKING MANLY CARDS: USE YOUR DESIGNER SERIES PAPER!

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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
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Textured Notes dies, Linen Thread, Stampin’ Dimensionals

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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CHARMING DAY MEETS ELEMENTS OF TEXT

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I’m still working on using my DSP, but I’ve moved into current releases. Floral Charm has beautiful saturated florals, with gorgeous tone-on-tone coordinating patterns on the reverse. It’s an effortless paper that makes card design such a joy.

  • Stamps: Charming Day, Elements of Text, retired sentiment
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Petal Pink, Timid Tiger, Mossy Meadow
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut + Emboss Machine, Spotlight on Nature dies, Charming Day dies, 2 3/8” circle punch, Floral Charm DSP, Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Write Marker, Petal Pink Braided Trim, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I was very sad to see Elements of Text on the Last Chance list, so I’m pulling it out every chance I get. I’ve stamped off the Petal Pink ink here to get a softer background. You could also use Versamark ink if you wanted it even more subtle.

CONFESSION: I could have used the sentiment from Charming Day, but you have to ink the words separately and align them on the circle, and this perfectly-good-but-retired stamp was sitting on my craft desk saying “choose me!!”

So I did.

I added a few speckles to the Basic White circle with a Stampin’ Write Marker – just flick the brush against the cap for a light spatter. And that Petal Pink trim unravels quite easily, keeping some wave in the strands for a soft accent.

Elements of Text is on the Last Chance List so don’t wait too long to order! Charming Day is part of the Floral Charm Suite, an Online Exclusive from the July 2025 release. Happy shopping!

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PATTERNS OF FRIENDSHIP: THE BIG DIE YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED

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I initially overlooked Patterns of Friendship because the stamps didn’t stand up and shout at me. But when I started seeing projects with this amazing texture, I went back to the Online Store and looked again, and there she was: the Patterns of Friendship die.

  • Stamps: Gallery Blooms, Elements of Text, Country Flowers (retired)
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Cloud Cover, Fresh Freesia, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Patterned Friendship dies, Gallery Blooms dies, Textured Notes dies, Stylish Shapes dies, Cloud Cover Faux Linen Ribbon, Floral Impressions DSP, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Have you added one of the In Color Faux Linen Ribbons to your crafty stash? Oh, my – it’s gorgeous! I sliced this one lengthwise and used just a single strand to secure the bundle. That keeps the bow a little softer and mailing-friendly.

Gallery Blooms are perfect for coloring, and I used Stampin’ Blends this time. This closeup reveals a little detail: I used a scrap of Floral Impressions DSP behind the sentiment. It’s a little extra bit of texture in a card that’s already bursting with texture.

The Patterns of Friendship die is 6″ x 6″ so you can cut your panel to run either horizontally or vertically. If you look closely, you’ll see that the rows of little dots are balanced so that a 4″ card stock panel lands exactly between the rows. I love those kind of (semi-OCD) details.

I’m a bit of a texture nerd, so you can imagine how pleased I am with this new die. (Bonus: when you peel the card stock off the die, it makes a very satisfying noise.) There are multiple layers here: the dies, the paper layers, the DSP, and that big crazy ribbon. Have fun with it! You can find everything you need in the Online Store.

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COLOUR CHALLENGES: COLOUR INKSPIRATION #189

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My friends at Colour INKspirations know how to set up a proper challenge! This combination was a tough one, as Melon Mambo generally doesn’t get much my attention. But by toning it down using daubers, I came up with a project that met the challenge!

  • Stamps: Impressions Abloom, Elements of Text, Perfectly Pears, Inspiring Imperfections
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Darling Duckling, Melon Mambo, Cloud Cover, Secret Sea
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Impressions Abloom dies, Perennial Postage dies, Gallery Blooms dies, Exposed Brick 3D Embossing Folder, Kintsugi Inspirations DSP, Dauber, White Bakers Twine, Wink of Stella, Fine Tip Glue pen, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Here’s the inspiration photo. I knew right away I was going to have to be “INKspired” to work in that Melon Mambo! And while I adore Secret Sea, it’s a very bold color, so I used it sparingly as an accent.

Looking for elements for this card, I pulled out some treasures that are still available but have been sidelined in favor of newer releases. That 3D Exposed Brick EF is one of my absolute GO-TO elements. White Bakers twine is too, although it will never replace my beloved Linen Twine.

I used our Fine Tip Glue pen to add shine to the centers of those flowers. They have a little Cloud Cover daubed in the center to soften the white-white-white and tie in with the background DSP. My FTGP has lost its Fine Tip, so I unscrew the cap and use my trusty bamboo skewer to paint the glue over the circle. The skewer lets me control the amount I apply but doesn’t leave brush strokes or messy cleanup.

Cloud Cover ink has been a bit of a heartbreak, as it turns out the formula reacts with the foam in our ink pads, causing instability. The solution is to use one of our un-inked spots and Cloud Cover Ink Refill. It takes a bit longer to ink larger stamps, but I think it’s worth the effort!

There’s still a little time to join the challenge. It closes at 7pm Monday AEST (remember, for the US they are a day ahead). I’d love to see what you do with Melon Mambo!

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IMPRESSIONS ABLOOM DOUBLE GATE FOLD

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Do you like making Fun Fold cards? This one is super easy. Plus, if you follow my color choices, you’ll have a VERRRY GIRRLY card for that friend – you know the one – that LOVES pink!

  • Stamps: Impressions Abloom, Elements of Text
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Garden Green, Pretty in Pink, Strawberry Slush, Melon Mambo, Lemon Lolly
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Impressions Abloom dies, Textured Notes dies, Floral Impressions DSP, In Color DSP, Bordered Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals

The Textured Notes dies step up any project. Every size has a different design around the edge, but they all coordinate. They’re one of my absolute Go-To products.

Here are the basic dimensions for the gate fold:

  • Cut a card base to 5 1/2″ x 11″
  • Score at 2″, 3 3/4″, 7 1/4″ and 9″
  • Add DSP panels (with or without mats) to each side. This version uses mats that are 1/4″ smaller for length and width from the card base panel, and DSP that are another 1/4″ than the mat.

I adhered ribbon under the center panel. The panel itself is adhered with sticky strip to the left front panel and the ribbon wraps around the entire card.

See the new Floral Impressions Suite in the Online Store.

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Last Chance Craft Bundle: Attention Shoppers Review

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Welcome to my April Last Dance/Last Chance series! Today’s Last Chance bundle is Attention Shoppers, and I’m playing with that shopping cart. I used the same basic layout, but ended up with two rather different cards. See what you think.

  • Stamps: Attention Shoppers, Elements of Text, Translucent Florals
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Smokey Slate, Flirty Flamingo, Peach Pie
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Attention Shoppers dies, Deckle Circle dies (retired), Stampin’ Blends, Stampin’ Write markers, Petal Pink Scalloped Ribbon, Glue Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I die cut the bottles and shopping bag, then colored them to coordinate with my card. I’m still having a lot of fun using Stampin’ Write markers to splatter, but the only other embellishment is a tiny bow that’s held in place with a Glue Dot. The shopping cart is almost an embellishment all by itself!

Compare the first version with this second one. I’ve got plants in pots, an embossing folder as texture for the card base instead of stamped images, and some Designer Series Paper strips for additional texture. The bow is made from the 25-27 In Color Bordered Ribbon, which I cut into 3 strips and tied into a satisfyingly messy bow.

What do you think?

Either way, you’ll be happy to add Attention Shoppers stamps and dies to your crafty stash. Here’s a money saving tip: Instead of ordering the bundle, order the parts as individual items and save! Individually they’re on sale, but the bundle hasn’t been further discounted. You heard it here first!!

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DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: APRIL 2025

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Welcome to our April DIY Calendar Blog hop. Sharon, Cheryl, Malia and I hope you’ll be inspired. Our designs are designed for the DIY Easel Calendar, but you’re so crafty, we know you can do more with them. Let us know how you use our ideas!

  • Stamps: Impressions Abloom, Elements of Text
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Pretty in Pink, Boho Blue, Lemon Lime Twist, Granny Apple Green
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Impressions Abloom dies, Gold Open Weave Trim, Low-Profile dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Impressions Abloom will be available on May 5th in the Online Store. It’s part of the May 2025 Online Exclusives release, but don’t be overly concerned about that. The best way to see ALL the new things is to log onto the Online Store and click on “What’s New” – don’t worry if it’s in a catalog or an Online Exclusive, it will all be there!

I used Elements of Text (currently available) to create a muted background. The leaves are stamped on top of the text, but the flowers are each die cut and adhered to the calendar. You could mask them if you’re not a fan of die cutting, but I like the additional dimension they have when they’re an added layer.

I’ve also added a bit of the Gold Open Weave Trim and some Low-Profile dots for extra shine. I absolutely love that trim, especially for wrapping packages! It’s ideal for a card as it’s very lightweight and adds no bulk.

If you’d like the 2025 template, please contact me. Be sure to tell me that you’d like the template and that you’re a real person – you’d be amazed how much junk is out there. The template is $5 (no April Fools, just five bucks!) You can print copies for yourself. I take it to my local printer and have them print on Basic White card stock.

Thanks for stopping by! Click below to visit the other blogs on the hop.

DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP

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DOUBLE POINT CARD: WINTERLY TREETOPS

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I came across the Winterly Meadow Designer Series Paper in my craft room the other day and started to play. The card design is called Double Point, and it’s apparently been around for a while – but it’s new to me! It’s a perfect way to use our beautiful paper.

  • Stamps: Winterly Treetops, Elements of Text
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Lost Lagoon, Pool Party, Wild Wheat, Blueberry Bushel, Shaded Spruce, Pretty Peacock
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Winterly Treetop dies, Spotlight on Nature dies, Stampin’ Blends, Iridescent 1/2″ trim, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I colored this birdie with Blends to make sure there was a perfect match with the DSP. I might have gotten a little silly with the Iridescent trim – I sliced it up into little strips. Can you use your imagination? Does it look just a little bit like a nest? Humor me.

The interior panel slides right out. I’ll add a sentiment in the center when I decide to send the card. I often leave off a sentiment if it’s easy to add at the last minute to give myself options.

I’m wondering if it’s worthwhile to make a tutorial for this card. I’m away from my craft desk for a few more days, but if you’re interested, leave a comment. In the meantime, you can shop for supplies in the Online Store.

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CORNER IN BLOOM: PETUNIA POP BIRTHDAY

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Corner in Bloom is one of my favorite Sale-a-bration stamp sets, and while I’m not certain these flowers are petunias, I’m very happy to see them in Petunia Pop. These are happy flowers!

  • Stamps: Corner in Bloom (SAB 2025), With You in Mind, Elements of Text
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Memento Black, Petunia Pop, Granny Apple Green, Gray Granite
  • Accessories: Paper snips, Stampin’ Blends, 24-26 In Color DSP pack, Iridescent 1/2″ trim, 24-26 In Color Resin Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I’m gonna get real here: this didn’t work out the way I envisioned it. I’m not happy with the script from Elements of Text that was supposed to be in the background but ended up looking like I accidentally made a grocery list on my card. I tried to add it after everything else was done, and I should have taken the time to carefully mask off the sentiment and the flowers. Live and learn!

Instead, I took the time to add these flowers to the inside corners. This set comes with corners and single flowers from each corner, and it was the single flower I used to do this.

We’re halfway through February, and that means we’re on the downhill side of Sale-a-bration 2025. If you’d like to earn Corner in Bloom (or any other SAB selection) for free, head over to the Online Store and do a little shopping.

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