CHARMING (BIRTH) DAY

Have you seen Charming Day? It’s a new Online Exclusive, and yes, it’s another flower set. Telling myself “NO more flowers!” doesn’t seem to be working very well. In this case, it was the sentiments and the fonts that pushed me to Add To Cart. 😆

  • Stamps: Charming Day, Spotlight on Nature
  • Color Palette: Basic White, Strawberry Slush, Pretty in Pink, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green
  • Accessories: Stamp Cut & Emboss Machine, Charming Day dies, Impressions Abloom dies, Floral Impressions DSP, Stampin’ Blends, Blending Brush, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I used a couple of tricks to make this easy. I used a Blending Brush with Pretty in Pink ink to create a light wash of color on my Basic White card base, then added a few textural elements from Spotlight in Nature. I inked the words on the sentiment separately so that I could offset them on the card front.

I cut the DSP and the mat to size and used just a little adhesive to hold them in place, then ran them through the Big Boss together. DSP is lighter weight than card stock, so the two pieces cut through cleanly. I pulled out the center ovals, then finished adhering the card stock and DSP and added them to the card front. The stitched frame on the inside fits inside the opening, so it needs to be carefully glued into place.

The Floral Impressions DSP is all about gorgeous florals, but the “B” sides of the papers are gorgeous tone-on-tone designs. So many options! Time to get crafting, friends.

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COLOUR CHALLENGES: COLOUR INKSPIRATION #189

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

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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DIY CALENDAR BLOG HOP: APRIL 2025

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.

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