Pop Up Flip Card Technique

Hello and welcome to For the Love of Stamping. Today's post is all about interactive fun fold cards. Here we have a Pop Up Flip card technique that I learned from a post by Sam Calcott. The fun is all in the center piece that when you open the card it pops down through the center and turns the card into a easel card!  How fun is that?!?

I decided to use a bundle that hasn't had a lot of love since I bought it. The bundle is Let's Set Sail. It comes with a photopolymer stamp set and punch. 

It can be tricky to line of the stamps with the punch so I thought I would share with you a little trick. All you need to do is take a scrap piece of cardstock and the punch to create a template. Once you have create the template all you need to do is place the stamps inside the coordinating opening and place a block on top. And voila!  Perfectly aligned.

The sunset was created with ink and blending brushes - overlapping the pink and yellow to make a coral color.

Happy stamping!

Hugs, Tracie

Spinning Pinwheel Card Technique

Here is a pretty easy card to make that will WOW your friends.  It is a spinning pinwheel card. It is an interactive card where the center piece rotates while the base and sentiment remain still. Inspiration for this card came from Sam Calcott

Here are the cardstock measurements for the card

Layer	Color/DSP	Measurements	Notes
Cut	Basic White Highland Heather Hues of Happiness Basic White Highland Heather Hues of Happiness Dandy Designs	6” x 12” 5 ¾” x 5 ¾” 5 ½” x 5 ½” 3 ½” x 3 ½” 3 ¼” x 3 ¼” 1 ½” x 1 ½” 1 ½” x 1 ½”	1 piece- score in half. 1 piece to mat the front. 1 piece to layer on top. 2 square pieces for the base star shape 2 square pieces to layer on top. 4 pieces for the pin wheel. 4 pieces for the pin wheel.

Here are the measurements for the envelope

Layer	Color/DSP	Measurements	Instructions
Base	Dandy Designs DSP	8 ½” x 11	1. Score on 8 ½” edge @ 1” & 7 ½” 2. Score on the 11” edge @ 6 ½” 3. Trim corners 4. Burnish score lines. 5. Add adhesive to rectangle section as shown here.
Flap	Fresh Freesia	6 ⅜”  x 5”	1. Score on 5” at 3” 2. Apply adhesive to back side in the 2” section 3. Use a decorative border punch along 6 ⅜” edge of 3” section. 4. Slide the 2” section into the base aligning to score line of the flap piece with the top edge of the base.

Happy stamping!

Hugs, Tracie

Key to My Heart - Alternative Paper Pumpkin Card

So if you know me, I tend not to follow instructions and can't help myself to change things up. Case in point, check out this completely see through card I made with the Key to my Heart Jan. 2023 Paper Pumpkin kit!

When I first received the kit in the mail I was a bit disenchanted with it. It didn't quite fit "my style". And what is funny is that I thought that I had suspended the Jan. kit - but obviously I was mistaken. Well you know what they say, when you are given lemons... make lemonade.... and that is what I have done.

Here is are the sample ideas that come with the kit.

The kit contains enough supplies to make 9 cards with envelops.

There is a spool of twine and a Fresh Freesia ink spot (I do LOVE this color) along with some die cuts to make the cards. 

With my love for purple I was immediately drawn to the Fresh Freesia & gold card base - so pretty! 

Recently I stumbled across a fun card idea called "Completely See Through" card technique and was inspired to create this card using the Key to My Heart kit.

I started with the card base and die cut through the front and the back in one pass with my die cutting machine and the stitched sweetheart die from in the Love and Happiness bundle (retired). 

Next, I cut a white layer for the inside and line it up in the card and die cut a matching heart.

I then added a layer of window sheet to the inside bottom panel and covered it with the layer of white. This gave my a place to add the "Love you" die cut (Nothing Better Than bundle). I finished the card with a double Fresh Freesia bow, some tiny hearts (die cut from the Cracker & Treat dies) and some gold sequins. 

Here is a view of the card that shows that it is see through. 

This was such a fun card to make. I really love that you can see through the card and that the die cut words look like they are floating freely. 

I hope I have inspired you to look passed the instructions and venture out to create something magical!

I am looking forward to next month's paper pumpkin kit as it coordinates with the Playing in the Rain bundle from the Jan - April 2023 mini catalogue.

Subscribe to Paper Pumpkin here

 

Happy stamping!

Hugs,

Tracie

Ink Blending Tips and Tricks

Hello and welcome! Today I am sharing with you the Ink Blending technique. I love ink blending backgrounds and seeing what colors appear as you mix different ones together. Here I have experimented with Tahitian Tide (top) and Highland Heather (bottom). The color they create is this really pretty purple (center). 

Now one thing to keep in mind is the more intense you apply the colors (i.e. the heavier your hand) the more intense the intersecting colors become. Here I have used a fairly light hand to apply the 2 base colors because I wanted to then overlay a stencil and use the same colors with a much heavier hand to make the dots pop.

Something else I want to share with you are a couple of tips I do when blending ink.

1. I like to blend on a glass surface - a plastic surface works as well.
2. Always start off the paper when you begin blending.
3. Using a glass surface will allow you to minimize ink wastage. What I mean by that is that the ink stays on the surface of the glass and as you blend your ink you can pull that excess onto the card. That being said, however, be careful not to drag your hand through the ink. 
4. Once your are finished blending, wipe up the excess from your glass mat.

I hope these tips help you!

Happy stamping!

Hugs, Tracie

Love Cats - Sending Hugs

I love this image from the Love Cats stamp set (Jan - April 2023 mini). So playful and adorable. 

Every once in  while it is nice to know that someone is thinking of you and this card sends a hug in the mail. 

I have used the Love Cats stamp set to stamp the cat. To get the black super crisp I used the Stamp-A-Ratus and stamped twice (inking in between). This little cutie was fussy cut and popped up on dimensionals. 

The sentiment is from Peek-a-boo Friends and the DSP is Dandy Designs (free SAB with a net $120 qualifying order). 

Happy stamping! Stay warm!

Hugs, Tracie

Playing in the Rain Magical Marquee Card

Hello and thanks for stopping by! Today's post features a cool interactive card!

Interactive cards are always fun and can be challenging to make. They take patience, especially if you are changing up the measurements. Getting it just right may take several attempts, but in the end, the effort is totally worth it. It's that moment that after you have tweaked, ripped apart, reassembled and tweaked again that it finally comes together that you feel vindicated!

I first saw this technique back in 2009 and I followed the instructions to a tee. The result (at the time in my mind) was mind blowing. Well now 14 years later, I have decided to re-do this technique but change it up by changing the size of the window that is revealed as you open the card as well the design. Over the years my abilities as a crafter have evolved. I create way more elaborate, more intricate, more layered, more advanced projects. I can't help it..... I am an avid crafter!

So today, I have stepped up my 2009 card and created this version of the magical marquee card. I have used the Playing in the Rain suite as the basis for the card and included other products to make it complete.

I am very pleased with how this turned out and am feeling accomplished! And now the next attempt at this card will be much easier and take less time.

  

Happy stamping!

Hugs, Tracie

Adorable Owls Slimline - I Love Hanging With You

Hello and welcome!  With Sale-A-Bration under way, I am excited to share with you today's card. It is a slimline card featuring the Adorable Owls stamp set from the Jan/Feb. Sale-A-Bration catalog. I absolutely love this stamp set.

This past week, I participated in a global virtual catalogue party as part of the Crafty Collaborations group. Today I am sharing with you the card that I presented during the launch. I will post the video below.

To make this card I have used the following supplies

Cardstock: Fresh Freesia, Basic Black, Basic White, 2022 - 2024 In Color Glimmer Paper & Dandy Designs DSP
Stamp Sets: Adorable Owls, Love Cats (sentiment)
Dies: Playing in the Rain, Basic Borders
Stampin Blends: SU Medium Blends, Tahitian Tide, Parakeet Party, Black, So Saffron
Ink: Tahitian Tide, Highland Heather, White Craft

Please enjoy my video tutorial for this card.

You can order all the supplies for this card here  

Happy stamping!

Hugs, Tracie

Playing in the Rain Sunshine to Brighten Your Day

Hello and Happy 2023!! I would like to wish you the best for an amazing new year. EEKK! Have you seen the new Playing in the Rain Suite in the Jan. - April mini catalog?

OMG!!! So stinkin' cute!! Just look at the expression on the bunny's face!  He looks so happy! What follows rain??? A rainbow!  I just had to create a card with one to complete the look of this card.

So here is how I made this card

• Card base is white with a shadow layer of black and another layer of white for the working layer.
• I die cut the rainbow (Rainbow Builder die set - retired) in white and colored with Stampin' Blends (Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Parakeet Party, Tahitian Tide, Highland Heather and finally, Orchid Oasis).
• I created a cloud template using Basic Borders dies and Tahitian Tide. 
• I die cut the clouds from the Rain or Shine DSP 
• The bunny was stamped from Playing in the Rain and die cut with the coordinating dies. I colored him with Stampin' Blends - Highland Heather, Neutral Stampin' Blend SU1000 and Smoky Slate. 
• The bow tie was die cut from the Playing in the Rain dies - 2022 - 2024 In Color Glimmer Paper
• The flower field at the bottom of the card is one of the sheets in the Rain or Shine DSP pack
• Finally the sentiment is from Sending Smiles bundle

How can you resist not getting this adorable suite? Order it all here

Happy stamping, 

Hugs, Tracie

Decorative Boarders Birthday

Decorative Borders

Back in November 2022 I attended a Stampin' Up! On Stage event where I received the Decorative 
Border stamp set for free. Until now, I haven't played with it but was inspired by Tania Tobin to make this card. I changed up a few things from her card like the colours of the cardbase & sentiment and added a bow & Opal Rounds. 

This is an easy card to make and I hope you give it a try.

You will need

• Decorative Borders & Biggest Wish stamp set
• Basic White, Soft Seafoam and Fresh Freesia cardstock
• Memento, Shaded Spruce & Soft Seafoam ink
• Fresh Freesia & Shaded Spruce Stampin' Blends
• Fresh Freesia Open Weave ribbon and 2021 - 2023 In Color Opal Rounds
• Painted Labels dies

Happy stamping!

Hugs, Tracie

Adorable Owls - Life is Better

Back again with another Adorable Owl card. I just can't get enough of these cuties.  

I started by creating a cloud background on my white working layer with a template I made with the Basic Border dies, a blending brush and ink.

I then stamped the branches (Decorative Borders stamp set) twice in Memento and colored with Granny Apple Stampin' Blends.

The owls were stamped and fussy cut and then colored with Stampin' Blends. 

The flower and butterflies are from the Elephant Parade dies and the sentiment (Peekaboo Farm) was stamped in white craft ink and embossed with white embossing powder.

Hope you enjoyed today's post.

Happy stamping!

Hugs, Tracie

Dainty Designs Designer Series Paper - Simple and Elegant

You know, it doesn't always have to be OTT (over the top) to be elegant. Check out the Dainty Designs DSP that you can earn for free with a qualifying order during the Jan/Feb 2023 Sale-A-Bration event. Not only is is super pretty paper, but it makes for quick cards that are elegant and don't require a lot of effort to make.

My project today was inspired by a talented demonstrator, Gail Ellis. I created 2 cards with the same layout but changed the colors to show you how a simple color change can really change the appearance of the card.

The card on the left uses a purple & blue color scheme. The base is Starry Sky and the scallop oval is Orchid Oasis.

Whereas the card on the right has a softer approach and uses a white base and Fresh Freesia scallop oval.

Which do you prefer? I am leaning towards  the one on the right.

I hope you enjoyed today's projects. Be sure to get this DSP with a qualifying net $60 order during SAB.  You will love it.

Happy stamping!

Hugs, Tracie

Beautifully Happy Sale-a-bration

What a lovely floral stamp set! It is FREE with a qualifying SAB order between Jan 2023 - Feb 2023.

The set is called Beautifully Happy and is a distinctive stamp. Here I have stamped the image in memento ink, fussy cut it and then stamped the centers - the flowers are Gorgeous Grape (stamp off first) & the leaves are Shaded Spruce (stamp off first). I used Wink of Stella over the surface of the flowers to give them some sparkle and a Gorgeous Grape Glossy Dot in the center of the large flower.

I framed the image with the Deckled Rectangle dies in Fresh Freesia. And finally added 3 more glossy dots - they were light blue and I colored them with a dark Shaded Spruce Stampin' Blends.

Get all the details on the product I used here

Happy stamping!

Hugs, Tracie

Love Cats - I Miss You

If you are a cat lover this is the stamp set for you! Available starting Jan. 5th, 2023, Love Cats is an adorable set for the cat lover in you. Great for any occasion. 

For today's project I chose to pair it with the Alphabet a la Mode dies and added my signature touch of white polka dots to the letters. 

This little cutie is hanging out on a brick wall looking melancholy for his cat momma or papa. This card could be sent to a friend, sibling, parent just to name a few. The image was stamped using the Stamparatus (stamped a couple of time to ensure great coverage) and then fussy cut. 

The brick wall is an embossing folder (Brick & Mortar) that I laid across only half of the white cardstock and then I dragged a Gray Granite ink pad over the surface to add the texture and color depth.

I have created a hue of blue around the cat for color and added a bow tie that I die cut from 2022 - 2024 Tahitian Tide glimmer paper.

View all the supplies here 

Happy stamping,

Hugs, Tracie

Mini Catalog Virtual Launch Party - Jan. 5th & 6th

 

Join the party on Jan. 5th, 2023 to see brand new product demonstrations from the Jan - April and Sale-A-Bration mini catalog. All demonstrations have been prerecorded and will play through Youtube! Don't miss out! There are over 50 demonstrations from all over the world!

My presentation will play at 5pm on Jan 5th.  If you can't join as the videos are posted, they will be available for replay.

Event details are here on Facebook

Ginkgo Branch Sunset Silhouette

Today's post is a combination of a couple of ideas from 2 cards that I recently posted. 

• Adorable Owls Alphabet a la Mode  - white polka dots on black cardstock
• Adorable Owls Magnetic Slider - background

Here I created an ink blended background using Polished Pink, Mango Melody & Daffodil Delight and blending brushes. I die cut the Ginkgo Branches from black cardstock and then used a gel pen to add the white polka dots for texture.

The sentiment is from the Ginkgo Branch bundle which I stamped in black ink on white cardstock.

Order the products used on this card here.  

Happy stamping!

Hugs, Tracie