Saturday Card Sketch 832 - Zany Zebras Celebration

There's something bold, something bright in today's post!  And I've typed out a tutorial for my Zany Zebras card so that you can recreate it if you like.  The card is based on this week's Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge.  Don't forget to pin it!  Do you have a Pinterest board for sketches?  Having these ideas at the ready makes stamping so much easier!

I love the bright colors of Magenta Madness and Granny Apple Green!  The Basic Black accentuates the brightness of those two hues.  Celebration cards are easy to make with this color palette.

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Place a $35 order by midnight Sunday December 20 and I'll send you a packet to make THREE of these gift card holders (patterns will vary). ORDER HERE: http://bit.ly/ShopNicolesStore and USE HOST CODE QJXPTGRD

Select retiring products from the Holiday Catalog are being discounted up to 50%Shop my store to see everything on sale!  NOTE: if you can't find specific items in my store then that product has sold out.  Retiring products are sold while supplies last.

If you'd like a catalog package for the new January-June Mini and Sale-A-Bration catalogs, email me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com 

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Request a catalog package here, if you don't already have a demonstrator you love.
• Subscribe to Stampin' News, a weekly email that delivers fun, tips, and specials right to you.  Get a free exclusive Stampin' News Subscriber pdf tutorial as a sign-up thank you!
• Shop my store and to save money check out the Clearance Rack and Discounted Bundles.
• Use this month's Reward Code to earn points towards a $50 shopping spree - read the details here.
• Join me every Thursday at 11 AM ET for my weekly Happy Half Hour Live stamping show on my Facebook page.  

Make cards, spread joy!  Thank you, friends, for choosing me as your demonstrator!

Saturday Card Sketch 829 - Plush Poinsettia paper

As my 3 daughters get older, I'm discovering a beautiful thing - and you more seasoned parents out there will know I haven't found anything new but am merely stepping in to a new phase.  My oldest girl turned 20 yesterday and it struck me that we're relating to each other far more as friends than as parent/child.  

It's beautiful because I can stop focusing on the disciplining, correcting, and guiding and more on just being.  Being with her.  Being in her light.  Being present knowing the parental heavy lifting is done.  I love listening to her tell me about her dreams, about her friends, about her passion for photography and the business she's started with it.  About her running goals.  And I can do so knowing Brian and I did our best with God's help in raising her and that her choices are her own from here on out, that I don't bear the burden of having to decide for her.  And I trust her to make wise, godly decisions.    

That had nothing to do with stamping, but I enjoy writing and if you keep coming to my blog, I'm assuming you don't mind me sharing, either.  Thanks, friend 😀  My card today is based on the Splitcoaststampers sketch #829.  Yes, it uses some retired products but I'm a Stampin' Up! demonstrator who just loves their products, retired or not.  And while I am thoroughly grateful for the orders that come my way and love to show my appreciation, my goal is for you to enjoy stamping.

God's Peace is the set I used on this card, along with Gold Faceted Gems.  There's also a bit of Dazzling Diamonds Glitter sprinkled on the pointsettia.  

Layering the Plush Poinsettia Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP) over a Cherry Cobbler card base is a stunning look with the muted color showing through.  That narrow 3/4"x5-1/2" strip of 'Tis The Season DSP helps the eye focus on the image and sentiment.

 

Stampin' Blends - my favorite coloring tool - were used on the image.  Some things to note:

• Outline your images in a light Stampin' Blends color to make them stand out.  On this card, I used Light So Saffron and it adds a gorgeous soft glow.
• Create the warmth of candlelight with Stampin' Blends by using various shades of yellow.  I used Light & Dark Daffodil Delight and Light Mango Melody for the halo.  The flame uses Light Mango Melody with a bit of Light Pumpkin Pie at the base of the flame.

Mix up your greens, too!  The sentiment is stamped in Shaded Spruce on Soft Sea Foam cardstock.  I never imagined those 2 colors together until I saw them lying together on my desk.  Be fearless with your stamping, friends!

If you'd like a catalog package for the new January-June Mini and Sale-A-Bration catalogs, email me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com 

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Request a catalog package here, if you don't already have a demonstrator you love.
• Subscribe to Stampin' News, a weekly email that delivers fun, tips, and specials right to you.  Get a free exclusive Stampin' News Subscriber pdf tutorial as a sign-up thank you!
• Shop my store and to save money check out the Clearance Rack and Discounted Bundles.
• Use this month's Reward Code to earn points towards a $50 shopping spree - read the details here.
• Join me every Thursday at 11 AM ET for my weekly Happy Half Hour Live stamping show on my Facebook page.  

Joy in being creative, community in sharing a common interest, purpose in what we make - this is stamping at its best!  Thank you, friends, for choosing me as your demonstrator!

Saturday Card Sketch 826 - Toile Christmas Vintage Card

This week's Splitcoaststampers sketch is easy to work with and gives you the opportunity to add many layers of loveliness, whether with patterned or specialty papers or a rainbow of colored cardstock.

I went with layers of Designer Series Paper.  Specifically, the wonderfully vintage and nostalgic Toile Tidings DSP.  I also used the stamp set Toile Christmas - it has many classic images!

I LOVE piling layers on my cards and I love letting everything "fall where it may" so that it looks natural and organic.  It doesn't always work out so that it looks nice, but when it does....YES!  

See that gold lattice behind the cardinal?  That is a Square Vellum Doily heat embossed with Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder!  Just smoosh a Versamark ink pad all over a doily, sprinkle on gold powder, then melt with a Heat Tool.  Beautiful magic!  

Watch the video below to learn how to create this vintage look, how to distress your paper edges, and how to heat emboss the Square Vellum Doily.  **Note: Unknown to me, the video abruptly shut off.  Fortunately, the entire card was made and all you'll miss is me stamping the envelope.**

Pin, print, or save the tutorial for this card.  Full supply list is in this tutorial.  

November's Creativity Kit registration is open until November 10.  Read the details here.

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Use the special code shown in Thursday's Live when you email me your Creativity Kit registration and I'll send you the Bonus Idea packet for your kit!  Order both Creativity Kits and save $5 and get the packets for BOTH these Bonus Ideas!

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Request a catalog package here, if you don't already have a demonstrator you love.
• Subscribe to Stampin' News, a weekly email that delivers fun, tips, and specials right to you.  Get a free exclusive Stampin' News Subscriber pdf tutorial as a sign-up thank you!
• Shop my store and to save money check out the Clearance Rack and Discounted Bundles.
• Use this month's Reward Code to earn points towards a $50 shopping spree - read the details here.
• Join me every Thursday at 11 AM ET for my weekly Happy Half Hour Live stamping show on my Facebook page.  

Joy in being creative, community in sharing a common interest, purpose in what we make - this is stamping at its best!  Thank you, friends, for choosing me as your demonstrator!

Saturday Card Sketch 824 - I Went Crazy With This Fall Card!

 Welcome to The Joyful Stamper blog, where you'll discover that you can be creative and you can make something pretty!  I encourage you to give card making a try and know that you can always reach out to me for help.

Every Saturday, I post the weekly sketch from Splitcoaststampers (a favorite place of mine) and also show you my take on it.  The best part is that you can make what I make because I have a video and written instructions for you!

This past Monday, 3 friends and I met to stamp the day away.  We each brought a project to share (those will be shared in a future post) and this one was mine.  There are a lot of details and techniques in this autumn card, but they are easy and add up to something WOW!

The full supply list is in the clickable image at the end of this post.  I'll point out the tips and tricks.  🌞Joyful Stamper Tip #1: See those metallic leaves inside the card?  They were cut from the label on the card front (the Brushed Metallic one behind the Gilded Autumn Designer Series Paper label)!  The cut portion is covered by the top label.  This paper-saving trick stretches your use of that precious metallic paper!

🌞Joyful Stamper Tip #2: Gently separate a 6-1/2" length of Braided Linen Trim and pull out 3 strands.  Fold the trim in half and tie the 3 strands in a knot around the folded trim.  Adhere the piece beside your sentiment with a Mini Glue Dot.  Isn't that rustic look fabulous?

🌞Joyful Stamper Tip #3: After stamping the collage on Very Vanilla cardstock (images are from the Gather Together set in the Holiday catalog), run it through your Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine with the Tasteful Textiles 3D Embossing Folder.  The texture is divine - run your fingers over it and see if you don't agree!

🌞Joyful Stamper Tip #4: This tip is the one that made me most excited - use your Stampin' Blends (Pumpkin Pie and Cajun Craze in my sample) to color the large leaf image.  Before die-cutting, outline each leaf with a Dark Mint Macaron Stampin' Blend.  The effect makes those leaves pop off your card!

Pin, print, or save the tutorial for this card.  

 

GIVEAWAY!  Sign up in October to receive Paper Pumpkin and be entered to win a 1 month Paper Pumpkin prepaid code!  Subscribe with me (Nicole Steele) to be entered.

Designer Series Paper Sale

October 1 - 30 | Shop your favorites!

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Request a catalog package here, if you don't already have a demonstrator you love.
• Subscribe to Stampin' News, a weekly email that delivers fun, tips, and specials right to you.  Get a free exclusive Stampin' News Subscriber pdf tutorial as a sign-up thank you!
• Shop my store and to save money check out the Clearance Rack and Discounted Bundles.
• Use this month's Reward Code to earn points towards a $50 shopping spree - read the details here.
• Join me every Thursday at 11 AM ET for my weekly Happy Half Hour Live stamping show on my Facebook page.  

Joy in being creative, community in sharing a common interest, purpose in what we make - this is stamping at its best!  Thank you, friends, for choosing me as your demonstrator!

Saturday Card Sketch 823 -Zany Zebras Birthday Card

There are 2 ways to interpret the sketch this week - as flat triangular layers, or as an Arrow Fold card.  Since the Arrow Fold is new to me, I decided to go that route.  I made a video and wrote a tutorial so that you could make one, too!

 

The Arrow Fold is pretty easy - it's just few diagonal score lines folded into that triangular shape.  Then you use adhesive to keep the folds shut.

🌞Joyful Stamper Tip: save paper by die-cutting pieces from the center of your cardstock mats.  In this card, I die-cut the Stitched Nested Label that the zebras are on from the center of the Whisper White mat.  The cut-out portion is covered by the Just Jade Designer Series Paper.

• Cut the card base to 5-1/2"x11" and score in half on the long side at 5-1/2"
• Mark the short side at 2-3/4".
• Mark the left and right long sides at 1-7/8", 3-3/4", and 5-1/2".
• Score from the 2-3/4" mark to each of the marks on the long side, both left and right sides.  You'll have 6 diagonal score lines when you are finished (3 on the left and 3 on the right), all radiating from the 2-3/4" mark.
• Watch the video to see how it's done!

Zany Zebras makes the cutest cards!  I wanted something fun and bright for my twin nephews' 6th birthdays.  After stamping the zebras, I went over them with a Blender Pen to fill in the image a bit with the stamped ink.  This is one of my all-time favorite techniques!  Add a pack of Blender Pens to your next order and give it a try - you'll see why it's a favorite! 

 

Pin, print, or save the tutorial for this card.  Measurements and supply list are included in the tutorial.

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Place a $35 order (before shipping and tax) in my store by midnight Sunday October 18 and I'll send you the packets to make my Facebook Live projects from Thursday's class.  You must use the October Host Code 4JHNU9Z when ordering. 

GIVEAWAY!  Sign up in October to receive Paper Pumpkin and be entered to win a 1 month Paper Pumpkin prepaid code!  Subscribe with me (Nicole Steele) to be entered.

Designer Series Paper Sale

October 1 - 30 | Shop your favorites!

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Request a catalog package here, if you don't already have a demonstrator you love.
• Subscribe to Stampin' News, a weekly email that delivers fun, tips, and specials right to you.  Get a free exclusive Stampin' News Subscriber pdf tutorial as a sign-up thank you!
• Shop my store and to save money check out the Clearance Rack and Discounted Bundles.
• Use this month's Reward Code to earn points towards a $50 shopping spree - read the details here.
• Join me every Thursday at 11 AM ET for my weekly Happy Half Hour Live stamping show on my Facebook page.  

Joy in being creative, community in sharing a common interest, purpose in what we make - this is stamping at its best!  Thank you, friends, for choosing me as your demonstrator!

Saturday Card Sketch 822 - Free As A Bird Sweet & Simple Card

It's time for another card sketch from Splitcoaststampers!  I look forward to these each week because this is how I so often begin a card or scrapbook page.  Sketches are THE BEST for inspiration...big fan here!

What I see when I look at this sketch: 

• There's a large background that could showcase a piece of beautiful Designer Series Paper (some of which is on sale right now!).
• Those two vertical lines could be ribbon or twine wrapped once or twice around the card.
• I've got lots of 1/2" wide strips left over from trimming down cardstock for mats - Layer 4 would be the perfect use for them as sentiment pieces.

  

A cheerful, bright card was what I was feeling so out came this sheet from the Ornate Garden Designer Series Paper pack and the Free As A Bird stamp set.  What could be more cheerful than a sweet little bird?

🌞Joyful Stamper Tip: Look at your dies in fresh ways.  That Cinnamon Cider "nest" is actually a die from Painted Labels!

I've got lots more tips for you, so watch the video below!

Pin, print, or save the tutorial for this card.  Measurements and supply list are included in the tutorial.

Sunday October 11 is the last day to sign up for October's Creativity Kit.  This month's kit features the beautiful Poinsettia Petals Bundle.  Details here.

Place a $35 order (before shipping and tax) in my store by midnight Sunday October 11 and I'll send you the packets to make my Facebook Live projects from Thursday's class.  You must use the October Host Code 4JHNU9Z when ordering.  

Designer Series Paper Sale

October 1 - 30 | Shop your favorites!

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Request a catalog package here, if you don't already have a demonstrator you love.
• Subscribe to Stampin' News, a weekly email that delivers fun, tips, and specials right to you.  Get a free exclusive Stampin' News Subscriber pdf tutorial as a sign-up thank you!
• Shop my store and to save money check out the Clearance Rack and Discounted Bundles.
• Use this month's Reward Code to earn points towards a $50 shopping spree - read the details here.
• Join me every Thursday at 11 AM ET for my weekly Happy Half Hour Live stamping show on my Facebook page.  

Joy in being creative, community in sharing a common interest, purpose in what we make - this is stamping at its best!  Thank you, friends, for choosing me as your demonstrator!

Saturday Card Sketch 821 - Poinsettia Petals on Red Velvet

 It's time for another Saturday Sketch from Splitcoaststampers!  The sketch challenge actually begins a few days earlier, on Wednesday, but since many people stamp on the weekends, I thought you'd find it nice to have something to jump-start the process.  As always, there is both a video and written tutorial for this week's card at the end of this post.

I pulled out Stampin' Up!'s Poinsettia Place Bundle.  I wanted my card to have velvet poinsettias popping off the edges for a full, rich look.  The sentiment is from For Unto Us.  That set is all Christmas sentiments and a great one to have on hand for the insides of your cards.  You can never have too many Christmas sentiments!

Did you know you can stamp on our Red Velvet Paper?  And emboss on it?  I used Cherry Cobbler to stamp these poinsettia images.  

🌞Joyful Stamper Tip: Stamp the velvet poinsettias first, then set aside to dry for a few minutes while you work on other card elements.  When you die-cut the poinsettias, make them the last things you run through your machine, just in case some of the ink is still wet and transfers to your cutting plates.  You can wipe off your cutting plates, but you don't want that ink transferring to your other pieces, hence why you cut them last.

The multi-colored sentiment is a technique I use a lot - it's just so fun to have that variety!  And it's easy and non-messy.  Win-win-win!  Use the brush tips of Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green Stampin' Write Markers to color directly on the stamp.  Breathe on the stamp to re-wet the ink, put stamp to paper, then lift to see the gorgeous results!

To make a rounded corner, I traced the largest (non-scalloped) circle die from the Layering Circles Dies on the back of the Poinsettia Place Designer Series Paper (it's on sale for 15% off this month in my store, along with other patterned packs!).  You could also use a Stampin' Up! embellishment container.  Use Paper Snips to cut along the pencil line, moving your paper (not your scissors) to get a smooth cut.

Create with me - Learn how to make this card - Anyone can do it!

Pin, print, or save the tutorial for this card.  Measurements and supply list are included in the tutorial.

Place a $35 order (before shipping and tax) in my store by midnight Sunday October 4 and I'll send you the packets to make my Facebook Live projects from Thursday's class.  You must use the October Host Code 4JHNU9Z when ordering.  

Designer Series Paper Sale

October 1 - 30 | Shop your favorites!

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Request a catalog package here, if you don't already have a demonstrator you love.
• Subscribe to Stampin' News, a weekly email that delivers fun, tips, and specials right to you.  Get a free exclusive Stampin' News Subscriber pdf tutorial as a sign-up thank you!
• Shop my store and to save money check out the Clearance Rack and Discounted Bundles.
• Use this month's Reward Code to earn points towards a $50 shopping spree - read the details here.
• Join me every Thursday at 11 AM ET for my weekly Happy Half Hour Live stamping show on my Facebook page.  

Joy in being creative, community in sharing a common interest, purpose in what we make - this is stamping at its best!  Thank you, friends, for choosing me as your demonstrator!