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!

Gnome For The Holidays Card #3

I must confess something: I was born in the wrong time period.  Being an avid reader of biographies and historical fiction, I've long sensed that my soul resides somewhere a few hundred years ago.

I've binge-watched the first 3 seasons of Outlander in the past 2 weeks and oh.my.word.  I need to find those Craig Na Dun stones and get me to the 1740s now.  Watching TV is not a regular pastime of mine, but I did read the first book in the Outlander series years ago, so when I heard Dena Rekow of The Creativity Cave mention how good the tv series was, I tuned in.  Wow.  Just WOW.  Every human emotion is covered in those shows.  And because I know the books are always better, they are all finding their way into my home soon.  

It's a very good thing I made my Gnome For The Holidays cards several weeks ago because there has been NO stamping done since then.  I'm still emotionally recovering from leaving Scotland and Jamie and Claire.

BUT, the 1740s didn't have cardmaking as we know it, so it's probably a good thing I live now.

Isn't this a fun little color combination?  Old Olive, Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party, Night Of Navy, Misty Moonlight, and a pinch of Flirty Flamingo.

A Few Tips to Up Your Card-Making Game:

• Cut or punch the same shape multiple times in a variety of colors, then randomly glue them across the card (die used here is from Ornate Frames).  Paint a few with a Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush for extra sparkle.
• Use a piece of felt from the Festive Felt Sheets Combo Pack in place of a cardstock mat to add soft texture (Whisper White used here).
• Randomly fill in sentiment letters with either a Stampin' Write or Stampin' Blends marker.  It playfully highlights a greeting (Flirty Flamingo used here).
• Tie cord, ribbon, or twine around the card base at a slight angle to add to the playfulness of the gnomes.

👇👇👇👇👇

Shop the Supply List for this card - All supplies are in my store!  Just click the link to see the full list.

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 Sketch 809 - Using Watercolor Pencils

While I'm awaiting my Holiday Catalog pre-order, I've been digging into my retired stash.  This past Thursday, I made a Double Panel Gate Fold card and used Garden Impressions Designer Series Paper.  Well, for this week's Saturday Sketch, I used the Lilypad Lake stamp set.  However, I used my Watercolor Pencils to color the images.  These are SUCH a fun product and they get overlooked quite a bit.  Check out the video to see how I colored the images, then check back next week to see how I used them to make ocean and sunset backgrounds.

Splitcoaststampers Card Sketch 809 - Pin it!

A fantastic feature of the Watercolor Pencils is the ability to add soft color or intense color.  It's a matter of layers and pressure upon application.  Color lightly and use a single layer of color for a soft look.  Color more heavily and apply more than one layer of color (letting each layer dry before progressing to the next one) for a more intense look.

There are 2 assortments of Watercolor Pencils in my store, both containing genuine Stampin' Up! colors.  HUGE plus because it means your project's colors will coordinate which means your project looks more polished.  That's a great benefit if you don't feel confident in your design skills yet or if you love a seamless look.  Or if you are an impatient crafter and want to skip to the good stuff - creating! - without fussing over color details.

I've stuffed all kinds of extras into this post for you - a video, a written tutorial, and a pinnable color inspiration graphic!

Watch the video to see how to make this

Grab the written tutorial for today's card

This week's color inspiration graphic

Shop from now through August 3 to earn $5 coupons - no limit!  And you can earn Joyful Stamper Rewards, too!

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 Sketch + Card Video & PDF Tutorial

My brother and his family stayed with us in our itty bitty one-story 1200 square feet home this week and it was crazy!  Crazy in a super fun way, though.  I love my niece and twin nephews.  They are 7, 5 and 5.  Those ages are so healing and healthy for an adult to take his or her mind off the cares of the world.  What's more important this morning than playing a Wii Mario Kart tournament?  Nothing?  Or what's more important this evening than roasting a marshmallow over a campfire for a s'more?  Nothing!

Using a sketch like this week's from Splitcoaststampers is a timesaver in week's like this past one where there wasn't much time to create.  There's even a forum thread to post a photo of what you make with the sketch, or to gallery gaze at what others did with it.

I loved the idea of combining the Buffalo Check background stamp with Free As A Bird.  The images were colored with Stampin' Blends, as were the pearls.  

Did you know you could color pearls, rhinestones, and ribbons with Stampin' Blends?  Since the Blends are alcohol inks, they can be used on both porous and non-porous surfaces.  I love that ability to have embellishments in whatever Stampin' Up! color I need!

Knowing people learn by different methods, I've created both a video and a written tutorial for this week's sketch card.  Enjoy!

Friend Like You Online Class Sunday, June 14 8 PM (ET) Details here.

Mystery Stamping Hour

Next one is Sunday June 28 at 8 PM (ET)

Open and free to everyone!  Details here.

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!

Ornate Garden Suite Bundle Project #1 + April Reward Code

I just finished watching all 3 seasons of Stranger Things and found myself drawn to the faded colors of that early 80's era.  I even comtemplated (aloud to the horror of my teenage girls) where I could find authentic fashion from that era.  

Then Stampin' Up! read my mind because they rolled out a suite that has that faded, dusty vintage vibe I was just admiring.  It's called Ornate Garden and I've gone crazy creating with it.  In fact, at the end of this post you can read about the very special fun I have planned with this suite for all of April!  But first, let's take a look at the suite.

• Ornate Style stamp set (cling red rubber) and Ornate Layers dies (shown are what the pieces look like die-cut)
• Bundles are discounted 10% 
• Stamp set and dies can be ordered separately
• Dies require a die-cutting and embossing machine

• Ornate Thanks stamp set (clear photopolymer) and Ornate Borders dies (shown are what the pieces look like die-cut)
• Bundles are discounted 10%
• Stamp set and dies can be ordered separately
• Dies require a die-cutting and embossing machine

• 12 double-sided 12"x12" sheets with gold foil on some
• Colors: Old Olive, Terracotta Tile, Whisper White, Bumblebee (a brand new In Color)!

• 2 spools of Old Olive and Terracotta Tile ribbon | 5 yards each

• Adhesive-backed opaque gold gems
• 90 pieces

• Folder size is 4-1/2"x 6-1/4"
• Requires a die-cutting and embossing machine

Or, if you want it all, there's one number that will do that.

Ornate Garden Suite Collection | item 154153 | $136.75

Printable Ornate Garden product list

For my first project with the Ornate Garden suite, I piled on the layers but kept the card simple by using color sparingly.  I especially love the diagonally tied ribbon!  I was going for the look of a packet of pretty stationery tied with ribbon.

Through-out April, I'm posting at least 12 projects made with the Ornate Garden Suite.

• Easy, stepped-up, fancy fold, technique-driven, anything-but-a-card - it'll be a WIDE variety!  
• The card above is Project #1.
• Every project will have detailed instructions and photos in a pdf.  
• Each project's tutorial will be sent via email as each project is posted here on my blog.
• To receive it, place a $50 order (before shipping & tax) in my store April 1-30 and use Reward Code SWDK2WN2.
• You will receive ALL the tutorials, no matter when in April you order.  

This is a free class as a thank you for ordering with me!  And you can order whatever you want!

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Request a free catalog package by emailing me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com or with this form.
• Subscribe to The Joyful Stamper 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 anytime to give yourself the best crafting experience.  Check out the Clearance Rack and Discounted Bundles while you're there.
• You'll love my crafting videos on The Joyful Stamper YouTube channel!  Subscribe while you're there and click the bell so that you always have fresh inspiration.
• Looking for community, a hobby, or a way to make extra money?  My team of My Joyful Stampers has a place for you (and the Starter Kit is the especially ULTIMATE bargain right now)!  Read more here.

I love stamping and I love Stampin' Up!  Thank you so much for choosing me as your demonstrator.  I am grateful for YOU!

Ways To Color Flowering Foils DSP

These are the kinds of cards that I go crazy over - layers upon layers, so much texture you can't help but touch them, and distressing.  I was on fire last Friday when I made these and the ideas were coming far quicker than I could get them out on paper.

I used sponge daubers to color these flowers from Flowering Foils DSP.  A free Level 1 Sale-A-Bration item, it's a pack of 12"x12" papers that have designs printed in rose gold and silver foil on white paper.  That means lots of coloring opportunities!

Slip the sponge dauber on the tip of your finger, tap it in an ink pad, then lightly begin to color in circles.  Widen the circle as you go and you'll see the color get lighter as you move further out.  If you want a darker color, just ink up the sponge dauber again and repeat the swirling process.  I used Pretty Peacock and Terracotta Tile ink pads.

Another look I love: curled sentiment strips.  Hold the strip in one hand and a bone folder in the other.  Run the bone folder along the underside of the paper, moving your thumb along the top of the paper with it (like using scissors to curl ribbon when wrapping a gift). The greeting is from Seriously The Best and it's heat embossed in White Stampin' Emboss Powder on a 1/2" strip of Pretty Peacock cardstock.  

Create a fun background using your greeting stamps!  I took the "Hello Friend" sentiment from Seriously The best and stamped it repeatedly in Terracotta Tile ink on Terracotta Tile cardstock, re-inking after every 3 stampings.  LOVE this!

Watch Tuesday's Live Stamping Class replay to see how to use Sponge Daubers to color these Flowering Foils flowers.

Coloring Method #2: Stampin' Blends!  This pattern called out to be colored with Blends.  I used:

• Light & Dark Daffodil Delight
• Light & Dark Balmy Blue
• Light & Dark Smoky Slate
• Light & Dark Calypso Coral

See a Blends coloring photo tutorial here.

I stamped "Congrats" from Seriously The Best 3 times in Versamark on Basic Gray cardstock, then heat embossed with White Stampin' Emboss Powder.  Trimming closely around the greeting with Paper Snips has become a technique I'm using a LOT lately.

I added Clear Faceted Gems to some of the flower centers.  Have you heard my card-making mantra?  More is More!  😁

Stampin' Blends - see all the colors

Sponge Daubers

Seriously The Best stamp set

Flowering Foils Specialty Designer Series Paper - free with $50 order!

Terracotta Tile Scalloped Linen Ribbon

Clear Faceted Gems

March Ordering Reward

This is the tutorial bundle to my in-person class that is nearly always full!

• Orders between $15 and $149 (before shipping and tax) placed in March 2020 with Nicole Steele through my store will receive by email my March Class Tutorial.   
• You must use the Reward Code JSPSUZYB.  Click here to see where to type in the Reward Code.  
• If your order is over $150, do not use the Reward Code (you'll want to use the Stampin' Rewards yourself!) but you will still get the March Class Tutorial. 

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Request a free catalog package by emailing me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com or with this form.
• Subscribe to The Joyful Stamper 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 anytime to give yourself the best crafting experience.  Check out the Clearance Rack and Discounted Bundles while you're there.
• You'll love my crafting videos on The Joyful Stamper YouTube channel!  Subscribe while you're there and click the bell so that you always have fresh inspiration.
• Looking for community, a hobby, or a way to make extra money?  My team of My Joyful Stampers has a place for you (and the Starter Kit is the especially ULTIMATE bargain right now)!  Read more here.

I love stamping and I love Stampin' Up!  Thank you so much for choosing me as your demonstrator.  I am grateful for YOU!

Happy Half Hour Live Stamping Class - Flowering Foils Designer Series Paper

Have you really looked at the Flowering Foils DSP Sale-A-Bration offering?  It's accented with metallic foils of rose gold and silver AND the patterns are perfect for coloring!  The pack has 3 sheets each of 4 patterns, so there's lots with which to play and experiment.  That's what I had a blast doing this past week.  You have to see the results on today's Happy Half Hour Live Stamping Class!

Every Tuesday at 2 PM ET I go live on The Joyful Stamper Facebook Page.  Everyone is invited - those of you curious about stamping, new to stamping, experienced at stamping, or already a Stampin' Up! demonstrator!  Watch the replay below to see different ways of coloring (I was a little nervous to make a watercolor wash live, but I did it)!

You can find the project sheet for today's Happy Half Hour Live projects here.

March Ordering Reward

This is the tutorial bundle to my in-person class that is nearly always full!

• Orders between $15 and $149 (before shipping and tax) placed in March 2020 with Nicole Steele through my store will receive by email my March Class Tutorial.   
• You must use the Reward Code JSPSUZYB.  Click here to see where to type in the Reward Code.  
• If your order is over $150, do not use the Reward Code (you'll want to use the Stampin' Rewards yourself!) but you will still get the March Class Tutorial. 

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Want a catalog and don't already work with a demonstrator you love?  Request a free catalog package by emailing me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com or via this form.
• Never miss a beat in the stamping world - subscribe to The Joyful Stamper Stampin' News, a weekly email that specially delivers fun, tips, and specials right to you.  Sign up and get a free exclusive Stampin' News Subscriber pdf tutorial as a thank you!
• Stamping is more fun with pretty products you can count on.  Shop my store anytime to give yourself the best crafting experience.
• You'll love my crafting videos on The Joyful Stamper YouTube channel!  Subscribe while you're there and click the bell so that you always have fresh inspiration.
• Looking for community, a hobby, or a way to make extra money?  My team of My Joyful Stampers has a place for you (and the Starter Kit is the especially ULTIMATE bargain right now)!  Read more here.

I love stamping and I love Stampin' Up!  Thank you so much for choosing me as your demonstrator.  I am grateful for YOU!