How to use Plaid to Make Birthday Cards for Guys

 Hello, my joyful friends!  Every Thursday at 11 AM ET I go live on The Joyful Stamper Facebook Page.  Everyone is invited for a half hour of stamping fun!  I'll post the replay and project sheet with measurements below after the Live.  You can print the project sheet for easy reference.

I had a request for birthday cards for men so I searched the Holiday Mini catalog for ideas to inspire me.  Success!  Can you tell which card I CASED?  Hint: it's towards the back of the catalog.

This card THRILLS me with how it turned out!  I mixed the Buffalo Check background stamp with a Bumblebee Stampin' Write Marker to create my own plaid pattern.  The pumpkins (from Gather Together) look semi-watercolored but were actually colored with a Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Marker.  

Tip: when doing simple coloring without any shading or layering of hues, or when coloring in small areas, use your Stampin' Write Markers.  They're more economical!  

This card features a homemade plaid background using Stampin' Write Markers and a Chalk Marker.  A ruler and Grid Paper were helpful in keeping the lines straight. 

Note: I actually went a different route for the background with this card in my live.  Now the background looks like faded flannel!  You have to check it out!  The project sheet shows my detoured project.

A detail that is totally me - the more frayed the Braided Burlap Trim, the more it makes my heart sing!  Do you have a stamping detail that says YOU?  Leave me a comment letting me know what it is!

Get the Project Sheet with details here.

If you need a copy of the catalog, request one here and I'll promptly send one out to you.

August Reward Code

Use when shopping my store to earn a $50 shopping spree!

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!

Slimline and Easel Cards - Happy Half Hour Facebook Live

Hello, my joyful friends and stampers!  Every Thursday at 11 AM ET I go live on The Joyful Stamper Facebook Page.  Everyone is invited!  On yesterday's live, I demonstrated how to make both an easel card and a slimline card.  Both are super easy.  The easel card is great because it's a fun fold that still fits in a regular A2-sized envelope (those are the ones that fit a standard 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" card) - no extra postage required, nothing crazy, but something different!  A slimline card fits in a business-sized envelope, and those you can get 40 for a $1 at the dollar store!  

The sentiment strip is adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals so that it props the folded part of the card upright.  The sentiment comes from Timeless Tropical.

Here you can see the form of the easel card.  I put the measurements in the project sheet (found at the end of this post).  You can also watch the replay below to see how to make this card.

This is a slimline card, using Timeless Tulips stamp set and the Tulip Builder Punch.  You start with a 7" x 8-1/2" piece of cardstock and fold it in half at 3-1/2".  It fits in a business-sized envelope with room to spare (that's why my Highland Heather tulip can extend off the card edge).  My stamps are pretty much the only way I'll ever have a pretty flower garden🤣   

Get the Project Sheet with the details for these two cards here.

Watch the replay of Thursday's Happy Half Hour Live.

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!

Send Your Man Some Love

Where has all the yeast gone?  I've been baking for years and used to have to check the expiration dates on jars of yeast on the shelves of grocery stores because they'd sometimes sit there unsold for so long!  Now....it's a yeast desert.  We've been substituting romaine lettuce leaves for homemade hamburger buns, which isn't a bad thing actually.  

The hardest thing to bear, however, has been not being able to make pizza dough.  The Steele family loves its pizzas!  Nearly every Thursday, I make a batch of dough and let it sit in the frig for a few days, then bake it over the weekend.  We try different topping and cheese combinations and it's become a tradition in our home.  I'm down to the last couple teaspoons of yeast and the situation is dire.  

My last couple trips to the store have also shown there to be no flour on the shelves.  Is there a way to grind yard weeds into flour?  Because I've got plenty of that.  I bet Ma Ingalls could've done it.  She once made a pie from a green pumpkin and vinegar and Pa loved it.     

Pa Ingalls may have liked a card like this, too, and I KNOW Ma could have made it.  The Country Club Designer Series Paper is retiring so you'll need to grab that now, but the High Tide and Itty Bitty Greetings stamp sets, Stitched Shapes dies, and Stitched Nested Labels dies are sticking around.  

Please don't call the stamping police on me, but I did use retired Green Garden satin ribbon and a heart enamel dot.  It's all about using what you love!

Because the card base is so dark, I glued a liner inside the card.  Of course, I had to decorate it with some more High Tide images.

  

I used this sketch from Splitcoaststampers for my layout.  This is a classic go-to to keep in your stamping tool box.  Make sure to pin or save this sketch to your device (right on your Joyful Stamper board or folder 😊).  **Bonus: You could win this card plus extra goodies!  We're celebrating the 800th sketch and doing random drawings from cards posted to win the design team's cards plus a little extra fun.  Post your card by Saturday May 9 to be entered!**

Card Measurements Just For You (and Ma Ingalls)

• Basic Gray card base - 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", folded in half at 4-1/4"; scrap to die-cut Stitched Nested Label die
• Country Club Designer Series Paper - 1" x 5-1/4" (left side); 3" x 5-1/4" (right side)
• Whisper White cardstock - to die-cut largest Stitched Shape Oval
• Sahara Sand cardstock- scrap to stamp and cut lighthouse
• Night Of Navy cardstock- 1/2"x 2" to stamp sentiment

May Reward Code = New In Color Sampler

Use the May Reward Code on orders placed in my store of $50 or more (before shipping and tax) to get a free 2020-2022 New Stampin' Up! In Color sampler!  Sampler packs will be sent out by the end of May PLUS you'll get a new catalog package from me! 

New Catalog Alert: If you have ordered from me since November, you are automatically on my list to receive a new Annual Catalog package next month.  If you'd like one and haven't ordered since November, place an order of any size to be automatically included or email me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com.

Email me to order a Card Kit To Go from The Joyful Stamper

What's Included:

• All the supplies to create 12 cards - 3 each of 4 designs
• All kit elements are punched, die-cut, and scored for you
• a bottle of Tombow "green glue"
• 12 envelopes
• full-color photos of each card
• die-cut word sentiments in sticker format - just peel and stick!

Create with your kids!  Make a Mother's Day card!  Celebrate a graduation or birthday!  Tell someone thank you for that nice thing he or she did!  Let a friend or family member know you are thinking of them!

To Get Your Card Kit To Go:

Message me on Facebook or email me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com.  Kits are $25 for porch pick-up or add $5 to have the kit shipped to you.  Printed papers may vary slightly from the photo but they will all be from the same pack with the same colors and similar patterns.

Get a kit now!  I have a limited number available. 

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!  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!

Easy Birthday Card for Him + Free How-To + Card Sketch

This Country Club Designer Series Paper is retiring and I barely touched it!  It's on page 47 of the Mini Catalog and is a part of the Country Club Suite.  Stampin' Up! gave it to us free at OnStage back in November (a VERY sweet demonstrator perk).  

Those bright colors inspired me to use my Balloon Bouquet punch.  Who wouldn't smile at a bunch of colorful balloons?  

The balloons are popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals.  I matted the DSP pieces with Basic Black cardstock to make them stand out from each other.

Check out how the stitching on the DSP matches the stitching on the Stitched Shapes die-cut oval!

I've included some helpful tools for you to make this card.  First up, a card sketch (go ahead and pin it to your card sketch board)!

Next up, the groovy color combination (you can pin this, too, to your color inspiration board)! 

 Last, a step-by-step how-to with measurements, a photo, and supply list!  Of course you can pin or print this (you do have a board of Joyful Stamper tutorials, right?).

New Catalog Alert: If you have ordered from me since November, you are automatically on my list to receive a new Annual Catalog package next month.  If you'd like one, place an order of any size to be automatically included or email me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com.

The Joyful Stamper Specials:

Order $35 in my store (before shipping and tax) to get the kit FREE to make both these fun fold cards!  Offer expires 5/1/2020 at midnight.  Use Reward Code SWDK2WN2.

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!  
• 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!

Another Masculine Card Using High Tide + Video

I've been showing love to sets in the Annual Catalog recently.  Yes, the Holiday and current Mini Catalogs are amazing and exciting, but the Annual Catalog is 212 pages of loveliness itself!  I shopped my stash and pulled out High Tide.  Tha nautical images are fantastic for layering to create depth and to make water scenes.  Monday's post featured a card using High Tide for someone not expected to get better.  Today's card has a sentiment that makes it all-purpose and great for any occasion.  I like to shake up my projects by using quotes rather than the standard "happy birthday" or "thank you".  I adore words, and a card is a perfect canvas for using them in interesting ways!




Pinterest inspired this.  Watch the video to see how this was put together!




Card Recipe:

• High Tide stamp set
• Ink: Sahara Sand, Night Of Navy
• Night Of Navy/Sahara Sand Baker's Twine
• Night Of Navy cardstock: 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 base folded in half at 4-1/4; 5 x 3
• Sahara Sand cardstock: 5-1/4 x 4, edges distressed with Paper Snips
• Very Vanilla cardstock: 1-5/8 x 2-3/4 (2 pieces that are the left and right panels); 1-1/2 x 2-3/4 (1 piece that is the middle panel)
• Adhesives: Multi Purpose Liquid Glue; Stampin' Dimensionals

***Monday's card uses the same supplies***

Remember, any order of $35 or more (before shipping and tax) receives the project kits from Tuesday's Live!  Be sure to use Reward Code AHKD9ZWS for orders under $150.  Orders over $150 will get their own Stampin' Rewards plus the project kits.  Place your order by Midnight ET tonight!

You can find the project sheet for Tuesday's Happy (half) Hour Live projects here.

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.

Thank you for choosing me as your demonstrator!  I appreciate your business!

Free 4"x5" DSP Sampler Special from The Joyful Stamper

4"x6" Designer Series Paper Sampler Special from The Joyful Stamper Order any of the featured bundles or suites below and you'll receive a 4"x6" Designer Series Paper Sampler from me.  To receive your free DSP Sampler, your order must be placed through my online store with Nicole Steele as your selected demonstrator.  Your DSP Sampler will be mailed separately.  This offer expires Monday February 17, 2020 at Midnight ET.   
Stampin' Up! heard every stamper's plea for more masculine sets, paper, and embellishments.  Flip through the Mini Catalog and you'll find several fantastic bundles and suites suitable for those MAN cards.  Let's take a closer look at a few.

By The Dock Bundle
Found on page 49 of the 2020 Mini Catalog, it's a stamp and die bundle (also available separately).  It's outdoorsy with a relaxed, peaceful vibe and the line art makes it wonderful for those who love to color.  But the coordinating dies cut out almost every image in this set, so you could skip the coloring by stamping on colored cardstock and die-cutting.  You also can build a scene with the stamps and dies!  Take a look at the Stampin' Up! video below:

Card samples found on page 49 of the 2020 Mini Catalog
A Make It Simple card sample on page 49 of the 2020 Mini Catalog (just the stamp images were used, no dies)

Mountain Air Bundle This is another great outdoors set, using the mountains and forests for inspiration, found on pages 52-53 of the 2020 Mini Catalog.  The word "majestic" comes to mind when I look at these images.  A unique feature of the Mountain Air set is its ability to be stamped using both the front and back sides of each image.  Ink up one side to get the fabulous detail and ink up the other side to add solid color to the detail.  No coloring skills (or patience) required!  The coordinating die set makes simple work of cropping trees, clouds, and mountains for great scene-building effects.  Watch the Stampin' Up! video below to see it in action: 

Create shadow and silhouette effects with the solid side of the stamp images.
Stamp the Mountain Air trees in all of Stampin' Up!'s green shades, then die-cut and layer for an unusually multi-toned look.

Outdoor Barbecue (my personal favorite!) Fire up the creative grill!  It's time to make an awesome man card!  I love that "Holy smokes it's your birthday" sentiment.  You could use the flame to tell your man you think he's smokin' hot, too!  😉  Oh, the fun to be had with this set!  You can find it on page 50 of the 2020 Mini Catalog.

Create pocket card invitations to your next backyard barbecue or "light up" your greeting with that flame.

Country Club Suite Argyle and plaid are prominently featured in the Designer Series Paper and 3D Embossing Folder in this suite.  Wood Accents and a Twine Combo Pack in bright classic colors let you add fun embellishments and still keep the card masculine.  The Wood Accents can be colored with Stampin' Blends, heat embossed, covered with Designer Series Paper, or stamped with ink.  See it all on pages 46-48 in the 2020 Mini Catalog.  Get a close-up of the Country Club Designer Series Paper in the Stampin' Up! video below:

Do you spy the shaker card made with Country Club Elements and tufts of grass die-cut with the Golf Club dies?  Love the unique way to use those pieces!
4"x6" Designer Series Paper Sampler Special from The Joyful Stamper Order any of the featured bundles or suites above and you'll receive a 4"x6" Designer Series Paper Sampler from me.  To receive your free DSP Sampler, your order must be placed through my online store with Nicole Steele as your selected demonstrator.  Your DSP Sampler will be mailed separately.  This offer expires Monday February 17, 2020 at Midnight ET.   

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!
• High-quality stamping products make your crafting experience better so don't cheat yourself!  Shop my store for your crafting supplies!
• 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.

Thank you for choosing me as your demonstrator!  I appreciate your business!

A Valentine's Day Card For Him + Video

Alaina and I went to see Dancing With The Stars on Tour last night.  It was a Christmas gift.  She's in her 10th year of dance lessons, she's in our church's dance ministry, and DWTS is our favorite show to watch together.  I HAD to get tickets when I found out they were coming to Pittsburgh!  The high energy twisting and turning, bending and contorting, fast stepping and jumping had me doing the same in my seat (well, more like in my head - but I was dancing just as gorgeously as the pros in there 😂).

Blue, green, and gray for Valentine's Day?  Yes!  Don't forget the dudes in your life!  Sons, dads, grandfathers, husbands, boyfriends, fiance - any guy!

The men in my life are straightforward, no frills guys and this card reflects that.  Just a few cuts and minimal supplies.  Simple color palette that won't make them squirm.  No over-the-top embellishments.

This little paper curl is as fancy as it gets.  Shop for the supplies below and be sure to watch the video for how this card was made.

Make this card in under 10 minutes!  Click image to watch the video.

Shop my store for all the supplies:

☀Heartfelt Bundle (stamp set & punch pack at a 10% discount)

☀Country Club Designer Series Paper

☀Stitched Nested Labels dies

☀Whisper White Solid Baker's Twine

☀Night of Navy ink pad

☀Basic Gray cardstock

☀Whisper White cardstock

☀Stampin' Dimensionals

Remember, any order of $35 or more (before shipping and tax) receives the project kits from Tuesday's Live!  Use Host Code 349VN7VY and be sure to place your order by Midnight ET this Friday!  See the project sheet here.  Click image to watch the replay.

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site:

• New to stamping?  Welcome!  The Beginner Brochure was designed for you.  Also check out this card for a perfect first dip into cardmaking.  I can mail it to you with a free catalog package - just email me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com to request one.
• High-quality stamping products make your crafting experience better so don't cheat yourself!  Shop my store for your crafting supplies!
• 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.

Thank you for choosing me as your demonstrator!  I appreciate your business!