It all starts with a card layout, patterned paper, stamp(s), ink and some ribbon/twine to get started crafting! If you haven’t heard, I started a Monday’s Muse theme in my private facebook group, So Inking Sweet Community Sharing Sweet Creations. I’d love for you to join my new community of crafters, click HERE to send me an invite to join! For Card Sketch #3, I made three different cards: Basic, Stepped Up (a bit), & Avid.
Getting Started
I’m using A Little Bit Festive 12″ x 12″ Specialty Paper for this card layout. This specialty paper is unlike other patterned paper packs. It has three sheets of double-sided designs with festive Christmas designs on one side and all-purpose patterns on the other. And it also has three sheets of die-cut Christmas elements that you can use on card fronts or to frame photos on scrapbook pages, stockings, wreaths, Christmas trees, and more. As a fun plus, some of the die cuts are sized to fit card fronts, making it easy to create quick, beautiful cards. This specialty paper pack is also great for scrapbook paper because it’s acid and lignin FREE!
Basic Card Layout
I picked out a sheet of patterned paper that has little ornaments on tree branches. When I was creating ALL three of my cards, my pattern paper was upside down! I blame it on my new glasses! LOL! I didn’t see the hooks or even that these were hanging ornaments. I just saw colorful circles on tree branches. (*EYE ROLL HERE*) I’ve had a significant vision change and I’m still adjusting to my new scripts. TIP: It pays to double check which direction your pattern paper should be facing before adhering to card bases or panels. But moving on . . .
I chose Misty Moonlight for my card bases (8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ | scored at 4-1/4″). I don’t normally associate BLUE with Christmas because I’m a reds and greens kind of gal, but I like the blue. Cut the DSP strips to the size as shown in the card sketch and adhere to them to the card base. My favorite adhesive to use has always been the TomBow Multipurpose Liquid Glue. It allows me to easily maneuver my pieces.
TIP: Layout the strips and start with the middle strip to adhere down and then move onto the next one. After cutting the strips, I used the shorter leftover pieces and used the backside for contrast. I cut it at 1/2″ wide verses the 1″ wide, giving me two pieces for two cards. Adhere with liquid glue.
Sentimental Wishes Cling Stamp Set
I chose the Sentimental Wishes Cling Stamp Set for my sentiment, which has a coordinating die set (see Product Table). This stamp set and the specialty paper are both in the SEP-DEC 2024 Mini Catalog but you can find them in the Product Table below. I stamped my sentiment onto Basic White cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black and punched it out with the 1-3/4″ Circle Punch (Online Exclusive). If you don’t have the circle punch, perhaps you have circle dies you can use. Pop up the sentiment label up with Stampin’ Dimensionals and add a White Baker’s Twine bow to it, as shown in the card sketch.
NOTE: If you are just starting out and don’t have a lot of crafting supplies; I suggest Memento Tuxedo Black for stamping sentiments/images. It gives a clear, crisp stamped image!
Stepped Up Layout
The only thing that makes this card stepped up, just a bit, are the Misty Moonlight embellishments I added to it. The Tinsel Gems Three-Pack also includes Lost Lagoon and Fresh Freesia colored embellishments. I stamped the sentiment using Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin’ Pad and I didn’t add the baker’s twine bow to this one. I think I should have heat embossed the sentiment, which I did so on my next card!
Avid Layout
Ignore those upside ornaments!! LOL! I still can’t believe I goofed up but I’m human. Adding Basic White mats behind the patterned paper strips (cut at 1-1/8″ x 4-3/8) adds more dimension to the layout. I heat embossed the sentiment. Technique Tip: Using a stamping tool for precise double stamping, stamp the sentiment with Misty Moonlight. Clean the stamp and stamp again using VersaMark and add Clear Embossing Powder over the stamped sentiment and then heat it up and watch the dimension/texture appear!
Before popping up the sentiment with dimensionals, die cut five leafy branches using the coordinating dies to this stamp set. There are a total of five dies in the Sentimental Wishes Dies. I used leftover glue dots from Stampin’ Up!’s Paper Pumpkin Kits or you can use Mini Glue Dots, which are not in the product table below, to adhere the branches onto the card base. Click HERE to see this product.
I hope you like all three of my cards, once you’ve over looked my major blunder with my patterned paper being upside down. From the start, I had my patterned paper upside down (the DOWN word is missing from my image), another blunder. Shall I find another to make it a total of THREE blunders! LOL! But seriously, LOOK at all the different colors that can be used as card bases for this specialty paper!
Here are the coordinating colors to this paper pack: Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Pretty In Pink, Misty Moonlight, Garden Green, Early Espresso, Granny Apple Green, Night of Navy, Pecan Pie, Pretty Peacock, Pool Party, and Very Vanilla.
Product Table
Note: If you don’t see the Product Table in your email, visit my blog!
Don’t forget . . .
. . . about the September-December 2024 Mini Catalog and the DIGITAL ONLY SCRAPBOOKING BROCHURE! This is going to be an amazing time because there are coordinating products between these two recent releases! For more information and to get your own digital downloads, click HERE!
. . . about the Nests of Christmas October Paper Pumpkin Kit. Click HERE for more information about this kit and the 40% discount!
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