Sit with me. Chat over card making and paper crafts. Have a cup of tea. Watch the birds. Pray. Are you seeking serenity? Sit with me.

Sit with me. Chat over card making and paper crafts. Have a cup of tea. Watch the birds. Pray. Are you seeking serenity? Sit with me.

Sit with me. Chat over card making and paper crafts. Have a cup of tea. Watch the birds. Pray. Are you seeking serenity? Sit with me.

We give love, receive love and renew love in many ways. Here are some items, gathered in friendship, that are symbols to show the world that you dare to care: A rubber band: to remind you of hugging and those times when you want to hold the world close to you. A piece of candy: to remind you to spread sweetness where ever you may be. A Kleenex: to dry a tea in your neighbor's eye. A blank letter page and envelope: to remind you to write that letter to a loved one. A bandaid: for healing hurt feelings, your own or someone else's. A copper penny: to remind you to share God's gifts. A daily prayer: to remind you to pray, even on your busiest days. So faith, hope, love abide, these three, but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 Tea with Saffron Scones

#Know Your 4: what are your favorite card designs for any reason or season? Card #4 @10 AM (EST) Www.cardconnoisseurSB.stampinup.net.

Sneak peak of new punch, new papers, and a new stamp set! Banner Greetings and the Mosaic Punch create this flower card.

Here’s another cute card I created using the Textures & Frames stamp set. It’s still available to earn for free during Sale-A-Bration. I used multiple stamp sets when I create this …

Inspired Tina Zinck - Slim Tent cards You are the artist – make it your own design! Click on the PINK words found in each post to access the links. This Slim Tent cards fits in an A2 envelope. Measurements: Card Base is 2 x 11” and scored at 5 ½”, Crumb Cake, but can be made with Basic White or Very Vanilla. Designer papers for front and inside area 1 ¾” x 4 ¾”. Cut 3 of Daffodil Afternoon Designer papers from Sale A Bration Jan-Feb 2022, or your choice of papers. Linen thread or coordinating ribbon of your choice, is 18” long. Use Tasteful Labels die set or similar to fit. Stamp Set is Easter Friends from the Jan - Jun Mini Catalog 2022. The Slim Tent card is designed to stand up, with the signature not visible. Signature can be added on the back. Optional Assembly: Attach two chicks on the front; or two chicks on the top, inside, which would leave more space inside for your signature. Put the sentiment on the front instead of inside. INSTRUCTIONS: Step 1: look at the double-sided Designer papers and choose the prints you’ll use on the each of the 3 parts – front, top & bottom of inside. Step 2: before you adhere the Designer papers, attach the inside die cut/tag, making sure it will line up with the green die cut/tag that will be attached on the front. Step 3: attach the three (3) Designer double sided papers to the front, top & bottom of inside. Step 4: Attach the green die cut/tag to the front, making sure it lines up and covers the tan die cut/tag. This one goes over the Designer papers, while the inside one goes under the papers. Step 5: Stamp one of each of the three (3) chicks in colors that coordinate with your Designer papers. I stamped with Early Espresso ink on Basic White, Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight cardstock, then cut them out, and color the beak and feet on each with a colored pencil. Attach the chicks – one on the front, two layered on the inside bottom with Tombo Multi-Purpose Glue. (If you're new to this glue, use just a few dots - its very sticky; don't get it on your project, hands or clothing; you can reposition your image quickly if its off centered) Step 6: tie the Linen Thread around the top front as desired. Step 7: Stamp the sentiment with Early Espresso ink. Cut around the sentiment or use as a rectangle shape. Attach to inside top. You can make this card your own design for any season or occasion. Choose a Designer Series Paper and stamp and die sets that coordinate - one of the reasons we love Stampin' Up! products. The die cut/tag should set out to the side, the eye-catching piece of this card. Watch Tina Zinck's video on YouTube and see the variety of shapes she uses. I'd love to see what you choose to put together for your version of this card. Please post a photo or send it to me in messenger. Head over to Card Connoisseur on Face Book and post your card there too. Note that this blog address spells CardConnoissuer a little differently that the word is spelled on the Face Book Page. Find more of my projects at www.susanboback.stampinup.net and while you're there, check out the latest specials on products too! You might choose to hold an online workshop with your friends from around the country, or an in-person gathering - there's many ways to get free products and discounts as a customer. If you are interested in saving 20% and more, on every order you place, join my team - click here , and share in the community of demonstrators who are hobbyists or take the business forward. I'd love to share this with you! Thanks for stopping by. Keep sharing what you love with others, as we "cheer up the world, one card at a time"! Be blessed! sb

We took a little break from the parade of Holiday One-for-One Card Swap to prepare for yesterday’s Free Shipping promotion (and it was a huge, happy success!), but we are back to the exciteme…

Here's an introduction to basic cardmaking and sizes. There are many patterns. The A2 base card measures one half of a standard 8 1/2 x 11 inch piece of cardstock. So one piece yields two card bases, whether you cut it portrait or landscape. In the United States, this is called an A2 card, so that when folded in half, the card is 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches. Learning this size is helpful for planning your design and for cutting layers of coordinating patterned paper which can be 1/8 or 1/4 of an inch smaller, in increments, as you desire. Learning that these are the sizes to give a framed accent will enable your colors and patterns to pop when combined into your design. Most card bases are of solid color, but I have seen the card base out of patterned cardstock, and the layers of solid color. With Stampin' Up products, the patterned paper is called DSP - Designer Series Paper. Each May a new large catalog of coordinated products begins, with smaller specialty catalogs happening in August and January. Check out this link for info on the catalogs. One piece of Designer Series Paper (DSP) is 12x12 inches square, although there are some patterns that are only sold in 6x6 pieces. There are a variety of cutting patterns to get the most pieces for your card layers out of one 12x12 piece. You may have seen the "one sheet wonders" idea, where several different sized pieces are cut from one to form many components of card styles. You can check out Karen Titus tutorial here for the one sheet wonder. But the two ways to cut the DSP that I use most often for quick assembly cards are to cut one 12x12 in four 6x6 inch pieces or in six 4x6 pieces. Here is one idea on cutting the 6x6 pieces of DSP to make cards. This card base is called a "mini- slimline" meaning that the card base itself is a 6x6 inches square, and scored in half at 3 inches. I also like this triangular pattern because once they are cut, the triangles can be used on an A2 card with just a little additional spaces between them. Even though this is cut for the Mini Slimline, which fits in a regular envelope, the size you would send a letter in; if you push the triangles apart a bit, you can arrange them to fit an A2 card which measures 5 1/2 x 4 1/4. Either put a flower in the middle, cut out from this paper, or a tag for a sentiment. This piece of 6x6 DSP is used by cutting it at 4 inches, leaving a 2 inch piece. Cut 1 inch off the length, which leaves the remaining piece 5 x 4 inches. Use the 2 inch piece on the right for another card, or glue it to the outside flap of the envelope to decorate it to match the card. Use the one inch piece that you've cut off of the length inside at the bottom of the right side to accent the inside. Because this is DSP, Designer Series Paper, it is color coordinated. So this card layer is made simply by tearing or cutting the rectangle in half and flipping one piece over. Put a piece of ribbon or another color coordinated piece of DSP as a border, or leave it as is. Add a sprig of greenery or a flower, or any die cut you wish such as a bird or a balloon to declare the intent of the card. Add a tag with the sentiment or put the sentiment inside. Cards such as these are easy to put together when the color coordination is taken care of by the designers in advance. Choosing the DSP Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up is a good product to get to start to make cards if you don't have a great deal of supplies. Get yourself some DSP to design your A2 or Mini Slimline cards - I know you'll love the double sided designs that are color coordinated with all the other papers, inks, embellishments, markers and more. Find someone to be a friend to today - send them a hug with a fold in the middle - a card, as our CEO Sara says. If you don't have a demonstrator I'd love to help you discover the joy of making and sending cards. And I'd love to see what you make. Leave me a note or picture in the comments below. Thanks for stopping by! Be Blessed! sb

One Horse Open Sleigh, Designer Series Papers, July 6, 2023, Grassy Grove, Stampin' Up! Card Coinnoisseur

You probably didn't realize you had the ability to solve a mystery! MYSTERY & THE MASK - Card Class MYSTERY CARDS Inspired by Karen Titus, Ind. Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and my Team Leader. But first to encourage conversation and community, we'll have some fun with a Seek & Find puzzle I created. You can design your own at www.education.com. Here are the clues: (I'm CASE-ing from Karen Titus. CASE is Copy And Share Everything, very much encouraged in the card making community) 1 – A2 CARD BASE IN A COLOR (one piece of 81/2” x 11”, folded in half, it measures 5 ½ x 4 ¼ “) 1 – WHITE LAYER (4 x 5 ¼”) Note that the layers are 1/4 “ smaller on both sides. 1 – Coordinating piece to the card base DSP (Designer Series Paper) 1 x 4” 1 – Coordinating piece of DSP 1 ½ x 4” A Punched out, Die Cut or Fussy Cut (hand cut) image as an accent Instructions: Attach the DSP pieces in your choice of design to the white layer Attach the white layer to the base card. Add the accent image and sentiment if desired. You’ve solved Mystery #1 The tulip DSP is perfect for this layout. The blue version is similar. MYSTERY CARD #2 – taking Card #1 up a notch 1 – A2 COLORED CARD BASE 1 – 2 ½ “X 3 ¾” PIECE OF THE SAME COLORED CARD BASE OR COORDINATING COLOR 1 – BASIC WHITE LAYER, 4 X 5 ¼ INCHES. NOTE THAT IT IS ¼ “SMALLER ON BOTH SIDES 1 – 2 ¼ X 1 ¾ INCH WHITE LAYER PIECE (NOTE THAT THIS PIECE IS ¼” SMALLER THAN THE COLOR PIECE) A Punched out, Die Cut or Fussy Cut (by hand) image as an accent. 2 – DSP 3 ¾ X 1 ¾ “AND 1 – 3 ¾ X 1” Instructions: 1. Attach the DSP PIECES (3) TO THE BIGGEST BASIC WHITE LAYER IN YOUR CHOICE OF DESIGN. 2. Layer the image (PUNCHED, DIE CUT OR FUSSY CUT PIECE) on the smaller white layer, then attach the white to the smaller color layer. 33.Attach the smaller layers with image in your choice of design to the card front. . 4. Add sentiment if desired. CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’VE SOLVED MYSTERY 1 & 2! Make easy cards with these 2 patterns to use up small pieces of DSP, or when an easy, quick card is needed, or when making many cards at a time. THE MASK in today's "Mystery & the Mask" Class is a stencil. Create backgrounds with color coordinated inks, using the Blending Brushes or sponge daubers. Build your card front with one of these sample prints. Layer as you did for the Mystery Card. Embellish with a die cut or fussy cut (hand cut) image. If you aren't fond of white as the back color, with a lighter shade of ink, sponge or use the blending brush, and lightly add the color first over the whole card base, then use a darker shade with the stencil, making sure to add more ink to make the pattern of the stencil stand out. (no photos of that technique) I love crafting with you! Thank you for spending the afternoon with me. In today's class one lucky crafter will find a coupon on the inside of the "wrap" that is made with fabric-looking DSP on their snack cup. Thanks for stopping by! Be blessed! sb Before you dash off, do you realize that you can get $125 worth of products for $99 with free shipping? And then beginning with your first order, a savings of 20%. You can stay a hobbyist and never sell to anyone but yourself; or you can share these amazing products with friends. In addition, you get further discounts, see new products before they are sold, get rewarded for sales, and be part of a creative community. Read how Stampin' Up! has changed my life here on my Stampin' Up! webpage. I'm always available to talk with you. Join my Team - We're the Card Connoisseurs!

The best way to make an explosion card - and to remember how to make it for years to come - is with a story! When the card is closed, its just a ordinary card, but when it opens.. Isn't this Flowering Fields Designer Series Paper stunning? Now for a different look with the In The Wild Designer Series Paper. Plain on the outside... 'Wow' on the inside. How about the beautiful Pansy Petals Designer Series Paper? Gingham checked on the inside! The cards above are all regular sized cards and use an 8' square of Designer Series Paper

Create this card using Easter Friends by Stampin' Up! #DebbieMageed #SecretsToStamping #EasterFriendsStampinUp #FunFold #stampinup

Most DSP Designer Series Paper is sold in 12x12 pieces, and can be cut in a variety of ways. You can get 4, 6x6 pieces, and with one pattern alone can get two cards out of each 6x6 piece. Or you can cut one 12x12 into three 4 inch by 6 inch pieces. When there's left over pieces (scraps) collect and save them to use in a card such as the one shown below. The window card is beautiful with a color behind the cut out, but then save the cut outs to use in a patchwork quilt design, like shown here in this pocket card. Also make a point every 3 or 4 months if you are a regular card maker, to make cards out of scraps of papers. Here's some that I have made. What once were scraps and bits of cardstock, now become coordinated pieces of a card front! Thanks for stopping by! Post your project photos below. Be Blessed! sb

Use your DSP pieces in various ways. With remaining Designer Series Paper pieces, you can create beautiful designs even with small pieces. Once the pattern retires, I sort them into colors and holidays. These greens are in the "Halloween" and "Christmas" sections of my paper stash. I took my inspiration from a quilted table runner made of assorted green angled trees, mounted on a beige background of assorted prints. To build the scrappy tree, gather greens and golds or any colors you want for your trees. You could even use white cardstock, then emboss in silver or gold. As in any creativity, you're the artist and its your design. Cut strips in odd angles and triangles. Don't think too much about it. Make a pile such as this. One tree will not be enough! The base will be a 1" x 4" strip of cardstock. You could use any scrap because it won't be seen except for the trunk. I grabbed white and colored the trunk piece brown later. I used two strips and worked on two at once, as the ideas flowed along. Make sure to work on a silicone mat to protect your work surface, such as the Silicone Craft Sheet #127853 in the Annual Catalog. (I use a silicone baking sheet, approximately, 9x12" for large projects such as this.) Run a line of glue down the middle of your base piece. Begin building from the bottom up. Choose a longer piece for the bottom branch and build your tree with angles and shapes, adding gold for sparkle. It shouldn't be exact- this is art. Here are my first three designs. I did trim some of the angles after I had them all glued on, but don't get too fussy. Now look for an embossing folder to "quilt" your tree that has a fine pattern. My choice is a retired small image design. I did try Forever Fern and a poinsettia but the images were too large. If you don't have an embossing machine or folder, your tree will be just as beautiful in its own way. You might decide to add a small bit of sequins or crystals to enhance your design. For the background, I used a sheet music embossing folder, like Merry Melody #156392 Annual Catalog, but you could use old music paper or any prints you wish. My intention was to make just one to try a paper quilt based on a quilted runner design. I love it so much! I've got to make more with my greens, and see how many designs I can come up with for backgrounds. To add a sparkle of gold ribbon, use Stampin'UP! "Gold and Vanilla Satin-edged Ribbon" #159555, Mini Catalog J-D 2022, and a sentiment or none. "Merry Christmas" is #159773, Hope & Peace cling stamps, Mini Catalog Jul-Dec. Here are three more Scrappy Tree cards made....with green scraps! I love the artsy look! Grab your greens and build a tree! I'd love to see yours over at Card Connoisseur on Facebook or ask to join my class page at Card Connoisseurs - Cardmaking with Susan Boback. For more projects, calendar, how to save 20% and to learn more, visit here: www.susanboback.stampinup.net. Thanks for stopping by and be blessed! sb

Grab some 4" squares of patterned paper and make these easy origami fun fold shadowbox cards with us! First, using Blackberry Designer Series Paper.

Making prints for cards is one of many ways you can enjoy colors and perhaps discover a new interest. The products I use are Stampin' Up! and if you're not already purchasing your supplies with them, I'd encourage you to discover the quality and color coordination for all products. My personal page for ideas, specials and access to the current catalogs and kits is found right here. Take a look then contact me with any questions! There's so many techniques for making your own prints and backgrounds. Today we're going to work with re-inkers and water, on water colour paper. If you're new stamping or making cards, I welcome you to this creative craft. I love working with these water colour techniques because every image is different. But if you think in exact methods and wish all designs to be the same, this may be an "out of the box" technique for you. If so, I do encourage you to read and try these. You may be surprised at how beautiful ink and water can come together to create a unique print! NOTE I tried these techniques on heavy cardstock but the paper did not hold its shape when the print dried like water colour paper does. You can air dry your prints or use a heat tool to speed it along. (Do not use a hair dryer. Please use safety) TECHNIQUE #1 You'll need dye based ink, preferably in liquid form for this first project. A palette is needed for the ink. Any non-porous thing, but I use clear, firm cellophane, window sheets, cut in a 3x4 piece so its easy to handle. Any small piece of clear plastic will work. I recommend this water colour paper which is 5x7 size. It's perfect making 2 prints for 2 card fronts. On one half of the paper, spritz water about 4 times. By using this spritzer you can gauge the spray area and amount of water. You don't want it too wet or too dry. Put one drop of ink from the re-inker bottle on a palette. Spritz with water. Next wet the water painter, which is a paint brush with a barrel that holds water, Squeeze the barrel, and pick up ink with it you've squeezed onto your palette. Touch the wet spot on the paper and let the ink flow freely; and slide ink only in wet area. Its not the goal to cover the entire half page. Let dry or dry front and back with heat tool. This photo shows this technique on the left. The ink is Pumpkin Pie. Stamp image on top of inked background now dry. TECHNIQUE #2 SMOOSHING Watch a YouTube video by Lisa Curio to see this technique. On your palette, squeeze a drop of ink then spritz with spritzer until the ink puddles. Pick up the palette piece and quickly turn it upside down on the paper. Smooshing is when you swirl the window sheet piece or palette piece around on the paper which places the ink in unique patterns, and creates a different image each time. Another option is to pull the inked window sheet/palette, upside down across the paper which produces an image of a different shape. Use the heat tool again to dry the paper which will dry flat if its water colour paper, with high cotton fibers and which can absorb the water. When dry, stamp your image on this background or add a die cut. You can also stamp on Designer Series Paper for another unique design. This paper is the Harvest Meadow, which like all DSP (Designer Series Paper) is double sided and coordinated with inks, card stock, ribbons, markers, and embellishments. TECHNIQUE #3 BLENDING BRUSHES You can also use blending brushes, instead of a water colour brush, with ink to create a background of blended colors. Although the photo shows the re-inkers here, I have found that tapping the blending brush on the ink cartridge is a better method for loading ink on these brushes. While you can tap the brush into the liquid ink, the ink from the cartridge has a lesser water content and produces a deeper colour. The colors I used for this piece are Polished Pink and Daffodil Delight. Today we're using Delicate Dahlias which is available for free with a $100 order, which is part of the semi-annual Sale A Bration ending September 30, 2021. I'd love to tell you about this and other amazing deals. (If you are reading this blog post after that date, just keep in mind that you'll have two opportunities to take advantage of free items, because Stampin' Up! has begun to host two Sale A Bration events per calendar year. So look for a mini catalog to premier in Jan - June with the Sale A Bration to be held Jan/Feb; and a second mini catalog will premier in July with the Sale A Bration for Aug/Sept.) To embellish the image, emboss with gold embossing powder and green embossing powder for the leaves. TECHNIQUE #4 EMBOSSING ON VELLUM And yet another option is to use white embossing powder with the image on vellum. Then use this embossed layer over the background you've made with Blending brushes. Using vellum creates a more subtle look. Place your stamp on the Stamparatus to stamp it exactly where you want it, get it straight with even pressure, or repeat for full coverage of the ink. Here the versa mark watermark ink is used before the embossing powder is added. The print below shows stamped images over the background made with Blending Brushes. Using bright colors will make their images show up better under the vellum. Polished pink and Pumpkin Pie are the Dahlia and daisy images. Once your images are dry you can trim them to layer on card fronts for use with a variety of sentiments and embellishments. Here are a few finished prints. I love the Delicate Dahlias with the water colouring techniques. This stamp set can be used for any season of the year. You could stamp in Pumpkin Pie and Daffodil Delight (orange and yellow) for fall; Real Red for December; Pink for Jan/Feb. Purples and blues for Spring or Easter. The colour combinations are many. Check out the four color families of ink and products here, and use your own combinations to create unique prints for card fronts. This first print, while stamped on heavy cardstock, is not water color paper. While it took the ink and water well, it did curl when dry, even using a heat tool. In this instance, I had to cut the print down to make it into a card front, by cutting off the curled edges. Something to consider is what you're going to do with your prints. If making cards, be sure to choose water color paper. The print below shows how the inks blend and spread if too much water is used. But if you are satisfied with your colours you can use the second stamp of this two-step stamp, and stamp the outline Dahlia and leaves to give it definition. See the samples below. Before stamping any images with a two-step stamp, make a matching mark on each stamp where two images are the same so that when lining them up such as these prints show, you can get the petals that are shaped the same to match. There are lots of techniques and possibilities for making backgrounds and prints with ink. These are four that I use often. Make sure to click on the highlighted links for the Stampin' Up! products that I used. I'd love to see what you make. If you're interested in the Sale A Bration or learning how you can get a discount on products and free items with a $99 order, I'll be happy to tell you. Read about how Stampin' Up! has made a difference in my life - this community can made a difference in yours too! As always I appreciate you stopping by! Be blessed!sb

One 12x12 double sided paper is the base, with coordinating pieces - new or those you want to use up. The cardstock you'll need is for the white layer on the inside. Remember, that even though the 1st pattern is shown with holiday papers, any paper or sentiment can be used with the patterns. All cards fit in an A2 envelope. You'll assemble the same as an A2 card: base that is cut, scored, folded; a front cover piece that is a stamped image, die cut or punch art; add ribbon or bling or none; add a sentiment or none. With one piece of 12x12 Designer Series Paper, or any 12x12 double sided papers, make these two card designs. Add a white layer for inside. Card Design #1 Make THREE cards out of one 12x12. With the design running horizontally in front of you, cut 1 inch off the right edge. Set it aside for a belly band or strip card pieces, later. Cut the 12x11" piece in three, 4" x 11" pieces, making sure to note your design should be horizontal. Use one piece per card. Set two aside. Score 3 1/2" from left, and 2" from right. That leaves you with a 5 1/2" center piece for the inside body of your card. If you like to know you're right on your measurements, keep this in mind: Designer paper - 4 x 11"; score at 3 1/2" on left and 2" on right. 3 1/2 + 2= 5 1/2. Paper size is 11 minus 5 1/2 = 5 1/2" section for card body. The card is 4" wide, 1/4" narrower than an A2, but necessary to get three cards out of one 12x12. Fold the left over and the right in. They should meet. At this point you could cut 1/4" off of the left piece. Use a punch such as this holly to create an edge or an edge die, but not necessary. Or punch a hole in each side and add a ribbon. Complete the front. Add a 3 3/4" x 5 1/4" white layer to the inside. This is also needed for stability since the card is made of paper, not cardstock. Why this size? 1/4" smaller gives a narrow edge around the white. Card Design #2 With this design, similar to #1, cut one 12x12 piece into three, 4x12" pieces with pattern running horizontally. Do not trim 1" off one end. Score at 6". Fold in half. Open to the inside. On the right edge, as shown here, score 1/2", then fold in and glue down. This brings contrast to the inside. On the left side, score 1/2" on the edge and fold to the outside and glue down. This is your card front, and this brings the inside colors to the outside. Now fold your piece at the score line. The front should measure 5 x 4, and the back 5 1/2" x 5. Add a white layer to the inside, 5 1/4" x 3 3/4". This is also needed for stability since the card is made of paper, not cardstock. Add ribbon at the fold or not. Add a stamped image, die cut, punched art. Add a sentiment tag or not. Add bling or not. Finished size is 4 x 5 1/2". Card Design #3 This unique card was featured on this blog as a post on NOV 1. Click the link and see the post. Corner Open Card Card Design #4 Plus matching Gift Bag The coordinating 3x3" card is made with a 3" piece of the 12x12 Designer paper for this gift bag. Make the bag first. You can find the instructions for this bag - made from 2 - 12x12 pieces of matching Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!) or any double sided paper - at karentitus.com I hope you'll try some of these projects that use a 12x12 paper. Use up your pieces that are older, or that you don't want to cut up or the abundance that most of us have. Imagine getting a gift in a bag with a matching card. Perhaps making coordinating cards to give as a gift in this bag would be an extra surprise. To make cards look at the blog posts for 4 card swatch # 1 or 2. Visit my Stampin' Up! shop over at www.susanboback.stampinup.net where you can learn more about current products & ideas, my own projects, and the new catalogs coming out in January 2023. I'd love to know if you make these projects, please look up cardconnoisseur on Face Book. Thanks for stopping by. Be Blessed!sb

An Independent Stampin Up Demonstrator

Six easy cards using any 4" x 6" patterned paper and six card bases!!! This is one of the choices you can make if you buy paper shares through me ---if you

Butterfly Bouquet will be available through May 3. Don't miss this chance to get this collection of stamps and dies. Butterfly Bouquet check out this link to see the options. One large page style stamp as well as a matching page die that completely covers this stamp, plus individual detailed butterflies that mimic the stamped images, and in addition, tiny butterflies and embellishing shapes are included. Some customers are so inspired they are ordering two sets so that they can cut the large page style butterfly stamp apart to be used individually. While we are disappointed that the coordination DSP Designer Series Paper butterfly paper is no longer available, you'll be able to stamp many butterfly backgrounds and countless individual butterflies to embellish your card designs. I've always loved butterflies - have photographed them. Have had them land on my face. Have needle work hanging on the walls of butterflies. Metal sculptures. And photos around my home depicting these favorite creatures of mine. My only tattoo is a butterfly. My first stamp was a butterfly. Yes, I do love butterflies. Do you love butterflies? Get your deluxe set by May 3 when it will be retiring. You won't be disappointed. 💜 Thanks for stopping by! Post your projects in the comments. Be Blessed! sb

GROVE DEER This card uses the dies from the Grove Deer to create a scene – daytime or night, any season and for any occasion. This Die sent is part of the Grassy GroveBundle which includes the Grassy Grove stamps and dies. It is found on page 47 of the Jan – Jun Mini Catalog 2022. The Grove Dies include the tree scene and two deer, that I’ve used in today’s card, and a deer, trees, greenery that coordinate with a cling stamp set, Grassy Grove. Click on the PINK words which link you to these Stampin' Up! products in my online store. The Take Your Pick Tool is a necessity for this project, as you can see the many little bits of cardstock that need to be weeded out. The Mini Cut & Emboss Machine is so convenient for this die set. I can put the two little deer in the tree scene and cut them out all at once. For those of you not familiar with the Mini, you’ll want to own this machine (non-electric) as it is very light weight, easily portable, and small to store. When I first saw this die set, I thought of using the photos I once took to make photo notecards. Here's some ideas: The size of this trees die is 3 1/16” high x 4 ¾” wide, so the card will be assembled in landscape view. Use an A2 card (4 ¼” x 5 ½” – landscape, with the fold at the top). I used Daffodil Delight cardstock for the base; Basic Black for the Grove die and deer; and a piece of the New Horizons Designer Series Papers for the sun background. The variations of the background are endless, depending what type of scene you are creating. By using a 6” x 6” piece of Designer Series paper, its possible to get two backgrounds for this die out of one piece. Before you assemble your card, try some of the papers you have behind the Grove & Deer Die cut. Also choose a lighter background color, such as Basic White or Crumb Cake. Here are some of the Designer Series Papers that would create beautiful backgrounds: New Horizons, p. 43 in Mini catalog The Abstract Beauty Designer Series Paper could look like an evening sky (in my interpretation), p. 49 in the Mini. Specialty Papers with the white die cut could resemble a snowy sky or a heavenly s To create depth, attach dimensionals between the die cut and background layers. Beauty of the Earth papers can be used for various seasons, p. 10 in the Annual Catalog (soon to expire May 1, 2022) White cardstock creates a winter scene. The various papers make this die cut into Christmas scene. A sympathy card. A birthday card. Many More. Its one of those designs that once you make one card with it, you don't want to do anything else! Here is a completed card designed by my friend Carol. Its stunning! To get the most out of my die cut pieces, I often use the opposite piece as a stencil. I've done that with the black cardstock and the deer that I've cut out of it. Then use the black piece as a stencil. You can tape it down with low tack tape if you want. Use a sponge dauber to add ink, while holding the stencil piece firmly in place. The dauber will be easier to get the ink into the small cut out spaces instead of a blending brush. You could also use a Blender Pen or a Water Painter for a water color look. If you don't get too much ink on the cardstock, you can flip this stencil piece and make a deer print facing the opposite direction. Here is the print I made on white. Another way to use this black cutout is as a layer itself! I made this bookmark with the image left from the scene above. I'd love to see what you choose to put together for your version of this card. Please post a photo or send it to me in messenger. Head over to Card Connoisseur on Face Book and post your card there too. Note that this blog address spells CardConnoisSUEr a little differently that the word is spelled on the Face Book Page. Find more of my projects at www.susanboback.stampinup.net and while you're there, check out the latest specials on products too! You might choose to hold an online workshop with your friends from around the country, or an in-person gathering - there's many ways to get free products and discounts as a customer. If you are interested in saving 20% and more, on every order you place, join my team - click here , and share in the community of demonstrators who are hobbyists or take the business forward. I'd love to share this with you! Thanks for stopping by. Keep sharing what you love with others, as we "cheer up the world, one card at a time"! Be blessed! Sb .

Happy Happy Hawwwwmp DAY!! It’s the middle of the week and….it’s 24-Hour Stamp Sale Day. Guess how long the 24-hour Sale is going to last?? Any thoughts? YES! TWENTY-FOUR HOURS!…

Eleven cards all using this easy layout for mass producing cards using Designer Series Paper!

STAMPIN’ UP! DAY OF SERVICE IS COMING SOON! From Stampin' Up! "Our Stampin’ Up! Day of Service will be held on Thursday, 16 September. This year, we’ll be focusing on heart health. We are so excited to invite all to join us in making a difference! There are many different ways to participate and benefit your local communities." "We invite you to - support local causes you’re passionate about, or - focus on heart health education, resources, and support - Participate in blood donation, CPR training, donating needed items to a local hospital - Engage your community in a heart-healthy wellness activity - Donate or sende encouraging cards to healthcare workers Please share your Stampin’ Up! Day of Service experiences using #SUDifferenceMaker on Facebook and Instagram." Card makers don't need an invitation to make cards and help cheer up the world, do we? We have plenty of reasons right now to thank those who serve us, in many ways, medical or civil jobs. Let's show them their work makes a difference in our daily lives! The Statement of Heart for Stampin' Up! in part is "making a difference" by helping others to enjoy their creativity and worthwhile accomplishments. SEPTEMBER 16 - Stampin' Up! Day of Service 2021. Join me in sending, giving, speaking, sharing your heart to those who serve our communities! Thanks for stopping by. Be Blessed! sb