I love it when we have a new product catalog from Stampin’ Up!   I don’t know about you, but I’m like a kid in a candy store as I look through the catalog for the first time.  It’s always hard for me to decide exactly which products I want to buy.  I looked long and hard at the Balloon Adventures stamp set (142823), but in the end decided to purchase other items instead.  Fortunately for me, a fellow demonstrator friend purchased this set and allowed me to borrow it to have some “play time”.  I’m excited to share the outcome with you today.

Here’s the first card I have to share.  The design of this card isn’t original with me.  I’ve seen several other demonstrators make a similar one.

Project Notes:

• Stamped images (banner and sentiment) are in the Balloon Adventures stamp set (142823).
• I created the balloon themed frame, colored balloons and die cut bow with the Balloon Pop-Up Thinlits Dies (142753).   Both the stamp set and coordinating framelits can be purchased in a bundle (144708) at a 10% savings.
• Card color combination (Crushed Curry, Emerald Envy, Pacific Point, and Tangerine Tango) was taken from the Party Animal Designer Series Paper (142738).  I used the Crushed Curry piece of Party Animal designer paper as the background.
• CARD DESIGN HINT:  If you have difficulty choosing color combinations for your projects, check out the designer papers in the Stampin’ Up! catalog.  There’s no need to purchase the paper packs, just use the color combinations in the papers as a starting point for choosing your own colors!!  That’s what I did on this card.
• I used Stampin’ Dimensionals to “pop up” the Balloon Frame.

Here’s a second card I created.  The background on this card was actually created for another project (one I will share on Monday).  I decided that the confetti was too busy for the original project, so I used it as the starting point of this card.  No sense in wasting a perfectly good background piece!!

Project Notes:

• The color combination on this card is the same one I used on my first card.  There’s nothing wrong with repeating a great combination!!
• Sentiment and confetti stamp is in the Balloon Adventures stamp set.  I used the Layering Ovals Framelits (141706) to cut out the sentiment and a matte.
• I used the two ribbon/bow like dies found in the Balloon Pop-Up Thinlits Dies (142753) to create the gift package.  I used the piece without the dangling strips to create the Emerald Envy box.  I cut a Crushed Curry piece using the ribbon die with strips, then attached it over the green loops to make it look like a bow on top of the package.  Don’t you love how these two pieces coordinate together!!
• The Sparkle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (141468) was used to add some texture and dimension to the gift package.  I created by own to and from tag.

Here’s the final card I have to share today.

Project Notes:

• I went with a Black and White color theme for this card.  I might have been adapted this from an idea I found on Pinterest.  I didn’t make myself a note about where the idea came from.
• Black and white designer paper is from the Neutrals Designer Series Paper Pack (138435).
• Circle is cut with the Layering Circles Framelits (141705). It is approximately 3 inches.
• The die cut loops are from one of the dies in the Balloon Pop-Up Thinlits Dies (142753).  It is the same one I used to create the loops on the green card stock in the last card.  For this card, I just trimmed down the solid part so it was hidden behind the sentiment.

On Monday I will have two more great ideas using the Balloon Adventures stamp set and coordinating Balloon Pop-Up Thinlits Dies. You can purchase it in my online store.  It’s a great stamp set to add to your collection and use when creating handmade birthday cards.

Bundles of Love provides handmade baby clothing, bedding and basic care items for newborn babies in need and they like to tuck a handmade card in each bundle that they give. We are going to make some cards that they can use.  (Learn more about this organization at Bundles of Love.)

Bundles Of Love Service Opportunity

Thursday, January 19, 2017

3pm – 7pm

South Suburban Evangelical Free Church

12600 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN

Drop in ANY TIME during the event hours to help stamp and assemble baby cards.  There is no card designing involved, everything is prepped and ready to go.   Come when you can and stay for as long as you want.  There is no cost for this event, as this is a service opportunity.  However, each person who comes to help is welcome to keep one of the baby cards for themselves.

I’m looking forward to seeing you.  

Together we can make a difference in someone’s life!!

Here are the stamp images I am using on the cards I’m sharing today.  Yes, they have heart images, but the actual images are very small, and by changing the color theme your card won’t have a Valentine feel.

On my first card, I stamped the image in Real Red.  But combining it with Dapper Denim takes away any “Valentine” feel to this card.

Project Notes:

• I stamped two border pieces for this card, then made a narrow border matte of Real Red card stock.
• The Thank You stamp is a FREE Sale-A-Bration choice – So Very Much (143340).  This is a great stamp set for creating quick and easy thank you cards.

Here’s another card created with the same border concept as the first card.

Project Notes:

• I changed the orientation of the card from portrait to landscape and only added one stamped, matted border piece because of the card size.  I also changed the color of the stamped image to Dapper Denim, creating a monochromatic card.
• I made this card using one of the cards in the Notecards and Envelopes package (131527).

Here’s another card using the larger heart patterned image pictured above.  This time I used it to create a subtle background pattern.

Project Notes:

• Project colors are Pool Party and Calypso Coral.
• I stamped Pool Party ink onto the Pool Party card stock to create the patterned background.
• I also LIGHTLY sponged the edges of the Pool Party card stock with Calypso Coral ink to create a distressed look.  TIP: If you want to achieve the same look, make sure to add VERY LITTLE ink at first until you see what it looks like.  You can always go back and add more if it’s too light, but can’t take any away if it is too dark.
• Sentiment is from the Cottage Greetings stamp set (wood 138940, clear 139962) and stamped in Calypso Coral ink.
• Stamped border design is found in the Delicate Details stamp set (143314).  This is a stamp set that you can earn FREE with a $50 product order during the Sale-A-Bration event that Stampin’ Up! is currently offering.  I stamped in VersaMark ink (102283), sprinkled with Gold Embossing Powder (109129) and heat set using the Heat Tool (129053).
• The die cut scroll piece I stamped the sentiment on is found in the Cupcakes and Carousels Embellishment Kit (142767).  This kit that is part of the Cupcakes & Carousels product suite and it includes some great components that can be combined with products outside the product suite, as I did on this card.

I don’t want to spend too much time on the Sealed with Love stamp set (142815).  However, I have one more day of projects using this stamp set to share with you.  Please make sure to stop back on Monday to see how I used this set to make a wedding card.

Also, if you enjoy the projects I share here on my blog, I’d like to invite you to sign up for my weekly newsletter.  Each week I share EXCLUSIVE project ideas (complete with step by step directions) and tips for using Stampin’ Up! products.  To sign up, you can use the form in the right side bar of my blog.  I’d love it if you’d join me on my creative journey of making handmade cards with Stampin’ Up! products.

Let’s get started with today’s creative inspiration.  My first card is a really basic design layout…a great all-purpose handmade Valentine’s Day card.

Project Notes:

• Sentiment is from the Sealed with Love stamp set (142815),
• Striped designer paper is in the Sending Love Designer Series Paper stack (142733).  This pack of paper has designs that are PERFECT for creating all sorts of Valentines!!
• I used the Layering Circles Framelits (141705) for the sentiment and scalloped circle border.
• The ribbon border and bow were made with Real Red 3/8″ Stitched Satin Ribbon (141693).
• This card is a great design for making multiples and goes together in under 10 minutes!!

My second card has a few more details to it, but is still pretty basic.

Project Notes:

• Layering Circles Framelits (141705) were used for the sentiment and scalloped circle border.
• Background paper is found in the Sending Love Designer Series Paper stack (142733).
• The Whisper White card stock is textured using the Falling Petals Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (142761).  This is a BEAUTIFUL texture pattern, similar to the Softly Falling embossing folder.  However, the embossed images created by the Falling Petals folder are heart shaped!!
• The row of stamped hearts were cut out using a die from the Love Notes Framelits Dies (142752) then mounted with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
• The ribbon is silver metallic, found in the 3/8″ Metallic Ribbon Combo Pack (143601).  This ribbon is one of the choices in the Sale-A-Bration brochure and can be earned FREE with a $50 product purchase (before shipping/handling).
• This card was inspired by a similar design I saw, made by Patsy Waggoner.

My next two cards demonstrate ways the the Sealed with Love stamp set can be combined with other Stampin’ Up! products.  The first card was one I received in a swap, but the creator didn’t include her name.

Project Notes:

• Stitched Shapes Framelits (145372) were used to create the circular sentiment piece.
• The same hearts as from the previous card were stamped, die cut and attached with dimensionals.
• Background paper is found in the Sending Love Designer Series Paper stack (142733)
• A Delicate White Doily (141701) was used as a matte for the sentiment circle.
• A heart shaped Metallic Enamel Shape (141678) was used to add a bit of sparkle.
• A bow was added, using the 1/8″ Real Red grosgrain ribbon in the Sending Love  Ribbon Combo Pack (142737).

Here’s the final card that I have to share today.   Do you remember the Bloomin’ Heart Thinlits Dies ?  Well, that die is the PERFECT accent to use with the Sealed with Love stamp set.

Project Notes:

• Layering Circles Framelits (141705) were used for the sentiment and scalloped circle border.  It was popped up with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
• Bloomin’ Love Thinlits Die (140621) was used to die cut the intricate heart.
• Take a look at the border on this card.  It was created with ANOTHER of the images in the Sealed with Love stamp set.  The pattern image is the same one used to create the background pattern on the card I shared here.  Doesn’t it make a great accent on this card??

Well, so far I’ve shared TEN different Valentine/Love Themed card ideas using the Sealed with Love stamp set from Stampin’ Up! (Scroll back through previous posts to see these cards.) But, I’m not done yet!!  I have one more blog post of card ideas using this stamp set on Wednesday and you won’t want to miss it!!  I’ll be sharing ways to use some of the stamps on non-Valentine cards!!  See you then!

Bundles of Love provides handmade baby clothing, bedding and basic care items for newborn babies in need and they like to tuck a handmade card in each bundle that they give. We are going to make some cards that they can use.  (Learn more about this organization at Bundles of Love.)

Bundles Of Love Service Opportunity

Thursday, January 19, 2017

3pm – 7pm

South Suburban Evangelical Free Church

12600 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN

Drop in ANY TIME during the event hours to help stamp and assemble baby cards.  There is no card designing involved, everything is prepped and ready to go.   Come when you can and stay for as long as you want.  There is no cost for this event, as this is a service opportunity.  However, each person who comes to help is welcome to keep one of the baby cards for themselves.

I’m looking forward to seeing you.  

Together we can make a difference in someone’s life!!

Here’s the first card.  It features a “peek through” heart.

Project Notes:

• I used the heart border die (found in the Love Notes Framelits set, 142752) to create the red border piece.  I started with a red strip 1 1/2″ wide, then trimmed it down to the desired width after cutting the border piece. I LOVE how the hearts can be folded up a bit to add dimension to the card.
• The peek through heart hole and the folding heart were both made with folding heart die found in the Love Notes Framelits set.  The red heart is actually attached to the INSIDE of the card and pops through the hole in the card front.
• Designer paper on the card front is in the Sending Love Designer Series Paper Stack (142733). Attach it to the card front BEFORE you cut the hole for the peek through heart.
• The little heart design on the folding heart is actually a heart design cut from a piece of Sending Love designer paper, then attached to the red heart cutout.
• It’s hard to see in the photos, but I used Clear Wink of Stella (141897) on all of the red hearts in the border, as well as the “pop up” heart.

Here’s a photo that better shows the peek through hole.

Here’s what the inside looks like.  You could add some stamped images from the Sealed with Love stamp set to dress it up.

My second card is one I received in a recent card swap.  It was made by Susan Campfield.  I LOVE the simplicity of this card and could see this being a perfect design layout for a wedding card (using a different color scheme).

Card made by Susan Campfield

Project Notes:

• The concept of this card is the same as the first one I shared….a cut out heart hole.  However, this card is made a bit different from the first.  The “hole” was cut in a 5″ x 3 3/4″ piece of cardstock.  Susan mounted a piece of designer paper behind the hole before attaching the card stock to the card front.  The card front is solid, with no peek through hole to the card inside.
• She cut the heart hole in the piece above with the “fold up” single heart die found in the Love Notes Framelits (same one used on the first card).  The heart piece she used to offset the hole is the shape that was cut out of the first piece.  She stamped a coordinating heart image from the Sealed with Love  stamp set on the center of this heart piece.
• The designer paper used on this card is from a Christmas themed pack: This Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper (141628).

My third card is an easel card and uses the large Happy Valentine’s Day sentiment found in the Sealed with Love stamp set.

Here’s the card opened

Project Notes:

• Some of the small pattern stamp images from the Sealed with Love stamp set were used to create a “color on color” background pattern on the red card front.
• Red Glimmer Paper (121790) was used as an accent to add some sparkle and bling to this card.

I hope that you have enjoyed the Valentine card inspiration I’ve been sharing here on my blog.  Make sure to check out last Monday’s post and then stop back next week when I will have more Valentine themed cards to share.

I have had LOTS of fun creating with this stamp set and I will be sharing my creations over the next several blog posts. Let’s get started….

One thing you will notice is that most of the images in the Sealed with Love stamp set are small…small enough that you will need to “add” some other card elements to fill up a full sized card front.

Here’s my first handmade Valentine card.

Project Notes:

• The heart border is made with one of the coordinating Love Notes Framelits (142752).  I actually cut two heart edges, one on the card front and another out of red card stock.  I cut off all the red hearts and attached them over the black hearts on the card front. (See photo below for a photo of the red piece after hearts are cut.  This could be used on another project!!)
• The envelope and coordinating “letter” were also made with the Love Notes Framelits.
• The patterned paper is one of the patterns in the Sending Love designer paper pack (142733).  The size of these designer papers is 6″ x 6″, and there are 48 sheets in each pack (6 each of 8 designs).
• You may not notice the row of hearts on the bottom of this card…they blend in so well with the designer paper.  I stamped that row of hearts using one of the stamps in the Sealed with Love stamp set (142815).
• This card idea is based on a project by Sue Vine.

Here’s what it looks like with the hearts cut off.

Here’s another handmade Valentine card made with this same stamp set.  I received this in a swap.  It was made by Terri Snider.

Card made by Terri Snider.

Project Notes:

• The border heart design was also used on this card…this time the border was cut on a piece of card stock that sits ON TOP OF the card front.
• Because the stamped images are small, die cut shapes were combined with the stamped images to fill up the card front.  The Banner Framelits (132173), Layering Squares Framelits (141708), and Stitched Shapes Framelits (145372) were all added with the stamped images.
• Take note of the stamped swirly heart image just above the mini envelope.  I think that image is so classic and would be great to use for a wedding card!!

The third handmade Valentine card I have to share was made by Kay Kalthoff and was another I received in a card swap I participated in.  I LOVE the simple elegance of this card!!

Card made by Kay Kalthoff

Project Notes:

• The textured background was made with the Happy Heart embossing folder (137364)…a perfect accent to the Sending Love suite of products.  She attached a row of Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246)  in the center of some of the hearts to create a border.
• Kay created a “frame” by cutting out the center of the Stitched Shapes Framelits (145372) square.
• The focal heart image is actually cut out of one of the Sending Love designer paper patterns, then mounted with a Stampin’ Dimensional.
• Color combination is Crumb Cake and Real Red.

Have I piqued your interest in the Sealed with Love stamp set??  As you can see from today’s cards, Stampin’ Up! actually has an entire SUITE of products that coordinate with the Sealed with Love stamp set.  It’s called the Sending Love Suite and includes coordinating framelits (142752), designer series paper (142733), ribbon (142737), and embellishments (142735). The stamp set and framelits are also sold in a bundle at a 10% discount (144705).  And, as a bonus, ordering the Sealed with Love bundle and designer paper together would give you enough for a FREE Sale-A-Bration item choice.  There are LOTS of great choices in the Sale-A-Bration catalog, but there’s one item I think would coordinate perfectly with the Sending Love suite of products….the Delicate Details stamp set (143314).  I can imagine all the lovely “old fashioned” Valentine cards that can be created.

Order any of these Valentine products TODAY from my online store and get a head start on making your handmade Valentine cards!!

Well, to celebrate National Trivia Day, I thought I’d share some “trivial” information about greeting cards.  I bet you’ll learn at least one thing that you didn’t know.  I did!!!  Let’s get started.

According to a greeting card fact page published by PaperBecause.com:

• Americans purchase 7 billion greeting cards every year.
• Annual retail sales of greeting cards are estimated at more than $7 billion.
• The average person receives more than 20 greeting cards in a year, about one-third of which are birthday cards.
• There are two categories of greeting cards – Seasonal and Everyday.
• Total card sales are split approximately 50-50 between the Seasonal and Everyday categories.
• The most popular Everyday cards are birthday cards, which account for more than half of all Everyday card sales, followed by get well/sympathy, and friendship/encouragement cards.
• The most popular Seasonal cards are Christmas and holiday cards, which account for more than 60% of all Seasonal cards sent. This is followed by Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Graduation cards.

Here’s more interesting greeting card trivia.  According to the Encyclopedia of Trivia web site :

• The custom of sending greeting cards can be traced back to the ancient Chinese, who exchanged messages of good will to celebrate the New Year, and to the early Egyptians, who conveyed their greetings on papyrus scrolls.
• The Hall Brothers founded what would later be known as Hallmark in 1910. Their business began issuing cards that were folded down the middle and stuffed into envelopes. (Previously holiday greeting cards were of the postcard-type variety).
• Englishman Craig Shergold was diagnosed at the age of nine with brain cancer in 1989. His friends and relatives began a chain letter campaign requesting individuals to send greeting cards to him. The campaign was successful and Shergold has now received approximately 350 million greeting cards, earning him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
• According to a poll, 72 per cent of Americans sign their pets’ names when sending greeting cards.
• A greetings card that can play ‘Happy Birthday’ has more computing power than existed in the whole world in 1950.
• It is estimated that Queen Elizabeth II has sent more than 175,000 100th birthday cards to people across the Commonwealth during her reign.

Hope that you enjoyed this “trivial” blog post today!  Thanks so much for stopping by.

I am a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator who LOVES to teach others how to make their own greeting cards.  I post card making ideas, inspiration and instructions on my blog every Monday and Wednesday, so make sure to stop back and visit again.  You can also sign up in the right side bar to be on my mailing list.  I send a weekly newsletter with tips and tricks for card making and well as complete card project directions.