For quite a while now, I have been trying to make the perfect cloud or puff of ink as a background on my card fronts. I kept ending up with blotchy, streaky messes. Finally, I realized I was using the wrong tool. I'm very excited to share with you today how I successfully got these beautiful clouds of ink in the middle of my card fronts. So, on y go! Let's get stamping. 

It's only August, but Christmas will be here before you know it! So, it's never to early to start making Christmas Cards. Today, I have three cards for you using the new Peace & Joy stamp set from Stampin' Up! I started with a very simple card that uses only stamping and minimal layering. Then, I stepped it up using a little ribbon and some Heartwarming Hugs Designer Series Paper. Finally, I stepped it up again by using the coordination Joy dies. Whether you want a super quick and easy card or something fancy, there's a design for you! So, on y go! Let's get stamping.

Casual Card Dimensions:
Real Red: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
Heartwarming Hugs DSP: (2) 3/4" x 5 1/2"
Whisper White: 3" x 5"
Pear Pizzazz: 3 3/16" x 5 3/16"
​Mossy Meadow: 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" 

I never know quite what to call the different fun-fold cards. So, I settled on Illusion Card Front for this one, because it kind of seems like an optical illusion that the card stays together. We did this fun layout for last night's Mystery Stamping event. It's great because it's easy and can be used with all sorts of stamps. So, on y go! Let's get stamping.

Next, fold the card and set it in front of you. Lay the cut-off strip of 1 1/2" x 4 1/4" cardstock on the bottom where it would have originally been. Then, turn the piece of 2 1/2" x 4 1/4" card stock and glue it so that it holds the bottom strip to the top flap to create the card front. Be careful to only put glue on the top and bottom so that you don't glue your card front closed!

Add a piece of 4" x 5 1/4" Whisper White or Very Vanilla cardstock to the inside of the card. Stamp an image on the piece of 2 1/4" x 4" Whisper White or Very Vanilla cardstock and it to the front of your card. 

I just can't stop with the smooshing technique! Since I made another background in the video for the last post, I went ahead and finished it off into this dramatic thank you card using the new Life is Beautiful stamp set. This stamp set will be available starting tomorrow in the 2020 August-December Mini Catalog. ​

Here is a summary of the technique. For a more complete explanation, see my other cards using the smooshing technique or watch this instructional video. 

For this card, I stamped the circles from the Life is Beautiful set in Granny Apple Green and Coastal Cabana randomly on the background piece, but I didn't stamp them all over. I think the circles add to the blotchy-ness of the smooshed background. On top of that, I stamped the trees with Jet Black Stazon ink. 

For the greeting, I cut the thank you using the Well Written dies from Granny Apple Green and Basic Black cardstock. I cut two black ones and one green. I stacked the die-cuts on top of each other off-setting the green from the black a little bit to create a shadow effect.

To finish the card, I tied the front with a piece of black baker's twine that I swiped from an old Paper Pumpkin kit. I mounted the smooshed background on Basic Black cardstock and then again on a Basic Black card base using black Stampin' Dimensionals.

I have another watercolor technique to share with you today - smooshing! It's as fun as the name. In this short video, I shared how I did this technique. Don't worry - it's less messy than it looks! So, on y go! Let's get stamping.

BONUS: Click to check out my other blog post with an additional sample that I made with one of the backgrounds created in the video. 

I love the new Life is Beautiful stamp set from Stampin' Up! This set is available in the 2020 August - December Mini Catalog. You can begin ordering from this catalog on Tuesday, August 4. Whether you want snow showers, spring flowers, or autumn leaves, you can do it all with this stamp set. So, on y go! Let's get stamping. 

The polka dot tulle ribbon is knotted under the cardstock circle with the sentiment. I decided for this card, I didn't want to see the knot or bow, but I liked the look of the ribbon across the card and then the ends poking out from under the sentiment. I cut the Flirty Flamingo and Vellum cardstock with the Stitched circle dies. To glue the vellum, I used multipurpose glue and then used a sponge to sponge it on more evenly across the shape. 

I love the way the little stars stamp represents flowers on this tree. It's so soft and springlike. 

I tied sheer Pool Party ribbon around the front and mounted it on pieces of Pool Party and Coastal Cabana cardstock. I stamped the greeting with Jet Black Stazon ink on Coastal Cabana cardstock and trimmed one side as a banner end. For a little bling, I added a few of my favorite Artistry Blooms Sequins. These self-adhesive sequins easily add touches of shimmer, but since they are Pool Party in color, they don't show well in this photo.

For last night's Mystery Stamping event, we created cards using 5 strips of Designer Series Paper, a focal image, and a simple greeting strip. These cards are quick and easy and a great way to show off patterned paper while still using a stamped image. ​
​

Today I have a beautiful double easel card to share with you featuring the To a Wild Rose stamp set. These double easel cards are easy to make. While they don't take a lot of time, they have a stunning effect and definitely have that little something extra that is so special for the recipient. So, on y go! Let's get stamping. 

Start by folding the piece of Whisper White Thick cardstock in half along the score line. Fold the piece of Petal Pink cardstock as an accordian. Adhere it as shown to the front of your folded card. The white card base should open on top and the first fold of the Petal Pink should be on the bottom. 

Stamp the roses from the To a Wild Rose stamp set with Petal Pink ink. I used only the two inside stamps for these roses. Stamp the centers with Crumb Cake ink. Stamp the leaves with Pear Pizzazz ink. For these leaves, I only used one detail stamp - the one with the stems. Cut the images with the Rose dies. 
​

Cutting Dimensions:
Cardstock: 5 ½” x 8 ½”, scored at 4 ¼”
Cardstock: 1 ¾” x 5 ½”
Whisper White or Vanilla cardstock: 1 ½” x 5 ½”
Patterned Paper: (7 pieces) 1” x 2” of various coordinating patterns

My third card features the Plaid Tidings DSP that will be in the new August-December Mini Catalog. These plaids are awesome! I chose ones that used Mango Melody and Rich Razzleberry, but there are lots more to choose from and I probably could have chosen four or five different color schemes to use for this card with this paper. The colors are just so beautiful. I want to gobble it up. 

To go with the fabulous paper, I used the Pattern Play stamp set. And, I added a few of the adhesive backed sequins. These things are the bomb! They are so iridescent and sparkly and they already have adhesive on them. So you just have to peel them off the backing and put them down on your card. So easy and so pretty! If you haven't picked up a pack yet, you should definitely add them to your next order. They are hands down my favorite embellishment right now. I just wish there were more colors!

For my final card of this series, I tried really hard to use up the rest of my scraps of the Flowers for Every Season DSP. I had a lot of 1/2" strips. So, I made a lot more skinnier banners than the original cards. I finished the card with the To a Wild Rose stamp set and some Bumblebee gingham ribbon. 

This sketch was so much fun to work with! I can't wait to see what all my Mystery Stampers created with it. 

You'll find the list of currently available products below. Remember, for every $50 you order in July, you will receive a $5 coupon to use in August when the new Mini Catalog is released. If you need any help ordering or have questions about stamping or Stampin' Up!, ask away! You can comment below or send an email. See you Friday!
​