Monday, November 24, 2025

INTRODUCTION TO SWIRLED DESIGNS

This week I am featuring a new Online Exclusive Bundle that was introduced in November.  I was immediately drawn to the bundle by the dies, but as I've worked with it, the stamps have started to grow on me.

Today's card uses all but one of the stamps that are included in the set.

I gave a lot of thought as to how I could best show off these graphical "background" image stamps and finally decided to use them to create my own designer series paper (DSP).

I decided to keep the "DSP" subtle by using tone-on-tone stamping.  


I randomly stamped each of the images from the stamp set.  The only stamp I did not use was the tiny stars.

I used Basic Beige cardstock and ink.  Basic Beige is a great neutral, but it is not a color that I use often.  I'm not sure why.  I think I just forget about it.  Maybe I need to move it to a more prominent place in my paper storage.

I really liked how the "DSP" turned out.  There are large swirly circles, speckles, tiny flowers, a large swooshy shape, some dashed stripes and dashed checks.


HINT:  When you stamp your own "DSP" start with the largest images and work to the smaller images using them to fill-in where needed.

Now that I had my tone-on-tone Basic Beige DSP, I needed to choose which colors I wanted to use to add a pop of color.  So, of course, if you follow me, you know I went to my trusty Color Coach for help.  There were several combinations to choose from, but I settled on Pretty Peacock and Real Red.  

The Swirly Oval and the leaves were die cut from Pretty Peacock.  The die cut flowers and a strip of Shiny Real Red Ribbon add the pop of color.

Since the Swirled Designs Stamp Set does not include greetings I used another new November Online Exclusive bundle, Banner Sayings.  This bundle includes a Tripple Banner Punch that makes easy work of creating a sentiment.


I made my "DSP" larger than required for the front so I had plenty of "scraps" left to decorate the inside of the card and cover the envelope flap.  A Real Red mat, a border for the decorative strip and some die cut flowers add a pop of color on the inside of the card.

Use this link to download a tutorial.  It provides a list of supplies, dimensions and step-by-step directions to make this card.

A list of the supplies used is also shown below.  You can click on any of the images to learn more about that product or to make a purchase from my Stampin' Up! store.


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Friday, November 21, 2025

FRIENDLY FOLIAGE & KINTSUGI INSPIRATIONS

For my last Friendly Foliage card this week I'm getting out the color!  Until today, we've had an "all-white" and a Gold & Beige card, so today it is time for color!

I took my color inspiration from the beautiful Kintsugi Inspirations Designer Series Paper (DSP).  

The colors on this card are Misty Moonlight, Petal Pink, Cloud Cover and Gold.


The front foliage was stamped with Misty Moonlight and die cut with both the inner and the outer die Friendly Foliage Die.  I love how you can see the Petal Pink DSP through the foliage.  There is something about that simplicity that just makes me happy!

The Happy Birthday greeting from Unbounded Love was heat embossed with White Embossing Powder on Misty Moonlight cardstock and fussy cut.

This is a very quick and easy card, but a few special details elevate it just a bit.  So while it IS quick & easy, it doesn't LOOK like it is.

See the FREE TUTORIAL at this link for all those details.

The inside is also quick and easy.  I used my go-to solution of adding a narrow decorative strip to give the inside a bit of color.  

I love sending cards to long-time friends so the sentiment on the inside, from Coneflower Celebrations, is one of my favorites.

A list of the products used for this card is shown below.  Click on any of the images to learn more about that product or to make a purchase.


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Wednesday, November 19, 2025

GOLDEN FRIENDLY FOLIAGE

As I mentioned on Monday I liked the little different "twist" that this Friendly Foliage Bundle provides when making cards with simple stems & foliage.

Monday's card used only the "inner" die that coordinates with this stamp.  Today's card uses both the inner and the outer die.

If you compare the two cards you will see that the outer perimeter of the frame is also die cut on today's card.  The outer perimeter die cuts not only along the outside of the stamped frame, but it also cuts around the stems that protrude past the frame.


The Basic Beige checked designer series paper is from the Gathering Together Designer Series Paper (DSP) collection.  To add a bit of elegance, shimmer and shine I embossed the foliage with gold embossing powder.  


Two Branching out Dies cut a "window frame" in the DSP, and I layered Season of Elegance Basic Beige & Gold Specialty paper behind the frame.  Both pieces of checked DSP are popped up with dimensionals so the "golden" frame is recessed between the DSP layers.

HINT:  When popping up DSP, it is helpful to use a piece of cardstock as a backing to provide stiffness.

The Happy Birthday sentiment from The Right Words is heat embossed with gold embossing powder on Basic Beige cardstock, and an extra little strip of the Season of Elegance Specialty Paper provides a lower border (and more gold) for the greeting.

Three little pieces of Open Weave Trim were scrunched together and tied in the center to add a bit of "fluff" on the left of the greeting.


Being one to never let pretty scraps go to waste, I used the frame that was left over from the card front when I die cut the Gathering Together DSP.  

The inside sentiment, also from The Right Words Stamp Set, was heat embossed with gold.  Then two Friendly Foliage die cut leaves of gold foil were tucked into the lower right corner to keep the shimmer & shine going.


A list of the products used is shown below.

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