SUDSOL BLOG TOUR, Fabulous Fun & Fancy Folds...

I am SO excited to be participating in the SUDSOL Blog Tour #6!  SUDSOL (Simply Unique Demonstrators Sharing On Line) is an online community of Stampin’ Up! demonstrators.  I have only been a member of SUDSOL since the beginning of the year, but I love all the fabulous resources available to me and I use it almost every day!  Their Creative Library has an extensive samples gallery, video tutorials, patterns and templates.  Members also have access to lots of great business articles, forms and class outlines.

I know that many of my readers are Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  If you are a demonstrator and are not already of member of SUDSOL, please consider taking advantage of the FREE two-week trial.  Just CLICK HERE.  Once you sign up for your FREE trial, be sure to stop by my gallery:  MarieStamps.  You will find the patterns for all of my Fancy Fold cards in the Patterns Library as well:  Twisted Easel Card,  Center Step Card,  Diamond Fold Card.  Check it out today!

The idea of the SUDSOL Blog Tour is not to do "Art Show" quality projects.  Instead, the group likes projects that are easily demonstratable at workshops and classes.  These are the type of projects that demonstrators find most useful.  Towards that end, my projects show different fold techniques, while keeping the designs very simple.  I hope you enjoy my projects!

The first card I have for you is also the easiest fold.  It is a Twisted Easel Card.  It again uses one of my favorite new stamps, the Sunflower.  I just love the fine lines in this image.  The sentiment, from the Hostess set Faith in Nature, seemed a natural fit with the Sunflower.  And I had to include some of the yummy new Scallop Dots Ribbon - my favorite from the new catalog!

NATURAL SUNFLOWER TWISTED EASEL CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Sunflower (#123606,  $17.95), Faith in Nature (Hostess)
• Card Stock – More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Naturals Ivory
• Ink – More Mustard Classic, More Mustard & Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Markers
• Ribbon – Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots (#124142, $7.95)
• Punches – Ticket Corner (#119867 $6.95)
• Accessories – Antique Brads (#117273, $5.95)
• Tools – Paper Trimmer with Scoring Blade, Paper Piercer & Mat, Sponge Daubers

You can find general directions HERE, but demonstrators trying out SUDSOL, can see my full tutorial with pictures HERE.

The second card is a Center Step Card.   For this card, I used the new Sweets for the Sweet stamp set.  It is such a cute set.  I stamped and cut out two different pinwheels.  Then I assembled them with Stampin' Dimensionals between each layer and the card.  The Just Add Cake DSP is the perfect touch of fun for this whimsical card. 

FANTASTIC PINWHEEL PARADE CENTER FOLD CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Sweets for the Sweet (W#122510 $25.95, C#122512 $18.95), Perfect Words (Hostess or Stampin' Rewards)
• Card Stock – Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Whisper White, Just Add Cake DSP
• Ink – Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, So Saffron Classic, Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker
• Punches – Modern Label (#119849, $16.95)
• Accessories – Silver Brads (#104336, $6.95), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Tools – Paper Trimmer with Scoring Blade, Big Shot, Ovals Die (#114525, $15.95), Punch Windows Movers & Shapers Dies (#115953, $29.95), Piercer & Mat, Sponge Daubers

You can find my tutorial for the Center Step Card here:  Love Birds 60th Anniversary Center Step Card and my full pdf tutorial on SUDSOL HERE.

The third card is a Diamond Fold Card.  This card is a little more complicated in the scoring and folding, but once you have done one or two, you will find it quite easy.  You hold it flat when inserting it into the envelope.  When the recipient pulls the card from the envelope, it "explodes" up.  For this card, I used the very popular Flirtatious Specialty DSP and Delicate Doilies Stamp Set from the new catty along with the new Melon Mambo Embossing Powder. 

Here is a picture of how it looks flat (before embellishing):

DARLING DOILY DIAMOND FOLD CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Delicate Doilies (W#122590 $21.95, C#122592 $16.95)
• Card Stock – Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Flirtatious Specialty DSP
• Ink – Wisteria Wonder Classic, VersaMark
• Accessories – Basic Pearls Jewel Accents (#119247, $4.95), Melon Mambo Stampin' Emboss Powder (#123223, $4.75)
• Tools – Paper Trimmer with Scoring Blade, Heat Tool, Ruler, Sponge Daubers

You can find my full pdf tutorial with pictures on SUDSOL HERE.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for a fourth fun fold card, a Telescoping Circle Card!  I will have the full tutorial for that card tomorrow as well.  I hope you enjoyed my Fun & Fancy Fold Cards!

HOLY COW INVITATION...

Today I have for you the invitations that I made for my husband's surprise 50th Birthday Party next weekend (luckily, he isn't interested in reading my blog!).  I really wanted cows, as the theme is "HOLY COW!  Mike is 50!".  I didn't want to do the traditional black/funeral type of 50 party and for some reason the cows just popped into my head. 

Since we don't have any cow stamps, I turned to punch art - of course!  Don't I always?  The cow's head is the Top Note Die cut down and shaped a bit and the snout is the largest of the ovals on the Ovals Die.  Everything else is punches with all noted in the recipe below.  You could easily adapt this into a horse by taking out the horns and moving the ears to the top corners of the head and changing up the colors.  Hmmm... maybe I'll have to do that in the future...  

It was fun because my youngest daughter, Colleen, even volunteered a few hours to help me on the last day.  And Jenni helped with a bit of the last minute assembly, so it was a family event for Dad!  Hope you enjoyed my fun little invitation!

HOLY COW INVITE SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – On Your Birthday (#111664, $33.95)
• Card Stock – Basic Black, Whisper White, So Saffron, Blushing Bride, Soft Sky Patterns DSP (retired)
• Ink – Basic Gray Classic, Pacific Point & Pear Pizzazz Markers
  
• Punches – 2" x 1-3/8" (Wide) Oval (#119859, $16.95), 1-3/4" x 7/8" (Large) Oval (#119855, $15.95), 1-3/8" x 5/8" (Small) Oval (#119863, $15.95), Scallop Circle (#119854, $16.95), 2-1/2" Circle (#120906, $16.95), 1" Circle (#119868, $10.95), 3/4" Circle (#119873, $10.95)
• Accessories – Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Ovals Die (#114525, $15.95), Top Note Die (#113463, $21.95)

BREEZY EASTER BLOSSOMS CARD...

This is a card from my Easter Class last week featuring the lovely little girl from the Easter Blossoms set.  Love this set!  Attendees learned another method of Ribbon Rusching and how to make a square Framed Tulip piece instead of the regular rectangle.  Don't miss out on all the fun at my next class!  Enjoy! 

BREEZY EASTER BLOSSOMS SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Easter Blossoms (W#121905 $25.95, C#122057 $18.95)
• Card Stock – Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Springtime Vintage DSP (#121782, $9.95)
• Ink – Baja Breeze Classic and Marker
  
• Ribbon – Baja Breeze 1/2" Seam Binding (#122331, $6.95)
  
• Punches – 2" x 1-3/8" (Wide) Oval (#119859, $16.95), Scallop Oval (#119856, $16.95)
• Accessories – Basic Pearl Jewels Accents (#119247, $4.95), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Ovals Die (#114525, $15.95), Framed Tulip Embossing Folder (#121809 , $7.95), Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates (#114512, $11.95)

BUTTERFLY LOVE ANNIVERSARY CARD...

It's good to be home!  Finally getting settled back in and trying to catch up on everything.  It appears that a few of my scheduled posts did not show up for some reason, so I will be republishing those.  They're Christmas projects, but they're still good for next year, right?

Sunday was my 29th anniversary, so I decided to make this card for my wonderful hubby, Michael.  It turned out to not be the most masculine card with a butterfly and pearls, but I liked the sentiment and I am always a huge fan of Black & White (okay, Vanilla in this case) designs.  Plus I have had this card in my head ever since I saw the new Framed Tulips Embossing Folder in the Occasions Mini and I needed an excuse to make it.  :o)  So now it will be for my parents anniversary and I will Mike another one.

Of course, I LOVE all our embossing folders, and this one is no exception.  I find that I use embossing folders on most of my cards because they really add depth and interest to your card.  I especially love that this new design allows you to "inset" your DSP so perfectly.  And it works so well to emboss the card base itself.  Definitely one of my favorites from the new Mini!  Enjoy!

BUTTERFLY LOVE ANNIVERSARY CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Butterfly Prints (W#121049 $16.95, C#120738 $12.95)
• Card Stock – Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Love Letter DSP
• Ink – Basic Black Craft
• Ribbon – Basic Black 5/8" Satin (#117285, $8.95)
• Accessories – Basic Pearl Jewels Accents (#119247, $4.95), Black Stampin' Emboss Powder (#109133, $4.75), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Ovals Die (#114525, $15.95), Framed Tulips Embossing Folder (#121809, $7.95)

HOLLY JOLLY STAMP CAMP, Christmas Penguin Box...

Project #2 from my Holly Jolly Stamp Camp is this adorable little Penguin box!  I knew I had to do a penguin project as both my girls love penguins especially Colleen.  After trying out a few different ideas, we ended up going with this one.  However, Jenni and I had a difference of opinion on whether to have the penguin wearing "earmuffs" or not.  I gave people the choice to do them or not, but I still love the earmuffs, Jen!  I would like it if the handle/earmuff band were not as high, but I wanted to be sure you could get treats in and out easily.

Jen named him "Private" after one of the Madagascar penguins.  It suits him, so Private Christmas it is!   :)

This little box uses the Fancy Favor Die, which is one of my FAVORITES!  It is such a useful little box!  It can be adapted for so many different holiday characters and themes.  I hope you enjoy this little guy!

Here is Jen's preference:

PRIVATE CHRISTMAS PENGUIN BOX SUPPLIES:

• Card Stock – Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Basic Black
• Ink – Tangerine Tango Classic, White Signo Gel Pen
• Punches – 1-3/4" Scallop Circle (#119854, $16.95), 1-3/8" x 5/8" (Small) Oval (#119863, $15.95), 2" x 1-3/8" (Wide) Oval (#119859, $16.95), 1/2" Circle (#119869, $5.95), Two-Step Owl (#118074, $16.95)
• Ribbon – Silver Tinsel Trim (#120994, $7.95), Real Red 3/4" Polka-Dot Grosgrain (#115608, $1.99 on the Clearance Rack)
• Accessories – Deck the Halls Big Designer Buttons (#121002, $8.95), Sticky Strip (#104294, $6.95),
• Tools – Big Shot, Fancy Favor Die (#115965, $39.95), Ovals Die (#114525, $15.95), Paper Piercer & Mat, Sponge Daubers

CHRISTMAS CARD CLASS #3, Peaceful Reflections...

I held my October Christmas Card class (#3) last Saturday.  Jenni designed this card for the class with the Hostess Level 2 set from the Holiday Mini.  She's been wanting to make a card with an aluminum foil embossed background for a while now, so this was her chance.  With that shininess, it was very difficult to photograph, so this was the best I could do.  Enjoy!

PEACEFUL REFLECTIONS SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Peaceful Season (Hostess Level 2), French Filigree (#113742, $14.95)
• Card Stock – Night of Navy, Whisper White
• Ink – VersaMark
• Accessories – Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), Silver Embossing Powder, Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil
• Tools – Big Shot, Ovals Die (#114525, $15.95), Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (#116824, $7.95), Paper piercer & Mat

TECHNIQUE THURSDAY, Faux Suede...

Last night was my Technique Thursday class.  Most of the attendees are big time Halloween enthusiasts, so I had to make Halloween cards, of course!   For the first project, we learned the Faux Suede technique.  I thought that the texture lent itself well to the Spooky Halloween feeling.  I kept the card itself simple so that the Faux Suede piece would be featured well.  There is lots of texture though with the flocked paper, the Faux Suede piece, the lace trim and the glittery embossing.  Technique directions follow the recipe.  Tomorrow I will share another technique.  Enjoy!

I also did this version with the Faux Suede piece being embossed with the Spider Web Embossing Folder.  Ultimately, I decided that it "crushed" some of the Faux Suede characteristics, so I decided to go with the plain version that showed off the technique better:

FAUX SUEDE FRIGHT SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Midnight Raven (#116529, $7.95)
• Card Stock – Basic Black, Whisper White, Wicked Fun Specialty DSP (#117400, $11.95)
• Ink – Cajun Craze, Basic Black Classic, Basic Black Craft
• Ribbon – Raven 1/2" Lace Trim (#120988, $5.95)
• Accessories – Iridescent Embossing Powder, Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Top Note Die (#113463, $21.95), Ovals Die (#114525, $15.95), Stampin' Sponges

FAUX SUEDE TECHNIQUE DIRECTIONS:

1. This technique looks especially nice with black or dark card stock.
2. Curl a piece of cardstock between your thumb and your bone folder as if you were curling ribbon. Curl it in all directions until you see the corners start to separate.
3. You can also crumble or run it through a crimper many times.  The main idea is that you are breaking down the fibers of the cardstock to separate it.  The more you work your cardstock, the easier it will separate.
4. Stick your thumb nails between the two layers and slowly pull them apart. If you meet some resistance, curl your cardstock again. 
5. Voila!  You now have Faux Suede!  Isn't it fab?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNI!...

Today is Jenni's 28th birthday! As many of you know, Jenni is my oldest daughter and is a frequent contributor to my blog as well as working with me for some classes and workshops.  She is always complaining when I post current pictures of her, so I thought I would share one from her baby years.  Isn't she adorable?   I love you, Jenni!

The whole family went to see Despicable Me (funny, cute, movie) and then to Red Robin for dinner and Skinny Dip yogurt for dessert - all Jenni's choices!  She was so full then though that we are putting off presents and cake (well actually she chose a giant cookie & ice cream) until tomorrow night.

I thought I would share the card I made her anyway and hope that she doesn't check out my blog between now and tomorrow night!  :D  I loved the Music of Love card I made and used a few of the elements from that one for her birthday card.  But, of course, I had to personalize it just for Jenni!  She loves purple, so I used Elegant Eggplant.  She took five years of French and was a whiz at it, plus one of her favorite stamp sets is Chic Boutique, so I wanted to include a Parisian theme.  And as it happened, she bought coasters today with the Eiffel Tower on them!  :)  So it worked out well, I think.  I hope she likes it!

ELEGANT PARISIAN BIRTHDAY SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Artistic Etchings ( W #118517 $18.95, C #120573 $14.95), On Your Birthday (#111664, $33.95), En Francais (#109521, $17.95)
• Card stock – Basic Black, Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant
• Ink – Basic Black, Elegant Eggplant, Basic Gray Classic, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive, Basic Gray and Elegant Egglplant Markers
• Ribbon – Basic Black 1-1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (#115615, $9.95)
• Punches – Modern Label (#119849, $16.95)
• Accessories – Silver Foil Smooch Spray (#118771, $4.95),  Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Ovals Die, Top Note Die, Magnetic Movers & Shapers Punch Windows, Vintage Wallpaper Stampin' Up! Textured Impressions Folder (#120175, $7.95), Color Spritzer

MOJO MONDAY, SWEET PEA 3D FIFTH AVENUE FLORAL

Mojo Monday got a little delayed this week.  I started the card on Monday, but ended up with a virus (severe dizziness) for a couple of days, so I just got to finish it today.  I wanted to use the Fifth Avenue Floral Set since it is one of the 20% off sets in April.  I decided to make the flower 3-dimensional to add a little punch to a pretty monochromatic card - directions are at the end of the post. I would have liked to use the smallest Clear Rhinestone Brads, but I didn't have any more of that size and the other sizes didn't look right, so silver it is.

I had some ruffled border strips left from a technique class I had a couple of months ago.  I finally decided to put them to use.  You can find the tutorial  for the ruffled border pieces here:  Diamond Crimp Valentine

This is a close-up side view of the flower so that you can see the different layers: 

SWEET PEA FIFTH AVENUE 3D FLORAL SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Set – Fifth Avenue Floral (#113734, $19.96 - 20% off in April ONLY!)
• Card stock – Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Whisper White, Sweet Pea DSP Stack
• Ink – Basic Brown, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron Classic, Versamark
• Ribbon – Rose Red 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain (#111846, $8.95), Pretty in Pink 5/8" Satin (#117289, $8.95)
• Punches –  Eyelet Border (#113692, $15.95)
• Accessories – Silver Brads (#104336), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (#102023, $4.50), 2-way Glue Pen, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Clear Embossing Powder
• Tools – Crimper, Aquapainter, Paper Piercer & Mat, Paper Snips, Big Shot, Ovals Die

3D FLOWER TUTORIAL:

1. Stamp and cut out three flowers.  Cut between petals almost to the center.
2. Watercoloring each one using different tones and/or colors.  Allow to dry,
3. Apply Versamark directly to the image with the pad.
4. Immediately cover with clear embossing powder and heat emboss.
5. Carefully curl the petals of the bottom flower downward.  You don't want to crack the embossing.
6. Curl every other petal of the middle flower upward.  Apply to the first flower layer with a Stampin' Dimensional.
7. Curl the petals of the top flower upward.  If putting glitter on, apply now.  Attach to the middle flower with a Stampin' Dimensional.
8. Attach your finished flower to the card with a Stampin' Dimensional.