DIAMOND PLATE MOTORCYCLE CARD...

I purchased this Motorcycle stamp from the Summer Mini especially for my brother Robert.  This stamp is great for masculine cards!  The detail is beautiful!  I had plans to do a much more elaborate card with the "diamond plate".  Unfortunately I had to get 19 cards made in only a couple of days before leaving on vacation and this was my last one at the eleventh hour, so I made it an ultra quick card.  I still sneaked the diamond plate in, but went Clean & Simple on the rest.  I mean to add a couple of brads on the upper left, but forgot.  Oh, well... next time.  Enjoy!

DIAMOND PLATE MOTORCYCLE CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Motorcycle (#117657, $8.95), Occasional Quotes (Hostess Level 3)
• Card stock – Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Brushed Silver
  
• Ink – Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Gray
• Punches – Modern Label (#118874119849, $16.95), Word Window (#119857, $15.95) 
• Accessories – Stampin' Dimensionals 
• Tools – Big Shot, Background 1 Stampin' Up Texturz Plates (#114512, $11.95), Aquapainter

SCRUMPTIOUS SCOOPS CELEBRATION...

Ice cream just screams summertime.  And this birthday card hits those same summertime notes.   This Scrumptious Scoops card was inspired by a square card I did a few months ago for a technique class.  I thought I would reinvent it in a standard card size with my favorite DSP for a birthday card I needed.  That ice cream looks yummy!  Make your your own scoop today!

SCRUMPTIOUS SCOOPS CELEBRATION SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Sweet Scoops (W #117078 $18.95, C #120078 $14.95)
• Card stock – Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Whisper White, Island Oasis DSP
  
• Ink – More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Melon Mambo, So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise Classic, VersaMark
• Accessories – Stampin' Dimensionals
• Tools – Big Shot, Square Scallop Die (#115950, $21.95), Background 1 Stampin' Up Texturz Plates (#114512, $11.95)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY FISHES...

Today is the party for my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary.  The first picture is the 5 x 7 card I made for them. I have made these adorable little fishes many times for anniversary cards with the heart bubbles (no little ones), coral and straight seaweed grass and couldn't wait to make them again. I don't think I have shown them here before, so I  thought I would share them with you with the updates I've made.

The lips are a new addition from the little heart in the new Two-Step Owl Punch.  It is just perfect for kissing lips!  Also, this time I added the leafed "seaweed" from the Two-Step Bird Punch. The seaweed was a neat idea from my sideline, Marion Swain, so I incorporated it into my anniversary card.  The card at the end of the post is a standard size version.  Enjoy!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY FISHES SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Occasional Quotes (Hostess Level 3) (inside)
  
• Card stock – Confetti White, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi, Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Perfect Plum, Tempting Turquoise, Crumb Cake
• Ink – Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, Crumb Cake, Tangerine Tango Classic, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, More Mustard Markers
• Accessories – Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (#102023, $4.50), 2-way Glue Pen, wiggle eyes
• Punches – Ornament (#119847 $16.95), 2 Step Bird (#117191$16.95),  5 Petal (#119880 $16.95), Snowflake (#119852, $16.95), Scallop Edge Border (#119882, $15.95), Two-Step Owl (#118074, $16.95), Heart to Heart (#119881, $16.95), Heart Small (#117193, $5.95)
• Tools – Stampin' Sponges, Color Spritzer

REMINDER: TAX-FREE WEEKEND...

Just wanted to remind Virginians that this weekend is a Sales Tax Holiday for school supplies up to $20.00 per item.  This means that some Stampin' Up! products will be tax free during the holiday period - good through tomorrow August 8.  Please see THIS POST for a list of all of them items (as well as Texas tax-free weekend).  Please note that you must place your order with Stampin' Up! during the tax holiday weekend in order to receive these items tax free.  Don' miss out on this limited time benefit!  Yes, you can combine this with the Extra $25 in hostess benefits.  

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY DICK & ELLIE!

Today is my In-Laws 50th Anniversary! Just wanted to wish them a Happy Anniversary. Hope you have a FABULOUS day!  Can't wait to party with you and the family Sunday!  Check back here Sunday to see the adorable punch art card I made for them (don't want to give it away early).  Here are a couple of photos of the happy couple:

FUN & FANCY FOLDS #4, EASEL...

This is the final card from my Fun & Fancy Folds class.  It is also the easiest fold to do.  I did a 5 1/4" square card which will fits perfectly in our Square Envelopes.  Once again I used my favorite Island Oasis DSP - I sure am getting my mileage out of this paper!  Hope you enjoy the last fun fold card - for now anyway!  Enjoy!

BLOOMING BIRTHDAY EASEL CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Occasional Quotes (Hostess Level 3), Butterfly Prints (W #121049 $16.95 C #120738 $12.95)
  
• Card stock – Whisper White, So Saffron, Old Olive, Peach Parfait,  Tempting Turquoise, Island Oasis DSP 
• Ink – Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Peach Parfait Classic
• Accessories – Flower Brad from Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware Set (#111325, $29.95), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (#102023, $4.50), 2-way Glue Pen
• Punches – Modern Label (#118874119849, $16.95), Word Window (#119857, $15.95), Butterfly (#119848, $16.95), Ticket Corner (#119867, $6.95), 1-1/4" Circle (#119861, $15.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Island Floral Die (#118871, $21.95), Flowers Fold Die (#115970), Stampin' Sponges, Paper Piercer & Mat

EASEL CARD DIRECTIONS:

Note:  If following the template above, solid lines are cut lines and dotted lines are score/fold lines.
 

1.  With your 5 1/4" x 10 1/2" card base in the landscape position, score at 2-5/8" and 5-1/4”.
 

2.  Fold at the 5-1/4" score to make a regular 5 1/4" square card.  Mountain-fold the 2-5/8" score line as well.
 

3.  Apply Sticky Strip to the first scored area as shown by the red areas on the template above.
 

4.  Attach your 5-1/4" square card front to the front of your card folding up your card front.  See a sideview photo below for how it will look:

5.  Attach a brad where desired depending on how far up you would like your card to "rest".  You can see where I placed mine in the photo.

FUN & FANCY FOLDS, SIDESTAIR...

The third card from my Fun & Fancy Folds class was a Sidestair card.  I tried to keep it CAS, but I did get a little carried away.  Jenni did stop me from doing taller popped out accents on the second stair that I would have done otherwise though.  :)  I did manage to stick to only one stamp set though!  See a version at the end of the post that I did for my nephew with a few changes/additions.  A FREE tutorial and template follow the recipe.  Enjoy!

BIRTHDAY CAKE SIDESTAIR CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Party Hearty (#111532, $26.95)
  
• Card stock – Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise, Rose Red, So Saffron,  Island Oasis DSP 
• Ink – Daffodil Delight Classic, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise Markers
• Ribbon  –  Daffodil Delight 1/4" Grosgrain (#120928, $4.95)
• Accessories –  Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Punches – Modern Label (#119849, $16.95), Word Window (#119857, $15.95), XL Tag (#119866, $16.95), Large Tag (#119876, $15.95), Scallop Edge Border (#119882, $15.95), 3/16" Corner (#119871, $6.95), Crop-A-Dile (#108362, $29.95)

Click to Enlarge Template

SIDESTAIR DIRECTIONS:
Note:  If following the template above, solid lines are cut lines and dotted lines are score/fold lines.
 

1. With your 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" card base in the portrait position, line up the cardstock at the 2" mark, and cut a line from 2 1/8” to 7 1/2”.

2. Turn your cardstock to the landscape position with cut line toward the bottom and right. Score from the top down to the cut line at 2-1/8”, 5-3/8”, 6-1/2” and 7-1/2”.  Also score at 4-1/4” from the top all the way to the bottom.

3. Using your template above as a guide, you will fold the 2” side in a mountain fold on the left side. On the right side you will use alternating folds of mountain and valley as shown in the template and the picture below.
  

4. Stamp and embellish your card as desired.

Here's a slightly different version I did for my nephew Dylan.  His name is in the Rough Type stamp set from the Summer Mini:

SUMMER MINI ALBUMS AVAILABLE...

At Long Last!  Stampin' Up! has received inventory for the following "while supplies last" items from the Summer Mini, and they are available to purchase beginning today.  These sold out in a matter of days when the Summer Mini began on May 1 and have been unavailable ever since.  If you are interested in these adorable mini albums at a fantastic price, please order soon or you may miss out on them completely as they are available while supplies last only and will not be reordered!

Polka-Dot 6X6 Post Album

#119833, $10.95

Capture your summer memories with this colorful fun-loving Old Olive Polka-Dot 6" x 6" post album.   Decorate its pages with our coordinating Island Oasis Designer Series paper to keep fun experiences vibrant through the years.  Includes 10 sheet protectors and adjustable posts and can be expanded.  Acid, lignin and xylene free.

Herringbone 6X6 Printed Album

#119834, $10.95

A traditional herringbone design covers this Blue Herringbone 6" x 6" post album making it the ideal choice to capture memories of the men in your life.  Coordinates beautifully with the Travel Journal Designer Series Paper and Sentimental Journey Stamp Set!  Includes 10 sheet protectors and adjustable posts and can be expanded.  Acid, lignin and xylene free.

FUN & FANCY FOLDS #2, FLIP-FLOP...

Next up from Fun & Fancy Folds class is the Flip-Flop card.  I used a very simple design using only one stamp set for this one. Jenni is in love with the new Cherry Cobbler, so she just had to use it on this card and she came up with the color scheme we went with.

I couldn't capture it with the camera, but there is Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the center of the blossoms and the hummingbird's wings of the focal piece.  This is a simple, but elegant card that is so quick to make once you get the fold down.  I hope you like it!

FLIP-FLOP CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Elements of Style (W #118611  $27.95, C #120045 $19.95)
• Card stock – Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso
• Ink – Cherry Cobbler, Pear Pizzazz Classic, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight & Pear Pizzazz Markers 
• Accessories – Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (#102023, $4.50), 2-way Glue Pen 
• Tools – Paper Cutter with Scoring Blade, Stampin Sponges, Clear Blocks

Click Template to Enlarge

FLIP-FLOP CARD DIRECTIONS:
Note:  If following the template above, solid lines are cut lines and dotted lines are score/fold lines.

1. With your 5 1/2" x 6 3/4" card base in the landscape position, line up the cardstock at the 2 3/4" mark, and score from 0" to 1 1/4" as well as from 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".

Move your cardstock to the 4" mark, and again score from 0" to 1 1/4" as well as from 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". 

2. With your cardstock in the portrait position, line it up at the 4-1/4" mark.
Cut from 1 1/4" to 2 3/4" to meet your score line.
Lift your cutting blade, put it down on your second score and cut up to 5 1/2".
Turn your paper to the opposite side and repeat this step.

3. Returning your cardstock to the landscape position, line it up with the 5 1/2" mark.  Cut from 1 1/4" to 4 1/4", connecting the two horizontal cuts.

Turn your cardstock to the opposite side and repeat this step.

4. Take a 3" x 4" piece of scrap paper and cover up the center swing part of your card if desired.  (I did not on this project)

5. Stamp your background as desired.  Most people do this on one side only.  I like to do both sides.

6. Adhere one of the 2 3/4" x 3 3/4" mat pieces on to front of the center swing piece.  (For this project, I used smaller focal piece on the front so mats and stamped pieces are smaller on the front)

Adhere the other mat piece to the back of the swing piece.

7. Stamp the image you would like to have on the front of the card on one of the 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" pieces of cardstock. Now adhere it to the back of the center swing piece (which will be the front when card is closed).

Stamp your other 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" piece of cardstock. You might want to keep a little bit of space for a written message. Adhere this piece to the front of the swing piece (which will be the back of the card when opened).

8. Fold your first score (the score on the left of your card) to a mountain fold as seen below. Fold your second score (the score on the right) to a valley fold as seen below.  Here is the finished open card:

9. Add embellishment as desired.

FUN & FANCY FOLDS #1, TRI-FOLD SHUTTER...

This weekend was my Fun & Fancy Folds Class.  The cards were pretty simple so that we could focus on learning the cutting, scoring and folding of the templates that were new to the attendees.

The first one we tackled was the Tri-Fold Shutter Card.  The most difficult part is getting down the mountain and valley folds.  Once you do that, you realize what an easy card it really is to make.  For the design, instead of using DSP on the card we "made" our own by stamping the pattern right onto the card base.  We used Vintage Vogue for the greenery and one of the two-step flowers from Greenhouse Garden.  Enjoy!

LACY FLORAL SHUTTER CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets –  Greenhouse Garden (#113824 $25.95), Vintage Vogue (W #117690 $23.95 C #118598 $17.95)
  
• Card stock – Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush
• Ink – Pear Pizzazz, Perfect Plum, Concord Crush Classic and Markers
• Accessories –  Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Punches – 2-3/8" Scallop Circle XL (#118874, $16.95), Eyelet Border (#119853, $15.95)
• Tools – Paper Cutter with Scoring Blade, Big Shot, Circles #2 Die (#114526, $15.95), Sponge Daubers, Clear Blocks

TRI-FOLD SHUTTER DIRECTIONS:
Note:  If following the template above, solid lines are cut lines and dotted lines are score/fold lines.

1. Begin with cardstock 5 ½” x 12”. With the cardstock in the landscape position, score at 2″, 4″, 8″ and 10″.

2. With your cardstock in the portrait position, line it up at the 1½” mark. Cut from the 2” to the 10” score line. Turn your cardstock 180 degrees and repeat on the other side.

3. Fold your score lines in the mountain & valley folds shown in this picture to the right and on your template.

4. Add DSP if desired to the different sections of the card using these instructions: Use the card base as a template and trace the section with the T-shaped fold onto DSP. Cut two of this shape. Trim 1/16” from all sides of the DSP “T” to allow for a boarder around it.

For the remaining pieces, cut 4 pieces of patterned paper 1 3/8” x 1 3/8”.
Cut 2 pieces of patterned paper 1 3/8” x 3 7/8”.
Cut 1 piece of patterned paper 2 3/8” x 3 7/8”.
Dry fit all of the pieces, then adhere to card base.

5. Stamp and embellish as desired.  This is how the finished card looks open.