Loads of Gratitude!

Welcome class!

Today's cards are inspired by an artist I follow on IG (Kate Rhees).  She has the most amazing graphic art pieces and I was taken with the one shared here and needed to make some cards based on it!

So here's the lesson plan:

1.  Pick your colors.  I went all over the board with this one and used cardstock from Concord and 9th, Taylored Expressions, and The Stamp Market to come as close to matching the palette of the piece as possible.

2.  Die cut the things!  A LOT of the things!  I used the Concord and 9th Patterns and Posies die set from one of their summer camps a while back that I grabbed off a resale page.  It's a perfect match for this card!

3.  Assemble the things.  I loved making these cards as they were fun to glue together and arrange on the Kraft cardstock, which I used as a neutral background.

4.  To avoid hiding the die cutting, I just used a small sentiment from Concord and 9th's Short and Sweet die set that I grabbed on their recent sale. Ta-da!  Two more thank you cards for the stash!

EXTRA CREDIT!

I had extra flowers that I cut that couldn't go to waste, so I die cut some stems and slapped this bonus card together.  I'm loving the colors in the inspiration piece, but I'd love to do this with vibrant ones for another look!

Product Line Up:

• Concord and 9th Short and Sweet Dies
• Simon Says Stamp Gold Matte Cardstock
• Simon Says Stamp Vellum

The above links are affiliate links, which just helps me fund this hobby at no additional cost to you and create more lesson plans and creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!

Sending Good Vibes with the Rediscovery Hop!

Welcome class!

Today's card is a part of an Instagram card hop that encourages participants to dig into their stash to find unused goodies to create cards on a theme, or using a technique.  Boy, did I dig deep for this month!

So here's the lesson plan:

1.  Pick your colors.  Since it's a rainbow theme, I went for a traditional color palette.  I used Concord and 9th inks with my stencil in Dragonfruit, Poppy, Clementine, Buttercup, Parsley, Blueberry and Grape Soda.

2.  Stencil the things!  Stamp the things!  Emboss the things!  Die cut the things!  

3.  I turned this card on its side after being inspired by a card associated with the recent Simon Says Stamp release created by Mindy Eggen.  The embossed flowers using the Flower Power suite of products from Simon were inspired by a Carly Tee Miner card where she stamped flowers on top of a partially stenciled rainbow. 

4.  I also dug deep for my die cut and used an older one I had in the stash from SSS as well.  I die cut it a few times from regular black cardstock, then topped it off with a black glossy die cut, and layered the whole thing on vellum.

5.  Last step was to add in some of those Starshine sequins....I'm going to need more given how much I've been using them!

Product Line Up:

• Simon Says Stamp Flower Power Stamps
• Simon Says Stamp Sending Good Vibes Die
• Simon Says Stamp Starshine Embellishments
• Simon Says Stamp Clear Detail Embossing Powder
• Versafine Clair Nocturne (Black) Ink

The above links are affiliate links, which just helps me fund this hobby at no additional cost to you and create more lesson plans and creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!

 

Happy Vibes!

Welcome class!

I have another card using the Beachcomber set from Simon Says Stamp's recent Sunny Vibes release!  It's a fun challenge for me to create different looks using the same stamp set each month, and this time I dug into my husband's workshop for supplies!

So here's the lesson plan:

1.  Pick your colors.  I went with a beachy palette using Pawsitively Saturated Inks.

2.  Emboss the things (everything is stamped in Versafine and embossed in clear embossing powder)!  Stamp the things!  Die cut the things!

3.  Get creative.  I was trying to think outside the box for sand, and instead of creating faux sand, I went downstairs in my husband's tool chest and grabbed a sheet of ultra fine sand paper to make it look realistic. 

4.  Create the ocean.  Oceans aren't all the same color, so I went for variety and dug out my Brusho watercolor powders.  If you're unfamiliar with them, they're like Lindy's Magical Powders without the shimmer built in.  I shook them on watercolor paper, and spritzed with water and let the color move around the paper, and then set it aside to dry.

5.  Assemble the card!

Product Line Up:

• Simon Says Stamp Beachcombing Stamps
• Simon Says Stamp Beachcombing Dies
• Simon Says Stamp Happy Combos Stamps and Dies
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Pink Blooms
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Yellow Sunsets
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Blue Seas
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks:  Blue Skies
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks:  Gray Skies
• Simon Says Stamp Clear Detail Embossing Powder
• Versafine Clair Nocturne (Black) Ink Pad

• The above links are affiliate links, which just helps me fund this hobby at no additional cost to you and create more lesson plans and creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!

In Bloom with Gratitude

Welcome class!

I have another Spellbinders project coming your way, this time using Simon Hurley's In Bloom dies along with the Butterfly Garden Betterpress press plate collection.  

So here's the lesson plan:

1.  Pick your colors.  I wanted vibrant with this one knowing it would be on a black and white background, so I went with Concord and 9th Carnation, Sweet Pea and Dragonfruit, along with Lime Zest from Taylored Expressions.

2.  Die cut the things!  Betterpress the things!  

3. Before assembling the flowers, make sure to ink blend on them to add dimension. Then assemble the flowers.

4.  The Betterpress plate has an opening in the middle where you can put a greeting that comes with the plate.  I took a page from Jennifer McGuire's playbook and covered up that white space with the flowers.

5.  The sentiment comes from the Popular Sentiments die set from Spellbinders.  This is a layered sentiment, and I used Taylored Expression's Sticky Sheets on the cardstock so that it became self adhesive.  SO MUCH EASIER TO STICK TOGETHER.  Highly recommend.

6.  Accessorize with the random Pink and Main embellishments found in the craft room clean out.

Product Line Up:

• Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain A2 Panels
• Spellbinders Betterpress Butterfly Garden
• Spellbinders Popular Sentiments Dies
• Spellbinders Betterpress Black Ink
• Concord and 9th Carnation Ink
• Concord and 9th Sweet Pea Ink
• Concord and 9th Dragonfruit Ink
• Concord and 9th Cardstock Assortment

The above links are affiliate links, which just helps me fund this hobby at no additional cost to you and create more lesson plans and creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!

 

A Kaleidoscope of Cards

Welcome class!

In the neverending quest to use all the product that is in my unused basket, I reached for a series of Spellbinders products I got for Christmas and ended up making 4 very different cards with the same base product:  the Kaleidoscope Flowers Betterpress press plate! 

So here are the lesson plans:

CARD 1

1.  Pick your colors.  I used Pinkfresh inks for all of my cards.  This first one uses Turquoise, Pacific, Citron and Spanish Moss.

2.  I hot foiled using the Betterpress plate with silver and blended over the top.  

3.  I die cut and stamped the sentiment using the Spellbinders Stitched Kaleidoscope Arch dies and the Kaleidoscope Arch Sentiments stamps.

4.  To add a little flash, I die cut some flowers and placed silver enamel dots in the middle to go along with the silver hot foil.

CARD 2

1.  Pick your colors.  A warm palette of Pinkfresh Mimosa, Mango Sorbet and Bubble Gum this time.  

2.  Use the Betterpress plate traditionally with black ink. Take a mask and selectively blend over the background.

3.  Slap a sentiment on there using the Small Die of the Month die set from August 2022 (Outlined Sentiments).

4.  Add a few clear enamel dots that you found in your stash when cleaning up your craft room over the summer!

CARD 3

1.  Pick your colors.  Went with a cool palette using Summer Shower, Seaside, and Regal Kiss.

2.  Crop your Betterpress panel and then cut a rectangle on a tilt.  I then cut the insert panel into 4 pieces that were 1 1/8 inch wide, then popped them up with foam. Pull one of them and insert an ink blended sentiment from Fresh Picked Sentiments.

3.  Accent with some Spellbinders Prism AB Color Essential Gems.

EXTRA CREDIT!  

Didn't plan on this card but when I had one piece left over from the previous card I couldn't let it go to waste.  I was inspired by a recent card on Instagram made by Karen Downs with a simple sentiment over a blended panel.  

1.  Pick your colors.  I used Waterfall, Turquoise, Paradise and Atlantis.

2.  Blend your panel.

3.  Emboss your sentiment (this one is from Spellbinders Just Wanted to Say Sentiments).

4.  Add a few black enamel dots for fun.

Product Line Up:

• Pinkfresh Ink Cubes:  Amalfi Coast
• Pinkfresh Ink Cubes:  Fairy Dust
• Pinkfresh Ink Cubes:  Soul of Provence
• Pinkfresh Ink Cubes:  Chasing Sunsets
• Pinkfresh Ink Cubes:  Weeping Willow
• Pinkfresh Ink Cubes:  Morning Sky
• Spellbinders Betterpress Porcelain A2 Panels
• Spellbinders Kaleidoscope Flowers Betterpress Plate
• Spellbinders Kaliedoscope Arch Sentiment Stamps
• Spellbinders Stitched Kaleidoscope Arch Dies
• Spellbinders Silver Hot Foil

The above links are affiliate links, which just helps me fund this hobby at no additional cost to you and create more lesson plans and creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!

She Sells Seashells….

Welcome class!

I've got more seashells coming your way from the recent Simon Says Stamp Sunny Vibes release!  Today's card takes an ombre approach to seashells and uses a cool blue palette.  

So here's the lesson plan:

1.  Pick your colors.  I went with the trio of Pawsitively Saturated Inks including Surf, Seafoam and Ocean. 

2.  Emboss your seashells in silver.  Stamp the things!  Die cut the things!

3.  Use the My Favorite Things Watercolor Wash Free Form stencil for the "pool" of water in the background.

4.  Add some silver splatter (spatter?) in the background.  I used Lindy's Magical Powders mixed with a little water so they weren't diluted too much.  

5.  A few Rainbow Splash drops and it's a card!

Product Line Up:

• Simon Says Stamp Beachcombing Stamps
• Simon Says Stamp Beachcombing Dies
• Simon Says Stamp Silver Fine Detail Embossing Powder
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Blue Seas
• My Favorite Things Watercolor Wash Free Form Stencil
• Lindy's Stamp Gang Glitzy Shimmer Magicals
• Rainbow Splash Drops Assortment

The above links are affiliate links, which just helps me fund this hobby at no additional cost to you and create more lesson plans and creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!

Sunny Vibes Coming Your Way!

Welcome class!

I'm here today to share with you the first in a series of projects I created using the Beachcomber set that is a part of the NEW Simon Says Stamp Sunny Vibes release!

Today's project has inspiration that comes from the peach insides of shells you find on the beach.  I have a stash of alcohol ink backgrounds that I've made and this one just struck me as a solid match for this idea. I'd love to say that I remember the exact alcohol inks I used for this, but I honestly made it a year ago and have no clue...which is part of the fun of using alcohol inks...just playing around!

So here's the lesson plan:

1.  Select your color palette.  I went with the Yellow Sunsets Pawsitively Saturated Inks cube pack and used Melon, Cantaloupe and Sherbet.

2.  Emboss the seashells using Versamark ink with gold embossing powder.  Stamp all the things!  Die cut all the things!  Side note:  the layers for this stamp set line up super easy!

3.  I went with a neutral sentiment on this one using the CZ Just a Note die cut in gold matte cardstock.

4.  Assemble!

Simon Says Stamp Clear Detail Embossing Powder

Versafine Clair Nocturne (Black) Ink Pad

Flower Power!

Welcome class!

I've been having a lot of fun using the Flower Power suite of products I picked up at Create last month...be warned this blog is going to have a lot of fun florals in the next few weeks!  

So here's the lesson plan:

1.  Pick your colors.  I wanted to go with a rainbow theme, so I used a whole assortment of Simon's Pawsitively Saturated Inks.  I am a cube girl because (1) it allows me to have all the colors from a budget perspective, and (2) I can store them in Tim Holtz tins on a shelf easily.  

2.  This suite of products has a coordinating stencil to color in those big flowers, which is one of the things that drew me to it in the first place.  Stamp the things!  Stencil the things!  Die cut the things!  Do in this order as if you die cut the flowers and then try to stencil them you won't have a good time....

3.  Scatter the leaves on the base layer of the card.  I stamped them with Versafine ink and embossed with Simon's detail embossing powder. Repeat the embossing with the sentiment. 

4.  Pop up the flowers with foam tape.

5.  Liberally use the Starshine Embellishments amongst the flowers.  I am addicted to this embellishment and it's at a super price point. 

6.  Finish card assembly.

EXTRA CREDIT!

I went back with a black detail Copic pen and added some doodles to the flower centers and it just made them pop.  Highly recommend doodling on sold images such as these. 

Product Line Up:

• Simon Says Stamp Flower Power Stencil
• Simon Says Stamp Flower Power Stamps
• Simon Says Stamp Flower Power Dies
• Simon Says Stamp Big and Bold Stamps
• Simon Says Stamp Starshine Embellishments
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Pink Blooms
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Orange Leaves
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Yellow Sunsets
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Green Meadows
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Blue Seas
• Simon Says Stamp Pawsitively Saturated Inks: Purple Fields
• Simon Says Stamp Clear Detail Embossing Powder
• Versafine Clair Nocturne (Black) Ink Pad

The above links are affiliate links, which just helps me fund this hobby at no additional cost to you and create more lesson plans and creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!

Oh Hey—You Graduated!

Welcome class!

I needed to whip up a quick graduation card, and was inspired by betsy3spoke on Instagram to use the Oh Hey suite of products from Concord and 9th.  I had snagged the stencils and dies on a resale board a while back, and was happy to see they released the coordinating stamp set recently so I can take advantage of that versatility too!  

So here's the lesson plan:

1.  Pick your colors.  Graduation colors are super easy--use their school colors!  Here I chose to use Simon Says Stamp Marine, Cadette and Royal, along with Catherine Pooler's Rockin' Red.

2.  Stencil all the things!  Die cut all the things!  I also used the Concord and 9th Stitched Dots cover plate in addition to the Simon Says Stamp Stars dies that I cut out of a Simon assorted glitter paper pack. The sentiment and banner are from the Concord and 9th Flower Shaker Shapes suite of products.

3.  I had a lot of extra stars and chose to glue them inside the card, as you can see from this "drone" footage--LOL!  

Looking for some of these amazing products?  Visit the Simon Says Stamp link on the right.  It is an affiliate link, which just helps me fund this hobby and create more lesson plans for creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!

Create It Three Ways Summer-Style!

 Welcome class!

Two blog posts in one day!  Today is the 3rd Saturday of the month, so it's time for the Create It Three Ways IG Hop (stop by my IG linked on the right to see the whole line up of inspiration!).  Each month has a theme, and this month is summer.  I interpreted it to mean blooming flowers because summer does bring flowers, and it also gave me a huge excuse to use the Spellbinders Fresh Picked suite of dies that have been staring at me on my desk for weeks.  

So here's the general lesson plan:

1.  Pick your colors. Card 1:  TE Jalapeno and Cinnamon, C9 Parsley and Buttercup, Neenah Solar White.  Card 2:  Stamp market Party Pink, Orchid, Sunshine, Aspen, TE Huckleberry.  Card 3:  TE Bleu Cheese and Sour Gummy, C9 Spiced Cider, Cayenne, Grapefruit.

2.  Select the background.  Card 1: Stitched border using Waffle Flower Lacy Layers.  Card 2: Honey Bee Barnwood Planks dies. Card 3:  Successful foiling with the Sentimental Mosaic Betterpress plate!  Side note:  I've always struggled with foiling and I find that I can get a much better foiled result using Betterpress plates than hot foil plates.....and you can use Betterpress plates on both platforms.  From here on out, I'm purchasing Betterpress plates only for their versatility. 

3.  Die cut all the things!  Ink blend all the things for dimension!

4.  Assemble, which is my favorite part with these dies as it's like a big puzzle.  

5.  Add in sentiments.  Card 1:  Thank You die from Ellen Hudson.  Card 2:  A random thanks that was on my desk from another project I didn't use it on...maybe from WPlus9?  Card 3:  Fresh Picked Sentiments from Spellbinders.  Remember to stack the sentiments for dimension!

6.  Accent two of the three with Starshine Embellishment mix from Simon Says Stamp (told you I had a mild obsession with those....).

Looking for some of these amazing products?  Visit the Simon Says Stamp link on the right.  It is an affiliate link, which just helps me fund this hobby and create more lesson plans for creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!

AAA Colourful Challenge #5

Welcome class!

It’s time for another AAA Colourful challenge!  This month brings you a delightful inspiration picture that I took quite literally when creating my card. 

So here's the lesson plan:

1.  Pick your colors.  Since it's a color challenge, that was the easy part.  I went with Marine, Cadette and Royal Pawsitively Saturated Inks from Simon Says Stamp, with a little Cherry Pop from Taylored Expressions tossed in for good measure.

2.  Since I went super literal with the inspo pic, it was easy to get the layout figured out.  I used a rectangle masking stencil from Taylored Expressions and got to work blending with the inks.  I went hard with the Marine ink and then blended the others from the edges in to get that ombre look.

3.  For interest (and because it just showed up in my envelope restock order!) I used the June 2024 GWP cover plate die from Taylored Expressions as the rainbow arcs fit with the sky vibe of the card. 

4.  Speaking of sky, we need the balloon, which was another GWP, this time from scrapbook.com.  Smiley face is from the Here Comes the Sun set from Taylored Expressions.....the clouds are TE too!

5.  I'm sending this to my niece for her birthday, so I went with a Greetery All Kinds of Happy sentiment, accented with a birthday sentiment strip from Taylored Expressions. 

Looking for some of these amazing products?  Visit the Simon Says Stamp link on the right.  It is an affiliate link, which just helps me fund this hobby and create more lesson plans for creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!

Dearest Gentle Reader…

Welcome class!

This card was created for the Bee Inspired by Bridgerton IG Card Hop hosted by Amrita Pettus (@amritapettus on IG). We are celebrating our excitement for the season 3 part 2 release with all things inspired by the hit series Bridgerton!

I was inspired to use the Fresh Picked Vase Bouquet die set from Spellbinders because that vase just screams English estate to me, and I also used the Hero Arts Novel Prose Bold Prints background because...well, Bridgerton was originally a series of novels.

 

So here's the lesson plan:

1.  Pick your colors.  I used a palette I found using The Stamp Market's website.  If you click on any color, it gives you coordinating choices.  So I went with a Stamp Market Sunshine, Begonia, Cheeky, Cranberry, Julep and Emerald slate, supplemented with some Papertrey Lemon Tart for the background and Taylored Expressions Cinnamon for the vase.

2.  Die cut all the things!  Stamp all the things!

3.  Once everything is cut and stamped, get those blending brushes out and distress the edges, and blend on the die cuts to give them dimension, especially that sentiment (Fresh Picked Sentiments from Spellbinders)...the ombre look is solid. 

4.  Glue and pop up your elements on the card, and trick out with embellishments.  I used the Starshine Embellishment Mix from Simon Says Stamp, which I purchased on accident thinking it was something else, and now that I started using them, I'm not stopping. 

If you'd like to see more Bridgerton-inspired card, visit my Instagram page (@teacher11494) which is linked on the right for the full line up of projects. 

Looking for some of these amazing products?  Visit the Simon Says Stamp link on the right.  It is an affiliate link, which just helps me fund this hobby of mine and create more lesson plans for creativity for all of you--I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!

(Citrus) Crushing it with Color Throwdown

Welcome class!

I had a lot of fun playing along with this week’s challenge at Color Throwdown! 

I took this very literally and used the Concord and 9th Citrus Crush products with C9 colors of Buttercup, Clementine, and Dragonfruit.

So here’s the lesson plan:

1.  Use a Concord and 9th Stitched Dots coverplate and make the base.

2. Die cut all your fun fruits and do the OPPOSITE of what I did and have the dark layer as the base. Ink blend for dimension. 

3.  Add in some Diagonal Shortcuts dies from C9 for fun.

4.  Because I can’t help myself, add some vellum leaves.

5.  Emboss that sentiment using clear embossing powder and Versafine black ink and pop it up….and you’re done!  

EXTRA CREDIT!

I had some extra die cuts on the table so I made a second card but flipped to horizontal and added flowers with yellow enamel dots from Taylored Expressions. 

Looking for some of these amazing products?  Visit the Simon Says Stamp link on the right.  It is an affiliate link, which just helps me fund this hobby and create more lesson plans for creativity for all of you---I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!

Making Cards in Batches: Create in Quads

Welcome class!

For my first real post, I’m showcasing a batch of four cards I made using the Taylored Expressions Garden Party Create in Quads stencil set.  Now, I was not a part of the monthly club this was included in, but I’m pretty good at finding things used on resale pages.  I’m a fan of this line of products because they are great for times when you need a batch of cards QUICK (and you’re also feeling mildly lazy and don’t want to drag out a ton of product).

So here’s the lesson plan:

1.  Pick your colors.  I used a Color Cube for inspiration and settled on Concord and 9th Sorbet and Ballet Slipper, and The Stamp Market’s Cranberry, Coastal and Pacific.

2. Dig out the sentiments you’d like to use.  I went for Altenew’s Versatile Greetings and Sweet Expressions die sets, with a sprinkle of Honey Bee Stamps Mini Messages.

3. Select your accents.  I went for an assortment of frame dies from Taylored Expressions from my die cut basket.  At some point I'll make a post on how I organize my craft room, but using Avery Elle pockets to organize my dies has been a game changer.

4. Get to work!  I used my tried and true Taylored Expressions blending brushes and went for the lighter color as the base so that I could blend over it more easily.  

5.  Play around with your sentiments.  I used pearlescent Lawn Fawn vellum underneath each sentiment, and stacked them for dimension.  Placing a bonus die cut UNDERNEATH the vellum gives a smidge more dimension and lets that pearly vellum stand out.  I needed a few thank you cards in addition to some "hey there!" cards, so I did a combination of both. 

In the end, actually FIVE cards from these quads because I cut the full panel on a diagonal so that I could squeeze extra out of the effort.  

Looking for some of these amazing products?  Visit the Simon Says Stamp link on the right.  It is an affiliate link, which just helps me fund this hobby and create more lesson plans for creativity for all of you---I appreciate your support!

Class dismissed!