HOLIDAY CARD CRUNCH TIME IDEAS & TIPS - FEATURING FRAGRANT FOREST; A STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAY POST

Hi Stampers!

Christmas is quickly approaching, and many of you have finished making your greeting cards or soon will. That is great, but what if you still need several cards and have limited time to create them? What if you just haven’t had time to create any cards yet, but would like to do so? No need to panic as there is still time to create pretty Christmas cards and send a bit of cheer to family and friends. All you need is a good strategy and a couple of hours in your craft space. The cards I am sharing today were created using the background stamp called Fragrant Forest, and all 6 cards were created in less than one hour. That included deciding on a design and color schemes, switching out a load of laundry, and answering a text. Let’s take a look:

As you can see, my cards are similar, but a bit different. I tend to get very bored when making multiples of cards. Sometimes it is necessary, for example when making party invitations, but since today’s cards were made to send to family and friends I can switch things up a bit. I did stick with the basic theme of the original layout, but varied the size and position of the focal panel. I used three colors for card bases and the coordinating ink. For mats I used Basic White cardstock or gold foil

So, here is how I made these six cards in under one hour.

1. I had a design in mind that included an A-2 card base, a mat layer, and a focal panel, a greeting, and an inside panel. I decided some focal panels would be cut in half to create focal images for two cards.

2. I used a background stamp for the focal panel. This meant I would simple stamp the image, no coloring needed. Also I knew I could use the entire panel as the focal image, or cut the panel in two pieces and have focal images for two cards.  (I used the Fragrant Forest background stamp.)

3. I used the same greeting and inside sentiment on all cards.

4. I decided the number of cards I needed, then cut and scored all the card bases.

5. I cut all the cardstock for the focal panels and inside panels.

6. I cut the mat layers.

7. I used scraps of Basic White cardstock for my greetings, but you can cut strips that are a bit larger in height than the die cut or if using a punch, the punched image.

8. Stamp the focal panels. Cut apart some panels if you like.

9.  Stamp and die cut or punch the greeting. If you prefer die cut or punch the pieces for the greeting, then stamp the greeting. Selecting the method that works best for you is a time saver.

10. Stamp the inside panel.

11.  Assemble the card. Attach the greeting with dimensionals 

12. Sign the cards, grab some envelopes, insert the card, address the envelopes, add stamps, and send handmade Christmas cheer to family and friends!

Yes, it is just that quick and easy!

OTHER TIPS

* If you have a stamp positioning tool, use it. This tool allows you to restamp an image multiple times to ensure a richly inked image. It is also great when you are creating multiples of an image.

* I like the cards I created with the Basic White mats, but if you are like me, and have a growing stash of specialty paper, use it for mats. I used gold foil, but silver foil or glimmer papers would all be great choices as well. The specialty papers  add a little extra without a lot of extra time consuming effort!

* As it is now crunch time for Christmas card creating, skip heat embossing. For the cards I matted with the gold foil instead of embossing the greeting with gold embossing powder, I stamped the greeting with Crumb Cake ink. When used with gold, Crumb Cake ink takes on a gold-like appearance. If you use silver on your cards pair it with Smoky Slate ink as it will take on a silver-like appearance.

* When using a background stamp, I cut my panels a bit larger than needed, this allows me to trim away any areas along the outer edges I am not happy with.  I there is an interior area I am not happy with, I cut the piece in half and mat those pieces. Next I place the greeting strategically to cover the less desirable ares.

* I used a die to cut out my greeting pieces, but if you have a suitable punch for the greeting, use it. I find it is so much quicker to punch out my greeting than die cutting them. 

VIDEO

HOLIDAY CRUNCH TIME CARDS 

USING THE FRAGRANT FOREST BACKGROUND STAMP

NOTES:

*For all the sample cards I used the Fragrant Forest background stamp and or the sentiments I used the Christmas Classics stamp set. 

* All card bases are A-2 size - 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4” OR 11” x 4 1/4” scored and folded at 5 1/2”.

* For my focal panels I started with Basic White cardstock cut at 5 1/2” x 4 1/4” and trimmed 5hem to the size needed.

* All of my cards are portrait oriented. The orientation of your cards will depend on the design of your background stamp.

FULL PANEL CARDS

SUPPLIES FOR THESE CARDS

* Background stamp and stamp for greeting and inside sentiment

* Card base - Shades Spruce

* Mat - Basic White cardstock or Gold Foil cut at 5 1/2” x 4”

* Inside panel - Basic White cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Focal panel - 5” x 3 3/4” 

* Cardstock for greeting - Basic White

* Ink - Shaded Spruce / Crumb Cake (for card with gold foil mat)

* Dies - Stylish Shapes - circle that best fits greeting 

* Adhesive and dimensionals 

PARTIAL PANEL OFFSET CARDS

SUPPLIES FOR THESE CARDS

* Background stamp and greeting stamp

* Card base - Garden Green

* Mat - Basic White cardstock or gold foil cut at 5 1/2” x 2 1/4”

* Inside panel - Basic White cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Focal panel - start with a that is 5 1/4” x 4” and cut it in half long ways so you have two pieces that measure 5 1/4” x 2” - this makes focal panels for two cards

* Cardstock for greeting - Basic White

* Ink - Garden Green / Crumb Cake

* Dies - Stylish Shapes - circle - size that fits greeting best

* Adhesive and dimensionals

PARTIAL PANEL CENTERED CARDS

SUPPLIES FOR THESE CARDS

* Background stamp and sentiment stamps

* Card base - Mossy Meadow cardstock

* Mat - Basic White cardstock  or gold foil cut at 5 1/2” x 2 1/4

* Inside Panel - Basic White cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Focal panel - start with a focal panel that is 5 1/4” x 4” and cut it in half. Yo7 will have two panels that are 5 1/4” x 2”

* Ink - Mossy Meadow / Crumb Cake

* Dies - Stylish Shapes - circles - select die that best fits your greeting

* Adhesive and dimensionals 

VIDEO CARDS

These cards are made the same as their counter parts above, I just changed up the colors a bit. These three cards feature Shaded Spruce card bases, and Basic White inside panels. The full panel card above has a silver foil mat, and the greeting is stamped with Smoky Slate ink. Just as Crumb Cake takes on a gold tone when paired with gold, Smoky Slate takes on a silver tone when paired with silver. 

The middle card is the offset partial panel card. The mat is Poppy Parade cardstock, and the greeting is stamped with Poppy Parade ink. 

The final card is the partial panel centered card. I think the simple Basic White mat adds that touch of understated elegance to the card. The greeting is stamped with Shaded Spruce ink.

FRAGRANT FOREST CRUNCH TIME CARDS

There you have it, cards that are easy to make, take very little time to create, and are pretty. No one but you will know they are crunch time cards! 

LITTLE EXTRAS

If you have time you could add one or more of the following to the cards

* Gems or sequins

* Ribbon behind the greeting

* Mat the greeting

That is all for today. Thank you so much for stopping by. Until next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

All stamps and stamped images ©️1990-2023 Stampin’ Up!®️

BACKGROUND INFORMATION - IDEAS FOR USING BACKGROUND STAMPS

Hi Stampers!

Do you have background stamps just sitting on your shelf waiting to be inked? You love the design on the stamps, but you just are not sure what to do with them? Well, I have background stamps on my shelf, and I love the designs, but I tend to resist using them for some reason. Not today, I dusted off those stamps. I am putting them to use, and I am sharing my ideas.

Let’s look at the cards:

And here are the background stamps I used:

From left to right BERRY HARVEST, SPIRAL DYE, IT’S IN THE STARS, and RAYS OF LIGHT. These stamps can be found on pages 118-119 of the STAMPIN’ UP! ®️2023-2024 ANNUAL CATALOG or in my online store HERE. Search “background stamps.”

 VIDEO

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

IDEAS FOR USING BACKGROUND STAMPS

STAMP, COLOR, & BLEND

BERRY HARVEST BIRTHDAY

This is a very basic way to use a background stamp. Just stamp and add color.

* I created the background panel by stamping the image on Basic White cardstock using Early Espresso ink. (Yes. It will be okay, even when I use alcohol markers to color in the images.)  

* Next I colored the berries and leaves with Stampin’ Blends alcohol inks. 

* Then I used a blending brush and Azure Afternoon ink to add color to the background areas of the stamped image. Just apply the ink right over the colored images. Believe me, it will be okay. 

* I trimmed the panel to 5” x 3 3/4”, added a mat, and adhered to a card base.

* For the greeting I used a blending brush and Azure Afternoon ink to color a small piece of Basic White cardstock. I stamped the greeting with Blackberry Bliss ink. Die cut with the stitched oval Dies from the Mini Pocket Envelope Dies. I adhered it to a scrap of Old Olive cardstock and fussy cut around leaving a bit of an Old Olive border. I repeated the process with a scrap of Blackberry Bliss cardstock. I adhered the greeting to card front with dimensionals. 

* I repeated the same “stamp, color, blend” process on the flap of an envelope to create a matching envelope.

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Berry Harvest Stamp Set; Inked & Tiled stamp set (greeting)

* Old Olive card base - 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”

* Mat - Blackberry Bliss cardstock cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Focal Panel - Basic White - 5 1/2” x 4 1/4” and later cut to 5” x 3 3/4”

* Greeting - Scraps of Blackberry Bliss, Old Olive, and Basic White

* Inks - Early Espresso, Blackberry Bliss, Azure Afternoon; Stampin’ Blends - Blackberry Bliss (light & dark). Old Olive (light & dark), Crumb Cake (light& dark). 

* Blending Brush

* Dies - Mini Pocket Envelope Dies (found in my online store as an online exclusive) - oval 

* Adhesive and dimensionals 

SPOTLIGHT TECHNIQUE

BERRY HARVEST SPOTLIGHT BIRTHDAY

For this card I used a variation of the spotlight technique. This technique is quick and easy. 

* I simply stamped the image on a piece of 5 1/2” x 4 1/4” Basic White cardstock with Blackberry Bliss ink. 

* Then I die cut a piece from the stamped image using the Stylish Shapes Dies - circle, 2nd largest.  I cut mine centered and about 3/4”-1” from the top of the panel. 

* Next I use the same die plus the largest circle die in the set to cut a frame from Blackberry Bliss ink. I also cut two more circles; a Blackberry Bliss one using the 3rd largest die and a Basic White one using the next smaller circle die - these are for the greeting. 

* I used Stampin’ Blends to color in the part of the image I die cut from the panel. 

* I cut down the panel to 5 1/4” x 4” and adhered it to a Blackberry Bliss Card base. 

* I used liquid glue to adhere the frame around the die cut area. 

* I used dimensionals to adhere the colored part of the image inside the boundaries of the frame. 

* I used Blackberry Bliss ink to stamp the greeting on the Basic White die cut circle. I adhered this to the Blackberry Bliss mat, and added it to the cardbase using liquid glue along the top and dimensionals along the bottom.

* I used a Blackberry Bliss Stampin’ Blend (dark) to color 5 rhinestones, and adhered them to the greeting.

* For the envelope, I simply stamped the image on the flap using the Blackberry Bliss ink.

SUPPLIES

* Berry Harvest stamp and Pansy Patch stamp set (greeting)

* Card base - BlackBerry Bliss cardstock 5 1/2” x 8 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”

* Focal Panel - Basic White cardstock 5 1/2 x 4 1/4”, later cut down to 5 1/4” x 4”

* BlackBerry Bliss cardstock for frame and greeting mat

* Basic White cardstock for greeting

* Inks - Blackberry Bliss; Stampin’ Blends - Blackberry Bliss (light & dark). Old Olive (light & dark), Crumb Cake (light & dark)

* Dies - Stylish Shapes - circles

* Rhinestones Basic Jewels - 5, color with Blackberry Bliss (dark) Stampin’ Blend

* Adhesive, liquid glue, dimensionals 

BLENDED BACKGROUND

IT’S IN THE STARS STELLAR BIRTHDAY

Another super easy way to use background stamps, just stamp the image and use inks and blending brushes to add color.

* Stamp the image on a 5 1/2” x 4 1/4” piece of Basic White cardstock. And I used Memento Tuxedo Black ink to stamp the image.

* I used blending brushes and Pool Party, Lost Lagoon, and Pretty Peacock ink to add color to the background. I went from left to right - top to bottom as I added the ink.

* I trimmed my background piece to 4 3/4 x 3 1/2” and matted it on a 5” x 3 3/4” piece of Basic Black cardstock.

* Next I moved onto creating the planets. I used the Reach For the Stars Die (circles) to die cut the planets, and other dies in the set to cut rings, and stars. 

 - Use Silver Foil (online store) or the Holographic Trio specialty paper and both stars dies to die cut the stars.

- Use the Holographic Trio specialty paper to die cut the rings for the planet (use smallest rings die).

* For the planets

 - Daffodil Delight planet - Daffodil Delight cardstock, 2nd largest circle die, use Daffodil Delight ink and sponge dauber and Inked & Tiled stamp set (brush stroke image) to create a design on the planet. Adhere to focal panel with dimensionals.

 - Cajun Craze planet - use 3rd smallest circle die - Cajun Craze cardstock; Use Cajun Craze ink and a sponge dauber to add shadow and depth to the planet. Slip into rings die cut and adhere it to the planet on the back side of the planet. Adhere to focal panel with dimensionals.

 - Calypso Coral planet - Calypso Coral cardstock die cut with 2nd to smallest circle die. Use

Calypso Coral ink and the “dots” stamp from Nested Friends stamp set (or any one you have) to add a design to the planet. Use the ink and a sponge dauber to add shadow and depth to the planet. Use adhesive to attach to the focal panel.

* Stamp the greeting on Calypso Coral cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Trim the cardstock down to fit the greeting. Adhere the greeting to the card base.

* Adhere the matted focal panel to the card base. 

* Use liquid glue to adhere the die cut stars to the focal panel

* For the envelope I simply stamped the image on the flap using the black ink.

SUPPLIES FOR CARD ABOVE

* It’s In the Stars, Reach For the Stars (greeting), Inked & Tiled, and Nested Friends stamp sets

* Card base - Lost Lagoon cardstock - 5 1/2” x 8 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”

* Mat - Basic Black cardstock cut at 5” x 3 3/4”

* Focal Panel - Basic White cardstock x 5 1/2” x 4 1/4” (later cut down to 4 3/4” x 3 1/2”)

* Other cardstock - Daffodil Delight, Cajun Craze, Calypso Coral, Silver Foil. Holographic Trio Specialty Paper

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Lost Lagoon, Pretty Peacocl, Pool Party, Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, Cajun Craze

* Reach for the Stars Dies

* Adhesive and dimensionals

EMBOSS RESIST TECHNIQUE

IT’S IN THE STARS THANK YOU

This is another quick and easy technique, and this card goes together in no time!

* Using a 5 1/2”x 4 1/4” piece of Basic White cardstock go over it with an embossing buddy or sock containing cornstarch or baby powder. This will reduce static and ensure the embossing powder goes only where we want it to go! 

* Stamp the image with Versa Mark ink and cover with clear embossing powder. Heat set with heat tool.

* Go over the panel with a blending brush and Starry Sky ink. 

* Use a towel or paper towel and gently wipe over the panel just to remove any residual ink from the image.

* Trim this panel to 5” x 3 3/4” and adhere to a Basic White (thick) card base. 

* Stamp the greeting (from Reach for the Stars stamp set) on Basic White cardstock sim Starry Sky ink.

* Die cut with the Countryside Corners dies - select the die that fits best around the greeting.

* Adhere the greeting to center of the card using dimensionals.

* For the envelope I once again just stamped the image on the envelope flap. This time I used the Starry Sky ink.

SUPPLIES

* IT’S IN THE STARS and REACH FOR THE STARS stamp sets

* Card base - Basic White (thick) 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”

* Focal Panel - Basic White cardstock - 5 1/2” x 4 1/4” (later cut to 5” x 3 3/4”

* Greeting Basic White cardstock scrap

* Inks - Versa Mark, Starry Sky; Clear Embossing Powder

* Blending brush

* Countryside Corners Dies

* Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, Piece of paper towel

* Adhesive and dimensionals 

STAMP & BLEND & DIE CUT GREETING

SPIRAL DIE HAPPY BIRTHDAY

The most difficult part of making this card is die cutting all those letters! And that is not hard at all! For this technique you have options. You can stamp the spiral image, then use the blending brushes and other ink colors to color in the white areas of the cardstock OR use the blending brushes to to Add color first, then stamp the image. I chose the first option.

* I used a scrap strip of Basic Black cardstock, measured it, and cut an adhesive sheet to fit. I placed the adhesive sheet on the back side of the cardstock. 

* I placed the cardstock right side up on the cutting plate of my die cut machine and placed the  Alphabet Ala Mode letter dies I needed on the cardstock, and ran them through the die cut machine. My letters are ready when I need them!

* On a piece of 5 1/2” x 4 1/4’ Basic White cardstock, stamp the image with Poppy Parade ink.

* Use Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie inks and blending brushes to color in the white spaces of the background piece, if you did not do so prior to stamping. 

* Cut this piece down tom3 3/4” x 5” and mat on a 5 1/4” x 4” piece of Basic Black cardstock.

* Remove the backing from your die cut layers and adhere to the card front.

*Place foam adhesive strips on the backside of the focal panel along the sides and in the middle of the piece, and adhere to a Pumpkin Pie card base.

* For the envelope flap I used the same pro chess I used when stamping the image for the card.

SUPPLIES

* Spiral Dye stamp

* Card base - Pumpkin Pie Cardstock -8 1/2” x 5 1/5” scored & folded at 4 1/4”

* Mat - Basic Black Cardstock - 5 1/4” x 4 “

* Focal panel - Basic White cardstock 5 1/2” x 4 1/4” - later cut down to 5” x 3 3/4”

* Strip of Basic Black cardstock backed with Adhesive Sheets

* Inks - Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight

*Blending Brushes

* Adhesive and Adhesive Foam Strips

ELEGANT EMBOSSING

ELEGANT SPIRAL DYE BIRTHDAY

For this card I used the Spiral Dye stamp to create a card that is a bit more elegant. I really like the black and gold combination.

* Use an embossing buddy on a 5 1/2” x 4 1/4”, then stamp the image with Versa Mark, cover with gold embossing powder, and heat set. Cut panel down to 5” x 3 3/4”.

* Adhere panel to Basic Black mat cut at 5 1/4” x 4” and adhere this piece to a Basic White (thick) card base.

* Cut a piece of Basic Black cardstock at 1 1/4” x 5”. Stamp greeting on it with Versa Mark, cover with gold embossing powder, and heat set. Adhere to card with dimensionals.

* Add 5 gold pearls to the card (Festive Pearls)

* I did not decorate an envelope for this card - yet!

SUPPLIES

* Spiral Dye and Biggest Wish (sentiment) stamp sets 

* Card base - Basic White (thick) 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”

* Mat - Basic Black 5 1/4” x 4”

* Focal panel - Basic White 5 1/2” x 4 1/4” (later cut down to 5” x 3 3/4”

* Greeting - Basic Black cardstock - 1 1/4” x 5” for greeting

* Inks - Versa Mark, gold embossing powder

* Festive Pearls - gold - 5

* Adhesive and dimensionals 

STAMP AND DIE CUTS

RISE & SHINE RAYS OF LIGHT

This card is similar to the Stamp & Blend & Die Cut Greeting card, except there is no blending - just stamping and adding die cuts.

* Stamp the image on Basic White cardstock using Crushed Curry ink.

* Die cut a circle from a scrap of Crushed Curry cardstock using the Stylish Shapes Dies - 2nd smallest circle.

* Place adhesive sheets on the back of a 5” x 3” piece of Basic Black cardstock.

* Use the Alphabet Ala Mode Dies to die cut the needed letters for the greeting.

* Use dimensionals to attach the circle die cut to the card panel.

* Place the letters on the card front.

* Adhere the panel to a Basic Black card base.

* To create a matching envelope I simple stampe the image on the envelope flap with the Crushed Curry ink.

SUPPLIES

* Rays of Light stamp set

* Card base - Basic Black 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” scored and folded at 4 1/4”

* Card panel - Basic White 5 1/2” x 4 1/4” (later cut down to 5 1/4” to 4”)

* Scrap of Crushed Curry cardstock to die cut circle

* Greeting - Basic Black cardstock 5” x 3” backed with Adhesive Sheets to die cut letters

* Ink - Crushed Curry

* Alphabet Ala Mode Dies and Sylish Shapes Dies

* Adhesive and dimensionals 

The following two cards were created using one stamped panel.

CUT A STRIP 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAYS

This card incorporates the background stamp image and designer series paper. Using a strip of the stamped panel leaves enough of the image to use on another card.

* Stamp the Rays of Light image using Lost Lagoon ink on a piece of 5 1/2” x 4 1/4” piece of Basic White cardstock, Cut a 1 1/2” strip from the left side of the panel. Cut the length of the strip to 5 1/4” long. This is what will b3 used on this card. Save what is leftover to make the next card. Cut the length 

* Cut a piece of DSP from the Inked Botanicals DSP (Lost Lagoon) that is 4” wide  x 5 1/4” long, paying attention to the direction of the pattern on the DSP.

* Adhere the stamped strip to the DSP. Attach a piece of Lost Lagoon ribbon about 2” from the top of the panel. Secure each end of the ribbon on the back of the panel.

* Adhere the panel to the card base.

* Use the Stylish Shapes Dies to die cut a Lost Lagoon square (mat) and a Basic White square for the greeting. Stamp the greeting on the Basic White square with Lost Lagoon ink.

* Add 3 of the Festive Pearls to the greeting (green).

* Adhere the greeting with dimensionals. 

* The envelope for this card was decorated just like the previous card.

SUPPLIES

* Rays of Light and Inked & Tiled (greeting) stamp sets

* Card base - Basic White cardstock (thick) 11” x 4 1/4” scored and folded at 5 1/2”

* Focal panel - Basic White cardstock - 5 1/2” x 4 1/4”

* DSP - Inked Botanicals - Lost Lagoon cut at 5 1/4” x 4”

* Scraps of  Basic White and Lost Lagoon fo greeting

* Ink - Lost Lagoon

* Stylish Shapes Dies - squares, 3rd and 4th smallest

* Lost Lagoon Ribbon - about 5”

* Festive Pearls - green - 3

* Adhesive and dimensionals 

BONUS CARD

RAYS OF LIGHT WITH INKED & TILED BIRTHDAY

For this card I used the leftover stamped panel leftover from the previous card.

* Cut a piece o Basic White cardstock to 2” x 5 1/2”.

* Stamp the large floral image from the Inked & Tiled stamp set with black ink

* Stamp the greeting below the greeting.

* Adhere the floral panel centered on the Lost Lagoon stamped panel.

* Adhere this panel to a Basic Black card base.

* Use a Basic Black (dark) Stampin’ blend to color 3 rhinestones.

* Attach the rhinestones to the floral panel.

SUPPLIES

 * Inked & Tiled stamp set

* Card base - Basic Black cardstock 11” x 4 1/4” scored and folded at 5 1/2”

* Reserved stamped panel from above (for mat)

* Basic White cardstock 2” x 5 1/2” 

* Ink - Basic Black and Stampin’ Blend - Basic Black (dark)

* Rhinestones Basic Jewels - 3, colored with Black stampi’ Blend

* Adhesive

* For the envelope I used the black ink and stamped the upper portion of the floral image on the envelope flap and on the lower left portion of the front of the envelope.

That is all for today! I hope I have inspired you to dig out your background stamps and use them to create some great cards! Until Next time . . .

Stamp Happy!

Kim

All stamps and stamped images ©️1990-2023 Stampin’ Up! ®️

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