FUN SIZED CARDS FULL OF CHEERFUL CHRISTMAS GREETINGS - A STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAYS POST

Hi Stampers, 

We have all heard old sayings like; bigger is not always better, and good things come in small packages. Today I thought we would take a look cards that prove both these adages. That is right, today’s cards are fun size cards - smaller versions of familiar card styles. Let’s take a look!

Yes, I pulled out my much loved JOLLY WORDS stamp set to create these cards. But page down to see the same card styles made using the CHRISTMAS CLASSICS stamp set. To me the JOLLY WORDS stamp set is the perfect mix of whimsy and nostalgia! Look at those cards; they are mini, but mighty.  I find taking a break from A-2 cards gives me new perspectives. I enjoy the challenge of creating interesting designs on a smaller canvas, so to speak.

As you might have guessed the Santa with his sleigh card is a mini slimline card. The ‘Tis the Season Card is a 4 1/4” square card as opposed to the rectangular A-2 card. The joy card is a mini easel card. The mini slimline card will fit nicely inside a letter sized envelope. I use A-2 envelopes (Stampin! Up!®️ medium envelopes) for the square card and the mini easel card. The fit just fine inside, and cost less to mail than cards in square envelopes. 

JOLLY WORDS

TO VIEW PRODUCT DETAIL OR SHOP CLICK HERE

4 1/4” SQUARE ‘TIS THE SEASON CARD

SUPPLIES  FOR THIS CARD

* Jolly Words stamp set

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

* Mat layer - Joyful Speciality DSP - green / gold pattern x 4” x 4”

* Other cardstock - Basic White for greeting, Gold Foil for greeting mat. ( Basic White is die cut with Nested Essentials Dies - rounded corner rectangle 2nd largest; die cut gold foil with the largest rectangle one)

* Inks - Versa Mark, gold embossing powder, Crumb Cake (for inside greeting)

* Embellishments - Festive Pearls - gold - 5; Gold & Silver Trim Combo Pack - gold, about 4 1/2” - 5”

* Nested Essentials Dies 

* Adhesive and dimensionals

MINI EASEL JOY CARD

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Jolly Words stamp set

* Card base - Poppy Parade cardstock - 8 1/2” x 4 1/4” scored and folded at 2 1/8” and 4 1/4” both folds are mountain folds also a piece cut at 4 1/4” square

* Mat - Basic White 4” square - embossed with Merry Melody embossing folder

* DSP - Merry Bold & Bright - Fa La La design 3 1/2” square

* Other cardstock - Basic White for focal image die cut with Stylish Shapes Dies - circles - next to the largest die, a piece cut at 4” x 3/4” for sentiment, 4” x 2 1/2” for inside card; Poppy Parade - three strips cut at 4 1/4” x 1/4” - adhere together to use for card stop

* Inks - Poppy Parade, Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin’ Blends - Poppy Parade (light & dark), Lemon Lime Twist (light & dark), Daffodil Delight (light & dark), Granny Apple Green (light & dark), Natural Tones -lightest

* Stylish Shapes Dies - circle, 2nd largest

* Embellishments - Adhesive Backed Glittered Rhinestones - green - 9

* Adhesive and dimensionals

MINI SLIMLINE SANTA CARD

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Jolly Words stamp set

* Card base - Real Red - 7” x 6 1/4”  scored and folded at 3 1/2”

* DSP - Beary Christmas 5 3/4” “ x 2 1/2” - Emboss with Snowflake Sky embossing folder

* Other cardstock - Basic White - for focal image ( cut with Nested Essentials dies - largest of 6 sided dies; for inside 6” x 2 3/4”

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Starry Sky, Stampin’ Blends -Real Red (light & dark), Crumb Cake (light& dark), Shaded Spruce (light and dark), Ivory, Daffodil Delight (light &dark), Wink of Stella

* Nested Essentials dies - 6 sided shape, largest one

* Embellishment - Adhesive backed Snowflake Assortment - 3 white

VIDEO

FUN SIZED HOLIDAY CARDS FULL OF CHEERFUL CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

CHRISTMAS CLASSICS CARDS

The cards above are a 4 1/4” square card, mini slimline card, and mini easel card. They were created using the CHRISTMAS CLASSICS stamp set and the Winter Meadow DSP.  The cutting measurements specific 

to each card can be found below each card. The general supply list for the cards is found below the measurements for the mini easel card .

CHRISTMAS CLASSICS STAMP SET

To view product details click HERE.

PEACE ON EARTH SQUARE CARD

MEASUREMENTS FOR CARD 

* Card base - Shaded Spruce 8 1/2” x 4 1/4” scored and folded at 4 1/4”

* Inside panel - Basic White cardstock 4” x 4”

* Mat layer - Adhesive backed glimmer paper - silver - 4” x 4”

* DSP -  Winter Meadow 3 3/4” x 3 3/4”

* Trim - Silver -about 14”

SEASON’S GREETING MINI SLIMLINE CARD

MEASUREMENTS FOR THIS CARD

* Card base - Shaded Spruce cardstock cut at 6 1/4” x 7” scored and folded along the 7” side at 3 1/2”

* Inside panel - Basic White cardstock 6” x 3 1/4”

* DSP - Winter Meadow 6” x 3 1/4”

* Greeting - Basic White cut at  6” x 2 1/4”

* Two pieces of silver adhesive backed glimmer paper each cut at 6” x 1/2”

NOTE - Adhere the two strips of silver glimmer paper to the greeting, one along the top and one along the bottom.

PEACE ON EARTH MINI EASEL CARD

MEASUREMENTS FOR THIS CARD

* Card base - Blueberry Bushel - 8 1/4” x 4 1/4” scored at 2 1/8” and 4 1/4” - fold score lines, both are mountain folds; another piece of Blueberry cardstock cut at 4 1/4” x 4 1/4”

* Mat - Adhesive Backed Glimmer Paper - Silver - 4” x 4”

* DSP - Winter Meadow - 3 3/4” x 3 3/4”

* Inside panel & greeting - Basic White cardstock 4” x 2 1/2”; greeting strip  4” x 3/4”

* Easel stopper - 3 strips of Blueberry Bushel cardstock cut at 4 1/4” x 1/4” (adhere these together)

GENERAL SUPPLIES FOR CARDS ABOVE

* Christmas Classics stamp set

* Cardstock - Shaded Spruce, Blueberry Bushel, Basic White, Hold & Solver Adhesive Backed Glimmer Paper (Silver)

* Inks - Shaded Spruce, Smoky Slate, Versa Mark; Silver embossing powder

* Dies - Stylish Shapes, Nested Essentials

* Embelishments - Festive Pearls (Silver); Gold & Silver Trim Combo Pack (Silver)

DECORATING ENVELOPES

TO COVER A-2 SIZE ENVELOPE FLAPS (Stampin’ Up! Medium Envelopes)

* Cut DSP at 2 1/2” x 6”

* Apply adhesive to flap.

* Place DSP on flap paying attention to any directional patterns.

* Trim away excess DSP

To view and /or shop for supplies used for the cards view my online store HERE. 

Thank you for stopping by for today’s installment of my Stamp Happy Holidays Series. I 

hope you try making some fun sized cards, but be careful! They can be addictive. Until next time…

Stamp Happy!

Kim

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

CASEing & SWIPING MERRY & BRIGHT HOLIDAY CARDS - A STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAY POST

Hi  Stampers!

Thank you for stopping by. Today’s Stamp Happy Holidays cards feature a technique I call “Ink Swiping.” This technique can result in a piece with a bit of a distressed look, depending on the embossed image and the amount of pressure used as you swipe. There is an example of this technique and the card I CASEd  (CASE = Copy And Share Everything) on page 39 of the Stampin’ Up!®️July-December 2022 Mini Catalog. The Stampin’ Up! Catalogs are great resources for card layouts, techniques, and more! 

The ink swiping technique requires, cardstock, ink pad, and an embossing folder. Once the cardstock is embossed, lightly swipe the ink pad across the cardstock. That’s all there is to it! Let’s look at my sample cards:

INK SWIPING TECHNIQUE CARDS

TIPS FROM MY EXPERIENCE

As simple as this technique is , it does take some practice. I recommend practicing on scraps of embossed cardstock.

I used the White Craft Ink (as in the catalog sample) on the Parakeet Party cardstock and heat set it. Suddenly the white ink sort of faded into the cardstock. It is possible my ink pad needed reinking as the white craft ink pads do require frequent reinking. It is also possible I was not adding enough pressure as I swiped the ink across the cardstock.

The colored inks on Basic White cardstock worked much better for me, so I definitely recommend using that combination of cardstock and ink.

THE CARD BASE

These cards are what I call mini slimline cards. I enjoy making them on occasion. These cards fit perfectly inside a letter sized envelope (#6 3/4). The cardstock for these cards is cut at 6 3/8” x 7” and scored and folded at 3 1/2” along the 7” side. It is true you will get only one card per sheet of cardstock, but I use what is left over for matting focal panels or sentiments, or for projects other than cards. For tips on finding the 6 3/8” mark on the Stampin’ Up! Paper Trimmer, and another idea on cutting cardstock at 6 3/8” watch the video included in this post.

For today’s cards the focal panels measure 5 7/8” x 3”. I cut panels for inside the cards that measure the same as the focal panels. 

WHIMSICAL WOODLAND EMBOSSING FOLDER

I like this embossing folder. It is so festive and fun. It is a 3D embossing folder and the sandwich for the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss machine couldn’t be easier! It is simply the Base Plate (plate 1), the embossing folder with the cardstock inside, and the Specialty Plate (plate 4). That’s it!

BRIGHTEST GLOW STAMP SET

I chose greetings from the Brightest Glow stamp set for my cards, but of course, you can use any greeting you like.

CASEing & SWIPING MERRY & BRIGHT HOLIDAY CARDS VIDEO

SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR ALL CARDS

* Whimsical Woodland Embossing Folder, or embossing folder of choice

* Brightest Glow stamp set or stamps of choice

* Card base 6 3/8” x 7” scored and folded at 3 1/2” along 7” side

* Focal panel - 5 7/8” x 3”

* Inside panel - (Basic White or color of choice) 5 7/8” x 3”

* Beautiful Shapes Dies - hexagon shapes two center ones or sizes that fit greeting

* Adhesive & dimensionals

WHIMSICAL WOODLAND 

WHITE CRAFT INK ON PARAKEET PARTY

SUPPLIES FOR THID CARD

* Card base - Basic White Thick

* Focal panel - Parakeet Party

* Scrap of Basic White and Parakeet Party for greeting

* Metallic Woven Ribbon -  Parakeet Party, about 20”

* Inks - White Craft Ink and Parakeet Party

* Rhinestone Basic Jewels -3

NOTE - since the cardbase is Basic White I did not add an inside panel, I simple stamped the sentiment on the card base.

WHIMSICAL WOODLAND 

POLISHED PINK INK ON BASIC WHITE

 

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Cardbase - Polished Pink

* Focal and inside panels - Basic White

* Scraps of Polished Pink and Basic White for greeting

* Ink - Polished Pink

* Open Weave Ribbon - Polished Pink - about 15”

* Elegant Faceted Gems - Clear -3

WHIMSICAL WOODLAND 

TAHITIAN TIDE INK ON BASIC WHITE  

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Card base - Tahitian Tide

* Focal and inside panels - Basic White

* Scraps of Basic White and Tahitian Tide cardstock for greeting

* Ink - Tahitian Tide

* Metallic Woven Ribbon - Tahitian Tide, about 15”

SWIPED INK CARDS

Thanks for checking in. Until next time…

Stamp Happy!

Kim

All stamps and stamped images ©️1990 - 2022 Stampin’ Up!®️

BLENDING BRUSH BACKGROUNDS FOR HALLOWEEN - A STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAY POST

Hi Stampers!

Can you believe this is the last week of September? Fall is definitely in the air in my corner of the world. At my house we are pulling on sweatshirts, enjoying apple cider, and harvesting our pumpkins. My grandkids are beginning to talk about their Halloween costumes and looking forward to Trick-or-Treating! As for me, I am busy making Halloween treat holders and Halloween cards. One day I was looking for a different way to make a night sky background. I decided to try adding color with blending brushes to a piece of Smoky Slate cardstock. I was quite surprised with the results - pleasantly and not so pleasantly! Here are the cards I made with the blending brush backgrounds:

One of the cards I shared last week contained elements of my first experiment in applying color with blending brushes to Smoky Slate cardstock. I used the inked cardstock as a background for my focal image and to die cut the banner for the greeting. Here is the card from last week:

In my opinion applying ink with blending brushes works best on Basic White cardstock, but I think the Smoky Slate is a good choice if creating a background piece for a night sky, a stormy sky, or maybe an ocean.  I did find some ink colors work better than others, and purples and blues seemed to work best, and yellows did okay. I was disappointed to find Basic Gray did not work as well as hoped. 

To create my cards I used items from the Stampin’ Up!®️ July-December 2022 Mini Catalog. 

SCARY CUTE BUNDLE

BEWITCHING BUNDLE

BEST WITCHES STAMP SET

All three cards are my version of a Mini Slimline cards. The folded card measures 3 1/2” x 6 3/8”. These cards will fit in a regular letter size envelope (# 6 3/4). 

MINI SLIMLINE CARD MEASUREMENTS

* Card base - 6 3/8” x 7” scored and folded at 3 1/2” along the 7” side

* Focal and inside panel are cut at 6 1/8” x 3 1/4”

+ NOTE: For all three cards the front panel is cut from Smoky Slate cardstock and the inside panel is cut from Basic White.

SCARY CUTE SILHOUETTES CARD

I used Basic Gray along the bottom of the Smoky Slate cardstock for this card. If you look closely you can see the ink coverage is a bit blotchy, but it sort of works for this card.

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Scary Cute Bundle

* Card base - Basic Black

* Cardstock for front panel and inside panel

* Cardstock for die cuts - Basic Black and Mango Melody

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Basic Gray, Gorgeous Grape, Daffodil  Delight,  and Starry Sky.

ASSEMBLY

*  Die cut the haunted house and bats from Basic Black. Die cut the moon from Mango Melody. Adhere a piece of Mango Melody cardstock to the back side of the haunted house.

* Apply ink with blending brushes to the Smokey Slate cardstock. I started at the bottom with Basic Gray then added some Daffodil Delight from the Basic Gray clear to the top. Next I put down some Gorgeous Grape, but left an area of the Daffodil Delight untouched in the area where I wanted the moon. Next I added some Starry Sky. Finally, I added more Gorgeous Grape and Starry Sky.

* Stamp the three silhouette shapes on the inked Smoky Slate cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. NOTE - I used my Stamparatus to stamp the images because I could stamp all three images at once and I could “re-stamp” if need be to get a nice crisp black image.

* Adhere the moon and haunted house with dimensionals.

* Use liquid glue to adhere bats. Stamp the “Boo” image three times.

* Adhere inside panel - decorate it with stamped images if you desire.

BEWITCHING WITCH HATS CARD

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Bewitching Bundle

* Best Witches stamp set

* Card base - Parakeet Party

* Cardstock for front panel and inside panel

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Gorgeous Grape, Starry Sky; Stampin’ Blends - Pumpkin Pie (light & dark), Parakeet Party (light & dark), Daffodil Delight (dark), Polished Pink (light)

* Adhesive and dimensionals 

ASSEMBLY

* Stamp , color, and punch out the hats.

* Create the background on the Smoky Slate, I started at the bottom of the cardstock and worked my way a little over half way, the switched to Starry Sky.

* Stamp the spider then position the hats and adhere with dimensionals 

* Stamp the stars beside or around the hats and stamp the greeting.

* Adhere the panel to the card front

* Adhere the inside panel add a greeting and stamped images if you like.

WITCHY SPELL CARD

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Best Witches stamp set

* Pumpkin Pie cardstock for card base

* Cardstock for front panel and inside panel

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Gorgeous Grape, Starry Sky; Stampin’ Blends - Basic Black (dark), Highland Heather (light), Daffodil Delight (light & dark), Cajun Craze (dark), Soft Sea Foam (light), Poppy Parade (light), Gray Granite (light & dark), Parakeet Party (light& dark)

* Black Baker’s Twine - about 36”

* Black and White Gingham Ribbon about 6”

* Adhesive, dimensionals, and glue dots (for ribbon)

* Paper Snips / scissors

ASSEMBLY

* Stamp and color images, then fussy cut them

* Add ink to the Smoky Slate cardstock. I used the same method on this card as I did for the previous card.

* Stamp the greeting on the panel

* Stamp the stars on the top 2/3 of the cardsdtock

* Adhere the images to the panel with dimensionals  

* Wrap the twine around the card base adhere on back side of panel

* Attach the bow on top of the twine.

* Adhere the panel to the cardbase.

* Decorate the inside panel as you wish and adhere to the inside

That is all for today Thanks for stopping by. Until next time…

Stamp Happy!

Kim

All stamps and stamped images ©️1990-2022 Stampin’ Up!®️

This posting is dedicated to the memory of my best stamping buddy.

Meredith Brown 

(August 1972 - September 2021)

KEEPING IT SLIM FOR HALLOWEEN - A STAMP HAPPY HOLIDAY POST

 Hi Stampers!

Welcome to week eight of my Stamp Happy Holidays series. Today I have two Halloween cards to share. The cards are slimline cards. The taller card fits in a business size envelope. My mini-slimline card fits in a letter size envelope. I use the envelopes that do not have the security lining. Let’s look at the cards:

I like making cards in different sizes; it is a strategy I use to get me out of creative ruts. Slimline cards are super easy to make, and help add a little variety to your card making. There are different measurements for slimline cards. I prefer cutting my cardstock at 9 1/4” x 8” and score along the 8” side at 4”. This creates a card that is 9 1/4” long x 4” wide, and it fits perfectly inside a business envelope (#10). For my mini slimline card the card base is cut at 7” x 6 3/8” and score along the 7” side at 3 1/2”. This card fits into a letter size envelope (#6 3/4).

SAY BOO! SLIMLINE CARD

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Basic White card base 9 1/4” x 8” - along 8” side score and fold at 4”

* Mango Melody cardstock cut at 9 1/8” x 3 7/8”

* Celebrate Everything DSP - Jack-o-lantern & Ghost pattern, 8 3/4” x 3 1/2”

* Pumpkin Pie cardstock large enough to cut a 2 1/2” circle die cut

* Baker’s Twine, black - about 7”

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Pumpkin Pie -Stampin’ Blends - Pumpkin Pie (light & dark), Daffodil Delight (dark)

* Scary Silhouettes Dies, Stylish Shapes Dies

* Best Witches and Scary Cute stamp sets

* Adhesive, dimensionals 

ASSEMBLY

* Die cut the circle from the Pumpkin Pie cardstock using the Sylish Shapes Dies (circle), and die cut the banner from the Mango Melody mat using the Scary Silhouette dies

* Use the Stampin’ Blends to color the pumpkins on the DSP

* Use the Pumpkin Pie ink and the stars stamp from the Best Wishes stamp set and stamp stars on the circle die cut

* Stamp the greeting on the banner with Memento Tuxedo Black ink

* Place some adhesive on the back side of the banner and adhere the baker’s twine create a loop on each end

* Place dimensionals on the back side of the greeting and adhere it to the circle die cut

* Place dimensionals on the back side of the greeting piece

* Adhere the DSP to the Mango Melody card base and adhere this to the card base

* Place the greeting on the card

* Stamp a sentiment inside the card using Memento Tuxedo Black ink

+ If desired use Memento Tuxedo Black ink to stamp a greeting in the lowers left corner of the envelope.

+ Use Pumpkin Pie ink to stamp the crescent moon image above the greeting

SAY BOO CARD AND ENVELOPE

HAUNT IT MINI SLIMLINE CARD

SUPPLIES FOR THIS CARD

* Card base - Basic Black cut at 7” x 6 3/8” along the 7” side score and fold at 3 1/2”

* Celebrate Everything DSP - black with star pattern - cut at 6 1/8” x 3 1/4”

* Basic White cardstock cut at 6 1/8” x 3 1/4” for inside panel

* Scraps of Smoky Slate, Basic Gray, Basic Black, and Mango Melody

* Inks - Memento Tuxedo Black, Gorgeous Grape, Starry Sky

* Blending Brushes

* Best Witches and Scary Cute stamp sets

* Scary Silhouettes Dies & Stylish Shapes Dies - largest banner

* Adhesive, dimensionals, cellophane tape

+ TIP - The 6 3/8” mark is a bit difficult to find on the Paper Trimmer. One way to overcome this is to score the cardstock on the Simply Scored Scoring Tool at 6 3/8”, then on the Paper Trimmer line up the scored line right at 0 - where the blade cuts.

ASSEMBLY

* Die cut the pieces for the focal image using the Scary Silhouettes Dies - haunted house (Basic Black), moon (Mango Melody), tree frame (Basic Gray) label (Smoky Slate), and die cut the banner using the Stylish Shapes Dies (Smoky Slate)

* Use the blending brushes, Gorgeous Grape and Starry Sky inks and create a night sky look on the label die cut and the banner die cut. I started at the bottom of the pieces and added Gorgeous Grape ink. Next I added Starry Sky, then I went back over the pieces adding a bit more of each color of ink until I reached a saturation I liked.

* Put the focal image together - adhere the moon to the label die cut. Adhere the tree frame (I used liquid glue and only put it on the outside part of the frame, but not on the trees. Use small pieces of Mango Melody and tape them behind the windows of the haunted house. Adhere the house to the focal piece.

* Stamp the greeting on the banner using Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

* Stamp a greeting from the Scary Cute stamp set on the Basic White panel for inside the card using the Memento Tuxedo Black ink. 

* Adhere the DSP to the front of the card and adhere the inside panel inside the card.

* Use dimensionals to attach the focal piece and greeting banner to the front of the card.

+ If desired use the Memento Tuxedo Black ink and stamp a greeting in the lower left corner of the envelope and stamp the star images from the Best Witches stamp set in Mango Melody above the greeting.

HAUNT IT CARD AND ENVELOPE

HALLOWEEN SLIMLINE CARDS

That is all for today. Until next time…

Stamp Happy!

Kim

All stamps and stamped images ©️1990 - 2022 Stampin’ Up,©️