One stamp set, two looks

When I get out a stamp set to make cards, I typically try to make two or three cards using the set. And if I can, I try to make the cards different styles so I have a good variety in my stash. That's what I did a few weeks ago when I used the Fancy Phrases stamp set from Stampin' Up!.

With line-art stamp sets, one easy way to create different looks is to color in the images on one card and leave them uncolored on the other. I don't think I'd even notice that these two cards use the same flower image if I didn't already know it.

On the first card, the color combo (Calypso Coral and Rich Razzleberry), filigree background image, scalloped frame, loopy gold thread, and pearl embellishments all combine to create a feminine feel.

Because the stamp images have a "sketchy" style, I colored in the flowers very quickly, almost scribbling. I went outside the lines here and there and also left some white spots, but I don't think it matters here.

Inside the card I stamped the flower image again. I used Calypso Coral ink, stamping on scratch paper first to get a lighter color, and placed the image in the bottom left corner so the image went off the edge of the white layer.

For the second card, I used a more earthy color pallet of brown and green. It might not be quite a "masculine" card, but I think it definitely has a more neutral feel.

I repeatedly stamped the large flower image on a vanilla card base using Soft Suede ink, turning the image each time. I also wanted to add some green in the background, so I splattered the card base with metallic green paint and added a few light green pearls. I brought the colors together with brown and green striped ribbon.

Inside the card I stamped the sentiment with Soft Suede ink. I inked up the small flower image with Soft Suede, stamped it on scratch paper a couple of times, and then stamped it over the sentiment. (Originally I planned to stamp the images directly on the card base, but I accidentally smeared the sentiment. Oops! So I covered it up by stamping them again on a stitched die-cut shape that I adhered inside the card.)

I started a card-making challenge with my aunt and my friend for 2023: we have to make at least four Christmas cards and four birthday cards each month. (These are two of my birthday cards for this month.) Christmas cards will be no problem for me since I already do that. But I'm excited to have a plan for birthday cards, since I seem to use them as fast as I make them!

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'Llamazing' birthday cards

In August I posted an autumn wreath card that I was submitting for an Art Impressions challenge. Well, I ended up winning the challenge (yay!), and I got to pick any stamp set for my prize. I chose the Llama Set, but with the busy-ness of a new job, fall birthdays, and then the holidays, I didn't have a chance to use it until I had time off during winter break. But when I did finally pull it out, I definitely had fun making these two "llamazing" birthday cards!

I chose a bright, festive color pallet and die cut streamers to use as embellishments for each card. The punny greetings included in the set are perfect with the images.

For this card I used two images from the set to create a background by stamping them in the same color ink as the card base. I stamped the focal image on white card stock and colored it using alcohol markers. (One of the things that appealed to me about this set was that I could leave the llamas white and just color the accents, so it didn't seem so overwhelming. I don't always love to color images.) I die cut the llama and gave it a bit of a brick texture background. I added the sentiment, streamers, and a few sequins for a final touch.

I again used tone-on-tone stamping for the background on the second card. This time I used the stack of presents along with the cacti, and I arranged them in a straight line along the bottom of the card. (These two llamas look like they would definitely be surrounded by piles of presents.) Streamers and sequins are again the finishing touches, and I love how the sequins look like falling confetti.

I had a few bits and pieces of streamers left after I'd trimmed them for the front of the card, so I added them inside the card along with a big, bold sentiment.

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January Christmas cards: Upcycled tissue paper

I know we're three weeks into January, but happy new year! I hope 2023 is treating you well so far. For my first post of the new year I'm going to share my January Christmas cards.

I actually made these cards in December, a few days after last Christmas. I had received a Christmas gift packaged with pretty red and green color block tissue paper, and I knew I wanted to use it for Christmas cards. So I put it to use right away!

I started the cards by making the background panels. I determined what size I wanted to make the panels and then cut eight pieces of vanilla card stock to that size and eight pieces of tissue paper slightly larger. I crumpled each piece of tissue paper into a tight ball and then carefully opened them up. I lightly coated one piece of vanilla card stock with glue, placed a piece of tissue paper over it, and gently pressed it down to adhere it to the card stock. (I was careful not to smooth out the wrinkles so it created a nice texture.) I wrapped the edges around to the back and secured them with double-sided tape and then used the same process to complete the rest of the panels.

For the card bases I used dark red card stock splattered with gold paint. Using foam tape, I adhered the panels to the card bases. I wanted a focal image that didn't cover too much of the tissue paper, so I die cut two sprigs for each card: one gold and one green. I also die cut the word "merry" in gold for each card. I glued those pieces to the panels and added a red twine bow and three enamel dots in either gold or red.

These cards have a more "traditional" feel than the Christmas cards I usually make, but I'm really pleased with how they turned out. I'll definitely keep this technique in mind for any pretty tissue paper I get in the future. :)

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