Stampin’ Up! Joyful Christmas

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Do you need a quick but colorful Christmas card?  This clean and simple card is powerful with its intense color, yet quite easy to mass produce.  Let me show you how.

For me, when I make 100 Christmas cards, I need something that will keep me excited through the process, are you like that?  One of the things that I love is the color Cherry Cobbler.  I just love it – it makes me happy just to look at it.  Do you have a color that just makes you happy too?  I’d love to know what colors you absolutely love – tell me in the comment section.  Cards like this one with interesting detail keep me fascinated as well.  Last month I showed you how I made this clean and simple Regarding Dahlia’s card:

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Can you tell how this card is based of that one.  When you have a great idea – duplicate it!  To make this one, you’ll start with a center image, use a mask to cover it and stamp outward from there. 

  • Tip – be sure to stamp a mask onto a piece of printer paper – not cardstock.  The thickness of cardstock will give you a white space and won’t allow you to get your second image to flow into the main image. 
  • Tip – cut your mask on the inside of the line, not on the line and definitely not outside the line.  That will give you a gap.

Since the cardstock is so rich, you will want to give your sentiment an opportunity to pop off the color by embossing it in Black.  Some glitz and glamour was added using Rhinestone basic Jewels and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (hard to see on the photos as it’s rather light just on the veins.

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To help the white poinsettia banner pop, you may wish to matte it onto a piece of Basic Black card stock.  To add depth without taking away from the beautiful Cherry Cobbler color you can use Old Olive for the leaves.  It doesn’t take away from the images, rather it compliments it and supports it with a neutral rich color.

  • Tip – stamp your flowers on a larger piece of white and then cut it down to the desired length.  That way you don’t stress yourself out with getting it perfectly centered.  I began with a 4”x 11” piece that I cut down.
  • The final strip is 2 1/2” x 5.5” and the Basic Black is 5.5” x 2 5/8”.  The Cherry Cobbler is an A2 card – 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”
  • Tip – If I was mass producing this card, I would pre-cut my Whisper White Strips.  I would also perfect one and keep it above my working strip as a master.  This would help you as a guide to get each one just right.  You can also draw a box on your grid paper to show where to stamp.

The inside panel is just Whisper White with the same images stamped in the corner.  Keep it small, just a touch.  Joyful Christmas 001 002

It’s a fun card that pops and is easy not only easy to stamp, but gives you that richness that you are looking for.  And added bonus – this is rather easy to prep and cost effective. 

Online Stamping Classes

Do you want to learn how to make creative scenery cards or Christmas Cards?  Try our Brayer 101 – Introduction to Creative Scenery online class or the Class of the Month – Festive Flurry.  You’ll learn how to master this technique using a brayer to create unbelievable scenes that will leave you feeling like an artist or make the coolest cards that will leave your friends and family stunned.  Find out more here.

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Stamps – Joyful Christmas Ink – Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Versamark Paper – Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, Whisper White Cool Tools – Heat Gun, Black Embossing Powder Finishing Touch – Pearl Basic Jewels, 2 way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds

Label Thinlit Flip Flop Card

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Have you ever just needed an really quick wow card?  Well then the new Card Thinlits are for you.  For one, they have an interactive rotating feature.  Second – talk about super quick!  You can literally make this awesome project in a matter of minutes!  Here’s how.Regarding Dahlias 004 (4)

Creative Tips –

  • First cut your cardstock to 6” x 5 1/2”.  Lay your Thinlit over.  Add a piece of Whisper White cardstock cut 5 1/4 x 2 3/4” to the left side with some adhesive lining up the outside three edges.
  • Run through your Big Shot to cut the card and flip flop cuts.
  • Cut the matching label framelits from this set and stamp with Raspberry Ripple using the Regarding Dahlia’s Stamp.
  • Cut a mask using the label portion of the Card Thinlit out of scrap paper – Keep your mask for future use with your Thinlit set!Regarding Dahlias 004 (1)
  • Stamp the Regarding Dahlia’s  in Raspberry Ripple on the left portion of the card.
  • Tie some linen thread and add Rhinestone Basic Jewels.
  • Stamp your greeting and send to someone you love!

Wasn’t that fast!  Be sure to tune in later this week for a video tutorial – I’m so excited to use my new microphone – yes, you read that right…finally better sound!  Have a fabulous day.Regarding Dahlias 004 (7)

New Creative Grove Classroom

Did you know that we have a new classroom for you to take all your online classes?  Check it out by clicking the Classroom tab up top or here.  Our latest class – Class of the Month : Festive Flurry has gotten some rave reviews!  It just launched and is packed with amazing projects that you’ll be able to use no matter what stamps or framelits you own. Check that class out here.

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To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

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Stamp Sets – Regarding Dahlias (130327c, 130324w)  Ink – Raspberry Ripple Paper – Whisper White (100730), Raspberry Ripple Cool Tools – Label Thinlits (133479) Finishing Touch – Linen Thread, Rhinestone Basic Jewels 

Regarding DahliasLabel Thinlits

Clean and Simple Chalk Talk Birthday

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This week is always a big Birthday week for everyone I know, this month actually.  So why not keep with the celebration theme?  Chalk Talk has not only this awesome stamp set, but a great tag framelit set that anyone can use.  Today I made a very simple, but elegant card that actually fits any celebration, not just birthdays.  I have to admit, it was a little simple to me, until I put the Pearl Basic Jewels on.  Then it all came together and worked.  I wish I actually had taken a before and after photo, it made that much of a difference!

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Creative Tips –

  • I actually made this little tag for all of Michael’s birthday presents on Saturday.  They completely worked – and best thing – I didn’t even have to write on it!  Once I whipped these little guys up, this card popped in my head.Chalk Talk 001 CU
  • Obviously it’s a present, but the Chevron Embossing Folder really adds a nice touch to what would be the wrapping paper.
  • If you didn’t have ribbon, you could easily substitute strips of card stock.  I would still wrap them around the edge of the gift for that gift wrapped look.Chalk Talk 001 Height
  • To emphasize the gift, I popped it up with dimensionals, along with the greeting portion of the tag. 
  • The Happy Big Day tag is actually two tags from this set.  Chalk Talk 001 Side
  • Proportions made the difference on this card.  I have the full 1/8” border at the base, so I needed any other Mattes to be 1/16”. 

I love this card – and I think I’m going to make a bunch, they serve so many occasions – birthday, wedding, promotion, any firsts, etc…  What other occasions do you think it would fit?  Let me know if the comment section and I’ll send one to one random winner!  Who wouldn’t want one of these in the mail – I know I love mail…other than bills, right?

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    Online Brayer Class now Available

    You’ve patiently waited…it’s finally here!  Creative Scenery classes using a brayer have by far been my biggest hit with stampers in class.  Now you too can learn from the comfort of your very own craft room.  The Brayer has stumped many crafters over the years, well actually more.  Over three varied step by step video projects, you will master how to create gradual transitions than stun the card recipient.  You will feel like an artist.  Best of all, you will look at your stamps in a whole new way, and try things you never would have thought to do before.  Take part of the series, take the whole series, or get the class for free – you choose. Find out more here

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To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

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To view the details or see close ups of any products used in the above project, just click on the green link to view it in my store 24/7.

Stamp Sets – Chalk Talk (130634c, 130631w),  Chalk Talk Bundle (132730c, 132731w) Ink – Tempting Turquoise, Early Espresso Paper –Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Early Espresso Cool Tools – Chalk Talk Framelits, Chevron Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Magnetic Platform Finishing Touch –Stampin’ Dimensionals,Pearl Basic Jewels, Whisper White 3/8” Taffeta Ribbon

Chalk Talk Bundle

Chalk Talk Birthday Wishes

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Who doesn’t love a bright and cheery Birthday card?  Today I’ve combined the new Chalk Talk stamp set and framelit collection with some of our new Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper and the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set for a fun little Birthday for someone special.  I needed a quick and easy birthday card, I’ve been stamping, filming and editing my Brayer 101 – Introduction the Creative online video class series the last few days.  It’s almost ready – look for it tomorrow!  If you’ve taken the live class with me, you’ll love this class too – the projects are all different!

Creative Tips –

  • I stamped the large tag in So Saffron and cut it out using the Chalk Talk Collection Framelits.  If you get the stamp set and the framelits together – it’s a bundle and you save 15%!  I’m all about savings. Chalk Talk 003 CU
  • To give a little variety to my tag, I stamped it again in Rose Red and cut out the banner within the tag.  I tried it on white, but it didn’t look right.
  • I wanted to add a little splash of design behind my tag, but I didn’t want to take away from it, so I picked a simple design and then created another with my stripe stamp from the gorgeous grunge set.
  • To make my banner ends I used the 1” square punch for the smaller banner and cut the large one with my paper snipsCheck out this video on how to make Banner Flags Chalk Talk 003 Side
  • I used the Greeting from the new Four You stamp set, it covers all bases without breaking the bank!
  • I popped my greeting banner and Chalk Talk tag up on Stamping Dimensionals for some depth to the card.
  • For finishing touches, I added a little piercing to the extra white space at the top of the card and some Pearl Basic Jewels on the tag, banner and card.
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It’s a fun card that is bright, cherry and simple.  Best of all it took me under 10 minutes to make!  My kind of birthday card. Smile

Announcing a new Online Video Class

It’s coming – Saturday July 13th!!  Brayer 101 – Introduction to Creative Scenery will be available as an online class.  Be sure to stop by to check it out.  You will want to learn how to make these amazing projects.  Get step by step video instruction and access to a private blog just for this class. 


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To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

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To view the details or see close ups of any products used in the above project, just click on the green link to view it in my store 24/7. 

Stamp Sets – Chalk Talk (130634c, 130631w),  Chalk Talk Bundle (132730c, 132731w), Gorgeous Grunge (130517c, 130514w), Four You (130538c, 130535w) Ink – So Saffron, Rose Red Paper –Whisper White, So Saffron, Rose Red Cool Tools – 1” Square Punch, Chalk Talk Framelits,Stampin’ Sponges Finishing Touch – Stampin’ Dimensionals,Pearl Basic Jewels

Gorgeous GrungeFour You

Chalk Talk Bundle

Beautifully Baroque Wedding Card

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I needed an elegant wedding card this week for a family member.  The new Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder was just perfect for such an occasion.  Paired with our rich Elegant Eggplant – the bride’s color, and our gorgeous Shimmery White card stock, this card definitely hits the mark. 

Creative Tips –

  • I created a beautiful shimmery Baroque paper using the Bisque Pottery Technique and the Illuminate Glimmer Watermark Ink Pad.Beautifully Baroque Wedding Card 002 CU
  • Use the brayer to color the top portion of your Embossing Folder with the Illuminate Pad, place your Elegant Eggplant cardstock on the lower piece of the folder, close and emboss.  The result is a gorgeous shimmery result that looks like velvet. 
  • To pair the rich embossed piece, I used our Shimmery White card stock.  It’s a wedding after all!
  • The greeting is embossed in Silver and I added a few Pearl Basic Jewels at the top for some added elegant finishing touches.Beautifully Baroque Wedding Card 002 Bow
  • I normally don’t do bows – they’re big and bulky, but with this being a wedding card, my go to knot isn’t going to cut it – don’t think I didn’t try…lol!  It would be cute, no – tying the knot?  Michael would have questioned it, so I went with the bow.  To get it exactly where I wanted it, I attached a piece of Ribbon first, anchored my cardstock onto the card and then used a separate piece to tie the knot.  You can also completely tie it separately and attach it with a Glue Dot.  That didn’t work for me this time, so I tied it.Beautifully Baroque Wedding Card 002 Side

The end result is a gorgeous rich textured card.  This card is 5”x7”, and since we’re sending a check along as we can’t attend this one, I wanted to send a special card.  I’m actually quite sad we can’t go to this one. Sad smile

Free DSP_edited-1

We’re celebrating this summer!!  This month – buy any three Designer Series Papers and get one free!  Take advantage of  this awesome special!

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To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

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To view the details or see close ups of any products used in the above project, just click on the green link to view it in my store 24/7.  

Stamp Sets – Sweet Essentials (126457c, 132085w) Ink – Illuminate Glimmer Watermark, Versamark Paper – Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant, Shimmery White Cool Tools – Beautifully Baroque TIEF, Brayer Finishing Touch – Pearl Basic Jewels, 5/8” Organza Ribbon 

Untitled-12Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder TIEFBrayerIlluminate Ink Pad

Mojo Textures and Prints

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Card making can be clean and simple yet at the same time rich in texture and print.  For this weeks Mojo Monday challenge, I broke out my Oh, Hello stamp set that has this awesome Chevron oval in it.  The patter is tight, precise and really does a number on your eyes when you stare at – it’s an optical illusion – it moves!  Since this weeks sketch focused on an oval, I thought why not give it some texture, or at least the illusion of it.

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Creative Tips –

  • I started out using my color coach and the top combination from Soft Suede – using Bermuda Bay and Blushing Bride.
  • To go along with that great stamp, I brought in my two favorites – Gorgeous Grunge for my striped pattern and the Dictionary Background stamp for a simple print. 
  • I distressed the Blushing Bride piece for some contrast using my Distress Tool.Oh Hello 002 CU
  • To compliment the Dictionary print, I embossed my Bermuda Bay card stock to give it some texture using the new Alphabet Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.
  • After stamping the Chevron oval, I cut it out using the #4 Oval in my Oval Collection Framelits.  Rather than matte it with a larger oval, I just edged it in a darker shade using Early Espresso.Oh Hello 002 Height
  • To give a little distinction to the oval, I popped it up on Stamping Dimensionals.
  • I created a banner using my 1” Square Punch and one of the three greetings in the Oh, Hello set.  I love it when stamp sets have greetings!Oh Hello 002 Banner
  • For the wave in the banner, I adhered the ends down and popped up the middle using two Stamping Dimensionals.  I curled up the ends of the banner using my Bone Folder.
  • The flower was created with Blushing Bride and Early Espresso card stocks using the Blossom Party Originals BigZ die.  For the center I used the circle from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack and Crushed Curry card stock.  The leaves were punched out using the retired Blossom Petals Builder Punch. Oh Hello 002 Flower
  • I added a few Pearl Basic Jewels for a finishing touch to the Oval, Banner, main card and Flower center. 
  • For a final finishing touch, I added a little piercing using the Essentials Paper Piercing Pack. Oh Hello 002 Main L

It’s a fun color combination and this card is great for just any occasion.  I hope you like it and have fun making your own! 

Free DSP_edited-1

We’re celebrating this summer!!  This month – buy any three Designer Series Papers and get one free!  Here’s the scoop on this awesome special!

Signature Snowflake 001

To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

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All of the supplies used to make this project are Stampin’ Up! unless I specifically note otherwise.  To view the details or see close ups of any products, just click on the green link to view it in my store 24/7. 

Stamp Sets – Oh Hello (130733c, 131931w), Dictionary (130351c, 130348w),Gorgeous Grunge (130517c, 130514w) Ink – Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Blushing Bride Paper – Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Bermuda Bay, Blushing Bride, Wild Wasabi Cool Tools – Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Oval Collection Framelits, Blossom Party Originals BigZ Die, Big Shot, Alphabet Press TIEF, 1” Square Punch Finishing Touch –Stampin’ Dimensionals, Pearl Basic Jewels, Paper Piercing Tool, Stampin’ Pierce Mat, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack

Gorgeous GrungeDictionary Background StampOh Hello

By The Seashore 4th of July

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Happy 4th of July!  I thought I’d make it a beach one this year since I’m usually on a beach every year!  Every year except this one – go figure!  So I’m bringing the beach to my 4th of July.  Usually we’re traveling this week, but today we’re hanging poolside Florida style.  I hope you have fabulous plans yourself – here’s a little good ‘ol Red, White and Blue for you from us here at The Creative Grove!By the Seashore 001 005

Creative Tips –

  • I needed a quick and simple card for today, so I created my own flag using Painters Tape and my Real Red Inkpad.By the Seashore 001 007
  • For my star field I used a piece of Midnight Muse that I distressed on the edges using the Distressing Tool – love that thing!
  • I popped up my stars for a little depth to the card.
  • I also matted my flag on a 1/16” border of Midnight Muse before going with a 1/8” border of Real Red.By the Seashore 001 003
  • I stamped the inside as well with the starfish to carry on the theme, in addition to my envelope.
  • I wanted a beach feel, so I grabbed my By the Seashore stamp set and used the starfish!  I can see this card in Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake for a Cape Cod feel too!
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It’s a quick and easy one – and I hope you love the result.  Off to get my ribs started and make the slaw!  Happy 4th!

Free DSP_edited-1

We’re celebrating this summer!!  This month – buy any three Designer Series Papers and get one free!  Here’s the scoop on this awesome special!

Signature Snowflake 001

To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

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Stamp Sets – By the Seashore (126532c, 132582w) Ink – Real Red (126949), Midnight Muse (126860)  Paper – Whisper White (100730), Real Red (102482), Midnight Muse (126843) Cool Tools – Distress Tool (127562) Finishing Touch –Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

The Stampin’ Up! Pansy Punch

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Did you call for Pansies?  I’m in love with the new Stampin’ Up! Pansy Punch!  I made a super cute card yesterday for the Mojo Monday 300th sketch challenge and on it I had a little pansy flower that I made using the new Pansy Punch.  Well, today I kept with the same color theme and did three of these cute easy flowers and what a great little card for someone.  Add a little piercing and you have a classic.

Creative Tips –

  • The color combination is straight out of the new Color Coach – Coastal Cabana, Crushed Curry and Pumpkin Pie.
  • I kept the card clean and simple.  This card believe it or not can be put together in under 10 minutes – with all the little extras too – the pearl accents, piercing and paper piecing.Four You 001 CU
  • I used a Whisper White piece of scrap paper that was sized 1 3/4” x 4 5/8”, a piece of Coastal Cabana – 1 7/8” x 4 3/4” and a Crushed Curry piece that was 2 1/4” x 5 3/16”.
  • To jazz it up, I added some Paper Piercing using the Essentials Mat Pack.  Don’t be afraid to add different points of view in piercing rather than just all around.  By breaking it up, it adds it’s own element to the card.Four You 001 Flowers
  • I broke up the fibers using my fingers on the petals of the pansies.  I curled them in and glued them together using Liquid Glue.
  • A center punched in Crushed Curry using the 1/2” Circle Punch provided consistency along with three small pearls.  Four You 001 Height
  • The Flower Panel is popped up on Stampin’ Dimensionals for some depth.
  • I finished the card off with the fun Thank You saying from Four You, one of our newest greeting sets and three pearl in a triangle. Four You 001 Main L

It’s a fun, simple and classic card that will brighten anyone’s day.  I hope you’ll be stamping this holiday week!  Have a Happy Fourth of July!

Signature Snowflake 001

To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

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Stamp Sets – Really Good Greetings (130333c, 130330w), Dictionary (130351c, 130348w),Gorgeous Grunge (130517c, 130514w) Ink – Coastal Cabana (131175), Pumpkin Pie (126945), Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Write Marker (105115), Crushed Curry Stampin’ Write Marker (131901), 2013-2015 In Color Marker Collection (131260)  Paper – Whisper White (100730), Coastal Cabana (131297), Pumpkin Pie (105117), Crushed Curry (131199), Eastern Elegance DSP (130131) Cool Tools –Paper Snips (103579), 1/2” Circle Punch(119869), Circles Collection Framelits (130911), Pansy Punch (130698), 1” Square Punch (124094) Finishing Touch –Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Pearl Basic Jewels (119247), Paper Piercing Tool(126189), Stampin’ Pierce Mat (126199), Essentials Paper Piercing Pack (126187)

Four YouPansy Punch