Party Puffin Rainbow Slider Card

Today’s share was inspired by a live video with Artisan Chloe Evans of Australia yesterday. She is awesome and we had so much fun learning to make the rainbow slider card technique. This is my first attempt at it, but I assure you it won’t be my last. I’ve had the Party Puffins stamp set on my craft table for a couple of days and I’ve been itching to ink it up. So what do you think? Ready to give it a go? The challenge this week over at TGIF is a peek a boo window so I entered this one for TGISC321.

I began with a full sheet of Thick Basic White card stock. I cut one 4 1/4″ x 11 and two 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ pieces from the full sheet. After scoring the 4 1/4″ x 11″ at 5 1/2″ I folded and then die cut the second largest circle from the Layering Circles Dies at the top center. I lined up the two pieces of 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ card stock one at a time to the card front and die cut a hole in each to match the card front.

I embossed the first 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ card using the Painted Texture 3D Folder and attached it to the card front using Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive. I then pulled out Party Puffins and stamped the puffins, birthday cake and greeting using my Stamparatus. It’s so easy to get a solid black image because you can stamp them several times with a perfect line up each time. My Paper Snips came in handy for fussy cutting out the pieces after I colored them with my Blends. The balloons were punched with the recently retired balloon punch and I tied the strings to each using the Basic Black Baker’s Twine from the Essentials Pack.

The slider was made by beginning with a 2″ x 8 1/2″ piece of Basic White card stock scored at 1/2″ along the 2″ side and applying eight 1/4″ x 8 1/2″ strips of card stock butted against the fold. My rainbow includes Petal Pink, Flirty Flamingo, Calypso Coral, So Saffron, Bumblebee, Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party and Balmy Blue. I wanted a pastel pallet but you could use any of our over 50 colors of card stock to create your rainbow. The finished strip is attached to the backside of the card front by applying adhesive on the 1/2″ x 2″ folded edge and attaching it flush against the 5 1/2″ fold in the middle (see inside photo). I centered the strip in the window opening.

Lower the rainbow strip over the inside and attach a 1/4″ x 1 1/2″ strip of Basic White card stock to the inside at the right and left side of the rainbow strip. There should be a 1/8″ space between the Basic White strip and the rainbow strip on each side. These strips of Basic White card stock are to keep the slider mechanism moving smoothly up and down. Next you thread the rainbow slider through the hole of the second 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ piece of Basic White card stock and attach it to the inside card base only at the sides and top of the Basic White strips. The center needs to be free of adhesive so your rainbow can freely slide up and down when the card is opened. With the card closed, trim off the excess rainbow strips flush at the card bottom.

With the card fully open the last step is to stamp the hidden greeting on the rainbow strip. I used my Stamparatus to position the greeting just above the bottom edge of the circle and centered right to left across the rainbow. With the magnets securely in place I could always stamp it a second time if I didn’t get good coverage the first. There’s plenty of room under the circle for decorating or an additional hand written message.

I hope you enjoyed this fun fold rainbow slider card and will give it a try. If you have any questions just reach out, I’m happy to help!

If you are in need of supplies and live in the United States…

I’d love to be your Stampin’ Up demonstrator!

You can order your supplies from my online store here. Looking forward to connecting with you soon.

Happy stamping,

Dacia Smith

Encouraging Flowers of Friendship

My share today is one of the encouragement cards we mailed to our shut-ins this month. Over 100 cards are created every month and sent to those in need. We also partner with Meals on Wheels in our community and have them delivered with meals for the week.

The card began with a 4 1/4″ x 11″ base of Polished Pink card stock scored at 2 3/4″ and 5 1/2″. The next layer is 3 3/4″ x 5″ of Basic White embossed at the top half using the Pretty Flowers 3D Embossing Folder. The bottom half is decorated with a 2″ x 3 3/4″ piece of the hostess Pattern Party DSP selection. A 1/2″ x 3 3/4″ piece of Basic Black card stock was placed over the seam and wrapped in Black Glittered Organdy Ribbon and attached to the card front centered using Mono Liquid Glue only at the bottom portion of the layer.

The next layer is cut from Basic Black card stock with the largest Stitched So Sweetly scalloped border die. From the center of the cut out piece we die cut the focal point image using another Stitched So Sweetly die, saving card stock that would be covered by the Basic White matting layer anyway. The Basic White layer is 2 5/8″ x 3 3/4″ and embossed with the Tasteful Textile 3D Embossing Folder. This layer is attached to the card base centered using Dimensionals.

Our focal layer is stamped with a sentiment from Hydrangea Haven in Versamark and heat embossed with White Embossing Powder. The blossoms are from Flowers of Friendship stamped in Memento Black. Each is colored using Polished Pink and Old Olive stamping blends and applied with Mini Glue Dots. The focal layer is attached to the card base with Dimensionals. The final touch is a bow tied with the Black Glittered Organdy Ribbon and attached with a Mini Glue Dot.

The inside begins with a 3 7/8″ x 5 1/8″ layer of Basic White card stock. Attached at the bottom with Mono Liquid Adhesive is a layer 1 3/4″ x 3 7/8″ of Basic Black card stock embossed with the Pretty Flowers 3D Embossing Folder. The next layer is 1 1/4″ x 3 1/4″ of Basic Black cut from one of the Stitched Rectangle dies. It is stamped with a sentiment from Hydrangea Haven and embossed with White Embossing Powder. Attached in the upper right corner is a small bloom stamped and colored with Polished Pink Blends from Hydrangea Haven. The finished layer is attached to the inside centered at the bottom using Dimensionals.

Our card this month is an easel card that our shut ins can display on a table next to their favorite chair to enjoy for the month. It’s such a blessing to be able to bring joy to others! We include scripture and an encouraging message in each card sent.

If you are in need of supplies and live in the United States…

I’d love to be your Stampin’ Up demonstrator!

You can order your supplies from my online store here. Looking forward to connecting with you soon.

Happy stamping,

Dacia Smith

Embossed Shells Ashore

Today’s share was inspired by Cindy Schuster over at the Crafty Carrot Co. The featured stamp set this month is Friends are Like Seashells and we are off to a great start. Hope you’ll consider participating one month, It’s loads of fun and a great way to meet fellow crafters.

I started with a Sahara Sand card base 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ scored at 4 1/4″. Die cut the largest Stitched Rectangle die from Thick Basic White card stock and then cut two smaller (2″ x 3 1/4″) rectangles at the top and bottom forming a bridge in the middle to build the focal point. Layer a 3 1/2″ x 4 3/4″ piece of Sand and Sea Designer Paper behind and mount to card base centered.

For texture, l frayed the ends, layered on Forever Greenery, Petal Pink and Braided Linen Trim and stamped the speckled image in the top right and bottom left corner of the Sand and Sea DSP.

For the focal images, I stamped the various seashells from Friends are Like Seashells directly on the Sand and Sea DSP and heat Embossed with White Embossing Powder. I fussy cut them out at the embossed edge and layered them to the card center using Dimensionals. The greenery and greeting are stamped on Basic White and embossed using Gold Embossing Powder.

The design wouldn’t be complete without a few jewels. I used the Opal Rounds and Gold Glitter Enamel Dots sprinkled generously.

I took cues from the front of the card to the inside and created a matching image in the lower right corner using some of the leftover images from the front and a few more jewels.

If you are in need of supplies and live in the United States…

I’d love to be your Stampin’ Up demonstrator!

You can order your supplies from my online store here. Looking forward to connecting with you soon.

Happy Stamping,

Dacia Smith

Expressions of HSSSC365

Today’s share is inspired by the Hand Stamped Sentiments Sketch Challenge 365. When you’re having trouble with your creativity it’s helpful to find a sketch to jump start your creating. Hand Stamped Sentiments could be a great place to start! Hope you’ll link on over and give this sketch a try.

To recreate this one begin with a 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ Pear Pizzazz base. Add two strips 1 1/4″ x 4 1/8″ of the Expressions in Ink Specialty Designer Paper to each side using Tombow Multi-Purpose Adhesive. Add a 2 3/4″ x 8 1/2″ strip of Magenta Madness card stock scored at 4 1/4″ to the center of the card front. Add a 3 1/8″ x 4 3/8″ piece of Pear Pizzazz to the center of the card front only applying adhesive to the Magenta Madness strip. Add two pieces of 9/16″ x 2 3/4″ Pear Pizzazz card stock to the Magenta Madness strip at the top and bottom. I embossed each for texture before applying.

For the focal point I began with a 2 7/8″ x 4 1/8″ Basic White card base that I added Tear and Tape to the outside edges. I applied Gilded Leafing to the tear and tape to make a beautiful gold border. The next layer is 2 3/4″ x 4″ of Basic White that I’ve applied the faux linen technique. I applied a water color wash and splattering of Polished Pink to the tissue paper before I crinkled it up and applied it to the Basic White layer covered with an Adhesive Sheet. I wrapped an Open Weave Polished Pink Ribbon around this layer and attached a faux bow to the left side. The blossom was stamped using Magenta Madness and Just Jade with

Gilded Leafing in the center and applied to the faux linen layer using Dimensionals. The greeting from Artistically Inked was stamped using Versamark and embossed with White Embossing Powder. Apply this finished layer to the card base using Dimensionals.

The inside packs a WOW with the smaller Magenta Madness and Just Jade blossom applied to a 4″ x 2 1/2″ Basic White Panel to write your special message. It’s beautiful inside and out just like you! Thanks for popping by to check out my share for today. Don’t forget to link up your play of the sketch at Hand Stamped Sentiments. A new sketch goes up every other Tuesday.

I would love to be your Stampin’ Up Demonstrator!

If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, then you can order your supplies from my online store here. Looking forward to connecting with you soon.

Happy Stamping,

Dacia Smith

Expressions in Ink Accordion Card

I’m working with the Expressions in Ink Suite this weekend. It’s featured on the cover of the new 2021-2022 Annual Catalog. The color selection for the Expressions in Ink Specialty Designer Paper includes Polished Pink, Magenta Madness, Pale Papaya, Gold Foil, Pear Pizzazz, Mint Macaron, Just Jade, Shaded Spruce and Evening Evergreen. The gold foil accents are stunning, a must have for your crafting stash. All the paper selections are so gorgeous it was hard to decide which to slice into first.

For this one I began with a Just Jade card base of 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ and scored at 2″, 3 1/8″, 5 3/8″ and 6 1/2″ on the landscape side. Folded it up, down, down and then up again to form an accordion. Folded flat it is a little smaller than a card front so it fits inside a standard Medium Envelope. I chose three coordinating patterns of the Expressions in Ink Specialty Designer Paper and went to work decorating the panels. For the focal point/center panel, I attached a 1 3/4″ x 5″ piece of designer paper to a 2″ x 5 1/4″ piece of Evening Evergreen card stock. Next I used a 2 1/4″ x 3 1/4″ piece of Basic White attached to a 2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ piece of Evening Evergreen. The greeting was stamped in Evening Evergreen and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder for a real WOW! The greeting is from the stamp set Beauty of Friendship. The flowers were from Artistically Inked and stamped in Magenta Madness and Just Jade with one of the blossoms on Dimensionals. The inner panels measure 7/8″ x 5 1/4″ and include the gold and white striped designer paper. The two outside panels are 1 3/4″ x 5 1/4″ of Evening Evergreen and 1 1/2″ x 5″ of the designer paper.

Since the card doesn’t open and close, I placed a 2″ x 5 1/4″ Basic White panel on the back side of the center panel with another Magenta Madness blossom.

This type of fun fold card works great as a beautiful display for the recipient’s special occasion. Wouldn’t it look great sitting in their kitchen window or table next to their favorite chair. We send over 100 cards a month to elderly who are confined to home because of their health or the inability to drive. They find the cards to be such a great source of encouragement. I want to give this accordion fun fold a try for the July mailing.

I found inspiration for this card from Julie Davison over at Julie’s Stamping Spot. She has a great how to video if my instructions aren’t clear. Hope you’ll consider giving this card a try. You can substitute another suite or work with the Expressions in Ink. I’d love for you to tag me when you share your creation.

If you need any supplies for recreating this gem, I’d love to be your Stampin’ Up demonstrator if you don’t already have a connection with someone. Just send me an email at ddebona14@aol.com and I’ll get back to you right away. You can always shop in my online store at anytime. Hope you have a great day!

Happy Stamping,

Dacia Smith

Classic Christmas Joy

I just finished the post for Day 21 of the #30DayChristmasCardChallenge with Martin Stone. It’s been a busy day and I almost didn’t get this one posted. Perseverance paid off and here it is, another one finished.

Card Recipe:
Stamps: 
Peace & Joy (153430), Wrapped in Christmas (153481)
Card-Stock:
Whisper White (100730),Garden Green (102584) 
Ink: Garden Green (147089), Real Red (147084), Granny Apple Green (147095), Mossy Meadow (147111)
Accessories:
Tasteful Labels Dies (152886), Scripty Embossing Folder (149634), Paper Snips (103579), Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755), Dimensionals (104430)

Happy Stamping,

Dacia Smith

Watercolor Peace

This is Day 20 of the #30DayChristmasCardMakingChallenge. We are 2/3 of the way through the challenge, we are definitely on the down hill slide. It’s a Technique Challenge using Watercoloring for today. I watercolored a piece of Fluid 100 paper with Pear Pizzazz, Garden Green and Old Olive. After it dried I die cut the trees from the Pine Woods Dies. I really like how it turned out. Another one into my stash for the holidays.

Card Recipe:
Stamps: 
No Stamps for this One
Card-Stock:
Misty Moonlight (153081), Whisper White (100730), Pool Party (122924), Real Red (102482), Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper (149612), Trimming the Town DSP (153491)
Ink: Craft Whisper White (147277), Pear Pizzazz (131160), Old Olive (100531), Garden Green (102059)
Accessories:
Pine Woods Dies (153563), Joy Dies (153530), Hearts Framelits (125599), Real Red Sheer Ribbon (153535), Snowflake Adhesive Backed Embellishments (153545), Paper Snips (103579), Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Dimensionals (104430)

Happy stamping,

Dacia Smith

Poinsettia Color Challenge

 

It is Day 18 of the #30DayChristmasCardMakingChallenge. We are doing a color challenge today of Cherry Cobbler, Mint Macaron and Sahara Sand. I just love the dies in the Poinsettia Petals Suite, it’s so easy to put together a stunning blossom in just a snap. I inked up my embossing folder and used Wink of Stella to create this awesome background. Another Christmas card added to my collection!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: 
Poinsettia Petals (153475), Itty Bitty Christmas (150513)
Card-Stock:
Sahara Sand (121043), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Mint Macaron (138337)
Ink: Cherry Cobbler (147083), Early Expresso (147114), Mint Macaron (147106)
Accessories:
Poinsettia Dies (153522), Stitched Rectangle Dies (151820), Forever Flourishing Dies (152714), Parisian Flourishing 3D Embossing Folder (151474), Wink of Stella (141897), Braided Linen Trim (147808), Petal Pink Rhinestone Gems (146914), Paper Snips (103579), Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755), Dimensionals (104430)

Happy Stamping,

Dacia Smith

Merry Moose Vintage

Today is Day 17 of the #30DayChristmasCardMakingChallenge. The theme is Back in My Day – A Vintage Christmas. The vintage style is not one I do very often, but I sure had fun creating this one. I reached back into some old retired products for a button and some paper for the background and used stuff from my current items for the rest. Another Christmas card added to my collection!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: 
Merry Moose (150494), Itty Bitty Christmas (150513)
Card-Stock:
Crumb Cake (120953), Whisper White (100730), Pool Party (122924)
Ink: Crumb Cake (147116), Balmy Blue (147105), Garden Green (147089)
Accessories:
Layering Ovals Dies (151772), Magnolia Memory Dies (149578), Small Bloom Punch (152316), Stamping Sponges (141337), Linen Thread (104199), Paper Snips (103579), Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755), Dimensionals (104430)

Happy Stamping,

Dacia Smith

Cool Yule

It’s the half way point of the #30DayChristmasCardMakingChallenge. Today is Scrooges Dream, we are to make an Anti-Christmas card for that person who hates Christmas. I don’t have anyone on my list that fits that category so I chose to do a winter card instead. Not really Christmas, so maybe the Scrooge won’t mind this one so much.

Card Recipe:
Stamps: 
Warm & Toasty (152615)
Card-Stock:
Highland Heather (146986), Whisper White (100730), Snowflake Splendor DSP (153512)
Ink: Memento Black (132708), Highland Heather (147103) Blends – Highland Heather (154887), Seaside Spray (154901)
Accessories:
Home Together Dies (153515), Stitched Nested Labels Dies (149638), Snowflake Sequins (150443), Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755), Dimensionals (104430)

Happy Stamping,

Dacia Smith