Month: March 2022

Crafting Paper Shamrocks

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2 cards made using paper shamrocks

Green Shamrocks Wanted

Each year, as March 17th approaches, I am looking for ways to create paper shamrocks. Maybe you are like me, and don’t have much in the way of St. Patrick’s Day stamps or dies. But, that has never stopped ingenuity before! Let’s see how we can work around our lack of supplies to make amazing paper shamrocks.

Have A Heart

Any search for paper shamrocks on Pinterest will surely show you how to use heart punches to create your 3 (or 4) leaf clover. Consider yourself “lucky” if you have a heart punch that is just the right shape and size.

I find that a smaller heart punch or die will work better than one that is very large. After all, clovers are small in stature. When you punch out 3 or 4 hearts, depending on your preference, consider sponging some ink along the edges. This will give your heart “shamrock” some instant depth.

When you assemble your hearts, you have the option to overlap them slightly. Another option is to just have the heart edges touching. I find it is easier to adhere my hearts together on the back of a punched circle shape that is roughly the size of my paper shamrock to be. You can always trim away any excess circle paper when you are done.

Shamrocks To “Die” For

Consider yourself very lucky if you have an actual shamrock die. Crafting up gorgeous paper shamrocks will only be a matter of choosing a pretty shade of green!

But what about for the rest of us? Are we only left with heart punches to make our paper shamrocks with? I challenge you to take a look at some of your flower dies…you may be surprised by what you see.

In fact, there are quite a few flower dies (and even punches) that can be used to create shamrocks. Now, they may not look exactly like a real 3 or 4 leaf clover. But with a little imagination, they will come pretty close!

Four Leaf Paper Shamrock

Die cutting a shamrock with Pansy Dies

Take this great sample shamrock, using Garden Green Cardstock and the Pansy Dies. I think we have a great 4 leaf clover and stem! And all from a die set that is used to make flowers.

Three Leaf Paper Shamrock

Paper shamrock using the Pierced Blooms Dies

Another die example is one that is used on my finished card above. This paper shamrock comes from the Pierced Blooms Dies. I wanted to create a very unique look, so I chose a selection of Pear Pizzazz from the You’re A Peach Designer Series Paper Pack. Next, I die cut the stem in Mossy Meadow Cardstock for contrast.

I wanted my paper shamrock to have 3 leaves instead of 4, so I used my Paper Snips to cut away a section of the flower. Because there are pierced lines in this die cut, I was able to easily follow along the edge when cutting.

Using a marker to add lines to my die cut paper shamrock

And lastly, I used my Mossy Meadow Stampin’ Write Marker to add some line definition to my paper shamrock. Every little bit helps this flower turn into a sweet clover!

St. Patrick’s Day Sentiments

Now that you are looking at your flower dies in a new light, it is time to do the same with your sentiments. Once again, you may not have a “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” saying handy. The Word Wishes Dies have you covered though. Among the words of the major holidays, you will find “Happy” and “St. Patrick’s Day” as well.

Word Wishes Dies spelling St. Patrick's Day

More Than March 17th!

Maybe you are looking to use paper shamrocks for occasions beyond the typical March 17th date. After all, wishing someone good luck or well wishes in general occurs all year long! I have compiled a list of the current Stampin’ Up! stamp sets that may have just what you need to express fortune to your card recipient.

Lucky To Know You!

How lucky is the person who is on the receiving end of your card making? Whether you are wishing someone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day, or sharing good luck wishes, the care and love you put into your card will surely show.

As you look for ways to craft up some paper shamrocks, be sure to view your supplies in a new light. And if you are still coming up empty, check out my online store for some of the items I have used here. I consider myself lucky to have you as a wonderful customer and fellow papercrafter.

Finished card with a paper shamrock using Pierced Blooms Dies

Delightful Dahlia Days

Dahlia Days finished card

Delighted With Dahlias

The Dahlia Days Stamp Set is perfect for you if you love flower stamps. The large dahlia featured in this set evokes summer days. I couldn’t wait to get some ink on it and try it out!

Now, mind you, it is March in Maine as I stamp and write this blog post. Snow and mud abound. There is nothing colorful in the outside world right now. But…I can dream. And stamp.

The Color of Dahlias

The first color that came to my mind for my Dahlia Days flower was orange. So, I knew this called for Pumpkin Pie Ink.

First, I used the largest die from the Layering Circles Dies, cutting one in Basic White Cardstock. Next, I stamped the dahlia image just off the edge of my circle. Then, I used second generation stamping to add another dahlia top and bottom of the first flower.

Using the Stamparatus & Dahlia Days stamps
It is important to keep your Stamparatus magnets as far apart as possible so they do not collide and smash. This is the closest distance I would safely recommend.

Sentiments and Stamparatus

The Dahlia Days Stamp Set has some amazing sentiments. I chose the one that reads “you are beyond incredible”. I love the mix of fonts here!

In order to get a really dark stamped sentiment image, I knew I would need my Stamparatus. By using the Stamparatus, I could stamp my sentiment multiple times and have it line up perfectly each time. This means an extra dark sentiment, which is important as part of it covers my dahlia flower.

Supporting Colors

Because my dahlia was such a bright color, I did not want it to compete with a vivid card base. Instead, I chose Sahara Sand. This also works really well to showcase the white circle, drawing the eye instantly to my focal piece.

I adore the Designer Series Paper Assortments by Stampin’ Up! for instant color matching. The patterns vary just enough, but never boldly compete on a card front. For this Dahlia Days card, I chose the Neutrals Assortment for the Sahara Sand. And to add just a small pop of continuous color, a selection of Pumpkin Pie from the Regals Assortment.

DSP from the Neutrals and Regals Assortments

Supporting Flowers

The Dahlia Days Stamp Set has more than just a dahlia stamp! I wanted to add some additional small flowers and leafy greens to my card. But it took my a few experiments with color to get these supporting flowers in just the right shade.

First, I tried Pale Papaya, and found it too light. Next, I tried Cinnamon Cider, but I felt the color contrast was not enough. Lastly, I tried Bumblebee…and it was a winner!

Color choices for Dahlia Days Stamp Set

Fresh Cut Flowers

I love when there are matching dies to a stamp set. When you buy the Detailed Dahlias Dies and Dahlia Days Stamp Set as a bundle, you automatically save 10%. But the best part, really, is die cutting the stamped images.

And that is exactly what I did with my Bumblebee colored flowers and Old Olive stamped leaves. For this card, I chose to stamp and die cut 3 of the leaves and 2 of the flowers using my Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine. As an odd on, I chose the Turtle Builder Punch and some Early Espresso Cardstock to make tiny centers for my Bumblebee flowers.

Turtle Builder Punch for small circles as flower centers.

My Dahlia Days Card

I just love how my Dahlia Days Card turned out. Even though the card base is neutral in color, the orange and yellow flowers really shine. I am excited to continue to explore other color options for the gorgeous dahlia stamp in this set.

Close up of the small flowers in the Dahlia Days card

If you are looking for any of the supplies that I used for this card, shop my online store at any time. I hope I have inspired you to stamp some beautiful dahlias. They will be sure to add a lot of joy, no matter what season you are in!

Finished Dahlia Days Card

Pampered Pets Bag Cards

Finished Pampered Pets Cards.

Using Ordinary Objects For Cardmaking

My Pampered Pets cards are in the bag…literally. Have you considered ordinary objects for cardmaking? Sure, there are beautiful designer series papers for sale! But, what about something you can use that is “free”?

Now, you might argue that some of the things I suggest, like this cute bag, are not really free. You probably paid for the item inside the packaging. Yet, when you recycle or toss out these ordinary objects, it becomes a “freebie” for cardmaking.

A visit to the vet provided this cute bag for cardmaking.

Stylish Bags

I certainly spent plenty of money at my local veterinarians on my Pampered Pets to get this fabulous bag! But the pattern on it brought out the crafter in me. Too sweet to throw out, I just knew I needed to make some pet cards with it.

First, I cut the bag along one of the long seems and across the bottom. By making the bag “flat”, I could really see what I would have to work with. Now that it looked like regular paper, I could envision using it like regular paper.

Coordinating Colors

In order to have any project flow, the colors have to go together. After thinking about the fun colors used on my paper bag, I pulled out a few samples of Stampin’ Up! cardstock to see what would match.

The green was an easy decision: Granny Apple for this bright spring like color. I tried a couple versions of pink before settling on the boldness of Magenta Madness. These two over-the-top colors matched almost identically to my bag colors.

Granny Apple Green and Magenta Madness cardstock.

Coordinating Stamp Set

In searching for stamps and dies to use for my pet cards, pulling out the Pampered Pets Stamp Set and Pets Dies was an easy decision. This cute stamp set covers both dogs and cats. Having coordinating dies is a bonus too!

Because I did not want to do any coloring, I kept my pets simple. First, I used Memento Black Ink and stamped the cat on Smoky Slate Cardstock. Next, I used the same ink and stamped the dog on Soft Suede.

Stamping Pampered Pets for my card.

Design Elements

My die cut Pampered Pets needed a background behind them. I pulled out my Layering Ovals Dies (retired) and found just the right size for the slightly bigger dog and slightly smaller cat.

After using my Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine for a white oval to showcase each pet, I chose a larger scalloped die to cut out a bright pop of coordinating color.

Die cutting ovals for my Pampered Pets.

Next up, my Pampered Pets needed a little love. I punched some small hearts using Magenta Madness Cardstock and a (retired) small heart punch. After that, I added some Magenta Madness Ink with a small sponge to deepen the color on my hearts.

Small punched hearts sponged in Magenta Madness Ink.

Simple Sentiments

For the sentiments on each card, I chose designs from the Pampered Pets Stamp Set. I stamped each sentiment on a scrap of white cardstock using Memento Black Ink. One of my favorite ways to change the shape of the rectangle sentiment is to add a slanted edge on one side. All you need to do this is a pair of scissors, like my Paper Snips.

Stamped sentiments from the Pampered Pets Stamp Set with cut edges.

Putting It All Together

Once I had everything I wanted for my Pampered Pets cards, it was time to assemble. I chose Granny Apple Green for my dog and Magenta Madness for my cat. But, in reality, either color would have worked for both.

When I cut paper from my bag, I looked for designs on it that would go best for the dog, and also the cat. I used my paper bag pieces exactly how I would use designer series paper. I layered each along the top of my card front and added coordinating paper from the Brights Collection along the bottom.

Adding base layers to the card front.

Instead of ribbon, I chose to cover the seam of my paper with another strip of cardstock. I find this method a great way to use up scraps of paper too.

Using cardstock scraps instead of ribbon.

From the bones of my card base, to the first layers, I am loving the look. Next, I added on the oval die cuts with their Pampered Pets, using dimensionals to add lift. My heartfelt sentiments and my hearts were the last things I placed on my cards.

Pampered Pets cards in Magenta Madness and Granny Apple Green.

And More!

Of course, I couldn’t stop with just a couple of cards using my “free” bag. I also played with the Heart Punch Pack, and the Playful Alphabet Dies to create more cute cards. Check these pet cards out:

Alternate pets cards.

Perfect Packaging

It helps to have a great supply of items that you can coordinate and craft with. As you can see in my Pampered Pets cards above, I used my bag as inspiration and searched my stash for the perfect go-withs. If you haven’t discovered my online store, look for something you need to complete your next project.

Being crafty and creative with ordinary objects is so much fun. Look around and find the perfect patterns surrounding you…a mail flyer, a tissue box, a recipe card. The only limits are your imagination. What will discover and what will you create?