Hand Made Cards Archives - PageThe Maine Stamper

Two-Tone Flora Thanks Card

February 2, 2023

Two-Tone Flora Card Class, Card 2

I am back at it with the Two-Tone Flora Bundle this week. For the second card in my Weekly Card Class From ME, I chose a more tropical vibe. Did you miss my first card using the Two-Tone Flora Bundle? Click here to see it.

Perhaps it is the cold Maine winter (our low temp will be -20 tomorrow night!), but I felt more “Aloha” than “Hot Chocolate” during my design process for this Two-Tone Flora Thanks Card.

Tropical-Tone Colors

I love the In Color, Tahitian Tide for its bold and bright blue tone. It is the perfect backdrop for my row of pretty posies. I used the smallest flower stamp in the Two-Tone Flora Stamp Set, along with the matching die from the Two-Tone Flora Dies.

Colorful Color Palette

Here is a look at the colors from my Two-Tone Flora Thanks Card: Tahitian Tide, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Poppy Parade and Granny Apple Green.

For my flowers, I stamped off each color with the background flower stamp image. This gave me a lighter shade on White Cardstock. And while this makes the flowers look “pale”, the final result is worth it!

Next, I stamped the detailed stamp over my previous images. But this time I used fully inked shades in the exact same colors. The contrast of first and second generation ink is amazing.

Not-So-Basic Vellum

Vellum is one of those papers that is demure and understated. But it really adds a richness to your card projects when you add a little in.

You may have missed the new Vellum Basics from the January-April 2023 Stampin’ Up! Mini Catalog. After all, it doesn’t have the shine, shimmer or color to compete with all the rest of the new paper options.

I don’t find this new Vellum to be very basic, however. There are subtle patterns of stripes, polka dots and leaves on individual 12 x 12″ sheets. That takes them from basic to beautiful in my opinion.

The Secrets Of Adhering Vellum

I used a piece of the polka-dot Vellum for my Two-Tone Flora Thanks Card. When I layered it over the striped blue pattern paper from the Flowers & More Host DSP, the two completely different patterns worked perfectly together.

We all know it is difficult to adhere Vellum to a card front since our tape or glue will show thru the translucent paper. But it is easy to hide the adhesive when you add enough layers, and that is exactly what I did on this card!

Get Your Two-Tone Flora Card Class From ME

This Two-Tone Flora Hello Card is just one card in my featured class this week. If you would like to see the video from my online class, click this link. For more details on what is in this week’s class from Maine and how to get yours, click here.

I will be sharing more cards from the Two-Tone Flora Card Class, as well as my bonus cards, as this week goes on. Be sure to check back here or follow me, The Maine Stamper, on FaceBook, for more cardmaking inspiration and ideas.

Cardmaker Collective Club: February 2023

February 1, 2023

Carmaker Collective Club cards for February 2023

Featuring the Two-Tone Flora Bundle

Get ready for another month of beautiful cards…with my Cardmaker Collective Club for February 2023! The February Club Kit features the Two-Tone Flora Bundle. Here is what you will receive in your February Club Kit:

Card kits (8 total, 2 each of 4 different designs, see sneak peek above!).
Cardmaking supplies (the consumable type, valued at @$22, so use them up!).
Private video assembly tutorials and PDF card recipes (so easy to put together!)
Opportunity to purchase the featured bundle at 16% savings (save money, ask me how!)

February Stampin Up! Consumable Products

Consumable Stampin' Up! products for the February Cardmaker Collective Club.

Your consumable items include:

A half pack of the Fancy Flora DSP
Full bolt of Pool Party 3/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon
Full pack of Iridescent Pastel Gems

Order The Featured Bundle & Save

Two-Tone Flora Bundle, used in the February Cardmaker Collective Club.

Since I will not be stamping for you using the Two-Tone Flora Stamp Set, or
die cutting for you with the Two-Tone Flora Dies, you may want your
own set! (Of course, these cards will look amazing using whatever stamps, dies
or punches you have on hand too.)

After you sign up for the February Club Kit, I will contact you to see if you
would like the featured bundle at the catalog price (that is a 16% savings, I
am paying tax and shipping!). You just need to let me know if you would like to
add this item to your February Club Kit, and I will send a separate invoice for
you to pay.

Don’t Delay On The February Kit

The deadline to get start your subscription to the Cardmaker Collective Club and get the February Club Kit is February 15, 2023. If you sign up after February 15th, you will be receiving the March Club Kit.

This is an auto-renew club, your card will be charged every month on or around the same date that you first sign up. But, you have the option to cancel you membership at any time. Try it once, or keep receiving the kits!

If you continue to receive kits monthly, after 6 consecutive kits, I am gifting you with a $25 reward certificate, good on any current merchandise in my online Stampin’ Up! store. That is your club benefit!

The Cardmaker Collective Club Kits

Here is what IS included (when applicable):

Cardbases for A2 size cards, 2 each of 4 designs for a total of 8 card kits
Envelopes for 8 cards
Embossed cardstock
Die cuts or punched pieces that are different from the featured bundle for the kit
Cardstock for you to use for die cutting or punching with the featured bundle
A half pack of designer series paper
A full bolt of ribbon
A full pack of embellishments
Private video tutorial
Emailed PDF recipe card and instructions
Optional bundle add on at 16% savings

Here is what is NOT Included:

Any stamping of images
White cardstock inserts (for the inside)
Any die cutting/punching that uses the featured bundle in the kit
Printed PDF directions

New Month, New Bundle, New Card Kit

Look for an announcement around the first of each month regarding a new card kit. Every month will feature a different bundle, different crafting supplies and different cards. Your consumable supplies will keep you crafting long after your 8 kit cards are completed.

And with sneak peeks of the featured bundle and card designs (via email and social media), there is no question of whether or not you will like the card kit being offered. The design is yours to make…join the Cardmaking Collective Club when the time is right for you!

Ready to get started today? Click the subscribe button and watch the mail for your February Card Kit (shipping @February 27).

Two-Tone Flora Hello Card

January 31, 2023

Two-Tone Flora Card Class, Card 1

With a new week, comes a new Card Class From ME! This time I chose the beautiful Two-Tone Flora Bundle to work with. This bundle is made up of the Two-Tone Flora Stamp Set and the Two-Tone Flora Dies.

The Two-Tone Flora Stamp Set has plenty of flowers to choose from. It feels a little like spring is in the air during these last weeks of January, while I stamp pretty flowers in pretty colors. In fact, I talked about the amazing suite of products in another blog post. Click here to see it.

Dainty Flowers Designer Series Paper

While my card is simple in its color palette (white with blue and green) the designer series paper I chose really makes an impact. The Dainty Flowers DSP is a current Sale-A-Bration freebie, one you may choose to get with a $50 qualifying order.

Everyone is loving this beautiful paper for the lovely spring-like flowers that abound. However, I actually chose the very darkest pattern available for my card! The dark Starry Sky tone helps my unusual colored flowers to stand boldly against a white background.

Simple Elements, Simply Elegant

Perhaps the beauty of this card lies in simplicity. Without making all the elements busy, the Two-Tone Flora flowers really have a chance to shine. I chose the 2022-2024 In Colors, Orchid Oasis and Starry Sky, to do my flower stamping with. And the leaves look lovely in Pear Pizzazz.

Besides the Two-Tone Flora Dies (which make die cutting all the flowers and leaves a breeze!), I also chose a couple more items from my craft supplies to lend some support to this Two-Tone Flora Hello Card.

Basic Borders Dies

Sometimes the best products you can own for cardmaking are ones that will work with any project. That is just what these Basic Borders Dies will do. I used a die from this set for my White Cardstock panel, but the reality is, I could have used any die from this set.

Happy Labels Pick A Punch

Besides basic dies, I also love basic punches! The new Happy Labels Pick A Punch is just fantastic for sentiment pieces or accent pieces, like the one in my card in Starry Sky Cardstock. With this style of punch, you get to choose from 2 decorative ends and can create 3 different sized labels. That is great value for one craft room staple.

Get Your Two-Tone Flora Card Class From ME

Two-Tone Flora Card Class

January 30, 2023

Cards made with the Two-Tone Flora Bundle.

Welcome to your weekly Card Class From ME! This week, I am using the Two-Tone Flora Bundle, which is found on page 16 of the January-April 2023 Mini Catalog by Stampin’ Up!. This fabulous bundle is part of the Fancy Flora Suite, and there are lots of fancy things about it!

Looking for similar fancy card classes with me? Click here for the Something Fancy Card Class.

The Two-Tone Flora Bundle

There are a lot of great things about the Two-Tone Flora Bundle. Let’s break down the stamp set and the dies…

Two-Tone Flora Stamp Set

The Two-Tone Flora Stamp Set is all about the flowers! Now, there are a couple of leafy options, but other than that, just flowers. No sentiments. No other imagery.

And these aren’t just any flowers. They are two-step photopolymer stamps. That means you use 2 different stamps to create one rich looking image, by overlaying the ink cohesively. During my weekly Card Class From ME, I talked about how these stamps work together. Watch my Two-Tone Flora Card Class here.

Floral stamped images from the Two-Tone Flora stamp set.

Two-Tone Flora Dies

The Two-Tone Flora Dies are just as fantastic as the stamp set they coordinate with. With these dies, you will be able to die cut every flower and leafy image in the Two-Tone Flora Stamp Set.

But there is more to this die set than just the outline shape dies. Did you see the large background intricate die? There are many uses to explore, from using it as a background, to trimming out flowers to use individually, to creating a stencil with the die cut.

Live Card Making Class On Monday

Every Monday at 8pm EST, I am live with your weekly card making class on my FaceBook page, The Maine Stamper. I create 3 beautiful cards and share tips and techniques along the way. This class serves as your tutorial when you receive your card kits in the mail and need to put them together.

Get Your Card Kits For Free

Card kits from the weekly online class using the Two-Tone Flora Bundle.

Yes, FREE. You will receive 2 each of 3 card designs (for a total of 6 card kits!) when you place an order of $35+ (before tax and shipping) in my online stamping store using Host Code DYA7BFBR thru February 3, 2023. The card kits will be mailed on the Monday following the live class.

Want more details about what is in these kits? Check my blog post here for more info.

Get Your Embellishments For FREE Too

When you bump your order to $50 (before tax and shipping), I will send you the card kits AND a FREE pack of the embellishments ($8 value) I used on my cards. For the Two-Tone Flora Card Class, I used the 2022-2024 In Color Matte Decorative Dots. These fun adhesive-backed embellishments come in 5 colors: Sweet Sorbet, Parakeet Party, Tahitian Tide, Starry Sky and Orchid Oasis.

Your Card Class From ME Awaits

The Two-Tone Flora Card Class will be featured during my FaceBook Live on Monday, January 30 at 8pm EST. I hope you join me to see how easy it is to put your card kits together. If you miss the live, catch the replay on FaceBook or my YouTube Channel, The Maine Stamper.

I look forward to getting your weekly card kits from Maine in the mail to you. And I know you will be looking forward to receiving them and creating gorgeous works of paper crafted art!

Alternate Friendly Gnomes Cards

January 26, 2023

Gnome Or Not?

Are you looking for alternate Friendly Gnomes Cards? Or are you already missing the Friendly Gnomes?

The Friendly Gnomes Stamp Set and coordinating Gnomes Dies were the focus of my weekly Card Class From ME. But, not everyone loves gnomes…gasp! That’s why I came up with alternate Friendly Gnomes cards.

Now, if you are a gnome fan, you have probably watched my card class (or click here to check it out!). You may have seen all my cards this week featuring the Friendly Gnomes (check out my latest blog post here!). You are probably ready to buy the Friendly Gnome Stamp Set and Gnomes Dies to get my Gnome Card Class for FREE (Need all the details? Click here!).

Gnome-less Cards

Sometimes it is hard to imagine my designed cards to be anything other than what they look like when I demo them. You may see me make a card showcasing a gnome, and think that the card has to have a gnome on it.

I am here to prove that wrong, with my alternate Friendly Gnome Cards. Let’s take a look at the exact same “gnome card kits” and other options when it comes to card making, just in case you don’t want to make gnome cards.

Alternate Card #1

Purple is always a great choice in cardmaking, whether you are using gnomes or not! My first card from my Friendly Gnomes Card Class also featured the Floating Eclipse Technique. Check out the post here.

Once I took the gnome out of the picture, I replaced him with an awesome sentiment. This one comes from the Covered In Sunshine Stamp Set. I used the same piece of White Cardstock from the kit to stamp my words in Blackberry Bliss Ink.

FUN FACT: The day I made this card was not a Covered In Sunshine kind of Maine day. We had 17″ of snow while I was stamping away in my craft room.

I did pull additional cardstock in White, Crushed Curry, Old Olive and Blackberry Bliss to create the flower and leaves for my alternate card (not part of the original card kit). Some of my favorite punches are the Medium Daisy and Bough Punches!

Alternate Card #2

I was really excited to share this alternate card! This one really is all about the designer series paper. In fact, I flipped the original design with the Calypso Coral and Fresh Freesia flowers over from my gnome card, to show off the yellow print on the opposite side for my gnome-less card.

Another wonderful feature about this card is that the Favored Flowers DSP is a FREEBIE during Sale-A-Bration, and I pulled my large flower elements from this pack. During my live demo, I shared that the coordinating Fragrant Flowers Dies help you make quick work of creating instant art, when you die cut the bold and beautiful images from the paper.

Favored Flowers DSP and Fragrant Flowers Bundle.

Alternate Card #3

I didn’t have to work too hard to switch up this card from one with gnomes to one without. Because I wanted to keep this one “birthday themed”, I chose the Framed Florets Stamp Set to use for a sentiment pull-piece. I added a flower and leaf stamp too, but this is hidden inside the Mini Envelope Pocket in this picture.

To see more on my original magical gnome birthday card, click here.

Get Your Friendly Gnomes Card Class From ME

While my Friendly Gnome Card Class is coming to an end, there is still a little time left for you to earn your card kits for FREE. Once you get them home, you decide if they will have gnomes on them…or not!

To see the video from my online class, click this link . For more details on what is in this week’s class from Maine and how to get yours, click here.

I will be sharing just a few more cards featuring the Friendly Gnomes. Be sure to check back here or follow me, The Maine Stamper, on FaceBook for more card making inspiration. And look forward to another great card class coming in the week ahead!