Hand Made Cards Archives - PageThe Maine Stamper

Magical Gnome Gift Card

January 26, 2023

Friendly Gnomes Card Class, Card 3

For the last Friendly Gnomes card in my weekly Card Class From ME, I pulled out all the stops to make this one magical gnome card. Besides being an adorable card to look at, this one is fun to play with too! Want to see the previous card from my weekly class? Click here.

The magic in this card is the addition of the Mini Pocket Envelope to the design. While it could be used to hold a gift card or even cash, it also houses a sweet little gnome and a fancy heart. And the best part…the gnome and heart are removable!

Mini Pocket Envelope

Besides the Friendly Gnomes Stamp Set and Gnomes Dies, the cute paper envelope is not to be missed. While most may think this item belongs on the inside of a card, I say when it looks this good, decorate the front instead.

DESIGNER TIP: If you don’t plan on placing a gift card in this pocket, shorten the opening with some adhesive before closing the pocket envelope up. That way your gnome and heart won’t slide to the bottom and will stay closer to the top to peek out.

I chose the Dandy Designs Sale-A-Bration paper pack for the sweet designs for this card. (Also sweet, the paper is FREE with an order over $100). With fun colors like Pool Party, Granny Apple Green and Fresh Freesia, this color combo is easy to pull off.

Gnome Sweet Gnome Card

Punch A Bunch

For this final card in my weekly card class, I also relied heavily on my punches. Although Stampin’ Up! no longer sells Circle Punches, I still have and use mine. I find it much quicker than getting out the Layering Circles Dies and sending cardstock thru my Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine.

But, Stampin’ Up! does have a current fabulous Heart Punch Pack. These large heart punches work together to form a scallop layer heart that may be used behind a regular shaped heart. In fact, this is seen in the pull-out heart feature shown in the photo above.

Colorful Gnome

Just like the other Friendly Gnomes in this card series, I used my Stampin’ Blends for quick and easy coloring. First, I stamped my images from the Friendly Gnomes Stamp Set using Memento Black Ink. Then I made sure to have some scrap paper behind my images, because the blends really saturate the paper.

Here is the color palette I used for my gnome:

HAT/SHOES: Pool Party (Light and Dark)

SKIN: SU 800

HAIR: Dark Daffodil Delight

JUMPER: Fresh Freesia (Light and Dark)

FLOWER: Light Fresh Freesia/ Light Daffodil Delight

Here is the color palette I used for my mushroom:

UPPER CAP: Fresh Freesia (Light and Dark)

LOWER CAP: Dark Old Olive

STEM: Light Old Olive

DOOR/WINDOW: Pool Party (Light and Dark)

Get Your Friendly Gnomes Card Class From ME

While this is the last card in my featured class this week, I hope you agree it is a magical gnome card. 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 Friendly Gnomes Card Class (in the form of alternate cards and bonus cards) as this week goes on. Be sure to check back here or follow me, The Maine Stamper, on FaceBook for more card making inspiration.

Gnome With Heart Card

January 25, 2023

Friendly Gnomes Card Class, Card 2

As my Friendly Gnomes Card Class continues, I am working with the gnome with a heart from the Friendly Gnomes Stamp Set. Did you miss the first card from my Gnomes Class? Click here to see it!

We are approaching Valentine’s Day, and hearts are on all of our minds right now.

But, I didn’t want this to be a red, pink or purple card…well, maybe a little purple. Instead of the traditional Valentine colors, I chose a different color palette altogether for my Friendly Gnomes card.

Brick Background

I love adding an embossed piece to the background of my card fronts. Embossing folders, like the Brick & Mortar 3D Embossing Folder I used on this Friendly Gnomes card, are an inexpensive way to add texture.

And, when you highlight the highs and lows left on the paper after embossing it with some ink, the most magical thing happens! Your card is now 100% unique. Even if you tried, you would not be able to add the same ink coverage on another card layer.

Watch my live demo for a comparison of the Large Blending Brushes and the brand new Small Blending Brushes! Get your 3 pack in my online store.

DESIGNER TIP: Use different color cardstock and ink to create a palette of bricks: White CS with Poppy Parade Ink; White CS with Sahara Sand Ink; Real Red CS with Cherry Cobbler Ink; or other combos in grays, reds, browns or more!

Butterfly Kisses Designer Series Paper

While I was looking for the perfect patterns to use on my Friendly Gnome cards, I knew I wanted bright and fun prints with flowers, hearts and butterflies. Perfect companions to friendly gnomes, wouldn’t you agree?

And the Butterfly Kisses Designer Series Paper was just what I needed! The splash of Calypso Coral flowers helped me draw on the color for my card base and brick embossed layer. And those adorable purple flowers in Fresh Freesia look a little like the purple hearts that I put on my card.

Speaking of hearts, there are even some built into the designer paper in the Butterfly Kisses pack. I chose one of those patterns for the Stylish Shapes stitched square die my gnome is placed on. Make sure you pay attention to this small print so you adhere it to your card front with the hearts going in the right direction.

A Gnome With Heart

This little gnome may be my favorite from the 3 different gnomes in the Friendly Gnome Stamp Set. Maybe it is his small stature (he is the shortest!), or the fact that his hat completely covers his face, other than his gnome nose! Perhaps it is that this gnome is holding a heart…

Regardless of his cuteness, this friendly gnome needed a little color after I die cut him using the coordinating Gnomes Dies. Just like the first card in my Friendly Gnomes Card Class, I pulled Stampin’ Blends in colors that complimented my cardstock and designer series paper.

Here is the color palette I used for my gnome:

HAT: Daffodil Delight (Light and Dark)

SKIN: SU 800

BEARD: SU 400

HEART: Fresh Freesia (Light and Dark)

SLEEVES/PANTS: Light Old Olive

SHOES: Dark Old Olive

Get Your Friendly Gnomes Card Class From ME

This 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 Friendly Gnomes Card Class, as well as my alternate cards and bonus cards, as this week goes on. Be sure to check back here or follow me, The Maine Stamper, on FaceBook for even more card making inspiration.

Gnome One Better Card

January 24, 2023

Gnome Card 1, using the Friendly Gnomes Stamp Set, gnome with flowers in his beard.

Friendly Gnomes Card Class, Card 1

Welcome to another weekly Card Class From ME! This time, I am featuring the Friendly Gnomes Stamp Set and Coordinating Gnomes Dies. I find it amazing that Stampin’ Up! was able to bring the Gnomes Dies back for another set of adorable gnome stamps!

In fact, I compared both stamp sets, the retired Kindest Gnomes (red rubber cling style), to the current Friendly Gnomes (photopolymer style) during my class. Watch the video here.

While there are 4 dies designed to cut out gnome shapes, there are only 3 gnome shapes in the current Friendly Gnomes Stamp Set. Each gnome has unique qualities (like our gnome with flowers in his beard!) and gives us a lot of cute options to work with.

Friendly Gnomes Stamp Set and Gnomes Dies.

Floating Eclipse Technique

While I like to pack my card kits with lots of cool elements for you, the Floating Eclipse Technique is something new to me. I thought these funky die cut circles would be the perfect backdrop for one of my gnome cards.

To begin, cut a piece of Vellum a little larger than your intended die cut. I used the biggest circle die from the Stylish Shapes Dies. I adore anything with a stitched edge!

Next, adhere strips of designer series paper, a half inch thick, to the Vellum. Be sure to leave a little space in between your dsp rows. Lastly, die cut your shape. This results in the look of “floating” dsp as the Vellum base fades into the background.

Get To Gnome Your Card Kit

Let’s break down what your first gnome card kit holds in store, besides the awesome eclipse die cut circles.

Flowers & More Host DSP

This isn’t the first card class I have used this fabulous designer series paper, Flowers & More, on (see my previous card class here). I thought the bright and fun patterns in this paper pack would be perfect for my gnome card. Purple and posies just felt right for this gnome with flowers in his beard.

Painted Texture Embossing Folder

I love adding an embossed piece to my card fronts. It is quick and easy, and provides great texture too. For this card from my Friendly Gnomes Card Class, I chose the Painted Texture 3D Embossing Folder. I didn’t want something too detailed or specific in pattern to compete with my flower dsp.

And by embossing with White Cardstock, it helps to provide a neutral spot for the background of what could quickly become a very busy card front.

The Star Of The Card, Our Friendly Gnome

With 3 different gnomes to choose from, how did I arrive at the gnome on this card? That was pretty easy! With my flower theme paper, I simply picked the gnome with flowers in his beard.

My favorite way to color stamped images, like this friendly gnome, is with Stampin’ Blends. Make sure you stamp you image in Memento Black Ink first, and add the color with a protected background behind it (like scrap paper), as the oil-based ink will bleed thru the paper.

Here is the color palette I used for my gnome:

HAT: Calypso Coral (Light and Dark)

SKIN: SU 800

BEARD: SU 200

FLOWERS: Light Daffodil Delight, Light Calypso Coral

SLEEVES: Dark Daffodil Delight

PANTS/SHOES: Dark Old Olive

Get Your Friendly Gnomes Card Class From ME

Friendly Gnomes Card Class

January 23, 2023

Welcome to your weekly Card Class From ME! This week, I am using the adorable Friendly Gnomes Stamp Set. And lucky for us, the Gnomes Dies (from the July-December 2022 Mini Catalog) are still available to purchase and work great with the newest gnome stamp images.

Friendly Gnomes Stamp Set

I have to admit, although Gnomes are a huge fad right now, they are not my favorite thing. Now, don’t get me wrong…I don’t dislike them. I am just not “over the moon” for them like their biggest fans are.

But I do know many people who love the gnomes! And when we are creating our cards and projects, we are usually making them for someone else, not ourselves. So it stands to reason that I would work with the Friendly Gnomes Stamp Set so that I can make gnome lovers happy!

INSIDER TIP: Here is another secret about my “gnome” card class…you can easily substitute other focal images for the gnomes and still have the most amazing cards! Make sure you tune in for all my cardmaking tips and tricks.

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 Friendly Gnomes Card Class.

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 January 27, 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 Friendly Gnomes Card Class, I used the Fun Flowers Resin Shapes. These fun adhesive-backed embellishments come in 5 colors: Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, Fresh Freesia, Starry Sky and Parakeet Party.

Fun Flowers Resin Shapes Embellishments for the Friendly Gnomes Card Class.

Your Card Class From ME Awaits

The Friendly Gnomes Card Class will be featured during my FaceBook Live on Monday, January 23 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!

Something Fancy Bonus Cards

January 20, 2023

As I round out the week of the Something Fancy Bundle, I would like to share a few “bonus” cards! These are cards made with the bundle from my Weekly Card Class From ME, but are not part of the FREE card kits with purchase. They are simply more inspiration and card making ideas you may love.

Not sure how you can cash in on FREE card kits? Click here to get all the good details.

Flowers & More Designer Series Paper

I have been enjoying the Flowers & More Host DSP during my Something Fancy weekly card class. So I had to pull it out again for my bonus cards. This time I kept 2 things similar for each of these 4 very different cards:

A Thick White Card Base
A DSP layer that measured 3 x 4″ originally.

Bonus Card #1, With Sympathy

It is a sad fact of life that we make more sympathy cards than we would like to. The Something Fancy Stamp Set is rich in sentiments, (this post will tell you more about this stamp set!). And the sentiment that sends our deepest sympathy is a lovely one.

What I love about the Something Fancy Dies is that they are sized to layer or nest together. This way, you can have an outline like the one I used in my sympathy card.

I chose Sahara Sand, Crushed Curry and Early Espresso as my neutral colors for this card. I used the Bough Punch for 2 vellum leaves, and the Enamel Dot Essentials for subtle embellishments. My 3 x 4″ dsp is cut into thirds in length for this card.

Bonus Card #2, Happily Ever After

And they lived happily ever after! That is the best ending to a story. Now let’s talk about the story of how I made this card. I wanted a bright and fun pattern of designer series paper to start with. Next, I pulled colors from my dsp, like Tahitian Tide and Fresh Freesia to compliment it.

This time, I left my 3 x 4″ piece of dsp whole, but canted it at an angle. I continued to use angles for most of the card front elements. The Medium Daisy Punch is one of my favorite go-to’s when I need something quick and simple to add to a card.

After playing with these tag dies from the Something Fancy Dies the other day, I wanted to try a different topper cut out. In fact, I had some fun adding different colors of ink to my tags as well. I began with Crumb Cake Cardstock, added a little Tahitian Tide, then finished with Craft White Ink for an aged patina look.

Bonus Card #3, Everyday Magic

For my third bonus card, I wanted to use the sentiment “grateful for the everyday magic of you”. With a saying like that, this card had to also be a little…magical! Again, I kept my 3 x 4″ dsp fully intact.

With the red rubber style of the Something Fancy Stamp Set, the technique I used on my sentiment works perfectly! First, I inked the entire sentiment in Crushed Curry Ink. Next, I added Pumpkin Pie Ink to the middle portion of the stamp with a Sponge Dauber. Lastly, I added Sweet Sorbet Ink in the same manner.

The result of my stamped sentiment is a little magical, don’t you think?

Bonus Card #4, Good You Do

My last bonus card using the Something Fancy Bundle and Flowers & More DSP is the most monotone. I wanted green to go with my “good” style sentiment, and I did not add in additional colors.

Just like the other card bases in this series of cards, I chose white. I cut my 3 x 4″ dsp in half and placed it on my card sideways on a layer of Granny Apple Green Cardstock.

While using the dies from the Something Fancy Die Set, I chose the group of 3 that nest together. Because I wanted my sentiment die cut to be white so that I could stamp on it, I needed the middle die cut to be Granny Apple Green to match the other color of this card. That left the largest die to be white as well, which worked perfectly as a pop against the green background.

Something Fancy About All These Cards

I hope you have enjoyed my Something Fancy cards this week! If you missed other cards from this class, click this link to see the latest. You can also watch my class video by clicking here. Hurry, if you would like the Something Fancy Card Kits for FREE, time is running out!

I would love to know which card was your favorite this week. Be sure to come back and see me next week for another Card Class From ME.