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Ornate Garden Suite Part II

April 3, 2020

Ornate Thanks Bundle

My deep dive into the early release Ornate Garden Suite continues as Part II, with the Ornate Thanks Bundle review. My previous blog post, Ornate Garden Suite Part I, covered the various embellishments and Ornate Floral 3D Embossing Folder. Today, I am adding samples with even more stamps from the Ornate Thanks stamp set, in addition to the Ornate Border Dies.

Ornate Border Dies

The dies total 9 in this configuration. They are definitely ornate, as well as floral, so they fit the garden suite theme perfectly.

Two of the dies will cut a floral border, leaving a delicate open pattern to the right and remaining attached to the cardstock to the left. They work well on card fronts to create a peek-thru-to-the-inside effect.

Two of the dies create a lace overlay along the edge of your paper. I used them together on a single piece of cardstock with fabulous results. (See my sentiment example in the So Grateful card below.)

One of the dies cuts a floral border completely out, leaving it free standing. Another die helps to remove one of the floral borders so that it, too, is completely cut out, or free standing.

Also, there are 3 flower dies ranging from small to large in size. These die cut flowers work great in the free-standing floral border. (See my example in the Thank You card below.)

So Grateful Card

Card using products from the Ornate Thanks Bundle

My So Grateful Card is made with Blushing Bride and Whisper White cardstock. I have continued the use of the Ornate Floral 3D Embossing Folder, as can be seen here in Whisper White.

Following are some of my crafty tips:

Flower Border Die

Some of the Ornate Border Dies have tabs at each end to help you line the dies up correctly on your cardstock. If you are die cutting your card base, make sure you orient your die so that it is:

A.) cutting away to the right and leaving the left uncut.

B.) placing top of die to top of card base (in this case, the flowers are top, leaves are bottom).

I also recommend securing your dies with either a post-it note or washi tape to secure it while it travels thru your die cutting machine. There is nothing worse than the die shifting and having to start over.

The Ornate Border Dies are intricate, and require multiple cranks thru the die cutting machine. I also found the use of a shim (in the form of a thin piece of paper) useful. And between multi cranks, I rotated my sandwich base completely around (without taking the sandwich apart).

Regardless, there may be some fine picking at hand for little hangers-on. Be prepared with your die brush and/or piercing tool. And keep those extra leaves that pop out, they are perfect accent pieces!

Sentiment At Hand

For my sentiment on this card, I chose to use both edging borders, one top and one bottom. The dies are long, so my paper matches in length. Even though I don’t need all of it for this card, I can use the remainder elsewhere after trimming to size.

I chose the sentiment, So Grateful, from the Ornate Thanks stamp set. Because my card is entirely pink and white, I felt that black would be overwhelming as an ink choice. Instead, I used Early Espresso, as the rich brown melds nicely with pink but remains bold, to be well seen.

Finishing Touches

Remember those little accent leaves from the die cut above? Here they are, put to good use. After dry fitting the leaves and my sentiment, I remove the sentiment and secure the leaves with Tear and Tape Adhesive. As a final step, the sentiment covers the tape.

Thank You Card

My Thank You card features the Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper. Complementary colors Early Espresso, Old Olive and Mint Macaron were put into play. I also added So Saffron, Crushed Curry, Very Vanilla and for bright pop of fun, a Poppy Parade cardbase.

This is how it came together…

Free Standing Floral Border Die

I chose to die cut the free standing floral border die in Old Olive. Because the length is closer to 6″, and my card base is 5 1/2″, I needed to trim a bit by hand. This was easily done using my paper snips.

Difficulty Level without cat ‘helping’: 2 out of 5

Difficulty Level with cat ‘helping’: 4 out of 5

Winnie the Naughty Cat — Winnie thinks she is helpful in the craft room, but she really isn’t.

Single Flower Dies

I die cut flowers in 3 colors, Poppy Parade (which looked too Christmasy next to the Old Olive, saved for another day), Very Vanilla and Crushed Curry. The latter two made it onto my finished card, as I liked the way they layered together.

Finishing Touches

The Ornate Floral 3D Embossing Folder peeks in again in the So Saffron Cardstock. The Thank You sentiment comes from the Ornate Thanks stamp set, inked in Early Espresso. Beneath the sentiment flows Old Olive ribbon from the Ornate Garden Ribbon Combo Pack. Lastly, I added Gilded Gems to the flower centers.

So Loved Card

My third and final card today using the Ornate Thanks Bundle is elegance enhanced, showcasing Mint Macaron, Whisper White and Gold.

Here are some details in the making of this beautiful masterpiece:

Double Duty Dies

I used the rose floral border die on this card twice. The first time on the front of the card base, and the second as an additional layer to the card. With my VersaMark Ink Pad, I swiped ink on the outer die cuts of both layers and heat embossed with Gold Embossing Powder.

The front of the card peeks thru to the Whisper White Cardstoc positioned inside. The additional layer is placed over a gold foil design paper from the Ornate Garden Specialty pack.

Finishing Touches

The left-over leaves from the daisy floral border die were so fun to work with in my first card, I wanted to use them again. I die cut a piece of Whisper White just to create the leaves! Left-overs are always saved to be re-worked, so no waste there.

I used my VersaMarker to add VersaMark to the tips of the leaves for gold heat embossing. A good alternative, in lieu of the VersaMarker, would be to place some VersaMark refill liquid on a clear block, then use a blender pen to add VersaMark to the leaf tips. Keep that paintbrush handy to wipe embossing powder off unwanted areas before applying heat.

Ornate Thanks Stamp Set

The stamp sayings, “So Grateful” and “Thank You”, used in the cards featured here, are the large stamps in the set, Ornate Thanks. The stamp “Thanks” is another similar in size.

The remainder of the stamps in this 19 piece photopolymer set are smaller handwritten font (so fabulous!!), in various sayings that pair nicely with the thanks theme. All 3 of the cards shown in the Ornate Garden Suite Part I used the scripty stamps. I adore this font.

For this card, I only wanted “so loved” from the stamp “your kindness is so loved”. Masking part of the stamp before use can change up the way your sentiment reads. I added painters tape to the undesired portion of the stamp image, inked in VersaMark, removed the tape, and stamped. Heat embossing in gold finished the look nicely.

Giving Thanks

There is so much to be thankful for, and just as many reasons to send a card filled with homemade gratitude to someone you know! The Ornate Thanks Stamp Set gives you versatility with what to say, or stamp. The Ornate Border Dies put the fun in fun-ctionality, as you assemble and layer those cards or projects.

Be sure to stop by my online store to add the Ornate Thanks Bundle to your cart today. And for more creative ideas, check back soon as I continue with Part III in this series, with the Ornate Style Bundle. Don’t miss the incredible conclusion!

Ornate Garden Suite Part I

April 2, 2020

The Ornate Garden Suite Collection

Are you ready to get a jump start or sneak peek of the latest and greatest from Stampin’ Up!? The Ornate Garden Suite is an exclusive early release from the upcoming 2020-2021 Annual Catalog. You are able to order the entire suite or items a la cart from April 1-May 31, 2020.

In this three part series, I am exploring the fabulous new items from this incredible suite! In Part I, we take a look at the embellishments. We have ribbons and gems, as well as the embossing folder and designer series paper. Let me show you how I put them all together!

The Ornate Floral 3-D Embossing Folder

The Ornate Floral 3-D Embossing Folder is 4 1/2″ x 6 1/4″ in size. Because it is 3-D, I find it best used with the 3-D Embossing Folder Plate. This special ‘blue plate’ is new in the January-June 2020 Mini Catalog, and shouldn’t be missed!

The black line along the bottom of the folder will help you line up your paper in a straight manner. However, the ornate flowers are sporadically embossed. As such, you don’t need to worry about placing your paper in the perfect position for a great embossed effect.

Sponging Embossing Folders With Ink

Sponge ink on Ornate Floral -D Embossing Folder

You can change the look of your embossed work by sponging ink on the folder before you add paper and crank it thru your machine. Here I experimented with placing ink on both sides of the folder (one side at a time). In both instances, I ran it thru with Whisper White Cardstock.

The top cardstock image is from inking the back side of the embossing folder, where the folder’s image is raised. The Terracotta Tile ink settled into the flowers and leaves. But the image is de-bossed (depressed) instead of embossed (expanded upward). Interesting, but not what I was looking for. Moving on.

The bottom cardstock image is from inking the front side of the embossing folder, where the folder’s image is depressed, with the logo for Stampin’ Up!. This time, the Terracotta Tile ink darkened the flat sections of my cardstock. This left the raised image in the original paper color, white. Now we’re cooking…or crafting.

More Experimenting!

Next, I sponged the embossing folder with Mint Macaron Ink and embossed a piece of Whisper White Cardstock. After, I gently sponge-rolled the raised flowers in Terracotta Tile Ink. This resulted in a multi-color effect. Soft, muted and very lovely. Perfection.

TIP: Use a baby wipe to remove ink from your embossing folder, or rinse with water, then pat dry with a paper towel.

Embossing Card Fronts

Since this embossing folder image isn’t exclusive to direction, you can easily emboss the front of your card base. For this card, I started with a base that measured 4 1/4 x 11″, scored at 5 1/2″ (the tent fold).

It was easy to place the front of my card base in the embossing folder and run it thru my Big Shot without worrying about paper overhang or embossing folder orientation.

After running the card base thru the embossing folder, I sponge rolled the outer edges with Mint Macaron Ink. By the time I was ready to assemble my first card, it had 3 embossed layers! I really like this embossing folder…

Whisper White, Mint Macaron and Terracotta Tile meet the Ornate Floral 3-D Embossing Folder in style.

Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper

Ornate Garden Specialty DSP — Item #152488. 2 each of 6 double-sided designs in 12×12″ size.

The description for this specialty designer series paper (or DSP) reads “gold foil designs on some sheets”. I think it should read “on most sheets”. 4 out of 6 designs (or 8 out of 12) papers have fancy foiling. This does makes it hard to use the plain pattern paper over the fancy flip-side.

Coordinating Colors

Stampin’ Up! lists the coordinating colors on the back of every package of DSP. This helps us to choose colors that blend perfectly with the designer paper when creating our projects.

Coordinating Colors: Early Espresso, gold, Mint Macaron, Old Olive, Terracotta Tile, Whisper White, plus a brand new In Color: Bumblebee.

Yes, that is correct, we have insight as to what one of the new 2020-2022 In Colors will be: Bumblebee! A nice warm golden yellow. How glorious!!

Add More Color

I decided to dress up my gold foil accent sheet by coloring with some Stampin’ Blends. By doing so, you can create a very unique look. The blends make quick work of coloring, and it is very theraputic (for most).

TIP: Not a fan of coloring? Keep it to a minimum by using smaller pieces of DSP. Don’t color where you know you will be overlapping other layers on your card. This saves both ink and time.

The gold foil accents in the DSP go beautifully with more gold, whether embossed or not, via the Gold Foil Sheets, item # 132622.

Ornate Garden Ribbon Combo Pack and Gilded Gems

The Ribbons

Ornate Garden Ribbon Combo Pack item #152479

You get 2 colors in this combo pack, Old Olive and Terracotta Tile, for a total of 5 yards per spool. This ribbon is soft and flexible, perfect for making bows. The stitched edging gives it the illusion of color variation. When you add in this ribbon’s soft sheen for a gentle finishing touch, your project looks complete.

The Gems

Don’t forget to add some bling! The Gilded Gems are adhesive-backed, opaque gold in color and 90 pieces of wow. You get 30 each of 3 sizes, which Stampin’ UP! lists as 4mm, 5mm and 6mm. The rest of us go by small, medium and large. Either way, they look great on your artwork!

Not sure where to add a sentiment to your card? Use the smallest possible piece of cardstock for your saying and it will blend in more naturally, especially if coordinating colors are involved.

TIP: Dress up your cards and projects with ribbon and bling the easy way, use Stampin’ Up!’s coordinating products. They always match perfectly.

Ornate Thanks

Each of my cards featured here today used the Ornate Floral 3D Embossing Folder, the Ornate Garden Specialty DSP, and the Ornate Garden Ribbons and Gilded Gems. I also used sentiments from the stamp set, Ornate Thanks, in the Ornate Garden Suite, which has incredible font. More on that bundle in Part II of this series to follow.

The Ornate Garden Suite is certainly popular, and with good reason. There are so many gorgeous components to this suite, and they function well with one another. Be sure to stop by my online store https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net, to order yours soon. And check back for the continuation of this series, where I will explore the stamp and die set bundles, with more samples!

Beautifully Braided In Melon Mambo

March 30, 2020

Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be

Monday’s are hard, but in this cardmaking series, I will show you that stamping shouldn’t be. In fact, it’s quite easy. And with minimal supplies and minimal efforts, you can get fabulous results!

Today’s Monday Card features the stamp set, Beautifully Braided. This is one of my favorites from the January-June 2020 Mini Catalog from Stampin’ Up!. If you would like to see another project that features this stamp set, click here.

You can purchase Beautifully Braided as a bundle with the Braided Border Punch and save 10%. However, since we are using minimal supplies, this Monday Card only uses the stamp set.

Beautifully Braided Bundle item #153821 — Beautifully Braided Stamp Set, item #151637. Braided Border Punch, item #151924. Beautifully Braided Bundle, item #153821.

That’s right, one stamp set, Beautifully Braided, two ink pads, Melon Mambo and Memento Tuxedo Black, and two colors of cardstock, Melon Mambo and Whisper White. Please follow along!

A Monday Card

The Card Recipe

Melon Mambo CS: 5 1/2 x 8 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″ for card base.

Melon Mambo CS: 3 1/2 x 4 1/2″ and 2 1/8 x 1 3/8

Whisper White CS: 4 x 5 1/4″ x 2 (one for inside, optional)

Whisper White CS: 2 1/2 x 4 1/2″ and 2 x 1 1/4

Stamp And Assemble

This Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be Card starts out with the typical “fold in half” and score with your bonefolder to get a great crisp card base. Let’s not break tradition.

However, my TIP to you is to score once, invert the fold and score again. Your inner crease is now as crisp as the outer one. This makes for a professional looking card base!

Create Your Own Designer Series Paper

With the minimal supplies used in this card, we are not adding designer series paper to it. We are making our own! This great background pattern can be used with any stamp sets you own that contain words or sayings.

I suggest stamping on scrap paper, as this technique has you stamping off the edge of your cardstock. Starting at the top, stamp your saying in Memento Ink onto the Whisper White Cardstock. Then, continue to stamp across and downward, varying the stamp (or words) position to get a unique random pattern.

Background technique with wordy stamps and Memento Ink.

An overlap in the middle is fine, that portion will be covered with other layers on the finished card. I prefer to keep the top, bottom and sides as nice as possible, as they will be seen. This is great practice stamping! When done, you can add this layer to your card base.

Floral Details

Next, we stamp the decorative floral border stamp in Melon Mambo Ink onto the Melon Mambo CS. Again, the pattern can vary, and only some of it will be seen on the completed card.

I tried to keep the full floral image on the outer edges. This technique requires stamping beyond your cardstock as well. You can add it to the card when stamping is completed.

Here comes my favorite part: the large floral image. This is stamped on Whisper White CS with Memento Ink. Some of the image will stamp off the sides, and as the artist of your own card, you decide how that will look.

Let’s add some color to our flower! Using the filler stamp (TIP this could make great clouds too), and Melon Mambo Ink, fill in your flower petals. This is not meant to be an exact fit, so don’t stress over lining it up perfectly. I love this artsy appeal. You can add it to the card when completed.

Finishing Touches

It’s time to stamp some more words. I stamped the front saying on Whisper White in Memento Ink, then layered it with a piece of Melon Mambo CS. As a final step to the front of the card, I added it toward the bottom.

Your card is beautiful on the outside, now lets make it pretty inside too! I like to mimic some of the outer stamping into a corner of the inside card. This way the card has continuity and there is still lots of room to add your own sentiment or written thoughts.

Here, I used the same technique from the stamping of the large floral image and filler petals to add that inside interest.

Now is a good time to add some stamping to your envelope too! You could choose from the large floral stamp, the flower border stamp or the sentiment stamps. And if you have some bling laying around, you could add that to your card front, too.

Noble Peacock Rhinestones, item #149494, includes Melon Mambo jewels. The Take Your Pick Tool, item #144107 makes it easier to apply the rhinestones to your project.

I hope you enjoyed making this easy card on a hard Monday with me. My video tutorial can be found on my FaceBook page, as well as my YouTube channel. If you need any supplies for this card, please feel free to visit my online store, https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net, at any time. See you next Monday for another installment of:

Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be!

No Matter The Weather

March 27, 2020

Card made with Paper Pumpkin March 2020 kit

We’re In This Together

The March 2020 Paper Pumpkin kit has been a huge hit! We are all facing difficult times. The stormy clouds, adorable rainboots (let’s try to be fashionable in arduous situations!), and uplifting phrases like “wishing you brighter days ahead” and “I believe in you” are a much needed breath of fresh spring air to our tired souls.

Paper Pumpkin kits include supplies that are both consumable (like ribbons and embellishments, use them up!) and non consumable (stamp on my friends!). The kits are a great way to build up your stamp collection, and the stamps are intended to be used once all the consumables are gone.

In fact, today’s featured card uses just the stamps from the March 2020 Paper Pumpkin kit. Bonus: this embellishment-free card is flat and easily mailed! What is not missing is… the wow factor.

If you would like to print or pin the card recipe with dimensions and a list of additional supplies I used, click here.

My Creative Process

Following are some pictures of assembly, useful tips and insights in the making of this lovely card, and alternative suggestions in creation. Please read on for more details!

Embossing Raindrops

VersaMark Ink, Emboss Buddy and Emboss Powder

To make raindrops on the watercolor paper, I took the following steps:

Run Embossing Buddy over Watercolor Paper.
Using VersaMark Ink Pad, stamp raindrops from the March 2020 Paper Pumpkin Kit on Watercolor Paper. (I stamped 3 images, then sprinkled with embossing powder, tapped off excess powder and repeated the process. In this way, I could see where my raindrops would be, and where I might want more of them.)
Use the heat tool to heat set the embossing powder. I experimented with both Clear and Silver Embossing Powder in my creative process.

Heat Tool — I find that a regular paintbrush is a great way to remove excess dry embossing powder from my project before I apply the setting heat.

Pigment Sprinkles

Prepare to be amazed….and very messy! Pigment sprinkles create super unique backgrounds, no 2 will ever be the same. So therefore, instant art! Here are my steps:

Using protective tray (or box, paper plates etc), lay heat embossed watercolor paper down and spritz with water to wet randomly. Don’t over-saturate here, you will be adding more water.
Sparingly tap pigment sprinkles over wet paper. These tiny particles have a mind of their own, just remember less is better and more is mud. Watch the colors run, it is so cool!
Add additional spritzed water to help pigment sprinkles blend. It is helpful to have a paper towel on hand to absorb excess water/color, especially from the sides where it tends to pool up.
Need to add more pigment sprinkles? Do so now, but be careful not to over blend.
When satisfied with outcome, you can place a clean paper towel over your watercolor paper to absorb liquid and speed drying time. Baby wipes are useful for your messy hands!
Allow watercolor paper to dry completely. Placing it under something flat and heavy helps to keep the curling paper manageable.

Fussy Cutting

Rainboots

Fussy cutting, the use of scissors to trim an image in close capacity, is not typically first choice. But sometimes it is necessary, and practice makes…if not perfect, maybe close enough? Regardless, Stampin’ Up!’s sharp little Paper Snips make the job easier.

Stamp the rainboot outline from the March 2020 Paper Pumpkin Kit on a scrap of Whisper White Cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.
Use the floral filler stamp from the same kit, and Pineapple Punch Ink, lining up with the outline image.
For an additional pop of fun bright color, I used the Dark Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Blend and colored the boot label, boot straps and outlines.
Time to fussy cut! This one isn’t too bad, you can do it.

Grass

Here’s how I created the grass inserts for the rainboots:

Stamp the grass image from the March 2020 Paper Pumpkin Kit on a scrap of Granny Apple Green Cardstock using Granny Apple Green Ink.
Next, add Garden Green ink to the grass stamp and apply, overlapping the first image. This will give you thicker, greener grass. Who doesn’t want that?
Time to fussy cut. This one is a bit hard, once you get it sliced in half. I recommend first tackling the sides (make sure you leave a nice base at the bottom for handling), then when ready to do the grass fronds, snip downward from the top. Making little x patterns or spear shaped cuts is helpful.
After I fussy cut the grass, I applied the grass stamp with Granny Apple Green ink to each half to overlap (again) the previous grass. The illusion here is that you are really good at fussy cutting!
With the White Stampin’ Chalk Marker, I added tiny dots to the top of the grasses. This brightness adds the look of dainty flowers.

Sentiment

No Matter the Weather We Are in This Together Stamp

You are not alone in this. This card speaks comfort. To create the embossed verse, here are my steps:

Using your paper snips, flag the end of the Bermuda Bay Cardstock. I start at the bottom corner and cut straight toward the middle, stopping there. Next, I start at the upper corner and do the same, meeting in the middle to remove the triangle cut away.
Run Embossing Buddy over Bermuda Bay Cardstock to prevent embossing powder from sticking where you don’t want it.
Ink stamp saying form the March 2020 Paper Pumpkin Kit in Versamark, apply to cardstock.
Immediately sprinkle White Embossing Powder over Versamark image.
Tap off excess embossing powder and heat emboss to set.
I love sponging to add interest and depth. I added Bermuda Bay ink to the outer edges of the flagged sentiment piece using my designated sponge. (Yes, I am that person, designated sponge.)

Putting It All Together

All the hard work is done! Now it is time to assemble your card layers. As mentioned earlier, this card is flat, and easily mailed. However, if you choose to add dimension or embellishments, get creative!

Quick Tips

I used Tear and Tape Adhesive to attach the watercolored paper to the Whisper White Cardstock. This great holding tape really secures the heavy paper with its tendency to curl.
I used (Tombow) Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue to tuck the grass fronds into each boot. The wiggle room you have with this glue lets you move the grass around a bit to get the best angle.
Play with the placement of your sentiment piece. Depending on your creative outcome from the pigment sprinkles, you may need to adjust the height as you desire.
The process for heat embossing on this card is optional. If you have raindrop embellishments, use them instead. Craft Whisper White Ink can be used to stamp the sentiment instead of heat embossing it, and will look similar.

I hope you enjoyed my tips and techniques in the making of this card using the stamps from the March 2020 Paper Pumpkin kit! Be sure to sign up for my email newsletter, where I share more tutorials for free.

And if you need any of the supplies to create this card in your own stamp studio, shop my online store, https://juliemakson.stampinup.net, anytime.

Cards Of Social Distancing

March 25, 2020

You’ve Been Red-Carded!

In this time of pandemic, it seems like we are surrounded by bad news. And what makes it worse, is the feeling of isolation. We have all been red-carded: social time out! So how does social distancing relate to card making?

Because we care about those we can’t physically connect with, we are searching for ways to reach out and provide physical proof that our love exists. As such, I find the answer to social distancing as simple as card making, and card sending.

I made these quickly, using the Scalloped Note Cards & Envelopes, item #149610. By placing Designer Series Paper on the bottom inside, I created a pop of fun beneath the scalloped front edge. This is easy card making in times of social distancing, and provides instant results to send to friends and family.

Homemade Cards: Cards That Care

Homemade cards come from the heart, they are made with love. Do you remember coming home from grade school with a drawing, and your parents promptly displayed your artwork on the frig? For months, even!

The front of this homemade card says “Welcome to Maine”. Best housewarming gift ever from my granddaughter, and proudly displayed on my frig for, in all honesty, months!

Homemade cards are like precious artwork. There is care and attention in every detail. No two are ever the same, because they are not manufactured.

Card making is for kids and adults alike. A perfect accompaniment to social distancing, card making provides a creative release of your feelings, and card sending provides a way to show you care. And the creating process of card making is just as wonderful as the receiving process of a homemade card.

Thinking Of You Cards

Thinking of You Notecard in Balmy Blue, cardmkaing for social distancing. — The stamp set, Flourishing Phrases, item # 141534, and some (retired) Gingham Gala DSP add beauty to the Balmy Blue note card.

If you’re like me, you love sending Christmas cards, and birthday cards. Maybe you’ve sent sympathy or get well cards, as I have.

Have you thought about sending “thinking of you cards”? If your reaction is, “that seems too ordinary”, you are not alone. But in extraordinary times of social distancing, “thinking of you” card making seems like the perfect choice to let someone know they are on your mind.

From my experience, people love getting cards in the mail. The walk (or sometimes drive) to the mailbox is worth it when there is a delivery of ‘happy mail’.

I believe that cards are like little presents.When I get a card, I am excited to open that envelope and see what is inside, a mini gift just for me!

Inspirational Cards

Inspirational Note Card in Old Olive, cardmaking for social distancing. — A wonderful phrase from the stamp set, Enjoy Life, item # 148190, and some Best Dressed DSP in Daffodil Delight, item # 151319, make this Old Olive note card naturally gorgeous.

Everyone needs inspiration. You have the great ability to provide inspiration to someone else. Your habits of inspiring may include texting or a phone call, or a post on social media.

But when you send a card that inspires, the words and thoughts shared are like a touchstone. The physical presence of your card is a visual reminder that can be held, speaking comfort at any time.

There is great inspiration to draw on when creating your homemade cards. You can look to online sources for similar renderings. Some cardmakers look at catalogs or magazines for ideas.

And there are crafters who just look out the window. Perhaps the greatest inspiration of all is nature. I ask you to be inspired to create, but more importantly, be excited to share!

Thank You Cards

Thank You Note Card in Terracotta Tile, cardmaking for social distancing. — Even though this card doesn’t say “thank you” on the outside, it certainly could on the inside. I stamped this Terracotta Tile note card with Special Celebrations stamp set, item # 143885, and Love What You Do stamp set, item # 148042. The DSP that adds a splash of color comes from Sampler, item # 154050.

I am a firm believer that the world needs more ‘thank you’s’. In troubled times, we tend to be more thankful for what we do have, and taking things for granted typically takes a backseat. There is no better way to say ‘thank you’ then with a card.

Even with social distancing, you may need to thank someone. Maybe you received a flower delivery. Perhaps someone kindly shoveled snow from your driveway, or graciously left a basket of cookies on your front porch.

We still manage kind acts, even at times like these when we keep our distance for health and safety. Thank you cards are also a kind act, in reciprocation.

Cards Sent With Love

Sending Love Note Card in light pink, cardmaking for social distancing. — This lovely note card in light pink clearly states that is is sent with love, per the stamp set, Inspiring Iris, item #149268. Petal Pink DSP from Pleased As Punch, item # 153558 is the perfect compliment in sweetness.

Now this may sound silly, but can you imagine a card sent without love? It would make more sense to not send a card at all if that were the case. So, does that mean that not sending a card equals the opposite of love?

Homemade cards have extra love built right in. When someone takes the time to craft a card, they love the act of providing from the heart. It is my practice to choose colors or a theme especially for the intended recipient.

Love is in the details, love is in the sending, and love is most definitely in the receiving.

Sharing Cards

Cards are meant to be shared. As a cardmaker, I often have lots of cards on hand, because making them is fun, and craft therapy, and somewhat addictive.

But now, more than ever, is the best time to share cards. Did you know that you can share a card that lets the recipient share that same card with someone else?

Instead of signing the inside of your card, I encourage you to attach a short poem inside. Either of these lovely poems can be viewed or printed here, and give the card receiver a message to care and share.

I encourage you to create a card, put a stamp on that envelope, and pop that homemade card in the post! Brighten someone’s day!

Aqua Painter — I couldn’t decide which postage stamps I liked better to dress up my envelopes for mailing, so I bought both. A great way to seal the envelopes without licking them is to put that aqua painter, item # 103954, to use! Just swipe that paintbrush end with a squeeze of the water barrel across the “lick and stick” portion of your envelope.

If you are new to cardmaking, or interested in getting started, contact me for help. My online store, https://juliemakson.stampinup.net, is always open to shop for necessary cardmaking supplies.

There has never been a better time to start getting crafty. Get inspired, show gratitude and send love. Do your part to make the world a nicer place.