Hand Made Cards

Zany Zoo Llama Card

Zany Zoo Card Class, Card 2

Zany Zoo Llama Card

My Weekly Card Class From Maine happens to showcase some pretty zany critters! Our focus this week is the Zany Zoo Bundle by Stampin’ Up!. Need more info on this class? Click here.

This Zany Zoo Llama card may be the most zany. Imagine a knitting llama! And then add some pink eyeshadow and nail (or hoof?) polish to our talented crafting lady…er, Llama.

Llama Mambo and Llama Lolly

Aren’t these colors fantastic together? I am loving Lemon Lolly, a sweet new yellow tone from Stampin’ Up!’s color refresh. And even more than loving just one color, I also love finding great matches, like this one.

Both of these colors, Melon Mambo and Lemon Lolly, work really well with our Zoo Crew Designer Series Paper. The bold black and crisp white really pop with this pink and yellow! I added some interest to my Lemon Lolly Cardstock layer by scoring lines at the top and bottom.

Zany Zoo Llama Card Details

For the first card in this week’s class, Zany Zoo Alligator Card, I chose to do my coloring with the Stampin’ Blends. This time, I picked a different coloring method: Water Color Pencils.

I find that Water Color Pencils provide a really different way of adding color. While the coloring technique provides your image with a softer look, I prefer to finish my coloring by using the Blender Pen as the final step.

Blender Pens have a special, clear solution that softens harsh pencil lines and blends the coloring to make it smooth and seamless. A word of caution: too much Blender Pen will create pills on your paper. I chose Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight and Old Olive to color in my image.

You’re Too Wonderful

As I continue with my Weekly Card Class From Maine, I am keeping the continuity of heat embossing my sentiment in White Embossing Powder on Black Cardstock. For the Zany Zoo Llama Card, the sentiment “You’re Too Wonderful” from the Zany Zoo Stamp Set is perfect.

And speaking of perfect, the coordinating banner die in the Zany Zoo Dies is fantastic for this sentiment too. In fact, this banner die works on 2 out of the 3 sentiments in the Zany Zoo Stamp Set.

Get Your Zany Zoo Card Class From ME

This Zany Zoo Llama 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 Zany Zoo 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.

Zany Zoo Alligator Card

Zany Zoo Card Class, Card 1

Zany Zoo Alligator Card

Your Weekly Card Class From ME happens to showcase some pretty zany critters! Our focus this week is the Zany Zoo Bundle by Stampin’ Up!. Need more info on this class? Click here.

Funny cards are a lot of…fun… to make. If you smile during the creating process, it is a sure bet that the recipient of your card will smile too. Let’s take a closer look at our first card of the week.

Alligator Green…And Blue

While this Zany Zoo Alligator Card has a good dose of black and white, thanks to the Zoo Crew Designer Series Paper, more color is needed. And since this card is all about an adorable alligator, I needed a green, to be specific.

Green is my favorite color! However, I can also confidently say that Parakeet Party Green is not my favorite at all. This over the top bright green tone came onto the Stampin’ Up! scene in 2022 as an In Color. Suffice it to say, I have barely touched it.

But….it seemed perfect for my Zany Zoo Alligator Card. Maybe what this color needed all along was something zany to pair it with! I also chose another 2022 In Color, Orchid Oasis, as a cool blue to tone this card down.

Zany Zoo Alligator Card Details

I managed to pack a lot of zany fun into this alligator card! Ready to break down some details with me?

Alligator Coloring

The animal images in the Zany Zoo Stamp Set are meant for coloring in. In fact, there are 6 critters in want of coloring. I covered 3 different ways to do so during my live cardmaking class. Check out the video here.

My very favorite way to color is by using the Stampin’ Blends. You will want to start with Memento Black Ink for the stamping. And when you color with the blends, make sure you have a scrap paper behind your coloring image, as this rich alcohol based ink may bleed thru your cardstock.

Radiating Stitches Dies

While the Zany Zoo Dies give us the ability to cut out each zany animal from the coordinating Zany Zoo Stamp Set, I like to use some basic shapes for backdrops and sentiments. The Radiating Stitches Dies are one of my go-to sets.

I love the rectangle shaped dies in various sizes. The stitching along the side is a great bonus. But, when a die set also works around a sentiment, it is a perfect match to bring continuity to my card!

Metal Plate Embossing Folder

Along with the color, Parakeet Party, the Metal Plate 3D Embossing Folder is not amongst my favorites. But when it comes to the design of my cards, I like to find different stamping supplies that work together well.

And this embossing folder is perfect! Our Zany Zoo Alligator is riding a bike! So the tire tread theme is a no-brainer. I also thought the little white embossed details reminded me of our good looking gator’s sharp teeth!

Get Your Zany Zoo Card Class From ME

This Zany Zoo Alligator 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 Zany Zoo 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.

Zany Zoo Card Class

Zany Zoo Bundle

Zany Zoo Card Class

Welcome to your Zany Zoo Card Class! This week, I am using the Zany Zoo Bundle by Stampin’ Up!. This bundle is a brand new release in the 2023-2024 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog. Missed the live card class? Click this link for the video replay!

Did you know that when you purchase a bundle, you automatically save 10%? When in doubt, buy the bundle. Nothing is more irritating than buying just the stamps or just the punch (or dies) and going back later to purchase the other half of the bundle.

Want to see another card class featuring a brand new bundle in the 2023-2024 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog? Click here.

The Zany Zoo Bundle

Are you looking for some cure critters to add to your stamp collection? If so, the Zany Zoo Bundle may be just the thing!

The Zany Zoo Stamp Set is cling red rubber. There are 6 fun zoo type animals to stamp and die cut (the coordinating Zany Zoo Dies are perfect for each one!). You will also find 3 sentiments and a couple of accent stamps too.

Now, keep in mind, these are not your usual animal friends. These zany animals are doing extraordinary activities, like knitting or riding a bike. That makes them perfect for funny, lighthearted cards and cards for youngsters.

Zoo Crew Designer Series Paper

I find the Zoo Crew Designer Series Paper absolutely fascinating! You may have first noticed all the zoo crew critters on this paper. Exactly half of the sheets in the paper pack will be covered in interesting animals doing un-animal like things.

The great part about these “animal prints”? Each page has a specific image that can be die cut with the coordinating Zany Zoo Dies. The remaining animals might be fussy cut, punched or die cut with basic shape dies, if you prefer.

And then….the opposite side of these papers feature black and white designs. These universal patterns in neutral black and white will be perfect on just about any card project you have in mind!

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 FREE card kits in the mail and need to put them together.

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 XQ6KHT4A thru May 19, 2023. I will mail the card kits 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 A Bonus Gift For FREE Too!

When you bump your order to $50 (before tax and shipping), I will send you the card kits AND a FREE Embellishment, the Classic Matte Dots, just like I used on my cards. You will have plenty left over to use on your projects for days to come.

Your Card Class From ME Awaits

I hope you enjoy the Zany Zoo Card Class with my FaceBook Live Event on Monday, May 15 at 8pm EST. Please 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!

Beautiful Balloons Celebration Card

Beautiful Balloons Card Class, Card 3

Beautiful Balloons Celebration Card

We are now on to the last card from my Weekly Card Class From ME. And this week features the Beautiful Balloons Bundle by Stampin’ Up!. And this last card, full of celebration, is a bit more elegant and refined.

Want to see another card in beautiful, bright and fun colors using the Beautiful Balloons Bundle? Click here.

Beautiful Black & “Gold?”

While taking a turn away from the Bright & Beautiful Designer Series Paper Pack, with the fun pops of vibrant color, I went classy instead. And nothing is more sophisticated than black!

Of course, I needed another color for my Beautiful Balloons Celebration Card besides Black. And it’s true that while everything matches black, it takes the right color to look perfect next to it…especially when it comes to card making.

Most Un-Liked 2023-2025 In Color of the Year

Based on all the grumbles over this new 2023-2025 In Color, Wild Wheat, it is not very popular at all. Very few crafters are happy with this unusual color.

I am hereby dubbing Wild Wheat as “Fool’s Gold”. Next to the color black on my card it takes on a golden tone. And this is perfect for an elegant and regal card!

Gold Celebration Specialty Paper

Another fun element to my Beautiful Balloons Celebration Card is the Gold Celebration Specialty Paper. It is very similar to the acetate window sheets, but with fancy gold accents. It gave my die-cut balloons an interesting dimension.

During my live cardmaking demonstration (click here to see it), I shared that the backside of each gold accent is a sweet silvery-white accent. I think you could really use either side of this specialty paper if you wanted to!

Get Your Beautiful Balloons Card Class From ME

This Beautiful Balloons Celebration Card is the last one 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 have enjoyed sharing these cards from this class, as well as my bonus cards, as this week went on. Be sure to check back here or follow me, The Maine Stamper, on FaceBook, for more cardmaking inspiration and ideas.

Beautiful Balloons Happy Birthday Card

Beautiful Balloons Card Class, Card 2

Beautiful Balloons Happy Birthday Card

My Weekly Card Class From ME happens to showcase a pretty awesome feature: celebrations! Our focus this week is the Beautiful Balloons Bundle by Stampin’ Up!. Need more info on this class? Click here.

Perhaps the most common type of card we make is a birthday card. If you need a celebratory card, you may need a balloon or two. And the Beautiful Balloons Bundle is just the thing to help you make the happiest kinds of birthday cards!

More Bright & Beautiful Designer Series Paper

Just like in the first card from this class, Beautiful Balloons Yay You, I chose a selection of designer series paper from the Bright & Beautiful paper pack.

Unlike my first card, this time I chose a softer, more mono-tone pattern. I just love that you can choose Bright & bold looks, or Beautiful muted styles. This 6 x 6″ paper pack is just amazing like this!

Berry Burst & Bubble Bath

When Stampin’ Up! completed their color refresh with the new 2023-2024 Annual Catalog, they brought back the 2017-2019 In Color, Berry Burst.

FUN FACT: I shared a peek at my old Berry Burst ink pad, the classic bulky-style kind, before the modern one we know and love now. You can see this and more in my video replay from this class.

For my Beautiful Balloons Happy Birthday Card, I paired the (old) Berry Burst with the (new) Bubble Bath. These bright pink tones work perfectly together! Love the new Bubble Bath color? Click here to see another birthday card made in that pretty shade of pink.

Get Your Beautiful Balloons Card Class From ME

This Beautiful Balloons Happy Birthday 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 Beautiful Balloons 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.

Who Wore It Better: The Color Swap

Every Wednesday on the Positive PaperCrafters FaceBook Page, we play a game called “Who Wore It Better?”. I take one of my card class cards and switch up the colors I used. This week, I chose to swap out Berry Burst and Bubble Bath for Lemon Lime Twist and Lemon Lolly!

I enjoy playing with color (a lot!). And this is a great way to share more inspiration in cardmaking. Just because you see a card picture in any given color, doesn’t mean you have to make it in that color when you create your own version.

Tell me who wore it better and let your own creativity flow…in any color you love!