Hey Lady!

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Little Ladybug

The Coordination Product Release from Stampin’ Up! has officially begun. There are 6 new exclusive items that coordinate with products from Sale-A-Bration and the January-June Mini Catalog.

The exciting news: awesome products that make your projects stand out! The scary news: available only while supplies last, and may sell out quickly.

Today, I am highlighting the Little Ladybug Stamp Set, free to hosts with a $300 party during Sale-A-Bration, and the coordination release, Ladybugs Dies. This special stamp set is super adorable, with 4 images of cartoonish and colorable ladybugs, as well as a large flower, a line of 4 mini bugs and 7 sayings.

Little Ladybug, #152384, 13 cling stamps

Sentiment Stamps

Sentiments are important. When you purchase a stamp set that has cute images, you will always have cute. If you buy one that has great greetings or sayings, you hit the jackpot. Sentiments can be used in a variety of ways, not limited to their particular set. Let’s break these sayings down:

Basic Sentiments

Thinking of you. This is a great basic. I am thinking of you because…you are sick and I want you to be well. Miss you a lot. Things are tough for you and I care. So proud of you.

Thank you. Another essential basic. There are so many things to be thankful for, and a card is a great way to express it. Thank you for…my gift, your thoughtfulness, lending me comfort in my time of need, your much needed help.

Happy Birthday. This is probably the most used sentiment on the most commonly given card. It says it all: it’s your birthday! No need to expand on that.

Supplemental Sentiments

Spread your wings and fly. Here we go outside the box a little. This could be used for… congrats graduate. Happy promotion. Good luck on that move. I believe in you, encouragement.

You’re so sweet. This one goes in conjunction with a thank you card. It also works great for Valentine’s Day, Sweetheart’s Day, or to say “I love you.” Imagine it next to an image of candy or baked goods….mmmm chocolate.

You’re cute as a bug. Without doubt, this works great with the ladybugs, or any bugs. Consider it to welcome a new baby to the world, or perhaps a child’s birthday card. It could be used on Valentine’s cards also.

Hey lady! An opening for hello. How are you doing? What is happening? Just thinking of you. And again, perfect for ladybug cards.

Ladybugs Dies

Newly released, Ladybugs Dies, are the must have go with for this stamp set. Dies (used with your die cutting machine) will allow you to cut out your stamped image quickly, without the use of scissors. The dies included in this set work for each individual ladybug, the large flower and additional parts as well.

Ladybugs Dies, #153588, 15 dies

Ladybug Cards

I combined the stamp set and dies to make 3 uniquely different cards. Here are pictures of each with a little detail in the design process.

Lady In Pink

I featured the colors Flirty Flamingo and Poppy Parade for this card. Texture was added with the embossing folder, Beads and Baubles, on Whisper White cardstock. The plaid designer series paper is from the 6 x 6 stack in the Brights collection.

I stamped the flower and ladybug in Memento ink and colored them with Stampin’ Blends markers. After I die cut the images, I added them to the card with dimensionals to help them pop.

Gorgeous Grape Posy

This card is done in Gorgeous Grape, Basic Black and Whisper White. In addition to the Ladybugs Dies for the flower, I used the Stitched So Sweetly Dies for the rectangular shape.

Once again, the designer series paper is from the 6 x 6 stack in the Brights collection. This paper performs as a layering piece and as the flower petal heat embossed in black before die cutting. I have been longing to use the Tricolor Ribbon in purple, and this card features it seamlessly.

3 x 3 Mini Card


Little ladybugs + tiny card = great big fun! They say good things come in small packages. Did you know Stampin’ Up! sells 3″ x 3″ envelopes? This card will fit right in and make a sweet note.

I stamped the ladybugs in Memento ink and colored with Stampin’ Blends markers. The flowers were made using the Ladybugs Dies with Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie cardstock. The leaves and stem assembly from the dies are done in Garden Green.

This time I chose the embossing folder, Hammered Metal, for texture. This sentiment is from the stamp set Itty Bitty Greetings (so fitting!) and formed with the Classic Label Punch.

Don’t Miss Out

In conclusion, the Little Ladybug Stamp Set and coordinating product, Ladybug Dies, have lots to offer. Save these card images to Pinterest or share on Facebook. And don’t hesitate, make sure you purchase the necessary products to replicate my featured projects by shopping my online store https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net, today.

Basic Card Making Kit

What’s In Your Bag, Crafter?

Maybe you’ve been invited to a card making event, and you were told to bring your basic card making kit. What is this, you think to yourself, if you are new to the world of paper crafting. Or perhaps you have been crafting for some time, but you are curious as to what others may carry in their kits.

Carpenters have toolboxes with wrenches and bolts. Athletes have gym bags with sneakers and sports equipment. Business professionals carry satchels with laptops and files. The best dressed paper crafter has their basic card making kit.

This is my card making kit. It has 12 different types of adhesive!
Kits, like luggage, can be stuffed to the brim. It’s not the size that matters… it’s what’s inside that counts!

Like purses or backpacks, a well-stocked card making kit is typically jammed full of everything but the kitchen sink. After all, you wouldn’t want to be at an event and not have something on hand that you might need!

Therefore, let me break it down and talk about my Top 3 No Nonsense Necessities versus a few of the Endless Extravagant Extras.

The Basic Supplies

Adhesive. Projects that involve layers of paper need some tape or glue to keep them from coming apart at the seams. Most paper crafters use double sided tape, or tape runners. With a quick zip, zip, zip, you can attach items easily. I find that glue dots are also super handy for placement of tiny bits and pieces.

Snail Adhesive is double sided, permanent tape. It is easy to apply and refill.
Every paper crafter’s fear consists of running out of tape in the middle of a project. Always have refills on hand. Or stamp with a friend and use their supply!

Scissors. At a typical event, the paper for your project is pre-cut. But scissors are useful in the additional trimming of ribbon ends, fussy cutting and more. Sharp scissors, although dangerous, are best.

Bone Folder. This must have tool helps you to get crisp folds. You can smooth and secure paper layers with it. I like that it works to break up paper fibers, or curl and shape. It is also great in removing layers that were taped incorrectly.

More is More

Take Your Pick Tool. Let me tell you, this is one superb helper! This baby boasts of paper piercer, mini spatula, small and large stylus and a quick picker upper. When you add the additional attachment (sold separately), you can brush clean your dies. I love this tool to help ease the edge of the new style “cling” red rubber stamps off of clear blocks.

This multi purpose tool helps simplify meticulous tasks.
My favorite use of this tool is removing adhesive back embellishments from their packaging and applying them easily to projects.

Wink of Stella Glitter Brush. Okay, glitter. But not in a bad, make a mess kind of way. This glitter is securely contained in liquid form inside the pen housing. It is brushed onto projects in paintbrush fashion. This glitter dries quickly, and the effect is a shimmer accent that is just lovely.

Dimensionals. Projects really pop off the page when they are given a lift upward with these double sided foam adhesive dots. Stampin’ Up! offers them in 2 sizes, regular and mini. Originally, they were only made in white, but now they are available to purchase in black. I find this beneficial when darker coverage is required.

Your Kit, Your Way

Stampin’ Up! draws shoppers in with their vast array of fabulous stamps, tools and paper. But they also cover your need for the basics. So, shop my online store, https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net to fill up your card making kit with some vital supplies today.

In conclusion, starting with the basics is the way to go when compiling your basic card making kit. Sometimes it’s all you really need! As you begin to experiment in paper crafting, it is, without doubt, easy to add more to your kit.  

And let’s face it, when you are away from home and crafting among friends, don’t worry that you are missing something important from that basic card making kit…sharing always occurs.

Braided In Beauty

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The stamp set, Beautifully Braided, is new to the Stampin’ Up! January-June 2020 Mini Catalog. With so much focus on other flower stamp sets and bundles, Beautifully Braided could be considered by some to be a bit of a sleeper. You can combine the purchase of Beautifully Braided with the Braided Border Punch for a 10% bundle savings.

Unlike most bundles, the stamp set can certainly stand on its own. Similarly, the punch does not specifically require the stamp set. The connection between the two is a single dotted stamp in the pattern of the punch design. Regardless, each component makes wow cards, and who doesn’t love a bargain?

*Full disclosure, I bought this bundle for the punch and fell madly in love with the stamp set. When in doubt on a purchase, you should always go for the bundle.

Beautifully Braided Bundle, Item #153821 https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net

Card Genre

I applaud a large stamp image that can be used frequently. This generous sized flower stamp from Beautifully Braided requires clear block f, the big daddy! Consider it for birthday, sympathy, thinking of you, congrats, Easter, Mother’s Day cards, and more. The sentiments are unique and refreshing, speaking to us of friendship and kindness.

Card Design

This flower stamp looks clean and crisp done in black and white. When you add color, you add endless possibilities. For you doodle fanatics- grab those markers, blends or watercolor pencils and go for it. Hello quick stamp and go peeps or newbies- this is designed for you. My technique freaks- heat emboss, watercolor, spotlight.

Stamp direct for a deeper color or stamp off for a subtle look. The filler stamp is not an exact match, so stamping is super easy- no perfect alignment needed for this artsy look.
Add additional color with blends or markers. Then tap the uncapped end of either with your bone folder over your stamped image. This creates a sporadic and delicate splatter effect.

Braided Border Punch

Border punches are not new to Stampin’ Up!. Yet the directive to punch, align and repeat can be tricky. It takes a little practice and patience to get it right. Therefore, I have a few tips that may help you in creating an awesome border.

Choose the correct paper size for the punch. Bigger is better!
Steady your punched paper as you align and punch again. Make sure the paper edge on the right remains flush against the punch lip (all the way to the back).

Are you still having trouble making perfect punched borders? A simple solution is to hide the imperfections. First, add ribbon thru the lattice style opening, then knot or tie a bow. Next, tuck the border behind some pretty top layers.

My less than perfect punched border. Coverups are in the works.
Make your border long and wrap the ends around the back when layering. Supermarket shortcut: secure with ordinary tape. No messy adhesive required in the front!

Sentiment Use

Do you love the sentiment, but have no room to stamp all of it? You should mask and condense. Here, I used the word “smile” from the stamp “your smile brightens my day”. Certainly you could stamp the complete version to the inside of the card for continuity.

No need to ink the entire saying, just the portion needed. It’s okay to get ink on surrounding words as long as you don’t go crazy, that’s where the next step takes effect.
Painters tape masks unwanted images, and removes easily from the block and stamp. Use the straight edge of the tape (not jagged) against your inked selection.
Align and stamp. The painters tape keeps unwanted ink off your project.

Colorful Cards

Above all, the beauty of the Beautifully Braided stamp set is its simple versatility. The Braided Border Punch can be used in limitless ways. Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram as I share additional cards made with this great bundle.

Be sure to shop my online store and add the Beautifully Braided Bundle to your collection. Most importantly, start creating your own colorful garden projects. Share with others, and make them smile. You’ll be glad you did!

My beautiful garden, created using Lily Impressions Designer Series Paper (free with a $50 purchase during Sale-A-Bration) and coordinating color families.