Virtual Day Of Service
Current social distancing practices make it hard for employees and demonstrators of Stampin’ Up! to gather for a good cause. But not impossible!
The world is suddenly virtual, and we continue being social online to connect. It is also still possible to donate our time and effort into making products to serve others. So, for this years Day Of Service, Stampin’ Up! did just that, and shared sunshine abundantly!
On May 21, 2020, cardmakers spent time creating, together from their homes, using the Share Sunshine PDF Download (from the COVID-19 Give-Back, see more here), and a specific designer arrangement. The ingredients needed were simple: card bases, designer series paper, the digital stamp set, embellishments of choice and adhesive.
In an effort to make and send (or donate) cards to loved ones, frontline workers, nursing homes, hospitals and churches, Stampin’ Up! provided each employee with the Share Sunshine PDF Download and contributed $12 per employee as part of their COVID-19 giveback. This resulted in a company donation of $5,820 for Day of Service!
Demonstrators, like me, and Stampin’ Up! customers joined in the global craft party. It was wonderful to have a basic recipe to follow to cut the DSP, and I am sharing it with you, so you can try this with any 12 x 12 paper you have on hand! Using the cuts as indicated, a full pack of DSP will net you enough pieces for 100 cards!
Designer Series Paper 12×12″ Recipe
My Day Of Service Cards
I chose to work with the Bird Ballad DSP, item # 149592. It is currently on the retirement list, and on sale for $8.05 (originally $11.50). I pulled card bases in the core colors listed on the back of the Designer Series Paper pack.
FUN FACT: Not only are the coordinating colors listed on the designer series label, they are listed in alphabetical order.
Once I had my card bases, it was easy to cut the DSP in sizes according to the recipe. Then, I lined up the patterned paper to the cardstock base that I thought matched best.
Next, I grabbed my Share Sunshine PDF printed stamps and some punches. I focused on the sentiments that could be used at any time, for any occasion, leaving the “social distancing thoughts” behind. Keep in mind, you can replicate this procedure with any stamps you have!
Some of my sentiments were punched out, while I used my Paper Trimmer on others. I did pull out the occasional scrap of cardstock to add to my cards, as I am a layering kind of cardmaker by nature. I also used washi tape, ribbon and adhesive-style embellishments to dress up my cards.
Adding Punch Layers
I wanted my punched sentiments to stand out, so I decided to add a color base behind them. To do so, I simply punched cardstock in my color of choice with the same punch used on the sentiment. Next, I cut the color ‘background’ punched piece in half. This doesn’t need to be perfect, as only a small bit of it will be seen.
After the punched piece is cut in half, I attached glue to the back of the sentiment top and layered one of the colored halves behind it, letting the color show beyond the sentiment piece. I did the same steps with the bottom. Here is my layering at the half-way point:
The Finished Cards
These cards were quick and easy to put together! The hardest part was deciding which side of the designer series paper to put facing up (each side has a different pattern). Take a look at my results:
As you can see, I used many of the same sentiments, but in different font colors from the Share Sunshine PDF Download. By changing the card base color and the DSP, each card is very unique. And the range of elegant to masculine to just plain fun is amazing! All this from one pack of designer series paper…
Get Some Sunshine Today
Sunshine makes everything so much better, so using this term to send love is as natural as the sun itself. I know that when I send a homemade card to someone, it makes me feel good. And when I receive one from someone else, I feel even better.
What could be nicer than sending some sunshine to someone you love today? Make a card, send a card. It really is that simple. My online store, https://juliemakson.stampinup.net, is always open if you need some basic supplies.
And it’s not too late to sign up for a very special Paper Pumpkin Kit, titled Share Sunshine. It will come in a bright yellow box, with a label to turn it into gift packaging. Make and send the cards, you get to keep the stamps and ink included. For more info, or to sign up, click here. Just be sure to do so by June 10, 2020 or earlier (some kits sell out before the cut off date!).
Let’s keep the sunshine rolling! Share your cards on social media using the hashtags #ShareSunshine and #SUDifferenceMaker. The world truly is a brighter place for our efforts.