Card kit in the mail

Gnome One Better Card

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.

Floating Eclipse Technique.

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.

Flowers & More Host DSP.

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

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.

Cherry On Top Card

Share A Milkshake Card Class, Card 1

If you joined me for my Share A Milkshake Card Class on January 9, you saw me make this Cherry On Top card first! This week, I am focusing on the Share a Milkshake Bundle, which is made up of the Share A Milkshake Stamp Set and the Share A Milkshake Dies.

Usually I save the best for last, or at least the most difficult card. But, for this class, I rolled out the most awesome card first, with the cherry on top! Check out the Stack Shuffle Repeat process…

Stack Shuffle Repeat Technique

Something else that was over the top…or maybe the cherry on top, for this card was the designer series paper technique that I showcased. It is called the Stack Shuffle Repeat Technique. Watch my video for all the details.

Normally, you might choose designer series paper from the same paper pack for this technique. However, I do like to mix things up a bit. Instead of one paper pack, I chose 3: Dandy Designs (FREE during Sale-A-Bration with a $100 order), Delicate Desert and Enjoy The Journey. The color and patterns I chose worked really well together too.

Stack Shuffle Repeat with Designer Series Paper Technique
Notice how the patterns rotate positions? This is part of the Stack Shuffle Repeat process.

Waffle Cones And Cherries

The sweetest thing about this card, next to the designer series paper arrangement, is the delicious looking and very realistic paper waffle cones. Did you notice they almost form a heart as they are grouped together? I used the Layering Circles Dies to create a Vellum scallop and Petal Pink layer as backdrop for my waffle treats.

You will be able to quickly and easily create waffle cones just like this with the Share A Milkshake Dies. There is very little stamping involved, since the dies really do all the hard work for you. You just need the right color cardstock (I used Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla and Early Espresso). And to detail your waffle cones, add like-color ink with a sponge dauber.

I think the best color for the cherries is Cherry Cobbler, of course! I used a scrap of Very Vanilla cardstock to stamp on before die cutting. And watch for the tip I shared in class on lining up the stamp from the Share A Milkshake Stamp Set with the coordinating die.

Get Your Share A Milkshake 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 your card kits, click here.

I will be sharing more cards from the Share A Milkshake Bundle as this week goes on, so be sure to check back here or follow me, The Maine Stamper, on FaceBook. I would love to know what you think of this fantastic card!

Country Bouquet Heart Flower

Hearts And Flowers, Oh My

My Country Bouquet Heart Flower card is the third and final card featuring the Country Bouquet Bundle from my Weekly Card Class From ME! To qualify to receive 6 card kits (2 each of the 3 designs I shared during my online class) for FREE from me featuring the Country Bouquet Bundle, just place an order of $35 (before shipping and tax) in my online stamping store using Host Code NAQEENPK. When you spend over $50, you get a Sale-A-Bration item and a FREE pack of embellishments from me too.

I saved this cheery Country Bouquet Heart Flower card in Sweet Sorbet for last because it is easy and fun to make. In fact, the red heart and green leaves you see in the image above are simply punched from paper.

You read that right, punched from the Country Floral Lane Designer Series Paper with the Country Bouquet Punch. I love when pretty paper lines up perfectly for dies and punches. But, when the paper runs out, you will still have the Country Bouquet Stamp Set to continue to create the same great imagery for future punching.

The Amazing Country Bouquet Bundle

Country Bouquet Bundle

Along with the fabulous cards in my Weekly Card Class From ME, I have been sharing Bonus Cards (come back tomorrow to see all of those!) and this bundle is making its debut in my brand new Cardmaker Collective Club. The January class kits are designed around more hearts and flowers. Need the sign up link or more info on my new club, click here.

Cards from the January Cardmaker Collective Club kits

Gorgeous Hearts, Flowers and Paper

This fabulous Country Bouquet Heart Flower card features 3 packs of designer series paper…yes 3! The punched heart pieces come from the Country Floral Lane DSP pack. The adorable gingham paper is from the Country Gingham 6 x 6″ DSP pack. And lastly, the fun stripe paper is a freebie paper pack, Dandy Designs, yours with a $100 qualifying order during Sale-A-Bration.

The fun and whimsical paper designs also anchor all the cardstock colors in this great Country Bouquet card. The card base and Stitched Greenery Die embossed layer are Sweet Sorbet, an In Color that runs a shade red, past pink. Mint Macaron and Fresh Freesia play a minor role to the red, but are very supportive colors in this mix.

Time Is Running Out To Get Your Weekly Card Kits

I know you have been enjoying the parade of pretty cards featuring the Country Bouquet Bundle this week. But all good things must come to an end. And the last day to place a qualifying order to get these card kits is Friday, January 6 at midnight. So hop on that order, your card kits are waiting.

Need a little more incentive to fall in love with the Country Bouquet Bundle? Come back tomorrow for one last look at more cards that will inspire you!