Medium Daisy Punch - The Maine Stamper

Alternate Friendly Gnomes Cards

January 26, 2023

Gnome Or Not?

Are you looking for alternate Friendly Gnomes Cards? Or are you already missing the Friendly Gnomes?

The Friendly Gnomes Stamp Set and coordinating Gnomes Dies were the focus of my weekly Card Class From ME. But, not everyone loves gnomes…gasp! That’s why I came up with alternate Friendly Gnomes cards.

Now, if you are a gnome fan, you have probably watched my card class (or click here to check it out!). You may have seen all my cards this week featuring the Friendly Gnomes (check out my latest blog post here!). You are probably ready to buy the Friendly Gnome Stamp Set and Gnomes Dies to get my Gnome Card Class for FREE (Need all the details? Click here!).

Gnome-less Cards

Sometimes it is hard to imagine my designed cards to be anything other than what they look like when I demo them. You may see me make a card showcasing a gnome, and think that the card has to have a gnome on it.

I am here to prove that wrong, with my alternate Friendly Gnome Cards. Let’s take a look at the exact same “gnome card kits” and other options when it comes to card making, just in case you don’t want to make gnome cards.

Alternate Card #1

Purple is always a great choice in cardmaking, whether you are using gnomes or not! My first card from my Friendly Gnomes Card Class also featured the Floating Eclipse Technique. Check out the post here.

Once I took the gnome out of the picture, I replaced him with an awesome sentiment. This one comes from the Covered In Sunshine Stamp Set. I used the same piece of White Cardstock from the kit to stamp my words in Blackberry Bliss Ink.

FUN FACT: The day I made this card was not a Covered In Sunshine kind of Maine day. We had 17″ of snow while I was stamping away in my craft room.

I did pull additional cardstock in White, Crushed Curry, Old Olive and Blackberry Bliss to create the flower and leaves for my alternate card (not part of the original card kit). Some of my favorite punches are the Medium Daisy and Bough Punches!

Alternate Card #2

I was really excited to share this alternate card! This one really is all about the designer series paper. In fact, I flipped the original design with the Calypso Coral and Fresh Freesia flowers over from my gnome card, to show off the yellow print on the opposite side for my gnome-less card.

Another wonderful feature about this card is that the Favored Flowers DSP is a FREEBIE during Sale-A-Bration, and I pulled my large flower elements from this pack. During my live demo, I shared that the coordinating Fragrant Flowers Dies help you make quick work of creating instant art, when you die cut the bold and beautiful images from the paper.

Favored Flowers DSP and Fragrant Flowers Bundle.

Alternate Card #3

I didn’t have to work too hard to switch up this card from one with gnomes to one without. Because I wanted to keep this one “birthday themed”, I chose the Framed Florets Stamp Set to use for a sentiment pull-piece. I added a flower and leaf stamp too, but this is hidden inside the Mini Envelope Pocket in this picture.

To see more on my original magical gnome birthday card, click here.

Get Your Friendly Gnomes Card Class From ME

While my Friendly Gnome Card Class is coming to an end, there is still a little time left for you to earn your card kits for FREE. Once you get them home, you decide if they will have gnomes on them…or not!

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 just a few more cards featuring the Friendly Gnomes. Be sure to check back here or follow me, The Maine Stamper, on FaceBook for more card making inspiration. And look forward to another great card class coming in the week ahead!

Something Fancy Bonus Cards

January 20, 2023

As I round out the week of the Something Fancy Bundle, I would like to share a few “bonus” cards! These are cards made with the bundle from my Weekly Card Class From ME, but are not part of the FREE card kits with purchase. They are simply more inspiration and card making ideas you may love.

Not sure how you can cash in on FREE card kits? Click here to get all the good details.

Flowers & More Designer Series Paper

I have been enjoying the Flowers & More Host DSP during my Something Fancy weekly card class. So I had to pull it out again for my bonus cards. This time I kept 2 things similar for each of these 4 very different cards:

A Thick White Card Base
A DSP layer that measured 3 x 4″ originally.

Bonus Card #1, With Sympathy

It is a sad fact of life that we make more sympathy cards than we would like to. The Something Fancy Stamp Set is rich in sentiments, (this post will tell you more about this stamp set!). And the sentiment that sends our deepest sympathy is a lovely one.

What I love about the Something Fancy Dies is that they are sized to layer or nest together. This way, you can have an outline like the one I used in my sympathy card.

I chose Sahara Sand, Crushed Curry and Early Espresso as my neutral colors for this card. I used the Bough Punch for 2 vellum leaves, and the Enamel Dot Essentials for subtle embellishments. My 3 x 4″ dsp is cut into thirds in length for this card.

Bonus Card #2, Happily Ever After

And they lived happily ever after! That is the best ending to a story. Now let’s talk about the story of how I made this card. I wanted a bright and fun pattern of designer series paper to start with. Next, I pulled colors from my dsp, like Tahitian Tide and Fresh Freesia to compliment it.

This time, I left my 3 x 4″ piece of dsp whole, but canted it at an angle. I continued to use angles for most of the card front elements. The Medium Daisy Punch is one of my favorite go-to’s when I need something quick and simple to add to a card.

After playing with these tag dies from the Something Fancy Dies the other day, I wanted to try a different topper cut out. In fact, I had some fun adding different colors of ink to my tags as well. I began with Crumb Cake Cardstock, added a little Tahitian Tide, then finished with Craft White Ink for an aged patina look.

Bonus Card #3, Everyday Magic

For my third bonus card, I wanted to use the sentiment “grateful for the everyday magic of you”. With a saying like that, this card had to also be a little…magical! Again, I kept my 3 x 4″ dsp fully intact.

With the red rubber style of the Something Fancy Stamp Set, the technique I used on my sentiment works perfectly! First, I inked the entire sentiment in Crushed Curry Ink. Next, I added Pumpkin Pie Ink to the middle portion of the stamp with a Sponge Dauber. Lastly, I added Sweet Sorbet Ink in the same manner.

The result of my stamped sentiment is a little magical, don’t you think?

Bonus Card #4, Good You Do

My last bonus card using the Something Fancy Bundle and Flowers & More DSP is the most monotone. I wanted green to go with my “good” style sentiment, and I did not add in additional colors.

Just like the other card bases in this series of cards, I chose white. I cut my 3 x 4″ dsp in half and placed it on my card sideways on a layer of Granny Apple Green Cardstock.

While using the dies from the Something Fancy Die Set, I chose the group of 3 that nest together. Because I wanted my sentiment die cut to be white so that I could stamp on it, I needed the middle die cut to be Granny Apple Green to match the other color of this card. That left the largest die to be white as well, which worked perfectly as a pop against the green background.

Something Fancy About All These Cards

I hope you have enjoyed my Something Fancy cards this week! If you missed other cards from this class, click this link to see the latest. You can also watch my class video by clicking here. Hurry, if you would like the Something Fancy Card Kits for FREE, time is running out!

I would love to know which card was your favorite this week. Be sure to come back and see me next week for another Card Class From ME.

Share A Milkshake Specialty Cards

January 13, 2023

Bonus cards from the Share A Milkshake Card Class

Share A Milkshake Card Class Bonus Cards

All week I have been sharing cards from my weekly Card Class From ME, featuring the Share A Milkshake Bundle. You can view the card assembly process here.

I also like to create a few “bonus” card ideas that are not part of the class kits in the mail. These additional clever cards are meant to inspire you further with the bundle of the week.

Life Is Sweeter With Wafer Cones

My Life Is Sweeter With You Wafer Cone card is one that I CASED from the January-April 2023 Mini Catalog. It features an old fashioned wafer cone, made with Pale Papaya Cardstock. I added a little like color ink along the edges to give my cone some depth. And did you notice the gold embossed sentiment on my Vellum layer? Just divine.

Slimline Ice Cream Mountain Card

And if you are looking for an over-the-top kind of card, go slimline! This funky style allows you to add ice cream a mile high…or at least it feels that way. I made sure to tip some of my scoops to the side, like a large pile of teetering ice cream should look.

I covered the “slot” on each scoop (meant to hold a spoon or straw) by die cutting additional like color cardstock and adhering them to the large scoops. This time I heat embossed my sentiment in White Embossing Powder, and placed my words carefully on the fountain glass.

Life Is Sweeter With Lots Of Color Choices

My Color Swap Card in greens was a change from a card done in blues. It was featured fully on a post from yesterday. You can view that article here.

Share A Milkshake Card Class Alternate Cards

Alternate cards from the Share A Milkshake Card Class

Not Share A Milkshake Bundle Cards

While my card kits are heavy on ice cream this week, I realize not everyone wants this frosty treat on their cards. But did you know you don’t have to use my featured bundle, Share A Milkshake, to create beautiful cards?

When you get my weekly Card Class From ME, I provide the card kits and you choose what you want to stamp with from your supplies at home. Most of the elements of each kit are already punched, embossed or die cut (minus the items from the featured bundle) and you will get cardstock to work with as well. This is your opportunity to change it up!

Here is a look at some “alternate” ideas of what you could create with this week’s class kits:

Happy Birthday Card with Stack Shuffle Repeat

For my first card, I used the same Stack Shuffle Repeat process with the designer series paper. Want to see more on the original card? Click here. The elements of my alternate card are the same as my waffle cone card, I just used less of the paper provided.

I flipped the placement of the Vellum scallop die cut and Petal Pink circle die cut, stamping on the later. I chose the stamp set, Lovely & Lasting for all the imagery on my alternate card. This stamp set is bundled with the Lasting Label Punch, featured on both cards in Very Vanilla Cardstock.

Pretty In Purple

Once again I kept the card kit intact and only used papers included in it for my alternate purple themed card. Instead of a soda fountain drink, complete with straws, I swapped in a simple daisy.

I used the Medium Daisy Punch for 2 white punched pieces. And I just had to add a little Fresh Freesia Ink with a sponge dauber to the tips of the petals.

The specialty papers on this card add a bit of flair without being too blingy. If you would like more information on the original soda fountain card, click here.

So Blue Without You

There are 2 things that are sweet: thinking of you and ice cream. Why not have both? When you get my weekly Card Class From ME, you receive 2 card kits for each of 3 original designs. It is easy to create duplicates that are exact, but even more fun to switch things up!

I kept my alternate card quite simple for this change-up. You may notice that I chose to stamp on the white Basic Border die cut piece. I also turned the direction of the die cut design. Once again, all my stamping on this alternate card came from the Lovely & Lasting Stamp Set.

Last Call For Your Share A Milkshake Card Class Kits

All good things come to an end, like ice cream and card class kits. Hurry to place your qualifying order to receive the Share A Milkshake Card Class kits before it is too late. Get more information on how to do so here.

I hope you have had a good fill of ice cream with me this week! Come back to see my next featured bundle and another amazing card class. I would love to have your stamping company.

2018-2020 Retiring In Color, Pineapple Punch

April 16, 2020

Retirement Time For Pineapple Punch

Stampin’ Up! offers trendy In Color collections that are only available for two years. After two short years of use, the In Colors, like Pineapple Punch, are retired to make way for new colors. This gives us a fresh palette of popular hues to work with.

In April, the retired list comes out. This list includes all the products that will not be available in the new Annual Catalog, which is released in June. “Get them before they’re gone” and “while supplies last” is often heard during April and May.

And every year, we have to say goodbye to five In Colors. Whether we are ready to, or not. Some of the colors are so fabulous, we hope to see them in Stampin’ Up!’s color line-up in the future, if we are so lucky, during an infrequent color refresh.

This year, we are bidding a fond farewell to the following 2018-2020 In Colors: Lovely Lipstick, Grapefruit Grove, Pineapple Punch, Call Me Clover and Blueberry Bushel.

Punchy Pineapple

So Saffron (left), Pineapple Punch (center), Daffodil Delight (right)

Pineapple Punch is a bright, vibrant color. Like, really vibrant. We are talking neon, safety-vest yellow here. And, full disclosure, Pineapple is my least favorite of the retiring In Colors. Or…maybe it was...I may have just changed my mind.

This yellow is so outspoken it can be hard to figure out how or where to use it. After all, how much loud yellow is too much loud yellow? Yet, when I sat down to incorporate the retiring Pineapple Punch into some creations, I found its sweet spot.

Timeless Tropical

Timeless Tropcial card in Pineapple Punch

Pineapple Punch…the name of this color deems it necessary to create pineapples with it! I pulled out the new stamp set, Timeless Tropical, and coordinating dies, In The Tropics, both from the January-June 2020 Mini Catalog, for this card.

I used Pineapple Punch for the cardbase, then layered a piece of Lovely Lipstick and Coastal Weave 3D embossed Crumb Cake as well. Using my Banner Punch, I flagged a piece of designer series paper from the Tropical Oasis collection. Next, I flagged old olive cardstock as well. All of these elements help to tone down this card, while keeping it tropical.

The pineapple was die cut in Pineapple Punch, then adhered to another scrap of the same color. I then fussy cut around the image, keeping the cutout pineapple in front and the solid cardstock in back. I sponged my pineapple with Old Olive and Soft Suede. The greens were made by die-cutting Old Olive, and sponging the tips with Garden Green.

Winds Of Change

If you have been following my blog or FaceBook page, you may know that I love stamping with tulips! When the Winds of Change Stamp Set became available, and it featured tulips, I had to have it. Yellow tulips seem very natural, so here they are using my Pineapple Punch theme.

This time I limited the color selection to Pineapple Punch, Whisper White and Basic Black. Even though the windmill image could have been colored in, I purposefully left it, along with the sky and grass, in black and white. I wanted the focus to be only yellow.

After stamping the images using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, I used my Stampin’ Blends in both Light and Dark Pineapple Punch to color the flowers. Simple, quick and effective. Additionally, I used some retired 2018-2020 In Color DSP for a striped background. The Rhinestone Basic Jewels do not add color, but enhance this card’s elegant simplicity.

Daisy Lane

When you think of daisies, you usually picture white and yellow flowers, right? Pineapple Punch is yellow, but I wanted something a little different for this card. So then, Balmy Blue and Granny Apple Green were invited to the party.

This card, like my Grapefruit Grove Fox Card, has two layers on it that are embossed. I used Brick and Mortar 3D on Pineapple Punch, and Scripty 3D on Granny Apple Green. I stamped the sentiment using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink directly onto the retired 2018-2020 DSP, then flagged and layered it onto Balmy Blue cardstock.

Daisy Delight and Daisy Lane are two different stamp sets that work with coordinating punches, Daisy and Medium Daisy. I stamped, and also stamped off, every other layer of the flower, using Balmy Blue on Whisper White Cardstock. The daisy center was stamped in Pineapple Punch Ink onto the same color cardstock, then punched out with my 1/2″ circle punch.

I stamped the flower stem and leaves using Granny Apple Green Ink on Whisper White Cardstock before die cutting with the Stictched So Sweetly rectangle. This way, I was able to slip some of the yellow brick cardstock beneath the raised rectangle when assembling. Pineapple Punch enamel dots from Happiness Blooms (aptly named) add embellishment.

Peace Out, Pineapple Punch

As I mentioned above, working with this color intimidated me. Until I sat down and put creative thought and color coordination together, I was not a huge fan of this extreme yellow. Now that we are getting along okay, I am sad to see it go!

It is not too late to get some of the wonderful products still available in Pineapple Punch, but time is running out fast. If you pick up an ink pad, please purchase the ink refill too. You will stamp far into the future without the ink pad going dry.

While you are in my online store, https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net, make sure you consider the Stampin’ Blends in Pineapple Punch, as well as cardstock and embellishments. This wild yellow will put a smile on your face as you use it on your next project!