Monday Card - The Maine Stamper

Forever Fern Stamp Set In Just Jade

August 25, 2020

Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be

Card made with the Forever Ferm Stamp Set

Monday’s are hard, but in this card making series, I will show you that stamping shouldn’t be. In fact, it’s quite easy. And with minimal supplies and minimal efforts, you can get fabulous results!

Forever Fern Stamp Set

Today’s Monday Card features the Forever Fern Stamp Set. This fantastic stamp set is the cornerstone of the Forever Greenery Suite from Stampin’ Up!. If you would like to see another project that features nature and the color green, click here.

You can purchase the Forever Fern Stamp Set as a bundle with the Forever Flourishing Dies and save 10%. However, since we are using minimal supplies, this Monday Card only uses the stamp set.

Forever Fern Stamp Set and Forever Flourishing Dies — Forever Fern Bundle, item #154094

That’s right, one stamp set, Forever Fern, two ink pads, Bermuda Bay and Mint Macaron, and two colors of cardstock, Just Jade and Whisper White. Please follow along!

A Monday Card

The Card Recipe

Just Jade CS: 5-1/2 x 8-1/2″, score at 4-1/4″ for card base.

Just Jade CS: 2-3/4 x 2-3/4″

Whisper White CS: 4 x 5 1/4″ (for inside, optional)

Whisper White CS: 4 x 4″, 1 x 4″, 2-1/2 x 2-1/2″

Stamp And Assemble

This Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be Card starts out with the typical “fold in half” and score with your bone folder to get a great crisp card base. Let’s not break tradition.

However, my TIP to you is to score once, invert the fold and score again. Your inner crease is now as crisp as the outer one. This makes for a professional looking card base!

Create Your Own Designer Series Paper

With the minimal supplies used in this card, we are not adding designer series paper to it. We are making our own! This great background pattern can be used with any stamp sets you own that contain flowers or leaves.

To begin, I used the largest fern stamp from the Forever Fern Stamp Set and Bermuda Bay Ink on the 4 x 4″ piece of Whisper White CS. I stamped the image once, then immediately stamped off next to it, to create the second generation or shadow stamp. I continued this in a circular pattern, turning my cardstock as I stamped.

Stmping the largest fern from the Forever Fern Stamp Set

Once I completed stamping the large fern in a full circle, my cardstock looked like this:

But, don’t worry about the messy middle, we will be covering that part up as we continue.

Next, however, I continued with this piece and stamped the smallest leaves from the Forever Fern Stamp Set in Mint Macaron around the outside edges.

Stamping the smallest ferns from the Forever Fern Stamp Set

Berry Detailed

I continued the great use of color and background stamping on the 1 x 4″ piece of Whisper White CS. For this, I used the berry sprig stamp from the Forever Fern Stamp Set.

By focusing on the middle of the berry sprig, I was able to get 4-5 images across my cardstock. The stamps in the Forever Fern Stamp Set are Dist-Ink-tive, and have built in high and low imagery in the red rubber for great depth and interest.

Stamping the berry sprig stamp from the Forever Fern Stamp Set

Sentimental Friend

I used the sentiment “to a friend that makes me smile” from the Forever Fern Stamp Set, along with Mint Macaron Ink, on the 2-1/2 x 2-1/2″ square of Whisper White CS.

The saying is written in cursive, at a slight slant. Because we are also stamping it at a diagonal orientation, getting it lined up “evenly” can be tricky. I used the lines in my grid paper to help me out.

Stamping the sentiment from the Forever Fern Stamp Set

If this small fern stamp used to add a border around my sentiment in Bermuda Bay looks familiar, you are not seeing double. There are 2 stamps in the Forever Fern Stamp Set that are this same size. Each one curves in a different direction. It will not matter which one you use.

Some Assembly Required

The stamping is complete for the outside of our card, now we are on to assembling it. And, this one couldn’t get much easier!

I started by adhering the 4 x 4″ stamped piece of Whisper White CS to the front of my card base. I left a quarter inch of Just Jade showing behind the top and sides. Next, I adhered the 1 x 4″ stamped piece of Whisper White CS to the bottom of my card base.

After adhering my sentiment piece to the 2-3/4 x 2-3/4″ Just Jade CS, I placed it in the middle of my 4 x 4″ Whisper White CS on the diagonal. This will cover up the messy middle stamping, as mentioned earlier.

The Insider Job

Your card is beautiful on the outside, now lets make it pretty inside too! I like to mimic some of the outer stamping into a corner of the inside card. This way the card has continuity and there is still lots of room to add your own sentiment or written thoughts.

Here, I partially stamped the large fern image in Bermuda Bay Ink in the bottom corner to add that inside interest. I surrounded the large fern with the tops of the smallest fern, done in Mint Macaron.

Inside card stamping using Forever Fern Stamp Set

Color Changing Options

With a card recipe this easy and fun, it only made sense to me to create it in different color combinations.

The purple lovers card on the left is done in warm berry tones, with a Rich Razzleberry card base, and Blackberry Bliss and Soft Suede Ink.

For my fall inspired card on the right, I chose a Cajun Craze card base. The ink colors used in this alternate card are Cherry Cobbler and Cinnamon Cider.

Christmas Card made with the Forever Fern Stamp Set

And how about a Christmas Card using the Forever Fern Stamp Set? These stamps are versatile enough to do so, and this card recipe makes creating them in large quantities a breeze.

Here, I used a Cherry Cobbler card base along with Shaded Spruce and Cherry Cobbler Ink. The sentiment “a merry hello” comes from the Host Stamp Set titled A Merry Hello. The stamp “heartfelt Christmas” would have worked beautifully here as well. Ask me today how you can earn this stamp set for free!

Get Stamping!

I hope you enjoyed making this easy card on a hard Monday with me. My video tutorial can be found on my FaceBook page, as well as my YouTube channel. If you need any supplies for this card, please feel free to visit my online store at any time. See you next Monday for another installment of:

Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be!

Slimline Zany Zebra Card

August 17, 2020

Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be

Today’s Monday card is a little bit different! I am combining the latest fad, Slimline Cards, with easy Monday stamping. And to help me out, I called upon some adorable zebras for my Slimline Zany Zebra Card.

Minimal supplies for this Slimline Zany Zebra Card include one stamp set, Zany Zebras, and one ink pad, Memento Black Ink. The cardstock colors are black and white, and for fun I mixed in lots of colorful scraps. This card is a great way to use up some of your stash in style!

A Monday Card

Slimline Card Recipe

Basic Black CS: 8-1/2 x 7″, score 7″ side at 3-1/2″

Basic Black CS: 5/8 x 2″

Whisper White CS: 8-1/4 x 3-1/4″ x 2 (one for inside)

Whisper White CS: 2-1/4 x 2-1/2″ (x 3), 1/2 x 1-7/8″

Multi Color CS: 2-1/2 x 2-3/4″ (x 3), 3/4 x 3/4″ (x 6), scraps for hats

Slimline Card Base Tips

To create a slimline card base, you need cardstock sized 8-1/2 x 7″. The easiest way to accomplish this is to cut 4″ off the 11″ end of your 8-1/2 x 11″ sheet of paper. That way you won’t need to “open up” your paper trimmer to get past the typical 6″ of measurement.

Cutting cardstock for the slimline card base

Next, you will need to fold the base in half. I find it best to keep the paper in my trimmer as oriented and cut above, and score at 3-1/2″. You can also use your bone folder to fold and burnish your card base. Just make sure it is the 7″ side you are folding in half.

Let’s Get Stamping!

This easy Monday Slimline Zany Zebra Card only uses one ink color, black, so it is easy to stamp everything at once. I started by stamping each of the three zebra images from the Zany Zebra Stamp Set onto pieces of 2-1/4 x 2-1/2″ Whisper White CS. The 2-1/4″ width is the top and the 2-1/2″ length is the side.

While the ink is still out, I stamped my sentiment, “kick up your heels!” onto the 1/2 x 1-7/8″ Whisper White CS. There are 4 additional sentiments in the Zany Zebra Stamp Set to choose from.

Additional stamping with the Zany Zebra Stamp Set

I also used some colorful cardstock scraps to make party hats. After stamping my hats, I used my Paper Snips to fussy cut them. This is not as hard as it looks, and I was able to do it quickly.

Assemble With Ease

Now it is time for the assembly process. I started by adhering one of the 8-1/4 x 3-1/4″ Whisper White panels to the front of the card base. Next, I adhered my stamped sentiment to the 5/8 x 2″ piece of Basic Black CS, giving it a matted look.

I also attached each stamped zany zebra to a piece of colorful 2-1/2 x 2-3/4″ cardstock. In my sample card, I used Daffodil Delight, Gorgeous Grape and Granny Apple Green. After dry fitting the zebras to the front of my card, I glued them in place.

Assembling layers for the Slimline Colorful Zany Zebra card

Enhancing With Color

Because my Slimline Zany Zebra Card is mostly black and white, I wanted to add color thru my use of cardstock. I chose this option rather than a coloring medium like watercolor pencils, markers or even additional ink pads. It is a great way to use up small scraps!

For every 3/4 x 3/4″ colorful scrap, I was able to get 2 perfect triangle corners. I used my Paper Snips to cut directly from one point diagonally to the opposite corner. By cutting in one complete motion, you will have a better opportunity to get straight and even triangles.

Creating triangle accent pieces with coloful cardstock for the Slimline Zany Zebra Card — For this card I used Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay, Flirty Flamingo, Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Balmy Blue Cardstock.

I added 2 triangle colors to each of my zany zebra pieces, keeping the same color in opposite corners. It is best to play around and find the color combination you prefer before you start permanently adhering them. And this is good advice in regards to the zebra party hats as well!

The last thing I added to the card front was the sentiment piece. I placed glue adhesive on the triangles it rests on, instead of the entire back of the sentiment surface. Because the sentiment sits up on the triangles, not all of the back of it touches the card base.

The Insider Job

You may know that I like to continue stamping on the inside of my cards, bringing continuity from the front. For the slimline style cards, there is plenty of room on the inside to stamp!

Stamping Zany Zebras on the inside of the card

Here, I chose one of the zany zebras to stamp. I also added some small stars in the upper corner, and squiggly ground next to my zebra’s hooves. Earlier, I had cut out quite a variety of party hats, so one of my “left-overs” worked perfectly for my inside zebra.

Inside card stamping and envelope stamping using Zany Zebras stamp set

Don’t forget to give your envelope some love! The slimline cards fit well into a regular business size envelope (the envelope measures the standard 4.13 x 9.5″). This gives great appeal to slimline cards, as the envelopes are so easy to come by. I simply raided my office supplies for mine.

Mail A Slimline Card Today

Slimline cards are really easy to make. Perhaps the allure is the different shape to work with, long and rectangular. As card artists, we seem to enjoy mixing it up whenever we can.

Out of curiosity, and because I like to make a hefty card with lots of layers, I pulled out my scale to weigh my card in it’s envelope. This slimline card just made the weight limit for one first class postage stamp. If you add any additional elements to my recipe above, you may need additional postage.

Slimline Options

There are lots of options when it comes to a slimline card profile. Slimline cards are very on trend right now, so a quick search will yield you tons of ideas. I took this same card recipe and changed it up a bit, myself.

As you can see in my autumn card, the recipe is the same, minus the corner pieces. I swapped out the layer of Whisper White CS for Gilded Autumn Specialty Designer Series Paper (item #153520). I added die cut leaves (Gathered Leaves Dies, item #150662) using Brushed Metallic CS (item #153524), Embroidered Ribbon (item #153554) and Metallic Pearls (item #146282). Finally, I heat embossed the sentiment from the Gather Together Stamp Set (item #150589) in Gold Embossing Powder (item #109129).

Slimline Inspiration

I hope my Monday card (and alternate card) have inspired you to try making a slimline card as well. My video tutorial can be found on my FaceBook page, as well as my YouTube channel.

As always, my online store is open at any time to get the supplies you need to create beautiful projects in your own craft room. Be sure to share what you love to make with others!

And see you next Monday for another installment of: Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be. We will continue to explore easy cards for the hardest day of the week!

Ornamental Gift Card Holder Card

August 10, 2020

Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be

Monday’s are hard, but in this cardmaking series, I will show you that stamping shouldn’t be. In fact, it’s quite easy. And with minimal supplies and minimal efforts, you can get fabulous results! But…

Today’s Monday Card changes things up a bit. Instead of my usual recipe for one stamp set, two colors of ink and two colors of cardstock, for our gift card holder card we are using more!

How much more? For starters, an extra stamp set. I used Ornamental Envelopes and Itty Bitty Birthdays. I also used Designer Series Paper from the Brights Collection. And, to top it off, the Envelopes Dies and a Big Shot die cutting machine.

Easy???

Yes. This gift card holder card is still easy. In fact, you could make it without the dies. You could use whatever colors of cardstock and ink you prefer. You could change up the designer series paper (DSP). All you need is the basic recipe!

The Gift Card Holder Card Recipe

Melon Mambo CS: 4-1/4 x 11″, score at 5-1/2″ for card base.

Whisper White CS: 4 x 5-1/4″, (2) of 3 x 4″, 3/4 x 3″, scrap

DSP: 2-3/4 x 4″, 2 x 3″

Card Base Basics

The card base for this gift card holder card is not standard. It may be hard to break the habit of cutting your cardstock in half horizontally. After cutting the paper to 4-1/4 x 11″ (portrait orientation), score the 11″ length in half at 5-1/2″.

Next, you will need to cut 2-1/4″ off of one end of the cardstock. You can save this piece for another use, we won’t need it for this card.

Die Cutting Effects

This gift card holder card takes advantage of the Envelopes Dies to create our pocket for the gift card. I used the smallest of the envelope liner dies and some DSP to create my pocket.

Next, I used my Paper Snips to trim away the excess flap. I folded the top of my liner down and scored the edge with my bone folder to finish creating my pocket. The polka dot pattern remains on the outside (bottom), and the faded pattern shows at the top.

Additionally, I used an accent die from the Envelopes Dies to create a cut-away border on the top and bottom of one of the 3 x 4″ pieces of Whisper White CS.

Simple Stamping

My Monday Cards require as much simpleness as possible. For this gift card holder card, I only used one color of ink, Melon Mambo for my sample, and Bermuda Bay in my video tutorial.

I started with the remaining piece of 3 x 4″ Whisper White CS, and stamped in both upper corners with a stamp from the Ornamental Envelopes Stamp Set. I added an additional accent stamp in the top middle too. Next, I stamped my sentiment from the Itty Bitty Birthdays Stamp Set on the 3/4 x 3″ white cs.

Adding stamped images to the smaller panel

On the 4 x 5-1/4″ piece of Whisper White CS, I made sure to stamp on the edge that would be revealed when the card is in the closed position. I chose “it’s your day!” from the Itty Bitty Birthdays Stamp Set, and completed the look with the confetti stamp from Ornamental Envelopes.

And Repeat

The last bit of stamping also requires the last bit of die cutting. I stamped the trio flower stamp from the Ornamental Envelopes Stamp Set onto a scrap of white cs. Lastly, I die cut it with the coordinating die from the Envelopes Dies. The die cuts out 3 individual flowers!

Cutting the trio of flowers using the Envelopes Dies

Quick Assembly

The gift card holder card goes together easily! For the front, I layered the die cut Whisper White piece, the 2 x 3″ DSP and the sentiment piece, in that order.

Front of gift card holder card, assembled

I placed the stamped 3 x 4″ Whisper White piece on the backside of the card front. Then, I carefully added adhesive to only the outer sides and bottom edge of my die cut pocket.

Glue adhesive on the back pocket of the gift card holder

I added this gift card pocket to the bottom of the white panel, making sure there was room to add a gift card. If you use too much glue or tape adhesive, the gift card will not fit in the slot.

Assembled inside panel of gift card holder card, with pocket — I added a small drop of Tombow Liquid Glue to the pocket flap to hold it down. Next, I glued on the largest of my die cut flowers as an accent piece.

The large 4 x 5-1/4″ Whisper White panel needs to be adhered to the gift card holder card base, and assembly is complete! All that remains is adding a gift card and gifting this card away!

Gift Cards Galore

Gift cards remain a popular choice, and sticking one willy-nilly into a card creates awkward moments when the recipient opens it. This gift card holder card gives you the option to secure your gift card, and make the present far more ‘presentable’!

I hope you enjoyed this stepped up version of a Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be Card. If you would like to watch my video tutorial on assembling this card from start to finish, you will find it on my FaceBook Page or YouTube Channel.

And if you need any supplies to create this great card, head over to my online store, where you will be sure to find everything and then some! Tune in next week for more quick and easy Monday style stamping with me!