Tutorials And Techniques Archives - PageThe Maine Stamper

Ornamental Envelopes Part II

August 5, 2020

Envelopes For Every Occasion

For those of us who take the time to make a homemade card, it is no effort to create a beautiful envelope to go with it. Many times, I do this by simply stamping images on my envelope that coordinate with my card.

But what if you want to take it up a notch? Really make something special? Stampin’ Up! has you covered, with their Envelopes Dies (item #153531), new to the August-December 2020 Mini Catalog.

Envelope Liners: New Vs. Old

Let’s take a moment to recall the old Envelope Liners from Stampin’ Up!. They appeared in the Holiday Catalog in 2013 as a set of 3 framelits for $26.95.

When you compare the old Envelope Liners (3 dies for $27!) and the new Envelopes Dies (12 dies for $36!), the value of today’s offering is phenomenal.

The new Envelopes Dies not only give you 4 different envelope sizes, the dies are designed with an open end so you can also choose the amount of paper you want to use when creating the depth of your liner. And these dies make more than just liners too!

Die Cut Envelope Flaps

In Part I of my mini series on the Ornamental Envelopes, I covered the basics of using the Envelopes Dies to create beautiful liners. I also shared a handy measurement chart for each envelope liner size.

Today, I have moved on to experimenting with the die cuts that create peek-thru elements on envelope flaps. There are 3 different dies that are designed to do this, and the results of each are very unique.

The Splashy Spray

I started with the largest of the Envelope Dies accent die. I placed it evenly on my open envelope flap before die cutting it.

Die cutting the envelope with the Envelopes Dies

This will cut into the gummed adhesive on the envelope, but only slightly. You may need to keep this in mind when securing the envelope shut, and add a little extra adhesive of your own.

Envelope flap that was die cut using the Envelopes Dies

Now for the hard part: choosing the Designer Series Paper that will work perfectly with your Envelope Dies. Because DSP is double sided, and both sides will show when you are lining an envelope with a cut-away, you must carefully select your paper!

Choosing DSP for the Envelopes Dies liner — Since I am using this envelope for a Christmas themed card, I chose Heartwarming Hugs DSP (item #153492). The inside will show the red stripes, and the outside cut-away will show the green design. Both colors will coordinate with my card nicely.

I used the same technique as shown in Part I of my Ornamental Envelopes post to dry fit the DSP into the envelope. Next I carefully fold the envelope flap forward, and score the flap and DSP at the same time.

Scoring the envelope flap and liner using a bone folder

As I indicated in my basic envelope post, I like to remove the DSP and use my bone folder to burnish the creased edge once more. This will give the paper a clean bend and make it easier to close the envelope flap nicely.

Using the bone folder to further burnish the crease in the envelope liner

Finally, it is time to adhere the envelope liner into the envelope. For a basic liner, it is okay to add adhesive anywhere on the liner flap. In this case, we have a cut-away to consider. Therefore, glue is the best adhesive choice, and using it sparingly and properly really matters.

Adding adhesive to the envelope liner — I added a small line of Tombow Liquid Glue around the outside of the envelope liner. Then, I carefully added small dots of glue on the envelope flap itself, focusing on the tiny paper surrounding the detailed cut-away sections. There is a fine balance between enough glue to secure your project and too much glue that globs and overflows.

The last step I took after adding adhesive was to close the envelope flap onto the DSP. Here, I made sure the completed look was achieved.

Envelope Cut-away, closed — When closed, the green DSP peeks thru fashionably.

Envelope Dies liner in envelope — When opened, the red stripes add great interest.

The Doily Border

This cut-away die from the Envelopes Dies is similar to the splashy spray die. However, it is much smaller in stature. DSP will still show thru the envelope flap, but in tiny increments.

Using a cut away die and liner die from the Envelopes DIes

For this envelope, I wanted to try the large scallop edge to create a solid border too. I used Real Red CS to coordinate with my DSP colors.

The scallop edge die from the Envelopes Dies

I kept the CS the same length as the die, then trimmed it to fit the width of my envelope. For this version of my ornamental envelope, I chose to adhere the scallop edge to the envelope instead of the flap.

Open version of envelope with scallop die form Envelopes Dies — The envelope in an open position.

Ornamenatl Envelope with cut-away die and scallop die using the Envelopes Dies — The envelope in a closed position.

The Polka-Dot Bridge

The third cut-away die from the Envelopes Dies was the trickiest to use. Like the doily border, it is smaller in size. I felt that it sat most naturally along the bottom of the envelope flap, but this position bites into the envelope’s adhesive.

I also used the large scallop edge die again. But this time, I cut my Real Red CS down in size to fit the flap of the envelope instead.

Cut-away die and scallop border die from Envelopes Dies — This decorative envelope does not use any Designer Series Paper. The Real Red Cardstock provides the background for the cut-away die here.

I found this version of designer envelopes the most difficult to adhere. I added glue along the top and sides of my scallop die cut. Next, I used my aqua painter to moisten the natural adhesive on the envelope flap. Careful maneuvering was required here!

Adding adhesive to Envelopes Dies liners

Die cut envelope and aqua painter — When closed, this envelope front is adorable.

Ornamental Envelopes Stamping

The coordinating Ornamental Envelopes Stamp Set (item #153434) has stamps that can be used to decorate your envelopes too! And since I am still jazzing up envelopes, I thought I would try a little stamping as well.

First, I turned to the dotted lines stamp. This one is perfect for an address label on your envelope. I used Gray Granite Ink for my envelope.

Stamping address lines on envelope using Ornamental Envelopes Stamp Set

Corner stamps are a lot of fun to use, and I chose Real Red Ink to showcase this one. I love the continuity of dots in so many of the stamps from the Ornamental Envelopes Stamp Set.

Stamping corner images using the Ornamental Envelopes Stamp Set — When I use a smaller stamp, I prefer to use my ink spots. It is too easy (and disastrous!) to get ink from a large ink pad all over my clear block when loading the stamp with ink.

Envelopes Made Easy

Envelopes decorated using Envelopes Dies

The Ornamental Envelopes Stamp Set and coordinating Envelopes Dies are designed to make it easy for you to create elegant envelopes. Whether you die cut, stamp or both, you won’t go wrong with this great bundle! Head over to my online store, https://juliemakson.stampinup.net, to pick up your set today.

Ornamental Envelopes Part I

August 3, 2020

Envelope Liners using the Envelopes Dies

Creating Exceptional Envelopes

Using dies to create fancy envelopes is not new to Stampin’ Up!, but the Envelopes Dies, item #153531, is new to the August-December 2020 Mini Catalog. There are 12 dies that help you quickly create custom accents.

In this mini series, I will be taking a look at the various ways to use the Envelopes Dies and coordinating stamp set, Ornamental Envelopes. To begin, I chose to focus on the 4 basic envelope liners in this die set.

Plain envelopes and Envelope Dies used for liners

The smallest of the Envelopes Dies perfectly fits the 3 x 3″ Envelopes (item #145829).

The Envelopes Die that is the next size up works well with the Note Cards & Envelopes in Whisper White (item #131527) and Very Vanilla (item #144236). The note card size is 3-1/2 x 5″. I call this the medium die in my liner chart below.

The most common Envelopes Die would be the A2 card size, a half sheet of cardstock folded in half. When closed an A2 card measures 4-1/4 x 5-1/2″. I refer to this die as the regular size. Stampin’ Up! sells Medium Envelopes in Very Vanilla (item #107300), Whisper White (item #107301) and Clear (item #102619) for A2 sized cards.

The largest of the Envelopes Dies fits an A6 envelope. Stampin’ Up! does not sell this size envelope, so I purchase mine elsewhere. The A6 envelope measures a whopping 4-3/4 x 6-1/2″.

Envelopes Dies Liner Measurements

You have the Envelopes Dies, you have envelopes. How do you know what size to cut your Designer Series Paper to make the two function as one? The Envelopes Dies do not come with suggested dimensions on the packaging (that was the first place I looked!).

So next, I did some math and measuring and came up with a chart of my own. I wanted to be frugal with my DSP, using only enough to make my envelopes pretty without wasting my gorgeous paper.

I determined that I wanted about an inch and a half of DSP to tuck into my envelope. Thus I came up with the following chart to keep with my dies for future paper-cutting reference.

Envelopes Dies Paper Cuts

SMALL DIE: 3 X 3″

MEDIUM DIE: 5 X 3-3/4″

REGULAR DIE: 5-1/2 X 4″

LARGE DIE: 6 X 4″

Envelopes Dies measuring — I used my grid paper to help choose my measurements. I moved each Envelopes Die up 1-1/2″ to find the height of the paper size according to the where the top of the die landed, and based the width on the horizontal number shown. This is the smallest envelope die and requires a 3 x 3″ paper.

Die Cutting the Envelopes Dies

After I cut my paper to the right size, I needed to line up the Envelope Die correctly before running it thru my die-cutting machine.

I made sure to keep the top of the Envelope Die (with the scalloped edge) to the top most part of my paper. The remaining paper beneath will eventually be tucked into the envelope.

Whenever I run a die thru my Big Shot, I try to keep the die at an angle for an easy entry into the rollers. This helps to take the stress off the die and makes a much quieter crank thru.

After you die cut your paper with your Envelopes Dies, you will find that some hand-trimming is in order.

DSP from the Envelopes Dies liner die after it is cut out.

I simply used my Paper Snips to trim off the remnants from both sides. The type of cut is not important: straight, angled, etc. This portion of the liner will be hidden in the envelope, never to be seen again.

Set and Score Your Envelopes Dies

Next, you can add the die cut envelope liner into your envelope to dry fit it. I made sure to settle mine into place just below the adhesive area the envelope came with. I also balanced it from side to side.

Once I was happy with the envelope liner placement, I closed the envelope shut. I used my bone folder to crease the envelope and the DSP inside at the same time.

If you want a really nice crisp folded edge, do what I did! I removed the liner and scored it along the crease with my bone folder on both the front and the back of the DSP.

More Score lines with the bone folder on the envelope liner.

Adhere Your Envelopes Dies Liners

And now for the final step: adhering the Envelopes Dies Liners into your envelopes. It is important to place the adhesive along the top of your liner only. The bottom portion that is tucked into the envelope will be fine without any adhesive, which is convenient since it would be a very tricky accomplishment indeed.

It is just as easy to put the envelope liner into the envelope and add adhesive along the top portion, then close the envelope flap down over the paper. If you prefer to add adhesive to the paper before you put it in the envelope, and then slip the liner in, that works well too.

Envelope Envy

As you can see, it is so simple to add some flair to the inside of your envelopes. In fact, the hardest part may be choosing the Designer Series Paper you want to use for your envelope liners! Make sure you stop by my online store, https://juliemakson.stampinup.net/ to find your favorite paper patterns.

Adding an envelope liner may not be something you do every time you make a card, but it is definitely a way to make any card extra special. And there is more in store, as I continue to explore the array of options with the Ornamental Envelopes Bundle in my mini series!

In The Pines In Shaded Spruce

July 20, 2020

Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be

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!

To see my wonderful Monday card from last week, click here.

In The Pines Stamp Set

Today’s Monday Card features the stamp set In The Pines. This is a brand new upcoming release from the August-December 2020 Mini Catalog from Stampin’ Up!. I have a feeling it will be a carry-over item into the next annual catalog, it is so versatile!

Starting on August 4, 2020, you can purchase In the Pines as a bundle with the Pine Wood Dies and save 10%. However, since we are using minimal supplies, this Monday Card only uses the stamp set.

That’s right, one stamp set, In The Pines, two ink pads, Shaded Spruce and Memento Tuxedo Black, and two colors of cardstock, Shaded Spruce and Whisper White. Please follow along!

A Monday Card

The Card Recipe

Shaded Spruce CS: 5 1/2 x 8 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″ for card base.

Shaded Spruce CS: 2-1/2 x 3-1/2″ and 1-1/2x 4″

Whisper White CS: 4 x 5 1/4″ x 2 (one for inside, optional)

Whisper White CS: 2-1/4 x 3-1/4″, 1-1/4 x 4″

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 A Crease

Usually this is where we begin stamping to create our background paper. This easy to make card has different features, including a corner crease that gets a little stamped action.

To start, I simply folded a small section of the top right corner of my 4 x 5-1/4″ Whisper White CS toward the middle. I used my bone folder to burnish the crease and help the fold to stay bent over.

I then un-bent my cardstock and flipped it over so the back was facing up. Next, I used the snowflake (or dots) stamp from the In The Pines Stamp Set and inked it in Shaded Spruce. I stamped this image over the bent corner portion of my paper.

Stamping snow dots with the In The Pines Stamp Set

By stamping the corner from the back side of the paper, the front of the corner has great images when flipped around into position. I also avoided getting ink on the front where I didn’t want ink to be.

Front of bent crease stamped with snow dot stamp from In The Pines Stamp Set

Sentiment Of Anytime Of The Year

The In The Pines Stamp Set has exactly two sentiment choices: Thinking of You or Season’s Greeetings. They are both the same petite size, and the same fantastic font. This makes the In The Pines Stamp Set perfect for pine tree themed cards year round.

I chose the Holiday version for my card here, but in my video tutorial, I swapped out the seasonal greeting for the Thinking of You sentiment. In both cases, I used Memento Black Ink for the saying, and placed it in the bottom right corner of my Whisper White CS.

Stamping the sentiment from In The Pines Stamp Set

Oh Christmas (Or Pine) Tree

To finish the stamping for the outside of my easy Monday card, I next turned to the theme of the In The Pines Stamp Set, the pines!

I began with the largest pine tree outline from the In The Pines Stamp Set, and inked it in Memento Black Ink onto the 2-1/4 x 3-1/4″ Whisper White CS. Next, I inked the tree trunk in the same black ink and used it to fill in the open space left by the outline stamp.

To make my tree green with envy…or beauty…I inked the like size shading stamp and filled in my tree outline quickly. The In The Pines Stamp Set provides perfect two-step stamping in this way.

Large pine tree stamp from In The Pines Stamp Set — The Shaded Spruce Ink looks really dark when it is first stamped, but the color will lighten slightly as it dries.

After that, I stamped a row of trees on my 1-1/4 x 4″ piece of Whisper White CS, using only the filler tree grouping stamp from the In The Pines Stamp Set. I stamped in Shaded Spruce, then immediately stamped off to create lighter trees. This process was done twice along the length of the paper.

For additional color, I cleaned the Shaded Spruce Ink off my stamp and repeated the same process with the filler tree grouping stamp, this time around I used Memento Black Ink. This Dist-Ink-Tive style stamp set creates instant depth with highs and lows in color saturation.

Stamping a row of pine trees using the In The Pines Stamp Set

Easy Assembly

The large piece of Whisper White CS with the creased corner and sentiment is the first layer onto my card base. Before adding on the pine stamped images, I gave each one a gorgeous mat in Shaded Spruce CS. I like to adhere these go-together pieces before putting them in their place on my card.

I began with the row of pine trees, adhering it slightly above my sentiment. This one must go down first, so the focal pine can be layered over top of it.

When I added the focal pine tree to the front of my card, the bottom overlaps the row of pines and the top right edge holds down the folded crease. This leaves a little gap in the upper left corner. I added 2 small scraps of Shaded Spruce CS on the back of my large pine tree assembly to give proper height and a cohesive seating.

Layering card front part 2 — When layering multi pieces that overlap, there can be gaps due to different thickness of papers. I like to add small scraps of cardstock to the back of pieces that need a little “lift”.

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 used the same technique from the stamping of the row of pine trees to add that inside interest. In this case I only used Shaded Spruce Ink and skipped the Memento Black Ink.

Stamping inside of card using the In The Pines Stamp Set

Step It Up!

Adding more can be fun! For my stepped-up version of my card, I used additional new products from the up-coming August-December 2020 Mini Catalog. The Pine Woods Dies (item #153563) provided me with Shaded Spruce die cut trees that peek out from the creased corner.

The Evergreen Forest 3D Embossing Folder (item #153576) gave great texture to my Whisper White CS front. And for embellishments, I chose the Wonder Of The Season Ribbon Combo Pack (item #153537) and some Gold Metallic Pearls (item #146282).

The little swoosh of snow under my large pine tree came from a die cut too. I ran the brush end tip of my Light Pool Party Stampin’ Blend along the edge for shading and contrast.

I hope you enjoyed making this easy card on a hard Monday with me, where I showcased some great new products coming your way soon! My video tutorial can be found on my FaceBook page, as well as my YouTube channel.

If you need any supplies to make fabulous cards like these, please feel free to visit my online store, https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net, at any time. See you next Monday for another installment of:

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