Simple Poinsettia Card | Video

Hi there! Today I'm sharing a super easy, simple Poinsettia card.  I sat down to make this only having a vague idea what I was going to make, and it took me just under 17 minutes from start to finish.  I do think this would be a fun card to create in multiples, if you are still looking for ideas for your Christmas cards.  

For today's card, I used the Poinsettia Burst Stamps, and the coordinating dies, along with the Flannel Life Background Stamp - all from Fun Stampers Journey  (Affiliate links used, at no cost to you.) 


I began by stamping my flannel background with Cool Pool Ink.  Once stamped, I stamped the flowers with Cranberry Bliss Ink and immediately coated them with a blend of Clear Embossing Powder, and Sparkle Dust (2:1 ratio).  I heat set the embossing powder before die cutting the flowers out.  Then I trimmed the flannel panel to 3.25" x 4.5".

I laid the flowers out on the flannel panel, to figure out where to stamp the leaves, and then stamped the leaves in a triangular layout, using Fresh Forest Ink.  I attached the flowers using Easy Glide adhesive, and foam squares, and then attached the panel to an A2, side-folding, card base made from Whip Cream card stock.  A few scattered Fashion Gold pieces finished the card off.

I love the pop of Cool Pool behind the more traditional red and green colors.  I hope you enjoyed this card, and it inspired you.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used:

Use this easy list to find the products I used in my projects. (Contains affiliate links - where I earn a commission from purchases made from my links, at no cost to you. Your support helps me keep this blog going, and continue to create - Thank you! Affiliates and disclosures can be found here.) 

Autumn Smile

We're definitely in Idaho Autumn here.  Temperatures are bouncing back and forth, and people in my hometown are already posting photos of snow!  Meanwhile, at my house, my front lawn has been turned into a Halloween play land.  The neighborhood kids all love to come walk through the yard each afternoon, and I get messages from my neighbors of their littles staring out the window at all the blowups.

For some reason, it popped into my head the other day that I really needed to stamp the Flannel Life stamp in Buttercream ink on Green Olive card stock.  So, I did.  I had zero idea where this card was going beyond that step when I started, but all things have to start somewhere, right?

I chose to make my focal panel using the Cottage Bouquet Stamp Set.  I heat embossed my sentiment first, on a die cut oval, then stamped and created a mask for the first flower (the one colored Raspberry Berry).  I then stamped the additional flowers surrounding the first image.  Using a small dry paint brush, I colored the images with PanPastels.  (I created the orange tone by sandwiching a layer of Raspberry Berry between two layers of Summer Days.) 

I layered a dry embossed strip of Pumpkin Bread card stock over the flannel background, and tied a piece of Oatmeal Cookie Organza ribbon around the panel, then added my sentiment piece on foam squares.  The card front was adhered to a Whip Cream card base.

Thanks for stopping by!

Much love,                    

Supplies Used:

Use this easy list to find the products I used in my projects. (Contains affiliate links - where I earn a commission from purchases made from my links, at no cost to you. Your support helps me keep this blog going, and continue to create - Thank you! Affiliates and disclosures can be found here.) 

Stamps: 

Cottage Bouquet Stamp Set SS-0606, Flannel Life Background Stamp SS-0325

Inks:

Buttercream True Color Fusion Ink IP-0031,  Hazelnut Blend True Color Fusion Ink IP-0012,  Clear Pigment Ink Pad IP-0102, Copper Embossing Powder IP-0148, Rich Sorbets PanPastels JM-0082, Raspberry Berry PanPastel JM-0111

Papers:

Whip Cream 8.5" x 11" Card Stock CS-0040, Green Olive 8.5"x 11" Card Stock CS-0113, Pumpkin Bread 8.5"x 11" Card Stock CS-0098

Embellishments:
Oatmeal Cookie Organza Ribbon AC-0246

Tools:
Changing Seasons Embossing Folder EF- 0031, Journey Ovals Die Set DI-0042, Journey Platinum Machine TO-0090,  Journey Blooms Paper Trimmer TO-0039, Crease Tool TO-0040, Detail Pro Shears (4.5") TO-0063, Heat Gun TO-0083
Adhesives:
Easy Glide Permanent Adhesive Runner AD-0081, Journey Foam Squares - Medium AD-0085

Thanks & Giving | Video

Moving away from my non-traditional fall color scheme, and moving into one that is a bit more typical.  I was super excited to work with this stamp set.  Mostly, because looking at the images, I knew that they could be shaded into critters that would just jump off the page.

I used my Color Burst pencils to shade the images.  Both were stamped and shaded with the same colors used in the video.


Once my images were colored, I stamped and shaded a few leaves to put in the hands of the little squirrel.  I used my craft knife to cut a slit in between the hands, to tuck the stems underneath.

I stamped and then diecut the sentiment, and added foam squares to the back of it.  I adhered my critters on either side with craft glue, and then added foam squares to the portions of them that hung off the die cut.

I stamped the Flannel Life stamp in Whip Cream Ink, onto Oatmeal Cookie card stock.  This was layered up with a strip of  Mirror Gold, Dark Roast card stock, and some twine.  Then I attached my sentiment and critters, and added a Fashion Gold pieces scattered around.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Much love,                    

Supplies Used:

Use this easy list to find the products I used in my projects. (Contains affiliate links - where I earn a commission from purchases made from my links, at no cost to you. Your support helps me keep this blog going, and continue to create - Thank you! Affiliates and disclosures can be found here.) 

Stamps: 

Thankful Friends Stamp & Die Bundle BD-0429, Flannel Life SS-0325

Inks:

Whip Cream True Color Fusion Ink IP-0009, Dark Roast True Color Fusion Ink IP-0050, Pumpkin Bread True Color Fusion Ink IP-0057, Rich Coral True Color Fusion Ink IP-0052, Summer Days True Color Fusion Ink IP-0042, Journey Color Burst Pencils JM-0077

Papers:

Whip Cream 8.5" x 11" Card Stock CS-0040, Oatmeal Cookie 8.5"x 11" Card Stock CS-0023, Dark Roast 8.5"x 11" Card Stock CS-0091

Embellishments:
Journey Twine - Natural AC-0005, Fashion Gold AC-0292

Tools:
Circle Around Die Set DI-0466, Journey Platinum Machine TO-0090,  Journey Blooms Paper Trimmer TO-0039, Crease Tool TO-0040, Detail Pro Shears (4.5") TO-0063, Grand Pro Shears TO-0064, Heat Gun TO-0083, Retractable Craft Knife TO-0145
Adhesives:
Easy Glide Permanent Adhesive Runner AD-0081, Journey Craft Glue AD-0111, Journey Foam Squares - Medium AD-0085

Better Together

I used to hate clean and simple cards.  I struggled with them, because I always wanted to add "just one more thing".  As time has progressed, I'm finding I like them more and more.  The simplicity can really help to highlight a particular image or sentiment.  

For today's card, I stamped a panel with the Flannel Life background stamp, and then cut a strip of the red gingham created.  I added a strip of Black Licorice card stock, that had my sentiment stamped and heat embossed in white.  Then I added my fussy cut images that were colored with Color Burst pencils.

The whole card took about 15 minutes (including coloring), and looks adorable!  Though I'm still not sure what is in the bowl.  I was going for cereal, but, depending on how the image was colored, it could be ramen, or spaghetti-os. 

And speaking of the Better Together on the sentiment, the FSJ annual convention is coming up, with the theme of Better Together.  There is still time to sign up as an FSJ coach, and register for convention if you'd like to join us in Phoenix this year.  I'd love to have you join us!

Thanks for stopping by!

Much love,                                                                             

                                              

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies Used:

Stamps: Flannel Life SS-0325, Bowled Over SS-0580

Inks: Cranberry Bliss True Color Fusion Ink IP-0049, Black Licorice True Color Fusion Ink IP-0041, Clear Pigment Ink IP-0102, Journey White Embossing Powder IP-0098

Papers: Whip Cream 8.5" x 11" Card Stock CS-0040, Black Licorice 8.5: x 11" Card Stock CS-0003

Embellishments: Journey Color Burst Pencils JM-0077

Tools: Heat Gun TO-0083, Journey Blooms Paper Trimmer TO-0039, Crease Tool TO-0040, Detail Pro Shears (4.5") TO-0063

Adhesives: Easy Glide Permanent Adhesive Runner AD-0081, Journey Foam Squares - Medium AD-085

Bunny Bags | EASIEST Easter Treat Bag & Tag

UPDATE: This post continues to receive a lot of traffic - Thank you!  The die I used to create the tags is no longer available.  I wanted to share another die, that has three adorable small bunny shapes, that would work to create similar tags - though slightly smaller. Or, this larger bunny, that would also work.  Also, the bags are no longer available from the original source.  I did find these treat bags with a similar base size, but they are a bit taller.  The length is easily trimmed off from the top, when the bag is flat, to create the height needed to match your fillings and tag.  Thanks again!  

♥   ♥   ♥   ♥   ♥

We all like easy, right?  It would be nice if life came with the easy button.  Sometimes, it helps to just  make the little extra things a bit simpler.  I love creating little treats for my grands, and neighborhood kids for the "treat" holidays.  Easter is no exception.  However, these little treats can easily become a LOT of work, because they have to be packaged cute, right?  

This year, I'm making it a bit simpler for myself.  A Clear bag, with some Easter candies in it, and tied up with the adorable bunny tag is easy as can be, and super quick when you work assembly-line style!

Here's how I did it: 

• I opened all of the bags I was using, and used my crease tool to make sure the corners were all opened up.  
• I added my filling (a bit of paper shred, a peanut butter egg, and some of the GOOD jelly beans!), and set the bag aside while I worked on the tags.  
• I cut a sheet of Oatmeal Cookie Card stock into quarters, and stamped two of the sections with the Flannel Life background stamp and Whip Cream Ink.  I used my heat tool to dry the ink, however, you can just let it sit for a while if you'd rather.  
• Then I die cut the bunnies - you can get 3 out of each quarter piece of card stock - and cut their tails out of a scrap piece of Whip Cream card stock.  
• I adhered the tails to the bunny with a foam square, and then used my Punch Press to punch the smallest hole in the bunny's upright ear.  
• I threaded through some twine through the hole, and tied it into a loop.  
• Then I tied a piece of Special Day organza ribbon around the top of the filled treat bag, and looped the tag through the ribbon after the first knot.  Tie a bow, and trim the ends of the ribbon, and you're all done!

This is a great project for making in bulk, as once you are making one, it takes very little time to create additional.   Whether you are making these for a school, or church group, or just for the littles you know, it's a quick and easy, and CUTE little treat.

In the comments below, let me know who you would make one of these cute little bags for.

Thanks for stopping by!

Much love,                                                                             

                                              

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies Used:

Stamps: Flannel Life Stamp SS-0325

Inks: Whip Cream True Color Fusion Ink IP-0009

Papers: Oatmeal Cookie 8.5" x 11" Card Stock CS-0023,  Whip Cream 8.5" x 11" Card Stock CS-0040, Clear Bags ST-0122

Embellishments: Journey Twine - Natural AC-0005, Special Day Organza Ribbon AC-0316

Tools: Hop Cuts Die Set DI-0387, Journey Platinum Machine TO-0090,  Journey Blooms Paper Trimmer TO-0039, Crease Tool TO-0040, Detail Pro Shears (4.5") TO-0063, Heat Gun TO-0083, Press Punch & Cutting Mat Bundle BD-0067

Adhesives: Journey Foam Squares - Small AD-0084

Blooms in Boots | Hand Colored Thinking of You Card

As I'm writing this post, I'm looking out my craft room window at some dreary skies, and a patchy coating of snow that has fallen over the last week.  Typically at this point in the year in Boise, I'm starting to watch for flower buds popping through the soil, and the grass is in that weird stage where you can see it starting to change from the wintery yellow/brown to a light green.   Any snow that falls melts, nearly immediately.  We've had a mild winter here this year, but it was still winter.  And I'm dreaming of spring flowers and warm drizzly rain.  Which leads me into today's card...

I wanted some of those springtime colors in my life, so I stamped out the Blooms in Boots ATS (a Bloom Benefit available ONLY until the end of March!) .  I masked off the first image, and stamped it again, to create a "pair" of boots.  Then I colored in the image.  I fussy cut out the boots, and put foam squares on the back.  I stamped the Flannel Life background stamp in Cool Pool onto a card front, then die cut a circle from Whip Cream to add a layer of separation between the patterned background and the colorful boots.  I stamped, and heat embossed, the sentiment onto a strip of River Stone Card Stock.  Then I layered all of my pieces together, adding a River Stone mat to the back of the card front. 

Now, here's where the fun part of this post comes in!  I have something special planned for you!  From now, through the end of March, when you purchase a set of the Journey Color Burst pencils from my shop, not only can you choose the Blooms in Boots stamp as your FREE Bloom Benefit gift, AND earn the Coach Collective edition shown below - YOU ALSO  will receive access to a private video showing you exactly how I colored the image above.  No blending solution, or special coloring paper, required.  Every color of pencil I use will be shown, I'll walk you through masking the image off, and give you my tips and tricks for coloring images with depth.  These pencils are so fun, and color beautifully.  I think you'll be happy to have them in your arsenal!

Video will be sent to all purchases including Color Burst pencils, made in my shop from February 28th - March 31st, regardless of additional items chosen.  Video link will be sent out beginning March 5th. In the video, I will also be using Whip Cream Card Stock, River Stone Ink, Clear Block I, and the Blooms in Boots Stamp.  See the product list at the end of this post for the item numbers for each item.

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

Look at this! March Coach Collective is chock-full of gorgeous birthday themed projects that you will love! Enjoy the sneak peek until March 1st when it can be all yours!

All 12 tutorials will be sent to you in one concise document, ready for you to enjoy! Coach Collective project tutorials are created with currently available supplies from Fun Stampers Journey and provide measurements in inches only. 

You can get this tutorial collection in a few ways:

• The first option is to use the Paypal Button below to order the PDF collection for $15, and I will send it out to you the morning of March 1st.*  
• Option two, is to break out that wish list!  Make a purchase of $50 or more between March 1st, and March 31st in my Fun Stampers Journey store, and I will send you this tutorial collection for FREE, without you having to do anything else!*  
• The third and final option is joining my team!  If you've thought about joining FSJ as a coach, one of the perks of being on my team, is that you get any tutorial I create for FREE!  

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Coach Collective | March 2018 Preorder

If you are making a purchase - of $50 or more - from my FSJ store (03/1/18 - 03/31/18), 
you will receive this collection as a bonus, please do not purchase through this button.  
The tutorial will be sent out to you, after I receive confirmation of your order. 
Order Bonus not available outside of February dates.  Thanks!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

*Please note: I send the tutorial out, via email, myself.  If for some reason, you have not received it within 12 hours (and you've checked to make sure it's not in your spam folder), please email me at muchlovesara (at) gmail.com

Thanks for stopping by!

Much love,                                                                             

                                              

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies Used:

Stamps: Bloom in Boots AT-0270 (Bloom Benefit), Flannel Life SS-0325

Inks: Cool Pool True Color Fusion Ink IP-0074, River Stone True Color Fusion Ink IP-0053, Clear Pigment Ink IP-0102, Journey White Embossing Powder IP-0096

Papers: Whip Cream 8.5" x 11" Card Stock CS-0040, River Stone 8.5" x 11" Card Stock CS-0094

Embellishments: Pearls AC-0024

Tools: Journey Circles Die Set DI-0039, Journey Platinum Machine TO-0090,  Journey Blooms Paper Trimmer TO-0039, Crease Tool TO-0040, Detail Pro Shears (4.5") TO-0063, Heat Gun TO-0083, Clear Block I TO-0078, Clear Block A TO-0095

Adhesives: Easy Glide Permanent Adhesive Runner AD-0081, Foam Squares - Medium AD-0085

Some Bunny

Are you ready for spring?  After a very mild winter, it suddenly got really cold over the last week, and I'm so ready for spring, and flowers, and warmer weather.  It definitely brings some spring holidays to mind.  And Easter always brings out the adorable stuff!  

I love the way the Flannel Life stamp looks stamped in Whip Cream Ink.  So, so, pretty!  I paired purples and fushia pinks together for this card, for a pop of fun.  And the card has a fun element when turned slightly to the side - you can see the pink under the little white bunny. 

The vellum puff tail kills me.  It's like a little cloud instead of the fluffy tail you expect - and offset it is just fun. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Much love,                                                                             

                                              

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies Used:

Stamps: Flannel Life Stamp Set SS-0325, Love Bunny ATS AT-0271

Inks: Whip Cream True Color Fusion Ink IP-0009, Sweet Berry True Color Fusion Ink IP-0029

Papers: Whip Cream 8.5" x 11" Card Stock CS-0040, Pretty Amethyst 8.5" x 11" Card Stock CS-0028 , Pretty Pansy 8.5" x 11" Card Stock CS-0029, Sweet Berry 8.5 x 11 Card stock CS-0034, Journey Vellum PP-0044

Embellishments: Gingham Ribbon Sweet Berry AC-0093

Tools: Hop Cuts Die Set DI-0387 (Bloom Benefit), Journey Platinum Machine TO-0090,  Journey Blooms Paper Trimmer TO-0039, Crease Tool TO-0040, Detail Pro Shears (4.5") TO-0063

Adhesives: .Journey Foam Squares - Small AD-0084, Easy Glide Permanent Adhesive Runner AD-0081, Journey Glue Dots AD-0083

Inspired By | Plaid & Flowers

The February Collection from Coach Collective is coming soon!  I'll be showing you the sneak peek tomorrow.  This month is full of Valentine's goodness!  You're going to want to get your hands on this month's collection!

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

Today's post is another "Inspired by" card.  This time the card was inspired by a plate that I own.  I love the pattern, and when I realized I could replicate it in stamps - I had to do it!

I stamped my roses on the card background first, adding post it masks over the top as I went.  Then, I stamped the Flannel Life background stamp.  The final stamped layer was the leaves. 

Do you see that cute ribbon?  I love the pretty sheer ribbon.  And it was a perfect accent to this floral card. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Much love,                                                                             

                                              

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies Used:

Stamps: Flannel Life Stamp SS-0325, Everyday Script Stamp Set SS-0543, Printed Rose SS-0549 (Journey Rewards Exclusive)

Inks: Black Licorice True Color Fusion Ink IP-0041, Pool Play True Color Fusion Ink IP-0051, Cranberry Bliss True Color Fusion Ink IP-0049, Lemon Drop True Color Fusion Ink IP-0043, Lemon Grass True Color Fusion Ink IP-0022

Papers: Whip Cream 8.5" x 11" Card Stock CS-0040, Cranberry Bliss 8.5" x 11" Card Stock CS-0090

Embellishments: Special Day Organza Ribbon AC-0316

Tools:  Journey Blooms Paper Trimmer TO-0039, Crease Tool TO-0040, Detail Pro Shears (4.5") TO-0063, Clear Block D TO-0041, Clear Block J TO-0079, Clear Block E TO-0074

Adhesives: Easy Glide Permanent Adhesive Runner AD-0081, Journey Foam Squares - Medium AD-0085

Valentine's Plaid

Can you tell I'm in a Valentine's mood lately?  The Heart-felt dies barely leave my desk, before I'm grabbing them again for the next project.  

For today's card, I die cut my heart shape before stamping it with the Flannel Life Stamp.  Do you see the white panel at the top of my card?  I used the Brocade Imprints Embossing Folder.  However, that folder is directional.  Want to know how I managed to do that without leaving a line in the embossing where the folder overlapped?  Check out my Facebook page at 2 pm today for a short live video on how to do this. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Much love,                                                                             

                                              

Fun Stampers Journey Supplies Used:

Stamps: Everyday Script Stamp Set SS-0543 (Bundled with coordinating dies BD-0344), Flannel Life Stamp Set SS-0325

Inks: Sweet Berry True Color Fusion Ink IP-0029, Clear Pigment Ink IP-0102,

Papers: Spring Filled Prints PP-0051, Whip Cream 8.5" x 11" Card Stock CS-0040, Bubble Gum 8.5" x 11" Card Stock CS-0099, Sweet Berry 8.5" x 11" Card Stock CS-0034, Journey Vellum PP-0044

Embellishments: Cut Rhinestones AC-0023, Bubble Gum Satin Ribbon AC-0105

Tools: Heart-Felt Dies DI-0033, Everyday Script Dies DI-0405 (available bundled with stamps), Brocade Imprints Embossing Folder EF-0020 (Bloom Benefit),  Journey Platinum Machine TO-0090,  Journey Blooms Paper Trimmer TO-0039, Crease Tool TO-0040, Detail Pro Shears (4.5") TO-0063, Clear Block K TO-0080

Adhesives: .White Liner AD-0001, Journey Craft Glue AD-0111, Journey Foam Squares - Medium AD-0085, Journey Foam Squares - Small AD-0084, Easy Glide Permanent Adhesive Runner AD-0081

Flannel Christmas

When I was young, my grandma decided that my sister and I needed to make our own quilts for our beds.  So, she took us shopping for material.  We were supposed to pick out something that coordinated.  Being sisters, and very different from one another, we struggled to find a pattern that we could both agree on.  But we finally settled on a simple plaid - mine in red and black, and my sister's in royal blue and black.  We took the fabric home, and grandma helped us put everything together to tie and bind the quilts.  

I used that quilt for 25 years, but finally this past year, I had to admit it was finally irreparable.  The fabric had become so thin, that it was shredding into strips.  The quilt is gone now, but I have an association with red and black plaid that comes from that.  This particular pattern in these colors always triggers memories of my grandma helping me with that quilt.

For today's card, I brought in a bit of gold and white to the classic red and black plaid.  I love how they pop against the darker tones.  Lots and lots of layering went into this card, to add interest and depth.

I hope you will have a wonderful holiday tomorrow!  If you are traveling, please be safe.  Enjoy the turkey & taters, and know that I'm very grateful for YOU! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Much love,                                                                             

                                              

Supplies Used:

Due to the merger between FSJ and Spellbinders, the links on the photos below do not work.  If you click the banner below, you can search the shop for each of the items in question.  (Contains an affiliate link - where I earn a commission from purchases made from my link, at no cost to you. Your support helps me keep this blog going, and continue to create - Thank you! Affiliates and disclosures can be found here.)