Perfect for any occasion

I cannot turn down a good bargain!  When I see card blanks with envelopes, I purchase them for just the envelopes alone.  I am a SUS (Stampin' Up! Snob) and love and use their products for 95% of my cards.  What I find difficult to do is throwing away the card blanks.  Today's card is brought to you by, Ms. Frugal Cardmaker.  The card base opened measures 8" x 5 1/2"  - not your typical card.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Kiwi Kiss cardstock
• Two pieces measures 3 1/8" x 3 5/8"
• Murifield Designer Series paper (retired)
• Main card base layer measures 5 1/4" x 3 3/4"
• Left panel layer measures 1 3/4" x 5 1/4"
• Kiwi Kiss and Pacific Point ink
• You Are Loved stamp set
• Framelits Labels Collection
• Festive Paper Piercing Pack
• Bitty Butterfly punch
• Basic Pearl Jewels
• Dimensionals

Other Products

• Blank card measures 8" x 5 1/2"
• Use the prescored line and..
• Score at 2" along the 8" length
• Another blank card base is used for sentiment layer
• Two pieces 3" x 2 1/2"

Pocket Card Tutorial

I found eyelet thank you cards a few years ago and I purchased them just for the envelopes.  I couldn't pass up 40 envelopes for $2.00, could you?  This is the card I created using the eyelet thank you cards.

From this (the printed "thank you" is hid inside the pocket).

To this

I knew my blog followers would love to make a card similar to this.  Below are the instructions for your own Pocket Card using Stampin' Up! products only....voila!

Stampin' Up! Products

• Whisper White cardstock
• Card base measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", score along 8 1/2" side at 4 1/4" and 7 1/4"
• Pocket card layer measures 4 5/8" x 4"
• Sahara Sand cardstock
• Pocket card layer measure 4 3/4" x 4 1/8"
• Real Red cardstock
• Strip on card base measures 5 1/2" x 1/4"
• Scraps for two flowers
• Delicate Dots Designer Series Paper (retired)
• Top layer on card base measures 5 1/2" x 1 1/4"
• Bottom layer on card base measures 5 1/2" x 3"
• Bitty Butterfly, Blossom, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle, Corner Rounder and Eyelet Border (retired) hand punches
• Crafts by Beth CPP Sentiments*
• Printed on Whisper White cardstock
• Sticky Strip
• Dimensionals
• Basic Pearl Jewel

* Crafts by Beth's Click, Print and Punch - Please view THIS posting for updated information about Crafts By Beth CPP sentiments.

Step 1

• Begin with a piece of cardstock measuring 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
• Score at 4 1/4" and 7 1/4" along the 8 1/2" side
• Using any border punch, punch across the edge of nearest your scored 7 1/4" mark
• Using a corner rounder punch, punch the corners as indicated in the picture below

Step 2

• Using the corner rounder punch, punch one edge of the piece of Designer Series Paper (DSP) that measures 5 1/2" x 1 1/4"
• Attach to card base
• Apply Sticky Strip as indicated below



• Remove Sticky Strip and close the card base. 

Step 3

• Apply adhesive to the DSP that measures 5 1/4" x 3"

• Apply adhesive to the eyelet punched flap and seal as indicated in this picture

• Attach the 5 1/2" x 1/4" strip

Step 4

• Use the corner rounder punch and punch out the top edge of Sahara Sand cardstock 4 3/4" x 4 1/8" piece and DSP 4 5/8" x 4" piece
• Attach the DSP to the Sahara Sand cardstock
• Attach embellishment using Dimensionals strategically placed to keep the flower to the outside of the card.

The Dash - by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone,
from the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,
the cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.

So, think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what’s true and real
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read,
with your life’s actions to rehash…
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent YOUR dash?

 

Copyright Linda Ellis

Leave the Rest to God

Live Simply

Love Generously

Care Deeply

Speak Kindly

Leave the Rest to God

Stampin' Up! Products

• Basic Black cardstock
• Card layer #1 measures 3 3/4" x 5 1/2"
• Blossom punch flower ~FRUGAL ALERT~ punch the flower out of this layer
• Scallop layer measures 2 1/2" x 3" (after border punch)
• Trust God stamp set
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• Designer Jewels Black Flourish (retired)
• Birds & Blooms Sizzlits (retired)
• Blossom and Scallop Edge Border hand punches
• Dimensionals

Other Products

• Ivory cardstock
• Card base measures 4" x 5 1/2"
• Card layer 2 1/4" x 2 3/4" (stamped image)
• Pattern paper
• Card layer measures 3 1/2" x 5 1/4"
• Black 1/8" brad

Graduation Dilemma

Yes, Graduation Dilemma, not Graduate Diploma.

A friend of mine emailed me asking for help making graduation invitations.  The dilemma - I don't create "on the fly," I find inspiration online and add a little Crafts by Beth flair. 

The easiest part was her son is graduation from the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!) and houndstooth is the perfect background for a card.  The hard part - designing.

Valerie and I put our minds together and came up with a BEAUTIFUL design!  Oh, yes, we are both patting ourselves and each other's back.  This card is A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

Introducing the first, one-of-kind creation from Crafts by Valerie and Beth!

 

Stampin' Up! Products

• Basic Black cardstock
• Card layer #1 measures 5 1/4" x 3 3/4"
• Card layer #2 measures 3" x 2"
• Banner measures 1/2" x 3 5/8"
• Cherry Cobbler cardstock
• Card layer measures 3" x 2"
• Banner measures 1/2" x 3 5/8"
• Whisper White cardstock
• Card layer measures 3" x 2"
• Banner measures 1/2" x 3 5/8"
• Glimmer Paper
• Word Play stamp set
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• Star hand punch
• Dimensionals

Other Products

• White cardstock
• Card base measures 5 1/2" x 4"
• Houndstooth paper
• Card layer measures 5" x 3 1/2"

Beyond the Garden XVI - Tutorial Now Available

Remember the Easel Post-it-Note holder I made in the post below?  I created a picture tutorial of the step-by-step instructions to create this.  I gave my prototype to my dentist's office to use.  I wanted to make sure that the easel remained secured without falling backwards from the weight of the embellishments.  I received several thumbs up by the staff and my tutorial is now available for a very small fee.  Only $1.99

Upon payment, your tutorial will be sent to you by email within 48 hours. I usually check my account twice a day; however, if you do not receive the instructions, please send me an EMAIL. The email will be sent to the one you have with Paypal, unless otherwise noted.

This is an Easel Card Post-it-Note Holder - perfect for anyone's desk.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Pacific Point cardstock
• Whisper White cardstock
• Wild Wasabi Cardstock
• World Treasures stamp set
• Pacific Point ink
• Fun Flowers die
• Jumbo brads
• Dimensionals

Other Products

• Post-it-Note (3" x 3")

Stampin' Up! Products

• Tangerine Tango cardstock
• Wild Washabi cardstock
• Beyond the Garden Designer Series Paper
• Secret Garden and You are Loved stamp sets
• Tangerine Tango and Wild Wasabi ink
• Apothecary Accents and Secret Garden Framelits
• Square Lattice embossing folder
• Dimensionals

Other Products

• Post-it-Note (3" x 3")

STAMPIN' UP! - FREE SHIPPING

EVERYTHING Stampin' Up! sells is 10%.  The 10% is reflected in your shipping & handling charge.  Any size Stampin' Up! order will have a shipping fee of $0.00, a 10% savings.

I do not have a Stampin' Up! website (not enough customers to support one); however, you can order and pay through Paypal.  I have a 100% feedback on Ebay - 312 positive transactions.

Every blog post I create contains free instructions/measurements/information.  I would really appreciate your Stampin' Up! purchase from April 6 - 8, 2013.   Please consider making your next order with me, a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Trendy Trees on Sycamore Street

Stampin' Up! Products

• Pool Party cardstock
• 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (this is not a folded card)
• Tangerine Tango cardstock
• Begin with a strip 4 1/4" x 1 5/8" then use border punch/framelit of your choice
• You may have to trim the strip depending on your punch style. For this card, I trimmed the piece to measures 4" x 1 1/2"
• Scrap for bird
• Old Olive cardstock
• Scrap for branch 
• Whisper White cardstock
• 4" x 5 1/4"
• Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper (DSP)
• Strip piece measures 4" x 1 1/8"
• Trendy Trees stamp set
• Tangerine Tango ink
• Finishing Touches Edgelits
• Bird Builder hand punch
• Basic Pearl Jewels
• Dimensionals
• Sponge

Packaging

• Tangerine Tango
• Top Note 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" (Scored in half)
• Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper (DSP)
• Top Note 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" (cut in half)
• Top Note Sizzix Die

Attach the Tangerine Tango Top Note die using a stapler.  Staple through both layers from back to front.  The DSP will hide the edges of the staple that often snag fingers.

Trim the DSP along the perforated lines on the die cut out and use Multipurpose Liquid Glue to attach it to the front of your package.

This is the back of the finished packaged

Quick and Easy

Stampin' Up! Products

• Tangerine Tango cardstock
• 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (this is not a folded card)
• Strip layer measures 4" x 1 1/4"
• Rich Razzleberry cardstock
• Strip layer measures 4" x 1 1/8"
• Whisper White cardstock
• Card layer measures 4" x 5 1/4"
• Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper
• Strip layer measures 4" x 1"
• With All My Heart stamp set
• Rich Razzleberry ink
• Elegant and Bitty Butterfly hand punches
• Basic Pearl Jewel
• Dimensionals

Sycamore Street

I have seen several cards made using this layout.  A card by Patsy W., a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, was my inspiration for today.
 
Stampin' Up! Products

• Pool Party cardstock
• Card base measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
• Banner finished size is 2" x 3/8"
• Rich Razzleberry cardstock
• Strip measures 4 1/4" x 1 1/4", I scored at 1/4" and 1/2" (you can't really see it), then cut using Adorning Accent Framelit die
• Summer Starfruit cardstock
• Scrap for Apothecary Accents Framelit
• Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper
• Card layer measures 4 1/4" x 3 1/2"
• Pool Party 1/4" ribbon
• 5 1/4" inches
• Various stamp sets
• Rich Razzleberry ink
• Adorning Accent and Apothecary Accents Framelits
• Bitty Butterfly, Corner Rounder, Elegant Butterfly, Modern label and Word Window hand punches
• Dimensionals

Other Products

• Chocolate pearls

Three of the four cards in this set only had the Modern Label punch attached to the card.  I created seven more sentiments and punched them out with the Word Window punch and placed Dimensionals on the back.  This allows the recipient to choose their own sentiment and attach it to the card.

I made a coordinating box to complement this greeting card set.

A tutorial for this card box is available for a minimal charge of $2.99. I created the tutorial with step by step pictorial instructions. The tutorial is an Adobe file.

Upon payment, your tutorial will be sent to you by email within 48 hours. I usually check my account twice a day; however, if you do not receive the instructions, please send me an EMAIL. The email will be sent to the one you have with Paypal, unless otherwise noted.

Beyond the Garden XVIII

Stampin' Up! Products

• Tangerine Tango cardstock
• Finished Strip measures 4" x 1/2"
• Whisper White cardstock
• Inside liner measures 4" x 5 1/4"
• Scrap for sentiment
• Wild Wasabi
• Scraps for stems (cut 2)
• Beyond the Garden Designer Series Paper
• Card layer measures 4" x 5 1/4"
• Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set
• Tangerine Tango ink
• Finishing Touches Edgelits
• Sweetest Stem Embosslit
• Birds & Blooms and Movers and Shapers Sizzix Dies
• Blossom, Modern Label, Scallop Circle 1 1/4", Trio Flower and Word Window hand punches
• Multipurpose Liquid Glue (always use this when using textured cardstock
• Dimensionals (place between flower layers for added depth)

Other Products

• Coordinating textured cardstock
• Card base measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
• Strip measures 4" x 1/8"
• Scraps for Blossom flower (cut 2)
• Coordinating 1/8" brad

Beyond the Garden XVII

Stampin' Up! Products

• Basic Black cardstock
• Wild Wasabi cardstock
• Beyond the Garden Designer Series Paper
• Delightful Dozen and Secret Garden stamp sets
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• Secret Garden Framelits
• Modern Label and Scallop Oval hand punches
• Movers and Shapers Curly Label Die (layer behind Modern Label)
• Dimensionals

Other Products

• Coordinating cardstock
• Card base measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Beyond the Garden XVI

This is an Easel Card Post-it-Note Holder - perfect for anyone's desk.

Stampin' Up! Products

• Pacific Point cardstock
• Whisper White cardstock
• Wild Wasabi Cardstock
• World Treasures stamp set
• Pacific Point ink
• Fun Flowers die
• Jumbo brads
• Dimensionals

Other Products

• Post-it-Note (3" x 3")

Stampin' Up! Products

• Tangerine Tango cardstock
• Wild Washabi cardstock
• Beyond the Garden Designer Series Paper
• Secret Garden and You are Loved stamp sets
• Tangerine Tango and Wild Wasabi ink
• Apothecary Accents and Secret Garden Framelits
• Square Lattice embossing folder
• Dimensionals

Other Products

• Post-it-Note (3" x 3")

Beyond the Garden XV

I was inspired to create this QUICK card by a YouTube Video by Karen {here}.  Please leave Karen a comment; it takes a great deal of time to create a video.

A Stamp-Free Card!

Stampin' Up! Products

• Tangerine Tango cardstock
• Card base measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" (the card fold is on the side)
• Daffodil Delight cardstock
• Card layer measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4", trimmed to 5 1/4" x 4" after embossing*
• Whisper White cardstock
• Inside layer measures 5 1/4" x 4"
• Square 1 3/8", 1 1/4" and Itty Bitty Butterfly hand punches
• Honeycomb and Perfect Polka Dot embossing folders**
• Basic Pearl Jewel
• Multipurpose Liquid Glue
• Glue Dots (to secure down bow)
• Dimensional

Other Products

• Coordinating 3/8" satin ribbon

This picture is the inside of the card ---->

*Dry embossing does "shrink" the paper because of the pull into the embossing folder.  That is why I dry emboss first then trim.

**When attaching embossed cardstock, it is best to use liquid glue.

Beyond the Garden XIV Tutorial

Stampin' Up! Products

• Pacific Point cardstock
• Card box 8 1/2" x 11"
• Box layer measures 2 3/4" x 7/8"
• Wild Wasabi
• Box layer measures 4 1/4" x 2"
• Beyond the Garden Designer Series Paper
• Box layer measures 4" x 1 3/4"
• Box layer measures 2 5/8" x 5/8"
• Secret Garden and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets
• Pacific Point ink
• Modern Label and Word Window Punch
• Secret Garden Framelits
• Dimensionals

Instructions for this card box is available for a minimal charge of $2.99.  I created the tutorial with step by step pictorial instructions.  The tutorial is an Adobe file. 

Upon payment, your tutorial will be sent to you by email within 48 hours.  I usually check my account twice a day; however, if you do not receive the instructions, please send me an EMAIL. The email will be sent to the one you have with Paypal, unless otherwise noted.

Thank you.

Beyond the Garden XIV

Stampin' Up! Products

• Pacific Point cardstock
• Card base measures 4 1/4" x   5 1/2"
• Card layer measures 2 1/2" x  3 3/4"
• Strip measures 3" x 7/8"
• Beyond the Garden Designer Series Paper
• Card base layer measures 4" x 5 1/4"
• Card layer measures 2 1/4" x  3 1/2"
• Strip measures 2 7/8" x 5/8"
• Secret Garden and World Treasures stamp sets
• Pacific Point ink
• Apothecary Accents and Secret Garden Framelits
• Dimensionals

Beyond the Garden XIII

This card layout was designed by Create with Connie and Mary (Card map #CCMC239)

Stampin' Up! Products

• Whisper White cardstock
• Card base measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (folded)
• Pacific Point cardstock
• Strip measures 1/2" x 5 1/4"
• Measurement for flower 3" x 3" (two)
• Wild Wasabi cardstock
• Card layer measures 4" x 5 1/4"
• Beyond the Garden Designer Series Paper (DSP)
• Card layer measures 1 1/8" x 5 1/4"
• Measurement for flower 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" (two)
• Well Scripted stamp set
• Pacific Point ink
• Fun Flowers Die
• Circle 3/4" hand punch
• Brads 5/8" Neutrals Assortment (currently on the SU Clearance Rack)
• Dimensionals

I placed a Dimensional between the two Pacific Point layers and between the two DSP layers.

Beyond the Garden XII

Stampin Up! Products

• Tangerine Tango cardstock
• Card base measures 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" 
• Card layer measures 3 7/8" x 2 3/4"
• Whisper White cardstock
• Card layer measures 3 5/8" x 2 1/2"
• Beyond the Garden Designer Series Paper
• Card layer measures 5 1/4" x 4"
• On Your Birthday stamp set
• Tangerine Tango ink
• Dimensionals

Other Products

• Coordinating 3/8" satin ribbon

Beyond the Garden XI

Stampin' Up! Products

• Wild Wasabi cardstock
• Cover is 3 1/16" x 8 1/2 - Scored at 3", 3 3/8", 6 1/2" and 6 7/8"
• Scraps
• Pacific Point cardstock
• Layer #1 measures 2 3/4" x 2 7/8"
• Layer #2 measures 1 3/8" x 2 3/4"
• Scrap
• Beyond the Garden Designer Series Paper
• Layer #1 measures 2 1/2" x 2 5/8"
• Layer #2 measures 1 1/8" x 2 1/2"
• Delicate Doiles Sizzlit
• Circle 1 3/8" hand punch
• To Personalize
• Stamp initial and use 1 1/4" circle punch
• STEP IT UP by stamping a flower in a different color on the initial punch out

Other Products

• Velcro Dot
• Post-it-Note or Sticky Note (you may have to remove a few sheets to fit the thickness in my measurements)

Beyond the Garden X

Stampin' Up! Products

• Basic Black cardstock
• Begin with a piece measuring 3 5/8" x 3 5/8"
• Scrap
• Wild Wasabi cardstock
• Scraps
• Beyond the Garden Designer Series Paper
• Scraps for flower layer
• Secret Garden and Trendy Trees (retired) stamp sets
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• Movers and Shapers Curly Lable Die
• Secret Garden Framelits
• Modern Label and Word Window hand punches
• Glue Dots and Multipurpose Liquid Glue
• Dimensionals

Other Products

• Coordinating cardstock
• Card base measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"
• Grosgrain ribbon 5/8" - 15 inches

I think I like this better.  I used DSP for the sentiment.

 

Helpful Hint - How to tie a bow around a card without tearing up the cardstock.

I created templates out of sturdy cardstock for the common sizes used in cardmaking. I cut the templates about 1/16" less than the size of a card I wish to wrap around with ribbon. I also noted on the template how much ribbon is needed. Simply tie the "perfect" bow; which in my case make take four tries, and slip it off the template. You may have to gently bend the card to get the ribbon on. I secure in place with Glue Dots strategically placed near the knot and on the inside of the card.