#handmadecards

August 2021 Paper Pumpkin Alternatives- Hope Box

Leave a Comment / By

The August 2021 Paper Pumpkin kit is titled Hope Box. It was created by one of Stampin’ Up’s founders, Shelli Gardner. When Shelli designs a kit, it is highly sought out!

Today’s Video

Once again, I have found that Paper Pumpkin has improved their kit cards and I like them! As a result, I decided to create my alternatives using only the stamps and a few unused elements of the kit. I love that I can then choose any Stampin’ Up colors for my cards!

More Hope Box Cards

This is a greeting card created with elements of the Paper Pumpkin Hope Box kit.

For example, the card featured in today’s video uses So Saffron, Pool Party, Melon Mambo, and Bermuda Bay. However, my first version uses Blackberry Bliss, Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Rich Razzleberry, and Bermuda Bay.

The sentiments that are included in the Hope Box are great for those cards that are really difficult to send. It is important to have these greetings in our stash. But we are not limited by them either. Mixing our stamp sets is super fun!

I used my Stampin’ Write Marker in Blackberry Bliss to make the dashes between the butterflies. I could do this with complete confidence that the marker would match my stamped image. You cannot do this at the local craft store. I love that Stampin’ Up inks match with the embellishments, markers, cardstocks, and ribbons!

This card design was my favorite one to make. The process is a little messy but it is fun! Some of the splatters were created using the included stamp and the rest were created by flicking the Stampin’ Write markers. Then I used the Ornate Floral Embossing Folder to dry emboss this layer. Next, I stamped al butterfly on an additional piece of Basic White cardstock and fussy cut it out. It is popped up on the card with dimensionals. And lastly, I used some Wink of Stella on it to give it some sparkle and I adhered the sentiment across the middle.

Next Month’s Paper Pumpkin

Don’t forget to hurry and sign up for next month’s Paper Pumpkin kit, Haunts and Harvest by September 10th. You can use one of the links below.

I hope that you enjoyed today’s alternative cards. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel to get informed whenever I post a new video. As always, remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative!

Sally

Card Supplies

Shop my entire online store: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/shop/

Card Measurements

  • Melon Mambo Cardstock: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″
  • Pool Party Cardstock: 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″, and 1/2″ x 5″
  • Basic White Cardstock: 4″ x 5 1/4″, and (3) 7/8″ x 2 1/4″

Feels Like Home

Leave a Comment / By

The Feels Like Home stamp set is one of Stampin’ Up’s Sale-A-Bration offerings with a $50 product purchase. The intricate images are reminiscent of summer days gone by.

These cards are my color challenge cards for August. I was assigned the colors of Night of Navy, Basic Gray, and Melon Mambo.

Today’s Video

I like these colors. However, I found that choosing stamp sets was the real challenge for me this month! Be sure to watch to the end of the video to see my additional cards. 🙂

Also, please consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel so that you do not miss any of my new videos!

More Color Challenge Cards

This card features the Shaded Summer stamp set and dies. The dies are another offering with purchase during Sale-A-Bration. I stamped and cut out two of these images and glued them together to give a little extra dimension. I adhered the image using dimensionals. Finding an embellishment was quite the task. I ended up coloring some pearls with my Night of Navy Stampin’ Blends marker for this card. The small Night of Navy peeking out from behind the scalloped edge is shimmer paper.

The Daisy Garden stamp set steals the show in Basic Gray on this card. The stamp creates such a soft and gentle image. I love everything about this card!

Card Supplies

Shop my entire online store: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/shop/

Card Measurements

  • Basic White Thick Cardstock: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″
  • Night of Navy Cardstock: 1 3/4″ x 5″
  • Basic Gray Cardstock:1 3/4″ x 5″
  • Melon Mambo Cardstock: 3″ x 4″
  • Basic White Cardstock: 2 3/4″ x 3 3/4″

Sale-A-Bration 2021

Leave a Comment / By

Sale-A-Bration is the very best time of year for Stampin’ Up customers! On top of the already great card-making products, Stampin’ Up is currently offering free gifts with purchase!

Some Sale-A-Bration items are free with a $50 purchase. Other free items are with a $100 purchase. The purchase amount is the total amount of the product before tax and shipping. Customers are able to mix and match as their total allows. Watch today’s video to see these excellent products up close. 🙂

Today’s Sale-A-Bration Video

Aren’t the Sale-A-Bration products great? There is a little something for everyone! It won’t be hard to earn these products. Have you seen the new Holiday Mini Catalog? Oh, my word! Just the Christmas card items alone blew my mind! If you haven’t taken the time to watch my video showing some of the new catalog items, you can check it out here: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/2021-holiday-mini-catalog-preview/

Become A Discount Shopper

Do you know the best way to get all of those goodies on your Stampin’ Up wishlist? Get a discount!!! You should join my team and become a discount shopper. You can purchase a starter kit for just $99. And YOU get to choose $125 in products. You will also get some business supplies included with your kit.

If you purchase your starter kit during Sale-A-Bration, you can ALSO choose a FREE bundle from the list below! That is up to an additional $60 in free supplies!

Please know that you will NOT be required to do anything else! But you will want to stay around and enjoy all of the ideas and support from a wonderful community. Please contact me at sally@thepolkadotlife.com if you have any questions.

As always, remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative.

Sally

Stellar Birthday

Leave a Comment / By

I live in Huntsville, AL. We are the Rocket City. The rockets developed here put man on the moon! Huntsville is home to the US Space & Rocket Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, and Space Camp. There was no doubt that I would be purchasing the Stellar Birthday stamp Set!

This stamp set features whimsical space children, a dog, and sayings that play off of the space theme. It comes across as a set only for children’s birthday cards, but I will show you a version for adult space enthusiasts as well.

Today’s Video

My first card is a sweet fun fold card. This project begins with creating my own DSP. I used our Whisper White Craft Ink Pad and the star stamp to create a night sky. Don’t forget about this star stamp when you sit down to make Christmas Cards this year!

There aren’t any dies to match this stamp set. However, the images are not difficult to fussy cut. And these images are so cute! You can customize the hair and skin color to represent your favorite child. I love that!

More Stellar Birthday Cards

My second card is on a Smoky Slate base. It is in a horizontal orientation. The greeting was stamped with Night of Navy ink and embossed using clear embossing powder. The embossing just helps it stand out a little better.

My final card is for a very special friend. Mr. Frank is a member of my church family. He has worked in the space industry for decades. Frank is just now getting ready for retirement and he is in his 80’s. Yes, you read that correctly!

Card Supplies

The colors of Stampin’ Blends that I used for my cards were: Misty Moonlight L+D, Real Red L+D, Daffodil Delight L, Pumpkin Pie L, Melon Mambo L, Smoky Slate L+D, Petal Pink L, Ivory, Bronze, Soft Suede L+D, and Crumb Cake L.

Shop my entire online store: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/shop/

Card Measurements

  • Basic White Thick Cardstock: 4 1/4″ x 11″, scored at 5 1/2″
  • Night of Navy Cardstock: 4″ x 5 1/4″ and 2 1/2″ x 4″
  • Basic White Cardstock: 2 3/4″ x 4 1/4″, 4″ x 5 1/4″ for inside, and scrap for sentiment
  • Real Red Cardstock: 2″ x 3 3/4″ and 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″ for inside layer

Sunny Sentiments

Leave a Comment / By

I love the Sunny Sentiments Stamp Set by Stampin’ Up! It features large, bold sentiments that are useful and fun. The fonts are chunky and they stand out. The sentiments are words that you would actually say to someone.

Today’s Video

If you are a beginning stamper trying to build your supplies, this is a set you should purchase. It is easy to stamp and the greetings will cover most of the cards you will make.

Did you like today’s card layout? It is so easy and fun! I like that you can make it just like it is or build on that by adding layers and embellishments. Additionally, I do enjoy a black and white card on occasion. They are sleek.

More Sunny Sentiments Cards

Look what flipping over the same paper does! It’s an entirely different look and vibe. And all from a small piece of paper. Remember this layout when you need to make multiple cards at one time. This layout would be a lifesaver. It would be great to use when making your holiday cards.

Look at that stunning black sentiment! Your eyes can’t help but be drawn to it. The recipient of this card will not miss the message that you intend to relay.

Here is another great layout! It is also easy. You can change to look easily by adding a layer or changing the color of your card base. You could use any paper that you have in your stash.

I hope that you found today’s card layouts useful. My goal is to produce a wide variety of ideas for all levels of crafters. As always, remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative.

Sally

Card Supplies

Shop My Entire Online Store: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/shop/

Card Measurements

  • Basic White Thick Cardstock: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″
  • Pattern Party DSP: 3 1/4″ x 4 1/2″, then cut lengthwise at 1 5/8″, then turn and cut at 1 1/2″

Daisy Garden Background Stamp

Leave a Comment / By

The Daisy Garden Background Stamp is a new offering in the 2021-2022 Annual Catalog. Sometimes we are looking for a subtle image when creating. But a background stamp might not be the first thing that pops into your head. Today we will use this big stamp in a small way.

Today’s Video

I began by using the Brick & Mortar 3D Embossing Folder. I used the Calypso Coral Ink Pad to lightly ink the surface of the folder. Then I inserted a piece of Basic White Cardstock and ran it through the embossing machine. The Pattern Party Host Reward paper pack is where I found the striped paper. The Tailor Made Tags die set is another new item. I love the varied sizes and the two different shapes of tags. I used one die to cut my stamped image and another size to cut Calypso Coral cardstock.

More Daisy Garden Cards

I used my water painters that were filled with alcohol to paint these daisies. The colors used were Soft Succulent, Evening Evergreen, and Bumblebee. When I was finished painting, I took the alcohol and thinned out the Bumblebee ink. Next, I loaded my water painter with the think ink and struck it against my bone folder to spatter the ink on my card.

The painted layer of the card is Shimmery White cardstock and the card base is Very Vanilla. The mat is the Shimmer Vellum in Soft Succulent.

This card has more of a rustic or country feel to it. I really wanted to keep a simple, monochromatic look. There is no sentiment on this card so that it can be used for any occasion.

Thank you for taking time to read my blog. Have a wonderful holiday weekend with your family. As always, remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative!

Sally

Card Supplies

Shop my entire online store: https://www.thepolkadotlife.com/shop/

Card Measurements

  • Basic White Thick: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 /14″
  • Basic White: 4″ x 5 1/4″
  • DSP: 2″ x 5 1/4″
  • Scrap for Tags and Sentiment

Fine Art Floral Suite by Stampin’ Up

Leave a Comment / By

The Fine Art Floral Suite by Stampin’ Up is jam-packed with wonderful elements. There are stamps, dies, embossing folders, vinyl sheets, a ribbon, gold leafing, and DSP. And that Designer Series Paper is what I wanted to focus on today.

Today’s Video

I love this fun fold layout. It is perfect for when you have so many beautiful papers and you just can’t decide which pattern to choose. That is exactly why I chose this layout for today’s project. This card looks like it took hours to make, but it actually goes together pretty quickly.

The belly band is always a favorite for me! As an alternative, you could put the folded card into one of our acetate boxes and put the band around the box instead of the card base.

Remember, you can get tons of card layout ideas from Stampin’ Up catalogs! I even keep my old ones to look at for inspiration. I hope that you enjoyed learning how to. use the Foam Adhesive Sheets. It is one of those things that you might see in the catalog, yet not understand how to use. I do not use them often. However, they really do make a nice design element.

More Art Gallery Cards

Each one of these cards is unique and different. The gold leafing makes the already beautiful flower images come to life. And the florals are swoon-worthy! 🙂 Don’t forget to SEND these cards. They will be a big hit with your friends and family.

As always, remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative!

Sally

Card Supplies

Shop my entire online store: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/shop/

Card Measurements

Card Base: 5 1/2″ x 11″, scored at 4 1/4″, 7″, and 9 3/4″ inches

DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″, 2 1/2″ x 5 1/4″, and (2) 1″ x 5 1/4

Basic White: 2 1/2″ x 5 1/4″

Cardstock for Belly Band: 9 1/2″ x 1 1/2″

Last Chance Sale

The Last Chance Sale will begin June 1st.

Paper Pumpkin Batter Up

Leave a Comment / By

My Paper Pumpkin Batter Up kit just arrived and it is full of goodies. There are die cuts that can be used in all sorts of ways. Also, there are matte resin dots that I just love to use. The card bases and envelopes have very clean-styled patterns that are easy to mix and match.

Today’s Video

I am not sure which of the cards I made was my favorite. Each one of them has elements that I really like. I am not a blue person, but I really do enjoy working with Pacific Point any chance I get! Night of Navy is my favorite neutral color. It plays so well with many colors in our line. In addition, I loved getting to pull in the Hats Off Bundle. I can see that I will get a lot of use from those products!

On this card, I glued the bats to the ball first. Second, I glued down the ball. And last, I secured down the ends of the bats with a tiny dot of glue after the ball dried. Please be VERY careful when you wrap your thread around your card base. If you pull too hard, you can tear your base. I barely escaped disaster.

This card reminds me of my hometown. The Pittsburgh Pirates were the closest MLB team. So, I decided to use the Hats Off stamps and dies to make this awesome cap! You can make your card reflect your favorite team. This card would be great for birthdays, graduations, or Father’s Day. And it is great for both males and females.

In my opinion, Paper Pumpkin has significantly upped their game as of late. The elements of recent kits are good for both new and experienced stampers. Leave me a comment and tell me if you feel that is the case! As always remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative.

Sally

Supplies Used

Shop my entire store: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/shop/

Card Measurements

  • Large Square: 3″ x 3″
  • Small Square: 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″
  • Scrap for Sentiment
This is a greeting card made using the Simply Succulents Bundle by Stampin' Up.

Simply Succulents by Stampin’ Up

Leave a Comment / By

The Simply Succulents Bundle by Stampin’ Up can be found in the January-June 2021 catalog. The bundle includes a stamp set and dies. My favorite part of the bundle is the die set. There are great sentiment frames, nice filler greenery, and one large gorgeous die that creates an entire card front.

Today’s Video

Where I Started

I have had the Simply Succulents Bundle for a while. It intimidated me for some reason and I don’t even know why! I was very drawn to it but I just didn’t know where to start. As a result, I just kept sliding it to the bottom of my pile. However, I finally decided it was finally time to jump into using the set.

The only idea I had in my mind was that I wanted to use the Blending Brush technique. So, I grabbed a sheet of our new Basic White Thick Cardstock and made a tye-dyed-looking sheet of paper. From there I used the largest die and ran it through my die cutting machine. This resulted in a beautiful card front and a million tiny bits of paper! I stamped and cut a few images out of my remaining paper. After using the die, I decided that I wanted to make a card using this piece as a mask. That is what brought me to today’s card.

More Simply Succulents Cards

I decided to move on and try stamping and coloring the images in the stamp set. First, I tried my hand a using our Stampin’ Blend Markers to do my coloring. This proved to be challenging for me. The new Basic White Thick Cardstock just worked a little differently for me. I need to make more cards and practice. That is the only way for my to improve.

Next, I tried using our Watercolor Pencils and Blender Pen. I chose to use a pastel shades. I felt most comfortable with this technique and I like how the card looked.

Last, I tried my hand at watercoloring. I am not a water color artist! But, at least Stampin’ Up offers us products that we can use to do a good job. The results weren’t awful, but I feel that using the Watercolor Paper would have been a better choice for this project.

I would encourage you to pull out a project that you are just afraid to start. Find a technique or card sketch that you like and start there. If that card isn’t exactly what you love, you will probably be inspired to change something and continue. It’s a process!

As always, remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative!

Sally

Measurements for Today’s Card

  • Rich Razzleberry Card Base: 5 1/2″ X 8 1/2″, Scored at 4 1/4″, and scrap for sentiment
  • Shimmery White Cardstock: 5 1/2″ x 11″ (This should give you enough room to have your mask that you will cut down, a sentiment, and an inside layer) Also, a 4″ x 5 1/2″ piece for the mat.

Card Supplies

Shop My Entire Online Store: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/shop/

Paper Blooms by Stampin’ UP

Leave a Comment / By

Have you ever heard the terms beginner, casual, or avid crafter? Today, I am going to use the Paper Blooms Designer Series Paper by Stampin’ Up to illustrate these terms. You can earn this paper for FREE right now during Sale-A-Bration when you purchase $50 in products. But hurry! Sale-A-Bration ends February 28th.

Today’s Paper Blooms Video

Beginner Crafter

Let me begin by saying that this tern is not meant to be offensive in any way. It can mean that you are an actual beginner and this project is a great place to start! Alternatively, this could also mean that this is just the style that you prefer. A beginner crafter card would include only stamps, ink, and paper.

These cards are both very simple to make. But aren’t they lovely? I like the clean and sleek feel of these cards.

Casual Crafter

On a casual card, the crafter would add some type of die or punch, an embellishment, or dimension. The card I make in today’s video, I add a punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals, and some cute butterfly embellishments. This card also has an additional layer.

Avid Crafter

The term avid crafter simply means that this is a crafter who enjoys adding many layers, dies, dimension elements, and embellishments to their cards. An avid crafter is usually a person that has a larger collection of craft supplies at their disposal. It does not mean that their cards are any better or that they outshine a beginner card. Again, this might just simply be a crafter’s personal preference for making cards.

Additionally, these cards are still very simple in nature. The Designer Series Paper is the absolute star of the show!

As always, remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative!

Sally

Join My Team

Sale-A-Bration is the best time of year to join Stampin’ Up! You can join my team here: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/join-my-team/

Supplies

Shop My Entire Online Store: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/shop/

Card Measurements-Beginner

  • Basic White Cardstock- 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″ and 3/4″ x 4 1/4″
  • DSP- 4″ x 5 1/4″

Card Measurements-Casual

  • Basic White Cardstock- 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″
  • Petal Pink Cardstock- 4″ x 5 1/4″
  • DSP- 3 3/4″ x 5″
  • Seaside Spray- Scrap for sentiment that will fit your punch or die

Card Measurements-Avid

  • Seaside Spray Cardstock- 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″ and scrap that will fit your punch or die
  • Basic White Cardstock: 4″ x 5 1/4″ and 3 3/4″ x 5″
  • Night of Navy Cardstock: 3 7/8″ x 5 1/8″
  • Designer Series Paper; 3 5/8″ x 4 7/8″

Facebook
YouTube
YouTube
Pinterest
Pinterest
fb-share-icon
Instagram