Miss Your Face

July 10, 2024July 9, 2024 susanfoxbowenLeave a comment

We’re already halfway through this week. Hard to believe, isn’t it?! This week, we’re working with the Saying Hey stamp set by Stampin’ Up! to create card designs of all kinds. Today’s clean and simple card design pairs our featured stamp set with the Friends for Life set. This card also works in my favorite color family and uses some of my favorite techniques.

We get started with a card base of white cardstock. Our focal panel is matted with a panel of Pretty Peacock cardstock. Only a small border peeks out around the edges to really help our center focal section pop. Our focal panel of white cardstock has a strip of text as the backdrop for the focal panel. This one sentiment is stamped in a repeating pattern of Pretty Peacock and Coastal Cabana inks across two lines, which is just enough width to nicely frame the focal point panel. Stamping part of the sentiment as a backdrop is one of my favorite techniques for repeating the card theme.

Our focal point consists of two large font sentiments. I stamped HEY from the Saying Hey stamp set tone-on-tone on Coastal Cabana cardstock. The sentiment is then punched with the Heartfelt Hexagon punch. A second hexagon is punched from Summer Splash glimmer paper, cut in half, and then mounted behind the sentiment panel to serve as an eye-catching mat. The word FRIEND from Friends for Life is stamped in Pretty Peacock on Coastal Cabana and heat embossed with clear embossing powder for an extra pop and twinkle. Each sentiment element is mounted on the panel with dimensionals. Things are finished off with In Color glimmer gems to draw the eye across the card design.

TIP: you can make any ink color sparkle with clear embossing powder. This is one of my favorite ways to punch up text on card designs when I really want them to stand out. Want to know more? Tune in to this week’s episode of Terrific Tuesdays to catch it all in action.

Tomorrow we’ll be using a sketch but with a twist. Tune in tomorrow to learn all about it!

Products used in today’s card:
Basic White, Pretty Peacock, Coastal Cabana cardstock
In Color glimmer paper
Saying Hey, Friends for Life stamps
Friends for Life dies
Heartfelt Hexagon
In Color shimmer gems
WOW! embossing powder
Dimensionals
Adhesives

Product List

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

[159229]

$11.25

Pretty Peacock 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[150880]

$11.50

Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[131297]

$11.50

2024–2026 In Color™ Glimmer 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Paper

[163771]

$11.00

Saying Hey Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[163697]

$17.00

Friends For Life Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[163359]

$25.00

Friends For Life Dies (English)

[163364]

$34.00

Heartfelt Hexagon Punch

[162888]

$23.00

Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad

[150083]

$9.00

Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad

[147097]

$9.00

Versamark Pad

[102283]

$9.50

Basics Wow! Embossing Powder

[165679]

$21.00

2024–2026 In Color™ Shimmer Gems

[163781]

$8.50

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Add All to Cart

Hey, Good Lookin’

July 9, 2024July 8, 2024 susanfoxbowenLeave a comment

After a super hot week last week, we are now in the midst of rain from the remnants of Hurricane Beryl. As it stands right now, we’ve just gotten some rain and wind — not much more than we would expect from a spring storm. I hope that any of you who may have been in the path of the storm are safe and dry.

This week, we’re exploring designs using the Saying Hey stamp set by Stampin’ Up! This photopolymer stamp set coordinates with the Heartfelt Hexagon punch and contains sentiments that cover all of your major occasions. Today, we’re pairing up our stamp set with a number of different patterned papers from several designer series paper packs.

We get started on today’s card with a base of Basic Black cardstock. The background panel is the pieced sheet metal patterned paper sheet from the Take to the Sky paper pack. The center sentiment panel sits on a sheet of text with gold splatters from the Nature’s Sweetness paper pack that has been diecut using the Spotlight on Nature die set. The sentiment panel starts with a sheet of white cardstock where the sentiment from Saying Hey is heat embossed using the WOW! black embossing powder and then punched with the Heartfelt Hexagon punch. It’s framed with a black and gold hexagon. To accomplish the frame effect, each hexagon is cut in half on either the horizontal or vertical, depending on which direction it needed to be expanded in order to create the framed effect. So for example, the black hexagon is halved on the horizontal so that it can frame the top and bottom of the sentiment panel. The second portion of our sentiment is heat embossed in gold WOW! embossing powder on a banner of black cardstock that is diecut using the Happy Little Things banner die. The full center sentiment panel is matted with a sheet of the Pebble Path Tartan Foil specialty paper, which helps pull all of the color elements together. A few gold sequins and iridescent gems help tie all of the gold elements together.

Tomorrow we’re using a super fun stamping technique to create a focal element with the Saying Hey set. I hope you’ll pop in to check it out.

Products used in today’s card:
Basic Black, Basic White cardstock
Take to the Sky, Nature’s Sweetness, Tartan Foil, Gold foil DSP
Saying Hey stamps
Spotlight on Nature, Happy Little Things dies
Heartfelt Hexagon punch
WOW! embossing powder
Neutrals sequins, iridescent gems
Dimensionals
Adhesives

Product List

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[121045]

$11.50

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

[159229]

$11.25

Take To The Sky 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

[163436]

$12.50

Tartan Foil 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

[162332]

$10.00

Nature's Sweetness 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

[162616]

$16.50

Gold Foil Sheets

[132622]

$5.00

Saying Hey Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[163697]

$17.00

Spotlight On Nature Dies

[163580]

$35.00

Happy Little Things Dies

[163709]

$12.00

Heartfelt Hexagon Punch

[162888]

$23.00

Basics Wow! Embossing Powder

[165679]

$21.00

Metallics Wow! Embossing Powder

[165678]

$21.00

Versamark Pad

[102283]

$9.50

Neutrals Adhesive Backed Sequins

[161627]

$7.50

Iridescent Foil Gems

[162842]

$8.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Add All to Cart

Hello Hollyhocks · Kits

Hollyhock Hello

July 6, 2024June 29, 2024 susanfoxbowenLeave a comment

We are rounding out our week of card designs using the Stampin’ Up! all-inclusive card kit called Hello Hollyhocks. This one-box-wonder contains everything you need to make 9 beautiful cards. This week, we’ve explored some ways that you can use the kit and some items from your own crafting stash to make new card designs.

Today, we’re mixing things up by using a different combination of elements from the Hello Hollyhocks kit. No other materials required. Let’s take a closer look.

This card begins with the provided hollyhock card base. The sentiment panel consists of a layer of flags — the sentiment and the spotted Calypso Coral flag. Behind the stacked sentiment panel, we layer two of the Pretty Peacock greenery stems. This full panel is adhered to the card base with dimensionals. Sparkle gems finish things off on either side of the sentiment for some eye-catching glimmer.

Have you enjoyed a look at the Hello Hollyhocks all-inclusive card kit? Interested in learning more about Stampin’ Up! kits? Join me for my Let’s Kit Together card class series. Click each graphic for more information on the 3 upcoming classes.

Thanks for coming along with me on our kit tour this week. I hope you’ll join me next week as we Say Hey.

Products used in today’s card:
Hello Hollyhocks
Dimensionals
Adhesives

Product List

Hello Hollyhocks Kit

[164458]

$14.00

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Tear & Tape Adhesive

[154031]

$7.00

Add All to Cart

Hello Hollyhocks · Kits

Framed Hollyhocks

July 5, 2024June 28, 2024 susanfoxbowen2 Comments

Hello, everyone! I hope you’re enjoying our look at the new kit by Stampin’ Up! called Hello Hollyhocks. This all-inclusive kit includes everything in the box that you’ll need to assemble 9 beautiful cards. This week, we’ve been exploring how we can use this kit and a few items from our crafty stash to make new designs.

Today, we’re giving a new look to the included hollyhock frame. Let’s take a closer look at how it comes together.

We start with the included speckled Petal Pink card base. I cut down a quarter sheet of Calypso Coral cardstock to serve as the base for the focal panel and allow a full quarter-inch border of card base around each side. To give a fun new look to the include frame, we use our Deckled Rectangles dies to cut a portion out of the center of the Calypso Coral cardstock that is the same size as the center portion of the hollyhock frame. We then adhere the frame to the Calypso Coral panel and then adhere the full panel to the card base using dimensionals. Using a provided banner sentiment panel, we adhere a faux bow of Petal Pink diagonal trim behind the sentiment and then adhere a stem of Pretty Peacock greenery from the kit. The sentiment panel is popped up above the frame layer with dimensionals. The design is finished off with the included sparkle gems.

Tomorrow, we finish off our alternative Hello Hollyhock card designs with a simple twist on everything that’s included. I hope you’ll stop by and check it out!

Products used in today’s card:
Hello Hollyhocks card kit
Calypso Coral cardstock
Deckled Rectangles dies
Diagonal trim
Dimensionals
Adhesives

Product List

Hello Hollyhocks Kit

[164458]

$14.00

Calypso Coral 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[122925]

$11.50

Deckled Rectangles Dies

[159173]

$30.00

Petal Pink & White 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Diagonal Trim Combo Pack

[163417]

$10.00

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Tear & Tape Adhesive

[154031]

$7.00

Add All to Cart

Hello Hollyhocks · Kits

Merci Hollyhocks

July 4, 2024June 28, 2024 susanfoxbowenLeave a comment

It’s Independence Day here in the U.S. And I certainly couldn’t be more thankful to live in a place where I have the freedoms to live, work, and believe than I am today. How fortunate we are indeed!

This week, we are exploring the ways that we can expand on the Stampin’ Up! Hello Hollyhocks card kit to create beautiful alternative card designs using the kit and additional elements from our crafting stash. Today’s card adds diecut elements and ribbon to create this lovely thank-you card.

We start today’s card with the included Old Olive card base. We’re also using the small Calypso Coral rectangle, Petal Pink sentiment, and three-stem bunch of hollyhocks included in the kit. I started by diecutting the backdrop for the hollyhock focal image. This is cut from Calypso Coral cardstock using the Deckled Rectangles dies. I cut the three-stem bunch of hollyhocks from the frame and then adhered the flowers to the center of the rectangle. Next, we’ll diecut the backdrop for our sentiment from Calypso Coral cardstock using the Everyday Details dies. I chose my sentiment and then adhered the small rectangle from the kit to the back. I flipped the rectangle over to reveal the white backside because I wanted contrast between the Calypso Coral mat and the Petal Pink sentiment panel. Each of these layers are adhered together and then adhered over the stems of hollyhocks with dimensionals. The full panel is then adhered to the card base with dimensionals. A bow of striped iridescent ribbon is adhered just above the sentiment panel to give the look of a tied bunch of hollyhocks. Things are finished off with the included sparkle gems to draw the eye to the sentiment.

Tomorrow, we’re giving our hollyhock frame a new look. I hope you’ll stop in and check it out!

Products used in today’s card:
Hello Hollyhocks card kit
Calypso Coral cardstock
Iridescent striped ribbon
Dimensionals
Adhesives

Product List

Hello Hollyhocks Kit

[164458]

$14.00

Calypso Coral 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[122925]

$11.50

Deckled Rectangles Dies

[159173]

$30.00

Everyday Details Dies

[162864]

$34.00

Iridescent 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Striped Trim

[163299]

$8.50

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Mini Glue Dots

[103683]

$7.25

Add All to Cart

Hello Hollyhocks · Kits

Thoughts of You Hollyhocks

July 3, 2024June 29, 2024 susanfoxbowenLeave a comment

Today, we’re continuing our look into alternative card designs using the Stampin’ Up! Hello Hollyhocks card kit. The watercolored images in this kit are simply stunning, and I just love the color palette that was chosen for the kit elements. You literally do not need anything that isn’t in the kit box in order to make beautiful cards. But if you’re up for a little crafting adventure, then I hope you’re enjoying the alternative designs I’m sharing with you this week.

Next up is a very simple alternative card design. By simply adding a diecut element and changing the shape of an included kit element, you have a whole new look to this card design.

This card design begins with the included hollyhock card base. The sentiment panel consists of three elements — the included circle sentiment, the included speckled Calypso Coral flag, and a diecut circle. We get started by diecutting a radiating circle from Calypso Coral cardstock using the Spotlight on Nature dies. We transform our speckled Calypso Coral flag into a banner by snipping the other end to match with the pennant cutout. I layered the banner behind the sentiment and then adhered them on top of the diecut circle. This full panel is adhered to the card front with a double layer of dimensionals. And things are finished off with the included sparkle gems around the sentiment.

Tomorrow, we’re framing things up in a different way. I hope you’ll stop by to check out the latest card alternative using the Hello Hollyhocks card kit!

Products used in today’s design:
Hello Hollyhocks card kit
Calypso Coral cardstock
Spotlight on Nature dies
Dimensionals

Product List

Hello Hollyhocks Kit

[164458]

$14.00

Calypso Coral 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[122925]

$11.50

Spotlight On Nature Dies

[163580]

$35.00

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Add All to Cart

Hello Hollyhocks · Kits

Thinking of Hollyhocks

July 2, 2024June 29, 2024 susanfoxbowenLeave a comment

Happy Tuesday, everyone! This week, we’re getting a closer look at the beautiful new kit by Stampin’ Up! called Hello Hollyhocks. This kit comes with everything you need to create 9 stunning cards. And each day this week, I’m showing you how you can use the kit elements along with a few items from your own personal crafting stash to create gorgeous design alternatives.

Today, we’re adding an additional diecut cardstock element to the Hello Hollyhocks kit to create this stunner. We start with the provided Petal Pink dotted card base. The backdrop for the image panel is a piece of Flirty Flamingo cardstock diecut using the Spotlight on Nature dies. The larger Calypso Coral rectangle included in the kit is adhered at the base of the circle and together these provide the base for our image and sentiment elements. The two-stem hollyhocks and peacock and olive stems are arranged and then adhered to the back of the sentiment. A faux bow made from the white & silver sheer ribbon is adhered to the Flirty Flamingo circle using tear and tape. And then the sentiment panel is adhered over it using two layers of dimensionals. The sparkle gems included in the kit finish off the design.

Would you like to see how to put together the 3 designs from the Hello Hollyhocks kit? Tune in to today’s episode of Terrific Tuesdays to see this all-inclusive kit come to life:

Tomorrow, we’ll be keeping things simple with our card alternative. I hope you’ll stop by and check it out.

Products used:
Hello Hollyhocks kit
Flirty Flamingo cardstock
Spotlight on Nature dies
Silver & white sheer ribbon
Dimensionals
Adhesives

Product List

Hello Hollyhocks Kit

[164458]

$14.00

Flirty Flamingo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[141416]

$11.50

Spotlight On Nature Dies

[163580]

$35.00

Silver & White 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Sheer Ribbon

[162149]

$9.00

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Tear & Tape Adhesive

[138995]

$7.00

Add All to Cart

Hello Hollyhocks · Kits

Hello Hollyhocks Kit Alternatives

July 1, 2024June 28, 2024 susanfoxbowenLeave a comment

Welcome to a brand new week. Can you believe it’s July already?! And in usual Texas fashion, we have jumped straight from the frying pan into the fire as far as our weather goes. Man, has it been HOT! But I’ve taken advantage of the hot days by spending some extra time in the craft room. *grin*

This week, we’re going to be taking a closer look at the Hello Hollyhocks kit by Stampin’ Up! This kit includes everything you need to create 9 beautiful cards — 3 each of 3 different designs. You literally open the box and go to town. In about 30 minutes, you’ll have 9 cards all done and ready to send. How cool is that?! During tomorrow’s episode of Terrific Tuesdays, I’ll walk you through unboxing the kit and making all 3 designs.

But the focus of the designs I’ll be sharing with you this week will be alternative card designs using the elements from the Hello Hollyhocks kit. With just a few extras from your crafting stash, you can create some lovely cards using this kit.

For today’s kit alternative card, I kept things very simple. The only element not included in the Hello Hollyhocks kit is the linen thread. From there, it’s just a mix and match of kit elements.

We get started with the Old Olive card base provided in the kit. The focal panel consists of the three-stem bunch of hollyhocks, the narrow Calypso Coral rectangle, and the Petal Pink THANKS sentiment panel. I adhered each of these elements together to create one panel. I made a twist of linen thread and added it behind the focal panel and then adhered everything into place with a double layer of dimensionals. A few of the kit’s included sparkle gems finish things off nicely.

This card came together in less than 5 minutes. Honestly, it took me the longest time to get the twist of linen thread to look right and then cooperate as I was trying to adhere it. This is so often the case with any ribbon element I add. Anyone else struggle with getting ribbons or threads to cooperate?

I hope you’ll pop back by tomorrow to see another card alternative for the Hello Hollyhocks kit!

Products used:
Hello Hollyhocks kit
Linen thread
Dimensionals

Product List

Hello Hollyhocks Kit

[164458]

$14.00

Linen Thread

[104199]

$5.00

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Add All to Cart

Changing Leaves · Coming Soon

Grateful Leaves

June 29, 2024June 26, 2024 susanfoxbowenLeave a comment

We’re closing out our sneak peek of the upcoming Online Exclusive bundle called Changing Leaves. This bundle, which includes a photopolymer stamp set, coordinating dies, and a hybrid embossing folder, launches in my online store on July 3rd! We’re rounding out this week’s designs with an earth tone color palette and a simple layout.

We get started on today’s card with a base of Cajun Craze cardstock. The background panel is a piece of the Cajun Craze Tartan Foil designer paper. Our focal panel is three layers of neutral goodness with a Deckled Rectangle mat of Early Espresso, a larger straight-edged mat of Very Vanilla, and an embossed layer of Early Espresso using the Changing Leaves embossing folder. I just love the deep impression you get every time with this embossing folder. It shows so much detail in the leave patterns. The sentiment panel is a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock diecut using the Nested Essentials dies, and the sentiment from Something Fancy is heat embossed in copper. I used a twist of Cajun Craze twine (releasing in the fall!) and added some copper sequins around the panel for eye-catching sparkle. A piece of linen thread would also work perfectly behind the sentiment.

This week, I really wanted to highlight how you can use the new Changing Leaves bundle in so many different ways. We’ll run another series closer to fall to showcase how you can pair this beautiful bundle with many other Stampin’ Up! products to stretch the design possibilities even further. But next week, we’re going to say HELLO to the Hollyhocks. I hope you’ll join me!

Products used in today’s card:
Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla cardstock
Tartan Foil DSP
Changing Leaves embossing folder (coming soon)
Something Fancy stamps
Nested Essentials, Deckled Rectangles dies
Cajun Craze linen thread (coming Fall 2024)
Neutrals sequins
Dimensionals
Adhesives

Product List

Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[119684]

$11.50

Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[119686]

$11.50

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[101650]

$13.00

Tartan Foil 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

[162332]

$10.00

Something Fancy Cling Stamp Set (English)

[160416]

$23.00

Nested Essentials Dies

[161597]

$34.00

Deckled Rectangles Dies

[159173]

$30.00

Metallics Embossing Powders

[155555]

$18.00

Neutrals Adhesive Backed Sequins

[161627]

$7.50

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Add All to Cart

Changing Leaves · Coming Soon

Note to Brighten Your Day

June 28, 2024June 26, 2024 susanfoxbowen2 Comments

This week, we’re getting a sneak peek at the upcoming Online Exclusive called Changing Leaves. This bundle includes photopolymer stamps, coordinating dies, and a hybrid embossing folder. Today, I wanted to highlight another way you can use this set to create something other than a fall-themed card with a bright and cheery color palette and a fun complimentary product pairing.

Today’s card is all about a little friendly encouragement. With a fun color palette and incorporation of the Friends for Life set, we have a a terrific note to brighten someone’s day.

We get started with a card base of Summer Splash cardstock. Our background panel is a sheet of the Flowering Zinnias designer paper. Our focal panel backdrop is a leaf pattern using the Changing Leaves stamps. I used one of my larger stamp blocks to arrange my leaf stamps in a pattern I liked. I then layered the ink on the stamps for an ombre-looking effect by starting with Summer Splash over the entirety of the leaf images, then placing Old Olive up the centers, and then lightly tapping the edges with Pretty Peacock. I stamped these twice to get my panel, cut it to size, and then matted with Pretty Peacock for a nice contrast against the Flowering Zinnia DSP panel.

For the sentiment panel, start by diecutting the word friend using the Friends for Life dies. The background is Summer Splash glimmer paper, while the detail lettering is Summer Splash cardstock. The sentiment from Changing Leaves is stamped in Pretty Peacock on white cardstock and then diecut using the smallest banner from the Nested Essentials die set using the extension method. I liked the look of stitching on either end of the sentiment banner to really draw the eye in and give some interest. The sentiment is mounted on dimensionals over a twist of Pretty Peacock & Gold metallic ribbon. A scattering of the blue iridescent discs gives some eye-catching sparkle to draw the eye in.

Tomorrow we’re wrapping up our sneak peek of the Changing Leaves bundle with an earthy palette. I hope you’ll pop by and take a look.

Products used in today’s card:
Summer Splash, Pretty Peacock, Basic White cardstock
Flowering Zinnias, In Color Glimmer DSP
Changing Leaves stamps
Friends for Life, Nested Essentials dies
Pretty Peacock & Gold metallic ribbon
Iridescent discs
Dimensionals
Adhesives

Product List