Tag: SU!

Father's Day

Amazing Dad

susanfoxbowenLeave a comment

Woohoo, we’ve made it to Friday! It’s been a rainy week here in North Texas, so lots of the usual outside activities have been put on hold. So we’re hoping for a respite from the predicted weekend rain showers. And I’ve got lots of things on the to-do list for the weekend. What about you? I’m super excited to have a card class on my to-do list. And this time, I get the privilege of being the student. *grin*

This week, we’ve been digging in our crafty stash to create cards for the awesome dads in our lives. And today we’re taking it outside by pairing up the new Scenic Adventure bundle with a super fun (and easy!) faux watercolor technique I learned over at On Y Go to create a lovely sunset scene.

Our card gets started with a base of Crumb Cake cardstock and then I cut a window using the Textured Notes die. To create the sunset in the background, cover a clear block with a combination of Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, and Flirty Flamingo ink and then spritz with water before stamping on the quarter panel of Very Vanilla cardstock. For some extra interest and a touch of mystical sparkle, add some Wink of Stella to the panel before adhering to the back of the front panel so that it peeks through the window. The trees and grass are cut from a combination of Mossy Meadow, Shaded Spruce, and Crumb Cake using the Scenic Adventure dies. The grass is adhered directly to the front panel, while the trees are adhered with dimensionals to give some depth to the scene.

Our sentiment is in two parts. The top sentiment you’re amazing from Scenic Adventure is stamped in Versamark on Crumb Cake and then heat embossed with copper. I cut around this sentiment using paper snips. The sentiment panel is adhered to a sheet of pastel ombre glimmer paper and then cut to mat the sentiment. The full panel is adhered to the top of the sunset using dimensionals. We cut our bottom sentiment panel from Pretty Peacock glimmer paper using the Nested Essentials dies. The bottom DAD sentiment from He’s the Greatest is stamped directly in the center of the peacock panel in Versamark and then heat embossed with copper. This panel is mounted with dimensionals in the center of the card at the bottom of the front panel over some linen thread. We finish things off with some In Color flat pearls and riverside pearls.

Product List
Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 120953 ]
[120953]
$14.00
Mossy Meadow 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 133676 ]
[133676]
$14.00
Shaded Spruce 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146981 ]
[146981]
$14.00
Very Vanilla 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166784 ]
[166784]
$14.00
Pastel Ombre Glimmer 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Paper [ 164851 ]
[164851]
$12.00
Three Color Glimmer 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Paper [ 162813 ]
[162813]
$10.50
Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147087 ]
[147087]
$9.00
Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147086 ]
[147086]
$9.00
Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147052 ]
[147052]
$9.00
Textured Notes Dies [ 165555 ]
[165555]
$31.00
Nested Essentials Dies [ 161597 ]
[161597]
$34.00
Scenic Adventure Bundle (English) [ 165468 ]
[165468]
$49.50
He's The Greatest Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 165684 ]
[165684]
$17.00
Versamark Pad [ 102283 ]
[102283]
$9.50
Metallics Wow! Embossing Powder [ 165678 ]
[165678]
$21.00
2025–2027 In Color™ Flat Pearls [ 165192 ]
[165192]
$8.50
Riverside Irregular Pearls [ 164937 ]
[164937]
$9.00
Linen Thread [ 104199 ]
[104199]
$5.00
Mini Stampin' Dimensionals [ 144108 ]
[144108]
$4.25
Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [ 141897 ]
[141897]
$9.00
Add All to Cart
Father's Day

Greatest Dad Plaid

susanfoxbowenLeave a comment

This week we’re honoring the fellas who answer to DAD. What big, special shoes they fill! And whether a real dad, a bonus dad, or someone who just stands in the gap for a dad, each and every one is worthy of a little something special to let them know they’re loved and appreciated for all they do.

Today, we’re paying homage to dad’s closet as we pull out the Timeless Plaid and tuck a note in the pocket of dad’s favorite shirt. This card comes together in minutes and is sure to bring a smile.

Everything gets started with a base of Misty Moonlight cardstock. I chose two different plaid patterns from the Timeless Plaid paper pack to make the shirt. I really like the contrasting patterns and perfect complimentary color schemes of these two plaids. This 6×6 paper is two-sided, and I chose to have the collar of the shirt match the pocket. So to start, I turned down the top corner of the shirt to create the collar and then cut a piece of the complimentary pattern to cover the pattern on the flap. I chose to adhere the collar directly to the shirt, but you could use a dimensional to give the collar a more realistic look against the shirt. I cut the pocket using the Countryside Corners dies and placed mini dimensionals on the back and set aside. Next up, using the Notes & Totes dies and Very Vanilla cardstock, cut the notecard to tuck in the pocket. The sentiment is a combination of He’s the Greatest and She’s the Greatest stamps and is stamped in Misty Moonlight. A few heart sequins are affixed on either side of DAD. To give some relief between the two contrasting plaid patterns, I added a strip of Misty Moonlight linen thread at the top of the pocket, tucked the sentiment between the dimensionals, and then adhered the pocket to the shirt. We finish things off with some decorative buttons on the pocket and down the shirt using silver faceted gems.

Tomorrow we’re painting the sky just for dad using a fun new technique. I hope you’ll pop by and check it out.

Product List
Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 153081 ]
[153081]
$14.00
Very Vanilla 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166784 ]
[166784]
$14.00
Timeless Plaid 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 164678 ]
[164678]
$12.50
Countryside Corners Dies [ 161471 ]
[161471]
$28.00
Notes & Totes Dies [ 165240 ]
[165240]
$39.00
He's The Greatest Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 165684 ]
[165684]
$17.00
She's The Greatest Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 165439 ]
[165439]
$24.00
Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad [ 153118 ]
[153118]
$9.00
Natural Tones Linen Thread [ 164071 ]
[164071]
$9.00
Adhesive Backed Heart Sequins [ 164920 ]
[164920]
$8.50
Faceted Gems Trio Pack [ 162148 ]
[162148]
$7.50
Mini Stampin' Dimensionals [ 144108 ]
[144108]
$4.25
Add All to Cart
Father's Day · Fun Folds

Dad’s a Catch

susanfoxbowenLeave a comment

Welcome in, friends. We’re having fun trekking through the crafty stash this week to create Father’s Day designs, and today we’re headed to the pond. Today’s fun fold design uses the Gone Fishing bundle by Stampin’ Up! While the Gone Fishing bundle is quickly on its way out via the Last Chance List, it’s hard to resist this opportunity to create a fun card with this bundle, especially when you have avid fishermen in your family!

This standard sized card begins with a base of Mossy Meadow cardstock cut so that it opens in the center. Each of the bottom corners is cut at an angle. The top flaps of each side are turned down and affixed to the card front. A few Industrial Trinkets serve as the buttons at the top. This combination gives the look of a shirt or jacket. The pockets for the fishing jacket are cut from Mossy Meadow cardstock using the Countryside Corners dies. Each shape is then cut in half to create the four pockets. The pockets are each adhered to the card front with foam strips, ensuring that the top of each pocket is open to slide our tackle in. Using a combination of foil and glimmer papers and the Gone Fishing dies, I cut and assembled lures to tuck in each of the pockets. I used the Lost Lagoon soft cording to serve as a twist of extra line. The sentiment from the Gone Fishing stamp set is stamped on the pocket. HOT TIP: Be sure you stamp the sentiment before you decide to adhere the pocket to your card front. Otherwise, you’re going to have to punt in order to cover up your stamping boo-boo! *wink*

When the Gone Fishing suite first released, I saw so many cute designs. And one of the ones that really caught my eye was creating a fishing jacket. I didn’t get around to trying it out while the full suite was current, but I think the dies did a nice job of creating this fun card.

Tune in tomorrow as we take a trip through dad’s closet. You’re going to love it!

Product List
Mossy Meadow 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 133676 ]
[133676]
$14.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Silver Foil 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Pack [ 163096 ]
[163096]
$10.00
Berry Burst, Old Olive & White 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Glimmer Specialty Paper [ 163769 ]
[163769]
$6.00
Festive 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Glimmer Paper [ 164106 ]
[164106]
$12.00
Countryside Corners Dies [ 161471 ]
[161471]
$28.00
Gone Fishing Dies [ 161541 ]
[161541]
$34.00
Gone Fishing Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 161535 ]
[161535]
$21.00
Jet Black Stāzon Ink Pad [ 101406 ]
[101406]
$10.50
Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147086 ]
[147086]
$9.00
Lost Lagoon Soft Cording [ 164938 ]
[164938]
$8.00
Industrial Trinkets [ 163450 ]
[163450]
$8.50
Mini Stampin' Dimensionals [ 144108 ]
[144108]
$4.25
Mini Glue Dots [ 103683 ]
[103683]
$7.25
Foam Adhesive Strips [ 141825 ]
[141825]
$8.25
Add All to Cart
Father's Day

Best Tool in the Chest

susanfoxbowenLeave a comment

Happy Monday, everyone. I hope you enjoyed your weekend. It was a busy one for us with the start of the kiddo’s summer bowling league and then some other family obligations. But we enjoyed the time together and are now ready to hit the ground running for this brand new week.

This week, we’re going to be digging in our stash of crafty goodness to create Father’s Day cards. It’s hard to believe that we’re already on the doorstep of Father’s Day, but I’m here to help you be prepared to knock his socks off with a personalized tribute. When the new Stampin’ Up! catalog released in May, I was thrilled to see that the Trusty Tools bundle carried over. It’s especially perfect for the dads in our family as all of them excel at working with their hands!

We get started on today’s card design with a base of Poppy Parade cardstock. The front panel of the card is machine embossed using the Timber embossing folder. The focal panel is a quarter panel of Misty Moonlight cardstock that is diecut with the Textured Notes dies. I stamped the nuts and bolts from the Trusty Tools stamp set in Misty Moonlight on opposite corners before diecutting the panel. The sentiment panel is cut from white cardstock using the Trusty Tools dies and then the sentiment from the coordinating stamp set is stamped in the center in a combination of Misty Moonlight and black inks. I stamped the pencil, tape measure, and hammer images on white cardstock using black ink and then used a combination of the filler stamps and Stampin’ Blends to color each of the images before cutting them out with the coordinating dies. They’re all affixed to the focal panel with tear-n-tape. The focal panel is adhered to the front panel with dimensionals. A few industrial trinkets in opposing corners of the focal panel finish things off perfectly.

Tomorrow we’re headed to the pond. I hope you’ll pop in and see what we catch!

Product List
Poppy Parade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 119793 ]
[119793]
$14.00
Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 153081 ]
[153081]
$14.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Trusty Tools Bundle (English) [ 162723 ]
[162723]
$54.75
Timber 3 D Embossing Folder [ 163094 ]
[163094]
$10.00
Textured Notes Dies [ 165555 ]
[165555]
$31.00
Jet Black Stāzon Ink Pad [ 101406 ]
[101406]
$10.50
Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad [ 153118 ]
[153118]
$9.00
Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147050 ]
[147050]
$9.00
Gray Granite Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 154886 ]
[154886]
$11.00
Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 154883 ]
[154883]
$11.00
Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [ 154882 ]
[154882]
$11.00
Pretty In Pink Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack [ 163824 ]
[163824]
$11.00
Industrial Trinkets [ 163450 ]
[163450]
$8.50
Stampin' Dimensionals [ 104430 ]
[104430]
$4.25
Tear & Tape Adhesive [ 154031 ]
[154031]
$7.00
Mini Glue Dots [ 103683 ]
[103683]
$7.25
Add All to Cart
Kits

Share a Smile Kit Alternatives

susanfoxbowenLeave a comment

Welcome in, friends! We have officially made it to Friday. This week, I have been off by a whole day, which has made this week feel especially long. Do you ever have weeks like that? Needless to say, I’m ready for the weekend!

Today, I’m sharing with you the alternative card designs that I made using the new all-in-one Share a Smile card kit by Stampin’ Up! This kit is even cuter in person than it is in photos, if you can imagine that. This is a no-stamp kit. So all of your kit components are provided for you and you get all the fun with zero mess!

Last weekend, I hosted a card class using this adorable kit. For kit classes, I love to provide design alternatives for class attendees to see how they can use a kit to create designs that are different from those provided in the included instruction guide. For this particular set of design alternatives, I showed how you could mix and match the included kit elements and even changed the orientation on one design. I also used some extra embellishments from my stash of retired products, which I also make available for in-person attendees to use if they wish.

Have you tried any of the Stampin’ Up! Kits? I’m one who generally loves to start a card from scratch, but I must say that I’ve really enjoyed purchasing kits for those times when I’m in a real time crunch (see yesterday’s post *grin*) but still want to spread a little sunshine to friends & family. Check out the full kit collection in my online store OR, better yet, join me for an in-person class. June class info going up this weekend!

Clean and Simple · Gifting

Thanks in the Bag

susanfoxbowenLeave a comment

We’ve made it to Friday and that means that, for my kiddo, we’ve also made it to the end of another school year. It always feels like the second semester is on fast forward because we sure get from January to May super quickly!

This week, we’ve used the new School Days stamp set to create some cute clean and simple card designs. And we’re finishing things with a bag full of thanks.

We get started with a base of Basic Black cardstock. The background panel is a sheet of Pumpkin Pie with a border a pencils stamped in black. The focal section starts with stamping the backpack image in Poppy Parade onto the background panel. I stamped the small stack of books onto a scrap of Pumpkin Pie using Misty Moonlight ink and then fussy cut with paper snips before adhering onto the background panel with dimensionals so that there is a slight overlap over the backpack. I stamped the sentiment in Misty Moonlight above the pile of books. A few Timid Tiger pearls add a shimmery pop. I tied some twine around the focal panel towards the top and then adhered it to the card base with dimensionals.

It’s been fun to design cards with our talented teachers in mind. Hopefully you’ve pocketed a few ideas for next year.

Next week we’re going to explore some goodies from the new catalog. I hope you’ll drop in to check it out!

Products used in this card:
Basic Black cardstock
School Days, With You in Mind stamps
Textured Notes dies
Dimensionals
Gold textured dots

Clean and Simple · Gifting

Pack in Thanks

susanfoxbowenLeave a comment

Anybody else a little floored by the fact that it’s already Wednesday?! This is one of those weeks where time is flying by at Mach 10! And I’m pretty sure the teachers and students are absolutely hoping that this last week of school flies by.

This week’s designs are all about honoring those special teachers who give our kiddos 150%. And we’re using the current School Days stamp set to create clean and simple designs that show the appreciation they all deserve.

Today’s card keeps the punches of color to the focal elements. We get started with a base of white cardstock. The focal panel is diecut with the largest Textured Notes die. The sentiment from With You in Mind is stamped in black toward the bottom-right corner of the panel. I stamped the backpack from School Days in Poppy Parade on a scrap of white cardstock and then fussy cut with my paper snips. It’s adhered next to the sentiment with dimensionals. The apple is stamped in Garden Green next to the backpack. Things are finished off with some gold textured dots.

Designs don’t have to be overly complicated to have a big impact. And this card definitely brings home the thanks. I hope you’ll continue to follow along this week as we create more teacher appreciation designs.

Products used in this card:
Basic White cardstock
School Days, With You in Mind stamps
Textured Notes dies
Dimensionals
Gold textured dots

Clean and Simple · Gifting

World of Difference

susanfoxbowenLeave a comment

Welcome to another installment of teacher appreciation. As we wind down this last week of school, I know that students and teachers alike are counting down the days with gleeful excitement as their much-anticipated summer break is fast approaching.

We continue to use the new School Days stamp set to create our designs, and today we’re pairing it with the Timeless Plaid paper pack.

We get started with a sheet of Poppy Parade cardstock. I used a leftover strip of the blue plaid sheet from the Timeless Plaid pack to serve as the backdrop for our focal elements and then stamped the stars from School Days with Versamark on the card base on top. The book stamp was inked up in a variety of colors and then stamped onto white cardstock before being fussy cut in pairs. I stacked them up and adhered them to the backdrop with dimensionals. The apple is stamped in green onto Granny Apple Green cardstock and then fussy cut and set atop the tower of books. The sentiment from School Days is stamped in black and placed just next to the apple. A scattering of drusy embellishments adds a fun sparkly element.

I hope you’ll continue to follow along this week with all of the teacher appreciation designs.

Products used in this card:
Poppy Parade, Granny Apple Green, Basic White cardstock
Timeless Plaid DSP
School Days stamps
Dimensionals
Drusy embellishments

Clean and Simple · Gifting

Bushel of Thanks

susanfoxbowenLeave a comment

Happy Monday, everyone! So glad to be back after an unexpected little hiatus. Between a crazy busy work schedule and prepping for and chaperoning my kiddo’s National Academic Pentathlon meet, I ended up having no time in the craft room last week. I’m pleased to report that the Texas teams represented the state well and my son’s school came home with 3rd place overall and a whole host of medalists in each of the 5 individual categories.

But never fear because all of the ideas for teacher appreciation gifts are still swirling around in the old noodle and need a place to go! So this week, the last week of school for us, we’re going to be exploring all of the ways we can use the Online Exclusive set called School Days to create some awesome designs to honor all of those teachers who have worked so hard all year. We’re starting our series with the old tried and true repeated pattern technique to create a sheet of patterned paper.

We start with a base of Mossy Meadow cardstock. To create our sheet of patterned paper, I used the apple image from School Days to create the quarter sheet of apple paper using Real Red, Old Olive, Poppy Parade, and Garden Green. After cutting the panel down, it’s mounted on Old Olive glimmer paper to leave a large shimmery border on the bottom. A strip of gold trim serves to divide the apple pattern from the green glimmer below. The sentiment from School Days is stamped in Real Red on white cardstock and then diecut with the smaller sentiment die from Beautiful Butterflies. The sentiment panel is adhered to the glimmer panel with dimensionals. A few iridescent discs finish things off with a little extra twinkle.

I hope you’ll continue to follow along this week as we honor our hard-working and dedicated teachers.

Products used in this card:
Mossy Meadow, Basic White cardstock
Old Olive glimmer DSP
School Days stamps
Beautiful Buuterflies dies
Gold trim
Dimensionals
Iridescent discs

Mother’s Day

Lovely Mom

susanfoxbowenLeave a comment

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms, moms-to-be, grands, and moms in the gap. What a privilege it is to love and care for another. There isn’t more truth than a child is a piece of your heart walking outside your chest.

This week we’re exploring all the ways we can use our crafty stash to make lovely things for our moms. And we’re finishing out our series with the Thankful Garden bundle.

This lovely gets started with a base of Blackberry Bliss cardstock. The focal panel backdrop starts with a quarter panel of white cardstock that is machine embossed with the Dotted Circles embossing folder and is then matted with the Thoughtful Designs specialty paper. Our Thankful Garden bundle takes center stage here with the hydrangea bloom in the center. After stamping the image on white cardstock several times, I used the decorative masks to color the image. I chose to have the blooms be a combination of pink and purple — which was my grandmother’s favorite hues to aim for with her hydrangea (easier said than done). A layer of Wink of Stella over the blooms makes them shimmer in the light. The coordinating dies made quick work of cutting out the bloom and adding the life-like dimension. A combination of pink and purple regal dots serve as the floret centers. I cut some extra stems of leaves from a combination of the Lovely Garden patterned paper and a sheet of Shaded Spruce and laid the hydrangea bunch on top. The sentiment is created using a combination of Sweet Blooms dies and She’s the Greatest stamps. The lovely is cut from purple silver foil and Berry Burst glimmer paper. I adhered the two layers together with the glue pen before adhering over a bow of iridescent striped ribbon. I stamped Mom in Blackberry Bliss on white cardstock and used a heart punch to cut it out. It’s adhered with a dimensional. A few drusy embellishments finish things off with an extra sparkle.

We’re going to be honoring our teachers next week as prepare to wind down the last couple of weeks of school. I hope you’ll drop by for some cute ideas to thank the folks who work selflessly and tirelessly all year to impart knowledge into the next generation!

Product List
Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 133675 ]
[133675]
$11.50
Shaded Spruce 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 146981 ]
[146981]
$11.50
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [ 166780 ]
[166780]
$14.00
Lovely Garden 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [ 165524 ]
[165524]
$12.50
Thoughtful Designs 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper [ 163317 ]
[163317]
$11.00
Berry Burst, Old Olive & White 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Glimmer Specialty Paper [ 163769 ]
[163769]
$6.00
Silver Foil 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Pack [ 163096 ]
[163096]
$10.00
Dotted Circles 3 D Embossing Folder [ 163789 ]
[163789]
$12.00
Thankful Garden Bundle (English) [ 165534 ]
[165534]
$64.75
She's The Greatest Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [ 165439 ]
[165439]
$24.00
Sweet Blooms Dies (English) [ 165186 ]
[165186]
$33.00
Jet Black Stāzon Ink Pad [ 101406 ]
[101406]
$10.50
Pretty In Pink Classic Stampin Pad [ 163807 ]
[163807]
$9.00
Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad [ 147092 ]
[147092]
$9.00
Shy Shamrock Classic Stampin Pad [ 163808 ]
[163808]
$9.00
Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [ 141897 ]
[141897]
$9.00
Iridescent 1/2" (1.3 Cm) Striped Trim [ 163299 ]
[163299]
$8.50
Regal Foiled Adhesive Backed Dots [ 164038 ]
[164038]
$8.50
Drusy Adhesive Backed Embellishments [ 164223 ]
[164223]
$9.00
Stampin' Dimensionals [ 104430 ]
[104430]
$4.25
Mini Glue Dots [ 103683 ]
[103683]
$7.25
Fine-Tip Glue Pen [ 138309 ]
[138309]
$7.25
Add All to Cart