Author: readyinkgo

“Puzzle Card” tutorial

| readyinkgo

No, your friend doesn’t have to put it together- you do! This is a great way to STRETCH your pretty paper if you want to make a bunch of cards. That’s one of the reasons I used it for a recent class! I saw a similar card online, and decided to make my own. I’m sorry I can’t credit the maker- I can’t find the link.

You could use more than one designer series paper, but I chose one, with three coordinating colors of cardstock. Cut each piece to 4×5.5 inches, and clip the stack of 4 sheets together securely on all 4 sides. I used a guillotine paper cutter- you know, the kind your teacher used to use at school- to handle the thickness. I then cut the whole stacked packet into 2 (in the photo above this cut would have given the grey corner piece). Set that piece aside, and cut the remaining larger piece into 2 (this cut gave me the blue triangle piece). Set that aside, and cut the remaining piece into 2. You will end up with all 4 pieces of paper, cut into 4 similar shapes. Here’s where the puzzle comes in: Start with one stack of a shape, and remove the clip. Place each of the four pieces separately in front of you. Repeat with the other 3 shapes, adding a different color to each of the four piles. Now you should have 4 piles of 4 different colored pieces. They will have the same shapes, but in different color combinations. I used a piece of copy paper to glue down the pieces to recreate the rectangle shape, making sure the seams came tightly together. Then I cut the edges off, using a stitched rectangle die slightly smaller than my puzzle, about 3.75x 5 inches, but you could just trim it up with your paper trimmer. I ran each piece through an embossing folder, then attached it to a piece of white cardstock cut to 4 x 5.25. inches. I wrapped white twine around twice and tied a bow, stamped my greeting on a piece of white cardstock and cut that with a scalloped rectangle die, and attached that over the bow with dimensional foam. I diecut the little trees from glitter paper, glued one to the card to sit behind the greeting, and the other I popped up with dimensional foam so the trunk would sit atop the greeting. Glue the whole card front to a (5.5 x 8.5 inch) piece of cardstock folded in half, and you have your card. Repeat three times!!! I think it makes a really cute card, and of course it doesn’t have to be a Christmas card- let your imagination run wild. If you decide to give it a try, send me a picture; I’d love to see other peoples’ ideas. If you want to purchase cardmaking supplies, hit Visit My Site above. Thanks for your support, and happy stamping!

Michelle

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Pansy Frenzy!

| readyinkgo

Hi, thanks for stopping by. I can’t get enough of the stamps, dies, and papers in the new Pansy Patch suite, and after the theater card I made (see last post), I made a few more cards to show various ways to use the set. First is a simple card, made from pretty papers and ink. I DID use a die to cut out the pansies, but you could certainly fussy cut them by hand. Start with an 8.5 x 5.5 inch piece of white cardstock, folded in half. I used polka-dot paper cut 5.5x 2.25 inches, glued a thin strip of dark (Blackberry Bliss) cardstock next to that (save those strips!), and stamped the sentiment. Then it was just a matter of placing the cut-out pansies on the card with dimensional foam. Done!

Next, I made a card using the pansy stamps, designer paper, and a scalloped oval and plain oval that I diecut. The base is the same size white cardstock as before, matted with the Blackberry Bliss which was cut to 4 and 1/8 by 5 and 3/8 inches. The designer paper is 4 by 5.25 inches, and went on next. I stamped the pansy using 4 layering stamps in three colors, and the sentiment, on the white oval. That was glued to the dark oval, and the whole piece was attached to the card with dimensional foam. Nice, yes?

Finally, I made a card with the dies, this time coloring the petals with my blending brushes and stamp pads. Each pansy had 8 pieces, and the leaves each had two. I again used a plain white card base, this time in landscape orientation, and glued a 5.5 by 5.25 piece of dark cardstock to the front. I then diecut a piece of white cardstock with the largest die from the Ornate Borders set- it reminds me of my grandma’s doilies! I used the blending brushes to make a yellow background (the same yellow is on the two upper petals), and applied deep pink to the lower petal. After all the flower pieces were assembled, I arranged them and before attaching them, I stamped my sentiment. Then, I glued down the leaves and the pansy on the right, and popped the left one up using dimensional foam. I was so pleased with the result!

I hope this gives you some ideas about how you can use this very versatile bundle. I’ll be using it for years to come! Take care, stop by again, and in the meanwhile-

Happy stamping!

Michelle

P.S. Feel free to contact me if you have questions about the instructions, the materials used, or for a catalog (if you live in the U.S. and don’t have a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator that you order from). Also, contact me about joining my team! To shop, click Visit My Site above. Thanks again!

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Product List
Pansy Petals Suite Collection (English)
[155810]
$70.25
Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[133675]
$8.75
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock
[159229]
$8.25
Highland Heather 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[146986]
$8.75
Shaded Spruce 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[146981]
$8.75
Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[100702]
$8.75
Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad
[147092]
$7.50
So Saffron Classic Stampin' Pad
[147109]
$7.50
Bumblebee Classic Stampin' Pad
[153116]
$7.50
Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad
[147091]
$7.50

Springing Forward

| readyinkgo

Hello! I hope that you are feeling hopeful, as I am, about the year as it unfolds. Springtime in southwest Florida generally isn’t much of an event because the weather is always nice, but this year I’m feeling good about being out and about more. I’ve also been able to resume in-person classes, which I missed so much!

I’ve been playing with some new stamp bundles, some from the January- June 2021 catalog, and others from the 21-22 Annual Catalog that went live May 4th. One of the stamp sets is the Handsomely Suited bundle, which I had one play with, but which I think will be much more adaptable than I saw at first glance. Other demonstrators have used it to make ladies’ suits, evening gowns, fishing vests, uniforms, and more! Here are my first two cards:

Aren’t they cute? My next class will be making them, with the option to make them into Father’s Day cards.

Next, I worked with the Pansy Patch Suite. I realized after I made the card that I left out the pansy’s “beard”, but what can you do except learn from your mistakes, right? It came out nice anyway, I think. It’s a theater card, and if you’d like to know how to make one I did make a YouTube video last year explaining the mechanism. You can find it at https://youtu.be/jJSmU0dDt_g

The coordinating papers are so pretty, and feature the new In-Colors: Polished Pink, Pale Papaya, Fresh Freesia, Soft Succulent, and Evening Evergreen, among other old favorites. Sometimes, all you need for a beautiful card is a sheet of pretty paper and a sentiment or ribbon!

Finally, I had a class a couple of weeks ago, and used the Welcoming Windows bundle- it was a hit! Here is one of the cards I made:

Thanks for stopping by, and sharing my springtime mood! I hope you are inspired to make some cards and share the sunshine with others. Happy spring!

Michelle

P.S. If you love to create, and have thought about sharing that with others, I would love to have you on my Stampin’ Up team. Team members get a 20-25% discount on orders, sneak peaks at new products, and earn commission from sales. Until the end of May, you can order $155. worth of products as a “starter” kit for $99.00, with free shipping! It’s a great deal. Contact me, or go to http://www.readyinkgo.stampinup.net and click “Join” to find out more details!

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Simple Box Card- You Can Do This!

| readyinkgo

I recently was inspired by a friend who sent me a box card for Valentine’s Day, and I came up with my own for a class. Here it is:

I used half an 8 and 1/2 x 11 inches sheet of cardstock for the box frame plus the cardstock for the hinge and dividers. Folded, it will fit into an A2 envelope! For the box itself, you’ll need a piece of cardstock 4 and 1/4 x 11 inches. That is scored down the middle lengthwise at 2 and 1/8 inches, then turn it 90 degrees and score it at 2 and 3/4, 5 and 1/2, and 8 and 1/4 inches. You will have 8 equal boxes. Cut the paper as shown below from the long edge to the center score line. You will now have 4 attached boxes and 4 flaps.

Next, cut a hinge, 2 and 1/8 inches long by 3/4 inches wide, and score down the middle lengthwise. Cut three pieces of cardstock 3 and 3/4 inches long, and score 1/2 inch from each end, as shown, to make the interior supports. I think it works best to attach the box decoration next, before assembly- glue a sheet of designer paper, 1 and 7/8 inches by 2 and 1/2 inches to each of the four connected boxes. Now turn the flaps down, so they cover the just-attached paper, and glue four pieces of designer paper to the flaps. Pay attention to any direction you pattern may have- you may want to reverse the direction on one of the flaps that will be used at the back. Now, fold the cardstock so that it forms and open-bottom box, and the flaps face outward. Where the two edges come together at the bottom, attach the hinge on the inside to both edges to form the box shape. Next, apply glue to each 1/2 inch end of one of the interior supports and insert it into the box, about 1/4 inch below the level of the box. Repeat for the remaining two interior supports.

To decorate you should plan for at least 6 elements and the front embellishment. In my case, I used the Sweet Strawberry stamp set and punches shown below, and stamped 3 strawberries and sepals, punched 8 flowers and centers, and stamped and punched 4 leaves. For the front, I stamped my sentiment to a 2 inch white circle and glued that to a 2 and 1/4 inch green circle, and added two flowers and a leaf. That was glued to the front flap. The six elements were the 3 strawberries with sepals, and three bunches of two flowers and a leaf glued together. Take a piece of window sheet 12 x 1/2 inches, and cut it into 6 pieces. Use GLUE DOTS to attach each element to a piece of window sheet, making “lollipops”, which can then be attached to the back of the support pieces, two elements each, again with glue dots. The glue dots will give instant and relatively permanent adhesion to the window sheeting that glue or tape would not.

This is the view from the top:

When you have the elements placed, fold the card to make sure that they don’t extend too far out from the card stock, as this will interfere with fitting them in the envelope:

If you use a dark cardstock like this, put a 1 and 7/8 by 2 and 1/2 sheet of white cardstock on the back of one of the flaps in order to write your greeting. You’re done! I knew you could do it! 🙂 Message me if you have questions…

Happy stamping!

Michelle

Simple Valentine’s Day Cards

| readyinkgo

Hello!

I hope you are well and holding up through the continued pandemic emergency. I can’t say it isn’t wearing on me, but I am trying to stay positive. One of the things I decided to do was make some Valentine’s Day cards for my grandkids. I wanted a fun, simple card that could be made in multiples without too much work. This is what I came up with:

I started with a card base of 11.5 inches by 4.25 inches, folded- some in Blushing Bride (pink) and others in Pool Party (blue). Inside, Happy Valentine’s Day was stamped (Meant to Be stamp set). Then I cut the printed paper from the Snail Mail designer series paper to 4 by 5.25 inches, and adhered that to the base with Tombow Multipurpose Glue. I cut two hearts for each card, one in blue and one white with a die from the Stitched to be Mine diecut set, stamped “for you” (from the So Sentimental stamp set, because it was tiny) in Real Red on each white heart, and adhered a resin heart on each of those. The blue hearts were glued directly on the card, choosing a spot that wouldn’t interfere too much with the snail designs. Then I adhered the white hearts, slightly offset, with foam dimensional tape. It took so little time to put them all together. What do you think?

I hope you are inspired to make some Valentine’s Day cards, whether for your sweetie, kids, grandkids, or the sweet neighbor next door. It’s always a good day to spread a little sunshine, and let people know that they are important to you!

Happy stamping!

Michelle

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Cooking and cards

| readyinkgo

Hello! Here in the US, we’re celebrating Thanksgivind Day tomorrow, and even though Thanksgiving is going to be a much smaller affair than usual this year, I still am in the midst of preparing a traditional dinner- turkey with dressing and gravy, potatoes, veggies, cranberry sauce, and pie. More importantly, though, I’m making a list of the things for which I am grateful. As always, family and friends top the list, and I’ve also been making Christmas cards to send to those I care about in the next couple of weeks. I subscribe to Stampin’ Up!’s monthly Paper Pumpkin kit so that I can share the kits with my customers, some of whom are new to stamping/cardmaking, but kits are not just for beginners! Also, kits can be great for scrapbooking- there are so many fun elements.

The gift card holders on the right are made from the December kit, and I used some elements to make a notecard, too.
These cards were from the November kit. The Paper Pumpkin kits are all-inclusive- stamps, ink, embellishments, cards, and envelopes.

While the Paper Pumpkin kits are something of a surprise every month, Stampin’ Up! sells kits in the catalogs that show exactly what you are getting. Some are all-inclusive, while others complement a stamp set. I show a few examples below, but check out the others at stampinup.com in our online store. If you live in the US and don’t already have a demonstrator, I would be grateful for the chance to be your creative coach- just choose Michelle Rougeux when they ask for your demonstrator’s name.

For my compatriots in the US, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. For all of my readers, I wish you health and happiness as this difficult year comes to a close. Keep sharing joy through your cards and paper-crafting. Thanks for stopping by!

Michelle

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HO, HO, HURRICANE?

| readyinkgo

Well Hurricane Eta is off the west coast of Florida right now, huffing and puffing at us, headed north (be safe, everyone!). What am I doing? In the middle of the blowing winds, rain, tornado watches, flood warnings, and who knows what else, I’m making Christmas cards! There’s a first time for everything!

I just attended an online Stampin’Up! convention- so fun- and was inspired by all of the great demonstrations there to do a simple card, then dress it up a bit. Here is my attempt:

The card on the left couldn’t be simpler. I used a piece of 5 and 1/2 by 8 and 1/2 inch thick cardstock, folded in half for the base, and cut a piece of blue (Misty Moonlight) cardstock to 5 and 1/2 by 4 and 1/4 inches. I also cut a piece of blue cardstock to 4 by 1 and 1/4 inches, and a piece of white to 4 by 1 inches. To maximize my 12 x 12 inch “pretty paper”, I cut it like this:

First, I decided whether I wanted my pieces in portrait or landscape mode, since the pattern runs one way. I chose portrait, so I cut three 1/2 inch strips off the bottom. These reverse to a nice small print, and will be used to make banners for other cards. You are left with a large piece that measures 12 by 10 and 1/2 inches. This was cut in have from the short side, making two 12 by 5 and 1/4 pieces, and then each of these was cut into three pieces measuring 4 inches by 5 and 1/4. This is the perfect size for the front of an A2 card, leaving a small border all around.

For this card, I needed one inkpad (Real Red), and one stamp. This one is from the Tag Buffet set. I stamped the greeting on the white paper, and glued that to the small blue piece. After adhering the pretty paper to the large blue piece with margins as shown, I glued the greeting where I thought it covered the least important part of the picture, and was done. The next card requires a cutting and embossing machine, an embossing folder, and cutting dies. It had the same basic pieces, but I embossed the pretty paper with the Tasteful Textile embossing folder (it’s hard to see in the photo, but adds a nice touch). I used the Wreath Builder dies for the wreaths and poinsettias, layered them as shown, and popped them up on dimensional foam dots to attach them to the card after it was assembled.

I did cut two small pieces of yellow (Bumblebee) to back the poinsettias, and added three enamel dots to the greeting. What do you think? As always, thanks for dropping by. I love sharing my cards with you!

Happy stamping,

Michelle

P.S. If you love cardmaking or scrapbooking, and are thinking about how you could share that with others, contact me. I can tell you what I do, as well as the advantages of joining my team!

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Product List
Tag Buffet Photopolymer Stamp Set
[153612]
$18.00
Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad
[147084]
$7.50
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock
[140272]
$8.25
Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[153081]
$8.75
Trimming The Town Designer Series Paper
[153491]
$11.50
Multipurpose Liquid Glue
[110755]
$4.00
Tasteful Textile 3D Embossing Folder
[152718]
$9.00
Wreath Builder Dies
[152722]
$38.00
Mini Stampin' Dimensionals
[144108]
$4.00
2020–2022 In Color Enamel Dots
[152480]
$8.00

Aaaand…

| readyinkgo

On top of everything else going on (see last post!), I had my own little health scare this month, so I have been truly MIA (all good news, though!). Anyway, I’m back in the craft room, and ready to share some ideas for making cards quickly.

I find that using “pretty papers” goes a long way to making a quick card, and, while I often skip ribbons and other embellishments, they can help elevate a simple card. I meant to post about this earlier this month, but if you’re reading this before the end of October, there is still time… Stampin’ Up! has a 15% off selected pretty paper sale. Anyway, I am finally up and running, and I made the card here with nothing more than pretty paper, stamps, ink, and some dimensional foam.

I cut a piece of green cardstock to 5 and 1/2 inches by 4 and 1/4 inches, and a piece of coordinating designer paper to 5 and 1/4 by 4 inches. I then took an angled piece off of the lower right-hand corner with my trimmer, then put the cut edge of the larger piece of designer paper with the cut edge lined up at about one inch, and cut that piece off. Then, I lined the pieces of paper up on the green cardstock without attaching, leaving a margin as shown on the card, and drew two light pencil lines to help me guide my stamping. I then stamped my sentiment- this one is from an old Paper Pumpkin kit- in black ink in the center of my guidelines.

Next I took some scrap strips of gold foil paper, and glued them to the cut edges of the designer paper, and I trimmed the ends with snips to follow the angle of the paper (see photo). Use dimensional foam on the back of the pieces for extra flair. I used foam strips for extra sturdiness, the adhered the whole thing to a card base. Here is another view, though I’m not sure why the color is so changed!

This is a really great way to use your pretty papers, and to make cards for any occasion- birthdays, holidays, etc. I can just see some pretty Christmas paper with a gold-embossed Merry Christmas in the middle! Also, if you struggle with masculine cards, this would work well with a subdued paper- no froufrou!

I hope you enjoyed stopping by. I am also hoping that 2020 doesn’t have any more surprises for me, and that I’ll be back next week for another visit.

Happy stamping!

Michelle

Tag Buffet Is Not Just for Tags!

| readyinkgo

I had the pleasure of attending an online conference of Florida Stampin’ Up! demonstrators last Saturday, and most of the crafting revolved around the Tag Buffet stamp set. It is one I overlooked, because I generally make my own tags with sets I already own- but I was blown away with the versatility of this set! Here are a few of the items we made- not my designs, but I love them. Some of the things were made with the coordinating tag kit and pretty designer papers– and the first one included the dies from the Poinsettia die set.

Tags, card holders, and cards!

Those scenery cards are so cute, and that Trimming the Town designer series paper is fantastic! Here are a couple of things I made after the conference–

I love the Dog Builder punch!
The Gold Cards and Envelopes are so pretty.

I hope you enjoyed seeing these- I sure enjoyed making them. I’ll be using the stamp set for a class in the future, and when I do, I’ll share some more samples. Click the Visit My Site button above if you’d like to browse for stamping supplies, and thanks for stopping by!

Happy stamping!

Michelle

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