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Life does look beautiful on you! I have a niece and a great niece who are dancers. As soon as I saw the Beautiful You stamp set I knew I had to get it!  I have seen my niece stop and make a pose similar to this when we are together. It just makes me think how happy and relaxed she is in her life. She dances as if no one is watching. Such a wonderful way to go through life!

Quick and Easy! I recently did a cardmaking day without my usual stamping partners, so I needed to present cards that were not only quick and easy, but also beautiful and versatile. I believe that this card meets those requirements. While I am showcasing the new Fresh Fig cardstock and a paper pack called Fresh Florals, you could make this same card with whatever cardbase color you'd like, then add a pretty paper accent, and any two inks...a light colored one for the background and the darker one for the main stamping. If you don't have the Beautiful You stamp set or the amazing Watercolor Wash background stamp I highly recommend them both. The Beautiful You set not only has pretty shilouette figures but has wonderful greetings that are perfect for encouraging others. The Watercolor Wash background stamp is so versatile in providing a large splash of color to a plain background. Maybe you have a stamp set or two that you could use to replace the ones I have used, but if you don't you might want to take advantage of the Bonus Days going on this month.

Bonus Days are running until July 31st! Much like Sale-A-Bration back at the beginning of the year for each $50 purchase you are rewarded with a $5 Bonus Days coupon to be used in August. There are no limit to your rewards, spend $50 get one $5 coupon, spend $100 get two $5 coupons, etc. You get the idea. What's so special about the coupons? Glad you asked! You can use these coupons anytime in August towards any purchase that month. I have mentioned this before, but in August you will get a sneak peek at a new Christmas stamp set called Carols of Christmas that will be available to everyone in September when the upcoming Holiday Catalog launches! Awesome! So, you could collect enough coupons this month to pay for your stamp set next month! You can see a little glimpse of the set on my Christmas in July page where you will see another AMAZING offer!

Let's get back to  the basic card layout idea! I use this standard layout over and over in my stamping needs, but I know some of you might need a little bit more help when duplicating this card. If you do, just jump on over to the full instructions that you can print out if you would like! I'd love to see what you create using this card layout! Please feel free to post a photo to my Facebook page, Lori Brausen - Duchess of Design. I am here to help you, remember I am your Creative Coach, so feel free to post your questions on how to use the product that you have already, or if you need ideas because a certain bundle grabbed your eye!

There is no sin in purchasing more stamping supplies, unless you aren't using the ones you have! Let me help you use those supplies, so you can get more guilt free! You'll feel like striking a pose and dancing like no one is watching either!

A quick card that could be used for many occasions! Change up the colors and paper for different looks!

• Whisper White (thick) card base: 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" scored at 4-1/4" (left fold)
• Berry Burst ** Accent layer: 4" x 5 1/4" **Punch the Berry Burst accent with the 1 3/8" circle punch from your accent layer before attaching to card base
• Lemon Lime Twist greeting accent piece punched with the NEW Pretty Label Punch
• Whisper White (banner greeting): 1/2" x 3" (punched with the same punch to round the ends).
• Ink: Berry Burst, Lemon Lime Twist, and Soft Sky (which matches the Naturally Eclectic cardstock pack)

It is always fun when you can make your stamping dollars go further! One of the easiest ways to do that is to find a stamp set that is versatile, either in the images included in the stamp set or in the greetings that it provides. When you initially look at the Wood Words stamp set you might only see it as a rustic or vintage stamp set. It definitely has a country vibe to it! But, if you look past the catalog images or what you see on Pinterest and just study the stamps you will see some classic shapes and floral images. Being able to present card ideas at some recent card making events in two different ways really showcases the versatility of this stamp set. One card is done in that rustic/country look (get all the details for that card here) that you see in the catalog and the other (above) is done in a festive, fun, modern looking card idea. 

 

Adding to the differences in the two cards are the color choices and accents used for the greetings. One uses the new Pretty Label Punch as a playful accent and the other used a rustic punched greeting banner with a little splash of the 1/4" copper trim to add to the country feel.

Another way to make your stamping $ go further is Bonus Days! For EVERY $50 you spend July 1–31 (before shipping and tax), you’ll get a $5 Bonus Days coupon that you can use August 1–31. There is no limit to how many coupons you can earn! Awesome! Beyond awesome really!!

Why is this beyond awesome!? There's going to be a Christmas stamp set released early (August 1st to be exact) called Carols of Christmas!  Did you notice that August 1st is the first day you can use your Bonus Days coupons?! So you could get that new Christmas stamp set or anything else you'd like in August!  Yet again, you've made your stamping $ go further!

Want to know another way you can make your stamping dollars go even further!? Purchase a Starter Kit! There's a fantastic special going on in July only called Christmas in July! Not only to you get to choose $125 in product and only pay $99 (plus tax), but they are throwing in bonuses that add an additional $72 in free stuff! Hint: You will get to see behind the sneak peek cover above!  

You can read all about it here! 

There is nothing wrong with being thrifty and making sure you make your stamping dollars go further! Rememver there's always more than one way to use a stamp set!

Something fresh for summer! We are expecting temperatures in the 90's for the weekend. So while the calendar doesn't say it's summer, the temperatures do!

Glad to have some new ideas to show you today! 

Take a good look at this classic card layout! It uses the brand new Wood Words stamp set and new paper called Wood Textures. 

You can see in the rooster image that there is some grain lines like you would get if you stamped with a carved wood image. Rustic and charming!

 

The new paper is amazing! There are several wood species represented and it is so realistic looking! I expect to be using this for many of my "man cards" in the future. 

Plus, take a look at the sweet little "wood" crate that you can make with the paper and the wood crate framelit.

 

 

But wait! Because the stamp set has matching framelits you can order them together, so it is offered in a bundle for added savings and value! Just add the paper and you will have days of fun!

Some details for this card! 

• Make a standard card base done in Very Vanilla cardstock and stamped with Real Red ink. 
• Cut your paper into a 2" wide x 4" high piece. Because I used wood grain paper, I made sure my grain ran side to side for this card.
• The rooster is stamped in the same ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock with an accent of Real Red cardstock behind.
• The rooster is punched with the 1 1/4" circle punch and the accent with the 1 3/8" circle punch.
• The little banner is only 1/2" wide by 3 1/2" long in Whisper White to show contrast with the rooster embellishment.
• Add just a touch of the new copper trim. Sorry, it's one of those backorder items right now, but it will be available soon. Once you have it, you just need to pull and stretch it to get the look you want!

Use this basic information and you could duplicate the layout with any stamp set, ink, and paper you have on hand! 

 

Remember, it's not about who has the most supplies, its about who uses the supplies they have!

One layout, two designs. Don't you just love a classic, clean layout that you can use over and over for new card designs? I offered these card ideas with a variety of greetings to cover multiple "man card" occasions, Father's Day, birthday, congratulations, etc!

Choose a stamp set that fits the man in your life. The card on the left has a vintage and elegant feel while the card on the right has a simple and "rough" feel.

 

The birthday card uses a soon to retire stamp set called Nailed It that you're going to want to grab right away because the matching framelits are already sold out! YIKES!

 

The congratulation card is stamped using the very versatile Guy Greeting stamp set that should be in your collection already! Not only does it have great images, but it has such versatile greetings included in the stamp set! The best part is the stamp set is also available in wood mount or clear mount!

 

 

Basic information for the cards:

 

Card base is Early Espresso (shown as left fold) 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" folded to create 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card base front.

Front accent panel uses Crumb Cake cardstock and interior greeting panel is Very Vanilla cardstock both cut to 4" x 5 1/4".

Main stamped piece 3" x 4 1/2" in Very Vanilla layered over Early Espresso 3 1/4" x 4 3/4" accent piece.

Accent Banner 4" x 1" Dapper Denim cardstock

Greeting Banner 3 1/4" x 1/2" or 3/4" wide strip of Very Vanilla cardstock.

 

 

Both cards use a tone on tone stamping (Crumb Cake ink on Crumb cake cardstock) on the accent piece to add a little interest to the background.

 

Stamping on the Main stamped piece is done in Crumb Cake ink and the greetings are stamped in Early Espresso ink.

 

Add a little accent ribbon (Real Red) and cut into a banner end or leave it off! You don't need much embellishment on your masculine card ideas!

 

Give the layout a try! Try a different color combo and different stamp sets to give a whole new feel to the card! Think pink and green with flower stamp sets! Wonder what that would look like?

Hmmmmmm?

Does this sound familiar? You want to make a card or something cute for a friend or family member (good for you)! 

After spending about an hour on Pinterest, you finally find just the right project! 

Next you go to your supply closet (or room) and nothing you have seems quite right to get the look you wanted. 

You get discouraged and lose your desire to create. 

 

You give up.

 

Don't let this happen to you! First, you could attend one of my local events. We hold them two times per month where you could make cards to have on hand!

That would be GREAT if you're local to me. But, some of you aren't. Then what do you do?

You could have the cute projects come right to your door -- with Paper Pumpkin! Perfect size projects that take 30 minutes or so to create!

 

30 Minute projects?! Really!!! You'll adore the Paper Pumpkin kits!

 

You can grab a box when you want to have a little fun.

 

The projects only take about 30 minutes to complete! 

 

Quick set up, just open the BOX and GO! 

 

Clean up?! Nothing to it! Put anything you want to keep in the box and you're done!

 

Best DEAL! If you are a new subscriber, you can get 25% off your first three months! 

 

OH YEAH!! But, be sure to use promo code STARTHERE to get the deal!

Take it with you! One of the sweet things about Paper Pumpkin is you can grab a box and go!

 

You just add some adhesive and a pair of scissors! We all have that!

 

It can go to the lake house, softball practice, or even on a business trip with you! 

 

Subscribe today and SKIP TO THE FUN!

 

Continued inspiration from some of my favorite retiring products. Pinterest was my inspiration for this card. It is stamped in outgoing Tip Top Taupe with the Hardwood background stamp on a Very Vanilla cardstock piece. It makes a pretty back drop for the Watermelon Wonder flowers accented with Cucumber Crush stems from the retiring Flower Patch set. You will want to grab these favorites while they are still available!

My thought for today is JUST DO IT! I really appreciate Nike spending all that money on their advertising all those years ago to come up with this slogan. It is ingrained in my psyche. I use it often. It is short and to the point! JUST DO IT!

Does this happen to you? I find I get wrapped up in the “day to day” and forget to let myself enjoy “me” time. Funny how everything else jumps ahead of taking a mere 20 or 30 minutes spent just doing an activity that I love to do and that relaxes me so. Sound familiar? Being the wife, the Mommy, the Gramma, the caregiver, the "everything wrapped up in one" takes its toll. Let’s be honest, it is all so rewarding, but it is all so draining!

Join me and give yourself permission to JUST DO IT. Do it, whatever IT is for you. JUST DO IT!

My happy place! For me it all about creating, and most often that creation is a card. I am not talking about some show-stopping, fireworks & waterfalls card. I am talking the most simple and basic card. A little paper. Just a little stamping. Classic, basic, no thinking. Use the supplies on hand!

I know you have supplies on hand. That is the thing I hear most often, “I have a ROOM FULL OF STUFF!” Ok, then go in there, pull out one sheet of cardstock (Melon Mombo), a piece of paper (Pop of Pink), ONE stamp set (Rose Wonder), ONE ink pad (Melon Mambo or Basic Black) and JUST DO IT! Make one card! Heck! Go crazy and make two…the piece of cardstock will make two cardbases! Embellish it if you want!

JUST DO IT! You will feel so happy once you do it! The inner artist in you will squeal in delight! Then do me a favor, write a little note inside that card and mail it to someone JUST BECAUSE! Spread that happiness you feel! Bring delight to someone else’s day! JUST DO IT!