Yellow Bear Stamping

Team Training Day Project – Fun Fold and Technique Card

By Paula Reid | September 13, 2021

Hi there

As mentioned yesterday we held our first ever virtual training day via Facebook Live and Zoom. We all had a ball and managed to learn lots and spend time together. We are definitely looking forward to when we can meet in person. #teamdayoutnz

Our original plan was to meet in person with some team members still having to do the projects virtually as they couldn’t make it to Auckland. With that in mind I created a project that could be created with alternative supplies. You all know my love of fun folds so that was my starting point. Then to decorate it I added in a technique.

For Unto Us - Book Fold Card with Partial Embossing Technique

This fun fold is called a ‘Book Fold’ card. I’ve made a few of this style of card but mainly using Designer Series Paper (DSP) to decorate the front. This time I’ve gone with the Partial Embossing Technique as shown in this post here. The embossing folder I used is one from the July-December Mini Catalogue called Merry Melody 3D Embossing Folder and works perfectly with a number of sentiments from the For Unto Us stamp set – also in the mini.

It’s always nice having something on the inside of your card – either a stamped image or like this card I’ve carried the embossing theme to the inside and embossed one line of the music at the bottom of the insert.

As an extra for my project I included this cute Pillow Box which coordinates with the card and makes a lovely gift. The Pretty Pillow Box die includes the die to cut the Pillow Box plus a number of accessories to help ‘dress’ the box. I used some of the flowers on the card and the two labels on the box are also from the set. The sentiment on the box is from Tidings and Trimmings which is in the Annual Catalogue.

You can check out the other projects we made here. If you’d like to be a part of this fun community I’d love to have you join my team. You can check out more information on my Join My Team page.

Check back tomorrow when I’ll have another technique to share.

Until then …

Virtual Team Training Event

By Paula Reid | September 12, 2021

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Hi there

Yesterday we were meant to have had an ‘in person’ team training event but due to Covid we had to ‘pivot’ as they now say. So rather than cancel we went online which meant more people were able to attend. It was a fun day with presentations done via Facebook Live, a game via Zoom and then a catchup at the end of the day via Zoom.

I was one of the presenters which had been fine for when we were going to meet in person but with the change to virtual I had to do a crash course on doing a Facebook Live. Thankfully the ‘Photographic Department’ (aka hubby Phil) was able to supply a tripod that I could use and we were all go. On the whole it went well – I have a few things to sort out – so watch this space, I may be brave enough to start some Facebook Lives with you.

We made five projects – four featuring products from the July-December Mini Catalogue and one from the Sale-A-Bration Brochure.

Peaceful Deer - Interlocking Gate Fold Card

This was the first of three projects presented by Jacque Williams featuring the Peaceful Place Designer Series Paper and the Deer Builder Punch. This Gate Fold card has an interlocking closure which was fun to create.

Gingerbread & Peppermint Suite - Embossing

This project was presented by Angela Palmer and features products from the Gingerbread & Peppermint Suite. Angela showed us how to dry emboss using the Decorative Masks. Unfortunately I don’t have these so I used the Checks Embossing Folder and a sentiment from For Unto Us.

Blackberry Beauty Suite - Sunray Blending Technique

Jacque’s second project features the Blackberry Beauty Suite with a stunning masking technique using Blending Brushes. I love the colours of this suite. I used the Dragonfly Gardens stamp set as an alternative. Jacque also taught us how to make envelopes for our two square cards.

For Unto Us - Partial Embossing Technique

This was my project featuring a fun fold and technique of partial embossing. For a number of attendees this was the first time they’d done this technique. They also got to make this cute Pillow box which is part of the Gingerbread & Peppermint Suite.

Penguin Playmates Designer Series Paper Card

Jacque’s last project is this fun card using the Penguin Playmates Designer Series Paper (DSP) which is one of the FREE items in the Sale-A-Bration brochure when you place an order of NZD$110 or more between now and the end of September. This is a great layout that can be used with any number of DSP’s.

We thoroughly enjoyed our day #teamdayoutnz and are very thankful we were still able to meet even – we are all hanging out to be able to meet ‘in person’.

Well that’s all from me for now. I’ll be back tomorrow to share more photos of my project.

Until then …

Friday Fun Fold – Buckle Card

By Paula Reid | September 10, 2021

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Hi there

It’s been some years since I made a Buckle Card and I’ve managed to recreate it with current products. Previously we used either the Word Window Punch or the Classic Label Punch to create the buckle but I managed to find a die that worked a treat from the Tasteful Labels dies.

To create this card start off with a base measuring 14.8cm x 17.2cm (instead of the normal 21cm) and score at 9cm. To decorate the front I used a piece of Designer Series Paper (DSP) from the Hand-Penned pack. One side of the paper is floral and the other a design and the Daffodil Delight design worked perfectly with my Pacific Point card base. The DSP measures 6.5cm x 14.3cm. Once adhered I then die cut the slit through all thicknesses. I really like the stitched effect from this die.

The ‘belt’ part of this card measures 4.8cm x 14cm and is scored at 9cm. I found it easiest to slot the long end through the hole and then adhere the small section to the card base – this way you get it lined up. Adhere you card insert and decorate away. I’m really loving the versatility of the Turtle Friends bundle. For this guy I stamped him in Memento on Basic White then coloured him in with Mint Macaron Stampin Blends. I restamped his outline on a scrap of Basic White then stamped the shell in Early Espresso and applied Shimmery Crystal Effects. After letting it dry overnight I coloured his shell with the Dark Crumb Cake Stampin Blend and attached with mini dimensionals. Mr Turtle is sitting on a scalloped rectangle die cut from the Stitched So Sweetly dies which has had Daffodil Delight ink applied using our Blending Brushes – if you don’t have a set of these you need to add them to your next order.

Aren’t these little guys cute – I think they just finish off the inside of the card. Now it’s ready for you to write a birthday greeting. On behalf of my company I send out birthday cards to all our staff – we now have over 200 – so my cards are always put to good use.

I hope you give this card style a go. How will you decorate your card?

Until next time …

Technique Tuesday – CASEing

By Paula Reid | September 7, 2021

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Hi there

Today’s technique is an easy one we can all do – it’s called CASEing (Copy And Share Everything). We often see a card design, a colour combination or a stamp set that inspires us for our own creation or we copy it exactly. This means we’ve CASEd someone else’s work and it’s great to give credit to that person and admit our card idea isn’t an original. CASEing is a great way to get the creative juices flowing again if you hit a wall with inspiration. Let me show you some examples of CASEing.

This was a card we made at a team training last year taught by my upline Jacque Williams. The banners are made using the now retired banner punch and DSP from First Frost and the In Color papers. The image is from the Queen Anne’s Lace set which is still current. The wider banners measure 2″ and the smaller one is 1″. This is a classic layout so I CASEd this design for another card using the same measurements and layout but changed the colours and stamp set.

As you can see my recreation is the same as the original – except I left the twine and sequins off. For this card I used the ‘Father/Daughter’ image from A Good Man and added a sentiment from Well Wishes. This layout design is a great one to use when you need a quick card plus it’s another way to use your DSP scraps – I’ve used two textures from In Good Taste.

As I was thinking about sharing this technique I decided to give this design a bit of a twist by rotating it 45 degrees so that the banners were horizontal. This is another form of CASEing – using a design but changing the orientation to better suit the stamp set you want to use. My new creation is a fun one using one of the Sale-A-Bration stamp sets and dies.

Counting Sheep using the the Tailored Tags

Isn’t this a cool card? The previous card designs were still my inspiration but I stepped it up and swapped the banners for current products – the Tailored Tags dies. The largest tag became my ‘canvas’ and I created my farm scene using the Counting Sheep stamp set and Sheep Dies from the Sale-A-Bration brochure. I swapped the two DSP banners for tags die cut from Granny Apple Green and Pacific Point cardstock.

I love how the Sheep Dies come with extra dies that can be used to create fun projects. The balloons have been die cut from Granny Apple Green, Pacific Point and Mango Melody while the sun is Daffodil Delight. I stamped my sheep with Memento Black as I wanted to colour him in with Stampin’ Blends. I used Gray Granite on his body and legs and Basic Black on his ears and feet. I’m so in love with our Blending Bushes and these were great for creating the backdrop for my ‘farm’.

Well there you have a lesson on CASEing – don’t forget to go back through some of your own favourite creations and CASE yourself by swapping out a stamp set, changing a colour combo or just recreating the project as you first did. Remember – if you do CASE from somebody else it’s always good to give that person credit where you can.

Don’t forget – if you place an order of NZD$110 or more with me between now and 30 September you get to select a FREE item from the Sale-A-Bration brochure.

Until next time …

Friday Fun Fold – Angled Fold Card

By Paula Reid | September 3, 2021

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Hi there

Today’s card came together really quickly – thanks to some pieces already on my crafting desk. I knew the style of fold I wanted to share but hadn’t thought how to ‘dress it’ until I looked on my desk and saw some bits left over from a previous project.

As you may know I love fun fold cards and I’d seen a few of this design online and wanted to give it a go. It uses a sheet of cardstock measuring 14.8cm x 29.7cm for the base and then I used some of the left over for the belly band.

And here’s what it looks like when it’s opened up – I love that it can stand on it’s own. I altered the measurements a bit to make it easy to replicate. Score your base at 9.5cm and 20.2cm. Measure down 4cm from the top left and top right corner and make a pencil mark. Place your base in the trimmer and cut from the score line to the pencil mark – this creates the top angle. For the second measurement come in 2 1/2cm from the bottom left and bottom right. Place your base back in the trimmer and cut from the newly created point to the pencil mark to create the second angle.

The front left hand panel has been dry embossed with the Tasteful Texture Embossing Folder while the right hand panel has some Designer Series Paper (DSP) from the In Good Taste pack and a stamped image from the Beauty of Friendship set. The DSP measures 9cm x 14.3cm and is cut in the same method and with the same measurements as the card base.

My tag was already created and you can see my post here as to how I did that. The colours for my tree are Cajun Craze and Bumblebee and I used a length of Early Espresso Faux Suede Trim for the tie on the tag. The sentiment is from the Turtle Friends set.

I have another couple of these tags on my desk so I think I might make up another couple of cards using them over the weekend. What crafting plans do you have ready for the weekend?

Until next time …

Technique Tuesday – Puzzle Card

By Paula Reid | August 31, 2021

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Hi there

Today I have another way for you to use your Designer Series Paper (DSP) and cardstock to create quick and easy cards. I’ve called this technique the ‘Puzzle Card’ technique. Read on to find out why.

For this technique you need 3 pieces of DSP (or a mix as I have here) measuring 9.5cm x 13.8cm. Stack them on top of each other then place in your trimmer and cut into three different sized pieces. The fun thing with this technique is you don’t need to measure – just place your stack on an angle and cut so that you have one smaller piece and one bigger piece. Place the bigger piece back in your trimmer and cut in two. One thing I would say is don’t cut right into a corner as it makes it a bit tricky when you put your pieces together. You will now have 9 pieces – mix them up so that you have one of each design then piece each set of three to complete a full card front. I’ve adhered mine to a Night of Navy mat measuring 10cm x 14.3cm then adhered this to a Thick Basic White card base.

In Good Taste DSP Puzzle Cards featuring the Bark Embossing Folder

I used two different designs of paper from the In Good Taste paper pack and a piece of Balmy Blue. Once the pieces were cut I dry embossed the Balmy Blue with three different embossing folder – here I used the Bark folder

In Good Taste DSP Puzzle Cards featuring the Hammered Metal Embossing Folder

and here I used the reverse side of the Hammered Metal for some real texture

In Good Taste DSP Puzzle Cards featuring the Tasteful Texture Embossing Folder

and finally the Tasteful Texture folder. The sentiment is from Sweet Ice Cream and has been die cut using one of the dies from the Tasteful Labels dies. I’m going to use these cards for some of the work birthdays. It’s a quick and easy design to use when you need a stack of cards. As you can see you can use a portrait or landscape orientation with this design.

I hope you give this technique a go – it’s an easy puzzle to complete with only three pieces.

Until next time …

Friday Fun Fold – Centre Step Easel Card

By Paula Reid | August 27, 2021

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Hi there

Last Friday I shared a Vertical Centre Step Card and today I have another variation on this design – it’s a Centre Step Easel Card that I found online created by a UK demo – Joanne James.

Centre Step Easel Card using Turtle Friends bundle

Isn’t he cute? The Turtle Friends bundle is so versatile – it doesn’t have to be just for the younger generation. It’s Father’s Day here in New Zealand in a couple of weeks so I wanted to be prepared. When I went looking for a sentiment I had to dig out the retired Well Written set as I don’t have any current sets with Happy Father’s Day.

I was so pleased to find a tutorial with metric measurements – the creation process is the same as last weeks card except this one has one more score line to make it into an Easel Card.

I thought this sentiment went so well for a Father’s Day card. My Turtle has been stamped in Memento Black then coloured in with the Gray Granite Stampin’ Blends before being punched out with the coordinating punch. I stamped a second outline with the shell then ‘fussy cut’ the shell out and adhered it with dimensionals. The clouds are created with Balmy Blue and my ‘go to’ cloud mask which has been die cut using the Basic Border Dies. I’m loving using the colour combo of Gray Granite and Merry Merlot – these colours work well for masculine cards.

Well that’s all for now. I hope you give this fun variation to a Centre Set Card a go. I look forward to seeing some of your creations.

Until next time …

Technique Tuesday – Clear Block and Ink Background – Take Two

By Paula Reid | August 24, 2021

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Hi there

Last week I shared a quick way to create a background for your stamped images. Today I have a variation on that technique with one additional item required – a spritzer filled with water.

Clear block, ink and a water spritzer to create a cool background for stamped or die cut images

Each time you do this technique you’ll get a different look – even when using the same ink colours.

To create this background I inked my ‘D’ clear block with half Pool Party and half Bermuda Bay. Just ‘stamp’ your block to the ink pad like you would for a stamp and then ‘spritz‘ a small amount of water to the block and let the colours merge together. I tipped the block from side to side to help the water mix the inks. You could use either Watercolour Paper or Shimmery White cardstock – for this card I used Shimmery White. Before ‘stamping’ your block to the cardstock give the area where you are going to stamp a bit of a spritz also. The end result will have a ‘watercolour’ look to it. Allow it to dry – either on it’s own or with a bit of help from your heat tool then you’re ready to decorate your card.

I wanted a silhouette look for my card so used one of the images from the Meadow Dies, die cut from Basic Black. The sentiment is from Pansy Patch. You can just see a snippet of the inside of the card where I adhered another of the outlines from the Meadow Dies. This die set has six different images along with some label dies and two butterflies.

This technique would look good with golden colour inks to create a sunset look – I might have to try that one next. What colours would you use? If you wanted to you could add more colours to your block – the skies the limit.

Until next time …

Friday Fun Fold – Vertical Centre Step Card

By Paula Reid | August 20, 2021

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Hi there

Back in March I shared a Horizontal Centre Step card and today I have a Vertical Centre Step card. The method to make this card is the same other than the cardstock is scored in a different orientation.

Vertical Centre Step Card using Beauty of the Earth Suite

Most templates for this orientation were in inches but I finally found a metric version. As I mentioned above the methodology to create a vertical centre step is the same as a horizontal centre step. I started with a card base of 10.5cm x 29.4cm. With the short edge at the top of my trimmer and lined up at 2cm I cut the vertical slits from 12cm to 26.5cm. With the long edge at the top of the trimmer (and the cutting blade well out of the way) I scored three lines (from the edge to the slit) at 12cm, 24cm and 26.5cm. The last score is done between the slits at 14.7cm. You can use the diagram here as your guide but use the measurements above.

I always seem to be short on masculine cards so thought I’d make this with a masculine theme. The Beauty of the Earth Suite is great for masculine cards. I’ve combined products from the suite with my cloud technique using the Blending Brushes to create a scene for my stamped image.

I stamped the tree using Soft Suede and the foliage was stamped with Old Olive and Bumblebee. These have been die cut using dies from the Beautiful Trees dies. If you’re looking for a great one line horiztonal ‘Happy Birthday’ my go to stamp is from Turtle Friends and it fits perfectly in the die from Beautiful Trees.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this variation on a Centre Step card – I have one more for you next week so check back next Friday. Until then …

Technique Tuesday – Clear Block and Ink Background – Take One

By Paula Reid | August 17, 2021

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Hi there

Today’s technique uses products that you will all have in your crafting stash – a clear block and an ink pad. Together these products will create a cool background for your stamped images.

Clear block and ink create a cool background for stamped images

To create the background, ink up your clear block – I used a ‘D‘ sized block for this card – and then ‘stamp’ it directly onto your cardstock. It gives a great texture and design. My stamped image is from the Quiet Meadow set and has been stamped in Memento Black. My favourite In Colour at the moment is Pale Papaya – it’s a blend between yellow and orange. Check out this blog post where I used a bigger block with the same technique.

I’ve left the sentiment off the front of the card but added some coordinating embellishments of 3/8″ Open Weave ribbon in Pale Papaya and the In Colour Jewels in Pale Papaya. There’s no rule that says your card front has to have a sentiment – sometimes I think it can spoil the stamped image.

I restamped the image ‘off the page’ and coloured it in with Stampin’ Blends using Pale Papaya and Soft Succulent. I can’t seem to get enough of the ‘Biggest Wish’ stamp set – I just love the fonts in this set. When using Basic White for my base I like to include a coloured mat and then add the smaller Basic White mat – I think this just finishes of a card.

Remember to check back next Tuesday for another take on this technique. Until then …

Friday Fun Fold – Tower Pinwheel Card

By Paula Reid | August 13, 2021

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Hi there

There have been a number of Tower Pinwheel cards on social media lately and I finally jumped on the band wagon and made one. As is often the case, card designs are made to fit US cardstock which is wider and shorter than metric cardstock. So after a few trials I managed to get measurements to fit metric cardstock and our C6 envelopes. I can now get two cards from a sheet.

Tower Pinwheel Card using Pansy Petal Suite

There are a couple of different ways to make this – some use cardstock for the central tower and some use Designer Series Paper (DSP). I went with the DSP option so that my card wasn’t too bulky. With the DSP option you make the central ‘tower’ and then add the ‘blades’ to the tower. If you make it all from cardstock the ‘tower’ and the first ‘blade’ are all one piece.

Tower Pinwheel Card - flat -using Pansy Petal Suite

The front of each ‘blade’ is decorated with DSP from the Pansy Petals paper measuring 7cm x 10cm and the back DSP measures 4.5cm x 10cm. I had a bit of a play with positioning my DSP so that the outer panels match and compliment the main panel when the card is flat. The first panel uses the Double Oval punch for the sentiment and mat. To accommodate an area to write your personal message I created a pocket and added a tag from the Tailor Made Tags dies on the second panel. For the third panel I included another sentiment from the Pansy Patch which was die cut from the Tasteful Labels Die. For the last panel I die cut one of the large pansies and a couple of leaves from the DSP which coordinate with the Pansy Dies. These have been adhered to one of the label dies from the Scalloped Contours Dies.

Tower Pinwheel Card - standing - using Pansy Petal Suite

The central ‘tower’ of DSP measures 10.5cm x 11.5cm and is scored at 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10cm along the 11.5cm edge. Once you have made the tower and adhered the ‘blades’ the fun then begins on how you want to decorate it. I used a number of components for my card and by having the ‘tower’ thinner it allowed me to add a range of components to the ‘blades’ which didn’t make the overall card too thick. It fits easily into our regular C6 envelopes.

What DSP/stamp sets do you have that you could recreate this card with?

Until next time …

Technique Tuesday – Black Magic Technique

By Paula Reid | August 10, 2021

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Hi there

The Black Magic technique is where you can create a dramatic look by stamping on dark cardstock with light ink and then colour on top of it. The first time I tried this technique (back in 2017) I used White Craft ink as my base then applied Watercolour pencils and outlined the image with a white Gel Pen. I have since found another method so keep reading to find out more.

Black Magic Technique using Flowers of Friendship, White heat embossing and Watercolour pencils

The image really stands out against the black cardstock background.

Stamp the image – I used the Flowers of Friendship set – with VersaMark and heat with White Embossing Powder. Using your White Watercolour Pencil colour in the image. This gives a base for your coloured layer and allows it to show up. Select your chosen colours and colour in the image with the Watercolour Pencils. Once you’ve finished colouring in the image you still have the white outline so no need for a Gel Pen to make the image stand out.

I stamped the flowers again on a scrap piece of Basic Black and then ‘fussy cut’ the centre petal so that I could layer it on the main image. I think one of the ‘hidden’ gems in the new 2021-2022 Annual Catalogue is the Stitched Greenery die from page 165. It gives a great texture for backgrounds and goes well with floral stamps. I love the font of the ‘happy birthday!’ which is from Turtle Friends.

For the inside I stamped the image in Memento Black and coloured in with the Watercolour Pencils.

I hope you give this alternative method a go – it’s easy and very effective. What stamp set would you use for this technique?

Until next time …

July-December 2021 Mini Catalogue is here

By Paula Reid | August 8, 2021

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The July–December 2021 Mini Catalogue is your passport to stunning seasonal projects! It contains all the products you’ll need to craft, create, and celebrate during Halloween, Christmas, and more. Stress less this season! With the perfect papercrafting products for Halloween, Christmas, and every celebration in between, the July–December 2021 Mini Catalogue has got your creativity covered.

PLUS – it’s time to Sale-A-Brate again!

During Sale-A-Bration, you can earn free, exclusive products for every $110 NZD and $220 NZD you spend. You can also enjoy unique, unbeatable benefits when you host a party with qualifying sales or join the Stampin’ Up! family!

Download the July-December catalogue here and the August-September Sale-A-Bration here

Friday Fun Fold – Z Fold Hinge Card

By Paula Reid | August 6, 2021

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Hi there

For the last few weeks I’ve been sharing a variety of different takes on the ‘Z fold’ card. I’ve called todays Z fold a ‘hinge card’ as the Z is hinged between the front and back panels. There are 10 pieces of cardstock to this card – I had to really concentrate with my cutting and putting it together but I got there. I hope you enjoy this card.

I first taught this card design at an event back in November 2015. The original card had the panels dry embossed but I couldn’t resist using the new Stitched Greenery die. It adds such a lovely effect to the card.

As there are so many layers to this card I just added some stamping to the inside. The sentiment and the ‘Happy Birthday’ on the front of the card come from the Peaceful Moments stamp set and have been stamped in Evening Evergreen. The little design at the bottom is from the Flowers of Friendship set.

The flowers on the front have been stamped in Pale Papaya (I’m loving this new In Colour) and coloured in using the coordinating Stampin’ Blends. The leaves have been stamped in Soft Succulent and also coloured in with Stampin’ Blends. This stamp set has a coordinating punch which made it easy to ‘cut’ out the images. I used the Genial Gems for the centre of the flowers.

Well I think I have covered the main variations for Z fold cards – I hope you give some of them a go.

Until next time …

Technique Tuesday – Triple Time Stamping with DSP

By Paula Reid | August 3, 2021

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Hi there

This technique is usually used with stamps but using Designer Series Paper (DSP) as an alternative gives you a quick and easy option. I made these cards earlier in the year but seemed to have missed sharing them with you. I might need to check and see which other creations I’ve missed.

The usual method for creating the technique with stamps is that you would have three layers of white cardstock and place them on top of each other to stamp your design then add mats for the top two layers. With this design you only need one layer of DSP plus your mats. I started with a piece of DSP from the In Good Taste paper pack measuring 10cm x 14.3cm then die cut the fifth largest Stitched Rectangle from the centre of the DSP. This was then matted on a piece of Night of Navy measuring 7cm x 10cm to give a small border. Using the third largest Stitched Rectangle die cut from Basic White I stamped my sentiment in Night of Navy. This was matted on a piece of Night of Navy measuring 5cm x 8.5cm.

I adhered the large piece of DSP to the Night of Navy base then adhered the remaining layers. The sentiment layer has been adhered with dimensionals. This is another layout to showcase the great designs we have on our DSP and use up your DSP. Here are some other designs using papers from the In Good Taste pack.

Rather than centering the cutouts I’ve done these two cards to the left and added a bigger mat using the next size up of die from the Stitched Rectangle Dies.

You can add some embellishments and ribbons to your card are keep them plan and let the DSP do the work.

I hope you like this alternative to the Triple Time Stamping technique.

Until next time …