KNOW YOUR 4 - Card #1 - April 27, 2026

 Hello Crafty Friends!   I haven't posted for awhile but I'm glad to be back, since writing is my #1 enjoyment right next to crafting.

Here are some current photos that go along with my Youtube and Instagram posts from today, April 27, 2026.  You can also find my original post on my KNOW YOUR 4 card designs here:

Card ConnoisSUEr - Susan Boback: "Show Off" Card Design #1 - Know Your 4

While I still love the beautifully coordinated Stampin' Up! products, some of the products I use and create with are various other brands.   In 2026, the three craft hobbies that come together for me are sewing, cardmaking and junk journaling.   I have to agree with creator Anne Kenlon (junk journalist) that making junk journals really brings together all her favorite crafts!  and that's a Me Too!

I invite you to join me on Instagram, YouTube, Face Book and here on my blog, though my blog name is spelled a little differently.   While I use variations of Card Connoisseur Susan Boback on the other three platforms, my blog name here is cardconnoisSUEr like my name - its the first platform I used to share my card making ideas years back.   Don't forget, then, that I'm the ......SUEr  here on the blog!

                                

Here are the two cards I featured on today's video on Youtube    KNOW YOUR 4 Series: 4 for Any Reason Any Season

These are the "stepped up" versions.   

Here are the basic design - Card #1 of KNOW YOUR 4

Take an "A2" size card - that's 8 1/2 x 5 1/2, scored in half at 4 1/4"

Shown here is the front of the card.  From the fold over to the right, cut 1 1/2" off.  Set that aside.

Now with your printed paper, cut a piece (make sure to check the direction of the print) that is 5" wide x 5 1/4" high.   Cut off 1 inch of the pattern as shown.

Here is a photo of the 2 pieces of printed paper for the front, which you will attach to the cardstock.

Make sure to attach the 1" strip to the 1 1/2" section of the blue cardstock.  Then add glue to the inside of the 1 1 /2" cardstock and press the 4 x 5 1/4" print paper in place.

This is the basic card that you can leave just like it is.  "Let the paper do the work" is exactly how this design is - nothing else is necessary to complete this card.   

Now here's how to make the "Stepped Up" version, which includes another piece of cardstock and few extra folds.

                                                            

Use the piece that you cut off of the front as shown.   Score it in half width-wise at 2 3/4". 

You can punch a hole in it as I have down or you can stamp an image or add a sentiment.  Using this flap gives more dimension and interest to the front.  Center it on the inside and glue.  Then layer it with a white layer - 5 1/2 x 4 - to cover where it is attached.

                                                            

    

          Here's the completed card with the punched-out design of this Scenic Coast paper.   

                                                             

 
And here's one more with the Valley in Bloom papers, both are Stampin' Up! and available in the new catalog as of May 4, 2026.

                            

Thanks for stopping by to view CARD #1 of my KNOW YOUR 4 - Any reason, Any Season card designs.   

Use these when you need a card in a hurry - one you don't have to measure for.   Or look at your own favorites and plan to make your own KNOW YOUR 4 or maybe even KNOW YOUR 2.

Be Blessed!   Go Get Creative!

 

                                                    

F for #letteroftheweek

It’s been a few months since I’ve posted - I’m back at it - thanks for stopping by. 

 I’ve been following Anne Kenlon, Junk Journal artist, cardmaker, quilter, grandma and more. 

Anne has been choosing a random letter of the week for inspiration each Sunday. 

Find my #letteroftheweek projects on Instagram at card.connoisseur or Facebook, Card Connoisseur Susan Boback. 

F is for Flowers or Floral. Since it’s August, my garden Flowers are in Full bloom.   

Are you a gardener?   Did you know you can plant tulip bulbs in the fall in a pot you keep indoors in a cool dark spot; and in the spring, like Feb or March, indoors, you can do what's called "forcing".  You take them out of the spot you've wintered them in, and place them in the sun. Water lightly and watch the tulip awaken to a "spring-like" growth.   This is especially enjoyable if you are stuck indoors for a long cold winter.  But we won't think about that just now!

 

Lily

                                                           Globe Thistle with a bee

                                                                           Peas

                                                                              Hostas

So when you see the beautiful shades of color in your garden Flowers you want to create paper versions to keep your memories around for awhile after the bloom is gone, right?

This Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder, is one of the most versatile I’ve seen. What makes it "3D" is its deep embossed texture. 

I've used Night of Navy ink on Very Vanilla Cardstock with the Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder, layered on a Night of Navy card base for today's project. (An Embossing Machine is needed to use the embossing folders.) 

You can easily create a design that really makes the sunflowers pop. 

Drag the ink pad over both sides of the inside of the EF (embossing folder) to dispense the ink. Place your paper on and close the EF. 

Run it through your embossing machine then open the folder to see the results!

Since you’ve placed ink on both sides, you’ll have one print that shows embossed such as this; and the other side that shows debossed design where the background is elevated (not shown).

Trim the print to 4 x 5 1/4” for a front layer. 

Other techniques include: 

*    embossing alone on white, vanilla or a color cardstock - no ink added in the embossing process

*    ink techniques: emboss on white, vanilla or color cardstock, then adding ink with a sponge dauber or a Stampin' Write! water based marker, or a Stampin' Blends alchohol based maker, or a water color pencil then using a Water Painter on top to give it a watercolor look.   You can also flick ink drops at random around the embossed area

*    add gold or silver rub-ons 

*    Heat emboss to highlight the images - with heat embossing you could add the Versa Mark clear watermark Ink to the folder before embossing the texture with the folder; then sprinkle with embossing powder and heat; or you could add the Versa Mark to the images after you run it through the embossing machine.  

Practice these techniques to see which you like - there's always more to learn!

And there's always more to learn!

Find current products by clicking on the links or from the Annual Catalog, Online Exclusives, new kits or Last Chance sale items here at my Stampin' Up! website.  Did you know that there are new kits every month?

In September 2025, the new Fall Catalog will be available - beautiful new fall and harvest papers and stamps.   There's so much to see - can't wait to show you how easy it is to make beautiful cards with simply coordinated products for everyone you want to connect with!

 

Visit here for all the products I've referenced today www.stampup.net 

If you don’t have a favorite demonstrator I’d love to be yours - I’m Susan Boback. 

Thanks for stopping by and be blessed!

Embrace the Journey Pinwheel

Hello Friends!  Welcome to our blog hop "Stamping With Friends" where today's focus is our NEW Mini Catalog - January - April.  

                                        

In mid-January, I saw my Team Leader Karen Titus, demonstrate this folded Pinwheel design. Here's my design with the new paper, Everyday Skies and Everyday Arches from the NEW Mini Catalog.  

The theme of this card - Embrace the Journey - can be sent to a college student, someone who is moving, or experiencing a change in their life.  Sending cards of encouragement is one of my main focuses. 

This Folded Pinwheel, I am calling it, is fairly simple.  Grab a 6x6" piece of double-sided paper that you like the prints and colors of both sides, because both sides will be shown; score around the 4 sides.  Cut out the four corners, cut each side in a half triangle, fold in and done. Read on for more specifics and photos.

Materials:

1 - 6x6" Double-sided paper - this paper is Everyday Skies

1- 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card with the fold at top or on left (an A2 card by definition) - the color is Basic White with a 4 x 5 1/4" layer of Moody Mauve.

Stamps - Birds and "Embrace the Journey" sentiment - Everyday Arches

Ink - Blueberry Bushel - birds and sentiment; VersaMark, clear watermark ink - background sentiment on layer

Embellishments - Two-tone Sparkle Gems

Mini Dimensionals to pop up the two center birds

Here's the instructions:

Take a 6x6" - choose one with no directional pattern, score at 1 3/8" on all four sides.

Cut out each of the 4 corners, on the score lines.

Fold in the side tabs remaining after removing the four corners to crease the score lines.  

Cut each side tab from the inner corner, out to the outer corner edge.  Set aside the triangle pieces for another project.  (To cut each tab into a triangle, fold down the top tab and fold up the bottom tab to keep them out of the way of the cutting blade.)  

Here's the way it will look

Fold each tab under the one next to it - they will stay folded down.   Your design could open each tab to reveal a message or the tabs could remain closed.

Add a 3 1/2" contrasting color cardstock layer if desired.

Position your square layer before you glue it on so that it doesn't go over the edges of the card.

Add a die cut or punch art, sentiment and embellishments.

----------------------------

Make two more cards with the remaining triangles and corner squares. 

This card uses 3 of 4 triangles from Perennial Lavendar papers, and 3 of 4 triangles from In-Color Papers, Spring Celebrations Ephemera for the sentiment, and Dotted Circles Embossing folder for texture.  Add a ribbon of your choice for accent. 

Using 6 of 8 squares from 2 cards of today's featured design, make the card below.

Stamp the corner sentiment with Spring Corners stamps.  Add ink on a block then stamp it directly on the Basic White cardstock, and use the sunburst and heart dies from Spring Corners Dies . 
(Save 10% if you purchase the stamps and dies as a bundled set)

Thanks for stopping by!  Be Blessed! sb   (Sorry, there's an error in my html so you won't be able to connect to the others with this post.)

BLUE

Blue is the color I think of for the Winter Solstice (the 3rd week in December) through January 31.  Here in the central Upper Peninsula of Michigan USA, the colors in the middle of winter are mostly white enhanced by blue skies and sunshine that bounce the light off of the white snow.

During January, there are no holidays or festivities to decorate for. This is when I display my snowmen, snowflakes and wintery colors like blue and silvery metallics - all representing what I see when I look outdoors.

Today's Stamping with Friends Blog Hop - Inspiration from Around the World - is focusing on the Stampin' Up! products that will soon retire.  I've used Regal Distressed Specialty Paper in white, adding blue. 

Stampin' Up! Products include a new catalog every four months, with products and kits added each month to our online store.  The catalog products are retired at the end of each seasonal or annual catalog.

Find the Stampin' Up! Products  I used here in my online store or click the link for each in the instructions.

    *Balmy Blue Ink, Cardstock

    *Blueberry Bushel Ink

    *Blending Brush

    *Regal Distressed Specialty Paper (Retiring, listed on "Last Chance" list)

    *Forever Plaid Embossing Folder with Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

    *Winter Meadows Designer Series Paper

    *Frosted Forest Decorative Masks

    *Iridescent Ribbon

    *Embossing Paste

    *Wink of Stella

    *Tombo Multi-Purpose Glue

    *Ephemera

My project, "Blue," uses this Specialty Paper, but any paper that has metallic effects with a light background will work.

In thinking of how the blue sky enhances the look of the snow with the bright sun, I've taken this specialty paper and shaded it with Balmy Blue ink, using a small Blending Brush. This will make the metallic lines of the design stand out. 

To make the metallic stand out even more, I have used the Embossing Folder, Forever Plaid.   Next I added a darker blue of Blueberry Bushel by lightly dragging an ink pad over the raised, or embossed plaid pattern.  Set this aside.

I chose the Winter Meadows paper with the blue water-color look trees in the background.   Make a circle for the front design either by punching out a piece with a 2 3/8" punch or by using the Spotlight on Nature dies or similar.  Use embossing paste or a modeling paste and spread it across a pine tree mask in a thin layer, then clean the mask or stencil immediately in warm water.   

This is the Modeling Paste I make and use:  mix 8 Tablespoons of Baking Soda, 3 Tablespoons of White Latex Craft Paint (You can use any color of paint to suit your needs) and 2 Tablespoons White Glue (I use Tombo Multi Purpose Glue.  When the glue dispenser gets low, I set it aside for use in projects such as this) Mix thoroughly together and keep in an air-tight container. I use a glass jar.)

Add Wink of Stella to the frosted tree once the paste is dry, as shown above. Attach a 7-inch piece of iridescent ribbon under the circle and then attach the circle to the center of the plaid layer. Add a sentiment with Ephemera  - or your favorite words.   

Use Balmy Blue Card stock as the card base.   Blue. Its the color of January, winter, and 2025.  Thanks for hopping along.  Click the link to view the next creative project. Happy Holidays!sb

Do you love the quality and color coordination of the blues and products used today? Why not consider choosing $125 of your favorites and pay only $99?  I'd love for you to join my team, Card Connoisseurs, as a hobby crafter or pursue a business, and where you get a discount with every order and can earn points for free products.