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!

CHEERFUL BASKET GATE FOLD

 

FEB 2023 CARD PATTERN – GATE FOLD WITH CHEERFUL BASKET 

A GATE FOLD SIZE:  Cut one @ 8 ½” x 5 ½” – basic white

SCORE at 2 1/8” on each end and fold in – these are the GATE Folds.  This leaves the base card @ 4 ¼” x 5 ½”.

Cut two layers of Designer Series Paper (DSP) for the outside gates: 2  x 5 ¼”, one for each side. OR 1 ¾” x 5 ¼”  for more of a border around the DSP.  Country Gingham.

This design uses a belt or belly band.   Cut one piece of coordinating card stock color @ 8 1/2” x 1”. Sweet Sorbet or Real Red.  Score this piece @ 2 3/8 on one end and 2” on the other. These measurements will not bring the ends together as it is folded.

Cut a 2 or 3” circle with a punch or die in white.   You will attach the back of this circle to the end pieces of the belly band, to bring it together.

Die cut the basket from Full basket Dies in Crumb Cake or appropriate color for basket.  Weave the pieces together and glue. Cut one of the basket contents with dies: hearts, apples or craft supplies.   Die cut mini hearts. Attach the hearts to the basket front as shown. 

Attach the basket contents to the basket, then attach the filled basket to the circle die cut either on center or to one side.

Optional: there is also a kitten in this set.  You may choose to stamp and die cut the kitten to attach next to the basket on the circle.

Choose a sentiment: Thank you, sending get well, wishing you happiness, or a birthday greeting that is about 2-3” long and skinny.

Use Cherry Cobler (darker red) or black ink to stamp the sentiment on white.  Punch or cut banner ends.   Attach the sentiment tag on an angle across the basket. 

When the inside of the card is finished with your choice of sentiment or message, fold the gates shut and slide the belly band over the card, so that it sits in the middle of the front.  

I'd love to see what you choose to put together for your version of this card. Please post a photo or send it to me in messenger.  Head over to Card Connoisseur on Face Book and post your card there too.   Note that this blog address spells CardConnoissuer a little differently that the word is spelled on the Face Book Page.

 

Find more of my projects at www.susanboback.stampinup.net 

and while you're there, check out the latest specials on products too! You might choose to hold an online workshop with your friends from around the country, or an in-person gathering - there's many ways to get free products and discounts as a customer.  

DON"T MISS THIS CHANCE - EXPIRES FEB 28, 2023 - get $175 of your choice of products for $99.  If you are interested in saving 20% and more, on every order you place, join my team - click here and share in the community of demonstrators who are hobbyists or take the business forward. I'd love to share this with you!

 As always, thanks for stopping by.  Keep sharing what you love with others, as we "cheer up the world, one card at a time"!  Be blessed!  Sb