Slimline Gears & Textures for Ladies!

 Happy Tuesday to you! Today I have a fun project to share with you that may be a surprise. It's a different take on what is probably considered to be a masculine style stamp set. Let's take a look!

Do you ever take the time to really study your stamp set images before stamping? Sometimes I stare at the imaged on the sheet and turn, rotate and take a long look. This helps to see the images in a different way, at least for me.  When studying the Gears and Textures stamp images I noticed the gears could become flowers. Once I saw that the other imaged stated to fill in the idea with stems, leaves and flower centers. That's how I do it to see things outside of the box. Give it a try.

Ok, gear flowers. Who would have thought? Next decision was what colors to use. I decided on the soon to be gone 2024-2026 In Colors: Shy Shamrock, Peach Pie, Petunia Pop, Summer Splash and Pretty in Pink. One more decision was to go with a slimline card because I wanted to have a little garden of gear flowers and that length gave me more room!

Here is a photo of the stamp set with labels on the images I used for my design. I hope this helps you see them in a new way! I can see even more in the images I didn't use for this card! I hope to put those ideas to use soon!

Because I'm a lefty I started on the left side of the card stock that is 8" x 3". I stamped the gears first then added "stems", "leaves" and "centers. It creates a whimsical look and adds even more versatility to your stamps! 

Now, there is a coordinating die set. I chose to just use the stamps this time . You could easily use the dies for this design idea and even pop up the flowers for dimension! 

The grass was created with s strip of CS and tearing one long edge. I did the same for the inside of the card, too. I debated on using gems of some kind. The longer I think about something like that the more it tells me maybe I just don't need to add anything else! With all the details in the gears I felt gems would just be too busy. So I kept it really simple and added two gems under the sentiment. This draws your from all the pretty gear flowers to the sentiment.

One more thing I added was the ribbon along the left edge. I used white and color matched it by using Stampin' Blends. So fun and easy to do.

On to the inside.....

I always like to add some decoration to the inside of the card, too. Just having a sentiment doesn't work for me. I added a few gear flowers to the inside to mimic the card front. Simple but it adds a lot don't you think?

On to the envelope......

As you can see I added two gear flowers in the corner. For the address area I fancied that up a bit, too. Using the Addressed to You set I added the oval but instead of using the flowers, trees or balloons in the set I added a couple gears to bring the theme together!

What do you think of my gear flowers? Look at your images a bit longer and maybe you'll see new ways to use them, too!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up® Demonstrator 

Images© Stampin' Up!

#showandtellwithmichelle #slimlinecards #cardmaking #gears&textures

Greenery Lane ~ Color Dare #692

 Friday means a new color challenge from our Team at Color Dare! This challenge gives you three colors but you only have to use 2...or all 3! There are Free colors you can use with your 2 or 3 from the graphic. DO NOT add any other extra colors. If you are combining challenges be careful of your colors!

Make any paper craft you like. When you're ready to join our challenge use the direct link below the graphic.

When I started my card I was thinking of using only 2 of the colors. Plans changed and I ended up using all 3 colors! You need to be flexible, right? I kept the design simple and love how it turned out. The idea for the scored circle came from a reel I saw shared by Kathy's Stamping World. After watching her idea I knew it was a detail I wanted to include in my design. I love what a sharing community we are!

In keeping with a simple design and being inspired by Kathy's idea, I got out my Greenery Lane Washi Tape and picked out the leaves matching the green in the challenge and die cut just those leaves. I also die cut some of the dainty flowers with the dies out of cardstock. Some of the leaf tips are popped up with foam to give some dimension.

Here's where my plan original deviated. I decided the flowers looked too plain without a center so I added a tiny yellow flat pearl. 

Direct Link to Color Dare #692

The inside of the card coordinates with the card front. I had a couple leftover leaves and flowers just begging to be used. the inside is the perfect place for those leftovers. I did include the flat pearls since they are fairly flat. When I use the card I'll write a custom message.

I hope you like this idea and will give it a try yourself! That's what makes sharing so much fun....inspiring others!

Have a crafty day!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator 

Images©Stampin' Up!

#showandtellwithmichelle #colordarechallenge #cardmaking #techniques

Free Shipping Offer!

 Make the most of our Free Shipping Offer!

Feb. 18-20 you can get Free Shipping on order of $75 or more!

What?! Your wish list doesn't add up to $75?

Why not combine your order with a friend so you both can get in on the Free Shipping order! Problem solved!

Shop at: MichelleLoncar.stampinup.net

I'm off to get my order placed!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up® Demonstrator 

Images©Stampin' Up!

What's Up Wednesday ~ Another Square Snippets Idea!

 Today I'm sharing another idea for crafting with the Square Snippets papers. I'm telling you this pack is SO versatile and fun you want......no you NEED to have it in your stash!

This idea is very simple for using two squares of the paper. The squares make the background for the die cut flowers to lay on. Offset from each other, you get to see both patterns. I kept the pink and more solid looking pattern under the floral pattern. This way you really "see" the pink layer with only tiny corners showing. 

The Square Snippets come in two sizes: 3" and 4" squares. My squares are a finished size of 3" that I trimmed down from the larger size. I picked two colors combos that would look compliment each other and work well with the flowers I planned to use. 

For the flowers I stamped in Secret Sea and used the fill in stamp image to color the flowers in 2nd generation ink. This made the ink match the pink square and flowers in the squares. 

 Then I die cut the flowers and placed them on the card. I purposely put the flowers in the lower right area so the squares would bee seen. 

After that I die cut leaves and tiny flowers to accent the larger ones. I simply tucked them here and there under the flowers to help give dimension. The sentiment was added on a banner die cut piece from the set.

The final step was to add some Glossy Dots to the flower centers. I love the shiny look they have drawing your eye right to the flowers, then allowing your eyes start roaming all over the design.

For the inside of the card I added a partial image of the flowers in the upper right corner. I only added the color to the flowers and left the leaves plain. I just wanted to have some color inside in a subtle way. The envelope has the same look but in the lower left corner. 

Doing this creates a cohesive theme from seeing the envelope, to pulling out the card and seeing the design, to opening the card to find the flowers. 

I hope you enjoyed seeing another idea for the Square Snippets paper pack. I'm not kidding when I say this pack is amazing! Add it to your stash now.

Have a crafty day!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator 

Images©Stampin' Up!

#showandtellwithmichelle #whatsupwednesday #cardmaking #fragrantlayersbundle #squaresnippets

Best Ever Kit Video

Celebrate your #1s—Mom, Dad, and all the everyday heroes—with the Best Ever Kit. Foam fingers, ribbons, and trophies make it a winner for cards, tags, and paper crafts that show big-time appreciation. It’s playful, easy to use, and full of ways to craft your own heartfelt celebration.

Make 6 cards: 1 each of 6 designs.

Click here to order now.

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up!© Demonstrator 

Images® Stampin' Up!©

#showandtellwithmichelle #cardkits

Quick and Easy! ~ Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge 669

 It's my teams turn to share a new sketch from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. Every Monday a new sketch is shared by our teams. On Wednesday our blog opens for entries. Use our sketch any way you like. We just need to be able to see it in your project. We can't wait to see how this sketch inspires you!

I stayed true to the sketch this time. Using the Beautiful Bokeh DSP pack I created my strips. The Berry Burst strips came from a piece I had already embossed so I put that to use. I thought the texture would give a nice look.

My strips are 4 each of  3/8" x 5" and 3/8" x 2-1/2". 

Glue down your strips, add a sentiment and I also added a few gems because well.....sparkle! That's it! Quick and easy for sure!

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge

A close-up look at how I finished the inside. Since it's a thank you card I left it blank so I can customize a message when I use it. I had a couple pieces left from the front that made a perfect carry over to the inside. It's always nice to bring some of the front to the inside!

Why not give our sketch a try? It's fun, easy and we love seeing how it inspires you!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator 

Images©Stampin' Up!

#showandtellwithymichelle #atlanticheartssketchchallenge #cardmaking

Sunshine & Tulips Card ~ Color Dare #691

Friday means a new Color Dare Challenge! This week we give you 3 colors. You must use at least 2 of the colors in the graphic. There are Free colors you can add but do not add any colors beyond that. 

Make any paper craft you like. When you're ready to join our challenge use the direct link below. Have fun using our colors!

I had a new bundle on my desk that was begging to be used. You know how that goes! So I got busy with a partially formed thought for a design and just winged it after that. I'm pleased with how it turned out!

The large die cuts out a panel of tulips and partially cuts the leaves. Save those die cut tulips! If you don't use them now they'll come in handy some other time. I did use them now by stamping them in our colors then popping up some of them in the tulip spaces.

The tag die that comes with the set is a great look for the sentiment. There are many cute sentiments and images with the set. Also, with the dies you Gert dome individually shaped tulips & leaves that will give you so many options!

Direct Link to Color Dare #691

It's always fun to add a bit of decoration to the inside of your card, too. I went with no sentiment for now. When I use the card I'll add the sentiment I feel fits the occasion.

Now it's your turn to give our colors a try! We love seeing how you're inspired to use them. Have fun!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator 

Images©Stampin' Up!

#showandtellwithmichelle #cardmaking #colordare #colorchallenge