One stamp set - two cards

Wood Words festive and fun card idea from Duchess of Design

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. 

Wood Words country_rustic look from Duchess of Design 

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!

Sneak peek Carols of Christmas

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!

Hello Friend - Wood Words

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!

Manly cards designs from one layout

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!

Masculine card ideas - one layout, two designs presented by Duchess of Design

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!

 

Guy Greeting card idea Hats off to you presented by Duchess of Design

 

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.

 

Nailed It birthday card idea presented by Duchess of Design

 

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?

Creativity Starts Here

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?

Creativity Starts here! Paper Pumpkin kits! Subscribe with Duchess of Design!

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!

Use the Promo Code Start Here

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!

 

Happy retirement Petite Petals

Petite petals lb wm

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!

Just do it!

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!

 

Easiest Card Design ever

4×6 Rip Flip TechniqueThe easiest card design ever shown in the Rip 'n Flip collage

What is the easiest card design ever? The Rip Flip Technique! I am a long time fan of Austrailian demonstrator Marelle Taylor and she had shared this technique with fellow demonstrators on a Grand Vacation retreat to Hawaii. Then she graciously shared it for the rest of us. You can see her original post here. This technique will help you turn one of your 12×12 double sided pretty papers into 6 cards! It’s kind of like a One Sheet Wonder but even easier! If you used a whole pack of Designer Series Paper you could get 72 cards from 12 sheets of paper! That would take you along way in your card making very fast!

You may have guessed from the name of this technique how it’s done, but here are a few more details. Basically you can cut your pretty 12×12 double sided papers into SIX 4″x6″ pieces. Then you take each 4″x6″ piece and rip it at around the 2″ mark and flip one piece over. Then all you need to do is tape those two pieces onto a card base. Super easy!! Just embellish from there. In the photo you will even see one design that only uses one half of the ripped paper then it leaves plenty of room for your larger greeting stamps. Use the other ripped piece on another card base and you have two cards for the work of one! 

Tips for Lining It Up: Use a card base of 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ scored at 4-1/4″. When taping on the first pretty paper piece, line it up so that you have the same size border on all 3 un-torn edges. Then with the second piece line it up so you have the same size border on all 3 un-torn edges AND make sure that the edges line up with the first piece you taped down.

Embellish! With a technique this easy you can embellish as much or as little as you like. You could add a simple 1″ wide greeting on Whisper White and banner cut one end. Just attach to the card with dimensionals and add an enamel shape, rhinestone or pearl to finish it off.

Go grab a piece of 12×12 paper and give this technique a try!!

Running low on 12x12 paper? You are in luck! There is still plenty on the retirement list and some of it is even at a discount!  Here are some of my favorites (on sale)!

Product List

 

 

I hope you will share your Rip & Flip cards with us on Facebook!

Quick and Easy Easter card idea

Easter swap card wm

One of the highlights of attending team meetings is to swap with the other demonstrators. This is a card that I created for our Spring Theme swap. The highlight is that I used the Balloon punch to quickly make my eggs! Some washi, a little ribbon, and tone on tone stamping to create accents. Finish with sponging a darker edge to bring a little "grunge" to a "frilly" card!