Fun and Bright Hand Made DIY Greeting Card

Yesterday was a truly fun day in my card making world – I had a play date with a fellow stamper.  She and I have similar tastes in stamps and accessories – but very different styles.  I love being creatively stretched in different directions!  I think that is a big part of why I started Stamping Family.  It gives you a look at a variety of styles and paper crafting.

So I came home with a bag full of stamps that I was dying to try that she has and I literally dreamed of stamping all night last night.  It was a day that I will never forget!  And I needed to make her a card thanking her, and so I thought it only fitting that the first card I made with her stamps should be for her.

While I was there, it was the first time that I got to see her card creations and I was blown away – she is OSM!  She promised to post some of her creations this week in Stamping Family, so if you are member, be sure to log in throughout the week.

Today's card is using her stamps, and trust me, there was a little bit of pressure, kinda like I had to do her stamps proud – weird, huh?  Yeah, I don't get it either, but it was just the way I felt.

This morning, after two cups of coffee and some lively music, it was time to dive into the bag of goodies and play.

If you have followed me for very long, you probably know that most Monday cards involve polka dots and bright colors.  I struggle with Mondays and need my favorite staples (polka dots and bright colors) to get me going.

This one started without a plan – it just came together, which doesn't happen very often for me, there is usually a plan – but that is part of my 2014 paper crafting resolutions is to just go with it.  Not stress about it, not plan it, just create it.

I felt myself start to stress when I realized I was going to have to cut out the bigger flower rather than relying on a punch or a die.  (I have become a spoiled paper crafter over the years.)  But seriously, it took me a minute to cut out the flower.  The second flower I did punch out though :).

Speaking of tools, Stampin' Up! is releasing a pair of “Fringe Scissors” in the new occasions catalog and I found myself wishing they were already here to use for the grass.  And after I finished making the grass, I found myself still wishing I had those dang scissors.  Funny, I could deal with the flower, but the grass, didn't like it, don't wanna do it again.

I used the Verve Stamp Set Sunny Days.  And it wasn't until I went for a sentiment that I found the perfect one in this set – “A Day to Remember”.  Perfecto!

After the sentiment was stamped and I was ready to put it on my card, I realized it would be white on white.  Which I like, but I needed a little pop of color, so I added that super cute little scallop under part of the sentiment.  In case you are wondering if I giggled after adding that, the answer is yes.

OMG, I love this card!!!  I do!  I love how it turned out.  So I have Karen to thank for the stamps, Carrie Underwood for the tunes and myself to pat on the back for the polka dots and bright colors.

Here is the card that I have been yammering about:

To create this bright and fun Hand Made DIY Greeting Card:

1.  Add a piece of Whisper White card stock (4″ x 5-1/4″) to your card base of Raspberry Ripple card stock (4-1/4″ x 11″, scored at 5-1/2″).

2.  Adhere your patterned paper, 2″ x 5-1/4″, to your card front (this is the retired in color paper from Stampin' Up, but you can use their new In Color Paper stack too).

3.  Stamp leaves in Gumball Green ink on Whisper White card stock (5″ x 2″) and adhere to card stock

4.  Stamp flowers in Midnight Muse ink and Raspberry Ripple ink on an extra piece of Whisper White and punch/cut out.  Secure to card using Dimensionals.

5.  Stamp sentiment in Midnight Muse ink on Whisper White card stock (1″ x 4″) and pennant out the right hand side using Hexagon Punch.

6.  Punch a section of Raspberry Ripple card stock using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch and attach 5 scallops under sentiment and secure sentiment to card front.

7.  Finish with two rhinestones!

For the inside:

1.  One strip of the same patterned paper (1″ x 4″) onto Whisper White (4″ x 5-1/4″) and stick it on the inside – DONE!

What are you going to do different for your paper crafting in 2014?  Mine is to push myself clear out of my comfort zone.  I have big plans and big aspirations for my paper crafting this new year, and I can't wait to have you join me with them!

Oh, and Stamping Family members, like I said before, be sure to keep logging back into the site this week.  Not only will Karen be uploading her cards, but there is also a new Advanced card that was added yesterday and a new one coming Wednesday – and a new technique video this week!

If you are not a Stamping Family member, and if your goal is to really enjoy your paper crafting this year, learn new things and see a wide variety of projects to get your creative juices flowing, then you really should become a member.  We will hit 60 videos this week in the site and I spent last week on a brainstorming session like you would not believe – all for Stamping Family!  I LOVE that site, it is my baby and it excites me, it pushes me and challenges me and it will do the same for you!  There is always something new in the club house!

I hope that you enjoyed this hand made DIY Greeting Card idea that is just a bright and fun card idea!