Painted Poppies Z-Fold Card

My demonstrator team Purrfect Stampers and I are continuing our weekly virtual stamping sessions on Zoom. Meeting virtually twice a week has truly been a blessing to me, especially during these difficult times! It has meant the world to me to be able to connect with loved ones virtually! I know that this has been hard for us all to adjust and adapt our routines to this new normal. I am praying and hoping that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy and for those helping and caring for us, including doctors, nurses, janitors, health-care professionals, first responders, grocery store employees, post office workers, power plant employees, sanitation workers, and all those that support our community! I am so grateful to you and to your service to us! I cannot express how much I appreciate you!

Last week my demonstrator team and I created Z-Fold cards using Designer Series Paper that created a scene like a skyline or a field of poppies or had a large scale pattern such as the lily pads from the Sale-A-Bration Designer Series Paper or the larger flowers in the Perennial Essence Designer Series Paper as one of our challenges.

This fun fold is called the Z-fold because when it is folded, it looks like the shape of the letter z. There is also only 1 additional score line needed than a traditional side-fold card, making this a great fun fold to start off with!

I chose the Painted Poppies stamp set (#151599), the Peaceful Moments stamp set (#151595) and the coordinating Peaceful Poppies Designer Series Paper (#151324). Peaceful Poppies Designer Series Paper is bright, cheerful, and has a variety of small-scale, medium-scale, and large-scale patterns to choose from.

Choosing a particular Designer Series Paper for this fun fold was important because when the card is layed out or flattened, the Designer Series Paper looks like one continuous pattern or background.

The sheet with the two rows of poppy flowers with one row across the top and one row across the bottom is perfect for this z-fold card! The scale or size of the flowers is large enough that it fills almost the entire card's height and is long enough to fit in each of the z-fold card panels.

How fun and beautiful is that Designer Series Paper!?

To make the z-fold card base, start with a 5-1/2" by 8-1/2" Blackberry Bliss card base. Then with the 8-1/2" side along the top of the Simply Scored, score at 1-1/2" and at 4-1/4".

Then cut a piece of 6" by 6" Designer Series Paper. I used the row of poppies patterned paper from the Peaceful Poppies Designer Series Paper. I, first, cut it in half horizontally to separate the two rows of poppies. Then I cut one of the halves in half to make two 6" by 6" squares. Choose one of the 6" by 6" squares for this project.

Next, cut 3/4" off of the top of the Designer Series Paper. For my patterned paper, this was the white area with the splatter dots.

Then cut it into strips. Make sure the Designer Series Paper is upright and horizontal, as in the photograph above. Cut the Designer Series Paper at 2-3/4", at 1-1/8", and at 2-1/8" (the last piece should already come out to be 2-1/8"). Tie a piece of Whisper White crinkled seam binding in a bow around the 2-3/4" wide strip, if you would like. I think this card is beautiful on its own too.

Fold and burnish your card base as follows. Fold the card base in half at the 4-1/4" score line like you are closing a book. Burnish the score line.

Stamp the large poppy image using Versamark Watermark ink randomly all over the closed card. This gives more interest to the front of the card when it is on display.

Next fold the 1-1/2" score line back like you are revealing what is inside of the card. Burnish the score line. Keep the card base closed like this.

Adhere the Designer Series Panels to the card as follows. Adhere the left side of the 2-3/4" wide strip to the left edge of the 1-1/2" panel on the card base, leaving about an 1/8" border on the left, top, and bottom of the card base. Add adhesive only where the Designer Series Paper overlaps the Blackberry Bliss cardstock.

Open the card base. Adhere the 1-1/8" wide strip to the left of the 4-1/4" score line, leaving a 1/8" border to the right, top, and bottom of the card base. Adhere the 2-1/8" wide strip to the right of the 4-1/4" score line, leaving a 1/8" border to the left, top, and bottom of the card base.

Cut a 1-3/4" by 5-1/4" piece of Whisper White cardstock. Stamp the "Life is better with a friend like you" greeting with Blackberry Bliss ink in the center of the cardstock.

Stamp the single poppy with a stem image to the left and to the right of the greeting with Blackberry Bliss ink, so that only the poppy is showing. Color the poppies with Dark Poppy Parade Stampin' Blend. Adhere the Whisper White cardstock to the right of the 2-1/8" wide strip, leaving about a 1/8" border on all sides of the Whisper White cardstock.

This z-fold card was a fun experiment in creating a mural-like card! I would love for you to join in on the fun too and make your own z-fold card! What stamps and designer series papers would you choose to create your own z-fold card? I would love to see what you create! Post a project photo on my Facebook page today!
 
If you would like to purchase the supplies I used to create this card, please use the supply list below to shop in my online store. I would love to be your Stampin' Up! demonstrator!

Thanks for stopping by!
Beth

Peaceful Poppies Designer Series Paper Z-Fold Card Supply List
Stamps	#151599 Painted Poppies (Cling-Mount) #151595 Peaceful Moments (Cling-Mount)
Paper	#100730 Whisper White Cardstock #133675 Blackberry Bliss Cardstock #151324 Peaceful Poppies Designer Series Paper
Ink	#147092 Blackberry Bliss Ink Pad #102283 Versamark Watermark Ink Pad #146879 Dark Poppy Parade Stampin’ Blend
Embellishments	#151326 Whisper White 1/4" Crinkled Seam Binding
Tools	#152392 Stampin’ Trimmer #102300 Bone Folder #103579 Paper Snips Corresponding Clear Acrylic Blocks #122334 Simply Scored Scoring Tool

Second Sunday Sketches 12 Starts Today!

It is time for another Second Sunday Sketches challenge! If you are new to Second Sunday Sketches, please review the rules here or below. Each second Sunday of the month, I will post a card sketch. A sketch is graphic or drawing of how the elements of a card are layed out.

You will then use the sketch as a guide to create your own card. Your card must be a new creation and reflect the challenge guidelines. Your card must include the major elements of the card sketch, such as the number of layers and the general position of the embellishments and/or die cuts. You can rotate the sketch for a top-folding card or for a side-folding card.

You choose the occasion and the color palette as well as the stamp set(s) and the embellishments. I do ask that you use Stampin' Up! products (current or retired).

The measurements will also be included in the blog post for each Second Sunday Sketches sketch challenge. You can use the measurements as given or increase them or decrease them. For example, if a greeting is stamped on a 1" circle on the sketch, but the greeting you choose is 1-3/4", then increase the size of the circle to 1-3/4". You can also change the shape. Instead of a circle, you can use an oval, a square, a daisy punch, etc.

The challenge will run from the second Sunday of the month until the last day of that month.

Below is April's card sketch.

Challenge Dates

April's challenge will run from April 12th, 2020 until April 30th, 2020 at 5pm EST.

If you would like to participate in the Second Sunday Sketches sketch challenge, please create a card using the sketch above and email me a photo of your card by April 30th, 2020 at 5pm EST with the subject line Second Sunday Sketches Entry.

Prize Drawing

The day after the last day of the month (May 1st), I will place all of the names of the participants in a proverbial hat and randomly draw a winner. The winner will receive a prize! The prize each month will change and will be announced at the start of each challenge. April's Second Sunday Sketches sketch challenge prize is Item #151321 Mint Macaron 1/8" Sheer Linen Ribbon and three hand-made cards from me.

Winner Announcement

If you are the winner, I will notify you by email. Please respond to my email with your complete mailing address, and I will mail you your prize! If the winner does not respond to my email within 7 days, I will draw another winner.

I will also post all of the entries on my blog (with your names attached to the photos) and the name of the winner.

Card Sketch Sample

Here is a sample of how I interpreted this card sketch using the Sailing Home Stamp Set and Die Bundle.

Some Ideas on How to Make this Card Sketch Your Own

There are many ways to change this card to make it your own! You can rotate the card layout 90 degrees, change the stars to another shape like flowers or letters, add a mat layer beneath the stars, add a stencil, create your own Designer Series Paper, use embossing folders to add more texture, and more!

Share Second Sunday Sketches with a Friend

Be sure to join in on the fun and share with a friend! Starting in March 2020, if you enter the Second Sunday Sketches challenge, you can get a bonus surprise prize by sharing this challenge with a friend (for US residents only)! Here's how to get a bonus surprise prize. Limit two bonus surprise prizes per person per month.

1. Enter into this month's Second Sunday Sketches challenge
2. Share this month's Second Sunday Sketches challenge with a friend (that hasn't participated before)
3. Have your friend submit their this month's challenge card entry
4. Email me that your friend has submitted their card entry. Submit your complete mailing address and the name of the friend that you shared with. I will confirm their entry and then send you a bonus surprise prize.

I am looking forward to seeing your personal take on the twelfth Second Sunday Sketches sketch challenge! If you have any questions about this card sketch challenge, please let me know! I am happy to assist!

Happy Stamping!
Beth

Sneak Peek: Paper Pumpkin May 2020 Kit!

The Paper Pumpkin team loves planning fun surprises, so we’ve been VERY excited to let you know what we have in store for the month of May: a fabulous kit featuring 2020–2022 In Colors, plus Purple Posy, an In Color from the 2019–2021 collection.

This means that as Paper Pumpkin subscribers, you will be first to get their hands on new In Color products. And that’s just the beginning of things to love about this kit!

The April 2020 kit contains supplies to make 12 cards with 12 coordinating envelopes (8 traditionally-sized cards and 4 note cards)

• 8 cards (4-1/4" x 5-1/2")
• 8 envelopes (4-1/2" x 5-3/4") 
• 4 note cards (5" x 3-1/2")
• 4 envelopes (5-1/8" x 3-5/8")

The coordinating colors are all related to In Colors and are Purple Posy from the 2019-2021 In Color collection and 4 NEW 2020-2022 In Colors! WOW! The NEW In Colors in this kit are still a surprise and will be revealed on April 24th. So, check back on April 24th to see what they are! I am so excited to see the new In Colors!!

We already got a sneak peek of the new 2020-2022 In Colors in the Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper. It is called Bumble Bee and is a beautiful, bright yellow! I cannot wait to see the rest of the 2020-2022 In Colors! What do you think the NEW 2020-2022 In Colors will look like or be named?

Start or renew your subscription for the May's Paper Pumpkin kit at paperpumpkin.com from April 11th through May 10th. Please note that supplies may be limited toward the end of each subscription period. So, please, don't delay in subscribing!

Then bring your Paper Pumpkin Kit to my VIRTUAL Paper Pumpkin Party on Thursday, March 23rd from 6pm to 8pm on Zoom. We will assemble our kits virtually and view alternative project ideas! RSVP by April 16th! Once you RSVP, I can send you the Zoom meeting information.

I look forward to stamping with you!
Beth

Fun Fold: Ornate Garden Thank You Pocket Card

I am so taken with the Ornate Garden Product Suite! I cannot seem to stop creating with it! I created this pocket thank you card for one of my customers as a thank you for placing an order with me. The message slides into a pocket created with designer series paper. I chose this variation of a pocket card to really show off the gorgeous color palette on the Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper and the fine detail of the decorative scroll dies.

My favorite pattern in the Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper is the one with all of the flowers and the light blue background with the Old Olive floral pattern on the back. I should say that it is my favorite pattern today because I keep changing my mind! I love all of the patterns in the Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper that it is hard to choose just one!

Today's pocket thank you card highlights this stunning designer series paper! Any of the patterns in the Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper pack would be equally gorgeous! And, you can make 3 pocket cards from one sheet of designer series paper.

The pocket card is simple and quick to recreate. Here are the cardstock measurements.

Ornate Garden Pocket Thank You Card Measurements
	Paper	Dimensions
Card Base	Early Espresso Cardstock	5-1/2” x 4-1/4”
DSP Pocket	Ornate Garden Specialty DSP	4” x 10-1/2”; scored at 1-1/2” & at 5-3/8”
Decorative Die Cut	Early Espresso Cardstock	4” x 2-1/2”
Greeting Label	Whisper White Cardstock	2-1/2” 1-1/8”
Insert Mat	Early Espresso Cardstock	3-3/4” x 5”
Insert	Whisper White Cardstock	3-1/2” x 4-3/4”

Cut a 4" by 10-1/2" piece of the designer series paper and score it at 1-1/2" and at 5-3/8". With the side of the designer series paper that you want to be the outside of the pocket facing up, fold the 1-1/2" score line down towards you and burnish lightly.

Flip the designer series paper over to the back side. Then fold the 5-3/8" score line away from you towards the top of the designer series paper and burnish lightly. Flip the designer series paper back to the front side.

Use a piece of ribbon to secure the pocket together at the 1-1/2" score line (or lip of the pocket). The sides will lay flay against the card base but remain open on the sides. Cut a 6" piece of Terracotta ribbon from the Ornate Garden Ribbon Combo Pack. Place the ribbon over the center of the lip of the pocket and adhere the ends to the back side of the pocket with strong, dry adhesive. I used snail adhesive.

Then adhere your pocket to the card base.

Stamp the scroll image with Early Espresso ink in the 4 corners of the Insert. Adhere the Insert to the center of the Insert Mat. Slide your Insert Mat into the pocket.

Cut the Greeting Label from a piece of Whisper White cardstock. Round the 4 corners with the Detailed Trio Punch. Then stamp the "thanks" greeting with Terracotta Tile ink centered in the upper half of the greeting label. Stamp "ever so much" with Early Espresso ink underneath the "thanks" greeting.

Die cut the smallest decorative scroll from a piece of Early Espresso cardstock. Since this is a rectangular die, I like to angle the cardstock and the die slightly on my die cutting machine to ease the pressure off of the die cutting machine rollers.

Taking the pressure off of the die cutting machine rollers here, helps to not misalign them and not to cause them to break, which could also cause other parts of your die cutting machine to break over time. The goal is to spread the pressure evenly across your die cutting machine rollers as much as possible to extend the life of your machine.

Then remove the extra little die cut pieces from the die cut using the die cut brush or the paper piercing tool on the Take Your Pick Tool and the foam mat.

Adhere the Greeting Label to the scroll die cut with dimensionals. Then adhere that to the center of the ribbon on the card base. Finally, add a few gilded gems to the center of the flowers on the designer series paper for extra sparkle.

What designer series paper will you use for your pocket card? I would love to see what you create! Post a project photo on my Facebook Page today!

If you would like to purchase the supplies I used to create this card, please use the supply list below to shop in my online store. I would love to be your Stampin' Up! demonstrator!

Thanks for stopping by!
Beth

Ornate Garden Pocket Thank You Card Supply List
Stamps	#149471 Ornate Thanks (Photopolymer) or #154115 Ornate Thanks Bundle (Photopolymer) #152572 Ornate Styles (Cling-Mount)
Paper	#100730 Whisper White Cardstock #119686 Early Espresso Cardstock #152488 Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper
Ink	#147114 Early Espresso Ink Pad #150086 Terracotta Tile Ink Pad
Embellishments	#104430 Dimensionals #152479 Ornate Garden Ribbon Combo Pack
Tools	#152392 Stampin’ Trimmer #102300 Bone Folder #103579 Paper Snips Adhesive Die Cutting Machine Corresponding Clear Acrylic Blocks #152726 Ornate Layers Dies #146320 Detailed Trio Punch #144107 Take Your Pick Tool #149655 Take Your Pick Die Brush Tip