Stepped Up Stamping

 This set of cards all started with a sketch.

Taking this sketch, I created the first of 3 cards. This card is a simple card featuring a stamped image on 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" Very Vanilla cardstock, matted and mounted with dimensionals over a diagonal strip of Designer Series Paper. This strip measures 6"x2", adhered at a diagonal then trimmed to the edge of the cardbase.The sentiment is stamped on the cardfront.

The stamp set used is the Enchanted Butterfly set. I stamped the detail image. Then I turned the stamp over on the block and stamped the shadow in the same color ink. I used Moody Mauve and Blueberry Bushel. The Designer Series Paper is from the 2023-2025 In Color DSP. The butterfly piece is matted with Basic Gray and the sentiment is also with Basic Gray ink.

The 2nd card I made was a stepped up version of the first - a casual card. I added some splatter to the image piece with Basic Gray ink. I matted the DSP with Basic Gray measuring 6"x2 1/4"  and added Moody Mauve jute twine.

The third and final card is definitely an 'avid' card. I used a die from Darling Details to create a scalloped edge for both sides of the DSP in Basic Gray. I added a coordinating strip of DSP from Winter Meadow down the center of the Moody Mauve DSP.  I also clear embossed the butterflies and embossed the sentiment in silver. Lastly I added some stems in Shaded Spruce, Lost Lagoon and vellum cardstock.

Every month I'll do a Stepped Up Stamping on the 4th Stampin' Thursday. We'll explore different ways to step up a card.

Be sure to watch the YouTube video as I demonstrate making the 'avid' card.

 

Using 6x6 Designer Series Paper

 This post is to encourage you to get out that 6x6 Designer Series Paper and use it more efficiently to create cards. I'm using two templates today that I found on the internet - one from Robin Armbrecht and the other from Christine Josti. You can find many different templates, but these are the two that I chose to use. 

The first layout that I demonstrated on my video is this layout.

You will need five 8 1/2"x5 1/2" cardbases and five Basic White, Very Vanilla or any light color cardstock card fronts cut at 5 1/4" x 4". You will use 2 coordinating pieces of 6"x6" DSP. Stack them together so that they can be cut at the same time in the exact same way. The first cut will be 2" off one side leaving a 2" strip and a 4" strip on both sheets. Be sure to keep them stacked together.

Next you will cut the 2" strip at 3 1/4" leaving 2"x3 1/4" pieces and 2"x 2 3/4" pieces. Set those aside and cut the 4" strip at 4" creating a 4" x 4" square and a 4" x 2" segment. Cut the 4" square piece diagonally leaving it off center from the corners by about an inch. Set those aside. Cut the last 2" pieces at 1 1/2", leaving 4"x1 1/2" and 4"x1/2" pieces.

Now it's time to start creating your cards, using coordinating pieces however you want and following the patterns of the cards pictured here. Add sentiments and embellishments.

The video will show the structure of each card individually.

The 2nd layout I used is the following - a much simpler cut.

I also used 2 coordinating sheets of DSP for this one. The first cut will be 2". Cut 3/4" off the bottom of this 2" strip, leaving 2"x5 1/4" and 2" x 3/4". Next cut the 4" piece in half  resulting in two 4"x3" sections.

For this layout, I didn't actually make any cards, I just showed some of the options. Again, the video will show these options.

There are many other layouts that can be found on Pinterest so go search for 6x6 cutting templates and find one that you like!

Have fun creating cards using ALL of your 6"x6" sheets of Designer Series Paper!