Double expanding Woolly Friends stampin up double expanding Z fold new baby card Z fold card Woolly Friends

 I'm fortunate enough to live in an area of the country where there are open spaces a few steps from my front door. A few minutes in the car leads me to green fields and beautiful scenery. On Sunday I drove to my daughters to visit with her, my son-in-law and grandson. On the way I passed through so many beautiful signs of spring. There were cowslips and primulars as well as bluebells peeking through the trees and hedges that are all turning green now. There is a lot of farm land along the way and the fields were filled with new born lambs and very woolly sheep 🐑.  Inspired by the wonderful drive and a card created by Connie Stewart, an American demonstrator,  I came up with today's inspiration 😀 Of course I just had to include the adorable Woolly Friends stamps and punch to create a new baby card!

The colour palette for this card isn't the usual soft and gentle combination it has  more of a vibrant feel. The pattern papers are from the February 2026 product of the month from Stampin' Up! called Painted illusions. 

The card starts with a piece measuring 14.85cm x  21cm scored at 10.5cm ( 8½" x 5½" scored at 4¼") 

You'll then need 2 pieces of pattern paper measuring 14.4cm 21.5cm ( 5¼" x 8½" scored at 2¹" and 5"). As well as 2 piece of cardstock measuring 19.5cm x 9.5cm scored at 6.5cm and 13cm (7½" x 3½" scored at 2½" and 5")

To decorate the card you'll need 5 pieces of white cardstock measuring 9cm x 6cm ( 3¼" x 2¼") and 2 pieces of pattern paper 9cm x 6cm (3¼" x 2¼").

The woolly Friends stamps make making a simple sceen so easy! All I did was to blend some of the same shade of green found in the pattern papers on to a rectangle of card

I couldn't leave the back undecorated so here's another woolly friend 🐑. This is also a great place to secure the ribbon used to hold the card closed 😉.

The panels for the front of the card are made using the same panel but with a mat of cardstock measuring 9.5cm x 6.5cm ( 3½" x 2½") as well as pattern paper and cardstock mats as desired.

Here is the video that shows how this card comes together but in a pink colour palette 🐑.

 And here are the 2 samples side by side.

I hope you've enjoy this project and will give it a go. It's a good one for so many occasions and papers from your stash.

Have fun

Cary xx

One sheet wonder with a 15cm x 15cm piece of Cute as a Bug pattern paper

 Happy Friday 😃 The weekend starts today and for many TGIF, (thank goodness it's Friday) 😉 Do you have a busy weekend planned?  Or are you working? But still hope to grab some time to be creative?  Well let me share a great way to be creative when time is short... a one sheet wonder! 

There are lots of different ways of doing a One Sheet Wonder. One way is to create your own pattern paper using stamps and inks. Another is to use a template and this is the way I'm using it for today's inspiration. When I was at OnStage in Cologne we were fortunate to receive 2 templates. One was for a 30.5cm x 30.5cm (12" x 12") and the other was for a 15.2cm x 15.2cm (6" x 6") . These templates are a great starting point. You can find plenty on the Internet to inspire you as well. I've decided to make a 15cm x 15cm version inspired by a fellow demonstrator Heidi Collins' reel. 

I'll be using a piece of the Cute as a Bug pattern paper. These papers have been a fantastic source of inspiration for me lately 😃.

Now my template is in centimeters but it's not difficult to convert if the measurements are rounded to 2.5cm = 1".

The piece of pattern paper from  the Cute as a Bug paper pack was a piece left from other projects that just so happened to be 15cm x 15cm, so waste not want not  😉

Here is card A. This uses 2 pieces of paper measuring 7cm x 3.75cm ( 1½" x 2½") and 2 measuring 3.5cm x 3.75cm ( 1¾ x 1¾").

I have used a simple colour palette of basic beige, poppy parade ( a bright cheerful red) and blackberry bliss ( a decadent rich purple) for all the cards.

Card B is made using 3 pieces of pattern paper measuring 2.5cm x 7.5cm ( 1" x 3").

By keeping the designs simple these cards come together quickly. 

For card C you'll use 1 piece of pattern paper measuring 7.5cm x 5cm and another at 7.5cm x 2cm ( 3" x 2" and ¾" x 3") .

I've used a variety of sentiments from my stash so that I'll have 4 cards at the end of this process to have on hand for different occasions. 

And finally card D. This one uses a single strip of pattern paper measuring 2.5cm x 15cm (1" x 6"). Now this strip will be trimmed to fit as desired when you put the card together. 

All these images are just for inspiration.  You can change the orientation and layout to suite you style and the paper you've used.

They would also make a lovely gift as a set of 4 cards and envelopes. 

One Sheet Wonder's are a great stash buster as well as a fun way to create quick cards. They help us use that beautiful paper we are all have that is just waiting to be used! Will you give it a go?

Have a lovely weekend.

Have fun

Cary xx

Double tiered pull out card

 More fun with the adorable Cute as a bug pattern papers papers today! I just can't stop playing with them 🫣🤪. Does this happen to you too?

Well today's card is a fun fold one, another phase I'm in 🫣. I'm calling it a double tiered pull out card. If it has another name please let me know.

This card is a version of the one I made on my Live at 5 over on Facebook on Monday just gone. This card is a landscape orientation the one from Monday's live is in a portrait orientation. 

The mechanism and materials are identical.  It's just the way the card opens and which direction the decoration goes that makes all the difference! 

So start with a piece of cardstock measuring 10.5cm x 29.7cm scored at 14.85cm ( 4¼" x 11" scored at 5½") You'll need  to decorate one side of this card piece. In the portrait version I've added a mat as well as a layer of pattern paper. But in the landscape version I've only added a layer of pattern paper. Which ever way you choose to go here are 2 top tips. 1 only apply adhesive around the edges of the layers and 2 make sure that the orientation of the paper is right. For the portrait version you need to have the fold of the cardbase to the bottom so the print needs to work going up from there. For the landscape version the fold is on the left hand side so the paper needs to flow from there. Now this sounds very complicated but I promise it's not just watch the video at the bottom of the post to see how it all comes together 😊

Now with the panel decorated you're going to cut 2 very narrow slots in through the layers. This part doesn't matter which way the final card is going. You need to cut 2 slots one at 4cm (1¾") up and 2.5cm ( 1") in from the left along to 2.5cm ( 1") in from the right-hand edge. Next move the blade to 4.2cm (1 &13/16") and cut beside the first cut. 

Next cut in at 6.5cm ( 2½") and 6.7cm ( 2⁹/16") to create another slot as shown below.

Next use sharp scissors or a craft knife to remove the 2 very thin strips from the piece.

This sounds different so again watch the video as I'm sure it's a lot easier to understand when you see how it goes 🤪.

Once the slots are made you're going to need 8 1.3cm (½") circles. Fold 4 in half and with the fold in the center add them to the slots. Now adhere another circle on both sides. These should run easily up and down the slots. This is the mechanism that makes the pull out panels pull out!

Now cut 3 pieces of cardstock.  2 measuring 8cm x 10.5cm (3¼" x 4¼") and 1 measuring 5.5cm x 7.5cm ( 2¼" x 3") . Watch the video to see what to with these bits 👀. 

Once the front of the card is finished and working you'll need a further piece of cardstock measuring 10.5cm x 16cm scored at 14.85cm (4¼" x 5¾" scored at 5½") . This panel is adhered to the back of the card, in the appropriate direction,  to form the inside of the card.

I decorated both these cards using images either die cut or fussy cut from the cute as a bug pattern papers. You of course can decorate however you wish.

And here is the all important video that will make sense of all of the above 😀

And here's a short of the landscape version in action 🎬 

I hope you'll give this fun card a go. 

Take care and have fun

Cary xx

Cute as a Bug clean and simple gift bundle of cards

 Now whilst I'm loving using pattern  papers sometimes I want to go a different route.. and today is one such day! With the adorable Cute as a bug papers  scraps littering my creative table I was inspired to look not at the whole sheet but at the smaller bits. There are lots of ways to use scraps, indeed there are many examples on this blog 😉. But this time I was taken by the cute characters and started fussy cutting them out. Now fussy cutting isn't for everyone but I love it! For the non-fussy cutters amongst us I'm happy to report that many of the images on these papers can be die cut using the coordinating dies from the Sweet Bugs bundle 😉

So where did my fussy cutting send me? Well straight for a plain white card base and simple white mat to go on top. I decided to add a little colour behind my images by using a blending brush and a blue/ grey shade of ink. Called cloud cover this colour is a great neutral shade that worked well to ground my characters. 

First up let's me introduce you to knitting Nanny grasshopper...

Isn't she the cutest?

Then there are the bestie beasties having a tea party...

And finally introducing Mr Grateful Grace hopper... who maybe asking a lady grasshopper out ... oh my my imagination went overboard with these characters 🫣🤪

Once I had all 3 cards made I sorted through a variety of stamp sets to find suitable sentiments. The sets I used are Cutest Crew, Nature's symphony and Creative Haven.

I decided to add a little extra to these cards by decorating the envelopes with a piece of pattern paper to the flaps. I also thought it would be fun to make them into a gift . So created a cute tag and bundled them up together.

Wouldn't you be happy to reive this cute cards? I know I would and I had fun making them! They maybe clean and simple on design but they certainly have the wow factor I was inspired to create. 

Who's your favourite? 

Until the next time

Have fun

Cary xx

Cute as a Bug double pop out fun fold card

 Do you like whimsical?  Or slightly retro? Well if you do then you need to take a look at the Cute as a Bug suite collection! The collection offers stamps, dies, ribbon, embellishments and of course beautiful double-sided pattern papers. With a colour palette of retro earthy tones the cute images are brought to life. The paper is called Cute as a Bug and is the key element to today's fun fold card.

The double pop out fun fold card offers lots of space to decorate and these papers are ideal for such a card.

The colours used for this card are basic beige and pumpkin pie.  The soft beige is a perfect foil for the earthy tones in the paper . And the rich orange is just right to continue the retro feel.

The card starts with a piece of cardstock measuring 14cm x 28cm scored at 14cm ( 5½" x 11" scored at 5½") You'll also need a mechanism piece that measures 6cm x 15cm that is scored at 2.5cm, 10.5cm and 13.5cm ( 6" x 2⅜" scored at 1", 4¼" and 5⅜") This piece is also marked at 7.5cm ( 3") top and bottom and scored diagonally from the marks to the 13.5cm (5⅜") marks as shown below.

You're also going to need mats to decorate the inside. The inside right mat is 13.5cm x 13.5cm ( 5¼" x 5¼") with a piece of pattern paper on top measuring 13cm x 13cm ( 5⅛" x 5⅛"). These are adhered to the inside right before the mechanism is added. The left hand inside mat measures 10.5cm x 13.5cm ( 4⅛" x 5¼") with a piece of pattern paper measuring 10cm x 13cm ( 4" x 5⅛"). 

Along with these you'll  need a mat measuring 8.5cm x 13.5cm (5¼" x 3⅜") with a piece of pattern paper measuring 8cm  x 13cm ( 5⅛" x 3⅛") . As well as 2 pieces measuring 6cm x 6cm (2⅜" x 2⅜") which you can add mats of either pattern paper or cardstock measuring 5.5cm x 5.5cm (2⅛" x 2⅛").

Watch the  video below to see how this all comes together.

The finished card stands for display and flat for postage.

Adding a panel on the back of the card gives a great place to add your personal written message.

All the decoration has been either fussy cut or die cut from the fantastic Cute as a Bug pattern papers making sure of a very cohesive look to this card.

Here is the video with the tutorial. 

I do hope you find this useful and have fun creating your own version.

Have fun 😀

Pop out Easter Basket spring card

 Spring is here! The daffodils are abundant,  the daylight is stretching and finally the sun has decided to put in an appearance 🌞. As a child summer was my favourite season but now as a sometimes grown up I love Spring. So what's your favourite season? With a little spring in my step I decided to share a fun pop out card.  This fun fold has a mini card inside that springs out to greet you when you open it! I've chosen to decorate the card with the adorable bunnies from the Easter Basket stamps and dies bundle. Don't be put of by the name the images in this set will work for so many occasions the images are just soooo cute!

The pattern papers used in this sample are from a pack called True Blue Floral.  ( Sadly this product of the month exclusive has sold out in the UK so check your market for availability. )

I've used lots of layers for this project but remember when you make your version you do you! Different colours and different pattern papers make each card as unique as you and the lucky recipient.

The card , as almost all do 😜, starts with a card base made from a piece of cardstock! This one is a larger square card made from a piece measuring 14.5cm x 29cm scored at 14.5cm ( 5½" x 11" scored at 5½").

You're also going to need a piece of cardstock measuring 10cm x 20cm scored at 10cm (4" x 8" scored at 4" .

The mechanism piece is made from a piece of cardstock measuring 5cm x 10cm scored at  1cm, 5cm and 9cm ( 2" x 4" scored at ⅜", 2" and 3⅝"). Next mark along the bottom at 2cm and 8cm ( ¾" and 3¼") Now mark down the center scoreline from the top to 2cm ( ¾"). Next you're going to score diagonally from the center mark out to the 2cm and 8cm ( ¾" and 3¼") marks as shown below.  Please note diagram not to scale and only shows cm's but the inch measurements are above.

Please watch the video further down for how these pieces come together. 

The card is what I call a mantlepiece card. When open it lays flat with the pop out proudly displayed.

Here is the video...

I enjoyed making this card very much and hope you will when you make it too. 😃

Fun fold Easter Time mix and match ephemera card

 This week I'm sharing a fun Easter card. The fun fold is a very easy diorama card.  Created using an firm favourite from my die stash the Everyday Arches dies. These dies are a great Nested set of dies that range from card size down to small sentiment layers.

To decorate the card I have used the Easter Time mix and match ephemera pack. This fun pack contains gorgeous die cut ephemera with each pack containing 2 sheets each of 3 designs.

The images range from specific Easter ones to ones that can be used for Mother's day, new babies,  sympathy and so much more. The colour palette whilst bright isn't brash. 

The colour I chose to use fir the card base is the beautiful shades of purple called gorgeous grape. 

The diorama starts with a solid die cut of the largest of the Everyday Arches dies.  You'll then need 5 frames made by cutting the largest and 3rd largest dies together.  Adhere 2 of the frames together and repeat with another 2 frames.

You'll also need 4 bumper panels. These concertina pieces are made using the same colour cardstock.  Measure the height of the side of the frames straight side. For me this was 8.5cm. Then measure the width of the frame and multiply this by 4. Mine was 0.8cm wide so the piece will be 3.2cm. Next score the stip by the width of the frame 3 times. So for this sample that means scoring at 0.8cm, 1.6cm and 2.4cm. This would change depending on your frame.

The bumpers are adhered between the double layered frame and the solid piece first then the single layer frame, and finally the second double layer frame.

In the video I included 2 strips of acetate between the frames as well to create areas to adhere die cuts to.

Watch the video further down this post to see how it all comes together. 

I die cut a smaller panels in white and adhered it to the back of the card as a place to write the personal message.  Although I couldn't resist using another die cut to decorate it 😃.

A sprinkle of the Easter assortment embellishments, a heat embossed sentiment and the card was complete. 

Here is the video showing how the card is made.

I do hope you enjoy making a version of this project. I'm  thinking of all the Nested dies I have such as the Branching Out dies , the Beautifully Celebrated dies and of course circles and so much more!