Creative Cucina

Normally, I’m not one for clean and simple. I like a lot of fluff on my cards 🙂 Furthermore, I’m late to the Inspired by Nature party because while I’ve had this set for a while, I’ve never used it. We planted some pink coneflowers in our garden over the summer, so I decided now would be a good time to put some ink to that stamp.

I used Gina K Luxury Base Weight White card stock. It’s great for a one layer card because it’s super thick and sturdy. I inked the stamp using my Stampin Up Markers–the stems with Pear Pizzaz, the flowers with Blushing Bride and a little bit of Melon Mambo, plus Soft Suede for the flowers’ centers.

The sentiment is actually 2 separate stamps from Thank You Kindly. I stamped “thanks” with Blushing Bride ink and the other with Soft Suede ink.

I wish there was more to say, but that’s it! The thing that took the longest was coloring on the stamp with the markers. The rest of the card was done in just a few minutes .

Gatefold cards are easy to make, and you can find many tutorials online. Below, I’ve provided measurements for this card, but you can alter them to make any size card you like. I was inspired by the recent Stampin Success issue I received, more specifically, the sunflower.

Sunflower Instructions:

1. Run So Saffron card stock through the Big Shot with the Scallop Circle Bigz Die.
2. Then, cut between each scallop to make the flower petals.
3. Next, I used a sponge dauber and So Saffron ink (with a very small amount of Champagne Shimmer Paint) to color the flower petals.
4. Finally, I punched Early Espresso card stock with the 1/4″ Circle Punch and attached them to the center of the flower with mini glue dots. See the close up below.

Gatefold Measurements:

The card base is Early Espresso, cut to 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 2 1/8″ and 6 3/8″. I used So Saffron card stock on the front panels, layered with Greenhouse Gala DSP. I attached the sunflower to the left panel only with a small piece of Sticky Strip.

Inside, I lined the base with So Saffron, Greenhouse Gala DSP, and Whisper White stamped with the Curly Cute congratulations stamp in Early Espresso ink. At the bottom, I attached a strip of card stock and DSP with mini glue dots (along the sides and bottom only) to form a little pocket. It will hold a  gift card or folded bill/check.

OK I am officially in love with this Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper. I knew I was going to like it from looking at the new catalog but having it in my hands and using it–WOW! The colors are great: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, and Basic Gray.

Card number 1 is a simple congratulations card, and uses a few retired items. I have to use up the old to make room for the new, right?

For the base, I used Baja Breeze, layered with Chocolate Chip and Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper. The sentiment is from  Congrats (retird SAB set) stamped with Chocolate chip ink on Very Vanilla. I layered the Vanilla on Baja Breeze and Chocolate Chip, scalloped with the Scallop Trim Border Punch.

I attached the sentiment layer to the base with stampin dimensionals and added a Crochet Flower (Fleurette) with a stampin dimensional as well.

The Fleurette is actually on backwards, but I didn’t want the pink to show so I used the reverse side. I think the pop of red works on the card because everything is so neutral.

It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I think this might be it. Even though I used up the last of my Valet Ribbon Originals Baja Breeze Satin Ribbon (it was so worth it).

The base is Sahara Sand, layered with Early Espresso and this awesome Elegant Soiree DSP pattern. I folded the ribbon and used mini glue dots to secure each fold. Then, I adhered the ribbon to the card with some more glue dots.

Across the front, I stamped “congratulations” from Curly Cute in Soft Suede ink on Very Vanilla card stock. I paper pierced around the sentiment and framed it with a layer of Early Espresso. I added two stampin dimensionals to the ends and attached it over the ribbon, adhering it to the base.

Finally, card number 3 turned out even cuter than I imagined. The base is Gina K Luxury White base weight, layered with Baja Breeze and yet another pattern from Elegant Soiree DSP.

In keeping with the french theme, I stamped the Eiffel Tower image and “merci” from Chic Boutique with Soft Suede ink on Very Vanilla card stock. I paper pierced just the corners of the main image and matted it on Baja Breeze. The sentiment is punched out with the Word Window Punch and layered on Baja Breeze Modern Label Punch. I paper pierced on either side of the sentiment as well. That was attached to the base with stampin dimensionals.

And since I turned into a button freak, I had to add three buttons to the bottom. Even though the colors are not exact, I think they work. Buttons are from Button Latte and Brights Collection. I tied some white string through them, and knotted the one in the center to make a bow. I think it makes the card!