Hello, welcome to the Stampin’ Pretty Pals’ Blog Hop! This month our Design Team’s theme is “Fun Ways to Use Your Stampin’ Up! Products” where we show our favorite product tips. We hope you enjoy and will be inspired by them! Don’t forget to leave comments! We love hearing from you. At the end of my post, you will find the full line-up to help you “hop” along from Pal to Pal.

Pull Out Flap Card

First things first. Here’s my card:

I used Jan B’s video tutorial to create this card. Her videos seem very real and down-to-earth, and those demos seem to be the ones to whom I gravitate.

I want the bulk of this post to contain tips for you. You may know some, or all, of the things I am sharing, but I hope you find something new. Therefore, the measurements for the papers I used follow:

• Calypso Coral cardstock for the base measures 8-1/2 inches by 5-1/2 inches, scored at 4-1/4 inches.
• I used two larger scrap pieces of Calypso Coral cardstock for the scalloped frame and the circle mat.
• Basic White cardstock for the inside measures 7-7/8 inches by 5-3/8 inches. I scored the cardstock at 4 inches and 5-7/8 inches to create the inside flap.
• I used scrap pieces of Basic White for the center image and the sentiment.
• The DSP for the front measures 4-1/8 inches by 5-3/8 inches. I also trimmed a piece of DSP to 2-1/2 inches by 6 inches for the envelope flap.
• I haven’t finished up my Brights 6 x 6 inch DSP from 2020 – 2021. Therefore, I used the typed DSP for the two flaps. Each strip measures 1-3/4 inches by 5-1/4 inches.
• Basically, that’s it.

Tips and Tricks

The directions on Jan B’s video tutorial are much clearer than anything I could begin to write in a blog. However, there are some tips, and mistakes I made, that I do want to share with you.

TIP 1: Measuring the Easy Way, For Me At Least

• When I measure paper to trim it, I work backwards. It may be because I’m left-handed and paper trimmers are basically for right-handed people. It might have to do with being lazy , um, looking for an easier way. Whatever it is, it works for me.
• For example, on this card, I used the You’re a Peach DSP for the front. I knew the card front measures 4-1/4 inches by 5-1/2 inches. I also knew that I wanted a narrow frame of Calypso Coral around the DSP.
• The finished DSP piece needed to be 1/4 inch shorter leaving me with 4-1/8 inches by 5-3/8 inches.
• Working backwards, I counted back 2 ticks from the 4-1/4 mark and cut the paper. Then, I counted back 2 ticks from the 5-1/2 inch mark and trimmed the paper.
• Hopefully, the following pictures make everything I just said more comprehensible:

TIP 2: Many Thanks to Jan B!

• I know I should’ve known this tip before, but for some strange and unknown reason I hadn’t worked it out. Jan B’s video gave me an “AH-HA” moment for using acrylic blocks when stamping.
• I’m sure you’ve heard that you will have more control of your stamping if you use the acrylic block that best fits your stamp. After all, that’s why Stampin’ Up! shares the blocks you will need for each stamp.
• Jan B’s tip: when two-step stamping, use a bigger block than necessary. When using the larger stamp, it becomes much easier to line up the stamps for two-step stamping. The sides of the stamp don’t interfere with the placement of the image. Score!
• I did that when I stamped the leaves and flowers for the front circle and on the inside white cardstock. So much easier! AH-HA!!

TIP 3: Reading the Small Print is Essential!

• My family motto seems to be “when in doubt, read the directions”. So, I read the directions in the 2021 – 2022 catalog on page 62 61 in the top right-hand corner. While I’ve known, and done this technique before, a reminder was very much appreciated!
• “Add shading to your image by inking a stamp, then adding ink in a darker color with a sponge dauber on the edges.”
• Since the Sweet as a Peach stamp set is photolymer, restamping is a breeze, especially when using the Stamparatus!
• I stamped the leaves using a stamped off Granny Apple Green first. Then, I used a dauber for Pear Pizazz and just a couple of quick pops of Early Espresso on the stamp. Then I stamped again.
• I used TIP 2 from above for the flowers. Using a much larger stamp than necessary, I first stamped off Calypso Coral before stamping where they belonged on the leaves. Then, I used daubers to sponge one pop of Mango Melody and one pop of Early Espresso on each flower. After I stamped again over the Calypso Coral ink, I used an Early Espresso marker to add dots for the centers.

TIP 4: Outlining the Sentiment Block

• Many times , and for a variety of reasons, I don’t want to mat a sentiment. However, I do want it to stand out.
• If I have a non-traditional shape, as in this sentiment, I use the brush end of a Stampin’ Write Marker to outline the sentiment.
• If the shape is a traditional one (circle, rectangle, etc), it’s also possible to use an ink pad. However, I tend to smudge ink, so the marker is my go-to choice.
• Another option that I have done many, many times, would be to use the blunt end of a marker and outline the stitches in the ditch. Go super slowly when using this technique so you don’t make a mess. Not that I’ve done that……….

TIP 5: Sealing the Envelope

• When the pandemic first started, I became extremely sensitive to making sure card recipients knew I didn’t use saliva to seal the envelopes.
• Therefore, I wrote “No saliva was used to seal this envelope” on the back of every envelope. Believe me, that got old very fast and I figured there had to be a better way to get my point across.
• Somewhere in the back of my brain, a lightbulb went off, creating another “AH-HA” moment. I grabbed my 1 inch circle punch and punched a circle of coordinating DSP. Then, I ran it through my XYRON create a sticker tool. Instant seals. The 1 inch circle punch has retired, but you could use any punch you wanted to create a seal. I just had the XYRON that would be perfect for the circle punch.

Learn From My BIG Mistake

I’ll just quickly say this: do not try to add ribbon to the front of the pull out flap card. Just take my word for it. You do not want to do that. Chaos ensues, additional steps are required. It’s really not worth the massive amount of trouble. A bow placed on the front after you’ve finished all the cropping would be nice.

Back to the Pals’ Blog Hop

More inspiration awaits! Use the Blog Hop Line-up below to visit the rest of this month’s Design Team. My fellow Pals are excited to show you what they’ve created! Mark your calendars for our next blog hop on July 14th for “Wonderful Cards from the Garden” when our Design Team creates a project with flowers or scenes from the garden. Don’t miss the fun! Until then, have fun in your craft space.

Stampin’ Pretty Pals Blog Hop

1. Mary Fish at Stampin’ Pretty!
2. Su Mohr at Aromas And Art
3. Jennifer Roque at Stamp Camp with Jen
4. Ann Murray at Murray Stamps INK
5. Deb Walker at Deb Stamps Life
6. Debbie Crowley at expressively deb…
7. Stesha Bloodhart at Stampin’ Hoot!
8. Jackie Beers at Blue Line Stamping
9. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
10. Tricia Chuba at ButterDish Designs
11. Debbie Mageed at Secrets to Stamping
12. Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
13. Sue Jackson at Just Peachy Stamping
14. Pamela Sadler at Stampin Pink Rose
15. Peggy Noe at Pretty Paper Cards
16. Lori Webb at Clever Copies
17. Rae Harper Burnet at Wild West Paper Arts
18. Windy Ellard at Windy’s Wonderful Creations

I’d love to hear what you think, and greatly appreciate every comment.

Have a Peachy Day!
Sue

Colors Used:

Supplies Used:

Again, thank you for stopping by my blog today!  I appreciate your comments and your time.