4 Cards for Fall to Say Thank You

Creating handmade cards is especially fun during the autumn season because a.) the weather is changing and in much of the country you might be ready to cozy up indoors, b.) the season of celebrations and warm fuzzies is upon us - it's time to share some extra love and thanksgiving with those around us, and of course c.) cozy colors, cozy textures, leaves, and snowflakes - some of the best craft supplies out there are perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Today I'd like to share a set of four cozy cards with you. These cards are easy to mass-produce so you have them handy for all the special people you want to share some extra love with. This card set would also make a wonderful gift for a teacher, friend, coworker, or anyone you'd like to say THANK YOU to. I love to create sets of cards, and I have some tips and tricks to share with you, if you'd like to create something similar. 

Time-saving Tips:

The most important time-saver in creating card sets, (whether you're making 4, 8, or 100) is to limit your supplies - if you need 47 colors of ink, 12 colors of cardstock, and 27 stamps, you WILL lose your mind.

The second most important tip is to do one step for all the cards at one time. For these cards, I chose a three-color palette, Pumpkin Bread, Summer Days, and Blue Lagoon. I folded card bases all at one time and then proceeded to the next step. This will save you time in the end.

Tips for mixed-media messiness:

 I love adding the aspect of mixed media messiness into mass-produced cards because it makes each card a little bit unique. To create the aqua colored panel, I used my Gel Press to make a unique print using FSJ Re-Inkers and the Wallpaper Stencil.

Gel Press Process:
-First, I dropped Re-Inkers onto the Gel Press, brayered them out, and pulled a print onto Whip Cream cardstock, to get a light aqua base color.
-Then I added more Re-Inkers to the press, laid the stencil down on top, gently pressed it in, and removed it.
-Then I laid my cardstock down and pulled another print.

I've found that less is more with Re-Inkers and adding more layers to achieve the desired intensity tends to work well for me. It's all about PLAYING!

I love the Wallpaper Stencil because it's an 8.5x11 stencil with four segments and four different patterns, so one print gives me a variety of background patterns, as you'll see when you look at each card in this set. I die cut all four of the rectangles from my print, choosing my favorite spots, and I still have lots of the sheet left over (so you'll probably be seeing it in other projects in the future!)

Finish-Them-Up Tips!

Remember my first tip? After all that mixed media, I did all the die-cutting. I die cut all the hearts, and leaves and then stamped/die cut my sentiments. That way I could sit down and just assemble everything. Don't be afraid to change up little details like accessories and finishing touches  - the cards don't have to be mirror images of each other, in order for them to coordinate. Keep the big elements the same, and the little differences make each card special.

Okay, you guys...bonus points if you know what's the same about all the colors I used on today's projects. Give up? All of these colors are part of Fun Stampers Journey Rich Sorbets color family. And this week it's our special showcase during FSJ's Crush on Color Sale. Check out all the details on this week's Rich Sorbets Bundle, at Fun Stampers Journey! And if you have questions about my projects, shoot me an email, leave me a comment, or track me down on social media! ;) Thanks so much for stopping by today! xoxo

Supplies Used on Today's Projects:

Turkey Party Stamp and Die Sets 

Thankful Friends Stamp and Die Sets

Special Day Tags Die Set

Journey Gel Press

Wallpaper Stencil

Summer Days, Pumpkin Bread, and Whip Cream cardstock

Blue Lagoon, Huckleberry Fusion and Summer Days Re-Inkers

My Sunshine Die Set (DI-0504) - Bloom Benefit (it's free with a $75 purchase!)

Pretty Leaves Die Set (DI-0500) - (Host Exclusive when you host a party!)

Looking for more tips when creating card sets? 

5 Helpful Tips for Mass-Producing Cards

Looking for more Gel Press inspiration? Here's another card set featuring Gel Press prints!

You Are Enough Card Set tutorial

Happy Haunting Halloween card with the Journey Gel Press

Halloween cards are so much fun to make because: 

bright bold colors paired with black and white. 

google eyes. 

pumpkins. 

fall.

did i mention black and white? 

cute bats.

adorable ghosts. 

AND the cutest skeletons you've ever seen, like these from the FSJ Skeletons Dance Stamp and Die Sets. 

The inspiration for this card was a little piece of a Gel Press print that I had leftover from a previous project. It was a mixture of Electric Lime, and maybe Sweet Pear Re-inkers. I thought it would be a super fun color for a friendly skeleton. I embossed him with white embossing powder, and  die cut him. I also had that fabulous window all die cut already, plus the black tree. I had been playing around with the tree and window a few weeks ago, but nothing really came together. I'm so glad I kept those pieces, because all they needed was a cute skeleton to pull the scene together! 

 For the sky behind that window, I was inspired by one of my all-time favorite cards, that I created last Halloween, with the Gel Press. (You can find it here, plus I'll link it at the end of this post.) I put down a row of drops of Turbo Teal Re-Inker, and then Cosmic Grape Re-Inker onto the Gel Press and brayered it out. Then I splattered it with Sparkle Silk and pulled a print. BAM! There's my funky night sky! So easy, and I love the way the colors blended together.

And y'all - can we talk about those EYE BALLS?! Those are the Monster Eyes stickers, from the new Journey Holidays Trends Mini Catalog. And they are flipping ADORABLE. Aren't they perfection on that tree!? LOVE it. There are a variety of sizes on the sheet, so no matter what you're creating, you'll find some perfect little eyes!

 I finished off this card with a Cosmic Grape envelope that I created with the FSJ Scoring Board. Loving it, and can't stop making envelopes to coordinate with my cards!

PS. This week, the Be Amazing colors I used today, like Turbo Teal, Electric Lime, and Cosmic Grape, are on sale at Fun Stampers Journey. It's part of September's Crush on Color sale at FSJ, and it's a great time to stock up on all of our solid cardstock and coordinating ink pads! Plus this week only, in celebration of the Be Amazing collection, you can grab a great bundle of coordinating Be Amazing goodies for a great price!

Thanks so much for coming by today!!! I hope you enjoyed this Be Amazing inspiration!! xoxo

Supplies used on today's card:

Skeletons Dance Stamp and Die Sets 

Monster Eyes

Window View Die Set

Spooksville Die Set

Journey Gel Press

Beach Towel Embossing Folder

FSJ True Color Fusion Re-Inkers

 Looking for more Halloween inspiration? (And the Gel Press inspiration behind this card!) 

Trick or Treat handmade card with the Gel Press

Create a Die Cut Stencil Background on the Journey Gel Press

Add an Embroidery Hoop to Handmade Cards - Hola Toucan! {Fun Stampers Journey}

Hey friends! How about a serious POP of PARTY today? This week, as part of the Crush on Color Sale at Fun Stampers Journey, we are highlighting our Party Pop color family. I'm pretty convinced every color family is my favorite, but this is one of my favoritest of the favorites. ;) 

So as we celebrate the POP of color in the Party Pop color family, today's card is BRIGHT and festive!!! It features a really fun embellishment from the FSJ Journey Holidays Mini catalog. It's our DIY Hoops. They are darling little faux embroidery hoops, all ready for you to decorate and add to projects, or use on it's own as an ornament, tag, etc. I chose to make this one part of today's card, and I ADORE the way this toucan just perches right on there. Adorable, or WHAT!? 

 What are those fabulous toucans, you ask? It's FSJ Toucan Friends. They're these very cool dimensional cardstock stickers, with glittery glaze on parts of them. They are absolutely fun, and so quick and easy to add to a project. The leaves and flowers nestled next to the toucan are part of this sticker set too.

Just to show how darling these DIY Hoops are, here it is popped off the card. Perfect to add as a little home decor item, gift tag, or ornament. The DIY Hoops come in a set with three sizes, and this is the smallest. (I'll have a blog post soon sharing the larger one!) 

 In the background of this card, I diecut the Fun Stampers Journey Sun Rays Die Set from Lemon Drop cardstock, and adhered it to a Rich Coral cardstock panel. And that stitched green circle behind the hoop? That's Limeade Splash, diecut with the Circle Around stitched circle die set. It fits perfectly!

Want the scoop on the Crush on Color sale at Fun Stampers Journey? 

All of our solid cardstock and coordinating ink pads are 20% off this month. Plus for this week only, you can score a fabulous Party Pop accessories bundle at a fantastic price! (We also have a Be Amazing bundle too...check it out, and  I'll share a Be Amazing project later in the week!) 

I'm so grateful you stopped by today! All month long I'm sharing projects based on COLOR so I hope you'll not be a stranger! Color is my FAVORITE and my best, and I love to share with you! Have a FANTASTIC day, my friends! xoxo

Supplies used on today's project:

DIY Hoops

Toucan Friends

Sun Rays Die Set

Circle Around Die Set

Toucan Do It stamp set

It's a Turkey Party Thanksgiving Card! {with vellum and washi tape tips}

The turkeys in the Turkey Party stamp set, from Fun Stampers Journey, are adorable! So much fun to color but equally adorable just straight up stamped and left alone. I did both for this festive Thanksgiving card. I stamped the background in Hazelnut Blend ink, but then I used my Color Burst colored pencils to color in the main turkey dude, and pumpkin.  

Washi Tape Trick!

Here's a little trick I'll share when using washi tape. I really love the way this dotted washi complements the colors in my card - but frequently washi tape is fairly transparent. Against the dark cardstock, the pattern was lost. So I adhered the strip of tape to white cardstock and trimmed it down, tore one edge just like tape, and adhered it. BAM. The pattern is perfectly contrasted, and the tape looks great!

Vellum Trick! 

I frequently use vellum on cards that have a busy background. The colored turkey would have been chaos on this already-busy background, but I also didn't want to lose too much of the cute background pattern by adding a solid shape over it. Adding a layer of vellum (especially with that sweet stitching) keeps your eye on the focal point of the card, while still able to enjoy the cute background. (Seriously, did you see the little Gobble Gobble Gobble stamp in there? So stinkin' cute!)

One More Trick? 

I'll give you a bonus trick! Grab the FSJ Scoring Board and create  coordinating envelopes for your handmade cards. See how easy it is, on this quick tutorial I created. 

In addition to the cute stamps, dies, and washi that I've already mentioned, today's card features colors from Fun Stampers Journey Mother Nature color palette. These colors are perfect for autumn crafting projects! All through September FSJ's cardstock and ink pads are on sale, as part of our Crush on Color sale - so it's a great time to stock up! PLUS, as we celebrate the Mother Nature collection this week, we have an awesome bundle of coordinating products on sale - but you have to grab it this week! Find the whole scoop on the Fun Stampers Journey website!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Have a MOST beautiful day! xoxo

Supplies used on this card:

Turkey Party Stamp and Die Set

Journey Circles Die Set

Circle Around Die Set

Pop of Color Tape 

FSJ Scoring Board

Looking for more autumn inspiration? Check out these posts! 

Clean and Simple Hello Fall card set

Welcome Autumn: using multiple inks on solid stamps

Martha's Pumpkins Pastel Card for Fall

Last week I shared a fall card with a rather unexpected color palette - bright pink, red, and peach. (You can find that card HERE.) Today, completely without planning it, I have another fall card to share, using the same Color Me Fall background stamp in a whole new way, as well as another slightly not-so-fall color palette.

I created this card at a totally different time as the card I shared last week - but it's funny that I used the same background stamp, the same leaf die, and the same overall idea of stretching the norms for a color scheme. All products and ideas that I love, I suppose!!!

For this card, I used The Good Life collection of colors. Aren't they just dreamy and gorgeous!? During the month of September, ALL of FSJ's cardstock and ink pads are ON SALE! It's a great chance to stock up on your favorite colors! Each week this month I'll be sharing projects focusing on each of FSJ's color families. (In fact, I'll be back in two days with another one!)

But back to today's card - I think we should address the background of this card because I have a TIP to share, as well as a confession . . . I don't have FSJ's new Fresh Sage cardstock yet. What the WHAT?! I just keep forgetting to order it, but I really wanted to use Fresh Sage on this card. I do have Fresh Sage Re-Inker and ink pad though, so I brayered a little ink out onto the Gel Press and pulled a print on white cardstock. This first print was pretty dark. Then I rolled out the remaining ink from the brayer, and pulled a second print, also on white cardstock, which gave me a lighter shade. I stamped the Color Me Fall background stamp, onto the lighter print, using my Fresh Sage ink pad. PERFECTION. And then I used that darker print as matting behind it. I also used part of it to die cut my leaves from.

I love that I was able to find a way to use this gorgeous color, even though I was missing the cardstock. (And not to worry, by the time you read this, I should have some Fresh Sage cardstock on it's way to me!)  

To complement the Fresh Sage, I stamped some of Martha's Pumpkins in Peaches and Cream ink onto Peaches and Cream cardstock. I added a strip of woodgrain printed paper from FSJ's The Good Life Prints, and added some pearls, sequins, and that die cut circle behind the pumpkin - just so the whole card wasn't TOO busy. A splatter of Fresh Sage Silk was the perfect finishing touch. 

I chose this card for today, because FSJ is celebrating The Good Life Collection of colors this week, with a special Good Life Bundle. (This is in addition to the cardstock and inks on sale all month long!) Find out all the details and score this amazing deal at the Fun Stampers Journey website. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I hope you like my pastel pumpkin! If you missed last week's VERY bright and bold autumn card, you can find it below! xoxo

Supplies used on today's card:

Martha's Pumpkins Stamp and Die Set

Color Me Fall Stamp Set

Blooming Details Die Set

The Good Life Prints

Fresh Sage - Silk, Re-Inker, Ink Pad

Peaches and Cream - Ink Pad and twine

Gel Press

Check out another card featuring the Color Me Fall Stamp Set! 

Color Me Fall - Unexpected Colors for Autumn

Color Me Fall! Unexpected Colors for Autumn

Hello my crafty friends, I have a funky fall card to share with you today. Sometimes, adding an unexpected color combo into the mix of things, is just what I need to get out of a crafty funk. 

This card has sort of a funny story...I was messing around with the Gel Press, and this darling Color Me Fall stamp. I created this background, and then tucked it into the grid paper pad that I keep on my desk. It needed to flatten out a bit, as I had gotten it pretty wet and inky as I worked. And then....

I forgot about it.  Flat out FORGOT. 

Last week, as I was shaking embossing powder off my paper pad, (and onto the floor of course, like ya do,) out came this piece of lovely cardstock! 

 To create this background, I used Watermelon Fusion, Orange Creamsicle, and Candy Apple Liquid Colors. I dropped them onto the Gel Press, (and I think I misted it with just a tiny bit of water.) Then I used the Gel Press as a giant ink pad, picking up colors onto the background stamp. I stamped it onto Whip Cream cardstock, and then I used a small paint brush to loosely color in the pumpkins and leaves with very diluted color from the Gel Press.

 These colors are so unexpected on a fall card - and really, you could give this card any time of the year, but I sort of love it for fall. The hint of peach gives it just enough AUTUMN.  I never would have thought peach, red, and bright pink would work together - but I'm digging it, so whatever. ;)

I struggled with the sentiment block, what color ink to use, and what color background...so I made a quick little Gel Press print by brayering out some of those colors and pulling a couple prints. This was definitely a second or third generation pull. (Meaning, I rolled out the color, pulled a print, and then pulled another print.) I love the watercolor look it has behind the sentiment.

Do you have any unexpected fall color combinations you love? I'd love to know what they are - and I'd love for you to think of an unexpected color that you can add in to your next fall card! Be sure to share it with me, because I love to see what y'all are up to! Super big hugs to you today! Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by! xoxo

Supplies on today's card:

Color Me Fall Stamp 

Thankful Friends Stamp Set

Blooming Details Die Set (leaves)

Pretty Posies Clips

Liquid Colors: Candy Apple, Watermelon Fusion, 

Orange Creamsicle, Peaches and Cream

Gel Press

Back to School Encouragement Card for Kids (or adults!) {FSJ Eyes on You Stamp Set}

It IS a good day to have a good day, isn't it? What an encouraging sentiment for a kid or adult who's heading back to school. The Eyes on You stamp set, with these adorable monsters could be geared a bit more for Halloween, but I wanted to give it a different spin - and don't they totally look like they're heading back to school? 

To create this card, I used a lot of bits of Gel Press prints (I love to save pieces of prints I've made, that aren't quite right for what I'm doing - because eventually, they are perfect for what I'm doing! I just file them by color with my other cardstock scraps.) The only new print I made is the Turbo Teal background panel. Straight up Turbo Teal cardstock wasn't quite right, and this subtle print with a few streaks of Cosmic Grape was just right to tie my card together. 

Here's a TIP when using these sweet monsters on your own projects: You can adjust the height of the tall lanky monster, by doing some simple trimming. I shortened him up just a touch, so he would fit better on this card format, by cutting off the bottom part of his legs. I wanted to give him different color shoes anyway, so I restamped them on orange. But even if you don't want to restamp the shoes, just trim the "extra" portion of leg off and then reattach the shoes where they should be. (They are especially cute popped up on a foam square anyway!) 

Both monsters, and their accessories were stamped onto other Gel Press prints I had in my stash. I used a lot of Be Amazing colors on this project which gives these monsters such personality, especially paired with their Monster Eyes and Spectacles!

I embossed my sentiment on black cardstock, and inked the edges, going for a chalkboard look. I matted it on Oatmeal Cookie cardstock which was embossed with the Barn Wall embossing folder.

Not gonna lie, I am totally in love with these monsters! They are the CUTEST. It was fun to give them some personality, and put them to use for a new purpose. I'm sure they're going to get some Halloween love soon though! Thanks so much for stopping by today! xoxo

Supplies used on today's card:

Eyes on You Stamp Set 

Monster Eyes

Spectacle Fun (self-adhesive plastic glasses)

Remarkable You Stamp Set

Barn Wall Embossing Folder

Go Team Stamp Set

Journey Gel Press 

Choose to Be Grateful - Create a handmade autumn card

Hello friends! I am so excited to start sharing some autumn projects. I get excited when I start autumn craft projects, because I know the season of pumpkins and cozy fall prints is right around the corner! Today's card features some autumn stamps from the Journey Holidays Mini Trends catalog from Fun Stampers Journey. Zen Leaves is the showstopper here, along with a sentiment from Thankful Friends. And that Cozy Knit Embossing Folder?! I swoon! It's absolutely gorgeous. 

This card is pretty straightforward. I stamped leaves and berries on Haystack, Pineapple Smoothie, Oatmeal Cookie, and Pumpkin Bread cardstocks. I die cut that fabulous stitched rectangle with the Frame It Die Set. (It's a Host Exclusive in the FSJ Holiday Mini Catalog!) And I embossed a panel of Haystack cardstock with the Cozy Knit embossing folder. 

I am having a great time playing with the FSJ Scoring Board to create envelopes for my card, so I whipped up a super simple coordinating envelope. Have you tried our new scoring board yet? I have a whole post all about making envelopes, complete with a SUPER short and simple video. I hope you'll go check it out, and refer to it as you start creating your own creative envelopes!

Supplies used on today's card:

Thankful Friends Stamp and Die Set

Zen Leaves Stamp and Die Set

Cozy Knit Embossing Folder

Natural Twine

Meadow Pearls

FSJ Scoring Board Tutorial: how to make envelopes

Fun Stampers Journey released a scoring board in the 2018 catalog, and I have been having so much adding scored details to projects, as well as creating some new things - like envelopes! Scoring boards are pretty easy to use once you figure out what you're doing. Today I have an envelope-making tutorial to share with you, using the FSJ Scoring Board, and I hope it'll inspire you to create some envelopes for yourself! 

The handy triangle and scoring tool are tucked away on the back side of the FSJ Scoring Board. You'll want to grab those first, and set the triangle onto the scoring board as shown in the above picture. 

 I generally create cards that are 4.25x5.5, which is an A2 size, so I looked at the chart to see that I needed to start with an 8x8 sheet of paper or cardstock. (See where the scoring tool is pointing?)

The chart showed me that I need to line my paper up at the 3 1/2 mark, so I aligned the bottom edge of cardstock as shown. 

 Then, I score straight down, along the notch where it says SCORE. (You'll want to use your other hand to keep the triangle piece secure while you score.) Are you with me so far? If I've lost you, don't worry - there's a video down below!

Next, turn your cardstock CLOCKWISE one turn. Line up the scored line with the horizontal edge of the notch. (Don't worry about that 3 1/2 line anymore.) Score again, straight down at the vertical edge of the notch.

Next, REPEAT! Turn clockwise again, line up at the horizontal notch edge, and score at the vertical notch edge.  

Once you've scored all four lines, use the FSJ Corner Rounder (which also cuts notches) or just a pair of scissors, and cut out the four corners. I've done two of them here in this photo. After that, you're ready to fold in your sides, and secure two of them with adhesive. 

Want to see this whole process in a quick one-minute video? 

And now, you're all set to add a beautiful handmade card to that envelope you created! 

(You can find the scoop on this Choose To Be Grateful card, on this blog post.) 

For more information and inspiration on the FSJ Scoring Board, check out part 1 of a 3 video series all about the FSJ Scoring Board, straight from the FSJ studio! 

Fun Stampers Journey Beach Treasures Welcome Card

Don't you hate it when you come up with a really cool technique and then you aren't exactly sure how you did it? That's what happened for today's card. I was messing around, and I didn't think I was accomplishing anything, and then BAM here came this really awesome watercolor background. Here's what I do know....it's a print from the Gel Press. I was using FSJ Cool Pool and Catalina Splash - I *think* it's Re-Inkers but it might be Liquid Color. I laid the color down across the Gel Press, in sort of a striped fashion, and then brayered it out together, pulled a quick print, and there it was. I think I was actually trying to clean extra color off my brayer from another project, and it just turned out awesome! After that, I just added a seashell from the Beach Treasures stamp set, along with the Welcome stamp, embossed in white onto Oatmeal Cookie cardstock. 

 Pretty fun, with some additions of a vellum circle and some twine, and sequins. I love happy accidents - don't be afraid to play! You never know what you might end up with!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I just got home from almost two weeks of vacation - so today I get to dust off my desk and get back to work! I can't wait! Have a fantastic week! xoxo