The Life is Beautiful stamp set features this graceful tree with different leaves, snowflakes, and dots that you can use to decorate it. But, you don't have to use the tree trunk from this set, the rest of the stamps can be used to make beautiful cards on their own. For these cards, I did a little simple ink blending and masking to create clean and simple cards. So, on y go! Let's get stamping.

Card base: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
Colored mat: 3 15/16" x 5 3/16"
​Whisper White: 3 3/4" x 5"

All three cards use the same cutting dimensions. This first card uses Pool Party, Coastal Cabana, and Gorgeous Grape ink. 

First, I covered the top and bottom of the piece of whisper white cardstock with sticky notes leaving a strip bare that was about 1" - 1 1/2" wide. For the "Life is Beautiful" card, I blended Coastal Cabana ink from the bottom of this strip up and Pool Party ink from the top down. For the "Hello" card, I used Flirty Flamingo ink on the whole strip and for the "Thinking of You" card, I used Mango Melody ink.

The "Thinking of You" card uses Mango Melody, Real Red, and Cajun Craze inks. It is layered on Mango Melody cardstock and then on a Real Red card base.

To finish these cards with a little bling, I added a few Artistry Blooms Self-Adhesive Sequins to the front. 

While I layered these cards, this technique would work well for one-layer cards as well.

Click here to see the complete supply list and order stamps, inks, paper, and tools.

I am hopping with the talented stampers of the Pretty Cards & Paper International Design Team. We have all created projects using the Heartwarming Hugs or Snowflake Splendor Designer Series Paper. You'll find the complete list of designers at the end of this blog post that link directly to their blogs. I hope you'll click through and check out all of the amazing cards they have created! If you're in the US and would like to order Stampin' Up! product, I hope you'll come back here and order from me. Click the supply link to order any of the items I used today or other products of your choice!

Love patterned paper? It's on sale for the month of October. All of these papers are 15% off. Click to shop the Designer Series Paper Sale. 
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Pear Pizzazz cardstock: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
Mossy Meadow cardstock: 5" x 3 3/4"
Heartwarming Hugs patterned paper: 4 3/4" x 3 1/2"
Heartwarming Hugs patterned paper: 1" x 4 3/4"

The sentiment piece is slightly different for each card.

My first card is the simplest of the three. It is such a quick and easy card design! I used the basic layout shown above and tied a piece of White Crinkle Seam Binding around the front. I stamped the greeting with Mossy Meadow ink and adhered it with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Whisper White cardstock for sentiment: 2 1/8" x 1"
​Mossy Meadow cardstock to layer sentiment: 2 3/8" x 1 1/4"

My second card design is just slightly more in depth. I used the Label Me Fancy punch to punch the greeting. I also punched it a second time from Pear Pizzazz cardstock. I cut this piece in half and adhered it behind the Whisper White greeting piece. I put both of these on a piece of Real Red cardstock. I also added some red ribbon from the All the Trimmings Ribbon Combo Pack. Still a very quick and easy card, but this time it uses a punch.

​Real Red cardstock for sentiment layer: 2 1/2" x 1 3/8"

My last card idea takes the basic design up a few notches. Our little package card is all decked out now with a watercolored poinsettia. I stamped the poinsettia with Stazon ink and watercolored it with Real Red ink and Bumblebee ink for the center. I stamped the greeting with Mossy Meadow ink and layered it on a piece of Mossy Meadow cardstock that I cut with the Stitched So Sweetly dies. I just love all the depth to this card!

​Whisper White cardstock for sentiment: 2 3/8" x 1 1/4"

Click here to see the complete supply list for these card making ideas using the Poinsettia Petals stamp set and Heartwarming Hugs patterned paper. If you'd like to order anything, simply uncheck any items you don't need and then click "Add to Cart." You can also add items not on the supply list by clicking the tabs at the top of the page after you add items to your cart.

About a year or so ago, Floating Frame cards were all the rage. They've slipped in popularity, but they are as gorgeous looking as they always were. So, I decided to go back to this card making technique that's an oldie (but not that old) but a goodie. 

I'm also hopping with the Stampin' Friends today. I love hopping with these amazing card designers. If you've been hopping along, you've joined me from Lisa Ann Bernard's page. If you haven't gone through the whole list of designers, I hope you'll hop back to the beginning of the list and Jo Blackman's blog when you are done here. 

Since the theme for this month's hop is Giving Thanks, I have some thank you cards and a wrap for a box of Merci chocolates to share with you today. All of these hand stamped projects feature the Celebrate Sunflowers stamp set. ​So, on y go! Let's get stamping.

I've created a video for you with complete instructions on how to create this covered chocolate box with a floating frame top. 
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Mango Melody cardstock: 5 3/4" x 10 3/4", scored at 1 3/4", 2 1/4", 8 1/2", and 9:
Mango Melody cardstock: 6" x 6"
Soft Suede cardstock: 5 3/4" x 5 3/4"
Whisper White cardstock: 4 3/4" x 4 3/4"
Whisper White cardstock: 5" x 5"

I used the pieces from the top of the chocolate gift box to create the focal point on this Thank You card design. 

Whisper White: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", score at 4 1/4"
​Whisper White: 5 1/4" x 4", cut a rectangle from the center with a Stitched Rectangle die.

I just couldn't seem to stop making floating frame cards. For the previous card and gift box, I had stamped the sunflowers with Soft Suede ink. For this card and the next one, I stamped the flowers with Tuxedo Black Memento ink. This card uses the center piece cut from the next card. I also created a thin white frame using two of the Stitched Rectangle dies, one being one size smaller than the other. 

Card sketches help you make quick and easy cards. Since the dimensions and layout are already worked out, it's easy to just fill in the blanks with your own stamps, inks, and papers. Or, you can take the card sketch and put your own spin on it. Either way, they are one of my favorite forms of inspiration for card making. So, on y go! Let's get stamping.

Cardstock:

• 8 ½” x 5 ½”, scored at 4 ¼”
• (3) 1 3/8” x 1 3/8”

Coordinating Cardstock: 5 ¼” x 4”
White or Vanilla Cardstock:

• (3) 1 ¼” x 1 ¼”
• 2” x 1 ¼”

Patterned Paper: 2” x 5 1/4”

I love these little goats! They have so much personality. I stamped each goat with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and then colored them with Gray Granit, Crumb Cake, and Soft Suede Stampin' Blends alcohol markers. For the background paper, I used the Peony Garden Designer Series Paper. This gorgeous patterned paper is also on sale this month!

For the card base, I used Gray Granite cardstock with a layer of Basic Gray cardstock on top of it. I can't wait to send this cute goat card to someone special!

My last quick card making idea uses the Poinsettia Petals stamp set from the August-December 2020 Mini Catalog. I stamped the poinsettia with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and colored it with Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends alcohol markers. The card base is Crumb Cake cardstock with a layer of Soft Suede cardstock. For the patterned paper, I used the Poinsettia Place Designer Series Paper (also on sale this month!). Everything needs a little bling, so I added a few Basic Rhinestone Jewels. 

Card base (here Magenta Madness): 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
Patterned Paper: 5 1/4" x 4"
Whisper White: 2 1/2" x 1 3/4", punched with the Tailored Tag punch
Cardstock (here Magenta Madness): 2 1/2" x 1 3/4", punched with the Tailored Tag punch

I stamped the sentiment from the Peaceful Moments stamp set with ink to match the card base. Then, I punched it out with the Tailored Tag punch. I punched a second tag from cardstock to match the card base. I cut the colored tag in half horizontally. I glued one half to the top of the sentiment and the other to the bottom. This gives the sentiment a nice little mat to help it pop off the card front. A couple of Stampin' Dimensionals helped with the pop too!

Of course, I added a few of the Artistry Blooms sequins for a little bling. Because these sequins are self-adhesive, they are so easy to add to your cards!

That's it! When you're in a time crunch, patterned paper to the rescue!

See all of the supplies that I used for these quick and easy card ideas. Need to grab some of these supplies to have on hand? Simply uncheck any items you already have, and then click "Add to Cart." Plus, this gorgeous Artistry Blooms patterned paper is on sale through the end of October!