Hello and Welcome to my blog!

If you are NEW to rubberstamping or are interested in making your own CARDS - then this post is for you!
I will explore the "basics" with you in CARD MAKING 101, so you can get started!  Learn more in time so you can be just as fascinated with this craft as I am!!!

You may want to read RUBBERSTAMPING BASIC EQUIPMENT to find out what supplies are required to get started.

Alright - let's get you started! 

  CUTTING YOUR CARDSTOCK.

Cardstock comes in 2 sizes: 8 1/2 x 11 inches and 12 x 12 inches.  Therefore we tend to make card sizes which maximize the amount of cards we can cut from one piece of cardstock. This involves the standard card shapes A2 and A6 cards, as well as small Notecards. Then we have the Multiple Fold Cards or any card which involves a different shape.  Naturally you can cut your cards to the size you wish!  Many people like larger cards and simply can fold the cardstock in half - its nice to experiment and design your own look!

8-1/2 x 11 inch Cardstock

For each  sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock, we can cut 2 cards.
This size is known as A2 cards! 

 First which way we do we want the card to have its fold.. on its side {landscape}?  Or at the top {portrait}? 

 Landscape - Fold On The Side Card A2

1. Cut the 8 1/2 x 11 sheet on the longest side {the 11 inch length} at the halfway point, or at 5 1/2 inches. 

    You now have 2 lengths of cardstock which measure 5 1/2 x 8 1/2.  Fold both pieces at the 4 1/2 inch   

     point.  Now you have 2 cards where the front of the card measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches - this is the first
     version of an A2 CARD.

Portrait - Fold On The Top Card A2

2. Cut the 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of cardstock, on the shortest side, along the 8 1/2 inch side at the 4 1/4 inch 

     mark.  You now have 2 portions of cardstock meauring 4 1/4 x 11 .         

    You typically place the fold at the top of this card.  It is also an A2 CARD.

A Small Note Card
3. Cut your cardstock at the 8 inch mark on both sides - you will have an 8 inch square.
     Cut the square again on one side - at the 4 inch mark: now you have 2 sections of 4 x 8 inch. Fold in half
     and now you have a nice 4x4 inch notecard.
Multiple-Fold Cards - ex) Z-Fold Card
For a Z-Fold card you can make 2 cards from an 8-1/2 x 11 cardstock if you cut the 11 inch side at 5-1/2.  Now you should have 2 sections of 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 which you can fold twice along the long length to achieve a "Z-fold" card. {Ex: fold at 2-1/2 in from both ends, and fold}

**** When cutting the additional "LAYERS" that make-up a card, cut each layer 1/2 inch smaller and as a rule, 'center' the next layer on top which leaves a 1/4 inch border all around.   So a 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 inch card base has the next top layer of 3-3/4x 5 inch centered. Then another layer could possibly be added that measures 3-1/4 x 4-1/2 inch  next on top and so on. Then add your other elements!

**** Tear one side of a layer right off for great looks!


12 x 12 Cardstock

Typically you do not need the 12x12 cardstock for cards as much as you do for scrapbooking, 

but there are some examples.  For example, a 12 inch cardstock can make multiples of short & small notecards 3 inch square.  This can be great for maximizing on cardstock for notecards, wedding table cards, gift cards, or projects in a class {school projects!} involving many people. It is also good for maximizing on a lovely sheet of Designer Paper!  Each sheet of 12 inch cardstock produces 4 notecards.

3 Inch Square Notecards 

1.  Cut your 12 inch cardstock in half at the 6 inch mark on both sides to create four 6x6 inch sections. Then fold the sections in half. You now have made 4 of the 3x3 inch notecards.

Multiple Fold or Extra Length Cards.

2.  Again, a card that is more intricate or complicated in its design may require extra length than a regular 8x11 inch cardstock can provide. Follow the requirements of your project. 

Final Notes

Having cut a lot of cardstock, I recommend that you invest in the best quality of a paper trimmer you can afford.  Not only does it cut down on the frustration of cutting with scissors, but you can measure your cuts easily as most have a ruler markings and quidelines to help you!  The blade guard (if it has one) of a Table Top Paper Trimmer - the grandaddy of trimmers - helps you to cut beautifully and without worrying about cutting yourself in the process. I do not cut many sheets at once as some people do, but I do cut 2-3 sheets at a time, thus cutting down on time. I invested in a cheap paper trimmer only once - I quickly learned it wasn't worth my time and money replacing blades. There are really well-designed features included in the models today but a quality standard trimmer is the first place to start! 

Do not worry - if you do not cut a cardstock correctly as you can downsize it to work for something else later, but CHECK BEFORE YOU CUT! Always a good thing! 

Do have CLEAN HANDS to work with your cardstock - the oil on our skin can leave a mark that might not blend so well and remain visible on your card - and that makes it hard to give or sell the card!  

STORE YOUR CARDSTOCK away from heat, light and just common sense will tell you to protect it. I have mine in plastic drawers and containers that protect them. I also keep my cardstock lying flat - not sideways but this is an individual choice. 

Well - hope this helps clear up some of the 'mystery' of card-making, 

now go and enjoy making some! 

Cheers!

Beverly


AND COME TO ONE OF MY CLASSES TO LEARN SOME REALLY FUN STUFF!

Hello!  What a fab day today!

We have been blessed with great weather for our Thanksgiving, yes? We actually decided on the spot to take our lunch out to the nearby park and play a little ball with our pooch! Was very nice - and now we are at home making pumpkin pie and ...aprons!  Yup! We found some fantastic french style fabrics the other day and decided to make aprons so that we can use them later today when we cook dinner.  We are celebrating early as my daughter is off to visit with other relatives tomorrow.  So I will have those apron projects to share later :)

Meanwhile, I changed the decorations in my china cabinet and put out my "GIVE THANKS" blocks - and well, you'll see in the pics!

I also am posting some Thanksgiving style cards today....so let's look!
Please CLICK on pictures for a better look :)

Now here are the cards....you'll recognize them from STAMPIN' UP!'s MINI HOLIDAY CATALOG.

But they are simple to make - just simple stamping and layers with a little glitter in the center of the first card {hard to photo I'm afraid!}....

BUT THIS ONE is my absolute favourite!  I learned how to make a card from another demo, DINA on the method to CUT 'half' a scalloped circle on the fold using the BIG SHOT and the SCALLOP CIRCLE BIGZ DIE!!! Thanks Dina!    But fooling around, I discovered on my own how to cut the whole circle and replace it back in to the card so that it swivels outward.  Then more fooling around, and well...here are the results!  I can only make a video or give a class for this one cuz seriously, I am not into all the work it would take to describe how, ha ha!  But isn't it fun - and the possibilities are endless! 

Pumpkin Thank You Card

Butterfly French Bistro Thank You Card for my 

friends who serve me in such friendly style at Michel's!

Here you can see that the cards hang out from their card, on the fold line. 

The cards will fit into a 5 1/2 in. envelope. And when the recipient takes

out the card, it all "pops" out nicely! 

Well...off to finish dinner and check on that pie!

HAPPY    T H A N K S G I V I N G  CANADA!

Me again!

More awesome news about SU! products that I want to share with you!

Hurray - we have a simple to use 'HOUSE' to DECORATE!!!!  

Our newest decorative element to have fun with for the holidays is the DESIGN-A-HOUSE DECOR ELEMENT which is a cute yet simple house design which you could decorate in any way you like!  

Design-A-House Decor Element      # 120911

How about a haunted house?  Or gingerbread house, a candy cane house?   Or I could see making it 'your own' house with your street numbers on the front - everyone would want their own when they see yours!

I think too that like the traditional activity - you could gather the family to help decorate this as a fun event!  If my daughter was still very young - we would of made one for the grandparents!  {we did actually, but we had to build one out of cardboard in those days! TIP: I can tell you one way which we decorated it: combine poster paint with sand and paint, it gives it great texture and looks like real stucco!}

I also think it would look great decorate solely with ribbon!  Or use our latest FABRIC {see examples below} to co-ordinate with the RUB-ONS and CHRISTMAS STAMP SETS in our HOLIDAY MINI-CATALOG!  You really get to use your imagination on this one!

Love to see what you do!

SPOOKY EXAMPLES BY OTHER DEMONSTRATORS

Nifty 'stone spray' by Janet Wakeland

and a cute polka dot by Paula from Utah!  

Hi stamping & general crafty friends!

Got some good news for ya!  Stampin' Up! has entered a great deal more into its CLEARANCE RACK and you have till OCTOBER 18 to take advantage of this!  Really good prices!

So if you have some projects planned or just want to stock up, I would check out the deals!

For instance - you can get a collection of STAMPIN' SPOTS in our past BRIGHTS collection for only $11.19!  In our current catalogue - they cost $26.95!

There are also ink refills for only $1.19!   When have we had anything for just over a dollar?  Exactly!

Ribbon to match in Bermuda Bay for instance!  Love that colour - its really like a shade of tropical water.

And my personal favourite, BIG SHOT DIES like Bird with Leaves and Flowers!  I certainly did not pay $9.89 when I purchased it!

Brights Stampin' Spots (10)

Bermuda Bay Ink Refill

Co-ordinating Ribbon

Big Shot Die/Bird w Leaves/Flowers

 HEAD ON OVER TO LOOK AND GET BACK TO ME - AND I WILL HELP YOU TO GET YOUR SALE SUPPLIES IN TIME! 

It's nearing the end for this promotion - so give yourself permission to JOIN STAMPIN' UP! while this promotion still has the generous proportioned GREENHOUSE GALA CRAFT TOTE - a $50 Dollar Value!

I just saw this tote on Saturday, and it is beautiful!  I am hedging on purchasing one myself as I can do that as I am a demonstrator, but I also have to pay for it, lol!   YOU CAN GET YOURS FREE!

IF YOU HAVE BEEN SITTING ON THE FENCE ABOUT BECOMING PART OF THE STAMPIN' UP! FAMILY OF DEMONSTRATORS - than this may help make your decision!  It's a FREE TOTE that is so stylish that you can take it anywhere!

I will be honored to help you - just contact me at bstampingbeehive@gmail.com and we'll have you on your way!
cha-cha!
Beverly
                                                                
                                              

This time - I used the same cardstock tones but in a more "whimisical " fashion!  And a little 'word play' - have a look.....

I created a flower with the layering of lots 'n' lots of hearts created with a punch.  To add interest, I took separate words from the greeting "LIFE HAPPENS, LOVE HELPS" and glued them on in a criss-cross fashion - and there is the whimsical nature I mentioned - easy! 

Other interesting bits include the fuzzy yarn, the torn edges, and the tab accent. A gemstone center for the flower in the same oranges keeps the monochromatic feel, but it would of looked equally nice using a nice antique brad which is so trendy now!

I wonder how many of us made cards for today....hmmm?

Helloooooo!

It's late and I need to get to bed but not before......
...showing you my card for my lovely Aunt who is 97!  She is incredible and I don't get around to sending cards as often as I should!  So I hope to make it up to her with one of these.....hers is the one with the full set of pearl/gemstones along the bottom {I ran out on the other one - it happens ha ha}

CLICK on PICTURES to see a larger view.

[make 2 cards at the same time!]

For her - coming from the era that she does, a modern card design just would not do!  So I made a sort of vintage style. Its a pretty stamp set and very versatile - you could do many styles with this stamp!

I stamped the flower 3 separate times in Chocolate Chip ink - and coloured each image in different chalk shades from yellows to oranges to cherry.  Then I carefully cut away some of the yellow flower and orange flower to make 2 layers to go on top of the main stamp image which was coloured in the deeper cherry to help create 'depth'.   A couple of orange-yellow gems were added on the top layer to sparkle like dew drops!

My Aunt has always loved her lace - so I given her ol' style lace paired with cheery grosgrain polka dot ribbon!   It's a nice compliment to the vintage feel and the nice fall colouring.

[see the separate layers?]

[ different hues of fall]

This stamp set, Because I Care was a perk given to us Stampin' Up! Demonstrators earlier this year and this was my first time using it - I think its a great stamp set. You can also obtain one of your own as it is now a Hostess Level 1 stamp set.

Off it goes!  And I made a 6 page letter to tuck inside - now that should make up for lost time!

STAMPIN' UP! SUPPLIES FOR CARD

Stamp: Because I Care  [Hostess Level 1 set]

Cardstock: Natural White, Chocolate Chip, Dusty Durango {Alternative: Tangerine Tango, More Mustard}

Ribbon: Polka Dot Grosgrain

Colouring: Stampin' Pastel Chalks,

Misc:  Glues