Cards by A Cook

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Best Advent Calendar for Stampers!

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Happy Wednesday!  Do you love holiday surprises?  Well, we have a treat for you!  For the first time ever, we are offering Advent Calendars for sale, filled with Stampin’ Up! products. I’m pleased to partner with fellow Demonstrator Wendy Fee to offer these fantastic Advent Calendars to Canadian papercrafters.

Each silver snowflake calendar has 24 doors that open.  Inside you may find Stampin’ Up! embellishments, ribbon, or something entirely different.  One calendar will have a Golden Ticket that can be redeemed for a stamp set of the winner’s choice from the upcoming January-June Mini Catalogue.  

Everyone who buys a calendar will also receive an invite to an EXCLUSIVE Sale-a-Bration Online Class ($20 value) in January.  

Each Advent Calendar is $45 ($75 value!).  Porch Pick-up is free; Canada-wide shipping is available for $17.

Included in each Advent Calendar:

  • Embellishments
  • Ribbon (minimum of 1yd per style)
  • Other Surprise Stampin’ Up! items
  • $10 coupon for a $60 order placed between January 4-31st (1 lucky person will receive a Gold Ticket instead!)
  • Free Online Class in January ($20 value)

These calendars are wonderful for cardmakers and scrapbookers.  Why not buy one for yourself, and another for a friend? They make great pre-holiday gifts.

Pre-orders open on Friday, October 22nd, and the last day to order and pay for your calendar is Wednesday, November 10th.  Quantities are limited, and when they’re gone, they’re gone!!!

CLICK HERE to fill out the reservation form!

Payment can be made by Cash (delivered to Wendy or Amy), EFT, or PayPal.  It  MUST be received to complete your order and secure your calendar(s).

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

If you do not receive an email confirmation from me within 24 hours of signing up, please contact me here.

We will put you on the reservation list and email a PayPal Invoice on Monday, November 8th.

Deadline to RESERVE and PAY: Wednesday November 10th, 2021

How it works:

  • Register until Sunday, November 7th
  • Pay your invoice when received on November 8th (deadline for payment is November 10th, 2021) 
  • Calendars will be shipped as soon as possible after November 18th (we cannot order products for the calendars until payment is received).
  • Local packages will be available for pickup on November 26th (no shipping fee)
  • Cross-Canada Shipping is $17.

The Fine Print:

  • We are only able to offer this to Canadian addresses
  • If you don’t have a PayPal account, you can still pay the invoice received with a credit or debit card. We also accept EFT payments through Interac e-transfer.
  • We will send Advent Calendars to the address noted on your registration form, even if the address listed in PayPal is different. If you need to change the mailing address after registration has been submitted, please let me know BEFORE November 18th 2021. We are not responsible for packages mailed to the wrong address if not corrected before the deadline. We are not responsible for lost or stolen packages once they have been sent through Canada Post.
  • By submitting this Advent Calendar Reservation, you are agreeing to join and pay for Amy & Wendy’s Advent Calendar Sale, and pay the PayPal invoice no later than November 10th, 2021. You understand that the products will be purchased for the calendars on November 10th, 2021.  The calendars will be shipped as soon as possible after November 18th.

Fall Card featuring Love of Leaves stamp set

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The Love of Leaves stamp set contains leaves with a beautiful watercolour look. The coordinating Stitched leaves dies make this set a fall must have. Today's fall card features Stampin' Up!'s Cajun Craze ink colour, which is a gorgeous deep rust colour. My favourite fall colour is actually red but the dark oranges are a close second. The fall colours in the Beauty of the Earth paper coordinate perfectly with the Cinnamon Cider background layer and the Cajun Craze leaf and card base.

Stampin' Up! Love of Leaves stamp set with Stitched Leaves dies

This fall card also follows my favourite stamp design. Creating cards with 3 rectangles of patterned paper as a background is such and easy and versatile design. I created this bright puppy dog card that follows the same design. I have two more cards to share this week featuring the same design but Christmas themed.

Do you notice how the paper is cut to maintain the pattern cohesion? The Beauty of the Earth designer series paper is well suited to this technique. It also pairs so well with the Love of leaves stamp set. I would love for you to make this card yourself. I've included all the measurements below for you. Feel free to print the instructions and include a photo of your card in the comments.

beautiful fall card

Beautiful Fall Card featuring Love of Leaves stamp set

Beauty of the Earth designer series paper by Stampin' Up! makes creating this card easy and fast to do. The stitched detail on the watercolour look leaf is even prettier in real life.
Print Instructions Pin Recipe
Level of Difficulty Beginner
Total Time 20 mins

Tools

Supplies
  

  • Love of Leaves stamp set
  • Stitched leaves dies
  • Beauty Of the Earth 12x12 designer series paper
  • Basic White cardstock
  • Cinnamon Cider cardstock
  • Cajun Craze cardstock
  • Cajun Craze ink pad
  • linen thread

Instructions
 

Cut paper to the following sizes:

  • Cajun Craze (card base): 5 ½” x 8 ½” scored at 4 ¼”
  • Cinnamon Cider Cardstock:  5 x 3 ¾”, strip ½ “ x 3”
  • Basic White: scrap approx.. 4 x 2 ½”
  • Patterned paper:  3 pieces 1 ½” x 3 ½”

Instructions:

  • Score the Cajun Craze cardstock in half and fold to create the card base.
  • Adhere each of the 3 patterned paper pieces onto the Cinnamon Cider layer. Use Stampin’ Dimensionals to adhere to front of the card base. 
  • Stamp your choice of leaf with Cajun Craze ink and cut out with the matching die using the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine.
  • Stamp the sentiment using Cajun Craze ink onto the Cinnamon Cider strip.
  • Cut the end of the sentiment off on a angle. Adhere as shown to the card front. 
  • Use Stampin’ Dimensionals to adhere the leaf. 
  • Tie a bow with the linen thread and adhere to the leaf. 
Keyword autumn card, fall, greeting card, Stampin' Up!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

If you live in Canada, and would like to support my business, you can purchase all the supplies from my website. Email me with questions or to order 🙂

Thank you,

Amy

Sparkle of the Season Christmas Wreath card

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Who doesn't like wreaths? Christmas wreaths add a welcoming touch to front doors across the country. This card features a holly wreath from the Sparkle of the Season bundle by Stampin' Up! A simple Z fold adds interest to the design and the "Tidings of Christmas" patterned paper adds beautiful colours to an otherwise simple card. See some fall inspired cards featuring Sparkle of the Season wreaths HERE and HERE

Z fold cards are easy to make once you know the measurements to use. I created a bright and fun Rainbow of Happiness card featuring a Z fold as well. See it HERE. Scroll to the bottom to use my easy to print card recipe with complete measurements and instructions to make yourself.

Sparkle of the Season Christmas wreath card
Sparkle of the Season Christmas Wreath card
Make it yourself:

I started with the Tidings of Christmas 6x6 designer series paper by Stampin' Up! The patterns are so pretty! Choose your favourite for the background. I then pulled the 2 greens from the paper to create the wreath. Evening Evergreen and Soft Succulent are two colours I would not normally pair together but I like the final look. I found using only one wreath looked too skimpy but layering two wreaths created a full looking wreath easily.

I also used the Jolly Felt to add some festive holly berries to the Christmas wreath card. I love that the Sparkle of the season dies allows you to cut out 6 berries at one time.

If you are in Canada and would like to make this yourself you can purchase the supplies needed HERE in my store. I appreciate your support of my business.

Want to purchase premade cards?

I am happy to create a set of Christmas cards for you to give to friends and family this Christmas. Contact me to make arrangements.

Christmas wreath card

Sparkle of the Season Christmas Wreath card

Use your Stampin' Cut and Emboss machine to create beautiful holly wreaths. This Z fold card is easier to make than it looks with all the measurements included below.
Print Instructions Pin Recipe
Level of Difficulty Intermediate
Total Time 30 mins

Tools

Supplies
  

  • Sparkle of the Season bundle
  • Tidings of Christmas 6x6 designer series paper
  • Basic White 8 ½ x 11 cardstock
  • Evening Evergreen 8 ½ x 11 cardstock
  • Soft Succulent 8 ½ x 11 cardstock
  • Cherry Cobbler 8 ½ x 11 cardstock and inkpad
  • Jolly Felt

Instructions
 

Cut paper to the following sizes:

  • Designer Series Paper: 3 ¾ ” x 2 ¼“; 3 ¾” x 2 ¾ “
  • Evening Evergreen: 4¼ “ x 11” scored at 5½ “ and 2¾ “ folded as shown below; 4x4 for wreath
  • Basic White: 4 x 5 ¼“; 3½ x 2½”; 2½ x 4”; plus a strip ½” x 3½“
  • Cherry Cobbler: 3 ¾ x 2 ¾ “
  • Soft Succulent: 4x4 for wreath

Die Cut:

  • Use the holly wreath die and the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine to cut out 2 wreaths. 1 out of Evening Evergreen and 1 out of Soft Succulent
  • Cut out 4 or 5 cherry cobbler felt holly berries with the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine. 

Stamping:

  • Stamp “Merry Christmas” with Cherry Cobbler ink onto the Basic White strip.  Cut the end on an angle. 

Assembly:

  • Lay the Evening Evergreen card base horizontally with the 2 scores to the left hand side.
  • Adhere the largest piece of Basic White cardstock to the right side of the Evening Evergreen card front – the side with no scoring. 
  • Adhere the widest piece of patterned paper to the far right of the basic white, leaving a small, even border as shown.
  • Layer the shortest Basic White rectangle onto the Cherry Cobbler.  You will know you have the correct piece if it aligns with a small border evenly around the perimeter. 
  • Layer the patterned paper onto the other Basic White rectangle.  Similarly, there should an even border around the perimeter. 
  • Adhere the Basic White and patterned paper layer onto the far left of the Evening Evergreen card front.  The score line/fold should be next to this and it should have an even border. 
  • Using adhesive on only the left hand side of the Cherry Cobbler piece, adhere to the very front of the card when it is folded as shown.
  • Layer both wreaths on top of each other and adhere to the left side of the front. 
  • Use Stampin’ dimensionals to adhere the Merry Christmas banner
  • Add the felt holly berries with Stampin’ glue dots.
Keyword Christmas, holly, sparkle of the season, Stampin' Up!, wreath
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Hand-Penned Pretty Card

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I love how cute and simple this card is. The little tag adds a sweet message that is suitable for a thank you, Happy Birthday or a "Just Because" card. The simple square pattern on the bottom right of the card was created with Stampin' Up's! Hand Penned Designer Series Paper.

The Hand Penned Designer Series paper makes coordinating colours very easy to do. Here Pale Papaya is a predominant colour that creates a beautiful card base.

Supplies:

  • Stamps: Quiet Meadow bundle (155082)
  • Paper: Basic White (159276);  Pale Papaya (155668); Hand-Penned 12” x 12” Designer Series Paper (155499); Soft Succulent (155776)
  • Ink: Tuxedo Black Pad Memento (132708)
  • Other: Tasteful Textile 3D Embossing Folder (152718); Snail Mail Twine Combo Pack (154579); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430); Stampin’ Seal (152813); Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (149653)

Measurements:

  • Pale Papaya – 8 ½” x 5 ½; scored at 4 ¼"
  • Basic White – 5 ¼” x 4”; scrap
  • Soft Succulent - scrap
  • Designer Series Paper – 4 pieces – 1 ¼” x 1 ¼”

Directions:

  1. Fold Pale Papaya Cardstock in half to create card base.
  2. Emboss the Basic White piece using the Tasteful Textile 3D Embossing Folder and the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine.
  3. Glue the four squares of DSP to the lower right corner of the Basic White.
  4. Stamp the sentiment on the scrap of Basic White and cut out with label die.
  5. Cut out another label from the Soft Succulent using the same die.
  6. Wrap the White twine around the card (see picture) 2 or 3 times and thread through the labels and tie in a bow.
  7. Glue the embossed piece to the card front.

Order supplies HERE

I would love to see what cards this one inspires! Comment below with your favourite colour and show me the card you created. Please contact me for tips, help with the design and to order. Contact me at amy@cardsbyacook.com

Happy Stamping!

Amy


Expressions in Ink paper is Gorgeous!

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Stampin' Up's Expressions in Ink Designer Series Paper is absolutely gorgeous! There is no need to add a lot of fancy embellishments to create a beautiful card. The gold veining in the paper combined with the alcohol painted background is stunning! Create this simple card by adding gold embellishments beneath the sentiment to coordinate with the gold detail in the paper.

The Expressions In Ink Ephemera Pack contains 50 precut gold pieces along with 100 adhesive backed sequins. Add these embellishments behind your favourite stamped sentiment and your card is finished.

The Expressions In Ink paper pack coordinates with Evening Evergreen, Just Jade, Magenta Madness, Mint Macaron, Pale Papaya, Pear Pizzazz, Polished Pink and Shaded Spruce colours. Choose your favourite to match with the paper as a background and layer onto a piece of Basic White cardstock.

When cutting the 5"x 3 ¾" Expressions in Ink designer series paper layer, you often have a strip left over. Add this strip to the inside of the cards for an extra special touch.

To order supplies CLICK HERE.

Supplies:

  • Stamp Sets – Artistically Inked (154542); Artistically Inked Bundle (155456) OR your choice of sentiment stamp set
  • Card Stock –Basic White (159276), Shaded Spruce (146981)
  • Stamp Pads – Shaded Spruce (147088)
  • Misc. – Expressions In Ink Specialty Designer Series Paper DSP (155464); Expressions In Ink Ephemera Pack (155465); Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals (144108); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430); Seal (152813)

Measurements: 

  • Basic White: 5 ½” x 8 ½” scored at 4 ¼”; ¾” x 1 ½”
  • Shaded Spruce: 4-⅛” x 5-⅜”
  • DSP: 4” x 5 ¼”; ¾” x 4”

Instructions:

  1. Fold card base in half. Adhere the Shaded Spruce layer.
  2. Adhere the Expressions In Ink Designer Series Paper over the layer.
  3. From the Expressions In Ink Ephemera Pack, select the pre-cut gold pieces of your choice. 
  4. Adhere the pre-cut gold piece to the card with Mini Dimensionals and/or Dimensionals. (Tip: To adhere the delicate frames, place the Mini Dimensional on the back of the leaf where it overlaps the frame so that the Mini Dimensional holds both the leaf and the frame in place.)
  • Stamp the greeting on the ¾" x 1-½" piece of Basic White in Shaded Spruce.
  • Adhere the greeting piece to the card with Dimensionals.
  • Place three sequins from the Expressions In Ink Ephemera Pack around the greeting and on the card front. 
  • Inside the card, at the bottom, adhere the ¾" x 4" strip of Designer Series Paper. 
  • Stamp a greeting or image inside the card of your choice. 

I would love to see what cards this one inspires! Comment below with your favourite colour and show me the card you created. Please contact me for tips, help with the design and to order. Contact me at amy@cardsbyacook.com

Happy stamping,

Amy

Quiet Meadow Cards

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The new Quiet Meadow dies from Stampin' Up! are simply beautiful. The set of flower silhouettes is stunning and even comes with a couple butterflies. There is also a scalloped label die to cut out all your sentiments. Don't miss the cutest little tag they threw in for good measure. Make sure you read to the bottom for class information and a FREE tutorial complete with measurements for the mini set of 3x3 cards.

Meadow Dies available alone or with the Quiet Meadow stamp set

Stampin' Up! also has released the 2021 -2023 new In Colors! I love them all! Sometimes I like most of the colours but this year all of the colours are a must have item. I created this set of 5 mini 3x3 cards to showcase the new colours and the Quiet Meadow bundle. You could easily pick one of the designs and replicate it using each of the different flowers above. I wanted to make each a little bit different. Which is your favourite?

Soft Succulent, Fresh Freesia, Pale Papaya, Evening Evergreen, Polished Pink

In addition to making the 3x3 mini cards, I packaged them in this cute mini pizza box. A simple tag on top with coordinating ribbon in the new Fresh Freesia in-color finishes the gift box nicely. There is room in the mini pizza boxes for a cookie or chocolates but I decided to add a couple sachets of tea. They make a beautiful, little gift.

Fresh Freesia open weave ribbon gives a pretty touch to the little box of mini cards.

I had so much fun making these cards. To help you make these Quiet Meadow mini cards yourself, I've included a full tutorial with instructions for you to print. Full measurements and instructions for each card are included in the Quiet Meadow mini Cards Tutorial.

Download Tutorial HERE

See the full list of supplies HERE and scroll down for an opportunity for more ideas using the Quiet Meadow stamp set and dies from Stampin' Up!

Interested in more ideas for using the Quiet Meadow bundle by Stampin' Up!?

Wendy and I are hosting a set of 2 EXCLUSIVE Facebook Classes in June. These will take place in a private Facebook group for those that purchase the Quiet Meadow Class Bundle. All posts/videos/tutorials will be available on the following dates - it is not necessary to be present online for the entire day.

  • June 7th (cards) - 2 video presentations, project samples and tutorials. 
  • June 21 (sampler) - Full video and downloadable instructions on how to assemble the Shadowbox Sampler

Class fee is $110, which includes the Quiet Meadow Bundle, both EXCLUSIVE classes, and all of the class supplies needed to create the Shadowbox Sampler.  All you need is the ink & the frame!  Bundles will be ordered & shipped direct to you. Supply packs will be mailed separately.

Registration for this exclusive class, along with EFT with payment, is available for Canadians. Please indicate if you are outside of Canada and we can make arrangements for payment for instructions only.

Register for class HERE

Happy Stamping,

Amy

For the Special Men in your Life

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Creating cards for men is difficult. This simple card design is meant for the men in your life. It isn’t too fussy with bows and embellishments and that’s ok. My special guy appreciates it when I take the time to create cards for him but doesn’t want intricate details or bling.

Simple card for a guy
Watercolour pencils are easy to use

Making cards for men using the Stampin’ Up! set, A Good Man, is simple. The designs are beautifully sketched and it is easy to add bits of colour to create wonderful cards.

Watercolour tip

Using Aqua Painters with watercolour pencils in Stampin’ Up! matching colours on watercolour paper makes creating these cards easy and fun. Using some diluted blue around the image gives it more depth while adding brown to the bottom grounds it. Even when an image does not include ground, adding a shadow under it prevents it from appearing to float and will improve your water colouring technique.

The 6x6 pack of neutral designer series paper in Night of Navy adds to the background. Tying the whisper white twine around the middle ties in the white without being too feminine. Similarly, using garden green to border the image ties in to the green shirt.

I really like the sentiment “relax your way” as this is suitable for so many occasions. This card can be used for a masculine birthday card, a thank you or a Father’s Day card. The set contains many images for all of these occasions. I like how the stamp set features both a little girl and a little boy. A couple of the images are perfect for Father’s Day but I needed a birthday card so chose the guy relaxing.

A good man stamp set by Stampin’ Up! Good set for special Men in your life
A Good Man

Like what you see and live in Canada? Contact me to order or go to my online store. I will help you choose what products you need.

New Year - Time to stock up on Birthday Cards

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Picture Perfect Stamp Set makes a pretty and simple card.  I've given up on making New Year's resolutions I can't keep - but I really would like to send more birthday cards out to friends and family this year.  A simple card like this takes little time to make and will be a good start to my plan.  It also suits many different ages and would be perfect for my niece.

A simple and pretty card using Stampin' Up! Picture Perfect Birthday Photopolymer stamp set
A Picture Perfect Birthday

To make this card I started by picking my favourite piece of coordinating 6X6 page of Picture Perfect paper - cutting a strip and then matching the colours to that.  I love pool party with berry bliss!  The pool party layer is embossed with the new scattered sequins embossing folder.  It gives a deeply embossed impression that adds the perfect touch to the card.  If you don't own a big shot - this step could be skipped and the card would still be pretty.

When making the candle greeting I stamped the candles off once onto my scrap paper before stamping onto the whisper white card stock.  This allows the colours of the candles to be light enough for the greeting to be stamped on top.  The photopolymer stamps make it easy to line up the candle flames.

 

Picture Perfect Birthday photopolymer stamp set by Stampin Up!
Noise maker adds some fun to the inside.

I matched the inside of the card to the outside by stamping a noise maker.  The same stamps that make the candles can be used to make these cute party noise makes.  (is that the proper name for these thing a majigs?) I stamped the solid part first in lemon lime twist then added bermuda bay polka dots on top.

 

Hope you enjoy this paper and matching stamp set as much as I do.  I encourage you to make this year, the year you send more cards!

 

 

You Snailed it! A cute and easy congratulations card

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Quirky Critters wins again with a cute way to congratulate a friend

Let someone know they did a great job by sending them this cute snail card.   The Quirky Critters  snail is suitable for a small accomplishment or a big celebration.  This example uses melon mambo for a distinctly girl card- especially with the ruffled embossing folder background- but the stamp itself could easily be used for a more masculine card.

I love this colour combo-melon mambo with lemon lime twist and a touch of tempting turquoise.  The lemon lime twist ombré ribbon adds a touch of whimsy and is easy to add.  Run a couple strips of fast fuse perpendicular to how you want the ribbon to go.  Place the ribbon back and forth and cut.  The hardest part is trying not to do it perfectly and to just try it.  The ribbon should lift off if you need to try a few times until you like how it looks.

Like the Quirky Critters?  See a belated birthday card made with the same set here.

The special whale Quirky Critters image makes a pretty "just because" card or as I like to say a "Cheer you up" card as shown here.

 

Welcome to Cards by A Cook

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Cards by a cook?  So is this a foodie blog or a card making blog?

Hi, my name is Amy Cook and I love to create homemade cards with rubber stamps.  In fact, you could say I'm obsessed with all things stamping....but more like a healthy addiction than a stalking, creepy obsession.   I'm creating this blog to share my addiction passion with you!

Why recipes?  Much like a cookbook contains delicious recipes, step by step directions, ingredient lists and pictures, my blog will include great card designs, step by step instructions, supplies needed and pictures.  All of this will be organized like recipes to make it easy for you to learn how to make simple and beautiful cards.

Do I like to cook?  Well I do make yummy brownies, but I relax and recharge even more by being creative.  Let my site help you spend more time creating so you can be the best you!