Sketch Saturday - Sailing Home

I’ve been using so many of the newer products lately, that it felt good to go back to the Annual Catalog and use the Sailing Home Stamp Set for this sketch.

Here’s the sketch. Its a Splitcoaststampers CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge.

Tips & Instructions

• Night Of Navy Card Base - 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, score at 4 1/4

• Come Sail Away Striped Designer Series Paper - 5 1/8 x 2 3/4

• Come Sail Away Sailboat Designer Series Paper - 4 1/2 x 2 3/4

• Whisper White Cardstock - 3 x 2 3/4

• Stamp sentiment with Night Of Navy Ink and sailboat with Soft Suede Ink on Whisper White Layer

• Adhere all layers as shown to card base

On the inside stamp sailboat with Night Of Navy Ink.

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Ornate Garden - you're amazing!!!

Here’s another card using the new Ornate Garden Suite. The dies cut such delicate layers; a simple flower becomes an elegant card!

Watch the video to see how to make this card and some tips on cutting out these intricate dies.

Tips & Instructions

• Basic Black Card Base - 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, score at 4 1/4

• Granny Apple Green - cut largest Ornate Layers Die and adhere to card base

• Whisper White - cut Ornate Layers Dies

• Stamp sentiment and flower on white layer with Black Memento Ink and color with Stampin’ Blends (Light Granny Apple Green, Light Daffodil Delight and Dark Crumb Cake)

• Add Wink of Stella to flower and leaf

• Adhere layer to card using Dimensionals

• Add Rhinestone to each corner

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Ornate Garden Thinking of You

I made a simple Thinking of You card for a friend who’s husband is in the hospital. I used the new Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper and one of the Ornate Layer Dies. So simple, but so pretty!

Tips & Instructions

• Terracotta Tile Card Base - 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, score at 4 1/4

• Ornate Garden Specialty Designer Series Paper - 5 1/4 x 4

• Whisper White scrap - stamp sentiment (from Peaceful Moments) with Terracotta Tile Ink and cut with Ornate Layer Die

• Wrap piece of ribbon around Designer Series Paper and adhere layer to card base

• Adhere sentiment layer using Dimensionals

• Tie bow and adhere using a Mini Glue Dot

• Add 3 Gilded Gems

On the inside stamp floral image at top and bottom corner using Black Memento Ink and color with Stampin’ Blends (Light Old Olive for the leaves, Light Daffodil Delight for the flowers and Dark Crumb Cake for the flower center.

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Ornate Garden Thank You Card

Stampin’ Up! has a surprise for you - an early release of the Ornate Garden Suite of products. Starting today, you can purchase these products and get an early peek at what’s in store for you in the annual catalog which launches in June. Isn’t that great?

Watch the video to see all the products in this suite and how I made these cards.

Tips & Instructions

• Purple Posy or Petal Pink Card Base - 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, score at 4 1/4

• Gorgeous Grape or Flirty Flamingo Layer - 5 1/2 x 4 1/4, cut floral border along edge and adhere to card base

• Whisper White - cut with the stitched rectangle and stamp sentiment

• Purple Posy or Petal Pink - cut rectangle with lace edge and adhere sentiment layer to it

• Adhere sentiment to card using Dimensionals

• Add Pearls or Glitter Dots to center of flowers

This one is Purple Posy and Gorgeous Grape and the sentiment is stamped with Gorgeous Grape Ink.

This one is Petal Pink and Flirty Flamingo. I stamped the sentiment in Black Memento Ink.

The flyer below shows all the products in the suite. You can order the entire suite with a single Item Number or buy individually.

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I Miss Your Face Card

The sentiment on this card is just perfect for our current situation in the world with everyone in quarantine. There are so many people that I can say “I miss your face” to. How about you?

I used the Tags In Bloom Stamp set which is FREE today, the last day of Sale-A-Bration, March 31, 2020 with a qualifying purchase. It coordinates with the Label Me Lovely and Label Me Fancy Punches.

Tips & Instructions

• Old Olive Card Base - 4 1/4 x 11, score at 5 1/2 (top folding card)

• Daffodil Delight Layer - 5 1/4 x 4

• Whisper White Layer - 5 1/8 x 3 3/78, emboss with Layered Leaves 3D Embossing Folder (be sure to use the 3D Embossing Folder Plate) and adhere to Daffodil Delight Layer

• Wrap layers with ribbon, adhering it to the back and adhere layer to card base

• Whisper White - cut largest scalloped rectangle using the Stitched So Sweetly Dies

• Stamp floral frame image with Black Memento Ink. Turn it and stamp again making sure you line up the frame. This will give you the flowers on top and bottom.

• Color flowers and leaves with Stampin’ Blends Markers (Calypso Coral for flower center, Daffodil Delight for flowers and Old Olive for leaves. I used light and dark blends)

• Stamp stitcheded frame with Black Memento Ink and sentiment with Old Olive Ink and punch with Label Me Lovely Punch. Adhere to Floral Label.

• Adhere layer to card using Dimensionals

• Add Wink Of Stella to the flowers and leaves to give them some shimmer

• Tie bow and adhere with Mini Glue Dots

On the inside, stamp 3 flowers on top corner and 3 flowers on bottom corner and stamp a few leaves. Color with Blends the same way you colored them on the front. Stamp sentiment with Old Olive Ink.

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Stampin' Blends vs. Stampin' Write Markers

Sometimes there is confusion about what type markers to use for what purpose so I created this cheat sheet for you to use.  Below is a comparison between Stampin' Blends and Stampin' Write Markers.  Both have specific benefits and I'm not going to say one is better than the other.   I use both types regularly!

I love coloring with the Alcohol-Based Stampin' Blends but you can do some neat watercolor techniques with the Water-Based Stampin' Write Markers.

I hope you find this helpful.  This information is based on my own use and experience. 

Sketch Saturday - Best Dressed

I had to use the Best Dressed Designer Series Paper again for today’s sketch. The floral patterns are so pretty!

The Sketch is from the CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge from Splitcoaststampers.

Tips & Instructions

• Old Olive Card Base - 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, score at 4 1/4

• Blackberry Bliss Layer 5 1/4 x 4

• Start with the floral design from the Best Dressed Designer Series Paper and using your Paper Trimmer cut a piece 5 1/8 and diagonal angles so it comes to a point at the bottom, mine is 1 1/2 at the top

• Using the floral piece as a guide cut the green with white dots piece, mine is 1” at the top and 1 7/16 a the bottom

• Emboss a piece of Purple Posy Cardstock with the Subtle Embossing Folder and cut diagonal using the floral piece as a guide, mine is 1 3/8 at the top and 2 3/8 at the bottom

• Lay the pieces on the Blackberry Bliss layer spreading them slightly and leaving a border around and adhere each piece. You may have to trim the pieces to get them to fit.

• Adhere layer to cardbase

• Stamp sentiment (from Itty Bitty Birthdays) on Whisper White Scrap with Old Olive Ink and cut with All Dressed Up Die (or you can just stamp on strip of cardstock if you don’t have the dies)

• Adhere sentiment to card using Dimensionals

• Add Noble Peacock (Old Olive) Rhinestones

On the inside, stamp sentiment with Old Olive Ink. Cut 2 strips of another floral pattern from the Best Dressed Designer Series Paper 1/2 x 5 1/4 and adhered to each side of the inside layer.

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Simple Birthday Gift Card Holder

I’m so excited to show you how to make this birthday card that has a pocket inside to hold a gift card. This Designer Series Paper with the Blackberry Bliss Cardstock is just gorgeous!

Watch the video to see how easy it is to make this card.

Tips & Instructions

• Blackberry Bliss Card Base - 4 1/4 x 11, score at 5 1/2 & 9 1/4

• Best Dressed Designer Series Paper (floral) - 3 1/2 x 4

• Best Dressed Designer Series Paper (striped) - 1 1/2 x 4

• Fold Card base in half and fold at the 9 1/4 end and punch with edge of Label Me Lovely Punch

• Adhere striped piece to right edge of card base, centering as shown in video

• Stamp sentiment on scrap of Whisper White Cardstock with Blackberry Bliss Ink and punch with Label Me Lovely Punch

• Wrap piece of ribbon around the floral paper and adhere to back, then adhere layer to card base

• Adhere stamped label over ribbon using Dimensionals

• Make bow and adhere using a Mini Glue Dot

• Color 2 Rhinestones with Dark Blackberry Bliss Blends Marker and adhere to label

On the inside, stamp sentiment and flowers on piece of 3 1/2 x 4 Whisper White Cardstock with Blackberry Bliss Ink.

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Sending Healing Hugs

I made another card using the Woven Threads Designer Series Paper which is FREE with a $50 order through March 31, 2020. Check yesterday’s blog post for a video showing this paper; it’s so pretty!

Today’s card was made using the The So Sentimental Bundle. It has nice big sentiments and coordinating dies to cut the sentiment and have a background layer.

Tips & Instructions

• Terracotta Tile Card Base - 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, score at 4 1/4

• Whisper White Layer - 5 3/8 x 4 1/8

• Woven Threads Designer Series Paper Layer - 5 1/4 x 4, adhere only to the Whisper White Layer

• Stamp sentiment using Terracotta Tile Ink on scrap of Whisper White Cardstock and cut with Stitched So Sweetly Label

• Cut scrap of Terracotta Tile Cardstock using larger Label and punch each end with Label Me Fancy Punch to create a slit on each end.

• Feed piece of ribbon through the slits and adhere the label to layer, wrapping the ends of the ribbon and adhering to the back. Adhere layer to card base

• Adhere stamped label over the ribbon using Dimensionals

• Add 3 Faceted Dots

On the inside adhere a 1/2 x 5 1/4 strip of the Designer Series Paper along the right side of inside layer. I left it blank so I can write my own note.

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Note: Woven Heirlooms Designer Series Paper is FREE until March 31, 2020. Use Item #155883. After March 31, 2020, use Item #149497 until it retires

Woven Heirlooms Thinking Of You

I made these beautiful Thinking Of You cards using the Woven Heirlooms Stamp Set and Woven Threads Designer Series Paper.

The Woven Threads Designer Series Paper is a FREE item during Sale-A-Bration with a $50 order. Make sure you use Item #155883 by March 31, 2020 to get this free item.

Watch my video to see how to make these cards.

Tips & Instructions

• Pretty Peacock or Terracotta Tile Card Base

• Pretty Posy or Seaside Spray Layer - 5 1/4 x 4

• Woven Heirlooms Designer Series Paper - 2 pieces 5 1/8 x 3 7/8

• On one piece of the Designer Series Paper mark the middle of 5 1/8 side with a pencil (at 2 9/16)

• Using Paper Trimmer cut one point to the pencil mark and then cut the other point to pencil mark as shown in the video

• Adhere layers aligning to left side and then adhere centered on the card base

• Whisper White strip - 1 x 2 3/4, stamp sentiment with either Pretty Peacock or Terracotta Tile Ink

• Adhere sentiment strip to 1 1/8 x 2 13/16 piece of Purple Posey or Seaside Spray Cardstock

• Adhere sentiment to card using Dimensionals

• Add Faceted Gems

I made one as a sympathy card and one a well wishing card. I love how both came out.

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Note: Woven Heirlooms Designer Series Paper is FREE until March 31, 2020. Use Item #155883. After March 31, 2020, use Item #149497 until it retires.

Dog Birthday Card!

Here’s a Birthday Card for a special friend! Lots of people are celebrating their pet’s birthday and I made this card to send to a friend’s dog. Isn’t it fun?

I used the Happy Tails Stamp Set and the coordinating Dog Builder Punch along with the Birthday Bonanza Designer Series Paper.

Tips & Instructions

• Bermuda Bay Card Base - 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, score at 4 1/4

• Birthday Bonanza Designer Series Paper - 5 1/4 x 4, adhere to card base

• Daffodil Delight Tag Layer - 2 x 4 1/2 after punched, punch with Tag Topper and Banner Triple Punch

• Stamp dog and spots on Whisper White Cardstock with Soft Suede Ink and collar with Bermuda Bay Ink and punch

• Stamp heart on Whisper White Cardstock with Real Red Ink and punch

• Cut hat from Birthday Bonanza Designer Series Paper (I cut one from one of the Toucan Images)

• Adhere heart to dog and adhere dog and hat to tag using Dimensionals, adhere Pom Pom to hat (I used Multipurpose Liquid Glue, let it set for a few minutes)

• Stamp paw prints on tag with Soft Suede Ink

• Stamp sentiment (from Timeless Tulips) with Bermuda Bay Ink and punch with Classic Label Punch and adhere with Mini Dimensionals

• Feed Ribbon through topper and tie with piece of Bakers Twine

• Adhere tag layer to card

On the inside stamp sentiment with Bermuda Bay Ink and some paw prints along the bottom with Soft Suede Ink.

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Sale-A-Bration 3rd Release

Stampin' Up! has launched its 3rd Release of Sale-A-Bration Items.  You can earn these product for FREE with a qualifying order through March 31, 2020. 

Below are the additional products that were added to Sale-A-Bration.  Please note that you need to use the item numbers listed below in order for the products to be redeemed as Sale-A-Bration items.  These products have different item numbers in the catalog which don't register as part of Sale-A-Bration.

Don't forget, the best deal going on right now is to purchase the Starter Kit.   The cost is $99 and you get:

• $125 worth of product, your choice

• Mini Paper Cutter

• 6 x 6 Designer Series Paper sample

• Your Choice of Stamp Set (Host stamp sets and Sale-A-Bration stamp sets not included)

• Free Shipping

• 20% discount on future orders

• Access to team FaceBook pages, challenges, wonderful crafting community

  What's stopping you?  You can become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and just enjoy the discount and community or make it a business.  No pressure, just lots of fun!!!

March Paper Pumpkin

The March Paper Pumpkin Kit is so fun! It’s the seven year anniversary so Stampin’ Up! included a second stamp set in this month’s kit.

I did a Facebook Live to show you the March Kit. You get all you need to create 12 cards with matching envelopes. If you have your kit, follow along.

Each month you will receive an orange box filled with all the stamps, ink, and paper you need to create a fun project, without any stress. Everything is precut and ready to go so you can skip to the fun part of crafting! You’ll always have cards and cute gifts on hand for every occasion. Your first kit includes a free gift — a clear stamping block. You’ll also build a collection of stamps and ink to use on other projects. There’s no pressure—you can cancel or suspend at any time. Subscribe by the 10th of the month to get started!

These are the 3 designs for this months kit. You can make 4 of each design.

I added the raindrops after the video. They really add so much to the card.

Click the Subscribe Here button below for a month-to-month subscription or click on the icons to purchase a pre-paid subscription.

PLEASE let me know if you subscribed so I can make sure the subscription is under me.

Sketch Saturday - Honey Bee

When I saw this week’s sketch I immediately thought of the Honey Bee Stamp Set. This was so easy to make, I just stamped the smaller bees across the card and added the “queen” bee as the focal.

Here’s the sketch from the CAS(E) This Sketch Challenge from Splitcoaststampers. It was an easy one this week.

The Honey Bee Bundle has some really cool images and nice sentiments and there are coordinating dies you can use. Unfortunately this is not orderable as a bundle until April 13 because it has been so popular. You can get the Stamp Set now if you want.

Tips & Instructions

• Seaside Spray Card Base - 4 1/4 x 11, score at 5 1/2 (top folding)

• Basic Black Layer - 4 x 5 1/4

• Whisper White Layer - 3 7/8 x 5 1/8

• Stamp small bee images across bottom (I left a small space between the first two) with Black Memento Ink

• Stamp larger bee image on scrap of Whisper White with Black Memento Ink and cut with coordinating die

• Color small bee stripes with Light Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Blends Marker

• Color large bee stripes with Dark Daffodil Delight and wings with Light Seaside Spray Stampin’ Blends Markers

• Stamp sentiment with Black Memento Ink

• Adhere large bee to card with Dimensionals

• Add Wink Of Stella to large bee’s wings and yellow stripes

Stamp sentiment and flowers on the inside and color the flowers with a Light Seaside Spray Stampin’ Blends Marker.

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Timeless Tropical Masculine Birthday Card

I am loving the way the Coastal Weave 3D Embossing Folder embosses Whisper White Cardstock. It is so beautiful!

In the video, I’ll show you how I used the tops of the the pineapple to create this nice leafy embellishment. I used a Sponge Dauber to add some color to the tips.

Tips & Instructions

• Pretty Peacock Card Base - 4 1/4 x 11, score at 5 1/2

• Whisper White Layer - 5 1/4 x 4, emboss with Coastal Weave 3D Embossing Folder (Be sure to use the 3D Embossing Folder Plate) and adhere to card base

• Cut largest oval from Pretty Peacock Cardstock and 2nd largest oval from Whisper White Cardstock using the Stitched Shapes Dies, stamp sentiment with Pretty Peacock Ink and adhere ovals

• Cut 2 pineapple tops from Old Olive Cardstock and ink the edges of the leaves with a Sponge Dauber and Pretty Peacock Ink

• Cut small leaves with Pretty Peacock and Old Olive Cardstock

• Assemble leaves behind sentiment oval and then adhere oval with Dimensionals

• Stamp flower with Black Memento Ink and color with Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Blends, cut and adhere to card

• Add Noble Peacock Rhinestones

On the inside, stamp sentiment with Pretty Peacock Ink. Color trunk of palm trees with Soft Suede and tree top with Old Olive Stampin’ Write Markers directly on the stamp. Using Dauber, add some Pretty Peacock around the edges of the tree top. Breath on your stamp and then stamp.

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Elegant Wedding Card using the Parisian Flourish Embossing Folder

I love how the embossed vellum layer came out and how soft and pretty the card is. Perfect for a wedding card.

I started with a small piece of the Parisian Blossoms Specialty Designer Series Paper and the Embossing Folder and started to build my card.

Tips & Instructions

• Pool Party Card Base - 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, score at 4 1/4

• Vellum Layer - 5 1/4 x 4, emboss with Parisian Flourish 3D Embossing Folder (be sure to use the 3D Embossing Folder Plate)

• Cut piece of Parisian Blossoms Designer Series Paper using 3rd largest Stitched Nested Label Die

• Stamp sentiment with Black Memento Ink on Whisper White scrap and cut with smallest Stitched Nested Label Die

• Cut piece of Pool Party with 2nd smallest Stitched Nested Label Die and adhere to sentiment layer

• Adhere sentiment to Designer Series Paper using Dimensionals

• Adhere to Vellum layer and then to card base putting adhesive only behind Designer Series Paper to hide it as it shows through on Vellum

• Add Pearls

On the inside, stamp sentiment and cherry branch image with Black Memento Ink. Color flowers with Light & Dark Pool Party Stampin’ Blends and leaves with Light Mossy Meadow Stampin’ Blends.

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Spring is in the Air with Timeless Tulips

These tulips remind me of spring and the Highland Heather color just makes them that much more “springy”!

In the video below, I’ll show you how to make these cards. The So Very Vellum Cardstock has a great embossed look and adds some fun texture to the tulip and leaves.

Tips & Instructions

• Highland Heather Card Base - 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, score at 4 1/4

• So Very Vellum Layer - 5 1/4 x 4

• Cut Whisper White layer using the largest rectangle from Stitched So Sweetly Dies

• Stamp largest tulip with Highland Heather and two leaves with Pear Pizzazz Inks and punch with coordinating Tulip Builder Punch

• Punch tulip and leaves from Vellum and adhere to punched pieces

• Stamp sentiment, stems and leaves on rectangle and then adhere punched items using Dimensionals

• Adhere rectangle to vellum layer and adhere vellum layer to card base

This is a great card for Mother’s Day, Get Well Soon, Easter or Birthdays!

I didn’t add a sentiment but stamped some tulips on the inside. I’ll write my own little note.

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Gorgeous Forever Blossoms Birthday Card

The Forever Blossoms Images are beautiful and the coordinating Cherry Blossom Dies have lots of flowers you can cut out.

The Parisian Blossoms Specialty Designer Series Paper has pretty champagne foil accents that add just a little shimmer to your card.

Tips & Instructions

• Petal Pink Card Base - 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, score at 4 1/4

• Parisian Blossoms Specialty Designer Series Paper Layer - 3 3/4 x 5, adhere to card base

• Whisper White Layer - 3 x 4, stamp sentiment in top corner with Mossy Meadow Ink

• Stamp cherry blossom branch image on Whisper White Cardstock with Black Memento Ink and cut with coordinating Cherry Blossom Die

• Color leaves with Light Mossy Meadow Stampin’ Blends Marker and flowers with Dark Petal Pink Stampin’ Blends Marker, coloring the buds multiple times to get a darker shade. Color lightly the center of the flowers with Light Flirty Flamingo Stampin’ Blends Marker and then blend with the Petal Pink Marker.

• Wrap Petal Pink Metallic-Edge Ribbon around white layer and adhere to back

• Adhere white layer to card using Dimensionals

• Adhere branch with Dimensionals

• Tie bow and adhere with Mini Glue Dot

• Add Champagne Rhinestones to center of flower

On the inside stamp sentiment with Mossy Meadow Ink. Stamp portion of cherry blossom branch at top and bottom corner and color with Stampin’ Blends.

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Sketch Saturday - Pleased As Punch

For today’s card sketch, I used the Pleased As Punch Designer Series Paper. It’s so bright and cheerful, I just love it!

Here’s the sketch I used. It’s another CAS(E) This Sketch from Splitcoastampers.

The Pleased As Punch Paper has flowers on one side and stripes on the other so I was able to use the same sheet for this card. There’s a Small Bloom Punch that coordinates with it and is FREE during Sale-A-Bration with a qualifying order.

Tips & Instructions

• Pool Party Card Base - 5 1/2 x 8 1/2, score at 4 1/4

• Whisper White Layer - 5 1/4 x 4

• Pleased As Punch Designer Series Paper Strip - 5 1/2 x 1

• Highland Heather Strip - 5 1/2 x 1 1/4

• Adhere layers as shown below

• Punch 3 flowers using Small Bloom Punch and arrange on card for placement of the sentiment

• Stamp sentiment (Music From The Heart Stamp Set) with Highland Heather Ink

• Bend flower petals a little bit to give them some dimension and adhere to card

• Add Rhinestones to the center of the flowers

On the inside, adhere more flowers. Add a sentiment if you want.

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Cute Gift Card Purses

Aren’t these so cute? You can put a gift card or candy or jewelry in them and give them to someone special.

I used some of the products from the Best Dressed Suite. I’ll walk you through these products and show you how to make these purses in the video below.

Tips & Instructions

• Sheet of Blackberry Bliss Cardstock - cut 2 purse pieces, 2 straps, 1 closure piece

• Sheet of Best Dressed Designer Series Paper - cut face of purse, then fussy cut along the stitched lines

• Whisper White Scrap - cut sentiment label, stamp with Blackberry Bliss Ink

• Assemble purse and adhere Designer Series Paper to front

• Adhere handles front to back or one piece front and one piece back

• Using small magnets, adhere closure strap, attaching with adhesive in back

• Adhere tassel using Mini Glue Dots

• Adhere sentiment using Dimensionals and add Pearls if you want

The happy birthday sentiment is from the Timeless Tulips Stamp Set and the Happy Mother’s Day sentiment is from the Dressed To Impress Stamp Set which can be bundled with the All Dressed Up Dies to save 10%

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