The Card Template #18 is a basic layout, but there is great potential to become creative with it.

I hope that you will see that through the samples I have made. I made each one in portrait but the design could be turned landscape as well depending on what you want or need.

I used Basic White Card bases measuring 5 ½” X 8 ½” scored at 4 ¼” for each of my examples. You could use coloured cardstock for your bases if you would like. Remember to add a 4″ X 5¼” basic white card stock piece on the inside of your card if the card base is a darker colour. You can then easily write a greeting and/or stamp something inside.

I have enjoyed making these cards and seeing how they turned out. They do bring me joy! I trust you will smile when you see them too.

Card Example #1: Congratulations – Extraordinary Flora

This beautiful Extraordinary Flora flower stamp set can be used just on it’s own, as we have done in this first card, or the flowers and leaves can be cut out all at once using the amazing die cut.

There is also special washi tape in two different colour tones that can be cut out with the die. I put all my washi tape on vellum and then die cut it. You can peel back the vellum and then use them like a sticker or glue them leaving the vellum backing on. You can also place the washi on different coloured cardstock and it gives a different effect to the flowers. There is so much potential with this bundle of products.

I stamped the Extraordinary Flora flower stamp onto Basic White (2 ¾” X 4”) using Memento Black ink. Then I coloured it with the new 2026-2028 In Color Blends. They were so fun to use and relaxing. This set of colours go really well together.

I wanted a mat using one of the In Colors and it was really hard to choose. You can see the samples of the Barely Blush and Crisp Cantaloupe below.

I finally chose the Peaceful Pine cut at 3 ⅞” X 5 ⅛” and ran it through the embossing folder Paradise Garden Hybrid (without the die). I love the impression of the leaves. This piece was glued with Multipurpose Tombow onto the card base. The flower stamped and coloured piece was adhered to the centre with dimensionals.

With a scrap of Basic White I stamped “Congratulations” in Memento Black and punched it out with the Three Banner punch. It fit perfectly! I put one dimensional on the right-hand side and glue on the rest of the sentiment and adhered it to the bottom right of the card.

There are some gorgeous gems, 2026-2028 In Color Dots, and I put three coordinating ones on flowers and then two others in the bottom right corner under the sentiment.

This is a simple but elegant card that could be used for a wide variety of occasions. Can you think of a stamp set you own that this “technique” would work with? It would be pretty easy to make a few of these and have ready when you need a card.

Card Example #2: Spread Joy – Sweet Bugs

This Sweet Bugs bundle was one that I just had to have when I first saw it. The lady bugs and other critters are just so sweet. The stamps, dies and DSP plus the embellishments are all great fun to work with.

The stamping I did for this card was the little Lady Bug reading a book and the sentiment. I used Black Memento ink to stamp the Lady Bug and coloured her with blends, Real Red, Smoky Slate and Crisp Cantaloupe. I used the die cut to cut her out. The sentiment was stamped with Golden Glow ink and cut out with a Stylish Shapes die.

The DSP has a few sheets that coordinate with the die cuts and others you need to fussy cut. The snow drops were cut with dies and the little critter was fussy cut.

Putting the card together, I attached with Multipurpose Glue the 3 ⅞” X 5 ⅛” piece from the Painted Patterns DSP with the Peaceful Pine colour in the watercolour strokes to the card base. Then I glued the 2 ¾” X 4” red gingham DSP in the centre from the Cute as A Bug paper pack. On top of this I glued a mushroom scene from the same DSP, Cute as a Bug, centering it on the card.

Next I glued the bugs onto the card and used dimensionals to adhere the snow drops like they were shade for the Lady Bug. The sentiment, “Spread Joy”, I stamped with Golden Glow ink and cut out with the Stylish Shapes dies. This was added to the bottom right corner with dimensionals. The final addition were two Lady Bugs from the Ladybug Garden Epoxy Shapes.

These are so fun to use and really make the card complete! Don’t you agree? This scene makes me want to snuggle with a good book and cup of tea.

Card Example #3: Congratulations – Safari Smiles

The first time I saw this Stamp Set, Safari Smiles, I knew it needed to be in my craft room. There is just a really special feel to the images. These majestic animals exhibit amazing qualities. Here they depict the grace of being in family!

This card starts with Basic White Thick Cardstock (8 ½ X 5 ½ and scored at 4 ¼). I cut the 3 ⅞” X 5 ⅛” mat from the Gingham Gallery DSP in the Peaceful Pine larger plaid and glued this down to the card base. I cut a piece of vellum 2 ¾” X 4” and first adhered it at the top where I knew the sentiment would go. This is so the adhesive doesn’t show through.

I stamped the Lion family and two birds on Basic White cardstock in Black Memento ink and coloured them with Stampin’ Blends, Golden Glow and Hydrangea Hue colours. There are die cuts that I used to cut out the animals. Makes it easy! I also die cut the rocks and grass using scraps of Peaceful Pine and Crumb Cake cardstock.

I assembled the card placing the Lion family on top of the vellum with dimensionals. I then added a bit of glue to the back of them on the vellum to secure it a bit more. I placed the rocks and grass around the Lions and then the Birds on the rock in the left hand corner gluing them down with Mulitpurpose Tombow glue.

I stamped the “Congratulations” on a piece of scrap Basic White and used the Three Banner Punch to punch out the tail and then straight cut the left side with a scissor. You need to put the paper from the top into the punch and then it only cuts the one side. This piece has to be about ½” wide to fit the punch. I glued the sentiment to the top right of this card. It just seemed to work better to balance out the card. I used the 2026-2028 In Color Dots in Peaceful Pine to finish off the card and give it a bit of shine.

I think this card could be a special birth/adoption, welcome to the family card or congratulations on your new home. Lots of potential and possibility.

I hadn’t intended to have the Peaceful Pine be the mat piece in each card but as I created them it just worked with these stamps and the scenes. It will be fun to have these colours for the next two years. Maybe some will become part of the regular line! We can still keep using them even if they are no longer sold by Stampin’ Up! Remember to see what you already have in your stash of products.

Do you have a favourite from this month’s blog? Let me know!

This Card Template #18 is a rather simple one, but so many possibilities as you can see from these three examples.

Do let me know if you have any questions on anything I shared. I hope you will make a card or two using this Template #18.

Please view a full list of the products that I used here. It includes the stamps, die cuts, cardstock, designer series paper, colours and adhesives. If you’d like to order any of the products, simply add them to your cart. For every order over $25 you receive 10% in rewards for your next order or until your rewards expire (usually in one year) when you have opted into Stampin’ Ups rewards program.

Make sure to check them out in my Shop and go to Shop Products and see Online Exclusives as well.

THANK YOU for selecting me to be your Stampin’ Up! ® Demonstrator. Do connect with me if you have any questions!

It’s so much fun to create and experience the Wonder and Joy of stamping together with you! Enjoy the last few weeks of summer making special memories. I hope you also have some time to be creative and experience some Wonder and Joy stamping!

Blessings,

Card Template #18 Dimensions

• Card Base 8 ½ X 5 ½ score at 4 ¼ Portrait
• Designer Series Paper (DSP) or Cardstock
  • 1 – 3 ⅞ X 5 ⅛
  • 1 – 2 ¾ X 4
• Sentiment piece (example) 2 ¼ X ⅝

If you want a Mat for these pieces to be adhered to cut it at 4 ⅛” X 5 ⅜” using Cardstock or Designer Series Paper

Card Example 1 Congratulations – Extraordinary Flora

• Card Base 8 ½ X 5 ½ score at 4 ¼ Portrait in Basic White Thick Cardstock
• Designer Series Paper (DSP) or Cardstock
  • 1 – 3 ⅞ X 5 ⅛ Peaceful Pines Cardstock
  • 1 – 2 ¾ X 4 Basic White Cardstock
• Sentiment piece 2 ¼ X ½
• Scrap Basic White Cardstock stamping Flowers stamp

Card Example 2 Spread Joy – Sweet Bugs

• Card Base 8 ½ X 5 ½ score at 4 ¼ Portrait in Basic White Thick Cardstock
• Designer Series Paper (DSP) or Cardstock
  • 1 – 3 ⅞ X 5 ⅛ Peaceful Pines 2026-2028 In Color Painted Patterns DSP
  • 1 – 2 ¾ X 4 Cute As A Bug layered another piece 2 ¼ X 3 ¾
• Sentiment piece 2 ¼ X ⅞

Card Example 3 Congratulations – Safari Smiles

• Card Base 8 ½ X 5 ½ score at 4 ¼ Portrait in Basic White Thick Cardstock
• Designer Series Paper (DSP) or Cardstock
  • 1 – 3 ⅞ X 5 ⅛ Peaceful Pines 2026-2028 In Color Gingham Gallery DSP
  • 1 – 2 ¾ X 4 Vellum
• Sentiment piece 2 ¾ X ½
• Scrap Basic White Cardstock stamping Lion family, two birds
• Scrap Peaceful Pine for dies cut grass
• Scrap Crumb Cake for dies cut rocks