Here is an awesome stamped graduation card from Julie Cameron, featured in today’s newsletter and originally seen in the May issue of Cards. Thanks for the inspiration, Julie! Instructions below.

CONGRATS YOU DID IT! by Julie Cameron

Stamp stripes on a kraft cardstock block and mat it on a white card base. Stamp a sentiment on a yellow cardstock block, then set brads to the left of the sentiment. Trim a blue cardstock strip using decorative scissors, attach the strip to the top of the yellow cardstock block, and adhere the entire piece to the bottom of the card base. Stamp stars on white cardstock, punch them out, and add a brad to each star. Adhere the stars to the card base using foam adhesive.

Card is 3 x 5 ½”
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Papertrey Ink, Prism, office supply; Brads: Making Memories; Stamps (sentiment, stars, stripes): Papertrey Ink; Ink: Papertrey Ink, Stampin’ Up!; Star punch, decorative scissors: Fiskars

I received an email recently asking me how I use cards that inspire me and then make them my own. Here are a few tips on adding a “touch of you” to your card:

1. Use the layout of the cards that inspires, but different products.

2. Take ideas from two cards. Combine the layout from one and the embellishments from another.

3. Use products you already own. Don’t buy exactly what the card designer used. This forces you to be more creative.

4. Change things up. Use baker’s twine instead of the ribbon, rhinestones instead of the buttons, fabric instead of the paper.

5. Use the colors. Sometimes, the colors are most inspirational. Do a completely different layout with colors that match the designer’s card.

How do you make a card your own?

I found a beautiful card in the May Issue that inspired me, and I wanted to recreate it. I made small tweaks to Ashley Cannon Newell’s gorgeous card design, and came up with a card that is similar, with “a touch of me.”

Here is the original: (Check out the May issue of Cards to get the deets on this beauty!)

Here is the one I made:

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY by Hannah Craner
Card is 4 1/2 x 5 1/2″
Cardstock, stamps, ink, twine, buttons: Papertrey Ink; Bakers Twine: Divine Twine; Ink: Memento, Stampin’ Up!; Flower punch: Stampin’ Up!; Brad: Making Memories

Stamp dots and leaves onto a cream cardstock block. Punch 21 flowers from vintage bookprint. Punch scalloped border on a green paper block. Adhere to the bottom of the cream block. Knot baker’s twine between the cream and green cardstocks. Mat the entire stamped on the front of a brown cardstock base. Pierce a hole through the center of 7 flowers and then attach layers with a brad. Crinkle petals to create a 3D effect. Repeat with the next 2 flowers. Stitch buttons to center of flowers. Adhere flowers.

Mother’s Day is just days away. Are you ready? I have a few more cards to make myself and my May issue of CARDS is currently dog-eared, marking cards that i plan on using as inspiration. I think this card by Dawn is super sweet! I love the way she used the buttons with the cute leaf stamp. So sweet. I also love the colors she used. They pop!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY by Dawn McVey
Card is 4 1⁄4 x 5 1⁄2”
Cardstock, patterned paper, ribbon, string, buttons, stamps (leaves, sentiment), ink: Papertrey Ink; Jewels: Kaisercraft; Border punch: Fiskars; Corner rounder: Corner Chomper by We R Memory Keepers

Attach a grid paper block to a green card base. Round the top corners of a cream cardstock block, stamp leaves and a sentiment in the center, and embellish the leaves with threaded buttons and jewels as shown. Punch a green cardstock strip using a border punch, then adhere it to the bottom of the stamped cardstock block. Knot ribbon around the papers’ seam and add the entire stamped cardstock block to the card using foam adhesive.

This is just one of so many amazing card in our May issue! Click here to get a copy for yourself.