Silver to Silver Elite Blog Hop Fun Folds July

Welcome to the Blog Hop presented by the 

Silver to Silver Elite Stampin' Up Demonstrators 

HAVING FUN WITH DRAPERY FOLDS

Our topic for the month of July 2021 is Fun/Fancy Folds.  As you hop from one Demonstrator to the next, you will see a variety of card folds and learn various ways to fold your cardstock and Designer Series Paper (DSP).  These techniques will make the cards fun to create, exciting to send, and delightful to receive.  

The fold style I've chosen is called "Drapery Fold".  And of course, when you see the folds, you can understand the name.  Usually, the card is made of four folds of various length cut at an angle which shows the reverse side of the paper.  For this reason, it's best to use a double sided DSP, such as those offered through Stampin' Up.   I have turned the DSP to be at the bottom so the folds show the reverse side (blue) at the top.  Often, the card is made so the end of the folds are towards the bottom.  I love this fun fold style as you can create different cards using the same technique.  

The card shown above was created in horizontal (5 1/2 by 4 1/4 inches) format.  The DSP was cut to size 11 X 4 inches as I was planning to use a mat (note the white mat).  However, you can choose to cut the DSP longer so you don't have to mat.  

Create fold lines by scoring at 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 10 inches.  The picture below shows the reverse side of the DSP I used and provides the cutting and scoring information.   

Fold the DSP at the scored lines being careful not to tear.   You can make the card horizontal (as in this case) or vertical, by varying the angle and corner length. 

Next, line the DSP along your cutter so the 3 inch crease line is at the cut line and the other end of the DSP corner is on the 1 inch mark.  When you cut this line, a diagonal will be created.  Varying these measurements can create various lengths of the drapery, which will provide different looks of the card.  

Instead of using a cutter, you can use a ruler (straight edge) and pencil to draw a cutting line and then use scissors to cut along the line.  Just be sure to have the 3 inches left for a base and 1 inch left at the other end to close the fold.  

Once the folds are created, glue between the folds to secure them.   If you are matting the card,  place the folded DSP on the base card (and mat) to determine the size and placement of the sentiment you choose to stamp. Stamp either on the mat or the base card prior to attaching the DSP.  

If using a mat, place the ribbon between the mat and base. Glue the mat, to the base card. Then glue the folded DSP onto the mat. 

If a mat is not used, place the ribbon around the folded DSP and then attach to the base.

The outside of the card is completed by adding three gold bumblebee trinkets.  

As mentioned previously, you can use the Drapery Fold style in many formats.  Below are two cards using the 6x6 Christmas DSP paperback, Tidings of Christmas. The cards are shown in vertical and horizontal formats.

Have fun using this folding technique!  

DSP Paper used:

*****The 12 X 12 Beauty of the Earth DSP. #155841 shown in the 2021-2022 Annual Catalog, page 130.

            Note:  This package contains several beautiful pages of DSP which will be used in my future posts.  To see those posts, search for:  Beauty of the Earth on the right side of this blog.

*****The 6x6 Christmas DSP package, Tidings of Christmas  #155718, is shown in the 2021-2022 Annual Catalog, page 133.
 

Thank you for posting comments.    

To move to the next blog, select from the link below:

Janice Piechowiak	Creating Treasures with Janice
Linda Moore	Moore Fun Stamping and Creating with Linda
Nedine Hunter DuPree	Craft Lounge Creations
Libby Fens	libbystamps
Kelly Taranto	The Late Night Stamper
Karen Egan	Crafty Karen Designs
Tricia Butts	Tricia's Stamping Creations
Eva Dietz	Homemade with Heart - Stampin' with Eva
Diane Marie	Creative Stamping
Cathy Rocca	FromTheStampStudio
Sue Kremer	NorthStarStamper
Tracy Byers	Cards, Crafts and Stamps with Tracy
Laurie Bradshaw	Craft Coach Laurie
Nancy Reynolds	Stampin' With Nutsy
Xenia Stanford	Heritage Stamp Arts

 

Hurricane Preparation

 Tropical Storm Ella Was a Warning!

If you have ever experienced a hurricane coming through your hometown, you know how important preparation can be to make it through the aftermath.  

My family and I lived near Charlotte, NC, when Hurricane Hugo came through. We didn't know what to expect and as we were about 150 miles from where it made landfall, we expected rains and some wind but not much more.  Well, we had over 18 trees demolished in our backyard and our town didn't have electricity for almost two weeks.  It was an experience we won't ever forget.

Having lived through this, and lucky that our home wasn't damaged severely nor our family harmed, I'm more aware of the necessity of preparation.  So here's my thoughts and recommendations.  Of course, check your local weather services for more in-depth recommendations and local rules and regulations.

1.    When you hear that a hurricane is forming (even if it's 400 miles away), fill up your cars/trucks with gas.  Gas will only become more expensive as the storm comes closer.  And the lines will become longer with possible shortages.

    Why get gas if you're not likely to have to go anywhere?  Gas station pumps use electricity to pump the gas.  The stations use electronic cash registers.  Emergencies occur.  If someone in your family needs to get to the hospital, you don't want to run out of gas on the way. Gas stations may be closed. And gas won't go bad, so why not get it first thing?

2.    Get cash.  I can't recommend how much money you should have, as that depends on your spending.  But I will say, not only gas stations but also grocery stores use electronic cash registers.  This means IF they are open, cash will be KING.  In fact, you should have dollars, not just twenties.  You may not be able to get change back on your purchase.  We found some stores were open but since they couldn't accept debit/credit cards, only cash could be used for purchases.

3.  Purchase water.  Water is so important and you really don't realize how much you go through in a couple of days.  About a day before the storm comes, fill up the bathtubs with water.  DON'T take a bath in it until after the storm is gone and you are back to normal.  Water in the tub can be used to flush toilets (bet you forgot that one!) and provide water to pets, plants, and washing dishes.  

4.  Set up your flashlights with NEW batteries.  Again, nothing is worse than having a bunch of flashlights and the batteries are low or not working.  Put the batteries INTO the flashlights and test them.  This is really hard to do when it's pitch DARK, so do it before the storm is close.  I don't recommend candles as so many accidents occur...kids, dogs, etc.

5.  Charge your phones.  Then use one phone at a time.  Don't have your entire family checking their phone or all of them will cease working.

6. Purchase a complete First Aid Kit.  If possible, get a wind-up radio, clothes drying rack,  bug spray, and Clorox/disinfectant.

7.  Obtain you insurance information and important papers in a water tight box.  Have them handy so once the storm is over, you can check your home and surroundings and if necessary contact your insurance agent.  If you're asked to evacuate, there's no time to run around the house checking storage and desk drawers for those important papers.  Also, don't forget to include shot records of your pets.

8.  When it comes time to clean-up, DON'T start using tools with which you aren't familiar.  Hospitals and 24 Care Centers are filled with accidents due to saws and axes after a storm.  And if you're trimming your trees and bushes, please make sure your children and pets are FAR, FAR away from you.  And don't let them play in the leaves and bushes as many snakes and bugs have taken to these to hide.

I'm sure you can think of many more recommendations.  But these are the ones I think are most important even for "little" hurricanes and storms.  Stay safe!

  

Celebrate the Holidays of Summer - July 4th

 

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS OF SUMMER 

 

 JULY 4TH

Summer brings vacations (or stay-cations), exciting camps, sleeping in late, movies in the park, swimming at the beach or lake, and the "birthday" of my country, the United States of America, on July 4th. 

Celebrating July 4th reminds me of eating strawberry shortcake, lighting sparklers, and watching fireworks.  It takes me back to my hometown with all the excitement and dreams of my plans for the rest of Summer. (We didn't start school until after Labor Day, so there was almost two full months before school started again.)

To celebrate the coming holiday, I created a card of red, white, and blue (how original, right?)  It may not resemble our flag but it focuses on this time of the year.  From Memorial Day to Flag Day to July 4th, we have our flags waving in celebration.  It is during this time that we reflect on the creation of our country and the brave men and women who protect our freedoms.  

Therefore, it was only natural that I would create a card to celebrate this glorious holiday.  Sometime when I make a card, I look at my "old cards" to get ideas.  Do you do that too? It's like CASE-ing your own cards! I also look in my stash to see what I can use to create this "new" card.  

Below is a picture of a Christmas card I completed about two years ago.  I used the layout of the Designer Series Paper (DSP) as an inspiration for the "Let's Celebrate" card shown below.  I used a Glitter Star Ornament and Real Red Sheer ribbon from the 2020 August - December Mini Catalog.  (Don't forget the new 2021 July - December Mini Catalog becomes available on August 3rd.). The Designer Series Paper (DSP) is also from my stash. [As a reminder, don't forget to check both sides of your DSP.  Sometimes the reverse side is the perfect side to use!]  It's so great that Stampin' UP DSP has beautiful designs on BOTH sides.  The sentiment was from my [aged] stash.  

The "new" card...

Note the Silver Star Ornament and the Real Red ribbon from last year's August - December Mini Catalog.

Did you make 4th of July or Celebration card(s)?  If so, please share!