2021 - 2022 New Annual Catalog Card Swap

 Recently, I participated in a card swap with other Stampin' Up demonstrators.  Have you ever swapped cards with other paper crafters?  I'm always amazed that Stampin' Up crafters create cards using the same crafting materials, maybe even the same stampset, and yet our cards are always so different.  That just shows how creative you can be with Stampin' Up products.

This time we created cards using the items found in the recently released 2021 - 2022 Annual Catalog.  I chose to participate in two groups -- each trading 10 cards.  Below are the two cards I made for the swap.  

The first card uses the Count On Me stamp set (# 155647) found on page 83 of the catalog and the Picture This die set (# 155559) found on page 164.  Using a pencil, I lightly traced the die on to a sheet of Basic White card stock to create a stencil. Using the penciled circles as a guide, I stamped different images in a few of the circles. Stampin' Blends were used to color the images.  Bumblebee cardstock was used for the base card.  Then, I sandwiched the Basic White card stock containing the colored images between the card base and the Cinnamon Cider card stock with the cut circles. Using the archived Stampin' Up balloon punch and a piece of scrap, I punched out a balloon.  In addition, I stamped the sentiment onto a small circle which was matted to a scalloped circle. Some dimentionals were used for height.   Finally, I added a few miscellaneous embellishments for the circles that didn't have an image and added a small cord bow.  

The second card uses the Daisy Garden stampset (# 155079) found on page 107.  Other demonstrators had used a special technique cards where the card is stamped in black and white and a small part of the stamped design is punched out and colored with Stampin' Blends.  I really wanted to try the technique and thought this stampset would be perfect.

It wasn't difficult to create, but making 10 cards required a little more organization.  Even though you try to assure that the punch cuts at the same place for each card, just a tiny movement can cause each punched circle to be slightly different.  Using a die would have been easier, but I didn't realize that until after all ten cards were cut and colored.  

Just Jade card stock was used for the card base, Bumblebee card stock was used for the mat and Basic White for the stamped image.  These colors helped me choose a Bumblebee trinket as an embellishment.  Brown ribbon was used for contrast (using the Bumblebee plaid gingham ribbon seemed too busy).  

By the way, the other cards submitted by the Stampin' Up Demonstrators were each unique and beautiful. Using these cards in a display at my classes will be a great way to show off what can be made using the Stampin' Up stamp sets and dies found in the 2021 - 2022 Annual Catalog.  I can't wait for the next card swap!