For this week’s Mojo Monday sketch, Bella Bleu Series Designer Paper was just crying out to be used. I love mixing the patterns from the same series, since the colors unify the design. And, with the latest Stampin’ Up! promotion in celebration of National Scrapbooking Week, you can buy three Designer Series Papers or 12″ x 12″ Textured Card Stocks, and get 1 free! Click here to read more about this exciting special. I am such a push-over for Designer Series Papers…I will certainly be stocking up! Although this card looks like it took hours to make, you will be surprised at how easily it comes together. The trick is in the paper!

• Make a standard size card base out of Kraft card stock. It’s neutral color blends well with Bella Bleu.
• Select three coordinating papers from the Bella Bleu Designer Series Papers. A vertical strip will run down the left hand side, while two horizontal blocks (large and small), are located on the right hand side. Using the picture as a guide, adhere to your card base.
• Use the Scallop Edge Punch to form a scalloped strip of Night of Navy Textured Card Stock to add contrast.
• More textured card stock is used to form a Bordering Blue rectangle.
• The Rose Image from the Dear Friend Hostess Level I set was inked with Almost Navy, and stamped onto Very Vanilla, which was then matted onto Night of Navy. Stampin’ Dimensionals were used to “pop” this image mat off of the card.
• The “Dear Friend” sentiment from the same set was stamped on Very Vanilla, then punched out using the Word Window Punch. Two silver brads were used to attach it to the card.
• A snippet of Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon was used to add just a hint of contrast.
• As a final touch, three Filigree Brads add pizzazz!

It’s amazing how easily cards come together with the right paper. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to stock up on your favorites!

Click here to access the Occasions Mini Catalog!

Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies Now!

Stamp Set: Dear Friend (Hostess Level I 113413)
Inks: Not Quite Navy (103008)
Designer Series Paper: Bella Bleu (113974)
Card Stock: Rich Regals 12” x 12” Textured Card Stock (108696), Very Vanilla (101650)
Tools: Scallop Border Punch (112091), Word Window Punch (105090)
Embellishments: Filigree Brads (112577), Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon (109067)
Adhesives: SNAIL Adhesive (104332), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

• Using Stampin’ Write Markers, ink the “Grad” stamp from the Great Grad set with Handsome Hunter (or appropriate school color) for the letters, and Basic Black for the mortarboard. Stamp on Whisper White card stock, and mat onto Basic Black, followed by Real Red and Brilliant Blue card stocks.
• Adhere to Whisper White and attach to a card base. Tip: I used Handsome Hunter, a school color of this graduate.
• Ink the “Congratulations” sentiment using Handsome Hunter, Real Red, and Brilliant Blue Stampin’ Write Markers and stamp onto a strip of Whisper White card stock which is slightly wider than your card. Tip: “Huff” on the stamp to remoisten the inks if necessary.
• Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig, perfectly place your stamp in order to make a continuous stamped image.
• Mat onto Real Red and cut to the width of your card. Adhere at the bottom of the card base.
• Ink the mortarboard section of the Grad stamp and stamp again onto Whisper White card stock. Cut out using your paper snips. Using a scrap of embroidery floss, fashion a tassel and adhere to the underside of the mortarboard with a Mini Glue Dot. Place this mortarboard with tassel in position above the original.

This is a quick and easy card, yet it can be totally customized to the school colors of your choice! Graduates, move your tassels!

Click here to access the Occasions Mini Catalog!
Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies Now!
Stamp Set: Great Grads (114976)
Inks: Stampin’ Write Markers in Handsome Hunter(105116), Real Red (100052), Brilliant Blue (100057), Basic Black (100082)
Card Stocks: Whisper White (100730), Basic Black (102851), Real Red (102482), Brilliant Blue (100721), Handsome Hunter (105122)
Adhesives: SNAIL Adhesive (104332), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

• Using the Big Shot and Diamond Texturz plate, texturize a piece of Very Vanilla card stock. The Corner Rounder Punch adds interest to two of the corners. Adhere to a card base of Basic Black. By referring to the picture, you can see how I left justified the Very Vanilla to add visual interest. Tip: Texturizing is a quick way to add depth and dimension to a card, and so easy with the Big Shot.
• Make a paper ribbon from Basic Black card stock and once again use the corner rounder on the two right hand corners. Adhere to the Very Vanilla texturized mat. Add a small snippet of Very Vanilla Grosgrain ribbon on the right hand side.
• Ink the “Congratulations” sentiment from the Congrats set with Basic Black ink. Use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to perfectly place this on Very Vanilla card stock. Adhere to the Basic Black paper ribbon. Tip: If you have difficulty positioning your stamps, try the Stamp-a-ma-jig. It is one the tools that I cannot live without. Please note the Congrats set was available during Sale-a-bration. But, don’t despair…The Hugs and Wishes stamp set also contains a similar Congratulations sentiment!
• Ink the “Graduate” circle from the Great Grads stamp set with Basic Black. Stamp onto Very Vanilla card stock, and trim into a square. Use the Ticket Corner Punch on all four corners and mat onto Basic Black. Use Stampin‘ Dimensionals to position onto the Basic Black paper ribbon.
• As a final touch, position three black brads on the left hand side of the Very Vanilla texturized mat. Tip: You can perfectly place your brads with the Brad and Paper Piercing Template that is included in the Mat Pack. Once again, it is one of my must have tools.

Order Your Stampin‘ Up! Supplies Now!
Stamp Sets: Congrats (SAB 113770), Great Grads (114976), Hugs and Wishes (114986)
Ink: Basic Black (101179)
Card Stock: Basic Black (102851), Very Vanilla (101650)
Tools: Big Shot Die Cut Machine (113439), Texturz Plates—Stampin‘ Up Backgrounds I (114512), Corner Rounder Punch (109047), Ticket Corner Punch (107214), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Mat Pack (105826)
Embellishments: Very Vanilla 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon (109055), Shimmer Brads (Making Memories)
Adhesives: SNAIL Adhesive (104332), Stampin‘ Dimensionals (104430)