Stamptember 2020 Simon Says Stamp plus Riley and Company

Today is the day for the limited time offer of an exclusive clear stamp set from Simon Says Stamp featuring Riley and Company. The links are in the supply list below. I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of this adorable, sweet and hilarious stamp set and thought it would be just perfect to use with the Parcel Pop-up Magic Card technique.

This card measures 5x7 when closed. It features a magnetic flap closure, a clear panel front and a bottom fold. I was delighted to discover that our Tiny Accessories glasses fit the stamped characters perfectly.

Open the magnetic flap to reveal the first greeting, stamped on the decorator flap die from our Flap and Closure set.

Open the card and the magic happens. The Parcel Pop-up mechanism slides the transparency upward until it overlays perfectly on the version that has been colored. It appears as if the stamp has magically turned to color.

Here's a close-up of the tag that slides up. I used Copic markers to color the characters. The stitched square comes included in the Parcel Pop-up, as does the small tag at the bottom of the card. The large tag comes from the Circle Tag Book. Because the stamp was wider than the Parcel Pop-up, I had to make an adjustment to the pop-up by widening it. I did this by cutting a second mechanism, cutting it up the middle, and gluing the halves to the full pop-up. The new halves provided the back arms for the pop-up, now moved outward to accommodate the tag. To cover the front of the now-wider pop-up I used our Crosshatch Rectangles instead of the square that comes included in the Parcel.

Want to give this technique a try? Here is the video tutorial for how to turn the Parcel Pop-up into a Magic Card.

And here are the links to the products I used. Remember the stamp set is available only while supplies last and only at Simon Says Stamp. SSS also sells our dies as an option.

 

Christmas Greetings Evergreen Pivot Panels Tag Book

Our brand focus has always been to create die sets that build on and coordinate with the dies from previous collections. The idea is that you are building a collection and nothing becomes obsolete because newer dies will provide fresh combinations and new looks. This card features six of our die sets released in four different collections. Our Pivot Panels die sets are designed to work on their own in a card or, as an option, they fit perfectly in our Tag Book Pop-up.

This card measures 3" x 6" when closed and can be mailed in an A7 envelope. The front features the Snowman and the reindeer from the Christmas Animals.

Inside the card I swapped the pop-up mechanism that comes included with the Tag Book with the Evergreen Pivot Panels instead. I added a greeting using Word Set 3 - Holiday.

If you'd like to give this card a try you'll find the assembly videos for the dies on their product pages. 

 

Karen Burniston Designer Challenge 38 - In the Wild! Pumpkin Costume Card

Welcome to our September 2020 Designer Challenge.

Our theme this month is "In the Wild!" and I challenged the team to create animals by combining our Surprise Ball Pop-up with the new Bitty Ball Pop-up. 

For my card and video I wanted to show how the pieces in Animal Add-ons 1 can be repurposed to make a raccoon. I also thought it would be fun to show how any of the stacked animals can wear a pumpkin costume for Halloween.

Learn how to make this card by watching the YouTube video here:

This card measures 6x6 when closed, so it will require additional postage, both because it's a square but also because the bead closure on the front adds thickness to the card. I recommend a bubble mailer. The silver elastic cording is attached to the back of the card and stretches across to hook onto the bead/brad, keeping the card closed.

Lift the cord off of the bead/brad and the gatefold card will spring open, revealing a raccoon all ready for trick-or-treating in a pumpkin costume. The Happy Halloween greeting is from Halloween Charms and the backing oval is from our Ovals - Crosshatch set.

The pumpkin costume will fit any animal.

You also have the option to make animals (with or without pumpkin costumes) by stacking two of the same size ball dies. A note, though. The Bitty Ball die set includes animal accessories (arms, smile, pointy nose) that you will need to make the animals in Animal Add-ons 1. If you only want to invest in one ball die and animals are what you primarily want to make, then I would recommend the Bitty Ball. If you are looking for an Add-on set to use with your Surprise Ball only (no Bitty Ball) then I would recommend Animal Add-ons 2 because it includes arms. Hopefully that makes sense.

Want to give this card a try? Again, you can make the head, arms, legs and tail into any animal, so get creative with who will be wearing your pumpkin costume. Here are links to the supplies used. The plaid paper is from Echo Park in their Celebrate Autumn line from a couple of years ago. The paper on the pumpkin is a very old sheet of Basic Grey from my stash. The silver elastic cording is from Michaels, where you can also find plastic beads.

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Are you ready for more animal inspiration? Check out these amazing cards by our incredibly talented design team!

Fran Sabad made this masterpiece of a card to celebrate her daughter's first wedding anniversary. I actually attended that wedding, which I was surprised to learn was just one year ago, when it feels like a decade! There are so many amazing details to this card, but especially that the hippos rotate and kiss!

Karen Aicken did something very clever with her batty bitty ball - she put the Surprise Ball on top for a bigger head than body! Brilliant! Karen hand cut the wings and has a YouTube video explaining the details and tips/tricks for her card. Definitely check it out!

Kelly Booth has a favorite color and it's on full display with this wonderful teal elephant. I adore the way Kelly has added the flowers from the Flip Frame die set to make a flower tiara for the elephant. The matching small elephant from the Safari Animals on the front of the card is perfection.

 

Sandy Diller made a sweet birthday card using a Bitty/Surprise stacked elephant in bright fun colors. I particularly like the way she snipped out some of the individual fronds from the Fronds Pattern Plate to decorate her interior greeting strip. And whiskers as elephant hair is brilliant!

Frances Byrne made this absolutely stunning lion card. I adore the scene she created on the front circle using the new Landscape Scene. Her use of the crosshatch circle die to create a mane is a stroke of genius. Love it!

Lois Bak fashioned her favorite mouse for this magical birthday card. This is a great example of combining pieces from other die sets to expand your menagerie (circle dies for ears) as well as clever panel decoration to make clothes. Awesome!

Please join us next month on Wednesday, October 7th (my 25th anniversary!) for our next Designer Challenge with a theme of "Inspired by -" we will be taking inspiration from each other for this fun challenge.

Happy Crafting!

Karen Burniston Designer Challenge 36: Wing it! Just Chicken In Pop-up Card

Welcome to our August 2020 Designer Challenge.

Our theme this month is "Wing it!" and I challenged the team to incorporate wings into their cards. They have once again taken it to a new level with their creativity.

For my card and video I am styling our new Bitty Ball Pop-up die set as a chick for a "Just Chicken In" card. Watch the YouTube video to learn how I did it.

My card measures 5" x 5" when closed, so it will fit nicely in an A7 envelope for mailing. The front features a large circular window so the flattened Bitty Ball chick is visible. The top flap closure is magnetic. I used our Spring Animals chick with the bow from the Chicken, Pig and Lamb set to fashion a small chick for the front of the card. The rest of the greeting is made by using our Alphabet set and Word Set 10 - Thinking of You. 

Release the magnetic flap and the double-decker Chick will spring up. I used the included pieces in the Bitty Ball set for the wings, eyes, beak, feet and bow.

I think it's particularly fun to fashion large animals that match some of our smaller ones. I perched another small chick onto the wing of the big one. I also used an offset stack for the chick, with a flat-panel head atop a pointy-belly body. 

As I mention in the video, please don't limit your audience for these fun animal cards to just children. People of all ages would love to receive a card like this and especially right now, when we can't gather or travel. It's a great time to check in (chicken) on our loved ones. This could be the perfect card to brighten someone's day.

Ready to give this card a try? As of today, August 5, 2020, we are temporarily sold out of Bitty Ball Pop-ups on our website, but we have shipped orders out to the retailers and are currently shipping website pre-orders. You can check with your local store to see if they have Bitty Balls in stock or you can put in your e-mail on the product page to be notified when they are back in stock (estimated end of August). If you are in the UK, please tune in to our Hochanda shows August 7-8th where we will be featuring this new release. Hochanda will have Bitty Balls available for the shows as they reserved them early.

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Let's look at the great Wing it! cards by our talented Design Team.

Fran Sabad featured the new fairy from our Backyard Charms set on this delightful Castle Pop-up card. I just love the rainbow circle of fairies on the front of the card and all the touches of gold on the castle. Magical!

Sandy Diller stacked the Bitty Ball onto the larger Surprise Ball for this cute "when pigs fly" anniversary card. This is another great example of mixing a large version of an animal with the smaller version. Sandy mixed pieces from Animal Add-ons 1 and 2 to make the ears, snout and legs of the pig. So sweet!

Karen Aicken made this stunning clear sympathy card featuring the Flowers Pattern plate and our new With Sympathy word set. I love her choice of grays and whites for this comforting card. Absolutely gorgeous!

Lois Bak used the Fancy Label Accordion and Fancy Flourish Frames to make this lovely 4-page card featuring stamped butterflies. The colors are so vibrant and happy. Love it!

Kelly Booth shows off the new Flip Frame Pop-up on this sweet thinking of you card. I love her styling on our new Gnome set, plus the Backyard Charms fairy and dangling butterfly. Amazing!

Frances Byrne made an extended Circle Tag Book with a gorgeous mix of gnomes and Backyard charms. She cleverly repositioned letters from two word sets to make the "fairy wishes" greeting on the front. A delightful scene!

Please join us next month on Wednesday, September 2nd for our next Designer Challenge with a theme of "In the Wild!". 

Happy Crafting!

Karen Burniston July 2020 Die Release Blog Hop

Welcome to our July 2020 Release Blog Hop.

Hop along on the blogs of our Design Team to find inspiration for using these new die sets. Dies are available for pre-order now on our website with shipping starting the first week of August, 2020 in the order received. 

Leave comments on the blogs on the hops to be entered into a drawing for a $25 credit to our website. Each stop on the hop will draw a winner on July 27, 2020 and winners will be notified by e-mail. 

 

For my card I'm using the new Pop 'n Swap to create a "you are super" thank you card, complete with a superhero giraffe from the Safari Animals.

Here's the full video tutorial for this card:

My card measures 4.75" x 6" when closed. The front panel of the card is cut 2" shorter to allow the upper swing arm of the pop-up to be viewed when the card is closed. I rounded the corners with a 1/2" corner chomper. I used the new Safari Animals to create the giraffe, dressed as a mild-mannered cub reporter on the upper swing arm. I used the giraffe die to create the hair and clothes by cutting the body out of the appropriate color for hair, jacket, shirt and then snipping sections into the proper shapes. The collar and buttons are drawn on with a black pen. I added a pair of glasses from Tiny Accessories 1. The "you" die comes included in the Pop 'n Swap die set as does the heart. The "thank" is made using a Dymo label maker.

As the card opens the mild-mannered cub reporter starts to lower behind the pop-up rectangle while the other arm swings out from the bottom. Once again I used the "you" from the die set along with a label maker to create the greeting. The hearts and rectangles come included in the Pop 'n Swap.

Once the card is fully open the cub reporter is completely hidden and SuperGiraffe has appeared. I used the cape and mask from Tiny Accessories 2 and a tiny star from the Paper Frames Pop-up to dress the giraffe as a superhero. The patterned paper is an older piece of Basic Grey paper from my stash.

Ready for more inspiration for these new dies? Here are the other stops on the hop. Remember to leave a comment on each blog to be in on a drawing for a $25 credit to our website. Every stop on the hop will be drawing a winner on July 27, 2020.

Karen Burniston <----- YOU ARE HERE

Karen Aicken

Frances Byrne

Fran Sabad

Kelly Booth

Lois Bak

Sandy Diller

 

Here are the dies used on my Pop 'n Swap Thank You Card:

If you missed the preview video for the new release you can watch it here:

Karen Burniston July 2020 Die Release - Pre-order today!

We have sixteen new die sets available for pre-order starting today. Shipping will start the week of August 3, 2020 in the order received. Do please consider making your pre-orders at your local store if you're lucky enough to have one in your area. They need our help during these challenging times more than ever. If not, you will be able to pre-order from our website.

Watch this short preview video to see these new dies in action. We will be featuring them in a blog hop with our Design Team on Monday, July 20, 2020. 

A lot of customer and design team requests made their way into this release. For Cindy, her long-asked-for hippo, in honor of Fiona. A couple oft-requested word sets for Anniversary and Sympathy, and by overwhelming request, a smaller version of the Surprise Ball Pop-up and two Animal Add-ons sets to create animals with stacked ball pop-ups. If you need inspiration for turning the Surprise Ball (and the upcoming Bitty Ball) into animals, make sure you join our Facebook Group, Karen Burniston Pop-up Peeps. 

Karen Burniston Designer Challenge 35: Two Folds - Slimline Circle Tag Book

Welcome to our July 2020 Designer Challenge.

This month the theme is Two Folds. I challenged the team to incorporate two folds into a card of any theme. 

For my card and video I am adding two folds inside a long Slimline card to be able to extend the Circle Tag Book Pop-up into a 6-panel pop-up instead of 4-panel pop-up. 

Watch the YouTube video to learn how to create this effect:

This side fold Slimline card measures 3.75" x 8.75" when closed, making it fit perfectly in a No. 10 business envelope. The donut paper is from Doodlebug.

When the card opens the extended Circle Tag Book pops up, revealing six circles instead of the usual four. This is a great way to make full use of the length of a slimline card as well as creating a lovely display piece. Imagine this technique used with photos for a wonderful mantelpiece holiday card.

The two extra folds are created by the back two circles and by adding those folds, the Circle Tag Book can be extended. The two center circles can remain solid or can be cut as frames to reveal the scene created on the back circles. Experiment!

In the video I teach ways to alter the Dog die to create different looks. Two of the dogs make use of the bear's body from the Winter Animals for a standing-up pose. The other dogs are altered by simply moving the heads, ears and faces into different positions.

In the video I also teach how I fashioned larger donuts as backdrops for the words. The smaller donuts are from the Sweet Treats Charms. The banners and borders come included in the Circle Tag Book. The larger circles are from the Crosshatch Circles die set.

Want to give this technique a try? Here are links to the supplies used in the video.

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Now let's take a look at the wonderful inspiration by our talented international Design Team.

Sandy Diller created this lovely summer camping scene. By using a gatefold card she has two interior folds to animate pop-ups. She chose a hybrid tree (Christmas Tree base plus Tree upper) and the Tent Pop-up. Notice the clever way she created a lake. Fabulous!

Lois Bak used the billboard technique with the Surprise Ball Pop-up to make this cheerful milestone birthday card. I love the way she holds it closed with a belly band and all the festive balloons. Lovely!

Kelly Booth created a bottom fold card with an upper flap, perfect to animate the Palm Tree Pop-up which she then decorated with adorable stamps from MFT. I love the whole beachy scene she's created. Amazing!

Fran Sabad had a blast with this rocket/train combo in a gatefold card. The colors and styling are so bright and fun and I love the way she used the train cars in a circle for the card front. Incredible!

Frances Byrne used the billboard technique with the Surprise Ball Pop-up for this very special milestone birthday card for a friend's mother. I especially love her clever repurposing of rounded rectangle dies into cake tiers. Fabulous!

Karen Aicken also made a milestone birthday card and what a fun way to use two folds to create an outdoor patio scene using the Family Room Pop-up and the Palm Tree Pop-up. She added greetings in keeping with the times, making this even more of a keepsake card. I love it!

Please join us next month on Wednesday, August 4th for our next Designer Challenge with a theme of Wing it!

Happy Crafting!

Karen Burniston - KB Riley and Dare 2B Artzy Collaboration Blog Hop

Welcome to the KB Riley - Karen Burniston Dies and Dare 2B Artzy Collaboration Blog Hop! Our Design Team members are excited to share their inspiring creations using some of the fabulous products from both these companies.

 

To celebrate our blog hop we have four great prizes to give away. You will have the chance to win one of two $25 Gift Certificates to use on the KB Riley - Karen Burniston website or one of two $25 Gift Certificates to use on Dare 2B Artzy website.

 

Make sure you join the hop and comment on everyone's blog post for your chance to win one of these prizes. Winners will be randomly chosen from the comments left on ALL THE POSTS received by Friday June 26, 2020.

 

First up, let's take a look at an adorable card made by Tanya Kostynuk. Tanya made this clever underwater scene card featuring Dare 2B Artzy's Otterly Awesome stamp set (19280) and matching dies. The card is a side-fold A2 and features the Karen Burniston Nature Edges and Howdy die sets on the front of the card. To make the greeting dimensional, Tanya used double stick tape to adhere yellow paper to white foam, and then cut out the word using the die.

 

 

Open the card to reveal a pop-up underwater scene for the cute otters. Tanya cut the Gift Pivot Panels Pop-up die (1115) out of acetate for a "sea" though effect. Additional Karen Burniston dies used were 1037 Sea Animals, 1068 Ocean Animals (the octopus arms for the seaweed), 1006 Nature Edges (for the ocean floor) and Camping Charms (1049) for the fish. 

 

 

Next up is my card for the swap. I chose the Dare 2B Artzy Flip Flops stamp set and coordinating die. I used the Fancy Label Accordion die set and followed my video instructions to create a 3-page Fancy Charm Accordion. I used the Fancy Flourish Frames to decorate two of the frames and highlighted them with a black pen.

 

I incorporated pieces from other die sets as well. The large palm is from the Palm Tree Pop-up, the flip flops and small palm are from the Beach Charms, the waves are from the Tropical Scene die set, and the sentiment is cut out using the Rectangles - Crosshatch die set.

 

 

Because I typically use dies for all of my cards, it was a fun treat to get to stamp and color for this challenge. 

 

 

Here are the video instructions for how to create a Fancy Charm Accordion.

 

 

Here are the links to all of the participants in today's hop. Remember to leave comments on the blogs to be in the running for gift certificates to both company websites.

 

Dare 2B Artzy

Lois Bak

Kendra Sand

Frances Byrne   

Melody Blake

Karen Aicken

Karen Ostergard 

Fran Sabad

Avra Williams

Kelly Booth

Chris Pozzi

Sandy Diller 

Tasha Jorgensen

KB Riley - Karen Burniston Dies <---- YOU ARE HERE!

 

Products used on Karen's card:

Karen Burniston Designer Challenge 34 - Pattern Plates

Welcome to June 2020.

I had mixed feelings about posting a Designer Challenge at a time when our nation is so full of sorrow, struggle, anger and injustice. I considered, though, that our hobbies can be a source of peace in a time that feels so uncertain. Sending a handmade card can bring much-needed joy to others. It's very important that we keep our minds and spirits strong so that we can be part of the change this country so desperately needs.

And so, on with the challenge.

This month the theme is Pattern Plates. I challenged the team to use any of our Pattern Plates in a card of any theme. 

For my card and video I wanted to try something a little different. Spiral shapes can be used as pop-ups, and our Swirls Pattern Plate is full of little spirals/swirls. My thought was to attach the pattern plate to the Cupcake Pop-up and then glue the swirl centers to the card to create an interesting dimensional sculpture that could be decorated with cupcakes.

Watch the YouTube video to learn how to create this effect:

This top fold card measures 4.75" x 6" when closed, so it will fit nicely in an A7 envelope for mailing. For the front decoration I used leftover materials to create a simple lead-in. The large cupcake is included in the Cupcake Pop-up die set and the small cupcake charm is in the Birthday Charms die set.

When the card opens the cupcake pop-up comes forward and expands the spirals in the Swirls Pattern Plate. I covered the pop-up cupcake with one of our crosshatch circles to convert it into a generic backdrop for the swirl sculpture. The greeting is our large Happy Birthday die.

In the video I mention some other ideas for this technique. Treating the sculpture like streamers makes it perfect for any celebratory theme, like anniversary, graduation or retirement. But I also envision a cool look with underwater scenes, using the swirls as waves or seaweed. Our little animals also look adorable "climbing" on the sculpture. The frosting of all the larger cupcakes were cut from a piece of cardstock decorated with the same color Tiles Pattern Plate to resemble a dry embossed texture. 

Want to give this card a try? Here are the dies and supplies used in the video. The chevron patterned paper was a very old piece from my stash.

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Now let's take a look at the wonderful inspiration by our talented international Design Team.

Kelly Booth made this wonderful Coffee Cup Pop-up card and incorporated the Tiles Pattern Plate to decorate the cup itself. What a wonderful way to create texture on the cup. I love the masculine vibe to this card.

Kelly Booth made a second Coffee Cup Pop-up card and this time used the Swirls Pattern Plate to create the texture on the cup and front of the card. She went white-on-white for this card, making it look like a dry embossed texture. Such gorgeous colors!

Fran Sabad stacked three Tiles Pattern Plates on top of each other to make a dimensional frame for the front of this bright cheery card. The inside mechanism is the Upsy Daisy Pop-up. I just love the vibrant inking and uplifting (literally) feel to this card.

Karen Aicken combined some fun stamps from Riley and Co. with the Spinner Square Pop-up and Swirls Pattern Plate for a funny card about a dog named Shark! I love how Karen framed out the Swirls Pattern Plate on the front of the card.

Sandy Diller created this super cute Upsy Daisy Pop-up card featuring the Tiles Pattern Plate and the hedgehog from the Winter Animals. I love the bright fun colors on this and the way she stenciled the eyes differently on the two hedgehogs. Adorable! 

Frances Byrne has been rocking the popular slimline style of card. On this one she cleverly hid the seam between two Swirls Pattern Plates behind the castle spire. Inside the card the Katherine Label is used for the pop-up. This card just screams happy!

Lois Bak made THREE cards for the challenge! First up is a lovely mermaid card using the Swirls Pattern Plate and the Katherine Label Pop-up. I love how she sliced up the pattern plate to use it just on the bottom half of the card.

Next, Lois tackled the Flowers Pattern Plate, using two layered together for a gorgeous Heart Pivot Panels anniversary card.

For her final card, Lois used the Tiles Pattern Plate on a manly knight Father's Day card using the Rockin' Rectangle Pop-up die set. Lois really showed off the versatility of the Pattern Plates with her card variety this month.

 

If you are new to our Pattern Plates you can watch the assembly video here:

Please join us next month on Wednesday, July 8th for our next Designer Challenge with a theme of Two Folds. 

Happy Crafting!

Memorial Day Card and Free Shipping

Wishing everyone a blessed and safe Memorial Day Weekend. Within our family there is military service on both sides, including three late grandparents who fought in WWII, plus John's father (pararescue in Vietnam) and many uncles and cousins. We honor all of their service as well as the patriotism and sacrifice of all veterans and their families.

We are offering free shipping on our website for US orders between now and Monday, May 25, 2020. No code is needed. While you're there, be sure to also check out our new Pop-up Perks Program, a way to earn reward points. You'll find a purple "rewards" box in the lower right corner of our website for signing up. 

I wanted to make a Memorial Day card using our new Paper Frames Pop-up die set. My son Karl was in the room fixing my computer as I was planning the card. I knew I wanted to fashion an Uncle Sam outfit for one of our animal dies.

ME: Karl, what's the most patriotic animal?

KARL: A bald eagle.

ME: Oh yeah. Duh.

This card measure 3.75" tall by 6" wide when closed. I used a 1/2" corner chomper to round the corners. The Tiles Pattern Plate for the front of the card was cut out of white cardstock and then inked in patriotic colors. The labels and banners come included in the Paper Frames Pop-up die set.

Open the card to reveal the pop-up. Once again I used the Tiles Pattern Plate, but this time in the same blue as the card so it would be a tone-on-tone effect. I decorated with white stars. Our Alphabet set is used for the USA letters. 

The eagle is made with a combination of a Spring Animals chick head/legs and Winter Animals penguin body, plus the top hat and bow tie from Tiny Accessories 1. I used a decorator label in the Paper Frames set to cut a window on each side of the pop-up that I backed with a piece of the Tiles Pattern Plate. 

Here are the instructions for making the Uncle Sam eagle:

Want to give this card a try? It will also work well as a 4th of July card. Here are the products I used: