I had fun doing a mystery stamping on a Facebook Live last Friday night as part of the pre-festivities for the new catalog open house. I’ve included the video for your viewing pleasure if you would like to watch in this post. But, I know some of you like things spelled out for you, so I wanted to give you the directions here in a nutshell. First of all, I wanted to share the cards I created.

In this first card, I stamped full strength.

I used the beautiful new Expressions in Ink suite found on p. 96-97 of the new catalog. I don’t know what’s more incredible, the paper or the stamps!

In this card, I used the reverse side of the paper and stamped off before stamping my image.

To create a space to write, I inserted a piece of white on the back. Of course, you have to add a stamp to that as well.

Here is the video if you’d like to follow along as a it was presented as a mystery stamping opportunity.

Here are the dimensions in case you missed it in the video.

Preparation:

1.  1 piece of color CS cut to size 5-½” X 8-½” 
2. Same color CS cut to 2-¾” X 4”
3. White CS cut to 2” X 5-¼” and another piece cut to 2-½” X 3-¾”
4. Coordinating DSP (you will want one that you can use the front and back of) cut to the following:

• 2 pieces 1-¾” X 5-¼”
• 2 pieces ⅞” X 5-¼”
• 1 piece 2” X 5-¼”

You will also need a stamp set that has some image and a saying, as well as coordinating ink.  You may want to choose a set that has coordinating dies or a punch, but that is up to you.  In addition, you will be scoring, so you will need a scoring tool of some sort or a ruler.  As always you will need adhesive and if you so choose, embellishments.

Step 1:

1.  Score the 5-½” X 8-½” piece of CS at 2”, 3-⅛”, 5-⅜” and 6-½”
2. Fold as follows starting with the 2” score line:  valley fold, mountain fold, mountain fold, valley fold.

Step 2:

1.  The front of the card is where the raised center is.
2. Adhere the 2” X 5-¼” piece of DSP here.  At this point you will need to decide which side you want to face up.  You will be adhering the other 2 larger pieces of DSP on the front of the back 2 panels.  You need to makeup your mind whether all 3 of these will be facing the same direction or whether the center will be the opposite side.  I usually choose to keep these the same side up as the smaller pieces of DSP go in the little panels in-between these and I flip those over, but you need to “do you!”
3. To complete this step…adhere all the DSP on the front of the card with the coordinating-sized panels.

Step 3:

1.  At this point, you are going to stamp and decorate the 2-½” X 3-¾” piece of CS.  You may want to use scrap paper and cut out images.
2. Stamp a sentiment here if desired.
3. Mount the white CS to the 2-¾” X 4” piece of color CS.
4. Adhere this to the front center panel in the center.  Be sure to only put adhesive in the middle of the CS.

Step 4:

1.  With the remaining 2” X 5-¼” piece of white CS, you can stamp an image or an inside sentiment here.
2. Adhere this to the back of the card in the center.  This is the “inside” of the card.
3. Push the accordion together to insert into an envelope.

Here are a couple cards that 2 others created and shared with me. I think you will agree these two are very talented stampers! This first card was created by Judy R. Look at the intricate fussy cutting she did on the hydrangeas!

This next one was created by Pat K. It’s a very timely card in case you need an idea for Father’s Day!

If you’d like to order any of the supplies used in my projects above, just click below!

Product List

Artistically Inked Bundle (English) [155456] $53.00	Evening Evergreen Classic Stampin' Pad [155576] $7.50	Evening Evergreen 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [155574] $8.75	Expressions In Ink 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper [155464] $15.00
Polished Pink Classic Stampin' Pad [155712] $7.50	Versamark Pad [102283] $9.50	Metallics Embossing Powders [155555] $18.00	Gold Foil Sheets [132622] $5.00
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [159276] $9.75