Before I share today’s pick-me-up card, I want to make sure you know a couple of things that are very important to your happiness over the next few months (please excuse the quick rundown):
- Stampin’ Up!’s Designer Series Paper Sale offers a 15% discount on select Designer Series Papers from the Annual Catalog. The sale ends August 2, so don’t miss out. To see these papers in my online store, CLICK HERE.
- Stampin’ Up!’s July-December Mini Catalog launches on August 3 – the mini is amazing, and you’ll want to get your orders in early so you can get started on your holiday cards. I have mailed catalogs to all of my current customers and can’t wait to hear what you think!
- A two-month Sale-a-Bration kicks off August 3 (it’s the first time we’ve had Sale-a-Bration outside of the first three months of a year), and the products you can earn are THE BEST we’ve ever had. Can’t wait for you to earn free products when you buy the products you already want.
- I’m offering Product Shares and Designer Series Paper Swatch Books to give you a sampling of all the amazing papers, ribbons and embellishments. I’m opening my product shares tomorrow.
- I announced a Blog Candy Giveaway yesterday – and I’m not selecting a winner until tonight. If you’d like to play along for a chance to win, click here and leave a comment.
The card I’m sharing today is a simple pick-me-up card that’s perfect for a friend who’s having a rough time. I can’t quite think of anyone who’s experienced any stress or anxiety over the past year-and-a-half – either way, this card is a perfect pick-me-up for a stressed Mom or loved one who needs your support. There’s so much I want to tell you about this card, but first – here’s my card:
Tips, Tricks and Reminders
- Hand-Penned and Beautifully Penned. “Brian, I don’t recognize that black-and-white paper,” I hear you saying. It’s all good – you’ll soon know all about it. While it looks a lot like the Mint Macaron and white striped paper in the Hand-Penned Designer Series Paper, this page is from the Beautifully Penned Designer Series Paper, one of the Sale-a-Bration rewards you can choose with a $50 order between August 3 and September 30. I’m so excited about this gorgeous paper. First, here’s a look at the patterns and colors in the Hand-Penned Designer Series Paper, which is available now and on sale during the Designer Series Paper sale:
The Beautifully Penned Designer Series Paper is designed to coordinate with the colorful patterns in the Hand-Penned Designer Series Paper. Here’s a look at the colors and patterns in this Sale-a-Bration option: 
The pack includes 12 sheets (4 each of 3 double-sided designs). I am already in love and plan to earn lots of it in the coming months. ♥ - The Sun’ll Come Out. The image at the heart of this card says what you want to say to a friend who’s struggling – the sun will come out soon. I cropped the panel of Basic White cardstock with one of the dies from the Basic Borders Dies and then cropped a Bumblebee circle with the same dies so they fit perfectly together. Here’s a closer look at this image:
I want to point out how the lines in the two panels line up perfectly! Here’s a look at the Basic Borders Dies, one of the “unbundled” dies in Stampin’ Up!’s 2021 Annual Catalog (if you want to learn about all the others, click here): 
- Color Combination. When I set out to make this card, I was excited to combine the Mint Macaron and Basic Black panels. I wasn’t sure how I’d add another color, but I kept playing. When I realized I needed to add a sun, I reached for a scrap of Bumblebee cardstock (I would normally reach for Daffodil Delight but thought the muted Bumblebee would look great with the muted Mint Macaron. I couldn’t be happier with this choice. If you like this mix of Mint Macaron, Bumblebee and Basic Black as much as I do, please save this for future reference:
Bundles: Beauty of Friendship Stamp Sets: Beauty of Friendship Papers: Hand-Penned Designer Series Paper, Beautifully Penned Designer Series Paper, Mint Macaron, Bumblebee, Basic White Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black Accessories: Basic Borders Dies, Layering Circles Dies, Beautiful Trees Dies, Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals, Stampin’ Dimensionals
I hope you like today’s project and will take another look at some of these versatile and fun products.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Brian
Shop My Retired Products. I’ve been organizing the Fungeon to get ready for all the new products I’ll be ordering from Stampin’ Up!’s Holiday Mini Catalog. As such, I listed hundreds of retired products in my online store Friday – and so many were sold and shipped out yesterday. There are still lots of great products remaining – at discounts to help re-home them to you. ♥ CLICK HERE to read more about my Retired Shop. CLICK HERE to shop now.
Product Shares are Coming
With the release of each Stampin’ Up! catalog, I host product shares to give you a sample of all the papers, ribbons and embellishments the catalog has to offer. It’s such fun for me! I’ll be posting my shares tomorrow – I hope you’ll give my shares a look! Yay!
Designer Series Paper Sale
Between now and August 2, Stampin’ Up! is offering 15% off select Designer Series Papers. What a wonderful opportunity to pick up some new papers or stock up on some favorites!
- CLICK HERE to download the flyer for the sale that showcases all of the Designer Series Papers that are included in this sale.
- CLICK HERE to see these discounted Designer Series Paper in my online store.
Placing an order today? Of course you are! If you are placing an order for $150 or more, I want you to enjoy all of the Host Rewards you have earned. If your order is less than $150, I’d love for you please add this Host Code – X7C4AUU3 – when prompted. Thank you!
Love this design and your color combo. Can’t wait to see your projects with this up-coming black and white DSP, too. Let’s hope SU continues to offer a B&W paper with each new catalog!
Thank you so much, Linda! I love how this SAB paper coordinates with the one from the Annual. I share your hope for more black-and-white DSP. Thanks!
So adorable…love the color combo and you lined up those stripes perfectly!
Thank you so much, Windy! I couldn’t have them mismatched. 🙂
I love the DSP you used and the encouraging sentiment. It will give a lift to the recipient. Enjoy your day!
Thank you so much, Hilda! I was happy to find this sentiment, too. ♥
Terrific card and showcase of what the border dies can do!
Thanks, Mary! The dies are pretty wonderful. ♥
I love the way you always get stripes lined up. Do you use a micrometer? LOL Just kidding – I think today’s card would bring a smile to anyone’s face and it certainly would bring a bit of happiness to someone struggling.
Thanks for sharing Brian. You are a really sweet guy.
Thank you so much, Grace! I have the same hope. ♥ I cut everything precisely and then eyeball it to put it in place. 🙂
I love this! I may need to revisit those border dies!
There are some really great dies in the set. Thanks, Linda! ♥