Welcome to my ABC’s of Stampin’ series.  Today it’s all about Designer Series Paper (aka DSP)! I love color and patterns and enjoy decorating my home with lots of different coordinating fabrics.  That’s one reason why I love Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Paper…it coordinates with our color collections. Here’s one example showing 5 colors that coordinate with this piece of DSP from the new Holiday Catalog, Petals & Paisleys Specialty Designer Series Paper.

Click HERE for a chart prepared by our amazing PALS leader, Mary Fish.  It has a list of all the Designer Series Paper and coordinating cardstock colors.  I keep a copy in my craft area for easy reference.

Today I am going to show you how to let the DSP shine! Stampin Up! Designer Series Paper comes in 12 x 12 or 6 x 6 paper packs. The paper has double-sided designs which gives you even more choices and variety for your projects. Here’s some tips for cutting your paper to make some quick and simple cards with DSP.  Start with a piece of 6 x 6 (or cut your 12 x 12 to 6 x 12 then 6 x 6).Cut the 6 x 6 to 4 x 6, then 4 x 5 1/4.  You will now have 3 pieces: 1 @ 4 x 5 1/4, 1 @ 3/4 x 4, and 1 @ 2 x 6.

You will use all 3 pieces to follow a simple “formula” to make a card and decorate the envelope.

Cut 2 inches off the 4 x 5 1/4 piece so you have 2 pieces: 1 @ 2 x 4 and 1 @ 3 1/4 x 4.  Turn one piece over so you have 2 different designs. Choose a piece of coordinating cardstock (4 1/4 x 11, scored at 5 1/2) and adhere both pieces.

 

You can attach a piece of coordinating ribbon or a strip of cardstock over the seam line. Stamp a sentiment and cut or punch out and adhere with Stampin’ Dimensionals. I used ribbon from the coordinating trio pack and attached a bow with a glue dot.  I used the Layering Circles Framelits to cut and layer my sentiment from Places You’ll Go stamp set. (Who do you think I made this card for?)

 

I used the small 3/4 inch strip on the inside of my card and the 2 x 6 strip for my envelope flap.  How cool is that-no leftover pieces!

 

Here’s another “formula” for using another 6 x 6 piece of DSP.   (I cut my 12 x 12 sheet to 6 x 12, then 6 x 6 so I had 2 6 x6 pieces.) This time I made 2 cards from the 6 x 6 DSP.  (Just because I had to use all the pieces!) For the first one I was inspired by one of my  Paper Pumpkin kits that had intricate die cut outs with a diagonal strip in the middle to add a sentiment, ribbon, etc.

I cut the 6 x 6 DSP into 3 pieces: 1 @ 2 x 6, 1 @ 4 x 4, and 1 @ 2 x 4.

Next I cut the 4 x 4 piece on an angle (slash), separated the pieces, and adhered to a piece of 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 coordinated cardstock.  You can stamp a sentiment, add cutouts, etc. So many possibilities!

 

I played around with different colors and cut outs and came up with this for a friend who is starting a new job. I layered the die from Sunshine Wishes Thinlits.

 

For my third card, I intended to use the 2 x 4 piece of DSP to make a banner using the triple banner punch but, I liked it layered on the card as it was.  I used the layered circle framelits to cut out my sentiment and coordinated layer and attached it to my card with Stampin’ Dimensionals.  The last piece of 2 x 6 DSP was used for my envelope again.  🙂

WOW!  3 different cards with matching envelopes from a piece of 6 x 12 DSP! And they were quick & easy!

I store my 12 x 12 DSP in plastic magazine files by color collections. It’s easy to see and grab what I need.

 

How would you like some Designer Series Paper to design some cards of your own?  You can get a sampling for FREE with today’s Back to School Special.  Simply place an order(through my online shop) of $30 or more (before tax and shipping) and use the Hostess code VS23B4FP  at checkout.  I will mail you a sampling of Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Papers.You will be able to make cards like these in a jiff.

I hope you have a Delightful Day!

Just Stampin’

Jeanie