Ornate Garden Design Series Paper - Perfect for beginner crafters or demonstrators

This is a long post – perfect for a beginner crafter or a demo looking for tips on designer series paper displays!  Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the inspiration.  (I'll tell you at the bottom why this post is not so useful for the experienced crafter!!)

I’ve created a series of cards that really show off our gorgeous designer series paper (DSP).  These card layouts are fun and easy, and so versatile as I’m sure they will fit with a stamp set you own.  I used the So Sentimental Set and the matching dies.

While it's nice to put out the 12 12x12 sheets on display to show our new paper, most crafters like to see it "in action" in projects and see it with the different coordinating colors.  Stampin Up specializes in color coordination, this makes it easy to make gorgeous professional projects!  Above left card is with Pear Pizzazz and right is Old Olive, both of these colors are in the paper and each one pulls out a different look.

So instead of simply passing out 12 sheets of paper (and worrying it will come back all crumpled or inky!) I create a card layout and use several of the papers.  Here's the basic layout 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 with layers.  You'll see my layer sizes are different as sometimes I like more or less white or background layers to show.   The basic layering is background layer 4 x 5 1/4 and the top 3 3/4 x 5 - but adjust these by 1/8 or 1/4 and you'll a different look.

Above I've used ribbon (whereas the first cards had "paper" ribbon).

You'll see I use a combination of matching cardstock as "ribbon" and then others with matching ribbon as well.  And you'll see I use different ways to use DSP on the envelope both front and back. For the back of the envelope cut 2 1/4" strip and adhere to the back and trim the excess, for the front it's a 1" x 4" strip.

Sometimes I put sentiments at the top or bottom, and most of these cards have the matching gold gilded gems.

This one is a long time favorite layout. It's perfect when paper has saturated color (deeper darker shades).  It uses a piece 3 x 4 1/2 cut into 3 strips 1" wide. You put these on a piece of white 3 1/4 x 4 3/4 using dimensions, add your ribbon (I attach is strip of ribbon and then make the bow and add with a glue dot). I love these stitched dies!!

This card is super simple, perfect for a class, or for a demo to pass out. The DSP is 3 x 3 (so 12 from a sheet) with a layer of gold (here I'm trying to show coordinating foils and cardstock and ribbon).  The layers are gold 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 and the Mint Macaron is 3 1/2 x 3 1/2.  I've attached matching 1/8 Mint ribbon around the first 2 layers, then add a bow with a glue dot and attach to the cardstock.  You could create 12 or 24 for a catalog launch party as a take-home gift and have people vote on their favorite pattern.

This one is featuring the gold accents.  So I embossed the greeting and used "gold paper ribbon".  I think embossing is super easy and has a wow factor. I often do this in beginner classes.  Quick tips are:  wipe your cardstock with an embossing buddy, use versamark ink, add the powder and flick the back of the card, heat.  Layers are 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 of gold, and 3 7/8 x 5 1/8 of the DSP

This is another classic sketch layout.  The designer paper is cut 4 x 4 1/4.  (4 is the width).  Along the LONGER side cut a diagonal slice, I started 1" down on the right and end 1 1/2" on the left.  

I added strips of gold paper (I cut them 1/2" and a bit longer, then adhere then trim).  I line up the top and bottom and then stamp in the space.  

If your greeting is larger you might shorter the LONGER side for more space for stamping.

I created a rose using 8 "petals" from the Varied Vase punch (smaller vase). You punch a  1/2 circle (which won't show) and then layer these petals.  Use a silicone mat to make it easy to release the flower.  When dry add leaves punched from the leaf punch (my most used punch).  I made 2 options, and went with the Rococo Rose option to match my ink, but I left the other rose (white/gold with vellum leaves in the photo to show you).

Another idea to display DSP is to make the same treat packaging in 3 different sheets.  I created the Chocolate Slider (thank you Debbi Green). 6 x 6, score at 2 1/2, 2 3/4, 5 1/4, 5 1/2.  Along the 1/2 score line (so it's 1/2 x 6) add tear and tape and make into a sleeve.  Yes it's open at both end. Punch holes at the top (bigger if your ribbon is wider, smaller it it's narrower ribbon) and insert about 28" of ribbon from front to back.  Now ease down your Hershey bar (the ribbon is now at the bottom of the bar) and then tie a bow. Decorate.  

For a catalog launch I created 12 different wrappers in 12 totally different DSPs and had people vote on a favorite, great way to show our matching DSP and ribbon. 

I also make a tag of all the paper swatches cut 3 x 1 1/2 punched with my tag topper punch, add in matching card stock, put on a 1/2" circle book ring (search Amazon or Walmart) and tie matching ribbon on the top. Great to pass around... and I don't mind if it comes back crumpled, sticky or inky!

I like to create a sampler showing all 12 sides of DSP. While it is much quicker and easier to make 2" squares, sometimes - like this Ornate Garden - some patterns are much bigger, some much smaller so 2" squares don't work as well.

Here's the full sheet - you cut it 8 x 10 (so it fits into a standard frame) and then make the squares.

Here it is in Black and White with the squares numbered and here are the dimensions:

1. 2 7/8 x 2 7/8

2. 2 1/8 x 1 3/8

3. 1 3/8 x 4 1/2

4. 1 7/8 x 3 1/2

5. 3 1/2 x 3 1/2

6. 1 3/8 x 1 1/2

You'll see I created the gold sheets in the same sizes (whites are square 4 and greens are square 3) to balance the look.

Finally I create these note pads both for myself and as a giveaway.  They are $1 for 3 in my Dollar Store.  I wrap a 12 x 4 (scored at 6 and 6 1/2) around the pad, decorate the front. The back needs a 1/2 x 4 contrasting strip to cover the edge. I put my logo on the back and give these away as a "useful business card".

I hope as a beginner you got a ton of great easy layouts and this inspires you open your DSP stash and start creating!!  If you are a demo I hope you got lots of ideas to showcase DSP.  I wouldn't use all of these ideas on 1 pack but rather select 1 or 2 ideas for each pack of DSP I want to showcase.

As an experience crafter, I'm sorry this wasn't a great post for you - I know you know layouts!!  But just in case you want to join our team, it's a great time to do so... a cute mini-trimmer, pack of paper, free set of your choice and $125 of any product - all for $99 no ship and NO further obligations!  And of course we all love our 20-25% discount on all future SU purchases!

We have a fun team with a ton of training, creativity, ideas, challenges and more!

Don't hesitate to ask my any questions, MaryKate@MaryKateScott.com

Happy stamping, MaryKate