Step Class Samples

This time for class we're making step cards.  We're using the Storybook Garden Patch Bundle (which is currently on last chance), along with some discontinued products (Market Goodness stamps & dies and To Market papers).  I've got 3 example cards.

Card #1:  

Here I made a center step card using both sides of the tomato patterned paper panel to decorate it.  

Here's a quick look at a general how-to diagram for Center Step Cards.  For this make I started with a card base that was 5 1/2" x 8 1/2".  In order to allow plenty of room for my focal, I chose fairly narrow sides and bottom band - with brown and red arrows all indicating a 3/4" distance (note that the 3rd red arrow distance is from where the score line normally would be to the new score line).   

To Decorate:

I matted the tomato side with the green cardstock.  I used the Market Goodness cutting dies to cut out some misc vegetables from another paper in the set.  I also die cut a "bag" from white cardstock and stuffed it with some of these vegetables.  I added the bag and the yellow pepper with Mini Stampin' Dimensionals and tomatoes and onions with glue.  The greeting was a stamp from Market Goodness stamp set.  I fussy cut it and added it with more Mini Stampin' Dimensionals.

Card #2:

This time I made a side step card based on the following diagram:

 

I decorated with Blackberry Bliss cardstock and more of the designer paper. (I used the Soft Waves 3D embossing folder for the main focal mat). The focal was created with a stamp from the Christmas Greenery bundle. I used Fresh Freesia and Blackberry Bliss Stampin' Blends.  Since there isn't yet a Garden Green Stampin' Blend, I used a Water Painter and Garden Green ink.  After die cutting it, I added it with Mini Stampin' Dimensionals.  The other flowers were fussy cut from one of the papers - I put the back one on cardstock first to give it more stability.  The greeting was stamped using a stamp from Market Goodness.  It and its mat were die cut using Perennial Postage dies.

Card #3:

This last card is what I call a Cheater's Step Card or Two-Piece Step Card.  It is made with two pieces of cardstock instead of one.  While it uses more materials, it doesn't require the cut slits.  Before I got my Stampin' Up! Paper Trimmer, I had to use a craft knife and ruler to cut the slits, so it was a bit of a pain.  But it's so easy to cut slits with that paper trimmer, that I almost never use this method any more.

 

The first piece is simply made like a normal card blank with fold in the center - only narrower (however wide you want).  It's the 2nd piece that makes the difference.  Here's a picture showing how you would prepare the cardstock depending on whether you wanted a Center Step or a Side Step card:

 

 

It is again decorated with the designer paper that I used in various pieces.  As you can see, I even fussy cut a piece of it for the front right panel.  The other two steps used the back side of the panel - die cut with one of the dies from the Storybook Garden Patch Bundle.  I also used pieces from that bundle to decorate the left side, though I wish I had used the back side of it so it didn't look so busy!  Anyway, the carrots and beets that I put on the right side (some are IN the "dirt" and can be pulled out!" - so cool!) were actually from the Market Goodness Bundle - not sure why I used that instead of the rest of the ones in the Storybook Garden Patch! Anyway, the sentiment was one from the discontinued set called Flower Cart.  As you can see, I matted it on a scrap of Garden Green cardstock.  Most of the elements on the right side (except for those "in the ground") were glued in place.  Those on the left were added with Mini Stampin' Dimensionals.