Welcome to the Pals August 2018 Blog Hop. We love to cut it out so this month our creations feature our favorite “cuts” using punches, Framelits, and Thinlits from the current Stampin’ Up! catalog.

You may be starting the hop here or coming from a previous Pal’s blog. Either way, you’ve come to the right place. You’ll find the full line-up below to help you move, or “hop” along from Pal to Pal.

Cut it Out! Lilypad Lake Birthday Card

Since the Lilypad Lake Bundle has die cuts that coordinate with all the stamped images, I decided to use that set to create a birthday card for the Pals Blog Hop: Cut it Out!  The largest die cut from the Limited Release Stitched Season Framelits creates a framed card scene that makes the card stand out.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. With a Stampin’ Trimmer, cut a piece of Coastal Cabana Cardstock to 4 1/4″ x 11″.  Score and fold at 5 1/2″.
2. Using an Aqua Painter, create a watercolor wash background on a piece of Watercolor Paper.  I used Classic Inks:  Sahara Sand, Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay, & Crushed Curry. After the ink dries, crop out the background using a Big Shot and the largest label die from the Stitched Seasons Framelits Dies.  Adhere to the center of the card base with Snail Adhesive.
3. Cut a piece of Coastal Cabana Cardstock to 4 1/4″ x  5 1/2″.  Crop the frame using the same Stitched Seasons Framelit Die.  Adhere to the card base with Foam Adhesive Strips.
4. Stamp the following images onto Shimmery White Cardstock using Stazon Ink:  Sun, Sail Boats, Lilypads, Crane. Crop with a Big Shot and the coordinating dies from the Lakeside Framelits Dies. Also, crop two grass die cuts of Shimmery White Cardstock.
5. Color the images with an Aqua Painter.  Crane: Smoky Slate, Grass: Old Olive & Pear Pizzazz, Lilypad: Petal Pink, Old Olive, & Pear Pizzazz, Sail Boats:  Smoky Slate & Coastal Cabana, Sun: Crushed Curry & Mango Melody
6. Adhere all images with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals.

The card is fairly simple to create, I recommend using a fair amount of water when creating the watercolor wash background.  I applied the ink at an angle, adding a bit more ink to spots that I wanted a little deeper tone.