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Project Inspiration: Butterfly Thinking of You by Brenda Noelke

Project Inspiration: Raindrops by Bobbi Lemanski

June 2025 Release Day

Guest Blogger: Yana Smakula

September 24, 2017      Nichole Heady      11 Comments

Yana's headshot

Hello, friends! This is Yana Smakula and I am excited to bring you my monthly video tutorial for Papertrey Ink from the “In The Studio with Yana” video series. I am sharing video tutorials on the 24th of each month, you can catch previous episodes here. 

Yana-smakula-2017-PTI-September-Christmas-Joy-Card-1sq

Today I’m sharing several tips I love to use in my everyday stamping. I’m showing how to create color variation (or gradient) on stamped images with the help of inks and sharing one of my favorite tips for creating thick, chipboard-like, but light weight die cuts.

 

 

I started working on my project by stamping a beautiful wreath from the Sprig Wreath stamp stamp set. I used 2 ink pads to ink the image up – Ripe Avocado to ink up the top portion and Olive Twist to ink up the bottom. I used my mini MISTI stamp positioner to stamp the image several times to achieve gradual color transition and desired depth of color for my image.

Yana-smakula-2017-PTI-September-Christmas-Joy-Card-2

I cut my image out using a coordinating die and I also die cut an identical shape out of regular white fun foam covered with Scrapbook Adhesives Adhesive Sheets on both front and back (you can also use Stick It or Spray Adhesive if you don’t have adhesive sheets). I love to use foam adhesive to pop my images up on a card, but sometimes I want to have a more solid layer, so instead of using foam adhesive I use fun foam and sticky sheets. 

Yana-smakula-2017-PTI-September-Christmas-Joy-Card-3

I stamped and die-cut “Joy” from the Wet Paint Holiday Tags set in the same manner. This time I used Pure Poppy and Scarlet Jewel ink pads to get a gradient. I die-cut a fun foam layer, but also added several layers cut out of Pure Poppy cardstock to have red showing from the sides of my piece.

Yana-smakula-2017-PTI-September-Christmas-Joy-Card-6

To stamp a background for this card I used images from the Wet Paint Holiday Tags stamp set. There are 3 solid circle sentiments that I really liked and so I stamped them in Soft Stone ink repeatedly to create a subtle background for my wreath.

Yana-smakula-2017-PTI-September-Christmas-Joy-Card-7

I like to use patterned paper for my cards, but for a different style of cards. When I am playing with my stamps I prefer to use them to make just about everything for my projects. That being said you can certainly skip stamping the background and keep you card cleaner and simpler, or you can use patterned paper instead of stamping.

Yana-smakula-2017-PTI-September-Christmas-Joy-Card-4

Once all of my piece were ready I assembled the card – foam mounted my wreath, added “Joy”, adhered die-cut pinecones and branches and stamped several red stars. 

Have fun stamping!  

Supply-list

  • STAMPS: Sprig Wreath, Wet Paint Holiday Tags
  • INK: Soft Stone, Dark Chocolate, Olive Twist, Ripe Avocado, Pure Poppy, Scarlet Jewel
  • PAPER: Pure Poppy, Stamper's Select White
  • DIES: Sprig Wreath dies, Wet Paint Holiday Tags die
  • OTHER: Spellbinders Platinum Die Cutting Machine, Spellbinders Tool ‘n One, Scrapbook Adhesives Adhesive Sheets, White Fun Foam, MISTI, Glue

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kelly W. says

    September 24, 2017 at 8:39 AM

    Beautiful card Yana! Wow, you’ve opened a whole new world to me with adhesive sheets and fun foam. I loved your video and appreciate these time saving tips so very much! What a lovely wreath and simple design to mass produce for the holidays, perfect!

    Reply
  2. Lizzie T says

    September 24, 2017 at 10:52 AM

    WOW! I have always been a fan of yours and I LOVE your tips and tricks! They are so helpful! Awesome card!

    Reply
  3. Marjorie Dumontier says

    September 24, 2017 at 11:01 AM

    That’s a beautiful card ! Yana is soooo talented !!

    Reply
  4. Debbie says

    September 24, 2017 at 12:36 PM

    Absolutely beautiful, Yana.It is always so wonderful to watch your videos. They are always so informative.

    Reply
  5. Kirsty Vittetoe says

    September 24, 2017 at 1:06 PM

    So pretty! Big fan of Yana!

    Reply
  6. Jennifer Thompson says

    September 24, 2017 at 7:47 PM

    Great video! Learned a couple of new tips, especially loved the one about keeping small dies together so you can stamp & cut them all at once. Brilliant!

    Reply
  7. Cynthia Johnson says

    September 24, 2017 at 11:42 PM

    Beautiful card! I love that wreath and the background. Thanks for the tips on making thicker embellishments.

    Reply
  8. Patsann says

    September 25, 2017 at 7:06 AM

    Awesome card Yana
    Thanks for the tips and inspiration. I look forward to your videos!

    Reply
  9. Suzanne Russell says

    September 25, 2017 at 7:44 AM

    Thanks, Yana for all of the great tips! Especially leaving the tiny dies attached and placing the coordinating stamps in your MISTI to stamp and die cut all at once. It never hurts to have a few extra for future projects. Beautiful card-love your style.

    Reply
  10. Susan from Colorado says

    September 25, 2017 at 1:34 PM

    Wow! What a great way to start the week! Learned so many great tips from today’s clip! Thank you!

    Reply
  11. see mary stamp says

    October 17, 2017 at 11:35 PM

    Just had a chance to watch the video. Wonderful tips. It’s so helpful watching how you use the Misti and die cuts. Love the idea of using fun foam with the Scrapbook Adhesive sheets.

    Reply

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Use the link to get 50% off - https://www.papertreyink.com/christmas-in-july/

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Day 7 of Christmas in July is bursting with holiday cheer! 🎄

If you love filling your card fronts with joyful messages and festive flair, this is for you! This handmade design combines classic Christmas sentiments in a playful word collage, layered over soft stenciling and framed with delicate snowflakes. The dimensional bow and glittery star topper add just the right amount of sparkle, making it feel like a wrapped-up gift of joy, peace, and love. Perfect for sending warm wishes to family and friends this holiday season! 💌

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✨ Comment June for product link!

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✨ Comment June for product link!

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  • Project Inspiration: Butterfly Thinking of You by Brenda Noelke
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  • June 2025 Release Day
  • Eclectic Charm Stamps and Dies + Build-A-Butterfly die + Build-A-Butterfly Stencil Collection
  • Reflections: Romans 8 stamps and dies + Build-A-Sailboat

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Jul 8

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Day 7 of Christmas in July is bursting with holida Day 7 of Christmas in July is bursting with holiday cheer! 🎄

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✨ Comment June for product link!

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Jul 7

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Ready to craft a little adventure? Our Going Place Ready to craft a little adventure? Our Going Places Stamp Set is such a fun way to add a playful travel vibe to your projects. It lets you create adorable custom tickets to tuck right onto your handmade cards. These cute little ticket stamps and sentiments make everything feel extra thoughtful. Perfect for sending off a friend on their next adventure, celebrating a big milestone, or giving someone the encouragement to chase their dreams.✈️

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papertreyink

View

Jul 7

Open
Christmas in July – Day 6 🎄 Today’s projec Christmas in July – Day 6 🎄

Today’s project is all about cozy farmhouse vibes with a fresh, festive twist! Our Day 6 project layers warm, rustic charm with sweet seasonal touches like a classic antique milk jug stamped with texture, bursting with greenery, and finished off with a bright pop of pumpkin spice 🍊🎃. The soft stenciled background adds gentle movement, while pearls and pierced edges bring in that handmade magic we all love. Whether you’re sending peace, warmth, or a little everyday gratitude, this card is a beautiful way to share a heartfelt hello this season. 

Click here for a link to our Christmas in July sale - https://www.papertreyink.com/christmas-in-july/

#papertreyink #christmasinjuly
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View

Jul 6

Open
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Some cards just take your breath away 🧡💜 This beautiful card by @brendanoelke pairs bold color with soft layers using our Build-A-Butterfly Die and the This is Big Sentiments: Thinking of You stamp and die. That dimensional monarch? Pure magic.✨ Perfect for sending a heartfelt “Thinking of You” with color, texture, and love in every layer.

✨ Head to the BLOG for a closer look and step-by-step inspiration! - https://loom.ly/s95_0fw
146 2

papertreyink

View

Jul 6

Open
Looking for an easy way to add a sweet detail to y Looking for an easy way to add a sweet detail to your projects? Our Tag It Mini Stamp Set & Die is my go-to for quick, adorable tags. It’s the perfect size for tiny greetings, thoughtful tags, or layering with bigger elements on your cards. Stamp a simple sentiment, cut it out, and you’ve got the sweetest accent piece that makes everything feel extra special.

#papertreyink #tagmaking #ministamps #minidies #stampingcommunity #stamping #papercrafting #cardmaking #handmadetags
314 11

papertreyink

View

Jul 5

Open
🎄 Christmas in July – Day 5! 🎄 This festi 🎄 Christmas in July – Day 5! 🎄

This festive design turns the Love to Layer: Ornament die into a dimensional holiday centerpiece, perfect for those of us who love building bold, joyful focal points. With layered greenery, stitched textures, and a bright mix of colors, this card is a celebration of holiday cheer in every detail. Whether you’re making a stack or crafting just one special greeting, this is the kind of card that gets saved long after the season ends. 

Don’t miss your chance to grab select Christmas products at 50% off - https://www.papertreyink.com/christmas-in-july/

#papertreyink #christmasinjuly
39 0

papertreyink

View

Jul 5

Open
If you love florals as much as I do, you’re goin If you love florals as much as I do, you’re going to adore our Floral Breeze Stamp Set! This set captures that soft, breezy feeling of flowers swaying in the garden. Try layering your blooms in soft pastels for a dreamy look, or go bold with vibrant inks for extra pop. These sweet blooms look so pretty on friendship cards, thank you notes, or anytime you want to send a little love in the mail.💌

#papertreyink #papertrey #floralstamps #handmadecards #papercraft #cardmakersofinstagram #stampinglove #diycards #craftycommunity
173 0

papertreyink

View

Jul 5

Open
Looking for a fun way to add playful pattern and s Looking for a fun way to add playful pattern and sweet charm to your card backgrounds? Our Hearts & Stripes Stencil Collection brings the perfect mix of whimsy and bold design with its trio of coordinating stencils. Pair classic stripes with rows of hearts for endless layering possibilities that add depth and personality to any project. Whether you’re blending soft pastels, vibrant brights, or trying fun techniques like embossing or texture paste, these stencils make it easy to create cards that feel fresh, modern, and full of love.

✨ Comment June for product link!

#papertreyink #papertrey #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #cardmaker #handmadecards #papercrafting #stencils #inkblending #craftersgonnacraft #makersgonnamake #stamping #cardmakingideas #diycards #craftycommunity
191 0

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Jul 4

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🎄 Christmas in July • Day 4 There’s someth 🎄 Christmas in July • Day 4

There’s something magical about building a card from the details up — and this festive design has all the cozy layers we love. From the sweet little bird and playful patterns to the dimensional poinsettia and pine, this project is a celebration of texture, color, and handmade holiday cheer.

Perfect for those of us who find joy in the process, this kit makes it easy to create cards that feel special and heartfelt. Whether you’re mailing some holiday happiness or adding to your collection, this one’s made to stand out.

✨ Snag it now at 50% off — only for this week!

Here’s the link - https://www.papertreyink.com/christmas-in-july/

#papertreyink #christmasinjuly
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