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Welcome to Linda Ann Hinde's Tranquillity Cottage blog home page. As an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and retired teacher, I am dedicated to sharing my love of card making, scrapbooking, and planning with people who enjoy paper crafting. There will be times when I share my quilting and sewing projects, too. Don't be surprised if a picture of a favorite recipe shows up in the newsfeed since my interests are many.

My goal is to write about tips, techniques, and organizational ideas. I post a dozen card designs with free recipes on the blog each month, in addition to monthly planner suggestions, scrapbook sketches, kits, and helpful product links for select companies.

To stay in contact with you, I email a monthly newsletter with a complimentary card design with a project sheet. You will find my disclosure information on each post. I hope you enjoy the journey! Please follow my blog to receive updates.

Take care,

Linda Ann

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How to Stay Connected with Tranquillity Cottage Designs,

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Looking for All-Occasion Card Designs?

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Current and Past Card Gallery

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Helpful Tips with Planners: Leisure, Professional, and Personal

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The Art of Organizing Series

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Sales and Last Chance Products

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Tranquillity Cottage Designs

Linda Ann Hinde

Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Wisconsin, USA

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Elevate Your Homemade Cards Using the Latest Colors and Layering Techniques

Scraps of In Colors Create an Exciting Layered Card

While in my studio at Tranquillity Cottage, most mornings are a chance to explore my creativity! Today, I was in the mood to use layering techniques. I selected Kay Kalthoff's May 2025 demonstrator team planner, "Impressions Abloom," designed by Rhonda Wade. Tearing strips of colorful Stampin' Up! cardstock in the stunning 2025-2027 In Colors is a simple yet effective technique for creating backgrounds. 

Do you enjoy layering techniques? The "Thanks for Being There" card begins with an embossed Mini Corrugated 3D layer to elevate the layout. Next comes the five torn strips and faux Secret Sea linen ribbon. Pair your cardstock with the charming flowers stamped from the Impressions Abloom set and pop up with Dimensionals for an eye-catching design. The final touch is to add bling with flat pearls. 

Thank you to Kay Kalthoff and Ronda Wade for the inspiration! 

Read more about card making ideas in today's blog post. Layered cards are an artistic way to showcase and add flair to memorable cards.

Take care,

Linda Ann

Questions? Click on the navy button for additional blog information and quick resource inks.

Some posts contain Amazon affiliate or Stamp-n-Storage associate links, where I earn a small commission from qualified purchases. It is important to me that I only recommend quality products that I use and enjoy! I am also an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Tips for Layering in Card Making

Base: 

• Start with a card base using quality cardstock. Thick Basic White is a wise choice when using Stampin' Up! products. The colored card bases work well in cards, too. 
• A2 is a common size in the USA. A few examples of A2 card bases are (height x width):
• Portrait: 5.5" x 8.5" scored and folded at 4.25".
• Landscape: 8.5" x 5.5" scored and folded at 4.25".
• Tall: 11" x 4.25" scored and folded at 5.5". 

Mats:

• Frame the layers by using mats in similar or varying shades. 
• Mats created from Designer Series Paper will add a decorative touch to your cards. 
• Die cutting the mats add interest, while embossing provides texture to the design. 
• Tearing the edges of the mat creates dimension. 
• Use inked Sponge Daubers to gently highlight or lowlight the edges of the mat to add definition. 
• Consider tipping the mat for a non-linear creative touch. 
• When measuring for a mat, one tip is to add an additional .25" to the height and width. Cardmakers use a variety of measurements but the additional one-fourth of an inch is easy to cut - and remember. 

Die Cuts and Punches:

• The list of die cuts and punchs are endless! Consider using tags, flowers, labels, decorations, geometric shapes, and more to enhance the layers. 
• Dimensionals will pop up the die cuts to make them stand out on the card. 

Embellishments:

• Consider embellishments the jewelry to your card. They are the decorative touches that add sparkle or a personal touch to the layers. 
• Some examples are:
• Gems.
• Brass butterflies, dragonflies, hearts and more.
• Ribbon.
• Twine.
• Stella.

To learn more about creating the "Thanks for Being There" card, sign up for the August 2025 Newletter in the pop up box or on the sheet at the end of the HOME post.

A Free Card Project Sheet will be included.

(Note: Your information will never be sold and you can unsubscribe whenever you desire.)

Sentiment from Impressions Abloom

Thank you for shopping and supporting my small online business! 

Impressions Abloom Bundle (English) [165611]	Impressions Abloom Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [165605]	Impressions Abloom Dies [165610]
Nested Essentials Dies [161597]	Mini Corrugated 3 D Embossing Folder [165559]	Basic Beige 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [164511]
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [166780]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229]	Darling Duckling 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [165622]
Strawberry Slush 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [165625]	Timid Tiger 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [165626]	Cloud Cover 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [165621]
Secret Sea 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [165624]	Floral Impressions Suite Collection (English) [165617]	Floral Impressions 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [165603]
Secret Sea Classic Stampin' Pad [165285]	Secret Sea Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [165281]	Secret Sea 3/8" (1 Cm) Faux Linen Ribbon [165273]
2025–2027 In Color™ Flat Pearls [165192]

Adding a Border to the Inside of the Card

Click on the yellow maple leaf for further disclosure details.

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The Allure of Neutral Cards: Inspiration #8 in the Series

Father's Day in Timeless Plaid

Father's Day June 15, 2025

What type of card maker are you?

Proactive: Do you prefer to spend an entire day making cards for upcoming holidays? When you need a card, it is ready in a dated planner or card box. 

Diligent: When you need a card, all the cardstock is cut, sentiments are stamped on labels, and you can quickly assemble a card when needed. Your cards are always finished and delivered on time.

Procrastinator: There are five minutes to spare before the post office closes, and you are putting the stamp on the envelope. (We won't mention the lounging pants and slippers.)

Organizer: Are you between the well-prepared and last-minute card makers? Your supplies are ready to make the card in the morning and arrive at the post office two hours before it closes. 

Perfectionist: Another type who spends much time making cards but never mails or gives them to friends and family. There are many reasons why the card didn't get mailed: the post office was out of stamps that matched the address label, your order for color-coordinating envelopes didn't arrive, you are searching in the sentiment binder for the desired stamp saying, and the list goes on. 

Collector: We must acknowledge the collector. The maker who loves their cards so much they are gently tucked away in a container to admire. 

Did you decide on one characteristic, or were combinations that define you? 

In my opinion, it doesn't matter if there is a title as long as you relax and enjoy card making, scrapbooking, working on a planner, or any hobby of your choice. The outcome of reducing stress and enjoying being creative is an important goal to maintain good health! 

The "Allure of Neutral Cards: Inspiration #8" will help create a Father's Day card. My idea was Cased from a Sketch in a Stampin' Up! catalog, a perfect guide for neutral cards, and the sentiment can easily be changed to Happy Birthday, Get Well, or a stamped greeting of your choice. 

Read more about neutral cards in this post, and remember to click on the Google link for the free guide.

Take care,

Linda Ann

Questions? Click on the navy button for additional blog information and quick resource inks.

Some posts contain Amazon affiliate or Stamp-n-Storage associate links, where I earn a small commission from qualified purchases. It is important to me that I only recommend quality products that I use and enjoy! I am also an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.

Sketch for card #8

Looking for card making or scrapbooking ideas? Each Stampin' Up! catalog has a page of helpful sketches to give you a starting point. 

Thank you for shopping and supporting my small business!

Gone Fishing Bundle (English) [161542]	Gone Fishing Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [161535]	Gone Fishing Dies [161541]
To The Point Label Punch [164568]	Basic Gray 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [121044]	Basic Beige 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [164511]
Timeless Plaid 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [164678]	Floral Delight 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [164700]	Floral Delight Suite Collection (English) [164716]
Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad [149165]	Basic Gray Stampin' Ink Refill [149166]	Adhesive Backed Dragonflies & Birds [162743]

The Allure of Neutral Cards

How to Receive a Free "Allure to Neutral Cards" DSP Guide

Are you interested in a free spreadsheet illustrating images of Stampin' Up! Neutral DSP and recipes for example cards? Here are four ways to receive the handy guide, which is updated when new products arrive.

• Subscribe to the Tranquillity Cottage eNews at the end of this post.

• Check your email eNews if you have already subscribed.

• Comment "Neutral Cards" and I will direct message the Google link.

• Email tranquilitycottage@gmail.com with "Attn. Linda Ann" in the subject line.

• Click on the Read More link below.

 Do you have additional questions? 

Click HERE for a list of resources, including how to receive Stampin' Rewards and Free Customer Appreciation Gifts. 

Click HERE or on the yellow maple leaf for details.

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