Ornamental Punches - Stampin' Up!® Ornamental Christmas

 It's been a busy week designing for lots of fun reasons and today is no exception!  I've been invited to be a guest designer for Stampin' Through the Catalog today (Facebook and Instagram).  I get to create and share a project which Melody, Cindy and Kaitlyn will use as inspiration to create their own projects.  I have to admit that I was a bit stumped on what to make!  They said I could make any kind of project using a current stamp set.  That's it. No other parameters.  It was really hard deciding and also a bit intimidating because I am constantly inspired by their work and the work of past guest designers so I definitely wanted to do it justice.

  As is the case when under the pressure of no parameters and trying to come up with a "good idea" every single thing I made was super ugly. I had not a shred of objectivity on telling whether something was Stampin' Through the Catalog worthy or not so I showed my husband my top 2 choices and let him decide.  lol.

  A Christmas theme is a safe bet this time of year and I've loved using the Ornamental Christmas bundle but wanted to do something a bit different from the white/black/gold of the suite samples shown by Stampin' Up!®.  I always love a good non-traditional color combo for Christmas and this one is a bright pop of fresh colors!  Lemon Lime Twist, Old Olive, Petunia Pop and Fresh Freesia take center stage for this design!

  I started with a Basic White thick card base.  Then using 1" x 5 1/4" strips of cardstock in my colors and the A Little Cheer mini punches I created a fun background by punching the Christmas shapes out in a random pattern across each strip and then adhering the strips to the card front.  It's always a bonus to find ways to use the 1 inch wide strips of cardstock I always end up with!

  With all the brightness of the background I wanted to keep the rest of the elements fairly simple so I embossed the sentiment in gold onto a Traditional Label die cut and then backed it with a bit of Petunia Pop ribbon.  The tree is also embossed in gold on Old Olive cardstock. Both die cuts are popped on dimensionals.

  A gold foil punched star tops the tree and a few clear/gold Strawberry Slush & Pretty in Pink gems accent the edge of the sentiment label.

  It's been great fun (if a little nerve-wracking) participating with Stampin' Through the Catalog and I'm honored to have been asked!  I can't wait to see their projects! You can follow them on Instagram or on Facebook.

Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Ornamental Christmas (Online Exclusive)

Ink: Versamark

Paper:  Lemon Lime Twist, Old Olive, Petunia Pop, Fresh Freesia, Basic White thick, Basic White, gold foil

Accessories: A Little Cheer mini punch pack (Online Exclusive), Ornamental Christmas dies, Traditional Label dies, Petunia Pop ribbon, gold embossing powder, dimensionals, Strawberry Slush & Pretty in Pink gems

    

Halloween-ish Treat Pouches - Stampin' Up!® Jolly Delivery Dies

   

  The fabulous New at SU! blog hop is back today and we're sharing fun "Treat" ideas so you'll see great inspiration for treat packaging/gifting for all different occasions throughout the year.  We are sharing ideas from across the world so be sure to hop all the way around with us and say hi (links at the bottom of this post).

  I used the Jolly Delivery dies to make a fun little treat pouch for my project.  I'm calling this "Halloween-ish" due to the colors and the chocolate packaging but I didn't really have a stamp set that was Halloween so I'm using the Fluffy Squirrel bundle.  This fluffy friend seemed like a cute addition and he is holding a jack-o-lantern after all!  This pouch can work for all occasions; just swap out the colors and stamps to make it unique for your event.

These cute little Ghirardelli Halloween chocolates fit nicely as will the regular Ghirardelli chocolate squares.  I didn't have any Reese's peanut butter cups but I think a regular sized one would fit as well.  

  I stamped and punched out the sentiment for the top flap and used the colors of the chocolate wrappers for the backing of the sentiment.

  The squirrel and pumpkin are stamped and fussy cut and added to the front of the treat pouch with dimensionals.  See the video below to see how to put it together.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this project can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Fluffy Squirrel, Choose Happy

Ink: Memento Black, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, Pumpkin Pie

Blends: Pumpkin Pie light & dark

Paper: Basic Black, Basic White, Granny Apple Green, Blueberry Bushel

Accessories: Jolly Delivery dies, Timid Tiger Faux Linen Ribbon

Coral Bloom - Stampin' Up!® Impressions Abloom

   Not only do I have a sweet Clean and Simple card to share today I've got the fun news that I'm joining the CAS Colours & Sketches challenge as a member of the the Design Team.  This group knocks it out of the park every challenge with fun, creative ways to make clean and simple cards and I'm excited to learn from them and stretch my CAS muscles! 

  My first challenge is a vibrant color combination that could be perfect for so many types of cards! 

  I decided to go with a floral thinking of you card.   I kept this one very simple with lots of open space.

  The Impressions Abloom stamp set continues to be a favorite with the lovely detail dies that give just the right amount of texture to the flowers.  It's currently on the Last Chance list so don't wait if you haven't gotten it yet; it's while supplies last.

  I stamped the outline in Calypso Coral, the fill layer is Timid Tiger but stamped off once and the centers are Crushed Curry.  The die cut flowers are popped up around a Spotlight on Nature die cut circle.

  The sentiment is stamped in Memento black and is from the Beautiful Motifs stamp set.

  I hope you'll all join in with the fun at CAS Colours & Sketches and share your take on these colors in the challenge gallery!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

  All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Impressions Abloom (Online Exclusive), Beautiful Motifs

Ink: Calypso Coral, Timid Tiger, Crushed Curry, Memento Black

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White

Accessories: Impressions Abloom dies (Online Exclusive), Spotlight on Nature dies, dimensionals

Late Summer Florals - Stampin' Up!® Floral Impressions

   Happy Monday all!  I hope you had a fun weekend and got to do a lot of stamping!  lol!  I have a super fun but busy week ahead so be sure to check back and see what I'm up to!  My card today is one that I designed and then made a whole stack of the last week of September for my monthly customer thank you cards.  It took me a hot minute to get them written out and in the mail so now I'm finally getting around to sharing them here!  Things are feeling a bit more fall-like than when I first made this card so if you're getting summery vibes that's kind of where I was a few weeks ago!

I pulled my colors from the Floral Impression DSP and used Mossy Meadow for the card base, then a layer of Crushed Curry and then finally a piece of Basic White embossed with the Soft Waves embossing folder.

 Strips of the DSP and then another in Mossy Meadow are added to one side of the card front. The sentiment is from the Notes & Totes stamp set and is stamped in Mossy Meadow onto a Spotlight on Nature die cut circle.  I popped the circle on dimensionals and then added a small Crushed Curry flower from the Floral Impressions stamp set along with a little leaf.

  I accented the top corner with a few retired Milky Dots that matched the deep yellow of the flowers perfectly.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Notes & Totes, Floral Impressions

Ink: Crushed Curry, Pecan Pie, Mossy Meadow

Paper: Mossy Meadow, Crushed Curry, Basic White, Floral Impressions DSP

Accessories: Soft Waves embossing folder, Spotlight on Nature dies, Floral Impressions dies, dimensionals, Milk Dots (retired)

Gold Tree Trio - Stampin' Up!® Ornamental Christmas

   I'm continuing to add to my Christmas card stash slowly but surely and I've got another one today.  I love the simple Christmas tree shapes in the Ornamental Christmas stamp set as they can be changed up in lots of different ways for a variety of looks.

  I used gold along with some light shades and the Ornamental Christmas bundle to bring this one together.  I started with a Balmy Blue panel embossed with the Forever Plaid embossing folder for the background.  I blended a bit of Balmy Blue ink along the edges just for added definition.  

  The Textured Notes dies were used to make the panel to highlight the trees.  The sentiment is embossed in gold and some Balmy Blue sheer ribbon is tied around and finished with a fork bow on the side. The panel is popped on dimensionals.

 The back tree is water color paper and the image is embossed in gold then the tree is watercolored with ink and an aquapainter.  The Lemon Lime Twist tree is embossed in gold.  The Fresh Freesia tree is the same shape as the Balmy Blue tree but is stamped with the garland image and then embossed in gold.

  The Fresh Freesia tree is accented with a gold foil die cut star as well as some gold sequins. Finally 2 Frosted Iridescent Dots draw the eye to the sentiment for the finishing detail.

 Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Ornamental Christmas (Online Exclusive)

Ink: Versamark, Balmy Blue

Paper: Balmy Blue, Basic White, Lemon Lime Twist, Fresh Freesia, Gold Foil

Accessories: Ornamental Trees dies (Online Exclusive), Textured Notes dies, Balmy Blue Sheer ribbon, loose gold sequins, Forever Plaid embossing folder, dimensionals, gold embossing powder, Frosted Iridescent Dots

Moments of Thanks - Stampin' Up!® Gathering Moments

   My card today has lots of layers and texture and uses products from a few different groups.  It ended up being quite heavy so I think it might be an in person kind of card!  That or I'll need a good padded envelope!

  This card started for me with the colors.  I knew I wanted to use Secret Sea, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Peach Pie and Coastal Cabana to make a fall card.  So I  just started adding layers starting with the background with a piece of Peaceful Garden DSP in this nice botanical pattern in Secret Sea.  Next is a banner in Basic White with the top torn and embossed with the Damask Designs embossing folder.

  The next layer is a vellum square (keep an eye on the November Online Exclusive release for newly packaged vellum!), then a Secret Sea Stylish Shape die cut square.  And finally some stamping lol!  I used the crosshatch pattern stamp from the Gathering Moments stamp set to cover the whole square.

  A die cut circle comes next and then more stamping.  I used the Gathering Moments images in the various colors I listed above and die cut them and added them around the circle using some dimensionals.  The sentiment is stamped on a piece of Coastal Cabana and then a smaller strip of Cajun Craze is behind it with all the ends torn and popped on dimensionals.

  And now for some gold embellishments.  I added a few loose gold sequins as well as a large gold hoop from the Modern Christmas suite collection.  Remember I said it was a heavy card?  This is why lol but it's such a cool accent isn't it?  I used rolled up glue dots to secure it to the card front which seems to work pretty well.

  I enjoyed the many layers and textures on this card but I don't think I could make all my cards this layer heavy or I'd go broke mailing them out lol!

   Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Gathering Moments (Online Exclusive)

Ink: Secret Sea, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, Peach Pie, Coastal Cabana

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Peaceful Garden DSP, Secret Sea, vellum (coming soon!), Cajun Craze, Coastal Cabana

Accessories: Gathering Moments dies (Online Exclusive), Stylish Shapes dies, Damask Designs embossing folder, dimensionals, loose gold sequins, large gold hoop (Online Exclusive)

Stampin' Up!® Join Special for the Month of October!!

   It's no secret that I love my Stampin' Up!® products and if there is a way to get them into more crafters hands I am all for it!  Stampin' Up!® has a FANTASTIC join promotion for the month of October where you get choose your Starter Kit option from 2 price points so you can get whichever suits your budget (and your wish list!).

  Yes you are reading that correctly!  You can choose $125 of Stampin'Up!® products for your fully customizable kit for just $35.  New to papercrafting and still need some of the basics? This is the kit for you; you can add in some inks, cardstock and all occasion stamps as well as some useful tools and then finish off your wish list using your 20% discount and you're on your way to making  loads of projects.

  Want it all? Or at least more than $125 worth?  Then the $189 worth of products for only $99 is a great option!  Ready to start your Christmas projects and can't decide between several of our awesome Suite Collections?  Or are you ready to jump into sharing papercrafting with others and want to try to have classes? The kit is a great way to get stocked up for that and not to mention the free business supplies that are included!

  No matter which option works for you I'd love to have you join my team of demonstrators who love paper crafting.  If you are interested in chatting more about it and have questions about all the details please leave a comment or reach out via my contact form HERE

Did you stamp today?

- Amanda

Birthday Wishes Mash Up - Stampin' Up!® Just A Note

   I'm calling today's card a mash up because I used 3 different stamp sets to bring this idea to paper.  It all started with the color combination: Blueberry Bushel, Shy Shamrock, Strawberry Slush and Timid Tiger.  I was thinking about non-traditional Christmas colors and was trying different combos to find something fresh to play around with and ended up not with a Christmas card but a birthday one.  There are presents though, so there's that at least!  

Besides not being a Christmas card this one turned out pretty much like I had envisioned.  I started with a piece of retired 2024-2026 In Colors 6x6 DSP in a Shy Shamrock pattern.

  Using Blueberry Bushel ink I inked up the notepaper line stamp from the Just A Note stamp set and stamped it off once for a lighter look.  Then I used the notepaper die and cut the paper out.  A few stars are stamped towards the top.

  Next I used the A Little Cheer Stamp set and stamped the adorable little presents in the colors and then fussy cut them.  They are popped on dimensionals in a nice line.

  And for the the 3rd stamp set on the card I embossed the Simply Said sentiment in white onto a Blueberry Bushel Stylish Shape die cut circle.  I popped it up on dimensionals and then embellished a bit.  The clip die from Just A Note and some silver foil cardstock make for a nice shiny accent.  I tied a bit of retired thick twine through the hole.

 Finally a few retired Sunday Day Iridescent Dots add a bit of sparkle to this mash up card.  I may have to go back and make this one over in true Christmas colors and try these colors on a Christmas card!  What set do you think would work with these colors??

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current products used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Just A Note (Online Exclusive), A Little Cheer (Online Exclusive), Simply Said

Ink: Blueberry Bushel, Shy Shamrock, Strawberry Slush, Timid Tiger, Versamark

Paper: Basic White, Blueberry Bushel, silver foil, 2024-2026 In Color 6x6 DSP (retired)

Accessories: Just A Note dies (Online Exclusive), Stylish Shapes dies, dimensionals, white embossing powder, Pumpkin Pie thick twine (retired), Sunday Day Iridescent Dots (retired)

Layered Autumn Thanks - Stampin' Up!® Gathering Moments

   My card today is the one I made in yesterday's Facebook Live and seems to be perfectly in sync with the fall weather we've been having the last few days.  It's sunny and a bit breezy and much cooler than last week!  These are classic fall colors and I used the Gathering Moments bundle which continues to inspire me!  

  I used almost the whole suite for this design so obviously all the components work fabulously together.  One of the best parts of using Stampin' Up!® products is the coordination!

  Check out the video to see how this one comes together!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Gathering Moments (Online Exclusive

Ink: Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Early Epsresso

Paper: Basic Beige, Early Espresso, Basic White, Cajun Craze Two-Toned, Gathering Together DSP

Accessories: Gathering Moments dies (Online Exclusive), Traditional Labels dies, Gathering Leaves embossing folder (Online Exclusive), Early Espresso linen thread (Online Exclusive), Low Profile Dots (Online Exclusive), dimensionals

Halloween Squirrel - Stampin' Up!® Fluffy Squirrel

   I've been falling behind in creating cards for my customer challenge that I post on the group Facebook page every other week.  It seems that I don't get to a challenge until the next one posts.  Time to add that to my weekly stamping schedule and not just hope that I remember! But this time I'm getting one made before the next one posts.  It's a fun color challenge that would work perfectly for a Halloween card which is what I chose to do!

It occurred to me that I have only used the Fluffy Squirrel bundle to make brown squirrels.  The most common colored squirrel where I live is a gray squirrel so I don't know why I haven't used gray yet!  He looks like a handsome fellow in gray right?? I decided it was a nice neutral to pair up with the bright challenge colors so I got to work.

  The card base is Gorgeous Grape, then I used a piece of the retired Friends of the Ocean DSP in a fun Pumpkin Pie pattern.  I tore off the top edge for a bit of texture.  I added in some Granny Apple Green by way of a narrow strip of retired Festive Glimmer paper.

  The fun notebook paper is made with the Online Exclusive set Just A Note and I used the coordinating dies to make the paper edge as well as the heart and paper clip.  If you like stationery and stationery accessories then you will love this bundle!  They are great accents for scrapbook pages as well! The paper is popped on dimensionals and gives a nice spot for our gray squirrel to sit.

  The squirrel is stamped in Basic Gray and is then colored in with Stampin' Blends and is punched out with the Fluffy Squirrel builder punch. To actually make this more of a Halloween theme I used the pumpkin stamp from the More Than Autumn set and color it in with Blends as well. I popped it on a mini dimensional in the squirrels hands.

  I stamped a few stars right onto the card front to fill in some of the open space to the side of the notebook paper.  The sentiment is embossed in white onto Granny Apple Green cardstock using a retired stamp set; Good Greetings. A few Purple Fine Shimmer Gems are the final touch to this fun Halloween card.

  Thanks for looking! Did you stamp today?

All of the current supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Fluffy Squirrel, Just a Note (Online Exclusive), More Than Autumn, Good Greetings (retired)

Ink: Gorgeous Grape, Versamark, Basic Gray, Granny Apple Green, Pumpkin Pie

Blends: Gray Granite light & dark, Pumpkin Pie light

Paper: Gorgeous Grape, Basic White, Granny Apple Green, Festive Glimmer Paper (retired), Friends of the Ocean DSP (retired)

Accessories: Fluffy Squirrel builder punch, Just A Note dies (Online Exclusive), white embossing powder, dimensionals, Purple Fine Shimmer Gems

Wonderful Treeline Birthday - Stampin' Up!® Light & Wonder

   I'm highlighting the small trees from the Light & Wonder die set for my card today.  I was inspired by the layout at CAS Colours & Sketches challenge.  I turned the card base to landscape instead of portrait so I could show off more trees but I think you can see the elements from the sketch in there!

  I started with a Basic White card base then die cut the strips of the small trees in Secret Sea and Misty Moonlight card stock.  I trimmed them down to fit and so they wouldn't look exactly the same.

  The sentiment is stamped in Secret Sea and then die cut with the Traditional Labels dies.  I popped it up on dimensionals right in the center of the tree line.  The 'magic' is stamped in Secret Sea, then fussy cut and popped on the label.

  This would be a great design to use to make a set for gifting with a different color combo for each card.  I'm think the Stampin' Up!® color buddies would be a great place to start.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Light & Wonder

Ink: Secret Sea

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Secret Sea, Misty Moonlight

Accessories: Light & Wonder dies, Traditional Labels dies, dimensionals

Autumn Quilt Block - Stampin' Up! Gathering Together Specialty DSP

 My card is one of those designs that looks intimidating at first but once you know how it comes together you realize "hey, I can totally make this!"  Lorraine Tierney, another Stampin' Up! demo shared her version of this card and as soon as I saw it I wanted to to know "how?".  Luckily she gave a great tutorial and I was able to teach it to my stampers.  They loved it and it's always wonderful to have something to do with all those half inch strips of DSP that accumulate!

  I wanted to use the Gathering Together Specialty DSP in my version to make a nice autumn inspired card with the colors.  I started with a Cajun Craze card base, then added a band of Old Olive with a bit of Basic Beige Classic Ribbon tied around it.

  The quilt block starts with a 3" x 3" square of Basic Beige and 4  1/2" x 6 inch strips of DSP. Using a pencil and ruler lightly draw a line diagonally from corner to corner so you have an X on the cardstock. 

 Add a bit of glue to one corner and then line up 2 of the strips along either side of one of the pencil lines.  Just do glue in the corner for now and use the wiggle room the glue allows for to get the DSP straight.  Then take your other 2 pieces of DSP and weave them through the first 2 pieces; one over and then under, the second under then over (like you're weaving a paper placemat back in kindergarten!).  Then add a bit of glue to the next corner and line up the woven strips along the pencil line, adjusting all the strips so they are straight and even. Gently lift up the loose ends and add a but of glue under the strips and secure them all down.

  For the next step trim off the overhang of the strips so they are nice and even along the edges.  Then take 4 pieces of Basic Beige cut to 3/4" square. Add one little square to each outside corner of the woven square and that's how you get the perfect pointed edges along the DSP.  And finally emboss the quilt block with a folder of your choice.  I used the Gathering Leaves embossing folder for mine.  

  Once the quilt block is finished and embossed it's adhered to an Early Espresso panel and popped up on the card front with dimensionals.

  The sentiment from The Right Words stamp set is stamped below the block in Early Espresso.  A few Streaked Dots are added for the final detail.

  Lorraine has a fantastic video on her blog post so you can see how the card comes together if you are more of a visual learner.  Thanks to her for sharing this great technique!

Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

  All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: The Right Words (Online Exclusive)

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper: Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Early Espresso, Basic Beige, Gathering Together Specialty DSP (Online Exclusive)

Accessories: Gathering Leaves embossing folder, dimensionals, Basic Beige Classic ribbon, Streaked Dots

Fresh Fall Thanks - Stampin' Up!® Gathering Moments

     I'm always on the lookout for fun color combos and I came across one that I thought would be a great fall combo so I paired it up with the Gathering Moments bundle for a project at my last class.

  I like to show my stampers different techniques as well as different looks for stamp sets and the Gathering Moments stamp set works well for creating a background as well as a main focus.  

  This card starts with a Pool Party base.  We created the fun background by blending Pool Party, Timid Tiger, Cajun Craze and Blackberry Bliss inks onto a panel of Basic White.  The smaller images from the stamp set are arranged on one block and then stamped on the ink blended panel in a random pattern with Versamark and then embossed with white embossing powder..

  The stamped panel (3" x 4 1/2") is cut in half at 1 1/2" and then each strip has a 1 1/2" square cut; one at the top and the other from the bottom.  The cut pieces are adhered to a Blackberry Bliss panel and then it's adhered to the card front.  

  The Traditional Labels dies is used for the sentiment and a Cajun Craze stamped leaf is stamped and die cut to embellish the label.  A linen thread bow and Cajun Craze and Gold dots finish off the details.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Gathering Moments (Online Exclusives)

Ink: Pool Party, Timid Tiger, Cajun Craze, Blackberry Bliss, Versamark

Paper: Pool Party, Blackberry Bliss, Basic White

Accessories: Gathering Moments dies (Online Exclusives), Traditional Labels dies, white embossing powder, dimensionals, Cajun Craze & Gold dots, linen thread

Jolly Shaker - Stampin' Up! Ornamental Christmas

   I had so much fun showing my customers this fairly simply shaker card at my last class.  You can easily switch out the paper and shape to do any theme you like with the same basic layout.  The Ornamental Christmas bundle is perfect for a nice seasonal shaker and a red/green combo can't be beat.

  We started this one with a Garden Green card base.  Then using the Ornamental Christmas dies cut the tree out of the Christmas Tags & More DSP.   Using the opening in the DSP, line up a piece of Basic White behind the DSP and stamp the tree in Garden Green.

  Next, adhere the window sheet to the back of the DSP being careful if you use glue to not let it seep out the edges.  Use the foam adhesive strips to make an outline around the tree opening giving about a 1/4" space from the opening. Add some double layered dimensionals around the edges so that when you adhere the shaker to the card front everything is even; the foam strips are taller than dimensionals so you need them stacked to reach the same height.

  To add a fun element to the shaker pieces we used gold foil and the adorable A Little Cheer mini punches for some nice Christmas shapes to go along with the loose gold sequins.  Gather the shaker pieces on the center of the stamped Christmas and adhered the DSP/window sheet lining up the stamped image in the window.  Then adhere the whole panel to the card front.

  The sentiment is simply stamped and punched out and layered on a Garden Green label from the Traditional Label dies with a Real Red ribbon loop sandwiched in between.

  A few more Little Cheer gold foil punches to finish it off; star on top of the tree and a Christmas tree on the sentiment.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Ornamental Christmas (Online Exclusive)

Ink: Garden Green, Real Red

Paper: Garden Green, Basic White, Christmas Tags & More DSP, Gold Foil

Accessories: Window sheets, dimensionals, foam strips, A Little Cheer mini punch pack (Online Exclusives), loos gold sequins, Traditional Labels dies, Real Red ribbon (retired)

Striped Ornament - Stampin' Up! Ornamental Christmas

   I made this card yesterday on my Facebook Live and had fun showing how to use narrow strips of cardstock to make the striped ornament.  You can watch the replay on Facebook for 30 days or head to the YouTube video below to see it all come together, ink goofs and all!

  The colors are from the now closed Just Add Ink challenge as I couldn't remember where I got the colors from while I was making it.  Fresh Freesia, Powder Pink & Highland Heather make for a bit of a non-traditional Christmas color combo but looks sweet on this ornament!

Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Ornamental Christmas (Online Exclusive), Wishing You Joy

Ink: Highland Heather, Fresh Freesia

Paper: Beautiful Bokeh DSP, Fresh Freesia, Powder Pink, Highland Heather, Basic White, Peaceful Garden Glimmer paper

Accessories: Ornamental Christmas dies (Online Exclusive), Textured Notes dies, dimensionals, baker's twine

Fall Gathering Cracked Panel - Stampin' Up! Gathering Moments

   Just a quick card to share with you all today!  I found this one buried at the bottom of the "to be blogged" card file.  I made this one last month and it's an easy design that lets the DSP do all the heavy lifting!

 This is a really great design if you want to show off a large panel of patterned paper.  All you do is cut a panel across on the diagonal and then down on the diagonal and adhere the pieces to the corners of your card base leaving the nice cracked look but keeping the pattern.  I cut my DSP 1/4" smaller than the card front.  For a larger gap cut the paper even smaller.

  This one I used a piece of the Gathering Together DSP and a piece of Early Espresso for the card base.

  The sentiment is from the Blooming Phrases stamp set and is popped on dimensionals and then a few stamped leaves and berries from the Gathering Moments stamp set are added to the side.

  A bit of Old Olive linen thread, gold Wink of Stella accents on the leaves and a few gold Low Profile Dots finishes up this quick and easy card!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Gathering Moments (Online Exclusive), Blooming Phrases

Ink: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry

Paper: Early Espresso, Basic White, Gathering Together Specialty DSP (Online Exclusive)

Accessories: Gathering Moments dies (Online Exclusive), dimensionals, linen thread, Low Profile Dots

Squirrely Noel - Stampin' Up!® Fluffy Squirrel

   I'm not sure that squirrels are ever considered a "Christmas animal" but I'm going for it with today's card.  Maybe it will start of trend of merry little squirrels singing jingle bells along with penguins and polar bears! Or maybe not lol!  I was late getting this card made, photographed and blogged so I missed the deadline for the Sunday Stamps challenge where the colors came from but I wanted to give credit where it's due.

 I started with a Secret Sea card base, then a layer of Basic White topped with a Cloud Cover panel embossed with Soft Waves embossing folder and die cut with the Perennial Postage dies.

  Using the Snowy Delights dies I cut a large snowflake out of Basic White and then a few small ones from Peaceful Gardens Glimmer Paper.

  Fluffy the squirrel is stamped in Early Espresso and colored in with Stampin' Blends markers.  He's fussy cut and then popped on dimensionals.

  The little gift is stamped in Secret Sea and colored in.  I fussy cut it and adhered it to Fluffy's hands.

  The sentiment from Wishing You Joy is stamped in Secret Sea and is popped on dimensionals.  A few 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls in Cloud Cover are added near the small snowflakes for the final touch.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Fluffy Squirrel, Wishing You Joy

Ink: Early Espresso, Secret Sea

Blends: Pecan Pie light & dark, Ivory, Secret Sea light, Cloud Cover light & dark

Paper: Secret Sea, Basic White, Cloud Cover, Peaceful Gardens DSP

Accessories: Soft Waves embossing folder, Perennial Postage dies, Snow Delights dies, dimensionals, 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls

Pumpkin Patch - Stampin' Up!® Choose Happy

   Sometimes I think I should clean out my retired paper collection and then there is a challenge and I need to have all of that paper to choose from!  Last week's Inspired By challenge had a fun inspiration photo of pumpkins of all different colors lined up in a grid pattern.  And while I didn't get my card made before the challenge ended I had a ton of fun making not one but two cards.  The Choose Happy set is the only one I have that has a pumpkin image and it was just perfect!  And since I used up a (tiny) bit of retired Designer Series Paper that just confirmed to me that I should never get rid of any paper. Ever. Lol!

  I went through all of my current and retired bits of DSP and pulled out the browns, oranges, and yellows and then stamped the pumpkin using either Early Espresso or Pecan Pie ink then fussy cut them.

  The pumpkins are popped up on dimensionals onto a piece of Very Vanilla that is cut with the Textured Notes dies. I left space in the center for the sentiment from Blooming Phrases which is stamped in Early Espresso.  

  Early Espresso is used for the backing layer and Crumb Cake for the card base.  For one card I used a Streaked Dot embellishment by the sentiment and the other has a Cajun Craze and Gold dot.

  This was such a fun design to put together and I really enjoyed taking a walk down memory lane with all the different papers from years past.  

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Choose Happy, Blooming Phrases (Online Exclusive)

Ink: Early Espresso, Pecan Pie

Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, various DSP (most retired)

Accessories: Textured Notes dies, dimensionals, Cajun Craze & gold dots, Streaked Dots

CAS Watercolor Leaves - Stampin' Up!® Beautiful Motifs Dies

   I've been on a clean and simple kick this week!  It was very much not intentional but the inspiration lately just happened to be CAS challenges.  And even though there aren't a lot of layers or supplies used it can be harder to create a CAS card; having to be choosy with design elements sometimes makes you just want to use more of them!  I was inspired by 2 challenges for this one; The Paper Players with their CAS Watercolor theme and the Addicted to CAS team with the prompt of "leaves".  A leafy die from the Beautiful Motifs die set is the perfect focal point for both challenges.

  I started with a  Basic White thick card base, then a layer of Floral Impressions DSP in a nice subtle Old Olive pattern.  

  I used the die on a piece of watercolor paper popping the leaves up since the die doesn't cut out the whole image which is a cool look and then watercoloring them with my water painter (available again in the Stampin' Up!® online store!).

  The sentiment from the Beautiful Motifs stamp set is stamped in Old Olive to stick with a monochromatic scheme which keeps it clean and simple.  No ribbon or embellishments for the same reason.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

  All of the supplies used to create this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Beautiful Motifs

Ink: Old Olive

Paper: Basic White thick, Floral Impressions DSP (Online Exclusive), watercolor paper

Accessories: Beautiful Motifs dies, waterpainter

Jolly Christmas - Stampin' Up!® Jolly Delivery

  I'm getting a little Christmas-y with my card today!  I made this one yesterday on my Facebook Live and you can watch on replay below on YouTube.  The Jolly Delivery bundle is really cute and I always love a good critter card.  

  Aren't they cuties?  I have lots of layering and a bit of coloring with Stampin' Blends to create this design.  See how it all comes together.

 Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Jolly Delivery

Ink: Memento Black, Shaded Spruce, Real Red

Blends: Shaded Spruce light & dark, Pool Party light, Real Red light & dark, Pecan Pie light & dark, Timid Tiger light & dark, Basic Black light

Paper: Real Red, Basic White, Shaded Spruce, North Pole Delivery DSP

Accessories: Jolly Delivery Dies, Stylish Shapes dies, Soft Waves embossing folder, dimensionals, baker's twine, Traditional Sparkling Sequins

Flamingo Rose - Stampin' Up!® Along These Lines

 It must be the week for CAS (clean and simple) cards because I've got another one for you!  This time I'm using the layout from CAS on Friday.  I have to admit I was a bit stumped with this one as the long skinny design element didn't give much room for an image but after scanning my stamps the Along These Lines set seemed to fit the bill!

 I started with stamping the rose image along a skinny strip of Basic White.  I extended the long line at the top and bottom with the plain line stamp in the set. 

 I used Blends to color the image and then fussy cut just the one side.  I added a piece of Flirty Flamingo cardstock on the fussy cut side then popped the layers up on dimensionals.

 The sentiment from The Right Words is stamped in Memento black on the card front then a few Strawberry Slush & Pretty in Pink gems are added for a tiny bit of sparkle.  They are a great match to Flirty Flamingo even though they are listed as a different pink.

 And that's it for this clean and simple card!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Along These Lines, The Right Words (Online Exclusive)

Ink: Memento Black

Blends: Flirty Flamingo light & dark, Granny Apple Green light & dark

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Flirty Flamingo

Accessories: Strawberry Slush & Pretty in Pink gems, dimensionals

Sunset Mountains - Stampin' Up!® Light & Wonder Dies

   If you love creating nature scenes with die cuts then the Light & Wonder die set is for you!  I don't usually get these types of sets but the Lights of Aurora DSP that coordinates is absolutely gorgeous so I thought I would give it a go.  And wouldn't you know it the first card I make with the dies doesn't even use the DSP!  I thought the colors from the As You See It challenge would work really well so the night skies will have to wait until next time!  And perfect timing to have a card for Testosterone Tuesday because we all need guy cards!

  Not half bad right?  Starting at the back, I decided on a Cloud Cover base then worked my way forward with the layers.  Next are the 2 sets of mountains, one in Timid Tiger and the other in Pumpkin Pie.  I punched a small circle from Pumpkin Pie, sponged the edges with the same color ink and then used the brush tip of my Secret Sea Stampin' Write marker to define the edge of the sun even more.  Then I tucked partially behind the mountain and added the die cut clouds.

  For the trees I cut them twice from Secret Sea and layered them with the front trees cut apart.

  Next in the foreground I cut the water out of Cloud Cover and added the white embossed sentiment.  The sentiment is from the With You In Mind stamp set.  I adhered this layer with dimensionals to add to the depth of the scene.  

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: With You In Mind

Ink: Versamark, Pumpkin Pie, Secret Sea Stampin' Write marker

Paper: Secret Sea, Timid Tiger, Pumpkin Pie, Basic White, Cloud Cover

Accessories: Light & Wonder dies, dimensionals, white embossing powder

Simple Fall Birthday - Stampin' Up!® Gathering Moments

   I always love using little images for CAS cards and the tiny acorn from the Gathering Moments stamp set is the lucky image to get highlighted for my card today.  The CAS Colours & Sketches challenge has us using Mossy Meadow, Secret Sea and Pecan Pie this time around.  I thought the colors were pretty great for a masculine fall card and so I went with it!

  These darker colors might have looked a bit drab if they were used in larger chunks but with all that open white space they pop just right!

  I used a Basic Beige card base, then a layer of Secret Sea topped with Basic White.

  I stamped my leaves and acorn, cut them out and then cut out a small circle in Secret Sea with the Stylish Shapes circle die.  The leaves are stamped off once since my Mossy Meadow pad is really juicy and all the details were getting muddied.  Everything is then layered with a bit of linen thread and some dimensionals just above the center the card.

  Finally a crisp sentiment from Simply Said stamped in Secret Sea ink is the last thing to bring this card together.  I probably should have stamped the sentiment first before adhering everything else just in case it was crooked or I got a dog hair on the stamp at the worst moment but I got lucky and it worked out! Whew!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Gathering Moments, (Online Exclusive) Simply Said

Ink: Secret Sea, Mossy Meadow, Pecan Pie

Paper: Basic Beige, Secret Sea, Basic White

Accessories: Gathering Moments dies (Online Exclusive), Stylish Shapes dies, dimensionals, linen thread

Fall Goodness - Stampin' Up!® More Than Autumn

   If you didn't get the More Than Autumn bundle last year when it was released you've been missing out!  It's still available in the online store and is such a fun set for not just the fall but all year round.  We know doughnuts (and pie and coffee and hot chocolate) can't be limited to just one season!  I combined the Freshly Made Sketches and TGIF challenges for this card.

 I pulled out a lot of colors for this card and had fun just coloring the doughnuts, hearts and pumpkins.  Once they were die cut I added some fall leaves and then arranged them all down the card to follow the sketch.  The doughnuts and sentiment are popped on dimensionals.

 The card base is Cajun Craze then a layer of Crushed Curry topped with a Basic White Textured Notes die cut.

 Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: More Than Autumn (Online Exclusive)

Ink: Pecan Pie, Versamark, Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Cherry Cobbler

Blends: Pecan Pie light, Cajun Craze light & dark, Pumpkin Pie light & dark, Daffodil Delight dark, Cherry Cobbler light

Paper: Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Basic White, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: More Than Autumn dies, white embossing powder, Textured Notes dies (Online Exclusive)

Sending Cheer Shaker - Stampin' Up!® Ornamental Christmas

 I've got another bold Christmas card for you today!  The Modern Christmas Specialty DSP is really a fun departure from the red/green Christmas look.  I made another shaker card with tons of gold accents.  Remember you can find this whole suite of products in the Online Exclusives.

  I started with a Basic Black card base then added a wide band of the the Modern Christmas DSP.  I love those gold stripes.

  Next I created a frame using Basic White cardstock and the Textured Notes dies.  I used a window sheet to finish the shaker.  The loose gold sequins are added before adhering the frame to the card front.

 I used the Traditional Labels dies and stamp set to create the banner with even more gold embossing.  I adhered it to the frame.  The tree is also embossed in gold but on Basic Black for a really bold look.

  A black and gold baker's twine bow is added to the sentiment for the finishing touch,

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used today can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Ornamental Christmas(Online Exclusive), Traditional Labels

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Basic Black, Basic White, Modern Christmas Specialty(Online Exclusive)

Accessories: gold embossing powder, Textured Notes dies, Traditional Labels dies, window sheet, loose gold sequins, black & gold baker's twine (Online Exclusive), Ornamental Christmas dies (Online Exclusive)

Thankful Squirrel - Stampin' Up! Fluffy Squirrel

   I'm too late to enter this card but the layout is from the TGIF Challenge.  I loved the diamond/squares in the sketch and thought they would make a good background for my fluffy squirrel!

  I started with a Cajun Craze card base, then a layer of Pretty Peacock die cut with the Perennial Postage dies.  I topped that layer with a piece of Very Vanilla embossed with the Forever Plaid embossing folder.  I had that piece in my stash as an orphaned card part so I was glad to finally get it used!

  The diamonds/squares are just Cajun Craze or Pretty Peacock cardstock topped with a Perennial Postage square in Gathering Together DSP in a nice Early Espresso pattern.  The darker parts make the lighter squirrel pop.

  The squirrel and acorn are stamped in Early Espresso and then colored with blends.  It's then fussy cut and popped up over the sentiment banner.  The banner is cut with the Stylish Shapes dies the sentiment is from the long retired Good Greetings stamp set.  It's embossed in white.

  I added a tiny linen thread bow to the acorn and a few Cajun Craze and Gold dots for the finishing touches.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.

Stamps: Fluffy Squirrel, Good Greetings (retired)

Ink: Early Espresso, Versamark

Blends: Pecan Pie, Ivory, Neutrals

Paper: Cajun Craze, Pretty Peacock, Very Vanilla, Gathering Together DSP (Online Exclusive)

Accessories: Perennial Postage dies, Stylish Shapes dies, dimensionals, white embossing powder, linen thread, Cajun Craze & Gold dots 

Woodland Seasons - Stampin' Up!® Woodland Scenery

   My card today is one that I made on my Facebook Live yesterday.  It's a cute way to use the little tree from the Woodland Scenery stamp set and make it more of an 'all year round' tree.  I stamp a project live every Wednesday at 11am and I hope you can join me next week. You can rewatch the video below on YouTube.

I love this sweet little tree and it was fun to make all 4 seasons with just the one stamp and my Stampin' Blends markers!  

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE. 

Stamps: Woodland Scenery, Fluffy Squirrel

Ink: Pecan Pie

Blends: Pool Party light & dark, Granny Apple Green light & dark, Old Olive light & dark, Mossy Meadow dark, Daffodil Delight dark, Pumpkin Pie light & dark, Cajun Craze light & dark

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Floral Delight DSP, Pool Party, Granny Apple Green, Mossy Meadow, Cajun Craze

Accessories: Perennial Postage dies, Eyelet embossing folder, dimensionals circle punches/dies, Streaked Dots, retired ribbon

Christmas Shaker - Stampin' Up!® Ornamental Christmas

   The New at SU! blog hop is back!  This group of demonstrators from around the world is ready to show off all kinds of great ideas using newly released Stampin' Up! products.  This month we're using products from the Sept.-Dec. mini catalog or the September Online Exclusives.  The full hop list is at the end of my post!  Hop around with us and say hi!

  I decided to use the Online Exclusive Modern Christmas Suite Collection which has a gorgeous black, white and gold vibe that I totally went with for my shaker card!  I may have even gone over the top with using the entire suite! You decide!

   I started with a piece of the Modern Christmas Specialty DSP for the background. Each sheet has one side with a gold foil accent and the other side is black and white.  

  The shaker element is created using the Ornamental Christmas dies, Gold Foil, loose gold sequins, Basic Black and Basic White cardstocks, window sheets and foam adhesive strips. 

 I added one of the large gold hoops around the ornament as well as some white and gold bakers twine to make the hanging loop.  So much gold!

  The sentiment from the Ornamental Christmas stamp set is embossed in gold then punched out and is added to the side of the shaker element.  A few die cut gold foil stars are the last detail.

  If you're into the bold, statement kind of Christmas card then the Modern Christmas Suite is for you!  Don't forget to check out the rest of the hop for more inspiration!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.  

Stamps: Ornamental Christmas (Online Exclusive)

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Modern Christmas Specialty DSP (Online Exclusive), Basic Black, Basic White, Gold Foil

Accessories: Ornamental Christmas dies (Online Exclusive), window sheets, Loose Gold Sequins, Foam adhesive strips, White & Gold baker's twine (Online Exclusive), large gold hoops (Online Exclusive), gold embossing powder, circle punch