Stitched Birthday - Stampin' Up!® Stitched Blooms

CAS Colours & Sketches challenge is back today for a new challenge and this time we have a set of colors to work with!  Deborah has given us this fun trio!  How are you going to use these colors on your clean and simple creation??

  I needed a break from Christmas so I decided to get a brand new bundle in on the action with this set of colors.  The Stitched Blooms bundle was too cute to pass up!  It's a new release from the Stampin' Up!® November Online Exclusives. 

  This one starts with a Basic White thick card base.  Then using a panel of regular Basic White I embossed one of the frames from the Stitched Blooms dies.  I used the Impressions plate and my Stampin' Cut & Emboss to create just the impression of the frame in the cardstock without cutting it.  It's a nifty trick to add detail but not another layer or die cut.  If you don't have the Impressions plate it's a great tool to add to your craft room.  

  Next I stamped the stem right inside the frame.  I stamped off once for the solid stem and then added the stitch detail stamp in full strength ink.

  The flowers are die cut in Hydrangea Hue and I stamped the detail in the same color of ink.  The centers of the flowers are highlighted with mini flowers die cut from Crushed Curry.  I popped each flower with a dimensional.

  The small birthday sentiment is stamped in Hydrangea Hue inside the frame as well. To finish the card I added a faceted gem to center of each flower for a small bit of shine.

  I hope you play along with these colors and add your creation to the gallery.  Remember to keep your design clean and simple which means lots of "white" space, minimal layers and embellishments

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: Stitched Blooms (Online Exclusive)

Ink: Shaded Spruce, Hydrangea Hue

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Hydrangea Hue, Crushed Curry

Accessories: Stitched Blooms dies (Online Exclusive), dimensionals, Impressions Plate, faceted gems

Fabulous Birthday - Stampin' Up!® Framed & Fabulous

     I have a few more fall birthdays coming up that I need cards for so I was experimenting with some different color combinations to use with the Elegant Leaves dies.  I like how this one came out with the textures and the details on the leaves.

  I started with an Early Espresso panel embossed with the Softly Woven embossing folder for the background.  I tied a bit of gold & white baker's twine around the panel before adhering it to the card front.

  The 3 leaves are each die cut with the overlay being cut from the same color of Two-Toned cardstock on the light side.  I tucked the leaves around the stamped sentiment.  The sentiments in the Framed & Fabulous Hot Foil die set are lovely and fit nicely into the circle dies from the bundle.  I didn't even hot foil on this card but the dainty little scalloped circle die cut was just right for the sentiment!

  A few gold sequins are added to finish the details on this design.

  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: Framed & Fabulous

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper: Early Espresso, Crisp Cantaloupe, Gorgeous Grape, Two-Toned Early Espresso, Two-Toned Crisp Cantaloupe, Two-Toned, Gorgeous Grape, Very Vanilla

Hot Foil: Framed & Fabulous Hot Foil Dies

Accessories: Softly Woven embossing folder, Elegant Leaves dies, dimensionals, gold sequins (retired), gold & white baker's twine (retired)

Celebrate in Autumn - Stampin' Up!® Elegant Leaves

   I've got a nice masculine birthday card to share today!  The Elegant Leaves bundle continues to be well used in my stamp room and I made a stack of this design for my customer thank you cards for orders placed in September.  Everyone always seems to need ideas for guy cards so here's one that you can use for inspiration.

  I started this one with a Secret Sea card base, then a layer of Pecan Pie with a 2 1/2" circle punched (or die cut) from it.  I stamped the largest leaf overlay stamp in the same color ink.  Using a piece of Florals in Bloom DSP in a nice Cloud Cover striped pattern I adhered it to the back of the circle opening making a nice focal point for the card.

 Using Two-Toned card stock in Cloud Cover, Cajun Craze, and Golden Glow I cut out the leave shapes on the light side of the paper.  Using some adhesive sheets and cardstock in the same colors I die cut the overlay pieces and added them to the shapes.  Using cardstock made the stickers a bit more sturdy than if I had used the Two-Toned again. The leaves are popped on the card front with dimensionals.

 The sentiment from Round About Messages is stamped in Secret Sea onto Cloud Cover cardstock.  The sentiment strip is backed with a torn piece of Secret Sea to add weight and texture.

  Finally a few retired Faux Bronze Pentagons are added for a little masculine bling.

  To see how this card comes together you can watch this quick video:

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: Elegant Leaves, Round About Messages

Ink: Pecan Pie, Secret Sea

Paper: Secret Sea, Cloud Cover, Pecan Pie, Cajun Craze, Florals in Bloom DSP  Two Toned: Golden Glow, Cloud Cover, Cajun Craze

Accessories: 2 1/2" circle punch (or circle die), dimensionals, Adhesive Sheets, Faux Bronze Pentagons (retired)

CAS Fat Bear - Stampin' Up!® Woodland Wishes

   A few weeks back the Paper Players had a fun clean and simple theme of "bear" for their weekly challenge.  I thought the timing was perfect as it was also Fat Bear Week in Alaska around the same time so the stamping vibes were very much in alignment!  I didn't get the card made and photographed in time to share then but the challenge was definitely my inspiration so I wanted to give a shout out.  

  Behold, my fat (CAS) bear!  I think the colors might have been from another challenge but I can't even remember now!  I started with a Basic White card base, then used an already embossed piece of Gray Granite from my stash and die cut it with the oval from Noel Tidings dies.

  The bear from Woodland Wishes is stamped in Early Espresso and colored in with Blends markers.  I fussy cut it and then popped it over the sentiment strip.  The sentiment is in the Banner Sayings stamp set and the die for the strip is also in the Noel Tidings dies.

  A few retired Streaked Dots are finishing touch to this clean and simple card.  

  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: Woodland Wishes (Online Exclusive), Banner Sayings

Ink: Early Espresso

Blends: Pecan Pie light & dark, Ivory

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Gray Granite

Accessories: Noel Tidings dies, dimensionals, Brick & Mortar embossing folder (retired), Streaked Dots (retired)

Celebrate in Circles - Stampin' Up!® Round About Messages

   I've just been dropping the ball lately and I completely forgot that I had a card due for the CAS Colours & Sketches challenge that posted yesterday.  It's an every other week challenge and for some reason I was thinking I still had a week!  I feel like I'm going crazy some days!  Anyway, here's my card, a day late and a dollar short as my dad says!

Rachel has given us a lovely grouping of circles to work with though you can swap them out for another shape or mix and match!

  Since I was already late I didn't want to overthink it and I knew I needed to add to my masculine birthday cards stash so I went with Pool Party & Secret Sea as a color combo and used the Round About Messages stamp set.

  The Stylish Shapes dies continue to be a staple in my card making and they give just the right amount of detail for a clean and simple card.

  I hope you'll play along with this sketch and share your design in our gallery so we can all oooohhhh and aaaahhhh!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Round About Messages

Ink: Secret Sea, Pool Party

Blends: Daffodil Delight light & dark, Pool Party light & dark

Paper: Basic White think, Basic White, Pool Party, Moonlit Flora DSP

Accessories: Stylish Shapes dies, dimensionals, Clear Ribboned Adhesive Dots (retired)

Foiled Coastal Adventure - Stampin' Up!® Sunset Coast

   While we might be thinking ahead to fall and winter projects don't sleep on making a few more warm weather inspired cards!  The Sunset Coast bundle along with the Scenic Coast DSP are still hot products for gorgeous cards and scrapbook pages.  I combined these products with some foiling for another fun water sunset/sunrise scene!

  The card front is a piece of the lovely Scenic Coast DSP.  It's out of stock at the moment so be sure to put your email address in to be notified when it's back in stock!  I wrapped a bit of retired Iridescent ribbon around the layer before adhering. Next I used gold foil and the Flourish & Frames hot foil dies to make the frame shape.

  The Sunset Coast stamp set is then used to stamp the scene right onto the frame.  Two of the clouds as well as the sailboats were stamped on scrap cardstock then die cut and added to the scene with dimensionals for a nice layered effect.  The whole frame is then popped on the card front with dimensionals.

  The sentiment is stamped in Blueberry Bushel and then fussy cut and added to the edge of the frame.  I didn't want to cover too much of the foiling or scene!  The final touch are a few Sunset Sparkle Sequins added to opposite corners.

  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: Sunset Coast

Ink: Balmy Blue, Timid Tiger, Blueberry Bushel, Crushed Curry, Strawberry Slush

Paper: Scenic Coast DSP, Basic White

Hot Foil: gold foil, Flourish & Frames Hot Foil Dies

Accessories: Sunset Sparkle Sequins, dimensionals, Iridescent ribbon (retired)

Autumn Birthday Cut Out - Stampin' Up! Elegant Leaves

     My card today is completely CASEd (copy and selectively edit) from one of the samples shown in the free online class you get when you buy the Stampin' Up!® Hot Foil system.  I've only had to the time to watch part of the class and there are a lot of great tips and trick so far.  And this great layout that I adapted to use with the upcoming Elegant Leaves bundle.

  I started with a Basic White thick card base, then die cut the shape for the 'happy birthday' using the Classic Greeting Hot Foil dies which have the hot foil plates as well as the regular die that cuts around the greeting.  I used the fabulous Natural Hues Specialty paper which is perfect for fall inspired cards.  I love the hand-made paper feel of it.  Get it before it's gone; it's on the Last Chance list for only $6!  You get 3 12x12 sheets, one each of Cream, Tan and Gold.

  Next I hot foiled the birthday greeting on a piece of Basic White that was smaller than the Natural Hues Specialty paper and then lined up the die cut opening and the foiled panel.  The specialty paper is popped on dimensionals to really bring attention to the greeting.

  Next I stamped the leaves from the upcoming new bundle Elegant Leaves.  I used Timid Tiger, Pool Party and Golden Glow for the first layer of the stamping as well as the overlay veining stamp.  The leaves are die cut then arranged around the sentiment.

I added a few Pool Party faceted gems and a length of jute twine which is another new upcoming product.

I'm really liking how the hot foiling is adding another great detail to my cards.  I've found the metallics to  complement the stamping and other techniques I've already been using and it's been fun to discover a new tool!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current products used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE. Items marked with a * will be available on September 1, 2026 with the release of the Stampin' Up!® Sept.-Dec. 2026 catalog.

Stamps: Elegant Leaves*

Ink: Timid Tiger, Pool Party, Golden Glow

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Cream Natural Hues Specialty paper

Hot Foil: Classic Greeting hot foil dies, gold foil

Accessories: Elegant Leaves dies*, dimensionals, Neutrals Jute*, Opaque Faceted Gems (retired)

Rising Sun Sailboat - Stampin' Up!® Sunset Coast Dies

      Having a decent stash of masculine birthday cards is always in the back of my mind when creating and I find clean and simple cards the perfect time to focus on those guy cards I might soon be needing.  The Sunset Coast bundle can be used for layered, embellished and over the top "Wow" cards but it can also be great for some clean lines and simple layouts.

 The Addicted to CAS challenge theme of water was my starting point for this card.  I started with a Basic White thick card base, then added a layer of Scenic Coast DSP.  I chose the b side instead of the shimmery side because I liked the uniform color of the water to anchor the center of my card and keep the focus on the mail elements.

  Next I cut 2 of the sunburst dies, one in Crushed Curry and the second in another of the Scenic Coast DSP b sides in a Crushed Curry pattern.  I adhered the cardstock sun to a piece of Basic White and trimmed off the excess.  Next I added the DSP rays from the other die cut to the openings of the cardstock sun using the Basic White backing to give some support to the circle and it was easier to put the glue on the white than the DSP.

  I die cut the sail boat and waves from Secret Sea cardstock and trimmed the boat down and popped it on dimesionals just in front of the sun.  The waves along with the Banner Sayings sentiment are adhered under the boat.  No embellishments or extras on this clean and simple card.

 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: Banner Sayings

Ink: Secret Sea

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Secret Sea, Crushed Curry, Scenic Coast DSP

Accessories: Sunset Coast dies, dimensionals

Elegant Pastel Birthday - Stampin' Up!® Elegant Leaves

   I've had another creative session with the coming soon Elegant Leaves bundle along with a wee bit of foiling!  The Elegant Leaves bundle will be available on Sept. 1 and is perfect for not only autumn themed cards but can be used as accents for any type of card!

  These colors definitely wouldn't be considered autumn but I used these pastel hues for an elegant birthday card.  The colors come from the Color Dare Challenge.  I saw Cloud Cover on their graphic but it looks like some of the design team used a green instead.  I went with what I saw on my computer...these screens don't seem to have much consistency when it comes to color do they?!  

  I had a few of the foiled 'happy birthdays' left from when I demonstrated the Stampin' Up!® Hot Foil system at a recent class and I since it ended up being one of the challenge colors I put the card together around that element.  The Classic Greetings Hot Foil dies with 5 sentiments works for just about any card.  

  I started with a Cloud Cover card base, then cut a layer out of the 2025-2027 In Color DSP in this Cloud Cover striped pattern using the upcoming Scalloped Christmas Cheer dies.  The largest die covers the whole card front showing just a bit of the background between scallops.

I stamped 2 leaves in Barely Blush onto Barely Blush card stock then die cut them along with a third leaf in 2026-2028 In Color Painted Patterns DSP.  I tucked them under the popped sentiment along with a length of White Fluffy Trim.  A few 2026-2028 In Color Dots in Hydrangea Hue finish off this sweet but simple cared.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current products used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE. Items marked with a * will be available Sept. 1 in the Stampin' Up!® Sept.-Dec. 2026 catalog.  If you would like early access join my team HERE.

Stamps: Elegant Leaves*

Ink: Barely Blush

Hot Foil: Classic Greeting hot foil dies, gold foil

Paper: Cloud Cover, Barely Blush, Hydrangea Hue, 2025-2027 In Color DSP, 2026-2028 In Color Painted Pattern DSP

Accessories: Elegant Leaves dies*, Scalloped Christmas Cheer dies*, dimensionals, 2026-2028 In Color Dots, white Fluffy Trim (retired)

Shadow Blocked Sunset - Stampin' Up!® Sunset Coast

 Have I got a card for you if you're the kind of paper crafter that has a hard time tossing small scraps!  Using just 1 inch squares of DSP and a coordinating cardstock you can create this lovely panel to be used for a background for other elements or use it as the focal along with a sentiment!  A stamping friend showed me a panel she had made and I of course took a photo so that I could give it go myself.

 After searching around for the name of this technique I came up with Shadow Blocking but it may go by other names.  I thought it was perfect for the Scenic Coast DSP.  I had some scraps left from another project that worked perfectly for the 12 1 inch squares.  The background is a piece of Scenic Coast DSP on the B side for a water look.  The lighter color works well to contrast with the Secret Sea cardstock which creates the shadow effect.

  Once I cut the paper I adhered the squares together leaving the edge of the Secret Sea peeking out, then arranged them on the card base to figure out the alignment and spacing before committing to glue.

 Using the colors in the DSP I stamped a water scene using the Sunset Coast stamp set on a Basic White Spotlight on Nature circle die cut.  I popped the circle on dimensionals and then added 2 clouds.  The birthday sentiment is from the Balloon Festoon stamp set.

 The sun is colored over with clear Wink of Stella and a few Sunset Sparkle sequins add a bit more shine in the lower righthand corner for a finishing touch.

  I hope you give this look a try, it's really easy and you'll be proud of yourself for using up some of those scraps you've been hoarding!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

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

Stamps: Sunset Coast, Balloon Festoon

Ink: Secret Sea, Blueberry Bushel, Balmy Blue, Timid Tiger, Strawberry Slush

Paper: Secret Sea, Basic White, Scenic Coast DSP

Accessories: Spotlight on Nature dies, dimensionals, Wink of Stella, Sunset Sparkle sequins

  

Hot Foil Summer - Stampin' Up!® Summer Happiness

  Need a bright, fun summer card?  I've got just thing today!  I'm having a lot of fun with the Summer Happiness bundle with all of it's cute images and many possibilities and I used it to design this card for a recent shoebox swap event with my downline. We enjoyed a few hours of chatting and card making and I got to show them the new Hot Foiling system.  I used them as guinea pigs to see how hot foiling would work in a class setting and they were happy to help!

 I was inspired by this card by fellow demonstrator Melissa Faust.  I loved the stamped strips showing off the images.  I changed out the colors using a set from the Paper Players challenge from last week. And added the hot foil sentiment using the Classic Greetings hot foil dies.

 The foil is really a fun accent and I can see lots of possibilities, the hard part is choosing which foil color to use!

  Thanks for looking! Did you stamp today?

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

Stamps: Summer Happiness (Online Exclusive)

Ink: Calypso Coral, Flirty Flamingo, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green

Paper: Calypso Coral, Flirty Flamingo, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Azure Afternoon, Basic White

Hot Foil: Classic Greetings hot foil dies, gold foil

Accessories: Summer Happiness dies (Online Exclusive), dimensionals

Stitched Plaid Birthday - Stampin' Up!® Stitched Stocking

   The super talented CAS Colours & Sketches Design Team is back today with another great clean and simple challenge!  Our colors are courtesy of Joanne and she has a winner with this trio!  

  Petal Pink, Calypso Coral and Lost Lagoon!   I had a bunch of ideas right away but landed on a simple what I like to call a "4 square" layout.  I think I pull this basic sketch out at least once every six months.  I find it perfect for small images.  I decided to use the new Stitched Stocking bundle and threw in a bit of the new hot foiling as well.

  Keeping it clean and simple with a Basic White thick card base, then a layer of Basic White tied with a bit of retired Lost Lagoon Soft Cording.

  A Stitched Shape square die cut is the base for the 3 little stamped squares in our colors.  I stamped each one with the little windowpane plaid stamp from the Stitched Stocking stamp set (yes it's a Christmas set but I love making these seasonal sets good for more than just one season!).  I die cut each square with the coordinating die and added a little detail by running my scoring stylus around the inside of the die before removing the cardstock.  It gives the die cut a little bit of puffy detail. Subtle details like this are a wonderful way to elevate a clean and simple design without adding more layers.

  The sentiment is from the Cutest Crew stamp set and it the perfect size for my 4th square.  It's embossed in gold.  And check out that hot foiled butterfly!  I've made a few cards using the new Stampin' Up!® hot foiling system but I hadn't used the Butterfly Flight bundle yet.  The smallest butterfly was the perfect size this this design. 

  So perfectly shiny!  I used the coordinating masks to get the challenge colors in just the right spots.  Once it was die cut I folded the wings up just a bit and adhered it with mini dimensionals. I found the little butterfly is the perfect way to use up smaller scraps of foil because you know I can't throw out something that could come in handy someday!  I don't want to waste a bit of that shiny goodness!

  I can't wait to see what you do with these colors so be sure to share your creation in our challenge gallery.  Remember to keep it clean and simple; lots of open space and uncluttered.

  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: Stitched Stocking (Online Exclusive), Cutest Crew (Online Exclusive)

Ink: Petal Pink, Calypso Coral, Lost Lagoon, Versamark

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Petal Pink, Calypso Coral, Lost Lagoon

Accessories: Stitched Stocking dies (Online Exclusive), Stitched Shapes dies, Butterfly Flight Hot Foil bundle, gold foil, dimensionals, Lost Lagoon soft cording (retired), gold embossing powder

Flourished Fern - Stampin' Up! Fern & Flora Dies

 I was cleaning up my stamping desk and found a piece of Moonlit Flora DSP that seemed like it needed to be used on a card right away.  I hadn't used the Hot Foil Flourish & Frames dies yet so I wanted to try them out.  I wanted to see how the hot foil would look on the DSP.

  I started with a Mossy Meadow card base, then a layer of Berry Burst.  I used the largest frame hot foil die to add a gold frame in the center of the DSP.  I didn't quite it centered but was able to hide it a bit by adding the die cut fern and the sentiment label.  

  The gold frame is really an elegant way to accent the DSP isn't it?  The repeating shape in the die cut label is perfect for the sentiment from the Sending Salutations set.

 The little bitty flowers are added to the fern and edge of the label for a final touch.

  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: Sending Salutations

Ink: Peaceful Pine

Paper: Mossy Meadow, Berry Burst, Moonlit Flora DSP, Basic White, Peaceful Pine

Hot Foil: Frames & Flourishes Hot Foil dies, Gold foil

Accessories: Fern & Flora dies, dimensionals

Summer Fun Birthday W-Fold - Stampin' Up!® Summer Happiness

 

  Welcome to the New at SU! July blog hop!  We are a group of international Stampin' Up!® demonstrators who gather each month to showcase new projects to help inspire you in your own papercrafting!  This month we are featuring Fun Fold Birthday cards!  To follow the hop all around see the link list at the bottom of my post.

  There are so many fun folds out there it can be hard to choose one but I decided to go with one I had never made before.  The W-fold card is a great one to make when you have a lot of images you want to show off as I did with the Summer Happiness bundle!  All it takes is 3 score lines (besides the card base center fold) and you're in business.

 The front of the card hides the fun of the inside!  I used the Paper Medley DSP for the background and the card base is Basic Beige.  The card base is 4 1/4" x 11" scored at 5 1/2" so the card flips up to open.  I created a belly band to hold the card closed and used the flowers from  the Summer Happiness set to accent the birthday sentiment from the Balloon Festoon set and is embossed in black.  

  When you take off the belly band you get to the fun inside!  On a fun pop up element you get 4 different spots to show off all of your images and more sentiments!

I added another pattern of Paper Medley DSP on the inside.  The pop up element is a 1" x 11" strip of Basic Beige and is scored at 2 3/4", 5 1/2" and 8 1/4".  The strip is adhered to the top and bottom of the card leaving the middle free to fold open and closed.  See I told you it was easy!  Now for the fun of creating the pop up squares!

  I used Basic White for the base of the squares which are 2 1/4".  You could go slightly larger if needed or change the squares to rectangles for a larger area to work with.  The DSP squares are 2"x2" and make a nice background for the fun summer images.  The sentiment on the sunglass panel is from the Football Fan stamp set.  

  It was fun mixing and matching the different images and dies from this bundle.  I kept to the color palette shown in the DSP; Basic Beige, Calypso Coral, petal Pink and Darling Duckling for a cohesive look for each square.  The sentiment here is from Banner Sayings.

  Some of the elements are highlighted with Wink of Stella which doesn't show well on the photos.  I also used dimensionals to pop some of the images up.  The belly band is helpful to keep the card closed and get it in the envelope.  I would definitely add extra postage to this one or send it in a larger envelope!

   I really enjoyed creating this easy fun fold and showing off so much of a single bundle on one card!  I hope you keep this easy fun fold in mind especially when you can't decide which image to focus on!  You don't have to with the W-Fold!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

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

Stamps: Summer Happiness (Online Exclusive), Balloon Festoon, Banner Sayings, Football Fan (Online Exclusive)

Ink: Memento Black, Darling Duckling, Calypso Coral, Mossy Meadow

Blends: Calypso Coral light & dark, Darling Duckling light & dark, Petal Pink light & dark, Mossy Meadow light

Paper: Basic Beige, Basic White, Paper Medley DSP, Calypso Coral, Petal Pink

Accessories: Summer Happiness dies (Online Exclusive), Spotlight on Nature dies, black embossing powder, Wink of Stella, 2026-2028 In Color Dots

18th Birthday Balloons - Stampin' Up!® Balloon Festoon

   Have you ever sat down to make a birthday card and you just can't quite believe the number you've put on it??  I experienced that very thing when I was making this card for my youngest the other day.  The whole time I was making the card I was like "how is it possible that I'm using this ridiculous number??!" No sir, that's my baby boy lol!  And it's hard to square that he's 18 but I'm not nearly old enough to have a kid that old lol! Funny how that works isn't it?!

  I combined a few challenges for this one; Seize the Birthday with 'numbers' as the prompt, Stampin' Up! Only challenge with a CASE the Designer (I went with the layout) and the colors from the closed TGIF Challenge

  I started with a Lemon Lime Twist card base, then topped it with a piece of Basic White embossed with the Swirls of Magic embossing folder.  

  Following the sketch I added a piece of retired Zoo Crew DSP in this black and white star pattern.  I had forgotten I had any of this paper left and while it's just scraps there was enough for this design.  Next is a strip of white for the balloons to be set against.

  The balloons are from Balloon Festoon and are stamped in Coastal Cabana and Lemon Lime Twist then the 1 & 8 from the Simple Alphabet set are embossed in black embossing powder for a nice raised shiny look.  The strings are cut in basic Black then they are both popped on dimensionals.

  The sentiment is stamped in Memento Black and the ends are flagged and a smaller banner in Coastal Cabana is added to the back before popping it up on dimensionals.

  A few retired adhesive hearts and gems are added for the finishing touch!

  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: Balloon Festoon

Ink: Memento Black, Lemon Lime Twist, Coastal Cabana

Paper: Basic Black, Lemon Lime Twist, Coastal Cabana, Basic White, Zoo Crew DSP (retired)

Accessories: Balloon Festoon dies, Swirls of Magic embossing folder (Online Exclusive), dimensionals, black embossing powder, Adhesive-backed Hearts & Flowers (retired), Sunny Day Iridescent Dots (retired)

Lighthouse Congratulations - Stampin' Up!® Sunset Coast

   The Sunset Coast bundle along with the Scenic Coast DSP were highlighted at my new catalog open house a few weeks ago and it did not disappoint.  Sometimes you just need to let the dies and DSP shine (literally!) and let them do the heavy lifting for a design!

    This one starts with a Balmy Blue card base, then a 3" wide piece of Scenic Coast DSP is added to the middle of the card front.  Using a 3" piece gives you 2 cards from one of the 6x6 pieces and let me tell you you want to use larger pieces of this DSP because you want to get the gorgeous shine of the pattern in all its glory.  The iridescent details on the these papers is beautiful and really gives the effect of the water shimmering.  

  The next element is the Gorgeous Grape die cut lighthouse.  The big circle opening and the fact that I made this panel shorter really lets more of the DSP show through.  It's popped up on dimensionals.

  A few well placed die cuts in the fencing and seagulls completes the scene.  And a simple stamped sentiment keeps the attention on the lighthouse.  A few Sunset Sparkle Sequins adds some some shimmer for the finishing 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: Sunset Coast

Ink: Blueberry Bushel

Paper: Balmy Blue, Gorgeous Grape, Basic White, Blueberry Bushel, Scenic Coast DSP

Accessories: Sunset Coast dies, Sunset Sparkles Sequins, dimensionals

Summer Fun - Stampin' Up!® Summer Happiness

 I got my demonstrator pre-order for the July Online Exclusives and the rumors are true....I'm my own best customer lol!  Every release has things that I just need.  'Need' being used here loosely of course!  I ordered quite a bit from this preorder and the products span from summer themed all the way to Christmas so I'm well on my way to enjoying this summer season but also looking ahead to fall and winter.  The upcoming Summer Happiness bundle fills in a bit of a gap in my current products with the variety of images and dies that will work for cards as well as accents for scrap pages.

    I'm using the Freshly Made Sketches layout for this card and it's perfect to show off some the fun that this bundle contains!   I started with a Pool Party base topped with a full panel of Pool Party embossed with the recently retired Soft Waves embossing folder.  

  Next I die cut 3 Perennial Postage rectangles to follow the sketch and give my summer items a place to land.  The sun is stamped in Darling Duckling then die cut and is backed with a same shape die cut in just cardstock to give it a little off set layering.

  The sunglasses are die cut from Poppy Parade and the lenses are Black Glimmer paper because why not?  I added some small rhinestones to the edge to add even more sparkle.

  The flip flops are die cut from Balmy Blue and Azure Afternoon.  The straps are the perfect chance to use the Adhesive Sheets as they are very narrow and a bit tricky to glue up.  I wish I had thought of that before getting glue everywhere!  If I can't be a good example I'll just have to be a horrible warning!  All the die cuts are popped on dimensionals.

  The sentiment from Banner Sayings is stamped in Basic Black Hybrid ink on the center postage stamp.  If you like this color combo check out this other card that I made using the same one a while back.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

All of the current supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE. Items marked with a * will be available in the July 2026 Online Exclusive release.

Stamps: Summer Happiness*, Banner Sayings

Ink: Darling Duckling, Basic Black Hybrid

Paper: Pool Party, Basic White, Darling Duckling, Poppy Parade, Black Glimmer (retired), Balmy Blue, Azure Afternoon

Accessories: Perennial Postage dies, Soft Waves embossing folder (retired), rhinestones, Summer Happiness dies*, dimensionals

In Color Balloons - Stampin' Up!® Balloon Festoon

   Last weekend I hosted my annual New Catalog Open House and BOGO Retirement Sale and had a blast seeing so many of my customers.  Along with lots of sample cards, In Color swatches and new products I had several make and takes so that everyone could try out the new products for themselves.  I always try to highlight the new In Colors in these projects and I managed to use 3 of the 5 on this card.

  The Balloon Festoon bundle has been a fun one for me to design with and thought it would show off Hydrangea Hue, Crisp Cantaloupe and Barely Blush nicely.

  This one starts with a Basic White thick card base, then a wide band of Hydrangea Hue stamped in the same color in with the 'Happy Birthday' sentiment.

  The balloons are die cut from the In Color Painted Patterns DSP.  And a quick tip for this is that you can stack your pieces of DSP and cut all 3 balloons at the same time.  Saves a few steps! The Crisp Cantaloupe balloon is popped on dimensionals.  The sentiment is stamped and also popped with a length of Barely Blush Bordered Ribbon layered behind.

  Each balloon has a rhinestone that has been colored with the matching Blends marker as well as some highlights drawn on with a white gel pen.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

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

Stamps: Balloon Festoon

Ink: Hydrangea Hue

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Hydrangea Hue, 2026-2028 In Color Painted Patterns DSP

Accessories: Balloon Festoon dies, dimensionals, rhinestones, Blends, gel pen, Barely Blush Bordered ribbon 

Wild Party Animal - Stampin' Up!® Wild Bunch

   Now if cute animal stamps are your thing you don't to want to wait to place your next Stampin' Up!® order!  The Wild Bunch stamp set is this months Product of the Month and is available for just $5 with a $75 order while supplies last!  Let me tell you, this set is adorable and besides the 4 sweet animals there are sentiments and accent stamps too!  

  How cute is this little party koala??  I'm using colors that I gave to my customers for a color challenge; Peach Pie, Pretty Peacock and Petal Pink.

  I started with a piece of retired Country Lace DSP for the background then used strips in my colors for stamping and embossing.  The Peach Pie strip is embossed with an upcoming new embossing folder called Swirls of Magic.  The Pretty Peacock piece is stamped with the checkerboard pattern and the Petal Pink with the heart.

 I stamped the koala in Basic Gray then colored it in with Blends along with the party hat.  I fussy cut the images and then adhered them to a die cut label from the Filled With Sweetness die set.  The sentiment is stamped and tucked under the edge of the label.

Each colored strip is embellished with a gem in one of the colors and the pompom on the hat is highlighted with Wink of Stella.

  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: Wild Bunch (June 2026 POM)

Ink: Basic Gray, Petal Pink, Pretty Peacock

Blends: Smoky Slate light & dark, Barely Blush light, Petal Pink dark, Pretty Peacock light & dark

Paper: Basic White, Pretty Peacock, Petal Pink, Peach Pie (retired), Country Lace DSP (retired)

Accessories: Filled With Sweetness dies, dimensionals, Wink of Stella, Low Profile Dots (retired), 2024-2026 In Color Dots, Faceted Gems (retired)