Heartfelt Journey - Stampin' Up! Heartfelt Hexagons

   In this busy season I have completely been slacking on posting projects!  I haven't even finished sharing the projects that we made at a private class a customer hosted a few weeks back!  The class was held just a few days before the new annual catalog went live so it was hard to decide what to use on the class projects!  I went with a mix of carryover items and new products.

  The new Thoughtful Journey designer series paper is gorgeous and I paired it with the carryover set Heartfelt Hexagons for a design that shows off the paper and lets the fun hexagon punch shine.

  The card base is Basic White thick, then a strip of Misty Moonlight cardstock topped with a strip of the Thoughtful Journey DSP. 

  The sentiment is stamped in Boho Blue ink and then the frame is stamped in Misty Moonlight and punched out.  A length of retired Boho Blue textured ribbon is adhered to the back and then adhered to the card front with dimensionals.

  A few 2024-2026 In Color shimmer gems are added to the side of the sentiment for a small bit of sparkle.

  This is a great design to use if you need to make multiples and any designer series paper would work.  It's especially good for 6x6 paper because you get 3 panels for 3 card with just a small 1/2" x 6" strip of scrap.  

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Heartfelt Hexagons

Ink: Boho Blue, Misty Moonlight

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Misty Moonlight, Thoughtful Journey DSP

Accessories: Heartfelt Hexagon punch, dimensionals, 2024-2026 In Color shimmer gems, Boho Blue textured ribbon (retired)

Peach Pie Cutie - Stampin' Up! Hearts & Hugs

  Last week I was able to introduce the 2024-2026 In Colors to my stampers at my monthly class.  I think they were overall well received and people seemed to like that they were brighter and more cheerful than the 2023-2025 set which are definitely more muted.  I designed one of the class projects so that they could choose one of the new In Colors to work with.

  I didn't take a photo of each of the other colors but just imagine the exact same card just with the other In Colors.

  This one is showcasing Peach Pie with a Peach Pie base, then a layer of the 2024-2026 In Color DSP with the same color stitched ribbon tied around it.

  Using the arched heart die and a Stylish Shape circle the hearts are cut from the top.  Then a piece of Peach Pie cardstock is placed behind the heart cut outs.  The circle is then popped on dimensionals.

  The little hamster (or as one of my customers pointed out a quokka) is stamped in Pecan Pie ink onto Crumb Cake cardstock.  We used a Pecan Pie and Melon Mambo colored pencils and a blender brush to give the little cutie some color.  Then he's die cut and popped on the circle with dimensionals.

  The sentiment is stamped in Basic Gray under the strip of DSP.  It was fun to see which colors my customers gravitated towards.

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

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Hearts & Hugs

Ink: Pecan Pie, Basic Gray

Paper: Peach Pie, Basic White, 2024-2026 In Color DSP, Crumb Cake

Accessories: Hearts & Hugs dies, Stylish Shapes dies, dimensionals, Peach Pie Stitched ribbon, colored pencils, blender pen

Birthday Attention - Stampin' Up! Attention Shoppers

   Stampin' Up! introduced their new In Colors just in time for the current Just Us Girls color challenge!  The challenge has us using lavender, peach and gray.  I've used Fresh Freesia, the new In Color Peach Pie and Basic Gray for my card.

  Aren't these such a great color combo??  I think I may have to jot this one down in my color combo binder to use again in the future!  I can never have too many birthday cards so I went with the great cake from the new Attention Shoppers bundle.

  This design starts with a Fresh Freesia base.  I stamped the sentiment in Basic Gray all over a panel of Fresh Freesia then edged it with a Basic White panel.  The cake and flowers are stamped in Basic Gray and then colored in with Blends markers and die cut.  The flower image is actually a bouquet but I just cut off the paper wrap part of it and used just the blossoms.

  The cake is framed out with one of the great Unbounded Love dies.  This is a great all purpose label die set that can be mixed and matched with other products.  I used 2 of them here to highlight the cake image.  One die cuts the white label and then another die cuts out the Peach Pie frame.  Think of the possibilities!

  The label, cake and some of the flowers are popped up on dimensionals on the card front and then embellished with a baker's twine bow and two Peach Pie shimmer gems.

  All of the supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.  I'd love to be your Stampin' Up! demonstrator if you do no already have one.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Attention Shoppers

Ink: Basic Gray

Blends: Fresh Freesia light & dark, Peach Pie light & dark

Paper: Fresh Freesia, Basic White, Peach Pie

Accessories: Attention Shoppers dies, Unbounded Love dies, dimensionals, baker's twine, In Color Shimmer gems

Throw That Cap - Stampin' Up! Cap & Gown

   Each spring I find that I need one or 2 graduation cards but this year I'm definitely stocking up as my oldest is graduating from high school.  That means we have a whole slew of kids we know that are also graduating.  So it was with a double purpose that I designed today's card which we made at my last class.  I cut extra supplies so that after the class I could have a design all ready to just put together and customize a bit as needed.

  I was so happy that the Cap & Gown stamp set that was in the Stampin' Up! January-April mini catalog is being carried over.  You can now find it on the online store only if you need a solid graduation set for the next few years.  There are no matching dies for this one but I think the images would be really easy to fussy cut if you wanted to. 

  This one starts with a Basic White thick card base, then a layer of the Zoo Crew DSP which has now retired. To re-create this design you can substitute any black and white patterned DSP and it will keep the same feel.

  Next the hands, cap and sentiment are all stamped in Memento Black onto a piece of Basic White.  The hands are colored with the Natural Tones Blends markers and the sleeves and cap are colored with the color of choice.  This sample uses Blueberry Bushel but Black is a good choice if you don't know the school colors or want to make it and have it on hand without a recipient in mind.  The tassel is colored with Daffodil Delight.

  To add some bling to the card we added 2 flags cut from the new retired More Dazzle specialty paper but again you can swap out any glimmer paper that you have on hand for a similar effect.  The top flag is popped on dimensionals.  See how to make perfect flagged ends in this quick video:

  Once everything on this panel is finished it's popped on dimensionals.  In class we added a quick DSP sleeve to hold a gift card or some cash on the inside and that can be coordinated with the DSP that is used on the outside of the card.

  All of the current supplies used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.  I'd love to earn your business!

  Thanks for looking! Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Cap & Gown

Ink: Memento Black

Blends: Natural Tones, Blueberry Bushel light & dark, Daffodil Delight light & dark

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Zoo Crew DSP (retired), More Dazzle specialty paper (retired)

Accessories: dimensionals

Simply Lavender - Stampin' Up! Painted Lavender

   Last weekend I taught a private class for a customer and her group of crafty friends.  My customer had asked if they could make projects that used some new products from the (then) upcoming Stampin' Up! annual catalog.  As so many things from the Last Chance list had already sold out I was definitely into using some new products and pairing them up with some carry over items.  I combined the Painted Lavender set with the new Simply Said sentiment set.  If you are a new stamper and need a good all purpose set this one is great.  I love the 2 different fonts used and it covers all the big card sending events; birthday, thinking of you, hello, thank you and celebrate.  It's a great price point and perfect to use with our kits for more variety!

  This one starts with a Lost Lagoon card base and then a piece of Highland Heather cardstock is stamped in the same color ink with the leafy stamp from Painted Lavender.  It's adhered to the card front offset to the right.  Next is a band of Perennial Lavender DSP in Lost Lagoon across the center.

  The sentiment is stamped in Lost Lagoon on a Basic White Stylish Shape circle.  The lavender flowers are stamped on another larger circle in Gorgeous Grape and then without re-inking it's stamped again just slightly moved over to give the impression of a second layer of flowers in a lighter shade.  This is a great technique to make something look fuller while still keeping the same color palette.  Both circles are popped on dimensionals above the band.

  The flower stems are stamped in Lost Lagoon and then diecut and popped on dimensionals under the flowers.

  A few rhinestones add a bit of sparkle and a tiny knot of retired Iridescent trim is added to the stem with a glue dot.

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

  Thanks for looking! Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Painted Lavender, Simply Said

Ink: Lost Lagoon, Highland Heather, Gorgeous Grape

Paper: Lost Lagoon, Highland Heather, Basic White, Perennial Lavender DSP

Accessories: Painted Lavender dies, Stylish Shapes dies, dimensionals, rhinestones, Iridescent trim (retired)

Amazing Birdhouse - Stampin' Up! Country Birdhouse

   I didn't get this one shared before the challenge closed but I used the Color Throwdown challenge of Navy, Red, and gold for my colors.   I thought this one came out pretty cute; a bit country and a little bit elegant with the gold!

  Check out that new embossing folder Eyelet in the background.  It's such a pretty pattern and perfect for sweet background for these birds.

  I stamped the birdhouse in Early Espresso onto the new Country Woods DSP pattern in a nice blue.  I die cut it and then added the all the trims.  The Early Espresso trim pieces are stamped with the tiny woodgrain stamp.  The scallops are stamped in gold.  

  All of the gold accents are die cut from the soon to be retired Distressed Gold specialty paper.  Get yours now before it's all gone!  I love this paper and will hold on to the scraps that I still have left!

  And before you think that the catalog photos of Country Birdhouse are wrong or that you have a set that's missing a stamp this set only comes with one bird stamp.  I really wanted to have a pair  but I wanted them to look in different directions for balance.  I know I ask a lot lol!  So to solve the problem of only one bird stamp I used my silicone craft mat to make a mirror image!  It's so easy!  All you do is stamp the image directly onto the craft mat and then press your cardstock into the image.  Done.  Seriously it's that easy!  To get it die cut I simply held the image up to a bright window to better see the image and lined the die up and taped it with painters tape to stay in place.  The birds are then colored with Stampin' Blends.

  I had cut out the birdhouse opening earlier so I tucked one of the bird peeking out of the hole and then backed it with a piece of Early Espresso cardstock.  The other bird is perched on the edge of the house by some of the gold leaves.

  The whole birdhouse is popped on dimensionals.  I added a Night of Navy baker's twine bow and some gold sequins.  I wanted to use a smaller sentiment so I used the Sentimental Park stamp set and cut it apart and popped them on tiny pieces of dimensionals.

 Current items used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.  Items marked with * will be available starting May 1, 2024 with the release of the 2024-2025 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog. If you'd like the opportunity to order these items early you can join my Stampin' Up! team and get preorder benefits!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Country Birdhouse*, Sentimental Park

Ink: Early Espresso, Night of Navy, gold (retired)

Blends: Real Red light & dark, Crumb Cake light & dark, Daffodil Delight dark

Paper: Basic White, Early Espresso, Distressed Gold Specialty paper (retiring 4/30/24), Country Woods DSP*

Accessories: Eyelet embossing folder*, Country Birdhouse dies*, dimensionals, gold sequins, bakers twine

New Demo Welcome - Stampin' Up! Attention Shoppers

   It's always an exciting event when a someone joins my team as a new demonstrator and of course I have to welcome them with a card!  I used the upcoming new Attention Shoppers bundle as I thought the shopping bags were a perfect way to celebrate that awesome 20% demonstrator discount that Margaret now gets to take advantage of!  

  This one starts with a Basic White thick card base and then I topped it with a layer of Flirty Flamingo and a piece of the soon to be retired Bee Mine DSP cut with one of the larger Perennial Postage dies.

  I stamped 3 of the shopping bags from the Attention Shopper set (coming May 1!) and colored the handles and tissue paper with Blends markers.  Then I stamped the bag again onto 3 different pieces of DSP and then fussy cut the body of the bag and paper pieced them to the bags that I stamped first.  Then the Attention Shoppers dies were used to cut the whole bag out.

  My favorite part of the this card are the little Stampin' Up! logos which I cut out from the old printed packing lists that we used to get in each order.  They were the perfect size for these shopping bags!

  The sentiment is from a retired demo only set called Stamping Your Way to the Top and I just fussy cut it and popped the pieces on dimensionals.  A few small rhinestones are scattered around for a little bit of sparkle.

  Current items used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.  Items marked with * will be available starting May 1, 2024 with the release of the 2024-2025 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog. If you'd like the opportunity to order these items early you can join my Stampin' Up! team and get preorder benefits!  And get 20% off just like my new downline Margaret!!

 Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Attention Shoppers*, Stamping Your Way to the Top (retired demo set)

Ink: Memento Black

Blends: Balmy Blue light, Calypso Coral light, Bubble Bath dark, Flirty Flamingo dark

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Bee Mine DSP (retiring 4/30/24), Flirty Flamingo, Rain or Shine DSP (retired), Bright & Beautiful DSP, Garden Walk DSP (retired)

Accessories: Perennial Postage dies, dimensionals, Attention Shoppers dies*, rhinestones

Pastel Blooms - Stampin' Up! Country Birdhouse Dies

 My card today is one that is totally inspired by a challenge and quite literally followed the colors and the exact suggested layout.  I love the inspiration photo from the Inspired By challenge.  Beautifully decorated cake pops, check out the photos at the end of this post!  The layout is a great one for using up some tiny scraps as well!

  I loved the soft pastels in the inspiration photo and they so reminded me of the Lighter Than Air DSP which is soon retiring so if you love these spring-y colors don't wait to order the paper.  I pulled my color palette directly from the DSP colors (listed below).

  A Crumb Cake card base is a nice neutral background for a card with this many colors on it.  When I pulled out my dies to begin cutting the circles I mistakenly grabbed the retired Stitched Shapes dies instead of the current Stylish Shapes dies and I think the latter would have been the better choice as I think the size of circle is just a tad smaller and would have kept it from looking so crowded.  But I didn't notice until I was adhering them and I wasn't going to go back and re-do them.  12 circles barely fit but I squashed them on with dimensionals as adhesive.

  The flowers are cut from all the card stock colors using one of the flower accents dies from the new Country Birdhouse die set.  I love the simple look of the unembellished flowers

  Finally I stamped the sentiment from the new Simply Said stamp set and cut the banner with the new Hearts & Hugs die set and added it to the center of the card.

  This design is by no means a hard card to make just a bit tedious with the die cutting and lining up...BUT it was nice to pull out some of my smallest scraps and get them used up.

Current items used to make this card can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE.  Items marked with * will be available starting May 1, 2024 with the release of the 2024-2025 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog. If you'd like the opportunity to order these items early you can join my Stampin' Up! team and get preorder benefits! 

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Simply Said*

Ink: Memento Black

Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic White, Lemon Lolly, Balmy Blue, Petal Pink, Fresh Freesia, Flirty Flamingo, Pool Party, Bubble Bath

Accessories: Stitched Shapes dies (retired, Stylish Shapes dies are a great alternative!), Country Birdhouse dies*, Heats & Hugs dies*