Cute As a Bug CASE

It’s really fun to take an idea (like two of the cards in the Mini Catalog on p. 42, below) and recreate it with a twist (& there’s nothing wrong with CASE-ing it exactly as is either).

Can you see how the two cards on the top right inspired my card?

I knew that I wanted to use Poppy Parade cardstock, so I used my Color Coach to select the coordinating colors of Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party, Night of Navy, and Petal Pink.  

PRO TIP: Stretch your die cuts but cutting them in half and hiding the cut behind another piece like I did with the Old Olive banner!

As always, don't forget to decorate the inside of your card and the coordinating envelope!  I will add a sentiment to the inside of the card when I send it to someone special.

You can still sign up for my Cute As a Bug Stamp Camp (3/21) through 3/8!

Cute as a Bug Sampler Card

You're not seeing things if this card looks familiar!  I told you that I really liked how this design could show all six designer series paper patterns, but the six on the back, to show off all 12.  This time I used the Cute as a Bug suite.

I can't wait for my new Stampin' Blends to come in.  I colored the caterpillar and leaf with (retired) Stampin' Write markers, and they don't blend well.  I fussy cut the mushrooms after stamping them on Very Vanilla cardstock and used my Pecan Pie Stampin' Blends.  I also used Basic Gray, Old Olive, and Poppy Parade inks.

Look closely at the bottom of the card to see the grass stamped along the bottom edge for a little extra interest.
 

February Crafternoon Card Class #3: Masculine Happy Birthday Card

Birthday cards are always in high demand for me, and sometimes it's hard to create masculine (or at least gender-neutral ones).  I think this card made with the  Nature's Walk suite would be perfect for anyone.

I got this idea for this one on Pinterest and then made it my own.  It is technique heave with several stamps/inks plus we used the die cut leaves negative as a stencil for blending ink on the front and inside of the card and the envelope.

 I love how Secret Sea coordinates so well with Pretty Peacock!

Easter Joy Sampler Card

This fun card design shows off all 12 pieces of the Easter Joy DSP on one card (and is one that you are going to see recreated many, many times).  Many thanks to Laura's Creative Cards & More for sharing this fun design.

I cut a 1/2" strip of each of the six DSP designs and then cut them at about 1/3 of the way down to flip over to show both sides of this pretty paper.

Can you see how well the foil shines on this fun DSP?  It is thicker than the usual weight of our DSP.  You can find the entire Easter Joy suite HERE, and we will be playing with this suite at my March Crafternoon Class on 3/8.  (Let me know if you're in the tri-state area and would like to attend!)

By the way, how cute is that bunny?  I am ready for spring!

 

February Crafternoon Card Class #2: Stippled Swirled Birthday Card (Times Two)

As soon as I saw the Nature's Walk suite, I knew that I was going to have so much fun creating with it!  This card design was part of the Connect & Create Online Creative Retreat Jan. 2026 that I participated in, and I have permission to recreate/share.  I love learning new things from other demonstrators (or from wherever I learn them)!

Both cards use the same stippled swirled DSP from the collection.  The first, darker card was my "practice" card and class "stample"/model.

The second card I made with my crafternoon ladies to walk them through each step.  It uses the same DSP, just the lighter design.  I haven't crumpled paper and applied ink direct-to-paper in a long time.  Those old techniques still look great

Which one do you prefer?

Free Shipping Feb. 18-20!

Free shipping on orders of $75 or more are available February 18-20 HERE!  Combine orders with friends to reach the $75 (which also makes you eligible to purchase the February Product of the Month, Painted Illusions DSP, for only $5!).

Monday Scrapbooking

A lovely group of ladies meets at a local library on the 3rd Monday of the month to craft, and I was able to join them yesterday since I had the day off.  It was a lot of fun, and I already knew most of them!

I brought my Weekend Adventures DSP and sticker sheet and was able to create another layout from our trip to Alaska last year (finishing the title at home).

I got most of my Thanksgiving layout put together there but then added the stamped sentiment and title at home.

If you're local and free, you should join them to craft on the third Mondays of the month!  Let me know if you need the details. 

February Crafternoon Card Class #1: Green Nature's Walk Card

My February Crafternoon Card Class featured the Nature's Walk suite.  Our first card used some of the green DSP with coordinating cardstock, stamped die cuts, and ribbon.

 I really like the addition of the black cardstock behind the long DSP panel.

In addition to a little stamping and DSP added to the inside of the card, we also stamped the same leaf cluster on the envelope.  (I love to stamp a large stamp on the fold of the opened envelope so that part of it is on the front at the return address area and part is on the back flap.)

Today, I'm giving a shout out for a happy birthday to my cousin Bjarne and a happy anniversary to my sister Amy and brother-in-love Jason!

Easter Basket Sketch Card (Two Ways)

Working with sketches is always inspires me and helps me quickly get inky without a lot of thought and effort, so for Thursday's Live at 7:30 PM on my Facebook page, I used this sketch as my inspiration. 

Rather than make a tag, I made a card using the Easter Joy suite, including both the Easter Joy DSP and the Pleasant Patterns Specialty DSP, the stamp set, and dies.  I had fun coloring my Easter basket items with Stampin' Blends markers!

I thought that this version had a little too much white at the top, so I added some Balmy Blue ink with a blending brush.  I also decided to make this card again with a few tweaks.

Which one do you prefer?

To a Great Guy Card

My great guy deserves a Valentine, so I made this card for him today using the #GDP534 sketch as my inspiration.

I started with my stack of Thoughtful Journey 6"x6" DSP and selected this wintry scene.  (Hurry!  Low inventory of this DSP so it's definitely only available while supplies last!) I grabbed my Nature's Walk bundle (stamp set and dies), Misty Moonlight and Basic White cardstock, plus Misty Moonlight and Blackberry Bliss ink.  Those beautiful watercolor leaves are just the gorgeous DSP!  I used Misty Moonlight & Silver ribbon behind my leaves cluster but you really couldn't see it so I added a quick little knot on top.

I crossed out the "like" in the sentiment and wrote in LOVE to fit today- and honestly every day!  My guy isn't a hearts and flowers kind of guy so hopefully he will love this card as much as I loved making it for him.

The Everyday Arches dies made this card sketch come together quickly.  
 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! 💕 I hope you have a special day!

A Paper Pumpkin subscription makes it so easy to create pretty cards! 

One Card, Five Ways

It's always a win when I work smarter than rather harder, so I love recreating a card sketch in different ways.  I had fun doing just that on a recent Facebook Live (Thursdays at 7:30 PM EST) on my Facebook page with the Nature's Symphony suite.

My first card only uses Very Vanilla, Pretty Peacock, and Old Olive cardstock, Pretty Peacock and Old Olive ink; and the Nature's Walk stamp set (plus some faux bronze pentagons).

The second card has the addition of the coordinating DSP.

The third card adds in coordinating die cuts.

I created two more in a different color scheme (Petal Pink, Calypso Coral, and Old Olive.

Do you prefer simple or more advanced?