October Crafternoon 'Tis a Gift to Be Simple Card #4: Joy to the World

Fortunately I was able to get the October Product of the Month, Shining Stars dies, in time for our monthly Crafternoon to use on this card.

The Whispering Woods DSP does all the work (and is beautiful on both sides, so no two cards looked alike).

October Crafternoon 'Tis a Gift to Be Simple Card #3: Stacked Presents

A simple stack of rectangles makes a pretty Christmas card. We used a variety of Designer Series Papers (DSP) to create the “wrapping paper.”

We used Hearth & Home, All Wrapped Up, and Timeless Christmas for the presents.  It was so fun to mix and match!  The bow was fussy cut from a piece of All Wrapped Up DSP.

The silver foil in the All Wrapped Up DSP and hot foil sentiment photographed more gold because of the light.  I love how the silver accents catch the light and jazz up this card!

October Crafternoon 'Tis a Gift to Be Simple Card #2: Yuletide Carol

The Yuletide Carol Designer Series Paper (DSP) is the hero of this simple card! 

The Cricut-cut poinsettia is a beautiful accent to the pretty paper.

October 'Tis a Gift to Be Simple Card #1: Simple Triangles Card

At my St. Louis team retreat, one of the instructors taught this pretty design using a 3" square of DSP.  I had to create a Christmas version for my customers using the Hearth & Home DSP.  (The original card uses Sunflower Fields DSP.)

The simplicity of this card lets the design and DSP shine.

My Christmas version also uses a Secret Sea card base.  I love how neutral Secret Sea actually is!

This month's Crafternoon will be 11/8 at noon.  We'll be creating with the Neutral Noel suite.  Let me know if you can make it in person if if you'd like a virtual kit. 

Thinking of You Halloween Card

Wishing you a happy Halloween weekend, however you're spending it!

I made this peekaboo card for my Mauvelous Lollies team and the project sheet we send to customers with a minimum $50 order this month and sent it to our Halloween-loving daughter.  (It's not too late to place an order HERE if you'd like to receive this tutorial, complete with videos, plus two other projects.)

This was a lot of fun to make!  Happy Halloween!

Thursday Live: Nested Star-Shaped Card

For my Facebook Live last week (each Thursday at 7:30 PM), I created this easy nested star-shaped card using the fabulous October Product of the Month, Shining Stars dies. (You can find the YouTube replay with instructions HERE.)

I used the Timeless Christmas DSP and Magical Christmas hot foil dies with gold foil.  Do you love those little gold stars as much as I do?

The card base is die cut from Basic White cardstock- just be careful not to cut off the fold!

Be sure to catch me tonight at 7:30 on my Facebook page! 

Happy Birthday to a Special Downline

Today is one of my downline's birthday, so I had to make a PINK card just for her!

I used my Balloon Festoon bundle (stamp set & dies) with Bloom Boutique DSP, Barely Blush DSP, Barely Blush cardstock, and White Willow cardstock.  (The ribbon is from my stash.) I used Crisp Cantaloupe ink for the sentiment.

 The card base uses a folded card that I cut with the largest balloon die (and then covered with the Bloom Boutique DSP).  I had to mail this in a 5" x 7" envelope to accommodate the extra balloons.  I hope this made her day!  Happy birthday, teammate!

Thursday Live: Halloween Cat Paper Pieced Card

For my Facebook Live last week (each Thursday at 7:30 PM), I created this paper pieced easy easel Halloween cat card for one of our daughters.  (This card is for the same daughter who will call me and ask about the cats before her parents!)  You can find the YouTube replay with instructions HERE.

I saw this cat idea from Libby Stamps but had to guess on measurements.  I ended up using six 1 1/2" squares of Texture & Tone black & gray DSP.  The fifth square used half (for the right "ear" as you look at the cat, because the "left" ear and angled back are the same square cut on a diagonal), and then I added the "tail" strip (which I think is the perfect finishing touch).

The DSP rectangle was the leftovers from the 1 1/2" x 12" strip that I used to make the squares.

Here is the easel card propped open to enjoy.  I think our daughter will love it!  I certainly loved making it for her and sharing it live.  Be sure to catch me tonight at 7:30 on my Facebook page!

 

Thursday's Live: Masculine Thank You Card

No, your days are not off!  I'm catching up from a little vacation last week.  For one of my Facebook Lives earlier this month (each Thursday at 7:30 PM), I created a masculine thank you card for Kevin Lunt, the Stampin' Up! Field Success Managers Director, who attended our team retreat. 

I used my Fern & Flora bundle with Very Vanilla and Espresso cardstock, plus wood grain and Hydrangea Hue die cut pieces from the Hearth & Home DSP.

The Classic Greeting hot foil sentiment says it all!

I added some scrap strips from the DSP to add a little interest to the inside of the card before I wrote my thank you message.

I love how changing a color palette can completely change the look and feel of a bundle (stamp set and coordinating die cuts)!

Get Carried Away with Balloon Festoon: Daisy Card

This daisy card is the make & take that I made and taught for the 100 participants at the Connected Hearts team retreat.

It uses five Crisp Cantaloupe balloons to create the petals.  (Yes, I die cut over 500 individual balloons for the project!)

I like the inside even better!  

Team Retreat Swap Card

Another perk of our team retreat was participating in a ten-card swap.  (I made ten cards and then received back nine different ones- one went to the silent auction to help raise money to offset the costs of next year's retreat.

Since I used the Mosaic Garden DSP for my make & take project, I created this fun fold card with the patterns that I hadn't used.  I chose the Scalloped Blooms bundle for the stamp set and die cuts.  Can you see the Old Olive specialty rickrack behind the flower?

The front sentiment panel has dimensionals on the left side only so that the right panel can tuck behind it. 

Don't forget to decorate the insides of your cards and the coordinating envelope (not pictured)!

Get Carried Away with Balloon Festoon: Ice Cream Sundae Easel Card

This card was probably my favorite to make!  The ice cream scoops and the bowl were all made with Balloon Festoon balloon dies, and the cherry stem is a piece of the balloon string die.

Stamping from the bundle includes the sprinkles, sentiment, and the whimsical streamers.

My original plan was for the easel to open and rest on the sentiment strip, but the card didn't sit very tall.   Instead, I was able to hold it open with the top of the interior arch.

Who would you send this card to?  I'm looking forward to brightening someone's birthday!

November Paper Pumpkin Available Through 11/10

The window for subscribing the November Paper Pumpkin box, Tags of Joy, is now open! This month's kit creates 12 tags that can be used on gifts or as card accents. Who loves some gold foil?

Elevate your Christmas gifting with handcrafted tags adorned in eye-catching gold foil. 

• Makes 12 tags: 4 each of 3 designs 

• Precut tags and paper pieces 

• Green twine 

• Coordinating colors: Cherry Cobbler (Premium Stampin’ Spot), Crushed Curry, gold, Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Real Red

These tags will coordinate with many of our holiday-themed DSP!

Don't forget that as a Paper Pumpkin subscriber, you can also purchase the coordinating quarterly dies to stretch your creativity!

October Paper Pumpkin Subscription Closes Today!

The October Paper Pumpkin subscription box closes TODAY!  If you're not already a subscriber, you can learn more HERE (or sign up directly HERE)!

 

Get Carried Away with Balloon Festoon: Cacti Card

Feeling a bit prickly?  I had a lot of fun creating this cacti card (and have lots of ideas for sentiments inside)!

All of the cacti (except for the small circle) were created with the Balloon Festoon dies using Peaceful Pine cardstock, Peaceful Pine DSP (from the 2026-28 In Color Painted Patterns DSP) and Peaceful Pine DSP.  I added the cactus spines with the new white gel pen and the black journaling pen.  The background uses Radiant Foil specialty DSP.  The blossoms are from the Fern & Flora dies in Bubble Bath and Crushed Curry.

Can you believe that the terracotta pot is also a ballon die (cut into several pieces)?  I had a lot of fun ink blending the background. 

Who would you send this card to, and what message would you include inside?

Get Carried Away with Balloon Festoon: Pumpkin Card

To continue the creativity with the Balloon Festoon bundle, I created this pumpkin card with the Painted Patch collection and with five of the next-to-the-smallest balloons to make a pumpkin.  

I added a sentiment from Scalloped Blooms in Secret Sea and die cut Secret Sea leaves from Sweet Words & Labels.  Using my Calypso Coral Stampin' Blends to add details to the dies really made this look like a pumpkin.  What do you think?

Get Carried Away with Balloon Festoon: Fish Card

Recently, I attended a team retreat in St. Louis with 99 other Stampin' Up! demonstrators from around the country.  I had a blast and have so many ideas to share!  I was invited to teach a make & take project, so I decided to get carried away with the Balloon Festoon bundle and see how many different, nontraditional ways I could use this party bundle.

I used the two smallest balloon dies to create these Calypso Coral fish paired with Whispering Woods DSP. 

Are you o-fish-ially a fan or not?

Thursday's Live: Card Sketch with Rectangles (Plus)

For last Thursday's Facebook Live (each Thursday at 7:30 PM), I used a simple card sketch and the beautiful All Wrapped Up DSP to get started on Christmas card creations.  (You can watch the YouTube replay HERE.) 

I fussy cut that beautiful bouquet from the All Wrapped Up DSP.  I used Secret Sea Two-Tone cardstock with silver hot foil and the Magical Christmas hot foil dies to create the sentiment.

The card base is Cloud Cover and the background rectangle is Peaceful Pine.  The adhesive-backed sparkle sequins are a beautiful addition to add more sparkle!

Have you started making your Christmas cards?  I'll have more ideas for you on tonight's Facebook Live at 7:30 PM!

September Crafternoon Card #4: Thinking of You Bendy Card

The bendy card may be my new favorite fun fold!  We made this cheery sunflower version at this month's Crafternoon.

We used the Sunflower Fields DSP and added a sunflower Cricut cut.  It will fold flat for mailing.

Thinking of you is my favorite sentiment.  Who would you send this card to?  You write the message on the back. 

Thursday's Live: Quick Card Sketch

Last Thursday's Facebook Live (each Thursday at 7:30 PM) actually got bumped to Friday because I had a conflict.  I created this very quick and easy card that uses a piece of 2" x 10 1/2" DSP (or two 2" x 5 1/4" DSP after cutting) from the Timeless Christmas DSP.  I love that so many of our papers are two-sided!  The cute tag is also part of the paper pack.

I used my Magical Christmas hot foil dies with gold foil to create the pretty Merry Christmas and then added a trio of adhesive gems from my stash.  (The coordinating holly berry gems would have been adorable too.)

I would love to see what you make with this quick & easy card idea!  Feel free to post your creations in the comments.  Also, I hope to see you on tonight's live at 7:30 (or later on #replay)!

September Crafternoon Card #3: Scalloped Blooms Bouquet Card

This card was inspired by a card in the Sept.-Dec. catalog but we made it with Sunflower Fields DSP, Radiant Foil DSP, and Daffodil Delight cardstock.

I love how fussy cutting and layering the flowers gives the little bouquet such dimension!

It's hard to tell from the photos, but we trimmed about a 1/2" off the front right edge of the card to create some more interest.

September Crafternoon Card #2: Painted Pumpkins Card

This card style is a fun way to showcase both sides of our DSP (Painted Patch collection here).

We fussy cut the pumpkins from the DSP to stretch our stash just a little bit.

My next Crafternoon will be 10/18, so mark your calendar to save the date!

September Crafternoon Card #1: Triple Panel Z-Fold Card

This triple panel Z-fold card features the pretty September Product of the Month, Luxe Foliage DSP.

I think would be cute with a bow on top like a stack of presents or even as a wedding cake!

We had fun fussy cutting this pretty paper to make the card accents.

Falling for Hot Foil Class (10/26)

Recently a new venue/opportunity has opened up, and I will be teaching my first card making class at The Murphy Art Center (The MAC) on 10/26 at 1:00.  I'll be teaching a fall version of my August Metallic Magic class to a new audience.

I'm really excited about this opportunity to meet new people and expand my Inky community across the tri-state area!  If you're a current customer interested in a kit to go, just let me know!

Another Offset Rectangles Card

While trying out a few ideas on last week's Thursday Facebook Live, I ended up creating this second card.  (You can find the first card HERE, posted yesterday.)

In place of the gold foil DSP panel, I used a pretty piece of Moonlight Flora DSP, matted on Golden Glow.  I love how the varying shades of green die cuts peek out behind the focal panel and add texture.  Normally I would not use Peaceful Pine, Old Olive, & Mossy Meadow together, but they coordinate beautifully with the DSP.

 

Thursday's Live: Offset Rectangles Card

My recent Stampin' Up! order arrived on Thursday, so I had to share the September product of the month, Luxe Foliage DSP, on last Thursday's Facebook Live (each Thursday at 7:30 PM) and create a Peaceful Pine card!  Which color is your favorite: Secret Sea, Pecan Pie, or Peaceful Pine? (You can also find YouTube instructions HERE.)  

I cut a 1 1/2" x 4" piece of the Peaceful Pine Luxe Foliage DSP and matted it onto a piece of a gold foil sheet.  Thanks to my audience participation, I selected the large Classic Greetings hot foil sentiment.  I love the texture that the Floral Spray 3D embossing folder provides!

While making the live video, I played around with a few ideas, so you can come back tomorrow for a second card.

As always, I hope this inspires you to get inky (or crafty)!  See you at 7:30 on tonight's Facebook Live!

September's Card Crafternoon: Falling for Autumn

Yesterday some lovely ladies joined me for the September edition of my monthly crafternoon.  This month's theme was "falling for autumn."  Here are the four cards we made:

I have three kits left for these four cards, so please let me know if you'd like one of them (mailing fee will be an extra cost if you're not local to me). 

You're invited to next month's Crafternoon, which will be held on 10/18.  We'll begin our holiday cardmaking with a Traditional Christmas class that will include some gift card ideas.

Stamp Out Loneliness: Virtual Card Making Retreat 10/3

You're invited!  All paper crafters welcome!  This event will all happen on my Facebook page (with a live Zoom session at 10 AM EDT) with a few inky friends from the Mauvelous Lollies team!

 

October Paper Pumpkin Available Through 10/10

The window for subscribing the October Paper Pumpkin box, Noel Greetings, is now open! This month's kit coordinates with the beautiful Neutral Noel suite (my favorite for Christmas this year!). 

 Craft elegant, layered Christmas cards in a sophisticated neutral palette. 

• Makes 10 cards: 5 each of 2 designs with 10 coordinating envelopes 

• Precut paper pieces 

• Gold foil accents 

• Coordinating colors: Basic Beige, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Mossy Meadow (Premium Stampin’ Spot), Pecan Pie

This kit will help you get a jump start on your holiday cards!  If you're not already a Paper Pumpkin subscriber, be sure to sign up HERE!

P.S.  As a Paper Pumpkin subscriber, you can also purchase the coordinating quarterly dies to have even more fun with the stamp sets in your kits!