July Stampin' Up! News

Today is an exciting day in the Stampin' Up! Universe!  A whole "mini catalog" of July online exclusives have launched, along with two new kits, and a really great JOIN offer.  You can find out more HERE!

Sip & Stamp June Cards

Last Friday, I held my monthly Sip & Stamp where we make 3 kit cards, sometimes exactly as is and other times with some upcycling.

I made the soft and subtle Brighten Your Day kit while others created the Lots to Love kit.

Our next Sip & Stamp is 7/31, so mark your calendar now!
 

Painted Skies Sip & Stamp Cards

One Friday a month, I offer a relaxing Sip & Stamp card making gathering to create three kit cards (with add ons to enhance them, not that they need them!).  In May, we used the Painted Skies kit to create three trifold cards.

For the original cards, the die cut frames are all white.  I couldn't resist trying some techniques on them.  For the first card, I blended Cloud Clover and Blueberry Bushel ink and then added sparkle with Wink of Stella.

For the second card, I used Basic Gray and Basic Black cardstock plus In Colors Pearlized Paper (Golden Glow piece) for the lighthouse and rocks.

I will add a sentiment when I decide who will receive this card.

I used my Stampin' Write Black marker to color this scene.  I love the pop of Black!  Ink blending would also work.

I added the stamped birds from the recent Lakeside Retreat Paper Pumpkin kit stamp set.  Stretch your supplies as far as possible!

Thought this kit is currently unavailable, it will be back in stock.  You can find it HERE and select to receive an email when it is back in stock.

June's Sip & Stamp will be 6/19 at 5:00.  Please RSVP by the Wednesday prior and join us!

Retirement Card

This card uses a variety of products to celebrate a friend's recent retirement.  The base uses a pretty piece of Scenic Coast DSP with a May Sparking Celebrations Paper Pumpkin window frame overlay.

The sentiment stamp is from the same Paper Pumpkin kit, but the gulls and sailboat are from a retired Stampin' Up! kit.

Such a fun way to sail off into the sunset, if I do say so myself!  Don't be afraid to mix & match products!

 

June Paper Pumpkin Subscription Closes Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the last day that you can subscribe to the June Paper Pumpkin box, Bikes and Blooms!  This kit makes nine cards (3 each of 3 designs) and includes silver foil elements and silver butterfly embellishments.  This month's Stampin' Spot (mini ink pad) is Calypso Coral.

Ordering closes 6/10, and the kits will begin shipping out 6/11.

The Wonderful Scenes Add-On dies coordinate beautiful with the April-June Paper Pumpkin boxes!

Order HERE!  

Silly Old Bear Baby Shower Card

For a recent staff baby shower, I created this Silly Old Bear tri-fold card for our team to all sign.

See below for detailed instructions on creating this scene using the DSP and coordinating dies.  (The stamped sentiment is from the Happy Happenings kit.)

The card base is Hydrangea Hue Two-Tone card stock with Very Vanilla cardstock and Silly Old Bear DSP.

You can find this tri-fold card design HERE if you'd like more information on how to make it. 

Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how I created the front panel of this card.  I first stamped the frame twice and die cut them.  Then I fussy cut the bottom half to create a frame.

I covered the other die cut panel with the fussy cut frame and post-its to create the horizon line.

I used a blending brush and Peaceful Pine ink to create the "grass."

One of the DSP has images that can be cut with the coordinating dies.  I used washi tape to hold them in place to make sure they cut correctly.  (If you don't, sometimes things can shift a little as you're cutting.)

Aren't they cute?!?

May Paper Pumpkin Subscription Closes Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the last day to subscribe to Paper Pumpkin to receive the May subscription box, Sparkling Celebrations!  This kit makes nine cards (3 each of 3 designs) and includes silver foil elements.  This month's Stampin' Spot (mini ink pad) is Misty Moonlight. 

Ordering closes tomorrow, and the kits will begin shipping out 5/11.

The Wonderful Scenes Add-On dies coordinate beautiful with the April-June Paper Pumpkin boxes!

Order HERE! 

What in the World Is Paper Pumpkin?

In case you're not familiar with Paper Pumpkin, you might find this Stampin' Up! blog post really helpful (HERE).  Basically, it's a fun crafting experience that arrives at your door (unless you pause your subscription) and usually- but not always- makes nine cards (3 each of 3 designs) with an exclusive small stamp set and mini Ink Spot.

Here's a little thank you card that I made for a new subscriber with a past Paper Pumpkin kit.  You can sign up HERE to get your monthly crafting fun.  Everything you need is in the box except for maybe a pair of scissors.  Let me know if I can help in any way!

Elegant Congrats Card

Inspired by the Virtual Card Making Retreat card #3, I made this card on my Facebook Live recently using the Lovely & Beautiful DSP, the Virtual Card Making Retreat stamp set, and the Simply Beautiful and Beautifully Celebrated dies for my school's Teacher of the Year. Our school colors are purple and gold.

I heat embossed the sentiment in gold, and also added gold heat embossed accents to the flower centers.

Be sure to decorate the inside of your card and your envelope!

I think this is the first time I've added ribbon to the inside(-ish?) of a card, but I thought that flower blossom needed a little grounding.

If you'd like all the details, you can watch how I made this card on my Facebook page or on my YouTube channel.

Weekend Adventures Scrapbooking Workshop Layout #3

For the third layout from this workshop kit, I went completely off script and did not cut the papers according to the directions and made my own layout instead.

Of course I’m using flip-flops to be able to add more photos to the layout to share more of our Alaskan adventure.

Don’t be afraid NOT to follow directions!

Weekend Adventures Scrapbooking Workshop Layout #2

During this holiday break, it has been so nice to have both our daughters home and to have TIME together (and of course in my studio)!  I had a lot of fun creating the three layouts in the Weekend Adventures scrapbooking workshop kit, and here are the cut pieces for layout #2.

I followed the directions pretty closely but had to had some stamped branches from the Branching Out stamp set with Old Olive and Crumb Cake ink.

In addition, I stamped my title in Cajun Craze with the alphabet set from the 2025 Virtual Album Retreat.  I love mixing and matching old/new product to stretch my supplies!

PRO TIP: As you use your alphabet stamps, but the used, inky letters onto a larger block.  That way, when you're done stamping, you can clean all of the letters at once.  That saves time because I invariably clean a letter, put it back on the carrier sheet, and then realize that I need it again.  With this method, I can grabby the inky stamp and reuse it as many times as needed before cleaning them all at once and then putting them back properly.

Also, I love to use flip flaps to include more photos without needing more space!

PRO TIP:  I use a free app on my phone, called LiveCollage, to add two photos to one 4x6 space to get two 3x4 photos when I get them printed.  I try to keep 3x4 flip flaps in stock!

Weekend Adventures Scrapbooking Workshop Layout #1

As you know, I am a scrapbooker at heart, and I love to use kits to make my layouts quickly.  They are beautifully designed and have great instructions you can follow (or not).  Here are some of the contents of the Weekend Adventures scrapbooking workshop kit: 

The guide walks you through how to cut each DSP and cardstock sheet, so here are the basics of the first layout:

For my layout, I followed the directions pretty closely but did add some Pecan Pie ink with a blending brush to distress some of the pieces.

I love using flip flaps to add more photos to my layouts!  They come in a variety of sizes and are such a fun way to include more photos without overwhelming your eyes.

If you're interested in getting your photos off of your phone, I am starting a new scrapbooking adventure in the new year.  I'd love for you to join me (in person or virtually)!

Nutcracker Tags Kit Turned into Cards

The Nutcracker Tags Kit sold out quickly, so I turned my one box into twelve cards (three each of four designs) with the addition of the retired Brushed Gold cards & envelopes. 

I think they turned out so well!  I've got to work on getting them in the mail!  

Coffee & Cards Kit Together: Calm & Bright

Last weekend, I held my first Coffee & Cards Kit Together at a local bakery/restaurant.  Ten people had signed up, but only 6 could make it due to the illness.  (I will be rescheduling with the four who fell ill as they are a group of friends.)  We had a great time crafting together with the (currently unavailable but will be back in stock) Calm & Bright card kit. 

This kit creates 9 cards, 3 each of 3 designs.  Most of the ladies had never stamped before, so they definitely built up their confidence!

The only thing we needed that wasn't included in the kit was scissors to cut the thread.

Can you see the iridescence on some of the die cuts?  They add such a pretty sparkle (because the holidays should definitely sparkle and shine).

Two hours was not enough time to put all 9 cards together, so I will schedule better next time!  (There will be a next time, probably in January.  Let me know if you're interested in attending!)

Housewarming Card

We were invited to a housewarming party recently, so I quickly made this card using the Calm & Bright kit stamp set and paper from my stash.

I wish that I had stamped some stars or blended some ink in the top left corner to give it a little more texture and dimension, but it's still pretty cute.