Birthday Jar, Retired For Sale

May 17, 2025Leave a comment

Sending my gratitude to all who attended the Stampin’ Soiree Open House & BOGO sale last week! If you couldn’t make it, or are looking for some sensational stampin’ STEALS, peruse the updated Retired Items for Sale page. From Stampin’ Up! stamp sets to embossing folders and dies, there are plenty of beloved crafting tools to collect.

I participated in a new catalog/new online product swap with my demonstrator friends, and this was my design for a birthday card using the Online Exclusive Sweet Jar bundle:

I was so sad to say goodbye to the Sketched Plaid background (which someone might snag from my retired items on sale), but gratefully, I can still use the Forever Plaid 3D Embossing Folder.

The colors are: Pretty Peacock, Timid Tiger, Darling Duckling, Strawberry Slush and Lost Lagoon. Embossing the jar lid in silver makes it feel fancy, while the banners from the Nested Essentials Dies brings the party vibe:

If you are planning to participate in the Virtual Crafting Happiness class on May 28th, order the Sweet Jar bundle from my store by the 20th (or alternatively, the Humble Home bundle will work, too) ~ then I can email you a discount code for $5 off the class fee!

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊- Loni Spendlove

Crafting Happiness with Sweet Jar or Humble Home

May 14, 20251 Comment

Ever wish you could attend one of my classes in person, but you don’t live in my area? This is your chance to attend a VIRTUAL class from anywhere in the USA!

What: Crafting Happiness Virtual Class, featuring the Sweet Jar -OR- Humble Home bundles (stamps + coordinating punch). You’ll receive all the consumable supplies in a class packet mailed to you, then you can choose to use either bundle (NOT INCLUDED)

When: Wednesday, May 28th at 4 pm MT (replay will be available for guests- it’s fun to join LIVE, but you can always catch or re-watch the video) **REGISTER BY MAY 20th**

Where: Private YouTube video for registered guests!

This class is designed with crafters of all levels in mind, and while it spotlights the NEW Sweet Jar bundle, it could be completed with the Humble Home bundle. CHOOSE which you’ll use and when you order either bundle from my store before May 20th, I’ll email you a coupon for $5 off the class fee!

These cards were created as an example of how each bundle is interchangeable, though they are NOT part of the 5 projects you’ll make during the class:

The Class Packet you’ll receive by mail includes*:

Rhinestone Basic Jewels (item #144220)
Sponge Dauber (1) (Item #133773)
Card Stock, Designer Series Paper, packaging, envelopes and accessories cut for all five projects
One sheet of Stampin’ Dimensionals
Sweet surprises!
Colored copy of all the projects for reference.

(* while supplies last- if items sell out before packets are mailed, items of equal value may be substituted)

Also needed (not included in class fee):

Ink Pads: Smoky Slate (#147113), Pool Party (#147107), Shy Shamrock (#163808), Pretty in Pink (#163807), Pecan Pie (#161665), Petunia Pop (#163811), Daffodil Delight (#147094). Optional: Early Espresso (#147114), Shaded Spruce (#147088)

The class fee is $37 (includes shipping to you) and watch for a coupon in your email quickly after you order one of the bundles from my store!

You’ll love the adorable things you create during the class, so don’t hesitate: Register today!

For 2025 Grads: CASH in a Window Card!

May 12, 2025Leave a comment

There won’t be another opportunity to gift cash like this until the year 2050, so CREATE THIS CARD FOR EVERY GRADUATE YOU KNOW!

This clever card includes a pocket AND a window to see the gift, and I can’t think of another year that could be more ideal: You could give $45 (two twenties and a five) OR $27 (a twenty, a two dollar bill and a five). Either way, it spells “twenty-twenty-five”.

All the stamps and dies come in the Stampin’ Up!®️ Birthday Celebration Bundle:

I’ve walked you through exactly how to create this card in the video, and remember, you can always pause the video, slow it down or speed it up (click the gear icon on YouTube) and order all the supplies you need TODAY in time to make these cards for your 2025 Seniors.

You can modify this design to match the school colors of your graduate. While I used glimmer paper, you could also use foil sheets or Designer Series Paper – if you don’t have anything fancy on hand, peruse the specialty paper available now.

Product List

Loyal customers are wonderful, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t let you know the BEST DEAL for any avid crafter is the STARTER KIT. Throughout May, it’s an even better value, for you can choose $165 in product (literally everything I used today…and MORE) for just $99 plus tax (shipping is included!).

It’s not “just” a great discount you’ll get on your future Stampin’ Up! purchases, it’s ALSO a family of creative people who cheer for you, experiences and events to look forward to, and personal growth that you will be grateful for.

There is no “catch”. There is nothing to “lose”…but a lot of JOY to GAIN!

Tell Me More About Joining Stampin’ Up!®️

Welcome New 2025 In Colors

May 9, 2025May 12, 2025Leave a comment

Before we get to colors, a quick reminder that tomorrow afternoon (May 10th) is my Annual Open House & BOGO SALE in Hurricane, UT. This only happens once a year, so you won’t want to miss it:

Meet the New Stampin’ Up! In Colors for 2025–2027

One of the most anticipated moments in the Stampin’ Up!®️ community is the annual debut of the trending HUES —and this year’s collection does not disappoint. These five colors offer a mix of fresh energy, soft sophistication, and playful charm that will breathe new life into your projects.

I appreciate that they work well together, as shown by this bold-striped card to mail to someone (like a teacher) who may be taking a well-deserved summer vacation:

The die cut images and stamps from the Notes & Totes bundle evoke a relaxing day on the beach!

As always, the In Color lineup includes ink pads, cardstock, Designer Series Paper, Stampin’ Write (water-based) AND Stampin’ Blends (alcohol-based) markers, embellishments, and more—so you can match your materials perfectly for a polished finish.

Shop all 2025-2027 In Color Products

There is ONE small glitch, but don’t worry…we have a workaround! CLOUD COVER will NOT have a coordinating Ink Pad, and here’s why:

One more option: For my card, I used a VERSAMARK stamp pad to add the floral background across all the colors. Versamark ink is like a watermark: It makes the color you are stamping on just a deeper tone of the same color-

Also, I may have already been through an entire package of those flat pearls, and we are only 3 days into the new catalog year…

Ready to start crafting with the 2025–2027 In Colors? You can begin collecting them here, and sign up for my newsletter to receive a new COLOR COACH, which includes 3 color combinations for all 51 of our amazing colors (153 combinations in all)!

IF YOU LOVE THE COLOR COACH, from June-October, each month you place an order of $50 or more, you’ll receive a set of 10 tutorials USING THE COLOR COACH, just like this one (a freebie for Basic Beige):

Download Basic Beige Color Tutorial

MAY ORDERS OVER 50+ will also receive a set of tutorials, but not focused on color. June – October customer gift tutorials will be color-palette centered.

A Sketch to Show a Palette

May 5, 2025May 15, 2025Leave a comment

As I prepare for my annual Stampin’ Soiree & BOGO Sale this Saturday (featuring a NEW Stampin’ Up!®️ Catalog and Online Exclusives), I wanted to make a few samples with some of the fresh products coming tomorrow, May 6th! Since multi-tasking is the only way this one-woman show can get things done, I chose a simple sketch, which doubles as a way to show the color palette, and used it for my lunchtime live crafting video, too:

The first card I demonstrated was inspired by the #tgifc523 color challenge of Petnunia Pop, Balmy Blue and Daffodil Delight:

Starting simple – no mat on this card (though you certainly could add one), I stamped flowers from a new Online Exclusive bundle, Impressions Abloom on top of the 3-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ panel, then added 1-3/16″ squares of the colored card stock to the bottom:

When crafting from a sketch, give yourself some freedom to make changes! I didn’t add the palette to the Poppin’ By card, but used the darling filmstrip die to add the border at the bottom:

My favorite thing about this set is probably the tennis shoes you could add to the bucket of popcorn:

Moving along, let’s take that sketch and turn it SIDEWAYS, which is what I did for the Notes & Totes bundle from the new catalog, which I paired with the 2025-2027 In Colors (from bottom to top: Secret Sea, Timid Tiger, Cloud Cover, Darling Duckling & Strawberry Slush):

And finally, I used some Celebration Expressions Memories & More Cards to make this Happy Birthday card, and my friend Barb’s Million Dollar Stamp Set Layered Thoughts, this time putting the color palette below the main panel:

To see me create two of these cards (and share some tips), watch this:

If one of these new items or colors is something you must have, visit my Stampin’ Store starting on May 6th to make an order, or click on the Stampin’ Supplies link under any card you love.

See all these samples IN PERSON – and MORE – at the Stampin’ Soiree, Saturday May 10th in Hurricane, UT. It’s FREE and open-house style, so plan to drop in with a friend between 1-4 pm!

One more announcement: If your wish list is long, the best value for Saavy Stampin’ Shoppers is the STARTER KIT, and starting tomorrow, May 6th, you can choose MORE in your starter kit, with no strings attached!

Card Sketch & More Mailable Gifts

April 21, 20251 Comment

A sketch is a springboard for creativity, and today I dove into creating cards from my stash of Designer Series Paper using this sketch:

Card #1 was a sympathy card using some gilded botanical patterns that have been around Stampin’ Up! a long time, and I wanted to show it off! The Nature’s Sweetness Specialty Designer Series Paper only needed an embossed sentiment added to make this greeting card perfect:

It made me smile to combine something old and something new for Card #2! I used the retiring Friends of the Ocean Designer Series Paper with the new Online Exclusive Pattern of Friendship stamp set for this version of the sketch:

You’ll notice that circle shapes draw the eye when used with rectangles!

Card #3 brings us to another “mailable item” idea: BALLOONS!

In my demonstration video, I suggested blowing up a balloon and writing a message on it, then deflating it again to include inside the card. It’s double fun to have to blow it up to read the greeting! You could also “reveal” what experience you have planned to celebrate with (“I’ll pick you up for birthday lunch on me this Friday at noon!”) by writing it on the balloon.

The birthday card used the Wildflower Birthday Specialty Designer Series Paper and Birthday Celebration stamp set.

And finally, since Graduation season is imminent, Card #4 was created with the On the Go Suite Collection and includes a LUGGAGE TAG:

This will be for my niece who is graduating from High School this month and off on a grand European adventure to celebrate (remember when we were just happy to have cake & ice cream to mark a milestone like graduation 👩‍🎓 😂?)

I added the tassel after the demonstration in the video, and think the detail is adorable.

Missed the LONG LIST (and growing) OF MAILABLE GIFT ITEMS? Check it out HERE!

If you enjoy learning “how-to”, here’s today’s sketchy tutorial:

Thank you for choosing to shop with me. Most of the products used were linked throughout this post – just click on a product to add it to your cart…and watch for an exclusive tutorial bundle from me when you spend more than $50 in one month!

Connecting with you is a joy ~ Check out my upcoming events (in person AND online):

Sketch & Color Challenge Combo

April 9, 2025Leave a comment

TUNE IN for a M*A*S*H*U*P of the Stampin’ Up! April 2025 sketch challenge AND the TGIF Color Combination challenge #tgifc519

My beloved Tune In stamp set and dies are retiring (on the Last Chance list NOW), so it seemed like a good time to have a “rerun” and show it off by mixing these two challenges:

Lemon Lolly (and Lemon Lime Twist) are difficult colors to photograph, however you can see that this card gives off retro-vibes and may make you want to make a piece of cinnamon toast and catch up on the Brady Bunch!

Just like classic television, this stamp set will always be groovy to use!

Product List

So Many Giftables to Mail, So Much to Celebrate!

March 31, 2025November 5, 20257 Comments

It’s easy to fall into the rut of sending gift cards as the only flat thing to include in a handmade card for a present, but I’ve been making a list (and collecting) a whole stack of mailable items to share as ideas!

Let’s start with a gift you can make yourself: A bookmark tucked into the pocket of a card! Let’s allow the Stampin’ Up! “So Much to Celebrate” kit give us a place to begin.

This kit makes 9 cards, with all the supplies needed included in the box and no stamping required! However, you can always step-up a kit with coordinating card stock and ribbon, so I made it into this:

All I added was some Balmy Blue card stock, Petal Pink Scalloped ribbon and gold trim for the bookmark!

Watch how to quickly make this card and bookmark, then see all the mailable giftable ideas that I’ve linked below!

Now it’s time to think BEYOND a gift card as the first thing to send as a gift! Some items may have affiliate links, which means I would earn a small commission if you purchase.

Stampin’ Up! Embellishments: Brushed Brass Butterflies, Heart Sequins, Iridescent Discs, Party Dots, Peppermints, In Color Resin Dots
Stampin’ Up! Cut & Emboss Dies (Paper Pumpkin Add-on dies fit well in a medium envelope, subscribers only): Spring is in the Air, Merry Tags & More, Hugs Abloom
Clear ruler
Postage Stamps
Natural Life (Compressed Sponges, Letter Patches) – Get 20% off your order with this link
Letterbox Love jewelry – necklaces, bracelets, etc.
Cute Page Markers, Post-It Note Flags
Temple Recommend Holders
Seed packets
Handmade desk calendar– Use this link for discount at Taylored Expressions for 2026 mini calendars
Tags
Key Chains (with flat ring- you can take ring off key chain to mail)
Pretty Bandaids (or Bluey Bandaids for kids!)
Waterproof Vinyl Stickers for waterbottles or laptops – Crafty ones here
Temporary Tattoos
Mini Notebooks
Flower Post-it Notes
Handmade bookmarks
Lip Balm Holder
Eyeglass cleaning cloth
Mini Coloring Book
Photos and a handmade Magnet Frame to show them off!
Any flat Magnets
Balloons (to blow up)
Luggage Tag
Car Air Freshener
Christmas Ornaments in a Flip-Flap Card!

BOOKMARK or PIN this page, because I will come back and update it with new ideas!

If you think of something to add, scroll to the top of the post and leave me a comment (near the date).

Bistro Burger: Masculine Birthday & Gift Box

March 24, 2025March 24, 2025Leave a comment

A double-patty burger is a satisfying meal for a birthday celebration AND makes a terrific card, thanks to Stampin’ Up!’s Burger Bistro bundle (stamps & dies). In particular, it also pairs well with the Timeless Plaid 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper, as you’ll see…

I like coloring this stamped image with our Watercolor Pencils, which you can use without water!

You can watch the tutorial for both card and gift box here:

It’s hard to stop with one card, when the plaid paper makes each card so unique!

A reminder to order any ink refills, card stock, or embellishments in the 2023-2025 In Colors that will be retiring at the beginning of May. I used Boho Blue and Pebbled Path, both leaving soon, on these projects! Often colors sell out long before the last day, so don’t delay.

A useful gift for the man who likes to grill burgers would be a shaker of hamburger seasoning, and this 2-4-6-8 box is just the right size. It’s speedy to make, starting with an 8-1/2″ square piece of card stock (instructions in the video).

SAVE/PIN this post, then give this card and gift box duo a try the next time you need a masculine birthday gift!

New at SU! Dino-Mite Backgrounds!

March 19, 2025March 19, 20251 Comment

For our March New at SU! Blog Hop, we are bringing BACKGROUNDS to the front and center! You are sure to find unique ideas to save/remember as you hop through the projects our world-wide design team have created.

My card features a new Online Exclusive background stamp named Painted Stripes:

To show it’s versatility, I’m using this background to create THREE different patterns behind the dinosaurs on this birthday card any dino-obsessed kid would appreciate!

Painted Stripes can be used for vertical lines, horizontal stripes or stamped both directions to create a playful plaid pattern. I love that they are imperfect lines with variegated textures, because you can’t stamp it incorrectly! You can also use this large background stamp on the envelope to make it match (I masked off the address area with a post-it note, which you remove after stamping over it):

The Darling Dinos live up to their name, and are just as cute when stamped on colored card stock, for minimal effort in coloring. And hats on dinos? Cuteness factor x 1000!

I’ll list the supplies used below the roll-call, and am happy to serve you if you don’t have a U.S. demonstrator. Find MORE beautiful background ideas for your card creations at each of these places: