Stampin’ Up!®️ Birthday Card with Artisan Sketched Garden Designer Series Paper in Hydrangea Hue, Words & Wishes

Adding Color to Black & White

September 24, 2026September 24, 2026Leave a comment

I created these cards a while ago to celebrate some of my Sprinkled Ink teammates on their birthday, and this week’s TGIF product challenge #tgifc595 reminded me that I haven’t shared them with you because I wanted to send them first.

The Stampin’ Up!®️ Artisan Sketched Garden Designer Series Paper has become an absolute STAPLE in the Creative Juice Stamping Studio because it’s versatility is unequaled in the world of patterned paper. Use it as black & white OR add any color. These birthday cards are done in Hydrangea Hue and Strawberry Slush:

Stampin’ Blends filled in the strips and colored the flowers (from a sheet of the same DSP) and the sentiments from the Words & Wishes bundle have also been worth the investment because they say whatever you need to say!

I don’t mind fussy cutting the flowers when the end result is a riot of beautiful blooms spanning from corner to corner across the card! Also, Dots & Stripes are a sure combination, so these cards feel like updated classics and I think I need to make more.

Try this: Stamp your sentiments on longer strips of card stock, then fold the ends back and forth to create banners to tuck behind any elements of your card.

You know when you are cutting basic white card stock down for layers, you have a bunch of 1/2″ strips? Don’t toss them, because they are the perfect size for these banners!

Would you be interested in a VIRTUAL class with the Artisan Sketched Garden Designer Series Paper?

Comment (at the top of the post near the posting date) if that’s something you’d like!

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Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Stampin’ Up!®️ Luxe Foliage and Exciting Times Thank You Card for TGIFC594 Sketch

Fall Feel for a TGIF Sketch

September 12, 2026September 12, 20261 Comment

I’m willing Autumn into existence by crafting with new Designer Series Paper patterns for the season, and following the TGIF Challenges sketch #tgifc594

My postman delivered the new Product of the Month this morning, so it’s noon and I still haven’t gotten dressed…but I DID make a pretty card with this sumptuous Luxe Foliage Specialty Designer Series Paper, so the day hasn’t been wasted:

The label on the sketch reminded me of the Exciting Times bundle that is a terrific set of stamps and coordinating punch that gives stampers of all levels so many options when paired with pretty paper!

I’ll show you two ways to use this bundle, and your imagination may bring you more ideas!

On the Thank You card, I punched out the center of the larger stamped image and raised it with mini dimensionals to give the sentiment a frame:

NOTE: You can use the corner of the punch to punch out the corners of the larger frame!

You can see the same concave corners on this version, using the Autumn Opulence DSP and matching Autumn Woodland Glimmer Paper. This time I’ve added the stamped and punched sentiment on TOP of the background and tucked in a few floral pieces I fussy-cut from the paper:

I always love when we add a purple into the mix of fall colors! Here’s a detailed view of the label:

Give this sketch a whirl and share your version on the TGIF Challenges blog and remember that you can add the Product of the Month to your cart for just $5 when your order exceeds $75 and each month the item is only available while supplies last!

Product List

Exciting Times Bundle (English)

Luxe Foliage 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

Golden Glow 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Gold Striped 3/8" (1 Cm) Mesh Ribbon

Peaceful Pine 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Very Vanilla 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Peaceful Pine Classic Stampin Pad

Golden Glow Classic Stampin' Pad

Secret Sea Classic Stampin' Pad

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

Autumn Opulence 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

Autumn Woodland 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Glimmer Specialty Paper

Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad

Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad

Linen Thread

Earthy Matte Dots

Stampin' Seal

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Stampin’ Up!®️ Gingham Gallery Birthday Pie Harvest In Color Accordion z-Fold Card

Gingham Harvest Birthday PIE Card

August 31, 2026September 7, 2026Leave a comment

I’ve never met a pastry I didn’t like, and as we enter the harvest season, pie is the pastry of choice…so why not a birthday PIE instead of a cake?

This card was a work-in-progess as it went along, and it began with inspiration from two challenges: The #tgifc592 Product challenge to use the 2026-2028 In Colors and the #gdp563 Garden/Harvest inspiration (pumpkins or apples are part of a pie, thus it counts, right?)

This fun-fold is called a Z-fold Accordion card: I didn’t really follow any tutorial, but made it up as I went along! I cut a piece of Peaceful Pine card stock to 11″ x 5.5″ and scored at 1.75″, 3.5″, 5.25″ and 7″ – it makes the final card 4″ x 5.5″. I used the leftover piece to make the 3″ x 7″ panel which folds at 3.5″ and sticks to the front and back of the accordion fold. Then you can add Designer Series Paper over the top and embellish as desired:

I chose Peaceful Pine and Crisp Canteloupe as my In Colors and once I laid the “table” with the gingham coverings, I was delighted to find the pie and slice of pie from the Harvest Hues Mix & Match Ephemera Pack (Item #168495 – arriving tomorrow, 9/1/26) were the perfect servings for the party!

A few copper foil leaves add the bling that any good card maker must have, and the happy birthday sentiment follows suit:

It’s a lovely transition from summer garden to autumn treats, and will be a card to adorn someone’s shelf or mantel to decorate for their birthday!

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Two quick reminders: the September Designer Series Paper Share (which includes a piece of copper Metal Effects specialty paper) closes tomorrow, September 1st, and is the best way to get a sample of every NEW design dropping 9/1! It’s like a paper buffet, so you know which you want to go back for more of.

Second reminder: TODAY is the END of the current Paper Sale in my Stampin’ Store!

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Stampin’ Up!®️ Butterfly Flight Hot Foil Watercolor Wash Greeting Card

Watercolor Background Butterflies

July 13, 2026July 14, 2026Leave a comment

Do you ever get the “itch” to create art? I did this morning when I saw Emma Goddard’s card featured on the Global Design Project’s “CASE the Designer” challenge #gdp556

That SPLASH of color on Emma’s card felt like creative juice, so I pulled out the new Butterfly Flight Hot Foil Dies, some watercolor paper and ink to “CASE” (Create And Share Everything) the washes of ink!

I started by making “blobs” of color (the technical term, I’m sure) onto watercolor paper using Water Painters and Timid Tiger, Melon Mambo and Pretty Peacock ink. TIP: If you squeeze your ink pad while it’s closed, some of the ink transfers to the LID of your ink pad and you can pick it up from the lid with a paintbrush so the water doesn’t damage your pad.

The Butterfly Flight Hot Foil dies were foiled in GOLD on Very Vanilla card stock (if you haven’t seen our amazing new Hot Foil system in action, click HERE to learn more) then colored with the coordinating masks. Watch how fun it is to layer on the color with Blending Brushes and the same ink pads used for the background:

The sentiment “Here’s to a new chapter” from the Sending Salutations stamp set feels appropriate for a butterfly card, as the creatures are known for their beautiful transformation from caterpillar to beauty queen! It could be used for a birthday, retirement, new job, new parents, beginning of a school year, or a wedding, don’t you think?

May you capture a moment to create today ~ it will fill your heart with happiness to make something lovely!

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Bikes & Blooms Diagonal Sliding Channel-Lock Card

June 23, 2026July 9, 2026Leave a comment

The Global Design Project color challenge #GDP553 felt “retro” to me, so I grabbed the stamp set from the June “Bikes & Blooms” Paper Pumpkin Kit and started playing.

I was reminiscing about the freedom we had during the summer growing up in the 1970’s: We would leave on our bikes and ride/play until dark, with a stop at one house or another for lunch. The rule was that we had to be home by dark! It was glorious to feel safe and to have the mobility our “wheels” provided.

TRUE STORY: One of my granddaughters just learned how to ride a bike without training wheels and she called me from her watch/phone as I was writing this post to tell me she was taking a ride around the block! While things are a little different than they were 50 years ago, I’m grateful she has acquired a new skill and a taste of her own freedom.

Back to our card of the day: Following the diagonal card fold shared earlier this month, I added a sliding channel lock piece that keeps the front flaps together, and slides off to open. TIP: When you cut your scored card stock diagonally to get two card bases from one sheet of 8.5″ x 11″ card stock, cut it *slightly* shorter (like 1/16″) so there is a small gap between the edges when folded to allow the locking piece to slide easily.

The Perennial Postage dies were perfect for giving the bike image a frame and creating the mechanism. Watch how to create a channel lock and how this card works:

To fit the Peaceful Pine/Barely Blush/Timid Tiger color scheme, I colored one of the 2026-2028 In Color Butterflies with the Timid Tiger Stampin’ Blends marker. It was easy because it was already orange-ish in Crisp Cantaloupe. The extra embellishments actually cover up an ink smudge I made with my finger, and I wasn’t about to start over again 😆 FYI: The Card base is Basic Beige, which really gives it a 70’s Vibe.

This was a fabulous stamp set from the June “Bikes & Blooms” Paper Pumpkin kit.

If you missed the Bikes & Blooms kit, the good news is that the REFILL is in my store…and you don’t really need the stamp set to complete the cards because you can add your OWN sentiments and use an ink pad you already own. BUT, you do have to be a subscriber.

Paper Pumpkin (a marvelous monthly craft kit) is FOR YOU IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBES YOU:

You’re just starting to paper craft or rubber stamp
You don’t have a lot of space to store supplies (a year’s worth of stamp sets and ink spots fit in one of the kit boxes which is smaller than a half a shoe box!)
You are traveling and need something fun to take along!
You enjoy a creative experience that is carefully curated for the season and includes everything you need (except a pair of scissors).

You can subscribe NOW and you’ll receive the July “Hooray for Birthdays” kit which guides you through creating 9 Easel Birthday Cards which stand up to display in a delightful way. Pause your subscription or cancel anytime (but you won’t want to!).

Already a subscriber? Remember to add the Detailed Flora Add-On Dies to your next order, for it will extend the usefulness of the stamp sets in the July, August and September kits!

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Stampin’ Up!®️ Silly Old Bear Old Friends for TGIF Sketch Challenge

Silly Old Bear & Friends

June 15, 2026June 13, 2026Leave a comment

Nostalgia reigns whenever I craft with the Silly Old Bear suite, and not just from my childhood, but my own kids spent many happy hours watching Winnie the Pooh and singing classics such as “I’m just a little black rainCLOUD! Hovering under the honey tree!” A.A. Milne’s characters are truly “old friends” at our home.

This card was inspired by the #tgifc581 Sketch Challenge

The only thing I stamped on this card was the sentiment, which I cut apart to scatter across the frame. Everything else was die cut from the Designer Series Paper!

Another demonstrator was kind enough to share that this is what you can die cut from one sheet of the paper which has the characters on it, The dies cut both the images on the patterned paper AND the images you can stamp!

The SUITE includes the Sweet Old Friends AND Sweet Words & Labels bundle, Designer Series Paper and the Hundred Acre Wood embossing folder. It makes adorable nursery decor, baby books, and of course greeting cards.

Whomever I send this to better display it on a mantle for a good long time…it’s already framed and reminds me of the blessings of good friends!

Product List

Silly Old Bear Suite Collection

Peaceful Pine 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Barely Blush 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Pecan Pie 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Pecan Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

Adhesive Backed Metallic Gems

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Inspired by Berries

May 24, 2026May 24, 20262 Comments

Like popping a fresh berry into your mouth while picking them from the garden, I couldn’t stop once I started playing with the Made with Sweetness fruit-shaped dies! Happily, the TGIF Challenge #tgifc578 gave me a reason to make another card featuring the dies AND use my circle punch again. Here’s the inspiration:

And here’s my take:

The card stock square I blended the circles on is 4″ x 4″ in case you want to try it yourself, and all the supplies are listed below (thanks for supporting my small business and shopping with me!). Now to see this card come together quickly, watch this YouTube Short:

Fresh, fruity and fun for the summer, right? Speaking of summer, here’s a special offer for the weekend- you’ll use the Puffy Star stickers for Flag Day and 4th of July crafting, so shop now!

Product List

Made With Sweetness Dies

Filled With Sweetness Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

Cute As A Bug 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

1 7/8" (4.8 Cm) Circle Punch

Blueberry Bushel 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

White Willow 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Cardstock

Poppy Parade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Lemon Lime Twist 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Berry Burst 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Garden Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Poppy Parade Classic Stampin’ Pad

Blueberry Bushel Classic Stampin' Pad

Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad

Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Small Blending Brushes

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

Stampin' Seal

Stampin' Dimensionals

Ladybug Garden Epoxy Shapes

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Fluttering By to CASE the Designer

May 19, 2026May 19, 2026Leave a comment

I’ve been literally dreaming of a card by Kim Gibbons Fee since I saw it shared by the Global Design Project and couldn’t wait to finish my housework so I could escape to my craft room to put my Creative Juice spin on it!

The texture, the patterns, the ribbon and the POP just captivated my imagination! To CASE means to take the art and give it your own interpretation, whether it be the colors, the layout, the products, etc. I chose to mimic the layout and use the new 2026-2028 In Colors, landing particularly on Crisp Cantaloupe and Hydrangea Hue, as orange and blue are complementary colors!

Stampin’ Up!®️ All Aflutter bundle with The

My take on the #gdp548 challenge also uses the new All Aflutter bundle from the May-August catalog – a stamp set with a matching butterfly punch? You know I had to have it!

The Bloom Boutique Designer Series Paper combines all the new In Colors (PLUS a bit of gold bling!), and the Lazy Daisy embossing folder provided the background texture which just makes you want to feel it. My own “featured product” shows up as the circle punch for the sentiment (scroll back through previous posts this month to see the ways it’s been used so far in May).

Finishing touches included a double bow of ribbon and twine and a few teensy butterfly embellishments, then it needed an envelope to build excitement when discovered in the mailbox.

It’s just so pretty, and I’m glad Kim primed the pump for stamping today! You’ll love the new ink pad designs that these In Colors come in because they are super easy to open and magnetic to stack on top of the lid or other magnetic pads. The pad itself has returned to fabric, so remember to tap a few times in different spots when inking up your images.

See below for a way to get all the new In Color Ink pads FREE!

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P.S. Come back tomorrow (5/20) for another amazing color combination featuring Golden Glow!!

Expand a Sketch for a Scrapbook Page

May 1, 20267 Comments

This handsome dude is my oldest Grandson, and he was recently baptized! It’s rare we can get him to cooperate for photos (age typical), so these pictures are to be TREASURED 😆

When I saw the Freshly Made Sketches #734, I realized that it would make a terrific map for one half of a scrapbook page layout, so I started with the #FMS734, using Lincoln’s dapper face as the focal point:

Secret Sea card stock is a blue/dark gray essential Stampin’ Up!®️ color that is softer than harsh black, and paired with a piece of Nature Walk Designer Series Paper, it let the photos shine. A small crumpled strip of Cajun Craze card stock separates the pictures and gives more earthy texture.

I’m not ready to let the Alphabet a la Mode dies go, even though they are retiring…if you don’t have them yet, GRAB THEM TODAY before they sell out, because they are scrapbooking MUST HAVES!! Make sure you line the card stock with Adhesive sheets before cutting to make the letters/numbers into stickers for your pages!

Product List

Nature Walk 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

Secret Sea 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Adhesive Sheets

Alphabet à La Mode Dies

Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

2025–2027 In Color™ Flat Pearls

ALERT: In honor of National Scrapbooking Day, there will be a 24-hour FLASH SALE on MAY 2, 2026 with 20% off select Scrapbooking supplies:

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Make a Date with Creativity

April 3, 20266 Comments

Do you have a standing appointment on your calendar for creativity? Not a someday, not a “when-I-have-time”, but a regular, reliable pause where ink meets paper and you focus on the divine act of making something from scratch.

One of the things I love most about Paper Pumpkin by Stampin’ Up!®️ is that each month, a fully coordinated, all-inclusive kit arrives at your door like a little box of possibility. No supply hunting. No decision fatigue. Just open the box and begin your date with creativity!

Here’s the part that might surprise you… the creativity doesn’t end when the kit is finished.

For this card, I used the stamp sets from the March 2026 “Fluttering Garden” Paper Pumpkin kit to create something entirely new for the Freshly Made Sketch challenge #FMS730. I wanted to see how far I could stretch those detailed stamps, and it turns out—they fly beautifully.

I discovered that my favorite way to color the hummingbirds is with blending brushes and ink pads. No need to be particular… JUST START BLENDING! The soft gradients give them a delicate, natural look and once you fussy cut them out, they look lovely.

The real gift of a monthly kit like Paper Pumpkin is that it builds your confidence while quietly expanding your skills. First, you follow the included designs. Then, you start to experiment with a new layout or color palette… until one day you realize you’re not just assembling—you’re creating.

I used two of the Nesting Essentials dies to create dual frames for this card, and the card colors are Very Vanilla, Pretty Peacock, Blackberry Bliss, Old Olive and Crisp Canteloupe (a returning In Color).

Having a monthly crafting ritual is grounding is grounding and you’ll find a Paper Pumpkin subscription is the mail you anticipate the MOST! The April kit, “Lakeside Retreat,” is available to subscribe to through April 10th. It includes a Peaceful Pine ink spot (an early release of a NEW IN Color!) and coordinates with the Waterside Retreat Suite which will be available in the May-August catalog:

Subscribe to Paper Pumpkin

It’s a flexible subscription, with the ability to skip a month or cancel at any time (but why would you?).

Stay tuned for some sneak peeks of this suite and the optional “Wonderful Scenes” Add On dies that coordinate with the April, May and June Paper Pumpkin Kits!