Branches Through a Window for #gdp514

September 16, 2025September 15, 2025Leave a comment

There was one piece of Silent Snowfall Specialty Designer Series Paper left on my desk after cutting and mailing all the September paper shares, then I saw the Global Design Project sketch for the week, and imagined looking out a window on a quiet winter afternoon…

Here’s the prompt for the #gdp514 sketch:

Rummaged through more patterned paper for some worthy “wallpaper” and found the back side of one of the Autumn Toile papers would be perfect (isn’t the “front” or “back” irrelevant? The FRONT is whichever you want to use!).

Once it was adhered to the front, I cut the smaller arch from both layers, then added a dark wood window casing by cutting out two nested arches. In this picture you can really see the detail through the window:

The Silent Snowfall paper has a snowflake pattern dry embossed into it, so I heat embossed some random snowflake dots from the Branching Out stamp set over the debossed side to break up the repeating pattern and help it feel more natural and random. Once it was dry, I used a brayer to roll Cloud Cover ink over the top – the inlaid snowflakes are deep enough they don’t get any ink inside. I know that we don’t have a large Cloud Cover ink pad: You can use the refill to ink up an empty stampin’ spot, or use a piece of felt as the ink pad by squeezing some ink onto it.

Once the branches were stamped over the snowflakes, that layer was adhered to a 4″ x 5.25″ Cloud Cover card inside (8″ x 10.5″ when open), with the fold on the right:

This “card-in-a-card” design allows you to catch a few snowflakes on your tongue as you continue to unfold the greeting!

Finally, you open the inside to find a large area to write all the details a friend would love to hear from you.

Tomorrow, I’ll be mashing up the Branching Out bundle (there is a set of dies that coordinate with the stamp set) with another new bundle from the 2025 Sept-Dec Mini Catalog, and you’ll want to add it to your cart when you see how essential it is.

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Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Dynamic Backgrounds with 6×6 Patterned Paper

September 1, 2025December 27, 20251 Comment

Have ever looked at a stack of pretty designer series paper and think, “It’s too pretty to cut”? I hear you—but here’s the good news: when you do cut it, you can get the most out of every single sheet! I created this cutting map that turns any 6” x 6” piece of designer paper into perfectly sized layers for the front of your cards:

In my live video today, I walked through the process step by step and made the card shown here from the Autumn Toile pack of paper that will be available on September 2nd. (You’ll find the replay below if you want to craft along!) The cutting map is below so you can print it out, tuck it near your paper trimmer, and use it anytime you want to make lovely layers of backgrounds for your greeting cards.

Cutting guide for 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper

The first cut you make (circled) will be 3-7/8″ into the square. The second cut will be to cut the leftover pattern down to 4-1/2″ tall, then other cuts as shown.

Layer the two large rectangles on a contrasting card stock base, and the two long strips go on a piece of card stock that is 2-1/2″ x 4-3/4″, which can be attached with dimensionals to either the left or right side of the front of the card.

For my samples, I used a mix of Stampin’ Up! designer series paper. Four of the patterns come straight from the September Paper Share I’m offering — fifty-three 6″ x 6″ sheets of Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Paper, all cut down and ready for you to create with. It’s a perfect way to try every new design without committing to full packs, and it gives you plenty of variety for projects like this.

My last two examples of this sketch feature the Painterly Pears Suite and the Spooky Sweet Suite. Isn’t it terrific how the same cutting map works across completely different styles—fall-inspired pumpkins, happy holiday greetings, fresh pears, or playful Halloween motifs?! It’s proof that a simple template can stretch your supplies and spark new ideas.

Whether you’re making cards in bulk or just want a foolproof way to get more from your paper, this card design is one you’ll use again and again. Scroll down for the video, save all six card samples, and grab your trimmer—you’ll be amazed how quickly 6” x 6” papers can turn into a gallery of handmade cards.

The 1″ x 3-7/8″ piece from the cutting map goes INSIDE the cards, like this:

TWO more opportunities before you go:

The Autumn Toile paper (on the first card I demonstrated) coordinates with the September Paper Pumpkin kit, so if you adore autumn and those detailed designs, you will certainly want to subscribe by September 10th to receive a fall-filled box of coordinating crafting!
While the Spooky Sweet Suite paper is NOT included in the Paper Share, I *WILL* be teaching a Virtual Halloween class with the suite on October 2nd – Add the suite to your cart for an invitation to join the party, or visit the Facebook event page (link above) to find out how to register.

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

New at SU! CASING Annette with Sunflowers

August 20, 2025August 18, 20255 Comments

With so many brilliant crafters in our New at SU! design team, the inspiration is always at our fingertips and this month I’m CASE-ing (Copy and Share Everything) the very artistic Annette Elias (De Kijkkast) with my Sunflower card:

This was Annette’s Amaryllis card from our December 2024 New at SU! hop:

I admired the unusual square shape of the card (mine is 5-1/4″ square), and all the amazing layers and details, though my version is simplified. The torn Designer Series Paper across the front was really beautiful! You can compare our cards side-by-side:

You can tell I prefer quick and easy crafting while Annette is an AVID crafter, but we can be inspired by each other!

The Sunflower 3-D embossing folder has been pretty popular this summer, and the sunflower paper (from Floral Impressions Designer Series Paper) lays over embossed and stamped sunflowers. I cut out one of the flowers and leaves to become my focal point. By using a sponge dauber and Pecan Pie ink pad, I make the center darker, and defined the petals.

Use the corners torn from the DSP to embellish the front of an envelope to let the recipient know they are about to open a delightfully sunny surprise!

Now you can hop over the Annette’s post to see how she copied Rochelle (of Stampinflair.com) and remember to PIN your favorite finds from our blog hop!

August 2025 New at SU! Hop: CASE a Design Team Member

Previous Blog Next Blog

1.Creative Juice by Loni (US)- CASING Annette with Sunflowers

2.De Kijkkast (NL) – CAS-ing Rochelle with Shabby Roses

3.Stamping Flair (AU) – CASING Anke with Beautiful Gallery

4.scraphexe (DE) – CASING Diane with Artistic Leaves

5.247 Inkspiration (US) – CASING Karen with Florals In Bloom

6.Furry Cat Designs (UK) – CASING Jan with Painterly Pears

7.iHeartCards2 (US) – CASING Rachel with Spooky Sweet

8.The Joy of Stampin’ with Rachael (US)-CASING Amanda with Poppin’ By

9.Did You Stamp Today? (USA) – CASING Loni with A Little Banner Christm

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HINT: Both Floral Impressions Designer Series Paper and Darling Duckling card stock are 15% off this month during the 2025-2027 In Color Sale!

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Christmas in July: Snow Globe Card

July 30, 2025July 30, 2025Leave a comment

“The hot and the cold are just so intense, put ’em together, it just makes sense!” -Olaf ⛄️

Get ahead of the holidays by starting your Christmas cards now! The Jar of Joy stamp set (which coordinates with the Sweet Jar builder punch) will have you shaking up snow during the heat of summer:

Layers: 3.5″ x 4.75″ Designer Series Paper, 3.75″ x 5″ Real Red Card Stock

The way to make the jar shiny is by laying a piece of packing tape over the stamped image before punching it out (did the same for the sunglasses on my pop-up tote card here).

The way the snow globe pops through the front of the card from the inside is a delightful detail that gives the open card charm, as well.

This video shows how to create this card from start to finish in 90 seconds:

I am enjoying playing along with the Global Design Project “Christmas in July” #gdp507 challenge with this card! It’s simple enough you could easily make multiples at one time, too.

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Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

A”pear”ently Online

July 21, 2025July 5, 2025Leave a comment

Pears have long held a place in the world of art~ they’ve been painted for centuries as a way to capture natural beauty and evoke a sense of calm and abundance. Let me share a handmade card inspired by that same timeless charm—created with the brand-new Painterly Pears Suite from Stampin’ Up!®️

This easy card layout is one you could use with practically every stamp set you own that matches some beautiful Stampin’ Up!®️ Designer Series Paper!

Have you ever added watercolor pencil OVER your stamped image? To shade the pears and flowers, that’s just what I did, no water added. They do blend better when the tip of the pencil is dull.

Use a strip of the same pattern on the inside of the card to carry the theme all the way through:

Isn’t this pretty? Sometimes simple is the loveliest, and the Painterly Pears will make you feel like a classic artist, without paying tuition or spending years learning painting techniques (which is why I love rubber stamping).

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Painterly Pears Suite Collection (English)

Misty Moonlight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Very Vanilla 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Pad

Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad

Petal Pink Classic Stampin' Pad

Watercolor Pencils Assortment 2

Perennial Postage Dies

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

<!——– CardSupplyList End ———

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Secret Garden Gate-Fold Thank You Card

June 28, 2025June 27, 2025Leave a comment

This week’s TGIF Challenge #tgifc531 is “Garden Gates” and I wanted to create a gratitude card that felt like you were walking into a Secret Garden:

After I created my card, I went back to the TGIF post and realized Wendy Weixler and I both had a similar idea for building the gate, but how delightful that both are unique!

The first type of card I thought of was the appropriately named “Gate Fold” card, so I had to think it through. I ended up cutting my gate in half, so you could enter the garden:

There are only 3 days left of the Suite BOGO Sale, so I chose to use the Impressions Abloom bundle and Designer Series Paper from the Floral Impressions Suite. Each piece of our suites also qualify for the sale, just remember that the lowest price suite or suite product will get the 50% discount!

Now enter the secret garden:

I used the arch die cut from the larger gate (cut for the front) on the inside, and let the profusion of flowers bloom on all sides!

Fun fact: The Secret Garden classic children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett was one of my favorite reads as a child, and though I’m a huge musical nerd, I DON’T really love the Secret Garden musical play. The book is definitely best (and there are a few decent movie adaptations).

This card just gives all the wonder of finding a secret garden behind a locked gate!

Now, if you’ve procrastinated, here’s your reminder to shop the SWEET Suite BOGO Sale.

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Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Scrapbooking with Everyday Skies Suite & Virtual Event

June 23, 20253 Comments

Scrapbooking is about telling your stories and getting the photos off your phone! Myself, I tend to keep it simple to get it done. As part of our “Sweet, Suite Summer” series (since it’s the last week of our Suite BOGO50 Sale) I wanted to use the Everyday Skies Suite to show you how these products can be fantastic for memory albums!

My first page capturing a trip to Texas (many years ago) could NOT be more simple because the photo has the date and the front of the folder that the picture came in tells where it is. There are no Everyday Skies products on this page, but hold on…

On the second page, I start using the Everyday Arches dies, which is part of the suite. Cutting photos with the arches gives them a unique look. While my preference is 8.5″ x 11″ pages, you can do the same thing on a 12″ x 12″ page:

The title uses a few of our alphabet dies (listed in complete supply list, below) and a strip of the Everyday Skies Designer Series Paper makes it feel separated.

Moving to the third page (also the second page of the layout), I’ve added a whole 6″ x 6″ piece of the DSP to the lower corner to tie the colors together, and stamped the airplanes to indicate that we flew to Texas for this vacation:

To keep all the maps, ticket stubs and brochures together, page #4 actually acts as a pocket:

Just for fun, the postcard from the Alamo in San Antonio that I used on the bottom of the pocket page is 3-D, so when you move the page, a different image appears:

Try “framing” a larger photo with an arch outline, and watch the demonstration video to learn how I made the photo corners 😉

EXTRA! EXTRA! After the video, I made one more simple page to finish off my photos from that trip 21 years ago, and tie them together with the arches (and those photo corners show up again). This will face the Alamo page, completing the layout and telling the story:

The Everyday Skies suite was so popular when it launched a few months ago that it’s been out of stock. I’m super glad it is back in stock with time for you to get all of it (or just the parts you love most) before the BOGO50 Sale ends on June 30th!

If you are a scrapbooker, DON’T MISS the chance to join the VIRTUAL ALBUM RETREAT in July:

Don’t be put-off by the price: The kit includes FOUR stamp sets and 12 DOUBLE PAGE LAYOUTS (one pair for each month of the year) and the instruction you receive in the event will be worth the investment! Seriously….click to go check out the kit:

Month by Month Album Retreat Kit

Once you purchase the kit, you’ll receive an email in early July to the exclusive Facebook Event page, so make sure your account has the best email for you! ALSO: When you purchase the kit, you earn $25 BACK in Stampin’ Rewards (if you’ve opted in) to use on your next purchase, or save up for a binder to put your pages in!

You’ll be so happy you joined the Virtual Album Retreat – order your kit today before they run out!

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Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

New at SU!- Floral Impressions Scrapbook Layout

June 18, 2025June 17, 20251 Comment

We are having a SUITE summer! I’m joining my international demonstrator friends to fill your cup to overflowing with ways to use Stampin’ Up!®️ SUITES to make your paper crafting projects truly SWEET (…while you can Buy One Get One Half Off in June!)

Floral Impressions Suite Scrapbook Layout, The View From Here

My project is a two-page 8.5″ x 11″ scrapbook layout using pieces of the Floral Impressions Suite! Florals are always popular for paper crafters, though I limit myself when it comes to flowers, I must say this suite is VERY versatile.

I used the Designer Series Paper, Impressions Abloom stamps and dies for my layout.

It began with a sketch for the second page and to counteract the busy pattern of the Designer Series Paper, I layered plain card stock on top:

These are actual pages from a personal family album I’m catching up on from 2006. Don’t judge me.

Every scrapbooker needs a letter die set for titles; I used the Alphabet a la Mode dies to caption this.

Remember to take a picture of the view out your front window or out the back door occasionally! These photos warm my heart each time I look at them because happy memories of this home rush back, though we don’t live there anymore.

While I don’t always love my handwriting, I cherish anything hand-written by my ancestors, so I force myself to write on some of my pages. Also, a single stamped flower was all the accent needed to finish this page:

Have you ever used a sketch for a scrapbook page? Leave me a comment (at the top of the post, by the posting date) and tell me what you like, before exploring all the other ideas we are sharing today:

June 2025 New at SU! Blog Hop: New Suite Collections

Previous Blog Next Blog

1.iHeartCards2 – June 2025 New At Su! Blog Hop – Turtle-y Cute Suite Co

2.Stamping Flair (AU) – Floral Impressions Suite

3.Did You Stamp Today? (USA) – Beautiful Gallery Blooms

4.The Joy of Stampin’ with Rachael (US)- Kintsugi Inspirations Broken M

5.Furry Cat Designs (UK) – Celebratory Sips

6.Astrids Papiereuphorie (AT) – Box Florales Lächeln

7.Stampinxime by Ximena Morales (DE) -Neue Produktreihen kreativ kombin

8.De Kijkkast (NL) – Retro look with Boho Vibes!

9.scraphexe (DE) – Drinks und Gute Laune (Celebratory Sips)

10.Creative Juice by Loni (US)- Floral Impressions Scrapbook Layout

11.247 Inkspiration (US) – It’s A Party

Whichever SUITE appeals to you, now is the time to add your favorite to your shopping cart…and get a second suite half off! This deal applies to individual suite products, as well, so I’ve shared some tips (below) for you. I’d be happy to serve your creative needs, if you don’t have another U.S. demonstrator serving you!

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Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Mailable Gift for Men

June 12, 20251 Comment

Adding to the growing “Mailable Gifts” list (you’ll want to PIN or bookmark that link) ~ this time it’s one a guy would appreciate!

Since it’s Father’s Day, I like to remember my sons and sons-in-love (I do the same for the girls on Mother’s Day). A gift card for a CAR WASH doesn’t break the bank (when you have many gifts to mail), and when I was at Quick Quack Car Wash purchasing gift cards, I saw that they also had AIR FRESHENERS for just $1!!

Of course, I had to come back to make a slimline card that would fit both the Duck Scent and the gift card! The Stampin’ Up!®️ Party Alphabet dies are large enough to show off the contrasting pattern on the front, and this is the inside of the card style:

I did have to cut off just a bit of the bottom of the “Duck Scents” to fit into a small envelope (as shown) – it’s a 6 3/4″ security envelope, like you can buy a box of at Dollar Tree. The card size is 3.5″ x 6.25″ when folded, and I’ll give you material measurements in just a moment.

One thing you will have to do is manipulate the sentiment on your clear block, so it will curve around the first letter, and fit on the Designer Series Paper. That’s easy to do with Stampin’ Up!®️ photopolymer stamps, like the Everyday Arches set I used for this card. Make sure to stamp this sentiment close to the left side of the patterned paper so you have room for the letters!

I’m here to make all the mistakes so you don’t have to- I had to make this card style 3 times before I got it right! Once I got it down, I made multiple versions. Here are the measurements:

11″ x 3.5″ cardstock for card base, scored at 6.25″ and 9.75″ (fold the smallest flap over and secure edges with Tear & Tape adhesive to create a pocket for a gift card).
Designer Series Paper for front layer: 6″ x 3.25″
Cardstock for inside of card: 5-7/8″ x 3-1/8″
Designer Series Paper AND card stock for 3 letters (and the shadow behind them): 2.5″ x 5″

Stamp any designs you want on your letters (like the birds) BEFORE you offset the card stock behind them for a shadow effect, then pop them up on the front of your card with dimensionals.

These cards turned out terrific with a combination of papers from the Everyday Skies 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper pack! Supplies listed below, and the SON card uses Cajun Craze, Blueberry Bushel and Cloud Cover (inside) card stock; the DAD card uses Azure Afternoon, Blackberry Bliss and Basic White (inside) card stock.

Would you give this card style a try? Leave me a comment (at top of post, next to the posting date) to let me know how you like it.

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Fantastic Dad Slimline card with Stampin' Up! Party Alphabet dies

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Sweet Suite Simple Thank You Cards

June 9, 2025June 9, 2025Leave a comment

“Summertime! And the Stampin’ is Easy!” (if you sang that in your mind~ Greetings, fellow musical geek!)

Since Stampin’ Up!®️ Suites (and suite products) are BOGO50 during June, I’ll be sharing some SIMPLE ways to use our current Suites for sensational summer stamping projects. In today’s video, I’m also revealing a BEAUTY SECRET!

Crafting in June, July & August has to be easy & breezy, so coordinated products in a suite bring a speedy card together in moments. Using the Impressions Abloom stamp set, you can keep this Thanks card ultra simple, or add layers and leaves:

The only thing to stamp on the second card is the sentiment! If you die cut a few extra pieces while catching up on your favorite television episode, you’ll have all the pieces prepared to put an “I appreciate you” card together in seconds:

Embossing a piece of Stampin’ Up!®️ Two-Tone card stock with the Pressed Flowers embossing folder and rubbing it with an emery board to reveal the white center makes this background terrific and touchable.

Some of the Impressions Abloom Dies have detailed inserts, so you can die cut them from cardstock, or remove the details to cut out the stamped image.

TIP: Washi tape keeps both the outline and the details together while you run them through the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss machine.

All these products are part of the Floral Impressions Suite, and can be purchased as a complete collection or individually:

REMEMBER: For the Buy-One-Get-One-50% off special, the LOWEST priced items will receive the discount, so shop smart! Make separate orders and purchase 2 suites together in the first order (to get one suite half price), then use the *Stampin’ Rewards you earned on your first order for an additional discount on your second order, where you may order individual items from other suites (like more Designer Series Paper or embellishments).

*Stampin’ Rewards: Make sure you’ve OPTED IN to earn 10% back each time you shop! Save them or spend your rewards next time!

Scroll back up to the top to the comments (under the posting date) to tell me if you took the beauty secret and tried it!

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One more day to SUBSCRIBE and receive the Floral Charm Paper Pumpkin kit in the mail!

Paper Pumpkin is a complete stamping experience in a box, and the June kit actually coordinates with a new Suite coming to my store in July: the Floral Charm Suite. If you are a current subscriber, you will also want to include the Hugs Abloom add-on die set to your next order, as it coordinates with the 2025 April-June kits: