Bikes & Blooms Diagonal Sliding Channel-Lock Card

June 23, 2026June 23, 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

Diagonal Arch-Lock Card: Uncommonly Fun!

June 1, 2026June 2, 20261 Comment

Card makers relish the ability to astonish and delight loved ones with mail that is outside “normal” parameters, and this card combines a diagonal fold with an interlocking nested frame that makes it different in a cool way.

On the first Monday of each month, I share a live crafting video on my Facebook Page/YouTube channel and the first design I created today was this elegant card.

Use the 3rd and 4th largest from the Stampin’ Up!®️ Everyday Arches Dies to layer with dimensionals (in the lower left corner only). The top triangle folds down between the two arch frames to “lock” the card closed.

It beautifully shows off each of the items in the Moonlit Flora Suite, from stamps & dies to gasp-worthy paper and coordinating embossing folder:

A second version of this card design is timely for Father’s Day and uses the Waterside Retreat Suite. A little ink blending on the Basic Beige front arch makes a lovely sunset background. You can see both arches when you unlock the top flap:

Use any “nesting” frames for this idea, and to help you visualize it, I used the Silly Old Bear Designer Series Paper with it’s matching Sweet Words & Labels bundle from the suite. It was the easiest of all because I simply die cut the image on the front of the label directly from the paper! There are so many labels in graduating sizes, so it’s an ideal choice for the locking layers.

I’ve got step-by-step instructions for you in this video: Please leave a comment if you watch it~ that signals YouTube to share it to a wider audience! And of course, I deeply appreciate your support of my Stampin’ Store…you can click on any of the above links!

New at SU! In Color Golden Glow Cherry Card

May 20, 2026May 20, 20264 Comments

Our updated banner hints at what we are sharing this month in our New at SU! blog hop: The 2026-2028 In Color lineup is one we have been anxious to share, and you are going to discover that these beautiful colors are MUST HAVE hues!

While I was thrilled to have Crisp Cantaloupe back in our rainbow of colors, I wanted to challenge myself to try a combination outside my preferred palette, so I selected GOLDEN GLOW as my In Color and gave it some unexpected companions:

Stampin’ Up!®️ Cherry Card using Golden Glow (2026-2028 In Color), Made with Sweetness dies, and Banner Sayings Bundle

This color combination of Golden Glow/Bubble Bath/Berry Burst came from the new printable Color Coach and I just added stems and leaves in another new In Color, Peaceful Pine.

Print New Color Combinations

This center-flap fun-fold card was a pattern we used during my team virtual meeting this month ~ a cute twist on a traditional card, with a small area for a quick message. Of course, it had to use a circle punch, as that’s what I’m spotlighting in May…

The base of the card is just 5.5″ x 4.25″ with a layer of Designer Series Paper, and the flap added to the center is 8.5″ x 2.75″, folded in half. Doesn’t get easier than that!

I embossed the Berry Burst layer on the front with the Ladybug Picnic 3D embossing folder and lightly added Berry Burst ink to the ladybugs with a sponge dauber, which also gives the cherries a little shading as well.

Another new product you’ll want to add to your next order is the set of white gel pens! Adding a little highlight to the cherries with the pen is a pro-tip that gives them an illusion of shine.

You need an envelope to match, so I just used a leftover strip of polka-dot Golden Glow patterned paper layered on Berry Burst card stock on the left side to coordinate.

Gosh, this turned out even cuter than imagined ~ I’ll admit I was skeptical of the color combination until I tried it, and now I’m a bit obsessed (and that’s saying a lot since I believe that word is extremely overused).

Let’s see what the other artists did with the In Colors…

May 2026 New at SU! Hop: Creating In Color

Previous Blog. Next Blog

1.Stamping Flair (AU) – Extraordinary Life

2.The Joy of Stampin’ with Rachael (US)- Help Me Grow with New In Color

3.Astrids Papiereuphorie (AT) – In Colors 2026-2028

4.Creative Juice by Loni (US): Golden Glow Cherry Card for In Colors

5.Did You Stamp Today? (US) – So Many Balloons

6.247 Inkspiration (US) – All Aflutter

7.scraphexe (DE) – InColors 2026 – 2028

8.iHeartCards2 (US) – New At SU! Blog Hop – Heirloom Boutique with New

9.De Kijkkast (NL) _ Soft shimmers with Lily of the Valley

Golden Glow leans less toward mustard and more toward a warm yellow-tone. It’s truly growing on me after this project. If you want to get your hands an all FIVE new In Color Ink Pads – Barely Blush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Golden Glow, Hydrangea Hue and Peaceful Pine – consider the Stampin’ Up!®️ STARTER KIT because you could choose all of them as a bonus in May, which is a smart shopping decision AND a chance to begin a very colorful adventure with me.

You’re welcome to simply order the supplies you need and allow me to serve your creativity! Here’s what I used on my cherry card:

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Eeyore Finds Happiness in Friendship (so can you!)

May 12, 2026Leave a comment

A day without friendship is like a pot without honey

The classic story of Winnie the Pooh spans generations, and emphasizes that happiness is found in simple pleasures, true friends and present moments, so I was absolutely enraptured by the new Silly Old Bear suite which arrived online this month at Stampin’ Up!®️ (and while the Hundred Acre Wood Embossing folder is being restocked next week, the other bundles and paper are still available – see links at bottom).

Sweet Old Friends Stampin’ Up!®️ Happiness in Friendship card, Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Peek Through card with circle punches

Eeyore’s story arc has always tugged at my heart: This gloomy old donkey just wants to be loved, and the residents of the Hundred Acre Wood wrap him in love. The power of friendship even pulls a reluctant smile from this character!

My card was crafted to show how to use circle punches as a peek-through element, shining the spotlight on Owl and Eeyore, and the Designer Series Paper shows the map of the forest.

The dies that match the stamp set also cuts the images from one of the designs in the paper~ demonstrator Cyndi Pratt figured out how many of the characters you can cut from one sheet:

My card is a simple fun-fold that opens like this:

The card base is a Z-fold (score the Very Vanilla 8.5″ x 5.5″ card stock at 2-1/8″ and 4-1/4″) and then simply attach a 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ Peaceful Pine layer to the front half of the card folded back:

I’ve truly cherished the friendships found through Stampin’ Up!®️ ~ not just for myself, but watching the people in my Sprinkled Ink family forge meaningful relationships with one another has been a gift! This snapshot was taken of a few of us at OnStage (Stampin’ Up!®️ convention) this March, and it captures the camaraderie we share (and the joy we feel when we are together):

This may be the tribe you didn’t know you needed, and we open our arms to welcome other cheerful, creative people! During May, you not only get new friends, but you can choose NEW IN COLOR ink pads FREE in your Starter Kit (including the Peaceful Pine and Hydrangea Hue colors on my Eeyore card):

So if you are looking for a happy hobby, loyal friendships, and sweet stamping, this is your sign!

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Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Twisted Easel Card Love You Berry Much

March 10, 2026March 9, 2026Leave a comment

A card that pops up to say hello always brings a little extra fun to the mailbox. This one does just that with a playful twisted easel fold that lets the sweet strawberry jar take center stage. This is how it fits in the envelope as a flat card:

The trick is to fold your card base from the front lower left corner back along the fold as evenly as you can. If you’d like to score it, mark at 1-1/4″ in from the top right corner and score back to the fold on the opposite corner. As you open it, it twists and props against the raised strawberry on the inside of the card:

I created this card using the Filled with Sweetness Bundle from Stampin’ Up!®️ – which we are playing with for a few days on Creative Juice by Loni – and the little strawberries make it feel like you’ve captured sweetness in a jar! “Love you berry much” seemed like the perfect message for a grandchild. It’s the kind of happy mail that could arrive in a mailbox hundreds of miles away… and still feel like a hug.

This week inside my VIP Facebook Group, we’re having a fun brainstorming session about long-distance grandparenting through snail mail. Many grandparents can’t always be nearby for everyday moments, but a handmade card can travel where we can’t. Imagine a grandchild setting this card on their desk or dresser, the strawberry jar standing proudly like a tiny reminder that Grandma or Grandpa is thinking of them!

Make an order of $50+ (before tax & shipping) from my Stampin’ Store and you’ll receive a set of 19 exclusive papercrafting tutorials (including another great idea for the Filled with Sweetness bundle from me!), a handmade card AND you’ll be invited to join my private Facebook group for my VIP customers!

Handmade cards don’t just carry ink and paper. They carry love, encouragement, and a sweet connection across the miles. 🍓💌

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Revisit for more projects “filled with sweetness” here and on my social media, which will help “squeeze your creative juice”!

Graduation Diagonal Fold Card with Arch Slide Lock

February 27, 2026Leave a comment

Do you have a favorite card fold or sketch that you go back to time and time again? I’m going back to this diagonal fold with a double arch that you can slide in to lock because it’s so versatile for the Reasons & Seasons mashups I’m sharing this week!

Stampin’ Up!®️ Graduation Card using Seasonal Celebrations and Reason to Celebrate stamp sets

This fold was one I used for the Anniversary card created for a swap in January with the same two stamp sets, so I thought you would appreciate seeing how you can get more uses from it.

By layering two arches together (one on top of the other, separated by black stampin’ dimensionals on just the lower diagonal section) you create a locking mechanism: simply slide the top diagonal piece between them when you close the card:

Here are a few tips:

Make TWO cards at the same time: Score a full sheet of card stock in half both directions (lengthwise and widthwise) before cutting, then cut it diagonally and you’ll have two card bases.
The top layer (the one I embossed) is a 4″ x 5.25″ piece of card stock. Emboss first, then cut it diagonally to make the layers.
You could use two of the same size arches to create the lock, but I like the look of a larger arch behind the smaller arch, even though you only see half of it when it’s locked.
Remember to add an adhesive sheet to the back of your silver foil sheet *before* die cutting the star- peeling off the backing to stick it on is much easier/cleaner than using liquid glue! Use your embossing buddy on the points of the star that stick beyond the arch and those points won’t stick to the card.

When the card is open, I did include a Congratulations sentiment, and you can just ink up the “grad” part of the longer Graduation sentiment to get the shorter word.

This card is red & black because that’s the color of both the high school and local university, but you can use the colors for the school you are celebrating, obviously.

Another reason to celebrate is ready to be called into action and make this milestone memorable!

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If you’ve enjoyed the #celebrationcombination cards shared this week using the Stampin’ Up!®️ Seasonal Celebrations and Reason to Celebrate stamp sets, please leave a comment and I always appreciate the support when you shop my store.

Waterfall Gift Card Folio Tutorial

December 1, 2025Leave a comment

When my cousin Valarie asked if I could make a Gift Card Folio like one she had seen on a social media, I watched the video she shared and said ABSOLUTELY!

Stampin' Up! Modern Christmas Gift Card Folio

This is a larger version of a classic interactive card design called a “Waterfall Card”, and this one presents FIVE GIFT CARDS (or would be an excellent base for a mini photo album). After a few tries and tweaks, I was satisfied with the result – give this a try! You can follow along with the video instructions below 🖥️

Inside the gift card folio featuring Stampin' Up! Modern Christmas Designer Series Paper

I’ve used the Modern Christmas Designer Series Paper from Stampin’ Up!® to embellish this folio, though I show a few other versions made with the retired “Season of Green & Gold” DSP in the video. The black, white & gold is just so elegant, and of course, you can choose any colors/patterns/paper that fit your occasion.

TIP: Add gift cards to each of the five panels with mini glue dots, or use the panels and both sides of the folder for photos of a event to remember!

When you pull the tab, the “waterfall” begins to cascade, and a “secret message” appears:

Maximizing the use of materials was important to me, so this version uses a full sheet of 12″ x 12″ card stock (and a full sheet of 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper, if you cut it wisely), plus a few extra pieces. WATCH the tutorial to see HOW TO CUT the card stock!

Measurements:

11-7/8″ x 9″ Basic Black card stock, scored at 4″ and 8″
12″ x 3″ Basic Black card stock, scored at 1″, 2″, 3″, 4″ and 5″
6″ x 1-1/2″ Basic Black card stock, scored at 1″ and 4-7/8″
5 pieces of card stock 2-1/2″ x 3-3/4″
Designer Series Paper: TWO 8-3/4″ x 3-3/4″ and TWO 8-3/4″ x 3-5/8″
Gold Foil sheet: 1-1/2″ x 9-1/2″ for the belly band
Scraps of card stock for label, scraps of Designer Series Paper for embellishments inside.

Making paper crafting easy for you is my goal. What did you think about this tutorial? Please leave a comment and tell me what you’ll use this idea for (comments are found at the top of the post, next to the posting date).

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DON’T MISS THIS!

If you’ve been waiting for a good time to subscribe to the BEST MONTHLY CRAFT KIT, OR you need a unique and creative gift for a friend, this is your sign! From December 1-9, pre-paid Paper Pumpkin subscriptions are discounted as follows:

3-month prepaid: $61.00 (regular price $81.00)

6-month prepaid: $122.00 (regular price $162.00)

12-month prepaid: $244.00 (regular price $324.00)

This price includes shipping! Now, here’s the fine print:

* Subscriptions purchased during this promotion start immediately with the December Watercolor in Bloom Kit. This kit cannot be skipped.

* Do not purchase multiple subscriptions for the same recipient. The subscriptions will all start with the Watercolor in Bloom Kit, so the recipient will end up receiving duplicates of the same kit each month.

* If you are already a Paper Pumpkin monthly subscriber, this is a great opportunity to save on your upcoming kits!

* If you ALREADY HAVE a pre-paid subscription and wish to take advantage of the sale, go into your account and PAUSE your currrent December kit, unless you wish to have 2 of the same boxes shipped to you (the other would be a lovely gift to give!).

Sign me up for Paper Pumpkin!

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Christmas Ornament in a Flip-Flap Card

November 5, 2025November 5, 20251 Comment

There have been a lot of MAILABLE GIFT IDEAS shared on my website this year, thus, it’s fitting that we add an ornament featuring the large Gold Hoops (also from my store) that could be hung on a Christmas tree. Awesomely, Stampin’ Up!’s new 4″ x 4″ FLIP-FLAPS allow the ornament to double as the decoration for the front of the card, and I have a video tutorial to help you learn how to make one!

By folding the Flip Flap pocket over the front of the card, you can slide the ornament inside and lift the flap to open and get it out. NOTE: In my tutorial, I adhered the flip flap to the inside layer, but you’ll want to adhere it to the back panel inside the card instead, so the ornament doesn’t fall out until you open the flap!

Using the Modern Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper and “A Child is Born” stamp set was an elegant combination, don’t you agree?

This next version was inspired by an ornament my teammate Angaleen taught us in our November team virtual Stamp & Chat meeting, and uses the North Pole Delivery Specialty Designer Series Paper, which includes printed die cuts:

Here’s how it looks when you open it up, and the back side of the ornament:

I didn’t use the Gold Hoop on this version, but will on the last one. Use any punch or die for your leaves. The recently retired “Bough Punch” was on my desk, so that’s what I grabbed for both the North Pole card and the next one, featuring my favorite Designer Series Paper from last year (and still available online), Nests of Winter.

The birds were fussy cut from the patterned paper and the sentiments came from the Traditional Labels bundle. I added some Cherry Cobbler delicate details from the Branching Out dies along the top and bottom of the Flip-Flap for this card (TIP: Add a piece of adhesive sheet to the card stock BEFORE you die cut them out, to make the berry branch stick without mess!)

Here is the card opened:

Ready to craft along with me? Watch the video (and rest assured, I usually don’t have such a beastly time with Stampin’ Seal + !!!). THANKS IN ADVANCE for choosing to shop with me! It allows me to have the time and resources to share more ideas with you without charging for the tutorials.

If you find these instructions useful, please shop by clicking any of the links to the products listed above! Another way to show your support: Scroll back to the comment section at the top of the post near the date and leave a COMMENT!

FINAL TIP for this card idea: Score your 4″ x 4″ Flip Flap at 4-1/4″ (the score will be close to the side with adhesive) before you attach it to the inside back panel of your card, so it folds over the front and lays flat.

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Go Nuts Birthday Treat Card

October 27, 2025Leave a comment

If having a sweet tooth is wrong, I don’t want to be right! Admittedly, I do *attempt* to control it, but peanuts are healthy, right? Even in a bit of caramel and nougat?

“Festive Treats” is the TGIF Challenges theme this week- this birthday treat fits for #tgifc548

Here’s a 90-second tutorial, then I’ll write the measurements below:

Card Base: 11″ x 6″, scored at 4-1/4″, 5-1/2″, 6-3/4″ and 8″

Card layer (front and inside: 5-7/8″ x 2-7/8″ with 1/2″ strips to stamp on.

Looking for more treat stamping to share with a sweet tooth? Check out the Candy Bar Books or Gingerbread Cookie Christmas Gifts featured earlier this month on Creative Juice by Loni.

Just 4 days left to take advantage of the Starter Kit Special! Smart Stampers won’t let this amazing shopping deal pass by (with the opportunity to get a discount on your stamping supplies, birthday and holiday gifts through April, 2026!) This offer EXPIRES OCTOBER 31, 2025!

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Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

New at SU! Fluffy Squirrels & Branches

September 17, 2025September 16, 20253 Comments

There is always something NEW at Stampin’ Up! and September brought a SLEW of lovely new products, so the New at SU! Design Team is here to introduce you to your next “must have” item from the September-December Mini Catalog OR Online Exclusives!

I’ve chosen the Fluffy Squirrel bundle: A photopolymer stamp set with a coordinating punch, paired with the Branching Out bundle – both from the new Mini Catalog.

When creating a card with matted layers on the front, consider ways to make it different: Use a different shape for the layers, or score the card base in an unexpected way. This card base is 5.5″ x 8.5″ as usual, but scored at 1.25″ and 5.5″, so it folds around the inside greeting:

The color palette for this card is Lost Lagoon (pretty color for pines), Cajun Craze, Pecan Pie, Early Espresso and Basic Beige – feels like fall 🍂 and the squirrels make autumn adorable, sitting on a tree stump and gathering acorns for the winter. Optional idea: add some texture to the background on the top of the card by using the Birch Wood embossing folder after stamping the branches.

The best things for YOU to gather is paper crafting supplies for hours of contented crafting in every season, so keep a shopping list handy as you discover other items featured in our blog hop to squirrel-away for a stamping day (I’ve listed my products used at the bottom of this page).