Farewell Friday: Good Feelings & Rays of Light

As we near the end of a Stampin’ Up! catalog year, it’s time to spotlight some of my favorite retiring products. These products are available while supplies last or until April 30, 2024 (download full retiring product list at end of this post).

Since the TGIF Bonus Challenge #tgifc466 was to create a “simple gift set” of cards, it gave me the opportunity to stretch outside my comfort zone of bright colors, and use some of the black & white designs from the Delightfully Eclectic Designer Series Paper. But you can’t take ALL the color out of my life, so I added Calypso Coral, which also shows up on some of the paper designs.

These cards use the paper, PLUS the Good Feelings stamp set and Rays of Light background stamp, all of which will NOT be returning to the new catalog premiering in May. The Rays of Light background is the one I will grieve over losing the most!

This simple fun-fold card style is strategically planned to make the most of your patterned paper! If you score a full 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of card stock along the long edge at 4.25″ and 9.75″…THEN cut it in half at 4.25″, you’ll have two 11″ x 4.25″ cards ready to fold, meeting on the front of the card,

Use a 4″ x 4″ piece of DSP on one side and a 4″ x 1″ piece on the smaller fold. This pattern can be used in landscape or portrait orientation.

Now, HOW should we “gift” all these simple co-ordinating cards?

A quick folio made from a 12″ tall x 10″ wide piece of the Designer Series Paper is just the thing, and can hold all the cards plus envelopes!

Score it at 4.75″ and 5.25″ to give a center binding back, then add a ribbon to tie closed:

What else is retiring? Click banners to download the lists of items from the ’23-’24 Annual Catalog AND the January-April Mini Catalog which will be retiring.

>>> NOTE THAT THE LAST CHANCE SALE STARTS APRIL 9th <<<

These are the supplies I used for my simple set of cards and the folio to gift them in. I appreciate your orders so much and will mail you a thank you card! THANK YOU.

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“Extra” Sweet Favor (and EXTRA rewards)

Have you ever stayed overnight where a candy or special small gift was left on your pillow? Those little touches are called “pillow gifts” and makes you feel fancy!

When I saw watermelon-flavored Extra gum while checking out at the grocery store, it made me think of the Watercolor Melon Sale-a-Bration stamp set, and how I could create along a theme:

A perfect size to drop off as a “thinking of you” gift- or leave on a pillow for guest – you pull on the ribbon and out slides the pack of gum:

This do-it-yourself project is simple and sweet, and I’ve got the video to prove it:

Slider box dimensions: 7-3/4″ x 3-1/4″ piece of card stock, scored at 1/2″, 1″, 3-1/2″ and 4″

Sale-a-Bration continues through February 29th; since it’s leap year, you have an “EXTRA” day to earn free products with each $50 purchase in my Stampin’ Store!

Did you also know there are TWO “Extras” you could choose from when you invest in the Starter Kit?

OPTION ONE: The first is that you may choose the Stampin’ Glass Mat Studio,

~OR~

OPTION TWO: Choose an EXTRA $30 in products in your Starter Kit! Usually you get to choose $125 of product in your kit for just $99, but through February 2024, you may select $155 (and pay only $99) if this is the option you decide on.

The Starter Kit is an offer ANYONE may select, and you will get a 20% discount while you also get to peek behind the curtain of being a demonstrator. There are no obligations to try it, so why not??

A Card for a Christmas Carol

Do you have a favorite Christmas Carol or holiday tune? Mine is this one:

The TGIF Challenge #448 from Friday was to create a card inspired by a beloved piece of seasonal music~

I used “Come Lord Jesus” to create a card that could also be displayed as part of the true meaning of CHRISTmas:

While I had prepared this card to demonstrate showing how to use the Night Divine bundle with different Designer Series Paper (since the coordinating “O Holy Night” paper is sold out), sometime over the weekend, the “Joy of Christmas” Designer Series Paper that I used ALSO sold out during the Last Chance Sale

THUS, I pivoted at the last minute and used patterns from the Joyful Specialty Designer Series Paper to demonstrate in my live video:

Card measurements:

Card base: 4.25″ x 11″, scored at 2, 3-3/8″, 7-5/8″ and 9″ along the long side.

Designer Series Paper for outside panels: Two pieces 4″ x 1-3/4″, (optional: two pieces 1-1/4″ x 4″ for the middle side panels, if you want it to pull all the way out).

Card stock for center (and/or back panel): 4″ square

If you were able to order the O Holy Night, I did make a version using that paper as well as an example:

I have two 6″x6″ Paper Shares left that have a sample of EVERY Designer Series Paper from the Sept-Dec mini catalog (EXCEPT the All About Autumn Designer Series Paper which sold out too fast). It is discounted to $25 (pick up) or you can pay shipping to you…first come, first served! Each pack DOES have a 6″ x 6″ piece of ALL the patterned papers on these nativity cards.

Thank you for allowing me to fuel your creativity! Here are the supplies used in the video:

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Christmas Ornament on a Card

Each Monday, I think about what I can create to serve you, my crafting community. It wouldn’t be lying to say sometimes I loose sleep over it! But I count it as a blessing to bring you inspiration, so I took the opportunity to figure out a Christmas Card that would also have an ornament to hang on the tree because I know that things may be tight for some folks right now, and this pretty card + gift is a thoughtful way to share some light this season with friends and neighbors without breaking the bank.

The card is very simple: A 8.5″ x 5.5″ Wild Wheat card base with a 3.5″ x 4.75″ Pool Party stamped layer on top of a 3.75″ x 5″ Real Red layer.

Thick white card stock is needed for the banner at the top, but as I explained in the video tutorial (below), you can also cut out two banners and glue them together for more stability. I only added dimensionals to the left side, so you can slide the ornament off the right side. Remember to slide the card into the envelope fold-first, so when the recipient pulls it out, the ornament comes with it!

Embossing the angel image makes coloring with Stampin’ Blends (or watercolors) really easy to stay inside the lines, because they are raised! Plus, the gold makes it look LUXE! I left the angel’s dress white and just added Wink of Stella for a subtle shimmer.

Watch the video tutorial, then I would appreciate you ordering any of the supplies you need from my Stampin’ Store, if this inspired you to make some!

Good news if you are finding this soon after it’s posted: The Seasonal Sale begins tomorrow, Tuesday, November 14th, 2023 and ends on 11/16/23 at 11:59 PM MST.

The SEASONAL SALE includes:

  • 10% off ribbons and trims.
  • 15% off inks, including pads, refills, markers, and Blends. Bundles are not included.
  • 20% off papers, including cardstock, specialty paper, and Designer Series Paper.

Shop online to see the full selection of discounted products. Discounts are automatically applied when sale items are added to any order, including Starter Kits.

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Pumpkins, Punches & Masks for Autumn

After succumbing to temptation and adding the Pick of the Patch bundle to my crafting collection, I dreamed of combining it with the Abundant Beauty Masks (will hopefully be back in stock the week of Oct. 16!)

Pumpkin patches and sunflowers are the objects to take pictures with right now, and here are a couple of the cutest pumpkins in the sunflower patch (at least their grandmother thinks so):

Those adorable faces were the inspiration for today’s Lunchtime Live Crafting, and there are a few tips you’ll want to remember for aligning your stamps to make it easy to punch and how to use the masks, so here’s the replay:

DID YOU CATCH THAT THERE IS FREE SHIPPING TODAY through October 11, 2023 on orders over $75? That’s 3 days to replenish your supplies or get a start on holiday gifts!

That is a terrific deal (save 11%!) AND two more options to remember is our 35th Anniversary Starter Kit offer through October 31st(Starter Kits ALWAYS have free shipping, too!):

Choose 35% off the Starter Kit (normally $99): Select your own products ($125 worth) for just $64.35, free shipping, a free registration to OnStage@Home in November AND 20% off future orders through March 2024!

Choose 35% MORE in your starter kit: Select $168.75 in products for ONLY $99 (plus free shipping) and you also receive a free registration to OnStage@Home in November AND 20% off future orders through March 2024!

Will the Pumpkin Patch bundle and/or Abundant Beauty Masks be in your Starter Kit?

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Peaches from Apples, Plus Clearance Dies!

Does your city have a community celebration during the summer? In Hurricane, Utah, we have PEACH DAYS at the end of August/first of September, and I’m drooling just writing about the peach shakes and all peach-inspired goodies that will be offered during the festivities.

This anticipation prompted me to pull out the Apple Harvest stamp set…because who says it has to be apples?

By coloring the apples with Watercolor Pencils and Blender Pens (not to be confused for Stampin’ Blends), I was able to get a “peachy” blush that was vine-ripe and mouth-watering. The key is to use the Calypso Coral AND Pumpkin Pie pencils on around the edges, then blend the colors toward the center with a Blender Pen.

Blender pens come in a 3-pack and I use washi tape to mark each end with a basic color (green, blue, purple, red/pink, yellow/orange and brown) so I don’t have to worry about wiping them too clean. You may use them to blend in refills or watercolor pencils and are VERY easy and forgiving.

I learned a new tip from an artist I follow on Instagram (@andrea.nelson.art) and that is to add a little BLUE to your leaves, and I love how it adds depth and dimension.

HERE’S THE AWESOME DEAL: The Apple Blossom dies which coordinate with the Apple Harvest stamp set ARE IN THE CLEARANCE RACK, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!! They were a limited time offering in 2022, and are marked down to $14 (from $35).

Seriously, don’t miss these dies…who knows how long they will last?

DID YOU KNOW: August 24th is National Peach Pie day? It’s as good an excuse to send a card as any!

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All About August

While I’m coming to tell you all the super Stampin’ Up! stuff happening in August, stick around to the end for a Layering Leaves fun fold card that *doesn’t* require the Bough Punch!

First, it’s TIME TO REDEEM the Bonus Days coupons you earned in July!

For each $50 you spent in July, you were emailed a coupon code for $5 off your next order. Find those emails/codes and enter/redeem them with your orders before August 31st.

Next: All Kits in the Kit Collection are DISCOUNTED up to 30% all month long!

That sale INCLUDES the NEWEST Kit, just released today: Festive Tags!

Sensational tags…and how cute on a kit! Stock up on both for holiday gift-giving now.


If you didn’t hear yesterday, my personal focus in August is on the Layering Leaves stamp set: This set coordinates with the Bough Punch – which is sadly being restocked from overseas – but you can still earn my 3 for FREE offer by adding the stamps to any $50+ order this month:

You’ll get a tutorial for 3 free cards via email AND the consumable supplies to make those 3 cards in the mail! I’ll also send any customer who orders the stamp set this month a FIRST NOTIFICATION message as soon as that pesky Bough Punch is back in stock, for you’ll want it with your stamp set.

There are just a few supplies you’ll need to complete the 3 free card tutorials that WON’T be included. You may already have these on hand OR could substitute similar products, but if you want to add them to your order, here they are:

Ink Pads: Basic Gray, Boho Blue, Moody Mauve, Wild Wheat, Copper Clay, Granny Apple and Tuxedo Black Memento Ink pad

Adhesive: Stampin’ Seal or Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Mini Glue Dots and Stampin’ Dimensionals

Meanwhile…

Here’s a simple fun fold card that you can create with your Layering Leaves stamp set!

4 Backgrounds from 6×6 Paper: Corner Angle Layer Card

BREAKING NEWS: FREE SHIPPING day just announced! Set an alarm for Wednesday, June 21st and earn free shipping on your orders over $75 that day only!

Paper crafters pride themselves on using scraps, so when we find a way to NOT WASTE A PIECE of pretty paper, we must give it a try!

I appreciated this idea from fellow demonstrator Rachel Tessman, and with the Glorious Gingham Designer Series Paper ON SALE through June, knew it was time to share it with you! It’s a fabulous way to get 4 angled corner backgrounds from one 6″ x 6″ piece of Designer Series Paper, and you’ll love how simple it is.

Lay a ruler down and mark 1-1/2″ on each bottom right corner as you rotate the paper 90-degrees four times. Mark it on the BACK SIDE of the paper you want to use, then you don’t have to worry about erasing lines! Then connect the marks across from each other like this:

Use your Paper Trimmer to cut along each of your lines and you’ll have 4 angled pieces to put in the corners of your card fronts:

My card base is Thick Basic White Card stock: 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″, scored in half at 4-1/4″

Pretty Peacock card stock: 5-1/8″ x 3-7/8″

Basic White card stock: 5″ x 3-3/4″

I used the So Refreshing Bundle to complete my cards, and here’s a video to watch & learn how to:

Filled my pitcher with “water” and stuck in the flowers:

Let me know if you try it, or share your version in my Creative Corner Facebook Group for my V.I.C.’s (Very Important Crafters). Now turn up the alarm to remind you to order on Free Shipping Day and add these supplies to your cart:

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Pinwheel Tower Card

You are going to want to make this card, believe me!

Since most of our Designer Series Paper is discounted through June 30th, I’ll be demonstrating some projects to inspire you to pull out your patterned paper and use every last scrap. You can set an alarm for Mondays and join me live on my Facebook Page or YouTube Channel at 12:30 pm MT, or watch the replay at your convenience.

Without further adieu, here is the fabulous Pinwheel Tower Card I taught today:

It opens up to stand and displays 4 panels! This card is best created in landscape orientation, giving you plenty of area on each panel to decorate or write a message. The finished size of this card (laying flat) is 4.25″ x 5.5″, so it fits into our Basic Medium Stampin’ Up! envelopes perfectly.

You’ll be delighted at how EASY this fancy card is to create and if you want to craft along with my video below, gather these supplies:

  1. One 4-1/4″ x 4-1/4″ piece of Designer Series Paper
  2. Four pieces of 2-1/2″ x 4″ Designer Series Paper that coordinate (don’t have to be the same pattern, but from the same pack) with another four 1-1/2″ x 4″ pieces of Designer Series Paper.
  3. Four 2-3/4″ x 4-1/4″ panels of card stock that match one of the colors from your Designer Series Paper
  4. Simply Scored Board (or paper trimmer with scoring blade)
  5. Adhesive

Once you’ve made a Pinwheel Tower Card, you may want to make a larger version in a slimline card, which could also be a “mini album” if you add photos to some of the panels!

This version is 9″ x 4″ when flat, so it fits into a legal envelope (don’t forget to stamp your envelope, too).

For this larger version, here are the supplies you’ll need (and adjusted measurements):

  1. One 4″ x 4-1/4″ piece of Designer Series Paper (still score along the longest side at each inch)
  2. Four pieces of 3-3/4″ x 4-1/4″ Designer Series Paper (or cardstock) with another four 3-1/4″ x 3-3/4″ pieces of Designer Series Paper (or cardstock and scraps of Designer Series Paper, as shown)
  3. Four 4-1/2″ x 4″ panels of card stock that match one of the colors from your Designer Series Paper
  4. Simply Scored Board (or paper trimmer with scoring blade)
  5. Adhesive

I used the BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL Designer Series Paper along with the Sweetest Cherries stamps and Cherry builder punch on the Slimline version, and will list the supplies for the Hello, Irresistible original card below.

REMEMBER THE PAPER IS ON SALE THROUGH JUNE 30, 2023 – SAVE 15%!

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Starter Kit+, Paper Sale & Congrats Tag

Rounding up all the JUNE 2023 Stampin’ Up! goodness you need to know about in one place!

Let’s start with a story.

While other teenagers were taking the ACT for college prep and planning out their lives, my goal as a Junior in High School was to work at Disneyland or fly the Millennial Falcon. When my career counselor dashed the dreams of flying the falcon, I thought perhaps I’d drive an 18-wheeler—the closest comparable for a girl with terrible vision who knew she wouldn’t legally be allowed to fly a plane.

When I eventually had to choose a major in college, I chose Travel & Tourism for the adventure it promised, then I got married just before my senior year and ended up at a different university that didn’t offer Travel as a major, so I switched to (and graduated in) Music Education.

Fast forward a few years and with two babies to take care of, I gave up teaching piano lessons for a season to be a mom. It was wonderful, but I needed adult conversation and affirmation (funny how no one gives you kudos for a clean bathroom or balanced meal). It was at that time I “discovered” rubber stamping and what a fabulously flexible and comfortingly creative career that has been!

While I started for the fun and joy it brought (and a reason to “play” in the evenings at workshops with women who connected through creativity), I’ve STAYED for the relationships…many of them gathered into the Sprinkled Ink Team. Supporting my creative community makes me thrilled to get up in the morning, and Monday is my favorite day of the week, for I get to “see” you on my YouTube/Facebook lunchtime crafting!


NOW is the time to begin **YOUR** Stampin’ Up! Story – or just take advantage of the best shopping deal – with the Starter Kit+

There is NO OBLIGATION when purchasing the Starter Kit+ and if you have a wish list over $100, give it a try! You’ll get to peek behind the Stampin’ Up! demonstrator curtain (and my Sprinkled Ink Team support) for 3 full months to see if it’s a path you’d like to continue, all while getting a discount on your own purchases as you make up your mind.


Next, most of our Designer Series Paper is 15% off during June!

Having some of this pretty patterned paper on hand helps you flow into your “Maker Mode” when you are in the zone! Which will you order first?

ADDED VALUE: Choose Designer Series Paper at the discounted price to add to the Starter Kit+ this month, stretching the value that you can add even more amazing!


Something that makes my heart swell is when a member of my Sprinkled Ink team promotes to a new level, and I get to celebrate their accomplishment! I’m like a proud mama! If it’s one of my own direct demonstrators, I send a gift to reward their hard work. Today I got to drop off a special notebook & pen with a one-of-a-kind tag created just for Paula’s promotion to Bronze Elite Demonstrator, and look forward to cheering her on as her business/her way just gets better!