Let Freedom Wave: A Patriotic Banner

May 27, 20251 Comment

My 2025 Memorial Day began with the opportunity to sing with the Hurricane Valley Choir at a program at the Hurricane, Utah cemetery honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, as well as those who still serve in the U.S. Military today. That got me thinking about the freedoms I enjoy today because of people who laid down their lives in many ways.

I love the United States of America and what the Founding Fathers intended it to be. I believe it is a land blessed by God, but to have His protection, we must follow Him. There are things I’m concerned about (and have been for many years) and I’m choosing to remember those who fought for freedom – on a battle field or in a home.

Which brings me to the paper craft I demonstrated in my live video: A banner for freedom! We start with Memorial Day at the end of May, proudly wave our country’s flag on June 14th for Flag Day and celebrate our Independence Day on July 4th…so this craft using the Party Banner Dies, Pretty Florals Bundle and Mini Alphabet dies was created in time for a multi-seasonal decoration.

It now hangs proudly on my front door:

As mentioned in my video, the best shopping deal for stampers ANYTIME is the Starter Kit, which normally includes $125 in product that YOU CAN CHOOSE, plus supplies to run your business (catalogs, etc), a free Paper Pumpkin Kit AND free shipping…all for $99!

Currently we have a special offer – for just a few more days – which allows you to choose and extra $40 in your kit! There are no requirements to this opportunity: Only a chance to see if a creative business (or get a discount on the products you are already using) is something you’d enjoy exploring.

Learn more about the Starter Kit

Serendipitously, the Party Dies Bundle is $125 for both the Banners and the large Alphabet – adding them to your starter kit would be a terrific way to save on these incredible crafting tools! Once you join Stampin’ Up!, you’ll also be able to save 20% (or more) on future purchases, and connect with a community of crafters that you didn’t know how much you needed.

If shopping with a demonstrator is more your style, I’m delighted to serve you! Here are the supplies I used for the Patriotic Banner, and you can click on any to add to your order:

Product List

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Crafting Cards with Party Dies

May 19, 20251 Comment

Sometimes you have to invest in your hobby, and when you are ready to do so, may I suggest the Stampin’ Up! Party Banners Dies and Party Alphabet Dies? You’ll save 10% when you bundle them together in one purchase, and, as I mention in the instructional video below, you can claim them as “exercise equipment” 😅

A shaped card is as fun to create as it is to receive! The 5th largest banner die is just about 5.5″ x 4.25″, so these cards fit into the basic white Medium Envelopes:

We made the Pretty Peacock version (left) in the live crafting video, then when we were done, I looked at it and realized that the Damask Designs Embossing folder probably needed to be turned vertically, so created a second with the “Thanks” from a previous Paper Pumpkin kit Add-On die set called “Thanks & Beyond” (shoutout to my PP Craft Kit subscribers!).

This week is high school graduation in southern Utah, and I’m still making cards for grads! This Shy Shamrock card is the banner turned sideways, with letters cut from 2024-2026 In Color Glimmer Paper, and the lock/key/sentiments from Tags to Go.

Finally (for today, at least), I demonstrated this slimline card to remind you of the Eclipse Technique with alphabet dies:

A card for any cake-consumption celebration!

Learn how to make all these banner-themed cards in this video:

If I’ve inspired you to add the Party Die bundle to your list, please shop in my Stampin’ Store!

Better yet…choose these dies as part of a Starter Kit and only pay $99! The other perks of being a demonstrator are even better than the discount: A community of friendly crafters, the opportunity to create a business you love – or a hobby that brings you purpose and passion.

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊- Loni Spendlove

Arched Screen Divider Card Tutorial

February 24, 2025February 24, 2025Leave a comment

“and the 2025 winner in the Top Die-Cutting Tool category is……EVERYDAY ARCHES!”

Worthy of a standing ovation, the Stampin’ Up! Everyday Arches Dies (and coordinating stamp set) are truly a non-negotiable necessity in everyone’s craft room. Full stop.

With 10 nesting dies (the largest die is 5-3/16″ x 3-15/16″), you’ll marvel at the full range of crafting abilities of such a basic shape. (In case they are “currently unavailable”, fear not, they’ll be back in stock soon!). I’m here to help you see their potential, starting with the Arched Screen Divider Card:

Don’t arch an eyebrow (ha-ha)…this is just the front. When you open it up, the STAGE IS SET:

As a baby card, you could put a photo of the newborn in the center panel -OR- list their name, birthdate, birth place and vitals (handwritten, if you have lovely writing or print from your computer, if you don’t).

The back side gives more space to add photos or love notes:

What I love best is that the Beatrix Potter vibes make it a perfect decoration on a nursery shelf, or the parents could use each piece in a scrapbook!

A few close ups:

The “Know You are Loved” panel was completed after my demonstration, and it is the perfect fit.

I’ve got different versions to share with you, but first, the instructions in video:

On to the other versions, starting with a birthday card using the Full of Life Designer Series Paper and a sneak peek of the Arched Wishes stamp set, coming in March:

Because there are only 5 days left of Stampin’ Up! Sale-a-Bration, I also had to make an Arched Screen Divider card with one of our freebies:

If the Terrific Toadstool bundle is on your list, don’t put off ordering it even one more second, or you’ll miss out on the Toadstool Gardens Designer Series Paper (free choice with $60 purchase by February 28, 2025)!

Tell me what you think of this card (comment section at top of post, by title and date posted) and you may receive the toadstool version in the mail!

For the Storybook Moments Baby card, you’ll need:

Product List

New at SU!- Tied Up with Bows

December 18, 2024December 17, 20242 Comments

It’s Ribbon Week here on the Creative Juice Blog, and the New at SU! design team theme for December is “Tied Up with Bows” ~ so I went BIG with the bow on this slimline card, featuring the Happy Hibiscus, a NEW Online Exclusive bundle:

Wrapping a ribbon around a layer on your card gives it a nice finish, and you don’t see the ribbon from the inside of the card.

Before I tied the ribbon, I cut a length of the Silver & White Sheer ribbon in half down the center and laid two loops on my knot, then tied them inside the bow, giving it extra “fluff”:

The Happy Hibiscus bundle includes a 3-D Hybrid embossing folder (which cuts and embosses flowers at the same time, should you so desire), and I just pulled my Whisper White ink pad across the embossed Smoky Slate card stock to bring the embossing out.

I chose to HEAT EMBOSS the large flower, then watercolored it using Pretty In Pink ink and a Water Painter, before die cutting it out. The blossoms and leaves are also watercolored.

I will use this card for my next team member who promotes to Silver, though it would also be a lovely wedding card! Plus: a matching envelope. Finished size: 6″ x 3.5″

Before you move on to the next ribbon/bow project, what is your current favorite Stampin’ Up! ribbon? Tell me in a comment section (at the top of this post, by the date)!

Visit our international inspiration at each stop below, and PIN or save your favorite ideas:

December New at SU! Hop: Tied Up with Bows

Previous Blog Next Blog

1.Crafters Northwest (USA)- Pretty & Practical Last Minute Gift Wra

2.Furry Cat Designs (UK) – Cake Celebrations

3.Creative Juice by Loni (US)- Happy Hibiscus Tied Up With a Bow! ***YOU ARE HERE***

4.Stamping Flair (AU) – Sophisticated Sled

5.Stampinxime by Ximena Morales (DE) – Weihnachtsrahmen

6.Astrids Papiereuphorie (AT) – Goodie mit Schleife

7.scraphexe (DE) – Baum mit Schleife

8.De Kijkkast (NL) – Driving home for Christmas with a bow!

9.iHeartCards2 (US) – Tied Up With Bows Snowy Wonder

10.24-7 Inkspiration (US) – Pool Party Pompoms

11.The Joy of Stampin’ with Rachael (USA)- Knot a Bow

Product List

Ultimate Shabby Chic: Torn Paper

November 27, 2024Leave a comment

Celebrating the 500th TGIF Challenge with a birthday card I made for a dear friend, and my longest team member. Ann, if you see this, just act surprised when you open your mail!

Tearing – or ripping – paper was one of the first techniques I remember being taught at an EARLY crafting convention I attended. It’s so simple, and adds terrific texture, and while many things have changed in paper crafting styles, this technique has just grown more sophisticated.

To be honest, there were a few times I almost threw out this card to begin again, but I persevered, and surprisingly, I think the end result is “tres shabby chic”!

With a whopping 6 (or more) layers of card stock, Designer Series Paper, ribbon, and the birds (also die cut from the patterned paper, so I didn’t have to color them), this was much more detailed than I usually do, but the card needed all the fussy stuff, and Ann deserves a very special card.

Luckily, most of the elements came from the Nests of Winter Suite, so all I had to add was the pretty pompom ribbon. These items can also be ordered individually, which I will include in the supply list below.

Added a few more torn patterns to the inside of the card and the envelope!

Next time you are crafting, give Torn Paper a try. #tgifc500

Product List

3 Stampin' Up! Sentimental Wishes Tags for Christmas

New at SU!- Sketches are for Tags, Too

October 16, 2024October 16, 20245 Comments

Sketches are a Stamper’s secret design tool, and not only do they work for greeting cards and scrapbook pages, sketches also help you master a GIFT TAG…and a beautiful tag will level up any gift!

For our October New at SU! blog hop, I selected 3 tag sketches from page 16 of the September-December Mini catalog and combined those sketches with a set of products that evoke classic Christmas vibes.

The sketches gave me a starting point for my creativity, and a suite of Stampin’ Up! products helped limit my options, which actually makes it easier to be artistic. All supplies are listed at the end of this post.

The Joy/Candle tag mostly features stamping the images from the stamp set:

The stocking tag shows how you can cut some of the images from the Designer Series Paper with the dies, which also match the stamped images:

Finally, the Very Merry tag puts the focus on the sentiment:

The wonderful thing about tags is that they dress up any gift, along with a bit beautiful ribbon ~ see how they make a Kit Collection box fancy? Remember that all the kits are ON SALE this month (see below).

But that’s not all! Tags are adorable on a greeting card, as well:

Not only are tags a miniature piece of art, they are also a terrific way to use up scraps! Try cutting some of your smaller pieces of card stock into tag shapes, and have them ready to pair with a sketch.

Tell me what you think of these tags- leave a comment link at the top of the post!

Visit all the other posts to see how a sketch inspired their projects:

October 2024 New at SU! Hop: Sketches-Crafter’s Secret Design Tool

1.Creative Juice by Loni (US) – Sketches Are for Tags, Too

2.The Joy of Stampin’ with Rachael (US)- Playful Ghosts Triple Panel La

3.Furry Cat Designs (UK) – Cute Snowy Scenes card

4.Playing with Papercrafting (CA) – Shepherd’s Care for New at SU

5.Stamping Flair (AU) – Humble Home Sketch Card

6.Stampinxime by Ximena Morales (DE) – Sketch Challenge

7.Tricia’s Stamping Creations (US) – Sketches Surfing Santa

8.De Kijkkast (NL)- Peaceful Trees and a Sketch

9.247 Inkspiration (US) – More Than Autumn

10.iHeartCards2 (US) – Sketches & Mix & Match Ephemera

11.Nature’s INKspirations (US) – Golden Greenery Sketch

12.Studio Shabaz (AU) – Regal Winter

When you purchase the Sentimental Christmas patterned paper, Stampin’ Up! donates $3 to support children’s literacy in each of it’s markets. In the U.S. the donation benefits First Book.

Snag some kits for Christmas, while they are on sale up to 30% off during October, and add a tag to the top for thoughtful and creative Christmas gifts:

Product List

Gratitude- Key to Happiness

September 3, 2024Leave a comment

All the research agrees: Being grateful – and showing it – leads to a happier and healthier life.

We already know creating something with your own hands brings joy and satisfaction, so combine the two and crafters are the most joyful folks on the planet!

The Splendid Autumn suite (arriving September 4th) provides the tools to both create and send gorgeous gratitude notes:

This card took only slightly longer to make than the 60 seconds shown in this reel, and uses a full sheet of the 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper on the outside, inside and envelope.

The Splendid Autumn Designer Series Paper is one of 10 different collections that you would receive a sampling of with the September-December Mini Catalog Paper Share, but TODAY (Sept. 3) is the deadline to guarantee your spot!

Send me a Share!

Simply Zinnia, Simple Fun-Fold Thanks Card

June 24, 2024Leave a comment

Bright colored flowers shout “I LOVE YOU” as well as “THANK YOU” and “YOU’RE THE BEST!” Zinnias lead the garden in bold flower-power during the summer, so a color-blocked card that stands to display seemed like the one to craft today:

The Simply Zinnia stamp & die bundle is an Online Exclusive that you can NOT miss! For my demonstration, I used Versamark ink to stamp the zinnia image on both the Berry Burst and Coastal Cabana card stock pieces that fit on the card base.

However, the Zinnia bundle IS part of a larger Flowering Zinnia SUITE of products, which includes the Zinnia 3-D Embossing folder…so I also did a version of this card using it to make a “touchable” raised background.

This is how they stand:

There is a HELPFUL TIP for layering the petal dies in today’s video tutorial, which will save you time in assembly. Remember, you can click on the gear in the bottom right of the video and change the speed to make any tutorial play faster, if you are an impatient crafter like me!

Just a few more days to collect the Stamp + Die bundles you love, or the Cut & Emboss machines, for an ADDITIONAL 10% off.

Product List

New at SU! A Lemony Sketch

June 19, 2024June 20, 20241 Comment

You’re here to see how Stampin’ Up! card sketches from the 2024-2025 catalog (pg 22) can improve your cardmaking skills, and our International #NewAtSU design team is taking the assignment seriously!

This is the sketch I chose:

Here is how it inspired me:

You’ll notice that I didn’t use 3 panels, but allowed my banner to visually divide the lemon Designer Series Paper. That’s the thing about a sketch = it’s there to give you a place to start, then run in whichever direction your heart takes you!

Try mixing up products, too! I thought the Mediterannean Blooms lemon paper would make a fabulous backdrop for the image from the Filled with Happiness set, and it did. That Navy & Yellow combination is summery and sweet.

I cut both the navy banner and the lemon oval in half to stretch across the card and give room for the Congratulations sentiment. This would be a unique baby congrats card, or a wedding celebration! It’s just generic enough to fit any occasion.

Once you’ve left me a comment and have filled your cup with creative juice (and your cart with supplies), move along to see how all the other stampers used these wonderful sketches, then TRY ONE YOURSELF.

June 2024 New at SU! Blog Hop: Catalog Sketch Inspiration – Visit them all!

1.Merrick Makings (AUS) – Secret Sketches of SU!

2.Creative Juice by Loni (US) – A Lemony Sketch, Congrats

3.I Heart Cards 2 (US)- Catalog Sketch with Country Woods Collection

4.Stamping Flair (AU) – Flower Cart Stamp Set

5.Furry Cat Designs (UK) – Sketched Butterflies Sketch

6.Nature’s INKspirations (US) – A Sketch Inspired Thoughtful Journey

7.scraphexe (DE) – Sketch Layers of beauty | Liebenswerte Lagen

8.Stampinxime (DE) – Tune In – Geburtstagskarte nach S

9.Tricia’s Stamping Creations (USA) – Latte Love

10.247 Inkspiration (US) – Happy Little Things

11.De Kijkkast (NL) – Veggies and a sketch!

12.Joni in the Spotlight Stamping (USA)-New at SU-Catalog Sketch with La

Product List

Filled With Happiness Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

$20.00

Mediterranean Blooms 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

$12.50

Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Modern Oval Punch

$23.00

Stylish Shapes Dies

$30.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

$11.25

Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$11.50

Daffodil Delight 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$11.50

Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$11.00

Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

$11.00

Baker's Twine Three Color Pack

$8.00

Stampin' Seal

$8.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.25

Boho Blue Limited Edition Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

$63.00

Did you know the Boho Blue Mini Cut & Emboss Machine is less expensive than the white mini machine, with the same performance? AND all the machines are 10% off through June 30th – don’t miss it!

Pop-Out Book-Binding Card

June 3, 2024Leave a comment

Remember the SQUASH CARD we made last week? We’re using the SAME fold, just starting smaller, and putting it inside a book-binding card for a POP-ular fun-fold for your favorite POP this Father’s Day (or ANY OCCASION)!

At first glance, this looks like a normal book-binding card. But wait until you open it up!

Watch this tutorial and give this a try, and you’ll be chopping all your Designer Series Paper to 6″ square to make more!

The silver foil pop top and bottom really make it look like an aluminum can:

The Simply Sparkling stamp set and dies are just a taste of many incredible products only found in my online store, so while you are adding them to your cart, check out the other Online Exclusives.

Product List