Enjoy Today for Independence Day

A Pinch of Party Pizzazz

Let’s be real. Who has time to make a balloon arch, a photo booth, hand-made party favors, personalized invitations PLUS the food & entertainment for a party by themselves? NOT ME.

However, there are a few details I CAN make quickly and simply to elevate a celebration. This one was inspired by my mother-in-law who always has seasonal “china dishes” (paper plates) and napkins. The dollar store makes this even more feasible and all you need to do is wrap them all together and add a tag!

To make it easy for your guests to grab & go, wrap the utensils, a fun straw and box of sparklers (or other small gift) together with a ribbon (no bows required, but a little bling goes a long way), add a simple tag and set them in a fun cup or basket. Your friends can easily hold on to the whole bundle while still filling their cups.

This striped tag was created using the Labeled with Love bundle- choose a coordinating punch or dies when you purchase this versatile crafting combination! I have a few tips in the short video tutorial for mass-producing these labels in minutes. Remember you can switch-up colors and sentiments for any party, too.

When you have the basics on hand (card stock, stamps, ink, ribbon and a punch), you are prepared to sprinkle a pinch of pizzazz onto a gathering of any type. Select the items you need to stock up on:

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Color Block Zinnia Stand up Card

Simply Zinnia, Simple Fun-Fold Thanks Card

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.

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Stampin' Up! Tune In Bundle, Hidden Message card

Hidden Message TV Card – plus July Virtual Class

Today on the Creative Juice Crafting Channel, an interactive birthday card featuring a hidden message that appears “on screen”… and NEWS FLASH, it’s a gift card holder, too!

When you pull out the “Stay Tuned” screen, the birthday greeting appears:

What’s on the inside of the card? A pocket ready for a gift card, gift certificate, cash or a note.

The TUNE IN stamp & die bundle has a “retro” feel and has been unique to play with, so I will feature it in my July Crafting Happiness Virtual Class! Another option that will work well with the virtual class is the ATTENTION SHOPPERS bundle. Both bundles are an EXTRA 10% off during June, so whichever you prefer, NOW is the time to order them and register for the class.

*** When you order either bundle from my Stampin’ Store, you’ll get an email with a discount code for $5 off the class registration fee.

The Crafting Happiness class will be privately streamed to YouTube on Wednesday, July 17th at 4 pm MT, and registered crafters can watch LIVE or at their leisure anytime after the live stream.

The class is designed so you can stamp along and it’s up to you to use the suggested stamp sets OR use a set of stamps + dies you already own. There will be 5 projects and this is what is included:

Class packet includes: 

  • Gold & Silver 1/8″ Trim Combo Pack (Item #16133)
  • Neutrals Adhesive-Backed Sequins (Item #161627)
  • Card Stock, Designer Series Paper and accessories cut for projects
  • One sheet of Stampin’ Dimensionals
  • Envelopes and packaging
  • Sweet surprises!

Also needed (not included in class fee): 

  • Tune In bundle OR Attention Shoppers bundle OR use one of your own,
  • Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (or Mini Machine) or similar die cutting machine for coordinating dies (MACHINES are also 10% off in June!!)
  • Ink Pads: Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad (#132708), Balmy Blue (#147105), Basic Beige (#163806), Cajun Craze (#147085), Versamark (#102283)
  • Watercolor Pencils Assortment #1 (Item #161700)- IF USING ATTENTION SHOPPERS BUNDLE or your own stamps that are line-art type sets.

Before I share the supply list (thanks in advance for supporting my business- I look forward to sending you a thank you card!), here is the video tutorial showing how to create this delightful “hidden message TV” card…craft along and pause as needed:

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Paper Purse/Tote for Happy Bday Shoppers

The vibrant In Color combination from the Global Design Project challenge #gdp449 felt like just the ones to use for today’s Live Crafting project

Your stampin’ stash can be used for MORE than cards, and this little purse/shopping tote/beach bag template can be used for gifting things such as gift cards, candy, money, jewelry, etc. The finished size of the box itself is 3.75″ tall, 3.5″ wide and 1″ deep.

The inspiration for the gift bags in the shopping cart came from a swap from my team mate Heather Goins, a.k.a. the Crazy Cardmaker. I love how she stamped onto patterned paper and colored the tissue paper in!

Normally, I wouldn’t pair foil paper AND glimmer paper, but this time it really added all the shimmer needed for a birthday celebration.

This is the month to add the NEW Attention Shoppers bundle to your collection: A stamp set + die bundle is discounted 10% when it is new to a catalog or publication PLUS in June 2024, bundles are an *additional* 10% off!

Did you notice the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machines are also 10% off?

The video will walk you through creating this boxy tote, and scroll down for printable instructions using the Tune In Bundle!

You can keep going to the tutorial but don’t forget to click and add these products to your shopping cart:

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I had created this pattern for a project that I shared with the Stampin’ Leaders Project Sheet group. The instructions will give you the same measurements for the Attention Shoppers version!

Squash Fun-Fold Card

Usually, I’m a bit more timely in posting my finished project from my Monday Lunchtime Live crafting videos, but we were focused on tending the grandkids. I’m just now getting settled back at home and sharing this (late Saturday night)…better late than never!

This fun-fold card is called a “squash card” and begins with an 8.5″ square piece of card stock. Once finished, the card squashes (or smashes) flat to fit into a standard Stampin’ Up! envelope.

Measurements for the pieces:

  • 8.5″ square card stock, scored at 4.25″ horizontally and vertically AND once diagonally.
  • Designer Series Paper: One 3.75″ square and two 3.5″ square
  • Basic White card stock: Two 3.75″ squares, plus a piece to stamp a greeting and/or images to embellish with.

I die cut images from the Designer Series Paper for the front of my cards, but you could just as easily stamp what you’d like for the top of your cards.

Now peek inside:

TIP: The same design can be used on a 12″ x 12″ piece of card stock to create a mailable scrapbook page! Place photos where any of the paper or card stock layers are, and save a spot to journal about the memories, then fold it up to send to a friend to remember a happy day together.

Watch for instructions:

Thanks for ordering the supplies from my Stampin’ Store so I may continue to bring you ideas to try!

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Good news! Starting June 5th, both the standard and mini Cut & Emboss Machines will be 10% off (they have NEVER been on sale before!) PLUS stamp + die bundles- which are already 10% off – will be available for an ADDITIONAL 10% discount through June 30, 2024.

Attention Shoppers Happy Birthday Slimline Card, 2024-2026 In Colors, Full

May Bonus: Colors in the Starter Kit!

Throughout the month of May 2024, there is a fabulous Starter Kit Special: You’ll get to choose $125 worth of your favorite products for just $99, then Stampin’ Up! will add FOUR 2024-2026 In Color products added to your kit FREE!

I wanted to show something you could make with these colors and potential items in your kit, so I demonstrated a simple stamping project on my Facebook page, inspired by a layout from the new annual catalog:

I failed to mention that this card is the ideal size to include a gift of ca$h, and here’s what I would stamp on the inside:

Basic masking and fussy cutting techniques are shared in the video you can watch here:

While that’s the smartest way to collect the colors quickly, you could also opt to add them one-at-a-time to your toolbox over the next 5 months by joining my In Color Collectors Club, including getting the new Basic Beige color collection FREE!

If you are in southern Utah, don’t miss my Catalog Carnival Open House this Saturday from 1-4 pm in Hurricane where you can craft a card, snag a snack, capture a new catalog, AND shop from my ONCE-A-YEAR-BOGO SALE!!

Attention Shoppers: I’m always delighted when you choose me to serve your creative needs – thanks for ordering your genuine Stampin’ Up! supplies from my Stampin’ Store by adding the products you love below to your cart, and watch for your thank you card in the mail when you allow me to inspire you!

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Citrus Blooms Mediterranean Tile Card

Capri is Calling

It’s CATALOG PREMIER DAY and I am doing the happy dance! Do you have a favorite suite of products? Or pretty paper you can’t resist?

My top pick will be no surprise: The Mediterranean Blooms Suite reminds me of the island of Capri, Italy and that’s where my inspiration came from for this card…plus, I have a tutorial for you!

Lemons are plentiful in Capri, and while I chose to use Peach Pie Stampin’ Blends to color my citrus fruit, it still feels like the island, with the blue & white tiles that reflect the ocean.

I’m still enjoying the sun in another beautiful part of the planet, so I’ll update links when I return, but you can start shopping today at my Stampin’ Store!

Meanwhile, print out this tutorial and be prepared to answer the call of Capri- by mailing a little sunshine this summer:

Ready to see more? Watch this!

Thanks for ordering from my Stampin’ Store!

Simply Zinnia Thank You Card Slanted Background In Color 2024-2026

In Color Zinnia Card Duos

If there were a contest for the “most cheerful flower”, don’t you think ZINNIAS would take the prize?

Today’s card(s) feature the Simply Zinnia bundle (an online exclusive available now in my Stampin’ Store) as well as the 2024-2026 In Color products that will be in my store on May 1st!

This slanted background is a handy template to remember (or PIN!) because you can create TWO cards in about the same time it takes to make just one!

It all starts with a 6″ x 3-3/4″ piece of In-Color Designer Series Paper. Mark it at 2″ on the bottom long edge (on the back side of the design you want to use) and at 4″ on the top long edge. Then cut it from the 2″ mark to the 4″ mark. Layer each of those pieces onto a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Basic Black card stock and you are halfway done.

TIP: The leftover 6″ x 2-1/4″ piece of Designer Series Paper fits perfectly on the flap of your envelope, giving you terrific coordination!

Watch the tutorial (speed it up, if desired) to learn how to finish up the card:

And why stop at 2 cards when you can make 10? Two in each of the 2024-26 In Colors: Petunia Pop (shown above), Summer Splash, Peach Pie, Pretty In Pink and Shy Shamrock!

These colors coordinate beautifully, so you can even mix up the colors on the flowers- with the alcohol-based Stampin’ Blends markers, the colors bleed together smoothly:

Here are a few wonderful ways to collect the new IN COLORS:

  • Join my IN COLOR COLLECTORS CLUB and receive a package each month (May-September) filled with a sampling of ALL the products in each of the colors, including an exclusive projects each month…PLUS a FREE BASIC BEIGE BONUS the last month!
  • Too impatient to collect slowly? Purchase ALL the colors in May or June from my Stampin’ Store and earn the Basic Beige Bonus FREE!
  • Join my Sprinkled Ink Team in May and receive 4 new In Color Products in the Starter Kit FREE!! Offer good May 1-31, 2024.

Ice Cream, Adhesive Sheets and Last Chance Sale

When you have the right tools, any project becomes easier.

Adhesive sheets are a type of double-sided adhesive that make any piece of paper into a sticker, and they are indispensable for a project like PAPER PIECING. The Ice Cream Swirl dies are a perfect example of how you can create sweet cards to drool over, using adhesive sheets:

Start with a 5.5″ x 6.75″ card base (scored at 4.25″) and “build” layers with Designer Series Paper. The Lighter Than Air designs have creamy colors that I used to cut 3 swirls from, then built up my lemon-raspberry ice cream swirl. This is a card you’ll want to make triplets of at one time, just to use up all the pieces:

Today (April 9th) is the last day to register for my Crafting Happiness class on Friday, April 19th, where I’ll be featuring the Ice Cream Swirl Bundle (and you get a discount on the class if you purchase the bundle from my store)- OR you can use one of the stamp & die bundles you may already have.

A tutorial to teach how to use Adhesive Sheets:

Inside the card:

Today also begins the Stampin’ Up! Last Chance Sale– click image to shop!

I appreciate your order of genuine Stampin’ Up! products from my store! Your support give me the opportunity to continue sharing creativity with you. I’m always tickled to mail a hand-stamped card as a thank you for online orders!

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Coloring with Masks (Enduring Beauty)

Masks (the fancy Stampin’ Up! term for stencils) make coloring stamped images speedy and simple!

I was truly WOWed with how quickly I was able to color the floral spray image from the Enduring Beauty bundle with the coordinating masks, blending brushes and ink pads. This is a technique you may embrace if you don’t love to color, OR if you are just getting started, you can stamp and color this image with just two ink pads! Watch & learn how:

Did you catch how to die cut just half the image so you can add a layer of Designer Series Paper as the background? For the video, I added a second fold that opens on the right:

But you can just add a 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ layer of Designer Series Paper behind the flowers to make it a regular card. I really like the look of the Poetic Expressions designs with the flowers, and used the colors of that paper for coloring the flowers, as well.

Turn the design sideways and try different colors, too.

It’s a beautiful stamp set to use for so many projects, and if you haven’t seen my two previous posts using this set this week, check out the Notebook Cover project HERE and the color challenge card HERE.

THANK YOU for shopping in my Stampin’ Store for GENUINE Stampin’ Up! products!!! It enables me to continue bringing you creative ideas and you are guaranteed high quality products with service from someone who cares about you.

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