Pink Goes Good with Green

December 2, 2024December 2, 2024Leave a comment

In a touching moment when two different girls connect as friends in the movie “WICKED”, Galinda makes the (grammatically incorrect) observation that “Pink goes good with green,” and it’s true not only because these two colors are part of a triad of colors that are proved to coordinate!

I met Cathy (and Janet, across the street from her) when I moved to Southern Utah in 1973 and we became dear friends and playmates. Something we ALWAYS looked forward to each year was the evening that the WIZARD OF OZ movie was shown on television, and since we had to watch it at the time it was scheduled to be broadcast (no “on demand video” back then), we made it a watch PARTY!

2024 was the 75th anniversary of the classic film, so we went to view it in the theater in January (with our friend Jolene, left, as Janet was out of town).

They have a poster from the Wizard of Oz hanging in the theater, as Cathy is pointing out. OBVIOUSLY, we had to repeat the party when WICKED arrived in theaters last month…however…guess who forgot to take a photo while 8 of us were gathered at the movie…

Never fear, we meet for lunch about once a month, and I’m going to snap a picture of us in December

This 2-page 8.5″ x 11″ layout was created in landscape orientation so you can imagine that it would make a terrific 12″ x 12″ layout as well. The teeny-tiny stars connect the pages from top to bottom, with a bit of sparkle. Isn’t it WONDERFUL that WICKED gave us a reason to use the Spells & Potions dies for more than Halloween? They may not last long, so don’t hesitate to grab them if you think you may want to use a broomstick or a witch hat for any memory keeping.

The titles on these pages come from the musical number “For Good” which will be in PART 2 of WICKED, coming to theaters in November 2025. This song really captures how a friend can make us better through their good influence, and I can say that Cathy has shaped who I’ve become. She is loyal, filled with faith, and truly good. BONUS: She has the world’s best MEMORY, so as friends, we rely on her to remember the things we don’t!

Some handy tips are shared in the “How-To” Video for laying out titles and extending an embossed design when the folder is small, among other things:

Follow me on Facebook for more Pink & Green projects this week!

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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

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Spotlight Masking Technique

November 25, 2024Leave a comment

Using this reverse masking concept with blending & stamping to give your hand-crafted projects the look of layers without the bulk of extra paper! While I’m sharing projects used mostly with the November “Filled with Joy” Paper Pumpkin kit, I know you’ll find ways to try it with what you have.

Watch the video tutorial, then see the finished projects below.

A good paper crafter looks for new ways to use every piece of a kit, such as the piece that we popped the ornaments from in the kit – I used it as a stencil for blending ink onto this tag (from the coordinating Merry Tags & More dies), then stamped through the stencil before removing it:

Voila! A new ornament! Same technique on a card:

These stockings were included in the “Filled with Joy” kit – there were still some refills available to Paper Pumpkin subscribers at the time of this post – and DID YOU KNOW you could add texture to fabric by running it through an embossing folder?! The Eyelet 3D folder was adorable on these and the tag was another alternative idea that wasn’t shown in the video:

I’ll stuff these with some goodies for my primary class at church and for the sisters I minister to. That’s 8 gifts wrapped, thanks to a kit!

Paper Pumpkin subscribers who choose me as their demonstrator receive an exclusive “Pumpkin Patch” email each month with more ways to use the stamp set and ink pad from their kit.

You can “think outside the box” and use the supplies from a kit for different projects, like this quick gift card holder (demonstrated in the video):

If you missed subscribing for the November Paper Pumpkin kit, don’t worry…you could make the same gift card holder idea with the Festive Tags kit, which is available a la carte in the Kit Collection!

While you can order from the Kit Collection ANYTIME (new kits are added monthly!), you may not want to miss a month of our premium craft kit subscription…the December kit is called “Notes from the Heart” and here’s a sneak peek:

Learn more about Paper Pumpkin HERE.

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New at SU! Non-Traditional Holiday Colors

November 20, 2024November 19, 20243 Comments

Stepping away from the familiar reds & greens of Christmas with my international Stampin’ Up! demonstrator friends in the New at SU! Design Team, we are using this unique palette that mixes a pinch of pink with deep greens:

I selected the bird and boughs from the Winterly Tree Top bundle and paired them with a piece of the Season of Green & Gold Designer Series Paper.

The coordinating Paper Pumpkin stamp set from October – “Nests of Christmas” – provided sentiments for both front and inside of the card, in a font that matched the bundle from the Sept-Dec catalog.

Tip: Use the same Moody Mauve Stampin’ Blends markers you color the images with to “dye” the beige Earth Tones Shimmer Gems for sparkling “berries”. I also touched the other berries with the tip of the Wink of Stella pen for added shimmer, which is gorgeous in person, but doesn’t photograph well.

There are always strips of Designer Series Paper left over, so carry the theme to the inside of the card:

Remember! #nonakedenvelopes

Basic Beige is a neutral that is lovely to color on AND makes a card base you can write on, as well.

Is this a color combination you are ready to try? Share a creation using this palette on FB or IG and tag me @creativejuicebyloni ~ I also love your thoughts on my projects…scroll to top of this post to leave a comment on the left!

Off you pop to the next project by Diane, and more fun with unexpected colors! Make sure to see all~

November New at SU! Blog Hop: One Color Combination, Many Ways

Previous Blog Next Blog

1.Scraphexe (DE) – Farbchallenge

2.Stamping Flair (AU) – Colour Palette with Sentimental Wishes

3.Tricia’s Stamping Creations (US) – Dear Santa

4.Furry Cat Designs (UK) – Decorative Trees Colour Challenge

5.Stampinxime by Ximena Morales (DE) – Farbkombi-Ideen

6.Creative Juice by Loni (US) – Christmas Bird, Non-Traditional Colors

7.24-7 Inkspiration (US) – Humble Home

8.The Joy of Stampin’ with Rachael (US)- Color Challenge with Sweetest

9.De Kijkkast (NL) – Artful Amaryllis in Pinks and Greens

Product List

Winterly Tree Tops Bundle (English)

Basic Beige 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Mossy Meadow 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Moody Mauve 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Bubble Bath 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Season Of Green & Gold 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

Eyelet 3 D Embossing Folder

Stylish Shapes Dies

Christmas Labels Dies

Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad

Moody Mauve Classic Stampin' Pad

Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad

Pecan Pie Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

Moody Mauve Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

Bubble Bath Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Basic White Medium Envelopes

Earth Tones Shimmer Gems

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

Fanc-ify with Christmas Labels

November 12, 2024November 12, 2024Leave a comment

Perhaps it’s the reader in me, but I am a typophile (someone who appreciates a pretty FONT). Stampin’ Up! combined lovely label dies with the gorgeous typography in the Christmas Labels stamp set, and it was a must-have BUNDLE for me.

The way a label can elevate a simple card or gift is what I wanted to demonstrate in a video tutorial:

These were the projects made during the video. The first card features the Season of Green & Gold Specialty Designer Series Paper, and the shiny gold accents aren’t as visible in the picture, but can be seen in the video:

Next is another simple card layout spotlighting a piece of the Sentimental Christmas Designer Series Paper, and showed how to create a contrasting matte behind the label by cutting a second label in half:

I’m sharing easy cards to encourage you to keep your holiday crafting attainable! No need to overthink it, or add stress.

Layer a color over the center of the larger label for a striking contrast, add a coordinating ribbon and the tag makes a basic box beautiful:

When bundles (stamps + dies -OR- stamps + punches) are introduced to my Stampin’ Store, they are 10% off the price of purchasing each product individually. CLARIFICATION: In the video, we thought the Christmas Label bundle and Christmas DSP would be in Seasonal Sale that begins tomorrow (11/13/24), however we learned that only bundles and patterned paper in the Annual catalog are included in the Seasonal sale, along with most ink and card stock:

Peppermint Gift Crate

November 7, 2024Leave a comment

As you begin to think about gifting, don’t overlook the supplies you already have! Pair your stamps and patterned paper with a small wooden crate (found at 💲🌳) and create packaging so sweet:

The Take a Bow Designer Series Paper has candy cane vibes, and a few thin strips can be attached with a good coating of Liquid Glue to the slats on the box, then add a label with a sentiment. Finish it off with stamped adornments and embellishments (the tiny Peppermints will be back in stock mid-November) and fill your crate!

The More than Autumn bundle has truly been scrumptious to play with! Filled with mouth-watering treats for Fall AND BEYOND, you’d regret not having it in your stamping studio.

Here’s a treat for you: Download the .pdf tutorial for this project today 👇🏼

Peppermint Crate Tutorial

Did you know I also send exclusive tutorials in my email newsletters to customers? PLUS my Paper Pumpkin subscribers get their own special “Pumpkin Patch” email at the end of each month.

Diagonal-Lock Fun-Fold Card

November 4, 2024November 4, 2024Leave a comment

Fans of fun-fold cards, you’ll love the simplicity of this idea, which I call a Diagonal-Lock card, because of the way the front of the card locks into the back of the card. Don’t miss the video tutorial in this post!

For this first version, I paired a muted piece of the Sweet Days of Autumn Designer Series Paper pattern that I could write a message on for the INSIDE of the card, while using the fun forest friends on the front of the card. The leaves and sentiment adorning the front are from the Changing Leaves bundle.

The recipient will “unlock” the card to open and this is what the inside looks like:

Basic card instructions:

Start with an 11″ x 4.25″ card, scored in half at 5.5″.
Adhere a 5.5″ x 4.25″ piece of Designer Series Paper to the front AND inside of the card.
Make a small mark in the center of the front and BACK of the card (at 3.5″ for this A2 card size).
Cut diagonally from opposite corners of the open card in to the mark.

The next version for any holiday celebration (this would be a sweet December birthday card) has a 5.25″ x 4″ Designer Series Paper layer for the front, and a diagonally cut HALF piece for the inside, which leaves a mat around the card which frames it nicely. This time I used my beloved More Than Autumn bundle with the Take A Bow patterned paper:

By using half a sheet on the inside, there is still room to write, even when the pattern is bold. PLUS, you can use the other half for a second card:

Grab a sheet of card stock and paper trimmer to craft along with this video tutorial to make a template for this card to keep in your “fun-fold” file:

Finally, since the Nests of Winter paper was sitting on my table, I used the Winterly Tree Top Dies to die cut the bird duo and fussy cut the small bird to craft this version:

Click any link to order supplies and create cards of your own!

I love hearing from you~ scroll to top to leave me a comment.

Don’t forget a Paper Trimmer, which also makes a wonderful gift for a teacher, a budding crafter or a student:

Counting Blessings Book Box Favor

October 29, 2024October 28, 2024Leave a comment

A great DIY is one that is prepared for you to put the finishing touches on, and these darling little book treat box accordion albums double as precious keepsakes, once you add photos and journaling of which blessings you are most grateful for.

The Book Treat Boxes give you the canvas to embellish, and I chose to use the back side of the lovely Splendid Autumn Designer Series Paper to cover my boxes, because it looks like colored leather or parchment, perfect for my vision of classic books:

Embossing the sentiment on the piece cut from the frame in the Splendid Autumn bundle adds a old-fashioned title to the album, and the Mini Alphabet dies personalizes the book.

You could fill these boxes with treats, but I chose to make a Gratitude album. Open it up and pull out the pages to add photos of who or what you are thankful for, and journal why they matter to you. You can add at least TWO strips of 3.25″ x 12″ card stock (scored every 2.5″) end-to-end to make long accordion pages, though this is just one strip:

Watch the video for tips and how to assemble, then add the supplies to your cart below:

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These albums look so cute lined up, too:

Hollyhock floating frame and Sentimental Wishes Christmas Card floating Frame

Learn Paper Crafting with a Kit

October 22, 2024October 22, 2024Leave a comment

If you can use scissors and glue, you have the ability to make pretty things with paper! All you need next is a kit: Lucky for you ~ the Stampin’ Up! Kit Collection is up to 30% off through October 31st:

Not only is a kit a wonderful starting point for any new paper crafter, they also give you ideas for further crafting, as I’m about to show you.

Playing with the Hello Hollyhocks kit (an all-inclusive, non-stamping kit), I demonstrated how to let the sketch for card #1 (on the left) inspire a future project (on the right):

Hello Hollyhock card sketch to Zinnia Card

Swapping out a hollyhocks for stamped and colored zinnias and creating your own splatter background made this “dupe” super simple.

Next, you can “step up” a card from the kit by cutting apart the card base and framing it on coordinating card stock:

Watch the video (below) to see what I did for the inside of the stepped-up version!

Finally, let a kit teach you a new technique to try, like this floating frame idea. The card on the left is from the kit, which inspired the Christmas card on the right:

Hollyhock floating frame card to Sentimental Wishes floating frame card for Christmas

Keep a few kits on hand for gift-giving occasions, too~ they are unique, thoughtful gifts!

SHOP KIT COLLECTION

Product List

Hello Hollyhocks Kit

Simply Zinnia Bundle (English)

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Blends Markers Combo Pack

Copper Clay Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

Copper Clay 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Three Twine Combo Pack

Everyday Details Dies

Sentimental Wishes Bundle (English)

Take A Bow 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

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

Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Garden Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Petal Pink 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Adhesive Sheets

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

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: