Unbox Your Craft-ivity

If you think you are not creative…THINK AGAIN!

Anyone can be crafty with a KIT, and I’m here to help you unbox some ways to be creative even when…

  • You think you don’t have time
  • You think you can’t afford it
  • You think you don’t have the space for crafting

Paper Pumpkin is the BEST craft kit subscription in the world, and each monthly box you’ll receive:

In this video, I show the Sweet Springtime Kit (February 2024), how to complete the projects as they are sent in the kit -OR- unleash your own ideas using the supplies from the kit or around your craft room:

While the full kits are sold out, there are refills for the Sweet Springtime kit (while supplies last) that you could easily add your own sentiment stamps to complete. They are available for subscribers only, so hurry and subscribe in the next step!

Click the button(s) to choose your Paper Pumpkin Path:

Here are the alternative projects I created with the Sweet Springtime Kit:

Now a look at what’s coming in the March “Memorable Meadows” Paper Pumpkin kit (SUBSCRIBE BY MARCH 10th to get this kit in your mailbox!!):

Share nature’s beauty with lovely all-occasion cards! Includes a free BONUS stamp set!

  • Makes 9 cards: 3 each of 3 designs with 9 coordinating envelopes
  • Precut vellum pieces & wood embellishments
  • Coordinating colors: Granny Apple Green, Garden Green, Balmy Blue, Night of Navy, Gorgeous Grape, Fresh Freesia

Perhaps you aren’t ready to make the commitment to a monthly subscription, but want a one-time curated crafting experience. I’ve got just the thing(s) with the Kit Collection in my Stampin’ Store which you can choose a la carte:

TWO NEW KITS are added to the collection every month, and while I indicated March 2024 kits would be added on Tuesday 3/5, I’ve learned that they are actually dropping into the store on THURSDAY, March 7th! I did get a peek at them today and I can tell you I’ll be grabbing BOTH kits…you’ll want to check them out in just a few days.

After the camera turned off, I did make a few more different cards with the leftover pieces from my kit (coudn’t let those gingham envelopes or adorable animals go to waste!). One of them I’ll share in my VIP Facebook Group and here’s the other:

And ONE (of four) #simplestamping cards I shared in my exclusive Paper Pumpkin email for my subscribers~ after the kit is complete and you have just the stamp set and ink spot remaining:

Say What You Wanna Say

When you don’t have the right stamps to express yourself (or your quirky personality), reach for the Mini Alphabet Dies and spell it out (or make it personal)!

I demonstrated tips and tricks for using these very versatile letters to set you up for success in your crafting in a live video, and remember that while I used two Sale-a-Bration Designer Series Papers for my simple card designs (which papers are only available FREE with purchase for a few more days- through 2/29/24), you can use ANY patterned paper collections you have to make similar cards!

For the first card (above, top) I showed how to use Adhesive Sheets to cut a whole alphabet, for letters ready to adhere to a card anytime (plus how to store the leftover letters), but don’t throw away the negatives! Cut them into squares and use the outlines, too:

You can also make a master template with a window sheet to trace letters, add diagonal lines to create a shadow effect, then adhere die cut letters over the top of each letter:

Mix & Match them with other stamps you have, or use both letters and outlines:

If you’ve read this far, here’s a bonus card and tutorial to download!

It’s a pleasure to serve your creativity~ Share what you make with the Mini Alphabet Dies when you buy them from my Stampin’ Store, and I may spotlight your creativity in my VIP Facebook Group: Creative Juice Crafter’s Corner!

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A Sherbet Swirl Colors + April Virtual Class!

The Global Design Project Color Challenge #GDP433 had me in the mood for ice cream…sherbet to be precise!

Can’t you taste the strawberry, lemon and orange? I pulled the Ice Cream Swirl bundle out and chose one of my go-to card sketches for showing off a large image, such as the ice cream cone: The Easel Card!

It was probably by design, and not by accident that the GDP colors were closely tied to one of the #creativechallengesu color combinations for February, too, so I did stamp my sherbet in Sweet Sorbet and added a swirl of the same color.

This is my card when it’s closed, and I embellished it with a few hearts from the Adhesive-Backed Hearts & Flowers pack:

An easel card is easy to make: The card base (Lemon Lolly card stock) is 11″ x 4.25″ and I scored this one at 3″ and 5.5″. Remember to ONLY ADHERE the bottom half of the layer that will stand up to the bottom 3″ of your card base. Add a small element inside that can prop up the easel- in this case I created a fruity donut in the same colors and put it on Stampin’ Dimensionals.

I’ll be using the Ice Cream Swirl bundle for my second 2024 Virtual Card Class in April!

While this class will spotlight the Ice Cream Swirl bundle (Item #162771) -NOT included in the class fee- the projects may alternatively be created with the Simply Sparkling bundle (Item #162871) OR the Beautiful Balloons bundle (Item #161457) any of which can be ordered in my Stampin’ Store: http://bit.ly/lonistampinupstore

Registered class members will receive a class packet with all the consumable supplies (card stock, envelopes, Designer Series Paper, etc) needed for 5 projects we create together during the class, PLUS two full sized accessories (2 embellishments we will use in class) and a color copy of the completed projects. (Remember: Class kit DOES NOT include stamps or ink…you can use what you have or order from my store). Crafting Happiness Virtual Class fee: $37

Class packet includes*: 

  • Tinsel Gems Four- Pack (Item #161623)
  • Iridescent Shaker Circles (Item #161625)
  • Card Stock, Designer Series Paper and accessories cut for projects
  • One sheet of Stampin’ Dimensionals
  • Envelopes and packaging
  • Sweet surprises!

(* while supplies last- if items sell out before packets are mailed, items of equal value may be substituted)

Also needed: 

  • Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (or Mini Machine) or similar die cutting machine for coordinating dies
  • Ink Pads: Pretty Peacock, Berry Burst, Lemon Lolly (OR Daffodil Delight), Calypso Coral, Lemon Lime Twist, Pecan Pie (OR Crumb Cake)
  • Watercolor Pencils Assortment #1 (Item #161700) OR Stampin’ Blends (colors above)

The class will be privately streamed to YouTube and you’ll receive a link via Email on April 16th to watch and craft along with me, or watch at your convenience anytime! 

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New at SU!- Blueberries Simple to Stepped Up

Welcome to the February New at SU! Blog hop! We want to show you how to use products from the January-April Mini catalog to create simple cards, with the option to “step them up”. Hop all around the world to see what our design team created for you!

Starting off simple: Blueberry Bunches are beautiful simply stamped on a Crumb Cake background and a white focal point! A strip of Glorious Gingham DSP brings a country-fair feel to this simple card.

Step it up by die cutting the top layer from the Everyday Details dies and color the blueberries with Stampin’ Blends.

For AVID crafters, you can really create a masterpiece when you:

  • Emboss blueberry branches in white on a Blueberry Bushel card base
  • Add a few layers of card stock and Designer Series Paper
  • Watercolor the fruit on watercolor paper using ink refills or watercolor pencils (use StazOn ink to stamp image for watercoloring).
  • Fussy cut the blueberry bunch and pop it up using dimensionals
  • Use Stampin’ Blends to color basic rhinestone jewels for added sparkle

Remember to stamp a layer for inside the card, if the base is a dark color, and don’t forget to stamp your envelope to match!

Scoot off to visit these simple-to-stepped-up ideas and leave a comment on your favorite posts or projects…and save them to give it a try:

February New at SU! Hop: Mini Catalog, Simple & Stepped Up
Previous BlogNext Blog
1.Joni in the Spotlight Stamping (US) Thoughtful Expressions Simple &am
2.Nature’s INKspirations (US) – Enduring Beauty
3.iHeartCards2 (US) – Stippled Roses
4.Creative Juice by Loni (US)- Blueberries Simple to Stepped Up
5.Attelyootje (NL) – Simple Stepped Up
6.Tricia’s Stamping Creations (US) – Perennial Lavender Suite
7.The Joy of Stampin’ with Rachael (US)-Easter Lilies
8.scraphexe (DE) – Stippled Roses | Rare Rose
9.247 Inkspiration (US) – Hills of Tuscany
10.Rebecca-Jo Unwin (AU)- Everyday Details
11.Stamping Flair (AU) – Beach Day Bundle
12.De Kijkkast (NL)- Lovely & Sweet

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Jungle Pals Center Pop-Up Card

10 days left in Stampin’ Up!’s Sale-a-Bration 2024, with your window to choose free gifts narrowing quickly…so today we are taking a look at one of the options I haven’t shown before: The Jungle Pals stamp set.

Jungle Pals Stampin' Up! Sale-a-Bration 2024 Rainbow Card

As one of your options to choose with $50 order (until 2/29/24), I wanted to show an easy way to use just the stamp set (there is an additional coordinating die set you could select with another $100 purchase).

Start with a 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ black card stock base. I added a piece of the Rock & Roll Designer Series Paper colored with Stampin’ Write markers to the top right side, and simply stamped the animals on 1-1/4″ square colored card stock pieces. Frame each animal in 1-3/8″ white card stock and tile onto the front of the card.

For the inside, you’ll need a 5-1/4″ x 8-1/4″ white card stock. Refer to video tutorial for instructions for easy pop-up mechanism instructions.

Jungle Pals Birthday Card Inside

Here’s the how to:

This style of card can be created with many different products, and choosing products through my Stampin’ Store helps me to keep bringing you this type of training and teaching. When you support a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, you are guaranteed quality products, unmatched service and hours of happy creativity!

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Jungle Pals birthday card inside, center pop up

In-Person Craft Therapy, Coming Up!

Just what the doctor ordered: a “crafternoon” with friends and we have it all planned for you!

Spring StampFest in Southern Utah will be held Saturday, March 23rd at the Hurricane, Utah at the Hurricane Community Center. Invite a friend to make memories while creating paper projects together~ it’s an event many crafters are making a bi-annual tradition! Save $10 when you register by 3/10.


We host the same event in Utah County just a few weeks later! Save the date – and reserve your tickets – to bring some “spring” to your step on April 13th in Spanish Fork. Early bird discount ends 3/31, so gather your crafty crew ASAP!

A Card Folio to Gift Away

Dropping a Valentine on a friend’s doorstep may not be a custom any longer, but with today’s project, you can hang a set of hand-crafted greeting cards on a friends door as a gift that shows you love them.

I get my best ideas when I should be asleep, and this one came just as I was laying down last night, so I made a quick note on the notepad next to my bed and woke up ready to try it!

All you need is a 12″ x 12″ piece of non-directional (meaning there isn’t a top and a bottom to the design) Designer Series Paper (or DSP), a Simply Scored board, adhesive and 24″ coordinating ribbon:

Instructions (also in video):

  • Fold DSP diagonally from corner to opposite corner, with the pattern you want facing out.
  • Lay fold (longest side) of your folded paper (a triangle shape at this point) along the left side of the Simply Scored board and score at 1/4″. Turn and do the back side the same way.
  • Turn folded side to the top edge of the board and score at 6″ and 11″. Flip the triangle over and score the back side on the same measurements.
  • Open up your paper and fold along the 1/4″ score lines just off center.
  • Open again and fold the outside points (along the 6″ and 11″ lines) IN towards the center. Flip and fold the top points back-to-back, with the center folds at the bottom, creating two pockets on the outside.
  • Punch at hole (or two) at the top to tie together (leaving a loop to hang from is optional).

I used up a lot of the bits and pieces of the Softly Stippled Designer Series Paper I’ve had left over from other projects to create four simple cards (plus envelopes) to go inside the folio:

1″ x 3″ pieces of Designer Series Paper + your favorite punch
Or use a die with two contrasting patterns as background (Everyday Details Dies – NEW!)
Blend color on the plain Designer Series Paper images and emboss a greeting
Layer on 5-1/4″ strips from the same package of papers in varying widths and finish with focal point.
Don’t throw away the images on your Designer Series Paper that are on the edges! Cut them out and use them on the inside of your card!

2-1/2 weeks left of Sale-a-Bration ~ still time to collect your favorite SAB products FREE with qualifying purchase, and so much to choose from:

I appreciate the opportunity to serve you. If you find that I have taught you something, please order the supplies from my store and support a small business!

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Consider yourself invited to join my Stampin’ Up! team! During February 2024, purchase the STARTER KIT and choose an extra $30 in products in your kit ~OR~ select the Stampin’ Glass Mat Studio (as shown in the video) as your bonus option:

SUPER (Cool) Sunday!

If football isn’t your game, crafting for a challenge is a SUPER way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

The best part of gathering for a game is the snacks, so today, I’ve got PRETZELS for you! One of the new Sale-a-Bration options is the Delightfully Eclectic mega pack of Designer Series Paper (an option you could choose free – use item #165706 when choosing a SAB freebie once your cart hits $50 in my store)

You’ll see how clever Stampin’ Up! was in designing this pack of paper: It coordinates with a LOT of current stamp sets: Inked & Tiled, Just My Type, Cheerful Daisies, Sweet Citrus, SUPER COOL and Simply Sparkling, just to name a FEW. Many of the patterns are versatile enough for any project.

Inspired by the #tfifc459 sketch, I replaced the circles with pretzels and sprinkled a few Opaque Faceted Gems (also a Sale-a-Bration option) around to give a little sparkle:

Don’t be afraid to practice your fussy-cutting skills on these images- the more you try, the better you become. One final tip: I cut my vellum die in half to make it longer and “hid” the space under the sentiment!

Give me a CHEER if you like this take on the sketch (or if it just makes you hungry)!

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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??

Watermelon Bites & NEW SAB Choices

If you can’t find fresh watermelon during February, watermelon sour bites may satisfy your cravings:

The Scalloped Gift Card box can also hold things aside from gift cards, so I designed this one for a treat box with the Watercolor Melon set (a free option with $50 order from my store through February).

You stamp on the box while it’s flat, then assemble and fill it. Since there are no words in the set, feel free to find the one that fits from your collection! I added the sentiment from the Sweet Citrus stamp set, or anything “sweet” will work! I just learned that you can punch out the WHOLE watermelon *AND* the slice from the Modern Oval punch:

It’s the midway point of Sale-a-Bration – Stampin’ Up!’s biggest party of the year – and they have added NEW options to choose at the $50 and $100 spend threshold. Remember you can mix up your options to equal the total of your order:

Ready to make a box of watermelon bites? Here’s a tutorial to print and you can shop the supply list at the link below.