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 Wishes Birthday Card, Color Challenge

March 10, 20251 Comment

Rubber stamps should come with a warning label. Once you get a bundle with a punch or set of dies, Stampin’ Up! releases ANOTHER stamp set that coordinates, and then you MUST have it, because it extends the use of the first bundle…and the addiction continues! That’s what happened to me, and look where I am now. 😂

With new Online Exclusive products in my Stampin’ Up! store for March 2025, the Arched Wishes stamp set coordinates with the Everyday Arches Dies (which are essential for every paper crafter):

The TGIF Challenge #tgifc515 is a color combination that felt like a party, so I ran with it!

If you can see the bit of shimmer on the cupcake, it’s from the Wink of Stella pen, and I wanted to use the arch I cut out of the front panel on the inside of the card, so the party continues when you open it up!

The Mini Corrugated 3D embossing folder gave the background a bit of texture and added interest, and there are a few other tips I shared in the “How To” video:

Switch it up and stamp the balloons on the back, or add a “Happy Birthday” sentiment in black (an afterthought following my live video). If you prefer not to fussy-cut the sentiment, make it a banner!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve your creative needs! Because of your orders, I am able to continue helping you squeeze the most from your paper crafting art.

Product List

Arched Wishes Cling Stamp Set (English)

Everyday Arches Dies

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Summer Splash 8 1/2" X 11 Cardstock

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Summer Splash Classic Stampin Pad

Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad

Fresh Freesia Classic Stampin' Pad

Uninked Stampin’ Craft Pad & Whisper White Refill

Blending Brushes

Basics Wow! Embossing Powder

Embossing Additions Tool Kit

Heat Tool (Us And Canada)

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Mini Corrugated 3 D Embossing Folder

Summer Splash Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

Fresh Freesia Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

Iridescent Adhesive Backed Discs

Stampin' Dimensionals

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

Valentines Aren’t Just for Lovers

January 4, 2019January 4, 2019Leave a comment

The season of love doesn’t have to be limited to one single significant other. This is a wonderful time to recognize friendships as well, and I’d submit that your girlfriends might appreciate hearts and flowers much more than your man would!

This is a Valentine that you could add photos, notes or gift cards to, and is part of an envelope banner you’ll create at my “Craft Your HEART Out” class coming on January 26th, but it’s perfect by itself:

It’s an accordion fold that spills out when opened, with spaces to write personal notes, add photos, or insert gifts or gift cards into smaller envelopes:

Download the Tutorial HERE

The “All My Love” Designer Series Paper in the NEW OCCASIONS Catalog is richly romantic and you’ll think of so many ways to use it: For wedding cards, gifts, home decor, etc. And don’t miss the coordinating All My Love Ribbon Combo Pack.

You’re invited to attend my Craft Your Art Out class: Check out the details HERE!

You may fall in love with the whole suite of products!

https://youtu.be/iTOVUoYmkIA

Watermelon Banner: Sweet Summer Stamping

August 1, 2016April 26, 20173 Comments

Summer is slowing down, but the produce is perfect! We are swimming in peaches and apricots and I’ve enjoyed some delectable watermelon, too…and it’s a fruit, so completely guilt-free.

I was inspired by my friend Jeanna’s Summer & Sunshine framed art on her blog a few weeks ago and thus, when the TGIF “CASE your Fave” challenge came up, her craftiness was the first thing I thought of. And I love banners, so this was the brain-child that resulted:

They are super simple to create and I did a Facebook Live video to demonstrate how:
https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcreativejuicebyloni%2Fvideos%2F1164855446870812%2F&show_text=0&width=400
Did you know I am LIVE on FB almost every Monday at 12:30 PM (MST)? I would love to have you join me in real time, so come on over and like my Creative Juice page!

To order supplies to create this project, visit my Stampin’ Store and use the hostess code in the right column to get a hand-crafted Thank You from me.

Party Hearty: Stampin’ Up! Makes it Easy to Plan Any Celebration

March 2, 2014Leave a comment

Get the party started! Begin with some printed invitations, choose a color and some embellishments, and you've got yourself a party! Make a banner, place cards, gift bags...the pieces are printed, die cut, and ready for you to personalize. It's simple, fast, and still totally YOU.  Watch it all come together here:

  

 You have lots of reasons to celebrate now you have seen how easy it is to put your party décor and invitations together. 

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Start your celebration here!

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A Banner Day (+Video)

February 19, 2014Leave a comment

Every living room, every work cubicle, every nursery, every school locker and every holiday needs a banner! It's as simple as this: choose your paper and ink, then stamp and cut using the Big Shot machine. Framelits dies make precision placement a snap, and you'll get perfectly cut shapes every time. 

  
Wood mount bundle #134815 (also available in clear-mount $143816)



------------------- SUPPLIES ----------------- 

  

 Save 15% when you purchase the Perfect Pennants Stamp Set and coordinating Banners Framelits Dies together in the bundle 🙂 Then start making every day a BANNER DAY!

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5 Ways on Fridays: Thankful Tablescape Simply Created Kit

October 18, 2013April 26, 20177 Comments

The pieces of the new Thankful Tablescape Simply Created Kit (item 133463) in the Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog were designed to decorate a Thanksgiving table, but of course, people get crafty and find new ways to utilize the parts in unique ways, so come along as I share a few of my favorites! Leave a link to other awesome crafts using this kit in the comments.

1. Starting with cards, here’s a pocket card I created from the Tablescape kit following the

Create with Connie & Mary sketch 273:

All I added was a crumb cake envelope (for the pocket), a piece of Early Espresso card stock, a strip of 1-1/4″ Burlap Ribbon (132140) and I punched the circle using the 2-1/2″ circle punch (120906).

2. At SU! convention in July, Sara Douglass demonstrated how to create a Thankful Journal from the Tablescape kit, but my photos weren’t that great, so a quick internet search found another Sarah (Sagert) who had crafted her own…with some nice pictures of her lovely pages 🙂

3. Admittedly, I’m a sucker for anything in a mason jar, so Jessica Lewis’ simply sweet Thankful Jar immediately appealed to me! Can’t you just imagine filling this with reasons to be grateful?

The Birch paper and chocolate chip herringbone paper both come on a roll in the kit and are perfect for wrapping around a vase, jar or candle.

4. Allison Okamitsu (a very talented Canadian demonstrator) created the last two gorgeous home decor projects from the Thankful Tablescape Simply Created Kit. The first is a Thankful Banner and you see more of this beauty by clicking on the picture.

5. I love Allison’s style and her blog is “Nice People Stamp”. Haven’t met her, but it’s a given she’s one NICE person to share her talents! This is also her creation~A frame covered in the Birch-bark paper from the kit. Isn’t the banner adorable? Visit Allison’s tutorial for the frame HERE (or click on photo)

Thanks for checking out my 5 Ways on Fridays collection! Order the Thanksgiving Tablescape Kit from my Stampin’ Store to create some fabulous Fall creations of your own, then post a link to them in the comments so we can be inspired by YOU!
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Surprise Party

March 27, 2013April 26, 20171 Comment

Last week was my mother’s 70th Birthday. She is a humble, sweet, endearingly good and righteous elect lady in all ways imaginable. She would blush at that compliment and protest that she has many faults, but as her children, we don’t see any. We all feel greatly blessed to have had her as our mother!

My sisters decided that she needed a party…and it needed to be a surprise. And boy, was it ever! Dad played his part perfectly and convinced her they were going to a 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration for some friends. She felt a little mortified that there weren’t any other people in the hallway coming to wish the happy couple best wishes and was very afraid that when they opened the door, there would just be a handful of people sitting around a table:

We knew she wouldn’t want a big group, so it was just our family there to give her all the love she so deserves. My sisters really went over the top with tons of pictures of mom blown up all over the walls (“It’s perfect: She’ll hate it!” Megan gleefully proclaimed) and my contribution (since I’m 3 hours away and my family made it just in time for the party) was a Happy Birthday Banner.

While you can see it in the picture with my silly sisters, here’s the banner I made up close:

I was so tickled to have this picture with all my siblings and parents: I love my family!!

And the whole family (minus 4)):

Funny story: Megan baked Grandma’s delectable German Chocolate birthday cake and the DIVINE Almond Joy cupcakes. My son Braden is a pretty picky eater, but one bite of that cupcake and he ran to his dad and said, “DAD! YOU HAVE GOT TO TRY THIS!!! This cupcake was made by JESUS!” Certainly Jesus would have appreciated Megan’s baking skills and agreed that she is a heavenly baker 🙂 I’m not sure we lighted ALL 70 candles on the birthday cake, since they started lighting them from the outside circle. But it tasted delicious even with a layer of wax!

We played LANA JEOPARDY, broke open a pinata and a great time was had by all. Love you Mom!!

Credits:

World’s Best Mother: Lana Larkin

Oustanding Actor: Derrill Larkin

Party Planner Extraordinaire: Mindi Clove

Baker from Heaven: Megan Marchant

Pinata Provider: Ryan Larkin

Graced by His Presence: Mike Larkin

Man of the Hour: Russ Clove

Greatest Husbands in a Supporting Role: Neal Marchant, Cody Spendlove

Grandest Kids: Braden, Kamryn, Kaitlyn, Chandler, Abbey, Mia, Gregory, Emery, Nathan, Madeleine, Cole, Libby

Missing-in-Action: Alison, Kiersta, Kayson, Whitney

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Bridal Shower Open House

January 18, 2013April 26, 2017Leave a comment

Last week I had the pleasure of throwing a Bridal Shower for my new daughter-in-law-to-be (that made me feel old while I typed it). Kayson chose a beautiful young woman to marry and we are happy to welcome Whitney to our family!

This was the invitation which matched her wedding colors of Pool Party, Silver & White, and we threw in a pop of Melon Mambo, for fun:

The new Cloudy Day embossing folder (127022) was the perfect addition to the background! I found the umbrella stamp in the Carry On stamp set (a hostess set you can choose when you hold a SU! party) but there is also a really cute NEW stamp set in the Spring catalog called Rain or Shine that would be fun to use, too, in case you are making invitations and want to “borrow” this idea!

I hope you can see this adorable banner that says “WHITNEY”: we made it with the new Paper Doilies (129399) from the Spring Catalog and the Typeset Alphabet Die (127553) and the Big Shot, the flower punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309) and a few Rhinestone Jewels, because you know how I feel like everything needs a little bling!

Her sister made red velvet cupcakes and we served our traditional warm “Shower Sandwiches” and fruit. That is Whitney and her mom in the background 🙂

Since it was Open House Style, we asked people to write advice or solutions to potential problems for Whitney’s book (above) and took pictures of Whitney with each of her guests to go into the book I created with SU!’s clear envelopes, card stock and DSP. For some awesome pre-made (and free!) Problem/Solution Printables get them HERE! The Label Framelits (125598) made it easy to cut all the advice papers, too, and this is my FAVORITE response:

We also asked guests to write their address on an envelope to make it easy for Whit to send “Thank You” cards and I created a stack of simple cards for her using the Million Dollar Moments set (another Hostess-only set from the Spring Catalog!)