Bistro Burger: Masculine Birthday & Gift Box

March 24, 2025March 24, 2025Leave a comment

A double-patty burger is a satisfying meal for a birthday celebration AND makes a terrific card, thanks to Stampin’ Up!’s Burger Bistro bundle (stamps & dies). In particular, it also pairs well with the Timeless Plaid 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper, as you’ll see…

I like coloring this stamped image with our Watercolor Pencils, which you can use without water!

You can watch the tutorial for both card and gift box here:

It’s hard to stop with one card, when the plaid paper makes each card so unique!

A reminder to order any ink refills, card stock, or embellishments in the 2023-2025 In Colors that will be retiring at the beginning of May. I used Boho Blue and Pebbled Path, both leaving soon, on these projects! Often colors sell out long before the last day, so don’t delay.

A useful gift for the man who likes to grill burgers would be a shaker of hamburger seasoning, and this 2-4-6-8 box is just the right size. It’s speedy to make, starting with an 8-1/2″ square piece of card stock (instructions in the video).

SAVE/PIN this post, then give this card and gift box duo a try the next time you need a masculine birthday gift!

New at SU! Dino-Mite Backgrounds!

March 19, 2025March 19, 20251 Comment

For our March New at SU! Blog Hop, we are bringing BACKGROUNDS to the front and center! You are sure to find unique ideas to save/remember as you hop through the projects our world-wide design team have created.

My card features a new Online Exclusive background stamp named Painted Stripes:

To show it’s versatility, I’m using this background to create THREE different patterns behind the dinosaurs on this birthday card any dino-obsessed kid would appreciate!

Painted Stripes can be used for vertical lines, horizontal stripes or stamped both directions to create a playful plaid pattern. I love that they are imperfect lines with variegated textures, because you can’t stamp it incorrectly! You can also use this large background stamp on the envelope to make it match (I masked off the address area with a post-it note, which you remove after stamping over it):

The Darling Dinos live up to their name, and are just as cute when stamped on colored card stock, for minimal effort in coloring. And hats on dinos? Cuteness factor x 1000!

I’ll list the supplies used below the roll-call, and am happy to serve you if you don’t have a U.S. demonstrator. Find MORE beautiful background ideas for your card creations at each of these places:

March 2025 New at SU! Hop: Beautiful Backgrounds

Previous Blog Next Blog

1.Creative Juice by Loni (US): Dino-Mite Backgrounds!

2.The Joy of Stampin’ with Rachael (US)-Beautiful Backgrounds with Hear

3.Furry Cat Designs (UK) – Textured Notes Dies for a background

4.Stamping Flair (AU) – Mini Corrugated Embossing Folder

5.Stampinxime by Ximena Morales (DE) – Emboss-Resist-Hintergrund mit Sc

6.De Kijkkast (NL) – Smooched Background with You are Remarkable

7.247 Inkspiration (US) – Beautiful Backgrounds

8.scraphexe (DE) – Beautiful Backgrounds

Product List

Painted Stripes Cling Stamp Set

Darling Dinos Bundle (English)

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

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Highland Heather 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Balmy Blue 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Lemon Lime Twist 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Calypso Coral 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad

Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad

Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

Uninked Stampin’ Craft Pad & Whisper White Refill

Basics Wow! Embossing Powder

Heat Tool (Us And Canada)

Highland Heather Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

Balmy Blue Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

Lemon Lime Twist Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Paper Trimmer

Glossy Dots Assortment

Stampin' Dimensionals

If you have time to leave a comment (link at the top of the post on the left by the date), I’m always grateful for your thoughts!

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

Wildflower Birthday Cards (with a Pocket!)

March 3, 2025Leave a comment

The month of March is a busy birthday month for my family, so you can expect to find a LOT of Birthday Inspo here for the next 4 weeks, starting with this fun pocket card, which fits one of the FIVE tags from the Designer Series Paper perfectly:

Yes, this is the SAME mini-loaded-envelope I created a few weeks ago using the Toadstool Gardens Designer Series Paper, and when I realized the tags fit perfectly, I had to make some birthday cards!

They come together quickly, and it would be easy to attach a gift card to the back of the tag with a strip of Stampin’ Seal! If you are handing it to the recipient in person, you could also slip a Ghiradelli square into the front pocket, as well.

Follow along with me in the video tutorial:

Instructions for POCKET: Start with a 6″ x 6″ piece of double-sided patterned paper, then score along two opposite sides at 1-5/8″. One the bottom, score at 1-7/8″. Fold paper in along both 1-5/8″ sides and on the top, fold out the corners in a “collar”, then adhere edges together in center. Next, fold up along 1-7/8″ score line and wrap a 1/2″ strip around the lower pocket edge (can adhere the lower pocket to the front, or along the sides, creating TWO smaller front pockets).

You really need to see this gorgeous paper in person to appreciate the gold foil accents, but here’s as close as I could get in a photo:

Thank you for purchasing the supplies from my Stampin’ Store to make your own~ watch for 30+ exclusive tutorials to be emailed to your inbox every month you order over $50 from my store AND a hand-stamped card to thank you for your business!

Product List

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

Wildflower Birthday Tri-Panel Pop Up Card

February 11, 2025Leave a comment

The best way to teach about which adhesive to use for paper crafting is to make a card, right?

Since my daughter’s birthday is coming up, I had a reason to create an over-the-top greeting card to celebrate, and the Stampin’ Up! Wildflower Birthday Suite has all the cake and flowers that girl could want!

I’d love to see her face when she opens it and the three panels swing out!

Because there is ALWAYS a “right tool” for a job to make it easier and secure, there are also correct ADHESIVES for different parts of paper crafting. Adhering papers together? You can choose between Stampin’ Seal or Multipurpose Liquid Glue (your personal preference). Want something to pop off the page? That’s the job for Dimensionals! Need to attach a small embellishment or twine bow? Pick a Mini Glue Dot.

Learn more by watching the way this card comes together:

Some of the adhesives take time to master (I’m looking at YOU, Stampin’ Seal!), but once you practice and learn a few tips, you’ll have them mastered.

What’s YOUR go-to glue?? Which one do you still need help with? (Comments are found at the top of the post, under the date, and I really want to hear from you)

Product List

A Day to Celebrate

January 8, 2025January 10, 2025Leave a comment

“I don’t want free crafting products” – said NO STAMPER EVER

Yesterday was the first day of Stampin’ Up! Sale-a-Bration 2025, and if you don’t know, that means customers get to choose exclusive products (such as rubber stamps, Designer Series Paper, ribbon, embellishments, etc) FREE with a qualifying purchase now through February 28th!

One of the Sale-a-Bration choices is the “Day to Celebrate” photopolymer stamp set, and it is primed to party for anything you want to commemorate! This birthday card shows how one of the stamps could be used as a party hat OR a megaphone, and paired with the Beautiful Bokeh paper just released in the 2025 January-April mini catalog, it feels celebratory, indeed.

The Day to Celebrate stamp set is just one of 12 choices you have when your cart reaches $60, PLUS there are two more products you might select if your total is $120! You can earn as many as you’d like during this crafting jubilee. Click to view the full brochure:

Ready to start a Stampin’ Up! business of your own? Join during Sale-a-Bration and build your own starter kit PLUS choose one of the two BONUS OPTIONS:

Embossed Fault-Line Cards

December 30, 20244 Comments

If this was a contest, you would have OVERWHELMINGLY voted for the Fault Line Cards as BEST OF SHOW! Since they have been such a hit, I wanted to try an EMBOSSED version, and they are just as show-stopping as the originals, just take a look (watch the video tutorial)…

The Happy Hibiscus bundle includes a photopolymer stamp set, hybrid embossing folder and coordinating dies. With all that divine coordination, it was a lovely choice for this project! This time I started with a 4.25″ x 9″ card base and pulled a white craft ink pad across the embossed Melon Mambo card stock to make the flowers pop.

Next, I used the Eyelet 3D embossing folder to create a background in hues of purple for a few toadstools (arriving January 7th- just in time to add to your cart and qualify for a free Sale-a-Bration product, like the embellishments on the card):

Watch this “How-To” tutorial for making Fault-Line cards of all types:

This version gives you one more look at one of the Designer Series Papers that will be included in the Paper Share (reserve your share by 1/7/25) and it’s called Wildflower Birthday, which is part of a suite of coordinating products in the Stampin’ Up! 2025 Jan-April mini catalog.

It is destined for one of my team members who has a birthday in January, and I know she’ll love it!

Not all products are available in my Stampin’ Store until January 7th, but here are the ones you can save to your cart now, or JOIN MY TEAM AND GET IN ON THE PREORDER immediately:

Product List

Click image to reserve your paper share

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

Stampin' Up! Attention Shoppers, Pop Up Gift Card Sunburst card

Let’s Go Shopping

August 30, 2024Leave a comment

The theme for the TGIF Challenge #tgifc488 is retail therapy: What could make you feel better than new crafting supplies?

Did I throw you off by showing the inside of the card first? It’s one of my favorite gift card holders, and pops out to present a card or gift certificate. Did you know I offer gift certificates of any amount? My gift certificates are good for products OR classes/events!

Moving on to the FRONT of the card…

A sunburst is a terrific way to use up scraps of Designer Series Paper, and I know I’m always on the lookout for ways to bust my stash of scraps!

The shopping cart die cut with silver foil sheets just feels like the real experience of being on the hunt for the perfect item in store. I was going to fill it with little die cuts from the Crafting With You dies, but apparently it’s loaned out to a friend…the goodies in the Attention Shoppers bundle work just as well to give you the gist.