Stampin’ Up!®️ Pink Bow square card, Elegantly Wrapped, Pink ribbons

Pink Bows, October Support

October 1, 2026October 3, 2026Leave a comment

At a craft fair last month, I stopped to peruse the crafts available and snapped a photo of a keychain:

It’s a mystery about HOW and WHEN inspiration strikes, but I just knew I wanted to remember it because I had just ordered the Elegantly Wrapped bundle and ribbons were on my mind.

Today I had a moment to ACT on that inspiration. As it’s the first of October, a month when PINK is the color for breast cancer awareness, this card is timely *and* could also be for any little girl (or big girl!) who just loves the color and all things feminine.

This is a 5.5″ square card, and I wove together six 1.5″ x 4.5″ strips (three white and three Flirty Flamingo) for the background.

Since it’s not a traditional A2-sized card, I had to create an envelope, but that was easy with just an 8.5″ square of white paper from my printer:

And that’s it! A bow-tiful pink card that reminds someone they are loved.

IMPORTANT INFO: A square card is non-machinable at the U.S. Post Office, so will require a $.46 surcharge.

The inside layer echoes the outside theme, though a small caution that the extra layer *may* make the card heavier than 1 ounce, requiring a surcharge for the 2nd ounce. If you use the lighter weight Stampin’ Up!®️ Two-Tone card stock is a lighter weight and would help reduce the weight of the card.

Product List

Elegantly Wrapped Bundle (English)

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Flirty Flamingo 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Two Tone Cardstock

Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad

Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Uninked Stampin’ Craft Pad & Whisper White Refill

Basics Wow! Embossing Powder

Heat Tool (Us And Canada)

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Stampin’ Up!®️ Painted Patch Pumpkin Birthday Card in Lost Lagoon

Gourd-geous Birthday Card

September 29, 2026September 29, 2026Leave a comment

Have you tailored your stamping to the season? For instance, I wanted a fall-feel for the birthday cards I’ll be sending to my October-born Sprinkled Ink teammates, but you could make seasonal thank you or anniversary greeting cards as well!

Because I knew I wanted to use Golden Glow and Cajun Craze for the pumpkins, I chose a autumn blue to contrast: Lost Lagoon is beloved in EVERY season, but very lovely now.

The Painted Pumpkins bundle includes masks for coloring the two trios of stamped pumpkins included in the stamp set. They are slick for giving dimension and details, and are numbered in the top left corner next to the notch. Start with #1 and follow the numbers. You can use ONE color a few times, for each additional layer of ink makes it darker.

There is also that “bonus” background mask of the vines, and they made my tone-on-tone layer stand out.

While you can pop your blending brushes into the dishwasher to clean and use for a different color, I prefer to have one brush for each basic color (blue, yellow, red, green, etc.) because I’m a lazy stamper!

After die-cutting them with the die (included in bundle), they are grouped together in the center, with a few twisting leaves to make them appear freshly-picked. If you haven’t seen my short reel about how to cut out around a shaped sentiment, you can see it HERE.

Naturally, I had to bring the theme inside the card, as well, with a bit of stamping, and I’ll do the same for my envelope:

PERK FOR MY CUSTOMERS: Order the Painted Patch Suite from my Stampin’ Store before the end of November 2026 and you’ll receive a MEGA-TUTORIAL BUNDLE via email in November!

AND: order the Sunflower Fields Suite from my Stampin’ Store before the end of October and you’ll get the Sunflower Mega-Tutorial bundle (34 sunny tutorials you’ll adore) NOW!

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Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Stampin’ Up!®️ Birthday Card with Artisan Sketched Garden Designer Series Paper in Hydrangea Hue, Words & Wishes

Adding Color to Black & White

September 24, 2026September 24, 2026Leave a comment

I created these cards a while ago to celebrate some of my Sprinkled Ink teammates on their birthday, and this week’s TGIF product challenge #tgifc595 reminded me that I haven’t shared them with you because I wanted to send them first.

The Stampin’ Up!®️ Artisan Sketched Garden Designer Series Paper has become an absolute STAPLE in the Creative Juice Stamping Studio because it’s versatility is unequaled in the world of patterned paper. Use it as black & white OR add any color. These birthday cards are done in Hydrangea Hue and Strawberry Slush:

Stampin’ Blends filled in the strips and colored the flowers (from a sheet of the same DSP) and the sentiments from the Words & Wishes bundle have also been worth the investment because they say whatever you need to say!

I don’t mind fussy cutting the flowers when the end result is a riot of beautiful blooms spanning from corner to corner across the card! Also, Dots & Stripes are a sure combination, so these cards feel like updated classics and I think I need to make more.

Try this: Stamp your sentiments on longer strips of card stock, then fold the ends back and forth to create banners to tuck behind any elements of your card.

You know when you are cutting basic white card stock down for layers, you have a bunch of 1/2″ strips? Don’t toss them, because they are the perfect size for these banners!

Would you be interested in a VIRTUAL class with the Artisan Sketched Garden Designer Series Paper?

Comment (at the top of the post near the posting date) if that’s something you’d like!

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Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Stampin’ Up!®️ Painted Patch fun fold Hey Pumpkin Card

Hey Pumpkin: What’s this called?

September 21, 2026September 21, 2026Leave a comment

How do I love thee, Pumpkin? Let me count the ways:

In pies, muffins, cookies, soups and warm drinks!
As decorations- on my porch and on my shelves
Your color(s) – Creative Juice Orange and every other shade of the same blend!
The bounty of the season for which you are the poster child!
As part of the best craft kit EVER (Paper Pumpkin)
For your role in Cinderella’s escape plan, and
In my autumn crafting!

Playing with the Painted Patch Suite in preparation for our Fall StampFest events in Utah, this card could carry any message inside, from “Thinking of You” to “Let’s Get Together and CRAFT!”

The older I get, the harder it is to remember where I saw an idea, or what a certain card style is called. Apparently Google is nearing it’s senior years as well, because I asked it to search for a similar fun-fold card and it came up with a lot of random guesses, but no matches. So what shall we call this (and if you’ve seen it somewhere else, please tell me so I can give credit!)

It folds up into a triangle on the left side (like an easel card set on it’s side) with a floating panel for the focal poin, but it lays flat for mailing and fits into our standard Medium White envelopes:

Basic card tutorial:

Score 8.5″ x 5.5″ Pool Party card base at 2-1/8″ and 4-1/4″
Two-Tone Calypso Coral card stock panels (5-1/4″ x 1-7/8″ each) are embossed and sanded.
Layer your square panels (largest is 3-1/4″ square)
Before assembling card, fold TWO 2″ squares of card stock in half and adhere them to the front of the card, with the folds meeting in the center over the score line. These will hold your “floating panel” on the front, and you’ll cover them on the card front with the embossed panels:

When opened, the side of the card rests against a 1″ x 5-1/4″ piece of card stock raised on the right side of the inside panel using dimensionals.

If your passion for pumpkin equals mine, you can add the Painted Patch supplies below, or in the full PAINTED PATCH SUITE COLLECTION HERE.

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I love Pumpkin *ALMOST* as much as I love Stampin’ Up!®️ and that’s saying something! I shared this on my Facebook page, and I want you to know WHY I am so loyal to this company that has changed my life, and let you know the invitation to be a part of the magic as a customer OR a demonstrator is always extended to you: My crafting circle can always expand!

It was just last week I celebrated my 34th Stampaversary, and what a joy it has been.

Start Your Own Joyful Journey

Wishing you all the pumpkin-happiness of the season! ~ Loni

Stampin’ Up!®️ Sunflower Fields Thinking of You card from simple stamping to stepped up.

New at SU!- Simple Sunflowers, Stepped Up

September 16, 2026September 16, 20262 Comments

Travel around the world with us as we share stamping inspiration on our September New at SU! blog hop!

We are here to show you how to stamp simply, or step up the same project according to your time or preference. I’m using the new Sunflower Fields Suite Collection, and will start SIMPLY with stamps, ink and paper:

Stamping the large image on a smaller layer (3.25″ x 4.5″) brings the focal point to the center. All the stamping was done with Golden Glow ink on Golden Glow card stock (or Very Vanilla card stock for the greeting). I used a sponge dauber to add Cajun Craze ink to the center of the sunflower on top.

Let’s STEP IT UP a little!

For this version, I just replaced the stamped background with the coordinating Sunflower Fields Designer Series Paper, added leaves, colored my stamped sunflower with Stampin’ Blends, added a bow of linen thread and cut around my sentiment (watch the secret for perfectly cut sentiments HERE).

Now to take it ONE STEP MORE:

This fancified version uses the Lazy Daisy 3D embossing folder for the background, adds another flower and includes a few scattered embellishments.

WHICH VERSION is your style? Leave me a comment (near the date at the top of the post) and tell me!

Hop around the world to see other simple-to-stepped-up projects from these talented demonstrators:

September 2026 New at SU! Hop: From Simple to Stepped Up

Previous Blog . Next Blog

1.Merrick Makings (AUS) – Simple to Stepped Up

2.Creative Juice by Loni (US)- Simple Sunflowers, Stepped Up

3.Furry Cat Designs (UK) – Simple to stepped up Holly Jolly Branches

4.Stamping Flair (AU) – Simple to Stepped Up with Neutral Noel

5.Stamping Scene (UK): Stepping up your project ideas, New at SU!

6.Did You Stamp Today? (US) – Christmas Two Ways

7.Astrids Papiereuphorie (AT) – Von einfach zu besonders

8.247 Inkspiration (US) – Simply Leaves

9.scraphexe (DE) – Simple to stepped up

10.De Kijkkast (NL) – Garden Tiles from Simple to Stepped Up

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We’ll be back next month with a FONTASTIC New at SU! Blog Hop – until then, may your Stampin’ Up!®️ products bring you craftiness!

DON’T MISS THE 3-DAY STAMP SALE- September 16-18th!

Stampin’ Up!®️ Luxe Foliage and Exciting Times Thank You Card for TGIFC594 Sketch

Fall Feel for a TGIF Sketch

September 12, 2026September 12, 20261 Comment

I’m willing Autumn into existence by crafting with new Designer Series Paper patterns for the season, and following the TGIF Challenges sketch #tgifc594

My postman delivered the new Product of the Month this morning, so it’s noon and I still haven’t gotten dressed…but I DID make a pretty card with this sumptuous Luxe Foliage Specialty Designer Series Paper, so the day hasn’t been wasted:

The label on the sketch reminded me of the Exciting Times bundle that is a terrific set of stamps and coordinating punch that gives stampers of all levels so many options when paired with pretty paper!

I’ll show you two ways to use this bundle, and your imagination may bring you more ideas!

On the Thank You card, I punched out the center of the larger stamped image and raised it with mini dimensionals to give the sentiment a frame:

NOTE: You can use the corner of the punch to punch out the corners of the larger frame!

You can see the same concave corners on this version, using the Autumn Opulence DSP and matching Autumn Woodland Glimmer Paper. This time I’ve added the stamped and punched sentiment on TOP of the background and tucked in a few floral pieces I fussy-cut from the paper:

I always love when we add a purple into the mix of fall colors! Here’s a detailed view of the label:

Give this sketch a whirl and share your version on the TGIF Challenges blog and remember that you can add the Product of the Month to your cart for just $5 when your order exceeds $75 and each month the item is only available while supplies last!

Product List

Exciting Times Bundle (English)

Luxe Foliage 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

Golden Glow 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Gold Striped 3/8" (1 Cm) Mesh Ribbon

Peaceful Pine 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Very Vanilla 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Peaceful Pine Classic Stampin Pad

Golden Glow Classic Stampin' Pad

Secret Sea Classic Stampin' Pad

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

Autumn Opulence 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper

Autumn Woodland 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Glimmer Specialty Paper

Cajun Craze 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Blackberry Bliss 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad

Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin' Pad

Linen Thread

Earthy Matte Dots

Stampin' Seal

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Three cards CASED from the Stampin’ Up!®️ 2026 Septemeber-December Catalog

Inspiration Strikes in the Catalog!

September 7, 2026September 7, 2026Leave a comment

Lost your stampin’ mojo? Feeling uninspired? Look no further than your Stampin’ Up!®️ catalog to rev up your creativity! Today’s LIVE crafting video will have you turning down the corners of your catalog to remind you of ideas to emulate, sketches to steal and techniques you can’t wait to try!

I turn to my stash of dog-eared catalogs whenever I need a starting point for a project because there are so many terrific ideas to turn into my own.

The first card I “CASED” was from page 46 of the September-December Catalog showing the Thinking of You Card:

Here’s my version using the Words & Wishes Bundle paired with the new Mosaic Garden Designer Series Paper:

This card may have a layer of Peaceful Pine on a Peaceful Pine card base, but it looks to me like a scoring technique I’d forgotten about, so I used it to inspire me to try the technique again:

I flipped it sideways and used products from the new Painted Patch Suite for my take on this technique. The scored border gives the illusion of layers, or a simply elegant frame to bring your message into focus. Also loved the ribbon detail under the sentiment:

On page 44 I saw this card and it was actually the first one I flagged to try.

Since I wanted to teach you how to use the masks from the Frosted Pinecone bundle, this was an easy substitute, and a change of color makes it feel like a different card, though it’s easy to see where the inspiration came from:

Have you ever turned to the catalog for stamping ideas?

The supplies I used are listed at the bottom, and when you shop from my stampin’ store, I’m delighted to send a hand-stamped card to thank you AND when your order is over $50, you get a BUNDLE of tutorials (new bundles emailed every month!).

Product List

Words & Wishes Bundle (English)

Mosaic Garden 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

Hydrangea Hue 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Crushed Curry 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad

Hydrangea Hue Classic Stampin' Pad

Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Adhesive Sheets

Painted Patch Suite Collection (English)

Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad

Frosted Pinecones Bundle (English)

Peaceful Pine 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Pecan Pie 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Basic Beige 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad

Pecan Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad

Peaceful Pine Classic Stampin Pad

Blending Brushes

Sponge Daubers

Uninked Stampin’ Craft Pad & Whisper White Refill

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Stampin’ Up!®️ Gingham Gallery Birthday Pie Harvest In Color Accordion z-Fold Card

Gingham Harvest Birthday PIE Card

August 31, 2026September 7, 2026Leave a comment

I’ve never met a pastry I didn’t like, and as we enter the harvest season, pie is the pastry of choice…so why not a birthday PIE instead of a cake?

This card was a work-in-progess as it went along, and it began with inspiration from two challenges: The #tgifc592 Product challenge to use the 2026-2028 In Colors and the #gdp563 Garden/Harvest inspiration (pumpkins or apples are part of a pie, thus it counts, right?)

This fun-fold is called a Z-fold Accordion card: I didn’t really follow any tutorial, but made it up as I went along! I cut a piece of Peaceful Pine card stock to 11″ x 5.5″ and scored at 1.75″, 3.5″, 5.25″ and 7″ – it makes the final card 4″ x 5.5″. I used the leftover piece to make the 3″ x 7″ panel which folds at 3.5″ and sticks to the front and back of the accordion fold. Then you can add Designer Series Paper over the top and embellish as desired:

I chose Peaceful Pine and Crisp Canteloupe as my In Colors and once I laid the “table” with the gingham coverings, I was delighted to find the pie and slice of pie from the Harvest Hues Mix & Match Ephemera Pack (Item #168495 – arriving tomorrow, 9/1/26) were the perfect servings for the party!

A few copper foil leaves add the bling that any good card maker must have, and the happy birthday sentiment follows suit:

It’s a lovely transition from summer garden to autumn treats, and will be a card to adorn someone’s shelf or mantel to decorate for their birthday!

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Two quick reminders: the September Designer Series Paper Share (which includes a piece of copper Metal Effects specialty paper) closes tomorrow, September 1st, and is the best way to get a sample of every NEW design dropping 9/1! It’s like a paper buffet, so you know which you want to go back for more of.

Second reminder: TODAY is the END of the current Paper Sale in my Stampin’ Store!

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Stampin’ Up!®️ Hot Foil Reverse Die for Thinking of You Card in Pink Foil with Classic Greetings and Artisan Sketched Garden Designer Series Paper

New Life for Used Hot Foil Scraps

August 24, 2026August 24, 2026Leave a comment

As promised, I’m back to share how to use up all of the negative images from your Hot Foil projects, and this is a look at a product coming on September 1st: The Hot Foil REVERSE DIE.

This die is basically a blank slate that heats your scraps and adheres them to a paper, for instance: For the top card, I foiled “Thank You” onto Cajun Craze card stock and then used the gold foil negative image to heat onto white card stock, so the gold foil is around the sentiment:

Watch how this is done as I demonstrate this process quickly:

One extra tip not mentioned in the video: The pink foil scrap I used for my card was actually used twice before this: Once for the lovely frame, then a second time for the sentiment inside. It’s serendipitous that the Classic Greeting Hot Foil dies fit INSIDE the Flourish & Frames largest die!

Here’s the finished card from the video tutorial:

While you are waiting for the Hot Foil Reverse die, you can order the Hot Foil System from my website this month AND take advantage of the last week of the Paper Sale, which includes the Artisan Sketched Garden Designer Series Paper for 15% off. Click banner to see all:

Thanks for visiting and PLEASE sign my guestbook (leave a comment) at the top of the post near the date ~ I appreciate that you’ve taken the time to learn something new. I’m here to serve your creative needs!

Stampin’ Up!®️ Hot Foil Flourish & Frames Swing Fun Fold Card

New at SU! – Flourish & Frames Foiled Again

August 19, 2026August 19, 20267 Comments

The Stampin’ Up!®️ Hot Foil System is the newest playground for paper crafters, so our International New at SU! Design Team is back to share some SHINE and encourage you to give it a try!

This is my swing-fun fold card & envelope which could be used for a wedding, a retirement, a new job, a graduation or even a birthday! I could have foiled a frame on the front of the envelope, but I chose to stamp a floral flourish under the address area.

The foil adds a debossed elegance that catches the light, but it can be tricky to capture on camera! This is the best pic so far to help you see the gold foil on both layers of frames.

The Lost Lagoon Frame swings to the inside as you open it, and it’s a “magic trick” even you can do~

HOW TO MAKE A SWING CARD:

Lost Lagoon Card Base: 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″, scored at 4-1/4″. Heat Foil the largest frame in the center of the front of the card, then die cut it out. Add Golden Glow stamped/sponged background on top (3-3/4″ x 5″) and die cut again through the back side of card so you can cut in the same spot.

Very Vanilla Mechanism inside card: 8″ x 5-1/4″ scored at 2″, 4″ and 6″ Fold as shown and adhere the first flap against the front of the card next to the fold. Once the front is attached, put adhesive only on the LAST section, fold flat as shown in second picture and close the back of the card to adhere to the right side of the back of the card.

Make it SWING: Through the front “window” put adhesive ONLY on the right side of the center fold Very Vanilla card stock and press the frame onto the right side, leaving the left half free to pivot (last photo, above)

Heat stamp gold foil with the medium-sized frame onto a piece of Very Vanilla card stock (tip: you can use the same piece of foil to “stamp” the medium frame), die cut, stamp leaves and sentiment and add to the Lost Lagoon frame. Add bee (you’ll have to fussy cut it). Once you’ve made a swing card, you’ll look at every nested shape to see what you can make other versions with!

Save your scraps of foil ~ I’ll return with ways to use the leftover pieces later this week!

New to Hot Foiling? Click here for tutorial (PLUS a free class is included when you purchase the system by 1/4/27!)