Upcycle a Kit Box into a Gorgeous Gift

Maybe it’s because we’ve searched for a good box previously to no avail, but I am of the age that it’s difficult for me to throw away the boxes from Stampin’ Up! kits, or the pretty Paper Pumpkin boxes! They are such a perfect size for a half batch of BROWNIES, that it *almost* makes me want to bake a pan of ooey-gooey goodness, but then I’d want to eat the other half…

But what can we DO with those wonderful Stampin’ Up! boxes (aside from delivering goodies)??

Turn them into STATIONERY GIFT SETS!

Begin by covering the top with a piece of card stock and/or Designer Series Paper and embellish as desired. The February Paper Pumpkin kit box was also one I kept to modify, and because it was pre-printed, it took a smaller piece of card stock that I embossed for the center:

Next, you’ll also re-cycle the cardboard backing from a package of Designer Series Paper by cutting it into two pieces:

  • 12″ x 6 1/4″ – scored at 4 1/2″, 6″ and 7 1/2″
  • 4 1/2″ x 9 1/8″ – scored at 2 1/2″, 4″ and 6 1/2″

Those two pieces will create the dividers for your box. These easily fit 6-8 cards & envelopes on the large sections, a small book of postage stamps in the smallest section and your could add tags, small gift enclosures, a pad of post-it notes or a treat in the medium section:

Here’s the video tutorial to discover how simple it is to make this handy project:

After the video, I remembered I had some Dollar Tree goodies to send to my grandkids, and lo-and-behold, they fit in a 2-section box… just leave out the second section divider and you could also put twice as many A2-sized cards inside:

As demonstrated in the tutorial, I made a few simple cards using up the scraps from my pack of Perennial Lavender DSP and the Paper Butterfly Accents, along with the Perennial Postage bundle:

What are you going to put in your boxes? I’d love to see how *you* upcycle an empty kit box…share your creativity in my VIP Facebook Group!

Now that you’ve seen what you can make with the boxes, shop for more in the current Kit Collection:

Don’t miss the chance to subscribe before April 10, 2024 for the Delicate Wings Paper Pumpkin Kit, and add the “Thanks & Beyond Dies” to coordinate with the April, May AND June Paper Pumpkin kits!

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Birthday: Game On!

Our family loves to play games together- from board games to video games! A few of our favorites are:

  • Killer Uno (card game)
  • Perpetual Commotion (some call it Nertz)
  • Splendor (strategy)
  • Anything Mario (video)
  • Overcooked (video)

Seeing the “Level Complete” stamp set on my shelf reminded me that my son (an avid gamer) is adding an extra (year to his) life this month, so that’s where my imagination went when I saw today’s #tgifc463 Sketch Challenge.

I turned the sketch sideways and used the game controllers as the focal point:

The black & white designs on the Rock & Roll Designer Series Paper are truly awesome whenever you need a masculine background!

A black card is striking with Daffodil Delight and Tahitian Tide, just remember to add a white layer on the inside to write on.

While we are the subject of Tahitian Tide (a 2022-2024 In Color), remember that it’s one of these bright hues retiring at the end of April, 2024, and we don’t really have any bright turquoise to replace it right now, so order an ink refill for your ink pads and card stock of the same color for coordination!

Does your family have a favorite game to play together? Tell me!

To re-create this card, you can click on the supplies listed and order from my Stampin’ Store- that helps me so I can continue to bring you great ideas you are welcome to copy. or spark your own imagination!

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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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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

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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Starting From A Sketch for SAB DSP

As we approach the half-way point of Sale-a-Bration (or SAB- the biggest party of the year for Stampin’ Up!), it’s time to show a little love for the Designer Series Paper (DSP) you could choose free with a qualifying order…and stick around for a late-January-ONLY offer!

Giving your creativity a few parameters makes it EASIER to use your imagination, and a SKETCH helps to narrow down your options.

Measurements for this sketch (you can adjust sizes to work for you):

  • Card Base: 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ scored at 4-1/4″
  • Layer One: 4″ x 5-1/4″
  • Layer Two: 2-3/4″ square on a 3″ square mat
  • Layer Three: 2″ x 3″ on a 2-1/8″ x 3-1/8″ mat
  • Layer Four: 3-1/2″ x 3/4″

Once you’ve found a fun template for a card, just plug in the pieces, and nothing could be easier than patterned paper!

You don’t need overalls to build this first card, just the Trusty Toolbox Designer Series Paper. Cut a tool from the paper for a focal point.

A version for mom using the Softly Stippled DSP. Substitute the strip on top with a length of lovely ribbon. The Brushed Brass Butterflies pull the gold thread from the bow to help catch mom’s eye.

Be BRAVE: Turn the sketch sideways or flip-flop it and it looks completely different! Flight & Airy DSP is delicate and delightful, the fluffy birds being my favorite! The sayings for the previous 3 cards all came from the Heartfelt Hellos stamp set, which is also a Sale-a-Bration option.

Next, the Sunny Days Designer Series Paper was delightful to pair with the “Playing in the Rain” bundle for a card to uplift and bring sunshine!

Finally, the Most Adored Specialty Designer Series Paper has Red & Pink patterns on one side, with gold foiled designs on the opposite sides: Use them for Valentines or Weddings! I embossed sentiments from the Heartfelt Hexagon stamp set on both cards.

I walked through making most of these cards with tips to help you choose patterns and layer nicely in this video tutorial:

SO WHAT’S THE SPECIAL OFFER??

While all of these papers are available through the end of February (while supplies last), for the next 3 days – through January 31, 2024 – place a $50+ order from my Stampin’ Store and you’ll receive a 4″ x 6″ piece of EVERY Sale-a-Bration Designer Series Paper as a thank you from me! That’s 30 pieces total.

Thanks for visiting and learning all about using a card sketch. Now get off the computer and get your fingers inky!

Quilted Cards

Greeting card crafters know how similar their art is to quilting: Matching patterns, colors and textures of little pieces of paper gives us a quicker satisfaction on a smaller scale than a quilt!

This card not only patchworks paper together, it ALSO HAS A QUILTED TEXTURE!

I paired the Softly Sophisticated Sale-a-Bration bundle with the Softly Stippled Sale-a-Bration Designer Series Paper for this card.

INSTRUCTIONS & MEASUREMENTS: Stamp images & sentiment on the Wild Wheat textile patterned paper (2″ x 3-1/4″) then adhere it to the center of a 5-1/4″ x 4″ piece of Wild Wheat card stock, with two 3/4″ x 3-7/8″ pieces of Designer Series Paper on the top and bottom and two 3/4″ x 4-1/8″ pieces of Designer Series Paper on the sides (adjusted measurement from the video). Emboss all the layers with the Softly Sophisticated 3-D Embossing folder before mounting it to the card base.

Follow along and craft with me- you can pause as you stamp & assemble:

The Softly Sophisticated Bundle is a set of stamps & embossing folder you can choose FREE with a $100 order before 2/29/24 for Sale-a-Bration!

I didn’t stop with the first card, but pulled out some supplies from the Annual Catalog to make a few handmade hugs (gatefold cards):

TIPS FOR THIS CARD: Cut a 3-1/4″ x 4-3/4″ piece of each pattern in the Countryside Inn Designer Series Paper. You can cut two sheets at a time with the Sunburst die, but you may want to go forward and back through the Cut & Emboss machine. You can flip pieces over, since the top and bottom of the design are the same size/shape and get ALL 12 designs in the starburst!

This card also used the Softly Sophisticated 3-D Embossing Folder, then I tried a few other textures:

3-D Embossing folders used left to right: Softly Sophisticated, Layered Florals, Basics Floral

These are the supplies I used for the blue sunburst hug cards:

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I’ll be sharing some of these cards with new team members during Sale-a-Bration – if you would like to start a crafty adventure with Stampin’ Up! I’m here to help. There are two bonus options if you choose to give it a try before the end of February, and the Glass Mat Studio is one of them!

Softly Sophisticated Appreciation Card

There is an art to being grateful, and expressing heartfelt appreciation is the first step to living in abundant gratitude. This simple card will help:

It’s a breeze to create quickly (watch below), and the combination of Vanilla, Lost Lagoon & Pretty Peacock are the sophisticated part.

Add a few Brushed Brass Butterflies and it’s a luxe & lovely thank you card, wouldn’t you agree?

I appreciate the opportunity to serve YOUR creative needs, as well as your recommendation to other paper crafters. THANK YOU.


This stamp set (plus coordinating embossing folder, see previous post) is a FREE BUNDLE you could choose when you purchase $100 from my Stampin’ Store before February 29, 2024. Here are the supplies needed for this card, and adding them all to your cart would get you the Softly Sophisticated bundle as a complimentary gift (if you choose it during checkout) PLUS another free Sale-a-Bration product!

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