The Creative Juice Celebration Combination Card # 4 is for Easter, and I am following the Global Design Project “Case the Designer” Challenge! This is Leah’s card that we can CASE = Copy And Selectively Edit (or CASE = Create And Share Everything). #gdp536
Combining the Stampin’ Up!®️ Reason to Celebrate and Seasonal Celebrations stamp sets (which are designed to work hand-in-hand), this is the card I’ve designed to meet the challenge, which continues our #celebrationcombination week,
The camera doesn’t pick up the shimmer and shine on both the specialty papers used for the bunny and the backgrounds, but it surely does make it pretty!
Another combination I love is Eyelet (embossing folder) and Gingham (ribbon) ~ it’s a classic that is always springtime fresh.
Hope you are enjoying all the ways to mix these two stamp sets together for all the occasions that are happening during the first part of the year ~ go back to see what you’ve missed and return tomorrow for more! ~ Loni Spendlove
Reading is my favorite sport. It’s a shame there isn’t a competition for it, because I’d be on the medal stand, for certain!
My most recent reading obsession has been “The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion” by Beth Brower. I started the first volume on December 27th and finished volume 8 less than a month later! Now, in the appropriate mourning period between what I’ve consumed of Emma’s own words and the release of her next journal installment (there are rumored to be close to 25 books when done), I’ve done what any self-respecting reading-crafter would do, and made a card that is also a bookmark gift:
The Stampin’ Up!®️ Hobby Haven suite had the patterned paper appropriate for book lovers, and the bookmark cleverly clasps onto the page you are reading (and the front of the card) with strips of self-adhesive magnet sheets:
Now put down your book and come to stamp and craft with us at our Spring StampFest events in Utah County on March 21 or Southern Utah on March 28th! Click on the links to register, or on the pictures to see the events on Facebook:
Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove
What’s the latest at Stampin’ Up!®️?? Our international New at SU! design team is here to show you how versatile and essential a stamp positioning tool is, AND how you can get the NEW Stampin’ Positioner FREE during February 2026!
Let’s use the Stampin’ Positioner to make a REVERSE IMAGE using the Valentine Kisses bundle to make an adorable greeting card for a Wedding Anniversary ~ make sure to WATCH THE TUTORIAL below.
The bear stamp originally faces right, so how can you flip it? By using your SILICONE CRAFT SHEET on your Stampin’ Positioner! It makes it so easy, you can use the die to cut it out and it’s in the perfect place every time. Watch this:
I used the same technique for the vellum wings, and embossed them with clear powder over the Fresh Freesia ink, so they would dry quickly. And the Lasting Linen stamp set gives the background a faux-texture that is beautiful.
On the inside, I added sentiments from both Valentine Kisses and Reason to Celebrate:
The only way to get the Stampin’ Positioner this month is in the Stampin’ Up!®️ Starter Kit, and it will be automatically added to your order. Smart stampers know this is the best value anytime, but it has ADDED value this month!
Eventually, this tool will be available for purchase, but we don’t have a date yet, so if you just can’t wait, join my team (click link or image) or ask your demonstrator how to join.
What ELSE can you do with the positioner? I’m GLAD YOU ASKED! These demonstrators are all showing techniques and tips that you’ll love to learn. Visit each blog and SAVE your favorite ideas:
Not ready to join, but want to shop? Starting today (for 3 DAYS ONLY-February 18-20, 2026) enjoy FREE SHIPPING on orders over $75 PLUS qualify to purchase the Product of the Month for just $5!
It was the kissing booth that did it for me! When I saw the Stampin’ Up!®️ artist who designed this stamp & die bundle demonstrate how to build this booth, I was hooked:
“Pucker up, buttercup!” is what I imagine this bear saying, who has volunteered to man the booth! Taking the pucker-up challenge are two little blue birds, with all the love you could wish for in one adorable card!
Looking for a creative Valentine activity with a friend or spouse? Come to the Cookies, Cards & Cocoa class in Hurricane, Utah on Friday, February 6th (save your seat by Monday, 2/2)
As a reminder, Bonus Days ends on Monday, February 2nd, as well, so NOW is the time to stack your savings by shopping in my stampin’ store. ALSO: Save all the coupon codes emailed to you after your order, so you can redeem them in February!
Whenever I can craft smarter (not harder), it’s a win!
This Valentine card duo only requires ONE pass through the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss machine, and you’ll have letters and the negative space to create two LOVE LETTERS:
Cutting Guide (supplies listed at bottom for easy adding to cart!):
Two Basic White Thick card bases, 8.5″ x 5.5″ scored at 4.25″
Two Real Red card stock layers: One cut to 5.25″ x 4″ and one 5″ x 3.75″
Two pieces of Made with Love Designer Series Paper: One cut to 5.25″ x 4″ and one 5″ x 3.75″
Scraps of Real Red and Flirty Flamingo for heart embellishments.
It’s so simple to do, and you can follow along with a short video. ** Remember to die cut the letters from the smaller Real Red card stock (5″ x 3.75″)
Important note: There are just a few days left to earn BONUS DAYS coupons with each $50 ordered from my Stampin’ Store by February 2nd!
Collect all the coupon codes emailed to you after your order(s) and set a reminder to redeem them in February!
Long before die cut hearts and doilies, Valentine’s Day began as the feast of Saint Valentine, a priest martyred on February 14th for performing marriages for despite a ban by a Roman Emperor. By the Middle Ages, poets were already linking the date with romance, and lovers began exchanging handwritten notes and verses to mark the occasion. Early valentines were intimate, the declarations of affection carefully folded and sealed with wax.
By the 1800s, new printing techniques and affordable postage turned those private notes into something more playful and decorative. Elaborate lace trimmed cards, colorful illustrations and clever verses filled Victorian mailboxes. In America, Esther Howland helped popularize these printed valentines, transforming the tradition into the greeting card exchange we know today.
Something that hasn’t changed is the heart of the practice: Valentine cards focus on taking time to say “you are loved” with paper, ink and imagination.
This card, inspired by the #creativechallengesu January sketch, carries history forward in a fresh way. The soft layers of Stampin’ Up!®️ Love Notes Mix & Match 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper give it a collage charm (nod to the past), while the stamped elements from the Valentine Kisses bundle dish a dash of whimsy (embracing today).
You can play along, as well! Create a card inspired by this sketch and post it on your social media with the hashtag #creativechallengeSU during January 2026.
Paper changes and styles evolve, but the magic of sending love through a handmade card keeps fluttering along, like a blue bird of happiness winging a love letter to it’s intended 💌
Interested in a longer history of Valentine cards? Visit this excellent article by Rare Bird Antiques!
For supplies to create your own Valentine cards, thanks for shopping my Stampin’ Store ~I’ll mail a hand-stamped thanks!
We card creators are constantly faced with a dilemma: Which side of this pretty paper should I use when both front and back designs are beautiful? The Wow Bow Fun Fold lets you use BOTH sides and is easily crafted from ONE PIECE of 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper:
This idea was adapted slightly from my friend Frances Martin of Frenchiestamps.com and you can see her versions HERE.
As I explain in the tutorial video, I like to pair bold designs with small patterns, and most of the time, Stampin’ Up! does the work for us by creating Designer Series Paper (DSP) that coordinates on front and back with contrasting colors and patterns. You can take your cue for the colors of your card from the DSP itself, as well. For my demonstration card (above) I chose a Fresh Freesia card base and Old Olive layer on the front, which matches the Lovely & Beautiful Designer Series Paper I used.
Two more versions: One showcasing the Made with Love DSP and the other featuring Cute as a Bug paper — tomorrow can’t come soon enough for you to collect all these patterns!
All of these papers will be included in the Paper & Ribbon Share, where you’ll receive a 6″ x 6″ piece of each paper arriving TOMORROW (Jan. 6, 2026) to play with! Don’t hesitate, the deadline for reserving your share is TODAY (Jan. 5, 2026). If there are any shares left over, they will be offered first-come-first-served at the Card Cafe Class in Hurricane, UT on January 15th.
The video will walk you through making this easy fancy fold card, and the measurements are below.
Card Measurements:
Card base 5.5″ x 8.5″ card stock
First layer 4″ x 5.25″ card stock
Designer Series Paper 6″ x 6″ – cut 3/4″ off bottom and score remaining piece at 1.5″ and 4.5″
Use 3/4″ strip INSIDE the card!
This final sample uses the Hobby Haven Designer Series Paper available now in my Stampin’ Store. It is NOT included in the Paper Share, but sure makes beautiful cards for folks with hobbies such as crafting, baking, houseplants (shown), sewing, self-care, etc. :
COMING TOMORROW, January 6th:
Customers may begin to order from January-April Mini Catalog and January Online Exclusives!
NEW Product of the Month drops!
NEW KITS available!
BONUS DAYS earning period begins: Earn $5 coupon for each $50 spent (in addition to collecting 10% back in Stampin’ Rewards!) to redeem between February 3-28, 2026!
When your heart hurts for a friend’s grief and you just want to wrap them up and cry with them, use your hands to create a hug-with-a-fold-in-the-middle (a.k.a. a one-of-a-kind sympathy card).
The True Blue Florals Designer Series Paper – the Stampin’ Up!®️ Product of the Month for December 2025 – reminds me of material a quilter would use, so I chose to craft a paper quilt card. I started by cutting two 1-3/4″ squares of each of the 6 double-sided sheets, then cut each in half diagonally. The sentiment square is the same size. Then it was time to “piece” them together:
Finished card size: 4-1/8″ x 5-1/2″ (the Balmy Blue panel is 3-7/8″ x 5-1/8″). There were enough triangles to go across the front of the envelope AND a similar row inside the card, so they all feel stitched together as a matching set.
Sometimes your hands show your love more than your words can. I hope this will be the case for this heart-felt piece of art.
The True Blue Florals Designer Series Paper (DSP) is available with qualifying purchase only while supplies last. A new POTM is released on the first Tuesday of each month.
While the True Blue Florals DSP is NOT included in the January Paper Share, you could create a quilt card similar to this one with some of the other patterns which WILL be included. Reserve your share by January 5th by clicking the image or link.
Did you know that NEW PRODUCTS are added to the Stampin’ Up!® Store EVERY MONTH? No more waiting for a catalog launch…there is ALWAYS something NEW at SU!!
Speaking of that, I’m proud to be a part of a creative team of demonstrators from around the globe who share stamping ideas with you every month, focusing on the latest and greatest products from our wonderful company. For December, we’re all following the same CARD SKETCH, and will demonstrate how it can be used with many different Stampin’ Up! products:
This is one of the sketches included in the 2026 January-April Mini Catalog!
My birthday card combines the delightful Hobby Haven Designer Series Paper with the Banner Sayings Bundle (stamps + punch), both of which arrived last month. Apparently some of you knew to look for new items, for the Banner Sayings bundle is backordered until late January, but the good news is you can request an EMAIL NOTIFICATION to be sent to you when any item is back in stock: Just click on it to add to your cart, and enter your address in the pop-up box which alerts you that it’s out of stock.
The Hobby Haven pack of Designer Series Paper includes 2 sheets of pre-cut images, so that made it easy to group all these kitchen/baking items together, along with the kitchen-themed patterned paper. In addition to BAKING, there are patterns and die cut images for SEWING, READING, SELF-CARE, GREEN-THUMBS/PLANTS… all the cozy hobbies!
This card already has a home to go to: It’s for my sister’s birthday in May! She’s an avid & generous baker, and my husband often says if there is such a thing as reincarnation, he wants to come back as her child, just to enjoy her baking 🧁
Drop me a message (comments at the top of post, under date) before moving along to see how Rachael interprets this card sketch!
Some cards leap off the desk and insist on being created -this one was definitely in that category!
When the new Wooly Friends bundle arrived on my porch (available to customers beginning January 6th), the sheep all but marched themselves to my craft table. I paired them with December’s Product of the Month, the True Blue Florals Designer Series Paper (which you can add to any $75 order for just five dollars). The rich blues felt like the perfect stage for these fuzzy little scene-stealers.
To give the sheep their soft, pettable charm, I stamped them on All-Season Velvet specialty paper. It adds a texture that turns the card into something people instinctively want to touch, the way you might absentmindedly run your fingers over a cozy blanket.
Today is an especially good day to treat yourself to some craft supplies: It’s the last day of Stampin’ Up!’s free shipping offer on orders over $75, which makes this the perfect moment to tuck a few favorites into your cart and scoop up that $5 paper special along the way. BONUS: If you are a Paper Pumpkin subscriber, you can also shop the PP product sale, with past kits, refills and add-on dies included!
Consider this your gentle nudge to craft something that makes you smile. These little wooly faces certainly did the trick for me.