No Tricks, All Treats: Candy Bar Books

October 6, 2025October 6, 20251 Comment

If your Halloween crafting stash is calling your name louder than a ghost in a graveyard, grab your Stampin’ Up!® Spooky Sweet Suite and conjure up something boo-tiful! Don’t worry, eat sweets with these dang cute CANDY BAR BOOKS:

I’ve brewed up two fun versions of this project. The Granny Apple Green “All Treats” Candy Bar Book holds two classic Hershey bars, while the Timid Tiger “Spooky Sweets” version was made to fit two Ghost Toast KitKats. Each one ties up neatly with ribbon to keep your candy secure until it’s time for a delicious reveal. Whether you’re giving these as gifts, party favors, or adding them to a Halloween goodie basket, they’re sure to get more “oohs” and “aahs” than a haunted house on October 31st.

These projects are surprisingly easy to assemble—no hocus pocus required! I’ve included an instructional video below, AND a printable .pdf with measurements.

Print .pdf Candy Bar Book Tutorial

Note that the belly band measurements are shown on white card stock, but the project uses Granny Apple Green card stock.

I embossed the covers to add some textured dimension (because even monsters like stampin’ style), then decorated with die cuts, stamped images, and a touch of sparkle. Isn’t it Franken-fun?

Here are the key measurements for both versions:

Green “All Treats” Book (fits two Hershey bars):

Cardstock base: 5 1/4″ x 6 1/2″ scored along shorter end at 2 3/8″and 2 7/8″
Belly Band: 1 1/2″ x 6 3/8″ scored at 1/2″, 2 7/8″, 3 3/8″ and 5 7/8″
Ribbon: 16″

Orange “Spooky Sweets” Book (fits two KitKats):

Cardstock base: 5″ x 6 3/8″ scored along the longer side at 2 3/4″ and 3 5/8″
Belly Band: 1 1/2″ x 8 1/8″ scored at 7/8″, 3 5/8″, 4 1/2″ and 7 1/4″
Ribbon: 16″

Want to see the whole project come to life? Watch my full step-by-step tutorial on YouTube here:

What else did we talk about today? The 3-day KIT SALE (through October 8th):

AND we discussed FAQs on the Starter Kit Special! Bottom line: If you are planning to order more than $35 in crafting supplies from my Stampin’ Store this month, you may as well choose the Starter Kit!

To make your shopping Spooky Sweet, I’ll list the supplies for these projects below and THANK YOU for choosing me to serve your creativity!

Product List

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

New at SU!- Happy Birthday Gift Bag

July 16, 2025July 16, 20255 Comments

It’s a Birthday Bash for our July New at SU! Blog Hop, and our demonstrator design team from around the globe will inspire you to create a personalized birthday celebration using your Stampin’ Up! supplies!

Remember the classic handled-gift-bag topper? I’m giving it a fresh look with the fabulous Party Dies Bundle (banners + big alphabet)!

Stampin’ Up!’s Sweet Jar stamp set has the perfect candles to stamp along the bottom edge of the bag in colors to match your theme!

The largest banner die is approx. 5″ x 7″ so you could create a topper for various sizes of bags. The plain white bag I used is about 5″ wide by 8.5″ tall, so I used the 4th largest banner die on a 4.5″ x 11″ piece of Shy Shamrock card stock (folded in half) for this topper:

Make sure the top of the banner die lays just off the folded edge as you cut through both layers with the bottom part of the die, so you don’t cut this piece into two pieces! Once you’ve die cut the banner, hold the fold up to the top of the bag and mark just outside the edges of the handles, then use a paper trimmer or snips to cut along the folded edge BETWEEN the two marks. This gives you a slit to slide over the handles (after decorating the topper and inserting your gift into the bag)

The On the Go Designer Series Paper gave me the color palette and the patterned paper for this project, and has a full page of adorable luggage tags that make perfect gift tags, too! Sentiments come from the hilarious new stamp set in my Online Exclusives called “Not 29 Anymore” and I also cut a second set of letters from Basic Black card stock to give it a shadow behind the DSP:

I’ll be making more of these to wrap birthday presents in, giving someone a laugh when I gift it! Would it make you giggle? Give me your thoughts in the comments at the top of the post, next to posting date.

Be sure to visit the other party-people participating in sharing birthday ideas this month:

July 2025 New at SU! Hop: Happy Birthday!

Previous Blog Next Blog

1.Creative Juice by Loni (US) – Happy Birthday Gift Bag

2.iHeartCards2 (US) – Charming Day Birthday

3.Stamping Flair (AU) – Painterly Pears Birthday Card

4.Astrids Papiereuphorie (AT) – Happy Birthday

5.The Joy of Stampin’ with Rachael (US)- Paper Tags Birthday Fun

6.Did You Stamp Today? (US) – Blooming Phrases Birthday

7.De Kijkkast (NL) – Happy Birthday with All Zipped Up

8.247 Inkspiration (US) – Birthday Celebration

9.Stampinxime by Ximena Morales (DE) – Happy Birtday New at SU

10.scraphexe (DE) – Happy Birthday

Ready to make your own? Here are the supplies you can purchase in my Stampin’ Store, and thank you for supporting your demonstrator!

Product List
———->

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

For 2025 Grads: CASH in a Window Card!

May 12, 2025Leave a comment

There won’t be another opportunity to gift cash like this until the year 2050, so CREATE THIS CARD FOR EVERY GRADUATE YOU KNOW!

This clever card includes a pocket AND a window to see the gift, and I can’t think of another year that could be more ideal: You could give $45 (two twenties and a five) OR $27 (a twenty, a two dollar bill and a five). Either way, it spells “twenty-twenty-five”.

All the stamps and dies come in the Stampin’ Up!®️ Birthday Celebration Bundle:

I’ve walked you through exactly how to create this card in the video, and remember, you can always pause the video, slow it down or speed it up (click the gear icon on YouTube) and order all the supplies you need TODAY in time to make these cards for your 2025 Seniors.

You can modify this design to match the school colors of your graduate. While I used glimmer paper, you could also use foil sheets or Designer Series Paper – if you don’t have anything fancy on hand, peruse the specialty paper available now.

Product List

Loyal customers are wonderful, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t let you know the BEST DEAL for any avid crafter is the STARTER KIT. Throughout May, it’s an even better value, for you can choose $165 in product (literally everything I used today…and MORE) for just $99 plus tax (shipping is included!).

It’s not “just” a great discount you’ll get on your future Stampin’ Up! purchases, it’s ALSO a family of creative people who cheer for you, experiences and events to look forward to, and personal growth that you will be grateful for.

There is no “catch”. There is nothing to “lose”…but a lot of JOY to GAIN!

Tell Me More About Joining Stampin’ Up!®️

Card Sketch & More Mailable Gifts

April 21, 20251 Comment

A sketch is a springboard for creativity, and today I dove into creating cards from my stash of Designer Series Paper using this sketch:

Card #1 was a sympathy card using some gilded botanical patterns that have been around Stampin’ Up! a long time, and I wanted to show it off! The Nature’s Sweetness Specialty Designer Series Paper only needed an embossed sentiment added to make this greeting card perfect:

It made me smile to combine something old and something new for Card #2! I used the retiring Friends of the Ocean Designer Series Paper with the new Online Exclusive Pattern of Friendship stamp set for this version of the sketch:

You’ll notice that circle shapes draw the eye when used with rectangles!

Card #3 brings us to another “mailable item” idea: BALLOONS!

In my demonstration video, I suggested blowing up a balloon and writing a message on it, then deflating it again to include inside the card. It’s double fun to have to blow it up to read the greeting! You could also “reveal” what experience you have planned to celebrate with (“I’ll pick you up for birthday lunch on me this Friday at noon!”) by writing it on the balloon.

The birthday card used the Wildflower Birthday Specialty Designer Series Paper and Birthday Celebration stamp set.

And finally, since Graduation season is imminent, Card #4 was created with the On the Go Suite Collection and includes a LUGGAGE TAG:

This will be for my niece who is graduating from High School this month and off on a grand European adventure to celebrate (remember when we were just happy to have cake & ice cream to mark a milestone like graduation 👩‍🎓 😂?)

I added the tassel after the demonstration in the video, and think the detail is adorable.

Missed the LONG LIST (and growing) OF MAILABLE GIFT ITEMS? Check it out HERE!

If you enjoy learning “how-to”, here’s today’s sketchy tutorial:

Thank you for choosing to shop with me. Most of the products used were linked throughout this post – just click on a product to add it to your cart…and watch for an exclusive tutorial bundle from me when you spend more than $50 in one month!

Connecting with you is a joy ~ Check out my upcoming events (in person AND online):

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!

“Thank You for the Gift” Notecards

December 29, 2024December 28, 2024Leave a comment

When was the last time you sent a thank you card for a gift you received? (Full transparency: This is something I need to do more of) Since it’s less than a week from Christmas, this is OUR chance to be gracious and grateful.

This Thank You card was designed to be speedy and simple to stamp, plus I’m using Stampin’ Up! Notecards & Envelopes, so they are pre-cut and scored. No excuses here!

The Humble Home bundle includes all the stamps you need, plus the Home Builder Punch. You can literally create a stack of these in just minutes.

To make it easy for you, too, print off the tutorial, then add the supplies you need to your cart below.

Print Humble Home Notecard Tutorial

Product List

Humble Home Bundle (English)

Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes

Basic Beige 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Basic Beige Classic Stampin Pad

Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad

Mini Glue Dots

Stampin' Dimensionals

Peppermint Gift Crate

November 7, 2024Leave a comment

As you begin to think about gifting, don’t overlook the supplies you already have! Pair your stamps and patterned paper with a small wooden crate (found at 💲🌳) and create packaging so sweet:

The Take a Bow Designer Series Paper has candy cane vibes, and a few thin strips can be attached with a good coating of Liquid Glue to the slats on the box, then add a label with a sentiment. Finish it off with stamped adornments and embellishments (the tiny Peppermints will be back in stock mid-November) and fill your crate!

The More than Autumn bundle has truly been scrumptious to play with! Filled with mouth-watering treats for Fall AND BEYOND, you’d regret not having it in your stamping studio.

Here’s a treat for you: Download the .pdf tutorial for this project today 👇🏼

Peppermint Crate Tutorial

Did you know I also send exclusive tutorials in my email newsletters to customers? PLUS my Paper Pumpkin subscribers get their own special “Pumpkin Patch” email at the end of each month.

“Extra” Sweet Favor (and EXTRA rewards)

February 6, 2024February 6, 2024Leave a comment

Have you ever stayed overnight where a candy or special small gift was left on your pillow? Those little touches are called “pillow gifts” and makes you feel fancy!

When I saw watermelon-flavored Extra gum while checking out at the grocery store, it made me think of the Watercolor Melon Sale-a-Bration stamp set, and how I could create along a theme:

A perfect size to drop off as a “thinking of you” gift- or leave on a pillow for guest – you pull on the ribbon and out slides the pack of gum:

This do-it-yourself project is simple and sweet, and I’ve got the video to prove it:

Slider box dimensions: 7-3/4″ x 3-1/4″ piece of card stock, scored at 1/2″, 1″, 3-1/2″ and 4″

Sale-a-Bration continues through February 29th; since it’s leap year, you have an “EXTRA” day to earn free products with each $50 purchase in my Stampin’ Store!

Did you also know there are TWO “Extras” you could choose from when you invest in the Starter Kit?

OPTION ONE: The first is that you may choose the Stampin’ Glass Mat Studio,

~OR~

OPTION TWO: Choose an EXTRA $30 in products in your Starter Kit! Usually you get to choose $125 of product in your kit for just $99, but through February 2024, you may select $155 (and pay only $99) if this is the option you decide on.

The Starter Kit is an offer ANYONE may select, and you will get a 20% discount while you also get to peek behind the curtain of being a demonstrator. There are no obligations to try it, so why not??

SHOW ME THE STARTER KIT OPTIONS!

Warm Wishes Cards & Envelopes

November 6, 2023Leave a comment

Pre-printed card bases and envelopes can be the jumping off point for your creativity to explode!

The Warm Wishes Cards & Envelopes “Add On” pack to the November Paper Pumpkin Warm Wishes kit are BIG (5″ x 7″) and SPARKLY (glitter accents on the snow and in the sky) and a perfect canvas to add to with other supplies.

First, they also coordinated with the OCTOBER Home for the Holidays Paper Pumpkin kit (subscribers can grab the refills HERE while they last), so I just cut off the front of the landscape card from the kit and mounted it to the front of the card.

Next, you can add stamped, punched or fussy cut images from Designer Series Paper (like Beary Christmas) to the scene for a festive holiday card in the nighttime forest! I added sentiments using the stamps from the Oct. Home for the Holidays Paper Pumpkin Kit, and there will probably be more coming in the Warm Wishes kit in November…

My creative friends voted on Facebook and 90% of them prefer an EXPERIENCE over a tangible gift. Good News! You can gift Paper Pumpkin subscription (which is both tangible AND an experience) to a friend with a 1-, 3-, 6- or 12-month pre-paid craft box to their mail box each month!

When the receipt is emailed to you, it includes a printable Gift Certificate you can dress up in a BOX made from the Warm Wishes Cards (or you can just forward the email to your friend and follow up to make sure they redeem the gift):

All of these projects were demonstrated in my Live Video today:

REMEMBER: The Warm Wishes Cards & Envelopes Add-On package are available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST and are ONLY available to Paper Pumpkin Subscribers, so SUBSCRIBE NOW!

I do expect them to sell out, so get yours QUICKLY, then you can enjoy using them with the November 2023 Warm Wishes kit as well:

The Warm WIshes kit will create 8 treat packaging boxes (4 each of 2 different designs), 1 Mossy Meadow ink spot, 8 clear food-safe bags, linen thread and a photopolymer stamp set.

Stretch a Kit-Festive Tags Extra Projects

August 21, 2023August 19, 2023Leave a comment

A kit is a fabulous place to start crafting, AND a kit can be a jumping off point for much more!

I began with the new Festive Tags Kit…

…and they are super speedy to put together! These tags will dress up your holiday gift PLUS they are terrific as elements on cards:

Wild Wheat is growing on me as a GOLD color of card stock, and pulls the color from the shiny foiled elements on the tag. Watch this short video where I demonstrate the card AND a clever way to give a set of tags as a gift!