Sunflowers & Tractors

July 2, 2025July 2, 2025Leave a comment

Did you know Stampin’ Up!®️ releases NEW products every other month? July is one of those months, and I wanted to mix two of the new items together for a large slimline card: The T ractor & Co. bundle (photopolymer stamps + dies) and the fabulous Sunflower 3D embossing folder!

To make the sunflowers pop, after you’ve embossed an 8.25″ x 3.25″ of Darling Duckling card stock with this extra-large embossing folder, drag the Garden Green ink pad across the flat side (where the flowers are pushed down, not up).

An 8.5″ x 3.5″ Garden Green Mat behind the sunflowers frames it nicely, and the tractor is popped up with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

The Pool Party card base is 9″ wide and 8″ tall, scored in half at 4″. This fits into a legal sized envelope.

Product List

Those are just two of the new products launched yesterday! Also check out the two new KITS for July (click on images to see the kits):

One more thing I’m looking forward to this month is the Sweeter With You Paper Pumpkin kit! In case you aren’t familiar with Paper Pumpkin, it’s a craft kit subscription by mail, and each kit includes an exclusive stamp set, ink spot and all the supplies prepared for you to enjoy a stress-free moment of creativity!

Each quarter, a coordinating set of dies is also offered to Paper Pumpkin subscribers, and they match all the kits released in those three months. The Circle of Seasons die set is only $12 and the strawberry die will also create an acorn (hint at the September kit!):

My Paper Pumpkin subscribers also receive a special email from me on the last week of the month, with ideas to use the stamp set, ink spot and add-on dies AFTER the kit is complete! I know you’d look forward to a kit in your mailbox each month, so give it a try!

Check out all the new products released this month HERE:

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Hollyhock floating frame and Sentimental Wishes Christmas Card floating Frame

Learn Paper Crafting with a Kit

October 22, 2024October 22, 2024Leave a comment

If you can use scissors and glue, you have the ability to make pretty things with paper! All you need next is a kit: Lucky for you ~ the Stampin’ Up! Kit Collection is up to 30% off through October 31st:

Not only is a kit a wonderful starting point for any new paper crafter, they also give you ideas for further crafting, as I’m about to show you.

Playing with the Hello Hollyhocks kit (an all-inclusive, non-stamping kit), I demonstrated how to let the sketch for card #1 (on the left) inspire a future project (on the right):

Hello Hollyhock card sketch to Zinnia Card

Swapping out a hollyhocks for stamped and colored zinnias and creating your own splatter background made this “dupe” super simple.

Next, you can “step up” a card from the kit by cutting apart the card base and framing it on coordinating card stock:

Watch the video (below) to see what I did for the inside of the stepped-up version!

Finally, let a kit teach you a new technique to try, like this floating frame idea. The card on the left is from the kit, which inspired the Christmas card on the right:

Hollyhock floating frame card to Sentimental Wishes floating frame card for Christmas

Keep a few kits on hand for gift-giving occasions, too~ they are unique, thoughtful gifts!

SHOP KIT COLLECTION

Product List

Hello Hollyhocks Kit

Simply Zinnia Bundle (English)

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Blends Markers Combo Pack

Copper Clay Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

Copper Clay 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

Three Twine Combo Pack

Everyday Details Dies

Sentimental Wishes Bundle (English)

Take A Bow 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper

Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Garden Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Petal Pink 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Adhesive Sheets

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

The Versatility of a Fabulous Kit

August 5, 2024August 5, 2024Leave a comment

Stampin’ Up! has the #bestcraftingkit (or kits) on the planet. Whether you just want to dip your fingers in the paper crafting ocean, or you want to commit to creativity each month…there’s a kit for you!

I wanted to showcase how amazing the July Paper Pumpkin kit “Painted Petals” was, and encourage you NOT TO WASTE A SECOND in subscribing for the August kit (and beyond).

After assembling one of the cards as intended from the kit, I created an “alternate” card by just adding a bit of Basic Black card stock. You may enjoy simply following the instructions, but if you want to stretch your artistic muscles, kits are a superb starting spot:

Fold the printed card base with the printed images INSIDE the card, then trim 1/4″ off the bottom and open side, making it 4″ x 8 1/4″ when open. Fold the front (colored) flap back on itself, add a 3″ x 4.25″ black card stock to the front left side of the card and attach your details. Adhere the card to a 5.5″ x 4.25″ black card stock base and voila:

Try turning your kit into scrapbook pages for your memory albums! The back side of the card became a faux strip behind my photo mats, and I added a simple floral border at the bottom:

Finally, don’t forget the box! On the months when the box matches the contents (usually Paper Pumpkin kits arrive in Poppy Parade boxes), you may want to gussy it up and use it as gift wrapping:

For the box top, I used one of the envelopes and the special Add-On Every Celebration Dies, which coordinate with the July, August AND September Kits:

Once your kit is completed, you are left with a small ink spot and the photopolymer stamps. With some basic supplies, you can create more fantastic cards, tags, gifts, etc.

So what is the August 2024kit going to be? Birthday Cards!

The “Time for Cake” craft kit will be shipped around the 15th and features the following, but you must subscribe by August 10th

Rose gold foil
Accordion card folds
A festive color palette
A birthday sentiment stamp set

Subscribers will also receive a gift with their kit: an additional stamp set! Those number stamps will become an indispensable tool in your stamping arsenal.

Subscribe to Paper Pumpkin NOW!

We have MORE INCREDIBLE a la carte kits that you won’t want to miss – stock up for yourself, to make with friends, or to give as gifts! The selection is always growing, so check back every month to discover your inspiration.

Explore the Kit Collection NEXT

Upcycle a Kit Box into a Gorgeous Gift

March 11, 2024March 11, 2024Leave a comment

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!

Product List

Perennial Postage Bundle (English)

$51.25

Perennial Lavender 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

$12.50

Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$10.00

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

$10.00

Paper Butterfly Accents

$8.00

Black & White 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Gingham Ribbon

$7.00

Brushed Brass Butterflies

$10.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.25

Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

$66.00

Small Blending Brushes

$12.00

Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Shaded Spruce Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Mini Glue Dots

$5.75

Simply Scored

$36.00

Unbox Your Craft-ivity

March 4, 2024March 4, 2024Leave a comment

If you think you are not creative…THINK AGAIN!

Anyone can be crafty with a KIT, and I’m here to help you unbox some ways to be creative even when…

You think you don’t have time
You think you can’t afford it
You think you don’t have the space for crafting

Paper Pumpkin is the BEST craft kit subscription in the world, and each monthly box you’ll receive:

In this video, I show the Sweet Springtime Kit (February 2024), how to complete the projects as they are sent in the kit -OR- unleash your own ideas using the supplies from the kit or around your craft room:

While the full kits are sold out, there are refills for the Sweet Springtime kit (while supplies last) that you could easily add your own sentiment stamps to complete. They are available for subscribers only, so hurry and subscribe in the next step!

Click the button(s) to choose your Paper Pumpkin Path:

Monthly Subscription

Prepaid Subscription

Here are the alternative projects I created with the Sweet Springtime Kit:

Now a look at what’s coming in the March “Memorable Meadows” Paper Pumpkin kit (SUBSCRIBE BY MARCH 10th to get this kit in your mailbox!!):

Share nature’s beauty with lovely all-occasion cards! Includes a free BONUS stamp set!

Makes 9 cards: 3 each of 3 designs with 9 coordinating envelopes
Precut vellum pieces & wood embellishments
Coordinating colors: Granny Apple Green, Garden Green, Balmy Blue, Night of Navy, Gorgeous Grape, Fresh Freesia

Perhaps you aren’t ready to make the commitment to a monthly subscription, but want a one-time curated crafting experience. I’ve got just the thing(s) with the Kit Collection in my Stampin’ Store which you can choose a la carte:

TWO NEW KITS are added to the collection every month, and while I indicated March 2024 kits would be added on Tuesday 3/5, I’ve learned that they are actually dropping into the store on THURSDAY, March 7th! I did get a peek at them today and I can tell you I’ll be grabbing BOTH kits…you’ll want to check them out in just a few days.

After the camera turned off, I did make a few more different cards with the leftover pieces from my kit (coudn’t let those gingham envelopes or adorable animals go to waste!). One of them I’ll share in my VIP Facebook Group and here’s the other:

And ONE (of four) #simplestamping cards I shared in my exclusive Paper Pumpkin email for my subscribers~ after the kit is complete and you have just the stamp set and ink spot remaining:

Happy Mini Catalog Launch Day!

September 6, 2023Leave a comment

There’s electricity in the air when new Stampin’ products arrive, and apparently I wasn’t the only one dreaming of the September-December mini catalog last night…

I woke up at midnight to place an order for StampFest, and some of you were awake at that early hour to get first dibs on all the festive things, too!

Showing up now to give you the “What You Need To Know” about everything that launched today, September 6th:

FIRST: View the Mini Catalog like flipping through a catalog by clicking on the image above, or SHOP from the catalog by visiting the Mini Catalog Page in my Stampin’ Store.

SECOND: There are some ADDITIONAL Designer Series Papers that have been added to the Online Exclusives section that you won’t want to miss! A few of these papers coordinate with some of the products in the Sept-Dec Mini, and others are just versatile must-haves.

Speaking of patterned paper, one design released today is part of our Making A Difference program:

Each time the Walk in the Forest Designer Series Paper is purchased, Stampin’ Up! will donate $3 to the Marine’s Toys for Tots program! Some of the images of this paper coordinate with the Merriest Trees Dies and Beary Cute Punch, making holiday crafting easy and adorable.

THIRD: Our newest kit is the Christmas Everywhere kit! Your Christmas cards have never been this easy and it would be a fun activity to make your cards with your family after Thanksgiving Dinner, so you may stock up on a few boxes to assemble while digesting!

FOURTH: Feeling Festive already? Everyone has a favorite mug, and one of these may become yours!

FINALLY (for today, anyway): October 7th is World Card Making Day, and Stampin’ Up! is throwing a FREE VIRTUAL PARTY! You may already be registered (or plan to register) for our Utah County Fall StampFest on that day, but the good news is: YOU CAN DO BOTH! When you register for the event above, it will be recorded, so you can watch it later and craft along. There is also an adorable punch & stamp bundle (Heartfelt Hexagon) that is optional to order that they will be using to craft with, or you may substitute a product you already have.

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!

You can make 3 “Tag Pouches” to give as gifts from one kit, and each pouch would have 5 tags:

For only 10 more days, ALL the kits in the Kit Collection (including the Festive Tags Kit) are on sale…

Start Crafting with a KIT!

August 14, 2023August 14, 2023Leave a comment

Everyone has to start somewhere, and if you don’t know where to start, A KIT is the place to begin.

During August 2023, all the Kit Collection is ON SALE! Not only is having a kit on hand a good practice for you to pull out to use with friends or family, but it’s good to shop now for unique gifts!

And kits are are more than just cards: Gift Tags, Home Decor, Memories, Gift Packaging…plus, a new kit is added every month. The newest kit (August 2023) is the Festive Tags, but here are a few more choices you may want to explore (click on an image to view details):

In this video, I shared tips about kits and showed a few from the collection (Blossom Wishes and Robot Buddies)…AND SHARED A GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY! Don’t miss it!

It’s nice that kits come in a Kraft & Black box, for all it needs to wrap as a gift is a RIBBON and a tag (hey, there are kits for tags!)

BUT WAIT, WE HAVE MORE KITS!

While Paper Pumpkin kits are NOT INCLUDED in the sale, they are marvelous to get each month in the mail! This subscription opportunity will keep you swimming in stamps and pretty projects.

The NEXT Paper Pumpkin kit (September 2023) is inspired by our co-founder Shelli, and is always a popular one, for her style is elegant and feminine. The With Love & Gratitude kit includes:

8 treat packages (3-1/2″ x 5″ x 2″)
8 note cards + coordinating envelopes (3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″)
1 photopolymer stamp set
1 Lost Lagoon Ink Spot
Specialty gold foil, precut embellishments
Adhesives

The coordinating Stampin’ Up! colors for the With Love & Gratitude kit are: Copper Clay, Crumb Cake, Lost Lagoon, Mossy Meadow, Pebbled Path and gold foil.

In order to receive this kit, SUBSCRIBE BY SEPTEMBER 10th!

There is also a special Add-On for Paper Pumpkin subscribers, which you can add to your next order (while supplies last): The Thoughts of Thanks Journal is an 8″x10″ gold spiral bound journal that includes 2 specialty gold foil sticker sheets and a gold-clip page marker.