close up Stampin' Up! Reason to Celebrate and Seasonal Celebration birthday card

Celebrating New Creativity

January 8, 2026January 8, 2026Leave a comment

The beginning of a new year makes me want to clear a little creative space and ask a simple question: how do I want to show up for the people I love? For me, one of the easiest and most meaningful answers is birthdays. A handmade birthday card is a small thing, but it carries a reminder that someone was thought of before the day even arrived.

This bright, happy card was created by pairing the Reason to Celebrate stamp set from the new January–April Mini Catalog with Seasonal Celebrations from the January Online Exclusives, which serendipitously pair together perfectly (certainly it was good planning on the part of Stampin’ Up!®️). The bold greeting anchors the card with confidence, while the playful stamped party elements on blocks of color bring in movement, color, and a sense of joy. Together, they strike that sweet balance between cheerful and heartfelt, which is exactly what birthday cards should feel like.

Beyond birthday celebrations, there are many ways to combine these bold images and fun fonts for many special occasions!

As the year unfolds, I’m prepared to remember the lives of people I love, not just with faceless texts, but with something tangible they can hold. A birthday card says, “You matter. I planned ahead. I made time.”

With the release of the January-April Mini Catalog AND new Online Exclusives that have been added to my Stampin’ Store, there are some other promotions to be aware of:

In addition to the opportunity to earn Bonus Days Coupons for every $50 spent between 1/6-2/2, a new Product of the Month has been added for January (while supplies last):

Here’s to a creative year ahead, to new stamps finding old favorites, and to celebrating birthdays, one handmade card at a time.

See all the New Products for January 2026

Product List

I appreciate being a part of your crafting journey~ Keep your creative juices flowing!

🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

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.

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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

Arched Screen Divider Card Tutorial

February 24, 2025February 24, 2025Leave a comment

“and the 2025 winner in the Top Die-Cutting Tool category is……EVERYDAY ARCHES!”

Worthy of a standing ovation, the Stampin’ Up! Everyday Arches Dies (and coordinating stamp set) are truly a non-negotiable necessity in everyone’s craft room. Full stop.

With 10 nesting dies (the largest die is 5-3/16″ x 3-15/16″), you’ll marvel at the full range of crafting abilities of such a basic shape. (In case they are “currently unavailable”, fear not, they’ll be back in stock soon!). I’m here to help you see their potential, starting with the Arched Screen Divider Card:

Don’t arch an eyebrow (ha-ha)…this is just the front. When you open it up, the STAGE IS SET:

As a baby card, you could put a photo of the newborn in the center panel -OR- list their name, birthdate, birth place and vitals (handwritten, if you have lovely writing or print from your computer, if you don’t).

The back side gives more space to add photos or love notes:

What I love best is that the Beatrix Potter vibes make it a perfect decoration on a nursery shelf, or the parents could use each piece in a scrapbook!

A few close ups:

The “Know You are Loved” panel was completed after my demonstration, and it is the perfect fit.

I’ve got different versions to share with you, but first, the instructions in video:

On to the other versions, starting with a birthday card using the Full of Life Designer Series Paper and a sneak peek of the Arched Wishes stamp set, coming in March:

Because there are only 5 days left of Stampin’ Up! Sale-a-Bration, I also had to make an Arched Screen Divider card with one of our freebies:

If the Terrific Toadstool bundle is on your list, don’t put off ordering it even one more second, or you’ll miss out on the Toadstool Gardens Designer Series Paper (free choice with $60 purchase by February 28, 2025)!

Tell me what you think of this card (comment section at top of post, by title and date posted) and you may receive the toadstool version in the mail!

For the Storybook Moments Baby card, you’ll need:

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Adding Ribbon to a Handmade Card & Paper Share!

December 16, 2024Leave a comment

Are you in a rut of tying a ribbon around a card in the SAME WAY all the time? With so many unique ways to use ribbon on your hand-stamped creations, let’s explore just a few ideas! VIDEO TUTORIAL BELOW

First, try using your ribbon as a background: This Pool Party pompom ribbon is in the “Last Chance” section of my Stampin’ Store, and I’ve paired it with a Sale-a-Bration 2025 stamp set “Day to Celebrate” for this celebratory card. Consider planning ahead, because you’ll want some of this ribbon on hand once you can select this stamp set free (with a $60 order) in January!

Next, there are plenty of crafters who despise having to tie a bow! Weird, but true. So this one is a FAUX BOW and so easy to do (see video). NO BOW TYING REQUIRED. This non-traditional valentine is a second peek at a bundle coming in the January-April 2025 mini catalog called “Hugs for Love” and comes with the To The Point Label punch. The Cherry Cobbler & Gold ribbon looks lovely on Wild Wheat card stock, and gives it a use beyond Christmas:

Next up, not only is it pretty to have two different ribbon types, when you use twine to tie the second bow, it is less bumpy to mail! However, this project may get a little bumpy when you add a package of flower seeds to the pocket:

Another preview of some products coming soon…and the good news is that the Storybook Moments Specialty Designer Series Paper, Timeless Plaid Designer Series Paper AND the Petal Pink 3/8″ Scalloped Ribbon are all part of my Designer Series Paper & Ribbon Share

You’ll receive SIXTY-ONE 6″ x 6″ pieces of every Designer Series Paper in the Jan-Apr Mini Catalog AND January Online Exclusive products (not all paper is shown, just a sample). BONUS: Add a sampler of the 4 new ribbons (2.5 yards each), and you’ll have plenty of coordinating products to play with.

Reserve a Paper and/or Ribbon Share by January 7th!

But wait! I have two more ribbon ideas for you!

Have you ever created a gathered edge with a ribbon? Let it peek out from below a sentiment like this Black & Vanilla Large Check RIbbon ruffle on a piece of home-sweet-camper framed decor:

Yep- that’s another “first look” at the Adventure Together bundle (a January Online Exclusive) AND the Everyday Skies Designer Series Paper (included in the Paper Share).

And finally (or at first in the demonstration video), a unique way to tie a bow on a gift box- FAST. Just wait until you see how the bow keeps the ribbon in place! I used the Silver & White Sheer Ribbon:

AT LAST! Here’s the tutorial to watch:

Really looking forward to hearing what you think of these ideas of ways to use Stampin’ Up! ribbon on handmade greeting cards, gifts and more.

Hybrid Embossing Folder How-To

July 15, 2024July 15, 20244 Comments

Curious about how a “Hybrid Embossing Folder” works? Allow me to demonstrate how-to using the new Online Exclusive Changing Leaves bundle.

The embossing folder creates amazingly detailed leaves which are beautiful both embossed (raised) and debossed (recessed). Here is a “raised” example in Granny Apple Green using the embossed design for a background on a card:

Flip the embossed paper over and paint into the recessed images using water painters and ink refills -OR- water painters with Metallic Enamel Effects for shine:

Simply stamping the images and die cutting them to use on your projects is also an option. Watch for the tip to lining up all three leaf images in the correct spot, making them easier to die cut at the beginning of this video, in which I also demonstrate all the techniques I’m sharing:

I used my stamped/die cut leaves on a floating frame card:

Finally – and this is the HYBRID VERSION – the dies snap into the embossing folder! All you have to do is add your paper, run it through the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine, and out come die-cut, embossed accents! This is a bonus project that shows the detail:

I borrowed the sentiment from another Online Exclusive stamp set called Comforting Thoughts for an occasion when there are just no words to express what you are feeling for someone’s heartache.

Try dragging your ink pad across the top of an embossed/cut leaf to bring out the details (or use a brayer rolled in ink), like the Pretty Peacock leaf on the card:

The Changing Leaves bundle is $54 (US) so it qualifies for a $5 BONUS DAYS coupon when you purchase it during July 2024. Collect coupons July 3-31st, then redeem them during August!

So Very Merry Gingerbread House Christmas Card

Sweet Treat Challenge + New Online Exclusives

July 3, 2024Leave a comment

The Sweet Treats theme for the TGIF Challenge this week got me dreaming of sugar plums…

We’ll call it “Christmas in July”!

This was the #tgifc479 challenge to start our creative cogs turning:

The So Very Merry stamp set is not in the catalog, but *IS* still in the Online Exclusive section of my Stampin’ Store, and I embossed the gingerbread house on a banner cut from the Nested Essentials dies, then colored it with watercolor pencils and added Wink of Stella to the candy for sparkle (all supplies listed below). Though it’s hard to see in a photo, trust me that the treats glisten in the light!

Speaking of Online Exclusives, there are NEW ADDITIONS to that section of my store, and you’ll have a hard time choosing between the frightfully fun Halloween, the elegant Autumn or the gorgeous Holiday offerings. You have my permission to choose all of them! And there is MORE than just these shown.

Back to my gingerbread house card, the supplies I used are below and feel free to use the idea for your holiday mail, if you love it!

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Anticipating Autumn

June 14, 2024July 3, 2024Leave a comment

By nature, I enjoy the season I’m currently living in. However, I can affirmatively claim that FALL is my favorite!

The new “Changing Leaves” bundle was sitting on my craft desk (freshly upacked from a pre-order for new Online Exclusives coming July 2nd) when I saw the TGIF Sketch Challenge – so here we are:

The simplicity of this sketch allows the details of the stamped image and the hybrid embossing folder to take center stage:

These are the colors I chose for my card:

Clever crafters may be asking, “Does Stampin’ Up! have Mossy Meadow ribbon? Or Blackberry Bliss jute twine?” and the answer is NO! But you CAN color the Basic Beige ribbon with the dark Mossy Meadow Stampin’ Blend Marker and the Moody Mauve jute trim with the Blackberry Bliss Stampin’ Blend Marker! Because the blends markers are alcohol-based, it doesn’t take long for the trims to dry before adding them to your paper creations.

Being able to order new products EARLY is one of the perks of being a demonstrator! Don’t suffer from FOMO…you can join my Sprinkled Ink team of demonstrators whenever you are ready.

POST UPDATED JULY 3, 2024: Changing Leaves Bundle NOW AVAILABLE!

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Zinnias for Catalog Sketch, June Bundle Sale

June 6, 2024June 6, 2024Leave a comment

Have you noticed the 22 card sketches on page 22 of the Annual Catalog? You’ll want to turn to these any time you’ve lost your crafting mojo, for they will give you a “map” to follow as you get back into your stamping groove.

If you look closely, you may spy samples throughout the catalog that follow a sketch, as well.

I decided to use the Simply Zinnia bundle to follow this sketch for the #CreativeChallengeSU :

These colors feel like SUMMER and make me want to plant some in my yard.

I know that the Simply Zinnia bundle and Flowering Zinnia Suite are backordered (as of June 6, 2024) but they should be back in stock by the week of June 24th which will give you time to order the bundle during the June “Extra 10% Off” sale on all BUNDLES (Stamps + Dies)!

During June, the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machines are all 10% off as well – original size, mini and Boho Blue mini machine, too! Bring one (or a second one) home to your craft room.

Product List

Flowering Zinnias Suite Collection (English)

$83.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$13.00

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

$11.50

Berry Burst 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$11.50

Pumpkin Pie 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$11.50

Highland Heather 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$11.50

Lemon Lolly 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$11.50

Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$11.50

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

$11.50

Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad

$9.00

Mini Glue Dots

$7.25

Stampin' Dimensionals

$4.25

Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

$66.00

Iridescent Adhesive Backed Discs

$7.00

New at SU! – Trucking Along with Sunny Thoughts

July 19, 2023July 20, 20238 Comments

Did you know there are products online that aren’t in the Stampin’ Up! catalog? The New at SU! Design Team wants to make sure you know how AWESOME our Online Exclusive products are!

Occasionally we get a product that we know will be a runaway hit…and the Trucking Along Bundle was one of those which sold out the first stock in just a few days, then AGAIN just this week you snagged up all the punches we had in the Utah warehouse! The stamp set is still available in the U.S. market, and the TRUCK BUILDER PUNCH has been reordered (though it’s coming from overseas, so it may take up to 90 days…). Thanks for being patient while we restock.

The photopolymer stamp set + coordinating punch covers everything from Summer to Christmas, and really delivers crafting happiness:

For my card, I used an inch and a half of a paper straw glued to the back of the truck and slightly flattened out (which is why it has to be paper, and really a much better use for a paper straw than drinking….) to slide along the linen thread! You may want to use two layers of Thick Basic White card stock to make the truck heavy enough to slide easily, or use a mini glue dot to attach a penny to the back of the truck.

The pickup is packed for a beach adventure and the sun is radiating! You’ll have a load of fun making it slide back and forth along the linen twine. I’d love to hear your thoughts about this card!

While some products will stay a while in the Online Exclusive section of our Stampin’ Store, some may be LIMITED to the supply on hand, and supplies in each market may vary. New Online Exclusive products will be introduced in MARCH, JULY and NOVEMBER. You’ll want to visit all the other posts in the July New at SU! Blog Hop and **SAVE** your favorites to CASE (copy) later!

July 2023 New at SU! Hop: Online Exclusives

Previous Blog Next Blog

1.Joni in the Spotlight Stamping (US)-Tropical Leaf

2.Creative Juice by Loni (US) – Trucking Along with Sunny Thoughts

3.Playing with Papercrafting (CA)- Nested Friends for New with SU

4.iHeartCards2 (US) – One Horse Open Sleigh

5.24-7 Inkspiration (US) – Irresistible Blooms

6.Tricia’s Stamping Creations (US) – One Horse Open Sleigh Suite

7.scraphexe (DE) – Trucking Along | Perfekter Pick-up

8.Stamping Flair (AU) – So Very Merry

9.De Kijkkast (NL)- Timeless Charm Bundle

10.Carterie Plus (CA) Balade en carriole/One Horse Open Sleigh

11.Stampin’ Xime (DE) – Kreativset Blühende Frische Grüße

12.The Joy of Stampin’ with Rachael (USA)- Classic Letters Stamp Set

13.Nature’s INKspirations (US) – So Very Merry

If you are here on July 19th…don’t miss the 24 hour Stamp Sale! *All stamps in the 2023-2024 Annual Catalog are 15% off TODAY ONLY, PLUS you earn Bonus Days coupons for every $50 you spend in July!

*Except Host Stamps, Online Exclusives are NOT in the Annual Catalog

If you want to see another card using the Trucking Along bundle, check out my flower farm truck card HERE.

The Recipe for Embossing Folder Sandwiches

July 10, 2023July 10, 2023Leave a comment

You may not have a preference for how your sandwiches are cut, but there is a CORRECT way to layer the “sandwich” for using embossing folders on your Stampin’ Cut & Emboss machine 🥪

Stampin’ Up! has three styles of embossing folders: Standard (approx. 1/16″ wide), 3D (approx. 1/8″ wide) and Hybrid (similar to 3D and will have a coordinating die to insert as desired). Each type of folder has a “Recipe” for successful texturizing, and if you forget, it’s PRINTED on the base plate/platform #1

Today’s LIVE video teaches the tips and tricks to remember for successful embossing:

Because there are NEW items in the Online Exclusive section of my Stampin’ Store (some are being restocked as quickly as possible!), I am showcasing the 3-D Basics trio of embossing folders, starting with the 3-D Floral:

I lightly pulled/tapped my Petal Pink ink pad across the embossed layer to help the flowers POP and the other supplies are listed below. The Radiating Stitches Dies (which is what I used for the frame) are also part of the Online Exclusives!

Come back over the next few days to see all the cards, and remember it’s BONUS DAYS in July, so for each $50 spent before 7/31, you earn a $5 coupon to redeem in August!