Paper Cuts and Delightful Deals

August 12, 2026August 12, 2026Leave a comment

If you’ve filled your cupboards, drawers, desk and closets with pretty paper, then you understand the passion for paper. It’s not just a flat material, but infinite possibilities when you hold a piece in your hand! “Should I make a card? A gift? Seasonal decor?” are the questions that run through my mind when I open a fresh pack of card stock or patterned designs.

While Stampin’ Up!®️ is hosting a SALE on select DSP and card stock in August, I wanted to share ideas to inspire you to CUT INTO THAT PAPER you love!

Glow of Harvest and Peaceful Garden greeting cards following same sketch

Each of these cards follows the same “sketch” and use different Designer Series Paper. Since the Peaceful Garden (bottom card) paper is part of the sale, we’ll take a closer look at it first:

I used only the Peaceful Garden DSP, card stock (Misty Moonlight & Secret Sea) and a pre-printed sentiment from the Greetings for All Ephemera pack…no stamping required for this card.

Stampin’ Up!®️ Glow of Harvest Keep Looking Up greeting card

The second card follows the same sketch, and shows off the August Product of the Month, the Glow of Harvest Designer Series Paper…

My team had a challenge to use this paper for a project and share it, thus my version does dual duty! It also gives a sneak-peek at a new embossing folder coming in September (Softly Woven). I added a sweet sentiment and acorn accents from the Sweet Words & Labels bundle.

Sketch Details:

Background papers: 1.5″ x 3″ and 3″ x 3″ (optional mat: 3.25″ x 4.75″)
Banner: 2″ x 3-7/8″
DSP strips or labels: approx. 1/2″ tall by however long you’d like.

HEADS UP: The September Paper Share is also OPEN and you can reserve a 6″ x 6″ piece of each NEW design being released next month! It will be shipped to you around September 9th, but you must pay for your share by September 1st.

If you need storage options for your paper, you may check out the deals at Stamp-n-Storage for the next week: Each day is a different daily special and I love their paper storage options (pockets work well for me!):

Ode to the Circle Punch (& In Colors)

May 4, 2026Leave a comment

A couplet in honor of the circle punch:

“O steadfast circle punch, quiet hero of the craft,

You press into the spotlight with a single, perfect draft.”

Of all the paper punches I own, the CIRCLE is the one that I reach for the most often. It’s simply a tool that every paper crafter must have on hand, and the only thing better than one circle punch is TWO!

Today I shared a three card ideas using a circle punch, along with a few paper crafting tips that will help you become a better creator in my LIVE CRAFTING VIDEO:

This is the card guests stamped at my Catalog Carnival Open house over the weekend, and it’s so simple to make by using the 1-3/4″ Circle Punch for the sentiment. The butterflies are stamped and cut out with the All Aflutter punch that drops tomorrow in my Stampin’ Store:

Hydrangea Hue All Aflutter Notecard, Fluttering By to Say Hi

Hydrangea Hue (the color of the butterfly card) is a NEW 2026-2028 In Color, and I showed the new ink pad case in the video, which I KNOW you are going to obsess over both the pads & colors, so I made this notecard in every color (clockwise from top left: Barely Blush, Golden Glow, Hydrangea Hue, Crisp Cantaloupe and Peaceful Pine):

2026-2028 In Color All Aflutter Notecards with circle

SIDE NOTE: Join my team in May 2026 and you’ll get all 5 of these In Color Stamp Pads in your Starter Kit FREE!

May 2026 Stampin’ Up!®️ Starter Kit Offer

Don’t need ink? You can choose an additional $35 worth of products for your Starter Kit instead. That’s $160 worth of products for only $99!

Circling back to our circle punch projects, the next card I demonstrated was the “Old Friends are the Best Friends” card featuring the Silly Old Bear Designer Series Paper and more of the new In Colors. This one layered the 2″ circle (Pooh & Piglet) over the 2-3/4″ circle punch:

Silly Old Bear Designer Series Paper Old Friends Card with Circle Punches

And the last card was a “Golden Glow”up of the Moonlit Flora suite as a peek-through card – you’ll want to watch to see how this one is done in the easiest way:

Peek-through card with circle punches and Moonlit Flora Designer Series Paper by Stampin’ Up!®️

This is NOT a comprehensive list of ways to use the Stampin’ Up!®️ circle punches, only the very beginning! Check back often this month for MORE sensational stamping with circles as we launch our May products starting May 5th.

Both Silly Old Bear and Moonlit Flora Designer Series Paper is included in the Creative Juice Paper Share and tomorrow (May 5th) is the deadline to reserve your share.

Creative Juice Designer Series Paper Share

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Stampin’ Up!®️ Waterside Retreat Shadowbox Card

Shadowbox Cards (& Paper Pumpkin Peek)

April 7, 2026Leave a comment

I’m revisiting an oldie, but a goodie: This classic shadowbox card is easy to make with any scenery-inspired Designer Series Paper and when it’s removed from the envelope, pops out to stand up!

Shadowbox card with Stampin' Up! Boardwalk Fun

What could be better than spun sugar (a.k.a. cotton candy) to celebrate any special occasion? This Strawberry Slush shadowbox is created from the same Beach Boardwalk Suite I spotlighted last week and it’s now on the LAST CHANCE list, so don’t hesitate!

To help you learn how to make a shadowbox card, I’ve made a tutorial video you can watch (you’ll find it as you scroll down) and features a sneak peek at the Waterside Retreat Suite coming in May, which coordinates with the April Paper Pumpkin Kit. As the PP kit will have it’s own unique stamp set, consider it an extension of the Waterside Retreat suite, with additional sentiments & images that will complement the suite. You REALLY DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS and must subscribe by April 10th:

This is the card I demonstrated in the how-to video:

There is room to write a message on the back of the card, and a fun anchor & rope detail on the front:

Naturally, I had to make a few more versions:

For the landscape shadowbox cards, you’ll score two pieces of 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ card stock at 1/2″ and 1″ from both short sides, but if you want to make a portrait card (as shown below), score at 3/8″ and 3/4″ on the long sides:

Watch this video and you’ll be stamping shadowbox cards in no time:

As I mentioned in the video, I also have a Designer Series Paper Share in May where you can get a 6″ x 6″ piece of EVERY pattern dropping next month! Sign up early, as there may be backorders delaying orders (crossing my fingers we don’t have a problem)

Reserve a Paper Share

While the Waterside Retreat suite is also a preview, you can order other supplies from my Stampin’ Store to create shadowbox cards, such as the previously mentioned Beach Boardwalk Suite, Cute as a Bug Suite and much more!

Shop Now

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Wow Bow Fun Fold Card

January 5, 2026January 5, 2026Leave a comment

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!

Sympathy Quilt Card

December 21, 2025December 20, 2025Leave a comment

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.

Product List

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.

Dynamic Backgrounds with 6×6 Patterned Paper

September 1, 2025December 27, 20252 Comments

Have ever looked at a stack of pretty designer series paper and think, “It’s too pretty to cut”? I hear you—but here’s the good news: when you do cut it, you can get the most out of every single sheet! I created this cutting map that turns any 6” x 6” piece of designer paper into perfectly sized layers for the front of your cards:

In my live video today, I walked through the process step by step and made the card shown here from the Autumn Toile pack of paper that will be available on September 2nd. (You’ll find the replay below if you want to craft along!) The cutting map is below so you can print it out, tuck it near your paper trimmer, and use it anytime you want to make lovely layers of backgrounds for your greeting cards.

Cutting guide for 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper

The first cut you make (circled) will be 3-7/8″ into the square. The second cut will be to cut the leftover pattern down to 4-1/2″ tall, then other cuts as shown.

Layer the two large rectangles on a contrasting card stock base, and the two long strips go on a piece of card stock that is 2-1/2″ x 4-3/4″, which can be attached with dimensionals to either the left or right side of the front of the card.

For my samples, I used a mix of Stampin’ Up! designer series paper. Four of the patterns come straight from the September Paper Share I’m offering — fifty-three 6″ x 6″ sheets of Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Paper, all cut down and ready for you to create with. It’s a perfect way to try every new design without committing to full packs, and it gives you plenty of variety for projects like this.

My last two examples of this sketch feature the Painterly Pears Suite and the Spooky Sweet Suite. Isn’t it terrific how the same cutting map works across completely different styles—fall-inspired pumpkins, happy holiday greetings, fresh pears, or playful Halloween motifs?! It’s proof that a simple template can stretch your supplies and spark new ideas.

Whether you’re making cards in bulk or just want a foolproof way to get more from your paper, this card design is one you’ll use again and again. Scroll down for the video, save all six card samples, and grab your trimmer—you’ll be amazed how quickly 6” x 6” papers can turn into a gallery of handmade cards.

The 1″ x 3-7/8″ piece from the cutting map goes INSIDE the cards, like this:

TWO more opportunities before you go:

The Autumn Toile paper (on the first card I demonstrated) coordinates with the September Paper Pumpkin kit, so if you adore autumn and those detailed designs, you will certainly want to subscribe by September 10th to receive a fall-filled box of coordinating crafting!
While the Spooky Sweet Suite paper is NOT included in the Paper Share, I *WILL* be teaching a Virtual Halloween class with the suite on October 2nd – Add the suite to your cart for an invitation to join the party, or visit the Facebook event page (link above) to find out how to register.

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Come to a Craft Event -Live or Virtual!

August 7, 20251 Comment

You can watch a lot of videos, but nothing compares to getting your fingers IN THE INK! If you are like most people, you learn best by DOING, and there are so many exciting stamping events coming up, so choose the one(s) that work best for you:

Coming first is the “Remember the Adventure” Travel Journal class that is one week away in Hurricane, UT, so register quickly to ensure your seat! Bring 20-35 photos of a recent adventure and you can complete the album to show off your last adventure. Class Fee: $20 (a STEAL!) Find class details on the Facebook event HERE.

Next on the calendar is the September Paper Share!

Twice a year I offer a 6″ x 6″ sampler of all the new Designer Series Paper released by Stampin’ Up! in a mini catalog. With the September-December mini catalog coming (AND the September Online Exclusive release), there are 53 pieces of gorgeous papers that span through autumn and the holidays, and you can get a piece of each one to play with! Learn more HERE and reserve a share by September 1st!

The Southern Utah Fall StampFest will be Saturday, September 13th and you will want to bring a friend to this cozy crafternoon event! Save $10 when you register by August 30th!.

We’ll be offering the same projects to happy crafters in Utah County just a few weeks later (on September 27th). Grab your spot early before someone schedules your day for you!

Spooky Sweet Suite Class: October 2nd at 4 pm MT

The creativity continues into October, this time in a VIRTUAL CLASS for all those who love Halloween! The Spooky Sweet class will be one you can participate in while in your pajamas, as it will be broadcast on a private YouTube video for those who register and purchase the Spooky Sweet Suite Collection. If you order the Suite from my store, the class is just $10 (includes shipping to you) and I’ll email asking if you’d like to join the class, once you’ve checked out with the suite in your cart!

If you have purchased the suite collection from another demonstrator (or as a demonstrator), the fee is $20 – contact me to register.

Craft along LIVE with me -OR- watch later at your convenience.

Class kit includes card stock and envelopes, dimensionals, cutting guide and goodies for creating 5 projects SO CUTE, THEY ARE SPOOKY!

You will also need: Spooky Sweet Suite Collection, Adhesive, Paper Trimmer, Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad and the following Stampin’ Blends: Granny Apple Green, Petunia Pop, Pumpkin Pie, Smoky Slate.

Finally, put these events in your calendar and watch for details coming soon:

Stamp Therapy Class – October 9th (Hurricane, UT)

Christmas Cards & Cocoa Class – November 20th (Hurricane, UT)

Keep your creative juices flowing at a class! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Embossed Fault-Line Cards

December 30, 20244 Comments

If this was a contest, you would have OVERWHELMINGLY voted for the Fault Line Cards as BEST OF SHOW! Since they have been such a hit, I wanted to try an EMBOSSED version, and they are just as show-stopping as the originals, just take a look (watch the video tutorial)…

The Happy Hibiscus bundle includes a photopolymer stamp set, hybrid embossing folder and coordinating dies. With all that divine coordination, it was a lovely choice for this project! This time I started with a 4.25″ x 9″ card base and pulled a white craft ink pad across the embossed Melon Mambo card stock to make the flowers pop.

Next, I used the Eyelet 3D embossing folder to create a background in hues of purple for a few toadstools (arriving January 7th- just in time to add to your cart and qualify for a free Sale-a-Bration product, like the embellishments on the card):

Watch this “How-To” tutorial for making Fault-Line cards of all types:

This version gives you one more look at one of the Designer Series Papers that will be included in the Paper Share (reserve your share by 1/7/25) and it’s called Wildflower Birthday, which is part of a suite of coordinating products in the Stampin’ Up! 2025 Jan-April mini catalog.

It is destined for one of my team members who has a birthday in January, and I know she’ll love it!

Not all products are available in my Stampin’ Store until January 7th, but here are the ones you can save to your cart now, or JOIN MY TEAM AND GET IN ON THE PREORDER immediately:

Product List

Click image to reserve your paper share

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.

Gratitude- Key to Happiness

September 3, 2024Leave a comment

All the research agrees: Being grateful – and showing it – leads to a happier and healthier life.

We already know creating something with your own hands brings joy and satisfaction, so combine the two and crafters are the most joyful folks on the planet!

The Splendid Autumn suite (arriving September 4th) provides the tools to both create and send gorgeous gratitude notes:

This card took only slightly longer to make than the 60 seconds shown in this reel, and uses a full sheet of the 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper on the outside, inside and envelope.

The Splendid Autumn Designer Series Paper is one of 10 different collections that you would receive a sampling of with the September-December Mini Catalog Paper Share, but TODAY (Sept. 3) is the deadline to guarantee your spot!

Send me a Share!