Card Swaps + Your Time to Shine!

Stampers LOVE to exchange handmade cards! We swap our creations at any Stampin’ Up! event and my Sprinkled Ink team (& friends) are hands-down the BEST group to swap with (I’ve participated in a TON of swaps in 31 years, and they are better than all of them).

Would you like to see their talents? I thought so!

This was our September-December Mini Catalog Swap… you may have seen some of these cards if you’ve attended an event with me in the past few months:

Aren’t they spectacular? There are fun folds, embossing, foil paper, background stamps, die cuts, rubber stamping, Designer Series Paper and techniques galore to share with our customers and be inspired by. I’m certainly going to make a version of Robin’s fun fold and order the embossing folder Michelle used!

This was the card I crafted for the swap using the Curved Occasions stamp set (click link below card for stampin’ supplies):

We swap cards each time a new catalog launches, which means our next swap will be in January. As demonstrators, we get to pre-order from the publication the month before…it’s a nice perk!

Speaking of perks, there are 7 days left to take advantage of the 35th Anniversary Starter Kit Special! This is your chance to get a divine discount on crafting supplies AND see if you want to SHINE as a demonstrator!

There are no strings attached to the purchase of a starter kit, and you’ll get 20% off your future purchases through April 2024 (or forever, if you decide to stay with the Sprinkled Inkers as a hobby or business demonstrator!).

In addition, you’ll get a free ticket to OnStage@Home (our virtual Stampin’ Up! convention) on November 11th…it will be an amazing peek at the goings-on in the life of a demonstrator, and will give you insight into the possibilities of a bright future.

Finally, you’ll have the opportunity to swap cards with our friendly demonstrator family, participate in events and creative challenges, learn and grow personally and creatively, plus gain a new tribe of very talented, kind and supportive people! Why not??

Start with a Sketched Plaid Background…

…let your creativity flow free! An excellent all-purpose stamp does more than just one thing, and the Sketched Plaid background is that versatile stamping staple that will elevate your card making. Let me show you 4 different ways to use it (with a few links to bonus projects).

First, you can stamp the Sketched Plaid onto a card layer with the same color of ink (like this Best Wishes card previously stamped) ~ for today’s example, I blotted off the Crumb Cake ink once before stamping it a second time onto Crumb Cake card stock, making it a subtle canvas for masking my flowers onto:

Second, try stamping a small image inside the empty spaces, like the snowflake from the Beary Cute stamp set:

Third: Use a Stampin’ Blends or Stampin’ Write marker and a ruler to draw more lines in between the spaces, for a two-color plaid. You could adjust the thickness of these lines for a completely different look! This card also uses the So Very Merry stamp set, an online exclusive in my store.

Fourth, stamp the plaid in black (or emboss in black!) and color in some of the sections with Stampin’ Blends (I used the 2022-2024 In Colors, plus Daffodil Delight). I get such a KICK out of the groovy Curved Occasions bundle and with this kaleidoscope of color, the roller skates felt fitting:

Ready to watch HOW-TO? Here’s today’s demonstration to teach you how:

ONE MORE idea to share with you for visiting my page today: There is nothing that’s stopping you from cutting up your plaid layer and using it like I did with this card earlier this year…

After my Live Video (join me each Monday at 12:30 PM MT on my Facebook page or YouTube channel), I added a few embellishments to a few of the cards, including some retired In Color Matte Dots to the roller skate birthday card, and some of the new Adhesive-Backed Glimmer Paper from my store to the Santa Stained Glass card:

Remember- you can add any/all of these products to a Starter Kit this month and save 35% off the regular price OR get 35% more product FREE! Only 8 days left to get that special offer…click image below to choose what you’ll get in your Starter Kit:

New at SU!- A Beary Cute Card Sketch

Welcome to all our Stampin’ friends from around the world to our October New at SU! blog hop where we are hoping you see how a SKETCH can get your creative juices flowing for card making. We’ll show you our version of the sketch…then YOU try it, too!

My card uses the Beary Cute bundle (stamp set + punch) and the Beary Christmas Designer Series Paper. Can you see how the card layout above was inspired by our card “sketch” below?

Don’t feel constrained to use the sketch in just one way. I turned it into landscape orientation for a second version, this time with a brown bear rather than a polar bear:

This landscape variation uses the same stamp set and punch with the “Walk in the Forest” Designer Series Paper, which is our MAKING A DIFFERENCE product. It coordinates with both the Beary Christmas suite AND the Merriest Trees bundle! For each package purchased in the USA*, Stampin’ Up! donates $3 to Marines Toys for Tots (*different amounts and charities are supported in different markets around the globe).

Even a simple card can have an unexpected bit of bling to catch the eye… each of my Beary Cute cards has a little sparkle! On the polar bear card, there is an gold star atop the tree (behind the sentiment) and on the brown bear card, it comes in the form of some glitter sequins (which are FLAT, so shouldn’t require extra postage) – both embellishments are included in the supply list below the Blog Hop links.

TIP: For the TREE with the brown bear, I turned my stamp upside down on my block and stamped off the Shaded Spruce ink one time before stamping the whole image over the dark details, like one of our Reversible stamp sets.

Have we inspired you to give this sketch a try? Tag us on social media with #newatsu so we can see your creativity!

If you haven’t seen all the other variations of this card sketch, click on any of our links for more inspiration:

October 2023 New at SU! Blog Hop: Sketch Challenge

Previous BlogNext Blog
1.iHeatCards2.bolgspot.com (US) – Magical Meadow
2.Joni in the Spotlight Stamping (US)-SKETCH CHALLENGE
3.My Flutterby Moments (US)- Garden Walk Sketch
4.De Kijkkast (NL) – Sketch with Winter Owls
5.Scraphexe (DE) – Sketch – Joy of Christmas | Fröhlich und Festlich
6.Playing with Papercrafting (CA) – Joy of Christmas
7.Stamping Flair (AU) – Translucent Florals with Delightful Floral DSP
8.The Joy of Stampin’ with Rachael (US)- Layering Leaves
9.Tricia’s Stamping Creations (US) – Heartfelt Hexagon
10.Nature’s INKspirations (US) – Wishes All Around
11.Carterie Plus (CA)- Créer une carte utilisant un Sketch
12.Stampinxime (DE) – Sketch Challenge
13.Creative Juice by Loni (US)- A Berry Cute Card Sketch
14.24-7 Inkspiration (US) – Merriest Trees

Powered by blogcarousel.com

Product List

Transform Lunch Bags into Gift Bags

Have you ever spent as much on the wrapping as you did on a gift? Save some of your gift budget with this hack!

Perhaps you remember the embossed kraft gift bag I posted earlier this year, and today I’ll show you how to use the Abundant Beauty Decorative Masks (back in stock!) to dress up your ordinary lunch sacks. Keep your “present”-ation game at the top, without breaking the bank.

I asked for a fall color combination suggestion and Nila (one of my Sprinkled Inkers) suggested Crushed Curry, Pecan Pie and Cajun Craze, all of which blended together over the mask beautifully!

Top it off by rolling your bag down twice and folding over a 2-1/2″ strip of Designer Series Paper. The Tartan Foil is an Online Exclusive and has a lovely shimmer! Stamp a sentiment on a strip of card stock, punch a banner end and clip the bag closed with a mini clothespin.

Next, I had to use the Snowflake mask (there are 7 masks in the set, 4 of which make a sunflower as I demonstrated last Monday). This one used Balmy Blue and Fresh Freesia for a winter feel:

Recognize the fan-fold top? It’s the same style I did earlier, and it tops off the gift so prettily!

This one uses a hexagon from the new Heartfelt Hexagon bundle (with a punch!) which can also be found in my online store.

Now a video tutorial for both bags with handy tips on using the masks:

Have fun transforming your bags from ordinary to EXTRAORDINARY!

Product List

Pumpkins, Punches & Masks for Autumn

After succumbing to temptation and adding the Pick of the Patch bundle to my crafting collection, I dreamed of combining it with the Abundant Beauty Masks (will hopefully be back in stock the week of Oct. 16!)

Pumpkin patches and sunflowers are the objects to take pictures with right now, and here are a couple of the cutest pumpkins in the sunflower patch (at least their grandmother thinks so):

Those adorable faces were the inspiration for today’s Lunchtime Live Crafting, and there are a few tips you’ll want to remember for aligning your stamps to make it easy to punch and how to use the masks, so here’s the replay:

DID YOU CATCH THAT THERE IS FREE SHIPPING TODAY through October 11, 2023 on orders over $75? That’s 3 days to replenish your supplies or get a start on holiday gifts!

That is a terrific deal (save 11%!) AND two more options to remember is our 35th Anniversary Starter Kit offer through October 31st(Starter Kits ALWAYS have free shipping, too!):

Choose 35% off the Starter Kit (normally $99): Select your own products ($125 worth) for just $64.35, free shipping, a free registration to OnStage@Home in November AND 20% off future orders through March 2024!

Choose 35% MORE in your starter kit: Select $168.75 in products for ONLY $99 (plus free shipping) and you also receive a free registration to OnStage@Home in November AND 20% off future orders through March 2024!

Will the Pumpkin Patch bundle and/or Abundant Beauty Masks be in your Starter Kit?

Product List

Disco Ball Congrats Card

I learned something new today- if you heat the Melon Mambo & Granny Apple Green Foil sheets, they turn HOLOGRAPHIC where the heat hits it!

Inspired by the Global Design Project Sketch this week #GDP414 , I knew I wanted the disco ball from the Curved Occasions stamp set to be the focal point in the 2-3/8″ circle, and it needed bling, obviously, so I embossed it in gold on the foil sheet (remember to swipe the paper with the Embossing Buddy first, so you don’t get stray flecks)

More sparkle was added with Adhesive-Backed Star Trinkets which mimic the stars on the embossed image. It feels very RETRO with the bold stripes, too, yes? The Merry Bold & Bright Designer Series Paper isn’t just for holidays…in fact, I haven’t used any of it for Christmas yet and have almost been through an entire pack!

There are plenty of sentiments to choose from, so the 3 I used say, “Congratulations, Happy Dance, You’re Great!”

10/9/23 Update: How delightful to be chosen as a #GDPwinner for this sketch! It’s an honor to be among such talented card-makers!

Try this sketch yourself and see where it leads you, or feel free to copy mine!

Thanks for ordering from my Stampin’ Store (or add these items to a Starter Kit this month and get a killer deal):

Product List

Twist or Treat + October Join Special!

The “Sour Cream” package favor has been around for a while, but it’s a classic project to craft because it’s fast and adorable!

Obviously, they don’t usually stand up, but I wanted you to see how they “twist”!

It all starts with a 6″ x 6″ piece of Designer Series Paper and adhesive, then I added tags to coordinate using the Tailor Made Tags dies.

You can craft along with me in this video tutorial:

I wore my skeleton earrings to match the favor I demonstrated in the video! My Stampin’ Mama Sherrill Graff made them for me with the Bag of Bones bundle, black StazOn ink and shrink plastic:

Through October, Stampin’ Up! has an outstanding opportunity for the Starter Kit:

The Starter Kit is always the best value, but in honor of Stampin’ Up!s 35th anniversary this month, it’s absolutely irresistible!

35% OFF= Select $125 in product (including early release items only for demonstrators) for only $64.35, free shipping on the kit, PLUS a free ticket to our virtual OnStage event in November!

35% MORE= Select $168.75 worth of product and only pay $99 with free shipping, PLUS a free ticket to our virtual OnStage event!


With either Starter Kit, you’ll have the opportunity to see if the demonstrator life is for you! You’ll get to purchase your own supplies at a 20% discount through January 2024, get early access to new products and mingle with my Sprinkled Ink team. If you love it, you can keep going! I’m here to help you along the path and guide you as you explore the possibilities.

There are NO STRINGS ATTACHED…just a wonderful discount and a chance to try being a demonstrator with a warm & friendly group of creative people, and a peek behind the curtain at Stampin’ Up!

The Starter Kit is available to everyone, as many times as you’d like to take advantage of it, so click the image or Choose One button above to get started!

In Colors on a Leafy Card, with Ann

What a delight to have my dear friend and Sprinkled Ink teammate Ann Olsen in the studio with me! We got to stamp and visit together, and reminisce about some of our fun times together as demonstrators over 27 years together. PLUS, we stamped a few cards with current sets of In Colors, the Layering Leaves stamp set and the BOUGH PUNCH, which is finally back in stock!

My card started with Very Vanilla card stock and the 2023-2025 In Colors (Copper Clay, Wild Wheat, Moody Mauve, Pebbled Path and Boho Blue). Ann’s card is the same layout on a white card stock base, but with 2022-2024 In Colors (Tahitian Tide, Starry Sky, Sweet Sorbet, Parakeet Party and Orchid Opulence).

Each colored section started out as 2″ x 1-1/4″ rectangles, which I forgot to mention during the video. Trim off the section on the top and bottom that hang over, after you adhere them to the front layer.

Which color combination do you like best? I usually prefer the vivid colors, but am feeling the fall weather and leaning into the vanilla/earthy tones today. The brighter colors are available through April 2024, so make sure you have ink refills and paper stocked up!

Product List

27 years ago, Ann had to ask me how to join Stampin’ Up! but I’ve become better at offering this opportunity to others! If you are interested in joining a creative community and expanding your circle of friendships, we have an AMAZING offer coming October 3-31, 2023:

New At SU!- Autumn Leaves That Shimmer

Anything that sparkles, shines or shimmers catches the eye, and the New at SU! Design team is here to show off all the new GLITZ in the September-December Catalog or Online Exclusives! Make sure you hop around the globe (links below) and PIN your favorites to remember.

The Autumn Leaves bundle is magnificent and I chose to pair it with the Online Exclusive Tartan Foil Specialty Designer Series Paper:

With a little shimmer to the colored side, it makes you want to tip and turn the card to see it reflect the light! TIP: Use the Foam Adhesive strips behind the Designer Series Paper panels to lift them off the background.

With a few Speckled dots and a double bow of linen thread, this card mixes natural and shiny elements for just the right amount of beauty. It makes me look forward to the changing seasons and colorful trees.

Keep your eyes open as you move on to another post where you’ll be dazzled by something that Shimmers, Shines or GLOWS!

September New at SU! Blog Hop: Shine, Shimmer & Glow

1.Carterie Plus (CA) Scintillement, brillance et lueur/ Shimmer, shine
2.Creative Juice by Loni (US) – Autumn Leaves That Shimmer
3.My Fluttterby Moments (USA)- Adhesive Backed Glimmer Paper
4.Stamping Flair (AU) – Snowflake Magic
5.The Joy of Stampin’ with Rachael (USA)- Tricks & Treats Glow
6.Annette Elias- De Kijkkast – NL – Magic of the Season
7.Tricia’s Stamping Creations (US) – Translucent Florals
8.Nature’s INKspirations (US) – Fruitful Blessings
9.iHeartCards2 (US) – Joy Of Christmas Suite Collection
10.247 Inkspiration (US) – Tartan Pumpkins

Powered by blogcarousel.com

Product List

Interior Diorama Card, Many Ways!

When there is a “scene” printed on Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Paper, it’s perfect for creating a framed picture that pops up inside your card!

For this one, I used the A Walk in the Forest DSP, which is part of our “Making A Difference” Campaign ($3 from each pack purchased is donated to the “Toys for Tots” program). This paper coordinates with both the Beary Christmas Suite and the Merriest trees bundle!

Here’s a slightly different version of the same card using the Beary Christmas paper included in the Beary Christmas Suite:

Because it was so much fun -and simple- to make (I’ll share a how-to video below), I had to make multiple versions with different Designer Series Paper from the September-December Mini Catalog. It’s like the One Card, Two Ways challenge from the #tgifc438 WWYD? Challenge:

The design is roomy enough to sneak a treat inside (not a mailable option, obviously) and for this one I used Them Bones Designer Series Paper:

Sharp eyes may notice that the skeletons are smaller than those in the coordinating suite of Halloween products…because the stamp set I used was from the September 2019 Paper Pumpkin kit called “Bone Appetit”!

Before we get to the last version of the Interior Diorama card, here is the video tutorial:

The finished card (closed) is 4″ x 5-1/4″.

Begin with a 12″ x 5.25″ strip of Designer Series Paper and score at 1/2″, 4″, 4.5″ and 8″

Product List

My final Interior Diorama card is a Christmas Version using the O, Holy Night Designer Series Paper and Night Divine Bundle:

Will you be trying this card? Let me know what you think in the comments!