Build Creative Muscles – Get 40% Off!

When I taught piano lessons, I’d tell my students “Practice trumps talent when talent doesn’t practice”. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not creative,” believe me when I say CREATIVITY CAN BE LEARNED!!

The easiest way to become more artistic is to have a starting point. Paper Pumpkin – a monthly craft box kit subscription – gives you a place to practice. Let me show you how:

On the left is a card created as designed for the September Paper Pumpkin Kit (“Autumn Abundance”). It took me less than 5 minutes to make it, following the instructions in the box. I thought the colors were so pretty, I chose to use the same palette on another card. Using Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry and Night of Navy ink pads, I followed a sketch from the Stampin’ Up! Sept-Dec Mini Catalog (pg. 16) to make the second card. It was simply stamped on Very Vanilla card stock and used the Labeled with Love punch to make the trio of panels.

Each quarter, there is a coordinating die set available to add-on to the kits, so I used the same sketch & colors to create a second version with the die-cut leaves using the dies for last quarter. They are sold out, but you CAN order the Merry Tags & More Dies (which coordinate with the Oct-Dec 2024 kits) while supplies last.

Next, this Thank You card in the kit (left) had a beautiful base. What if you needed a small gift package?

Make it into a box, of course! I’m teaching you how to make all these alternate projects in today’s video, so watch here for instructions:

Also included in the kit this month was this third card project- it was a 4″ x 4″ Autumn card, then I looked at the window and it made me think of a shaker card:

The snail and leaves shake around inside!

The kit is terrific to get your creative juices flowing, and making the projects as intended, you will learn the basics of paper crafting. You can always make different projects with the supplies you have in the box, and I send an EXCLUSIVE email each month to my Paper Pumpkin subscribers with ways to use the stamp set and ink spot after the kit is complete!

HERE’S THE DEAL:

Try a Paper Pumpkin craft kit subscription with 40% off your first month (new subscribers only)! Use promo code HOLIDAY40 when you subscribe HERE by October 10, 2024!

You are peeking at the “Nest of Christmas” October Kit, which coordinates with the Nests of Winter Suite in the Sept-Dec Mini catalog, and you could try it at a discount! This kit will make 10 Christmas Cards.

While the September Autumn Abundance kit isn’t available as a full kit, the refill IS available in my store (limited supplies available) and you could use other stamps and ink pads you already have to make it. You must be a current Paper Pumpkin subscriber to order refills or add-ons, so sign up and then start shopping the extras, using the same email you subscribed with.

Hybrid Embossing Folder How-To

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!

Anticipating Autumn

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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Paper Purse/Tote for Happy Bday Shoppers

The vibrant In Color combination from the Global Design Project challenge #gdp449 felt like just the ones to use for today’s Live Crafting project

Your stampin’ stash can be used for MORE than cards, and this little purse/shopping tote/beach bag template can be used for gifting things such as gift cards, candy, money, jewelry, etc. The finished size of the box itself is 3.75″ tall, 3.5″ wide and 1″ deep.

The inspiration for the gift bags in the shopping cart came from a swap from my team mate Heather Goins, a.k.a. the Crazy Cardmaker. I love how she stamped onto patterned paper and colored the tissue paper in!

Normally, I wouldn’t pair foil paper AND glimmer paper, but this time it really added all the shimmer needed for a birthday celebration.

This is the month to add the NEW Attention Shoppers bundle to your collection: A stamp set + die bundle is discounted 10% when it is new to a catalog or publication PLUS in June 2024, bundles are an *additional* 10% off!

Did you notice the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machines are also 10% off?

The video will walk you through creating this boxy tote, and scroll down for printable instructions using the Tune In Bundle!

You can keep going to the tutorial but don’t forget to click and add these products to your shopping cart:

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I had created this pattern for a project that I shared with the Stampin’ Leaders Project Sheet group. The instructions will give you the same measurements for the Attention Shoppers version!

Pop-Out Book-Binding Card

Remember the SQUASH CARD we made last week? We’re using the SAME fold, just starting smaller, and putting it inside a book-binding card for a POP-ular fun-fold for your favorite POP this Father’s Day (or ANY OCCASION)!

At first glance, this looks like a normal book-binding card. But wait until you open it up!

Watch this tutorial and give this a try, and you’ll be chopping all your Designer Series Paper to 6″ square to make more!

The silver foil pop top and bottom really make it look like an aluminum can:

The Simply Sparkling stamp set and dies are just a taste of many incredible products only found in my online store, so while you are adding them to your cart, check out the other Online Exclusives.

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Squash Fun-Fold Card

Usually, I’m a bit more timely in posting my finished project from my Monday Lunchtime Live crafting videos, but we were focused on tending the grandkids. I’m just now getting settled back at home and sharing this (late Saturday night)…better late than never!

This fun-fold card is called a “squash card” and begins with an 8.5″ square piece of card stock. Once finished, the card squashes (or smashes) flat to fit into a standard Stampin’ Up! envelope.

Measurements for the pieces:

  • 8.5″ square card stock, scored at 4.25″ horizontally and vertically AND once diagonally.
  • Designer Series Paper: One 3.75″ square and two 3.5″ square
  • Basic White card stock: Two 3.75″ squares, plus a piece to stamp a greeting and/or images to embellish with.

I die cut images from the Designer Series Paper for the front of my cards, but you could just as easily stamp what you’d like for the top of your cards.

Now peek inside:

TIP: The same design can be used on a 12″ x 12″ piece of card stock to create a mailable scrapbook page! Place photos where any of the paper or card stock layers are, and save a spot to journal about the memories, then fold it up to send to a friend to remember a happy day together.

Watch for instructions:

Thanks for ordering the supplies from my Stampin’ Store so I may continue to bring you ideas to try!

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Good news! Starting June 5th, both the standard and mini Cut & Emboss Machines will be 10% off (they have NEVER been on sale before!) PLUS stamp + die bundles- which are already 10% off – will be available for an ADDITIONAL 10% discount through June 30, 2024.

Ice Cream, Adhesive Sheets and Last Chance Sale

When you have the right tools, any project becomes easier.

Adhesive sheets are a type of double-sided adhesive that make any piece of paper into a sticker, and they are indispensable for a project like PAPER PIECING. The Ice Cream Swirl dies are a perfect example of how you can create sweet cards to drool over, using adhesive sheets:

Start with a 5.5″ x 6.75″ card base (scored at 4.25″) and “build” layers with Designer Series Paper. The Lighter Than Air designs have creamy colors that I used to cut 3 swirls from, then built up my lemon-raspberry ice cream swirl. This is a card you’ll want to make triplets of at one time, just to use up all the pieces:

Today (April 9th) is the last day to register for my Crafting Happiness class on Friday, April 19th, where I’ll be featuring the Ice Cream Swirl Bundle (and you get a discount on the class if you purchase the bundle from my store)- OR you can use one of the stamp & die bundles you may already have.

A tutorial to teach how to use Adhesive Sheets:

Inside the card:

Today also begins the Stampin’ Up! Last Chance Sale– click image to shop!

I appreciate your order of genuine Stampin’ Up! products from my store! Your support give me the opportunity to continue sharing creativity with you. I’m always tickled to mail a hand-stamped card as a thank you for online orders!

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Farewell Friday: Good Feelings & Rays of Light

As we near the end of a Stampin’ Up! catalog year, it’s time to spotlight some of my favorite retiring products. These products are available while supplies last or until April 30, 2024 (download full retiring product list at end of this post).

Since the TGIF Bonus Challenge #tgifc466 was to create a “simple gift set” of cards, it gave me the opportunity to stretch outside my comfort zone of bright colors, and use some of the black & white designs from the Delightfully Eclectic Designer Series Paper. But you can’t take ALL the color out of my life, so I added Calypso Coral, which also shows up on some of the paper designs.

These cards use the paper, PLUS the Good Feelings stamp set and Rays of Light background stamp, all of which will NOT be returning to the new catalog premiering in May. The Rays of Light background is the one I will grieve over losing the most!

This simple fun-fold card style is strategically planned to make the most of your patterned paper! If you score a full 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of card stock along the long edge at 4.25″ and 9.75″…THEN cut it in half at 4.25″, you’ll have two 11″ x 4.25″ cards ready to fold, meeting on the front of the card,

Use a 4″ x 4″ piece of DSP on one side and a 4″ x 1″ piece on the smaller fold. This pattern can be used in landscape or portrait orientation.

Now, HOW should we “gift” all these simple co-ordinating cards?

A quick folio made from a 12″ tall x 10″ wide piece of the Designer Series Paper is just the thing, and can hold all the cards plus envelopes!

Score it at 4.75″ and 5.25″ to give a center binding back, then add a ribbon to tie closed:

What else is retiring? Click banners to download the lists of items from the ’23-’24 Annual Catalog AND the January-April Mini Catalog which will be retiring.

>>> NOTE THAT THE LAST CHANCE SALE STARTS APRIL 9th <<<

These are the supplies I used for my simple set of cards and the folio to gift them in. I appreciate your orders so much and will mail you a thank you card! THANK YOU.

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Coloring with Masks (Enduring Beauty)

Masks (the fancy Stampin’ Up! term for stencils) make coloring stamped images speedy and simple!

I was truly WOWed with how quickly I was able to color the floral spray image from the Enduring Beauty bundle with the coordinating masks, blending brushes and ink pads. This is a technique you may embrace if you don’t love to color, OR if you are just getting started, you can stamp and color this image with just two ink pads! Watch & learn how:

Did you catch how to die cut just half the image so you can add a layer of Designer Series Paper as the background? For the video, I added a second fold that opens on the right:

But you can just add a 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ layer of Designer Series Paper behind the flowers to make it a regular card. I really like the look of the Poetic Expressions designs with the flowers, and used the colors of that paper for coloring the flowers, as well.

Turn the design sideways and try different colors, too.

It’s a beautiful stamp set to use for so many projects, and if you haven’t seen my two previous posts using this set this week, check out the Notebook Cover project HERE and the color challenge card HERE.

THANK YOU for shopping in my Stampin’ Store for GENUINE Stampin’ Up! products!!! It enables me to continue bringing you creative ideas and you are guaranteed high quality products with service from someone who cares about you.

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Craft Happiness with Ice Cream Swirl

From a firm believer that you have the power to create your own joy, here’s an opportunity to *literally* craft things with rubber stamps, ink & paper that make you feel (and those you share them with) gleeful!

Crafting Happiness Papercrafting Class Banner

This class will spotlight the Ice Cream Swirl bundle (Item #162771-NOT included in the class fee)- OR you can complete the projects with the Simply Sparkling bundle (Item #162871), the Beautiful Balloons bundle (Item #161457), of the Share a Milkshake bundle (stamps and dies sold separately) – any of which can be ordered in my Stampin’ Store:  http://bit.ly/lonistampinupstore. BONUS: When you order the Ice Cream Swirl from my store, I will email you a discount code for $7 off the class!

You can learn more about the class below the video, here’s a completely different card I made in my Monday Live Crafting today~

Watch the HOW-TO below, plus you can see a sherbet easel card using the Ice Cream Swirl bundle HERE

MORE CLASS DETAILS: Registered class members will receive a class packet with all the consumable supplies (card stock, envelopes, Designer Series Paper, etc) needed for 5 projects we create together during the class, PLUS two full sized accessories (2 embellishments we will use in class) and a color copy of the completed projects. Crafting Happiness Virtual Class fee: $37

Class packet includes*: 

  • Tinsel Gems Four- Pack (Item #161623)
  • Iridescent Shaker Circles (Item #161625)
  • Card Stock, Designer Series Paper and accessories cut for projects
  • One sheet of Stampin’ Dimensionals
  • Envelopes and packaging
  • Sweet surprises!

(* while supplies last- if items sell out before packets are mailed, items of equal value may be substituted)

Also needed: 

  • Stamps & Dies of your choice (suggested bundles listed above)
  • Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (or Mini Machine) or similar die cutting machine for coordinating dies
  • Ink Pads: Pretty Peacock, Berry Burst, Lemon Lolly (OR Daffodil Delight), Calypso Coral, Lemon Lime Twist, Pecan Pie (OR Crumb Cake)
  • Watercolor Pencils Assortment #1 (Item #161700) OR Stampin’ Blends (colors above)

The class will be privately streamed to YouTube and you’ll receive a link via Email on April 16th to watch and craft along with me on April 19th, or watch at your convenience anytime! 

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