Hibiscus Flowers for Kindness Thank You Card

July 14, 2025July 5, 2025Leave a comment

Cleaning off my stamping surface, I found pieces for a card I had started to make showing how lovely Secret Sea and Cloud Cover card stock pair together. Since I had already embossed the background with the Happy Hibiscus Hybrid Embossing folder and stamped the background on the large label, all I had to do was stamp some Hibiscus flowers in Strawberry Slush (also a Stampin’ Up!®️ 2025-2027 In Color).

You can get TWO shades of the same color by stamping off the bold flower filler stamp onto a scrap paper once before stamping it inside the outline (stamped in full strength ink of same color). Do the same for the leaves!

TIP: If you haven’t created an ink spot with a Cloud Cover Ink refill and uninked stampin’ spot (because the ink formula didn’t work correctly for a full-sized foam ink pad), YOU CAN STAMP OFF WITH SECRET SEA for an in-between color, as shown in the leaves on this card. I also used VERSAMARK ink on the Cloud Cover label, which turns the stamped images a shade darker.

To make the background pop a bit, I softly sponged some Whisper White craft ink over the raised images. Top off the card with an elegant Cloud Cover bow and some Rhinestone Jewels in the center of the flowers.

One more suggestion: Make four of the same cards at one time! Why four? For this card, you’ll use two full sheets of Cloud Cover for the card bases, one full sheet of Secret Sea card stock for the 4 backgrounds and almost a full additional sheet of cloud cover for the large label: It makes the best use of your supplies, and takes LESS time to create four of the same cards than to come back later and make the same card another time!

Thank you for ordering the supplies from my Stampin’ Store – you are supporting a home-based business and allowing me the time to bring you more creative ideas!

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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

Secret Garden Gate-Fold Thank You Card

June 28, 2025June 27, 2025Leave a comment

This week’s TGIF Challenge #tgifc531 is “Garden Gates” and I wanted to create a gratitude card that felt like you were walking into a Secret Garden:

After I created my card, I went back to the TGIF post and realized Wendy Weixler and I both had a similar idea for building the gate, but how delightful that both are unique!

The first type of card I thought of was the appropriately named “Gate Fold” card, so I had to think it through. I ended up cutting my gate in half, so you could enter the garden:

There are only 3 days left of the Suite BOGO Sale, so I chose to use the Impressions Abloom bundle and Designer Series Paper from the Floral Impressions Suite. Each piece of our suites also qualify for the sale, just remember that the lowest price suite or suite product will get the 50% discount!

Now enter the secret garden:

I used the arch die cut from the larger gate (cut for the front) on the inside, and let the profusion of flowers bloom on all sides!

Fun fact: The Secret Garden classic children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett was one of my favorite reads as a child, and though I’m a huge musical nerd, I DON’T really love the Secret Garden musical play. The book is definitely best (and there are a few decent movie adaptations).

This card just gives all the wonder of finding a secret garden behind a locked gate!

Now, if you’ve procrastinated, here’s your reminder to shop the SWEET Suite BOGO Sale.

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Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Sweet Suite Simple Thank You Cards

June 9, 2025June 9, 2025Leave a comment

“Summertime! And the Stampin’ is Easy!” (if you sang that in your mind~ Greetings, fellow musical geek!)

Since Stampin’ Up!®️ Suites (and suite products) are BOGO50 during June, I’ll be sharing some SIMPLE ways to use our current Suites for sensational summer stamping projects. In today’s video, I’m also revealing a BEAUTY SECRET!

Crafting in June, July & August has to be easy & breezy, so coordinated products in a suite bring a speedy card together in moments. Using the Impressions Abloom stamp set, you can keep this Thanks card ultra simple, or add layers and leaves:

The only thing to stamp on the second card is the sentiment! If you die cut a few extra pieces while catching up on your favorite television episode, you’ll have all the pieces prepared to put an “I appreciate you” card together in seconds:

Embossing a piece of Stampin’ Up!®️ Two-Tone card stock with the Pressed Flowers embossing folder and rubbing it with an emery board to reveal the white center makes this background terrific and touchable.

Some of the Impressions Abloom Dies have detailed inserts, so you can die cut them from cardstock, or remove the details to cut out the stamped image.

TIP: Washi tape keeps both the outline and the details together while you run them through the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss machine.

All these products are part of the Floral Impressions Suite, and can be purchased as a complete collection or individually:

REMEMBER: For the Buy-One-Get-One-50% off special, the LOWEST priced items will receive the discount, so shop smart! Make separate orders and purchase 2 suites together in the first order (to get one suite half price), then use the *Stampin’ Rewards you earned on your first order for an additional discount on your second order, where you may order individual items from other suites (like more Designer Series Paper or embellishments).

*Stampin’ Rewards: Make sure you’ve OPTED IN to earn 10% back each time you shop! Save them or spend your rewards next time!

Scroll back up to the top to the comments (under the posting date) to tell me if you took the beauty secret and tried it!

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One more day to SUBSCRIBE and receive the Floral Charm Paper Pumpkin kit in the mail!

Paper Pumpkin is a complete stamping experience in a box, and the June kit actually coordinates with a new Suite coming to my store in July: the Floral Charm Suite. If you are a current subscriber, you will also want to include the Hugs Abloom add-on die set to your next order, as it coordinates with the 2025 April-June kits:

Subscribe to Paper Pumpkin

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊🧡– Loni Spendlove

Crafting Cards with Party Dies

May 19, 20251 Comment

Sometimes you have to invest in your hobby, and when you are ready to do so, may I suggest the Stampin’ Up! Party Banners Dies and Party Alphabet Dies? You’ll save 10% when you bundle them together in one purchase, and, as I mention in the instructional video below, you can claim them as “exercise equipment” 😅

A shaped card is as fun to create as it is to receive! The 5th largest banner die is just about 5.5″ x 4.25″, so these cards fit into the basic white Medium Envelopes:

We made the Pretty Peacock version (left) in the live crafting video, then when we were done, I looked at it and realized that the Damask Designs Embossing folder probably needed to be turned vertically, so created a second with the “Thanks” from a previous Paper Pumpkin kit Add-On die set called “Thanks & Beyond” (shoutout to my PP Craft Kit subscribers!).

This week is high school graduation in southern Utah, and I’m still making cards for grads! This Shy Shamrock card is the banner turned sideways, with letters cut from 2024-2026 In Color Glimmer Paper, and the lock/key/sentiments from Tags to Go.

Finally (for today, at least), I demonstrated this slimline card to remind you of the Eclipse Technique with alphabet dies:

A card for any cake-consumption celebration!

Learn how to make all these banner-themed cards in this video:

If I’ve inspired you to add the Party Die bundle to your list, please shop in my Stampin’ Store!

Better yet…choose these dies as part of a Starter Kit and only pay $99! The other perks of being a demonstrator are even better than the discount: A community of friendly crafters, the opportunity to create a business you love – or a hobby that brings you purpose and passion.

Keep your creative juices flowing! 🍊- Loni Spendlove

Joseph’s Coat Technique with Patterned Paper

February 18, 2025Leave a comment

Last summer I taught you the Joseph’s Coat technique with Embossing Folders, so now it’s time to try this cool rubber stamping technique with Stampin’ Up! Designer Series Paper, plus I’ve included a bonus version using Stampin’ Write Markers!

The technique begins by clear embossing a bold image over a pattern, then adding black (or dark ink) over the embossed paper, while the ink “resists” sticking to the clear embossing powder:

I used the graphic designs from the Toadstool Gardens DSP (from Sale-a-Bration 2025), and used the largest Perennial Postage die to cut a unique shape from the pattern, leaving just enough of the paper to add to the flap of my envelope.

The Thanking You stamp is large and bold enough to allow the pattern to be seen well through the embossing once the black ink is smeared all over the Designer Series Paper. You’ll want to use a tissue to wipe off any residue from clear embossed words, and the colorful pattern emerges just like the magic of the famous coat of Joseph in Egypt!

As a BONUS, I showed that you could create a pattern with Stampin’ Write markers to make a custom design, like Red, White and Blue for Independence Day:

Stampin’ Write Markers are part of the “Extra” perks of joining Stampin’ Up! during Sale-a-Bration!

Why not try the starter kit and choose Option 1? You’ll get $216 worth of crafting supplies for just $99!

To learn exactly how to do the Joseph’s Coat Technique (and more about Stampin’ Write markers or the opportunity to join), watch this video:

Just 10 days left to collect the Toadstool Garden Designer Series Paper (or another SAB product of your choice) for FREE during Stampin’ Up! Sale-a-Bration 2025! For each $60 you spend, you can choose a free product and many new items were added at the beginning of February.

Thank you for choosing me to serve your creative needs! These are the supplies for the first card, which I demonstrated in the video tutorial:

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“Thank You for the Gift” Notecards

December 29, 2024December 28, 2024Leave a comment

When was the last time you sent a thank you card for a gift you received? (Full transparency: This is something I need to do more of) Since it’s less than a week from Christmas, this is OUR chance to be gracious and grateful.

This Thank You card was designed to be speedy and simple to stamp, plus I’m using Stampin’ Up! Notecards & Envelopes, so they are pre-cut and scored. No excuses here!

The Humble Home bundle includes all the stamps you need, plus the Home Builder Punch. You can literally create a stack of these in just minutes.

To make it easy for you, too, print off the tutorial, then add the supplies you need to your cart below.

Print Humble Home Notecard Tutorial

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Humble Home Bundle (English)

Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes

Basic Beige 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

Basic Beige Classic Stampin Pad

Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad

Mini Glue Dots

Stampin' Dimensionals

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!

New at SU! Elevated Embossing with Zinnias

August 21, 2024August 21, 20243 Comments

Embossing folders add texture, dimension and visual interest to any paper crafting project, thus, the New at SU! Design Team is elevating your dry embossing techniques with our Blog Hop in August!

Have you ever used an embossing folder on a Window (acetate) sheet?

For this project, the Zinnia 3D Embossing folder gave a little pattern to the overlay that folds around the card, giving it two layers! TIP #1: Use your bone folder to give the window sheet a crisp fold in the center before AND after running it through the Cut & Emboss machine.

Because I adhered the back of the cardstock card to the inside of the window sheet on the back, I added a card stock layer on the back of the card so you can’t see the adhesive:

Carrying the theme through, I also embossed the flap of my envelope:

On the card inside the window sheet, I created a background with blending brushes and stamps from the Simply Zinnia stamp set, “built” Pretty in Pink flowers from the dies, then added a word strip to the top of the clear layer.

Tip #2: Cut a length of ribbon down the center, creating two thin ribbons and tie around the front layer for a double bow…let the loose strands add whimsy!

Explore other embossing folder ideas by hopping on over to Diane’s post featuring the Distressed Tile embossing folder, then catch the rest of the crafting crew’s exciting embossing projects:

August 2024 New at SU! Blog Hop: Elevated Embossing Folders

Previous Blog Next Blog

1.Studio Shabaz (AU) – Elevated Embossing

2.The Joy of Stampin’ with Rachael (USA)- Emboss Dry, Emboss Heat Techn

3.Stampinxime by Ximena Morales (DE) – Fantasievoll Verwirbelt

4.iHeartCards2 (US) – Elevated Embossing

5.Stamping Flair (AU) – Layered Florals

6.Furry Cat Designs (UK) – Embedding a layer in a design

7.De Kijkkast (NL)- Elevated Embossing with Cute Crochet

8.Creative Juice by Loni (US)- Elevated Embossing Zinnias Window Sheet

9.24-7 Inkspiration (US) – Distressed Tile

10.Tricia’s Stamping Creations (US) – Dashing Designs Elevated Embossing

11.Crafters Northwest (US) – Elevated Embossing

12.Nature’s INKspirations (US) – Eyelet Elevated Embossing

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Stack, Cut, Shuffle, STAMP

August 12, 2024Leave a comment

So many marvelous Designer Series Papers, so little time? This technique for cutting a stack of patterned paper will have you making multiple cards at ONE TIME!

Begin by selecting 4 patterns of Designer Series Paper- I suggest using a maximum of two busy or bold patterns and add a subtle design and a tiny or monochromatic print, in 4 different colors (or different shades of the same hue). This will give you the CONTRAST you need when piecing them back together.

You can adhere the shuffled pieces edge-to-edge (as on the card, left) or leave a small space between them, giving a window-pane look (card on right). You may find that a design on the BACK of your paper works well, so go ahead and flip it over, if needed.

I used the Unbounded Beauty 12″ x 12″ pack- it’s part of the Designer Series Paper SALE this month, August 2024 and showcases the 2024-2026 In Colors, which are lovely together. With the few scraps left over, I added a piece to the inside layer and to the flap of my envelope.

Grab your patterned paper and follow along with me here, as you practice your cardmaking:

If you paper is directional, you’ll need to decide if you are creating PORTRAIT cards (tall) or LANDSCAPE cards (wide) **before** you cut your paper, and make sure it’s oriented the correct way.

The Unbounded Beauty cards were landscape, but I also needed some sympathy cards, and the blues in the Countryside Inn Designer Series Paper (also 15% off in August) seemed fitting. These are portrait versions of the Stack, Cut, Shuffle technique: